"Who's the new boy?"

"I don't know. He just enrolled yesterday."

"I heard my mom talking about him. She was saying some really mean things. I didn't understand most of it, but it sounded like there's something wrong with him."

"Oh please, he's too small to be trouble. The kid's just a runt."

"Yeah, that's what you think Kiba. My mom said he's trouble, and she told me not to talk to him."

"Whatever ya mama's boy. D'you always do everything your mom tells you?"

"Hey, shut up dog-breath. At least I don't carry my dog around like a security blanket all day long."

"Hey, Akamaru only comes with me because he wants to. And anyway, he could kick your butt right here and now."

"Yeah right. That mangy mutt sleeps all day long."

"Take that back you lousy..."

"Kiba!" shouted Iruka-sensei as he ran to break up the fight. "What the hell is wrong with you!? You know that fights aren't allowed!"

"I know! But I'm not going to sit back and let some punk insult Akamaru!"

"Kiba Inuzuka! You do not talk like that in front of teachers!" He grabbed Kiba by the wrist, "Detention! And no recess for the rest of the week!"

"Nani!? No way! Not fair!!! This bastard insults my dog and I get punished?!?!"

"Oh don't think he's getting off scott-free." Iruka turned to the other boy, "You get detentions too. One week's lunch room duty!"

"Awww man..." mumbled the other boy.

Iruka dragged Kiba inside. "Come on you. Your mother's getting a call about this."

--------------------------------------------------------

Later that afternoon...

"He said what!"

"I'd rather not repeat it Mrs. Inuzuka."

"Kiba what the hell were you thinking, using that kind of language!"

"What??? He was insulting Akamaru! Doesn't that count for anything???"

"Insulting Akamaru isn't a good enough reason to be using that language young man and you know it."

"Oh alright. I'll tell the little jerk I'm sorry. Happy now?"

"No, that's not good enough Kiba. You're ten years old now, and far too old to get away with anything that easily. You're grounded untill further notice. When we get home I'll let your father decide if anymore punishment is necessary."

"Awwwwwww..."

"Go wait outside. I need to discuss some other thing's with your sensei."

"Yeah, yeah..." grumbled Kiba as he stomped outside. He stopped just outside the door to give his eyes a second to adjust to the bright light. "Stupid teachers...I shouldn't a been punished...he was the one that deserved to get groundeded...adults suck..."

"Got that right..."

"Who's there!?"

"Over here," said the voice. "Under the tree."

Kiba turned and stared at the boy sitting on the swing under the shade tree. "Who're you? Aren't you the new kid?"

"Yeah, that's me. I'm the new kid that everyone's been ignoring."

"Humph...You're the reason I got in trouble!"

"What did I do???" demanded the boy.

"If it wasn't for you, the jerk and I never woulda started arguing and I never woulda gotten in trouble with Iruka-sensei!"

"I didn't mean to get anyone in trouble...I thought that no one had noticed me yet... I was hoping they hadn't in fact..." He sighed, "Sorry..."

Kiba shrugged, "Ehhh don't worry about it. I'm not really mad at you. I'm just annoyed that I got groundeded for a week is all." He walked over to the boy. "My name's Kiba. What's yours?"

"I'm Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki."

"So then Naruto, whatcha doing here this late in the afternoon? Parent's late in picking you up?"

"No, nothing like that. I just enjoy sitting here on this swing. This is just about the only place in the village I can go and people won't bother me."

"Whatcha mean, bother you?"

Naruto frowned slightly, "Well, it's just that, the adults...well...the adults don't really like me for some reason. Everywhere I go they glare at me and whisper behind my back. Some even try and chase me away." He rubbed his arm, "One even threw rocks at me because I was standing to close to him at a street corner a few days ago."

Kiba's jaw dropped, "You're kidding!"

"I wish I was..." Naruto shrugged the sleeve of his shirt down and showed Kiba the bruise. "See..."

"Kami, that's horrible! And all because you were standing to close to him?"

"Yeah..." sighed Naruto. "He's not the first either. All the adult's are like that. I've just kinda learned to stay away from people as much as possible..."

"Geeze... What you do to piss people off so bad?"

"I don't know," shrugged the blonde. "It's always been like this...as far back as I can remember I've been the favorite target for lots of people."

