Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Slow dancing in a burning room ❯ Chapter 2

Well, enjoy the story…

 

 

 

{January 18, 2008}

 

Chapter 2:

 

 

[Oi, gaki. It is now five in the morning. You and Haruhi should be departing.]

 

`Mmm…five more minutes Kyuubi,' came the mumbled thought.

 

The demon fox growled in irritation. He spoke through Naruto to Haruhi.

 

[Haruhi. It is time for you to get ready. Wake up that lazy excuse of a father as well.]

 

“Hmm…(yawn). Hai, Kyuubi-sama,” answered the girl respectfully, a pale fist rubbing her eye. “Chichiue, wake up.” She pulled the covers back and shook her father's shoulder.

 

“Hmm…(yawn). Haruhi?” Confused cerulean eyes opened to meet a pair of half-lidded azure ones. “I'm up, I'm up.” He yawned and stretched for a few moments. Haruhi had already left the room to use the bathroom.

 

Naruto looked out at the dark purplish sky. Heaving another sigh, he preceded to make the bed. On his way to the bathroom to relieve himself, he bumped into his daughter.

 

“Go ahead and change your clothes, Haruhi. I'll meet you downstairs for a quick breakfast,” mumbled the fox vessel.

 

Half an hour later, the pair was ready to go. Naruto was dressed in a pair of black cargo pants with a navy blue t-shirt. A black bandana covered most of his spiky blond hair. He used a concealer for his whisker marks and brown contacts for his eyes.

 

This was how he always left the house. This way he would not have to rely on his chakra to alter his image, which a decent shinobi could detect. He hardly ever wore orange and he stayed clear of ramen stands. He went around town with an alias, Hiro. He worked as a deliveryman for local businesses. He traveled around the Wave country this way, but not too often and not too far. He preferred not to leave Haruhi by herself. In the past, he helped Tazuna-san with various construction jobs. The completed `Naruto' bridge brought money and business into their once dying village. So now their humble seaside town was a beautiful, quiet place with remodeled buildings and happy people.

 

Naruto carried a simple backpack with necessities for a two-day trip to the large, bustling port town a few miles south of their small village. Haruhi was wearing a pink pair of pants with matching haori and a blue sleeveless shirt underneath. She parted her hair in two low ponytails and wore her father's necklace, which was tucked in her haori. The necklace, which originally belonged to the Shodaime, was a gift from the Godaime, earned for successfully learning the Rasengan in a week. Haruhi carried a pink shoulder bag for the trip. What was inside? Probably a small library.

 

The pair quietly left the house and walked across the deck. The morning mist was thick. A gentle lapping sound from the ocean could be heard. The quiet morning was punctuated with the sounds of various insects and a couple of birds. Haruhi and her father walked along the main road through the center of town. There were already a few villagers out and about, ready to start a new day at work. They quickly left the town limits. Naruto was walking briskly, hands in his pockets, and azure eyes stealing glances at his daughter. The child was currently reading a book while keeping pace next to her father.

 

“Umm, Haruhi. You know, we can make it to town faster if I run with you on my back,” suggested Naruto looking sideways at his daughter with hopeful eyes. Haruhi stopped in her tracks and considered her father's suggestion. “You used to ride on my shoulders all the time,” added her father.

 

“But…” the girl started but stopped. She was going to say something along the lines of her not being a child anymore, but seven years was not much to attest to.

 

Sensing her acceptance, Naruto shrugged off his pack, moved it to his front, and knelt down on the ground. Haruhi put her book back in her bag and shifted it so that it lay on her back. She climbed on her father's back with her arms gripping his shoulders. Wrapping her legs around his waist as he stood up, she whispered, “Okay. I'm ready.”

 

With that, Naruto securely held her legs and was off. He ran down the path easily despite the added weight. The fog was still present but did not hinder Naruto's Kyuubi-enhanced vision. When Haruhi told her father to go faster, he smirked and channeled chakra to his feet. The speed in which he traveled had the trees rushing by in a blur of greens and browns. Haruhi could not help it. Rushing through the forest with the wind blowing on her face; it was exhilarating. She threw her arms out in the air and laughed, her hair whipping about in the wind.

 

The father-daughter duo reached the port city in record time; about four hours. The large town was a tourist hotspot known for its seaside location, luxurious hotels, diverse shopping district, and upscale housing. The city was not larger than Konohagakure, but it was busier and wealthier. Haruhi and her father took trips here at least four times a year. They loved to try the variety of foods available, play games, and shop. Haruhi always got a gift for Tsunami-san and Inari.

 

“Chichiue. You can let me down now. I'll walk.”

