Key of the Twilight

by tir-synni

              To his own surprise, Umino Iruka loved his life. Twelve years ago, a young genin with wild ambitions and fanciful dreams, Iruka had sworn to follow his parents’ footsteps to become a great shinobi of the illustrious Konoha Village. Such ambitions contrasted sharply with his current humble circumstances, but the now adult former shinobi could imagine nothing else, especially not in his current state. Utterly sprawled on a sweetly scented bed of thick leaves, Umino Iruka drifted between Morpheus’ grasp and the working world. Sunshine poured through the makeshift windows of his small home; the gentle warmth lulled him closer to sleep. Only his own determination to enjoy the temporary peace kept him awake. For the past hour, everything had been completely perfect. The sun warmed him, the leaves crinkled pleasantly under him, and the blossoms crawling up the wall released a fresh, soothing scent. Iruka reveled in the rare peace.

              As much as Iruka loved his life, raising a child like Uzumaki Naruto was exhausting!

              Even his hair flowed free from its typical topknot, laying in soft sable waves along his cheeks and scar. This was his time to relax. Until his baby brother’s return, Iruka resolutely relaxed on his bed of leaves and enjoyed the scent of cherry blossoms in the air. He even–gasp!–propped his feet up on the wall. Heh. His life had changed far more than he had imagined it would. Twelve years ago, he never would have imagined himself sneakily propping his feet up when a blond of no blood relation wasn’t there to see it.

              Come, Hansel; come, Gretal! Iruka called silently, lips quirking as he recalled his mother telling him the old faery tale. We don’t have cookies for you to eat, but I think the south wall is growing grapes and blackberries!

              Just as the thought of his mother coaxed forth a loving smile, the memory of his last sight of her banished it. Iruka loved his life, but he knew it was nowhere near perfect. Every silver lining had a cloud. In Iruka’s case, it was thunderclouds.

              “Kon! Kon kon kon!”

              And there was the lightning.

              Iruka sighed in defeat, prying open his eyes. Slender branches twining together wavered before his eyes before a quick blink brought the ceiling into view. Brown eyes looked away from a particularly dark branch to the window. With a small yawn, he straightened and stared expectantly towards the trees. First Naruto’s friends would announce their arrival. Check. Then an orange blur would dance outside the window, frolicking with his friends and laughing like he hadn’t a care in the world. He was giving that one a few more seconds. Iruka would straighten up before joining his “baby brother” outside, and Naruto would chatter happily about all that had occurred in the hour since he left.

              Yep. Any minute now. . . .

              “Kon! Kon kon kon!”

              Or maybe not.

              “Kon! Kon!”

              “Kon kon kon!”

              “Kon!”

              More high barks followed the original, and Iruka forced himself to remain at his usual pace as he slid off the bed. With careful deliberateness, he slid on his bamboo sandals and pulled his hair into its usual topknot. The barks pounded into Iruka’s mind as he strolled to the front door, walking out onto the rose-lined walkway. The thorny roses swayed away from the brunet’s tender feet and created a path through the small field surrounding his home. A part of Iruka expected Naruto to be there, playing with his friends and flashing his brilliant smile his big brother’s way.

              Nothing.

              “Kon! Kon!”

              His blood pounding against the skin of his inner wrists, Iruka swept sharp eyes over the luminescent trees. Reflective eyes stared back through the thick leaves. No laughing blue eyes were amongst them.

              “Where–“ Iruka’s voice faltered. Taking a steadying breath, Iruka met the glowing eyes. “Where is he? Why isn’t he with you?”

              The answering back echoed through the field. Iruka clenched his fists.

              “I can’t understand,” he gritted out. “You know that.”

              Those eyes, reflecting the hot sunlight, stared coldly at him. Even after all this time, they never failed to send chills up and down Iruka’s spine.

              Iruka swallowed, saliva thick in his throat. “I thought he was with you,” he tried again. “Why did you return without him?”

