Chapter 4
At The Hokages's
I walked inside, the door was opened which was pretty strange. I walked through the hall and in to the cozy tropical themed living room in which the evening sunlight of summer shone through the yellow glass curtains hanging on the orange walls. The mini palm trees in every corner and on each side of the green center table. I found y Dad on the yellow sofa with his feet rested on the foot piece. I went to sit beside him. "Hey Dad, what are you doing here so early?" I asked looking at the clock above. It read 6:10 and e said he will be coming home at 8:00"
"Yeah, I just came home to get ready which I think you should too." He said. He placed an arm on my shoulder.
"Why?"
"We're having dinner at the Hokage's so I don't want any misbehaving from you nor Mala -" he stopped and sat up straight. I knew he was going to ask about Malachi. "Where is Malachi?"
"He's … at the arcade" I managed to say.
"So how did you come home, you walked?"
"Yeah, but I had company."
"Really, is it the same girl you were telling me about, why did she leave with out coming in to say hi or something?"
"Dad it wasn't her, and plus, I wont know that you were here."
"Really, so who was it?"
"Naruto"
"The Hokage's son?"
"The Hokage's son. No. he said he had a step mom."
"Ok, so why did you leave Malachi?"
"Where's Mom? I asked changing the subject so I could buy time in to thinking of a proper excuse for why I had left Malachi.
"Child don't ignore my question!" my Dad raised his voice.
"Sorry Dad, its just that he was trying to beat this high score so I left him so he could have a rep." I said.
Wow good one Rachie, as if I actually care.
I looked down at the floor then to the center table. There was about 6 thick and heavy looking books on the table. "Dad what are these?" I asked going to pick one up.
"Ahh, don't touch them. Antashia" he summoned. She came in the living room, "Take these up to my office immediately." He ordered. She slightly bowed and I quickly picked up the first book, it read 'Clans for DUMMIES'
"Child put that down!" my Dad shouted. I rolled my eyes and dropped it so Ana could pick it up. She struggled to keep her balance to take up the book.
"Do you need help Ana?" I asked getting up.
"No I am fine." She said getting up and left. This was kind of FREAKY. I seriously need to know what happened, why do I only have only ancestor left and lives all the way in Land of Milk and Honey
"Honey" called my mother walking in with her bath robe on and her hair in curlers, "is everything kay?"
"Yeah" said, "Dad is that a Bibbllllee?"
"What else does it say?"
"Property of Yoshio Brooks?" I said knowing what he really meant. My mother went back up stairs.
"You see Rachel, I came to realize that, especially now, I, us need to follow Christ and let him lead the way."
The movie 'Evan Almighty popped into my head.
"So Dad, that means that animals are going to follow you around and that you will grow hair like Noah?" I asked jokingly. He hugged me and chuckled.
"Maybe" ha said, "Now go and get ready."
I walked up to my room and took a nice bathe. After getting dressed I peeked through the window to see if Neji was in his room. His wasn't in but Hinnata was and she
Looking for something, "Hi" I said
"Yeah, so where are you going?" she asked. I checked myself. I was wearing a black strapless mini dress with big and thick teal hoop earrings and a matching necklace which was wrapped twice around my neck and looking like a choker. A big teal stone like ring and teal wedges with black. My hair was side parted and had a bun on the right with few strands of hair loose at my left ear. Eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow and clear glossy lip gloss was applied.
"Oh yeah, I'm going to the 5th"
"Big whoop" she said. I could hear the sarcasm in her voice, "I'm going too."
"Really" I said.
"So where were you
after school, I didn't see you?"
"Oh I was at the mall"
"Hi Rachel" she said.
"What-"
Crap, they was a phone set in her ear.
"Where you saying something?" she asked taking out an earphone.
"Ah, no, jus singing" I said and quickly drew my curtains together. I took out my phone and tried to call Hakku but it beeped twice No Signal.
I went downstairs to the living room to just to find Sasuke and Malachi both handsomely dressed in tux playing on Malachi's Wii. "Where's Mom and Dad?" I asked.
"Cant talk now, busy. Sasuke you cheated." Said Malachi fixed on the 54" tv. I dropped into the couch. I secretly admired playing on the Wii, one tie I broke Malachi's high score and I told him that Dad did it so Malachi wanted to prove. He handed the controller to Dad and he ended up dis functioning one of the buttons.
