Chapter Ten
"Hurry up this shit is heavy."
Naruto shook his head.
"Its not even heavy."
Micey groaned. "Not everyone is training to be a superhero!"
Naruto laughed. The last month had been literally amazing. After the announcement of him playing Ant-Man the media went insane. First sports critics questioned his dedication to basketball but he shut them up by helping his team hold a solid record of sixteen and nine.
His own individual play supported his team's record as he averaged twenty four points and a solid ten assists. His ball handling skills made him a frequent guest on SportsCenter top 10 and his crossovers made into a bunch of memes on social media.
While he was playing well his teammates were finally getting into the groove of the season. While he lead the team in scoring Butler was right behind him with twenty and Young was behind him with eighteen. Whiteside led the team in rebounding and blocks.
While his on the court success was at a all time high his off the court ventures were a whirlwind. Despite his level of play critics were still unsure if it was a good idea for him to jump into acting while the team was actually doing well.
And Marvel fans, Marvel fans were livid. Talk about a movie for Ant-Man had floated around for years and now that it was finally ready to come to life they were hoping for someone a bit more capable. Videos on YouTube were posted of fans burning comic books and threatening to boycott the movie if he wasn't replaced. Much to his surprise Marvel stood by him and assured its fans that Naruto was a good choice for the role.
To prove them how dedicated he was to both ventures Naruto posted a picture of himself reading the script in the locker room before a game, he captioned it, a little light reading before game time #Ant-Man #LakersNation
This earned him a few brownie points and got the hostility to stop for awhile. In that time Under Armour began manufacturing backpacks and t-shirts. Though nothing was going to released until Christmas Naruto was extremely excited.
Sony has also unveiled its billboard, which was a picture of him facing away from the camera so it only showed the back of his head and jersey. Then it simply said 'Believe'.
Naruto was currently trying to get a Christmas tree up the stairs with Micey being little help.
"Why couldn't we just use the elevator?"
"Cause it wouldn't fit."
"So why did you get this big ass tree! All they gonna do is complain anyway, I don't understand why you invited them anyway?"
Naruto sighed. "Cause they're Nina's family, I honestly don't want anything to do with those people but Nina needs to know her family, both sides."
"Well we got your back if anything goes down, when they get here?"
"They should be here in the city but they not supposed to come over until dinner."
"Don't you got that show tonight?"
Naruto smirked. "Yup, they here for Nina not me. The less I see of them the better."
The two reached his apartment and dragged the tree in. The apartment was half decked out in Christmas decorations and half a mess as boxes, plastic wraps and wrapping paper littered the floor.
"Finally, we've got just a few hours to get this tree up and gifts wrapped before Mia brings Nina back."
Naruto nodded to his mother as he went to work on setting up the tree. He only managed to get the tree in the stand when there was a knock at the door.
He looked at his mother who shrugged her shoulders. He nodded for Biggs to open the door and groaned when three people walked in.
"Wow out of the hood and still can't keep a clean home."
Naruto forced a smile onto his face.
"As you can see we are still setting up for the holidays. I wasn't expecting your arrival for another few hours."
Haishi Hyuga gave him a harsh glare.
"Is it a sin that I wish to see my granddaughter. It's bad enough that I have to travel to the other side of the country now you want me to follow your time slots."
Naruto rubbed his temples as Hanabi snickered and Neji smirked.
"Well she's not here so..."
"Then we will wait here for her to come back."
The three sat down on the couch and Naruto shook his head.
"You know y'all could help us."
Neji sneered. "Why would we do that. Just because your house isn't presentable doesn't mean we should sully ourselves and help you."
Naruto balled his fist and bit his tongue as he went back to the tree. Even with him, Amanda, Micey and Biggs they were still struggling to get everything ready for the holidays.
While Naruto decorated the tree Biggs set up a few smaller trees throughout the apartment, Micey strung up the lights all over the walls creating elegant designs and images and his mother set up the stockings and hung them on the wall.
When that was done they worked together hanging even more decorations around. Naruto had just finished hanging up the last wreath when the door was unlocked.
Mia walked in with Nina and Mia was carrying over a dozen bags.
"Wow daddy! This is amazing!"
