Naruto: A Different Life

Chapter 10: Storytime with a Kage.

        After eating breakfast with Kat, who was gushing excitement as she munched on an orange, Naruto went back to his new room and put on some fresh clothes. He decided to wear an orange shirt with black shorts and ninja shoes. He slipped them on and then attempted to detangle his hair to no avail. Sighing in frustration he went back to the kitchen to find Kat dressed and waiting for him.

            She had a rather serious expression on her face, which contradicted her smiley face tank top she had on. Naruto felt his heart speed up and he sat quietly across the table from his new friend.

            Once he was settled Kat finally spoke, “Naruto, I think it is time that you tell me your story.” Naruto’s throat felt suddenly parched and he nodded with his eyes downcast. He cleared his throat, well here goes nothing, he thought to himself.

            After a deep breath the story poured out of him. The cruelness of the Leaf villagers and how that sent him over the edge, making up his mind to run away. How he slipped out of the village undetected and set off in a random direction as his destination, later realizing it was towards the sand. His dream where he met the nine-tails and learned he was the son of the 4th Hokage.

            At this point he took a chance and looked up at Kat and saw anger and understanding in her eyes.

            “So you are the vessel of the nine-tails?” She asked slowly during his pause.

            Without flinching Naruto responded, “Yes.”

            “You are also the son of the Hokage who saved his village.”

            “Yes,” Naruto was growing a little confused at her statements/questions. After all he just told her that information.

            “You were mistreated by the people you helped save by being the vessel even if you didn’t know it at the time.” Kats angry tone startled him but before he could respond she motioned for him to continue.

            Still confused at her outburst he continued his tale. He skimmed over the hardships of traveling alone at his age. He did tell her about the two ANBU who found him after five days. Their conversation and him getting knocked out. The short talk with the fox and waking up and fighting the two ninja. How he ran when the chance presented itself with the Sand ninja arriving. Again he briefly mentioned traveling through the desert and seeing the Sand up ahead. Then about how he watched the patrols and found an opening and entered the foreign village unnoticed.

            “Then, when I was too tired to continue, I fell asleep in a crate and you found me the next morning. The end.” Naruto said lightly but watched Kat’s face with attentive eyes. She was silent and seconds ticked by then a full minute. Two… Three… Four. At this point Naruto’s heart started to sink. She must hate me now. Well it will come as no surprise if she does. 

            At five minutes she rose from her seat and walked around the table to Naruto and… hugged him. Naruto felt his eyes widen and tears pricked in his eyes.

            “You-you don’t hate me? You don’t think I am a monster?” Naruto asked with a shaky voice. Kat drew back and stared intently into his eyes and smacked the back of his head.

            “Neh!” Naruto said clutching his head. “What was that for?” He exclaimed at Kat who rolled her eyes, breaking the tension that was slowly building.

            “Why do you think, stupid? Why would I hate you for something that is completely out of your control? I can’t believe you thought I would hate you. Stupid!” She practically yelled the last word. “Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, STUDID! That is what you are!”