CW:
- Blood and Gore
- Violence
'No more...'
There was a loud boom as his foot made contact with the solid wood door. The poor Chunin at the desk behind him shrieked in fear and confusion. She jolted sharply, raising her hands to her face. He sighed, screams of fear weren't exactly the reactions he wanted to inspire in the ladies.
Not that he could blame her. It wasn't every day that Jiraiya the toad sage, one of the legendary Sannin showed up in Konoha, and kicked down the doors to the Hokage's private quarters.
"J-Jiraiya-sama!" She wailed, probably stuck in between deciding whether to alert ABNU or not. She bit her lip, stuttering out what sounded like a reprimand. She adjusted her glasses, smoothing out her ash black hair tied in a neat ponytail behind her.
"H-Hokage-sama left instructions that h-he wasn't to be disturbed today."Jiraiya huffed, 'Course he did." After years of war and battle as a shinobi, his chakra tended to come off as more intense than the average joe. His temper sure didn't help, the old man probably could hear his blood boiling from miles off.
He gave the girl a smile that was meant to be reassuring, but based on his current mood, it was probably more menacing than he meant it to be, "Glad to know he isn't preoccupied."
The girl gulped, practically shivering.
Jiraiya frowned, sorting through his memory. He didn't immediately recognize her. But then again he hadn't stayed in the village longer than a day for a couple of years now. She probably only took the Jounin exams this past year. Any other day, he'd be more than happy to take full advantage of his fame, maybe even spend some time researching for his book.
But today wasn't one of those days. Today didn't need Jiraiya the author. Today was a day for the Toad Sage.
He sighed, "Calm down miss. This'll only take a minute." He saiod over his shoulder.
The young woman opened her mouth to say something, but just bowed and sat down at her desk.
The Toad Sage turned back towards the open door, slamming it behind him as he kept his eye on his old master. Hiruzen sat at his desk, a mess of papers and a bottle of sake sitting on it.
His blood boiled at the sight of his sensei, every joint in his hands cracking as he clenched them. The old professor's eyes lit up, surprise, joy, and fear all mixed into one look.
Jiraiya quirked an eyebrow, 'So he didn't sense me coming. Must be really pre-occupied. Or willfully ignorant...' Only time, and a fair bit of yelling would tell.
Any other day, he might've enjoyed that look on his sensei's face. After all, it definetely wasn't every day that one startled The God of Shinobi. But unfortunately for his master, he was on personal buisness.
After a few seconds, the kindly professor was gone, replaced by the old, weary teacher he knew all too well.
Jiraiya steeled himself for a fight as he met eyes with his master, a terse, violent frown on his face. Hardened callouses ground together with such force that they sounded like hardened leather rubbing as he marched forward, stomping towards his sensei. Thoughts, emotions and promises broken swirling in his mind.
His eyes strayed back to the desk, a part of him absolutely furious that, yet again, Sarutobi Hiruzen would sacrifice everything he held dear just to maintain peace and diplomacy. The traitorous part of his mind tried to remind him of how important those things were, but those thoughts died the instant they were faced with the news he'd heard about his masters student.
His godson. He reminded himself...
Jiraiya stopped a foot away from the desk, willing himself to take a deep breath, and exhale a long, drawn out sigh.
"I heard what happened." He said quietly.
"... Did you?"
Hiruzen didn't move, when he spoke. Managing to keep himself perfectly still in the face of Jiraiya's hurricane of killing intent. It radiated off him like a living cyclone, his anger manifesting itself even as he fought to subdue it.
Jiraiya sighed again, bringing his chakra under control. He crossed his arms, "Where is he?"
His sensei sagged a bit, his eyes dropping, "He's at T&I."
Jiraiya's nostrils flared, and his chakra came flooding out even stronger than before. This time his sensei flinched, squinting his eyes at his old student.
The Sannin grit his teeth, speaking every word as if were a bitter, unspeakable curse, "You sent him to fucking Ibiki?"
The Hokage shook his head, "No, he's... In a cell. We didn't know what he was capable of... it's, it was only a temporary solution."
Jiraiya burst out in a peal of bitter, agonizing laughter, even though he felt more like bursting into tears. 'Oh Hime... Maybe you had the right idea.'
Sarutobi looked down, grimacing, "I know how it appears Jiraiya..."
The Sannin shook his head, "Save it." He spat, turning on his heel to leave.
His ex-master rose, "Jiraiya, where are you going!?"
He didn't stop, nor did he plan to until Naruto was free, "To free my godson."
He heard the scrape of a chair being pushed back, "I will accompany you." He said hurriedly.
Jiraiya turned on a dime, a rush of anger flooding his veins. He faced the Sandaime, "Really!? Why now. Why not earlier!? Have you really grown so soft and malleable that my presence alone spurs you to act!? Is THAT what's necessary. For me to coddle you!? Push you!? To force you to do the right thing? Into knowing what's right!? Have you truly forgotten everything that you were!? What the village represents!?
Jiriya exhaled, shaking his head in despair, "Do those who loved you mean so little to you!?"
The Sannin stomped forwards, "You gave me your word that Naruto would be safe. I leave him alone for a fucking month, and here we are again. That bastard Masaru manages to escape again, and wreak even more havoc, and then, you lock Naruto in a goddamn CAGE!?"
He took another step, looming over Sarutobi, "Tell me that none of it is true. CONVINCE me that all the rumors, whispers and doubts about you are false. Tell me that you haven't turned your back on the only family you have left!"
Jiraiya paused, his throat sore from yelling, waiting for an answer.
The Sandaime seemed to age ten years before his very eyes, sadness and regret seeping off of him in droves. He frowned, looking into his eyes, "It is as you say. I have no excuse. I only seek to right those wrongs, and ensure they never happen again."
Jiraiya paused, there was iron in his voice. A hardness he hadn't heard since the war. He inspected his sensei, remembering the last time he'd heard such promises, but there was real conviction in his tone. Along with a tinge of regret.
"I've heard those words before." He said quietly.
The Sandaime sighed himself, "I've taken... Steps. To prevent any further breaches in security." He turned away, walking towards the windows behind his desk, "I've been... lax, for a long time. It's possible it started after Orochimaru left, perhaps even before... But I've come to the realization that the peace I've strived to protect and preserve, is shattering under the weight of my overbearing arms."
He shook his head, "These recurring instances of rebellion are my own doing... The guilt lies on me alone..."
The Sannin frowned, "Don't be ridiculous. Itachi made his choice. And Orochimaru left of his own accord, his crimes—."
Hiruzen cut the air with his arm, "No!" He boomed. Silencing whatever objections the sannin had.
The old man sighed and took off the Hokage cap, revealing a balding skull crowned with short spikes of white-grey hair.
He shook his head resolutely, "No. The responsibilities of the village belong to the Hokage. It's successes, as well as it's failures. I've failed Naruto and the village. Through my acts of capitulation, my continued efforts to preserve peace have proven to be in vain time, and time again."
