Writer's Note I: I don't mention it enough, but I wanted to thank all the guests who reviewed the story. I can't message guest accounts on the site... but I read your comments! Thank you!
The Last Shinto Kami
Chapter Sixteen: The Mother & The Maiden
While Chaos came to Olympus and Artemis stabilized his burning body, Naruto had a long-awaited meeting.
Naruto ended up pulled into his mindscape, where he stood on a platform consisting of stained glass. The lure of an orange glow coming through panes drew his gaze down. He found a mosaic under his feet that depicted a half-visible sun behind a wall of gray clouds. Shaking his gaze away, he spotted another glass floor in the distance.
With a jump that defied mortal physics, he bounded over the darkness and landed softly on the next stepping stone. The closest platform was above. Those giant, gilded doors looked like a good next step. Better than stumbling around in the dark. Hopefully, it led to some answers.
He landed right in front of the two doors. A deep breath later, and Naruto was pushing on the sealed doors with a grunt. He didn't count on the endless void shifting from black to white out of nowhere. The sudden brightness made Naruto wince as he spoke. "This is getting weird. Doors that lead to nowhere doesn't make any sense..."
"Life is all about expectations and how we manage them. I hope the accommodations don't disappoint you too much, Naruto." The inclusion of a mature voice sent Naruto into a spin. He saw who was waiting for him, but words eluded him. Between Naruto's sun-like, golden eyes and the woman's sunset-orange eyes... words weren't needed. Everything was felt rather than said.
Familiarity.
No, not familiarity. It was family.
Naruto felt the sting of tears welling up in his eyes. He could follow their warmth as they moved down his cheeks. Yes, he was crying. No, Naruto didn't give a damn. He all but ran into the raven-haired woman's arms, squeezing her as tight as possible. He happily let the woman guide his head down into the crook of her neck. "Kaa-chan…"
Tears weren't exclusive to Naruto. Amaterasu silently shed her tearful emotions as she held her son for the first time since he was an infant. Centuries of repressed yearning hit, and the results spoke for themselves. Her precious baby... the mere thought made her breathing shorten into an overjoyed gasp as her fingers combed lovingly through Naruto's untamed mane. "My little boy has grown into a wonderful man... I couldn't be more proud."
"Kaa-chan..." Now she'd done it. Naruto was in tears, crying into his mother's shoulder, soaking her with his hot tears. Amaterasu's soothing voice and the warmth she gave off were like nothing Naruto could describe. It was as if a piece of his heart that had been missing was back where it belonged.
Our reunited family embraced for a few minutes before Amaterasu put her hands on Naruto's shoulder, holding her son at arm's length as she examined him with motherly pride. "Let's have a look at you..."
Instinctively leaning into his mother's warm hands, Naruto closed his eyes with an innocent sigh. Part of his being wanted to curl up and nap... forget everything, and be at peace, but Naruto fought off the intrusive thoughts. "There are so many things I want to ask, Kaa-chan! To show you!"
Soaking up her child's heartfelt enthusiasm with a smile, the former queen of the Shinto world tapped her finger against Naruto's heart, which pulled her son's eyes to the offending digit. "Fret not. I've seen your life from here, my son. Every battle and every laugh... I've been there by your side from right here."
Naruto realized his mother meant this literally and metaphorically, setting off a string of questions. "Wait... how is something like that possible? How does it even work? Is that why we're meeting right now, Kaa-chan?" He scrubbed his mind for anything that'd make sense of all this. However, no seal or technique came to mind.
"The move to place my limited essence in your heart was more a spontaneous gambit than a thought-out plan. It began when Chaos came to Takamagahara shortly after your birth. Chaos knew I wasn't long for this world and offered me a choice to give you the life you deserved." Amaterasu showed a smile that combined heart-wrenching regret and maternal pride. "It hurt, but I took the offer without hesitating for your sake. That is when Chaos floated the idea of compressing my essence and sealing it in you, my son."
Amaterasu's perspective definitely illuminated some things. If this was something Chaos did, then it wasn't too surprising he didn't know the technique or seal. "If Chaos knew, why not say something?" Naruto couldn't help but feel a touch of doubt creep into his voice.
