Author Note: Hey, guys! Sorry for taking so long to return. It's been one shit-show after another! With complications IRL and the holidays rolling around, I'm hoping to have my normal routine back by January, but we'll have to wait and see.
It hasn't all been bad news though! I made a new friend who's been a big help assisting me with improving "Setsuri". So, chapters might be coming out a little bit slower than before but will be of better quality! I even plan to go back and revise older chapters based on some of the feedback I've received, and mistakes I noticed when re-reading the story.
My new and awesome buddy is Jerniman (ID: 8313860). He has some pretty funny & fluffy NaruHina fics himself, so you should go check him out!
On another note, thank you for the continued support! 750+ Followers, 500+ Favorites, and 60k+ Views! You guys are AMAZING! I hope you're as excited as I am about heading into one of the first of many non-canon arcs I have planned out! Your patience is finally being rewarded! Enjoy the sugary fluff-fest!
"Disembodied voices of higher beings."
"External Dialogue of Lesser Mortals."
'Structured Thoughts'
Setsuri
Chapter Fourteen
"The conclusion of an inference."
It was mid-afternoon when Team Seven finally returned to Konoha. During the journey back, Kakashi observed his young squad closely. He was concerned that their usually loud and energetic ball of sunshine was more subdued and quiet throughout the trip home. Naruto often seemed to be zoning out, unfocused, withdrawn, and only participated in conversation during meals. Kakashi noted that he wasn't the only one who seemed concerned about Naruto if Hinata's behavior was anything to go by.
Kakashi reflected on how the usually reserved girl was always by Naruto's side, fretting over the boy's every need. It was quite humorous to see Hinata treating Naruto as if he was made of glass, not that the oblivious boy noticed. Kakashi filed away some potential adjustments to their training routine to break the girl's behavior. The current shift in their team dynamic wouldn't do if his trainees were to become functional and reliable warriors for Konoha. They needed to trust and have faith in each other's strengths, which led him to thoughts of the final member of their little group.
It appeared that during the battle, Sasuke managed to awaken his Sharingan. On top of that, Sasuke seemed conflicted with the results of the fight overall. He kept trying to pester everyone else for details he'd missed when he'd been unconscious and the aftermath of the skirmish. Needless to say, Kakashi didn't feel inclined to volunteer any information that Naruto wasn't comfortable sharing just yet, or anything alluding to S-Rank classified secrets.
Thinking back on the situation, Kakashi was rather surprised that Hinata didn't have any questions about the day's events, at least none that didn't pertain to Naruto's wellness or recovery. From what the girl had described to Kakashi, she'd seen Naruto manifest the Kyūbi's chakra, but didn't express a single bit of interest in Naruto's irregularities. The only thing Hinata had asked was if Naruto was in pain, if he'd recover and what she could do to help him heal.
After passing through the large gates that protected the village, Kakashi dismissed his young Genin to rest and clean up after such a turbulent mission. Then awaited his audience with the Hokage, during which Kakashi made mental notes about how to handle the individual issues surrounding his three charges, along with how to help them grow into a cohesive unit. But at that moment, Kakashi had more pressing issues. When it was his turn to see the Hokage, Kakashi sighed, putting away his favored book, and entering the office. Closing the door behind him, he gave his leader a respected bow before speaking.
"Team Seven safely returning from the field, Hokage-Sama. Our mission was prolonged due to unforeseen complications, but overall was successful."
Hiruzen smiled nodding in acknowledgment, "That's good to hear. I was growing concerned when you didn't return within the estimated timeframe. If you hadn't returned or sent word before the end of the week, I'd have sent out a retrieval team. Speaking of which, where are your Genin? I hope these unforeseen complications didn't result in anything dire?"
Kakashi chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head as he nodded apologetically, "I'm sorry to have worried you Hokage-Sama. I would've sent word if I was able." He paused a moment before continuing, "As for my team, I released them for the rest of the day. Their C-Rank was quite...taxing." Kakashi hesitated momentarily, adopting a grim expression as he reluctantly continued. "There are also some… Confidential sections of the report that certain individuals don't have clearance for that I needed to go over."
Hiruzen's expression became alarmed and stern as he straightened up, making a motion with his hand. Within an instant two ANBU appeared, kneeling expectantly before their leader. "Clear my schedule. Let the staff know that I'm not to be disturbed while I listen to Team Seven's debriefing." The old man's voice didn't leave room for misunderstanding. "Instruct the other Genin teams to turn in their missions reports to one of the Chūnin at the front desk. All others can wait until this evening. I do not want any interruptions except for dire emergencies."
The ANBU nodded before quickly leaving. After a moment Hiruzen gave Kakashi the go-ahead to explain the details of the mission. Kakashi wasted no time recounting the assignment's particulars, beginning with Tazuna's duplicity of the threat level. Then he proceeded with a play-by-play of each confrontation, along with the aftermath of each event.
One concerning piece of information was that the Kyūbi didn't protect Naruto against Zabuza during the first encounter. But, the creature overcompensated in the boy's confrontation against Haku. The Jōnin concluded with how each team member performed during the mission. By the time Kakashi got to the end of his tale, Hiruzen's demeanor was somber and contemplative. Overall, Kakashi's retelling took about two hours.
"Hokage-Sama, I'm concerned about Naruto's well-being. During my inspection, his seal seemed fine, but his injuries from tapping into the Kyūbi's power clearly show that can't be the case. Since the incident, I also feel he remembers more than he's willing to admit because of his change in attitude and recent behavior. I think...I think it'd be to his benefit if we have someone with more experience check him over, just to be safe?" Kakashi implored his distress apparent in consideration for Naruto.
Hiruzen hummed in agreement, leaning back as he mulled over all the factors Kakashi presented to him. "I'll send out a message, but as you know Jiraiya's been out in the field for some time. It may take some time for him to return. For now, please keep a close eye on your team… especially Naruto." His tone softened at the mention of his fostered grandson. "As for the mission, I feel Team Seven acted above and beyond their regular duties and represented Konoha well. As such, you shall be awarded B-Rank pay. Your team can take the rest of the week off to recuperate from this ordeal." The old man knew this would be well received by the young Genin.
