Author's Note: I cringe almost non-stop everytime I read my work. But man, I really wanna write. So I apologize for the stupid grammar mistakes and the lame attempts at description. As much as I want it to be more presentable and more accurate, to be descriptive and such, I can't! T_T *hangs head in defeat* Anyway, I hope everyone's catching up with the plot so far.
Summary: Blue eyes met blue. The other to protect his village. The other one to protect his most precious person.
Disclaimer: Naruto and all the characters therein belongs to Kishimoto-sensei.
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Chapter 4 – A Reminder of His Past
"Go-gomen nasai." the shaking boy cried out in fear.
"You stinking little thief, you really think you could get away with it do you?" a tall man spat out, emerging from one of the shops, two other men by his side.
"I'm sorry, I haven't eaten for days, and my mama is sick." he replied, trying his best to stop himself from shaking.
"Do you think we give a shit brat?"
"I-I promise I won't do it again, Please just let me go." the kid pleaded in between sobs.
Hearing the boy's pleading cries, Naruto's heart sank. The scene reminded him of something in his past he so desperately tried to forget, yet here it was almost as if his childhood memories were being played back, hitting him square in the face. The blonde's expression turned dark.
"Heh, we'll let you go once we're through with you." the man with the beard stated grinning evilly down at the young shaking boy.
"Now, now Aniki, we wouldn't want to be too rough ne?" the one with the scar on his face chided in smirking, walking towards the boy kicking him in the back, causing the poor child to fall on the dirt face first. The three laughed at his piteous predicament.
And without further wait, they started kicking the helpless boy.
"You take that you son of a bitch." their laughter echoed throughout the town.
Not even one of the villagers tried to help, they just stood there gaping. Some wanted to save the boy, but was too frightened getting involved, not wanting to get in trouble with the members of the Ashiya Clan. They were cruel, and they ruled the village, thinking they are the most powerful creatures on earth just because they knew a few ninja skills.
Clenching his fist, Naruto stepped forward letting go of his hold on Itachi's hand, he approaced the group of men with his head slightly bend low, his loose bangs coverings his turned crimson red eyes. The older Uchiha intended to follow the blond but had to halt when his partner blocked his path. "Let him take care of them Itachi, let's see what the kid's capable of doing." Kisame uttered, the Uchiha nodded.
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"Rika-neechan, the Ashiya brothers are causing trouble again."
"Keep it down sister, they might hear you."
"But..." Aya protested. "…the boy's getting beat up, why isn't anybody even helping?"
Rika sighed, she too wanted to help but what chance did she have against them? "The villagers know better than to get involved, just stop asking questions alright?" she bit her lip. They were so useless against these men, she wanted to get back into her room, she hated it when these kind of things happen.
"Hey Neechan look, the blond customer we had earlier is walking towards them." Aya called out to her sister who was starting to walk back inside their house.
Rika hurriedly went back to the counter. "Oh my God, he is." a wide smile crept upon her face. "Well at least someone's helping."
The younger sister frowned. "He...seems different."
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"If I were you, I'd let the kid go."
The Ashiya brothers shifted their gaze at Naruto, eyes narrowing.
"Just mind your own business kid, if you know what's good for you." the one that had kicked the boy on the ground earlier snarled.
The man with the beard grunted. "Shut your trap, you damn brat. Do you have any idea who you're talking to huh?"
"No, and I have no plans of guessing." the blond simply replied slowly looking up, meeting the gazes of the three men, his red eyes burning with hatred.
Shocked upon seeing the blood red pools, the Ashiya brothers moved a few paces back, assault on the battered kid on the ground forgotten.
Naruto growled. "Do you have any idea how painful it is to get beaten up?" the blonde's glare intensified. "I was just a child, yet I received bruises and cuts all over my body everyday single day of my life."
The townspeople gaped wide eyed, they saw that blond boy earlier that night, the one that excitedly ran to and fro from every shop in search for food, smiling, grinning, happily chatting, and beaming at them even if he didn't know them at all...yet now!
"Do you have any idea how hard it was, begging for food on the streets at such a young age? When you were suppose to be at home with your parents, in their care?" he growled, baring his fangs for the three men to see, who turned white as sheet.
"YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO TREAT CHILDREN THAT WAY." Naruto snapped. In an instant he had the one with the scarred-face in a death grip, choking him, drawing blood on his neck, as his claws dug onto the exposed flesh.
The villagers gasped.
The two girls at the counter gaped open-mouthed.
Sai was in a corner, eyes wide as he looked on.
The bruised kicked was able to sit, looking up at the man who had saved him. Tears welling up.
Itachi and Kisame stayed there in the side observing everything.
"Le-let go of my brother you monster." the tallest of the three stated almost whimpering.
