20This decision came after much deliberation (and a multi-year break) but I've decided to rewrite my story of "Brothers". Basically I felt the character I hade was too weak and needed more depth. After a painstaking reimagining I felt I have done that and would like to reintroduce "Norio Uzumaki Namikaze". Also this story is a prologue that will detail his early years before I make a massive time jump into the first Naruto series. There will be smaller timeskips within this story to help progress it. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I have writing it.
Alpha
"I remember a time when things were a little bit brighter." – Fire Lord Azulon
"Do you see the sun irradiating warm rays that seem to cover every inch of Fire Country in a comforting embrace?" said a voice rich in wisdom, it was youthful yet carried a certain weight about it that ensured you it was not the ramblings of a fool, "The air is neither stifling nor bogged down by an overabundance of humidity instead managing to maintain the ideal balance of temperature and moisture. Birds chirp pleasantly with one another tickling the air with a sanguine tone."
"There are all manner of creatures, big and small, scurry across the mossy forest floor prancing around as if motioning through an intricate dance of nature. These displays of earthly vitality provide the consummate example of the Hidden Leaf Village's harmonious relationship with its land." He continued talking to his listener with a passion that made him unaware of whether anyone was actually listening
"This near symbiotic kinship between the ninja establishment and terra firma estate was first formed when the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, used his terraqueous bloodline limit to "communicate" with the planet itself and give birth to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Ever since that time the terrene has given us whatever was in its immense power to aid in our growth by providing corpulent fruit, crisp, vegetables, and succulent meat." It would be easy to mistake his musings for rambling now, but an astute listener would know that this man understood the profound relationship between man and Earth
"Not a people to suffer from ingratitude the tenants of the Village repaid their debt by tending the land and protecting it with their lives whenever a threat arose."
The young man ceased his philosophical lecture on the affiliation between the macrocosm of the Earth and comparative microcosm that was his home. Peeking through one eye revealed the oceanic well of blue that sparkled with wisdom and knowledge far beyond his years. The light of the sun bounced off his golden locks seeming to cast a halo aglow from atop his head. Through his half opened eye he spied something that made him sigh lightly as he sat cross legged on the emerald floor.
"Norio, did you hear a word I just said?" he asked his voice expectant
Lying on his back, and throwing up a rock, before him with a red pant leg bent at the knee into an isosceles and the other stretched out restfully to the side. One of his hands were cupped behind his head and were being used as a pillow while he stared high into the aqua sky chewing so simply on a strand of straw.
Hearing his father's voice caused him to stir ever so slightly evidenced by his black sandal lowering to the side and his torso rising into an upright position to reveal a boy wearing a red closely fitted jacket with black stripes around the wrists and a charcoal t-shirt underneath. His face was young and innocent with features similar to the older man.
The rock was still in mid-air and gravity soon caused it to fall back down.
With no one to catch it the stone impacted the top of Norio's head with a barely noticeable thud that made the boy grimace in pain uttering a soft "Ow" whilst rubbing the sore spot of his cranium.
"Uh…yes. Father." He answered diminutively as the discomfort faded away turning his head to the side for a split second as he spoke
Cerulean orbs met azure globes as the son eyed the father or vice versa. In contrast to the lemon hue of Minato, Norio's hair repulsed all photons of light giving it an obsidian sheen marred by pieces of grass caught in the bristles of his hair. His face was one of blasé disposition causing a miniscule frown to form on the Fourth's face.
Due to vigilance Norio analyzed his father's limbic reactions and morphed the disenchanted expression into something more attentive. How effective this was remained questionable as Minato's face stayed tight as he crossed his arms over his chest. This prompted Norio to offer a nervous smile that revealed his bone-white teeth clenching the straw tighter in his mouth as his face wrinkled.
"Oh really?" Minato inquired as he raised his brow suspiciously, "Then you don't mind recounting to me what I just said?"
"Uuummm…" Norio trailed opening his mouth enough that the straw fell from his maw.
He sat candidly almost afraid to blink under his father's vexatious stare. He stiffly turned his head away from Minato settling on a sharp blade of grass as he brought his hand up, at a snail's pace, to scratch a nonexistent itch on his head.