Hiruzen sighed again, looking down at the white Hokage cap. The old man's gaze turned hateful, yet somehow wistful and adoring. His eyes were as peircing as the sharpest kunai, as he caressed the crimson kanji stitched into the fabric.
Then he put it on, standing tall, "I've signed the proper forms and enlisted a several talented individuals to achieve this task. I go now to fix my mistakes." The Hokage walked past him, then stopped, turning to Jiraiya. His eyes were soft, but with an iron-like appearance, almost as if the softness were a facade to cover a battle-hardened general.
The toad sage was immediately transported back decades, remembering how he stood in front of this man, flanked by his former teammates. He half expected a jibe from Orochimaru, or a smack over the head courtesy of Tsunade.
Then he was back. His eyes glanced back to the porcelain bottle sitting on the desk, "I thought you gave up drinking." The Hokage paused, "I was always taught that sake fueled a man's more violent emotions. Fear, anger, wrath, grief... That alcohol was for times of war when such emotions were in plentiful supply. While tea promotes vigilance, lucidity and temperance. Emotions more essential to peace than any other."
Hiruzen sighed from his nose, shaking his head, "I owe the village more than mere calm. It requires my passion as well." He said calmly.
Then he pursed his lips, almost pouting as he shrugged his shoulders,, "And I felt like drinking."
Jiraiya huffed, his old master hadn't been this spontaneous since the war. It was a small thing in truth, but Hiruzen took thought and time planning nearly every move he made.
He could honestly say that he preferred his master to be less predictable. It made him seem more... human.
His sensei turned towards the door, continuing on his way when after a few steps he turned to look at back him. "I do not... need, your presence or your assistance. But it would be appreciated."
He was about to reply when the doors burst open for a second time, the secretary from before standing there, an urgent look on her face. "Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama! There's urgent news from the T&I building!"
The air was filled with the smell of ozone and charred wood. Sounds of groaning and whispering echoing the halls of the prison. Dark, fire-lit walls were spotted with scorch marks reminiscent of lightning ninjutsu. Along with holes, random boulders, and other debris from a dozen other powerful techniques.
Almost two dozen men and women with ANBU masks were laid out on stretchers and hauled out as they walked in. Someone important debriefed the Hokage as he continued walking.
He knelt to inspect one of the scorch marks, noting how it failed to penetrate the stone at all. He wiped a finger, removing a layer of black powder from the floor.
'Hmm, the techniques used here aren't necessarily common, and they also seem to have been used by the same person. They also weren't meant to kill. And not a single one of these ANBU suffer any serious injuries. They're all probably only gonna need a day or two of rest and some serious first aid, but whoever did this wasn't here to kill anyone.'
He rose, continuing to inspect the cells. The light faded from here, all the rest of the torches having burned out. Each one was more or less spotless. The Hokage probably ordering for this level to be kept empty, save Naruto. Eventually, he found Naruto's.
To his surprise, the door was ajar, but otherwise no different from the rest of the doors. The lock was intact, none of the bars were bent, or even scratched. Inside the cell, outside of a cot, some dust, and other signs that it was recently inhabited, there were no signs of a struggle.
The Hokage walked up to him, turning to see what Jiraiya was looking at.
The Sannin crossed his arms, raising an eye brow, "So Naruto left willingly." He said.
Hiruzen squinted at the cell, then sighed. "It appears so."
In a strong breeze, carrying dust and stray leaves, an ANBU appeared next to them. A large grey ninken at his side.
He knelt, "Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama. We've managed to locate Kakashi." He said.
Hiruzen nodded, "Thank you captain. We'll take it from here."
The man nodded, leaving as swiftly as he'd come.
Jiraiya shook his head, 'This is gonna be messy.'
He sighed, turning to his old master, "You're gonna have a real hard time bringing him back to form after this. Kakashi's had it hard in the past. Harder than most. But even so, he's never done something like this."
Hiruzen smiled turning back to Jiriya, "Then it is fortuitous that I have you."
He snorted, turning away for the door, "Don't kid yourself Master. You don't, have me. I'm not here for you. Remember that."
He walked away, knowing exactly where to find Hatake.
Behind him, his master followed, "...Of course."
Naruto felt warm. A subtle, radiating feeling radiated on his skin. Like he was finally sitting in front of a crackling fire after a long day outside in the middle of winter.
Inviting, soothing, relaxing and...
And wet.
His eyes opened just as the feeling began to fade. The skin on his eyelids felt sticky, and he could see the tinge of red in his peripheral vision. He shook his head, watching as beads of blood splattered around him. Droplets of crimson flying from his face and hair.
He cried out in sudden terror, a sickly, heavy feeling in his gut as he raised his hands. He gagged, blood dripped from his palms, long, sinister looking claws extending from his fingertips, pale sinewous flesh stuck under his nails.
He lurched forwards, about to vomit, but was shocked from his disgust by a deep, guttural yell. A man in dark clothing approached fast, tattoo's tracing up his arms, leading all the way to the rusty sword in his hands.
He moved fast, leaning back to avoid the blow, then leaned forwards, lunging for the man who attacked him. Wind rushed loudly in his ears, his own speed taking him by surprise.
Even more surprising was how fast the man moved. He backstepped with more grace than Naruto expected, twirling on one foot to slash at him again. The sword blurred for his throat, but he managed to raise his arms. The steel bit deep, sending a flash of urgent pain to his brain.
He screamed, scrambling backwards to avoid another blow, the sword cutting a few hairs from right above his forehead. He somehow kept his feet, dancing backwards away from every stroke, finally kneeling down low, swiping his claws at his exposed knee.
His claws passed through the joint with almost no resistance, cutting through it like there was nothing there at all. The man screamed, the sword dropping from his fingers as he reached both hands to clutch his leg. Blood oozed from in-between his fingertips.
His body moved on it's own, squaring his legs to jump forwards, swinging his arms to slash at the exposed neck. A fountain of blood erupted from the wound, his eyes suddenly going wide with shock and pain. Then his pupils relaxed, and he toppled to the floor in a heap.
Naruto felt himself as he jumped on top of him, slashing cruelly at the man's face and neck. He tried to stop himself, his mind screaming at his body to stop, but it was no use. He didn't stop until his face was unrecognizable.
Naruto's face broke out into a wide grin as it admired it's handiwork. He was forced to watch the thing in Naruto's body stood, staring wide-eyed at the ruined face. The skin was nearly completely gone, jagged cuts rending the face into strips of muscle, cartilage and exposed bone.
Blood pooled from underneath the corpse, and the thing inside of Naruto laughed high and loud, blood continuing to drip from his fingertips.
Naruto tried to scream, to move, to do anything at all, but he couldn't do anything.
Then suddenly, his conciousness was thrust forward. A sudden sense of limbo overcame him, almost like if someone had just pushed him off a cliff. He wavered, his legs turning to jelly as he collapsed. He fell to his knees, falling forwards, his face hovering just over the dead man's face.
He scrambled away, a deep, cruel voice laughing in his head.
"Hehehe, see Naruto? This is the only way. Over and over again the humans have rejected you, feared you, betrayed you... When will you learn that the only way to keep them from seeing you like a monster..."
