Azumi's POV
"Well well well, you are sure to hear it from Mother"
The sound of my brothers voices causes me to snap my head to the side as we enter the compound. He's leaning against the gate, an entertained smirk in his face as he pushes himself off and starts to walk in step with me. I choose to ignore him rolling my eyes in response. My brother dismisses Tenzo thanking him for escorting me today and saying he'll take it from here. I thank Tenzo and bid him farewell as well before he disappears.
"So, I see you've befriended the Uzumaki" Brother says, striking up conversation once more.
I stare out at the midday sun, a small smile gracing my lips as I recall my new friend that I made today.
"Yeah, Naruto-san is quite the fun person" I reply happily.
"He is indeed special" He replies with a low whistle.
We finally make it back to the main household and enter, removing our shoes at the entrance. Brother then proceeds to lead us towards my father's study. I gulp nervously as I catch a glimpse of my kimono again. The now bright dried paint sticking out like a sore thumb against the pastel colors of my kimono. I attempt to rub some of it off as we continue walking down the hall but that works against me as it ends up smudging the paint making it worse. I mentally grown in my head.
Before I have time to think of something else we're at the door to father's study. Brother knocks twice to announce our arrival before opening the door for us to go inside. I trail behind him, trying my best to use his body as a shield to hide the ruined kimono looking at the ground.
Pleaseee don't let mother be in here I pray in my head.
"Azumi!" My mother gasps in absolute shock. The sound of her voice causes me to stand pin straight a sheepish smile now making its way to my face. My brother giving me a smile as if to wish me luck before he moves to stand somewhere else in the room, leaving me completely exposed.
Of course she's in here
"Your kimono! You look terrible!" she says now getting up from her spot across from my father at his desk. There's multiple piles of paperwork in front of them. Mother usually has to help father sort through it when it builds up to this current state. My father glances at me from behind the mountain of paper. A sparkle of entertainment and sorrow dances in his eyes as he chooses to stay silent, knowing mother will go on and on about my appearance.
"I know it looks bad but I can explain" I start to reason, my mother finally reaching me, looking at my kimono with unamused eyes.
"You do not need to explain, we were already informed by the Hokage about you and the little Uzumaki's prank" She says sighing and taking a step back, continuing to stare at my kimono. I give a look to my brother who is now leaning against the wall behind my fathers seat, pleading silently for him to help me. He just chooses to poke his tongue out at me with an amused smirk.
Traitor.
Brother hasn't been active with his ninja duties these past few weeks as he is busy with Clan affairs. Father thinks it is time for him to take on more tasks within the Clan and begin his training to be the future leader. Because of that he is doing more paperwork and doesn't have to be in his ninja gear all the time.
"Ah so you guys have heard" I reply with an embarrassed laugh.
"I'm pretty sure the whole village has heard" Brother chimes in with a laugh before he disguises it as a cough due to my mum turning around and glaring at him.
"Honey, I'm glad you're making friends with the young Uzumaki, but you know that is of no way for a young lady such as yourself to behave!" My mother sighs as she rubs my cheek. I turn red with embarrassment as I realize she rubbed some paint off my face.
Oh great so the whole of their class saw me with paint on my face too
"Oh don't listen to her my dear! When your mother was your age she did way worst! You just need to enjoy your youth as much as you can Azumi before you become a boring adult" Father replies with a laugh getting out of his seat and walking towards me, ruffling my hair when he reaches me. I giggle at the contact.
"Wait.. mother did worst?" I reply as realization hits me, before I look at my mum excitedly.
"The past is past, we do not dwell on it" Mother says dismissively. I laugh as I catch the playful glare she throws at my father. He rubs the back of his head sheepishly knowing he's going to get an earful once it's just the two of them. My brother and I bursting out into laughter at the interaction between the two of them.
~ * ~
"Oh Sasuke! You've finished for the day huh" I call out with a smile as I notice my friend walking towards me. It is now late afternoon and after the chat in my father's study I had excused myself to get cleaned up. Mother took the kimono from me as she went to find Ai so they can try and fix it. I had then changed into a regular plain top and skirt which was already more comfortable than the kimono.
I was now sitting down in the garden behind the house at the small pond feeding a family of ducks and had been waiting for Sasuke to finish from the academy for the day. We used to meet every day in the past but ever since that tragic day Sasuke spends majority of his time training, only coming to visit me once or twice a week. Although some days if I want to see him I will go to his training spot to watch him train. I try not to do that often however as I don't want to be a distraction.
