*ALL CREDIT GOES TO THEIR RESPECTIE OWNERS.

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO…MASASHI KISHIMOTO DOES. I COME CLOSE, BUT HE HAS THE RIGHTS IN THIS UNIVERSE.*

Uzumaki Naruto was 7, almost 8 years old, in school, and bored. He had done all of the usual things HE does in school: sleep, yawn, doodle in his small cheap notebook (full of pictures of chibi-Sakura), and groan while propped up against his right elbow. The only thing he didn't do was listen to his teacher.

'Alright, class', he began as the class filed out, 'the quiz for the senjustsu and genjutsu will be on Thursday. Don't forget to bring your weapons tomorrow morning, we will meet at the front yard at 6 am to get enough practice in, and so you can show…no, I mean, strut'….the classroom now empty,'... your stuff'. He waved dismissively waved his right hand, covered in white chalk. 'Uh, kids these days. So impatient.'

I listened to Iruka-sensei..I groaned…why must he be so loud, when I am trying to sleep.

Iruka, groaned, "Naruto, are you still asleep after 5 additional hours of sleep?"

Crinkling my nose, not looking up, I said, "C'mon Master Iruka…" and now talking through my yawn, "ya know I don't have it easy. Cut me some slack, will ya? No parents, no homework buddies…"

"Naruto,what will I do with you…..uggh"

At that second as I was opening my eyes, Tazama, the oldest bully in our class, there years older than everyone else, apparently casually strolled down the rows and plugged MY NOSE full of his disgusting anise-scented gum. Flailing frantically to de-gum my nose, I said, "Shit! Hey…..you…You are gonna pay for that stupid ass prank….". He left, mimicking my talking with his hand. Under my breath, I mentioned,"Wasn't even that good, punk." Then, I saw a kid I'd never seen before, do something I'd never dream…he pointed his thumb towards the last guy, as if saying, what a moron. Even more than you. He smiled. At me. He had his hair pulled back in a bun top of his head, with funny looking triangular and faded eyebrows. I gawked at him, then grinned hiding my smile with my hands on the table. He looked like pineapple. 'Sorry man,' he said, turning toward me briefly as he left. Left his arm up almost past out the door…was he saying goodbye to me. Only Kiba, my buddy ever did anything similar.

As I sat on my favorite swing in the schoolyard, I didn't feel so lonely. I thought, What happened? Who is that guy?! Could it be.. Before I realized it, I felt drops of water on my hand that I had wrapped around my the rope and my knee protectively. Cleaning my tears, I started the long journey home.

After a dinner of instant ramen, I tried actually doing my homework, 'cause I really like Iruka and I don't know why, but we have something in common. Anyway, He's nice and picks up the tab for my lunch now and again. He's cool. I just couldn't concentrate on my katas or the recipes for the justus or even the techniques. That big fat assthat string bean pole of poo, I'm getting him back.tomorrow? "But how…" I lay there on the floor with my homework scattered all over. I put my arms behind my head. Suddenly, a fly just skirted into my field of vision when it ran into the back of a cage and WHAM!, it was taken down by the automatic fly swatter Grandpa gave to me. He didn't build it, but he told me that my Godfather bought it for me in Kumo. "That's it….", rubbing my hands together, jolting up at once from my lazy stupor. "This is going to be gooood!" With that, I sighed contently, and returned to my hands behind my head and looked forward to tomorrow.

I was up before the alarm even went off….it was an old one that Grandpa gave me when I was four. I loved that silly small thing…It was so….him. With that, I jumped onto my bed, then bounced on it twice then front flipped off. "Ahh yeah…bullies better beware, Naruto Uzumaki, the next Hokage is coming for ya!" Racing to the kitchen, I saw all the books and scrolls still on the floor. I could finish only half of the work, and less of the reading, but its better than I normally do.I gathered up my stuff and looked around for my bag…couldn't find it, so I raided my closet for the spare. " There you are." With the pork ramen finished in the microwave, I ate my breakfast and hummed a little tune that I remember…I think my mom sung it to me. Don't know. "Darn, almost forgot…" Wide eyed, I thought where my friend could be to help me with the bully. Today was the day. I ran to the back room, with the rack of ninja tool cabinet. I was running low on time. The cabinet was huge,having like five or six rows and there columns of drawers where I could put stuff. I looked at the third drawer at the rightmost edge. Lucky guess…"Yes!" Within minutes, I bolted out the door.

