Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters as they are the property of Masashi Kishimoto. The author of the cover image is rothanavatar from DeviantArt. You can check the link for the original image in my profile.
Chapter 14: A Helping Hand
''I see...'' Said Hiruzen, letting out a puff of smoke. He put aside his favorite pipe to rest his elbows on his table as he eyed Kakashi sternly. ''You should have come back to tell me what was really going on as soon as the demon brothers attacked you. Regardless of the monetary concerns of our client, I'm sure that we could have come to an arrangement.''
''I deeply apologize, Hokage-sama. I take full responsibility for that oversight. I was so glad that the team had for once all agreed to something that I let it overcome my better judgment,'' Said Kakashi with a respectful bow. ''I'll accept any punishment you deem fit.''
Sarutobi stared thoughtfully at Kakashi for a couple of long seconds before he let out a sigh. ''I'll let you go with just a warning this time. But only because everyone is unhurt and everything turned alright in the end. However, I don't want a repeat of this.''
''Thank you, Hokage-sama. It won't happen again,'' Swore Kakashi.
''What really bothers me is Kaguya's behavior,'' Said Sarutobi seriously. ''She might be a Shinobi but she is far too young to have no qualms in finding the motivation to kill so many people. And not listening to your orders that would be reason enough for me to suspend her or even get her out of our forces altogether,'' Said the Hokage, even if that wasn't something he would like to do. He had tried to do his best to ensure that despite the girl's harsh life she could live well and he had failed to protect her from people's rejection. He felt in part responsible for how antisocial the girl had turned out, he didn't want to outright strip her of her shinobi career without giving her a chance to correct herself. It was the least he could do now.
Kakashi noticed the sandaime's silence and guessed what kind of concerns the old man could be having. ''Do you think that maybe Kaguya isn't fit to be a ninja?'' Kakashi asked tentatively.
''Sometimes the thought crosses my mind, yes,'' Admitted the Hokage sadly. ''With such high potential, it would be a waste to not use it. But it would also be terrible if she were to turn against us. Still, things haven't yet reached a critical point. I'll see how she progresses before I truly consider what to do with her.''
Kakashi nodded. It seemed fair, even if he felt sympathy for his Hyuga student.
''Anyway, back to the topic at hand,'' Announced the sandaime. ''considering what you all went through I shall give your team a couple of days off, just so you can get some rest and let your Genin clear their heads. Also, I'm upping the mission rank to A-rank and you all shall be given proper compensation for it. I'll send a message within the week to Wave to get to an arrangement regarding the difference in price between a C-rank and A-rank.''
''Thank you for your understanding. I'm sure the team will appreciate it,'' Said Kakashi.
''Still, I recommend you that you take their training up a notch in the coming week. Is almost that time of the year and they will need to be on top form,'' Said the Hokage. ''I mean, that if you are going to make your team participate.''
''You mean the Chunin exams?'' Asked Kakashi in mild surprise, earning a nod from the Hokage. ''I had forgotten that is almost time for those.''
''Will you nominate them?'' Asked Sarutobi curiously.
''I'm thinking about it,'' Said Kakashi. ''You think they are not ready?''
''That's hard to say,'' Commented Sarutobi. ''They are certainly young and it would be quite fast for them to enter at this time, but there is no denying that they are a promising bunch. In the end, I think that you will know better than I do if they are ready or not.''
''I appreciate your trust,'' Said Kakashi.
Hiruzen simply smiled reassuringly at the Jounin, grabbing his pipe and lighting it anew. ''So, Wave named their bridge after your team?'' Asked the Hokage in amusement.
''What can I say? We left an impression on them,'' Commented Kakashi with a smile.
-Somewhere else in the village-
''See ya, old man!'' Yelled Naruto as he exited his favorite ramen stand, Ichiraku Ramen.
He patted his belly with content. They had arrived at the village pretty late from the mission and he was glad that he had had time to at least get some dinner.
