So I went with option three. New Year's in mentioned a few times but I tried to keep it out of this one. Enjoy.
Chapter Eighteen
Naruto smiled as he looked out the window of the car. His suspension was finally over and he was able to join in his teammates in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Despite the season the weather was pretty nice and Naruto stepped out of the car wearing a pair of white jeans, a black long sleeved UCLA Basketball shirt and a white jean jacket.
Fans started screaming and he smiled and waved as he walked into the hotel. He didn't have much time to spend there because he had to rush down to meet his team for practice.
Wells Fargo Center
The twenty one year old smiled as he stepped into the court. It may have been just for practice but it was long overdue.
He smiled when he saw his teammates waiting for him.
"There he is! The man of the hour!"
Naruto smiled as he greeted everyone. In his four game absence the team had played Boston, Milwaukee, Brooklyn and New York. They only lost one game to New York and that was still a close game.
Naruto was disappointed because the extension in his suspension made him miss his chance to play at Madison Square Garden since the Lakers only played the Knicks twice a year. Once on the road and once at home.
After sharing a few words with his teammates practice started and Naruto felt glad to be back. He loved being on the court and working out alone wasn't as satisfying as being on the court with his teammates working on their game together.
After practice Naruto had to sit down with the press for a interview.
"What was it like being out there with your teammates again after a long hiatus?"
The rookie smiled. "It felt great. These guys are awesome and they don't need me around to tell them to stay sharp so once I got out there it was like we just slid back into our old routine."
"What was your reaction to the decision on your initial suspension?"
Naruto shrugged. "I mean first off it is what it is. I missed four games you know. Its done and over with. I let my teammates down by not being out there in those games regardless of the wins. Now do I wanna jump up and say it wasn't my fault, yeah but at the end of the day everybody's gonna have their opinion on it and at this point it doesn't really matter anymore."
He looked around at the reorters before continuing. "Now going forward I just know I have to be better and not put myself in that position to where there is a decision. I have to be better for my teammates as a leader on this team and I can't put myself in a position where I can't be there for my teammates on the floor you know. I do no justice to my teammates in street clothes watching the game from home. Now I owe it to them to give it as much as I have, all that I can do to better the situation. I believe that with me we could have won all four games and the guys only lost one one time by six so that's great. But now it's time for me to not be a savior or superhero but a teammate and help this team continue to win."
"What were your thoughts when you found out that your suspension had been extended?"
The rookie rubbed the back of his neck trying to find the right words before relying.
"Well like I said before it is what it is. I can't go back in time and change what happened but even if I could I wouldn't. Now do I agree with the suspension no, but I made my choice and the league made theirs."
"There were rumors of the photographer perusing legal action against you. Care to address this?"
"Yeah I was informed that he was attempting to do this but thanks to my agent those things have been taken care of and I'm ready to put that incident behind me."
"Well speaking of the incident can we get a comment on your relationship status with Kendall Jenner?"
Naruto shook his head. "Nah I think enough of my personal life is already out in the open so I'm gonna just stay quite and keep things on the low low you know."
"Naruto. What if anything did you learn from this situation?"
"Well I learned a lot not just as a basketball player but as a man. There are just things that you have to do to keep yourself out of certain positions and one thing that I have to do is learn to control my emotions."
"What was it like watching those games from a far?"
Naruto shook his head. "It was brutal. People are gonna look on social media and the news outlets and see me just chilling and hanging out not seemingly bothered. But on the inside I was bothered. Come game time I locked myself in my room and watched every single game from beginning to end wishing I was out there with my brothers. People I go to war with almost every night and I was forced to watch."
"Well your first game back and it's in your hometown. How does it feel to be back where it all started?"
Naruto smiled. "It feels great. This is the city that made me the man I am today and to be back here regardless of it being my first game back after my suspension is special."
After his interview Naruto headed down to the locker room and saw a message from Kendall.
Kendall- Thxs for not bragging about us
Naruto- Figured we could keep other people put of our business. Wyd?
