"Sir! You caught the runt! Good, now we can take him to the Hokage!"
The second ninja went to reach for Naruto but was stopped by a raised hand.
"No." Said the ANBU in his cold and monotone voice "You two, go back to your posts, I'll personally bring Naruto to the Hokage." Welp, they really couldn't refuse an ANBU unless they wanted to get demoted to teaching. They nodded and left while Naruto cheered and started to dance. Oh Naruto, we love you to death but you needed to learn to hold off for ten seconds and stop splashing paint on the ANBU. "Naturo..." He stopped and went stiff as he looked up at the man's expressionless mask.
"Yeah?" The blonde asked as he shivered in fear. Why was it always this one ANBU that caught Naruto!?
"Take my hand and hold on." The wolf ANBU said as he held out his hand and Naruto grabbed it, feeling the intense heat of the close reach and held onto the ANBU before they teleported in a ball of flames and were in the Hokage's office in the blink of an eye. The ANBU bowed and forced Naruto to copy him. "Lord Hokage."
"Hi old man!" Naruto shouted as he rose up, only to be bonked on the head. "OW!" He cried as he held his head. "Why'd you do that!?"
The ANBU only sighed.
"Naruto," The Third said as he stood up and looked out the window, holding back the urge to shout and scold the prankster but instead settled on a calm tone of voice.
"you need to be punished. You won't get by in the world by acting up and being disraspectful." The Third then grabbed his pipe and started to smoke it, enjoying the rich scent and flavor of tabacoo while sighing.
'Minato, if only you could be here right now. I should have stepped in that night and taken your place. 'You should be the one who lived instead of me.' He thought as he turned to face Naruto who was shaking paint off of his clothes and onto both the floor and the wolf ANBU.
Said ANBU was having an inwardly conversation with his own Tailed Beast.
*"Matatabi, why do you think Naruto acts up?"*
The Two Tailed Cat looked at her holder and smiled. *"He's looking for attention Shi, he always talks to you or the Third when he's caught. I think he needs some time away from the pranks and have a chance to have fun. Why not take him to that ramen place you go to every day? You can also tell him why your the one who watches over him too."* Matatabi said as she broght her tails around and lifted up Shi to look her in the two colored eyes.
*"Alright. I'll do it."*
"-that is why you won't be punished today Naruto."
His blue eyes widened! This was real right? He pinched himself to be sure, yep, it was real.
"Really!? Thanks old man! Your the best!"
Little did he know that the last laugh wouldn't be his. "You'll be punished tomorrow instead."
"Aw what!? Why!?"
"Because tomorrow the paint will be dry and harder to scrub away. You'll be outside for a few hours so get some rest tonight."
Naruto crossed his arms and pouted. This was so unfair and lame!
"Lord Hokage, might I take him to get some ramen on his way home? I feel that he could use some protection and a meal." Said the ANBU as he looked at the smiling and happy blonde who was already drooling at the thought of eating his favorite food in the universe. He really wanted to get at least ten bowls! Maybe thirty! Heck, even fifty bowls would be enough for today!
"Very well Wolf. Bring Naruto back here at seven sharp." The Hokage ordered, then looked at Naruto. "And be ready for a long day of hard work." Both Naruto and Wolf nodded before exiting the office with a swirl of black flames.
'Shi my boy, your the closest family that Naruto has left, I hope that in time, he comes to understand that.' With that thought the Third sat back down and got started on his paperwork.
Later at Ichiraku Ramen.
The two Jinchuriki entered that the ramen shop and took the two spots at the left end of the counter. "Order whatever you want Naruto. It's on me." Wolf said as he started to slowly remove part of his mask from the lips down. Naruto looked closely at the young man and saw a small cut on his right cheek.
"What's it like?" Naruto blurted out as they waited for their food.
Wolf smiled. "What's what like?"
"Having a scar. Does it hurt? How long have you had it? Can I..." A hand was placed over Naruto's mouth.
"One question at a time." Wolf said as he removed his hand. "No. It no longer hurts. I've had for six years. And no, you can't touch it."
"Well then let me ask you this: who are you and why do you follow me around all the time? Does the old man ask you to do this?"
'He's clever, but not stupid in the slightest. These fools, calling him a 'demon' and thinking that they'll get away with it. They. Are. Dead. Wrong. They have no earthly idea what it means to be a holder. NONE!' Shi thought as he quickly started to grow angry and clenched his teeth. Something that Naruto saw and backed up some.
*"Shi, remain calm."* Matatabi said as she helped her holder's inner anger lessen.
*"Right, thank you Matatabi."*
*"Your welcome Shi."* Honestly, why Matatabi was placed inside Shi eighteen years ago was something she could never question. She's always been there for him and always will be.
After calming down completly Shi sighed and remebered he wasn't alone. 'Right, the news. Well Shi, get ready to explain a lot of details in just a few short words.
"Hello? You in there?" Naruto asked as he waved his hands in Shi's face.
"Yes. Thank you Naruto." Shi took a deep breath and spoke. "You asked me why I follow you everywhere. Well... it's because... we're related. My name is..." Shi then removed his mask and spoke with a calm tone with his smile back full force. "Shi Uzumaki, and I'm your last blood relative, your cousin to be exact. It's nice to meet you at long last Naruto." Shi smiled as he put quickly put his mask back on.
Naruto didn't even say a word as he fell out of his chair. Upon closer inspetion it actually showed that Naruto had fainted.
*"He took that better then I expected."* Matatabi said with a smile.
*"Your right."* Shi said as he picked up Naruto and placed him back on the stool. The ramen would need to wait a while, but at least it would be ready for it's final passage into Naruto's stomach when he woke up from his shock.