Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, its characters, or its OSTs in any way. Those rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I do own the techniques I add and any OC I may choose to create for the betterment of the story.
A/N: As promised, a longer chapter!
ON WITH THE SHOW!
Chapter 6: Childhoods Come To An End Part 3
"Alright maggots, perk up!"
It was 06h00am. Naruto and Tenten stood next to each other, still in their pyjamas, as Reiko paced in front of them like a drill sergeant. After their heated battle the previous day, Reiko was the one who brought them home and had them healed. Although Naruto was still a bit reluctant about the whole having a parent figure thing, she could see that he was willing to give her a chance, if his willingness to stay with them was anything to go by.
Tenten and Naruto yawned simultanously, then they wiped their eyes, still in sync.
Reiko blasted the sleepy children with killing intent and they paid attention immediately. "Glad to see you are both listening." She went back to her pacing. "From today onwards, your childhoods have come to an end. From now on, you are both training to be shinobi. As such, I will expect you to behave like shinobi." She turned towards them. "Any questions?"
"W-When do we get to e-eat?" It was a question that unsurprisingly came from Naruto.
"Yosh! Good question, Naruto!" Naruto was delighted that his question was not just thrown aside. Though he wouldn't like the explanation. "Starting today, I will be teaching you that sometimes, missions don't allow you to have a meal until you finish them. You might even be forced to fight for three days and three nights without so much as a grain of rice." 'Okay I may have exaggerated there a bit.' She kept that last bit to herself as she showed them the clipboard she was holding. "Today will be a two part training session with body conditioning first and then Taijutsu practice last. For body conditioning, both of you will handle all these deliveries one at a time, and in the order that I wrote out for you. You will be running at full speed all the time. By full speed I mean the maximum speed you can pull off depending on your body condition. The seals I placed on each scroll and clipboard can measure your vitals so they will know when you're not giving your all, and let's just say, they have a little something built in to remind you." Reiko giggled evilly to herself. Tenten and Naruto gulped at that. "So if you try to act smart and do things your way, I will know." She was pointing at a sweating and profoundly guilty-looking Tenten when she said that.
"But mother-" Tenten tried.
"Sensei." Stressed the older woman. "That other title is reserved for when I'm not drilling you into the ground." She had a creepy innocent smile on her face when she said that last part.
Tenten knew that if she argued, it would only make things worse, so she just rolled with it. "R-Right, m-Sensei, there are one hundred deliveries here. When do you expect us to be done?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. " Reiko waved her index finger. "I don't expect you to be done. I expect you guys to fail this." She smirked at them. It was the most condescending smile she had to offer, and by the twitching of their eyebrows, she could see that she hit a nerve. 'Good.' "Now scurry along, busy people are waiting for their orders!"
"B-But we're still in pyjamas." Naruto pulled on the hem of his t-shirt as emphasis, desperately trying to be the voice of reason.
"Then I suggest you wake up early next time so that you can wear more appropriate clothing." Reiko shot back.
"But-" They tried.
"But nothing!" Reiko shot them down with a wave of killing intent making the kids go rigid in an instant. Reiko could practically taste their fear, and she was enjoying it. Probably enjoying it more than she should. "Strength is never built in comfort! If you want to live comfortably, then grow strong, because if you are weak, you will forever live at the mercy of the strong! And since I'm stronger, you are at my mercy!" Her eyes were burning with malice as she spoke, which made the children take shaky steps back. "Now get running!"
Naruto and Tenten scrambled out of the house without so much as a word of complaint. Naruto grabbed the first scroll they had to deliver, and Tenten led the way. Reiko sat down to enjoy her morning cup of tea while the children started their tor.. urh... training session.
'Ah, the joys of motherhood.' She smirked proudly to herself, inhaling the scent of her herbal tea before she sipped from the cup.
"Are you sure that was wise? Them being scared won't do good for their training." Kakashi walked into the kitchen now that the coast was clear. He could've been there to watch the entire thing so that he could get material on Tenten, but he couldn't risk the possibility of being roped into the tort... urh... training session. 'Priority over desire Kakashi, Priority over desire.' It was astounding how the man made anbu at 13 with how lazy he was.
Reiko set her cup down. "I don't know about that Kakashi. They looked fired up to me."
True to Reiko's words, Naruto and Tenten had large grins on their faces as they sprinted on the streets of Konoha, the morning sun shining a silver lining on them.
'That refined and overwhelming power. I will surpass it!' A similar thought ran through their minds.
