Naruto hated the fact that Konoha's population ignored him and he paid way too much for some goods due to their antipathy towards him. There were some nice people that he enjoyed being around, like the old man and his favorite ramen stand, but generally it sucked. He let out a sigh as he sat on a bench in the middle of town. He knew that things had to get better…because the old man said it would and he would never lie…or would he? Unbeknownst to the young demon-host, a man with ill thoughts hid in the shadows of a nearby building and watched the boy, following him with grim intentions.
Mizuki knew that Naruto would be walking home alone and so this would be the perfect time to rid Konoha of the demon. He blustered himself up with alcohol to make sure he would not let his fear of the Hokage get the better of him this time. The deranged man made his way quietly, even though he was drunk, towards the unknowing demon-host, pulled out his tanto, and prepared to strike.
A small scraping sound behind him alerted Naruto to the impending attack. He turned to see a ninja with a mad gleam in his eyes thrust a gleaming blade toward into Naruto's chest. Luckily for Naruto, the blade missed his heart (probably due to effect of copious amounts of alcohol), but the blade punctured his lung and began bleeding profusely.
The Kyuubi roared in in it's cage. "I will not be killed by some drunken ninja! I will kill himself first!" The fox knew of another way. He summoned all his chakra and threw both the assailant and his vessel into another world. An…older world.
Mizuki was too drunk to notice the change of scenery to an old forest. Normally a ninja of Mizuki's standard would notice this- drunk or not. However, he was not only drunk, but lived in a village that was hidden in the leaves, which was surrounded by a mighty forest on all sides, making it feel as if the woods were as natural as the village itself to be in. Mizuki was about to push the blade deeper into Naruto when he had a dark thought. "Why not mess with the young demon-host's mind?" he thought. Mizuki had a cruel smirk on his lips as he spoke. "Naruto do you know how your mother, father, or your older sister died?"
Mizuki had all of Naruto's attention even though the pain as Mizuki skillfully spun a web of lies (truthfully, he knew nothing of Naruto's family). " I killed them…that's right. I killed your father and had my way with your mother and sister before I cut their throats. The best part is…I get to end the last of your family with you. Now die!" Mizuki let go of his tanto and reached for the katana on his back.
Boromir was leading his men back from a victorious battle against the orcs of Mordor. He ordered his men to set up camp. After all, they needed the rest and he wanted to do some scouting. Even though they were in Gondor, he needed to keep in practice and this would help. Boromir heard a sound and made his way towards it. What he found shocked and angered him to the core. There stood a man with a knife stabbing into a child probably no older then 4 years old. Then he heard the man tell the poor boy the fate of his family at the man's hand. Boromir could not stand it any longer and with a loud war cry, he charged the orc of a man.
Hearing this, the man turned to face him and Boromir slammed his shield into the man's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. Boromir stabbed his sword into the man's torso. The man coughed up some blood and tried to say something, but Boromir would be damned if he let this man's mouth spew more venom. He struck down again with his blade, silencing the man forever, then turned towards the young boy.
Boromir walked over to the boy, then knelt in front of him. He could clearly see the boy's tears flow freely and knew that the boy was nearly broken. "Child, my name is Boromir. I will take you to get some medical help at my camp." Boromir spoke in soft tones, hoping against hope that the boy would not be too traumatized to trust anyone. "That thing," Boromir spat out like it was a curse and pointed to the corpse of Mizuki before continuing, "will no longer hurt you…I am sorry for not being there faster and for what that thing did to your family…but I swear that I will help you on my honor as a caption of Gondor." As Boromir spoke he truly believed that it was his fault that the boy had lost so much. He was supposed to be the protector of Gondor. While he knew in his head that it sound unreasonable that he would blame himself, in his heart he had a voice saying that if he only had done something…anything, faster that the boy might be better.