"Are we all ready?" asked my mom as she walked in and switched off the game as she walked passed it.
"Come on mom, we could at least saved it" Malachi complained.
Minutes later we were walking towards the Ball Room of the Hokage's. I found out that the huge building in the centre of the Town was her house. As we entered the Room filled with both males and females fully accessorized walking around and socializing. I must admit the room was indeed large. Every where was white, the walls were painted in white, the floor was tiled with white tiles with simple prints and the roof was white.
"Chelly!" shouted Naruto.
"A friend of yours?" asked my mother. I nodded.
"Sasuke, there is your Father. You may join hi and your family. Sasuke was the living clone of his Father only difference was that, his father had a serious expression oppose to Sasuke himself, had a bored and lazy expression.
Naruto was talking to this man with a younger boy, around Malachi's age, glared at Malachi angrily.
"Children" my dad called us sophisticatedly, "This is Mr. Hygua. He is our neighbor." When I laid eyes on him I knew that he was related to Neji even if Dad didn't call hi by name. Malachi and I slightly bowed.
"I'm sure you have met my son Neji and my niece Hinata" he said to me.
"Yes Mr. Hygua."
"You can excuse us now." Said my Dad dismissing us.
A girl passing us with trays of some lumpy semi liquid stuff in both her hands and surely unbalanced. Her hair was in a long pony tail and dressed like the other waitresses. She glared at me and not watching her step brought gravity on her sending me with her. Everything seemed as if it were going in slow motion. The Blondie's scream was ears splitting. I landed on the floor with a loud and hard thud and the girl landed on me chest to chest with the nasty thing covering us as and a bowl of it was on my head sliding down my head. The silver trays made a loud sound when it met the tiled ground. Despite the fact that I was in a very awkward and uncomfortable position I could move a muscle.
"Eeww, get off me!" the girl wailed.
"I'm not even on you, you are on me." I cried. I pushed her off. Someone held out their hand and I took it. The person was definitely a male's and I think I have held his hand before which I knew was impossible. He gently lifted r up and I started to wipe my face. "Thank you so much" I said not looking at the face but when I did I wanted the floor to swallow me. "Naruto?"
He chuckled, "No prob" It was just like earlier, and every thing was just spaced out just the two of us looking into each other's eyes.
"Rachel. Ino. Are you two girls okay?" she asked when she approached us. I nodded while the other girl ran off.
The crowd died off and I went to the bathroom to clean up with help of my mo and Mrs. Hygua. Lady Tsnade allowed e to use a guest bathroom to shower and sadly I had to wear my hair out. I went to the table where Kiba, Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata were sitting. I took a seat beside Hinata. "That was some awesome fall" said Sasuke. Every one brust out laughing.
"It's not funny guys." I said
"But I must admit that I wouldn't mind being Ino's position. Damn" said Kiba every one except Naruto laughed again.
"Can I have your attention please. Tonight is the Hokage's monthly dinner Ball and I would like to acknowledge the Brooks, Uchiha Clan, The Hygua Clan and the Inuzuka Clan and especially The Fifth and the two stepsons can we give them a round of applause as they stand. I clapped but stopped when I only saw only boy stood up which was the one who was giving Malachi the glare. Lady turned to my table and stared at Naruto and to my shock; Naruto stood up reluctantly and quickly sat back down. It seemed that I was the only one surprised, well yea they lived here but still, Naruto doesn't seems to be the guy to be called The Hokage's Stepson. Nahh.
Dinner was severed, well in buffet style. Kiba offered to get me my dinner even though I refused he still insisted and said I should think of it as a welcome to Konaha Package. Naruto came back tot the table first and slouched in to the chair.
"Naruto. Why didn't you tell me that you were the 5th's son?" I asked. He rested his chrck on his hand on the table.
"I'm not her son" he said. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, whatever. Her step son. Better"
"Well now you know" he started eating. He used his hand to wipe his mouth, "It's no big deal anyway you put though." I wanted to slap him
"No big deal Naruto?" I asked unbelievingly, "That is so a big deal. One you are allowed to be a ninja, you're the Hokage's' step son, this is just the Ball Room of your house, my Ball Room is just a little bigger than your powder room" I said. He chuckled and leaned back in the chair and smiled.
