Right after I started crying, Sasuke followed in suit…then Hinata, Chōji, and Shikamaru. Even Shino started crying, but he was quiet about it, unlike the rest of us. And though he tried to hide it, Neji, too, was also crying. He had tried to make it seem as if he hadn't been bothered by the fact that Naruto and the rest of us were crying…and failed.
Only Itachi wasn't crying…but he was visibly distressed to be in a room full of crying children. For a nine-year-old, this was probably a nightmare. He just looked at all of us as we cried and then promptly left the room. Less than five minutes later, Mikoto barged into the room and witnessed the chaos that was before her.
Slowly, one by one, the rest of the adults showed up. They stared at us as we continued to cry, most likely wondering what that had upset us. When Itachi moved his way to the front of the crowd that had gathered around the doorway, Sasuke looked at him and asked a very good question.
"Why is everyone mean to Naruto?" was the question Sasuke asked that had every one of us thinking. "Why?"
Why Naruto?
Why?
He's only four!
He didn't do anything wrong!
Hinata, Chōji, Shikamaru, and I started to cry even harder, with Sasuke doing the same immediately right after. I really don't like crying…I did enough of that as a kid in my past life. I wanted to stop, but the tears won't stop and my chest just hurts.
It hurts it hurts it hurts!
It hurts!
I couldn't exactly tell what was going on after that, as I was too busy bawling my eyes out. All I know is that someone, Mikoto, most likely, had Itachi take all us kids outside of the Akimichi compound.
I have no idea how long we were crying, but apparently, it was long enough for all of us to pass out. Because the next thing I knew, I was waking up. I took off my glasses and rubbed my eyes, putting my glasses back on to take a better look at my surroundings. Itachi and Neji were sitting together, with their backs against a tree. Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, Chōji, and Shikamaru were all sleeping on the grass. Shino seemed to be awake, from the way he just looked at me upon realizing that I had woken up.
"Wh-What happened?" I found myself asking, my throat somewhat hoarse from crying so hard.
"Most of us fell asleep," Shino replied. "Itachi-san and Neji-san have been watching over us…I woke up just a few minutes ago. How are you doing?"
I blinked. "I think…I'm fine?"
My head hurts, and so does my chest…
"You're not sure." Shino's tone was frank.
I frowned. "Yeah…hey, Itachi-san…what's going to happen?"
Itachi focused his eyes on me. "I don't know…anything could happen."
"Nii-saaaan!" Okay, Sasuke just woke up. "Are we in trouble?"
Itachi thought for a moment. "No…but the adults are talking."
"Probably about Naruto," I huffed.
"Most likely about Naruto-kun," Shino agreed. "Why? Because Naruto-kun is someone people in this village don't want to associate with…with the exception of us."
I wasn't lying about how Shino's manner of speaking could come off as awkward. At least he doesn't make an idiot out of himself (like me), but awkward is still awkward.
"Why do you even associate with Uzumaki?" Ah, and he speaks! Neji, you better be prepared because I won't go easy on you if you step out of line.
"You can thank Chōko for that." Aaaand Shikamaru woke up and pretty much caught me off guard because now everyone is looking at me.
"Uh…uuuuhhhh…." C'mon, Chōko, you know how to word…sort of. "Food?"
Dammit, Chōko, you don't have food this time to fix everything!
"What kind?" Chōji, you picked the best time to wake up. "Wait, what happened?"
"We fell asleep…" Shikamaru said before yawning loudly. "Troublesome…"
Chōji rubbed his eyes and then stretched out his arms. "So what's going on right now?"
"We're answering Neji-san's question on why we're friends with Naruto," Shikamaru explained. "And I said it's because of your sister."
"Ooh yeah!" Chōji grinned. "You're right about that!"
I sputtered. "Ch-Ch-Chōji!"
Chōji rubbed the back of his head. "Well, it's because of you that we decided to hang out with Naruto…I mean, you two were having trouble reading."
"And then we found out that the reason Chōko had problems reading is because she needs glasses…" No one needed to know that, Shikamaru.
"Is that why you wear glasses?" Except for Sasuke…and now that I realize it, thank you, Shikamaru, for answering a question that Sasuke was eventually going to ask me…probably. "I didn't know that!"
"Well, now you know!" Oh my god, this conversation is getting off topic—oh, fuck you, irony. I do not appreciate you! "And yes, it's because of me, that everyone is friends with Naruto! I introduced Hinata to Naruto and, according to Chōji, I'm the reason he and Shikamaru are friends with Naruto. Shino…why are you friends with Naruto?"
Shino just joined our circle of friends…just like that, I mean.
