Title: Nothing in This World Is Easy

Author: Random Facts

Pairing: Naruto x OC!Mina Chinoike (slow burn)

Word Count: 779 (give or take)

Notes: Here's the latest chapter! I hope you guys enjoy it. Whether or not you guys want to review is completely up to you, I can't make you if you don't want to. And please excuse my poor attempts at writing Naruto. I'm trying to make it believable, but I'll understand if it's not the best.

Also, like I've mentioned in previous chapters, I will be doing some editing to this chapter. So whatever comes out initially, just take it with a grain of salt, okay? I know I should probably do the editing before posting it, but for some reason I don't. Either way, I hope you enjoy it regardless.

Rating: T — mentions or possible semi-descriptions of canon and non-canon violence, language, spelling/grammatical errors, etc.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. I only own my characters and any changes I make.


Chapter Three

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life


When I looked up at Naruto and he lit up, I couldn't help but smile. He looked so happy, so excited. His smile was big, goofy and bright; his cheeks were pink and he gave my hand a squeeze, which I immediately returned.

I felt warmth wash over me the longer I looked at Naruto. It started in my chest, and steadily spread over my body. It was a strange, but not unwelcome feeling. Was this what it felt like to have a friend? If so, I didn't want it to end. Then came the sense of fulfillment, a satisfaction that I'd managed to form my first real friendship. It made me feel giddy, and my smile widened.

I really didn't want this feeling to end!

Naruto, whose hand was still holding, squeezing mine, tugged me in the direction of where he'd been sitting. It was when we reached the table I gave his hand a small tug. The blonde looked back at me, the initial excitement dimming when he saw the frown forming on my face. His brows furrowed the more he studied my face, confusion washing over his features.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I looked down for a moment, trying to figure the right words to say, before looking at the blonde. "Why did you help me?" I asked. "When Hiroshi and Toma were… I just… Why did you do it?"

Naruto's expression hardened. "It wasn't right, y'know," he stated, his voice far too serious for a four-year-old, "how they were treating you. And no one was doing anything to stop it. Someone had to do something."

I took a minute to process what Naruto said. He was willing to do something, to stand up for me when no one else wanted to. He sounded just as serious as he looked, and that was enough for me. A warmth washed over me again, settling in my chest. I felt content, satisfied, in what he said. I nodded, before sitting down at his table. The blonde sat across from me, his smile returning.

"I, uhm," I stammered, my cheeks flushing slightly because how could I forget to introduce myself? "I'm Mina. Mina Chinoike."

Naruto giggled and pointed his thumb at himself, his smile broadening. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki," he cheered. I chuckled. He's loud, I realized, but in a good way. His loudness was, in a way, almost comforting.

"It's nice to finally meet you."


Lunch with Naruto was… amazing. We talked for what felt like hours, and deep down you didn't want it to end. I loved seeing how animated the blonde got when he talked. I loved seeing how brightly he smiled and hearing how he laughed. I wanted to stay in this moment forever.

"…and it's awesome, y'know," Naruto exclaimed. His blue eyes were twinkling excitedly. He'd been spending the last five minutes talking about Hokage Rock. The blonde had been animatedly talking about how there's a spot on the carving of the Fourth Hokage's head that gives a perfect view of the village, how that had been one of his secret hideouts for the longest time. The only time Naruto stopped talking about it was when Kotoko and Mari delivered our lunches, which caused Naruto to glare at the older women. I knew they were glaring at us, I could feel it burning into me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at them. I didn't want to. It was after they left the blonde continued talking, the animated look coming back to his face.

"It's quiet up there," Naruto murmured, stuffing his face with food, "and peaceful, y'know. It gets really hot on sunny days; there aren't a lot of good places to find shade."

"It sounds really nice." I nibbled on one of the small rice balls I'd been given. Like all the other times before, the food was minuscule and I knew I'd be saving some of it for later.

Naruto leaned forward a bit, his voice lowering to a whisper. "I can show you," he stated. I glanced at him curiously. "There's a spot outside where we can sneak out. Then after that, I can show you my hideout in the woods."

"Woods?" I mumbled. Naruto nodded.

"I go there all the time." He took a bite out of his rice ball, an almost longing look in his eyes. "There's a stream and it's got lots of fish. I'm teaching myself how to catch them; it's hard." He pouted at the last part, and I giggled, which made him pout even more before breaking out into giggles.

Yeah. I really didn't want this — or these happy feelings — to end!


I would like to apologize for how long it took me to get this chapter up. I could come up with all these excuses as to why it took so long, but it's not going to change the fact that it took me this long to post it.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it. As I've mentioned in my previous chapters and probably in the notes section at the top, I'll come back every now and again to make edits. So look at whatever's initially posted as a first draft of sorts. With that out of the way, I'll see you all around!