"Well…you were talking about…the village." He spoke in a meek tone almost a whisper
"Go on." Minato urged so low only the two could hear it but with a potency that almost made Norio whimper
"Aaand you mentioned the First Hokage." He was speaking so slowly now that the blade of grass he'd been inspecting would grow several inches before he finished his next sentence
Minato's gaze cast off an invisible torridity that made Norio rub the back of his neck to rid himself of the thin layer of sweat that had appeared from his pores.
A light breeze blew, whistling inside his ear as it made the treetops sway and the grass ripple like newly disturbed water. It also served to provide a form of reprieve from the perforating stare of the Yellow Flash despite the brevity.
Minato watched as his son struggled to cobble together the scrambled bits of information that had actually managed to penetrate his shield of inattention. He lightly drummed his fingers into the bend of his arm as he waited patiently for his son to admit to his sin of distraction though he realized the likelihood of such a thing occurring was nil.
"Norio." He called causing the boy to spastically straighten his back and enlarge his eyes diverting all his focus to the Namikaze adopting an Indian style posture identical to his father's.
Minato couldn't help but notice the level of diligence that Norio was now showing after being subject to the "serious face".
"Norio, I know this isn't as fascinating as learning new jutsu, but it's important to realize—"
"The connection between the Village and its villagers but…." Norio finished for him before instantly bowing his head as if expecting punishment after he noticed the firm look he was receiving intensify.
"But, what?" Minato questioned with a little more harshness than what he meant to portray
This wasn't lost on Norio as he curved his head lower and curled his toes closely together while placing a protrusion of hair between his index and thumb and rubbing. His confidence had taken a dip as he answered with a mousy, "Nothing."
Minato breathed out audibly and closed his eyes momentarily. Norio took this time to stop his nervous habit and look up into his father's face which held soft features that seemed to be sculpted form a strange stone that was both hard and soft at the same time. Minato's eyes snapped open causing Norio to hastily avert his eyes to something less intimidating finally deciding on the ground itself.
Minato let out a steadied "Hmmm" as if inspecting his son then rubbing the bottom of his chin in a detective manner. Norio avoided his eyes while he began to play with his hair again.
"Show me your Rasengan." It was more of a statement than a request
Norio looked at Minato focusing on his forehead to avoid gazing into the wells of his eyes.
"B…but I'm not finished. I mean I haven't completely formed it yet." He stammered
Minato crossed his arms once more keeping the same bland expression, "It doesn't matter show me anyway." He said
Norio's face turned from one of apprehension to one of repressed terror. As he said he had yet to complete the technique his father had shown him almost a year ago.
His brow raised as his eyes increased in size and he could feel the wetness between his fingers and to top it off his chest cavity became a punching bag for his blood pumping organ. Throughout this little panic attack Minato stared at his eldest son unwaveringly, calmly waiting for him to do what he was asked.
Norio took a dry swallow that tickled his throat in an odd way giving the sensation of swallowing sandpaper. Inhaling a copious amount of air in a vain attempt to settle his chaotic mindset Norio prepared the technique.
He held out both hands with is right hand outstretched and the left palm hovering above it all ten fingers bent into the image of a claw. There was a veritable silence as Minato eyed his boy with a hawk-like leer and Norio mentally repeated the steps necessary to create the Rasengan.
This reiteration was two-fold: One, it helped to take his mind off of the anxiety of having his father visually scrutinize him and two it made performing the jutsu easier.
He could feel chakra being pulled toward the center of his palm like gravitational wormhole. It was balmy but pleasantly so feeling like he was holding a freshly baked biscuit. Having gathered the bare amount he began to rotate it in multiple directions. The nature of the chakra became wild when he did so trying to disperse in every which direction as if desiring a release from his manipulation.
This caused him to initiate the second step, power, by forcing the chakra into his palm and compressing it into the standard shape.
The entire process was similar to molding clay save for the fact that chakra was alive or at least behaved as such. It writhed and squirmed like a newborn babe always fighting desperately to be free and flow away. This rebellious nature was primarily what made the Rasengan such a difficult technique to master calling for precise control, smothering power and then unification of the two principles.
This final step was what proved elusive for Norio impeding his progress and stranding him with an incomplete jutsu.
Minato observed the spiraling ball of energy in Norio's palm. It was a deep shade of blue with a transparency about it. The orb was double-layered with a torrent of chakra caught in rotation outside a smaller sphere containing a spinning helix of bluish-white light. This particular appearance marked the completion of the initial two steps, but the absence of the most crucial.
