Chapter-7

Naori watched in surprise as her nephew followed her hand seals perfectly without a single mistake. His dark red eyes intently staring at her movements and capturing them magnificently. She had heard stories about the Sharingan and its power but now she was seeing it in reality.

She launched a small water dragon in his direction and he replicated her action by launching a smaller version of his own water dragon. The two beasts clashed ferociously but his power over water won out as her beast was defeated. Still, she didn't give him any rest by charging in straight for him.

Their blades clashed next and she put in a lot of her strength yet he parried her blows with ease. He didn't try to overwhelm her for it was pointless due to her superior strength but his speed was dangerous. He knew he was smaller and was using it to his advantage by aiming for her legs and even her sexual organ.

Ruthless.

Suddenly he went for her legs making her jump in the air in reflex. That was when she made the mistake of gazing in his eyes...

She froze.

The next second a blade was pointed at her heart and his triumphant grin clearly visible on his face.

"I win"

"Is that so?"

He froze as her voice resonated from behind him and a sharp blade was pointed at his neck. The Naori in front of him vanished into smoke.

Shadow Clone.

"Damn it!" he cursed, earning a bop on the head.

"You did well. But you lack experience, don't get cocky just because you have the sharingan for your enemy will always have their own tricks. And always make sure you take an enemy's head off on first chance. Limbs and organs can be lost yet they cannot stop a warrior from fighting. But a head gone would be their end" she warned, removing her kunai from his neck.

He turned back to see her soaked from head to toe. Her long purple hair completely wet and her dress hugging tightly to her womanly figure. He blushed and looked away.

Naori raised an eyebrow at his reaction even more when he turned away.

"Naruto, what are you doing?" she asked seriously,

"You...well...it's...not...honorable...to..." he stuttered, making her grin. Who would have thought the little brat had decency unlike most males of her clan. But his honor was his flaw and could get him killed.

"Have you seen a women naked?" she inquired, wondering what her brother had trained his boys in. Kunoichi had been the death of many great warriors with their seduction.

"No. It's gross"

She couldn't hold back her laugh on hearing his comment. Such a child, one day he would regret saying such a thing and say the opposite. Naori was sure but that was for another time.

Yet she couldn't resist her chance to tease him more. He was adorable.

"Why do you think so?"

She could feel him scowl on being prodded further on this uncomfortable topic. So she sweetened the deal...

"Answer me and I'll teach you something new" she offered, and he hesitantly turned back. His eyes still on the lake beneath them. The boy loved to learn more.

"I...don't...know...your...chest...is...weird...and...Inabi...said...you...don't...have-" he blushed crimson unable to finish his words despite her generous offer.

Naori smirked but gently patted his head.

"Alright. Maybe someday you will change your opinion. But always be wary of women, Naruto. They can give life but take it back as well. You are honorable in that aspect and I want you to remain the same for it will prevent you from making any mistakes" she warned,

"Hai" he replied, not understanding her full meaning but deciding to follow her advise nonetheless.

She saw the afternoon sun shining brightly alongwith the groan of his stomach as he scratched the back of his head.

"Come, we'll have lunch" she offered, as his eyes lit up.

"Ramen?"

She smacked her forehead at his unhealthy obsession. Izuna had spoiled him limitlessly in this area.

"No, you fool. Something healthy that will allow your body to grow big and strong like Madara. You want that, don't you?" she asked seriously, knowing she always had to link her demands to his benefit or he would protest. Stubborn child.

He sighed.

"Alright"

"Good. After that we'll have our academic lessons" she grinned,

"WHAT?"

(Midnight)

Sneaking out of town had always been a fun activity for him. Managing to get past the guards who always boasted that none could enter or leave without their permission made him laugh. The only drawback was that it had made Izuna worried which was why he didn't do this more often.

But his brother was gone.

And Naruto was trying to live again. He enjoyed the growing affection Madara showed towards him and the return of his aunt had started to fill the void in his heart.

Naori was kind to him but quite strict when it came to his training. She was bold and didn't hesitate in making him uncomfortable with her body or her abhorring love of books. He still shuddered on remembering spending his entire afternoon learning about different ninja clans and their histories.

Who leaded those clans, their children's names and what parts of the world they controlled.

The information was too much for him to remember but Naori was adamant that he learn it. When he had argued they had servants to remember such information she had bonked him so hard that it still hurt.

He had fallen in line after that and she rewarded his co-operation by taking him to eat ice cream with her.

He ran through the vast forests enjoying the feel of cold air hitting his skin. The sound of leaves rustling and little animals scurrying away from him made him laugh.

This was the true meaning of freedom.

Here in the wild, he didn't have to pretend. Didn't have to mind his manners and choose each word carefully.

He could say anything, do anything, and it gave him immense joy. His father didn't care where he was and it would not matter if he was home by morning. Madara was a deep sleeper and always slept in his personal chambers, so there was no chance of his brother discovering him missing from their home.

Naori was busy doing some work and he doubted she would find the need to see him this late at night.

Izuna had been the only one who worried and made sure he was in his bed at most times. Naruto stopped his run as the memory of his brother's last breath hit him again.

Be...happy...little...brother.

Madara had warned him not to dwell in sorrow too much and being around Naori helped. Yet he also missed Izuna's smile, their ramen meals and long walks across town. He missed the piggyback rides his brother always offered him despite the frowns that earned him from the other clansmen.

He fought back the tears and ran fast uncaring of where he was stepping. Only if he had been faster, only if he had been stronger...

His brothers would still be alive.

Why had he been so weak?

SNAP

He yelped in pain as the tree branch beneath his feet broke sending him tumbling down the small hill. He tried to catch some grip in order to stop his fall and felt terror seep in his heart as the deep valley started getting closer and closer.

But there was nothing to grab, nothing to stop his descent to death and his heart stopped when he felt the ground going missing from beneath him.

He closed his eyes not wanting to see himself die a horrible death. It was all so dark and cold as he continued to fall...

He didn't know what took over him but he opened his eyes only to see his life flash before his eyes.

All the good and bad times, the memories of his brothers, their victories and defeats, tears and joys.

Maybe he would see them again soon enough.

However all those thought vanished from his mind as in the darkness he saw something. It was distant but growing larger and larger.

His eyes widened in horror as he saw something that stopped his heart.

The pair of deep red eyes full of hatred