Demons of Family and Destiny 1: A Fateful Arrival and Encounter
"….."=talking.
'…..'=thinking.
Naruto=Biju speaking.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto of One Piece.
It was the early afternoon of a bright, warm day in the major shinobi village of Konohagakure, as villagers and shinobi alike wandered through the streets. Different members of the populace were browsing various shops, spending time with friends and loved ones, or simply enjoying the nice weather.
Although, near the front gates of the village, many people glanced around apprehensively. Some were frowning at the figure nearby, while others shuddered from intimidation and wished the object of their fear would pass by unaware.
The person receiving these glares glanced around. With a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Fufufufufufufufufufu! You truly enjoy terrifying everyone we encounter. Don't you Zoro?"
The man glanced to his right, a smirk on his face changing from satisfied to amused. "You enjoy making people squirm in fear even more than me, Onna."
Amongst the crowd were three individuals whose unique clothing suggested that they were foreigners of Hi no Kuni.[1]
The man, who had been drawing terrified glances, had short light green hair and a scar running over his left eye, forcing it closed. He was wearing a long dark-green coat, closed at the waist by a red sash, with a green haramaki underneath but no shirt, and a black bandanna tied around his left arm. What drew the attention of everyone passing by was the large scar he was brandishing across his broad, muscular chest, running from his left shoulder to his right hip. While the shinobi made uneasy glances at the three ornate and well-used katana resting on this right hip, and the ease of his stance that reflected a master swordsman.
Next to him was a slightly taller woman, who had long black hair that reached her lower back, blue eyes, a defined nose, and tanned skin. She had an enviable build with large breasts and a slender waist. Accented by her suggestive choice in clothing.
She wore a mostly purple outfit consisting of high heeled boots, some skinny jeans, a white low hanging tank-top that showed off the top of her chest, a light open jacket worn over the tank top, and purple tinted sunglasses. She also had a small light purple backpack that was slung on to her left shoulder.
Last was a twelve-year-old girl, who had long dark green hair, the man's black eyes, the woman's defined nose, and tanned skin. The girl was wearing a purple t-shirt that was tucked into her tan pants, brown high heeled boots, and had a red sash tied around her waist with three normal katana tucked into her sash, near her right hip.
These three people were Roronoa Zoro; known to the world as "World's Greatest Swordsman" and "Demon of the New World." Roronoa-Nico Robin; the infamously labeled "Devil's Child." And Roronoa Olvia; whom was affectionately nick-named "Hell Spawn" by her parent's nakama.
Of course, all of these epithets meant nothing on this island.
Two hundred years ago, a large war was waged between the natives of a mass of land that resided in the New World known as the Shinobi Nations and the Marines. This conflict ended with a treaty which stated that both sides would cease all diplomatic and regal contact between their lands. Despite this, a wayward trader or pirate crew would still visit the Shinobi nations, but ultimately long-term isolation had left the broader world unknown to the people living on this island.
The situation was a blessing in many ways. On a broad-scale, this kept the Elemental Nations independent of the oppressive elements of the World Government. Particularly the god-complexed, privilege-obsessed Celestial Dragons, the destructive Marine Admirals, and the dominance of the Yonko who ruled the New World.
More immediately, both Roronoa Zoro and Nico Robin are wanted by the World Government and had thousands of enemies outside of the Shinobi Nations as former Mugiwara Pirates. The crew had disbanded eight years after discovering the legendary treasure One Piece, with each member now living their own lives.
Following their separation, Robin requested that she and her husband travel to the Shinobi Nations, as her discovery of the Rio Poneglyph had mentioned a man known as the Rikudo Sennin[2], and she wanted to research about him. The pair were also in search for an island to settle down on with their daughter Olvia, and somewhere as hidden from the World Government as the Elemental Nations seemed promising.
Once they had arrived three years ago, the family visited the shinobi villages of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and many of the minor villages. Until they finally decided to head towards Konohagakure, with some of highest number of ancient clans and claimed to possess a deep well of knowledge. Now the family stood at the village's main square, deciding on what they would do first.
"Papa! Mom can scare people in a much more amusing way than you do. Almost every time it happens you both laugh together!" exclaimed Olvia.
As the family chuckled at her observation, the girl looked around in wonder at the open streets and the faces carved into the monument. "Wow. This village is quite beautiful!
