Chapter Three: "Rising Tides."
"Hokage-sama," I greeted, despite the anxiety welling up in my stomach. "You requested to see me?"
The Third Hokage was an old man who in his latter years appealed to many as a grandfatherly figure, somebody you could trust and confide despite his level of prowess as a shinobi. However, I knew better to doubt what he could do, and the power he had. Obviously, he was curious as to why some civilian would bother herself with Uzumaki Naruto.
He sat at his desk as Midori approached him, he dismissed the shinobi nearby and as soon as they exited the room, we got down to business. He had likely dug throigh my information already, but I was listed as Sato Midori, daughter of Sato Mayumi and Sato Kaito, a simple civilian who worked as a seamstress as the Sato Family dress shop, born in Konohagakure and loyal to her village.
Nobody of interest... until now.
"You recently requested the paperwork to adopt Uzumaki Naruto, is that correct, Sato-san?"
"Yes sir."
"Might I ask why you were interested in this, Sato-san? After all, some may consider you still a child yourself." His eyes were trying to read my movements. "It's not often we see an act like this from somebody your age, unless its siblings taking care of one another after the loss of their parents."
I shifted, taking in a breath of air. "He was living on the streets, Hokage-sama, he told me he left the Konohagakure Orphanage because he was being mistreated. I don't mean to place blame on anyone, but if he ran away because the streets felt safer to him then the orphanage then something isn't right." I frowned. "I decided to take him in because I couldn't just leave him on the streets. He's just a little boy," While I could see the mistrust and confusion in the village, I couldn't just say that I knew his S-Rank secret status as the holder of the ninth tailed beast, Kurama, the nine tailed fox.
"Despite what the villagers seem to think of him he's a child, there's no excuse for people to deny him what he deserves."
"Naruto isn't any ordinary orphan," He spoke. "He's a special case, Sato-san. That's why I brought you here. I was curious to see your motive for taking him into your home. You seem geniune in your care for him, that, I see."
"All I want is his safety." I replied. "I'll do anything to make sure that boy is taken care of and safe."
"I can see that." The Hokage spoke. I knew his decree years ago stood in place, but that never stopped people from hurting him. His only choice that kept him safe was his decision to give him his mother's surname, that kept Naruto much safer then he would be as a known child of the Yellow Flash of Konohagakure. "That is why I will approve this matter, he seems rather attached to you already, and it would be a shame to take him away from one of the few that care for his wellbeing."
A wave of relief washed over me. I could only imagine what sould happen if he were taken away and sent back to the orphanage. I wouldn't allow that- even if it did happen. My thoughts wanted to race- but he wanted to continue talking.
His words were careful, but straightforward. "However, I know you are aware of the opinions of the other villagers, Naruto is constantly monitored for his own safety. No one is allowed to whisper what you have heard among the people, but I am more then aware it goes on under the radar. What is it you believe, Sato-san?"
"...He isn't what they say, I am sure of that, Hokage-sama." I said with the upmost honesty.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was testing me. "The beast that attacked our village years ago, the nine tailed fox, you know that this creature is sealed inside Uzumaki Naruto. This is an s-class secret, yet those alive at the time are aware of it."
"I put two and two together, Hokage-sama, after I took him in, I was warned by multiple customers that Naruto really was the demon, and he would bring me nothing but trouble. But that was farther from the truth, the ball of sunshine has made my day ever since I made his company." I still remembered the night Kurama crashed into the village, the chakra was overwhelming and it was so hard to breathe. My mother and I, as inhabitants of the inner ring of the village, managed to make it to the shelters before things got vicious.
He wasn't totally at fault. He was being controlled to destroy the village that night, the one at fault was behind the scenes.
"Because of his status, he has his own Anbu guard." I knew it. I hadn't imagined that sensation. "I figured you needed to be aware of this fact, as his guardian. Its not something to be taken lightly. There's a lot to consider in your decision to care for this particular child."
Ii completely understand, Hokage-sama." I murmured. "And I'm ready to do whatever it takes for Naruto."
It was a lot to deal with... But I was ready. "Take a seat, Sato-san, we have much to discuss over your plans for Naruto."
The last week had been a whirlwind for Uzumaki Naruto.
He had met Sato Midori by chance, and this lady had been determined to do anything for him. He couldn't quite figure this woman out. Her green eyes met his and suddenly, he had a feeling she was going to be different. She offered him her hand, and he reluctantly took it. Naruto soon after found himself a new place to live, and his first real friend.
Sato Midori was twenty years old. She had dark hair and a fair complexion that probably came from her years spent inside, stitching in and out of fabric. Her eyes were green, it reminded him of the color of the Hashirama tree leaves. Her hair was tucked back into a neat bun, where for some reason she had two pins tucked into it. Her choice in colors also favored green hues, not that Naruto could say much. He had a fondness for orange.
Midori continually did things that he couldn't believe. She scolded a number of her clients who said something about him, she actually defended him without even second guessing her choice. That was something he admired. He said things without thinking like that, but his words usually weren't as flowery as her. He was much more rude to people, but Midori had a way of insulting people without actually doing it!
This one lady he noticed, was incredibly flustered after being chewed out by Midori, and she had left in a big huff that had even caught Masami off guard. Maybe this wasn't something that Midori typically did? She had mentioned she was usually level headed unless she was enraged by something. He wasn't sure, that was a reoccurring theme.
