Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Big Brother Naruto
The next day of school proved to be a tiresome event. Iruka-sensei didn't say anything to Akio and I about his pencils. Apparently stealing pencils isn't a very notable offence. Even less so when said stolen pencils are willingly returned.
All Iruka-sensei did in response to our game was to pay more attention to the two of us. He called on us when we didn't raise our hands. He made us demonstrate different jutsu in front of the class during review time. Iruka-sensei spent so much time focused on Akio and I that we never even got a chance to stop paying attention. He even kept us in at lunchtime to help him clean the black board.
I swear that that day was the first day that my thoughts didn't wander at all in school. This has to have been the must exhausting, and boring day of my life.
When the last bell of the day rang, signaling that we're free, Akio and I were the first ones to jump up from our seats and run for the door. Leaving one very satisfied Iruka-sensei behind us.
Lucky for us, Iruka-sensei's revenge only lasted that one-day. And hopefully we'll never have to experience that again. So we were free to go back to only paying attention in class when something interested us, as long as Iruka-sensei didn't catch us in the act.
The days started to blend together until one certain day popped out, looming over my head as it draws closer and closer. March third, the day that my brother, if he were still alive, would be turning thirteen. Every year on my brother's birthday the whole family would take the entire day off and just lounge around the house, or sometimes we'd go exploring in the forest. Then for dinner we would go to our village and visit the dango shop. Dangos being my brother's favorite food, he could have eaten them for every meal if mother would have let him.
It's tomorrow, the first family birthday that I'll spend alone, and without the birthday boy. That sounds like a good day to skip the academy. I might as well stick to my family's traditions, because if I don't remember them it'll be like they never existed.
I climb the stairs to my apartment, ready to settle down for the night. I'll need to get all the energy I can get to face tomorrow. Just from the gloom that I'm already feeling I can tell that it will be a long day. Though before I open my front door I notice that Naruto's lights are on. Did he just get back from that 'super important' mission of his? Shrugging I open my door and hurry inside. I don't care anymore. The door slams shut behind me, making noise echo throughout the otherwise silent apartment. And I probably won't care again until after March third.
I meant to sleep in today. If I'm already going to ditch school I might as well get something out of it. But as luck would have it, I am up when the sun comes up. A full hour earlier than usual, even when I do attend class. I didn't sleep well last night. I couldn't shut my brain off. I thought about what I am going to tell Akio and Iruka-sensei about my absence when I go back to school. I try to imagine what my brother would be like as a teenager. Would he have been a loud as Naruto? Would he have been as serious and stern as Neji? As kind as Chouji? Or would he have been like pineapple head, all bossy?
When I did fall asleep I dreamt memories about my family only to wake up after a few minutes later begging for them to come back. By the time dawn came I woke for the last time in a tangled heap sheets. Little droplets of sweat ran down my forehead and back. I was yelling for my mother and brother to run. My last dream for that night was the memory of when I lost everything.
This morning's breakfast of last night's left over charred grilled chicken felt like little rocks sitting on my tongue. It was unpleasant to chew, and disheartening to swallow. I left must of it untouched. It was tempting to just crawl back into bed and stay there until this day is over, but I have to follow family tradition. If I don't it'll be like I never belonged to a family. I took my time cleaning up the kitchen and making my bed before getting dressed in my regular green shirt and black shorts. As I slip my shoes on I think, 'there's nothing left to do but face the day'.
In the market area there's plenty of housewives, other civilians, and a handful of shinobi who are off duty, but no kids. Seeing that today is a school day. I get many disapproving looks from vendors and women carrying grocery bags. But no one says anything to me. They don't know me, or my parents so it's not like they can come up to me and threaten that if I don't go to school they'll tell on me. I grimace to myself. If any stranger did confront me wouldn't they get a surprise? I can see it now. Some shinobi's busy body wife would come stomping up to me with bags filled with fresh produce and meat and demand to know why I'm not at the civilian school or the ninja academy. When I don't answer and just keep walking the busy body would call after me, "I'll find out who your mother is and inform her of your behavior!"
