Had I Known
Hey friends. Thanks to those who reviewed. I've decided that I'll try to update every 3-4 days for all the good guest who try to follow the story as much as possible. Anyway, Here's the aftermath. Naruto learns some heavy shit about the world here. This is honestly one of my favorite chapters because I try to embed some things from the anime and mange here.
Naruto awoke to a light weight on his stomach. Light enough not to kill him, yet heavy enough for him to feel it.
With a small groan, Naruto opened his eyes, still teary from what happened. How long had it been? How long had it been since Pein stabbed him in the stomach and knocked him out, after killing the last of the clan?
Pein Namikaze killed his own clan. He broke a clan that had already been broken?
And was it the fault of Namikazes gene's that no single Namikaze besides Minato had more than one child?
Hikari and Hikari's monster gave birth to a single son. That son fathered a single daughter gave birth to a single son, Minato Namikaze.
And finally, as if ending some curse, Minato Namikaze bore his wife with six sons; enough to expand the clan.
And yesterday, the clan had contracted to three young boys: a traitor, a demon, and a cursed child because of his clan; Pein, Naruto, and Gaara.
Naruto whimpered and looked down. Gaara was lying upon his stomach, his diaper covered butt sticking in the air. He stared curiously at Naruto while drooling on the older boy's hospital gown.
"Gaara." Naruto moaned. It wasn't the usual whine, but this time there was sadness to his objection. And Gaara sensed that. He reached his puffy hands to Naruto's whisker cheeks.
Tapping twice, Gaara had spoke. "Naru no cwy."
Tears filled his eyes and he weakly reached up to grab Gaara's hand. "Aniki's sorry. I'm just really tired."
The message got through, however. Gaara told him to get it together. And he couldn't just deny it. It was Naruto and Gaara now.
Although Naruto loved ramen, he knew what to eat in order to stay healthy. He knew how to take care of a child. He knew how to take care of himself.
Deidara taught him how to cook and Gaara was growing. Gaara laid his head down on his brother's stomach and Naruto wiped his tears. Wiped the images of his dead family from his head.
He would have to get stronger.
He was now the Heir of the Namikaze clan.
There was a small knock on the door and it opened. In walked Hiruzen Sarutobi. Naruto sank deeper into his bed and clutched Gaara tighter.
It wasn't as if he were afraid of the old man. When Hiruzen walked in, he felt a bit safer. But, it couldn't have been so long since the massacre.
Hiruzen wore hokage robes, making Naruto believe this reality more. It was real….his family was gone.
Hiruzen's face was solemn and, frankly, Naruto wasn't quite ready for the interrogation or the upcoming.
Hiruzen sat. "I….I am sorry, Naruto-kun."
What would he say? Would he weep for comfort? Would he only cry? No. He had to be strong for Gaara and stronger against Pein.
Without fail, Naruto pushed his walls up. His eyes grew distant and he turned away. "It's fine." He said, his tone almost dark.
"I wanted to check on my globe on you. Iruka-san came by after school and said you were acting strange. And some people who went on the mission with your br-"
He stopped himself. "With Pein said he was acting strange as well. I'm sorry I didn't notice until it was…."
The man trailed off and Naruto knew he had no other words. Another knock on the door. In walked Mikoto Uchiha, Naruto surrogate aunt and his mother's best friend.
She smiled sweetly and Naruto, not wanting to portray her real emotions.
"Naruto-kun." Hiruzen spoke on a different matter. "While you were asleep for a few weeks, the Uchihas and I have decided that the main branch will take full custody of you and Gaara. You don't have to liv-"
"No." Naruto spoke harshly, clutching Gaara tighter to him. How could they try to take him?
Hiruzen's eyes widened. "Naruto. Let's be rational about this."
"I know how to care for my brother alone, no offense to anyone in the Uchiha. I know how to cook, clean, and provide. I can take care of Gaara for the rest of my life if I have to. The only time he would need to be in someone else's arms is when I'm in the academy and when I have a mission."
"Naruto. We want-"
"We don't need pity, old man." Besides his remark, Naruto said this in a soft plea. "You can watch me for a month to see how I do with Gaara. If I'm not good, you can move us to the Uchiha compound."