"Maa, I guess I better get started with lunch then." There was a knock on the door. "Riiiiight after I answer the door." Reiko giggled at the silver head.
When Kakashi answered the door, he was not surprised to see the black ops member at their doorstep.
'I'm actually surprised it took them so long.' He thought, offering one of his infamous eye smiles to the agent. "How can I help you this fine morning?"
"Lord Hokage summons Reiko to his office immediately. " The agent relayed, then promptly left.
'We've finally gotten to that point I see.' Kakashi dreaded the thought of what the summons meant. "I'm assuming you already know what that was about?" He asked the moment he walked back into the kitchen.
Reiko shrugged. "Yes. Though I am surprised it took Danzo this long to run to dear old Hokage-sama."
"Will you go?" He asked. He wanted to tell her not to go because he didn't like the Reiko that always returned after she talked with the Hokage.
A mirage manifested from Reiko before it stood up and solidified into a perfect shadow clone. "Does this answer your question?" The shadow clone asked.
"Your application of seals and ninjutsu still creeps me out." That was Kakashi's way of calling Reiko the strongest.
The clone disappeared through the wooden floor with a smirk on its face while the original Reiko chuckled at Kakashi's words. "Oh don't say it like that Kakashi-chan, you still have to surpass me." She spoke in an uncharacteristic sing-song voice that sent a chill up the dojutsu inheritor's spine. Not in a good way, mind you.
"You drive too much of a hard bargain, can I get a rain check on that?"
"Yeeeeeaaaaahhhh..." Reiko pretended to think it over. ".. No."
"Quick question, does it count if I surpass you in my dreams?" Kakashi caught the kunai between his index and middle fingers with a sweatdrop. "You could've just said no."
"I could've, but that wouldn't be fun, now would it?"
"Fair enough."
They shared a laugh together. It was bliss, peace and joy. Though Reiko knew that it was the calm before the terrible storm.
"You called?" Reiko manifested before the Hokage's desk.
"Disrespectful as always, Reiko." The old Hokage narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed with the brazen disrespect.
Reiko smirked. "Your gaze is quite impressive, but the white hair and prominent wrinkles can't help but make me want to laugh at it."
"I'm sure you don't want to be here as much as I don't want you here."
"Yes, so let's cut to the chase. No, I will not give up Naruto."
"Reiko, this is not about you and the personal vendetta you seem to have towards me. This is way bigger than you are, and it involves powers you couldn't even begin to comprehend. Your selfshness will tear this village apart." Hiruzen was stern with his words, and the venom behind them wasn't missed by Reiko.
"I know you hate me, but does Naruto have to suffer just because you've gone senile?"
"I will not tolerate your insolence today, girl! Listen to me! You will hand over Naruto!" The old monkey slammed his desk to emphasize his displeasure. The Hokage was reminded once again, why he loathed Reiko.
"I will do no such, and if you come anywhere near him, I will slay you where you stand, father. You have a bad history with kids after all." Reiko pouted, not impressed by the old man throwing a tantrum. It was a rather odd reaction to the heated situation.
"Don't you dare call me-!"
"No, father, don't you dare! Haven't you done enough already?!" Reiko slammed the desk as well, getting up in the Hokage's face. "Tenten and I can't use our last name because of you! Because the Sandaime doesn't want the village to know that he couldn't keep it in his pants! You even drove my little brother away to join the Twelve Guardian Ninja! How many times will you choose that chair over your family before you realise that you are pushing all of us away?! And don't even get me started on Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimarut! Now you want to starve Naruto?! An innocent child of the man who died protecting your chair to his dying breath and you honour that sacrifice by having said man's child live in loneliness?! I'd rather die than let you do to him, what you did to me!"
Hiruzen drew back from the argument with a deep scowl on his face. "We're done here. Leave."
"Gladly." Reiko disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Hiruzen seethed on his chair. 'She dares send a shadow clone?!'
A few moments of silent fury passed before there was a distortion in the air in front of Hiruzen, then a person warped into the office from said distortion. The man wore an orange mask over his face with a long cloak that had red clouds on it.
"So... Hokage-sama... Do I now have your permission?!" The man's voice sounded eerily chipper for the type of aura he exuded.
Hiruzen had clearly lost the battle, but he wasn't called the professor for nothing. Though he lost the battle, he could still see victory within reach. He will win the war. "You may do as you please, Tobi."
"Yay!" The cloaked man jumped around in excitement. "Tobi will do it because Tobi is a good boy!"
"Well that was... Interesting." Reiko struggled to find the right word for her clone's... disagreement with Hiruzen.
