Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Red Eye
"Wow your apartment is worse than mine", I said as Naruto and I stand in the entrance of his home, looking at the dust covered floor and furniture, as well as the cobwebs hanging from the ceiling.
"It is not!" Naruto said. There he goes getting all hyped up again. "It just hasn't been cleaned in a while". He doesn't take off his shoes as he walks into his apartment. Every step he makes causes a footprint in the dust to appear. Guess he really has been gone for a long time.
Naruto drops his travel pack that he's been carrying around with him all day on the floor, causing puffs of dust to fly up. Then he heads over to his kitchenette, opens a cupboard under the sink, and pulls out a bucket that's equally covered in dust and cobwebs as his apartment is. Muttering to himself about what a mess this is he uses the sink to rid the bucket of the dust and cobwebs before filling it up with tap water. He reached under the sink one more time and pulls out two old rags. "Help me will yah", Naruto said as he tosses a rag at me as he carries the bucket over to the center of his home, and sets it down on the floor.
I barely catch the rag as it almost lands on my face. I shrug, and with my shoes still on, go to aid my neighbor. Cleaning is still better than being alone.
On our hands and knees we wipe down his apartment. We have most of the living room clean in s half an hour. But after that Naruto starts to get bored. "Hey Manami! Check this out", he calls, pointing to something on the floor.
From my spot I scoot over to see that he's drawn something in the dust. I blink a couple of times. "A cloud with eyes?" I asked, looking up at him.
"No!" He yelled. "That's a toad. Can't you tell by the legs?" He said, pointing at his masterpiece again.
"What legs?" I asked.
Naruto points aggressively. "Right there!" He points again to two squiggly lines on either side of the cloud.
I choke back a giggle. "You call those legs?" I asked, a laugh escapes before I could squash it.
Naruto huffs and crosses his arms childishly. "Let's see you try then", he said.
Laughing to myself I said, "alright". Putting the rag down I use my right pointer finger to construct a puppy in the dust. Lately I've been wishing that I could get a puppy, something that would greet me when I got back to my apartment. But I don't know the first thing about taking care of a dog, so I'm stuck to being alone.
"What's that? A rat?" Naruto asked grumpily.
I shake my head. "No. It's a puppy".
He lets out a bark of a laugh. "That's nowhere close to being a puppy!"
I scowl at the blonde. "At least my drawing actually looks like an animal".
"What does that mean?" He demanded to know with his face twisted up in mock anger. I concentrate on not laughing.
By the time two thirty PM comes around Naruto's focus had moved from silly drawings to food, or to be more specific, ramen.
"After this fight with Kakashi-sensei is over I'm going to Ichiraku and getting a giant bowl of miso ramen!" Naruto declares as he checks his weapon pouch as I struggle to empty the left over water in bucket into his sink.
With my arms trembling from the weight of the water I try to raise my arms up higher to get the bucket in the sink, but it's to heavy.
"When I was traveling I couldn't ever find a place that has ramen as good as Ichiraku's. I've been looking forward to this for three years!"
Why can't I get this stupid bucket into the sink? It's like I have no upper body strength. Maybe I should start doing pull ups when I train.
"Manami?" I hear Naruto say over my struggle. "Are you even listening to me?" Naruto yells. Idiot, can't he see that I'm busy. "Oh!" I hear him exclaim before I hear footsteps, followed by a pair of hands appearing besides both of mine, gripping the bucket. With his added strength the bucket feels like a feather. If that is an example of a shinobi's strength I want it. Out of breath I said, "thanks". I wish I were as old as Naruto. Then, I bet, lifting that bucket would be a walk in the park.
Naruto smiles before he asked, "So Manami do you like ramen?"
What? I stare at him. Is he addicted to ramen or something? "No", I answered slowly. Immediately Naruto frowns. "When ever my mother made it, it was always too salty". Mother liked salty foods. I don't, but I wish I could eat her ramen one more time.
Naruto scoffs. "That's why you don't like it. You've only had yucky home made stuff!"
Did he really, at his age, use the term yucky? I look up at him, taking in his disgusted expression at the thought of poorly made ramen.
"I know!" He suddenly said. Naruto places his hands on his hips and leans forward. "Come with me to the fight. Afterwards I'll take you to Ichiraku's", Naruto said, grinning.
Out of instinct my right hand goes to the front pocket of my shorts, where I keep my money. With the allowance that Tsunade allots me I can afford to eat out. I guess that would be better than eating something brunt. Which seems to be the condition of anything that I can cook. Through the ramen doesn't interest me much, watching Naruto fight does. My father always said that shinobi are cunning, calculating, and fast. Naruto only seems to be fast. I want to know how an idiot fights. "Won't I be in the way during your fight?" I asked.
