Chapter 6

My life has basically gotten back on track after a couple of weeks I've been here. I work in the Academy during the day, mostly to organize files, equipments and watch the kids during recess. After I get off work, or when the kids have a half day, I usually help out around the shelter. Anko is seldom home for more than a few days. She's constantly on missions. Some missions she finishes within a day, and some takes a few more.

It was during my attempt to get my life back on track when I received a letter-from Jiraiya.

Actually was delivered by a toad. The toad was waiting for me when I got back to the shelters, and it puked out a scroll. I cringed away in disgust, which made him to glare, "Rude girl!"

"I'm sorry." I said, quickly wiping the scroll of its saliva contents, and then opened it. It's written by Konan, actually, with her neat little handwriting and a paper lotus origami that jumped out from the letter itself and combusted into a beautiful tiny firework.

Chiro-chan:

We are all very worried about you. Did you get to Konoha yet? Please reply back. I am good, Nagato and Yahiko are good too, and as you said, Jiraiya-sensei has been taking care of us. We miss you very much, we live in a house now. Will you come and visit? How are you?

Konan

"Well?" The frog glared at me some more, "Are you going to write a reply?"

"Oh, of course." I quickly said, grabbing some scroll paper and a calligraphy pen. I wrote a few sentences reassuring them my life over here has been good, and I will visit when I can, but now I can't walk away. I wish them the best of luck, and told them to be good. Also told Konan to avoid being alone with Jiraiya if she can help it. I then rolled the scroll and handed it to the frog, "Thank you very much."

He didn't spare me a second glance as he jumped away, while also taking Anko's green bean dangos.

I glanced at the clock, it's almost nine, and I'm late for work. I quickly put on a new cardigan I purchased just recently, and grabbed my backpack (also new) and ran for the door. After making sure it's locked, I sprinted down the streets and directly to Konoha Academy.

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"Here is grade scrolls you need to make copies of." Kurenai handed me a stack full of documents, "You know the drill, print each student's name in their respective scrolls and roll them up and seal them with candle wax and imprint it with our seal. It's report card day today."

Kuenai has yet to be a jounin at this time. She's planning on taking the test this year, and as a rule, people who take the jounin tests cannot travel out of the village three month prior, so she is currently taking on a few classes at the Academy. She and I get along quite well, as I once asked her politely once if she can get inside my head and see if she can see anything prior to six month ago. She did so, under much caution, and brought me the news that she sees blanks the six month. The earliest memory she can sense is the day I fell into Ame. She can't even see how exactly I got into the village. She asked me solemnly if I had been brainwashed, I laughed and said maybe, but if I ever remember what happened, I'd let her know immediately.

Well, not long after that Kurenai started approaching me and we became fast friends. Since Kurenai herself has stamped her "Seal of Approval" on me, everybody else starts to treat me with less caution and contempt, which caused Anko to proudly say, "I never misjudge anyone. I told you so."

I agree for agreeability's sake.

The Konoha Academy pays me once every two weeks. I found the more I stay in the village I realize there's so much more about this place in which I did not realize that existed. Shinobis are a part of their system like everybody else that makes up for a big society. The security system is naturally under the shinobi's jurisdiction, and it just so happens they run under a more of a militia government rather than a democratic one. But in this chaos of a world, it's better if it's run by the strongest with the best physical ability.

I caught glimpse of all the main characters when I was supervising during recess. Of course the distinction between them is so very apparent even at this age. Sasuke is constantly surrounded by girls, and Naruto is naturally left alone. I sometime try to talk to Naruto, but he would much rather do something foolish to make everyone laugh. Sometimes those stunts got him various scrapes and bruises, and I had to be the one who take care of it.

As the days went on, I am in charge of waiting with students for their parents to pick them up. Naruto usually waited with me within the class room, and until everybody had left, I suggest, "How about we go have dinner and then I'll take you home?"

It's even easier since he and I live in the same place but different rooms. The shelters.

And that became part of a daily routine. Sometimes I suggest we go buy something, and then cook for dinner, and Naruto usually has no objections. Now that I reflect back on my days in Konoha, I rarely see Naruto sitting in a swing alone with background music looming and the camera lenses moves slowly from the bottom and then up to his face, displaying his sorrowful emotion. It's true that he's sad, but he's not in a deep depression, and he has a will that is stronger than anybody out there. Besides, sometimes Iruka takes him out to do something fun too. Like eating ramen, or going to the park.

It's always fun to spend time with kids. I have always realized in the back of my mind that I enjoy the company of children rather than adults. Only children have the purest form of thinking and habits that the adults have already corrupted, and in this shinobi village where children grow up so fast, I try to let them enjoy as much of their childhood as possible. It's almost sad, though, that some parents have a very narrow mind and ways of thinking that shuts down the children's creativity. Not pointing any names here, but, ahem, Uchihas, ahem.

