Eyes

The Kitten

Naruto went about the rest of his day well aware that Sasuke was staring at him non-stop. Neji had gone home following their incident; from the whispers he heard Neji was claiming he had fallen from a tree.

Part of him was relieved, he didn't want to be put in the spotlight or be sent to the headteacher twice in the same day. He sighed as his teacher lectured on and felt Sasuke's eyes on him again, the Uchiha had decided to sit further down the row from him simply to just glare at him all day.

When the day was finally done Naruto was exhausted, the combination of dealing with Sasuke, the headteacher and not getting enough sleep last night was taking its toll. Speaking of exhausted, he could hear Sasuke calling his name as he made his way out of school.

"Naruto, wait!" There was a crowd and Naruto was going to use that to his advantage, quickly making his way out he turned out and down a couple of roads and before he knew it there was no Sasuke in sigh of within hearing distance.

Making the walk back home, at a now leisurely pace, he had a bit of time to reflect on the dinner tonight. Should he go? He wanted to find out more information on the Uchiha's and get to know Itachi better but he was not willing to involve himself with bullies like Neji and Sasuke. Although he could handle himself him just fine if that's what the elder Uchiha would be like, he wasn't interested in getting to know them.

No, what Neji said today was unacceptable and even if he could get past it what effort would it be for? To have a free dinner for the night? No thanks. Then he had a better thought; why not make something of the night? Changing directions to the Hokages office he felt a bit more rejuvenated.

After arriving there he went past all the office ladies who liked to stop people and have long chats with them about the 'ungodly amount of rain we've been having lately' and made his way to Tsunades office.

"Hello Shizune!" Naruto greeted happily. He had always liked her ever since he moved to the town, she fussed over him and always made him feel welcome.

Jumping around she smiled when she laid eyes on him. "Naruto! So good to see you!" She walked around the desk and pulled him into a hug. "How have you been? Goodness look at your shirt, do you own an iron?" She commented.

"Yes I do but I was in a rush this morning. Would you rather I be late to school?" Naruto said knowing she hated people being tardy. Her brow furrowed together.

"Oh my, no. You must do it the night before and hang it up. You know this, Naruto." He simple shook his head a smile on his face.

"Is Tsunade in?" Naruto asked, trying to get past her self care tips.

"Yes, she's just with someone right now but he should be out soon. And if I were you I'd move out of the way of the door."

"Why-" before he could ask the door flew open and an anger redhead stood on the other side, face red to match.

"You'll regret this, Tsunade. You've always had a soft spot for...." suddenly the redhead saw Naruto standing there looking shocked at the sheer volume the tall man was using. The redhead looked directly at Naruto, new anger filling his eyes. "...runts." The word impaled with a 'hiss' and Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"Don't talk to her like that!" Naruto exclaimed, throwing down his bag and turning his body to face the rude man. The taller looked Naruto up and down clearly sizing him up to take some rage out on.

"Is that Naruto!?" Tsunade asked unable to see the blond. "Get in here now! Sasori don't do something that will end you up with Ibiki!" Sasori's head whipped around to glare to the Hokage before he shoved past Naruto and left the office silently.

"Naruto you shouldn't talk to someone who's clearly angry like that. Miss Tsunade can handle herself." Shizune said worry clear in her voice. "You'll get yourself hurt." Naruto could tell he had upset the woman, he felt funny in his chest seeing the genuine concern for his welfare.

"I'm sorry, Shizune. But I can take care of myself." Naruto apologised robotically. Truthfully her concern made him uncomfortable, unused to receiving such a look of worry. Then there was the guilt for putting the look on her face.

"Get in here, Brat." Tsunade called. Naruto snapped out of thoughts, and saluted Shizune before walking in and closing the door behind him. "Why the hell are you here?" She asked knowing exactly why he was there.

"I need something to do." He wanted to get to the point and get out of here already, expel some extra energy.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair and thought for a moment. "Well we have very nice river walks, there's also a great little sushi bar down the road..." she patronised, a happy look on her face.

"C'mon don't be like that. I need a mission." Naruto said once again, a whine in his voice at being toyed with.

Tsunade studied him for a moment. "You wouldn't have to do the missions if you just agreed to a guardianship." She spoke while pulling out a folder with C rank missions.

"You know I don't want a guardian and no one around here wants a fox kid to look after. Besides it's only for a little while longer I'm even still classed as needing a guardian." He grumbled before seeing the folder. "Hey what the hell! I'm better than a C rank. Give me an A rank, or a B at least." He demanded angrily.

She shot him a just-as-angry look at the demand and he sank into the chair further. "You're a kid. You're not getting anything higher than a C." She said as if she had said it a thousand times. "Here." She passed him a small folder with a single slip of paper inside.

Having a moment to read it over the angry look was back. "Are you serious!"

"As a heart attack." She said not missing a single beat.

"'Escorting someone from the village over' who is it? A kitten?" He asked sarcastically.

She leaned toward eyes focused on him. "You will go on this mission. You might be interested to see the individuals name is blank for a reason, Naruto." Hearing there was something in her voice that said he would enjoy this, he re-read the document but it was all just too vague. His interest was piqued.

"Fine. But I swear if it's a kitten I'm gonna tell Shizune that you keep alcohol in your bottom drawer." He threatened.

"Stupid brat! Get out of my office." She shouted, confused at how he knew and annoyed he had found out.