Chapter 6: Reunion

The first lesson for the academy students, including Naruto, was not exciting in the least. Some could handle it better and listen while others outright fell asleep only to be roughly awakened by an angry Iruka. While Iruka looked angry, he felt a little sympathy since he remembered how dreadfully boring it was for him at that age. But being older he knew how important it was to learn this along with the actual ninja skills coming up next year.

The subject was, of course, Konoha's history. While anything involving the great shinobi wars made everyone's ears twitch with interest, the rest of how friendly relations were signed and so on and so forth immediately dropped many of said ears.

Naruto, being who he is, was bored. But his sensei, Yokai, had during their travels and sessions managed to make Naruto understand the importance to know history and other things not directly related to his physical training.

Flashback no Jutsu

"Listen, Naruto. Some things you will have to learn are boring for you, especially..."

"Especially since I'm only 8 years old. I got it, I got it." Naruto finished, exasperated.

"Hehe, yes. But as a consolation; you will grow up and come to see just how important it is to know these sort of things, like history."

"Sensei, I know and am all for the idea of getting this head start in the academy. But could you explain why it is important, why should I pay so close attention to things, like history?" Naruto asked politely but his apprehension for the subject was showing clearly.

"Tell me, Naruto, have you heard of "The Will of Fire"?"

"Yeah, it's supposed to mean our inner will to fight or something, I like it." Naruto said, smiling.

"You're only partly right. Well, actually completely right, but you only touched a piece of the whole story." Yokai said.

"Oh? What more is there then?" Naruto asked, curious.

"Well, The Will of Fire is indeed about the inner will to fight. But it's about the will to fight to protect your loved ones, like you yourself desire to do." Yokai commented with a wink. "But why is it there? Why do just about everyone in the village get it? Just how strong and meaningful is it?" Yokai finished with a small amount of drama.

"Alright! I have it then since I want to protect those dear to me with all I got. That's awesome. I didn't really get that until now. Ojii-san didn't fully explain it to me before." Naruto said with pride.

"That's no doubt to you being a bit too young to understand at the time mixed with his busy schedule." Yokai said. "But you're now old enough to learn more about it."

"Finally! I'm old enough to learn something important." Naruto said excitedly.

Yokai stared at Naruto, who caught on why. "Eh, sorry. Didn't mean to make anything else seem less important." He said sheepishly, rubbing his neck. Yokai chuckled warmly.

"Anyway, back to the point. Learning the rich history of Fire Country and the Leaf Village along with the other countries history, as you know it anyway, will let you know more of why we as shinobi fight and when the Will of Fire's first spark came to be. All ninja have to know 'why' they fight, Naruto. A ninja without cause to fight is a ninja who will loose heart and make mistakes not to mention desert or get killed if bad enough." Yokai said with absolute seriousness. Naruto nodded, listening intently.

"Moreover, you will learn in the academy about other things not related to combat. It is important you pay attention to those as well as they will help you stay alive and be an effective ninja guardian." Yokai continued.

"Like what, sensei?"

"For example, basic medicine and first aid. What plants to use for food or field treatment of wounds and not by mistake take poisonous plants and further harm or even kill a fellow ninja. There are sure to be more examples, Naruto. But I hope I have gotten my point across? Nothing of what you will learn is without its use, so I say it once again; pay attention and learn all that you can and you will go far." Yokai finished; "If you find it boring, see it this way. Boredom is a dangerous enemy and you have to overcome it and grow as a ninja."

Naruto understood and made up his mind, he would do as his sensei said. It will be partly boring, but he wont go back on his word and give his training and education his all.

Flashback no jutsu, Release!

So, being Naruto, he gave this lesson his all and his battle with boredom held it at bay.

"Yo, Naruto." Kiba whispered. "How can you listen to this stuff? It's such a..."

"Draaag." Shikamaru finished.

"Heh, my sensei taught me that everything I will learn in the academy will be useful to know later on. He told me so in a way that I cannot argue with and I promised to give it my all, and I never go back on my word. Believe it!" He whispered back with gusto. He wasn't quiet enough as Iruka heard him.

"Care to share what's so interesting to talk about during class, Naruto?" Iruka said, the underlying order very obvious to all present.

Naruto rubbed his neck in embarrassment. "I'm sorry sensei, I just commented that this is indeed an important lesson, right guys?" Naruto said. Hoping his quick thinking paid off.

"Uh, yeah. Right on, my man." Kiba agreed.

"Sure." Shikamaru answered, not the least giving any effort to make his answer believable.

"Hmm. Since you seem so 'genuinely' interested in this subject, Naruto, why don't you tell me what I've been talking about during this lesson?" Iruka said. He wanted to test Naruto and see if he was telling the truth.

"Sure, Iruka-sensei. You've talked about how each major nation was formed almost 1000 years ago and before that the discovery of our chakra networks and thus our first ninja abilities almost 2000 years ago."

