Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
I still don't understand why people do that, but okay, whatever. I am sorry if this chapter is absolutely horrible, but I can't seem to think. I assume my writer's block is starting up again. Isn't that a joy?
I'm going to be starting other stories soon, and yes I know that I mentioned it before, but I would just like to inform y'all because they are pretty much all Naruto stories. Ah, Naruto. You have changed my life.
So, this chapter is just kind of, I don't know, it's really not as good as I could do, but I hope you like it. Love you guys more than you know! Every single person who is reading right now and likes my writing, you are a very lovely person. Thank you. On with the chapter.
I barge into the castle and take off my sunglasses. Keeling over, I take in short tufts of air. That was a nice run.
My mother descends from the staircase; her long red hair placed on top of her head. She gasps the second her eyes see me. "Naruto, you got mud all over the floor!" She rushes over towards me and grips on to my shoulders. "Where on Earth have you been, Mr. I'm-Going-To-Be-In-My-Room?"
"Mom, it's no big deal. I was just… out in the garden," I lie. She narrows her eyes at me. "Uhm, have you seen dad?" I shrug out of her grip.
"Why do you care where your father is?" my mom raises her eyebrows; crossing her arms across her chest.
"I just need to ask him something."
"Mhm, sure."
"Mom, I really do need to talk to him."
"Well, it doesn't matter anyway. He's locked himself up in his room. He's not coming out of there anytime soon. Not until lunch, anyhow. Which reminds me, what do you want for lunch today? I can make you some ramen, if you'd like."
"What?! No way! Can you please, please, PLEASE make me some ramen?! I would love you forever! Dad never lets us it ramen! Every single time I try to sneak it in my room he takes it away from me!" My mother laughs and nods.
"Of course I will make you some ramen. I'll have a stern talking to with your father about ramen."
"Thank you!" I hug her. She seems a little shocked that I am being so touchy but she wraps her arms around me anyway.
"You're welcome. Now, go clean your room. We have to make this house presentable for tomorrow." I begin walking up the stairs, but I stop in my tracks.
"Wait, what?"
"The Hyugas are coming over for dinner tomorrow." I groan. "Now don't be like that, Naruto. The Hyugas are old family friends. I know Neji doesn't say much, but you can talk to Hinata."
"Mom, Hinata would rather talk to her hair then even look at me. They're too proper. I hate proper people. I hate anybody that's a know it all. I hate people that look down upon others because they aren't in the same class or they aren't as 'fancy' as them. People like that disgust me. I should be down there where the villagers are. I belong down in that group of people. They are carefree and they go through so much, but they still are some of the kindest, sweetest, nicest, and smartest people you will ever come to know." I quickly begin to walk up the steps.
"Naruto, what has gotten into you?" I stop and turn, looking back at my mom.
"I guess a bit of fresh air changes some people." With that, I walk back to my room and slam the door shut.
I haven't even been in my room for 2 hours and someone knocks on my door. "Who is it?" The door creaks open and the same woman that was looking at a dress with my mom earlier appears through the crack.
"Sorry to bother you, but your parents refuse to eat without you. Your mother suggested that they have ramen for lunch today. She said it's your favorite." I sigh and get up out of bed.
"Alright. I'm coming."
"I'll be sure to tell them," she smiles and closes the door behind her.
Sure enough, when I arrive at the table, my mother and father are waiting for me; my father looks slightly concerned and my mother tries to smile at me as her face is also troubled. Pulling out my chair, I plop down into it and say, "Where's the ramen?" My father turns and nods at a patiently waiting servant. He bows; then snaps his fingers. Several people walk out and place our bowls of ramen on the table. I glance all around me and instantly feel bad for these people. They've been serving us our whole lives. Why don't they get a day off? I take in the delicious smell of ramen and shove my face with stringy noodles.
"Now, Naruto, your mother tells me you had something you wanted to ask me," my father speaks up.
"Do you know about the depressing days?" My father stares at me as if I've said something horrible. The meaning behind it is horrible, but that must mean he knows about it. "I assume you've heard of it then?"
"Naruto, where did you hear that?" he ignores my question.
"I just heard some people mention it."
"Did you go out into the village?"
"Dad, I just-"
"Did you, or did you not?" my dad shouts.
