Looking in the Nooks and Crannies
WOAH! I did not expect this story to have much attention. Thank you so much! I really really hope the next chapter does not disappoint. Thank you to all who reviewed! I hope I keep them in character and that you all continue to enjoy the story.
Quick note: The ratio of yen to USD is 0.0088:1. 6,000 yen is a little over fifty dollars. For those living in California the general pricing of items in Japan is a little cheaper, in areas like Idaho a little more expensive. No idea how this translates for other currencies. Also, I'm a violent person, forgive me! Poor Naruto! Don't worry the rest of Team Seven will get in on the story.
Chapter 2: Green Onions and Eggplant
Naruto stared at the money his sensei had given to him, 6,000 yen„. It was a decent amount, enough for a good amount of groceries. Naruto clutched his fist around it and stuffed the money into his zippered pocket, after making sure it was safely secured, he patted the pocket and stepped outside his sensei's house. It was the working district of town, not far from the Hokage tower. Most of the buildings in this area were either housing for shinobi or the various formal government buildings. It was a nice part of town, quiet and lacking in much street activity. A few lower rank ninja, or ones off duty were strolling along. Naruto hadn't spent much time in this part of town. Naruto shut the door, then hesitated, realizing that Kakashi hadn't given him a key. Naruto frowned, worry seeping into him. It was only a shopping trip, he would probably be back before anyone had the chance to know that no one was home.
In reality, most had no interest in the sparse and empty abode of a shinobi, and those that did were too terrified of incurring the wrath of the Copy-nin. Naruto set out, nervous and uncomfortable with everything. His mind was focused on the ever approaching shopping at Mitsuwa's. He berated himself for being cowardly, but it did nothing to allay his fear.
He stopped in front of the store front. Mitsuwa's was run by an old retired shinobi, the man was considered a civilian now. He had one missing eye, a horrible pink scar raising from his skin and tracing the contour of his jaw and stretching up to crown across his forehead. Suematsu Kencho had been married, a high ranking jounin and just on the brink of retirement when the massacre of the Kyuubi had occurred. He had lost everything. Naruto scuffed his foot in the dirt, fists clenched in his pocket. He remembered the first and last time he had ever tried to go into Mitsuwa's.
A villager pushed into him, a woman with a wide woven basket propped on her hip.
"Ah, these village bumpkins!" She looked down at him and what had just been general annoyance changed to hate as her eyes narrowed.
"Stay out of the way demon!" She hissed.
Naruto frowned, jumping back with a loud shout of disapproval, "Ne, ne, ne! Watch it roujo!"
She was already rushing off, rough, thick arms wrapped around her basket still. Naruto pouted, the woman had run into him, he hadn't done anything wrong. Blinking he realized that a few people were glaring in his direction, hateful stares followed by a few mutterings. Naruto shrank under it and ducked his head, wanting to run and hide. But he needed to go shopping, how else was he going to pay Kakashi-sensei back? Naruto grit his teeth and moved toward the shop doors.
Mitsuwa's was the biggest shop in Konoha village, a supermarket which supplied most items, it had the best prices overall and was the place to go if you were looking for items that were imported. Naruto tried to be subtle as he entered, not wanting to draw the attention of Suematsu. Aisles loomed before him and Naruto pulled out the list and grabbed a shopping basket. He frowned a little at the list, it had kimchi, green onions, milk, egg plant and ramen noodles. What in the world was Kakashi planning to cook with that? He shook his head, no matter, his mission was to complete the shopping list so Kakashi wouldn't be so bothered by him.
He was in the produce section, reaching for some fresh looking green onions when a large callused hand seized his wrist in a painful grip. Naruto looked up with wide eyes at the scarred face of Suematsu.
"What are you doing here, filth?" Suematsu spat the last word, yanking Naruto around.
Naruto was shaking in fear, the last time he had come into this store Suematsu had beat him, leaving him breathing with pain for several days and terrified of ever entering the store again. He had been six.
"I-I, my sensei, I'm just-"
"I told you to never enter my store again," Suematsu said, roughly shaking Naruto.
