Chapter Summary : The Orange Orphanage is rumored to be founded as a front by two dangerous men. Sent in as a spy in hopes of finding proof of illegal actions, Lee the only one without chakra who can pass as a civilian, is amazed by the headmaster and his energetic second in command.
Chapter type : AU Drama
Where shadows crawl
Rock Lee stood in front of the Orange Orphanage gate with a small black beat up backpack swung over his shoulder and a traveling bag in the same condition at his hip. He felt strange and almost out of his own skin without his treasured green jumpsuit that Gai-sensei gave him but for this mission it was necessary to leave it at home. Instead he was dress in a peasant version of Neji's usual clothes covered in dirt and two sizes too small just for affect.
His hair had been changed form his normal bowl cut to a short odd looking savage cut that TenTen claimed was all the rage among the civilian teens his age. Frankly he didn't see the appeal of it, ( Gai-sensei hair style was by far superior!) but he needed to blend in among the other orphans that were rumored to be taken in.
It all started about ten years ago. It was at first, ignored. After all, it didn't pose any threat to a ninja village but then it started to gain attention simply by the fact that no left the orphanage once arriving. It gain so many members, nearing the ten thousands by the fifth year but not one of those children were adopted nor did they seem all that interested in moving out. Not even when they would grow old enough to live by themselves.
No one left once they arrived.
Of course that didn't apply to the guests who visited the orphanage to see if among the children were their future sons or daughters. It was because of them the rest of the world manged to piece together a description of the outside but the interior still to this day reminds a mystery. The guests simply couldn't remember it, but they knew it wasn't a big deal, after all people forgot those things easily.
It was odd and any ninja worth their salt knew that odd equaled trouble.
The orphanage seemed to pop up out of no where. It was built in remarkable speed, what should have taken months had only taken a week, and was one of the most elegant establishments in this part of the world. With its traditional design nearly resembling a castle, great placement among the high mountains, surrounding cherry blossoms that were for some odd reason always in bloom, and an overall peaceful sense that clung to the place almost left guests in a consistent daze the orphanage gain the nickname : Heavenly House.
Standing there Lee could agree to the nickname...he could also agree that something was just off about the place.
It wasn't a dangerous vibe that the orphanage created per se, but more...of a otherworldly. Like one would find in old ruins of temples, or places that were rumored to be hunted. Yet Lee could tell it wasn't the same thing, because the castle felt both like a warm welcoming home and a strong sense of an inescapable trap all at the same time.
Humans shouldn't be here. The building practically screamed. This was why the Leaf village decided to sent him. It was too perfect and too troubling to be anything but a front. Something illegal was being practiced behind these walls, if it was human trafficking, contacts with rival villages, a spy syndicate or something remotely resembling a threat then it was Lee job to report it back to the village.
After all the Orange Orphanage only accepted people who could not use chakra. Lee for the first time in his ninja career, was the only one among his peers who could complete the mission. He was the only one young enough to pass off as a child in need and had the right amount of ninja training in taijutsu to be able to fight his way out if it came to it.
Lee gripped his traveling bag with determination. He would not fail this mission! It is just as Gai-sensei said to him before he left the village three days ago.
"Lee! Go forward, with your youth burning bright, and concur this mission! Show the world your youthful training is now paying off! You are one step closer to proving the greatness of hard work! Realize your dream my youthful student!
" I will Sensei! If I were to do the unspeakable and fail then I will train three times harder then ever before!" The sixteen year old yelled out loud forgetting for a second that Gai-sensei wasn't there. He was too moved by his teachers words to care.
"Fail what?" A voice asked to his left causing the disguised leaf villager to jump in shock. Someone had managed to sneak up to him without him noticing. Even if Lee couldn't detect enemies with chakra based techniques that most ninja used while in enemy territory he at least had training in noticing human bodies close to him.
He wasn't arrogant enough to claim that he could detect people at all times, but if they were simple civilians, like the orphanage claimed to be, then Lee should have been able to seen them coming a mile away. However, this tall man before him hadn't even let the sound of his breathing surpass that of the wind blowing gently around them; instead he matched it perfectly hiding the sound of his breaths in it.
This clearly meant that the person was trained in the arts of ninja. So the village was right, now all he had to do was find out what exactly was going on.
