Chapter 24: Happy Birthday!
Disclaimer: Someday, I'll stop doing this disclaimer thing... Someday. But I will never own Naruto.
"Human speaking."
'Human thinking.'
Flashback
'Non-human thinking.'
"Non-human speaking."
"Are you alright?"
Naruto groaned ,as he peeled his eyes open. The soft rays of sunlight embraced him, and he blinked slowly. Realizing where he was, his sapphire eyes widened before he shot out of the bed and turned to the owner of the earlier voice.
Minori stared at Naruto in worry ,as he watched the poor boy take in his surroundings.
"Where are we, sensei?", the boy asked when he noticed the rock structures outside the window and the fact that he layed on a real bed.
He had a very good idea about where he was, but he wanted to be certain. After all, he had been under the knowledge that they wouldn't reach the main village in a few days.
"In Iwa.", Minori stated, and Naruto's eyes shone in confusion and curiosity.
"But, how? I thought we still had a few days left?", he inquired, noting that Kurokiba was no where in site.
"I had an emergency way to travel.", he replied swiftly, standing from his seat near the door and sitting on the edge of the bed.
Naruto didn't push the subject, but opted to turn his gaze to the village.
"Firecracker, about the earlier incident...", he started but Naruto interfered.
"Don't worry. I'm fine.", he said, grinning but not as brightly as always.
Minori's eyes softened.
"I know you will be. But, are you, right now?", he didn't want to push the boy, but he knew not many would recover from their first kill so quickly.
"Yeah,", Naruto spoke before smiling, "After all, I didn't want to kill him, but I choose to."
Minori blinked at the strange statement and watched the knowing smile that painted Naruto's lips, as if it was an inside joke that only he would understand. Despite the strain that obviously plagued the boy, there was also a relief of knowledge and acceptance.
Call him a fool for guessing, but he had a feeling that a certain furry, fox had a paw in the matter.
"Oh yeah, where's Kuro-chan?", his energtic voice interrupted Minori's thoughts.
Usually, the wolf would be by his friend's side or somewhere else on Minori's request.
"He went back to Goruden Forest to make an important visit to his family.", He replied, sounding calm yet concern shimmered in his eyes.
Although only mentioned a few times in conversations, Naruto recalled that name-Goruden Forest- was usually associated with a casual dismissal or fond nostalgia.
"Did something happen?", When Minori's concerned, it usually meant that something terrible, or insane had happened.
From how tense his sensei appeared, he'd assume that it was the former.
"Not too sure. The elders summoned him out of the blue. But considering him, he'll be alright.", he assured, as he smiled.
It put both of them at ease. However, Minori wasn't done and Naruto knew it by the glint in his eyes.
"Kurokiba and I bought you a little something. We wanted to give it to you later on but the situation took a turn for the worse so I'll just give it to you now.", Minori retrieved a bag, which Naruto hadn't even realized was there until now.
'Huh? I must be more affected than I thought', Naruto thought to himself.
After all, he would've normally noticed something like that.
Taking out a rectangular box from the bag, Minori offered it up to the boy. He gently took it from him and dragged a hand across the surface.
"I know you wanted to learn Fuinjutsu so we thought a calligraphy set would be a good present.", Minori started, as Naruto's cerulean eyes widened in surprise.
"Happy Birthday, Firecracker."
Naruto froze still for a second and grinned maniacally before assaulting the virescent-eyed man with a hug.
"Thank you, sensei!", the crimson-haired boy yelled excitedly.
Minori chuckled merrily before patting his student's head.
"No problem, Firecracker."
(Goruden Forest: Home of the Wolf Clan)
Most summons only go to their summoner when they are summoned. However, there are exceptions, such as the Wolf Clan's Kurokiba.
He never worried too much about his friends and family of the clan, since he never had anything to worry over.
Until now.
Rushing towards one of the dens, past the large, autumn trees, after being briefed by the elders, he cursed inwardly, as many of the other wolves sent him sympathetic glances.
He slowed down as he entered the den and heard soft sobs.
"Well, it's been awhile.", a female, serene voice echoed through the den, as Kurokiba sat by a small, curled-up ball of golden fur.
Before him, a beautiful, snow-white wolf layed tiredly, watching him through familiar lavender orbs.
"Yes. It has been awhile, hasn't it, Akemi?", he started, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Is that how you greet your sister after all this time? Especially when she's dying.", she-Akemi- asked with a morbid chuckle.
The soft sobs beside him continued, as if it didn't care about its surrounding.
"Akemi, stop avoiding my question.", he stated seriously.
Throughout his life, his sister had been the most constant presence, even more so than Minori. So, seeing her, one of the most strongest woman in his life, look so ill put him in a dazed state.
"I heard about Minori's condition and that new human pup. You had enough stress on your shoulders as it was. Knowing my state would've just worsened your situation.", Akemi answered, as her gaze turned to the ball of fur.
"You shouldn't cry so much, dear. All mortal beings will die someday. It's simply my time.", she spoke tenderly, nudging the ball with her snout, causing it to uncurl and reveal a pair of violet eyes.
"Greet your uncle, won't you?", she suggested, as the youngest in the den looked up.
"Hey, Uncle Kuro.", the young pup addressed Kurokiba, sniffing, who watched him with a soft gaze.
"You've grown, Hikaru.", he said suddenly with a toothy grin.
The golden-furred pup returned it with a more strained one.
"I plan to stay here for a bit.", he revealed, as his sister turned to meet his eyes.
"Welcome home, onii-san."
And that's a finished chapter. For once, I finished a chapter on time! I feel good about myself! Onii-san means brother. And i'm out!
Sayonara