Hiiiii :)! Gotta a triple update for ya!
Yes 3 chapters coming up at once! Originally they were all one BIG chapter, but that BIG chapter was 17000+ words and even I thought that was too much for one chapter LOL...well see the end A/N for more info. Up here all you need to know is the next two chapters will be up immediately after this one.
Also real fast, I lied/was wrong in my last end A/N. I'm not done naming Kitsune Clan members lol. But I only name the ones that have to be named.
Day 8: 84 days until the night of the red moon
At Naruto's home, the forest is massive. Instead of kilometers of sand, it was kilometers of trees, and bushes, and shrubs, and vines and grass and moss and algae and lakes, ponds, rivers, waterfalls, and rocks and caves and bugs and animals that would never be able to walk upright or talk as youkai do. A youkai could wander around for at least two days before finding a natural clearing or a natural path, where the sun was free to kiss the forest floor. His dad's territory stretched over two thirds of the forest, and he was extremely protective of it.
The Namikaze house was just two connected buildings situated in a natural clearing. Not the largest one, but it was just enough for five people to live on. It was the only constructed housing for the entire family for some time. Then, 450 years ago, 17 kilometers out, his dad built a solo room in a small clearing surrounded by such thick forest, that it was impossible to reach without knowing the clearing existed. The room was made almost entirely of glass; the walls, the ceiling, the door even. Only the floor was wooden. In that glass room was a glass case. In that glass case was a green comb made of wood, a kuro tomesode with the Uzumaki crest on it 5 times and a floral pattern on the bottom, a cream-colored hand fan with rocks and waves printed on the top half, a piece of white cloth with a single cherry stitched on it, and a crude drawing of a family, signed sloppily by tiny handprints.
Surrounding that case, were letters. 1000s of them. Some were long and rolled up like scrolls, containing detailed summaries and sketches of yearly events. Others were but a sentence long: "I still love you!"
Surrounding those letters were potted plants. So many potted plants. They were all specifically of the genus prunus. Some bared fruit, some bared flowers, some never did anything but grow and die.
His dad built that room mainly for the family. Because he always said that spirits outlive their bodies and one could speak to them everywhere, even at a rock on top of another rock or in some dark cave behind a waterfall. Having a room dedicated to his mom's memory was supposed to give them the same spot to grieve and pay respects at that every other family had. But Naruto didn't believe that it worked.
A physical body needs to be in a grave, that one prays in front of, for the communication to happen. A room full of their most precious items will. Not. Work.
Because his dad was the only one who said that and Iruka was the only one who agreed with him. There was a distinct lack of graves for the Umino, the Hatake, and of course the Namikaze. But while Iruka had the excuse that his family's bodies were completely destroyed and Kakashi claimed poor relations with his deceased family, his dad never talked about where he came from. Only that he prayed for them wherever he stood and that was alright with him.
But his mom had the Uzumaki graveyard to visit. Even his dad's mentors didn't agree with his dad on this matter: Jiraiya argued until his dying breath and Tsunade-obaa-san still didn't visit the room. None of his friends agreed either; they ALL had nice graveyards for their deceased family. His mom missed out on so much and if placing all of her items in her room was more for them than for her, then the distinct lack of a grave is even more glaring.
Naruto was always there to take care of the plants and enjoy the fruits. He was always there to write those letters and leave them in that glass room with the hope that one day the recipient could read them.
So today, Naruto was here, sneaking over to Daitaru's office to find something—ANYTHING—on where his mom is.
If Kurama was still awake, he should be heading to bed. His major fear however, was running into the other early birds that were up at this time. Some were literal early birds who usually said 'hi' to him before rushing out for an early morning flight and/or hunt. But some were early-rising kitsune, who have stopped him in the hall to make 'small talk'—to 'chat'. Normal chat. Silly chat. Unfamiliar chat with a kitsune who was not his blood. Kiko was one of them, and she was very chatty about paper-mâché. Not as tools of destruction, but as cute works of art to enjoy. She also talked about enjoying giant crossword puzzle rugs and Sakura-chan liked those too.
So he was avoiding them. Kitsune were supposed to be untrustworthy, but these kitsune who've been stopping him and laughing with him…it's like they were trying to prove otherwise. He was peaceful and passive with everyone other than Kurama as a defense mechanism; so that his natural instinct and completely justified disdain wouldn't get him in trouble while surrounded by so-called enemies. But it's like they're trying make him forget the past. Trying to make him familiar with them so he would have to forget everything he knows for sure about how sneaky and conniving and troublemaking kitsune were supposed to be!
