A/N: This chapter took much longer than planned, but life was a Bitch(TM), and it ended up being even longer than I anticipated! I was estimating around 8k, but it ended up being over 10k instead! LMAO! Whoops! I am very happy overall with this final chapter, though, and I just pray it's a worthy conclusion to this nearly-three year epic!
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy!
It takes a while – a few months, really – for Naruto to come to terms with being the Nine Tails Jinchuuriki—and the fact that the Konoha 11 really aren't going anywhere.
Since being told the truth, since putting everything together in his head like one big puzzle, he's stumbled upon even more pieces that set him apart, things that have always been there, but he's never really understood until now.
Flashes of emotions that aren't his at the back of his mind.
A restlessness he can't explain that gets him in trouble in class and sent out into the hall.
What feels almost like tails lashing in agitation at the edges of his consciousness whenever the villagers yell or chase him or get violent, when they put particularly nasty words on him most of all.
All these things are strange and new, yet not at the same time. Now that he knows about the Nine Tails' presence, it's like an entirely new side of his consciousness, of his life, has opened up to him. Knowing there's a whole other being sealed inside him, that's been there practically since birth (and technically even before that), he actually finds it comforting. It means he was never really alone all his life like he always thought.
He almost wishes he could've known sooner. If he had, maybe things could have been different, easier, better sooner—for both of them. Of course, then again, considering all the worse ways he could have found out and especially if it meant he wouldn't have the Konoha 11 like he does now…maybe it's for the best. He supposes only time will tell.
Finally knowing why the villagers hate him actually makes them easier to deal with. It still hurts because of course it does (no matter what they say, he's only human, just a kid), but...at least now he has a name for it. He has a reason, the reason, and that's…all he ever wanted in the first place, all this time.
Because of that, his pranks stop. He doesn't need them anymore. He has the Konoha 11 now, and they fill the void the villagers' attention and acknowledgement used to bring a thousand times over and then some, better than anything else ever could. Not that it seems to change the villagers' opinion of him any, but still. It's the principle of the thing.
And through it all, against all the odds and obstacles and barriers between them, just like Shikamaru promised, like they all promised, the Konoha 11 never leave his side. It's like nothing's changed at all. (Because in their eyes, nothing has.) They're just as amazing and stuck to him like glue as they've been since the day they officially became friends. Hell, even more so. They're closer than ever.
Shikamaru, in particular, is Naruto's most stalwart supporter. The two of them are getting closer in a hundred different ways every single day, and Naruto can't help but wonder sometimes how he's even real. He's never had something, someone, like this before. It's incredible. Shikamaru is. Almost like—he doesn't dare breathe, a vice grip that's been around his heart for as long as he can remember ever-so-slowly easing—like a best friend.
The Konoha 11 are the best thing that's ever happened to him. He's already thought it a million and one times, but it bears repeating.
As if to prove that very point, two weeks after the Nine Tails reveal, Shikamaru unveils one of his genius master plans (the third Naruto's been involved in, but the first he's actually been privy to): helping Naruto pull his grades up at the Academy.
Admittedly, they have a bit of a rough start. Shikamaru's always suspected that Naruto doesn't learn like everyone else, and he's proven correct almost immediately.
Visuals and active demonstrations, giving him problems to solve, ideas of what to picture in his mind, centers to focus on—those seem to work best. Figuring that out doesn't take long and isn't hard at all, and with the way Naruto takes to it and actually proves himself pretty damn bright almost immediately—Shikamaru is absolutely fucking furious.
He wants to shove every last one of the Academy's monotonous lectures and matter-of-fact textbooks down the teachers' damn throats. Not all kids learn the same, damn it! He's only a kid, and even he knows that! If the teachers had just noticed and approached Naruto's learning in a different way from the beginning, rather than ignoring him or yelling at him for not being like everyone else all this time…!
But as it turns out, as always seems to be the case with him, there's even more to it than that. Naruto finds it hard to put his problems into words at first (since, you know, this is all just normal for him), but once he does, they're all blown away.
His enhanced senses pick up on everything that goes on around him in the too-quiet, too-still of the classroom, even outside with the windows shut, things the rest of them, even Kiba and Akamaru, can block out no problem. He really does try his best, and he's figured out how to shut out the super bothersome things if he focuses hard enough, but he's too curious and too understimulated by the boring, confusing lessons to be able to do it all the time.
And since learning the truth, he's realized that even when he's not distracted by everything around him out of curiosity or boredom, the Nine Tails is. He feels its emotions in the back of his mind, its agitation, its restless energy, its need to move and run and be free. They don't…mix with his feelings so much as work off of them, like some kind of weird feedback loop.
It feels like being assaulted from everywhere at once. No matter what he does, no matter how hard he tries, he just can't win.
Once they hear all that, the others feel awful. No wonder the poor kid can't pass a test or answer questions to save his life! Shikamaru figures that's probably another reason he (used to) pull pranks in class, too, because at least those he understood, could focus on enough to distract him from the cacophony of noise all around him. Honestly, it makes sense, so much that it blows Naruto's mind.
Which obviously and inevitably just adds further fuel to Shikamaru's vengeful fire. What he wouldn't give to march into Iruka-sensei and Lord Third's offices and give them a piece of his damn mind. He doesn't even think his Dad would stop him. Hell, he'd probably eavesdrop somewhere and smirk like a hellion the whole time, then laugh his ass off the second he's alone and congratulate him once Mom's out of earshot.
Of course, as much as he wishes he could (and he's sure his Dad would approve), he can't actually do that. So, instead, he devises a better way—a way that will not only keep Naruto from coming in dead-last, but also knock the ignorant bastards right out of their sandals.
All that to say: they go on the academic warpath.
Every day after school, Kiba and Akamaru spend an hour helping Naruto train his enhanced senses. It's not quite the same since Naruto's are even sharper and more sensitive than theirs, but it's the closest he's going to get, and he's grateful as all hell. It only takes a few sessions for him to start noticing a difference, and Shikamaru and the others swear they almost die of smug satisfaction the first time Naruto answers multiple class questions correctly.
Once that hour's up, one of the others stays behind to help Naruto with whatever classwork he doesn't understand. Mostly, to absolutely no one's surprise, Shikamaru. He's the best at explaining things to Naruto in ways that make sense to him, and to everyone's amusement, the way Naruto looks at things actually makes Shikamaru add to or occasionally even change his answers completely.
