Chapter 2 - Fate of the Strong

DIE MORTALS - Demon Voice

"Shadow Clone Jutsu" - Jutsu or Flashback

I Don't Own Naruto. If I did he would be swimming in the blood of his enemies and Danzo would be Deadzo.

Naruto Uzumaki was running back to his home after his first day at the Academy. He was pumped to say the least. For one he had seen a rather beautiful girl at the Academy and was head over heels for her. He didn't even know her name but she was stunning. Secondly he had known everything that Iruka-sensei had talked about in class. Although this wouldn't translate to the entire 4 years of Academy classes he was still happy. He would have to thank Katamaru for forcing him to take the history lessons seriously.

On the topic of thanking Naruto really had to thank Katamaru for a lot of things. He had to thank him for his training, for giving him a home and for caring for him. Naruto couldn't wait to get home and tell Katamaru of his day. Naruto thought of their relationship. The eight year old felt love for the man, but he wasn't sure if the feeling was mutual. Katamaru had never been one for expressing his feelings and he never had the heart to ask. He feared the rejection that could potentially come from asking, he feared it more than death, more than not becoming Hokage.

Naruto tried to never go back and on his word but he had for the red headed ninja. He still remembered his vow from four years ago. The reason for making this vow still haunted him to this day.

Flashback - Naruto age 4

He had just been tucked in by his foster parent. The lady had taken care of him and kept him safe, clothed and well fed. It was the life. Key word being was. You see he had become attached to the elderly lady named . So this night he decided to say how he felt.

" " The young boy started "I... I Love you"

Obviously the boy wanted to be told the same words back but he had no such luck. Instead he was initially greeted with laughter. Not sinister but age old, honest, and sage like laughter. She carefully spoke to the boy saying "Naruto I don't... hate you. You are a respectful boy, always polite. You are extremley tolerable. I care for you, I would give my life for you. But love... love is a diffrent entity, and love is something I can't possibly feel for you."

Naruto at this point wanted to drop the subject he attempted to speak but was cut off. "Naruto do you know what grief is?" He shook his head no so she explained, "Grief is when you miss something or someone that is gone. It is pure sadness, and it is something that is hard to overcome and even harder to ignore. Usually grief takes time to fade away but my grief runs deep and I doubt it will ever cease."

Naruto spoke up now saying "What does grief have to do with love?" He was genuinely confused, until she continued talking. "Naruto I have loved before. I had a husband and a son and I loved them both dearly. I still love them dearly Naruto. Do you understand that?"' He shook his head yes then she continued. "Naruto four years ago... they both died. I can't tell you how but this grief keeps me from ever loving you." Naruto was understandably shook. He had just poured his emotions out there only to be utterly rejected.

She prepared to walk out but turned around. She then said in a stern voice one Naruto had never heard before "Naruto take it back."

Naruto hadn't said anything so he said "What words?"

stated "You said you love me correct?" Once again he nodded his head yes to which she replied in the coldest voice she could muster

"Take"

"It"

"Back"

Naruto choked on tears and said quietly asked "Why". She answered like it was the stupidest question she had ever heard.

"Because I don't want your love."

She realized it had the desired effect and that he would never spout such nonsense ever again, so she left. Naruto now alone with his thoughts vowed to never love again. (The only exception was The Third Hokage)

End Flashback

But here he was loving someone again. He couldn't deny it so today he would ask if the feeling was mutual. He would take the risk and he would hopefully hit the jackpot.

The blond approached his home and opened the door. He then yelled out "Katamaru where are you". He heard a faint response of "I'm busy" which came from his study room.

He made his way to said room ignoring the fact he fact that he was hard at work on some form of jutsu. Naruto loudly said "Yoooo what Jutsu are you learning" and was met with "I'm not learning a Jutsu I'm making one".

Naruto's fascination grew ten fold as he spit out questions in a flurry.

"What type of Jutsu? "

"Is It a Wind Release?"

"When will it be complete?"

"What will you name it?"

"Can I learn it?"

Katamaru simply chuckled at his cousins antics but he tried his best it answer them.

"Can't tell you"

"Most likely not"

"I'm not sure"

"No Idea"

"Most likely not"

Naruto who was kinda puzzled whispered "That doesnt tell me shit about the Jutsu" Katamaru heard that and said "Naruto what did I tell you about cursing!"

