A/N: I would like to think all my reviewers, all 10 of you. Here are the responses to your questions or reviews. I thank all my readers, even if they do not review. I block anonymous reviewers because I like to be able to trace who is reviewing and read their stories, if any.

Blackwolf0925: I was actually thinking about that. I've narrowed it down to either the regular team 7 setup (Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke) or a revised team consisting of Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hinata.

Foxes-n-blood-n-tears-never-shed: I am considering it. I think I will either go with Kakashi or Kurenai for their sensei. If I choose the normal team 7 (see above), I will use Kakashi. If I revise the team, I will have Kurenai as their sensei.

LoveDetermination: Thank you very much! That is what I was going for. Also, trust me, that "someone" will cheer Naruto up very soon.

Twilightangel: It's Ok. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I do hope you keep reading though.

Narut0-fan101: I got it from the first episode. Iruka did say he hated the Kyuubi and I think that means he treated Naruto the same as the other villagers before he got to know Naruto.

SF Ranger: I will try. This is the 4th chapter I've written this weekend so, if it makes you feel any better, consider the four chapters like one really long one. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Trenchcoatgirl-Kyo: Oh, don't cry, the story will get better soon.

S-Wanderer999: Thanks. That is exactly where I got the idea from. (See response to Narut0-fan101)

Korrd: Well, he isn't, isn't he? I mean, for a person to carry a burden like that and still be able to be that cheerful must not be that naïve.

Teen13: AU is "Alternate Universe." I control everything in this story and I can warp people's personalities to do as I see fit.

Anime-Boy07: Thanks for your review. It is truly appreciated.

Rovak: Um, thanks. I was going for angst in the beginning but don't expect it to last too long. Sorry.

I will try to update soon, but I still have school. This is a weekend and I have about two weeks of school left so I can't be on this computer 24/7. Also, contrary to popular belief (no offense reviewers, I'm talking about real people here), I do have a life. I have friends and I like spending time with them so I really have to balance all my time here. Also, another forgotten translation, "Ano" is the equivalent of "Um" or "Uh." It is kind of like a "space filler" when you have either forgotten something or you are nervous or embarrassed. So, enough from me, enjoy the fourth installment of "Cheerfulness Incarnate!"

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Anyone who says otherwise has to answer to my friend, Harry, the extremely large one-eyed elf.

(Last chapter…)

He could still hear the snickers of half of his classmates and he can still feel the disbelieving stares of the others. He was about to burst as the bell rang signaling the start of break. Naruto rushed out of the room, unable to bear such embarrassment. He then thought of Sakura's words as he rushed towards the front door, "The most efficient way to disguise your identity is to take up a different personality than your own."

"A different personality than your own; I think that will actually work!" Naruto thought as he ran towards the grassy field outside the school.

"This is going to be a long day" He thought as he burst through the door, the sound of laughter still ringing in his ears.

(Begin Chapter 4)

Naruto immediately rushed through the field to claim his swing, the same one he was seated upon that very morning. He started to think of a new disguise as he leisurely swayed back and forth. He looked up and submerged himself in his own thoughts.

"A different personality than your own; am I not already doing that? I already hide most of my emotions behind these eyes of mine, but it seems it's not enough. I need to hold almost all of my emotions back and create a new me. That wouldn't be so tough if they hadn't found out one of my secrets already, but they already know I can't read. What would happen if they found out that I couldn't…?" He trailed off as an idea struck him. "They would think I was a complete moron. A moron, huh; I think that will be perfect! They think I'm a complete idiot and I can hide almost anything because they will take my weakness as stupidity! This will be perfect with my current mask of cheerfulness! The words that they can describe me with are, stupid, idiotically cheerful, naïve, and way too expressive. They will think I'm giving out all of my feelings while I hide everything inside. Absolutely brilliant!"

He was interrupted by a small, blue-haired girl as she approached him. She seemed to stop in her tracks as she noticed she was seen. She started to speak, slowly and timidly.

"N-Naruto-kun, I-I think I-I c-can help w-with your p-problem. I c-can t-t-teach you how to r-read, if y-you w-want." The small girl spoke in a small voice, stuttering as her nervousness took form.

Naruto seemed to be surprised at her straightforwardness. By the sound of her voice, Naruto figured that she would not normally do this, especially to a complete stranger. Also, he was surprised at the honorific that was attached to his name. He was never called anything other than a nickname that included the word "demon" in it. "If I have to test this new personality of mine, I might as well do it now."

(POV change)

"What's your name?" asked the blonde also known as Uzumaki Naruto.

The tone of voice that he used surprised her slightly. The voice that she heard in the classroom seemed to feel normal. She had been sitting behind him, to the left, and she heard his secret, along with the other seven people around him. This voice seemed to be different somehow.

