AN: First off I had originally meant for this chapter to come up last month. But thanks to school, work, my internship, the girl I like, my computer acting up and deleting it thrice, tons of testing, my car breaking down, family, friends, community service work for a school project, and among other things, it was delayed. Suffice to say that everything that could have gone wrong in the first place did. The very same thing occurred with the next chapter of my other story Homeroom Teacher Naruto. What was about 18 pages and almost complete was reduced to three…. You see my frustration right? But thankfully now everything has calmed down somewhat, so hopefully now I can start writing more.
The only real announcements that I have to make is:
Naruto's IS will be introduced next chapter.
(Not related to this story) I'll be putting a list of future story ideas up on my profile as soon (or as soon as I plan to) as the next chapter of Homeroom Teacher Naruto is posted.
That's really all there is for now. And yes, Chifuyu and Maya have been added to the harem.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, nor Infinite Stratos.
Story Start: Chapter Two:
I-S academy, an institution created to train and to promote I-S, or Infinite Stratos operators. Situated in the island nation of Japan, this country is solely responsible for everything associated with the academy including budget costs and maintenance. Japan is not sanctioned to withhold information on training or development from other countries that are a part of the I-S treaty. Japan is liable to investigate all issues that occur within this facility, and is also required to create a resolution for such instances. That in turn will undergo approval from those countries that are also a part of the pact. There is an unconditional enrollment for citizens of countries that fall under the treaty, and the nation will provide for these individuals living expenses and basic needs.
In layman's terms: Japan, the country of origin for the development of the I-S, was required to take responsibility and create a school to train pilots. They were required to hand over the information regarding these power suits and responsible for paying for the entire project.
It's an all girls academy as only females have been found to have the ability to control these machines. Or it was that way until recently. The result of an accidental event led to the discovery of a male that could actually control an I-S. His name? Naruto Uzumaki, the son of Minato Uzumaki, a deceased I-S designer and engineer, and Kushina Uzumaki.
It is here that our story continues…
Naruto was currently sitting at his desk, cradling his head in his palms. Fingers rubbing circles on his temples, attempting to relieve some of his stress. He had attempted to escape to the roof the moment the bell for study hall had rang, he needed some type of sanctuary. Some type of temporary escape from all of these prying eyes. Staring hungrily at him in ways that made him none too comfortable.
Unfortunately he was denied such leisure as many of his female peers had formed a human wall at the doorway.
His unease with the situation was apparent, the whispers that were circulating around him only adding fuel to the fire.
"It's that boy, the world's only male I-S pilot."
"He operated the I-S during the training exam. It was international big news."
"He entered the school just as expected."
"Do you think he's single?"
"Why don't you try talking to him?"
"Maybe I'll go."
"Wait a minute, you didn't intend to leave us behind did you?"
This much attention was proving to be too much for the blond boy to handle. His fingers digging deeper into the sides of his forehead, but it was a futile attempt at best. Upon realizing this he started to contemplate bashing his head against his desk. It was great anti-stress therapy; you either fell unconscious from the abuse or experienced so much head trauma that you'd entirely forget about what caused your anxiety in the first place.
"Geez there staring at me like I'm some type of museum exhibit. "History in the making" or not, this is really starting to piss me off, such bull shit…"
His thoughts rounded back to the events from earlier.
"But man, had I known that Chifuyu-chan…. of all people… a teacher?" He continued to ponder, "Ichika didn't have any clue of this either, he's too crappy of a liar and I know he's been concerned about her as of late. Did she ever get a chance to tell him before school started?"
He had yet to notice the figure that was approaching his desk.
What did catch his attention was an evident tapping of a restless foot. He peered at the figure, expecting it to be one of the many girls that were fawning over him. Instead to his surprise, he found that he was now staring into the face of the girl from earlier.
"She's the one from the monorail, the one that was staring daggers at me…. But why do I have this nagging notion that I know her from somewhere else? It… It was a long time ago… I know her! But it's a blur…"
The girl cleared her throat trying to recapture his attention.
"Naruto, I need to talk to you."
It was then that it had clicked for the boy.
"H-Houki? Is that you?"
She stood there with crossed arms, staring down at the boy.
"Of course it's me you idiot. Who else would it be?" she humphed. "Don't tell me you forgot about me already Naruto. I thought that we were friends."
How could he forget? Houki Shinonono was one of his earliest childhood friends.
