"Where'd you get all these books from?" Sasuke asks, running his hands along the spines of the novels Natsuki had taken her time to sit down and remember, then re-write and re-cover so they'd last longer.
For the first time in their friendship, the twins have invited Sasuke over to their home. It hadn't even been Natsuki's idea. They'd been training at school as usual when a sudden burst of rain had chased them out.
Naturally, Naruto had suggested Sasuke wait out the rain at their apartment since it was way closer than the Uchiha compound and Sasuke had jumped at the opportunity to see how his friends live.
Natsuki's given Sasuke an old pair of Naruto's shorts and an even older shirt that's hanging on by a whim and a prayer. If he has anything against the state of the clothes he's in, Sasuke has said nothing and has simply made himself at home, wandering around their tiny apartment. Naruto is more than happy to provide running commentary on any and everything Sasuke stops at.
"Nowhere. Natsuki wrote them all," Naruto declares, smug as smug can be. He's sitting at their little table nursing a cup of hot chocolate while the rain pours outside.
Sasuke's eyes resemble saucers as he steps back to appreciate the size of the bookshelf. To Natsuki it isn't all that big but her perception of big in terms of bookshelves is a little skewed seeing as her ideal bookshelf more closely resembles a small bookstore than the small one they crammed into their apartment.
"You wrote all this yourself?" he repeats, openly gaping now.
Natsuki shrugs, a bit uncomfortable at the attention. "Yeah. I have really vivid dreams and I turn them into stories," she explains, fiddling with her own mug of tea.
Sasuke gives her a hesitant look, fingers twitching.
"Can I…" and he gestures to the wall.
"Sure, go ahead," she encourages.
"I say go with Crystal Universe!" Naruto declares, bounding up beside the other boy and pulling out a relatively thin book. "It's about these guys that are aliens from another planet! And they came to earth as rebels in a huge war because their original planet wanted to suck the earth dry and make their own fighters! But then they team up with ninjas and kick butt!"
Sasuke's eyes are practically sparkling with wonder as he takes the book from Naruto. He hold it gingerly, like it's made of something especially fragile and breakable, and sits down at the table before flipping it open and beginning to read.
Naruto opens his own book, Hari, the Chosen One; Secret of the Firebird's Order, and Natsuki hums with contentment into her tea.
This isn't how she imagined her new life turning out, sitting down with Uchiha Sasuke and her twin Uzumaki Naruto while they read what are essentially walking copyright lawsuits, but she's glad that this is where they've gotten to. The future ahead promises many a struggle but for now there is quiet and they're allowed to enjoy a little peace.
She'll take what little she can while she can get it.
-\|/-
One day, Sasuke comes to class and begins acting odder than usual. He's hesitant all day and begins sentences then forgets them halfway.
"You're actin all funny," Naruto points out over lunch. Normally that would make Sasuke growl and the two would start up loud but (generally) friendly banter as to who's more stupid than who but not today.
Instead, Sasuke blushes and sets his bento aside.
"Actually, I have something to tell you guys," he admits.
Naruto keeps eating but Natsuki makes a gesture with her chopsticks to encourage him to keep talking.
"Kaa-san wants to meet you this evening. She's inviting you to dinner."
Naruto tilts his head and frowns. Natsuki drops her chopsticks.
"Kaa-san as in… your mother?!" she asks, incredulous. "Why does she want to meet us?"
Sasuke shrugs and looks uncomfortable. "I may or may not talk about you guys a bit and now she wants to know who my new friends are."
Natsuki stares at him for a moment more before picking up her chopsticks again and shoveling more food in her mouth. It's just to give her something to do because she hadn't been expecting that. An invitation to the Uchiha compound? She's not sure what to make of it. Even Naruto is uncharacteristically quiet.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to," Sasuke hurries to say. "But… I'd like you to?" and he looks so hopeful that Natsuki doesn't know how to say 'no' without feeling like the bad guy.
She looks over at Naruto who looks uncomfortable.
"Do we have to… do anything?" he asks, looking like Sasuke has just asked him to swallow something highly suspect instead of being invited over for food.
