"Naruto" - Person Talking
'Naruto' - Person Thinking
"Naruto" - Summons/Bijū talking
"Naruto" - Summons/Bijū thinking
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu" - Jutsu
Wow guys, thanks so much for all of your feedback! I got a couple complaints, but the praise definitely outnumbers and overpowers it! I really am thankful that all of you are supporting this story and that I can meet your expectations! Though, I don't think I'll be able to consistently pump out a chapter a day, that's just way too extreme for me, haha! Well hopefully you all enjoy this chapter! Lets get on with the readin' shall we!
A Son Forgotten - Chapter 2
(Scene change - Spiritual plane)
Within the void of the spiritual plane, two beings of immeasurable power were discussing a topic brought up after 10 years of waiting. The first resembled a tall, fit, sickly looking yet handsome man with snow white hair. In contrast to his appearance from 10 years ago, he bore more resemblance to a human then the deity that most see him as. This being was known as Shinigami, the one who reigns over those who have died, leading them towards their respective paths in the afterlife. The second was a beautiful, curvaceous woman with long hair as black as the night sky. She was known as the goddess of creation and life, resembling what most would think the giver of life would look like.
In contrast to their status as deity's, they were acting rather human when comparing what they were doing now to what their godly duties were. Shinigami was prostrating in front of his younger sister (imouto) while crying comically as he begged for mercy. Standing tall in front of him with her foot tapping and eyebrow twitching in irritation was a very, very angry Kami. Shinigami swore he could see himself behind her with pitying eyes directed towards himself as he would definitely be going to the after she was done with him.
"Well...? What do you have to say for yourself A-NI-KI?" Kami spoke in a syrup sweet sing-song tone of voice, a demonic smile on her face with her eyes closed, her brows still twitching in irritation. After hearing about his "master plan" to remove the child of prophecy from earthly attachments in order to prevent one side from gaining the upper hand due to winning over his heart. However, he removed the attachments that were supposed to reside within her jurisdiction, he dealt with those who were dead and needed to pass over to the after not those who were still living.
"I'm sorry Kami-chan! I was just trying to ensure that the state of the physical world stayed in balance! I wasn't thinking straight! Having to deal with souls and the birth of the child of prophecy was stressful and I didn't want to have to deal with more souls later on if one side gained the advantage! Forgive me! Please!" Begging his imouto for any mercy on his soul, Shinigami pleaded giving his reasons for usurping his control over an issue that belonged to his imouto's domain.
Sighing, Kami stopped her foot from tapping and her brow from twitching. Running her hands down her face, she could only groan at the complications that her idiotic aniki caused. Not only did he interfere with the living, he probably ruined a family because he wanted to skimp out on work in the future. Opening her eyes and revealing her striking emerald green eyes, she glared at her brother. "You idiot! Do you know how much you messed up!? You could have destroyed a family because of your laziness! Your such an idiot! Why do I have to deal with such a lazy, inconsiderate, sloppy, dumb brother like you!" Kami roared, grabbing Shinigami by the collar of his kimono and shaking him violently while angrily lecturing him about his use of "shortcuts" to cut his time dealing with work down. After she finished lecturing her brother, she dropped him, panting trying to catch her breath after her angry lecture.
Laying on the ground with his normally onyx eyes replaced with swirls, Shinigami could only thank whatever other god had saved him from his imouto's wrath. After regaining his conciseness and composure, he explained the situation with the child of prophecy to his sister along with what has happened in his life. Naturally, he was beaten badly, due to his regenerative abilities tied to his status as a god, his imouto doesn't hold back. After his beating his sister looked at him, her eyes still angry but now serious. Seeing the look in his sister's eyes, Shinigami quickly became serious as well.
"Aniki, how do you know that one side won't gain the advantage. From your reports, he doesn't care for his family anymore and by extension the village that they reside in due to their neglect and ignorance of his existence. What's to say that we won't turn on them if another village or power tempts him with the offer of 'power', 'wealth', or 'family'? A child isn't capable of thinking rationally with their mind as most of their logic and reason stems from their emotions. He could be unstable and that could cause an imbalance, you know that just because you can observe him doesn't mean you know the inner workings of his psyche." Kami stated, not trusting that her brother knew what he was doing or even what he was thinking. Removing the love of a family was a twisted act in of itself, but then removing the hope of ever feeling love from the place that was growing up in, that was the most twisted thing that her brother had ever done.
