Naruto: Akira’s Story

Home sweet home - it feels so good to be back. I think I'm actually starting to get used to this place. Sure, my home's security leaves a lot to be desired - any shinobi could break in here without breaking a sweat, and let's not even talk about my lack of privacy. 

It's not a great feeling, knowing there are masked people watching you around the clock. Still, there are some upsides - for example, the one who was tailing me actually saved my life.

During those few days in the hospital, I had plenty of time to think things over, and I'm pretty sure now that the kunoichi from ANBU is my assigned watcher. I just can't believe it was some random ANBU who happened to be there at the right time. And… if my mind wasn't playing tricks on me, that ANBU is actually Itachi… -chan?

It all adds up. The portrait with Sasuke could only have interested her - no other ANBU would have blown their cover so clumsily, not even as a joke. But for a cute picture of Sasuke-chan holding a cat? I bet Itachi would take that risk. Of course, part of me still says Itachi could be a guy, and maybe that kunoichi just looked a bit like his male version, but considering some people here have a different gender, that kunoichi is probably Sasuke's big sister. Man, this world is nuts.

Well, for saving me, I'll forgive you for stealing the portrait. Hm, Itachi drops by every other morning, makes tea, and brings all sorts of treats. Does she even realize how she's acting?

Anyway, now that I'm home, I need to make up for lost time. Pulling my left hand up to my right, still in a cast, I summoned some clones. Right now, I can easily make three clones - I tried summoning a fourth, but after that I felt completely drained. All I could do was lie on the bed. I summoned three clones in the bathroom - one was going to write the next part of my book while sitting on the toilet, the others would practice fuinjutsu on the floor.

"You… damn, I wasn't expecting that." Looking at my three clones, all awkwardly staring at their own casted arms, I wanted to facepalm and punch the Second Hokage.

"Uh, can you take the cast off?" I asked the clones.

"No problem, just a sec… ouch." The clone who spoke vanished in a puff of smoke, making me wince from the pain that got passed back to me.

"Well, what can you do." The two remaining clones just shrugged and smiled.

I sighed and was about to dispel them, but then a wicked idea popped into my head, making me grin and my clones look nervous.

"You know, anything can happen in life. Let's say we master writing kanji perfectly and even get the hang of fuinjutsu - what if your right hand is busy or out of commission? Like, in a fight or if you're injured."

The clones looked at me in horror, exchanged glances, then sighed, nodded, and sat down to practice. I summoned a third clone again - he saw the others working with their left hands and called me a monster.

"Yeah, good luck, guys." I said with a smile, closing the door. I mean, I just made life harder for my clones - which is basically myself - so why does it feel so satisfying?

I was about to sit down and enjoy a nice cup of strong green tea when someone knocked at the door.

Aside from the cast, I looked pretty presentable. After the hospital, I'd managed to take a refreshing shower, so I didn't hesitate to open the door.

"Oh, Kushina-san, good to see you. I was just thinking about stopping by to thank you for all the food." And she even brought a tray again - she's a wonder, everyone should have neighbors like her.

"Oh, please, Akira-san, it's the least I can do. How's your arm?" she asked, stepping inside after I let her in.

"Healing faster than expected. And it looks like you're trying to get me hooked on your amazing cooking." The smell of roasted meat was so good, I was practically drooling.

"Oh, come on, you cook just as well as I do. I just thought, with your injury, it might be a bit tough to cook for yourself." She waved it off, setting the tray on the table.

"Yeah, I'm pretty helpless right now - can't even write my book. Don't worry, Kushina-san, I doubt I'll starve, but thank you for caring."

"Ahem, I think we know each other well enough by now - you don't have to be so formal with me." She was eyeing the corner of my kitchen.

"Oh, that's great, Kushina. I'd be happy if you dropped the formalities with me too." Honestly, I'm sick of all these -san, -chan, -kun, etc. Sometimes I even forget to use the suffixes, though no one's ever called me out on it. Now that I've got the green light, I can be a little bolder and skip the -chan, too. It's not like Minato's going to show up out of nowhere and try to kick my ass at light speed.

"Mmm, all right, Akira." She nodded, her cheeks tinged with pink. "But… your place is a little dusty."

"Yeah, I like to keep things tidy, but that doesn't mean I like cleaning. I've been putting it off for two weeks. I guess I'll have to ask Manami-chan to help after her shift."

"Manami-chan?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, she works for me - keeps my restaurant clean and organized."

"Well, I don't think you should bother her after work. She needs her rest, too. Akira, where do you keep your rags and bucket?"

"In the bathroom, behind the door, so they're not in the way…" I answered automatically, and only when I saw her heading that way did it hit me why she was asking.

Jumping up from my chair, I quickly blocked her path and, to add a little "weight" to my words, put my left hand on her shoulder.

"Kushina, bless you, but you really don't have to. You already do so much for me - I can easily find someone to help, and luckily, I'm not exactly broke."

She opened her eyes wide and slowly looked down. Following her gaze, I realized with a jolt that my half-bent arm in the cast was pressing somewhere it shouldn't. At least it was just a touch.

