Of Deities and Their Errand Boy
Chapter 1: In Which the Forest Welcomes
A young, five year old Naruto was running away from mobs who were angry at him. Why, he really want to know, because he behave for entire week. He didn't stay past curfew, he didn't play with anyone, he didn't touch thing, he even ate veggie! So why did people still hate him?
The path become narrow. The well-maintained road become nothing more than stone-and-moss covered dirt with big trees at left and right. Naruto almost tripped over the rocks as he ran from the increasingly incensed mobs. As it stood, the distance between him and then become shorter. There's only so much stamina and distance a five year old with short legs can take him away before adults with long legs can catch up to him.
Something red appears in Naruto vision. It was wooden red Logs in H shaped but with roof. Beyond it was an old building in earth and forest color with open door.
Naruto don't know what is it or why it was here, but the door is open and open door mean he can enter and he need hiding place. So with mutters of apology, he enter the building, find a corner that was hidden behind big bush on pot. Conveniently he found a rag and pull it over himself and sat still in attempt to mimicked old furniture.
He know its futile. He had try it before but hey. Last time he didn't hide inside old building so maybe it will work this time?
He peek through a tiny hole in the rag.
Soon enough those big bad men come inside and looking around. One of them with scar on his cheek was angry enough to roughly messing the furniture... as few as the building had.
"Stop it!" The long-hair said, grabbing the scarface's hand. "Don't you see it? This is a shrine!"
"So what?" Scarface sneered. "Shrine mean nothing! The demon brat could've hidden here for all I know!" He looked at drawer at end of hallway and roughly ripped the door open, revealing yellow something. Old wrinkle paper.
They searching for him. But by some miracle they didn't found him.
"Are ya sure the demon come this way?" Robes asked. "Cause I don't sense it at all."
"It can't be." Blackie said. "I definitely saw it went there. Swear on my Kunai."
"Well, maybe he went around and go elsewhere. Probably laughing at us! I mean, look! This place is old and abandoned and open like friggin old box. Who want to hide here?"
Me. Naruto replied in his heart. Because he need any hiding place he can get.
"Come. Let's try the forest. Or town. Or near that damned shop who refuse to NOT serve the demon. It probably was there."
Soon enough, they left the building—Shrine, the Long Hair said—and go somewhere. Naruto waited until he can no longer hear their voice or footsteps and waited a little longer just to be sure before he took off the rag and stared.
...did he just successfully hide from them? Really?
Staring at the door in amazement, Naruto felt like butterfly flew in his stomach. It's fun! He finally safe! He can hide from them! This place is—
He turned around and his smile fall.
This place is absolutely trashed.
The painting was torn up, the barest of furniture was flipped over, the drawer was open with one "door" on odd angle and unlike its twin, and there's paper scattered off. Oh, has he mentioned broken vases and dead, crushed flower?
Naruto wilted. "Oh man... I'm so going to be in trouble."
With a sigh, he gathered up his will and fix up the mess, as much as he can. Paintings that were too tall he left alone and those that were too heavy for him he just pushed aside to the corners so that nobody can see the mess from outside. Small things were gathered at one wooden box Naruto found and he piled up the papers and put them back in place and close the drawer. It took extra Ooomph! to the broken one but it worked. Crushed flower was thrown out before they dried and Naruto spends some time venture around to find fresh flowers to replace them.
The sky had turned orange but Naruto wasn't done. He want to continue but if he did then it will be dark. People dislike him, but they were more dangerous after dark. And if he get back home then he won't have dinner.
With reluctant sigh, Naruto walked out. He turned back at the painting and murmured, "I'll be back tomorrow."
Naruto arrived at the shrine next morning with determination to fix up the mess. However, when he arrived, he can't help but stared.
The place is... different.
The building is brand new with vibrant color and more strength. If the previous one was old fallen tree, this one was vibrant lively and stood tall and proudly. The red thing before the shrine was so vibrant tomato would be jealous. The inside was much, much, much better. The old furnitures were gone and in their place was brand new, strong furniture. Naruto can't help but touching the nearest pillar. This one has carvings. Of plants and flowers and water and fire and spirals. The bushes at corner was so vividly green with tiny blue fruits grew on them.
The painting also different but still the same man. Naruto find he like this one better. The eyes looking more alive and the smile somehow is brighter. More cheerful. He was standing towards Naruto with hand outstretched as if welcoming Naruto or looking for a hug.
Someone certainly has been repairing the place overnight. Naruto almost didn't recognize it if not for the man in painting and that corner he used for hiding—and there! The cloth he used back then was still here. Only washed clean but still blending well with the wall.
It's different. Vastly so. Naruto feels like walking on thin line. Like when people were staring at him but won't say anything or do anything.
But it's okay.
Because the door is open and open door means he is welcomed to come. That alone is wonderful.
No one ever opened their door for him, after all.