It's Been a Bit since I've had the will to write. But this came to me and I thought to share it. I will be updating my other stories with the creation of this one I assure you. I ask that after you read this tell me what you think if you have the time. Whatd you like or dislike so I know what to improve on or keep doing so I can make you The Reader have a better experience reading this. As ever please enjoy this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or it's properties

The fire crackled. Then branches just added to the lit fire catching fast to provide fuel to the carnivorous flames. The flame flickered so as to give a grateful acknowledgment to the person who added the sticks. A face peered over the flames watching it. The movements of the fire in the wind captivating them at the moment.

It didn't take too long for the face to stop there gaze from hovering over the flame as the ring of metal being hammered echoed out in the courtyard the flame was situated in. The person's blonde hair floating in the natural breeze

Clank

The sound bringing the focus from the flames completely now. The person started to wander towards the sound. Exiting the courtyard the person started walking through an open field. It would seem the metal hammering was not attracting only them. Many people could be heading to the source of the noise.

"Ey Naruto" Said a burly man that was walking nearby.

Naruto looked over to see the person in question who was speaking to them. A man of six foot and more and muscle to count came into view beside them.

"Oh it's you Brutus, The sound attracted you as well?" Said Naruto as he kept pace with Brutus in tow.

"It did. Is it Yakumo?" Brutus asked.

Naruto sighed. "I believe so. Despite us leaving tomorrow for our next destination he's adamant about finishing the order here and now"

Brutus chuckled "He's a man of his word at least. I've never met a pair of mercenaries like the two of you. We did tell him that he was good to finish the job another time seeing as you have something important coming up"

Naruto quickly tied his hair into a ponytail and continued on. "Yakumo is most likely on a mission and no one will stop him at this point"

Within a few minutes of silence after their words they came to the source of the noise. At the edge of open field was a clearing that was nestled next to the woods of the camp Naruto was inhabiting at the moment. Naruto came to see the forge he knew was out here. Around it was many of the warriors of the camp and some of the key leaders of said camp watching the noise.

Gazing towards the noise Naruto finally made out Yakumo. Yakumo was a man of six foot even. Toned was his game. Caucasian skin with blue hair that was short but styled. That was nothing compared to his most captivating trait, Purple eye's. It was said by many that his eyes seemed to transfix on things and would only leave their curiosity after he was done observing it.

Here though his eyes focused on the hammer swinging into the dark black metal. Every swing calculated it seemed as he continued to pound the metal into shape. The sight a captivating one to many and Naruto himself could not help but follow the sentiment of the group surrounding Yakumo. Despite Narutos height of about five foot seven he still had a clear veiw.

Yakumo had the gift of grace that had only been tempered with the help of Naruto. The work of mercenary was good but forging things helped the two get jobs that promised good results. Looking at it forge work was so plentiful, with blacksmiths so little. Naruto supposed lessons in finer details had a better payout than he may have realized at the time.

The group continued to watch as Yakumo pounded away at the metal until he raised the hammer higher than other times and slammed it down. The group slightly awed looked towards the result. On the Anvil after hours of craftsmanship was a beautiful sight. Yakumo took his tongs and with the sword in said tongs cooled it down in water. He eyed his own work as if to judge. After he looked sastified he started walking to the group of people that had been watching him. He walked towards the officers in the front.

As soon as he approached them he got to one knee and knelt in what Naruto knew was the most senior officer.

"Ma'am it is my pleausre to deliver unto you the final sword of your order, this one however made different from the rest. With more work and time put into it. It is to symbolize your camp's and to extent region you reside in. Depite war having raged across your lands, you and your people endured and made the most of what you had." Yakumo's slightly high pitched voice

Rising to one knee he got up to bow "This blade symbolizes that even after all that has happened you and the land that you occupy is still a piece of art. I would bequeath this sword to you Ma'am in the hope that it reminds you that the battles that took place here weren't for naught. That a better tomorrow is possible and that through you and your men and women here, that you will achieve that."

Yakumo retrieved a sheath for the blade. The blade was a marvel. Looking as though the embers that molded it burned yet still inside of it, but also being dark as the starry night that lie above them now. Long swords were never typically given much thought on looks but Yakumo had put in effort for this. Yakumo sheathed the blade and once again got on one knee and presented the blade to the head Ma'am.

The gesture obviosuly made her speechless as it could be told from Naruto's eyes that she could not sem to utter anything in return. Only returning with a curt nod. It wasn't more than a few minutes before she left with the rest of her personnel leaving as well. The men and woman of the camp nodding their heads in respect to Yakumo and upon seeing Naruto him too. It wasn't too long until the clearing was desolute save for Naruto and Yakumo.

"You never cease to amaze me Yakumo with what you can do and talk your way into" Naruto said walking towards Yakumo.

Yakumo's purple eyes flickered to his and met with his. Naruto flinched inside a slight when seeing his eyes. They were the eyes of desolation. A man who lived day to day for some purpose in life. Naruto knew them too well when he saw the same in the mirror when had the chance to look in one.

"We've done a lot for this place Naruto. I wouldn't leave without some kind of gift. They gave us the last signature we needed for our task ahead" Yakumo said starting to walk back to the camp.

