"Guardian of the Fox"
Chapter 9
"We're in this together."
The newly named Uzumaki brothers returned home in relative silence, though for different reasons.
Mycroft was contemplating what his new status as an official "Uzumaki" means in the grand scheme of things, while Naruto stewed in worry.
"Are you… angry with me, Maik-san?" He asked while the other opened the door to the apartment, fumbling with his t-shirt. "Because I broke my promise."
Holmes blinked.
"Angry?" He repeated rather dumbly. "No, no, no." Shaking his red head, he knelt in front of the little boy. "Naruto I'm not angry at you. What in the world made you think that I was?"
The younger boy swallowed and continued to play around with his shirt.
"Well… you were quiet on our way home." He didn't look Mycroft in the eye. "Iruka-sensei stops talking to me when he's mad at me..."
Holmes let out a sigh and gently placed a hand under the younger boy's chin to guide his eyes upwards.
"Naruto, listen to me." He started softly. "Your arrival at the Hokage's office was surprising, yes, but I know why you chose to disobey me." He smiled then. "You were worried about me, afraid they'll lock me up and you won't get to see me again." Mycroft then pulled the smaller child into a hug. "How can I be mad about that?"
The hug he got in response was tighter than any other he remembered getting.
"Besides." Mycroft then pulled back, keeping his hands on Naruto's shoulders. "You and I are family now." He then gently poked him in the nose. "And that means that I will always take care of you."
And small, but genuine smile graced his lips. "No matter what..."
"Even if people treat you like a monster..."
He's a freak! A sociopath! A monster!
"I'll stick by you. Keep you safe."
'If you need to hurt someone so badly, why don't you go after someone your own size? Like me?'
"Someday... you might end up rejecting my help..."
I don't need your help, Mycroft! Shove it down someone else's throat!
"You might start wishing me gone..."
God why are you still here?! Go bother someone else with your presence!
"You may hurt me to make me leave..."
'Sherlock stop… you'll break my arm...'
"You might try to kill me..."
'Not in the head please, brother-dear. I promised my brain to the British Government.'
Then where do you suggest?
'I know it may not be much of a target but… why don't we try for the heart?'
"You might even end up hating me for everything I do."
You hear me, Mycroft?! I hate you! I hate you!
"But that won't matter. I'll keep being there for you, I'll continue to protect you, I'll still love you." Mycroft smiled and looked deep into Naruto's blue eyes. "Because you're my little brother." He then hugs him close to his chest. "And that's the only reason I'll ever need."
He could feel the small child start shaking in his arms and tears soaking his new white t-shirt, hands nearly squeezing the air out of his lungs with their strength.
It would hurt if Mycroft's chest wasn't already aching from all the memories from his previous life hitting him right in the heart.
He was holding onto the smaller child like a lifeline, hoping the resulting fallout didn't break him and his Mind Palace to a billion glassy pieces.
"I love you too..." Naruto whispered into his chest. "Niisan."
That one phrase...
Made the ache from years of abuse feel a little less painful...
It didn't go away completely, it probably never will, but...
It made him finally realize that… what happened was in the past.
It was done, gone, no longer relevant.
He had a new family now, albeit one that's a lot smaller than the one he was in charge of before but… Looking at the shivering blonde in his hands...
Mycroft couldn't ask for a better one.
'Maybe this time will be different...' He buried his nose in Naruto's spiky hair. 'Maybe I won't be the reason it gets ripped apart.'
They don't know how long they stayed that way, before Naruto pulled back from the embrace.
He wiped his tearful face with his sleeve, and then looked right at him with a giant smile.
"Uzumaki brothers forever?" He held out his tiny fist.
Mycroft blinked and then smiled, tears freely flowing down his cheeks.
After wiping them away, he fist-bumped Naruto.
"Uzumaki brothers forever."
Kakashi watched the two boys interact from his spot on the tree near the window.
He still didn't trust the new kid, despite his oath sounding genuine.
They knew nothing about him, where he came from, or who sent him to Konoha.
Even more concerning was his so called 'Mind Palace' technique, the one that remains unrecorded in their data files about foreign kekkei genkai, and the fact that he seems immune to Inoichi's Mind Reading Technique.
But that was not the only thing that worried the young ANBU.
Despite only being exposed to it for a few minutes, the Yamanaka could already tell it was a very powerful ability. Being able to store information with one hundred percent accuracy with the additional ability to encrypt it so that no one understands anything, poses a significant threat to their village.
This meant he needs to be careful about what they allow the boy to see and learn about their home, out of fear that it could be used against them.
Unless Inoichi figures out how to bypass or get rid of the technique, Maikurofuto Hōmuzu might be the most dangerous spy they had ever encountered.
Plus...
He adjusted his position on the tree branch.
Maikurofuto has gotten far closer to the Nine-Tailed Fox Jinchūriki.
To Naruto.
The only reminder, his only link to his late sensei.
The last person from his old team.
Kakashi's hand moved towards the katana strapped to his back.
He'll be damned if he let the boy get hurt.
