The courtship of Naruto Uzumaki
XXV. Iseki mourns
"His name was—is—was Moreo Murai," Iseki said wearily as they sat more comfortably in Tsunade's office after Iseki's tragic identification of his troupe member. He seemed even more tired and drained than the lack of a full night's sleep would mark him. His shoulders slumped as he rested his elbows on his knees, and his head in his hands. He appeared much older than his thirty-something years would indicate.
"He was the youngest male member of our acting troupe. He was only twenty years old. He'd been with us for almost a year. He told me he'd always wanted to be an actor. His ambition one day was to be a major star on the silver screen. In the meantime, he'd asked me to teach him everything I knew. No job was too small or too mean if it belonged to the theater. He built scenery; he took care of props; he even sewed costumes. I had him work on every aspect of theater production before I allowed him to appear on the stage. At first he only had walk-ons then he graduated to one-liners. The first skit in our production here was the biggest part he'd yet played. I wanted him to begin with character parts to improve his acting skills—and he was good—very good. Didn't you think so? Didn't he play an old man remarkably well?" he suddenly raised his head, and leveled his desperate question directly to Naruto.
Naruto blinked his eyes, startled at the sudden question. "Oh yeah. I'd never have guessed he was around my age. He was really convincing," Naruto infused every once of conviction he could into his voice to reassure the distraught man.
"I didn't even realize he was a young man," Hinata added feeling extreme sympathy for his loss.
He nodded his head throughout both comments as if it were vitally important that his judgment was confirmed. "He was good. He had so much potential. I was planning to give him an even bigger part in our next production. I think he would have gone far in this business—if—if only he'd been given the opportunity," his breaking voice trailed off sadly.
"Can you tell us how to get in touch with his family?" Tsunade asked after giving him a moment to recover.
Iseki shook his head. "I'm sorry, but he never wanted to talk about his family. From the hints he'd let slip now and again, I think he left under unpleasant circumstances. I don't think he ever wanted to see them again. So many of the young people we meet on the road are escaping their unfortunate lives. I take in as many as I can until they can find their way, but we're a small company. There's only so much I can do."
"Do you know where he came from?"
He shook his head again. "He never mentioned a precise location. He never let slip anything I could identify. I don't think he came from the town we'd found him in. I think that was only a temporary residence for him."
"What about someone else in your company? Would they know?"
"I don't think he had any close friends in the company. I think I might have known him better than anyone else. He wasn't very talkative. He kept to himself doing his work conscientiously. I know I'm not old enough, but I tried to take a fatherly interest in him. He was rather shy until he got on the stage. That's where he shined. I wish I'd persisted, and tried to get to know him better, but I thought we had time. I thought there'd be plenty of time for him to grow comfortable with us," he paused, and stared morosely at the floor. "Frankly, I don't know if Moreo Murai was even his real name. It sounds a little too styled to be for real, doesn't it? But it does have star quality."
"That seems a little strange that you wouldn't know anything about him. He traveled with you for nearly a year. Do you let just anyone join your troupe?" Naruto asked skeptically. He forgot to be sensitive because of the man's recent grief.
He shook his head taking no offense. "Not just anyone, but anyone of interest to the company. I constantly audition prospective members. I'm always looking for unusual or special talents that I can showcase, but I need basic actors, too. I look not just at experience or talent, but enthusiasm and desire. Even with a modicum of talent, I can develop someone into a proficient actor if they have the will. You must understand—most of the actors with my troupe are people looking for a new path in life. We're constantly on the move. It's not a suitable job for someone wishing to establish roots. We've had a frequent turnover in the past because of the hectic pace we set—writing, learning and performing new skits in less than a week. Making props, sets and costumes in even less time. This was the longest I've ever kept the same company of actors. I love the life, but not everyone can cut it. I lose a lot of talent when we get to the bigger cities."
"So your entire troupe is composed of itinerant actors?"
