I honestly should be afraid over the fact that I have effectively replaced Sakura in this class, but I'm not. In fact, I don't even think much about the situation and— "Naruto, give me back my glasses."
"Ah, sorry Chōko-chan!" Naruto laughed sheepishly as he returned my glasses. "But you just seemed so distracted..."
Fuck, he noticed!
ABORT ABORT ABORT!
"You gotta stop doing that…" I huffed as I put my glasses back on. I was hoping to save face, but the way Naruto was looking at me made me rather nervous...
"A-Ah, Iruka-sensei is l-looking at us!" Hinata stuttered.
Crap! "We're paying attention!"
And that's how I made an idiot out of myself during gym class (as I'd like to call it). I haven't done that in a while…it's not a feeling I'd like to ever experience, nope (it's the worst). On the bright side, at least Hinata and Naruto are getting along as friends (the best of friends). And let me just say how awesome it is to be friends with the Hyuuga clan heiress! Now no one fucking dares to mess with Naruto!
Might be a bit too early to say that, but screw it!
Of course, ever since I made friends with Naruto, everyone else has been keeping their distance from Naruto… But with Hinata in the mix, it was now completely guaranteed that Naruto was safe. Oh man, does it feel good to be part of the Four Noble Clans of Konohagakure!
I really gotta use this power wisely…
But you wanna know what doesn't feel good? Running…running is a horrible thing that just tires you out and makes you sweaty. And the sad thing about it is that it's going to be the main form of transportation for shinobi, so I need to learn how to suck it up (I need to stop being a whiny baby).
Curse you, shinobi life!
On the bright side, thanks to Hinata, I am no longer afraid of kunoichi classes! Kunoichi classes, by the way, take place after regular classes every other day. That means that today, Hinata, Naruto, and I can spend more time together after classes! Oh man, what are we gonna do?
…
…
I should've realized that, by the fact that I've made friends with Naruto, this day would eventually come. What day am I talking about exactly? The day Naruto would introduce me to Ichiraku Ramen. The small restaurant looked exactly as it appeared in both the anime and manga (thought it certainly appeared bigger to me, but that's because I am but a tiny four-year-old girl). And Teuchi and Ayame are quite the lovely people (the loveliest). They seem so happy, with their wide smiles on their faces, to see that Naruto isn't alone this time around, since he brought both Hinata and I along.
"You must be the girl he keeps talking about!" Ayame looked at me with a wide smile.
What?
I blinked a few times before turning to at Naruto. "Talking about?"
"I guess I might have mentioned your name a few times…" Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "I was just happy someone wasn't mean to me-ttebayo!"
Oh god dammit, I am not having feels right now! Go away, tears! I do not need you right now!
"Why are you crying?" Dammit, Naruto!
"I just got something in my eye!" I exclaimed as I took off my glasses to rub away the familiar sting and moisture of tears away.
"I-It's okay to cry…" Hinata said softly as she patted me on the shoulder.
"Hinata~!" I whined. "Now they won't stop!"
It's nice to see that the emotional aspect of myself still exists in this life…god dammit.
Are you really that surprised?
Not really, but I would have appreciated it if I wasn't so damn emotional. Gosh dang it, now it's gonna be hard for anyone to take me seriously if I ever get so worked up!
"Hey, Teuchi-san!" Naruto exclaimed. "Can I get an extra-large serving of ramen?"
"Sure!" Teuchi was quick to respond. "What type?"
"It's not for me!" Naruto gestured at me. "It's for Chōko-chan. I'm thinking that maybe some ramen can make her stop crying. Whaddaya want, Chōko-chan?"
I am not crying—okay, maybe I am…but I wouldn't mind having some ramen. "Shio…I want shio."
"One extra-large shio ramen coming right up!" Teuchi grinned at me. "What would you like, Naruto?"
"I want miso ramen with roasted pork fillet!" Naruto was quick to respond. "Also extra-large!"
"I-I also want that…" Hinata said quietly.
…
Naruto and I found out that day that Hinata was a big eater. I may have suspected it, based on a Shippuden omake (or whatever that ramen-eating contest can be considered) I have seen, but I didn't think it was actually canon until now. I said nothing about it, but Naruto isn't exactly the most tactful person alive.
"You sure eat a lot, Hinata-chan!" Naruto grinned widely at Hinata.
Hinata was almost done with her ramen when she heard Naruto say that. Her face turned red as she began to stutter, "A-Aah…"
I decided to pull all attention away from Hinata. "So do you, Naruto!"
"And you!" Naruto turned his attention to me.