Just like how he was being this morning! Naruto's hair stood on end as he kept casting and recasting illusions on himself to get through the hallways undetected. When—if he got caught doing this, there were going to be consequences. He was stealing information after all.
They would be in the right, if they killed him and dumped his body somewhere never to be found. They could also kick him out and banish him, leaving him ignorant and wanting. Or worst of all, allow him stay, but treat him with hate, as an enemy, and it would be on him to prove himself; if he even could because kitsune hold grudges.
What about his fiancé? Would Kurama ever look at him the same way? As nice as he was yesterday, he's still a kitsune too AND a part of this clan. In the span of one week, Naruto's been finding himself occasionally forgetting that. Because the kitsune he's met outside of this compound don't take care of their kind—look at what he's going through!…Though he hasn't actually seen any of those kitsune here. And Naruto guesses, they do take care of family. Which he's not still! His mom was, but not him! No matter how nice they act to him, Naruto's gotta remember that it didn't start until he was brought in for the heir! They were the ones that held the grudge, over this very mess he's trying to sort out!
So this morning, trusting anyone wasn't an option.
Those damning consequences may be terrible, but he had to take the risk. He was determined to. Because he had been waiting an entire fucking week for Daitaru to pull him aside and just tell him something. Only for him to be as stupid as he was when he first found out the truth. If it even was the truth.
The second time he fell asleep last night, he had a nightmare. The kind of horribly detailed nightmare that follows a person when they wake up, disorientated and missing bits of reality. Thinking of that and the most recent letter he wrote, made his heart claw inside of him with a sort of desperation. He was almost sure each beat would push him forward on its own.
And it was beating very fast.
Miraculously, he made it to the familiar door without anyone noticing him. He steeled himself, all senses on high alert, as he opened the door and slipped in. He let out the breath he had been holding when he closed the door behind him, but still didn't feel relaxed.
There's no telling how long he would be able to stay in here. There's no telling how he was going to get out. The hypocrisy of acting on impulse with no plan at his age and with his experience would probably make several people laugh or cuff him on the back of the head. This probably didn't count as 'trying to win Kurama over', but unless warnings of promise pain included chills and excessive motor energy—which they don't—-then his body gave him no warning that what he was doing was going to kill him some kinda way when—if Kurama found out.
But he'll have to just cross that bridge when he comes to it. Naruto's biggest concern now was finding the information he needed. There were plenty of spots in the grandiose room that Daitaru could hide secret information in. Lighting any of the torches was obviously out of the question, but even using his body to make light felt too attention-grabbing. Fortunately, he could see pretty well in the dark. He casted one final illusion over the whole room to hide his scent and got to work.
Naruto took large and very nice paintings off the wall to see if there were secret alcoves underneath. There weren't. Naruto pulled up rugs and patted the floorboards in case there was a loose one. There wasn't. Naruto pulled out maps from the tall cases that had shelves of them, and flipped through them in case one had something about his mom. They did not. Naruto popped open the fucking…GLOBE hanging from the ceiling in case Daitaru kept the information inside his world. All that came out, were some useless bags filled with dried cherries and grains. Naruto picked up the seat mat, to see if the asshole was just sitting on the information. He literally was not.
Naruto barreled over and grabbed the trashcan, pulling it up, shaking it, and reaching into it to see…
Nothing.
By now his vision was red. There was no one to intimidate, but it happened. And Naruto knew, that if he continued to get pissed there was a further, more thorough step that was coming and by then he can't guarantee the protection of property in his search. The information he needed, needed to be in this room.
There was one spot he hadn't checked yet. An obvious spot. A spot so obvious, he didn't check it already, in case Daitaru was the sort to be unpredictable.
The desk.
Breathing harshly, he quietly set the trashcan down and crawled onto the desk. He didn't even hesitate to yank open a familiar top drawer. Nothing new, exactly what he saw before, was in there now.
Opium. At least 20 blocks he could count just from a glance, though he could've sworn there was more the last time he looked. Opium was the most powerful painkiller in existence. Although Naruto still didn't know if it actually cured pain or if it was because a sufficient amount makes him as high as a kite so he doesn't feel much of anything. Probably the latter, since opium is taken chronically, not as a one-time-cure-all.
