You are Loved, Little One
Hello, it's me. I was wondering if after all this time you'd like to read. Haha. Nah, i'm kidding. But on a more serious, I have decided to make a very important filler chapter. I mean, this chapter is really just a push of last chapter and an 'in between.' But nonetheless, it is very important. Not only does it show the emotions of three people, but it also extends you guys love for a few characters. So any way, and without further ado, shall we?
He wanted to cry as he was thrown on the ground for the second time. He was embarrassed. The son of the royal guard, son of the highest ranking warrior in all of Konoha, and he could not simply raise a sword to a boy his own age.
He could hear the emperor talking, but he only cared about the quiet laughter of his classmates.
He was mortified, frozen to the spot and traumatized. Hanzo couldn't believe it had happened, and in front of everybody too. And there he stood soaking in the cruel laughter, his head beginning to spin. He would never live this down as long as he lived. People would be reminding him of this forever.
He could picture it then. Naruto Uzumaki's son loses first fighting match before emperor Uchiha. There was nothing for it, he would have to leave Konoha, cast off his identity and start off somewhere new.
He wished he could do that really. He wished he could. But he was Hanzo, son of Naruto Uzumaki, the only child that could make Sasuke Uchiha smile.
So he looked up, trying to cast away the disappointment and fear and he smiled. "Gomen, Sasuke-emperor. I'll try harder next time."
Maybe the emperor was having a rough day, because Hanzo grew tense when the man stood before him, his blade to the child's throat.
Sasuke looked around. "Leave." The hiss managed to drag out every letter of the word.
Hanzo wanted to cry when his sensei and classmates did leave, leaving them alone.
Emperor and son of the emperor's personal guard.
They both stared at one another, one breathing heavily out of fear, and the other out of pure anger.
"Do not think that just because you are the son of royalty means you can disregard my status. Your father may be a direct descendant of Amaterasu. But I am the emperor."
With a nod large enough to see, but small enough to keep from cutting his throat, Hanzo sighed in relief as Sasuke moved away.
He turned away from the boy. "Leave my presence." He demanded. And the boy was so confused and stricken with fear that he practically ran away.
NSNS
"People say you have a crush on Sasuke-nii."
Hanzo watched his father look up from writing his letter to another commander. He stared at his son for what seemed like hours. Eventually, he put his ink feather down. "Who brought this on?"
Hanzo shrugged noncommittally and continued eating even as he felt Naruto stare at him. "No one. I just see the way he stares at you. And all."
Naruto raised a brow. "But you said that people have said it?"
"Sasuke-nii told me you loved him."
He looked back again to see his father's eyes very large and his cheeks dusted in rose. "Sasuke said this?"
Of course Hanzo and Sasuke were the best of friends despite their age difference so it did not bother people or Naruto that Sasuke told the boy almost everything and vice versa.
"Yeah. He said that you liked him when you were younger and you chased him everywhere. He said you were really pathetic."
Naruto's face grew straight then, obviously seeing where this was going. "Pathetic, huh? Well, Hanzo, I'll have you know that your father was very dashing in his prime and Sasuke was always jealous of other women that liked me."
Hanzo smiled before a laugh caught his throat and Naruto smiled back, going back to his letter. "Eat your supper."
NSNS
His back was heated. Not very much scorching as if he were set on fire, but like the heat of a midday sun that stared directly at Earth.
He squeezed around Sasuke even tighter, not sure why his father had to be burned alive. He wasn't sure what his father did and he didn't like being here.
And his whimper must have been heard because Sasuke shushed him and turned away, fleeing from the crowd.
"I want my daddy." Hanzo had said and he felt embarrassed that he was telling Sasuke this, but this was a desperate time for him. He would never see his father again and was never given a proper goodbye.
"It's alright, Hanzo. Naruto will always be with us." Sasuke rocked him and continued to until Hanzo was limp in his arms, asleep for now.
He knew that when he arose again, his father would be gone from this earth. And he and Sasuke were going to be miles and months away from Konoha, ready to start a new life. No longer emperor and no longer royal.
NSNS
"Now," Sasuke smiled at the small child, "how was your day at school."
It had been his first day at a new school, in a new country, with a new name. The kids had no idea that he used to be very wealthy and royal and they had been mean and snobby.
And Hanzo could very well fight. It's just that, Sasuke was doing so well in taking care of him that he didn't want to break the man's heart. He didn't want him to suffer even more since it had only been a year since his father's death.
Hanzo sat down, watching the man clean clothes in a large wooden bucket before looking away. "The kids don't like me very much."
Sasuke looked over then, wringing out the shirt with strength. "Why, that seems odd. You are a very likeable young man. You're smart, funny, brave, and handsome."
A peculiar blush from the praise. "I know… it's just. They said I'm too clean. Whatever that means."
Sasuke smirked. "Then they must be very filthy. Much like the pigs that Chouji-san would raise back home."
The small notion was supposed to make Hanzo feel better, but the mention of home made him sad.
"I wish we could go home, Sasuke-san. I miss my tousan."
Sasuke looked away, but the boy already saw that tears that were too heavy. He watched them drip in bucket.
"Your father will always be with us. No matter where we go."