Sasuke shakes his head. "Just show up. And look nice!" he instructs.
The first part of those instructions is easy. The last part… not so much.
When classes are over Sasuke leaves early, saying he needs to help his mother with preparations for the evening. The twins wave him off before returning home themselves.
"I don't think we have nice clothes," Natsuki muses, trying to recall what's in their closet.
"Do we have to?" Naruto whines. He had been the one to tell Sasuke yes they would come but Natsuki could see him regretting his choice as the day wore on.
"We already promised Sasuke. And what kind of friends would we be if we broke a promise?" she chides even though there's nothing else she'd rather do than avoid the ordeal altogether.
She hasn't had the… pleasure… of running into Itachi again after their last encounter and Natsuki had been hoping to avoid him entirely. The sheer level of his intelligence intimidates her and she's not sure how well she can keep her innocent 'I'm only a six year old' act around him. Plus there's the fact that he's destined to slaughter his entire clan. And the additional fact that the Sharingan had once been used to control the Kyuubi so there were many a reason for Natsuki wanting to keep both her and her brother away from the Uchiha. But she couldn't just say no.
Aside from Sasuke being their friend, the Uchihas are an old clan and a pillar in Konohagakure's history. It would be something akin to political suicide to refuse an offer like this. The twins already don't have many friends and Natsuki isn't willing to risk their friendship with Sasuke over something as trivial as a dinner so they're going and that's that.
Natsuki sighs. Not for the first time she wishes she was just a normal six year old. Normal six year olds didn't have to plan their lives around future murderers and rogue ninja. They just have to worry about homework and making it through Yamori-sensei's training sessions without throwing up. But being normal is also boring so really it's a toss-up.
She'd go for normal right about now though.
"We are poor," she mourns as she pulls out the best set of clothes they have and sets them aside. Almost all of their clothes are second hand and even the ones that aren't haven't been treated kindly. The twins are still children and no matter how much Natsuki can fuss or fight, she can't stop Naruto from hopping around in mud or playing in puddles. And she certainly doesn't just sit down and take it whenever they're being bullied by older kids. The amount of torn pants and shirts she's had to mend already is ridiculous but it's worth it whenever they emerge victorious.
It does leave her slim on pickings though. The best she can do is a less worn pair of pants that have managed to stay mostly blue with a plain grey shirt for Naruto, and a simple dark blue dress for herself. She forces Naruto to take a long bath, scrubbing his back and behind his ears while ignoring his protests. Attempting to tame his wild blond locks is a battle she has long since stopped trying to win so she settles for giving it a light brush and allowing it to do its thing. Her own hair is brushed out and pulled up into a high ponytail. She allows a few strands to fall forward and frame her face hoping to look as cute as possible.
When they're done, they lock up the house and, as slowly as possible, make their way to the Uchiha compound.
The guards give them funny looks as they approach.
"Um, we're here to see Uchiha Sasuke," Natsuki announces.
Realization dawns on their faces.
"So you're the little guests we're supposed to be expecting," one of them teases. He looks young but already he has signs of crow's feet along his eyes.
"We're not little!" Naruto bristles.
"Sure sure. I'll take you in," crow eyes says.
They get a lot of stares as they walk through the compound. Natsuki imagines guests are a rare thing in these parts as dozens of onyx eyes turn to inspect them as they make their way through. They must make quite a sight, a brilliant blond and vibrant red head in a sea of dark locks. It makes Natsuki's skin prickle.
This is the exact opposite of everything she's ever wanted to do. She tries to pass under the radar. Now she's at the centre of attention. She sinks into Naruto's side, miserable already.
"Just knock and you'll be fine," the ninja who's been leading them instructs once he's brought them to one of the fancier houses in the compound. It looks exactly like one of those old fashioned Japanese houses that you would have seen in a magazine back in her old life. She feels even more uncomfortable now because obviously the people inside are going to be so much classier and so much better off than they are. Even the door looks fancy.
She's glowering at the wood while Naruto steps forward and knocks. The door opens immediately and Natsuki would bet her entire novel collection that the woman behind it has been waiting for them since they arrived at the compound gate.