"Chelly, I see your point but so. Your Dad is the Chief Advisor."
"So, that's nothing. Just imagine what the rest of this building is like."
"I can." I rolled my eyes and smiled at Naruto. "You know that I wouldn't be surprised that your eyes just drop out" I couldn't resist rolling my eyes again and pulled out my tongue.
"You want me to show you around?" he asked.
"Really. Seriously?" I asked.
"Yeah come on. And plus, I want to get outta this room." He said holding out his arm. I took it and followed him.
Malachi's pov
Seriously, this is so uncool. I have to it here with old people blabbering about old people stuff while Rachie gets sit with all the cool people in this place. Some one tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around in my chair to face Konohamaru (Kono).
"Hi" he said. I signed and turned back around. He tapped me again and again I turned around. "Just remember whose house you're in." I got up and pulled Kono away from the table to the table with the desserts which was about 2 cheese cakes, 2 chocolate, and more, jello, a fruit and vegetable 2 feet tall statue, buckets of ice cream.
"Ah, that old lady's."
Kono already didn't like because at school (the girl with the orange hair) confessed in front of the whole class that she liked me. Now that's disgusting and embarrassing.
"Just remember, you are in my territory and I'm the Hokage's son-"
"Step son" I corrected.
"Whatever. Since you know who I am, you better treat me like you a Hokage's Stepson."
"Why should I?" I asked, "To me you're just one of those little boys running around the play field. And big whoop, you could have the Hokage your self, just kiss my ass." I saw the anger growing rapidly in his eyes.
"What. Are you going to cry?" I asked, I knew I was taking it too far and if this turns out to be a fight, my Dad, no matter if it was Kono's fault, I would be in deeper trouble.
"Shut up Malachi" Kono said clenching his fist. As we stood there arguing for several more minutes. Kono out of his mind took grip of the table cloth.
Rachel's pov
"Finally for y room" said Naruto opening the door. I was amazed. His room was huge, where it had a large king size bed with different sports balls. His whole room had different sports advertising all over, but mostly Soccer. There were two basketball hoops one at the door and the other opposite corner of the room. His entertainment system comprised of a huge flat screen, four speakers, 6 drawers which two were labeled 2 CD's and DVD's, Wii, PS 3. He had posters of famous Soccer and Baseball players and also had 2 huge book shelves both filled with novels. "Wow, you read all of these?" I asked observing them I even recognized some which I have already read and he also gad the whole collection which I have been collecting too. He came up beside me and nodded.
"I think, I'm going to put on a new shelf." He walked away and jumped on his bed
"Oh my gosh Naruto!" I exclaimed
"What?" he asked frightened.
"You have all of season 2 of Never Again by Jiryah!" I shouted.
"Yeah, he's my Dad."
"Shut up, seriously" I couldn't believe it.
"So?"
"I have been looking for them but I couldn't find all of them."
"Wow you read them?"
"Like duh, my friends say that they are a waste of time."
"Really, mine don't even read books at all."
Naruto's pov
I started to unbutton my shirt, all I really wanted to do is just to quickly get this stupid dinner over with and sleep. I looked at Rachel.
Shit. Dude you're tripping, she's just your friend.
Friend.
Friend.
Friend.
"Yo Rachel." She didn't answer me.
Rachel's pov
I was really intrigued into Naruto's wide range of books I just couldn't take my focus off when he called me. "Can I borrow some of them?" I asked but I didn't hear any reply. I turned around to see what he was doing. As I swung around I was facing Naruto's chest. We were so close. I was lost in his gorgeous blue eyes and I was happy there so really didn't mind it. Naruto's shirt was off and just his black marina revealing his muscular muscles.
Naruto's pov
Too close dude; in 5 secs you're gonna back up starting now. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Crap!
I have never felt this way before, well not since I was in the Academy when I was dating Hinata for 3 years until we reached 3rd term of High school. Okay, just cool, breathe in…shit I'm so fucking breathless.
Involuntarily my hand slow ran down her face and surprisingly she didn't shift.
I took a beep breathe in and out…silently. It was too early, I moved a little close.
