Andrew wakes up gasping, memories flooding back in vivid, overwhelming detail. Every moment of his previous life crashes through his mind—his childhood on Earth, the slow loss of each family member to illness and accidents, the crushing loneliness that followed, and finally, his fateful encounter with Artemis. He relives his death, the poison burning through his veins, and their conversation in the void with perfect clarity.

  He sits up in Naruto's apartment, moonlight streaming through the window, as tears stream down his face. At ten years old, Andrew is already more lean and fit than most of his peers, having spent his days training and running through the forests. His once blonde hair has been replaced in this life with short black locks, distinguished by a curious streak of silver right above his right eye—a mark that appeared on his fifth birthday and that the village staff could never explain. His eyes, unlike the blue of his previous life, are a striking silver that occasionally emit a soft glow when his emotions run high—something that had unnerved his caretakers since infancy.

  Dressed in simple black t-shirts and pants—the most practical option on his limited orphan stipend—there's nothing outwardly remarkable about him except for his unusually focused gaze, his glowing eyes in moments of intensity, and the way animals seem drawn to his presence. Despite his modest height for his age, there's a coiled energy in his movement, a sense of restrained power that some of the more observant instructors have noticed.

  The cruel irony isn't lost on him—in his first life, he lost his family one by one; in this second chance, he never even knew his parents. The records told him only that they died during the Kyuubi attack, two more unnamed casualties among many. Twice orphaned, across two different worlds.

  As the memories continue to flood in, Andrew realizes with a start that he knows exactly who Naruto is—not just his friend, but the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox, the son of the Fourth Hokage, a child burdened with a destiny he doesn't yet understand. He glances over at Naruto's sleeping form on the other side of the room, watching his chest rise and fall peacefully.

  "Gods above," he whispers, anger tightening his throat, "you really made Naruto shoulder some fucked up shit." His hands clench into fists as determination fills him. "I won't let him go through this alone! Not again!"

  Andrew slips out of bed and climbs to the apartment roof, needing air as he processes the second revelation—comprehensive knowledge of the world he now inhabits. The Naruto universe is no longer just his reality; it's a story he knows from beginning to end. He sees the faces carved into the mountain and now understands their full histories, their strengths and weaknesses, their triumphs and eventual deaths.

  Sitting alone beneath the moon, Andrew wraps his arms around his knees and allows himself this one night of grief—for the family he lost in his first life, for the parents he never knew in this one, and for the burden of knowledge now weighing on his shoulders.

  "Is this some kind of cosmic joke?" he whispers to the moon, his voice breaking. "To always be alone? What have I done to deserve this?" He stares up at the full moon, recognizing it now not just as a celestial body but as the seal of Kaguya and the symbol of his patron's power. "Is this my fate? To watch everyone I care about suffer while knowing what's coming?"

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  As if in answer, a small fox emerges from the shadows of the roof, cautiously approaching before curling up beside him without fear. The delicate creature, with russet fur that seems to shimmer in the moonlight, looks up at him with intelligent eyes before gently licking a tear that had escaped down his cheek.

  Andrew chuckles softly despite himself, stroking the female fox's head. "At least you understand, don't you?"

  Soon after, an owl lands silently nearby, watching with solemn eyes. Andrew's silvery chakra pulses gently in the moonlight, and he realizes that perhaps he isn't as alone as he thinks.

  Dawn finds him still on the roof, having sorted through his thoughts and memories, formulating a plan. He's been placed two years before the original timeline begins. Ahead lies the formation of Team 7, the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru's invasion, the Akatsuki, and eventually war. So many deaths, so much suffering—all of which he might be able to prevent.

  But should he? The butterfly effect could make things worse. Still, having lost everyone once before, Andrew decides he can't stand by and watch others lose their precious people if he can help it.

  "I won't waste this second chance," he promises, echoing his words to Artemis. "I may have lost my families, but I can help others keep theirs."

  Looking up at the fading moon, he whispers, "Is this what you meant, Lady Artemis? Is this why you sent me here?" The moonlight seems to brighten momentarily in response, and for just a second, he feels a comforting presence, as if a gentle hand has caressed his cheek with maternal tenderness.

  Andrew climbs back down to Naruto's apartment just as his friend is waking up. Naruto immediately notices something different about him, a heaviness in his eyes that wasn't there the day before.

  "Hey, you okay?" Naruto asks, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "You look like you didn't sleep at all."

  Andrew manages a small smile. "Just thinking about some things."

  Naruto frowns, sitting up in his bed. "What kinds of things? Is it... is it your birthday making you sad?"

  For a moment, Andrew considers telling Naruto everything—about his previous life, about Artemis, about the future he knows is coming. But the burden would be too much, and Naruto deserves what little childhood he has left.

  "Something like that," Andrew replies. "Just thinking about what it means to grow up, I guess."

  Naruto's face scrunches up in confusion. "That sounds boring. Being a grown-up means you can do whatever you want!"

  Andrew can't help but laugh at the innocence of the statement. "It also means taking responsibility for others. Protecting people you care about."

  "Like how you protect me?" Naruto asks, suddenly serious.

  "And how you protect me," Andrew answers, reaching out to ruffle Naruto's hair. "That's what brothers do, right?"

  Naruto's face breaks into his signature wide grin. "Believe it! And today I'm going to protect you from having a boring birthday! I've got a whole day planned—we're gonna prank Iruka-sensei, then go to Ichiraku for lunch, and then—"

  As Naruto rambles on about his birthday plans, Andrew smiles, grateful for this moment of normalcy. His mind might be burdened with knowledge of what's to come, but he won't let that steal today from either of them.

  "Sounds perfect," he says, cutting off Naruto mid-explanation of an elaborate prank involving the teachers' lounge. "But first, breakfast. I'll make those eggs you like."

  Naruto whoops with joy, the momentary seriousness forgotten as he bounds to the kitchen. Andrew follows, wondering how he can possibly protect this irrepressible spirit from the trials ahead, but knowing he'll die trying if necessary.

  Author Note:

  Hey guys I hope you liked the new Chapter if so make sure to like and follow for more :).

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  Author Note:

  Hey guys I hope you liked the new Chapter if so make sure to like and follow for more :).

  Also I have a Patr eon Account where you can read ahead, visit my Page for more infomation:

  w.pat reon. com/c (slash)AndrewSlayn