ICHIRAKU RAMEN

"Welcome to Ramen Ichiraku," said an older girl in greeting as Naruto and Aika passed through the entrance. She was at least close to being an adult, dressed in a white apron with a matching bandana in her long, dark brown hair. "What can I get… uh Naruto? What are you doing back here?"

"Hello Ayame, I just brought my hungry friend here to try some of your delicious ramen" Naruto replied with a smile as Aika blushed with embarrassment

"Well hello, my name is Ayame and you are? She asked the dirty girl

"Aika" the girl answered in a quiet voice while looking down obviously not comfortable being given so much attention

"Well Aika, the food will be ready in a few minutes so just sit tight alright?" Ayame said and went back into the kitchen.

After a minute or two of awkward silence Naruto decided to ask the question that was burning in his mind ever since he met the girl.

"So, uh, what happened to you?" he asked awkwardly

Aika looked at him and then looked down her eyes becoming watery with tears. When he saw the girl on the verge on crying again, he felt his heart drop and was about to tell her that it was okay if she didn't want to answer but before he could, she replied saying

"Two years ago, our village was raided by some shinobi, t-they killed p-papa and my brothers too… sniff… they kidnapped k-kaa-chan and I, including many other women and girls" she said as the tears started flowing from her eyes again

"T-They were beating us up and making kaa-chan do things she didn't want to do… whenever she refused, they would tell her that they will kill me" she continued

"Ooh you poor thing" they heard Ayame say while she put the bowl of ramen of down and engulfing the crying girl in comforting hug

"How did you manage to escape?" she asked her not willing to let go of the hug

"K-kaa-chan distracted one of them and told me to run as fast as I could and never look back. I-I ran a lot but I looked back, I saw the man get really upset and then he killed kaa-chan… sniff… they tried to look for me but I hid. A few days ago, I hid inside a merchant's horse-drawn wagon and then fell asleep. When I woke up I found myself in this village and that's when Ruto-kun found me." Aika finished telling her tale

While Ayame was busy soothing the broken girl, Naruto for his part was beyond shocked. And you thought he had it bad, he only had to deal with hateful people in his life and yet the girl next to him had to watch her family killed. Of course he never had parents or any friends for that matter but he understood that if someone killed his precious people, especially in front of him, he would be miserable. The mere thought of it made his blood boil. He just couldn't understand why people would be so cruel and evil, especially shinobi, weren't they supposed to protect people? He honestly did not know what to say to the girl so he choose to keep quiet.

"Shh… there there now, everything is going to be okay. You're safe now" Ayame said to the girl and when she seized her crying continued

"Look, eat the ramen before it gets cold alright, and you're done I'll take you upstairs so that you can have a nice hot shower. I still have some of my old clothes so I think we can find something that fits you."

"Thank you" Aika said a whisper and started eating

"Hey Aika, um… I know you don't have anywhere to stay so I kinda wanted to ask if you wanna live with me." Naruto asked awkwardly after a minute or two of comfortable silence.

Aika almost choked on her food when she heard that, she looked at him with surprise written all over her face while Ayame simply raised her eyebrows. When did he live the orphanage?

Seeing their faces, Naruto explained, "Jiji said that I would have to start living by myself now so he found an apartment for me. He also said that he would be giving me a bit of money every month to pay rent and budget with".

He truly was excited at the thought of living with someone. Well, someone who didn't treat him like a deadly virus. Aika was left with no one and he was sick of always feeling lonely despite being surrounded by so many people, this was a win-win situation.

"I would love to… t-thank you" she said clearly finding it difficult to believe all the good things happening to her.

Naruto brightened up hearing that, he jumped in up in jubilation, making fist bumps in the air with a grin plastered across his face.

"This is going to be great, we'll eat ramen every day, go to play in the park, share stories and even-

"whoa, big guy let's not get ahead of ourselves here, she still apply for citizenship so as soon as she cleans up go with her to hokage-sama's office so that she can fill out the paperwork" Ayame spoke in a serious tone and all got was a glare from Naruto for troubles while Aika giggled at the scene.