Naruto looked at Boromir though tear-bleared eyes. The man had long brown hair and a full beard and he had a kind look in his eyes. Boromir wore plate armor that had a symbol of a white tree on the chest. Naruto did the only thing he could do- he hugged the man for all his life before falling into a faint brought on by blood loss, dimly aware that the man caught him as he fell.
Boromir was surprised when the boy hugged him with all the strength he had left that was not cried out of him by that thing (he refused to call that thing a man). But when the boy hugged him, he knew what he had to do. He would become the father that was stolen from the boy by that monster, but first he had to check the boy's wounds. Boromir lifted up the boy's shirt to see the wound, but shock over came him. "By the Gods!" Boromir exclaimed as he watched the boy's wounds close up one their own. "It would appear that the boy is blessed by the gods…probably as a way to say they're sorry for the poor lad." Boromir thought to himself as he removed his cape and gently wrapped the boy while picking him up. Then Boromir with the boy in his arms begin the trek back to camp.
Faramir awaited his brother's return with clear weariness on his face. He feared an orc ambush and wished again that he had gone with Boromir. Sternly he reminded himself that had an ambush taken place, they would have heard the horn of Gondor bellow. Faramir sighed. He had no idea what was taking his brother so long to return from a simple scouting mission inside Gondor. Just as he was about to order a search party, he saw his brother in the distance in full armor carrying something wrapped in his arms with what appeared to be his cape. Faramir's eyebrow rose in question as he walked over to his brother. "You are late brother…what kept you? I presume that it is what is in your arms."
"Yes, brother. You see I found a man that was worse then any orc and I took care of him." Faramir had a slightly disbelieving look after this pronouncement. After all, men had a chance at redemption while orcs had none. Seeing the disbelief, Boromir resumed "The man, if you can call it that…had stabbed this child in his right lung…while bragging that he killed the boy's father and then raped the boys mother and sister before killing them as well."
Boromir watched as his brother's face showed stunned disbelief, only to be replaced by anger as he threw back Boromir's cape to show the face of a child no older then four. At that age, a mother's embrace was all that was needed to make the world right, but if what he heard was true, then this boys world would never be that again. "The gods seem to have taken pity on him and he can heal…in seconds after the wound is inflicted." Boromir said sadly as that ability alone made the boy destined to be a soldier. Boromir spoke again, this time with a personal hint to his voice. "If only I had paid as much attention to what happens in our borders as I did to the orcs…I could have saved them."
Faramir shook his head at his brother knowing that this…abomination was not his brother's fault. He was trying to convey that to his beloved brother, "Boromir, it is not your…." when he was cut off by the look his brother sent him.
"I swore to protect Gondor, yet I become so blinded by the Mordor that I failed to see this…act going on!" Boromir exclaimed angrily more to himself then his brother. "So I shall make amends and take this boy as my….Son." Boromir said this with pride and even a little possessiveness in the final word- his words seemingly carrying themselves throughout the camp as soldiers listened to the brother's conversation. Boromir walked by his gaped-mouthed brother, who had yet to comprehend what he had said. Boromir entered his tent and laid the boy on his bunk.
Faramir recovered enough from his brother's statement to follow Boromir into the relative privacy of the tent. "Are you sure you want to go ahead with this?" Faramir questioned.
Boromir turned to face his brother. "Yes I do intend to follow this course."
Faramir looked at his brother's face to see if he would change his mind. When no facial expressions changed, Faramir…smiled. "Good! The boy needs a father and not a man to give him hope only to have it stricken away." Boromir looked shocked as he heard Faramir continue. "But how are you going to explain this to father?"
Boromir looked thoughtful before simply replying "Tell him the truth."
Faramir stared at Boromir a long moment before shrugging. After all, Boromir was their father's favorite son, so if father was going to not make a fuss, it would be for Boromir. Faramir sighed. He had to stop thinking like that. His brother was the kindest person to him and those thoughts did no one any good. He turned to study the boy on the cot. Things were about to get complicated.
