Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Secret Love ❯ Akane ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: All original Naruto characters, settings, plot etc. are the property of Masashi Kishimoto. No copyright infringement is intended and I make no profit from this story.

　 … 　 Akane

It was strange. Waking up with someone next to me was strange, yet not completely unwelcome. Naruto had kept to his side of the bed and for that I was content. Glancing over I found him still asleep, and so let him be when I left for my long awaited shower. I’d never had a shower that good either, I could barely believe I’d slept in the condition I had for so long. On that note I had slept a good while hadn’t I? I’d slept from afternoon until night and then from night till morning…at least, from what I could tell by the light outside it was morning.

After staying under the cascade of water until I was perfectly cleansed I made a short trip to the kitchen and fixed myself breakfast; simple toast with butter would suffice. The house was strangely silent, especially since Naruto was asleep and even then he was rarely silent, often extremely loud. Deciding for once not to eat breakfast alone I was on my way back through when my sight fixed on the table - it was packed with foil-wrapped sandwiches. I frowned, contemplating what they were made for. I couldn’t imagine. Nevertheless I returned to the bedroom and climbed atop the covers. Usually I would never do this, lying in crumbs is incredibly uncomfortable - as I’d discovered thanks to Naruto - but since the sheets had to be cleaned anyway I figured a few crumbs would do little harm.

Looking to Naruto as he slept I was surprised to see him looking so normal. He tended to stretch himself out and fling his limbs into strange and awkward positions while he slept. It was okay on the bed but when on the couch this often resulted in him spending the night on the floor instead.

I wondered what would happen now? How would this turn in our…set up…affect our daily lives? Having never been intimate with anyone before I was unsure of what to expect. Since he had acted so casually the night before I presumed all would return to normal, yet how could it? How could it when I wanted this new development to continue? What if he didn’t want it to continue? What if it hadn’t been…good? It had been good for me…at the end, but what about him? I cursed the thought that he had not enjoyed it like I did, what would that mean? That I was bad at it? Or that we were both bad at it?

I cringed a little.

It probably meant I was the bad one. I’d never been bad at anything in my life. Second maybe, possibly even third, but never…bad. I frowned, Naruto hadn’t exactly been great himself. He’d definitely hurt me most of the time. It was only the very end that had been enjoyable, so I hardly thought he could talk of my performance.

Sighing, I peeled my gaze back to my half eaten toast, wondering what today would hold. Why were all those sandwiches sitting in the kitchen? They must have been for something, but for what? Was there something arranged for the bar that I was unaware of?

Ah, the bar. I had completely forgotten about it. Getting briskly out of bed I shed the dressing gown I had on and quickly pulled on more appropriate clothing for work. When I was about half way down the stairs I realized whoever had been scheduled to work today had probably been and gone by now…what as the time anyway? I hadn’t even checked. What was wrong with my thoughts this morning - I felt too groggy. It must have been due to sleeping longer than I was used to.

The bar looked the same as always. I checked things over hastily. Since I had not been working the day before I wanted to make sure everything was in order. I checked the small kitchen set and I checked all the tables were cleaned to my liking as well as the toilets. I checked that the floors had been cleaned and I checked that the dishes had been washed. I was actually surprised when I realized that all the necessaries had been done.

I frowned as I checked the till - almost pleased to be wrong when I saw that the money had not been counted and filed into the safe. Things were never completed correctly when I was not there. I set to work organizing the bills and coins, trying my hardest to finish quickly so that I could open the doors. I realized I would be alone today until Naruto woke. That meant I couldn’t even serve food - I may have been good at my job but I wasn’t that good.

And even when Naruto came to help me, he wouldn’t stay for long. He had a class in the afternoon. I considered the prospect of trying to contact Riki to come today, although I was sure it was his day off. For a fleeting moment I considered not opening the bar at all, we’d made a fair bit of money yesterday and we usually did make profit. Perhaps one day closed would do no harm? But then I realized how irresponsible I was acting and headed for the door. Half way there the knocking started. It was a good thing I was going in that direction anyway, perhaps it was an employee?

As I opened the door I was surprised to see Mai there, with Tessa beside her. Mai smiled at me and moved forward as if to come in. I let them pass me and closed the door behind them - surely they were here to see Naruto. I didn’t smile back, just waited for them before closing the door. I’d have to see what they wanted before opening the bar now. Part of me was relieved at this, the other was simply irritated.

“Hmm, what’re you doing up so early, Sasuke?” Mai enquired, a sparkle in her eye and a smirk on her lips. Her countenance annoyed me but before I could answer with the obvious answer Tessa interrupted. She yawned loudly and slouched where she stood, her arms crossed over her stomach and a scowl on her face. She looked like a spoilt child and behaved like one too. This was no surprise though, I had grown used to her infuriating antics by now.

