Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 3: Welcome to the Village of Fire
The Third showed Rei into Naruto's apartment. "Naruto has lived here alone for most of his life," he said. The place was spacious, six rooms for just one person. The small kitchen had nothing more than the most basic of needs, a stove, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a truckload of cup ramen. One room held nothing but a very messy bed; Rei assumed that was Naruto's room. A third room held a large assortment of boxes most of which looked like old prank supplies. It was simple to see the last room, the living room, is where Naruto spent most of his time. The television sat, paused on some random kung-fu movie, one of dozens of similar films that littered the floor in front of the TV. The couch looked well worn and very comfortable and the coffee table was covered with dirty ramen bowls. "It is big enough for the both of you"
"It will be fine," Rei said closing the doors to metaphorical quarantine zone. Rei was not concerned with his new living space; he was more worried about his new roommate and his new life. "He lives here alone, why?" Rei asked.
"Naruto is also an orphan, but unlike you he never knew his parents." Rei nodded, that must have been terrible. My parents are gone but at least I knew them. The Third continued, "I have been keeping an eye on him for his father." Rei's mind wandered back to the fourth face carved into the cliff over looking the village.
"You mean the Fourth Hokage." Rei asked. The mild surprise of the question was answered with a simple nod. Rei could tell this was a seldom discussed and mildly uncomfortable topic so he changed the subject "He's pretty messy isn't he?" There was a bellowing laugh from the Third and another nod. This was the first time he had made the Third laugh. The thought of Rei's upcoming test started to burn a hole in his mind, "so, what can you tell me about this test I must pass?"
"Nothing, that would give you an unfair advantage," Rei had expected such an answer. "Just remember, three days from now, till then make yourself at home. I must return to the tower, your arrival made some extra work for me. I will send for you when the time comes." With that, he left leaving Rei alone in a strange place. Rei didn't know where to start. He had to make a room for himself, explore the village, go buy new cloths, and do some training. He hoped three days was enough. He moved for his pack to set up his room when his stomach let out a loud growl. It's been almost a day sense I last ate, and I need to find out more about Konoha. Rei grabbed a small leather pouch out of his pack and set out to find a good place to eat. Once on the street Rei let his feet do the walking. He semi-aimless wandering landed him in the marketplace. It was full of people scuttling from stand to stand buying supplies for what ever they felt they needed. Rei breathed deep the smell of fresh fish and cooked meats, until his stomach could not take it anymore. Rei approached the first street side vendor it smelled of many cooked delicacies. The cook's back was turn toward Rei, "pardon me, can I have some sesame chicken?" The man scooped rice and a hand full of the delicious food into a bowl. He almost had a heart attack when he turned to face his customer.
"No samurai," he said simply. The cook prepared to toss the food when Rei dug a small gold coin out of the pouch he had brought.
"Please, I'll pay you well," the coin caught the cook's eye. He snatched it away from Rei and checked it with his teeth. Begrudgingly he passed the bowl to Rei. He quickly ate his food under the probing eyes all the villagers in the market place. After his unpleasant meal he decided explore a bit more. He wandered the market seeking to buy what ever he could which sadly to say was not much. Not because of lack of funds but because of the shopkeepers, many would refuse service to Rei. As he neared the end of the market Rei almost felt like giving up. The last shop was a small place bigger that the street side booths but certainly the smallest shop in the market. The sign that hung at the beginning of the small alley that lead to the door was what caught Rei's attention 'Last Chance Supplies' it read. "Last chance? I might as well," he said to himself. The shop was plain looking form the outside, with brown wooden walls and a red roof, but the inside proved quite the contrary. The inside was dimly lit, but seemed larger that the space would allow. The tables, shelves, racks and what not were filled with all kinds of different things. Rei saw the common items the rest of the street vendors were trying to push, but there were also items he had never seen before. In the dim twilight of the shop there was only one person, a young man a couple years older that Rei sitting cross-legged on the counter next the antique cash register. Dark clothing, a long black trench coat, and long platinum blond hair hid most of his pale skin from sight; only his face and hands gave it away. "Are you the owner?" the figure didn't look up from the book he held in his pale fingers, but he did respond with a nod. Rei found the man presence unnerving but that was a simple thing forhim to ignore. Rei made his way around the shop grabbing some extra clothing and a refill for his sword care kit. Off to one side was a group of glass cases Rei had not noticed. Upon approachhe found that the cases were filled with books, very old leather bound books. Rei crouched down and slowly read the titles to himself. He was so immersed in his favorite subject that he didn't hear the shopkeeper approach till he slid the glass door of the case open. Rei was taken by surprise; he spun and drew his sword. The man landed his palm on the hilt and pushed the blade back down into the scabbard. At that point Rei came eye to eye with the ice blue stare of the shopkeeper. He realized his mistake and bowed, "my apologies, you startled me."
The shop keep said nothing for a few second as he placed his book back on the shelf, "I'm told I have that effect on a lot of people." He returned to the counter leaving the case wide open, "feel free to look," he called back. A twinge of joy ran up Rei's spine but he controlled himself.
"Aren't you worried I'll steal some of them, they look rare?" Rei asked approaching the counter.
The man laughed, "Samurai don't steal." Rei gave a small bow to acknowledge this statement. "Give me those, I'll ring them up while you read." Rei gave his collected items to the shopkeeper and drifted back to the bookcases. Rei grabbed the book the man had just finished it was a book of haiku poems. After four or five pages of poems about how to live, 'life to it's fullest' was the jest of it, the shopkeeper called for Rei.
"Can I hang out and read for a while?" Rei asked returning the counter. The young man looked out the back door toward a sundial in a small garden then to the clock on the wall.
"I would, but I have to go train," he said crossing to lock the bookcases.
"Training?" Rei asked. The man nodded, "actually I needed to do some training too. Want a sparing partner?" The young man stopped mid task and turned to face Rei. His ice blue eyes seemed to glow in the dim store light a small smile just visible on his thin lips.
"Sounds fun," he said, "but I must inquire as to the name of my honorable opponent?" This was the fourth time today Rei bowed and stated his name for a new acquaintance. "Very well, call me Lathius," he said returning Rei's bow.