Kendall- Just finished my shoot in nyc. I miss u 😳
Naruto- I miss u too. You should come down here when you finish up. It's not that far
Kendall- I don't know
Naruto- Come on.
Naruto- Please 🐶
Naruto- There's no puppy dog eyes emoji
Kendall- I'll see but if I come you better put on a show
Naruto- I always do
The rookie put his phone away and changed into his street clothes. He was about to leave when his teammates stopped him.
"Yo Ruto where you going. We ain't seen you in over a week and you already trying to ditch us."
Naruto shook his head. "Sorry guys but I got something really important that I have to do."
"What?"
"It's personal guys. But don't worry we'll kick it later I just need to get this done."
Naruto left the arena and hopped on a cab. He stopped at a flower shop and smiled when he walked in.
"Well well well look at what we have here."
"It's good to see you again Ino."
Ino Yamanaka was a friend of Naruto's in high school. The two weren't extremely close but she was a cheerleader so he saw a lot of her. She was the one who actually set him and Hinata up.
"It's good to see you again. Congrats on the whole NBA stuff."
"Thanks. So how things been around here?"
Ino smirked. Quiet since you left. All the basketball hype went to Harlem and that Freq kid. Oh but Killer B was looking for you a few days ago."
Naruto smirked. "What did that fool want?"
"I don't know but he got tired of waiting and flew out to L.A.. I tried to tell his dumbass to wait a few days cause you were coming out here but you know he doesn't listen."
Naruto laughed. "I'll have someone go look for him. But for now can I get the usual."
Ino nodded and went into the back and returned with three bouquets. One were violets and the other two were white and red roses.
"Here you go, and they're on the house. Can't have the hometown hero paying for flowers now can I."
Naruto smiled and reached into his back pocket.
"Thanks Ino and here, for being a good friend."
He handed her two tickets to tomorrow's game. The two waved to each other and Naruto left. His next and final stop was a cemetery. He had added a hoodie under his jacket as the temperature began to drop and a few rain drops began to fall and the good hid his face.
Naruto quietly made his way through the cemetery and finally stopped at a lone tombstone that read, Hinata Hyuga, 1992-2008. Amazing daughter, loving mother and ultimate friend.
Naruto felt tears well up in his eyes.
"I know I haven't been here in a long time but that's because I've finally done it. I finally did it Hinata. I finally made it to the NBA. Nina got to visit Disney."
Naruto stopped talking and just stared at her tombstone.
"I saw your dad a few weeks ago. He never liked me, none of your family did. I'm trying to be fair, I really am but he just hates me. He blames me for what happened to you and the worst part is I agree with him."
Tears began to fall down his face as his mind began to wander to a day that no matter how hard he tried to forget, he never could.
***Flashback***
Naruto smirked as Hinata wrapped her arm around his. His mother had agreed to watch Nina for the day so the young parents had the day to themselves.
"So what movie are we going to see?"
"That new scary movie that came out last week."
Hinata sighed. "You just want an excuse to feel me up."
Naruto laughed. "Nah I don't need an excuse for that. But the movie doesn't start for another two hours so I was thinking we could head down to the park and I can shoot some hoops."
"What park?"
"The one by my house."
Hinata shook her head. "You know my father doesn't like me down there."
Naruto smirked. "Come on Hinata it'll be fine. You know no one fucks with me anyway. Your good as long as your with me."
Hinata sighed and gave in. "Fine but your not gonna ball in the same clothes that we're going on a date with are you?"
Naruto shook his head as they entered the park.
"Nah Shikamaru's gonna take care of that."
"There you are. We been waiting, catch."
Naruto caught a bag that was thrown at him by Shikamaru.
"You should be glad your best friend works at Modells and can get you shoes and shorts for the low low price."
Naruto smirked. "Yeah but why would you get me Under Armour shoes?"
"Like I said the low low price. Plus them shoes mad comfortable. And if this NBA career work out you might sign with them."