Naruto turned his gaze towards him, a manic grin marring his face. "Who are you calling a monster ha, you're the ones picking on a helpless boy." the blond drawled and with that, he slammed the man he was holding, onto ground, lifeless. He looked back at the other two, eyes gleaming with malice. "So, whose next?"
Still quivering from fright, both men hurriedly went to their brother's side and hauled him up. "You-you will pay for what you've done." the bearded-man hesitantly voiced out.
The blond smirked, reaching out his hand. "I'll let you go for now, but if you cherish your life hand me your pouches, I know someone that needs it more than you bastards do."
Knowing better than to oppose this creature in front of them, they obeyed seeing they don't stand a chance at this rate, they tossed him their pouches. The blond gave them a sardonic grin.
The two men left in haste with the lifeless body of their brother in their arms never looking back as they made a sharp turn and disappeared.
Naruto sighed in restlessness. They just had to piss him off huh?
'Its fine kid, don't stress much over it.'
"...."
'Yo, hey are you even listening to me?' the fox spoke trying to get his container's attention.
'I hear you Kyuu-chan, sorry' Naruto heaved out a deep breath, red eyes turning blue, fangs returning to their usual size, claws gone.
Turning around he was met by the astonished faces of the townspeople, Naruto shrugged. Walking towards the boy in the middle of the street, Naruto crouched using his clean left hand wiping the tears off the boy's face. A sad smile grazed his lips. "You alright kid?"
The boy nodded trying his best to choke back a sob while rubbing his eyes, fighting the urge to cry for more. "A-arigatou."
Naruto eyes softened then he ruffled the little boy's hair. "Come on let's get you something to eat. How's ramen sound?"
Upon the mention of food the boy's stomach grumbled, blushing a little he nodded again. The blue-eyed blond ninja helped him up to his feet, dusting off the dirt from his clothes.
"What's your name mister?" the boy asked him with innocent wide green eyes the moment he was able to maintain control over his tears.
"Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto." he grinned. "You can call me Naru-niichan if you like."
The boy's face broke in a wide smile. "Hai! Arigatou, Naru-niichan."
"So what's your name?"
"Katsumaru desu." he beamed though wincing a little from the beating he got earlier. Naruto's expression saddened taking in the pain the kid must be feeling right then. He knew too well how much cuts and bruises hurt for a little child.
"YOUUUUUUUUUUU." Rika shrieked, walking out of her shop and onto the streets, looking at Naruto with wide awestrucked eyes.
The blond cringed readying himself for the yelling and hating words this village girl was about to hit him, but what he heard next caused him to sweatdrop.
"You...are...one...friggin'...amazing...guy...ya know that?" she practically screamed in his face.
Naruto blinked confused. "Ei?"
Itachi's eyebrow twitched. Kisame just smirked as they approached the blond.
"Hey kid." she looked down at the boy. "I bet you're starving, come on! You can eat at our ramen shop, you need not pay for the food."
The boy's eyes went wide in disbelief. "Really?"
"Yeah...really really." she answered smiling sweetly then proceeded to stroke his cheek looking back at Naruto. "It's on the house, you and your companions might as well take the offer too."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head opening his mouth in protest. "But..."
"No buts young man, I insist. Heck, this calls for a celebration. Those goons, certainly deserved what they got." she shifted her gaze to the other two, then back at the blond. "We also own an inn, do you have any place to stay for tonight?" she asked.
Naruto opened his mouth again in protest but Kisame beat him to it butting in. "Why no...We still didn't find any place to stay." he stated grinning.
"Perfect! You guys can stay at our inn, for the night! Absolutely no charge." she squealed in delight. If only she knew they were S-class criminals.
"It's settled then." Itachi uttered voice low and uncaring, face remaining blank. Rika beamed.
Katsumaru tugged on Naruto's cloak, the blond bent down. "What is it?"
"My mom's sick at home."
The blond ninja rested his hand on the boy's shoulder. "How about this, we'll take out the food then go to your house, then you and your mother can eat together ne?"
Katsumaru nodded, hugging the blond. "Arigatou Naru-niichan, you're such a nice person."
Naruto embraced the green-eyed boy tighter. "It was nothing Katsu-chan."
The young child let him go while the two exchanged smiles.
"Did you see his eyes earlier?"
"Yes, they were red, blood red. What the hell was that about? For a while there, he didn't look human."
Naruto's smiled faded hearing the hushed whispers of the villagers. He was used to it by now really, but yet still a small part of him ached hearing such words.
"And the claws, oh my God."
"Don't forget the fangs."
"Shut up, at least he's the only one that had the guts to help the kid and give those Ashiya bastards what they deserved. I'd even be more than happy if everybody died in that damn clan. You two, get on with your works."
