The long awaited moment is finally here, the confrontation between Naruto and his family. I honestly don't know what people are expecting from this, probably an emotional Naruto shouting at his mother, but I hope what I've done is satisfactory.
And, if I have screwed it up, no one said there could only be one confrontation, so I can always fall back upon others.
Thanks goes to ncpfan.
This chapter is, as you can probably tell, a bit late and for that I apologize. I waited until the last minute to finish and by the time I was done ncpfan was busy with other things. I guess I should probably start working on chapters a bit earlier, Ne?
Raise the curtains!
'Sochi.'
She couldn't help but flinch as if struck as his words sliced into her. He had said it so coldly, too, almost dispassionately like it really didn't matter.
But it did.
Oh gods, it did.
Her chest constricted painfully and her stomach tied itself in knots. This was her son, the young man she had not seen in years, and he seemed no more pleased to see her than he might a stranger. She knew he hadn't received the letter she left, knew he had been unable to live in their home, but should he not be glad they had returned?
From what Kurenai had said the two of them rarely interacted and judging by the fact that he had his own apartment in a decent part of town he was doing well for himself. He had Kurenai and Tsunade to help him and Kakashi had apparently been checking on him from time to time.
So, with those three able to give him everything but a mother's love- unless Kurenai, Tsunade, or Tsunade's apprentice had somehow managed to provide it- why was it her son was staring at her with such uncaring eyes?
Purple, once possessing a royal warmth, had turned as cold as amethyst. No longer could she see sparks of joy and curiosity that had always reminded her of a younger Minato but instead felt as though she was staring into the gaze of her war-hardened husband. Like a predator, they took in every detail about her, watching for any move against them. Those eyes had darted around the surroundings several times and she was not so foolish to think he hadn't been identifying escape routes in case something went wrong.
But what could he possibly be expecting to happen? She was his mother, all she wanted was for him to be safe and happy, why would he act as though she were some potential threat? What could have possibly happened to her son to make him act like this?
He had grown taller in her absence and had a body reminiscent of Kakashi's. The blue shirt hugged him tightly and showed that he had been working himself hard. His skin, what little of it she could see, was just as pale as she remembered and his hair, while longer, remained the deep bloodred mess it had always been.
And still, she had trouble focusing on anything other than his eyes.
She knew her leaving would have hurt him, he had always thought the world of his family, but she had hoped that those in Konoha would have been able to keep him happy, would have been able to maintain that brilliant warmth her son always had.
What stood before her was more like a statue than the shy boy who took every chance he got to hug his mother and sister. Though they had been reserved for them and even then quite rare, his smiles were brighter than the sun and never failed to warm her heart.
His lips remained in a relaxed frown, unmoving as those haunting purple eyes watched and waited for her to respond. How many nights had she dreamed of their happy reunion? In every image there had been emotion overflowing and yet this meeting was nothing like that.
She had hoped for him to come running to her, wrapping his arms around her waist in the biggest hug he had ever given. She had wanted to see happy tears and the smile that brightened her world. She needed to see the love in his eyes.
But she knew that might not be the case.
She had prepared herself as much as she could for tears, to see the look of betrayal on his face, to see the pain she had caused him by breaking a promise and stealing away his family. But still, she had expected that pain to have been caused by the love he held for them.
Anger she could have dealt with, that white-hot fury that may have consumed him upon seeing the one who had walked out of his life and left him relying on the generosity of family friends. She wouldn't have minded if he had launched himself at her in an attack, she would have sparred with him until his fury had run its course and then, when he was almost too tired to stand, she would have pulled him into her arms and told him it would all be okay now.
She'd have told him that she was back and would never leave him again.
And the anger in his eyes would have shown how much he had loved them.
The amethyst gaze that bore deep into her soul held no love.
And it broke her heart.