He stretched his arms above his head before scratching his neck. Man was he tired of traveling. Being outside Konoha for the first time in his life had been interesting but he couldn't deny that he missed his home, despite the villager's glares. It was at least familiar, the only home he had ever known. Well, he hoped to not have to deal with freaks like Zabuza any time soon. Right now, only the comforting thought of his bed in his cozy apartment was on his mind.
After some minutes, he finally arrived at his apartment complex and went up the stairs. However, he didn't expect to find someone familiar sitting in the middle of the stairwell.
''What the...'' Muttered the blond with a small jump when he spotted Kaguya sitting on one of the steps, seeing her pale figure so suddenly in such a dark hour almost made it seem like a ghost appearing out of nowhere to the boy. Quickly calming himself now that he recognized his teammate he noticed the girl resting her head against the wall seemingly asleep.
''What in the Yondaime's name is she doing sleeping here?!'' Thought Naruto in disbelief. Just who the heck went around falling asleep in public stairwells? Then a bit of panic entered Naruto as he considered something else. Maybe he was jumping to conclusions and she was unconscious or something, maybe even badly hurt! Why else would she be like this?
Without wasting any more time, Naruto put a hand on her shoulder to shake her awake. ''Hey, Kaguya are you all right?! Is something wrong?!''
Kaguya stirred weakly before slowly opening her eyes. She blinked a couple of times then she diverted her confused gaze towards the blond. ''Naruto? What do you want and what are you doing here?''
Naruto looked at her as if she was crazy. ''What am I doing here? I live here, you already knew that! What are YOU doing here?!'' Demanded the blond.
''Sleeping,'' She answered simply as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
''Sleeping?'' Repeated Naruto in a deadpan manner. So, there was no emergency or anything like that, she had just fallen asleep outside his apartment for no reason like some weirdo. ''Why sleep here?!''
Kaguya shrugged. ''This is a very calm place. I thought no one would bother me here,'' A while ago she had noticed that this section of the village had very little movement in general. Probably because no one wanted to live close to Naruto. This complex was a prime example of it. Save for the loud blond it was almost deserted.
''But why?!'' Asked Naruto again, not satisfied with the previous answer. ''You are a Hyuga like Hinata, aren't you? Don't you guys live in some fancy compound or something?''
To his surprise, she narrowed her eyes in a mixture of sadness and anger as she diverted her gaze. ''I don't like going there.''
Naruto was shocked to hear that. ''But that is your home.''
''I don't care. The less time I can spend there the better,'' Said Kaguya in sorrow. Lately, she had opted to avoid that damn place as much as she could. Only going there to train and change her clothes. She even preferred showering in the public baths or by the river in the training grounds than in the Hyuga state.
Naruto looked at her melancholically. Just by the way she talked about her home with the Hyuga he could tell that she had some underlying problems, and he suspected they were serious. They had to be if she would rather be sleeping around in a place like this instead of her own house.
Then, Naruto grabbed her gently but firmly by the wrist, much to her surprise. ''Come,'' Said the boy.
Kaguya shot the Jinchuuriki an odd look. ''What for?''
''I ain't gonna let you sleep here on the ground if I have a say in it,'' Declared the boy with determination.
''I didn't ask for your help,'' Said the girl sternly.
''Too bad. If you didn't want me to get involved then you shouldn't have chosen my apartment complex to lay around,'' Said Naruto with finality. ''Now come.''
Kaguya's natural reaction was to tell him to piss off, but seeing the fiery look in his eyes, full of concern and confidence at the same time, made her feel as if he knew what was best for her; as if he was going to make sure she was alright. Not to mention that Naruto had tried to understand her and be a friend to her at every opportunity. All in all, she couldn't find it within herself to reject him. Instead, she simply nodded with a dumbfounded look and let herself be dragged by Naruto's strong grip.