NSNS
He watched the old man with a soft smile by the door. So many years ago, Sasuke was so young and vibrant. He wasn't old and bed ridden until death came to finally take him. But here they were.
"Hanzo boy, when will you go hunt?"
The man smiled. "When I know you're well and rested, Sasuke-nii. Do you want anything? Tea?"
"I wish to lay on this bed." Sasuke muttered, sleepily; nearly spent. "And I want little Hanzo to go and hunt so that he can clear his head."
"I don't want to leave you."
"Hanzo." Sasuke spoke sharply, coughing into the air roughly.
The young man looked away, now exposed to his own fears. Death was not kind. Hanzo knew that. It snatched where it could, taking people who were far too important, far too good. It didn't pretend to care, it didn't pretend to distinguish.
Death had hung over the world for a long time, always threatening. It had never touched Hanzo quite so close. That was until Sasuke got older and older until he couldn't anymore.
The old man stared, his pale face now wrinkled, holding no memory of what he looked like when he was so young.
"Sometimes, Hanzo, you must let things go. If only for the chance to see them in another life. I am old now, and though I feel I know Death well, he cannot show favorites."
So Sasuke forced him to go hunt while he rested. And Hanzo left the house if only to sit on the porch of their cabin for a while. An hour, three? A day?
He didn't know how long, but he knew Sasuke, former emperor of Konoha, frail in his old age would pass from this life.
Death took what it did, but ironically Death had no qualms with people. He took what needed to be taken and he finished his job everyday with neither a heavy heart or cold one.
And he took Sasuke's soul gently, leaving the man's body asleep on the bed.
Hanzo smiled softly, covering the body with a silk sheet, not wiping the tears that splattered into it.
Sasuke had a prolonged life due to Naruto's sacrificial death.
And given that they all had to die somehow, it was a gracious end for a gracious old dame.
Konohamaru gasped as he arose, clutching tight to the silk sheet as the remnants of the dream scattered around, breaking like glass in the floor and fading fast.
He blinked slowly, tiredness in his lungs that fought rising. When he noticed not a streak of sunlight whispering to his eyes, the boy's head went up fast, the bones in his neck groaning in irritation.
His eyes adjusting to the dark, he tells his brain to adjust so that he can at least feel something; anything.
And then does. He realizes that he is between Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto's arm is held tightly around him and Konohamaru accidentally whimpers when he sees that Sasuke is hugging himself.
Obsidian eyes open with the same force of a bird leaping from a tree. Expected, but nonetheless enthralling.
He watches Konohamaru sleepily for a moment before saying "Konohamaru" in a scratchy tune.
But still, there was nothing sweeter in the sad world for a child than the sound of someone they loved calling their name.
The man throws a bony arm over Konohamaru's squishy child stomach, his fingers tickling Naruto's arm. "Sleep, boy."
And he does sleep.
When he wakes again, Naruto and Sasuke are already getting ready. Sasuke is slipping on his shirt and Naruto is sitting on the bed, pushing his feet in a pair of leather boots.
Konohamaru hums sleepily, but his childhood makes it a whimper and unconsciously, he curls into himself when both men freeze.
And Kurama, who has been quietly resting on the floor, lifts his head, turning it to the side as if to say 'huh?'
They look over, worried and in fear and protective and Konohamaru really feels loved.
Sleepily, he murmurs "I hummed." His throat is croaky and high pitched all at once and Sasuke smiles softly.
The raven leans over, grabs a glass from the table and hands it to Naruto, who helps him drink it.
He lets out a satisfactory 'ahh' and sits up, now excited for the day. Sasuke shakes his head with a soft smile, Naruto chuckles, and Kurama growls in relief.
In all, the room is at peace, Konohamaru didn't have a nightmare and it is safe to breath.
Sasuke continues to button up his shirt, Kurama licks at his paw, and Naruto, who has returned yesterday from Yukigakure, leans forward to hug him.
"How are you fairing?"
And Konohamaru wishes the man will never stop squeezing him. He wishes he could spend the rest of his life as a child, being slightly crushed by someone that loves him.
"Happy." He whispers back and he doesn't miss the way Sasuke pauses in putting on his boots to smile at the sudden realization that Konohamaru wants both of them with him always.
"What are we doing today?" He then asks when the moment has settled and there is nothing to be sad about.
"Ah ah ah." Naruto smiles. "I have important business to handle with the crew today dealing with our banners. Sasuke will be helping the younger children, so that means you do not have to train with us today."
Konohamaru smiles big and wide. "I get a whole day of not training?"
Naruto chuckles, remembering when he was a child without much responsibilities.
"No. I said with us. Today, I'll be testing Samui's loyalty…"
Konohamaru doesn't miss the way Sasuke tenses at that name, but he is a child so it only confuses him.
And Naruto continues. "And what better way than for her to teach you how to sail."
At once, both Konohamaru and Sasuke begin to speak.
"Who is Samui?"
And "I don't want her around him."
Naruto looks to Sasuke first, the tension he remembers from yesterday catching him off guard.
Konohamaru wants to smile because he knows that if Sasuke had instead said "I don't want her around my son," the reaction would be the same.