Still, to need this much…It's been a long time since he saw so much opium in one spot. Daitaru must be in a lot of pain.
Thinking back to Kurama's words about 'quack' and 'plan working', Naruto connected the dots about what must've really triggered this hasty retreat. A seed of pity was planted in his heart against his better judgment…Something so painful to need this kind of relief, and yet like a true kitsune Daitaru was deceiving everyone with a tall, proud stature and doing things like cooking dinner for the compound. Or maybe it was just Naruto who was being deceived.
But it's not like he was going to demand answers from Kurama. If he needed to know, he'd say something right?
And he's wrestled before with his pity outshining a problem. The problem now is so many years have been wasted and any more days Naruto couldn't wait. The images of his mom and the thought of her spirit lost and lonely and feeling forgotten, her body perhaps in the belly of some scavenger in the sky or beast on the ground, entered his mind. His vision transitioned from red to a bluish glow and he quickly shut the drawer before searching through the rest.
In the back of his mind, he was a little amazed that nothing was locked. Not even the actual door to the room. He wouldn't trust a house full of kitsune.
In the front of his mind, he noted that every drawer he opened had nothing. Approaching the last drawer his vision was turning more blue and his teeth began to grow, for if he could not find anything that backed up Daitaru's claim, then he would be in serious trouble. Unsealed form was one drawer away from appearing.
Naruto stiffened with a small gasp.
There was a knock at the door.
And being startled, Naruto dropped the illusion, meaning whoever was on the other side could certainly catch his scent in here.
Indeed, nary a second passed before the door was opened.
All fury was forgotten as Naruto leaped over to the back of the room. Back against the wall, his heart was hammering against his chest. His body chilled as chakra whorled about inside of him, reacting to the immense stress his mind was feeling. He had no idea what to say. None. No excuse—he didn't think of one.
And the kitsune who walked in was one he hadn't seen before.
Naruto already knew that not everyone in the Kitsune clan introduced themselves to him that night, but that's what made this situation more terrifying.
This kitsune, with dark red hair and grey eyes and three tails whipping about behind him, was looking at him sternly.
"I-I-I can explain why I'm here," he tried to say in the steadiest voice possible. It's not easy when his chakra was practically freezing his voice box as it bumped all inside him, begging to be used as an escape.
The kitsune held a finger up to his mouth. "Shhh! It's okay," he whispered, before creeping a little closer.
Naruto tensed up, claws coming out, though he had no idea how he was supposed to fight when he was in the wrong here. The kitsune stopped before getting too close, but Naruto also noticed that he left the door open. His eyes darted between that and the 'intruder'. He was fast enough; he could quietly knock this guy unconscious and slip out.
"I'm not here to get you in trouble. I'm here to get you out of it. You're not supposed to be in here."
Get him out of trouble? That sounds like a lie, why would a kitsune get anyone out of trouble? Kitsune live for causing trouble. He wouldn't be here if they didn't! Besides, they didn't even know each other.
The expression on the kitsune's face was serious as he held his hand out.
"You can trust me. I'm not going to speak a word of this to anyone."
"…Who the fuck ARE you?" Naruto finally whispered back. He could just imagine, taking that hand and then immediately brought in front of the entire clan, in front of Kurama, and this kitsune loudly bellowing where he was caught.
"I'm Kushina's cousin, Uzumaki Nagato."
…Uzu…maki?
No…No no his dad—his dad told him that the Uzumaki Clan was massacred centuries before he was born by an unknown assailant. Information on them was impossible to come by and they didn't need it because his mom—Naruto didn't think his eyes could get any wider when he remembered that his mom did mention the name 'Nagato' once.
"Naru-chan eat your greens! I'm telling you Mina sweet, little Nagato could lead that clan if he wanted. Sigh, I'm worried little Kurama will see it that way too and take advantage…"
And he remembered that his dad did say that at least two other members survived. One was never found again, but the other was with his mom, in the Kitsune Clan.
It was Nagato?
"Please!" Nagato insisted. "Family matters much more to me than rule-breaking!"
Despite the revealed blood relation, Naruto couldn't help but still feel hesitant. Although his mind was blanking on how Nagato would betray him, Nagato was a kitsune. The only kitsune he trusted wholly and completely was his dad.
