After dinner the family practiced music as one, then they did want they wanted until it was time for bed. Eito and Souta did the rounds of tucking kids in, having a quick moment, and saying goodnight. When every child was in bed and attended to, they went to the living room and went over the day's events.

"I believe I have met a Jinchūriki today. He's a little boy and clearly neglected and hated," Eito said bitterly.

Souta face's revealed the torrent of emotions, and Eito could feel them so strongly: pity, fear, anger, back to pity but stronger, sorrow, anger directed at Eito himself. "Don't-" she started.

"Souta, I-" Eito had a defense ready.

"Don't! You can't be his friend! We came here so the little ones can have friends. You have to pretend to not be a Jinchūriki and certainly not help him!"

"Lower your voice," Eito growled.

Souta slammed her mouth and looked away, tears started to form.

"This behavior is disgusting; he is an abused child" Eito murmured darkly.

"You can't save every hurting child in the world!" she hissed and pointed accusingly "You're letting a similarity cloud your judgment. Take care of this family, not some stranger!" her voice rose again.

Eito rose "If you can't be quiet I'm leaving" he was pulled back to the sofa.

"I, you, and the kids deserve friends. You being Jinchūriki has caused this family so much pain," she was speaking in the breathy way of one trying not to cry "We deserve to be happy. Please, don't sabotage us,"

"It must be because you're not Jinchūriki you can't understand the daily hell-"

She stood up and loomed over him "I know the hell of losing every friend in one day because my brother my cousin has demons inside him" she was trembling, her chin wobbled as tears fell. "The day you signed up to be a Jinchūriki was the day you signed away our happiness and freedom. Please, you can't do that again. This is a fresh start. We can have friends and happiness again. Don't bring that Jinchūriki around," Souta walked away, and went to her room, and only by his heightened sense of hearing he could hear the door to her room close.

Eito stayed on the couch and planned the next day. He would trick Souta into meeting Naruto. He stayed up all night refining his plan. He grinned wickedly in the dark when the perfect plan came together.

...

The day went as normal for the family. Breakfast, music lessons, free play, homeschooling/vocal practice, free play, and work on the new garden. At lunchtime, Eito put his plan into action.

"Souta let's get a treat before we get the groceries," He muttered to her so as not to be overheard by small children who would be jealous. He liked to treat her for being the second oldest and thus the second busiest person in the house.

"Great!" she said in a stage whisper.

"We're getting groceries, be good for Tamashin!" Eito called out.

The family collectively acknowledged him and they went back to free play. Tamashini had to distract Bashira the youngest from making a mountain of requests.

"What did you have in mind?" Souta asked hoping for ice cream.

"This way," He lead the way to Naruto and had to suppress the scheming grin.

The streets had so much more hassle and bustle than what they were used to. They had to dodge several people who nearly collide with them as they were in such a hurry.

"Not a small town at all!" Souta cried out.

Eito could just about read her mind: new friends were on her mind already.

"Over here!" he said and moved quickly once he could see Naruto.

"Hey, Eito!" Naruto greeted enthusiastically waving.

Eito hoped Souta was too far behind to notice. He took a seat right next to Naruto. "How are you?"

"Welcome to Ichiraku Ramen!" cheered Ayame.

"Why did you ditch me?!" Souta said as she took a seat on Eito right.

"I didn't," Eito denied.

"Welcome! How may I serve you?" Ayame asked.

"I'll have the usual!" Naruto cheered.

Eito noted to himself how easy and carefree Naruto seemed here. No wonder he eats here again after dinner. He searched Ayame and felt a gentle kindness directed to Naruto. 'Good, he has someone even in a small regard' he thought.

Souta and Eito put in two orders each.

Teuchi had started Naruto's order early and set it in front of him "There you are Naruto, enjoy"

Naruto's bowl was larger than normal and had extra fish cakes.

Naruto almost teared up "Thanks so much!" he dug in straight away.

"We appreciate you being our best customer!" Teuchi smiled as the boy devoured his famous ramen.

Eito could sense a hint of sadness in Teuchi who wished he could do more. He could also sense great tension from Souta as she had figured out she had been tricked into meeting the Jinchūriki she forbid to be in contact with.

Teuchi turned his attention to his newest customers. "Hello! You're new faces! I'm Teuchi, this is my daughter Ayame,"

"I'm Eito, this is my sister Souta"

"Souta?! That's a boy's name!" Naruto declared and returned to glutinous eating.

"Naruto" Teuchi warned.

Eito was grinning but did not dare laugh.

Naruto grinned and resumed eating.

Souta pouted.