Naruto knows there is tension, but he doesn't understand it, so he says "give her a chance, Sasuke. I know you don't trust new people, but I think she will be loyal."
And Konohamaru watches Sasuke blush and give in to some unknown hypnosis Naruto has.
He ruins the moment like the mischievous brat he is by throwing himself back on the bed. He can hear Kurama sigh.
"I do not want to train today." He whines.
"But you asked, and you cannot give up now."
He looks up at Naruto. "I just want a break."
He watches his fathe- Naruto shake his head responsibly. "Breaks will slow you down."
"It's all I ask."
He lays his head back down, missing the event to come. Sasuke is smiling with love in his eyes, Kurama has lifted his large head again, and Naruto's fingers are slowly creeping to his small tummy.
"Well, when you give a mouse a cookie, he will ask for a glass of milk."
His hands began to roam the little tummy. Konohamaru laughs and squeals and is embarrassed when he yells.
"No, tousan!"
It grows quiet and Kurama does that dumb thing again as if he's asking a question and not speaking all at once. Sasuke gasps; Naruto freezes. But there is no anger only a sadness and a longing and happiness. He goes to tickle the boy again, letting the moment pass and all the more accepting it.
And Konohamaru is supposed to laugh. But he doesn't. Instead there is a muffled scream in its place. Not Konohamaru's.
It's outside the cabin and a cannon is fired thereafter.
"We're under attack." Someone yells.
When the four rush out of the cabin, everything is seemingly at peace. Except the able bodied sailors are throwing ropes to another ship that has somehow latched itself onto theirs.
Samui runs over, her sword at ready. "Captain, the ship that has ambushed us is a Yukigakure ship, but the fire country's symbol is painted on the side."
Naruto curses and Konohamaru watches the man with such an innocent confusion that Naruto wants to weep.
"Samui. Take him to the lower deck. Whatever you do, do not bring him back up here unless a crew member comes to retrieve you."
"Yes, Quartermaster."
"But-"
"No buts, Konohamaru. Naruto and I will be back soon."
The boy nods as he is drug off, watching Naruto and Sasuke run off, Kurama at their heels.
When they are a good distance away, the mood has changed, and Samui lets go of his small hand. He looks up innocently. "I thought we were going to the lower deck."
Samui snorts as if he was funny. "I am no babysitter. I won't let some kid stop me from proving my worth."
Konohamaru feels embarrassed. He wants to tell her that he can indeed fight… it's just… not at the moment. He wants to tell her that he has nightmares and if he raised his sword, all he will see is wood stuck in Inari. He wants to tell her that Naruto and Sasuke have been whispering that he has... PTSD?
But he doesn't. Instead he crosses his arms. "Sasuke is going to be here. And you're going to be in big trouble."
The threat is stupid because she is new and has never seen a protective Sasuke, but Samui doesn't have the chance to snort since a gruff voice cuts their argument loose.
"Well, what do we have here?"
Both woman and child look up, finding an enemy watching dully.
And Konohamaru is scared now because he wanted it to be a good day. So much that he left his sword in the cabin and he's sure Samui doesn't care about him.
"Clear!" Sasuke hears Kakashi yell as he dodges another swipe.
The captain of the Yuki ship grimaces. "If Danzo made it clear what I would be fighting, I would have brought more men."
Sasuke smirks then. "Well, the men that you did have are gone now. Surrender or die."
Another grimace. "I will do neither."
Sasuke flips backward when the man rushes to him, skewing off to the side and beheading the man.
He evades most of the blood, and smiles as he turns. "The ship is now clear."
"Help!"
The man looks to their own ship and much to his dismay, there is Samui and Konohamaru fighting off a man who somehow lived.
Samui is busy fighting and does not care to tell Konohamaru to get behind her.
"Naruto!"
The birds that have been flying now turn away from the shrilling pain of that voice. Naruto looks up from dumping another body in the ocean, where Sasuke is pointing to the left of him.
"Help Konohamaru!" The words are simple, but Sasuke is sure the blond heard when he takes off down the side of the ship. Sasuke watches in anticipation as the man lunges for Samii before Naruto even has a chance to get there.
He watches in dread when the women simply smirks and evades the tackle.
But Konohamaru doesn't. And he is thrown off the side of the ship with the man that doesn't really understand what he's done. And he screams a scream so heartbreaking that Sasuke is on his way.
Naruto leaps too, diving in the water with no hesitation, fear, and dangerously no thought.
The world is silent until Naruto sprouts back up. "Konohamaru!" he screams if as if Konohamaru can hear his cries beneath the briny water.
"Konohamaru!" trying to find the grey boy in the grey ocean.
And dives back under as Sasuke gets a ladder ready by the side of the ship. Naruto is under for a minute now and Sasuke ponders jumping in himself.
And just as the thought of saving a life rises, one is taken. And in the deep blue that is the ocean, soft red expands like fire smoke.
He watches the blood and screams. Five seconds for Konohamaru, another five for Naruto.
Hinata looks over, trying to see if she can jump somewhere; do anything to make him stop screaming.
A gasp of breath. And another.
Naruto has emerged from the water, Konohamaru clutched feebly to his side. The boy is almost dead, but he has no intention of letting go.