A flare of white hot chakra flared from his stomach, leeching into his veins like molten lava. Naruto groaned, the noxious chakra hurting, and soothing all at the same time.
His senses went into overdrive, just in time to hear multiple footsteps approaching. They were all nearly identical to the first, each holding various sharp, insidious looking weapons.
He felt his hand open, his fingers tensed, as if itching for a fight.
"…Is to show them what a real one truly looks like!"
Naruto wrestled for control, managing to contain himself, "N-No! We can't do this! This c-can't be the only way!"
"I'm afraid that it is. And deep down, you know it as well as I. Is that not why you chose not to inform the Hyuuga of our connection?
Naruto's willpower faded, and that was all it took. He felt control fall away in an instant, suddenly unattainable.
Naruto's face broke out into an eager grin, pointed, carnivorous jaws opening in delight. Inside, Naruto screamed again, fighting for control.
"I'm sorry Naruto...
The figures grew closer, their faces suddenly illuminated. His stomach dropped when he recognized them. Three copes of Masaru, and three of Gato's approached at a steady pace, each walking mindlessly resulute, as if they already knew their fate's.
"This is the only way."
The fox, wearing Naruto's skin launched forwards in a spinning vortex of death and sharp claws.
Naruto gasped, sitting up suddenly.
The air was cool on his clammy skin, as he sat, breathing hard. A flash of memories came back to him in an instant. Zabuza scooping up Haku in his arms and disappearing into the mist, his team and Tazuna making the long walk to his house, the fearful eyes of the townspeople Inari brought.
He sat in his cot, and looked to see Sasuke lying in his, bandaged up from nearly head to toe. His face was the only part that lay more or less untouched, and even then a strip of white cloth covered his forehead. His chest rose and fell steadily, his face relaxed.
He scrunched up his nose. It just felt... wrong. Wrong to see Uchiha Sasuke lying on a bed like that. Awake, Sasuke felt so infuriatingly untouchable. He used to hate that smug grin, and those arrogant eyes. But, Seeing him laid up like that, it felt like it was a rule broken. Like something that was never meant to be seen.
He looked away, lying back in his cot, staring at the ceiling.
'We almost died. All that training, and we only barely made it. And really only because of Kyuubi.' He clenched his teeth, frustration building in his gut.
Naruto rose slowly, removing the blankets, and realized that he was still in his old clothes. His heart sped up when he saw the deep red the covered his sleeves. "Ugh..." He rose gingerly, walking over to the shower.
He set his clothing aside, raising his jacket up to the light. Dots of sunlight burst through the numerous holes, particularly around his sleeves. He wined, frowning sadly. The jacket was essentially ruined, turned into Swiss cheese by Haku's needles.
He sighed, and got some spares from his storage seal.
After his shower was done he walked downstairs, feeling drained.
Tsunami was preparing breakfast, busy at work at the stove, while Hinata and Kakashi helped set the table. He continued walking, his stomach growling when the smell of warm food drifted past his nose.
Tsunami turned, and jumped slightly, letting loose a little 'eep' of surprise. Hinata looked up, and her face lit up when she saw him. "Naruto-kun!" She cried, racing over to him.
He smiled in return, some of his earier tiredness faded when he saw how happy she was to see him. She embraced him in an unexpected hug, returning it after a long second. She laughed in his ear, pulling away to look at him, "I didn't think you'd be up yet, you seemed so tired!"
Her unexpected hug wiped any and all remaining thoughts from his head, he stared at her for a long moment, not saying a word. He was unused to people touching him unless they were sparring or wanted to hurt him. Not to mention that most of the girls his age would rather smack him than touch him.
Plus, Hinata just seemed like the type who didn't want to be touched, so a full on bear hug threw him off. His face warmed as he returned the hug, not knowing what to say.
It looked like he wasn't the only one thrown off, cause half a second later Hinata went as red as could be, backing off even more to bow, "S-Sorry! I-I-I don't k-know what came over m-me!"
The blonde genin recovered and laughed, "It's ok Hinata-Chan, just took me by surprise is all."
Hinata nodded, still as red as beet, "W-Well, I'm glad your feeling better, we were just about to have breakfast!"
Naruto hummed in approval, walking to his usual seat, his hands rubbing together in excitement, "Good, cause I'm starvin' Dattebayo!"
They all sat, and Kakashi put a hand on hisa shoulder, smiling under his mask, "Glad you're ok Naruto. Just let me know if you need anything alright?"
Naruto nodded absently, his stomach growling louder than ever. Tsunami brought the steaming pot to the table, stopping when she got close to Naruto. They locked eyes for a moment, and Naruto's hunger vanished when he saw the look in her eyes.
She lurched away from him as if he were a raging bonfire, her eyes tight and afraid. His stomach dropped and he looked away, suddenly ashamed. Flashes of crimson blood and pink viscera filled his vision. Memories of the massacre he'd left on the bridge flashing in front of his eyes. More flashes of his previous nightmare were even more detailed, turning his stomach.
Flashes of him, glowing red, claws glistening in bright red blood...
After a moment, Tsunami snapped out of it, lowering the pot gently to the table.
No one reached for the ladle, no one said a word, or even moved a muscle. Everyone's eyes were on Naruto, then on Tsunami as she locked eyes with him. The woman looked away, staring straight down into her lap.
The door burst upen, a familiar, grinning Tazuna stomping in, raking a hand down the side of his face, "Whooo, man Do those boys at the docks know how to party. Good morning everyone!"
He stopped in his tracks, immediately looking to Tsunami, then to Him and his team.
Kakashi's face was impassive, staring back at Tazuna blankly. Hinata looked uncomfortable, her eyes narrowed at Tsunami, then at Naruto.
The blonde looked away, looking down at his plate. He looked up again when Tazuna cleared his throat, "Did I miss something?" The old man asked, sounding strangely calm. His eyes were focused, crossing his arms at his daughter.
Tsunami bowed her head, "It's my fault Tou-san, I apologize. It's just that... With everything that happened yesterday... the bridge..." She trailed off, sneaking glances at Naruto.
The mood shifted, and Naruto suddenly got the sense that he was intruding on something very private.
This was the LAST thing he wanted. It was different when random strangers glared at him back in Konoha. Sure it sucked, but it was easy to get mad at them. Easy to walk away. They didn't know him, none of them have ever really met him.
But Tazuna, Tsunami and Inari... He knew them, he liked them. And they knew him.
If he was making things uncomfortable, then maybe...
Naruto dropped his arms to his side, gripping his chair.
"What did ya think they were going to do!? Have that bastard Gato and his dogs over for tea!?" Tazuna explained, raising and dropping his hands.
Tsunami said nothing, just hanging her head in shame. Tazuna waited, then sighed long and hard, reaching his arms out to hold his daughter in his arms.
