A Darker World

Sneakyfox- I was afraid of this. Ranmaru is a character from the filler part of Naruto. Also the long delay everyone I've been sick.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Naruto stared at the re-heated rice. It was mostly gone, but he didn't feel like finishing the little that was left. His thoughts were still stuck in the same pattern they had been in yesterday. There was a part of him that just wanted to forget about it and act like it didn't happen. He was good at forgetting things. Memories were locked up and never thought about again, but he couldn't do that with Konohamaru. His thoughts returned to the pattern of yesterday. He liked Konohamaru, but Konohamaru had kissed Inari, so did that mean he liked Inari?

“It's all right. You don't have to force yourself to eat everything, Naruto.” He looked up to see Tsunami frowning at him from the kitchen counter. “Are you feeling okay?”

The blonde forced a smile. “Just tired.”

“Well, take it easy today,” Jiraiya spoke up from where he was looking over something he had written.

“All right,” Naruto said as he heard someone start moving upstairs. He had left the other two boys sleeping and he didn't know when they had called it a night yesterday. Not up to facing either of them right now, he quietly excused himself and went outside. The sea air hit his nose and he felt as if he could almost feel the salt in the air. It was so omnipresent he hadn't really noticed it for a while. He sat down and hung his legs over the side and stared at his reflection in the water.

If Konohamaru liked Inari then Konohamaru wouldn't want to stay with him. He didn't want that so was that why he was avoiding him? There, his thoughts stopped, he didn't have an answer to that one.

A few minutes later, the door opened and both boys emerged. “Naruto,” Inari almost shouted. “We're going to watch them set up. You want to come with us?”

He glanced at both boys, they were excited. There was a part of him that wanted to go with them and just have some fun today, but something kept him seated. “I'll catch up later.”

Konohamaru looked disappointed, but Inari shrugged and said, “All right, see you there,” he pulled the other boy along. Naruto watched them go, wondering why he didn't go with them.

Turning his head back down to stare at his reflection in the water, he swung his legs and listened to the sounds of the village coming to life. He heard the door open and close again, but didn't look up until a shadow fell over him. When he did look up he didn't recognize the man at first. “Jiraiya?”

The man smiled, removing any doubt from the blonde’s mind. “You like? Have to get used to using a disguise around here, you know.”

“It's not you,” Naruto responded, eyeing the man's buzz cut.

“Yeah, well, it's unmemorable and that's the best way to use a transformation.” He sat down next to him, the wood creaking under his weight. “Tsunami is worried something's wrong between the three of you and I'll admit I thought you were moping around yesterday. So, is there something you want to talk about?”

He thought about it for a moment. “I don't think you would want to hear about it.”

“So it's something between you and Konohamaru?”

Naruto nodded, thinking that would be the end of it.

Jiraiya shifted uncomfortably. “I see. Well I'm not really one to give out relationship advice, but what's the problem?”

The blonde thought about not answering, but settled for a partial truth. “I'm not sure if Konohamaru loves me.”

“Really? What makes you say that? Have you stopped doing that stuff or something?”

“Kind of,” Naruto answered. He didn't add that it wasn't because Konohamaru didn't want to. “I think he still likes me and that's fine, but I'm worried he feels like he has to do that stuff.”

Jiraiya nodded, “I think I see.” He sighed, “Naruto, you know most boys your age don't do that sort of thing and most kids Konohamaru’s age don't even know about that stuff, right?”

“Yeah.” He remembered how Inari acted when he had first seen them doing stuff. Up until that point he had sort of understood, but it really drove home the fact even if it had taken some time to sink in. He wasn't even sure what he felt about their little tent adventure. Maybe, if that had never happened, they would of never kissed and everything would be normal.

“Maybe Konohamaru is starting to realize that, too.”Jiraiya continued, throwing an arm around his student. “Even if he wants to stop doing that stuff, I'm sure he still wants to be your friend and I think you do too.”

Naruto nodded in agreement.

“You just don't want to put any pressure on him right?”

Again, Naruto nodded.

Jiraiya squeezed his shoulder. “You're a good person. However, avoiding Konohamaru may not be the answer. He may think you're avoiding him because he doesn't want to do that stuff with you anymore. I don't think you want to give him that impression. So, maybe you should just try to be his friend. After all, if you care about him, you wouldn’t want to hurt him.”

