Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning his eyes to the starry sky. The water of the lake was calm even though the leaves from the trees danced around to a silent tune. The teen lit a lone white candle, placed right at the center of the small clearing, taking a deep breath he sat down and recited his practiced words:
"I ask the Great Mother to send me a special friend. Bringing love that knows no beginning, and no end. Claw and tail, and loving eyes. Warm and gentle, wildly wise. Let me know and let me see One with eyes for only me"
The wind picked up, the eerie whistle of its passing filled his ears and the candle's light flickered ever so slightly but nothing more happened. With a huff and a sighe the blonde boy fixed his black pointy hat and repeated his spell. Nothing.
He could not believe that at age 16 he was the only Uzumaki that did not have a familiar, coming from the biggest house of witches, being the only son of the great Uzumaki Kushina, the heir of immense power but unable to perform the easiest of rituals.
"You were supposed to use a black candle, you know?" - he heard from up above, Naruto turned around quickly, he hadn't sensed the other presence.
"I appreciate the unsolicited advice" - he grumbled, there was a thud when the creature fell on his feet. "Come to the light, who are you?" - the blonde inquired. The steps were closer now and as the moon reappeared from behind the clouds, its rays fell upon a tall man. Naruto stared in awe, the darkest wings opened up behind a pale white back, the ebony shiny hair framed a thin beautiful face.
"Are you my familiar?" - Naruto asked, the other man snorted
"You wish boy, I am the god of this mountain, a high born spirit"
"What are you doing here, then? You just came to mock me?"
"Yeah… I've never seen such a clueless witch before, you sparked my attention" - Naruto rolled his eyes, he turned the candle off and dusted his robe.
"I'm leaving"
"See you mortal boy, good luck with your fancy little tricks" - the raven teased before disappearing into the dark sky.
Xxx Xxx
His eyes could not glare any harder, his lips were sealed tight in a thin line and his arms were locked tight over his chest. The dark haired raven, self proclaimed god of the mountain and a complete asshole was laughing way above an oak tree, and much to his disgrace the reason why he was laughing was because his broom had crashed into the lake and he was soaking wet on this cold winter night.
"Are you sure you're an Uzumaki? This is hilarious" - the raven said between laughs.
"How do you know about our family? And for your information, Yes i am Uzumaki Naruto, thanks for asking you pompous asshole"
"Geez, calm down human, the Uzumaki clan has lived close to my forest for centuries and you look like your father, may peace be upon his soul" - the deity came down with a gentle flap of his dark wings.
"You sure know a lot about us. But I know nothing about you, what's your name?"
"Want my name to bind me in a contract? Sorry boy, my name is for me to know" - with a snap of his fingers he lit a small flame, he blew gently and the flame flew to the blonde, dancing around happily all over him to dry his clothes and warm his body.
"...Thanks" - the blushing Naruto whispered.
"No need, I haven't had much fun since centuries ago" - the god teased innocently.
"Mother would probably kill you if she knew you were teasing me so much"
"Hmm, a momma's boy" - Naruto blushed harder
"That's not what I meant… I…" - he received another laugh as the pale hands ruffled his golden hair.
"So easy to tease. Come here boy" - the raven sat down on a moldy log near the water, his long ebony wings folding behind him. "Sit in front of me, don't be scared. I won't bite'' - he said with a devious smirk. Naruto sat in front of him.
"What do you want? I don't have to be near you to be teased" - the raven shook his head
"They hold their expectations so high that you are suffering from it. Close your eyes, and breath in, feel the forest around you, the wind on your face, the earth underneath your feet, can you feel them?" - Naruto did as told and nodded, he felt the other man stand and walk behind him, the heat of his body surrounded him, making him fidget and blush, he felt the cold gentle touch in his arms, running down to his hands, the raven god opened his hands with his and whispered in his ear. "Go ahead, call fire to your hands" - Naruto muttered the incantation and a small lonely spark of fire came forth. "What is fire to you? Is it only something that burns and hurts? Is it something that creates life, that bonds and warms and protects?" - Naruto wanted to moan, his chest felt tight, he couldn't breathe. The other man's presence was so strong.
"I evoke the elemental force of fire, the flames of creativity and passion, dancing source of heat, light and life…" - Naruto whispered again.