"Tsunami... You've never been outside the village. I have, even before I went to Konoha for help." He gently lifted up her head with his finger, looking her in the eyes. "I've lived a long time Tsunami, longer than I have any right to. With a family I don't deserve, and a village I'm proud to have grown up in. But we're the lucky ones. There's a village off the coast not too far from Kirigakure no sato. Ninja travel through there all the time, I used to smuggle bootleg sake there from Hi no Kuni in my younger days. Every year I come back to new faces save for one or two. I've never stayed there for longer than a day, and that fact has probably saved my bacon more than once."
He backed off, siting back down, "Ninja kill. It's what I hired them for, and it's what they did. Gato's gone, our village is safe thanks to them. So as far as I'm concerned, they're heroes! Heroes who saved our entire village, Inari, Tsunami, and myself included. And they will always feel welcome here." He said proudly, reaching across the table for the ladle, scooping himself a hearty bit of noodles.
The table was silent for a few long seconds, aside from Tazuna's loud eating.
Kakashi was the first to grab a spoonful, emptying the ladle into his own bowl, then Hinata. Then as soon as the tension arrived, it left just as quickly. Within a minute, Kakashi and Tazuna were making conversation about Kiri.
"Feeling better Naruto?"
He turned to his teammate, her wide smile, and sincere, lavender eyes sending pure happiness into his veins.
'Everyone's alive, everyone's safe...'
Naruto felt himself relax completely his shoulders sagging as he sighed. "Yeah, I am."
Hinata placed the clean bowl to the side, reaching back into the sink for another, trying her best to finish up as soon as possible.
She remembered the look in Naruto's eyes, how quickly they moved around, the slight bags underneath his eyes. She frowned, scrubbing a little harder, 'I need to talk to him. Make sure he's alright.'
"Hinata-san?"
The Hyuuga heiress narrowed her eyes, ignoring the voice as she wiped down another dish, placing it to the side.
She inwardly prayed she'd go away, not quite sure what she'd say if she lost her temper. She nearly lost it a few minutes ago, seeing that fearful, slightly disgusted look in her eyes when she saw Naruto...
She shook her head, 'Focus. Tsunami-san means well, she just doesn't know Naruto like we do. If she did, she'd know that Naruto would'nt hurt anyone unless he absolutely had to.' She paused, feeling a worm of doubt creep into her.
"Hinata-san!"
Hinata jumped, her head whipping to the side. Tsunami stood an arms length away, her hand hovering over her shoulder.
She relaxed, stowing her anger away and flashing a polite smile, "Yes Tsunami-san?"
The older woman paused, biting her lip as she stared. Then she glanced at her nearly finished pile of dishes and shook her head. "Never mind, sorry." She said, turning to leave.
She walked away briskly, leaving Hinata alone with the dishes.
The floor creaked as he made his way upstairs. He could hear the faint sounds of conversation, along with the sound of ceramic clinking together and rushing water.
He crept up slowly, finally reaching his destination. The door was ajar, and he peeked inside as quietly as he could. The room was just as he left, including Sasuke. A deep, awful ache came from somewhere in his chest as he looked as his teammate.
(Italics Below)
"I'm just strong enough to take what I want, and for some reason, I don't want you to die, or your dream. "
(Italics Above)
Naruto gripped his shirt in his fist, trying to sort through the malestrom of emotions that swirled through him in that moment.
The Fox used to say that friends weren't something a Jinchurriki could have. That they, as a species, were inherently better. And how humans would always seek to take their power, their connection away.
Yet here lay a guy that Naruto used to think was some emo blowhard.
'Sasuke said that he used to hate me. But, he saved me anyway.' Naruto stared intently at his teammate, a myriad of questions in his mind.
If only he could find out what that meant.
Sudden sound brought Sasuke back into the waking world.
He opened his eyes, exhaling softly, listening to the world around him. Memories, smells and sounds came back to him in a rush.
Last he recalled he was being carried up to Tazuna's house shortly after Zabuza and Haku had left.
Shortly after...
Images of blood and viscera assaulted him, bodies cut apart by something savage. Something feral... The wounds didn't match any weapon he could recall. It was almost like the demon brothers they'd met near the start of their mission. But different...
He sat up slightly, frowning at his memory of Naruto turning away, not saying a single word to him about what happened.
He heard the sound of wood creaking, his head whipped to the side, his eyes zeroed in on the source of the sound. He heard the faint shuffle of soft fabric, followed by the steady creak of old wood.
Sasuke's suspicious frown turned into a bemused grin. Hinata woulnd't bother trying to sneak up on him, and he would've heard Tazuna, Tsunami or Inari from a mile away.
Naruto was the only person he knew that was just terrible enough to sneak in such a way that might not get him caught by the average joe, yet awful enough for any decent shinobi to hear.
The creaking grew closer and closer, so obvious and predictable Sasuke almost laughed out loud. But before he could he saw the familiar flash of bright blonde hair peek around the corner. Naruto entered, immediately looking behind him, then to his left to make sure no one was watching him.
Sasuke saw his chance and took it.
"Dobe!" He yelled.
Naruto yelped, jumping in the air, a frightened look on his face. The blonde's terror turned to swift annoyance once he'd realized what happened, "Teme! That's one hell of a way to say 'thanks' dattebayo!"
Sasuke scoffed, "Who the hell said I had any intention of thanking you?" He said flippantly, no real heat in his tone. Naruto raised a finger, pointing it at him, then paused, all the fire leaving him in an instant. Naruto just shook his head, scoffing as he made his way over to him.
"A 'thank you' wouldn't fuckin' hurt, bastard..."
The lone Uchiha's eyebrows furrowed, watching as Naruto's anger left him as soon as it came, replaced with utter calm.
Naruto was known for many things, among them being his temperment, and overall volume. He'd probably argued with Kiba nearly every day back at the academy. Even that one day where him and Hinata sparred, Naruto still had it in him to yell and stamp and shout just like he always did.
But now...
Naruto walked up to his bad, his eyes roaming up and down, tracing the areas where the bandages were thickest. Sasuke rolled his eyes, they really looked worse than they were. Most of the needles were made of ice, so they merely melted off of him. And the rest were so thin that the removal was quick.
"You'd better thank Kami I'm not dead dobe. Or you'd be even worse off in less than a week."
Naruto smirked back, stepping fully into the room, hands folded over his head, "Yeah, it'd be a real pain in the ass picking up your slack, teme."
Sasuke scoffed, then frowned as Naruto walked up to the side of his bed. He locked eyes with the Uzumaki, narrowing his eyes, "Did you mean what you said?"
Naruto paused, cocking his head to the side, looking confused, then his eyes widened, scoffing as he crossed his arms, "Uh, yeah?" He said haughtily.
Sasuke nodded the corners of his lips curling upwards, "Just checking." A warm feeling spread inside his chest, so stark and hot it almost felt like warm blood pumping through him for the first time in a long time.
His gaze drifted off, eventually coming back to Naruto, who was staring at him so fiercely it took him off guard, Sasuke spluttered, "What!?"
Quicker than he expected, Naruto held the back of his hand on his forehead, "Are you sure you're alright Sasuke?"
He slapped the hand away, "Hands off dobe!" Naruto yelped, shaking off his hand.