"Naruto Uzumaki!" shouted some one.
Rachel's pov
I was too stuttered to move or do any movement at all when Naruto's hand ran do y face, I liked it though but then again, it was too soon and plus I have never been in a relationship before and probably he wouldn't want a 'beginner' for a girl friend. I held my breath when he came a little closer.
Omigod, what was he going to do?
"Naruto Uzumaki!" shouted a lady and Naruto backed up immediately. I turned my head towards the doorway to see Lady Tsunade who glared angrily at Naruto with her arms crossed. Her glittery long, spaghetti black dress illuminated in the semi darkness of the room. Naruto rubbed the back of his head and looked a way avoiding eye contact with both me and the Fifth. "Go and make yourself presentable and get your stink ass downstairs."
"Look granny, it's not what you thought it was. I can explain-"
"What! I wasn't even thinking that. Boy, just get dressed" she cut off Naruto.
There was silence as Naruto got his shirt and started to button it. To ease the uncomfortable silence, "Hey Gran's Rachel is a fan of Perv's novels." Naruto broke in and the Fifth's expressions changed.
"Oh really now, that's nice." She said and turned to Naruto, where as her expression changed to anger, "Be down quickly" and she left.
Naruto unbuttoned his pants and unzipped it to tuck in his shirt. I turned my head the other direction facing the door. "What's that for you ain't see' nuttin'" Naruto said slyly. I rolled my eyes. "Come on before Granny eats me when I'm still alive." I laughed when he reached the door.
"Remind me again why you call The Fifth 'Granny'?" I asked walking to meet Naruto at the door way.
"Isn't it obviously, 'cause she's miserable and geez." He replied.
Duh Naruto, we were about to make out up stairs when we are suppose to be down stairs with the rest. I really wanted to say that but I restrained it from coming out of my mouth.
As soon as we reached the Ball Room a white table cloth came flying into my direction with pies, jugs of ice cream, statues of jellos, and layered cakes leading the way.
Malachi's pov
It was like Rachel as on perfect timing, Kono flung the table cloth with the desserts in the wrong direction that is if he wanted to aim it me.
Naruto pulled Rachel aside and held her tightly with one arm holding her waist and the other her head protecting her from the upcoming SPLASH and BAM…in a way, his head too. Every one was watching in anticipation to see what was going to happen, yeah even my parents!
When the cloth finally landed on the couple entangling them together, Rachel was screaming and apparently was struggling and Naruto also to get free. The Fifth was…was…laughing which send a few giggles around the Room.
Rachel's pov
I finally got loosed and was quite embarrassed…wait let me rephrase that; I was TOTALLY embarrassed especially when the Fifth was laughing hysterically, holding her small stomach and bending down. I glanced at Naruto who was totally covered in icing and jello and cake and other stuff which made me want to laugh but then I remembered about myself; that is I must have looked the same.
Naruto gave me a shrug and I looked a way. This was the second time this has happened to me!
When the Fifth managed to stop laughing and straightened herself. " And may I ask who is responsible for this?" she asked sternly.
The joy and pleasure Malachi spoke out, "Konohamaru!" All eyes landed on him and a mumble started to grow. The Fifth was INDEED angry and wanted to kill Kono, I didn't have to read her mind or hear her say it out loud, it was all over her face!
It was after nine when, my dad came up to my room and cleared his throat which meant he was going rely some bad news. I sat up in my covers and looked him in the eye. Since we've moved here, Dad had seemed stressed but he didn't seem to mind it all, he says that's how he functions properly.
"I've seen that you have made friends Rachel." He started. I nodded. I hated when He goes around the bush, it's so annoying. "With the Fifth's son" I nodded again. "That's nice"
I finally spoke up, "Dad, where are you going with this?" I asked, "Because I still want to go back to Milk and Honey." He cleared his throat again.
"Listen to me carefully and I do not want any comments nor questions nor whining." He paused. "Stay clear of Naruto."
"What!" I asked not believing what he had just DEMANDED me to do.
"I said no comments Rachel."
"But Dad…"
"You really don't listen, do you Rachel Aazariah Brooks."
"So just let me get this straight. You don't me to be friends with Naruto because?" I asked getting.
"You soon know why Rachel."
