Chapter 4: Out with the Blonde

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Two Days Later

Karin is in Naruto's bed resting. Naruto offered her his bed that she can sleep on until the extra room was ready for her to sleep in. Until then, he's sleeping on the couch. Karin refuses to take the bed and just prefers to sleep on the couch, not wanting to kick him out of his bed just because she's a guest. Naruto kept assisting until Karin gave up and just took the bed.

After several hours of being interrogated by Ibiki, she was finally free. In fact she felt free. She's not Orochimaru's subordinate, that bastard Uchiha's team or a member of the Akatsuki anymore. Now she gets to live her life as a normal civilian and not risk it. She'll still train but not as a shinobi, just to protect herself and her…

Friends.

She doesn't have that many friends, except Naruto. Who she considered that's her only friend, or more. Karin shookes her head. She just met Naruto and thoughts like that popped in her head. Of course she finds him attractive, big deal. She found Sasuke attractive and looked where that got her.

She doesn't like Naruto in that way.

They just met.

She's living with him, she's just his roommate.

Yeah, roommates. Nothing more.

But what about that kiss? Karin traced her lips with two fingers.

No, that didn't mean anything. It was just an accident. A blissful, hot, steam, accident.

"Hey Karin-chan." A knock on the door interrupted her almost erotic thoughts. "Baa-chan gave me enough money to buy paint and furniture for your room. Wanna come and join me?" I can show you around and introduce you to my friends." Said Naruto.

"Sure." She said, not realizing her cheeks were slightly red when he called her 'chan.' Also she didn't want to be left alone in the apartment and Naruto keeps her company.

As Karin got up, she felt her panties drenched and cursed. She'll have to explain why Naruto's sheets are wet if he finds out. "Dammit." She said to herself. "Don't come in."

"Okay." Naruto said. Knowing this is a girl thing. "Your breakfast is on the table."

"Thank you." She said as she put her shorts on.

Several Minutes Later - Middle of Konoha

It's been almost a week since Karin stayed with Naruto and she finds Naruto's interactions with some of the villagers is heartwarming. She heard from 'Madara' about Naruto's battle with Pain and came out as the victor.

Secretly she was impressed how strong Naruto is but kept it to herself because of Sasuke's insecurities. Even after Pain's death, he still felt Naruto was still inferior to him. Seriously, Naruto took out six demi-gods and Sasuke still couldn't keep up with Itachi. To this day, she wonders how he won.

As Karin observes Naruto's interactions, she can feel the hateful glares coming from the civilians. It wasn't towards her, to her surprise, it was towards Naruto. As one kid waved at Naruto and smiled but the mother just pulled his hand down and gave Naruto a hateful look.

"Do not get any closer to that demon."

"But momma he saved the village, he's a hero."

"He didn't save it, he's the reason why the village is destroyed. He's not a hero. He's still a demon hiding under sheep's clothing."

That pissed off Karin. "SHUT THE HELL UP! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT NARUTO!" She shouted at the mother. The mother was taken aback at the sudden outburst.

Unbeknownst to them, the anbu is watching with interest. "Should we stop her?" One anbu asked.

The other anbu shakes his head. "Nope. She needs to hear this."

"HE SAVES THIS VILLAGE COUNTLESS TIMES AND YOU GOT THE NERVE TO CALL HIM A DEMON! WOULD A DEMON DO THAT!? HUH!?" Naruto, the kid and the crowd just looked at the angry red head in shock. The woman felt small to her. All she can do is tremble in fear.

Naruto puts his hand on her shoulder. "Karin-chan, I appreciate the look out but." Karin pushes Naruto's hand off her shoulder.

"NO! You did so much for this village and instead of thanking you she spat you out like you're not the reason why they're still alive." Said Karin. "What has someone like Naruto done to be called a demon? HUH!? WELL?!"

The woman said nothing. She hated Naruto just because he was carrying a demon inside him. She knew Naruto did nothing wrong but she blames her husband's death on him. The audience who was watching puts their heads down. They used Naruto as a scapegoat for their hatred and didn't care. After what he has done for the village, now they feel awful.

"Apologize to Naruto-kun and thank him for saving your ungrateful ass." Karin demanded.

The woman looked at Naruto and bowed. "I'm sorry… Naruto-sama, thank you for saving our home."

Naruto rubs his head sheepishly. This was the first time someone apologized to Naruto for ruining his childhood and addressed him with formality. "All's forgiven."

The crowd clapped for Karin for standing up for Naruto. Even the Anbu was clapping.

"KISS!" said a voice in the crowd.

Both Naruto and Karin blushes at the shout and walks away from the crowd, not wanting to give them any entertainment.

"You didn't have to do that for me." Naruto said.

Karin raised an eyebrow. "Why not? They should be kissing your ass after saving them. If her child or the crowd wasn't there I would have broken her teeth. Why didn't you tell her off?"

Naruto was silent then answered. "I'm used to it. Before I became a genin the villagers did a number on me. One time I told them off and I ended up in the hospital. After I was checked out I knew saying something would make it worse for me."

'You insolent demon! How dare you talk to me like that! I'll put you in your place!' He remembered that day.

Karin didn't have to feel Naruto's chakra to know he's honest, she can see it in him. Karin remembered those exact words. Instead of 'demon' it was cunt. She was supposed to heal someone, but instead of healing, he wanted more. Luckily she made it before the man got a chance.

"I see." Karin said. "I get it." She might not completely know Naruto's background but she knows he suffered just like her. Karin can relate to Naruto. Karin wished she would have met Naruto instead of Sasuke that day.

"Naruto-kun?" She said in a soft voice.

Naruto looked at Karin. "Yes Karin-chan."

Karin's face matches her hair again. She opened her mouth and nothing came out. "Nevermind."

Naruto just looks at her confused and shrugs it off.

Karin almost said something she might regret in the future. Even if he isn't Sasuke, she doesn't know Naruto well enough to have those thoughts about him.

She needs more time and frankly, neither she or anybody else has enough time for anything because of the war.

What can Karin do?

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Author's Note: Currently I can not think of SHIT of a plot to light a candle between Naruto and Karin. I can only think of character development for Karin and I need Naruto to realize what he thinks about Karin and realizes his fake feelings about Sakura.

To the Guest that said 'don't acknowledge Hinata'. I may or may not need her to be in it but different from the original Elastic Heart.

Spoilers: Anko Mitarashi (not spilling more details)

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Chapter Complete: Aug 11th, 2022