Before Hiruzen could command, Mikoto spoke up. "Kushina always said Naruto was so bright. I'm sure he will keep good on his word. We can check on the every week, and if he's doing good, that'll turn to every month. Plus, I think it would be great for the brothers to expand their bond."
Naruto silently thanked the sweet woman as Gaara arose again, stealing his attention. The two year old lifted his head to Naruto, giggling loudly as he found unmatching eyes.
Naruto laughed himself and squeezed Gaara's nose. The two year old tilted his head in confusion, letting slob leave his mouth.
"It's love, Gaara."
"Very well" the third's deep voice gained their attention. Gaara attempted to turn his head, but couldn't.
Thus, using the little strength he had, he used his head to turn on his back. Now he couldn't lift his head. Naruto laughed and sat the boy up straight upon his wounded stomach.
Gaara smiled at the two people in the room, having remembered their faces.
"Gaara will remain in the Namikaze mansion with you, Naruto. That is if you want to stay there."
"It's my home. It has things there that I have to protect and I can't leave it….no matter what happened."
Hiruzen smiled. "You're becoming a fine young man, Naruto."
Naruto simply nodded and went back to watching his little brother. "Naruto."
Once again, he turned to the sweet voice of his mother's best friend. "Yes, Mikoto-san?"
"Are you sure you will be okay?"
Naruto saw it now. Mikoto Uchiha actually cared and she'd be devastated if she couldn't help her best friend's children.
He tried to smile, and failed miserably. "If I ever need anything, you'll be the first person to know, Aunt Mikoto. Thank you."
The woman smiled. "Would you like….would you like to see Sasuke...right now?"
"I want to be alone with Gaara for a while, please."
Mikoto nodded as the third stood , and both walked to the door. "Naruto-kun, there will be a ceremony for your family tonight….now that you're awake."
"I won't be welcomed, so have it without me. Gaara and I can mourn our family in peace."
Hiruzen nodded and then they were gone.
Naruto sighed. "To think I'm not welcome to the funeral of my clan."
Gaara mumbled something incoherent and pat Naruto's chest lightly, giving the blond light. Even in his time of mourning, the village still saw him as a threat. They didn't care. As much as it hurt, Pein was right.
"You're right, Gaara, we don't need them."
Naruto clutched Gaara tighter to his chest as he walked the silent streets of Konoha.
Where were the people's voices? The voices could not be heard.
Hiding Gaara's face within his chest, Naruto stared at the heated glares of his neighbors. They stared and stared, wearing black for mourning.
The demon probably killed his family and blamed it on his traitorous brother, they say.
He's probably going to kill the child, they whisper.
How can two powerful, beautiful people create something so monstrous, they asked.
Naruto didn't know if they were talking of him or Pein on that one.
With a gruff sound, the blond sped toward the Namikaze mansion, wanting to be away from the stares.
The mansion was the same as it was, except they probably cleaned the blood and erased the smell of death.
But, Naruto could still feel death and he wondered if Gaara could feel it too. The child only ceased mindlessly chewing on his fingers when Naruto watched him.
"Naru."
Naruto smiled sadly. "You're first word is Naru. They would be so proud." Gaara smiled and Naruto kissed the top of his head.
Naruto tilted his head up toward the people outside his crib. The people who knew the world beyond crawling.
They came and sat here everyday. The woman with the vivid red hair would rock back and forth on her chair, speaking to the two young children on the ground.
Those two boys would wrestle on the floor; the red head with purple eyes and the yellow head with blue eyes. What chubby cheeks they had. What soft voices they had.
There was a taller yellow head too. He came late in a white robe, but he still ran around with the two smallest children. Sometimes, the big yellow head would lift Naruto into the air.
Laugh with him. Smile when Naruto did.
Frankly, he liked them all. But, there was one that always gained his attention. Very quiet the orange haired boy would be, reading a book about something.
He would lean against Naruto's crib, like now, showing him books with different colors, animals, shapes, and people. What adventures the orange haired boy showed him.
"Look, otouto. This is a rabbit. Some are brown, some are grey, black, and white, but they are all so polite."
Naruto wiggled around a little, attempting to get a better view of what the boy showed him.
