Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto in any form nor do I make any money from writing this story.

Note: I would just like to thank all reviewers. Even though I do not always respond I would like for you to know that I contemplate everything that you write to me. Good and bad. And I am trying my hardest to improve in all these aspects. So please continue to review so that I may continue doing so. That and because I like to know that you all like what I write. So enjoy!


Chapter 3: For whom does the bell toll?

For some blank, void moments, we just stare at each other. And then I flip him off. Purely by instinct, and the second I see my finger do it, I open my mouth, stunned, and think ah shit. Then I turn around quickly and walk home as fast as I can. I try to not look as if I am running away, but I feverishly pray that my parents did not see that. I would like them to not think of me as the hellion that they all say I am. At the very least, I want them to be proud of me. And nobody is proud of a 55 year old son who still flips people off.

As my apartment complex comes into view, I slow down a bit to take another look at it. But it still looks like I am entering the mouth of a beast ten minutes later when I open the front door to go in. But as I close my eyes that night, exhausted, the image on my retina is a wonderful, picture of my Stand-in, jaw slack, looking aghast.

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It is the cool, flickering light-blue shadows cast by the sun behind the cotton curtains that wake me up, the newly painted, cracked cement ceiling being the first thing I see today. The cool veil of fresh air that has settled on my skin feels pleasant and I do not want to move a limb, do not want to wrinkle this soothing feeling. I stretch out slowly on my back, once again directing my vision to the wide white roof, folding out above my head. It is not until I exhale and notice a frosty cloud emerge from my mouth that I realize that it just might be too cold in here. It is hardly autumn and it is getting unbelievably cold in here already… Winter will be a blast. The only response I get to my sarcastic thoughts is a slow scratching sound inside the wall between this apartment and the next. The rats are back again, despite everything.

As I pour some milk into the deep-red bowl I found in a second hand store, I realize that I feel much better today, than I did a week ago when I first arrived. The feeling of crushing defeat and anger had rippled on the surface on my soul, dissolved into nothing and almost left me blank again. I can not help but to make a pained face. I am lucky people could put up with all that drama. Had they been any less patient with me, I'd be left alone to rot by now. But in some way, it still felt like I should be mad at someone. The question is who. My Stand-in is probably not him though. But seriously, those seconds where our eyes meet, were some of the worst in my life. A sort of realization, that this is really happening.

Realization that this was not the world I have fought for so long in. But, after living here for a week, this realization has grown to be a sort of reality. This is where I live now. This is my reality. Here all Hokages, old and young, work side by side. Five, great people from different ages. Perhaps that is why some laws in the village are old fashioned at best, and ancient in worst case scenario. The notion that Ninja are mere tools is more alive than ever. Ninja exists to protect their village, unconditionally. The second notion I can agree on, it is just that the first one is extremely against my nature, as they all knew. And in some misguided attempt to help me, this is what they did. I get their reasons. But that does not mean I am just going to go along with it. When have I ever? They thought I would just meekly get in line and stay hidden? DO THESE PEOPLE EVEN KNOW ME?

Now when I have gotten over the anger, of dying at the hands of an assassin (supposedly one of my own), quickly followed by someone that I trusted denying me what I felt was my due reward, I feel strangely rejuvenated. Like I can take on the whole world if I have to. God, I've missed this feeling. I can not believe that I ever thought I could just safely rest somewhere and get my reward just like that. I have to, just like some others, fight on my own for everything I want, whether people like it or not.

I have essentially decided to dive into life and create some ruckus. Because I know that if one takes a chance based on gut-feeling, and just run straight into the chaos life really is, one will not regret it. I have tested that hypothesis, and it works. We are the center of our existence and all the thousands of possibilities that rains and ripple around our bruised knees can be plucked up easily by hand (or mouth if one favors a more direct approach). But none the less, words of others can merely make you look towards a different horizon, a different star. But it can not steer you towards it can or make you bathe in it. And I am not going to bathe in the pool of "Victim of the Times". Hell no.

I place the empty bowl on the table as I pick up the newspaper and lean back into the hard back of my chair. None of the news around here has so far sparked any interest in me, so I only read the comics. Those are funny. And since I do not have any work today, I'll relax all day. I need it. After this darn week. I'll go and lie in the sun or something. I haven't seen it since they isolated me inside that disgusting library cellar. First thing on my list is to get out of there. I need to come up with a plan…

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It is the doorbell's chime that brings Naruto out of his morning idyll and into the every day routine as someone pulls on the string behind the newly white painted door attached to the bell inside the apartment. Despite this he does not get up to open his door for his guest, instead he calmly calls out, without lifting his gaze from the article in the newspaper:

"Come in!"