"That's because I have a fast metabolism!" That is part of the reason. The other reason is that I really do love to eat…and Akimichi clan food is extremely delicious, if also nutritious! Yeah, thing about the Akimichi clan is we're big on nutrition. We've managed ways to make nutrition delicious and not complete torture on the taste buds. So when an Akimichi tells you a food is nutritious, you better believe it is nutritious! Of course, we still do have a non-nutritious food, but I digress…
"Well, I'm hungry!" Naruto replied, as if it was obvious. "Aren't you supposed to eat when you're hungry?"
"Yeah, I guess I do eat when I'm hungry…" I admitted, as obvious of a remark as it was. "I guess you got me there."
"That's right-ttebayo!" Naruto grinned widely.
I was about to say something, but then Hinata's quiet laughter caught my attention.
Oh my gosh, she sounds so adorable—aaaaahhhh!
Hinata certainly seemed to be doing better than she was when Naruto told her she ate a lot…
"Nice to see you're smiling, Hinata." Keep laughing, it's adorable!
"Eep!" Hinata immediately stopped laughing as her face turned red. "I-I'm s-sorry—"
"Don't apologize!" I will have none of that, dear friend! "It's okay to laugh…just like it's okay to cry, huh?"
"Y-You're right…" Hinata managed to calm down. "Ahh…c-can you n-not tell anyone…"
"About what?" I asked without waiting for Hinata to finish. "Oops…sorry for interrupting you…"
Hinata shook her head. "It's fine…j-just don't tell a-anyone that I…I…e-eat a lot."
I blinked a few times. "Why?"
"I don't kn-know how my f-father would r-react…" Hinata replied. "H-He would pr-probably say it's unbecoming…"
"I think it's cute," Naruto suddenly blurted out.
Hinata's blush returned with a vengeance. "H-Huh?!"
"I mean, you seem really happy when you eat," Naruto said as he rubbed the back of his head. "So I don't see what's unbecoming about it…"
"…" Hinata averted her gaze.
…
…
Am I really witnessing what I think I'm witnessing? Because if it is, then holy hell! That was freaking adorable! I'm a sucker for cute scenes like this…I'm amazed I haven't squealed. I'm honestly surprised I didn't squeal when I heard Hinata laugh…
"Anyways, we got ya covered, Hinata!" Still, I'm a little surprised that Hinata has her own secrets…that don't involve her future crush on Naruto. Of course, I could probably say the same thing to just about everyone. "Just to let you know, when you're around me and Naruto, you can eat as much as you want…got it?"
Hinata looked at me and smiled. "Thank you…"
"I really need to take you guys out to one of the Akimichi clan restaurants!" I totally need to do that! Since Hinata and Naruto are my friends, they'll probably get the Akimichi discount, which is a very nice thing to have. Naruto would definitely benefit from this…I should probably talk it over with Chōza. He could probably put in a good word for Naruto…god knows Naruto needs that discount. "How about it?"
Naruto was smiling widely, his body shaking from joy. Hinata was happy in her own, quiet way. I was a lot more like Naruto, trembling with excitement as I grinned widely. I just felt so giddy! I know what I was doing when I got home!
"Hinata-sama!" a curt voice managed to snap me out of my good mood.
Hinata nearly squeaked upon hearing her name called out in such a tone. "Ah!"
When Naruto, Hinata, and I turned, I saw a slightly older boy with long, black hair and eyes similar to Hinata's eyes (those eyes). It took until I noticed that his forehead was covered that I realized that this boy is Huuyga Neji. Fuuuck, I had forgotten about this guy! Shit…okay, Hinata should be four-years-old, that'd make Neji…almost six, meaning…shit. The incident has already happened, hasn't it?
Dammit.
Great, that means that Neji has that stick up his ass…Not gonna lie, it's nice to see that he's alive (I hope he stays alive), but I'm not gonna appreciate his currently arrogant and cold personality. This is going to be a fun seven to eight years, isn't it?
"Who's he?" Naruto asked Hinata.
Hinata looked down. "Neji-nii-sama…I-I have to go."
"See ya tomorrow, Hinata-chan!" Naruto said as Hinata scurried over to Neji's side.
"It was nice talking to you!" Let's be positive for now, Chōko! God knows we're definitely going to need to stay positive… "Bye~!"
…
…
The next day started out well enough, but around lunchtime, I noticed something was off with Hinata. She seemed happy enough to eat some of the food I was offering her from my bento box, but there was this look on her face that appeared every other moment or so when she thought we weren't looking. It was as if she wanted to tell me something, but couldn't find the courage to say it (I've been in that position so many times that at this point, I can recognize when someone else is like that). There was a wistful look in her eyes as she looked at Naruto, who was currently having his daily reading lesson with Shikamaru, with a little help from Chōji.