Sasuke finally reaches me and just gives me a nod in greeting as he takes a seat next to me. I silently offer him a piece of bread to feed the ducks. He takes it before he breaks up small pieces as well and throws them into the water for the ducks to eat. I don't bother to try and strike up a conversation, we're already in a comfortable silence. A lot of our time now is spent in silence. I don't mind however as I'm happy Sasuke still takes the time to come and see me.
It's been about five years now since the day that changed everything. I still remember how shocked I was when I first found out about the massacre. I finally understood why Sasuke changed so suddenly and became the person he is today. He is not the same boy as the one I first met at dinner at the Uchiha Compound, he's quieter now. He trains a lot harder now and rarely has any time for anything but that. However I don't mind. Everyday I am grateful that at least he was spared, and that I didn't lose him too. The day I found out about what happened I chose to swallow my own sadness, my own grief at the loss of people I considered my family as well. I chose to put Sasuke first and focus on his healing. And so it hurts me to see him this way, I continue to stand by his side to be there for him whenever he'll need me.
"So Sasuke, how was the academy?" I ask, shaking my head slightly to bring myself back to the present as we continue to pick off pieces of bread to feed the ducks.
"It's annoying, I'm only wasting time there" He responds as he glares down at the pond, throwing the whole bread in his hands down into the pond and scaring off the ducks.
"Sasuke! You'll hurt them" I scold, slapping his hand slightly and putting the remaining bread in my hands away.
"Hn" is the only response I get from him. I sit there silently staring at him silently before glancing down at my hands as they begin to fidget. Sure, we spend most of our days in a comfortable silence but, there are days like today when he is in a mood and no matter what I say or do he just stays warped up on his thoughts, only thinking about his revenge and getting stronger.
I think I understand what Kaminari-sama was trying to say to me back then... She was talking about saving him from going down this path of revenge that will obviously be filled with more hurt and hatred...
I think to myself as I look out at the small pond in front of us, pulling my knees towards me and resting my chin on it. We continue to sit there silently. Maybe I should've said something, but I know him and when he is especially like this it's better to just be here with him until he sorts through his thoughts and then he'll get back normal.
After sometime I sense the mood change and I can tell that Sasuke is starting to feel more relaxed. He's leaning on his two hands that are supporting him from the back as he too stares out at the pond in front of us. The sun is now beginning to set, painting the skies in beautiful oranges and pinks, the pond in front of us beginning to sparkle as it reflects the magnificent sight. I let out a happy sigh, completely mesmerized by the beauty in front of me, trying to capture every detail in my mind.
"What's with the expression?" Sasuke questions from beside me, now staring at me instead of the wonderful scene in front of us.
I gesture towards the world in front of us, the wind lightly blowing my black hair around my face.
"Even in a world full of chaos, I can't help myself when it comes to appreciating how beautiful it can still be" I say softly, my eyes now locked on his as I give him a small smile. I turn my attention back in front of me completely missing the light tinge of red on his cheeks and the small smile he managed to crack.
~ * ~
"Well, I wish you the best of luck with the graduation test tomorrow Sasuke! I have no doubt that you'll pass, you're the best student for a reason you know?" I say with a smile as I stand with him at the entrance of my home as he was leaving now to go and train. I hope he won't push himself too hard tonight as he does have a test tomorrow but I know that when it comes to training he never takes it lightly.
"Later Azumi" is all Sasuke says as he gives me a slight wave before making his exit. I wave back at him as I watch his retreating form. The familiar warmth that springs up in my chest whenever I spend time with Sasuke greeting me.
"Hey! Azumi!" I turn my head towards the sound of my name, I smile and wave happily towards Akira realizing it was her calling out to me. I laugh at the sight of her running towards me waving her hands around. Unlike the other students our age at the academy, Akira managed to finish earlier and has now even become a chunin. After the war they stopped allowing students to graduate from the academy earlier than they were supposed to but because she is from the Kurokawa Clan and a prodigy my father didn't want her to waste any time getting stronger and personally requested for her to set the graduation test early.
"Akira-chan, I haven't seen you in quite a while" I reply excitedly, enveloping the girl in a hug as she finally made her way to me. I hold her back at arms length as take her in. Her black hair is cut short just below her ears now, she used to have it longer and wear it in two braid but had decided that long hair got in the way of her training. She wears her Leaf headband on her forehead, and is clathered in all black from head to toe, her forest green eyes looking at me with equal excitement.
"Tell me about it! Lord Hokage and Lord Kurokawa have been sending me on missions nonstop! I barely get any time for myself these days! So when I got back now I rushed over here to see you" she said with a pout stuffing her hands in the pockets of her shorts, I could only laugh in response.
"Hey! I heard you caused quite the bit of trouble with Naruto!" she said obviously excited to hear how I, the youngest of the main branch family was able to do a prank to such magnitude.
