Finding light in a dark world (Naruto fanfiction)

~ A New Jutsu, and Graduation ~

*Recap*

“You know exactly what I mean. You’re my best friend, and I want to know what’s bothering you.” She says in an angry tone.  If only she knew. I think shaking my head. I rub my head in a circular motion trying to get the oncoming headache to go away. Sighing I answer her question. “My grandfather contacted me the other day. He told me he was going to make a trip up here soon. I don’t really want him to come, so I’ve been in a bad mood lately. Sorry if I worried you.” I say telling half the truth. I watch in confusion as she gets up and walks over to my swing. I go rigid when she bends down, and pulls me into a gentle hug. “Just remember Ichiro that you have friends you can confide in. If you were worrying over that you could have confided in me.” She says gently. I relax a little, and give her a hug. It felt really nice to hold her in my arms. If only we could stay like this forever. I breathe in and smell her scent. It was a lovely smell of strawberries, and cinnamon sugar. “Thank you.” I say quietly.
 
I just wish you didn’t like Naruto then I could have actually told you the truth. I think sadly savoring every moment of her hug.
 
*End Recap*
 
I pull away from Ichiro’s hug, and give him a small smile. He returns it, but it still doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Does his grandfather coming really trouble him this much? I rub my head in confusion, but shake it off. “So you want to go train since we have graduation tomorrow?” 
 
“Sure.” He smiles again, and this time it does reach his eyes. Relief floods threw me, and I pull him up out of the swing. I was so happy that he actually smiled again that I dragged him all the way to his house. “What has you so happy?” He asks while stumbling behind me. I look over my shoulder, and give him a wide smile. “I’m just glad you’re back to normal.” I say before barreling through his front door. I had been here so many times that it felt like a second home to me. Dragging him through the hallway, and into the living room I finally stop.
 
“Jeez, did you really have to drag me all the way here? I could have walked you know.” He says wiping invisible dirt off his clothing before standing up straight, and giving me an irritated look. It really was good to have the normal Ichiro back. “Yep, now come on lets go train.” I say running out the door. He follows slowly behind me grumbling slightly. I giggle at his reaction watching him come out the door. I hope that he stays this way instead of the brooding attitude he’s had recently.
 
A couple hours later we sat in the grass breathing heavily. “I totally beat you.” I say looking over at him. He blushes furiously, and turns away with a pout. I giggle while he glares at the grass. “That’s because I let you.” He grumbles.
 
“If you say so.” I say giggling again. I’ve had the giggles since he smiled earlier today. I don’t know why, but it put me in a really giddy mood. I look up at the sky, and sigh at the beautifulness of it. It was a mixture of colors created by the setting sun giving it a real serene feeling. “Mizuki?” Ichiro says beside me. I can feel his eyes on me, and I glance down at him with a smile. “Yes?” I ask watching as he quickly looks away, and starts picking at the grass.
 
“Do you…” he pauses taking a deep breath making me raise an eyebrow at him. What has him so nervous?  “Do you want to learn a new jutsu with me?” He asks blushing slightly. I laugh at his reaction finding it weird that he was so nervous. “Sure, why not?” I say standing up, and offering him my hand. He grabs it, and I pull him up. He looks at me then blushes again before scooting away. I raise an eyebrow at him. “So what jutsu are we going to learn?” I ask curiously. He takes a deep breath before looking over at me with a small smile.  
 
“It’s called soul merge jutsu. It has been passed down by my ancestors to those who are the guardians of Mitsuki. It allows you to merge souls, and fight as one.” He says all in one breath. I stare at him dumbstruck. It sounded kind of scary to be completely honest. Why does he want to learn it all of a sudden, and why didn’t he say anything about it earlier? He was staring at me waiting for my reply I guess, and I stare at him in confusion.
 
“Why do you want to learn this now?” I ask watching his reaction. He gives me a sad look before looking at the ground. “It’s been a while since Shiguro and Akiyo have made any moves, and its making me really uncomfortable. It’s better to learn it now before it’s too late.” He says before walking to the center of his yard. He jesters for me to follow, and I silently follow.
 