"Yes certainly it is, Olvia." agreed Robin, smiling at her daughter's awed expression. "Don't you agree Zoro?"
Zoro shrugged, "it's okay, I guess," in a bored tone.
"Aww, you're so boring papa" whined Olvia.
A frown crossed his face at his daughter's comment. "I'm not boring, 'Livy. I just don't get all wide-eyed at nature like you two," Zoro idly explained.
"But why?" asked Olvia. "You always liked lying under the Sunny's tree whenever you took a nap."
"It's because it was shady, but didn't block out all of the sunlight. I don't see the point of getting interested in every single leaf on it," explained Zoro.
"You don't have to be interested in everything, just appreciate how it looks," argued Olvia.
"It looked like a tree, and this looks like a village. No different from dozens of others." stated Zoro, grumbling slightly.
Robin couldn't help but stand back and giggle as she watched her husband and daughter go back and forth in their argument. 'They are both so stubborn' thought Robin smiling.
"How come you had to marry such a bland guy mom?" asked a pouting Olvia.
"Now Olvia, your father might not appreciate everything in explicit detail as we do. But, do you honestly believe that someone who is the World's Greatest Swordsman, and feared across the world as a demon can be considered bland?" Robin asked, with an aumused smirk waiting to see her daughter's reaction.
Olvia's eyes darted to her father, flustered and embarrassed, as she scratched her slightly red cheek. "U-um…n-n-n-no, what-what I meant was that-"
Zoro playfully ruffled his daughter's hair. "That's enough Livy" said Zoro grinning.
Olvia sighed in relief, before smiling at her mother. 'She nailed me flawlessly that time.'
Zoro looked to his wife, "Why don't you go to the library and read about that sage guy; while Livy and I go find some place to train," suggested the swordsman.
"Are you sure that is the best idea Zoro? What if the two of you get lost?" asked Robin with an eyebrow raised and a teasing smirk.
Zoro frowned with tick mark on his head. But before he could argue, Olvia groaned. "Oh, come on mom, you know that my sense of direction is way better than papa's" claimed the green haired girl. "Come on papa! I need to work on my nitoryu-styles," exclaimed Olvia, as she quickly turned to march out towards the forest.
Robin smiled in amusement. "Olvia, sweetheart. You might be right on that topic. But you're sense of priorities is slightly off. Where are we staying tonight."
Olvia froze. Then started walked back in embarrassment over her forgetfulness, and under her mother's troll-like grin.
"We'll find the hotel that chunin guard mentioned first. Then I can start my research in the village's library, while you find a training field for your father."
"Robin!" Zoro groaned at her.
"Now, now, Zoro-koi~." The archaeologist replied in a teasing voice. "Did you forget Onoki-sama ordering a mission to retrieve you from a being stuck in a sewage pipe, after you went looking for a cliff-side training field on your own?"
Zoro stiffed, he red shinning red at the memory. "Th-tha-THAT WASN"T MY FAULT! THE SHITTY DIRECTIONS LEAD ME THERE!"
Robin and Olvia broke-out in pure laughter! Zoro still wore an intense frown when they found a hotel, leaving the hotel receptionist terrified. Once their bags were stored in a two-bedroom suite, Zoro grabbed Olvia's arm.
"We'll come meet you at the library once we're done! Come-on Livy!" he called to Robin, before leading his daughter away.
"Alright. I will wait for you both until that time comes." replied Robin. 'Fufufufu, well her sense of direction is certainly better than Zoro's' she reflected. 'At least they aren't travelling away from the "forest" training grounds.'
From there, Robin left a Hana-clone in the room and set out from the building. Finding an empty alleyway, she quickly bloomed a series of well-hidden eyes and ears to search for her destination.
She found many different sights: of various masked ninja patrolling the village, of groups of young teens carrying over an elderly woman's shopping, two strange figures in a hand-stand-race, along with many other sights. As she took in all of it, Robin caught herself marvelling at so much peace and prosperity. She smiled in approval of finding such an open community despite its militant role in foreign politics. There were no wanted-posters plastered everywhere. Shinobi and civilians were interacting casually with each other as she passed by. There was a true felling of unity between the regular people of the village that Robin could appreciate.
'So the library is just past the academy' thought Robin. Until her happiness was suddenly ruined.
'What-!' she thought in distress.
In a small playground, several children were crying in pain, whipping tears from their eyes and covered with dirt with a few scratches. But Robin's attention was otherwise occupied.