Then without even looking bad I'd say over my shoulder, "My parents are dead", and I'll leave an embarrassed and probably pitying busy body behind.
I kick a stray pebble that's just lying in the street. Hopeful everyone will just leave me alone. I don't want to talk to people today. This is a family day.
The dango shop in Konoha is a lot larger that the one in my old village. The owner of the shop is this fat, old lady who seems to be senile, because when she asked me what I want she called me sir. I order the medium sized box of dango to go, forgetting that I'm just ordering for myself and not for four. Though as I exit the shop I decide that it really doesn't matter that I bought too much. Usually my family would eat the dango for dinner on my brother's birthday. But I bought it around ten: thirty in the morning. I'll just eat dango for the rest of the day. I'll eat it for lunch, for snacks, and for dinner. I'll remember my brother for the entire day. At least I won't have to cook to night.
For about another hour I end up aimlessly wandering the streets of the village with this box of dango under my arm. Though I do take care not to wander to close the academy. The last thing I need is for Iruka-sensei to some how see me and make me attend class by force. I also avoid my regular training field. If Neji is there or some other shinobi I'll probably be in just as much trouble if Iruka-sensei caught me. Somehow I end up sitting on the first couple of steps of the staircase that leads up to the Hokage memorial. With I heavy sigh I place the box of dango next to me before opening it. Inside it there's about two-dozen sticks with three dangos on each of them. I pick up one and hold it in front of my face. I don't want to eat it. I close my eyes before I said, "happy birthday brother", and I stick the first one in my mouth. The sweetness of it makes me shudder. Should I be eating something so sweet on such a bitter day?
I go them six of the sticks, meaning I ate the grand total for eighteen dangos, before my stomach felt like it would burst if I ate one more. Dropping a now dango free stick back into the box I bend my knees and wrap my arms around them. How was eating dango ever any fun? I don't even have to think to find the answer. It was fun because it happened only once a year, I never ate eighteen in a row before, and mother, father and brother were always there. That's why it was fun. I bury my head in my knees as my stomach churns, what was I thinking, buying two-dozen dangos?
A couple of moments pass in complete silence before I hear a questioning, "Manami?" I raise my head, but I don't move it from my knees. Chouji stands in front of me, only a couple of feet away, munching away on a bag of chips. "What are you doing here?" He asked between bites. "Shouldn't you be at school?" I don't answer. All I do is look away by resting the right side of my head on my knees. Any answer I can give won't be the right one, so why bother. Seconds tick by before I hear shuffling, and Chouji sits next to me on the steps, with the dango box between us. I turn my head to look at him. Surely he has better things to do than to sit with a school ditching orphan. "Why do you have all these?" He asked as he places his chip bag down next to his other side.
I don't look at him as I said, "Celebrating a birthday. Help yourself". Even to me my voice sounds dead.
"Thank you", Chouji said before I hear him take one of the dango. At least that's one less I'll have to stomach. "Is it your birthday?" He asked after a while. "Are you ten now?"
In surprise I look over at him again. He remembered my age? "No" I said.
When I don't offer any more information on the subject Chouji smiles at me, takes another stick of dango and said softly, "I'm meeting Ino, Shikamaru, and Asuma-sensei here. Asuma-sensei is going to treat us to barbecue. He probably won't mind you coming too. Then we can help you celebrate that birthday". I don't respond. It's not like I want to go to barbecue after having just stuffed myself with dango but I don't really want to say no either. My brother would probably be pleased that more than one person is acknowledging his birthday. Even if it is people that never knew him.
"Hey Chouji", a high-pitched voice calls out. Both Chouji and look forward to see Ino walking towards us, waving, with Shikamaru at her side. I groan inwardly, not pineapple head. "And Manami-chan too", Ino adds once she and Shikamaru are standing in front of us.
Shikamaru stares at me with searching eyes. Trying to figure out why I'm here no doubt. "You should be at the academy Manami", he said evenly.
I pick up the box and hold it out to him. "Dango?" I asked in a stiff tone. He glares at me.
