Chapter 3

Kakashi sat in the Team Ro locker room reading his favorite book as Itachi walked in. The two shared a comfortable silence as Itachi put away his belongings. It was often like this. Both were silent and stoic individuals. It served them well in their missions after all. Most Anbu members were like that, a coldness to them that was unmistakable, even to the untrained eye. Itachi rummaged through his things, taking off the mask as Kakashi sat in thought. After a few long moments Kakashi looked up from his book toward the young Uchiha, "A little sloppy, wouldn't you say?"

Itachi didn't look at his Captain, "Merely following orders." The boy said easily. He had been told to go easy on her before hand by Danzo himself. "She needed to know she at least stood a chance so she would use her Kekkei Genkai." Kakashi smiled awkwardly beneath his mask. Itachi was certainly an odd one, always confident. Though he couldn't blame him, the boy was gifted, he was only twelve and in the Anbu, flourishing. Kakashi found himself staring at the back of the young Uchiha. Itachi was just eleven when he had entered into the life of an Anbu. The youngest person to ever join. A part of him lamented for Itachi, because of the boys skills he was tossed into a life of death and deception.

The silver haired man sighed and closed his book, "That is what perplexes me." Kakashi began, "While Ice Release is incredibly rare, I fail to see the practical applications that are any more useful than the other nature releases. So why would Danzo even bother seeing if the rumors about her were true?"

Itachi looked at him, "She is quite possibly the only person in the village with the technique. The first one to my knowledge. Perhaps there is more to be learned about it."

Kakashi tilted his head back in thought, "Hmm, perhaps. Whatever Danzo's reasoning, I didn't like that look on his face." The look flashed across his vision, a small smile upturned the corners of the old man's mouth. Danzo rarely smiled. He was well aware of the nefarious nature Danzo could display. Danzo's schemes could take years to play out. He played his hand close to his chest.

"She did surprise me though." Itachi admitted easily.

"Oh?" Kakashi was curious.

"Her ability to use jutsu one handed, for example. It shows a great deal of chakra control." Itachi gathered his bag to go home, "Honestly, I'm surprised she has stayed a Chunin for so long."

Kakashi nodded, 'Ever observant, Itachi.' He thought back to the battle. The control she displayed over her chakra was certainly at a level above chunin. His thought instead went to her tactics. He was certain that if Itachi had not held back he would have easily been able to dispatch her. Though he too, could see the potential she had. "Its possible all she lacks is some experience in the field. She was certainly sloppy when she thought she had you."

Itachi nodded, "Too bad she never will." He said in a matter of fact tone.

An awkward chuckle slipped past his lips and he closed his eyes as the young Uchiha left. 'There he goes again...'

Keiko walked around the village after being let free. The experience weighing heavily on her mind. It was strange how Danzo's attitude changed so easily after the fight. Her hand rested on her chin, biting her thumb, a habit she had developed over the years when she got stressed and nervous. She pondered if using her ice was the best decision at the time. She couldn't be afraid to use it forever after all. Something in the old mans eyes made a bad feeling settle in her stomach.

While lost in thought she didn't notice the little boy run up to her, "Hey! Keiko! Where were you?"

She looked down and smiled at Naruto. She had been gone all afternoon and it was now only a few hours till dark. Keiko got down to his level and gave an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, Naruto. Work got really busy. Can't leave books unattended!"

Naruto crossed his arms and looked at her skeptically, "Books don't move. Not like they're gonna run away from you."

"Of course not." Keiko chuckled. "Have you had anything to eat yet?" Naruto shook his head. "Lets go, my treat!" Keiko was ready to get her mind off of the days events and she knew just the place to take him.

Naruto gasped in delight and followed her down the street. No one had ever treated him to a meal before! Usually it was only The Hokage, he would stop by about once a week to check in on him and have a meal. He looked up at Keiko, her gentle smile causing her eyes to crinkle slightly. Naruto found himself hoping that this was the start of something great. Someone he could call a friend. The thought made his heart clench in excited nervousness. How he prayed that this would last.

The two of them made it to the establishment and Keiko pulled back the curtain, "Teuchi! Ayame!" She greeted the father-daughter duo.

Teuchi looked up from his cooking and gave the girl a large smile, "Well, hello, Miss Keiko! What can I get for you this evening?"

Keiko helped a struggling Naruto into the tall seat of the counter, "Well," She began, "I was going to treat my friend Naruto to a bowl of your delicious ramen."

Ayame and Teuchi shared a glance of hesitancy that was not missed by the Kunoichi. Her mind again wondered what was so different about Naruto that made everyone either distrust him or hate him. Surely a six year old couldn't have done anything that bad. Her mind went to how the two of them accepted her so openly when she had first arrived in the village. It was one of the reasons why she had become a regular customer. If anyone could learn to like Naruto, she knew they would. "Of course, and what'll it be?" Teuchi smiled.

"I'll take my regular, same for Naruto."

"Coming right up!" Ayame chirped and helped her father make the dishes, setting a complimentary cup of tea before the familiar Kunoichi.

Naruto turned from side to side in his seat as they waited. A silence had blanketed the four of them and Keiko drank it in. The noises of the small kitchen were a nice change to the clanging of metal on metal.

"Hey, Keiko?" Naruto asked taking her out of her thoughts.

She looked at him as she took a sip of her tea, "What is it, Naruto?"

