Steve: Well here we are with the second actual chapter of the Graduation Arc.
Unit-01: Well, I'm impressed!
Steve: Thanks! Anyways, Pen-pen?
Pen-Pen: (Wark Wa WAAK arrk waark)
Hinata: Translation is "The author doesn't own Harry Potter or Naruto". He just owns this story, the plot and his insane plot-bunnies.
Why me? Shinigami/Demon
'Who?' Thoughts
-YO!- Animal speech
We open to the sight of Naruto walking through the open door of the apartment, or rather what had been an apartment. Before meeting Harry, Naruto had been living in an rundown little two room. After using a few spells (Which took them a year to learn even with Kuro's help), it now more resembles a one floor house in layout then what it was. Looking back, Naruto calls out to Harry. "Yo! Harry-nii, hurry it up!"
"Mah, Mah, Don't be in such a hurry. Or as Shikamaru would say 'Stop being so troublesome'." Harry tells him as he walks in with his familiars behind him. After closing the door and replacing the spells on it he turns back to Naruto. "There! That should do it. Kyubi-neechan can come out now."
Nodding, Naruto reaches into a hidden pocket pulling out a piece of paper in the shape of a person with the kanji for Kyubi on it. Concentrating the paper glows blue for a second before disappearing in puff of smoke. As it clears it reveals Kyubi in her human form with a v-necked black tee-shirt and blue hip hugging jeans. "Hey, Kyubi-chan! Sorry it took so long to let you out."
Bending down, Kyubi gives Naruto a kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry Naruto-kun, I don't mind at all. After all I got some ramen out of it." She giggles seeing Naruto blush. Stretching a bit she smirks seeing Naruto staring. Their heads turn at the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Hello master, have you had a nice day?" A young girl asks.
Shaking his head, Harry answers her. "It was quite a good day, Kuromi" Looking closer we can see that young girl is in fact a animated doll. (AN: Imagine Chachazero but with black hair and black feathered wings). His eye begins to twitch seeing that she has a maid outfit on. 'When I find the bastard that gave her that, I swear I'll torture then kill him…'
00000000000000 Meanwhile at a hot springs resort outside Kusagakure 00000000
We find a familiar member of the Sannin peaking through a hole into the female side of the hot springs. Perversely giggling and writing he thinks. 'Damn, this is almost better then the time I bribed that weird nin-puppet with that maid outfit so I could watch those two boys in the Hyuuga's private hot springs.' Thinking some more he wonders. 'I wonder how it moved on it's own… Better yet I wonder if it ever wears it?' (AN: What? Who did you think gave it to her?) However, he no longer has time to wonder as the door to the hot springs open and a familiar voice comes floating out.
"Now remember Hermione-chan, tomorrow I'll be helping you to improve your strength technique." Tsunade tells a thirteen year old girl beside her as them and Shizune walk towards the hot springs.
"Hai, Tsunade-sensei! Should I practice some elemental techniques as well. You know the ones I got from Zabuza-san?"
Nodding to herself, Tsunade agrees she should. "That would be a good idea since there's a large number of ponds and swamps in the area." Shaking her head in disbelief she can't help but add. "I still can't believe you managed to beat Zabuza in poker game."
Hermione just snorts. "Trust me when I say that Harry is much better then me. He's so good no one even wants to play against him, and he was the one who taught me to play cards when we were relaxing."
Shizune just shakes her head while sighing. "I still have trouble believing your story. Even after all these years." Placing her chin in her palm she adds. "Though it is nice to have someone to help reign in Tsunade-sama's impulses." Her and Hermone laugh at the betrayed look on Tsunade's face.
'Crap! It's Tsunade-hime. If she catches me she'll kill me! But… I can't let this opportunity pass by! Though I wonder who the girl is… Maybe a new apprentice?' Shaking his head of such thoughts, he's about to resume his 'research' when he feels a familiar tickle in his nose. 'Damn! Kami-sama, not now please!' Jiraiya thinks in a panic as he frantically tries to prevent the inevitable, as shown a few seconds later. "ACHOO!" Looking back into the peephole Jiraiya sees that the hot springs are empty just in time to hear an ominous cracking sound behind him. Mechanically turning he's greeted with the sight of Tsunade who has a grin that wouldn't look out of place on Kisame.
"Well, well, what an unpleasant surprise. Oh don't worry, Jiraiya I won't touch you." Seeing him relax somewhat her grin becomes a full blown shark smile. "Instead I'll let my newest apprentice, Hermione, take care of you." Jiraiya suddenly pales as he's greeted with the sight of the brown haired girl wielding a massive zambatou (Imagine Asuna's).
