Hey, readers! I'm writing Naruto oneshots for whoever would like one! Just message me if you are interested! Also, if you want a oneshot from another anime/movie/TV show/book etc, just ask me if I've heard of it and I will see what I can do!

Chapter 2

It took no time at all for Iruka and me to become fast friends. Being with him was the only thing I could look forward to. No matter what I had to endure at home or at school, I knew I'd see the brown haired boy sitting on the swing waiting for me outside the academy. He always had a smile for me when I came around the corner. It warmed my aching heart like nothing else could.

In the afternoons that I knew my father wouldn't be home until very late, I'd run around town under Iruka's heels, helping him with his crazy pranks, giggling all the time. I could be a kid, then. And Iruka never minded me tagging along. He seemed to look forward to having a laugh with someone else.

Instead of going to the Hokage's office alone now, I was an accomplice to the havoc in Konoha. And I loved every bit of it.

On the days I knew my father would be home early, however, I had to make excuses to go home without having any fun. I couldn't risk being away and my father getting suspicious that I actually had a friend. He wouldn't take too kindly to the idea.

Iruka talked to me about his family, that they died in the battle against the Nine-tailed Fox, and that he couldn't stand the idea that the Fox was still around, all sealed up. He told me that he stayed on his own. It felt so good to know I wasn't the only one to have to take care of myself. Iruka understood me more than he even knew. But I couldn't tell him about me. I just couldn't get the words out. I was too mortified and shame-filled. I listened though, and the twelve year old opened up fully to me. I felt his pain, his heartache at the loss of his family, his loneliness.

After school one day, I met Iruka at our spot with a bag of sandwiches. His eyes lit up and we munched away at the food sitting against the tree with the swing.

"Did you make these?" He said through a mouthful of food. I nodded shyly, nibbling on my bread. He pulled me into a hug and ruffled my fluffy blonde hair. My cheeks grew warm at the strange feeling of an embrace and I looked up at him in wonder. "Thank you," he smiled down at me with fondness. I grinned so big that my cheeks hurt, my blue eyes shimmering in happiness. I couldn't say anything, so I just hugged the boy back, thankful I had him for a friend.

We'd stayed out too late that day. The light was on in my house as Iruka and I walked down the road. The sandwiches in my stomach felt like a boulder all of a sudden, and my heart fluttered in fear.

"I-I have to go," I said and ran into the house, Iruka waving me off like nothing was amiss. It wasn't for him.

"And who the hell was that?" I skidded to a halt as soon as I got inside, my back pressed against the front door, heart hammering in my chest.

"No one, father! Just a classmate who has to walk the same way home!" I called, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.

"Well, find another route home. I don't want you getting ideas into your head about boys and girls playing together." The man gruffed. He was sitting in the living room, eating the dinner I premade before school. I hurried into the kitchen and began cleaning up, my body jittery with the adrenaline rush. That was a close one.

I continued to clean, even wiping over and dusting spots I'd gotten a little while ago. I just didn't want to turn around and have to sit in the living room and risk having questions asked. I wasn't allowed to leave my father's sight until bedtime, when he was actually around, unless I was making myself useful.

There was a knock on the door and dread filled me. Before my father could get out of his seat, I ran into the hall and answered the door. Iruka was standing there, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

"You left your bag. I figured you would need it." He handed me the bag I had the sandwiches in. I took it with shaky hands, glancing back and just knowing Father was listening.

"I-I must have dropped it! Thank you for picking it up for me!" Iruka's eyebrow raised but he didn't ask. He just hopped down off the steps and gave me another of his waves.

"See you tomorrow, Naomi!" I gave a fast wave and closed the door.

I didn't get to turn around before the hand came around and caught my cheek. Flaming pain burst forth from my cheek bone and jaw.

"I told you not to be going around with boys! You aren't allowed to see or talk to that little shit again, you hear me?" Just for good measure, he slapped the side of my head, setting my ear to ringing. I nodded with tears in my eyes. His eyes bore down at me in disgust. "Dry your snivels and go to bed. You're done cleaning for tonight." He pushed me down the hall, and I stumbled on my feet before running into my room and closing the door.