AN: Hello, everyone! My name is Tempest, and welcome to today's chapter of Naruto: The Fox in the Shadows! This came out sooner than I expected, so it might be a little raw, but I'm satisfied with what is included! I would first like to thank you all for all the nice things you've said and for all the favs/follows as well. Enjoy!

Konohagakure

Naruto suddenly lurches up from his sleep, the alarm clock to his left blaring loudly. He slammed his hand on the off button and lay his head back onto his pillow. It has been six months since his adoption, and Asuma has Naruto waking up at 6 AM sharp every day. The blond boy hated it, but he would listen to his adopted father. Getting out of bed, Naruto went through his morning stretches used to get his body into gear and to wake him up a little more.

After the stretches, the young blond fixed his bed and exited his bedroom to the smell of coffee. Naruto quickly relieved himself in the bathroom before washing his hands and his face. Once he was done with his wake-up routine, he entered the kitchen, saying a soft "morning..." to Asuma.

Asuma chuckled to himself, taking a sip of coffee. "Morning, kiddo. The toast isn't done just yet, but the bacon and eggs in the skillet are done. Just be careful, it's hot."

"Thanks, dad," Naruto said, getting a plate. He grabbed the spatula, fishing out the scrambled eggs and bacon onto his plate and waiting for the toast to finish. "Tomorrow's the first day of the academy, right?"

"That's right. And class starts at 7:45. Meaning you will always have enough time to wake up, eat, and get ready. So, no excuses alright?" Asuma smiled. "And after your class tomorrow, we can go to Ichiraku and celebrate you in the academy."

"That's a promise, alright dad? I mean it!" Naruto said with sudden vitality. He grabbed his toast as it popped out of the toaster and sat at the table to eat. "You aren't allowed to break that promise, 'ttebayo!"

Asuma laughed. "I promise, Naruto. After the academy class, we will get ramen."

"Yatta!" Naruto exclaimed with a full mouth. He took a large gulp of water to help him swallow. "You'll also be taking on a Genin team soon too, right? With Kurenai-obasan and Kakashi-oniisan?"

"Yeah, it'll be my first Genin team. But that means sometimes I'll be going out on missions with them. During those days, you'll be spending time with Shikaku-sensei, Inoichi, or Chouza until I come back, alright?"

"Can I mostly stay with Shikaku-ojisan? Ino-chan always wants me to do girly things and Choji's parents trying to stuff me with so much food I think I'm gonna explode!"

"That depends on their schedules, Naruto, but I'll make sure to ask him first most days. But why don't you guys all get together, like an extended sleepover? That way you get all your friend's, and you all do things together."

Bacon fell out of Naruto's mouth. Why hadn't he thought of that?! "I'll bring it up to Shikamaru next time!"

"Why don't you ask Chouza first? I'm sure he'd love to have all you kiddos around, and you won't have to eat all that food by yourself."

"Because I'm scared having all of us there will mean he gets to make MORE food for me to eat..." Naruto paled. Asuma couldn't help but laugh and hit the table a few times.

After breakfast, Naruto and Asuma started to work on Naruto's writing skills. While he could write perfectly, it would take too long. If he focused on speed, his writing would be illegible, and fuinjutsu requires both. Currently, Naruto was writing 'Naruto Uzumaki-Sarutobi, Student of Konohagakure' as fast and as cleanly as he could. Asuma would time how long it would take Naruto to write it fifteen times and examine his brush strokes after. The boy's writing improved a lot, and when they were taking breaks, Asuma would read the introductory book to Fuinjutsu to steer Naruto in the right direction. Unfortunately, Asuma couldn't make sense of anything that was written in the book, so he would take as many notes as he could to try and break it down a little simpler.

A knock on the door broke the two's concentration, and Asuma walked over to open it.

"Anko? What are you doing here?" Asuma asked the purple haired kunoichi.

"Hi Anko-oneechan!" Naruto called out.