The point guard smiled as his daughter came flying into his arms. Christmas was always his favorite holiday and this year he wanted to do something special for his daughter and he needed the Hyuga's to distract her.
"I knew you would think that. But guess what's even cooler."
"What?"
Naruto pointed to where the Hyuga's were and Nina's face broke out into a big smile.
"Grandpa!"
Nina ran over to Haishi and he lifted her up.
"Wow your getting so big!"
"Did you bring me anything?"
Haishi smiled. "Of course I did. While most of it is for Christmas you can have this now."
He removed a silver locket from his back pocket and gave it to Nina. The five year old opened it up and smiled when she saw the picture.
"Daddy look!"
She ran over to her father and showed him the picture. It was Hinata in the hospital when she gave birth to Nina. Nina was in her arms and Naruto had to bite his tongue. In the photo you could see a hand in Hinata's shoulder but apparently the entire image didn't make the cut.
"Its beautiful. That's the first picture you ever took with your mother, you that?"
Nina smiled as she looked down at the photo. She may have only been five years old but she was extremely smart for her age and understood a lot more then what your average five year old should understand.
"Do you miss her?"
Naruto nodded. "Everyday."
Nina continued to look at the photo before whispering to her father.
"Is it bad that I don't remember her?"
Naruto looked at his daughter in shock as tears streamed down her face.
"No it's not bad. You were too young. That's why your grandfather gave you this locket so you will never forget her."
Nina nodded and Naruto kissed her on the forehead as the two continued to look at the picture.
A Few Hours Later
Despite the moment that the two shared Naruto had obligations and responsibilities that thankfully Nina somewhat understood.
Naruto was backstage at a studio standing next to Shikamaru.
"So how are things going so far?"
Naruto shrugged. "What do you think?"
"Had he mentioned her yet?"
Naruto shook his head. "Nah but you know it's gonna come up."
"Well just keep me posted. I don't agree with you letting them come here but its your decision not mine."
"Can we not talk about this. I'm about to be on the Jimmy Kimmel show, let's talk about that."
Shikamaru sighed. "Well first he's gonna ask you a few questions about growing up in Philly and the basic questions about your family before showing the clip of you reading the mean tweets. Then questions about adjusting to the NBA and maybe a few more family questions before a special surprise."
"Special surprise?"
Shikamaru shrugged. "Don't know, they wouldn't tell me but apparently it's big."
Naruto nodded. "Alright so you here back from the gm yet?"
"Yeah he wants to meet with you before shoot around tomorrow to talk about why you want those specific days off."
Naruto sighed. "Alright well I guess I gotta get ready."
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
"My next guest is a man who has been setting L.A. on fire as of late. In a business that is dominated by giants he has proved once again that size doesn't matter in the NBA. Give it up for Naruto Uzumaki!"
The audience clapped as he came out.
Naruto took a seat and Jimmy stared at him.
"Wow I've had a lot of NBA players on this show but your defiantly one of the shortest."
Naruto laughed. "Yeah I get that all the time."
"Well you have certainly been popular as of late, how has it been being the center of attention the moment you walk in a room."
Naruto scratched his head. "It's definitely one of those moments in your life that makes you just appreciate every thing you have and just how far you've come. Not just as a basketball player but as a person. Everyday I wake up and thank whatever higher being is up there for just allowing me to live life."
The audience clapped and Jimmy nodded.
""Wow you might quite possibly be the most humble person I know, especially after everything you've had to endure so far in your life."
"Yeah I wouldn't say I've accepted what's happened so far in my life, I don't think anyone can, but I've come to terms with it. Those moments in my life have shaped the man I am today and I will never ever forget those moments."
"How did you deal with those moments after they took place?"
"I just surrounded myself with people who would lift my spirits up. When my parents died I honestly was lost. I didn't know how to express my feelings. I wasn't sure if I was sad or angry but when the Rivera's took me in they helped my understand that I couldn't hold everything in. When Hinata died I had not just the Rivera's but a bunch of friends around me who were ready to go to jail for me. Plus I had this little girl who didn't understand that she just lost her mother and since then I've been trying to be the best possible person I can be for her."
The audience clapped again.
"Wow that's just amazing. How about we watch a little clip that will hopefully lift the mood in here. You all know the segment. A few days ago we caught up with Naruto in Atlanta and he read a few mean tweets, here it is."
