"Well aren't you being a grade A dick today" Naruto growled at his brother.
Menma sat on the floor, and picked at the cut on his foot. He would not look at Naruto and he hadn't spoken since they woke up.
Seeing that his pissy attitude wasn't getting through, he chose a more apologetic approach. "Look, I'm sorry I cut up your shirt. I'll buy you a new one I swear. Now can you please tell me wear my clothes are"
"Your broke ass got no money" Menma muttered back "how would you buy me a new one"
Naruto frowned. Menma was a clean kid, and he didn't like saying words like 'ass' or 'fuck' so Naruto knew he had really upset him. He had borrowed Menma's shirt yesterday because he was out of clean ones himself, and he mistakenly took the one Menma got for Christmas one year. It was purple with the hidden leafs insignia on it. He had loved it because it was the only piece of clothing he had that was purple.
Naruto had gotten to aggressive during training with Kurama and the shirt ended up getting ripped to shreds by Kuramas claws. When he first showed Menma the damage, he didn't seem upset. He should have known though. Menma was the kind to keep everything in, and get revenge silently. He could also be passive aggressive sometimes.
"Look, Hinata probably knows how to sew. I can get her to fix it but only if you give me my clothes"
"Why don't you get it fixed first. Then I'll give you your clothes" Menma ran his hand through his scarlet spiky hair " It shouldn't be that hard right?"
"Damn it M. I'm not walking outside naked. I'm eight years old not fucking two!"
Menma snickered "Really? You don't act like it sometimes"
Naruto grabbed Menma by the collar of his shirt. "Just give me my damn clothes! I already said sorry and that I'll fix it! So stop being a prick y'know!"
"Fine" Menma swiped Naruto's hand away. Using his right hand, he made a handsign and the shadows beneath him widened, making huge circles on the floor. Piles of neat, clean and folded clothes emerged around them. All of which belonged to Naruto.
"You did my laundry?" Naruto asked surprised.
Menma turned away and walked to the door. " Don't bother with the shirt. It wasn't important anyway. I have enough money to buy a better one too." And then he left.
"Crap. He's making me feel bad now"
"He's not making you feel anything"
Naruto turned around and was face to face with Kurama. He looked like a young fox, having materialized useing only one ninth of his chakra.
"Taking his shirt was a choice, just like getting your ass kicked yesterday was a choice"
"I know" Naruto sighed and started getting dressed. "Can you go and keep him company. You know how he gets when he's alone"
"Takiro's with him. He'll be fine"
"Takiro isn't a conversationalist"
"I know. That's why your father sealed him inside Menma and not Me"
"You still haven't told me the whole the story" Naruto said as he finished getting dressed.
"Your not old enough. When you become a ninja, we'll tell you everything"
Naruto muttered underneath his breath, and after grabbing Menma's ruined shirt, ran out the door.
Menma walked the streets of Konoha by himself. He looked at all the clothes stores in the part of the village he was in. Most of them wouldn't serve him. The others didn't have anything he liked. He sighed. Maybe he could bribe someone into buying him some good non-eye wrenching clothes.
"You okay?"
Menma looked to his shoulder. On it was a little black fox.
"I'm fine Takiro" the two communicated telepathically. The thoughts in Menma's head were automatically heard in Takiro's. It was both a benefit and a drawback of sharing a body.
"You and I both know your not fine"
Menma scowled. "When are mom and dad coming back?" He asked.
"In a bit"
"That's not an answer"
"It's the best one I can give you"
Having ninjas for parents could be difficult. Especially when one was the hokage.
His dad had been called to the hidden sand village for something urgent. And his mother was escorting some prince to a far off land. He didn't really care. All he cared about was that they weren't here, and he was sure he was sick from Missing them.
"Takiro?"
"Yes Menma"
"Why do they hate us when mom and dad aren't around?"
Like many times before Takiro was silent.