And last, but certainly not least, whenever they can, one or more of them spars with Naruto. It takes some time for him to get used to sparring with people who actually want to see what he can do versus beat him to a pulp, who don't mind reiterating the basics and giving him pointers or the fact that he's laughably terrible with kunai and shuriken for his age, who encourage him and help him up and congratulate him when he comes up with a strategy they didn't see coming.
But once he does, he's not sure he's ever felt more alive! The first time he thoroughly kicks a classmate's ass (one of the biggest bullies in their year, as luck would have it), the Konoha 11 jump up as one and erupt into the loudest cheers he's ever heard, several of them crying—Shikamaru the hardest by far! Naruto can't help crying happy tears of his own. (Once he gets over his shock, even Iruka-sensei congratulates him, going so far as to pat him on the back!)
For the first time in his life, Naruto actually finds himself enjoying schoolwork and sparring sessions and really feeling like he knows what's going on in class. He's actually excited to get sparring assessments and assignments and tests back now so he can beam and all too proudly show his friends—which is infinitely better than the overwhelming dread, shame, humiliation, and intense urge to crumple them up to avoid the awful whispers and looks and words about how stupid and worthless he is that always came before.
So far, his teachers are scratching their heads at his much-improved behavior and grades, Iruka-sensei especially, but he seems happy about it, at least! To Naruto's surprise, he's even doing his best not to yell at him anymore! (Not that Naruto really gives him a reason to anymore, but still!) The classroom is much more peaceful these days (though he'll still play the occasional genuinely fun prank that even makes Iruka-sensei laugh if he sees his friends need a little cheering up!).
The thing is, for someone like Naruto, all this…it's earth-shattering. It's almost hard for him to believe sometimes, that it's even real, that it really is happening, to him. It feels like a dream, one he desperately doesn't want to wake up from. He's never known peace like this, not within himself or in this village – never thought he would, if he's being honest. And sure, the villagers are still jerks, bullies still rag on him and the others every chance they get, and their words still hurt, but…everything else is so much better. Better than he ever imagined his life could be.
That's why he's decided: he's going to make friends with the Nine Tails.
Taking a step back to look at things objectively…Naruto realizes he can't feel anything but sorry for it.
It's not like the Nine Tails chose to be sealed inside him, inside his mom, inside Lady Mito before her—and maybe even somebody or a lot of somebodies before that. Hell, it attacked his village and killed his parents because it was so desperate to escape and be free!
And while Naruto's pretty sure he's supposed to be angry and hurt and hate it for that like all the other villagers…damn it, he can't.
It just…doesn't seem fair to blame the Nine Tails. It was only defending itself. His parents were going to seal it away again. Anyone would have fought tooth and nail to escape that kind of fate. It's not like it and his mom were friends either, so it's not like it betrayed her or anything. At least, from what he understands. (Maybe someday, he'll be able to ask someone who actually knew her. Wouldn't that be something?)
When it comes down to it, he never knew his parents. He never knew their warmth and encouragement and love. He doesn't know how to miss something, someone, he never had. It's true that there's always been an ache in his soul that instinct tells him is for them, but it's not like it can ever be soothed. Certainly not by hating the Nine Tails for taking them from him. That won't help or solve anything.
Besides, just because he lost them and never got to know them, it doesn't mean he can't still love them, right? He knows he can because he always has, without ever knowing a single thing about them, and now that he knows at least a little bit? That they loved him so much that they gave their lives for him when he was barely even born? If anything, it makes him love them even more.
As for attacking the village—ha! Naruto would be lying through his teeth if he said he didn't understand. On the contrary, if he understands anything about the Nine Tails, it's that.
He's only had to deal with the villagers' torment for ten-almost-eleven years, and he can't imagine living hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years at their mercy, seeing and hearing and feeling their hatred through its vessel. This village has treated the Nine Tails like a battered, blood-soaked piece on a shogi board instead of the sentient, intelligent, feeling creature it is, has always been—the same way they've always treated Naruto.
So, damn it all, he gets it! He's thought of lashing out, of biting and clawing and hurting the way the villagers have always hurt him, a hundred, thousand, million times. Of course he has. He's only human, only a kid, and he can only take so much. He's pretty sure he's reached and surpassed his breaking point about ten thousand times by now.
But…he knows, has always known on some level, that nothing good will come of it. It'll only give them what they want, prove all their suspicions and fears right, give them actual reason to hate him, and then their abuse will be seen as – he nearly gags – justified.
No. No way. He refuses to be a pawn in their sick, twisted game.
This cycle of pain and hatred will only ever end if he ends it.
So, one quiet winter afternoon after classes let out and the Konoha 11 all go their separate ways for clan or family business (common in winter, Naruto's found), Naruto hurries home to sit cross-legged on the floor in the middle of his apartment and attempts to clear his mind.
Iruka-sensei taught them meditation at the beginning of the year, and he leads them through it once every few months. The thing is, it's never really worked for Naruto, and he's never understood why.
But today was the first time since he learned about the Nine Tails, and he's realized something important.
Whenever he tried before, there was always this…tug at the back of his mind. Prior to reaching the innermost circle of his consciousness, it would always distract him, and then something else—one of his classmates, something outside, the itch of bad words forming on his skin, you name it—would catapult him out entirely. Iruka-sensei always thought he was being disruptive on purpose, trying to divert attention so he could pull another prank. He never listened when Naruto tried to explain, just sent him out into the hall. (To his credit, today he actually gave Naruto the benefit of the doubt, just asked him to stay quiet and keep trying.)
But this time, in the (too-)quiet, (too-) dark, (too-)lonely of his apartment, when Naruto delves inside himself enough to feel that tug, he's floored to realize it's actually pulling him in.
Undeniably curious, yet with no small amount of trepidation, he follows it, some instinct he's never truly understood calling him, getting stronger the further he goes.
And then, all at once, he opens his eyes to find himself in a dark, dingy-looking room, water-but-not up to his shins cooling his skin, but not soaking his clothes. Behind him, he finds pipes snaking along the walls in all directions and countless winding pathways that seem to stretch on for eternity. How strange…
It's almost as if…getting here at all is some sort of test, a rite of passage of the Nine Tails' own design. (Or a trap, his distrusting side automatically supplies, but he stubbornly shuts that down. That's not fair. He hasn't even met the Nine Tails yet.)
As if on cue, something moves in the near-pitch darkness in front of him, and he looks up—
His feels all the blood rush from his face as his mouth drops open and his eyes go up and up and up.
