Chapter 1: I don't need protection…
The doctor watched in horror. Inu could only clench his fists in murderous anger as a feverous itch grew on Inu's hand, tempting him to leave the Hokage's side and snap into a much needed brutal killing spree to serve much needed justice for Naruto. Even the Hokage had stopped smoking his pipe which trembled paused in the still air. The pregnant silence which spread through the room reigned for a few moments before the Hokage dryly commented. His eyebrows furrowed in turmoil.
"Any reason the Kyuubi could not heal the scar?" Inu felt his throat go dry at the sound of the name he dreaded to hear. He could only unclench his fist to exercise extreme caution because of his now unstable mentality. He stared at the soft golden bronze skin plain of Naruto's neck to only loathe at how the image was damaged by the scrawny red scar reading: 'Demon'. It made him ache all over to see the harm which had come to the boy in his absence. If only I was here. If only I didn't leave. If only someone more competent was in my place, maybe this wouldn't happen. Was all Inu could think over the hushed whispers of conversation between the Hokage and Doctor.
Inu reached out unconsciously to caringly push the dishevelled glorious morning sun hair out of the boy's face. The doctor could only let a twitch of a sympathetic smile appear on his face. Having known Inu for years, he feared for Inu's mental strength after having joined ANBU in his youth. There were times when Inu would physically shut-down to be caged in his head for his thoughts to adjudicate him guilty or innocent. And he never come out innocent. This self-harsh treatment has lead the man to believe any atrocious event to be unexplainably linked to his failure in action. The Hokage watched in slight amusement and pride, Inu has grown faster than any ANBU he knows with the courage to take full responsibility without fear for a loss in a mission. A true soul to be admired like his Sensei.
Mechanically Inu turned to the Hokage, staring with desperate yearning. "Hokage-sama I have stayed behind in the ANBU department as I respect your wish for me to remain. But I have reached my limit. I will perform the mission to look after Uzumaki Naruto but as the real me. Not a henge. Not from the shadows. But as me. I don't desire to betray Uzumaki-san's trust when being his guardian to later snap him with this earth-shattering news. My only request is that." Inu could not help but add the tone of desperation at the end of his condition. Hoping, for the first time in his life, that any divine being watching this scene would turn all odds in his favour. Behind the inanimate mask Inu's face was contorted with terror.
"Inu, you know that the Civilian council will make up some kind of unworldly excuse to plunge Naruto more into his living nightmare." Inu snapped his head up, in a flash of anger, to a see a scheming smile plastered on the Hokage's chapped lips. His pipe blowing out smoke at a wondrous pace as the man shifted his gaze to Naruto. "But I think I have had enough. Inu you are to guard Naruto with your life, if the situation does enter the extremes you have my permission to cause damage." The man ended cautiously letting the joyous words sink into Inu system. The ANBU blinked several times to refrain a disrespectful 'ha?' escape him.
"Now this old man had work. Paperwork…" The man grumbled gazing gently at Naruto seconds longer than necessary but never the less wonders down the hall grumbling grumpily to himself with a flock of ANBU scouting ahead and following obediently at his tail. Inu looked down at Naruto and back at the double doors the Hokage had exited from. His brain still processing this glorious news as the morning sun peaked through the window with golden streams of orange light. The doctor himself had patiently checked the dormant boys vitals before excusing himself politely for a break. The light patter of feet became distant giving Inu the signal to relax and survey Naruto's injuries.
His hands reached for the whitened covers, smelling comfortingly of linen, prodding Naruto's bandages only stopping when the boy's peaceful face contorted into a light grimace. He needed to know. No. He wanted to know.
Naruto was Inu's sunshine on a rainy day. Naruto was the brightest colours Inu could paint on a dull canvas. Naruto was that star Inu so wished to lock in a box, safe from all harm. The times he observed the malnourished boy he would leave mysterious gifts in the boy's cupboard like food, warm clothing and once a stuffed toy. Ever since Naruto would wake at exactly five o'clock and sprint energetically towards the rickety cupboard bearing holding on its nails. He would fling the doors open with a radiant smile adorning his soft pink lips. Naruto would first sniff the object tentatively but beam when smelling the familiar briar rose scent wafting into his nose. Inu's heart would race at his reaction.
Would he like it?
Will it be useful?
What if he decides it's dangerous?
With these thoughts whirling round in his head he felt unnaturally giddy at the implications. Of course guarding someone had its limitations.
Don't interaction with the client. Well he broke that rule by the end of the year…
Don't at all cost leave any clue that you are following the client. Well he broke that rule three months into the protection program by sending some bullies to the T&I department…
Don't form emotional connections with the client. Well he broke that rule the moment he set eyes on Naruto…
Inu was hopelessly slumbering into a sense of dread in a matter of three years Naruto has monopolised Inu's world without even meeting him. The whole notion embedded a sense of dread into Inu as he remembered the last time he felt this way about saving his Sensei and his wife. He was so immersed in evaluating his feeling that the time soared past at a speed he could not account for. Naruto's body shifted in discomfort with his eyes fluttering open nervously to blink rapidly to get used to the rays of light cascading from the slits of the curtains.
