To Love 'Ruto
A/N: Double Chapter! This is a lighter hearted chapter… kind of. This chapter goes into Risa's backstory a little and Naruto meets Mikan. I've changed the Poll on my profile to see just what characters people want to see in the harem in this story. I've pretty much put every girl with a considerable part in the show on the list to see what people want. I haven't added the Naruto characters who will be appearing (although two have been shown and it doesn't take a genius to work out who the third one is especially when I say many Naruto characters will be genderbending as it were but not neccesary being part of the harem. If anything it would be more like the Naruto movies where for example Shion basically asks Naruto to father her children but is never heard of again except they will show up every now and again but won't really be focused on). There are a few characters who will recieve story time irregardless of the poll results (Lala is kind of relevant to the plot, at least until either Momo or Nana shows up I guess and seeing as Naruto lives with her she's bound to show up regularly. Same with Kushina.)
EDIT: Seeing as a reviewer seemed particularly annoyed about the story summaries I have removed them.
At the moment there is no set limit to the number of girls who will be interested in Naruto but obviously I will be focusing on those most important to the plot but I am curious as to which characters people actually like.
Disclaimer: See previous chapters
Chapter 4: Training
Naruto raised an eyebrow at the orange haired youth stood before him. He was stood in the classroom which had gone terribly quiet all of a sudden. No sooner had he come in from dinner than Rito had walked up to him and asked him to meet him on the roof after school.
"May I ask why?" Naruto finally decided to respond.
"This is something I need to do as a man." Rito answered.
"I see…" Naruto closed his eyes. 'He probably thinks I am too close to Haruna and I am an obstacle he must overcome. Although to challenge me to a fight is a little extreme. He must know he can't beat me.' "If you are sure then I guess it would be an insult not to show up."
"Right," Rito let out a sigh. 'I wasn't expecting him to agree to meet up.'
The other classmates glanced at each other and started muttering as the two males returned to their seats.
"You think Yuuki-kun is going to fight for Haruna-chan?" One female student whispered.
"Yuuki fight against Uzumaki?" A male student answered, "That'd be a slaughter."
"What if Yuuki is a secret martial artist?" Another male cut in, "That'd explain why he thinks he has a chance at winning."
"What if it isn't about winning?" The girl wondered, "What if he wants to show Haruna-chan that Uzumaki-san is just a violent thug?"
Before the conversation could continue the teacher entered the room and looked around.
"Where are Sarenji-san and Deviluke-san?" He asked.
"Here sensei!" Lala cried as she burst into the room, Haruna closely following her. "Haruna-chan was just showing me around the school!"
"I see," The teacher waited for them to get seated before he began his droning lecture on history which Naruto tuned out with expert ease. He was currently trying to figure out what was the best way to deal with Yuuki. If the boy felt he had to prove he was a man to earn Haruna's love he was going the wrong way about it. If anything Haruna would probably dislike the fact Rito had picked a fight with him for no reason. 'Or would she blame me for accepting the fight and take Yuuki's side? But if that's the case wouldn't that make things easier for me…' Naruto shook his head.
Lala was sat taking notes and occasionally stealing glances at Naruto. Despite her best attempts she was unable to get a seat next to Naruto and was in fact at the back of the class next to Kenichi, Naruto's self-declared apprentice in the Manly Sage arts. Lala didn't quite understand what that meant but the boy seemed a good sort, if a little perverted. He was also more than willing to help out Lala as she was 'his master's waifu'. Currently though Lala was trying to work out a plan of attack. It was clear that Haruna was a road block in her plans. Naruto seemed reluctant to return her feelings because of a lingering attachment to Haruna, which was unrequited if you asked Naruto but Lala wasn't so sure. She was also sure that rejecting the confession should have made their friendship awkward but it seemed to have very little effect. Lala pouted cutely as she drew a diagram in her work book. At the centre was a bubble with a chibi Naruto in it. She drew a chibi version of herself and a single headed arrow pointing at the chibi Naruto from her. Then she drew a chibi Yui and a single headed arrow pointing at Naruto with a question mark over it. She also drew a chibi Risa with another single headed arrow pointing at Naruto with a question mark. Finally she drew a chibi Kushina with the same arrow but no question mark. There was no doubt in Lala's mind that the love Kushina had for Naruto was not motherly (Not that Kushina tried to hide that).