The man's advice was a little off, Naruto thought, but in a way it made sense. If Konohamaru wanted to be with Inari, then really, what could he do? They had been friends a lot longer than they had been having sex together, so maybe things could go back to the way they had been. “Thanks.” He got up to leave, but the man stopped him.

“You're going to try to catch up to them right?”

“Yeah, is that okay?” Naruto asked.

The man's hand went into his pocket and pulled out a roll of bills. “I gave Konohamaru a little spending money. Here's yours. Don't spend it all in one place.”

Naruto took the money with a smile. It wasn't until the house had faded into the distance that he realized he hadn't thought of any possible strings attached to the money. He couldn't remember the last time that had happened.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

“Are you two fighting or something?” Inari asked as he pulled Konohamaru along by his wrists.

“No,” Konohamaru answered.

“How come he's been acting different then? Was it something I did?”

“He's just tired,” Konohamaru snapped, yanking his hand free. The tired excuse was starting to sound weak, even to him. He tried to push the thought away and locked it a mental box. Unfortunately, he had never really practiced that skill he had learned at the House.

Inari seemed to sense Konohamaru’s mood and changed the subject. “I wonder what it'll be like. I'm sure they'll have games stand set up, but I don't think they will have much in way of food.”

“Yeah,” Konohamaru muttered.

The streets started out abandoned, but they started to see more and more people as they got closer to the festival. Voices could be heard in the distance and the atmosphere of the village had changed. The people they passed were talking to each other and laughing. Last time Konohamaru had passed this way, he had thought the village had been creepy, but it was different now. He was starting to feel a little excited, and nervous, too. It was like ants were crawling up his spine.

The closer they got to the festival, the more uneasy Konohamaru was feeling. His head snapped around at every unexpected sound. Unconsciously, he reached out for Naruto, but he wasn't at his side. He continued to follow Inari, his eyes plastered on the boys back and tried to shut everything else out. When he stopped suddenly, Konohamaru nearly walked into him.

“Hey, that game is already going. Let's try that game out. I always wanted to hit him in the face.”

Konohamaru followed Inari’s finger to a stand. Someone was standing by it, and as he watched they threw a ball at an oversized black-and-white photo with a hole cut where its mouth should be. It missed, but that wasn't what Konohamaru's eyes were riveted on. He recognized the man on the photo and a shiver of fear ran up his spine as he broke into a cold sweat.

Not noticing his friend’s reaction, Inari continued, “Gato, he was the guy who controlled everything before Kanaye did.”

Konohamaru could hardly hear his friend. His vision blurred and he shut his eyes tight, squeezing out tears as his fingers dug into his palms. A small hand landed on his arm and he forced his eyes open. The hand grounded him a little, but it wasn't Naruto’s. He wanted Naruto.

“What's wrong?” Inari asked, the boy's head filled his vision.

He opened his mouth to speak but his breath caught and his words came out like a sob. “I… don't… want… to… be… here.”

“What's wrong?”

He wanted to say something, but his heart was being clutched by a cold hand and all he could squeak out was, “I'm scared.” Konohamaru felt like people were starting to stare at him, he wanted to curl up and disappear.

Then, he felt a tug on his arm and Inari's voice said, “Let's go home.”

He latched onto the boy's arm with both hands as they started back.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Jiraiya had been sipping tea with Tsunami and discussing the latest plot twist in his manuscript when Inari and Konohamaru came back. Konohamaru was clutching onto Inari's arm, his face red and streaked with tears. Inari's expression was scared and the disconnection between the two expressions kept Jiraiya seeded. In combat, he never hesitated, but he had no idea what to do here.

Tsunami, on the other hand, had no such hesitation. She was out of her chair and kneeling in front of the two boys even before it had entered his mind that he should have done that. Belatedly, he scanned both boys for injuries, but saw nothing. He stood up before realizing two adults might be smothering and just tried to listen in.

Konohamaru was still sniffling and Tsunami stroked his hair. “What happened?”

“I don't know,” her son said staring at the other. “We were about to play this game and he started crying.”

