Not So Different

By Silver Dragonfly

"Is killing your own clones assisted suicide, or attempted homicide?" Shanks asked, bemused, as he watched his nephew tend their camp fire.

The teen looked up, his expression dark. "The asshole asked for it! My clones know what happens if they eat my ramen." He growled.

Shanks chuckled, noting how his nephew began to unwind from his ramen defense inspired outburst as the smell of the noodles now steeping drifted out of the waiting cup. He wondered if any of the teen's past foes had ever tried to use ramen against him. He even wondered if this particular instance of ramen theft by clones had been somehow initiated by his own teasing comment to the blonde when he had suggested they return to camp.

"Not like it hasn't happened a million times before." Naruto muttered.

"You killing yourself, or stealing ramen from yourself?" Shanks asked and then tilted his head to the left to allow the suddenly airborne stone fly past his head. Perhaps it was time for a subject change. "Or do you mean those marriage arrangements you said you'd tell me about?"

Naruto visibly winced, then seemed to deflate, saying nothing as he checked the status of his waiting ramen.

Shanks waited, and when it became apparent his nephew was not about to speak, continued. "Just what is going on here in your home world, Naruto?" Shanks asked, more gently this time. "Benn and I have both noticed that you are running from something, but we didn't want to press."

Naruto remained silent, staring into his cup of noodles as he scooped up his first mouthful.

Shanks pressed on. "Whatever it is, you know it changes nothing with me, my crew, or your place with us."

Naruto did not answer at first, and Shanks waited patiently as Naruto continued his meal. He slurped the last of his noodles before he answered. "Being seen as a hero wasn't what I expected it to be." He finally answered quietly, staring into his empty cup. "For as long as I can remember, I've just wanted to be recognized, to not be ignored, to be able to protect what was important to me. We won the war, I lost a lot; everyone did, but…"

Shanks had a feeling he knew where this was going, but said nothing to interrupt.

"I never expected all that recognition to be its own kind of trap. I mean, I knew being Hokage would have some restrictions on it. I knew that even as a kid. Jiji tried to make time for me, but he was always busy. Once Tsunade-baachan became Hokage, I began to recognize a bit of why, but that didn't stop me wanting to be Hokage. My reasons for why changed, but never the fact that I wanted it. Then came the war and I lost more than I had realized in the name of lasting peace."

It was at this point that the teen sat back, looking up at the darkening sky. "I've been able to accept the loss of that dream," he said as he turned to look at Shanks, meeting the older man's gaze steadily. "You've helped me with that, a lot."

Shanks smiled at that, glad he had been able to help with the pain he knew his nephew had been carrying.

"But now everyone wants something from me. At first, I thought it was kind of a joke, there was no way I would ever really abandon Konoha after all, but now… they keep trying to tie me into political promises and use my position for their own benefits."

Shanks frowned, he did not like the sound of this. He stared into the fire as he considered just what this meant. He was no stranger to politics after all, being a Yonko directly opposed to the World Government was a political position in some ways more than it was one of true power.

He glanced up to see Naruto gaping at him and glared as Naruto suddenly broke into a fit of laughter.

"Your face…" The teen gasped between breaths.

"I do not like the idea of them trying to steal your freedom." Shanks stated, not seeing the amusement.

"They haven't." Naruto said simply after the laughter faded. "It took some time, but Kakashi-sensei, well he's the Rokudaime now, but he'll always be Kakashi-sensei…" he trailed off, realizing he had started to ramble. "Well, you know what I mean. Anyways, we've managed to push through a request for Sennin status throughout all the villages I'm affiliated with now, and that pretty much guarantees my freedom. As a recognized Sage, I sort of have 'political immunity' is how they explained it."

"Sennin… Sage?" Shanks asked.

"It's basically a glorified title for a hermit and is what Ero-Sennin was, at least within Konoha. He traveled all over the place. As a Sennin, he could visit other villages without really causing too much diplomatic issue as his loyalties were recognized first to the teachings of the toads and Mount Myouboku and second to Konoha. His status as an established author helped with that too."

"So because of your affiliation with the toads, you can also claim that title?" Shanks asked.

"Not really because of the toads, though that probably helped. I think my status as Jinchuuriki had a lot to do with it, since it helps balance the power between all the villages. That, and everything that happened in the war with everyone allied together." Naruto explained.

"You played an important part in that." Shanks stated.

Naruto shrugged. "I did what I could."

"Which was quite a bit from what little you and Kurama have said." Shanks added, amused at the almost embarrassed humility his nephew was now showing.

"Yeah, well I couldn't not try. What Madara was trying to do would have pretty much turned the entire world into mindless puppets."

"So you fought for freedom." Shanks said, grinning.

Naruto smiled at that, "Yeah, I guess I did. Guess I'm not so different from you, after all."

Shanks laughed, "Not so different at all. So, about that 'potential brides' list?" He asked.

Naruto shrugged. "Civilian politics mostly, they try to win favor with the villages. It's something about how civilian politics work, or so Shika tried to tell me. The Sennin status prevents any of the villages from trying to use me as a political bargaining chip. So I can't be forced into any marriages for political reasons."