Looking his sister right in her eyes, Shinigami didn't flinch like he normally would from her glare. "Kami-chan. I know that I've made a lot of mistakes in the eternity that we've known each other and I do mean a lot of mistakes. But this isn't a mistake. I know that I removed the feelings of love from that child's family and village, and I know that what you're telling me is true. But what I haven't told you yet are the final pieces of information from my report regarding the one who has taken that child under his wing." At the end of that statement, Kami lost her glare as her eyes widened by minute amount.
"What? Don't tell me that a single person has secured the loyalty of the child of prophecy for themselves?!" Kami shouted, fearing for the state of the physical plane if a corrupted individual had managed to place the child of prophecy under their control. But her concerns were lost as her brother shook his head with a small smile gracing his features.
"No need to be concerned my dear imouto, the one who secured possibly the only position within that child's heart has passed on." At his statement, Kami's eyes widened considerably.
Concern and fear evident in her voice, Kami couldn't help but shout her question at her brother. "Don't tell me that he's unstable now...? There's no way that a child would remain sane having the only source of love ripped from them!" But again, she was met with the same smile as before.
"Like I was saying before you rudely interrupted me Kami-chan," Kami had the decency to blush at her actions. "The one who has shown that child love also made it known that he would be passing on into the after well before his time came. That act alone will most likely cement the fact that the child of prophecy will remain neutral in the physical plane. Though his heart will be frozen over he will not vent his anger and hate on the world, he was raised by one of the Shirokin after all and you know that they were one's who always managed to steel their hearts in times of great pain and hate. He will undoubtedly carry on that ideal, as from what I have seen, he cared a great deal about that person. Now, I will be slowly removing the curse, which in 3 years time will be completely lifted, at which the village's genin exam will commence. By doing that, it will ensure that he will form no permanent bonds with anyone within the village and that his bond to the one who showed him love cements itself within his heart, that'll secure his neutrality within the physical plane."
Looking slightly confused, Kami decided voice her confusion as she didn't understand why he would remain neutral after all that will possibly happen in the future. "Wait, aniki, why would he remain neutral? Won't people ignoring him after he's experienced love make him hate them more? Especially if his family continues to love each other and continues to leave him on the side, or if his siblings or others harass and antagonize him due to him being a social outcast of the village?" But once again, her brother reassured her with a smile.
"Don't worry Kami-chan. He won't give into that hate, he was raised by his 'brother' to be have a strong and sturdy heart that can endure then a weak one which would give into the hate. I assure you on my status as the one who reigns over death and as your older brother that he will not give into the hate that the physical plane has. Trust your aniki once in a while alright?" Shinigami confidently said, looking at his sister with confidence radiating in his eyes.
Her brother's confidence eventually won her over as she accepted his plan. "Alright aniki, I'll trust you. Just don't do this kind of thing ever again without consulting me first ok?" Kami bashfully told her brother.
Chuckling, he wrapped his arm around his sister's neck and pulled her in ruffling her hair as Kami turning bright red with the sudden show of affection. However her blissful moment of bonding with her brother was ruined. "Ne, Kami-chan. Why're you so red? Don't tell me that you're getting sick!? Gods can't get sick can we!?" Her eyebrow started to twitch as her brother immediately started freaking out about gods catching mortal illnesses, until she finally snapped.
Flushing red with anger, Kami kicked her brother where the "spiritual sun don't shine", then she huffed and walked away as her brother collapsed to the ground writhing in agony clutching his blessings. "Hmph, males are all stupid human or god... baka aniki..." Kami angrily said the first part but mumbled the last part, her face still slightly red with anger and embarassment.