The stories the teachers tell paint the Nine Tails as larger than life, but even that doesn't do it justice! It's practically a mountain, the size of Hokage Mountain, maybe bigger! Blood-red eyes the size of the moon are wide open and trained on him. There's a fire in them, but it's subdued for now, inevitably curious as they roam over his trembling form. Even in the face of the biggest, meanest villagers, Naruto's not sure he's ever felt so small.
So, my whelp of a container finally graces me with his presence. It grins, all teeth and laughter and – Naruto blinks – is that…tentative hope? I'll admit, I thought you'd take another few years to find me. I estimated thirteen at the soonest.
Its nine great tails sway from side to side behind it, and Naruto gets the impression that it's…amused? What does it mean, he found it early? Does that mean his mom and Lady Mito found it later? No, that can't be it. They knew about the Nine Tails when he didn't, so that doesn't make sense. His is a special case, though, so… maybe that's what it means? He didn't even know about it like they did, but he found it anyway?
He wants to talk to it, he has so many questions, but he can't get anything to come out. He's shaking like a leaf, can barely breathe. He's never been so terrified in his entire life.
Somehow, it's only hitting him now that this is the Nine-Tailed Fox! This is the beast that attacked his village, that killed his parents, that tried to kill him as a baby! It could eat him in a second flat, and it'd probably barely taste him! Whether he thinks it was justified or he blames it for anything or not, that's still…it's still…—!
Markings on its fur catch what little light there is in this place, seeming to change with each breath it takes. Welcoming the distraction, Naruto squints, trying to see better. A tiny gasp leaves him. Are—are those…?
He flinches when the Nine Tails shifts, tails fanning out around its body.
What's the matter, brat? It smirks something fierce, a laughing undercurrent making the water around them vibrate and slosh. Fox got your tongue?
Naruto can't help it.
He turns tail and runs.
He doesn't stop running until he gets to the safest place he knows:
Shikamaru.
He's never been to Shikamaru's actual house before, just the Konoha 11's clubhouse on the Nara land behind it, but the same instinct that sent him here has him scrambling up to the door anyway. He dances nervously from foot to foot for a split second before he knocks like his life depends on it.
The door swings open almost immediately, and Naruto trips over himself in his haste to back away. Just to be safe, he looks over his shoulder toward the compound gate. If he needs to bolt, at least the way is clear.
Blinking down at him is someone who looks like an older, taller version of Shikamaru with two long scars across half his face. This must be Shikaku, Shikamaru's Dad. Shikamaru adores him, and for good reason. He's the one who told Shikamaru the truth so he could tell Naruto and the others. He risked treason to give his son and friends peace of mind that the village saw fit to keep from them. Naruto wants to thank him, say something, anything, but he finds his words are still stuck in his throat. Damn it, come on! Why now?!
Luckily, it doesn't seem to matter. Shikaku just smiles at him, concern in his eyes (and doesn't it say a lot about Naruto's life so far that that nearly shocks him out of his skin?), and then turns back toward the house.
"Shikamaru! Naruto's here!"
Naruto blinks, surprised, but he's quickly distracted by the sound of dishes being thrown down haphazardly and the sight of Shikamaru practically bulldozing past his Dad to get to him.
Shikamaru looks him over first thing, hands ghosting over him to check for anything out of place, heart beating like crazy in his chest.
Naruto's never come to the Nara compound alone before, never even tried to go anywhere near his house. He looks pale and sweaty and winded like he ran for his life the whole way here, but he doesn't look hurt, thank God, and the words on his skin are the same bullshit as always. Still, he wants to be sure.
He sets gentle hands on trembling shoulders. "Hey. Talk to me, sunshine. Are you okay? What happened?"
Sunshine.
That precious nickname breathes new life into Naruto's lungs, and combined with Shikamaru's warmth and steadying presence, his nerves finally settle enough to stop shaking. He takes a deep breath in through his nose and out through his mouth (a calming exercise Neji taught him recently), does it one more time, and then, with a nervous glance Shikaku's way, he leans up to whisper in Shikamaru's ear, cupping his mouth to keep it private.
"You what?!"
Of course, at that moment—
"Shikaku, Shikamaru! Dinner!"
Both boys snap up as Yoshino Nara appears in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Naruto practically throws himself behind Shikamaru on sight. "Hey, it's okay," Shikamaru reassures, reaching up to squeeze Naruto's fingers death-gripping his shoulder. "You don't have to worry about my parents. They're not like the others. I promise."
Distrust and indecision hollow out a painful space in Naruto's chest. Years of fear and pain and heartache have taught him he can't trust any adult besides Teuchi and Ayame (he gave up on the Old Man a long time ago). But…these are Shikamaru's parents. For all that he complains about them sometimes (something all kids seem to do, Naruto's found), Shikamaru loves them, and Naruto loves and trusts Shikamaru, and Shikamaru knows how important promises are to him. He wouldn't lie, not to him, especially not about something like this.
As if on cue, Yoshino's gaze falls on him, making him freeze, but her smile just softens. Naruto can't help the way his eyes widen and heart stutters in his chest. "You, too, Naruto, if you're hungry!"
Shikamaru breaks out into a wide smile while Naruto's mouth drops open. They look at each other, and Shikamaru nods toward the house with a raised brow. As long as Naruto's okay with it, they might as well. They'll be able to hash out Naruto's news better on a full stomach anyway. (Come to think of it, this will probably be the first home-cooked meal Naruto's ever had! The thought makes him want to drag Naruto inside as fast as he can and kick Lord Third's ass in the same breath.)
Naruto looks back at Shikaku and Yoshino. They're not glaring, yelling, insulting him, shoving him, throwing him out, running him off. He doesn't even feel the itch-crawl of bad words on his skin like he always does with adults, and a quick glance tells him he's not wrong. They haven't made a single move against him the whole time he's been here. All they've done so far is help him by getting Shikamaru and, of all things, invite him to stay.
He feels like his whole world's just been rocked, knocked at least a hundred degrees off its axis. This has never happened to him before. This is…hell, he doesn't even know what to call it. Grappling for purchase in his mind, he glances back at Shikamaru and tightens his grip on his hand to anchor himself.
If nothing else, he knows he's safe with Shikamaru.
Swallowing, he turns back to Yoshino and hesitates before bowing his head politely. "Y-yes, please," he manages, barely above a whisper, "M-Mrs. Nara, ma'am."