 

Naruto reluctantly kneeled down and allowed his daughter to get off. He replaced his bag on his back and looked down at his daughter. She was currently straightening her outfit, having already slid her pack against her hip. She retrieved a small pink comb to run through her ponytails. Naruto smiled at her. All the pink items, well most of them, were compliments of Tsunami-san. She felt the need to balance the ninja training and outdoor play with her father with more `girly' aspects. Naruto gladly left that responsibility up to Tsunami-san.

 

Haruhi placed her comb in her bag and smiled up at her father. He grabbed her hand and made his way toward the inn that they would be staying at. Naruto glanced out of the corner of his eyes at his daughter. Her expression and demeanor could be described as calm if not for the excitement evident in her azure eyes. Naruto snorted, drawing the questioning gaze of his daughter. He just shook his head and returned his gaze to the city. He discretely studied their surroundings for any signs of danger or undue interest in them. He observed the people and looked down alleyways for anything suspicious. His Kyuubi-enhanced senses were on alert. It was easier to blend in a busy city such as this, which was both good and bad for them.

 

They reached the inn a few minutes later and checked into their reserved room on the third floor. Naruto did a quick but thorough inspection of the room. Finding nothing amiss, they set their bags down and cleaned up from their trip. The room was light and airy with warm colors and simple but comfortable furnishings. A large window overlooked the park below. The hotels by the sea were pricey, but they did not mind the loss, seeing as they lived by the ocean. Naruto removed his wallet from his bag. He had given his frog wallet, Gama-chan, to Haruhi a few years back, in favor of a more adult and plain-looking wallet.

 

“Are you hungry, Haruhi? They are still serving breakfast.”

 

“Just a little, maybe a pastry.”

 

“Hmm, okay.”

 

They left the inn and headed to the park around the corner. There was always a trailer serving a small selection of delicious pastries there. The sound of birds, a few dogs, and laughing children met their ears. The trees created a nice shade for relaxing from the sun. A playground with a slide and a set of swings was also present. Spotting the trailer, they made their way over.

 

“Ohayo,” came the general greeting.

 

“Ohayo,” they answered back.

 

“What would you like, miss?” asked the baker.

 

“May I have the sweet pastry with fresh strawberries?” requested Haruhi.

 

“Anything for the pretty little lady. And for you sir?"

 

“Umm,…what she said.”

 

Naruto paid the man and they took their pastries with them to the fountain. They ate in companionable silence. Haruhi finished her pastry quickly and balled up her trash. Naruto ate three-fourths of the pastry before handing it over to his daughter. She would never order two but would gladly finish her father's pastry for him. She thanked him and quickly finished the portion.

 

Haruhi liked to come to the fountain. She always tossed a coin in after making a wish; a wish kept secret from her father for fear that it might not come true. Today was no exception. She reached in her bag to retrieve a coin from Gama-chan, closed her eyes for a moment, and then tossed it in.

 

Naruto stopped asking a long time ago what she wished for. He had even tried bribing her with more strawberry-topped pastries, which she briefly faltered at before recovering. “How about one wish then, one that I can make happen if it does not come true?” he had asked in the past. But she only shook her head seriously and replied that she made the same wish every time they went to the fountain.

 

The first time was when she was three years old and she asked why people threw away their money in the fountain. After hearing that it `might' grant wishes, she asked her father for a coin and made her first wish. When her father asked her what her wish was she placed an index finger against her lips and shushed her father, whispering conspiratorially, “It's a secret.” She giggled behind her hands in anxious excitement over a possibly fulfilled wish. Naruto had retrieved a coin as well and wished that his daughter's wish would come true.

 

So far it has not, and though she continued to make the same wish, Naruto knew it was more hope than naïve wish. Naruto would have done anything to remove the solemn look of resignation from her face.

 

Sensing her father's gaze she flashed him the brightest smile and exclaimed with excitement that had not quite reached her eyes, “May we go shopping now, chichiue?”

 

“H-hai.” He knew she was trying to ease his worry. Her mask was good; almost as good as his own . Neither one wanted the other to worry about them. Smiling in appeasement as well, Naruto gathered their trash and grabbed his daughter's hand. After disposing of their trash, they walked toward the shopping district.

 

Haruhi immediately steered them towards the bookstore. Her eyes lit up when she entered. She loved the bookstore. The smell of the old books comforted her. She read almost anything, eager to absorb knowledge and information like a sponge. At Haruhi's blatant joy, Naruto dropped a comment for her ears only, “Nerd.”