"I will not fail to find my place in this world sir!" Lee proclaim twisting his words so that his honest emotions could be heard in them. Half-truths were the best way to lie according to Gai-sensei.
The man hummed. He studied Lee from head to toe, taking in his clothes, hair, luggage and overall demeanor that screamed "poor little orphan boy". While he studied Lee, the black haired boy did the same.
The man's hair was a bright red but with small orange highlights here and there it made it look more like rusty orange in the right light. It ended just around his chin and seemed to be cut in layers -nine to be exact- giving him a stylish mess on his head. Dress in a simple but elegant dark blue kimono, the man didn't seemed to be armed in anyway but a god ninja never trusted his eyes so easily.
He appeared to be in his early twenties and could be what "normal" people considered gorgeous. Later if asked, Lee would say that the man stepped out of one of TenTen's romantic novels that she adored to read. He just seemed to fit the main love interest for some reason.
"Then does that mean you are lost? Or does it mean you can not move on?" The man asked at last.
Lee felt himself blink, wondering why it had sounded almost like a echo when the red head asked the last question. In nine words, the stranger manged to give so much weight and meaning that nearly left the teen breathless.
Realizing the other was still waiting for a answer the ninja quickly shook himself out of whatever daze he fell into. "Neither! For you see I plan to one day find my own path through hard work. I know where I'm going and will use my own legs to get me there! I have no time to be stuck in the past!"
The man seemed to be pleased by his respond for he tilted his head to left, and allowed a small smile to grow on his face.
"Oh. Then I'll be cheering you on..." The other trailed off obvious waiting for Lee to introduce himself.
With a start Lee realized the other wasn't just waiting for his name. He was waiting for information of the random young boy standing in front of the gate that could indicate he was something else other then a seemly traveling youth he appeared to be.
That way he wouldn't have to give away anything of his own. He made sure I had to give my name before him to have the upper hand and possibly fish out information from me. Lee thought with a small amount of respect for the man. He was good but he wasn't as good as his sensei when it came to gathering information.
Counter to what everyone believed, Gai-sensei was quite perceptive and quite smart. He knew where to find information and how to apply it in seconds. The man could also trick people into revealing things about themselves just by overwhelming them with his presence or with a few well placed words. Lee had picked up when someone was doing the same from being around the Green Beast so much.
He needed to trend carefully.
Luckily he had been preparing for over a month so it was natural to answer with a fake name that the village had appointed him. He even had his teammates call him that for twice as long just so it became second nature to answer it as if though it was his birth name.
"I am called Yato!" The boy proclaimed with gusto, bending into a deep bow. "I am glad to meet you sir!"
The man gave an amused chuckle "No need to be so formal. Call me Kurama kid."
Yato grinned back at him feeling his respect grow just a tiny bit more. "It is a pleasure!"
The man nodded back. "Likewise. So Yato, is there a reason why you're standing in front of my orphanage talking to yourself?" Kurama asked but not unkindly. His words could have been taken the wrong way had it not been for the half kind half humored smirk pulling at his lips. Kurama obviously spoke in jest.
The teen remembered to appear hopeful with a small amount of wariness before he answered. "I have heard that the Orange Orphanage does not throw children out even if they come of age, so I have traveled from far lands in order to speak to the headmaster! It would be most reassuring to have a place to call home and know I can stay there for as long as I wish! My last orphanage kicked me out once I hit fifteen! I wish to join!"
The man hummed, then before the bush brow's eyes his entire posture shift from a relax bystander to a business tyrant. He turned walking up the path leading to the front door. The black haired boy was surprised by the slight challenging smirk thrown his way over the older man's shoulder. "Ah. Is that so? Well then Yato, come with me to my office, as the headmaster I'll be glad to have someone with such determination join."
Yato looked around the dinning hall in wonder.
He had been informed before hand that there would be a large amount of house mates by Kurama that afternoon but he wasn't expecting three floors full of youngsters. There were thousands of them, either lined up waiting for their turn to order, sitting down at tables talking or simply running around for the fun of it.
The ages of all members varied from two to twenty nine if the headmaster is believed, and Kurama apparently knew each by first name. (Most didn't have a last name he later found out so everyone just preferred to go by first names). He told the ninja that his new house mates were separated by ages for feeding times, education and chores so that there would be a less likely chance of bullying among the orphans and so that things would run smoother as well.
