I do not own Naruto, nor do I make any money off of this.
"talking"
'thinking'
Chapter 14:
Shukaku handed Naruto a cup of tea before taking the seat next to him. After a few seconds of just staring at each other, both remembered that they had siblings to pick up. Naruto's driver drove the two to pick up Kohaku and Matatabi. He then brought them to Shukaku's after Naruto sent a quick text to Sasuke to let him know where he was going. Now, Naruto was waiting for Shukaku to talk while Kohaku and Matatabi were playing in her room.
"Our mother died shortly after Matatabi was born," Shukaku said. "She had been sick, and the pregnancy took a huge toll on her body. But she believed that she'd be ok, and if she wasn't, as long as we were ok, she didn't care if she died. I blamed Matatabi for her death. I even left her alone, crying, because I believed that if she died, mom would come back. Then one day, I couldn't take the crying anymore. I went in her room to silence her once and for all. I know it was bad of me to think that, but I was just so mad at her. Just as I was about to put the pillow to her face, her eyes opened. I was swept into those green depths. She has mom's eyes." Shukaku smiled. "I dropped the pillow and took her into my arms, promising to protect her."
He frowned. "Then he came into the room." Shukaku stood up, removed his shirt, and showed Naruto his back. Blue eyes widened as they took in the scars. "He whipped me only five times that night." Shukaku put his shirt back on. "Whenever he drinks too much, father beats me. He increased the lashings by five every time. One time, when Matatabi knocked over a glass of his whiskey while playing, he raised his hand. I stepped in, earning another thirty lashes on top of the twenty-five I had already gotten."
"Why didn't you tell the police?" Naruto asked.
"They don't care about kids like us," Shukaku said. "We're poor and we live in the dirty part of town. The police don't come here anymore." He took a sip of his tea. "The school nurse once patched me up. When she saw the scars, she called child services. They checked in on us while father was in his caring state and cleared him as a good parent. Realizing that they wouldn't help up, the nurse decided to help as much as she could. She knew that I gave all my money to Matatabi so she grow up well. Since she has a daughter a few years older than Matatabi, she gave us some hand-me-downs. Luckily, she also has a younger brother that lives with her. His old clothes fit me. The money father gives me, although it isn't much, allows us to eat."
Naruto remained quiet for a minute, Shukaku glad the blond hadn't spoken or laughed at him. Finally, Naruto spoke. "The way you act at school, it's your defense mechanism."
Shukaku nodded. "The only way to make sure no one hurts me is to make everyone fear me. But you don't."
"No," Naruto said. "And I won't ever be afraid of you."
Shukaku smiled. "Then may be..." His words died on the tip of his tongue as the door to the apartment was opened. Cursing could be heard from the man that walked in. From what Naruto could see, he could tell that Shukaku took after his father in looks.
Shukaku's father looked up at Shukaku and Naruto. "Who the hell said you could bring people into my house?"
"He's a classmate," Shukaku said.
"Get out," Shukaku's father yelled. "Now!"
Shukaku looked at Naruto. "You should go." Naruto hesitated but stood up to get Kohaku. Just as he entered Matatabi's room, a loud SMACK echoed through the apartment. Naruto quickly turned around to see Shukaku on the floor, a hand to his cheek. Shukaku's father kicked Shukaku in the stomach repeatedly. Naruto moved quickly, grabbing the man's arm. Not even caring who it was, the man swung his arm backwards, sending Naruto flying into a wall. He slid to the ground, watching as the man turned back to Shukaku.
"Stop!" a cry came from Matatabi who had run out of her room. She was tugging on her father's pant leg. Kohaku was also out of the room, but he was just standing a foot away from Naruto. Another cry came from Matatabi as her father pushed her away, knocking her to the floor. Shukau must have reached his limit, for he jumped up and attacked his father. The two rolled across the floor. With a lot of strength for a drunk man, Shukaku's father sent Shukaku flying into the couch. But Naruto would let it get any farther. He had Kohaku on his back and Matatabi in his arms. He rushed out of the apartment, put them into the car, ignoring the driver's concerned voice and returned to retrieve Shukaku. He found the two throwing punches at each other. Naruto managed to grab Shukaku's arm and pull him out the door. He dragged Shukaku down the stairs and to the car.
"Drive!" Naruto yelled at the driver. The man slammed his foot on the gas, just as Shukaku's father came through the building's entrance. The driver said nothing as he drove the four of them to the Uchiha mansion. "You two are staying with us. I won't let you go back there."
"Look here you..." Shukaku began, but one look at Naruto told him to shut up. He fell silent. Once they reached the mansion, Naruto pulled Shukaku out of the car. Matatabi and Kohaku followed after them with the driver holding up the rear.
Naruto ignored the maid's greeting as she held the door open for them. "Kurama! Sasuke!" At the desperation in his voice, Kurama instantly made her appearance.
"Naruto?" Kurama asked. "What's wrong?"
"Please," Naruto begged. "Let them stay." He motioned to Shukaku and Matatabi.
Kurama looked at them then back at Naruto. "What's going on?"
"Their asshole of a father was beating them!" Naruto yelled. "Please Kurama I..."
"They can stay," Sasuke said. Everyone looked towards him. He was at the top of the stairs, clearly coming from his office. "I'll have a maid set up rooms for them." He didn't say another word as he turned around and walked away.
Naruto dropped to his knees in relief. Kohaku walked over to the blond. "Nawu ok?"
Naruto pulled Kohaku into a hug. "Yeah. I'm ok."
Matatabi looked from Kohaku and Naruto to her brother. "Shu? You 'k?"
Shukaku smiled as he bent down and patted her head. "We will be."