I apologise for the short update last time. This one is much longer, I couldn't decide where to put the chapter break between the last chapter and this one.
Ren woke up at home, with a start. How did he get home?! He sat up and rushed to his window. It was late in the afternoon. His eyes scanned the room and himself. He was in his pajamas. How. . .Then he remembered. That morning he'd seen off Papa with Mama at the gate. He gave a soft grunt and changed his clothes. His papa was fast! How could he expect to catch up?! He knew his mama would never let him go after his papa! So he had to go on his own. He needed his papa! He didn't trust the other people yet. Not enough to stay without his papa! He jumped out of the window and used the balconies and other ledges to ease his way down to the ground level. Ren hadn't really learned the layout of the village, so in finding the entrance to the village he was really flying blind.
He walked around for a while. He wasn't sure how long he was walking around the town, but he'd spotted and mentally marked how many different food shops that were in the main street alone. He dodged adults and looked as determined as he could so they wouldn't stop him.
It was rather easy to dodge and weave around the people of the town. It seemed as though as long as he didn't appear upset they ignored him. Ren smiled to himself. Good. He'd get to Papa faster if he didn't have to worry around people stopping him.
He spotted the gates then and he smiled. A grin spread across his face as he rushed toward the opening. He ran to it, then paused when he noticed two adults talking to each other at a kiosk to the side. His grin turned into a frown as he stopped and hid out of sight of the two men and thought of a way to get past them. He moved slowly toward the entrance of the gates and waited until they turned their backs. . . but it was taking forever! How was he going to get to his papa if they kept such an annoying watch over the entrance!? He narrowed his eyes when he watched three kids the same age as his new sister approached the two men, while the whole group was distracted by their pleasant social exchange, Ren slipped by them and bolted into the trees to mask his escape. He kept himself close to the path to make sure he was on the right track. When he was far enough away that he knew he couldn't be seen clearly he went back onto the path and kept running. He didn't know where he was going, but he figured if he followed the path long enough, he'd be able to find his papa and help him find out what happened to all those people.
Three shuriken blocked his path, forcing Ren to come to a stop. "Oi," A voice called from behind him. Ren turned and frowned. Who. . . His eyes widened and he made a sign on for the Hokage. No. It wasn't him. . . It was his Onee-chan's friend! "What are you doing?" He asked. "You shouldn't be out here on your own! You could get hurt," he sighed. "Sarada is going to kill me, ya know? I mean you're her little brother, well new at least, so I gotta take you back, before your ma gets upset, yeah?" He rubbed his forehead and grabbed Ren roughly around the waist.
Ren gave a croaky shriek and struggled against Boruto's grip until his hand got into range of his mouth. "Hey! Hey! Stop struggling, ya know! Your sister will be worried- OW!" Boruto roared, dropping Ren on his butt. "You bit me!"
"Boruto." A softly spoken male emerged from the trees, his face was soft, and his eyes shaped upward, holding golden eyes, like snakes. "What happened? I heard yelling."
"Uh. . .Nothing!" Boruto replied laughing. "I'm just bonding with Sarada's little brother!"
"But he bit you." Mitsuki replied. "Is that a form of bonding between males?" He asked moving closer and closer to Boruto with each word. Okay, Ren thought. Creepy dude. Super creepy. "Mitsuki! Stop it! No! No don't bite me!" Boruto cried as Mitsuki leaned closer.
"What's going on here?!" Sarada's voice cut through the yelling.
Ren gasped and raced to his Onee-chan and hugged her tightly. "Ren?" She asked, blinking in confusion. "What are you doing out here?" She knelt to his level and hugged him back. "Mama's going to be so worried!" She watched as he made signs to her explaining best he could about how he wanted to go with their papa to investigate Hoseki but Mama wouldn't let him so he came out anyway. "You. . .You ditched Mama?" Sarada asked, her eye twitching. "Papa asked you to look after her because I was going to be out training today." Sarada hung her head a little and sighed.
"I stopped him!" Boruto announced proudly. Which earned him a threatening hiss from Ren in return. "Are you sure he's not your brother, Mitsuki?" Boruto quipped.
Sarada gave a chuckle. "Come on, Ren." She said picking him up and holding him close. "Let's get you back home okay?"
