Of Stygian Twins and Frightened Civilians
Summary: The Uzumaki twins are terrifying, odd, and everything in between. A stygian pair. Grotesque, prodigal opposites who took humor only in the suffering of others. To the villagers, they were as demonic as the creature halved between them.
Not like the chain-wielding, telepathic freaks cared all that much, though. They'd just keep holding hands and waltz along, leaving corpses and frightened citizens in their wake..
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or Naruto Shippuuden. This story is rated M for future gore, murder, extreme violence, elements of severe mental illness, etc. Please don't read if you're particularly sensitive, as this will be dark.
I am trying something new with this story, to balance humor and "horror," or rather darkness. Kind of a crack-fic, I guess? But also not really, because it will contain a lot of serious moments as well.
CHAPTER ONE….
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or Naruto Shippuuden. This story is rated M for future gore, murder, extreme violence, elements of severe mental illness, etc. Please don't read if you're particularly sensitive, as this will be dark.
I am trying something new with this story, to balance humor and "horror," or rather darkness. Kind of a crack-fic, I guess? But also not really, because it will contain a lot of serious moments as well.
Before the Dawn.
Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki had two children on October Tenth, twins named Naruto and Namiko.
The Wave Child and The Maelstrom.
With each halve of the Kyuubi sealed within them soon after birth, left to their devices, the twins grow into their reputation as terror-inducing.
Naruto and Namiko were utterly, completely left to themselves.
Easily influenced children are like clay, easily shaped into anything the artist imagines.
And although the Kyuubi was granted nearly no leeway in his seal, it didn't stop him from whispering in the heads of these two babes from the moment they were made his jailor.
Growing up, the pair were inseparable. Partially because they were fused at the hip, until a surgical procedure separated them at age six.
Even after, the once conjoined twins were always together, their fingers always interlocked wherever they went. In Konohagakure, there had always been paranormal myths relating to twin children, but to many... Their folk-tales were cemented into perceived fact upon the conception of Naruto and Namiko.
Namiko and Naruto were born nearly identical, fused at the very edge of their hips. They had no shared organs or intestines, merely fused skin. Each of them had two functioning legs, and two functioning arms.
It was an extremely convenient conjoining, a stroke of luck in their otherwise unlucky lives.
They had lost their parents, each of them having given their souls to seal halves of the kyuubi into their children. Naruto received the demon's Yang half, while his sister received the Yin half. In other words, one received the darker mass of chakra, whereas the other received the lighter mass.
Some would conclude this was where the two's slight personality differences came from, but that was mere hearsay.
At age six, the two received a life changing operation by the Third Hokage's most trusted Medic-nin.
Tsunade Senju had been the one to sever the twins, despite her hemophobia. It was a duty she felt she owed the children, as she had known their parents. Shortly after, she'd disappeared from their lives and hadn't come back since.
This was when the children had truly begun to... change.
They had always been close, but following the procedure they were entirely too close. They would not leave each other's company, and their hands were nearly always interlocked.
Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on all of these things as he wrote his letter, in the middle of this warm June day.
The letter read as follows:
"Greetings, Jiraiya.
This message reaches you to inform you of the state of your god-children, your first bi-annual update of this year. I hope this letter finds you well, my student.
It has been two years since the twins were separated. Many things have happened since, it is rather hard to find out where to begin.
I am happy to say that Namiko has inherited her father's prodigal skills. As for Naruto- I am unsure, the boy is far too meek and passive to truly soar in his academics. Soon, they will be entered into the academy.
Though, I'm afraid there are many grim realities I have taken notice of.
The twins have something of a symbiotic relationship. Truly, it has made me question whether we should have separated them in the first place. They cannot function without the other. Namiko will fly into a rage, a childish tantrum if she is taken away from her brother for very long. As for Naruto, he does not seem capable of coping without his sister either. If the time is even minutes, he gets visibly nervous, but soon after the ten minute mark he will begin to clutch his head and sob.
It is something truly saddening to see, that they have became so co-dependent on one another. I wonder if our own lack of intervention in their early years is to blame for this. Regardless, I fear that they will have to be kept together in genin placements in years ahead.
