My new job is a lot different than what I'm used to. It's both easier and harder. Easier because I can make my own schedule & the max hours I have to work is 20 a week, but harder because I have to convince people to make appointments to switch to solar energy, & that's super difficult to do. I often feel like I'm bothering people. I can't get a pay increase until I get five "leads" & guess how many I have? Yup! Zero! But, we can get help so I'm tomorrow w/ the person I had to shadow with last week, she can give me some advice on what I'm doing wrong. It's frustrating. I feel like a loser. It's not even that hard! Yet, I freeze up & talk too fast, or I don't know! But, I think I'm getting better? I don't forget my pitch; I just... mix it up? I'm not sure how to explain it.
Let's see, as for this story, I'm on Chapter Fifty-three! So, I'm still staying ahead of y'all! I'm really into ObiRin right now & working on trying to fix Flutter, which will be taken down on here & put on A03 only. (Since it's super short & as I've mentioned before, I'm working on moving to A03 only especially with new stories.) So, updates for Coiled may be less often, but we'll see how I feel. I do have chapters ahead. It's mostly I have to figure out how to move the story along because plot twists & craziness exist in this long ass story of mine :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden. This is just for fun, no profit will be made from this (and I don't want to either). This is purely for my and the entertainment of Naruto fans.
Dedication: To my beautiful, amazing, intelligent, girlfriend Phillipa (Shadow Spirit Dragon-wolf) for being there for me through not only my writing (both fanfiction and my original story) but real life in general. You have been my inspiration and my support through everything.
Warnings: Violence, explicit sexual conduct (no rape!) homosexual relationship, relationship with a large age gap, struggles with belonging, self-hatred, obsession, self-harm, self-experimentation, human experimentation, mental disorders, a dark view of the "afterlife", (bonding of) pain and isolation, self-worthlessness, and male pregnancy.
Pairings: NaruOro, canon pairings (except, obviously, NaruHina).
Summary: Sometimes, the deepest scars are the ones no one can see, but in a world moving into the light even the oldest inner wounds can be seen
Enjoy! :)
Chapter Forty-seven: Flooded
(Seven years later)
Naruto
"Oreo!" I call, peeking into the door of his in-home lab. "I'm going to go talk to Kakashi-sensei. Can you watch the kids?"
Oreo looks up from one of his many White Zetsu he has stored here. Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo help with that. I want nothing to do with "retrieving" those things.
The in-home lab that we had built isn't very big, but it's decent for what Oreo is allowed to do. He's kept his promise not to experiment on the living. (Although, I suppose you could argue that White Zetsu are living, but I had to make a compromise somewhere!)
"Of course. I have Sabiniji on standby anyway."
"Good. I should be back sometime this afternoon. Please don't work too hard, okay?" I say, walking into the room.
Oreo walks around the table, meeting me halfway. "I'll be careful," he says softly.
"Good," I say just as softly, brushing his hair away from his face. "Do you have any dinner preferences?"
He shakes his head slightly.
"Ichikaru Ramen it is then!" I grin.
My wife/husband scoffs. "Pick up the frozen rats for Maruta, would you?"
"Rats? He's already on rats?"
"He may be fussy, but it's time we try to give him a bigger rodent meal. He should be on weaned rats."
"Alright, I'll go get them."
"Don't forget. I put the order in for pickup."
"I've got it, Oreo, trust me!"
He smiles, touching my face. "I'll see you later."
"Yeah, I'll see you. Have fun."
"You do the same."
We kiss. Perhaps it was a bit longer than expected, but it's important that I see Kakashi-sensei today.
After saying goodbye to the children, I head out to the Hokage office.
Yes, kids. Oreo and I finally conceived again and had twins! Twin boys: Boruto, who looks like he could be my clone! He has Dad's and Oreo's intelligence though.
Then there's Mitsuki. He doesn't really look like either of us. He has blueish hair and super pale skin (not as pale as Oreo's, but…). He also has Oreo's eye colour, but his pupils are 'normal'. He, like his older brother, is super adaptable to sage mode.
We weren't the only ones to have babies and get married. Goro and Matsuri finally tied the knot. Kankuro and Yakata had another kid, a daughter named Yodo, The Snake Lady and Captain Yamato had twins: a boy, Sakumaru, and a girl, Seishin, a year before Oreo got pregnant with the twins.
In the same year the twins were born, Hinata and Shino, after being wed, had a daughter, Hotaru. Oreo freaked out and ran around when Shino let his bugs out during the wedding. It was both amusing and a bit weird. I mean Oreo being afraid of bugs? Hmm. Maybe the Aburame clan could have defeated Oreo when he was a soggy Oreo Snake!
