Little Boy Blue

Part One

A howl echoed through the trees as a young boy cackled with glee. His little pants bounced off rocks and trees as the five year old ran through the foliage. The need to keep running thrummed through his young body as he knew something, or someone, was after him. He had snuck out of the apartment he lived in with his mother and father late at night, and had run through the empty streets of his village. He wanted to explore and see outside the village by himself! The five year old had gone outside his village many times, but only with his mother or father.

The five year old came to a stop by a fallen log, cheeks red from the effort of running. He could stop here to catch his breath, then keep going. A howl sounded again, this time much closer. The young boy let out a yelp and fled into the bushes, his feet making soft slapping sounds against the forest floor. Another howl, a deeper pitch than the first, sounded almost in front of the young boy and he skidded to a stop as a growl sounded from behind the five year old. As he scampered over a rock, something grasped the back of his blue shirt, lifting the boy up in the air. He squealed and flailed his arms and legs, trying to free himself as he looked back at what grabbed him. He hung from the jaws of a large white wolf, its red eyes glaring down at the young boy hanging from its jaws.

"Mom! Let me go!" the young boy shouted as he flailed his arms and legs some more.

Indeed the white wolf was his mother. Mori had two chakras within her: wolf and human. She could change into either one as she wished. His mother gave a deep growl as her son continued his flailing, hoping to get free from her jaws. Panting sounded from in front of the boy as another wolf appeared, this one a large black wolf. It stopped in front of the pair, black eyes glancing at mother and son.

"Hi Uncle," the boy said in a sheepish tone.

He idolized the black wolf as much as he idolized his father Iruka and his mothers friend Kakashi. The black wolf lifted his lip in a small snarl.

"Tadao, what are you doing?" the black wolf demanded as he gazed at his nephew hanging from his sisters jaws.

Tadao shrank back slightly, but crossed his arms and gave his uncle a scowl.

"I was just exploring around Konoha," he said nonchalantly.

His mother snorted from above him and Tadao glanced up at her, his red eyes matching her own. His black hair had stuck up in the back like his fathers, which Mori secretly loved.

"Mom, can you put me down now?" Tadao asked, but his mother lifted her lip slightly in annoyance and anger.

Guess that was a no. The three began their trek back to the apartment, Tadao still hanging from his mother's teeth. Crickets chirped as the trio exited the forest. The five year old gazed around as his mother and uncle parted ways with a brief tail flick. His mother gave a small sigh as she continued her way to their apartment. Her son seemed to always want to sneak off more and more now. Iruka grumbled every time saying it was like having another Naruto around. Mori could understand what he meant by it now. Her ear was always perked in case their son decided to try and sneak off again. Tadao let out a small 'oof!' as he landed on his behind as Mori dropped him. Her red eyes glared down at the six year old as Tadao got up, dusting his matching blue pants off.

"Tadao, why are you sneaking out? You could have gotten hurt," Mori growled, glaring down at her son.

He huffed and looked away, crossing his arms.

"Would not," he said childishly, cheeks puffed out in irritation.

"I can take on anyone at anytime!" Tadao said, turning to face his mother.

Mori heaved a sigh and reached internally for her human chakra. Within a second her human hands brushed back her long white hair. Tadao was used to seeing his mother in both forms, so the transformation didn't phase the young boy. Tadao blinked when he noticed a particularly big scar on his mothers chest. He had never noticed it before. Mori reached down and grasped his hand in hers before pulling him alongside her. Their apartment wasn't far, and Mori could see the night sky beginning to lighten.

"Hey, Mom?" he asked hesitantly.

His mother glanced at her son.

"Yes?"

"What happened there?" Tadao asked, pointing to the scar.

His mother was silent as they continued walking. Soon their apartment came into view and his mother had not answered his question.

"Mom...?" Tadao asked hesitantly.

"It happened a long time ago, before you were born. Some bad things happened," Mori said in a low voice as she opened the door to the apartment.

Tadao gazed at his mother as he went inside their home.

"What sort of bad things?" he asked as the door closed.

"It's none of your concern," she said, ushering him to his bedroom.

It was small, but painted with different hues of blue and green. Toys and play weapons littered the ground and his pillow lay askew on the ground. Drawings hung on the walls as Tadao begrudgingly got into his bed. Mori picked up his pillow and placed it back on the bed as her five year old gazed at his mother. She murmured for him to lay down and Tadao gave a small scowl, but did as his mother said. Mori pulled his blanket over the five year old and ran a gentle hand over his cheek. How her son had grown! His red eyes drifted shut and Mori waited until she was sure he was fully asleep. She gently got up from the bed and quietly padded out of the bedroom, closing the door as she went. She gave a small sigh and walked into the bigger bedroom, smiling at her husband as he sat up in their bed. Iruka's black hair stuck out to the side as he tamed it back into his signature ponytail.

"Tadao?" Iruka asked, groaning as Mori nodded.

"He's becoming more like Naruto every day," he said as he got up from their bed. 

Mori smiled as she took a hairbrush and began the simple minded task of brushing her white hair. It had grown long in the years that went by. She smiled again when she felt arms wrap around her shoulders as her husband pressed kisses against her skin. 

"What are we going to do with Tadao?" Mori murmured as she rested the back of her head against his chest. 

Iruka sighed as he held her to him. 

"I don't know," he said.