I'm also afraid that this is not where the trouble ends. Per my last letter, I informed you that the children were developing certain peculiarities. Said traits have only increased.
Many civilians are afraid of the children- not for what they contain, but for who they are. Namiko always has wide eyes and the falsest smile, whereas her brother is always with a slight frown and blank eyes.
I have also observed that they rarely blink. Along with their constant hand-holding, odd speech patterns and peculiarities in presentation, they have quite... discomforting personalities.
Namiko is overly talkative and quite polite, but her speech.. I cannot explain it. She has no understanding of appropriate behavior, and thus she makes ghastly remarks from time to time. And always in the same, sweet monotonous voice.
As for her brother, he rarely speaks to anyone except his sister. He does not seem to like others much. Both twins remark on how un-entertaining others are quite often.
I have found myself wondering if the children suffer from some sort of trauma-induced mental illness. It would not surprise me, considering how rough their early years were.
However, I know very well that neither of them would take kindly to having their minds probed. For now, I will hope that they are simply odd children and will grow out of it.
On the lighter side, Naruto had shown an interest in trap-making, while his sister seems quite interested in everything.
Recently, she began sewing dresses of her own. When I asked why, she said that nearby vendors are simply not up to her standard. I am of the belief that locals attempted to sell her damaged clothing, and she didn't like that. Her dresses are quite odd. They look as though they belong on a porcelain doll, and not a real girl.
For their birthdays, I have gotten them both items they will enjoy, some of which I signed with your name. One of these is a very fine dress, which the vendor referred to as a "shortened Rococo dress." It was quite expensive, but I truly believe Namiko will adore it.
Her brother will receive a much more traditional bell-sleeve top and wide-legged pants.
That is all I can say for now. It would be much better for you to meet them in person. The children need more interaction so they may grow out of their peculiarities and become normal adults in the future.
I hope you will consider visiting soon.
Sincerely,
Sarutobi Hiruzen."
With a hearty sigh, the elderly man signed the letter and rolled it up. On the parchment, molten wax dripped, sealing the letter shut.
Before the glob of molten wax could dry, he stamped it with a seal, making the entire letter glow for a mere moment.
A privacy seal, ensuring it could only be read by whomever it was intended towards.
In this case, Jiraiya of the Three Legendary Sannin.
Running through a series of hand seals, he summoned a small monkey forward.
"Deliver this to Jiraiya, he should be in Tanzaku Gai at the easternmost entrance the day after tomorrow." Hiruzen instructed, getting an affirmative nod as the monkey quickly leapt out the window to begin its mission.
Hiruzen swallowed, taking notice of two very familiar chakra signatures growing closer. Speak of the devils, he supposed.
Hearing two simultaneous spiels of knocking, rattling against his wooden door, Hiruzen spoke.
"Enter!" He called, making a face feigning surprise at who stepped in.
Before him, the twins. To the left, Naruto stood. He had a gray, long bell-sleeve shirt on, with a scarlet Uzumaki crest on the left sleeve.
On the right, Namiko wore something much more extravagant. Her hands were obscured in lace gloves, while she wore a cap-sleeved dress befitting royalty. Cutting off right above the knee, the elaborate dress had a black petticoat beneath it. It was crafted from silk, tulle, and cotton alike. Something that the vendors around here simply couldn't make- let alone even think of.
The dress held the same color code as her brothers, merely with more black than gray. Tulle decorated the skirt of the dress, both on the surface and beneath it.
He was truly baffled by the craftsmanship such a dress would require.
And it was clearly made by the eight year old wearing it.
If only he could get her to focus that prodigious talent on her ninja studies, she'd be a fine kunoichi.
Taking another glance at her brother, he was as stoic and meek as ever. Judging by the fine hemlines on his top, his sister must've made that too. It was odd, how one had such a penchant for the extravagant, where the other preferred something casual.
On their faces, their expressions were the same as always. Naruto's eyes were unfocused and told nothing, while his lips rested naturally into a frown.
His sister, on the other hand. Her violet eyes were unobscured as she held her eyelids open wide. Her irises flickered around her sclera, taking in every detail of the room she stood in.
