Chapter 22

This is the second chapter of two released today.

"Naruto, it is not good to hide who we are," Hiruzen stated,

"I don't want to be who I am. I hate who I am. Everybody hates who I am. I want to be someone else. I can be someone else if no one knows who I am," Naruto yelled, tears falling from his eyes. He then whispered, "No one will hurt me if I'm someone else."

"Naruto, I can make sure no one ever hurts you again," Hiruzen said, trying to make Naruto feel better.

Naruto cried back, "Can you protect me from the stares! Can you protect me from those eyes of theirs! Even if they can't attack me, their eyes still hurt! No one out there likes me! The only people that are nice to me are you, Teuchi and Ayame, and the masked people! Everybody else is mean!"

Hiruzen let out a deep breath, one he hadn't known he had been holding. "Naruto, I just want you to be able to have friends your age."

Naruto muttered, "But no one will be my friend. The first person to be my friend in a long time was Crow. He didn't make me have to prove that I was good. He didn't make me have to some test for it. He was nice."

Hiruzen sighed. Sarutobi thought, 'I don't want Naruto to become a weapon. I want him to be a child.' Hiruzen looked at the boy, who was now curled up into a ball on the couch. 'He can't be a child anymore though. Not with what he has had to go through. I refuse to make him a weapon though. I have had them all screened, and not a single ANBU harbors ill will towards Naruto. Perhaps it would be better for him. As long as masks aren't the only thing he sees. The ANBU will have to show their faces as well. So it is not only masks that Naruto sees.'

Hare awoke from a slumber.

It's been a week since the attack. He was a Cloud Ninja, and of course they denied responsibility. They always do. The bastards. Rock ninjas are better than them. At least Rock ninjas are honest about their actions.

I have patrol today. Best be getting on my way.

Cloud had requested their ninja to administer punishment for his actions. The Leaf complied. We sent Cloud their ninja. In pieces. Beheaded, and dismembered. Of course, they complained. We killed one of their ANBU teams who was in Fire Country. We also sent them in pieces.

The joys of being a part of the best ANBU in the elemental countries. Crow is coming.

"Hello Crow."

"Greetings Hare. Enjoying your last day," Kenshi asked?

"Nah," Hare responded, "It's rather dry. I'm just on routine patrol today."

"What are you going to do? Take a few B-class missions? Maybe make some friends? Izumo and Kotetsu I hear make good company."

Hare chuckled in response. "I think I personally have made them do four months worth of Gate Duty. Maybe we should try a different punishment. I would make them get a miserable travel mission, but other than cutting out time for lunch, their paperwork is so perfect."

"Well," Crow said, "I'll let you continue your work. Food should be here in about half an hour."

Hare nodded, and then continued jogging across the Leaf Village.

Naruto awoke from a slumber. Looking at the mask next to his desk, he let off a sigh.

I'm not allowed to wear my mask during leave except in times of emergency. Since I'm no longer officially ANBU, I also can't walk the village in a transformation technique. At least I get to keep the room, and get ANBU supply benefits.

Naruto walked over to his second closet. It had few things in it. A few sets of clothing hanging up. Sparse compared to his first closet. Naruto took a deep breath, before changing into a long sleeved blue shirt and blue pants. He placed a forest green flak jacket over himself. He fastened his equipment holsters on to himself, pulling on the scroll and inserting them in the slots on his vest.

Finally, he retrieved his Leaf Headband. He stared at it for a moment, before tying it to his right shoulder. He let out a sigh.

I have to enter the village again. This time, I won't be hidden among the masks. I'll be open for all to see. They will look at me with those eyes. Those hateful eyes. Fearful eyes. Unwelcoming eyes.

Naruto walked up to a mirror in the room, next to the door. His blue eyes, his spiky blonde hair that reached his eyes. His whisker marks. His experienced eyes. His sharp face. His fearful eyes.

Naruto started walking out. He passed the ANBU common room. Various masks were in there. The only one he knew well was Cat. Upon seeing him, Cat got up, and gave Naruto a hug. "You'll be fine Naruto."

I really am just a child without that mask. A child that is scared of the outside world. I don't want to go out.

Naruto returned the hug.

I'll be okay. There is nothing they can do to hurt me. Except stare.

Cat released the hug, before saluting Naruto off, which caused him to chuckle a bit. Cat spoke up, "Naruto, remember, if you ever need someone to talk to, we are all here. Hayate will also be open to working with you on missions. You know where to find him."