It was only during today's kunoichi class that Hinata finally managed to tell me of her concerns. And what exactly were her concerns? Her father had found out about her association with Naruto and wanted her to cease being friends with the boy.
I…should have seen this coming. Actually—I might have, but that still didn't stop me from looking surprised.
"Wh-Why?!" I blurted out—rather loudly, enough to the point that I ended up getting stared at by a few other girls. My face heated up in embarrassment, but I ignored them as I continued to look at Hinata.
Hinata focused her attention on the flower she had finished picking: a zinnia. "I-I don't know…b-but I have to listen to my f-father."
I frowned. "D-Do you really want to stop being friends with Naruto?"
"N-No!" Hinata shook her head firmly. "I don't…"
"Then what are you going to do?" I could tell Hinata wanted to keep being friends with Naruto, but her father was really making that difficult for her. Still, how the hell did Hiashi know about Naruto so fast?
…
…
Oh, right…Neji…God dammit, Neji! Do you really feel the need to ruin Hinata's happiness? She was so happy yesterday! New goal: Make him pay…
Somehow.
"Hinata…?" I looked at Hinata, who had yet to give me an answer.
"I…I don't know…" Hinata bit her lip.
…
"Maybe you should talk it over with your father," I suggested. "I mean, if you don't want to stop being friends with Naruto, why don't you tell him that?"
Easier said than done, Chōko!
"I—how?!" That seemed to be the question Hinata wanted to know. "I don't th-think I c-can…"
"No…you can." Even though Hinata still lacked confidence and had issues with her self-esteem, I know that even she could find the courage to stand up for herself. She just had to push herself. "Remember what you did for me when Ami and her friends were picking on me."
I know you can do it.
"I s-still can't b-believe I did that…" Hinata admitted as her face lit up with a luminescent blush, her pale skin making it all the more evident. "I was r-really scared, b-but…I c-couldn't stand seeing them d-do that to you…"
"Just because you're scared doesn't mean you can't do what you feel is right." Look at me, sounding all mature and crap. Ahaha, where was this maturity when I needed it in college? Really, where was it? "Fear is normal…isn't it? It's whether or not you let it prevent you from doing anything that should matter…right?"
Hinata nodded her head, albeit, hesitantly. "I-I guess…"
"Eventually, everyone needs to learn how to stand up for themselves." That's how I felt, especially with the shinobi life being a thing. "If you can stand up for a stranger, then you should be able to stand up for yourself…right?"
At the very least, if you had to stand up for someone, even if it's just one person, and even if that person is you…it's okay.
Really, it's okay, Hinata…
Hinata thought for a moment. "R-Right…"
"Look…wait here a second." I got an idea.
Hinata blinked. "Huh?"
"I'll be right back!" I exclaimed as I ran off in a certain direction.
…
About five minutes later, I came back running to Hinata, with a flower in my hand. In today's kunoichi class, we were supposed to find a flower that would express something to one of our classmates. It took me a while and I was almost afraid I wouldn't find it, but I found the flower I wanted to give to Hinata.
Smiling, I held out a pink rose to Hinata. "For you, Hinata!"
Hinata had nearly dropped the zinnia in her hand when she got a good look at the rose and its coloration. "A-Ah!"
"Whatever happens, just do it for yourself…okay?" I'm trusting Hinata to do what she felt was right. "Even if it's the only thing you do, it's okay…"
Hinata bit her lip as she hesitantly accepted the pink rose from me. She stared at the rose for a moment before holding out the zinnia in her other hand to me. "F-For y-you…"
"Thank you!" I said as I accepted the zinnia from Hinata. I feel…very happy. Like so happy, I feel like I'm going to cry. My eyes are starting to heat up and my chest just feels so warm and fuzzy. I managed not to cry though… "Seriously—thank you…"
It means so much to me…
Hinata just nodded her head as she looked down at the pink rose in her hands. "…I…haven't kn-known you f-for long…"
"Yeah…" Technically, we've only known each other for like three days, counting today…but to me, it feels longer. That's how I feel…and this zinnia in my hands is only making my feelings grow even stronger.
"B-But…I'm r-really glad…" Hinata continued as a warm smile formed on her lips. "I-I met you, Chōko-chan…y-you…and N-Naruto-kun…"
I felt my face heating up upon hearing this. I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly as I looked at Hinata, whose face was as red as mine was (though hers was much redder, due to how pale her skin was, as opposed to my not-so-pale skin). The two of us…we might come from two different clans, with upbringings that are just as different. And yet, despite it all, we're more alike than one would think.