Even Kabuto and Shizune (something I was not expecting!) got married and had a daughter they named Gekizai.
The kids spend time together. Some have even begun the process of becoming ninja. Boruto and Mitsuki would pass without difficulty, but Maruta…
He's gotten a lot better over these past seven years. He's able to slither without using his arms thanks to Bushy Brow, Sakura, Hinata, and Oreo, but he gets tired so easily. As for talking, he can talk, but he doesn't do it often.
I know he feels he's holding his brothers back since they refuse to go to the academy without him. All three of them are very close and look after each other.
Maruta and Sarada are very close as well. He considers her to be his best friend. Boruto is super close with Shikadai, and Mitsuki… well, he simply likes doing whatever his older twin likes doing.
As for Oreo, the pregnancy and birth of Boruto and Mitsuki wasn't as hard on him as Maruta even though there were two babies instead of just one. Mostly because we planned the pregnancy, and Oreo made himself a woman.
He- she-was absolutely beautiful and sexy! I couldn't choose between him being a man or woman!
As for his "freak outs", he hasn't really had one. Not like he did when he was pregnant with Maruta. Maybe being around people who care about him is what he needed? Maybe he was just lonely.
I get that. How could I not? It's one thing I can talk to him about. He understands and never judges me. I do the same for him, but I know that he still needs help.
After all, what Sasuke told me…
Sasuke asked me to meet him on top of the Hokage Monument to discuss what he learned.
We're beside each other with him standing unlike me.
"So? What did you find out about Oreo?" I ask, looking up at my best friend.
"Nothing you probably don't know about him specifically."
I look away, clenching my fists. "Oh."
Wonderful. Not even the Snake Sage can help him! Dammit! What am I supposed to do to help him?!
"I didn't say I didn't find anything out."
"But you just said-!" I exclaim.
"That I didn't find any information specifically about Orochimaru."
"Oh. Then what did you find out?"
Sasuke sits beside me. We watch Chocho chase Sarada, probably to beg her to take her to get food.
"Orochimaru's and Kakashi's clans were once connected."
"Say what?!"
"You're still way too loud."
"Hey!"
"Anyway, Hebimaru said that the bond stopped with Sakumo and Orochimaru. Apparently, Sakumo was supposed to protect Orochimaru and give him Kusanagi."
"You mean that sword Nagi keeps inside of her?"
I wonder how Oreo got the sword then.
Sasuke nods. "Did Orochimaru tell you what she is?"
"A bit."
"Bond snakes that are gifted to the clan head family. They fuse their chakra. Kusanagi is held by the current leader. After the leader dies or gives up the position, Kusanagi is given to the Hakate protector to hide."
"Why hide it? That just seems silly."
"I have no idea. Maybe Kakashi will know."
"I''ll ask him."
"Apparently, Kakashi's clan once summoned wolves and some could even shapeshift into them."
"Seriously?!"
Sasuke shrugs. "That's what Hebimaru said."
"Kakashi-sensei is cooler than I thought!"
"Yeah, he's pretty cool. I have more information."
I look at my best friend. What else could he have learned from the Snake Sage?
"Shiromaru exist-"
"What?! So Oreo isn't lying! There are rea-"
"No. The Shiromaru he keeps talking about isn't real."
"Huh?!"
Sasuke sighs, rubbing his eyes. "He's a dragon sage, but-"
"A dragon?!"
According to Sasuke, no one has seen or heard any mention of dragons for thousands of years, but they're the creator of Sage Mode and the ancestors to all snakes.
So, who is this dragon Shiromaru? What about the one Oreo claims will help him "save everyone from death"? And what does all of this mean for my lover?
Kakashi
Naruto enters after a knock. He doesn't bother to wait until I answer. I don't bother to correct him. I know he, like me, is still concerned over what Sasuke told us a few years ago.
Granted, we could have talked about this sooner, but I wasn't ready to open old wounds, be Hokage, and deal with the realization that Naruto married Orochimaru and has three kids with him!
But, more than anything, the realization that Father was supposed to protect Orochimaru! I can't imagine Father- No, that's a lie. He would have. If he had then where would we be today?
Naruto sits down. "You okay, Kakashi-sensei? You look exhausted."
I asked that he, Sasuke, and Sakura not to call me "Lord Sixth" or any of the like. Honestly, it's irritating. I'm just Kakashi. Being forced to be Hokage is…
But, I know it's necessary. I was hoping Naruto would be ready soon, but it seems that won't be the case. Well, at least I can make Guy keep me company while I do all this paperwork that never ends.
"Paperwork will do that to you. Perhaps you're trying to get out of it?"