"What was that for?"
"I'm not delirious you idiot!"
"How am I not supposed to think that when you smile like your high as a kite teme!"
Sasuke's cheeks warmed in embarrassment, and he crossed his arms, scoffing. Not even dignifying that quesiton with an answer. Naruto muttered under his breath for a few seconds, then lapsed into silence.
"Why did you think I'd say something like that and not mean it?'
Sasuke's frown softened, turning back around. "Dobe, everyone says things they don't mean. 'I'm so sorry for your loss, if there's anything I can do, I'll always be there for you... '
Sasuke scoffed, turning his head, his mouth souring. "Empty platitudes filled to the brim with words they think they're 'supposed' to say. Words that I've, never, needed... From anyone. There's only one thing I need..."
Sasuke's eyes softened, "You've heard them too. You know how it feels. That's how I knew that you meant it. I just wanted to be sure."
Naruto leaned back, eyes wide as he studied him. Looking over like he was seeing him for the very first time.
Sasuke maintained his stare, raising a single eyebrow, "...What?"
The blonde gave a short, sad laugh, rubbing behind his head, "It's just, well, I figured I was the only one..." He said.
The Uchiha kept his face impassive, "Back at the academy, I lumped you in with all the others. But after a while, I noticed something..."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "Somehow, You... His mouth twisted with distaste, "...Saved me. And then afterwards..."
A shadow drifted over Naruto. The innate, cocky, confidence suddenly shattering instantly. He turned his head, staring down at something Sasuke couldn't see, his blue eyes turned to ice, his face contorting into a grimace.
Sasuke pressed him further, "Haku should've been strong enough to tear those thugs into mincemeat. But she was too injured to fight. You didn't kill her, but you killed them."
Naruto swallowed, sweat breaking out on his brow, "Hehe, uh... I-I just caught up in the moment." Sasuke quirked his head to the side, intensifying his stare, "I didn't see much, but those bodies... The were torn apart. No regular person can just do that..."
The blonde raised his hands to his head, shutting his eyes tight, "S-Stop.." He begged.
The Uchiha raised himself up with his hands, sitting straight up as he watched him squirm, "You went missing back at the academy. No one would tell us anything. And Iruka—"
Sasuke's words were choked off in his throat, when suddenly Naruto turned to face him. His eyes were just like he remembered them from when they trained before., and now he knew that this was no trick of the light, or imagination on his behalf. Beyond the cool cerulean was a flicker of crimson hate in the center of his pupils. His face seemed pained, as desperate fear, anger, and loathing all seemed to battle inside him, fighting for supremacy.
It was a face that was more fit on a cornered animal than on a human being. Like that of a starving animal, just on the cusp of lashing out.
Tears pooled at the corners of his eyes, thin streaks of liquid falling down his face, "...S-Shut...U-Up... He said. His voice thunderous, yet piteous, all at once.
Sasuke's eyes widened, his heart aching all of a sudden. The pain in his voice was tremendous, the anger in it just as stark and terrifying.
An unknown feeling crept into his chest alongside the pain, mixing to a cruel concoction of emotions he'd never experienced before.
Recognition, he realized, gasping softly at the epiphany.
He recognized that feeling, he'd know it anywhere. It was like recognizing a long lost brother in somewhere you'd never expect to find them. He recognized it as his own. Because that was the exact way he felt every single day. Hot, all consuming, pain, loss, anger, longing, and hate all mixed into one.
After a few seconds, the light in Naruto's eyes faded, and he raised a hand to wipe his face. When he was done, he looked tired. More tired than he'd ever seen him.
He paused, scowling at him, but saying nothing.
Sasuke watched him closely, showing off a rare, genuine smile, "You're probably the weirdest shinobi I've ever met."
A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face, as Naruto's face twitched through a hundred differnt emotions at once. Sasuke said it like it was a complement, but his words suggested that it was anything but.
He also couldn't properly deny it, seeing as a living primordial 'demon' was currently sleeping in his belly. Naruto smiled crookedly, "Thanks, I guess..."
Sasuke nodded sharply in acknowledgment, "You don't have to tell, me, but, I want to know."
His stomach dropped again, apprehension and terror floating around in his stomach like flies on a corpse. He looked down, trying to think of what the Fox might tell him to do.
He'd probably advise against it, citing human's inherrent flaws in some way or another, but then again... These people, his team, they were differnt now. Maybe they'd always been differnt. No one else aside from Tori asked after him like they have, fought for him, protected him.
Died for him...
"I want to help you Naruto, like you helped me... Please Naruto. All I want you to do is tell me. Nothing else. No promises, no conditions... Please, just tell me what happened."
Hinata's words echoed in his mind. The cool night air on his skin, his lingering frustration at Inari's cruel words, her cool earnest tone as she asked him. Basically begged him for answers on how to help him.
He lifted up to look Sasuke in the eyes. The skin around his eyes were still baggy from the heavy exertion of the previous day. Bandages covering him in patches and straight white lines, and demanding, yet desperate eyes that bespoke an endless curiosity, and behind the brooding exterior, empathy. As quiet as a whisper,
Empathy.
His mind sorted through all the lessons, whispers and rumors about his clan. Their massacre at the hands of a now famous criminal. A missing nin of extraordinary power and ruthlessness. An Uchiha, who betrayed everything he stood for... And stole Sasuke's entire world out from under him.
Suddenly, the pressure in his chest ceased all at once. Replaced by a debilitating sense of kinship he'd never known before.
'He gets it. He understands'
Naruto's breath hitched, shaking slightly, 'All this time, after so many years alone. Struggling, training, working as hard as I can. All those times I made him train with me, and he gets it. We're... The same.'
Water pooled in his eyes, a stone rising in his throat at the realization that he wasn't as alone as he once thought. It didn't have to just be him and the Fox anymore. Now he had a team. Now he had others who understood.
"What?" Sasuke said, sounding alarmed.
Naruto's eyes focused, and he wiped his eyes with his sleeve, smiling faintly. Unafraid for this first time, in so, so long.
"What do you know about the Nine-Tailed Fox?"
And then the words came. Words he thoughts he'd never say. Thoughts he thought were dead and buried a lifetime ago he now spoke aloud for the first time in his life.
Sasuke asked questions every once in a while, nodding his head at every realization. Taking all the things he'd say surprisingly well. He surprised himself at the lack of knowledge on some subjects, some questions having increasingly poor answers. They were the only answers he had though, and he told Sasuke as much.
Sasuke leaned his head back in thought, his eyes growing unfocused and contemplative. "So, the Yondaime didn't defeat the Nine-Tails, but sealed it into a random baby. And now, the... The Kyuubi no Kitsune, it feeds off your emotions, and it feeds you it's chakra, filtering it through you."
Naruto blinked slowly, he hadn't said it an as few words as Sasuke, but yeah, that was pretty much it.
He nodded, and Sasuke closed his eyes, frowning, "So, the civilians back at the village, they blame... you, for everything the Fox did."