There is the sound of the door squeaking as it swings up, followed by some lesser struggle with something metallic, before a chipper voice sounds through the apartment.

"Good morning, Boss!"

"Shoes off, Konohamaru."

"They're off, they're off. Boss, could you help me with something?" The exasperated voice quickly turns needy as the brunette male stares imploringly at the blonde.

"After I finish this."

"But-" He stops himself when the other clears his throat threateningly. "Sure...What's this?"

The other frowns at the object the other has hauled out before making an annoyed sound low in his throat.

"Okay, get it. Quiet. Right." Konohamaru responds as he quietly drops the huge, one-meter long, black scroll back onto the floor under the table where it laid before and leans back into the newly bought, yet old white chairs who creaks and sighs under his weight. During this action a quiet murmur of "old men tendencies" escapes his lips, but it is not heard by the other male.

A few minutes passes before the blonde male laughs heartily, scaring the other to such an extent that he recoils.

"WHAT? Wha-? What are you reading?"

"Nothin' o' ya concern little Konohamaru." The sugary tone of the other makes the younger male crinkle his nose before replying.

"…stop calling me that."

"…"

"…"

"What did you need my help with?" the older male says in a teasing tone as the other shakes his head slowly in response to the other's behavior.

"My B-group."

"Your B?..-group?"

"It's sort of like our genin groups but, a bit different… There was supposedly some report a few years ago that showed that since there's so much attachment to your genin comrades it often leads to mission failures. You know, with all the emotion getting in the way yaddiya-blah." The older man frowns a bit but does not try to interrupt. "So they came up with this great idea to mix us with completely unknown people, since there's a lot of shinobi to mix with due to…the circumstances. So the B-group is my Base group, the group that I train most with and is best compatible with. But I'm not supposed to create any strong…bonds to them so…"

At the other reluctance to continue Naruto offers some encouragement by slowly responding to his last sentence.

"Okay, I can see a lot of problems with this…so which one do you want help with?"

"…I think I like a girl in my B-group"

"Aaaw Konohamamaruuu." The honey-sweet, teasing tone was accompanied by the older man poking Konohamaru in the stomach several times, making said younger male fitfully giggle. This somewhat childish, yet oddly efficient, male bonding ritual stopped however as the annoyed and embarrassed Konohamaru was provoked enough to call out:

"Stop it!"

"Can't you tell your squad leader or something that you need to be replaced? If you're in another group then there won't be a problem, right?" The other one question seriously after they had clamed down again.

"But I'm the squad leader, and we're not supposed to change groups when there's war. It'll compromise everything!"

"Okay, first of all; there's more than your group out there, probably eighty or so from what I've heard, I don't think it'll be a disaster if two groups take a little while longer to get ready and secondly; you're talking as if there're kunais and explosion tags raining over our heads already. Perhaps there won't even be a war!"

"…Naruto, this is Stone shinobi we're talking about. They don't exactly announce that they're coming…"

"What're you sayin'? That they're out there? Hiding under…" the older man's serious attitude breaks as he starts giggling uncontrollably before choking out;" rocks? Hahahahahaha!"

"This isn't funny Naruto! It's war!"

"I know. But I'll regret not spending these peaceful times in good humor when it is too late and I wish I had more time…speaking of time, for how long have you been here before I showed up?" if the sudden change of subject startles the other he does not show it, instead he answers directly:

"About three years…why?"

But he gets no reply as Naruto merely stares at the cracked wall, face almost as green as it is.

"Let's get out of here. I need some air." He suddenly murmurs and they silently leave the apartment to do some light sparring in the nearby forest.

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They have only gotten inside the apartment again, Naruto sinking annoyed into the couch and Konohamaru moving over to the fridge to look for something to eat as they had forgot to eat lunch. If judging by the curses he murmurs as he looks through the kitchen, there is nothing of the sort. As he turns to ask Naruto what they will do about dinner, he just sees a tall, thin black silhouette by the window, surrounded by the evening shadows. The silhouette is silent and rocks slowly back and fourth to some unknown tune. The creaking floor being the only sound in the apartment as Konohamaru watches the ghoul by the window. The image scares Konohamaru who had during the sparring realized that, his idol might just had gotten into more wars and fights than they all expected.

When the doorbell chimes the silhouette stops and moves into the circle of light that the lamp over the table spreads. He sinks down in one of the chairs, sighing, bringing Konohamaru out of his stupor.

