Happier Than Ever: A Naruto Uzumaki Love Story

Chapter Nine: Training Day (Part I)

*KAZUNA*

When she awakened, Ryuzu's big, yellow eyes bore down on her with discontent behind her closed eyelids.

"Maybe that would have worked seven years ago, but you don't scare me anymore, Ryuzu," Kazuna thought without so much as opening her eyes, her consciousness remaining in the void space with Ryuzu, whose body was shrouded in darkness. He was so large, only his head was visible in the dark mental chamber he'd created.

"Maybe that isn't such a good thing," Ryuzu growled impatiently. "We are not in proper alignment. If not for these chakra suppressing garments, I would have already begun the process to consume you, starting with consuming your chakra."

"You said it yourself the bond between you and I is different from any other bond you've ever had. Even my mother's. What happened to that?" Kazuna countered.

"We may resonate well together, but that doesn't exempt you from the work you must put in to sustain this bond and strengthen your soul," Ryuzu snapped in return. Kazuna sighed, feeling defeated, the glowing representation of her body crossing her bare arms over her bare chest.

"I don't think you're wrong," Kazuna admitted. "We haven't meditated in some time. Maybe that'll help?"

"Yes, but first, I need to talk to you about that dream you had. I think they are memories. Whether they're yours or mine, I do not know," Ryuzu surmised.

"I don't remember much. What can you tell me?" Kazuna asked.

"There was a fire. A woman. Three pillars, just like you said before. But there was something else this time. A young child, watching you, and then you started drowning."

"Bleak."

"What do those things mean to you, Kazuna?"

"The only thing I can recall is the three pillars. That's been the only consistency. I usually hear someone calling out to me whenever I see them." Kazuna explained.

"We have much to learn if we want to find out the truth," Ryuzu noted, seemingly to himself. "For now, we meditate until you're summoned for sparing later." Kazuna agreed before finally opening her eyes and slipping out of bed onto the floor, crossing one leg over the other and resting her hands on her knees. She closed her eyes, greeted once again by Ryuzu's glowing lenses. "Center yourself. Find where your soul connects with mine and we will resonate."

"Shh. You're distracting me," Kazuna said with a small grin, earning an annoyed growl for her counterpart. Only after a few moments, Kazuna could feel Ryuzu's presence stronger than she'd ever had since being inside the Konoha walls. Kazuna's mind was clear and she was fully aware of Ryuzu's intent as well as her own. She could feel Ryuzu's large soul latched on to her own, bringing with it Ryuzu's feelings, desires, resolve – everything that made up Ryuzu, she could feel bound to her own soul and a sense of unity washed over the both of them.

"We need to maintain this. This will prevent my soul from overtaking your own so quickly. We will meditate every night before bed from here on out. Agreed?"

"Whatever you say, big guy," Kazuna said softly. Before she could immerse herself back into their meditation, she caught a familiar whiff in the air – Naruto was coming up the stairwell – and only a moment later, there was a gentle knock on her door. She opened her eyes before standing and walking over to the door and opening it just enough for her to be able to see Naruto standing with his gaze averted from her and his hands in his pockets.