Her lips were pressed into a thin, closed-lip smile, as it always was.
"Ah, Naruto, Namiko. A pleasure."
Naruto only nodded, while Namiko opted to speak.
"Yes, a pleasure indeed! We have finished the Uzumaki Clan Historia you gifted us."
The blonde said, her voice devoid of any real emotion. Instead, just a sickeningly sweet voice. It reminded Hiruzen of how a mother would speak to her child, not how a child spoke to their Kage.
That was not what he was concerned with, however. They'd finished the entire historical tome on the Uzumaki clan already...? How baffling.
"Well, Namiko, I didn't expect that you would read through it so quickly." When he said that, he noticed she squeezed her brother's hand slightly. Was she angry?
He continued,"I should have you a new book very soon, though." He finished with a grandfatherly smile, which seemed to soothe the girl.
That calm look on his face was short lived, however.
"Sister, should we not show him?" Naruto asked, in his usual raspy voice.
Her violet eyes flickered over to meet her brother's sapphire ones, both blondes exchanging a knowing look.
"Ojii-chan, Naruto-kun and I have made a brilliant discovery." The girl informed him, looking genuinely excited.
This made Hiruzen a bit wary, he wasn't sure what warranted as brilliant in Namiko's world. She'd brought him a bird skull once, claiming it was something wondrous...
"Let us show him, brother." The girl said, gesturing with her gloved hands. Elegantly, she removed one of the lace hand-coverings.
They released each other, and lifted their palms upwards.
Hiruzen's jaw fell at what happened next.
Silver chains burst from the hands of both children, and immediately stretched upwards and weaved into each other.
It demonstrated excellent control, as the children could manipulate their chains enough to braid them together, while also extending them up towards the ceiling.
Hiruzen was feeling quite grateful that he'd decided to tell them about their Uzumaki heritage when they were young, rather than keep it a secret.
"Quite wonderful, no?" The girl questioned him, seeming amused at his slack-jawed expression.
"I must say I am quite impressed, Naruto, Namiko. This will be perfect for you children, especially now that you're entering the Ninja Academy soon." The two exchanged yet another glance, though this one seemed to be ridden with uncertainty.
He almost wondered if the twins had some sort of telepathy. That would just be silly, of course, so he dismissed it quickly.
"The Ninja Academy?" Naruto asked, stealing glances at his sister every other word.
"Yes, Naruto-kun. Don't you want to become a shinobi?" The elderly man asked, steepling his withered hands.
"I suppose." He finished lamely, in an almost melodic tone.
He'd noticed minutes ago that Namiko seemed to be studying him with those purple eyes of hers.
Lifting a hand up to her mouth as she stared, her brother gave her another glance.
"Ojii-chan?" She asked with a tilted head. Her brother was staring at her now, looking concerned.
"Yes, Namiko?" He asked patiently.
"Aren't you a bit old to be alive?" She inquired, her smile replaced with slightly parted lips.
Hiruzen Sarutobi genuinely had no idea what to say to that. Yes? Because he'd lived longer than his predecessor, his successor, and many others? No, because civilians live longer than he has on average?
Reprimand her for even asking such a thing?
"Nami! You can't say that to Ojii-sama!" Her brother muttered to her, his hand in his hair.
She blinked. "Why?"
He grasped his hair in exasperation, which Hiruzen noted was exactly like his father's s when he was young. If not longer.
"It's etiquette, sister!" He said, his palm colliding with his forehead. "Ara... My apologies, Ojii-chan." She said, giving a bow.
He opted to just move on and not to address that at all.
"As I was saying, you two will be joining the ninja academy soon. In exactly two months, so perhaps you should begin working on your ninja skills."
Sharing another glance, Namiko shrugged and Naruto nodded. "Very well." They said simultaneously, their hands meeting once again.
They promptly turned around, and left.
He hadn't even got the chance to invite them out to ramen...
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is short, I know. Just like with AMS, the chapters will start out short and get longer.
As of now, this story is mostly for fun and will be updated irregularly. If this chapter gets good feedback, I'll put more time into it.
As always, thank you for reading! Reviews are extremely appreciated, much love to you all.