20Chapter 4: Second Scar
(Naruto's Apartment)
Naruto was forced to wait until hours after school ended, his ribs were killing him from how sore and bruised they were, and when he was finally seen by the academy med-nin, she just glanced at him and sent him home saying he was fine. So Naruto was slowly making his way home, his ribs aching. Although he couldn't quite tell, he had a feeling that Anko was feeling down due to his injuries. "Don't worry Anko-chan. I'm used to stuff like this," Anko hissed angrily at that revelation.
He eventually made it home, he started to walk up the stairs to his apartment, "good evening Naruto. Did you have a good day?" It was Madame Moon.
Naruto turned to her with a false smile, "another good day of learning. I'm a bit sore from training so I think I'm gonna sleep early, so night Madame Moon!" Naruto started back up the steps again slowly until he got inside.
Madame Moon sighed, having noticed the fake smile and how he favored his ribs. "Oh Naruto, you deserve so much better than this," she said to herself, sighing. Inside, Naruto collapsed on his bed, not even bothering to do his homework or feed himself. He fell asleep almost immediately as Anko exited his sleeve and curled next to his head on the pillow. The two of them fell asleep like that.
o00o00o
(Academy)
It had been most of the school year gone by, Naruto kept trying his best but he was having trouble with school thanks to Hachi and his band of bullies. Today, they were complaining loudly about a certain blonde and his little pet. "I can't wait to bash that snake on some rocks for biting me," Hachi growled, "I'll make sure that fucking blonde loser watches." The rest of the bullies all laughed at that. Naruto then walked into the classroom. It was just the four of them. Hachi was the first to make a move and he grabbed Naruto by the front of his shirt. "Lookie here you loser, if you don't want to get beat bloody, then bring out that damned snake of yours," Hachi sneered at Naruto.
Naruto threw out a single jab and hit him in his nose. Hachi screamed out in rage and Naruto continued to attack him. Soon the classroom door opened as more students started to appear. Hachi's friends had gotten Naruto off of Hachi and were holding him down as Hachi kicked him in the already bruised but healing ribs. The first students walking were stunned and did nothing but watch Naruto get beat. Kiba then walked in. "Hey! What are you doing?" Kiba rushed one of the boys holding Naruto down. Shikamaru and Choji soon showed up and seeing the fight and Naruto still struggling to protect himself, Choji rushed in and knocked off the other bully holding Naruto down while Shikamaru ran to get a sensei. Now free, Naruto was able to kick Hachi off of him.
Iruka soon appeared and called for a stop using his Big Head Jutsu. "Now, can someone tell me what is going on here?!"
Kiba was the first to speak, "I came in the class and these three were ganging up on Naruto!"
"He attacked first!" Hachi blamed Naruto while his cohorts agreed.
Naruto had to be held back as he was blinded by rage. "He wanted to hurt Anko-chan! Anko-chan didn't do nothing, dattebayo!" He still struggled against Iruka, battered and bloody, crying his eyes out. "He wanted to h-h-hurt m-m-my fr-friend-d." Naruto collapsed to the ground in Iruka's arms and was bawling.
0oo00oo0
(Hokage's Office)
Naruto sat sniffling outside the Hokage office as an Anbu in a cat mask and purple hair sat next to him, healing his bruises and broken nose. The door to the office was closed and a bunch of squiggles and words were covering the door. Madame Moon walked into the lobby with an albino snake wrapped around her arm. "Anko-chan!" Neko stiffened at that name, whipped her head towards where the boy was looking, her hair accidentally whacking Naruto in the head. Seeing Moon with the snake an audible sigh left her and all the tension and hope at hearing that name left her body.
Madame Moon walked gracefully up to Naruto, whose tears were still streaming as he gathered Anko in his arms. Moon gathered Naruto into her arms and hugged him. "Everything will be okay, Naruto-kun. It will be okay." Naruto sobbed into her bosom and a white snake slithered to his head. Neko couldn't be quite sure, but the albino snake seemed to have winked at her before curling further around Naruto. She shook her head at that, believing it must have been some trick of the light, or her being tired from pulling double shifts for the last two weeks.
Eventually, thanks to Madame Moon and Anko, Naruto calmed down. At that time, the door to the Hokage's office stopped having the squiggles on it and then opened. Out came Kiba, Tsume, Shikamaru, Shikaku, Choji, Choza, Hachi, his friends, and their parents. They left, though Tsume and Kiba gave the bullies major stink eyes, Hachi glared at Naruto, the parents and friends cringed in fear of Tsume's hate filled gaze. The other clan heads seemed neutral, though Choza gave a quick look of pity at Naruto that he missed. As the others left, Madame Moon carried Naruto into the Hokage's office. He was awake, but emotionally exhausted. "Hello Naruto-kun. I understand this day wasn't a good one," Hiruzen stated kindly, "but I need your own view on this situation. Please tell me what happened."
