An Inconsequential Secret (MadaNaru)

Chapter 3: Tours & Ramen

Madara knew simply by understanding rank that Naruto would live in a home of low quality. That is, one of a genin standard, that did not define as a place stationed within the poorest district of the village with a crumbling ceiling and molding walls. Yet, as he walked the stairwell and watched the railing beside them crookedly sway at his touch, rusted beneath his fingertips, his disposition as to the quality of Konoha tilted slightly. Naruto even shoved his body against his own door after having unlocked it, exposing a place obviously only designated for one person, cramping walls, with the only other room being the washroom -it was an odd comparison, but Madara could easily find several similarities to the apartement and the olden settlement huts his clans had used while moving locales.- A futon rested in the corner, small and worn Madara doubted it had ever been changed within the boy's lifespan. In general appearance, the Uchiha concluded the home would be root within one season cycle; supported by the cracking floorboard underneath his foot. His opinion was not aided by the low cast ceiling and the fact his head had to duck in order to fit within the minor space the house afforded him.

Irritation already affecting him, his glare set on the nervous, smiling, boy -supposedly- counting rations inside his cupboard. Indigo irises flickered up and met with his within a second, though the same uncertain grin remained on the tanned face, if slightly crooked. Naruto finally spoke, though Madara noticed, only after having cast his eyes away from his own. "Its... Better then it looks?" Formed as a statement, the sentence came off as a question of judgement. Madara knew little of the child before him, but he held the hope that the boy would hold enough intellect to have bought another residence.

"Yet, you have not moved." This time it was he who bore a glare. Madara felt no malice from the gaze, nor did a hesitation form within him.

"I don't earn enough to be able too alright?! I get enough for this place- and sometimes food, thats it!" It was then that the Uchiha paused. Suddenly finding an understanding to the situation, however, questioning the reasoning or logic therein, the former founder saw no reasoning for forcing a child to live in a decrepid home with minimal ryo for food or rent, especially while working under genin rank.

The anger fueling Naruto's scowl dissipated, and Madara watched as the blonde lost any will to fight or argue with him. "I just can't... If I could, then- but they won't let me." It was a mumble which he spoke, but the room was entirely quiet and Madara heard it as a yell over him. The veteran did not know who the 'they' implicated was, but he did assume it would be a form of the governmental system which the Nidaime Hokage had devised. Madara, as a previous leader; could not understand the particular interest the village seemed to hold in the Uzumaki, as his knowledge held, there appeared to be nothing worth detesting and though rather biasly based on his own morality he did assume that the child hadn't violated any Konoha law -at least not severe enough to warrant such ostracization.

His lack of understanding came forth;"Why? What did you do?" Before him, unexpectedly, Naruto went limp; his head dropped his arms swayed at his sides, his shoulders sagged. And though he hardly felt anything but vague -primal- attraction to the boy, instinct came upon the Uchiha quickly and an anxious concern developed at the display.

"I was born." Another mumble, but he could barely hear the words, though he was slightly relieved when the blonde's head moved slightly. The answer, gave nothing, and Madara just found another question elevating the pile he already harboured for his new bond. The silence around them stretched on and neither moved for several minutes of self contemplation.

Finally it was the brightest of the couple who broke the choking, depressful atmosphere. Jerking upwards from his limp positioning, and completely regaining himself into a spirited individual, smiling fully and motioning energetically to the lone futon on the wall.