THE FAMILY INFO POST
Since Naruto of neo_rpg/sirenspull is inextricably linked with these characters, I should probably expound on them and their relationships so anyone who's confused can look in and see what's going on, since it's probably weird at first glance why these characters are randomly so close and all, AHAHAHA.
[ GENERAL FAMILY INFO ]
Though all four characters spent more or less two years in the dystopian NeoGenesis, Naruto didn't meet the group until near the end of their stay in the city. There is much that the first three experienced that he doesn't know about, or dare ask.
When he first met them, Naruto was an intrusive invader, an annoying kid who wormed his way in with the group somehow. He gave them free ramen often, tried to help Shikamaru out of a tight spot (and failed spectacularly), and generally continued being a loud idiot. This was until the world shook and strangers from other worlds appeared - including another Shikamaru.
This "other" Shikamaru told them of Konoha and the world around it, about being shinobi...about Naruto being important. The other three had already known about the Kyuubi since Itachi of NeoGenesis remembered and told them. Naruto didn't believe any of that crap, but Shika took it upon himself to see that Naruto gets home to do whatever important thing he was meant to.
They decide to all find their way to Konoha, together. Nill and Yosuke have little desire to go back to their own 'real' homes (and anything sounds better than NeoGenesis anyway).
Siren's Pull, in many ways, proves little better than where they just left. But surely, having their 'true' memories returned means a step forwards...
But of course it doesn't. The Port has as much brought them together as torn them apart. The boys have split into three different directions, doing their own thing and leaving Nill behind; Yosuke goes to school and works and parties, and has decided to NOT follow the group to Konoha; Shikamaru has become a police officer and struggles to take care of the city and family at the same time, and Naruto works far too much and is barely home. They struggle with each other as they have fresh obstacles within themselves to tackle now that they have their true memories; sometimes bonding results, but more often a chasm.
Nill [ DOGS ] reassures
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the emotional center
Nill, not only as the only girl but also as someone who doesn't know how to fight and can't speak, is doted upon by the family. She's only a year younger than the boys, yet she is at once mother, sister, and young daughter. Though she isn't out and active like the boys, Nill provides emotional stability to them all. When they go astray, she's the one to quietly guide them back home.
Naruto is no exception; he's happy to work as hard to as he does to provide for the family in general, but also to ensure Nill's comfort and safety, especially now that her newly developed telepathy and empathy make it difficult for her to leave the apartment. He plays up the loud idiot even more when with her to make her laugh. Nothing makes him feel good like watching Nill smile or laugh silently. But when he puts himself in harm's way and/or upsets the peace in the family, Nill is the one to gently but firmly explain why his actions were hurtful and that he is cared for as much as he cares for them.
Shikamaru [ NARUTO ] underachieves
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+ Siren's Pull Wiki Page
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the reluctant leader
Shikamaru somehow got the unfortunate task of looking after the family, half composed of loud idiots. It's one he handles with heavy seriousness; for all his grumpy attitude, Shika cares for all of them deeply and goes through much because of it. He and Nill have a deep understanding of one another, he and Yosuke are strained because of Shika's unrequited feelings, he and Naruto alternate between being at odds and bonding. Since Itachi revealed Naruto's "little furry problem", the fear and worry about the Kyuubi has weighed heavily on Shika's mind.
Though they'd hardly been close in NeoGenesis or even much originally in Konoha, Shika and Naruto are now best friends. The fact that they alone share both a world and a false life in the city they just left has brought them closely together. They don't always see eye-to-eye, as Naruto is all raging instinct and emotion and Shikamaru is the rational mind trying to pull him back. These views clash to greater and lesser degrees, but ultimately they always end up compromising or talking things out and making up. To Shika, Naruto in his memory is a hero. To Naruto, it's that memory that pushes him to keep trying to reclaim his old self...and also tears down his confidence.
Yosuke [ PERSONA 4 ] outbursting
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the thoughtless jester
Yosuke has been best friends with Shikamaru for a long while before Naruto showed up thanks to their time in NeoGenesis, and it shows in the way they banter with one another. Yosuke is optimistic and naive, yet has heavy insecurities that negatively affect those around him (mostly Shikamaru).
Naruto and Yosuke have a sort of love/hate relationship. They're both loud and stupid, and therefore bicker often. Yosuke is admittedly more intelligent than Naruto, but the pranks they pull on one another can cast this into doubt. Naruto likes Yosuke well enough but doesn't see him much as Naruto is hardly ever home. Still, sometimes when they actually sit down to talk, Naruto blurts out more than he intended...there's an odd camaraderie in being the two doofuses of the family.