Chap-18 The Young Dragon

(Two Days Later)

Naori watched her nephew mount atop his monstrous fox as his remaining companions arrived in the courtyard. She could see it in his eyes, the thirst for battle with the only difference between him and Madara being the fact that while the elder brother enjoyed killing, the younger one only liked to test his limits against worthy foes.

But what made her young nephew more dangerous than anyone, even Madara, was the fact that Naruto didn't fear death.

He welcomed it.

For it would free him from the hell that was his life and that gave him the power over most people for he didn't want money, power, or glory. He just wanted to redeem his disgraced name, no matter how impossible it was.

When he approached her, he again stepped down to the ground allowing her to kiss his forehead and cheeks.

"Be victorious" she whispered, unable to hide her worry for she loved this boy as if he were her own. That fact had became crystal clear the day his life had changed forever.

His words all those years ago of her abandoning him during his early childhood had made her feel more guilty than all the lives she had taken.

For she could have chosen to love a motherless child.

And instead she chose to serve the clan believing he would never remember her.

But now she couldn't help but think how things could have changed if she had been there for him. Would his life have turned out the same way? Would he still be a pawn for their clan, for Tajima's ambition?

"It's bad to bid someone farewell with tears before they leave for battle" he admonished with that ever present arrogant smile,

She didn't reply and embraced him fiercely as tears slipped from her eyes. He was taller and more stronger than her now, and yet she wished to see him safe and happy from all those who wished to harm him.

"Just be safe and if things get too risky, come back" she whispered worriedly, and felt him stiffen in her embrace.

"We need this Alliance, Naori" he said seriously,

"Not if it means losing you or worse"

He couldn't help but smile and kiss her forehead, for this beautiful woman had looked after him more than his own father ever had. There were very few for whom he had any feelings, she was one of them.

"I won't die. Not until I kill Tobirama Senju" said Naruto furiously, his hatred for the second Senju heir seeping into his voice which made her clutch him more fiercely.

"Promise me you won't engage the Senjus. Killing Tobirama will not heal your pain..." suggested Naori, but he shook his head.

"He took away the one I loved most in this world. And I will take away all he holds dear before ending his miserable life and only then will I join my brothers" he whispered hatefully,

"You still have one brother in this world, Naruto. And he loves you more than anything"

Her words made him falter as he remembered the sibling who had defied everyone for him. One who would not hesitate to burn the entire world for him.

"Madara has Father. And I have to avenge Izuna..." he said stubbornly, making her break the hug and stare at him furiously.

"And what about me?"

Again, this woman made him feel more guilty than anyone else ever had. He looked away for he was not able to meet her piercing gaze that held so much anger but love for him at the same time.

"You should have been my mother"

Her heart warmed and broke at the same time hearing him say that. For hidden in those words was all he felt for her and the place she had in his heart.

"Then promise me..." she insisted fiercely,

"Naori..." he sighed, but she grabbed his chin forcefully making him look back in her eyes.

"Promise me..."

His defiant stare fought against her fierce gaze but she didn't break nor flinch which made him finally sigh in defeat.

"Very well. I will not engage the Senjus and only focus on the mission. I promise"

He smiled when pure relief washed across her face and her eyes lost some of the unbearable tension she had ever since his decision to take this mission. While she had insisted for him to take more men than just his Kinsguard, but he had refused for there was no need.

And he liked to work with people he trusted.

"Come back to me unharmed and victorious, then I shall give you a gift" she promised with a smile,

He smirked in return even as he moved to mount his beastly fox who simply stepped aside making the heavily armored Naruto fall flat on his face in the ground.

Naori and the rest of the Kinsguard laughed heartily even as Naruto glared daggers at the beast who stared back at him unapologetically.

It was with this happy memory that she watched him depart and made a silent prayer for his safety.

(Nightfall)

The group of six Uchiha's and one giant fox finally stopped their fast journey when they reached the borders of their clan territory. A few miles ahead began the borders of their most hated and dangerous enemy, The Senju.

Every member of the squad could feel the unspoken tension in the air as they saw Naruto's harsh stare fixated on the Senju borders. The hatred ever present in his eyes as his heart yearned for the one thing he had always wanted.

A chance to avenge his beloved brother.

It was a strange paradox for Kurama to witness, for the same boy had remained loyal and devoted to the Uchiha Clan even after all that was done to him. His love for his family exceeding the disgrace laid down upon him.

And yet at the same time his hatred for one Senju knew no bounds, and Kurama didn't doubt for a single second of the unspoken horrors Naruto was capable of inflicting just for a single chance of revenge.

He was an Uchiha and at the end of the day nothing would change that.

But the beast was relieved when the boy gave a resigned sigh before averting his gaze from the enemy borders and turning back towards his squad. If there was one thing true about the boy was the fact that he kept his promises, no matter what happened.

And that Naori woman had used that for his own good.

"We shall make camp here and move forth at midnight" commanded the Kinslayer, earning nods from his squadmates until Itachi presented one problem of their plan.

"While we can move swiftly in the darkness, it still leaves us open for detection. The Senju Clan is known for their hidden traps and sensor patrols. Any mistake and we will be surrounded before we can even blink" warned Itachi,

"That is a risk we must take. I guess it's better we are just a squad then, and not a small company as Naori-sama was suggesting" said Kagami honestly, but Takeshi shook his head in protest.

"There is strength in numbers. We could have used that extra help if not to confront the Senju in case of trouble, then atleast against the Yamanka Clan who will have a sizeable chunk of their fighters defending their homeland" said Takeshi with a frown,

Before anyone else could offer any more suggestions, Naruto's amused laughter again gathered the attention of the group.

"You gone senile, Golden Boy?" asked Mikoto slyly as she stared at his golden armor.