"No father-daughter moment?" Kakashi asked.
Reiko could practically taste the annoyance in Kakashi's voice. She ruffled his gravity defying spikes affectionately. "Don't worry about it kiddo."
The door to the house opened, making Reiko and Kakashi turn towards it. A sweaty Naruto and an equally sweaty Tenten scrambled into the house. Tenten grabbed the scroll and Naruto was the one who led them to their next delivery this time.
"Maa... I'm impressed by their effort." Kakashi smiled, his annoyance for old Hokage now forgotten.
"Think they'll finish the orders?"
Kakashi shrugged. "We'll have to wait and see." Though the eye smile he offered betrayed his hope.
It took Naruto and Tenten seven hours before they managed to finish all of the orders. They were so tired that they couldn't even gloat about completing what Reiko said they would fail.
Reiko had made it so they started with the orders that were closest and ended with those furthest from the house. What made it all annoying was that there were instances where they saw that neighbours made orders, so they had to do two trips for something they could have finished easily with one trip.
Tenten was a hot, sweaty and exhausted mess. She gulped her breaths and drank water like nobody's business. Naruto was next to her, exhausted and drinking water, but not quite like Tenten. Naruto had figured that it was the nine tails healing him up.
The nine tails. Ever since the bear incident, he had never heard from the old fox, not that he tried to reach out to it or anything either.
'How does one even start a conversation with a demon fox sealed inside their stomach?'
The demon fox snorted to itself when Naruto subconsciously reached out. 'Naive child.'
Though Naruto and Tenten were messes, Tenten more so than Naruto, it was a welcomed relief that Reiko and Kakashi had made a nutritious lunch for the duo.
Naruto and Tenten wasted no time in devouring everything that was set before them. At the rate they were going, Reiko and Kakashi were worried that they might not have made enough.
"I don't know about you Naruto, but I'm still hungrrryyy!" Whined Tenten after she practically inhaled the last plate of sandwiches.
Naruto just nodded mutely next to her. The blonde still didn't know how to respond to the situation. At the moment, he was uncomfortable. Uncomfortable but willing to give it a try.
'Yep, definitely not enough.' Sweatdropped Reiko.
"Well I would love to stay and chat but I have a squad to run." Kakashi disappeared in a swirl of leaves after excusing himself rather skillfully.
The hungry children turned to Reiko.
'Curse you Kakashi!' "S-Sometimes you have to realise that rations won't fill you up after your mission." Spoke an unconvincing Reiko.
'She just pulled that one out of her ass.' Tenten gave her mother a blank look.
Naruto also had a blank look on his face. 'Definitely pulled that one out of her ass.'
'Okay I admit I pulled that one out of my ass but...' "... Okay, we'll get something to eat after taijutsu practice."
"But mo-Sensei!" Tenten corrected herself after the stern gaze from Reiko.
"Missions will never be considerate of your health or your appetite! On a real mission, you won't have time to whine to your commander about being hungry! Learn to adapt and evolve yourself! Build your body into a unit! Can you runts do that much?!" Reiko sounded more convincing this time.
"Y-Yes." Tenten and Naruto stammered, stunned. They didn't expect Reiko to have such a solid, convincing, and oddly encouraging comeback.
"I can't hear you!"
"Yeesss!!" The kids screamed their lungs out.
There was a fire in their eyes that made the older woman smirk.
"Yosh! To the backyard!"
"Yeah!" Naruto and Tenten ran out of the house shouting their lungs out.
Reiko remained in the house sweatdropping. 'Man I escaped a shuriken between the eyes there. I'm so glad kids are so naive.' She had a moment of relief to herself before she followed the children.
The taijutsu session was quite the surprise for Reiko. While she expected the kids to excel considering their lineages, they both surpassed her expectations by showing a surprising amount of adaptability to the forms that each of them were shown. While Tenten was able to remember the sequence of the forms quite well, her stances had much to be desired, and while Naruto was able to perform the forms quite well, remembering their sequence was another story. Though Reiko believed that both problems would be fixed over time with more training and experience.
After Reiko had shown them the forms she had them spar with her. Of course the children had their asses handed to them. The older woman was proud of how they used their strength, although weak, in numbers, which showed that Naruto and Tenten worked surprisingly well together. If Reiko was a lesser shinobi, the children might have been able to steal a shot at her.
Next, Reiko had the children spar with each other. She observed that Naruto was faster and stronger than Tenten but Tenten was more precise and strategic. In the end Naruto won with brute strength and the ability to take hits, but Reiko knew that if it was a real scenario, Tenten would've killed Naruto the moment the fight had started.
