A Mistake

by Kuroakuma025

He was a mistake. Someone, who shouldn't have existed. And yet, he was brought into this world. Raised by a gentle mother, who didn't think of him as a mistake. Befriended a lonely girl and her inner beast, who both didn't think of him as a mistake. So surely, he couldn't be a mistake, right? Everything aside, Narumi and Kurama only have one problem, WHY THE HELL WAS HE SO NICE?

1. Chapter 1

A Mistake. Chapter-1

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the OC(s).

Hello! I am finally back! For those who were wondering why I wasn't updating my stories, well, I have been reconnecting with my only friends these past few months. Due to lockdown, they were finally free. So, we four started playing PUBG day and night. I kind of forgot everything while reconnecting with them, so yeah… Sorry! I will be getting back to my stories now.

I won't make you guys wait for any more from reading this one. I have only one thing to say: please read the AN at the bottom of this chapter.

"Talking"

Thoughts.

So without any further ado, let's get into it!

---

Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash of Hidden Leaf, the sole reason the Third Great Shinobi War ended, was feeling fear. Raw primal fear.

Reason? A mistake he made. An honest mistake, but a grievous mistake, nonetheless.

What did he do, you ask? He had committed infidelity.

Infidelity on his beloved wife, Kushina Uzumaki.

It wasn't his fault, honest! He had just been so overjoyed at the news he was going to be a father, that he had drunk himself stupid, in a public bar no less.

Things… have spiralled down from there. He didn't know how it happened, but he found himself with a naked woman the morning prior.

In all honesty, he barely remembered bits and pieces. Who initiated it, he didn't know. He had been. Just. So. Drunk!

While the infidelity that he had committed brought huge guilt on his being, almost threatening to overwhelm him, it wasn't the reason he was feeling such fear. Nay, it was the news he had just received from the woman who was seated in front of him right now.

The same woman he had committed infidelity with a month ago.

All things considered, the woman was beautiful. Certainly not as much as his fiery wife, in his opinion, but beautiful nonetheless. Soft round face framed by beautiful ebony tresses. Lovely onyx eyes on that pale face of hers. A slim but moderately curvaceous figure.

Yes, she was beautiful. But what made her beauty truly shine was her nature. She was one of the gentlest women he had ever met.

Even now, in an attempt to make him calm down, she was softly smiling at him.

"Please, calm down, Lord Hokage. There is no need to panic."

God! Even her voice was so soft, so soothing.

But he couldn't. He just couldn't calm down! "How can I calm down after what you have just told me? It's going to destr—"

"Please, Lord Hokage," she raised a hand placidly. "Calm down. Nothing is going to be destroyed. I am not here to ruin your life or anything, Lord Hokage."

What? Did he hear that right? "Y-You aren't?"

A frown crossed her soft features. "Of course not. Why would I do that? You're a great man, Lord Hokage. You're a good leader and an even better person. I am sure you are a wonderful husband to your wife too; considering how you cried that morning after realizing what you've done."

Not one of his best moments, but yes, he had cried after realizing what he had done. And it wasn't the only time he had cried after that. He couldn't tell Kushina what he had done. He was sure she would forgive him, she was truly kind like that, but not before she thrashed his ass in the most brutal of ways.

But he just couldn't bring himself to do that. He knew she would be devastated at hearing that initially, just the thought of her in pain brought an ache to his heart. So, he just couldn't. For himself as much as for herself, he told himself.

Of course, Kushina had noticed something was wrong with him. Comforting him every time he felt down without even knowing the reason. Truly, he felt unworthy of her now.

"I am not sure about the husband part anymore…" he muttered bitterly.

She flashed him a comforting smile. "Lord Hokage, please don't beat yourself over it. It was an honest mistake on both of our parts. You were drunk and I too was drunk. Neither of us could have anticipated what would happen after we got drunk. Please, stop beating yourself over it, it isn't healthy for you."

God, he felt pathetic! Being comforted for the second time by the woman he had committed infidelity with was just so humiliating. She had also done the same thing when he was crying that morning.

Emotions riding an all-time high, he just snapped. "What do you want then? Surely you want something. If it wasn't like that, you wouldn't have come here in the first place."

Full lips pursed in a straight line. "You're right. I do want something."

Ha! There it was! "What do you want?"

"Can I keep this child?"

"Eh?" A sound of utter disbelief left him. He blinked several times and parroted her words dumbly. "You want to… keep this child?"

"Yes," full lips quirked back up in a gentle smile and she nodded. "I want to keep this child."

"T-That's it? That is all you want?" Was she joking? Surely she was. It couldn't be just that simple!

"Yes, that is all I want." Her onyx eyes went down to her stomach and a tender look, much tender than anything he had seen entered her eyes. "I… never had anything to call my own, Lord Hokage. I was an orphan of the Uchiha clan. I never knew the love of a parent and I don't particularly have any interest in pursuing some kind of romantic relationship. So… even if this child is a mistake, I want to keep it. I want to raise him. I want to love him. I want to call him my own. Can I… ask that of you, Lord Hokage?"

His throat felt dry. Faced with such an earnest plea, what else can he do except for accepting it. There was no deceit in her onyx eyes. No ulterior motive of any kind. Just a genuine desire to raise that child as her own. Nothing more, nothing else. "Th-That is all you want, really?"

"Really, that is all I want. You don't even have to be there or do anything for him, rather, I would prefer it if you stayed away from him. I just want him as my own. I want to raise him all alone. Unless," a look of uncertainty came over her pale visage. "You want me to abor—"

"No! No, no, no. I can never ask you about that." Aborting a child? Denying the child to be born simply because they made a mistake? Unthinkable! "Please, I can not do that. No matter if it was a mistake or not, I can't deny the child the right to be born in this world. It would be wrong of us, downright cruel even."

"Oh," full lips parted in slight surprise at his vehement denial. A hopeful smile came on her face once the surprise wore off. "So, can I keep the child?"

"Of course you can," Minato nodded. He couldn't deny her request. Though, a frown crossed his face at remembering her previous words. "You don't want me to do anything with him?"

"Ah, yes, I would prefer that. It would be better for both of us. No one will ever know that he is yours if you never interacted with him by going out of your way, and this is purely a selfish reason of my own, but I want to raise him solely without anyone interfering with us. I do hope you can understand that."

He did. No one will be able to make a connection between them if he never interacted with him. It would be good for both of their images from a political standpoint also, for him, infinitely so.

But... not seeing and interacting with his own flesh and blood brought a terrible pang to his heart. Even though it was a mistake, it was still his child. But he knew, he couldn't deny this woman her sole request. How can he? She didn't ask for practically anything. Any other woman could have -would have!- asked for anything, and he would've been forced to do that, in order to save his image as well as marriage.

But still… "I understand that, but can I ask you something?"

She nodded her head with a curious look etched on her face.

"You see… since I got married to Kushina, I always wanted a son. But I am going to have a daughter, not that I am unhappy about that! Gods no! I am immensely happy about that, but… it's just… you're going to have a son, aren't you?"

She nodded her head again. Even more curious where he was going with this.

"I just… I know it's going to be extremely selfish of me, but can I please name him, atleast. Consider it my first and final request as his father, please."

"Of course, Lord Hokage." She didn't even hesitate for a second before replying. A gentle smile formed on her face. "How can I deny such a lovely request. What do you want to name him?"

"Na-Naruto!" Such was his eagerness, that he stammered over his own words. A faint flush rose on his cheeks as the woman in front of him giggled.

"Na-ru-to. Maelstrom, correct?" She tilted her head curiously.

"Yes, correct. It's a name taken from my sensei's book. I hope you don't mind."

For the first time he had ever met her, a look of pure distaste appeared on her face. He didn't know she was even capable of it! "I do hope you've not taken that name from Lord Jiraiya's famous… smut. Have you, Lord Hokage?"

"No! No, no, no, no, no, no! It's not from that, believe me! It's from… wait, hold on," he reached for a drawer in his desk and opened it, shuffled some items aside, and pulled the thing he needed. He handed her the book. "Here. I have taken the name from this book. It's sensei's work also, but it never got any recognition."

The Tale of The Utterly Gutsy Shinobi? She arched an eyebrow in question at reading the title. Curiosity got the better of her, she opened the book and started reading it right then and there.

Minato didn't say anything, letting the woman read it, after all, he was asking her to name their son after a character of a book written by his sensei. And, well, his sensei was famous -or infamous, depending on which gender you asked- only for his smut, so he was content to let her read it and make her decision after that.

She closed the book with a smile on her face. "Color me surprised, but this is good. I never thought Lord Jiraiya was capable of writing something actually good. Can I keep this book, if you don't mind, Lord Hokage?"