Kakashi nodded before bowing once more, "Thank you, Hokage-Sama."
"You did well Kakashi, please let them know how proud I am of their performance."
"I will, Hokage-Sama." With those words, Kakashi promptly left the office.
Later that evening, Naruto lazily stared up at his ceiling while relaxing in his bed. After arriving at home earlier, he'd quickly discarded his mission gear, took a shower, and had just recently awoken from a much-needed nap. He'd been relieved and appreciative when Kakashi decided to let the team go their separate ways and took care of the mission report himself. Naruto didn't want to go over the details of the mission or answer uncomfortable questions. It was bad enough that Sasuke wanted to know how he defeated Haku. Thankfully, so far, he'd been able to avoid the topic for the most part, and Sasuke wasn't being too pushy, at least for now. It helped that the Uchiha was more distracted by his lingering injuries and newfound Dōjutsu, though his crimson eyes always unnerved Naruto. When Sasuke would activate them, it filled him with an unexplainable sense of anxiety.
'On the other hand...'
Naruto's thoughts turned to think about his female teammate and dear friend, Hinata. The blonde furrowed his brow, turning his gaze to a constant reminder of her presence. It was an aged crimson flower pot, full of freshly budding dwarf sunflowers, perched on his windowsill.
Naruto made sure to replant the colorful florets every year. They added warmth and vibrancy to his home, reminding him that even though his home was unbearably quiet, he wasn't necessarily alone. Many nights, he found himself talking to the tiny blossoms, sometimes even secretly pretending they were his rather shy companion. When Naruto found out that sunflowers came in a full range of colors, from bright yellows and oranges to deep reds and purples, he made it a point to always have the whole spectrum. So, from early summer to late fall for the past five years, the simple flora made his silent home just a bit more tolerable.
However, now the buds invoked a painful tug sting in Naruto's heart, a reminder of his failings toward his closest friend. Ever since Naruto woke up at Tazuna's, Hinata doted and fussed over him much more than usual after the battle on the bridge. He felt guilty and ashamed for not realizing how much he'd scared her sooner. It was awkward and uncomfortable; Hinata would give him a strange look, and seemed to be on the brink of tears. When he'd try to feel out her emotions, they were a whirling bundle of both positive and negative forces that Naruto couldn't quite describe. The frustrated boy didn't like it one bit; he wanted things to go back to normal. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
"Oi, Kozō…"
'Speaking of complicated…'
Naruto let out a sigh. His facial expression became languid as his mind drifted back to that strange brass-colored room with the scarlet gate and the grinning beast that lay just beyond. During the extent of the return trip home, Naruto spent a lot of time becoming acquainted with his tenant. Since Kakashi had forbidden him from utilizing chakra, he had nothing better to do. This usually left him spacing out with a vacant expression. However, Naruto was now adept enough that he could enter his mindscape while managing basic tasks. He still had a ways to go, though, since he couldn't concentrate on both the waking world and his mindscape at the same time, even if the Kyūbi claimed it was possible.
The Kyūbi was a strange one, generally sarcastic and blunt. Though, underneath it all, he was pretty okay. During their discussions, Naruto always got a peculiar sensation that the Kyūbi knew more than he let on, and could be rather wise if in the right mood. Sure, Naruto was still a bit miffed that the troublesome fox didn't make his presence known to him until recently. However, after their first few discussions, the duo worked out a relatively easygoing dynamic. Naruto couldn't understand why, but talking to the Kyūbi felt nostalgic and comfortable.
Was it strange to feel safe around a creature that at one point in time almost destroyed your home and admittedly had a hand in you becoming an orphan? Naruto initially wanted to be angry and resentful toward the Kyūbi but just couldn't bring himself to do it. Naruto came to understand from their conversations that ever since the sealing. The Kyūbi always looked out for him, even if it was primarily indirect. So, over the past couple of weeks, Naruto was starting to see the fox as a somewhat cranky older brother of sorts. Granted, they still weren't at a point in their newfound relationship that the Kyūbi was willing to reveal his true name or refer to Naruto by his. It was a small quirk but nothing detrimental to their discussions or companionship.
Glancing around the eerie chamber of his mindscape, Naruto kicked at the water playfully before plopping down unceremoniously and crossing his legs. Looking up expectantly at his unseen roommate, Naruto couldn't help but allow a playful smile to cross his lips, "Yo! Miss me already?" he remarked genially, earning an indignant snort from his colossal companion.
"Cheeky brat... I just thought I'd reward you with the information I promised the other day, now that you've fulfilled the required tasks."
Naruto thought back, trying to remember what the fox was talking about, and then it clicked. His eyes widened, and he looked up with hope and nervous excitement, earning a knowing grin from the Kyūbi. "Really?!" The boy exclaimed excitedly.
The Kyūbi chuckled and nodded, watching in amusement as Naruto jumped up, cheering and dancing around for a moment before he settled once more. "To deceive one's enemies, you must first deceive your allies. You did well to keep our secret so far, even at the cost of lying to your teammates."
At the Kyūbi's praise, Naruto shifted uncomfortably, feeling torn. On one hand, he enjoyed receiving the praise. However, Naruto also felt guilty. A small part of him still thought he was betraying his comrades' trust even though he wasn't doing anything bad. The fox's lesson went against everything Kakashi had been teaching his team thus far, and what Konoha Shinobi stood for. Wasn't Naruto supposed to be honest and trustworthy with his comrades? Granted, he wasn't truly betraying them, was he? It wasn't a repeat of Mizuki's deception, right?
Naruto also didn't understand what the Kyūbi meant by fooling his enemies. Did he mean on future missions or something? As far as Naruto knew, he didn't have any actual enemies. Did the Kyūbi mean something similar to what Kakashi did at the start of their mission? Back when Naruto was sure he'd been killed by those first two enemy ninja. Only to later find out his sensei was trying to determine their intended target? Was there an enemy the Kyūbi knew about that he didn't?
