Loyal minions I give to you chapter 5 wait no chapter 4 lol.
I'm sorry about this but my home life is going rather weirdly at the moment, quite messed up but getting better so I felt no inclination to write till last Monday where I rushed to finish this chapter, Friday night. So it might feel a little rushed and unedited for which I apologise.
Both cats are relatively important. They play a certain put in Naruto's life anyway.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some dvds and games.
Friends Chapter 4
Walking through the foliage of the ancient trees located almost solely in the land of fire was the hokage, his escorting ninjas and their young charge who was accompanying them all on this long journey. The patterns of leaves where the light fell across the canopy scattered green hues shaped like leaves and shadows across the party.
The group of five ninja where walking in blissful peace loosely surrounding the hokage. The hokage dressed in the ceremonial hokage robes that he usually wore along with the traditional hat was puffing serenely away on his pipe whilst holding the hand of his young charge. Naruto with his new hair style (sheared hair) was wearing a blue top and black trousers with brown boots and an orange scarf his eyes darting everywhere in curiosity. Naruto was full of excitement he'd never been outside of the city gates before and now here he was with his favourite person ever and the hokage his sort of grandfather.
One of the hooded Anbu that was chaperoning the hokage and Naruto moved closer to the walking pair as the hokage looked sternly down at Naruto still not happy that the child had his distinguishable blonde locks cut off leaving him with a considerable length of hair left on top with the sides cut a lot closer to his head almost like a faux hawk but not styled. The anbu nudged Naruto a little while inclining with his head towards the hokage. Naruto glanced up at the hooded anbu and spotted the familiar cat mask, nodding he took a brief breath and glanced at the hokage.
"Hokage sama what sort of trees are these?" Naruto said as the group accompanying the hokage walked down the forest path leading away from Kohona. "And are they like the ones in Kohona? How old are they? Do they reach all the way to the fire daimyo's palace?"
"Take a breath Naruto" the hokage chuckled "I've never seen you so full of excitement".
"I've never left the village before" Naruto stated.
"Oh of course" He took a puff from his pipe "what was your first question again oh these are trees created by the first hokage using his wood release technique and they lead quite close to the daimyo's palace and mainly found in Kohona. It would have been nearly 100 hundred years since he made them but I don't know how old they are".
"What's the palace like?"
"You'll see Naruto"
"You wanna tree jump Naruto" Cat asked seeing the smile light up Naruto's face he bent down allowing Naruto to climb on his back. Making sure he was safely on his back he leapt up into the trees keeping pace with the ninja that had remained on the path. 'I've got to remember to give Cat more time off he does wonders with Naruto' the Hokage thought before signalling the rest of the ninjas into the trees. 'Well it will make the journey take less time'.
(Line)
The town of Hi-no Machi was surrounded by a vast wall of white stone which eventually joined the Daimyo's palace walls. Aligning the road leading towards the palace where the bustling villagers were wandering between the street vendors. Crossing a bridge overlooking the river meandering through the town Naruto at last caught site of the palace.
The palace was majestic, made from the same white stone as the guarding walls of the town with dark green roof tiles; it was easily twice the length of the hokage tower with huge grounds an amazing garden with ponds and rivers flowing throughout the grounds with sakura trees blowing in the warm wind, with pink blossoms dancing around the group they proceeded through the gates of the palace.
(Line)
"Ah Hokage Sama a pleasure to see you again" the fire daimyo said as he greeted his guests into his palace. The daimyo was accompanied by two people who Naruto assumed were taking on the roles of the hokage's anbu. One with a bald head and black eyebrows wearing robes belonging to the fire temple monks, with a sash tied around his waist. The other had brown eyes and longish black hair and wore a simple long sleeved shirt with bandages on the arms, pants, the same sash as the other guard and a jacket with a fur collar. He reminded Naruto slightly of his dad then looking between the old man and the guard before him he realized there was a connection of some sort. Turning to cat he signed "cat who are they and what's that sash around their waist?"
"The sash around their waist shows that they are part of the twelve guardians who guard the daimyo." Cat replied.
"I am chiriku a ninja monk my friend here is Asuma Sarutobi from your village" the monk signed shocking Naruto.
Naruto looked to cat then inclined his head to the old man and Asuma.
"Yes the hokage's son Asuma, your dad's little brother" Cat signed. Naruto's mouth formed into an o shape before turning and rummaging through the bag his mother helped him pack. Finding what he wanted Naruto padded over to Asuma tugged on his pant leg to get attention when the young man did look down at him he proudly presented the gift to him. Taking the gift in shock Asuma enquired about the gift.
"Mum said that I was to give this to uncle 'Suma, she hopes you like it" Naruto then bowed to Asuma.