"No. I don't mind. I have read it countless times so you can keep it." While it was true that he had read that book countless times, he didn't give it to her for simply that reason. No. He knew she was serious when she had said she wanted him to stay away from their son. That meant doing absolutely nothing for him. No birthdays, no nothing. No passing down of anything that will connect them to each other.

So, while it was a fairly simple thing, he hoped this book would be passed down to his son. This book was close to his heart. Very close. So even if it was a very unseemingly thing, he wanted something to give to his son. She would never suspect it, but he would have passed something down to his son. Atleast, he hoped his son would get it.

On the matter of his son. "So, about his name…"

"I don't mind." She smiled warmly at that. "Naruto. Naruto Uchiha. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

"It does." Minato nodded his head in agreement. It would have sounded infinitely better to him if it would've been Naruto Uzumaki or Naruto Namikaze, but even this was… fine.

What was done, was done. He couldn't change it. He would accept it and live with the consequences of his action for the rest of his life like he had done many times before.

Abruptly, the Uchiha woman stood up from the seat opposite to him. "Then, I will be going, Lord Hokage. What I came here for is done and I have a doctor's appointment in a few minutes. If you will please excuse me." She bowed her head and gave a small smile to him as she turned around and started walking away.

"Makaira!" He also stood up from his chair. Hearing her name being called, she turned around to face him and her onyx eyes widened at seeing him bent at the waist, bowing his head down in gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done."

"What are you doing, Lord Hokage! A man of your stature shouldn't bow his head in front of commoners like us!" She immediately stepped forward and placed both of her hands on his shoulders. Forcing him to stand straight. "Please, don't do that. It is very unbecoming of you." She chided him gently.

He looked down at her face, she was a good head shorter than him. Slight tears were stinging at the corners of his eyes. "I… thank you."

She shook her head. A gratitude-filled look came on her face. "No. Thank you, Lord Hokage, for giving me something to call my own. Even if it was a mistake, I don't regret it. You should also stop beating yourself over this. Mistakes happen. You should know this better than anyone. Just accept it and move on. You have a wife waiting at your home who will worry herself if you continue to be like this. If not for yourself, then for her. After all, she is also pregnant, right?"

"Yeah, she is."

"Then don't make her worry, alright? It will be very bad for her health. It can even lead to a miscarriage if you continue to be like this and make her worry. Think about your unborn daughter and your wife before you think of anything else, okay?" She gently wiped the tears that rolled down his cheeks with her thumbs and stepped back with a comforting smile on her face.

"I will, thank you again for everything, Makaira." This time, he didn't bow his head, instead, offered her a gratitude-filled smile.

"It's alright, Lord Hokage. Have a pleasant day." Offering another smile and with a bow of her head, she turned around and started walking away.

He watched with a small smile as Makaira walked away. He was sure, if he didn't meet Kushina and met her first, he would've fallen for her. Hard. She truly was the gentlest woman he had ever met.

If she was the one who would be caring for their son, then he would truly turn in a wonderful man. Atleast, he can take solace in that. Even if he never saw his own son, atleast, he knew he would be raised by this wonderful woman.

"Oh, and Lord Hokage," Makaira paused in her step and turned to look at him.

"Ah, yes?"

"Hmm, how should I say this?" A look of uncertainty came over her face. "Since I was drunk, I don't seem to remember much about that night. But… you were awful."

"Eh?"

"I don't know much about intercourse since I was a virgin, but I don't think anyone ejaculates that fast, Lord Hokage. Personally, what I could remember of that night was just awful. Maybe you should talk to your wife about this. You know, she could be faking it all along to make you feel better. I think things like this should be discussed so that you can improve yourself, Lord Hokage."

"A-Ah… I-I see…"

She placed a delicate hand against her cheek and a truly worrying expression came over her face. "I do hope my Naruto doesn't inherit this part of yours. I don't want my future daughter-in-law to feel such disappointment that I felt."

Just stop, woman! Just stop!

His manly pride that was all but destroyed aside. He was now fearing for how his son might turn out to be!

My God! This woman knew absolutely no tact! She was as blunt as a hammer! She was brutally honest!

He knew she was not trying to be mean or anything. No, he doubted this woman actually has a mean bone in her whole body. Looking at her face, she was just concerned about him. God! She really was the nicest and the most brutally honest woman he had ever met.

Two things were for sure at this moment, his pride as a man was all but destroyed and he was never going to take his sensei's advice on this. Never!

"Ah," her eyes strayed to the wide window behind him and she glanced back at him. "I must be going now, Lord Hokage. I am getting late for my appointment. Please excuse me."

"Go. Just go…"

Wonder what got him like that? She tilted her head in confusion as she saw Minato staring at the ground with a lifeless stare. She shrugged her shoulders and went on to attend her appointment.

On that day, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash of Hidden Leaf, the man who ended the Third Great Shinobi War single-handedly, cried.

A lot!

---

7 YEARS LATER

---

Makaira hummed a nonsensical tune to herself as she worked in the kitchen. Swaying slightly to the tune she hummed.

The soft sound of pitter-patter against the wooden flooring reached her ears and a smile lit up on her face.

Immediately, she turned around. "Welcome back, honey, did you have fun pla… oh…"

Her baby-boy stood before her, sniffing softly, as he held a puppy close to his chest. "Ma… Riko isn't breathing."

A tender look came in her eyes and she sunk down to her knees in front of him. A delicate hand cupped his pale cheek, very much like her own. Her thumb wiped his tears as he sniffed softly. "Oh, sweetie… you knew this was going to happen when you took him in, don't you?"

"Mhm," he nodded his head against her hand. His teary sapphire eyes looked into her onyx eyes. "But I didn't want him to go, Ma."

"I know honey, nobody wants to lose things precious to them." She removed her hand from his face and poked his chest softly with a finger. "It hurts here, doesn't it?"

"Mhm." He nodded and looked down at Riko in his hands. Tears slowly falling onto his brown fur.

A sad smile plucked at the corners of her mouth. "It always does, dear."

He sniffed softly as he looked back at her. "Do-Does it get better? Does this pain go away?"

She nodded with a rueful look. "Sometimes."

"How?"

"You learn to move on, my dear Naruto." She replied as she ran a hand through his spiky, golden-blond hair.

"How do I," he looked down at Riko in his hands. "Learn to move on, Ma?"

"Hmm," she worked her fingers against his scalp in an attempt to provide him with some comfort. "You do that step by step, honey."

"Step by step… What is the first step, Ma?"

"First, we bury him, Naruto."

"In our... backyard?"

"Yes, dear." She stood up and gave him a gentle smile. "Come with me."

She kept her hand in between his small shoulder-blades and rubbed small circles as they walked towards their small backyard.

"Where do you want to bury him, Naruto?"

"There," his teary eyes looked towards a small tree in the corner. "It was his... favorite spot."

Wasn't that the place Riko used as a toilet? She tried to remember what it was used for. Oh, well. In the end, she shrugged her shoulders, deeming it unnecessary. "Okay, honey, we will bury him there."

"Mhm."

"Come, I will help you."

She ran through some hand-seals and forced her chakra into the ground through her feet. The result? A small portion of the ground split apart in front of the tree. It was a simple technique taught to every ninja during her time, with a single, very morbid purpose, to give their comrades that have fallen an immediate burial if the retrieval of the body wasn't possible. And to set-up a trap, but that was a secondary purpose.

"There," she gestured towards the square hole in the ground. "Gently lower him in it, Naruto."

"Okay." He did as he was asked. Sinking down to his knees, he gently lowered Riko in the hole. He ran his small hand through the fur. "I will miss you, Riko…"

He rubbed at his eyes as they started to feel itchy, wiping the tears away in the process unintentionally.

She stood patiently, watching him petting the deceased canine for the final time. She didn't say a word, letting him take as much time as he needed.

Once he stood up on his own, she flashed him a comforting smile and beckoned him closer to her. He ran towards her and hugged her across her legs.

She ran through a slightly different set of hand-seals and channelled chakra into the ground by her feet. The grave closed on itself. Sealing itself shut, leaving no evidence of there being a hole in the ground moments prior.

Her work done, she focused on Naruto again. His entire frame was trembling against her as he sobbed. Hooking her arms under his armpits, she hoisted him up in her hold.

His small arms tightened around her shoulders, grabbing fistfuls of her clothing. Head buried in the crook of her neck.

"There, there," she gently rocked him in her hold, exactly as she had done when he was just a baby. "Stop crying, honey."

"I… already miss... him."

"I know." She kissed the side of his head and rubbed his back. "That's natural. We miss those dear to us, Naruto."