Assuming his stance of examination, by placing his chin between his index and thumb, his eyes took in every minor detail. Everything from the speed of the rotation, the size of the Rasenga, and even the direction, nothing escaped his watchful eyes.
Unfortunately, this face made Norio self conscious as he could feel his father's eyes upon him. His own closed eyes squinted as he fought to keep them that way afraid that catching a glimpse of Minato's stare would break his focus and dispel the jutsu. He wasn't saying anything causing Norio to guess at what he was thinking.
Did he feel proud of his progress or disappointed in the lack thereof? With his birthday coming up next month it would be a year since he first taught him the jutsu, so was he disheartened? The possibility made Norio want to go hide in a dark corner.
"That's enough, Norio." Said Minato snapping Norio from his cycle of negative thoughts.
He stood up from his sitting position which left a discolored impression due to the amount of time he'd been still. Norio observed his father's face searching for any signs of disapproval or irritation, but found only stoicism. Norio, however, could not make the distinction and felt his lack of an expression was the same as a disconcerted one.
He lowered his head in sadness boring a hole into the ground while gripping his pant legs tightly. He felt like a failure, like he was unworthy of being the Fourth's son. He gritted his teeth as a heavy all of consternation formed in his chest.
"Oh and Norio" called Minato causing Norio to snap his head up to be greeted by a grin that pulled Minato's face back enough to reveal all 32 of his teeth.
"Good job." He finished, offering his hand to help his son to his feet.
Seeing his father's trademark smile made the water in the corner of Norio's eyes seem foolish. Grabbing the strong paw while wiping away the moisture with the back of his palm he was pulled into a standing position. The force took him by surprise and he stumbled but regained his balance.
Looking at his father's mug Norio forgot about his earlier feelings of doubt and gave a smile that was a mirror image of his progenitor.
"Come on, I bet you're hungry your mom's making your favorite tonight." He informed
Any remnant of melancholy had been extinguished from his visage at the mention of his beloved dish, "You mean Hayashi rice?"
Minato nodded a "Yes" to the boy's hopeful question.
"Alright! Let's go!" exclaimed Norio filled with mirth
Minato chuckled at his enthusiasm and decided to gear his fervor towards something productive.
"Ok, how about we race? The first one home gets three plates to eat." He held up the numeral which served to further excite his son
The glee that Norio felt was apparent as he feverishly alternated between a squatting and standing position trying to contain it in his small six year old body. Minato knew his newfound energy would boil over soon enough so he said, "Okay. On your mark."
Norio adopted a serious face but a grin fought to etch itself onto his face once more. His right foot was placed slightly ahead of his left and he bent his knees slightly while lowering his head slightly. He looked ready to jet off from his position at any moment as spry as can be.
"Get set." Minato lowered into a similar stance resembling a leopard ready to pounce at any given point in time.
The two Namikaze's stood with anticipation eager to begin their mad dash to food. Norio had begun visualizing aroma of his mother's cooking, imaging how the familiar yet scrumptious texture would feel being chewed in his mouth and traveling down his throat. His avarice was great enough that a small amount of drool slid from the corner of his mouth.
He intended to wipe it until he heard "Go!" from Minato at which his craving took hold and he sped away.
Minato didn't leave immediately instead watching Norio bound away in a voracious craze. He could catch him anytime he wanted but why not allow Norio some fun? A ten second head start would suffice.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5…" Minato blinked as his mind registered the distance Norio had covered in about seven seconds. He had already crossed a space that would make a track star blush.
"Maybe eight seconds is enough time." He said to himself before departing
Eight minutes later Norio was breathing heavily with his hands over his knees. With every ragged breath a bead of sweat fell on the dusty bedrock leaving an irregular puddle of perspiration. His heaving was interrupted by Minato landing beside him.
He placed a fatherly hand atop the moistened head of Norio causing him to gaze into his father's smirking face.
"You overshot it didn't you?" he teased
Norio gave a tired grin and shook his head in the affirmative before taking another precious breath. Minato waited for Norio to regain his composure before saying, "What do you say we walk the rest of the way?"
Norio became animated once more at the idea of actually taking his time to get home. This was foolish to him due to the reasoning that they could get there faster by running.
"Why? We're not too far from home and I'm not as tired as I look!" he argued
Minato smiled at his impatience and he began to reason, "Then we can walk since we're so close besides you're always running from Point A to Point B, Norio, it would do you some good to take a nice leisurely scroll through the village."