"Yeah, yeah whatever"

NARUTO'S APARTMENT

"So this is your home?" Aika asked while looking around the corridor of the apartment she had just entered. After the long day she'd had up in the Administration Building getting all of her information sorted through the Hokage and his staff, it was a welcome change to find herself in the residence of the person she would be staying with. "It's nice."

"Yep, both of us will restart our lives here" Naruto said in response

Even though he was confident that the Hokage would allow Aika to stay in the village, Naruto was very surprised seeing him so elated when they told him that they wanted to live together, they even convinced him to be giving them a bit more money than originally planned.

To Hiruzen, this was the best thing that has happened in months. He has always been worried about Naruto's mental health, he knew that making friends would be a difficult task for Naruto. The villagers' losses at the hands of kyubi was still fresh in their minds and since Naruto was its jinchuriki, they turned their hatred towards him. They made it a mission to make his life a living hell without touching a single hair on his body but by abusing him mentally. Even at the orphanage, the matrons did not allow him to play with his fellow orphans.

The professor feared that all this hate directed towards him would make Naruto bitter and cold and in turn he would hate them as well. He shuddered at the thought of having a jinchuriki despise his home village but now thank kami that that troublesome situation could be avoided because the girl. Of course he did send her to Inoichi as a precaution, he couldn't risk having a spy so close to Naruto.

. "This is the lounge, complete with couches, coffee table and the television." Naruto informed while gesturing her into a room, which she then took a peek into.

"Bathroom and toilet are back there, laundry is over here, kitchen links up to the living room and the corridor, and my bedroom is back here," Naruto informed, opening up said door to the sleeping quarters and showing her in. They stood at the entrance and took stock of its overall appearance. "Sorry if it's a bit of a mess. I just moved in and I didn't have the chance to put everything in order."

"No, no, I think it's great, I can even help you" the green eyed girl replied quickly, taking a few steps into the room and looking around. He had a desk with all his little trinkets on it, a wall of a few cupboards, closet, drawers, bedside table and of course his bed, sitting right underneath the window giving him a fantastic view of the village. If nothing else, this third-story home certainly let in a lot of natural light. The girl nodded expectantly, "It's just as I thought." She looked across at the blonde and gave him a warm smile. "I think I'm going to like it here."

With nothing but silence occupying the space that was normally reserved for talking, it gave the blond plenty of time to study up on the young brunette that was now he's new roommate. From their few conversations, he could tell that she was a nice and kind girl. A little taller than him and even though a little skinny as well, he knew that she was older than him by at least 2 years. Long health black hair, beautiful green eyes, a perfectly round face and little dimples showing whenever she smiles, all in all, anyone that paid attention could tell that she was going to be a looker.

"Is something wrong Ruto-kun?" Aika asked with puzzlement

The blue eyed blond responded in alarm to suddenly seeing her turn to him and looked away quickly. "N-Nothing. Nothing at all."

"Oh… okay then, would you like to put things older before it gets dark?" she asked

"S-Sure" Naruto answered awkwardly, Aika smiled warmly at him.

He brought his hands to his chest and clutched the space above.

Why was his heart pounding so much?

Was he coming down with something? Was she falling ill? It wouldn't make any sense because he has never been sick for as long as he could remember. The boy just couldn't understand it, even after an hour of working and pondering over his condition.

TWO WEEKS LATER.

"WOW! So you really got a job here? That's awesome!" exclaimed Naruto with joy to his best friend. Aika nodded with a smile of her own "Ayame-nee said I could help her out in the kitchen since the business is booming." She explained

The past two weeks been incredible for the two of them. They did everything together; play, cook, sleep, eat and did everything that Naruto had always dreamt of doing with a friend… basically, they have been inseparable. They were some moments when Aika would be homesick and get sad but having Naruto so close to her would always get those feeling of sadness to go away as fast as they came.

Even for Naruto, his loneliness was now a distant memory. In fact he couldn't even remember what he's life was like before Aika, hell he visited Hokage-jiji a lot less than before, even the constant glares and insults of the villagers didn't bother him a single bit, which seemed to piss them off even more. They truly were a blessing to each other.