"It hurts…"

"It does." She started walking back inside their house. "The loss of a loved one always hurts, Naruto."

"If I… if I forget about him… will the pain go away? Is… is that the next step?"

"Hmm, while that is a way of making the pain go away, that is not the right thing to do, dear." She slid the sliding paper door to their backyard shut and continued walking inside their house. "You should never forget about your loved ones, rather, always keep them and the memories you have made with them close to your heart. As long as you keep that person in your heart, they will never truly die. They will continue to live within you that way."

"So… Riko is… not dead?"

"In a physical sense, yes. In a spiritual sense, no. He lives within you, Naruto. His memory lives with you. Hmm, but perhaps," she tilted her head to look at his face. Yes, she was right. He wasn't getting what she was talking about. This was something a six-year-old would find hard to comprehend. This would not do. "Tell me, honey, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Riko."

He closed his eyes and a memory flashed in his mind. "How Riko… always came running towards… me while wagging his… tail whenever I came back home."

"See," her lips quirked up in a small smile. "He lives within your memory. Whenever you will think about him, he will always appear like that in your mind. In that sense, he never truly died, Naruto. He lives within you."

"Oh…"

She looked at his face and nodded to herself. He finally got it. Though, with a touch of concern, she noted how he was constantly rubbing at his eyes. Now while that action can be interpreted as him wiping his tears away, she knew it was not just that. There was a distinct look of irritation on his face that everybody but her, would've missed. Hmm, something to look at after he calmed down.

She stepped inside their room and slid the paper sliding door shut behind her. Few silent strides brought her to their bed. She settled against the head-rest of the bed with Naruto in her hold.

"Now, for the next step," she settled her chin on his small shoulder and softly whispered. "Let it all out, Naruto. Don't hold anything back. Cry as much as you want. Buuuut," she pulled him slightly away until they were face to face. "You will not be allowed to cry again. Strong boys don't cry much and never make anyone cry. You're a strong boy," she tilted her head questioningly. "Aren't you?"

Rubbing at his itchy eyes, he nodded. "I… am."

"Good," she kissed his forehead and pulled him closer in her embrace. "Then let it all out, 'kay?"

He didn't reply verbally to her and just buried his head in her shoulder.

For a long time, they sat at the bed. She didn't know how long they stayed like that. It could have been seconds. Minutes. Or even an hour. Truthfully, it didn't matter to her. All that mattered to her was having him in her arms and comforting him. Easing him out of his sorrow.

Eventually, his trembling stopped. His tears also stopped. Only occasional hic-ups were all she heard from him.

Her fingers haven't stopped threading soothingly in his spiky mop of golden-blond hair and she continued to rub his back. She hummed as he finally stopped. "Feeling better, sweetie?"

Naruto nodded his head against her shoulder. "A little…"

"Good." She smiled. She tilted her head to look at his face and a concerned frown came on her face at seeing him rub at his eyes again. "Why are you rubbing your eyes so much, Naruto?"

Another rub. "They feel… really itchy, Ma."

"Is that so?" Full lips pursed in a straight line. She had an inkling where this was going. And she didn't like that thought.

Removing him from her embrace, she settled him directly in front of her. Removing both of his hands away from his face, she cupped both of his cheeks to keep his face straight. Naturally, his eyes feeling extremely itchy, he squirmed in his position. She gently chided him. "Honey, let me take a look. Keep calm for some moments."

"But, Ma! They're reaaaaally itchy!"

"I know, sweetie, but please, bear with me for some moments."

"Okay."

She placed a chaste kiss on his forehead. "Good boy. Now let's take a look at your eyes, okay?"

"Mhm."

One look at his eyes confirmed her suspicion. His sapphire eyes were flickering between blue and red. A frown appeared on her delicate features. "Well, this isn't good."

"Is someth— yeow!" Naruto yelped in pain and covered his eyes with both of his hands.

Makaira watched with a conflicted expression as her son unlocked their clan's prided bloodline. She supposed she should be happy, prideful even, at the fact her son unlocked their clan's famed bloodline. But she wasn't, not a single bit.

"Ma! Something is happe— ouch!" He yelped again in pain. His eyes were throbbing with pain now.

"I know, honey. The pain will go away any second now, stay strong."

"It's… gettin— huh?" A sound of confusion left him. The pain abruptly stopped, as his mother told him. It was like it was never there, to begin with. The itchiness he was feeling moments prior was also not there. Confused about what happened, he removed both of his hands away from his eyes.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. His mother's beautiful face came into his vision. But something was different, he immediately noticed. There was a clarity in his vision there never was. So much so, if he so wished, he could've counted the number of her eyelashes without any effort.

Looking around in wonder, he saw a mosquito flying nearby. The more he looked on, the more he became fascinated. He could see the small wings of the mosquito flapping.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine… His eyes widened in realization. He was able to count how many times the mosquito flapped its wings.

Wide-eyed, he turned his gaze back to his mother. She was softly smiling at him like she always did, but there was a touch of amusement in her expression.

Interesting, isn't it?

"It i—!" his jaw slacked in shock. She hadn't said anything! Her lips had moved, certainly, but there was no sound and yet he had perfectly understood what she wanted to say. He was able to read her lips!

He didn't have the slightest of the clues at what was happening. But this! Is! So! "Awesome!" With all the energy of a six-year-old getting a new toy, he cheered and laughed with joy.

All her personal feelings aside at her beloved son unlocking their famed bloodline, she just couldn't stop herself from getting affected by his infectious joy. Seeing the child-like wonder and joy on his face, she giggled. Her son was so cute!

"Ma! Ma! I don't know what is happening but I can see everything!"

"I know."

"I just read your lips!"

"I know."

"I could even count the flaps of that mosquito's wings! How cool is that!"

"It is very cool."

"I could even see the wrinkles on your face!"

"Eh? Wrinkles? On mine? R-Really?" She touched her own face in horror. Wrinkles? Preposterous! She was still very young, dammit! She took very good care of herself! He must be joking! Yes! There was absolutely no way there were wrinkles on her face! Looking at his grinning face— wait, grinning face?!

"Oh, you cheeky boy! Come here!"

"Ahahahahah! I am - hahahahah - sorry!"

"Who got wrinkles, huh? Whom?"

"I am so - ahahahaha - stop it! Ahahahah! Maaaaaaaaa!"

Laughing, she let go of him. Stopping her tickling assault, for now.

His healthy pale face was flushed from laughing too much, matching his vibrant scarlet eyes. Hmm. Now that she thought about it, his eyes were unusually bright. She had never seen such a brilliant shade of red before. All the fellow users of their famed bloodline she had met, they all had a rather dull shade of red. But his eyes were simply mesmerizing. There was a sort of purity to the— Oh…

"Ma! Ma! Why am I suddenly seeing everything so much clearer?"

A soft smile played on her lips. "That's because you have unlocked our clan's bloodline, sweetie. It is called the Sharingan."

The Sharingan is often described as 'The eyes that reflect the heart'. She understood why his Sharingan was so vibrant. Why they held a sort of purity to them. Why they were so mesmerizing.

He tilted his head to the side in an adorable manner. "Shari-what?"

A giggle escaped her. "Sharingan, sweetie."

He bobbed his head in understanding. "Yes. Yes. Sharingan. What is it?"

"It's the famed bloodline of our clan. Regarded as one of the 'Three Great Dōujutsu' in the world. It's… special." There was a distinct look of conflict on her face as she finished.

"Ohhhh," he tilted his head to the side and pointed a finger to himself. "Am I special, then?"

Her lips quirked back up in a soft smile. Though, this time, her smile was filled with adoration. "Yes, Naruto. You're very special."

"Ehehehe. I am special." He rubbed his nape and his nose was turning a little red.

She shook her head with a loving smile. Sheesh, her son was adorable! He was even more adorable when embarrassed, like now.

He suddenly seemed to perk up at something. "Say, Ma, do you have this Sharingan?"

"I do," she nodded her head. Knowing what he will ask next, she channelled chakra into her eyes and they changed into the prided bloodline of their clan.

Naturally, unlike her son, who had single tomoe in both of his newly awakened Sharingan, hers were fully matured, with three tomoe in both eyes.

He stared at her Sharingan with wonder. Since his Sharingan was still active, he saw something in her Sharingan. Seeing his own reflection in her eyes, he noted a difference.

"Ma, why does your Sharingan have three coma-like-things and my only one?"

"Because my Sharingan is fully matured, honey, while your Sharingan just manifested. You first learned how to crawl first, right? You didn't start running right away, did you?"

His face scrunched up in confusion. "I don't know, Ma. I don't remember."