"No way! I mean, I don't want to do paperwork, but I haven't given up on my dream to be Hokage!"
I smile slightly. "Good. I was concerned you were too busy with Orochimaru to care about yourself."
My student looks down. "I'm not trying to. It's just… Oreo is…"
"Yes, I know," I say, pulling out a scroll. I undo the sealing.
He looks at it. "What's all this, Kakashi-sensei?"
"I wasn't avoiding everything. I found information about the Hakate and Yashagoro clans."
"Really?! Like what?!"
"From what I read, they were connected by an ancient power to keep that power a secret."
"Ancient power?"
"However, there are no documents of this power."
"Oh, so then…"
Orochimaru could probably find the information. He found information on the Reaper Death Seal after all and was able to unseal his arms to summon the first four Hokage after all.
"I'll keep looking, but let Orochimaru know too."
"He'll think we're against him though."
"Yet, he's probably the only one who can find the information we need."
"Alright, I'll try to talk to him," he sighs.
I nod, absently picking up a paper from the "not reviewed" pile. "New information gathering will take time. I have asked Anko and Kabuto to talk to their summons to see if they may have any insight as doubtful as that is."
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei. If we work together, we can find out the truth behind what's going on with Oreo!"
"Yes." I may need to talk to Orochimaru at some point. Not something I want to do, but I will for Naruto. After all, he's-
Naruto and I jump when there's a loud bang on the door.
What in the world?
"Come in!" I call, quickly rolling up the scroll. We want to keep all of this underwraps at least for the time being anyway.
"Daddy! Mama has gone crazy! He attacked Maruta with his sword and Boruto is gone!" Mitsuki yells through the door.
Naruto jumps up, opening the door. Mitsuki, who has a rainbow boa wrapped around his body, clings to his father, sobbing.
"Shh. It's going to be okay, Mitsuki," Naruto whispers, kneeling down in front of the seven year old. He looks at me. "Kakashi-sensei, will you watch him?"
"Of course. You said Boruto is gone, Mitsuki?"
He sniffs, nodding.
He's strong, but these kids haven't experienced war. This is traumatizing. Whatever is going on with Orochimaru, it certainly can't be good.
"Stay with Kakashi-sensei. I'll be back."
"Okay, Daddy," the youngest of Boruto's kids says, sniffing.
They separate, and Naruto runs off.
I walk over to Mitsuki, kneeling in front of him. "Tell me everything that happened."
Orochimaru
After Naruto leaves, I return to my experiment. I'm glad I'm finally able to get back to work. Having Boruto and Mitsuki wasn't a regret, but they did push plans back. Still, they're great for Maruta.
I have the bodies I need; I just need the ability to pull those in the Reaper Hell (what everyone else calls the "afterlife") to this world and keep them here, but how? Naruto sealed some of his and Kurama's chakra to help in this endeavor, but it's still not enough! I can't keep them waiting forever! They're counting on me!
"You should just give it up," a familiar voice scoffs.
I look up, and let out a hiss. "Reaper!"
He's perched on the table across from the one I'm currently working on, swinging his legs. "Aww, you already forgot my name, Oreomaru? Well, no matter. I'm not here for you anyway."
I lash my tongue out. He laughs, flipping off the table. My tongue hits the table and knocks everything on it over. I pull my tongue back in my mouth and run after the reaper as he tries to make his escape from my lab.
I know exactly what he's after! I won't let him!
I summon Nagi and pull out Kusanagi. I know there are more of these vermin!
'Lord Shiromaru, please help me protect my children!'
Boruto
Maruta, Mitsuki, and I are in the living area. Maruta is sleeping on the couch. Mitsuki and I are playing a new video game we got for our birthdays! We have to keep it down since Maruta needs a lot of rest.
Maruta gets a lot of stares when we go out, but Mitsuki and I don't let anyone mess with our big brother!
He's super sweet and really smart! When Mama isn't busy, I'm going to ask him if I can summon a snake that looks like Maruta's tail! I mean how cool is that?! He has a tail! Why don't I have a tail?! So not cool!
Though, I know how much Maruta struggles. He has to go to all these appointments, eat this strict diet, take all this medication… so maybe I shouldn't want a tail, but at the same time, at least he wouldn't be alone!
When he's feeling extremely alone, Mama turns into a "naga" (that's what he said Maruta is) and slithers around with him. Mitsuki and I crawl into large pillowcases, tie them up, and attempt to slither around as well. It's not the same, but from the way my brother smiles, I can tell it makes him happy.
Mama's lab door slams open so hard it creates a giant hole in the wall.
"Mama?" Mitsuki asks as we stand up.
He stares at Maruta, though I don't know if he's actually seeing him.
