Onii-san/Nii-san- elder brother
Aniki- variation of 'elder brother'
Chapter 2- A Promise to be Kept
Sasuke was supposed to be concentrating on his chakra, and trying to make it into the shape of a circle, but he couldn't. The blond idiot sitting next to him on the other hand, seemed to have no trouble concentrating, but was having a lot of trouble actually getting the exercise done. Sasuke knew that if he put in just the slightest bit of effort, he could easily outclass his orange-clad competitor, but right now Sasuke had other things on his mind.
Sitting in front of him was their instructor, and though this instructor hardly paid any attention to the two boys when they were practising, Sasuke knew his teacher well enough to know when the ninja's attention was completely elsewhere. Usually, their instructor would read a book, or practice some of his own chakra exercises, but all he was doing today was staring off into space, looking conflicted.
Sasuke decided he didn't like conflicted. It reminded him too much of… his other brother. Sasuke scooted closer to his instructor, deciding to give up pretending to do the exercise all together. Besides, Sasuke was worried. "Aniki… what's the matter?"
Edward jerked slightly, giving Sasuke a look of surprise, "Huh? Oh I…"
"Yes?" Sasuke prompted. He didn't exactly like asking things that made others uncomfortable, but Sasuke knew that sometimes it had to be done. Especially with a brother like his.
"The thing is…" Edward sighed, then flung a rock in Uzumaki's direction, which hit the idiot blond plonk on the center of his forehead.
Uzumaki eyes shot open, and immediately his eyes swivelled to Sasuke, "Hey! You bastard! I was just about to get it too…!"
Hn, just like that idiot. Making accusations without any proof. Sasuke didn't care actually, that Uzumaki thought it was him, but it really made Sasuke mad that Aniki gave the idiot any thought. Uzumaki clearly didn't deserve it.
"That was me," Edward admitted sheepishly, ignoring the muted death glare that Uzumaki sent him, "I just wanted your attention. Look Sasuke, Naruto, the Hokage made me an offer… You know how I'm studying to be a medic nin? Well, I've learned all I can, but the Hokage doesn't think it's enough. If he thinks I can learn more… He proposed a long term training mission from me, because a student of his was really talented at medicine. He thinks I can learn a lot from her… Tsunade Senju…"
Tsunade Senju? Sasuke felt his eyes widen; he had heard of that name before! If not from his clan, then from his year long travel with Aniki. That name was famous; as famous as the medical acts the Slug Princess performed herself. If Aniki could get training from one of the Three Legendary Ninja, then it was truly an opportunity not to be missed, especially since Aniki was so obsessed with healing.
Sasuke allowed a small smile to spread across his face, "This is great! When do we leave?"
Suddenly, Edward tensed, and that's when Sasuke knew he wouldn't like the answer, "Well you see, Tsunade Senju is… tricky. Her skills are even trickier. If I do go find her for my apprenticeship, I won't be able to take you two. So… do you two still want me to go?"
…ah. Ah. So that was why Aniki had been so edgy this morning. It was fairly obvious now, if Sasuke thought about it. It made perfect sense that Aniki didn't want to tell them, was wary of informing them. Slowly, Sasuke felt a terrible, dreadful anger bubble up inside him. No, no, no! He didn't want Aniki to leave! Not like Itachi nii-san had done! Sasuke wouldn't be able to live with it, if his only remaining family left him now! His fists clenched until his fingers turned a pristine white; no, Aniki could not leave. Sasuke would tell him so.
"Oh," Uzumaki's voice broke Sasuke from his thoughts, and the dark haired Uchiha couldn't help but twist his head to look at the idiot blond. The voice sounded so… depressed; it wasn't like his normally exuberant and annoying opponent at all. Then, slowly, painfully, Uzumaki cracked a little smile, "Well okay Edward nii-san. Just be back soon. I know how important this is to you."
How important it is… Sasuke hadn't even thought of that. And he should have. What was the main thing Aniki had been studying while they were travelling? Sure, Aniki had practiced and learned other skills too, but the main thing was always medical jutsu. Medical jutsu. As far back as Sasuke could remember, Aniki had always been obsessed with it. Or, maybe not always.
Sasuke still distinctly remembered a period that Aniki hadn't been able to think of anything but healing, but Itachi nii-san had calmed the blond at the time. Sasuke wasn't quite sure what had caused it, but he had his suspicions. The talks of 'Hikari' between his two brothers, and the fuzzy face accompanied by the delicious smell of food that sometimes appeared in Sasuke's dreams, told Sasuke more than he needed. Aniki… perhaps needed to be the best at physical healing.
Did Sasuke really want to take that away from him? This was the perfect chance for Aniki, and Sasuke wasn't sure if Aniki could quite get another one like this. Also, Sasuke wondered if Aniki would regret not taking the opportunity, though he knew that Aniki's motto was to move forward no matter what. Still, Aniki was only human right, and he could falter. If Aniki didn't take this chance, would Aniki always regret it? Would Sasuke make him regret it?
