Naruto could see his fatherâs back, the text âFourth Hokageâ standing out brightly on his white coat, yet no matter how much he ran, how far he stretched out his hand, he couldnât reach him. He couldnât reach his mother either, standing right there next to his father, her back to him as well, giving him a clear view of her long, beautiful red hair.
It was alright, he was used to it. And itâs not like being unable to reach his parents meant that he was alone; not at all. He wasnât alone, he never had been. Even if his parents had died on the day he was born, theyâd left someone else to watch after him. And that someone was always there.
Turning to look over his shoulder, Naruto saw Kuramaâs looming form behind him, as usual. With a grin, he held out his fist to the fox, who met it with his own. But then, the fox started moving, walking past him.
That had never happened; Kurama had always stayed behind him.
âKurama?â he questioned as the tailed beast walked over to his parents âWhere are you going?â
Kurama looked over his shoulder after reaching the couple, before looking forward again. Then, the three of them started walking away.
âWait, Kurama!â this wasnât how it was supposed to go; Kurama was always there with him. Always. His parents never were, but up until now, Kurama had always-! âDonât go!â
Naruto ran after the three, after the fox, but despite going as fast as he could, their backs only got smaller, their presences further. He reached out his hand desperately, calling after him-
âKURAMA!â Naruto shot up in his bed, hand reaching out. Sitting there, it took him a few seconds to process the situation.
âIt was a dreamâ he realized âJust a dream.â
Except no, not really. It wasnât just a dream; Kurama was gone for real, just like his parents.
Kurama had never been gone before; theyâd never been apart before, save for that short time during the war heâd been forced out. Sure, Naruto hadnât even known he was there for the first 12 years, but heâd been there all the same.
He regretted not hearing the truth earlier. He regretted those three or so years that he knew but hadnât really put any effort in to talking to Kurama. He had never even thought of asking the foxâs name, a fact that had filled him with shame for years now. At times, he wondered if they couldâve become proper partners earlier if heâd asked about it.
Tears of frustration tingled at the corners of Narutoâs eyes. There was nothing he could do about that anymore, absolutely nothing. And now Kurama was gone. For the first time in his life, he was really, truly-
Narutoâs head shot up, and his eyes met Kawakiâs as the boy sat on the couch, a book hanging in his loose grip as he stared at the older man with eyes that were definitely concerned.
âIs everything alright?â
âY-yeah!â Naruto hastily wiped his eyes. He didnât like the idea of the kids seeing him cry, but considering his circumstances, it was even worse that it was Kawaki who saw him cry. The boy had enough worries of his own; he didnât need Narutoâs on top of them!
Kawaki kept staring, and Naruto had a feeling he was going to ask. Not wanting things to get there, he got up and looked at the clock. Fortunately, the timing was good.
âDinnerâs probably ready soon; we should head downâ he says, going to the door. His hand is on the handle when Kawaki says: âIâm sorry.â
âThe Tailed Beast⊠Kurama, you called it? Itâs dead because Jigen came after meâ Kawaki continued âIâm sorry.â
Naruto closed his eyes. He shouldâve known itâd come to this.
âItâs not your faultâ he says âIf anything, Iâm the one at fault for failing to protect you.â
And failing to protect Kurama.
âKawakiâ he says, now looking at the boy âItâs not your fault. Kurama was the one who suggested that I used that technique, even though he knew itâd kill him. It was his idea; he chose to give his life to protect us.â
The one who was thought of as nothing but a mindless beast for so long, the one that many still thought so of no doubt, had given his life to protect others.
Naruto would have to make sure that this part of the Tailed Beastâs history would be recorded down just the same as his attack on the village. The future generations needed to know just who had protected the Will of Fire so that it could be passed on to them.
And speaking of passing it onâŠ
Naruto took few steps back in to the room to reach Kawaki, who was still sitting down, before patting his head.
âJust promise me one thing, okay?â
Kawaki wasnât the type to agree to something before knowing the details. Not that this surprised Naruto in the slightest; heâd already figured that one out.