Naruto nodded again, his anxiety slowly draining from him as Sasuke grew to understand more about his relationship with the Fox. The Uchiha raked a hand through his hair, growling softly, "THAT'S the reason?" He groaned. "That old man back in the village, the one Kakashi threatened, he recognized you and hated you becasue of the Fox!"
Then he looked away, "So, on the bridge..." He trailed off.
Fear writhed in his stomach once again. He looked down, "When I thought you were dead, something snapped inside me... I never really had that many people close to me before..." He looked up as Sasuke, looking him deep in his dark black eyes, "I used to think that no one would ever care about me. That I would always be alone. That it would just be me and the Fox forever. But then, with this team, and everything that happened... And then someone almost managed to rip it all away, again."
He clenched his fists, his hands shaking violently, "Never again. I'll be stronger next time. I promise." He said. Sasuke met his stare, his eyes relaxzing as if he might smile, but then that annoying smirk reared it's ugly head. "Heh, So why were so awful back at the academy then?
Naruto's jaw dropped, then he growled, stepping forwards, "Oi! I'm not just a container for the fox asshole! Plus I can't exactly use his chakra to throw kunai better, or beat up Kiba in taijutsu, dattebayo!" He yelled raising a fist at him.
He glared at Sasuke, "I can't only be a Jinchurriki, I'm not only strong because of the fox. I've worked hard, trained, and struggled to be here. Without that, If I only used the Fox's power, I wouldn'tve made it this far."
Sasuke matched his stare, annoyingly unflappable as always. After a few seconds, Sasuke looked away, "Tch! What the hell's a Jinchurriki anyway?"
Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it, realizing that he actually didin't know the answer.
"It means 'The Power of a Human Sacrifice'."
Naruto turned quickly, and saw Hinata and Kakashi standing next to the door. The former somewhat hiding behind her sensei, "S-Sorry Naruto..." She said quietly.
Naruto's heart thundered in his chest, watching and waiting for any changes in Hinata's face. She was pensive, embarrassed at being caught eavesdropping, eyes wet with unshed tears. He looked and looked, but could see none of the passive hatred he was used to seeing in the villagers back in Konoha. His lungs wouldn't work properly as he panicked, "Hinata..." The room went silent as Kakashi and Hinata walked over to them, then suddenly Hinata jogged over to him, embracing him into a tight hug.
The world stopped all at once, the wind knocked out of him in more ways than one. He kept his arms outstretched, not knowing what to do as he stayed as still as possible. He heard faint sniffling in his ear, "I-I'm... I'm so, so sorry Naruto. If I'd have known, if only I'd..." Then the sniffling went on, stronger than ever.
Naruto felt tears sting his own eyes as the reality of what was happinged dawned on him. His arms moved on their own, returning the embrace with sudden, desperate starvation. He held her in his arms like it was his only lifeline, his only connection that kept him from oblivion.
He bit his lip as tears fell, his heart feeling heavy and full, dark swirling emotions churning inside him.
The Hyuuga heiress hiccuped and sobbed into him, "I, I wish you'd told us sooner." She said quietly, almost whispering.
Naruto shook his head, jostling her long dark hair, "I-I thought you'd hate me. Everyone else—" Hinata shook her head violently, "I could never hate you. You saved me."
Naruto pulled in a long breath, and released it, suddenly feeling more free than he could ever remember being. They parted, and Hinata smiled vibrantly, wiping away her tears with the sleeve of her shirt. Naruto did the same, sighing again, "Well, now you know everything." He said.
Kakashi stood a ways behind Hinata, letting them have their moment, but he snapped his gaze onto Naruto. His gaze questioning. Naruto felt a stab of guilt, remember that he'd left out the details of his kidnapping, Masaru, and...
He tried not to let it show on his face, but Hinata frowned slightly, paying him closer attention.
"Before we all go too crazy, I think it's pretty important that I brief you about a few things." Kakashi said, putting his hands in his pockets.
Hinata and Sasuke both turned to pay attention, while Naruto breathed a masssive sigh of relief, inwardly planning to thank his Sensei for the save.
"Keep in mind that Naruto is the only one besides the Hokage who's allowed to talk about anything related to his connections with the fox. The word Jinchurriki is a niche, apt, and purposeful term. As Jinchurriki are commonly weaponized for the village to use as they see fit. A human, normally a child is sacrificed for the greater good of the village."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes, looking seriously at all of them, "This secret is a triple A rank secret. Any illegal breaks in secrecy are punishable by death." He said. Sasuke merely gave a curt nod, looking unbothered. While Hinata looked more perturbed, nodding only after a few seconds of inner reflection. He studied them all for half a second longer, relaxing himself.
Silence reigned for a few seconds, then Hinata sighed, and turned back around to face Naruto. "None of that stuff bothers me Naruto-kun, as long as you're safe." She said quietly.
Sasuke nodded again, "Tch, as long as your not a danger to us, and only a danger to our enemies, I don't give a damn." He said, looking off to the side.
Naruto smirked, "Aw, don't get all mushy on me teme." He said, poking him in the thigh. Sasuke flinched, throwing a kick that he barely dodged. "Don't touch me dobe!" He yelled.
Hinata smiled broadly, enveloping Naruto in another hug. He raised his hands warily, then relaxed once he realized what she was doing. Sasuke scoffed, "Why do you do that? It's just a hug dobe."
Naruto growled, his face heating up, "Shut up! I'm just not... used to it is all. I can't remember the last time someone tried to hug me!"
Hinata flinched in his arms, extending her arms, holding him by the shoulders. Her lavender eyes looked so sad he thought she might cry again. Beyond her, Kakashi's expression was much the same. Even Sasuke seemed confused and disturbed by his words.
Naruto waved his hands in the air frantically, "It's no big deal honestly, I really like hugs, it's just, well... I'm not to used to someone else hugging me. At least, not when you guys do it."
Hinata's grip on his shoulders tensed, and his flinched, looking back to her. Her face was now a sheen of red, her eyes looking stuck between embarrassed and determined. "If s-so, that means w-we'll have to do it even more then. S-So you can get, used to it."
Naruto stuttered, waving his hands even faster, "T-That's not really needed guys, c-c'mon!"
He looked around the room for help, but Kakashi's face was now dangerously happy, taking a step towards him. Sasuke's face scrunched up in disgust, but one look at Naruto's embarrassed, begging eyes, and he smirked devilishly.
Sasuke pulled his legs under him, and leapt from the bed, putting him in a crude mockery of a chokehold, except somehow also a hug.
"Chk!" The hold was just strong enough to not choke him really, yet also too tight to wriggle out of. Kakashi seemed to dogpile on the three of them, nearly smothering both Naruto and Hinata.
Naruto and Hinata both laughed, with Naruto's cheeks running as red as Hinata's.
A warm feeling spread in his chest, the previous day's worries, horrors and struggles completely forgotten. Even Sasuke wore a rare smile as he strode the line between a hug and a blood-choke. Naruto watched the laughing, happy faces of his team. Something in his heart hardening with determination as he laughed with them.
'I'll protect them. We won't be caught unawares like that ever again. I swear. I'll keep them safe if it's the last thing I do.'
