Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters or settings mentioned in this fan fiction.
Summary: Naruto looks back at all of the events that led up to his current life being the Hokage a husband and a father.
Good Life and Memories
A twenty-eight year old Naruto Uzumaki is now watching his wife Ino and daughter Kohana play in the garden at the Hokage manor laughing and picking flowers for one another. Smiling he starts to think to himself "Never thought my life could turn out like this."
Flashback: Twenty-two years ago
Six year old Naruto Uzumaki was sitting alone on a swing in the park looking down at the ground until three shadows stepped into his line of sight. He looked up and saw a girl with blonde hair, the boy to her left had a head shaped kind of like a pineapple and another boy to her right who was a bit chubby and was eating a bag of chips. The girl spoke saying"My name is Ino Yamanaka to my leftis Shikamaru Nara and my right is Chouji Akimichi what's your name."
"My n-n-name is N-N-Naruto Uzumaki he replied."
"Nice to meet you, do you want to play with us she asked."
"Why?" He asked her.
"Because you're sitting here all alone and it looks like you need to cheer up." She responded to his question with a smile.
"Okay what are we playing?" he asked cautiously
"We're playing tag and you're it." She said before running away and he begins to chase them.
They play until the sun starts to set and Ino tells him that they'll meet here again tomorrow and this repeated for the next three weeks. During this time they each got to know each other more and more. Naruto began to show more emotion and energy around them. He was even able to meet each of their parents who to his surprise they didn't treat him differently than any other child or even call him a demon they were actually very kind to him. One day they were walking towards the park together going through town Ino, Choji and Shikamaru noticed the glares and insults that were directed towards Naruto then Shikamaru asked "Hey Naruto how come everyone we've seen is looking and talking about you like this."
"I don't know." Naruto responded.
"Well it isn't normal for people to act like this without a good reason." Ino stated.
"You get used to it after a while." Naruto answered.
"Hey… lets… change… the…subject…guys." Said Choji.
"Choji's right it's too troublesome to worry about, hey Naruto why don't we all head over to your place and meet your parents." Shikamaru replied.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Said Naruto.
"Why not you've meet ours and seen where we live." Said Ino bluntly.
"It's just I don't really think you would want to." He said.
"If you're embarrassed of your parents don't worry about it we all are sometimes." Shikamaru replied.
"Actually I live alone."
"Where are your parents?" Ino and Shikamaru asked in unison.
"I…I don't have parents I'm…I'm… an orphan." Naruto replied sadly.
"Sorry Naruto we didn't mean to upset you we didn't know but who takes care of you? Ino asked.
"Sometimes the Hokage and some ANBU take care of me and bring food and other things when they visit." He replied
"Well that's okay but can we at least see where you live." Inquired Choji without stuffing his face for a moment.
"I don't think you want to." Answered Naruto.
"It can't be that bad." Said Ino.
"Alright but don't say I didn't warn you guys." He said while leading them to his apartment.
When they arrived at Naruto's apartment Choji, Ino and Shikamaru stopped and stared wide-eyed and shocked at the condition of his home. What they saw was his windows smashed open, door ripped off its hinges and graffiti written all over saying things such as "go back to hell demon" or " here lives the spawn of evil incarnate." When they all entered the place was absolutely trashed beyond belief. Then they hear Naruto say "Looks like I have to clean up another mess."
"How can you stay so calm about this, they just destroyed your home." Ino inquired with anger and sadness present in her voice
"Like I said you get used to it."
"Still you shouldn't have to live this way Naruto." Yelled Shikamaru.
"Well I don't have anywhere else to live. You guys go have fun I need to clean this up."
"No we're going to help whether you want us to or not, right guys." Ino stated boldly while finding the trash bags handing one to everyone.
During their task they tried to lighten the mood by telling jokes and making up their own crazy songs. After three hours of cleaning they finished and went to get lunch. The group went Ichiraku's Ramen stand. In the end Ino and Shikamaru just watched in horror and amazement as they watched Choji and Naruto's epic ramen eating contest with Naruto beating Choji by two bowls. The sun started to set and the group started to head their separate ways home. On the way home Choji, Ino and Shikamaru all had one thought on their minds "How can people treat him like that?"
