Chapter three – The few people who care
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything related to the series.
Riku was intrigued at the sight of his young ward as he was dumped unceremoniously in his store. Anko, the one who had done the said dumping smirked at him before sauntering to her usual spot. "Old man, help me!" Naruto wheezed from his spot on the ground. He had told Riku about his training with Anko so he was not surprised when he saw the boy as charred as a roasted pig. "She's killing me!" he spat out as he tried to calm his frantic heart.
"What did she do this time?" Riku asked, deciding to humor the boy. Some of the customers had grown so accustomed to the many eccentricities of the store that they didn't even bother when the scent of burnt flesh flittered into the air. In addition, they were mostly shinobi so it was another thing they were accustomed with.
"S-she chased me around the village and every time I slowed down even for a bit, she fired a Katon jutsu at me" he spluttered and Ami had soon joined the little gathering. It had been only a week, and Anko tried to kill him forty times already. Yeah, he had counted.
"Anko-san's dango is not free, Naruto. Get your butt up and start to work" Ami said, placing her hands on her hips. Riku chuckled as Naruto wheezed once more.
"You're heartless, Ami-chan!" Naruto groaned as he slowly got up. "I thought you said we were siblings?" he asked, and she just pointed at the back.
"Get cleaned up and then start working!" she barked and he nodded before running to the bathroom.
"Was that really necessary?" Riku asked and he could see the worry in her eyes. "He'll be fine. That's just the way of the shinobi I guess" he said.
"It is indeed" someone agreed and when they turned to the entrance, standing in the doorway was none other than the Sandaime Hokage. All the shinobi present stood at attention before deeply bowing at the aged man dressed in his formal, white robes and hat. He took out the pipe from his mouth and said "At ease everyone, I'm just here for dango". He chuckled at their stunned faces before turning to Riku and Ami who bowed their heads in respect. "It's nice to meet you again" he added and they personally walked him to his seat.
"You too, Hokage-sama" Riku said, more at ease in the powerful man's presence compared to his nervous niece. "He's in the back" he added as the Hokage's eyes roved over the store.
"Ah, I heard about his training" the Hokage said and he smiled at Anko who grinned back at him. "Anko-chan's an excellent teacher if I must say so myself" he added.
"That's a lie if I ever heard one, jiji" Naruto said, as he approached them. The Hokage didn't say anything but just took in his appearance. It had been nearly three weeks since the boy had visited him in the tower and he had to admit, he always missed the boy. He was like a grandson to him and so, he was constantly worrying about him. He sat down opposite from the Sandaime who chuckled at his non chalence and lack of respect. "She's a slave driver" he whispered to the Sandaime.
"Oi, what was that?!" Anko shouted and twisted his ear. He yelped and his eyes pleadingly turned to the Sandaime once more. "Do you hear how ungrateful this gaki is? Here I am bestowing my beautiful knowledge onto him and he says that I'm a slave driver" she huffed and the Sandaime shook his head as the two started to argue.
"I don't think you should be arguing with your sensei, Naruto" Ami chided and Anko shot him a condescending smile while Naruto looked at her with betrayal in his eyes. "And you're supposed to be working" she added.
"He's excused, Ami-chan. Can't you see that he's with an important customer?" Riku asked and she grew shame faced at the Hokage. "Anko-chan is very dear to our hearts and she deserves the best treatment" he said and a frown marred her face. Anko wildly cackled and the Sandaime couldn't help the smile that graced his lips.
"Pervert!" Naruto and Ami shouted in unison. Riku just shook his head and waved off their insult.
"You, it's time to work" Ami said, pointing to Naruto whose shoulders slumped. "Take Hokage-sama's orders and Uncle Riku, you're helping me in the kitchen" she said and with that, they walked to the kitchen.
"I can see why you said she's strong, Naruto-kun" the Hokage said and Naruto sheepishly smiled. He glanced at Anko and asked "Don't you have to get back at T&I?" She nervously chuckled before leaving. "Have a seat, Naruto-kun. I want to speak to you for a moment" he added and Naruto did as he was told. The Sandaime puffed on his pipe and studied the boy in front of him. Unlike before, Naruto was happier. Anyone could watch his face and tell, but Sandaime knew the full extent of his happiness. The Sandaime was the one who often sat with Naruto when he was sad, he was the shoulder Naruto cried on when he could no longer handle the shouts of demon hurled at him and the Sandaime was the only one allowed to see the flicker of Naruto's true self. Therefore the Hokage knew exactly how Riku and Ami affected his life. He was no longer sad all the times, he didn't need the old man's shoulder to cry on since Riku was always there to pick him up when he was feeling down and the dango shop owner had already accepted Naruto, despite his faults. "Teuchi-san has said that you don't visit him as frequently and he's not the only one" he said, taking out the pipe from his mouth. Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.
"I've been busy with training, school and work. Sorry jiji" Naruto said and the Hokage just nodded. "I'll try to visit you more" he added and the Hokage patted his head.