They went up the stairs and in a moment, they stood in front of Naruto's door. The blond rapidly opened it and stepped inside, waiting patiently for his Hyuga guest to follow suit.
Kaguya eyed the open door timidly as Naruto watched her expectantly. She sighed before she steeled herself. ''Excuse me...'' Muttered the girl as she stepped inside and removed her tabi soon after, putting her footwear aside just beside Naruto's sandals.
She glanced around her, watching the small apartment curiously.
''So, um...did you have dinner? Want something to eat? Or some water maybe?'' Offered Naruto nervously. He had acted rashly and without thinking things through. Now it was finally dawning on him that he had brought a girl into his house. He barely ever got any visitors much less a girl like Kaguya who was from a prodigious clan. Not that he was regretting his choice, he would not let her sleep on the floor, not on his watch, but he was still not used to this.
''I'm fine. Maybe some water would be good,'' Said the pale girl.
''Right away!'' Exclaimed Naruto, leaving through another door which presumably led to the kitchen.
Now that she was left momentarily alone, Kaguya took a better look inside the apartment. The place was small but it was still spacious due to the only furniture being a bed in the corner of the room and a cupboard on the other side of the place. Also, there was another and smaller cupboard at the side of the bed. The place was simple but it was normal for an orphan like Naruto who probably wouldn't be able to afford anything else. Besides, even if the place was bare she would still have loved a place like this for herself as long as she was alone. In that regard, she considered Naruto lucky.
Then, Naruto came back with a glass of water in hand. ''Here you go!'' Said the boy as she handed her the beverage.
''Thank you,'' Said Kaguya as she grabbed the glass. She stared silently at it for a few seconds, not drinking it right away, causing an uncomfortable silence to settle in the room. She couldn't help it, this situation was completely alien to her and ignored that it was also as uncommon for Naruto.
Finally, Naruto cleared his throat. ''So, I was thinking of hitting the sack for the day but if you wish to stay up longer there are some scrolls on that cupboard that you could read, I guess...'' Suggested Naruto, not knowing what Kaguya wanted to do at all.
''I was actually thinking of going to sleep, also,'' Said Kaguya.
''Oh... then, let me help you preparing your bed,'' Said Naruto as he went to his bed and pulled a futon from under it. ''I have this in case we leave the village for long missions, which I forgot to bring last time,'' Admitted the boy with a silly grin.
''I see,'' Said Kaguya with a small amused smile. It was just like him to forget something like that.
''All done,'' Said Naruto as he finished unrolling the futon on the floor.
''Thanks...'' Said Kaguya, still unsure of how to react to Naruto's hospitality.
Naruto tilted his head in confusion at the seemingly unsatisfied girl. ''Well, unless you want the bed that is...'' Suggested Naruto off-handedly.
Kaguya shook her head fervently. ''No, the futon is fine, thank you. I have already intruded enough I don't want to take your bed too,'' Said Kaguya. ''Is just that...I don't know how to thank you for all this. You didn't have to go so far to help me.''
''What?'' Asked Naruto, genuinely confused. ''You talk as if this is huge but it really is nothing for me. You are a friend, right?'' Asked Naruto with a toothy grin.
Kaguya nodded timidly and with mild surprise. She was still getting used to the idea that Naruto really thought of her as a friend. She had spent all her life without many people dear to her that the idea of someone else thinking of her as a close friend was still an alien thought.
''Then you shouldn't be so surprised about it. This is what friends do!'' Exclaimed Naruto.
''Even after what I did in Wave do you still want to be my friend?'' Asked the girl tentatively.
At being reminded of the gruesome display back at Wave, Naruto dropped his smile as he scratched the back of his head. ''I can't say that I agree with what you did, and to be honest I would never have had the stomach to do it. But Gatou did need to be dealt with I guess even if you overdid it. Still, it was our first real mission we were all on edge so...What I'm trying to say is that we were in an extreme situation and we all made mistakes. That doesn't mean that I don't think you are good on the inside,'' Reassured Naruto with a grin.
