Narrator's Note- Our hero is going through some changes. I wonder if he'll be okay...
Kanda couldn't believe he'd done it. It was like something came over him. He and Daisya had spotted Naruto about to jump. He thought he wouldn't get to him in time but he did. Then in his joy that Naruto was still alive, he had kissed him, not that he was complaining. It was also a good sign that his angel had been kissing back before he pushed away. Kanda needed to know what was going on with the boy. Why had he jumped? He claimed he wasn't trying to kill himself but why else would someone leap from a building that tall? He spotted Sakura near the chapel, talking with her latest prey. She kept giggling and twirling her hair. Apparently the guy didn't mind it. Kanda stuffed his hands into his pockets as he approached them.
"Leave" He said to the guy who frowned and started to protest when Sakura intervened.
"It's okay. I'll see you around" Her voice was abnormally sweet. Kanda almost threw up. After he was gone, Kanda didn't waste time.
"Is something wrong with Naruto?"
"No" She answered too quickly. He narrowed his eyes. "Why? What happened?"
"He jumped off the building"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes because I caught him"
"Crap. This isn't good"
"Sakura what's going on?" Kanda took a step closer. She froze. He could tell she was struggling with if she should say anything. Finally she sighed.
"After you left that day Naruto woke, he tried jumping out the window in his room. Lavi caught him. He told us he was trying to fucking fly! To fly!" She said loudly then looked around to make sure no one was listening. "I'll be honest, I thought suicide at first but then I thought more about it. Don't people who commit suicide get upset if you save them? And before Naruto never showed any signs he was considering it. He's not the type of person" Sakura then proceeded to tell Kanda about Cat, Naruto's dreams and his enhanced senses. She knew her friend would be upset if he found out but who else could they get advice from? He refused to talk to his grandmother or father and Sasuke was out of the question. She felt Kanda seemed to genuinely care for Naruto so maybe he could help them. When she finished, Kanda closed his eyes to consider all she'd said. Then he shared with her what he discovered on his recent mission and how the old man had called Naruto a dragon.
"Dragons don't exist" Sakura told him.
"Supposedly neither do Templars"
"Do you think all this is connected?"
"I'm not for sure. I need to do more research"
"What about Naruto? I told you about his senses since being bitten"
"Just watch him closely," He said.
"SAKURA!" They both turned to see the boy they had been discussing running over. He came to a complete stop when he noticed Kanda.
"What are you guys doing?" Naruto asked, looking from one to the other. Kanda didn't answer. He needed to find Marie and Daisya.
"Naruto if you ever need anything, come find me," The dark haired boy told him. Naruto frowned.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Do I need to say it slower? I thought it was self explanatory"
"You're a jackass, you know that? Like I'd need anything from you" Naruto grabbed Sakura's arm and ran off with her. He had moved so fast, something fell out of his hoodie pocket. Kanda grabbed it from the floor and realized it was Naruto's cell phone. He pressed a button and it lit up. The background wallpaper was a picture f Naruto with an arm around two boys who looked so much alike they had to be brothers. Kanda put the phone in his own pocket and made a mental note to return it later. Right now he had more important matters to attend to.
"Why so mean Naruto?" Sakura asked as they rushed down the hall. Naruto looked to make sure no one was around.
"He kissed me!"
"WHAT?"
"Shhhhhh!"
"When did this happen?" She asked lowering her voice.
"I tried jumping again. He caught me. In the moment he kissed me and…I kissed him back." He slumped against the wall. Sakura clapped happily.
"This is great! Well not the jump itself but you know what I mean. Do you really hate him that much?"
"No and that's what scares me" He said, rubbing an arm. Sakura knew Naruto had been in a few relationships before. In fact he had dated one girl in particular for some time before she broke up with him and in the process broke his heart. She knew this past failed relationship haunted his newer ones, especially since he couldn't keep a girlfriend longer than a few weeks. For all the stuff people said about Sasuke dating around, Naruto was just as bad only no one mentioned it because he was such a genuinely nice person where as Sasuke was not by any means. Maybe dating a boy instead of a girl would cure Naruto of this problem, that's what Sakura hoped anyway.