The boy….he'd heard his name before….the woman called him…..
Naruto opened his mouth. "Pay….Pe-iiiinnnna….panin….Pei….Pein."
He watched in delight as all eyes reached his own. The woman stared in shock. "Naruto-kun."
The little boy stomped a foot in his crib. "Pein...Pein..Pein."
Naruto sighed and walked upstairs with a frown.
His first word: Pein.
Tears brimmed his eyes. How could Pein ruin everything they worked so hard for? A family.
Now he had no one but Gaara. Reaching Pein's room, Naruto balanced his younger brother atop his head.
He stared at the door, wondering if sealing it would succumb his memories or not. Placing Gaara on his hip again, Naruto walked away. What he would seal was his mother's study.
How could he ever step foot in that room again, while the soles of fallen Namikaze roamed around?
"Just one search, Gaara. It'll all be over soon." With his hand, the boy grasped the knob, sweaty, and twisted it.
One step. Step two. Three steps into the room was all it took.
It looked how it always looked when Naruto caught a glimpse of it before his mother or father closed the door. Walking further, his steps heavy, Naruto watched for anything outside of the ordinary.
There was a single book sticking from the bookshelf, ready to fall. Clutching Gaara tighter, he grabbed for the book upon the shelf.
For the Wretched of The Earth
That was the title of the book. And upon the cover was some form of ancient drawing of a dark woman, high she sat in the sky, watching in pity as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki ate the fruit of the God Tree.
Below the dark woman read a simple sentence.
Creators of the world and their role in society: Teaching the human that slow can go.
Naruto smiled in confusion, his eyes squinted. Opening the first page, his eyes widened and he knew that Pein had been here.
When though? When Naruto was knocked out? When he and Gaara were in the hospital? Or days before the massacre?
For my younger brother, who will soon realize that slow can go in his childhood impatience
Naruto turned to the next page, finding the same dark woman from the cover in her full clothing: a blue cloak. She was extremely beautiful, Naruto kept in mind and next to her head read 'Chi Adebowale.'
Naruto sighed. Her name, he couldn't fathom what it meant. And he'd have to look that up later.
"Look, Gaara." Naruto stated. Walking from the room, Naruto decided that he could multi-task very well while reading. He walked down to the kitchen to steam milk for his brother.
The task was swiftly done and the blond placed the book on the counter while feeding his brother, looking at him every now and then to make sure he was fine.
While Chi stood in all her might and strife, five children were below her, squatted on the ground in this historic picture.
The children ranged from ages 5-13. What amazed Naruto were the different colors and characteristics of those children.
From left to right, their names and age read below them.
Abebe was the oldest at 13, Naruto noticed. His eyes, a striking purple, were squinted and his nose narrow, but his skin was a dark color, darker than that of his mother's. The thirteen year old looked stern, as if he took care of these people.
It begged the question; were they family?
Next to Abebe was a smaller boy. His name was Takao and he was only 11. Unlike the older boy next to him, Takao was a tan color; a yellow brown was his color. There were two small stumps on his head, the beginning of horns. He was smiling happily.
Naruto ceased reading and pulled the empty bottle from Gaara's mouth. Placing the boy upon his stomach, Naruto sat in a chair and began to burp him softly.
In the photo, Naruto watched the girl next to Takao, Mira. Mira had pale skin, orange eyes, and a single green eye above and between them. The six year old had her hands behind her back and she was smiling shyly.
Naruto laughed a little as Gaara's excess food came from his mouth and upon the blond's shoulder. "There you go, Gaar." He whispered.
Standing, the blond walked up the steps silently and into the bathroom. He closed the book and placed it upon the tub edge in order to run the bath water for he and Gaara.
Sitting down, the blond bounced his brother onto his lap repeatedly, His smile mirroring Gaara's laugh. He'd have to finish the children's descriptions before the bath was ready.
Next to Mira in the photo, was a girl her age as well. Her hair was dark and so was her skin. Naruto found the child to be the most vivid of the others. If he looked closely, the child held six fingers on each hand.
Unlike the other children, the horns upon her head were grown out. Her name was Uma.