"That's it… go on" - he felt the warmth of the fire in his hands, a soft nudge prompted him to open his eyes. A blue flame had appeared in his open palms, it danced around, moved by the soft breeze, it didn't burn him but he felt the warmth of it all over his body and spirit. "Interesting, a blue flame… you are far more powerful than you think" - the raven god took the flame in his hands and pressed it down on the human's chest, the fire disappeared into his body.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing, just thought you were cold, the flame will never let you feel cold"
Naruto stood and turned his gaze to the starry sky.
"I should leave, morning will come and mother will worry'
"Momma's boy" - the immortal teased again.
Xxx Xxx
A puff of cold air came out of his dry lips, his rosy cheeks looked endearing as the blonde human danced over the frozen lake, his toned body moved with grace and elegance. The raven god watched from a distance, with a flick of his wrist tons of fireflies surrounded the surprised human who laughed merrily and continued to dance.
"Come" - the human boy called him, extending an inviting hand, with a flap of his dark wings he rose to the boy's side and took the tan fingers in his own hand.
"Naruto" - the god warned as the human boy moved farther, pulling him along the thin ice, twirling and sliding across the ice. His laughter filled the air around them, the joy that his aura emanated was making the fireflies brighter, the snow around them rose to the air to dance with them, it was all him, the magic was strong.
The raven danced, his naked feet barely touched the ground as he gracefully glided through the air, Naruto's laughter was intoxicating and in a moment, without any thoughts in his mind he pulled the mortal boy in a tight embrace, the fireflies flew away and the snow fell lightly over their bodies, the mortal boy's breath hitched and his heart beat faster. "Uchiha Sasuke" - the god whispered against his ear, Naruto cupped his face with his hands, the bright blue eyes locked with his red ones and with a gentle caress their lips joined for a short tender kiss.
Their foreheads met and their smiles grew for a long silent moment they stared into each other's eyes.
"You are bold for a child" - Sasuke teased
"I am 16 now, I am considered an adult by my people" - he pouted.
"Whatever you say kid" - Sasuke flew across the iced lake, into the clearing where they had met over the past few months, he lit a fire and waited for the blonde to join him.
Xxx Xxx
The raven demon did not manifest to mortals often, not even to those that showed magical prowess. Humans were dangerous creatures, easy to anger and resort to violence, their lives were a flutter of a butterfly's wing, a mere second against his eternal life.
But the human boy resting against the tree trunk was different, he was quick to anger, yes, but his spirit was full of compassion, and strength, it was pure and sincere. The golden lashes closed as the boy began to doze off, the bitten apple fell away from his grasp and his head lolled to the side.
He wondered why the boy was always alone, the powerful Uzumaki clan had been revered over centuries, their magical prowess was close to divine, and the boy was even more powerful than he thought, but he was always alone.
Sasuke had concealed his presence and had flown to the edge of the forest, he rose to the sky and observed the small house where Naruto lived, though small on the outside he knew it was a castle on the inside, the facade was just a magic trick to divert the attention of the outsiders.
Naruto danced, laughed and played with the children of the town. He made flowers bloom out of the girls' hair and summoned wooden swords and small dragons of smoke for the boys to slay. But aside from the children no one approached him, he was always alone.
Saskuke closed the book on the boy's lap and traced the long fingers with his own, there was something there, something that connected them both, the boy was special, that much he knew with certainty.
And so, for many months to come they met on the same clearing, under the protection of the moon and the stars.
Xxx Xxx
Summer rain, strong big droplets of water contrasting to the clammy hot air around them. Naruto watched as the droplets did not hit the god's body, it seemed like they stopped a mere millimeters away from his skin. Sasuke's red eyes posed on him, he extended one of his wings to cover him from the rain, Naruto smiled, leaning closer to the taller man.
"Thanks" - Sasuke's wing pushed him closer so their skin was touching.
"It's dangerous for you to go down, it's getting dark" - Naruto knew it wasn't really true, he was a witch after all, he lit his way back home every night he was up there, he could divert the rain just as Sasuke was doing with a simple spell.
"I'll stay" Naruto bent down to draw a rune on the muddy ground, the droplets of rain came together to produce a small green frog. "Tell mother I'll see her tomorrow, I'm fine, dont worry about me" - the frog nodded and left.
