The Sacred Bond Between Family [Closed|Naoto]

[Uchiha Shinji]

2 o'clock in the afternoon
Uchiha Clan District
Uchiha Naoto's House

The Cursed Eye III
Luminous eyes peered over the body that lay motionless before them. The body was covered in fabric from head to toe as if prepared for a ritual. But there would be no ritual. There would be no motions made. There would be nothing but silence... for the moment. Seconds later the silence would be broken by the cold mid-day breeze that made a whistling sound as it made it's way through the cracked window through which the perpetrator had entered. The breeze made it's way to face of the luminous blue eyes and blew the hair from the shadow's face to reveal the hooded figure's identity.

As the hair flew from the ominous figure's face, it revealed none other than Shinji Uchiha. Shinji had rested from the previous day's bout and though he went through the bout unharmed, he had used much energy in preserving his health. And even though he came out the victor, he still had a sense of defeat lurking in his conscience. Mentally, he felt he had lost the fight since he was not able to keep Naoto's attention or at least keep Naoto awake long enough to witness the entire spar. Instead, his dear cousin fell asleep halfway through.

Not sure what bored his cousin so much about his spar, he came over today to find out. Something at his subconscious was picking at him and would not stop thirsting for an answer. To Shinji, he had done well in the spar. He came out unharmed and only used taijutsu. But Naoto must have saw something different. Maybe there was something that Naoto would have done different were it have been him in the bout and not Shinji. Either way, Shinji was here, now, in Naoto's humble abode, and he was going to find out.

Shinji brought his hands up to his chest to reveal a metallic object in the shape of a cylinder. The contents of the bucket he held were freezing, to say the least, and it would definitely get the job done. Shinji lifted the bucket over where Naoto's head was, under the blanket, and flipped it upside down, pouring the freezing cold water onto Naoto. After Naoto's spasm and reaction to the unsuspecting liquid being poured on him, Shinji would speak.

"Okay. Now we're even."

Shinji smiled knowing Naoto knew what he was talking about. Plus, it was fun waking up Naoto like this at random times of the day. As much as Shinji visited, people would think by now he'd have a key. But his ways of waking Naoto up at different hours of the day was probably why he didn't have one.

"Why are you still sleeping? It's two in the afternoon. Get dressed. Let's go out. I think you owe me for how good I did in my bout you witnessed yesterday."

The tone in Shinji's voice clearly indicated sarcasm as Naoto did not actually witness his win due to his decision to sleep through it. To miss a spar or fight was something, but to attend it and then fall asleep during it was utterly unacceptable. It was a smack in the face to the contestants, and to be brutally honest, Shinji's face was hurting. He felt as if he was not good enough for Naoto. As if he was just some average joe that bored him. And if Naoto thought different, then he would have to prove Shinji otherwise by showing Shinji that he did deem Shinji worth his time.

[NAOTO]

His elaborate plan was executed flawlessly.

The previous day he'd napped high within the oak of Konoha's training grounds until the street-lamps were on and the loiterers came and went. Shinji was likely to be livid, the thought of which was enough to make him cringe with apprehension, though he would deal with it when the time came. Unfortunately that time was now. Truth be told Naoto wasn't sleeping. He'd stayed out until roughly 2am and crept in his bedroom window once he could ascertain his cousin would at his own house. His plan was simple: avoid Shinji like the plague and if he was caught- pretend yesterday never happened.

It was masterful. It was simple. It was flawless.

And it was thwarted once he'd felt another presence in the room.

Naoto lay under the covers wrapped in a cocoon with one eye open and pretended to be asleep. It wasn't that he consistently underestimated Shinji's intelligence. On the contrary, the younger Genin was annoyingly perceptive to the point where it was maddening. He'd taken into account Shinji's habitual barging in and inc-

"GAAAAAAAAAH!!"

He screamed and flailed as he was drenched, kicking the covers off and bolting upright. He glared a hole through Shinji's face with pure unadulterated killing intent His hair was drenched and his entire bare upper body was soaked and shivering.

"Shinjiiiiiii...I...will...END...you!"

Naoto hissed through gritted teeth and shook his hair dry, splashing Shinji in the process. Tomorrow he was going to develop a fuinjutsu for his bedroom intrinsically designed to keep unwanted guests away. He made a mental note of it as he got dressed. Even? They most certainly were not even for Naoto did nothing wrong. When was dumping a vat of liquid death upon a person's bedsheets ever warranted? It was just a fight. It wasn't a big deal or something to get his prepubescent testicles in a twist about. Just like there was that battle, there would be countless others. When he was finished the Uchiha heir grumbled something under his breath and tied his hitae-ate around his forehead.

"...You know, if you wanted to hang out you could've just said so...instead of GIVING ME A HEART ATTACK!! But anyways...today we can do whatever you want. I've got all day. Eight whole hours."

That'd be enough to distract him from the subject of yesterday's abysmal fight. Have fun with him and keep him happy. There was his mission to himself for the next several hours.

[Uchiha Shinji]

At Naoto's reference to having all day, Shinji's eyes averted to his left and he hand found it's way to the back of his head, to scratch his head.

"Uh... about that..."

It was a good thing Naoto didn't have anything important planned today because his schedule was just about to be filled. Little did Naoto know that him ignoring Shinji really got to Shinji. It bothered him so much that Shinji went so far as to sign up Naoto and himself for a mission the next day. And not any average, D-rank, go find my kitty mission. This was a C-rank mission that involved dealing with thugs and such. They were to protect a convenience store and stop all the tomfoolery that was going on there at night.