Sasuke knew that Aniki wouldn't leave if Sasuke didn't want him to; Aniki was that type of person. The year they had spent travelling showed Sasuke exactly how protective Aniki was, and Sasuke liked that immensely. Did Sasuke want to give up that warmth, that feeling of comfort, the protection he knew he could get whenever he awoke screaming from a nightmare? Sasuke didn't know…
He didn't want Aniki to leave, that much was for certain. His throat closed up at the very thought of his older brother leaving, leaving him on his own. Like Itachi had done. He couldn't. Sasuke couldn't give Edward up. He opened his mouth to say so… and then registered the pained expression the older blond bore. Aniki was troubled about this; very troubled. Aniki didn't want to leave them anymore than Sasuke did, and Sasuke could tell in that instant that Aniki was unsure about the Tsunade-apprenticeship. And it wasn't because he didn't want to get an apprenticeship.
Aniki was unsure because he didn't want to leave Sasuke and Naruto alone. Sasuke closed his mouth again. Aniki… was only debating whether to go or not because of them. If Aniki didn't have them, there was no doubt in Sasuke's mind that Aniki would leave faster than Uzumaki after ramen. So, so Aniki would stay in Konoha… only because of them.
How much did Aniki do for them exactly? Too much, if Sasuke thought about it. Ever since that first meeting, when Sasuke had practically demanded Aniki to teach him how to throw kunai, Aniki had been sacrificing and sacrificing. Sasuke hadn't seen it then, but he saw it now, saw it after he had spent so much time with the older blond and learned of his personalities. The missions Aniki had taken so Sasuke could spend more time with Itachi nii-san, the events that Aniki would organize for the three of them even though the blond hated organizing…
Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again, meeting the full curious and tense gazes of the two blonds. The dark haired Uchiha took a deep breath, then slowly unclenched his fists. Aniki had given too much for him, and Sasuke wouldn't let him give anything more, "I think I'll miss you a lot, and being around this idiot will melt my brains, so you'd better learn quick and come back even quicker!"
Edward blinked, then a small, pleased smile spread across his face, though his eyes were understanding, "Of course. Do you think I could learn slowly?"
Sasuke Uchiha glared at his new housemate furiously, and stalked to the end of the hall. Dramatically, the dark haired boy banged the door open, revealing gaudy orange walls and a small, twin sized bed. "This is your room. That one is mine. Don't go in there. Ever."
Naruto rolled his eyes at the Uchiha's theatrics, but nonetheless walked into the room, throwing his bag beside a bedpost. Looking over his shoulder, Naruto made a face at the Uchiha, and was rewarded with an equal look of distaste. Ugh, that Uchiha needed to get some manners! Seriously, if it weren't for the fact that it was Edward nii-san who asked Naruto to live here, or the fact that Naruto's apartment quite frankly sucked, the blue eyed nine year old would have never agreed to this!
Though… though his room was rather nice. Looking around, Naruto couldn't help the slightly awed, slightly excited grin that spread across his face. Edward nii-san was the best! The room was painted in bright orange, just as Naruto would have liked it. Shelves of books hid the walls, and toys were littered everywhere. Naruto's heart skipped a beat; he had never had so many things before!
"Wow…" Wide eyed, Naruto started going around his room, running his hands across everything to make sure they were there.
"Che, what an idiot." Uchiha's retreating footsteps signalled his leave, but Naruto didn't care. Liek Naruto said, it certainly wasn't for Uchiha that Naruto was staying here.
Edward nii-san had asked Naruto to live in his place while he left, leaving Naruto no real choice but to agree. But hey, he sure as heck wasn't regretting it. This place was N I C E! It had stuff his old place never had.
Naruto jumped onto his bed, splaying himself across the luxurious sheets and giving a happy sigh. He closed his eyes, running his fingertips along the silk covers. Naruto had always given himself credit for not wanting the most expensive things, but now he finally understood why some people might. Sure, he could live without, but hey, if it was provided for him, why not enjoy it? He had so precious few things to enjoy in life.
It was really ni...
Naruto awoke to a scream. He jumped out of bed, looking frantically for the source. It came from... the other room? Warily, Naruto slipped to the floor, tiptoeing towards the direction of the scream. He came face to face with a closed door. Uchiha's door.
Uchiha had told him not to go in there no matter what the cost but hey, it sounded as if Uchiha was dying in there! What if Uchiha was getting assassinated and Naruto could have stopped it? Edward nii-san would never forgive him!
Naruto kicked the door open, dropping into a fighting stance, ready to face the intruder and kick his-
The sight that greeted the blond froze him.
Sasuke was twisting in his bed, his face beaded with sweat. His expression was twisted in utter agony, his voice dry with torture. "Mother… father… no… STOP! So much blood… so much blood…"
Naruto felt his throat close. This was... this was...