Naruto nodded in a subdued manner. He sniffled only a bit and rubbed his eyes tiredly. Despite having joined the academy, Naruto was still only 6 years old, and with Moon babying him like she was, he couldn't help but show his childish side during a time of massive stress. "I left for school early this morning, left Anko-chan behind because I had a bad feeling, then I got to class, and only Hachi and Fujo and Akio were there, and I was grabbed by Hachi who wanted me to bring out Anko-chan so he can hurt him, and I think I hit him really hard because I was really angry, a-a-and I don't remember much after that, but I think his friends held me down while he kept hurting me."
Hiruzen puffed his tobacco pipe and 'hmmed.' Madame Moon was patting his back as she cooed to him, telling him it will be alright. "Thank you Naruto," the Hokage finally made a decision, "due to your testimony, Choji's, Kiba's, and Shikamaru's, I think we have enough evidence to expel Hachi, Akio, and Fujo from the ninja program for their actions. Konoha has no need for forces willing to harm their own comrades or induce fights within the ranks over such childish reasons." Hiruzen sighed before saying, "you will be taking a few days off from the academy, so you can calm down and heal." Since it was Thursday, that meant he'd have four days to relax hopefully.
Naruto was suddenly wide awake at that, his exhaustion temporarily forgotten. "What!?" he didn't want to miss out, especially since he was having trouble with some of the portions of the curriculum, especially the history, taijutsu, bukijutsu, and physics portions. "I can't do that jiji! I have subjects I need to practice!"
"I'm sorry Naruto, but you need to have a few days to relax," Hiruzen said kindly, "just spend time with your Anko-chan there. I'll give you a scroll for taijutsu and shurikenjutsu lessons so you can practice at home." Naruto nodded in acquiescence at that. "Hopefully, your academy years will be better without those three there. Though I would advise leaving your snake at home during school days, for its own safety." Naruto nodded to that, though the albino rat snake looked unhappy with that as she was laying across his shoulders now.
It made sense to leave behind Anko so that she wouldn't be in danger, like with Hinata. Naruto remembered Hinata and started to leak a bit of water from his eyes at her memory. "I'm tired, jiji. Can I go home?" As if to prove his point, Naruto yawned widely.
"Yes Naruto-kun, you and your Anko-chan can go home. Madame Moon is here to escort you." Hiruzen patted Naruto's head before saying goodnight.
0oo0oo0
(Naruto's Burrow)
It has been a few weeks after the incident, and it was the end of the academy year. Naruto sat in the clearing in front of his first pet's grave. The large stone, smoothed flat from the nearby river, marked the grave of Hinata the Rabbit, Naruto's first friend. Anko was lying lazily in a nest in the nearby tree, having eaten the nest's inhabiting birds. Naruto himself was full of fish and vegetables from the nearby river and garden patch. A bowl of water and another bowl of veggies was set in front of the grave stone. 'I'm glad Teuchi jiji told me about this ritual when I asked what that area in the back was for. It sucks that Ayame lost her mother.' Naruto was lost in his thoughts.
It was a lazy day for him. He enjoyed the filtered sun from the canopy above. The light seemed to get brighter as he was dozing, and in a beam of light, a balding man dressed in monks robes seemed to walk out from the foliage into the light, as if Kami herself was announcing the arrival of one of her tenshi. To Naruto though it would seem more like a seijin has stumbled upon his burrow. He sat up when he heard the rustle of the foliage and saw the old holy man. "Hey Seijin-jiji, you lost or something?"
The old monk chuckled at that, "no little gaki, I'm never lost, simply delayed on the journey to my destination." He came over and squatted down next to the sitting Naruto. "How about you, youngster? Are you lost?" The old man sat his monk's spade into the ground so it stood straight up while he talked to the young whiskered blonde.
"Nah, I'm actually at my destination," Naruto said as he looked forlornly at Hinata's grave. "Though I feel lost," Naruto mumbled.
The monk put a hand on his hand, "not every journey needs a destination. Sometimes the best journeys are those with an unplanned beginning and end." He smiles reassuringly at him. "Just remember this: the journey of life is short, and its destination is just another journey." Naruto looked a bit confused at the man as he chuckled before clarifying, "Death isn't the end, young one, but a new beginning. So mourn, if you must, but also celebrate their memory and wish them luck on their next big adventure."
Naruto's bangs shaded his eyes as he thought about what the wiseman said. "You're right," Naruto lifted his head to meet the gaze of the old monk with a small smile on his face, "I should remember the good times I had with my first friend everyday! I shouldn't forget that she's in a better place either, running in the fields with other rabbits!" Naruto was feeling better thinking how happy Hinata was with an infinite field to run around in the Pure Lands.