Naruto's face lit up upon hearing the words in favor to him, turning his head to the source of the voice, an elderly man in his forties smiled at him giving him a thumb up sign before going back inside his own restaurant.
"Anou...Naruto-kun right?" Aya asked, fidgeting. She wasn't sure if she heard his name right but still gave it a shot.
The blond looked at her. "Yes?"
"I-I can't help but overhear your conversation, so ummm..." she handed him a bag of food unable to meet the blonde's eyes but looked at Katsumaru instead. "Make sure you and your mother eat plenty okay?" the boy fevently nodded his head.
Naruto wiped the blood off his right hand onto his cloak, he thought he might just wash them later. He peered inside the contents of the bag eyes widening a little. "Wow, this is a lot." a pause. "Thanks." he smiled brightly, then looked back down at the brown-haired kid. "Come on, let's go to your mother now."
"Naruto-kun." Itachi called out. "I'm coming with you."
The blond shook his head. "No no It-chan, you and Kisa-niichan stay here. I'll be back right away, I promise."
"Let him be Itachi, we've still got other things to discuss anyway." Kisame urged, then eyed the blond. "Be sure to come back in one piece kid."
Naruto laughed in amusement. "Hahaha! Don't worry, I will I will."
The blond started his pace but then suddenly an idea struck him then pushed the bag of food towards Kisame. The shark-like nin held it against him out of sheer reflexes, blinking. "What in the..."
The blue-eyed blond instantly snaked his arms around Itachi's neck, pulling him down for a long fervent searing kiss. Another major gasp was heard from the crowd. Some even started making catcalls. Rika and Aya went frozen in fangirl mode once again.
"You'll tell me what's the matter when I get back." Naruto breathlessly whispered into the Uchiha's ear, determined eyes visible with concern.
Grinning at their surprised expressions Naruto grabbed the bag of food from Kisame's grasp and started his pace, snickering. Katsumaru followed as the two walked side by side.
Finally recovering from shock, seeing two boys in a lip lock...again in front of her Rika giggled clasping her hands together. "Well, with that taken care of, we might as well check your rooms now."
Itachi reached his lips, then at Naruto's retreating figure. "Easy for you to say." he mumbled feeling a strange vibe at the pit of his stomach
Kisame had his head in his hand. "That boy never ceases to surprise me." he remarkend as they made their way inside.
Sai watched in a corner. It was the right time to talk with the blond. The artist ninja followed close.
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"You old hag why can't you just give me a class C mission or better yet a B mission, not leaking me with Class D ones." Naruto yelled towards the Hokage for the 10th time that afternoon, they were at her office.
"Shut up you brat. I can perfectly hear you without you screaming in my ears."
A frantic knock on the door. "Tsunade-sama, Tsunade-sama."
The blonde woman frowned hearing Shizune's voice, but was also thankful that she had to barge in at the time she needed her. Tsunade had no plans of having her head screamed off by the young blond. "Come in, the door's open."
Her assistant hurriedly went inside, walked past Naruto and faced her, taking in deep breaths. Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
"Uchiha..." she gulped taking in lung fulls of air."Itachi."
Naruto's eyes widened scowling as he heard the name. Tsunade had a look of panic on her face. "What? What is it?"
"He was found in the forest earlier, as the..." she heaved out another deep breath. "…assigned jounins patrolled the area."
Naruto walked closer, fists clenched. "What the hell is that bastard doing in here?"
Shizune looked at the blond. "I'm guessing he's still going after you Naruto, but there's one thing I'm sure of though. He's not a threat to Konoha or you, at least not right now."
Tsunade eyed her assistant. "What are you trying to say Shizune?"
"When the patrolling group found him, he was unconscious. There was blood, everywhere." she paused pursing her lips. "I don't think he's going to make it."
The blond woman scowled not believing what she just heard. 'How in heaven's name did he got himself beaten up to the point of death?' she mentally screamed. Tsunade got up from her desk. "Shizune, take me to him." she eyed the teen. "Naruto, you stay here. This could be a trap." The blond was about to argue but decided to keep his silence. He nodded in agreement.
"Let's go."
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
TBC
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Like it? Hate it? Please let me know ne? ^^ Reviews will be greatly appreciated. I don't beg for it, but it's nice to receive feedbacks.
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(Feedbacks)
shembergbaby: I answered your question in this chapter.
DarkNaruto002: Yes, at first it does sound a bit confusing but I am going to do the best I can to explain or illustrate things in a clearer view. Alternate!ItaNaru's past will be explained in the later chapters. Anyway, thank you so much for the long review, it surely gives a smile to a just starting writer's face. And I hope you continue to read. Thanks so much again.
golden-demon-666: When I heard about his death, I moped around the house for almost a week! It just wasn't fair! T_T