She wasted no time scurrying after him, practically leaping over her desk and out of the classroom. She was not oblivious to the looks shot to her but despite the way the instructor had accused her of stealing her brother's spot the looks were not that of contempt. If anything, they seemed to be pitying her.
Was it because they knew she was his sister or had it something to do with the fear the blonde had shown earlier?
Ignoring it for now, she scampered down the halls in hopes of catching her brother. It was obvious he was upset that he didn't get a team after four years of hard work, but he didn't know that was a good thing. Now that she had a team her mother could focus all her attention onto her brother. The only way to that while furthering his Shinobi career was, of course, an apprenticeship. She could only imagine how far he would go being the apprentice of Uzumaki Kushina. He would no doubt advance rapidly and would probably reach Jounin within a scant few years.
Now if only he had been a couple years older than her, then he quite possibly could have been her Jounin instructor. He'd be loads better than that lazy pervert Kakashi. Of course, just because he wasn't her instructor didn't mean she couldn't go on missions with him once she reached Chuunin. She'd just have to work hard to ensure she could achieve the rank necessary to join him. Maybe if she was fortunate she could become a Chuunin before he was a Jounin and join her mother and brother for missions.
There was nothing like a family outing you were getting paid for, especially if they got to rescue a princess. She couldn't wait to be thanked by being invited to some royal ball. Sure, she had visited the palaces of several Daimyo, but those places were stiff and boring. She wanted to go to a palace filled with life and cheer and spend the night dancing as the honored guest of the princess.
She gave a small giggle at the thought. It would be so much fun, having the rest of her family there would only make it better.
Not bothering with the steps, she jumped own them and continued on. Her brother hadn't been that far ahead of her when he left and unless he had abandoned his brisk walk to run she should be catching up with him soon.
And soon was right.
Not two moments later she came to the front entrance of the academy to see her brother standing in the doorway. Over his shoulder she could see her mother in the schoolyard, smiling at the sight of her son. A smile found itself on Naruko's face. If there was anyone who could cheer him up it would be their mother. Besides, who better to tell him that she wanted to take him on as an apprentice?
Deep within her she could feel her prisoner stir, as if they felt her close proximity to her brother, and she was aware of a heat around the seal. It wasn't a painful heat, but rather a comforting, relaxing heat that felt quite good in the Hi no Kuni autumn. Soon she'd be able to hold up her end of the bargain and then she'd never have to worry about being overpowered by an opponent. Who lived these days who could possibly stand against the full might of the Kyuubi no Kitsune?
She could have sworn the fox within her was pleased by her thoughts.
Turning her attention back to her family, the smile of both she and her mother fell at her brother's words.
"You're about four years late, aren't you?"
Her mother flinched at the words but Naruko flinched at the tone. Never had she heard her brother speak like that to anyone. She was pretty sure Naruto and Kurenai hated each other, based on how they acted around one another, but even then his voice always remained politely warm. This biting cold should not have left her brother's lips. He was to bright, to warm, to be the source of such frigid words.
He was like a sun, so where was the brightness they all knew and loved?
Having stepped forward while speaking, Naruko was able so slip out from behind her brother. Not knowing what she should do, she moved to the side to watch.
Her mother seemed to struggle with words as she gazed sadly at her firstborn, pain evident in her eyes. Her brother, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned. Only briefly did anger flash in those beautiful purple eyes, but it was gone just as quick, replaced by calm, focused eyes that took in everything around him. She could have sworn he had peered at her from the corner of his eyes for a split second, but she couldn't be sure.
"N-Naruto-Kun." Finally managed Kushina. The words came out chocked, as if she might start sobbing at any moment. Naruko wasn't sure if it was due to his lack of reaction past those biting words or because seeing him reminded her that she had left him behind and was just now seeing how much he had grown in the four years she was away. Perhaps it was a bit of both.
In response to his name, Naruto gave a slight incline of his head.
"Uzumaki-Sama."
It was easy to see that referring to her in such a formal manner hurt far more than his accusatory first sentence. Something between a strangled gasp and a sob emerged from her mother's lips.
