Disclaimer: Don't own any characters from Naruto, I only own the characters I create. Like Miyuki and Inari. Oh, and the plot, that's all me.

Note: First attempt at writing a story. I'm sorta making it up as I go along. However, I'm working more on getting the main plot down. Sorry if there's not so much NaruHina (that will be in book three) Most of this book will center on them building a closer friendship. Hope you guys are patient since this will take a long time to finish writing.

Phew, you don't know how hard I tried to write this in time.

Spent the whole day trying to write this up and finish it quickly. Barely made it before midnight.

Hooray for me, I was able to keep my word!

Chapter 21

Getting back to normal

The sun's warm rays pierced through the hospital window, shining brightly on the face of a brown haired child. She shifted to her left, causing the small creature beside her to wake.

With a shake of it's fur the black haired pup let out a small yawn. After stretching it's small body, the pup launched herself onto her master, startling her awake.

"Ahh!" she gasped, rising to a sitting position. The pup beside her barked happily, her tail wagging rapidly.

Inari groggily rubbed her eyes, too tired to scold her pup. Besides, it was hard to get mad at a pup that was so clearly overjoyed to see her awake. It took a bit of work, but slowly she brought her hand up to the pup's head and stroked it gently.

"Thanks for worrying about me Miyuki, I'm still a bit tired but I'll be okay in no time." Inari let out a small smile, embracing the pup softly.

Breakfast soon came for the two as a nurse brought in their meals.

Both of them ate their food, exchanging smiles as they paused to chew. Suddenly a knock was heard. "come in," she announced, wondering who it could be.

The door slowly opened, as a young blue-haired girl made her way in, "Hello Inari, how are you feeling?"

"I'm still feeling tired and woozy, but not as much as yesterday."

"That's good to hear," the two turned around, and saw the blonde hokage entering. "Slowly but surely you will recover all your strength."

Tsunade moved to the child's bed and cheeked her vital signs. Afterwards she nodded her head and spoke, "Alright kid, whenever you're ready you can leave the hospital."

"Great," Inari said with a smile. She turned to Hinata who nodded her head.

Minutes later they were all set to leave. The hospital seemed so small as they stared at it from a distance.

"I hope I won't have to stay in that place again anytime soon." Inari said with a pout.

"Yes." Hinata said, nodding in agreement.

"Um," Inari spoke, looking around with a confused expression. "By the way," she turned to her left and right, "where is he?"

"Who?"

"Naruto. You know, blond haired boy that's always by your side." Inari cracked a smile, "Your boyfriend."

"Ehh?" Hinata squeaked, her cheeks turning bright red. She shook her head, "N-n-no, he's not m-my," her voice caught in her throat. The last phrase came out in a whisper, "m-my boyfriend…"

"Really?" the child feigned ignorance, "But you like him don't you?"

The heiress' eyes widened, her face now completely red. She bit her lip nervously, not wanting to lie to the young girl. "W-well, we're friends so um…"

"So you do like him." Inari stated rather than asked. She looked down at Miyuki, who was walking by her feet. They shared a laugh as Hinata took a deep breath, trying to calm her beating heart.

The three of them walked a few yards before Inari began again.

"But, where is he?" the four year old said with a pout, "Why didn't he come with you."

"Uh, he had something to do," Hinata responded, "But don't worry, he'll be at the orphanage waiting for us."

The brown haired child slowed her steps, something that didn't go unnoticed by the heiress.

"Are you feeling tired Inari?" she asked concerned.

"Just a bit," she said, clutching her head, "It feels like, all of a sudden, my energy is all gone."

Hinata kneeled down and looked Inari over, clearly concerned and unaware of what to do.

"Hey you guys, what's going on?"

Inari and Hinata looked up and saw two teen girls walking towards them.

The blonde haired girl looked at Inari and said, "So this kid's the one that you were talking about?"

"Yeah," the green eyed girl said, "You know her?"

The blonde turned her head, "I met her once, she came to my family's flower shop one day."

Inari looked up at the blonde, scrunching her face up in thought. She knew her, yet she just couldn't remember her name.

"Oh yeah, I remember you once told me about that Ino." the pink-haired girl let out a wry smile.

Ino put on a similar smile.

"That's right," Inari said, "Your name was Ino."

The blonde nodded her head, "Yup, that's me."