"Hey gaki!" Anko called back. She turned back to Asuma, holding out a single folder. "I was told by Sandaime-sama to give this to you. It's your team assignments."

"Oh, thanks. Not that I don't appreciate it, but why did he send you?"

"Oh, I mentioned I was gonna say bye to the little brat before I went out on a mission and asked if he needed anything to give you."

"Thanks, Anko. I'll be sure to read this over tonight then."

"Where are you going Anko-nee?"

"I'll be going over to Tea Country. Nothing too bad, but I'll be gone for about a week. I'll be sure to bring you a little froggy souvenir if I find one," Anko answered, bending down to hug the little boy. For some reason, Naruto's been obsessed with frogs ever since the Sandaime gave him a frog wallet to hold his money, and recently Naruto's been asking everyone for a frog when they go out on missions.

"You're the best, Onee-chan!" Naruto kissed her cheek and smiled. "Good luck!"

Anko smiled and kissed Naruto's forehead. "Remember what I said, gaki? No good luck. What do we say instead?"

Naruto took a step back from his surrogate sister's hold and stood upright, giving her a salute. "Godspeed to you, Agent of Konoha!"

Anko and Asuma laughed. "Yeah, that's it Naru-kun!" Anko said as she saluted him back. "Now I got everything I need to complete my mission!"

"Yosh! And when you come back, you can tell me all about it!"

"Of course, brat. I wouldn't miss it. I'll see you soon. And you too, Asuma, I'll see you later."

Asuma smiled and gave her a halfhearted salute. "Godspeed," he chuckled.

Anko laughed as she turned around to leave. "Take care you two!"

As Anko jumped to the rooftops, Asuma closed the door and opened the folder.

"Can I see who is on your team, dad?"

"Maybe later Naruto, it's still technically work time. And that distraction means we're behind schedule."

"Aw man," the blond complained, going back to the table to start writing again.

Asuma smiled at the young boy. Fatherhood was weird, but strangely, it felt right.

The father-son duo worked for another half hour before Asuma stood up and stretched his back. "I don't know about you, Naruto, but I'm a little stiff. Why don't we go to the park?"

"Can we pick up Ino-chan on the way?" Naruto asked, standing up.

"Ino? Yeah, it's on the way. We can pick her up too," Asuma said. "Go change your clothes and get your backpack and we'll be on our way."

Naruto bounced all the way to his room, changing as quickly as he could. Meanwhile, Asuma made his way to the kitchen to pack a light snack and a few extra water bottles to put in Naruto's backpack.

The two exit the apartment, walking down the steps to the street. Asuma let Naruto lead the way to the Yamanaka Flower Shop, ignoring the glares and whispers surrounding the two. Naruto didn't seem to let it get to him, but eventually he would have to talk to the young blond about that.

Approaching the small floral shop, Naruto ran ahead, opening the door widely and entering the building. "Miki-obasan! Can Ino-chan come play today?"

"Hello, Naruto-kun! Hm, Ino-chan is with her father right now, but I'm sure he would let her go if you asked him. Go on upstairs, honey, they should be in the living room," Miki Yamanaka, Ino's mom, said.

Naruto ran upstairs loudly yelling Inoichi's name as Asuma walked into the shop. "Sorry about him, Miki-san. He gets a little too excited to run around after fuinjutsu practice."

"Nonsense, Asuma-kun. He's a little ball of sunshine. It's good for growth," Miki giggled. Two sets of footsteps could be heard running down the stairs before a yelp of surprise and the sound of tumbling as Naruto falls down the last few steps.

"I'm okay!" Naruto said, getting up quickly. "Tou-chan!" Naruto exclaimed to Asuma, "Ino-chan said she'll be in the same class as me when we get into the academy! That means Shikamaru and Choji will be in that class too, right?"

"Uhh, probably? I'm not sure how they do classes in the academy, but if they do the Ino-Shika-Cho trio for their generation, then yeah, that will make the most sense," Asuma answered.

"They can't! That means Naruto-kun won't be on my team!" Ino exclaimed.