 Once there I speak up. “I guess that makes sense. So how exactly does it work?” I ask waiting for him to give me instruction on what to do. I don’t fully believe it will work, but hey it’s worth a try right? Whatever can help us against Akiyo and Shiguro is welcomed.  “It will work you just have to open you mind up to it.” Mitsuki says quietly in my head. ‘I guess if you say it will then I’ll believe in it, since you’ve seen it at work.’ I wonder how exactly it works though considering it has to do with our souls. ‘It won’t hurt us if we somehow do it wrong will it?’ I ask. “It shouldn’t.” She says before leaving me to my thoughts. I focus back on Ichiro feeling a sense of dread pooling in the bottom of my stomach. She didn’t sound so sure. What if it damages our souls?   
 
Ichiro stood in front of me with a grave look. “I’m not sure how this is going to work, but we may want to sit down for the first time. This technique hasn’t been tried for many generations, so I’m not exactly sure what is going to happen.” He says before sitting down in front of me. I do the same, and cross my legs. “Ok so you need to follow my hands exactly and then say soul merge. It should link our souls, and we should be connected.” I nod my head taking a huge gulp. I hope this works.
 
“You ready?” He asks giving me a nervous look. I nod my head looking down to his hands. He makes hand signs at a slow steady pace, and I follow trying not to make any mistakes. He nods at me once we’ve done about thirty hand signs.
 
“Soul merge.” We say in unison. I feel a strong wave of chakra course through me, and it makes me slightly dizzy. Ichiro suddenly falls over causing me to gasp in horror.
 
 “Ichiro!” I yell crawling over to him, and shaking his shoulder. I was still dizzy, but my worry over Ichiro was practically overriding the dizziness. My head, and lower back start burning, and I squeak out in pain. “W-what’s happening to me?” I cry out. The pain causes me to curl up in a ball, and red hot tears to form at the edge of my eyes trying to spill over.
 
“Shh it’s ok the pain will be over soon.” A familiar voice soothes in my head. ‘Ichiro?’ I think wondering if I’m going crazy. A chuckle resonates throughout my mind.  “Don’t worry you’re not crazy. The jutsu worked. We are now merged as one. I can’t believe it actually worked though. I had my doubts. I’m not really sure how long this is going to last either.” I sigh in relief, but cringe at the pain that was still there. It felt like my skin was ripping apart. ‘What’s wrong with me? Is this supposed to happen?” I ask fearfully. “From what I heard of the stories my grandmother use to tell me yes. You are just taking on a few of my features. I think you might actually like the change.” He says thoughtfully. ‘What features, and will it be permanent?” I ask curious to what features of his that I was getting. The pain was starting to diminish, and I sigh wistfully. I was definitely thankful that it was finally going away.
 
“You’ll just have to see. Go inside and look at yourself in the mirror, and it only appears when we are using this jutsu. So you don’t have to worry about permanent changes.” He says chuckling. I sigh in relief, and trudge towards the house. This was just like talking to Mitsuki. I wonder if they can talk to each other. It would make for an interesting conversation.
 
Opening up the door I walk towards bathroom. ‘Can you talk to Mitsuki?’ I ask voicing my earlier thoughts. “Hmm, I’m not sure. We could always try. I’ve always wanted to talk to her anyways.” He says thoughtfully. I nod my head, and cross the hallway before entering the bathroom. I flick the light on, and turn towards the bathroom mirror. I gasp in shock at my reflection. I stand stalk still staring at my reflection in wonder. Sitting atop my head were two black fluffy ears, and a black tail was swinging around behind me. After a few seconds of staring in wonder I reach up, and hesitantly touch my new ears.
 
