Overcoming the Odds.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Hug.

"That bitch," Karin spat with anger.

A month had passed since Naruto's encounter with Sakura, and it led them to the chilly month of December.

The two friends were sitting on the cold floor while facing each other through the metal bars. They were currently 'celebrating' the redhead's 17th birthday by playing games of chess while talking about the change in attitude the villagers seemed to have for him.

The boy sighed and moved a piece. "Don't call her that. It's not her fault that people are jerks."

Through this past month, he noticed a drastic change of behavior towards him, no doubt it was because of what happened between him and Sakura at the shop. People were obviously acting more distant than normal around him; things like avoiding his service, being more careful as to not bump into or touch him, and the stares and whispers - he hated the stares and whispers the most. They reminded him of when he was younger.

On one occasion, he discovered the reason as to why these were happening.

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Naruto was eating at Ichiraku's like he normally did at times, just trying to enjoy his favorite food. In the midst of his eating, he sensed people talking about him behind his back a short distance away. Being curious, he listened in to what they had to say. He focused his hearing and could make out a pair of girls his age conversing among each other.

"-about him?"

"Yeah, what did you hear?"

"I heard he beat up his girlfriend in a restaurant after she broke up with him, and that his eyes changed to a red color or something."

"Wasn't it his teammate? They aren't dating. One of my friends was actually there, they were arguing about something and then he slapped her... But that's weird. They said his eyes changed color too... I bet it was that damn demon that's inside of him."

His entire body tensed at hearing that horrible name.

"That boy is dangerous, why hasn't anyone done anything about him?"

It took a good amount of willpower not to openly tremble or grimace from his bottled up anger. However, he toned them out and continued to eat his meal. Once he was done he paid the appropriate amount and said a quick thank you to Teuchi before he proceeded to walk his way home. His entire day was ruined, though no one would never know, not that they cared enough to even care.

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Enter Naruto Shippuden OST - Obito's Death Theme

He reasoned the whole village knew about the incident by now, and that fabricated versions of it were spreading. Everyone had more and valid reasons to fear him more.

He brought himself out of his thoughts and tried not to let it all get to him. After all, he was spending time with his closest friend.

"Besides," he continued. "She already apologized."

Karin looked at him, surprised. She asked disbelievingly, "She did? When did that happen?"

He smiled. "A couple days ago," he answered and added, "It's your turn."

"What did she say?" She asked as she started to play with her red hair.

Naruto hummed in thought. He looked up.