After dinner at each of their homes they asked their parents why people hate Naruto so much each of them got the same answer "Because of something that had happened he had no control over." When they asked what it was all they were told was that it something to talk about when they get older which didn't sit well with because it involved their friend but they knew they couldn't it out of their parents. The next day the group decided to just hang at Naruto's apartment play cards, shoji and other games they brought with them. After a day games Ino invited Naruto over for dinner which he happily agreed to, making Ino smile.
Dinner at Ino's home went pretty well even with her dad humiliating her in front of Naruto who got a good laugh out of it. After seeing it was already too dark to head home alone he asked if he could spend the night and with the assistance of Ino's most powerful puppy eyes aimed towards her father he agreed. He gave the boy the guest room across from Ino's room, when the lights were out Ino snuck over to Naruto's room and they laughed and talked loud enough where they could hear each other but quiet enough not to wake her parents.
The next few weeks went by as tomorrow was the day that Naruto dreaded the most was almost here October 10. His companions were worried they haven't seen him at all today so they decided to see if he was at home. When the group arrived Choji knocked on the door, when there was no answer he knocked again this time Naruto answered and asked why they were here. "We haven't seen you all day and were worried." Ino answered.
"Oh I guess I didn't tell you guys that I don't leave this place until tomorrow." The boy in question replied.
"Why." They all asked in unison.
"Because today is my birthday and I don't like to celebrate it." Was his answer.
"Why not it should be something to celebrate? Come on we'll celebrate with you so come on out." She said grabbing ahold of his hand.
"No I don't want to. Please just leave me alone." He said while on the verge of tears.
She saw this and let go and apologized. After her apology the gang wished him a happy birthday and wished for him to stay safe then left hearing the door slam shut behind them. On their way home they each agreed to talk to their parents to see if they can get Naruto a present and spend a little a time with him on his birthday even if he doesn't want to. They all agreed and ran home as fast as they could so to get everything prepared in time.
It was now 7:58pm and Naruto was wishing that time would move faster so this cursed day would end. Suddenly he heard a knock at the door he walked to the door knowing that his fate was sealed and it would just be better to get it over with. After reaching the door he hesitantly asked who was there he got an answer that he would never have expected. When he hurriedly opened he saw his friends and their parents holding food and presents but still asked the question of why they were all here at his home. Ino walked forward and said the words he never thought he would hear in his life along with everyone else that was present "Happy Birthday Naruto."
After hearing those words said to him he began to cry tears of joy in front his companions and their parents he happily invited them into his home. After gathering in in his living they let him open his presents. When he was finished he had enough practice kunai, shuriken and other weapons to last him until he enrolled in the ninja academy; he also received books on chakra control exercises, kenjutsu and taijutsu scrolls and some low ranked jutsu that he could learn in his spare time. After he thanked everyone for the gifts and put them somewhere safe in case someone tries to steal or destroy them. When he returned his guests were getting the food ready luckily there was enough to feed everyone even with three starving Akimichis there. With full stomachs it was time for cake upon seeing it Naruto stared watching the mothers carry a large cake with seven candles lit on top of it and his guests started to sing happy birthday.
He blew out the candles while making a wish and then Inoichi cut the cake giving Naruto the first and biggest piece. Surprisingly there were still five slices of cake left after everyone was finished and was wrapped up then placed them in the fridge for later. When everyone started to get ready to leave he stopped Ino, Choji and Shikamaru and gave Ino a big hug and thanked her for everything then shook hands with Choji and Shikamaru. When the last person left he proceeded with picking up any trash that was left behind before going to bed. While looking around for trash he noticed something that looked it belonged to Ino picked it up and placed it somewhere that was safe so he could return it to her tomorrow. Ten minutes later he heard a knock at the door and thought it was Ino who noticed that she forgot something. It just wasn't meant to be as the door was kicked down by a group of angry villagers who bound and gagged him then cut the child to ribbons so he will bleed to death. They left after writing graffiti on the walls and laughing at him as they left him to die.
