Naruto trailed behind Anko, his sneakers scuffing against the uneven cobblestones as they wound through the village's quieter streets. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of grilled meat from a nearby vendor, which only made his empty stomach twist harder. His ruined groceries were still clutched in his hand, the crumpled bag a reminder of his failed mission. Anko hadn't said much since pulling him to his feet, just a curt "Keep up" as she led him toward a small, dimly lit diner tucked between two larger shops.He kept his head down, hood pulled low, but his mind was racing. Why did this always happen? Why did a simple trip to the market turn into a beating? The word demon echoed in his head, sharp and heavy, like a stone lodged in his chest. He'd heard it before—whispered in the streets, spat by angry villagers—but tonight, it felt heavier. Why did they hate him so much? What had he done to deserve their fists, their glares, their venom?Anko pushed open the diner's door, the bell above jingling softly. The place was nearly empty, save for an old man nursing a bowl of soup in the corner and a tired-looking waitress wiping down the counter. Anko slid into a booth near the back, gesturing for Naruto to sit across from her. He hesitated, then sat, keeping his hands in his lap, fingers fidgeting with the frayed hem of his jacket."You look like you've been through a war, kid," Anko said, leaning back and crossing her arms. Her sharp eyes studied him, not unkindly, but with an intensity that made him squirm. "What's your name?"Naruto tensed. Telling her could be a mistake. Names carried weight in this village, and his was a curse. But she'd helped him, hadn't she? That had to mean something. "Naruto," he mumbled, barely audible.Anko's eyebrow twitched, but her expression didn't change. "Naruto, huh? Well, you've got guts, I'll give you that. Punching a shinobi twice your size? Not smart, but gutsy."He didn't know how to respond, so he just stared at the table, his mind still churning. Demon brat. The words clawed at him. He wasn't a demon. He was just a kid, hungry and tired, trying to get by. So why did they treat him like a monster? Was it his whisker marks? His loud voice? The way he never quite fit in, no matter how hard he tried to blend?The waitress approached, and Anko ordered two bowls of miso ramen without asking him. When the steaming bowls arrived, Naruto's mouth watered, but he didn't move. It felt like a trap, like kindness always did. Anko pushed a bowl toward him. "Eat. You're no good to anyone starving."Naruto hesitated, then grabbed the chopsticks and dug in, the warm broth chasing away some of the cold in his bones. Between bites, he stole glances at Anko, who was slurping her own ramen like it was no big deal. Why was she helping him? No one else ever had. The question burned, but he didn't dare ask it. Instead, another question slipped out, quiet and raw."Why do they hate me?"Anko paused, chopsticks hovering over her bowl. She set them down, her gaze flicking to his whisker-marked face, then away. "That's a big question, kid," she said, her voice softer than before. "Some people… they're just scared of what they don't understand. And they take it out on whoever's closest."Naruto frowned, the answer not satisfying the ache in his chest. "But why me? I didn't do anything to them."Anko leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Listen, Naruto. This village has a lot of scars, and sometimes people lash out at what reminds them of the pain. Doesn't make it right, but it's how it is." She paused, then added, "You're tougher than you look, though. Most kids would've broken by now."Her words were like a spark, igniting something in him—anger, maybe, or determination. He wasn't broken, not yet. But the question still gnawed at him: Why me? He wanted answers, real ones, not vague half-truths. And for the first time, he felt like he might actually find them."Finish your ramen," Anko said, breaking the silence. "Then I'm walking you home. No arguments."Naruto nodded, but as he ate, his mind wandered. He wasn't just going to take this anymore. He'd find out why the village saw a demon when they looked at him. And he'd prove them wrong.
