Chapter 2: Revelations with a happier mood
(AN): YO! Thank you for the reviews and critiques. Hanmac, you pointed out some good questions, and if you want to know the answers, then keep reading! I do not own Naruto, only my thoughts.
Again, if anyone has an OC they want in this story, please let me know!
On with the show!
~The Morning after the Nine Tails Festival~
As Naruto was typically a late sleeper (thanks to the Nine Tails sealed inside him), the class took the chance to learn what Shikamaru had surmised before Iruka would begin class. "Alright," he began, "All we know for sure are that: 1, something's obviously bothering Naruto; 2, it has to be very serious; 3, the villagers attacked his apartment last night during the festival, after he had been cooped up for days; and 4, his eighth birthday was at midnight last night."
"Wait, did you say it was his eighth birthday? Hasn't the festival only been going on for eight years?" Kiba asked.
"For once, Kiba, you're right. That means there could be a connection between the Nine Tails attack and Naruto's birthday. But what about why the villagers attack him when he walks down the street, or for that matter, why they went and wrecked his apartment?" Shikamaru said to the group. "I think it's obvious we're missing a big piece of information. I vote we grill Iruka-sensei for it. Any objections?"
"Actually, Shikamaru, I have one." Everyone turned around to see Iruka standing at the front of the class. "There is a very strict law to never speak of what happened that night, punishable by death."
"But why?!" Shikamaru asked, completely astounded.
"That would be telling, and I rather like living, thank you very much."
"Sensei, we are all really worried about Naruto! This isn't like him at all! Unless we know what's really going on, we can't help him! Please, Iruka-sensei, please tell us!" Sakura nearly shouted.
Iruka sighed, hating every moment of this. "I can't say any details. What I'm about to tell you, Naruto himself doesn't even know: 1, the Forth saved his life the night he was born; 2, his mother and father both thought it was for the best when they were dying; 3, he had no choice in the matter; and 4, every villager must follow the law of silence on the issue. Shikamaru, these facts are all connected in more ways than one. I trust you to say what I am not allowed to."
Everyone in the room stood there in silence, waiting for Shikamaru to say something. After what seemed like an hour (but was only fifteen minutes), Shikamaru's head snapped up in realization. "Don't mean… that, do you? How could they do that!? To a new born child, no less! Is that why it disappeared that night!?"
Iruka could only hang his head. "Unfortunately, his mother also bore it, as did the First's wife."
"Then those attacks last night were because of that!? My god. How could that man, of all people, do that to his own son!? And Naruto doesn't even know!?"
"Shikamaru, what is it?" Sasuke asked, extremely worried.
Shikamaru took a deep breath, and shakily said, "The Fourth sealed the Nine Tails inside of Naruto, his own son. The villagers know that part, but what they don't know about him being the Fourth's son. On top of all that, they only see the demon sealed inside him. Dammit! There's no way in hell we can go public with this. If this gets out, Naruto will be hunted down by every enemy of the Fourth, and that's a hell of a lot of people."
"So then, what do we do?" Ino asked.
"I don't know, but think we should at least let Naruto know. He's the one living with it, then he has a right to know about it." Shikamaru said firmly
The moment Shikamaru stopped speaking, Naruto opened the door to the classroom. "I'm sorry I'm late, Iruka-sensei," Naruto said with cast down eyes.
"Hey, Naruto, you feeling okay?" Iruka asked.
"I'm just tired. I'll go sit in the corner as punishment for being late." Naruto said quietly.
"No, no punishment. I haven't started the lesson yet, so you're not late. Did you bring the assignments like I asked?"
Naruto slowly walked to the front desk and placed a packet of work on top. Iruka looked through it quickly and said, "These are all correct… Naruto, I can honestly say that I'm impressed."
Naruto smiled sadly at his sensei wishing he could enjoy the praise more.
"Naruto, we have a few things we want to say to you as a class." Kiba said, trying to get the original conversation back.
"Yeah, um… okay?" Naruto said looked confused.
The class then took turns explaining to Naruto everything they discovered.
"Wait, so my dad is the Fourth Hokage?" Naruto asked.
"Yep, and that's not all we wanted to tell you," Ino said with a smile. She held up three fingers and counted down.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NARUTO!" the class yelled in unison.
(AN): Alright! Finally got this part out of the way. Hope you guys like the new twist. Thanks for reading and stay alert for the next chapter.
Until next time!