Chapter 5 – Chibis' Diary
"Talk"
'Think'
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei. So…yeah.
Four years later.
Shizuka was preparing breakfast when she heard a rustling from Naruto's room, a padding towards hers and Noriko's bedroom, a "WAKE UP NORIKO!" followed by a THUD!
Shizuka smiled at the morning rituals. Noriko was not a morning person unlike the bundle of energy that is Naruto. Unfortunately, Naruto's idea for fun was to wake Noriko up in a loud, cheery voice despite of being thrown of anything within Noriko's arm reach.
A moment later, a cheerful yellow head and a grumpy dark head emerged from the bedroom and joined Shizuka for breakfast.
After breakfast and morning chores, Naruto and Noriko began the morning workouts, a variation of physical exercises to build-up endurance, muscle strength and flexibility followed by basic forms of taijutsu which at Shisui's insistence, to be practice until they can perform it in their sleep.
After lunch and a short nap was target practice, leaf exercise for chakra control and light sparring either between them or they worked together to spar with Shisui, Kosuke or Keiko. Dinner is followed by lessons from books.
Naruto excelled at morning exercised while Noriko performed better during afternoon and night sessions. Nevertheless, there was no jealousy between them as Shizuka always reminded them that everyone has his and her own strengths and weaknesses thus it is important to practice a lot and helped each other.
The exercise schedule was made by Shisui and by sparring frequently with them, he adjusted the number or added a new one to ensure continuous progress but without breaking them. Every small achievement was celebrated with a cookout by Shisui either in the garden, near the brook or near the forest.
One of their favourite training is when Kosuke took Naruto and Noriko to the brook behind their house, or inside the forest next to their house and taught them about plants, animals, tracking, trapping and cooking outdoor.
Meanwhile, Keiko taught them about strategy and tactical by telling them story from her missions (and other people's too) and prompted them to give ideas how to overcome the obstacles faced during missions. She then listed out the available options and told the pros and cons of each option, which is the best option and why. After that, she made them snacks which they eat to their heart content.
As per earlier agreement, Shizuka brought Naruto and Noriko to see Sandaime Hokage once every fortnight or sometimes, the Hokage paid them a visit.
She still remembered one afternoon when they went out, Naruto and Noriko was walking happily when suddenly they realized that people on the street were whispering, pointing at them and glaring while some even turned their backs on them.
Naruto and Noriko halted their footsteps and clutched on the bottom of Shizuka's dress. Upon seeing that, she hold their hands firmly and return back home.
At home, she suggested a cookout near the brook behind their house. The idea was received with enthusiast cheers from both Naruto and Noriko
At dinner, she started the conversation by asking "Is there anything you want to ask?"
"Why they hate us?" asked Naruto while Noriko questioned "Are we being bad"
Shizuka smiled sadly and looked at them in their eyes "Do you trust me?"
"Yes!" yelled/said Naruto/Noriko.
"Then trust me on this. I cannot tell you guys why now but I promise I will tell when you are a bit older. Remember this, nothing that happened this afternoon is your fault but theirs. They failed to learn and to understand. Instead, they blamed it on you guys.
"Huh?" said Naruto while Noriko frowned and asked "What do you mean okaasan?"
"Do you remember Shisui ojisan's friend, Kakashi?" asked Shizuka.
"…" (frowning hard)
"…he's the one with one eye"
"Ahhh...yes!"
"Well during on a mission, his father decided to save his teammates' lives than completing his mission. Instead of being thankful, his teammates blamed him for the mission's failure and they also gave him mean look and said bad words"
Eyes wide, mouth opened
"Some people are just like that. You just have to deal with it"
"How?" asked them simultaneously.
"Ignore them. Remember, their words and looks will only hurts you if you allow it to happen"
"Does everyone hate us obasan?" asked Naruto in a small voice.
"I love you both very much Naruto, Noriko" Shizuka said with a warm smile "So does Shisui-ojisan, Kosuke-ojiisan, Keiko-obasan, Sandaime, Teuchi-san and Ayame-san. I'm pretty sure they are people who will love you like we do that you haven't met. So can I ask you guys something?"
"What?"
"I want to ask that both of you be strong and kind. In life, they will people who want to hurt us and put us down. Don't let them and don't be like them. Instead, I want you to help those that need your help regardless of who they are and treasure those that accept you. Can you do that?"
"Ummm…we can try" Naruto and Noriko said hesitantly.
"I cannot ask for anything better. Now, how about we clean up eh?" Shizuka asked cheerily.
The following afternoon, she brought them out to see the Hokage. During their walk, people continued to whisper loudly or glaring at them with anger.
Shizuka hold their hands and said in a low voice "Ignore them Naruto, Noriko. Remember, don't allow them to hurt you"
Naruto and Noriko walked but slowly and kept their eyes on their feet. Shizuka smiled at their bravery and rewarded them with ice-cream.
After that, she make it her mission to bring them out more often to face the public with a promise of playground, treats like ice-cream or dango, or dinner at a ramen stall, or barbecue place, or any place that welcomed them.
As a result, Naruto and Noriko learned to ignore the whispers, finger pointing and hatred glares given to them.
End of Chapter 5
Naruto called Shizuka obasan as Shizuka feels that she is replacing Kushina if Naruto called her okaasan.
Okaasan – Mother
Obasan – Aunty
Ojisan – Uncle
Ojiisan - Grandfather