Naruto shook his head. "Doubt it. Let me get the keys to your bum ass van so I can change."
Shikamaru grumbled and tossed him the keys.
"Yeah whatever, watch one day I'm gonna be driving a Lamborghini."
Naruto laughed. "I don't think they give that kind of car to lazy people."
He changed out of his normal clothes and exited the van in a pair of ball shorts, a t-shirt and sneakers.
He went straight to work on whoever was in the park while Biggs took pictures with his new camera.
After about his fifth game Naruto turned to his girlfriend.
"Yo babe think you can go across the street and get me some water from the store?"
Hinata paled as she looked across the street and saw several men hanging out in front of the store. A few were drinking bottles wrapped in brown paper bags while others had joints hanging from their mouth.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
Naruto laughed. "Don't worry about those guys, there harmless. Most of those guys are fans, check this out."
He walked to the chain link fence that separated the park from the sidewalk and yelled out across the street.
"Yoooo!"
One of the men turned his head.
"Yo what's poppin Ruto!"
Naruto shook his head. "Meek what your dumb ass doing down here. You should be uptown or something staying out of trouble."
Meek shrugged. "Nigga you know me can't stay out of the streets."
Naruto smirked. "Alright bet. Do me a favor ad watch my girl cross the street. She ain't from round here and she scared and shit."
Hinata hit his shoulder and Meek nodded.
"Gotchu fam."
Naruto turned to Hinata.
"Told you, I know everyone and ain't nobody gonna mess with me and in turn you. Now can I please have that water."
Hinata sighed and went across the street to the store. Naruto took a few shots but kept his eye on the store waiting for Hinata to come out. When she did he smiled.
"See told you wasn't that bad now was it?"
Hinata laughed and turned to thank Meek when all of a sudden the sound of screeching tires rang throughout the air.
"Yo Naruto hit the deck!"
The basketball player followed Meek's warning but not before giving one to his girlfriend.
"Hinata get down!"
Naruto hit the ground as the sound of gun shots rang out. A black car drove down the block and shot up the corner store. The driver turned his attention to the park and fired a few rounds hitting some unfortunate people who didn't take cover.
From his position in the floor Naruto couldn't see the store so he had to wait until the shooting stopped and the car drove away.
As soon as he heard the car leave Naruto jumped up and ran out the park and across the street. There were a few bodies on the floor but one caught his attention.
"HINATA!"
Laying on the floor was the body of his girlfriend. She had several bullet holes in her chest and Naruto dropped to the floor and cradled her bloodied body.
"Don't worry your gonna be fine. SOMEONE CALL FOR HELP!"
Meek came out the store where he took cover and dropped to the floor when he saw the bodies of his friends along with Naruto breaking down while holding his girlfriend's body.
"Yo Ruto I'm so sorry I should have pulled her into the store with me."
Naruto ignored his friend and openly cried as he held in to Hinata's body not even caring that her blood was staining his clothes.
"Nar...Naruto."
Naruto opened his eyes and saw Hinata's lavender colored eyes staring into his blue ones.
"Hinata please save your strength. Help is on the way."
Hinata coughed and blood flowed out of her mouth.
"Naruto I'm not gonna make it."
Naruto shook his head. "Don't think like that. Your gonna be fine. Your gonna make it and we're gonna raise our little girl together."
"Naruto please promise me something. Promise me you'll look after our baby girl. Promise me that your try your hardest to get her out of here and make her happy. Please."
Naruto reluctantly nodded and Hinata smiled.
"Please don't cry Naruto. I'm at peace."
Naruto shook his head.
"Please Hinata! Don't leave me! Everyone leaves me. I can't lose you! I can't keep losing people."
Hinata smiled. "I'm sorry but I can't. But I want you to find love again."
"I can't. I love you!"
"I love you too."
With those words her body went still and Naruto pulled her body to him and wept as his friends surrounded him.