The door opened and Kiba's mom stepped out, followed by Iruka. "Get over here Kiba. I don't want you talking to the other kids. You're supposed to be grounded."

"Grrrr...I'm commin'. I'm commin'." He yawned and waved goodbye to Naruto. "See ya tomorrow"

"Yeah, bye Kiba."

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"Hey mom..." began Kiba as they walked home. "Is there's something wrong with that boy I was talking to? You know, the new student at the academy, Naruto?"

Kiba's mom eyed him suspiciously. "Why? Was he the cause of this whole mess?"

"No, but I was talking to him before and he was telling me about how bad the adult's were treating him and I was just wondering if there was something wrong with him."

"Well Kiba, there really isn't much to say about him. Most of the adult's are afraid of him, and that's why they treat him so bad."

"Afraid? Why would they be afraid of him? He's too small to cause trouble."

"Don't ask why son. Thats not important. All that matters is that trouble follows that kid wherever he goes."

"Okay... And why can't you tell me whats wrong with him? Or why are the adults afraid of him?"

His mom didn't answer for a second. "Kiba...Just trust me when I say that I can't tell you yet...Maybe when you're older...All I can say is be careful around him. I'm not saying he'd do anything to you, I honestly don't think he'd hurt anyone intentionally...but just pay attention to what everyone else is doing."

"Cryptic much?"

"Just drop it. I've probably told you too much already. Don't go asking around about Naruto. You'll just get yourself in more trouble."

"But...?"

"Drop it!" she growled. "I said no!"

Kiba fell silent, but he occasionally shot murderous glances toward his mother.

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Next morning...

"I'm off for school, Mom!" called Kiba from the front door.

"Okay, remember, go straight there, no detours!" she called back.

"Right!" He exited the house and started down the street. He meandered in the general direction of the school building; he'd left a bit earlier than usual so he was in no great hurry. He was debating whether or not to blow the last of his allowance on a cinnamon bun at the local store when he heard shouting comming from around the next corner. He ran to investigate. There was a mob of kids surrounding a small boy, taunting him and throwing things. Kiba moved slightly closer to get a better view when he saw the blonde hair "Naruto...?" he mumbled. The boy looked up, trying to find a way out of the crowd. "Oh my God!!! Naruto!!!" Kiba shoved his way through the crowd to the boy. "Naruto! What happened!?"

"Kiba! Get out of here! These guys mean business! They'll hurt you too!"

Kiba grabbed Naruto's wrist," Come on! I'm getting you out of here!" He pulled the boy toward the crowd, which condensed in an effort to keep them trapped. "Move!!!"

They all just laughed.

"Akamaru! Gimmie some help here buddy!"

Akamaru jumped out of Kiba's coat. "Arf!"

More laughter.

"That thing could hurt a fly!" called one.

"He's too small to chase rats!"

Kiba growled menacingly, "Let's go Akamaru!" He let go of Naruto and charged the crowd.

All hell broke loose! Most of the crowd ran when Kiba charged, but a few hardcore idiots stayed to fight. Naruto watched in awe as Kiba slashed and bit and kicked at the remaining few people. Akamaru shredded a more than a few shirts and gave one of them a nasty bite to the arm. The whole fight was over in less than two minutes. Those few morons that had stayed to fight scampered off, screaming for their moms and swearing revenge on Kiba.

Kiba wiped the dirt of his clothes and turned to face Naruto. "You okay?"

Naruto nodded, to amazed to speak.

"Come on," said Kiba as he picked up Akamaru and set him safely on his head, "Let's get to school. We can report those guys to Iruka."

Naruto nodded, still in shock over what Kiba had done. They made their way to the school, careful not to give anyone a chance to ambush them.

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"Show me," sighed Iruka after Kiba and Naruto told him what happened. Naruto showed Iruka the places where they had pelted him with the rocks and where they had beaten him with sticks. "Geeze...They got you good Naruto. Why didn't you fight back?"

Naruto stared at his feet, "There were too many... They woulda killed me if I had..."

"Looks to me like they were trying to kill you anyway." He opened a drawer and pulled out a first-aid kit. "Hang on a second and let me clean those cuts."

Naruto nodded and held still for Iruka.