I think that's why we get along so well—because Hinata sees herself in me. And I do the same with her, with the way I talk to her (the feelings of regret that plague me—that make me wish it doesn't happen to someone else). It feels like such a shallow reason, but at the same time…I don't mind.
I just can't…
Even if I see myself in her, that still does nothing to take away from the fact that we're friends. Just like with Naruto…
I'm happy…
So very, very happy…
I might have had some issues with my new life, as Akimichi Chōko, but there are times, such as these, that I find myself embracing who I am. Even though I'm not who I am anymore, with a life that is now in the past, to hear things such as this—just simple words of gratitude—it just means so much. It means so much, to someone like me, because…it's coming from a friend.
I'm not alone, ahahaha…
And neither are you, Hinata…
…
…
The next day, when Hinata told me what went on the other night, I felt something swell inside me. It was a feeling that I could only identify as pride. Hinata (shy, timid Hinata) had managed to stand up for herself when she spoke to her father last night. Because of what she had done, her father has allowed her to stay friends with Naruto.
Hiashi might have believed the friendship wouldn't last, as Hinata had only known Naruto for about two days at the time…even so, he still allowed Hinata to stay with Naruto. That alone was milestone within itself, as was Hinata's reason to smile. She has every reason to smile and for that, I couldn't be any happier.
I'm so proud of you, Hinata…
We didn't tell Naruto about it… Hinata didn't want Naruto knowing that her father didn't approve of their friendship. One day, though, Hinata would tell him…at least, that's what she told me. When, is a matter for the future, for now…Hinata was happy living in the present, as she talks to the both of us, with a bright smile on her face that was as warm as the sun.
Though, all good things must come to an end (in some ways), and that happened when I found yet another problem with Naruto: He can't write. I nearly slammed my head onto my desk when I found out about that…nearly. I didn't exactly want to break my glasses. Naruto was learning how to read at a moderately fast pace. He still had a long ways to go, but he was showing a lot of progress within the entire week he had started learning how to read. I have no idea how any of us were going to show him how to write. Even Shikamaru was still working out the kinks in his writing skills, while I'm still in the midst of learning.
So that left me with only one option… When the entire class was let out for lunch, I gave my bento box to Naruto and told him and Hinata to find a spot. I had to talk to someone…
…
"Iruka-sensei?" I'm honestly surprised I'm not that awkward around Iruka-sensei, but I guess it's because he has this vibe about himself. Still, I am slightly intimidated by this guy.
"Ah, what is it, Chōko?" Iruka-sensei eyed me questioningly.
"Well, it's about Naruto…" I said as I rubbed the back of my head.
Iruka-sensei stiffened upon hearing Naruto's name. "What about him? Has he been bothering you or anything?"
"What—no!" Dammit, Iruka-sensei! You're better than the others to not act like this! "That's not it! He can't write!"
"O-Oh…" Iruka-sensei seemed embarrassed. "Naruto can't write, huh…?"
"Uh-huh…" I nodded my head. "Shikamaru and I have been teaching Naruto how to read, and he's improving…but I have no idea how we're gonna teach him how to write since both of us are still learning…"
"So you want me to teach him how to write, huh?" Iruka-sensei, I love how you catch on quickly.
"Can you?" Please, for the love of god, make it easier on Shikamaru and me! I'm barely getting the hang of hiragana now that I can fucking read it well! "Please? I don't want Naruto to fail because he doesn't know how to write…"
That is like my biggest concern with Naruto. I know canon already had him as dead last, but I don't want him to be dead last like this. At least this way, Naruto has a better chance! I know that may or may not have an effect later on in life, but god dammit, I hate seeing my friends fall back like this!
"Don't worry about it, Chōko! I'll teach him!" Iruka-sensei smiled widely at me. "I'll make sure by the end of this week that he'll be able to write his name!"
"Really?!" Oh my god, I am not the unluckiest person in the world! At least, today I'm not! "Thank you!"
…
A few minutes later, I walked outside of the Academy building and found Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Chōji sitting under a big, shady tree. Shikamaru was still teaching Naruto how to read, and Hinata and Chōji seemed to be having a nice conversation about something. I have no clue whatever it was they were talking about, but both Hinata and Chōji were smiling, so it had to be something good.
Midway through lunchtime, I had a small scuffle with Naruto over the last salmon-filled onigiri. Hinata surprised all of us when she ate the last salmon-filled onigiri while Naruto and I were arguing. Initially, I was annoyed, but despite that, I couldn't help but laugh at what Hinata had done. We all did…even Hinata, herself. She was having the time of her life, from the look of the smile on her face.
