[7]
The sun rays rose again on a bright new day, waking all the boys from the living room.
"UP! UP! UP!" Kushina bellowed, coming into the room with a metal pan smacking the wall.
"AH! Okay, we're up. We're up," Natsu said.
"Wake Konohamaru as well, I'll have breakfast ready in ten," Kushina announced.
The boys perked up at the sound of food. Sting flopped down on one of the blankets and shook Konohamaru awake.
"Up, Up man. Breakfast in ten," the blonde relayed.
The sleepy brunette slowly opened his eyes, and then rubbed them.
"Is there coffee?" he asked.
"Mmm, don't ask that. Kushina will drown you in juice. She believes that teenagers shouldn't be drinking coffee," Sting joked.
Konohamaru laughed a bit, as they both walked over to the dining room table. Minato hurried down the steps, scratching his head.
"I can't get Wendy up again, she sleeps like a log," he stated.
"Mm, I got her," Natsu offered.
He put his fork down, with a mouthful of egg, he hurried up the stairs. Konohamaru circled the table, he didn't know where to sit.
"Go ahead and sit there, son. I gotta get to work anyway," Minato said.
"Ah, hey you said the late nights wouldn't start until next week," Kushina whined.
"Late nights no, early mornings yes," he concurred.
Sting, Rogue, and Gajeel all looked at each other in concern.
"Are...are you still coming home at night?" Sting asked.
Kushina looked at Minato and couldn't help but smile. He walked over, standing between Sting and Rogue.
"I'll be coming home. It's just late, but I will always come home," he promised.
"Promise?" Gajeel asked.
Minato gave a single nod.
Konohamaru sat there in envy. He wanted this. A growing family that showed concern and love. He wanted that. I wanted it more than anything.
After Kushina put the car in 'Park'.
The boys hopped outta the car, and Wendy hopped into Natsu's arms to set her down. She pushed her hands through her long blue hair. Across the courtyard, Laxus and his buddies were chatting, until Bickslow pointed out the car.
They saw Konohamaru hopping out of the car, and Gajeel started speaking to him.
"Looks like he's got a bodyguard," Laxus stated.
"That may be a problem, I need to get my anger out somehow," Bickslow groaned.
"Buy a punching bag," Freed butted in.
"Where's the fun in that?" Laxus questioned.
"Grow up," Freed snapped.
"What's your problem?" Bickslow snarked.
"Don't you ever get tired of being the 'ass' all the time. It's exhausting and it's getting old," Freed remarked.
He scooted off the table, grabbed his satchel bag, and walked inside the school.
Walking inside, the slayers had Konohamaru in the middle of them as they walked down the hall together. Everyone kept staring, which made the poor brunette feel a bit uncomfortable.
"You okay?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah, just weird with the stares," Konohamaru answered.
They all came to a stop and turned to face each other.
"Hey, uh Konohamaru," Lucy called.
He almost lost his breath for a second, and he turned around slowly to face the beach blonde.
"Hi uh, I'm so sorry about what happened at the party," she started.
He licked his lips and shifted uncomfortably.
"Um, so I," she reached into her cream pink Women's Faux Leather Tote and pulled out his restored bow with a red ribbon on it, "Here."
He gasped and took the bow from her slowly. He ran his fingers across it and then saw the special mark from his mother.
"Why did you-?" he started to ask.
"It was cruel," she stated quickly.
He stared at her instantly, "Waiting for the punch line," he said.
"There is none. It was cruel, they shouldn't have done that to you. We all should have said something," she explained.
He waited for it, but Lucy seemed sincere.
"Thank you," he said.
She smiled, just as Cana and Juvia came up behind her. The sexy brunette noticed the bow.
"Oh, thank god, we spent most of the night putting that back together," Cana gushed.
"You didn't use magic?" Rogue asked.
"Not on this, some things need a personal touch to mean something," she explained.
Konohamaru stared at her, and then grew a smile.
What a change in a night. He then turned to his new friends.
The bell started to ring, making them all disperse. However, Natsu moved to the side of the hallway, and so did Lucy to avoid the rush of teenagers that were about to swallow them up.
"That was nice of you," Natsu said.
She looked up at him.
"Why'd you do that?" he asked.
She licked her lips, "Felt like the right thing to do." She answered.
"Is that all?" he pressed.
"No," she shook her head, "All this time and I never really stopped and thought why I joined them in hurting him," she explained.
He fully turned to face her. They both then leaned on the lockers.
"How'd you join?" he questioned.
"I never stopped them. I'd walk away and brush it off. Even though it bothered me for hours," she admitted.
"What made you do something then?"
"You and your brothers. What you said, it was true. I just felt like it needed to stop. There's enough darkness in this world, maybe a little light will do it justice," she finished.
