Naruto Another

Little Sora eagerly tugged on his mothers skirt as she peeled potatoes over the wood counter. She paid him no mind, but offered a gentle smile, and some garlic so he could help with dinner as he always did.

"Okāsan, will Ken be here today? I haven't seen onii-san in forever."

Sora drooped his head, and started to peel the garlic with his fingers. It had been a year since his older brother left for Kusakyu castle, and he hadn't seen him in all that time. He promised Sora that he'd train him on how to fight with a sword, and military stuff too.

His mother placed a gentle hand on his head, and lightly played with his hair. "The plan hasn't changed Sora, he should be here for dinner, don't worry so much."

"I'm not worried, I'm mad." He said puffing his cheeks.

"Oh, are you now?" His mom said chuckling to herself.

"He said he'd visit often and show me everything he knows! If I'm going to be just like him when I grow up then he needs to hurry up and train me before it's too late!"

"Too late for what Sora?" His mother asked, obviously holding back laughter.

"If I don't build my bones now I'll be fat like otōsan."

"Now that's a rude thing to say. You know it's never too late to get strong Sora, you shouldn't be in such a rush."

"Yeah but- "

"No buts, do you remember who else otōsan is having over for dinner today?"

Sora sat the poorly peeled garlic down on the counter, his hands barely reaching the top – then he crossed his arms. "No." He said. "How should I know? He's always having someone over, why can't it just be family tonight?"

"Because your papa is the head of the family, Sora – he has an image to maintain, would you rather us be working in the mines?"

Even at that age Sora knew just how scary the mines were. From his bedroom window he'd often see workers clamoring in and out of the cave at all hours of the day, and sometimes even the night – he'd spend his whole life without seeing the inside, at least that was his plan.

About an hour later the chabudai had been set. It was a rather large table the top of which sat low to the ground. Its size was apt for Norigami status, and sitting cross legged on the tatami mat at one end of the table was the head of the family himself Kenji Norigami.

Sora sat next to his father uncomfortably, his eyes focused on the empty seat across from himself, fixated on the tepid plate that had been carefully set for his older brother. Sora himself grew cold looking at the food, and instinctively brought his arms up to warm his chest as if to shield himself from it some how

Suddenly, Sora felt a sharp jolt from the back of his head. "Ouch!" He said looking around, everyone was looking at him, Kenji had an especially irritated look to him. The man brought his hand back, and caressed it as if preparing for another slap.

"Sorry oto-san." Sora said hoping to mitigate further punishment.

"As I was saying Cayan-sama, now that our familial duties have been fulfilled to the Kusakyu, my son here will succeed me one day, and take control of the Norigami family."

"Huh?" Sora said. "I'm not doing that. I'm gonna fight with a sword."

The man named Cayan, who sat next to the empty seat meant for Sora's brother found that amusing, his lips forming a smile. "I don't know Kenji-san, it seems your son has different plans." He jested.

"He will know his place in time. You know how the youth are, always so willing to throw away their lives."

"The only thing I'm ever gonna throw are kunai! Right at the bad guys heads!"

"Oh?" Cayan said with a laugh. "And who are the bad guys little one hmm?"

Sora hadn't thought of that, he'd hoped the answer would be made clear one day.

"Hmm, I guess whoever hurts my family. I think I'll throw kunai at them!"

"Kunai are shinobi weapon son, even if I did allow you to fight you wouldn't be using tools like that."

Before Sora could protest further there was a knock at the door. Happily seizing the opportunity, Sora leapt from his seat and ran toward the door, swinging it open with all his might.

It was a man with purple hair, and in his hands was some kind of brown sack.

"Oh, shit!" He said fumbling with the bag, something from the inside came plopping out into the wood floor of the house.

"Sora! Who is it?" His mother called making her way toward the entrance.

When she caught sight of what had rolled into her house she let out a blood curdling scream. Sora was transfixed by the object, unable to take his eyes away from it. As he approached, its image became clearer, and distinct. It was something that belonged to a person.

Before he realized what he was doing he had picked it up, and turned it around.

"Oni-c-chan?" Sora said, but the head of his brother did not have any words to offer him