It couldn't be anyone in Konoha right? Sure, many of the residents still held some suspicion towards him. However, ever since Kakashi started Team Seven's grueling routine of daily D-Ranks, it had the benefit of forcing the local citizens to begrudgingly interact with Naruto. Slowly but surely he noticed peoples' contempt and fear shifting towards apprehension and curiosity. Steadily, Naruto's fellow villagers were starting to give him a chance. Granted, Naruto would come across the few who retained their resentment towards him every once in a while. Still, at least they weren't openly hostile anymore.
"Oi! Pay attention, Aho-Gaki! I'm doing this for your benefit, you know!" The Kyūbi barked, causing Naruto to wince as he was brought back to the present. The youth grinned apologetically up at the ill-tempered fox, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly at the reprimand.
"Heh-heh... Sorry! I'm paying attention, I promise! D-Dattebayo..." Naruto assured nervously under the Bakegistune's reproachful glare.
With a snort, the beast resumed his talk, "As I was saying... For willingly deceiving your teammates, you've proven that you can keep a secret. You've also gotten pretty efficient at entering the first level of your Shinteki Hikōki. For your hard work, I'll tell you something else about your mother. The two of you are very alike. Her favorite food was ramen, particularly the Shio flavor offered at Ichiraku's. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's how she found out about you."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked innocently, watching in confusion as the Kyūbi shifted uncomfortably.
"Let's just say, you and your mother share a similar appetite. Your food of choice never made her ill until she became pregnant with you. But, I suggest if you want to understand more about females, the process of conception, or copulation. You're better off asking one of your human companions."
After a pause, Naruto felt his face heat up as the Kyūbi's words registered. The inexperienced youth was still ignorant on some of the finer details but he remembered the introductory talk that Iruka had given him during his last year at the Academy. Naruto didn't get it completely, but fortunately, Iruka at the very least made sure to give him a vague idea of where babies came from.
"...Yes, you two are very alike, at least in personality. You've even inherited her notable verbal tic. In the same way that you usually feel compelled to utter 'Dattebayo' when you're excited or flustered, she'd always end her phrases with 'Dattebane'." While the fox wouldn't admit it directly, the boy's verbal tic had always made him a little sad.
After hearing this, Naruto smiled one of his softer, more sincere smiles from where he sat looking down at his reflection mirrored in the calm pools that flooded the room. He felt himself overcome by a strong emotion he couldn't describe. It hurt, yet made him happy at the same time. It was such a simple thing. Something overlooked by most people. However, it made Naruto feel a slight sense of belonging to know these tiny slivers of knowledge that the Kyūbi shared about his mother. Every time he found out something they had in common, it reassured Naruto that he was her son. Even if she wasn't around anymore, at one point there was a woman that cherished him, not for what he could do, but by just merely for existing.
Due to being lost in his thoughts, it took a moment for Naruto to register that the Kyūbi had discreetly kicked him out of their shared mental plane. Blinking as he reorientated himself into awareness, Naruto brought a hand up to feel fresh dampness running down his jawline, pooling towards the base of his neck. Absently, Naruto wiped away the tears, silently reviewing all the crucial details the fox had given him about his mother over the past month.
So far, Naruto learned that he'd inherited his mother's taste for ramen, though she was partial to Shio flavored. He possessed a variation of her verbal tic, and the strong body people of the Uzumaki Clan were once known for. Naruto reasoned that was most likely the reason why he'd been entrusted with the burden of containing the Kyūbi after her untimely departure. After all, according to the fox, all of his vessels were from the once renowned Uzumaki Clan so far. A fact that must've been vital if his mother was sent to Konoha from...Uzushio, was it?
'Uzushio… Why does that name sound familiar?'
Naruto furrowed his brow, scrunching up his face in concentration. He could've sworn he'd heard of that place before. Hadn't Iruka mentioned it at some point back when he was in the academy? It wasn't something they covered in class though. What was it?
'Uzushio...Uzushiogakure!' Naruto quickly sat up, slapping himself in the forehead as it dawned on him.
"Argh! Of course, Uzushiogakure! How could I forget?!" Naruto groaned berating his absentmindedness as he quickly scrambled off his bed to dig through the scrolls kept safely tucked in the nearby cabinet.
It didn't take long for Naruto to find the old, familiar, and somewhat worn manuscript. Quickly he unfurled it, re-reading the joint penmanship of notes listed from both his previous instructor and the Sandaime. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle fondly as he reminisced about his 'I belong to a clan!' phase. It started during his second year in the academy, back when Iruka began their after-school lessons to help Naruto with his sensor abilities. Sure, Naruto had been sad to learn that he quite possibly was the last remaining member of the Uzumaki Clan. But to have some remnants of history he could claim as his own felt nice. Back then, he'd been so sure that Mito had been his ancestor, at least until the Hokage stated otherwise.
Thinking about his surrogate grandfather caused Naruto to frown a little. He had so many questions for the old man, and accusations, but didn't know the best way to approach the topic just yet. Naruto knew he had to be careful if he wanted to achieve results. The Sandaime wasn't just his benefactor anymore. He was now Naruto's superior, their village's leader. Naruto could get away with many things; he didn't want to press his luck too much with the aged Hokage.
Naruto's thoughts shift back to his mother. She'd been sent to Konoha to become their Jinchūriki. The Sandaime once said that both his parents were brave shinobi that died in the fight against the Kyūbi before the Yondaime could defeat it. That meant his parents were honored in the same fashion as the others who died that night... right?
Suddenly there was a thumping coming from the front of his apartment. "...Naruto?"
Hearing his name called, Naruto's thoughts were immediately abandoned. Quickly setting aside the worn scroll, Naruto leaped off his bed to open his bedroom door. Looking into the hall, Naruto caught sight of a bewildered Iruka standing at the entrance of his humble home. At the sight of his guardian figure, Naruto grinned broadly before bounding forth and tackling the man in a hug.