Speaking of them, I often see Mikoto-chan picking Sasuke up from school.

She is a woman of subtle beauty, and her appearance becomes more and more overwhelming the longer one interacts with her. She emits a natural maternal instinct that just melts my heart away. She's the definition of serenity and calmness, with her gentle eyes looking adoringly at Sasuke. I can tell she is proud of her elder son, but she holds a soft spot for Sasuke in her heart. She has great compassion and understanding for those around her, and as I later found out, this included me too.

She would say hi to me a couple times at first, and I say hi back. And as the days went on, she began to engage in small talk which I reply with as much politeness as possible. Sometimes she would even bring some treats after hearing that I don't have much of a knack for making traditional Japanese deserts. After about a month she would ask me about Sasuke's schooling and his education.

"I'm worried about him." Mikoto sighed, her eyes filled with worry.

"Me too." I sighed unconsciously.

She suddenly stared at me with interest, "What did you say?"

I quickly denied, "No, I didn't-"

"No, it's not that. Please, I would like to hear your opinion, you spend so much time with these kids, it's natural you have a better understanding of them than I do. Besides, Sasuke talks about you at home too."

"I do not." Sasuke who is already dressed in his jacket and packed up his school bag, "Okaa-chan, can we please hurry home now? You've been talking for almost three minutes."

"Oh Sasuke-kun." Mikoto waved her hand at him, "Go play with your fellow girlfriends for a while, Chiro-chan obviously has some insight."

Sasuke grumbled something, and moved his little body further into the classroom and sat down, where a group of girls who had yet to leave with their parents immediately crowded him.

"Now, where were we?" Mikoto looked at me.

I gulped, and then organized my thoughts together, "Well, Mikoto-chan, I think... Sasuke is very... relentless. He has a great desire to prove himself, yet he doesn't know how to channel that energy out in a way that his father understands. He works so hard, and it just... it's..."

"It's painful to watch, isn't it?" Mikoto sighed, her eyes filled with worry, "I wish he would... I wish he would just enjoy his childhood and be happier."

"I'm sure he'll be alright." I said while looking the other way, because after all, I knew he wouldn't be alright. But ultimately, I doubt Kishimoto would kill off this character, as he has already invested so much in Uchiha Sasuke; and even if he does, obviously Sasuke is going to be resurrected through some sort of jutsu, because it became a running gag in the Naruto-fanbase community that none of the deceased characters actually stays dead.

"I hope so." Mikoto smiled, "His brother is returning from an ANBU mission tomorrow. Sasuke is very excited about that."

My heart skipped a beat. And I cursed myself for it.

"Well, I should get back home and make dinner." Mikoto stood up, "Please, Chiro-chan, look after Sasuke."

"I will." I solemnly promised.

As I wave goodbye to them, Naruto came up behind me and scared me by poking on my waist. I laugh and try to chase him, he runs around the classroom and yelled, "It's not me! It's not me!"

"You're the only kid left! Is it a ghost then?" I laughed with him.

Since Anko hasn't returned from her mission, I led Naruto back while planning on what to have for dinner.

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Even as I try to prevent it, the stress of prejudice remains prominent within the walls of this school. This became increasing bad as the next day I realized there has been whispering and pointing of fingers among the kids in class, and everything came apart after school.

I was sitting in the classroom that day when the parents are coming in to pick up their kids. Because it was raining outside, we refrained from going out into the yard and play. Anko sent me a letter earlier this morning asking me to prepare a feast for her return from a B-rank mission. Supposedly they are kind of difficult, with high possibility of bloodshed, and it was a success, so she sent in a letter early to let me know. I was glad, of course, and the whole day I was scribbling down menu ideas and deciding which kind of dango to buy. I was too busy to notice the strange behaviour of the kids, until after school, that is.

First there was noises of argument between Naruto and some other kids. I usually don't partake in them, because let's face it, Naruto argues with people at least three times a day. Usually he is the one who starts it.

But everything changed as a parent stepped up and try to separate the fight, and it wasn't so much separating as him shovelling Naruto away from his child, which I immediately felt something was wrong, and by the time it took me to get from my desk to the scene, the parent was already yelling at Naruto, saying something like, "Give it back, give it back you little thief!"

I immediately stepped in by literally stepping in between the parent and Naruto, and I quickly said, "Azo-san, please calm down, it's no use abusing a kid like this, please tell me what happened and I can make sense of it-"

"That little thief here, stole my son's birthday present!" Azo, a man with a beard and a heavy built pointed at Naruto and spat this out like it was vennom. "I want to check his backpack, but the little rascal wouldn't let me!"