“Argh, can’t we, like, just get this over with! I can’t believe you dragged me here so early on my day off! This is! Argh, like, so unfair!” I watched her squirm and stomp her foot, the scowl on her face deepening until she looked as though she’d cry. It wasn’t so early was it? I couldn’t believe I actually hadn’t checked the time. I’d presumed I was late, but perhaps I had been mistaken. Still, there was no need for such behaviour. We were adults, her included.

I felt a twitch in my lips when Mai kicked her in the shin. “We’re here for Naruto. We’re gonna help him set things up.” she said.

“Set what up?” I’d heard nothing of this. My mind instantly supplied an image of foil wrapped sandwiches. “Is this something to do with those sandwiches?”

Mai smiled, “Yeah, they’re for Mr Okido. He’s returning to the village earlier than they thought. Seems…something’s come up. Kippomaru agreed that we’d host the welcome back - party thing. We’ll, not us, just Naruto and you, I guess. But since we’re your friends we’re gonna help you.”

I grunted in acknowledgement. “Is he returning today?” When I received the nods I expected I headed upstairs, knowing they’d follow. And they did, with Tessa complaining the whole way. It really shouldn’t have been too early. Tessa was such a drama queen, honestly. If she was so upset she should just leave. I certainly didn’t want her there like that, she was annoying anyway.

I didn’t try to be quiet but somehow Mai guessed Naruto was still asleep. She knew the lazy dobe well enough by now. She didn’t give me a chance to speak before she went rushing into the bedroom to wake him up, slamming the door behind her, to my utmost irritation. I looked to Tessa and my temper flared further when I saw how annoyed she still appeared.

“If you don’t want to be here, get out.” I snapped at her. She looked at me silently, a vacant expression on her face for the first time that morning, before frowning again and lowering her eyes to the floor.

“No, I’ll stay” She said simply but seemed like she wanted to say more. Just as I was about to ask she beat me to it, obviously noticing my interest.

“If I go I probably won’t be able to come back until after…and I want to see…” I watched her for a moment, intrigued. But when she walked to the window and pulled the blinds, exposing the room to a brighter light and showing me how early it actually was, I realized she had no intention of continuing.

The day was almost blindingly light but as I’d previously expected it to be sunny, it was in fact not. I’d presumed it was late morning, by the brightness, but it seemed early, extremely early for mist like this. The mist here never stayed past seven in the morning but it usually indicated a rainy day. Those were few and far between here but when they did come they came hard. Probably a product of the horrendously hot temperature this place had. For a climate like this some rain was expected. I loved days like this. I was glad I wasn’t working today, I’d maybe take a walk later. After everything concerning Mr Okido’s return had passed.

That reminded me. “What Is it you want to see?” It couldn’t have simply been Mr. Okido. He was a well respected man, loved by the village and the people. Even the students from the complex adored him. I’m sure I was the only one who harbored a dislike for him, though even that had dwindled after seeing him in the village so long. He truly was a brilliant man. He had come across to me as naïve and jolly but in truth he simply wanted to show his village a good time, keep everyone happy and maintain the positive atmosphere that made the small island prosper.

He made frequent trips inland, visiting other villages of many type. He always brought something back from his travels and always made sure not to stay too long so that he could keep an eye on everything in Riera. To ensure that all was well with his home. He was a great man and a great ruler. I knew Naruto really looked up to him. I could now see why. As could everyone else.

However. That was not reason enough for Tessa to willingly get out of her warm bed so early in the morning. Perhaps there was something special about his return this time. It was earlier than expected so perhaps he had found something noteworthy on his journey? Or perhaps it was just this strange little town, so nice to everyone. Still, it didn’t seem like Tessa to do anything against her will, the selfish bitch that she was.

…I liked her really. Well, maybe like is too strong a word, I…appreciated her for what she was. Though I’m not very sure what that was but still, she was part of the group, though the only one I could really call annoying.

“Oh…nothing.” she said with disinterest. I knew she was lying, she’d sounded too curious earlier to have forgotten something. Now I was interested. I saw her send a look to the bedroom door, where Mai was, and knew they were hiding something. It probably wasn’t anything important though, since nothing of much interest happened here. Still, it wasn’t nice to be kept out of the loop. I’d grown used to being part of them, it wasn’t often they knew something I didn’t.