A large group of adults were surrounding a small boy with blonde hair, who was covered with bruises. Looking up, his bright blue eyes were frowning angrily, until one of the adults smacked him across his face!
'What!-' Robin was shocked, and soon angry. Quickly, she bloomed an ear close-by, and started to form a Hana-clone. But-
"Don't you DARE look at me like that, you monster!" cried a woman near Robin's age. "Why did lord Hokage even let it join the school?" another disdainfully voiced, as her hate-filled eyes were trained on the child.
"I'm not an 'it!'" the boy shouted, desperately. "I'm Naruto! Uzumaki Naruto! And why are you-hup-why are you looking at me like that! I justed want to play with-"
"Playing!" one burly man shouted. Stepping forward, his snarling face was thrust towards the child. "If you EVER try to play with my son, I'll destroy you! I won't let him be corrupted or put in danger by spending time with a monster!"
"That is right." A third parent declared. "We can't have you playing helpless, and have more chances to hurt people just out of the blue."
"But-but-BUT I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE! THEY WERE HITTING ME, SO I PUSHED THEM AWAY!" the child screamed in despair.
The adults grew silent. Looming over the boy, casting him into the darkness of their shadows. Ostracism and disgust clear in their eyes.
Robin was frozen. 'Th-those eyes…O-ohara…' The gestures and words brought forth painful memories from her own childhood. A tear travelled down her cheek as the scene began pulling her deeper into her past of being alone and hated by everyone but her precious few. Then watching the only home she had destroyed. Those sparse sources of comfort brutally murdered, and the decades she spent being hunted and abandoned for a lie.
"Stay. Away. From. Anyone. And. Everyone. Freak." Robin's mind returned to the present, those words pulling her back. Looking into the scene, the parents were beginning to leave and return to the other children. While the blonde boy stood there, trembling, shouting back at the group as they slunk away from him. Hatred and disgust palpable in the air.
Robin she frowned in disgust and anger at such familiar ostracism. 'So this village truly isn't as benevolent or peaceful as they claim to be. That poor child. Wait-no one is approaching him at all…'
Quickly, Robin came to a pivotal decision, and steeled her resolve. "The Library can wait," she said aloud. "I need to get there in person quickly."
0…..0
As she approached the academy, Robin looked on to see a crowd of people leaving through the gates. It was the same group she had spied earlier. The boys looked to be cleaned-up, but she clearly saw the sinister little smirks on their faces. Which dissolved into sad frowns when the parents looked at them. Who occasionally glanced back to the playground, spitefully.
Robin continued forward, carefully slipping around them to avoid any delays. Soon, she heard the sound of a child crying nearby. Taking a deep, focusing breath, she entered the playground and found the target of her comfort.
He had moved to a nearby swing, sitting in a hunched position, a dark mood hung over him, reflecting confusion and despair.. Those cries tugged at Robin's heart, both as a victim and as a mother. Focusing on him, past the growing anger towards those who hurt him, she approached the child and tried calling to him, softly.
"Excuse me little boy, are you alright?"
"Yyyaaaaaahhhh!" the children yelped in fear, falling sideways off the swing.
Robin moved to catch him, before the solid ground added to his pain.
Naruto's POV:
Naruto began to panic, feeling another person close by. He fell off the swings, and into something moving! Looking around, he saw dozens of hands and arms gripping his body! The confusing sight terrified the boy. He began thrashing about, trying to escape from their grasp! He shouted out, calling for help, becoming more and more hysterical! Desperate for someone, anyone-
Until...
Until he felt something soft, warm and comfy pressing in to him. 'Huh! What…what feels...so-so soft?'
He felt a gentle, caressing motion passed through his hair, and something wrap around his shoulders. Looking up, he saw the face of a beautiful woman. Her hand was softly caressing through his hair. Oddly, he found it very soothing, making him relax with each gentle stroke. She appeared young to him, with raven-black hair, sharp features and blue eyes. Her face was open and unfamiliar. Not her face, but from her eyes.
'Wh-what-what is this? On-only Jii-san ever has eyes like that around me. But-but hers look...I don't know, deeper?'
"I'm sorry for startling you, whisker-san" spoke the woman, giving him an apologetic smile. "I saw what those terrible people were doing and came to offer you help."
'She…did…she just ap…apologize to me?'