(Time skip - 3 years later)
(Scene change - Konoha Academy)
Konoha's Academy, a place for children to prepare for a career of being a shinobi or kunoichi to protect and serve their village. In the classroom being headed by chūnin Iruka Umino and Mizuki were the next generation of potential ninja that would be united under the "Will of Fire", in this particular class held the most notable students in the Academy. Sitting in the front row was Menma Uzumaki-Namikaze with his best friend Kiba Inuzuka, son of the Inuzuka clan head. Beside them were Menma's sisters, Mito and Narumi Uzumaki-Namikaze with their best friends Yakumo Kurama and Hinata Hyuga. Next to them were the Uchiha twins Sasuke and Satsuki, their usual scowls present. Behind them in the second row, were best friends Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi, sons of the Nara and Akimichi clan heads respectively. Next to them sat Ino Yamanaka, daughter of the Yamanaka clan and Sakura Haruno, the daughter of a renown civilian family; best friends and "rivals in love" for the affection of two most popular boys in the class. Finally in the last row of the room sat the quietest individuals of the class; Shino Aburame, son of the Aburame clan head. An isle next to Shino sat Sai, a quiet and artistic individual with no known family. Lastly, next to the window in the back sat Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, the oldest of the Uzumaki-Namikaze siblings and the most distant.
As Iruka and Mizuki called roll before getting ready for the genin exams, everyone quieted down, some nervous others excited for the exam to commence. The exam consisted of multiple parts; a written portion which covered basics in history and tactics. A physical portion which consisted of taijutsu sparring with an instructor and the use of kunai and shuriken. And lastly a ninjutsu portion which tested the proficiency of using the "Academy 3" the 3 being: Henge no Jutsu, Bunshin no Jutsu, and Kawarimi no Jutsu. All of which were needed to be used successfully in order for an academy student to pass. However there was an extra credit or replacement opportunity in which if the student performed a jutsu outside of those three, which would replace the one that they had failed to do or add extra points to their exam, which could be the difference between becoming the rookie of the year.
Seeing the looks of apprehension and excitement on his student's faces, Iruka couldn't help but smile and formally begin the exams. "Alright, well I know a lot of you are nervous and excited so let's begin!" After which, they started calling students to test. Overall, all of the students of this class had passed with many exceeding the needed benchmark, which made Iruka a proud teacher. However, when it came to the oldest of the Uzumaki-Namikaze, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty having seen how far behind he was compared to his other students.
He knew about the stigma that Naruto held, being the oldest child of the clan yet being the weakest. Iruka knew that he should've tried to help his student more but he couldn't for some reason, he blamed it on the fact that it would've probably be seen as favoritism and he didn't want that but looking back, it probably would've been the right thing to do, despite what people would have said. Naruto was probably tied for dead-last of the year, next to the children who weren't serious in becoming ninja. He managed to pass by the skin of his teeth on the written and physical exams, scoring usually 1 point over the failing threshold and landing his kunai and shuriken 1 over the needed amount to pass. Something about those results seemed strange to Iruka, but he brushed it off as mere coincidence.
Snapping back to the present, Iruka found himself staring into the navy blue eyes of the very student he was thinking about. No matter how many times he saw it, the lack of life that should be in a student's, no child's eyes, were nonexistent in his. Naruto's eyes were dull and didn't hold the twinkle or spark that other kids his age had, rather his eyes looked like they were neutral to the world. But he quickly regained his focus, and proceeded with the exam.
Smiling widely, Iruka handed Naruto his headband with a congratulation in hand. "Congratulations Naruto! I know that you'll succeed out in the field!" However, instead of a smile or hug, he got a blank stare, a small bow, and a quiet "thank you," before his student left the academy for home. "I feel like you're going to become a great shinobi Naruto. I'm sorry that I couldn't support you through your schooling here, but I'll definitely try and help you out there." Looking at the retreating form of his student, Iruka expressed his final thoughts, before calling the next person in line for the test.
(Scene change - Outside the Academy)
After receiving his headband, Naruto put it into his pocket before he started on his way home. The last few years since his aniki had passed were difficult, not from the treatment that he received from the people around his village, but from the scroll that he received from him. Looking back, when he was coping with Ryuuhei's death he was acting like a spoiled brat who had their favorite toy taken away, angrily lashing out at anyone and hating the world for taking away the one person who cared for him in the world. But that all changed once he actually looked inside of the scroll that his brother had left him.
(Flashback start - 2 and a half years ago)
Huddled on the same shoreline that him and his brother were on when they first met, Naruto still couldn't get over the fact that his brother was gone, even after half a year of grieving.