~~Flashback~~
It was a sunny afternoon in early autumn; a six year old Naruto can be seen walking between his parents holding their hands, his fox like grin set upon his face. They were heading to the local temple, as today was the last of the summer festivals that were held there. He had been waiting eagerly for weeks, saving up his allowance for a new toy or games at the stalls. His piggybank had been sacrificed before he had run out the door.
When the happy family finally arrived, Naruto shot off like a bullet, wanting to see everything that his little eyes could. His parents chuckled at this and followed the small ball of energy, trying to keep up.
~~An hour later~~
A lost Naruto was worriedly looking for his parents having lost them in the immense crowd. He had been at one gaming booth with his father, while Kushina had left the two alone for a bit to go and greet an old friend who ran the shrine. He remembered smelling ramen from the booth across from the previous stall and wandering over. He went to go beg his father for a bowl but Minato was no longer there, probably looking for him no doubt.
Running around a corner he arrived at the shrine itself. There were no visible people there at the moment though, most were having fun at the festivities.
As he was about to turn back he heard a voice.
"You think that you're all that just because your dad owns the dojo, don't you Shinonono? Well guess what? That means squat to us! You're just as much a loser as your dad!"
This caught Naruto's attention. He quickly found the source of the disturbance, three boys a little older than himself, surrounded a girl his age. Her long black hair was loose and her yukata was covered in dirt thanks to her assailants. She was currently trying to get up from the ground only to be pushed back down by one of the bullies.
Another one of the boys stepped forward.
"You think you're so tough? How bout this?" He brought his hand down upon her face, the echo of the hit reverberated throughout the area.
Naruto couldn't hold himself back any longer.
"STOP IT ALREADY! LEAVE HER ALONE YOU JERKS!"
That caught their attention. All eyes landed on Naruto, his hands balling into fists, shaking out of rage.
"Beat it Kid! It's none of your business!"
"Yeah! Go find your mommy and you won't get hurt!"
Naruto stood his ground not in the least bit discouraged.
"You three think you're so tough!" Shouted Naruto, "But what's so tough about ganging up on one person?"
This angered the older boys; they were now rushing at Naruto, fists raised.
"Take this, Idiot!"
Naruto, by no means, was a master of martial arts. But his father had taught him karate, his mother preferred kendo, he'd been learning both since he was three. He was taught quite a few useful lessons. One: never underestimate your opponents. Two: Study your opponent's movements; look for openings and flaws in their technique. Third and finally: Use your opponent's force against them.
The first boy reached Naruto before the other two. His fist raised, attempting to smack him down like he did with the girl. He didn't expect Naruto to duck underneath his attack. Naruto grabbed his outstretched arm with his right hand, his left grabbing the front of the boy's shirt. Using his back foot as a lever, Naruto threw the boy a good seven feet.
Bully #2 now charged in, hoping to smash the blonde's face in. Naruto simply side stepped him and delivered an uppercut to the boy's gut. Knocking the wind out of him instantly. He fell to the ground, and curled up into a ball trying to regain his breath. The last bully stood there shaken by the fact that this blonde pipsqueak had managed to take out both of his friends with ease. His conscious told him to retreat but the smirk that appeared on the blonde boys face caused his anger to grow. Before he charged in he noticed a broom to his right. He grabbed it and ran at Naruto, broom raised for a downwards swipe.
Naruto dodged to the left, and then to the right as the aggressor brought it down again. Deciding to end it, Naruto grabbed on to the handle of the broom as it was striking down on him, surprising the other boy. He pulled back on the handle, relinquishing it from the other's grasp and proceeded to drive it forward in to his opponents gut. As the older boy held his stomach, gasping for air, the broom was brought to the backs of his knees. Effectively knocking him onto his back.
Naruto paused for a moment to look at the group making sure they did stay down for the count. With that confirmed he turned to the black haired girl. Her expression was that of awe for him and his abilities.
"Are you alright?" he asked, knocking her out of her daze. "They didn't hurt you did they?"
A light blush spread across her cheeks. "N-no I'm tougher than I look! I could've handled it myself you know…" she turned her face away from him towards the festival. "B-but thanks anyway blondie…"
Naruto grinned at this "What's your name anyway? I'm Naruto! Naruto Uzumaki!"
The girl couldn't stop herself from smiling either. "My name's Houki…. Shinonono Houki. Nice to meet you Naruto-san."
"Don't call me that."
This comment confused her; she looked straight into his eyes now, wondering what he had meant by that statement.
"What? What do you mean Naruto-san?"
"Just call me Naruto. No –san, just Naruto."
"But why-?"
He cut her off then. "Because friend shouldn't be so formal with each other, Houki-chan!"
"F-friends?"Thought Houki.
