I stood up, my movements deliberate and slow.
I walked toward him, my eyes never leaving the boys.
Without a word, I extended my hand to Naruto.
He looked up at me, his tear-streaked face filled with a mixture of confusion and gratitude.
I didn't wait for him to speak.
I just pulled him to his feet with a gentle but firm grip.
One of the boys sneered, looking at me with a mocking grin.
"Look, here comes the other monster," he taunted, laughing with his friends.
I smiled, a small, cold curve of my lips.
But I said nothing.
I simply turned away, taking Naruto's hand and leading him with me, away from the park, away from their laughter.
I didn't need to say anything.
The message was clear.
They would never get to see me break.
And neither would Naruto.
I pulled Naruto a little farther away from the swings, my grip on his hand firm but not harsh.
The sounds of the other children's laughter faded behind us, but the hurt in Naruto's eyes didn't.
He looked up at me, his brows furrowed, tears still clinging to his lashes.
"Why do they call us monsters?" His voice cracked, small and vulnerable.
"It's like... we're beneath them."
I stopped walking for a moment, turning to face him.
His innocent eyes, filled with confusion and pain, pierced through the carefully constructed walls I had built around myself.
But I couldn't let that break me.
Not now.
Not ever.
I knelt down to his level, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair from his face.
"It doesn't matter what they say," I said quietly, keeping my voice steady.
"You're my little brother. Sweet... and an idiot."
Naruto blinked, the tears still pooling in his eyes, but something shifted in his expression.
He opened his mouth to protest, his usual fiery spirit ready to fight back.
"I'm not stupid," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.
I gave him a slight smile, one that didn't quite reach my eyes but still held a hint of warmth.
"I know," I said, my tone reassuring, though the words felt strange coming from me.
He sniffled, wiping his tears quickly, trying to act tough despite the crack in his heart.
---
As we walked toward the orphanage, my mind wasn't on Naruto's sadness.
It never was.
I couldn't afford to let emotions cloud my judgment.
I knew the truth.
I knew the weight of the eyes that watched us.
The ANBU.
I could feel their presence, unseen, like ghosts in the shadows.
Always watching.
Always waiting for something, anything, that would give them a reason to intervene.
I couldn't make a move against those boys, not without risking everything.
Not without risking suspicion from the Hokage himself.
They had eyes on us.
They had eyes on me.
If I made the wrong move, if I retaliated too fiercely, I knew the consequences would be severe.
I couldn't afford to make the Hokage curious.
I couldn't let anyone suspect that there was something... different about me.
Not yet.