"We weren't sure it was going to work. There was every chance the seal never activated."
Naruto was mature enough to understand the logic behind Chaos' choice. Rather than get hung up on semantics, he focused on the moment with his mother. No point in throwing a temper tantrum over something so stupid. "Okay, I get it. Then what was supposed to trigger the seal?"
A silent shimmer of relief ran through her orange eyes as the worries buried in her heart faded like smoke dispersing on the horizon. Amaterasu always dreaded that Naruto might take being kept in the dark poorly, but it turned out her concerns were for naught. "The original condition was to assist you in awakening your black flames. The Flames of the Universe."
"Uchu no hono...?" Naruto couldn't help but test the words himself. Ya know, try and feel the importance of their symbolic weight.
His use of their native tongue put a little smirk on Amaterasu's face. "That's correct. They are the strongest flames in the entire pantheon, a fire derived from the universe's creation entrusted to our family." Amaterasu stopped the impromptu history lesson when she saw the sadness seeping into her son's face. "What's wrong?"
"I'm annoyed at myself. I shouldn't have needed those flames to beat someone like Heracles. I could have finished him off without them." The way Naruto's brow knitted together and his fist closed suggested Naruto was more than a little annoyed about how things ended with Heracles.
Amaterasu gently pushed Naruto's chin up, making him look at her. The knowing but understanding smile she gave him ate away at the harsh anger lines etched into Naruto's grimace. "Let me share a secret with you about our power, Naruto. Our flames don't get stronger because we punch harder and shout. The fire in our hearts will always burn hotter when our emotions are unleashed. Your flames burned black, not because it was necessary but because of the protective anger you felt for your friend. Because you felt..."
Her words and the gentle undercurrent of love were tremendously effective. The perfect balm against his doubts. Like the happiness behind it, Naruto's smile couldn't be contained as it rolled across his face like the sunrise after a long night. "Thanks, Kaa-chan."
Amaterasu stood on her toes to put a feathery kiss on her child's forehead. Her natural radiance shone through her peaceful expression. The moment was everything she could hope for and more. "I should be thanking you. I have always wanted this... a chance to be your mother. I couldn't ask for a better son."
An embarrassed blush sunk into Naruto's face, but he didn't think the feeling was too bad. He rather enjoyed it, if he had to be honest. "So, what do we do now? You know, since you don't have to kickstart my flames?"
Amaterasu's queenly nobility shattered when she laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her head. The image she conveyed matched the answer she gave. "I have absolutely no clue... maybe we can sit around and bond until my energy eventually fades? Wouldn't that be nice?"
The unending vibrancy woven into Naruto's golden eyes dimmed into something more determined. His fierce change went unnoticed by his mother, who was focused on Naruto's quiet question. "How long would that be? The fading...?"
Taken by her estimations, Amaterasu's sunset-orange orbs glazed over as she stared idly into the white space beyond Naruto's shoulder. "If I had to guess? A year... perhaps a handful of them if I conserve my essence." A year or five wasn't any time at all for immortals. All the more reason for Naruto's urgent reply.
"No..."
His stern denial of the situation spurred Amaterasu from her distracted state. Her gently turned frown showed the confusion Naruto sowed. "I don't understand? What's wrong?"
"I mean what I said! I won't let you disappear now that you're finally here! I refuse!"
"Oh, Naruto..." Her brave boy hid it well, but there was a pain in his soul. The despair of not having his family growing up left an undeniable mark on him. "If that's what you want, I won't stop you. But promise me you won't let it stop you from living your life."
Funny how one remark could take the anger out of a person's sails. Naruto went from passionate to confused in the time it took his mother to offer a piece of life advice. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"You can't be obsessed with the past at the cost of what's happening around you. Like the Greek moon girl, for instance... or should I call her my future daughter-in-law?" A tittering Amaterasu didn't even get through talking before she broke into a fit of giggles. Her ploy to take Naruto's mind off the past worked like a charm. The look Naruto was giving her was too much. It broke her composure in a flash.