His body was tremendously sore to the point that every cell was complaining about having been healed at inhuman speed when being originally cut into a clean two. His groans went unnoticed by the other occupant who was coincidently gawking in his directions. When Naruto had tilted his head to scrutinise the other tenant he could only gape in wonder. Abruptly he tore the sheets off his body and took a deep whiff of the man hungrily. The briar rose was shrewdly being concealed with a strong scent of sweat, a small residue of killer intent remaining and a dominant stench of human blood. Naruto shuddered uneasily at the overpowering aroma, which made his stomach twist in delight and uncertainty. My saviour is a ruthless killer. With a delicious essence. And I like it…
Never again, Naruto took trembling steps back to create space between them but rasped painfully when he tripped over the bundle of white sheets.
Inu snapped into an involuntary offensive position. His right hand gripping tightly his tanto unsheathing the blade with a dangerous glint in his left hand ready to block any attacks. He flickered his eyes over the room to identify imminent threats. Only to feel the intense eyes of Naruto staring back at him with deep curiosity and profound respect. Inu had never been looked at that way. It was different. A good different.
Sheathing the tanto slowly, seeing that Naruto was eying it vigilantly, he lowered his defensive position and waited for the boy to get up from his position. But the sunshine boy made no move to get up, the boy could only stare up in bewilderment. Inu held out his hand after a few moments to see a gleam of happiness flooded into Naruto's eyes. The dull depressing blue glittered into a refreshing tantalizing blue. His soft skin quivered when a rush of warmth overcame him but Naruto made sure to keep his frame sturdy to stop it from falling over.
Next thing he knew the mystery man slipped his hand around his waist, thankfully supporting his whole body like a reliable pillar of strength. A content growl in the back Naruto's head forced out a satisfied broken hum. Inu could only grip him tighter as his essentially carried the limping boy to the Hokage's office. The double mahogany doors creaked open as the Hokage lightened up at the sight of Naruto entering. His paper work immediately forgotten the man welcomed the boy warmly.
"Naruto you look well!" He exclaimed in delight as the boy rasped out an incoherent rant after having been settled on a chair facing the old man. Inu diligently stood behind Naruto, watching the interaction with a subtle amount of interest.
"I-" Naruto's words died on his lips as he rasped out a grunt itching to strangle himself in order to fix his decaying voice.
"I would advise against speaking Naruto." The Hokage pointed out to the ire of Naruto. The man considerately handed him a pencil and paper as an adequate substitute. "Here, at least, you can improve your handwriting and Japanese."
To Inu's surprise a sharpened pencil sailed passed the gap where the Hokage's head once was. The old man let out a hearty laugh to much of Naruto's disappointment, Inu could only smirk at the comforting aura surrounding the duo. Inu cleared his throat to Naruto's now undivided interest. He grabbed a pencil and curved a question mark with a tilt of his head.
The Hokage could only pause and puff his pipe in practiced patience, much to Naruto's annoyance, he sighed and spoke delicately.
"Naruto, do you remember any of last night's event?" Naruto immediately trembled with apprehension, accidently cracking the pencil into two. His face drained of all healthy colours only to pale into a disturbing light grey. Inu could only growl at the upfront question, which was uncalled for. Inu didn't care if he was facing God. This was his Sensei's son he made a final promise to protect him. Even if it means death.
"Naruto…" The Hokage ignored the noises and broke the boy out his haunting delusions as he studied his surroundings fiercely. When his eyes landed on Inu he could only reassure himself that he was safe. As long as he is there…
Naruto calmed down but was still jittery to the bone.
"Now because of this incident I've decided to introduce you to Inu" Inu could only nod at the sudden amount of attention he gained from Naruto, who let a ghostly smile creep up on his face in admiration.
"He had been looking after you for three years. I've decided that his most trusted friend Kakashi Hatake look after you." Naruto could only shake his head repudiation at the predicament he was tangled into. The Hokage could only sigh.
He was fighting a war on two fronts. The village council was not allowing the Hokage to protect Naruto from anyone because he was a 'normal' civilian. And Naruto who refuses to live with someone else. Inu's breath hitched. If Naruto said no then all my dreams for protecting Naruto upfront would be dashed.
"Uzumaki-san…" Inu called out softly to gain Naruto attention as he tried to get the boy to regard to the Hokage's idea. Naruto could only bask happily in Inu's obscured gaze. But he was happy enough to listen to his saviour.
Sure the Hokage had helped him in many aspects to make his life more bearable than what it used to be. But he only yearned for a prince charming from fairy tales to shield him from all harm. Inu was the one who now closely resembled his dream family. He would only listen to Inu and 'consider' what he had to say.
"I've known Kakashi since I was born", this made Naruto frown, "is like a brother to me", again with the confusing description Inu was confusing Naruto to no ends, "he will treat you like I would." This made Naruto angry.
'I DON'T NEED HIS PROTECTION.' He could only helplessly hiss out in cold indifference, which Inu could easily brush off. His moist lips moved in the most annoyed fashion as Naruto's aura changed to that of deadly animosity. Inu shuddered at his now shattered dream glimmering beautifully on the floor as a light breeze picked up from the window.