Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath before looking up at the starry sky. The water of the lake was calm even though the leaves from the trees danced around to a silent tune. The teen lit a lone white candle, placing it right in the center of the small clearing, taking a deep breath he sat down and recited his practiced words:
"I ask the Great Mother to send me a special friend. Bringing love that knows no beginning, and no end. Claws and tails, and loving eyes. Warm and gentle, wild and wise. Let me know and let me see One with eyes for only me"
The wind picked up, the eerie whistle of its passing filled his ears, and the candle's light flickered ever so slightly, but that was it. With a huff and a sigh, the blonde boy fixed his black pointy hat and repeated his spell. Nothing.
He could not believe that at age 16 he was the only Uzumaki without a familiar, coming from the biggest family of witches, being the only son of the great Uzumaki Kushina, the heir of immense power and being unable to perform the easiest of rituals was a disappointment.
"You are supposed to use a black candle, you know?" - he heard from behind. Naruto turned around quickly, he hadn't sensed the other presence.
"I appreciate the unsolicited advice" - he grumbled, there was a thud when the creature fell on his feet. "Come to the light, who are you?" - the blonde inquired.
"Your commands lack force; it's dangerous to be here so late... and alone" - Naruto shivered. The steps sounded closer now, and as the moon reappeared from behind the clouds, its rays fell upon a tall man.
"I'm not afraid" - The boy lifted his staff defensively. The creature let out a laugh and in a swift movement he rushed to the blonde, taking his face into a clawed hand.
Naruto stared in awe.
"Are you my familiar?" - Naruto asked, the other man snorted.
"You're so dense, boy. I'm the god of this mountain. A high-born spirit."
"What are you doing here, then? You just came to mock me?"
"Pretty much… I've never seen such a clueless mage before, you piqued my interest" - Naruto rolled his eyes, he hit the pale arm that was holding him with his wooden staff and turned to blow out the candle, after dusting his black robes.
"I'm leaving"
"See you mortal boy, good luck with your fancy little tricks" - the raven teased before vanishing into the dark sky.
The blonde mage stood at the very edge of the lake. He had come back to the forest to practice. He lifted his glowing staff toward the starry sky and recited, "I invoke the power of the wind." He rose slowly from the ground, tumbling a few steps before rising high above the water. His smile lit up, and he fist-bumped the air. He had gotten cocky as he flew away from the shore and higher into the sky. Suddenly, he felt himself rapidly falling down, with a scream and a loud splash he fell into the cold water.
His eyes could not glare any harder, his lips were sealed tight in a thin line and his arms were locked tight over his chest. The dark-haired raven, self-proclaimed god of the mountain and a complete asshole, laughed as he flew towards the blonde human, who had given him a hand, pulling him out of the water and towards the shore.
"Boy, you never told me your name."
"Naruto, of the Uzumaki clan"
"Are you sure you're an Uzumaki? This is hilarious" - the raven said between laughs.
"How do you know about the Uzumaki clan? You pompous bastard!"
"Who doesn't know about them? The Uzumaki clan has been the most powerful clan to ever exist. I do wonder if they are horrible teachers with a lack of ability like yours." - Naruto ignored the jests
"You sure know a lot about us, but I don't even know your name"
"So you can bind me in a contract? I don't think so, boy. My name will remain a secret, but with your ability, I doubt you could even get a frog as a familiar."
The tall brunette snaped his clawed fingers and a small flame came forward, he blew gently and the flame danced towards the blond, moving around his body and drying his hair and clothes.
"Thanks" - Naruto said shyly
"No need to thank me, consider it a payment for entertaining me. I haven't had this much fun since centuries ago" - Naruto pouted, making the god laugh.
"You are so easy to tease. Come here, boy" - the raven sat down on a moldy log near the water, his long ebony wings folding behind him. "Sit in front of me, don't be scared. I won't bite" - he said teasingly
"The name of your clan, its past glory is a burden for you. Your lack of technique and control doesn't mean a lack of power. You just have to believe in yourself and listen to the very life and spirit of everything that surrounds us." The god took the man's hand in his own. "Close your eyes, and breathe in. Feel the forest around you. The wind on your face. The earth underneath your feet. Can you feel them?" Naruto did as told and nodded. He felt the other man stand behind him. The heat of his body surrounded him, making him fidget and blush. He felt the cold gentle touch of his fingertips in his shoulders, running down to his hands. The raven god opened his hands with his and whispered in his ear. "Go ahead. Invoke the fire spirit to your hands." Naruto muttered the incantation and a small lonely spark of fire came forth. "What is fire to you? Is it only something that burns and hurts? Is it something that creates life, that bonds and warms and protects?"
"I evoke the elemental force of fire, the flames of creativity and passion, dancing source of heat, light and life…" - Naruto whispered again."That's it… go on" - he felt the warmth of the fire in his hands, a soft nudge prompted him to open his eyes. A blue flame had appeared in his open palms, it danced around, moved by the soft breeze, it didn't burn him but he felt the warmth of it all over his body and spirit. "Interesting, a blue flame… you are far more powerful than you think" - the raven god took the flame in his hands and pressed it down on the human's chest, the fire disappeared into his body."What did you do?""Nothing, just thought you were cold, the flame will keep you warm for tonight "
Naruto stood and turned his gaze to the starry sky. "I should leave", he said, gathering his staff and hurrying through the woods, hiding his rosy cheeks.