He watched them from the shadows. A woman and her four year old child walking home from the park. She was a beautiful woman in her early thirties. Long bright red hair reaching the middle of her back, standing at a solid 5'9, violet colored eyes so full
of life, a small button like nose, and a smile that could melt even his heart of stone. Her name is Kushina Uzumaki.

At her side bouncing with energy is her son, Naruto. Just looking at him now the man in the shadows knew he would grow up to be a handsome young man, the boy had short reddish black hair, his mothers violet eyes and bright smile, with dash marks on both
cheeks.

He's been watching them whenever he could without getting caught, but always they've been under his protection. Now however he couldn't protect them any longer without being discovered. Which was why he was here now. Stepping out from the shadows revealed
a middle aged man who looked to be in his late thirties, wearing a well pressed grey business suit with a black tie and shoes, should one looked closely at the suit they could see face sifting within the fabric, he had deathly pale skin, and a clean
shaven face that looked as if made or granite, dark black eyes that burned with unspeakable power and madness. His name was Pluto, god of the underworld, riches and dead.

Kushina wasn't an idiot. She had known they were being watched all afternoon. Truth be told she knew they've been watched the past few years. While she wished her one time lover would actually talk in person, she was just happy to know he was getting
to know their son.

Once they made it home she had her son prepare for bed.

"But mommy I'm not tired." Her son pouted cutely getting a laugh out of her.

"Now listen here little man, we had a deal remember? I take you to the park after dinner and you go straight to bed." Kissing his forehead. "Now off to bed." Turning him around and patting him on the butt.

She watched amused as her son walked off hanging his head. It wasn't until he turned the corner did she speak. "Are you going to come out the shadows, or are you going to keep perving on my ass."

"I've forgotten how unsavory your humor is." Came a deep voice that could still send a shiver down her spine.

Smiling slightly she answered. "Admit it, you missed this ass." When she received no reply she turned with a triumphant smile. "I didn't hear a no."

"You didn't hear a yes either." His tone giving nothing away. But Kushina knew him well enough to detect a hint of humor.

Walking towards the shadow she grabbed his hand pulling him towards her. "I've missed you Pluto." She said lovingly.

"And I you saiai (beloved)." Pluto whispers softly cupping her face. Knowing he shouldn't do what he was about to. He kissed her softly on the lips. He could literally count on hand how many women made him feel like this and still have two fingers to
spare.

Breaking the kiss Kushina hummed slightly. "Are you here to meet Naruto?" She asked hopefully.

Sighing he shook his head slightly knowing he would ruin this moment. "No. You know why I'm here." As soon as the words left his mouth Kushina shoved him away. Gone where her kind loving eyes, replaced with burning anger.

"No! I won't do it. You said you would protect us! Protect him!" Gesturing down the hall.

"And I have kept my word. I would rather fade than let anything happen to the both of you. But our son's scent is growing stronger Kushina! It's all I can do to keep the worse monsters and even my family from finding him. Something is coming I can feel
it, and Naruto needs to be ready to protect himself." Pluto tried reasoning.

"What's coming?"

"I'm not entirely sure what it is. But enemies and monsters of ancient times are making their move."

"Surely your family on Olympus could." Pluto snorts interrupts her.

"My family? They won't lift a finger until it's to late, Jupiter and Neptune to busy arguing with each other. They are not my concern for the time being. You are. So please do what I ask."

Kushina turns away from him hugging her sides. "He's just a child Pluto. I know what happens to those Lupa deems weak."

Pluto walks up to her placing a cold have on her shoulder. "He will pass her test."

"How can you be sure?"

Leaning down he breaths lightly in her ear. "Because he's our son." Kissing her cheek before disappearing into the shadows.

By the end of the week Kushina was driving both herself and Naruto to Sonoma Valley. Once they arrived. She grabbed Naruto and proceeded towards the burn down house.

Looking at the remains of the house highly unnerved the loving mother. Why did children of the gods have to be left here?

It didn't take long until Kushina hears growls coming from every direction. So loud they woke Naruto who was sleeping on her shoulder.

"Mommy where are we?" Naruto rubs the sleep out of his eyes.

"Shh, it's ok sweetie."

"Are you so certain mortal." Came a growl from the entrance. Looking to the owner of the source. Kushina saw a large russet fur wolf with silver eyes and large teeth.

"Lupa, adopted mother of Romulus and and Remus." Kushina glared at the wolf.

Lupa however ignored her paying attention to the child who was looking at her curiously.

"Bring him here." She ordered.

Kushina didn't take to kindly to being told what to do when it came to her child. But sat her son down in front of the she goddess who began sniffing Naruto. Naruto laughed feeling her breath tickle his face and did something that made Kushina breath
hitch. He petted Lupa on the head getting the goddess to shake her head in bewilderment. The last time a child petted her was her son Romulus.

Giving what Kushina hoped was a smile on the wolfs face Lupa spoke. "He'll make Rome strong." Picking the boy up by his collar.

"Wait a minute!" Kushina cried taking a step only to be stopped by two growling wolves. "Let me say goodbye to my son! You can't do this." She rants. All of which was ignored. "Naruto, I love you ok. Remember that momma will always love you and we will
see each other again." By the time the words left her lips Lupa along with her son were swallowed up by the darkness.

The next day Naruto felt himself being woken up by a nudge. "Wake up cub. Today we train." Naruto yawns rubbing his eyes. "Hurry up young one. Today you learn to hunt and we're burning day light."

"Coming Lupa." Came the sleepy reply following her out into main room.

"Are you ready cub? To hunt one must blend in to their surroundings, clear your thoughts. Heavy thoughts make for heavy footing." Lupa explained as they were stalking their pray. She a full grown dear and he a rabbit. "Well cub? What are you going to
do."

Naruto sat there contemplating until he thought of an idea. Moving to in the direction the rabbit was facing he let lose wolfish snarl scaring the rabbit into running. When I was close enough he pounced grabbing it by the neck. Looking back he saw he's
adopted mother looming over her dead prey. Blood dripping from her maw.

"Lupa what do I do now?" Holding out the struggling rabbit. Lupa stared at him as if the answer were simple before turning away and walking back to the house. Leaving Naruto alone. Looking at the rabbit that stopped moving as if it already accepted it's
fate. He knew Lupa didn't really leave but was watching from the bushes for weakness. With a shaking hand he grabbed the small creature by its head before roughly jerking it to the side. Hearing a small crack.

Lupa nodded approvingly from her spot. While he was rough round the edges the boy posses potential. Perhaps as much as the last child she trained just a month before.

The boy now knew how to hunt and has taken his first life. Now he would learn to fight.

Aut vincere aut mori.