Yoshino blinks wide eyes a moment before she bursts out laughing, a bright, happy blush painting her cheeks. "My, my! What a polite young man!" Turning to her husband with a smug smirk, she pokes him in the chest and pushes him back a few steps. "You and Shikamaru could learn a thing or two from him!"
With that, she leads the way inside.
"Yes, dear!" Shikaku stares after his wife with a besotted expression while Shikamaru feigns a gag. Naruto snickers. These guys are funny! Shikaku waves them inside. "Come on, boys! Letting such good food get cold would be a crime!"
In what feels like no time at all, Naruto finds himself sitting beside Shikamaru at the family's small kitchen table. Rice, miso soup, and a grilled fish the size of his forearm sit in front of him. (It doesn't escape him that his portions are bigger than the others'.)
He can't believe his eyes! He's never seen this much food in his life, at least that wasn't half-rotting in the garbage! It all looks and smells amazing! Ichiraku Ramen may be his favorite food in the world, cup ramen a quarter-step behind, but this is on a whole other level! He wants to eat it so badly, his mouth is watering! His stomach's on the verge of growling up a storm!
But…!
His hands sweat, stomach churns.
Don't get him wrong. He trusts Shikamaru, and he desperately wants to trust his parents. It's just…he's…he's been yelled at and slapped and hit more times than he can count (even poisoned a few times, back when he was really little and didn't know the difference between those he could trust with his food (Teuchi and Ayame) and those he couldn't (everyone else)) for even looking at food like this! Is it…really okay for him to…?
—!
Naruto blinks as Shikamaru leans into his space to steal a bite of fish, chewing thoroughly and swallowing. He watches with wide eyes, darting scared looks toward his parents, but Shikamaru just sends him a warm, pained smile and presses his leg against his.
Naruto's eyes widen and burn, and a touched lump starts to form in his throat. No one's ever…! How can he just look at Naruto and know…? He feels vulnerable, but so seen, too, more than he ever has, and he couldn't be any more grateful for him if he tried. He's amazing…! The best…!
Doing his best to rein himself in, he turns back to his food with renewed vigor. His stomach growls with abandon at last, the loudest thing in the room, and he jumps, glancing anxiously up at Shikamaru's parents.
But they just smile and laugh. (Their hearts hurt at that flinch.)
"Sounds like someone's hungry!" Yoshino comments, and Naruto blinks. She doesn't seem angry or offended. If anything, she seems thrilled! "Growing boys need their fuel! Eat up, okay? As much as you want!"
Naruto's eyes widen and mouth drops open slightly, and he looks to Shikaku to make sure that really is okay. He smiles and nods. "My wife is a badass cook! The best in the clan—hell, the whole village!"
Yoshino snorts and pushes her husband's face away teasingly. "Oh, don't tell him that! You'll set the bar too high! He'll be disappointed!"
Shikaku barks a laugh. "Impossible!" He winks Naruto's way. "Tell her, Naruto! Try it and see! No one can pass up a meal made by my Yoshino!"
Naruto may not have tried it yet, but he still can't help but agree. It looks and smells like the best meal he'll ever have! Besides, he's heard from Choji and Ino (and Shikamaru himself) a hundred times how awesome her cooking is, and he trusts their stomachs (especially Choji's)!
All the same, he wants to be extra, extra sure. So, he turns to Shikamaru, who smiles at him like he's the most painful, amazing thing in his life (and damn it all, he is). "They mean it, Naruto. Seriously, eat all you want."
With that last reassurance he needs, Naruto more than happily does as he's told.
Oh, wow…! Besides Ichiraku, it's the best food he's ever tasted! So this is what a Mom's food tastes like…! Happy, bittersweet tears start and stream down his face, but he does his best to wipe them away. He's a guest, he's supposed to be polite…! Shikamaru reaches to hold his hand under the table, and Naruto latches on gladly.
(Shikaku and Yoshino see, but pretend otherwise. A dark fury flashes through them at the thought of such a sweet little boy being hurt for the crime of being hungry, for something he can't control, doesn't (didn't) even know. Damn that Lord Third…!)
He out-eats the rest of them by a mile. He swears he'll never forget this meal as long as he lives!
After helping with the dishes (it's actually really fun to do when he's not alone, all of them teasing and laughing together!), it's time to wind down before bed.
Shikamaru invites him to spend the night, something that makes Naruto light up like a supernova. This must be one of those 'sleepovers' he's always heard the other kids talk about! He's never been to one of those before! (Hearing that, Shikamaru makes a mental note to have all eleven of them sleep over here at the soonest opportunity!)
On the way upstairs, Naruto stops in front of Shikaku.
To be honest, he's still not quite sure what to make of him or Mrs. Yoshino yet (they gave him permission to use their given names over dinner, something that still has Naruto reeling), and it's too early to say whether or not he fully trusts them. It'll probably take a few visits or more for him to even begin to soothe those age-old hurts.
But still…he appreciates more than he can say that Shikaku was honest with Shikamaru about the Nine Tails, about why the villagers treat him the way they do. No one else, not even Teuchi and Ayame (not that he blames them, not when they do everything for him they can), has ever paid him anything close to that same courtesy.
Gathering his courage, he looks Shikaku in the eyes and then bows as low as he can. "Thank you so much, Mr. Shikaku, sir! For—for telling Shikamaru the truth! I might never have known if it wasn't for you!"
He means it, too. Seeing as it's a Village secret and he'll be graduating next year, Naruto honestly wonders what the Old Man's end goal even was, if he was ever planning on telling him at all. Seems like letting him know he has a village-razing powerhouse sealed inside him would be a priority, you know? Sheesh!
It's silent for a beat, and then Shikaku lets out a quiet, warm hum. Naruto straightens to find a kind smile and a feather-light hand ruffling his hair, and it makes something inside his heart want. He does his best not to let it fester. (Wanting has never ended well for him.)
Shikaku, for his part, crouches down in front of him and can't help falling tender, though part of it's pained. "You're welcome, Naruto. I'm just sorry it took me so long. I wish I could have told you sooner."
Naruto's mouth drops open in shock. He wants to protest, remind him of the Old Man's decree, but he snaps it shut when Shikaku rakes a hand down his face with a weary sigh. Technically, he'll be tempting fate with this, but honestly? With how much Lord Third's pissed him off and how much respect he's lost for him over these last near-eleven years, he thinks the old bastard should consider himself fucking lucky he isn't doing worse. (Because he can. He's not the Leaf's Chief Strategist for nothing.)