**End Flashback**
"I'm sorry Hinata. I told you I'd protect you and I failed. But I kept my promise. I've given Nina anything she asked for and anything she can ever dream of I can provide for her."
He stayed silent before sighing.
"I love you Hinata. And I always will."
With that Naruto walked deeper into the cemetery. He stopped once again at two graves that made a sad smile come to his face as he dropped to his knees and placed the flowers at the graves.
"It's been a while Ma. Pop."
He stared at the graves of Minato and Kushina, his parents.
"I've tried so hard to become the man that you'd want me to be. Dad, I train everyday something I got from you. Ma I try to eat as healthy as possible and even have a college degree. All I ever wanted was for you guys to be proud of me and I know I have flaws like my temper, thanks mom, but I've persevered through those flaws and I've made it."
Naruto wiped a year from his face and proudly smiled.
"I've achieved my dreams. I finished college. I made it to the NBA and I can provide for my family. But I'm not done yet. You both taught me to not settle and that's exactly what I'm gonna do. I've been out of control as of late but that ends now. From here on everything I do is for you. I know your looking down on me and I want you to enjoy the show cause it's about to get wild.
Next Day
Naruto groaned as a pillow hit his head.
"Jimmy what the fuck. It's like four in the morning."
Naruto threw the pillow back at Jimmy Butler who in his weary state barely managed to point to the door.
"Answer it."
Naruto sighed and threw the covers off and got up. He opened the door and came face to face with his girlfriend.
"Ken! You made it."
Kendall smiled then blushed when she saw he was wearing no shirt.
"Yeah sorry if it's a little early but I had to see you."
Naruto smiled and leaned in for a kiss which she happily gave him. When it was done he leaned his forehead against hers.
"I'm glad your here."
"I'm happy you invited me."
Naruto went in for another kiss but another pillow hit his back.
"Can you two do that outside. I'm trying to sleep!"
Naruto shook his head and grabbed a t-shirt and closed the door. He took Kendall's hand and the two began to roam the hallways of the hotel. They eventually found a couch to sit on in the empty lobby.
"So how was your photo shoot?"
Kendall shrugged. "It was ok but I'm waiting for bigger things. What about you? How has Philly been? Seen any old friends?"
"Yeah I went to go see my friend Ino and she told me my friend B is in L.A. looking for me."
"Ino?"
"Yeah she's a friend from high school but don't worry I never liked her in that way."
He kissed the side of her head and she sighed.
"Mom's not happy about how you got out of appearing on the show."
Naruto shrugged. "I'm not afraid of anyone and no offense your mom doesn't scare me."
"Well she should. If she wanted to she could bury your career. But don't worry I wouldn't let that happen.
She leaned in and kissed him.
"Have you seen the 'make Naruto an All Star' movement?"
Naruto shook his head. "Nah, what is that."
"It's exactly what it sounds like. Voting for the All Star game ends soon and your fans are trying to increase your votes. Here check this out."
She handed him her phone and played a video.
Play Blow Up by J. Cole
The video started with a clip from draft might.
"And now with the first pick of the 2013 NBA Draft the Los Angeles Lakers select, Naruto Uzumaki from the University of Louisville."
The video then cut to a interview Naruto did hours after being drafted.
"What a year for you Naruto. Just a few months ago you were celebrating a NCAA championship and now your the number one pick. How do you put it in perspective?"
Naruto smiled. "Well it's all surreal to me. Just glad my family and friends were here and that they were able to experience this with me. Its a once in a lifetime experience and I've been putting countless hours in the gym leading up to this point to be ready for the next level."
A clip of his college career played ending with him hoisting up the championship trophy.
Hey, this is a song for my haters
Yeah, you got me feeling like the greatest
Yeah, hey, this is a song for my haters
Hey hey, you got me feeling like the greatest
Naruto smirked and was going to drive but caught a glimpse of Deandre Jordan sliding into the paint so he stepped back just as Chris Paul recovered and pulled up for a three.