"Aren't we all friends?" That's a valid point, Shino.
"Well, there you have it!" I'm honestly surprised Hinata and Naruto are still asleep and—scratch that, make that just Naruto. Hinata just woke up. "Does that answer your question, Neji?"
…
Oops, forgot the honorific—no one heard that!
"Wow, you're really rude." Oh, shut up, Sasuke. I don't want to hear the pot calling the kettle black. "Ow!"
"You shouldn't be talking, Sasuke," Itachi said after poking his little brother on the forehead. Thank you for that, by the way.
"N-Neji-nii-sama, are you o-okay?" Hinata's question towards Neji caught my attention.
"I'm fine," Neji insisted, even though the blush on his face said otherwise.
"Your face says otherwise, Hyuuga-san," Itachi remarked.
Neji scowled. "I did not ask for your input, Uchiha-san."
"Okay, that's enough out of you two!" You two are like one off-hand comment away from fighting! Be it, it'll be a one-sided fight since Itachi is a pacifist (even so, he can still probably kick ass without hurting people too seriously), but a fight nonetheless! "Conflict will only lead to problems, especially since you two are an Uchiha and a Hyuuga!"
…
…
"I apologize for yelling!" I was quick to blurt out when Itachi and Neji started staring at me.
"No…it's fine." Itachi didn't seem to mind. "You're right…we were on the verge of conflict, weren't we, Hyuuga-san?"
Neji didn't look like he wanted to admit it, but he did. "Correct…I should be the one apologizing."
And he did, though a bit begrudgingly…but still, Neji apologized. I guess this is what happens when Uchiha Itachi is in the vicinity.
"Though, what are we going to do about him?" Itachi turned his attention to Naruto, who was still asleep on the ground.
Naruto looked so calm, and at peace…so very much different from how he had appeared when he asked why everyone had been staring at him. The poor kid was probably used to being stared at like that, but seeing his friends' families doing that were probably what did it in for him. Of course, he doesn't know…he doesn't know how Hinata had to stand up for herself when her father wanted her to stop being friends with him.
I'm pretty sure the Aburame clan couldn't care less, as Shino said his family respected the people he decided to associate with, as it was his choice. I guess the only reason they were staring is because they haven't been expecting to see Naruto. I mean, with the Hyuuga clan and Uchiha clan over, I wouldn't blame them…well, how was I supposed to know this birthday turned into a gathering for the Four Noble Clans of Konoha?!
I'm not omniscient, dammit!
Still, I should have realized something from the minute Naruto tied the ribbon into my hair and—why are you staring, Shino?
"Your ribbon is off," he suddenly said. "The tie is messy and uneven…"
I blinked a few times and realized…this is probably why Sasuke said it looked weird and ugly. Naruto and Sasuke got into a fight because of a miscommunication…god dammit, this is why people need to learn how to speak! If there's anything I learned when I read Frankenstein during my senior year of high school, it's that shit like this can kill! And that it's thanks to Hollywood that people keep making a mistake that Frankenstein is the monster, when he really is the doctor because the Creature never got a name and—oh my god, Chōko, stop being a nerd!
"Would you mind if I fix it?" Shino asked.
"Ah…you can…" I was a little surprised to hear Shino even asking that, I mean…I'd expect Hinata to be the one to ask this, but I guess this is fine… "Do you…want me to get closer?"
Shino nodded his head.
…
After Shino fixed my ribbon, Sasuke took one look at me and smiled. "It's pretty now!"
So it was the fucking tie—unbelievable!
"Wh-What's pretty?" Looks like Naruto just woke up…
"Hey sleepyhead, you awake now?" I hope Naruto is feeling a little better now.
Naruto rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Y-Yeah…hey, am I…am I in trouble?"
"I hope not." I'd be really mad if Naruto got in trouble for doing absolutely nothing…actually, he and Sasuke did get in a fight, so there's that… But I swear, if that isn't the reason Naruto gets in trouble, if he does…then I'm gonna break a door! I'm gonna break all the doors!
ALL OF THEM!
Growl.
Oh, screw you, stomach… "Ugh…I'm hungry…"
"Nii-san, let's go eat!" Well, aren't you trying to get on my good side, Sasuke.
…
Itachi, being the older brother he is to Sasuke and the cool kid towards the rest of us, decided to take us out to eat. He took us to an Akimichi clan restaurant upon hearing about the discount. Again, that discount is a very lovely thing to have. About fifteen minutes after entering the restaurant, we all came out of it, each carrying a bento box.