The water has filled his lungs and has made homage, deciding that it would rest there for a while.
"Naruto, here!"
The blond begins to climb the rope and when he is almost there, he hands Konohamaru off to Sasuke, who falls with the boy.
He wants to laugh. He wants to cry. He wants to kill something. He looks up at Naruto, who falls to the floor, spitting up water and his own stomach lining.
The man looks up and with with red bleached eyes from the sea salt, and a raspy voice says "be careful, there are sharks down there."
Sasuke settles with a laugh that makes him sob. Because he's never been more scared in his life. Konohamaru was calming down and he wouldn't let go. And Sasuke's chest is ripping apart and he can't breath even if he wasn't in the water.
Deidara drapes a cover over them and moves on to drape one over Naruto.
Neji and Hiashi volunteer to sink the other ship after it's cleared, but Sasuke is still scared.
And he knows Naruto is too. The blond man comes to his senses, not caring about his burning eyes. "Konohamaru." He whispers.
The boy peeks from Sasuke's chest and immediately throws one arm around Naruto. So now all three are clenched tightly.
"You scared me." Sasuke murmurs. But he doesn't tell anyone that he's still scared.
"Boss." Naruto looks up to some of the men who are bringing things of value onto the ship. His eyes meet a small creature's that does not look like any he's seen before.
It has odd spots and two tails behind it. And like Konohamaru, Naruto, and Sasuke, it is afraid of the events that have passed. So it ducks away, even as Neji opens it's cage.
"Why did they do that?" The child's voice is hoarse and unknown to anyone.
Naruto smiled sadly, grabbing the boy and holding him close as Sasuke stands.
"Well, Konohamaru...People destroy beauty when they find it."
"How so?"
"By nature, people are petty and jealous. They envy what they lack and because they don't know how to acquire something, they try to destroy anyone who has it. Beauty is one of those things they hate most in others."
And he misses the way Samui grimaces at Sasuke from his words.
Konohamaru, in return, lets out a heavy whimper that sounds like he is trying to clear his throat.
Naruto rocks the broken boy. "Shh. It's alright."
"I tried to tell her that Sasuke would be mad, but she wanted to fight and-"
"What?!"
"What?!"
Both Naruto and Sasuke look to Samui at once and Hinata grows close. Just incase she must incite peace.
"I told you to protect him with your life! And you deliberately disobeyed me!" Sasuke growls and his words are icier than the snow Samui has been raised in.
"I had a mission to defend this ship-"
"You had a mission to defend my s-" he stops himself and Konohamaru, who is shaking, wishes he hadn't. "I told you to keep him safe and you put him in danger!"
"Sasuke." Naruto murmurs. Because even though he is even more beguiled by the man, he just wants Konohamaru to calm down. And seeing Samui get beheaded won't help.
Sasuke calms himself and walks away from the woman, breathing in then out. In then out.
He crouches back by the boy and sits quietly. Eventually, Konohamaru whispers.
"It has been such a horrible, very bad day."
Sasuke reaches forward, pushing the wet locks from his eyes. "Some days are like that. Even on ships."
And the child smiles sadly because it is true. No day could be good and none could be bad.
They were just days and that was the most astonishing thing about them.
Once Sasuke had risen from his post, ripped his crossbow from his body and asked Konohamaru in whistle "What day is it?"
And Konohamaru had been behind too, not really caring so much about the days. They had been at war and they were doomed from the start. What did it matter. And he had just shrugged and handed Sasuke his food. "It's today, I guess." Noncommittally and uncaring.
And Sasuke had given him that smile that suggested he knew something that Konohamaru didn't. "My favorite day."
He smiled even wider, and it had brought on despair. He covered his face with Naruto's chest, trying not to think or breath or think or live.
"It's alright."
Samui bowed graciously. "Captain, I am forever ashamed of disobeying orders and putting a crewmates life in danger. I only request that you intensify my training so that I am better able to protect them."
The request is innocent and Naruto immediately agrees, still lost in the ocean trying to find his first mate.
Sasuke sees what the woman wants clearly now. She wants Naruto and she wants him all to herself, but Sasuke doesn't do a thing about it. So he quietly agrees too.
Konohamaru's safety was in their hands and when his safety was being waved to a higher degree, the boy has no choice in the matter.
Still he can't help the terrible feeling in his water filled stomach on the terrible day. Samui blushes when she speaks to Naruto. And she wishes to be around him more. She likes Naruto. And it bothers Konohamaru on this terrible day more than it should.
And for the next weeks, Konohamaru does everything in his power to keep them apart.
He is a mischievous brat, but cunning no less. He has two of the ships most powerful men wrapped around his finger and knows that the only thing to get him punished is something severe.
Unfortunately, his first prank must have been a little too severe. It is after hours and before hours at the same time.
The ship does not sleep yet, but dinner is almost done. It is Sasuke who looks for the little boy in a teasing way.
It is after Samui's long day of training and she suggests to Naruto that she needs a "nice long bath."
It is after Naruto has eaten and simply waits for Konohamaru to eat so that he can bathe the boy. Sasuke says it is his turn.
So while the crew eats and laughs, Naruto stares as Sasuke goofily searches the deck for the boy they believe is hiding.