If anything, he was sure that he liked her company very much. Midori was always teasing him, or encouraging his ideas for pranks. It was a new experience!
He sat in their apartment that morning, cramming toast down his throat as Midori walked by. "Naruto, I have an appointment to attend to, will you be alright by yourself?"
Outraged, Naruto denied that idea. "Of course! I'm not a baby!"
Midori reached over and pinched his cheek. "These chubby cheeks tell a different story," Pouting, Naruto swatted her hand away. "Just don't burn down the apartment if you want more to eat, okay?"
"Whatever, Midori-chan."
"I'll be back soon, Naru-chan." She gave a wave and headed on her way.
Naruto stared after her until the front door closed behind her. What kind of business could she be doing? "Probably for fabric shopping," He stuck out his tongue in digust. The next time she tried to drag him around for errands like that he would rebel and change her shampoo out with hair dye! "Gross."
Well, if he was going to be alone for a while then he decided he would finally explore more of the apartment on his own without Midori's eyes on him. It wasn't a very large apartment, but the way she had placed her furniture and other possessions had left it feeling rather open. The kitchen was tiny, and the table only had two seats placed at it. The living space had a couch, a book shelf packed with different novels and scrolls of her trade and some odd others, and a side table with a small lamp- and a photoraph of Midori when she was young with her mother and father.
Naruto paused for a moment as he inspected the image. He hadn't met Sato Mayumi yet, but she looked very much like her daughter... only, her expression was rather stern in comparison to Midori. He had hoped that she would be as nice as Midori, but that may have been a stretch.
Midori had mentioned she was out of the village for a little while, so he would soon get to learn more about the Sato family.
"Huh, what's this?"
Naruto leaned over, as he noticed a small notebook protruding from underneath the table. He opened it up, and flipped through the pages. It was some really cool sketches... of him, and some scribbled notes. It seemed like Masami had been right when she mentioned that Midori would likely design something for him.
She had even added some cool patchwork flames!
"Midori-chan, you are the best." He laughed.
...
When Midori returned home, she seemed a little out of sorts. Like something had happened on her trip that left her deep in thought and away from the world. Naruto didn't want to pry, yet, so he didn't push much. "Midori-chan, you were gone for a while!"
"Was I?" She said. "Sorry, I had to pick up a few groceries on the way home, and I got a little side-tracked." She gestured to the bag that she was carrying. "I was wondering if you wanted to try to help me make dinner tonight. I wanna make something I haven't had in a while, and I figured you might like it too."
Naruto cocked his head to the side. "Don't you remember the kitchen fire?" He said.
"You won't be able to do that if I teach you how to 'not' start a 'bad' fire," Midori shrugged her shoulders. "Whataya' say?"
Naruto thrusted a hand in the air. "If I get to eat when its done, then I'm ready to do it, 'ttebayo!"
"That's my sunshine," Midori chuckled. She didn't have the heart to admit that she had experienced her first bit of aggression for choosing to protect the village's most hated child.
Tsuki had been an assistant to Sato Mayumi for years, and the one defining thing she noticed about her teacher was that she waa guarded all the while straightforward and consistent.
She had never seen her sensei make over displays of emotion, but today was not a normal day. Earlier that morning, she had received an update from the young apprentice, Masami. She explained that things had been going well at the shop, they had even recieved some new offers for partnerships for bigger variety of supplies- However, the end of hwr letter was rather- concerning, surprising?
"My daughter did what?!" Mayumi stared at Tsuki like she had announced the world was ending.
Tsuki let out an awkward laugh as she rubbed the back of her head. This was a reaction she had not expected. "According to Masami-chan, she's adopted a kid. So, uh, congratulations, you're a grandmother." She spoke, avoiding eye-contact.
"What does that child think she's doing?! My goodness, she never even considered asking me before she did something like this! Did Masami mention who this child is? What if the shop is in disarray because she finally made a reckless decision? Ugh. I knew I shouldn't have left her in charge!"
"Ma'am, breathe."
Mayumi paused, took a deep breath and chose her next few words with consideration. "Tsuki, we will work through the night."
"But..."
"Tsuki."
Tsuki flinched. "'Y-yes!"
To think that the day had started out as any other. Tsuki awoke, and met with her sensei to continue work on the speciality outfit for the Fire Daimyo's daughter, they had only been working for a few days but they had a good start on everything because this woman wanted a simple but elegant affair. The silhouette was a fairly coommon one, and sensei wasn't worried at all with their progress.
"Remember the edges must be as neat as possible."
"Yes, ma'am." Tsuki readjusted her pins. "How's that?"
"Much better, you're doing much better then I expected, Tsuki." Mayumi commented, her gaze wandering across the fabric. "You are much closer to official mastery then you were five years ago."
"All thanks to your skillful eye, sensei." Tsuki responded. "We should finish up here soon, after all, I can't wait to use some of the fabric pieces when we return to Konohagakure. I had some great ideas for the displays."
"I trust your taste will be proper," Mayumi said.
Things had fallen into a slow pattern as usual, until a servant had delievered a handwritten note from home... and that was how Tsuki had ended up in this situation. She could only hope that a storm wasn't brewing in her sensei.
Genuinely thank you to the reviews, I cried a little. Art of Midori on my tumblr and DeviantART. lilac-nightmares at deviantART, and lilacnightmares at tumblr.