"Should I open for you?"

As he receives a shooing motion that he figures mean "go ahead" he opens the door to find the lanky man that is Shikamaru fall inside as he was about to start banging his head on the door. He catches himself however, and moves inside without a word, only gesturing towards the plastic bags with groceries in his hands. The not so lanky, smiling man behind him is however a bit more vocal:

"Me and Shikamaru thought we could have dinner with Naruto tonight! To cheer him up. You want to stay too, Konohamaru?"

"Sure! Thanks, Chouji… Hey you guys, what do you think about datin-" The last part of the response was quietly drowned out by the squeaking sound of the door as it closed again.

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"Aaaaaah, how troublesome…"

"What? What? I seriously can't, huh…" Konohamaru can not help but to sink, defeated, further down into his chair.

"No, you go ahead. If there's so much as an inclination of deeper feelings towards a group member then you have to change group. War or no war. ---sucks-----da—paperwo----" the last murmured words was only heard by Naruto as the other one by the table was busy doing a happy victory dance on the naked, wooden floor and Choji was too busy cooking dinner for them.

Due to Naruto's experience with bureaucratic affairs hecan not help but feel a bit sympathetic with Shikamaru. But when thinking about the time difference from here to there, he knows that he would soon be dragged into it again, if not the library will do so on its own soon. So he did not make an offer to help Shikamaru, but instead decided to enjoy his brief moments of freedom from it with a guiltless joy.

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"So, Naruto" Choji starts conversationally "how're you settling into your new life?"

"It's fine."

Choji and Shikamaru share a quick glance before Shikamaru starts to say:

"Is that so, so you feel completely fine wit-" only to be interrupted by an angry, frustrated yell. When he lifts his head to look at Naruto he is faced with a set of intensely focused sky blue eyes as the owner of said eyes grinds out between tight lips:

"Okay. What is your problem?"

"Wha-?" the false innocent look Shikamaru gives Naruto does little to calm the other down, quite the opposite, it annoys him even more, provoking him to interrupt Shikamaru before he can even finish his question.

"Don't give me that bullshit Shikamaru. You keep giving each other these looks. The whole of rookie nine! At least three times a conversation!-" as Naruto rises his voice Shikamaru does his best to calm him down.

"Hold on, Naruto, we-"

"-In every conversation since I arrived here!" Finally Shikamaru finds the strength in his lungs to interrupt the angry man, who is by now further emphasizing his sentences by hitting his right fist on the table several times.

"LOOK! Naruto, haven't you noticed anything, like strange or… difficult things since you came here?" the last part of the sentence is spoken uncertainly, as if the speaker do not really quite want to say it, or perhaps like he does not know how to say it.

"Yes…My friends keep looking over my head like I'm 5. But hey, maybe that's not so strange. You all seem to think I'm stupid and-" the offended tone is quickly interrupted by a slightly more desperate one, one who does not quite suit Shikamaru's character. But as he attempts to explain he is quickly interrupted again.

"We do not! Look. The villagers here they're-"

"Ahhh!" it is not as much a sound of triumph as it is quiet comprehension. " Dudes, I know." And in a try to ease up the atmosphere again he continues in a sly tone "That's why I'm incognito." Which is not really true, but this is the excuse Naruto has been looking for. Since the others started showing up at irregular intervals in his apartment, he had been looking for an excuse whenever they asked about his name. And here it was! "You know my name change? It was so that nobody would try to bother me at home, get it?"

"…Your're not really incognito Naruto. You're very easy to recognize."

"Really?"

"Yeah, everybody knows that the blonde, orphan brat is the— Wait! What I mean is—um." As Choji attempts to put the words back into his mouth Naruto calmly interrupts him.
"I get it. Don't worry. I've got good ears. There's not a thing out there that they say that I don't know about." Besides, it imperative to the Hokages that everyone all think I'm an orphan. Who's going to look for similarities between one of the greatest men in the village and one of the worst when their convinced they've got different backgrounds?

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"Well, Choji. You do love to surprise us, don't you?" the sarcastic comment is lost on Choji's ears as he rearranges a bit on the table, before sitting down by it with the rest. They all stare a bit amused at the barbequed meat he has made that gleams innocently on the plate, shining enticingly at them. The bowls of rice a bit forgotten because of its plainness.

"DIG IN!" Choji abruptly bellows as he, obviously on the verge of starving if the way he is eating is anything to go by, stuffs his face rapidly, slices of glazed meat dangling, almost lively, from his mouth before they disappears. The others are not too far behind in devouring the meat, Shikamaru being the only who silently eats the dish with care.