She tried to control her nervousness as she responded, failing miserably. "H-Hyuuga H-Hinata, I-it's n-nice to m-meet you."

"My name's Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet you, too" he said, taking her hand and shaking it vigorously. He continued on, replying to her first statement. "You say you can help me? Honto?"

She nodded slowly, unable to speak due to her shock. "That's great! I need to learn how to read if I ever want to become the greatest ninja alive. In fact, I want to become the Hokage!" Hinata opened her eyes wide in shock, knowing that something was different about him. The small silence that developed was chased away as he spoke again. "Do you think you can help me with writing, too? I don't know how to do that, either." Naruto said, scratching the back of his head nervously.

Hinata couldn't speak. He just revealed another of his secrets. This time, however, it seemed that Naruto wasn't bothered at all by his weakness. She only nodded and walked inside, Naruto cheerfully following her, speaking at a hundred words a minute. She couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with the boy walking beside her.

(Scene Change, POV Change, a little later)

He was happy to say the least. He had a friend; at least he thinks he did. He never had one before so Hinata was his first friend, he thinks. Naruto doesn't really think that a literacy lesson counted as a sign of friendship, but at this point, he would take anything. Now, the class was back in session, the teacher specifically picking on Naruto to read certain parts of the book, knowing that he is unable to. During the entire lesson, however, he doesn't allow his carefully prepared façade fall to pieces. He reads all he can, stopping where he can't and looking slightly sheepish before someone reads the word for him. Naruto couldn't help but notice that three students were watching him carefully. Aburame Shino, Nara Shikamaru, and his new "friend" Hyuuga Hinata gazed suspiciously as he read. He figured that they were surprised about his improvement on this reading and did not bat an eye towards them.

Inside the costume, Naruto was fighting a losing battle. "Keeping this up is harder than I thought. It would help if I knew what cheerfulness really was so I can fake it properly but this will have to do for now. By the looks of things, it's working like a charm. Nobody really notices that something is wrong. If I can keep this up, they will never have to know how I really am." Naruto was mentally struggling to keep the mask solid, but on the outside, his face holds no traces of anything except what he wants them to see.

The lesson he was reading aloud was actually interesting to him. It was about the uses of chakra. From what he can read, chakra is a mixture of physical and mental energies. It can be used for speed boosts, power boosts, and bracing for impacts. It can be also used in ninjutsu and genjutsu. It is used in taijutsu only if the user needs to use it. Ninjutsu and genjutsu are cast by the use of hand-seals. The hand-seals are based on the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and they all have their own specific strengths and weaknesses. The hand-seals mold chakra in a specific way to make certain things occur. The techniques can be as simple as a transparent clone, or as advanced as a fire dragon, depending on which seals are used to cast it.

The gears turned in Naruto's head. He thought of the ways he can reinforce his façade and how he can use this information to help him. He also needed to release the stress of maintaining the façade somehow. He was interrupted as a paper wad connected with the back of his skull. Then, the idea came to him. "I can become a prankster, it's a good way to release stress and get back at the people who are mean to me, meaning everyone except Hokage-oji-san and Hinata-san. I can also use this chakra stuff to help me perform the pranks as well as run away from the stupid villagers. The pranks will be semi-harmless; even if they deserve it, I can't hurt them too badly. My first target will be… Iruka-sensei!"

(A little later)

The bell rang as Naruto struggled with an especially hard word for a beginner. The instant the bell rang, Iruka ran to the door to block the way out as he gave the assignment. "A one-page summary; It's not like I'm going to do it. The way I see it, Iruka-sensei would probably accuse me of cheating if I did do it. I might as well start getting back at a few of the villagers. Speaking of which…" Naruto snuck silently behind his desk and rummaged through the drawers to see what he can work with. "Training kunai, some glue; an exploding tag and some weights; also, there is some odango he probably left over from lunch; this is going to be fun…"

(End Chapter)

Translations:

-kun: Honorific attached to the and of a name. Symbolizes familiarity and affection. Used mostly for boys.

Honto: Really

Ninjutsu: Ninja arts, usually uses chakra to create or destroy something to the user's advantage.

Genjutsu: Illusion arts, user casts illusions to confuse the enemy and make the target easier to attack.

Taijutsu: Physical arts, martial arts. User uses stamina to perform powerful and somewhat acrobatic maneuvers to attack or defend.

Odango: Sweet balls of fried dough, usually coated in syrup. (Yummy )

(End Translations)

A/N: My first cliffhanger; I feel evil today. I tried making it longer but I was feeling evil so CLIFFHANGER! I have something planned with these items. Let's see if you can guess. I thank all my reviewers again for their positive reviews. See you next time!