The eyes he trains on Naruto are just like Shikamaru's, deep and sincere and determined. "The truth is, your parents and I were friends. We grew up together, just like you and Shikamaru and the rest of your Konoha 11."
Naruto's eyes go wide as saucers, breath goes still in his chest, Shikamaru the same beside him. A shocked thrill runs down his spine. Is he really doing what he thinks he is? Is he offering him the answers he's been wanting all his life? Not wanting to get ahead of himself, just in case, he focuses on the way his heart fills at Shikaku calling the Konoha 11 his.
"If you ever have questions and want to know about them," Shikaku chuckles, "even if you just want to hear embarrassing stories, all you have to do is ask. I'll tell you anything you want to know." He fixes Naruto with a pointed stare. "But no one besides your friends can know, least of all that I told you. Understand?"
Naruto nods immediately, a few times. It makes sense, and even if it didn't, he'd overlook it just for this chance. He doesn't know if he'll ever get another one.
Holy crap, he can't believe this is happening, but he knows it is because he just pinched himself! He's practically vibrating with excitement, bouncing on his toes while he shoots a blinding beam an insanely intrigued Shikamaru's way and tries to decide what to ask. He has so many questions, he doesn't even know where to start! For now, he's going to assume their identities are still off-limits (and he thinks he's a little too emotional right now for a bombshell like that anyway), so he opts for something safer instead.
"Do I—do I look like them?"
Shikaku's smile turns helpless, but sad, and regret shadows his eyes and drags down his tone. For the thousandth time, he wishes with all his heart that he could have given their precious boy the life he deserves. (Damn you, Lord Third!) He can only pray Kushina and Minato will forgive him and let him make up for it starting today. "You got your hair and eyes from your father," his smile widens, and a tiny laugh bubbles up from his throat, "but your face and personality are all your mother. Even that little phrase you're so fond of, 'you know'. That was hers, too."
Naruto brightens more the more he hears, so much that it actually hurts to look at. Shikamaru's distinctly reminded of the moment he realized Naruto was their mysterious word-giver, lump in his throat and all. Shikaku can't stop himself from ghosting the gentlest of fingers over Naruto's whiskered cheek. He wants to cup it, to hold him, but…he doesn't think he should. They're not there yet. They're practically still strangers, at least or especially from Naruto's point of view. This early, it would just scare him. Maybe someday, though, hopefully soon. He considers it a personal win when Naruto doesn't flinch or shy away from him now.
"They loved you, Naruto," he tells him, soft and quiet, earnest, like it's something sacred. Because it is. "They loved you so much. They were so excited for you to be born, for the chance to be your parents and live together as a family." He manages to swallow back most of the emotion that wants to come out, but his voice is the slightest bit raspy nonetheless. "I'm so sorry you never got to know them."
With those words, Naruto's world is turned on its head.
All his life, he's been told that no one ever wanted him, that that's why he was alone and hungry and hurt all the time, why everyone in the village hated him, why such horrible words always covered his skin, and especially why he didn't have a family. Before the Konoha 11 took him in, he honestly thought that's how it would always be for him.
But…but now he's being told…that's not true…that he was wanted and loved all along! It hurts…it hurts so much…but it makes him so happy, too…!
Heat flares behind his eyes, and his lips tremble and chin wobbles. Shikamaru's warm hand finds and rubs his back immediately, and he leans into it, even into Shikaku's huge, calloused hand that moves to help him wipe away the tears that've started down his face. He can't help the way his voice cracks with a desperate sob when he asks, "R-really? They—they did?"
He can't see Shikaku's face through his tears, but he hears the pained love in his voice no problem. It makes him even more emotional. "I promise you, swear on my life, they wanted and loved you more than anything, Naruto. You were their pride and joy before you were even born. I'd never seen them so happy than in the months leading up to your birth. You were the sun in their sky, no doubt about it."
Hearing that, so coincidentally close to Shikamaru's own nickname for him, Naruto just cries harder. He's so happy! He never thought he'd get to know anything about his parents, but now, he finally can!
Part of him wants to stay here all night and ask questions till he's hoarse and blue in the face, but the rest of him holds fast to his reason for coming here in the first place. Shikaku didn't make it sound like this would be the last time, and he hopes that means he'll be welcome back (another first for him!), so…
For now, he really thinks he should tell Shikamaru what happened with the Nine Tails and see what he thinks of everything. He values his opinion more than anyone else's.
He gives himself time to cry out the worst of it, and then he does his best to compose himself. He can work through the rest of what he's feeling tomorrow, when he's alone. Wiping his face and eyes and blowing his nose with the tissues Shikamaru grabbed from the other room, he takes a deep, calming breath, then another, and then one more for good measure.
Okay… He thinks he's okay now.
Locking eyes with Shikaku, he bows his head and offers a smile that's bigger than any he's been brave enough to offer yet. "Thank you so much, Mr. Shikaku, sir, for telling me that."
Shikaku nods. "Of course. Any time you want to hear more, just say the word."
"Careful." Shikaku blinks at Naruto's sudden daring, smirking with the best of them. "As future Hokage, I'll hold you to that!"
Shikaku throws his head back to laugh out loud.
Watching them with soft, proud eyes, Shikamaru doesn't think his heart's ever felt so full.
"So, what was it like?" Shikamaru can't help but ask once they're upstairs and changed into pajamas, settled side-by-side in his bed. Sue him, he's curious as hell. It's not every day you get to learn about an ancient power, after all. He rests his hand on Naruto's to give him something to ground him. Naruto latches on gladly. "You were scared, I know, but…"
He leaves it open-ended, and Naruto thinks back. Pushing aside how he felt then, he focuses on the Nine Tails and how it felt, its feelings so much more potent in its own mindscape.
It was…curious about him, first and foremost. Amused and impressed that he found it three years early. Its voice was so deep when it spoke, and it only dawns on him now that its mouth didn't move with its words. Maybe it uses some kind of telepathy to talk to its containers? That's so cool! (Ino will have a field day when he tells her!)
It didn't say much in the grand scheme of things, but that's probably because it was waiting for him to say something, to react and make the first move. He was technically in its space, setting foot in its territory. (Nervous) anticipation practically crackled in the air.
