Naruto: Child of the Lion

Chapter 4: Two Worlds

One does not simply become a Rajput. You are born into this world as a Rajput. My kind have kept our homeland safe from invaders for centuries. Still, I will never consider myself to be above anyone nor below. I have been trained in the arts of my ancestors, but my flesh is still mortal just like everything else that walks the earth.

Today is market day in the village, there are many things I need today. There was a monk with his bowl out for alms. I gave him a small bag of Jeera biscuits that I had baked the other day. The monk smiled to me, "May you be rewarded for your generosity," said the monk, I lightly clasped my hands in prayer and bowed back to him.

"I do not seek rewards, giving to others is greater than any material wealth," I replied, "good day to you, my good man,"

I never carry my sword on market days. I do not want to frighten anyone. Instead, I carry my pair of Katar behind me on my belt. I went up to a stall to buy some rice. As my small pouch was being filled, I reached into my small leather bag to give her payment, "Will this suffice as payment?" I asked, handing her small nugget of gold

The owner of the stall seemed less convinced, "Hey what kind of trick are you trying to pull?" she asked, seeming to demand an answer of me. Why would I try to sneak away with food without paying for it? Then a gentleman wearing a mask similar to mine. He only had one visible eye. I wonder what happened to make him this way?

"I assure you, I have no intention of swindling you," I said, defending the small payment that I gave to her,

"Oh sure, a likely story coming from someone like you!" she said, still accusing me,

"Let me see that," He said inspecting the suspicious rock I gave the owner, "why this is a lump of pure gold, well if you're not going to be needing this..."

From my travels around many lands, I have concluded that if there is anything that can possibly bring mankind to their knees by their own means, it is greed, "Hey, what're you doing? Give me back my gold!" the stall owner snatched the lump of gold from his hand as a beggar would when offered even the smallest morsel of bread.

"You will have to excuse people like that, people around here are still not used to you," said the gentleman,

This gentleman seems to have seen many battles in his time. He looked at me with a curious look in his eye. The same way Tenten looked at me when I met her. I bowed to him as the villagers would, "You my thanks, my good man," I said to him, one thing that seems to confuse people is my accent. Is their a problem with my accent?

"Hmm...I heard about you from Tsunade-sama, you must be Kaya," said the kind gentleman, I lightly nodded to tell him he is correct.

"And who might I have the pleasure of speaking to?" I asked with a light giggle behind my face cover,

"Oh, how rude of me, where're my manners? It's just you're so...so...never mind," he apologized, scratching the back of his head, "I'm Kakashi, Hakate Kakashi," he said, I wish I had more time to talk to him, but alas I do not. It seems he has places to go as well, "I'd like to stay and chat, but I have things to do," he said as a dismissal.

"May our paths cross again in the future," I said bowing to him and making my leave as well,

I have that feeling that I might see that man again. I made my way through the crowds to my home to make something special for Tenten. I had made her a serving of my favorite dessert from my homeland called Kheer. That afternoon, the market bustle had slowed down, and I walked over to Tenten's house, and knocked on the door.

It took very little time for an answer to come to the door, "Kaya, what're you doing here?" asked Tenten,

"I came to see how you are recovering from our sparring session the other day," I replied, "I brought you something from my homeland,"

"Don't worry about me, it's just a scratch," Tenten said nonchalantly, "well, come on in," I took off my shoes at the door, and entered Tenten's house. She placed the bowl in the kitchen, "I saw what you did for the monk at the market, I don't think I know anyone with your sense of kindness, Kaya," she said, and took the lid off the bowl.

"It seems there are more ninja than there are of my kind, Tenten," I replied, walking up to her in the kitchen. Tenten looked at the food I presented as if to say that there was something wrong. I decided to ask and address the situation, although it is probably not as serious as one might think, "is there a problem, Tenten?" I asked her,

"Kaya, this rice is cold," Tenten said in observation, I am thinking she has never had a dish like this before,

"This dish is called Kheer, it comes from my homeland, it is supposed to be served cold," I replied,

Not only is it served cold, but also has a sweet taste. After a few tastes, it seemed to grow on Tenten. One of the best ways to share cultures with one another is through food. The food from my homeland is very diverse. There may come a day when I will welcome her to my home. A healthy, blossoming friendship can be a beautiful thing.