Chương 42: Ch42: Good Morning
Today I was finishing a book and, when I finished it, I was overcome with that feeling of existential emptiness that only readers will understand. I decided to look for another book to fill the gap, but after much rummaging, I found none that managed to measure up. While reflecting on the meaning of life and my choice of hobbies, I suddenly remembered that I had a fanfic pending to update.
So, dear readers, here's a new chapter for you. T_T
When Yasuke opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was the familiar roof of the orphanage, a drastic contrast to the open skies and dense forest he had experienced during the ordeal. For a moment, all was calm, but quickly recent memories began to flood his mind: the conversation with Grandma Nora, his emotional breakdown, and the mixture of guilt, frustration, and exhaustion that had left him vulnerable.
He wondered why, being a man with a mature mindset due to his past memories, he had allowed his emotions to overtake him like that.
-Is it this body? -He pondered as his gaze wandered across the ceiling, "Are my emotions more intense because I'm growing up in this young body? Or have I simply forgotten how to deal with such heartbreaking situations?
Her thoughts whirled restlessly as she tried to find a logical response to her reaction. In his previous life, he had faced times of stress and pain, but had always managed to remain composed. What made it different now? Was it the influence of the bond he had formed with the leopard or the fact that for the first time he had taken a human life?
His musings were interrupted by a slight movement in his legs. When she looked down, she saw the small feline, curled into a ball, resting on her legs. The cub was sound asleep, its chest rising and falling in a gentle, relaxed rhythm. Yasuke couldn't help but relax his expression at the sight of it. Yasuke exhaled deeply and decided to stop tormenting himself with unanswered questions, at least for now.
-That doesn't matter now," he murmured as he carefully picked up the puppy and pulled it close to his chest.
Placing him under the warm quilt, he kept him safe and wrapped in his arms, feeling the little body relax even more against him. The warmth and softness of the little animal would help calm his mind, at least momentarily.
He looked out the window, watching the night sky barely illuminated by the pale moonlight.
-It's a couple of hours until sunrise," he calculated, letting out a deep sigh.
At that moment, he decided that the best thing to do was to take advantage of the time and get some more rest. He closed his eyes, allowing the calm of the night to envelop him, while the puppy snuggled even more on his chest, purring softly.
A couple of hours had passed. The dawn Yasuke had estimated had finally arrived, filling the room with a soft orange glow. Above the bed, the single breathing of a young black-haired boy and a feline cub created a peaceful, almost idyllic image. However, that peace was about to be interrupted.
A shadow crept silently into the room, its silhouette moving carefully so as not to make a sound. With a wicked grin that it barely managed to contain, the figure readied its "weapon," creeping toward the head of the bed. In his hand he held a pot full of water. The closer he got, the harder it became for him to keep his laughter contained.
Yasuke, for his part, had a restful sleep for the first time in a long time. He hadn't counted the exhaustion-induced fainting spells as real rest, let alone the tense nights in the forest during the test. Even when he did manage to sleep, his senses were always on alert, ready for any threat. He had developed an instinct that protected him even in the most vulnerable moments, a reflex he learned to sleep next to a beast capable of taking his head off with a single claw.
That same instinct was suddenly activated. Yasuke did not question the threat; he simply reacted. In the blink of an eye, his leg moved with precision and speed, connecting with the would-be attacker before he could react.
The impact echoed through the room, followed by a loud splash. When Yasuke finally opened his eyes, he found himself standing next to the bed, holding the small puppy under his arm carefully. A few steps away from him, Minato lay on the floor, soaked from head to toe. A metal pot, clearly the fault of the puddle of water now spreading around the room, rested precariously on his head.
Minato slowly looked up, his face reflecting a mixture of disbelief and resignation. Yasuke, still processing the scene in front of him, couldn't help but let out a biting comment as a smirk formed on his lips.
-"Hi, Minato," he said in his characteristic stoic tone, though it was clear he was enjoying the situation. I like your new style. It looks quite... refreshing on you.
Minato removed the pot from his head with an exaggerated sigh, letting the water drip from his blond hair as he gave her a look that was somewhere between annoyed and amused.
-Hey, what the hell was that? -she exclaimed, with a mixture of indignation and embarrassment.
-It wasn't me who decided to invade my room with a weapon of mass destruction in my hands," he pointed to the metal pot that was now rolling on the floor. So who's to blame here?
The puppy in Yasuke's arms let out a small purr, as if enjoying the scene as well, while Minato frowned.
-Tsk, this is what I get for trying to brighten your day with a good morning joke. But hey, at least he showed reflexes.
Yasuke shrugged.
-Well, thanks for reminding me why I prefer the forest.
The puppy, who had been watching everything from the bed with his big curious eyes, let out a little purr, as if he was approving of the situation.
Minato looked at him and then pointed at Yasuke.
-What about this little guy, is he your new ninja ally?
Yasuke, relaxing his posture, stroked the puppy's head before answering.
-Talvez. He's a good companion, he doesn't try to get me wet while I'm resting.
After Minato's mention of the little guy, Yasuke was silent for a moment. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and his eyes lit up with concern.