Ren shook his head and pointed toward the horizon. He made a face full of distress and put his hands together in a begging motion. Sarada sighed softly and put her hand on his head. "Ren, Papa goes away a lot." She sat down to get his eyes. "It's to protect us from bad people." He watched her lips move, his face stern. Even though his Mama had healed his ears long ago, sometimes, he found it hard to understand what people had said to him unless he watched their mouth move.
"And it's our job, to keep Mama safe." She cupped his cheek. "Okay?" He looked up at her and tilted his head. "Well, sometimes, Mama gets really sad when Papa is away, you have seen how much they love each other," She smiled softly. "So it's our job to keep Mama from getting sad."
Ren shook his head and made signs for their Papa. Who makes him not feel sad then?! Sarada laughed softly. "We write to him. All the time." She explained. "Sometimes we don't get a reply back, but it doesn't mean we stop. If we give him letters and pictures with the letters, he knows we're always thinking of him. But Mama, she needs hugs. And it's our job to do that for her. And you have to give her even more when I'm away too."
Ren's eyes widened. His Mama. . . Got sad?! He'd never seen her sad; He'd only seen her angry or happy. His face fell. He never wanted to see her sad! He gave a sob and tugged at her hand, standing quickly. He had to go back to his Mama! Papa was important, but he was strong! Mama. . .Mama needed him more! He kept tugging on Sarada's hand. "Where. . .Where are you wanting to go?" She asked. Ren pointed to his forehead then back to Konoha. Sarada smiled. "Oh, yeah let's go home." She took his hand in hers. But he shook his head. He picked up a rock and over dramatised giving it to Sarada then poked his own head. "You want to give Mama a rock?" He stamped his foot. "You want to just give her. . . something?" She amended.
"So. . .we're going shopping?" Boruto cut in. "Again?"
Sarada and Ren turned and growled at Boruto. "Of course we are! Ren wants to get something for Mama! We are going to get something for Mama!"
Boruto took a step back. "Ah. . .Yes. . .okay." He replied. "Hear that Mitsuki? We're going to get something for Sakura-sama."
"Mm." Mitsuki replied smiling. "I can't wait."
Ren spent most of the walk back to Konoha staring at Mitsuki, of the three older teens, he was the. . . strangest one. Ren couldn't quite figure him out. Every time he looked at him, the other would just smile. After a while, it grew unnerving, so he refrained. Then he looked at Boruto. His eyes narrowed. This guy. . . Was still upset about being bitten, so he slid glances at Sarada hoping she'd ask him if he was okay or something. So he snapped his teeth and Boruto made a squeak and put Mitsuki between them. Ren turned and looked ahead with a proud smirk.
When they passed the men at the gate, Sarada just waved. He could see how they looked confused that Ren was with them. "Did you. . .take your brother to your mission?" The leader asked, confused.
"Oh no." Sarada cooed. "He escaped, trying to find our Papa."
"You don't have to lie to us Sarada-san." The younger one laughed off. "Just tell us, we won't get you in trouble."
"Oi, he really did escape!" Boruto yelled. "We had to stop him before he got lost, ya know!" He gasped as Mitsuki, Sarada and Ren kept walking. "H-Hey!" He cried rushing after them.
"So, where do we start?" Mitsuki asked, smiling, still. Ren wanted to claw it off.
"Wherever Ren wants to start." Sarada replied. "I know Mama likes to take long baths. . ."
Sarada smiled softly as they walked all over town buying things for their Mama, Boruto and Mitsuki were made into pack horses, carrying everything that Ren wanted to and had bought, with their money or by using his cute face, to each store. He didn't buy anything clothing related, but he did buy himself something, ink, brushes, paper. She had found it strange. But at the same time she thought little of it. Maybe he wanted to paint something for their Mama. She made sure to get coloured pencils too for him. This was the first time he was interested in doing anything in the town so she wanted to encourage it as much as possible. "Sarada. . ." Boruto whined. "I'm tired, ya know?" He huffed and put the boxes and bags down gently. "Can we take this stuff back to your house yet?"
"I could do this all day!" Mitsuki cooed, happy.
"Shut up! If you say that he'll keep going! Ya know?!" Boruto hissed.
Sarada gave a little giggle and turned to ask Ren if he'd had enough, when she saw him across the road from their seats peering into the window of the last retail shop they hadn't gone into, the weapons shop. She watched as he pushed his face onto the glass then turned and waved at his sister. "Last stop, I promise, just wait here." She placated then turned and followed him into the shop. She went to Ren's side and pulled him to her side. "Come on, let's go see what you like." She beamed down at him and showed him inside.