"Iruka-Sensei!"
Iruka for his part managed not to fall from the unexpected assault of affection, just barely. "Ack! Naruto, careful!" He squawked in disapproval, though still returning the embrace with a small smile.
"Hehe… My bad, Sensei. I'm just so happy to see you -ttebayo! What brings you here, anyway? I mean, it saves me some time. I wanted to thank you for taking care of my place while I was away." Naruto excitedly explained as he stepped back, rubbing his head sheepishly as he stepped back to let Iruka into the dwelling fully.
"It was no trouble, Naruto. I was actually stopping by before I went out to dinner to check on your plants. Then I noticed your stuff and figured you were probably home." Iruka explained with fondness before crossing his arms and frowning slightly. "Though, you had me worried there for a bit since you were gone much longer than expected. Did something happen on the mission?" the Chūnin asked, concern evident in his voice.
Naruto fidgeted uncomfortably, not quite looking Iruka in the eye as he laughed nervously. "Eh-heh-heh… You could say that. Dattebayo. Uh, you said you were planning to head out for dinner, right? H-How about we go to Ichiraku's, and I tell you all about it?" He asked hopefully.
Iruka studied the blonde briefly before smiling warmly, "Sure thing... and you know what?" He paused, "Since It's your first night back in the village, how about my treat?"
"Yatta! You're the best, Iruka-Sensei!" Naruto cheered before hurrying to slip on his footwear and run out of the apartment. He danced in place energetically, looking back at his perplexed companion. "Well? Come on, Iruka-Sensei! I'm starving, -ttebayo!"
Iruka chuckled knowingly, exiting the home to follow his excitable one-time student as they made their way to their favored restaurant of choice. Iruka was a little curious to see Naruto not adorning his shinobi attire but said nothing of it. It was strange, given that the boy was never seen without his hitai-ate ever since he graduated. Still, it wasn't unusual for a ninja to go around in civilian clothing in their off-time. Maybe Naruto was starting to make this distinction himself?
After the pair settled in for their meal, Naruto regaled Iruka of his first adventure outside of Konoha. Granted, being an excitable young adolescent with a penchant for bravado, Naruto made sure to gloss over his less-than-stellar moments during the journey. Now and then, Iruka would ask a question or add a remark. Though for the most part, he just listened patiently. However, towards the end of Naruto's tale, the boy's enthusiasm wavered. He hesitated, becoming slightly uncomfortable as his voice trailed off and his smile faded. Iruka picked up on this abrupt change in attitude. Straightening up as he looked down at Naruto worriedly.
"...Naruto?"
"Hm? Oh... Sorry, Sensei. I just...Well, anou…" Naruto started before his gaze drifted back to his current bowl of ramen. The morose boy lifted the bowl, slurping down the delicious broth as he gathered his nerve with a sigh. Iruka just watched patiently with a tiny bit of confusion. It seemed Naruto wanted to say something but was apprehensive, which was very unusual.
"It's alright, Naruto. Whatever you want to get off your chest, I'm all ears." The teacher tried to reassure the youth.
Naruto looked up to see Iruka's encouraging smile. Letting out another sigh, he relaxed, feeling more at ease. Pushing his now empty bowl away, Naruto leaned heavily on the counter as he continued. "It's just...That kid I told you about, Haku? Well, he ended up being Zabuza's apprentice. Haku practically worshipped him and was happy just being Zabuza's tool. I guess he wasn't welcome back in their village because of his Kekkei Genkai for some reason, and Zabuza was the first person to acknowledge him. It's scary, but I could kind of relate to him, and I think if circumstances had been different..." Naruto paused as if contemplating his next words, "He would've been a good friend." Shifting his head away, Naruto smiled bitterly to himself, "You must think I'm pretty uncool for sympathizing with the enemy, huh?"
Iruka sighed, placing a gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder, "No, it just shows that you're very kind. Mind you, in our line of work, kindness can be a double-edged sword," he warned wistfully, before ruffling Naruto's hair playfully, "But, I personally believe it makes you strong."
Naruto laughed as a sense of relief washed over him, pushing away his teacher's hand with a grin, "Thanks, Iruka-Sensei. That means a lot coming from you."
"So, Naruto...You said that Haku turned out to be working with Zabuza?" Iruka asked, gently urging the boy to continue his story. At the prodding, Naruto's mood again became somber but he continued his tale, explaining to Iruka the events of the final conflict and his extended recovery. Granted, Naruto glossed over the grittier details, but Iruka was intelligent enough to put the missing pieces together.
"Oh, Naruto…" Iruka muttered ruefully, giving the boy a look of pity.
Naruto for his part was quick to flash a bright, albeit shaky smile. "Don't worry about it, Iruka-Sensei. Kakashi-Sensei already had a long talk with me about things. He pretty much said something along the same lines as you, but used some bigger words." He admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Turning away, Naruto kicked his short legs absently, feeling short as he continued to swing his legs that barely touched the floor. In his mind as a Shinobi of the Leaf, he should have been taller by now.
"It was hard at first, you know... especially for the first few days after the fight. But now I understand that things like this just happen," Naruto admitted, sounding more like he was trying to convince himself than anyone else. Letting out a deep breath, he plastered on his biggest grin to hide the still mending wounds in his heart. Facing his teacher again, the boy spoke. "It wasn't all for nothing though! I mean, the people that hired us now have a fancy bridge to help their land prosper, and I was able to create my own Nindō!"
"Oh?" Iruka asked with a raised brow. Naruto, glad that the uncomfortable conversation was over, nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah! I've decided that I want to live a life I'm proud of, with no regrets! I'm never gonna give up. I'm not gonna run away, and I'll never go back on my word! Dattebayo!" Naruto announced proudly, pumping his fist in the air much to the amusement of Iruka. Settling back down, Naruto waved his hand before Iruka could speak his next thoughts. "I know, I know. Kakashi-Sensei said it'll be hard, and at times really difficult. But there are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage, Nē?"
