•Chapter 4•

They had arrived in a shop called "Ichiraku Ramen", the origin of the enticing smell, with the Hokage now carrying the little Uchiha.

"Welcome! Oh? Lord Third!" the greying uncle—probably the owner, Riku guessed— with lines for eyes greeted the two.

The Hokage placed the little Uchiha on the stool beside him and ordered for them; two original Ichiraku Ramen with pork broth soup.

While the two waited for the food to arrive, Riku asked the Hokage again, "How long will I be living with the person? Mama always says that strangers can be dangerous."

The Hokage chuckled, "There's no dangerous people in Konohagakure. You'll be living with your caretaker for the foreseeable future."

"Foreseeable future?" Riku echoed and shifted his attention to the now steaming bowl in front of him.

He grabbed the wooden chopsticks from beside the bowl and used it to clamp the ramen.

Unfortunately, he wasn't used to the feeling of slippery noodle and given that he was an amateur in using chopsticks, he was not able to eat.

Furrowing his eyebrows, Riku started moving his head towards the bowl and slurped down the food using the chopsticks to guide the noodles into his mouth. It wasn't his fault that he ate in such an embarassing manner, it was the Hokage's fault as he was only 2 years old (maybe).

Nevertheless, he was satisfied with the food and the two head out to continue to walk to their destinations. The Hokage talked about the previous Hokages, their heroic deeds and the 'will of fire' (again), something that ignited a thought inside the little Uchiha.

* * *

"Here we are Riku-chan." said the Hokage, looking at the house. His hands behind his back and he took on an old guy posture.

"I'll live here?" Riku asked, looking back and forth between the house and the old man as he pointed at the house.

It was large and oriental; similar to his home, but despite the lovely and nostalgic appearance, Riku didn't feel any of the warmth that would radiated from a home. It seemed like it was just a house; cold and lifeless, instead of a home.

"Scary. . ." Riku mumbled and grabbed a fistful of the Hokage's white robes.

"It's okay. It's not scary. The person living inside is not scary." The Hokage said and smiled.

Riku stared at the house that now radiated a dark 'aura' around it, he wasn't scared, he just didn't like the vibe of the house. It reminded him too much of a certain place he doesn't remember. So cold and lacking of the warmth of a living being.

The Hokage brought the little Uchiha to the front door and he rang the doorbell. Rumbling and thuds here and there were heard before the door swung open to reveal a masked silver-haired man who wore a dark blue near black bodysuit.

He seemed to be huffing for air beneath the mask, but Riku couldn't tell. 

The man stared at the Hokage, then at the Uchiha holding his hand, then back at the Hokage again.

"Hokage-sama, it's a pleasure to meet you. This must be Riku. " he said and gave a visible smile despite the mask covering more than half of his face.

Riku stared at the smiling man (a closed-eye smile) and for a moment, he saw a mirage of a long black haired young teen staring back at him.

It was the same teen he saw in one of his 'visions', the one (out of the whole crowd) that saw him specifically staring back at him. He didn't seem to be like the other people who wore the same green uniform, he had noticed him and with his blood red eyes that seemed to glow, he stared at him with a dead gaze, like he was looking at another vermin.

When he blinked, the young raven haired teen disappeared and all he saw was the still smiling silver haired man.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Riku." said Riku in a robotic voice that seemed to be depict that he was full of nervousness.

"Nice to meet you Riku. I'm Hatake Kakashi, your caretaker." said the man, who had now squat down to look at the same eye level with the little Uchiha.

The boy gave a small nod, his eyes now half-lidded as he finally felt the energy from him completely drained as the fatigue had caught up to him after the level of adrenaline decreased. Being a toddler and added the fact that the sun had began to set, it was only natural for the little Uchiha to succumb to the desire to sleep.

Before he did, he wondered, this time, if the man before him would leave (just like his mother). Afterall, there were many adults who he had given up faith on (the nuns at the church) and to say the least, he had somewhat expected his mother to leave him as well.

They all do, all his parents did; in one way or another.

* * *