The weapons shop was run by Ten-ten. There were so many different kinds, she even made keychains of kunai and shuriken all of different colours. Spears and long staff leaned against some of the walls, and Katana hung gently on others, Kunai and Shuriken sat in display cases in the middle of the shop and at the counter. "Oh hello there Sarada-chan!" Ten-ten cooed. "Who is this? Are you on a mission?" She came around the counter and knelt down near Ren. He pulled back and hid behind Sarada's legs a little and gave a small wave.
"No, this is my adopted brother, Ren." Sarada replied. "We're buying some items for him and for Mama."
"Aww," Ten-ten cooed. "How cute! And thoughtful! Your mama works hard." She said to Ren. "Getting her a gift is a very good idea." She stood. "But she's not a person for weapons. So why are you here?" She asked tilting her head.
"Well, Ren liked the look of some Kunai in the front, so I thought, we could get them for him to practice with. And they're rubber so he can't hurt himself." Sarada explained keeping her little brother close. "And a sword or something for when he's older."
"He looks old enough to handle normal Kunai and Shuriken." Ten-ten replied humming. "Maybe get him the lightweight training ones until he gets used to it then go to the normal ones. Or he might get upset if they don't stick into the targets." She smiled and brought out a box. "These ones."
Ren's eyes widened and he reached out to take one. His eyes lit up as he swung it slowly on his fingers then put it back and smiled. He gave Sarada's hip a pap, a soft smile and a nod. "Okay," She replied to his look. "We'll take it and a kunai and shuriken keychain."
Ren beamed and nodded up at Ten-Ten reaching up to take the blue Shuriken keychain that Sarada picked. He held it in his hands and learned the surfaces of it. It was tiny compared to the ones Sarada had bought for him.
Sarada gave over the money for the things Ren wanted, then took the boxes out of the store with Ren, then she went to where Mitsuki and Boruto, who were waiting for them outside.
"Can we go now?" Boruto whined. "I'm tired."
Sarada giggled softly. "Sure, we'll head back to ours and then you guys can go home." She cooed. "Ren needs dinner soon anyway. I'm actually surprised he's lasted this long." She smiled with pride at her new brother and put her hand on his head.
Ren beamed and walked with the three older teens back home. He knew Sakura would be upset that he had disappeared but he also knew that she'd be happy with all the things they bought for her. Ren continued to tune out the high pitched, annoying dribble that Sarada's teammate Boruto spewed out of his obnoxious mouth, when he spotted a strange insect with a pretty mother of pearl shell flying past them. He turned and with a soft smile, walked after it, he felt maybe his mama would like such a pretty bug as well as the items that Sarada had helped him buy on their way back from his attempts at finding their Papa.
He seemed to follow it for a long time before he lost sight of it. It was only then that he stopped to look at where he was. Lost.
He heard giggling and squealing and figured he'd be able to find someone to help him so went toward the sound. When he got close enough, he found that the sounds were coming from a park. His eyes widened with curiosity as he watched the children run around and climb on a frame or swing on a set of swings. He ran over and quickly joined them, copying the movements the other children made that were not going to cause him harm. Though he was a little tired, and very hungry, he decided that exploring this new place where others his age seemed to be enjoying themselves was the more important thing to do. And he felt he could play forever.
Sarada put down the last of the things she and Ren had bought from their shopping trip into the front entrance hall of the house when she turned to say goodbye. After a short moment of counting the guys before her, she noticed one missing. "Where. . .is Ren?" She asked in a low voice so her mother couldn't hear.
Boruto made a noise, on the verge of freaking out. "Oh, he wandered off after a bug a couple blocks back," Mitsuki said in a plain tone. "Didn't anyone notice?"
"Why didn't you say something?! Shannaro!" Sarada snarled ready to level Mitsuki to the floor.
"Because he's your brother?" Mitsuki replied. "I thought all siblings had that sixth sense like Boruto does with his sister. . ."
"Well I don't, yet!" Sarada snapped and closed the door with a quick. "Hold on Mama, Ren and I forgot to get something!" Before she closed it. "Come on! We have to get him or Mama will string me up!"
