Legacy of the Will
Chapter 2: The Weight of Fear
A/N: Sorry for the lengthy chapters, I think I have a problem, hope you enjoy it!
XX
Ryouichi was sitting up against a tree, currently resting his painfully sore body while he watched Haru get beaten down to the ground by Kaori.
She informed Ryouichi she had been meaning to start a study group to help her fellow classmates. However, upon reflection, Ryouichi realized she was merely using this as an excuse to continually improve her fighting and fight stronger students than she normally did during sparring.
He chuckled, only to wince as his side screamed out in his senses.
Kaori sighed with a slight pant.
"Well, that was a great warmup! Ryouichi! Ready for another go?"
Ryouichi sweat at the notion of a second round.
"No. Mercy. I yield."
Kaori pouted cutely, folding her arms over her chest.
"Aww…fine. You guys really need work."
Haru groaned as he stood on his knees.
"Not all of us can be trained by expert taijutsu users. Ow my ribs."
"I guess I could've been a bit easier on you."
Ryouichi's battle with Kaori went about as well as expected. Except Kaori believed the best way to train was to completely exhaust herself by firing on all cylinders.
Unfortunately for Ryouichi and Haru, that wasn't something they were used to from her. Hence Ryouichi breath being labored as he mourned his ability to stand or even live without feeling pain.
She plopped herself down in between Ryouichi and Haru, who had sat down against the same tree.
"This was a rousing success, I think. Soon we'll be fighting on even ground!"
Haru lightly snorted.
"That would require us to stand," Ryouichi dryly responded.
"Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad."
Kaori hand waved.
Ryouichi lifted his shirt to show off the purple marks across his body. Inadvertently also showing Kaori a large burn scar across his side.
Kaori's eyes widened. "Did I punch you so hard I caused friction burns?!"
She gasped and excitedly vibrated.
"That's so cool!"
Ryouichi narrowed his eyes confused before it clicked.
"No, those are from something else. My point being, I should not look like a grape."
Kaori disappointedly nodded.
"It'd have been cooler if those were from my fists."
"Kaori, we have got to talk about this "study group"."
"Okay?"
She turned to look at him.
"You need to tone it down."
She looked confused and slightly upset.
"Why? It's going well isn't it?"
Haru looked at her. "You basically tossed us in a fight, beat us up, and then said it went well."
"Isn't that how we trained Ryouichi?"
Ryouichi's internal flashbacks of gaining a further and further intimate relationship to the dirt of Konoha played in his head as he sighed.
"Kind of, but you did tell me how you did the stuff you defeated me with. Wouldn't an easier way to learn be to teach us the techniques and let us hone our style?"
She looked conflicted for a second.
"I guess but…I wouldn't get a great fight that way."
Haru's eyes widened as he looked at her.
"Is…that the reason you put this together? An excuse to spar?"
She nodded sheepishly.
Haru looked down in horror.
"I didn't know Hyuuga were bloodlusted…or fight happy…"
"They usually aren't,"
Ryouchi looked at the sky.
"-But she very much is."
She turned slightly red and looked at Ryouichi with a glare.
"I'm not bloodlusted! I just like to be challenged and tested. It makes me work harder."
"Then how about this, we each take turns teaching the other two. I'll take over studies, you can take over taijutsu, and Haru can do Ninjutsu."
She put a finger to her chin, thinking intently.
"I guess I'm not the best at ninjutsu. So that could help."
Ryouichi smiled and nodded.
"See? You get challenged and we all improve. Win-win."
She nodded.
"Okay! Ninja Academy Boot Camp suits me perfectly!"
Ryouichi awkwardly chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head.
'I am definitely going to regret this.'
As days went by it was quite apparent that the study group managed to get past the early speed bumps. Kaori got over her desire for an intense fight, as the challenges of studying and ninjutsu took over.
Ryouichi meanwhile was seeing noticeable improvements in his ninjutsu. To the point he had the Clone jutsu and Substitution jutsu down so well, he could lace them into his hand-to-hand training.