Naruto nodded vigorously. Suematsu yanked Naruto hard, dragging him from the store. Fear from his childhood filled Naruto, freezing him despite the fact that he was a shinobi now, trained to defend himself. Suematsu drew him out through the backway, shoppers not even turning their heads, the few who did ducked them in shame and pretended they weren't seeing what was happening.
Suematsu chucked Naruto with a surge of chakra, sending him tumbling across the ground and hitting into the brick wall of the alley with a resounding crack, without a backward glance Suematsu reentered the store. A few moments later, Naruto pushed himself up, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth and fear still gripping him. His arm had been dislocated from the abuse. Naruto popped it into place with an adroitness which betrayed his practice.
He sat there in the dirt, despairing. Kakashi-sensei would be so disappointed in him, disappointing his teacher terrified him. Naruto was sick of being a failure, sick of being someone everyone either laughed at or spat on. Thick angry tears filled his eyes, but he pushed them back, standing up with determination. He wasn't going to fail this time.
Several minutes later a cute brunette walked into Mitsuwa's, young and dressed in a burnt orange kimono. She gathered green onions, eggplant, kimchi, and was on her way to the ramen aisle when she ran into Suematsu. The retired ninja eyed her for a moment before flashing through the basic symbols to dissolve illusion jutsu. The brunette disappeared to be replaced by Naruto, bright blue eyes wide with terror.
Silently Suematsu advanced, Naruto, frozen in fear, cowered on the ground. Suematsu seized him and dragged him out the back once again, this time a few shoppers who were still there commenting on how irritating the brat was, coming back a second time after he had been kicked out.
Suematsu pulled Naruto into the alley, this time though he didn't just toss him out. He hit him, repeatedly, blows charged with chakra and slamming the child into the ground. A few minutes passed and the man flung a dull kunai forward, slashing the boy across the chest.
"Let that be a lesson," he said quietly, one hand gripped in the front of Naruto's orange jumpsuit and holding Naruto close to him.
Naruto was bruised and bloodied by then, half awake as he was dazed by a concussion and both eyes nearly swollen shut.
"Next time I will kill you demon child," he tossed Naruto to the ground, the small body hitting once again into the alley wall.
Naruto tried to keep his eyes open, making one last invocation. The man turned and spit. It landed on Naruto's face. The door clicked shut and Naruto passed out.
Kakashi had first gone to the memorial stone, the slab of marble rising up as a piece of solace to his heart. Kakashi knelt in front of the stone, bowing his head and placing a small bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers in front of it. Minutes passed, nearly an hour gone. Kakashi looked up and stared at the names inscripted on the tomb, eyes tracing the indentations of names he knew as if his finger were feeling the surface.
Another hour passed and Kakashi rose, lightly jumping into a nearby tree which he was quite familiar with. It had a thick branch which intersected away from the tree with another, it was perfect for sleeping on. Within minutes he was fast asleep.
Kakashi woke in his own time, late afternoon warming the trees and a light breeze making its way through the branches. He could probably sleep a little longer, maybe read some of his Icha Icha. He had some things he needed to take care of though if he wanted to make life easier. Kakashi had no plans on his student staying with him for long, the sooner Naruto was out the better for the two of them. Rising from the branch he sprung toward the village, intent on talking to the good natured Tanaka Tomomi, the woman was a natural born gossip and would probably know what housing was available better than the realty branch of the village.
He landed in the missions office once again, and saw Tanaka Tomomi at her usual post at the desk talking to a chuunin ninja. He swaggered over, one hand in his pocket, and raised his other hand.
"Yo."
Tomomi smiled at him in the dismissive polite way only a desk clerk could manage, and turned her attention back to the chuunin. She handed them a missions scroll, both bowing slightly to each other in a formal show of respect before the chuunin left and Tomomi turned to Kakashi.
"Ah, Hatake-san, what can I do for you?"
Kakashi leaned against the desk.
"I need housing for one of my precious little genin."
She immediately looked curious, but smiled generously and nodded, swiveling her chair so she could pull open a file drawer.
"Of course, what a good sensei you are, they must have lost their home after that horrible attack,"
Her face grew slightly somber as she continued flicking through papers. It didn't last though and she was smiling once again.
"It seems so late though, it's been over a month since the fight, which student is it?"
"Naruto," Kakashi responded.