Paul jumped to contest the shot and drew a whistle just as the ball left Naruto's hands. Naruto fell on his butt in front of his bench and watched as the ball hit the back of the rim.
From his sitting position he turned to his bench and yelled. "Let's go!"
Ha, bitch I'm about to blow up
Bitch I'm about to blow up
Hey I came up
I warmed up the next up
Bitch I'm about to blow up
Now don't it sound legendary
Another clip showed Naruto communicating with Whiteside who nodded and set a screen for him. Naruto ran through it and Paul went under it as both he and Griffin double teamed the rookie.
Naruto kept going towards the basket and almost lost the ball, but before he could he threw the ball under his legs to Whiteside who rose up for a monster dunk that got the entire Staples center on their feet.
This for niggas who ain't satisfied with secondary
This for my sisters who ain't satisfied with secretary
Uh, I'm blowing and bitch I'm still me
The next clip showed Naruto getting the ball off the inbound with a few seconds on the clock. At half court two defenders doubled teamed him and he did a eurostep before throwing up a halfcout one handed shot as the buzzer sounded and ending the first half as Naruto made the shot.
But what's the cost to live your dream, do you feel me?
Everything glittering ain't what you think it will be
Funny how money, chains and whips make me feel free
The next clip was Whiteside tipping the ball to Naruto who raced up the court. He didn't meet resistance until Andre Iguodala got in front of him in front of the basket.
That didn't stop Naruto for going for the layup which he made with the foul.
Naruto watched the entire video with a smile on his face. When he finished he looked at Kendall.
"This is like beyond insane. Did you vote for me?"
Kendall nodded. "Of course. Even before we started dating I voted for you. If I could vote for you at every position in the starting lineup I would."
Naruto smirked and kissed her on the cheek.
"Your the best."
Kendall smiled. "So when do I get to meet your family?"
"Not sure but it's definitely today. They're still probably in L.A. right now. Nervous?"
"A little."
"Well don't be. Just be yourself and your good."
"Who's coming?"
"Um my friend Biggs just got a job with the team so you'll probably see him. Besides that I think just my mom, sister and Nina. Now let me go change and we can spend the day doing whatever."
Lakers vs 76ers
The game was about to start and it was time for the away team to run out on the court and the moment he did the crowd went insane. A few people had his high school jersey on while a bunch were holding signs that said, Welcome Home Naruto.
The rookie smiled and waved to the fans, seeing a bunch a familiar faces. Things intensified when the Laker's starting five was announced.
"And now! The hometown kid! A two time Pennsylvania State Champion! Starting at the point guard position, Philadelphia's own Naruto Uzumaki!"
Naruto got up from his seat and the place went nuts as Naruto just waved steeling his nerves for game mode.
When the game was finally about to start Naruto walked over to the scorers table and saw Kendall standing behind it.
"They're not here yet?"
She shook her head. "No."
Naruto groaned. "I can't start the game without them. I have to do the same routine at every game they attend. If not it'll throw me off."
"Well we could do a little something?"
Naruto bit his lip and pondered his options. Just before he decided he heard a familiar voice.
"We're here! We're here!"
His mother ran up with Nina in her arms and Mia right behind her."
Naruto sighed and turned to Kendall. "Maybe some other time."
He turned to Nina as Amanda held her over the table. The father daughter duo did their signature handshake, three hand slaps before bumping wrist three times, then they brushed off each others chest twice before finishing with a superman taunt and roar. Naruto turned around and beat his chest.
"LET'S GO! LET'S GO! I'm home. I'm home."
He whispered the last part before turning around placing a kiss on Nina's forehead.
"Guys this is Kendall. Y'all be nice ok."
Nina nodded and smiled at Kendall. Naruto then turned to his girlfriend and gave her a quick peck on the lips and smiled.
"For good luck."
He then ran to his spot for tip off.
Just as the ref was about to throw up the ball Naruto spotted three figures out of the corner of his eye, the Hyuga's.