A clip of Naruto sitting in a seat at the Atlanta Hawks arena holding his phone came on the screen.
"Naruto Uzumaki is worth a half jar of mustard pickles."
Naruto laughed and looked at the camera.
"What the f***k does that even mean?"
"Imagine the damage Naruto Uzumaki would be doing in the NBA if he didn't have such weird name hashtag change it to Nick... Nick that's a terrible name. Oh s**t my teammate name is Nick."
"Suck my duck Naruto. I think you ment to say d**k. If you gonna write that to someone spell it correctly."
"Naruto Uzumaki need to git the weight room. You need to git the spell check."
"Naruto Uzumaki can't do a f*****g pick and roll properly. He can't see over anybody."
This one made Naruto laugh as he shrugged.
"I mean technically it's true."
The segment ended Jimmy laughed.
"Wow they didn't hold back on you did they?"
Naruto smiled. "Those weren't that bad, you should read what the Marvel fans be posting. Those guys are straight savage. I've heard a lot of insults but all of theirs have a certain flare that makes it stand out."
"Speaking of Marvel, how did that really come to be?"
Naruto rubbed his chin. "It was actually a really big surprise to me. Originally I was only there for my daughter who was auditioning for the role of Cassie Lang but I stepped in to help her out a little and before I know it I'm receiving a bunch of offers and I just had to slow it down a little."
"Well as you know most of the world isn't happy with the decision but I believe that you can do it."
Naruto smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem. As a matter of fact I brought someone who can help you out a bit. Ladies and gentlemen give it up for the Black Widow herself, Scarlett Johansson!"
Naruto watched as the actress walked on to the stage and everyone went crazy. Naruto smiled as he introduced himself to her and Jimmy smiled.
"Now that you two have met, Scarlett any tips and pointers you have for Naruto?"
Scarlett nodded. "Yes, memorize your lines, get a good night sleep before you go to set, eat healthy and have fun."
Naruto nodded. "Thanks for the advice."
Scarlett smiled and Jimmy nodded as he removed a envelope from his desk.
"And for that great advice Naruto would like to gift you with a courtside seat to tomorrow's game against the Rockets."
Jimmy handed the envelope to Scarlett and Naruto couldn't stop laughing.
"Remember this ticket is from Naruto, not me. And if you ever need any pointers on your jump shot Naruto's your guy. I've already asked for his talent for Christmas so the Lakers may not be doing so well if I made it on the nice list."
After The Show
After the show Naruto went home to find everyone asleep. He opened the door to his room and found Haishi in his room.
"What the hell are you doing in here?"
Haishi put the picture of Naruto and Hinata down and turned to the basketball player.
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"You have to stop talking about Hinata making her apart of your tragic life story."
Naruto scoffed. "And why would I do that."
"Because we both know it was your fault that she died in the first place."
Naruto froze as Haishi continued. "She was supposed to be at piano practice but your the reason why she was over there. Your the reason why she got killed."
Naruto balled his fist as tears streamed down his face.
"Get out."
Haishi stared at Naruto in shock. "Excuse me?"
"I said get out!"
He turned around and threw his phone at the wall beside Haishi.
"Get out! Get out now!"
Haishi quickly left the room and soon the apartment as Naruto dropped to the floor now openly weeping. All he could hear was the sound of screeching car tires and gun shots.
He didn't know when but Amanda slipped into his room and held him as he cried.
And Done!
So I've got some big news. I've decided to join the U.S. Air Force and my plan is to leave in September for basic training. I'm currently in the process of talking to a recruiter but I just wanted to give you guys a heads up. But until when ever I leave I'll try and update as much as I can.
As for the length. I really don't care. I'm not the type to post a super short chapter But a few of you guys were asking for too much. I can do 2.5k to maybe 5k, so deal with it.
Now notes on the chapter. Naruto finally gets to meet Scarlett and they'll interact more in the upcoming chapters. Naruto also will have to deal with the Hyuga's and his past so I hope you enjoy the drama from this chapter and upcoming ones.
Also shout out to the-new-kid30 who recognised the greatness of Uncle Drew.
As always read, follow, favorite and review!
Duces!