In between helping Haru and Kaori study the material in exams and improving his ninjutsu, his taijutsu had made strides. As he was starting to require Kaori to go all out just to be able to resume her curb stomping.
Haru had begun to develop taijutsu at a slower pace than Ryouichi and Kaori, however his studies improved greatly. Haru also noticeably was the only one of the three capable of controlling his chakra supremely well.
When asked about his secret, Haru pointed to a tree.
"My father told me a story about how when the ninja who founded this village trained, they'd apply a leaf to their forehead to focus their chakra and keep it on."
Haru took a leaf and placed it on his forehead, as it stuck.
"-That's why we have leaves on our headbands."
Kaori leaned forward in awe.
"That's how you have such good chakra control?"
He nodded, a bit of cocky pride on his face.
"Yep, didn't take that long to figure out."
Ryouichi saw the potential return of his long-hated enemy, so merely spoke a few words to nip this in the bud.
"I wonder how Ino is doing…"
Haru's eyes bolted open as he suddenly looked like a deer faced with a hunter.
"O-Of course it did take some work. B-But I'm sure you guys'll have it in no time…"
He awkwardly laughed.
Ryouichi held back a smile as he realized the powerful gift Ino had bestowed upon him.
Ino visited Ryouichi's apartment in the early morning, some take-out from Ichiraku in hand.
She knocked and waited patiently, before hearing Ryouichi.
"Come in! It's unlocked!"
She smiled and opened the door setting the food on the counter.
Ryouichi was sitting on the floor, with a leaf stuck to his forehead as chakra swirled around.
"What are you doing?" Ino asked, curiously.
"A trick Haru told me and Kaori about. It's supposed to help with chakra control."
"Oh wow, that's neat,
Ino leaned in closer.
"Can I try?"
He nodded and handed the leaf over to her.
She placed it to her forehead and channeled chakra into it. Though it took a few tries, she managed to stick it in place.
Ryouichi smiled and Ino returned it.
"I brought lunch."
"Thanks, Ino."
The two sat over to the table, Ino setting the leaf onto the table.
"Thank you for the food!" The two responded as they dug in.
That afternoon Ryouichi sat down by the Hokage monument and began to meditate. Last night's dream firmly etched in his mind.
He wondered why the two men were, he wondered who hid him. And he wondered whether what he was remembering was the night he had lost much of the memory for all those years ago, or simply a filled blank his mind chose to torture him with that night.
He sighed.
'Oh well, no use worrying about it now.'
Ryouichi's meditation was in some part relaxation, and other part training. As with meditation, he could increase the spiritual energy he needed for chakra.
He usually spent three to five hours in deep meditation. And rarely spent it elsewhere than the cemetery. Though recently, his busy schedule facilitated him meditating wherever he could.
As he finished and stood up, stretching lightly, he walked home.
While walking home, he felt a deeply unnerving chill, a feeling creeping up his spine and sending shockwaves of anxiety throughout his nerves.
His fingers and toes lightly tingled, his body began to freeze. As he turned around, he saw one man.
The man had jet-black hair with tanned skin. His eyes were like glazed black holes from which no emotion dare escape.
Covering his face was a mask that matched his hair color, carved into the shape of a cat; he was wearing a dark grey cloak that wrapped around his body and concealed almost all of it.
Ryouichi paled when he saw him, and nearly froze entirely when he heard words escape the concealed figure's masked lips.
"Pardon me, but where might the Hokage's Office be?"
Ryouichi couldn't respond. Something about this man terrified him so.
"Hello? I am speaking to you, boy."
His voice was like sandpaper across gravel, and it was low.
Ryouichi finally realized what made him so terrifying. It was his presence. An aura that felt harsh, cold, and uninviting. Ryouichi however, didn't understand how he felt such an aura without seeing him.
"I…it's the big red building…"
Ryouichi barely squeezed out of his throat due to the man's intimidating height over him.
The man leaned in before chuckling.
"Thanks, kid. I appreciate your help."
He walked away and Ryouichi let out a sigh of relief.
A hand touched his shoulder from behind, causing him to jump.
"Whoa! Easy Ryouichi, it's me."