"Right, right," she nodded her head in understanding. Kids don't remember something like that. It was her own fault at saying something like that. "What I meant to say, sweetie, that you start as a child first, don't you? It takes time for one to grow up and become mature. That's the same thing with our Sharingan, it takes time to mature."

"Ohhh," so it was like that. He nodded in understanding. It will take time. That's okay, he wasn't in the hurry of anything. Although. "What is this Sharin—huh?"

Was it just him or was the world suddenly spinning? His supervision was also back to normal on its own. And just why was he feeling so, so tired? Sleep sounded so good, right now. Oh, yeah, sleep sounded… just… so… good…

"Naruto!" Reacting quickly, she caught him before he could fall off the bed. Positioning him in a resting position and setting his head down in her lap, she looked down at his face worriedly. "Are you alright, sweetie?"

"So… tired… sleepy…"

Oh. He ran out of chakra. Given he only had average chakra reserves like her, he was bound to run off quickly. He was also a six-years-old, his chakra reserves were even smaller at this point. She supposed it was a good thing she had at least made him unlock his chakra when he was younger, otherwise, he would've fainted the moment his Sharingan got activated.

"It's all right, sweetie, sleep for now."

"Mhm."

She gently ran her hand through his hair as he was already out. Looking down at his face, a frown crossed her features.

She had hoped he would never awaken the Sharingan. She knew, now that he had awakened it, he would begin taking an interest in it. He was a curious child like that. And the more knowledgeable he would get about it, he would eventually want to become a shinobi.

She… didn't want that. The life of a Shinobi was hard. Very hard. It was not for people with gentle hearts. People like her son were not suited for the life of killing, deception, among many other heinous things.

That's why she had kept him away from shinobi related things. She scarcely used any jutsu in front of him. Today was an exception and he was not particularly focused on her, so it was fine. Whenever he had caught her doing a jutsu, obviously, like any child of his age, he was fascinated, but other than that, he had not taken an interest in it. It just always remained as a minor fascination. Though she was also quick to change the topic, and being a kid, his attention span was relatively less, so it wasn't that hard to divert his focus to other things.

But now, now that he had taken an interest in the Sharingan, things would change.

She knew, if he really wanted to become one, she wouldn't be able to deny him. She had never been able to deny him, she was wrapped around his little fingers like that. She just hoped he wouldn't hope to become one.

But she already knew it was a fool's hope. Call it mother's intuition or whatever, she just knew her son would want to become one.

Oh well, she would support him in whatever he wanted to do. In the end, all that mattered to her was he remained happy. And she was willing to do anything to keep him happy.

She bent down a little, it was a little awkward given her position, but she managed to place a chaste kiss on his forehead. "I love you so much, Naruto."

The corner of his lips twitched upwards and he snuggled deeper in her lap. "Love you… too, Ma."

Awwwwwww! She felt like squealing! Gosh, he was adorable!

Hmm, why do I feel like I am forgetting something… Oh, well, if it really was that important, I would've remembered it. It's probably nothing.

Shaking her head she reached for the bedside table, picking her unfinished book up and started reading to spend time away as Naruto slept.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Are you really alright, sweetie?"

"Yes, Ma, I am fine."

"Are you sure? Chakra exhaustion for the first time can be quite… intense."

"Uhh, I do feel a bit sluggish, but I am fine."

"Hmm, that's normal. If you're fine with that, then I suppose it's alright."

"By the way, Ma, which restaurant are we going to today?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"Umm, that ramen stand we went to last week… What was its name, Ma?"

"You mean Ichiraku Ramen?"

"Yes, that one! Let's go there. I really liked their ramen!"

"Sure, I don't mind. Their ramen was really good."

"Yeah, it was!"

They made quite a pair as they walked through the busy streets of their village. Since it was very rare for an Uchiha to be seen in any other color other than navy blue or black, they attracted quite some attention.

Her dear son never liked those colors, considering them to be too gloomy, his words not hers. Something, she was inclined to agree after having him. They really were gloomy.

He, like his personality, liked vibrant colors. Orange was his favorite. He considered the color to be a very cheery and happy color, again, his words not hers. And yet again, she was inclined to agree with him on that. When used in moderation, orange really was a good color.

While he was dressed in the usual high-collared t-shirts that were normal in the Uchiha clan, the color was different. The t-shirt was of a brunt orange color with white shorts and sandals.

Likewise, since having him, her life also had become more colorful, to say the least. Wearing a white sundress that ended on her calves, and like him, she also wore sandals, but heeled ones.

Though both of them did have something in common, both have the Uchiha crest proudly stitched on the back of their clothes like every other Uchiha.

While her gentle beauty did turn a few heads, it was her son who attracted almost everyone's attention at least once. Since, well, he was the only blond Uchiha in the entire clan in addition to having bright sapphire eyes instead of their common onyx eyes.

Yeah, he cut quite an… interesting picture.

His behavior was also something of an anomaly to others. He didn't act like a typical Uchiha. Every Uchiha, for some strange reason, did have some type of arrogance right from their childhood. Certainly, she was no different. Even she was quite cocky when she was his age.

Things… happened and she changed. Like anyone else, she matured, you could say. Turning into what she was today. Perhaps it was her own personality that affected her son, no, she was sure it was her personality that had affected her son. Regardless, she was thankful he was different from the typical Uchiha. She didn't want a son who is arrogant, had a proper resting bitch face of his own all the time, and sometimes, replied only in single syllables.

A shudder went through her body. Oh, yeah. She definitely, definitely didn't want a typical Uchiha as a child.

More than enough people have wondered if he was actually adopted, though one look at his face quelled any doubt anyone ever had.

Except for the spiky golden-blond hair and sapphire eyes, he was practically a mini-me of hers. Same soft round face, same round eye shape, and the same healthy pale skin. If she made him wear a wig and eye contact lenses that resembled her own eyes and hair, he would not be considered a male anymore. He had her gentle beauty to him, after all.

Hmm. Perhaps she should try that. It would certainly make for a… fun memory. Get some pictures too, so she will be able to show that to her future daughter-in-law and embarrass her son.

Hmm. Now that definitely sounded like an idea.

"Honey."

"Yes, Ma?"

"We're going to make a detour today. I have some… things I have to buy."

"O-Okay." Why did that sentence fill him with dread? What was she going to buy? And why does he get the feeling that he was not going to like it. At all!

"Good boy." She beamed brightly at him.

Ah. Well, it couldn't be that bad, right? His mother was beaming, so surely it couldn't be that bad, right? Right?! So then why was he getting this feeling that he was going to get roped into something really embarrassing?!

"But after having dinner, of course." She added as an afterthought, thinking of all the different kinds of… looks that will suit him.

"Okay." Mind easily distracted by the thoughts of dinner, Naruto remained blissfully unaware of all the embarrassment he was going to suffer in the near future.

Turns out, the important thing she forgot about was the dinner she was making. Everything she was making was either overcooked or she did not start cooking them at all. So, here they were now, going to eat dinner out.

It didn't take them too long in reaching the bustling ramen stand. Pushing aside the flaps hanging at the entrance, the mother-son duo entered the ramen stand.

Thankfully for both of them, two stools at the corner were unoccupied at the moment. Smiling at each other at their luck, both of them quickly got seated on the seats.

"Good evening! Welcome to the Ichir—oh! Well if it isn't the cute blond from last week. How are you doing, blondie?" A petite twelve-year-old, bubbly brunette greeted them, or, well, her son in particular.

"I am doing good, thank you for asking, Big Sis. How are you?"

Manners were something she was sure to teach him. No child of hers will be impolite or without manners, for that matter.

"Oh, I am good, I am good," the daughter of the stand's owner replied with an airy wave of her hand. She grinned as she planted an enclosed fist on her hip. "So, what can I get you today, cutie?"

While she did look forward to the day she would get a daughter-in-law, she wasn't in any particular hurry as of now. She saw fit to remind this bubbly, flirty girl she was also here. "Ahem!"

As if realizing for the first time she was here, the brunette's grin faltered and she immediately bowed her head, whether it was in an apology or greeting or a mixture of two, only she knew. "I am so sorry! I didn't realize you were there, Ma'am! Please, do forgive me."

"Ah," she placed a dainty hand against her cheek, giving a small, placid smile. "There's nothing to be sorry about, it's alright. My dear son is very cute, I don't blame you for forgetting me. Though, I would prefer it if you didn't try to flirt with him until he is of proper age."

The brunette girl in front of her colored to the very roots of her hair. In front of such a blunt response, she sputtered. "I-I wasn't flirting with him!"

Abruptly, the sound of rambunctious laughter rang from behind the brunette. "Hahahahah! See, I have told you to not go after every cute boy you see, Ayame. Now you just got told by the young lad's mother."