Satisfied with her diagram so far, Lala added a Haruna drawing and a double headed arrow between Naruto and Haruna with a question mark over the top of it. From what Naruto had told her Haruna and Rito liked each other but were finding it hard to confess to one another. She drew a double headed arrow between Haruna and the newly drawn Rito chibi.
"How to solve this problem," Lala chewed the end of the pencil she was holding. "I wish Momo were here. She is far better than I am at dealing with these sorts of problems." Her younger sister was strangely gifted when it came to achieving harem ends on dating Sims, an ability Lala never really cared for but all of a sudden it seemed like it could be a very useful power to have.
While Lala was debating how to get Naruto to love her, Risa was having her own internal debate. She was no fool and could tell there was something a little odd with Lala and it was nagging her. Her story made sense (she knew for a fact Naruto would have reacted how Lala said) but there was something about the girl that just unnerved Risa. She shook her head and decided to partake in her favourite hobby of Naruto watching. Currently he was staring into space with those passionate blue eyes. Oh how Risa wished she knew what he was thinking. She had originally met Naruto through Haruna and they had got along famously. She must have been about eight years old when she was playing at Haruna's house and Naruto had visited. They had played hide and seek until it got dark and Naruto had gone home. Haruna had told her stories about Naruto and the more she heard the more she liked the blonde haired boy.
It wasn't just Haruna who had tales of the blonde's bravery. There probably wasn't a soul in the school who hadn't seen Naruto doing something heroic (although most of the students would say he was just fighting because he's a delinquent and that's what they do). She had once asked him why he fought so much and if he cared that people thought he was a delinquent for getting into fights all the time.
"People thought I was a delinquent anyway," A twelve year old Naruto remarked as stepped over the bodies of some bullies he had beaten up. "I'm doing it because I know its right. Someone has to protect those who can't protect themselves and that someone is me."
"But… why does it have to be you?" Risa asked.
"It doesn't," Naruto admitted, "But if it wasn't me then it would be someone else getting into fights. I've spent my entire life being ostracised because people thought I looked like a delinquent. Nothing's changed but at least I know that I am helping people so I don't really care what other people think. So long as I can go to sleep at night happy with how I live my life, that's enough for me."
"Even though others disagree with your behaviour?" Risa asked.
"Bah," Naruto snorted, "So long as my precious people are on my side, that's all I need."
"Precious people?" Risa blinked.
"You know like your friends, family etc." Naruto rubbed his nose.
"I see…" Risa smiled at Naruto, "Say… are we friends?"
"I'm surprised you had to ask," Naruto looked hurt.
"Hehe," Risa giggled at his pout. "Right, we're friends!"
"You bet we are!" Naruto grinned and gave her a thumbs up gesture.
"Man a thumbs up… how lame." Risa stuck her tongue out at Naruto.
"Hey! Don't diss the classics!" Naruto laughed. "I'll tell Sarenji-san you are picking on me!"
"Not if I tell her you were picking on me first!" Risa joined in the laugh as the two ran towards Haruna's house.
Risa smiled to herself. She had many of these precious little moments with just her and Naruto. Originally her parents forced her to wear dresses and be sensible but she wasn't happy about it. Naruto picked up on this and actually lectured her parents on how it was a parent's sacred duty to ensure the happiness of their children and that forcing Risa to be someone she wasn't was only hurting them all. This was the first moment when her friendship with him started to evolve into something more. Over the next few weeks, it was the boundless support he offered her that made her fall in love with him. At one point she and Haruna had actually argued over Naruto, she felt Haruna was leading him on whereas Haruna felt Risa was monopolising the time spent playing with him. It had nearly ruined their friendship and the only thing they had agreed on was that Naruto could never find out about their argument. If he knew that he almost caused them to stop being friends he would distance himself from the two in order to prevent ever coming between them again.