"I know you think I ain't ready. But I am. I'm not Naruto. I can keep my mouth shut"
"I suppose your ready" Takiro said. "Don't tell your parents"
"I promise I won't"
Takiro yawned before starting "Nine years ago, on the day you were born, Miyako and I was tasked with bargaining with the jinchuriki to let Kurama come home with me. After your birth however , Kurama forced his way out of the seal and met face to face with a powerful shinobi . An Uchiha at that"
"like Sasuke"
"Yes, and as I've taught you, you should never look an uchiha in the eye when in the midst of battle. That's the mistake Kurama made, and because of it, his mind was taken over and he attacked the hidden leaf. We did our best to stop him, but the village misunderstood and attacked all of us. Eventually, your father drove the man off, but Kurama was still acting wild and confused, so as we held him back, I had your father seal us inside each of you. Miyako and I barely fit inside you."
"After talking with Kurama, we agreed to help you too in your lives, as long as we get to go free by the end of it"
"Why do they hate me and Naruto though"
"Because we're inside you. In a way, the people think your our incarnate. That you'll go against the village and release us again"
"That's not fair! It's not even our fault!"
"I know Menma, and I'm sorry. It's just the was life is"
Menma was quiet for a while, and Takira worried if had said too much.
"Y'know"
Takira looked at Menma.
"I think I understand why Naruto wants to be hokage. He wants to show everyone who he really is, and that he can be counted on"
"You sure your not reading into this too much?"
"I'm positive. If there's anyway to change their minds, then it's to help them and protect them with everything we've got. If that's what it takes, then I'm all for it"
Menma started to grin.
"Just watch! I'm gonna be Naruto's right hand man, and I'm gonna help him protect everyone! I'm gonna be the best ninja the world has ever known"
"You've got a long way to go"
Menma smiled "Better start now then" he said out loud, "Come on let's go train Takira!" He yelled as he ran down the street. The thoughts of this mornings quarrel long behind him, he ran full speed towards training ground three.
Naruto walked into the hyuuga residence undeterred. It didn't take long for him to find Hinata. She was in the courtyard resting on the grass. It was her day off from training. Something she commonly did with he and Miyako.
Miyako layed gracefully next to her. She was a stark white fox, and looked the same as Takira and Kurama. Unlike them however, she only had a max of eight tails. Normally, the more tails you had, the more powerful you were, but Miyako was a special fox, and her she was just as powerful as the other two.
Miyako had gotten sealed in Hinata a few years ago. In fact it was on the same day Hinata got kidnapped. Menma and Naruto were invited over 'cause Minato needed to speak with Hinata's dad. The kidnappers foolishly tried to take all of them, but Miyako, in her three tailed form beat all of them with ease. Hinatas father felt like he was indebted to her, so, as a request she asked to be sealed into Hinata and kept a secret. While she loved Menma like a son, it was far too cramped inside him, and she saw great potential in Hinata.
"Hey Hinata" Naruto called out.
Hinata sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Good morning Naruto" Though she used to be shy around him, and she does still have a huge crush on him, they had spent so much time together and became such good friends, that she was used to his presence.
"Morning. Sorry to body you, but do you mind sewing this up?"
Naruto held up Menma's shirt.
"what even is that?"
Naruto laughed nervously "A shirt. I'm guessing it's beyond repair"
Hinata stared at the pieces of fabric that used to be a shirt.
"What did you do?"
"I wrecked Menma's shirt while training"
"What! He must be crushed! I can't believe you"
"I know I know." Naruto sighed "I feel real bad about it. I don't know what to do"
"I suppose I can make him a new one"
"Really!" Naruto said excitedly "That'd be great!"
" Come back in a little while. I'll have it done by the end of the day"
"Thanks Hinata"
"Anything for a friend" she replied.
Menma layed on the ground panting. Menma was born special With a mutation in his blood and DNA, his chakra nature was an ultra rare one, that ultimately became his kekaigenkai. His chakra nature was classified as 'shadow'.
The shadow chakra nature was something thought to be lost a long time ago. It allowed him to use the shadows around him to do anything he wanted. The closest thing comparable to it was the Nara clans shadow possession jutsu.
Useing his Kekaigenkai used a lot of stamina and chakra. Like Naruto, Menma was lucky enough to have a godly amount of chakra, though his stamina could use some improvement. That didn't mean he was weak though. Since Menma and Naruto were four, they've been training with Takira and Kurama. At the point they were at now, they were pretty much passed the genin level and well into chunin. And when they combined their chakra with the beast inside them, they could stand up to even anbu. Menma knew from experience.