"Maybe I wandered around a bit, but-"
"I specifically told you that it's forbidden to leave this castle unless someone else is with you like me or your mother!" he rises up from his seat; his blue eyes glaring at me.
"Okay, sorry! I just wanted to go out and explore for one day! Nothing happened to me and I'm perfectly fine and safe! No one even knew who I was! I don't see what's so wrong about that!"
"Where did you hear that information from, Naruto?"
"What?"
"Who told you about the village's miserable days?"
"A guy I ran into. I don't remember his name."
"Naruto, I don't want you ever leaving this castle, again. You hear me?"
"I hear you loud and clear, dad," I mumble, not happy with how this conversation went.
"Good. Now eat up. I don't want to hear you complain about being hungry again."
"I'm not the one that needs to be fed," I mutter under my breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
We finish our meal in complete silence. We depart in complete silence. We finish our evening in complete silence.
I don't show up for dinner. I lock myself in my room so that no one can bother me. Several people try to come in, but I don't let them. I want to be alone.
My father knows about the people that struggle through the winter. He knows that people have starved before; that people have been left out on the streets. Yet, he doesn't do anything about it. We're loaded with money and yet he won't even turn his head. I wish I knew why. Of course he won't tell me. If I bring it up again, he will never let me leave his sight. Eyes will be on me 24/7. I don't want that. I crack open my window and let the cold breeze seep through. The trees outside blow in the freezing wind. I wish I was back outside.
The lights from the village illuminate the kingdom below. It seems as though everyone is in their homes for there is no laughter or chatter. I wonder if- wait, what's his name? It starts with an S. Su- no. Si- nope. Se- no, that's not it. Sa- okay, we're a little closer. Sasu… Sasur… Sasuke! Sasuke's his name! I wonder what he's up to at this time of night. It's probably better than what I'm doing.
The castle also remains silent in the night. No one to be heard. I put on some of my warmest clothes and head down stairs, locking my door behind me so no one can enter and find that I'm not there. I cautiously walk towards the front door when I hear my mom and dad talking. "Minato, you can't stop him from leaving forever. One day he's going to have to explore the world."
"I just want him to be safe, Kushina." My mom entangles her hand with my father's; pressing her forehead against his.
"He can protect himself. I have no doubt about that. He's been taught several techniques to defend himself. If you think about it, Minato, he's going to have to find someone to marry later in his life." I stick out my tongue and make a quiet gagging noise. Or I can avoid getting married at all costs.
"Can't he marry someone like, I don't know, Hinata? She's a sweet girl and we know her family well."
"I don't think Naruto likes her that way, Minato." Thank you, mother. Hinata really isn't a bad person. She is very nice and sweet to me, but she's not really social and doesn't seem very adventurous. I like adventurous people.
"Okay, Kushina. Sorry that you know our son better than I ever will," my father hangs his head.
"Maybe if you tried to understand him, or talk to him more, then you could be just as involved with him as I am. He doesn't like that you work all the time. He just wants a father in his life."
"Alright, well, it's hard to bond with someone that despises me and everything I do."
"He doesn't despise you. He loves you very much." I walk over to the doors and grab my knife that I carry whenever I travel at night. Which is never, but my defense teacher told me it was smart to travel with it. I close the doors behind me and step out into the cold air; the wind whipping my hair. I should have dressed a little more warmly. Tucking my hands into my coat pockets, I travel down the cobble road and head towards the forest.
I slump down on a boulder; placing my chin in the palm of my hands. If only I had someone to talk to… Snap! I shoot up from the rock, fully alarmed. "Who's out there?" I shout. No answer. Unsheathing my blade, I stand ground in my defensive position. "Whoever you are, I have a dagger and I'm not afraid to use it!" my voice appears a lot more shaky then strong. Hopefully they won't notice. I hear a chuckle come from my left.
"For someone that isn't afraid, you shake a lot." A dark figure appears in between the trees.
"How about you show yourself?" Stepping into the moonlight, a tall figure with dark eyes and black hair is standing before me; his arms crossed and a half smirk plastered on his face. I put my blade back in its casing and lower my arms. "Sasuke, what are you doing out here?"
"Sneak out again?" he says, ignoring my question. Sasuke steps closer and leans against a nearby tree.
"Yes, I did. Not that it's any of your business, but nobody seems to care what I think."
"Must be a trouble-maker. It would explain why you can't leave your house. Parents probably don't want you to make the town look like a tornado just ran through it."