We all returned to our previous location by the tree, where we had fallen asleep under after crying. Itachi seemed rather relaxed now, as did Neji, but only by a bit. Naruto seemed to be in a better mood and Hinata was happy. I was also happy, as was Chōji and Shikamaru couldn't probably give a damn, but he did seem to be having a good time. Sasuke was scarfing down the tomatoes that were in his bento box, so he was enjoying himself. Shino…well, he was eating, so I can only assume he likes the food. It's difficult to read Shino's expressions at times…
"Hey…do you guys…do you guys hate me-ttebayo?" Naruto, where the hell did you ever get that idea? "When adults look at me like that, their kids tend to hate me…"
Oh fuck, he's learning…go away, feels! I need to be the supporting friend! "I don't hate you!"
…
…
Okay, wow, that came out louder than it should have. It definitely sounded quieter in my head…and now everyone is looking at me…
"Wh-Why would you th-think that?" At least Hinata is trying to be a supporting friend, too.
"If I hated you, I wouldn't have bothered teaching you how to read." Nice point you got there, Shikamaru.
"You haven't done anything bad," Chōji added.
"Why were they staring, then?" Naruto looked expectantly at me. He wanted an answer, one that I knew, but couldn't to tell him…
"I haven't an idea why, but the majority of this village wishes to dissociate with you." Shino took the task of answering Naruto's question. "We happen to be the exception…most of us, at least."
"I don't hate you!" Sasuke seemed to want to make that fact clear. "I barely know you, so why would I hate you?"
"I don't necessarily hold any particular emotion toward Naruto," Itachi stated. "But I can assure you that, whatever emotion I do hold towards him, it isn't anything remotely negative."
Neji is the only one of us who didn't say anything. He probably has nothing nice to say. If that is the case, then I'm glad he's staying quiet.
"Please don't cry, Naruto…" Because if you cry, then I'll cry and then everyone else will also cry…except Itachi, he'll just panic and go to the adults for some sort of aid. I think it is safe to say that, at Itachi's current age and state, crying children are his weakness. He was not trained for this. "You're not alone, ya know."
We have each other.
"I'm…not?" Naruto paused for a moment. A few seconds passed and a huge grin crossed his face as he loudly exclaimed, "I'm not alone!"
"You only just realize that now?" We've been friends for over a month now, Naruto. You are part of a circle of friends. Iruka-sensei has been teaching you how to write. Loneliness is something you should not be experiencing…unless—wait…oh god.
"It's just…I didn't think this was what it mean to not be alone!" Naruto, you idiot—I didn't need you confirming my horror! "It's…nice."
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry—dammit, I'm crying! "Y-You i-idiot…!"
Oh god, this is not fair!
"I'm not an idiot, I—Chōko-chan! Why are you crying-ttebayo?!" Naruto started panicking when he noticed that I was crying. "W-Was it something I said, dattebayo?! H-Hey—Chōko-chan!"
"Just shut up, you idiot!" I took off my glasses and tried my very best to wipe away the tears, but the tears! They just kept coming! Why won't they stop?! "I hate this…"
"Oooohh, I see!" Naruto started laughing. "This is like that one time at Ichiraku Ramen! You know, when I took you and Hinata-chan there!"
Naruto, please don't bring up that moment…
"Aah, th-that's right!" Hinata agreed. "Chōko-chan s-started crying because y-you said something, N-Naruto-kun."
Hinata, please don't help out…
"Huh, what did I say-ttebayo?" Naruto rubbed the back of his head.
Good, he doesn't remember that well…
"Y-You said you were h-happy that someone wasn't m-mean to you," Hinata replied.
"You two are the worst friends ever!" I whined as I continued to rub my eyes. "Uugh…"
"It seems Chōko-san is capable of being this sensitive," Shino remarked, almost sounding intrigued.
"It just shows she cares," Chōji said with a grin.
"That's one heck of a way to show it." Shikamaru seemed amused.
"No one asked for your opinion!" I turned away from Shikamaru in a huff. "Geez…"
At least I've stopped crying…no, the tears are still there. Ugh, dammit, I hate this…
"Tsuntsun!" Sasuke was quick to exclaim.
"What?" I turned to Sasuke, who was currently pointing at me.
"Tsuntsun!" Sasuke repeated. "That's what you are—ow!"
"Sasuke, it isn't polite to point at people," Itachi said after he had finished poking Sasuke on the forehead. "You're being rather rude today…"
"Sorry Nii-san…" Sasuke apologized. "But she is tsuntsun…"
"I am not!" I snapped in a manner that only seemed to prove Sasuke's point.
"You certainly sound like it right now." I'd rather not hear it coming from you, Neji—holy shit, you're actually talking!
