Ayame tilted her head. "You look deep in thought, Naruto. Something on your mind?"
Naruto hesitated. Then, between bites, he mumbled, "Why do humans get mad at things they don't understand?"
Ayame blinked. "...That's a weird question."
Teuchi, however, hummed, scratching his chin. "Well, people don't like what they can't explain. Makes 'em uncomfortable."
"Why?"
"Because the unknown is scary," Teuchi said simply.
Naruto frowned.
Scary?
The unknown wasn't scary. It was just...unknown.
But maybe humans saw things differently.
—ToT—
Naruto blinked. He had been minding his own business, wandering through the marketplace, when he spotted a familiar figure in civilian clothes.
Weasel.
Except he wasn't wearing his usual ANBU mask and armor. No, today, he was just a normal-looking guy with long black hair and sharp, intelligent eyes. Beside him stood a woman who bore a striking resemblance to him—same raven hair, same calm demeanor.
The woman noticed him first. Her dark eyes widened, then softened, and before Naruto could react, she let out a delighted coo.
"Oh my, you must be Naruto-kun!"
Naruto stiffened.
Why was she looking at him like that? Like she...knew him?
She crouched slightly to be more at his height, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Itachi, you never told me he was this adorable!"
Adorable?
Naruto didn't know how to respond to that. He wasn't sure if he should be flattered or insulted.
Itachi—no, Weasel—glanced at him and gave a small nod. "Naruto, this is my mother, Mikoto Uchiha."
Mikoto Uchiha.
Sasuke's mother.
That explained the similar face.
Mikoto reached out, as if she wanted to ruffle his hair, but Naruto instinctively stepped back. Her hand paused in midair before she chuckled softly, letting it drop. "Oh, sorry, dear. I didn't mean to startle you."
Naruto didn't say anything. His eyes flickered toward Itachi.
Why was he being introduced to someone's mother?
Itachi seemed to sense his confusion. "My mother has been wanting to meet you for some time. She's heard a lot about you."
Naruto tilted his head. "Heard what?"
Mikoto smiled. "Oh, Itachi has mentioned you a few times. And Sasuke too."
Naruto's brows furrowed. Sasuke? Why would he talk about him?
Itachi folded his arms. "Sasuke told her you defeated him in a spar."
Oh. That.
Naruto gave a simple nod. "Yes."
Mikoto, to his surprise, didn't look upset. She actually laughed. "Well, I suppose that bruised his pride a little. But I'm sure it was a good learning experience for him."
Naruto frowned. "He cried."
Mikoto's lips twitched in amusement. "Did he now?"
"He glared at me too," Naruto added. "Like this." He narrowed his eyes in an exaggerated, dramatic way.
Mikoto giggled. "Yes, that sounds like Sasuke."
Naruto wasn't sure what to make of this woman. She looked like a noble clan lady, well-dressed and refined, yet she talked to him like he was just some normal kid. Most adults either ignored him or looked at him with disdain.
Mikoto clasped her hands together. "Sasuke is a good boy. Perhaps you two can be friends?"
Naruto blinked. "Friends?"
"Yes," Mikoto said warmly. "You're both in the same class, right? I think it would be nice if you got along."
Naruto glanced at Itachi, then back at Mikoto. "He doesn't like me. Dattebane."
Mikoto smiled patiently. "That doesn't mean you can't be friends in the future. Sometimes, friendships start unexpectedly."
Naruto wasn't sure about that. Sasuke glared at him too much. And the girls in class already looked like they wanted to throw him into a fire for 'hurting' their precious Uchiha prince.
Still...
Mikoto's kindness felt strange.
"Friends, huh," Naruto mumbled.
Mikoto reached out again, but this time, she was slower. She lightly brushed his hair back in a motherly way, and Naruto found himself frozen in place. It felt...weird.
But not bad.
"Just think about it, okay?" she said gently.
Naruto gave a slow nod.
Mikoto smiled before straightening up. "Well, Itachi, we should get going. We still have to pick up a few things for dinner."
Itachi nodded. "Of course."
Mikoto looked down at Naruto one last time. "It was nice meeting you, Naruto-kun. Be good, alright?"
Naruto just blinked at her as she and Itachi walked away.
He wasn't sure what just happened.
But for some reason, the warmth of her hand on his head lingered.
TBC