"Hey maybe I could work here too, I've always wanted to learn how to make your delicious ramen. I could-

"Urgh! This little shit again" Naruto heard someone say behind him. When he looked behind, he saw a middle aged man looking back at him with disgust and hatred written all over his face. It seemed like the man wanted to buy some ramen but Naruto's presence changed his mind. He spit on the ground and then left the ramen stand mumbling curses about demons and little bastards.

"Or maybe not" Naruto finished with a sigh. He just wasn't going to win with these people and the fact that he didn't even know what he did wrong to make them hate him so much made him really frustrated.

"It's okay Naruto-kun, don't mind him. He's just a big jerk that's all" Ayame tried to comfort him after seeing what just transpired.

"Ayame is right, don't let him ruin your mood" spoke Aika backing up the older girl

"I know, it's just… I really wish I knew why they hate me so much" said the blond while looking down. He had asked the Hokage countless times he would always try to change the subject or give him an un-straight answer.

"Listen to your friends Ruto-kun, they are ones who's opinion really matters" a female voice spoke. They all turned to the direction of the voice and saw the matriarch of the Uchiha clan." It's you. What are you doing here?" Naruto asked a little surprised

"Naruto!" Ayame admonished. She knew who Mikoto Uchiha was, hell everybody in Konoha knew who she was but… how was she acquainted with Naruto of all people?

"I promised to buy you ramen remember. Well here I am." Mikoto responded to Naruto's question with a small smile.

She ignored Ayame's shocked face and the other girl's curious expression and sat next to the blonde boy.

"So what would you like to have?" she asked looking straight at him

Naruto felt a bit uncomfortable under her intense stare, the woman's interest in him was still a bit suspicious to him. Obviously he wasn't used to random people being so nice to him but strangely the attention she was paying him made him feel wanted and cared for. He couldn't help but wonder if this is what it felt like having a mother who cared for their child.

"Can I ask you a question?" he asked her.

"Sure, what is it dear?" she said already knowing what it was he wanted to ask

"Why are you being so nice to me?" asked the blonde with a curious expression. He really wanted to know and he really hoped that she wouldn't lie to him. Ayame also seemed interested in her answer so she didn't let the fact that she was eavesdropping bother her.

"Well, for various reasons of course, some of which I'll tell you later on. But for now I want you to know that you to me you deserve all the love in world. It doesn't matter what anybody says to you or about you, you are a sweet, kind and caring child and I would really like to be your friend" Mikoto answered sincerely.

If she couldn't be the parent he never had then she would find other means to be close to him and no one was going to stop her. NO ONE.

Naruto looked at her stunned, his eyes getting watery and his heart with a warmth that he wasn't accustomed to. He didn't know much about the woman but for some reason but her words and the sincerity of them made him feel happier than when he was with Hokage-jiji or when he was enjoying a bowl of ramen at Ichiraku. This woman made him feel loved, special and mostly it didn't make him feel like he was invincible.

Was this what children his age felt in the presence of their parents? His tears were flowing freely at this point but he was shocked further when Mikoto hugged him tightly. Her body was warm and with the way she was hugging him, it was as if she was trying to send some of her warmth to him as well. Naruto stiffened at first not used to being hugged but then decided to reciprocate. Ayame seeing the private moment decided to take Aika with her to the kitchen so as not to disturb or intrude.

"Shh…Its okay, no need to cry. Listen… I know you have been miserable and lonely all your life but…" she broke the hug and looked him in the eyes.

"I promise you, you'll never feel that way again because am here for you okay?" she finished with a small genuine smile and Naruto nodded and hugged her again.

The two stayed like that for a couple of minutes until there hug was broken by the delicious smell of ramen.

"So… how about we get to know each other as we eat huh"

She got another nod from ramen from Naruto who then started eating with gusto.

"Alright, so why do you tell people your name is "Ruto" instead of "Naruto"?" she asked curiously

"Well… I asked jiji what my name meant and he said Naruto is "fishcake" and Uzumaki is "whirlpool". I-I-I don't know. I guess it felt kinda silly that my name means "fishcake whirlpool" "he explained. Mikoto blinked then giggled.

"Hey don't laugh at me" Naruto said giving her a childish frown which only turned her giggle into a full blown laughter.

