4 Moonlight Overflowing

It is only natural for family to live together.

Naruto’s home is slightly larger than Kotono’s, so the two children are staying at his place tonight.

Avoid suspicion? Morality? Social customs? No one would say a word about it.

They are merely two orphans who have been without parents since birth; no one cares what they do, whether they are sick, crying, or laughing. The only thing that draws the annoyed and disgusted glares of adults is when they pull pranks.

Naruto used to love pulling pranks just to get people to notice him, but after meeting Kotono, he stopped doing that. Because now, there are gentle amber eyes reflecting his image; there is someone who smiles and listens to his boastful claims and all his rambling.

Naruto doesn't know how to put it into words, but he feels that as long as he clings to Kotono, everything is fine. As long as she keeps looking at him, as long as her eyes continue to reflect his figure, the empty, lonely void inside him feels filled with a surging, warm presence.

That is why he doesn't want her to look at anyone else.
He doesn't want to share her with anyone.
He doesn't want her to... become someone else’s family.

This is the selfish desire that the vessel of the Nine-Tails is too timid to voice, and thus chooses to ignore.

...

Nighttime.

Before nine o'clock, Naruto had already finished washing up, changed into his light blue pajamas, and climbed obediently into bed. Yet, he refused to close his eyes, keeping them wider than lightbulbs. His mind was incredibly clear, and his eyes blinked with anticipation.

It is his first time having a good friend sleep over.

The bed is big, more than enough for two children. Kotono said they should sleep facing away from each other, but Naruto can’t see her face that way, and it makes talking very inconvenient. He wants to talk to her. Isn’t the whole point of washing up and getting into bed so early to whisper secrets under the covers with a best friend?

"Kotono, are you asleep?"
"Kotono, Kotono."
"Kotono-chan~"

Little Naruto wiggled in bed, shifting and scooting until he was right next to Kotono. He didn't mind the lack of a pillow and just nuzzled against her affectionately.

"Talk to me for a little while."

As he spoke, the boy’s warm breath brushed against the nape of her neck, and his stray hairs tickled her cheek—a slight itch.

Kotono isn't actually asleep yet either. It’s her first time sleeping at someone else’s house, and it’s so early; how could she possibly fall asleep easily? She only tried to act very proper because she was shy and nervous about being at a friend's house for the first time, wanting to seem reliable in front of Naruto. But if Naruto insists on pestering her, she has no choice.

"What is it? Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I want to chat with you." Naruto rolled over, looking at the bright moon outside the window, and chirped excitedly, "We can even moon-bathe together with Kotono."

Kotono turned over as well; the full moon tonight is indeed exceptionally round. Even without the lights on, the moonlight illuminates the part of the bed by the window. She can see Naruto’s pointed-cap pajamas and the light blue polka-dot sleepwear peeking out from under the quilt.

"It feels good not having parents," Naruto said, his azure eyes sparkling from the moonlight as he turned to look at Kotono. "Shikamaru says his mom doesn't let him talk when he sleeps over at friends' houses—but no one manages us."

"We can talk for as long as we want!"

...

Hearing this, Kotono could only sigh silently to herself. She knows that isn't truly how Naruto feels. In his previous life, he always hoped Sasuke would come to save him, and in his most painful moments, he would call out for his parents in his heart. But no one ever came. When they finally recognized each other as brothers, Sasuke was too prideful to be direct and instead said many hurtful things.

She doesn't know who Naruto's parents are, but if it were someone like Fugaku Uchiha... truly disgusting. Is it what a parent should do, leaving a good child like Naruto in a corner to fend for himself? If Sakura was the treasure she cherished in her past life, then Naruto in this life has a plight just as desolate and heartbreaking.

Fortunately, they met much earlier in this life than in the last.

She lowered her voice, playing along. "Alright, let's share secrets under the covers and not tell anyone else."

Though they called it chatting, it was mostly Naruto rambling about things at school during the day, interspersed with plenty of his own biased criticisms of Sasuke. Naruto was very worried about her, admonishing, "Don't you go getting fooled by that guy Sasuke's looks like the other girls."

"Don't say that; Sasuke actually cares about you deep down," Kotono said, sincerely hoping to mend the relationship between these former brothers.

"Blech!" Naruto grabbed his own throat, making a gagging sound. "I don't want his concern."