She frowned sympathetically, "oh, the poor dear, imagine losing your home like that."
Tomomi pulled up a few papers, inspected them and then frowned.
"Oh, I'm sorry Hatake-san, there really isn't any housing a genin like him can afford. All low cost housing is being leased to those civilians who lost their homes during the attack, I'm afraid Naruto wouldn't qualify because he's a genin and all shinobi are required to promote civilian safety first."
She put a finger to her mouth, brow creased in thought.
"I don't suppose he has anyone to stay with," she then gave a small laugh, "of course he does, a good sensei like you, you're probably keeping him taken care of."
Kakashi smiled uneasily, he cared about his student but to be honest he wasn't much in the way of babysitting one of the loudest and most obnoxious twelve year olds in existence.
"Isn't there somewhere he could stay, the orphanage?" As soon as Kakashi said the word he regretted it, the connotation of it leaving a nasty aftertaste in his mouth.
For the first time since the meeting, Tomomi seemed genuinely perturbed, a spark of sharp reprisal coming into her gaze. The orphanage was a word synonymous with abandonment and negligence. The look was gone in a moment and she was smiling again.
"Well, he's a shinobi so he wouldn't be allowed there. I know he is quite close with Umino Iruka, however, I believe Umino-san had his housing damaged during the attack, he's staying at the academy right now, in the classroom. I'm afraid there just isn't anywhere for Naruto to go at the moment."
Tomomi took in the disheartened face of the shinobi before her.
"But that's okay," she reassured, "the reconstruction is coming along great and I'm sure that within a month there will be somewhere to put Naruto."
She gave him a smile, one less kind.
Kakashi nodded his head and gave a small thanks, jumping from the mission room. He felt slightly guilty, Naruto wasn't just some problem to be handed off, but Kakashi wasn't sure he was the right man for any job involving children. He had adamantly told the Hokage when he'd been assigned a team that it would end in heartbreak and he would be a terrible teacher. It was no different now, he had always let down the ones he cared about.
Kakashi slipped in through the window. He could feel Naruto's chakra presence in the room he had allotted to the boy. He wondered vaguely if Naruto had remembered the groceries. A quick glance in the fridge revealed that he hadn't. Kakashi frowned, not upset, but slightly concerned. Naruto loved food and he doubted the boy would pass up the opportunity to spend his sensei's money.
Stepping into the hallway, the smell of blood hit him. It was nauseating, the thick coppery tang hanging in the air. It was coming from Naruto's bedroom. Kakashi opened the door, freezing as he took in the sight of a shirtless Naruto, futilely trying to wrap a huge, partially healed gash on his chest. Naruto didn't seem to notice that the door had been opened and continued awkwardly trying to get the gauze around his torso without pulling on the wound. There were a motley array of bruises across Naruto's whole frame, slender baby face purpled around his eyes and slightly swollen. Someone had beaten Naruto, severely.
Naruto finally turned, gauze in hand, and caught sight of his sensei. Surprise, alarm and panic flitted across his face, the gauze dropping from his hands. He immediately fumbled for it, pulling on the injuries and making a soft grunt of pain. Kakashi picked the gauze up and began wrapping his student's torso. Naruto just stared up at his teacher in shock, features dazed.
Kakashi finished and sat on the bed next to his student.
"Naruto, what happened?"
The dazed face was replaced with fear and shame. Kakashi wondered in disgust at the shame, how shame could be the main response a child had. Naruto stared in blank resignation at the bedsheets as he answered.
"I tried to get the groceries. But the shopkeeper caught me and threw me out. I tried to use a genjutsu to go in and get them again. He caught me. I lost your money, sensei."
Kakashi frowned, not following the boy's story.
"But who did this to you?"
"The shopkeeper, Suematsu."
There was a pause, Kakashi utterly shocked as the name brought to mind a well revered civilian who had retired from the shinobi life. Suematsu was a good man and had been a loyal ninja.
Naruto looked up at his teacher.
"I packed my things, when do you want me to go?" His voice was quiet and subdued.
Kakashi was so thrown by the question that he could only stare at his student.
"I'm sorry sensei, I tried, I'll still be your student right? You'll still be my sensei?" There was a boisterous hope in the question, a light of Naruto's optimistic personality shining through along with a faint pleading.