…Although…memories of a certain akagitsune carrying him to bed instead of leaving him out til the morning played in his mind…Kurama was being nicer, on his own…Naruto wasn't planning on wrestling with 'kitsune' and 'Kitsune Clan' and 'Kurama' this morning, but here the topic comes up again! Of course his impulsive ass didn't plan out this morning at all.
Gah! With his mind in confusion, his gut told him what mattered the most was if Nagato can truly get him out of here…
Naruto slowly grabbed Nagato's outstretched hand. But something strange happened when he did. Naruto's right arm, from the scar on his shoulder all the way down to his fingertips, was different. It was slightly paler, had decreased sensation—when it wasn't numb or tingly or painful, and occasionally was 'off'. But it was something Naruto was used to by now, and he learned how to work with it. But when he touched Nagato's hand with his right hand, he felt something powerful move through it, like a rush of air. It felt like the entire limb was revitalized, but it wasn't an element that he felt, it was an emotion. A calm emotion.
Nagato's shoulders sagged as he sighed out his relief and somehow, Naruto felt that same relief as the tension left his body on its own. What the? Is this chakra? From Nagato? Naruto wondered. It sorta felt like it. But how? No one's ever told him about this technique! And what a formidable one! It's like all of his panic had completely vanished and even his chakra was settled now. He was asking questions in his head with a peace of a crane sitting on a lake.
Nagato then stood up straight and cleared his throat. With a small smile, he said, "I ask that you please follow my lead, although technically you don't have to say anything."
Naruto didn't have a response to that. Certainly not 'okay I trust you'. He would have to see how this goes.
Louder, Nagato said, "Thank you so very much again Naruto-sama, for accompanying me to Daitaru-sama's office! I sometimes feel it's a little tedious, but whenever Datiaru-sama isn't here, it really is for the best that we have witnesses! Even if it's something so small as to make sure a document was delivered!"
Nagato led him out of the office. Sure enough, that beefy, black-haired kitsune was just down the hall, reading some book and picking at his teeth as he walked in their direction. He didn't even glance up at them.
Naruto gulped. If he didn't believe in fox's luck before, he sure did now! If he had ran out on his own, he would've been caught for sure. Nagato tugged on his hand however, bringing Naruto's attention back to him.
"I-If you may however, still spend some time with me? I missed my chance for a formal introduction so…if you…want?"
"Sure," Naruto answered, though at this point he has no idea how to get what he really wants still. Still, he followed Nagato all the way over to the outside. They stopped in a—what is this? A yard? It didn't look anything like a desert. It reminded Naruto of the ocean actually.
"I'm sorry if that was uncomfortable for you," Nagato apologized, letting go of Naruto's hand. "But the family here is very protective of Daitaru-sama's spaces. Had Kyuubi-sama been with you, you'd've been fine. But I didn't want to chance the reactions since he wasn't."
"…Thank you…" Naruto's voice was eerily glum-sounding. Because did he really just trust another kitsune and wasn't let down? What about that last drawer? Could it have had the information he needed?
"Please allow me introduce myself to you finally. As I said, I am Uzumaki Nagato, former heir to the Uzumaki Clan before its tragic destruction. Kushina and I survived together for years before Daitaru-sama took us in."
Oh…interesting, Naruto guesses. But what was he supposed to do with that information? Ask for new stories about his mom? Ask why this was the first time they were meeting?
He had nothing he wanted to know more though, than what was in the drawer he left unopened.
Nagato smiled a weary-looking one at Naruto's silence.
"Um, I suppose you are waiting for an explanation as to why I've been so…absent in your life."
"You do what you want. It's not my concern that you wanted to stay here."
"…yes well, I wanted to assure you that I was deeply hurt by your mother's death."
"Do you know where she is?"
"Excuse me?"
"Do you. Know where. She is?" Naruto glowered. "Surely your precious lord told you that no one's buried her body? That she doesn't have a grave for any of us to pay respects at and mourn at? Everyone else seemed pretty cut up about it! But I wanna know what the hell is going on!? Why did he tell me he was searching for her body and then nothing else?! Was he lying?! Is he really looking?! BECAUSE IF I GOT TOLD A DAMN DIRTY LIE—"
"Naruto-sama!" Nagato put his hands on Naruto's shoulders and despite his initial flinch he couldn't help but note that Nagato's touch has an immensely calming effect again.