"They'd have to be—wouldn't they? Several times, I've been offered the opportunity to stay in a city and form a city troupe, but I confess to severe wanderlust. I can't imagine staying in one place for very long. Three months is the most I've ever stayed in one place, and that was almost too long."
"How did you come to hire Moreo Murai?"
"He just came around after a performance. He didn't look malnourished or ill-kempt so he must have been working someplace—he never said. He asked for an audition. I thought we could use another member so I granted his request. He wasn't brilliant, but he seemed to have the potential and the enthusiasm I desired so I hired him. Except for my brother, sister-in-law, and the specialty acts which usually leave after a few years, all of my staff are people I just happened upon during our travels. Whenever we've needed new staff someone will ask for work. The stage is very attractive to young people. They think it a stepping stone to bigger and better things."
"Is it?"
"I wouldn't know. I never again heard of or from anyone who's left the troupe. It would be nice to think that they've moved up in the world, but opportunities for starring performers are limited. I do what I can while they train with me, but I'm only an average actor myself. It would be nice to hear from one of them again, but we don't follow a set travel schedule from year to year. Variety is another thing I find necessary to my soul."
"You say he was the newest member of your troupe?"
"That's right. The oldest members are the Tanaka Brothers. They've been with me four years. The next youngest and newest member is the young lady who played the lead in our first skit. She's 24 and has been with us for two years. It's unfortunate that she and Moreo weren't closer since they were the youngest of the troupe, but I believe she's involved with one of the Tanaka Brothers."
"Lady Chiyoko looked pretty young," Naruto remarked thoughtfully.
"Looks can be deceiving, young man. She and my brother are almost thirty although they both look much younger. How I wish I'd inherited that tendency." He sighed.
"Why would Murai have been out in the village after your performance?"
"We've been in your village for six weeks now. They've all gotten to know the local hang-outs. I believe Moreo was fond of pool. He liked to unwind after a performance by playing the game. He was very good, and he preferred playing against strangers for money. I don't know how late he would have stayed out. Like I told this young man earlier, I don't keep tabs on my performers after practice or performance hours. Their private time is just that—private."
"Have you heard of attacks of this nature at any other towns or cities in which you've performed?"
"There are always criminal activities surrounding any large group of people, but no attacks similar to these. I find them very unusual."
"I don't believe we've been able to interview any members of your troupe yet. Would they be available sometime today?"
He hesitated. "Of course. Afternoons would be the best time for interviews. Some of my troupe sleep in quite late," he paused. "Yesterday, I had spoken to all of them after this young lady and gentleman paid me a visit. I've issued instructions that anyone with information should speak to you as soon as possible. Everyone's indicated that they have no information to pass on, but please, feel free to speak to them yourself."
"Not that I doubt your word, but I think I should send someone official to ask the questions. Perhaps a stray memory can be shaken free when the questioning is performed by a professional," Tsunade suggested.
"As you wish," he inclined his head.
A few moments passed before anyone spoke again. None of the ninja could think of any more questions that needed to be asked at that moment. The silence began to feel awkward when Iseki suddenly said, "Lady Hokage? I've been thinking. We would normally have left your village next week. With this trouble you've been having, and the probability that fewer people will be interested in attending our performances, and most importantly—that I don't wish another member of my troupe to meet such a horrible end—would we be able to leave the village tomorrow or the day after?"
"Wouldn't you like to stay until we've caught the killer of your troupe member?"
"I must weigh that desire against the possibility that another of my troupe will be attacked. Even in their best interests, I think it would be impossible to keep them tied to the house. Reducing stress or at the very least boredom would drive them out to seek distractions—and we are used to late night schedules. I think it would be safer if I took them elsewhere. I trust you to bring Moreo's killer to justice. There's nothing I or my troupe can do to help you."
Tsunade rubbed her chin. She had no official reason to hold them in Konoha, but she hated allowing any potential suspects to vacate the vicinity. "I'd like you to provide me with an itinerary for the next several months. I'd like to be able to get in touch if necessary. Plus I'm sure you'd like to know the disposition of the case once we've cracked it."