(Line)
The hokage and Naruto were walking through the palace grounds when they came across a group of children playing. They were dressed rather similarly; they each wore a style of grey robe with white trousers underneath if they were a boy or grey and white dress type robes if they were girls.
There was one child with shoulder length blueish hair, who wore a similar outfit to chiriku the ninja monk Naruto had met earlier. The children were playing with a ball trying to get the ball into one of two goals. Naruto watched as a child kicked the ball towards the goal closest to the guarding wall and missed by a wide berth causing the ball to ricochet after the wall and bounce towards where the boy wearing monk clothes was standing.
Naruto, who had stopped to watch the child looked back up at the hokage as he was pushed towards the playing children.
"Ask them if you can play with them. Go on. I've got to attend this meeting, but cat will be nearby, don't worry." The hokage said patting Naruto gently on the shoulder turning and walking in the direction they had just come from. Naruto turned his attention back to the children at play taking a deep breath and stepping out into the courtyard where the children were playing, Naruto slowly made his way over to the children until he was stood at the edge of their game. The children looked up from their game when they realised someone was standing on the edge of their game. Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head when all the children stared at him.
"Hey" he waved "can I join you in your game please?" he asked gingerly
"Who are you?" one of the girls asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki, from Konoha, the Hokage brought me with him" he smiled
"Have you ever played before?" an older child enquired
"No. The other kids don't tend to let me"
"Then what makes you think we'll let you, freak" he walked off with the other children following his example. Naruto's face fell he thought for once he'd be able to be normal have friends and play like all children do but even far from Konoha the jeers of his peers still continues.
Moving back away from the jeering kids Naruto moved towards the bushes and trees that were lining the edge of the garden he was in. Now hidden in the bushes he watched as a young girl approached the children, she was wearing an elegant purple dress with a pale green sash tied around her waist, her black hair was tied into an extricate bun on top of her head, her purple eyes hidden behind her bangs. She approached the same boy that had turned Naruto down; taking a deep breath she tapped him on the shoulder.
"Can I play with you guys? She asked boldly.
Turning around the elder child proclaimed "But you're a little princess and princesses don't play, go on run along to your lessons, princess." He sneered snobbishly, motioning for the other children to move on and continue elsewhere. The little princess turned on her heel and stormed away into the building. Naruto had watched the whole thing intently and decided that he was better off following 'the little princess' he moved away from his hiding place and moved quickly back into the palace. He moved down the hallway in the direction the girl had run.
Finally Naruto came across a room where the little girl was. She was in a sort of play room. Naruto had seen the one his parents had started to prepare for Konohamaru and him to use. This room however was finished and full to bursting with things for her to play with. There were games piled up neatly in the corner, bookcases lining the walls, paint pots, crayons and clay in one corner and in the centre of the room was the young girl Naruto was looking for. She had a big pink pony cuddly toy that was squeezed tightly in her arms.
"Are you okay?" Naruto tentatively asked. Shocked; the little girl spun around toy still clutched tightly in her hands.
"Who are you? Want do you want?" she snivelled in anger
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki and I wanted to see if you were okay?" he hesitantly replied.
"What are you talking about?"
"Little Princess?" he questioned. The girls face turned stony as she jumped up an expression of anger on her face, dropped the toy and exclaimed
"I'M NOT A LITTLE PRINCESS! I'm Kimiko Shijimi the fire lord's daughter"
"Sorry. Would you like to play together?"
"Why would I want to play with you? Go find some other commoner to play with."
Sighing Naruto shook his head "Little princess is used to make you feel isolated and alone. The children call you that because they are intimidated by your power and status. They don't like the fact that you're a girl who will one day rule the country, but girls can be incredible people, you just have to be willing to push past it" Naruto said as he turned and left the room.
(Line)
The hokage was seated at one end of the table while the daimyo was seated at the other with the respected personnel surrounding the edge of the room. The hokage started to stuff his pipe while he waited for the daimyo to start the meeting, lighting his pipe his eyes wandered over to the fire guardians stationed behind the daimyo. He noticed Asuma, he really needed to sort things out with him. 'As soon as this meeting is over' the hokage decided.
(Line)
The Third approached Asuma just as he was entering the guardian quarters.
"Asuma?" the Hokage called hoping that his son would grace him with his presence. Sighing and placing a cigarette between his lips Asuma turned to face his father.
"Why did you bring Naruto with you, old man?" Asuma replied absently, lighting his cigarette with his silver Zippo lighter.
"Ichirou and Sayuri took him in and I thought it would be better if he were with me for a while so they don't have to worry about him while they care for their baby."