The Sixers won the tip and got a quick three. The ball was then inbounded to Naruto who walked up the court.
He crossed halfcout and made eye contact with Markieff who nodded. He came over and set a screen for Naruto who used it to get a quick open midrange shot.
Naruto smiled. "Woooo!"
"And Naruto Uzumaki gets his first shot of the New Year's to go down back from his suspension."
After his shot the Sixers missed and Whiteside grabbed the rebound. He gave it to Naruto who walked up the court. He called Markieff over again but this time he waved his hand towards the basket telling him he wanted him to roll to the basket.
Morris followed his orders and once Naruto used his screen he rolled down to the basket. Naruto was about to pass it to him but spotted a better option. He threw the ball over Markieff's head and into the hands of Vince Carter who drained a corner three.
"And nice feed from Naruto as Carter gets the triple."
For the next few minutes Naruto passed the ball trying to get his teammates involved but with just under four minutes to go in the first quarter they were down nine to eighteen.
Naruto brought the ball up the court and passed to Butler who dribbled for a few seconds and passed it back to him. Naruto caught the ball and faked the shot getting his defender off his feet and drive to the rim and did a floater over the center.
The Sixers called timeout and Naruto shook his head as he came out of the game. He didn't come back in until the second quarter and his team was down by ten with the score being 32-22.
Their first possession was a mess as they fumbled around with the ball but Naruto managed to hit a midrange shot just as the shot clock ran down.
On defense Naruto saw the ball being passed to his assignment and quickly tipped it into the air. It was gonna land out of bounds but he quickly jumped in the air and threw it to Young who ran up the court.
Naruto trailed behind him and when Young was about to go for a layup he passed to Naruto who immediately threw up a three point shot and watched as it went in.
The Philadelphia crowd cheered as he made his first three point shot of the game.
After that the Laker's forced a miss and Livingston grabbed the rebound. He ran up the court and passed to Naruto who got open for another three and wasted no time shooting it.
"Naruto Uzumaki back to back triples and you know what he's saying right now? I'm back."
The Sixers called timeout and Rick switched up the lineup. He moved Naruto to the shooting guard and put Nash in at the point. Then he put Jimmy at the small forward and Carroll at the power with Whiteside as the center.
This line up stopped the Sixers from scoring and Carroll, who grabbed the rebound, threw the ball up the court to Naruto. There was only one defender up the court so Naruto passed to his left to Nash who immediately threw the pass up to Naruto and everyone watched as the six foot point guard rose into the air and threw down a one handed alley oop dunk.
"And look at that! The little guy taking the elevator up! That is just a thing of beauty."
Down the court the Sixers tried to score but Whiteside denied their shot and Naruto grabbed the rebound. He took off down the court and his defender did a good job sticking with him but Naruto simply stepped back which made his defender fall and he drained the three pointer.
"And He is feeling it! Naruto Uzumaki is on fire! He's scored all thirteen of his team's points here in the second quarter as the Laker's now lead by three."
The Sixers finally scored a layup and Nash brought the ball up the court and passed to Naruto who was gonna shoot it but they double teamed him and he had to pass to Whiteside who came out to the three point line.
Naruto stayed aggressive and ran towards Whiteside who handed him the ball and immediately set a screen giving Naruto the space to fire off a deep three pointer.
"Oh my God! He's making twenty eight foot jumpshots like their layups! He's now got sixteen in this quarter alone!"
The Sixers scored another layup and Nash brought the ball up again. He tried to pass back to Naruto but the defense did a good job of denying him the ball. The rookie ran down under basket before shooting back to the three point line and catching the ball. He had only a few feet of space and fired away draining the shot.
The Sixers missed their shot and Naruto walked up the court as Nash has the ball. Naruto's defender played up on him and he remembered the first thing Nash taught him. He placed his hand on his torso and when he made eye contact with Nash he gave a small push and Nash tossed him the ball.