I squeal in delight. ‘They’re so soft, and fluffy!’ I yell in my head. Ichiro chuckles at my reaction. I reach around and grab my tail pulling it around me, and stroking it softly. ‘This is so awesome! Why couldn’t we have done this sooner?” I say excitedly. He laughs, and if I could see him I bet he would be shaking his head at me.
 
“That’s not all you also gained some of my abilities since we are technically one, but we’re gonna have to train. It will be too much for your body to handle if we do too much at once. We have to get it use to everything.” He says seriously. I nod my head. ‘Okay, when do we start training?’ I ask eager to find out what all we can do.
 
“Next time we train. We’ve already put your body through enough for one day. If we try anything else it may cause serious damage to both of us.” He says seriously. ‘Well since we don’t know when it will wear off do you want to try and talk to Mitsuki?’ I ask. “Sure, that’s a good idea.” He says nonchalantly, but I could hear the eagerness in his voice. I laugh at his eagerness. ‘Alright let me try to talk to her real quick. Sometimes she doesn’t want to be spoken to.’ I say already concentrating on talking to her. I hear a quiet “ok”, and then silence.
 
Concentrating my conscience is pulled into a room with a huge cage. I walk up to it, and peer in. Mitsuki was curled up in a ball breathing evenly. Her black fur rose and fell with her even breathing. I sigh in disappointment. I wasn’t going to wake her up. I’m not a fool. The last thing I need is a giant cat demon ticked off at me especially when said demon is trapped within my body. I close my ‘eyes’ and find myself back in the bathroom feeling slightly dizzy.
 
“Well were you able to talk to her?” I hear Ichiro ask. I sigh shaking my head slightly. ‘No she was asleep, and I am not going to face that wrath of a ticked off cat demon just to talk to her. We’ll have to wait till next time to try.’ I think still feeling dizzy. I wasn’t feeling so good. I close the toilet lid on the toilet, and sit down placing my head in my hands. “I understand. The jutsu is wearing off anyway. The sick feeling should wear off when I return to my body.” He says quietly. I nod my head in my hands, and sigh. I really hate feeling sick. It is definitely not a good feeling. A minute in a half later I feel Ichiro leave my mind, and I sigh. The sick feeling was leaving, but now I felt unceremoniously tired.
 
I slowly push myself off the toilet seat, and make my way towards the living room, and out the back door. Ichiro was still on the ground, but he was now sitting up holding his head in his hand. “Hit you hard to then huh.” I say quietly making my way over to him. He nods his head and groans.
 
“Yeah it feels like a hammer is hammering away at my head, and my body is all stiff.” He says still groaning. I walk over to stand in front of him. He looks up, and I hold my hand out for him to take. “Come on lets go get something to eat. I think we deserve it.” I say giving him a small smile. He takes my hand, and blushes red. I wonder why he keeps blushing. I shake the thought off, and walk towards the door still holding his hand. I had one destination in mind, and it was calling to me. Ramen here we come.
 
*Ichiro’s pov*
 
I continue to blush as she pulls me down the streets of Konoha. Her hand is so warm in mine, and I can’t help but stare at are intertwined hands. If only she knew what she does to me when she does stuff like this. When she smiled at me earlier I swear my heat melted. I would have withered away if it wasn’t for her holding my hand. I have a feeling I know where she’s dragging me though. Ichiraku’s Raman, I still don’t know how she eats ramen so much. She practically lives off the stuff. That can’t be healthy.
 
I plow into Mizuki’s back when she suddenly stops. She lets go of my hand, and turns to face me with a huge grin. I can’t help but feel the disappointment when she lets go. “Were here” She’s says gesturing to you guessed it, Ichiraku’s ramen. I sigh at how predictable she is, and give her a small smile. “Yeah.” I say quietly, before following her to sit at the bar. “Hello Mizuki and Ichiro. How are you today?” Teuchi asks with a kind smile.
 
“I’m good, how are you?” Mizuki asks politely giving the old man a kind smile. “I’m fine dear now what can I get you two?” He says looking over at me. I had been sitting silently through their conversation only to glance up when he said two. He smiles at me, and I give him a small one in return. 
 
