Preview: The Night Market – 5

“And the next time I catch you down here, Little Fox,” Kakuzu hauled up Naruto, whispering meanly in his face, “I won’t be so nice.” Then he dragged Naruto out and dumped him on the sidewalk. “Now get outta here!” His livid voice resonated in the street. “And enjoy your new piece.”

Cafe goers and onlookers turned to the sound in unison and a police officer came running up before Kakuzu could duck back behind his gate. So he straightened and smoothed his coat front, an old kimono coat, pocketing the needle, and plastered on a bored smile.

The officer ran over and hoisted up Naruto, inspecting the lines that were weeping blood down his cheeks. Shaking and choking back sobs, Naruto slowly stood.

“What’s going on here,” the young officer demanded.

“Just a simple transaction,” Kakuzu said with a mean smile. “The whelp has been pestering me for quite a while. Dropping by unannounced and practically begging for me to carve out his little design.”

Naruto looked murderously at the old man. He tried not to cry because his tears were burning the gouges. But it didn’t stop them from coming. The policeman eyed them both suspiciously, trying to determine if this story was true.

“He even paid me for the work.” Kakuzu pulled out the roll of money — Naruto’s roll of money — and showed it off.

The officer frowned then. “Is this true,” he said sharply to the boy.

Naruto’s faculties had returned. He scanned his surroundings and his chest heaved with angry breaths. Deidara and Sasori had abandoned him. He was caught by their ‘old friend.’ Maybe the three of them were even in on it together. Was this why Deidara said he ‘chose him’—

“Of course it’s true! Why else would he be down here every evening if he didn’t want some work done on him?” Kakuzu grinned like a cat who’d finally caught the mouse.

And Naruto knew he was caught. He couldn’t admit to a police officer that he’d really been nicking things from the old man, even if it was only a prank. He’d be thrown in jail, even for a couple of hours. And it would ruin his chances of getting into the academy—

Another thought crashed down him— The academy, the police force, his future…all of it…. Gone.

Kakuzu had sentenced him to something much worse. And he knew it. Naruto bit back a sob.

The officer glared at Naruto, waiting for an answer. Finally, gritting his teeth, cheeks throbbing with pain, Naruto said, “Yes.”

Kakuzu’s smile widened until it was all teeth. “Wanted to join a gang this one. Called himself the ‘Little Fox.’ So I just gave him some whiskers.”

The officer jerked Naruto hard by the shoulder, all previous concern gone, but his stern look was aimed at Kakuzu. “Old man, if I catch you working on minors again, it’s lights out for you. Got it? You know tattooing — even scarification like this — is illegal now in Konoha. I know you stick to ‘the old ways’ but times are different. Even if a kid like this does come to you,” he fisted the sleeve of Naruto’s shirt, “you still can’t do it. Understand?”

Kakuzu put up his hands, taken aback. “Of course! My mistake! Won’t ever happen again!”

The officer grunted then wheeled Naruto around. The crowd of onlookers dispersed.

“Where do you live kid? I need to speak to your parents.”

Naruto sniffed and cringed painfully. The movement stretched his shredded skin. He dabbed at his blood-wet cheeks, tears welling up at the pain. “I-I live at the Konoha Home.”

“Oh….” The officer was quiet for a moment. “And how old are you?”

“I’m 14,” Naruto said, voice breaking.

Then officer put everything together. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing? Associating with a guy like that? I grew up in a children’s home too, you know.” Naruto’s shoulders slumped, and the officer jerked him along without sympathy. “So, I guess going to an academy wasn’t good enough for you? Going to make your name on the streets instead?”

“No, that’s not— I never—“ But it dissolved into a sob. Fresh tears burned his face.

The officer sighed. “Well, it doesn’t matter now. It’s your burden to bear, kid. And everybody’s got one.”

Naruto turned and looked up at the man, unsure of his meaning. In the light of the dank stairwell up to the floor that housed the orphanage, Naruto saw a huge mark across the man’s face. A scar right across his nose.

The officer glanced sideways at him. “You looking at my scar? Yeah, well this came from fighting those men you aspire to be like!” The officer’s anger reignited. He pointed at the kid’s cheek. “But these things mark you for life. No one will even to hire you with that on your face! You know that?” He shook his head. “Geez kid, why’d you go and get it there. Only the gangs will take you now—”

Naruto finally found his voice when they were at the landing. “No, no, I don’t want to be in a gang! I want to go to the police academy and become—“

The door swung open. But the round face of The Konoha Home’s sweet house mother distorted into horror. She took an involuntary step back, clutching her chest at all the blood, before she realized who beneath it. “Na-Naruto? Child, who did this to you?”

“O-Okasaan, I’m so sorry— I didn’t mean to—“ Bloody tears fell off his chin in fat red droplets.

“Officer Iruka Umino, ma’am. Unfortunately, he did this himself. Or rather, he paid for it.” Naruto hung his head and sobbed quietly, but he didn’t deny it. “Apparently he had thoughts of joining one of the local gangs?” The officer’s tone had softened, as if he hoped he was wrong.

“No, he was going to go to academy,” she said pulling Naruto over the threshold and peering at his cheeks. “Police track, if I remember….”

Naruto nodded miserably. The officer cleared his throat. “I don’t see how that’s possible now—“ But he stopped himself. “Well….”

Naruto looked up desperately, scanning his face for any shred of hope. But Officer Umino had none to give. His eyes held something like pity.

The house mother ushered them both inside and set to cleaning Naruto’s wounds. The office spoke about Konoha and its history with gangs…and, delicately, what the boy could expect to find….

The house mother tried to stay positive, but it was harder and harder in the face of everything the officer was saying. “What about his final exam? He was hoping to join the police—?”

Officer Umino shook his head.

The house mother placed her fingers to her mouth to stifle a sob. “Oh….” Naruto went numb.