"There's a rundown cabin over there, you can take refugee there" - Sasuke pointed to a rotting cottage and Naruto laughed
"That thing has more holes than a piece of cheese Sasuke" - Naruto took Sasuke's hands. "Just a few tricks here and there and we'll be ready"
Naruto's hands moved gracefully, he smirked at Sasuke.
"Show off" - Sasuke teased, a time rewinding spell was far stronger than anything the mortal boy had ever shown him.
Crossing the door was another wonder, the place was warm and inviting, spacious enough for the deity to extend his wings.
"Welcome home" - Naruto joked, "Sasuke?" - the raven was watching him, taking slow steps towards him, his pale hands took a strand of golden hair out of his face, his hand cupped his cheek and slowly he leaned for a tender kiss.
"Home?" - he asked, his lips barely left his own. "Our home?" - Naruto blushed. "You are so fascinating to me" - Naruto took a step back, his blue eyes were so sincere, so pure and transparent. "I love you" - Sasuke took a step forward again, the rosy cheeks of the blonde boy made him smile, his breathing was hectic and his heart was beating out of his chest.
The boy had grown so much since he first met him, his arms were stronger, he noticed as he traced the muscles with his fingertips, his back was broader, his hair longer and he was taller. How old was he now? Time moved so differently for them.
"You're so different now" - he noted
"I'm not a boy anymore, you just noticed?" - Naruto separated himself from the raven to remove his robe, his muscular body showed hours of hard work, the tattoos on his forearms a clear indication of his clan and his magical prowess.
"Can I?" - Sasuke asked
"I don't think you invited me to stay just to drink tea and eat some cookies" - Naruto joked
"Idiot" - Sasuke laughed, closing the gap between them for the third time.
Xxx Xxx
Naruto breathed rapidly, the town was on fire, the bodies of the children were burning on the ground, the screams filled his ears and their agonizing groans made him want to vomit, his arm was hanging limp on his side, his eyes were clouded by blood and in front of him stood a nine tailed fox demon.
"Evacuate, take the survivors to the mountains, I'll keep him here" - his mother nodded, frantically rounding up the townspeople, her arms lifted into the air and a mist fell over them, clouding them from the view of the demon.
"Boy… how brave of you…" - the demon laughed.
"This is the season of the goddess, the birth of the moon, feel the ancient power, she is power, she is within us, let her powers fuel my own…" - Naruto said, He lifted his injured arm with effort as he conjured a black dagger, he took the tip to his skin, carving a circle around his abdomen, he soaked his hands in blood and gave a cheeky grin to the demon.
"I ain't brave, i think that bastard would say I'm stupid for doing this" - Naruto threw himself at the demon, one of the fire tails lashed out, searing part of his side, with a grunt of pain he skid on the ground before charging once again. The spell had given him strength and speed, but the animal was too cunning, he had to move him to the back of the town, towards the altar of the Uzumaki clan, he would trap him inside of his body, it was his only chance. "Mother earth hear my cry, i call your spirit from the other side, come to me" Naruto's hands touched the ground, thick vines erupted from underneath the earth, they coiled around the fiery flesh like snakes, the demon fox trashed and pulled but he was pulled towards the stone pieces of the altar. "Now or never" - Naruto whispered to himself, his hands moved quickly in consecutive seals, the demon shrieked and convulsed, his aura bubbling like lava around him, drowning him.
Naruto fell on his knees, tired and drained, with some effort he was able to stand, his blue eyes were met with a man from the town, the Church's leader, his arms stretched out with a flintlock pistol in his hands.
"If i kill you then the demon dies too, you witches will no longer hold the power, with you gone the Uzumaki household will disappear"
"We've done nothing but help since the beginning of time. Our service has been devoted to the people"
"The age of the devil is gone. Praise the lord"- he had no strength anymore but he didn't want to die, his mother was waiting for him, Sasuke would probably miss him, his dear Sasuke. And then the ringing filled his ears and his eyes closed as he hit the ground.
-xxx-xxx-
The earth shook, and the animals rose from the branches and the air became hot and tight in his lungs, his senses were dull and his mind was foggy, there was something, or someone messing up with him.
A crow cawed over his head, restless, Sasuke turned his red eyes to the animal.
"The fox demon?" - he growled in anger, the crow cawed once more, it flew above his head and pointed his beak to the town below the god's domain. "What does he want?" - the crow came down to his robe, it's beak pulled on his sleeve, no time to lose he said. "Naruto… save Naruto" - he begged.