“Miso ramen please.” Mizuki says happily. He nods and glances over at me. “And you?” He asks. “Same.” I grumble. He nods again before turning around, and starting on the food. I looked around to see that we were the only two here. Usually this place was busy I wonder why no one else was here. I shake my head at the thought. It is pretty late. Everyone is probably at home having a nice home cooked dinner with their families. I feel myself becoming depressed again, and quickly shake off the feelings. I don’t want to worry Mizuki again. I glance over at her, and watch as she converses with Teuichi’s daughter Ayame. She was laughing about something Ayame said. She must have felt my stare, because she glances over at me, and gives me a small smile that makes my heart skip a beat before going back to talking with Ayame.
 
Yeah it was kind of hard not to become depressed. Why does she have to do this to me?
 
*Mizuki’s pov*
 
The next day I was walking to Ichiro’s house. I had promised him last night that I would walk with him to academy. He was acting strangely again last night, and hardly talking at all when we went to Ichiraku’s ramen. So I told him I would walk with him today, so I could secretly keep an eye on him. I hope he doesn’t go back to the way he was. I don’t think I can handle seeing that spark that’s usually in his eyes disappear again. Which is why I left earlier than usual to give myself plenty of time to make it to Ichiros, and then to school. He practically lived in the opposite direction of school which is also why he tried getting me to change my mind. Yeah that’s not happening. I want to make sure he’s okay.
 
I heave a sigh kicking a random rock on the dirt path. Today was graduation and I already know it’s going to be a long day. I also have to console Naruto when he fails the exam. Although I can’t do much or I’ll mess up the future and that could be very bad. I just want to make sure he doesn’t beat himself up over something so trivial. He just needs a kick in the right direction. Something just occurred to me that had me ground my teeth in agitation. I had the same name as that scumbag who tricks Naruto. That’s freakin fantastic. I shake my head before spotting Ichiros house ahead, and sprinting towards it.
 
I bang on his door when I get there. He opens it up after about the tenth knock with a glare. “Do you really have to bang on my door?” He growls. I laugh sheepishly rubbing the back of my neck which was a bad habit I received from my father. “Yes?” I say questionably, and he facepalms before stepping aside to let me in. “Just go sit down. I’ll be ready in a minute.” He grumbles walking down the hall towards his room. I blushed just realizing that he was shirtless, and his hair was wet. Well that explains why he didn’t answer right away. I must have interrupted his shower. Oops.
 
I walk into the kitchen, and decide to make some coffee instead of just sitting there. I pull out the coffee beans, and start making coffee. Once it was almost done reach into the cabinet beside his sink, and pull out two coffee mugs. I then pull some creamer out of the same cabinet. He kept all his coffee stuff in one cabinet, because he was a huge coffee drinker. I on the other hand only drink it occasionally.
 
“You just make yourself right at home don’t you.” Ichiro says leaning against the doorway to the kitchen causing me to jump, and almost drop the container of creamer in my hand. I sigh walking over to the coffee maker that was now done, and poor the coffee into the two cups. “Duh, we’ve known each other for years. You do the same when you’re at my house.” I say grumpily. He chuckles. “I suppose your right.”
 
We arrive early, and are the only ones in the class room besides Sasuke who was glaring at the wall. I kind of feel sorry for the wall. What did it ever do to him? I feel for you wall I really do. You’re not the only one who receives glares for no reason. See now his glares focused on me, and what did I do? That’s right nothing at all. Stupid duck butt.
 
“Will you stop grumbling about walls and ducks? You’re kind of creeping me out.” I hear Ichiro say beside me. I had apparently stopped in the door way, and was staring off into space. I let out a nervous chuckle. “No problem.” I mumble nervously before walking over to my seat, and sitting down. This would be the last time I sit in this seat. I honestly wouldn’t miss it.
 
