Naruto : Dragon Jinchuriki

The towering waterfalls of Takigakure loomed before the group, cascading endlessly into the misty valley below. The late afternoon sun refracted through the droplets, casting rainbow patterns that shimmered in the air. Fū, leading the group with her usual energy, turned back to glance at Riku.

"Well," she said, spreading her arms wide, "welcome to Takigakure! Try not to cause too much trouble."

Riku smirked but said nothing, his sharp gaze taking in the surroundings. Shiro perched on his shoulder, tilting his head at the unfamiliar environment. The rest of Fū's squad walked close behind—Airi, their no-nonsense leader, Yōrō with his ever-watchful eyes and muscular build, and Kegon, who seemed to regard Riku with an air of suspicion.

"I mean it, Riku," Fū added, her voice teasing but with an undertone of seriousness. "This place doesn't take kindly to outsiders who stir the pot."

"I'm not here to cause trouble," Riku replied, his tone calm. "I'll try to behave."

Airi snorted. "Try harder than you did earlier." Her hand rested casually on the hilt of her sword, though her sharp eyes made it clear she was prepared for anything.

Yōrō chuckled. "He seems harmless enough." He flexed his fists absentmindedly, the scars on his knuckles a testament to his expertise in taijutsu.

"Harmless," Kegon muttered, "doesn't mean innocent."

The group continued through the winding path leading to the village gates. The sound of rushing water grew louder as they approached, the atmosphere becoming cooler and damper with every step. Takigakure's gates, carved from sturdy wood and etched with intricate patterns of waterfalls, loomed ahead.

The guards stationed at the entrance stiffened at the sight of Riku. One stepped forward, his hand resting on his weapon. "Who's the outsider?"

"Relax," Fū said, waving a hand. "He's with me."

The guard's eyes narrowed. "Takigakure doesn't allow visitors without clearance."

"This one's an exception," Fū replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The guard hesitated, then stepped aside. "Very well. But we'll be watching him."

Riku walked through the gates without a word, Shiro letting out a sharp chirp as they passed.

The village was alive with activity, its narrow streets bustling with villagers and shinobi alike. The constant sound of rushing water created a calming backdrop, a reminder of the waterfalls that surrounded the hidden village. The architecture was unique—buildings made of stone and wood, seamlessly blending into the natural environment.

Riku's presence drew curious stares from the villagers. His dark attire, the bird on his shoulder, and his piercing gaze made him stand out among the more traditionally dressed shinobi.

"People aren't used to seeing outsiders here," Fū said as she walked beside him. "Don't let it get to you."

"I've been stared at before," Riku replied with a shrug.

Airi sighed. "This is exactly why I told you to leave him outside."

"Relax," Fū shot back. "He's with us."

As they approached the central tower—the heart of Takigakure—the murmurs of the villagers faded, replaced by the roar of the massive waterfall that cascaded over the structure. The building was a testament to the village's ingenuity, with water flowing down its sides in a shimmering curtain.

Inside, the air was cool and damp, the scent of moss filling the stone hallways. The group ascended a spiral staircase to the top chamber, where the village chief waited.

Shibuki, a young man with a sturdy build and a calm yet stern demeanor, stood at the center of the chamber. His sharp eyes immediately locked onto Riku as the group entered.

"Fū," Shibuki said, his tone low and measured, "report."

Fū stepped forward and bowed. "The mission was a success, Chief. We neutralized the rogue outpost and captured their leader. No casualties."

"Good," Shibuki replied, nodding with approval. His gaze shifted to Riku. "And this?"

"This is Riku," Fū said, her tone almost defensive. "He's... an old friend. He helped us out."

Shibuki raised an eyebrow, his piercing eyes scrutinizing Riku. "An old friend? Takigakure doesn't extend hospitality to strangers lightly. Why are you here?"

Riku met Shibuki's gaze without flinching. "I'm here to stay a while, no other reason."

The tension in the air thickened as Shibuki scrutinized Riku. The masked outsider, with his sharp demeanor and air of quiet confidence, was an anomaly in the tightly knit village. Shibuki, ever cautious of his village's safety, crossed his arms and leaned forward slightly.

"Remove your mask," Shibuki said evenly, his voice firm but not hostile. "If you intend to stay here, we need to know who you are."

Riku hesitated for a moment before reaching up. With a deliberate motion, he slid the mask off and removed his hood, revealing his youthful face, sharp features, shoulder length black and white hair, and striking, unique white eyes with four small tomoe outlining his pupil.

The room fell silent. Fū's squad members exchanged glances, their reactions ranging from confusion to curiosity. Airi, however, stiffened. Her hand hovered over the hilt of her sword as her eyes widened in shock.

"That hair…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "You look like someone from the Kuroshiro clan."

Riku's gaze shifted to Airi, his expression unreadable. "I am."

The revelation sent a ripple through the room. Airi took a cautious step forward, her eyes narrowing. "The Kuroshiro clan disappeared years ago. I thought they were wiped out. How are you here?"

"They were wiped out," Riku replied, his tone calm but heavy. "I'm the last one left."

Airi's hand dropped from her weapon, and a mixture of sympathy and suspicion crossed her face. "The Kuroshiro were infamous... for their swordsmanship and their secrecy. What are you doing here, Riku?"

"I'm here to start over," Riku said simply, his gaze shifting to Shibuki. "I want to become an official ninja of Takigakure."

The declaration caught everyone off guard. Fū's expression softened with a mix of surprise and understanding, while Yōrō and Kegon exchanged skeptical looks. Shibuki, however, remained impassive.

"Start over?" Shibuki repeated. "Why here? Why Takigakure?"

