Chapter 13: Just Some Academy Reopen

The summer holidays went by smoothly without any problem. Naruto & Sasuke trained each every day improving their skills. All the clan heirs & Naruto were checked properly for any sign of feeling emotional trauma for their first kill but they were all checked out. They already come to term with their first kill during the water bucket punishment by talking to each other and believing that it was the right thing to do.

Naruto's hair grew back and now its length is as much as his middle finger. He felt weird to attend the academy after 2 months break. When he entered the school he felt same as his first day. Everyone is staring at him and kept on walking hung his low determined to change things and not to repeat the same mistake twice.

Sasuke was at first a little concerned for Naruto and didn't want him to enter the academy again but after a talk with his mother about Naruto he obliged. Mikoto told Sasuke that Naruto needs to grow and face these problem head on if he keep on protecting him he won't be able to reach his full potential, he can't protect him all the time but can be with him alongside him to help him little by little.

As Sasuke needed to see the principal because he was coming after his suspension Naruto had to walk all alone to class. But as he entered the class he ran away crying to the bathroom.

Ino was looking forward for a new start in her life and try to make things right to win Sasuke's heart. First objective on her list was to make very good friends with Naruto because he is Sasuke's best friend. She remembered the class trip and saw Sasuke concerned over Naruto all the time so she knew to win his heart she need to make Naruto come to her side. She came to school early hoping to chat with Naruto one on one to make him forget past.

Ino: Hey Naruto how have been (smiling like an angel)?

When Naruto noticed her he saw her grinning like a devil who was about to torture her and he did the only thing he can, he ran away crying.

Ino: Say anything and I'll make everyone's life a living hell (rage).

The whole class froze with fear at her threat.

Naruto was scarred to go back to the class but he had to so he waited for someone he knows who could accompany him to the class. Sasuke was at the corridor when he was called by Naruto.

Sasuke: Were you crying?

Naruto: Yes.

Sasuke: Did someone do anything to you?

Naruto: No but I think they want to.

Sasuke: Don't worry; nobody will ever trouble you again.

Naruto: Okay (relieved with his best friend by his side).

Everyone was sitting on the seat assign to them before the suspension. Teachers took the class normally but the only problem was Naruto, he was acting different. He was not answering the questions correctly and not doing any good in his physicals too. The class thought that he finally went dumb after one beating but the children who had talked to him knew that he was doing this on purpose.

Sasuke: What the hell are you doing?

Naruto: What?

Sasuke: Why are you not answering correctly like you used too?

Naruto: Because this way others won't have any problem with me and I'll be out of their radar.

Sasuke: You don't have to put yourself down to satisfy their ego.

Naruto: But I don't have a problem with it. I am fine being an average student.

Sasuke: Whatever! Just promise me you won't hold back against me when training at home.

Naruto: Promise.

Shikamaru, Hinata & Shino knew what Naruto was actually doing, Kiba was gloating with his superiority and Choji & Sakura were worried for Naruto. Ino didn't know what was going on with him but she knew if gets her hands on him he will spill the beans. Shoko & Shogo felt sorry as they thought that all that bullying had made Naruto lose his motivation to study as he used to.

Teachers thought the same as the other children that he has lost his will to be the top student. Hokage heard about this sudden change and worried about the future of Naruto as if he keeps on acting like that soon he would stop trying.

When the school got over Ino followed Naruto to corner him for interrogation about what happen today and soon she got her chance. Naruto was walking alone to his house and Sasuke left for shopping for groceries when he was ambushed by same boys who bullied him but made to rethink by the assistance of Ino.

Ino: Yes, now Naruto will know how good of a person I am and won't be able to stop worshipping me.

Naruto was terrified from the start till he saw Ino smirking with her eyes closed then with quick thinking he brings out cash bow downs to her raising his hands to give her money.

Naruto: Thank you for your service.

Ino: What (surprised with his action)? What the hell is wrong with you (anger raging)?

Naruto ran away as quickly as possible leaving the cash hanging in the air.

Ino: Ugh, I screwed up again (sighing).

Naruto reaching his house sighed in relief that he was safe.

A month passed and it was time for cultural festival. In this festival each class has to put on something to entertain the public who has come to visit and each class selects a group of students to perform a task selected by lucky draw & were marked on their creative way of performing that task.

Luckily Naruto's class would not have to perform task because it was their first festival. So as for the cultural festival they decided to open a restaurant.

Naruto & Sasuke weren't enthusiastic about the restaurant because there was nothing to gain from it. They have to open these things to increase bonding between comrades and general public of the village plus it was a time for children to have some fun before the cruel life of a ninja.