"Kiba," he said as he washed the wounds, "You did a good thing, rushing to Naruto's aid like that. I'm not saying it was very smart. You got really lucky. There's no way you could have taken on the entire crowd by yourself."

"Naw, I had Akamaru with me. We coulda taken those thugs."

"No, you couldn't. That overconfidence of yours if going to get you in alot of trouble one day. You're just one kid and his dog. You can't do it all. Between the two of you, I doubt you could have stopped more than eight, maybe nine. And thats only if they weren't academy students. If they had been I highly doubt you would have lasted against more than four before they overpowered you. Sorry Naruto, this is going to sting," he said as he dabbed Iodine on some of the wounds. Naruto flinched, but didn't move or complain. Iruka dabbed off the excess and bandaged the deeper cuts. "You'll probably need an ice-pack for some of those bruises, but other than that you should be fine. You might have a scar on your arm though."

"That's okay. I don't mind scars. I've got so many already that it's pointless to worry about more."

"Yeah, I noticed. Anyway, I don't want either of you to go back outside this morning. I doubt that those kids are going to let either of you get away with a stunt like that unpunished." He packed up the first-aid kit and put it away. "I need to go talk to a few people about this. I want both of you to stay here while I'm gone. If anyone come in here looking for trouble, call one of the other teachers. Don't get into a fight! It won't matter who started it if the whole lot of you get expelled."

"Yes Iruka-sensei," they nodded.

Iruka sighed and left the room.

"Well that sucks..."

"Welcome to my world. I have to deal with crap like that on a near daily basis."

"Your life sucks, Naruto."

"Don't I know it."

"So why where those punks trying to kill you anyway?"

"Hell if I know. I wouldn't doubt if some of the parents put 'um up to it." He sat down on one of the desks. "I just wish I knew what the hell I did to make everyone hate me so much..."

"It is not only you."

Kiba and Naruto jumped. They both stared at the door. A small, somewhat pudgy boy with braided jet-black hair and thick eye-brows stood at the door.

"Damn, Lee. Give me a heart attack why don't ya," joked Kiba.

"Sorry, I did not mean to startle you."

"S'alright. S'alright .Come on in and join the outcast club."

Lee chuckled, "I have been a member of that particular club for many years, Kiba." He turned to Naruto, "You are the new boy, correct?"

"Yeah, I'm Naruto."

"My name is Lee. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"So Lee, what brings you here this early?"

"Well, I had been outside attempting to train, but the constant badgering made it too difficult to concentrate so I decided to retreat inside."

"Probably a good call. The crowds are feeling murderous today. A big group of 'um ambushed Naruto here a little while ago."

"Yes, I had heard. There are several of them outside boasting about how the beat him to a pulp before he scurried home with his tail between his legs. Well, not that eloquently, but the basic idea was the same."

Kiba and Naruto laughed.

"It's the other way around. Did ya notice all the cut's and bruises they had?"

"Yes. It appearers that you and Akamaru fought back."

"Yep," he nodded. "I'm not gunna let them get away with stuff like that. The whole reason they think they can is because no one fights back."

"You did," muttered Naruto.

"You should too!"

"I can't..."

"Yes you can! If you just stood up for yourself then they'd leave you alone!"

"I don't even know how to fight..."

"Oh come on, you can't tell me your parent's didn't teach you any jutsu?"

Naruto turned away from Kiba and Lee, trying to hide the tear that leaked from his eye. "I...I don't have parents..." he whispered.

"You're an orphan?"

He nodded.

"Oh man, I'm sorry. I didn't know..." Kiba apologized.

"S'okay...I thought everyone knew..." He sniffed. He wiped his eyes and turned back around. "Don't worry about it. I try not too."

"I can sympathize," said Lee as he sat down next to Naruto. "I never knew my father, so I can at least begin to understand how you feel."

The door opened again and Iruka walked in. "Oh, hello Lee. You're inside early."

"The atmosphere outside is not conducive to the health of the outcast crowd currently."

"So I noticed. I had to break up three fights a moment ago."

"So I guess you called my mom again?"

"No Kiba, not yet I didn't. I will later. But don't worry, you aren't in trouble."

"Okay." He yawned, "that's good to know."

"Iruka-sensei, who did you talk to?"