"Why, why do I always have to have something taken away from me. First it was my family's love and now Ryuu-niichan. Why? Why?! Why!?" Naruto was growing progressively more angry and hateful at this world who took away the only person who cared for him, and was about to do something regrettable that was until a scroll fell out of his backpack as he stood up. Looking down, he immediately recognized it as the last gift he had gotten from both his brother and anyone in the past few years. He had forgotten about it, having never opened it after figuring out that he'd never see his brother again. Holding the scroll carefully, it unraveled it and saw a seal. Recognizing it as a simple storage seal it released whatever was inside, which was a note. Reading it over, Naruto started to tear up, tightening his grip slightly and by extension crumpling the note a little.
"Naruto, if you're reading this then you probably know that I'm not going to be with you any longer. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Naruto; I'm sorry that I won't get to see you graduate the Academy, I'm sorry I won't get to celebrate your birthdays anymore with you, I'm sorry that I won't be able to embarrass you on a date with your girlfriend, I'm sorry that I'm such a horrible brother. I know that you'll probably never forgive me for leaving you behind but know this, know that I'll always be looking out for you. Even now, I'm looking out for you. I know that your upset, hurt, angry, sad, and a hundred other things but never give into any of those negative emotions otouto; they only lead to pain and more hate. I know that you're stronger then that, I'm the one who did train you remember?
Naruto, inside this piece of paper is what I promised you on that day. It contains a large scroll which can only be opened by smearing you blood on it with a little bit of chakra and it contains everything that I said it would. It has my life savings, down to the last ryo sealed within. My family's techniques and secrets, my own techniques and secrets, the weapons that I've collected and my own swords. It also contains all of my research on information on various things in the world that I hope you never reveal to anyone else. In addition it also contains my family's summoning contract, once you're old enough sign it and you'll be reverse summoned to 'Thousand Blade Mountain' the home of the dragons. Yes Naruto, the same dragons that I told you stories about. Once there don't be afraid, they all act mean, big, and scary but once you break past their scales they're all very kind and loyal. Ask for my partner, Jho, and tell him that you're my little brother and he'll defend and vouch for you. After all that is settled find a partner who'll compliment you and that you can bond with. You'll know when you find them, trust me.
Naruto, remember that no matter what anyone says, you're the strongest, and kindest person that I've known and had the pleasure to call my otouto. Don't give into the hate that plagues this land, rise above it and prove that you have the blood of a dragon running through your veins. I've made a training schedule of tai, nin, gen, ken, kin, and a little bit of fuinjutsu for you for the next few years along with training from the elders, until you turn 18 and I know that you'll be able to follow it and benefit from it, after that I'm sure you'll have already mastered everything that I've to teach you. Lastly, find a someone who you can relate to and get to know them. Find someone who you can trust without reason and if possible, find happiness with someone Naruto. I know that you'll make me proud, and that you'll become a great shinobi. So until we meet again in the afterlife Naruto, remember that I love you and that I'm always watching over you."
By the end of the letter, Naruto was sobbing loudly, wiping his tears away with the sleeve of his jacket. After sobbing for over half an hour, Naruto made a promise to himself that he would follow what his brother asked him to do, to train and to hopefully find happiness. But as far as Naruto was concerned, becoming strong was the top priority on his list. The first thing he did was nick his thumb, smear his blood over the seal and begin training. "Ryuu-niichan. I will become strong, so that once we meet again, I'll be able to stand next to you as your brother."
(Flashback end)
Sighing to himself, he could only be embarrassed that he acted like he did, his partner would be mortified if he ever found out. But once he got over Ryuuhei's death, he began to notice things that started to unnerve him greatly. Over the past 2 years, he started to notice that people were starting to pay more attention to him. It originally started out small with people actually looking at him, instead of through him. That would've been fine, as he didn't really want anything to do with people as his only objective was to follow his training schedule, however last year was when it got to the point where they started talking to him. Originally he wanted to ignore them like they had done to him, but he remember that his brother asked him to be above hate and doing that would undoubtedly cause people to hate him, so he settle for giving quick responses which worked for quite some time.
That is until his 'family' started to try to talk to him. Menma was the same arrogant and obnoxious person Naruto remembered him to be. Mito and Narumi acted like nothing had ever come between them, talking to him in a overly familiar way which irritated him to no end, and his parents were the worst. They tried to coddle him like some child, they were a few years late for that as he was already self-sufficient by the time Ryuuhei had "adopted" him as his younger brother. It got worse when they tried to include him into their training sessions, which he always skipped out of, their training years behind his in his opinion. Though he desperately wanted to snap at them and demand the reason as to why they were suddenly acting like he always existed, he knew it would be waste of time. In the end, he treated them the same way he treated everyone else, distant and without any form of attachment. But slowly, Ryuuhei's words of not giving into the hate and finding happiness in his life were starting to take effect on him. While knew he wouldn't love his family he wouldn't hate them either, at least not until they did something to garner one or the other.