Luckily, Shinji had a file with the mission objective and all the details so he would not have to explain it to Naoto and endure Naoto's complaints. In the long run, Naoto had really brought it upon himself. It was only due to his negligence towards Shinji's fight that Shinji went out of his way to attain a mission for them. But either way, Naoto had to find out sometime, so Shinji figured what better time than the present. Shinji then pulled out the orange manila folder and dropped it on Naoto's bed and hurried to leave before Naoto read it's contents.

"I'm hungry. I wonder what's in the fridge... I'll meet you in the kitchen."

Though Shinji knew he was lying, Naoto wouldn't. Yes, it was true Naoto was a better overall shinobi than Shinji but there was one area where Shinji surpassed Naoto. The shinobi art of deception. Being less obvious than Naoto, Shinji actually played his lies off well to where someone would not know he was lying, until they caught him. From there on out, Shinji would have to rely on charm and persuasion. Shinji put his hand that was behind his head on his stomach, hunched over a bit and slightly groaned as he walked out of the room.

As Shinji walked out, he hastened his step to get to the kitchen faster. Hoping Naoto couldn't read faster than he could walk, Shinji kept walking without turning back. Naoto wasn't going to like Shinji's surprise, and Shinji didn't want to be there when Naoto discovered it.

[NAOTO]

Naoto grabbed the folder and followed Shinji out into the kitchen, reading it to himself as he walked behind him.

"..."

SFX: 'BAM!!'

His foot would swing around and smack Shinji upside the back of his head to send him flying clean through the air, down the hallway, and into the far kitchen wall. It would hit him so fast and so hard that by the time he realized what happened he'd already be stumbling up off the floor.

A mission late tonight. A mission so soon after his endless training spree when he'd finally collected himself and became a normal person again, without even asking his consent. He hadn't packed, he hadn't eaten, he hadn't bought the supplies he wanted, and he wasn't even entirely sure how to get there. The Uchiha heir was beyond infuriated. That much was showcased by the scarlet that took over his eyes in response to the sudden surge of outrage. He'd decided to spend the whole day playing with him and this is what his repayment was? A bucket of water to the face and being dragged along on some last minute excursion into the nethers of Hi no Kuni? Just the nerve of it had him itching to kick Shinji again, though he fought the tempting impulse.

The sharingan swiveled out of existence as Naoto stomped down the hallway silently and would practically throw the fridge door off its hinges. He pulled out a juice box and slurped on it perfectly mute. Now his little cousin would know he was in it deep. An angry, ranting, complaining, and otherwise noisy Naoto was one level. But a silent Naoto who let his secret bloodline bubble to the surface, that communicated only with narrowed eyes and a stare cold enough to ice the drapes was an entirely different league. The difference between them was like the difference between a maelstrom and the toilet flushing.

Whatever the case Shinji would know he was in for it now. The younger Uchiha would need to start talking before Naoto finished his drink and hope he had a reason as to why he shouldn't be reduced to a puddle on the flooring.

[Uchiha Shinji]

Shinobi Art of Deception. Succe-

Suddenly, without any warning, Shinji felt Naoto's foot meet the back of his head and was sent rolling down the hallway.

Shinobi Art of Awareness. Fail.

Shinji managed to shift his momentum into a flip and landed on his feet. In his hunched over position, with one hand on the floor, his eyes mirrored Naoto with the red hue. As his tomoe swirled into place, he watched to see what Naoto would do next. Shigeru was going to get pissed if this little mishap turned into a brawl.

But fortunately, for the house, it didn't and the house would remain in tact. Shinji watched as Naoto's 'non-existent' Sharingan was activated. Really? Was this going to happen between the two of them? Right now? Naoto's rage entered the next stage as his anger converted to silence and his Sharingan disappeared. Watching Naoto's eyes revert back to normal, Shinji's did the same.

As Naoto stomped down the hallway, past Shinji, Shinji got up and followed him. He watched as Naoto slammed the fridge door open and grabbed a juice. Naoto's silence while drinking and cold stare notified Shinji of one thing. Naoto was pissed. No. He was beyond pissed. Naoto was more pissed than all the guys who went to watch the first Twilight because they thought it was an action movie.

"This is bad..."

Shinji knew Naoto's reaction was going to be bad but for Naoto to go as far as to kick him. Shinji definitely pushed something inside Naoto that he wasn't supposed to. But what was done was done and now they had a mission and couldn't take it back. Only thing to do now was to explain Naoto his reason. And if Naoto wouldn't agree, then Shinji would just go to the mission alone and after completing it, he was tell the Hokage that both he and Naoto were there.

"The only reason I did this was because of you."

Okay. Maybe this was not the best line to start out with to a silent form of enraged Naoto, but it was an attention grabber.

"You fell asleep during my fight and I thought I bored you. You made it seem as if I wasn't worthy of you spectating me. I felt that since I was not good enough for you, maybe if I proved myself on a mission in front of you, then you would have no choice but to witness and acknowledge my talent. No I am not as good as you, and I know this but that's why I train everyday. That bout against the Hyūga the other day was a test to see if I am even a step closer to being like you. And just as you didn't let me hit you once in our spar, I did not let this Hyūga even touch me. But you wouldn't know that because you were asleep..."

Shinji's gaze then averted to the floor.

"I'm sorry I signed us up for a mission without asking you. If you don't want to go, I'll go by myself, complete the mission and tell the Hokage we were both there..."

Without looking up at Naoto, Shinji's turned towards the door and started to make his way out.

"Sorry to be such a bother..."