Naruto stands up straight and waves a hand. "Nah! Just stay on the sidelines".
I smile up at him. "Okay I'll go".
"Great! Let's go!" Naruto yelled as he went running out of his door.
I follow but stop a couple of steps out the door. "Naruto", I said before he could run down the stairs. "Aren't you going to lock the door?"
"Oh! I forgot", Naruto exclaimed as he comes back. It takes him a minute to find his key, but only a couple of seconds for him to lock it. "Okay kid lets go!" He said again, before taking off. Laughing I run after him, hoping that I can keep up.
Naruto leads the way to a training field that I've never been to. The pink haired girl from earlier is already there. "Naruto", she greets before looking at me. Awkwardly I nod at her before jogging a step to keep close to Naruto.
"Hey Sakura-chan", Naruto said with a grin. "You remember Manami right?" He asked.
Sakura nods, and said, "Yeah, but Naruto why is she here?" She sounds confused, maybe even a little put off. I guess it is a bit weird for her teammate to bring a nine and a half-year-old to a fight.
Suddenly motivated Naruto starts to talk loudly with his hands. "Manami doesn't like ramen. So after the fight I'm going to take her to Ichiraku's, and make her change her mine!" He exclaimed as he points at me accusingly. He sure does seem to point a lot.
I try not to flinch as I take a step back. Good grief, he talks like ramen as if it is a religion.
I glance over at Sakura to see an expression on her face that indicates that she is probably having thoughts that are similar to mine.
"Hey", Naruto started, abruptly changing subjects. "Where's Kakashi-sensei? How long is he going to make us wait?" Naruto asked, annoyed.
Though it isn't long after that Naruto said that that a puff of smoke appears only to revival the gray haired man seconds later. "Sorry, Sorry", he said. "There was this old lady that-"
He never got to finish as Naruto and Sakura jump in with a loud, "Liar!" My eyes shift to all three of them in turns. They seem to have way more energy that pineapple head's team, but not as expressive as Neji's team is. Though doesn't each team have four members? Why are there only three of them?
Kakashi looks at me but doesn't say anything about me being there. "Let's go", he said as he starts to lead us deeper into the training field. A couple of feet in Naruto and Sakura start to look around happily. I don't know why. It's just a training field. Training fields are a dime a dozen in this village.
"Wow", Naruto drawls out. This place sure brings back memories". He said as he stares at three training posts. Sakura makes a noise of agreement. Maybe I shouldn't be here, because it feels like things are going to get emotional really quick. I stop walking to stay behind the group, and shift my weight from one foot to another. I don't want to eavesdrop in their memories. I start looking around to where the sidelines for this fight might be. A distance away I spot the white haired man, who is sitting up on a tree branch, Tsunade, and Tsunade's assistant. That must be where the sidelines are. Picking up my feet I run over there as I hear Kakashi say something about someone named Sasuke that used to be with them. Is Sasuke their fourth teammate?
"You Again", Tsunade said. "What are you doing here brat?"
I'm not a brat. I fight the urge to yell at her. Father always said that shinobi don't yell at their superiors. And rather I like it not. Tsunade is a superior. "Naruto invited me", I said as I turn around to watch Naruto, and his team. The three of them are still talking, but now they're all focusing on something that's attached to Kakashi's clothes. Are those bells?
Tsunade folds her arms and leans against a tree trunk. "This isn't a place for kids", she said in a condescending tone.
I turn my head to glare at her. "If you told Shikamaru to give me my weapons back, or told me what my clan's name was then maybe I wouldn't be here", I said in a deadpan way.
Tsunade looks down with a glare of her own. If she thinks that is going to intimidate me she has another thing coming. "You little brat!"
I stomp my left foot. "I'm not a brat".
A moment of intense glaring passes, each of us trying to get the other to back off. A soft breeze blows across the training field, and moves some of my hair in front of my eyes. Which makes Tsunade look like she has thin black lines running across her face. "Um Tsunade-sama", her assistant started. "They're starting". The assistant said nervously.
In a huff we both break are staring contest and turn back to where the fight is taking place. Naruto and Sakura have fallen into offensive stances. And Kakashi is still standing in a relaxed position. Though he has straightened his headband to relive his other eye. His other eye that is red with a black pinwheel in it, like my father's eyes. My back stiffens as a wave of memories from the day that the two scary men killed father attacks my mind. Red eyes. Crimson red eyes with black pinwheels in them. Kakashi's one eye is exactly like father's eyes. Is he from father's clan? Are we related? My heart starts to flutter with hope. I may not be alone after all. "That man", I start with my voice being a little uneven. "That man, Kakashi, is he from my father's clan?" I asked, as I turn slightly to face Tsunade. "The clan that you wouldn't tell me the name of?"