"Please, I'm sorry, but I don't know if you realize that your voice carries. I understand what you're referring to. Is that why you were in Daitaru-sama's office in the first place? Were you looking for information on The Search?"
'The Search?' Whatever that sounds right. Naruto nodded.
"Alright then. I know Daitaru-sama's been preparing to tell you, though I'm not sure when he would. I can back up his claim that we have been searching."
"For 500 years?" Without telling me or my dad?
Nagato didn't look Naruto in the eye. A curtain of red hair covered half of his face, but the half Naruto could see grimaced in what looked like…guilt.
"…It's a wholly, complicated story. I'm not even the owner of all the details. But I can tell you what I do know."
"I need clues! Just anything! Give me clues!"
"Of course. Come sit with me please," Nagato asked as he took his hands off of Naruto's shoulders and walked to the little pond in the middle of this thing. Naruto actually beat him there and was sitting down before Nagato even started to bend. If he was startled by the speed, he didn't comment on it.
"As you know, Kushina was kidnapped and subsequently killed by Uchiha Madara."
Naruto was there for the kidnapping. A toddler running around outside when a bad man walked into his home. A feisty toddler hidden under his mom's illusion so he would be undetected. A stupid toddler crying out when he saw his mom fight, his screams stopping the enemy long enough for his mom to get an attack in, but revealing that he was there. The illusion could not physically protect him and so his mom had no choice but to offer herself up as a hostage.
Naruto stayed quiet during the exchange. The attack she dealt looked devastating, so wherever they went, he was sure she would beat him.
She was whisked away, and he never saw her again.
"In his trial, that debase individual said it was all done on a whim, and his true target was your father."
His dad never gave him the fight he wanted, though there was obviously some kind of clash as that shitty cat was apparently 'not whole' when he returned to the Uchiha Clan. Naruto was there, sitting safely in his dad's arms as his dad looked Uchiha Fugaku in the eyes and made his terms clear. Either Uchiha Madara was to be killed by the Uchiha, or locked away forever so tightly and securely that he would never be able to test his power again so long as he lived, or kept and alive and able to walk around freely. But his dad would then kill him in a sneak attack he'd never be able to defend against. And his dad would use everything in his power to make sure the Uchiha were so discredited, so shamed, so beaten down and broken that there would be nothing the clan could gain, power, money, status, nothing, until all the members of Fugaku's generation and before died off.
But what did that have to do with his missing mom and this search?
"Your father did what he had to do, and justly I might add. Except, when he was too…grieved to bring Kushina back to your home, the Kitsune Clan agreed to do it. Only, when a group of us got there, her body was no longer there."
…His dad told him himself that his mom was dead. There's no way she could've just sprang back to life and walked away. If she did, she would've came straight home.
"Daitaru-sama had large groups of us search many different parts of the lands for her. But we couldn't find anything. Not one of us, even the flying youkai or the deep swimming youkai couldn't find a single trace! It was disheartening and maddening on all of us! I know I…personally couldn't find it within me to face Minato-sama, or you, about our failures."
"Were you angry at us too? All of you? Did you all blame us for mom getting kidnapped?"
"You deserve honesty so…as shameful as I am to admit it; in the beginning, yes there was a collective rage in the compound that the situation all started because Minato-sama left you two alone."
He knew it.
…And yet? The confirmation did little to excite him. He didn't feel much of anything. No rush of justified smugness, no explosion of righteous fury…just emptiness. Right now anyway. Maybe it was the timing. He's had this belief for years and no one contradicted it. It was like confirming that water is wet and lava is hot. This was a silent feud that started over a shitty cat that his dad handled—beautifully Naruto might add—and lasted up until the Kitsune reached out and 'asked' for an arranged mating. All this confession did was help Naruto understand just how petty and grudge-bearing kitsune were…
They've all been so nice to him while harboring this secret rage. Tis why it was so easy to be passive and nice to them back, while secretly harvesting his own anger and hate…right?
At that question his heart began to freeze. The chakra inside him began to whorl again, hardening and icing up, especially around his heart. The pounding movements hurt more than anything, especially as memories of the talking, or the kindness, played through his mind and he had no idea if they even understood just what they went through. He wrote thousands of letters about it. He had to say something.
"It wasn't his fault. How could anyone have seen that coming? How could anyone blame him?! None of you dirty fuckers have any idea how hard he was hit by it!"