"Of course, I'll prepare a copy immediately.
"This afternoon will be soon enough—when my ninja interview the rest of your troupe. If the interviews go satisfactorily, I see no reason for you to delay your departure any longer than tomorrow."
"Thank you, Lady Hokage. I'd also, like to arrange for the burial of Moreo before I leave."
"I'll have a mortician call on you this afternoon as well." She stood up. "I think that's all for now. I'm truly sorry for your loss, Mr. Iseki." She bowed to him.
"Thank you." He stood up, and returned her bow.
"Naruto. Escort, Mr. Iseki, and Hinata home. Then go get some sleep. You've got guard duty tonight. I'd like you well-rested for any emergency."
"Right," he agreed sharply. Towards the end there he'd started to feel really sleepy. Talking must be cathartic for grief, because Iseki gave them a lot more information than they needed to know.
The journey back to the manager's house was gravely silent. In the darkness of the late night or very early morning, even the town seemed oppressively quiet. They didn't run into any of the patrol, a stray citizen, or even a stray cat on their way. To all intents and purposes, they could have been the only living people in Konoha for all the life the town displayed. It was a strangely disquieting thought.
Naruto and Hinata were both exhausted, and wrung-out from their intense night while Iseki was clearly numb from grief and weariness. When they finally left him at his door, he didn't so much as look at them, let alone say good-bye. But they scarcely noticed the lack of courtesy; they were too intent on getting home themselves.
By the time they reached Hinata's house it was sometime between 4 and 5 in the morning.
Hinata stood with her door open waiting for Naruto to enter. As far as she was concerned nothing had changed in their previous arrangements. It was still night, and she would still worry if he walked home alone.
But Naruto had changed his mind about their plans. He didn't think it was such a good idea after all for him to stay alone with her all night in her little house for any number of reasons—some he couldn't even begin to discuss with her. Just telling her he'd changed his mind was difficult enough without going into details as well. But he had to tell her something even if it wasn't the most convincing thing. As he considered his options, he hovered just outside her doorway, rubbed the back of his head, and gave an awkward little laugh.
"Naruto, arent you coming in?" she asked softly.
He gave another little laugh then hunched and relaxed his shoulders. "Ah—look—Hinata, I'm—ah—I'm going back to my place. I think I'm safe enough from an attack since there's already been one. And you know—I—ah— think I'll sleep better in my own bed."
"Naruto! You—you can't just leave. Aren't you exhausted? Wouldn't it be simpler for you to stay here now? It will take you at least twenty minutes to get home," she persisted. Her heart beat painfully in her chest. He'd changed his mind. Why had he changed his mind? Why didn't he want to stay with her anymore? Was it something she did? Was it something she said? What was wrong?
He was completely oblivious to her consternation. He thought she was just being her sweetly caring self, but still he waved his hand dismissively to her concerns. "This is nothing. You know we've been trained to stay awake for 48 hours straight if necessary. I'm fine. I could stay up for hours yet," he boasted, and spoiled it by yawning. "Man, where did that come from? I'm fine. Really."
She studied him with her solemn, silver eyes shining hugely in the darkness. "We've also been trained to be able to sleep anywhere," she couldn't resist pointing out in her disappointment.
"Yeah, well, there's still no place like home. Although, there's not much night left to sleep in, I still think I'll do better in my own bed. I'll see you tomorrow, Hinata," he ended hurriedly. Better to leave it at that before he fell asleep right there at her door.
He leaned forward, and kissed her quickly on the cheek. "Let's have dinner together before guard duty. Okay?"
He didn't even kiss her good-night properly. What was wrong? Now was not the time to ask. He was obviously exhausted. She'd have to wait until tomorrow. "Yes, of course, Naruto if you'd like. Will you come here? I'd be happy to fix dinner."
"Great. I love your cooking. See ya' later."
He started to turn away when she called him back.
"Naruto! Naruto! Please be careful," she told him anxiously.