"Well, honey, you still have about six years to change their minds," Miki said. "Now go on to the park, You can worry about that when time gets closer, okay?"

Ino pouted but nodded. Naruto grabbed her by the wrist and started to pull her along. "C'mon Ino-chan, before all the good swings get taken!"

Asuma and Miki silently chuckled to themselves at Ino's reddening face. Ah, to be so young and clueless. Asuma waved bye to the Yamanaka matron before heading out the shop, yelling at Naruto to slow down.

At the park, Naruto and Ino got the swings to themselves, much like they always did when Naruto was around. The two blond children were laughing extatically as they tried to go as high as they could.

"Ino-chan!" a new, high pitched, voice said.

"Sakura!" Ino yelled back as she slowed herself down to talk to her friend. "I didn't know you were coming to the park today! This is my friend I was telling you about! Naruto-kun!"

Naruto was staring at the pink haired girl Ino was talking to, a light pink color on his cheeks. "Hi, m-my name is Naruto."

Sakura studied his face before taking a step back. "Umm... Ino-chan... You sh-should stay away from him. My mom said he's dangerous."

Naruto's face suddenly turned to pain and sorrow. She's just like everyone else then.

Ino turned angry, a hands finding perch on her hips. "You mom is wrong! Naruto-kun isn't dangerous! He's funny, and happy, and kind, and sometimes a little dumb, but he's not dangerous! Has your mom talked to Naruto-kun?"

"Well, no, but-"

"And this is the first time you met right?"

"Yeah, but-"

"Then you don't have any right to say he's bad!"

"Alright, kiddos, what's going on?" Asuma said, walking up to the three kids. He had heard yelling, but no laughter. As he was the adult that brought Ino to the park, he oversaw her too.

"Nothing, tou-chan," Naruto said, his best fake smile on his face. "Ino-chan was just talking about how lazy Shikamaru was again."

Asuma narrowed his eyes at Naruto, obviously seeing through the lie. He would have to talk to Naruto later. Before he could say anything, however, Ino spoke up. "That's not true! Sakura-chan told me to stay away from Naruto-kun 'cause he was dangerous. He's not dangerous, tell her! Tell her, Asuma!"

Asuma smiled at Ino, patting her on the head before bending down to get to eye level with Sakura. "I'm sorry for any trouble my son and his friend caused you. But Naruto doesn't mean any harm to anyone. He is a sweet kid. I hope you'll give him a chance sometime."

"B-but my mom-" Sakura started, which Ino cut off again.

"If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all!" Ino yelled. "If you can't be friends with Naruto-kun, then I don't wanna be friends with you."

"Ino, that's not nice. I'm sure you kids can all get along," Asuma tried to reason. "We all just got off on the wrong foot. Why don't we all try again? You start, Naruto."

"My name is Uzumaki-Sarutobi Naruto. Nice to meet you," Naruto said with a small smile, hope in his eyes.

"You next, Ino."

Ino pouted. "But... Fine... My name is Yamanaka Ino. It's nice to meet you."

Asuma looked to Sakura, a gentle smile on his face.

Sakura looked back and forth between the three, a frown on her face. "My name is Haruno Sakura. I wish I could be friends with you, Ino-chan, but my mom won't let me if you're friends with that."

SLAP

Ino glared hard as her hand stung from the impact of her slapping Sakura. Asuma immediately grabbed Ino and pulled her away. "Ino! That's not okay!"

"I don't care! His name is Naruto!" Ino yelled, tears forming in her eyes. "Naruto! He's a person! He's real! Stop ignoring him! Stop talking and staring like he can't hear you!"

Naruto got up from the swing, bowing at the hips to Sakura. "I deeply apologize for my friends' actions, and I pray you don't let it hinder your friendship."

"Let's go kids, we're going straight home, and Ino, you have to explain yourself to your mother, okay?" Asuma lectured.