Ino realized that she forgot to tell Naruto that he will soon have training with her, Shikamaru and Choji tomorrow at 11:30am and asked her parents if they could go back and tell him. Her parents agreed it best to head back their now while they still close by. After walking up the stairs to reach his apartment door the all saw his door kicked down, graffiti on the walls and the smell of blood in the air. They ran to the doorway and fixed their gazes upon Naruto's bloody form on the floor motionless. Inoichi grabbed the boy and rushed to the hospital after telling his wife and daughter to meet him there as soon as possible. After Inoichi arrived at the hospital he saw that none of the doctors were in any rush to help the bleeding child in his arms as if they were wishing for his death. When he found a doctor who was actually willing to help Naruto they were able to get him a hospital room and get Naruto's condition stable.
When Ino and her mother reached the hospital Inoichi told them that he was stable and he would live. Ino started to cry and her parents held her, allowing her to cry in her parents embrace until she was finished. After drying her eyes from her tears she asked if she could see him and her dad led them to Naruto's room. When Ino opened the door and saw the condition that her friend she just wanted break down and weep all over again. She begged her parents if they could stay and wait for him to wake up and they consented to her request.
Naruto woke up the next morning opening his to see that he was in the hospital and groaned loudly inside his head. The next thing he noticed was warm weight nuzzling into his shoulder. Looking to the direction where said weight lying next to him and saw Ino clinging to him with puffy eyes from all the crying last night. Trying to move he wakes her up and she embraces him as tightly as possible. He hears her sobbing and returns the embrace. Ino removes her head from his shoulder and says "I'm so glad you're alive, I was so scared seeing you like that Naruto."
"I'm sorry you had to see that Ino." He said.
Before she could say anything else the third Hokage, Choza, Inoichi and Shikaku entered the room then basically ordered Ino out of the room she only complied because they were going to try to find and punish those responsible. After she shut the door behind her the Hokage placed a privacy seal on the room. When he finished applying the seal he turned asked Naruto if he remembered anything about the people who attacked him. "Sorry but I don't and I don't really want to try." He stated.
"I'm sorry this happened again Naruto." The Hokage said.
"It's not your fault, it was bound to happen." He replied trying to smile to make everyone feel better about it.
"Well it's not going to happen again." Said Shikaku
"Why is that Shikaku?" asked the Hokage.
"Because a friend who owes me a favor and I'm going to ask him to train Naruto. I'll also be there to give him some training" Shikaku replied.
"So will I, my daughter has already become become good friends with Naruto, plus she and her mother will never forgive me if I let anything more happen to him after last night." Inoichi stated with a grin.
"Well if they're going to train him then I guess will to." Added Choza.
"What do you think Naruto are you ready for some training?" The Hokage inquired already knowing the answer.
You bet if they're willing to train me then I won't let them down." Naruto answered giving a big smile and a thumbs up.
"Glad to hear it you start in two days at noon at the Nara compound, do not be late." Shikaku said
"Don't worry you are medically cleared to be able leave tomorrow Naruto, I've heard how you hate hospitals, can't say that I blame you either. Inoichi said with a hint of anger in his voice.
After the adults left the room Ino, Shikamaru and Choji entered the room. Naruto smiled and waved to them to convince them he was alright. They stayed and talked with him for a few hours and discovered how bad the hospital food really was hoping they wouldn't end up here any time soon. Ino and her parents stayed the night with Naruto again to insure that no harm will be done to him while he is still recovering.
After Naruto signed the release papers he made his way back to the apartment seeing it trashed again. He went to check his hiding spot and found that his gifts and other possessions were unharmed and accounted for. The next thing he did was clean up the mess that the villagers left behind for the next few hours. After cleaning Naruto commenced to familiarize himself with the practice weapons getting a feel for them and experience holding them in his hands. Then he got a set of clothes ready for his first day of training tomorrow, took a bath, brushed his teeth and went to bed. His excitement kept him up a little while but eventually fell asleep ecstatic that there are people willing to teach him.