Chapter 13
Tsunade showered Sasuke with pancakes, bacon, and eggs the morning after he cleaned the apartment. It was finally her day off, and Sasuke couldn’t help but notice how surprised and happy she was when he woke up. She chatted with him most of the morning about how wonderful the space felt and how excited she was to be home for the day and relax. Sasuke felt the warmth in his chest swell as she complimented him. As he was taking a bite of a piece of pancake that was saturated in syrup, Tsunade lowered her spatula and said, “I know I haven’t been the best adult for you these past few months. I just want to let you know I am trying the best that I can.” Her shoulders rounded forward slightly, and her eyes dropped to the pan of bubbling flapjacks.
“I apologize for not being here that much, unfortunately the property management company raised the rent again this year, so I have been taking extra shifts for us to stay afloat.” Sasuke stopped chewing his food for a moment as he processed her words.
“I don’t want you to worry!” Tsunade held her hands up with a smile, “I just wanted you to know that I am not avoiding you or anything, though I feel terrible. I am crossing my fingers for a raise though and then we will be in the clear!”
Sasuke didn’t know what to say, and he technically couldn’t say anything with his mouth full of food. He wracked his brain for a way to connect with his aunt, provide anything that would be of value to this situation. Just as he swallowed the food down and inhaled a knock came to the door.
“And who is that, its ten a.m. on a Sunday,” Tsunade scolded and marched across their apartment before opening the door. Outside, a blonde teenager who looked around 16 years old stood between the doors frame.
“Oh- hi there, can I help you?” Tsunade asked politely.
Sasuke turned in his chair and recognized the face instantly. Frowning with disbelief, Sasuke watched as Kurama gave Tsunade a big smile. He looked much more like a human, shorter and younger. Wavy locks of pale blonde hair framed his face delicately, and underneath his now seemingly hazel eyes with pupils were an orange under-eye liner – taking place of the tattoos that normally cascaded down his face. Kurama was not in his normal kimono, nor did he have his sword strapped to his belt. Instead, he had on an extremely oversized, baggy and trendy bright red sweatshirt with grey sweatpants. Wooden based sandals were wrapped around his feet to complete the look of an edgy and carefree highschooler. Sasuke was surprised to find his low voice remained unchanged.
“Good morning, I am here to pick up Sasuke. We were hanging out today.”
Tsunade looked at a loss for words. Sasuke jumped up and quickly intervened, stepping between Tsunade and the now human looking fox spirit.
“Oh right, sorry Tsunade I forgot to mention my friend was coming by!” Sasuke gave Kurama a stink eye. “Let’s go,” Sasuke awkwardly pulled his shoes on while he was pushing Kurama out the door. His aunt who began stumbling for her words, finally called out, “Good-bye, uh-text me when you will be home!”
“What do you think you are doing? Why do you even look like this!”
Sasuke berated Kurama as they walked down the sidewalk towards the bus stop. Kurama’s light brown hazel eyes gave Sasuke a side-glance. “I thought it would be best if I tried this teenager life out, if I am to help you ask Sakura to prom then I must know what being a highschooler is like.”
Sasuke felt his face turn red. “I don’t understand, you have like magic or some shit. Couldn't you just follow me around in your glowing form and do things that way?”
The smile on young Kurama’s face made Sasuke’s blood turn cold, “This is the way I am choosing to complete this task. Now, you should either obey or find another Kitsune to care for the Uchiha’s.”
Sasuke bit his tongue, looking down at the pavement and watching his feet glide over every break within the concrete of the sidewalk. Kurama pulled his arms up and held his hands behind his head. After a minute of silent walking Sasuke turned to him and asked, “So, where are you taking me today?”
Kurama’s smile widened, “A business I discovered last night.”