Uchiha Mikoto is a quiet sort of beauty. Her face is warm and welcoming and framed by the ebony locks so common to the Uchiha yet she manages to stand apart from the other women Natsuki had passed. Her eyes smile gently down at the twins, taking them in with a quiet sort of eagerness that makes Natsuki wary, but doesn't cause the hair at the back of her neck to rise so she thinks they're safe.
"Good evening. You must be Sasuke's friends," she greets. Even her voice sounds soft. It's the kind of voice that belongs to someone who would bring you sweets and cookies or rub your head when you're sick.
"Good evening," the twins greet, both a little stunned by the Uchiha matriarch.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto sounds confident and he presents their gift.
"I read it's rude to come over to dinner without bringing a gift," Naruto declares, proudly presenting a little baby cactus. It's one that he's chosen from his personal collection of potted plants and Natsuki thinks it's adorable.
From the look on Mikoto's face, so does she.
"I'm Uzumaki Natsuki," she introduces, presenting a gift of her own. It's a newly written collection of her version of the His Dark Materials trilogy. Its pure coincidence that she'd finished transcribing them recently but she thought they would make a nice gift.
"Such well-mannered guests. I know a lot of adults who aren't half as polite," she says, accepting their gifts with another smile. Natsuki is in a losing battle with a blush and can feel it burning her face. Mikoto stares at them a little longer, taking them in as though she just can't get enough of them before stepping aside. "Come in. Sasuke's inside helping to set out some things."
"Thank you for inviting us," Natsuki says as they slip off their sandals in the genkan.
Naruto is still staring so Natsuki nudges him into action. "You're really pretty," he blurts.
Mikoto laughs and simply ushers them into the dining where they can see Sasuke setting plates.
"You're here!" He almost drops the plate he's holding when he spots them but fortunately he has the sense to set it down properly before darting over to Naruto and Natsuki.
"We promised, didn't we?" Natsuki teases.
Sasuke's grin is excited and he looks like he's practically bouncing in place.
"Why don't you show your friends your room?" Mikoto suggests. "Dinner still has a little time before it's done."
"Right!" Sasuke doesn't hesitate to take Naruto and Natsuki by the hand and drag them up the stairs to his room. Natsuki is surprised at the unhidden enthusiasm in the young boy.
While young Sasuke is nowhere near as reticent as his older counterpart it's still a strange sight to see him as animated as he is now. He's much more inclined to letting Naruto be the loud, active one of the group.
"This is my room!" he declares, sliding the door shut as they enter.
"Woah! This is wa~ay bigger than our room!" Naruto breathes, gawking at everything. Just because he can, Naruto hops on Sasuke's bed and bounces a little on the plush mattress. "Nicer bed than ours too," he pouts.
Not for the first time Natsuki feels a pang of resent towards Konoha. This is the son of their legendary Yondaime and here he is comparing mattresses with his best friend because he and his sister are too poor to afford a better one. She hates it and sinks her nails into her palms as she tries to hide her bitterness.
"D'you like it?" Sasuke sounds uncharacteristically shy.
It takes effort, but Natsuki unclenches her fist and turns a genuine smile to her friend.
"It's great," she says and she means it.
"I think it's great that you don't have to share a bed!" Naruto says and Natsuki scowls at him.
"You kick in your sleep!" she huffs.
Naruto bristles. "And you hog the blankets!"
"I used to roll off the bed when I was smaller," Sasuke admits.
"I would roll off but that's only because Naruto would kick me," Natsuki commiserates, sticking her tongue out at her brother. He bares his teeth in return and Natsuki is tempted to tackle and noogie him into submission but it would ruin their clothes. She'll get revenge later.
"Sasuke? Kaa-san is calling us down."
Natsuki only barely avoids freezing up at the low voice in the doorway. Itachi is leaning against the door frame and giving them a fond look.
How long has he been there? Natsuki didn't sense him approaching at all. Even now when he's right before them, Itachi's chakra is muted and difficult to make out. Sort of like opening your eyes underwater. She can tell something is there but she can't quite make out the details. Is this the skill of an ANBU level shinobi or is Itachi just that good?