The children -ages two to twelve- were on the first floor, teens -ages thirteen to nineteen- were on the second and the rest were on the top. There wasn't a rule that denied other ages to go into the other floors but it didn't really happen as the kids preferred to stay with the kids and the feeling was mutual among the others.
Now if only the black hair teen could believe that, after all, it seemed oddly too organized. Which kid, unspoken or not, wouldn't want to break the rules?
The different floors are probably more like clearance levels or ranks. Thought the teen as he studied the rowdy children from the doorway. They didn't seemed to be too informed with the inner works of whatever was going on. I must find a way to get to the top floor. That's the most likely place to find information.
Now the only question was how to gain the trust of the "older" orphans. Would he have to work his way up from floor one or did he start with the others his age on the second floor? Was there certain requirements other then age to move up? Would he have to complete tasks in order even been considered for a promotion? If so, what could they be?
Caught up in his thoughts, Yato almost missed the blond teen that practically bounce up to him once he caught sight of the newest member. It again amazed him how he could not sense anyone in the room, if they were ninja, - no not if, but because they were ninja the lack of presences they all had was disturbing.
Only ninjas with years of training and near mastery levels could pull something like that off, which stood the question :How strong was the teenager before him?
His body showed signs of daily experience but was lean in a way that indicated he was build more for speed. His eyes were a bright cerulean that sparkled with cheer, too much cheer for a ninja though and strange scars at each check that resembled whiskers that also makes him seem almost friendly.
He didn't seem like a threat but the way the children acted when he was making his way over to Yato- bowing in respect, moving out of his path, practically beaming if they made eye contact and some even offering their food to him- spoke of respect so he probably was. The strongest we on top no matter what system it may be.
It would be beneficial to get on his good side. The black haired boy thought.
"Hello! You must be Yato! Kurama told me all about you! Did you find your new room yet? Have you settled in? You hungry? You like ramen?" The blond teen asked in one breath then allowed his face to nearly split in two with a excited grin. If the spy wasn't a fast talker himself, Yato probably wouldn't have understand him.
"It is a pleasure! Yes I am Yato and I have found my room thank you! I am quite hungry and would very much appreciate some ramen if it is not too much trouble!" Yato responded with a wide grin of his own happy that Kurama took time out of his busy afternoon to give him a tour around the house after all the paperwork was finished.
They walked from the dorms, to the school, to the public baths, to the laundry-mate, to the back gardens, to the farm and finally returned to the main building ending the three hour long tour at his room. Kurama had even taken time to explain each and every area with so much detail to the point Yato felt like he had lived there all his life.
To which he was grateful, it certainly made his job easier.
He liked his room, The color walls were silver and black and matched the rest of the building.
It was decently sized, not too big but not too small, with two beds - he had yet to meet his roommate- small walk in closest, two small chests - the black one was his and the silver one was his roommates to due with as they pleased- and two walls of the four where he was allowed to hang things as he liked.
"Great! If you follow me I can show you how to order food and how to use the food card! Oh by the way my name is Naruto, I'm second command around these parts, my job is to make your life carefree and comfortable so you need anything come find me!" The now named Naruto explain pointing to the long lines of children who were waiting to order there food.
Then with practice eased, the blond teen weaved though the maze of tables towards said line leading Yato and explaining as he went. He pointed out where the sun hit the most, who sat where, mentioned clubs that the orphans had open, and pretty much anything that pop into his head.
Yato nodded along happy to follow the second most important person around. This was his chance to get close to one of the most influenced person without being suspicious. He needed to leave a lasting impression on Naruto because well he was now chatting with him it wasn't granted he would continued after completing his "duties" as the second in command.
The black haired teen needed to find common ground with the whiskered teen so that Naruto would want him around and create the opening he needed to infiltrate the ring that ran the place.
As they passed tables, he noticed Naruto's eyes fall onto a certain food, thanks to Gai-sensei's observation lessons and knew that he found his common ground. Griming inwardly he made his voice as hopeful and as innocent as he could before yelling out.
"I do hope there is Miso ramen!"
It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
It was later, while Yato was talking to his new roommate Yukine and trying to pry information at of him, that someone knocked on the headmaster's door. Kurama lifted his head from his paperwork, glancing at the door already knowing that it wasn't one of his children because it was pass ten and they all knew better then to break curfew so that left one other person.