"Worry about him? Why would they worry about him? Why'd they have him anyway?" he turned his head away and exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Naruto hasn't had a very nice life Asuma san. Naruto was placed in an orphanage and that wasn't a very pleasant experience for him, they kept him until he was three, then chucked him out, he was living on the streets with occasional visits to me before Lady Sarutobi found and took him under her wing. He's still careful about what he calls us, Sayuri tries very hard to give Naruto a normal life and to allow him to call us by family terms hence why your uncle 'Suma."
"So he's a Sarutobi now?"
"No he's still Uzumaki but he's welcomed into our family circle, you know it took me weeks to get Naruto to talk to me and yet he spoke to you practically straight away." 'Why didn't he talk to me straight away' the hokage thought sadly.
(Line)
As the two important figureheads continued their discussion, the door situated behind the hokage opened and closed allowing enough space for a small figure to walk into the room and unnoticed by all in the room make their way silently over to where the two figures were seated, gazing up briefly at the figure closest the small figure clambered up the chair and into the hokage's lap where he proceeded to in a very cat like manner curl up and steadily fall asleep. The hokage in surprise looked down at his lap to see a napping Naruto sprawled on his side whilst still curled head facing up much like Nami tends to do when dreaming. A small smile appears on the Hokage's face as he lovingly runs his hand across Naruto's non-existent hair.
(Line)
Asuma and Chiriku had wondered into the palace gardens where the children were playing looking around they noticed that both the daimyo's daughter and Naruto were not playing with the other children, scanning the garden they couldn't find neither hide nor hair of the two children, moving through the garden the two guardians scanned the area hoping to find a glimpse of the two errant children. It wasn't until Asuma was stood under one of the trees that lined the edge of the grounds that he spotted a foot dangling a few inches above his head, following the sandaled foot upwards he found a set of orange shorts which led into a black t-shirt which led to the blonde haired Naruto. Naruto sat on the branch with one foot dangling down while the other propped up his sketch book leaning back against the trunk of the tree.
"She's not out here." Naruto said as he continued his sketch while directing his question at Chiriku who had just moved up next to Asuma.
"Well where is she then?" Asuma asked. Naruto pointed back towards the house with his free hand while continuing to draw in his sketch book.
"May I ask why both of you aren't playing with the other children?" Chiriku enquired. Naruto moved so that his sketch pad couldn't be seen by Asuma's prowling eyes.
"It's harder when you're a child of someone powerful or wealthy; people tend to have an opinion of you. And people like me tend to have a harder time in general" he said as he closed his sketch book and flipped out of the tree landing perfectly in a crouched position.
"So what are you two doing?" Naruto nosily signed.
"We were just on our way to train perhaps you'd like to join us?" Chiriku inquired
"Can I? Really?" Naruto sounded so unsure that it threw both guardians for a loop.
"Of course" Chiriku replied
"Sure why not just don't hurt yourself okay?" Asuma stated as he lit up a cigarette, causing Naruto's nose to wrinkle when the smell hit his sensitive nose.
"It's gotta be a Sarutobi thing, that smoking business" Naruto concluded "Grandpa's got a pipe dad's got cigars and Asuma has cigarettes." Naruto muttered whilst Chiriku chuckled and Asuma grumbled.
Finally the trio came across a nice open space where they could begin training. Naruto settled down on the edge of the area with sketch book in hand and the two guardians began their practice, first by stretching and relaxing their muscles before moving into the stances and commencing battle.
Naruto's attention flickered between the two fighting guardians and his sketch book it was interesting watching them train and even more interesting when he noticed Chiriku's stances. They weren't like anything he'd remembered seeing before in the books of Konoha, he assumed they were the fighting styles of the monks as that's what Chiriku said he was, the style seemed to rely on aggression, seemingly linear movements and explosive power. 'So Chiriku uses coordinated movement to generate bursts of power intended to overwhelm the opponent, simultaneously attacking and defending. Interesting. While Uncle Asuma uses trench knives and his stance from Konoha, Uncle 'Suma uses his trench knives for extra reach and is that blue?' Naruto thought. He studied Asuma's knives a bit more; he could just faintly see the blue outline added to them. 'How's that happening? It's chakra I'm sure. I wonder how he's doing that.' Naruto wondered.
Chiriku noticed Naruto had stopped sketching and was staring intently at Asuma's knives, he moved to end the session by putting distance between them and bowing. Walking over to Naruto the two men sat either side of the boy. With his attention twisting between the two, Naruto didn't know who to ask first. Asuma lit up another cigarette as he slouched with his hands behind him supporting his body, casting an eye over to the young blonde he noticed the fixation on his chakra knives. Breathing out a puff of smoke he moved one onto his hand and showed it to Naruto, whose inquisitive nature showed in his face.