Riku took a step forward, his posture respectful but unwavering. "Because Takigakure is a place where people can find purpose. I've lived as a wanderer long enough, and this is the only village I trust—because of Fū."

Fū's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink at the unexpected praise, though she quickly masked her reaction.

Shibuki studied Riku intently, his sharp eyes probing for any sign of deceit. "Becoming a ninja of Takigakure isn't something we take lightly. It requires loyalty, discipline, and the trust of the entire village. How do I know you won't betray us?"

Riku's expression hardened. "I've already lost everything—my clan, my home, and my past. I have no reason to betray anyone. All I want is a chance to fight for something meaningful."

Shibuki considered this, his fingers tapping against his arm in thought. Finally, he turned to Airi. "You seem to know more about his clan. What's your opinion?"

Airi hesitated, her gaze shifting between Riku and Shibuki. "The Kuroshiro were powerful through their swordsmanship though they were known to not have enough chakra to make use of it, but they weren't known for working with others. If he's telling the truth about being the last one, then… maybe he's different. But it's a risk."

Fū scratched her cheek embarrassedely, she had used this name without thinking, not knowing how deep of a meaning it held.

Shibuki nodded, his gaze returning to Riku. "You'll have to prove yourself. If you truly want to join Takigakure, you'll need to earn our trust—not just mine, but the trust of the entire village. Are you prepared for that?"

"I am," Riku said without hesitation.

Shibuki sighed, the weight of leadership evident in his expression. "Very well. You'll stay under Fū's watch for now. She'll be responsible for your actions while you prove your loyalty."

Fū blinked in surprise but quickly nodded. "I'll make sure he doesn't cause any trouble, Chief."

Shibuki's gaze lingered on Riku for a moment longer before he gestured toward the door. "You're dismissed. But remember, Riku—one misstep, and you're out."

Riku inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Understood."

As the group exited the chamber, the atmosphere was a mix of tension and relief. Fū walked beside Riku, her usual playful demeanor tempered by curiosity.

"You're full of surprises," she said, glancing up at him. "I didn't think you'd actually want to stay here."

"Neither did I," Riku admitted. "But it feels… right."

Airi, walking a few paces behind, still seemed uneasy. "If you are truly from the Kuroshiro clan, you have a lot to prove. Don't think for a second that we'll go easy on you."

Riku glanced back at her, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

Fū sighed, running a hand through her hair. "This is going to be interesting."

As they made their way through the village, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting Takigakure in shades of orange and gold. For the first time in a long while, Riku felt a sense of purpose—a chance to rebuild, to fight for something worth protecting.

…

…

The streets of Takigakure bustled with life as Riku strolled through the village. Shiro sat perched on his shoulder, his glossy black feathers catching the sunlight. The magpie preened himself occasionally, turning his head to observe the world with sharp, curious eyes.

It had been a few days since Riku had arrived, and despite his intentions to keep a low profile, the villagers quickly grew fond of the young boy. Today, Riku decided to immerse himself in the daily life of Takigakure, lending a hand wherever he could.

---

His first stop was the market district. A frail elder struggled with a heavy bag of rice, her arms trembling under the weight.

"Let me help you with that," Riku said, stepping forward.

The woman looked up, her face wrinkling with a smile. "Oh, thank you, young man."

He hoisted the bag effortlessly, walking alongside her toward her modest home. Along the way, a group of children noticed him and ran over, their attention drawn to Shiro.

"Whoa! Is that your bird?!" one boy asked, his eyes wide.

"He's so cool!" another exclaimed, reaching out hesitantly.

Shiro, as if understanding the attention, hopped down from Riku's shoulder onto the boy's outstretched arm. The children gasped in delight as Shiro flapped his wings playfully.

"His name is Shiro," Riku said with a soft smile. "He likes being scratched right behind the neck."

One of the children tentatively followed his advice, and Shiro leaned into the touch, letting out a pleased chirp. The children giggled, taking turns petting the bird while Riku answered their endless stream of questions.

"Are you a ninja?"

"What's your sword for?"

"Can Shiro do tricks?"

Riku chuckled. "No, I'm not a ninja yet, the sword is for protecting people, and Shiro... well, he doesn't do tricks, but he's smarter than most people I know."

---

Later in the day, Riku found himself by the river, helping a fisherman untangle his nets.

"You're not from around here, are you?" the fisherman asked, glancing at him.

"No," Riku admitted. "But I like it here. The people are kind."

The man nodded. "It's a peaceful place. We're lucky to have people like Fū and the others protecting us. Maybe you'll stick around?"

Riku didn't answer directly, instead focusing on the knots. Shiro, who had returned to his perch, let out a short chirp as if agreeing with the fisherman.

---

In the late afternoon, Riku carried crates of fresh produce to a stall, earning appreciative nods from the merchants. He even helped a group of children build a makeshift fort using spare planks and fabric scraps.

"You're pretty handy for a ninja!" one of the older kids said, tying a knot that Riku had shown him.

"You'll make a fine ninja one day," Riku replied, patting the boy on the shoulder.

---

As the sun began to set, Riku walked through the village square. The streets were quieter now, the orange glow of the setting sun casting long shadows. Shiro nuzzled against Riku's cheek before taking off to fly in lazy circles above.

Riku paused to take it all in—the cheerful laughter of families, the smell of dinner wafting from open windows, and the faint sound of running water in the distance. Takigakure felt like a place he could call home.

For the first time in a long while, Riku smiled—not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

This trend of helping people with everyday activities, having small conversations, all of these little things continued for just over a month and it was nearing August.

A/N : if the chapter feels a bit lacking, it's because I'm currently working on another fic… I randomly had the idea last night and couldn't sleep until I brought it to reality, be sure to tune into that too ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