Okay, new Fic. I know, i should finish the other one first, but this one just came to me and was like "write me! write me!" and i really love the story line i've got going on. No flamers and i especially love this Fic, so be gentle! Props to my Beta: Cloud Traveler
Naruto had just finished unpacking at his new apartment. It was kinda small but it was the best apartment he had ever had. It had two bedrooms, one bathroom and a living room as well as a small laundry room. The rooms were a decent size; not small but with his paycheck, not large either. Just as he finished putting away the last of the clothes he heard laughing and running. The blonde smiled, recognizing who it was.
"Naruto-onii-san!" a choir shouted at him, and the blonde chuckled and opened his arms as two little boys ran into his room.
"Kyu-chan! Menma-chan! What are you doing here so soon? I thought you'd be here tomorrow?" he asked, hugging the two boys close. He pulled back and looked at his two half brothers. Kyuubi had long, ruby red hair and red eyes with a hint of red in them. They matched his hair perfectly. Menma was slightly different; he had black hair, but in the light it did have a slight red tint. He had three whisker marks on his cheeks like Naruto and also shared the same blue eyes. Menma was two years older than Kyuubi, as Kyuubi was four and Menma was six.
When Naruto had been two years old he and his mother had been missing. Naruto didn't know the details, he just knew he ended up being found and given to the orphanage. When he'd turned sixteen and moved out of the orphanage he was told he had two half brothers and his real mother had finally been found, but had apparently already passed away.
At first he didn't know what to do. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to see or know his 'brothers', but when he did, he fell in love with them and demanded they live with him. Unfortunately they weren't allowed to live with him until he was eighteen, so he visited them almost every day, and when he finally did turn eighteen, he got a new apartment close to his new university. And here he was now, having been unpacking his new stuff at his brand new home.
"We know, but Iruka-san said he'd take us early!" Menma cheered. Kyuubi nodded in agreement and Naruto smiled happily. Finally he had his own little family, and they'd be living with him and not at some orphanage.
Since he was studying physiology at the university and needed money for the apartment, he'd been searching for work and had found out there was a place not too far from the university that cared for the mentally ill. Normally people would be put off working somewhere like that, thinking it was for crazy people, but Naruto only ever wanted to help, and if he could, then he would. He'd been driving up there to volunteer for the summer when he'd lived further away and would take Kyuubi and Menma with him when he did. The staff adored them and they always put a smile on some of the other children's faces. When he told them he was moving up here they had offered him a job to bring meals to patients and take them to appointments.
He had agreed as it was simple work and the pay was good enough to get an apartment as well as the benefits from looking after Kyuubi and Menma.
After getting all his sorted and his clothes neatly arranged in the closet, Naruto decided to take Kyuubi and Menma to KMI (Konohagakure mental Institute) He was looking forward to seeing everyone again. It was the first place where he truly felt accepted and welcome.
Naruto Pov
When I got there I was greeted by Hinata, the shy but nice girl at reception, and went straight through. Then, as I walk through the white and clean corridor, I hear people whispering about a new patient. Two of my colleagues were talking about some kid, and I got curious.
"Hey guys, what's this talk about a new patient?" I ask them with a cheerful smile.
"Oh, hey, Naruto! Well, we got a new one in yesterday. He won't talk to anyone and when someone tried picking him up to eat in the canteen, he got pretty violent and he hurt himself and the orderly. He's just five years old and we hear he's been to five different institutes. Even the guy that dropped him off gave us a look that said even he knew it was a lost cause. Looks like he's going to stay for a long time." the man finishes, the other nodding as he told the story.
"Which room is he in?" My heart broke hearing about it. Just five years old and already in such a state? I immediately felt compelled to help the poor boy.
"Er, room twenty-three, but I wouldn't go in there if I were you; he doesn't seem to like people all that much." I nod at the warning and carry Kyuubi and Menma to the door, determined to help this kid out.
"Okay guys, stay here until I come back,. Naruto-nii-san is gonna go see someone for a while, okay?" I say with smile and they nod obediently. Usually I take them with me when I'm seeing a kid but I wouldn't ever risk them getting hurt.
I open the door, walking in quietly and find that the room is quite dark. I realize the lights are off but I can still make out everything. There is a small boy sitting on the bed, looking straight at me. I keep the door open to let in more light, but Kyuubi and Menma are still outside so I'm careful not to open it too much.
"Hey there, I'm Naruto. Can I come in?" I ask friendlily. He just stares at me and says nothing. "What's your name?" I then ask, taking a careful step forward. He points to above the bed, where there is a sign on the wall saying 'Uchiha Sasuke'
"Oh. Well, it's nice to meet you, Sasuke." He's just looking at his knees and doesn't respond. "I heard you got hurt yesterday." He stiffens and shakes his head. "Didn't you what to go to the canteen then?" I ask. Again he shakes his head: no. I wonder if this one-sided conversation will get me anywhere.
"Well…" I stop for a moment and look at the boy who seems quite scared; does he think I'll tell him off for it?
"Well," I repeat, continuing where I left off, "They shouldn't have forced you if you didn't want to go. Don't worry, it wasn't your fault" He looks at me again and I smile as he barely nods his head.
"I have to go now. Oh, but before I go, I want you to meet some people, Sasuke." Again he looks scared. "It's okay, they're my brothers, they're around your age, actually." He looks at me, slightly less worried. "Kyuubi, Menma, come here and meet Sasuke." And just like that they appear in the doorway. Kyuubi comes in and holds onto my legs Menma stays by the door. Kyuubi waves and smiles and Menma just stands there. Well, I suppose he never was very social.
"Hello Sasuke-chan…" Kyuubi says quietly. Sasuke looks at him questionably. Probably because Kyuubi talked to him so formally. Hehe, how cute. Sasuke waves back with a slight hesitation. I smile; he wasn't that bad at all.
"I'll see you tomorrow Sasu-chan okay?" I state and Sasuke glares at me. Probably for the name. "Er, I mean, Sasuke." I correct and he nods. "Tomorrow then." And with that I take Kyuubi and Menma with me as I wave, but not before Kyuubi waves enthusiastically at his new 'friend'.
As we walk down the corridor Kyuubi laughs. "Hehe.. I like him Naruto-nii-san! Can we really see him tomorrow?" He asks with big eyes. I nod. He claps.
"Menma-chan, what did you think of Sasuke?" I ask, ruffling his hair.
"He's weird. You shouldn't let Kyuubi near him." he mutters, and I laugh at the envious look on his face.
"Jealous, Mennie?" I tease and chuckle when he pulls a wide eyed look at the name. Kyuubi laughs and starts chanting 'Mennie' over and over again like it's his new favourite word.
"N-no! why would I be jealous?" he stutters with a scowl and walks ahead faster than before. Soon we leave, but not before I take a small detour and decide to talk with Tsunade-sama, the person in charge of the institute.
"Tsunade?" I ask and knock on her office door. A grunt was my answer and I walk in. "Tsunade, I wanted to know if I could be in charge of the new patient, Sasuke?" She looks at me funny.
"Why? He only got in yesterday. I don't think there's a lot we can do for him, except keep himself from doing stupid things, Naruto. He's been to five different institutes and they all gave up on him and just gave him standard care." she says while reading though his file.
"Well then, what would it matter if I was put in charge of his care? Please? Besides, Kyu really likes him." I plead with her. Hehe, the old hag loves Kyuubi and Menma, and even if they do raise hell, a lot of the kids have become friends with them.
"Fine, but nothing drastic, he's been through a lot for a five year old Naruto. Here's his file, and remember; don't overdo it." she warns. I nod with a wide grin and take the file.