"Hello, I'm very pleased to meet you, Jeraiya-sama." Hermone greets him FAR to cheerfully. "Now you may not be Harry, but you'll do as practice. Ku ku ku ku!"
Jiraiya turns to his only hope. "Shizune, you'll help me… right?" but his hopes are dashed as he can see the look of cold fury on her face.
"You honestly expect me to help save your miserable hide?" She tells him in a tone that could freeze one of the nearby hot springs. She does a few handsigns her hands glow green before she hits him in the chest. "That's for using me in one of your books." Turning towards Hermione, she adds. "I've increased the sensitivity of his pain receptors. Have fun." She watches as Hermione walks towards a whimpering Sannin.
'When I find who ever was talking about me, I'll make them wish they were never born.' Unfortunately he doesn't have anymore time as that Hermione fell upon him like Ron on a all you can eat buffet.
00000000000000000000 Back in Konoha 00000000000000000000000
"Achoo!" Rubbing his nose, Harry turns towards the window. "Huh? Did any of you hear that just now?"
Kyubi nods. "Uh huh. Sounded like some one screaming in pain while cursing someone." After a few seconds her eyes narrow. "In fact I think it's that long haired pervert again."
"Him again? I swear he never learns." Naruto says shaking his head, before turning towards the clock on the wall. "It's ten-fifteen, I guess it took longer then we thought. Guess we should head to bed." Naruto then feels two slender arms wrap around his neck.
"Well I guess we should go get changed, huh?" Kyubi whispers in his ear before removing her arms and heading towards their room. Now you might be wondering what I meant by their room, right? Well the answer is simple. Naruto and Kyubi are in a semi-relationship. In fact since the incident with Naruto's nightmare all those years ago both of them have been sharing a bed either in the mindscape or in the real world since it keeps away their nightmares. Kyubi has also become comfortable enough she shows her affection though slightly physical ways, like kissing (mostly pecks) and hugs.
Sighing, Naruto turns to his adopted brother. "Well, see you tomorrow, Harry-nii." Harry tells him the same as both head toward their respective rooms.
0000000000000 Naruto's room 000000000
Naruto enters his room which is painted in a nice light crimson with a wooden floor. His bed is a double covered in a sky blue comforter. Hearing Kyubi, he turns to her to see that she is already prepared for bed. "You got ready for bed quick, huh Kyubi-chan?" Her response is to blush at that causing him to chuckle.
Shaking her head Kyubi slips between the covers as Naruto does the same. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she sighs in contentment as she lays her head down on his shoulder. Feeling that he's nervous for some reason she lifts her head slightly so she can look him in the eye. "Naruto-kun, something the matter? Your really nervous for some reason. Is it because tomorrow is the graduation test?"
Naruto just sighs. "Guess I am." Feeling her question through their link he continues. "It's tomorrow, it's my last chance and… I don't want to disappoint you." Naruto tells her turning his head only for her hand to grip his chin and twist so he's looking straight at her.
"Listen to me and listen good, Naruto-kun."She begins in a soft voice. "There is no way you can disappoint me, understood." Seeing him nod she softly smiles as she pecks him on his whiskers causing him to shudder at the sensation. "Would you like me to sing?"
Naruto bobs his head so fast that he could be mistaken for a bobble head. "Yes please, Kyubi-chan! I love it when you sing! You got such a pretty voice, dattebyo!"
Giggling a bit she blushes before nodding. "Okay, how about…'Fly me to the moon'?" Seeing him nod she begins to softly sing causing him to slowly drift off. And once he's fully asleep she snuggles up to him, and as she nods off her last thought is about tomorrow. 'Why is it I'm getting the feeling that tomorrow will be a turning point…?'
0000000 2:00 AM Harry's room 0000000000
Hedwig is sleeping when she suddenly wakes. For a second wondering what woke her, she can hear whimpers as if someone is in pain. Now fully awake she turns her head to see Harry tossing and turning, deep in the throws of a bad nightmare. "-Harry?-"
"So… sorry Uncle Vernon… I swear I won't… no please.." Harry whispers between whimpers. "Mo-mom… No leave her alone… The light it hurts…"
Having heard enough Hedwig transforms and makes her way to the bed, her eyes allowing her to see as if it was daylight. "Harry, are you okay?" She's about to touch his shoulder when his eyes pop open and he sits straight with a shout. Both are so shocked that neither notices Sal and Row comically hitting the floor head first from being suddenly awoken. "Harry?" Hedwig asks gently only to give a start at the fearful, distracted look in his eyes. She rushes over and gathers him up into a hug to comfort him, joined shortly by Row and Sal.
"He… Hedwig? Oh, thank Merlin, it was only a dream." Harry whispers as if to convince himself as the calming effect of the back rub Hedwig is giving him sets in and his breathing slows.
