Naruto: Raimu

Raimu in his room, as he's taking off his school clothes as he hears Kakashi's voice from the window. 

"How was your day?"

Raimu shrugs as he pulls off his uniform, tossing it carelessly onto his bed. "It was fine. We just learned about the history of the Leaf Village." He says it like it doesn't matter all that much, his voice a little lazy, just like his body, which is already sinking into the comfort of the bed.

Kakashi nods, clearly not as bothered by his son's casual tone as most people might be.

Raimu, stretching his arms above his head, continues with a more animated tone. "But as I was walking home, I went through the food market and… well, you won't believe it, but everyone gave me free food." His voice holds a hint of excitement, a lightness to it that always comes when he's sharing something fun, especially when it involves food.

Kakashi's eyebrow lifts at the mention of free food. "Don't they always do that, like once every week?" He walks over to Raimu, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.

"Well, yeah, but only one person, this time everyone did it." Raimu replies.

"It's because you're just too cute, isn't it?" He reaches over and gives Raimu's cheek a pinch, his fingers gently pressing into the soft skin.

Raimu yelps at the sudden pinch, his face scrunching up as he pushes Kakashi's hand away. "Hey, that hurts!" he complains, though there's no real anger in his voice, just a small pout that's quickly replaced by a grin.

Kakashi chuckles and walks out of the room, and Raimu, after a brief pause, follows him into the kitchen.

The sushi sits in the corner of the counter, untouched. Kakashi warms it up in the microwave, and Raimu grabs some chopsticks, ready to dig in. The two eat in comfortable silence, the warmth of the food grounding them after a busy day. It's nothing extravagant, but it's just the right kind of dinner for the two of them.

Later, after they've finished eating, Raimu brushes his teeth and prepares for bed. "Night, Dad," he mutters sleepily, pulling the covers up over his shoulders.

"Good night, Raimu," Kakashi responds, his voice soft. He gives his son a last look before walking out of the room, the door clicking quietly behind him.

__

The Next Morning:

Raimu is still wrapped up in the cozy cocoon of his blankets when, suddenly, they're yanked off him. He groggily blinks his eyes open to see Kakashi standing there, a smirk on his face.

"You're late," Kakashi says, his voice calm but firm. "Get up. Hurry."

Raimu groans, pulling the covers back over his head and ignoring Kakashi's words. "Mm, it's the last day before summer… I don't need to rush." He's already comfortable, in no mood to hurry.

Despite Kakashi's attempts to hurry him up, Raimu moves at his own pace, lazily getting dressed and throwing his things together. In the end, he's always late anyway, and this time is no different.

When he finally heads out the door, Kakashi's sighing in the background, probably wondering why he bothers.

Raimu walks into the classroom, taking his time as usual. Everyone's already focused on their work, and for a moment, he just stands there, quietly observing them before moving to his seat. A few people glance at him, but they quickly return to what they were doing.

Lunch comes soon enough, and Raimu heads to the cafeteria. He grabs something quick, sitting at a table by himself, watching his classmates chat and laugh. He's used to the routine by now, the predictable ebb and flow of the school day.

The final bell rings, and Raimu lazily gathers his things, not in any rush despite the end of the school year.

He watches his classmates hurry out the door, some already planning their summer vacations while others are excited to have the day off. But for Raimu, there's no need to rush. His summer is the same as his everyday pace—slow and easy.

Today, instead of heading home, he feels a pull to the nearby forest just outside the village. It's a place he often goes when he needs some space to think, or when he's feeling restless and needs to clear his mind. The peaceful solitude of nature helps him recharge.

As he walks, the warm afternoon sun filters through the trees, casting dappled light on the path ahead.

The air smells of fresh pine and earth, and the distant sound of a stream running makes him feel at ease. Raimu takes his time, walking slowly, occasionally kicking a rock or simply staring at the way the light plays across the forest floor.

Eventually, he reaches a large, familiar tree—a massive, ancient oak that's stood for as long as he can remember. It's his favorite spot in the forest.

The tree's low branches create a perfect spot for him to rest. Raimu leans against the trunk, sighing contentedly. He doesn't need to do anything here. No need to talk, no need to be anyone. Just Raimu and the world around him.

He closes his eyes for a moment, listening to the sounds of the forest. The occasional rustle of leaves, the distant chirp of birds, and the quiet gurgle of the stream—it's all he needs. It's quiet here, and that suits him perfectly.

After a while, he pulls out the book he picked up earlier and starts to read, the words carrying him away from the village, from school, from anything that demands his attention.

He's lost in the story when he hears a soft noise nearby. Opening his eyes, he notices a small squirrel approaching, its tail flicking nervously. It pauses, eyes scanning him, before it scurries over to where a few berries have fallen near the base of the tree. Raimu watches it, a faint smile curling on his lips.

It's moments like this that remind him why he comes here—away from the hustle of everyday life. Here, he can be himself without any expectations.

As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Raimu stands up and stretches, the book tucked under his arm. He watches the last rays of light flicker through the trees before making his way back home.

It's been a peaceful afternoon, and tomorrow, the world will be waiting for him to face it. But for now, he's content with the quiet solitude of the forest.