He had always thought of the Uchiha as an arrogant jerk, but he had never wanted to see Sasuke like this. He didn't want to see anyone like this. What had happened?
Sasuke mentioned a father. A mother. Yet Sasuke was not with them right now, he was with Edward nii-san. Sasuke had also mentioned blood.
Even Naruto could connect the dots.
"Nii-san, nii-san, why? ANIKI!"
This was too much to bear. Naruto walked up to the dark haired boy's bed, and kicked it hard.
Sasuke jerked awake, eyes flying open. He sat up, tear tracks glistening on his face. Swallowing once, twice, Sasuke took a deep, shuttering breath. Then, he seemed to notice Naruto.
Black eyes narrowed in a glare, but somehow there was no bite in them now, "What are you doing here?"
Even the voice sounded cracked. There was nothing menacing about Sasuke Uchiha right now, absolutely nothing.
Sasuke looked so... sad. So forlorn. Naruto had remembered waking up some nights and feeling that way, but there was something added to Sasuke's expression that Naruto knew he had never felt before. Loss. Such a big amount of it.
But slowly, perhaps, Naruto was starting to understand. He'd only known Edward nii-san for three months, but he already couldn't imagine life without him. Naruto had been able to put off the feeling of loss in the daytime, distracting himself with the new wonderful things. But now it was starting to creep up on him, in the light of Sasuke's nightmare and the silence. And Naruto had only known Edward nii-san for three months.
How did Sasuke feel? He'd known Edward nii-san for much longer, as much as Naruto hated to admit it normally. And Sasuke had known his parents too, only for them to be taken away from him. What the black haired boy must be feeling Naruto couldn't imagine.
But he did know he wanted to make Sasuke feel better.
The question was how? Sasuke didn't seem to like anything, and Naruto was no good at comforting. So how could Naruto make Sasuke just forget about the bad things and-
Ah. Oh yes, Naruto was a genius.
"Well?" Sasuke demanded, his voice gaining something of its normal tone.
Naruto grinned winningly, pretending not to see the glint of tears on the Uchiha's face, "I just realized; you're my new roommate, and I'm Naruto Uzumaki. To celebrate the fact that you get to share in my awesomeness, we have to do a prank!"
He couldn't believe it.
He, Sasuke Uchiha, the last heir to the prominent and dignified Uchiha clan, was doing a prank.
He had no idea how the blond had coerced Sasuke into it, but he suspected that it was due to his sleepiness and inability to understand what exactly his roommate was suggesting. Sasuke refused to think that it might be because he needed a distraction from his vivid nightmares.
Anyhow, the prank. It wasn't as if it was a bad idea, really, and the way that Uzumaki went about setting it up was almost ingenious, as much as Sasuke hated to admit it. But then he supposed, Aniki had to have seen something in the blond. So... admitting Uzumaki's ingenuity should be okay, right?
They had done it in the dead of the night, snuck in when nobody was here and scaled the walls. It was easy with the tree climbing exercise that Aniki had taught them. Getting in was not so easy. There were various locks and seals, traps set to alert everyone if anyone decided to try their hand at stealing from the government funded building.
But Uzumaki had been prepared, and Sasuke secretly wondered if the blond broke into the Academy all the time. Well no, Sasuke had actually sneered the question, and Uzumaki had simply answered positively with a grin. It was actually a little disquieting. He had always thought that only idiots did pranks, but with the amount of effort that Uzumaki put into them Sasuke couldn't help but wonder if Kiba was actually some sort of genius too.
"We're here," Uzumaki whispered, sniggering, and breaking Sasuke out of his thoughts.
And so they were.
In front of them was the door to their first class, to which they had arrived fifteen minutes late. If they broke in right now, no doubt the instructor would be mad at them, Uchiha heir or not. But then, it wasn't as if Sasuke cared what The Academy instructor thought. Personally he thought he could graduate without The Academy, but Aniki had insisted that Sasuke attend, and Sasuke felt that he'd owed it to Aniki to do what the older blond wanted.
Aniki.
Sasuke felt a pang in his heart, and forcibly pushed it down. It was almost pathetic how much he was missing Aniki right now, wishing that Aniki had never gone for the apprenticeship. But no, he had to be happy for him, be glad Aniki was doing what he wanted. Sasuke swallowed, and shoved the feeling of loneliness away, turning his attention back to the door.
"Let's get this over with," Sasuke said dryly, gently applying pressure to the door until it quietly swung open.
"Yatta!" Uzumaki burst into the classroom, fists in the air and a bright grin on his face. The teacher looked up sharply, his eyes leaving the papers on his desk and resting on the blue eyed boy. "The Amazing Naruto Uzumaki is here!"