Norio wanted to press this issue further but he knew it would bear no fruit and in any case his father was already walking ahead so he fell in beside him with his hands dug into his pockets. His forehead wrinkled in mild annoyance at the prospect of having to wait longer to eat. His appearance was that of a much younger child who had just been denied a treat with the stereotypical pout being the only thing missing from this picture of childish frustration.
Minato was not blind to his son's sharp change in attitude, but he stood by what he had said. Norio need to slow down sometimes it seemed like he was always trying to do several things at once or one task to quickly. Such haste would be dangerous once he became a ninja and could lead to not only his demise but the deaths of his comrades as well.
Besides he didn't understand what was so bad about taking a walk with his father. If anything the village's beauty was enhanced with a measured gait with its serene architecture that was modest yet exuded a subtle level of skill in the masonry. The streets were virtually free of litter and any trash that found its way on the ground was properly disposed of by a Good Samaritan.
This was another benefit of a slowed pace, the chance to meet the villages beaming personalities. Everyone was so cordial and amiable with one another that even a trip to the market could be an enjoyable experience. Mind you he wasn't so naïve to believe that every single person was a bright ray of sunshine, but the majority of people that crossed his path were. As if to support his point a random passerby greeted Minato with an affable "Hello, Fourth."
Minato responded with a charismatic wave and smile. Yes, the people were nice indeed.
Norio listened as several more people greeted the Fourth or Dad, as he liked to call him, and his frown deepened. He didn't know why it still bothered him the fact that his father was always acknowledged, but never him. Though that wasn't completely true he was acknowledged but not as Norio Namikaze instead he was called…
"Honorable son, hello." Said a plump woman in her thirties
'My name is Norio.' Is what he wanted to say but respect, for both his father and the woman, made him bite his tongue. So he gave the lady a superficial smile.
Why he did that was a mystery because after her initial greeting he became a invisible as he turned to talk to his father. That was always what seemed to happen people would speak to him for a split second before deciding that was all they owed him and trying to engage his father.
Norio narrowed his eyes at the woman and in his exasperation noticed a tinge of pink splashed on her cheeks. Whether his father saw it wasn't clear as he continued speaking with his idiosyncratic simper plastered on his face. Gazing closer at the mystery female he noticed her starry-eye expression as Minato continued speaking and the longer he stared the more it seemed like she wasn't actually paying attention to what was said.
That seemed to happen frequently too at least with females.
Norio groaned and kicked a stray stone as he finally puckered his lips in dissatisfaction.
"I wonder what Mom is doing?"
At the home of the Fourth Hokage andKushina. the matriarch of the household brushed a strand of crimson hair out of her face. Her dark grayish eyes scanned her culinary craftsmanship causing a small look of delight to appear on her face. She had made Hayashi rice for dinner substituting the red-wine sauce with her own variation. The plates were topped with luscious chunks of cut beef, mixed with glistening onions, beside a bed of gluten rice.
The demi-gloc* had been a pain to make because the store had run out forcing her to make it herself.
The plates sat in specific spots on the tatami mat with Minato and Kushina close together and Norio right across from them. The mat was situated in front of the back entrance which led outside into the backyard. The backyard was a marvelous place encased on three sides by high walls, there was a small artificial lake encircled by white stones, and a large healthy tree that stood in the middle of the area casting a shadow that would provide good shade in case of hot summer days.
Looking at what she had accomplished Kushina congratulated herself by saying, "Not bad work for a preggo."
Placing a slim feminine hand on her swollen belly she rubbed it lovingly, her mind filled with premonitions of the little one that would soon join her family. At first the noticeable bulge was an infinite source of distress, but as the months rolled on she felt a potent connection between her and the lump. She had thought or worried that after the first time this emotion would decline but she had been pleasantly surprised.
Now all she had to do was wait for her two favorite men to come home. Minato and Norio had been gone since early that morning to train. Being the prudent one she knew that they would work up a huge appetite and probably an even larger thirst.
"Oh, that reminds me. I have to pour the Ayataka*." She remembered giving her self a "Duh" slap to the side of the head at her absent mindedness
She ventured over to the fridge and pulled a glass pitcher containing a frosted green liquid, so cold that the crystalline material had fogged from the low temperature.
She put her index and middle finger together and did the same with the other hand before bring them together into a "t" formation. A white plume of smoke dispersed around her and when it cleared there stood two pregnant Kushina's instead of one.
