Chapter 4: Oh NO! Kakashi Don't Look!

The aim was to punch him in his stupid, perverted face. Accomplishing that, I take pride in it, as I have no basic concepts of how to fight ingrained into me, less it comes out as instinctual. Even so, I can't say I wanted to punch him because I got angry, or that he was perverted and obviously had that as a dominant aspect of his personality, or even because I'm just violent. My reasoning on it didn't really filter into any sort of rational, I don't even wish to fight the guy. Actually, there is no purpose in my actions, marking me perhaps as one of lesser human integrity.

Taking note of the young and curious Kakashi, I restrain my impulse to continue, using the excuse of him looking at my non-existent chest. One hit was justified under that circumstance. It wasn't as if I'd managed to knock the giant man over, he'd merely backed into the fence behind, rubbing at his jaw. Considering the smile he had on, I expect he was used to such actions, which wouldn't surprise me.

"You have a solid right hook..." Was that a compliment or statement? Jiraiya seemed to baffle me a little, I couldn't pinpoint his demeanour at all. "Then again, you do always date strong-willed women Sakumo." There was a taunting leer on his face, coloured oddly by the pink imprint I'd left. Why is this guy so insistent that we're together? Its almost irritating. Evaluating his attitude, however, I would have to say that he and my host are in fact, good friends. At least, that is how it appears to a common eye.

Picking himself up from the fence he looks ready to make a nuisance of himself, poking at Kakashi-chan, and laughing with Sakumo at a sentence I can't hear from here. Tsunade sighs loudly, making me realize she'd moved just behind me as I'd been busy watching the two men acting a bit stupid, and hadn't even noticed. "Honestly... Those two. I do wonder sometimes if Sakumo is as perverted as Jiraiya, then I remember he's not a complete idiot." She giggled, smiling at me, while I took a moment to ponder at their relationship. Kakashi-chan was familiar with both of them it seemed and was even giggling at what Tsunade's partner had said to him. I couldn't say in certainty, but the way Sakumo-san seemed to trust him implicitly makes me think that they are closer then comrades.

In fact, familiarity tells me the truth of the matter. They are best friends.

"Jiraiya! I cannot put him into the academy yet! He's only three!" Followed by a boisterous laugh, while Tsunade sighs once more, and I have to laugh a little. The face Sakumo makes is enough to make anyone amused. As if he'd unexpectedly walked into a pile of brown on the ground and is currently being humiliated by his peers.

Calling it early, but today is going to be a pleasant one I think.

We all end up leaving the alleyway together, Tsunade running up to speak to the two men, and Kakashi-chan of course, while I stay back. Its not insulting though, surprisingly the simplicity of their interactions and warmth gives me a deeper sense of belonging.

I notice the sun is bright today, no clouds to block its path, the sky too is a pale blue, with only shadows of dancing birds. There's wind but it isn't chilling, rather just there without temperature, sweeping the leaves laying about up in a spiral. Everyone's hair joins along, my own spikes refusing to lift. To my own detriment, a glare of sun catches me in the eye all everything brightens.

Rather content, I am reminded of the book I purchased for no seen reason, perhaps as I have this peace, it'd be best to read for a little while. I find that it is difficult to retrieve from the bag nearest my elbow, but I do manage to fish for it without seeing and pull it out without dropping anything.

An accomplishment in itself, I am rather precariously balanced. Practically forming a walking shelf among the streets, an amusing image I'm sure.

Not nearly as the book I'd bought, while I still don't know why such a ridiculous looking thing had caught my attention, I owe it to myself to see if the answers were within. The pages are crisp as I open it, the smell reaching me refreshingly. Well, if the book doesn't turn out to be all that remarkable at least I have a possession that I can actively think of as mine, that isn't mere clothing or a headband.

The first sentence is odd, but I read on anyway as there is little else, and I seem capable of doing so while walking. Soon though, I don't actually want to put the story down, having been entranced by this character with my name. Inspirational, in the form of a message, almost as dictation of how my own life should lead me as a shinobi, peaceful in its calm tone. Though it's obviously a bit unprofessional, it's not as if that bothers me. It's good.

Though I am only into the second chapter when I find a back in my face, and the sudden need to stop. The silver hair and sleeping child in front of me indicating plainly who I'd nearly bumped into. Taring my eyes from the passages, I look closer to Sakumo-san and Tsunade who has also stopped, both of them staring to the left. Where Jiraiya-san was, grasping my curiosity and slight ire, I find him staring at me.

I wish I could raise one eyebrow successfully, but knowing I can't, I settle for pouting at him with as bored a glare I can muster. To my surprise, he blushed heavily and scratches at his neck, looking as the most embarrassed man in all of Konoha. Which rapidly shifted into flustered, making no sense to my mind. "Ah, do you like it?" He points to the book.

Was he suddenly trying to be sociable or something? An attempted apology? I cannot read the man at all. His friends seem just as confused before Tsunade-san glances at the story in my hands and does a silent expression of 'oh' in understanding. While Sakumo-san peers at me in confusion leaning to look at the title, then he too forms the same expression.

Not understanding them, I think maybe it would be best to just answer. The man seems genuinely flustered, and I'm not so cruel as to torture him with the emotion. "Well yeah, the main character is inspirational, and the message is as well. The title is a little lame though." He took my words with a huge grin and a small laugh.

"I honestly couldn't think of much else for the title, I've never been good with names." Oh, that's why. He'd written it hadn't he? That should have been more telling by the way his comrades understood his state, then even his own apparent nervousness.

"You really don't strike me as an author type Jiraiya-san." That didn't sound like the compliment I had been intending. But he responds kindly regardless. As if I'd given him something invaluable.

