Naruto ran ahead while dragging me by my hand through the crowded streets of Konoha. He was grinning like no tomorrow and his smile was contagious; I was laughing the whole way.
However, when we went through the center of town, I couldn't help notice strange whispers directed our way as we passed. I couldn't hear anything in particular, but there was certainly pointing and glares. Confused and embarrassed, I ducked my head as we ran.
Were they mad because they found out I pranked them? Calling Tsunade Okaa-san did get more of a reaction than I thought it would. Or…maybe it was my hair? I did hear someone comment on it when I arrived earlier. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't seen anyone with red hair at all. Uncomfortable, I promised myself I'd buy a hat to cover up the red locks later today. Oh, and while I do that I can find Naruto a birthday present.
Sounds like a plan. But, first I must find out what this ramen is that he keeps relishing on about.
When we finally reached the farther edge of town, Naruto led me into an open bar restaurant with a very high counter. He hopped right up onto a bar stool, but I struggled getting up and eventually was pulled up with the help of Naruto.
"Irasshaimase! Oh, Naruto, it's you!" A man walked out with a grin on his face. "And who's your friend?"
"My sister!" Naruto said happily.
"Sister, you say?" the man raised his brows.
"Naruto, I'm your cousin," I leaned over and whispered. He ignored or didn't hear me, confirming the man's question instead. I sighed.
The man eyed me with a smile, "I'm Teuchi, the owner of this ramen shop. It's nice to meet the sister of my best customer."
I flushed a bit replying, "You too, Teuchi-san"
"Now what can I get for you both?" he asked kindly.
"Miso ramen," Naruto immediately replied.
"Uh…" I looked to Naruto helplessly.
"Make that two miso ramens."
"Coming right up!" Teuchi walked back into the back.
Quietness encompassed the shop as I sat there awkwardly, unknowing what to say. Naruto seemed to having no such qualms yet again and turned to me grinning, "You lived outside of Konoha, right? What's it like? I bet it was amazing!"
I thought of all the run down towns we stayed in before answering, "I don't know about amazing. We— my Nee-chans and I—traveled all over. Truthfully, this is the most amazing place I've ever visited before. It's so big and full of so many people. There's so much color."
"Really?" he looked at me doubtfully.
"Really," I nodded seriously. "There was probably one place that may have had this village beaten, but I couldn't see it when I was there. I was told it was beautiful."
"What! Where?"
"Uzushiogakure. Tsunade-nee had visited it once before…the attack…and she said it was the most beautiful village," I said wistfully.
"I've never heard of that village before. And what do you mean by attack?" he asked.
I looked over at him speculatively. "Don't you know? You're and Uzumaki," I stated.
At his confused face, I faltered. He really doesn't know anything. He didn't even recognize the name Uzushiogakure. In shock I yelled, "You know nothing of your heritage at all?!"
"No?" he scratched the back of his head nervously from my outburst.
"Tell me you at least know about the Uzumaki clan. Please," I begged.
"Ehhhh?! We're a clan?" he yelled wide eyed.
My mouth dropped. Screw the ramen, I was giving him a history lesson now!
"Ramen's ready!" Teuchi called as he walked out with two steaming bowls. Naruto practically jumped on the counter in excitement and took his bowl, digging in with gusto. I stared off into space thinking about things I'd have to tell him.
"Hoshi-chan, eat the ramen! Eat it!" Naruto started chanting. Distracted from my thoughts, I looked back over to see both him and Teuchi watching me expectantly.
Sheepishly, I pulled out some chopsticks and split them. I guess I'll tell him later. Uncertainly, I brought up a glob of pasta from the bowl and blew on it. After taking a quick whiff, I chopped down. Instantaneously, I shoved more into my mouth.
"Thwis is shwooo good!" I exclaimed with a mouthful of noodles in my mouth.
When we had finished eating a couple bowls, we waved goodbye to Teuchi after promising to come back soon. He was really nice and let us eat on the house because it was Naruto's birthday. It was approaching dusk and I begged Naruto to show me around. He seemed uncomfortable with the idea, but upon promising to show him the chakra exercises I learned, he agreed readily.
Fifteen minutes later, I completely understood why he did not want to do this. They were everywhere just staring at us, shooing us away. I was scared, more scared than when I was kidnapped. Naruto seemed to take it more in stride, but I could tell he was bothered. He would send everyone wary looks and eventually he ended up taking my hand so he could speed up without losing me.
I relished in his company, holding his hand tighter as he led us into a small shop. Finally away from prying eyes, we separated and I looked around for a hat. Upon pulling out a sky blue beanie from a pile of clothes on sale, I put it on and shoved my red locks under it. Standing in front of a mirror, I saw some pieces still fell out, but it was mostly hidden. Nodding in approval, I turned to Naruto only to see him glancing cautiously at the shop owner who was watching us like a hawk. I shuddered at the looks he was sending Naruto.
Confused and slightly irritated, I grabbed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile before asking, "What do you think? Does it look okay?"
He snapped out of his anxiety and looked at the beanie. "Yeah, it looks fine. Why are you getting a hat though? I like your hair."
I blushed and looked down sadly. "People keep staring…and the color is red. It's red!" I cried.
"Oh uh," he shifted his weight and glanced at the shopkeeper again. "It's not your hair. Trust me."
"Then why do—"
"And what's wrong with red?" he avoided my question. I tilted my head, but decided not to ask.
Instead, "I don't like red. It's—I don't know. I've seen it too much. I don't like seeing it anymore."
He looked at me funny. I shrugged and just pulled my new hat a little lower. Taking another look around the store, I decided to look for Naruto's birthday present now. I wanted to get him something he'd be able to keep or use often. Most things in here related to clothing, so I had to find something that he wouldn't really outgrow for a while.
That's when I saw it: a pair of blue-green goggles. I walked over to them slowly and picked them up. Inspecting them, I immediately got an image of Naruto wearing them in my head. In fact, I had a feeling he'd wear them a lot. Smiling, I then walked over to the counter and looked up apprehensively at the shop owner. "I'd like to get this hat," I pointed to my head, "and these goggles, please."
He grunted. "210 ryo," he said. I pulled out my small cotton wallet and pulled out the desired amount handing it to him. Ringing it up, he handed me some change. As I was about to leave, he pulled me back and crouched down saying, "Stay away from that blonde kid. He's dangerous, okay."
Highly irked at his comment, I turned to him and smacked him so suddenly that I didn't realize I had until after I'd done it. I covered my mouth in shock, "I-I'm sorry—wait. No, I'm not! Don't talk about my Nii-chan that way!"
Then I ran to a wide eyed Naruto, grabbed his hand and ran out the shop. And we kept running. We ran and ran, just to run. I couldn't stop thinking about what that man said, the stares, and what I had done. It was wrong, it had to be. I could feel it. Of all things that had felt wrong to me so far in my life (and that was a lot of things), Naruto being called dangerous felt the worst. And I was going to act on those feelings.
I stopped abruptly and turned to see the highly dazed Naruto watching me closely. He looked terrified of me—of what I would say.
So, I didn't say anything. I just pulled out the goggles I got him and placed them on his head. And then I gave him a hug. I didn't say a thing as I felt tears wet my shoulder again. He didn't say anything either when he felt the same thing.
I realized today that something more was going on—something bigger. It was something that involved Naruto and now me, but whatever it was I didn't know. It frightened me to feel such a thing and to know those looks, stares, glares, and whispers were something to fear. However, I decided that I didn't care. So long as I had him, I didn't care.