His thoughts were broken when he spotted the same people he was just thinking about, his family happily chatting with other families about their kids. Closing his eyes and ignoring the happenings around him, he just carried on his way home, that is until someone put their hand on his shoulder. He didn't even need to open his eyes to know that it belonged to his father Minato. Cracking one eye open, he glanced at his father with the same dull look in his eye and questioned him as to why he was stopped.
"...Is there a reason why you're stopping me?" Naruto asked, his voice quiet without a hint of warmth or familiarity.
Minato had seen his oldest walking out of the classroom alone, without waiting for his siblings to finish. Deciding that it might help mend the relationship that they had, he stopped his son. However, while he expected the tone of voice and look that his son gave him, it still pained him greatly. Over the course of the past 2 years, Minato had begun to notice that he didn't feel the unease that he used to feel when he saw Naruto. Before, he felt the same way he did about a stranger interacting with his family, but that slowly started to change. At first he was suspicious but as time went on, the feeling of unease completely disappeared and it was replaced with a longing to reconnect with his son. However, his plan to reconnect Naruto with the family failed miserably. He avoided speaking to any of them for more than a sentence, two if they were lucky, and when he did speak he spoke with an overly formal manner his voice quiet and without a hint of warmth, not even calling him 'tou-san' and Kushina 'kaa-san' anymore. It was like speaking to a stranger one had just met. Though, Minato wasn't deterred, he was set on reconnecting the bond that they all once had.
"I wanted to ask why you're leaving already, aren't you going to wait for your siblings to finish Naruto?" asked Minato in a soft tone of voice, a voice Naruto had only recently been exposed to personally, and it unnerved him slightly to hear it from someone other then Ryuuhei.
However Naruto answered "I'm sorry Minato-san, but I would rather not wait for them. Please excuse me." Though as he turned to leave, he was met by a red headed missile, his mother Kushina. Kushina like Minato, lost the apprehension that she used to have when she saw and interacted with Naruto and was doing her absolute best to try and get her son back into the family. Though she was met with the same treatment as her husband and everyone else for that manner.
"Naru-chan! Congrats on passing your genin exams! Where were you going? You're going to wait for your siblings to finish right?" Kushina released Naruto from her hug and asked him in confused manner. She then looked at Minato and saw him shake his head which made her frown. "Naru-chan, you need to wait for you siblings you know. It's only polite since they're you family." Kushina scolded Naruto, however he just looked back at her with the same blank navy blue eyes before retorting.
"Kushina-san, you know that they've never been made to wait for me before. Why should I be expected to wait for them when they haven't shown the same courtesy to me?" Naruto questioned, and Kushina winced at this dismissal of calling her "Kaa-can" but brushed it off, though she found herself unable to answer his question. He was right in his statement, she never made any of her other children wait for their older brother, but this only serve to fuel her desire to unite her family once and for all. "Naru-chan, I know that we're not on the best terms as family. I know that for a long, long time we've been very bad parents and your siblings haven't been the best either. But we're still family you know, and family needs to care for each other and stick together." Kushina spoke in a soft tone, looking at her oldest in the eyes.
Once Kushina said those words, Naruto's mind flashed back to the memories that he shared with Ryuuhei, then to the words that he had told him about what a real family was. " Family is supposed to love you unconditionally, and care for you without having to be asked to. From what you've told me, they aren't your family. They're just people who share the same blood as you, that alone does not define family you know." Snapping out of his short stroll through his memories, he figured it would be less of a hassle if he just entertained their request. Crossing his arms, Naruto turned towards the Academy waiting for his siblings to emerge.
