Naruto gripped the handle bars watching Misaki and Hikaru almost get trashed in the battle. Times like these drove Naruto crazy, he couldn't do anything to protect Misaki, no matter how much he wanted to. Though, she was above and beyond in best friend standards, Naruto knew he would die if he allowed Misaki into the Leaf Village, only to have them kill her for either being with him or being accused of treason. They could bite him…they could just fucking bite him.
Misaki knew everything about Naruto, as Naruto did she. Including the accursed demon who lived inside of him, to Naruto's amusement and amazement, the deomon was actually quite fond of Misaki and had reached an understanding with him because of her. It was the first day he met Misaki that changed his life, gave him a reason to live, gave Kyuubi a reason to be sane, and it was for those reasons and so much more that they vowed that together, they'd annihilate any threat to Misaki. When Naruto told Misaki about the village a couple days after they met, she was outraged and demanded to see the council. In response, Naruto just held her close all night, and she fell asleep pounding weakly into his chest.
Even today, Misaki still wanted to go to the accursed place. It wasn't that Naruto didn't appreciate Misaki's concern, he just didn't want her to get hurt on his account. Naruto smiled when Misaki won the match.
"WINNER: HIKARU!!" The announcer yelled. Misaki's friends, Tomoyo and the annoying bluehaired guy, came out to hug her, but something was wrong. Notcing the lithe girl sway, Naruto jumped from the bleachers and caught her before she hit the ground. Ignoring her friends and the crowd, Naruto rushed her to the first aid tent.
4hrs Later
"Gomen ne Naruto-chan. I overdid it again." Misaki smiled weakly.
"Dammit Misaki, I told you not to do anything strenuous without my help! The doctors said you shouldn't be excercising, it's not like you need to. Infact, the doctor said you have to gain weight!!" Naruto exclaimed. It wasn't an exaggeration, Misaki seriously couldn't of weighed more than 50lbs, so not only was she tiny, but she was also very frail. She was diagnosed with Anemia when she was five; NAruto had been there to heard it, making him even more protective of her.
"I know…I just wanted you to be proud of me, I want everyone to be proud." She panted. "Where are Kataro (I think that's his name) and Tomoe?"
"I threw them out." He said bluntly.
"What-"
"They were noisy, hazardous, and Tomoe wouldn't stop being jealous of you. Not to mention, the creepy Icchan guy and his son came in here earlier, and they nearly pulled out your IV. Your mom and aunt are coming by, but they have to keep quiet." Naruto stated, leaving no room for argument.
Misaki smiled, used to her friend's protectiveness and possesiveness. "Thank you for the concern Naruto-chan, but don't you think you were pretty harsh?"
"Nope." Was his reply. Misaki noticed he had a kunai in his hand, and was looking at the door as if it was going to eat them. Misaki smiled, closing her eyes…remembering hor she first met him.
PAST
Shivering, a tiny six-year old girl huddled helplessly in a tree stump as the storm raged on outside. Her grandparents had ent her out to pick berries for a cobbler she was going to learn how to make, the storm hit an hour after she passed, and due to the thickness of the brush, she got lost. It was now dark, she was cold, hungry, and was terrified. As she was about to get herself out of the tree, she spotted something coming toward her. It was dark, and the creature was obviously dark colored, but after a closer look, Misaki plaed considerably. It was a very rare, yet very dangerous Asiatic Black bear. As majestic as the creatures were, her grandfather said that they never pass up human prey. Realizing, she was in trouble, Misaki hid herself as far into the tree as possible. Unfortunatly, the bear had already picked up her scent and followed it to the tree stump. Sniffling it for a moment, the bear started pawing and scratching it, but when it broke through the hollow, Misaki couldn't hold it in anymore, she screamed.
"AAAAGGHH!" She screamed as loud as she could. The sonic waves threw the bear off guard, giving Misaki time to go further in to the burrow. But now the bear was pissed, he wanted Misaki for supper. "AAAAGH!!" She cried helpslessly, as the claw got closer. Just as the bear stuck it's head in, it was pulled out. Misaki didn't move, but she sure heard a struggle outside. Snarls were thrown, claws were drawn, and she could tell a battle was on. As much as she wanted to see, Misaki knew it would be wise for her to stay in the stump. After hearing a cry from the bear, she heard its heavy thumping running away. Curious as to what saved her, she peeked out and was shocked.