Risa turned her attention to Haruna who was listening to the lecture intently. Risa had always forgiven Haruna for their arguments but there was one moment where even to this day Risa could not forgive her friend. The worst part was neither Naruto nor Haruna knew it. After all they didn't know that Risa had witnessed the confession.
Risa scowled as she finished cleaning the classroom and made her way out of the school. She saw Naruto and Haruna at the tree and smirked, planning to sneak up on them and surprise them. She hid next to the pair, just out of sight.
"And I like you, Uzumaki-san," Haruna smiled. "You are one of my closest friends."
"But you see… I kind of like you more that as a friend." Naruto's voice seemed to be breaking as he spoke. "I was wondering if maybe… you'd like to go out on a date with me?" He looked at her hopefully.
Risa felt her heart drop. She wanted to run away and just cry. It should be her that Naruto confessed to. What did Haruna have that she didn't?
"I'm sorry," Haruna shook her head. "I… I'd rather us stay as friends."
Risa almost cheered until Naruto looked away from Haruna and in her general direction. She saw him fight back tears before wearing a fake grin and laughing.
"Ahaha," Naruto laughed. "No worries. Yeah I get it."
The look on his face hurt Risa and she found herself hating Haruna for putting that look on his face. She swore that one day, she would make his so happy that this would be a distant memory for him. He would feel as happy when he was with her as she felt when she was with him.
At least that was her plan at the time. Her attempts to win Naruto over hadn't met with much success. She had tried subtle. She had tried blatant. It was as if Naruto just didn't register romantic intentions. And now there was a new challenger, this Lala girl. She seemed to have a good relationship with Naruto and that worried Risa. In a matter of days Lala's relationship with Naruto seemed to reach a similar level as her own. Fortunately she seemed to be having the same lack of success that Risa was used to but the fact remained she was a threat. Risa tried to focus on the lecture which was not the easiest thing to do in a history lesson taught by a teacher with a voice so dry that a student had passed out with severe dehydration in one of his classes before. But you never know, maybe the Sengoku period would have some sort of hint to help her deal with her current issues.
Naruto stood opposite Rito on top of the school roof, arms crossed. Rito looked nervous but determined and Naruto couldn't help but admire the boy's courage.
Unbeknownst to the two males there 'confrontation' was not private. Risa, Mio and Haruna were sat on the stairs to the roof listening in. Haruna refused to believe that Naruto would fight Rito and that Rito would actually challenge Naruto and was sure that this had to be a misunderstanding. Mio agreed saying they were probably going to confess their feelings for each other to which Risa and Haruna gave her a funny look. Turns out Mio is into Yaoi.
"Uzumaki-san," Rito took a deep breath before falling to his knees and bowing to Naruto. "Make a man of me!"
"What?" Naruto blinked stupidly.
"I knew it!" Mio moaned happily as she passed out with a nose bleed.
"I never knew…" Haruna stared into space in shock.
"I don't believe it… but…" Risa stared off into space. "Suddenly it starts to make sense why he doesn't react to me…"
Back with the boys Naruto was clearing out his ear with his little finger, "Do you mind repeating that?"
"I want you to teach me how to be a manlier person!" Rito clarified.
"Oh!" Naruto let out a sigh, "For a second I thought you meant…"
"What?" Rito looked confused.
"Ah nothing," Naruto laughed uneasily, "I suppose I could give you a few pointers but I'm not really that much of a manly man myself."
"But… certain people look up to you!" Rito pointed out.
"Well I guess some people might," Naruto admitted. "But that's mostly the perverted principal and Kenichi, not really people who I would want to have a high opinion of me. May I ask what brought this on?"
"Well…" Rito looked uncomfortable, "I don't feel right just saying it in public like this?"
"Does it involve a girl?" Naruto asked.
"Yes." Rito nodded.
"Fine," Naruto shook his head. "We'll need to find somewhere to talk without people eavesdropping."
The three girls froze.
"You think someone could be eavesdropping on us?" Rito sounded panicky.
"Well it did sound like you were challenging me to a fight this morning," Naruto pointed out.
"It did?!" Rito went white as a sheet.
"Yeah," Naruto smirked at Rito's discomfort. "Well… where do you want to go to talk about this?"
