Chapter 2: Meeting Her Parents.

AN: Due to the positive response I have decided to continue the story. To everybody who has reviewed this story thus far I wish to say thank you I was unsure on this idea at first but due to the reviews, I'm now surer than ever that this may have potential to be great.

It wasn't long after he had accepted her invitation that he found himself now standing in front of a small flower shop in the middle of one of the many commercial districts that dotted the village of Konohagakure. Ino for her part opened the door to her family's small flower shop before stepping aside to allow Naruto to enter first.

He entered the small flower shop timidly at first before Ino pushed him ever deeper. The many different sights and smells soon overwhelmed him and before he knew what was going on he was once again face-to-face with yet another door. Just as quick as she had pushed him through the many rows of the shop she had opened the door and in he went. The sound of the door closing behind him felt almost like a death sentence. How would her parents act when they saw she had the demon child with her. He didn't want her to get in trouble on his behalf. He was nobody. He was a demon. His life mattered about as much as that of an insect.

"Mom, Dad I'm home. Oh, and we have a guest over". Ino yelled down the hallway before the sound of a woman's voice answered back.

"That's fine dear. Come on in and help me with setting the table". Her mother said before she was down the hall and into the kitchen doing just that. As she ran past he caught the slightest hint of her perfume. That being none other than lavender.

It took Naruto a full minute to walk the same distance Ino had done in seconds. As soon as he entered all movement ceased. Both her mother and father eyed him for what felt like an eternity but in reality, was less than five seconds. It was her father who was the first to break the awkward silence that now existed in the room.

"Your Naruto I take it? Ino has talked about you for weeks. I was about to give up all hope of ever meeting you". The man said before he returned to his paper. Her mother gave him a kind smile before she returned to the task of cooking the food and setting the table. Naruto for his part couldn't say a word. Here he was in the middle of the kitchen of one of the most influential clan heads and he wasn't being attacked for merely existing. It was only when nearly a minute had passed did he snap out of his daze and take his seat next to Ino.

"So". Ino's father began before Naruto responded with a timid so of his own. At this, both parents gave a concerned glance at Ino. Was it really that bad that he was so afraid to even have a basic conversation?

"So how was school today"? He finally asked the boy before him. Who looked about ready to up and run out of the room at the slightest hint of an attack.

"Not much. Just the standard stuff really". Naruto replied before digging into the meal before him like a wild animal. With that, yet another concerned glance was sent Ino's way.

Later that day Naruto was given one of the spare guestrooms to sleep as Ino's parents talked into the late hours of the night.

"This isn't right. You know what that boy holds. Every day he lives is another day that thing can't kill anymore of our people". Ino's father said as angry tears went down his face. His best friend's child was being abused and worst yet the Hokage knew all about it and did nothing save buying him an apartment and even then he was attacked nearly every day.

"I'm going to talk to Lord Hokage about taking him in". He said as his wife gave him yet another tissue to wipe the tears from his eyes.

"Inoichi you know he won't allow that. It would be viewed as favoring one clan over the others". She said but even she wasn't sure she cared. Naruto was a true hero in her eyes and what was his reward. Neglect from the very people he was keeping safe by just existing and a near constant state of fear that today would be his last.

"Maybe you should ask Chōza and Shikaku to go with you maybe with three clans he may consider it.

"Your right dear I'll do that". Inoichi said before they too went to bed.

The next day Inoichi, Chōza, and Shikaku stood side-by-side as Inoichi made his case. The Hokage all the while holding an unreadable face. It was only after he had stepped back signifying that he was finished did the Hokage speak.

"Had you come alone I would have said no immediately. However, seeing as you three are all in agreement regarding Naruto's current living conditions I have come up with an idea. You three shall train the boy. Also effective immediately I am having him be placed in a different class. I was going to do this sooner but it is my hope that this move will be good for him". The Hokage said in an even tone of voice not at all betraying his current emotions. Looking to his life-long friends he saw that they were in agreement. With that done the trio left the Hokage tower far happier than when they had entered.