Sasuke had to force himself not to hang his head and mumble that he didn't know this weirdo. Instead, he strolled in, looking as if he had every right to be late.
"Uzumaki!" The instructor said sharply, "What is your excuse for being late? And why did you drag Uchiha-san down with you?"
"No reason," Uzumaki stuck out his tongue, "And I didn't drag the bastard down, it was totally him who made us so late!"
"Very well," The Academy instructor said stiffly, "I will talk to you two after school. As of now, you're disrupting my class. Sit down."
"Hm..." Uzumaki tapped a finger against his chin, as if he were in deep contemplation. Then- "Don't wanna."
"What?" The Academy instructor was turning an interesting shade of red.
Uzumaki shrugged, then turned as if to run away, "Don't want to sit down. Can't make me."
"We'll see about that!" The teacher shot after the blond- only to pause halfway.
The whole room gasped as one, then broke into laughter collectively. Half bent to catch Uzumaki, and bum sticking out, the teacher just made the scene too funny. Sasuke smirked. The chair the instructor had been sitting on was superglued to his bum, and when Uzumaki had applied it he had made sure it was clear and thin so that nobody would notice it- not even the teacher. The superglue was some sort of weird Uzumaki mixture with syrup and milk. How Uzumaki discovered that Sasuke didn't know, and quite frankly, he didn't want to. Now, their first period academy instructor looked like some sort of animal, especially with the lovely shade of purple he was turning.
"Don't be so carefree!" Uzumaki shouted, grinning up at the students who were seated in an amphitheatre fashion around the teacher, "Check your seats."
Immediately, the laughter stilled. Panic spread across the crowd, as each and every person jumped up from their seats, despair in their faces. Some people even cried. Others raged, swore revenge, but most of them had the most amusing shocked expressions. It was better than any circus Sasuke had ever seen.
"I'll get you for this!" Kiba yelled, leaping over the table to pummel Uzumaki to a pulp... and fell. The chair clattered as Kiba fell down the stairs, unaccustomed to the extra weight.
Sasuke felt his lips twitch. Maybe Naruto wasn't such an idiot, after all.
"Eh, what?" Naruto whispered, turning to his head slightly to his left as the Academy teacher went on and on about... something or another. Well, Naruto was paying attention, really! It was just... "Why did the Fire Daimyo marry his daughter to the Wind Daimyo? I mean, it wasn't as if she were in love or anything!"
"It's for a political alliance," Sasuke whispered back equally as quietly, an endless amount of patience in his voice, "Think about it this way. If the girl were strawberry icecream..."
"Ah," Naruto nodded when Sasuke finished his explanations, "Hey that's not a hard concept at all! Man, this Academy instructor is a bad teacher! You should be teaching the classes!"
Before Sasuke could reply, the bell rang, signalling the end to the boring Academy day. Well, it was boring for Naruto. Sasuke was always doing who knows what and reading who knows what at the back of the class, because he bloody knew almost everything already. Naruto on the other hand, had to pay attention because he didn't know everything, and Sasuke refused to explain to him the things he could learn in class.
Man, it wasn't fair! If Naruto had been able to travel with Edward nii-san for a year, he'd be like that too! Stupid Sasuke and his stupid privileges...
"Uchiha-san," The Academy instructor said suddenly, when Sasuke and Naruto were practically at the door, "Please stay behind for a moment."
Sasuke halted, and Naruto did too. The other students pushed past them, all eager to get out of school. Naruto wondered what it could be about. Had Sasuke's arrogant attitude finally snapped the Academy instructor? Or perhaps, had the instructor found out who really did the squirrel prank? Or maybe the fangirls finally persuaded the teacher to let them sit with Sasuke? Or... ew... the teacher was a secret closet fangril?
Um... best not to go there.
When the other students were all gone, and it was only the three of them left, Sasuke spoke, "So... the matter?"
The Academy teacher glared at Naruto coldly, "Actually, this is about Uchiha-san's grades and how he should get privatized lessons. This has nothing to do with you, Uzumaki."
Naruto felt his earlier cheer disappear. Ah. So that was what it was; Sasuke and his privileges again. He understood of course. Sasuke was smart, he wasn't like the other academy students; he deserved private lessons.
Sasuke's eyes hardened, the look he gave the Academy teacher cold enough to freeze lava, "You do realize, that everything you'll tell me Naruto will-"
"It's fine, it's fine," Naruto waved his hands, turning to leave.
"Naruto-"
Naruto turned back and flashed a grin at the semi-concerned looking duck haired boy, "Hey, it'll take more than that to get the Super Awesome Uzumaki down! I'll see you at home, right?"
"Idiot," Sasuke snorted, the concern disappearing from his face. He turned back to the Academy instructor, dismissing Naruto, yet his tone was still icy, "So... the matter?"
