I really thought I'd get up early today, go for a run, start the day off right - but nope, not happening. Guess I'll start tomorrow.
Rubbing my eyes, trying to wake up, I got out of bed and realized it was already close to noon. It must have been around ten or eleven... I seriously should invest in a clock.
The apartment I'd bought was in a perfect spot - just a hundred steps from the market, where you could get fresh vegetables and meat. I needed to buy everything, but since I only had two hands, I settled for a few kilos of veggies, some fruit, and two cartons of eggs on my first trip.
The apartment itself was in a four-story building, with two apartments on each floor. It reminded me that I should probably go introduce myself to the neighbors, maybe bring a little gift... a bag of fruit should do the trick.
Knowing myself, I didn't put it off. I picked out the best fruit, put them in a bag, and stepped out onto the shared balcony. Ten steps to the right was a concrete staircase leading down, and twenty steps to the left was the other apartment on my floor.
I stopped in front of the door, about to knock, when the window to the right of the neighbors' door slid open.
"I know, I'm not a kid anymore, dattebae."
"And don't you dare fall asleep in class again. Iruka-sensei tells me everything, and don't think I won't tan your hide."
"Like I care about those boring classes."
"What did you say?" came a shout from inside.
"Nothing, nothing, I'm leaving, see you!"
"Wait, get back here right now!"
For a split second, I saw an orange blur on the windowsill, and then she jumped straight onto the neighboring rooftop.
I blinked slowly, turning around at the same time as the young girl, who twisted herself around trying to get a look at me - so much so that she forgot about the edge of the roof and tumbled down with a loud crash.
She got up quickly, though, and stared at me with wide eyes. I stared back, automatically raising my hand in greeting, but she glanced back at the window and took off running.
"BE HOME FOR DINNER, YOU HEAR ME?!" I nearly went deaf in my left ear.
"Uh, hi," I said, turning back to the apartment, still in shock - and honestly, "shock" didn't even cover it. I was floored. That was Naruto! Or... no, it was a girl who looked just like him.
"Oh, hello... and you are?" asked a red-haired woman.
No way...
"Um, my name's Akira. I'm your new neighbor, and I thought I'd bring you some fruit," I said, holding up the bag and trying to pull myself together.
"A new neighbor? Oh, where are my manners, I'm Kushina. I'll open the door right away."
Her head disappeared from the window, and I heard quick footsteps, then the clatter of dishes, a bit of muttering, and about thirty seconds later, the door opened.
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced. I can come back later if now's a bad time."
"Oh, no, no, please come in, Akira-san, it's fine, don't stand out in the hall."
Crossing the threshold, I silently crossed myself and took off my sandals.
"It's really cozy in here," I said, filling the awkward pause after she sat me down at the kitchen table.
"Thank you. I try to keep the place clean and tidy, but Kami knows it's not easy with a daughter like mine."
"That was your daughter who just jumped out the window?"
"Yes, my pride and my headache, Naruko. She's at the ninja academy now," she said with a gentle smile.
"I see, so you're a shinobi too?" I nodded knowingly.
"I was, once. Now I'm just a housewife," she said, a little sadly, but then she smiled again. "But enough about me, tell me about yourself, Akira-san. Have you had lunch yet?"
"No, I just moved in yesterday, and today I only managed to buy some groceries."
"Perfect, then let's eat first and chat over tea after."
She set a generous plate of rice and meat in front of me, drenched in sauce, and left, saying she'd be back in a second.
Kushina wasn't quite how I'd imagined her - well, more than a bit. She was alive, not dead. It was weird... So does that mean my canon knowledge is useless? And Naruto's a girl now - what kind of gender-bender is this? Seriously, who writes this stuff?
Meanwhile, Kushina came back in different clothes, a little less casual, and if I wasn't mistaken, she'd even put on a bit of makeup.
"Sorry for leaving you alone."
"Oh, it's fine. The kettle just boiled, actually."
She cleared away my empty plate, and I took my time enjoying the tea - I'd never tasted green tea like this before.
"Mmm, this tea is amazing, and so was the food. Thank you for the meal."
"You're always welcome," she smiled. "So, Akira-san, how long have you been in Konoha?"
"And how did you guess I wasn't local?" I asked, surprised.
"You have a pretty rare eye color. From a distance, you could almost pass for a Hyuga. I've never seen anyone like you in the village before. And, well, let's be honest - if you were local, as a woman, I'd have heard about you by now."
Fair enough. Guys like me are one in a million.
"You flatter me. But if you think about it, I'd have heard about you too after a while."
She covered her smile with her hand. "Maybe."
"As for your question, I arrived in Konoha the day before yesterday."
"Wow, and you already bought a place."
"Why wait?" I shrugged. "I'm not short on money, thanks to a certain famous woman."
"And who might that be?" she leaned in, curious.
"I'm sure you've heard of her - Tsunade, one of the three Sannin. We ran into each other in Tanzaku."
"Tsunade?" Her eyes went wide, and then she burst out laughing. "Sorry, that's just like her. She has a habit of losing big all at once. So that's how she helped you," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"I won't lie, I suggested a card game I invented, and then things just got out of hand."
"I thought so. She hasn't changed a bit."
"You know her?" I put on my best surprised face - someone give me an Oscar.
"Of course. She's Naruko's godmother."
"So that's how it is. Small world," I said, taking another sip of that wonderful tea. "You have to share these tea leaves with me."
"Gladly," she smiled again.
"So... is your husband at work?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Unfortunately," she let her face fall, "it's been ten years since he left us."
"Oh, I'm sorry. My condolences."
"It's alright. Time heals even the deepest wounds..." Her eyes drifted off in thought.
"You're right. I used to think I'd never recover after my parents died... but you have to keep moving forward, live for yourself and for those who are still with you. That's why I wanted to come to the Land of Fire. I always wanted to see shinobi in real life, and someone told me in secret that Konoha was the place to go. Did you know how famous this village is?"
"Really?"
"Yeah. They say red-eyed spirits drain the souls of sinners, beastmen eat lost travelers at night, and... there are people who can spy on you no matter where you are or what you're doing."
She burst out laughing. "Miyuni would kill you if she heard that."
"Miyuni?"
"An old friend of mine, from the Hyuga clan - the people you just mentioned." I swallowed hard, and she laughed again. "So, weren't you scared to come to a place like this?"
"Oh, I wanted to see for myself if any of it was true. And it's interesting, you know?"
"So what are you planning to do in Konoha? Not to interrogate you or anything, it's just... most people here either trade or work with their hands."
"Well, I'm pretty good at drawing portraits. I could do one for you, if you'd like."
"Really? I feel like I should politely refuse, but no one's ever offered before, so I'd love that," she said, glancing quickly at my hands.
"And I'm planning to open a restaurant."
"Seriously? What kind?" She was definitely interested now.
"Well, honestly, I don't want to give away too much before I'm ready - someone might steal my idea. But if you..."
"I promise I won't tell a soul."
"Alright, then listen..."
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Thank you so much for the power stones! I really appreciate the support!