He occasionally licks at his lips when Sasuke bends down and lifts a carpet from a barrel, yelling "got you!"
But the boy is nowhere on the deck and he has already eaten tonight so he is not hungry.
Instead, he is in the pen and he is carefully feeding the chickens as he slowly, cautiously, and gently takes some of their feathers.
He isn't cruel to skin every chicken because he, like Naruto, loves animals.
The honey they traded with Kumogakure will do and he smirks at the heavy bucket full of it.
It's sticky and it really will take days to come off.
When done, Konohamaru dumps all forty of the feathers into the honey, watching them sink into the beautiful brown substance.
He turns to salute the chickens who already stare curiously at him. "It has been an honor serving with you. Your contribution to this prank will not go unnoticed."
He smiles at a chicken as it clucks and bawks and falls over.
"You're right. No mission too difficult. No sacrifice too great."
The boy leaves and successfully makes it to the women's washing room unnoticed. He sneaks in, and climbs a latter used to build the rooms.
There is a candle glow below and Konohamaru is happy that Samui has dressed in her nightgown. Inhaling and telling himself that this is for the greater good, Konohamaru still cannot dump the sweet goo on the woman.
He could do this, but dammit for having a heart. Just as he is about leave, the woman touches her breasts. "Oh, Naruto." She whispers. "Sasuke does not have what I can offer."
His brows furrow and later he will fully defend himself for defending Sasuke's honor. He is angry now and realizes this is the greater good.
"You asked for it." He whispers.
And suddenly the honey; the feathers; the glory are falling far too fast to comprehend. It splashes all over her and her first reaction is to scream and run from the room.
Like a monkey, Konohamaru hangs on a wooden plank before dropping to the ground. He lets himself have a good laugh before coming out, sticky bucket in hand, innocent and childlike.
Samui is out there and the crew is gathering around. Sasuke is at the front contemplating what should be done. Naruto is confused and wants to help the woman. And the crew looks on in horror at the sticky feather monster.
Konohamaru, adrenaline gone, finally realizes the complexity of this situation, before he could turn around and flee, Sasuke catches his eye.
"Oh no you don't. Come here now, Konohamaru."
The commotion ceases when silence scolds it and now the crew looks on in pity. Konohamaru's head is down his entire four step journey to Naruto and Sasuke.
Sasuke crosses his arms and scolds. "Konohamaru, how could you waste a good batch of honey like this?"
And the boy likes that Samui is verbally offended by the indirect insult.
"I-I…" he stutters.
Naruto crosses his own arms and now the pressure is on him. "Take your time to speak. Explain yourself, boy."
He doesn't and ultimately it is Naruto and Sasuke that pay for Konohamaru's mistake.
And Konohamaru is angry. Not because he is not allowed to play with the animals for a week, but because he failed the mission.
Sasuke is the one to wash him down and Naruto offers to help Hinata soak Samui in hot water.
Samui only grows stronger and he can't take it.
And the boy is very unaware of the thoughts that both Captain and Quartermaster have at the same time that night.
Sasuke and Naruto resist the urge to laugh. And at once they say in their heads 'well, she did almost kill him. Serves her right.'
Konohamaru is playing with the animals again. And this time Kurama and two tails- what they had decided to call the frightened blue creature- joined his side.
"Okay so that was an obvious fail. Naruto helped Samui." He runs his small hand through his tangled locks and laughs lightly when he hears Sasuke in the back of his head.
Comb your hair, boy.
He sighs as one of the chickens fall down. "We need retaliate. With something bigger, better, anything."
One of the chickens fall in a puddle of water and Konohamaru's eyes brighten with the force of the sun.
"You are simply a genius."
And that was how he thought about going to the women quarters and being strong enough get Samui's cot while she is sleeping, and put in, not in the ocean, but in the ship's pool area.
This is when Konohamaru realizes that he is simply a fifty pound seven year old and that Samui is a one hundred thirty pound woman.
His small dark eyes catch sight of a heavy fishing line and he chuckles.
It is also when he realizes that not only is he mischievous and cunning, he is very very smart.
When Naruto wakes the crew, Konohamaru is angry that he finds her asleep in the pool first. And now the crew won't be able to watch in pity as they realize that this is the woman's second time being targeted this week.
"Konohamaru!" Sasuke yells disapprovingly, his arm outstretched to an embarrassed Samui as if to say 'look what you've done.'
"This is the second time this week. Soreha warui!" And of course Konohamaru knows it's the second time in a span of four days and is particularly offended that Sasuke doesn't think he can keep trap of his own heavenly creations. But he disagrees with it being 'bad' because he doesn't like Samui and she's evil.
And yet, he won't voice those concerns because he is already in deep trouble. He flinches when both Naruto and Sasuke point back they way they came.
And because they are so meant to be, yell with the same precision "go to your cabin."
He knows it's coming, but it doesn't stop him from getting angry when Naruto helps Samui out of the pool and Sasuke looks on in...sadness?
The boy grumbles and turns with his arms crossed. "Fine. Don't be angry with me when she-"
Sasuke's nostrils flare as if they are not flesh. "Go!"