He smiled at her.
"This is weird, I'm just babbling to a stranger. I don't even know you," she blushed.
He extended his hand to her, "Natsu Dragneel." He introduced.
She grinned and joined her fingers with his.
"Lucy. Heartfilia." She responded.
They both smiled at each other and continued to hold hands.
"Lucy!" a male's voice called behind her.
She jumped, and quickly let go of his hand. She turned around to Loke walking up behind her.
"Hey," Loke said.
She kissed him sweetly, as Natsu leaned off the locker ready to leave.
"Oh, uh baby, this is Natsu Dragneel," she explained.
Natsu stiffened but slapped on a fake smile. He reached out and shook Loke's hand, nicely.
"Hey, I'm Loke," he introduced.
"Natsu,"
Rogue came out of the bathroom and saw a familiar face in the hallway. Haku. He shut his locker and looked up at Rogue.
Rogue stared at him and crossed his arms. Haku sighed and walked up to the slayer.
"Hi," Haku said.
"Hey," Rogue said.
"Um, about last night," Haku started to say.
"You don't have to. I shouldn't of...," Rogue cut him off.
"No. No. Um, Konohamaru is top target around here for bullies because he's quiet. But some of us should have said something. Done something. Or just, be nice to him. Offer a friend," Haku explained.
"Do you think he's weird?" Rogue asked.
"No, but he's closed off. So, I didn't know how to approach him, or even if I should," Haku explained.
"Well good thing. Start now," Rogue suggested.
Haku looked into Rogue's eyes and grinned a bit.
"Hey uh," Rogue stepped closer making Haku's eyes widen a bit, "Do you know anything about Gaara's one tails power?" he asked.
Haku shifted. Not what he wanted to talk about.
"You said something about it, last night," Rogue pressed.
"While I was drunk, but yeah. There are nine beasts in all, Gaara has one. Naruto was rumored to have the nine tails. The strongest one," Haku stated.
"Not a rumor. He does, did," Rogue implied.
"I don't wanna imagine the pain his parents are feeling, losing five kids," Haku said.
Rogue looked around and cleared his throat.
"I. Am. So. Sorry," Haku defended.
"Ahh," Rogue waved his hands, "It's fine. They are still adjusting, but takes time." He explained.
"Why do you ask about the 'one tail's?" Haku asked.
"Cause this 'death' of their kids is strange. If Gaara is supposed to be strong even as a one tails, why wouldn't Naruto's power protect him and his siblings," Rogue said?
Haku looked around in concern.
"I think there's more to it. Naruto's power is supposed to be powerful. To be taken out by an explosion, unless it was chakra infused," Haku explained.
"What do you mean?" Rogue questioned.
"If it was a lot of chakra in the explosion then yeah it could take them out, but they are all Uzumaki's. Uzumaki can handle a lot of chakras and have longer lifespans. It wouldn't take them out that easily," Haku retorted.
"Has anyone ever gone back to that place to check? Did anyone see a body?" Rogue asked.
"Konoha and they found bodies. Five bodies," Haku explained.
Rogue closed his eyes and licked his lips.
"Are you anxious to find out? I mean don't you want Kushina and Minato as your new parents?" Haku questioned.
"More than I should. I'm used to losing good things in my life, being locked up for so long," Rogue explained.
"Then live a little, and be happy," Haku suggested.
Rogue squinted his eyes, "You trying to make me grow on you?" he asked.
"Is it working?" Haku smirked.
"...a little," Rogue responded.
After class let out, Neji hurried to his locker to make it to the student council meeting. He pushed back his hair to only have his eyes covered.
"Hi," said a female voice.
"Oh my god," he said.
He turned around and wrapped his arms around his little sister, Hinata. She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I thought you went back to the school board?" he inquired.
"I didn't want to anymore, so I used some money and got a small loft. Far away from dad," she replied.
He sighed, "Lucky you."
She smiled and touched his shoulder.
"I always have room for you, anytime." She said.
He smiled brightly, "Might take you up on that."
She smiled until she felt someone come up behind her.
"Sasuke," she said.
"Hey, you back for good?" Sasuke questioned.
"Yeah, I think I'm gonna hang out for a bit. Catch up on my studies. And uh newbies," she answered.
She looked right over to where Natsu, Gajeel, and Sting were chatting.
"I'm still surprised that Minato and Kushina adopted them," Hinata said, "Guess they aren't so heartbroken about their kids."
"It's not that simple sis," Neji countered.
She turned to him.
"They didn't adopt them yet. They are in the process of it, so for right now they just took them in," Neji explained.
"Yeah, they were living in an orphanage and never adopted," Sasuke continued.
She licked her lips and sighed, "Maybe I was a bit harsh,"
"I know you miss him, but you gotta move on okay," Neji said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
She sighed and cuddled up to his arm.