âHis name was Kuramaâ the Hokage said âNot Nine Tails, nor tailed beast. Kurama. He had a name. Make sure you remember it.â
Kawaki was sincere, Naruto knew. Not that he wouldâve expected anything else. He smiled.
âGoodâ he said âNow letâs get to that dinner.â
This time Kawaki followed, but as they were on the stairs, the boy said: âThere are more tailed beasts, arenât there? Aside from Kurama?â
âYeah, there are. Eight of themâ
âDo all eight have names?â
Naruto stops in his tracks again, looking at Kawaki over his shoulder. The boy stops too, cautiously eyeing the older man ââŠWhat?â
âNothing, nothingâ Naruto grins, recovering from the surprise and continuing his way down âYes, they do. Of course.â
Speaking of which, how many people besides him knew them? How many used them? He knew Bee knew them all, but did he remember? Either way, there were way too few people who knew them.
âThey havenât specifically asked me to keep them secret or anything, so would you like to hear?â
Naruto reached the kitchen door, pulling it open.
âNaruto, good timing; the dinnerâs ready!â Hinata said as she brought the pot of nabe to the table âIs Kawaki with you?â
âYeahâ Naruto walked in, Kawaki following close behind. The blond spotted his son on the couch, playing with a game console, and Himawari was currently setting the table. The whole family was there.
A rare urge to show physical affection taking over, Naruto walked over to his wife to press a kiss to her temple. Hinata blinked.
âEw, dad, there are others in here!â Boruto called from the couch, pointedly facing the other direction âHave some manners!â
âYouâre overreacting, Borutoâ Naruto laughed, holding his arms out for Himawari who rushed towards him, pulling her in to a hug âNow come eat. And itâs about time I taught you kids something.â
âLike what?â Boruto put his game console down, interest clearly caught as he came over, sitting on his usual seat. When everyone else were on their seats as well, Naruto started: âYou kids remember who Kurama is, right?â
âThatâs the Nine Tailed foxâs name, isnât it?â Boruto asks as Himawari and Hinata nod âDidnât you say that heâs⊠gone now?â
âYeah, he is. But itâs important to remember him. And not just him; he has eight siblingsâ Naruto says âDo you guys know their names?â
âNames?â Boruto repeats, thinking âUm, well the one tail is- â
âShukaaku!â Himawari cuts her brother off.
âClose enough; itâs Shukakuâ Naruto corrects with a smile âMost people donât know their names, or even know they have ones, but I think itâs important to know them.â
âWell, guess it would be rude to just refer to them with the number of their tailsâ Boruto agrees with a shrug, and Narutoâs glad that he gets it.
âMom, has dad taught you their names?â Himawari asks. Naruto turns to Hinata. Heâd told her, had told all his close friends, shortly after the war, but he doubted sheâd remember, at least not all.
âOf course, he hasâ Hinata replies, and to Narutoâs surprise, she starts listing the names: âOne Tail is Shukaku, Two Tails is Matatabi, Three Tails is Isobu, Four Tails is Son Goku, Five Tails is KokuĂ”, Six Tails is Saiken, Seven Tails is Choumei, Eight Tails is Gyuki and Nine Tails is Kurama.â
Naruto stares at her in surprise. That was all of them; she got all the names right and didnât even mix any of them up.
âYou did tell us, didnât you?â Hinata smiles at him âTheyâre important to you, so I made sure to remember.â
Naruto knew he was getting too emotional lately; tears were prickling in the corners of his eyes again.
His voice is quiet, but right now, he doesnât have the strength for more.
âIâll make sure to remember them, too!â Himawari cheered.
âYeah, me tooâ Boruto agreed ââŠThough I might need to write them down; I donât think I can remember from just hearing them once. Right, Kawaki?â
âSpeak for yourselfâ the boy replies âI can remember.â
Naruto watches his children bicker, too amused to interfere. Why had he been down again? Kurama, the one who always stayed by his side, may be gone, but heâd be alright.
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