"This is my chakra enhanced trench knife. They are made from a chakra-enhancing metal. When infused with wind-natured chakra through "Chakra Flow", it can easily pierce through stone. The thing is people can often misjudge the distance they need to avoid them as the added chakra lengthens the blade causing them to be cut even though it appears they've dodged the attack." He explained demonstrating what he meant by pushing chakra through the knife.
Naruto's eyes widened in awe while viewing the knife and listening to the explanation and nodded to show he understood turning his wide eyes towards Chiriku waiting for him to explain what he was doing.
"The style I used appears to rely on aggression, seemingly linear movements and explosive power. Using coordinated movements to generate bursts of power intended to overwhelm the opponent, simultaneously attacking and defending. It is one of the styles of the ninja monks, although I don't like this style very much I still need to practice. I prefer the style that relies on dodging and countering your opponents attacks. Would you like to learn some of this second style?"
Nodding eagerly Naruto jumped up and began to go through a few minor stretching exercises when fully stretched he stood intently in front of Chiriku awaiting instruction.
Asuma, still sat on the side chuckled as Naruto was shown through the beginning stances of the ninja monks traditional taijutsu when he noticed Naruto's sketch pad. Slyly he moved so that he was able to see the sketch pad better and just as he was reaching out to turn the page Naruto landed on the sketch pad effectively closing the book and stopping Asuma from seeing the contents. Naruto finally moved away from his sketch pad after staring down Asuma making sure he wasn't going to look again before continuing through the stances with chiriku.
(Line)
It was almost dark when Naruto managed to fall asleep on his feet, Chiriku called Asuma over and smiled at the young blonde Asuma picked Naruto up in his arms cradling him shifting him into a comfortable position and making sure Chiriku had gathered the boy's sketch pad they made their way back into the building.
"I've never seen someone learn so fast Asuma it's incredible. The way he easily understood what I was explaining. No four year old should understand the concept of chakra manipulation yet."
"He's a special kid, he's had a rough life so far from what I've been told and it's rare for him to open up like that. He's always reading or sketching as we saw. Besides Kakashi Hatake graduated from the academy at age five so it is entirely possible that he's read the theory behind things and it then makes sense when that theory is then performed. Perhaps he's like a typical Konoha genius; we get one once a generation. He's going to be an interesting addition to my family that's for certain. Best get him back to dad now though he completely tired himself out with that training."
"Indeed" Chiriku summarised.
(Line)
"Uncle 'Suma why'd you become a guardian?" Naruto asked as he, Asuma and Chiriku made their way into the daimyo's grounds. They'd been practicing and showing Naruto the basic steps that the monks at the ninja temple would go through.
"Because I wanted to help the daimyo rather than serving the king" Asuma sighed.
"The king?" Naruto questioned the two men in front of him quirking his head to the side.
"He's talking about shogi pieces it's one of the last conversations that Asuma had with his father" Chiriku stated
"In shogi the most important piece is the king and you can't have two kings."
"But surely the king isn't either the daimyo or the hokage, isn't it the children who will grow up to bear Konoha upon their shoulders." Naruto said as he stepped into the guardian quarters ahead of the two guardians. Who looked to each other in wonderment at the wisdom of such a small child.
(Line)
Jumping on Naruto's bed Asuma woke the sleeping boy by throwing the sleepy blonde high into the air. Of course Asuma hadn't expected Naruto to cling to the ceiling like a spooked cat, eyes wide and skin pale taking heaving breaths, running his hand along the back of his head Asuma sheepishly apologised while calmly talking Naruto down.
Finally calming Naruto down and coaxing him into a clean set of clothing Asuma explained why he had come unannounced into the blonde's room. "It has come to my attention that you Naruto cannot swim, therefore as your uncle it is my duty to teach you to swim. Cat here will also accompany us." Asuma said as he helped Naruto get dressed.
"But cats can't swim." Naruto replied pulling his t-shirt over his head. Both adults turned to each other and laughed, Cat turned to Naruto.
"Naruto cats don't like water, but they can swim." Cat assured while running his hand across Naruto's hair.
"Why's it so important that I learn to swim anyway, don't ninja just walk on water?" Naruto replied pulling on his last sandal and jumping off the railings and running after the two walking adults.
Cat looked at Asuma before turning round and facing Naruto who had finally caught up to the two walking adults.
"Ninja can walk on water yes but if your client falls in the water hurt or can't swim then it's your job to dive in and get them, understand?" Cat said looking down at the little blonde holding his hand. Nodding his head Naruto enquired where they were headed to.
Arriving at a bridge crossing a river Asuma moved towards the left hand river bank while cat jumped up on the railings before jumping up into a tree on the right hand river bank.
"Naruto follow me please, right firstly Cat's not going into the water he's just keeping an eye out.
"He's my bodyguard" Naruto stated.
