Chapter Two: The Puppets and The New Neighbor

Takumi Fushiguro POV

Later that night while I was meticulously working on crafting my first two puppets, but then an annoying thudding sound suddenly shattered my concentration. The loud incessant banging from my neighbor's room was driving me crazy. Frustrated, I pounded the wall "shut up! I'm trying to work over here!"

The noise stopped for a moment, giving me a brief sense of relief only to be followed by an equally loud shout. "kiss my ass ya jackass!" the voice retorted.

My eyes twitched in irritation that was it I've had enough. I tried to be nice but whoever this person was is clearly asking for an ass kicking. 

I kicked open the door to my neighbor's room, ready to confront the source of my frustration there, standing in the middle of a messy living room was a blond-haired spiky haired boy, with blue eyes, and three scar-like marks on both sides of his cheeks. 

"What the hell are you doing?" he shouted clearly indignant about my sudden entrance into his home.

I marched up to him getting right in his face "If you don't shut the hell up and stop causing so much noise, I'll literally turn you into a human puppet!" I threatened, knowing full well that there was no such thing but it would hopefully scare the other boy into compliance.

The boy's eyes widened as he visibly shrank back at my words. My intense glare and wide menacing smile seemed to have the desired effect as he eventually nodded, mumbling something about keeping it down.

Feeling satisfied I turned to leave, eager to get back to my work however, before I could step out of the door the boy called out "wait!"

I stopped, turning back impatiently "what do you want? I've got things to do."

He hesitated looking unsure "w-what's your name?" he stuttered out.

"Takumi Fushiguro, your next-door neighbor in case you didn't realize that," I replied gruffly "Now if that's all, I need to get back to my place," I said turning to leave again only to be stopped again causing my irritation to grow

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki dattebayo!" he said, his voice filled with a strange mixture of pride and nervousness "cool nice to meet you," I muttered turning to leave once more.

"Wait hold up!" he called out again this time and this time I couldn't hide my irritation "what now?!"

Naruto fidgeted looking everywhere but at me "I, uh… I was wondering if… since we're neighbors and all, maybe we could hang out or something?"

I opened my mouth to decline but then I remembered the words of the Third Hokage. Sighing, I decided to give this a chance. "If you manage to not cause so much noise for at least two hours and let me finish my work then I'll come over and we can hang out I guess."

Naruto's face lit up with excitement "yatta!" he cheered loudly.

Shaking my head I returned to my apartment and focused on completing my puppets. I carefully spread out my materials on the floor, the wooden body pieces, the mechanical joints that would allow for movement, and the delicate tools that would help carve and piece together the two puppets I was planning to make.

First, I assembled the framework of the puppets the wood was smooth and polished, each piece fitting perfectly together. 

Clearing the wooden shaving bits off the table I then started implementing the various hidden compartment parts all over the puppet bodies adding what little kunai and shuriken I had.

I then started to add in the parts that would make the puppets finally complete with the fake hair, eyes, mouths, and clothing then to top it all off I painted the puppet faces, legs, and arms to have a more realistic look.

Once I was done, I took a few steps back to admire my first creations. My eyes widened slightly once I looked at the two lying puppets from a distance both my father and mother looked alive as if they had never really died. 

The father puppet had his laid back arrogant like face, the messy spiky black hair, black charcoal eyes, and the familiar looking scar near his mouth. His outfit consisted of a tight black muscle shirt with under mesh armor beneath the shirt, baggy white pants, and a pair of monk shoes. 

The mother puppet on the other hand had short dirty blond hair, a gentle like face, with a warm smile, and a pair of expressive brown eyes. Lastly her entire outfit was comprised of a purple school like outfit, with a high collar that was similar to an Uchiha, a belt was wrapped around her waist in order to hold the long front cloth that almost touched her feet, and lastly her legs were covered in long black leggings that paired well with her brown colored sandals.

I swallow feeling all sorts of emotions boil up to my eyes even in death my parents would still be here in this world with me. Father will attack and destroy my enemies whilst my mother shields and protects me closeby from all present danger. 

I extended my fingers, attaching chakra strings to the puppets. With a deep breath I began to manipulate the two puppets, making them move. Slowly, they lifted their arms reaching out to me.

I guided them into an embrace mimicking the comforting hugs my parents used to give me but as I stood there, surrounded by the cold, lifeless puppets, the warmth I longed for was absent.

The embrace felt hollow, empty, nothing more but a mere imitation of what I had long since lost. A wave of sadness washed over me and with a snap, I released the chakra strings the puppets fell to the ground lifeless once more.

The room suddenly felt colder, the silence more oppressive. The puppets despite their resemblance to my parents were just that puppets. They couldn't fill the void left by their absence.

I took a moment to compose myself, wiping away a stray tear and then I carefully packed all of the tools away and covered the puppets with a long piece of white cloth.

After placing the last of my tools away I remembered my promise to Naruto "I should probably go over now. No doubt he's probably waiting."

Sure enough Naruto was waiting eagerly. As soon as I arrived, he excitedly dragged me inside. He suggested playing a couple of board games that he already had ready. 

I wasn't really in the mood for playing games but seeing the happiness in his eyes I relented. We played until exhaustion overtook us with me lying on the couch and Naruto on the floor surrounded by pillows.

For the first time in a long while, I suddenly didn't feel so alone.

-end of chapter two-

I figured I should post two chapters for today and I wanted to point out yes my character is supposed to be similar to Sasori but different were as he went down the wrong path Takumi will have help and guidance to make it so that he doesn't end up fucked up like Sasori.