Seeing their oldest listen to their request and accept it made Minato and Kushina happy beyond words if the matching smiles on their faces were any indication. They knew that they would have a long and difficult road towards rebuilding their relationship with their son, but they owed it to him. The guilt and shame that plagued their hearts were unfathomable seeing how their oldest was practically a stranger in his own family tore at their hearts, and they knew that it was their fault and theirs alone. Over the last 2 years, the feelings that they should've always had for him slowly started to surface for the first time in their lives, that alone confused and frightened them. From viewing their oldest son as a stranger and potential threat to the safety of their family to seeing him as what he really was, as their oldest son who they love and care for, it baffled them to no end. But after having a heart to heart with each other, Minato and Kushina had promised to reconnect their oldest and give him the love that he deserved and more. Soon, the two were broken out of their thoughts as they were the tell tale signs of their youngest daughter if her shouting of "Tou-san" and "Kaa-chan" were any indication.
Narumi's day couldn't have gotten better, she had just passed her genin exams and made it as one of the top contenders for "Kunoichi of the Year" and "Rookie of the Year" along with her brothers and sister. Though, there was one things that did make her sad and that her heart yearned for, that was the love and attention of her oldest brother, Naruto.
She knew that she was never the ideal little sister towards her brother. Ever since she could remember, she felt afraid of him. When they were growing up, she could remember that whenever she would try and ask him to play with her or talk to him, there would be a feeling of fear that would overtake her heart and cause her to stop. It only got worse as she grew up, as she got older whenever she would see her big brother, something inside of her as a human being screamed that he was dangerous and to stay away from him at all costs. Of course, she was a child then and followed her instincts, but looking back she regretted every moment of it. Though, the last two years were strange. The primal fear that she had for her brother slowly started to fade away, and in its place was replaced by adoration and desire for her brother to accept and forgive her for all she's done. Now the only thing that stood in her way of loving her brother was him, himself. But that wasn't going to stop her from getting what she wanted, everyone knew that an Uzumaki never gave up until they've got what they wanted.
After catching the sight of her mother's striking crimson hair and her father's brilliant blonde, Narumi cheerfully ran towards them. Happiness and excitement filling her heart, she was about to launch herself at them until she caught sight of a slightly darker shade of blonde next to them. It was her brother, Naruto. Her brother was... waiting for her? He was really waiting for her? Did he finally forgive her? A light dusting of pink colored her cheeks as she changed the trajectory of her hug and instead of her parents, launched herself at her brother.
"Naru-nii!" Narumi squealed happily and with affection, as she met her target, wrapping her brother in a hug. "Naru-nii, did you wait for me!? Did you really! I hope you didn't wait too long! I'm sorry if you did! I really am!" Narumi fired off questions as to how long her brother had waited and if he did it espeically for her.
To say Naruto was uncomfortable would be putting it lightly, while he did expect to be greeted by his exuberant younger sister, he wasn't prepared to be glomped by her. Unless it was contact from sparring, he didn't do well with physical contact with others, he wasn't quite used to it yet. Slowly, he managed to detach the blonde from himself and was met with a pout in return. "To answer your question Narumi, I am waiting for all of you to finish. And no, I didn't wait long." Naruto replied in his usual deadpanned voice. Though that didn't deter Narumi for long, after hugging and getting a congratulations from her parents she went right back to Naruto and hugged his arm to her chest with a cherry smile on her face.
"Ok Naru-nii! We'll for Mito-nee and Menma-nii together then!" Narumi chirped with a smile on her face, much to Naruto's chagrin. Naruto could only sigh as his sister giggled as she tightened her grip on him. Off on the side, Minato and Kushina could only smile at the scene, Narumi always managed to ignored the cold and distant aura that Naruto had and it always warmed their hearts to see their youngest able to breach the armor around their son's heart. Soon, they spotted the blonde and crimson hair of their remaining 2 children, both with smiles on their faces.
Menma was feeling like he was on top of the world, not only did he destroy the genin exam, he was sure that he'd be the one who'd become "Rookie of the Year". However, his mood quickly rose as he saw his family waiting for him with smiles on their faces. Quickening his pace, he ran towards them only for his mood to drop like a rock in lake. He saw his brother there as well. It was well known in the village that Menma didn't like his brother, the word most would use would be detested or disgusted, however that wasn't how Menma truly felt. Menma had admired his older brother when they were young, always imitating what he would do when they were children. But as he grew older, he began to feel inferior to his brother for some reason. It only grew as they did, Menma becoming more vocal and demanding when Naruto would speak his mind or give a suggestion, in order to overrule Naruto's suggestion with his own. Eventually, Menma's feeling of inferiority turned into dislike which eventually created a gap between the two.
