A Place To Call Home

I stormed out of the apartment, my belongings sealed tightly within a scroll tucked under my arm.

My heart pounded fiercely against my ribs as I replayed the scene in my head. Tenten's words, Neji's cold dismissal. A stormy swirl of betrayal and anger that clouded my thoughts.

The streets of the village felt different as I wandered through them. The familiar paths and cheerful shops that I had walked past countless times seemed to stare back at me with a strange, unwelcome gaze.

People whispered as I passed, their eyes darting away when I caught their gaze. The weight of their stares felt like stones piling onto my back, each step growing heavier with a mix of shame and frustration. Is this how Naruto felt back when he was a jinchurinki? There's no way I can endure this for twelve years.

I didn't know where to go. Home was no longer home, friends felt like strangers, and the village seemed like a maze designed to remind me of my sudden fall.

Without realizing, I found myself heading towards the one place that had always promised safety. The orphanage where I grew up. Maybe there, among the innocence of children and the kindness of caretakers who had seen it all, I could find some peace, some sense of direction.

But as I turned down the lane leading to the orphanage, a familiar figure appeared before me. It was Kakashi-sensei, his lone eye revealing nothing of his thoughts, yet the slight tilt of his head suggested concern.

"Yuji," Kakashi called out softly as he approached. "Where are you going?"

"To the orphanage," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "i don't have a home anymore. I… I don't know where else to go."

Kakashi nodded, understanding flashing across his features for just a moment before he offered a small, reassuring smile. "Come with me instead. You can stay at my place for now."

Relief, sharp and sudden, cut through the fog of my emotions. "Thank you, Kakashi sensei," I managed to say, my gratitude deep and genuine. How will I ever repay the members of team seven? Is this what being a comrade means?

We walked together in silence, the village around us slowly giving way to a quieter, more secluded part of town where Kakashi lived. His house was modest, tucked away amidst a copse of trees that whispered softly in the evening breeze.

As we entered, Kakashi led me through to a small room that was simple yet welcoming. "You can stay here," he said, motioning around the room that would be mine for now.

I nodded, setting my scroll down, suddenly feeling the exhaustion of the day weighing down on me like a heavy cloak.

Before I could say anything, Kakashi guided me back to the living room. There, on the wall, hung a picture of a woman with a kind smile. Beautiful. Kakashi's deceased wife. Seeing it stirred a mix of respect and sadness within me.

Kakashi seemed to follow my gaze, and for a moment, his usual mask of indifference slipped. "Yes. That's her," he began, sitting down across from me. "my wife. Life does like it's challenges, right?"

I tore my gaze away from the picture and faced Kakashi. "Sorry for my language but fuck life."

"Understandable with what you're going through. Yuji. Don't take what I'm about to say as discouragement. In cases like this, the truth may never come out. And sometimes, even when the truth comes out, the shadows of doubt linger."

He paused, ensuring I was listening. "Even if we find the real killer, Yuji, restoring your image in the eyes of the village will take time. People fear what they don't know. But remember, those who know you, who truly understand you, won't be swayed by rumors. Those are the people who's opinion matters. Not those who would rather believe a version of events that is clearly untrue if it fits the interesting narrative they have in their head."

His words were like a balm, soothing yet stark in their honesty. "What should I do, sensei?" I asked, feeling lost.

"Stay true to yourself," Kakashi advised. "Train, help others, be the person that I know you are. Let your actions speak for you. It won't be easy, but it's the path back to regaining trust."

I nodded, the weight of his words settling in my heart. "I'll try. I won't let this break me."

Kakashi smiled. "That's the spirit. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and we have much to do."

I headed to my room. Sleep wasn't easy coming but it was surely better than what I'd been getting in the cells.

******

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains of my temporary room at Kakashi sensei's house, gently pulling me from my sleep. Lying in bed for a moment, I let the tranquility of the morning wash over me.

As I sat up, the events that had unfolded felt like a distant nightmare, yet the reality of my situation was as clear as the morning sun. Today was not just another day; it was the beginning of my fight to reclaim my life and my name.

I dressed quietly, my movements deliberate. Each fold of my attire, each tie of my headband, felt like an affirmation of my resolve. Today, I would not hide nor would I let the whispers define me. I would walk through the village with my head held high, the truth my shield against the rumors.

Stepping out of the room, I found Kakashi already awake, his presence a silent pillar of support. He offered me a small nod as I joined him in the kitchen, where the aroma of tea filled the small space.

"Sleep well?" he asked, handing me a cup.

"Well enough," I admitted, accepting the tea. "Thank you for… everything."

Kakashi simply waved off my thanks. "You can stay here for as long as it takes to get back on your feet. Don't wait for me when it comes to food. Eat whatever you see in the pantry. Get it?"

I nodded. He patted my shoulder and left the house to wherever he visits in the mornings. I sighed as I stared at the Hokage monument, visible through the kitchen window.

I am Yuji Mukokuseki. I am a soul living a second life, I am a genin of Konohagakure and I am not a murderer.