Reiko observed that their techniques were robust and had much to be desired but she could see the potential. Though even if she didn't see the potential, she would've forced it out of them if it was the last thing she did. It was a bad trait to have as a parent, but Reiko valued strength, and she was glad both Naruto and Tenten had that in spades.
She smirked. 'The will of fire huh?' "Okay that's enough for today!"
Naruto and Tenten fell on the ground on those words allowing the rays of the setting sun to pelt their exhausted bodies with an abundance of warmth. They were on the ground and drenched with even more sweat, desperately heaving in heavy breaths. The atmosphere had no problem offering the duo the exygen they needed.
"That... huff... was..." Started Tenten.
"... Awesome... huff..." Naruto finished for her.
Reiko crouched before them, the smirk still on her face. "I hope that awesomeness lasts because it has to carry you to Ichiraku Ramen for dinner."
"Ramen?!" Naruto shot up in an instant, fully revived by the thought of a hot bowl of Ramen or eight.
"I..." Tenten tried to pulled herself up but she fell back on the grass. "... can't move." She took in a deep breath and sighed. "Everything hurts." She winced. "Even my hurts hurt."
Reiko giggled at her daughter's words. Instead of helping the girl up, Reiko just walked away. "Good. Then let this be practice for when one of you falls in battle."
"Yes ma'am!" Naruto saluted. He then pulled Tenten up and supported her, helping her stand.
"Thanks." Tenten was embarassed. She didn't want to appear weak in Naruto's eyes, but she also understood that she had no other choice. Though she was wondering something. "How are you even standing anyway?" She had intended to keep the thought to herself but she ended up thinking out loud.
Naruto shrugged. "Luck?"
Tenten shook her head. "No. It's strength." She smirked. Just like with the clearing competition and bear attack, Naruto just kept proving he was strong. "You're strong Naruto, and I'll surpass you soon."
"You're on!" Naruto mirrored her smirk.
Reiko was listening in on them and their small rivalry brought a smile to the mother's face.
The trek to Ichiraku was slow since Tenten was being dragged along by Naruto. Reiko could see how the villagers frowned when they looked at Naruto but then they quickly turned away, no doubt thinking that Naruto did something to Tenten. Reiko was surprised, however, to see that Naruto was glaring right back at them. The fury behind his icy blue eyes was enough to chill even Reiko.
'I don't blame him.' Reiko went back to focussing on the road. She was on guard, in case a civilian tried anything. It was unlikely, but it wouldn't hurt for her be on guard. Luckily enough, they arrived at Ichiraku without incident.
"Old Man Teuchi!" Naruto and Reiko shouted at the same time as they walked into the establishment, making the old man behind the counter perk up. "Huh?" They turned towards each other, blinking once, twice, then... "Shishishi." ... they grinned. Tenten just rolled her eyes at Naruto and Reiko's moment.
Teuchi was smiling when he spoke. "Naruto, Reiko, Tenten, welcome!" The old man was not surprised to see them together. Since the ramen stand was frequented by shinobi, they had the habit of unintentionally keeping the old chef updated. Like how the 'demon brat' had somehow managed to land on the good graces of the Reiko. Teuchi did not care what the rumours said, he was just glad Naruto had a home and a family. Even happier that it was Reiko.
Teuchi has known Reiko for years. When Teuchi started Ichiraku Ramen, Reiko frequented it before she even began her path to be a shinobi and at the time, she was living at an orphanage. She couldn't pay for her meals half the time but Teuchi was just glad that she enjoyed his cooking with the most brightest smile he'd ever seen even though he was an upstart chef at the time who hadn't quite managed to make the perfect dish. Yet Reiko always wanted seconds with a joyous smile on her face. It always brought tears to his eyes, that he always quickly wiped away, to see the woman all grown up.
Naruto helped Tenten to a chair and the eight year old sat on it like her life depended on it, something that earned a giggle from Naruto, much to Tenten's annoyance.
"S-Sorry." Naruto was still giggling, which did not make his apology convincing.
Tenten would've punched him on his shoulder but she was too tired, so she settled for a glare.
"Okay okay." Naruto finally shut up but the amusement never left his face.
Tenten was about to say something when she felt a familiar chill up her spine. Her head shot left and she was not surprised by what she saw.
(OST Plays: Wandering)
"So you have come back, huh?" Teuchi folded his long sleeves up, just over his elbows. The old chef had a dark aura that saturated the small stand as his eyes glowed a menacing red.