"Well… my house is mostly empty right now." Rito looked at the blonde.
"Fine," Naruto stretched out. "I suppose I can try and help you out" 'Maybe then I can move on with my own life.'
"Great!" Rito beamed, "Follow me!"
"I'm home," Rito called out as he and Naruto entered the house and took off their shoes.
"Nice place," Naruto commented.
"Thanks," Rito smiled.
"Welcome home," A small girl with long brown hair walked towards them. "Oh, what is this? You brought a friend home Rito? I was beginning to wonder if you had any."
"Mikan, this is Naruto, Naruto, this is my sister Mikan."
"Pleased to meet you," Naruto smiled warmly at Mikan.
"Thank you for looking after my brother," Mikan bowed politely.
"No worries," Naruto ruffled her hair affectionately earning an irritated glare from the smaller girl.
"Follow me," Rito lead Naruto to his room, "Please take a seat," he indicated the bed.
"… Thanks," Naruto sat down and was about to talk when his phone went off. "One moment please."
"Of course," Rito nodded.
"Hello mother," Naruto sighed as he answered the phone. "No I haven't been kidnapped. No I am not just saying that because I am at gun point. I am not being sold as a sex slave. I don't even know what that is but I'm pretty sure that isn't happening here. I am at a friend's house. No, not Sarenji's. Yes, I do have more than one friend. No he isn't imaginary. Good bye." Naruto hung up and sighed heavily. "Sorry about that."
"It's okay," Rito opened his mouth to speak when there was a knock at the door. "Come in."
"I just brought up some tea," Mikan brought in a tray with tea and snacks on it. "I hope you like tea," She said glancing at Naruto.
"I do, thank you very much," Naruto smiled and took the offered cup.
"I'll leave you two alone," Mikan smiled as she left the room.
"You have a very dependable little sister there," Naruto remarked.
"Thanks," Rito smiled, "I don't know what I would do without her. So I was wondering, if there was a girl you were in love with… how'd you confess to her?"
"Is that really what you wanted to ask me?" Naruto raised an eyebrow. "I'd have thought you'd have wanted to know Sarenji's likes and dislikes."
"Ah!" Rito went crimson, "What do you mean… I mean why would I want to know...?"
"He isn't buying it," Mikan's voice called out.
"Ah… how long have you known?" Rito asked. "And don't eavesdrop on your big brother's conversations!"
"Long enough," Naruto smiled. "Don't worry, Sarenji seems completely unaware."
"Ah," Rito let out a sigh of relief. "Then…" Rito looked uneasy. "I mean… do you and Haruna-chan…"
"We aren't in a relationship nor does it look like we ever will be," Naruto assured Rito.
"That's good," Rito beamed, "I don't think I could compete with you if that was the case!"
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Naruto muttered under his breath.
"Pardon?"
"Ah never mind, I was just thinking aloud." Naruto took a sip of the tea, "Man… this is pretty good. Your sister is quite gifted."
"Thank you," Mikan's voice responded.
"I told you to stop eavesdropping." Rito sighed.
"I'm just checking that this guy is actually your friend. He looks like a delinquent so I was checking he wasn't threatening you." Mikan replied honestly, "No offence by the way."
"None taken," Naruto laughed. "I wish I had a little sister like you."
"Unfortunately not everyone realises a good thing when they see it," Mikan's voice had a tone of humour in it.
"Hmm…" Naruto sipped his tea, "I can see."
"Hey!" Rito exclaimed. "Stop ganging up on me."
"Ahahaha," Naruto laughed heartily. "So what do you want from me then?"
"Hints and tips about Haruna I guess," Rito rubbed his chin. "What kind of man does she like?"
"Hmm…" Naruto stared off into the distance. "It would be easier to tell you the kind of guys she doesn't like…at least not romantically." 'If he stops seeing me as a threat then maybe it will encourage him to actually ask Haruna out.'
"Oh?" Rito looked interested.
"Well… there's me for a start," Naruto looked at Rito. "I confessed to her a year or so ago and got shot down."
"Really!" Rito smiled. 'He was my biggest rival but it seems Haruna-chan isn't interested in him!'