During the past 2 years, Menma's feelings of inferiority and hate began to fade away, though he still did not view Naruto as his equal nor treat him any differently. Menma had seen his grades both written and physical, and he knew that he was definitely stronger and smarter then his brother. Menma wouldn't be apologizing to his older brother anytime soon, not until Naruto is able to stand as his equal. Though in a small part of Menma's heart, he honestly did want to become close to his brother again so that they would be able to do things that only brothers are be able to do like talk about which girl is the cutest, pulling pranks together, and especially train together. But being as prideful as he was, Menma wouldn't be admitting that anytime soon.
His face visibly souring, Menma sneered at his brother. "What the heck are you doing here loser? Shouldn't you still be begging sensei to let you pass?" Menma spat out, his eyes narrowed.
Minato and Kushina were well aware of their sons' volatile relationship but they didn't think that it was this bad. But before they could say anything, the final member of their family spoke out in her older brother's defense.
Mito was happy, rather she was ecstatic. She had seen her older brother pass his test and the possibility that they would be on the same team had increased. Like Narumi, when she was young, Mito had a primal fear of her older brother for some strange reason. But like everyone else, within the last 2 years her fear disappeared and was replaced with the same adoration and desire for her older brother's love and affection that Narumi had. Though unlike her sister, Mito didn't rush in like Narumi did, her philosophy was try and slowly work her way back into her older brother's heart. But there were times where she would break that, and this was one of those times.
"Menma, didn't you see that Naruto-nii was one of the first to earn his headband? You're always sitting in the front aren't you?" Mito said her eyes narrowed at Menma's insult towards her older brother. Though, when she saw her younger sister so closely attached to him, Mito's eye twitched in both irritation and jealousy. But before anything else happened, Naruto decided to finally speak up.
"Well, now that the exams are over I'll be seeing you all later." Managing to once again pull his arm free of his youngest sister's grasp Naruto started walking away, unconcerned with the slightly hurt look in his family's eyes and the angry look in Menma's.
"Guess making him wait for everyone to finish was asking for too much Mina-kun." Kushina said sadly looking at the retreating form of her son. Feeling an arm wrap around her waist, Minato pulled her in close and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"It'll be ok Kushi-chan." After comforting his wife, Minato turned towards his remaining children. "Alright kids, why don't we go get something special to eat in honor of all of you becoming genin!" Instantly he got eager nods from his kids, though one voiced her concerns.
"Ne, Tou-san. What about Naru-nii? Shouldn't we go get him?" Narumi asked the question on both her and Mito's mind, and even a tiny bit of Menma's. Smiling at her consideration of her older brother, Minato patted her head.
"You know how your brother likes his space Umi-chan, we'll all be able to have dinner together one day. I promise." Seeing his daughter sadly nod her head, he decided to take lead them into the village for a night of celebrations.
(Scene change - Unknown lake)
Arriving at his destination just as the sun was starting to set, Naruto once again found himself at the lake where he and Ryuuhei met, a gentle breeze blowing. Smiling slightly, he reminisced about the fond memories that he had with his older brother. Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out a familiar scroll. Unsealing small, small bottle of sake and saucer from a seal that read "Graduation", Naruto filled up a saucer and smiling, he poured it carefully into the lake before filling it once again to down it himself. The bottle only held enough sake for two saucers and that was enough for Naruto. Laying down on his back his arms crossed behind his head, he let his mind flow back to the times he shared with his older brother as he closed his eyes.
As Naruto listened to the soft blow of the breeze, he didn't notice the silhouette of a person sit down next to him. As the wind blew his hair gently, the silhouette slowly reached over and ruffled his hair softly. As he felt a very warm and familiar sensation, Naruto slowly descended to the world of sleep, as his mind slowed the ambient noises of the wind quieted to nothingness, he caught a voice in the wind. Naruto fell asleep, never noticing the tears that were falling down his face and the small smile on his lips.
"Congratulations otouto."
A Son Forgotten
Thanks for reading guys! Leave a review and tell me what'cha think about the story and my writing so far!
As for the gods, well I kind of had a hard time imagining how they'd look. But this is what I thought mine would look.
Shinigami is based on Sephiroth from "Final Fantasy"
Kami is based on Kyōka from "Dragon's Rioting"
Satsuki is based on Kuroyukihime from "Accel World"