How could Amaterasu not tease him when Naruto stammered silently as a golden blush overtook his normal complexion. "What... what are you talking about! You got it all wrong! Artemis is just a friend, Kaa-chan! A friend!" If things got any worse for Naruto, he might end up with steam coming out of his red ears!
Amaterasu retained the happy glint in her eye for multiple reasons. Many of which completely eluded Naruto. "Then why has she been by your side the whole time you've rested? Hmm?"
"Wait... she has?"
"Yes, and you have made the poor girl worry long enough. Go, I'll talk with you soon, Naru-chan." He was pushed out of the mindscape the same way he was pulled, but this time, Amaterasu was giggling as he exited
Gods didn't operate at the same level as mortals. When they woke up, they weren't groggy and distracted. That is why Naruto emerged from his slumber, fully aware of how Artemis held his hand in an iron clench. A glance to his right showed Artemis bedside, sleeping in a small chair.
Naruto sent a spark of energy through their conjoined hands, waking Artemis from the land of sleep. "Rise and shine, Tsuki-chan..."
The insincere annoyance she had for Naruto's affectionate nickname was purely reflexive at this point. "Will you stop using that stupid name, Naruto?" Her complaint lay with the sound of her stiff shoulders popping loudly.
That's when the moment hit her. And Artemis realized what Naruto's familiar voice meant. In a rush of motion, the redhead threw her arms around Naruto, letting the two friends share a moment of peace. It was an apology and forgiveness in one gesture.
With the sentimental parts out of her system, Artemis transitioned from embracing Naruto to scolding him for being rash, which wasn't unusual for their complicated relationship. "Why did you have to look for another fight, idiot?"
"I wasn't about to let that asshole Heracles torture Zoe anymore than he already had! If that meant a fight, then so be it!" Naruto's lips tugged down in disagreement. Dishing out some punishment on the meat-headed son of Zeus wasn't something Naruto would ever regret.
"Don't be absurd. I don't care about Heracles. The fool never stood a chance. I was worried when Father got involved... worried for you and Zoe. Must you always be so reckless?" There was a softness of concern in her voice, which revealed itself in a semi-managed sense of anxiety that Artemis couldn't hide from someone who knew her as well as Naruto did.
"Look, I'm sorry I made you worry. But you can believe in me, Artemis. I won't let you down. I'm stronger than I look." Reaching out, he took Artemis by the hand and squeezed. Hopefully, his honesty proved the worth of his words. Because, right now, all he had was his word.
Artemis looked away from Naruto with a theatrical huff. Her sideways stare steadied outside the tent. It was all she could do to hide her half-smirk from Naruto. "You better be strong with all the stupid ideas you come up with. If you die, I'll pull you out of your Underworld myself."
Naruto forced out a humorless laugh that rippled with sarcastic wit. "Hah hah... when did you become such a jokester? When you're done, how about you tell me about the reaction on Olympus?"
"The most surprising part was Chaos coming to Olympus. They berated Zeus and threatened him for acting against you. Their anger... it was as incredible as it was frightening. I thought they'd erase him in front of the council, and there wasn't anything we could have done about it. It was eye-opening..." Artemis wasn't too proud to admit the memory of Chaos invoked a terrible shiver in her soul. That memory was a stark reminder of her place in the universe.
Naruto was genuinely surprised but pleased to know that his mothers were looking out for him in different ways. He gave Chaos a silent thank you and was rewarded with a hug and all its warmth. It was a good reminder that the almighty primordial who raised him always had an eye on him.
"I am more than a little peeved with you. How come you never mentioned your relationship to Chaos." Her half-hearted glare didn't match the claim she attempted to make.
"Yeah, sorry I kept it from you. I didn't want you to think of me as Chaos' child before you knew me as Naruto. There isn't a day that I'm not thankful for what Chaos did for me... however, that love comes with a shadow." Perhaps more in-depth than she expected, Naruto's introspective answer was enough for Artemis to move away from the tense exchange.
"Back to your fight... everyone but my Father enjoyed watching you humble Heracles. Though I should warn you, now that the moment has passed, the other Olympians will come looking for you for their own reasons." She saw it on their faces and in their gazes. Naruto was the topic of Olympus.
