Chapter 3: Bad Times in Konoha

Chapter 3: Bad Times in Konoha

In Konoha Town, Shikamaru walked next to a tree with a wanted poster of Kiba. Itachi will give the reward of whoever captures Kiba and his friend, but they refused.

He chuckles. “Well, even though Prince Itachi... offered a huge reward for the capture of Kiba, that elusive rogue kept right on robbin' the rich to feed the poor.”

He watched Mei feeding her husband, Ao, who is in the stockades, so are Neji and Lee. “And believe me, it's a good thing he did, 'cause what with taxes and all, the poor folks of Konoha were starvin' to death.”

Shikamaru frowns at someone, who is Hidan. “Uh-oh. Here comes old bad news himself, the Honorable Hidan of Konoha.”

Hidan began walking through the town, collecting taxes from everyone has them. He began to sing his tune.

“Every town. Has its taxes too. And the taxes is due. Do do-do do do.”

Hidan stopped and kept an eye on a man. He was a man with a brown robe and silver hair with a one eye covered; he's Kakashi Hatake. “Well, lookie there.” Hidan chuckled. “Kakashi, the man. He's out doin' good again.”

Hidan is right. Kakashi came into the house to visit Yamato, wears a worker medieval outfit, a bandage on one foot and a white apron, who is working on some metal.

“Well, good mornin', Kakashi.” Yamato greeted. He shushed himself. “Shh, Yamato.”

Kakashi hushed him and got out the small bag full of money. “Shh! For you, Yamato, from Kiba.”

“Oh, God bless Kiba.” Yamato said.

Hidan finishes singing his tune.

“Do do do do-do do dee do do-do”

Meanwhile, Hidan walked towards the door to Yamato’s hose and Hidan knocked.

They began to listen to Kakashi. “It's the sheriff! Hurry, hide it! Quick!”

“Here I come. Ready or not.” Hidan came inside. “Well, greetings from your friendly neighborhood tax collector.”

“Oh, take it easy on me, Sheriff, w-what with this busted leg and all, you know.” Yamato said, showing the cast on his leg. “I-I'm way behind in me work, Sheriff.”

Hidan knows he's hiding the money. “I know, Yamato, but you're way behind with your taxes too.”

“Oh, have a heart, Sheriff. Can't you see he's laid up?” Kakashi said. He motioned the chair for Yamato to sit on. “Come on, Yamato. You'd better sit down and rest.”

“Oh, thank you.” Yamato said. As he moved to the chair, Hidan can hear the coins move inside the cast. Yamato sat in the chair.

“Yes. Let me give you a hand with that leg.” Hidan said, lifting Yamato’s leg up. “Upsa-daisy.” Then much to his delight, but to Kakashi’s shock, three coins fell out of the cast and into the young man’s hand. “Bingo! Ah, what they won't think of next.” Hidan began to pat the bandaged foot, making Yamato yell in pain. The last coin fell in his hand.

“It's smarts, don't it, Yamato?” Hidan smirks as he sets the bandaged leg down. “But Prince Itachi says that taxes should hurt.”

Kakashi got angry. “Now see here, you-- you evil, flint-hearted!”

“Now, now, now, now! Save your sermon, preacher. It ain't Sunday, you know.” Hidan walked back out to do his job.

He chuckled and sang a little tune.

“Do do do-do do. They call me a slob, but I do my job. Do do do-do do.”

In another house, there is a birthday party going on. Inside is a 12 years old boy with brown hair, dark eyes, a light blue tunic, a blue pants and black boots, named Udon and it’s his birthday. Standing next to him is his mother Tsunade, Moegi and Tenten.

The kids sang.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Udon.”

Tsunade gave a present to Udon until Hidan came in as the family gasped.

He sang.

“Happy birthday To you.”

“Well, now, sonny, that box is done up right pretty, ain't it?” Hidan said.

“Well, Mr. Sheriff, sir, it's my birthday present, sir.” Udon replied.

“It sure is. Why don't you open it?” Hidan smiled.

Udon untied the ribbons and removed the lid. Inside was a coin.

Udon grinned. “Oh, boy! One whole farthing!”

Before he can take it, Hidan grabbed it. Udon looked at it, hurt.

“Have you no heart?” Tsunade snapped as Udon sniffed. “We all scrimped and saved to give it to him.” Moegi and Tenten glared at him.

Hidan didn't care. “Now that's mighty "thoughty" of you, "widder" woman. The family that saves together pays together.” Udon looked at him with tears coming down his cheeks. “Oh, now, don't take it so hard, sonny. Prince Itachi wishes you a happy birthday too.”

Then a blind boy came in holding a cup.

“Alms, alms, alms for the poor.” the blind boy said.

Hidan smirked evilly and threw the coins in, making more coins fall into his hand. Tsunade gasped of seeing this.

“Hmm. Well. So far it's been a cheerful morning. Keep savin'!” Hidan said, walking out.

“What a dirty trick.” Tsunade said as she help the blind boy. “You poor old man. Do come in. Come in and rest yourself.”

“Thank ye kindly, Mother. Thank ye. Tell me now. Did me old ears hear someone singin' a birthday ditty?” The blind boy asked, sitting on the chair.

Udon looked at him all sad. “Yes, sir.” He said. “And that mean old sheriff took my birthday present.”

“Did he now? But be a stout-hearted little lad, and don't let it get ya down.” The blind boy removed the sunglasses revealing his normal eyes.

Udon saw and knew who it was. “Gee whiz! It's Kiba!”

Kiba removed the disguise. “Happy birthday, son!”

“Oh, he's so handsome,” Tenten sighed, “just like his reward posters.”

“Tell me, young man, how old are you today?” Kiba asked.

“Gosh, I'm twelve years old, goin' on thirteen.” Udon said.

“Twelve? Well, that does make you the man of the house,” Kiba said, holding out one set of bow and arrow, “and I've got just the right present for you.”

“For me?” Udon asked, holding the bow and arrow. “Gee, thanks, Mr. Inuzuka, sir. Hey, how do I look? Huh?”

“Not much like Kiba.” Moegi replied.

“She's right. There is something missing.” Kiba had an idea and took his hat off. “Of course! There you go.” He placed his hat on Udon’s head, but it didn't fit him.

“Boy, oh, boy. Now how do I look?” Udon said.

Tenten giggled. “The hat's too big.”

Tsunade shushed her. “Shh! Mind your manners.”

“Yes, mind your "mattles."” Moegi said.

Kiba giggled. “Don't worry. You'll grow into it, young man.”

“Oo-de-lally! I'm gonna try it out.” Udon said as he ran outside with Tenten and Moegi following.

“Good-bye, Mr. Inuzuka! Come again on my birthday!” Moegi called.

Tsunade laughed. “Oh, you have made his birthday a wonderful one.” She said. “How can I ever thank you?”

“I only wish I could do more.” Kiba said as he got out the bag full of money and handed it to Tsunade. “Here. And keep your chin up. Someday there'll be happiness again in Konoha. You'll see.” He put on his disguise and walked off.

“Oh, Kiba. You've risked so much to keep our hopes alive.” Tsunade said, as she hugged the bag of money. “Bless you. Bless you.”

Next chapter is where Udon, Konohamaru, Tenten and Moegi go to the castle upon accident where they meet Kiba’s love interest the beautiful Hinata and her friend Sakura.