A True Family (Naruto Fanfiction)

Part 21

Many years later...

"Aunt Ayumi!" I looked at the source of the voice and saw my two nephews Indra and Ashura running towards me, smiles upon their faces as they looked at me.

In the past years me and brother went our separate ways; me going to a different dimension to control my new powers and to train, while my brother went on his way to find homes for the tailed beasts and to help restore the ravaged land.

When I went to the dimension where I had called my home, the first thing I did was make myself a physical home. From there I trained myself to become stronger and this continued for years... so many years. One day of the many, I received a letter from Brother Hagoromo, asking me to come visit his home and to meet his family. At first, I had thought of rejecting it because... for no reason. In the end, I met my nephews. They were so small and fragile looking, I thought I would hurt them. Unfortunately, I never got to meet my sister-in-law, she had died after the birth of Ashura apparently...

"Aunt Ayumi?" I broke out of my thoughts and saw that my nephews were looking at me with worry.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Can you tell us a story?" Ashura asked. "A story that happened to you."

"But don't you have to study Brother Hagoromo's books?" I smirked when they flinched at my question. Then I laughed when they started to sweat profusely. "Sure, I'll tell you a story that I wrote." I smiled, and when they weren't looking, I glared at the black figure that spied on us from the shadows. When we met eye-to-eyes the figure vanished, and I turned back to my nephews like nothing had happened.

A few years later...

After I had told that story to my nephews that night, I left them to go and visit the tailed beasts in their new homes. I met them and learned their names... we made a connection because of the ten-tailed beast's power within me. Though whenever I visited Shukaku, I would always annoy him with a silly nickname.

I returned to my brother, to see my nephews and their progress. Going into the estate when I heard training? I carefully walked in and observed them, more specifically, Indra. The way he was talking to his fellow clansmen and how he was fighting them, seemed too strict and when I heard him ask if there was anyone willing to face him. No one answered and that's when I stepped in.

"I would like to, if that is alright." They looked at me in shock.

"Who are you? You're not permitted to be here." Indra glared at me, but I didn't flinch.

"I'm not surprised... it's been a while hasn't Indra, Ashura." I took off my hat. "I'm not sure you remember, but I'm your aunt."

"Even if you are my aunt you have no right being here." Indra proclaimed.

"You're right, and if that's what you wish for... I'll get going." I turned around to leave, but a hand on my wrist. "Yes?" Indra didn't say anything but started to drag me away from the estate and into the forest. Once we were in a small clearing, Indra hugged me. I combed his hair with my fingers and hummed.

"Please teach me." I paused my combing and my eyes widened.

"Why do you seek power?" I asked, resuming my combing.

"For control." I thought for a moment and in the end, I gave an exaggerated sigh.

"What happened to my adorable, innocent nephews?" I half-joked. Then I became serious. "Indra, you should not seek control over another... it makes one, oh, what's the word..."

"Horrible?" Indra suggested.

"Sure, let's use that word." I held Indra tighter. "Power... can make one corrupt and it takes time and patience to control that self-greed. I want you to know that you are my family, Indra and that if you want me to talk to you I can, but I cannot teach you what you want me to teach you... because I haven't completed my own training, so I'm not ready to take on an apprentice."