Kaori gave a friendly smile as Ryouichi's paranoia slowly subsided.
"Oh…hi Kaori…"
"Are you alright?"
"Just, someone asked me for directions. They were um…kinda scary."
"Ohh you mean cat guy."
Ryouichi curiously looked at her.
"Yeah. How did you know?"
She giggled.
"I was walking up to you already. I saw him talking to you."
"He didn't seem…nerve wracking to you?"
She thinks about it.
"Not really. If he did I would have used my Byakugan."
"You can use that already?"
She gave him a curious side eye.
"I'm ten, Ryouichi. It would be a problem if I couldn't. Otherwise, I can't use the Gentle Fist."
"That's…a fair point."
"Anyways, I wanted to talk to you about something."
Ryouichi nodded.
"Fire away."
"You know Ino Yamanaka right?"
Ryouichi suspiciously looked at her.
"Why do you ask…?"
"I wanted to invite her and her friends to the study group. I think it could work really well with so many students who can help one another."
"I mean I guess I can ask her. No harm in it."
She smiles.
"Okay good! Are you still free to meet up tomorrow morning?"
"As far as I know, yes."
"Alright! I can tell this is going to be good!"
He thought for a second before realizing something.
"Wait a minute, you want me to ask her today?!"
"Yeah, why? Is that a problem?"
"It's the afternoon Kaori! I can't just spring that on her!"
"Why not? Are you afraid you'll get rejected…?" She gave a devilish grin.
Ryouichi looked at her deadpan and crossed his arms.
"I have no idea what you are referring to."
"The bellflower. Word around the Academy is you gave it to her. And I know what that means…"
Ryouichi throws his arms up.
"What is it with everyone knowing what that stupid flower meant, besides me?!"
Ino walked up.
"What stupid flower?"
A small whimper fled from the mouth of Ryouichi's lowered head.
"Kami, save me…"
"Ino! Glad you're here. How would you like to join our study group?"
Ino tilted her head.
"Study group?"
"Yep! Ryouichi helps with the books part, Haru helps with ninjutsu,"
Kaori made a tight fist out of excitement,
"-and I help with taijutsu. We all try to improve each other."
Ino smiled.
"Well, that sounds like fun. Can I invite Shikamaru and Choji?"
"Sure! More the merrier."
Kaori's devilish grin grew more as Ino awkwardly chuckled and looked at Ryouichi.
"Did you want to stay over for dinner again until you get some money tomorrow?"
Ryouichi nodded and slightly regained his composure.
"That sounds lovely."
Kaori nudged them. "Oh? Meeting the parents already? How forward Ino."
Ino slightly went red as she clenched her fist.
Ryouichi considered letting this play out, however Kaori could potentially hurt Ino by shutting down her chakra points, so Ryouichi sighed.
"Ino, just let it go. I brought this on myself."
She grimaced.
"And me!"
"Right well, next time I say sorry, it won't be with flowers. You have my word."
Somehow this only made Ino turn even redder.
Kaori realized her harmless mischief had affected the wrong classmate, and wisely decided to bolt.
Ino let out a sigh.
"Geez, you wear one flower and suddenly everyone assumes you're dating someone."
"Kind of weird honestly. We're ten and she expects us to be in a committed relationship?"
"I know, right?"
Ino shakes her head before smiling at him.
"Ready?"
Days became weeks, weeks became months. As the months flew by, Ryouichi was pushed hard into a path he felt unsure he wanted to go down.
By the time of autumn, Ryouichi, Ino, Kaori, and Haru, as well as Choji, were among the best fighters in the Academy.
He didn't expect to be like this, and he was honestly unsure about it.
For the longest time he had wanted to be the strongest he could be, but now that he was actually reaching that goal for the first time, he felt conflicted.
He felt the gap between him and his peers begin to expand. He began to be beaten less and less.
He felt it was harder to connect to his friends.
For the first time, his ability to understand the trials of others began to weaken.
Ryouichi felt uncomfortable. The first opportunity led to him running to the cemetery. His disheartened face gazed towards the monument.