The Academy instructor shut the door, leaving Naruto on the other side of it. Naruto stuck out his tongue at the closed door, the door that excluded him.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Naruto slumped down the halls, letting his feet trace their way to the exit as his mind whirled with crushing thoughts. He tried not to have them, but they just wouldn't let him be.
Sasuke always got special treatment, it wasn't fair! Any regard or respect Naruto got was always second hand from Sasuke. A lot of girls would only talk to Naruto for that reason- because he was Sasuke's best friend. Only friend, really. And anything Sasuke did was ten times better than Naruto, he could admit that when he felt like being truthful to himself. So why wouldn't the teachers want to talk to the boy prodigy over the village pariah? It didn't even have to do necessarily with everyone hating him, it was just that they loved Sasuke.
Well, at least Naruto still had the title of the Konoha's Top Prankster.
Still, Naruto wished he had something of more substance...
Crash.
Naruto went sprawling to the ground, the heavy body that had suddenly appeared in front of him knocking him backwards and downwards. His bum hit the floor with a light impact, and a second later it was followed by a rain of small objects- one of which bounced off Naruto's head.
"Oww..." Naruto moaned, turning a glare at the things that had fallen around him. Books. He had always known books were evil.
"You- you-"
Someone was spluttering, and the voice was coming from... directly above him? Naruto looked up, and saw the angry face of one of the instructors at the academy. It was Kato-sensei, or something. Naruto was pretty sure he taught illusions. What had Sasuke called it? Oh yeah, genjutsu.
"How dare you bump into me?" Kato asked harshly, his face beet red. He looked like a tomato. Naruto opened his mouth, just about to tell Kato that, when he suddenly caught sight of one of the titles of the books that Kato had dropped. The Yondaime's Best Works
Naruto's mouth snapped shut, his eyes going wide. He forgot the insult he was about to spout, and stared fixedly at the book. Kato actually seemed to be getting a little worried, but then Naruto suddenly sprang up, pointing an accusing finger at the book, "That- that-!"
Kato looked startled, "What?"
Naruto leaped forward, grabbing the book with both hands, and holding it reverently. The Yondaime's best works. The Yondaime's. He didn't know why, but Naruto had always felt an affinity with the Yondaime. Maybe it was because of the Yondaime's smiling face, which made Naruto feel like for once he wasn't regarded as just a thing. Or maybe it was because the Sandaime told him such amazing stories about the Yondaime and the Yondaime alone, and constantly assured Naruto that the Yondaime would have loved him. Maybe it was that... Naruto didn't know, but he-
Kato shrieked, and snatched the book from Naruto's fingers, "What are you doing? This cost me a fortune! I'm not going to let you rip it to pieces! Or put a snake in it. Or do whatever you always do with books!"
"The Yondaime was Konoha's best ninja!" Naruto protested, "I wouldn't defile his book! I bet it has like, his best techniques and stuff. I just wanted to look at them!"
Well, he wanted to learn them too. Now that he'd seen Kato with this book, Naruto wasn't going to just let it go. Kato should expect a midnight visitor sometime soon, and he should expect to suddenly 'lose' The Yondaime's Best Works.
Kato looked thoughtful for a moment, before a superior glint entered his eyes, "Well you can't look at them. There are only five copies of this book in the world, and I paid a lot of money to get this one. A little brat like you can't look at it."
"But- but-"
"Besides, it isn't as if a snot nosed kid like you could understand what's in here. Actually, even when you're older, I doubt you'll understand the contents of this book."
"So can you understand what's in there?"
Kato's nostrils flared, "The Yondaime's best works isn't referring to jutsus. If so, then of course I could learn them. But this book contains all of the Yondaime's best seals, and seals are extremely difficult to learn. I could learn them of course, but it's also time consuming, and my schedule is unfortunately full."
"Why get a book you can't understand?" Naruto asked, scratching his head. It didn't make much sense. "And what're seals?"
For a moment Kato looked ready to explode, but then the need to show off his knowledge won over again. "Humpht, I can't believe you don't even know what seals are, brat."
Naruto waited for an explanation. When there was none forthcoming, he sighed; he should have known. "You don't know what seals are either."
Kato went red, "Of course I know what seals are idiot! Seals are exactly as their name implies. Seals. If you draw a specific design on one object, you can seal another object inside of it. Take Exploding Tags for example- you've seen those squiggly drawings on them right? Well they're seals. Exploding Tags work by sealing an explosive oxidizing agent into a piece of paper, and by adding chakra into it you are releasing the seal, thus releasing the explosives. When the agent touches oxygen, it explodes."
Naruto nodded again, then scratched his head, "Um... so how do seals work again?"
"Argh! You idiot!"
"I'm not an idiot! You're explanation was weird! You kept using 'explosives, exploding, and explodes'; why can't you use some other words? They sound the same!"
Kato's nostrils flared, making him look like an angry bull about to rampage. Then, suddenly, he took a deep breath and knelt down. He started picking up the rest of his dropped books.