“So, like, let’s go get started. You know what them two are like. They might take long enough.” She was right, so I nodded and headed to the kitchen. Best to start with the basics since I wasn‘t sure what it was Kippomaru wanted us to do for Mr Okido. We’d need to take the food downstairs for starters, providing that the sandwiches were all the food we were to produce. For all I knew, perhaps we were expected to make cake.

So we started with the sandwiches, and since they were all wrapped in Clingfilm, it was easy enough. I could carry three plates myself, a product of working as a waiter, and Tessa took two. Together we’d managed to take most of the food down by the time Mai made it out of the bedroom with Naruto in tow. I stopped to ask what it was we needed to prepare and Tessa came up the stairs behind me to hear as well. She had woken up significantly by then and so was in a better humour.

“Well, I don’t really know,” Naruto said with a contemplative look on his face.

I snorted “How can you not know? Didn’t Kippomaru tell you what to do?”

At this Naruto frowned and crossed his arms; “Well, yeah, but he didn’t say anything much. Just to get the place ready for Okido-san coming back.” Naruto was the only one I knew who called Mr Okido that and every time I heard it I was further irritated.

Mai sighed, “Well, lets just get the place cleaned up, maybe rearrange the tables a bit so there’s more space.”

“We could put drinks in them container, like, things. You know, the ones you refill your glasses from at parties.” Tessa piped up from behind me.

“Mmm,” Naruto agreed “I think we’ve got a few of those downstairs. And we could have them on a long table by the wall with the sandwiches so whoever’s there can just help themselves.”

I nodded absentmindedly, my mind no longer on the topic. I followed everyone downstairs and helped with moving the furniture. Me and Naruto did that while the girls finished taking sandwiches downstairs and started filling jugs with drinks.

I couldn’t stop thinking about yesterday. About what we’d done and about how nothing seemed to have changed. He still laughed like normal, he still smiled like normal. He spoke to me the same way, looked at me the same way. What bothered me more was how much that bothered me. Did he not care? Was yesterday unimportant to him? And why did I care if he didn’t? Why was I not just happy that everything was as normal.

And what about the feeling? And the dream I’d had last night, the glimpse further into a dream that had been plaguing my sleep for years now. It was no wonder Naruto kept asking me why I was so quiet, I had too much on my mind to think about what they were all talking about.

Since when did I talk much anyway? Since when was my silence strange? Who was I becoming? Who had I already become?

I think it really struck me then. I’d slept with Naruto. I’d had sex with Naruto. It made me pause in my actions and Naruto asked me what was wrong when the table we’d been pushing stopped moving. I looked at him.

I really looked at him, properly, as if for the first time. I realized that while I still thought of him as I’d always done, still knew him as the dobe who made an idiot of himself at school, he was not that person any more. He was not a twelve year old failure, he was not a child, he was not what he had once been. He was an adult. He was growing up. I was eighteen, I was growing up too.

I started pushing the table back towards the wall, ignoring his questioning glances and focusing on my thoughts. If Naruto had changed, then I must have changed too. Obviously I had, I could already tell that, but how drastically? Drastically enough to have sex with someone, with Naruto. Enough to allow someone close to me like that, when I’d never considered it before.

I realized now how absolutely heart wrenchingly personal it all was. No matter how much I tried to tell myself that it was just convenient, that I was just satisfying my sexual needs, my hormones. I knew now that was not the case. This was personal, very personal. That was why I was so bothered, that was why Naruto’s acting normal bothered me. Because if he was acting normal then that meant it didn’t bother him, it wasn’t personal to him. And that hurt. That hurt, so much more than I’d ever admit.

I stopped thinking about that subject then, determined not to look into the reason why his disinterest would hurt me so badly, determined not to find out what the feeling really was. It was decidedly not anything I wanted to know. Some things are like that, better unknown. This was one of those things. So I stopped thinking of it, turning my attention back to the conversation Naruto was having with Mai, who was across the room. From what I could tell they were discussing a relationship.

“Well why don’t you tell him!” Mai spoke with a raised voice, displeasure clear in her voice.

“Well, why don’t you! It’s got nothing to do with me, or you either actually. It’s up to him whether or not he’s in love, and whether or not he’s happy.”

“But he does love Jose, he does. I don’t see why he’s being like this! Everyone knows how much they love each other.”

Tessa entered from through the back, a jug of water and a jug of juice in her hands. “I know, it’s, like, so annoying.”

“You’ve noticed this too, Tess?” Mai, queried, an expression I could only describe as intense on her face, this topic was not what I’d anticipated. Were Mika and Jose having difficulties in their relationship?

“Of course, who hasn’t?” I hadn’t.

“Well, I don’t think we should interfere,” Naruto said, “it’s up to him, nothing we say will change his mind - it’s his heart.” His words struck something inside me and I began to wish I’d never slept with him in the first place.

