Naruto / Kushina's POV (Uzumaki Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)
Naruto supposed he must be more stressed than he had realized. He rarely slept in, simply being too energetic for such. Furthermore, he loved the old leather couch in his living room. Apparently, it was one of the few things his father ever splurged on, but he never slept in it. He also rarely slept outside his beloved pajamas Kushina had given him on one of his birthdays, yet he collapsed on the couch in his dirty clothes after training. He supposed his mother sensed his mood because she merely let him be. Naruto felt terrible but was honestly too tired to think about it much. He had whatever training Kakashi had for him, a jutsu to invent, exams to ace, and villagers to win over. His plate wasn't complete; it was buried.
With this affecting the blonde, he lazily rose from the couch with a stretch. He was thankful as he smelled eggs being cooked in the kitchen. His mother had never missed a meal and was proud of it. He silently padded down the hall of his home. First, he passed his mother's room, formerly an office of his father's; she had made it her own upon his death. This led Naruto to pass the old bedroom his mother and father shared. Now sealed, only his mother entered once a month to clean it. He passed his own room, currently in the constant disarray he had left it in. Finally, he arrived in his own bathroom; he sighed as he pulled out a toothbrush, and his mind whirled with the look on the villager's faces as they admonished him. He looked up at the mirror blearily as he began brushing his teeth. He froze as his gaze focused on the visage of the mirror. He saw himself, same face, same hair, same whiskers, staring back at him. But it lacked the toothbrush in his mouth. Instead, the poor copy smiled back cruelly. As quickly as the vision appeared, it faded. Naruto continued brushing his teeth, focusing his mind on training as opposed to recently figuring he must be out of it. He finished brushing his teeth, and he washed his face and body. Then, he toweled off and walked into his room to change. He threw off his tattered clothing and replaced it with a more subtle outfit. It lacked his regular orange and black jacket. Instead, he wore a dark blue hoodie raised over his blonde locks. As well as a black pair of thick utility pants littered with pockets. It was an outfit he rarely wore but felt it might be best for the present climate. Less noticeable than his regular get-up.
Another subconscious sigh escaped the blonde as he walked into the dining room. He saw that his mother had already set breakfast for the two and was slowly eating it. He sat as well with a quiet thank you. The two silently dug into the meal prepared by Kushina. Naruto wanted to say something to break the tension, but his tired mind offered no adequate method. Luckily, his mother seemed more daring than he.
"Sweetie… I'm sorry for yesterday. It hasn't been easy raising you on my own. Even less so when I have to play both roles. I just lose it when people act like that towards my baby… you're all I got." Kushina explained sadly. "Of course, I'm not forgetting Kakashi or Mikoto, ya know? They are family too…"
Kushina was interrupted by a small chuckle from the blonde. Naruto's mother often rambled when nervous or uncomfortable. The only time one would dare call the fiery woman meek. While it was not his trademark ecstatic laughing, it made Kushina smile. Naruto shook his head with a small smile at her. "Mom, I get it… I don't blame you. It even makes me happy to know you have my back in this. But I don't want things to stay this way." Naruto explained tiredly as he ate with the enthusiasm of a five-year-old with a plate full of broccoli.
"That's why I tried to stop them…" Kushina started.
"I don't want things to be that way either." Naruto countered before she could finish. "I know they're being unfair… it hurts me and pisses me off… It makes you want to protect me…"
Kushina frowned at the look of troubled contemplation on the blonde's face.
"But I want to prove them wrong. And I want to do it the right way. If I keep working and don't lash out, they'll see they're wrong about me. After all, I will be the Hokage one day; I need to earn their love and trust." Naruto said with a slight smirk as he rinsed his plate and left it in the sink to soak. He was ready to get on with his day and face the troubles it may bring.
X-X
Kushina's POV
Kushina was stunned by her son yet again. He had nearly spoken the words his father had told her years ago.
"I may not have a reputation yet, but I will be Hokage soon. First, I'll earn their trust, then their love. I have to do things the right way, Kushina."
Her bout of sudden nostalgia was broken by a silent gasp from Naruto. She turned to see what had bothered him to such a degree. Only to match his gasp with her own as she saw what waited in front of their home. The building in front of them was a rather popular grocery store. Somewhere, she and Naruto had been shopping for years. Popular due to the large billboard on the front facing the street showing they're often very competitive prices. Instead of showing any such deal, it was blank except for a message painted roughly on it. It read something that made Kushina growl in fury.
NARUTO UZUMAKI IS A DEMON
KUSHINA UZUMAKI IS A DEMON
INO YAMANAKA IS A DEMON WHORE
Kushina could feel her rage build as she prepared to tear down the board with her bare hands. Not only did they insult her and some other young lady, but they had the gall to insult her child as well! Before she could launch off, though, she felt her son's gaze land on her. She flinched as she remembered yesterday. And with a considerable effort, she relaxed herself. Naruto offered a fragile smile at this as he marched on. Kushina was frozen as she watched her son leave their home. Various people whispered as he walked by. Some even physically distance themselves from him. Yet he casually walked; it looked as if nothing bothered him. But as his mother, she had seen the pain in his eyes. He was being hurt, and she couldn't help him. Yet, while she had nearly flown off the handle again, Naruto had taken it maturely and ignored it. Naruto was growing up fast… he was already starting to act like Minato…
She had to tell him. She marched off as she sent off their messenger hawk to reach Jiraiya. She would have to wait till tonight to talk to Naruto, so she may as well hear some advice… God, she was going to Jiraiya for advice.
Maybe she would ask Mikoto, too. The woman always seemed so calm. She raced off to meet with one of the few remaining loyal Uchiha. Kushina knew Jiraiya would have no issue finding her once her message was received. He would offer her advice on how to approach it.
She would not continue hiding the truth from her son.