Naruto sighed over the news, but he was far from shocked. He got done wiping a palm over his face when he saw Artemis looking nervous about something. "Go ahead, spit it out; you want to say something."
Credit where credit is due. Artemis didn't mince words. She didn't try hiding behind flattery. Artemis told her fire-flaunting fried the truth word for word. "My sister, Athena, came to the camp while you were in recovery. She asked I return a favor... a meeting between you and her."
"Ah, I get it now. Athena used my friendship with you as a means to get to me. Clever of her. A meeting wasn't on the schedule, but I'll take the meeting for your sake."
His acceptance left Artemis all smiles. "Fantastic! Now you can meet the new hunters and speak with the older ones. They want news of your health." Literally pulling him out of the tent by the hand, Artemis left no room for argument.
Only for Artemis to stop short of the tent's exit. In a sudden turn, Artemis spun on nimble feet and gently kissed Naruto on the cheek. The small smooch caught a blushing Naruto off guard, but Artemis was already moving on, bringing him along for the ride.
Together, they exited the tent and into the small clearing outside Naruto's lodgings. Artemis released Naruto's hand to whistle for her daughters. In no time, a crowd of hunting maidens stood before Artemis and Naruto. The latter set the tone when he bowed respectfully to the Greek hunters. "Thank you for keeping the camp and myself safe as I recovered. I appreciate all of your hard work."This was how Naruto surprised the hunters who hadn't met him while simultaneously getting smiles from the older hunters who knew Naruto through hunting and training with him.
Zoe took a step forward, separating herself from the group behind her. "Thank you for coming to my aid, Lord Naruto. I apologize for summoning you without warning, but I-"
"Zoe... can I have a hug?" The almost random request caught them all by surprise, but none more than the second-in-command herself. Anyone else would have got an arrow in the eyes, but Naruto wasn't just some random man.
For a heartbeat, Zoe hesitated. She didn't believe Naruto had nefarious intentions, but Zoe was still unsure about the whole thing. Ultimately, the hunter accepted the request and walked forward.
As soon as she got in range, Naruto wrapped Zoe in his arms. He pulled her tight against his chest, and because of the height difference, Zoe rested easily against the front of Naruto's shoulder. The perfect place for Naruto to whisper his support in her ear. "Heracles or anything in the past doesn't have to define you. The way you love and look out for your family is what matters. And if anyone has a problem with that, you can point them my way. I have your back."
Having her face in Naruto's shoulder hid the hardened hunter's trickle of tears. In many ways, Naruto was a mentor for the hunters. He taught and advised them, telling the truth no matter how difficult. But now, his hug felt like that of an older brother looking out for her. Instead of speaking, she squeezed him in gratitude.
Naruto purposely waited until Zoe had her emotions in check before he stepped back and addressed the entire camp. "Alright then! How does a celebratory feast sound?"
Artemis had been content watching her hunters and Naruto interact. Yet now was her time to step into the conversation. She did that by clapping her hands. "An excellent idea! Okay, get your bows ready. We are hunting for our food!"
"We had venison, wild boar, and even three different types of fish..." Artemis marked down the contents of the camp's meal. With each addition, her voice took an exasperated tone. Something was bubbling in her tone, something waiting to get out.
Naruto cut in there. Unlike Artemis, teetering on annoyance and fatigue, Naruto was thoroughly amused by the situation he put his friend in. He thrived in the wildness, and he loved watching others navigate it. "It's important to have variety in a diet. Don't forget the fruits and vegetables. We had plenty of those as well."
Thanks to her years of practice, Artemis ignored Naruto's cheeky interruption without blinking an eye. Responding to it would only encourage more of his nonsense. "But was it necessary for you to hunt and cook that eagle?"
All mischief in his smile, Naruto looked at his redheaded peer with two golden eyes gleaming with pure joy. "What are you implying? That I purposefully aimed for the poor bird? No, the critter accidentally flew in front of my arrow. It was a total coincidence. And we couldn't let it go to waste. Cooking it was the only option."
Her dubious stare's flat delivery broke Naruto, driving the buzzing blonde into poorly kept snickering. "And this accident had nothing to do with the eagle being my Father's sacred animal?"