"If you're not comfortable talking about your feelings toward Kanda yet then lets talk about this jump. What the hell got into you?"
"I don't know. All of a sudden I wanted to fly again"
"This could kill you one day"
"I know" Naruto hit his head against the wall in frustration. "Believe me, I don't want to do it but something in me drives me outside"
"We'll figure this out okay?" Sakura took his hand. "Now let's go to Lenalee's room. She said I could borrow her nail polish."
"What is going on?" Tsunade mumbled as she peered through the microscope. She had been running tests on Naruto's blood all day. Everyone said she should take a break but she needed to make sure her grandson was fine. She was worried about him.
"Granny! I brought back treats from that bakery you like" Komui said, walking in. He had a box filled with pastries. Tsunade beckoned him over. After finding a spot for the box, which was almost impossible with all the clutter, he stepped over to the microscope. Before he could even ask what she could see, she moved and allowed him to look for himself.
"I don't see anything," He said several minutes later.
"Keep looking" Tsunade ordered as she began to pace. Finally she heard Komui gasp. "This is amazing, his cells are changing but it happens so fast you almost miss it."
"They're changing its body for two seconds, if that, then returning to normal. Being tired and sleep deprived I missed it."
"What do you think this means? Complete cellular restructuring. I don't understand why the cells return to normal."
"I don't either. I need to check on some things, make a few calls. Komui, make the coffee. I'm not getting sleep today either."
Naruto had been studying notes from his class when he gave up trying to concentrate. All he could think about was Kanda. To fix this problem he decided to go across the hall to Lavi's room. He grabbed the key Lavi left him then walked over. Naruto had seen messy rooms in his life but this had to be the worse. Clothes were strewn everywhere. Books sat precariously on the windowsill. The bed was covered with old snack wrappers and a pizza box. It smelled like old shoes. He scrunched his nose as he backed out. Naruto managed to get a Finder to show him where cleaning supplies were kept. Now armed, he returned to the room to start cleaning. He tossed all the trash way, put the dirty clothes in a pile and put away the clean ones, he placed the books on the shelf, made the bed and carried all the dirty laundry to the laundry room on their floor. After he managed to stuff everything in the washer he headed back while rubbing the cross in his pocket. He paused in the doorway, admiring his work. It even smelled better. Naruto had been so engrossed in his work that he completely forgot why he had come into Lavi's room in the first place. The wind rattling the window reminded him. It gave off an annoying creaking sound. Fifteen more minutes were spent trying to fix it. Naruto had been a bit of a handyman back home because his dad wasn't the type to do it. His mom used to before she died but Naruto had taken her place after the plane crash. He cooked, cleaned, fixed appliances, whatever needed to be done. Minato liked to think he took care of Naruto but it was more the other way around. When the work was finished, he slumped against the wall to relax for a few minutes. That's when he noticed his hand changing. He held it out to stare. The skin would change to what looked like golden scales and his fingers to claws. It was brief, maybe one minute at the most, then it returned to normal.
"What the fuck?" Naruto glanced at his other hand. It too did the same thing.
"Phone call" Kanda said, surprising him. He looked up in time to catch his phone. Both hands were normal now.
"How'd you get this?"
"You dropped it while you were trying to get away from me"
"I wasn't…" Naruto puffed out his cheeks in annoyance as he lifted the phone to his ear. "Hello?"
"Naruto?" A quiet voice said on the other end.
"Hinata!" He grinned.
"When that boy answered, I was scared. I thought something happened to you. I almost told Neji"
"Thanks for not. It would've caused a shitstorm of problems." Truthfully if you were smart, it was better to be afraid of Hinata. She was the leader of the Hyuga Yakuza clan. Her quiet demeanor fooled many but when the time called for it she could be deadly. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes. I just wanted to make sure you're fine. Kiba said he tried calling the other day"
"I was kinda sick" His eyes moved to Kanda who simply leaned in the doorway with arms crossed and eyes closed.
