Disclaimer* I changed the potential pairings for reasons you will see in this chapter. Also I am glad I got three follows within 12 hours of posting the story so thank you all. Also I still don't own Naruto. Now on with the book.
Chapter 2- Flashback of Naruto's Life (pt.2):
"Here we are Naruto," started Inoichi once a large mansion was in view, "The Yamanaka Compound."
Naruto stared in awe at it. His room back in the orphanage was the biggest, and only place, he ever lived, and now he sees this huge place and it's overwhelming.
"You live here?" Naruto asked, it seemed hard to believe that he and, maybe two or three others lived there alone.
"So does the rest of the clan," Inoichi said, "the ones that didn't move out at least."
Inoichi then proceeded to knock on the door and someone with blond hair of a slightly lighter shed opened the door. He looked sort of similiar to Inoichi, but noticeably younger and more physically fit.
"Hello Inoichi-sama," said the unknown Yamanaka.
"Hello Toru," Inoichi responded as they bowed at each other and Inoichi went to the clan head living quarters.
Inoichi entered along with Naruto to see two people. One was cooking, and one was trying to finish a puzzle.
The one who was cooking had black hair. She was about 5'7", had black hair and had light skin. She had black eyes, or at least it seemed that way and at first glance, seems to have a light, outgoing personality.
The one trying to finish a puzzle was a bit different though. She had bright, short, blond hair, and light aqua eyes. She wore an orange and white dress and had an orange clip in her hair to keep it out of the way. But she was not even a month older than Naruto (17 days if we go cannon).
"This is my family," said Inoichi, holding out his hand to show them.
"Hello," both of them said as they walked to Naruto to greet him. Naruto simply tried to hide behind Inoichi because back in the orphanage, he never had a good experience with meeting kids.
"Don't worry, we don't bite," the black-haired woman said playfully, sticking out her hand for Naruto to shake it. "My name is Mina, nice to meet you."
Naruto hesitantly shook her hand before Ino went up to him and said, "My name is Ino, do you want to play?" Ino didn't even wait for a response as she took Naruto's hand and pulled him towards the half-finished puzzle on the floor.
"So, what's your name?" Ino asked.
"N-Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto said.
"So, do you want to help with the puzzle?" Ino said, while attempting to pull a reluctant Naruto down to her.
"W-Well," Naruto muttered, not knowing if he would be interfering.
"Don't be nervous, this is fun," Ino said. Naruto just sat down next to her and helped whenever she had some trouble and put in a few pieces here and there. Back to Inoichi and Mina.
"They already got along, huh," Mina said.
"I guess so," replied Inoichi. Then soon after Mina checked the food and realized it was ready.
"Naruto, Ino, come here, food's ready," yelled Mina as she started putting some food, plates, as well as other silverware, on the table.
Ino stopped what she was doing and ran over to the table with a soon to follow Naruto going as well. They all sat around a medium sized, rectangular table and said their thanks. It almost saddened Inoichi as he felt the meaning of each word so strongly. It's been, his whole life, since anyone treated him to a meal, and he got to admit, with Ramen being the highest quality of food he ate in his life, he was mentally drooling over the food, but just didn't want to seem rude. When it was over, they started conversation and ate. They all had a light-hearted conversation about things that happened to them, and Naruto just didn't know them well so he stayed out of it and ate quietly to the side. That is until Inoichi stated the question making up most of Naruto's mind at that moment.
"So Naruto, we will tell you what will happen to you after this," said Inoichi. Naruto listened intently so he could finally figure out what was going on.
"We predicted that eventually the day would come that people decide it's about time to get rid of it," stated Inoichi, saying "it" instead of Kyuubi since Ino was there, "So we made some preparations."
"Who's we?" Naruto openly said.
"Choza, Shikaku and myself," Inoichi said. "We decided that we will alternate between all of us to take care of you, it's not safe to live on the street anymore and after your mother, we can't just leave you, so we will take you in in turns."
Naruto was amazed that he was finally taken in, someone accepted him and will take care of him, or three families of someones to be accurate.
"R-Really?" Naruto said happily, tears forming at the corners of his eyes ready to spew out.
"Yup, welcome to the first part of your new family," said Inoichi. Naruto started wiping away his tears of joy but Mina went and hugged him before she said, "Just let it all out."
Naruto complied, tears streaming down Mina's shirt as he hugged back like he was never going to let go. This was soon followed by Ino hugging them both and saying "I have a brother." Inoichi hugged them all and said "This is going to be the best choice I ever made, I can tell already."
This made Naruto cry even more. The joy was indescribable, the joy of not having a family for your whole life and suddenly having one that takes you in while everyone else treats you like trash.
When that was over Inoichi went over that they will get a bed for him eventually but he would have to sleep on the couch for now, and how he will switch between the three families about once or twice a month and other stuff like that. Then Ino went over and said, "Let's go play again Nii-san."
Naruto nodded happily and went to play with her with her other toys. This actually consisted mostly of Ino trying to convince Naruto to play house with her dolls, but it was WAY better than nothing.
Later that night Naruto went to sleep and thought, 'Is this what love feels like?"
This went on for about two weeks. Naruto spends his time playing with Ino, whether it would be tag, puzzles and Ino getting Naruto to pick flowers with her. He was really good at finding good ones and caught on making "crowns" with them pretty quickly, but picking flowers is one thing, wearing that is another, and no amount of convincing from Ino could get him to wear them.
Often Sakura would come over, and Naruto being who he is, played with them regardless of all the things that no four year old boy in their right minds would want to do.
The fun soon came to a temporary end as he met the person who would be taking care of him next came.
"OK, Naruto the next person will come soon," Inoichi called out to Naruto who was playing in the living room with Ino.
*DING DONG they heard the doorbell and Inoichi walked towards the door. When he opened it he saw Shikaku there, ready for Naruto.
"Hello Shikaku," Inoichi said as he lead him inside to see Naruto.
"Hey Naruto," Shukaku called out to Naruto.
Naruto's head turned and saw the person who caught that horde in a weird shadow.
"Hello Shika…" Naruto said forgetting the last part of the name, "what is it again?"
"Shukaku," he responded, "it's only been two weeks."
"Sorry," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it," said Shukaku.
"Anyways, say goodbye to them, but don't worry you'll be here again in a month or so," Shukaku said. Naruto nodded in response and hugged Ino.
"I'll miss you Nii-san," Ino said in a sad voice.
"Don't worry, it's a month, it's not like it's that long of a time," Naruto said. "But, I will miss you to." Then Inoichi and Mina walked up to both of them and hugged Naruto as well. When the parents released their embrace Ino kissed him on the cheek and said, "We love you Nii-san," resulting in a nod from the parents.
Naruto was, yet again crying tears of joy and a smile took hold that threatened to split his face. Naruto then wiped off the tears, stood tall and with pride on his face he said for the first time, "I love you too."
With that happy note, he left with Shikaku, wanting to meet the Nara family and meet another kid his age.
'Shikaku said his name was Shikamaru, right?' Naruto thought.
(AAAND… Scene)
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