"And?" Iruka tested.

"And you were just now talking about our first Hokage, Hasirama Senjuu and what the founding principles are for our village. Which are Strength, Skill, Knowledge and Compassion."

Iruka was pleased. "Very good Naruto. Now continue to listen and refrain from talking during class, even if it is about how important it is." Iruka said, smiling.

"Will do, sensei." Naruto said with a quick salute.

As quietly as possible, Kiba and Shikamaru whispered to Naruto.

"Hey, thanks for saving our asses, man." Kiba whispered with a grin.

"Yeah. Why did you do something so troublesome when you could've just added us to the explanation?" Shikamaru added.

"Easy, you guys are my friends, right? What are friends for?" Naruto said with a wide smile.

"Yeah. We owe ya. What say we eat lunch somewhere after class? My treat." Kiba offered.

"I am starting to feel peckish actually. I'm in. I will help treat you too, Naruto." Shikamaru said, smiling.

Naruto was howling in joy inside at finding new friends. "Super, I know just the place." Naruto said with a pleased grin.

Later...

"So what is this place we're going to anyway?" Shikamaru said. "If it's much further it's kinda too troublesome to waste energy on for a lunch."

"Lighten up, will ya Shikamaru? The lunch break is long enough for us to get to the other side of Konoha, have lunch and get back before the next lesson starts." Kiba countered.

"That's not the point, it's too much of a drag to go that far for lunch. We could've just gone to the academy's own restaurant. Much less of a hassle." Shikamaru complained a little.

"Don't worry, Shikamaru. It'll be worth it, that's a promise." Naruto said, grinning widely.

"You sure like your promises." Shikamaru observed.

"And I never go back on my word. That's my Nindo, my ninja way." Naruto said, a fist resting on his chest.

"Cool. But aren't you afraid you'll make one promise too many or make one you cannot possibly keep?" Kiba asked.

"If I keep working on the promise till the day I die, it will be alright. But I wont die until I fulfill each one, before that I refuse to die."

"Naruto, that's all well and good but it's also a bit unrealistic. Sometimes things can change out of your control and you can't fulfill a promise. You may not be able to keep it, but it wont be your fault." Shikamaru said.

"The brainiac is right, man. You should not be so carefree with promises, especially since it's your Nindo."

Naruto had to admit they had made good points. "Alright, you might be right. I'll make promises with more care."

"Good, you'd be in too big of a drag should you make a promise you'd not be able to keep and it would literally be too troublesome to get out of." Shikamaru said. "Hey, Kiba."

"What's up?"

"Don't call me a brainiac." Shikamaru said with annoyance.

"Why not? Isn't that basically you in a nutshell?"

"It's a crude description of me and it may give a wrong impression to others."

"What do you mean? Aren't you the smart one of us all? Son of Konoha's greatest brainiac?" Kiba asked, confused.

"[sigh] Maybe that's true but I don't want to be looked upon as such, it will cause me too much work in the long run. Explaining being one of them. What a drag that would be." Shikamaru said.

Naruto had to stifle his laugh at their antics.

"Whatever you say, brainiac. How about we just call you Shika from now on. Would that be alright?" Naruto offered.

"If you must give me a nickname then that one is good enough." Shika agreed.

Turning to Kiba with a sly grin, Naruto said, "I don't suppose mutt would work for you?"

"What the..." Kiba then punched at Naruto, who promlty ducked and ran away laughing. "Get back here you smart-ass!" Kiba took off.

"Kiba, it was just a joke, I wouldn't call you that for real!" Naruto said, still laughing while running around.

"Joke or not, you're gonna pay for that!" Kiba said angrily, but he was grinning too. Akamaru barked in excitement as he too gave chase.

"... Troublesome." Shika sighed.

Kiba, being trained in speed caught up to Naruto soon. Though Naruto kinda wanted to wrestle a bit anyway so he let him catch up finally. But as they were about to wrestle Naruto saw it.

"We're here!" Naruto exclaimed happily.

"Where?" Kiba asked, freezing just as he had a headlock on Naruto.

"Ichiraku's!" Naruto pointed to the ramen stand.

"Ramen, huh? I've not had much of that before to be honest." Shika commented. "Are they good?"

"Good? They're the best in the elemental nations!" He exclaimed.

"Naruto, you can't claim that unless you've been around the nations and tried theirs first." Shika said with a sigh.

"Ah, but you forget. I have been around. Not everywhere perhaps, but I've still been around and no other ramen cooks compare to old man Teuchi." Naruto said with pride.

"Sweet. Shall we get to it then?" Kiba said, drool forming in his mouth.

They entered, and found none other than Yokai and Sarutobi along with the cooks.

"Hey! It's Naruto, he's back father!" Ayame shouted towards the back happily.

"Naruto? Naruto! Hey, son. Good to see you back with us." Teuchi welcomed Naruto with a big grin.

