Aishiteru
Chapter 2: The Academy
The next morning, Naruto held his chest high as he walked towards the school. He could feel the wind blow with as much pride as he held, with as much excitement as he could hold. Soon he would have his chance to prove himself. In the distance he spotted the old man and ran up to him with a slight smile.
"Old man," Naruto exclaimed his hands firmly on his waist. "I'm ready to become a ninja!" His smile widened and the sun glistened off his teeth. He could feel it drawing nearer, the time when he could be acknowledged.
The old man Hokage just chuckled at the young boy. He adjusted his fancy Hokage's hat and took in some of the pipe he was smoking. Keeping it on the corner of his mouth, he patted Naruto's spiky golden hair messing it up a tad bit. Then he pulled out a small necklace with a gold shuriken on it. It sparkled beautifully in the bright sunlight and Naruto's eyes widened. "Boy," the old timer began, "This is from your father, he wishes for you to grow up to be a superb ninja. Good luck in the academy, no fooling around, and become its top ninja. I have faith that you can even beat that stubborn Uchiha child." His smile was a little crooked, but honest nonetheless.
Naruto smiled and grabbed the necklace quickly, but delicately placing it around his neck. Nodding to the old man, another shinobi came from the academy doors. He fashioned a chuunin vest with black sweater and pants. His hair was brown and fastened in a small pony tail. What was distinguishing the most was the scar across his nose. His tanned body shifted into an official stance, bowing before the Hokage.
"Hello Hokage-sama," the man said. His voice was proper and the blonde boy looked at in awe at the ninja.
"Hello Iruka, this here is Naruto. I expect that you will be his teacher."
Iruka looked down on the little boy, a flash of anger coursed through his body, quickly turning to the Hokage he whispered, "That's the kyuubi kid," his hands formed a tight fist, "He's the one who killed my parents…" His body trembled with anger and Naruto recognized the body language. He frowned slightly, his awe taken away.
Hokage placed a reassuring hand on Iruka's shoulder, "I know what the Kyuubi has done to your life. This boy though, isn't the demon itself, he simply holds the Kyuubi within him to prevent any one else to die. He grew up like you, without parents, without many friends…" he paused to give a short glance to the smaller one, smiling at him to turn back to the chuunin, "Give the boy a chance, he's a good kid."
Iruka looked at the Hokage and nodded. He took a deep breath as to wash away his previous flames of anger. In all honesty he felt a little embarrassed for being so angry at the small guy. With a smile, he then rested his hands on the shoulders of Naruto, "Kid, you're just like me," that fact helped him get over his past hatred, "Let's do our best to be friends, and I hope you'll grow up to become a great ninja."
Naruto nodded and gave a foxy grin, his determination and happiness lighting up the newly formed friendship, "Mr. Iruka-sensei, I will become a great ninja and become the Hokage!"
The two older ones laughed as Naruto tilted his head. Shaking it off, he turned to see more kids come along.
Ino spotted Naruto, who was now swinging alone on the swing. His face looked emotionless, and she was concerned. Turning to the girl beside her, who happened to be Amy, she decided to ditch her. As she began to walk away Amy's eye twitched and she turned to Ino about to grab her arm. Ino turned around quickly with a shine in her eye. Dodging the grab she side stepped and tripped over Amy.
"What's your problem Ino?" Amy asked getting up from the ground. Little Ino continued to glare at Amy and crossed her arms.
"I've had it with you Amy; I have a new friend who actually cares for me. So good bye!" Ino remarked and stormed away in the direction of Naruto.
Naruto swung back and forth, the easy breeze going through his golden hair. He was excited, yet nervous of being with all the other children. He kept on thinking, were they like their parents? How will he get acknowledged? But he shook his head, he needed to focus on becoming the top ninja.
Ino tapped Naruto on the shoulder and slightly tugged on it's black sleeve. He turned to meet her blue eyes and her own blonde hair was a bit longer. She smiled at him and he got off the swing. Greeting each other with a hug they began to talk.
"So you excited about this Naruto-kun?" she asked while they walked towards the academy.
Naruto nodded and raised his fist up, "Of course! I can't wait to train and become the hokage!" he looked down with a fake smile, 'And maybe have the villagers like me for once.'
Ino smiled, "Yeah," was her only reply as the bell rang.
Inside class Naruto sat beside Ino and a rather tired looking bored. The pineapple haired boy snored softly and Ino just whacked him on the head.
"Shikamaru wake up!" she yelled. Naruto was startled by this and almost fell over. Another boy came over, though rather chubby he was cute. Tossing an empty chips bag into the garbage he sat beside Shikamaru and shook him lightly. Another girl came and sat next to Ino. She looked shy and just looked at the surface of her desk, pink bangs covering her face.
Iruka entered with a smile. All the children looked at him with excitement and Shikamaru woke up. He took out a list, "Ino," Ino shouted present, "Chouji," the guy beside Shikamaru waved, "Sakura," the girl with pink bangs looked up and nodded, "Naruto, Shikamaru, Sasuke," a small boy below them looked up and muttered present. He had a slight angry face and his raven hair swayed lightly. "Kiba," a brown haired boy and his dog nodded, "Hinata," a seemingly shy girl muttered present as some of her hair fell to her face, "And Shino." A boy with sunglasses nodded in his seat.