“Did you say anything, Inari?” Tsunami's tone wasn't quite accusatory.

“No. He just said he didn't want to be there. Is he all right? He wouldn't talk to me on the way home.”

Jiraiya smiled sadly as he thought he realized what happened. Following Tsunami's example, he knelt in front of the two boys, but address edKonohamaru. “Why don't you go upstairs and rest for a little? I'm sure you'll feel better.”

At first, he wasn't sure if the boy had heard him, but then he nodded and let go of Inari’s arm, which was red from where he had been gripping it. He didn't say anything and Jiraiya wondered if this would've happened if Naruto had been with him. Once he heard him climbing the stairs, Jiraiya turned back to the remaining boy. “Inari, thank you for helping him get back here.”

“Is he going to be okay?” Inari asked, staring at the doorway Konohamaru had gone through.

“I think so. Were there a lot of people around when he said he wanted to go?”

The boy looked up at him, thinking. “I guess. Why?”

Jiraiya considered his words before answering. “Konohamaru doesn't like crowds. I think he just got really scared.”

“Like how you used to get scared of the dark. Only a lot worse,” Tsunami chimed in.

Inari nodded, following the analogy. Jiraiya glanced at Tsunami and asked, “Could you do me a favor, Inari? Naruto went to catch up with you two, but I guess you missed each other. Could you see if you could find him? I'm sure he would want to make sure Konohamaru was alright. Then, why don't you enjoy the festival?”

Inari nodded but said, “I don't feel like going to the festival, but I'll find Naruto.”

“Thank you,” Jiraiya said as Inari turned and went back, absentmindedly rubbing his arm were Konohamaru had been gripping. Once the door shut, he sighed and turned to Tsunami. “Sorry about that. We have mostly avoided villages and I didn't think he would react that way.”

“Neither did he,” Tsunami said sadly.

The two of them fell silent for a moment until Jiraiya broke the silence. “I would understand if you didn't want us to come back. Inari may start asking questions of Naruto and Konohamaru and I'm sure you wouldn't want Inari exposed to that.”

Tsunami smile sadly, “I appreciate the concern. However, Inari already knows something about cruelty. I would prefer him not to learn about that stuff, but I would've preferred him not to see his father killed either. The world is not perfect, but perhaps they can help each other.”

Jiraiya glanced at the door Inari had left through and said a silent thanks to anyone watching over him that Raiga had decided to try and go for a walk. A few days ago, Tsunami had suggested perhaps the boys needed to talk about what had happened to them. Maybe she was right. Inari's experience may not have been exactly like Naruto or Konohamaru’s, but maybe he could sympathize in a way Jiraiya couldn't.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Naruto had become lost in the crowd. He was still looking for Konohamaru and Inari, but there was a lot to see. He remembered the first market he had been to after he escaped the House. There had certainly been more to see and do there, but few, if any, games like they had here. He hadn't tried any of them out yet, but they did look fun. In fact, everyone seemed to be happy instead of just rushing around like last time.

What did distract him from his search, though, was when he stumbled into the food area. His nose was assaulted by numerous smells and he could only guess at a lot of what he saw. One smell in particular drew his interest and he followed it to the building with a few people sitting at a counter. They each had a bowl in front of them.

He watched them eat for a moment, trying to figure out what exactly it was, and then it clicked. Ramen! He remembered that smell now. The memory of the food filled him with a nice feeling. It was a memory from before the House, and a happy one. A pretty girl and a gruff at times, but mostly kind old man had run the stand. Unfortunately, their name slipped away from him.

“Naruto!”

His name pulled him out of his thoughts and he turned to see Inari pushing his way through the crowd. Frowning, he did a quick scan for Konohamaru, but didn't see his friend. That made him worry and he made his way towards Inari.

“Konohamaru needs you.” The boy blurted out before he could open his mouth.

The blonde felt like his stomach hit the ground. “What's wrong with him?”

Inari opened his mouth and made several false starts before just saying, “I don't know. He just started crying and I took him back home. Jiraiya said I should go find you.”

Naruto nodded and started past Inari before realizing he had no idea how to get to Inari's home from here. Turning back, he asked, “Where's your house?”

“Follow me,” Inari said as he started to push his way back through the crowd.

