Sasuke sat at the edge of the deck next to Namikaze in silence.
"Say, Namikaze-kun, how old are you now?" Sasuke asked. Namikaze looked up at him.
"Four," Namikaze answered. "Sasuke-san, can you teach me how to walk on water? Tu-san doesn't think I'm old enough even though I'm number one at the academy."
iFour? And he's already attending the academy? He must be talented…/i "Well, if your father doesn't want you learning, I don't think—"
"Please?" Namikaze begged, bowing his head. Sasuke sighed. He didn't want to butt into Naruto's business. Namikaze was Naruto's responsibility. Sasuke didn't want to mess with this kid and possibly corrupt him too, but Namikaze's blue shirt reminded Sasuke too much of himself as a kid, asking Itachi to help train him. "Fine," Sasuke sighed.
"Arigato!" Namikaze exclaimed, throwing his arms around Sasuke. Sasuke stiffened, his guard up. Namikaze pulled away. Namikaze glanced at his watch and gasped.
"Oh no! Ca-san will be coming to pick me up at the academy by now! Gotta go! See you tomorrow, Sasuke!" Namikaze ran off. Sasuke smiled. iNamikaze-kun is skipping class, huh? He's just like Naruto… though he's at the top of the class instead of dead last. /iSasuke looked down at the lake, at his reflection. He was surprised to see a smile on his face. It changed what he looked like. Sasuke walked in the direction of the exit, where Namikaze headed.
Kids were running around, heading home from school. Many adults watched Sasuke and kept their kids away from him as he passed.
"Konichiwa," he heard a young voice say. Sasuke turned around. A little girl grinned up at him. She had the red fangs of the Inuzuka clan on her cheeks. Her hair was brown and messy. She had a little brown puppy in her arms. iKiba's kid, huh? /i Sasuke wondered.
"Konichiwa," Sasuke greeted back, "What is your name?"
She giggled, "I'm Inuzuka Hotaru!" Sasuke nodded as if that was what he expected to hear.
"Sayonara!" she shouted, sprinting off. Sasuke watched her run away to a pretty woman with light brown hair. He recognized her at the last moment… Hanna.
He walked all the way to his old apartment, ignoring stares and whispers.
"He's that guy…"
"That Uchiha kid…"
"…wouldn't return… back now…"
"…plotting something…"
"…with Uchiha Madara…"
"…scared?...children…"