"Something like that yeah". Asuma said running his hand along the back of his head. "Anyway there's three sorts of styles to swimming".
"Right" Naruto nodded.
"Okay so there's the breaststroke." Asuma sees Naruto's blank look and turned to cat.
Naruto looked at cat sat up in the tree that stood on the opposite river bank.
"Like a frog".
"Oh, froggies. Froggies swim like this" Naruto moved his arms in front of his chest with the back of his hands touching palms facing outwards then pushed his arms forward and then cupping his hands and pulling them back. Asuma quirked an eyebrow in question.
"He pretends to be a frog in the bath tub now."
"Now?"
"He didn't like water much" Cat replied turning back to the blonde Asuma moved on to the next explanation.
"Okay then the front crawl." Waiting to see if Naruto was going to show him what a front crawl was, when nothing was forth coming he continued "okay then so a front crawl is where the arm is making a spearing motion arching into the water, then pulling back out of the water preferably with the elbow exiting first," he demonstrated what he described, then went on to describe how he should be kicking while moving his arms. After making sure Naruto understood by demonstrating what had just been explained he moved onto the final way of swimming.
"Okay the final style is the back stroke, this involves lying on your back in the water, then moving first one arm in a backwards windmill motion followed by the other, you must kick using your full leg, does that make sense" he said turning to cat still sat in the tree.
Shrugging Cat stated "you've got to get him in the water yet though".
Taking his fur lined jacket off followed by his shirt and sandals Asuma moved towards the river before changing his mind and heading towards the bridge, jumping up on to the railings, he glanced at Naruto before diving into the water. Rising to the surface of the river Asuma ran his hands up over his head and looked up at Naruto who had taken both his shirt and sandals off and was crouched on the railings looking down at Asuma.
"Are you coming in?"
Asuma waved out across the water, Naruto shook his head from side to side.
"You sure? It'll be fun, besides I need to know that you can perform those strokes"
Naruto still shook his head, Asuma splashed the water enticing the boy in, thankfully the river didn't have a very strong current but if he didn't know what he was doing Naruto could possibly drift away. Naruto shook his head, stood up, stretched and was promptly splashed by Asuma shaking the excess water from his body. Naruto looked down at Asuma to see him smirking up at him. "We won't let anything happen to you if that's what you're worried about". Naruto nodded then moving in the exact way Asuma had, dived into the water and splashed Asuma with his entrance into the water.
Naruto erupted from the water and proceeded to perform the backstroke, before turning and performing the breast stroke diving back under the water. Then he began swimming like a frog under the water. Then popping up in front of Asuma he spat the water in his mouth out soaking the elder of the pair. The shock on Asuma's face quickly changed to exuberance followed by a splash to Naruto's face, which quickly turned into a splash war.
Cat sat up in the tree shook his head in amusement, Asuma was really bringing Naruto out of his shell, it was nice seeing the bundle of energy that he was. He continued to watch the two frolicking in the water.
(Line)
Giggling with glee a yellow blur ran across the bank side followed by a rather wet looking Asuma Sarutobi. Naruto was quite the slippery one, he was small and easily got out of the guardians hold. They'd run across both banks several times now. Asuma dived for Naruto and on making contact wrapped his arms around the boy rolling over and splashing into the river were they'd been swimming earlier, coming up for air the pair were laughing enjoying each other's company. Asuma ran his hands up over his head through his hair causing it to stick up.
"You look better with your hair like that" Naruto pointed at Asuma, whose hair was spiked up in the typical Sarutobi style.
Naruto splashed Asuma one last time before exiting the river and pulling himself up onto the bank side, where he shook himself dry like a cat and was helped to get dressed by Cat who had finally come down from the tree. Asuma soon joined them on the riverbank and taking a leaf out of Naruto's book shook himself dry causing Naruto to get wet.
Looking out at the setting sun Cat decided that it would be better if he carried Naruto, he was getting sluggish in his movements. Hoisting him into his arms Cat set off with Asuma keeping pace back to the palace.
"Why'd you decide to hang out with Naruto?" he enquired a bit further down the road when he felt Naruto snoozing in his arms.
"Hmm?" Asuma looked up at the sky placing his hands in his pockets "Dad told me about why he brought him along. I was there the night he was born I remember it, I wanted to make sure I separated him from it, when I saw the way the kids treated him and how he resigned himself to being alone, well it's not how I'd imagine him to act".
"So you took pity on him?" Cat accused.
"No. I figured he could use an uncle". He said pulling out the present Naruto had given him when they first met. Looking over his shoulder Cat could see the photograph he had taken of the Sarutobi's when Naruto was holding Konohamaru a few days after he had been born.
"He really likes you, you know. You're one of the only people he's ever opened up to so quickly". Cat replied smiling. "He's put a lot of trust in you. Don't break it". He warned.