“But Naruto! He’s making a mistake, he’s being so stupid. Jose loves him more than anything. They’ve been together forever.”

“I agree,” Tess chirped in, her hand on her hip and no longer doing her job. “They’re so in love, anyone can see it. I can’t even remember a time before they got together.”

“I don’t think so.” He said, and even I looked to him in alarm. Surely Naruto didn’t mean that Mika and Jose did not love each other? I’d seen them together myself and was sure they were in love. They’ve been living together for over a year now as well, surely there could be no serious problems.

Naruto sighed. “Maybe they’re just having a few problems. But if they’re not and Mika does want out of the relationship, then it’s really up to him. He wouldn’t want out if he was in love, definitely not. And just because they’ve been together a long time, doesn’t mean they’re in love. Only Mika can know how he feels.

The room was quiet for a while, everyone returning to work, pushing tables and pouring juice. But Mika was on our minds, and the atmosphere was thick from the contrasting opinions. “Jose is in love with Mika”, I said. Nobody disagreed with me.

Kippomaru stopped by whilst we were working. After setting up the tables, the snacks and the drinks, we’d decided that it would be a good idea to give the place a clean, just to be sure everything looked good. Mr Okido had been to our bar/diner before, but it was a while ago now, definitely before I’d changed things round and actually made the place look presentable. I wanted it to look it’s best when he came and everyone agreed it was a good idea.

Of course I’d anticipated that Kippomaru would be round to check on things. We might have run the place like it was ours but at the end of the day he owned it.

“Hi-ya, lads and ladies.” he came in with. The girls jumped, not having realized he’d unlocked the door and let himself in. Naruto came straight out from under the bar - where he’d been polishing the stools and woodwork - and rushed up to the man.

“Kippo! We’re doin’ really well! Got all the stuff prepared!” He paused, “at least…I hope that’s all we’ve to prepare.” I smirked; dobe. “So we thought we’d give the place a good clean, have it sparkling for Okido-san coming back.”

Kippomaru chuckled and pulled Naruto into a hug, patting his head despite the blond’s struggles. “Heh, heh, that’s a lad. The boss’ll be coming here in a few hours, we think. You guys don’t have to slave over this place too much though, Daisuke don’t mind a bit o’ grub.” Daisuke, that was Mr Okido’s first name, I’d realized, however he was rarely called by that name, having earned such respect from the village. Only close friends called him that.

“Che, we’ve got nothing else to do anyways.” Naruto proclaimed as he pulled free from the giants arms.

“Hey! You might not have a life, but I do have other things to do!” Tessa flicked her hair and I had to stop myself from laughing - so she was back to this now was she?

“Aww, Tess, don’t be a grouch! I thought you wanted to help.” Naruto said, a sincere expression on his face, yet as soon as Tessa had her back his tongue was straight out at her.

Mai giggled; “You don’t mean that Tess, you’ve got things you want to see, don’t you? Or are you forgetting that little detail.”

I was prepared to smirk again at their antics, but when Tessa shot a quick glance at me - a serious one that I thought did not fit the discussion, and the room turned uncomfortably quiet, I noticed I was missing something. Upon further inspection I realized Tessa was not the only one checking my reaction. Kippomaru too was staring me straight in the face, almost expectantly.

“What is it?” I asked, only to have everyone’s attention snapped away when Sizzo came quickly through the door.

“Shit, Kippo.” Her voice was arrogant, as always, but I could tell by the speed and her tone that the news she had brought was important. “He’s here. Daisuke’s back. And so much earlier than expected. You‘d better be ready, he’ll be here soon.”

Great, looked like we wouldn’t manage to clean up as much as I’d hoped. I swept my eyes over the room, over the red leather couches, the matching chairs and bar stools. The dark mahogany tables and bar. From this angle I couldn’t see into the tiny kitchen, in the middle of the circular bar, but I was sure nobody else would be entering in there in any case. The floor was well swept and mopped, easy to clean since it was metal, only died to look wood. Which was far too easily stained, I’d decided. All in all the place looked fine, better than fine. It would be good. I was sure Mr Okido would be pleased. I had nothing to worry about.

Naruto on the other hand…we’ll the only word that could describe the look on his face was worried. I frowned, why was Naruto worried? What was going on? I would have asked but Naruto flashed me a reassuring smile and then we were on our way outside. Presumably to meet Mr Okido as he came to our bar. I knew I’d have my answers soon enough, but the secrets, the worried glances - it became clear to me that whatever was being hidden because I wouldn’t like it. But what could I possibly take such a major disliking to, something that would make everyone keep this to themselves…? I could think of nothing.