And he spends the morning not eating breakfast with his family, but changing his position from upside down to right side up on the cot.
He is angry and bitter and alone and he wants Sasuke to come and hug him.
"Mama." He whimpers because really he is only seven and just wants to be spoiled.
The boy falls asleep believing he is still awake. And travels far beyond the ship and sea to meet odd creatures.
Kurama is there. And he is large and the first thing he sees on the island he has managed to escape to.
He looks up with eyes of awe and says "Kurama, how did you get so big?!"
The beast looks down at him with confusion and grumbles. "Who are you, little one?"
Behind him emerge other beasts, all different and all the same. They have less tails than Kurama, but still tails with an 'S.'
It occurs to Konohamaru that he is new here, but he is also peculiar. And Konohamaru- so mischievous, cunning and smart- smirks and raises his hand.
He hides his pity when the beasts cower back, but continues. "I am Konohamaru, emperor of all things."
And for a lifetime without growing, he rules the naive beasts. He teaches them and leads them and scolds them.
He tells them to smile like Naruto does and he tells them to raise their swords like Sasuke does.
And the teachings have made him wish he never ventured from home. Because he misses his parents with all his heart and feels bad for getting caught in a prank a second time.
He yawns and the monsters cry and weep, begging him not to leave and grow old. But he must.
He is sure that after so many years, his family misses him and feel bad for sending him off.
And when he parts from the beasts, he wakes to Sasuke rubbing circles on his head and notices that no years have passed.
Sasuke smiles down at him and Konohamaru snuggles closer. He whispers "kaa-san" in the morning light and Sasuke seems to become watery, his smile softening even more.
"You are loved, little one." He reminds the boy because he thinks that Konohamaru's pranks are a shout for attention.
He's seen Samui with Naruto for days and Sasuke assumes Konohamaru misses the man.
"Naruto loves you so much, it is unimaginable."
The boy knows this, but doesn't have the heart to tell Sasuke that then pranks are for him. All for Sasuke.
Instead he hugs Sasuke closer and wishes to never fall asleep and return to the place of all beasts. The wild things that feared him.
He wants to stay here. Because really, Konohamaru, the emperor of all things, was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all.
Konohamaru is a seven year old free spirited child, but after a day, he rests against Kurama and two tails and contemplates his life choices.
He feels like this prank war against Samui is getting out of control and he's running out of opinions.
But to Kurama and two tails he confesses why it must continue until she submits.
He wipes his eyes and looks away from the fox embarrassed. "I just… I don't want it to be ruined, you know?"
He sighs. "Ugh. I'm being dramatic and stupid and bratty and childish. But, I've never felt like this, guys."
"I've never felt this loved." He whispers as if he's afraid because really, all his life he's been afraid.
The four year old plays in the mud outside his home happily. After being in the lower level of his parent's home for two days, he is delighted to find that it has rained.
Leaving the Earth still wet from her crying. The boy falls over his little steps and his chubby hands splash the Earth, making him giggle with ferocity.
The mud is on his face and he is happier then ever because now he can pretend to be the ground that people build lives upon.
But suddenly, the dream is ripped away when he is yanked off the ground and a sharp pain erupts in his lower end multiple times.
The caretaker has spanked him and it will leave a purple mark on his little butt. He whimpers first, then chokes, and then sobs as he is dragged back into the home.
"It is wrong to do what you have done and you have been reminded many times!"
And he continues to cry as he is spanked even more.
Konohamaru looks down. "I never had someone that loved me like they do."
He felt like he had been born again and the second time, he is not only given proper people, but a proper value.
It is as if the moon has smiled in wonder and the stars peek in to see him and the wind mutters 'life will never be the same.'
He looks up determined. "I almost lost Sas…. I almost lost kaasan once and Samui.." he growls. "I won't let her take daddy from us."
He looks to Kurama and the fox only stares, but there is something in his eyes that says "How lucky you are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
Konohamaru smiles in sadness. "Yeah." He agrees and rests back against the beast.
Naruto is not the father of Konohamaru. He is too young and too unstable to father any child on that ship.
The reasons are obvious, but he is still confused as to why newcomers would believe that.
It first happens when they dock at Kumogakure, where they will meet a man that goes by B.
He will be trading with them since he is a reserve member of the resistance. Young enough to still be a part of something, but old enough to not be an active fighter.
Or so Naruto thinks.
He is speaking important matters to B when a flash of black and grey pass beneath their noses. The man halts and looks to see Konohamaru smiling up at him.
And he smiles too because the boy is so little and handsome and scrawny. "Can I go look at to the waters with Cabo?"
Naruto's stomach sinks before his eyes do. He is confused and fearful and isn't sure where it comes from. "The waters?"
The dark boy, who stands off to the side, grows excited. "Our waters is a huge stone mountain with fish of every color inside it."
Naruto tries to remember exactly what color every color was and finds that he doesn't recall a color called every. It must be new.
But he ruffles Konohamaru's hair anyway. "Okay, but I want you back here before the sun lowers any more. And no playing in the water. And be sure not to touch the fish if they look dangerous."
He is getting out of hand now, but there are so many things in the world that can hurt Konohamaru so he names them for the moment.