She doesn't answer. She doesn't even look at me. All she said is, "Just watch the match". Reluctantly I turn forward. I shouldn't be surprised. No one in this entire village has ever given me straight answers unless it was Iruka-sensei answering some school related questions. I kick at the ground as Naruto starts to attack Kakashi, my possible clan member. I'll just have to wait until this fight is over. Then I'll get answers, even if I have to find those answers by myself.
As the fight goes on Tsunade or the white haired man who's sitting up in a tree will throw out comments about Naruto's or Sakura's performance once in a while. Though all of my focus in on Kakashi, if we are related what would I call him? Cousin? Uncle? He doesn't look anything like my father so he probably couldn't be my uncle.
It soon grows dark, and the fight doesn't seem to be close to finishing. I guess this is an example of shinobi stamina. But I wish that this fight were over an hour ago. A yawn escapes from my mouth. I shake my head. I must stay awake. I need to talk to Kakashi after this fight is over. I need to know if we're family. In the end Naruto a Sakura come up with some trick to force their sensei's guard down, and win the fight together by claiming Kakashi's bells. The other three people that I've been watching the fight with all say something positive about it, before making there way to Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi. I'm quick to follow. "I've seen how you two have grown", Tsunade said as our group approaches the three fighters. We all stop a couple feet away from them. "Naruto", She said.
"Huh?" Naruto asked.
"Answer!" Tsunade hissed.
"Oh Yes!" Naruto exclaims and stands up straighter. What an idiot.
"Sakura", Tsunade continued.
"Yes", Sakura replied seriously as she too stood up straighter.
"From here on out you two, and Kakashi Hatake will form team Kakashi". Hatake? That's his last name. Is that my last name to?
Naruto leans forward with a curious expression on his face. "Um, what does that mean?"
"It means", Kakashi started. Naruto and Sakura turn to look at him. I also focus on him. Please let him be family. "That the three of us will be teaming up for future missions". I thought they were already a team. I blink a couple of times. The shinobi world makes no sense. "Though unlike before we are no longer teacher and students. We will work together as fellow shinobi. Got it?" Kakashi asked, though the last part was more directed at Naruto than Sakura.
In response Naruto makes a pleased sounding grunt. "Then Team Kakashi is dismissed". Tsunade declared.
Cheering Naruto throws his hands up into the air and comes jogging over to me. "Alright Manami let's go get some ramen!" After fighting for hours he's still energetic, and keen on getting his favorite meal? I'm not sure I'll ever be able to keep up with my neighbor. Naruto grabs my hand and forces me to follow him as he runs in the direction of the market area of the village. I stumble over my feet a couple of times before I fall into rhythm with him.
"Naruto Wait!" I heard Sakura yell, before hearing two pairs of feet coming after us. I hope one of those pairs is Kakashi's.
Once we reach the market section of the village we slow to a leisurely walk, and Naruto let's go of my hand. Sakura and Kakashi, I seem to have some luck today, aren't too far behind. Kakashi pulls out a book and starts to read it as our small group follows Naruto through the busy nightlife of Konoha. "My you two have grown a lot stronger", Kakashi said, sounding a little distracted. He goes on saying something else, but I miss it when Naruto's stomach growls.
"I'm so hungry!" Naruto said, placing a hand on his empty gut, draining out Kakashi.
"Me too", Said Sakura. "I haven't eaten seen yesterday's training".
"Then it's time for ramen!" Naruto yells. "Ichiraku here I come! Let's go Manami". He pushes me in front of him as he heads down the street. All I can do is try to not trip. Why is he so insistent that I eat at this ramen shop? Sakura runs next to him, expressing her own excitement at the thought of food. But what about Kakashi? I try to look around Naruto to see that he's still stand from where Naruto started to run. Naruto and Sakura suddenly pause, and turn around.
"Are you coming Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked him.
"Your treat, your treat!" Naruto chants.
"Sorry", Kakashi calls. "I have to make a list of the new teams and submit them". He raises a hand in farewell. No he can't go yet! "So I'm off". And he disappears in a puff of smoke.
Sakura sighs with a smile. "He said all that but I bet he just wants to read that book".