"Well I'm glad you're better. Call him later on. He won't stop bugging me and Neji about you. He's worried you're never coming home." Naruto caught her own worry. "You are coming home right?"
"This isn't permanent Hinata"
"Promise?"
"Promise"
"Okay," She sighed. "I gotta go. I think Hanabi set her stuffed animals on fire again. Bye Naruto"
"Talk to you later"
"Oh and tell Kanda to take his time," Hinata ended the call before Naruto got the chance to ask what she meant.
"Done?" Kanda asked.
"Hinata wanted me to tell you to take your time. What does that mean? How long were you talking to her before you brought me my phone?"
"It's none of your business," The older boy said walking away.
"Whoa! Are you serious? It was on MY phone! Of course it's my business" Naruto shouted, following him.
"If you eat candy in my room is it my candy?"
"Hell no"
"Well then…"
"Wait! That's not the same thing!" Naruto huffed. He trailed behind Kanda, wondering why he was even following him and if he even cared about the kiss. The thought crossed his mind that it probably meant nothing. Naruto was so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't realized Kanda had stopped until he ran into him. "Why'd you stop?"
"Why are you still with me?" Came the reply as he entered the library.
"I can go where I want!"
"Could it be you're attracted to me Princess?" Kanda asked while searching for the section he needed.
"Yeah right!" Naruto hissed. People were giving them odd looks. Naruto hurried to catch up. Kanda already had a book and was sitting on the floor against the bookshelf reading. "You really like to read," Naruto sat next to him. "What is it?"
"The Iliad"
"Really? I didn't like it as much as The Odyssey but my favorite of all time is War Of The Worlds. I love science fiction and aliens. That book has both"
"I don't have a favorite. I do have those that I've read many times," Kanda said. "Do you like any of Charles Dickens works?"
"I've read a few of but his books are boring, at least to me" Naruto found himself relaxing. The boys spent the next hour or so discussing books. Naruto became drowsy in the calming atmosphere of the library and before he could stop, his head ended up on Kanda's shoulder. His eyes closed soon after.
Naruto had been the first to fall asleep and he was the first to wake. At first he didn't want to. He was snuggled against something warm and didn't want to get up. Then he remembered where he'd been and who he'd been with. His blue eyes shot open. Naruto realized he was laying next to Kanda. The older boy had the book from the library covering his face. Naruto wondered when they'd gotten to Kanda's room. He almost sprinted to the door but he hesitated. Naruto removed the book Kanda had been reading. Watching him sleep, he seemed peaceful but didn't everyone? Naruto touched a cheek.
"Yu" He whispered, half wanting to wake him and the other half not wanting to. Naruto hadn't had luck with any relationships since his ex had broken up with him. He'd been in a depression for most of that sophomore year. With many of the girls he dated after, he found it hard to believe the relationship would last and would end it before he could be hurt again. Yet here was this person, a guy no less, who wanted to win Naruto's love. He didn't understand it. The realization also hit that Naruto found himself attracted to Kanda, despite not wanting to.
"Maybe it would be okay this time," Naruto mumbled as he pushed a strand of hair out of Kanda's face.
"Kanda! Are you going to dinner?" Daisya yelled opening the door. Marie was right behind him. Surprise crossed their faces when they saw Naruto in bed with Kanda. For his part, Naruto was just as shocked to see them. A slow smile began to spread across Daisya's face. "Look what we walked in on."
"You walked in on nothing! Got it Daisya?" Naruto scrambled off the bed.
"I don't know. After what happened outside and now this…I'm beginning to think something is going on"
"What the hell will it take to keep your mouth closed?"
"Nothing or I'll cut it off," Kanda said. Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin.