When Kakashi didn't respond Naruto's face crumpled and he lowered his gaze to the bed, thick fringe of hair hiding his face. Kakashi spent a few moments catching up.
"Hai, of course Naruto, I'll always be your sensei."
In an instant Naruto was looking up, a smile beaming from his face. It tugged at Kakashi, the fact that such a simple thing seemed like it made the boy's world.
"And you'll stay here Naruto,"
Naruto's face scrunched up in confusion, before his mouth once again split in a grin, he lunged forward, hugging his sensei tightly, screeching loud proclamations of how awesome Kakashi was. Kakashi didn't fail to feel the small wet spot which moistened the area of his jacket where Naruto had his face buried. It was oddly, warming, Kakashi smiled and patted his students back while ruffling Naruto's hair.
"Let me look at you, Naruto," Kakashi said.
Naruto pulled back, eyes still watery and suddenly self-conscious. Kakashi patted the bed, having Naruto sit on the edge, perched with his feet dangling above the floor. Kakashi stood up so he was facing Naruto, scrutinizing gaze taking in the damage to his student's body. Kakashi bent down and began gently prodding along Naruto's back area, moving from the shoulder blades and down to the ribs. So far it was appearing just as extensive bruising, and considering the amazing healing abilities of the Kyuubi, the damage had been much worse. On any other child and this kind of beating would've lead to a long hospital stay or death.
Kakashi moved to feeling the front of Naruto's chest and then, as he reached the ribcage on Naruto's right side, the boy flinched back, pulling himself from his sensei's grasp.
"Hold still," Kakashi gently commanded.
Naruto gave a quick nod and grit his teeth. Kakashi prodded once again at the spot, another small flinch came from Naruto, and Kakashi realized that the rib had been broken, moving a little farther down with careful fingers he realized that three ribs were broken. He gave a tiny 'hnn' and moved to Naruto's arms, he found that Naruto's left arm had been dislocated but it had been reduced and most of the damage had already been healed by the Kyuubi. He checked his student's legs, finding they too were only bruised. Meanwhile, he had been using his chakra to check for any further or internal damage.
It seemed though that the Kyuubi had healed her container of anything lasting. The ribs could be bound, or, if Naruto permitted it, they could take him to the hospital. Previously, Naruto had adamantly refused most medical attention, from the boy's loud protests Kakashi had assumed it was due to the boy being worried over his reputation as a ninja, Naruto hated appearing as weak. But now that Kakashi was examining the situation more thoroughly he realized that a fear of further injury was probably why his student shied away from a hospital visit.
Kakashi internally sighed in weary sadness, however for Naruto's benefit he stood up and smiled gently, another hair ruffle in order. Naruto beamed, shouting a loud 'arigato' at his sensei. Hopefully, Kakashi would be able to find a trustworthy medical nin who would be able to heal Naruto's ribs and alleviate some pain. Naruto was grinning brightly up at his teacher, gratitude and raw hope in his eyes. Someone was taking care of him, someone had stopped and made sure he wasn't hurting. Of course his teammates took care of him on missions, but this was different, this was outside that realm of obligation. When not on a mission they had no obligations to each other, when functioning in their day to day lives, but here and now, his sensei had taken care of him.
The attack of today by Suematsu was unusual, Naruto was harassed but not usually beaten. This came from him learning who and where to avoid, and believe it or not, Naruto had been a quick learner when it came to figuring out where was dangerous for him.
"Shower, then get some sleep, it'll help," Kakashi shortly ordered.
Naruto didn't argue, jumping up to set about the task. Kakashi left the room, moving to his own room. It was early evening now, just before five o'clock. He had done a good job of hiding it from his student, but Kakashi was furious. To beat a child so severely, to touch his student. Suematsu was going to pay. How though, was the important question. With the way the council was, it was more likely Naruto would get punished for entering the store rather than Suematsu getting punished if Kakashi made a formal complaint. Nothing was to be done in that way. If he physically attacked Suematsu it would create an upheaval which would also do Naruto more harm than good. At the moment, a more subtle injury was needed, and in ways it might be more effective. Fear could destroy a man's mind in ways physical injury never could.