Naruto grinned and said "You swear like a sailor and tell anyone who says otherwise to fuck off!" They then high fived in brotherly fashion and Naruto started to talk about his day. He started by saying how he knew everything they talked about in class and that he was thankful for the knowledge he gave him.

Naruto then mentioned the pretty girl he saw. He talked about her cute face, her smarts and her mesmerizing pink hair. Katamaru then questioned about any other interesting people and he said that a weird Hyuga had followed him and that it was the same Hyuga that he had saved from some bullies when he was six.

This raised some alarms with Katamaru because he didn't realize it was stalking in a "good way". He however let it slide and told Naruto "I wouldn't worry to much however never let your guard down. Also I have a misssion tommorow so I won't be in until later. I will hope that you can handle yourself." He then attempted to push Naruto out of his work room so he could continue working on this jutsu. Naruto however refused to budge even an inch.

Naruto stood in the doorway and Katamaru could almost see the mood change and preemptively said "Ok what do you want to talk about kid"

Now Naruto was having second thoughts about confessing his feelings because well if the answer was a resounding no the brother like relationship they had would shatter. But he felt that he had to know so he asked "Katamaru do you love me?"

Katamaru looked distraught when he had asked this. Naruto SAW the change in facial expression albiet only for a split second. He pressed on though saying "Be honest I want to know".

He remembered his past and shuddered but Naruto wanted an answer so he wouuld give him one.

"Naruto look ... I literally can't say that I love you." To say Naruto was depressed would be an understatement... he was livid, disappointed, and he had to get away. So he rushed out of the house as fast as he could hopping from tree to tree.

Katamaru chased after him yelling "Naruto let me finish for Kami's sake." But no there would be no finishing as Naruto continued to run, so he released his gravity seals and flashed in front of him... smack dab into a tree. Naruto used this to his advantage as he ran to a clearing knowing that he couldn't outrun his sensei. With rage and anger influencing his options he decided to fight instead of run.

The red haired jonin came to a stop in the clearing after just barley catching himself from colliding with the tree he had almost hit. He was lucky that he positioned his feet against the tree so he could launch himself forward. He made a note to train without the gravity seals more often to hone his spead and promptly reactivavated the seals. He then turned his attention to Naruto who was still standing motionless in the field.

The 18 year old began to speak saying "Naruto will you ju-"

The younger of the duo interrupted him saying "There isn't a thing to explain. Don't worry though I will be out of your hair for good after today." Naruto then attempted to calmly walk out of the field only to be stopped by Katamaru who put a hand on his shoulder.

"Naruto will you just LISTEN."

The hand was shook off and a fighting stance was took. "No I won't listen. How about you fuck off and leave me alone."

Katamaru was no idiot and knew how his surrogate brother felt. But with him being so angry he couldn't just yell out his answer or it would be ignored. He needed Naruto's full attention so he decided to let Naruto get all this steam out. He couldn't however fuck off so he stayed in place.

Naruto realizing he wouldn't move, jumped away from him and shouted "Shadow Clone Jutsu" which caused 20 Narutos to form. He had them rush in waves of 5 while he prepared a jutsu.

Katamaru easily destroyed all the clones and noticed that the original Naruto was forming a water jutsu so he decided to take the defensive and quickly signed "Earth Style: Earth Barrier Justsu"

Said jutsu shielded him just in time as he heard "Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu". As the mud fell to the ground Katamaru looked to see where Naruto was only to see a flurry of punches directed at his face. He was dodging them easily and could see Naruto was slowing down. He calmly said "Are you done yet which".

Naruto then stoped to regroup and retorted "What is your end goal?" Katamaru wasn't sure what Naruto had meant so he said "What end goal?"

Naruto continued "Your end goal. Why did you take me in. What was the point of taking me in in the first place huh... was it to crush me even worse by making me get attached to you before you backstabbed me. Was it to get a sick kick out of my emotions... was it so you could laugh in my face. Huh your just like everyone else. No your even worse at least they kept me at arms length. At least they wouldn't play with a child's emotions. You must HATE me. Well I know now. I know how cruel this world is. And I know that I WILL KILL YOU!"

That is the end of this chapter of Fate of the Strong. Please Review, I take all suggestions and love all feedback. So until next time (Which is probably tommorow) - Alex