"Comer on Souta you should be used to it. I keep telling you to change your name if you're so unhappy" Eito said to her to the others he said "Her parents were expecting a boy"

Naruto straightened at this "What do you mean 'her parents you said she is your sister!" he pointed chopsticks at them accusingly.

Eito chuckled "You got me. She is my cousin but lives with me as a sister"

Naruto was silent as he finished his ramen.

"Done already?!" Souta cried out.

Teuchi and Ayame chuckled used to Naruto's appetite.

Eito pulled out money "Get the boy another bowl; he seems to still be hungry" he grinned at the blond boy who perked up.

"Really?! Thank you!" Naruto launched himself at Eito in a straggling hug. For just a second Naruto sat in the young man's lap as he fought off grateful tears and tears from the hurt that this kindness was so rare. He pushed the negative thoughts away and went back to his seat still grinning madly at Eito.

"Coming right up!" Ayame cheered and rushed to fill the order.

"Very kind of you," Teuchi said.

Eito smiled and shrugged "Happy to help" he dared not look at Souta who was struggling with her emotions.

For the rest of the meal, Eito gently asked questions and Naruto was gleeful to answer, happy for the positive attention. Sadly, the meal came to an end.

"We must be going Naruto," Eito said gently.

"Do you have to?!" Naruto cried out.

"Yes, we must get groceries," Souta said with coldness in her voice.

Eito scratched his chain "I suppose we can't stop you from tagging along"

Naruto cheered "follow me!" he ran ahead zigzagging smoothly through the crowd. Many people gave wide birth when he saw him approach. They sneered, glared and a few yelled after him.

Naruto led them to a small store, one of the few that allowed him to shop but they were not nearly as warm as Teuchi and Ayam. The owner and old woman acknowledged them with a nod from her side of the counter.

Eito searched her emotions and decided she was just a cold person in general and carried about money too much to turn Naruto away. 'At least she isn't actively cruel to him' he thought, angry that was considered a good result for the child Jinchūriki.

Naruto scrambled around grabbing junk food, including instant ramen.

"We can't get everything we need here," Souta pointed out when she and Eito were in the back looking over a small selection of vegetables.

"I know, but Naruto is trying to repay me as he can. And shouldn't we support small local businesses?" Eito retorted.

Souta dropped the subject with a sigh and shopped in silence. Eito paid for Naruto's things and once again had a circulation-stopping hug.

"We'll be busy the rest of the day Naruto. We just moved to Konoha and there's so much we must do,"

"I can help!" Naruto promised.

"No, sorry, but what you can do is visit us on the hill," Eito said and gestured in the direction of his new home.

Naruto's eyes winded to be invited to someone's home and the home itself "You live there! That's the biggest house I've seen!" he informed.

Eito smiled and to his surprise but delight so did Souta.

"We have a large family," she said.

"Came by around 7 tonight," Eito said.

"Okay, see ya around!" Naruto said and ran off.

Eito and Souta were aware people were looking on with disapproval but carried on as if they did not notice. Eito was aware of the presence of ANBU who had followed them shortly after they had left Ichiraku Ramen. He told himself to be very careful what he said as he suspected they would have a shadow reporting to the Hokage. But his mind thought over the idea he could use the reports to his advantage.

...

The rest of the day went completely normal until Naruto showed up to play. The ANBU was not around the entire time. but once they got there they stayed the whole time. Eito was aware a team of three followed them he walked Naruto home.

Naruto chatted happily the entire time, there were times he didn't seem to breathe. He let himself in and offered to host Eito who had to decline.

Eito knew Naruto was stalling being alone again. "Are you in the ninja academy Naruto?"

Naruto beamed with delight "I sure am!" but his enthusiasm damped slightly "I'm not so good...But I will be one day, I'll be the best if I just keep trying!"

Eito smiled "Such a great personality! I'm proud of you Naruto!" He was willing to bet Naruto had never or rarely heard it.

Naruto hugged Eito so very tightly and he started to cry.

Eito hugged the smaller Jinchūriki. "Hey, I've enrolled some of my kids into the academy, they'll love to play with you and be your friend. You're a great kid. I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams!" he said as they unwrapped himself, he waved as he walked away. He had to move quickly or he would abduct the child and tuck him in his bed and sleep on the couch.

...

Naruto had not felt so good in a long time, and that brought a twinge of sadness, another twine now that it was over. He brushed his teeth, changed, and hopped into bed. He relived his day with the Mabuchi family. They played tag, hide and go seek, painted, stories were told, they feed him, the children close to age played all day, and the older ones looked after them. A single tear formed and was pushed away. He had made friends and he'd see them tomorrow. This is the first day of his better life, he just knew it.