Cargas – I kinda hope I can continue this story to saga length. However, I need to point out that the henge (at least according to naruwiki) uses the three hand signs. Think of the two before tiger as 'training wheels' in a learning process, that's how I look at it.
Several people have asked that I reveal now what remains to be seen later (sex change permanent?) in the story. Sorry to disappoint but I'm not one to let out such a big plot secret. Going to just have to read and find out! For all the kind comments I give out a large heartfelt thank you.
ありがとうございます。
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Everyone in the room reacted a little bit differently to the shock from Inoichi. Ino was completely puzzled by the response from her own father. Dropping his fork and muttering something under his breathe? "What did he say? Can he tell it is Naruto somehow?" Ino was sharing an enormous burden in the form of a secret and it kind of felt nice to have some form of connection to someone. A friend out of desperation but a friend none-the-less. Unconsciously, she tightened the grip she had on Naruto's hand and she returned the action.
Beside her, Naruto was seriously contemplating running away that very instant. The shocked look on the blonde haired mans face was one she had seen before on people when they noticed her in their store, right before they threw her out roughly. Panic started to setting at the base of Naruto's stomach followed by a sour taste in her mouth. "Adults really are no different…" The shocked man was staring down at her, boring down with those aqua eyes of his, it made Naruto want to just run away and hide at home but something stopped her short when Ino tightened her hold on the hand they shared. Bolstered by the reminder of her friend, Naruto returned the grip as a sign up trust.
Inoichi was struck speechless by the form of a girl in front of him. Except for the striking cerulean colored eyes and a slightly slimmer face it was a complete clone of Kushina when she was at the academy age. Kushina was always able to stand out in class and left an imprint on everyone she met, after all, she wasn't named the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero for nothing. There was a striking resemblance yes, but the demeanor seemed different now. He could see something in those eyes… fear? Awkward, Kushina was always loud and outgoing… this must have just been coincidence. Opening his mouth to apologize, Inoichi only got a single syllable out. "Sorr…" before being smacked in the back of his head by Izumi.
Izumi was glad that Ino's friend was okay. Initially she worried, she may have been a civilian originally but Izumi knew what chakra exhaustion was. To be awake so quick was a good sign that it didn't get that far. She was shocked however at her husband's incredulous response on seeing the girl. She never got a chance to see before, but the girl had the most beautiful shining blue eyes… eyes that reminded her of both Inoichi and Ino. "Kushina? He's going to have some talking to do later…" Turning to look at the dumbstruck blonde Izumi acted and slapped him upside the head. "Don't scare the poor thing like that. She's had a rough day of training. Isn't that right dears?" she said while leveling her gaze kindly at the pair moving up to the table.
Ino could feel the tension bleeding off of Naruto beside her and took the initiative. Walking towards the table and lugging the red-head behind her, Ino offered a smile to her parents while Izumi apologized for her fathers awkward actions. "Ruto here was practicing ahead of the class to learn… chakra control but pushed a little too hard and got tired." Naruto beside her looked down to hide her face, a blush spreading on her cheeks from Ino's quote. "And now she even lies to her parents for me…"
The dangling straight red hair obscuring her eyes and face shook Inoichi from the slight stupor he was in. Mentally, he scolded himself; this was not Kushina and there was no way that they could be related. Rubbing the side of his head, Inoichi flashed the kids a smile. Deciding to take a fatherly tone, he began to kindly scold Ruto's training "Ah, take care with those kinds of exercises. Those are usually only started in your third year due to the small reserves you have. It's very dangerous to drive yourselves into exhaustion at this age; it could potentially ruin your career as a ninja."
Naruto barely heard what Inoichi was saying, her thoughts were currently cascading with a multitude of thoughts. Some were of how nice it was to finally meet some adults like Teuchi and Ayame. Others were of how nice Ino was being recently and how nice it was to have a friend. A quiet, darker part however, whispered of how this was all just a trick. It spoke of how this could all be another way to torture her, planned out by the same villagers that always torment Naruto.
It was hard to squash out that dark little voice that whispered of evil little plans but Naruto refused to believe it. At least this one, the way that Ino had been treating her was like a dream compared to the normal squalor of emotions that Naruto had lived with day in and day out so far. Again the murky negative voice piped up, it spoke of the beatings, the insults and poisonings. The voice urged and begged to never trust, if Naruto kept separate from everyone then she could stay safe. The voice screamed that this was a mistake to trust these people… but she steeled her determination.
Dinner passed by unnoticed by the stoic and silent red head. Questions were asked and Naruto would answer with a simple nod or shake of the head, too caught up in her own reverie to give a detailed explanation. The questions varied from "how do you like the academy?" to "if your parents are okay with you staying the night?" Unwittingly, Naruto had agreed to the last one without realizing it. Right before Izumi started to serve the desert she had planned, Naruto finally finished her internal monologue. Hoping beyond hope, she would place her trust in Ino and her family. It was a dangerous idea mentally, doubling the number of trusted friends in a single night.