"I wanted to talk to it, so badly," Naruto laments, face scrunched up in a frustrated pout. He curls a light fist in his pajama shirt, right over his seal. "But…I just…"
"You were overwhelmed and afraid," Shikamaru reminds gently, squeezing his hand, threading their fingers together. "Anyone would be with something like that, but especially with how you've suffered being its Jinchuuriki." Naruto opens his mouth to protest, defend it—a reaction that doesn't surprise Shikamaru in the least; Naruto's empathy knows no bounds—but Shikamaru just winks his way. "Not that any of it's actually the Nine Tails' fault, of course, but still. I'm sure the Nine Tails was just as overwhelmed as you were. First impressions, you know?" He shrugs. Naruto swallow and nods. Yeah. It was definitely nervous, on edge. It reminds him of himself when he meets new people… "What happened next?"
Naruto remembers the dim light highlighting something on its fur. It's a little hazy since he only saw it for a second or two, so he closes his eyes to help him picture it better. They looked like…markings of some kind, but they changed with every breath, placement, too. Almost like…
His eyes snap open, heart almost stops.
Words!
That's what they were! The Nine Tails was covered in words! But…why would they shift like that?
Shikamaru hums thoughtfully. "Well, considering no one knows where the Tailed Beasts came from, that could check out. For all we know, maybe they're not from our world, our universe, even our dimension, and if that's true, then I guess it'd make sense for our laws, our words, not to stick."
Then, inevitably,
"What words did you see? Can you remember?"
Naruto grimaces, fist tightening in his shirt until his knuckles turn white and pop. He swears this pain feels almost physical.
"They were just like mine," he whispers, haunted. He can't bring himself to say them out loud. His small hand trembles, and Shikamaru soundly encases it in both his own. Neither brings attention to the fact that his voice is shaking, too. "Horrible, awful things. Some were weird, sounded old, like they were from a really long time ago. Some were written in other languages, I think, and there were symbols, too." Naruto has to blink back empathetic tears. "There were so many… I've never seen that many on one person before…"
It makes him feel even worse for flinching like he did when it moved right after that, but well, old habits die hard. Hopefully the Nine Tails understood. He sees now that it was curling in on itself, fur bristling, like it was scared, on the defensive, and its tails…they fanned out around it in an effort to cover itself. It was trying to hide its words.
His vision swims, and he has to purse his lips white to keep them from trembling.
Its last words to him were meant to be teasing, he thinks, but there was warning in it, too, anxiety and fear in its too-wide smirk and too-tense laugh.
More than anything, it was terrified that Naruto would be like all its containers before—judge it, hate it, reject it without ever giving it a chance.
Left to its lonely dark once more.
A few tears fall. He can't help it. His heart feels like it's splintering, about to shatter from the inside out, empathy riding each painful beat throughout his body. That was him, just a few short months ago…
But…just like back then, there was hope, too. He swears he felt it when they first locked eyes, each time the Nine Tails spoke, with each sway of its tails, when it smirked and laughed and poked fun. Looking back on it now, the entire place was saturated with it—that and intense loneliness. The exact same kind Naruto used to feel…
A shaky breath leaves him as more tears stream, and he has to cover his mouth to stifle a sob. He already suspected, but…he and the Nine Tails…they're the same…
Shikamaru presses a few tissues into his hand, and then fixes him with warm, determined eyes. "At least you understand where it's coming from. That's important. That's more than anyone else has ever done. And hey, this was just your first try. Nobody ever said making friends with it would be easy, right?"
Naruto sniffs, breathing a laugh. "Y-yeah…" He smiles softly through his drying tears. He's still angry at himself, but he knows Shikamaru's right. Of course he is. This is why he came to him. He always knows what to say to make Naruto look deeper and feel better.
"It's not like this was your only shot either. I'm sure it's tied up in knots over how everything went, too, so I think it'd be good for you, both of you, to try again. You can show it you're not like the ones who put those words on it. Show it you're better!" Knowing how Naruto is, though, he eyes him seriously. "But take it slow, sunshine. You don't want to overdo it, for both your sakes."
A heartbeat. "You really think I can?" Naruto can't help but ask, voice small and blue eyes wide. "Make friends with it, I mean?"
Shikamaru snorts and looks at him like he's the most (amazingly) impossible thing he's ever seen. "With your track record? I'd have to be a complete idiot to think anything else."
A blinding beam springs to Naruto's face, and he throws his arms around Shikamaru as affection and determination crowd his chest. He has always been told he doesn't know when to quit! "Thanks, Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru laughs out loud, curling him close and burying his face in precious sunshine hair, breathing him in. He'd write this on his heart if he could. "Any time you need me, remember? I'm here."
A week later, Naruto shows back up at Shikamaru's.
But this time, he's beaming fit to burst.
He put Important on the Nine Tails' paw.
True to his word, after another few months of slow, careful, diligent work, Naruto and Kurama (the Nine Tails' real name, he's learned) become friends.
It even goes so far as to help him train, letting him use its chakra after he proves he can control it in short bursts.
BOOM!
Naruto leans on his knees, breathing hard. Staring at the vertical training log that now has a huge chunk taken out of it, he wipes sweat from his brow.
"How was that, Kurama?"
There's a pleased hum. Not bad, kit. Try easing up on the power a bit. Don't want to carve a hole through a comrade by mistake. Naruto pales, and Kurama chuckles. Relax. It was only a warning. I'd pull my chakra back before I let that happen. This time, try visualizing the exact scale of the damage you want to do.
Naruto pulls his fist back with a determined grin. "You got it!"
BOOM!
Two weeks later, the Konoha 11 sans Shikamaru and Naruto are walking home together after Academy classes let out. It's a rare free afternoon for them, and they're more than ready to make the most of it!
"Oh, come on! Kurenai is obviously the best choice for a sensei! She's beautiful and cool and specializes in genjutsu! How awesome is that?! Plus, she's gotta be really strong! They don't make just anybody a jounin, ya—!"
Kiba cuts himself off and stops dead in his tracks. Claws itching to poke out and hair on the back of his neck standing on end, he sniffs the air. Akamaru bristles and growls against his chest. "You, too, huh, boy?"
"What is it, Kiba? What's wrong?" Neji asks.
Finally getting a lock on the scent (there are so many smells around here, it's hard to keep them straight sometimes), he spins on his heel to look back toward the Academy. "I smell trouble."
Glancing at each other, they take off at a run.
Shikamaru can't believe his eyes, heart pounding like a drum in his chest. It takes him a few seconds to make sense of what the hell just happened.
He only just got out of classes now, late due to Iruka-sensei wanting to tell him personally that he's in the running for Rookie of the Year (something he still can't believe). Between reeling from that and hurrying to catch up with the others, he didn't even register the footsteps rushing up behind him until it was too late.