For the minutes we waited Naruto said very little. Mai, too, seemed nervous and agitated. I hoped I looked as calm as I felt. Whatever was going on, I was bound to dislike, but I’d told myself that it would be fine. Nothing too bad had happened in this small, peaceful village. I’d seen so much in my life, I told myself, nothing could possibly be that bad.

Except I wasn’t nearly as prepared as I’d thought, it seemed, when Mr Okido arrived. It seemed he had brought something on his travels, something remarkable indeed, something I definitely was unhappy about, something I never could have expected in a million years.

She had burgundy red hair in loose ringlets to her shoulders. She had grape green eyes. She had pale, milky skin. She had a light green cocktail dress on. She had matching green sandals on her tiny feet. She had a wary, untrusting expression, spiteful and angry and full of hatred. She was beautiful, she was amazing, the most dazzling creature I‘d laid eyes on. She was thirty seven inches in height. She was a baby, a child of about four. She was standing her ground beside Mr Okido, not long enough to reach his waist.

She was terrifying.

I said nothing as introductions were passed. I said nothing as the group entered the bar and sat and spoke and nibbled. I said nothing; I was rendered completely and utterly without a word. I knew what was about to happen and I was powerless to stop it, loath as I was at the thought of it.

I wanted more than ever to voice my opinion, my thoughts. Wanted so powerfully to express my anger at the unfairness and the injustice that was being done to me. Yet, I was unable to speak, unable to listen as the others spoke and spoke for an eternity.

I watched the child as all this happened, as the time passed and the day wore on.

She sat in a chair in the corner of the room, her tiny legs not long enough to reach the floor and dangling half way there. She stayed there the whole time, never moving, never looking at anyone. The expression on her face was hard to bear. It was one I’d only ever seen in a mirror.

I hated her, already I hated her. I did not want her near me, near anyone I knew. I despised Okido for bringing her here, bringing her into my home, my life. I wanted rid of her. I needed her gone, I could not stand another minute of her being here.

Before long it was dark and I realized as I finally tore my gaze from the girl that the discussions were no longer of democratic importance. Everyone here lounged about casually, sipping sake and nibbling on whatever food there was left.

The time had flown so quickly I could scarcely believe it was night. I started to move, slowly. My eyes searching desperately for Naruto. They found him by the door. I stumbled up to him and before I could make a fool of myself I was outside.

The air hit me like a kunai to the lungs. I gasped and fell to the ground, crawling to the wall where I sat numbly for a few minutes. I felt Naruto’s heat beside me but was helpless to the beating of my heart and the thrumming of rage in my veins.

I threw up shortly after that, though I remember little about it. What I do remember though, was when I came round from it. I was sitting again against the wall, this time around the corner of the building, where the night seemed so quiet, the woods only a few meters in front of me. The air was thick and warm, sticky with summer despite the rain I was sure had come and gone. I never did get that walk.

“I’m sorry Sasuke.” Naruto said. “They want us to take her.”

I still could not speak. There was no need to, I’d known this from the beginning. The moment I’d laid eyes on her, the minute I’d peered into her lifeless soul I’d known what she was, where she was from. She was from our world, the one I’d foolishly thought I could leave behind. She was from a ninja village. And she’d lost everything. She had no one. She was alone.

And these idiotic people thought they knew everything. Thought that because we were ninja - I thought not of how everyone had come to know that as it would only enrage me further - we should look after her, heal her like we were, teach her that her old life is not as good as this one. Make her forget pain.

They were fools, peasants, they did not understand. The look in her eyes would never disappear. The things she’d seen would be forever engraved in her mind. Seeing her every day would be the end of me. I hated them, I hated her, I hated Naruto. How could he agree to this? How could he? Did he not know? Was he unaware of how unbearable this would be for me? Was he that ignorant? Did he understand me so little? Or did he just not care?

“She has nothing Sasuke, and she’s only four.” I looked on ahead, breathing deeply. I had nothing.

“She just needs a home, Sasuke. A family.” I had no family.

“We could give her that. We could help her.” I’d had no help.

“Please, I want this Sasuke. It would be good for us both.” It would kill me.

There were so many reasons why we could not harbour a child in our home. So many different reasons, reasons I wanted to voice. Reasons I needed to put forward, but still I could not talk.

I heard when everyone left, but neither of us rose. Naruto sat with me for as long as I could remember. And when I woke the next morning I was in bed, Naruto’s arms around me and images of an angelic little girl with burgundy hair and apple eyes staring at me with that torn, bleeding expression.

　 … 　

To be continued.

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