"There's no need to be so happy about it," Naruto remarked dryly.
"Ah, sorry." Rito bowed apologetically.
"I apologise, my brother is an idiot." Mikan called through the door.
"It must be hard to have a brother such as him," Naruto smirked.
"Oh you have no idea," Mikan and Naruto laughed as Rito started complaining about being bullied by his little sister.
"But back to my question," Rito looked at Naruto. "Do you know if she'd like a guy like me?"
"Do I know?" Naruto looked thoughtful. 'Well she has never actually confirmed that it is Yuuki who she likes… "I can't guarantee but I can say you have the best chance of a successful confession."
"I see," Rito glanced at the door as it opened and Mikan entered with a cup of tea and sat on the bed beside Naruto. "Can I help you?"
"We both know I'd just stay outside eavesdropping. At least this way I am more comfortable," Mikan smiled.
"I really like your little sister," Naruto laughed and ruffled her hair getting another glare from the small girl.
Naruto returned home in a surprisingly good mood. Rito and Mikan were excellent company and even though Rito was trying to woo Haruna, Naruto actually enjoyed the time he had spent at Rito's house. Before he had left Mikan had told him he was always welcome at their house and gave him some biscuits to take home, which had barely lasted the ten minute walk from Rito's house to his own. Mikan was quite the talented little chef (she was responsible for most of the cooking in the Yuuki household Naruto had found out) and he made a mental note to drop by every so often.
As he opened the door he called out, "I'm home!" And took off his shoes whilst finishing off the last biscuit Mikan had given him.
"What took you so long?!" Kushina crossed her arms as Naruto walked into the dining room. "I was terrified that you had been kidnapped and used as a sex slave by some twisted middle aged woman!"
"…Are you talking about someone else living your dream?" Naruto responded.
"I'm not middle aged!" Kushina retorted.
"But you didn't deny the rest," Naruto shook his head. "Is Lala home?"
"Yes," Kushina nodded. "She's up to something. She went straight to her room and there has been all sorts of noises coming from there."
"I see," Naruto glanced at Lala's door. "Seems quiet now."
"Yeah," Kushina agreed.
"Which hopefully means she has finished whatever she was working on." He walked towards Lala's room.
"Hmm that Lala is monopolising my Naru-chan," Kushina muttered as she walked over to the shrine. "Minato, my Naru-chan is growing more and more distant what should i do? What?! I can't side with Lala! I have my pride to consider! How could you say that? Well that maybe true but... oh really? Well fine! Let's see you get any good incense! I'll burn rubbish at your shrine now! Who's the idiot now?!"
"Just when I thought she couldn't get weirder she starts arguing with a shrine." Naruto rubbed his forehead and knocked on Lala's door.
"Who is it?" Lala called out.
"Naruto."
"Okay! Come in!"
Naruto opened the door and paused. "You've decorated this room… and apparently made it bigger. A lot bigger." In fact Lala's room was now larger than the rest of the house.
"That's right!" Lala declared. "This room is partially in another dimension allowing it to be far larger than the original room would let it be!"
"Is this what you have been working on all day?"
"Oh this took me about fifteen minutes," Lala shook her head. "I spent most of today working on the training area for you!"
"You didn't have to go to such lengths for my sake," Naruto felt embarrassed.
"I call it… the Danger Room!" Lala announced dramatically.
"Ignoring the name for a moment, what exactly is the Danger Room?"
"I'm glad you asked!" Lala gestured to a door marked with an X. "In here you can simulate all sorts of battle scenarios and improve your combat skills."
"Why is the door marked with an X?" Naruto asked.
"It seemed right," was Lala's dismissive response. "Do you want to give it a test run?"
"Sure," Naruto nodded with a grin, "Sounds like it could be fun."
"Great!" Lala beamed before ushering Naruto through the door. The room was small, roughly the same size as Naruto's bedroom. It appeared to be empty and the walls, floor and ceiling were covered in very small white plastic looking tiles.
"This doesn't look that impressive," Naruto remarked as Lala left the room.
"Loading up training program OMGMIS #1," Lala's voice sounded over some speakers and all of a sudden what was a small room became a large barren wasteland.