"You're right, Naruto." Iruka accepted with a nod, grinning down at his surrogate little brother with pride. "I think you've found yourself a very honorable Nindō to follow. Though, that doesn't give you an excuse to be reckless. So, just be careful in the future, alright?" He chastised half-heartedly, ruffling Naruto's hair once more.
Naruto snorted, swatting Iruka's hand away as he grinned more openly, "Don't worry, I get it -ttebayo. Though I can't make any promises. But, I will try my best for you and my team!" Calming down, Naruto let out a breath as he became lost in his thoughts once more "Oi, Occhan. Can I get another bowl?" He asked, waving to the chef.
"Sure thing, Naruto!" Teuchi stated in acknowledgment, absently waving his ladle.
"Err… Actually, instead of Miso, can I get Shio this time?" Naruto added bashfully, earning a nod from the cook who went back to work preparing the boy's order.
"Finally sick of Miso, Naruto?" Iruka teased, earning a faint blush from the blonde who looked away.
"No, just thought I'd try something different is all... A-Anyway! I actually have a question, Iruka-Sensei," Naruto mumbled, fidgeting once more.
"I'm all ears," Iruka responded casually, returning to his food as he carefully glanced back toward Naruto, finding the boy's behavior odd and out of character. It wasn't often that Naruto let down his guard. Then again, Iruka couldn't blame him for acting unusual given the ordeal he went through over the past few weeks.
"Well...Etou, if someone wasn't born in Konoha, but became a shinobi here, what would happen if that person died in service to Konoha?" Naruto finally asked, surprising Iruka with the somewhat random inquiry.
"Hmm... Well, if their body was safely retrieved. I think they'd be given the same honor as any other shinobi of Konoha. After all, even if they're born somewhere else, once someone decides to wear our Hitai-Ate, they're now a part of the Konoha Shinobi Forces, and therefore a part of our village. So, unless their surviving kin request otherwise, I assume they'd be put to rest here. Why do you ask, Naruto?" Iruka asked with a raised brow, watching as Naruto froze momentarily, looking more like a frightened deer for a moment before he regained his composure.
"No reason! Dattebayo! Uh...err… Anou, I have another question. Is… Is it true that all shinobi that die in defense of Konoha are considered heroes?" Naruto continued, appearing a bit unsure of himself. Iruka stopped eating with a sigh. This was a heavier topic than he'd been expecting. It wasn't unexpected though, considering how Naruto's mission went.
"Of course. They gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect their homeland after all," Iruka assured resolutely. This seemed to visibly brighten Naruto's mood.
"...And all heroes get their names engraved on the memorial stone, right?!" Naruto asked excitedly, causing Iruka's brow to twitch as he frowned disapprovingly.
"Yes, but don't get any ideas! Dying for the sake of one's country is admirable, but you're still leaving behind loved ones that would miss you and would suffer in your absence." Iruka growled with a somber tone to his voice. He scrutinized Naruto suspiciously, causing the boy in question to wince before his eyes widened at the unintended implication of his words. Quickly, Naruto waved his hands disarmingly, shaking his head in rejection of the idea.
"Eh?! No way! Nuh-uh! Iruka-Sensei! I've got no plans of dying anytime soon, -ttebayo! After all, I still need to become Hokage!" Naruto declared fervently under Iruka's steady glare. After a moment the older shinobi seemed satisfied.
"Hnnn… Well, if you say so. If that's the case then why are you so curious about the memorial? Or worried about being foreign-born?" Iruka asked, leaning against the counter, his elbow propped up, and resting his chin in his palm.
"No reason, I was just curious that's all," Naruto explained quickly, before digging into his freshly served bowl of ramen.
"Heh, I take it back. You're rather clever, when you actually put your mind to it, Kozō."
'...Thanks, I guess?' Naruto thought, unsure if that was an insult or a compliment. In return, his tenant's soft chuckling echoed through his mind. Shrugging it off, Naruto enjoyed the rest of his meal while he and Iruka moved on to lighter topics.
Early the following morning, Naruto found himself walking anxiously towards Training Field Three. The practice yard where he'd officially started his journey as a shinobi after passing Kakashi's bell test. It also held the distinct polished stone engraved with the names of Konoha's most honored heroes, including those of Kakashi's closest friends. Coincidentally, the training field was situated near the village cemetery, though still positioned a respectable distance away so as to not disturb mourners or the deceased.
Given that his team would have the next days off to rest and recover from their mission, Naruto wanted to take the opportunity to see if he'd drawn a definitive conclusion from the information he'd been given thus far. For starters, his mother was an Uzumaki, which meant Naruto was given her family name upon his birth. Naruto didn't understand much about clans, families, or anything of the sort. Despite that, he did understand that there were only a handful of reasons why he'd have been given his mother's name instead of his father's. Naruto didn't care much about those kinds of details, however. It didn't matter if he was born out of wedlock or anything else. All that mattered was his parents existed at one point, and he'd been the result of their union.
As the familiar clearing came into view, Naruto was surprised to find Kakashi standing in front of the uniquely carved cenotaph. Given how late Kakashi usually was during training, Naruto never took him for much of a morning person. Unsure of himself, Naruto approached his sensei cautiously, looking up at the pensive man curiously.
"Is there something you need, Naruto?" Kakashi asked after a long pause, never taking his eyes off the memorial. Naruto to his credit tried not to jump as he was startled by the simple question. He wasn't expecting anyone to be here this early in the morning, least of all his squad leader, and didn't know how to handle it.
"No, not exactly," Naruto finally answered, looking away as he shuffled his feet. Mentor and rookie stood in uncomfortable silence for another brief period before Kakashi let out a sigh. Turning to fully face Naruto, he folded his arms over his chest. Kakashi peered down intently at the uncharacteristically skittish boy, arching a brow at his perplexing behavior.
"Well, if you weren't looking for me, what brings you here so early in the morning, hm?"
Naruto laughed nervously, reaching up to scratch the back of his head. "Well, you see… I was curious about something and wanted to find out if I was right or not, is all! Dattebayo!"
