March 5th, Year 4.

Today Ippan and Naruto were going to the park. The younger boy liked to run around and play, but he soon found out that Ippan wasn't an active girl. She was alright with being slow and not in the exact shape that was considered healthy. That being said, the girl had promised to bring snacks on their little get together in the woods. He always seemed to be hungry and she loved to eat. So it was a win-win situation.

Ippan tip-toed to the kitchen, scoping out the area. It was the weekend so her mother was out gossiping with her girlfriends. Her father was working late the night before so he'd most likely be sleeping. She tried her best to quietly pick up a few sweet buns and other things she might need. When she stuffed everything into her bag she turned around jumped when she saw her father standing in front of her.

"OH! Hi, dad..." Ippan guiltily held the bag of food items. "Good morning."

"What's that you got there?"

"Just some stuff..." She couldn't lie to her father because he always knew.

"Some stuff, hm?"

"Yeah, I'm going to the park, so I might get hungry." Just stay as close to the truth as possible.

"Oh really?" He asked calmly with a raised brow.

"Yes." They stared at each other before he shrugged lazily.

"Well, have fun and don't get sick from eating too much. You know your mom will be mad if you spoil your appetite."

Ippan was relieved. "Okay, I won't." She walked toward the door.

"Oh and Ippan?"

"Yes, dad?"

"Tell that friend of yours if he wants a good meal he should come here to get it." The girl almost tripped.

"I...don't know what you mean dad..." She dragged out without looking at him.

"Oh you don't, well just keep what I said in mind. You know, whenever you make that friend." He said in a knowing tone.

"...okay."

"So...I think my dad is a ninja." Ippan stated firmly as she sat beside a large tree.

Naruto raised his brow as he turned to her. "Really?"

"Yeah, that seems to be the only logical explanation."

"What are you talking about?"

"That's the only way to explain why he knows everything." The girl paused before looking at Naruto. "He knows about you."

"How? I thought we keeping the secret pretty well."

"No...now that I think about it, we really weren't. I mean we hang out all the time and my mom always asks where the food is going."

Naruto shifted uncomfortably. "So, do you want to stop hanging out together?"

"Why would you ask that?" Ippan asked with a confused tone.

"I mean won't you get in trouble if your mom finds out?" He attempted to ask casually.

Ippan studied his face and he was trying to hid the fact that he was sad. She suddenly poked him in the forehead and he blinked in surprise.

"Dummy." He frowned at her words.

"I am not! I'm serious, dattebayo!"

"And that's why you're dumb. Even if my mom finds out I decided a long time ago that I'd stay your friend." Ippan smiled.

His frustrated expression slowly faded from a frown. "Oh..."

"Don't act surprised. You should realize that your pretty much stuck with me for a long time."

"Oh the torture."

"Shut up and eat the food before I take it back." She pushed a sweet bun into Naruto's mouth as he furrowed his brow. "Sarcasm is my thing."

"Then what is my thing?"

"Yelling aggressively 24/7 and saying dattebayo."

"Hey, you...fair enough."

"That's what I thought."