Please read and review and if you like this story, look at my profile and look at my other ones. And to set the record straight, I am not Marie.
Chapter 2
3 years later, when I was 10 and Naruto was 8, I graduated from the ninja academy with my present team, Raze and Toby. Nobody was there for me except Naruto, and he wasn't really welcome at the ceremony. After the ceremony, I went over to his usual spot, the swing hanging from that tree branch, where he watched the event from a distance.
I smiled happily at him. "I made it, Naruto-kun! Now, I wanna see you graduate, ok?"He scooted over to make a spot for me on the swing, and I gladly sat.
He groaned out of frustration. "But I feel like I won't ever get into Iruka-Sensei's class!! I barely know how to throw a kunai knife straight!"
I patted him on the back. "Is that any way for the future Hokage to be speaking?? I think not!" I truly believed in his dream of becoming the Hokage of Konoha; I had no doubt. "I can always help you out, you know that."
Naruto's frown turned into that trademark boyish smile. "You're right! I will be the next Hokage! Then I'll get the respect of everyone and they won't make fun of me or hate me anymore!!" He jumped from the swing and stood up dramatically, pointing a finger up towards the Hokage's office. "Look out, old man!! I'm here to take your spot!!"
I smacked him in the back of the head, making him fall to the ground almost instantly. "How many times have I told you not to refer to Sarutobi-Sama like that?! It's either Hokage-Sama, The Third, or Sarutobi-Sama!! Show some respect!"
He groaned as he rubbed his head (a few hours later, there was a huge knot). "Damn, Marie!! You and that unhuman strength!!"
"It's for your own good,"I assured Naurto, helping the pained young boy off the ground.
"Marie!!"Another young boy's voice called out. I turned to see Raze, at this time, 11, running in my direction. He was so thin, about Naruto's size, but he had this look in his eyes. It was like he worried a lot, but that probably came from because he was so shy. Raze loved to wear black, which I think he should've changed every now and then. The color of his hair was chesnut brown, and it kinda made him look more cute than he actually was. I'm not saying he's ugly, but I really didn't favor his looks. I kinda suck at describing, so I think I'll stop here.
"Hey, Raze. What's up?"I asked, helping Naruto keep his balance while he complained about how lightheaded he was and how bad his head hurt.
"Um..."He blushed, which he always did when he talked to me; in addition to being shy, he was insecure. "I...I just wanted to congratulate you!"He smiled, and that was one of the things that I thought made him look cute, along with his hair. But that smile faded a little when he noticed that Naruto was clinging to me. "Oh..am I interrupting something?"I noticed his voice turned a little colder.
"No, no, not at all!" I replied, deciding not to react to how quick his demeanor changed. "Is that all you want to say,Raze?"
"Uh...just about.."This time, it sounded like he was disappointed "Oh, and I can't wait to work on the team with you! Don't forget, training starts tomorrow!"With that, he ran of in the direction of his mother.
"Naruto? Can you stand up now?"I asked, ready to let him go.
"Yeah...I think so.."Naruto confirmed, letting me go and adjusting his goggles that had moved out of their place when I hit him.
"Let's go home, then..."I was scanning the crowd for Toby, my other team member, but I didn't find him. He always was the type to leave as soon as something was over.
"Wait!! Shouldn't we get some Ichiraku ramen first?! Ya know, to celebrate?!"He stood in front of me and waved his hands crazily to block my way until I agreed. There was one problem with that, though. We didn't have money, so we had to run off as soon as we finished our food.