About twenty really boring minutes later I hear the door open, and I glance up from my random drawing of a chibi Naruto laughing at a duck with the head of Sasuke swimming around in a pond. I found my art to be a masterpiece, but I don’t think Sasuke would like it very much. All well it’s not like I care anyways. Iruka-sensei walks in the door holding a piece of paper, and walks over to the podium sitting at the center of the room. I glance around noticing that the classroom was now full. Huh, when did that happen? I shrug it off, and look over at sensei that was now speaking.
 
“We will now start the final exam. When your name is called proceed to the testing room. The final test will be on… the clone jutsu.” Sensei says in a bored tone. I sweat drop at how simple the test was, and then face palm at my ignorance. That’s Naruto’s worst jutsu, and he was completely flipping out beside me. I pat him on the back. “It’ll be fine Naruto. I know you’ll pass.” I say smiling a comforting smile at him.
 
He glances over at me, and gives me a nervous smile. “Do you really think so?” He asks in a hopeful voice. Man he is just setting me up to be the bad guy here. I know he’ll pass. It just won’t be until after the exam. Ugg this really sucks. “Yeah.” I say looking back at sensei. I watch as he walks out of the room after calling the first name.
 
After a while my name is called, and I get up giving Naruto a smile. He looks at me nervously, but still manages to smile. “Good luck, Mizu-chan.” He says before going back to freaking out. I nod, and look up to Ichiro who in return grins at me, and gives me a thumb’s up. “Good luck!” He yells. I laugh at his yelling. I’m glad to see him in a better mood.
 
“Thanks.” I say before turning around, and heading towards the exit. Once I enter the hallway I walk to the door next to our classroom, and knock on the door. I hear a ‘come in’ and I open the door. Both Sensei and Mizuki were sitting at a desk with lots of headbands. I glare at Mizuki, but smile at sensei. He gives me a confused look, and I roll my eyes. Stupid scumbag.
 
“Hello Mizuki, this man here is also Mizuki. He is helping with this exam. I don’t think you’ve met him before.” He says with a small smile. Mizuki raises an eyebrow at me. “So you have the same name as me?” I nod at him scowling. He smirks at me apparently enjoying my irritation. I really don’t like that man. I shake my head at Sensei answering his question before say a stiff “hello”. He gives me an odd look before smiling.
 
“All you have to do is create three solid clones to pass.” He says with a small smile. I nod before making the appropriate hand sign, and mumbling, “clone jutsu.” I hear a poof, and open my eyes to about twenty clones. I sweatdrop at Sensei’s baffled expression ignoring Mizuki altogether. “Uh, oops.” I say chuckling nervously.
 
“So uh do I pass?” I ask quietly. Sensei sits there for a second still staring at all my clones before looking back at me and nodding. “Yes, good job Mizuki. Go ahead, and pick a forehead protector.” He says gesturing to the forehead protectors on the table. I look over them, and see one black one off to the side, and grab it. “Thank you.” I say bowing.
 
“You welcome, and could you tell Ichiro Hisaiyuki he’s next?” Sensei asks. I nod before leaving the room. Sensei still had a baffled look on his face, but at least I passed. I was happy about that. I tie the headband around my head, and head back to the classroom. I walk back to my seat, and look over at Ichiro who was smiling at me. “You’re next.” I say seeing him nod before sitting down. He walks down the aisle, and I say “Good luck” when he passes by. He laughs waving me off. “I don’t need it, but thanks.” I nod my head, and go back to working on my picture from before. It’s going to be a while before everyone’s done.
 
 Ichiro had of course passed, and came back with a huge grin. He left not having anything better to do leaving me to suffer by myself until Naruto got done. About thirty minutes later Naruto comes in with a depressed look, and no headband. He slinks over here looking like he was about to cry. I patted him on the back giving him a worried look. He just sits down, and slumps in his seat.
 
