Memory 8: The Promise That Saved Him

It was so cold. So cold and dark.

Not even the full moon comforted him that night.

He had never felt so empty until now. His masked eyes felt too dry, and his chest tight with grief. How could he had failed? How could he have been so blind?! Now...now she wasn't there anymore.

Genma's hands fisted in frustration and regret. Even if he was grieving, he had begged his captain to let him take watch of the blond jinchuriki. It would help him get back on his feet. Pretend everything was normal, pretend that his girlfriend would be waiting for him, pretend that she hadn't died on his watch.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the window of his young charge opening. Was something going on? Then the small, five year-old blond climbed onto the window ledge and sat there. Bright blue eyes stared straight at him and the blond, gravity-defying hair leaned to the left as the boy tilted his head. "Are you okay?"

Genma blinked in surprise at the question. The boy never actually talked to any of the ANBU, not unless he had a question about their identity. Sighing at the expectant stare, Genma jumped from the opposite roof to the same ledge. He figured he'd give into the boy's inquire. It was better than just watching over the boy. It'd be nice to talk as well, make sure his vocal chords still worked.

"Are you sad?" the boy repeated curiously.

Sad? That didn't even cover the tip of the iceberg. He was pissed at being a failure, frustrated at his inability to protect, depressed because he just lost the only person who loved him, and...and lonely as well. Maybe it was because he was still a teenager, but he still desired attention and love. Didn't everyone?

"You know, when I'm sad, I go eat at Ichiraku Ramen! Ayame-nee-chan is really nice! And ramen is really, really yummy!" Taking a breath, Naruto continued with wide eyes as a sudden idea entered his head. "Are you hungry? I can make some ramen! I've got pork, miso, beef, seafood-"

"You don't need to do that," Genma cut in. The last time he tried eating something, he recalled her food. It just made him throw away his store-bought bento in disgust and anger.

The small boy raised an eyebrow, or at least, tried to. He was obviously trying to copy what he saw someone else do, but failing. "Then why are you sad?"

Genma sighed, why was he talking to the boy again? "Look, you should get back in bed kid. It's late."

Almost like he swallowed something sour, the boy scrunched up his face. "But you're up! That's not fair!"

Genma raised an eyebrow underneath his dragon-designed mask. "Life's not fair, better start getting used to it." You're going to have a tougher life after all, he added mentally.

"But Ayame-nee-chan says that you have to play fairly!"

He sighed. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" The boy's face scrunched up again as he spoke, confusion radiating off of him.

"You're only five right now, you'll understand when you're older," Genma retorted in irritation.

"Hey!" The boy jumped up and down in indignation. "I'm seven years old!"

"You are?!" Genma was shocked. The boy was small for a seven year old. He had thought the files on the boy was wrong, there was no way a seven year old could be so small. Then again, the blond wasn't getting the proper nutrition. He felt a tinge of guilt at not doing anything to help the blond's growth, but then again, feeding the boy wasn't part of the job description unless the seven year old was dying of hunger.

With a large grin, the boy put his hands on his hips. "Yep! So that means I'm older now! Tell me what you mean!"

Genma struggled to stay calm. This kid was pushing his luck today. Maybe he should've just stayed at the base like his captain suggested. He wasn't sure if he could keep himself emotionally detached right now. Why couldn't the brat just keep to himself like usual? Whatever, he started a conversation, he might as well finish it. "I mean that the people we love may die in front of our eyes...and we can't do anything! I...I couldn't do anything to save her."

The image of her body falling in an unmoving heap ran through his mind. The way her black hair suddenly ignited as Rooster lit her body up to protect Konoha's secrets. She didn't even have time to scream or gasp.

Thinking about it, he didn't know why he was telling this to a kid. Maybe because the kid was actually listening? Maybe because Genma envied the naivety the boy had...

The boy in front of him was so innocent, naive, and just the exact opposite of Genma. The blond didn't have blood on his hands or go through a war. This little boy in front of him didn't have to kill a father with twins who got a bit out of line. Those blue eyes didn't witness a peaceful village turn into a crazy, bloodthirsty mob. His hands didn't have to squeeze the life out of a child no older than eight.

And yet, this boy still saw the world reflected in those azure orbs. He saw the cruelty of adults, the exclusion of children his age, and the rare altruism that existed in a few people. For a moment, Genma had to wonder just how mentally old the child in front of him was. For all he knew, this kid could be another Itachi rolled up in a bundle of golds, blues, and orange.

"You don't have anyone to love you?"

"And you do?" Ah, damn, he didn't mean to say that. Genma watched as the kid flinched at his cruel retort. He opened his mouth to apologize but closed it when the boy sat up straighter, the blue eyes now shining with determination.

"I do! I've got Teuchi-jiji, Ayame-nee-chan, Manami-chan, and the Old Man! Teuchi-jiji himself told me what love is! He said that love was important to everyone, that everyone could fall in love! He told me that love was when you always think of someone, when you want that person to be happy, and when you would willingly die for them!"

