Chapter 2: 'New Student'
He felt his stomach churning with regrets, not only because he had to wake up early, eyelids occasionally dropping down from drowsiness, but also because he missed his breakfast for the very first time on that particular school year.
Naruto marched towards the window, intending to scan the entire school ground for even the slightest trace of one of his friends. He was prevented to put his idea into action by his sister, who was strutting across the field. And to his observation, Sakura—her name—was obviously far from happy.
Turning his back on the scene below him, he gave out a huge sigh, almost expecting that the heavy feeling inside him would also fade away.
Naruto's day didn't turn out the way he hoped it would, especially when he saw his mother walking across the grounds, smile across her face and both arms swaying on her sides.
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Ugh. What the hell is that sound? Couldn't somebody make it stop!? For heaven's sake, could somebody just plea--!
Oh. It's just my cellphone. FLIPALARM CLOCK Who on earth had set this damn alarm clock!? And it's only 2:30 am! Who in their right mind would do such unreasonable thing!? This is just too mauch.
Oh, I did it. I forgot. Shame on me. But, why did I. . .Why did I. . .? Right. Mom called last night telling me a new sister would be coming home. And that I should prepare foods and stuff like that. But I didn't.
Anyway, I should take a bath now before anybody wakes up. I don't want to see anyone, or want anyone see me, especially Mom. She's the last person I want to--.
"Mom?" I looked at her back as she was washing some teacups on the sink.
She wasn't looking at me, but I knew, or perhaps I thought I did, anger was written all over her face.
I cleared my throat, dismissing the idea that Mom was intentionally ignoring me. Starting again, I said, "Uh. . . Mom? It's rather unlikely for you to wake up this early. Can't sleep?"
"I should I ask you the same question, Naru-chan." Kurenai, his mother said, making use of his pet name. He should be happy, but he felt the opposite way. It was intended to be sarcastic.
"Yes, of course." He forced himself to smile. "Jiraiya-sensei is kind of rushing things off this week, so my schedule is somewhat crammed with different academic stuffs."
"And?"
". . . 'And' what?"
"And that's also the same reason—or should I say 'lie' for what happened last night?"
Shoot. This is the moment of truth.
I wet my lips, at the same time wishing that if only I could evaporate, or liquefy that moment, I would have done it earlier without arriving at this point.
"No.I mean, it's not a lie." I do not know what to speak, but then. . . I discovered that I really have nothing to say. "I got to take a bath now, or else waking up this early would mean nothing. Talk to you later, Mom."
"Breakfast will be ready in a minute, Naru-chan. It wouldn't hurt much if you wait a little longer, would it?"
It wasn't a quick bath, the one I took I mean. I felt so weird when I was inside the bathroom that I wanted to smash the mirror where I could see my reflection, and then shatter the glass door. However, I didn't because I shouldn't.
When I went out of the bathroom and proceeded to the dining area, I saw not a living thing. Well, except for the tiny plant placed adjacent to our refrigerator.
"No breakfast after all, huh?" I whispered to myself.
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"But dammit, turn it upside-down, you ate the very last chip I had!" the plump teenager's face was flaming red when he said—or screamed these words.
"So? What's the big deal?" Shikamaru, a guy whose hair was tied up in a pony tail replied coolly.
Snap. The fat guy's anger shot up into the sky, if possible. "You monster-looking dumb dobe, you should be apologizing by now!"
"And why would I apologize?" He said while grinning sarcastically.
"You ate my chips, which is my property, without my consent. And for you to say sorry is the end of the tale. Now, spit it out!"
"Dream on, Chouji. I'm not the one who should end this so-called tale." Collected and calm as ever.
"There's no other 'Shikamaru' in this room you know." Chouji was very determined to outwit the guy in front of him.
But then, his hopes were crushed unexpectedly the moment he saw a silly grin escaped from Shikamaru's lips. "Oh. And I thought you're smart enough to consider Neji-san as another 'Shikamaru'. He ate your chips"
"What's the point--!"
"Alright, class. What is this all about?" Their teacher, whom they called Jiraiya-sensei, walked right in their classroom, with both hands jammed in his pockets.
Giving out a huge sigh, he shifted from his position and offered a hand to an unknown entity which was half-hidden behind the wall.
"You know guys, you never disappoint me in giving new students bad impressions about this class."
Like magic, which everyone knew was not, a girl with long pitch-black locks walked in. She had those eyes that everyone took as sad and stressed out. But Naruto was reminded with a different thing: emptiness.
"Okay. This is Uzumaki Hinata. . . ," he paused a bit declaring a small hesitation, but then continued, "And she is Naruto's younger sister."