The Life of Ki (Naruto Fanfic)

A Day On The Docks

YOU WONT UNDERSTAND THE MEME UNTIL THE END.

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I arrive back at Tazuna's house from the woods in one piece, although i'm truly on the verge of starvation at this point.

Just as I take a seat on the front steps to remove my muddy shoes, I hear bickering coming from behind the house.

"Believe it, Sasuke. It's one thing if Ki and Sakura beat me to the top of the tree, but I won't lose to you! This is just a break to restore energy!" Naruto's distinctive voice rings out from around the corner.

I suspect the two have decided to take a break for dinner. As they bend the corner I nod a silent greeting before ducking inside to grab a good seat at the table.

Me, Sasuke, and Naruto get back inside just in time for dinner. Naruto takes a seat next to me at the dinner table and I begin wharfing down food.

Not only am I starving, but it's a great way to restore energy, and I'll need all I can get if I plan on being able to function tomorrow.

I continue eating until I feel like i'm going to throw up, and Sasuke and Naruto finish not long after I do. Soon, everyone is done eating, and I lean back in my chair happily full.

Tsunami sets a glass of green tea in front of me, and I hold it in my hands.

"Thank you." I say genuinely. The steaming mug warms my hands and relaxes my aching belly.

At the far end of the kitchen, Sakura stands by the wall looking at a torn photograph. The picture appears to be of Tazuna's family (Tsunami, Tazuna, and Inari), but it seems as though a person was torn out of the picture.

"Excuse me," Sakura calls over from the other end of the room. "Why is this picture torn?" She asks Tsunami politely.

Everyone in the room freezes, and I watch as Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari all hang their heads. Kakashi sighs deeply at Sakura, clearly irritated that she would ask about what is clearly intended to be forgotten.

I shift uncomfortably in my chair.

"It's my husband." Tsunami explains without turning around.

Tazuna looks to his hands and elaborates. "He was once called hero of this town."

Inari jumps out of his chair at the dining table and rushes out of the room. Tsunami shoots a dirty look at Tazuna before chasing after her son.

Tazuna continues in his story. "Back when that man was still around, Inari used to smile like a child should."

"Who was he?" I ask gently, trying not to prod too far into a touchy subject.

Tazuna clenches his fist, and tears begin to run down his face.

"The man's name was Kaiza, and he was a fisherman of this town. I believe Inari took to him because he lost his real father at a very young age. It didn't take long for Kaiza to become a member of the family. And the town needed him too. Countless times he repaired the town dam, saving all the houses and people that would have been drowned."

"He sounded like a great person." I smile sadly as I acknowledge this tale is about to take a depressing turn.

"He was an amazing man." Tazuna gives me a small smile.

"When Gato came to town, though, they beat Kaiza to a pulp, breaking both of his arms, simply to send a message to the townspeople. Later...Kaiza was executed right in front of Inari's eyes. Ever since that day, Inari has felt betrayed by his father. He believes that Kaiza gave up on the people of the town, and that he failed at protecting the town from Gato. The whole town has changed since those days..." Tazuna muses.