There stood a boy, no older or younger than her, soaked from the rain, his clothes in tatters, yet there was no wound on him. Misaki climbed out of the tree to get a closer look, and gasped, he was beautiful. Cerulian blue eyes, sunny blonde hair, perfectly tanned skin, and the lok of pure fearlessness on his face. The boy turned to Misaki and looked at her, after a moment of starting, the boy collapsed, catching one last glimpse on the person he saved.
Several hours had past, and yet the boy hadn't moved, but neither did Misaki. Despite the obvious difference in sizes with them, Misaki being half his size, she managed to bring him home to her grandparents house. After a huge welcome back and lecture, the grandparents took the blonde, cleaned him up, and layed him on the couch. Misaki hadn't moved since. Finally, after 5hrs of sleeping, the boy twitched and slowly opened his eyes. Blinking, he took in his surroundings, he noticed he was in a small house, with a lot of old furniture. Looking down, he almost jumped. There was the same girl he saved, sleeping in an awkward position, on the floor, with her head, resting on the couch.
Misaki blinked and the bo froze. Looking up, the boy got a reaction he never thought he'd see in his life; tears and smile. "Yokatta!!" She exclaimed hugging him, tackling him to the couch. "Grandma! Grandpa! He's awake!!" Turning to the stupefied boy, "I'm Misaki, what's your name? Thanks for saving me!!"
"…I'm Naruto." He said carefully. Only to get another hug, which confused him even more. "You don't hate me?"
"No. Why would I" Misaki asked.
Naruto was very quiet at first. He barely spoke or ate with them, and snuck scraps after the family had finished their meals. After a couple days, the grandparents were fed up with his behavior and called for Social Services. But Misaki wouldn't have it.
"NO!" She stood in front of Naruto glaring her hardest at the social worker. Eveyrone was in awe, especially Naruto. HE had expected the family to get rid of him anyhow, so why was Misaki interfering? "I don't want Naruto to go! He's my friend! He saved my life!!"
Her grandfather sighed. "Misaki, it's best if Naruto went with the woman."
"NO! Naruto's staying here! If he goes, then I go!" She stood defiantly. The social worker was getting annoyed and walked forward.
"Listen. Your friend obviously doesn't come from a good home, and I need to take him somewhere safe." The woman said.
Misaki just glared harder. "NO! You're lying! You don't care what happens to Naruto! You just want to get this over with as soon as possible!" Now the social worker was pissed. Roughly grabbing Misaki arm, the little girl shrieked. "OW!"
"Now listen here you-" A punch cut the woman off abruptly. Sent a couple feet back, the woman looked forward to see Naruto glaring menacingly at her, and standing in front of Misaki.
"Leave her alone." He growled.
Now the woman was prepared to kill. "Listen brats, this is what's going to happen.-"
"No. This is what's going to happen." Misaki's grandfather stood up and stepped in front of the children. Turning to the boy, "Naruto, I'm sorry we tried to send you away. We don't know where your from or when you'll leave us, but you have to promise me and my wife one thing: protect Misaki. We all trust you."The blonde boy, looked back behind him. Misaki was still sniffling with her grandma cradling her.
With determination rising in his voice, Naruto turned back to the old man. "I promise."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~`PRESENT
Misaki smiled at the memories. Naruto had told her about the nine-tails and Konoha a couple days later, but instead of finding it repulsive, Misaki found Kyuubi extremely cool. Even with the deaths of the villagers in mind, Misaki stated that the villagers must've done something to hurt Kyuubi, otherwise he wouldn't have attacked. The demon was amused, and very touched by Misaki's words. Due to the commonality of Misaki, Naruto and Kyuubi were now almost always in perfect sync with each other. She was glad they found peace with each other. But sometimes, Naruto's reactions were just too much.
"Um…Naruto?" The boy turned to her. "Could I have some ice cream?"
Sighing. He picked the girl carefully up, and shifted her onto his back. Jumping out the window, and landing in a tree, he turned to Misaki. "Where to?
"Peach Wave!!" She cheered. Sighing again, Naruto complied. The girl always did like her frozen yogurt.
