I awoke early the next morning to stare at my annoying alarm clock. Feeling like slamming it into the wall but knowing I couldn't afford to buy another one, I groaned and hit the off button.
Sitting up and rubbing the back of my head sheepishly, I looked around through my blurry morning vision and found my calendar. I stumbled over to it and looked at the dates marked out my large red 'x's up to one date. I stared at the box labeled '23' for awhile, trying to bring back memories of what was going to happen that day.
"Kit, its Monday."
Monday…I thought slowly. School! I immediately broke into a mad dash around the room, dressing into my familiar orange jumpsuit.
Kyuubi was having a ball in his little prison called my mind. "Wow, you sure are slow today."
Shut up, I snapped, continuing to grab things needed for class: kunais, shurikens, etc. I glanced back at the clock: 8:50 am. Breakfast…I pleaded with myself. I sighed at the prospect of no food this morning. Oh well. Guess that just means a larger lunch. I smiled to myself as I ran out the door.
My stomach continued to grumble through class, causing me to receive looks from everyone else, except Hinata of course, that I knew would have phrases like: 'Seriously!' and 'Just shut up!' to go with them. Hinata only looked at me concerned, her normal blush already lighting up her face despite the early hour.
I stared at the bag at my feet and remembered the letter taped to my door this morning. I sighed impatiently. There was no way I could wait through this boring class to open that envelope.
Quietly, I unzipped my bag and pulled it out, careful to keep it underneath the table so Iruka-sensei wouldn't expect anything. I slowly ripped the edge and pulled out the piece of paper that was folded inside.
Naruto-
I want to apologize for my earlier actions.
I was just so surprised that you had been living like that.
I'm very concerned for...
I just wanted to...
*sigh*
Okay, I just want to see you in person again.
I need to know...
I want to find out if my hunch is true.
Are you my...
I just need to answer the question inside my head.
Please, I can't sleep...
Leave your letter outside your doorstep tomorrow.
-Hanako
"Talk about having trouble writing a letter!" Kyuubi roared.
Shut up, I growled, realizing the truth. She really is my sister…
"Or she's trying to kidnap you."
You really do think the worst of people, don't you?
"I'm just trying to protect you, Kit."
Well I don't need your help; thank you very much, I mentally told him sarcastically. He sighed.
"Naruto, since you seem to be paying so much attention, why don't you answer the question on the board up here."
"Huh?" I asked, looking up. The rest of the class laughed. Hinata didn't do anything but stare at me with an encouraging look and a wide blush across her face.
Iruka-sensei began to message his temple. "Okay Naruto, after class." The laughter became even louder. I sunk back into my seat.
Hinata leaned over and whispered, "Good luck."
I smiled back at her. "Thanks. I'm probably going to need it."
I dragged my feet along the dirt road on my way home. I really didn't need an hour long lecture from Iruka-sensei, I complained to myself.
"I think it's about time somebody set your head on straight."
Whose side are you on?
He chuckled. "Whichever side gives you a better future."
I sighed. I really don't think I need to know all about this complicated chakra stuff to become a ninja. All I need to learn are Jutsus.
"Believe me. Someday you're going to be thanking Iruka that he gave you that speech. It was actually very simple."
Yeah, this coming from the 100 year old fox?
He burst out laughing. "Okay, I see your point. But who said I was 100 years old? Don't tell me you've actually been paying attention in class…"
We both laughed at that. Maybe, I replied, and ran up the stairs to my apartment. But there was someone else there that I didn't expect to see.
A/N: ok, i kno most of u are thinking this was a filler chapter and it kinda was but i left u w/ a nice cliffie so b happy ^^ can any1 guess who the person is? he, he. write ur guess in ur reviews. i'm serious, I DO READ THEM! ok, on w/ the review treat of the day: apple pie! =P yum.
SO REVIEW! ~SleepyFox