Utterly embarrassed, Ayame whined piteously, hiding her flushed face in her hands. "Daaaaaaaadddddd~!"

The owner of the stand came behind Ayame and affectionately tousled her brunette locks. The man gave both of them a pleasant, welcoming smile he is known for. "Do forgive my lass here. She, like most other girls her age, is interested in cute young boys. And your young lad is a very cute boy, Lady Uchiha."

"Please," Makaira returned the pleasant smile. "There is no need for that. Girls and boys her age do start to take interest in the opposite gender so there is nothing wrong about that. And please, don't be so formal with me, Mr. Teuchi, I am not someone of very high stature in our clan, so you can just address me by my name."

"Oh," Teuchi blinked in surprise at the woman's attitude. He just couldn't stop himself from asking. "Are you really sure you are from the Uchiha clan?"

Bell-like pleasant laughter emerged from Makaira. Hiding her smile behind her open palm, she nodded. "I can assure you, Mr. Teuchi, my son and I are from the Uchiha clan."

At the mention of her son, his eyes went towards the blond boy sitting beside her. They lit up in remembrance at the sight of him. "You're Naruto, correct, m'boy?"

Naruto blinked in surprise but nodded his head, nonetheless. "Ah. Yes. My name is Naruto. Naruto Uchiha. How do you know my name, Mr. Teuchi?"

"Oh, Ayame here," tousling her hair once more, which earned him an annoyed huff from his daughter. "Did tell me about you. Particularly how a cute blond Uchiha came last week. Since there aren't many -or any, for that matter- blonds in the Uchiha clan, I was able to remember it."

Naruto bobbed his head in understanding. He had never met any Uchiha with blond hair, so he got why people found him hard to forget.

"You didn't have to tell him that! Stupid dad!" Ayame grumbled under her breath.

Teuchi laughed jovially, patting her head affectionately. "It's alright, Ayame." Turning towards the mother and son duo, he gave them a wide smile. "So what can I get you two?"

"Oh, me, me, me first!" Naruto raised his hand excitedly.

Makaira giggled beside him and nodded. "Sure, you can go ahead, honey."

Teuchi also laughed at the blond's excitable behavior and pulled a note-pad out from his apron's pocket. "Go ahead, m'boy. What would you like?"

"One large bowl of miso ramen with braised pork! Oh, and add extra pork, extra narutomaki, uhh, you know what, add extra everything!"

Teuchi laughed as he noted down the order. Amusement twinkled in his eyes as he looked at the blond boy. "Are you sure you could eat everything, m'boy?"

"I can eat everything, thank you very much!" Naruto crossed his arms in front of his small chest with a huff.

Teuchi laughed at his reply. The kid really was cute. And so very cheeky! He could understand why Ayame took an instant liking to him. "Alright, one order of miso ramen with extra everything! What would you like to have, Mrs. Uchiha?"

"Ms. Uchiha, Mr. Teuchi. I am not married." Makaira corrected him politely.

"Oh. Do forgive me, Ms. Uchiha. What would you like to have?" While he was surprised, he let the matter pass quickly. It simply wasn't his place to ask anything. And both the mother and son looked happy with each other and that was all he cared for, really. Where did the boy come from, who cares. But he knew that much that he really was her son, the similarities between them was as clear as day.

Makaira smiled softly at the older man. Glad he did not dig in her personal matters like many others. "I would like the same thing as my son, but don't add the pork in it, Mr. Teuchi."

"Two large bowls of miso ramen. One with extra everything and no braised pork in the other. Alright," jotting down the order, he looked at the duo with a pleasant smile. "The order will be with you two shortly, please enjoy your stay until then."

"We will. Thank you, Mr. Teuchi." Makaira gave a pleasant smile of her own in return.

The ramen stand owner nodded and patted his daughter's head to get her attention. "And you, young lady, get to attending other orders. You can flirt with him later."

"As. I. Said. I wasn't flirting with him! Stupid dad!" Ayame stomped her foot in indignation.

Teuchi laughed heartily and got back to making dinner. "Just get to it, Ayame!"

Ayame 'hmphed' and looked at the cute blond with a grin. "See you later, cuti—I mean Naruto!" She was quick to change unless she suffered more teasing from her stupid dad.

"Bye-bye, Big Sis!" Naruto cheerfully waved.

Ayame couldn't help herself. Leaning over the counter, she pinched the strange Uchiha's cheeks. Gushing, all the while. "Awwwww! You're just sooo cute!"

Forgotten again, Makaira saw fit to remind the bubbly girl she was still here. "Ahem!"

Flushing again, Ayame let go of a whining Naruto's cheeks, bowed her head, and bolted away from there.

Makaira giggled at the girl's behavior.

"They are nice, aren't they, Ma?"

She turned her head to look at her son, who was nursing his reddened cheeks but had a smile on his face.

She nodded her head with a gentle smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "They are, sweetie."

He tilted his head with an inquisitive look on his face. "Can we come here again?"

She reached out with her hand to pet his head. "Of course we can. Buuuut," she started poking at his sides with a finger. "Do eat in moderation, we don't want you to get fat now, do we?"

He started squirming in his seat, and before long, he was laughing. "Stop, Ma! Ahahaha! That tickles! Ahahaha! Stop!"

They received some strange looks from people around them; at how the two Uchiha were acting, but they ignored them easily. Used to the attention they get.

Of course, some looks were less than pleasant. Those of mistrust, or downright hate aimed at the duo. But those looks were only from a few. Those were the people who blamed the Uchiha clan for initiating the Nine-Tails attack six years ago.

Though the looks of mistrust and hate were increasing day-by-day, they both weren't really bothered by them. Happy as they were just being with the other.

Two large bowls of ramen were placed in front of them. Directing their attention away from each other to the ramen placed in front of them.

"My, that was quick." Makaira looked at the ramen bowl in surprise.

Teuchi laughed. "Of course! We pride ourselves on the taste and our quick service. Nothing less than our full effort is acceptable."

"I see." Full lips quirked up in a small smile.

"Well, dig in before it gets cold. And I have added extra everything like you asked, m'boy!"

"Thank you, Mr. Teuchi!"

Teuchi nodded his head with a wide smile and went on to continue his work.

Makaira looked at Naruto and smiled softly. "Shall we?"

Naruto grinned and bobbed his head eagerly. He was very hungry, after all. Chakra exhaustion can do that to you.

Both of them closed their eyes and clapped their hands in prayer.

"Thank you for the food."

Once done with their prayer, both of them broke their chopsticks apart and dug into their meals.

Of course, it was done with proper etiquette she had taught him. No spillage of anything and with proper, slow bites, chewing everything with his mouth closed and not swallowing it straight.

She was raising a child, after all, not some savage. A child without proper etiquette represented the lack of ability of the parent. And if there was one thing she was going to absolutely excel in, it was being a parent.

Gods dammit, she was going to turn him into a proper man. And no one! Absolutely no one can stop her!

In sync, both of them raised the bowl to their mouths and drank the flavorful broth. Placing the bowl back on the counter, both heaved a satisfying sigh.

Clapping their hands back together in prayer. "Thank you for the delicious meal."

Naruto looked at his mother with a toothy grin. "That was soooo~ good, Ma!"

She nodded with a small grin of her own. "It really was good."

Everything about the meal was perfect. The consistency of the broth, the thickness of the noodle, the freshness of the vegetables and meat. Everything was perfectly cooked and spiced. She really wouldn't mind eating here on a weekly basis. And looking at the face of her son, he was of the same mind as hers. Though, he might not agree on the weekly basis part.

And she would be correct. "Let's come here every day, Ma."

"Naruto," she patted his head and gently chided him. "What did I say about moderation? Everything is good only in a limit. If you overdo it, it will be bad for your health. Understand?"

Though he pouted, he nodded his head, nonetheless. "Okay."

She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Good boy."

"I do hope the meal was to both of your likings."

They both turned towards the sound of the stand's owner and saw him standing behind the counter with the same smile he was famous for.

"Ah. Yes. It was very delicious, Mr. Teuchi. I doubt we would ever have ramen that good anywhere else."

"Mhm," Naruto bobbed his head in agreement to his mother's words. "It was super good, Mr. Teuchi!"

A rambunctious laugh burst out of the ramen stand owner. "I am glad you liked it, m'boy!"

Retrieving the purse from her side-pocket, Makaira looked up at the middle-aged man inquisitively. "How much is it for the meal, Mr. Teuchi?"

The man waved his hand in dismissal. "There's no need, Ms. Uchiha. Consider it on the house today."