"Hello Lord Hokage…Sorry for bothering you. I just…needed somewhere to be. I feel lost."
Before he could really go into detail, he suddenly froze as he smelled smoke. Panic washed across his body before he heard an old and slightly gruff voice. A familiar one.
"Why bother the three Hokage who are resting, when a live Hokage is here?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, noticing a pained face from Ryouichi, who was staring at the pipe. Hiruzen nodded to himself before extinguishing it.
"A habit, my apologies. I did not intend to upset you."
"I-It's okay…just…well, you know."
"I know, son. It's alright."
Hiruzen's natural presence eased Ryouichi, and he soon sat down next to the boy.
"What troubles you?"
"I've been doing really good at the Academy. Kaori's study group has really pushed me to improve…"
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Well, isn't that a good thing?"
Ryouichi looked down with uncertainty.
"I don't know…I'm not like everyone else now. I'm near the top of the class now."
Hiruzen placed his unlit pipe into his mouth and let out a sigh.
"Ryouichi, to be a ninja is to be exceptional. The most special ninja we celebrate didn't accomplish anything trying to maintain the status quo of a class."
Ryouichi continued to look down before meekly looking at Hiruzen.
"But…how am I supposed to connect to them? If I keep this up and end up stronger than most,
A look of genuine fear came onto his face as he looks at Hiruzen again,
"-how am I supposed to be able to form bonds?"
Hiruzen thought for a moment, grimly, before he smiled and heartily chuckled.
"You believe that if a ninja becomes stronger than someone, they cannot understand someone weaker than them?"
He chuckled again before patting Ryouichi's head.
"My child, I am Hokage. That means I am the strongest ninja in this village. And I understand you perfectly."
Ryouichi looked confused.
"You do?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"Of course. You're afraid you will lose the bond with your family by becoming strong. And you're afraid of losing that family again."
Ryouichi looks slightly downcast, as he timidly nods. Allowing himself to become vulnerable to Hiruzen.
"Yes…"
"But my boy you forget something. If you keep your empathy, keep your love and hold it tight, you may learn to understand anyone. Regardless of your power."
"But, what if they resent me?"
"I doubt they will, Ryouichi. The power of someone is not what they would fear."
He places his pipe on his leg and smiles.
"-It's how they wield it. And from you, I see someone they will admire for his strength. Just as Konoha Jonin and the Hokage are."
"Okay…if you're sure."
"Don't fear your strength. Embrace it. And use it to protect your family with everything you have. Just as you spoke of those years ago."
"Yes Lord Third."
He pats Ryouichi's head before standing up and bowing to the monument, walking off as if wandering.
The following days saw Ryouichi beginning to wonder if the Hokage was wrong. As despite his attempts to adhere to Hiruzen's words, he only felt worse.
An endless sea of fear had swallowed him, and he didn't know if he could escape.
Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, and Sakura were the only people he felt even slightly comfortable around now.
Shikamaru was lazy and laid back, Choji was casual and a fellow connoisseur, and Sakura was friendly and easy to spend time with.
Ino was a different story; she was strong, confident, and Ryouichi always felt like he was okay, at least when around her.
Maybe it was the memories of how they met, maybe it was how she handled Haru, maybe it was her presence. But for him, she felt like any problem wasn't important.
That it would all be okay.
Maybe that was wrong too.
As Ryouichi laid on the grass, staring at the sky blocked by a tall treetop, he felt a finger poke his nose.
Looking at the source, he saw a worried Ino.
"You've been staring at that tree for at least an hour."
Ryouichi sat up.
"Have I? It doesn't feel that long."
Ino pointed at the sun.
"Long enough for that tree to block the sun, then have it shine over there."
He looked down, almost ashamedly.
"Oh…sorry."
"Okay, that does it."
Ino stood up, grabbing Ryouichi's hand and tugging him to join her standing.
"What are you-?"
"For five days I've had to put up with this. I'm not dealing with my best friend being mopey. Now come on."
Ino dragged a protesting Ryouichi from the training grounds, all the way to the top of the Hokage mountain. From there, they could see all of Konoha.