Genma could only stare at the small boy in front of him. It took him a few moments to collect himself. Yes, he was really being lectured about love by a seven year old. Yet, he couldn't sound a protest, those earnest sky-blue eyes and the conviction in the blond's voice stopped Genma completely.

Stopping to take a breath, the boy looked back up at Genma, determination burning brightly in the blue orbs, and a smile on the small lips. "If you're sad that no one will ever love you again, I'll love you then!"

What?! The teen had to regain his balance at the sudden proclamation. "Oi oi, do you even know what you're saying?! Love isn't easy, kid! You can't just say that you'll fall in love by saying it!"

"Says who?" the kid challenged back.

"Says me, the one with experience," Genma shot back in irritation. This brat really knew how to get under his skin!

Then he watched in confusion as the boy just grinned at him. "Then you can be my first love so that I get more experience! Don't worry, it's a promise, dattebayo!"

His what?! Genma wasn't sure how to take this. Was he this irritating and confusing as a child?

One part of him wanted to just hop back, pretend this conversation didn't happen, and go to sleep. The other part, however, was a bit kinder to the kid. He knew that the boy had it rough from almost everyone. He'd be a hypocrite to be snide and ignore the boy, and that just rubbed him the wrong way. Even if he had killed many people, innocent or guilty, he still had honor as a human being. Sighing, he decided to indulge the kid. "Really now? You better take responsibility then."

"Res-ponsi-what?"

He couldn't help it, he laughed at how clueless the blond looked. Honestly, with that lecture, he thought that the boy would've had a large vocabulary. His right hand automatically reached over to ruffle the boy's gravity-defying hair. Surprisingly, the blond tufts were really soft. "Teuchi-san didn't teach you that?"

The kid puffed his cheeks out and crossed his arms. "...No..."

"Then you've got a long way to go before you fall in love with me, kid. I'm not falling for someone who doesn't know what responsibility is."

A sudden spark gleamed in the boy's eyes. "Wait, so you'll agree?! Awesome! Wait 'till I tell Teuchi-jiji about this! I've got someone to love too!"

Genma couldn't help but tease the small boy. "Oh, so you wanna go for the long run?"

"Huh?"

He grinned. "Marriage, kid. Lucky you, getting me as your husband." To be honest, Genma had never really cared about gender barriers. Whether it was a guy or a lady didn't matter, all he cared about was if the feeling was mutual.

"Whoa! You can do that?!" Once again, like the stars in the night sky, the boy's eyes twinkled in excitement. Then he frowned just as fast as his eyes brightened up. "Wait, then wouldn't that make me the wife?! I don't wanna be the girl! I'm manly -ttebayo!"

The teen raised an eyebrow at that. "Hmm, manly how?"

The blond grinned and puffed up his chest. "I'm gonna be Hokage!"

"And?"

The boy looked confused, and Genma realized that the boy only thought being the Hokage was manly enough. "Look, if you want to be a husband, then you're going to have to surpass me first, then I'll consider you manly, kid."

Blinking, the blond asked, "What are you then?"

Smirking, Genma proudly told the boy, "ANBU, which is above a jonin, chuunin, genin, and an Academy student."

"Then I'll be Hokage!"

Genma sighed, it was like the kid was on repeat. "It's not that easy. Even then, do you even know what married couples do?"

Scrunching up his face, the boy replied, "They kiss and hug right?"

He sighed. "There's more than just that, kid. We would have to move in, cook dinner for each other, draw a bath for each other, and..." he trailed off. The blond was way, way too young for what usually follows after a romantic dinner and bath.

"And?" the boy excitedly asked, his blue eyes full of awe. "What else?!"

Genma smirked behind his mask. "And some other things you're too young to know right now."

"Aww!" With a pout, the boy leaned on Genma's knee and looked up with puppy eyes. What the—?!

Once again, Genma almost lost his balance from the boy's actions. Where did he learn this?! The teen had plenty of experience with puppy eyes from his deceased girlfriend, but her expression was nothing next the small boy's. Heck, even the night sky was against him! The full moon highlighted the blond's hair like a mother's gentle caress, the stars shone brightly in azure pools, and even the cold night air became warm for a nanosecond as it ruffled blond tufts like a proud father would.

Shaking his head at the sudden poetic thoughts, Genma forced himself to relax. After her death, he had shrugged off any sort of physical contact. Had he really been that off-guard for a seven-year old to get so close? No, had he really been that...comfortable?

The boy tilted his head again, his face furrowed in concentration. "Do married people dance and sing to each other?"

Genma raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. "Only on special occasions. Where'd you hear that?" With a bright smile, the boy happily told Genma about Teuchi and his late wife's love for each other. "...Yeah, that's not happening everyday."

The thought of serenading each other every single night was horrifying to him. For Teuchi to do that for over a decade, Genma decided the old man deserved a lot more respect.