"And don't push or get pushed in the water, you can hardly swim. If you feel sick, come to me and Sasuke immediately."
Konohamaru nods and scurries off. When Naruto goes to continue his conversation, B just smiles at him.
"Don't worry. My little brother will keep your son safe."
Naruto is going to smile at the reassurance, but there is a watery word that drips from the sentence.
"Son?" He asks.
B points to the passage the two boys have run off to. "The boy is your son, correct? You seem very protective of him, like a father in the forbidden books."
Naruto laughs easily because it comes easily to him. "Oh, no. He's just my first mate is all."
And B doesn't have the heart to tell him that captains don't treat first mates like that. Naruto looks too certain of his denial.
NSNS
The second times it happens, Konohamaru has managed to get himself into trouble when newcomers Ato and Suki arrive.
Two nights before, Naruto gives him a specific task of dumping leftover dinner from the shop and into the sea. Konohamaru agrees with a salute, but is somehow distracted by Kurama running around.
He sits the old food by the chicken pen and manages to leave it for two days. One of the chickens, the one that does not fall over like a log, gets hold of it. He poisons himself and dies, leaving a disease to one other chicken.
Konohamaru feels that he is tried for two counts of murder when Naruto grounds him for an entire month.
And before Ato and Suki, he throws his hands up with exasperation. "Aw, come on. It was an honest mistake, dad!"
Naruto stomps loudly, making Konohamaru and their audience flinch. "I don't want to hear it. What I say will go."
Konohamaru grumbles and storms away like a pubescent teen, but Naruto is not up for the fight. He has too much to do today.
He turns back to Ato who asks immediately "how old is your son?"
Naruto nearly says seven, but ends up biting his cheek when he hears the word again. With his shoulders drooping, the man decides he won't go through the trouble of explaining to them that he's only twenty.
Instead, he rubs his cheek as he walks past. "Seven." He grumbles.
He is frightened that this young boy has seen him do such horrible things, but still looks up to him.
But then there is the pride hidden deep down that makes him smile. Because Konohamaru wouldn't want to call anyone else father and he's so loyal to Naruto. He's so damn loyal it hurts.
Sasuke is not the mother of Konohamaru, but really in all instances, he doesn't mind.
Even if it is does shock him.
It is also in Kumogakure that Sasuke is presumed the mother of the strong willed boy that takes up everyone's mind one time or another.
Konohamaru has returned from from the water with his newfound friend and jumps on Sasuke to tell him all about it.
He is excited and jumpy and Sasuke can feel the boy's bones practically crushing his leg, but it really is worth it.
"And then the fish fell!"
Sasuke hasn't been listening, because he is busy running his pale slender fingers through the boy's head. He is just intrigued and eventually chuckles when his little Konohamaru yawns in his lap.
"Really?"
"Yeah." He is quiet. "And then they all just fell asleep, one by one, they did."
And the boy hums until he doesn't anymore because he is sleeping. Sasuke laughs and looks up to find both Naruto and a native Kumo woman of the resistance staring.
She gushes. "Aww. Your son is so sweet."
And Sasuke blushes but still agrees.
NSNS
The next time it happens, it is Naruto, not Konohamaru that requests a bedtime story and Konohamaru is simply dragged into it.
The boy still lays his head on Naruto's arm, which is rested behind the man's head.
Sasuke wonders how the blond's armpit hair doesn't bother the boy. Konohamaru is snuggled closely to Naruto as if the man is a pillow.
But nonetheless, Sasuke continues to read a story that was written a very long time and has somehow found them again.
It is when Konohamaru is yawning and Naruto is snoring that he is almost finished.
"And hand by hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced the moon away. The end."
Sasuke crawls into the bed beside Konohamaru, and grunts when the boy rolls over upon him, his small legs now sprawled across Naruto's chest.
"I love you, kaasan."
And Sasuke just smiles and whispers it back, lovingly soft and only as powerful as the gods.
Sasuke isn't very shocked after a while. He goes with the flow and finds it funny that Naruto has grown with a family, but it shocks him when it happens.
But still, Naruto is okay with whatever scares him.
They aren't Konohamaru's parents, but who is anyone else to tell them that?
Konohamaru sighs against Kurama. He just wants to weep and cry and say goodbye to the family he's never had.
Because Samui almost has Naruto wrapped around her finger.
It is with sadness of his heart that soon when the treacherous witch seduces him, Konohamaru will not be able to yell in disgust when he sees Naruto kiss Sasuke's forehead.
Kurama rests his chin atop the boy's head and Two Tails licks his pale foot. They want to comfort him, but the boy's fears hurt him and tie him down.
And sometime now, it looks as if all his adventures are coming to an end; but that is not to be.
"I have done all I could." He whispers. "I mean, it's not like I can just for-
He freezes when the words almost come out of his mouth. For a mischievous cunning and smart boy, he feels stupid. He knows that many things could have been avoided, but the past is the past.
Now he knows he can fix this.
With a big smile, he stands above Kurama who gives him a look that says 'Listen to me. Anything can happen, child, anything can be.'
He smiled big. "You're right. I can do this. This is my skill."