"But I want to know why"
"Just do what I said. Or else." He paused. He needed not to continue. "Night" he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. Tears stung y eyes. How am I going to avoid him?
The next day drifted by with me avoiding Naruto in every way I could. I hope he wasn't a criminal, I knew he wasn't the Dad would have told me. In English class, the teacher left which was a bad move, it was the last class of the day (at lunch I sat with Daphne, it was hell with Sakura) all I needed was just a few more minutes until school was dismissed. Naruto walked over to my table and sat on it. I signed. "Hi Rachel" he said. I just adored how he says my name and y nick name Chelly, but he is the only one who calls me that. "I was looking for you this morning, recess and lunch." He said
"Well we are in the same class though" I said uncomfortably. I really like him and it was so hard to avoid him.
"Oh, yea but we can't really talk in class, in session. So I was just wondering, you know, what are you doing this afternoon, after school" he asked.
I was so longing to say nothing so we could hang out, but I didn't want to go against my father. I signed. "Nothing, home."
"Oh really. Great, so do you want e to walk you home?" he asked innocently, "or want to hang out at the arcade, I heard your bro has a rep there." I smile, he's so nice.
"I'd love to but, my Dad doesn't really want me to be out on my fourth day here. Dads." I lied.
"Don't you have training?" asked Neji butted in.
"Yeah, but I could make up for it" Naruto said rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh, I really don't want you to miss out on that." I said. I remembered him telling me before I left last night that he wanted to be the Hokage someday.
"Come on, I think your Mo-"
"She's coming!" shouted Hinata and everyone scrambled hurriedly to their seats and fell silent.
Naruto's pov
"Sasuke, come here" I called Sasuke out side walking passing me looking at his phone. It didn't look like his, maybe he got a new one.
"What?" he asked wiping the screen on his school shirt and putting away it in one of his pockets on his khaki pants' and walked over to me with his bag slung over his shoulder. I leaned on the near by column.
"It's Rachel." I said.
"What about here?"
"It's not about her, well yeah but something happened last night."
"What?"
"We almost, sorta, in away made out"
"You what!" asked Sasuke raising his voice.
"Keep it down. Yeah we almost, but we didn't. Grans came up."
"Where though?"
"My room"
"Your room?"
"Yeah, but today she's been acting all weird. I mean, it's like she's avoiding me." I said looking down.
"So why do you care?" he asked. I want to box him right in the face.
"Dude, I like the girl, I couldn't stop thinking about her the whole of last night when she left and the whole of today. If it wasn't for Kono, she wouldn't have to leave so early!"
"Dude you mean you're actually tripping over her?" he asked unbelievingly.
"Yeah, is that hard to believe?"
"Ah, yeah it is."
"Well, whatever."
Sasuke was quite in thought, "Okay, dude you're my best friend so I think I can help you out."
"How, you two always disagree."
"Yeah, that's true, but" he said digging into his pockets and took out the same purple phone he had earlier. "This is her new phone, and here is her new number"
"Dude you can stop playing around now." I said. I knew it wasn't her phone, in his hands.
"Dude seriously!"
"How did you get it?"
"That's none of your business. So do you want the number or not?" I hesitantly took off the number. "Speaking of Rachel, there she is with Daphne."
Rachel's pov
"Does Naruto have ant criminal history?" I asked Daphne. We were walking towards the Main Gate which I learnt was called the Gate (there were many gates on the campus). We were planning on going to the mall because Daph insisted that we get to know each other by our choice of clothing.
Whatever.
"Um, no but if you want him, don't waste your time, his ex, Ino, is a killer."
"I've met her last night. Don't want to again." I said rolling my eyes.
"Do you always roll your eyes?"
"Keep on the sub here."
"Whatever, but he's kind of the prankster."
"Anything such as rape or you know?"
"No, not Naruto." We kept on walking towards the gate then I recognize two boys which made me want to turn around. "Look, there's Mr. Uzumaki and…' Daphne said straining her eyes to see the other, "and I think that's …"
"Sasuke." I said for her. "You want to turn back and jump over the fence."
"Don't be silly, I bet they are waiting for you." I rolled my eyes. When we approached them Sasuke called me over.
"Where are you going?"