"Ayame-neechan, Teuchi-jiisan. So good to see you guys too!" Naruto said happily.

Ayame couldn't help it, she had to run outside and embrace Naruto in a hug.

"Oooh, little brother. I missed you so." She said happily. Naruto was stunned by this a bit, but in a pleasant way. She had never called him her little brother before, even though he felt a sibling relationship with her and called her big-sis.

"So have I, but now I'm back." He said affectionately. "And ready as ever to eat some RAMEN!" He shouted enthusiastically, much to the amusement of the rest.

"But take my friends' order first, please old man." Naruto said

He took their orders and the boys shared the pay for Naruto as promised.

"How many bowls, Naruto?" Came Teuchi's voice.

"I'd say about seven bowls, I haven't eaten ramen for a long time and I plan to make up for it."

"Right away."

"Seven bowls?" Kiba said utterly stunned. 'This is seriously gonna hurt my allowance.' Kiba thought.

"Sweet Kami! Are you trying to compete with Chooji?" Shikamaru asked, who was a long time friend of the rotund boy.

"That fat guy? No. I just love ramen is all. I've always had an appetite in general." Naruto chuckled.

"Oi oi, you'd better not call him fat, Naruto. He's very sensitive about that. Once he went berserk on a group of kids who called him that and they spent the rest of the day getting their injuries healed in the hospital." Shika said.

"So he's strong too, cool. I like him already. I wont call him that in front of him. I judge people by who they are, not what they are." Naruto said. Other than Kiba and Shika, the others caught the underlying meaning.

"Good. But if you always had such an appetite, how come you're not as... big boned as Chooji." Shika said. 'Man if I knew that he would eat as much as him I'd have rethought my offer.'

"Heh, I dunno. Plenty of exercise I suppose." Naruto offered.

"Must be, man. If I didn't know for a fact that you're a guy and ten years old, I would've thought you were eating for two, as my mother said once to a pregnant lady." Kiba said. To which the boys laughed.

But the others' laughter were half-hearted, which the boys didn't catch. The comment about eating for two had a deeper meaning than Kiba could've imagined. The two Kages didn't know if the beast affected Naruto's appetite nor if it truly was of importance to know that, but Naruto did indeed carry a second being inside him.

"Oh, pardon me guys. Kiba, Shikamaru, meet Yokai-sensei, whom I traveled with and learned from before coming to the academy," Yokai greeted with a wave and a smile. "Hokage-jiisan," Sarutobi chuckled at his ever present 'honorific' from the blond boy and waved to them. "And old man Teuchi and big-sis Ayame." The cooking duo greeted with smiles and nods.

"Sweet. Pleased to meet you four." Kiba grinned and gave a two finger salute.

"Hey." Shika said, smiling. But then went wide eyed as he realized, "Did you just call the Hokage 'grandpa'." To which Kiba also went saucer eyed.

"Sure, he's one of my precious people." Naruto said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The Hokage couldn't help but laugh.

"It's alright boys, Naruto and I go back." Sarutobi said.

"But how does he know you so well, Hokage-sama." Shika said, all ears for once.

"I came across him when he was an orphaned baby boy. Despite my ninja training I couldn't just let go of him and made sure personally to take care of him. Of course not in my own house as I am an old man and a busy one at that. I put him in an orphanage and kept an eye on him from time to time with visits." Sarutobi said. It wasn't a lie, technically. He just left out sensitive information.

"Wow, you know the Hokage personally, Naruto? You're a guy who's just full of surprises, aren't you, dude." Kiba commented. Naruto chuckled sheepishly and once again gave his trademark rub of his neck.

"Hmm? What do you mean full of surprises?" Yokai asked. Naruto now caught on, he wasn't sure if his sensei would like what was coming, but let it happen since he would've told him anyway.

"Yokai-dude, Naruto showed up in class in the most awesome way. He appeared out of thin air and none of us, not even Iruka-sensei, could tell he was in the room throughout the roll call. And that everywhere voice of his, totally awesome stuff." Kiba told.

"Yeah, that was something to see I admit." Shika added with visible interest.

"Did he now?" Yokai smiled, but Naruto could tell he was in trouble.

"Sure did. Too bad it's not something he can talk about. That would've been awesome to learn." Kiba finished.

"Yes, awesome indeed." Yokai said, smiling. He then shot a brief glare of disappointment at Naruto.

"Here's your ramen, gentlemen. Eat in good health!" Teuchi said.

They did just that and chatted away until it was time to head back. But Yokai grabbed Naruto's arm.

"Not so fast, Naruto." Yokai said with a hint of anger only Naruto knew how to hear. "You boys go on ahead, he'll catch up!"

"Can't it wait, sensei? I have to get to class." Naruto said with a nervous grin.

"Oh, I bet you're eager to get back to class," He said with sarcasm. "but we have something to talk about."