Naruto noticed that Uma wasn't staring directly into the camera or whatever device they had. Her dark eyes held a steady gaze on something further, squinted and intrigued.
Chi's hand was upon the Uma's shoulder as if trying to get her to pay attention, but the look was already recorded.
What surprised Naruto most was the fifth child. This child was only seven months young. It was wrapped within a blue blanket and Naruto could neither tell the eye color or sex of the child.
It's skin was grey as well as small tufts of hair sticking from the blanket. Above the closed eyes, two grey stumps stood out.
And the child's name: Kaguya.
Naruto squinted. Did Chi raise Kaguya after her birth? Who were Kaguya's real parents?
His confusion left and shock reentered as he read the caption next to the photo. Pein's handwriting, it had been.
Chi stands with her five children, born of her flesh and blood and her own womb. From odd occurrence and without help of a male organism.
Naruto closed the book wide-eyed. Gaara touched his face and the boy stood to turn the water off. Checking the temperature, he nodded. Warm for Gaara's small body and a bit chilly for him.
Naruto thought as he undressed himself and Gaara. The information would change the world as he knew it if information like that were found out.
Naruto realized that if this fact were true- if Chi was able to womb children of different races and kinds- then everyone in the world was family.
Except the Namikaze clan, however, who had been born from the sun.
Naruto sat in the tub with Gaara, letting the three year old play before he was washed.
How had five odd children be born of the same womb? And without the help of a male's egg? Meaning that they shared more than half of their DNA?
Naruto couldn't believe this and he found himself smiling at the information.
He wanted to know more about these people and their influence on the human world. He knew Kaguya's, but he wanted to know where they all were now.
Was Chi really the first woman to step foot on earth? The mother of all things?
A small tap on his stomach and Naruto looked down, watching Gaara with his lips puckered. It was something he did every once in awhile when he was feeling alone.
The blond smiled a bit and leaned forward, pecking his little brother's lips. "We have to wash ourselves, don't we, Little bro?"
In response, the water was splashed and a chant was form. "Wassie, wassie, wash." Naruto decided that he would wait to continue reading as he washed himself and Gaara.
He'd have plenty of time to continue before his birthday in two weeks.
Drying, the child's hair, Naruto frowned deeply. He was going to be seven in just two weeks and he'd have no one. Just he, Gaara, and their mansion of the dead.
Breathing deeply to stop his tears, Naruto stood and pulled out the drain, grabbing a large fluffy towel for the both of them.
Dressing Gaara was quick; diaper, onesie, sleep. Naruto found that he had this kind of thing in the bag. Gaara had always been simple and quiet, giving Naruto the advantage.
Placing on his own pajamas, Naruto climbed next to his sleeping brother, touching the pale face in delight. He wished Gaara could stay like this forever.
Closing his eyes, Naruto waited for sleep as well. A half hour passed.
Another half hour.
And then another.
And Naruto found himself fearing the ceiling. How could he not sleep? He wanted to feel relaxed but he couldn't.
Everything kept him awake.
His stomach growled, but his appetite was empty.
He was alone with his own thoughts. Naruto shuddered.
This was his secret to everyone.
He had these thoughts every night. It was not the sheer evilness behind each thought and vision, but the sole fact that Naruto enjoyed them. These thoughts were his guilty pleasure every night. And they killed him.
The first vision was frightening and intriguing. Motionless bodies lying atop one another in heaps. A deathe mine was what he called it. There was blood everywhere, dried and moist. But, there he was, skipping near them, sword in hand. These bodies were his to keep.
Naruto groaned softly and closed his eyes, a calming sigh escaping his lips. What a relief that was to see.
Instantly, the boy tensed. "No, it wasn't good to see."
The next vision to pop up were the eyes, dead on the floor. The eyes of his brothers and of his family. The eyes of the dead. The image made the vomit rise, but he kept it at bay. Naruto curled into himself.
"Please no." he whimpered. How could these thoughts come when the wound was still leaking in blood? When the root had yet to flourish?
They were all dead in his mind. Kaa-san. She laid there, torn in half...and by what? What had Pein used to kill their mother, but a claw of terror.
