“Twins, huh? Congratulations, I always knew that you wanted big family.”

“Thank you Master Jiraiya. And you’re right. That’s a dream come true.” Said Minato Namikaze smiling to his teacher. Every word said was true. Both he and his wife Kushina always dreamed of a big family. Nothing surprising really. Kushina came from Uzumaki Clan, which was always considered almost fanatical in regard to family matters. Minato on the other hand was always raised with Will of Fire as a most fundamental principle and guidance. As such he always imagined himself as the one who’ll raise the new generation of Shinobi who, in turn will protect his home.

“Now, now. Stop with your smiles or you’ll make want to start a family.” Laughed Jiraiya out loud. “By the way have you picked names for the two?”

“Hmmm, yes. There’s also the favor I want to ask. We wish for the boy to be named Naruto. Based on the protagonist of your book.” Asked Minato with expectant tone and hopeful look.

“Naruto? I don’t know… That’s not a good idea to base such an important decision on that crappy book. It didn’t even sell that way. And I came with the idea while eating ramen…”

“I think it’s a great name master Jiraiya.” When Jiraiya turned toward coming voice, he saw beautiful red head woman with gentle expression smiling at him.

“Kushina is right. And I liked the book a lot. The protagonist is gutsy and brave. And he never gives up no matter what. Actually, he reminds me of you master.” Minato smiled at his own thought. “And I’d like my son to be like you.”

Jiraiya blushed embarrassed at the compliment. His protests gradually turned lesser and lesser. To be honest he was sold on the idea the moment he heard about it. But he can’t just straight forward accept it. He is world-wide regarded as charming and humble man. There’s a reputation to keep here.

“But wouldn’t that make me his godfather? I’m sure you can find someone better that me.”

Both Minato and Kushina knew what his protests meant but they were used to his antics. So, to pet his ego they didn’t call him up on his obvious act.

“No that’s fine. You’re one of the best ninjas we know, and you helped us a lot. If you don’t mind, we’d like you to start helping our children as well.”

“Okay, okay. I agree…”

While Jiraiya was in his own world, married couple exchanged amused glances between each other and then nodded in appreciation of their victory.

“Oh, right. What about the girl? Did you come up with a name for her already?”

“Yes, you could say that. Long time ago I promised my mother that she can pick a name.” Kushina blushed a little, embarrassed for some reason. “After around three hours, and three thousand names she settled on Natsumi for the girl…”

Both men didn’t have a courage to ask what she’s embarrassed about. Uzumaki were way too serious about their family. It’s hard to imagine what Arsha Uzumaki has done when she heard she’s gonna be grandma. Instead Jiraiya did what he considered smart thing to do and started complimenting mother-to-be.

“I’m sure Natsumi will be just like her mother and grandmother. Beautiful, charming, full of grace…”

***

Natsumi’s POV

“What the fuck is this?”

Everything is weird. I have absolutely no sense of self at this moment. It was as if I wasn’t conscious, just occasional flares of information and sensation came through, messing even further with my ability to figure out what’s going on. However, there was sensation that ruled over everything else…

I’m so comfortable! This so nice… I could melt…

But what the hell is going on?

~Hey!~

Eh? What’s this. There’s some strange voice calling.

~Natsumi!~

Who the hell is Natsumi? It’s not my name. I don’t have name for as long as I remember. I never needed one. And who dares to interrupt my comfortable moment?!

~Are you stupid or what?~

What?!? WHO DARES?

~It’s me Naruto!~

Wait, wait what? This brat from manga? What is he doing calling to me? Wait a second… Naruto? Natsumi? There’s a bell ringing. I am supposed to be reborn as Natsumi to have some fun with the whole world as an ultimate kunoichi who… And Naruto is supposed to be my…

~Brother?~ I asked hesitantly the voice in my head.

~Finally. I got through to you. What a relief… Listen…~

~Who the hell are you calling stupid?! Just wait until I catch you! You, little…”

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~Alright, alright. Calm down. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

~Hmmm, hard to say. There are some sensations that I cannot understand. Is this how it feels to have a real body? It feels weird, but nice at the same time… I never imagined that this is how human feel…~

~EEE. Yeaaah. No. In a way. Are you sure you’re okay? Transfer to this world didn’t damage your intelligence?”

~What?~ I snapped at him. Who does he think he is? It’s a fact that I can’t focus very good right now, but that’s not a reason to… Wow, it feels so nice…

~Natsumi! Are you still with me?~

~Yeah, yeah. What’s going on? It’s impossible that’s how human feels. Or is there some problem with my body?~

~Yes, and no.~

I momentarily got irritated when I heard his patronizing tone. But it’s fine. I can endure.

~We weren’t born yet. We’re still inside our mother. It’s the fifth month of pregnancy I believe.~

Endure. Endure. Endure. En… Wait. What? Why? Oh, he’s still talking.

~We wouldn’t like for our personalities and train of thoughts to be too much affected by our bodies and genetics, so we must bind with these bodies, and allow our souls to shape it before it’s fully functional. And your nerve system is still a mess. That’s why you feel the way you do.~

That makes sense. I suppose. But if so, why his thoughts are so clear, and he can make such deductions in this state? Oh, right. I get it.

