Chapter 24 – Fight and Funeral
"Talk"
'Think'
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei. So…yeah.
Sasuke watched Naruto and Noriko sat while doing the leaf exercise with mixed feelings.
He was surprised to hear that Naruto and Noriko are living with the Godaime Hokage; they never give any indication that they knew him up close and personal.
When he saw Noriko sat down, followed by Naruto and Noriko's smile, he felt sad and angry. Sad because of the deaths of his parents and angry why Naruto and Noriko seemed fine when they also had lost someone.
After a while, Noriko started to stretch and practice her taijutsu moves while Naruto went to his training post and started punching and kicking.
"What are your guys doing?" asked a voice.
They turned and saw Sasuke scowling.
"Training" said Noriko.
"You want to join?" invited Naruto.
"No" said Sasuke, testily "I heard you guys have just lost someone. I'm surprise that both of you went straight to training. I guess it's different when you lost your parents and when you lost someone of no relative"
Naruto eyes went down, then he rubbed at the back of his hair "Maybe you're right. You know what, I'm tired" and walked back to the house.
"Take that back!" said Noriko sharply.
"Take what back?" asked Sasuke, feigning innocent.
"What you've just said. Keiko-obasan is a family to us. Just because we don't have blood relation, doesn't mean we love her less. We train because we decided it was more productive than being a big baby like you"
"What?!" snarled Sasuke. He and Noriko are staring at each other with anger.
"Are you going to take back your words or not?"
"Make me"
"Fine" said Noriko.
She jumped and punched Sasuke who deflected her punch. Quickly, she kicked which hit Sasuke on his stomach.
"Ready to apologize?" asked Noriko in a stance.
"No!" yelled Sasuke, aiming a punch at Noriko "What do you know about losing a parents! You've got your mother!" he screamed while attacking Noriko who evaded and deflected.
She saw that Sasuke began to lose his footing. Capitalizing his weakness, she swipe Sasuke off his feet, causing him to fall back. Before he can regain his momentum, she pushed him on his stomach and locked his arm.
"Yes, I've got my mother, but Naruto lost his since he was a baby" hissed Noriko "My mother and Keiko-obasan was the next thing of a parent to him, and he lost one of them yesterday. Naruto may be willing to forgive you for your crappy attitude, but I'm not. You said we don't understand your pain, well baby, news flash, you don't understand ours either!"
"Noriko!" said Shizuka sharply. She has just arrived when she saw Noriko pinning Sasuke down.
She let go of Sasuke "I know you are sad and in pain, Sasuke, but that does not give you any right to inflict pain on others" then she walked off to the brook behind their house to cool off.
Sasuke just stared at her. Unbeknownst to them, the fight was observed by Itachi and Shisui.
Noriko washed her face and looked around emotionally. This was the last place Keiko-obasan walked on them and complimented their progress-
"That was…interesting" her trip down memory lane was cut short by a voice belonging to Uchiha Itachi.
"You saw?" she asked weakly "I'm sorry I lost my temper-"
"No" interrupted Itachi "Sasuke was the youngest and he grew up in a relatively pampered, sheltered environment, but you are correct, he has no right to say that especially to Naruto-san" he smiled "Though I think he was more shocked at losing to you. You better watch yourself, he will not take it lightly"
"He's welcome to it. I've kicked his butt and I will not hesitated to do it again" Noriko responded with a smile, then her face turned to sombre "I better check on Naruto. I know he lied when he said he's tired"
"Don't worry, Shisui is with him. You mother is with Sasuke" said Itachi.
"So I'm stuck with you?" asked Noriko in mocked horror.
During dinner, Sasuke said "I'm sorry Naruto. I should not have said that. Please accept my apology"
"It's okay, Sasuke. You were sad. I understand" said Naruto with a smile.
Shizuka stared at Noriko. Sighing, Noriko said to Sasuke "I'm sorry I lost my temper".
Sasuke was about to say something when Itachi nudged his ribs, so he mumbled "Fine"
Shisui tsk tsking "bad acting" he commented
"Shisui!"
The funeral was held the next day. All members from Uchiha clan attended as well as a few representatives from each other clan, since one of the deceased was a clan leader. After the funeral, Noriko stayed with Shizuka and Kosuke, talking with people who have worked with Keiko, when Ichirou arrived and protracted himself in front of Kosuke and apologizing.
Kosuke looked at him warmly; he was sad for Keiko's death but when one is old as him, he accepted it and moved on with his life, instead of lingering to it.
Kosuke put his hand on Ichirou's shoulder and asked him to stand up and hugged him. Ichirou was overwhelmed and unexpectedly, tears came down on his cheeks.
Meanwhile, Shisui brought Naruto (who carried a bouquet of flowers) to the Memorial Stone "Naruto, these are the names of the heroes of Konoha. They died protecting Konoha, and your parents' names are amongst these" Naruto was astounded.
'I'm sorry I cannot do more, Naruto. You have the tendency to blab when get excited' thought Shisui.
"Whenever you want to talk to your parents, you can come here and talk to them" said Shisui softly, patting Naruto's back and left.
Naruto looked at the stone, kneeled, put down the bouquet of flower, took a deep breath and said "Okaasan, Otōsan…"
End Chapter 24
Obasan – aunty
Okaasan – mother
Otōsan - father