Not bothering to respond well aware that Naruto would let himself in whither or not the red head wanted him to, Kurama returned back to his paperwork with a grunt. One would think someone of his standing and rank was beyond such travail things but apparently the higher he went the more he had to do, since it was his job to approve or disapprove many things.
The second in commanded walk in completely at home in Kurama's office, falling onto the couch in front of his desk with a sigh placing his hands behind his head. He laid there for a while humming a lullaby he no doubly sang to the children not even minutes ago.
"Where is he?" Kurama asks as soon as the boy finishes his song. He doesn't have to explain who he is, they both know their talking about the new kid.
"In his room talking to Yukine. I think they really hitting it off so we won't have to change roommates this time. Oh, and he doesn't know yet so be careful what you say around him" Naruto answers without missing a beat, bright and cheerful as ever.
"I will " The headmaster promises knowing how some can become violent when they learn the truth. He grabs a stack of papers to his left allowing the topic to die, as the blond amuses himself with creating lyrics to the tone he hummed.
Naruto loved to create songs for the little ones who had a hard time sleeping.
"I heard that three moved today" Kurama started, as he stamped a document knowing that the blond can't focus on song writing and would most likely exploded if he didn't talk soon. Really sometimes it hard to lived with such a energetic guy sometimes.
Naruto allowed a proud, happy smile to grow onto his face at a job well done. He is practically vibrating with joy as he answers. "Yes, Kofuku, Nora and Mayu left around noon today. Nora finally found a place where she belongs! I was so happy for her but kinda sad to see her go...hmm oh Kofuku meet this great guy, Daikoku, and claimed him as hers, but get this he did too! He doesn't even care about her bad luck! They moved together with the most love struck faces I ever seen let me tell you! And Mayu got this great offer to study at this high class shrine! She gets all these nice clothes, house and it's a all girls place too! How great is that Kurama!? "
The headmaster hums in the back of his throat to let Naruto know he listening, though he never lefts his head, or moves his eyes away from the paper in front of him. The children would like a pool for a swim team, It would be hard to pull the funds but if he sold his private collection of first edition medic herbs then...
Naruto isn't offended that the red head's minds wonders away from the conversation, after all they been working together for ten years and it pretty much routine now. He lays back down content with doing nothing, thinking of how happy those girls were as they packed up their things knowing he had a hand in making them feel that glee.
It leaves him feeling warm all over.
For ten minutes the room falls into a calm silence, nothing but the sound of paper being stamped or turned could be heard.
The headmaster waits for the blond to get inpatient knowing it's only a matter of time before Naruto sits up and demands answers. He isn't disappointed because not even three minutes later the blond is back up staring at Kurama with a heavy gaze.
"Who is he really?" The teen asks.
Kurama doesn't answers instead flings a file at the teen's head. Naruto catches it from the air flipping it open reading over the information with a serious expression, probably already planning on what to do with the kid.
"Rock Lee huh? Not a bad name...but his dream might be hard to fulfill. It may take him years to move." The blond mumbles to himself as he absentmindedly flips pages on the Lee's ninja career.
Kurama nods in agreement, after all to prove hard work can over come natural born prodigies is no small desire but it was their job to make the teen see it through.
Naruto is probably thinking the same because he looks into Kurama's eyes with such determination that it is nearly blinding and reminds the once- demon again, that this boy shouldn't have ended his ninja life so young, because the world would have benefited greatly had the Leaf villages been just a little kinder.
"We will make sure Rock Lee moves on. After all it's why we run purgatory. He will find happiness believe it!" Naruto proclaims as he does each time a new kid dies and needs help to finish whatever businesses they need to do here on earth.
Ten years ago after the villagers of the Hidden Leaf beat to death a young blond six year old in a feat of rage, the demon inside him was offered a chance to redeem himself for the sins he committed under the control of a vile man. He was tasked with collecting young souls who suffered a great unjust in this world, and had their lives taken suddenly.
He took the job and now runs a orphanage as a front in order to do so.
The six year old had not gone to heaven, choosing instead to stay with the demon as it was the one who comforted him in his finial moments of life. The boy claimed the demon as his one and only friend. Now he is second in command of his friend's orphanage sharing love to anyone he finds because in life he had not been given the same.