Looking at her signature clone she asked it kindly, "Can you get three glasses from the cabinet?"
"Sure." Her doppelganger answered before waddling over to the cabinet
This was her secret to finishing housework, cooking dinner, and shopping all in the span of a few hours: shadow clones. However due to her pregnancy she couldn't use them to the same extent that she normally could but one or two were still pretty helpful.
The clone placed the three glasses on the table by each plate and waited as Minato poured the beverage into each carefully, "This is your brother's favorite you know? He can drink green tea by the galloon." she explained to her baby
Finished with the pouring she looked at her clone and gave a quick "Thank you" before dispelling it.
Just then Kushina heard the front door unlock and the sound of her lover's call, "Kushina, we're home!"
Norio ran past his father anxious to eat…and see his mother. He had stepped onto the elevated wooden floor before Minato said, "Hold on a second Norio. Take off your shoes before you go any further."
Norio stared down at his feet and sure enough he still had on his ebony sandals. Already busting to eat he quickly returned to his father's side and removed his foot coverings not even bothering to set them tidily side by side but practically tossing them near Minato who was taking his shoes off in a much more precise manner.
Seeing Norio's lack of concern about etiquette he couldn't help but suspire though Norio couldn't hear his show of displeasure as he had disappeared around the corner.
"Mom!" called Norio jubilantly as he ran toward the woman
Kushina managed to do an about face just in time for Norio to wrap her legs into a bear hug. Despite his innocent intentions having a six year old crash into you while carrying an almost fully developed fetus was not a winning recipe for balance. If it wasn't for her training as a ninja and some luck she would've fallen through the table.
"H-Hello, Norio, glad to see you." She said still managing to beam at him though he was hidden below her belly
Minato stepped inside the kitchen/dining area and leaned on the wall finding Kushina in a precarious position. Her legs tied up by the spindle arms of their child while holding a container of tea.
Minato took in every aspect of his wife. Her normally slender build was changed, though not necessarily for the worse, due to the newest addition to their family. Her face was still thin and flawless and almost glistened in the sunlight as if her skin was made of diamond.
But he knew better while her beauty matched or exceeded the precious stone Kushina's skin felt like anything but a stone instead she shared qualities with that of cotton or even a cloud softer than a heated marshmallow.
His favorite thing about her, however, was her hair. Always long and fiery, just like she was, it flowed behind her like a stream of flames reminding him of an elegant fire that drew in simple-minded insects with its flickering amber glow.
He supposed that would make him her moth then as her flame had pulled him in long ago but was kept close by her ability to become warm and nurturing. In his utter admiration a deep grin had formed on his mug as he watched her run her fingers through Norio's dark hair.
"Hi." It was such a simple word, but when it came from Minato she couldn't help but blush like a school girl.
"Hi." She parroted with a mixture of shyness and love
She looked over her belly and into her son's sky blue eyes and sweetly asked, "Norio, would you mind putting this back up for Mommy?"
She held the pitcher to him which was level to her knee and he happily took it from her. Norio was always like that, altruistic in nature. He scurried away to the fridge leaving his parent's together.
Minato took a step towards her with his brimming smile replaced by a more discreet one. He took another step towards her and she realized he was deliberately slowing his pace.
"How are you?" he took one more step that caused her heart to thump extra hard
"I'm fine and you?" she answered with a smirk and placing her hands behind her back holding her left wrist in a sweaty palm
His next step brought him a foot away from her, "Let's not make this about me, I'll manage like I always do. How's my son?"
She took a half step in his direction her mind overwhelmed with the desire to touch him and feel his strong hands on her body.
"He's doing fine, I think he missed you. I know I have."
They both took that final step together, like it was meant to be, and embraced. Minato's hand cradled her waist, her rotund belly pressing awkwardly against him, while her arms wrapped around his neck.
Her grey eyes met his blue ones and like so many times before they kissed. It wasn't just a kiss, either, an electric sensation traveled between them enveloping them in a sea of mesmerizing of emotion making neither want to let go, but…they needed to breath.
Ending their expression of love Kushina said, "I think I love you." In a dreamy voice
Minato chuckled lightly, "I hope you do because" he gave her forehead a smooch "I would die without you."
They both smiled at one another and might've kissed again if it wasn't for a certain black-haired distraction.
CRASH!