Deidara. Sitting alive in his chair and dead. Almost a peaceful death. So close had it not been for the wounds on his torso. Naruto couldn't take it. They were kids. Deidara and Nagato so young.
Naruto wanted to know why they had to die. Why did Pein kill the family? This was his thought. Was Pein jealous? Angry?
Of what? Nothing made sense.
Naruto turned to Gaara in the dark. The child breathed peacefully, unaware of the troubles in the world.
Naruto sighed and another thought came into play.
Sasuke was innocent too. Sasuke had not seen the world as he had.
Naruto calmed down and breathed.
Sasuke.
Pale lips against tan. Small bodies. The frightening terrors of adulthood entering his body. He shuddered in pleasure. How could he have thoughts at such a young age and about his friend?
Naruto didn't need to degrade himself, for Sasuke already helped him in his thoughts.
His pale childlike body turned to Naruto. With his dark eyes filled with tears, and his cheeks rosy, the raven reached forward and traced his bony fingers over Naruto's scarred cheeks.
"You're a monster." He whispered softly.
Naruto sat up with a suck in of air. He looked around for the bodies, for his family, and for Sasuke. But there was no one, but little Gaara.
Naruto sighed in relief and disappointment all at once. Only a night terror.
Two Weeks Later
"Are you excited for school, Naruto-kun?"
This was Mikoto Uchiha. Here in this death mansion making sure Naruto got to school on time. She would babysit Gaara while he was gone to school and put Gaara back in his care when school was over.
"I'm fine." He stated in monotone. In truth, he didn't care about going to the academy. He wanted to stay with his brother and he didn't want to face the stares in class.
Mikoto sighed in sadness and then smiled a bit. "Well, Sasuke can't wait to see you and it's your birthday."
"I want to stay with Gaara." The blond stated in agony. Seeing Sasuke? He couldn't. The boy knew he was close to Pein. Sasuke would think Naruto helped in the Namikaze massacre. He would call Naruto a monster.
"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. I raised two kids of my own and helped your mother raise you guys." It was too soon and Mikoto knew it. She smiled awkwardly and leaned to kiss Naruto's forehead. "Get on to school."
With a fake smile, the boy walked outside. He looked around him. Seeing no one around the blond smiled.
"Prophecy Sage Are: Single Movement Technique"
A black void opened beneath him, and Naruto slid in quickly, not caring about the darkness. When he reappeared, Naruto stared at the walls before. Right where Iruka-sensei's classroom was.
Walking in, the blond kept his head down. "Welcome back, Naruto. And Happy birthday." He froze and looked up, finding Iruka there with a smile.
In fact, Iruka was the only person in the room besides Sasuke, whose dark eyes Naruto felt on him.
"It's good to be back." He finally muttered, putting his head down and continuing to his seat, next to Sasuke. The raven said nothing.
"It's never good to be back in the presence of imbeciles."
'Not now, Shukaku.' the blond told the racoon dog within him. It seemed they all lost a bit of faith.
While Iruka went over the lesson plan for the day, Naruto and Sasuke said nothing to one another. They were both early.
Naruto's face marred into a deep frown as other students began piling in. When they noticed him, the room grew into a body of hushed whispers, stretched in a trapping position, ready to encase Naruto.
His brothers a traitor.
He's glad his family is dead. Happier he didn't have to kill them himself.
My mother feels bad for the demon.
"Class." Iruka called. They kept talking amongst themselves. "Class."
"Class!"
That got them. Naruto placed his folded hands before his mouth as their sensei calmed down. "Now, I know you're all excited about the pre-exams today, but calm down. This test is a pre-test. It shows me if you are ready for the graduation exam in five years."
Iruka turned to his mismatched orbs and so did all other eyes. "Naruto, do you think you're ready for this test. I can exempt you if you want."
"I'm fine." He stated after a moment. Would he ever give up a chance to show off.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Sasuke closed his own eyes and looked down with a smirk. "Hn."
Iruka smiled and clapped his hands. "Well, everyone, we could begin now. As you should know, there will be three parts of this single section test. Chakra, henges, agility. Volunteer to go first?"
Kiba raised his hand. "I'll do it since I'm the best." He yelled. "Better then Naruto and Sasuke."