-Right... Minato, I have to feed the little one," Yasuke said, looking down at the puppy who was still comfortably curled up on the bed.
Minato, meanwhile, had taken Yasuke's towel with utter brazenness and began to dry his soaked hair, without showing even a hint of embarrassment about it.
-And what are you waiting for? Let's go to the kitchen. I'm sure there's something you can use there," Minato replied with a carefree smile, while continuing to rub his hair with the towel.
Yasuke, used to Minato's relaxed demeanor, didn't even flinch. He nodded as he picked up the makeshift bottle he had made at Sakumo's house.
-Okay, let's go. But give me back the towel later.
Minato let out a small laugh as he wrapped it around his neck like a scarf.
-Why? If it's already soaked," she replied, following him with light steps as they both left the room.
Walking down the halls of the orphanage together, the puppy in Yasuke's arms woke up a little, emitting a light purr before snuggling back into his chest. Yasuke beeped slightly at the sound, as Minato watched him out of the corner of his eye curiously.
-You know? -Minato said with a thoughtful expression. It's strange to see you so... how should I put it? Protective. I never thought you were the kind of person who would take care of a puppy.
Yasuke raised an eyebrow, looking at Minato with some irony.
-And what kind of person did you think I was?
-I don't know... more of a "stoic and lonely" type. Although, come to think of it, I guess that makes sense. You're like that lone wolf who suddenly finds a pack. Or in this case, a puppy.
-You have an overactive imagination, Minato," Yasuke replied, though he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at the comment.
They reached the kitchen, which by this time was completely deserted. The utensils shone neat and tidy, while the morning light streamed through the windows, illuminating the place with a warm glow. Minato, with his usual enthusiasm, began to open the cabinets without asking permission.
-Let's see what we have here. Although, to be honest, I don't know much about what a leopard cub eats," he said, pulling out a couple of jars and examining them with a confused expression.
Yasuke walked over to the sink and carefully rinsed the makeshift bottle he had made at Sakumo's house.
-Don't worry. The basics for now is milk. I can use this bottle I made earlier, but I'll need something to boil water and mix it with some powdered milk. Do you think there's something like that here?
Minato, who now had a saucepan in his hand, shook it as if it were a trophy.
-Is this any good?
-Perfect. Now get some powdered milk.
As Minato rummaged through the shelves, Yasuke placed the pan on the stove and turned up the heat. Working quickly but carefully, he poured water into the pan and waited patiently for it to come to a boil.
-By the way," Minato said as he continued to search, "Have you named the little one yet?
Yasuke paused, his hands resting on the edge of the stove.
-No... I haven't yet," he replied in a thoughtful tone. I'm still not sure what name would be suitable for him.
Minato looked at him with a mischievous grin.
-What about "Minato"? That's a great name, don't you think?
Yasuke rolled his eyes as he stirred the boiling water and turned off the stove.
-Yeah, sure. What's next? Putting him in a yellow coat to match you?
They both laughed as Minato passed him the jar of powdered milk he had finally found. Yasuke mixed the milk with the hot water in the makeshift bottle and, after making sure the temperature was right, offered the bottle to the puppy, who began to drink eagerly.
As the two conversed and the little puppy continued to drink enthusiastically from the makeshift bottle, a familiar voice interrupted them from the doorway in a warm, but concerned tone.
-Boys, everyone else is waiting in the dining room for breakfast. The little ones are starting to get desperate..... -Nonoe poked her head around the door frame, her eyes full of gentleness but with a hint of weariness.
Minato, hearing her, turned toward the door with an apologetic smile.
-Ah... I'm sorry, Nonoe. I was going to, but... I had a little mishap and, well, it slipped my mind.
Nonoe, far from getting angry, sighed patiently.
-Minato, you're always the same... -he said in a soft tone, while shaking his head slightly, although his expression was more sympathetic than scolding. After turning his gaze to Yasuke, who was holding the puppy comfortably in his arms, feeding it. His expression brightened at the sight of the little feline.
- Are you feeding yesterday's cub? -she asked as she slowly approached, hands clasped in front of her, as if afraid to interrupt an important moment.
Yasuke, who had remained silent, replied with a slight nod.
-Yes, I'm feeding him. Sorry for the delay, I didn't know you were expecting us," he added, adjusting the little one in his arms to make sure he remained comfortable.
Nonoe, hearing this, let out a soft laugh and gave Yasuke a look full of tenderness.
-It's okay, Yasuke. The important thing is that you're here. But let's go to the dining room, shall we? The little ones keep asking about you.
Minato scratched his head as he followed Nonoe down the hallway, walking beside Yasuke. Leaning slightly towards him, he murmured with a playful smile:
-You know, Nonoe has a special talent for not getting really angry. It's as if she has infinite patience with us.
Yasuke, without taking his eyes off the puppy, replied calmly:
-Maybe because she doesn't want to waste her energy on you. Learn to do what you're asked to do.
Minato let out a soft laugh as Nonoe looked over his shoulder at them, still smiling.
-Come on, guys. It's time for breakfast. Besides, I think the little ones are more excited to see the puppy than to eat.
Continued....
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