The Fox Spirit and The God of Yin

Ch.16 People Pleasing

After that day Naruto was allowed to start light training. Learning basic forms, internal breathing, and techniques, never overdoing it. Madara trained him personally and had forbidden any spars or serious combat.

Which was considerate, Naruto guessed. 

He was still covered in bandages. His burns stings when he moved his joints too much. Naruto forced himself some days, not wanting to stay weak. Sasuke seemed to be watching his mouth and ignoring Naruto on sight.

It was fine. It was probably better this way.

But these bandages.

Naruto hasn't looked himself in the mirror since the day he got them. He didn't want to.

Naruto didn't know what monstrosity laid behind those bandages and he wasn't ready to find out. He asked that all mirrors in his room were covered and he avoided looking at reflective surfaces even for a moment.  

Naruto was unable to wash himself, so the job fell to Shisui. His burns were still fresh and if done too rough they would start to peel. Thankfully Shisui was gentle and delicate when washing him.

The first time Naruto saw Shisui's reaction, he knew it was bad. Albeit Shisui got used to seeing the burns and grew accustomed to treating them and applying ointments. 

Naruto wanted to ask if there was a way to completely heal himself but he already came up with the answer that a person with healing abilities such as himself would have to do it. Healing abilities are more prominent with the Yang descendants. So his parents would find out somehow. Since his father was also a descendent of Yang he would probably have some connections to people around Hashirama. He didn't think his majesty, Hashirama would come to treat him without someone finding out. Naruto wasn't so sure if he wanted his parents to know yet.

It's because of his stupid people-pleasing problem.

If he could just ask and talk to them then he wouldn't have to cower in fear when spotting something that could pass as a reflective surface. This could all be easily solved. Madara wasn't doing anything cause he didn't have Naruto's consent.

What is wrong with everyone?

——————

The day finally came was Naruto wanted to face himself and look at his reflection. He stood in front of the covered mirror building up the courage to yank the cotton sheet off.

Naruto couldn't have looked that bad. He would still look like himself, right?

Naruto took a deep breath undoing the bandages the covered his face and body. Letting the loose around his neck and some fall on the floor. He didn't want to look down yet wanting everything to be a surprise.

Otherwise, he was sure that he would back out of it. 

Naruto's room had moved to the one closest to Madara's in case of emergencies. So if anything went wrong all he had to do was call him and everything will be okay.

Maybe he was relying on Madara too much. That's not true only a little bit. Nothing compared to how he was with Sakura or his deceased guardians. 

Naruto shook his head. This was no time to be distracting himself.

Without any thought, he pulled down the sheet and looked directly in the mirror.

Who.....

Who are you? 

Naruto stared in disbelief. Who in the world is that? That's not him. That couldn't be!