Kaze No Kokoro (Naruto fanfic)

Chopsticks?

Dragging Kakashi they finally arrived in front of a shop. Ichiraku's. "So you want ramen?" He asked. "What's ramen?" Was her response, he sighed and explained what she was smelling was ramen after which her response to his first question was a happy yes.

They went inside and sat on the stools Kakashi ordering for her. Her face had returned to the emotionless mask it always was when she was around people other than Kakashi.

There was only one other customer in the ramen shop who was curiously stealing glances at the girl. A boy in Orange disliked by most but accepted by the shop's owner, his name Uzumaki Naruto.

Midori sensed his gaze but wasn't bothered by it. It was different from the stares other people gave her and the nervous glances the shop keeper gave her not wanting to be rude but still wondering about her blindness.

The boy hadn't even noticed she was blind at first. Only when he saw her eyes never once focused did he figure it out. No, he was different he wasn't curious about her blindness or her physique.

He wanted to know who she was. The girl was dressed as a ninja but didn't have a headband. Was she new to the village and had just not joined the academy yet? Would she treat him like the others did? He was sure they were the same age so would she be joining his class?

He hoped beyond hope that this would finally be his chance to get a friend. Hoping she wouldn't copy the behaviour others had towards him. He wanted to talk to her. To befriend her before anyone else could steal the chance away from him. But he was scared.

She noticed he was holding back, sensed his anxiety but she sensed a lot more than that. She sensed his pain, his anger, his loneliness and she also sensed what it's most likely cause was. There was a demon inside of him. A fox with nine tails. She didn't know how but she could see it's eyes glowing, it's shape like liquid smoke and she knew it could see her too.

Yet it didn't frighten her. She knew it was sealed inside the boy and couldn't come out and she sensed it wasn't really evil the same way she could sense Kakashi could be trusted. She felt sorry for the boy, he must be treated like a monster simply because there was one inside of him. He didn't even seem to know about it.

The boy itself seemed so nice so innocent and smelled like ramen and freshly cut grass. A nice smell. She found out long ago that nice people had nice smells even though she never met a lot of nice people. She thought this might be her chance to get a friend. Her first friend and she'd probably be his first friend too. But would she have to have the courage to talk to him.

Before she could figure that out a bowl, with what she guessed must be ramen, was placed in front of her. "Careful it's hot." Kakashi warned her. Having no idea how to eat it she tried to copy Kakashi's movements. She took hold of some stick and broke them apart and 'saw' that Kakashi was using it to scoop things out of the bowl.

She had no idea how to use these sticks so she tried holding them different ways while attempting to scoop out the ramen. She failed miserably and started to become more and more discouraged.

Naruto noticed her predicament. He didn't know how anyone could not know how to use chopsticks but was determined to make this his first attempt at becoming her friend. So, hoping not to startle her, he approached.

Midori sensed his approach and remained perfectly still determined not to do anything to scare him away. The boy softly took hold of her hand moving her fingers and the sticks so that they were positioned correctly. When they were he moved her fingers, opening and closing the space between the sticks, and so showing how to use them.

Kakashi was carefully observing their interaction, ready to step in the moment she felt discomfort, but to his surprise she didn't. She was okay with Naruto touching her and, when he was done helping her, turned her face to his and gave him a gentle smile and a thank you, startling both the boy and the concerned joinin.

The children had both made their first friend. "No problem." Naruto said with a huge smile on his face. He was overjoyed to finally find someone who didn't treat him the same as the others. He took a seat beside her determined to strengthen the new bond to the point of no return.

"So what's your name?" He asked no longer held back by fear his demeanor had returned to it's normal hyperactivity. "Midori" She answered, proud of her new name. Naruto even complimented it, saying it suited her, which made the gentle smile return to her face once more.

Her eyes seemed a lot kinder as well, less hollow, which made the Uzumaki feel more at ease. "What is your name?" She asked politely. This pumped the boy up to a whole new level of energy, determined to nail his introduction.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to be the next Hokage, believe it!"

"Okay, nice to meet you." She replied with a cute close eyed smile. This rattled Naruto, did she really believe him? "You-you believe me?" He asked carefully. "Of course!"

This brought tears to the boy's eyes which Midori, being blind, didn't notice. All she noticed was that he had suddenly turned silent. Thinking she might have done something wrong she quickly added an explanation.

"I mean friends are supposed to believe each other right? Or aren't we friends?" She asked suddenly afraid that she might've misunderstood their interactions.  At this Naruto recovered "Of course we are, I was just surprised that's all."

Midori smiled at that, relieved that it wasn't all a misunderstanding. "So are you gonna go to the academy too?" Naruto asked hoping his new friend would also be his new classmate. She nodded "The Hokage said he'd enroll me."

Happy, Naruto noticed that it had become quite late an he should be heading home. Although they did not like parting they both said their goodbyes knowing that tomorrow they'd meet again.

Waving Naruto goodbye as he went the other way Midori turned her attention towards Kakashi. "Why is there a Fox inside him?" She asked softly, figuring it might be a secret. Kakashi looked at her shocked, trying to figure out how she could know. The only logical explanation would be that besides her power she gained another sense as a result of missing her sight.

"You sensed him." It was not really a question but she nodded anyway. She noticed his demeanor had changed and regretted bringing it up. She didn't like it when he felt so serious. "I'll tell you why another time just promise me not to talk about it to anyone but me or the Hokage, okay?"

Midori promised wanting to have him return to his relaxed, bored mood as quickly as possible. They walked home silently but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence.

When they arrived home Kakashi led her to the bedroom, deciding he would just sleep on a futon. It was only then that he realised they forgot to buy pajamas. "You can wear one of my shirts as a pajama if you want. We'll go buy one another time." Kakashi said.

Midori looked towards him puzzled. "What are pajamas?" She asked. Kakashi sweatdropped before explaining what pajamas are and giving her one of his shirts. "I'll be in the living room should you need me, goodnight Midori." He said tucking her in.

All of a sudden he was stopped by a light tug at his shirt. He turned towards her waiting patiently for whatever it was she wanted. "Can I have two names too?" She asked. Kakashi thought about it for a minute. She didn't know who her family was so she didn't have a family name.

"Hatake Midori." He said. They were sort of family now right? "So, then you'll be my nii-san?" She asked shyly hoping he would say yes. He did, since he actually quite liked the sound of that. He was too young to be a father but a brother sounded good.

Midori was incredibly happy that in one day she gained so much, a home, a friend and a big brother. "Thanks Kashi-nii." She said her voice soft and sleepy.

And so she fell asleep safe and happy dreaming of a bright tomorrow.