"I'm not really I suppose. That was my first book, and it hasn't been selling as well as I'd hoped. Glad you like it though." That's honestly rather sad. Maybe potential buyers had seen the title and thought it comical as I did, which is a shame as even though the writing is a little different, it is truly a good book I could see a large audience enjoying.

Though I do wonder how he'd come up with the name. Seen as I don't perceive it to be very common. "The mains name?" I get a little choking giggling sound there.

"I uh, came up with it while eating some ramen." Ha!

"I bet that's how my parents named me too." It makes me laugh just thinking about it. "My name is also Naruto." I introduce myself, mainly because I don't think I had been courteous enough to before, and it is rather funny that I and his main character had the same name.

"Woah! Really?!"

"Sure is dattebayo!" My opinion of him originally seemed to have been disingenuous, as first impressions usually are. For his spirit is as lively as mine feels.

Maybe I am simply violent towards those with piercing judgemental eyes.

--------------

As we came upon the house again there was a sharp snore from Kakashi-chan, as Sakumo-san tried desperately to unlock the door. Knowing that he was wary of allowing me to hold his son, I opted to do the later. I take it to be the lack of memory on my end the continual presence of nothing entrapping me, but even this simple action... Feels new. While I can understand how ridiculous that sounds.

My head turns on its own to meet the grateful smile from Sakumo-san, I'm not used to a company I think. Honestly, I have no idea, but I almost know it to be true in my gut, perhaps I was isolated or charged with a long term mission. Still, I know this feeling of companionship is not normal for me.

"Sakumo-san!" A young sounding, cautious, and sweet voice calls, children's calls. We both look. Seeing two young kids, about ten years of age by my guess. One with shining yellow hair a boy, while the girl with him has an angry red long and gorgeous. Its beautiful!

"Oh! You have beautiful hair!" She blushes near the same colour, I couldn't say if it were of embarrassment or gratitude, I cannot consider myself an expert on kids.

"That's... Thank you! Dattebane!" I stood shocked for a moment before the Hatake beside me loudly laughed, startling and waking little Kakashi on his shoulder. While the young blond nervously joined in, a fist by his chest that did not seem to have wanted to leave. "Ah, I like your cheongsam, you're so very pretty..." If only all people were so kind unto those who needed to hear such words.

"Ah, Minato, Kushina, what can I do for you?" Kakashi grumbled as his father asked, clearly not feeling so charitable.

"Sorry to bother you, but we were wondering if you could help us with training tomorrow?" That interests me, I am aware I am rather untrusted. However, I am curious to know how good of a shinobi I had been, perhaps practise in some minor taijutsu styles, just to get a feel of everything. Competitive want aside, I do not think I would fair well against someone with an intact body as of yet. If nothing else, I could help with the training, I think instinct will pull me correctly.

"Hm, I suppose I can do that. Kushina, have you worked on your Water techniques?" Kakashi squirmed, wanting to get down, although his Father was struggling to keep him upright, he seemed to be quite the escape artist. Annoyingly, instead of listening to the Academy kids, it appeared that I would be dancing about in the kitchen. Oh well, at least I would have an adorable chibi to accompany me.

"Why don't I take Kakashi-chan and start dinner?" Despite whatever Sakumo-san was going to say, it seemed his silver mini had already made a decision about the matter. Dropping uncaring onto the porch, and stumbling to me within scarf dragging, giving his father a look I could not see. Whatever it was, he gave to it with a sweeping sigh and a warning glare unto me that I understood even with only seconds of receiving it. He really is a good Dad.

I turn to go inside, before I can though, I'm stopped by a loud voice.

"Oh?!" Kushina is pointing at me with a widespread grin on her face. "Are you Kakashi-chan's Mother?!"

"Huh?...Ehhhhh???" Why does everyone think me and Sakumo... The very thought of it makes me flushed in embarrassment, I couldn't do such a thing! He is a single father raising a toddler, not to mention maintains his job as a Jonin of Konoha on top of that. Besides the fact that I couldn't do that to Kakashi-chan's Mother! Not that I would. "No! I'm just a guest dattebayo!"

My thoughts are scrambling.

"Liar!"

"Why would I lie about that!?"

"Kushina..." Minato interrupts the both of us, nervously backing away, though I can't say I blame him. His friend looks dangerous, predatory even with hair straining with her chakra upwards. More then that, I think he has become unsteady at the other Jonin approaching with a serious expression. Immediately I recognize Jiraiya-san, this time, however, he looks almost threatening, but I can recognize it as a it is more of a cautious stoicism.

The red-haired anger, doesn't seem to care, either way, her hand remain on her hips and she is fixing me with a firm glare.

Despite the firm irritation about us, and his own severe expression previous, Jiraiya waves, grinning while seeing me. Although my match off with the girl hadn't finished, I surrendered in order to wave back.

"Yo Naruto! Sakumo! Ah, sorry about this, but sensei asked us to give you a mission before we turn in for the night." He hands it off, and I feel a small hand clutching mine. I understand at least, he doesn't like when his Father leaves on a mission, what kid would? The pervy-man gains a sharpness to his eyes. "Sakumo. It is an S-rank."

Sakumo seems startled, nervous and unsure. Yet, he says nothing, only nodding along to his new orders. In order to distract from the tense atmosphere ringing about us. "Ah. Jiraiya, would you help me train? Tsunade spoke well of you. And I could undoubtedly use a refresher." He blinks at me.

"Well, alright. On one condition!" I bulk a little, my attempt was to take away the pressure of the air, but... "You must also read my new book!" That was it?

"Ha! Alright, fine, what is it?" I could read well enough, and if it was as good as Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi I'll be fine. He pulls out of his weapons pouch a bright orange book, well, it was my favourite colour.

"Icha-Icha Paradise!" Why the hell is that familiar?

"Fine! I'll read it!"

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top