"I-I beg your pardon?" She blinked in shock.

Another laugh burst out of him. "As I said, there's no need to pay for the meal today, Ms. Uchiha. I get the feeling the boy here is going to be a regular in the future. And we rarely get to have an Uchiha as our customer. Consider it as an… investment if you will. Hahahaha!"

She knew well enough the man was just jesting; if his jovial laugh already wasn't an indicator enough. Hmm. She supposed this particular hospitality of his is what made the stall so famous. Despite this being the second time visiting the stall in her entire life, she was already sold due to the hospitality. And food. Don't forget about the food.

Still, she insisted. "I am sorry, Mr. Teuchi, but I can't take advantage of your generosity like this in my good conscience. After all, it takes time and effort to make food, you shouldn't give it out for free, Mr. Teuchi. People will start coming in hopes to get food for free if they saw you giving it away like that."

"Eh?" Teuchi's jaw slackened slightly. Was this, was this woman scolding him? What the hell!

Makaira was still far from finished. "And you should also consider your age, Mr. Teuchi. You're not getting any younger, and you have a daughter to look after. If you keep giving away food for free like that, how will you save up for her future? Think about your coming old age and your daughter before giving away food for free like that. Do you understand, Mr. Teuchi?"

"...Yeah…"

"Good. So how much is it, Mr. Teuchi?"

"...1900 ryō..."

"Here. Hope you have a pleasant day, Mr. Teuchi."

"Bye-bye, Mr. Teuchi! We will be coming again!"

"Go. Just go…"

Both mother and son tilted their heads with confusion as they saw Teuchi staring at the ground with a lifeless stare. Wonder what got him like that?

They both looked at each other and shrugged. Going on their own merry way.

"Is cuti—I mean Naruto! Gone, DaaAAAADDDD?! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" Ayame shrieked when she saw the state her father was in.

"... Old… Save money… For Ayame…"

"DAD?!"

"... Old… I am old…"

"DAD?!

"... Old age… Death…"

"DAAAADDDD?!

On that day, Teuchi, the owner of the Ichiraku Ramen, the genius businessmen, the master chef, cried.

A lot!

---

Narumi Uzumaki had enough!

Ever since she had been kicked out of the orphanage on her last birthday, she had been forced to live on the streets.

Still! She survived on her own.

She found food. Found shelter. And she lived.

Food was relatively simple to find. Restaurants were her main source of food. They were the ones who threw most food away. So it was a good source for her. Every night, when the restaurants closed down, she rummaged through the trash.

She didn't dare to step a foot around the restaurants in daylight. The last time she did, she had been pelted by stones. Stones hurt. So, only at night.

Finding shelter was a… difficult thing. She had to change her location every three days, or the villagers may find her if she lingered at the same location too long. The last time they did, she had been pelted by stones.

Stones really hurt.

She had tried to live in the forest, but let's just say, a forest is a dangerous place.

The animals there get feral as soon as she gets near them, so yeah, the forest is a big no-no.

All things considered, her life was normal. Well, as normal as a homeless child's life can be, if you just ignored the constant sneers, jeers, taunts, and the occasional pelting she received from everyone in the village on a daily basis.

Oh, and did she tell you about a gigantic fox with nine-tails in her gut? Yeah, there is that too.

Vixen, brat. The deep, booming, feminine voice reverberated in her mind.

Vixen, everyone! Not a fox, vixen! Her bad!

So as you can see, her life was relatively simple.

Simple in the most utterly fucked up way, but simple, nonetheless.

So now you may be wondering, what did she have enough of?

Why, it would be of the sneers, jeers, and taunts of course.

While she had learned to keep an aloof look on her face, as to show nothing bothered her. They did bother her.

They bothered her more than she could express in words. They were harsh words. Very harsh words. They hurt. So much.

But she knew, if she showed weakness in front of them, they would pounce on that weakness. Like hungry wolves on a wounded animal. They would try to inflict more pain on her, whether it be emotionally or physically, it didn't matter to them. As long as she was in pain, they would be happy.

And she refused to give them any sort of happiness or satisfaction! She refused everything! She was a strong girl. So she refused to show weakness!

But sometimes, even the strong breaks. Everyone had a breaking point. Today was hers.

Months of verbal and physical abuse got to her today.

So, she ran. She ran away from everything. Evading all the stares. Unhearing all the taunts. She ran.

Not looking up. She ran. Bitter tears stung at the corner of her eyes, but she ran.

Not acknowledging anything in her way, she ran.

Her stomach growled in hunger, but she still ran.

She ran, and ran, and ran. Just to get away from everything. To find a safe place for tonight. She ran.

She ran until she tripped. A single stone in her way, or perhaps someone had thrown it purposefully in her way, regardless, she tripped.

Closing her eyes, she braced herself for her face to meet the cold, hard asphalt.

Instead, her face didn't collide with the asphalt, it collided with someone's back. Even while falling, dread gripped her heart. This was even worse! She would've preferred the pain, but not this!

There was a high pitched yelp, that distinctively sounded like the voice of a boy of her age to her, before they both fell on the cold, hard ground.

She fell on top of the boy, and the boy fell on the ground face first, more specifically.

"Naruto!"

Dazed as she was, she scarcely heard the worried feminine shout. It wasn't until the body beneath her started to move, she started panicking.

She jerked away from the body beneath her, skittering back on her butt rapidly.

Pain flared in her knee and she glanced at her knee with a wince. Her right knee was scraped. Badly. Blood oozed from the wound and dripped to the ground. Glancing at the rock which had tripped her, one look at its bloody surface confirmed how she got such an injury just from falling.

Immediately, she tried to stand, to get away from here as quickly as possible. The pain stopped her dead in her tracks.

In pain, she whined. Furball, please, heal me. It hurts!

Not now, brat. Look around you. The deep feminine voice hissed in her mind.

Narumi did look around with teary eyes. And immediately, she understood why her request was denied.

Every set of eyes was fixed on her prone form. Brimming with hate and scorn. Some were even smiling at seeing her in pain.

Trash, the lot of them. That's why I loathe your kind. Every single one is the same. The Nine-Tails words emerged as an angry growl in her mind.

Narumi didn't care about that, not when pain flared again when she tried to move her leg. I don't care about them, furball! Just heal it so I can run!

Are you deaf, brat? If I healed this injury instantly, my chakra will become visible. You know what that means, don't you? They will think I am getting free and your life will get even tougher. Do you want that, huh, brat?

I-I don't want that.

Then just stay still and let me heal it. It will take a minute since the injury is deep, but I will heal it without my chakra getting visible.

Narumi wiped the tears that were about to fall from her eyes. She gave a gratitude-filled smile through their link. Thank you, furball.

The titanic chakra beast clicked her tongue in annoyance. Tch. Disrespectful brat.

Then give me your name if you want me to show you some respect! Narumi instantly retorted.

An earth-shaking laugh emerged from the strongest being alive on the planet. Ha! Give you my name? Don't ask absurd things, brat. The majesty of my name will fry that puny brain of yours. You're not fit to hear the name of the majestic nine-tailed vixen!

I bet it's pretty lame and that's why you don't tell me. You're just embarrassed that you got a lame name, furball.

You puny little shit! Come inside the seal, brat! I will teach you some proper manners!

Never! You will smush me the moment I come inside. The seal is open, I will never come inside while you're angry!

HA! At least this proves you do possess some bit of brain inside you, instead of that area being totally empty!

Hey!

Their back and forth did the work, it distracted her from the pain as the chakra beast inside her worked at her injury.

"Now stay still, I have to heal your nose, okay?"

"Mhm."

Hearing the two voices at merely a foot away from her, Narumi focused back onto the boy she had collided with, momentarily stopping her conversation with her tenant.

With a wince, she noticed, he was bleeding from the nose. He must have banged his nose in the asphalt due to her. Pretty hard too, from how much he had already bled from his nose. The orange color of the front of his t-shirt had many spots of blood on them.

With jealousy burning brightly in her heart, she noticed how the older woman, obviously his mother from how similar they looked, took care of him. Fussing over him and healing him.

How she longed for someone like what that boy got; she had too. How she wished she could call someone her mother too. How she wanted someone to take care of her and fuss over her. Cook warm meals for her and love her. Tuck her into a warm bed every night.

But alas, she knew they would forever remain just that, dreams. Never would anyone love her, nor would anyone care for her. For she was a monster in everyone's eyes. The same monster that destroyed their village six years ago. Nothing more, but everything less.

The moment the boy's mother healed him, he was upon his feet. Rushing towards her…?

Kneeling by her side, the boy looked at her knee worriedly. "That looks very painful! Ma, can you please heal her too?"