Ino nodded, sniffling as tears flowed freely from her cheeks. Asuma took both kids in his hands, walking briskly and quietly. Naruto would steal glances at Ino, but her eyes suddenly found her sandals extremely interesting. The three walked together in relative silence, the only sounds being Ino's hiccups and the sounds of their feet.

Back at the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Ino ran forward and hugged her mother's leg. Asuma took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Miki-san. There was a little fight on the playground, and I needed to take her home immediately."

Miki smiled softly. "It's okay, Asuma-kun." She squats down to look Ino in the eyes. "Are you okay, sweetheart? What happened?"

"Sakura-chan's a big dummy. She said her mom won't let her be friends with Naruto-kun! Why? Why does everyone think he's invisible! He's real, I know he is!"

A new voice, this time masculine, spoke. "Some adults make bag decisions, princess. It's how most wars happen. But what other people say doesn't matter. It's what you say, and you do to the people around you."

"Inoichi-san, I would like to let you know that Ino had struck that Haruno girl in the face because she refused to acknowledge Naruto," Asuma said. "While I don't think it was the appropriate response, I'm glad your daughter has what it takes to stand up to her friends, and I request her punishment not be so harsh."

Inoichi looked at Ino, squatting down as well. "Is that true, Ino? Did you hit Sakura?" Ino only nodded silently. "Come here," Inoichi said, opening his arms. Ino ran into them, hugging her father tightly. "I'm not mad, princess. But you must understand violence isn't the answer. Did you apologize already?" When Ino shook her head, he sighed. "Then let's make some cookies together and give them to Sakura tomorrow, as a way of saying sorry."

"Thank you for telling us this, Asuma-kun. And Naruto-kun, I'm sorry you had to experience this," Miki said. She bent down and hugged the boy tightly, who hugged back. "You're real and we all acknowledge you, okay? Everyone here."

"Thank you, Miki-obasan," Naruto said quietly.

"Come on, Naruto. Let's get some lunch. What do you want?" Asuma asked.

"Do you want to spend lunch time here?" Inoichi asked. "We were going to have some karaage if you want, and I'm sure Ino would love the company right now."

"What do you say Naruto?" Asuma asked his son.

"Yeah, I wanna stay for lunch," he answered.

"You two go upstairs and wash up then. I'll watch the store so you can cook, Miki. I don't want you to have to rush to cook so much," Inoichi said, getting his apron from behind the counter. He gave his wife a kiss and waited till all three footsteps were done climbing up the stairs. He asked Asuma in a serious tone, "What did that Haruno girl say?"

"Nothing incriminating, yet. Though, I don't know what her mother has told her."

"He's a good kid, Asuma. Bright, kind, so loving. Yet he houses a being of pure malevolence."

"I know. But he's really trying hard not to let it affect him. I'm just glad you all decided to have kids, that way he can grow up surrounded by friends."

"Your brother has a son, right? Has Naruto had a chance to meet the honorable grandson?"

"Yeah, mostly in passing when we go talk to dad. But also, Konohamaru is only two years old. Still has about a year to get over his shyness, I think."

"It must be hard on him, having both parents being Anbu and your grandfather's the Hokage. And here you are, one of the last remaining members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. He's got some big shoes to fill."

"I guess so. Though, so does Naruto, if that's how we're treating it." Asuma smiled.

'You don't have any idea how right you are, Asuma,' Inoichi thought to himself. "Well, I would say the first Sarutobi Fuinjutsu master would be a great legacy to start. I'm glad you're starting him on it so soon; it's incredibly difficult. And who knows, before the little knucklehead becomes hokage, he can work for the Sealing Division's R&D department."

"I'm glad you think he'll be hokage someday. You should tell that to him, he would appreciate that."

"With how loudly he yells it every day, there's no way he doesn't. He's got a good head on his shoulders. That's only going to get better with you there to lead him."

"Thank you, Inoichi-san."

The rest of the day moved on quickly. Naruto and Asuma had a great time at the Yamanaka household, eating delicious food with wonderful people. The two finally said their goodbyes before starting the walk home, both kids already forgetting the events that transpired that very day.