Silently, Kakashi made his way down the narrow hallway of Tazuna's house, his eyes on the lone wooden door at the end of the corridor.
He restrained a sigh, wanting to get this over with. Don't get him wrong, he didn't mind helping out, but this particular task involved by far his least favorite conversational subject.
Feelings...
Tsunami pulled him aside after breakfast, seeming nervous, and slightly embarrassed. She explained that Inari had yet to talk to anyone about killing Gato. Which was worrying for a multitude of reason. Instantly, it conjured memories of him as a young Captain, guiding many ANBU recruits through the symptoms of battle fatigue. And they were all born shinobi. Trained from birth to fight, kill, and die for their clan and their village. He could only imagine what it must be like for a civilian.
Internally, Kakashi was aware that he was one of the WORST people to ask about things of this nature. Inari's mother seemed to sense his unease, and only intensified her pleas for assistance. Pansy that he was, he agreed. Which led to him, at this moment, on his way to help a young boy navigate a subject he only barely grasped himself.
Sure he knew the textbook methods, but they had no real applicable value beyond surface dressing. Failing to address realistic problems and scenarios.
Kakashi couldn't help but feel a detached form of apprehension, nervous at screwing this up as he arrived.
'Me and my luck...'
He reached the door, knocking twice on the old, nearly grey door.
He heard a soft gasp from inside, then silence.
He knocked again, "Inari, mind if I have a word?"
Silence, then a gentle sigh, followed by footsteps. The door opened quickly, revealing Inari, looking calmer than normal, with a faint shadow of veiled horror over his features. "Mom didn't send you did she?"
Kakashi quirked his head to this side in thought, "Would you slam the door on my head if I said yes?"
Inari sighed deeply, and released the door, walking to the window. Kakashi let himself in, looking around the room. It was what could be expected for a young boy, a few picture frames, some old toys gathering dust, the window open. Sending warm, fresh sea air into the room.
Inari faced the window, watching the ocean. A habit his mother told him that he was prone to do. However, there was a cast of faint anger in his gaze, his eyes unfocused as the waves lapped at the shore.
Kakashi watched him, looking for usual signs.
Irrational irritability, sudden changes in personality, depression, loss of appetite, fatigue...
He exhaled slowly through his nose, relieved to not see any classic signs of combat stress. Inari clenched his fists, and turned to look at Kakashi. He stared for a while, likely willing him to go away. "So, did my mom send you?"
Kakashi nodded, "Yeah sorry. But I don't blame her. She's worried about you ya know." Inari rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he turned back to look at the ocean. "She doesn't understand..."
The Jounin quirked an eyebrow, "Doesn't understand what?"
Inari shook his head, "Everything's, different now. Or, well maybe I'm only just now figuring it out." He held a hand out to the window, looking at Kakashi, "There's tons of you guys aren't there? Hundreds, maybe thousands of ninja everywhere, and it took only two of 'em to nearly wipe us all out!" He turned away, "Gato..." He growled, "... He killed Dad. He tried to kill grampa. Tried to kill Naruto. He's super strong and even he almost couldn't win."
He narrowed his eyes, "Gramps was right. The bridge will change everything. Next time we'll be ready."
Kakashi huffed, impressed with the young boy's foresight. It was a tad of an overreaction, but from his point of view, not an illogical one. He half expected the classic reaction of a child. Tears, cries of woe, something. But what he saw was a determined, if traumatized youth who was ready to move on. To move forward.
"Ready for what?" He pressed.
Inari shook his head, "More ninja. More Bad guys, from hurting us. We'll get the money. The more people can get here, the more money they'll spend. The more they spend, the more money we can use to prepare. To protect ourselves."
Kakashi pursed his lips in approval, nodding at the logic and forethought of this young boy. "That's quite an ambitious goal." He said.
Inari puffed up his upper lip, glaring at him, daring him to fight him on his decision.
Kakashi smiled at him, "But I'm sure you'll handle it just fine."
He knelt down to look him in the eye, "A couple things to keep in mind though. Take a week or two to think about those plans. A boy your age shouldn't have to think about these kinds of things. Live life, enjoy some time of peace before you rush into a decision." He said quietly.
He poked the boy in the chest, "And talk to your mother. It's a parents job to help their kids, nurture and care for them. You'll worry her sick if you keep stonewalling her like that." He said. Inari nodded, looking a bit guilty at the mention of his mother.
Kakashi stood slowly, "But if you do plan on doing this, I suggest you do your research. The shinobi world is big, complex, and fluid. Allegiances are formed, broken, and change by the hour. Do yourself a favor and tell your Gramps to find a copy of "Bingo Book". It doesn't have to be recent. Just recent enough to find out more about what you want to protect your village from. It's a concept called, 'Knowing your enemy.' Learn, and find out what you want to protect your loved ones from, and you'll be all the better for it."
Inari nodded studiously, his eyes focused and determined, "Got it." He chirped.
Kakashi nodded, feeling satisfied.
Almost satisfied.
"Why'd you kill Gato?"
Inari flinched, His eyes filled with passion and rage, then it faded, settling into a somber sobriety. Almost as if remembering that the man was already dead. By his own hand.
Inari pursed his lips, grabbing the sides of his shorts, "I-I, well. I wasn't... I didn't..."
He stuttered for a few minutes like that, never able to form a concrete sentence. Kakashi watched him for a moment, "Was it an accident?"
The boy went silent, staring into his eyes, then looking away. His eyes pointed towards the ground.
"No."
Kakashi thought as much, nodding slowly. He would've known immediately if he tried to lie, so he appreciated the honesty.
The Jounin saw the look in his eyes as he took the second shot. He was too tired, and too far away to recognize the look, although he had his suspicions.
There it was, Inari meant to do it, but he still had to know the reason why. Taking life was no small thing, especially for a civillian. And had to be properly understood lest the trauma from such an incident destroy him.
Inari shook his head, turning away to lean on the windowsill, looking out into the water.
Kakashi followed, his eyes staring out into the water joining him in Inari's favorite pastime.
Inari sighed, "I was trying to find help at first. Some of Grandpa's friends live close to me. After Naruto saved me and my mom, I heard that you were fighting on the bridge and tried to grab the townsfolk and help. No-one came with me."
Inari face turned downcast as the memory of the dismissal, "So I went by myself. I had to do something. You guys were fighting, maybe even dying for us. So... I couldn't just do nothing."
Inari's face switched to one of fear, "Then I saw Naruto."
Kakashi watched as Inari's face contorted into a visage of pure disgust, "That bastard was holding him, he was gonna... So I loaded my crossbow…."
Inari turned towards pleading in his eyes, "I wasn't gonna shoot him at first, I was just gonna scare him away, but…"
Inari sneered, "I saw the look on Gatos face. I saw the same look whenever Gato got pissed at Dad for standing up for the village. He made the same face when he killed him... That's how I knew he was gonna kill Naruto."
Inari shook his head, "I also knew, that he was never gonna leave us alone. He was gonna come back. That's when I decided..."