He smiled at Naruto, "The other teacher's mostly. They needed to know the students are feeling rebellious today." He grinned, "Today was probably the best day for this to happen anyway..."

"Why?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it. I was just thinking out loud."

"Okay...?"

A knock on the door.

"Yes?" called Iruka as he stood up to open it.

"If it is alright, I would like to speak to Naruto and Kiba," replied the person standing behind the door.

Iruka ran to open the door, "Yes, of course Lord Hokage! They are right here!"

Kiba and Naruto stared at each other, then at the door, then back at each other.

"Come with me boys," motioned Sarutobi.

"Yes sir," they complied.

He led them to an empty classroom a few doors down. "Well boys," he began, "Iruka told me about what happened. I'm glad that neither of you was seriously injured, although I was told that you received some minor injuries Naruto." He paused to gather his thoughts. "I was wondering, do you know why they ambushed you?"

Naruto shook his head, "No sir. I was walking to school, minding my own business, when they just appeared out of nowhere. I think they were waiting in the alley for me to pass by. I really don't have a clue why they chose me or why they decided to attack today. I really wish I did."

Sarutobi nodded, "What exactly was your role, Kiba?"

"Well sir, I was on my way to school, trying to decide whether or not to grab something to eat, when I heard shouting. I ran to see what happened and when I got around the corner I saw the mob of people yelling and throwing things. When I got closer I heard a scream of pain and saw Naruto's blonde hair over the crowd and ran to help. I managed to push my way to the center of the crowed and tried to pull him out. When they wouldn't let me, I fought back. Most fled when I charged. Akamaru attacked several, and I took on the rest. Naruto hung back while we fought. When the last of them had fled, I grabbed Naruto and we managed to get here without running into anymore trouble."

"I see..." He sighed heavily. "Boys...I'm going to need you to do something for me. I want you to promise me you'll cooperate fully before I tell you what it is. Do I have it?"

Kiba and Naruto stared at each other for a moment, then nodded.

"Good. Now listen closely: I want you to follow these instructions to the letter."

They nodded again.

"I want you to avoid any attacking that could cause any kind of incident at school. That include taunting, fights, threats, and practical jokes. When school ends I want you both to go home immediately; no detours. Naruto, it may not be safe for you to go home for a few days, so I'm going to ask Mrs. Inuzuka if you can stay there. She might not be very happy with the arrangement at first, but I am reasonably sure she will agree. If not, you will be staying with me untill such time as it is safe for you to return home. This afternoon I want you to stay behind wait for Iruka to accompany you home to gather any personal items that you will need. He will then escort you to either the Inuzuka home or to my home. Both of you will be escorted to school in the morning, and you will not be aloud to leave during the school day without permission. So please, do not even attempt to skip class," he said this with a knowing smile aimed at Kiba, "And at least attempt to feign alertness during class. Do you understand?"

"So basically you're saying to keep your noses clean, don't screw up, don't go off on your own, and watch your back?"

"Basically, yes."

They glanced at each other. "Okay," they both said.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for the restrictions, but it is for your own safety."

"Sure, I'll go with that," said Kiba.

"Yeah, what he said," agreed Naruto. He paused for a second, debating whether or not to ask the all important question. Deciding that he'd better take the chance he asked, "Sir, why is it that the adults hate me so much?"

Sarutobi smiled sadly, "That Naruto, is a very good question. It is also a question that I cannot answer at this time. Please forgive the overworked adage, but you are too young for the truth right now. All I can tell you is that the hated they show toward you is born of fear and unforgotten memories. That is all I can say for now."

"But, why can't you tell me more? I mean, come on, it's got to be better for me to know why they hate me than not, isn't it? If I knew what I did wrong, then maybe I can do something about it!"

"My dear child, what makes you think you did anything wrong?"

"Why else would they hate me? You said it yourself, they are all afraid of me. What did I do to make them afraid of me?"

"It was not what you did that frightens them. They just believe that you did it. Or rather, they want to blame you for what happened, because the real culprit is no longer among us. They hate and fear you because you remind them of what happened, and so they have transfered all those suppressed feeling's on to you."

"Okay...? I didn't understand most of that...But that's more of an answer than anyone else has ever given me so I guess I can be happy with it for now."