At the end of the day, when everyone was dismissed from classes, Naruto was told to stay behind by Iruka-sensei. While Naruto seemed disappointed (and maybe even concerned), I was actually pleased because Iruka-sensei was going to talk to Naruto about teaching him how to write. About ten minutes later, in which Hinata and I were waiting for Naruto outside of the Academy, Naruto ran over to us with a huge grin on his face.
"Iruka-sensei's gonna teach me how to write-ttebayo!" Naruto exclaimed.
"That's good to hear!" I smiled at Naruto. "Say, Naruto, Hinata…do you wanna visit my place?"
"You mean I can come over-ttebayo?!" The fact that Naruto seemed so shock just hurt.
"Yeah…I'm pretty sure Chōji's already bringing over Shikamaru." Shikamaru has already been over to the Akimichi compound a number of times since Chōji and I befriended him. Our parents are quite lenient about bring our friends over—hell! They encourage us to bring our friends over as much as we want! "So what do you say?"
"I-I'll come," Hinata replied.
"Hell yeah, dattebayo!" Naruto was really excited.
"Well then, follow me!" This was the best day ever!
In a similar vein as Hinata, I didn't tell Naruto that it was because of me that Iruka-sensei was going to teach him how to write. I had a feeling Iruka-sensei was going to eventually tell him, but I'd rather that happen than me telling Naruto myself. If only for a bit, I wanted Naruto to feel that someone else was doing something for him on their own accord.
A month from now, I will have realized what exactly happened when I decided to tell Iruka-sensei about Naruto's lacking writing skills. From a small discussion fueled by concern, came an opportunity for Umino Iruka and Uzumaki Naruto to bond much earlier than I would have ever expected.
…
…
Zinnia: Loyalty
…
…
Pink Rose: Trust/Happiness/Confidence
…
…
…
A/N 4-10-16 More edits on your way and along with that, more expansions on certain scenes! Yeah, that's a thing!
So, as you can see from this chapter, I'm going through with Naruto's "dattebayo/ttebayo" verbal tic. This was a challenge I put upon myself, whether or not I can manage this verbal tic. And god dammit, I will TRY my hardest to work with it.
On a side note, the sad thing about Shippuden and me is that I've watched a lot of the omake and little specials, like that one ramen-eating contest where Hinata won the contest. I dunno about you, but ever since then, I had it in my head that Hinata can and does eat a lot…but she keeps it to herself because it would be "unbecoming of a lady of such noble status" and all that jazz.
So if you're wondering why Hinata is the way she is here, it's because of that. I honestly find it interesting because with that, that makes Hinata yet another person in Chōko's circle of friends that eats a lot, the only current exception being Shikamaru.
And I honestly never noticed until now that Chōko's status as an Akimichi would actually have an effect, in regards to her friendship with Naruto. It only became apparent when Hinata joined in the mix, as the Hyuuga are also part of the Four Noble Clans of Konoha. As Naruto is friends with two (three, if you count Chōji) children who are part of two out of the Four Noble Clans…I realized that connections are a thing and so you get Naruto being left alone, for fear of people ruining their reputation. Be it, it won't stop all the mistreatment and harassment Naruto gets, but it does decrease enough for Naruto to have a better childhood.
By the way, when Chōko asked Iruka if he could teach Naruto how to write, she did it because she was out of ideas and Iruka seemed to be the best person to ask for such a favor. She didn't do it because it would be a good chance for him and Naruto to bond—she really didn't realize that until literally a month after she had asked Iruka to teach Naruto. Chōko lives in the moment, as you have noticed. Sometimes, she doesn't think of the affects her actions might have until later on.
So, in a way, Chōko's actions this time around were a mixture of indirect and direct. And in regards to her friendship with Hinata, Chōko knows for a fact that Hinata can in fact stand up for herself…Hinata just needs a little push. The pink rose Chōko gave Hinata was that push.
There are also reasons why Hinata tries harder than she usually does, but I won't go into that just yet. Just know that Hanabi hasn't been born yet…
For the most part, a lot of good things have been happening and there's been a mostly positive outlook. That is because Chōko wants to be as optimistic as ever. It lets her enjoy the moment, which fits in with her, "we'll cross that bridge when we get there" mindset. Not exactly the best mindset, but in an emotional sense, it eases any concerns Chōko has about the future, which is how she was able to get past the fact that she knows Neji had died because she was appreciating the fact that he was alive when she saw him.
So this A/N has been getting a little too long for my tastes, so I'll stop right here. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I certainly did! That's why there have been more updates than usual! When I'm happy and enjoying myself, then I have an easier time writing chapters! So I hope it stays that way for a while, since this story really gets my mind off the stress of exams and college. So until next time, everyone! KD out! XD