He waved at her. "Don't worry. I'm always careful. Sleep well, Hinata." This time he hurried off before she could call him back again. He didn't want to get into any further explanations (like not trusting himself to be alone, and undressed with her in a tiny house). He knew she was worried, but she should know that he could take care of himself. He was a ninja after all—and a jônin. He could take care of himself, her, and anyone else who needed taking care of. But he'd really like a good night's sleep first. He hadn't realized just how exhausted he was until he started walking home. Oh, for eight solid hours of sleep—
"Naruto! Naruto! I know you're in there! Wake up!"
The calling out of his name penetrated his awareness first, but the heavy banging on the door pulled him up completely from the depths of sleep. He didn't recognize the voice at first, but he cursed it for interrupting his sweet sleep enveloped in his warm, comfortable bed. He would have yelled 'Go way!' if he hadn't finally realized the owner of the voice demanding his consciousness if only by the announcement of her identity.
"Naruto! It's Naomi. Please, wake up!"
He groaned, and rolled out of bed. Why was it that all his friends (and family) persisted in keeping him from his natural and necessary sleep? It wasn't as if he goofed off or overslept on a regular basis. Couldn't they wait until they saw him out somewhere without tracking him down to the one bastion of privacy and solitude he had left in the world?
He wasn't totally out of it mentally as he remembered to throw on a robe over his pajamas to decorously greet a female, but still felt lumbering and unsteady as he trudged to the door. What time was it anyway?
"Naruto!" she cried in relief, and the tension smoothed out of her young face when the door opened. "I knew you were still home." She walked in, and sat down on the end of his tousled bed without waiting to be asked. She beamed happily up at him.
He shut the door, yawned, stretched, looked longingly at his bed then sat at the table in his little kitchenette. If he even sat down on the bed, he'd surely sink back into its comfort, and sleep. Unfortunately, that would be rude while entertaining a guest. "What time is it?" he asked ending with another huge yawn.
"I don't know for sure. After lunch, anyway. Maybe 1 or something." She shrugged.
"Oh? Okay then I've slept about 7 hours. That should have been enough. I don't know why I still feel so tired." He'd meant the question to be rhetorical, but Naomi answered it.
"Maybe because you don't usually sleep into the afternoon? It tends to throw you off to sleep odd hours. I know when I stay up late, and try to make it up I don't feel as well rested," she responded to his question seriously. It hadn't been often in her young life that someone asked her opinion. She wanted to give a good one so she'd be asked again.
"Yeah, I guess that must be it. I suppose I'll wake up soon." He yawned again, and rested his head on his hand. He didn't completely close his eyes, but squinted in her direction. When she didn't say anything, he thought maybe if he prompted her, she'd tell him what she wanted, and leave more quickly so he could go back to sleep before he really woke up. He could sleep guiltlessly for a few more hours. "What's up, Naomi?"
She frowned at him. "What do you think? You're my family now. I miss you. I haven't seen you in days. Don't you miss me? Don't you want to hang out with me? I'm so bored with Lady Tsunade. Not that I don't like her. She's really nice, and nice to let a perfect stranger stay with her. But Naruto, the only work she has for me is filing, filing, and more filing. I hate it! It's awful! Please, Naruto, rescue me," she pleaded sounding a little whinny towards the end.
He laughed. It seemed Tsunade was doing her utmost to keep Konahamaru and Naomi apart. Too bad she couldn't have come up with a more exciting plan. He didn't blame Naomi at for being bored. If the village wasn't so bereft of ninja at the moment, she could have gone to school during the day. If she hated filing, she wouldn't find school that exciting, but at least it would keep her out of trouble. "I'm sorry. I've been really busy. I've been working not playing. I haven't been doing anything that you could join in."
She pouted. "I'm not a kid. I don't expect to play all the time."
Right, he thought fondly. An adult does whatever work has to be done without complaint. A kid whines about it, and avoids as much of it as possible. Damn! When did he get to be so mature? "So how did you get away?" he asked changing the subject.