Kaguya grabbed her arm shyly as she stared at the ground. She didn't know she would be so glad to hear Naruto say those words but she was surprised to notice that she really was. At the time, after it dawned on her what she had done she felt like the monster she had been told all her life she was, it was a wonderful feeling to see that there were still people like Naruto that still had hope in her. She hadn't felt that kind of reassurance ever since Hizashi. She blushed slightly at the thought as a pleasant feeling settled itself in her stomach.
Naruto wondered why Kaguya had fallen silent all of a sudden and why she seemed to be red in the face. It must be a Hyuga thing. Anyway, he didn't give it much importance. ''What do you say if we call it a day? I'm a bit tired,'' Said Naruto with a yawn.
Kaguya was brought back to the previous topic and after a second she nodded in agreement with Naruto.
Once both teammates had settled into their respective beds- Futon in Kaguya's case- Naruto reached out to the lamp on his cupboard and with a flick of a switch, the room went dark. ''Goodnight!'' Said Naruto.
''Night,'' Responded Kaguya back before she heard the blond stirring in his bed until he found a comfortable position.
However, Kaguya couldn't do the same as his blond teammate. She was having difficulties getting used to sleeping in such an unfamiliar place, and with a male teammate of all people. Not to mention that despite what Naruto said about this not bothering him at all, it still felt wrong to her to be imposing on him when she had a perfectly fine room for herself back at the clan. But she couldn't help it, she simply didn't like being on the Hyuga compound. Not with the way her clan saw her, even Neji-niisan. She couldn't stand to see her once dear brother look at her with such disdain. Hizashi had entrusted her with looking after Neji but how could she do it when he didn't want anything to do with her? She had failed Hizashi, not only did she cause his death but she couldn't even do the one thing she entrusted her with.
She used the covers to hide her face in shame and sadness at being reminded of her family situation. It didn't matter what she did, her family would never accept her. She didn't know why she had to endure such unfair treatment. No one understood her loneliness, no one related to her burden...Wait! She turned her head to stare at Naruto's bed, its silhouette gently traced by the moonlight. That was right, for a moment she had forgotten that Naruto received a similar treatment and somehow he still found it within himself to smile and not let everyone else's hatred get to him. She still didn't know why people didn't like the blond, but his fierce and happy demeanor that she had hated seeing him stupidly display in face of such harshness now intrigued her. Maybe, just maybe he could offer some advice on her own problems.
She cleared her throat before whispering calmly. ''Naruto,'' No response from the boy. ''Naruto, are you awake?'' She waited for a moment, but the only response she got was a loud snore from the boy.
She sighed in resignation. She didn't want to wake him up for such a stupid reason so she decided to ask him about it later...maybe. She also didn't want to appear weak, even less after she had mocked his beliefs in the past. It would make her look like a hypocrite. But on the other hand, Naruto would probably understand that she changed her mind. It was herself who was uncomfortable to admit that she might have been wrong. Well, no use pondering on all this right now, she would decide what to do once she was well-rested.
It took Kaguya several minutes, but she finally managed to drift into a deep slumber just like Naruto had. And with that, both teenagers stayed side by side, sleeping contently in the comfortable silence of the black midnight.
Author's note:
Sorry for how short these two chapters were, but hey, at least I uploaded both...
Anyway, the Chunin exams are rapidly closing by and I'm excited for those. Things will get crazy in the exams and I'm looking forward to them, and yes, things will be going a bit different in the exams too. If they are going to be as different as the wave arc was is hard to say, you'll have to wait to find out.
But we will also have character development. I won't ever skip those, so don't worry about that part.
Oh, and for people asking about my other fic, 'Love Your Enemy' don't worry, I'm writing the next chapter you can be certain of it just be patient please, I know that I'm late but I don't want to rush it either.
And as always, let me know what you guys think! See ya!