It was a gorgeous sight. The wooden buildings that kept closely together, the feeling of life as villagers went about their day, and the emerald leaves set across their dark brown bark parents.
Ryouichi looked at it, and felt a feeling of warmth, his emotions washing over him.
"Whoa…"
Ino smiled and sat down.
"Good thing our legs aren't too long. Wouldn't want to accidentally kick Lord First's nose."
Ryouichi let out a light chuckle as he sat down with her.
"Why'd you bring me here?"
"Because, you love this village more than life itself. I assumed whatever funk you're in would feel better, if you saw the whole village. Plus, I know you. When you come up to the top of this to meditate by the cemetery you probably skipped this, didn't you?"
He looked down and nodded.
"So, what's wrong?"
Before he could offer any protest, Ino gave a glare, and he buckled explaining everything.
"What is it with you and existential crises?"
Ino gives a sigh and places her hand on his leg.
"First you want to be the strongest, and now you want to bail out because you don't want to be too special?"
"I…I just don't want to lose my friends. I've already lost so many people…"
Ino's face was filled with pain before she looked at him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Well then listen Ryou, you aren't losing me? Understand?"
He looked at her surprised.
"Ino…?"
"If someone just stops being your friend because you're better at them than something, they didn't deserve your friendship to begin with!"
Ryouichi feels a small shiver as she hugs him closely.
"-And I don't care if you end up a stronger ninja than me, I'll still kick your butt if you're being an idiot!"
She poked his chest with a determined face.
"If you're so scared of losing everyone again, then don't! Because no matter what, Ryouichi, I will always be your friend!"
The weight of this was crippling. The weight of his fear was unbearable. And as if she were the strongest being on the earth, she lifted it off him and discarded it.
Ryouichi buried his face in Ino's shoulder, lightly crying into it. A tiny "thank you" escaping the muffling of her clothes.
This was the moment when Ino Yamanaka and Ryouichi became bound by their friendship and care for one another.
As much as Ryouichi cherished her as his friend, Ino's ability to raise him up when no one else could, was the thing that set that bond in stone.
It was at this time when, oddly enough, Ino stopped chasing after Sasuke.
Sakura eased up around her as a result, and the two even began to talk during the latter part of Ryouichi's second year in the Academy.
The winter rolled around, and so did Ryouichi's birthday.
He hadn't had many plans for the day, his birthday was usually just eating at Ichiraku and then meditating the night away at the monument to the Will of Fire.
But this day was different, in that Ryouichi didn't get to decide what he did with his evening. Because Ino had different plans.
She walked into her home with a mission in mind, and her father noticed it quite quickly.
"Well hello Ino."
She waved impassively.
"Hey otosan. Can I borrow some ribbon and flowers?"
Inoichi looked at her suspiciously.
"Why?"
She looked at him, rather matter-of-factly.
"I'm throwing a surprise party for Ryou's birthday."
He suddenly started laughing.
"Very well, borrow some. But may I suggest taking his birth flower? Could be an interesting mix."
She thinks to herself for a moment, before considering his personality.
"Hm, if he's gonna worry about what he wants to be for others, maybe I should give him a hint about how I think he is."
She walks over and takes a small amount of paperwhite narcissus flowers.
Inoichi gave a warm smile.
"I think that's a lovely message. Especially when paired with how the flower blooms in winter."
Ino smiles and leaves.
She stopped by Sakura's home, explaining her plan to her friend the two giggled in a very cunning fashion as they left to execute their master design.
First came Choji and Shikamaru, then came Kaori and a begrudging Haru.
After them, she got Shino Aburame and Hinata Hyuuga, and Kiba Inuzuka. By then word had been shushed, but around.
And while Naruto Uzumaki had asked to join, his answer had been shut down by Iruka, who was punishing him for a prank that led to several kids getting soaked by water.
Sasuke was invited by Sakura, but he had quite ruthlessly turned her down.
By the end of the recruiting plan, Ino had a good idea of what to do.
When she was gathering decorations, she ran into Ryouichi and, panicked, she hid them behind her skillfully as Shino and Kiba grabbed them quickly.