"Shikamaru", Chouji breaks in, obviously planning on being the peacemaker. Manami said that there's a birthday today. That's why you aren't in class. Right Manami?"
I nod my head, not once looking away from pineapple head. If he is going to issue a challenge I'm going to take it. A fight, even if it's just a staring contest, might just make this day a little easier.
"I invited her to come to barbecue with us", Chouji continues as I set the dango box on my lap. "So I guess we're just waiting for Asuma-sensei".
"No need", a voice said, coming from nowhere as a puff of smoke appears. "I'm here", the voice said as the smoke cleared to show Asuma standing in its place. He looks at each of his old students and gives them a small smile. When he sees me he pauses, but doesn't say anything. I guess that means that I'm not unwelcome, yay for me. "We'll just stop at the hospital first. I want to see Kakashi", Asuma said, addressing Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji again.
"He's still in the hospital?" Ino asked as Chouji and I stand up. Me, with the dango box in hand.
As Asuma, Ino, and pineapple head lead the way Chouji said, "I'll carry that for you", before he takes the box from me.
"Thanks", I muttered.
The walk to the hospital turns out to be rather short, and soon the five of us are standing outside the hospital room of Kakashi Hatake. I have just enough time to hope that Kakashi doesn't bring up Akio's and my hospital break in before Asuma opens the door. I'm not so worried about everyone knowing about it, just pineapple head. Because he'll probably figure out the connection between the red eyes from the story I told him, and Kakashi, if he doesn't already. He'll know that I'm still searching for answers. "Hey Kakashi. How are you doing?" Asuma said, as he slides the door open all of the way to revival Kakashi still in bed, his nose in a book, with Naruto, and the pink haired girl, who are wearing clothes that I've never seen them wear before, standing around him. They must be off duty to be dressing so casually. There's also a forth person in the room. It takes a second for me the place his face, but then I have. He's the guy that attacked Naruto, Shikamaru, Chouji, and I the other day. What's he's doing here?
"Asuma-sensei, you should have knocked", Ino scolded as we all walk into the room. I stick close to Chouji, who's still carrying my dango box, and is also eating his chips again. For whatever reason I always feel the safest when I'm around Chouji.
"If it isn't Naruto and Sakura", Shikamaru said to my neighbor and the pink haired girl. "Is your mission-" But he stops when he notices the other guy. "Your that guy". Shikamaru said, making everyone's attention go to the stranger.
Chouji makes a noise of recognition and he stops eating to watch what's going to happen. "Who?" Ino asked Shikamaru when no one offers an explanation to what 'your that guy' means.
The stranger looks at us all, and I can practically see the gears turning in his head before he smiles and said, "hi". Then he smartly explains that he attacked us that day because he wanted to test Naruto's, his new teammates, abilities.
"So that's what you where doing", Chouji said from his spot in a chair that he had pulled up to Kakashi's bedside, after the stranger finished his story. I stand next to him, even though the apparent danger is gone. Considering that he still has my dangos and that he was the one to invite me to join everyone it's probably best that I stay with him. "That works for me", Chouji said contently, before putting more chips in his mouth.
"You can call me Sai", said the stranger with a smile as Chouji shakes his chip bag at me, offering me some. I shake my head at him, resting one of my hands on my stomach. If I eat another bite I'm going to explode. "Just Sai is fine", the stranger said, ending his introduction.
From the right I hear Ino giggle quietly. "He's kind of cool", she said to Sakura. "He reminds me of Sasuke-kun". There's that name again. Who is this Sasuke? Sakura whispers something back to Ino but it's to hush for me to make out. Shikamaru walks forward towards Naruto and said something quietly to him. What's with all of the secrets to day?
"What are you all doing here", Kakashi asked with his eyes still focused on his book. "This isn't a lounge". His voice is low, sounding a little annoyed with all the company.