"Why do we have to go?" Boruto asked with a pout. "He's not our brother-"
Sarada grabbed Boruto by the jacket. "You listen to me right now you little punk." She growled, her tone low. "If I go back in there and tell my mother that I lost my little brother she will level this village to get him back!" She pushed him to the wall. "And when she turns for someone to blame I will toss you under that bus faster than Mitsuki downs Dango, do you understand me?"
Boruto gulped deeply. "A. . .Ah. . .whatever you say Sarada. . ." He said everything about him screamed that he was scared out of his mind.
"You two are so cute together." Mitsuki cooed. "I'm glad you're dating-"
"Now is not the time for that!" Sarada and Boruto cried together.
Mitsuki gave a shrug and turned to go find Sarada's brother. "I tagged him with one of my snakes so finding him should be easy." He replied after he had stopped half way down the street. "So, are you coming or not?" he turned and smiled at them softly.
"Ah!" Sarada gasped, letting Boruto go and rushed down the street. "Let's go!" She said her tone stern but halting as she and Mitsuki went after her brother.
"Aah! Wait for me, ya know!" Boruto cried rushing to catch up with them.
Sarada, Boruto and Mitsuki arrived at the playground, the place was empty, save for Ren, who was running around, climbing on the jungle gym, the monkey bars, down the slide. She smiled for a small moment then noticed he paused at the small swing, for little toddlers or infants, it was then she noticed that while he had been playing on the equipment, he had not made a noise of joy or excitement. Instead, he'd pause at the end and give a look to the sky with a small, sad smile. Sarada was vaguely aware of the conversation Boruto and Mitsuki were having about him.
"He looks sad." Mitsuki said frowning softly. "He is lamenting someone?"
Boruto gave a single nod. "Ah." He replied. "My dad said that he lost his whole family in a fire." His expression held a deep softness to it. "He doesn't say a word. I saw him look at me and Himawari once and he shed a tear. I bet he lost a younger sibling in that fire, ya know?"
Sarada turned back from Boruto and watched Ren as he continued to wander around the playground. His lips moved, but she could tell, he wasn't saying anything out loud. Then she saw him move to the swing set, to the one that was for small toddlers. He put his hand on it and gave a deep sigh and in that moment, she felt something deep inside her click. She realised. I guess he really did have a younger sibling who died, right? Her eyes widened. Was that what he had nightmares about? His parents. . .his sibling dying? Even though she had bonded a little with him, she still had a level of detachment from him, it hadn't really sunk in yet that he was her little brother for life. Until now. The look he had. Was a look no child his age should have. She felt tears spring into her eyes. He'd lost everything, no wonder her Papa was able to relate to him so well. She had no right to be jealous of that level of intimate feelings. She ran over to him and hugged him from behind. He jerked in her embrace. His body tensed and he took a breath, but when he heard her first soft sob, he relaxed. "I'm sorry Ren." She whispered in his ear. "Don't go again." He turned in her arms and hugged her back. "Rada." he whispered quietly in her ear and stroked the back of her head as she cried on him. For a long moment, she thought she imagined his attempt to say her name.
"Don't do that again, okay?" She whispered, pulling back. "I'm your Onee-chan." She cupped his cheek. "I have to look after you." He smiled softly and touched her cheeks in return. "Let's go home. Mama misses us." She stood and picked him up, holding Ren in her arms as she turned to her teammates. "I'm good now." She said to Boruto and Mitsuki. "Thanks."
Boruto shook his head. "No." He replied. "We'll make sure you get home safe." He smiled. "We don't want him running off again, ya know?" He tried to make a little joke to ease the sadness in the moment.
Mitsuki nodded. "It's obvious how much he means to you. We wouldn't be good friends if we left you both alone right now."
Sarada ignored them as she walked home with Ren against her chest. Her mind finally allowing her jealousy to fade. This child had suffered so much, lost everything. She had to stop treating him like a guest and start treating him like her actual brother. She felt bad about the times she had ignored him or brushed him off to go train or hang out with friends. In a perfect world, he'd be with his biological family. But from what her papa said. They died in the fires. And it was their job to look after him. "A debt that no one but I will be able to pay." That was what her papa had said to Mama about Ren. She clutched him tight. She resolved to spend more time with Ren, to forge a deeper bond than the one she'd just made on the surface. He made a soft noise and papped her back. "Oh! I'm sorry." She whispered to him, easing her grip. He was her brother now. And forever. No matter what the future held for him. She decided, just like her parents had done. If anyone hurt him, she'd end them.