Naruto's eyes blinked open. Studying the ceiling, he realized he was in a plain tent. Glancing down at the cot he was on, he sat up and looked hopefully around for his savior. He was not disappointed as he saw Boromir over in the corner sleeping on what looked like a fold-up chair. Naruto's eyes widened as he realized that Boromir had given him his bed. Getting up, Naruto walked over to where Boromir rested and sank down cross-legged in front of the man, waiting for him to wake up.
Boromir woke up to the sight of the boy he saved looking up at him from where he sat on the floor. Boromir noted that when he returned the look, the boys eyes brightened and Boromir could not help but smile. "Well, look who's woken up…what is your name lad?" Boromir asked his unknowing son.
Naruto stared into the man's eyes for a moment before saying "My name is Naruto, sir." Naruto was slightly nervous at telling his name as it seemed to be hated by adults.
Boromir saw the nervous look, but reasoned that the boy was nearly killed. Still, he had to wonder why anyone would name their son Naruto. "I must ask, do you know who named you?" Boromir requested respectfully, "After all, it is not every day that you meet someone with such a unique name."
"I think it was the lady at the orphanage. She used to talk about my parents and say they were heroes, but she never said their names." Naruto spoke without missing a beat, he was so happy that Boromir did not hate him.
Boromir was thinking that the woman at the orphanage had to be a foreigner, but a name is a name. "Naruto…I am sorry for what has happened and I am going to make amends." Boromir spoke in a soft tone while moving to Naruto's eye level. "I am going to take you as my son…." Boromir trailed off as if he wanted to say more, but he was interrupted by Naruto's arms clinging tightly around his neck.
Naruto wept with joy. He finally had a father…but then he remembered Mizuki's words. "I would like that…but, do you think I am betraying my...birth parents?" Naruto questioned with some worry while looking worriedly into Boromir's eyes.
Boromir looked at the boy….no his son, before answering "I think they would want what is best for you and would not want you to dwell on such depressing matters." Boromir spoke quietly, but with authority. He was by all means a simple man…a soldier, so common sense and pride were some of his best characteristics. "Come Naruto, let's introduce you to my brother." Boromir helped Naruto up and lent him a hand to hold as Boromir lead Naruto though the camp to find Faramir. As usual, he was leaning against a tree- blending in so well that it was hard to pick him out. "Faramir! " Boromir called out.
Faramir, hearing his brother's call, turned to see his brother and the boy coming towards him. He noticed that Boromir's hand was wrapped protectively around the boy's tiny one. Faramir took a moment to study the boy- blond hair and what appeared to be three scars on each of the boy's cheeks. Faramir shook his head at the sight. He had seen weirder things after all. "Hello my young friend, or should I say nephew." Faramir spoke first before continuing. "My name is Faramir. May I ask what your name is?"
Boromir spoke before Naruto could open his mouth "His name is Naruto. It is the name that was given to him at an orphanage." Boromir spoke as if the name was a perfectly normal name and the fact that it was given by an orphanage when normally a father gives their sons a name was no big deal.
Faramir suspected that the boy might not have been originally from Gondor, but for his brother's sake he would not say a word of his suspicions, besides he was sure his father would no doubt believe his eldest son's version….even if it was shown that the boy did not know Gondor.
The trip back to Gondor was a very interesting one to say the least. Boromir carved a rough sword out of a branch and gave it to Naruto, then started to show him how to fight with it. To Boromir's great delight, Naruto was a natural at it. Faramir helped the boy now and again, but did not with the same…enthusiasm as his brother. The men that had gone with them all enjoyed Naruto's presence. It lifted their sprits for the long march back to Gondor.
Before long, the white city was in view. Naruto could only gape at the size and beauty. Boromir was frowning slightly, thinking of the best way to introduce Naruto to his father. Hand in hand, they approached the city gate.
Well, what do you think? Please review and if you can guess what does Naruto symbolize to Boromir. I think this is the first Naruto/LOTR crossover that Boromir plays a big part.