"You're a fidgety guy, you know that?" Daisya laughed. Even Marie smiled. The group headed to dinner with Naruto being so immersed in his own thoughts he missed the glances Kanda gave him. Once everyone had their food, they sat at a table near the back with Daisya and Marie on one side and Naruto and Kanda on the other. Naruto wanted to thank Kanda for getting him out of the library while sleep but he didn't want to embarrass himself anymore so he simply ate his ramen. Marie was discussing where Lavi and Lenalee had gone when Sakura dropped her tray on the table. She held a hand to Naruto's forehead.
"What's that about?" Daisya asked.
"Our friend wanted me to make sure he's not still sick"
"Who? Kiba?" Naruto asked with a mouthful of noodles.
"No, Neji. He said his family could fly their doctor out if you need it" Sakura sat down. "Oh and your grandma was looking for you."
"Why?"
"Don't know. She was just asking if I'd seen you…though I should have told her to follow the gossip and go to the library. All the girls kept talking about you and Kanda being there"
"What?"
"Dude just admit it, you're attracted to him" Daisya prodded. Kanda acted as if he could care less as he ate his rice. "They were in bed together when me and Marie got to Kanda's room" He told Sakura.
"Really?"
"Yu say something" Naruto whined.
"What am I supposed to say?" He asked.
"Ugh I don't know" Naruto groaned and placed his head on the table.
"Ahhhh young love" Daisya said, grabbing the rest of Naruto's ramen.
"Naruto it's perfectly normal. After all you are a growing boy and growing boys-" Sakura started but Naruto jumped out of his seat.
"No way! Don't start! You guys are doing this on purpose. I'm leaving!" He stomped off but came back to slap Daisya's hand and take his ramen with him. Sakura, Daisya's and Marie's laughter followed him out the cafeteria.
"Why do you tease him?" Kanda asked once his angel was gone.
"Because it's fun. I've never seen someone so obviously attracted to another person, deny it like that. What's the big deal?" Daisya asked.
"Well there is a backstory to Naruto's behavior." Sakura said clearing her throat. The three boys looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Naruto dated a girl our first year in high school. Everything was great until beginning of our second year. She cheated on him then broke up with him. Naruto was heart broken because he'd fallen for her. Since then he hasn't been able to maintain any kind of relationship for very long. I think the last one lasted two weeks" She chewed her salad thoughtfully. "Naruto is afraid he'll fall in love again then get his heart broken like before which makes him very scared of Kanda." There was silence at the table for several minutes then Daisya spoke.
"How do you hurt a nice guy like him? I hope he told her off"
"Well not exactly. He was too upset to even go to school for a week but Sasuke and I talked to her. He won't hit a girl but I can. She was in the hospital for a month and I had to go to court."
"Jeeeezzz"
"Aren't the two of you here because of fighting?" Marie asked.
"Yep. We have to get our acts together. Naruto shouldn't be here. He only gets into fights because he's defending others. Take the one that landed us here. He heard this guy trying to force me to go with him and his friends. I could defend myself but Naruto heard it and rushed over. He took out all five by himself." Kanda had been listening to all this. It angered him that Naruto had been hurt. In fact it angered him so much that the glass he held cracked from the pressure he was placing on it. The sound stopped all conversation at the table. Kanda looked at his now bleeding hand disinterested.
"OMG Kanda!" Sakura hurriedly grabbed napkins to wrap his hand.
"I'll be fine. It's only a cut." He held them in place as he stood up. "Can you throw away my trash Marie? Thanks." Kanda left in a daze with his friends confused. He'd just stepped outside the cafeteria when Tsunade caught him.
"Kanda have you seen-" She stopped mid sentence when she caw the blood. "Let's go." She ordered, leading him to the infirmary. When the cut was cleaned and bandaged she sighed. Kanda stared out the window. He had been engrossed in the book from the library. The whole book was in Latin, which meant no one else had read it in some time. The priests were usually the only ones versed in the language. In it, he'd found interesting tales about dragons that maybe any other time he would've thought nothing of but no he wasn't sure. He needed to learn as much as could to help Naruto.
"Have you heard anything about dragons?" Kanda asked.
"What do you mean? Besides that they exist only in books?"