"I'm glad that you've found more precious people, Naruto-kun" he said and Naruto's smiled. It wasn't like his forced smiles that he often slapped on in front of the villagers or his classmates; it was a true smile that he only allowed his precious people to see. "Are you happy?" he asked and Naruto's eyes softened at the question before flickering to Riku as well as Ami.
"More than I've been in my life, jiji" Naruto said and the Hokage placed his hand on his clasped ones. "I'm so happy that sometimes I wake up and think that I'm dreaming. Then, I start to get scared at the thought and before I know it, I'm standing in front of the dango store to make sure it's real. To make sure that Riku and Ami are real" he confessed and the Hokage knew why he was so insecure. The world had been such a cruel place for Naruto since his birth.
"You know those people love you as much as I do" the Hokage said and Naruto looked at him with his eyes filled with unshed tears. "I can see how much they love you from the way they look at you. It's something only a parent can see" he added and Naruto quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. "That's why I'm not mad that you're spending your time with them, Naruto-kun. I'm just happy that you can turn to love when you're going through such hurdles in your life" he said, and smiled at him.
"I know it's kind of late, but thanks for everything, jiji" he said and the Hokage chuckled. His surrogate grandson never failed to surprise him, after all he was unpredictable. "I'm supposed to working and here you are, getting me all sentimental, dattebayo!" he stated, clearly embarrassed since his verbal tick had slipped out of his mouth.
"Then off with you. Don't let this old man get in your way" the Sandaime said, watching as he walked off to other customers.
"He's going to be great one day; you do know that, right?" Riku asked and the Sandaime turned to him. "He's got a heart like no one else does" he elaborated as he sat down with a bottle of sake and two cups. He poured them each a glass and they both gulped it down.
"I know that's why I'm forever in your debt for healing him" the Sandaime said as Riku poured them another glass.
"Do you ever plan to tell him?"Riku asked and the Sandaime didn't allow a single emotion to appear on his face. "If he finds out some other way, he's going to feel betrayed. Trust me, they always do" he added as he gulped down his glass of sake once more.
"When the time's right, I'll personally tell him" the Sandaime said sipping his cup of sake. "This is some good sake by the way" he added and Riku smirked at him.
"Of course it is. Only the best for the best" Riku said and the Sandaime just shook his head. "It's been awhile since we sat down like this, Saturobi" he added.
"I've been swamped with paperwork so forgive me for not officially welcoming you to my village" the Sandaime said as they clinked their glasses together in a toast.
"I've known you for a long time to know when you're bullshitting me, Saturobi" Riku said and the Sandaime didn't reply. "What's really going on with you?" he asked.
"My wayward students have been on my mind for awhile" the Sandaime said, placing his cup on the table. "Especially Orochimaru" he added.
"I see. No wonder you're so down" Riku commented and the Sandaime nodded. "I've heard of his recent exploits and I have to say, he's going down an unredeemable path" he added.
"And that is what pains me, Riku. I've done all I could to save those students of mine but no matter what, I could never get through to Orochimaru" the Sandaime said, and for a minute, he truly felt his age.
"Let me tell you what Hitomi used to tell me. Every individual chooses his or her decisions and they're the ones who have to deal with the consequences" Riku said.
"I know but it still hurts a teacher when there's nothing they could do to stop their student. It especially hurts when nothing you've taught them have had an impact on their lives" he said and Riku sighed.
"Saturobi" Riku said and the Sandaime looked at him. "Instead of thinking about the one life you could have saved, think about the other lives that depend on you. This village still needs you" he added.
"You really do know what to say when you need to cheer me up" the Sandaime said and Riku just chuckled.
"What are old friends for?" Riku asked and they gulped down another glass of sake before the Sandaime stood up.
"Thanks for the drink, Riku" the man said and with that, he left the store, feeling better than when he entered.
As the sun slowly descended, it was the signal that another productive day had ended. Naruto bid the last customers goodbye before closing the front door. He turned to the now empty dango store and thoughts about his conversation with the Hokage entered his mind. Maybe he should go over to the ramen stand and pay Teuchi a visit, he thought. He slowly took off the white apron and that was when Ami walked in from the kitchen. "Can you help me with these?" she asked, holding up two cloths in her hands. He nodded and she threw him one. They began to wipe the tables in a comfortable silence until Ami broke it.
"Why do I get the feeling that something is wrong?" Ami asked, glancing at him. She had always observed that whenever Naruto was alone, he would have the saddest eyes that no child his age should have.
"I was thinking about what the Hokage told me today" he said, without looking at her. He was focused on the table instead.
"I see" she said and didn't pry any further. She knew he shared a special relationship with the aged leader. "Are you staying for dinner?" she asked and straightened up her back.
"Nah, I think I'll head over to old man Teuchi's for some ramen" Naruto said and that was when Riku emerged from the kitchen.