Combining their chakras did do a number to their bodies though. They weren't old enough or strong enough to handle the pressure, so the longer the fight, the more repercussions when they stopped. It could get pretty bad sometimes. Not to mention, even brute strength couldn't compete with skill. In terms of being a ninja, they both had a long way to go, and Menma knew that. He just wished Naruto acknowledged it more often.
Menma picked himself up and started towards the village gates. For the past three days he had waited there, hoping to catch even a glimpse of his fathers spiky hair, or his mothers battle worn head band. When he reached his destination he found his brother and Hinata waiting for him.
"Hey guys" he waved, even though he was right in front of them.
"Took you long enough. We've been waiting here for hours"
"It's nice to see you Menma"
"Nice to see you too. How's Miyako?"
"Hey are you ignoring me!"
"She's missed you. You need to visit more often"
"Hinata you too"
Hinata couldn't help it and started laughing, joined by Menma shortly after.
"Hey that's not nice. I'm part of the group too y'know"
"I'm just messing with you Naruto" Menma said.
"I thought so. Don't kid around too much or else I ain't gonna let you keep this" Naruto held out a black and purple knitted sweater.
It had a the leafs insignia in purple on the front, and the word 'Uzumaki' on the back.
"This is amazing! I love it!" He yelled with joy.
"I got Hinata to make it for you. I know it doesn't make up for the shirt, but at least you can hide all your orange ones under it" Naruto said. He was rubbing his neck nervously, and his cheeks were tinted pink, as if he was embarrassed.
Menma jumped on Naruto giving him a huge hug. "Thanks Naruto, it means a lot"
He let go and turned on Hinata, giving her a hug too. "Thanks for taking the time to make it"
"It was nothing. It was pretty fun anyway"
"So you think Mom and Dad will come today?" Naruto asked.
"Maybe. Not likely"
"I can't wait. I'm tired of having people look down on me when they aren't around"
"I don't understand why you too don't tell your parents. There their for a reason. I'm sure they could make everyone stop"
"It ain't that bad" Menma said "besides, I want to make them acknowledge me myself. I don't need mom and dad fighting them for me"
"Menma" Hinata frowned.
"He's right" Naruto backed him up " One day, everyone's gonna know the name Naruto Uzumaki, the strongest ninja in the hidden leaf. I'm gonna show everyone how awesome I am, and then I'm gonna become hokage! Believe it!"
"That's a pretty big goal Naruto"
Naruto's eyes widened, and his face lit up, as did Menma's.
Naruto whirled around "Dad!" He jumped on his father and gave him a hug. Menma followed suit.
"good evening hokage-sama"
"Good evening Hinata. How have you guys been?"
"It was terrible. Me and Naruto were so bored, and school hasn't started yet, and all we had to do was train. I've missed you so much" Menma squeezed Minato's leg.
"It wasn't that bad" Naruto got off of his dad and took his hand. The four started their walk home, heading towards Hinata's to drop her off.
"Me and Kurama trained a lot, and i had ramen for breakfast after you left, so it was pretty good"
"Where are your anbu dad?" Menma looked around curiously.
"oh you know, I lost them"
The kids laughed, knowing the earful Minato was gonna get when he went to work the next day.
"How was the sand village"
"Sandy"
"who woulda thought" Menma muttered.
"We talked about the Chunin exams, some adult stuff"
"Sounds boring" Naruto said.
"Yeah pretty much"
Menma looked at Minato's blue eyes, and eyed his white coat. In red letters were printed 'fourth hokage' and he had to wonder what it was really like.
Realizing Hinata's been quiet, he turned to her and said "What do you think Hinata?"
"about what?"
"The hidden sand"
"oh I don't know. I've never been there"
Menma smiled "Fair nuff" he said.
The Hyuuga residence seemed to pop up, and Hinata ran to her home. "Good night everyone!" She yelled
"Good night Hinata!" The boys yelled back.
The three quickly got home and had diner. After putting Menma to bed, who insisted on being tucked in, and putting Naruto's worries about him not showing up in the morning to rest, Minato took the last couple of hours he had to himself. After reading a passage from his favorite book, and making sure everything was ready for Kushina for when she got home, (everything being a bowl of ramen, a fork, a container of rocky road ice cream and a spoon) Minato shut off his bedroom light, and finally went to bed.