Lost in the Whirlwind (Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter 3

The hokage's visits became frequent.

Naruto had gotten rather cozy with the hokage, I couldn't help but note. Naruto did have a way with people, compared to the introvert I was in my past life. A three year old better at holding a conversation than I was when I was 16, how embarrassing was that?

My interaction with the hokage was very limited, consisting only of greetings and pleasantries. To him, I was just the orphan Naruto was always with. To me, he was just a fictional character soon to die in a decade.

"How is it like outside?" Naruto's voice travelled from the living room to our shared room, where I was reading on history of Konoha, a book I may or may have not sneaked out of one of the senior's rooms. Really, no harm done knowing more about a place you're currently stuck in.

"There are many people out there, Naruto-kun," the hokage replied in his hoarse voice, "Everyone is welcoming and nice."

I couldn't help but scoff at that part. Sure. Nice.

There was a pause, and I could feel gears turning in his head as Naruto pondered that fact.

Third hokage broke the silence with a gentle smile. "Would you like to go outside with me?"

I snapped my head from the book I was reading to look at the two, the same time Naruto's eyes widened.

"Really?" The blonde's voice was in awe.

Leaning back in my chair, I quietly contemplated the conversation I had not been so subtly eavesdropping. Was the hokage waiting for Naruto to ask this question? Of course the hokage would bring Naruto outside. The jinchuriki's first public appearance with the village leader. The hokage was trying to send a message to the villagers that Naruto has the support from the hokage, and is indeed under the village's control.

Perhaps I was overthinking?

On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt. Naruto had barely known the hokage for a year, yet the older man seemed to always have the jinchuriki's undivided attention.

Getting out of my chair and jumping onto my bed, I buried my face into my pillow to hide the loud groan I was giving out. It was perhaps a little childish and immature to be feeling left out. But Naruto was all I have here, though Naruto seemed to be growing up quickly.

Screw me and my anti-social behavior.

My internal monologue was interrupted when another weight came crashing onto my back.

"Oof!" Air quickly rushed out of my lungs, but Naruto didn't seem to care.

"Come on and don't just laze around!" Naruto whined, pulling my hair for extra effect. "We're going outside for the first time!"

I blinked. "We?"

"Yeah! I told hokage-oji that I want to go outside, but Naka has never been outside too. If I were to go, then you should come with me. We always do everything together, right? So, I asked him if you could go too, and he gave us a permission, an-"

I rolled out from under him, and raised a hand to stop his babbling. I couldn't help the wide grin that was stretching across my face.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

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I walked a few steps behind Naruto and Hokage, the younger of which enthusiastically pointing everywhere and awestruck by the smallest things.

The villagers respectfully bowed to the hokage, some whispering to one another suspiciously while shamelessly staring at Naruto. I mentally scowled. Naruto was a little deterred, but didn't let it bother him much.