"Oh? And your theory has something to do with the Heroes' Memorial, specifically?"
"Well… Yeah, actually. You see, Sensei, I wanted to find out if there's a specific name listed on it." Naruto started, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably before letting out a sigh, and visibly deflating under his mentor's calculating eye. "In all honesty, I didn't think about it too much before, and once I graduated I was too busy with everything else going on…" He trailed off, looking over regretfully at the polished marker.
Kakashi, for his part, waited patiently, watching his troubled student become lost in his thoughts briefly. Choosing to remain silent and see what was driving Naruto with his peculiar behavior. After a moment, Naruto seemed to gather his nerve, looking back up to Kakashi with a look of renewed determination.
"I came down today to see if I could find any Uzumaki engraved up there." Naruto finally admitted motioning to the memorial, his expression seeming to dare Kakashi into challenging his resolve. Not seeing anything but minor surprise and curiosity in his mentor's expression, though sensing an onset of guilt, sympathy, and a bit of pity exuding from Kakashi, Naruto's expression saddened as he let out another sigh, lowering his gaze again.
"Growing up, I would ask Hokage-Jii-Chan about my parents sometimes. He never said much, except that they were brave shinobi who died fighting the Bakegistune. When Iruka-Sensei started to help me out with my sensor abilities, I learned that the Uzumaki were once a great clan and even had their own hidden village at one point, but were always friends with Konoha." Naruto elaborated, never looking up at Kakashi as he played with his shirt and kicked at a few blades of grass. Kakashi still gave off the same emotions as before but also gave off a sense of pride and bittersweet happiness.
"Anyway, I figured if there were any Uzumaki listed from that night, they'd most likely be my parents," Naruto admitted sullenly before feeling a heavy hand on his head as Kakashi ruffled his hair, and gently forced the boy to look up at him.
"I see... That's a fair deduction. Do you mind if I ask what brought on the sudden curiosity?"
"Well, I've always been curious about who my parents were. It's just I didn't think about it until after visiting Zabuza and Haku's graves. They died far from home, right? Their families will probably never know where they're buried or visit their graves." The idea didn't sit well with Naruto, causing him to frown. "It got me thinking that I never visited my parents' graves, or tried to learn their identities on my own. Pretty lame, right? They must be really disappointed in me for never bothering-"
"That's not true. Don't think... Never think that." Kakashi interjected, grimacing for a moment before he could collect himself. It was as if Naruto's words struck a chord with him. "...Your parents would be extremely proud of who you are." Kakashi added poignantly after a brief pause, surprising the boy, whose eyes widened in shock at the austere look that crossed his sensei's face. Behind the man's intense, admonishing glare Naruto felt a vortex of emotions erupt, anger, fear, sympathy, concern, resentment, frustration, guilt, self-doubt, grief, pity, and pride. It was a bit disorientating and made Naruto confused and nervous.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi-Sensei. Um… I can come back at a different time if I'm bothering you, -ttebayo." Naruto blurted anxiously as he straightened up, concerned that his prattling had angered his mentor.
Closing his only visible eye, Kakashi let out a long breath, turning his attention back to the cenotaph as he patted Naruto's head reassuringly. "Shimatta, you think I'm mad at you, don't you, Naruto? That ability of yours can be quite troublesome at times." He admitted with a soft chuckle. Kakashi felt a bit embarrassed for seemingly losing his composure over an innocent question and thought process. "I guess that means we'll just have to refine your abilities some more," Kakashi reassured in a warm tone full of mirth, pulling out his familiar orange volume to read as he calmed his emotions. "No, I'm not mad at you. I'm just frustrated with circumstances beyond either of our control. I've got to say, your logic and reasoning skills have been catching me by surprise as of late. I hope you utilize them more often, they'd be a great asset when we're on missions."
In response, Naruto just shrugged, growing relaxed under Kakashi's praise. "I'd rather leave the thinking up to you or Hinata-Chan," he explained nonchalantly. Causing Kakashi to raise a brow as he absently flipped a page in his novel.
"Oh? Why not Sasuke or yourself?
Considering the question, Naruto closed his eyes in thought. Humming as he folded his arms, tilting his head side to side as if weighing his reply. "Well… I admit that Sasuke can be smart, sometimes. However, he's still a jerk. He gets mad too easily and cares too much about being the best, rather than working as a team. Like, any time I try to get him to work with me, it feels like a fight. On top of that, when either I or Hinata-Chan beat him at something in training, he becomes a bigger jerk, gets moody, and is generally uncooperative. Honestly, I like competition as much as the next guy. Still, Sasuke takes all the fun out of it because either I lose, or I have to deal with him sulking for the rest of the day due to his bruised ego," he admitted bitterly with a scowl.
"So... In your opinion, you'd say Sasuke has a bit of a superiority complex?" Kakashi ventured, remembering Naruto's brief introduction to psychology and behavior. Most ninja didn't get an education in that area of study unless they were assigned to special divisions such as the Torture & Interrogation Department.
"I guess so," Naruto agreed with a curt nod and a shrug. "I mean, even you see how weird he's been since the end of the mission, right, Sensei? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that Sasuke saved my life, but when I returned the favor. It just feels like he's been mad at me since."
Kakashi sighed, remembering how Sasuke's attitude had taken a turn since the mission. If he had to guess the boy was extremely bothered by the events of the mission, but probably not for the right reasons. Kakashi understood the pressures thrust upon his student, not only with being the top-ranked rookie of his graduating class but as Konoha's last loyal Uchiha. Kakashi hoped over time Sasuke's anti-social behavior wouldn't become a detriment to the team.
Originally, Kakashi hoped that by sparking a rivalry between Sasuke and Naruto that their competitive natures would get them to train more fervently. However, now that seems pointless. Naruto of course wanted to be acknowledged and respected for his abilities but cared more about Hinata or Kakashi's opinions rather than Sasuke's. It seemed that having Hinata on the team to temper Naruto's nature had worked a little too well, and now Sasuke was only alienating himself with his generally aggressive and prideful nature.