When she finally refocused her vision and attention to the table in front of her, Naruto saw three small pink puffs sitting on the plate before her. The Yamanaka's were watching intently, waiting for her to take the first bite. "Go on dear, try it, they don't bite." Izumi cooed to her. "This ruins my diet but… mocchi is my favorite dessert. I'm sure you'll love it!" Ino prattled beside her. One word passed through Naruto's mind, the bitter whisperings of poison floated from the dark recesses of her heart. Having been poisoned by gifts of food before, Naruto was apprehensive towards this treat.
Naruto reached out slowly to grasp one of the pink balls from the plate to examine it. Powder flaked the outer coating and it seemed to have a jelly inside that made it pliable. Eyes scanning the table, Naruto took note of the expecting looks from the adults and there was a bitter feeling that rose from the pit of her stomach. However, it was the look from Ino that cinched the deal. Her pure blue eyes were looking into Naruto's own with a stunning intensity; it was as if she was assuring Naruto with a message passed through those blue orbs. "It's safe, trust me."
Plunging to the risk, Naruto took a large bite from the flaky pastry. Chewing and savoring the flavor, she swallowed the bite and looked on at the family with wide eyes. "This is delicious!" she exclaimed before gorging herself on the rest. Unbeknownst to the family that smiled while eating with her, Naruto was in a world of joy they could not possibly fathom. It had always been a dream to eat a dinner at a table… with a family. Even if this was a lie, even if this was a trick… this was worth it all.
After dinner, Naruto found herself being dragged upstairs by the hand again while muttering thanks demurely for the dinner. Inoichi had already retreated to the kitchen to clean the mess created so Izumi was left who gave a happy smile for the child. "Think nothing of it Ruto; it's nice to see Ino with a friend. You are welcome here anytime." Izumi's smile was blinding to Naruto, who silently prayed that this wasn't some dream to wake up from.
A quick jog upstairs left the two kids standing in the silence of Ino's purple laden bedroom. Finally taking the chance to admire, Naruto glanced around the room at the blonde girls' choice of quarters. There on the windowsill were the beautiful flowers that she had been speaking to earlier, just beside them sat a few books and a watering tin. The books pages all looked to be well read from the state of their spines and the curled edges. Continuing around the room, next came the large and undeniably soft bed that she had woken up in. The girl was in love with the color purple it seemed. Comforter, sheets, pillow casing… all a slight variation on the violet hue.
Just passed the bed was a closet which no doubt housed a variety of purple sets of clothing. Silently musing to herself, after all she had loved orange just as much, she just lacked the funds to get items in the color. The visual expedition ended on a dresser near the door. Propped up on it were a variety of pictures that told a story. There was Ino, held in her mother's arms, while both parents posed for the picture. Next came a picture of Ino while she was dancing, probably during a birthday of some sort. The last one that stood out amongst the bunch of items decorating the wooden furnishing was a simple picture of Ino with Shikamaru and Chouji. Caught in a hug around their necks by Ino, both boys shared different looks, Chouji's smile was wide and happy while Shikamaru merely let out a scowl.
Ino took the plunge and break the silence while she watched Naruto admire her room. However, Naruto didn't even hear her at first, too caught up in mentally comparing the life the two had lived. Repeating the question, Ino noticed that her guests normally shining blue eyes had somewhat glazed over and she could see the moisture pooling in the orbs. Chancing a touch, Ino reached out while calling out Naruto's name. She wasn't expecting the reaction she got upon making contact with the girls hand.
Turning to look at Ino, who saw the tears now flowing down the puffed out cheeks, barely contained her surprise when Naruto glomped her. Caught by surprise and having no idea what to do, Ino merely completed the hug and slowly patted the sobbing girls back. It still amazed her that this was Naruto, the bundle of sunshine, happiness and giggles from school was so… sobering, like this. Ears finally starting to work properly, Ino could make out the muffled noises coming from the girl in her arms. It was two words repeating over and over. "Thank you"
"It was only dinner Naruto, you don't have to thank me so much alright? Now then, let's talk about…" Ino started but was interrupted by Naruto who shook her a little while pulling away to share blue gazes with the girl. "No Ino, it wasn't just dinner. Not to me at least. You probably can't understand but the way you and your family today treated me today was…" Naruto was still staring at Ino. Cerulean eyes gazing into sky blues as she pondered the next word. "amazing. That was the first time I've ever been in a family dinner or have someone be so nice to me. Especially with the secret you are holding for me." The last part barely came out as a whisper but Ino heard it clear as day.