Only they were with her, as she had sent the rest of her fellow conspirators to get to work in the location she had selected, the very top of the Hokage faces.
"Ryou! Hey, how's it going?"
Ryouichi looked at her suspiciously.
"Not much…what about you?"
She had a very faint blush as she looked away.
"Oh, you know, just figured I'd take a walk around town. Keep my figure and all that."
He raised his eyebrow.
"O-kay…what about Shino and Kiba? You usually don't spend time with them."
Ino suddenly felt a chill down her spine as she failed to come up with an excuse; that is, until Shino spoke.
Coldly and calmly, he explained.
"Ino was wondering if my clan had any insects that could help pollinate her family's flowers."
He stood like a statue, unflinchingly, as he continued.
"Kiba tagged along out of boredom. We were on our way to her store, weren't we, Ino?"
Ino nodded quite convincingly.
"Yep! Sorry I just didn't think you'd be interested, was all."
Ryouichi nodded to himself rather acceptingly.
"Of course. Can I come with though? The way nature works sounds interesting."
Externally, Ino seemed fine. Internally though…
'Crap! Why does he have to be such a curious nerd?!'
"Erm, no. I actually wasn't planning on staying there long. How about you meet me later tonight on top of the Hokage faces?"
He nodded with a smile.
"Sure. I'll head there now and meditate."
Ino's eyes bolted open and grabbed his arm before he left her reach.
"No! I mean, erm, why don't you do some walking instead? Exercise is great for increasing your physical energy."
Ryouichi's eyebrow cocked up again.
"You usually don't protest to me waiting. Why now? Besides, Kaori makes sure I get plenty."
Kiba, sensing a problem, gave a smirk as he walked up to Ryouichi.
"Is that so? How about we train to see just how good you are."
Ryouichi looked at him curiously.
"We fought earlier today when sparring."
"Oh yeah? Well, I trained a lot beforehand. And maybe you can give me some pointers."
Ryouichi smiled and nodded.
"Okay, sounds fair Kiba. Sorry Ino, I'll see you later, okay?"
She nodded, feigning disappointment.
"Okay Ryou. Will do."
As Kiba and Ryouichi walked away, Kiba looked back and gave Ino and Shino a thumbs up.
Ino sighed and returned it.
"That was way too close…"
After a bit more work into the party area, Ino sighed contentedly as the time was nearing.
Kiba ran to her and looked quite exhausted. A series of bruises across his arms and face.
Ino looked at him surprised.
"What…happened Kiba?"
Kiba sat down and panted.
"So…he beat me up pretty badly. On the plus side, I did learn how to better dodge."
He looked at the glass of water Hinata handed him, thanking her as he took a sip.
"After that, I just stalled until it was getting near time. So, I hurried off after giving an excuse about Akamaru being tired."
He downed the last of the water.
"Please tell me everything is set up."
Ino smirked and gestured to the scenery.
A lovely and quaint scene, of paperwhites and daffodils, with ribbons decorating the small tables with water, tea, and Ichiraku takeout that she had staying warm on a hot plate in one large bowl.
Finally, she had a curious sight, some bellflowers on a table with a sponge cake baked by Sakura's mother with help from her, Ino, Hinata, and Kaori, though Kaori used it as an excuse to eat the leftover cream that was used to top the cake.
"Good…so, I take it everybody has their gifts?"
Ino smiled and nodded.
"Well, I do now."
Ino had been thinking hard about a gift. Choji had elected to gift him a bag of barbeque chips, allowing the last chip to go to him.
Shikamaru thought the idea of getting a gift on such short notice was stupid, so he picked up a kunai and said that was his gift.
Sakura meanwhile had used some things she had at home to sew a midnight blue sash with white embroidery in the form of the symbol on a Konoha ninja's headband.
She even designed it in such a way as to be longer and could tuck into itself so he could wear it as he grew.
Kiba didn't have a gift planned, and after his sparring considered that his gift.
Shino, meanwhile, brought a book.
Ino stared at it.
"What…is that?"
Standing still he replied.
"A philosophy book on spiritual focus and discipline, as a way to achieve enlightenment."