"I can see how you'd feel that way, but what about you Naruto? Why would you prefer not to contribute your own intelligence to missions? After all, if it wasn't for you, we'd have been in big trouble against Zabuza during our first encounter."
In response, Naruto merely grinned cheekily. "A good Hokage knows when to listen to the advice and ideas of others. Just 'cause I might come up with a good tactic or strategy doesn't mean you guys can't come up with something better. For starters, you're experienced, awesome, and super smart. Hinata-Chan's a bit shy, but she's also really amazing and smart, dattebayo! She used to help me with my work in the academy all the time. I'm sure if given the chance she could prove herself on a mission too, Sensei!" Naruto expressed passionately, remembering how hard Hinata had worked during their training sessions.
"And besides…" He trailed off, his smile slipping into a look of remorse, "I'm not that great at planning ahead. Most of my ideas come to me in the moment. If I was better, I wouldn't have endangered everyone. I mean, if it wasn't for my stupidity, you and Sasuke probably wouldn't have gotten hurt, or at least not as much. If I hadn't been so reckless, I wouldn't have scared and worried everyone, or hindered the workload during the mission." Naruto explained, regret and shame evident in his words.
"...That's fair, but you're forgetting some key details in your assessment," Kakashi agreed with a nod, smiling over at the now confused boy.
"What do you mean, Sensei?" Naruto asked, tilting his head as he tried to consider what he could have possibly forgotten.
"I'm the commanding officer and squad leader of Team Seven. I'm to blame for most of your shortcomings during the mission. You see, after our first run-in with enemy ninja, I should have immediately aborted the mission and escorted our group back to Konoha. Tazuna-San could've worked out a deal with the Hokage to better fit the mission criteria." Kakashi admitted, holding up his free hand to silence Naruto from rebutting his statement as he continued.
"I shouldn't have allowed you to sneak off at night to train by yourself." Naruto was surprised by Kakashi's admission. "Yes, I was aware the whole time. We didn't know if Zabuza had more support than just Haku, and at the time, I wasn't aware of Haku's skills. You were without backup and could have easily been eliminated by the enemy. I also shouldn't have let you train yourself to the point of exhaustion for the same reason. You were unfit for combat and a detriment during a surprise attack. A shinobi must always be prepared for any situation."
At that, Naruto cringed guiltily, but Kakashi simply ruffled his hair once more, "Don't beat yourself up. You're a mere rookie, no one expects you to know these things just yet. That's why I'm telling you that I'm the one most at fault. Don't blame yourself. As for what happened with Sasuke, I shouldn't have allowed him to fight Haku on his own. Nor should I have wasted so much time in my fight with Zabuza. I'd grown overconfident and lax with my capabilities and underestimated the enemy. It was a miracle that none of you three perished in the process. It's something that I will be grateful for many years to come and keep as a reminder."
Snapping his book closed, Kakashi turned fully towards Naruto, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. Kakashi leaned down to face him eye-to-eye, "These were my failings as squad leader. So, I promise you, from now on, as long as you three are under my care, I'll never knowingly subject our team to obvious dangers or something you aren't ready for."
By the end of Kakashi's admission and declaration, Naruto was rendered speechless. To hear his teacher accept responsibility and admit his shortcomings was eye-opening and invoked a strange emotion in him. Naruto felt tears threatening to fall as he gave Kakashi one of his rare thoughtful and warm smiles.
"Thanks, Sensei," He murmured thoughtfully before becoming a nervous bundle of energy once more, "A-anyway! You don't mind if I look at the memorial now, do you?"
Kakashi chuckled, tapping his book against his chin as if considering something, "No, I suppose not. Though, might I suggest starting your search on the other side? Most of the names over here date back to the three great wars. The newer names from the past decade are currently being added on the section that's cast in shadow."
Naruto grinned up to Kakashi before hurrying over to the area he'd recommended. Carefully, Naruto scanned over the names, which, unfortunately, there were many. He was so absorbed with his task that he never even noticed his mentor quietly departing.
After an unspecified amount of time, Naruto's search finally located the familiar characters he used to paint all over the market district in a bid to get the villagers to recognize his name. Making sure he didn't overlook any others, Naruto double-checked the cenotaph's polished face before his eyes once more landed on the singular name. There was only one, so that must be it. A small part of him wanted to be disappointed that there weren't any others. Still, Naruto couldn't bring himself to be anything but painfully happy. She really existed. The fox hadn't been lying. She'd even been recognized as a hero by the village! Her name was Uzumaki Kushina.
Naruto trembled, biting his lower lip as he felt tears start to fall down his whiskered cheeks. Running his fingers over the carving, tracing the characters fondly Naruto finally found his voice once again. The blonde smiled sadly up at the memorial before choking out the first words that came to mind, "I found you, Kaa-Chan…"
Across Konoha, Hinata was busy pounding her palms relentlessly into a practice dummy within the Hyūga compound. During the recent mission, she felt so worthless. Her feelings were only amplified by her father's disappointment when she relayed the assignment's details. Sure, her team had successfully completed the mislabeled mission regardless of the unexpected challenges, but Hinata hadn't personally contributed much.
While her team risked their lives in the repeated encounters, Hinata always hung back to guard Tazuna. Out of all of them, she'd never received a single injury, rather than feeling grateful, Hinata could only bring herself to feel ashamed. She was such a coward. Hinata hadn't even thought to utilize her Byakugan properly throughout the mission. If she had, there was a chance that at the very least, Team Seven's first two encounters could've ended differently. Why was she always such a failure? The question persisted with no clear answer.
With that in mind, Hinata decided to put some use into her days off to better herself by training, starting just before dawn. After all, she wasn't recovering from any injuries, not like her teammates. At that thought, Naruto's prone and bandaged form flashed into her mind, causing Hinata to pause mid-strike. Tears clouded Hinata's vision, and she felt her lip tremble. Naruto pushed himself so much on this mission, both physically and mentally. His pain and suffering made Hinata feel so helpless.