This boy was so cute. To a mother like Mikoto seeing a child suffer hurt a lot, she couldn't understand how any other mom could look at the boy and not see a little baby who needed a bit of love.

It could have been any one of their children that day the Kyubi attacked, but it wasn't. Instead it was this orphan who resembled little Uzumaki Kushina the more he grew, not in looks but in personality though she couldn't help but wonder what Kushina herself would say if she heard Naruto.

"Am sorry, I wasn't laughing at you, am amused by what you said that's all." She said wiping tears from her eyes.

"OK. So… you said your name is Mikoto Uchiha right? So are you from some important family because I hear people talking about the Uchiha a lot" the blond asked a question of his own.

"Well, you could say that. You see the Uchiha are one of the founding clans of this village and we are also responsible for the law and order in the village. I am the matriarch of the clan and I have two sons that I'd love to introduce to you. Am sure you would be very good friends with Sasu-chan"

"Sasu-chan?"

The two of them spent the rest of the entire afternoon talking and getting to know each other and so thus creating another bond for one Naruto Uzumaki.

A FEW DAYS LATER

As Naruto and Aika walked down the streets of Konoha, they couldn't help but feel the eyes piercing them, whispering. Sometimes in times like these, Naruto wished that he were invisible. Maybe someday he would fade away, never to know what malice felt like. "I wish I could just blend in, then they wouldn't be able to see me."

"Don't mind them Ruto-kun, we'll just mind our own business and have some fun alright" Aika said to him in a comforting tone.

The Kyubi festival, the one day of the year that seemed to strengthen the villagers' hatred in Naruto Uzumaki. He couldn't understand it but they seemed to blame him for something he had no idea of. Every other day, Konoha's people were more than happy to ignore him or just pretend he didn't exist while cursing him in whispers but this day, October 10, his birthday, seemed to awaken something dark from their souls.

The one day which was meant for him to celebrate life turned out to be the day that he was reminded just how much the village hated him. If only it were this evening when the totality of the villager's rage was focused on the little orphan.

"Run! Run as fast as you can!" shouted a drank old man, pointing his gnarled cane at the blond. "We see you! You can't hide from us! I will always hate you! Never forget…"

Naruto and Aika was already too far to hear the rest of what the intoxicated man had to say.

"I didn't do anything," the Uzumaki growled. "All I wanted was to fit in, was that wrong? I wore my best outfit, I talked politely, I did everything Hokage-jiji told me to do and people are still mean to me!"

"Hey, how about we go somewhere private so that we can watch the fireworks display in peace?" Aika spoke and got a nod from Naruto in return.

HOKAGE MONUMENT

As they sat on the fourth Hokage's head, they could easily see the fireworks light the sky in different beautiful colors, looking up into the infinite night Naruto saw beautiful designs color the sky with flashes and sparks, "Still, it is dazzling" Getting a nod from his companion.

"Aika?" he said while still looking at the sky

"Hmm?"

"don't you miss your family, am asking cause I don't usually see as you were when we just met" the blond asked looking at her

After a minute of silence the green eyed girl finally answered, "of course I miss them. It's just that… being so close has taught me some really important things." Naruto tilted his head to the side giving her a curious look, 'what could he have possibly taught her?'

"I've learnt to never assume that I have suffered more than everyone else. Yes what I went through was horrible but you on the other hand have never had anyone to call family, no mother, father, brother or even uncle. Not only that you are also hated and mistreated for something you have no idea about and all you do is smile at them. I guess I just realized that just because someone smiles, that doesn't necessarily mean that you are happy" Aika explained moving closer to him.

She took something from the inner pocket of her red kimono and gave it to him, "here, I really hope you like it". She said with anticipation

"Huh?" he took it but hesitated in opening the wrapped box

"Ruto-kun, is something wrong?"

"Am sorry, it's just that I didn't get you anything"

Aika giggled then took the box and opened it and showed him what was inside. A silver necklace locket with a picture of the both of them on it.