His face fell. "Eh? Aww, fine..." Suddenly, he brightened up again, causing Genma to wonder if the boy was always this hyper. "Then can we go out on picnics?! I've always wanted to go on a picnic! I've never been on one before!"

Feeling a bit of pity for the small boy who wasn't able to experience what everyone should, Genma nodded. "Sure, but no ramen." He ignored the loud shout of protest and continued on. "I'll have to take you out on dates then..." With a sigh, he reminded himself that at least the boy won't buy so much. "Maybe we can start with something simple first?"

"Like a picnic?!"

With a smile, Genma nodded. "Why not? Next, maybe a festival?" When he was met with silence, the brunet noticed the sullen look on the blond. A distant memory of how the blond was treated floated to him, and he mentally winced at his suggestion. "Or maybe we can go to—"

"I wanna go to the hot springs!"

"Hot springs?" Genma didn't have anything against going there, but didn't people want to go to the movies next? Hot springs was a bit... Well it was a bit mature wasn't it? I mean, doesn't it usually lead to...that?

Right now, he felt no physical attraction to the seven year old (he was no pedophile!), but of course, that could very well change. After all, the boy had a tolerable personality. Genma didn't mind the hyperness or the never-ending ideas once he got used to it. It was refreshing after having to deal with the apathy from being in ANBU.

Wait, was he actually considering taking the blond as his?!

"-Don't you agree?!"

"Huh?" Genma blinked, forgetting that the blond had been elaborating on his choice of place. "Actually, why don't we slow down a bit. We're getting too far ahead of ourselves, kid. If you haven't realized, you're only seven. I'm not dating a kid."

"...You don't want to love me?" Naruto pouted in dejection.

How did he come to that conclusion? He sighed and flicked the boy on the forehead. "Don't put words in my mouth, kid. We won't be doing anything like a married couple until you're at least seventeen." Even he had standards. "You don't see any married couples that have one that's seven do you?"

"Yes I do! All the girls in my class wanna be Sasuke-teme's wife! They always fight about it everyday!" It was amusing to Genma how the boy puffed out his cheeks like a hamster. The boy was definitely full of spirit.

With a heavy sigh, Genma decided he should try to explain what most girls felt. "Listen, what those girls feel is unlikely to last alright? Right now, they probably just like him because he's good-looking and he's an Uchiha. It wouldn't be the first time a parent has told their child to marry an Uchiha. What I'm talking about with you, that's something that's going to last."

Wait, he stopped as he completely digested his words. He agreed to being the kid's lover?! No, he reminded himself, This is just a joke. The kid's not serious about this. The boy was seven, he'd probably forget it by tomorrow.

But Genma...he wouldn't forget it. Even if the seasons rolled by, he'd always remember. He'd remember how the boy called out to him, listened while he talked, and then made a promise to love Genma.

"Hey—" His voice died as he noticed the sleeping boy. He wondered if his knee was really that comfortable. Lifting up the boy, supporting his neck and under his knees, Genma moved carefully so that the blond didn't wake up.

In the middle of night, with only the blowing wind and singing crickets, Genma laughed at the sudden, loud, rumbling snore from the boy. Quickly, he stopped himself and dearly hoped no one heard the snore or his laugh.

Climbing through the open window, Genma tucked in the blond, sighing as he took a step back to admire his work. While he had never tucked in anyone before, he mentally agreed that he did a pretty good job. Nothing was sticking out and the blond was on his back—nope now the blond was on his side.

Holding in a chuckle at the drool starting to slip out, Genma shook his head. From his other times of watching the blond, he knew trying to fix the bedsheets would only be in vain.

With a sigh, Genma excused himself and silently closed the window. Jumping onto an opposite roof, Genma kneeled as he continued with his original duty. But, as he watched for potential dangers, his mind reeled to a stop when he realized what just happened with the blond.

He had laughed and chuckled.

He was slowly starting to accept she was gone and that he was moving on.

Somehow, the boy had been able to make him amused and relaxed... Genma didn't feel as tense or...lonely anymore. Would he actually fall for the blond? "No," is what he would say immediately, but thinking about it... Maybe, just maybe it could happen. Not now, and probably not for a few years, but perhaps one day.

He sighed softly as his gaze softened at the sleeping boy. Maybe I will fall for you one day, Uzumaki Naruto...

-To Be Continued-

AN: So I'm almost finished! Have your hearts been torn out like my own? Haha, who would've thought I would've been so into this pairing?

Next chapter is the last one! *sobs* I think my muse likes torturing me too much with all this sadness and then healing me with fluff! Maybe it's a side effect of too much Tokyo Ghoul?

So glad to hear from you both RukaRukia and CinnamonFudg3! Poor Genma, some things just never goes the way he wants it. Haha, I'm actually really happy with the love it gets right now really! But thanks so much!

And I hope this chapter helped with the tears (or if it's from the finale of Tokyo Ghoul, I suggest reading fluffy things with HideKane! That's what I do even if I still cry while reading it or just seeing fanart of them).

See ya in the last chapter!