'They're at it again.' Tenten's eyes would've widened if she had the energy.
Reiko had an equally dark aura, though her eyes had stars in them as she was grinning. "And I am to remain undefeated!"
Naruto and the other customers were staring, wide-eyed, at the interaction. Those that frequented Ichiraku Ramen held nostalgic smiles on their faces.
"Ayame!" Shouted Teuchi and his daughter appeared from the back.
"Yes father?" The brunette asked, then she noticed Reiko and immediately, she knew where it was going.
"She's mine." Steam came out of Teuchi's mouth when he spoke.
(OST Ends)
"Hai. Have fun Reiko-neechan." Ayame went to attend the other customers. "What can I get you?" She asked the stunned children.
"Beef Ramen with extra beef." Tenten spoke first.
"Miso Ramen." Naruto followed.
The children were still staring at Teuchi and Reiko, Naruto with wide eyes and Tenten with her eyes as wide as her remaining energy allowed them to be.
"Yosh! Naruto, Tenten, order as many bowls are you like!" Reiko's smirk widened.
(OST Plays: Strong and Strike)
The restaurant had gone dead silent and everyone was staring at Reiko and Teuchi. Teuchi's fingers twitched and Reiko's starry eyes pulsated in anticipation. The anticipation was cut by a pot boiling and that started a bout that would go down in the history books as a battle greater than the Yellow Flash killing one thousand Hidden Stone shinobi.
Everyone gawked as Teuchi's hands moved lightning fast to prepare Reiko's order. He was firm yet gentle, and fast yet paid attention to detail. In a matter of seconds, there was a bowl in front Reiko.
The moment the bowl was set in front of her, Reiko had already broken her chopsticks in two. The yellow glint in her eyes brightened as she inhaled her ramen with gluttonous vigor that should have been disturbing, but somehow seemed appropriate since Teuchi was not easing up with serving Reiko. When she was done with her first bowl, there were three bowls already in front of her.
"I see you have gotten stronger!" Reiko grabbed her second bowl and started eating.
"With an opponent like you, one has to GO BEYOND!" Teuchi set three more bowls on the counter with a large smile on his face, his body now muscular all of a sudden. "PLUS ULTRA!"
"YOOOSSHHH!" Reiko dug into her food faster.
A customer tried to get close to the counter to make an order but was blasted back by gusts of wind. "I-I can't get close to them!" The man had wide eyes.
"It's a straight up food fight!"
"A-Amazing!"
Teuchi kept serving more bowls but he noticed that Reiko was gradually starting to catch up one bowl at a time. A light danced in his mind, colliding with what seemed to be stars and each time the light passed a star, Teuchi felt himself get stronger. When the light hit the last star, his body became more muscular as he pushed even further beyond Plus Ultra. His smile widened when he noticed that he was starting to pull away once more.
Reiko, as prideful as she was, was not going to let it happen. She ate faster, and it was like the food was now literally vanishing from the bowls like Reiko was teleporting it into her stomach.
By that time a small crowd had gathered around the stand because of the commotion. Some were admiring the skills of the chef who managed to create such a neat dish at such speeds while some were amazed that a person could eat as much as Reiko.
Naruto and Tenten had had their fill of ramen and were watching the battle with baited breaths.
The bowls flew faster and Reiko's chopsticks blitzed before everyone's eyes. Everyone was waiting for one of the two to be crowned the winner. It was now or never.
Steam started to come from Teuchi's body. 'I'm reaching the limit beyond my limit.'The older man pushed himself one last time and in his desperation, was able to serve up five extra large bowls of ramen before he deflated back to his chubby form in a burst of steam.
(OST Ends)
While the steam concealed Reiko from their vision, everyone waited to see whether she had finished the five extra large bowls or not. The steam gradually started to dissipate. There was a glimpse of a bowl but they couldn't see inside. The steam dissipated further, and their eyes widened at what they saw. The five bowls. The last extra large five bowls. Teuchi's last ditch effort at claiming victory. They... were empty.
(OST Plays: Experienced Many Battles)
"YOOOOOOOOOSSSSSHHHHHH!!" Reiko was now on her feet, shouting her victory to the heavens.
'You win yet again, but I will never give up.' Teuchi was seated, drinking water from a glass he got from Ayame. Teuchi was reminded of all the times Reiko would stay over and help him perfect his culinary skills. His wife, Ayane, was also there helping along. At the time they started Ichiraku Ramen together, Teuchi and Ayane did not have any particular drive, until they made Reiko. And seeing her right now and what the ramen stand now stood for, Teuchi knew that Ayane would have been proud. 'I will never get enough of seeing that smile on your face.' The old man smiled and Ayame was also smiling next to her father.
