Hey, guys!
SUPER late update! I apologize! This month is the last month of school so, I got really stressed out with all the projects, exams, and requirements. Because of all the stress, I developed another author's block and it was really frustrating. I had no idea what to do for the for the 7th chapter. I don't even know if this chapter is good!...I...Am...Hopeless, at this point. So, yeah, please bear with me.
Anyway, thanks for the amazing feedbacks! I love knowing that you guys are enjoying my story! If you have any suggestions or questions, then go ahead and type them out and send them in! Thanks, guys! And I hope you enjoy!
(Chapter 6 - A Failed Mission and Naruto's New Family)
Kakashi and the rest of the injured rookies walked back to Konoha with their heads bowed in shame. Awkward silence hung in the air as they trudged pathetically. Since Sakura was the only one who knew how to properly heal someone, no one was healed perfectly. But because Sakura was running low on chakra, she couldn't' really heal anyone. Pain erupted in their systems at each step they took, but the greatest pain they felt was the pain of failing as a friend. Or in Kakashi's case, failing as a teacher. All of them were affected with their interaction with the blonde man and they never expected Naruto's sudden change, mostly Team 7.
In their eyes, the image of the cheerful, annoying, orange-loving idiot they learned to love, was crumbling. Piece by piece. And it hurts, an awful lot. Although, even with depression, they can still find small traces of pride in their hearts; discovering that the blonde had become stronger than them. It made them slightly proud of their friend's skills and success; including Sasuke, who was a bit eager to fight with Naruto, again. Though, the Uchiha was hoping that it would only be a spar than a fight, just like old times.
The group of shinobis sighed quietly and continued their trek back to Konoha, hoping that the female hokage was in a good mood. Some were limping while the rest was just slouching.
Meanwhile, in an unknown location
Peaceful silence rained over a small forest, birds would often chirp and fly over the various trees that littered the area. The fresh forest breeze danced though the plain while the sky was sunny and clear; with no cloud in sight. We can spot a familiar head of blonde hair walking down the dirt path towards a fairly sized cottage. The blonde smiled warmly at the sight of his new home and walked faster towards the house.
The blonde man raised his hand and knocked on the door, he straightened his form and prepared for the possible 'attacks' he might encounter. The joyful laughter that was booming through the walls of the cottage temporarily stopped and excited footsteps were heard before the door was suddenly swung open. A little boy with brown hair and amber eyes greeted the man, the boy blinked and stared at the older male. They stood there on their spot until the boy squealed and tackled the blonde man to the ground.
"Naruto-nii! You're home!", the small brunette cheered and hugged the other tighter. Naruto chuckled in amusement and ruffled the boy's hair, he sat himself up and adjusted the boy on his chest.
"Hey, Shiro! How are you doing, little buddy?", the blonde asked warmly. He then proceeded to lift himself and the youth off of the ground, he hooked his arms around the lad and embraced him gently.
"We're doing just great, Naruto-nii! I've been training a lot, too!", the young brunette, or Shiro, eagerly replied. At his answer, Naruto gave his signature fox-like grin, feeling very proud of his little brother.
"Oh, really? Then, how about you show your big bro what you can- ", the young man was cut off when numerous squeals blasted through the cottage. Small bodies threw themselves at Naruto's legs and tiny arms hugged both limbs, giggles and shouts of happiness emitted from the small bodies as they held on his legs tightly.
"Naru-nii!"
"You're finally home!"
"We missed you!"
"Did you miss us?!"
Naruto laughed, his happy mood skyrocketing and the memory of his slightly irritating encounter with his old friends immediately dispersed. The blonde demon waited until the kids released him and plopped himself down on the soft grass to reach the children's height. 5 other kids surrounded the duo; 2 girls and 3 more boys, each with different personalities and appearances.
"Hey, guys! Long time no see!", Naruto cheerfully greeted while he returned the kids' hugs; which the group of youths gladly accepted.