"Naruto-Kun, Sochi." She spread her arms slightly, as if inviting him to embrace her. Rage flashed again in his eyes before he pushed it down with a deep breath.
"I am no son of yours, Uzumaki!" It came hissed from behind clenched teeth as he struggled to maintain control of himself but it still carried clearly to his mother's ears.
Naruko could see as her mother's heart shattered, eyes wide with horrified disbelief. Tears streamed down her face as she desperately tried and failed to speak or breath. Legs, unable to carry the heavy heart, collapsed under the weight of her sorrow as Kushina fell to her knees.
"No. No, no,no,no." Her mother shook her head in denial as she buried her face into her hands. Naruko winced in sympathy. She knew this was one of her mother's deepest fears, the nightmare that haunted her during the trip. And now it was all coming true.
Running to her side, Naruko was quick to drop to her knees and wrap her arms around her mother in a comforting hug. As if she were a lifeline, her mother's own arms encircled her, dragging her close as she cried into her daughter's clothes. Peering up from her distraught mother, Naruko's blue eyes met the purple of her brother.
There was no sympathy shown on his face, no pity, but neither was there disgust or hatred. There was nothing, nothing but cold indifference once again settling over his features. It was as though he was gazing down at a pair of strangers, a mere passerby that had stopped to see why two women were collapsed on the floor.
And a moment later, he turned to leave.
"Nii-Kun!" She shouted after him. He paused, momentarily, and looked back at her from over his shoulder. Not one further word left his lips as he continued on. Naruko felt her own heart tremble. Hadn't he loved her, hadn't he said that he'd protect her and look out for her?
Why then, did he turn his back on her now?
A traitorous part of her mind responded, a vile whisper that hissed into her soul and cut more deeply than her brother's indifference.
'Because it was you who turned your back on him.'
She tightened her embrace on her crying mother and allowed her own tears to join the mix. And so, collapsed within the academy schoolyard, Konoha's Uzumaki clan wept.
The single witness, perched atop the academy building, observed their sorrow.
He was not moved.
He supposed they should be rather grateful that Naruto had not reacted in a more heated manner, for if he had Kakashi was sure his own anger would have gotten the better of him. Naruto may have managed to form himself a new life without them, one he was quite adverse to surrendering, but Kakashi's life was the same. He may have been okay with Kushina- His Sensei could have chosen far worse than the energetic redheaded swordswoman- but Naruto was the legacy of the man who had become like a father to him.
To know he had suffered was bad enough, for it to be at the hands of the woman who birthed him, the woman the Yondaime had entrusted his children to, infuriated the Copy-Ninja beyond reason. And then she just showed up and expected things to fall into place? Negative.
Of course, if Naruto was willing to work with her, so be it. He was, after all, the one who had been hurt by this. It may have been acceptable for Kakashi to be angered on his behalf, but just because he thought something needed to go a certain way didn't mean the son of his Sensei agreed. Seeing as this was for Naruto, the last call would be his.
His single eye narrowed down at the two women below. What right did they have to cry? Not only did they cry, but they cried together! They had left Naruto to fend for himself, knowingly or not, and just because he had stepped in to keep an eye on the boy didn't change the fact that Kushina hadn't even come to him to see if he'd be able to take care of His Sensei's son.
He hadn't even known she was leaving until he had heard rumor of Naruto being locked out of the clan compound. Even if he hadn't been locked out of the compound, Naruto would have needed someone for at least the first few months to get him ready to live on his own.
Kurenai was a competent Kunoichi and a fine woman, but her past wouldn't have made it easy for her. Sometimes he wondered if Kushina forgot about Kurenai's childhood and the subsequent inability to deal with men. She had been coping well enough these past few years after his Sensei, Namikaze Minato, the one man she seemed comfortable around, died sealing away the Kyuubi, but maybe that's why Kushina didn't think anything of it.