Naruto nodded, and said, "Thanks Yugao." Naruto could tell she was smiling behind her mask. Naruto continued his trek to the exit of the building. The normal exit. When he got there, Crow was there as well.

"Naruto," Crow spoke, removing his mask, "Don't be scared. You can't be ANBU all the time. Even dog has to stand down at one point for some time," before adopting an even softer tone, while going eye level with Naruto. "Contrary to popular belief, ANBU don't have mandatory time off to prevent insanity. We do it so they don't lose sight of what they are protecting. Although our vision is not hindered by our masks, we still have small holes that we look through. We may miss out on what is most important. That is the village, and the future generations in it. Whatever the trial, whatever the way, fight on forever, forever and a day."

"Thanks Kenshi," Naruto replied meekly. Kenshi merely chuckled, and ruffled Naruto's hair, before giving his farewell.

Is that what it is like to have a father? Cat maybe a mother? Those two are the ones that took care of me the most here. I'll be strong for them. Naruto walked out the door, and entered the world. The world outside the masks.

Just as he did, Toad came up running, followed by Cat, Fox, Crow, Boar, Bear, Monkey and Tiger. Toad cried out, "Naruto, you got a message from a certain Ashi Tsume. Who is she!"

Crow cried out, tears cascading from the eye holes of his mask, "Naruto, have you finally gotten a girlfirend? And you never told me!"

Cat demanded, "What's she like? I have to approve before you go any further!"

Naruto started to say, "What..."

And was promptly interrupted by Fox, who somewhat fiercely said, surprising Naruto even more, "I thought you agreed to meet some Naras first. They all are chill, something I was sure you would like."

Naruto's confusion kept growing. A look of fear also started creeping upon him.

Tiger spoke up right afterward, "There is no reason to be afraid of telling us. Unless..."

And was filled in by monkey, "It's a forbidden love! Oh my Naruto! You can trust us."

Naruto then tried to say, "I have no idea..."

Before he again was interrupted by Crow, "You don't know who she was! Does that mean you were drunk when it happened! Oh my Naruto! Such tasteless character. I thought I told to stay away from alcohol."

Bear started to say something, but was interrupted by Boar, "So dark Naruto! You must allow us to meet her!"

Naruto then fainted.

"Is he dead," Crow asked, poking Naruto.

Naruto awoke. He awoke to see seven unmasked ANBU staring at him from above. "Naruto," Yugao spoke icily. "You are going to go to Ashi Inuzuka, who we checked out, and did a level five silent investigation into.

A level five? Whoever this person is, why a level five? That's what's done to investigate suspected traitors.

Yugao continued, "She's clean. You are going to go to the animal hospital where you met her without your mask. No hiding who you are to her. It was filthy what you did to a person so young. And you are going to apologize. You will do the same thing to her parents, and her immediate family."

Naruto screamed, "What the hell are you talking about! If it the girl that was at the animal hospital, then it was dropping off a fox that had been beat up by the villagers! Other than that, I have met no Inuzuka outside of Leopard! Even then, I didn't actually meet her. I found the fox, turned it into the animal hospital, then returned to duty! I don't know what crap you guys have come up with that had caused you to think I did something nefarious, but I did nothing! Will you please stop coming up with more delusions of your imagination that are nothing more than aberrations of your twisted fantasies!"

The group remained silent for a few moments. Then they all looked sheepish, "Sorry Naruto, misunderstanding," Yugao said.

"You do know that delusion, imagination, aberration, and fantasy all essentially mean the same thing," Kenshi commented.

"Shut your trap," Naruto screamed!

After several moments of silence, Yugao spoke, "You're still going without a mask."

Naruto groaned. "Aren't we suppose to hide the fact we're ANBU?"

"Yes, but she's about your age, and this is your first chance for a friend outside of ANBU. Kakashi and Gai don't count," Yugao retorted, "That is final. Don't even try complaining to Dog or the Fire Shadow. You know they'll agree with me."

Why me?

Inuzuka Animal Care. The major animal hospital. I hope that girl isn't here. Gives me an excuse to get out of it. There's few people now.

Naruto jumped down from the tree he was hiding in, and quickly entered the building. He then walked to the desk, which was manned by a middle aged male.

Safe.

Hmm, well they seem displeased. The cowards, hiding on the ceiling. Okay, now I have to talk to the person. He's staring at me. He seems displeased. It's happening all over agin.