"That's true", Asuma said as he sits down on the edge of Kakashi's bed. "You three can go ahead to the barbecue restaurant. Team Kakashi and Manami can go too". Chouji leaps out of his chair and both he and Ino cheer, but for different reasons. "It's my treat so that shouldn't be a problem".
Though Naruto did seem to think that there was some sort of problem. He scurries over to one of the sides of Kakashi's bed and asked, "Hold up, what where you going to say about training?" What training? That must have been something said before we entered the room.
Kakashi doesn't say anything right a way, he doesn't even look up from his reading. It must be a really good book. "Hmm, well I guess that will have to wait". Was his answer, much to Naruto's displeasure.
Chouji leads the way to the barbecue restaurant. Apparently this is a favorite place of his. Behind him the girls are talking with each other. Occasionally Ino will try to get Sai to join in. Behind them are Naruto and I, taking up the rear. For most of the trip to the restaurant he's muttering to himself about secret training, with his arms crossed. Though right before we enter the restaurant he looks down and as if he has seen me for the first time today he said, "Manami?"
I take a deep breath. "Hi Naruto". Before adding in my head, 'how are you my clueless neighbor?' Naruto's the most clueless person that I've ever met. My brother was never this unobservant, not even when he was reading a favorite book of his. Which was often, considering that my brother was always reading.
Sakura is the last one to be seated at the table. She's takes her place at the head of it and looks around at all of us. Naruto, and Chouji are sitting on the right side of the table with me in between them while Sai and Ino are on the left side. "Where's Shikamaru?" She asked as Chouji stares at the meat grilling on the barbecue that is built in the table. I look around, also just noticing that pineapple head had disappeared.
"He said that he has to help his dad with the deer", Chouji said as he rubs away his drool. I scoot closer to Naruto in an effort to stay dry.
Ino nods her head as she starts to put some of the finished cooked meat on a plate. "He always has work to do with his dad", she said as she pushes the plate of meat in front of Sai, obviously flirting.
"Yup", Chouji said cheerfully as he picks up his chopsticks. "That means I can have his share!" He exclaimed as he starts to pick up a piece of meat. But Ino has other ideas.
"Chouji don't be rude", she scolds. "Introduce yourself to Sai first before you eat".
Looking a little crestfallen Chouji said, "Oh, right. I'm Chouji Akimichi of the Akimichi clan. Nice to meet you Sai", he said impatiently.
Still smiling Sai said. "Nice to meet you-" And he pauses. Did he really forget Chouji's name already? Though Naruto and Sakura seem to have another thought about Sai's pause. Sai opens his Mouth and starts to say something but Naruto leans across the table and quickly slaps a hand over Sai's mouth, before whispering something to him.
"Were you going to say something?" Chouji asked Sai.
But Sakura answers for him. "Nothing at all", she said, waving her around, as if that would prove her point. Content to leave it at that Chouji smiles, and nods before digging into the meat. Naruto slumps both of his shoulders, looking relived. What just happened?
"You to Manami-chan", Ino suddenly said, nodding at me. "Introduce yourself. Be polite".
'Man, Ino is going to be a good mother one day'. I think as I look at the stranger to see that he's now smiling at me. There's something off about that smile. I'm starting to hate it as much as I hate Iruka-sensei's pitying smile. With no energy I said, "Hello, I'm Manami", before bowing my head a little. Why am I here? Today's supposed to be about my brother. Not about meeting a person who attacks people in the streets.
Sai nods, but before he can say anything to me Ino interrupts, "And I'm Ino Yamanaka. My family owns a flower shop". Her voice is higher, as if she's trying to make it sound sweeter, and she's all smiles. "It's so nice to meet you".
Again Sai pauses, as if he's thinking of something. Then he said, "Nice to meet you…. gorgeous".
Now it's Ino's turn to pause as she stares at Sai. Before her cheeks turn a peach looking color. Though that doesn't last long as Sakura starts to freak out with rage. Though I have no idea why.
"Why does Ino get to be gorgeous?" She growls at Sai as she reaches over the table to punch him. Naruto leans over me to try to stop her. Making me feel like I'm being squished. It looks like I missed something.