[NAOTO]

Aside from the constant 'slurp' that was juice being suctioned from the bottom of the carton Naoto continued not to make a sound. The first sentence he spoke got nothing more than a narrowed stare that'd drop the room temperature by another ten degrees. He listened to Shinji's pathetic explanation, trying his best not to make him feel worse.

That was the purpose of the juicebox now, to stop him from saying something he'd instantly regret. The people around him were far too sensitive at times. He'd never say or do anything to deliberately hurt Shinji and by now his shadow should've known that. The boy was more like a little brother to him than a cousin, even when he made Naoto want to yank out fistfuls of his own hair. Just as he was on the verge of doing something nice for him he had to let his insecurities get the better of him and end up doing something stupid.

Idiot.

All he had to do was just ask Naoto to go on a mission. Didn't he just admit they could do whatever he wanted today? It was like dealing with an insatiable four year old. Despite this, somehow through his explanation and apology the flash-flood rage had gradually subsided. Whether Shinji knew it or not he was one of the only people that could play his heartstrings like a violin. Through all of his moaning, complaining, yelling, and dismissive rebuttles there was little he wouldn't do to see that ridiculous grin beam across his face.

Naoto's expression turned sour. The carton of juice he cupped in his palm was empty and he chucked it hurriedly into the trash can.

Why did his cousin get himself so worked up over his sake?

That was the question he always asked himself whenever they got into their fights. He'd tell him not to vie for his approval or anyone else's, to not place him on a pedestal and blaze his own path instead of following in his nonexistent footsteps, though none of it ever stuck.

Strangely enough he didn't mind nearly as much as his words let on.

"[Sigh] C'mere."

He groaned and waited for Shinji to obey.

"If you didn't have talent I wouldn't waste my time with you, dumbass."

Naoto smirked and pulled his hood down over his eyes and shoved him to the side playfully to walk past him. A second later he slid the screen open and stood in the yard.

"Now c'mon. Tanzaku town is a good ways away so we need to get there by morning. We'll have to camp out overnight. We're eating, getting some supplies, then we're leaving."

[Uchiha Shinji]

As Shinji's hand left his side to open the screen, he halted to Naoto's voice.

"[Sigh] C'mere."

Shinji stopped and hesitated for a moment, not sure if he was about to be scolded some more or forgiven. But Shinji figured he'd take his chances with his enraged cousin and he listened. With his gaze still fixed on the ground, he turned towards Naoto and started walking back towards him. He placed himself about two feet in front of Naoto before stopping.

"Yes?"

"If you didn't have talent I wouldn't
waste my time with you, dumbass."

By this time, Shinji's head was up and he was facing Naoto. His aura of sadness accompanied Naoto's rage and completely left the once cold room. Naoto's brief statement was all Shinji needed to hear to feel accepted by Naoto. Naoto and Shinji's rare fights about Shinji wanting Naoto's acceptance would always come to the same conclusion; Naoto informing Shinji that he did accept him and acknowledge him, which always meant Shinji feel good no matter how much he heard it.

Whether or not Naoto agreed that Shinji should praise him was Naoto's problem, because as Naoto knew by now, trying to talk Shinji out of it was useless. As Naoto finished speaking, he would playfully pull Shinji's hood over his face and push him over ot make his way to the door. As soon as Naoto's hand made contact with Shinji's hood, Shinji would smile. As he lifted his hood, he turned to see Naoto already leaving.

"Now c'mon. Tanzaku town is a good
ways away so we need to get there
by morning. We'll have to camp out
overnight. We're eating, getting some
supplies, then we're leaving."

"Supplies?"

Shinji knew what that meant. They were going shinobi shopping, and though Shinji wasn't too much into shopping, he loved getting new shinobi equipment.

"YAY!"

Shinji could barely contain his excitement as he ran out the door. Naoto'd better have a good sized wallet, because his mention was taken as if he was treating. Running, out of the Uchiha District and down the street. Before Naoto exited the Uchiha District, Shinji would be back at the entrance with his signature grin on his face.

"I already know what I want."

Smiling widely, Shinji knew he would have to use his cuteness to his advantage if he wanted to get everything he wanted. That, and he would have to play Naoto's short temper with the occasional plead that did not cease until he got what he want. But for now, a mental list would suffice.

"Well... I want this sword that I saw. It comes with a great deal that includes the sword and its holster! And I also want this book on seals and fūinjutsu."

And before Naoto could say no or make an excuse, Shinji already put his plan into action.

"Pleeeeeeeaaaaaassssseeeee!!!! Please Naoto!!! I promise I won't ask for anything else. I already have my kunai and other equipment I need. I packed it before coming here today. Please Naoto!!!"

[NAOTO]

B

[/size]efore he could take a step forward Shinji was already cheering and racing onward. That energy would either be unexpectedly helpful or absurdly annoying as the time they'd be coupled together carried on. At least he was happy now. Now they had to get going before his enthusiasm wore off. Naoto himself retreated into the house to grab his own sword and strap it across his back. It was hidden inside his sheath left untouched since the war ended. By the time he'd returned to his room and packed his own supplies Shinji was already out front at the entrance begging for something as he trudged up to meet him. his hair drooped down and his eyes blank at him, unphased. The "I'm-not-going-to-fall-for-that" stare only available to people over forty he'd somehow managed to replicate would glare through his "cuteness."

"(<_<) You don't need a book on fuinjutsu if you can't even use elemental recomposition. Katon is basic compared to that stuff. And if you want a sword why don't you use your own money to get it?"

He said matter-of-fact and walked past Shinji. For the most part his younger cousin was forgiven for this. For taking one of the few precious days he had to himself where he wasn't already encumbered by troublesome thoughts and people, then proceeding to turn it into a mission he had no interest in going on. If Shinji were wise he wouldn't press his luck too much.