"I don't plan on it". He said running his hand lovingly across the photograph.
(Line)
Naruto was once again in the company of the Hokage and the Fire Daimyo as they were concluding their final meeting. He was finishing one of his many sketches, when his head suddenly shot up; wide eyed he scanned the area, his ears listening intently. There was a small metallic sound almost like something was about to be released. Looking up he noticed for the first time that the room was empty of guardians. Not one was in the room and the old man hadn't seemed to of noticed the noise. In one swift movement he was on his feet and was standing on the table that separated the two leaders. Closing his eyes he concentrated like he had been shown, there. The metallic thing had been released and was heading towards...
Snapping his eyes open he launched himself at the Fire Daimyo turning his body in mid air he managed to swipe the object from its planned trajectory landing precariously in front of the Fire Daimyo, Naruto pulled his hand back revealing the Kunai that had been aimed at the Daimyo.
Bursting through the doors the fire guardians saw that Naruto had a Kunai held pointing towards the Daimyo, raising his hand to stop them from advancing any further.
"That was an incredible catch; you've truly inherited a lot of talent".
"Naruto how did you know that was going to happen?" Asuma questioned walking over to the little blonde boy still stood on the table.
"I heard the sound of scraping metal" Naruto stuttered "but I didn't know where it was heading I had to wait to find out" he stated holding out the kunai to Asuma. Chiriku noted where he believed the angle of the kunai was thrown from and caught the guardians' attention leaving the room with six other guardians while the other four took up positions around the room.
"Well come on Naruto let's get you away from this hectic situation and get this meeting underway hmm" Asuma enquired scooping Naruto into his arms and moving towards the door stooping down to pick up the sketch pad as he passed. "Don't worry dad I'll look after him". He announced as he passed the Hokage who had risen from his seat the moment Naruto had jumped onto the table.
(Line)
"See, if the Land of Fire had only one King this situation wouldn't of happened" A dark haired guardian snarled.
"Kazuma, this situation happened because we were too lax in our protection if it hadn't of been for Naruto we'd have dead a Daimyo on our hands" Chiriku stated.
"That was a courageous thing to do, you know. But not just anybody can protect the Fire Daimyo" Kazuma accused directing his scorn at the blonde haired hero.
"Well maybe we should make him an honorary guardian then" a Mohawk wearing guardian stated
"Really?" Naruto's shy voice asked from the doorway.
"Well you did act and do as a guardian would so why not?" Tou the only female guardian stated "why don't you do the honours Kazuma" Tou goaded.
"Fine fine. Naruto..."
"Uzumaki" Asuma Stated
"Naruto Uzumaki, I would formally like to appoint you an honorary fire guardian." Kazuma gritted out. Bowing respectfully in thanks Naruto then left the room to find Cat.
(Line)
Being in a procession of people was unnerving to Naruto he'd never been around so many people before, even walking the streets of Konoha was easier than walking with this group of people. The procession consisted of retainers, teachers, council members, guardians and all because of one little girl. Kimiko Shijimi the fire lord's daughter was accompanying her father the fire daimyo as they walked together towards the town. Well not exactly together the fire daimyo was at the head of the procession with his advisors while Kimiko was further back surrounded by her teachers each pointing things out and calling to her trying to gain her attention. She sullenly stared after her father obviously seeking his attention.
Naruto and Cat watched this from the back of the procession.
Crossing the bridge the procession had to either filter out into smaller lines or try to all cross at the same time. Of course the fire daimyo's procession was full of people trying to grab his attention or get into his good graces by teaching his daughter and heir. It was just after the sudden surge of attendants that Kimiko slipped through the railings of the bridge and with a splash landed in the water. It wasn't until the procession had passed the bridge that Naruto noticed that Kimiko was no longer with them turning quickly he noticed the ripples on the river before she emerged spluttering for breath and thrashing around in the water in her panic.
"NARUTO!" Cat shouted reaching his hand out as Naruto shot past him, performing a perfect dive into the water, Naruto proceeded to swim out to where the princess had fallen in.
"Stop thrashing" Naruto commanded, which instantly shocked the princess into stillness allowing Naruto to manoeuvre himself around her and slung his arm around her chest and proceeded to swim back to shore, where he allowed Cat to lift the honourable princess onto the bank, before pulling himself up.
Naruto shook himself dry. Water droplets flying everywhere. Turning to Cat he saw that Kimiko was still sopping wet.
"Oh Honourable Princess, what a silly thing to do, throwing yourself into the river like that". A member of the procession cooed.
"Yes now you're all wet. How on earth will you ever get dry now?" Someone else agreed.
"That was a silly thing to do dear" the fire daimyo said turning to Naruto "Good thing this young man was here," before walking off at the head of the procession.