"That's the spirit! Now," the monk grunted as he stood up, lifting his spade out of the ground, "I must continue on with my journey." He started to walk in a random direction a couple of steps until he stopped, remembering something, "oh, and what's your name younging? Mine's Michael"
Naruto gave his name, "Name's Naruto Uzumaki, next Hokage! Believe it!" Michael chuckled as he walked to the edge of the clearing, passing through another beam of light, seemingly disappearing into it. Naruto blinked. Then shrugged it off, muttering thanks and feeling a little bit less lost in life.
0oo0oo0
(Random Park)
It was the end of the year, a few days after Naruto's encounter with the old monk, Michael, and Naruto had tried his best to complete his school work. His grades were middle of the pack at best. Average in most things, excelling in physical education, survival training, and math of all things. Though he still struggled in physics and history, only raising his grades above failing thanks to Madame Moon's girls helping him.
However, while Naruto was in the academy learning to be a shinobi, Hachi was in an empty park, swinging on a swing by himself, still seething at being kicked from the shinobi program. A child around the same age with a malicious gleam in his eyes approached him before sitting on the other swing next to him. "I've seen you at the academy. Why are you not in class? Did you quit because you were scared?"
Hachi gripped the swing chain tightly, rage clear on his face. "Shut up! I was kicked out unfairly!" he said with vitriol. Hachi then started to mumble, "stupid Uzumaki. Stupid snake."
The kid noticed this, asking, "I see. Perhaps you should get back at him for getting you kicked out?"
A look of distaste came across Hachi's face, "man I would love to."
"Then why don't you trash his apartment while he's at school?"
The idea struck Hachi like lightning, 'man, why didn't I think of that?' "That's a great idea, thanks!" He bolted off the swing running in the direction of Naruto's apartment.
The kid, pale faced and perpetually neutral, spoke seemingly to himself, "mission accomplished. You have ten minutes to distract the guards." Two shadows left the park.
0oo0oo0
(Naruto's Apartment)
Naruto was happy, truly happy. No one bullied him today, the villagers had kept their glares and mutterings to a minimum today, and he felt like he did better than he expected this past year in the academy. The best part of the day was coming because one of the girls next door at Madame Moon's place promised to bring him and Anko to Ichiraku's, a ramen food stall he fell in love with when they gave him a free bowl of miso ramen when he was passing by during a rainstorm on his way back from the library. The only thing to make his day better was to go home and play with his little snake. Naruto stopped and giggled at that unintended euphemism he made in his head.
As he rounded the corner he saw the building next to his apartment complex was a complete wreck. Graffiti, broken windows, and blackened spots from what looked to be fire damage adorned the sinful house. He rushed over to where Madame Moon was ordering people around to put out the remaining fires. "Madame Moon what happened?"
"Naruto! It's not safe over here. Let me take you up to your apartment." She halted Naruto from coming closer and tried to guide him back towards the apartments so he wouldn't see the graffiti. Unfortunately Naruto got a glimpse and read one of the heinous messages on the semi-burnt wall.
"'Demon whores die?' Why they calling you demon whores?" Naruto had a sinking feeling he already knew the answer, "you guys aren't demon whore, you're good whores!"
Moon, despite herself, couldn't help but chortle, "yes Naruto, we're good whores. It was just a mob of angry wives and girlfriends that were jealous that we pleased their men better than they could."
Naruto giggled at that. "Maybe instead of trying to burn the place down, they should pay you guys to teach them proper." Despite everything, Moon and her girl's influence were definitely, and slowly, corrupting poor Naruto. He was definitely caught peeking more than one time in the rooms and the local stores that hate him definitely seemed to have their girlie magazines go missing. A week after being corrupted by the girls was all it took for him to become a little menace in the making. Madame Moon laughed at that thought and at his statement.
They reached the door. "Well, have a good night Naruto." She gave him a kiss on the forehead and turned to leave as Naruto got his key into the door to unlock it.
"Wait…" Madame Moon halted one foot on the steps. Naruto's key went in the lock but when he went to unlock it, it already was. "Madame Moon," Naruto whispered, "someone's been here." Madame Moon was next to Naruto in an instant. "I know for sure I locked my door before I left this morning." Madame Moon whistled. Two girls in ANBU uniform appeared on the flanks of the two. Naruto was pulled away gently from the front door and behind the three ladies as Moon quietly, yet swiftly opened the door. The ANBU on her right went in first, followed by Moon while the third stayed next to Naruto.
"Clear." Mere moments later, Naruto was allowed to enter his home. What he saw shocked him. His home was fully trashed, with glass everywhere, his dishes smashed, his furniture slashed, and on the floor, a bloody smear that was once Anko. He saw this, and knew instantly. Images of Hinata's dying rabbit form flashed through his head, his breathing quickened and his eyes grew wet as he let loose a screaming sob. He lost another friend. He lost another friend and he knew somehow it was his fault. His fault by merely existing.
For the rest of the night he was a sobbing wreck. Madame Moon stayed with him through it all. The next day, a new grave was added next to the one for his first friend. Leaves fell from the trees, Naruto fell to his knees, and the world continued to turn.