Chapter 2 – New Friend and Camping Trip
The next few months were normal for Naruto. He and Hinata had become good friends and she was starting to stop stuttering when she talked to him. Everything else was normal. His training had increased. He now wore 85 pounds in weights. He had mastered controlling chakra out of all parts of his body and was now doing more exercises to build up his chakra reserves. Kyuubi still refused to teach him his jutsus as was usual but Naruto felt it was good to ask. He was doing horribly in school and made it look like he was frustrated.
It was lunch time at the ninja academy and Naruto and Hinata were sitting under their usual tree when Naruto spotted someone eating alone. 'Sasuke.' He thought. 'Maybe this time we can be friends. Then maybe I can change some of what happened.'
'Who knows kit. You could change it for better or worse.' Kyuubi said.
'How can helping someone make things worse?' Naruto thought. "Hey Hinata." He said. "There is a boy eating by himself over there and I was thinking maybe we could eat lunch with him."
"Okay, Naruto-kun." Hinata replied. With that said they got up and walked over to the boy.
Sasuke looked over at them when they sat next to him and asked, "Why are you here?"
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto and this is Hyuuga Hinata." He replied gesturing over to Hinata. "We saw you were eating alone and thought maybe you would like to eat lunch with someone."
"Okay." Sasuke replied. He just continued eating and gave short answers when asked a question.
All in all Naruto thought the lunch was going well. 'Maybe we can be friends.' Naruto thought as they all finished their lunches. "Sasuke would you like to eat lunch with us again tomorrow? We always eat over by that tree." He said pointing to the large shaded area under the tree.
"Okay." Sasuke answered as he walked back into class. 'Why are they being so nice to me? Do they want to be friends with me?'
After a few months the group consisting of Naruto, Hinata, and Sasuke had grown very close. They all had experienced loneliness with Sasuke and Naruto not having parents and Hinata not having any friends and a family that looked down on her. They all ate lunch together everyday and spent time after school training and hanging out. Naruto and Sasuke loved to practice against each other and Hinata loved to watch and sometimes fight as well. Naruto loved how this life was going. He had friends and he got to train. Today was a special day. Today they would take a three-week break from school. In this time students were allowed to do anything they wanted. Naruto had decided to go camping for a while to train. Hinata and Sasuke had volunteered to go with him and after school today they would leave. Hinata had gotten her fathers permission with the rule she came back every couple days so he could see she was alright. "Hi Hinata. Hi Sasuke." Naruto exclaimed as he entered the classroom.
"Do you always have to be so loud?" Sasuke asked. "You never shut up. It gets annoying."
"Well at least I talk, unlike you who stays quiet most of the time." Naruto argued back. 'He still ticks me off.'
Sasuke smirked at Naruto's frustration and asked, "Are you both packed and ready to go?"
"Yes Sasuke-kun." Hinata replied. "I left a note too."
"I'm packed too. I packed everything from clothes to tons of ramen." Naruto replied grinning. "I can eat it every night."
"We are not eating ramen every night." Sasuke answered. "I'm bringing other food so we can eat something decent while we are gone."
"What's wrong with ramen you…" Naruto started but was cut off by Iruka who started class with a loud whistle.
"Time for class." He stated as everyone sat down in their seats. "Now class today is a special day. We will go on a three-week break from school after today's classes. Now today we will go outside for exercise and then review the concept of chakra."
'Shoot another boring day.' Naruto thought. 'I guess I'll just annoy Iruka today. I can set up a prank as we go outside.'
'So what are you going to do on this little camping trip kit?" Kyuubi asked.
'I dunno. Probably train but we can also go swimming in the lake and play games.' Naruto replied.
'Just make sure not to show your strength kit.' Kyuubi replied. 'You're getting better. Right now you are probably a genin in skill. Maybe you can practice some of your jutsus while they sleep or maybe re-learn the Rasengan.'
'I dunno. I don't think I'm able to learn the Rasengan yet. My control is good but the power isn't there.' Naruto thought while pretending to listen to Iruka. 'I'll work on my power on the trip.'
That afternoon Sasuke and Hinata waited with their backpacks as Naruto went to get his. He came out carrying a backpack that was bigger than he was that made Sasuke and Hinata sweat drop. "Naruto are you sure you need to bring all that." Sasuke asked.