And he stopped. Because how much more of this whole situation can he really verbalize anymore? In the past he's had fantasies of screaming at all of them, at the top of his lungs. More than that, he's had fantasies of breaking everything they own and beating them up. His words and his fists when working together and powered by his gut and mind, have been able to solve all of his conflicts in the past.
But right now, they weren't on the same page. All because his expectations have been subverted since he arrived here.
"I'm sure I'm sure! We must apologize!"
Just like that! That wasn't what he was expecting at all! An excuse, a defense, even a plea to get over it sure, but not an apology! Naruto continued to be shocked, when Nagato turned to him on his knees and bowed low enough for his forehead to be against the ground.
"Please, before you were to come here, I had volunteered to take on the burden of speaking this on the behalf of the family, because I know they'll find it too shameful to bring up themselves. We humble ourselves to ask that you forgive us for how we handled Kushina's death and the pain surrounding it. We actively avoided thinking about how your family was affected, and there is no excuse in this world that can justify why we did that. Just the same, there is nothing to excuse how little we were involved in protecting your family in the first place. I assure you the grievous error and unsightly behavior is not befitting at all of the zenko foxes we have claimed ourselves to be and we all recognize this. Welcoming you here with open arms, is a part of that recognition and there is certainly more to come, with your blessing."
…
"We completely understand that your current situation is tied up and complicated since you are intended for our heir, but please understand that our sorrow is unrelated to whatever decision ultimately gets made in the end. We are more so ashamed for how we've hurt the Namikaze in the past. I…apologize also, for taking this long to come to your attention. I personally felt too guilty to speak to you at first, but I am finally ready to confront it."
…
"Your forgiveness, is merely asked for. Not expected until it is earned."
Naruto did not like other kitsune.
He's met one stubborn kitsune, who lied so much to cover his own ass, that he would make Naruto question if the sun rose each morning. Even when he finally got caught, he continued to lie through his teeth about how wrong Naruto was about everything, until his dad finally took matters into his own hands. All other kitsune he's met have been extremely upfront about how much they looked down on him. But before he got into those spats, there was the Kitsune Clan. A clan he had never even met personally before he decided to hate them. With the Kitsune Clan, it felt so much more personal because it wasn't him, it was his parents. They took his mom and they hated his dad. They were the start of Naruto, from a very young age, eyeing his species closely and confronting them with an aggression he knows he doesn't display for other species…not even cats.
And so…he wanted this to be true. If this were true, they were sorry, then…he could stop feeling like he was on the defense. Wisdom, wisdom, wisdom, it's what he was granted. Naruto needed to be wise in this situation.
His mind wanted to rely on the past, but his gut wanted to believe Nagato like the first time. His chest felt kinda tight but a lot less cold as he made his decision.
"Whatever. It's in the past. We've dealt with it. My dad agreed to this anyways right? If he still had a problem with you, he would've said no. So let's just get back to talking about where my mom is now."
Nagato sat up, he pushed his hair out of his face, and he smiled. And somehow, tight chest and all, Naruto knew it was right to believe him at his word.
"I hope that telling you all that I know will help. We searched everywhere for a long time Naruto-sama. And then, someone brought Daitaru-sama some information. I don't know what that information is exactly, but I have a hunch that that debase individual wasn't being truthful about his attack being a 'whim'. I believe he attacked Kushina for a reason, and now her body is missing perhaps for a related reason. Because whatever Daitaru-sama found out, changed the course of how The Search was conducted. Now instead of groups of us, only a select few are sent out. This whole situation must be a direct threat to the family's security for only Daitaru-sama knows who he is sending out and where they're going. I am not one of them," he sighed. "Daitaru-sama insisted that as I am the last full-blooded Uzumaki, my safety is sadly a priority."
…What in the world?
A threat?! His mom missing was related to some sort of threat?! To the largest and most powerful family of kitsune? Well he definitely didn't consider that! But that dirty cat worked alone! His dad, Kakashi, heck even Jiraiya dead or alive would've made sure of that! He's been over to the Uchiha household plenty of times and yes a majority are reserved but they upheld the agreement! Who else could be related to this—unless it was some enemy not in the Uchiha Clan? But that would imply that his parents had old enemies who were still alive. And after all this time who could've survived his dad's wrath? He, Iruka and Kakashi too all went out and slayed so many of them as Naruto was growing up, he knows this! So did they not find anything?! But they don't know about this obviously or else they would've told him! And what problem did an enemy have with the Kitsune?!
