Ninja Doorman
Chapter 7
"This is your new home, Hajime-kun!" My new… new Okaasan cheered as her front door swung open.
On the outside the house looked small and had two floors. It was wedged between two larger buildings and looked to be constructed completely out of wood. There was no yard considering two steps away from the door you were in the street. And I bet it didn't have a backyard since I could clearly see a building right there behind it. Even though it looked small, it was nice. The front of the house had a large window on the first floor and I could see two more windows on the front of the second floor. The roof had a small curve on the edges above the gutters for rain.
When I looked inside I quickly noticed the clutter and unorganized objects on the wooden floor. We took off our shoes in the entryway and I noticed Anko just left them where they fell while I actually put in the extra effort to put my shoes neatly next to each other to the side so no one would trip.
I followed Anko to the living room that was right next to the entryway. It had a simple low and small table in the middle with a dark red mat on both sides. At the moment it was covered with plates and things that had been just dropped as Anko walked by. It was clear she didn't have any cup coasters. If you want to know how I knew this, in the small gaps where the table was not covered I could see rings caused by water damage from condensation. Last piece of furniture in the room was a small couch in front of the window with closed blinds.
There was a green Konoha banner with the leaf on the wall that was surrounded by unorganized scrolls and books stacked high on the floor.
"This is the living room." Anko said while waving an arm out.
She didn't even stop to explain, and was not affected or ashamed of the condition of the room.
We walked into the kitchen where I noticed a sink full of dishes and dirty counters. There were two stools next to an island where a knife block was located… with not a single knife in the block of wood… or in plain sight.
"The kitchen." Anko kept walking. She led me to a staircase that went up to the second floor. When I got to the top I leaned to the side in the narrow hallway so I could see past Anko. The hall was not that long but it was connected to five doors. "This is the bathroom." She said while opening the first door on the left.
At least there was no clutter.
"This is a closet." She opened the first door to the right. Or at least she… tried to. It was open for half a second before Anko slammed it shut when we heard something start creaking and tumbling. Her back was pressed against the door as she aimed a smile at me. "Let's move on. Hehehe…" She then walked on and I hesitated and watched the door. Then I heard something suddenly fall and shatter, making me jump and run off after the woman. "This is my room."
I was surprised to see her room was in far better condition than the rest of the house. There was a window with a potted plant next to an alarm clock and two picture frames. To the far left of the window I saw a few worn books set up nicely. Under that, taking up almost half of the small room, was a small bed and a desk on the right side.
To the left of the door was a closet that must be where she kept her clothes.
"Until a friend of mine gets back from his mission we will be sharing the room." She explained, making me freeze. "Please try not to disturb anything." She walked in and reached under the bed, pulling out a rolled up mat. "You can take the bed. If you want you can leave your stuff here to."
I numbly nodded and set my small bag in the corner between her closet and bed. Wasn't there a taboo about boys being in a girl's room?
"Follow me." Said Anko as she passed me and walked down the hall. She stopped at the next door and kneeled down to my level. "I know telling you to never go in this room would eventually make you want to go in. So let's get this out of the way." She leaned in with a serious look on her face with her eyes looking into mine. "This room is dangerous. It is where I keep my ninja tools and where a make some poisons. You are to NEVER go in here by yourself. And if you are in here you will not touch ANYTHING. Understand?" I have to admit I was shaking a little. I nodded my head and she smiled at me. "Good."
She opened the door and let me poke my head in.
I saw what looked like a small alchemy lab in the back with some flasks. To the right I saw a few kunai and senbon on a table. There was not much else in there worth mentioning aside from an old green chunin jacket hanging on the wall with an old Katar hanging next to it.
"This last door leads to the roof." She said while waving towards said door. "That is… about it. Are you hungry?"
"Hai… Okaasan." I answered hesitantly.
A few minutes later we were back in the kitchen. Anko was scouting out the fridge while I sat at the counter. The whole time I was leaning to the side to see what was in there and realized it was mostly empty.
"There's… not a lot." I couldn't help saying out loud.
I noticed Anko stiffened before she started looking around harder.
"No… we have something… Hah!" she turned around and placed some random things on the counter. "Pickles… Milk… Cheese… and…" she paused so she could open the carton. "Some eggs."
I raised a quizzical brow as I looked at the assortment of "Food" before looking at her.
"Milk's out of date. Cheese shouldn't be blue. There is only one egg, the rest are shells. There is nothing in the pickle jar except for pickle water and one small cucumber with half bitten off." I listed while pointing at each item.
"No. No. The milk is…" she looked at the side of the carton before placing it back down after a wince. "Alright! I give up."
You will never guess where Anko wanted to go eat…
The rest of the day had a calm atmosphere to it. We mostly just sat around the house and talked. She watched me play with Banji. Every time I looked over to her I saw a smile on her face that made me automatically smile as well.
I had a home now, and someone who cared about me. I may have only known Anko personally for a short amount of time, but I could tell she deeply cared for me. I didn't know what it was, but we just seemed to fit somehow. Even when I started picking up stuff and cleaning I could feel her protective gaze on my back that I knew meant I was safe.
When it was time to go to sleep Anko insisted I use the bed while she set up the mat on the floor. Even though the bed was small it was way better than my old bed at the orphanage. It didn't creak if I rolled over. The blankets were thick and soft, instead of thin and rough.
I could feel Anko's chakra everywhere. It made me feel even safer in this new room.
Anko walked into the bedroom ready for bed as well. Her outfit consisted of a large white t-shirt and some small black shorts.
She smiled at me when I looked at her.
"You ready to go to sleep?" she asked as she sat on the side of the bed.
"Yeah…" I voiced nervously.