Then he made the mistake of turning back and staring down into his pleading face.

"(-_-) How much is the sword?"

SPOILER: Click to show

:[ Sorry for the terrible post...my muse is running on fumes right now

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Uchiha Shinji]

Unpleased with Naoto's first reaction and first reply to his attempt to make Naoto get him the sword, Shinji just continued staring it him.

"C'mon Shinji! Think Cuter!"

Shinji then stuck out his lip and made it quiver. His eyes widened and let the light shine on them, making Shinji's expression resemble that of a new born or small child. When Naoto turned around to face Shinji again, he would be faced with the cutest expression he had ever seen in his life. As Shinji watched for what seemed like the longest second of his life, Naoto's cold aura started to crack.

"(-_-) How much is the sword?"

"SUCCESS!!!"

His cuteness never failed... never!

"Only 2000 Zen."

Shinji was pleased with himself. Not only was he going on a mission with his favorite person in the world, but he was also getting a new sword. Though Naoto wouldn't buy the book, the sword was more than enough. Not to mention that Sonzou was right. Shinji didn't know Katon yet, which would prove that learning fūinjutsu was harder than it sounded.

Whether Naoto agreed to buy the sword or not, Shinji would lead him to it. When they arrived at the tent, Shinji pointed at it. Seeing Shinji point at it, the blacksmith/shopkeeper smiled. He presumed some brat was coming up with his parents and once they were lured in, the shopkeeper would act, making sure they didn't leave without the sword.

But to the shopkeeper's surprise, there were no parents. Instead the Uchiha heir, Naoto approached the tent. Suddenly, the shopkeeper fell into a stupor.

"N-naoto-san. N-n-nice to meet
you. Son of S-s-s-suzumi-sama?
Yes. For you, the sword half price.
It'll be only 1000 Zen."

The thought of having the son of Suzumi or even a slight chance that Suzumi using his sword made the blacksmith/shopkeeper start feeling hot. His nervousness made him sweat and he started turning red. That sword was coming out of his shop even if it were free. With advertisement like Suzumi, he was sure to get millions of more customers that would double the profit he would have made off the sword.

[NAOTO]

He eyed the man at the tent with the kind of stare that seemed to pierce through the guile of greedy merchants. His mother's reputation preceded him only this time it worked to his advantage. She was a blunt woman with little patience and made just as many enemies as she did admirers. The fact that he looked so much like her didn't help him much in life either. When it came to his appearance the only drop of Shigeru's blood that seemed to manifest as in his eye color. Across Hi no Kuni those who'd manage to cross the woman often remembered as she wasn't an easy person to forget. Somehow they'd manage to detect her features in him and adjust their prejudice accordingly.

Naoto arched an eyebrow and paid the man his money then gestured for Shinji to pick up the blade before he browsed the man's other wares.

"...I'll take some of that wire too. And some flash bombs."

The genin stated without giving the man much of a chance to respond beyond a nervous nod. In a second he pulled his money out, stuffed his own items into their designated slots, then continued onward on their march throughout Konoha.

"...I didn't know you were good with a sword. "

He yawned and briefly entertained the image of Shinji swinging a blade around. Somehow it didn't fit. Kenjutsu was something requiring a level of discipline and finesse he just didn't see his cousin capable of manifesting. He was far too childish for Naoto to ever take the image of him staring him down with a blade poised as anything but a joke. By now he'd learned to not say these kinds of things out loud. The last thing he needed was him going into one of his mopes.

As far as weapons went he really didn't require much. All Naoto needed was a few things to detain the annoying few that escaped the range of his best katon. The supplies he'd gathered were things he could've lived without in all honesty. The true reason he'd felt the urge to overcompensate was the kid adjacent to him with an aura now as vibrant as the yellow sun that beat down overhead. No matter how much he progressed, even with the infamous eyes of blood red that manifested from his core, he still saw him as a kid. A surrogate baby brother that relied on him while their parents were off fanning flames of war. Even now as he stared over his shoulder casually to peek back at him the rounded face of a little boy was all he could behold.

Shinji on missions? Shinji swinging a sword? Shinji wielding the sharingan?

It didn't seem right. It didn't feel right.

Truth be told he often forgot his cousin was even a Genin. By the time his graduation came around Naoto's squad was already shoved hard and fast out of the warm womb of peace they'd been swaddled within up until then. No longer could he rightfully call himself a child anymore. The Uchiha saw him as a man. The village saw him as a ninja. And even now he still felt like a guardian to Shinji. But he was a terrible role model. This realization was a cancer to him. Out of all the people who bore the surname why did he have to pick the one least likely to amount to anything? The one who was content to wallow around in a life of relative mediocrity just to spite those who kept their eyes on him waiting for the second coming of "Sharingan Suzumi." The person for Shinji to emulate should be someone else. Anyone else. Someone more patient and less lazy with both the ability and the desire to blaze a trail for others to follow behind.

The wheels turned inside of his head as his body mechanically trudged onward into a restaurant. Not Ichiraku's. He loathed that place with a burning passion. Their destination was someplace with booths, air conditioning, and people who didn't cling on to every stray phrase of a conversation.

"...After this we'll head out...I wanna talk to you for a while..."