…AHHH! Now his chakra decided to thunder and roar inside of him, icing up all his innards as it brushed by everything including his rapidly beating heart again! His chest became colder and tighter, like his ribs were sucked in and got stuck. He didn't know if he wanted to fight, rip something apart, or cry out! But the frantic chakra needed to be put to use—
A hand on his back calmed him down. It rubbed comforting circles, that settled his chakra which warmed him up. Still, his chest was tight.
"I know it's a lot of alarming information Naruto-sama."
This is all the MORE reason Daitaru has got to tell him what he knows. With that calmness Nagato exuded, waiting 6 more days didn't feel as torturous. And at least he had more information to mull-over. And he had to reanalyze memories, to try and remember if anything had slipped his notice. To try and remember how his dad would react each time he left the territory and told Naruto where he was going and for how long. He could kick himself for how many times he tuned out what his dad would say about danger and who to avoid. But he talked about it so much and the older and stronger Naruto got, the more tired he got of the overprotective nature!
…And something else was eating at him about dad-son communication.
"Does Kurama know anything about any of this? Because I don't think he does. Y'know, he doesn't act like he does…"
Nagato appeared surprised by the question.
"I truly do not believe so. Kyuubi-sama's position was too important to be put at risk from the start. He wasn't that much older than you, but he's always been a bit advanced for his age and so I'm sure Daitaru-sama was just worried he'd draw some attention he wouldn't sensibly ignore," Nagato answered with a slight chuckle.
But right after he frowned, and his tone got a little hard when he said, "not to mention his mother really insisted that it be left out of his ears."
"So his parents were overprotective too huh?"
"Daitaru-sama certainly. His mother I've always had questions about. Kushina did too actually, which is part of the reason why she tried so hard with him."
"Hmm?"
Nagato shook his head with a small smile. "Oh it would be unfair for me to tell the story of those two. Let's just say Kushina tried to keep the heir in line. Can you imagine?"
Yes and with the weight of everything he just learned on his mind, he still wanted to laugh. His hot-headed mom bossing the Kurama HE knows around? Only he's a tiny terror tot?! Ohhh clash of the titanic tempers!
"PFFFFFT HAHAHA!" The laugh came out so strongly that tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. But he could also just be feeling emotional because Nagato took his hand away. Not that he was going to cry.
"I'm glad you already find it amusing Naruto-sama! Might I suggest you ask Kyuubi-sama about it sometime?"
"Errr sure haha! But um, you can drop the '-sama' from my name okay. Just 'Naruto' is fine."
"Are you sure? You are in a pretty high-ranking position being Kyuubi-sama's intended and all."
He was dead sure. "You told me what I needed to know and you got me out of a pretty tight jam. I won't take that lightly. As far as I'm concerned, we're friends now cousin!" He exclaimed with a wink and a thumbs up.
Nagato looked surprised for a second before the widest smile appeared on his face and he clasped his hands together.
"Ah! This is exciting for me! I don't have many that I'm on this personal of a basis with! You may obviously call me whatever you wish. And ah, ahem, in line with this new bonding, if you are free for the rest of your morning, or until Kyuubi-sama wakes up, might you want to get some breakfast with me? I heard you struggled a bit last night so maybe I could teach you something? Something Kushina taught me even?"
His growling stomach reminded him that all he had last night were some burnt ingredients. He wasn't ready to be alone with his thoughts on a twice empty stomach.
Naruto nodded, matching big ol' grin on his face. "I'd like nothing more!"
On the walk to whatever kitchen Nagato was picking out, Naruto pondered in the silence about asking Nagato what was in that last drawer anyways. Or if he knew where Daitaru kept the information. Or if he should just stay patient. Pondering such questions with no clear answer was interrupted by an intrusive thought. A deep-seated fear that had been plaguing him for a long time now.
"Hey cousin…you don't think she was eaten, do you?"
"No. Daitaru-sama would've given up and let us all know. I believe whatever information he was given means Kushina's body is intact somewhere. And once Daitaru-sama gets you up-to-date, I'm sure you'll provide a great aid in finding her."
That made the tightness in his chest go away.
Done :)! I'm SO happy I got to write this scene wehehe! Naruto and Nagato start to get the bonding they deserve and geeeeeeeeeeeeeeez something fishy is going on here. Naruto is talking about Minato being overprotective all his life so hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Also we made this far in under a year :DDDDD!