He quickly became impatient and picked Inari up by his overalls and swung him onto his back. “Just tell me where to go.”

The younger boy was surprised at first, but quickly recovered and said, “Okay.”

As Naruto started to push through the crowd, he didn't think about how a few months ago he wouldn't have been able to pickup Inari by one arm so casually. When they broke free of the crowds, he also didn't notice how Inari's arms tightened around his neck as he ran a lot faster than any normal preteen should.

When the familiar house came into view, Naruto relaxed a little. This house was a good place. They were safe here, they were happy here. It wasn't a conscious thought, but Naruto felt these things as he slid open the door and let Inari down.

“He's in Inari's room,” Jiraiya said as Naruto walked in.

He nodded, but barely spared a glance at his sensei as he crossed the room. Slipping off his footwear, he headed upstairs. The door to Inari’s room was partially open and he pushed it open gently, the hinges squeaking a little.

Konohamaru sat on the edge of the bed, his legs tucked into his chest and toes sticking over the edge. He turned his head slightly as the door opened and his bloodshot eyes opened wide. He hopped off the bed as Naruto crossed the room. They collided and the smaller boy buried his head into the blonde and started to cry again.

Naruto hugged him and rubbed his back. He waited until Konohamaru calmed down and gently nudged him back onto the bed. He kept an arm draped around him as they sat side by side. When he seemed calm enough, Naruto asked, “What's wrong?”

Konohamaru leaned into him and said quietly, “It's stupid. I just got scared.”

“Why did you get scared?”

The boy pushed away from him suddenly and said angrily. “Because you weren't there. You've been ignoring me and I don't like it. You're always there but weren't there and I don't like that.”

Naruto felt cold fingers wrap around his heart. “I'm sorry about that. I've been messed up. I was really worried when Inari told me what happened.”

“I saw him,” Konohamaru interrupted.

It took Naruto a second to figure out who him could be. The list of people they knew was pretty short and most of those were back at the House. Of course, that didn't include clients. “You mean…”

“It was only a photo,” Konohamaru clarified as he started to grow into a ball again. “I know it's stupid, but it felt like I was there and I was scared.” Naruto put a hand on Konohamaru's back, trying to comfort him.

“Are you talking about Gato?” Inari said speaking up.

Naruto’s head swiveled around to look at Inari in the doorway, confused because he hadn't heard the other boy following him up the stairs. “Gato?”

“Yeah,” Inari said coming into the room. “He was a gangster, everyone hated him. That's why I wanted to hit him in the face with a ball, but you don't have to be scared of him though, Konohamaru.” The boy smiled and said conspiratorially, “Someone killed him months ago. They say it was one of his rivals.” His smile faltered, “How do you know him?”

Naruto glanced at Konohamaru, who nodded to confirm what Inari had said. “We didn't know his name, but Konohamaru thinks you're right. We're not supposed to talk about it though.”

“Why not,” Inari asked. “I thought we were friends?”

“You are,” Konohamaru blurted out. “You're the only friend I've had besides Naruto, but Jiraiya told us we weren't supposed to talk about it.”

The boy crossed his arms, clearly not liking the answer, and he could feel Konohamaru tent with worry. Naruto could feel the mood turning in the room, and at that moment he realized something. Konohamaru and Inari were friends. The kissing had been nothing more than something among friends. That realization made him feel like an idiot, but at the same time he could see they were about to fight.

Inari had told them everything about himself, including about his father Kaiza, but they weren't doing the same. They weren't being fair. That's how Inari would see it at least. Not that Inari was being fair either. Jiraiya was an adult, and you were supposed to do what they told you to do. They had learned that lesson even before arriving at the House. Konohamaru wouldn't disobey what Jiraiya had told him to do, but Naruto could. He could do it for the same reason he could run away from the House, Konohamaru needed him too.

Naruto got up and closed the door before saying, “I'll tell you, Inari.”

“We're not supposed to,” Konohamaru whimpered.

“I'm breaking the rule, not you.” Naruto said before turning to the other boy, “Right Inari?”

Inari bit his lip, suddenly nervous, “I don't want to get you in trouble.”

There was a part of Naruto that wanted to take the offered out, but, “I want to tell you.”