 

Haruhi's eyes narrowed as a light blush stole over her cheeks. Raising her chin arrogantly, she strolled over to the `new arrivals' section and slowly perused the selections, pulling out a book to read the synopsis here and there. Naruto laughed at her behavior and followed after.

 

“Anything good?” Naruto asked with barely suppressed laughter, as he looked over her shoulder.

 

“Chichiue. You can wait outside if you cannot behave,” warned the girl with a familiar pout. “Or you can find a good book to read,” she suggested.

 

“Hai, hai. But I want to stay by my little bookworm. She is super cute, ne? asked Naruto, turning to the familiar bookstore owner.

 

“A rare beauty indeed,” agreed the bookseller, an old man in his seventies.

 

“Ohayo, Keisuke-sama.”

 

“Ohayo, Haruhi-chan,” smiled the old man.

 

Naruto gave his daughter some space and walked over to the front of the store where the newspapers were located. Haruhi tended to lose herself in a bookstore, so it may be a while.

 

Haruhi looked to see if her father was out of hearing range and preoccupied. Spotting him over by the newspapers, she walked over to Keisuke-sama and quietly asked, “Do you have any books or scrolls on the ninja arts? Not like the novels I usually buy.”

 

“Ninja Arts?”

 

“Hai. Umm…jutsus and fighting styles,” supplied the girl. She doubted she would have success, at least for non-basic jutsus. Shinobi keep their unique jutsus secret but for their fellow clan members.

 

“W-well, I don't stock those kinds of items.”

 

Haruhi noted his hesitation. Raising an inquiring eyebrow, she lightly glared at the old man. His eyes darted towards her father and saw him reading the paper. `He is usually just as occupied with that section as his daughter is with the rest of the store.'

 

“What's a girl like you so interested in this subject for? I know I don't have any new novels involving ninjas, but wouldn't you rather read something else?”

 

“I find the shinobi world fascinating. Come on, Keisuke-sama. I want to learn as much as possible. Well, to be honest my ojiisan has been training me in the basics of the shinobi arts. I can perform a couple of water style jutsus.

 

“I thought your ojiisan passed away.”

 

“Oh no, my other ojiisan. Tazuna-jiji died a couple of years ago. My other ojiisan, from my mother's side was a ninja when he was younger. Now all he does is travel and write dirty novels.”

 

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Aah, I see. Well, I do have something. When I was in Konohagakure, I came across a scroll. Someone dropped it in an alley. I haven't given it much thought since then. Here, let me get it for you.” The old man disappeared in the backroom for a few minutes before reappearing with a bamboo canister in his hand. He handed it to Haruhi for inspection. She briefly glanced at it and asked, “How much would you like for the scroll, Keisuke-sama?”

 

“Don't you want to open it and see if its worth your time and money?”

 

“No, thank you,” came the quiet reply. “It is unnecessary. I trust you.”

 

After a moment, the owner set his price. It was too low for what it was worth but she was not complaining. She opened her bag to remove her frog wallet. After she paid him, she placed the container and her wallet back in her bag. She thanked the old man and said a farewell. She readjusted her bag at her side and walked over to the section her father was in. He was currently sitting on a chair with various newspapers fanned around him. His eyes were furiously scanning the words, in search of something. He did not even notice Haruhi's added presence.

 

“Grr…doesn't anyone have anything else to add?” asked Naruto aloud to no one in particular.

 

Haruhi leaned over to read one of the headlines. “Orochimaru gone. Oto-nins scattered.” Her azure eyes widened at the meaning of those words.

 

“Otousan…,” whispered Haruhi.

 

“Huh…, Haruhi? Gomen, I didn't notice you were done. Are you ready to go?” His ready smile was already in place, as if nothing of importance happened.

 

“H-hai.”

 

He gave a nod and immediately straightened his mess. After returning the newspapers to their respective places, he exited the shop with Haruhi's hand in his.

 

Haruhi knew that now was not a good time to ask about the news report. Her father obviously was not satisfied with the report. Luckily, they were meeting Jaraiya-sama the following day. So the pair continued browsing the shops, picking up a few gifts for the family. It was a quiet afternoon filled with fake smiles and enthusiasm. Both were restless. Naruto was just mis-attributing his daughter's restlessness; thinking it was due to their limited time for exploring and enjoying the city. Haruhi desperately wanted to return to their room so she could interrogate her father and read the purchased scroll in secret.

 

After dinner, Naruto decided that it was time to return to the inn. They took a shower and got ready for bed. Haruhi picked up her bag and carried it to the chair by the window. She removed her book and set it down on the chair before walking over to her father, who was already on the futon. She kissed him goodnight and turned off the lights in the room. Naruto watched her close the curtains, leaving a gap to allow the light from the moon and the streetlights to illuminate the sole chair by the window. When she moved to sit on the chair instead of in bed he questioned her.

