Haruno Ryoko

-3.mockingbird

Mother and father took us out today. We went to shop for some everyday household supplies and now were returning home.

I had lost count on how many times we had been stopped and fawned over. We weren't able to walk 2 meters without being stopped by some family friends or long-lost relatives.

'my, my what cute children'

'kyaaaaaaaa, they're so adorable'

'their pink hair's so pretty'

I just wanted to go home and take a nap.

Sakura, on the other hand was absolutely delighted with all the attention. Every time someone complimented us she would smile so brightly that I wish I had sunglasses.

As we continued on our way home, I thought about the timeline. We must be close to Naruto's birth by now. I looked around, it was all so peaceful right now. It seemed surreal to think that soon many of these people would be dead.

***********************************************

About a week after that at midnight we were woken by shouting. Mother clutched us to her chest and kept on whispering 'everything's going to be fine' like a mantra. Sakura was crying while father was pacing the room.

Our house was in the safe part of the village and mother and father were just civilians, they weren't called to help.

Suddenly the door burst open and our neighbour Takashi, a shinobi, entered. He was panting and looked ready to collapse. Father ran forward to help.

After calming down a bit, he said with a look full of anger and sadness, " It's over, the yondaime is dead."

Mother gasped and started to cry. Father had a grim look on his face and said, "It's all because of that damned kyuubi."

Takashi looked up, "Yes! it's all the kyuubi's fault and you know what? It's taken the form of an infant! The Sandaime said we are to let it live!"

"Absurd! that monster killed so many, how can it be allowed to live?" Mebuki screamed and then her voice broke as she croaked, "even mother....."

Takashi's eyes softened, "I'm sorry Mebuki, I wasn't able to save her....."

Mebuki simply returned to crying.

**********************************

My slippers squeaked loudly as I tried to tip-toe towards the door. Father stirred on the couch but did not wake. I grabbed the door and slowly, carefully opened it and stepped out.

Yes! Finally!

I quickly ran to the park.

It's been a couple of years since the incident. I'm three now.

I reached the park and looked around, my eyes searching for a blonde head. Sure enough I found it and the person it belonged to on a set of lonely swings.

I started towards him. I had tried to reach out to him countless times, but I had been too young and the only times I ever saw him were when Mebuki or Kizashi brought me to the park. But I had not been allowed near him.

When I asked why, they would snarl and say that he is a monster. If I tried to talk back they would ground me.

I waited for the chance to sneak out and today I finally did.

He looked up. His eyes widened when he realized I was coming towards him.

I stopped a few feet from him, "Hey"

He still seemed surprised that I was talking to him, "Hey....?"

We both stood there in silence for a few seconds and I was hit with the sudden realization that I was so focused on reaching him that I never thought what i would say to him.

'I would literally die for you' was probably not the best thing to say to a three year old you just met.

"Um", I began awkwardly "what's your name?"

A smile spread across his face, "Uzumaki Naruto, dattebayo!", he exclaimed.

Cute

"I'm Haruno Ryoko", I tell him" wanna play together?"

********************************************

My secret playdates (as I liked to call them) with Naruto continued. We met almost everyday but he always looked surprised that I came.

Soon we had fixed a secret time and place to meet. I had been careful not to select places where we would be seen lest someone tell my parents that I was hanging out with so called demon.

Sneaking out was not a problem though, they think they are handling a three year old not a woman in her early twenties. Scaling walls, tip-toeing, recognizing my parents by the sound of their footsteps was easy.

We lay side by side on the moist grass in the forest. Breathing hard from racing, when Naruto suddenly sat up.

I lifted my head, "what's wrong?"

"Ryoko-chan are we friends?" he asked his voice almost a whisper.

I slowly sat up, frowning. 'Had I not been clear enough?'

Naruto took my frown the wrong way and hurriedly started mumbling, "sorry, I-"

"Of course we are"

He was staring at me with a look I couldn't quite place.

"Of course we are", I repeated in case he didn't hear me the first time. And suddenly he was hugging me his face buried in the crook of my neck, tears prickled my neck.

"Are you crying?", I asked though that was obvious.

"NO, i'm not...."he mumbled back. I chuckled and put my arms around him.

I awkwardly patted his back not quite sure what to do and before I knew it, I was singing a very very offkey-

" now hush little baby don't you cry, everything's gonna be alright stiffen that upper lip up little-"

Naruto suddenly pulled back, his ears red "i'm not a baby"

"But you sure were bawling like one", I teased.

"Well, you singing is terrible!"

"..."

And then we both dissolved into a fit of giggles, god knows why.