Chapter 4

The Boy Who Was Called a Monster

It's been about a week and a half since they started living on their own. Kotomi was noticing a drastic change in Sasuke's behavior. He was always quiet to begin with, but he became even more quieter than usual. He shut more people out than usual, keeping his distance and not associating with them whatsoever. The only one who he was open with was his sister. Though at times he gave her the cold shoulder as well, but not too often.

This was worrying Kotomi. She completely understood why her brother was acting like this. The hatred for their brother was growing within each day. There were times when he came home really late or not at all. But despite that, she didn't want her brother to be a shutout. He needed to be more open to people than just her.

Waiting for her brother by the academy, Kotomi saw older children starting to come out. She was expecting to see her brother walk among the crowd, but she didn't see him anywhere.

A pink hair girl with green eyes noticed that she was there. "You're Sasuke-kun's little sister. I remember seeing you that time when you stopped by to give him his lunch."

Kotomi shyly nodded. "Y-Yes. I came to pick him up. Have you seen him?"

The girl shook her head. "He usually disappears during this time. I don't know where he goes."

Lowering her eyes, Kotomi swallowed. "That's ok. I'll go look for him. Thank you." Taking a slight bow, she started to walk away.

The girl extended her hand, the words wouldn't come out. She blinked at Kotomi's back, softly smiling. "They look alike, but they're really different."

It's been hours since Kotomi has been wandering around the village. The sun was setting, turning the entire scenery orange. At this point, her stomach was growling loudly.

Panting as she walked, Kotomi continued to search for Sasuke. "Onii-san!" It felt like she searched everywhere in the village, but no luck.

Kotomi stopped, looking towards the direction of a playground. She saw many parents leaving the park with their children. The only thing was, there was one child left by himself. He was smiling as he watched them go, his face soon dropped as they walked further away.

From a distance, Kotomi saw him walking towards the swings. There was nobody around him anymore, she could feel the loneliness in the air. Should she go over to him or let him be?

Kotomi knew in the back of her head that many people either ignored him or said such awful remarks to him. He had always caused trouble in the village, getting under everyone's skin. Maybe that was his way of getting attention, even if it was in a negative way. Making her decision, Kotomi started walking towards him.

Hearing footsteps drawing close, the boy looked up, seeing Kotomi there. The words were stuck in her throat. He needed someone, a friend. The look in his eyes yearned for someone to be there for him.

Softly smiling at him, Kotomi started to speak up. "Hello. You're Naruto, right?"

Grunting in surprise, Naruto nodded. "Yeah. Who are you?" He squinted his eyes, seeming like he was trying to remember where he saw her. "Wait... Aren't you that jerk's sister everyone was talking about that time?"

Kotomi just blinked. "Jerk? Are you talking about Sasuke?"

Irritation was written all over Naruto's face. "Yeah! He always thinks he's better than me! But one day I'll be stronger than him!"

Kotomi giggled. "I can see that happening."

Even though she genuinely meant that, Naruto saw it as her way of mocking him. "You're just like him and everyone else! Always making fun of me! I don't want the jerk's sister to bring me down like he has!"

It seemed like that touched a nerve as Kotomi's face looked visibly angry. "Listen... I'm not like my brother! Don't talk to me that way just because I'm his sister! I'm my own person, got it?!"

Fear appeared on Naruto's face. "S-Sorry..."

Letting out a sigh, Kotomi looked bad for what she just did. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It's just that... I don't like being compared to my brother. I've always been seen as Sasuke's sister to other people. Never just Kotomi."

Now Naruto was the one who looked like he was feeling bad. "I'm sorry... I had no idea."

"It's ok. If you're wondering why I came over to you, it's because I made up my mind about something."

Naruto arched an eyebrow. "Made your mind up about what?"

Kotomi extended her hand out towards him. "I know we gone off the wrong foot, so I want to start this over. I want to be friends with you."

His eyes started wavering. "Friends..?"

Kotomi nodded. "Yes. I would like to be your friend if you would like to do the same."

As Naruto was about to accept her friendship by meeting her hand with his, he heard her stomach growl loudly. He froze on the spot, the next second he started busting out laughing. "You're right about what you said! You're nothing like that jerk! He would never have his stomach growl like that in class!"