Past her smile, Naruto saw a veil of sadness fill her eyes. "I'm sorry that happened. Nobody should treat such an adorable little boy like that. Can you tell me what happened when they started shouting at you?"
"Uh…..um…wh-why. Why are you helping me?"
The woman's face shuddered. Naruto was worried, as he saw a deeply painful look in her eyes.
"Because I once lived the same life as you."
"The same as me…? Wh-I-"
"Being alone," she continued. "The pain can be felt in ways that are...barely...describable. Their eyes carry only anger and blame. They…" she stopped to take a deep, emotional breath. "-they will whisper to everyone to stay away from you. Everything is unfairly blamed on you, even if you were not around at all. It…it can be worse…" her voice grew quiet, visibly struggling to speak.
Naruto's eyes widened. Those words were exactly what he felt.
He saw a familiar look in the woman's eyes that he saw every night in the mirror. Her honest and tender gaze, and her soothing touch, it made him feel strangely warm and open. He began to calm down. And became open to the torrent of pain, confusion and sadness that had gathered inside of him.
Quickly, his chest felt a tight pain, deep in his heart. His vision became blurry with tears, and a voice beginning to cry around him. He grabbed at the woman desperately, in confusion, fear and anger. Deep, emotional sobs were loud in his ears, as his mind failed to realize they were coming from his own voice. His head felt very heavy and compressed, as soon much pain, frustration and confusion began to pour out of him in emotional sobs!
Even stranger, to him, was that she hadn't left. He felt the woman's arms gently locked around him, holding him close yet light enough to be broken out of if he wanted to. Something touched him, soothingly, while her voice whispered words of comfort to him.
"Wha-heh-heh-heh-heh...heh-heh-heh-heh...-So...-heh-heh-hicheck-heh-heh-so...heh-heh...so...so warm..."
After a few moments, he began to feel light and another strange feel ebbed into his soul. Naruto fell into a peaceful oblivion.
POV End.
Robin saw the boy's eyes welling-up with tears, and his entire face tremble. Quickly, his hands flew up to her shirt, clenching to her like a lifeline. Her heart constricted as he continued to awkwardly and uncontrollably sob in her arms.
'He…he's relaxing but clearly uncomfortably. Have…'
Her motherly instincting taken over, Robin gathered the child in her arms, softly patting his head and whispering to him. "Shhhhhhh…..it's okay…..shhhhhh…let it out…that's it…shhhhhhhhh...no one will hurt you…I won't let them…" She patiently waited as he cried in her arms, his body wracked with sobs. She felt him violently tremble, sparingly but worryingly.
'How much pain and sadness is locked away in your heart? How can such simple comfort coax this much despair to come forth?' Those thoughts angered her, as her mind formed some possible theories. Especially taking note how she was the only adult around. The boy had seemed lost and confused why she had approached him at all. And how nobody had come after hearing his loud cries.
Robin put those thoughts aside, and focused on holding the boy. As she worked to gently soothed his emotional pain, she took a brief moment to look back on her life, and the pivotal figures who had changed it.
'Fufufu! Twenty years ago I never would have imagined doing this. Luffy and the others have managed to bring me so far and change me so much, that I have become a better person. Now, I am free to live the life I had always dreamed of. Amazing nakama, a wonderful husband, and a beautiful child; all things that I had given up on since Ohara. Thank you everyone.'
It was only when Robin finished her thoughts that she noticed the whiskered boy had fallen asleep. There, she came to a decision. "Perhaps I can help to change your life for the better as well, whisker-san," whispered the ravenette to herself. Holding him close, she stood up from the ground and carried Naruto away from the Academy. As the sleeping orphan shuddered with relief, Robin began set out to find her family.
Confident that they would agree and welcome Naruto as a new member.
End.
[1]-"The Land of Fire."
[2]-"Sage of Six Paths."
Note=By this point in Naruto's life, the only people he had personal contact with were Iruka, the Ichiraku's and Hiruzen Sarutobi. Teuchi and Ayame could comfort him slightly, while Iruka could relate to him as a fellow orphan and Hriuzen could only recognize his situation as a jinchuriiki. None of them would be able to empathize with the rejection and isolation he experiences. That is why Robin's sympathy would be so much more impactful than theirs. She can mentally and empathetically touch exactly what causes him such deep and repressed suffering. Causing Naruto to respond by dropping his "mask" and letting his repressed negative feelings flood out from his heart.