 

“I just want to read for a little bit. I'm not sleepy yet,” quietly answered the girl, already into her book.

 

“O-okay. But, don't stay up too late.”

 

“Hai, chichiue.” Blue eyes smiled reassuringly at an equally blue pair. Naruto proceeded to yawn and stretch dramatically in place, before settling down with his back to the window. After a few minutes, when her father's breathing evened out, Haruhi glanced at her father's sleeping form. She decided to read the book a little longer, just in case. When she was convinced her father was truly asleep, she quietly closed her book and traded it for the scroll. She moved as quietly as possible, breathing slowly. When she sat back up she raised her knees so that her feet were on the seat. She lightly caressed the symbol on the canister before opening it. She then gently slid the scroll out, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. One hand slid up to draw out the necklace her father gave her. She absentmindedly fingered the crystal as she took calming breaths. Nerves of anticipation consumed her, for she already knew what was in the canister or rather had a guess.

 

She had immediately recognized the Uchiha clan symbol when Keisuke-sama revealed his acquired item. It took a lot of control not to react when her eyes first landed on the object. If she had given in to her initial emotions, if she had allowed her desperate longing to reach her eyes…Keisuke-sama might not have sold it to her. Or he would have raised the price. She had spent most of her savings on the scroll. It was priceless to her. Going through the day smiling at her father as if everything were normal and fine was absolutely painful. Knowing what lay in her bag and not being able to take it out, read it, study it...

 

Her fingers itched for the canister. Her heart longed for a piece of her otousan, of her family. But she was an Uchiha. To lose control was unacceptable. The Uzumaki blood in her was filled with determination. She could plaster on a disarming smile as easily as her father.

 

As the youth exhaled another deep breath, she opened her eyes. She glanced at her father once again, then unrolled the scroll. Her eyes widened at the scroll, which lay against her raised legs. She looked at the pictures of the hand signs. `Horse…tiger…I know this. Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu.' Her azure eyes shined with unshed tears, but she read on. She studied the pictures and memorized the tutorial before going to sleep. She closed her eyes and snuggled into her father thinking, `I can do this.'

 

 

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The late morning sun filtered into the room through the window left open by Haruhi. Said girl was currently still asleep with one arm thrown over her eyes to shade from the penetrating solar rays. A soft thud sounded, as the newcomer entered the room through the window carrying a tray in one hand. He snorted at the sleeping occupant and leaned against the wall. The mild morning breeze brought fresh air and the aroma of another welcoming smell to the sleeping child's nose. Naruto rolled his eyes and smiled when his daughter licked her pink lips and sniffed the air.

 

“Chichiue, you could have woken me up,” said his daughter in a soft voice hoarse from disuse and sleep. Her arm had yet to remove itself from it shielding position over her eyes.

 

“I figured you could use the sleep,” answered the fox vessel knowingly as he walked over to the futon. He knew her eyes were open. They were most likely adjusting to the brightness of the room. “That must have been a great read…to have claimed my daughter's attention in the late hours of the night.”

 

A slim pale wrist shifted to reveal squinted azure eyes; only their gaze was directed as the tray of food in her father's hand. Naruto laughed and swayed the food in front of her teasingly.

 

“Why don't you wash up so you can eat,” suggested Naruto. The girl only rolled over and pulled the covers over her head. Naruto set the tray of food on the floor a safe distance away and sighed dramatically.

 

“Okaay,” he said in a sing-song voice, “I guess I'll have to use my super secret waking technique.” He noted how his daughter tensed in anticipation. With that, he raised his arms, flexing his fingers and dove in. Squeals of laughter sounded in the room as he tickled the girl. “I'll show no mercy.” He continued as the child twisted and turned to move away from the unforgivable hands.

 

“O-okay…(laughs)…okay…(sharp intake of breath)…I'm up, I'm…(giggle)…up.”

 

Naruto smugly raised his arms in victory. He opened his eyes to view his daughter as she emerged from the twisted sheets. He stifled a laugh when she sat up. Her hair was a mess of black over her face. She tried to summon as much dignity as possible as she pushed her hair back and tried to tame it. Her chin was tilted up arrogantly and her eyes narrowed in a challenging glare.

 

“Alright, chichiue. Alright.” As soon as those words left her mouth she smirked and charged into her father, attacking his sides. Naruto fell on his back laughing uncontrollably; his daughter's laughter joining his own.

 

 

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