Legacy [ Naruto Reader-Insert ]

獮 - Sen - Autumn Hunt PT 2

"What." You say, squinting your good eye so you won't get blinded by the sun.

"Don't think too much," Hound says, tone sounding brusque as if he's making a casual comment about the weather. His trademark book already spread open in his hand, "You're going to get wrinkles before you hit thirty."

"I don't even think I'll reach thirty," You mumble under your breath so that he wouldn't be able to hear it, then in a louder voice, "Don't tell me what I can't do." You swat his hand away.

Hound's way of initiating physical contact is- Is very. You don't know how to finish that sentence in your head. It agitates you. Your neck burns hot and there's an uncontrollable feeling in your torso that it makes you want to claw your chest out. And what's this with his hand on your head?

He's really good at making you feel fucking small. In short, it pissses you off.

Hold it in. Hold it. He's your sensei. You have to show him some respect. Some, yeah. Just some.

____

And the two of you are walking around the village without any direction whatsoever. He leads you through the business district only to buy some groceries and some mission supplies like kunai and smoke bombs.

Do it in your own free time and not when you're supposed to train me! Goddamnit!

You want to say that out loud but the idea of Sandaime getting a report that you aren't getting along with Hound scares you. Would you be punished for insubordination because you decide to talk back and disrespect Hound? Would that be a permanent mark on your record if you wanted a promotion?

Then you follow him to the biggest bookstore in the village where he spent twenty minutes browsing through the ahem, adult section while you try not to sulk and let the disappointment show on your face while you leaf through some kenjutsu scrolls to pass the time.

What's the point of doing this? Is he trying to kill time before he calls the training session over?

No, no. Don't get distracted by your own anger. You're going to make full use of your time in the library, browsing the other books while waiting for Hound to get out of the adult section of the library that's sectioned off with a white curtain that blocks out vision.

You try to think about the Nara's temple services and the hollow chiming of the big metal bell they ring to rid yourself of all worldly desires (like say, an attempt to plan an assassination). Tong. Ton- Ah. Hound is coming out of the curtains with a stack of books, making his way towards the counter. A perverted expression under his mask.

Well. A forced smile makes its way to your lips. At least you know where he lives.

____

Hound stops right at the overhead walkway with a good view of the Academy training grounds with a piece of manju that he bought at a nearby stall. He offered to buy you one too but you vehemently refused. So you got a strawberry flavoured popsicle instead.

He takes a bite out of the soft pastry somehow without letting you see his face (how many laws of physics do you think that mask breaks? All of them). You bite off a chunk of the icy treat as you take in the rest of the scenery from above.

Trees, a wide empty field. Memories of your many spars with your classmates come into mind as you take another small bite, letting the sweet ice melt in your mouth. You can taste strawberry flavoured syrup that's coated around your tongue.