"It contains all the essentials. Ramen, more ramen, weapons, scrolls, books, clothes, a bath tub…" Naruto went rambling off.
"Naruto-kun, do you need a bath tub. We're only camping." Hinata replied at his comment.
"Well I guess not. Then I guess I don't need my bed stand either then." Naruto said making Sasuke and Hinata sweat drop again. "Be right back."
After a few minutes he returned with his backpack a little smaller but still fairly large. 'I guess that's the best we're gonna get with him.' Sasuke thought. "Come on lets go." He said and started walking towards the forest.
When they got pretty deep into the forest they stopped to set up camp. Each one of them had a large tent which they set up in a triangle around the campsite. After that Sasuke used his Katon attack to light the fire. "So what will we have for dinner?" Sasuke asked.
"RAMEN! RAMEN! RAMEN!" Naruto screamed.
"How about miso soup and rice?" Hinata answered ignoring Naruto's screams of 'Ramen'.
"That sounds fine." Sasuke replied. "Can you make the soup? I'll handle the rice."
"RAMEN! RAMEN! RAMEN!" Naruto continued to scream.
"I think so." Hinata replied. "Please get out the ingredients."
Sasuke went digging in his backpack and pulled out the ingredients needed for the soup and handed them to Hinata. They prepared dinner together, both ignoring the constant screams of 'RAMEN!" After they had all finished dinner they headed out to the forest to look around and find some good places to train and some stuff to do during free time.
When the group came back from scouting the forest they sat around the campfire and started to talk about what they would do on the trip. After a while the group got tired and they went in their tents to sleep. After Naruto made sure the other two people were asleep he got up and went over to the lake.
'So kit, what are you going to work on?' Kyuubi asked.
'Probably right now I'll work on increasing my chakra reserves and maybe by the end of the week I will be able to use some of the attacks I've been learning.' Naruto replied. 'Do you have any good exercises for building chakra reserves?'
'Yes.' Kyuubi replied shortly.
Naruto spent most of the night training but was able to get a few hours sleep before he was awakened by a bucket of water being poured on his head. "Sasuke!" He shouted. "Why did you pour water on me?"
"Because you weren't getting up." Sasuke replied. "Breakfast is ready."
Naruto got dressed in a hurry so he could eat. Much to his dismay they did not make Ramen but the food was good.
"So, what will we do today?" Sasuke asked turning to look at Hinata and Naruto.
"TRAIN!" Naruto screamed. "I want to spar with you guys."
"How about we do that after lunch but before we go and swim in the lake?" Sasuke asked. Hinata and Naruto agreed and so they changed into their swimming gear and went down to the lake. There they played in the water for a while and then headed back for camp. They had ramen for lunch which Sasuke said was just to shut Naruto up. After lunch they headed to the lake to train. There was an open area big enough for one of their fights. Naruto took his stance as he faced Sasuke. 'I can't try too hard. I'll just lose on purpose.'
'He thinks. It's a miracle' Kyuubi thought. 'But make sure to give him a workout.'
'What is he doing?' Sasuke thought charging Naruto and aiming a kick for his face. 'He's just standing there in his own other world. Well he'll pay for that.'
Naruto saw the kick at the last minute and blocked it sending one of his own at Sasuke. Sasuke dodged and make his hand seals and said, "KatonGoukakyuu no Jutsu (Fire Element - Grand Fireball)"
'Wow he learned that already.' Naruto thought as he dodged the fire attack.
'Stupid kit, his father taught him thatbefore he died.' Kyuubi replied to Naruto's thought.
'Stupid kitsune no baka.' Naruto thought as he hit Sasuke with a punch to the face. 'I should probably let myself lose soon. I'll let him end it with his fireball.' he thought as he jumped in the air to avoid the kunai coming towards him.
'Got you.' Sasuke thought powering up a low powered fireball and sending it at Naruto who was momentarily engulfed in flames before he fell to the ground. Then Sasuke walked over and said to him, "Good match." He offered his hand to Naruto.
"Nice attack, Sasuke." Naruto replied taking Sasuke's hand.
The group spent the rest of the day doing regular training and went back to the camp to eat dinner. After dinner the group sat thinking when Naruto asked, "Guys will we be friends forever?"
