Chapter 3
This is certainly disturbing, since from what I know, Naruto is supposed to be loud. I'm genuinely surprised that he's not shouting in my- or the Hokage's- face demanding some ramen or cool Jutsu. The thing that irks me the most is a child's whine, since I was never good with kids… Or people in general.
Which is why the first thing I want to do after my very reasonable panic attack is to make a list of people to avoid. Kids, Ninjas, a certain snake pedophile- Although I'm pretty sure everyone should be on the list, as no one can be trusted here. More specifically, the main characters.
My life is on the line here!
But as expected, the people- and creatures- I mentioned above just have to be standing right infront of me.
This makes me feel so out of touch with my plan. Good job. It's barely been a few seconds after I created my plan, and its already failed. Great. Perfect. Just Peachy!
What I was talking about again? Right, people to avoid. Naruto, I reserved a spot for you! It's on top of the list. Oddly enough, he's being very out of character. Or they're actors, cosplayers just doing a really good job on imitating him? If it's actors, very well done. A+ for effort, mhm. But you're not fooling me. There's a tiny, miniscule flaw that's as obnoxious as his volume; HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE LOUD. Very.
"Jiji, I wanted to talk with you about... Something."
...
Actors, why are you even hired? Or did you volunteer to be free labor? A fan, maybe? The timidness does not suit him.
Right, okay, timid might be laying it thick , but he certainly lacks the overall personality trait that he has in the manga and anime. He's also wearing a black shirt and blue shorts, differing from his famous- or infamous- brightly colored clothes. The lack of it scares me more so than I can admit. Where's the tangerine costume?
"Something wrong, Naruto-Kun?"
The Hokage, no matter how busy he is, had to handle the mission briefing. Organizing a chaotic group of traumatized children and verifying a stack of forms, it just shows you how charismatic and scarily good he is at handling big crowds while multitasking, but while still being able to give most of his attention and counselling to his sort-of-adopted grandson's troubles.
I mean as a character, I never really paid any attention to the Hokage, aside from the main cast. But seeing him now makes me feel anxious. He did hold the title for being a professor in this harsh-god-forsaken, fictional ninja world for a long time, after all. Longer than most, at least.
Naruto looks around the room, and I can see him taking in the large amount of people. It obviously makes him uncomfortable as he shifts and voices his thoughts.
"Um, can I talk to you in private, Jiji?"
I blink and stare at the young kid. It still feels weird...
"I'm sorry Naruto-Kun, but I'm a bit busy right now."
The Hokage looks genuinely guilty, and I can practically feel it as it lays heavily on him. His duties and his affection for the boy conflicted. But since Naruto himself is still a kid, I doubt he understands it, yet I'm sure he will soon. Too soon.
"Oh."
True to my word, Naruto looks dejected, like the world itself went against him. Blue eyes dull in color, his blank expression intact. The look of expressionlessness scares me. Curse his looks! A kid can't possibly look that heart broken! No matter what his problem is, I'm sure it can't be that bad. Probably.
"Hey,"
God dangit. The word flew out of my mouth before I could even stop myself.
"Maybe if you come again at a later time, you can talk it out with the Hokage in private."
I wince at my own words; truth be told, I'm not one who comforts others. Damn it, heart! Don't suddenly decide by yourself to randomly start being compassionate.
He blinks as he's finally aware of me staring intensely at him. But then my words sink in.
...
The pure joy on his face makes me feel hurt, yet good at the same time. What the hell?! How are these feelings so contradicting?! Maybe a little pep talk wouldn't hurt. How much harm can it do anyway?
"Thank you!"
There you go! The shadows of his loud characteristics finally got out. For a second there, I was worried. I guess Naruto's like a bomb. You just have to light his fuse, or make him happy, and he will explode with a big 'BANG'. Well, there goes my suspicion of them being actors. How crushing.
"Yeah." I mumble out. I will vehemently deny that the embarrassed flush even happened.
"I'll be back later, Jiji!" he promptly runs out of the room with a slightly better mood. I hope.
The Hokage looks amused and relieved. There's still the lingering guilt, but not as heavy as before I note.
"I was thinking about sending you to the orphanage, but maybe we can arrange something else after all..."
What? Why do I feel so ominous about this?
I realize, when I was not distracted by my own selfish thoughts, that those demented looking kids would've probably been recruited by Danzo. There was a flash of fake smiles, a drawing, and a fleeting feeling of something I had that had slipped and missed.
A/N:Short! Shorter than the original chap *twitch* but I like this better xD i hope u enjoy the revised ver.
Edited 04/08/2015
Beta - Maple