"You will one day Naruto," smiled Sarutobi as he turned to open the door. "Now, I believe you two are nearly late for class."

"Oh right, it's time for Iruka-sensei's class."

"Go on and don't be late," he smiled as they ran from the room.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Psst!"

No response.

"Psst!"

Still no response.

"Psst! Hey Kiba!" whispered Lee as he tried to get the boy's attention. They had been sitting in class for nearly an hour, and Kiba had spent most of it trying to ignore Lee's incessant begging to know what the Hokage had told him and Naruto before class started. Finally he relented and scribbled a note on a spare scrap of paper and passed it back to him.

Stop bugging me. Gunna get us both in trouble. Wait 'till lunch.

Lee sighed and scribbled a reply.

Fine. I shall wait.

The rest of the class was uneventful, accept for the usual commotion that happened right about eleven-thirty every couple of days when Choji started getting hungry and pulled a bag of chips out from his backpack and munched on them under his desk, and the smell started making other people hungry untill one of them gets angry that Choji gets to eat while they have to wait and tell Iruka, who then yells at Choji or eating during class and goes off on some tangent about how ninja have to ignore hunger on missions and yadda yadda yadda. Kiba had spaced out long before then, and missed the entire spectacle. Naruto was mildly interested, have never seen on of these tirades before, and watched with mild amusement. Lee was practically twitching in his seat; the need to know what had been said between his friends and the Hokage was driving him insane. So by the time the lunch bell rang at noon, the class was near a full blown riot stage. Lee, Kiba, and Naruto grouped together when they were released for lunch, and they made a beeline for the farthest, most secluded table of the outdoor picnic area. They were joined within minutes by Tenten, who was a good friend of Lee's and had been sitting with them at lunch for the past few days.

"You're that new kid, right?" she asked when she sat down next to Lee.

"Yeah, I'm Naruto."

"I'm Tenten. I heard about the fight this morning. I can't believe how cruel those guys were to you."

Naruto smiled, "Thanks. It's good to know there are at least some people out there that aren't trying to kill me."

"I take a policy of non-violence toward people that others hate. I don't see the point in forming an opinion about a person unless I get to know them personally. And from what I've see and heard, I think we'll get along just fine."

Naruto was practically beaming by this point.

"Can we join you?" came a voice from behind them. They turned and saw that Shino and Hinata were standing a few feet away. "The tables inside are full, and there seems to be a somewhat disturbing air about many of the students today. You seem to be the only one's not affected," said Shino quietly.

"That's because they're after two of us," laughed Kiba. He motioned to the empty spots on the table's bench. "We got plenty of room here for all."

"Thank you," said Shino as he sat down. Hinata stuttered something that sounded like 'thanks' before sitting down herself.

"So, I guess we're all here then?"

"What?"

"The 'outcast club.' You know, all the kids that nobody likes or they want to kill."

"Oh, yeah, i guess we are then."

"Come up with a better name, Kiba," sighed Tenten before she pulled her lunch out of her bag.

"She's right. 'Outcast club' sounds stupid."

"Drop then name then," said Shino calmly. "There isn't any reason to have one. It's not like we're a real club or anything. We're just a bunch of people that share a similar situation."

"Whatever," shrugged Naruto. "I'm just happy to be sitting with anyone that doesn't want to murder me."

"Paranoid emo much?"

"It's true," he replied. "I can't even count the number of times someone's tried to kill me over the last few years."

"W-why would anyone want to kill you?" stuttered Hinata.

Naruto shrugged, "No clue. They just do. I can't get a straight answer out of anyone."

"Oh..."

Awkward silence.

"So Kiba, what did Lord Hokage talk to you and Naruto about?"

"Nothing much really. He just wanted to know what happened and what we did. He asked if we knew why they went after Naruto, and if there was anything he may have done to provoke them."

"And?"

"And he told us not to go around causing trouble for the next few days, and that we had to go straight home after school, and that we'd have an escort to and from school, and that Naruto would have to stay at my house for a few days. That was it."

"That can't be everything," said Tenten sceptically.

"That's it."

"For real?"

"For real."

"Wonder why he was so interested..."

"Prolly because a mob of murderous thugs is roaming the streets looking for Naruto. He prolly thinks they'd do whatever they could to get ahold of him and that they might be dangerous for the other villagers."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Hey Naruto, I will trade you a chocolate pudding cup for your apple," said Lee.