"But you can just call her Ino-pig," Sakura said with a smile.

"Oh yeah? Then she can call you forehead girl!" Ino said with evil eyes.

Sakura angrily turned to her blonde friend, "You wanna start something?"

"Ha!" Ino jeered, "Like I'd waste my time on you."

The two teens threw insults back and forth as Hinata and Inari just watched. Miyuki saw this as 'playing' and ran over, jumping and barking along with them.

"I guess this means I shouldn't call them either of those names?"

"Guess not."

"Well then, let's go."

Hinata nodded, "Are you feeling any better?"

"Yup, my energy seems to be coming back." she said with a smile.

The heiress offered her hand to the small girl, Inari accepted it and the two walked together to the orphanage. Miyuki followed behind after adding one final back to the two teens who were still squabbling.

Inari leaned her head on Hinata's side as another dizzy spell overcame her.

As they arrived at their destination, they were met with an energetic teen.

"Hey, you finally made it." he said cheerfully.

For once Inari envied the blond boy and his energy. What she wouldn't give to be back to 100%.

"Well come one, everybody's waiting."

"Everybody?" Inari questioned.

Neither of the teens answered as they led her to the back of the orphanage.

The small, brown haired child was surprised when she saw the scene before her.

All the children in her group were there, gathered around a small round table, that held a medium sized cake. Their caretaker, Ms. Bell, was there as well as the headmaster.

"What is this?" Inari asked, completely confused.

A small, scruffy haired boy ran towards her, "Yur here!" he exclaimed happily. He stopped a foot in front of her and extended his hand out to her, "Let's go see evuryone."

Inari smiled, reaching her small hand out to his, "Okay."

"Lady Tsunade, If you could just look over and sign these forms right away," The black haired assistant said, placing the papers on the already cluttered desk.

"Geez Shizune, can't you see I'm already swamped?" the blonde woman sighed, what she wouldn't give for some sake right about now.

"I'm sorry, but these papers won't take too much of your time. They're about the mission Naruto and the others were just sent to. All they need is your signature."

"Let's see," Tsunade looked the papers over and signed them. "Ugh," she groaned, "This little kid is really becoming a hassle."

"Lady Tsunade, it's not her fault-"

"I know Shizune," the blonde hokage quickly interrupted, "I'm just frustrated about all this. With so little knowledge it's hard to know what to expect." The woman sat on her chair pondering it over, "We need to find some information," she looked up at her assistant, "summon him here at once."

Shizune nodded, clearly knowing who him was.

The children all gathered around their youngest member, asking how she was doing and if she enjoyed their surprise. She told them yes and thanked them for everything.

"The big blond teen came early to help us set up the table. The whole group pitched in to make the cake," Addy said with a grin., the kids behind her nodded.

"Yeah, and if I was you I wouldn't eat the frosting," Kent said with a smirk, "Ally made it."

The blonde girl glared at the boy, clearly telling him he would be in a world of hurt if he continued. She wasn't much on violence, but there were times where the boy really pushed her to the limit. While she never once hit him, everyone in the group knew Ally was not to be messed with. She'd proven that when she beat up a bully from the older group of orphans.

Kent laughed nervously, trying to act as if he wasn't completely scared. Satisfied with the boy's reaction, Ally turned her attention back on Inari. "So how are you feeling Inari?"

"I'm okay," she said weakly, fighting back a headache, "Though the side effects are annoying."

"Don't worry, they'll be gone before you know it," a pink haired teen said, walking in their direction with a friend in toe.

"Sakura, Ino," said a confused blond, "What are you two doing here?"

"I wanted to check on Inari," Sakura explained, "But I arrived at the hospital late so I decided to head over here. That's when I came across Ino and she asked if she could come with me."

"Yeah, I wanted to see her again" she said with a smile, moving her hands from behind her, "And give her these." In her hands she held a small bouquet of light blue flowers, "Hope you feel better."

"Wow," Inari was in awe at the beautiful flowers, "Thank you very much," she said with a smile, happily accepting the flowers. "Though I don't remember seeing any flowers with you when I met you earlier." Inari stated.

"I had them hidden behind my back the whole time, even when I was fighting with forehead girl here." Ino laughed, "I almost smacked her in the face with them too."

"Yeah but I stopped you in time," Sakura pointed out, "That's when we noticed you two had left and decided to head over here."