Narumi's eyes widened. Didn't he know who she was? Why was he worried about her? Why was he asking his mother to heal her?

Hesitantly, she turned her head to look at the boy's mother. She expected a look of loathing, or anger at hurting her son, but… nothing.

The woman was busy squinting her eyes at her as if trying to remember something or searching for something. She must've found what she was looking for, for her onyx eyes widened.

Narumi knew what was coming next as the woman started walking towards her. The moment the woman kneeled down beside her son, Narumi squeezed her eyes shut.

This wouldn't be the first time that some parents slapped her for just coming in contact with their kid, which she hadn't even initiated, to begin with! But here, right now, she had outright hurt someone's child. She expected a harsh slap, or even something worse.

She waited. And waited. Waited still! But nothing happened. No pain came. Her head wasn't forced to the side by any blow. No, nothing. Anything, for that matter.

In confusion, she opened her eyes just in time to feel the warmth enveloping her knee, and with borderline ridiculous amounts of disbelief, she looked on as this woman healed her wound.

What was happening here? Why wasn't she berating her? Why wasn't she calling her a demon, or monster, or a murderer? Why wasn't she pulling her kid away from her? Why was she healing her wound? Why? Just why?

In disbelief, she choked out a single word. "Why?"

The woman seemed to ignore her question entirely. Focusing on her wound and then she started to speak. "You shouldn't run blindly like that, dear. You could have suffered a more severe injury. Always look up while running, alright? Both of you only suffered a minor injury this time, but next time, it could be serious. Understand that, dear?"

Something lurched in her soul at how soft and soothing this woman's voice was. How filled with warmth and care it was. Why was she smiling so softly at her? Why? Why? WHY?

She could understand when someone showed her hate. She could deal with it by just feigning ignorance. This? She didn't know what to do. What was she supposed to say? No matter what she might want to say, no voice would've come out of her. There was a lump in her throat. It made her throat dry. It made it impossible for her to speak. And something made her small chest tight.

So tight!

Patting her knee gently, the woman stood up, the blond kid following her movement also stood up.

"Uwah. You're crying! Was it hurting so much? But it's alright now, isn't it? Ma healed you. Come on, stand up now," a hand was suddenly in front of her face. "Let's get you cleaned up too. You're very dirty."

Was she crying? She could certainly feel something wet and hot roll down her whiskered cheeks. Why was she crying? She didn't know. Just something was happening to her the longer she stayed with the strange mother-son duo.

She stared at the hand as if it was the strangest thing she had seen. Her teary violet eyes followed that arm and focused on his face. Even though her vision was blurry due to tears, she saw him as clear as day.

Eyes bluer than the clear lake she sometimes uses to take a bath in. Hair the shade of gold and as bright as the sun. And again, for the second time in her life, she saw someone smiling at her. The first being his mother. His smile was bright. Brighter than anything, like the light at the end of her own dark tunnel. Looking at her expectantly that she would take his hand.

Something in her soul cried to take his hand. Fingers twitched by her side.

Take it. Take it. Take it! Take his hand!

Her mind chanted at her. Yelling at her to take it! Slowly, very reluctantly, she started reaching for it with her own hand. "I—!"

That was all she managed before her tenant's snarling voice dripping with hate rang in her head. Bellowing a warning.

Run, brat! They both are Uchiha!

Something broke in her already broken soul at that moment.

Uchiha? They were the worst.

While everyone tried to hurt her physically, they did something far worse. Much, much worse.

They tried to make her see things with their weird, glowing dull red eyes.

Horrible, horrible things! They only lasted for a few seconds before the titanic entity inside her snapped her out of it. But they always did their number on her.

They. Were. Just. So. Horrible!

Panic set first, then fear. Followed by emotions she didn't even recognize. Immediately, she batted his hand aside and bolted out of there.

She scarcely heard the blond boy's shout of 'wait!' behind her, busy as she was running away from the strange pair of mother and son.

Of course, it just had to be Uchiha. Fate was a cruel mistress, after all. Something good can never happen to her. Not her. Never her.

Still, she dared a glance back.

Glanced at the boy who still had a hand stretched out. Looking at her with sadness. Glanced at the older woman beside him, who was watching her retreating form with a frown on her face.

Chest tightening, she looked in front again and ran. Not looking back. Never looking back. Because looking back brought a pang to her heart. And she didn't want to deal with the extra ache it brought to her heart.

In the far future, she would often look back at this day, wondering how her life would've been if she had accepted that hand of his. How it would've changed her sooner. Would've changed everything sooner.

But alas, those were only what and ifs. Something that would forever remain unchanged, no matter how much would she think about them.

For now, she just ran.

Because running away was all she could do for now.

---

Makaira watched the girl's retreating figure with a frown marring her delicate features.

She had recognized the girl almost instantly. Her red hair -dirty as they might be- and her violet eyes were a clear indication of who she was.

Lord Third had declared the child dead, but lo and behold, here she was. Alive and running, literally.

She had only met the woman in passing, but her red hair was impressionable. This girl then could only be the child of Lord Fourth and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki.

And from what she was hearing from around…

"That was the demon fox, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. That thing was definitely the fox masquerading as a child."

"How could Lord Third even allow that thing to run free like that? He should have killed that thing!"

"Lord Third has even passed down the law. We can't even do anything to that thing!"

"Does that thing have no shame? Running around like that after murdering so many of us. Honestly, that thing should just die."

…She was also the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. The living container which contained the monster inside her and kept it at bay.

But was it really? Was it really a monster? A mindless monster that everyone said it was? Although she didn't know it for sure, a being of such cataclysmic power could not be mindless. If it was mindless, the land they lived on would not be around.

Everything would've been destroyed. There would've been no life around if it was truly as mindless as they say. No, a being of such power could not be mindless.

Its power was incomparable. Certainly, it could be subdued by other means, but no one could ever hope to compare to its raw power.

But that was entirely irrelevant right now. Pondering about it would grant her nothing, but a headache.

Hearing the things the populace was saying around, brought a rare grimace on her face.

Truly, what barbaric thinking. A child, the same age as her son could not be a monster. Monsters did not cry, where she was. Monsters did not look scared, where she did.

That was simply a girl with the worst hand of fate played to her.

And for that matter, what was the Lord Third doing? From one look at the girl's malnourished short-form, tattered rags she wore, and the very dirty skin, it was clear the girl was without a home.

This girl was technically the princess of this village. She was royalty. Daughter of the last absolute ruler of this village. And she was also royalty on her mother's part. This girl was born in novelty, and yet, she was living the worst of life. Poor than even the poorest around.

She should've lived a life befitting a princess and yet, she was homeless. Forced to bear all the hatred of the villagers. What unjust!

She had no doubts in her mind that Lord Third knew of the girl's situation. There was absolutely no way he did not keep track of, as loathe as she was to say or even think about it, the village's weapon. For that was what she had become as the jinchūriki. Her worth as the daughter of the last Hokage did not remain much as she would be worth as the village's weapon.

So what was he doing? Was this some kind of elaborate ploy of his? It certainly looked like it. Was he forcing this girl into the depths of loneliness so he can come and save this girl from it at the right moment, earning her absolute loyalty to him. To this village. That certainly looked like the scenario.

For all his preaching as the kind, peace-loving old man, people tend to forget he still was the Hokage. The same one, who had led them to victory in two Great Ninja Wars. He was also the student of the most shrewd and intelligent individual in history, the Lord Second, Tobirama Senju. Somesuch as him would certainly not be above playing underhand tactics like this so as to earn complete loyalty of the girl.

But even for him, this was certainly… low. Very low, indeed. Downright barbaric. Inhumane, even.

Pity welled up in her breast for this girl. The girl didn't even have a choice in what she wanted to do in her life. Her choice was already taken away from her, by her very own father, no less! She would become a shinobi of this village, whether she liked it or not, doesn't matter to anyone.

If she wanted to become a chef? Denied. An artist? Denied. Teacher? Denied. Everything? Denied. Anything? Denied!

There was only one choice for her, really. She would be forced into the life of depravity. A mercenary for hire. And a loyal weapon for the village. Ordered to slaughter anyone or everyone in the name of the village. And if she decided to retaliate, she would be put down. The beast extracted from her and she would be left to die.

That was how her life is going to be. There was no out for her as long as she lived here. No other choice for her. That's what her father had taken away from her. Her very own choice to choose what she wants to do!

Certainly, she could dream. But her dreams have to revolve around only Shinobi things. Like becoming Hokage, for example. There was nothing else for her, really!

How could a father do this to his own daughter? What was he even thinking? He destroyed her life as soon as she took her first breath. He took any semblance of normalcy away from her.