There wasn't a lot of space but it didn't stop him from taking the three and making it.
"This is insane! Naruto Uzumaki is in a zone! He's got twenty two points and six three pointers."
After his shot the Sixers missed again and Carroll grabbed the rebound. He ran up the court and passed to Naruto who drove to the basket with two people on him. This didn't stop him from going for the layup as he used his body to shield his defenders from the ball and at the last second he flicked the ball up over his head and into the basket.
"And he's just on another planet right now!"
On defense Nash stole the ball and immediately passed to Naruto who threw up a long range three. Naruto kept his hand extended as he watched the ball go in. When it went in the basket the crowd went insane and Philly refused to call timeout.
"This is what I do! I'm back! I'm back!"
Philly missed their next shot and everyone in the arena stood up.
"Give it back to Naruto he's unstoppable right now. Twenty seven this quarter!"
Whiteside grabbed the rebound and instantly passed to Naruto who took off down the court. He slowed down as he approached the three point line. This made his defender think he was gonna shoot and Naruto quickly sped up and drove past him before pulling up for a midrange shot.
"It's good! Are you kidding me! This is out of control! Why are the Sixers refusing to call timeout. It's not like you can save them for the next game."
The Sixers missed again dispite getting two offensive rebounds. Nash got the ball and walked up the court. He tried to get the ball to Naruto but he couldn't get it to him until he got to the corner. His defender played up close to him and Naruto just decided to fade away for the corner three pointer.
"Again! He's a one man wrecking crew! And Philadelphia is finally calling a timeout."
Naruto roared and beat his chest.
"I'm back! Philly stand up!"
He waved his hands getting the crowd to cheer louder as his teammates surrounded him. Nick even ran up behind him waving a towel.
"Cool down bro! Your killing em! Cool down!"
Coming out of the timeout Nash stole the ball and passed to Naruto who took a three just as the clock ran out and the buzzer sounded.
"And that's it! This is insane! Naruto Uzumaki has set the record for most points scored in a quarter with thirty five points as he went on a solo run! He didn't even miss a single shot that entire quarter as he scored every single point for the entire team."
Naruto smirked and waved his hands as he made his way to the locker room.
When the third quarter started Naruto could still feel a tingle in his bones and smiled.
To start the half Naruto didn't play but halfway through the quarter he was subbed back in and his team was up by fifteen.
Naruto brought the ball up the court and passed to Butler he used a screen set by Nick to drive to the basket. Instead of going to the basket Jimmy passed to Young who passed to Naruto. Naruto pump faked which got his defender off his feet and he took a side dribble before shooting the open three from the corner.
"And back to work! The Sixers have no answer for him tonight! He's got forty two points and still counting."
The Sixers managed to get a midrange shot to go down but on offense Naruto was still cooking. Jimmy posted up down low and was gonna go to score but he saw Naruto's defender sagging off and threw it to him. Naruto wasted no time shooting a three And making it.
"I'm just speechless! Utterly speechless!"
After a Sixers miss Naruto brought the ball up the court and began to dribble between his legs. He then went behind his back and went to drive to the basket but snapped the ball to his right hand catching his defender off guard and he used that to get in front of him.
The rookie saw Whiteside and threw a pass to him but the ball bounced off the chest of the other teams center and went back into the hands of Naruto who threw up a layup.
"And I'm going home! Game is over!"
And it was game over because The Rookie went on to score twenty two points in the third quarter. And because of his phenomenal play he got to sit out during the fourth quarter.
Naruto smiled as he got off the bench and high fived his teammates as the final buzzer sounded. He looked over to where the Hyuga's were sitting and saw they were gone. This made him quickly look to where his family was sitting and he sighed when he saw Nina waving at him. But his body tensed up when he noticed that Kendall was missing. He was going to call to Amanda but a reporter walked up to him.
"Naruto what a legendary performance. Sixty one points including thirty five in the second quarter. What fueled you tonight?"
Naruto was forced to tear his eyes away to answer the questions.