"I am NOT a trouble-maker," the anger boils through my blood. If only he knew just what I was dealing with at home.
"I'm sure you're not," Sasuke adds with a hint of sarcasm. "Why are you carrying a dagger with you? I really doubt anyone is going to try and rob a 16 year old boy." How did he know my age? Maybe he's 16, too.
"Alright, well, I've always been told to carry this around if I ever go anywhere. And it's nighttime so that's more the reason."
"Okay, sure, blondie."
"My name isn't 'blondie'."
"What do you want me to call you then? I can call you loser."
"My name is Naruto. How about you call me that?"
"Nah, I think, loser suits you more," Sasuke's smirk appears on his face; obviously satisfied that he's ticked me off.
"Fine, I'm going to call you jerk, then, jerk."
"Loser."
"Jerk." I step towards him.
"Loser." He shifts forward.
"Jerk." I grip onto the front of his shirt; his body only centimeters away.
"Loser," Sasuke gripes as he takes ahold of my red, fluffy coat. I don't want to pummel this guy. I don't even want to get into this with him. Great job, Naruto. First chance of making a friend and you already become enemies. I guess I am just a pest. 'You should have just let him call you blondie,' I tell myself. 'Much better than loser.'
I let go of Sasuke's shirt and take a step back; averting my eyes and staring at my feet. He fixes his top and shoots me a death glare. Definitely not going to make a friend. "You know, if I was armed, you probably would've been dead. Your stance is poor and if you're in the forest, you never want to give away your position. So screaming 'Who's out there?' is not wise. Especially in your condition," Sasuke states; no emotion on his face.
"Must you critique everything I do?"
"I was just- ah, never mind." This kid is very mysterious.
"So, what makes you all high and mighty?"
"I can help with your stance, and other stuff." I raise my eyebrows at him. "What?"
"First you call, me a loser, and then you try to help me with my defensive skills? Are you bipolar?"
"Don't start with me because I can and will hurt you." Damn, someone's violent.
"Alright, fine. When exactly do you plan on helping me?" I cross my arms across my chest.
"I don't know. Find me sometime when I'm not busy and we'll do it then," Sasuke stands up straight.
"If I can get out of the house, sure thing."
"K. Whatever you say." Sasuke begins to recede back to where he came from.
"Bye," I call after him.
"See you later, loser." He throws his hand up in the air without looking back at me. I watch as his figure blends into the darkness as he retreats farther and farther away.
I kick a stone; walking back up the way I came from. So I need to work on my stance, huh? Pausing every couple of seconds, I stand in my position I've always been taught, but I change it slightly by moving my foot a couple degrees or lowering my stance.
The castle lights are dim which means my parents are resting. I slowly open the big wooden doors and creep back into the castle. I'm blinded by the chandelier as it randomly turns on. My mother stands at the bottom of the stairs; her hands on her hips and her eyebrows arched. "What do you think you're doing Naruto?"
"I was just, uhm, I-"
"Didn't your father tell you to never leave this castle again? And especially this late at night! What on Earth were you thinking? It's not safe for you to be out there!"
"Mom, I am fine. No one even attacked me. I can defend myself. You and dad don't have to worry about me."
"Naruto, you need to stay inside this house. No leaving. You hear me?"
"Since when did you become the bad guy?" I brush past her.
"I'm not the bad guy."
"You sound exactly like dad."
"Naruto, please don't do this again."
"Maybe if someone understood me for once, I wouldn't have to be the ungrateful child that you and dad see me as. I'm trying to be the perfect prince, okay? But I'm done with you guys ignoring everything I say. I want freedom. I don't want this life. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to my room and I'll be asleep."
"Naruto, honey, please don't shut me out again."
"I'm going to bed, mom. Goodnight." I slam my door shut and throw off my clothes; leaving me only in my boxers. I crawl underneath my covers and fall asleep instantly; dreaming about the baker's delicious treats.
Yes, I do apologize for the poor quality of this chapter. I do realize that a lot more conversation happened and I really don't like doing that, but I felt it was necessary for the arguments and the conversation between Naruto and Sasuke. I'm not the best at writing, and yes I realize this. But thank you to those who like it and think I'm a decent writer. I hope I someday improve. Alright, well, love to you all. Thanks to my viewers. xoxo