"It's so good to see you again, Naruto-nii! You've been gone for so long", said the smallest girl. She had bright chocolate brown eyes and short orange hair, she sported a shy smile on her face and cute doll was in her grasp. The slightly taller boy next to her with dirty blonde hair and dark blue eyes nodded in agreement.
"Yeah! You rarely visit, nowadays. Don't you love us, anymore?!", he stated loudly in a mock hurt tone. A shoulder-length fiery redheaded girl with piercing onyx eyes glared at the blonde haired boy in annoyance, her hand resting on her hip in a scolding manner.
"Of course he loves us, Ryuu! Why would you think that Naruto-nii doesn't love us, anymore?! You baka!", the girl growled at the other blonde, which cause him to recoil. The rest of the kids laughed at the arguing children , except for the black haired lad, who only sighed and adjusted his thin framed glasses that perched in front of his calculative steel grey orbs.
"Alright, alright. That's enough, no need to get all snappy at each other. I've gotten really busy with work this past few months, that's why I hadn't had time to visit", the older blonde explained, earning soft 'oh's from the younger audience. The others started babbling over nonsense like little children (literally) while the raven haired lad muttered "so predictable" under his breath. Naruto sighed and shook his head, a small smile of joy plastered on his lips. The kids continued ranting and telling stories without a care, the blonde demon attempted to listen but all the noise was making him dizzy.
This was the sight that greeted Hiroshi, a silver haired man with lightning blue eyes, and Akiko, a woman with strawberry blonde hair and hazel nut eyes; the caretakers of the 6 kids. They blinked and stared at the group before an amused smirk crept up Hiroshi's lips while a serene smile bloomed on Akiko's, the two caretakers approached the rest and laughed/giggled at Naruto's predicament. Said mercenary lifted his head and grinned sheepishly at the duo.
"Hi, Aki. Hi, Hiro. Nice to see you two getting along, for once", Naruto greeted.
Akiko, a woman with a kind heart, she was saved by the blonde 2 years ago from almost getting raped by drunkards at the nearby village. She instantly became fond of Naruto and swore to be eternally grateful. Akiko lost her mother when she was only 15, her father was cheater so she was left to take care of herself after her mother died.
Hiroshi is a boisterous fellow, he tends to be arrogant sometimes but Naruto knew better; he knew that Hiro was actually a softie when it comes to kids. The blonde mercenary found the silver haired man beaten and bloodied, one day, right on the middle of the road. It turns out that Hiro was ambushed by a bunch of criminals; all his money and valuables were taken from him. Hiro was only a travelling salesman, a very young one at that. Both his parents died when 3 men killed them for the debt they haven't paid in a long time. Because of this, the silver haired man became very hateful towards criminals like robbers, rapists, murderers, etc.
Since both of them were alone and has no one to turn to, Naruto decided to let them live with him. No one else knew of this, the blonde kept his newfound friends a secret to avoid any trouble that could possibly hurt his new companions. The kids joined their family, one by one. All of them were saved by Naruto, just like Hiro and Aki. At first they were hesitant and scared, but they slowly warmed up to the older trio, mostly to their blonde savior.
Thinking back on those few years, Naruto NEVER regretted his actions, his decision of adopting all his 'brothers' and 'sisters' were the best that he ever had. The blonde demon smiled as he watched his new family invite (more like drag) him in the warm cottage. Akiko entered the kitchen with Junko, the orange haired little girl, to get some tea. Hiro snickered when the rest of the kids (except for the boy with glasses) dog piled Naruto on to the ground, demanding him to share his mercenary stories or the stories about his job.
The blonde man groaned under the weight of 4 kids on his back. Akiko and Junko came back with a tray, the 2 girls blinked at them before they exploded in a fit of giggles. The other children snorted before they, too, laughed in happiness. Naruto sighed once more, he smiled in content and joined his new family in joy-filled laughter.
Finished!
Note: More information about the kids will be posted in the next chapter.