[---]

Inside they'd be bombarded with an explosion of light and sound. Ornate colored lanterns strung about the bustling interior served as a substitute for the harsh outside. The windows were far and few in between, each one halfway hidden behind a colored shade that pulled down to add to the ambiance of the place. The crowd was older than what they'd be used to. Instead of children with their parents spinning around on plush barstools they'd be surrounded with people anywhere from late teens to early forties, enjoying the mature serenity of the atmosphere. Perfect. Here no one would eavesdrop and try to squeeze themselves into the conversation. No one would recognize him out of the crowd of numerous others and insist on chatting him up with questions too intrusive to be small-talk that he didn't care to answer. Toward the back he led Shinji over to the private booth up against the farthest wall and took his own seat. Immediately the stocky pear-shaped waitress waddled over to their booth and stared the boys up and down in a look that clearly showed this was the last place she wanted to be.

"...Mhhhm, what'll ya have?"
She groaned as she took out a pad and pen while Naoto was already browsing through the menu.

"I'll just have some water and the yakitori..."

Suddenly he looked over at Shinji and a dangerous smirk that clearly read "payback is a bitch" curled onto his lips. This would be revenge for the water earlier.

"...and a silly meal for my little cousin here. It's his birthday too!"

"Oh. Is that right."
She mused completely monotone and stared down at Shinji with loathing for the young.

"What kind of toy do you want with your silly meal?"

Before he'd have a chance to answer Naoto spoke up for him.

"Oh he wants MOGETA~! You know, the one that sings and wets itself!"

"...Of course he does. [Sigh] One Yakitori and a silly meal coming up."

She mumbled something under her breath before taking the menus and walking away. Naoto snickered once and twirled a hand in a stray bang of hair before his expression turned serious again.

"Shinji, why do you care so much what I think?"

Naoto asked with a stern but for once in his life- patient, expression. It wasn't condescending. It was a genuine question, one that he'd often barked at him but never actually got to the root of it. Before he got into what was on his mind he needed to know this so he could choose his next words carefully.

[Uchiha Shinji]

As Naoto motioned for Shinji to pick up the sword he just bought him, Shinji was already in motion. After watching Naoto eye the guy, he knew Naoto was going to buy it. He could see it in his face. Shinji took time to admire the sword while Naoto purchased his other items. After Naoto was done, Shinji placed the sword on his back. He then proceeded to grin widely at Naoto while letting the sword hang in place.

"THANKS NAOTO!!!"

"...I didn't know you were good with a sword. "

"I'm not yet... but after watching you, it'll come easy."

Shinji followed Naoto without asking any questions. Honestly, right now he wasn't even paying attention to where Naoto was taking him. He was just looking at Naoto from behind and envisioning himself the same way. Same attire, same sword positioning, and even the same posture. All he wanted to do was be just like Naoto.

"Yep... I'm getting closer...."

Suddenly, Naoto would turn into a restaurant which brought Shinji out of his trance.

"...After this we'll head out...I wanna talk to you for a while..."

Following Naoto in, the place seemed to be filled with random lights and other decorations that stood out unlike any other restaurant. Occupying the restaurant were older people, out of both Naoto's and Shinji's age bracket. As they neared the back, Naoto sat down at a booth and Shinji did the same. Seconds later, a hostess appeared. After she asked what they wanted, Naoto shot a daring glare a Shinji.

"Damn..."

Shinji already knew what was coming now. The look on Naoto face had vengeance written all over it. And though Shinji was expecting the worst, he never thought Naoto would steep as low as he did. Speechless, Shinji could only watch as Naoto made him feel like more of a kid than what he was. As Naoto continued with his practical joke, Shinji's jaw started to drop until his mouth was completely open. Shinji stared at Naoto in disbelief.

"A- but- uh-"

Shinji was in such disbelief that he could not bring himself to put words together to formulate a sentence. Deciding that he would just get Naoto back later, Shinji just gave up. Naoto won this time, but Shinji was going to be merciless with his revenge.

"Touche..."

Naoto's expression then turned back to a serious one.

"Shinji, why do you care so much what I think?"

The question left Shinji dumbfounded. Why wouldn't he care? Naoto was like his older brother. Shinji aspired to be exactly like Naoto. He wanted to follow Naoto's footsteps whether Naoto approved of it or not. There was no actual reason Shinji wanted to be like Naoto. He just did. That's what having your cousin as your guardian does to you, especially when you're around him all the time and experience his greatness first-hand. Therefore, Shinji did not know how to answer Naoto and had no other choice than to answer Naoto with a question.

"Why wouldn't I?"

[NAOTO]

Lazily and unblinking his narrowed eyes stared at Shinji from across the table in disapproval while his hand slowly stirred the ice in his glass with the straw. He was dissecting the look on his "baby" cousin's face for any signs of amusement but found none other than genuine befuddlement. Shinji's mind was uncharted territory to him. Even though he seemed to be able to analyze Naoto's every inkling the opposite could hardly be said. When it came to reading people the elder Uchiha simply wasn't that perceptive. He couldn't understand why he was so idolized by this boy even if Shinigami loomed over him on the cusp of Hell and his soul depended on the answer.

Before he could say anything the intercom from above clicked on.

"[Monotone]Attention everyone. We have a very special birthday today. Uchiha Shinji is turning nine years old. Happy birthday Shinji."

The snarky waitress from before hummed as the restaurant patrons joined in a reluctant unenthused applause. The kitchen door swung open to unleash a waitress bringing a cupcake with a "9" candle on top and set it down in front of Shinji. As if she lived only to serve children she automatically reached onto the tray behind her and pulled out a cone-shaped party hat. It'd be snapped on Shinji's head as a giant man in a Mogeta outfit waddled over to their table awkwardly. Horrendous kiddie music began to play.

"Happy happy birthday~ We hope that you have fun~!
Happy happy birthday~ Today you're number one~!
Happy happy birthday~ You're growing big and tall~!
Happy happy birthday~ Now go and have a ball~!"

