Cruel Lesson Chapter 2: 10 Years Ago, a naruto fanfic

A/N: This -- means a change in scene/point of view.

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10 Years Ago

-Karas-

The little one slept, unaware of the hurried footsteps and harsh whispers as others moved quickly but quietly in the outer halls. Despite the efforts of those outside, the calm aura of the night was subtly broken. The boy shifted, turning over in his bed as a vague sense of unease stole into his dreams.

Hyuuga Karas chewed worriedly on his lower lip, and then craned his head back to look up at the clock. The four year old dropped his chin onto his folded arms, staring across the table in front of him to the door. 'She's late' was all the child could think. 'Mommy was s'pose to be back quick enough to tuck me in last night. Now it's almost supper time today, and she's still not back.' The boy puffed out a breath, huffing silky black bangs out of his face. 'And she told me to stay inside till she got back.'

A noise caught his attention. Curiosity and boredom outweighing obedience, the boy slid off of his chair and pattered to the front room. Slipping into his sandals, Karas slid open the door to the suite he shared with his mother. Peering around corners as he walked through the long corridors of the Hyuuga compound, the child's face lit up as he finally spotted one of the adults. Leaving. Karas smiled and darted after the man - at least he wasn't bored anymore. Surely his mom wouldn't fuss if he went out with one of his 'uncles', right? Right.

Hyuuga Hiashi pressed his lips lightly together, trying not to frown. Something… wasn't right. And not just the fact that the beautiful summer day didn't suit the event at hand. No, it was something else. But before he could pursue the errant thought, a flicker of color demanded his attention. A very young boy pushed through the gathered mourners, his khaki shorts and green shirt standing out almost obscenely amongst the somber black worn by the clan.

The child crept close to the altar, stretching up on his tiptoes in order to see the picture set before the tall black monument. Hiashi moved quietly, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder just as he reached out to touch the picture. The man let his eyes move off of the child and settle on the memorial, acknowledging the loss of a capable shinobi. He spoke softly to the boy, his voice low. "You shouldn't be here, boy. It's disrespectful. Now go on home, and don't invite yourself to any more funerals." He more felt the boy's nod than saw it, as he was still not looking at the child's face. The boy needed to leave, but Hiashi could not be angry with him. After all, the child was likely too young to understand the seriousness of the situation.

As the boy turned away, Hiashi returned his thoughts to the feeling of a moment before. 'Why' he thought uneasily. 'Why do I feel like there is something that I have forgotten – something important?'

Karas returned home, finally losing the embarrassed flush from the tall ninja's words. He still didn't understand what he had done wrong, but he knew he had done something he shouldn't. Closing the door behind him, the boy couldn't help but wonder one more thing. 'Why were they putting flowers in front of Mommy's picture?'

-Kyo-

A loud noise echoed throughout the small house, startling the brunette toddler curled up in his bed. The boy raised a tear streaked face out of his pillow, sniffling as he pushed himself up onto his feet. Nara Kyoshiro made his way to the living room on the unsteady feet of a three year old, calling out in a small voice as he reached his goal. "Papa?" The boy shivered lightly. Even more than the autumn night's chill that seemed to have settled into the house, there was a strange feeling in the air. "Papa, heard a noise. Momma back now?" Kyo wrinkled his nose as a sharp, strong smell hit him from inside the room, but he forgot it as his father walked over to stand in front of him.

Kaene stared down at the little boy, who turned innocent eyes up to his father. "Is momma home?" the man echoed, an unusual slur to his words. The child just looked up at him, hope showing through little eyes. Kaene felt his heart skip a beat. Grey eyes. He had never noticed, before her death, that their son had grey eyes. Just like hers. Anger abruptly bloomed in his chest at those familiar eyes staring at him out of a face that was not hers. The child spoke again. "Pa-" smack! The boy crashed to the floor, those damn grey eyes going wide with pain and shock and confusion. Tears filled those eyes, but Kaene could not find it in his heart to care. "Shut up!" he hissed. "No, momma's not coming home, remember? She can't, not ever again." He stormed off to his room, not even hearing the sobs of the frightened child he left lying on the floor.

The door slammed. Kyo looked up, grey eyes going wide, and held his breath. The door slammed once more. Two times. Kyo released his breath in a sigh of relief. Two times. Papa came home, but he left again. The boy put his head back down to rest again on his arms, but winced as he put too much weight on one of the bruises. Papa was so mad, all the time. His eyes filled up with tears, sobs breaking out yet again. It seemed all he did was cry, now. Kyo cried so hard, he missed the sound of the door opening and closing more quietly. Only one time. His first – and only – warning was a now-familiar scent of sake before a large hand roughly grabbed his collar. "Papa, no!" the boy screamed as he was flung across the room. He slammed against the wall, driving the breath out of him and sending pain shooting all through his little body. "SHUT UP!" Kaene shouted right back. Kyo jammed a fist into his mouth, desperately trying to stifle the cries. Crying only made papa madder.

The man shook his head in disgust and retrieved his pack. On his way out he paused in the door. As the cold winter air stole the warmth from the house, he glanced over at his son. "I've got a mission. You better behave while I'm gone." Then the door opened and closed again, leaving the house silent except for the sound of muffled sobs.

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