Kakashi nodded, he suspected as much. He was there after all. The look on his face wasn't what Kakashi normally saw in a killer. True he hated Gato, but when he looked in his eyes, as Inari recounted the story of what happened, there was no anger, hatred, not even just fear.
Dread.
Dread, and absolute certainty. Dread born from the thought that the monster that killed his father, and nearly his own grandfather as well, would come back for him, and everyone he'd ever known.
Kakashi nodded, needing only one more answer to solve this puzzle. He walked closer to the now shivering child laying a hand on the boy's shoulder, "What did you say after you shot him?"
Inari looked up quizzically, "Huh?
"You said something right after you shot him. What was it?"
Inari looked down, a stricken look on his face, "I-I said... 'I'm sorry'."
Kakashi nodded, but leaned back, his arms crossed as he looked out to the calming waters before them, "I didn't know him personally, but from what I've heard of Kaiza-san, I think he'd be proud of you."
The boy shook his head in the negative, "No. He always used to talk about solving things without violence."
Kakashi nodded sagely, "That may be true, but there are times, and there are people that won't give you a choice, and although killing someone isn't okay, for the sake of my team, and of your village, I'm glad you were there."
The one eyed Jounin motioned the boy to him, turning him around to look in his eyes, "I've fought for a long time, and at first I did it mindlessly, not caring for the people I hurt. The bodies I left behind. But over all that time, I came to realize that fighting to protect the people you love is a far worthier goal."
Kakashi stepped back, and bowed, shocking the young boy. Inari opened his mouth to speak, but Kakashi cut him off, "I am eternally grateful to you for saving my student, and our lives. Thank you."
And before the boy could speak, Kakashi left, closing the door, and leaving the boy in his room.
Inari stared at the door a while, pondering the ninja's words before he turned back around to stare at the water once more.
He tried to imagine what dad might say, what he might've done if he were still alive.
He tried to imagine the look on his face, would he be horrified, proud, angry...
None of them seemed to fit. He was too large, too much, to imagine him as just a man anymore. Even thought that was exactly what he was. As easily killed as Gato. And now he'd done the same to the slum lord.
He was suddenly terribly lonely, tears came to his eyes, a deep pit of grief tearing at his chest. He missed him more than ever, and now no one responsible was alive.
Except for Inari.
His mind whirled with thoughts, and he struggled to comprehend them for a while, before he averted his eyes away from the lake, and turned them to the clear blue sky.
"I sent you out there to talk to him not thank him."
The quite irate matriarch of the house glared at him, apparently upset at how the conversation had gone. She crossed her arms, one hand gripping a wooden ladle so hard Kakashi thought it might snap right in half.
He met the stare cooly, "Eavesdropping's rude you know."
"Says the ninja."
"Touché"
Kakashi sighed, "You heard him. He was scared. He's young, he's entitled to that much."
Tsunami apparently did not share or appreciate the jounin's flippant attitude. She ground her teeth, "You know, what I mean. He's eight years old for Kami's sake, He's not supposed to be involved in things like this."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "He's in an impovrished country that was, until very recently, lead by a murderous, tyranical gangster. Sometimes things that shouldn't happen, happen. Its not our job to manage the world for the next generation. All we can do is teach them how to live in it. And how to handle adversity."
Tsunami said nothing, standing there, flaring her nostrils. She was obviously furious. Her fists, whitened by the intense grip she maintained on the wooden ladle she held. Kakashi reckoned that it was time to go before he said anything that would get him in even more trouble with his host.
He turned to walk away, and Tsunami's face twisted in anger, "He killed some one! Don't you get it, that kind of thing doesn't just happen. Its a tragedy, not commonplace, don't you get that? Does it even matter to you anymore."
Kakashi let his foot fall to the floor, stoping in his tracks. Flashes of Rin, Obito, Minato, and all the others he'd failed flashed in front of his eyes as clear as daylight. His hands shook inside his pockets as he took a deep breath.
Calming himself as he turned on a dime to face her. His eyes drooped with grief, walking back to where he sighed heavily, "I get it because I've seen it firsthand."
Tsunami's scowl faded as he went on, "I was a child as young as he is when I first knew war. The third shinobi war was was bloody, long and desperate. I lost nearly everyone, some to kids as young as I was.
He took in another breath, his emotions bubbling to the surface fighting to keep them down. "I do get it, and if I thought he killed Gato for any other reason, I would've approached it differently. The look on his face was not one of a murderer, He's a scared kid. And if I were to blame him for taking a human life for protecting his family and friends, I'd be the biggest hypocrite in the Land of Fire."
Tsunami looked down, her arms still crossed. She raised her head, taking a breath, about to speak when the door suddenly opened, revealing the young boy. Bathed in the harsh late day sunlight peeking in from his open window.
The both of them paused, Inari, with the same haunted expression in his eyes, started to tear up the second he laid eyes on her.
She took a step towards him, but as soon as she did, the boy launched into a sprint, colliding with his mother, and hugging her with all the might and emotion his little 8 year old self could carry.
Tsunami smiled, tears pricking the corners of his eyes as she embraced her son, no words were spoken between them, both knowing exactly how the other was feeling, and both happy for the other's existence.
A noise broke the silence as Naruto marched up the stairs, picking at his ear. Stopping only when noticing the scene before him.
He stood up straight, wiping his hand on his shirt, gesturing awkwardly to the stairs behind him, "Uhhh, is this a bad time?."
Kakashi gave the genin a flat stare, and was about to give the order when he was once again cut off by Inari wriggling out of his mother embrace, heading straight for Naruto. He tackled the young man, staggering him slightly.
"I'm glad you're okay." He whispered, burying his face in Naruto's freshly cleaned jacket.
Naruto's expression was that of shock, still unused to unexpected physical contact. Then he smiled gently as he returned the hug, "You too Inari, that was some handy shooting you did there."
Tsunami and Kakashi cringed painfully, and Inari had the good graces to look a bit guilty, but he returned the grin.
"Nothing compared to what you did Naruto-san! I heard you beat Zabuza all by yourself!
Naruto paused, his eyes widening, but he scoffed after a moment, waving his hand, "Pfft, you think I'd still be a genin if I could do all that? Besides, enough with the honorific stuff, just call me Naruto. Anyway, if you wanna see some real awesomeness, you should watch me train-".
As the two kids walked away to discuss Naruto's alleged awesomeness, the conversation between the two kids drifted off as it progressed down the stairs and int the kitchen, leaving the bemused Kakashi and Tsunami by themselves.
Her amusement melted into regret as she turned to look at the jounin.
"I… I'm sorry for my harsh words Kakashi-san, I know that you and your team have done a lot. Saved us along with our entire country, and you will always have our thanks for that…"
Tsunami gazed at the stairs, a concerned look on her face, wrapping her arms around herself, "I just get so worried…"
Kakashi looked at the stairs as well, bearing a similar look. Remembering the part of the fight that came before his arrival, the long claws, the stench of blood, and the hate-filled presence that flashed through his mind.
"...So do I."