He is happy to find Samui away from Naruto because she is training on the deck alone. The only things that somehow manage to inspire him is the way men look at her and the way the woman gravels at the attention.
And Konohamaru is then even more angered because out of all the man that watch, she wants his dad? She wants his parents to ruin their relationship?
The boy marches right over and crosses his arm, stomps his foot, and glares for attention. Because he is very unaware of how interesting he is to every crewmate and is also unaware that he doesn't need to do anything to get attention.
Samui takes notice immediately and rests her sword by her side. It's more than obvious that she doesn't like the kid that has been trying to sabotage her and Naruto's love for weeks.
She thinks he's spoiled and annoying and cunning. But she also notices how Naruto treats him. And figures that being nice to the boy is the closest way to get to him.
"Hi, kid." She smiles.
Konohamaru's teeth bare with a snarl he isn't sure of the origin. "Leave my daddy alone."
"Huh?"
The smart boy's fists clench. "If you can 'huh,' you can hear. I know what you want. And you'll fail because my dad loves my mom."
Samui knows exactly who he is talking about because all this time, she thought the boy did have parents, but Konohamaru doesn't know that.
So he clarifies anyway. "Naruto loves Sasuke and you're just a….just a whore!"
It is Konohamaru's eyes that swell with tears because that was mean and harsh and he says a bad word and it tastes wrong.
Samui smirks. "You got guts, kid."
She is not taking him seriously and Konohamaru hates that. So he takes it to the extreme. He knows it is more dangerous than any prank he's done. He knows Samui's life is in danger if he does it, but he's at the end of the rope here, hanging on by a loose thread as the sharks circle below.
Kurama moves back because he knows what is to happen.
His eyes water and his lip curls out word. His fists clench as if he is trying to be strong and he whimpers.
Samui almost wants to hug him, but his next words make her flinch back in horror.
Konohamaru raises his arms and screams louder than a tortured man.
"Mooommmy! Daaadddy!"
Naruto is on the other side of the ship painting banner flags with a large smile. He has thoughts of overruling Danzo and liberating all people.
Before him is an audience of smaller children and Temari.
He hears the scream and halts for only a quarter of a second. And suddenly, his painting supplies is knocked over and he is gone from the room before Temari has a chance to breathe.
The children look around in confusion, but continue to play with the paint that has been knocked over. Temari fusses at them and wonders if it is all a dream.
Sasuke is also on the other side of the ship, but he is on the upper deck. He is training harder than ever to protect the people he values and nearly topples over when he hears the scream.
The man turns his head fast, cracking his neck. "Konohamaru." He whispers.
And then he is off. The only thing that reassures Haku that the training session is real is the trail of mutters he leaves behind.
They intersect each other mid deck. Sasuke has a crossbow and Naruto is oddly caring a small knife that can do enough damage to a throat.
"You heard!" Sasuke asks as they run.
Naruto only nods. "What happened?"
"I don't know. But if I have to kill someone, I will."
They make it to the main deck and Naruto nearly has to stop from sliding.
Konohamaru is red and sad and crying loudly and somehow the ship has awoken to see the commotion.
Sasuke grabs an arrow and pushes it into the weapon. Naruto's fists clench around his knife and he asks "what happened, Konohamaru?"
The boy sees them, looks to Samui who is frightened and runs to Sasuke, hugging his legs. "Someone hit me."
"What!?"
"Who?!"
And Konohamaru waits for a moment. He inhales and is ready to tell on her. And he says…
"Just joking."
Their anger and bloodthirst eventually dissipates as they stare in confusion. Sasuke's brows raise. Naruto drops the knife.
"What?"
The boy smiles. "A joke? You know, a prank?"
Naruto grabs the boy by his shirt. "I know what it is!" He barks. "Konohamaru, do you have any idea what lives you put in danger when you commit these pranks?"
Konohamaru is getting scolded and he only half cares because Samui has backed off. Samui has heard the story of Umeji and Zabuza and doesn't want to die early.
"Why would you do this?" Sasuke asks.
Konohamaru sighs. "Because. I like ideas. I like testing them on people. Sometimes, I'm afraid, but then I realize, these are my ideas. No one knows it like I do. And it's okay if it's different, and weird, and maybe a little crazy."
The small confession makes Naruto simmer down and he smiles sadly. Because, er, Konohamaru really grates his nerves, but he loves the boy anyway.
A sigh. A slip of the boy's name. Sasuke is the first to move forward and he hugs the sobbing boy.
"You know, you really wear me out. But I love you anyway."
Konohamaru stands on the tip of his toes and has Sasuke bend down halfway to kiss him and he whispers "I love you anyway too."
And the man laughs because the child is good with a lack of self awareness.
Naruto joins the hug and apologizes for yelling. But Konohamaru is still grounded and the boy wipes his teary snot on Naruto's shirt.
But yeah, it doesn't bother him.
It is a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister one could ever imagine, they still think that he is wonderful.
Konohamaru wants to cry again, but he is so happy. Because all this time, he has forgotten that Naruto loves Sasuke and he more than anything in the world. And Samui can't have him. Not in this life of the next.
Best chapter not written in third person ever. Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who's still sticking with this story. Even if it has been a tougher journey than my other stories.