Chapter – 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


(Naruto Age -8)

Kasumi's POV...

It's been a year since she started living with her guardian. Her life has changed completely from the time she lived with her brother. She was not allowed to go to the park everyday like she used to. She had to learn things taught to her by Hanare, her guardian during the day. She taught her how to read and write even though she knew how to do those saying that she wasn't taught properly. She made her do many chores such as setting the table, cleaning the house, cooking meals, doing laundry and the list goes on. When Kasumi tried to protest she rebuked her saying that a girl should be able to do all these things and that now was the time to learn how to do them. She was only allowed to play at the parks on Sundays. That was the only time she got to meet her brother and play with him.

The one thing she disliked the most in her new life was that she could only be with her brother one day a week. She wished that all days were Sundays so that she could be with her brother every day. She also dislikes how Hanare always argues about the things her brother told her saying he was wrong.

She was at least happy that things between her and Naruto-nii were back to the same. She still remembered how her brother used to be different when spending time with her for the first month. She felt really sad and afraid that her brother would stop talking with her then. She knew that she hurt her brother when she chose to live with her guardian. She didn't want to cause trouble for her brother. She is still trying to figure out the conversation she overheard between hokage-jiji and Hanare when she came to adopt her.


Flashback (1 year ago)

Kasumi didn't know what to say when a strange woman came to their apartment and said that she wanted to adopt her. She disagreed when she learnt that she will be separated from her brother but the strange woman saying to think for a week and give the answer when she came to visit her again got up and left. After deciding that her answer won't change she ran after her to say that her decision won't change and not come back. But before she could reach her the woman exited her apartment and closed the door. She could hear her talking outside the door with the Hokage-jiji. Being curious she tried to hear what they were talking about.

"So did she agree to come live with you Hanare?" spoke the old voice of the Hokage.

"No. she didn't agree to be separated from her brother." came the voice of Hanare.

"I was afraid that she was going to say that. I hoped that having her live with you we can alleviate the growing hatred towards the boy. It appears that the villagers are starting to hate both the girl and the boy and Naruto haven't helped the matters by glaring at the villagers."

"You think separating them will solve the problem?"

"It will at least reduce the hostility towards the boy and I was thinking of having kasumi stay mostly indoors with you teaching her for most of the time. You know the saying 'Out of sight out of mind', I think it would work to certain extent in kasumi's case. "

"It might work but I don't think she will agree to live with me. I told her to think for a week and then give the answer and I am not getting my hopes up. Let's go."

She could hear their footsteps heading away from the door and she was shocked to learn that the villagers hate them because of her. She always thought they just didn't like her and Naruto. She thought of going after them and asking why she was hated but she couldn't bring herself to do so.

She knew that they wouldn't answer her as Naruto already asked the Sandaime Hokage when he gave them this apartment to live in because the matron at the orphanage was neglecting them but he just didn't give an answer then and she doubted he will answer her now. She was also afraid of letting them know that she overheard their conversation. She resolved to find out the reason on her own.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You think that worked?" asked a sceptical Hanare.

"Yes, she definitely 'overheard' us talking and that should affect her significantly to change her decision." answered Sarutobi.

"But don't you think that her brother will be against this?"

"He will be. But she would still agree to live with you if only to save her brother. This should create a wedge between them for some time. We should capitalise on that and establish our influence on her during that period. It will be your job to do this. Be prepared."

"I am ready for this mission, Sandaime-sama."

"Right then. My Kagebunshin is at the park talking with Naruto. Go inform him that you done with kasumi but don't let Naruto see you. Use you Anbu gear to hide your identity."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kasumi observed the villagers to see their reaction towards them. She never noticed before because she was afraid to look at them before but now she needed to know. She saw that her brother was giving fierce glares towards anyone glaring at her and she could see that they were angry with her brother for glaring at them. She noticed that some of them were just glaring at her brother and totally ignoring her.

She didn't want her brother to be hated because of her. That was the first time she thought about accepting to live with her guardian. But she was afraid to be away from her brother. She never stayed away from him for more than a hour. She was terrified to be live without her brother. She was also afraid of her brother's reaction. She hoped that her brother wouldn't hate her if she accepted. But as the week passed and observing the villagers she decided to accept the offer.

The day finally came when Hanare came to visit her. This time her brother stayed with her along with the Sandaime hokage.

"So, have you decided? You still don't want to live with me?" asked Hanare.

"I... "Kasumi couldn't give an answer she just kept looking at her brother who was looking concernedly at her.

"If I agreed will I still be able to visit my brother?" she finally forced herself to look away from her brother and said those words.

Hanare seemed surprised by my question "Yes you can still be with your brother as long as it doesn't interfere with the tasks I give you."

Kasumi was relieved to hear that. She was afraid that she wouldn't be allowed to visit her brother. "I agree."

"That's good Kasumi-Chan and don't worry you can visit you brother frequently." Sandaime-jiji reassured her. She couldn't look at her brother. He had been silent for the whole time and she was afraid of his reaction.

"Let's pack your things so that you can move to my house." Hanare said enthusiastically.

"What! Right now?" asked Kasumi. She didn't think she had leave so soon.

"Yes. But if you want we can postpone it."

Kasumi looked at her brother finally and he seemed to be shocked. She didn't know what to say to Naruto. She thought it would be better to leave now or she might not bring herself to leave later. She was also afraid of her brother' reaction. "Ok."

Hanare packed all her belongings into a scroll and kasumi took the photo of her brother and her from the night stand to go with along her belongings. After everything was ready she just hugged her brother tightly and couldn't stop the tears from her eyes anymore.

"Nii-chan you will visit me every day right? Then we can go and play in the park just like we do now." Kasumi said to Naruto hoping that Naruto doesn't hate her.

"Yes. I will visit you everyday kasumi-chan. Don't worry." Naruto said finally.

Hanare laid a hand on kasumi's shoulder to calm her. "You don't need to worry. Everything will be fine. "

With that Kasumi free herself from Naruto and left with Hanare.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Hokage's office)

"It looks like the plan worked." Said Sakumo "But don't think it will raise questions from kasumi by informing her that villagers hate her? She might also hate konoha when she finally learns of Kyuubi."

"I couldn't think of any other way to separate them." admitted Sarutobi "We just need to influence her way of thinking and make sure that she doesn't take the news negatively. It shouldn't be too difficult."

"I thought our goal was to separate them completely. Now the brat can still come in contact with her. How does that limit the influence he has on her?"asked Danzo.

"Separating them completely would turn kasumi against us. Naruto isn't happy with her decision to live with her Hanare and we can use this to paint him in negative light. It might not be an immediate effect but slowly we can reduce his influence and even turn her against him."

"Well then it will be your job to oversee this Hiruzen. You and Hanare have to increase the influence you have on her before you can sabotage her relationship with her brother." Said Sakumo.

"Don't worry. It shouldn't be a big problem. I have selected Hanare specifically for this mission. She should get the job done."

(End of Flashback)


Kasumi could still remember the first few days of her stay here and how terrified she was. She has to get used to live with Hanare and adjust to her new life. Her brother was distant towards her and she couldn't bear that her brother might hate her.

She didn't know what happened but after sometime her brother was back to normal and he was no longer distant towards her. She started to learn all sort of things from Hanare and Sandaime-jiji even if they made her do boring things most of the time.

She could see that her idea worked and her brother was not hated by the villager anymore. She didn't know how the villagers felt about her and she didn't find out why they hate her. She had asked Hanare once but she didn't get any answer from her.

She was excited to join the Academy this year as this will be the first step to become ninja. She was looking forward to it because not only will she learn cool things but she gets to be with her brother the whole day.