While the two girls talked the kids surrounded Inari, taking turns to sniff and look at the flowers.

Inari thanked Ally and Addie when they offered to put the flowers on a vase, but decided to do it herself. With Miyuki in toe she made her way inside, the rest of the six kids followed behind, discussing games they would like to play.

The four teens stayed outside alone, Ms. Bell and the headmaster had left awhile before to tend to other matters.

Bored, Ino and Sakura decided to have a little fun with their two friends. They whispered two each other and then spoke.

"So Naruto," Ino began in an innocent voice, "I heard you got a bit jealous yesterday."

Naruto's eyes widened, "I was not jealous, I was just upset." he clamped his hands to his mouth as soon as the words escaped him. Now he'd done it, he had played right into their game.

"Upset?" said a soft and meek voice.

Naruto slowly turned to the heiress beside him, a look of sadness was evident on her face. It was clear that she was going through her mind.

Sakura took her turn, "Oh that doesn't matter Ino, what matters is what cheered him up."

"Oh yeah? Pray tell Sakura," she turned to Naruto with an evil grin, "what was able to cheer him up?"

"Would you like me to tell her Naruto, or should I?" Sakura said with a bright smile.

The young blond teen huffed, "It was no big deal Sakura. I was just a bit sad but in the end I realized that I was being immature. That's all, end of story."

"Oh wow, now that's a big revelation." Ino said with a laugh, Sakura laughed as well.

In the midst of the discussion stood a confused heiress, "Um Naruto," she began nervously.

"What's up Hinata?" Naruto asked.

"M-may I ask why you were upset yesterday?" she bit her lip nervously, "W-was it something I-"

"Hey you guys!" Inari yelled from the door, "wait for me!"

All fours teens turned their head to their side, watching as the young group of orphans ran past them, yelling and laughing.

Naruto couldn't help but feel a bit relieved, he didn't know how to explain his mood the other day without lying to the Hyuuga teen. Lucky for him that the kids came running out when they did. Before Hinata or any of the other girls could bring up the subject once more, Daniel spoke.

"Can we have sum cake?" he asked Inari who turned to Hinata.

"We're not allowed to use a knife." she explained, Hinata nodded and turned to the three teens.

Naruto grinned, "Alright, time for cake!"

"I suppose I could have a small slice," Ino said, turning to Sakura, who nodded in agreement.

Everybody gathered around the round table, they passed out plates and waited for their piece. Despite it being their first time baking, the cake had come out quite well. Granted, Ms. Bell had supervised them the whole time and explained each step carefully.

The rest of the time was spent happily. Eating cake and chatting about anything they could think of. For the children the dessert gave them the energy to play a few games before the sun set.

As night came the four teens said their goodbyes to the seven orphans and headed home.

Naruto and Hinata promised to come back the next day. Inari was excited after hearing Naruto say he might show her his summonsing jutsu.

For Inari, the day had gone quite well.

Tsunade let out a sigh, placing the paper on the desk before her. Finally, after three hours, the paperwork was complete.

A knock was heard coming from the door, causing the blonde woman to frown. 'That better not be Shizune with another stack of papers.' she thought menacingly.

Reluctantly, Tsunade beckoned the visitor in.

"Lady Tsunade," Shizune said, opening the door carefully, "he's here."

The blonde hokage nodded and sat back on her chair as Shizune led the man in and offered him a seat. With a bow she excused herself and exited out the door.

"Alright then, let's get to the point," Tsunade brought her hands together and leaned over her desk, "Here's what I want you to do…"

So yeah, this was even less words than before. Sorry, but these chapters just didn't have much to say.

It's my fault really for putting it off until today. I could have worked on it a bit yesterday and then I wouldn't have had to rush myself.

Anyway, i really think I'm starting to lose my writing skills.

Not that I had any to begin with.

Sorry if this story is getting boring and it seems to have no real direction.

I can't promise you it will get any better. All I can promise is that this book, along with the next two, will be written completely.

Hmm, I'd like to say I'm halfway through book one but, I honestly have no clue.

Didn't spell check this chapter, ran out of time. I'm sure it's fine though.

If you see any big mistakes please tell me.

Comment if you want.

Remember, either a drawing or a one-shot will be given to the 100th reviewer. (if you're interested)