"Um just having some many special people out there in the crowd tonight. So many familiar faces in the crowd and the cheers reminded me of playing in the Staples center."
"You said special people, does one of those included Kendall Jenner who surprisingly attended today's game."
Naruto smiled. "Yeah a little bit everyone knows that I'm gonna give everything I got whenever I step onto the court and tonight was no different."
"The fans cheered for you more than they did there own team. Why do you think that is?"
"Its because I can relate to them. I don't know any of those guys personally but some would see playing Philadelphia as getting the short end of the stick as to playing in Los Angeles. I grew up here. I was raised here. So for everyone in Philly to see that the kid who had so many screw ups in life can still make it out gives them hope. That's why I think everyone was so excited to see me out on that floor tonight."
With that he ran towards the scorers table. He pointed to Kendall's empty seat and his mother simply shrugged. Naruto sighed and ran towards the locker room. The moment he entered the tunnel a shower of confetti rained down on him and someone's laughter made him smirk.
"Good game baby."
He felt a slim pair of arms wrap around his waist and Kendall rested her head on his back.
"Thanks."
Naruto surprised her by turning around and pressing his lips to hers. The two became lost in their own little world and only the need for oxygen forced them to separate but they kept their foreheads connected.
"Damn Ruto! Y'all Damn near the same size!"
The was a chorus of laughter and and a flash.
The couple turned to find Naruto's teammates along with Biggs who captured a picture of the two.
"Kendall will excuse me."
She nodded and Naruto took off after his teammates who ran towards the locker room.
After the game
"Are you serious! Oh my god!"
Kendall laughed as Mia told a story about the time Naruto used salt instead of sugar to make a cake. Long story short it was for the school bake sale to raise money for the entrance price for a basketball tournament and things didn't end well.
"Come on! I was studying for midterms, had practice and chores. I was under a lot of stress."
After the game Naruto took everyone out to a restaurant for dinner that turned into his family embarrassing him.
"Well be glad Shika's not here cause he has the real dirt on you."
On cue the agent walked in with Temari and a another man behind them.
The man was around Naruto's age and his arms were riddled with tattoos against his dark skin. He had a short goatee and his hair was styled into a mohawk and the top was dyed brown.
"Yo Shika who this?"
"Naruto Odell. Odell Naruto. He's the new client I was telling you about but that's not why I'm here. We got a problem."
"What?"
"Well actually two. First Under Arm- Oww!"
He stopped when Temari stepped on his foot.
"Stop stalling and tell him what the fuck is going on!"
Shikamaru gulped. "Can't you tell him?"
She shook her head and the two began a staring argument.
"Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on!"
Both Temari and Shikamaru stayed silent and Odell had to speak up.
"Look man I don't know all the details but apparently someone named Hoo...Hoo."
"Hyuga?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Whoever that is is trying to take your daughter from you. I guess you know him since he got a court order."
"WHAT!"
Naruto turned to Shikamaru. "What the fuck!"
"I didn't know how to say it! But he's right. The Hyuga's are trying to gain custody of Nina and they're using your little incident with that photographer as their main case."
Naruto slumped down in his seat.
"Can they really take her from me?"
Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah but they'd have to convince a judge that you aren't for to take care of her."
Naruto sighed and felt someone tug on his pants leg.
"Daddy, I don't want to leave you."
Naruto picked her up and hugged her.
"Don't worry, you won't. I got you. Always and forever."
Everyone nodded and joined in on the hug, even Kendall. The only one who was left out was Odell who awkwardly stood off to the side.
"Don't worry sweetheart we'll do what ever we can to help."
Naruto nodded as his mother kissed the side of his head and everyone had one thought running through their mind, protect Nina.
And Done!
Last chapter for a really long time. But I will return. I wrote a few other chapter's for some other stories and hopefully my girlfriend will post those along with my hiatus notes.
Wish me luck guys.
As always read, follow, favorite and review!
Duces!