"Sure," Naruto handed over his apple.

"Anyone want to trade something for tuna fish salad?"

"I got salami on white with mustard."

"Ehhhh, better than tuna fish"

"Says you. I personally hate anything on white with mustard. It's my little sister that likes white with mustard."

"Anyone want to trade chips? I got BBQ."

"Sour Cream and Onion okay?"

"Heck yeah!"

And the trading of lunch items went on for about ten more minutes untill everyone was happy with what they had. They spent the rest of the lunch break chatting about stuff; everything from which jutsu was giving who trouble, too wondering how many fights would break out before the end of the day.

------------------------------------------------------------

The final bell rang with little incident. Naruto, Kiba, Lee, and Tenten hang back, none of them wanting to risk getting attacked outside. "I don't know why you're worried Tenten. No one's out to get you," commented Kiba as he paced around the classroom.

"They are now. I heard a bunch of girls in the restroom during break planning ways to attack me after school."

"Great..." sighed Naruto. "This is why I always tried so hard not to get noticed. Everytime I try and make friends junk like this happens."

"Naruto, it is not your fault. Eventually they would have begun targeting Tenten because of her friendship with me. Remember, there are some out there that dislike me as much as they dislike you."

"Doubt it. Can you honestly say they want to see you dead?"

Lee shrugged.

"I'm the most hated person in the village. There's no one they want dead more than me," he said bitterly.

"It's not fair, the way they treat you. If they'd just take the time to get to know you then they'd see that there's no reason to hate you."

"Yeah well, as Iruka-sensei constantly says, 'life's not fair.'"

"I just wish I was wrong about that," said Iruka as he entered the classroom. "I wouldn't go out there if I were you," he said to Tenten and Lee. "I've already had to break up three fights and had to subdue a group of them that tried to sneak inside to get you all. I asked Genma and Kakashi to walk you home." He sighed, "I think it might be best for you two," he said to Kiba and Naruto, "To just stay home for the rest of the week. It's just not safe for either of you right now." He slumped into his near by chair. "I just don't get it. I mean seriously, why now? Of all times, what makes now so different?"

"You had to know it was comming," sighed Naruto. "I've been expecting it for years."

"I guess. Hopefully, they'll be here soon to take you all home. If not, we may be here awhile."

"That's okay, we don't have anywhere to be," grinned Naruto sarcastically.

------------------------------------------------------------

"What I don't get," moaned Kakashi as he walked down the hallway next to Genma, "Is why I have to walk the kids home. Why can't Iruka do it? For real, he a Chuunin for Kami's sake! He can handle it."

"Kakashi, the less you argue with him, the easier your life will be," replied Genma, bored. "You spend too much time and energy bemoaning how whipped he's got you. Just go with it. If you didn't like it you would have left by now; wouldn't you?"

Kakashi sighed, "I hate it when you're right..."

"Hehehe... you live with a guy like Asuma for awhile. He's so neurotic at times that I'd swear he's part shrew or something twitchy like that."

"Ehhh...I can live with neurotic. It's the 'I'm-a-mother-hen-thats-stuck-mothering-from-afar-and-I'm-gunna-take-my-frustration-out-on-Kakashi' attitude he gets every couple of weeks."

"Like I said, you stay, so you must like it."

Kakashi glared at him as he slid the door open.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Took you long enough," accused Iruka as he glared at the clock and then at Kakashi.

"Lighten up 'Ru. I had to wait forever for Guy to give his damn mission report before i could get in there."

"Ehhh... I have no excuse," shrugged Genma, nonchalantly.

"Whatever." He turned to the kids, "Lee and Tenten, you go with Genma. He lives on the side of town anyway. Naruto and Kiba, you're with Kakashi." He pulled Naruto close, "Do me a favor, remind him to grab a gallon of milk when he drops you off."

Naruto nodded, not even wanting to ask why Kakashi was supposed to get milk for Iruka.

"Okay then," grinned Genma, "Onward we go." Tenten and Lee followed a little behind him, waving goodbye at Naruto and Kiba.

"Might as well be going too," sighed Kakashi.

"Don't forget the milk!" called Iruka as Kakashi flinched.

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