              You don’t care about me. I am a bug in your eyes.

              “Kon! Kon!” Not words this time. Laughter.

              Dark eyes searched the woods again. Was Naruto joking? He got bored often–common for a young man his age, Iruka believed–and loved playing pranks. This had to be a joke. They never let their darling run off alone.

              “Please–“ Iruka began, but they didn’t care. One pair at a time, those glowing eyes blinked out. Biting his lip, Iruka watched them leave. For whatever reason they came, they saw no reason to remain.

              Perhaps they were looking for Naruto, too. Perhaps they didn’t know where the feisty blond was, either.

              Or perhaps–

              No. No reason to jump to conclusions. Iruka breathed in once, deeply, through his nose, held it, and then released the breath through his mouth. All right. The simplest solution was usually the right one. The simplest solution generally did not incite a good reason to panic. Thus, now was not the time to panic. He dragged another breath in through his nose before releasing it through his mouth. A whole lack of panic. Yep.

              You were a genin once, Iruka reminded himself. Think.

              A moment later, Iruka remembered why he didn’t graduate to chuunin at a young age like some others in his class. At times, he was a complete and utter idiot.

              “Naruto! Naruto!” Iruka shouted. “Naruto!”

              No answered immediately but Iruka was used to that. Naruto’s senses were far stronger than his own. Naruto could hear him, but that didn’t necessarily mean he could hear Naruto.

              “Calm down, dolphin,” the brunet breathed, rubbing sweaty hands against his pants. “They won’t let anything happen to him.” He took another breath. “Naruto! Naruto!”

              Mocking laughter was his only answer.

              “Come and sleep, Naruto.” Iruka shook his head. “C’mon, dolphin. He may just be farther than usual.”

              Sandaled feet shifted restlessly on the rose-lined path. The roses danced in time with his movements. Their hosts had been generous with their accommodations. Naruto adored the roses, oblivious to how they always withdrew their thorns for him in contrast to how they simply avoided Iruka.

              Naruto.

              “Naruto!” Iruka shouted, his voice growing hoarse. “Naruto!”

              “Brother! Brother!” a shrill voice shouted back.

              Finally! “Naruto!” Iruka called, raising his arms and bracing himself. An orange blur exploded from the trees and slammed into his slender, yielding body. Iruka swayed but never faltered. With a practiced movement, he balanced the purring bundle in his arms.

              “Naruto!” he scolded, staring down at wild golden hair. “Where have you been? Your friends have been here for a while, and you were nowhere in sight!”

              Big blue eyes shone under blond bangs. “I met someone, Iruka!” Naruto chirped. “A human! He actually was in the woods!”

              Iruka’s relief vanished. His eyes dark in his pale face, Iruka clutched Naruto to him. The blond yelped, but Iruka didn’t care. “Who?” he demanded. “Where?”

              The excited light in those vivid eyes didn’t fade. “A boy! He was about my age.” Naruto pouted. “He was a bit taller, though.” Then he perked up again and pointed back the way he came. “He was lost and being attacked by traders. I helped him out, and then he got all rude and stuff and was like I could’ve handled it and I was like–“

              ”Where was he from, Naruto?” Iruka interrupted, his voice tight. Naruto blinked at him, eyes wide. “Was he a ninja? Was he from the Leaf Village?”

              The blond quirked his head to the side. “Um . . . he said he was a shinobi from Konoha. Why, Big Brother?”

              Iruka’s arms tightened around Naruto’s waist. “A shinobi is a ninja,” the brunet rasped. “Konoha is the Hidden Leaf Village.”

              Finally, the vibrant smile faded. “But–but–“ he protested. “He. . . . It didn’t mean anything! It doesn’t mean anything!”

              I wish I could believe that, Naruto. “You did a good thing, Little Brother,” Iruka said softly. “But you must be careful! You know how ignorant people can be!”