"After lunch, I just left. Lady Tsunade said she'd be busy all afternoon, and would take me home later. I've got hours until she comes looking for me," she said smugly, pleased with her subterfuge.
He grinned at her. He wouldn't scold her, but man, would she be in for it if Tsunade found out. "How did you find my place?"
"I asked someone."
"Someone? Who?" he asked sharply.
She shrugged. "I don't know. Some guy at the ninja complex. Since he looked like a ninja, I thought he'd know you, and where you lived. He did. He gave me good directions."
He frowned. "You shouldn't talk to strangers. Not at a time like this. What did he look like?"
She squinched her eyes as if that would help her remember. "Well, he was about your age—I think. He had black hair and eyes. He looked really tired, but he was really handsome."
Was she talking about—naw, she couldn't be talking about Kiba? He wasn't really handsome or even just plain handsome—was he? Did girls think Kiba was handsome? Maybe he should've been more jealous of Kiba and Hinata than he'd first thought to be? "So you thought he was handsome?"
"Oh, yes. And he looked a little sad. Is he a friend of yours? Why was he sad?"
"If he's the guy I think you're talking about, he almost lost his partner last night."
"He did? But I heard a man was killed, and a dog was attacked."
"That's right. The dog, Akamaru, is Kiba's partner."
She laughed. "How can a dog be someone's partner?"
"Akamaru's not just a dog. He's something special. I want to go to the hospital to see how he's doing. Why don't you come with me? I'll introduce you."
"Akamaru—a dog—he's in the hospital—the people hospital?"
"Sure. I told you—he's special."
Her eyes widened. "Wow! I can't wait to meet him. Does he talk?"
"What!? What are you talking about? He's a dog."
"But you said he was special, and he's a ninja's partner. I thought maybe he'd be able to talk."
"He can't talk, but he and Kiba do communicate on some level beyond talking. The Inuzuka family have a unique relationship with dogs. That's why they can be partners."
"So your friend, Kiba is really the special one?"
"They're both special. They're special together. Quit arguing with me. Just accept everything I tell you without question," he said irritably.
She grinned. "You're yelling at me. Now I really do feel like family. Let's go."
He relaxed, his irritability forgotten at her specious logic. "I did not yell at you, but I don't want to argue about it. There are a few things I need to do before we take off. First I need to get washed, dressed and lunch. Why don't you go out, and pick me up some lunch while I do the other stuff. I'll give you some money."
"Ramen, right?" She jumped off the bed.
"You already know me too well." He put his old, familiar frog purse in her hand. "Here. Take this. It's my lucky purse, so take care of it."
"A frog!" she exclaimed in delight. "It's so cute. I want one."
"I'll remember that when your birthday comes around. Say, when is your birthday, anyway?"
"It's coming up real soon so don't forget. It's October 10."
He started, and stared at her. "What? That's my birthday, too."
"Really? That's funny," she told him in pleased surprise. "What are the chances that two people in the same family would be born on the same day?"
"I'd say that was a really bizarre coincidence." Was that why the Hokage was acting so weird about Naomi? Was there something strange about her? Were all the Uzumaki's misfits of one kind or another?
"It'll be fun to celebrate together—and easy on the memory," she said cheerfully. "I'll never be able to forget your birthday."
"There is that," he agreed. "Here, I've written down the directions to the Ichiraku Ramen Bar. By the time you get back, I'll be dressed. After I eat, we'll go over to the hospital."
"Okay. I'll be back soon," she told him as she walked out the door.
He stared after her a moment in deep thought. He was fully awake now, but didn't like the tenor of his thoughts.
Naomi Uzumaki. Were you really who you said you were? What was the Hokage keeping from him? Naomi was getting too entrenched in his life. He really liked her even when she was annoying, childish, and whiny. If she wasn't the real thing, he needed to end their relationship now before it was too late to go back. Although, it might actually already be too late.
Before today was over he needed to get some answers. After the hospital, he needed to have a talk with Tsunade whether she wanted to or not!