Standing, the Inuzuka stepped down carefully. "I'm obviously the best in class."
Iruka smirked and crossed his arms. "Alright then, give me a perfect henge Kiba."
Kiba nodded, and sticking his tongue out in concentration, the boy performed his hand signs. Another Iruka popped up and Naruto raised a brow. This Iruka looked sickly, even if standing proud.
Iruka sighed. "It's a good thing we're doing this now and not when you're twelve. Try a shadow-clone."
Kiba frowned. Once he was discouraged, he was discouraged. However, he did manage to create two healthy shadow clones.
Iruka smiled. "Nice. Now give me one thing you've learned on your own time."
"Alright, Akamaru. Let's show 'em the who's the big dog. Best Human Clone"
Smoke filled the air and disappeared. Everyone awwed. Even Naruto seemed interested. Kiba had somehow turned his dog into himself.
As Akamaru reappeared on his head, Iruka smiled. "Nice job, Kiba. Two of three All you have to do is work on that henge. Next."
Student after student performed their jutsu's and Naruto was highly interested. They seemed like they worked so hard, and he didn't have to.
Shikamaru performed some type of shadow technique while Hinata Hyuga showed the class some type of Lion fists. They were the top performers so far. It amazed Naruto that everything they had, from their clan jutsus to their kekkei genkai, he was able to take it and manipulate it.
He and Gaara were able to have anything in the world because they were Namikaze. Bloodline creators.
Ino and Sakura nearly failed as they giggled past Sasuke, blushing and pushing each other for the delicate Uchiha's attention.
Iruka sighed at the girls and looked to his clipboard. "Our last two are Sasuke and Naruto. Sasuke, why don't you come ahead."
Naruto listened as Sakura and Ino screamed for the Uchiha as he stood and walked to the front, an noticeable tint to his cheeks.
Without Iruka's instruction, he henged into the body of his brother. He had gotten everything correct, from the birthmarks to the ANBU gear, Sasuke had everything.
A few girls giggled as Iruka nodded. "Shadow clones?"
Sasuke performed a few seals, and whispered his technique, letting three healthy clones appear before him.
Before further instruction, the Uchiha did more hand seals. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu."
A dragon like fist was formed and hit all three of those clones.
A loud cheer around the class erupted as Sasuke walked swiftly to his seat. Iruka was rubbing his forehead and writing on his clipboard. "Alright. Three of three. Naruto."
When Sasuke sat, there was no challenge. No 'hn' or 'beat that, Dobe.' It seemed as if Sasuke did think he was a monster.
He stood in the silence of the room. If everyone deemed him a monster, he'd show them one.
Without instruction, like Sasuke, Naruto started immediately.
First, he henged into the second hokage for attention. This'd be a show. However, he didn't stop there. Performing the signs, the boy said in anger. "Kage Bushin."
Five clones of himself appeared. All standing and waiting on instruction. He made the fist move.
"Namikaze Light Release: Ray of Assassination"
The first clone was burned into flames and Iruka stepped back as students gasped.
Biting his thumb, Naruto slammed a palm on the ground. "Kasai."
The red fox appeared, dripping drooled fire from her mouth. Naruto pointed at another clone. "Maul him."
And that happened. For the last three, the blond decided he'd go out good.
Using his chakra, he jumped into the air. "Namikaze Light Release: Earth Destroyer." Putting his fist first, Naruto hit the ground. A small explosion erupted as the clones dispersed and the students sat shocked.
Eventually, Hinata clapped. Followed by Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino. The only to clap, but Naruto felt even worse when Sasuke had no urge to look his way. That hurt the most.
Iruka, still dazed, nodded proudly. "Three of three. Okay, class, we're going to take a break outside. Follow me."
The students began to file out after their teacher. Naruto decided that he didn't belong with them, so he chose instead to watch them from the window, his back facing the classroom. Sasuke was behind him just sitting, staring at Iruka's now vacant music.
How could they treat him the way they did? As if he wanted to play and be cheered on by the likes of them.
"Naruto." At Sasuke's sharp call he tensed. Is this where he would call the Namikaze a monster? Had he seen Naruto's thoughts? He'd die if Sasuke ever thought him a monster.