"It's okay, Harry. It was just a bad dream, that's all." Row tells him gently. "Do need to talk about it?" Harry is about to answer when all four get a steaming mug of hot chocolate shoved in their hands by a Kuromi dressed in a dolls sleep clothes.
'Here, this should help, master." Seeing them look at her oddly (and not realizing it's because of her clothing) she cocks her head to the side. "What? I heard that hot chocolate helps to calm nerves."
Taking a few sips, Harry can feel the stares from his familiars on the back of his head as they sip their mugs. Sighing, Harry begins. "It started with me back at the Dursleys, then I saw my mom screaming and pleading for someone to kill her and not me before being struck by green beam. Then… then this face… it-it wasn't human he started laughing raised his wand and I remember this green light and a tearing sensation… as if something had been torn from me…" He trails off as if trying to remember something. He feels a hand squeezing his shoulder. Looking up to see Sal with her eyes shining bright.
"It's okay, I think that last bit was a memory of when Voldemort had attacked." Nodding to herself she turns back with a stern look on her face. "And don't worry about him because he'll have to go through me to get at you."
"No," Row states with a similar look 'He'll have to go through us." She looks shocked as Harry whispers that's what he's afraid of.
Sighing Hedwig decides to cut that off. "Harry, there's nothing to talk about. It's just as well since Voldemort hasn't come back (yet She adds to herself), so there's nothing to worry about. Okay?" She reassures him while stroking his cheek.
"I know, I know. We've been over this a thousand times already, it's just…" He trails off as he sees Hedwig's glare. Shaking his head to clear it, he turns back to them. "Can I ask you guys something?" Hearing them make a non-comitive sound, he continues. "is something wrong? You guys have been acting kinda weird today, so I was wondering if something happened."
Looking down at the floor, they tell him the giest of the conversation they had with Hana while omitting some parts. "…and that's what happened." Seeing the pensive look on Harry's face Row can't help but feel down, until she hears what he says next.
"You know you just have come to me, right?" Seeing their heads snap up he just chuckles. "Oh come on. What? Did you think I would be angry with you or something? You should know that you can come to me about anything, right?"
"And the same goes for you, Harry." Row tells him causing a stubborn look to come across his face. Shaking her head Hedwig decides to stop the argument before it starts.
"Look, how about we just leave it rest. We all have a big day tomorrow and need some rest." Smiling she and the other two get up to head back to their sleeping areas when Harry's voice stops them.
"Wait!" Seeing them look back at him with questioning looks he sighs. "Look after that, I… could use some company." He finishes quietly. Hedwig comes up to the side of the bed.
"We don't mind, not at all. Move forwards a bit okay?" Confused, Harry scoots towards the end of the bed only to go red as Hedwig positions herself so he can lie on top of her. As he does so Row comes up and lays down beside them, Sal transforms and slips under Harry's top with her head poking up from underneath his chin. Sal just sighs in contentment from the feeling of warmth coming from his body. "Good night Harry, Row, Sal, Kuromi." Each of them say good night as Kuromi turns the light off. Harry's eyes slowly close as he feels safe and loved…
00000000000 Harry's mindscape 00000000000
… And opens them in Kuro's section of his mindscape. Sighing he looks around and notices he's sitting across from Kuro and both are sitting in large, plushy chairs in front of a fireplace. Raising an eyebrow, he turns to Kuro. "Any particular reason you brought me here?"
"Yes." Kuro tells him with a serious look on his face. "I think it's about time me and you had a little talk."
Looking confused, Harry cocks his head to the side. "Um, sure… What about?"
Kuro's face doesn't lose any of it's serious look, in fact it becomes, if anything, more serious. "Harry, I know that your not that stupid. You know what I talking about, so stop acting like you don't know what I'm talking about."
Harry's face suddenly changes as if a mask has slipped off his face. "Very well." He begins tensely. "I supposed it's been a long time in coming."
Nodding, Kuro continues. "Harry, I think we need to clear the air." Seeing as he has Harry's attention he goes on. "You and I both know that Hedwig and the other's are attracted to you, yet you just ignore them and act like you know what's going on. My question is simple: why?"
Harry just scowls. "Because I don't wan them to be hurt." He gets cut off by Kuro's snort.
"You don't want them to be hurt, or you don't want to be hurt?" Seeing Harry start, Kuro smirks. "Ever heard of something called the Hedgehogs dilemma?"
"No, why" Harry asks him slightly confused as Kuro leans back with a satisfied look on his face.