Sensei comes in about two minutes later, and announces that everyone was done. Naruto just slumps further in his seat. A few kids snicker on their way by but shut up as soon as they see my glare. After everyone leaves Naruto leaves in a daze I follow silently behind worried about him. He walks over to the swing away from everyone who was talking excitedly to their proud parents about passing. I sigh, and follow behind silently. He stares at all the kids and their parents sadly causing my heart to clench. I walk over to him, and pull him into a hug making him gasp in surprise.
 
“Mizu-chan w-what are doing?” Naruto stutters shocked by the sudden contact. “Sometimes you just need a hug. I want you to know that I’m here for you. You’re not alone. Same goes for Ichiro. You two are my best friends, and it hurts me to see you guys in pain.” I say starting to cry. It really hurt me to see him so sad. He hugs me back tightly after that, and I hear him sniffle in my ear. “Thank you Mizu-chan.” He says quietly. I nod pulling away, and giving him a smile. “Cheer up, there’s always tomorrow, alright?” I say ruffling his hair a bit, and wiping away my tears with my other hand. He gives me a sad smile. “You’re right.” He says looking down at the ground. “Of course I am now cheer up its bad for your health to be sad all the time. Don’t forget that you have people that care, and worry for you. Stay strong Naruto.” I say seriously. He gives me an honest smile that makes my heart melt. How can people treat such a kind person so horribly? It really aggravates me.
 
“There you see him.” Says a voice causing me to grind my teeth in anger. I completely forgot about those two. They better shut up before they get what’s coming to them. “It’s that boy I heard he’s the only one who failed. Says one of the two women.  I grip my skirt in my fist. One more word about Naruto, and I’m going to send them down under. “Hmph well it serves him right.” Says one of the women. The other speaks up after words, “Just think what would happen if he becomes a ninja.” I couldn’t take it anymore I take off after them. I hear Naruto yell out my name, but my anger was controlling me. I wasn’t thinking straight at all.
 
Unfortunately someone grabs me from behind restraining me from murdering the two women. I growl struggling to get out of their hold. “They’re not worth it.” A familiar old voice says. It was grandpa who was restraining me. Dang it, I forgot that the hokage would be here today since it was graduation.
 “But Naruto is. They don’t know him. How can they talk about him like that? He’s done nothing wrong.” I growl out in a clipped tone. Grandpa sighs before speaking up again. “Sadly that’s how most view him since he has what destroyed the village sealed inside him. They fear him, and therefore do things such as those two women did today.” He says still holding me firmly.  I slump in defeat. “It still isn’t right.” I say quietly. He turns me around, and pulls me into a firm hug. “I know Mizuki that’s why it’s a good thing you’re his friend. You can help him get through these tough times.” He says patting my back. I nod glancing back over at Naruto who was now talking to Mizuki. I sigh. I have to let this all work out in order for Naruto to get stronger. I can’t be there to shelter him forever.
 
“I know, but sometimes it’s just hard to listen to what is said around you. I know exactly what Naruto goes through every day. Being treated like a monster makes every day you live feel like you’re living in the deepest pits of hell.” I say quietly looking down at the ground.
 
 
**Disclaimer**
 
Me: why do I have to keep making everything sad T_T
 
Mizuki: Maybe because it’s essential for story development
 
Me: ewe big words Mizuki’s gone all smarticle on us
 
Mizuki: Or you’ve gotten more stupid
 
Me: Hey! I have not! Why is everyone so mean to me *goes into the corner I stole from Sasuke and cries*
 
Mizuki: *Sigh* Well while missmoemoe96 is off growing poisonous mushrooms I’ll do disclaimer. She does not own Naruto, and never will. I don’t see why we have to keep doing these. You’d think people would get it by now….
 
Me: They are not poisonous *whispers* just drenched in my sorrowful tears because people are big meany heads….  Oh and we still do this because it’s awesome you just don’t see the brilliance in all that is a disclaimer :P
 
Mizuki: That’s disgusting and I think you’ve just gone completely stupid it’s probably all those cookies you made and ate the other day
 
Me:  You’re just jealous of my awesomeness
 
Mizuki: You just keep thinking that -_-