I may be a kid, but that does not mean my eyes don't dart around when something is there. Let's just leave it at that.
"Where's Banji?" she asked while looking around. When she said his name I felt something move under my pillow. I instantly sat up and picked it up to see the snake coiled up right under where my head was. "Oh. Are you ok with him there?"
"I… I guess." I stammered, still half in shock at the realization I had been about to sleep on a snake.
"Alright." She then snatched my pillow and put it back down on top of Banji. "Don't worry about hurting him. His kind can take a lot of damage." She then pushed me back down and surprised me when she actually tucked me in. "Tomorrow we are going to go shopping. Alright?" I nodded my head and watched her look around the room uncomfortably. "I guess… this is where I say Goodnight, Hajime-kun?"
"Goodnight… Okaasan." I said back with a strong blush on my face as she climbed off the bed and went under the covers on the mat.
It took a few seconds for what I said to sink in. My eyes actually started to water at the thought of me using that word.
I just gazed up at the ceiling for a while, going over the last few days in my head. And eventually I fell asleep.
The next morning a groggily sat up in bed, not thinking about the strange dream I had. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was still in Anko's room.
I carefully climbed off the bed so I wouldn't step on my new mother, but found out there was no point. The mat had already been put away and Anko was nowhere in sight.
So I stumbled to the bathroom and when I finished and got out I thought I heard voices coming from downstairs. Out of curiosity I went down the stairs and saw Anko sitting at the counter with someone sitting next to her.
I was still out of it so I continued walking into the kitchen.
"Morning, Kaa-chan…" I mumbled while walking over to the cabinet to get a glass.
"This must be Hajime-san." said both a new, but slightly familiar voice.
I turned around and squint my eyes at the new person.
The first thing I noticed were the two red eyes looking at me with a black circle each, one brow raised. Her black hair looked wild and untamed and went a little past her shoulders. I could see a little bit of the red mesh amour blouse that only had one red sleeve. On top of that was what I can only describe as bandages that covered most of the blouse with a pattern that resembled thorns. Some bandages were wrapped around her hands and upper left arm.
So… I am in the same room as a young Yuhi Kurenai.
Many fan boys and girls, mostly boys, would do anything to be in the same room as Anko and Kurenai. I have to admit, I was one of them. But circumstances made this awkward.
Instead of trying to stay cool and all that I suddenly became embarrassed and extremely shy.
So I hid behind the closest object in an attempt to hide.
For the record I blame the childish part of my brain.
The kitchen was filled with laughter. Anko, who I happened to be taking cover behind while she was seated, burst out laughing. When I took a small peak at Kurenai I saw she was trying to restrain herself but just ended up snickering into her hand.
My burning red face was buried in the back of Anko's shirt.
"Aww. He's so cute!" Kurenai cooed, increasing the level of my embarrassment.
"Hajime-kun. Stop hiding." Anko ordered in an amused voice as she grabbed my shoulders and moved me between them. "This is, Kurenai-chan."
I was just rooted to the spot as my eyes stared at said woman. She snickered again when she saw my bright red face and stuck her hand out.
"Nice to meet you, Hajime-san." She smiled at me kindly.
"H…hi…" I stuttered before attempting to bolt and hide again, only for Anko to hold me in place.
"He is a little shy." Anko needlessly explained.
"I can see that." Kurenai agreed.
Seeing as I had no choice, and I wanted to try to stop looking like an idiot in front of one of the best, or soon to be best, genjutsu users and kunoichi in Konoha, I raised my hand to shake hers.
Her chakra was not one of those texture ones. More like feeling like you were standing in tall grass that did not make your legs itch. Weird, I know.
When I let go Anko lifted me up and sat me on a knee, making me get embarrassed again.
Oh Kami. I just realized I'm like a male Hinata!
Really hope that changes over the years.
"Hajime." Anko called to get my attention. "Remember when the Hokage said only a select few can know the truth about you?" she waited for me to nod before continuing. "Kurenai-chan is my best friend. I asked and she said when I am on missions she can babysit you."
"If I don't have a mission myself." The black haired woman cut in. "I really hope you don't just drop him off randomly."
"Don't worry." Anko waved the words off. "I'm not that dense."
"Time will tell." Kurenai hummed. She then smiled at us. "You two look so adorable together." My face started heating up again as I heard Anko laugh nervously. "Did you buy him new clothes yet?" she then paused to look around the kitchen. "And I hope you are going to have him eat more than just dango."
"…" Anko just froze as Kurenai's eyes narrowed at her.
"You ate dango last night, didn't you?"
"Uh…"
"Typical." The genjutsu specialist sighed and shook her head. "He's four! He can't just eat sweets every day. He'll get sick!"
"Hai… Kurenai-chan…" Anko surrendered. "We were going to go shopping later."
"I'm going with you." Anko's friend inserted herself. "I have to make sure you get the right stuff."
This was my new family.
Funny fact. Kurenai and Anko have never even spoken to each other in the anime, not sure about manga, and have not even been on screen at the same time, YET there are SOO many fanfics out there with these two as either close or best friends. Funny how that works.
If I am wring, then please tell me what episode.
If you ask me it would actually fit in my opinion. They may not have that much in common with their interests and personalities, and aside from being powerful women in the show, you can easily imagine them hanging out.
This is also where a lot of Anko/Kurenai fem slash comes from, but let's not get into that. And NO, as appealing as that is I am not making Anko and Kurenai a couple in this story. So get that out of your heads and don't ask. They are friends. NOTHING MORE!
… NOT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT! If you guys have been reading my stuff long enough, you know how I don't give a rat's ass about someone's sexuality.
Wildcard Readers, I'm looking at you.