"H-hey!" Naruto didn't like being ignored. The blond squatted down to peer at Kato's face, and crossed his arms, "Don't ignore me!"
Kato didn't pay him any attention, and continued picking up the books. When Naruto caught sight of the teacher's face, he reeled. It was those- those cold eyes again. The whole time Kato had been arguing with him, Kato had at least had life and fire in his eyes. Now though... now it was as if Kato couldn't even see Naruto was there. Naruto wanted it to go away.
But how to make Kato angry? How? How? How?
"You're explanation on seals sucked!" Naruto suddenly blurted out, "I bet if I learned it by myself I could master it within a week!"
Ugh... really? That was the best he could come up with? But sealing seemed really hard and a week... no! Naruto Uzumaki could do it! He could do anything!
Kato looked up sharply, the spark of fire back in his eyes. He sneered, "You? Master sealing within a week? Ha! If you manage to master the basics within a year, I'll call you Master and obey you for the rest of your Academy career!"
It was a degrading promise on Kato's part; even worse than death. It just showed how certain Kato was that Naruto couldn't master the basics. Well Naruto'd show him! He would master not only the basics, but sealing itself!
"I'll do it!" Naruto boasted, "And I said I'd get sealing within a week! Prepare yourself, 'cause I'll master it for sure!"
...that didn't come out sounding nearly as cool as it did in his head.
Kato sneered, "Hmpht, arrogant upstart. There's no chance that you'll master sealing within a week, and my colleges will say I'm bullying if I gave you a totally unrealistic timeframe. You can try for a week, but I bet you won't even finish reading the first book by then."
"I will so-"
"Quiet!" A nasty smirk twisted itself across Kato's lips, "Hey, don't you think it's unfair that I have some stakes yet you have none at all. What's to stop you from giving up half way through this thing? After all, you have nothing to lose."
Naruto was actually offended by this. "I won't give up! I'll never give up!"
"So you say, but it'll be more comforting for me if you had some stake in this as well."
Naruto blinked, then looked down, "Alright. I'll... I'll stop eating ramen for three months if I don't master this!"
Hey! That was a HUGE sacrifice. No ramen for three months! He could practically feel his stomach protesting.
"No deal!" Kato's voice sounded strained, but Naruto could tell it was anger that was leaking through. Why was Kato restraining his anger? "That kind of deal can't possibly compete with what I'll lose if you happen to win the bet."
"Well then what do you want?"
A hint of smugness entered Kato's voice, "If I tell you your stakes, I'm afraid you'll back away."
Naruto's head shot up, blue eyes burning with determination, "I won't back away! And I won't lose! Tell me your stakes!"
"Fine," Kato sneered, "If you don't master the basics of sealing within a year, you have to-"
What? Quit doing pranks? That was what all the teachers wanted, right? Easily done. Well, not so easy, because he'd hate to part with his brilliant manoeuvres, but at least he knew Sasuke would continue with his legacy. There were after all, many other ways to annoy people. Besides, now that Naruto had Sasuke and Edward nii-san, as well as Gramps, the cold eyes didn't matter as much.
"-quit being a ninja!"
...what? WHAT? Naruto took a step back, stumbling, "Y-y-you can't be serious!"
"What?" Kato had a glint in his eyes, "Suddenly scared that you'll lose? What happened to your earlier confidence? The 'I won't lose!'?"
"Th-that-" Naruto took a deep breath, and puffed out his chest, "That's right! I won't lose! I'll win this bet for sure!"
"Great," Kato said with a superior smirk, turning away so that Naruto couldn't see his face anymore. He started walking away, but Naruto could still hear his smug voice, "Then I'll see you here exactly one year from now, to see how you're doing with your end of the bargain. I'll personally take away your ninja gear."
"I'll master sealing within a week!"
Kato's condescending laughter was the only response he got.
Naruto fumed in the hallways, but then calmed down. All he had to do was master sealing, right? It couldn't be that hard.
Except that it maybe was that hard. Kato's explanation on seals had been confusing, and although Naruto had understood most of it, there were still some parts he was unsure about. But... but maybe Kato had purposefully made a hard explanation just to discourage Naruto. Yeah, that had to be it!
Besides, Naruto could always ask Sasuke for help and-
Wait. Ask Sasuke for help? Was this where he was heading in his ninja career? Naruto had always been self-sufficient and independent, and now every time he encountered a problem he was running to Sasuke? What was up with that?
No, he couldn't go to Sasuke. Besides, if Naruto managed to master sealing and then show Sasuke, how impressed would the dark haired boy be? Very impressed, that's what. Yeah, Naruto had to learn sealing in secret, so that he'd finally have some advantage over the Uchiha heir. Naruto took a deep breath, and spun around, intending to go the opposite way Kato had gone.
And he almost fell again.