"To the mall" I said knowing why he asked. He dug in his pocket and handed me a purple LG-KF510.
"Your Dad said that I should give you this."
"Omigod!!" I exclaimed taking the phone from him. I slid the phone up.
"Um, Rachel, can I talk to you for a sec?" Naruto asked rubbing the back of his head.
I really didn't want to put him down but, my stupid Dad. I guess he has secret agents staring right at me.
"I can't. Daph and I have a shopping date." I said.
"Okay, it's cool, so later I guess" he said putting his hands in his pockets. I guess he was … nervous.
"Yeah. Bye" and I walked off.
"That was mean, after what you told me what happened last night. Or did something else happen?"
"No nothing else happened." I lied, "Come on."
FF
"So I guess I'll call you" said Daphne leaving.
"Cool" I said waving bye to her. We had just finish window shopping when Neji appeared.
"I want to show you something." He said pulling my arm, yeah I trusted him but I still had doubts. "Sorry, but you wouldn't regret it. Please, I want to help you." So I just followed him. Later we were walking up to a glass building, but even though it was glass, you could see what was inside. Neji showed the front door security guard an ID thingy which allowed us to enter through the next door. In side was huge with a round roof to accommodate books. Everywhere was filled with books of different sizes, colours and height. "So remind me why are we here?" I asked.
"To find about your ancestors. Only people with this" he said indicating his ID, "can come in here; people like my Father, the Fifth and etc."
"Neji, thank you ssoo much. How can I ever thank you" I said hugging him tightly and let go.
"Whatever" he said smiling, "Let's start but this might not be comfortable."
"I know, but I think I'm ready."
The worker dude gave us 6 books and 3 scrolls he thought would help us with our research, "So why do you need all this?" he asked
"Mission." Neji replied and that seemed to suite him so he walked off. I opened the first scroll while Neji opened one of the books.
Brooks ClanWere the greatest Clan of The Leaf Village. Destroyed Konoha because of a rule the 2nd Hokage set. They were masters of Gen Jutsu. Some members could draw or paint and it becomes an illusion. Later on they were illuminated.
"Uggh this is just a summary." I muttered to myself, I was spaced out.
"Yup" said Neji flipping through a book and stopped. "Look at this" I looked into the book in front of him. Everything was repeating what I had already read but something caught my eye. One of the most destructive Clans by some way was murdered. What took them so long? Hope they burn in hell.
"'Kay that was disturbing." I admitted and laughed nervously and Neji did too.
"Yeah, sorry" he apologized, "I shouldn't have showed you that."
"No, its 'Kay, I told that I was ready for this." I said. Neji just nodded. "It's just that, I can't believe that my past is like."
"Rachel, its not your past, you had nothing to do with it." Neji said. I fell silent as Neji and I looked through the history materials. Biju, what's that?" I muttered to myself Demons in a human. There are 9 of them having their correct amount of tails.
9 = Naruto Uzumaki
"Omigod" I mumbled. It was cleared as crystal. Yoshoi Brooks, my Dad doesn't want me to go near Naruto because of this. I must admit that I really was scared now, but how could Naruto be like that…I mean, it's not him. "Hey you there, that scroll isn't suppose to ne in your hands" said the attendant. Neji looked up from the book he was reading.
"But someone gave it to us." Neji replied
"But I just said that it's not suppose to be in any of you guys hands" he said and grabbed it from me and walked away.
"Rachel are you cool?" asked Neji. I guess he saw that I was disturbed.
"Yeah, I'm cool." I lied.
"You want to go now it's been like an hour since we've been here."
"Yeah, that sounds 'Kay" I said getting up.
FF
My parents weren't here as yet because the drive way was empty. I walked through the hall when someone blocked my way.
"Naruto?" I said.
"We need to talk." He said I folded my arms.
"How did you get in?"
"Chelly, I'm the Fifth's Stepson."
"Naruto, you have to get out my parents doesn't like it when a boy is in the house and they aren't here." I said
"About last night, I just can't stop thinking about it."
"Then stop, Good bye."
"So that's it" he said. I nodded. "Cool, tomorrow" and he exited the house.
Naruto's pov
I just couldn't believe what just happened. Why was I tripping over her so badly, I mean just was going to …ughh