"Your lack of control is baffling, so much potential gone to waste" - the raven complained. For the past few months he had been teaching the blonde about self-control and channeling his magic. It wasn't very often he took the time to teach the mortal boy, but he had noticed that Naruto tended to get things more if he saw them with his own eyes rather than reading them in a book. There was also the fact that the god had a very different approach; his powers did not come from the same source as the human magic, but he had noticed too that the blonde had such an affinity towards nature, spirits, and animals alike.

"Close your eyes once again, breathe, feel..." - Naruto huffed.

"Ice and frost, bind this liquid's course, Freeze its motion with your force" - He chanted again, He felt the tin cup shake in his hands, Growing a little colder to the touch, He peeked a little to see if the water had actually frozen.

"You're bad... just not as bad as it thought" - the raven teased.

"Very funny" - Naruto said sarcastically, the cup of ice flying through the air to where the god was resting; hitting the tree inches away from his head.

Truth is Naruto was actually improving. He had mastered fire, water, and ice in no time. Months after months of training, he was now versed in many other basic things.

The same forest that cradled their first encounter became the scenary for Naruto's improvement.

A puff of cold air escaped from Naruto's dry lips, his rosy cheeks looked endearing as the blonde human danced over the frozen lake, his small frame moved childishly as he twirled and played, his coat and scarf trailing behind as if dancing too. The raven god watched from a distance, with a flick of his wrist he made hundreds of fireflies surround the surprised human who laughed merrily and continued to skate.

"Come" - the human boy called him, extending an inviting hand, with a flap of his dark wings the tall raven rose to the boy's side and took the tan fingers in his own pale hand.

"Naruto" - The god warned as the human boy pulled him deeper into the frozen lake, twirling and sliding across the ice. His laughter filled the air around them, the joy that radiated from his aura was making the fireflies brighter, sparks of light emanated from the earth around them, and the snowflakes rose from the ground to dance with them. It was all him; the fairytale scenary was coming from him, the power of this human boy was strong.

The raven danced, his naked feet barely touching the ground as he gracefully glided through the air, Naruto's laughter was intoxicating and in a moment of pure instinct, without any thoughts in his mind, he pulled the mortal boy to him, their foreheads met and their smiles grew, for a long silent moment they stared into each other's eyes, the fireflies flew away and the snow fell lightly over their bodies, the mortal boy's breath hitched and his heart beat faster. "Listen well, human boy, because I am not repeating it. My name is..." - the god whispered, Naruto cupped his face before placing a gentle finger against the pale lips, the bright blue eyes locked with his red ones.

"I am unworthy, there is so much for me to learn about my power, about life and everything that surrounds us, i am leaving tomorrow at dawn, and when i come back i can only hope to be worthy of hearing a god's name. Dont get the wrong idea as nothing would make me happier but as naive, powerless and young as i am, i dont feel worthy of such a privilege"

Naruto was certain that all that he knew, all that he was at the moment, was the result of his inexperience. He needed to learn more, to grow on his own. The raven smiled, a proud smile.

"I'll be waiting, and wherever you go, my blessing and protection will follow you" - he took a tan hand and placed it palm up, a black feather fell on it and disappeared in dust.

They embraced once again, and for a few minutes they remained silent, leaving that night was the hardest thing the blonde had to do.

-

Came dawn Naruto locked the wooden door before turning his eyes to the forest, he couldn't see him but he knew the raven was there, watching.

He waved goodbye before leaving.