Sasuke was standing in front of him, arms crossed and head cocked to one side. Naruto stumbled a little, but quickly caught himself before he really fell. He glared at the Uchiha who just appeared out of nowhere, "What are you doing here scaring the crap out of random innocent bystanders?"
Sasuke raised a brow, "I doubt you're really innocent if you're staying after school for this long. Anyway, I was just heading home. That stupid Academy teacher finally released me."
...oh yeah. The Academy teacher and the private lessons.
"When are they?" Naruto asked cheerfully, pushing away his bitterness. Resentment had no place in Naruto's heart, especially not now. Besides, Naruto was going to learn sealing, was he not?
"When are what?" Sasuke asked indifferently, shrugging as he moved his hands from between his arms to inside his pockets.
Naruto looked away, as if he had suddenly found something very interesting on the other side of the hallway. "You know, the private lessons that the Academy instructor offered."
"Oh those," Sasuke paused for a moment, "Well, I refused."
"What?" Naruto's head turned around so quickly it was a wonder his neck didn't snap, "You refused?"
"Well of course," Sasuke said stiffly, "Private lessons or public lessons, it's all the same isn't it? Besides, they wouldn't be as good as Aniki in instruction."
Naruto stiffened, his mouth twitching from holding in a sneer. He couldn't help it, but Sasuke's words just compounded the Naruto's loneliness, and the fact that the only one who seemed to genuinely want to spend time with Naruto... had spent more time with Sasuke. "Of course. Whatever the Academy instructors could provide just isn't special enough for you, is it? You have to have the best."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "What, are you talking about?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Naruto spat, ignoring the way that Sasuke's eyes seemed to harden with every word he said "You're spoiled rotten! Most people would jump at a chance to have private lessons, heck, I couldn't even dream of such a thing, yet you... you don't even give your time of day to consider the offer. If that wasn't spoiled then I don't know-"
"I refused," Sasuke hissed, stepping closer so that he was nose to nose with Naruto, "Because of you."
Naruto froze. Wh..what? Sasuke had refused private lessons, lessons which would make Sasuke's school life actually interesting... for Naruto? Sasuke was... Then, Naruto stepped back, "I don't need your charity!"
"Charity?" Sasuke said incredulously, "What charity? You think... you think I'm doing this because I pity you?"
"Well why else?" Naruto demanded, "This... this is your opportunity! You're the village favourite, I'm the outcast! I'm not as much of an idiot as everyone thinks I am. I know!"
"Did you ever think," Sasuke hissed, his eyes growing colder and colder, "That being in a class with you has more appeal to me than a private lesson? That maybe I don't want the attention everyone gives me? That maybe I find it fun to see what prank you'll do... no? Hn, we've been living with eachother for half a year now, and it looks like you still don't know a thing about me."
Smiling harshly, Sasuke turned his back on Naruto and disappeared, his body flickering in the sunlight.
Naruto could only stand there, stunned.
Tsunade drunk yet another bottle, watching out of the corner of her eye as Edward examined another scroll, his brow ceased deep in thought. He had made prodigal progress over the past few months; eating up the texts she gave him like they were candy and easily coming to all the conclusions she wanted him to. He wasn't like Shizune, who although was the world to Tsunade, was suited to be an assistant. He was a true genius at medicine.
And that was what worried her.
Watching him go through her studies like mad, conducting his own experiments, she couldn't help but be reminded of another golden eyed, obsessive genius. Now she really wondered… she wondered if she had done the right thing, accepting Edward. Would he turn on them, like Orochimaru had? She didn't think she could stand another betrayal. So… so there was only one thing she could do…
Just then, the door to their room crashed open. She noticed Edward tense ever so slightly. Tsunade looked through blurry eyes at their intruder, lifting her head from the desk. She let out a sloppy grin; they didn't need to worry, "Hey, are you here to give me more?"
Saying this, she gestured to the two dozen bottles of strong alcohol beside her, all empty.
The intruder shot her a disgusted look, pulling out a kunai and twirling it in his fingers, "So, this is how much the legendary Tsunade has fallen, eh? Hehe, looks like my little bird was correct in his information. I could easily take you out now and gain your title!"
"What-" Tsunade hiccupped, only to be pushed off the chair as a kunai went whizzing by her head, imbedding itself where she had been resting moments before. She looked up at Edward, who was standing in front of her, his whole body coiled in fury.
"I was on something important," He gritted out, crossing his arms, "And who are you anyways?"
"You don't know me?" The intruder sneered, then pointed a thumb towards himself self importantly, "I'm Earthquake Araki, the equivalent of an ANBU from where you're from. You two will die by my hands today."
"Never heard of you," Edward stated flatly.
"Why you little-!" Araki flew forwards, sweeping out a leg as he came close to Edward. The blond didn't blink, deftly plucking a senbon from his desk and slamming it into Araki's neck. The intruder went still, crumpling like a sac of potatoes.