The only man Kushina ever saw Kurenai interact with was her husband and lately Kurenai had been able to hold full conversations with some of the grocers whose shops she frequented, to the redhead it must have seemed she had manage to conquer her demons.
Though now that she was able to meet with Naruto, albeit in the presence of her friend Mitarashi Anko, one probably could claim that she was getting better. Well, with Naruto, at least. But let's face it, Naruto was really the only one it mattered for. Who cared if she couldn't interact well with some random person who approached her? So long as her issues didn't interfere with her interactions with the son of her Sensei it was good enough.
Regardless, when Kushina left Kurenai was in no state to take care of a young boy by herself. He, on the other hand, was more than available. Would he have had to put his career on hold? Of course, but what was that compared to looking after the son of his Sensei? In the end, however, perhaps remaining in ANBU had been for the best. Had he not been active there would have been no way for him to cover all of Naruto's less than legal activities.
It didn't' make her actions any better, but at least Naruto wasn't subject to any additional misfortune.
Of course, crying on the ground because the one you turned your back on isn't so quick to let you back into their life wasn't earning them any points in his book and neither was the fact that he had to be saddled with the Uchiha on team seven without Naruto. He didn't want a team, but if he had to take one having the redhead would have given him a good reason to actually teach.
Kushina, however, had other plans. He wasn't sure why the Hokage had gone with it, seeing as her last plans had crumbled instantly, but she had managed to convince him to not place her son on a team so she could take him on as an apprentice. Kakashi highly doubted anyone asked for Naruto's opinion.
Being a rather experienced Jounin he could tell that Naruko needed a team in order to reconnect to the village she had returned to and he knew none of the clan children would have been removed lest the iure of their families be invoked, but why couldn't the old man replaced the Haruno with him? Sure, according to his grade the teams would be unbalanced and it would upset generations long traditions, but who gave a flying fuck?
He wanted Naruto on a team, Naruko needed a team, and he was the only one able to train Uchiha Sasuke in using the Sharingan. It was perfect. Well, perfect if you ignored having to place Naruto on a team with his sister. Kakashi doubted he'd be pleased, but with the teacher on his side they could make thing work, he was sure. Unfortunately, he couldn't worry about that because he wasn't going to be able to teach his Sensei's son.
He was sure there were others, too, but they were probably likewise bound by something that would keep them from taking him on. Whether that was by design or Naruto's horrid luck, it looked like an apprenticeship with his mother was his only option. He had briefly entertained the idea of it being Kushina's luck that gave her such a perfect opportunity but then Naruto had reminded him of the other option the boy had.
He had walked the fuck away.
Kakashi was almost as proud as he had been when the boy had taken his first kill and slightly more so than when that attractive Yamanaka was hanging of his arm. The fact that he had done so with a few cutting words to those that had left him? That just made it all the better and, hopefully, drove home the point that this Naruto, this Shinobi, was not the little boy they had left behind.
Then again, knowing Kushina, it would take far more than that for her to accept it. Oh well, it wasn't his problem. As long as Naruto was okay, that's all that really mattered.
Checking the time, ge gave a pleased smirk. He still had fifty minutes until he had to meet his team. Reaching into his Kunai pouch, he withdrew his trusty Icha-Icha. He had plenty of time left to enjoy himself.
He ignored the sobbing below him and turned to where he had left off.
Who knows? Maybe being a Sensei wouldn't be too bad.
They both looked up in surprise when their leader stalked into the room, a low growl rumbling in his throat. Sharing a quick glance, the male of the two set about clearing off the desk they had been using and his female comrade moved towards the man to whom they had pledged themselves.
Gently placing one hand on his arm and another on his shoulder she escorted him to his desk. As soon as he had sunk into the black office chair her hands moved to either side of his neck, gently rubbing the tense muscle.
"What troubles you, my lord?" The words were whispered softly into his ear as she continued her ministrations and he visibly relaxed under the combination of her practiced hands and familiar voice.