"It's your birthday silly, obviously you didn't have get me anything." She said as she put the necklace on him. "Look, it may not be worth much but kaa-chan always told me that the best gifts are the ones that come from the heart"

She kissed his cheek then wrapped the blond in a tight hug and whispered in his ear "with this necklace Naruto I promise to be the family you never had and I want you to know that I'll never abandon you no matter what"

Naruto had tears of joys flowing freely from his eyes, he just couldn't help himself. Maybe he was turning into a crybaby. He didn't care though, for the first time in his life he had something he has always desired

Family

Real family

Sure he had Hokage-jiji, Mikoto, Teuchi and Ayame but those guys were more like really close friends than family. At the end of the day they each had their own families to go home to.

But this, this is what he has dreamt about for so long. Even at the orphanage, the matrons would always tell the children that everyone was family, that despite not being related by blood, the "will of fire" connected everyone at the orphanage. Excluding him. Everyone else belonged to something or someone but not him.

Well not anymore, he has also found someone for himself. Someone to go home to, someone that kissed and hugged his troubles away, someone to call "home". Naruto Uzumaki had his own family and he felt like he was on top of the world.

"I love you Ruto-kun"

Ok, now he felt like he was on top of the world.

HOKAGE OFFICE

The room was filled with tension, so thick was it that one cut it with a knife. What was the cause of this tension you ask, well the third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura and the village elders were discussing the ongoing problems of their beloved Konoha and as usual their solutions were contradictory to each other.

The cloud, the Uchiha, the kyubi and root were all in discussion.

"The container is 5 years old now, he should have been a shinobi by now. He would been a powerful weapon by now if you had given him to me "snarled Danzo with anger

"Naruto! His name is Naruto and my decision is final. He is a jinchuriki yes but he won't be treated like a weapon. Minato would never forgive us if he-

"Minato made a military decision!" Danzo yelled interrupting the third

"He knew what his child would go through, he knew that the village would be in need of competent shinobi after the kyubi incident and yet he made the decision to make his child the jinchuriki anyway" he finished forcefully.

"I agree with Danzo Hiruzen, the boy needs to be trained as soon as possible. I know you want to do things the right way but there is no time for that." Said Koharu

"We are on the brink of another war with the hidden cloud who have two fully trained jinchurikis mind you and not to mention Iwa who are still sore and probably seeking vengeance for their losses in the last war. And to make matters worse, there is a possibility of a civil war against the Uchiha. This isn't a time for your naivety Hiruzen." Spoke Homura trying to convince the god of shinobi.

"Hiruzen, you and I may not see eye to eye on a lot of things but even you have to realize allowing that child to waste away inside the village at a delicate time such as this is nothing short of stupidity. If you don't want to give him to me then at the very least have someone train him to-

"ENOUGH!" the third shouted

"NO! You need to understand that we are at our weakest point right now. We don't five the powerful S-rank shinobi we once had and your disappointing students are nowhere to be found."

"SILENCE!" the Hokage shouted again this time leaking his killing intent

"I will not allow either of you to turn minato's child into a killing machine. He will start going to the academy next year just like every other child. Konoha has problems yes, but we are not going to solve our every problem by going to war and that is my decision. Now leave." Finished the professor with the authority that only he could possess.

Danzo growled then left the office slamming the door with anger. Homura merely shook his head in disappointment.

"I really hope your decisions don't cost the village Saru." He said also leaving the room with Koharu right behind her.

ROOT BASE

He was furious, he was gripping his cane so hard that his hand was actually starting to hurt. How the hell could Hiruzen be so damn stupid? Danzo knew that his rival was soft but this was really pushing it. If he was Hokage none of these things would be happening. Kumo, Iwa, Uchihas and the kyubi, all of them would be under Konoha's control by now.

Hiruzen was playing with fire here and he will be damned if that fire hurt the hidden leaf. It was time for action and he knew exactly what to do. He has had someone observe the jinchuriki from afar and the report he got was really interesting, someone got himself a new friend.

He just needed to show the village how unstable the container was, Hiruzen may be stubborn but if the villagers felt that ominous chakra again, he will be forced to act.

"Inue" the war hawk spoke in a commanding voice and one of his anbu appeared before him bowing down.

"I have a mission for you and you better not fail."

"Hai Danzo-sama" spoke the now identified Inue.

END CHAPTER

SORRY FOR THE DELAY.

SARAVAN OUT.