"I hope so." Sasuke replied.
"Me too Naruto-kun." Hinata agreed.
"I'm glad. I've always been lonely and having friends has really helped me. How about we make a promise. To always be there for each other, to never betray each other, and to always be friends." Naruto stated. Both his friends nodded and they did a pinky swear and went off to bed. 'I wonder if we will all live up to that.' Naruto thought.
'You know that Sasuke probably won't. He wants to kill his brother too much.' Kyuubi explained.
'I hope I can change that.' Naruto thought and drifted off to sleep.
'Good luck kit.'
The week went by very quickly for the group. Soon though it was time to head back. They promised each other they would do this every year. The group had grown even closer in the week that they were alone. Hinata had gone back into town a few times to show her family that she was okay but besides that they had been with just each other for the whole week. As the group entered the city they said goodbye and headed their separate directions.
'So are you ready for some real training now?' Kyuubi asked.
'Yes.' Naruto replied remembering how he had agreed before the trip to do whatever training Kyuubi asked.
Flashback
'Kit you can't go on this trip.' Kyuubi growled.
'Why not?' Naruto asked.
'Because it won't do you any good and you need this time to train.' Kyuubi explained.
'How about when I get back I'll do whatever training you want.' Naruto pleaded. 'Please let me go.'
'Fine but be ready to be exhausted every night once you get back.' Kyuubi agreed.
'Yes!'
End Flashback
'Kit, today we will practice chakra control.' Kyuubi growled maliciously. 'I believe there is a waterfall in the forest.'
"Damn slave driving kitsune…" Naruto cursed.
'I heard that. Now go.' Kyuubi growled as Naruto ran off towards the waterfall.
Yesterday's AN- Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I realize I haven't put up a chapter in over a week but my computer got a virus and I've been sick, which has actually given me more time to plan ahead and write down my chapters on paper. These few beginning chapters set up a lot of what happens next. I only think there will be one or two more. Please be patient if they are a little boring. It is late and I'm about to go to bed so I will update with a version answering reviews tomorrow. C ya later!
PS: Oh I forgot to thank my editors. I did say editors since I have two. So mistakes shouldn't get by them and spell check. But since this is my first time on the internet in about a week I just posted the chapter without sending to editors so it may be a little sloppy.
Now for the answers to all the reviews:
Dan Inverse – Of course. Naruto does change people so Hinata will be more confident.
wolvesm0on – I updated and now I'll try to update faster. Not too many more chapters. About one or two.
DragoonVBK – Thanks. If I need more help I'll contact you.
LastZion – I'll try and keep his power in check but he will exceed that of the others and try to hide it.
Dragon Man 180 – I can confidently say she won't be stuttering by the time the manga starts. To answer your other question, nope Iruka is pretty clueless. Ranma: Second Time Around is good and I can't wait for more.
HikaruOfDreams – I hope you like it!
Carmie – Thanks! I hope they meet expectations!
Symbolic – I-a-will
starry096 – Kyuubi is pretty OOC but he has been living in Naruto for years and now is sharing a body with him so I think that explains it. As for things being set well they will not be so set later, at least I hope so. I will try and read Second Chances. Thanks for telling me about the grammar too.
Cyberwing – I've updated. I hope you enjoy it!
Thalian – Thanks!
crazy-antman –Thanks a lot. I'll try and update frequently.
Vermillion Wolf – I try not to go too close to other stories.
Shinji-Higurashi – Thnx
Peter Kim – Sasuke's future will be different but I'll won't tell how yet.
Joekool – coughcoughyescoughcoughcough
JohnnyG – The beginning is actually the worst. It will get really good later on, or I hope it will.
Search and Seek and Destroy – I hoped it would make sense. I didn't want Naruto to be like Hokage powerful by the time he graduated so I had to restrict him somehow.
Shadow-Sensei – Thanks for the many compliments!
Rain - Pats on the back Its ok this story will be good so keep reading!
mackan56 – I am not Kakashi. I'll try not to be like those authors.
mizuru-chan – Thanks!
Sevetenks the Ultimate F – I'll try to update fast!
cockroachelle – I like that pairing too but there may be an X factor in another character coughsasukecoughcough!