"You got it, nii-san!" Sasuke chirps. Seriously, it's eerie how good a mood Sasuke seems to be in.
They wash up as instructed before they're allowed to take a seat at the dinner table.
Uchiha Fugaku is as imposing as the head of the Uchiha family should be. Natsuki's not sure if the stern set of his mouth is his default setting or whether it's been learned but it makes him look severe, especially when sitting next to his wife. Itachi takes his seat on the other side of his father leaving the seat beside him empty.
Natsuki assumed that seat would have been filled by Sasuke however he seems determined to not have his friends be isolated at the end of the table which is uncharacteristically sweet of him. Instead he sits himself directly opposite his father leaving the seats on either side free.
Naruto is quick to claim the chair next to Mikoto which leave Natsuki sitting next to… Itachi… wonderful.
She focuses on keeping her breathing calm as she settles in and the food is passed around.
"Why did you choose to approach my son?" Fugaku asks while they fill their plates. Well this one doesn't waste time does he? If this was her old world Natsuki feels Fugaku wouldn't have looked out of place stroking a shotgun while chewing a pipe.
Natsuki feels Mikoto's chakra spike in what seems to be irritation and she carefully measures out her rice before passing it on to Sasuke.
"Actually, Sasuke approached us," she offers eventually when it looks like neither of the boys will say anything.
Fugaku's brow raises and she feels a faint hum of surprise coming off Itachi as well.
"And what caused that?" he prods.
Natsuki winces and she glances at Sasuke. He looks… resigned but still unwilling. She bites her lip but Sasuke gives her a shrug that reads 'do what you gotta do' so she goes for it.
"I… beat him. In our first spar."
A beat of silence.
"And how did you manage that?"
"She used a move I'd never seen before," Sasuke interjects and Natsuki throws him a look of relief. "It was a really cool flip. She said she'd read it in a book and then she used it in our fight. I asked her to teach it to me afterwards. That's how we started talking."
Fugaku hums thoughtfully. Silence falls as everyone starts eating with a quiet 'itadakimasu'.
"Are you enjoying the Academy?" Mikoto asks, breaking the silence.
"It's boring," Naruto says and Natsuki wishes her legs were long enough to kick him.
"Boring? How so?" Itachi asks.
"It's all math and boring stuff that sis taught me ages ago. Only the taijutsu and chakra control classes are interesting," he huffs, going back to eating.
All eyes are on Natsuki now and she shifts in her seat. Maybe if she stares at her fish long enough it'll get up and start dancing and she won't have to say a thing.
"You taught your brother mathematics?" Mikoto sounds so surprised Natsuki feels like she should be offended.
"Yeah. I used to read a lot in the orphanage. There was nothing better to do," she explains. "So whatever I learned I used to teach Naruto."
"She helps me with a lot of stuff too," Sasuke puts in.
Fugaku actually puts down his chopsticks to inspect her more. "And you said you defeated my son in your first spar with a move you learned in a book?"
She nods meekly.
Fugaku narrows his eyes at her. Natsuki hears a dull 'thump' and Fugaku's eyes widen a fraction before glaring at his wife. Mikoto returns the look in full force until finally Fugaku backs down and picks up his chopsticks once more.
"That's very impressive," is all he says as they continue eating.
"What kind of ninja are you?" Naruto asks, directing the question to Itachi.
Natsuki risks a look to the teen next to her and finds him giving her brother a soft smile.
"I'm a chuunin," he responds.
It's not hard to fake the awe on her face at the declaration. He's a chuunin already? But isn't he like, 13?
"How'd you become a chuunin so fast?" Natsuki asks.
Dark eyes turn to her and Natsuki can't hide the instinctive flinch that comes with it. "I graduated early."
"He's a shining example of what a shinobi should be," Fugaku praises. The pride in his voice isn't hard to spot.
Natsuki makes a face but continues eating so she won't have to say anything.
"I wanna be a great shinobi too!" Naruto puts in. "As a matter of fact, I'm gonna be Hokage someday ~ ttebayo!"