Blushing in embarrassment, Kotomi looked away. "I've been looking for him for hours, so I haven't had dinner yet."

Wiping a tear from his eye, Naruto was calming his laughter as he stood up from the swings. "Don't worry! I can take you to the best place in town!"

Kotomi arched an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

"You'll see! It'll be my treat as your new friend!"

Kotomi's eyes sparkled at Naruto's acceptance as her friend. A smile appeared on her face. "Thank you!"

***

Arriving at a ramen shop, Naruto and Kotomi placed an order, now waiting for their food. Naruto was rubbing his hand together with an eager smile. "I can't wait to eat this!"

Kotomi softly smiled. "Ichiraku Ramen, huh? I never had this before, so it will be my first time trying their ramen."

"Their ramen is the best!" Naruto saw the ramen bowl placed in front of him, his eyes sparkled. "Oh boy! Time to dig in!" Breaking his chopsticks in half and clasping his hands together, he started slurping the ramen like their was no tomorrow.

Kotomi started giggling at the sight, turning over towards her bowl. It looked very delicious and mouthwatering. Breaking her chopsticks in half and clasping her hands together, she took her first bite.

Placing the chopsticks on the table, Naruto arched an eyebrow at her while slurping the noodles. "What's wrong?"

Kotomi swallowed. "It's... It's..." Her eyes started to sparkle. "It's the best thing I ever had!"

Naruto started laughing. "Right?! Go ahead and dig in!" Right after he said that, Kotomi started slurping the noodles like she hadn't eaten in days.

At the same time, Naruto and Kotomi was gulping down the soup, putting their bowl down while letting out a satisfied sigh. "That hit the spot! Right, Kotomi-chan?"

Kotomi nodded happily. "It was! Thank you for taking me here!"

"Anytime!" He paused for a moment. "You probably have to go home now. I bet that jerk's wondering where you are."

Her eyes widen. "Oh no! I forgot that I was out looking for him earlier! But you're right... He might be home, so I should check."

Naruto's eyes looks somewhat sad. He didn't have anyone waiting for him at home or to go home to. But despite that, he gave her a small smile. "We should do this again sometime."

Kotomi smiled back. "I would like that very much."

Outside of Ichiraku Ramen, the two waved goodbye to one another before they parted ways. Kotomi was glad that she reached out to him. She felt so happy to consider him as a friend. He wasn't the monster that people made him out to be, so she was right about that. He just needed someone to accept him.

***

Arriving at home, Kotomi closed the door behind her. "I'm home." Despite not knowing if Sasuke was home or not.

"Where were you?" Sasuke's sudden voice asked. He made his appearance known, walking towards her.

Kotomi started nervously laughing. "I was out with a friend!"

"A friend?"

"Yeah, you know him. Naruto."

Sasuke grunted, his expression soon turned neutral. "Why were you out with that idiot?"

"Because he treated me to ramen. We should go there sometime together with him! It's really good!"

"I think I'll pass."

"I think you and Naruto should become friends!"

Sasuke looked irritated more than anything. "I'll never become friends with that idiot!"

"But he's a good person! Even if you don't want to, I'll continue being his friend no matter what you have to say about it!"

Clicking his tongue, Sasuke turned his back on her. "Do what you want." With that, he began to walk away.

Kotomi extended her hand out. "Wait! Do you want me to make you something for dinner?!"

"I'm good, thanks."

"Onii-san!" She heard the door close, assuming that Sasuke went into his room. Letting out a sigh, Kotomi couldn't help but smile. "I'll make him something anyway." Taking off her shoes, she headed towards the kitchen.

Turning on the stove, Kotomi started to chop some vegetables. In her mind, she wanted Sasuke and Naruto to become friends. She knew that she couldn't force it, but she thought that they would be good for each other. It felt like those two would eventually become friends without her help, even if it took a while.

A/N: One of my ideas was that Kotomi and Naruto become friends when they're really young. They will form a strong brother-sister relationship later on, so there won't be any romantic feelings with them whatsoever.