All were assigned different jobs during cultural festival. Sasuke was going to be the waiter and Naruto and Choji were assigned on the cooking duty. Shikamaru was the accountant & Shino a manager. Kiba & Hinata were bouncer because of their sensing capability. Rest of the boys was going to advertise and girls were going to be waitress. Ino, Sakura, Ami, Shoko & Shogo were in-charge of checking the order went to the right person.

For the festival, girls were preparing the dresses to wear, boys were decorating the class & Naruto, Choji, Shikamaru & Shino were deciding the menu and cost to buy all those ingredients. All the teachers were observing how their students are progressing in preparation of the festival.

Naruto & Sasuke were at Choji's home for discussing the menu purpose. Naruto was very uncomfortable around Choji's parents. They were very happy to finally meet Naruto face to face and because of his behavior they kept comfortable distance from him.

Ino was trying to sneak a chance to talk with Naruto who was totally avoiding her during preparation. Each time she comes near him he ran. By this time she thought of giving up and she saw him talking to another girl, it was Sakura.

Sakura: Hey Naruto, thanks you for your patients while I took your measurement.

Naruto: It was not a big deal.

Sakura: So is the menu for the festival is ready.

Naruto: Yes.

Ino sneaked up to Naruto and hold him by his shoulder so he could not run away.

Ino: Hey guys what are you all talking about?

Sakura: Nothing much, I was asking Naruto about the menu that they made.

Naruto was in panic and sweating like he was on a desert.

Ino: Really, tell me about this menu Naruto.

Naruto: It is ready.

Ino: I heard you before that it was ready, I was asking what are on menu.

Naruto: I don't remember but Choji does, you should ask him.

Ino was now close to Naruto's face, her head on his shoulder.

Ino: But I want to hear it from you.

Sakura: Ino what are you doing?

Ino: What do you mean?

Sakura: Stop causing trouble for Naruto.

Ino: The hell is that supposed to mean.

As she said those words her grip loosened and Naruto ran away.

Ino: Look what you made me do.

Sakura: Why are you bothering him since school started?

Ino: I don't bother him; I just wanted to be his friend.

Sakura: Well you are too much for him to be friends.

Ino: Oh I see what this is all about; you want to be friends with him so that you can grow closer to Sasuke too, am I right?

Sakura: What are you babbling about, don't tell me that all you think about him, a means to an end.

Ino: You are one to talk, you are doing the exact same thing.

Sakura: No I am not, Naruto is a good person and that is why I am trying to be friends with him.

Ino: Well I know he is a good person but, wait you like Naruto now?

Sakura: What No, I still like Sasuke but I can be friends with Naruto too.

Ami: What the hell are you guys fighting about now?

Sakura: Ino is trying to get Sasuke through Naruto.

Ino: Sakura has a crush on Naruto (she lied).

Ami: Okay you both need to calm down, you both are nuts. First there is no way that Sasuke would date anybody that Naruto makes friends with because he is not an idiot that he could not sense your intention behind making Naruto your friend. Secondly Naruto won't get near you because he is too afraid.

Ino: Wow when did you get so smart?

Ami: I thought about this idea a while back and my big sister talked me out of it.

Ino: So it was your sister, for moment I got scared to see you using your brain.

Sakura: Yeah! You have no idea how weird that feeling was.

Ami: Sometimes I want to push both of you off this building.

On that same day, Naruto started to help all the boys and by the end of the day he was no help to anyone. He felt so pathetic on his uselessness even after talking to Sasuke that he cried himself to sleep. Ino was just passing thinking about her shallow thinking and wanted to know him better. When she saw his sleeping form she went for it and sits beside him while he sleeps.

Ino: Wow he is a deep sleeper; hmm he is actually very cute while he sleeps (she thought while she gently played with his hair). Wow his hair is so beautiful and his skin is so smooth after his intense training, I wonder what products he uses. Eyes, god his eyes are so mesmerizing like you are about to drown in it.

As she was sitting with Naruto she didn't know how exhausted she was and soon fell asleep. She rested her head upon his head and his head was on her shoulder sitting side by side. Both looked adorable in the eyes of Ino's mother when she come to pick her up when school got over. She gently picked up Ino and went straight home.

Yamanaka Residence (Evening)

Akiko: Hey Ino when did you wake up?

Ino: Just now. Hey mom how did I got home?

Akiko: Oh honey, you just fell asleep at the school so I carried you home.

Ino: Huh, when did that hap………oh don't tell me.

Akiko: Tell you what that you were sleeping with a boy.

Ino: No mom, I don't like Naruto.

Akiko: Sure you don't (sarcastic).

Ino: I really don't.

Uzumaki Residence

Naruto: Hey why are you looking me weirdly?

Sasuke: You really don't know what you were doing at academy after you left for crying.

Naruto: All I remember is that I was sleeping.

Sasuke: Huh. What the hell is going on here?