              The small blond bit his bottom lip with sharp teeth, blue eyes flitting towards the forest again. The sorrow Iruka expected to see in Naruto’s eyes never made an appearance. Instead, there was an unreadable emotion in those narrowed orbs. “No,” Naruto said aloud. “I don’t.”

              Iruka blinked in astonishment, but Naruto never gave him time to respond. Those ageless eyes scrunched up in a familiar fashion, lips twisting to form a bright smile. The former shinobi hid a cringe. Naruto’s fox smile.

              Before another word could be exchanged, familiar barking interrupted him. Naruto whirled around. “Hi, guys!” he chirped, looking over Iruka’s shoulder.

              A chill raced up Iruka’s spine. His eyes eased over Naruto’s shoulder, following the preteen’s gaze to see small group in front of the trees. Three with two tails, he noted. Four with three tails. Another four with one tail.

              Naruto smiled brightly at Iruka, his eyes still hidden under that damnable grin, and the older man forced a smile back. “They want to play. Do you want to come?”

              Even twelve years could not diminish the scent of blood. “That’s all right. I’ll be inside.”

              Naruto leaned up and kissed Iruka’s cheek. Sage eyes stared at Iruka above an artless smile. “ ‘kay. Later!”

              With one last hug, Naruto darted off, following the group back into the forest. Iruka watched him go. It was a long time before he walked back into the cottage.

~~~~~

              Sasuke was going to kill her. Teammate or no, Haruno Sakura was going to die. He could blame it on genetics. That would work. Perfect. Of course, he would have to deal with months of cautious and pitying looks as they tried to help him with his “fragile, impressionable countenance,” but it would be worth it. Really. Truly.

              “Oh, Sasuke!” Sakura gushed, fingering his bruised jaw. “That must have hurt. Not that something like that would bother you, of course. But I mean, if it gets annoying, I can–“

              Oh, he was going to kill Kakashi, too. Come Come Paradise could not be that funny! And must the man have such a high-pitched giggle? If Sasuke hadn’t fought the man before, he’d never believe he was a jounin.

              Determined to ignore both of the fools, Sasuke looked over the darkening forest. With each step they took, the forest grew blander, the leaves duller. He didn’t want to leave the . . . the weird forest, not yet. How could he find out more about the mysterious blond if they left? Sasuke frowned, shutting out Sakura’s voice. He said he lived in these woods. Despite his manic and clueless attitude, he seemed sane and at least somewhat educated, so Sasuke doubted he was some crazed wildchild. Sasuke shifted his gaze from the increasingly blanched forest to the still giggling jounin. He had to be familiar with these woods to guide Team Seven through them.

              “If the shinobi were chased off,” Sasuke interrupted Sakura’s chatter, “then why do we have to leave the Grey Woods?” He ignored Sakura’s quickly diverted eyes, the odd tightening of her small hands on his arm. At least she had finally shut up.

              Kakashi peeked over his shoulder, his visible eye laughing. “Because they were chased off, not killed off,” he pointed out cheerfully. “If we’re going to have to fight again, we better get away from those pesky, possessive demons. They might get antsy if their home was caught in the crossfire.”

              Sakura’s eyes shot up from where they had been staring at the trail. “You think they might come back?”

              Sasuke stared down at the pink-haired girl, and flushing, Sakura stared at the ground again. “You could use the experience. Fighting against trained opponents could only help you.”

              Kakashi hummed, flipping a page in his book. “I doubt there’s anything to worry about,” he commented blithesomely. “If they were really interested in us, they could have easily discovered our new route and sprung a trap on us a while ago. Since we’re still breathing, we’re good. And if they do follow . . . well . . . I’m sure Sakura can point out the targets to you, Sasuke.”

              All the color drained from Sasuke’s face, and at this side, Sakura stared even harder at the ground. Again and again, he recalled laying on the ground, the killing intent blazing above his head. How dare--

              Then Sasuke recalled what had stopped the killing intent. Sasuke drew himself up, his shoulders back. So, the jounin thought himself clever?

              “What if they harm the inhabitants of the woods?” he tossed out casually. “They Grey Woods is still the territory of Konoha. Are they not our responsibility?”

              Kakashi had been on that page for a looooong time. Sasuke really didn’t want to know what was on it. “I think the fox demons can handle themselves,” he replied drolly.

              Heh. Perfect. “Nothing else lives in those woods?” Sasuke inquired, his voice carefully nonchalant.

              “No one can live within a forest without affecting the forest. The fox demons don’t take too kindly to that.” Finally, Kakashi flipped the page, an odd giggle under his breath. Sasuke hid a shudder. “Why so curious? Thinking of a summer home?”

              Sasuke gritted his teeth and fell silent again. He never thought of Master Mizuki as sadistic until he was grouped with these two.

              Still . . . he finally had one up on Master Kakashi, the smug bastard. A blond, wild, short one up.

              Discretely, the raven-haired shinobi eyed the forest. Perhaps the boy had been a fox demon. Weren’t fox demons supposed to be clever and sly, though? There was nothing remotely fitting that description concerning that ditz. He bet even the air rushing through the blond’s ears was hot and frantic.

              Well, only one way to find out. Sasuke straightened and looked away from the forest, dark eyes glittering.