Reiko had a big, and bright smile on her face. As always, her smiles were the brightest, only having a draw with Naruto.
"YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" The crowd also went berserk.
In that rare moment. That rare, tiny moment. There was no demon brat. No one glared at Naruto. They were all so happy that they didn't even see him. They were cheering and laughing together with Naruto and Tenten at the centre of the crowd. Reiko had managed to draw them all together.
Naruto was amazed by the warmth he was feeling from the woman. It caressed him and soothed his heart. It filled him with a deep sense of belonging and a sense of security. It was the feeling he imagined he would inspire in people when he became Hokage. Now, more than ever, he was sure of it.
He smiled with his eyes closed. 'I want to be like her.'
Tenten was also smiling. 'These smiles...' She thought, thinking about Reiko and Naruto. '... they'll never get old.'
(OST Ends)
"That was amazing!" Naruto beamed. He had stars in his eyes as he recalled Reiko's battle with Teuchi.
They were now walking back to the Hatake house. Reiko had made sure to pay the bill and then some, for the great food. Yes, she was that rich.
"Hn." Reiko smirked, jabbing a thumb at herself. "I am amazing, aren't I?!"
"Amazing?!" Naruto shook his head. "YOU ARE AWESOME!" He jumped in place to emphasise his point.
Tenten grunted on his back which made Naruto and Reiko giggle together. Tenten had fallen asleep shortly after the hype of the battle had died down and Naruto was adamant about carrying her back despite Reiko offering to help. He treated it as extra training.
They arrived back at the house with the full moon high in the sky and the stars out to welcome them home. Reiko helped Naruto put Tenten to bed. Once Tenten was tucked into bed and snoozing away, Reiko accompanied Naruto to his own room. When they reached the door, Naruto just stood in front of it not entering. He had seen how affectionate Reiko was when she was tucking Tenten into bed and Naruto also wanted it. He longed for it, and he didn't know how to ask.
"What is it Naruto?" Reiko asked, concerned by him being silent all of a sudden when he was so hyper not so long ago.
Naruto turned towards the older woman, his yellow tufts shadowing his eyes. He spoke but Reiko did not hear him.
"Huh?" Reiko was confused.
"P-Please..." Naruto pulled on the hem of his pyjama top, shuffling awkwardly in place, now speaking loud enough for her to hear. "P-Please t-tuck me i-into b-bed."
From his view of the ground he could see Reiko's shadow lift up a hand and the blonde braced for impact, but he was surprised to feel the hand placed gently on his head.
(OST Plays: The Day)
"It was hard for you, wasn't it?" Reiko asked, though her question was more a statement.
Naruto looked up at her, tears starting to form in his eyes.
"It's okay now Naruto." Reiko crouched in front of him and brought him into a warm hug. "You're not alone."
Naruto hugged the older woman back, tears streaming down his face as he hugged her back. Naruto weeped out loud and Reiko let him let it all out. If it wasn't all of it, then it was some of it, which was a good thing.
It was a good ten minutes before Naruto stopped crying, then he promptly fell asleep in Reiko's embrace. Reiko scooped him up and went into his room. She tucked him into his bed like he wanted, then she planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
"I love you, Naruto." The smile she got from the sleeping blonde made her smile as well.
It was the first night ever, that Uzumaki Naruto slept with a genuine smile on his face.
(OST Ends)
Kakashi was reading a rather interesting book that had an orange cover when there was a knock on his office door. He fumbled with the book a few times before he was able to chuck it away as securely as he could under the circumstances.
The silver-haired anbu captain coughed in his hand. "C-Come in."
The door to the office opened and Uchiha Itachi walked into the office with a knowing smile on his face. Itachi had black eyes, like most Uchiha, with long, pronounced tear-troughs. He had jet-black hair, like most of the Uchiha clan, pulled into a ponytail with two, centre-parted, bangs that framed his face.
"Still not over it despite reading it 105 times?"
Kakashi coughed yet again. "W-What can I do for you, Itachi?"
Itachi closed the door. Kakashi noticed how the amusement that was on Itachi's face had faded to a sad, somewhat serious, look on the teenage Uchiha's face. Never in his life would Kakashi ever have imagined that Itachi would utter the words that came next.
"I have been tasked with the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan."
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter! PLEASE REVIEW! See you guys next time!