The young girl had never had too many friends. Her fierce personality usually scared most away. Her trust issues interfered with the kids that did approach her with the intention. Some only wanted to be her friend because of her sister's connections. She being a talented engineer and scientist at such an early age intrigued many companies and important business leaders.
She was brought out of her stupor by a foreign hand grabbing onto her own.
"Ne, Houki-chan, why don't we walk around with each other for a bit? Enjoy the festival you know?"
No longer trusting her voice the girl nodded, a blush reappearing on her person. She was led by around by him throughout the festival. Well led would be an understatement… She dragged by the blonde boy everywhere. They looked through most of the stands, momentarily stopping at one stand to buy some dango, Naruto's treat.
The fireworks were set to start in a few minutes and Naruto was leading Houki to one last stand. In it were different types of fabrics. Silk, satin, cotton, various clothes that ranged from the most simple to the most elegant were within this stall. What caught the young girl's eyes most were the ribbons. She ran her hand over several of them, silk by the feel of it.
She had been so absorbed by the ribbons; she had yet to notice that Naruto was no longer next to her. Only when she felt tapping on her shoulder did she take notice. Whirling about, she turned to face the blond boy who had reappeared as quickly as he had disappeared.
"Naruto! Where did you go?"
"I went to get something"
"What?"
"Close your eyes and hold out your hands."
Rolling her eyes at him, she did what she was told. For a moment she refused his request, but upon seeing those sapphires staring so diligently at her, she relented. Closing her eyes and doing as he had asked she held out her hands. A pout was plain on her features.
"What is it Naruto? We're going to be late for the fireworks if we don't hurry… You do remember that these are the last ones for this summer right?"
"Patience Houki-chan, patience. We've got time, just wait for one moment."
Upon hearing some quiet shuffling from the boy Houki was tempted to open her eyes. But recalling what her new friend had requested of her she resisted the temptation.
It was then that she felt something light and soft fall into her outstretched hands.
"Okay Houki-chan! You can open them now." Said Naruto.
She quickly did as he asked, her own curiosity getting the better of her. There lying in her hands was a long silk ribbon. Nothing fancy by any means it was bought by six year olds allowance money after all. But regardless of that fact she loved his gift. It was a forest green with single black stripes near the ends of it. To her it was the most beautiful thing in the world at that very moment.
"It's… It's so… beautiful… He really bought this for me? We've only met an hour ago, and he's giving me this?" A single tear appearing and proceeding to roll down her cheek.
"D-do you like it Houki-chan?" stuttered the young blond boy. His voice betraying him, breaking a bit towards the end, showing just how nervous he was and how much he wanted her approval.
"Oh crud! I made her cry! Think Naruto! Think!" he thought, panicked.
"H-Houki-chan?" he asked once more. His thumbs twiddling nervously, his gaze now set on his feet. Suddenly finding the floor to be the most interesting thing going on around him.
Flummoxed, the young girl once again couldn't stop a blush from staining her fair cheeks. But when looking up at the boy, seeing his anticipation for her reaction, she could not stop the genuine smile that spread across her face like a wildfire.
"Do you not like it? I understand, I probably have bad taste in stuff like this huh?"
Hearing this, the girl immediately reassured him.
"No, no it's beautiful Naruto. I love it, arigato."
He smiled at her as she put it in her hair, tying it up into a single pony tail.
"We better get going," she said after making sure her hair was tied properly, "or we're going to miss the fireworks. Come on Naruto!" She grabbed his hand dragging him to a hillside that would have a perfect view of the fireworks.
Sitting under a sakura tree, shoulder to shoulder, the two stared up at the sky as it painted a wondrous work of art. Splashes of blue and pink mingled with the stars while explosions of red, green, orange, and yellow engulfed the sky. Lingering for a moment and then fading, the remnants falling like shattering glass.
The young girl turned to the boy and smiled, seeing his eyes filled with wonder from the marvelous light show overhead. Noticing that her eyes were no longer focused on the fireworks the boy turned to look at his new friend.
"Houki-chan?"
He wasn't prepared for what would happen next. The girl quickly hugged him, her arms circling his shoulders. Naruto froze immediately expecting something else to happen. But after a minute he returned it. The two remained like that only momentarily, letting go the girl decided to ask something that had been bothering her since she had received the ribbon.
"Naruto?"
"Hai Houki-chan? What is it?"
"Can you promise me something?"
"?"
"Promise me that we'll always be friends…."
"Forever and always!"