"Hey, you stopped crying-ttebayo!" Naruto exclaimed, catching me completely off-guard.
I blinked a few times and rubbed my eyes, realizing that Naruto was in fact, correct. I blinked again and put my glasses back on. Oh man, it feels nice to see nearby objects again and not have my vision blurred by tears and my hyperopia. "Finally…"
"Hey glasses girl!" Sasuke suddenly called out to me.
I narrowed my eyes at Sasuke. "I have a name…it's Chōko."
"Okay, Chōko!" Sasuke was quick to correct himself. "Say, we're friends, right?"
"What?" Okay, give me a moment to process what you just said, Sasuke. "Friends…?"
Me?
Sasuke nodded his head. "Yeah, friends! I mean…that is…if you're fine with it…are you?"
"Since we first met, you've been a rude little kid to me…and you're asking if we're friends?" Really, Sasuke, really?
Sasuke looked sheepishly at me. "S-Sorry…"
"Nah, I'm just messing with ya!" Dude, I love having friends…like, I have a hard time making them, so the fact this kid wants to be friends is just…I'm honestly happy. "We're friends, Sasuke!"
Friend obtained—it's like an RPG!
"Does this mean I can be part of your group?" Sasuke looked at everyone else. "Huh? Am I?"
…
Okay, it seems that Sasuke has been eyeing my circle of friends for a while, which probably explains why he was talking about it (or rather, me) nonstop to his mother, Mikoto. Though, I haven't an idea why he asked me if he could be part of it. It's not as if I'm the leader…wait a second…
"Am I the leader to our group?" I have a dire question that needs to be answered. "Seriously, am I?"
"You're the reason most of us are friends," Shikamaru stated.
"Going by that logic, I believe you are indeed leader." Welp, Shino says it all.
…
FUCK.
…
…
…
A/N 4-10-16 EDITED!
Updated a little later than usual, sorry about that…been a little busy. Anyways, one thing I noticed about Chōko is that she's literally the reason that Naruto has so many friends…and why everyone is friends. It's funny, if you think about it, for someone who isn't a social butterfly to make so many friends. It's almost ironic, but not a bad ironic…it's the type of irony that Chōko would tolerate. By the by, if you're wondering about Chōko's reaction, it's because she doesn't want to be leader.
Anyways, Itachi has no idea how idea how to handle crying children, if you have noticed. Naruto stopped crying, so that's a plus! And Neji is capable of showing sympathy towards Naruto. On the subject of Neji, he's like five going on six years old. Neji might try to suppress certain emotions, but he is still a child. He can only hide what he really feels for so long, especially around Naruto. Naruto seems to have that effect on people.
And I think it's safe to say that, after this chapter, Sasuke is now part of Chōko's circle of friends. Circle of friends, circle of friends…friends are a nice thing to have, ya know. And if you're wondering about the whole "tsuntsun" thing, let me explain a thing.
Tsuntsun can basically mean aloof, pointed, angry or mean. While Chōko is usually a friendly person, she does have a tendency to act harsh when she gets defensive about herself. She never means it, though, but the fact still stands that she has a tendency to act "tsuntsun." So the fact that Neji was the one who was saying that is the reason Chōko didn't want to hear it from him…since Neji isn't the nicest person around. Neji is basically "tsuntsun" himself.
If you find this familiar, it's because this is where the term "tsundere" is derived from, a tsundere being someone who "runs hot and cold", alternating between two distinct moods: tsuntsun (aloof or irritable) and deredere (lovestruck or affectionate).
If you think about it, Chōko could be considered what TVtropes would call a Sweet Tsundere, that is to say, a tsundere with deredere as their default mood, with a violent side to them that is usually triggered under certain circumstances. I honestly think Chōko is more of a dandere, which is basically someone who is shy, but around the right person/persons, talkative and sweet. A dandere tends to feel more power in numbers. If they're with a group that they're comfortable with, then the shyness factor of said dandere will very likely decrease if another, unfamiliar person is introduced at that time. Sounds more like Chōko, no?
Well, that's enough about pointless information! I at least hope you guys found it interesting… Anyways, since this story managed to reach over ten reviews, that means it's time for me to start the shout outs, which is something I have been doing since Façade.
Shout out goes to gincitri for being reviewer #10 and a notable mention goes to tinybrowgirl! Just a bit of a heads up, I give shout outs to every tenth reviewer. Again, it's a thing I've started doing since Façade, my Persona 4 genderbender fic that I'm hoping to start updating again in December. Keep your fingers crossed, Façade readers!
Well, I hope you readers enjoyed this chapter! I certainly did, so until next time, everyone! KD out! XD