"Well, Naruto was a looker, right Neji?" Sasuke smirked.
Neji sucked in a sharp breath and moved around his sister.
"Gimme a sec," he said.
Neji pulled Sasuke into the bathroom, making sure they were alone first.
"I thought you didn't like public places?" Sasuke questioned.
Neji shoved Sasuke.
"Can you stop!? Stop taunting me! And in front of my sister!" he barked.
Sasuke shook his head, "You don't get it," he said.
"Get what?!" Neji shouted.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I like you before you get the message!?" Sasuke barked back.
Neji backed up a bit in shock. He looked around him and then in Sasuke's red eyes. Sasuke stared back, standing completely still. Neji reached his hand up cupping Sasuke's face. Sasuke moved his cheek into Neji's soft touch, nuzzling. Neji looked around the bathroom slowly and then pulled Sasuke by his shirt collar to an empty stall. Sasuke shut the door behind him and lifted Neji into the air. The long-haired brunette wrapped his legs around Sasuke's waist. Sasuke pulled Neji to his lips, Neji pressed back. He then reached down to Sasuke's crotch.
"Ahhh," Sasuke grunted.
Back to kisses and making the stall raddle.
Minerva walked up in her black Zonia thigh-high boots and approached Gajeel and his brothers.
"Hi," she said.
Gajeel looked up from his tray, "Hi," he said.
"Um, may I speak with you?" she asked.
Gajeel exhaled a deep breath and then turned to his brothers. They got up and walked a few feet away to give him some space.
"Protective?" she asked.
"Very," he answered.
He stood up, grabbing his bag.
"Wait, wait, please. Look I know last night was hectic and very cruel," she stated.
"You think?" Gajeel snarked.
"I know it was bad, and I said some 'crude' comments about Konohamaru, but that's not who I am," she explained.
"Then who are you?" he asked.
"Minerva. Just Minerva. A girl who made a mistake last night," she said.
"A mistake in trying to impress me, or a mistake in making fun of an innocent person?" he questioned.
"...both," she answered.
"Well then Minerva, I'm hoping that who I saw last night, won't resurface," he said.
She smiled, "Cross my heart?" she added.
He chuckled.
Levy, Yukino, and Erza were walking side by side across the field when they saw Minerva and Gajeel talking to each other.
"Levy?" Yukino questioned.
"She's vile," Levy said.
She walked away, with Yukino and Erza shaking their heads.
In Gildarts's classroom, he was going over certain abilities that certain creatures have.
"So, as you see, certain powers come with transformations, power build-up, and a supplier," Gildarts explained.
Konohamaru was seated at the front of the classroom, with the slayers in earshot of him. Laxus and his pals were muttering in the back of the room near the window.
"An example could be, Gaara," Gildarts continued.
Sting looked over and to Gaara. It was the first time; he got a good look at the redhead.
"So, Gaara," Gildarts started to say.
"Pass," Gaara snapped.
"Not surprised," Bickslow mumbled.
"What was that Bickslow?" Gildarts barked at him.
Bickslow cleared his throat, "I said not surprised. I mean the 'tailed beasts' can't be all-powerful," he explained.
Gaara started to turn in his chair until Kiba and Sai nudged him not to.
"Why do you think that?" Gildarts asked.
"Well I mean," He put his feet up on the desk, "Kushina and Minato's children had some of the nine tails powers in their middle kid. And he ended up dead," he explained harshly.
Natsu burnt his pencil, which made Konohamaru jump a bit. Sting and Rogue both looked at each other in anger. Gildarts even noticed.
"Alright Bickslow, please keep your opinions to yourself please," Gildarts ordered.
"Why? Can't I have an opinion?" Bickslow questioned, getting a laugh outta Laxus.
Gajeel whipped around and punched his metal arm straight to Bickslow, who managed to jump outta the way in time.
"If you don't know anything about it then keep your damn mouth shut!" the metal head barked.
"What? Bickslow's right, I mean if they can't stay alive then I'm guessing their parents aren't all that strong." Laxus added.
Natsu jumped outta his seat, ran fast speed, and smacked a fire covered elbow right at Laxus's jaw.
"Natsu!" Konohamaru shouted.
He ran over and pulled Natsu away.
"You brat! You, newbies, are starting to get on my nerves!" Laxus announced.
Sting held up his hand and started to blind Laxus's eyes.
"Then keep your eyes and mouth out of other people's business!" Sting barked.
Bickslow rounded to stop Sting.
"Bickslow stop!" Freed begged.
Rogue held up his hand using his shadow magic to grab Bickslow and slam him on the wall.
"That goes for you two big mouth!" Rogue snapped.
Gildarts slammed his hand down on the desk, making the entire room shake.