A balloon would be pulled out and tied to his wrist as the man in the oversized costume blew a party favor then dropped his Mogeta toy in his lap. The procession quickly wheeled itself away.

"...[snicker]...[snicker]..."

Naoto banged his head down on the table and covered his face with his arm, shaking in laughter. It was worth it. Whatever Shinji was going to do later on to get revenge, it didn't matter because that moment right there was worth all the water in Mizu no Kuni. Finally he jerked himself upward, his face still pink from laughing so heavily, then coughed and made himself serious again. The waitress reappeared and brought the rest of the food out. Naoto's Yakitori and Shinji's Silly Meal that consisted of rice cakes with happy faces drawn on them and and a curly straw for his drink.

"AHAHAHAHA...ahah...wheeeeeeeew~ Okay...okay. Anyways...uhm...yes. Shinji, you have to realize by now that I'm nobody significant. You'd be much better off trying to impress mom or the Hokage, or your sensei rather than me. Chasing my coattail won't get you far...because when I'm a chuunin I'm done. That's as far as I'm going to go."

He looked down at him coldly as he took a sip of his drink and sat up straighter in his seat. It was true. When it came to Uchiha Shinji Naoto could never follow the logic behind those massive baby blues of his. The one thing he could wager though was that his cousin had aspirations. His mind had a spark that enabled him to weave dreams that stretched far into the ceiling of heaven and beyond it. The Uchiha heir was nowhere near that ambitious. A quiet life where he could do as he wanted was more than enough for him.

If Shinji was so dead-set on following his path he'd end up a nobody. Just like him. That was something he wasn't going to stand for.

[Uchiha Shinji]

Whinji's attention was turned to the intercom. Before Naoto could reply, a voice echoed through the restaurant.

"[Monotone]Attention everyone. We
have a very special birthday today.
Uchiha Shinji is turning nine years
old. Happy birthday Shinji."

As the people from the restaurant came out to celebrate his "birthday" Shinji gave Naoto a stale-face. His revenge would have to be so awesome and hilarious that they would have no choice but to agree to never talk about each other's prank. Suddenly, multiple thoughts ran through Shinji's head. As the people continued to sing and celebrate, Shinji was mentally making pranks on Naoto, trying to figure which one would bring the most humiliation.

The tying of the balloon to his wrist would snap him out of it. Not wanting to disrespect the people that worked their or make them feel bad about themselves, Shinji waited until they left to break it off and removing the hat.

"...[snicker]...[snicker]..."

"Laugh now Naoto, but I will get the last laugh..."

Still giving Naoto a stale-face, Shinji watched as Naoto laughed up his practical joke. Looking into the tomato that was now Naoto's face Shinji spoke sarcastically.

"Ha. Ha. Real funny."

After gaining his composure, Naoto then started to get serious again. And like all the other times he questioned why Shinji admired him, he began his speech. Like all other speeches, this one contained play-by-play reasons of why Shinji shouldn't follow him. But it was pointless, and by now Naoto should know that. Though he tried many times, he would not succeed in losing an admirer.

During Naoto's inauguration speech, Shinji began to eat and when Naoto was done, he would get a dull, lifeless reply.

"Okay."

Not clarifying whether he said ok to stop following Naoto or if he was content being a nobody, Shinji changed the conversation. Obviously he was still going to find Naoto, but he doubted Naoto would only become a chūnin. Even without trying, Naoto exemplified above average skill. So what Naoto thought was chūnin would probably demonstrate jōnin skill.

"So... what's the plan for the mission after we leave here?"

[NAOTO]

'...He's so not listening to me right now.'

I

[/size]gnoring the urge to slap the younger genin upside his brown mop of a head, Naoto just squinted his eyes with disapproval and ate his food in silence. Still stubborn. Nothing he said ever stuck. Where on Earth did he get that gene from, because it clearly wasn't anyone from Shigeru's side of the family. His brother's were amazing in their own right but even they didn't have skulls that thick. At least he didn't think they did. Truthfully Naoto stayed away from his Uncles. He looked too much like his mother, which made them uncomfortable to see the features of a woman they despised running rampant through their nephew's veins.

It was as if his father's blood was completely dominated by her DNA, to leave no trace of the former chuunin left aside from his eyes. His hair, his brow, his smile, his tendency to come off as a smart alack know-it-all when it came to the ninja arts; all of these were readily identifiable from Suzumi. Though he'd never been turned away or outright avoided, the awkward smile Naoto was often greeted with and the air of caution exercised around him was impossible to miss. That was the reason he seldom visited and could count the number of times he'd actually seen the inside of Shinji's house on one finger. Regardless, they trusted him with their son and he would ensure that trust wasn't misplaced before anything else.

"After we leave you're going to keep your sharingan active until we get to our destination. Because we're Genin we need to be careful to avoid running into anyone. We've just had a war and the village is weak right now. Even though we're low ninja we still have information on the village itself and a lot of the people there. Our parents. Our instructors. Our sensei. Our clan. If we get captured it'd be easy for someone to come after our friends and family..."

Naoto peeked out from behind the shaded window, his eye dancing over the forms of children playing in the street and the civilians going on about their day to day routine. This was a bit unnecessary, but he had Shinji's safety to think about. Even explaining this to him felt wrong. He should be outside right now playing with the other children lucky enough to be born without shinobi blood, instead of following him down a long road stained with blood and hatred. It didn't go him any good to think about such things. He let his mind drift back to the task at hand and moved the shade into place, his gaze now falling on the table.