"As you well know, You can summon me much the same way Naruto does with Kyubi-san, right?" Harry just nods. "Well, several times when I've been out, I've read some of the books your in possession of. Reading, a hobby I picked up from dear Rowena." Shaking his head, he continues. "Now where was I? Ah, yes. The Hedgehogs dilemma. In one of your books it describes it, most interesting really. Anyways, I assume you know what a hedgehog is, right?"
"There's a stupid question, I am British after all." Harry snorts.
"Yes, well I had to make sure." Kuro assures him with a note of amusement. "The Hedgehogs dilemma is this: Hedgehogs are covered in spines designed to protect them. However, because of the spines hedgehogs can't get close without pricking themselves on the other's spines. Thus, they don't allow themselves to get close to other hedgehogs in order so they don't get hurt. But not allowing themselves to get close, they still become hurt due to the fact that they become lonely. Therefore the dilemma is this: Do they allow themselves to get close even though they maybe hurt by the spines, or do they allow themselves to become lonely and still be hurt by their loneliness." Seeing how Harry's slowly become more and more uncomfortable as his explanation has progressed, Kuro just decides to point it out. "You, Harry, are suffering from the Hedgehog's Dilemma."
"No, I'm not." Harry growls. "No, I'm not suffering from it at all. I'm not scared of being hurt, I'm scared they might be hurt. That's all!" As Harry spoke his voice slowly rose until at the very end he's shouting. "I'm not suffering! Really I'm not!"
Kuro just sighs. "Now your lying to yourself, Harry." Looking at the child before him Kuro shakes his head sadly. "Harry, denial isn't the way to convince me I'm wrong. Your afraid of being hurt. So, you try to stop it before you can be hurt by pushing people away and keeping them at an emotional distance." Getting a far away look in his eye's Kuro softly adds. "Trust me on this, you don't want to go down that path."
"Damn it Kuro! You think your so freaking smart, but really your not! I'm not keeping people at an emotional distance, I'm trying to protect them from… from being hurt… by me…" Harry trails off as he realizes he let something slip.
"Oh?" Kuro asks him with one eyebrow raised. "And how exactly are you going to hurt them?"
"Oh don't give me that! You know what I'm talking about!" Harry snarls. "When Voldemort comes back, which I know he will, he'll go after my precious people! I, I can't allow that to happen." Harry finishes with a soft note, only to start when Kuro begins to clap.
"Oh, bravo! Bravo! You almost had me there." Kuro tells him sarcastically. "If I hadn't known any better I might have believed you." Seeing Harry's about to retort, Kuro just cuts him off. "For once Harry, your going to listen! Now allow me to shoot your little explanation full of holes. One, while Voldemort will return, he'll go after them anyway since most are muggles. Two, by distancing yourself you leave them open to attack anyways. And three… You and I both know that they won't let you face him alone." Kuro continues pushing seeing the emotions crossing Harry's face. "We both know that's not the reason. You care for them and your confused by your emotions, so you try to prevent both sides from being hurt even though you know your doing the exact opposite." Kuro stops seeing tears in the corner of Harry's eyes.
"Damn it!" Harry suddenly looks up and glares at Kuro. "Damn you! Did… did you know that Hedwig was the first to show me affection? Hedwig, Row, Sal, Hana, and Ayame all act as if they love me…But… but I don't know if I love them…" Harry trails off before continuing in a softer voice. "How can I know if I love them? I… I don't even know what love is. Sure, when I'm with Naruto it's like how I imagined having a brother might be, but… other then that how do I know?" Harry looks up upon feeling a hand clasp his shoulder and sees Kuro there.
"It's confusing, isn't it? You can feel yourself being pulled in all sorts of directions, but you don't know which one is the right one." Kuro tells him in a understanding tone.
"I… I just don't know. I know I feel affection for them, but…" Harry just looks into Kuro's eyes. "But how do I know if that's love when I've never experienced it? What if it isn't? What if it's really lust? I, I can't put them through that, I just can't…"
"Harry, the only thing I can tell you is to look into your heart. There you'll find the answer. And if you do, and if you let them love you and you them." Here Kuro gets a gentle smile. "They can become your greatest strength and your guiding lights. And even if they eventually leave through death or otherwise," Here Harry gasps. "Their memory will guide you onwards through your life. That is, if you let them. You now stand at a crossroads kid. Both are unlit, but while one leads on into nightfall… the other leads right on to morning. Which will you choose?"
"How will I know which one is the right one?" Harry asks, sounding more like the age he is then in a long time. "How will I?"
"You'll know." Patting him on the shoulder Kuro begins to walk into the darkened room. "You'll know, maybe not right away… But you will some day." And with that he leaves Harry alone with the crackling fire and his thoughts…
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Steve: Well, hope you enjoyed all three chapters. Hopefully I can get some more out soon since I'm on vacation. See ya!