As the dinner starts to come to an end, Konohamaru interrupts the comfortable silence by saying curiously:

"So Naruto, did you know the 7th?"

The question was simple yet the asked man slows down considerably in his eating and responds hesitantly:

"Y-yes. A bit. I worked for him so…"

"What is he like?"

"…He's good at inventing jutsus and paperwork… He likes being in-doors thou… You'll think he's a very nice guy when you meet him for the first time." The cryptic answer only completely gets caught in the web that is Shikamaru's genius brain, while the others seemingly dreams deeply about what sort of guy the 7th might be. There is some silence as Shikamaru looks searchingly at Naruto's suddenly blank face and the others flow around with dreamy thoughts inside their skulls. It is broken however as Konohamaru mumbles dreamily:

"I wanna meet him." His understanding of Naruto's words was seemingly put together into someone quite great inside Konohamaru's mind.

"What was his name again?" Shikamaru asks conversationally as he suspiciously puts down his chopsticks and turns to Naruto.

"Tanaka Juuichi."

"What a common name."

"Not really."

"Yes, it is."

"Okay, but he's an un-common man."

"He has to be, to have become Hokage. And don't make up words like that."

"I believe in a world free of the boundaries placed by dictionaries."

"That would be a world where nobody could understand anyone."

"Sure they would. You understand me."

"But I have almost grown up with you."

Naruto's eyes hold a teasing glint to them before his face goes blank.

"…so?"

"There's no 'So?'. It is what it is. Don't try to confuse me Naruto. I've been in contact with people trying to get out of paperwork ever since I came here. I will not be fooled by anyone. And at least of all you."

"If we're going to be anal about words, we might as well be anal about context. When you say 'at least of all you' are you aware of that you are contradicting yourself?"

"Wha-WHAT?"

"Riiight, here's dessert everyone!" Choji's interruption is the only thing keeping Shikamaru from going completely out of character and give in to his urge to hit Naruto over the head. He has a hard time dealing with teasing people. He has so much to do. And he's tired, his patience is on its last string. As Choji puts down the dessert before him he gratefully lets the sugar lifts his spirits again.

"So, let's talk about another touchy subject." Choji almost rolls his eyes at Naruto "How's sweet Danzo nowadays?" Naruto mumbles out between chewing the cake and shoving in a new piece.

"The 6th left Konoha as soon as he got here. Nobody who knows wants to tell anyone who doesn't know why. But you would know, wouldn't you? "

"…I do not. That Danzo, eh? A little mysterious, isn't he?" The rapid questions do little to convince the rest that he is ignorant to exactly what Danzo has done, and the next sentence helps even less. "Why, you want to convict him for any of crimes he's committed? The Uchiha's a bit testy perhaps?"

"All is forgiven as we cross over. That's why Orochimaru is working for Konoha here. So don't go causing a ruckus when you see him or anyone else that you remember to be an enemy, ok?"

"….I'd just like to say that severely doubt the whole 'all is forgiven'-principle."

"Yes, you of all should…" Shikamaru murmurs before Konohamaru happily starts to deceivingly sweet ask:

"Sooo, you wanna tell us about Danz-" only to be cut off by Naruto:

"Dream on."

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Later as Naruto cleans up the apartment after his friends has left for their homes, someone knocks on his door. After taking a look at the little, dark red, plastic alarm clock, located on the table next to the purple vase that clashes with his walls (that he found in a dumpster and brought home and cleaned up) he figures that a visit at 11 pm is not what one would call a social call and that it is probably something important. So without thinking he opens the door and comes face to face with a man that makes all the colors disappear from his face as he whispers quietly:

"No. No." And then a bit louder and more desperate "NO NO NO! What happened? Why did you die?!"

"Uhm, it was an accident and-" the pale, thin grey-blonde man answers as he rolls back onto his heels uncertainly.
"Accident my ass. Come inside before you fall though that rotting floor." The sentences are spit out fiendishly. But Naruto can not help it. He had hoped to not see this man so soon. Did not want to see him for a long, long time to be honest.

"W-what a nice place." The man stammers uncertainly as he sits down carefully on the couch.

"…" Naruto only glares at him while muttering under his breath.

"The green is a bit…imposing though." Is the only thing the other can think of trying to catch the others attention with.

The blonde man continues to ignore him, and as the face quickly becomes an irritated red Naruto bits out slowly:

"What. Exactly. Happened. Juuichi?"


I hope this helps answer some off your questions. Please remember to review^^