Naruto swatted away the accusation with a nonchalant wave of his hand. However, his grin was anything but innocent, which didn't help Naruto's poorly defended case. "That's nonsense... something like that is just petty. As I said, it was nothing but bad luck, Tsuki-chan."
"I foolishly forgot how exhausting it is having you around, Naruto." Her saying that didn't stop Artemis from taking a seat on the tree branch beside Naruto. At least the view was worth Naruto's never-ending antics.
"Don't be absurd. You love the mayhem I bring to the table." Throwing an arm around her shoulders, Naruto tugged Artemis a little closer, which she accepted with a smile-laced sigh. Leaning into his warmth, the two sat in companionable silence with the sounds of the wild playing in the background. "Do you do this often? Watch the moon while your deer pull the chariot in your stead?"
The conversation reached a temporary lull as the huntress took a moment to herself, where she sat in silence and absorbed the soothing feeling. Artemis always felt more at home out in the wilderness. Her temple on Olympus, for all its pomp, couldn't compare. "Not often enough, but sometimes. What about you and your responsibilities? How do you guide the sun through your homeland when you spend so much of your time here in Greece?"
Naruto followed her questions with an aimless nod. It was an understandable ask if one didn't understand the inner intricacies of his ancestral pantheon. Luckily for Artemis, he was here to provide her with some answers. "You mean like your brother does? Yeah, I don't guide the sun in the literal sense. The sun's influence is tied to one of the world pillars in Takamagahara, which handles it for me."
Artemis made an enlightened ahhh noise, which rolled around into a humming noise. Her evident contemplation ended up becoming another question. "Takamagahara is a divine realm like Olympus, right? The place where your family ruled the mortals from? What is it like?" She prepared herself for an elaborate story that painted a paradise worthy of the gods.
Perhaps at a later date, she could convince Naruto to take her there for a visit. That'd be something worth doing. Hah! Artemis could imagine Athena's jealous fit. There'd definitely be some teasing due, but all in good fun.
"I have no idea."
"What...?" A stiff turn of her head placed Artemis in line with her friend's bright eyes. Her grandiose ideas crashed down hard. It left her with a flat voice that rapidly spiraled into a deadpan. But what else could Artemis say? If he was going to talk about Takamagahara, how could he come up with something so... so lame? It was a complete and utter letdown.
To his credit, Naruto acknowledged the awkward lack of flair with a wry grin. His free hand rubbed the back of his head as he squinted like a nervous fox. It was almost endearing for Artemis to see him so embarrassed. "It's a spell or an enchantment, a powerful one to boot. Don't know who put it there, but it's keeping Takamagahara locked down tight. I've been looking for answers whenever I go home, but no luck so far."
A thought struck him. 'Maybe Kaa-chan can help me out. I'll have to remember to bring it up with her the next time we talk.' Naruto wasn't all that bothered that he forgot to mention it earlier. As far as he was concerned, he had higher priorities than a place he'd never seen. It was his mom, for Chaos' sake!
With Naruto lost in a world of his own making, Artemis realized how close she and Naruto were. Sitting under his arm, they were turned in a way that had them nearly nose-to-nose. The intimacy of their closeness had her blushing a brilliant gold and looking away. But she didn't move from under Naruto's half-embrace and its warmth. "I'm sure you will figure it out. You're too stubborn to quit."
Responding to her toothless insult with another chuckle, Naruto stared at the full moon with a crooked smile. He couldn't resist the allure of teasing her when she set him up with such splendid reactions. "That's rich coming from you. You're one to talk about stubbornness. I'm pretty sure you're as hard-headed as I am. That's alright; I like that about you." The mutual tenacity was another reason why they got along so well.
Once she put a tentative chokehold over her blush, Artemis calmed herself with a measured breath and shut her eyes. This way, the moon archer could hear the forest and absorb Naruto's abundant warmth unobstructed. "When do you want to meet Athena? My sister believes it'd be best if you met in Athens. From there, she can mitigate the influence of the others. Keep them from sticking their noses where they don't belong."