Uh oh. Dad warned us about this.
Sometimes, Mama isn't "here". He usually just stares at nothing or through something or someone. One time, I even heard him talking to his snake skin he has put up in an aquarium as if it talked back!
"Mama, what is it?" I ask as my twin and I move in front of our sleeping older brother.
"Boruto, Mitsuki, you have to-" He cuts himself by using his tongue to flip the table over. "You will not have them!"
Huh?!
Mitsuki and I continue to try and get to Maruta, but Mama keeps standing in our way! He flips the couch over, knocking Maruta to the floor.
"Maruta!" Mitsuki and I shout.
He gasps, looking up. His eyes widen as Mama swings his sword. My brother rolls out of the way just in time. The sword slices into the couch, cutting a portion of it in half!
"We have to stop this!" Mitsuki exclaims.
Yeah, but how?! Why is Mama attacking Maruta?! We run over, finally able to get over to him!
"No! They'll get you! Run away!"
"Who?! Mama, there's no one here!" I shout, trying to move in front of Maruta, but Mama picks Mitsuki and me up with his tongue and throws us into his lab.
We gasp, landing hard on the floor with broken glass, scrolls, and papers. We slowly sit up.
"You okay, Mitsy?"
He groans, rubbing his butt. "Yeah, I think so. Let's get out of here and help Maruta."
"Right," I say. We stand up. We're too short to reach the door. Maybe… "Hey, do you think you can sit on my shoulders if I make some shadow clones?"
"You can do that?"
"I've seen Dad do it all the time. How hard can it be?"
Mitsuki doesn't look convinced, but nods.
I attempt to make a shadow clone, but it just comes out as a half deformation of clones and shadow clones.
"I knew that wasn't going to work," my twin sighs.
"Let me try again," I say, trying once more.
Maruta lets out a scream.
"We don't have time, Boruto! Help me push a chair up to the door!"
I sigh, conceding. He's right. We don't have time! We push a fairly heavy chair against the door. Mitsuki climbs it.
"It's locked."
"How?! It can only be locked from the inside!"
"I have no idea. You can come up and check."
I climb onto the chair and wiggle the knob. Sure enough, it's locked. Now what?!
Another scream and a crash.
"Maruta!"
"You won't have them! Let Maruta go!"
Mama has lost it! I have to stop him! I have to protect my brother!
Several snakes slither out of Mitsuki's sleeve and attack the door. He must be in Sage Mode.
Alright, there has to be something I can do! I know a few jutsu. Mama and Dad taught us some after all!
I quickly do the hand seals for a Lightning-style jutsu, striking the door. With the snakes, my Lightning-style, and Mitsuki's Wind-style, we manage to get the door to explode.
We run out, stopping in our tracks. Nagi is using all of her strength to hold Kusanagi back, attempting to turn it into chakra. Maruta is on the floor, curled up and sobbing. Blood is pulled around him.
"Maruta!" we scream.
We run, but I have to stop as pain shoots in my right eye. I cover it, letting out my own scream.
"Boruto!" Mitsuki shouts.
"I'm fine! Just this stupid eye again!"
My right eye has had issues ever since I was born. Aunt Sakura said it may be a "birth defect", but she can't be too sure. Mama makes me tell him how it's feeling or if anything usual happens. It's mostly pain and sometimes I see 'shadows' around people who end up going to jail.
(We don't have much, but we get attempted thefts and 'small crimes' every so often.)
Why is it acting up now?! I don't have time for this! I take a deep breath and pull my hand away. I blink. Then blink again. My vision must be very blurry! I can see strange wavy lines and chakra! But I don't possess Uncle Sasuke's Sharingan or Aunt Hinata's Byakugan! How can I?!
I swallow shakily.
"Boruto, are you okay?!" Mitsuki shouts through Mama's screaming and crashing about. He seems to have left Maruta alone for the time being, and is running around like he's chasing something.
I nod, squeezing my eyes shut. Everything is spinning!
Mitsuki picks Maruta up. "Boruto, let's get to Daddy!"
"Right. Where is Sabiniji?" I look over to see her trying to help Nagi.
I start to walk over to my brothers, but the world starts spinning.
"Boruto?"
"I…" I try again, but the world spins more. Pain flares in my eye again. Sharp and deep. I fall to my knees, covering it as the world closes and spins around me.
"Boruto!" my brothers as I slip underwater and everything goes black.
So this marks the beginning of the climax! Things are getting heated up & I'm so excited to share the epicness that is my crazy mind with y'all :D So strap on in because we're flying!
Preview
Naruto
I grab him, pulling him into my arms. He lashes his tongue and thrashes about, screaming.
"Enough, Orochimaru!"