"I told you, you two were brothers in a past life."

"Aah, I don't want to talk about that annoying guy Sasuke!"

Naruto was very troubled. Kotono is different from other girls. She doesn't swoon or scream over Sasuke; she doesn't get mean just because he hates Sasuke; she doesn't always revolve around Sasuke. But why does she always have to emphasize that he and Sasuke were brothers in a past life? Uzumaki Naruto only wants to be Uzumaki Kotono’s family; he doesn't want to be that guy Sasuke's brother.

Naruto turned his face away, pouting, "Let's not talk about Sasuke, okay?"

Kotono couldn't refuse Naruto’s pouting. Besides, she did indeed have important matters to discuss with Naruto at night, away from the prying eyes of others—the thing sealed inside Naruto’s belly.

*

Kotono cautiously touched Naruto’s belly. Beneath the thin skin and flesh were the developing internal organs of a child. Like her, Naruto was somewhat malnourished; she could feel the protruding shapes of what must have been bone.

Her expression was grave. It was hard to imagine that such a young, frail body had been sealed with such a massive, foul entity by a villain, suffering day and night. However, she pressed down gently and didn't feel the wriggling contours of a monster, just soft, warm flesh, and the occasional system notification in her ears.

[Chakra limit +1]
[Chakra limit +1]

The chakra gained from touching his body had a daily limit twice that of holding hands. Was the system hinting she should become the "Xiao Yan" of the ninja world? Using the excuse of nourishing his meridians with chakra, then taking the opportunity to get close...

...

"Hahaha, that tickles!" Naruto squirmed under the covers, dodging her fingers. "Kotono, stop tickling me, it’s so ticklish!"

Kotono couldn't make heads or tails of it, so she tried activating [Kagura Shingan]. Both she and Naruto were at D-level chakra capacity; theoretically, she should be able to...

She couldn't feel it.

Naruto was right beside her, yet he was like a deep, swirling abyss that could swallow all perception; there was absolutely no chakra leakage. Could it be that she is just too weak right now?

Fortunately, at least Naruto isn't suffering because of it.

Naruto watched the girl’s delicate profile. What is Kotono thinking about right now? He didn't know. But he could feel the unreserved, delicate care and concern radiating from her. This kindness was like a warm hot spring, letting him soak in it until his whole body felt relaxed and stretched out—he didn't want to leave.

Kotono was lost in thought, her cheeks flushed; she looked both cool and cute when she was thinking. Kotono is the cutest and smartest girl in school.

"Kotono is so amazing."

—The future Fifth Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto, expresses his strong approval.

"Naruto is amazing too," Kotono replied casually.

"Where am I amazing?" Naruto pressed.

Kotono: "Uh."

Seeing her stay silent, Naruto racked his brain and found his own merit.

"I know what my strong point is!" Naruto said proudly, "Other kids always cry when they can't find their parents at night, but I've never had parents, and I never cry!"

Kotono: ...

Naruto isn't crying, but she is starting to tear up.

"It’s very late. Let’s sleep, or we won’t grow tall."

She closed her eyes first to set an example, putting an end to young Naruto’s ambition of staying up all night whispering to her.

"Kotono~"

Naruto tried the same trick again, but Kotono remained firmly unresponsive.

"Fine..."

Kotono kept her eyes closed, but she imagined the little blond boy in his sleeping cap must be pouting, looking very disappointed. However, after a while, she heard a rustling sound, and then she felt a soft, warm little hand reach out cautiously.

Uzumaki Naruto poked Kotono’s arm gently. Then he reached further down, and further down.

Until he grabbed Kotono’s hand.

Kotono didn't shake him off; instead, she pulled at his quilt, covering the arm he had left exposed.

Heh heh.

The first time having a friend to share secrets with under the covers.
The first time having family with the same surname.
The first time having someone tuck in his quilt.

It’s so warm.

Naruto gazed at Kotono’s profile and finally closed his eyes, satisfied. He felt very happy.

The two children, who had once owned nothing, fell into a peaceful sleep on this quiet, moonlit night of destiny, hand in hand.

[CG: Night of Destiny has been recorded]
[Chakra limit +100]

—Actually, I sometimes want to say... the system could be a little less of a mood killer.