By the time he did, the leader of this particular gang was already lunging for him, too close and too fast for even his shadows to react in time. All he could do was brace himself for impact.
But it never came.
"Shikamaru!"
BOOM!
When the dust clears, all any of them can do is stare at Naruto straddling the leader—and, more importantly, at the crater in the ground right beside his head. Naruto could have let that be his face, it would have been so easy, but he held back. (He's pissed, sure, but he doesn't want to kill them, just scare the shit out of them. (Though he wouldn't mind a thorough ass-kicking for good measure.))
The rest of the bullies are pale as ghosts and practically shitting themselves, holding each other and trembling.
Shikamaru's mouth has dropped open, his heart in his throat. What the hell? How—? He thought Naruto went with the others! What the hell is he doing here? Where did he come from? How did he even know he was in trouble? Was that red chakra the Nine Tails'? Is that crater the result of all the training they've been doing recently?
Meanwhile, the only thing that has Naruto's attention is the bullies, the one underneath him in particular.
He's breathing hard, through gritted teeth, and there's a furious, guttural almost-growl in the undertones. His eyes flicker between blue and red, and if they look closely, they swear they see fangs fighting to grow in.
"How dare you?!" he roars. They wince, whimper, the leader driving the back of his head into the ground in a futile effort to put some distance between them. It almost makes Naruto feel a little bad (he doesn't want to become the bully, after all), but then he remembers that these guys are the ones who've tortured his friends for so long, and the protective inferno in his chest burns that to a crisp, a low, warning growl coming in. "If you ever lay a hand on my friends," his lips are pulled back in a ferocious, animalistic snarl, and he glares over his shoulder at the other bullies, too, aiming to strike the very real fear of death into every last one of them; he looks so demonic that, if Shikamaru didn't intimately know better, he'd think the Nine Tails really had taken over, "I'll kill you!"
The bullies, too scared to speak, flinch and whine and jump back. A few of them, including the asshole leader under him, are straight up crying. Naruto scoffs. Can't take what they dish out, huh? Typical! What a bunch of chumps!
"Okay, then." He gives the leader a hard look, threat in every shade of his blue-red eyes. Then, he swings his leg off of him and uses the momentum to put himself between them and Shikamaru in one fluid motion. He doesn't trust them as far as he can throw them.
The bastard takes off like a shot, the others not even a step behind. Not a single one of them looks back, but Naruto's eyes don't leave them for a second. He even goes so far as to count them, just to make sure one or two don't try to hide out and get revenge. If they're really lucky, maybe this'll keep them off the Konoha 11's backs for a while, if not forever. Only time will tell.
Once he's sure they're gone, he smirks, almost wolfish with satisfaction as he dusts himself off. "Well, what do you know? Looks like they're not completely stupid after all!"
Suddenly remembering Shikamaru, he makes a startled noise almost like a whine and scrambles to the ground in front of him. "H-hey, are you okay, Shikamaru?" He reaches out to touch him, but hesitates in case he's hurt. "I did my best to get to him before he could touch you, but—!" His hands tremble, and he bites his lip as he looks him over. He's never... He doesn't really know what... His eyes, the red completely drained from them, seem almost bluer in his earnestness when he looks back at him, pinpricks of tears gathering in his fear and inadequacy. "A-are you sure you're all right?"
Finally snapping out of his awed daze, Shikamaru picks himself up a bit. Shifting to his knees, he softens and reaches out to feather-lightly press their fingertips together. "Hey...don't worry so much," he reassures quietly. "I'm pretty sure I'm fine. Not so much as a scratch or skinned knee on me." He double checks and shows him to be safe, and then he moves to inspect Naruto, grabbing for his hand. "What about you? Are you okay? You made a crater in the ground with a single punch! That was crazy!"
Naruto's eyes widen, and the way he glances down at himself before understanding dawns sends a pang through Shikamaru's chest. Even after all these months, he's still getting used to having people care. That's what eleven years of abuse and neglect will do to a person, he supposes. Damn that Old Man!
Luckily, after a moment, Naruto brightens, a shining grin on his face – a stark as hell contrast to the almost-feral wild child from moments ago. "Hey, as long as you're okay, I am, too!"
Shikamaru wants to remind him that they've talked about his self-sacrificing tendencies, but lets it go for now. There's already been enough excitement for one day. He's still trying to get his heart rate back to normal. Naruto helps him to his feet, and then—
"Naruto! Shikamaru!"
"Are you guys okay?!"
Just like Naruto did earlier, the rest of the Konoha 11 come out of nowhere to surround them. Ino and Choji immediately flank a fondly resigned Shikamaru, while Naruto blinks and looks around at them all. "O-oh, hey, guys! Where'd you come from?"
"We saw everything!"
"N-Naruto, you were amazing!"
"I'll say! What the hell was that, Uzumaki?! When were you gonna tell us you're secretly a powerhouse?!"
"I have never seen that kind of chakra before! Is that what you meant when you said you were training with you-know-who?"
Naruto can only stare as more and more questions come in, and it kills them inside to see it. He's still not used to this, people asking if he's okay, wanting to know what he can do, caring about him, having friends. He's so good, and he's been done so much wrong…!
After a moment, though, he lights up and eagerly tells them anything and everything they want to know. Soon, they're all smiling and laughing, Kiba pulling Naruto in for a good old-fashioned noogie for 'holding out on them', as he puts it.
"Hey, now that we're all here, why don't we go to the park?"
Everyone brightens, but Naruto's the brightest thing for miles. "Yeah!"
"Afterward, how 'bout a sleepover at my place?" Shikamaru suggests, winking Naruto's way. "To celebrate Naruto's victory!"
They all cheer, and Naruto looks at him like he hung the damn moon. Shikamaru just ruffles his hair.
"Hey, Naruto!" Lee calls. "Have you ever played Meteor Ball?"
Naruto tilts his head. "Is that the one where you use your jutsu to throw the ball as high as you can and see who can catch it?" At Lee's enthusiastic confirmation, he scratches his cheek, smile turning sad. "Well, I've seen other kids play plenty of times, but I was never allowed to join in, so…"
Fury flashes white-hot in their chests. Naruto will never be excluded from anything again if they have anything to say about it!
Tenten places her hands on her hips. "Well, that's not fair at all!"
"How despicable!" Lee says.
The others voice similar agreements.
Glaring in the direction the bullies ran, Neji grumbles, "I'd like to show them where they can stick their Meteor Ball!"