Chuckles and jeers erupted at her remark as Naruto blushed and glared at her, even Kurama snorted at the nickname this woman always had for his friend.

"Shut it, Miku-baka" he retorted sharply, resulting into Mikoto's eyebrows twitching violently as her twin brother laughed boisterously.

"Seriously, you guys. We're on a mission, you know" whispered Itachi in his usual broody tone,

After another few minutes of childless bickering, Naruto finally managed to gain control and looked at all his squadmates including the lazy fox pretending to sleep in a nearby corner.

"Do you trust me?" he asked seriously, his face losing all the joviality.

"Do we have a choice?" retorted Takeshi with an eye roll, and grunted in pain when two hard bops connected on his head courtesy of Mikoto and Kagami.

"We do, Lord Commander" assured Itachi with a feint smirk, making Naruto groan at the stupid nickname earning another round of smirks and chuckles from his group of crazy friends.

"Then I'll reveal our next action when the time is right" replied Naruto cryptically,

Surprisingly, Kurama saw all the squad members nod in agreement as they warily glanced at their surroundings clearly understanding Naruto's hidden message.

Be on guard.

The Biju couldn't help but agree with his friend's decision to stay silent for even if they were still in friendly territory, there was still a chance of enemies lurking nearby. And it would be utter folly if their mission plan was explained out here in the open.

The same had been the case when they had been preparing at their base for there were many people there whom Naruto didn't trust, even if they were Uchiha. And the Kinslayer still didn't trust Sakumo, so he had refrained from explaining his strategy of rescuing the Hatake clan head's daughter from the Yamanaka.

And it was a testament to the loyalty and trust the Kinsguard had in their leader that made them accept such a risky mission, and still go on forward without knowing their battle plan.

They were risking their lives for Naruto Uchiha.

And Kurama saw the determination in his friend's eyes to keep his loyal comrades safe.

"We have roughly six hours, so we'll rest in shifts. I'll take the first one with Kagami, the rest two can be decided by you guys" advised Naruto, earning another round of affirmative nods from the squad.

(Few Hours Later)

The sound of lips smashing softly echoed near the shores of the silent Naka river as two Uchiha's engaged in a messy tangle of limbs were lost in one another's company.

That was the case until one of them stopped earning a sharp glare from the other.

Naruto had the grace to feel guilty and apologetically stare at the beautiful woman currently lying beneath him. Although her next words rendered him speechless.

"Are you into boys?"

Mikoto smirked when he spluttered for a simple reply with his cheeks flushing red in embarrassment. She sighed and entangled herself out of his embrace much to his disappointment, but a swift glare from her made him raise his hands up in surrender.

She watched him remain silent and stare wistfully at the Naka river that flowed silently in front of them.

"Why do you hesitate to go further, Naruto?" she asked gently, touching his arm with her hand offering her support.

"Because I can't. I am forbidden, and I'll spoil your future if we go further" he answered honestly, which made her grasp his arm roughly.

"It doesn't matter" she said defiantly, edging closer and laying down lingering kisses on his cheeks and neck which made him sigh in pleasure.

"It matters to me" he whispered, but didn't stop her either.

Mikoto finally stopped her actions and looked in his eyes that had always held a never ending sea of pain and suffering.

"You know what they all call me: Kinslayer, , Traitor...they all despise me. I don't want that for you because it will happen if we go any further, not to forget the trouble it will land my father and elder brother in" he explained hesitantly, which made her sigh but she grabbed his cheeks gently.

"I was the daughter of a servant, you know. Destined to be a whore until the Fuma Clan attacked our Castle forcing me and my brother to defend ourselves. The guards rushed to protect the important nobles and heirs of lesser Uchiha families leaving us all alone. We fought as best as we could, even killing four fighters who underestimated us. But we knew we would die there, until you came along" she whispered lovingly,

He listened to her words and was mesmerized by the sheer happiness and pride that was present in her eyes.

"Even if we were Uchiha, nobody bothered to protect the servants and whores. You and the lazy fox were the only ones that came out to defend us. I remember being mesmerized watching your golden armor, your handsome face, your swift dance with your sword and the beastly slaughter by the fox. It was a massacre, but to me it was one of the most beautiful things in the world" explained Mikoto fondly,

He couldn't help but smile, the pain in his heart being forgotten for atleast he was able to give this girl something to be happy about. Even if it was just his duty that demanded it.

"You were always kind and courteous to us servants even if most looked down upon you. I and my brother were not much different, but when the battle was over you walked to us stained with blood and guts, saying the words no one ever said to us after our parents died" she whispered,

"Are you okay?" he repeated shyly, remembering the moment which made her smile as well.

"Everyone always asked me and my brother to believe and follow many things: Traditions, our betters, our place in the world, our clan. But when I looked in your eyes the first time, I knew I could believe in you"

She smiled when he averted his gaze in a pitiful effort to conceal his moist eyes, so she hugged him fiercely.

"I don't care what others think of you. Never have, never will" she promised, and felt him shake in her arms.

"Thank you" he whispered gratefully,

They both remained embraced in each other arms knowing that even if their hearts were together, their worlds were apart from one another.

Mikoto couldn't help but laugh when he reverted back to his usual self...

"I wonder what Takeshi's reaction will be should he find out about our extra activities. Should be quite amusing..."

He was relieved when she laughed further even as she bonked him lightly on the arm making him grin as well.

"You're a jerk" she retorted,

"One of my finest traits, apart from my swordsmanship" he boasted with a cocky grin,

"Modest, aren't we?" she teased, and watched him shrug shamelessly.

"Don't worry. I'm older than Takeshi..." said Mikoto confidently,

"By two minutes.."

He smirked when her nostrils flared and her face became red in embarrassment. When he saw her raise her clenched fists, he did the one sensible thing.

He ran.