Chapter 2
Naru POV
I barely make it back to the house when I see Kyuubi’s car pull up. I frantically shove all of the groceries where they need to go and tense when I hear the door open.
“NARUTO!” I can hear him scream. I don’t want to respond, but I know that I have to or else it’s just going to be worse. I move around the corner and show my presence. His eyes squint as he takes in the cloak I stupidly forgot to take off.
“You went outside today.” It’s a statement and a bit of a threat more than a question.
My heart drop to my feet, “Yes, um...I had to because we were out of food. I wasn’t gone for more than 20 minutes I promise.” I don’t know if anyone of of the townspeople have told him that they saw me but I’m still on high alert.
“Hmmm. Did anyone see you?” From his response, I can tell that no one has told him about seeing me.
“Nope. It was a short trip. To the store and back, no detours.”
“Alright, fine. Make my dinner, I’m starving. I want it done in 30 minutes.” With that, he kicks off his shoes and heads to the couch.
I can barely think of a meal that could be made in that window of time when he yells out, “Get me a beer!” from the living room.
Sasu POV
It’s a long trek home and the guards aren’t that happy to see my return. When I get inside, I’m scolded by my teacher and adviser Iruka.
“Where have you been! Your mother called for you and when no one could find you, I had to cover for you!” I receive a firm slap across the back of my head, “I cannot believe the position that you’ve put me in!”
“Alright, alright. I went into town. I wanted to get away for a bit.” A thought crosses my mind, “Do you know anything about the lower town of Konoha?”
I can see his brow furrow. “The lower town? Well I know that it’s no place for you to be. There’s too many bad influences there.” His eyes squint accusingly, “why are you asking? Did you go there?” With no hesitation I respond.
“Yea I was there for like 30 minutes and everyone was yelling at this kid that I met. He had yellow hair, blue eyes and little whisker-like scars on his cheeks.” I can see Iruka’s eyes forcefully move away from mine. My own sharpen in return, “What do you know?”
“Well...it’s a hard story to tell.” At my prompting, he continues, “About 50 years ago, there was this beautiful woman and she was sought after heavily. A lot of people thought they could claim her, thus, a war broke out. The whole entire world was divided and it was absolute chaos. The ruler of the Kingdom that finally claimed her was Jiraiya, our past ruler. Although in the end, he won the affections of the beautiful woman Tsunade, he was merciless when it came to fighting other countries for her hand. He used absolutely terrible tactics of torture and many died by his hand personally. He had a son whom he named Minato. Minato later had a son of his own with his wife Kushina. Minato, in his childhood, faced a lot of hatred due to the tactics that his father used in war. The people in the village began to tie the physical resemblance the two shared to fear and later, resentment. The child I think you’re referring to has the same features as Minato because he is his son." His brows furrow and he crosses his arms.
"I’m ashamed to say this, but even I was taught to treat this innocent child with contempt. I was told by my own parents to shun him and be rude. I got over that when I was appointed to be his teacher and mentor, much like I am yours.” He looked down. “I still wish to know how he is because when I received this job, I heard that he was given another mentor who is not nearly as kind as I am.” He turns his attention back to me, “Did you meet him today? Did he look like he was doing well?”
I can see the concern in his face so I tell him what I saw. “Well, he ran into me and I tugged his hood off so that I could see his face. A lot of people started to say things and he nearly started crying so I pulled him into an alley. We barely talked and then he ran away.”
Iruka’s face only scrunches up more. “Oh, I don’t know what to do. I thought his more recent caretaker had taken him out of the village altogether. If i’d known that he was this close the whole time, I would have never allowed him to stay there.” He raised his gaze to me, “Do you think you can find him again and bring him to me?”
I really don’t want to and Iruka can see it in my expression. “How about this,” he suggest, “if you find him for me, I’ll let you out of your lessons for this week.” His offer sounds enticing, so I agree.
Naru POV
I completed Kyuubi’s dinner in 35 minutes and that cost me a harsh slap to the face. I was sent ‘out of his sight,’ which is only my room in the basement. I gently prod my throbbing eye and I wince at the contact. It doesn’t take me too long, but I manage to cover up the increasing purple color with a foundation that’s my skin tone.
I don’t know how I’m going to keep this up when it comes time for me to do my chores tomorrow. On the calendar that Kyuubi gave me, he has that I have to go into town and do some more basic shopping. From my last time out there, I hope that I don’t meet anyone. I have to do a better job of keeping my unruly locks hidden. If I do that, then maybe people will have a harder time recognizing me.