"Can I help you, or are you just going to keep standing there," the Clerk asked?

Oh. I did keep him waiting.

"My apologies, I'm here to check up on a fox that was dropped off here. The number was seven seven six two three four seven. It was brought here a week ago," Naruto stated.

The man checked his file, and after several moments, he said, "It's in kennel five. It's not here. We aren't equipped here to handle special animals after treatment is over. It's..."

"I know," Naruto stated, "Thank-you very much."

The man looked confused at the knowledge, before shrugging. Naruto exited the building, going on his way.

I shouldn't have said that. The only two places that normal people know of concerning the Inuzuka grounds are the animal hospital and the animal shelter. It was probably suspicious. I should have just listened. But I wanted to get out of there.

Naruto attempted to remain as inconspicuous as possible. The result was many staring at him for his attempt. After several minutes of walking, Naruto arrived at a building that said on it, 'Kennel 5.'

Naruto entered the building, and his heart sunk at the sight.

Why does she have to be here. Okay, I currently don't know her name. Don't mess up. Why am I being forced to talk to people. I'll introduce myself like Crow does.

"Greetings," Naruto stated. The girl eyed him a moment before asking, "May I help you?"

A puppy is next to her. A ninja dog most likely.

"Yes, I am here to check up on an animal that was brought to the hospital about a week ago. A red fox. The number is..." went to say before being interrupted,

"The red fox that was really hurt," the girl exclaimed! "There was that blonde ANBU that brought him in, are you his brother?"

Naruto shrugged.

I can't really say I'm an ANBU.

"What had happened to the poor thing," she asked.

It took Naruto several moments before saying, "Uh, it had been attacked by several villagers."

"Wait a moment!" she exclaimed once again, "You're that ANBU! You saved it! You look so young! How are you in ANBU?"

Naruto was silent for a few moments before saying, "You know, you're not really suppose to shout out to the world how people are in ANBU."

The girl blushed, most likely from embarrassment. She then said, "So the fox, I'll take you there, follow me."

Naruto simply nodded, and proceeded to follow her. Inside the building, there were several large cages holding the animals.

They have a bear here? Really? There's a goat. Does it have five legs? Yes, it has five legs.

Seconds later, they arrived to another cage that had a napping red fox. "Here he is," the girl, Ashi stated.

How to ask for the name without sounding creepy. Hmmm, ah.

"Thank-you..." Naruto said before pausing,

"Ashi," she filled in.

"Thank-you Ashi. I'm Naruto," Naruto stated.

Ashi sweat dropped before asking, "Your parents named you after a ramen ingredient?"

Do not punch her. She is not an ANBU. Do not punch. It means maelstrom. It does not refer to a ramen ingredient.

Naruto's face showed nothing, but his eyes spelled ire, before muttering, "It means maelstrom."

Ashi shrugged in response, before opening the cage, and saying, "The fox has an above average friendliness level. He still tried to bite some non-Inuzukas. We gave him rabies shots, as well as several other treatments to prevent disease. All his injuries are also healed."

The Fox at this point had woken up and raised its head towards the two. It then curled its head. After sniffing a couple times, it laid its head back down. Naruto walked up to the fox, and then kneeled in front of it. "What do I do?"

Ashi giggled at Naruto's question, before answering, "Just gently stroke its back. Naruto hesitantly complied. The fox mewled in response, causing him to pause.

Was that discomfort? I hope I didn't hurt it.

Naruto's thoughts were cut off when Ashi kneeled down next to him, and started stroking the foxes back. That sounds means he likes it Naruto," Ashi said before gesturing Naruto to do the same. This time with much less hesitation, he also stroked the foxes back. The fox continued its purring, while curling up into a ball. "So are you going to keep him," Ashi asked?

Naruto shrugged is response.

I hadn't thought about that. I just wanted to save it. Save it from a cruel fate. But what to do now? I probably shouldn't. I can't realistically raise it myself. Oh no, she's staring at me expectantly. I hate it when people stare. At least people I don't know. It looks like she would try to pummel me if I say no. Not that she could. It's the thought that counts. Crap, I was staring at her. I'm such a hypocrite. It wouldn't hurt to take care of him.

"I'll take it," Naruto stuttered out.

Her expression instant morphed into a cheerful one. "Alright, there is just some paperwork to fill out. Follow me."

Her, Yugao, why are women are scary.