Okay so about the word count: I truly CANNOT do word caps/word limits/page limits. I tried to cap each of the scenes in this chapter at 4000 words MAX and FAILED. Word count is meaningless to me when there is writing to be done. I have this problem with my grad school assignments too lmao! BUT do know that I read each scene extensively and remove anything that is extraneous or unnecessary! Not a single word is wasted just so y'kno ;P!
Anyways, I debated a lot on posting all the scenes as 1 chapter before finally separating them.
- On one hand, 17000+ is a LOT and a lot of things happen in these 3 scenes. The scenes ARE important and ARE connected, but the connection is loose enough for each to be a stand alone chapter (and each scene has enough words to be their own chapter). This'll really give ppl time to take a break and digest the happenings haha.
- On the other hand, the longest thing I've ever posted was that 19000+ 'epilogue' in TINL (hilariously enough in Naruto's POV in a story not usually in his POV lawl) and after that was the 16000+ worded oneshot Extermination, sooooo this really isn't new. I'm also looking at my trend with this story and I feel like lots of words are going to be the standard (and judging by your feedback here and at ao3, this is a good thing :D). And in Kurama chapters, all of the scenes HAVE to go together or the chapter won't feel complete...Coming back here after such a long break may also have something to do with how I'm feeling haha!
Anyways I can't predict how lengthy future chapters will be. I can tell you I will revisit this format of Naruto chapters in the future. For the sake of consistency I'll most likely separate them like how I'm doing now, but I appreciate feedback on this matter. If it feels better for all scenes meant for one chapter to be in one chapter, let me know and that's what I'll do in the future. The goal is that y'all ENJOY reading and have an EASY time doing it as much as I do haha.
Now onto the really fun stuff!
Story fun fact corner:
1) So how did Nagato know Naruto was in Daitaru's office? Weellll he was actually hanging out around Naruto's room trying to work up the nerve to talk to him when surprise surprise he saw Naruto sneaking out! Then he followed the sound of snapping fingers because Naruto's stealth is still trash lol. He then waited outside because he was still too chicken to go and knock. Naruto dropping the illusion and exposing himself is why he rushed in right after. He was worried what would happen if Naruto was caught in there alone.
2) Naruto and his kitsune issue is one of the reasons he can't see himself being with Kurama, even tho he is attracted to him (that 'occasionally forgets he's a kitsune in the clan I hate' sentence is Naruto's sense of humor). Props to Nagato for putting a real dent in it!
Author fun fact corner:
1) So about those reveals. The two big ones up there were actually true in version 1 as well! But they were supposed to be major reveals way later on because I was being suspenseful and shiii lol. So yes, in both versions, Madara was the one who killed Kushina. And that's all I'll say about that matter. And also yes, in both versions Daitaru had medication in his top drawer. The big difference is that in version 1 it was just some generic medication and here it's opium. Either way, Kurama already revealed what was going on so there's no reason to drag that out. And that's all I'll say about that matter.
2) While reading version 1's chapter 8, I cringed so hard at how in Naruto's POV, everything still so strongly revolved around Kurama. Even his meeting with Nagato was more about Kurama's reaction to it than how Naruto felt meeting his mom's freakin cousin when he already has so little family at home. So the goal THIS time was changed. Instead of some petty, gross-cliche-jealousy-over-a-cousin plot Naruto was tryin to pull, it's actually about him meeting family and dealing with some other issues in his mind. That'll truly help the relationship development in the long run ;)! Again, really happy I got a second chance to write out what should be happening here.
3) Going back to Naruto's kitsune issue, there's clearly a big difference between it here and in version 1. In version 1 I will admit that it was a pretty shallow attempt at keeping Naruto's 'lonely' background from canon. It wasn't possible for him to have that in this world, so I tried to go with something that kinda worked and even then I still had to put the blame squarely on Naruto shoulders :/. Here I'm hoping y'all are picking up the hints that it's a bit more complex than a kid throwing a temper tantrum because his attacks are weak. But fortunately it's still fixable :D! It's gonna have to be :D :D!
4) Went back thru the story and corrected typos and things that didn't make sense! Hopefully rereading this will be more fun that way lol.
As always thank you SO SO MUCH for reading! Your views, favs, and subscribes and TigrezzTail, your reviews? I look forward to seeing them every time :)!
Hope you enjoyed reading this!