"What?! Why do you need ramen when you have dango?" he asked and at Ami's death glare, he laughed his previous statement off. "I mean that's good. Ramen is not as great as dango, but it's passable" he added with a shrug. Naruto smiled and took up his jacket.
"Thanks old man. I'll see you too later" he said and with that, they watched as he walked out the shop. Riku joined Ami's side and they stood in silence.
"We're not the only ones who care for him, Uncle Riku" she said and glanced at him. He placed his arms on her shoulders.
"I know" he said, and then looked at her. "When it comes to family, I tend to get selfish. I'm sorry" he said and she shook her head at him.
With his hands shoved deep in the front pockets of his hoodie, he walked down the streets of Konoha. With the hoodie over his head that was already covered with the bandana, he was almost invisible. As he approached the ramen stand, he watched as Teuchi laughed with some of his customers as he prepared their food. The entire aura was just like it was at Riku's dango store. "A miso, old man and make it quick" he said, sliding on one of the empty stools. He watched as Teuchi spun around, with a scowl on his usually jolly face.
"What do you think this is?!" he asked and when his eyes fell on Naruto's face, his anger dissipated in thin air. His face lit up before letting loose a loud peal of laughter. He reached over and gave him a brief hug. "It's been a long time, my boy" he said and patted his head. "Ayame, get out here! Naruto's here!" he shouted and at the mention of his name, the few civilians that were at the stand, glanced at him with disgust clearly written on their faces. Some even opted to leave when they realized it was him at the stand. Teuchi winced as they started to whisper and the word 'demon' reached their ears. He was so caught with his happiness of seeing Naruto that he didn't think about the consequences of announcing the boy's arrival. Naruto forced a reassuring smile at him but under the faint lights, it only came out broken. "I'm so sorry" Teuchi apologized but it couldn't stop the sickening feeling that crawled in his chest.
"Where is he?!" Ayame asked and when her eyes met Naruto's, she squealed in pure delight. "Naruto-kun!" She said and didn't even wait for Naruto to respond. She engulfed him in a hug.
"It's good to see you too" he said, causing her to pull away. She playfully punched his shoulder.
"Don't give me that! Where have you been?" she demanded. "Do you know how worried we were? "She chided and he rubbed his neck. "Well, I'm waiting" she said, folding her hands across her chest.
"I-I know but I'm here now" he said and he glanced at Teuchi was clearly amused by both his daughter as well as Naruto.
"Ayame, leave the boy alone. It's not like he abandoned the most delicious, scrumptious food for something like dango, right? Right Naruto?" he said and he watched as Naruto fidgeted on the stool.
"N-No!" Naruto said and Teuchi folded his arms across his chest just like Ayame had done a minute ago. "I was working" he added.
"See, Ayame. Naruto would never lie to us" Teuchi said though his eyes were on Naruto like a ninken was eying a steak.
"That's enough, Dad" Ayame said with a sigh at her father's antics. "We're just glad you're here now" she added and patted his hand in an affectionate way. One of the customers called her and she shot Naruto a smile. "Enjoy the ramen, Naruto" she said before moving to attend to the customer.
"Then I'll get you that miso you wanted!" Teuchi said and he tied an apron around his waist. "So, how have you been my boy?" he asked, washing his hands.
"Good. I'm going to school more" Naruto said and Teuchi nodded. "And I've stopped playing pranks" he added.
"Yes, I know. It's been a lot quieter around here now that the Hokage monument is no longer covered in paint" Teuchi said in a teasing tone. Naruto smiled.
"That was one of my finest works" Naruto joked and Teuchi laughed. "And I've stopped wearing orange" he added and Teuchi arched his eyebrow.
"I thought orange was your favorite color" Teuchi said and Naruto took off the hood from his head.
"It is, but let's face it, old man. It's not practical for a shinobi" Naruto said and for the first time, he realized just how much Naruto had matured.
"Naruto, since when were you practical?" Teuchi asked and Naruto laughed. "But I have to admit, you've changed, my boy" he added as he stirred the pot.
"You could say that I discovered what was important" Naruto said, and when Teuchi looked into his eyes, he was surprised at the determination that lurked in those azure orbs. "I decided to change so that people would start to take me seriously" he added and Teuchi smiled. Oh yes, Uzumaki Naruto had indeed changed.
"I'm pleased to hear that, my boy" Teuchi said before he threw a look at Naruto. "So, tell me everything that's happened in the last year" he said and he nearly chuckled as Naruto's beamed at him.
Author's notes: I know the chapter title is 'The few people who care' so some of you might be wondering why I didn't include Iruka. Well, it's because Naruto and Iruka's relationship hasn't developed to the one they have in canon as yet. In this fic, they're not that close as yet. I plan to make them be, so look out for that. I also deepened the relationship Naruto has with the Hokage. To all those action lovers out there, I'm working on the next chapter as it is and when it's finished, there will be action. Well, that's that.
Until next time,
Frostycookies.