~~End Flashback~~
They didn't see each other again until a month later when Naruto's parents had decided to sign him up for kendo lessons at the school run by Houki's father. She had been wearing the ribbon that he had given her when they met again.
It was thanks to kendo that their friendship truly blossomed and grew.
But that was then and this is now. No longer was Houki a little girl who he had practiced the art of the sword with, but rather, the serious beautiful young woman that stood before him now. It had been years since he had last seen her.
The last time he had seen her was shortly after the invention of the I-S suits and systems. Now Naruto wasn't one to hold a grudge, but that doesn't mean that he was all that happy with Tabane when it was revealed that Houki and her family had to move, forced to take part in a witness protection program. It was meant to protect the family from people who held a grudge against Tabane. All of it thanks to Tabane's "wonderful" invention, it revolutionized the world but tore her family apart. In his opinion family & friends always came first, never taking a back seat to one's career or personal gain.
"Naruto?"
The boy's attention was drawn back to the young woman in front of him.
"Follow me."
He nodded dumbly, not entirely sure what to say at that moment.
"I mean really, what can you say in a situation like this? Hi, how've you been over the last six years? How's the family? Oh right, you were all split up because of you sister and the basic components of what this school teaches." Thought Naruto, his views taking on a sarcastic tone.
He followed her to a deserted corridor; she stood with her back to him, her gaze set on the school grounds below. He stalled for a moment then proceeded to lean back against the wall, waiting for her to say something, anything. But all he received from her was more silence.
"I'm gonna have to be the one to say something huh? Lovely…" he thought.
"So…." He began, now shuffling his feet side to side, trying to disregard this awkward feeling. Trying and failing miserably. "How've you been Houki-chan? Six years is a long time you know…"
"Hmmm?"
"What?"
"How did you know who I was?"
"Well… to be quite honest… your hair. You wore it like that before you left." He smiled at her now, his apprehension fading. Feet became still as he turned to face her, staring at her for a moment. "Oh you still have the ribbon too? I'm kinda surprised that you kept it this long!"
Her hand moved to her hair, where the ribbon held it back. Fingers traveling lightly over the smooth fabric.
"You have a good memory…"
"How so? I could never forget one of my friends, especially not you Houki-chan!" His smile widened after saying that.
The poor girl didn't stand a chance, a full crimson blush erupting over her fair cheeks. Her heart rate increasing to the point where one might think she was running a marathon, not standing and talking to an old friend.
Of course this change in demeanor caught the blond boy's attention.
"Eh? Why's she all red like that? Is she sick?" He moved closer to her, further shocking the brunette, and put a hand on her forehead. At this action her blush deepened considerably.
"She does feel rather warm…" thought the boy not noticing that he was the cause of his friend's current "ailment".
"Ne, Houki-chan? Are you feeling alright? You're really red you know…"
Swallowing hard, she replied. "I-I-I'm a-alri-right Naruto. No pro-problem whatsoever…."
The boy looked at her skeptically, "You sure? I mean it you're really war-"
He was cut off by her smacking his hand away. "I said I'm fine baka! Don't worry about it."
Naruto shrugged it off though not understanding her actions nor symptoms.
"Please tell me it's not that time of the month…? Wait… all girls school + pms =….. Oh hell! Why didn't I think of this before I came to this school? And some of them are so in sync with the others that you know that they're all gonna end up on the same cycle! Fuck my life….."
His sudden revelation was cut short by blatant cough. Upon remembering who he was talking to he turned back to her.
"Uh… So what have you been up to lately?" he asked.
"Not very much. Just practicing my kendo."
"Well… that's a lot to go on…" Naruto thought sarcastically. "Really what is up with this girl? I know she was usually serious when we were little, but never this bad."
It was then that the boy remembered something.
"So I heard that you won that tournament?"
"Pardon?"
"Last year… You took part in the national kendo tournament and took first place right? Congrats on that by the way!"
The girl was caught off guard when she heard this statement a light scarlet hue appearing on her cheeks.
"He knows about that? I didn't think that he…. That he'd remember me…"
Before anything else could be said the bell rang, signaling the end of study hall. They quickly found their way back to class. A newfound, yet comfortable silence, falling over the two.
~~Back at the classroom~~
Chifuyu was once again standing before the class, class roster open in her hand. Her usual look of disinterest was present.
"Okay brats settle down."
The girls' immediately quieted down, a hush spreading over them.
"Jeez… quite the ice queen as always huh Chifuyu-chan? Your word always seems like it should be law…" thought Naruto.
He shivered as she sent a pointed look in his direction, somehow having guessed what he was thinking.