"My Lord" Naruto called "she didn't throw herself in, she was pushed. When your procession surged forwards across the bridge she was unprepared and was thrown through the railings into the water. If you didn't rely so heavily on your retainers they wouldn't constantly search for your attention and Kimiko wouldn't have to vie for your attention".
"Blasphemy!" one retainer shouted
"What would you expect from a demon!" came muttered from somewhere in the crowd.
The Fire daimyo was surprised at this outburst. "I'm afraid I don't like your tone young man. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." He asked "And you seemed like such a nice boy too" he added.
Scrunching her face up in anger Kimiko stated "I would like to stay with Naruto. I will see you at dinner father".
"Oh" the fire Daimyo was shocked at his daughter's sudden outburst. "Very well then Darling" he said before continuing on with his procession towards the town.
"Thanks Naruto" Kimiko shyly replied "and you too, Cat is it?" Nodding his head Cat began leading the way back towards the palace.
(Line)
Heading back to the palace Kimiko looked at the ground "You know you're the only person to recognise me by my name".
"I know what it's like to labelled. Besides Konohamaru Sarutobi is always referred to as Honourable grandson and he's only a couple of months old".
Walking a bit further on Kimiko again looked at the ground before speaking. "Why did you save me?" Kimiko burst out "I mean I wasn't very nice to you each time you came to ask if you could play with me". She stared at Naruto causing her to trip over her wet robes.
"Because I think you'll make a great ruler one day, but I know you'll make a great friend". He said holding out his hand for her. She looked at the hand before taking it and smiling. "Besides, everyone deserves a second chance".
(Line)
Knocking on the door Naruto announced his presence to Kimiko who was reading a book. Looking up from the book she smiled.
"You were right you know. This book is really good. My nanny's read it to me loads of times since you said about it".
"It's my favourite". Naruto replied smiling "You wanna play outside?" he asked.
"But what about the other kids"
"Who cares about them if they won't let us play with them? We've played inside for days now I don't think there's much more we can do in here and we'll have to face them eventually. We'll play together and have fun and if they want to join in then we shall them, rising above their taunts".
Closing the book she delicately placed it on the table turning she grinned taking Naruto's hand. They ran out the door to the garden where the other children would often play. They walked past the children playing a game with a ball, moving to an open area just far enough away from the other children. Naruto hunkered down on his haunches and started marking out a court of ten boxes. Looking up he smiled. "Hopscotch". Nodding her head Kimiko started looking round for something to use as a marker. Returning with a stone she noticed that Naruto drawn a 1-2-1-2-1-2-1shaped court.
Throwing the stone Kimiko landed on the square with three inside picking the stone up she gave it to Naruto who then threw it causing it to land on the number four square picking it up he returned to the beginning and aimed at the one square. The stone landed perfectly in the square allowing Naruto to proceed through the game.
(Line)
After completing the game Naruto won 6-4, Kimiko decided that they should play hide and go seek. They were suddenly joined by the child with shoulder length blueish hair.
"I'm Sora, I was wondering if I could play with you guys. I'm getting a little bored of the ball game".
Looking at each other they smiled. "Okay. I'm Kimiko and this is my friend Naruto" Kimiko answered while pointing to both herself then Naruto. "I'll start counting to 10 while you two hide first one found is it next round".
"Hai" they both chorused before disappearing around the garden. Sora was hiding behind a bush near the other children, while Naruto had snuck underneath the steps leading into the palace. Reaching 10 Kimiko turned round and scanned the area. Not noticing either of the boys Kimiko started searching in the bushes and trees at the edge of the garden area before moving towards the centre of the garden.
Looking round she spotted the robe that Sora was wearing poking out from behind a bush by the other children. Running over to the bush she jumped behind it pointing and calling.
"FOUND YOU!"
Sora blinked in surprise then smirking stood up from his hiding place. Together they continued looking for Naruto.
"He's under the steps over there," a pair of twin girls pointed to the steps leading into the palace. Running over to the steps they dropped to the floor looking under and saw Naruto smiling back at them.
"Can we play too?" the girls asked. Giving her consent Kimiko started the next round with Sora seeking this time. He found the twins first then Kimiko but was struggling to find Naruto.
"Cat" Kimiko called "is Naruto on the roof?"
"No but why don't you try looking closer to the ground" he uttered from his perch on the roof.
"Okay Naruto we give up. Come out". Naruto dropped down from a tree next to the wall.
"Can we join in too? The ball's gone missing" the remaining children asked.
"Okay" Kimiko smiled
"I'll be IT" Naruto volunteered. Turning so the children could start hiding he began counting to ten. "You know you didn't have to steal their ball".