"They don't interest you at all?" Shanks asked, curious now. "Or has your heart been taken by that teammate of yours you keep saying isn't your girl."

Naruto blanched and then shuddered, yet again very glad that his teammate was not here to hear that statement herself. He really didn't want to have to heal a smashed up nose… again. "Never say that to Sakura. Ever."

Shanks just chuckled. "Why does it bother you so?" he asked after a moment.

"Sakura is my teammate. I love her a lot, but… not like that." Naruto said, his voice more reserved.

"'Not like that'?" Shanks asked, curious as to just what his relationship with his teammate was. She was the only girl he ever talked about, after all.

Naruto blushed but then shook his head. "I had this huge crush on her in the academy. She was one of the top of the class and so smart. But she only had eyes for our teammate. As we got older, that never changed and I began to realize that while I did really care for her, love her even, it wasn't in a 'romantic' way. She's the sister I never had…" He paused then, giving a wry smile to his uncle. "She's Nakama."

Shanks smiled and nodded, understanding now why Naruto spoke so fondly of her.

"The fact that she can punch me through walls without batting an eye also makes her scary as hell." Naruto muttered.

Shanks raised an eyebrow at that. "Afraid of a strong woman?" He asked, teasing.

Naruto shook his head. "No, I admire how strong she has become, but that doesn't make her any less scary. It's just…one of the people I lost in the war… she… she sacrificed herself to try and help me in a fight when Konoha was attacked by Nagato back when I was fifteen. I was literally staked to the ground and she got between me and Nagato. She said she loved me and he struck her down right in front of me while I could do nothing. I kind of went berserk when she fell; almost released the fox. Things happened, and everyone except Nagato survived, but I never got a chance to talk to her about it. The war came and everything just spun out of control. She didn't survive the war and I never got a chance to really see if I loved her back."

"What was her name?" Shanks asked quietly.

Naruto looked skyward again, a soft, yet sad smile on his face. "Hinata."

Shanks smiled at the tenderness in the blonde's voice.

"What about you?" The blonde asked a moment later, smirking at his uncle.

Shanks blinked. "Me?"

"Yeah, you have someone you love?" The teen asked.

Shanks chuckled, "I only have one true love, and that is the Sea. She is a tough mistress, but I always come back to her."

Naruto started at him in silence for several long moments. "Bull shit."

Shanks grinned. "It's true! Any real pirate, let alone sailor, knows it!"

"You love your sake just as much, I think." Naruto pointed out.

Shanks considered the statement, "Well…"

"Ah!" Naruto suddenly exclaimed. "You've got a thing with Hawkeyes!"

Shanks stared, stunned. "What!?"

"That's why you weren't that upset about me leaving you there, right!?" The blonde continued, grinning.

"That's ridiculous! Do you want me dead?!" Shanks exclaimed, aghast.

Naruto hummed, and considered it. "I suppose Mihawk is pretty uptight; would have thought he'd be a bit more laid back if that was true."

Shanks relaxed: he got enough teasing from his crew about his supposed relationship with Mihawk; he didn't need his nephew to join them on it.

"It's Benn then, isn't it? You guys have a special Captain-First Mate bond, right?" Naruto asked then, a smirk on his face.

Shanks gaped, stunned by the fact that the statement was coming from his nephew. It was nothing he hadn't heard before, and was a common implication made between a Captain and their second, but he never expected to hear it from Naruto. His gaze narrowed, "Yasopp put you up to this, didn't he?"

Naruto grinned again, "So there is a special bond."

Shanks chuckled. "You might want to avoid saying that around Benn, he tends to take special pleasure in correcting such misconceptions."

Naruto pouted. "So there's never been anyone?"

Shanks shrugged lifting his tea cup to take a drink.

"Wait… does this mean you're a virgin?" Naruto asked.

Shanks spluttered, the remains of his tea sizzling as it hit the campfire.

"Of course not! I've had many lovers in ports all over the seas!" Shanks exclaimed, then sighed. "There are risks involved in being that open with someone when you have a price on your head. Even for a passing tryst, it leaves whoever I choose as a partner as a potential target. It's not a danger I wish to expose others to lightly."

"Oh…" Naruto said quietly, "I hadn't thought of it like that."

Shanks snorted, "Just look at how quickly they put a bounty on your head after learning you were my nephew."

Naruto nodded, understanding now. "That kind of has to suck."

Shanks chuckled at the understatement. "It is the life I chose, and I would not change that choice."

Naruto eyed his uncle carefully. "So there really hasn't been anyone?"

Shanks returned his nephew's gaze for a moment and then smiled gently. "One. About ten years ago, in East Blue."

Naruto grinned. "Name?"

Shanks simply smiled, eyes looking to the sky as his nephew had earlier, "Makino."

…::o::…

Thank you for reading. And for those of you who leave me wonderful feedback and support, Thank you! Double post this week due to missing my posting date for the last one.

One Piece and all its characters © Eiichiro Oda

Naruto and all its characters © Masashi Kishimoto

Special Thanks to my beta readers (and sounding boards): Blue Melodie & Aria Ino.