As she said that Naruto seems to gain a new thought, because he hits the palm of his hand with his fist. "Hey Sakura-chan, if he's not coming then why don't we make it a date?" Naruto asked hopefully. Idiot, how can he go on a date if I'm here?
Sakura looks down at me, and winks. "That's fine. But you're paying for Manami and me", she said as she turns and walks away.
Naruto frowns and pulls out his frog shaped wallet. Upon opening it his shoulders slump. I take a step close to him to see what's made him so disheartened all of the sudden only to see that his wallet is close to empty. "I have my own money", I told him.
Naruto nods. "Thanks", Naruto mumbles, before he hurries after Sakura. "At least pay for half", He calls to her.
"No", was her direct answer. Did she have that planned? Sakura stalks off after saying that she's going to eat somewhere else. I hurry after a crushed Naruto as we head off to his precious Ichiraku's. Though Naruto cheers up pretty quickly. I'm starting to think that nothing can keep Naruto down.
I don't think Ichiraku's can be called a ramen shop. It's more like a ramen stand, since there's no door, and limited seating. The only reason this place can't be considered a vendor is because the stand can't be moved. Standing outside the ramen stand Naruto takes a deep breath, probably smelling the air. "Ichiraku's hasn't changed at all", he said. "I can't wait". Naruto leads the way into the ramen stand.
"Welcome", a man behind the counter greets.
"Old Man", Naruto grins. "Don't you remember me?" He asked.
The man blinks a couple of times. " Naruto? Long time no see", the man said, truly pleased to my neighbor. "And who's you friend?" He asked, nodding at me.
"This is Manami, she just moved here", Naruto answered as we both sat down.
"I see. Well are you two hungry?"
I nod my answer but Naruto said, "You bet! I'm starving".
The old man laughs. "Well then it'll be on the house as a welcome back gift", he nods at Naruto, "and a home warming present", and he nods at me. What a nice man. But isn't he afraid that giving away free meals will hurt his business? At my old village no one ever gave anything away for free unless it was for charity.
Both Naruto and I said thank you at the same time, but his thank you was a lot louder than mine.
"No", a familiar voice suddenly called. "Today, it's my treat". After that was said Iruka-sensei comes in and smiles at the both of us. Though this time it's a happy smile, not the pity smile that he usually gives me. It must be for Naruto. "I figured you be here Naruto", Iruka-sensei said. I look at Naruto then back at my teacher. Are these two close? "And Manami is here too. How do you guys know each other?"
"We're neighbors", I answer as he takes a seat next to me.
Naruto nods affirmatively. "We just met today!" He said with a wide grin. "But how do you know Manami, Iruka –sensei?"
I turn to look at Naruto again. Shouldn't that be obvious? I'm an academy student, and Iruka-sensei is a teacher. Iruka-sensei smiles at Naruto. "Manami is in my class this year".
"Oh", Naruto said as the man behind the counter places a bowl of ramen in front of each of us. Naruto lets out a loud, content sigh. "I've been waiting for this for so long", he said as he grabs a pair of chopsticks. Iruka-sensei copies him, but grabs two pairs, and hands one to me. I nod my head in thanks. Naruto gulps in anticipation. "I've dreamt of this moment since I left the village", he said.
It is just ramen. It can't be that good. I break apart my own chopsticks, and fish out a couple of noodles. With my head lowered over the bowl I slurp up the two noodles. Not too salty, the noodles are soft, and there is an equal level of seasoning, it is good. Though I could be better if I could ask Kakashi my questions. I guess I'll have to settle for the next best thing. "Naruto", I start only to see that he is already half way done with his bowl. He looks up at me with a mouthful, waiting. I can feel Iruka-sensei's eyes on me as well. "That man you where fighting with today, Kakashi, why is his eye red?" The perfect question, it suggests pure curiosity without hinting at an alternative reason as to why I want to know about Kakashi's red eye.
Naruto swallows before responding. "It's called sha-"
"Manami!" Iruka-sensei interrupts suddenly. I turn and frown at him. I was so close. "It's a school night. You should head home and go to bed", he said smiling, but beads of sweat are forming below his headband. He doesn't want me to know about the red eye. And it's probably the same reason why Shikamaru won't give me my father's weapons, and why Tsunade won't tell me what my family name is. Stupid Shinobi and their stupid secrets.
"Fine", I said angrily as I hopped off of my seat. I'll find out their secrets eventually, and they won't be able to stop me.
"But she hasn't finished her ramen yet", Naruto complains as I walk out of the stand. Doesn't matter. I never wanted ramen anyway. All the way home I kick the ground, thinking of ways that I can get answers, and making plans on how I can talk to Kakashi Hatake.