A moment or two longer was spent enjoying the simple pleasure her hands brought him but his voice, coming out as an unfamiliar frigid tone, eventually reached her ears as he spoke softly. The rage he was attempting to restrain was obvious but it brought her great satisfaction to see that she was able to aid him with her tender touch.
"Our plans must change." The growl of displeasure faded quickly into one of approval as one of the knots was worked out of his shoulder.
"If I may ask, my liege, what happened?" Purple eyes opened to recognize his second favorite subordinate standing before his desk, arms held behind his back but in an overall rather relaxed posture.
"My blood has returned, as you know." Sai gave a quick nod to show that he was aware and Naruto continued. "With Naruko joining the graduates this year there are too many to properly place on teams."
There was a sharp intake of breath behind him and he was aware of Sai's face contorting into a concerned frown.
"I have no doubt you both know what this means. Our plans must change, but I am certain I will be able to find a way to make sure this is not a complete loss. It will, however, undoubtedly, cost us many more hours of planning than have already been spent on our current arrangement."
"I see." Sai's frown deepened. Thinking for a moment he inquired; "Would you have me start to organize everything back to our previous setup, or would you like to change them from what we have now?"
"What we have now should suffice until we've decided how to best take advantage of my situation."
"Understood. With your leave, I will notify the Wolves." The Konoha salute, right arm held horizontally and fist over heart, had been drilled into the pale boy from a young age and now, before the desk of his younger lord, he brought much pride to the gesture.
With a wave from Naruto's hand he had been dismissed and left to carry out his duties.
Minutes more past in silence as Mai continued to work the muscles of her lord's upper back, long since having finished her self-appointed task but neither wishing to disturb the calm peace within his office. Deciding she couldn't keep massaging the same muscles indefinitely she let her arms drop to his front where they loosely encircled his neck.
She buried her face into the crook of his neck for a moment as her fingers traced lightly over the blue fabric of his shirt. Her lips rose to his ear and she was careful to be as quiet as possible in the silence of his office, almost as if she feared speaking too loudly might turn this sanctuary against them.
"Do you require anything else, Naruto-Sama? Food? Drink? Perhaps a warm bath or some company?"
He leaned back into her touch, enjoying the embrace. Mai was without a doubt his most favored of subordinates and an excellent companion.
"You know, that sounds lovely. I think we'll call it a day and go spend some time in my apartment. I wasn't planning on being active in running the wolves for the next few months, losing a single day isn't bad at all."
"I'm glad to hear that Naruto-Sama, you've had a stressful day. I'd be happy to help you rest." Despite saying this, she made no move to release him from her loose embrace.
Perhaps he could turn that day into a week-long vacation.
It was a rather tempting idea.
A series of knocks dragged him from the comforting arms of slumber and instead into the equally comfortable lap of Mai. She hummed a simple tune as her hands lazily ran through his crimson locks, perfectly content to keep him company as he slept.
Too relaxed on the couch like this- a rather dangerous thing for any Shinobi to do, competent guards or no- to get up and answer the door, he instead shot a look to a corner of the room. When the shadows gave birth to the snarling face of a wolf he gave a simple nod and his will was done.
He could hear as the locks of his door were undone and the door cracked open slightly to identify the visitor. They had gotten this far without being stopped by the Wolves stationed around his apartment which meant the identification did little more than tell those within his home who they would be dealing with.
He didn't hear what was said and lacked the will to remove his head from such an exquisite pillow so he simply lay there awaiting whatever guest had decided to stop by for a visit.
"Did you sleep well, Master?" Her soft voice contained a warmth often absent when she tended to her duties among the Wolves but he enjoyed being able to hear it in the less formal setting of his home.
"Quite well, thank you. You make an excellent pillow." Despite not being able to see her -facing away from the couch as he was- he knew she had given a quick nod and was able to hear her faint laugh.