"SIT! DOWN! This is my classroom! I will not have fighting, so all of you sit down, shut your mouths, and LISTEN!" Gildarts bellowed.
All of them backed down and sat back in their seats.
The school day ended with high tension. However, Sasuke was about to enter an entirely new world of pain. Something he used to.
He walked through his front door slowly and crept slowly across the wooden floor. Trying to avoid the creaking sounds.
"Dammit." He hissed.
He looked around; the house was strangely quiet.
"Itachi! Shisui! Guys!" he called.
He rounded the corner to the living room and saw a gruesome sight.
"Oh my god..." he gasped.
He ran to someone wounded on the ground, bloody, and holding their stomach in pain. His half-brother, bastard brother; Kakashi.
"Kakashi, Kakashi hey hey," Sasuke pleaded with his brother.
Kakashi groaned in pain and leaned on his hip into Sasuke's arms.
"What happened? What happened?" Sasuke questioned, trying to keep Kakashi awake.
They then heard some clatter from the kitchen.
Their father.
"You damn brats! Where is my beer!?" he bellowed.
Sasuke quickly tried to help Kakashi stand up. He was too late. His father rounded the corner with a very intimidating glare on his face. He looked like a bull ready to run.
"Dad," Sasuke said shyly.
He rose slowly from the ground, even with Kakashi tugging on him to stay down. Sasuke put his hands up to calm his father, but his father ran at him at full speed and slammed Sasuke against the wall.
"AGH!" Sasuke shouted.
"Sasuke...," Kakashi whimpered from the ground.
Sasuke shoved his father away, but his father ran at him again with his hands closed around Sasuke's throat.
"AGH! LET GO! LET GO!" Sasuke hollered, kicking at his father.
Kakashi couldn't get up to save his brother, however, their other brothers ran in; Obito, Shisui, and Itachi.
Obito and Itachi pulled their father away from Sasuke, Sasuke hit the floor coughing and gagging. Shisui ran to Kakashi and checked him. Kakashi gripped Shisui's shirt, trying to get up. Obito and Itachi checked on Sasuke, who was still trying to breathe.
Their father came up behind them with a metal rod and smacked Obito on the back.
"AGH!" Obito shouted, collapsing to the floor.
"Obito!" Sasuke coughed out.
Itachi wrestled with his father to get the rod outta his hand with Shisui joining. Sasuke checked on Obito who was holding his back in pain.
Outside, Minato was making his way to his car when he heard shouting coming from a house.
"LET GO!"
"STOP IT!"
Minato hurried up to the house, skipping two steps at a time.
Their father used the rod and slapped Itachi and Shisui away from him.
"STOP! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Sasuke shouted.
"You wanna see more!? Oh, I'll give you more!" their father shouted.
He held up the metal rod to smack Sasuke again, however, Obito jumped up in the way getting smacked again.
"Obito," Sasuke whimpered.
He held his brother as Shisui and Itachi were checking on Kakashi. Their father was gearing up for another attack until someone kicked him in the legs from the back. The boys looked up in shock to see Minato grabbing the metal rod from their father's hands. He swung it knocking the man out cold.
Kakashi tried to breathe, but it hurt.
"Minato," Sasuke said.
Minato looked around at the condition of the house; what a mess. A perfect place for a drunk.
At his home, his family was waiting for him. The slayers were staying up past 11 almost midnight, waiting for Minato to come home.
"Kushina, any messages?" Sting asked.
"No, not yet," Kushina answered, looking through her phone.
"He said he'd come home," Natsu stated.
"Just give him a few," Rogue concurred.
"What? You want me to wait 'til midnight?" Natsu questioned.
"Why are you so against him?" Sting asked.
"I'm not, I'm just...waiting for the other shoe to drop," Natsu answered.
"Well cut it out, you think the worse and it'll happen," Gajeel said.
Natsu rolled his eyes until they heard the front door open with Minato coming inside.
"Dad!" Wendy shouted.
She ran over to Minato and hugged his stomach. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her forehead. He looked up at Kushina with a smile at Wendy calling him 'dad'. Kushina smiled as well.
"You're home?" Natsu questioned.
"I said I would always come home," he answered.
Natsu smiled for once.
"Hey, uh we got a bit of a situation. Can you call Madara?" Minato asked.
"Yeah, but it's late. What's up?" Kushina asked.
Minato moved towards the door, wrapped his arm around someone and helped Kakashi limp inside. The slayers all rose from the couches in shock at Kakashi's condition.
"Uh," Wendy gasped, hugging Kushina's waist.
Kushina covered her mouth.
"Oh, my goodness,"
"I have more in the car," Minato said.
SIDEBAR: ~ What do you guys want to see? Sasuke with girls or Sasuke with guys? :)