Their heads snapped to the refrigerator at the sound of glass shattering. Norio was standing over the scattered remains of the pitcher. Jade liquid had been dispersed along with the transparent shards.
At the sight of many sharp objects near her child Kushina's maternal instincts made her move into action. She was at Norio's side in an instant kneeling as best she could beside him.
"Norio, are you okay? Did you step in any glass?" she asked as she frantically searched his body for any cuts
Norio had a look of dejection on his face as he answered, "It was Shiro."
Minato appeared on the other side of his son and moved him away from hazard. Putting his hands on his shoulders he asked, "Whose Shiro?"
Norio rubbed his fingers together at his side and bit his bottom lip before turning his head away and saying, "No one."
Kushina chimed in with, "Norio, can you get me the broom from the bathroom, please?"
Norio nodded slowly before running off to fetch the tool, but not before locking eyes with Minato.
Kushina acquired a hand towel and began to wipe the tea off the floor. She noticed Minato staring down the hall way Norio had gone down.
Sensing his bewilderment she said, "Shiro is his imaginary friend. He moved in about a week ago and has been terrorizing me ever since."
"Oh." Minato said simply, but that statement was laced in something else, "What else have I missed?" he tried to joke but couldn't hide his regret.
Kushina knew where this was going so she placed her slim hand on his shoulder and stared him in the eye.
"You're the Hokage which means time from home. You might be the fastest man in the world Minato but eve you can't be in two places at once."
"With shadow clones I can." He countered but knew a body composed of charka was not the same as having the flesh and blood person there with you.
Minato understood the logic in that he wasn't omnipresent, but that still didn't change the fact that he was missing precious time with his wife and son.
"Why don't you want to move into the Hokage Tower?" he asked bluntly
Kushina stopping her cleaning and gave Minato a straight look, "Because it's…home and I like this house Minato. It's not so small that I have to worry about hitting my head on the ceiling when I stand, but not too big where if I get lost I could die of starvation like somewhere else I can think of."
Catching the insinuation Minato said, "Point taken."
Having one their short lived battle Kushina smiled at him and said, "You know instead of worrying about the past you could help clean this up. After all this is your fault for knocking me up the first time."
Minato grinned at her picking up another hand towel, "Language Kushina." He mock reprimanded
"Cleaning Minato." She demanded
As the two mates continued with their task Minato couldn't resist getting in one last jab, "So you still haven't let that go?"
"Let what go?" she asked with a look of confusion
"The whole knocking you up thing? I mean it's not like I didn't have any help doing it." He joked
His sly remark was rewarded with a light punch to the arm followed by joyful giggles from the two adults.
Norio opened the door to the bathroom. It was like the rest of the house, of modest size, with a tub, sink, toilet, and a mirror above the sink. There was a tiny square window above the tub that let in outside light. The broom Norio came for was behind the door, but Norio wasn't going for it.
Instead he was staring into the mirror. Gawking at his reflection as if it was their first meeting he didn't know why he was doing it, but he was.
He resembled his father, at least that's what people told him. They had the same straight nose and triangular jaw line. Not to mention their near identical eye color which was even the same shade. Perhaps that's why no one ever saw him as himself because he and his father physically resembled each other so much? The only thin he could claim as his own was his hair.
He lacked the jaw length bangs that framed both sides of his face and his hair was…bigger. It expanded outwards more and he didn't have as many spikes with them being larger in size.
And lastly the color, Jirayia had joked that Minato should get a paternity test, whatever that was, to see if Kushina had fathered Norio with an Uchiha. After all Minato's hair was on a far more sunny side of the spectrum and his repelled all color leaving it a bleak inky onyx. He tugged at the roots of his hair and ruffled it as if that would purge it of its lack of color.
It was ironic really that his hair was the only thing that made him separate from his father…and he hated it so.
"Norio!" called Kushina form the kitchen
This brought him out of his musings and sent him running out the door. He was about halfway to the kitchen when he remembered that he had forgotten the broom.
Well, there you have it folks. I made a goof and had to re-upload the chapter after I realized my beta sent me a download with corrections. Sorry, Tears, oh and thank you for beta-reading my story. I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. Plz leave your comments and concerns in the review section. Oh yeah Author Notes.
Demi-glace is a reduced beef stock originating in France that is used as a sauce in the Japanese beef stew Hayabashi rice, Norio's favorite food.
Ayataka is an iced green tea. In real life it is sold by the Coca-Cola company.