~~~~~

              With each deep thud of his brother’s heart, Uzumaki Naruto found himself lulled closer to sleep. The steady motion of Iruka’s chest rocked the blond’s upper body like the ocean waves Iruka had told him about. Curling securely into his brother’s sleeping form, Naruto expanded his senses. The brunet’s cinnamon scent tickled his nose, contrasting with the fresh scent of the leaves composing their bed. Iruka’s mortal heartbeat pounded through his ears; a warm, smooth arm encircled his own limp frame. Each step perfected after years of experience, Naruto lifted his head from Iruka’s chest to nuzzle the man’s neck.

              “I love you, Big Brother,” Naruto breathed fervently. Deeply asleep, only Iruka’s stead breathing answered him, but Naruto was content with that. He loved his friends–adored them, actually–but nothing compared to the feel of another human’s arms.

              Sighing softly, Naruto clung to his brother even as his reflective blue eyes swept over their small cottage. Holes in the walls acted as windows, allowing sunlight to shine in and help the inner plants bloom, in some cases allowing moonlight to help specific plants blossom. However, despite the odd enchantment the moonlight usually held over Naruto, now the blond was only interested in the golden and crimson and white eyes peering back at him. Naruto smiled weakly at them. Moonlight flashed off various fangs as his friends smirked back.

              “I didn’t know,” he whispered to them. “He called the humans ignorant, but I didn’t know. How could I know?” His own eyes flashed in the darkness. “But I want to know. I want to know what’s out there. I know he’s trying to protect me, but there’s more out there, I know there is! There’s more people out there, just like that asshole from earlier.” Instinctively, he glanced at Iruka. Those dusty eyelids never fluttered. Naruto gritted his teeth and fingered Iruka’s gentle face. “I . . . I never realized how small this forest was. Not until I realized I couldn’t leave when I chose.”

              Still curled into Iruka, Naruto listened to the soft barks of his friends. The occasional high-pitch yip–wicked amusement coaxing a smile to Naruto’s lips–mingled with the rest of the yelps. Naruto couldn’t bite back his own chuckle. Vivid blue eyes glowed. “Of course. Never should’ve doubted you guys.”

              The eerie howls rose, and Iruka shifted beneath Naruto. The blond nuzzled his brother’s neck again, calming him. Then his eyes crinkled in a familiar smile.

              “Foxes are free,” Naruto murmured. “Humans are adaptable.” Baby-blue eyes sparkled and focused on the stars behind his friends. “He’ll never know what hit him.

              Unbeknownst to the blond, several kilometers away, the subject of his thoughts was staring at the same exact stars, thinking the same exact thing.

              *Wait until we meet again.*