He looked at her and held eye contact. A long moment passed, "What is it like to be a ninja?"

Keiko blinked, not knowing how to answer the loaded question as she put down her tea. "Well, how about you tell me what you think it means to be a ninja?"

The boy crossed his arms in thought before saying, "A ninja always stands up for what they believe in! To never give up, no matter how tough it gets! When I'm a ninja, I'll never run away!"

Keiko was moved by his conviction and she could see Teuchi and Ayame were as well as they smiled at the young boy. She knew the two of them would warm up to him. Keiko nodded, "That's a great start, and a great Nindo."

"Nindo?" Naruto questioned.

"A nindo is your Ninja way, what it means to be a ninja. It's different for each shinobi." She wasn't too surprised he wasn't aware of the term. It wasn't something she learned about until her time at the academy either.

"Huh," he said in thought. "What's yours then?"

She smiled, "For me, to be a ninja is having the strength to protect what I love."

"What do you love?" Naruto asked innocently.

"This village." She said easily. "I'm still working on gaining their trust, even years later, but I will forever be thankful that they took us in and allowed me to become the ninja that I am today." She took another sip of her tea, "Family and friends are also very important to me, of course."

"Are you not from Konoha?"

She shook her head, "Nope! I was actually born in the Land of Iron."

He gasped, "But, isn't that really far away!" He said putting emphasis in his words. It wasn't a place he had ever heard of!

Keiko looked up in thought, reminiscing. "I don't really remember much about the journey. I haven't been back since I left to come here with my father. You wanna know something about the Land of Iron, Naruto?"

He nodded vigorously, eager to learn more about her.

She leaned down, as if to tell a secret and covered part of her mouth, "There aren't any ninja there."

Naruto gasped and flung his arms up, "What? What do people even do there?" He asked in shock.

Keiko couldn't help but laugh, "The Land of Iron is home to Samurai. Have you ever heard of them?" He shook his head. "Samurai are formidable opponents. They don't use chakra the same way ninja do either. They channel it into their swords and weapons to act as an extension of themselves."

The boys eyes were shinning, "Whoa, that sounds so cool! And you grew up with them?"

She shrugged, "In a way. My uncle trained me to become one at a young age. Though I always wanted to be a ninja. Even so, my uncle instilled in me the lessons of a Samurai and I do my best to honor them everyday."

"And what does it mean to be a Samurai?"

Keiko smiled at his question. "Bushido." She said simply. "Courage, Integrity, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty. All the markings of a great Samurai." She had to wonder if he knew the meaning of some of those. And based on the look on his face, he didn't grasp all of them.

"Hmm," Naruto said in thought. A lot of fancy words, that's for sure.

"Order up!" Teuchi said as he placed the bowls down before his customers. He was watching Naruto, excited to see the young boys reaction to his creation.

Keiko handed him a pair of chopsticks, "Dig in, Naruto!"

The two of them ate joyfully. Naruto was stunned at the flavor! This was leagues better than the instant stuff he was used to! Teuchi stood proudly, knowing he had roped in another customer with his fantastical skills.

Later after the meal was done, Keiko went to walking the boy home. The whole way she listened to Naruto talk about how amazing Ichiraku ramen was and how he wanted to eat there every day until he died. Keiko laughed at his antics and encouraged his excited rambling. Who knew how long it had been since he was able to openly be himself?

When they came to Naruto's apartment Keiko was appalled at the state of things. There were dirty clothes all over the floor. Dishes piled up on the counter along with a mountain of trash from easy instant meals. The more she looked the more evident it was to her that he was not suited to living alone. "I-I know it's a mess..." Naruto said shyly.

Keiko placed a hand on his head and ruffled his blond hair, "Oh don't worry, now do me a favor and go pack a bag."

"Huh?"

She smiled, "You heard me."

Naruto could tell there was no arguing with her on that so he went to grab a bag and started shoving some essentials into it.

Keiko watched him and crossed her arms, one of her hands touching her forehead in frustration. How could they let a child live like this? He didn't have family to help him. How did they expect him to grow up in this kind of environment? She watched as Naruto went around and gathered some things and her heart went out to him when he wasn't even sure what all to grab. Keiko helped him pack some essentials, explaining that he was going to come and stay with her for a while. Naruto looked excited, but also a bit hesitant.

Naruto lived on the opposite side of the village, so it was a decent walk to Keiko's apartment. When they got there Keiko helped him get settled in and showed him where everything was at. The boy looked up at her, "Am I going to live here now?"

She paused and looked at him. Keiko got down to his level and placed her hands on his tiny shoulders, "Naruto, I don't know what kind of a life you have had up to this point, but I am making it a personal mission of mine to make yours better. Tomorrow I am cleaning that apartment of yours, and after that, I just want you to know you are welcome here at any time." She searched his blue eyes and all she saw was shock and awe, "When you feel sad, or lonely, never hesitate to come here. I will do everything I can for you."

Naruto's eyes filled with tears as he fought to hold them in. Keiko smiled, she had overwhelmed the child. She was about to apologize when Natuto flung his arms around her neck in a hug. She was taken back by the gesture before returning it. Keiko let him silently cry before placing him on the couch and tucking him into bed. She looked back at the boy as she entered her own room.

She had a good feeling about this one.

I've got the first 15ish chapters planned out already, and I'm looking forward to what's to come!

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Posted - 5/8/21