"Good everyone is here," and he smiled, 'What a small class I got, I wonder if they'll all make it to genin…' Iruka sighed and looked at his students, "Now we'll begin with chakra…"
-2 Years Later-
Naruto focused his shuriken clasped tightly in his right hand, staring straight at the targeting board and threw it swiftly and rather silently. Iruka watched as it hit against the tree, not hitting the exact mark, but close around it. Naruto sighed in relief and smiled at his pretty good aim. Whenever he had the time he would practice, practice until he improved just a bit, then he would go and get some ramen.
Ino herself got it close to the target also and cheered raising her arms, "Yatta!" she screamed.
Sakura smiled slightly, she and Ino had become rather good friends. Taking a shuriken she threw it and was further away than Naruto and Ino. But still the throw was rather successful.
The rest went, all pretty close but not as close as Naruto and Ino were. That was until 8 year old Sasuke Uchiha stepped in and threw the shuriken to land directly on the right spot. The others were amazed and clapped for him, Naruto rolled his eyes in jealousy and Sakura blushing at the success of her crush.
"That Sasuke always beating me," Naruto muttered and Ino just turned to him.
"It's okay Naruto-kun, that's all the stuff he does; you in the other hand spend time with me, Shika, Chouji and Sakura. At least you have friends; he has more time to train."
Naruto nodded and turned to his blonde friend, "Yeah, and even with that I won't let him beat me."
Ino giggled lightly, "Naruto, we aren't going to have real matches until the final days before we graduate."
"True, but still I will defeat him," Naruto replied clenching his fist.
"Of course Naruto-kun," Ino replied smiling as Iruka dismissed the class.
Naruto wandered the streets of Konoha ignoring the glares received from the adults. He yawned quietly as he spotted Ichiraku Ramen. Smiling he ran there and sat on the stool. Pulling out his trusted frog wallet filled with savings; money coming from the Hokage, ever so generous Iruka, and random money found on the street. He licked his lips in excitement and pulled out enough money for one bowl of ramen.
"Hey there Naruto," the old man at the stand greeted. He was one of those who didn't hate Naruto. In fact back in the day when Naruto had no allowance or even knew what money was, the old man gave him food. And Naruto was grateful for that.
Ino dropped the flower she was holding and looked up into the sky as she walked. Smiling she was chanting Aishiteru, one of her favourite words. Not realizing that it meant 'I love you' she continued using it with Naruto whenever they greeted and hugged. Recently they would train together, but in secret especially after what happened before…
"Ino!" her father yelled as he saw her swinging with Naruto, "Get away from him!"
Ino frowned and walked over to her father, she turned to Naruto and mouthed sorry and waved. Naruto stared slightly frightened of the father. He trembled in his seat as Ino's father walked up to him, "You boy stay away from my daughter!" and just before he hit Naruto Iruka came out and stopped him.
"Stop it! He's just a boy, he's not a demon!" Iruka yelled and Inoichi just turned away in frustration. He grabbed Ino's hand and walked away, Iruka just held Naruto in his arms to comfort him.
She sighed and made a stop; she tilted her head and raised one of her eyebrows as she heard slurping noises. Ino looked in front of her to see Naruto snacking on ramen.
"Hey Naruto-kun," she greeted happily and sat down next to him. Naruto turned to her after finishing his bowl with a random noodle on his cheek. He smiled widely and asked the old man for a bowl for her. She thanked him and watched as he put his bowl away and paid for his. Just as the ramen arrived he was about to step off the stool until Ino grabbed his hand.
"Oh no you don't," she started dragging him back up to his seat. He smiled his foxy grin and muttered Aishiteru as she pulled him into a hug, "It's a weekend Naruto-kun and I won't see you till Monday. At least stay with me as I eat this ramen you bought for me!"
Naruto nodded, defeated by his best friend and he sat there as she quietly ate her food. Naruto took in a deep breath and held out a simple silver bracelet before her. He smiled sheepishly as she turned and saw it. With wide eyes she accepted it and kissed Naruto on the cheek. He blushed and turned to the side as she fit it on. Taking the rest of his courage he asked, "Do you like it?"
"Of course Naruto-kun!" she exclaimed happily and smiled widely. She turned back to her ramen to finish it and she hopped off her seat along with Naruto. He smiled at her.
"So Ino-chan, will you train with me at our secret place tomorrow afternoon?" he asked and she accepted, he handed over his special necklace to her, this was a way of keeping their promises. She held it tightly and put it around her neck, nodding she hugged him and ran off home. Naruto just smiled and watched contently as she ran off.
When she arrived home her smile was wide and her bracelet sparkled against the light. Her mother complimented the bracelet, but Inoichi was more suspicious, "Ino-hime, where did you get that from?"
Ino looked at her father innocently, "From a friend daddy of course!"
"Which friend?"
"Na-" she put her hand over her mouth and she shook her head, "I meant Shikamaru!"
"My little girl is a liar…" he muttered and Shikamaru and Chouji walked in on them and they waved. Ino swallowed hard as her father took the bracelet from her. Taking it her threw it against the wall, "For all you know it could be dangerous! Don't hate me but this is all for your sake!" he then used a jutsu to shatter in and she watched in utter horror.
Eyes watering she ran upstairs, "I hate you daddy!" she yelled entering her room. Her mother looked concern and Chouji and Shikamaru walked over into a different room. Inoichi just stood there shocked next to a broken bracelet.