Sasuke rose to the sky, his powerful wings flapped so hard the crow was thrown a few feet away, the animal called in anger but the deity did not apologize.
The boy was hurt, his mind raced as he sped to the town, and when he was about to cross the limit of the forest he crashed into a cage of glass. It reeked of magic, of a woman with red hair and eyes as bright as jewels. His red eyes scanned the area, he pushed his powers onto his pupils which turned into blooming flowers, the humans were probably half an hour away from his location, they carried children and wounded elderly men.
"Look for Naruto, stay on sight, I'll come to you" - Sasuke commanded. It took him a mere five minutes to fly over to the victims of the fox, the witch was already waiting, her hands up, surrounded by purple light, ready to attack.
"Who are you?" - her voice spoke the command, his mouth opened up to talk without his control, so he bit his tongue, his name was his and Naruto's.
"Your son… let me in the barrier, i need to go to your son" - his voice was shaking, he didn't know he was so anxious.
"Are you his familiar" - in other circumstances that question would have made him laugh
"No woman, i do not have your time, he might be dead by the time i reach him if you do not shut up" -
Kushina studied him, looked up and down and pressed her hand on his chest, he allowed her to show he meant no harm, he felt her inside of his soul, he felt naked as she roamed his heart and mind. Her eyes softened, she had discovered something he had hid so well inside of him.
She snapped her fingers and the fog lifted, just a second for the raven god to cross.
The crow circled around in the sky, signaling that the human boy was there, the mountain god landed on a puddle of blood, the blonde boy was lying face down in his own bright blood.
"Sasuke" - he called, he reached his trembling hand to the god, Sasuke approached him, the tan fingers were red and a small conjuring rune had been drawn on the dirt, the crow had been sent by the boy then, Sasuke took him into an embrace, gently.
"You sealed the fox demon, you used your body as a vessel… but this wound… this is man made" - Naruto laughed
"How observant… no cheeky remarks for me this time?"
"You're dying"
"Naturally… but they are safe… my people"
"I can save you" - Sasuke leaned forward, he touched his forehead to the boy. "Do you wanna try that spell again?" - Naruto wheezed a laugh.
"I have to use a black candle, remember" - Sasuke wanted to laugh, he gently moved the boy to a sitting position and urged him to start.
"I ask the Great Mother to send me a special friend. Bringing love that knows no beginning, and no end…" Naruto groaned, he felt out of air.
"Bend the hands of time. Mend our hearts as one. Flame to flame, ashes to ashes…" - Sasuke continued, Naruto raised a curious brow
"Warm and gentle, wildly wise… Uchiha Sasuke I bind you to me, to share a life, to share a soul, through endless time…"
Sasuke crashed his lips against Naruto's, a low white glow surrounded them, Sasuke's wings enveloped them as every wound slowly healed, a thin red thread wrapped around their pinky, binding them together.
"You're my familiar then" - Naruto teased, sitting down with the help of the higher spirit.
"No, you mortal, are my slave. Sounds better to me" - Naruto laughed.
"A witch and a god" - Naruto laced their fingers together and kissed the back of the pale hand.
"Bound by soul"
Xxx
Naruto observed his mother, her crossed arms and raised eyebrows, he turned to see Sasuke with his cocky smirk.
"You're telling me that the god protector of this place is your familiar now?" - she said in a joking tone, Naruto squirmed
"Well… a lot kinda happened when i told you to run"
"I can tell" - her accusatory eyes turned to the raven
"I am marrying you son" - Sasuke blurted out. Naruto coughed in surprise, his eyes darting back and forth from them.
"I knew it, you're the man he's been visiting all these years, you sneaky son of a witch" -
"Mooom" - this could not get worst Naruto thought to himself
"The church shot Naruto, to get rid of the fox and him, you're in danger here, the age of the witch might be over soon. There's a cabin on top of my mountain where you can settle, it's cozy and has everything you need, Naruto always stays there after we…" - Naruto slapped his hand against Sasuke's mouth
"That's enough detail, Sasuke, thank you" - his mother's laughter was like a pain in his ears.
"The townspeople will be taken to the closest village, my servants can guide them, and their memories of you will be forgotten"
"Thank you, for everything you've done. This will definitely be a grand adventure, for us"
Naruto smiled, the god's fingers trapped his own tightly. It would be a grand adventure, he thought, one he was willing to live by his side.