Kakashi heard the water turn on and was glad to know that his student had truly taken his advice. There were other things to be arranged, and Kakashi realized with annoyance, groceries still needed to be purchased.
Naruto stepped into the shower with as sigh as his muscles twinged under the steaming water. The last two days seemed unreal, he was staying with his sensei, Kakashi-sensei had allowed him to stay in his home. It made a burst of hope and hurt bloom in his chest. Naruto wore his heart on his sleeve, but it had been so long since he'd hoped for someone to want him, to care about him like he imagined parents would. It was overwhelming and with the care Kakashi had shown long buried pains were suddenly turned over like old grave dirt.
How many nights had he curled around himself, wishing and praying that he could have a mommy and a daddy. At some point he'd hardened himself to it, he grew sick of crying for something that would never come. No one would love him like he wanted, it was a fact of life. But now, hope was glistening on the horizon, a small tip of the sun beginning to rise and he was desperately afraid of raising his hopes just to have them dashed once again.
Naruto tried to blink back the tears in his eyes, but it was to no avail. They came in a torrent and Naruto curled into a corner of the shower, crying as the water came down.
Kakashi was perched in perfect hiding near the Suematsu compound, it wasn't huge, rather on the small side compared to most clan compounds and there was no real bloodline, so technically it wasn't a clan. It was built as a stab at social standing with the wealth that Suematsu had. He was rich enough to afford quality items but not so rich that he equaled the unbound prosperity of the major clans such as the Hyuuga, nor did he have the same level of respect afforded to the bigger clans.
Suematsu had lost his wife, two eldest children, and a brother in the foxes attack. He had remarried. His youngest daughter had survived and was now married, living with her husband and three children in the compound. They were inside, the wife preparing dinner while the children played in the courtyard.
Kakashi narrowed his gaze as Suematsu appeared on the road, walking side by side with his son in law, the son would inherit the store.
They entered the compound and several minutes later the children rushed inside at their mother's call to clean up for dinner. Kakashi moved with incredible speed, stealing inside the room of Suematsu and his wife. He hid. A few moments later Suematsu walked in, sliding the door shut behind him. He began to set down his bag and prepare for dinner.
"Suematsu," Kakashi's voice was quiet.
Suematsu startled, turning around. He opened his mouth to cry out but stopped as he took in the ninja before him.
"What are you doing?" Suematsu said, voice trembling in fear; he recognized the famous Copy-nin.
Kakashi smiled, letting it his eyes curve closed.
"Uzumaki Naruto is my student, you have hurt and threatened someone precious to me. I will not kill you now, but you will die and it will be by my hand."
Suematsu's eyes widened in terror, but there was enough pride in him for a flare of self-righteous indignance to remain.
"You would protect that beast?!" He asked incredulously.
Killing intent swamped the room and the man shivered in fear.
"I will kill you," Kakashi stated simply.
Suematsu narrowed his eyes, "You would break the shinobi code? The council would never let you get away with it."
"You would risk doubting my skill?"
There was a tense pause and Suematsu opened his mouth to speak when the door slid open and a five year old girl tumbled in.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! Dinner's ready! Mommy said to come get you!"
The little girl rushed in but paused as she took in the unfamiliar face.
"Who's that, grandpa?"
Suematsu didn't respond and the little girl frowned as she looked up at her grandfather. Her inquisitive gaze moved to Kakashi.
"Are you a ninja?"
Kakashi knelt down, smiling at her. He glanced significantly up at Suematsu who paled considerably.
"Hai," Kakashi responded.
"That's so cool!" The girl cried, clapping her hands together.
"Go on out Haruhi, go help mommy," Suematsu ordered, voice trembling.
She looked wistfully at her grandfather, but listened, trotting out of the room and shutting the door once again.
"Please, don't hurt my family, they've done nothing-"
Kakashi interrupted the man's begging.
"You will pay, Suematsu, love will be taken from you again."
The inflection of the words made the man stumble to his knees, but Kakashi was already gone.
