A/N: Hey guys! So I kinda-sorta didn't really know how things worked last time, so I didn't have an Author's note. But this time I do so it's all good. Anyway, I just have a couple of things to say. A) I'm completely making this up as I go with only a plot good enough to make a story, so you know as much about what will happen as I do. B) this is my first story or really writing anything outside of school papers which I do not do the best on. C) the only thing I can guarantee for an update schedule is once a month at least. Maybe more. And finally D) I wanna here what you guys can think up of for a plot so that maybe I can get ideas. Everything helps! But try to stay away from stuff that happens a lot in fan fictions.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Also, as some people may have noticed, i have updated like 4 times since i posted this the first time. I have only one real reason for this. I put the chapter up as soon as I finish it without bothering to reread it or profread it. so sorry about that
Disclaimer: I, thankfully for all of you, do not own Naruto
He really didn't want to go along with the idea. It sounded kind of stupid to be honest. Why would they take another test for no reason other then to take it?
"Why?" Naruto asked him, "Why should we take an extra test?"
Mizuki gave a friendly smile. "Well I assumed that you three would appreciate being on the same team
Naruto's line of thinking faltered at that and he glanced to his two companions. The one on his right was Itachi with his usual stoic mask on, but if one knew him well enough, they could see the curiosity in his eyes. On his left was possibly his and Itachi's only other friend. Akira, an orphan who ended up choosing the ninja life because of lack of options in jobs.
Akira, unlike Naruto and Itachi, did not have family problems. This could be for a variety of reasons, but the main reason why is because she is an orphan from the Kyuubi attack 10 years prior that killed her parents. She is even shorter then Naruto or Itachi, standing at 4'9". She has flat white hair that reached to just below her shoulder blades, so about even with Itachi's ponytail. Her face, unlike her friends, did not have any marking or special characteristic except for its lean look. Her eyes, a striking emerald green, could pick up even the slightest muscle movement do to hours of training. She wore a simple almost skin tight short sleeve black shirt that showed off her budding breasts over a long sleeve mesh armor top and a simple dark blue skirt. Her outfit was completed with the orange and black shin guards she wore.
Akira wasn't sure what to make of the whole situation, but hearing that they could be on the same team with just one measly test she found herself quickly on board with the idea.
"Come on Naruto. Let's do the test. Wouldn't it be great to be on the same team?"
Mizuki smiled while Naruto wavered in his decision. 'But should we trust Mizuki? Why is he only asking us? What's in it for him?'
"But why are only-" Naruto started only to get cut off by Itachi giving his decision.
"We should do it Naruto. It may prove good for us."
Naruto looked at his friend, shocked for a moment, before understanding came to him.
'So he doesn't trust Mizuki either. But what about Akira, does she?' A quick glance at her and he could at least see the slight mistrust in her eyes. 'Does she know, or does she just not believe it's possible?' Sighing, he turned to Mizuki and gave him a strained smile?
"Well seeing as I'm outnumbered, I guess we will take your test."
Mizuki smiled back, seemingly not noticing the fake smile. "Excellent! Now, about the test...
Having gotten all the details on the "test" from Mizuki, Naruto sighed.
"Does he really find us that desperate and stupid, or did we just miss something really important?" Akira asked as she climbed up the tree after the two boys.
"That's what I'm wondering." Naruto responded. 'I mean, he can't really expect the rookie of the year and the human lie detector to not notice something. Can he?'
"Not likely." Itachi chimed in stoically.
"Yeah well whatever. I say that the bastard will get get what's coming to him sooner or later." Akira said while jumping up the last few branches of the tree to her traditional spot. Naruto and Itachi were right above/next to her because of how the branches on the tree were. Naruto was to her right and Itachi on her right.
"Gah. I just wanna forget about the jackass." Naruto complained rolling over his branch so he was hanging on by only his legs.
Itachi chuckled and Akira giggled at their friend's antics.
"So why did you guys wanna come here?"
The sudden question seemed to put an immediate damper on the mood. Akira turned her head away nervously. "W-well we thought t-that it would be...umm.."
Itachi sighed at her embarrassment. "She is trying to say we wanted to celebrate your birthday today, especially considering we graduated."
Now Naruto found it his turn to look embarrassed, face turning red quickly under the thought of them remembering 'Unlike a certain group of people.' Naruto gritted his teeth for a second at that, but soon was back to looking away in embarrassment. Yet, no matter how fast it came and went, both Itachi and Akira noticed the shift in demeanor for that second. Itachi just sighed and Akira bit her bottom lip a little nervously.