No. She understood it well enough. He decided to be a leader first and a father second. He succeeded as a wonderful leader but failed miserably as a parent.

She doubted he would be able to look her daughter straight in the eyes. Or even call her his daughter, after what he had put her through when they met in the afterlife.

She understood the decision well enough, but couldn't bring herself to sympathize with the man. If she would've been forced to choose between the village and her son? Well, let's just say she would set the village on fire all by herself. No Nine-Tails would be needed. She would become the reckoning herself.

For her, Naruto was everything. Her dear child mattered to her the most. Everything, second. She would betray anyone and everyone in a heartbeat if it concerned her child's safety.

Nothing was too extreme in her mind, as long as Naruto remained safe. After all, she finally had something to call her own. She wasn't going to let him go. A mistake he might be, but to her, he was more. He was her everything.

So yeah, she understood the man, but couldn't sympathize with him. They just had different morals and priorities.

Hers was her son. His was his village.

That was all to the matter. Nothing more, nothing less.

Though she would be lying if she said she didn't lose any kind of respect for the man. Because she did. A lot of it!

"Ma… did I do something… wrong?"

She focused her attention back on her son at his question. He was looking down at his hand that was batted aside sadly.

"Oh no, dear, you did nothing wrong. It's just…" she struggled to find the word to explain her situation to him. In the end, she came up with nothing except for one single, simple word. "Her situation is difficult right now, to say the least."

Difficult would be a titanic understatement, but she couldn't explain it to him, not right now. As it was, he wasn't mature enough to understand it. Maybe in a few years, but not right now.

"Oh… So I did nothing wrong to upset her, really?"

"Yeah, Naruto," she gently tousled his spiky hair. "You did nothing wrong, instead you did the right thing by offering her a hand."

"Oh…" instead of the smile he usually graced her with, he looked back in the direction the girl had run off to. "She was scared."

Her eyebrows rose in slight surprise. "Oh. Was she now?"

"Mhm," he nodded his head, still looking in her direction. "She was very scared. As if she had seen a ghost. She… was going to take my hand, but she was scared."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. That was surprisingly very insightful of him. He understood that she was scared. Scared of something, that's why he asked if he did something wrong. Perhaps, he would be able to understand her situation sooner. "And, what do you want to do about it?"

He looked down at the hand that girl had batted aside. Small fingers curled in a tight fist. "I want to help her."

Her smile widened. Pride bloomed in her chest. At that moment, she felt as if she had done something right. Raised him right. She felt… content. Satisfied that she had turned into an alright parent. Given him good morals in this moral-less world. Her hand tousled his hair once more forcing his attention back on her.

"Then do it. Don't stop until she accepts your hand. She will need a friend. Someone to be with her. To be her support. Someone, she could always come to no matter what she did. Someone, she can feel safe with. Be that someone for her, alright?"

"I will, Ma!" Naruto nodded. Thumping his chest with his small fist. Grinning broadly, all the while.

"Good boy." With the last ruffle of his hair, she offered him her hand. "Shall we go now?"

His small hand latched onto her bigger one and he nodded. "Let's go, Ma."

Smiling, she started walking alongside him. This was good. This was all she could do for that girl. For she was an Uchiha. If she actively decided to search for her and then help her, the fragile peace between the village and her clan would snap. The foolish people will think that they were actively trying to get in the Nine-Tails good grace. And that would put Naruto in danger.

She couldn't have that now. In no way will she ever do something that will put her son in danger. If she was someone else, someone other than an Uchiha, she might have been able to help the girl herself. But she was an Uchiha, so she couldn't. So, she was going to do the next best thing.

If her son was able to befriend that girl on his own, then no one will suspect them. She could help the girl that way. But until he met her again on his own, they could do nothing. That was something she just had to keep faith in fate. Until then, nothing. She just hoped that girl's life would get better until he met her again. For now, she can only hope.

"Naruto."

He tilted his head up. "Yes, Ma?"

"When you befriend that girl, do bring her home for dinner, alright? I think she would very much like to eat warm homemade food, okay?" When, not if. Because she had absolute trust that her son would be able to befriend that poor, poor girl.

Naruto beamed up at her. "Of course, Ma!"

She graced him with a soft smile and they continued walking. From her peripheral vision, she glanced at the populace throwing them suspicious glares. Some were even outright scowling at them.

Of course, the little act of kindness on their part would not go unnoticed, people were angry with both of them.

Her lips pursed in a thin line. Truly, this village is filled with barbaric brutes.

Deciding they were not worth any more attention on her part, she focused forward again. Her eyes lit up at seeing a flower shop close by.

"Sweetie, let's stop by the flower shop."

"Huh?" He looked up at her in confusion. "Why?"

She blinked slowly. "Because… we have to buy flowers for Riko."

"Riko?"

She looked at him in genuine shock. So Sharingan was all it took for him to move on?! For all the cryi—

"Riko…" his eyes started watering again.

Oh god! She thought that too soon!

"H-Honey, do-don't cry now."

"...Riko…"

Oh god! Why did she open her damned mouth! For the love of god! Somebody help her!

"...Riko…"

Please!

---

And done!

One thing I can say after writing the first chapter, I loved writing Makaira!

The nicest woman around yet the most ruthless! The funny thing, she didn't even mean it! She's just looking out for others. But of course, sometimes being too honest is also bad. She is based on that concept.

She wouldn't even mean it, but she would go on to destroy several people's spirits. The best thing? No one will ever hold it against her! Cause she's just looking out for them, after all.

For anyone wondering, Makaira doesn't hold that much love for the village. Nor for her clan that much too, for that matter. There is only one thing she holds love for, her dear son, Naruto.

Now onto the matter of Naruto. Yes, he does have average chakra reserves like Makaira. Hmm. Consider his situation the exact opposite of Kakashi. Where Kakashi had large chakra reserves and low stamina, Naruto is the opposite. He has average chakra reserves but a large amount of stamina.

Writing about Narumi was also fun. I do hope you people like how I portrayed her. Also, as you can see, it is heavily implied that the seal is open already. How it happened, will be explained in future chapters.

Now, the Nine-Tails inside her isn't hospitable by any means. It is just acting that way due to her… unique circumstances.

Yes, her. The Nine-Tails is 'her' in this story. Certainly, she has no female body. She's just a genderless chakra beast masquerading as a female. For now, atleast.

I am pretty sure what I am going to do with her situation will be… unique, to say the least. I hope what I have thought of is an original idea, cause I have not seen it anywhere.

Oh, by the way, I am just going to say this once, so listen up:

There will be no Indra and Ashura bullshit. No Kaguya bullshit. No Minato and Kushina in the seal. No splitting of the Nine-tails.

There. I said it. If someone doesn't like this, I will never hold it against you. You can just press the back button or close the browser altogether. It's up to you, but this is what it is.

Onto the matter of pairings, this is Naruto x Narumi x Female!Kurama. This is done. Not changing it. Nope! Please don't say add this or add that. Nope, no one else is going to be added. This is the final pairing.

Before you say add this girl or add that girl, think about this for a second, would a girl like Narumi, when she will finally found someone she loves, would ever want to share? The answer is no! She will go yandere for him, for fuck's sake! XD

Why would she share with Kurama? Well, as I said, Kurama's situation is going to be… unique.

The final thing I would like to clear, yes, this is incest, in the end. They are paternal half-siblings, after all. But due to their heritage, and the stronger blood on both their mother's part, they only share a minute amount of DNA between them. If a DNA test would be done, they would be classified under the first cousin category.

Besides, in Naruto-verse, incest is a very loose thing I believe. Every Hyuga looks the damn same. I am not trying to be racist here, but it is a canon fact that Hinata is the first Hyuga who has married someone outside of their clan. So yeah, there is pretty heavy incest going among them if that is the case.

Besides, this is fan-fiction, don't take anything too seriously, it is, after all, just fiction. Nothing is real. So getting offended here will not do anyone any good.

Unless it's NTR, then, by all means, wreak havoc on that person who is writing. Heretics like them should just burn. I don't even know how this sick category came to be. Pretty sure it was from a very, very sick individual. Urk. Just thinking about it makes my stomach flip. Disgusting. Truly, disgusting.

But alas, I am ranting now, sorry for that. I just hate infidelity. Loathe it, more like it. Minato had done it, though it was a drunken mistake, he was already suffering from massive amounts of guilt as mentioned above.

But that is irrelevant here. Now I have written more than enough for now, so see you all in the next chapter.

And please! Please review! You don't even have to follow the story, just review. For reviews lets me know if it is good or not. You can even PM me, I would be more than happy to chat with you readers. So please, review, neh? So until next time! Bye-bye!