"I doubt someone would try to abduct us...but still. It's better to be cautious. Aside from that we'll keep moving until we reach the halfway point and set up camp for the night. We'll arrive in Tanzaku Gai by morning, meet up with the client, then wait for nightfall. We should be as inconspicuous as possible so once we arrive take off your hitae-ate and hide it on you somewhere. The more we look like ordinary kids the better. Its a simple C-Rank mission. There's really nothing to it."

He ended with a shrug and sipped down his drink.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Uchiha Shinji]

Shinji listened as Naoto spoke. He felt as if Naoto still thought of his as too much of a child to be capable to handle himself without the need of the Sharingan. But Naoto was Shinji's elder and had a year more experience than Shinji. Therefore Shinji did not argue, but he couldn't help but make a comment. The only catch would be trying to reword his statement to sound like a question.

"But Naoto, wouldn't people attack us if they saw my Sharingan for my eyes?"

Honestly, Shinji did not want to use his Sharingan. He wanted to feel as if he did not need it and did not need to rely on it. Also, he didn't want everyone to know he had those deadly eyes. He wanted to keep them a secret. A "trump card" as Naoto referred to it, which he figured Naoto would understand as he felt the same way about his inherited eyes.

"Also, I don't want everyone to know I have the Sharingan either. I want to grow strong without it so that when I use it, I can be even stronger. If I only strengthen the Sharingan, then I will be nothing without it and I will never have any true strength without these eyes."

Shinji's eyes dropped to his chopsticks fiddling with the liquid on his empty plate. He knew Naoto's view on the Sharingan and how the clan abused it and he felt the same way. As his idol, it was predictable that the views Naoto had would also be adopted by Shinji. And Shinji did not want Naoto or himself to have the negative view that Shinji was nothing without his Sharingan.

[NAOTO]

"That's why we're leaving at night. So they can't see it, but you'll be able to find them just fine. Chakra glows like a beacon. At nightfall you'll be able to see anyone coming way before they even notice you, and with your sharingan predicting the movements you'll be able to get away if you need to."

C

[/color]ame Naoto's casual answer before he rested his chin in his palm. Wasn't that obvious? It was incredibly hard for him to believe Shinji hadn't discovered that before, as much as he seemed to enjoy training. The dojutsu was something he'd been immensely proud of only a couple of days ago, even going so far as to challenge a scrub from Hayaku's family. Now his attitude toward the power that burned around his iris had done a complete one-eighty onto itself?

Something wasn't right.

Naoto didn't have to crank his cousin for the real reason of his suspicion, he came clean all on his own. Whether it was on a whim or because he'd finally realized how perceptive Naoto could be when he wanted to was up for debate. Hearing his logic made him fold his arms in front of his toned torso and frown down at him. His head shook from side to side quickly, the urge to smack the table and question his sanity almost overpowering.

"No. Nononono. No. NO. That sharingan of yours is better than any armor or sword ever forged. If you hone it then no one will be able to touch you. You'll be able to do more than defend yourself and you'll have everything you need to win a fair fight. Don't be stupid. You have it. Use it. It'll help you get stronger. You'll be an elite ninja before you know it."

He cleared his throat and took another bite of his food. As much as he wanted to it was hard to be nonchalant when the discussion was a topic he abhorred speaking on. Before a lull could set in Naoto took a swig of his water and smirked back at his cousin, his tone made light again.

" Besides, I'm sure Uncle would be overjoyed to learn his little Shinji-chan had his kekkei genkai! He'll probably teach you all kinds of cool jutsu and everythiiiiiiing~"

The Uchiha heir finished with a big broad fake smile and his eyes gleaming brightly. Now he'd let Shinji's imagination wander and his head fill itself with all the amazing techniques he'd be able to unlock. All of it could be his. The jutsu, the power, the notoriety, and the acknowledgment. All he had to do was use it.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Uchiha Shinji]

Shinji listened to Naoto as he went on about the Sharingan and all its perks and whatnot. It was funny how easily Naoto's thoughts influenced his own. And as Naoto shared his knowledge with Shinji, he was beginning to see Naoto's reason. But Shinji still couldn't help but feel Naoto thought of him as incompetent enough to go without the Sharingan.

Thinking back, Shinji did remember that every time he had been using the Sharingan, the chakra did glow blue. Also, the Sharingan was Shinji's best weapon. Even Suzumi always kept her Sharingan active and she was in every essence of the word "untouchable". But Shinji wanted to be at that level without the Sharingan, therefore when he used the Sharingan, he would be even better.

"Okay Naoto. I understand. But will that also mean you are keeping yours active as well?"

Shinji made sure to word his response correctly. Though it would seem as if he completely agreed to use his Sharingan, that wasn't what he said. He merely said he understood where Naoto was coming from. Not once did he state he was going to do it though. First he wanted to see if Naoto was going to do the same, because if he wasn't then neither would Shinji.

Shinji strived to be like Naoto, so it would bother him if he needed his Sharingan for something Naoto didn't. And even if Naoto made Shinji show him he had his Sharingan active, Shinji could just deactivate it when Naoto wasn't looking. All this deviance was just to prove a point because of the previous day. Shinji wanted to be recognized as capable of handling himself and prove himself worthy of bearing the Uchiha name. And he would prove it during the mission, or die trying.

[NAOTO]

"And why would I do that?"

He closed his eyes and squared his shoulders as he sat upright in his seat appearing oddly resolute. Did he actually have to ask that question? After all the countless starry nights and rosy fingered dawns they'd spent in eachother's company, did he sincerely not know how his older cousin would respond? His optimism was as endearing. It almost made him want to humor Shinji, though once again he'd fall short of that. Naoto opened his eyes with his mouth turned upward into a smile and his eyebrows narrowed downward.