Edward stared blankly at the fallen body, "Well, that was… anticlimactic."
"Don't be so sure," Tsunade whispered harshly, struggling to get up from her position on the ground. Putting one hand on the table, she heaved herself to her feet, examining the body of Araki with a critical eye. Edward hadn't killed him; he'd simply paralyzed Araki's body with a precise penetration. It showed amazing skill in senbon, as well as Edward's knowledge in human anatomy. Truly, Edward was gifted, still… "I've heard of Earthquake Araki. He's truly a ruthless man, but also very powerful. The only reason you got him this time was because he underestimated you, and didn't use any jutsus. If he had… you would be dead right now."
Edward stayed silent for a little while longer, then finally snorted, "Heh, then I guess I'm lucky he only used taijutsu. And hardly even a notable one at that."
"You don't understand! He won't forget this! He'll surely come back for you, and then what will you do? I won't be around then, and I don't want someone I spent so much time teaching to just die! I refuse to believe that you haven't thought of that."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
Tsunade staggered over to the still body of Araki, gazing down coldly at it, "We kill him."
"W-wh-what?"
"We eliminate him now," Tsunade said tersely, "So he won't be of any threat in the future."
"That's too much!" Edward glared at her heatedly, his eyes shining like molten gold, "I mean, we can't end a life because of a 'what if'! Then we should go on killing everyone because they could potentially be dangerous!"
"So you would rather he killed you later?"
"No! This… this is ridiculous. Look, he won't really be a threat to you, so it's not really your problem is it? I've still got some tricks up my sleeve, and I'm a jounin in Konoha for a reason. I can take care of him."
"You're a Special Jounin, they do not operate at the same capacity as a regular jounin does. I can trust that you can take on an ANBU level ninja? Don't make me laugh. Fine then, if you don't want to do it yourself, I guess I'll kill him. Hmpth, softy."
"Don't!" Edward's hand flashed out, gripping Tsunade's arm and preventing her from moving.
Tsunade's eyes flashed, "You dare stop me?"
"Look, it's not- I mean, it isn't-"
At Edward's flustered and frustrated face, Tsunade couldn't help but laugh. Surprised, Edward glanced at her warily, probably thinking she had gone insane. Well, Tsunade wouldn't blame the kid for thinking that. Letting a sincere smile spread across her face, the age old woman patted Edward on the head, "You passed."
"…what?"
"Araki," Tsunade smiled, pushing on the still body with her toe, "Is someone I hired. He's just a genin, and nobody dangerous. That's why you've never heard of him. We simply talked about our story beforehand. Heh, Earthquake Araki indeed…"
"Why did you… do this?"
The truth? She had been suspicious of his motive. After how much she had seen he was against killing, all her suspicion had vanished. He was nothing like Orochimaru. But… looking at his slightly hurt eyes now, she knew she couldn't say that. After all, how good would it feel to have your mentor doubt you? He didn't need to know, anyway.
There was another thing, that she could comment on… "How do you plan to live a life as a ninja?"
"Huh?"
"You didn't want to kill him," Tsunade said patiently, "Well if you did I would have stopped you but… the point is, you didn't. If you're so against killing, why're you a ninja, who's entire career is centered around killing? Isn't it better to just stay here, and become my apprentice permanently, then go back to that place?"
Edward blinked, getting a faraway look in his eyes as he glanced away, "I actually didn't want to be a ninja in the first place but…I promised the Sandaime that I'd help him create peace in Konoha. Plus, I've gotten used to this life."
Tsunade gritted her teeth in frustration. Now that she knew she could completely trust the medic-in-training, she wanted nothing more than for him to stop being a ninja. But she knew what Edward was like, and she knew that she couldn't start spewing philosophies and expect him to follow it without logical backing. "That still doesn't solve how you're going to refrain from killing. You will have to, eventually. Heck, it's been a miracle that you still haven't yet!"
Edward's lips twisted downwards, and for a long moment there was nothing but silence. Just when Tsunade thought she had won, Edward's quiet voice broke through her thoughts, "Then… then I'll just invent a way to make a ninja harmless without killing them."
A/n: Naruto and seals? Meh... I'm kinda annoyed that his mum just happens to be this great seal master too and descended from the wife of the first Hokage, etc, etc, but I had Naruto being good at seals planned from the beginning of this fic and I'm too lazy to go and change all those future scenes. So yes, he does learn them. After all, both his parents are apparently prodigies at it. (Sorry, this is just me being bitter towards the author. Can't Naruto have one normal parent? Seriously, he's getting waaayyy too much predestined. I always thought the beauty of Naruto was that he was a normal kid who could do amazing things because he tried hard, not because he was born into it.)
HOWEVER, he will not be able to master them within a week. That's too super!Naruto for my taste, and I am trying my best to keep anyone from being undefeatable.