"I'm glad I could be of service." And service she had been. Returning for the first time in a week to the apartment he called home she had cooked him a quick meal and left him to eat as she drew a bath. She had returned in time to share some of the meal after which she aided him in bathing and treated him to another massage. When all was done they had settled themselves upon his couch and it wasn't long until he had drifted off.
"You really are too good to me." He mumbled. She gave a giggle and shook her head, her lips pulling into a smirk.
"Only the best for Naruto-Sama."
"Oh, 'Naruto-Sama' is it? How cute." Came a new voice- a very familiar voice.
"Mitarashi-san, how nice of you to visit. Please, have a seat." As she crossed into his vision she gave a smirk and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'd love to but it would seem the best spot's been taken by that pretty little girlfriend of yours."
Mai didn't waste a second.
"You're more than welcome to it, Mitarashi-Sama, so long as Naruto-Sama doesn't mind me getting up."
"Heh, looks like you found yourself a keeper, kid." Anko ignored the way the young woman frowned at her lord being called a child and instead sat down on the floor in front of them, leaning back against the couch. It was not two seconds later that her purple hair had been removed from her trademark ponytail and Naruto's hands were busy straightening it out with his fingers. She didn't bother trying to stop him, she never did. He had mentioned liking her hair down and if that's what he'd prefer then she'd indulge him. Not only had he freed her of the burden she had carried for a good portion of her life but at moments like this he almost seemed like the child he should have been.
There were few and precious moments where he was like this, there was no good reason to ruin it.
After a few minutes of him running his fingers through her hair much like Mai was doing with his Anko decided to speak up.
"So, I heard what happened with the teams." Only Mai could see her master raise a brow at that.
"Did you? News certainly travels quickly."
"As quickly as the Chuunin can run, usually," She grinned. "They spread about news like wildfire. "
"Interesting."
Anko gave a nod. "Quite. Now, as I was saying, I heard about you not being placed on a team. I think it's crap, you managed to draw me into an ambush that you had set up, after all," Anko still wasn't sure what had managed to get him on the good side of these Wolves but it must have been big. How else would one explain not only their help capturing her and opposing the Yamanaka so staunchly but the fact that they were sparing guards to ensure his safety? "But I think we could have some fun with it."
"Oh? What kind of fun?"
"Well, despite the fact that T&I is always busy, it's usually pretty slow for us interrogators. As such, we tend to get a lot of time off. Seeing as you are now a Shinobi I wouldn't be too opposed to requesting some help on missions from our active reserve lists." Despite the fact that they couldn't see it, both Naruto and Mai knew she was grinning.
His head still comfortably resting upon Mai's lap, Naruto gave a shrug.
"Sounds good, I wouldn't mind a mission every now and then until I manage to get a team."
"Great, then it's settled, the two of us are going to become the most famous team of Shinobi to ever be." Naruto gave a deep chuckle and even Mai let out a quiet giggle.
"Sure, Mitarashi-san, if you're going to do something you need to do it right, no?"
"Exactly! Speaking of doing things right-" She turned her head around to grin at him. "You graduated today, which means you owe me that dinner."
"Ah, I suppose I do." He looked at Anko's grinning face and then back up to the content smile of Mai who had yet to stop playing with his hair. "I don't think either of you are against me treating you two to dinner tonight, then?"
"Ooh, one woman not enough for you Naruto-Kun?" It was Mai who beat him to a response.
"Of course not, only the best for Naruto-Sama." As Anko chocked on air at the girl's quick response Naruto gave a deep laugh.
The first laugh he remembered having in a very long time.
While her lord made his amusement known, a tender smile touched Mai's lips. It was far too rare for him to seem so happy. A few chuckles every now and then showed his amusement, but to see him laugh? It brought a warmth to her chest to see him like this and she looked down at him fondly.
She would do whatever she could to keep him like this.
All she wanted was for her master to be happy.
See you all next week.