It was a largely normal day…Sakura was avoiding me, three rows up….ahh…if she only knew how I felt. She was talking to Ino, I frowned. Probably about the new guy, Sasuke. I went to sleep again. Iruka rolled his eyes…for the fourth time this week. I shrugged. When I heard the clamoring or chairs scraping the floor as people left for lunch…Yet another day eat alone. Oh well. This time it seems no one will throw cans at my head, I hope. I remembered…a devious smile tore into my face. No more bullies, not after today. As classmates were chatting and trying to leave, I casually went to Tazamas chair. Whistling, I stood there until there was no one left, Just people walking down those steps to the door. I set to action. I tested the chair. Sturdy enough, OK. I tested the screws then unscrewed most of them, especially around the seat…I chuckled to myself, This guy is going to get it, today.

At lunch, the guy I met earlier, gave me a knowing but concerned face. I shrugged it off.

As the class was settling in and Iruka was going to start, most of my classmates were already sitting. I stole a glance at Kiba then played it off. I knew he was staring at me…I had been avoiding him for two days. He pissed me off when he refused to let me pet his sister's dog. She was cute, but not Sakura-chan cute. Suddenly, a huge crackle and BAM and a groan….I look back with innocent eyes…Tazama's gone, on the floor, underneath the bench desks…out of sight, out of mind... ith the slightest smirk on my face, I watch Iruka help up the student with a look of concern. Then, on the way down the steps, he glared at me. Of course, I look elsewhere.

"Oh snap! Did you see that?! Oh man…Naruto, dude, did you do this?! HAHAHAHOO, sweet, but, oh my…damn!", Kiba said, going from leaning on my chair after finding me then to having is mind blown with his flailing….I just laughed at his antics. I simply smile sweetly and nodded, blinking. Kiba dragged me out of my chair and bro-hugged me. "That was SICK." Everyone else was still reeling from the excitement. Some were I'm sure trying to find out who would do that to the biggest bully in school. Looking up past Tazama's desk one row, I saw him…again…he kid with the pineapple hair. He just gave me a knowing smile with his arms crossed and legs on the bench desk. I laughed and waved. I took the rest of day off. (Except giving in homework when I was asked.)

As I was waking up, I noticed Tazama was still not there. Yes. I picked up my junky brown sack of books, The kid was there. "Shikamaru. What's your's?" he said. "Huh?"

"Oh right. My name is Shikamaru. What's your name again? Naruto, right?"

"Uh, yeah." Scratching the back of my head. I feel I must of had long hair at one point.

"I'll be honest. I didn't think you'd go through with it." He laughed. Sounded like a wind chime a bit. " I guess I underestimated you. I heard about those pranks you pulled but seeing is believing. Look…listen, that guy was—is annoying as all hell. You made me a believer, man. You and I are gonna hangout from now on."

"Ummm…OK, sure, sounds good." I pondered.

"You don't sound sure."

"Naw, just joshing ya."

"OK, cool. Let's go grab some food. There's a guy I want you to meet."

With that, we left the academy…into a new world.

*ALL CREDIT GOES TO THEIR RESPECTIE OWNERS.

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO…MASASHI KISHIMOTO DOES. I COME CLOSE, BUT HE HAS THE RIGHTS IN THIS UNIVERSE.*

So I follow my new friend Shikamaru to a little BBQ joint called Lil' Mt. Mboykaku after class. The whole class waited for iruke for like, ten minutes then we all snuck out. Anyway, we step through the curtain, and open the front door and there stands…..A beast of a kid. I wasn't sure what too make of him. he wore a green jacket and had whist looked like undies on his hair and two flushed cheeks, and he was HUGE. He looked like he could eat me up without a moment's thought. Even so, what shocked me was that Shika ran up to this kid and just hugged him abashedly then gave a fist bump. My jaw hit the floor…Maybe I can turn back, I don't mind not having friends if that guy just doesn't eat me

Shikamaru gives me a funny look. shakes his head, and motions me forward. Gulping, I hesistantly take baby steps towards the two…step by step I get more nevous. Shika shakes his head one more time. "Naruto, buddy, c'mon WE don't have all day!" Like a train conductor, he motions me forward like a jet. As if I were nothing more than a puppet, I jog to them….Shika, quiet for a moment, then said, "Naruto, this is my best bud Choji. Bro, this is our new sick prank grandmaster, Naruto Uzumaki"

"Nice to meet ya…hi." He offered his hand.