Naruto sighed at that. "You're not wrong with that. Just how long has it been since we started here. Hell we started this thing in general?"

Yakumo looked back at him as if to signal to follow. Naruto had no problem with that and jogged to catch up to him where they started a steady pace back.

"It's been about 3 months here Naruto. As for how long it's been sicne we started working togather, iI'd say 3 years. We've both come from different walks of life and stand here. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened had we never met" Yakumo said

Naruto snorted "You'd be in a hell of a situation and I'd be dead. But if you must know Yakumo, I'd rather have no one else by my side in this line of work. You're a brother to me. Even if you don't want to admit the same."

Naruto could see Yakumo sporting a small smile in the darkness of the night. Looking up Naruto gazed into the wonderfulness of the night. The stars illuminating the sky. Yakumo liked to say that nature was a something unmatched in beauty and work. And Naruto fully agreed with that assessment.

It wasn't to long until they reached their camp. It was on the outside of the village they had been doing work for. The Village Of Ashes. One of the smaller outcrops as far as towns go but they paid well and fought well. Something Naruto respected and that Yakumo was happy for.

The fire was still going on and waved with the wind. Yakumo sat down by the fire. His tent to his back with Naruto's right next to it. The tents were nice as they were wide and tall enough to get all belonging in them. A gift from a small village with a bandit problem. The greatest part in Naruto's opinion was the seals that held things in them. Mobile camps to be taken anywhere.

A snake slithered from outside the camp and relaxed near Yakumo. Yakumo laughing to himself and petting the snake as it coiled near his leg.

"I know you have that whole thing going on but the fact that wild snakes just come up to you and relax is something diffrent" Naruto said. Among the many things Yakumo had unique to him, this was but another one to him.

Yakumo smiled and looked at the snake as it curled into his hand as he pet it. "You say that as if you don't have uniqueness to yourself. You have properties that are wholey unique to you. And I'm happy to work with someone like that."

Naruto couldn't fault that one bit. Yakumo did tend to put in perspective things that Naruto would skip over.

"I'm going to sleep and prepare for the journey tomorrow. You should retire soon as well. You know how long the distance is"

Yakumo nodded and patted the snake on the head before heading to his tent. "Goodnight Naruto"

Naruto nodded to Yakumo as he disappeared into the fold of his tent. Naruto did the same as he entered his tent. A bed sat in the middle with a sword hanging on the outer flap. It swayed with the wind that the flap followed.

Naruto undressed and settled into the bed as he got comfortable. He found the sweet spot and let his eyes close. He let the memories surface as he fell asleep.

It doesn't have to be this way son….. you can stay here. You know me and your mother love you regardless.

I know. But you know as well as I do father that I can't just stagnate here. I know that I can't do anything you and mom can't. I can't be nastumi either. But I want to be better than this. And I think that lies outside the villageHis face grimaced and I knew that. I would never improve with the situation I was handed.I wouldn't let my inabilites affect my family or my sister.I understand dad. I really do. But Nastumi will need all the help she can get. She has friends that will help her, but she needs you and momEach word, each thought, it hurt.But what if something happens to you out there. How are we supposed to know you're alright. I wont just abandon you even if you want to try and brave the world outside these walls.I know. But you wont have to worry. I promise. Because I'm your son and nothing will overcome me. You know as well as I do that I have a yearn for something more. Just as you yearn to see your children become better. I may never be able to reach your prowess father but I'm happy to call you dad and that mom has been there for me. That Nastumi helped me stay strong through dark times. But my mind is made up and I will not falter, just as you never have eitherHe brought me in to hug me with tears in his eyes. I was not much better. Everything I wanted was not reachable from such a small place. But in order to do what I wanted I would have to pay the price. One that my father knew would hurt me just as well….-

It was a mess. Blood and Bodies torn and dismembered everywhere. And in the middle of it all… Him. Wide-eyed, panting, looking to be on his last legs

Stumbling around like he was lost. Never seeming to be able to catch his breath. Muttering a single name over and over.

It was the only thing he said then. It didn't matter how far he seemed to trail behind him

The only word he muttered was a name.

Jashin

-Naruto woke to the sound of the chicken croaking out and to shuffling outside. Yep it was that time. Steadily getting out of bed Naruto sat at the edge. Memories felt like a curse and a blessing to remember. Something to keep pushing him forward, and something to look back on and learn from and improve. He got dressed and put up all his stuff in the tent.

Naruto came outside of the tent with a piece of paper with a seal on it. Naruto took his hunting knife and did a small cut on his thumb. He set the seal on the outside of the tent and swiped upwards with his thumb leaving a trail of blood on the seal. A big poof and the tent was gone.

Naruto turned around to see Yakumo was done with his tent already. Yakumo was also garbed in his uniform. Sandals, Black-nin Pants, Black Shirt with a Chain-Mail mesh over it, and Yakumo's notable red cape. The cape has a symbol of Angel and Oni wings on it. Yakumo put the hood over his head and turned to Naruto. It made his face completely shadowed. One of the smarter designes in clothing that Naruto had to commend Yakumo for.

"We ready to move out Yakumo?" Naruto said
Yakumo nodded and made for the road that led out away from the village. Naruto followed in suite as they moved towards their next mission.

Konohagakure. Just in time for the upcoming Genin trial