"Ah, yes that did happen, although I think that is the end of my pranking days" I say with a small giggle as she replies with a face palm.
"Agh, so it's over before it has even begun! Anyways, I saw that Naruto's cleaning up the mess now as we speak" she continues, I look at her surprised.
"Only Naruto?" I questioned slightly uncomfortable with the fact that he would have to clean the great stone faces by himself.
"Yeah, I just saw him while I was on my way here" she says pointing towards the direction of the great stone faces.
"Let's go"
I reply not waiting for an answer as I already started making my way in the direction of Naruto.
"W-what! Why?" she yelled catching up to me.
"Well, I can't let him do that alone! I am also to blame for this mess, so I must help him, and you are coming with me as I am not allowed to leave the compound alone" I say dragging her along as we make our way towards Naruto and the Great Stone Monuments.
~ * ~
"Akira! Lady Kurokawa! What are you two doing here?" Iruka yells out in confusion as he notices the two of us climbing up the stairs closest to them.
"Hey Iruka-sensei! Azumi here came to help out Naruto! Said it was her mess as well" Akira said as she jumped up and took a seat next to Iruka on the forehead of Lord First.
"You really didn't have to" he replied awkwardly, scratching behind his ear. After my guard punching him earlier and making a scene I guess he thought against punishing me as well.
"No, it was my fault as well. I will pay for my crimes" I reply as I walk towards the edge of the stairs. Iruka getting up to help me climb up safely to where Naruto was. I thank Iruka for helping me as I stand next to my new friend, grabbing another rag and smiling at him. He's silent, the look on his face not hiding the fact that he's shocked to see me there.
"Hello Naruto-san" I say hoping to break his silence as I dip the rag I'm holding into one of the buckets of water and begin to scrub the nose of Lord First.
I sincerely apologize for disrespecting you like this Lord Hashirama
"W-why?"
The sound of Naruto's voice brings my focus back to him. I stop my scrubbing as I look at him, he's still standing still. It's like he's frozen in place, just standing there with the rag in his hand as he looks down in obvious shock and confusion. I give him a warm smile before I place my hand on his shoulder.
"Naruto... it's because we're friends, we help each other out" I said with the biggest smile I could muster. Naruto finally stops looking down and instead now looking at me, his eyes wide.
"Friends" he whispers.
"Yes friends! And plus, I had a part in this prank so it's only right I am punished as well" I laugh as I turn around and get back to scrubbing.
"Y-yeah! We are friends! And friends help each other out y'know!" He exclaims happily as he too resumes scrubbing, albeit more enthusiastically this time with a big smile. Iruka and Akira watching our interactions with smiles on their faces as well.
~*~
"This sucks... loser" Naruto grumbles as he continues to scrub paint. It's been a while now since we've got here and although there are two of us, the task is taking way longer than we thought it would. I agreed with him silently as well but swallowed my complaints as I understood that this was our fault that we ended up in this mess in the first place.
"You're not going home until you've cleaned every drop of paint" Iruka said from his seat above us. Akira now taking this time to sharpen her kunai to pass the time.
"So what? It's not like there's anyone waiting at home for me" Naruto replied back in annoyance, looking up at Iruka and then continuing to scrub.
He doesn't have a family? He's similar to Sasuke then... I thought to myself sadly, pausing from my scrubbing now to look at him.
No matter, I promise you Naruto that you will be my family too, you do not have to feel alone any longer I declared silently, slightly motivated now to pick it up and scrub harder. Naruto and I continue to scrub again in silence.
"Naruto?" Iruka called out breaking the silence and causing the two of us to look up at him.
"What do you want now Sensei?" Naruto asked in obvious annoyance.
"Well, I was just thinking, maybe once you've cleaned this all up I could take you out for some ramen, you too Azumi, the good stuff, what do you think?" Iruka asked, scratching the side of his nose and looking towards the sky.
"Huh! Now that's some serious motivation! I'll have this clean in no time!" Naruto yelled enthusiastically, his mood doing a complete 180, I laughed at his antics as I continued to clean as well.
"Well, I'd love to but I can't accept your offer Iruka-san. I have to get back home as soon as I am done here as I never told my parents I would be leaving the compound in the first place" I replied apologetically, trying to keep up with Naruto who was speeding through the cleaning now.
"Ah! That stinks! I wish you could be there Azumi! Ichiraku's is the best" Naruto says as he continued to scrub, not taking his eyes off the area he was cleaing.
"I agree Naruto" I replied with a smile as I too continued to scrub.
The punishment kind of sucks but... I'd do this all over again if I had to if it meant meeting you and becoming your friend Naruto.