By now the sun had sunk below the horizon and the moon was out alongside the stars. Kakashi made his way back to his home. All the lights were off in the room and Kakashi left them that way, silently making his way through the house. He opened Naruto's door, peeking inside. The blonde was sprawled out on the bed, hair twisted comically, and little hands hanging off the opposite sides of the bed. He looked peaceful, only the dark bruises on his face indicating that anything was amiss in the child's world.
Kakashi shut the door and made his way to his own, collapsing onto his bed and realizing idly that both Naruto and him had missed their meeting with the rest of team seven.
The sound of soft silent footsteps and the nearly inaudible click of the door had Kakashi wide awake. He sensed his student's chakra and calmed down. Glancing at the clock Kakashi was surprised to see that it was three in the morning. When he approached Naruto he was surprised to see the boy with sheets in his arm, trying to tiptoe to the laundry room.
"Naruto? What are you doing?" Kakashi was perplexed, nowhere in his vast repository of knowledge as a ninja could he find a reason for Naruto to be doing laundry in the middle of the night.
Naruto froze, eyes wide. "Ah, sensei," Naruto broke off, not sure of what to say and obviously trying to come up with a good lie.
"What are you doing up?" The genin finally finished.
Kakashi sweat dropped. What was he doing up? The boy had the gall to ask that?
"I woke up when I heard you."
Naruto stared incredulously at his teacher. "You heard me?! How!?"
Kakashi looked in exasperation at his student. Had Naruto really forgotten who exactly Kakashi was? How wouldn't any ninja not hear foreign noises in their living space. The faint smell of ammonia hit Kakashi and a few moments later his brain connected it. Naruto was up, early in the morning, washing his bed sheets.
"Naruto," Kakashi began gently, "did you wet the bed?"
Naruto turned a bright red and ducked his head down. Kakashi had never seen his student look so remorseful so many times as he had in the last few days. Naruto didn't respond.
"Naruto," Kakashi prompted.
Naruto quickly nodded his head. Kakashi paused a few moments, thinking on the situation. Naruto was twelve, as far as he knew that was an unusual age for bed wetting, wasn't it? It was nearly a crime with how little Kakashi knew about children when compared to the fact that he took care of three. This was an issue Kakashi had never had a problem with as a child, hell, he'd been in ANBU when he was Naruto's age. If he was honest too, the whole thing made him slightly uncomfortable.
"Hai, sensei," Naruto responded dejectedly.
"Hnn," Kakashi said in response.
They stood there for a few more moments. Kakashi moved forward, grabbing the blankets carefully. Naruto looked up in surprise, eyes studying his teacher for judgement or ire. There was none, just quiet help and a soft fondness.
Kakashi helped Naruto start the wash and then sent him into the shower while he washed his hands and then cleaned the mattress and made the bed up with new blankets. He sat on the bed when he was done, trying to think of what would cause Naruto to wet the bed. The only time he had seen anyone wet their pants was when he was killing, fear loosening their bowels. That and one time in which Gai had insisted on proving that he had the superior bladder, needless to say it was doubtless that anyone could forget the reason for why the Jounin wreck room had gotten a renovation.
Maybe it was something relatively normal for children. Kakashi didn't know enough. Yet another thing he was going to need to talk to someone about. Kakashi stood up and went into the kitchen. He lit the stove, now knowing how to thanks to watching Naruto, and put the kettle on. In a few minutes the tea was ready. Kakashi sat down and waited. Naruto came padding out, dressed in one of his black t-shirts and a pair of boxer shorts. He saw Kakashi and the two cups of tea. Padding over he sat down at the table and began sipping at the tea, watching his teacher over the brim of the cup.
"The team is still meeting tomorrow, 8:00am. Sleep well, Naruto."
Kakashi stood up and took the cups to the sink while Naruto went into his room. Kakashi was about to head to his own room, but stopped, hesitating at Naruto's door. The door was ajar and Naruto was climbing into bed. The twelve year old pulled the blankets up around himself. Kakashi moved off and entered his own room.
I really hope Kakashi didn't seem too OOC, but I wonder. Also, I don't think Naruto is weak, nor do I think he is suddenly going to be quiet, children are children, they're not meant to be perfect.
Thank you again to all the people who left such kind notes! Feel free to leave suggestions and likewise, I'm pretty open to making changes. Also, feel free to criticize, an honest opinion goes a long way.