I immediately said, "Please, sir, refrain from the name calling. And it's generally frowned upon to look into other people's personal belongings, as I-"

"Check the little thief's bag, I'm sure it's in there!" He stepped up a step and yelled. I tried very hard not to shrink under pressure, but considering how big he is, I'm having trouble trying not to appear intimidated. But looking back at Naruto, with his blond hair and defiant eyes, and especially his little arms grabbing tightly on his backpack, hiding behind me, I immediately found a little courage and yelled back, "You have no proof!"

He, in turn, used his loudest voice possible, "I would have proof if I get my hands on him!"

And I screamed, "Over my dead body!"

This was not good, because Azo looked as if he is about to explode. His face flushed entirely in red as he raised his hand, attempting to punch the hell of of me, and because I was a coward, I closed my eyes and cringed in fear, but trying very hard not to move a single step from my position, for the blow might end up on Naruto.

The punch didn't land, because I heard Azo yelled out, most likely in pain. I opened my eyes, and saw a figure as tall as I am in front of me, holding Azo's wrist in his hands.

"Itachi." I whispered the name, and he turned his head slightly to ask, "Arai-san, are you alright?"

I could only stare, and memory took me way back to before I came here. I remembered he's always the one who stood in front of me in spite of any danger. Back when I still had tears left to spare, whenever I felt as if I was wronged I would curl in his arms and cry. Of course those things are insignificant such as, getting a bad grade, or the market ran out of tiramisu and I was having a really bad day. I suddenly had the flashback, when I stared at the strong and powerful figure that provided me with sanctuary and safety. His aura seemed to be emitting intimidation as he stood stoically.

He released Azo's wrist a second later, and the man quickly flinched a few feet back from us. It was then Itachi turned back to me, and I stared at his entire face, for the first time after so many month-I saw him, and I have so much to say, so much to do, but when every action I wanted to act upon all rushed to my throat, I was at loss of words. I opened my mouth and try to speak, but I could tell tears are circling within my eyes, threatening to fall.

He still looks so... perfect. So beautiful, with high cheekbones and narrowed eyes. Those eyes that paired up with his brow that displays little emotions that he has, along with full lips that usually smiles in a way that confuses everybody present. He wasn't smiling now, as he opened them and asked me if I was alright.

"Are you hurt?" He was concerned, and I could tell he is debating to check over my injuries-which of course, there are none.

That was when Naruto tugged on my sleeve timidly, and we all look down at him. He opened his backpack and pulled out a delicate looking bottle containing a blue ship inside. I stared in surprise at him, and he didn't look at me as he set it down on the ground, and immediately ran outside.

"Ha! I told you! I told you!" Azo's voice loomed over me as I shook with intense emotions that I didn't understand. I was literally shivering when I watched the little figure running away, I was so angry I yelled at Azo, "Shut up, Shut up!"

"Arai-san-" Itachi attempt to talk to me as I glared at him with as much hatred as I can muster, and ran after Naruto.

Something told me Naruto came first, and I can't abandon him at a time like this.

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"I just want a birthday present too." Naruto's little body trembled as he grabbed onto my arm, "Please don't be mad at me, please?"

I smiled a little bitterly, "I'm not mad, dearest."

"I promise I won't ever do it again. I swear." Naruto sobbed more as Anko sighed beside us, "Look, kid. If you want a present, all you gotta do is ask. I'm sure we'll buy one for you."

"But I want one because they want to give me one, not because of they have to." Naruto hiccupped as he cried some more.

I asked in curiousity, "When is your birthday?"

Anko snorted, "Chiro, everybody in the village knows when his birthday was, October 10th. It's when the Fourth Hokage died. I suppose the little guy does feel bad, because every time it was his birthday, people mourn."

I coughed, mentally cursing myself for not making up this connection, "I should've known. I'm sorry Naruto."

October 10th is a long way from now, but considering he has never received a gift, ever, it probably meant much more. Thinking of this, I had an idea, "Naruto, how about this? This month is March right? And you're seven. so from every month on the tenth, from now until October, we will celebrate every year of your birthday that you haven't had before. And then your Octorber birthday will be a really important one, because you know it's a real birthday."

His eyes practically lit up and inflamed the entire night sky.

"But," I said sternly, "This does not mean we can let this go unpunished, so I think you'll have to stay after school and clean up the classroom with me."

He nodded, as he has no objection.

"Alright. Let's go have dinner." I sighed, "I don't know about you guys, but I could really use a good dinner."

Now both Anko and Naruto's eyes sparkled as they looked at me with enthusiasm. I laughed and put on my jacket, "Where should we go?"

"Ramen!"

"What the hell? Kid you're gonna die if you eat too much of that crap!"

"Oh, bite me!"

It was at that moment I felt, for the first time, that everything was good with the world.

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A/N: Repost.