"How the hell does she know? Must have some type of sixth sense, damn that woman!"
She then started to speak to the group as a whole.
"Before we begin anything else today, we have some order of business to attend to. There will be an exhibition match between the classes upcoming in the next two weeks. These will be mock battles between individuals of each class. Therefore we need to elect a class representative in order to participate." She paused and continued "So any victi….. Err, volunteers?"
The class was quiet for a moment following the announcement.
"Uhhh… No thanks. It sounds like waaaay too much work!" He thought adopting a bored expression. "Besides the one tournament, I'd have so much crap to do…"
"I think Naruto-kun should be our rep!" shouted one girl suddenly. She was quickly followed by many voices of agreement.
"Haha! Sucker…" thought Naruto, before he realized what had just occurred. "Wait. WAIT! WHAT! NO, NO, NO!"
He shot up quickly from his seat. "But wait I don't-!"
"Don't have a choice in this matter, Uzumaki. Now please take your seat." Stated Chifuyu.
Naruto sat back down with a defeated look on his face, anime like tears were set loose.
"She's a dictator that woman!"
It was then that a voice spoke up, anger was unmistakably present.
"There's no way that I can accept this!" A British voice shouted.
Everyone turned to the source of the voice. The speaker was a blue eyed girl with long curly hair being held back by a blue headband. Her ears were adorned with matching blue earrings, while her uniform took a more formal appearance than the norm. Reaching a little ways below her knees, with a black lace trim at the edges. She was pretty curvy compared to most girls her age, her chest further proving this point.
"Wow… Puberty's been kind to her… Gah! Don't act like Ero-jiji!" Thought the whiskered boy.
"You people really want this… BOY to be our class' representative?" She spat the word 'boy' out in such a way that made it seem that it left a bad taste on her tongue.
"You really expect me, Cecilia Alcott, to have to support this burden for an entire year?" She asked with disbelief.
"Kami! Just shut up already!" thought Naruto, his anger rising when the girl referred to him as a burden.
"Besides, I'm the only person here that actually qualifies for that role." Stated the girl, flipping her hair in that snobbish manner, "I don't mean to boast but I am the only one to defeat an evaluator during the entrance examination. I'm an elite among elit-."
She meant to continue her tirade but was interrupted by the very boy she had been criticizing previously.
"Excuse me? Are you quite done?" asked Naruto, having had enough of Cecilia's attitude.
"How dare you! You rude barbarian!"
"The only one who's being rude here is YOU." Stated the boy, his anger rising. "At least I don't put down others before I even know them. You weren't the only one here to win against an examiner you know."
"You don't mean…"
"That's precisely what I mean."
The class watched in interest as the blond girl slammed her hand down upon Naruto's desk.
"Very well then… I challenge you to a duel!"
"What for exactly, may I ask? I didn't hurt your feelings did I? Or is it perhaps the idea that someone else did just as well as you?" taunted Naruto. Normally he wouldn't have acted like this, but given the situation, Cecelia's attitude, and her hubris, easy to say it drove him over the edge. It was one thing to be confident, but to taunt others and proceeding to brag about it was another thing entirely. Naruto tended to find arrogant people annoying.
"I'll prove that boys like you don't belong in this academy or this sport!"Declared Cecelia.
"Great. She's a self-centered, narcissistic, sexist feminist. What a lovely combination…."
"Fine! I'll show you not to underestimate me, you spoiled brat!"
More arguing erupted between the two as this was said. Meanwhile Maya was trying to have the to calm down and return to their seats.
"Stop it, both of you!" shouted the normally shy teacher in an authoritive voice, or as authoritive sounding as she could muster. But the two blonds ignored her and continued bickering.
She was about to try again when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. The owner of it being Chifuyu herself.
"That's enough Maya. Brats like these require a certain level of discipline when it comes to handling them."
"What did you have in mind then Chifuyu-san?"Asked the green haired women.
Chifuyu said nothing at first, but instead turned towards the chalk board and grabbed two of the smaller pieces of chalk, "Just watch."
Both Naruto and Cecelia were unaware of the exchange until both were struck in the head with one of the pieces. Cecelia receiving hers to the back of the head, while got his right in between his eyes.
The action served its intended purpose the two finally shutting up.
"You two idiots need to cease and desist. Now's neither the time nor the place for crap like this. Settle it in the 3rd arena on Monday, after class. Am I understood?"
Receiving dual nods the ice queen turned towards the front board. "Very Well, time to begin today's lesson…"
End Chapter
Last thing before I go, yes there will be lemons, don't fret.
-sincerely,
L.T.