As I said before, I'm going to get a job; truthfully I'm going to volunteer. So the chapters won't be one every week. I'm sorry for this inconvenience. And I like to tell you all, my cat who was 16 to 17 years old died July 19th. And I'll like to contribute my friendship with her to my whole story. From Chapter 1 on, we were the best of friends, and I'll like her to be remembered.

Also, I'm not going to replay everything that happened in the Chuunin Exams. So, I hope you have watched 22 – like...50. Actually, I hope you have seen the whole series (as of now...I know it hasn't ended yet) It would be best to know what you're missing before reading the chapters coming sooner. I think I'm making the next chapter or the one after that the start of the Chuunin Exams.

And no, I don't own/make Naruto. It would be cool if I did.

Chapter 9: Friendship Blooms Again? Past Thoughts!

Kit finished her ramen and paid Ayane the money for the ramen. "I'll see you later Ayane! Bye Naisu; I'll see you tomorrow!" Kit said waving. She then left the Ichiruka and began to walk aimlessly around the town.

A few minutes later Naruto walked into the Ichiruka and looked around, "Where's Kit?" he asked.

Ayane looked at Naruto and said, "You just missed her. Would you like some ramen Naruto?"

Naruto shook his head, "Where did she go?" Ayane shrugged. "Which way did she go?" Naruto asked.

Ayane thought and then pointed to the left and said, "She went out that way."

"Arigato Ayane!" Naruto said and left the Ichiruka.

Ayane smiled and her father said, "That boy asks for trouble too much. He is one odd kid." Ayane nodded and took an order from another customer.

Kit was sitting under a tree away from the crowded streets. She was reading the thinner book called The Fourth's Stand by Atsumi Hiroshi. She began to read the first few pages of the book.

Naruto was looking around at every store. He asked some people if they saw Kit, but most said "No." Sometimes he'll be pointed to a direction and he would follow. After a few minutes he saw her under the tree reading.

He approached her calmly, knowing what he was going to say to her. When he got close enough he looked at the book she was reading. 'The fourth, huh?' Naruto thought to himself.

"He saved this village from a powerful demon fox known as Kyubi. He used a powerful jutsu to seal that demon away. That jutsu killed the Fourth and stopped the Kyubi. And the seal was to a newborn. And that baby, with the sealed Kyubi, is still alive to this day," Naruto said looking down at Kit.

Kit looked over at Naruto and saw how serious he was about it to. She got up and shut the book and said sarcastically, "I wasn't there yet Naruto! I was still reading about before he became Hokage!"

Naruto didn't take it sarcastically and lowered his head, "I'm sorry Kit. I'm sorry for everything; I didn't mean to do anything bad. Can we still be friends?"

Kit blinked and smiled, "Naruto I was joking around. And we were always friends. Besides, I wouldn't want to lose one of my friends." Naruto looked up and smiled.

There was a great moment of silence and then Naruto suddenly remembered, "Oh yeah Kit! Thanks for cleaning my kitchen. You didn't have to. I mean, I have a semi-pack fridge now, full of unexpired food and drinks. Thanks again."

Kit smiled and waved her hand at him, "Don't worry about it. I'm so use to cleaning, that it's just a habit now. I guess I'm neat freak." She began to think, 'We are like two complete opposites. It's funny how we can be friends.' She laughed a little at that.

Naruto thought she was laughing at the fact she is a 'neat freak.' "Oh, by the way Naruto, I'm training with you guys tomorrow. Be prepared," Kit said in a scary voice.

Naruto pointed a finger at Kit, "Oh suuure! I bet in our training I could take you down with just one breath!" Naruto laughed like an evil maniac.

Kit rolled her eyes, "Only in your wildest dreams. Even then you wouldn't be able to!" Naruto glared at her.

"Let's settle this!" Naruto said. Naruto grabbed her and her items and ran into the crowd.

Kit looked at Naruto and said, "What are you doing?" Naruto smiled at her and winked.

In just a few minutes Naruto stopped in front of the Ichiruka. He looked at Kit and said, "A ramen contest. Whoever finishes 3 bowls of ramen last pays for the ramen. Whoever is first is the best!" Kit nodded and they both walked into the Ichiruka.

They ordered three bowls each. Ayane stood in between the two contestants on the other side of the counter and counted down, "3...2...1...Eat!"

Kit and Naruto began to slurp up all the ramen in three bowls. It began neck and neck; they both finished the first bowl within 2minutes.

When Kit finished she looked over to Naruto. He was already done and he put his index finger and middle fingers up and smiled widely. "And Naruto wins!" Ayane said. Kit sighed and paid for the ramen.

Sakura arrived home late that evening; she went into her bedroom and sighed. She looked at her clock and thought to herself, 'It's 7:35pm already? I better get some sleep; need to be up at 5am tomorrow for training.'

Sakura lazily put her pajamas on and went to bed after brushing her teeth and hair. She set her alarm to 4am so she'd have time to shower and get ready for the training.

Naruto and Kit were walking around talking about in the park talking about their training. Kakashi appeared in a tree near them and said, "Yo!"

Kit and Naruto looked up to see Kakashi, surprisingly enough not reading his perverted book. "Hi Kakashi-sensei. What are you up to tonight?" Naruto asked in suspense.

Kakashi's eye gazed upward and said, "Well I came to walk Kit home. Ayane is worried about her and all." Kit blushed and nodded.

Kit jumped up next to Kakashi and said, "I'll see you tomorrow Naruto! Be prepared!" Naruto waved goodbye as Kakashi and Kit went back the opposite way from where Naruto and Kit were first going.

Naruto smiled faded and looked down. 'I wish someone would worry about me. I never had that. Everyone always gave me these cold stares. But now I know why. I guess that's the way things are,' Naruto thought to himself. He went home for the rest evening. He was still thinking of his mistreats. It was so hard for him as a kid, and now people are being nice to him even though they know what is in him.

Naruto put a hand over his stomach. His expression was depressing and he looked tired. Memories from the past filled his head. All were so horrible and scary. He wished the thoughts would go away.

That night he cried himself to sleep. He was so sad he couldn't hold back the tears anymore. He slept with a nightmare in his head. Those haunted days and nights drifted in his head all night.

Kakashi and Kit arrived on Ayane's front porch. Kit was about to go in when Kakashi said, "Wait, I have to tell you something. It deals with Naruto."

Kit looked at Kakashi and then turned her whole body around. "What is it Kakashi-sensei?" she asked a bit curious.

Kakashi thought to himself, 'No, I shouldn't tell her about Kyubi, Naruto should tell her.' He looked lazily up at the sky and made up something true, "He doesn't get as much company as what Sakura, Sasuke, you, and I give him. Most people hate him for pranks he pulls on the village in the past. So if he acts odd, it's just he has been alone most his life." Kit nodded and waved goodbye to Kakashi and thanked him before going inside.

Kakashi went back home to get some rest for the next day. He took the short way home because he was very tired of the day's events.

Kit went inside and saw Ayane waiting in the living room. Ayane looked up and saw Kit and said, "Where have you been? It's nearly 10pm! It's time to be home and sleep!"

Kit bowed and said, "I'm so sorry Ayane-san. Please forgive me, I lost track of time. I'll be more aware next time." And with that Kit brushed her teeth. 'I never knew it was 10pm! I better get some sleep then. I have to get to the training location by 5am,' she thought to herself.

Ayane and Kit went to bed at about 10:15pm. Kit had a good night's rest until 4:30am. When the sound of the alarm clock woke her up and made her get ready for the new day.

Not a bad chapter I guess. I mean it could have been worse right? Hehe...