"OMGMIS?" Naruto asked.
"It's named after what you'll be yelling shortly." Lala replied mischievously.
All of a sudden several shards of light started to merge into a shapes before Naruto. When the lights had finally died down, Naruto realised that he shouldn't have let Lala watch Earth TV
"Is that…?" Naruto started.
"Hai," Lala's voice sounded happy.
"Just one question Lala," Naruto asked calmly, "HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DEFEAT AN ENTIRE ARMY OF GUNDAM?!"
"Good luck!" Lala cut the communication and watched over the screen as Naruto was repeated assaulted by a barrage of laser fire and missiles.
"GOLDEN FINGER!"
"OH MY GOD MAKE IT STOP!" Naruto howled as he was destroyed for the umpteenth time.
"And that is why it is called that," Lala explained helpfully before ending the simulation. She walked into the chamber to see a twitching Naruto on the floor, looking perfectly unharmed.
"I died," Naruto remarked in an empty voice. "I have seen the next world and it is cold and unforgiving."
"See," Lala clapped her hands, "You can die as many times as is required in order to become a better fighter."
Naruto opened his mouth to yell at Lala but then paused, "Wait if I can feel the pain and tiredness from the simulation does that mean that…"
"Hai," Lala interrupted. "You are using your body in the simulator so any muscle growth and muscle memory you acquire in there is yours to keep! If you can increase your strength in the Danger Room (patent pending) then your real world strength also increases! Obviously there are pain dampeners in place so you don't feel the full impact of your 'deaths' but it is still a pretty good invention right? I can acquire the data of those most likely to attack you so you can fight them in the simulation and be prepared for them should they attack you!"
"Lala," Naruto looked at the pink haired alien, "You are actually a genius aren't you?"
"Thanks," Lala blushed.
"But just one question," Naruto asked, "WHY THE HELL A DID YOU MAKE ME FIGHT A GUNDAM ARMY?!"
"Well…" Lala twiddled her fingers, "I figured that the more extreme the danger the more likely it was you could trigger your transformation."
"Transformation?"
"Calling it a glowing blue thingy was getting old."
"Oh." Naruto sighed heavily. "Well if that proved anything it's that damage doesn't trigger that state."
"And now we know," Lala nodded pulling out a clipboard and ticking something on it. "Now for the next simulation unless you want to rest first?"
"I'm sure whatever it was it can't be as bad as that experience." Naruto cracked his knuckles.
"Well… there is OMGMIS #2 – That would be you fighting Cthulhu."
"Do you have any simulation that would end with my sanity intact? I have no intention of fighting any of the old ones today." Naruto sighed heavily.
"Well I suppose there is NACOV #1."
"NACOV?" Naruto asked.
"Not a Chance of Victory," Lala clarified. "That would be you fighting my father at his full strength before the Unification War."
"I see," Naruto deadpanned, "Your dad at full strength is more dangerous that Cthulhu?"
"Pretty much," Lala beamed.
"And that's the guy who I've got to beat up." Naruto shook his head. "Well I suppose that everyone should aim high."
"You don't have to fight my father," Lala shook her head.
"I promised didn't I?" Naruto turned to face Lala with a serious smile. "I told him I would kick his ass if he didn't let you marry who you want. I may not return your feelings but if you have really chosen me then these assassins are a sign he intends to stop our marriage." Naruto cracked his knuckles. "So that means I have to fight him!"
"Naruto…" Lala smiled at him with tears in her eyes.
"Lala?" Naruto blinked.
"You said our marriage!" Lala exclaimed crying tears of joy, "You've accepted my proposal!"
"I what?" Naruto blinked, "I… that isn't what I mean at all!"
"Your heart has spoken to me," Lala grabbed his hands. "I love you too Naruto-kun!"
"Listen to me!" Naruto sighed as Lala started dancing around. "Damn it. She looks so happy I can't just go and ruin that can I?"
"He loves me, he loves me!" Lala cheered as she continued running around the arena.
"Argh," Naruto couldn't look at her. When she was so happy like this she was almost blinding to look at. "Can we just load up a different simulation?"
"Hai!" Lala smiled happily.