Shivering as the doubts and anxiety washed over her, Hinata sniffled, hugging herself helplessly. Naruto had so many close calls on this mission, and something in him had been permanently altered as a result. Hinata couldn't put her finger on it, but she doubted he'd ever fully return to how he once was. Not that she could blame him.
Letting out a deep, shaky breath, Hinata decided to take a break from her training. It was pointless to train if she couldn't focus properly. Heading back into the house, Hinata quickly showered before changing into a simple calf-length lilac sundress. She wasn't planning on leaving the compound for long today and opted for more comfortable and casual wear.
As a mid-morning snack, Hinata comforted herself with a cinnamon roll and a nice warm cup of green tea. While she sat at a high-top table outside of the small bakery, her thoughts moved back to the Hyūga compound - home. Her father would begin Hanabi's training for the day, meaning Hinata would be left to her own devices. It was a fact that had been for some time now. Secretly she held a sliver of hope that once she graduated and became a Genin her father might take an interest once again. Alas, that had not happened and the man seemed to become more distant and cold.
After her snack and taking a detour past the nearby park to watch children play while their parents looked on. Hinata went back to her room, flopping down on her bed and pulling a familiar brightly-hued creation into her arms, burying her face into the handcrafted fox-faced pillow. It was one of the few gifts Naruto had given her over the years, a small collection that Hinata cherished above all others. Most of his presents had been unique flowers he'd found in the woods, but the fox and rabbit plushies he'd created would always hold a special place in her heart. How much time and effort did he take into making them?
Naruto's gifts had always helped Hinata get through her most challenging days. They were supportive reminders of her inspiration, as well as the one person who treated her with the most kindness and sincerity. Over the years, Naruto had become her closest friend and source of strength. With him, she always felt safe, comforted, and understood even without saying anything. One of Naruto's bestowments was his innate ability to know when Hinata was having a bad day. Then go out of his way to cheer her up, regardless of the consequences or personal sacrifices.
Remembering their training in Nami, Hinata felt a blush blooming on her face. Unlike her, Naruto wasn't one for modesty. When they were training, he didn't see anything wrong with stripping down to just his undergarments. Hinata was nowhere near that daring and was grateful for her early years of training with the clan to refine her chakra control. One of the few things she actually was thankful for. It had given her ample time to adjust to the training exercise, so she didn't have to feel hindered with her outfit while treading on the water's surface. Not that Naruto ever allowed her to fall beneath the waves when they trained. At that thought, Hinata smiled softly. He was always so gentle and attentive but not overbearing or coddling. Naruto never went at the same intensity in their spars as when they trained with Sasuke. However, he still treated Hinata with respect as a fellow shinobi.
Hinata was torn when she considered that fact. On the one hand, she was happy that Naruto cared so much for her welfare. While, on the other hand, she felt that if he trained more intensely with her, she'd become a much stronger and more valuable asset to the team. But, if Hinata was being honest with herself, could she really bring herself to train in such an effective manner against her best friend?
It was pretty easy not to pull punches, so to speak, against Sasuke. The withdrawn boy was merciless in spars, and to add salt on the wound, he also had a rather sharp tongue. Sasuke never insulted Hinata personally, but every biting remark against Naruto felt like an attack on her as well. Not that Hinata was petty or vindictive since her less-than-friendly teammate made it quite clear he craved and respected strength above all else. Hinata simply gave Sasuke what he asked for.
Sparring with Sasuke had its own set of challenges. Unlike Naruto, Sasuke's Taijutsu skills were more refined and calculated. Granted, the so-called prodigy knew little outside of the academy's basic form. This wasn't to say he was a pushover, just predictable to one such as Hinata. Seeing as she'd been honing her Taijutsu skills from the time she was able to take her first steps.
Such things made Naruto a more interesting sparring partner. Where training with Sasuke felt stressful, choreographed, and dull. Sessions with Naruto were spontaneous, unpredictable, and dare she say fun? Sasuke treated training like a competition. He wanted to aggressively dominate a match and got frustrated easily if he felt he was losing. On the other hand, Naruto treated it like a bonding experience, cheering for Hinata as much as himself. He wanted to learn and grow together rather than treat his teammates as stepping stones. Naruto would laugh off blunders and mistakes, and ask a lot of questions. He made Hinata feel important, wanted, and competent. But Hinata worried that if she didn't start shaping up on missions that she'd end up letting him down. The result would be either his disappointment or death and she couldn't figure out which would be worse.
The rest of the day passed by uneventfully, and the night drew to a close as it always did. Hinata was now changed into her evening clothes, a simple ensemble - modest but comfortable. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, looking at a picture. It was the first and, at this point, the only group photo of team seven. Naruto was excitedly laughing at the camera, his arm around Hinata with his cheek pressed closely against hers. Hinata could see how red her face was, and the tops of her index fingers were tapping together just inside the frame. Their Sensei was behind them; she could see his eyes crinkled with a smile while he held Sasuke's head to face the camera. The dark-haired boy had a sneer of derision and arrogance that was chiseled as if made of marble.
The young girl's face still blazed every time she looked at the picture thanks to the blond-haired boy's close proximity. The tingle sensation hit her chest and stomach, the same feeling that occurred every time Naruto was around. She placed the picture on her nightstand and settled in for a well-deserved night's sleep. His bright blue eyes, wild hair, and outgoing personality were a joy to fall asleep to. She would keep doing so - even if it was indirectly.
Author Note: Well, what do you guys think? I'm not gonna answer questions that might spoil the story, you'll just have to wait and see how this interluding arc plays out. However, I always enjoy hearing your thoughts and theories!
Keywords:
Aho - Fool, Idiot, Moron, etc. Funny enough, depending on the region in Japan Aho vs Baka have different severities ranging from meaning silly to stupid. My intent in this chapter was "Stupid".
Gaki - Brat or Ghoul depending on the Kanji. My intent in this chapter was Kurama calling Naruto "Stupid Brat!"