It still confused Naruto to no end at how calm and relaxed she felt in this house, the barriers and masks she had spent years creating fell to pieces in this room. Speaking so openly, crying and talking of these topics were taboo in front of even the old man. Finishing her tirade, Naruto slowly let go of Ino to finish "You asking to be my friend today Ino, made this the best day I've ever had…" Ino was stunned. Was it possible that Sakura looked at their friendship this way? Doubtful, Naruto seemed to be so much deeper than the cheery and loud kid everyone else saw… what else was hidden? "Well, now that you got that out of your system, let's get my spare futon out. No sense in sleeping on my floor."
Naruto stared at Ino quizzically. "What do you mean sleeping on your floor Ino?"
Ino blinked a few times at the question. "You don't remember? During dinner, my parents asked if you wanted to stay the night since it was so late already and you agreed." Answering the question while her back was turned, Ino rummaged through her closet till finding her target. With a pomf and a grunt of success, Ino had laid the temporary bedding out next to hers, complete with a violet sheet and pillow.
Speaking before thinking, Naruto spoke her mind. "You really do love purple don't you?"
Not even looking before responding Ino gave her response. "You really do love orange don't you?"
Stifling a small giggle, the red head responded. "Touché."
Being as it was already late, Ino left the room to change into a pair of pajama's after giving Naruto a pair to use despite her reluctance to wear more of Ino's clothes. The material was silk and felt so nice against her skin, silently Naruto thought about buying some like this but squashed the thought remembering exactly what the shop keepers treated the child like. The door to the room opened and closed quietly and Ino approached Naruto who was already laying down on the futon.
The only light in the room currently was that of the moon shining down from the window. Standing in the pale light with her hair down, Ino seemed to gain an unearthly glow about her and from a prone position laying on the futon Naruto absentmindedly muttered out her thoughts. "Your hair is really pretty when it's down Ino…" A light blush dusted Ino's cheeks but when she turned to berate her current roommate, all she saw was a sleeping crimson haired girl. Crawling into her own bedding and snuggling in, Ino muttered out a simple phrase before drifting to sleep. "Good night, Naruto-kun"
=o=
Naruto felt her consciousness return to her slowly, like a fog receding from her senses. Lying down in bed, the first thought that came to mind was a sad one. "Was what happened yesterday all a dream?" Eyes still closed, her mind raced thinking over every little detail and mused how unbelievable it all was. Secret accepted, friends, dinner with a family? Before all that happiness, Naruto remembered that she passed out in that alley in front of Ino… was it all just a dream? Fear tugged on Naruto's mind, unwilling to open her eyes for the absolute possible horror that she could wake to. In the hustle and bustle of the negative thoughts, one thing cleared her mind of the inhibition to see.
That item was the flushed feeling of fresh air wash over her face, it was laced with the sweet scent of lilies and violets that tickled her senses. Naruto didn't have any flowers at home and there certainly weren't any in any alleys which meant only one thing. Last night had happened. Rolling over in the sheets, she finally cracked open her eyes to the soft morning light glancing off the windowsill. There was the present sound of a shower running in the background and the smell of something cooking assaulted her as well.
Taking her time, Naruto changed back into her normal orange attire and carefully folded the borrowed pajamas on the bed. A quick henge later, and it seemed like she was wearing the same outfit borrowed from Ino yesterday, complete with missing scars. Descending the stairs, Naruto was affronted with the delicious scents of a cooking breakfast. Izumi greeted her brightly and calmly informed her that Inoichi had left earlier that morning for a clan meeting which left the three of them to enjoy breakfast as it was.
Departing the house was the pair of kids, one blonde and smiling and the other a grinning red head. Before leaving, Izumi had swept Naruto up into a hug and stated how she could come over and visit any time. A few blocks down the road, Naruto took a quick turn into an alley. Consequently, the same alley they had met in yesterday, before turning to Ino and giving a deep bow to her. "Thank you again for the hospitality and friendship Ino-chan." Without even giving the girl a chance to respond, Naruto used the henge to take on his usual boyish form before starting to bound away while calling out "See ya later Ino~"
Things were looking up for Naruto, despite the fact that he had accidentally changed his own gender via a jutsu, he was still happy he got to experience what a family was like and who knew… maybe he could make some more friends? If only Naruto knew that he would see a little bit more of bad luck before being blessed with built up good fortune.
A/N: Dear readers, the reason this particular chapter took a bit longer was mostly due to the overload of possible ideas that came to me while I attempted to type this chapter. Academy, graduation, wave, blah blah blah… all kinds of ideas wouldn't let me sit down and seriously type this chapter for a few days. As a side note, I revamped the teaser chapter a little bit thanks to a friend, RequiemofGods. He essentially 'beta'd' it for me.
p.s. MSword needs to recognize glomped as a word without me telling it to.