With a bit of faith, the blond erased his emotions. "What?" He didn't mean for it to come out as a hiss of hatred, but it did. If Sasuke knew, he wouldn't hide.
The deafening silence encased them. Each boy waiting on some form of reaction from the other.
Sasuke lost apparently.
His slender arms wrapped around Naruto's waist quickly and he rested his face on Naruto's back. And if the blond felt closely, he'd know that Naruto's shoulder were wind chimes with strong wind. He'd know that Sasuke was crying.
Eventually, the raven spoke. "I missed you so…..so much. Kaa-san told me to give you time, but it hurt. And then people said mean things and I argued with them. Some kids said they were scared of you and I punched Kiba and got in trouble."
Even if that hurt, even if he was the cause of Sasuke's worry, Naruto said nothing still. He remained tense.
Sasuke hugged even tighter. "I told them they were wrong. You're not a monster."
That got him. Naruto huffed and slouched over, letting Sasuke finish his tears. "I'm….sorry." He whispered.
Sasuke let out a shaky breath. "It's not your fault. It's no one's fault. The world is just so mean. I'm sorry about your clan."
Naruto sighed and looked down. "I still have Gaara."
This time, Sasuke let go, letting Naruto turn and face him. "And you still have me and Itachi and kaa-san and tou-san."
Sighing again, Naruto stared at his crying frien. Sasuke hardly cried unless it mattered. Against his intuition, the blond placed a tan hand on his friend's face and wiped his tears.
"I didn't mean to make you cry."
More tears filled the raven's eyes and he bit his lip as the liquid rushed out, ruining Naruto's work. "Is it true you really didn't want to see me."
Naruto looked away. "It's not that way even if it is true. I wanted to be alone in my mourning. You know I wasn't welcome at my own family's funeral."
Sasuke nodded. "The Uchiha clan went and tou-san spoke on your behalf. He's really sorry. Did they cremate the Namikaze?"
"No. Old man Hiruzen brought the bodies for me and I sealed them away in the Namikaze chambers."
"I'm sorry for not understanding that you wanted to be alone."
Naruto chuckled and reached forward, squeezing the raven's nose. "Would you stop saying you're sorry? I'm just happy you punched Kiba. Why?"
"Some of the kid's were saying things and Kiba tried to show off in front of Hinata. He said something stupid and I punched him. Tou-san was so angry when I got detention, but understood why."
"What'd he say?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke grew a bit uncomfortable. He turned his head away with a deep frown, twiddling with his thumbs.
Naruto heaved a heavy sigh. Leaning in close proximity, the blond waited until Sasuke looked at him.
The boy kept away, however. "He said you were possessed by Hikari's Monster and then killed your clan."
But Naruto could not here. So he leaned even closer with a confused face. "What, teme? I didn't hear you."
It was a wrong move. Getting angry, Sasuke turned his head back. There lips touched. Instead of jumping back, both boys stared in shock at one another, lips still connected.
After a moment, Sasuke pushed Naruto away and doubled over, feigning sickness. Naruto, in spite of his own secret happiness, what a sin it was, followed suit, pretending to be disgusted.
Sasuke coughed and coughed.
After a moment, there was a small thump on Naruto's head. He looked up to find the rest of the kids entering and Sakura standing over him, her hands on her hips.
"Naruto-baka! What'd you do to Sasuke-kun?"
The blond prodigy only looked down as Sasuke groaned. He hid his face in his hands.
But it was only to hide his own smile. He was glad that Sasuke could take his mind off other things, even if for a moment.
Even though it was kind of depressing, I like this chapter. I had to place in the accidental kiss somewhere guys. And Don't worry. This isn't the last of PeinIta.
Chi and her children are very important in here. And to confirm, she was the first born being on earth.
I feel so sorry for Naruto, but it will all be good in due time. It can only get worse from here. But slow can go, my friends. Slow can go. This line is from a book that inspired this fanfic. It's called Obasan and it speaks on the hardships of Japanese-canadians during the 20th century. I read it years back, and while I'm a fan of my own history, that is African culture, all history is good history.
Obasan was a triumph, you guys should try to read it. When you read about history, you read about the world. :)