I'm Not a Therapist! I'm a Baker

Chapter Four

Yasuko could feel the staring of the blonde headed pest from the back of the kitchen. The dough he kneaded with his hands was the only thing holding him back from walking over there and getting upset. It was warm to the touch from being kneaded for quite a bit. The dough will be cut into strips then turned into knots to be brushed with melted butter and sprinkled generously with cinnamon sugar. These have been named Cinnamon Sugar Knots. They are a hit with both the older and younger customers.

Kaa-chan turned to Yasuko with a smile that hinted at expectations and promised hell if they were not fulfilled. Yasuko returned the smile, although it was not genuine like his kaa-sans. He walked over to the table, taking his time. There was no rush to see what the young blonde would force him into now.

"Naruto-san, is there anything you need?" he asked, pocketing his notebook that he used for customer orders.

"I need help," he sniffled, "I-I also came to tell you that the entrance ceremony is in two days."

"What do you need help with?" Yasuko asked, leaning down closer to the younger boy's height.

"I made a mess in my apartment now it stinks!" Naruto said, wiping his snotty nose across his orange sleeve.

This was the prime reason leaving children to live with themselves would never turn out well. Yasuko withheld a sigh. Naruto would have never learned to clean up after himself because he had never been taught. Yasuko's kaachan had told him about the blonde's living scenario. Orphaned from birth while getting money to live by the hokage. Not that it was enough, every child needed to be raised with love and affection.

"I can help with that," Yasuko said, his soft spot for troubled children overtaking him. "Do you have any cleaning supplies at home?"

"Cleaning supplies?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Ah well, I'll have to take you shopping first," he replied.

"Okay!"

While Naruto scarfed down the rest of his food, Yasuko returned to the kitchen to inform his mom of his plans. Not that she would stop him. In fact Anzu would have encouraged him. The mother and son duo both seemed to share a soft spot for troubled children. It seemed no one else besides them gave the children any proper care. Had they expected for the children to simply survive on their own?

"Kaachan, I'm going out to help Naruto-san with something. Should I return to the house after or here?" Yasuko asked, peeking into the kitchen.

"You can go home and work on some schooling," she said, smiling. "Didn't Sasuke-kun say he was coming for lunch and training today?"

His eyebrow twitched with annoyance, "I forgot, I'll make him something tasty."

"There's some more tomatoes in the fridge, feel free to use them."

"Bye kaachan."

Naruto appeared behind Yasuko where he was leaning into the kitchen, his plate in hand. An excited but shy smile overtaking his face as he glanced at the older boy. Even though Naruto has been coming to their bakery for a very long time (tempted with free food) he never seemed to let his guard down. But it wasn't surprising seeing as how he was treated like the village pariah.

Yasuko took the plate from the boy's hand and turned to him with a soft smile, "let's go."

"Where are we going first?" he asked, his voice soft as he trotted behind Yasuko.

"We need to go to the village to buy some cleaning supplies," Yasuko said.

The bell jingled as they left the store and into the bustling streets of the leaf village. Naruto's head ducked out, now fearful as they have left the comfort of the bakery. The distance between the two boys increased as they went further into the village center.