Several snorts and raucous laughter come at that. Hinata erupts into surprised giggles (which Kiba would kill to hear for the rest of his life). "B-big brother Neji!"
Remembering himself, he flushes and waves placating hands. "Ah—! F-forgive me, Lady Hinata! I just—well—!"
Hinata sends him a mischievous smirk (Kiba swears his heart's gonna give out before graduation). "I never said you were wrong!"
Determined to right this wrong ASAP, they bring Naruto to the park to play Meteor Ball, teaching him the rules (modified so Lee can use his taijutsu, of course, then again so Naruto can use Kurama's chakra (only a little, though, so he doesn't destroy the ball!)) and then playing a game for real, beaming and laughing and teasing all the while. Naruto doesn't think he's ever had so much fun in his life!
Just before the sun starts to set, they separate to grab their overnight things and tell their families where they'll be, and then they meet back up at Shikamaru's house. Taking their things and dinner to one of the compound's huge empty rooms, they eat their fill and chat animatedly about anything and everything. Naruto happily lets the girls paint his nails, loving all the colors and designs, and he manages to rope the rest of them into it just by virtue of how excited and starstruck he is. (Call them suckers all you want, but honestly, how someone can say no to that face is beyond them!)
Once it gets dark enough, Shikamaru leads them to a grassy hill behind the house where they can watch the meteor shower that just so happens to be tonight. Naruto's wide-eyed and slack-jawed with awe. He's never seen anything like it. He swears it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
Of course… He looks around at all his friends. As gorgeous and breathtaking as this is, it's still nothing compared to them. These incredible people he's so lucky to know and have in his life, who've given him so much and not asked for a single thing in return beyond his friendship. They've changed everything for him, his entire life, in so many more ways than he thinks they even realize, and he doesn't know how he can ever repay them.
He's not ashamed at all when tears start down his face. He's just so happy…! He loves them so much…! More than anything…!
It's been a long day, so it's really no surprise when Naruto falls asleep right there in the grass. He can't help it. He just feels so safe and loved. Shikamaru all too happily carries him back.
It's only once they get settled in the dim lantern light that they see all the new good words on their skin. Words of love and encouragement and devotion, more and more the more they look.
Ten warm, wet gazes fall on Naruto. He's the only one who could have done it.
He's a broken boy who's only just started learning what love is and knowing it firsthand at ten, almost eleven. But he's always been a quick study when it comes to emotions, so even he must know that this can't be anything but.
He loves them, and they love him just as much.
Just before they fall asleep, they return the favor. It's the least they can do, and they swear they'll never let them fade.
They spent so long chasing their sun, and now that they've finally found him, they won't ever let him go.
After all, the Konoha 11 are friends for life.
A/N: I can't believe this labor of love is ifinally done/i! Can't believe it's been just shy of three years! iDamn/i, it feels like an eternity and a second at the same time! Haha! Besides my main Naruto AU, 'Surface Breaker', I actually don't think I've ever written (read: finished) something this long and this involved that I was so invested in! Hahaha! I can't thank you enough, every single one of you who's read this and gone on this journey with me, whether you're reading for the first time or the fiftieth! You're the most amazing, wonderful readers I could ever ask for, silent and vocal alike, and I am so, so lucky to have you! Thank you so, so much for everything! I hope to see you in the oneshots that will be a part of this fic/AU's series (found/read easier on AO3 - I'm Shizuku749 there!) or anything else I write, but either way, I'll never not be grateful as hell for all the love and encouragement and support you've given me over these last few years! You guys have really been what's motivated me to finish this, besides my own drive to see it through! Thank you so much! You're the best! I love you all! *heart*
Nine Tails lore for this AU (just for fun!): Each generation of Jinchuuriki has had the opportunity to be empathetic toward the Nine Tails, given insight into how similarly they're treated via the words on their skin. But obviously, none of the others were receptive. Mito and Kushina didn't want to see, didn't care to look, just ignored it and hated it (rejected it) out of fear and preferred to pretend it didn't exist. Naruto is the first one to WANT to look deeper and reach out, really try to understand how it feels, empathize with it. The Nine Tails, in this world, is also more transparent and somewhat less hateful than in canon, largely because of the existence of this universe's words. It doesn't have to be suspicious or as distrusting because it knows what its containers think of it, their true thoughts and feelings. Even if they can hide from the outside world, they can't hide from it. That's how it knows Naruto really does mean it, is sincere in his desire and efforts to get to know it, to befriend it. It's why it gives him a chance and a tentatively-outstretched paw without too much of a fuss - and things really pick up speed after Naruto copies Shikamaru and puts Important on its paw! ;D (Considering possibly making a oneshot in this AU's series about this, but we'll see! ;))
Readers of my main Naruto AU, 'Surface Breaker', may notice a few references to it (including future things) that I sneaked in here! The sleepover at Shikamaru's (mentioned in ch 11 of SB, when Naruto mentions he's never been to a sleepover before, which Shikamaru aims to fix - and he will in one of the final chapters!), the painting nails snippet at said sleepover (Sai will be painting everyone's nails at the SB sleepover, given that he admitted in ch 11 to having personalized ideas for everyone, lol), AND the Meteor Ball game (which is part of a catharsis chapter I have planned for SB)! I couldn't resist! I just love references! They're so fun! Thank you for indulging me! Hahaha! :D
(Naruto's "If you ever lay a hand on my friends, I'll kill you!" is a parallel (an AU mirror, if you will!) to his protective words to Mizuki about Iruka-sensei in Naruto episode 1, "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
The meteor shower scene inspired by the one in Naruto Opening 7, "Namikaze Satellite", where the Konoha 11 watch a meteor shower together! Always thought it was so cute, and I love seeing them hang out like that! Wish they showed more things like that in the actual show! I want to see my babies hanging out and being friends, Kishimoto! ;A;)
FANART BONUS: The incredible supnerds on Tumblr made a fanart for this fic ( /post/ 678118204047065088/ so-i-did-a-thing-for-a-fic-i-really-love-by ) (can find a proper link on the AO3 version of this chapter - /works /27552421 /chapters /125822005)! AHHH! Feast your eyes on the creative beauty! ;A; Thank you so, so much, supnerds! You're awesome, and I can't thank you enough! *heart*
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna take a long-ass break from writing for a while! At least a few months! Hahaha! (Unless I get hit with some serious inspiration, which is always a possibility! lol.) After that, as promised, I'll be going back to finally finish 'Surface Breaker'! :D
Thank you so much for reading, for everything, all of you! You're the best! *heart*