I let go of the scraps of consciousness that this body was possessing, and I allowed my Self to wander inside my soul, and from there to the mindscape that I was sharing with Naruto.

What a relief. The comfortable fog that cowered my entire being dispersed and I was finally regained my full clarity.

Our mindscape was something else. Three square kilometers big island floating above the see of clouds. It was round and separated in roughly two halves. The half where I was standing was a field of flowers which names, I didn’t know. Hell, it’s possible that these flowers don’t exist outside of my imagination. In this field of silver, white, and lavender was small lake. However, water inside looked like a liquid rainbow. Marvelous. Behind me on the far horizon hanged silver moon, painting sky above my half of the island in charming ethereal like silvery-white color.

The other half was in complete contrast to mine own. Tall majestic mountains with snow cowered peaks. Every piece of land where snow didn’t touch was cowered with lush forest full of vitality. Between the mountains peaked red-golden sun coloring the other half of the island in fiery colors of accompanying sunset.

As if two opposite worlds fighting for dominance. I liked it.

It the exact center stood pale pink crystal tower. Twenty stories high with red energy beam shooting from the top into the sky parting it forever.

All in all, I guess that our minds are pretty fucked up. Big surprise.

I went toward the tower where I expected to find Naruto. And he was. Next to the tower stood several garden chairs. Completely out of place by the way. Naruto of course was lazing around on one of them.

Both of us were still featureless silhouettes as our souls haven’t fully merged with our bodies yet. However, his body started showing masculine signs, while my body of course got some curves. Not much, child-like, and completely asexual. But definitely female curves.

“Took you long enough.” Why is he trying to pick on me? I told him before that I don’t fully comprehend Concept of reincarnation. I’m fully justified if I was confused for a moment. Bastard.

“Couldn’t you warn me before? That we will end up like this? I once sent one guy down the reincarnation line and he was already born when he took over. I thought we will be the same.”

“So, you messed up this poor guy’s live. His soul didn’t have enough time to completely fuse up with new body, and in return he probably changed with changed personality and morality. And our souls are even more powerful than these normal transmigrates. So obviously it’s a bit more complicated to fully fuse with the body without changed mentality.”

Again, with that patronizing tone. I think I’ll have to beat him out of it. Whatever. I still have time to do it. I have more important things to do right now. I looked again at my lazy ‘brother’.

“I’m going on a trip. I want to see this world with my own two eyes.”

I ignored his waving hand, and slowly concentrated back on my soul.

I’m immaterial. I’m whisper following the wind. Unbound by any rule, one with the world, and above the world. I reject reality. I leave the body of a fetus, and then of my mother.

I’m free!

I’m… Still here?

Da fuck?

“Naruto?”

“Hmmm?”

“What the hell is going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“Check yourself. I’m unable to leave…”

I once again repeated the process and felt how Naruto is trying the same. Without any effect.

No. NO. NO!

How is this possible?! ARE WE…?

“We’re bound to this reality.” Came surprised voice of Naruto.

I know this! But how is this possible. The Concept that we created didn’t have power to bind us. We were very careful about that. We would never make such an amateur mistake. Then how? Why?

One memory presented itself.

When we went down the path of reincarnation, I sensed a presence. And heard someone giggling. Now that I think about that voice sounded familiar. That familiar, annoying, infuriating voice…

That…

“THAT BITCH!”

Island started to shake. I don’t care it can fall down for all I care. I can’t believe her! How fucked up person you’d have to be to pull of something like this?!

“Huh. I guess it sounds like something she would do.” Obviously, he came to the same conclusion. It’s only natural. Who else would do something like that? But why is he so calm about it? “But why she did the same to me? It’s you she hates, not me.” What? This little… “But the bigger problem are these few new concepts which appeared out of nowhere.” Huh? What new concepts?

I concentrated again on my soul, and there they were. A bunch of pale blue orbs, containing energy which will shape my body according to my earliest wishes. Everything is fine. What is he…?

Wait. Why there are purple orbs as well!? These are not mine!

I’m going in.

Slowly, carefully. Good, good. NO!

I cannot see them. I know that they are there, but I cannot control or see them. They are already part of a local reality, and I’m no longer above it. NO!

Naruto! He has deeper comprehension of Concept of reincarnation than me. He should be able to tell what does this change.

“Hey. My sweet little brother!” I called him in an overly sweet voice. “Spill it! What are these concepts?”

“First of all, I will be born first. So, in this relationship you’re the little sibling.” Whatever. Doesn’t matter. I want to know what my billion years old rival did to me. “As for the concepts I don’t know. Neither can I see them.”

Fuck. I’m screwed.

I know. I’ll go back to my mother’s womb. Maybe this will help with something. At least it’s comfortable.

***

Naruto POV

Whew. She finally left. What a relief. It’s good that she wasn’t pushing it. I guess billion years of experience helps with gaining patience and self-control. Or maybe not. If she was calm enough maybe she’d realized that I’m lying.

No way I’m gonna tell her. She’d kill me. And if she knew about changes in her behavior, she’d try to resist them. If she knew what she’s fighting against it’s guaranteed that these concepts won’t affect her. And it would be a tragedy.

Actually, I guess it’s kinda genius move. I’d never think about something like this.

And apparently there are not any new Concepts affecting me. My behavior pattern won’t be changed. So that’s good.

It will be a lot of fun.