Naruto mulled over the idea, making sure he paid the thought its due diligence. Eventually, he put out a more definitive answer with actual words behind it. "I was going to see how my dragon is doing, but..."
The sudden inclusion of a dragon in their conversation had explosive results. Artemis bolted to her feet, staring down at her friend with a pair of eyes so large they resembled the full moon overhead. She must've misheard him, surely. "Did you say a dragon? An actual fire-breathing dragon?"
Naruto had to swallow a snort lest he fall over laughing. Unlike the frazzled hunter, he was calm and collected. Whenever he thought about his grandmother's gift, there was warmth in his soul. Without fail, an ear-to-ear smile came out. Sitting back against the tree, he folded his hands behind his head. "Yup, you heard right. His name is Ancalagon. I wonder how big he's gotten since I last saw him."
"A dragon..." The glassed-over look in Artemis' eyes said she was somewhere else. Lost in a fantasy world of her own creation. She couldn't help it! It was her instinct to hunt. The image of a glorious dragon hunt was the stuff of dreams. She saw it now... fire and arrows in every direction... the thrill of the chase. And then the battle that'd end in her victory.
Her aspirations were painfully apparent to Naruto. He picked up on her intentions in seconds. Plucking a loose twig from the tree, the Kami flicked it off Artemis' forehead. The small stick bounced off her head hard enough to leave Artemis with the sting. "You aren't hunting my dragon. Keep your arrows to yourself, archer maniac."
A glowering look from the redhead turned into a petulant pout that saw her crossing her arms over her chest. Telling a hunter not to hunt was like demanding a fish doesn't swim. It was cruel! "Whatever! But you're bringing me to see this dragon of yours! You got it?" Try as she might, Artemis failed to mask the boiling excitement in her eyes as she waited for his answer.
Naruto took his dear friend's enthusiasm with a warm smile. For all her skill and reputation, moments like these, where Artemis' more childish side surfaced... they were some of his favorites. He appreciated the flashes of innocence because that's when Artemis was being herself. "Yeah, for sure. We can figure something out. Why don't you tell Athena I'll be in Athens in two days. That should give her time to get things sorted."
Of course, a small part of him wondered what Athena had in store for him. Who wouldn't be curious? But trying to guess wouldn't do anything but drive him crazy. A mind like Athena's could come up with almost anything. The chaotic bit in him sorta looked forward to the challenge. At the very least, it wouldn't be a boring trip.
The solace in her heart formed in a rushed sigh off her parted lips. Artemis was relieved things were going smoothly for once. "I appreciate you helping me out with this, Naruto. You don't have to do any of this, but you are." His efforts for her sake weren't lost on Artemis. She promised one day she'd help Naruto in the same way someday.
As Artemis predicted, the blonde quickly attempted to minimize the gravity of his selfless deeds. She expected nothing less from the endearing fool. "Don't worry about it too much. Athena is probably the best first meeting I can ask for, and it was bound to happen sooner or later." Getting up, Naruto arched his back with an uncomfortable groan, followed by a jaw-stretching yawn that fluttered his eyes. "I'm still pretty out of it from being knocked out for so long. I'm turning in for the night. See ya in the morning."
Artemis acknowledged his departure with a nod and was about to turn away when the sound of Naruto's voice held her in place, stopping her midstep. "Oh, before I forget, there is one thing I wanted to mention."
She played right into his trap because Artemis turned right into a tender kiss from Naruto. Everything from the gentle chirping to the southern wind stopped on cue. Their lips meshed together perfectly with the right amount of pressure to make her lips tingle nicely up until the moment Naruto's mouth retreated. She was sure the blush on her face only deepened when Naruto smiled.
"G'night, Tsuki-chan." And like a thief in the night, Naruto dropped off the tree and disappeared into the dense forest below without making a sound to hear. Which left her stun-locked, holding a hand against her flush-beaming cheek.
Writer's Note II: I always have the most fun with character-to-character stuff, which means Amaterasu and Naruto was a blast. And before anyone asks, the parallels between Naruto-Amaterasu & Leto-Artemis were on purpose.
This will be the last update of 2024! Enjoy your holidays and family. Stay safe out there, and I'll see you in the new year.