"You guys don't have to do that," Naruto started, completely ignoring the looks he had just gotten from his friends. "I mean, you don't have to go out of your way for me."
Itachi just shook his head as Akira bopped the red haired child on the head for that comment.
"Idiot! We want to. Did you ever think of that?" She asked her eyes showing righteous fury.
"Yeah, but I mean come on. You guys don't have to worry about me. I'm fine without a birthday. I don't really want anything" Naruto said. 'Except for maybe my family's notice'.
Itachi just sighed, "Well you're right in that we can't stay long. At least I can't. So here is your present." Itachi said, tossing him a small box wrapped in blue paper. Naruto started shaking it, trying to figure out what it was. "Just open it Naruto." Said person just laughed and scratched his head sheepishly.
He carefully undid the paper, being careful not to rip it. When he finally got all the paper off and had opened the box he pulled out a scroll. Curious, he unrolled it only to. Gasp in shock.
"Y-you didn't have to Itachi."
Itachi kept his face stoic, but one could see the mirth in his eyes. "Well you had wanted one for a while."
Naruto gave small, genuine smile. "Thank you Itachi." The boy just nodded in response.
"Hey, hey, hey! What is it?" Akira busted in on the moment, not able to contain her curiosity any longer.
Naruto just shook his head. "You'll find out later Akira. Don't worry."
"Well why not now? Is it really gonna make a difference?"
Naruto took a moment to seemingly think about this.
"Alright," he said and Akira lit up in excitement, "it is..."
She leaned forward, not able to completely cover her excitement.
"A secret." Was his anti-climatic response. She faltered at that, then huffed.
"Fine. Don't tell me. I don't wanna know anyway." She said as she looked away.
"Aww, don't be that way Akira-chan. At least give me my present." Naruto said, knowing she doesn't like the chan ending.
She huffed again. "Fine. But only if Itachi leaves."
Now it was Naruto's turn to falter. "What? But w-?"
"That's fine. I actually had to get going anyway." Itachi interrupted as he stood up. "I'll see you two tomorrow at our normal training grounds, yes?"
The two just nodded before he jumped off the tree.
"See ya later Itachi!" Naruto shouted down. Itachi just waved lazily over his shoulder before dashing away in a burst of speed.
Naruto immediately turned back to Akira. "So, what did you get me?" He asked, trying to not appear to curious but, of course, failing miserably.
She stifled giggle at her friend's mature and cool act. While around strangers and people he doesn't like he may be good at appearing calm, cool, and collected, but with friends he could never hide even his simplest thoughts. He was just to much of an open book to those he trusted.
Instead she pulled out a scroll. "Huh? You got me a sealing scroll? Thanks, but you know I can make tons of these right?"
She resisted the sudden urge to face palm. The red haired child in front of her sure was dense at times.
"No. It's not 'just' a sealing scroll you idiot." She said before giving it to him. "I just found it easier to carry what I got you in there rather then by hand."
Naruto's mouthed an 'oh' in understanding before unraveling the scroll and channeling chakra into the seal.
A puff of smoke later and Naruto was in shock. There, in his arms, was something he didn't think anyone knew he liked. The object that popped out of the scroll wasn't all that impressive actually, but to him it was the very idea that that she knew that shocked him. She had gotten him a flute. A simple flute yes, but a good flute none the less. It was a metal flute that was colored a dark grey, a stark difference from the peerless white pieces that lined it. He just stared at the piece in his arms in shock for a minute before turning to the person who got it.
"But how'd you know?" Was all he could get out.
Akira just gave him a small smile. "Anyone who knows you knows what you like, and between a violin and flute I figured a flute would work better into a ninja life. I don't know how good you are with them, but it's as good a time as any to learn."
He smiled at her. "Yeah, I'm not that good. I've never had a chance to really play before, only listen to other people."
"Yeah. Well, I gotta get going to. Don't forget to practice. I'm gonna want to hear you play it soon."
He gave a giant smile at that. "You just wait. I'm gonna become so good that you beg me to play."
She grinned up at him from the top of the water. "Well then Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, I can't wait till then." She shouted up before she started running to shore.
"Yeah! You'll see! I'll do it!" He shouted after her, a smile on his face.