"Che! As if!" Sasuke teases. "If anyone's gonna be Hokage then it'll be me!"
"I think that's a wonderful goal to have," Mikoto encourages. Her husband's face said he clearly didn't think so which made Natsuki clear her throat.
"I think Naruto would be a great Hokage," she declares.
Mikoto's giving her this faraway look again, like she's seeing someone else and not Natsuki. She shakes it off quickly enough though.
"Eat your vegetables, Sasuke," she chides, bringing the conversation around to something a bit more normal.
"You too Naruto," Natsuki scolds, watching her twin sag at the reprimand.
Both boys grumble as they pick at the vegetables they were oh so cleverly trying to hide under the remains of other food. Natsuki grinned and picked up a carrot, munching on it happily. Those two were so similar no matter how much they protested it.
The rest of dinner passed uneventfully, with more idle chatter about school and other nonsense.
Itachi's interest had been piqued when Sasuke mentioned Natsuki's above average chakra control so after dinner, once the plates had been cleared and washed up, she was asked (read: forced) to show the rest of the Uchiha family what little skill she had.
"That's an impressive amount of chakra control for someone your age," Fugaku comments as Natsuki makes the leaf, slightly smaller than the one they used at the Academy, do cartwheels across her forehead.
She shrugs. As much as people like to comment on her control she really doesn't see anything impressive in it. After years of playing with her chakra as an infant and honing it to improve her chakra sensing skills, she's come to view her chakra as the fifth limb she never had. Like a tail of something.
Training it had been like when she'd first learned to walk in her new body. First beginning by slowly flexing weak muscles and learning what moved what before moving on to larger movements and then smaller ones.
She lets the leaf fall into her hand and flicks it aside when she's tired.
"I think we need to go now," she says, noticing Naruto yawn and barely stifling one herself.
Fugaku actually looks surprised for a moment. Like he forgot he had been inspecting a seven year old.
"Right. It is getting late," he muses. "A little too late for children your age to be walking around alone. Itachi will make sure you arrive home safely."
"… thank you…"
-\|/-
The walk home is quiet. Itachi isn't a man of many words and Naruto is half asleep the whole way. By the time they get to their apartment, he's practically dead weight on Natsuki's shoulder and Itachi has to lift him into bed.
"Just leave him. He can change in the morning," Natsuki instructs, biting back a yawn as she walks Itachi to the door.
It might not keep out any determined ninja but Natsuki sleeps better knowing that the door is locked and the deadbolts are drawn.
"You don't like me very much," Itachi says making Natsuki blink sleepily at him while she tries to understand the sentence. When she does she sags heavily against the still open door. She's not nearly awake enough for this conversation.
"Do you need a six year old to like you?" she asks.
He tilts his head. "I would prefer if Sasuke's friend likes me."
Such a big brother complex. Sleepiness and the general not giving a fuck attitude that comes with it is creeping into Natsuki's brain making her more talkative than usual.
"You creep me out," she says honestly. "And when I look at you I see a bright spot surrounded by a lot of darkness."
The look on Itachi's face is hard to categorize but Natsuki calls it wary. She gives him her blankest look aided by the fact that she's bone tired and really just wants to sleep.
"You're unnerving and I don't like being unnerved," she settles on and makes a very visible effort to close the door. "Thank you for walking us home." She can't be entirely rude now can she?
Itachi isn't quite glaring but she can tell he's taking her a lot more seriously than he had been before. Greaaat.
"You're welcome," and he turns and walks away. She watches him go, disappearing into the darkness of the hall before shutting the door and locking it tight.
To outsiders who knew Minato and Kushina, when they look at Naruto and Natsuki I imagine they have something of a mild seizure. Naruto's basically a carbon copy of Minato and Natsuki's basically a mini Kushina. Difference is they both have whisker markings.
Naruto's also a lot more like Kushina though, behaviour wise at least, while Natsuki definitely takes after Minato. Sort of begs the question of whether traits are hereditary, environmental, or situational, doesn't it?
-Rayne