I wave at him feebly.

"Naruto, buddy, it's OK. come here." We walk away to the side close to the door and the gum ball machine. "He is NOT going to hurt you. I know he looks big and bad, but I swear he's an awesome guy…Trust me, OK? If he's strong, let him know…he doesn't see it."

"He is just so strong….man, I…." With that, he just takes me by the shoulders and walks us back to this Choji character. Before we get there, I ask," Can I call you Shika….?"

"Yeah, sure we are friends, right?"

"Yeah, we are. You're right. I guess we are." I scratch the back of my head.

Choji is there, grabbing a bag of chips from his blue bag he caried with him.

"Everything OK guys, Naruto?"

"Yeah, yeah..he's fine. Let's go eat already." Shikamaru says.

"You said it, Shik, I'm starving."

"You know it.'

We go and head toward the green booths. Choji is right behind me. I try not to freak out over how tall he is over me. I take several deep breaths. I sit in the inside with Shika on the outside and Choji facing towards the door. Shika started," So, yeah, man, you should of seen what Naruto did today. Remember Tazama?" "You don't mean…" Choji retorted with his mouth agape in anticipation. "Yep, Naruto here" patting me on the back," He embarrassed that asshat in front of everyone." Choji just stared sat me in shock. A few moments passed. I tried to look at him, but it was too much. I flinched and held up my arms protectively. "How did you….what the….What happened, Naruto?" Choji politely asked, while briefly looking away, obviously embarrassed. "Oh…" I started with a lump in my throat," Oh, the bastard did something…" I looked down and balled my fists."He gummed up nose as I was waking up in class. I swear…he must be a teacher's pet or something." I mumbled. " I heard loud laughter—from both of my new friends. I gave them a questioning look. Shika hollered and then breathed out, "Yeah, that's what I thought too." Choji piped in, after a last hearty laugh. My face hurt I was smiling so much. "I knew it…He spends so much time with Teach and then takes my lunch money." Then I saw him do what I normally do…sulk. I was in shock. I had to do somethingthis guy is now my friend.believe it.

Shika put a hand on my shoulder, saying, "You along with everybody else, Chojj. He's probably doing to to make sure he goes on missions this year. What my dad told me is that this is like his fourth year held back and his last chance to be a ninja." We all cracked up laughing…Choji said," Ya know, Shika, that's not nice…even if true…What happened?I gotta know?" Now feeling bolder, nonchalantly I said," I I mad him go SPLAT! on the floor after lunch." Classic! I wish I could think like that!" Choji bellowed out with a roaring laugh. We laughed again…By this time, Shika ordered stuff for us and some mouthwatering smells were coming our way. "A cute Kiri-looking girl brought us ribs, fried rice, steamed rice, vegetable pancakes, and sushi as well as the finest soy sauce. I was given an orange soda, Shika got a chocolate milk and Choji got a dark intense smelling fruity soda.

As the meal progressed, I just listened to the friends reminisce and eat quietly. I spent the whole time figuring out what to say to Choji…Shika was right…he might be big but he had a soft heart. I wanted to make him feel better. "Chojj, if he ever tries to pick on you again, let me know…I'll put a paint bomb in a fake wallet for ya!" Giving him a classic Uzumaki grin. ""Oh, hop, I like the way you think…Hive five!" We clapped palms. Is this was what friendship is? This is awesome…goats get me some more of this! Shika, though younger and kinda shorter than me, with his long limbs and him shaking his head the way he did that day, reminded me of a thirty-year-old bachelor. I grinned. After that, we all parted ways….after some hearty and unasked for hugs from Choji.