"Um, Akira, just sit and eat." She pretended not to notice, slipped around me, and went into the bathroom.

"Oh, goddesses aren't allowed in there."

"Yeah, beautiful women are forbidden from entering."

"Wait, isn't it the other way around? Cutie, come on in, don't listen to these idiots."

Hearing three voices that all sounded like me, I couldn't help but try to smack my forehead - only to get a jolt of pain from my right hand. Forming a seal with my left, I dispelled the clones.

"Um, Akira, are your clones practicing calligraphy on the bathroom floor?" she asked, turning around with a look that was a mix of surprise, embarrassment, and confusion.

"Yeah," I sighed, "all the experience the clones get transfers to me when I dispel them. It's a good way to speed up learning and free up my schedule."

"Hm, that makes sense." She bent down in the bathroom to pick up a sheet from the floor. I don't need to tell you how good her figure looked, or how her house dress hugged her hips in all the right ways.

I don't know how long I was staring at her curves, but Kushina brought me back to earth when she turned and said:

"Yeah, you're getting a lot better - and it's only been a little while. I never thought of using clones like that. You really are a genius." She shot me a quick look.

"Genius, huh. It's the only jutsu I can actually use, so whether I like it or not, I had to figure out how it works." I quickly looked back up at her face.

"I see. Well, I'll start with the bathroom, and when I'm done, you can make more clones." And not a single question about why they were doing that in the bathroom, or how I know the technique. I guess it's more that I managed to fluster her three times in the last minute - twice myself, once with the clones.

Damn, and to clean the floor, she'll have to bend over again… yeah, the hospital is not good for a man's self-control.

****

[ Third POV ]

Honestly, I expected that dropping the formalities would make our relationship more friendly and close, but… so far, it's gotten closer in a different way. He recently "accidentally" groped me, and then stared at my butt like he was hypnotized, dattebane! It's so embarrassing, and what's even more embarrassing is my own reaction. I don't have to clean the floor with my back to him, but why do I keep doing it?

Oh, he's looking at me again, thinking I don't notice. He probably doesn't know that all shinobi - even retired ones - have super sharp senses. When I was at my peak, I could easily feel a glance at my back, no matter how far away. It's hard not to notice when someone's staring, trying to see the outline of your panties through your dress. It's distracting and…

 Kami, what am I thinking? Good thing I wore my panties with fuin on them, otherwise I'm not sure my green dress would hide how I'm starting to get turned on.

How embarrassing. And to think, when I found out he was courting another girl - probably Kurenai - I thought I'd start seeing Akira more as a close friend, someone I'd enjoy spending time with now and then. I know I'm not right for him. Why would a young, handsome guy want to tie himself to me - a not-so-young widow with a kid? 

What could I give him? Money? He's got plenty, and with his brains, he'll be able to throw money around in the future. Love? If he wanted, he could snap his fingers and almost any girl in the village would love him more than their own parents. 

Even Naruko - I'm sure she didn't run home from the academy as fast as she ran to the hospital. And she's not even bothered by the fact that Akira is clearly into older women… that's it! Kurenai is definitely older than him, and judging by the way he looks at me… And I don't remember him looking at Kurenai in the hospital the way he looks at me.

Ugh, now I'm starting to itch down there. I need to finish up quickly. Kushina, you can think about him later - right now, any thought is going to lead to fantasies you really don't need.

****

[ First POV ]

Before Kushina came back from the bathroom, I quickly used a technique I'd mastered back in my old world at school: "Hide-the-boner-no-Jutsu." It's not a forbidden technique, but you have to make sure there are no witnesses, your pants are sturdy, and your shirt is a little loose. Luckily, when she came back, she didn't really look my way. After a round of thank-yous, she took the tray and left.

It felt like sitting through a long porn scene without being able to do anything about it. It's a weird experience - not exactly unpleasant, but kind of frustrating, especially in my underwear.

****

[ Third POV ]

When she got home, Naruko found Kushina coming out of her room with her bedsheets and dirty clothes, which she'd been hiding under the bed.

"Oh, Naruko, you're home early from the academy today." Kushina jumped a little in the doorway.

Dattebayo, how embarrassing - I should at least clean my own room. Look how hard it is for Mom to keep the house clean every day, she's all sweaty. All right! I'll definitely help her with the dishes today.

"Mom, let me help - you look tired. You even forgot we got a week off from classes." Naruko said, full of concern and wanting to help.

"Oh, no-no-no, I'm already… done with the cleaning. Go change and come down to eat, and don't forget to shower - you stink." She said, hurrying away.

"You stink too!" Naruko wanted to say, but held back and went into her room with a smile.

Shishishi, good thing my room is right next to Akira's, just a wall between us. Now I know he's back. I'll have to go visit him later. Maybe I'll offer to help with his shopping? I didn't catch everything, but I think he said something about needing to buy napkins.

***

[ Kushina image ]



🔥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🔥

Thank you so much for the power stones! I really appreciate the support!