Not long after that we all got kicked out of the restaurant for causing a ruckus, and we all decide to go our separate ways. Well mostly, Ino ended up following Sai.
With Dango box in hand I walk next to Naruto. Thinking about how much more dango I'll need to stuff down my throat until it's gone. It's a good thing that I didn't eat anything at the barbecue restaurant, though I still feel like I won't be hungry for a week. I guess that I could save some dango for tomorrow, or maybe some for the next couple of days. But I don't want to have to keep remembering this day every time I eat some.
"You okay Manami", Naruto asked. I look up at him to see that he's staring down at me with his arms crossed behind his head. "You look a bit bummed".
I nod my head and stare down at the box in my hands. "Yes", I said but I don't think he believes me.
As we exit the market area and start heading for our apartment building he said, "I'd take ya for ramen seeing as we never really ate anything at the restaurant, but I'm kinda broke", he said, scratching the back of his head.
I shrug and hold up the box to him as our building comes into sight. "I have dango. Want some?"
"Eh", He said, surprised as he takes notice of the box in my possession for the first time. "When did you get that?"
"Before I ended up going to the hospital with Chouji and his team". I said nonchalantly. Though on the inside I want to say it differently. I want to scream and shout that I only have this stupid box of dango because it's March third. Because March third was my brother's birthday and I have to eat his favorite food so that he won't be forgotten.
Naruto takes the box from me to eat one of the many dangos in them and I use that time wipe away a tear. March third was always a fun day, and now it's a terrible day. I step in front of Naruto to go up the stairs to the second floor of our apartment building first. I can feel his eyes on my back. Climbing these stairs seems to be taking a lot longer than usual. It isn't fair to my brother that I'm the only person to remember him. My brother, who was hardly ever cross, and always brought home good grades, he deserves to be remembered by more people than just his little sister. Once on the landing I stop, and can hear Naruto stopping behind me. "Today was my brother's birthday", I said as I wrap my arms around myself. "If he was still alive he'd be thirteen right now". My voice quivers.
With his mouth full of dango Naruto squeezes past me until he is standing in front, facing me. He forces himself to swallow before he adopts a serious expression. It's the same expression that he had on his face when he talked about how it feels to live alone all the time. With the box still in hand he asked, "You miss your brother, Manami?"
I nod my head. Idiot, of course I do. I've only ever had one brother. "He was a lot like Hatake-san", I hear myself say. "He was always reading. My mother couldn't ever buy enough books for him. He could read one big book per day. He liked to make up his own stories too. Sometimes we'd pitch a tent in the back yard and he'd make up ghost stories and try to scare me with them". I said, suddenly finding myself to be crying. Why couldn't my brother have lived? Why couldn't we have switch places? They I could be dead, and he'd could be the one trying to make sure that I'm not going to be forgotten. He'd probably have been better at it than I am. Why couldn't he have been the one to inherit father's kekkei genkai? He was the first-born. It should have been him. And if he were in my shoes he probably would have already figured out what our last name is.
"Well", Naruto said carefully, his voice breaking through all my thoughts. "I can't replace your brother, but I can be your older big brother", Naruto said, looking down at me, his own eyes looking a little misty, maybe even fearful. Of what? Rejection? "You can call me Naruto nii-san", He said as he stood up straighter and pointed to himself with one of his thumbs. "I'm probably way stronger your real brother ever was", he said assuming that I would agree to him being my new brother.
Through my sobs I choke out. "Yes, but also way stupider than him too."
"Hey", Naruto yells as he leans forward and down, getting his face close to mine. "Don't talk to your older brother like that! If you're going to be my little sister you have to respect me!" He said but he's smiling, and his eyes are sparkling. "What would your brother say if he heard what you said to your new brother?"
And just like that, I didn't feel like I would be the only one remembering my brother. I rub my eyes, drying them before I said, "He would ask me why I picked an adopted brother who's such a idiot".
"Hey!" Naruto yells again, dropping the box of dango to better expression his anger.
And then, just like any other March third I get to laugh.