My Brother's a Jinchūriki!

Chapter Forty-Six- The Weapons Known as Shinobi

Inari ran quickly with his breathing heavy as he furrowed his brows. "Naruto-niichan and the others are out there fighting! We should be, too!"

He stopped in front of a small house, catching his breath momentarily before he banged on the front door a few times.

"Old man! Old man Giichi! Please open up!" He stopped knocking and rested his hand on the door. "Let's go to the bridge! If we all do it together, we can beat Gato and his men this time!"

Inari reached for the knob and drew his hand back as it turned slowly but did not open.

"Inari..." A trembling voice came from beyond the door. "I made up my mind not to fight anymore. Even your father... The man we hailed as a hero... he's not here with us anymore."

Inari lowered his eyes and clenched his fists.

"If we were to fight, many lives would be lost. I don't want to lose something that's special to me anymore." The old man continued. "No one wants to regret anymore."

The boy tightened his fists. "I... I don't want to regret anymore, either. That's why we have to fight!" He paused and took a step closer to the door. "I love mommy and Grandpa. And you, too, Old man Giichi! I love all the people here!"

He watched the knob hopefully, but it did not wiggle and he was only met with silence. 

"I finally realized... nothing is accomplished if I just cry all the time! I finally got it!" Inari turned from the house and ran off, moving along to another house.

----

The old man stood with his back pressed against the door, his eyes shut tightly as he cried quietly.

"Inari has grown into a fine young man." An old woman commented as she sat as a low table and knitted. "Will you just let Inari go there by himself?"

The man opened his eyes slowly and stared down at his trembling hands.

----

"Open up" Inari banged on different doors, continuing to move from house-to-house. "Hey! I'm asking you to fight with me!" He ran to another home, striking the door hard with his fist. "Old man! Please listen to me!"

Inari paused to catch his breath, which was ragged. His expression fell as he turned and looked around at all the homes he had already been to and received no answer.

"Why...? Why won't anyone open the door to me?" He stared down at the ground, closing his eyes for a moment as he thought back to Naruto's encouragement. "Naruto-niichan..."

He took off running down the pier, continuing to find other houses to try.

----

"Naruto, please kill me." Haku stepped toward the blond slowly. "Why are you hesitating? Just make it quick."

Naruto stepped back and trembled slightly as he stared in wild confusion. "No! I just don't get it! The only reason you are allowed to live is because you stay strong?!" He paused and Haku's empty expression remained unchanged. "There must be something other than just fighting... There must be some other way for you to make the others accept you!"

"Do you remember when we met in the forest? Do you know what I thought?" Haku paused. "That you and I are very much alike."

Naruto's eyes widened and a chill rushed through his body.

"I'm sure you can relate to me." Haku continued. "I apologize for dirtying your hands with my blood."

Is that it...?" Naruto spoke with his voice quiet. "Is there really no other way?"