After she disappeared from view into trees, he let his smile drop. 'I wonder if they even know I'm not at home? Or maybe that it wasn't just Natsumi's and Ayako's birthday yesterday?' He leaned back, contemplating his family and his relationship with them. 'Not like either of us have really reached out to each other. After the twins were born I thought it would be best to stay out of the way. So I guess it is partly my fault. But later on, why couldn't they accept my advances to reconnect. Saying things along the lines of "I'm busy" only make sense for so long. I wish...I wish they didn't completely lock me out the family like they did. But then there is also...
Naruto stayed there just contemplating his non-existent relationship with his family until long after the sun had set and the moon had come up. Finally focusing his eyes however, he noticed the stars in the sky. 'Shit.' He thought, 'I have to get up early tomorrow too'. Getting up he quickly raced throughout the empty streets back to his house.
Finally getting home, he opened the door. "I'm home." He said a little louder then his normal voice volume, but he dared not yell and wake up whoever was asleep.
Minato's head poked around the wall of the kitchen at that. "Oh," he said not even trying to hide the surprise in his voice, "We thought you were sleeping already."
Naruto gritted his teeth. 'Really? And you couldn't even check?'. But instead of yelling at Minato about his incompetence as a father, he just forced a smile. "Nope. I was just out and lost track of the time. I'm actually going to bed right now."
"Alright. See you tomorrow then." Minato responded, quickly disappearing back into the kitchen.
Naruto just sighed and shook his head at the blatant not caring by his father before heading up to his bedroom.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen (btw, I'm not gonna give a description of Kushina and Minato. Mostly because I suck at describing and because I can't find a good way to put it in)
"Who was that?" Kushina asked as her husband walked back into the kitchen.
Minato sighed before taking a sip from his cup of sake. "It was Naruto. Apparently he was still out."
Kushina gasped at that. "But what about telling us he was going out?"
Minato shook his head and sighed again. "He didn't tell me anything. What about you?" Kushina's response was a simple shake of the head.
They stood there for a minute after that revelation, each nursing their drinks. Kushina a glass of wine and Minato a cup of sake.
Minato spoke up after a minute. "I'm concerned about his attitude, Kushina. I think we spoil him to much."
Kushina looked at him for a minute before asking, "How so?"
"Well, think about it. We let him have to much freedom at being so young."
She nodded at that, he always did seem to come and go whenever.
"Then," he continued, "there is missing all of the family outings together. Like yesterday when we went to the sushi place (not giving it a name)."
Again, Kushina nodded at seeing how he was right.
"And he has everything he could possibly want. Everything must've gone to his head. I mean, can you think of some other reason why he acts like he does, like he doesn't have responsibilities?"
Kushina thought about it for a minute before slowly shaking her head in the negative. "You're right." She started, "We should stop this before it becomes too much of a problem. I think we should start with taking away his freedom to come and go as he pleases without telling us."
Minato gulped down the rest of his sake after her idea. "I agree. But let's bring it up tomorrow. I don't think it would be productive to go and tell him now."
She nodded in agreement and sauntered over to him, swaying her hips sensually. "Well since all the serious business is over," she leaned in, her breath smelling of the wine she drunk and breathed against his ear, "Why don't we get to the serious business."
She giggled at Minato's baffled look before dragging him out of the kitchen, leaving the empty glasses and bottles where they were.
After they left, a figure stepped out of the shadows behind the kitchen wall, his bright blue eyes alight with righteous fury. 'What did they say I am?' Naruto thought. 'They said I was fucking spoiled?! Well screw them too! They can't just come up with some idea like this and punish me with no evidence!' Naruto was glad he went back down to say goodnight to them, without his trying to be nice he would've been screwed over in the morning when his parents jumped him about his 'problem'. No. Naruto wasn't going to stay around for that. He wasn't gonna be there to be told they were taking the one thing they gave to him. His freedom.
He was leaving for the night. He would show up after he explained his new situation to his friends. 'Fucking idiots. Punishing me for nothing.'
With that final thought, he grabbed his bag, opened the door, and walked out. When he got to the gate he left without even turning back, not realizing that would be one of the last times he would get to see his home.
More A/N!
Alright, quick update I know. But I'm just so excited about people liking something I made. So I just have one request really, tell me what you thought of this chapter compared to the last one. Was it as well written or worse is my only real curiosity. That's what I'm afraid of, having my writing drop in quality.
Anyway, thanks for reading and thanks to everyone who followed or favorited this!