"I don't know what you're talking about" cat allured chuckling he moved away chucking a ball up into the air.
"READY OR NOT HERE I COME!" Naruto shouted running into the bushes searching for the other children.
(Line)
Sayuri was reading a battered green book often found in a certain blonde haired boy's hands, absentmindedly stroking her blonde cat while Konohamaru was asleep, for once. Since Ichirou was away on a mission Konohamaru had been restless lately, thankfully Naruto and the old man had just returned from their trip to the fire daimyo, as evidenced by the sleeping boy on the sofa wrapped up in the blanket the hokage had draped across the back of the sofa.
"So when is Ichirou due back?" The hokage asked lighting his pipe.
"Well he shouldn't have been sent out anyway we both know that, but he's as stubborn as you are." She smirked "When he found out that he wasn't on that mission, well you can imagine." She stood up closing the book and clasped it to her chest and walked over to the window overlooking Kohona "He should have been back by now". She answered leaning against the Hokage who had come to lend her his support.
(Line)
Nami, lady Sarutobi's cat suddenly woke up from its curled position on the sofa, its head snapping to look out the window at full attention now, like it had sensed something had happened. This was followed by Konohamaru waking from his slumber and screaming out great wailing cries. Naruto who had also been asleep had woken to stare out the same window that Nami was. Picking up Konohamaru from where he was lying his wailing continued even as the pounding rain that had started as soon as Nami had stared out the window continued to fall.
"No" she gasped, holding Konohamaru closely to her chest.
(Line)
The Ninja were lined in their funeral clothes. The rain that had been plaguing the village of late was still falling, almost like the heavens themselves were crying. The only sound amongst the mourners was that of the wailing baby held tight in his mother's arms, the rain mixing in with her tears. To her side was the third hokage, pipe noticeably absent, tears freely falling down his face mourning the loss of yet another shinobi taken before their time. Naruto dressed in black stood back from the grieving figures, watching as the shinobi paid their respects before disappearing into the dreary sky.
Turning he saw Asuma Sarutobi move up to stand next Sayuri the grieving wife and mother, Konohamaru still crying in her arms. Asuma touched her shoulder turning her to him. He was dressed in the typical black Konoha ninja uniform complete with flak jacket, regular black shinobi sandals and a black forehead protector, and sash tied around his waist. His hair was now styled into the Sarutobi style, short black spiky hair, with the makings of a beard beginning to grow; he looked like a much younger Ichirou. Seeing this Sayuri burst into tears and buried her face into his jacket, with Asuma enveloping her into his arms.
"You should join them you know. He was yours too. You have a right to mourn as well". Cat said in a whisper
"But he wasn't really mine." Naruto mumbled the rain dripping down his face.
"Naruto, right now your mum's going to need you; yes she's got Asuma and the Third to help her although she's hurting but you're her family too, don't forget that". Cat voiced before moving back into the shadows leaving the Sarutobi's and Naruto alone at the grave of Ichirou Sarutobi.
Naruto, dressed in black top and trousers made his way towards his pseudo grandfather, took his hand and placed a white rose on the grave marker whispering "you were one heck of a dad" running his fingertips along the inscribed name. He looked up at the third who smiled gently down at him tears still leaking from his eyes. Sayuri gave an agonizing sob when she heard Naruto's words.
Naruto turned to his mother figure when she continued to sob. Not knowing what to do he let go of the third's hand and hugged her legs tightly.
"Mummy please don't cry, I know you're hurting, we are too, but you still have Konohamaru and Grandpa and Nami, Uncle Asuma and me, if you still want me that is." Naruto exclaimed
"Oh Naruto of course I still want you." She said wiping away her tears and putting on a smile for him. "You're my son no matter what. I will always love you". She hugged Naruto tightly "Thank you" she whispered the last part, so only Naruto could hear.
"For what?" he whispered held tightly in her embrace.
"For reminding what I still have". She kissed Naruto on the cheek.
The rain had stopped sometime ago leaving only the orange of the sky as the sun set. Sayuri with a quiet Konohamaru in her arms, Naruto holding onto her unoccupied hand and her very prominent family members either side of her, together they watched the sun set.
I almost cried at moments in this. I was hoping for some tears during the last part of this chapter but I couldn't seem to carry through with the sad moments. Thank you very much to TwilightDarknessReborn's Omega, The End. It really helped me with writing this last part.
7795 words and 17 pages. I may have got the timings slightly mixed up but I remember Sora the monk kid has a memory of his dad's sash and my earliest memory is when I'm three so I figure why not have the guardian coup happen when they're four. Hi no maki I think means fire town well according to google translator anyway.
Just wondering if I should get a beta? Do you think so? If so, got any suggestions/offers lol.
Please review and let me know what you think.
Thank you very much