"Really? You really don't know me better by now? I'm hurt. So hurt. I think you're gonna make me cry~"

The only way he'd keep his sharingan active for any period of time was if it decided to surface of its own accord like it did on occasion when he found himself exceptionally worked up, if a bijuu suddenly decided to come rampaging throughout all creation and they found themselves on the wrong end of it, or if he found himself on the brink of starvation and the eye somehow managed to materialize food in front of his stare.

"When are you gonna stop? How many times do I have to tell you, I don't need sharingan and I don't even really want it. I don't like to draw unnecessary attention to myself. You on the other hand wanna be some badass hotshot ninja. Look..."

He sighed for what seemed like the thousandth time.

"There's two different types of ninja. There's the sun and there's the moon. The moon can hide itself in the night sky, allowing us admire it from a distance only when it chooses to show itself. You only remember it's there when you actually see it. The sun can't hide, because people need it. They rely on it. Without it, there'd be nothing. No future. The sun is bound by obligation. By expectation. Because its so big and bright and powerful its also impossible to ignore. The more famous you get the more you turn into a sun. People need you and they depend on you whether you want it or not. For example, my mom is a sun. Dad's a moon, because nobody even really knows who he is."

He shifted the seasoning shakers on the table around awkwardly, hoping that maybe his metaphor's meaning would get through.

"I want to be a moon. You wanna be a sun. The sun doesn't revolve around the moon Shinji. It doesn't work that way. So grow up and be a big ass star...and let the moons orbit quietly in the background."

[Uchiha Shinji]

One who didn't know Naoto and listened to him preach would believe him to be older than he appeared to be. But Shinji knew the truth. Naoto was bound for greatness whether he liked it or not. The moment he was conceived, he would bear the title of greatness inherited by his mother. And Naoto did not really want that label for himself. Though he performs above average, without trying, and is a "prodigy", he denies it completely.

Shinji knew Naoto would lie through his teeth just to make someone believe he was an average joe. But just as Naoto had asked Shinji, through all the countless hours they spent together, did Naoto really expect Shinji to believe him? Shinji had experienced Naoto's greatness first hand on multiple occasions. Whether it in their spars or through Naoto's training, Shinji saw Naoto's potential.

What Naoto was trying to do know went back to the previous conversation. Naoto's hidden motive was to get Shinji to stop following in his footsteps, and Shinji did not need the Sharingan to see that. But what he could not understand was why was Naoto hiding it? He was going to go through Suzumi's vigorous training whether or not he showed potential. Why not accept the fact that he was above average, to say the least?

"But Naoto, if the moon is less than the sun than why would the sun need the Sharingan to accomplish the same task that the moon could do without the Sharingan? Doesn't that make the moon greater than the sun in comparison?"

"Checkmate."

Knit-picking through Naoto's words, Shinji found an error. If something is greater than something else, than it should have less difficulties completing the same task. And while Naoto claimed himself to be the moon, the lesser of the two, while Shinji was the sun, the greater of the two, then why would Naoto not need his Sharingan and Shinji would? It should be the other way around if Naoto's calculations were correct, which they were. The only thing off was the labeling, for Naoto was the sun and Shinji was the moon, hiding in plain sight of the sun's overwhelming brightness.

[NAOTO]

Shinji wasn't getting it. Naoto was starting to get aggravated all over again. Every discussion always turned into this. This increasingly irksome tug of war between his own flawless logic and the other boy's blind admiration was routine by now. Only this time the situation was different. No longer were they two little boys running amok the walls of the Uchiha compound play-fighting and squandering time under the summer sky. Now they were older, thrust into a life where time was precious, and this had to end. Shinji couldn't follow behind him forever.

What would happen when they were Chuunin?

He couldn't always keep checking over his shoulder for the rest of his life making sure his baby cousin was safe and happy. More qualified bodies were capable of that. It was more than likely that Naoto was going to get himself killed at some point. There was no one under the throne of heaven that he mistrusted more than himself, as he was all too aware of his own flaws and shortcomings. And Shinji wanted to follow behind him? Someone with no drive, no ambition; someone who second, third, and fourth-guessed himself at every chance? Without warning his teeth gnashed together and his fist slammed down on the table.

"YOU'RE PISSING ME OFF!!"

He shouted a bit louder than he'd meant to, but he didn't care about that at the moment. Naoto's hands pushed down on the table to have him halfway-standing, propped up by his forearms to tower over his cousin.

"Why the hell would you follow behind me when I don't even know where I'm going!? What the fuck?! You're gonna get yourself maimed or end up falling short of your dreams, and then who's fault is it gonna be? HUH?! I'm not going to have you resenting ME for the rest of your life! No no no no NO! I will NOT let you be a screw-up!! Do you understand me?! I'll make sure you end up nothing like me if its the LAST THING I DO!! I'd sooner kill myself than let you ruin yourself trailing behind a lazy fuck!!"

The people turned and stared. He could feel their worried eyes on him. He failed to care. The part of his brain responsible for embarrassment was overwritten. He couldn't deal with this now. He needed some air. He needed to go and be elsewhere before he really went off. In one motion he took out his wallet, slapped the money down on the table and stormed out of the restaurant.

Outside he was drenched in a strong glow of the deepest orange. The hue of the setting sun in all its serenity hopefully helped to calm him down. His hands stuffed themselves inside of his pockets as he leaned up against the side of the building. He'd tried to be subtle, he'd tried to talk to him directly, he even tried to illustrate precisely what was wrong with this picture but he just couldn't see it. How could a member of the Uchiha clan be so blind?

The irony was sickening.