"What made you get that for him?"
Shino calmly had his bugs spread out.
"I got to know him. He strikes me as very spiritual and introspective."
Ino sighed.
'Even he has a gift already…'
The more Ino thought about it, the less she knew what to get.
She didn't want to just get him anything. She wanted to get him something that was personal. But what exactly that was still eluded her.
She thought about it, and thought about it, until it hit her.
She then hurried to the markets and found a jackpot. And she returned with a box of kibidango.
As a bit of extra flair, she had bought some food coloring and a brush. And brushed the shape of red and orange flames onto the sweet dumplings herself.
With her gift sorted, she sat down with Kiba and Sakura and waited for Ryouichi.
As if by divine timing, Ryouichi was just arriving. They all smiled as he stopped and looked at the celebration.
"Whoa…"
They all let out a celebratory and unified exclamation.
"Happy Birthday Ryouichi-kun!"
Ryouichi smiled with pure warmth and gratitude, giving a small bow.
"Thank you. I really mean that."
The celebration was not quite lavish, nor very large. But Ino knew better than to aim for a large gathering.
Ryouichi was happy just like this, his fellow classmates and him sitting under the stars, eating ramen and drinking tea, and spending time with one another.
When it came time for gifts, he felt that they had already done enough.
But was very honored by Choji's gift, thankfully accepted Shikamaru's, and was amazed by Sakura's.
Shino's was very exciting to Ryoichi, and Hinata handed him a small piece of paper, a lovely poem she wrote in celebration of his birth.
The rabbit came forth,
With a wiggle to his ears,
He hopped far away,
Looking for a home for him,
Hard was the journey,
And uncertain was his heart,
He found a new home,
Hidden by leaves and by bark,
He hopped in timid,
And with love we welcomed him,
Gently he grew up,
Among us within the leaves,
Curious and kind,
He makes us smile with his care,
And when he hurts so,
We too ache along with him,
So dear do we hold this hare.
Ryouichi gave a small smile and bowed his head to Hinata.
"It's wonderful. Thank you for the effort."
She lightly blushes and nods shyly.
"Of course. Ino-chan and Sakura-chan helped a little."
He nods to Sakura and Ino as well.
Ino then hands her gift to him. Upon seeing the kibidango, his eyes slightly watered.
"Thank you Ino-chan. Thank you so much."
Ino, unused to the honorific, blushed deeply. She smiled back however and hugged him.
After a lengthy clean up, everyone went home. Everyone, except Ino and Ryouichi.
Sharing his kibidango, Sakura's sash wrapped around his waist snugly, Ryouichi was practically beaming.
"Thank you, Ino-chan. This was a really special birthday. "
"I'm glad, Ryou-kun."
The two, eleven at the time, had more of a connection than most their age. And it was simply because of who they were.
Ino Yamanaka was a girl who sought to embody the bush clover. She was full of life, confidence, and care for her friends.
Ryouichi had no family name. He only had the one last home he could cling to. And the only part of his life he was afraid to tread, was his ideal goals.
Everything else was not at all intimidating.
Though they were quite young, it was an unfortunate fact of the shinobi world.
Shinobi rarely live to be old. They die young. With this reality in their hearts, shinobi may be young physically, but mentally they are older.
Because they have to be.
Ino looked out to the village and faintly smiled before leaning her head onto Ryouichi' shoulder.
"Can you be still? I'm kind of tired."
Ryouichi blushed lightly but nodded.
"Of course, I can't imagine setting this up was easy."
"Mm-mm. Especially when all you have are academy students and practically no budget."
He chuckled.
"I suppose so."
A bit of silence punctuated the conversation, before Ryouichi broke it.
"Ino-chan?"
She looked at him from his shoulder.
"Hm? Yeah?"
"I don't want to stop sitting here."
She giggled.
"Good, neither do I."
"Isn't it cold for you?"
With a small "hmph" she shifts and scoots over closer to him.
"Stay close and we won't have to worry about that."
He chuckled before scooting closer himself, bringing their shoulders to press against each other.
"Okay, that works."
XX