Unshackled: A Naruto Fanfiction

Chapter 10: Jump Back

Naruto approached Tazuna's house where Kakashi was leaning next to the door, his eye focused on the blond with his arms crossed over his chest. Naruto saw the look Kakashi was sending him and internally sighed, knowing what was about to come. 

"So," Kakashi began, his usual lazy voice replaced by a deadly serious tone. "Care to tell me where you truly were this morning and why you're finally coming back when the sun is almost down?" Naruto stopped walking and met Kakashi's lone eye. 

"I've been spying on Zabuza's partner," He replied easily. "I got bored yesterday and had a clone guard Tazuna in my place in order to go train. I fell asleep and woke up to Zabuza's partner gathering herbs to heal him." 

"And?" 

"She's stronger than Sasuke and Sakura," Naruto said honestly. "I haven't fought or sparred with her yet, but I can tell she's strong. She has a kekkei genkai, ice." Kakashi kept his eye on Naruto for a second, pondering the information the blond was giving him before his shoulders relaxed and his eye lost its angry stare and was replaced by a tired one. 

"Alright," He sighed out. "However, not only is leaving a clone with the client a large breach in protocol if the situation doesn't call for it, but also not telling me today was an error on your part. I won't punish you this time, just make sure it doesn't happen again." 

"It won't," Naruto promised. "I didn't mean to endanger the mission, Kakashi-sensei." Kakashi let out a sigh. 

"Like I said, it's fine this time because you managed to get valuable information that will help us in these next coming days." 

Naruto nodded and opened the front door and stood in the doorway for a moment before speaking. "I grew fond of her," He admitted to the older man, whose single visible eye widened at the information. Naruto's face, although unseen by Kakashi, was one of sorrow. "Please don't kill her." With that, he walked inside.

Kakashi stood, slightly shocked at Naruto's words. Kill her? Sure she was an enemy, but why did Naruto feel the need to tell him specifically not to kill her? He shook his head, dismissing the thought and followed the blond inside. 

Naruto and Kakashi wordlessly sat at the dinner table, a plate waiting for both of them as they thanked Tsunami for the food and dug in. Sasuke and Sakura were looking at Kakashi and Naruto weirdly before a voice broke the slightly uncomfortable silence. 

"It's useless," Inari spoke from the staircase, glaring at the ninja. "All of you are dumb! Don't you know that everyone who fights Gato dies?" He almost yelled.

"Inari!" Tsunami yelled, enraged by her son's words. "These brave people are fighting for our freedom!" 

"They're going to die!" Inari shouted back at his mother. 

"Why are you starting this again?" Naruto asked after swallowing his food, his eyes gazing at Inari. "Can't you just say you hate us and want us to die and be done with it? Because that's all I've heard come out of your mouth." Inari glared furiously at Naruto, tears of anger running down his cheeks. 

"Shut up!" He shouted. "You don't know us! Coming into our home, acting like you're so cool and that you're amazing people because you came to help, I hate you! You don't know a single thing about suffering!" 

A reign of silence entered the atmosphere as everyone took in Inari's words. "Suffering, huh?" Naruto said in a whisper, a mirthless smile appearing on his face. "I guess you're right, I mean," He laughed a little as he set his fork on his empty plate. "Nobody else in the world can suffer except you right?"