"Never mind"
"You are a strange boy Kanda. Anyway I have work to do. If you see Naruto tell him to come see me. I've been looking for that brat all day." Tsunade began cleaning utensils in the room. Kanda smirked. Tsunade hadn't even asked how he got the cut. It was just like her, not to prod information out.
"Thanks for the help. I need a shower so I'll see you later" Kanda said.
"Dragons are just as dangerous as Templars, be careful" Tsunade warned. Kanda waved dismissively. Tsunade always knew more than what she let on.
Tired of being teased, Naruto had eaten his dinner in the lobby. He watched those coming and going. When he finished he dropped his bowl off and returned to his room to study. This time he was able to concentrate. Naruto spent the rest of the time texting Kiba and Choji, both of whom were talking to the other on the phone. In between texts he held the cross up to study it. Naruto wondered what it was for. That's when Sakura burst into his room. "You're still awake? I wanted to borrow your notes. I accidentally spilled water on mine." He pointed to his desk. She grabbed them. "Thank you. What's that?" She nodded towards the cross.
"The cross you mentioned before? I don't think you ever showed me. Can I hold it?"
"Sure" He tossed it to her. When she caught it, it began to glow.
"Is it supposed to do this?" Sakura was trying to keep her calm. Naruto shook his head in excitement. The cross glowed brighter and became longer at the same time. When the light died down, they were able to see the cross had become a sword.
"It looks like one of those medieval swords from Europe." Naruto touched it but pulled his hand away. It felt like fire. "Doesn't it burn?"
"No actually" Sakura swung it around. The blade in her hand felt natural, like it was supposed to be there.
"This is weird. What should we do? It's never done this before. I've let other people hold it but the cross only reacted to you"
"We should keep this secret for now" She answered. On cue the sword returned to the cross. "You hold on to it."
"Sakura what the fuck are we going to do? I'm going through weird changes and the thing I thought was a cross turns out to be a damn sword that changed when you wanted it to." He crossed his arms.
"Just…I don't know. We can talk tomorrow. This is just too weird." In a daze she left the room. Naruto stuffed the cross in his pocket. All of a sudden he felt the need to see Kanda. Maybe the older boy would be able to calm him down and he had told Naruto to come to him if he needed anything. Naruto rushed to Kanda's room. He banged on the door and when it opened he rushed right into what he wanted to say.
"Yu I'm really confused right now and I need advice…" Naruto's voice trailed off as he realized Kanda was standing in front of him with only a towel. His hair hung loose over a shoulder. Water dripped from it down his chest. Naruto's heart began beating faster than he would've thought possible.
"Naruto?" Kanda raised an eyebrow at the sudden silence.
"Huh?"
"What were you saying?"
"Ummm…that's a good question" He gave a sheepish grin. "You know I think I'm just gonna go back to my room. Good nigh-whoa!" Naruto felt Kanda grab his hand to tug him backwards. He tried pulling away.
"Stop" Kanda growled. "You said you needed advice. What's wrong?"
"Everything" Naruto mumbled, his forehead resting against Kanda's chest.
"Let me help"
"You can't. I shouldn't have come here but I feel safe and calm with you. Does that sound stupid?"
"Not at all" Kanda wrapped an arm around him, pulling him closer.
"I-I want to try with you. I'm scared though and I can't guarantee that this will work"
"I'm not in a rush Naruto"
"And I don't love you"
"That's fine too but you'll be mine completely before you leave here" Kanda rested his chin atop Naruto's hair. The blond relaxed. It would be nice to have someone else to confide in. His grandma would just tell his father and having another opinion on what to do would help. Sakura didn't always give the best advice.
"Can I kiss you?" Naruto asked. Kanda said nothing. Instead he tilted Naruto's head up slightly and gently kissed him. When they pulled apart Kanda was smiling. He placed Naruto's hand over his heart, which was beating just as fast as his own.
"We'll take our time" Kanda whispered, resting his forehead against Naruto's. The blond wondered if that had been what Hinata meant.
