Today was a gusty morning. The village filled with a fog. It has been a few days since Naruto last saw the Hokage. He knew he wasn't allowed to see him at the moment and he didn't know when they would be able to meet again. He decided to go out. He got dressed in his casual clothes.
It was early but there was still alot of people out. As he was walking he got stares, concerned looks, people who ignored him, and some just simply didn't care. He was going to the Academy. He has seen it before. He passed by it all the time on the way to the hokage's office and when he used to run around looking to make some friends. As he got closer he noticed there was a croud of people at the school.
He saw all of the kids with their parents. It made him feel weird but he ignored it. He stood there looking at what they were doing. The parents were signing them up for the academy. He walked closer and closer and waited in line until it was finally his turn.
"Next"
Naruto stared at the man. Not knowing what to say. He just stood there.
The man stared back. Until it got awkward. "Uh kid… where is your paperwork."
Naruto continued to stare at him. The man was confused as to why he wasn't saying anything. The man asked another question. "Do you have paperwork?"
Naruto shook his head no.
The man just looked at him. Confused as to why he was even here if he didn't have any paperwork. Then he got a good look at him. He recognized him. Then it all made sense. So that's the reason he didn't have any paperwork he doesn't get any because who would they send it to. "Kid… here's the deal. I don't want to be here and deal with any more people and you don't have paper work. How about I ask you the questions on here and help you fill out your paperwork. I don't deal with other people and you get to do the paperwork. We both get what we want. Deal?"
Naruto thought about it for a second. Then shook his head yes.
"Okay great. Write your name down right here so we can start." As he points to the signature section of the stack of paper.
Naruto looks at it, then looks back at the man and shakes his head no.
"No? What do you mean no? Do you not know your name?" the man looks at Naruto who looks like he's going to cry. Then it hit him. HES AN ORPHAN. "Kid, do you not know how to write?"
Naruto shook his head yet again.
"Alright. I'll fill it out. Name?"
"Naruto Uzumaki." He whispered
This surprised him. He didn't think that would work. From what he could tell he doesn't speak much. He's very quiet. Maybe the academy will do him some good the man thought. The second question is actually date of birth but he doubts Naruto actually knows that, but he'll make a note of it and schedule a meeting with the hokage.
"Question 2…" After about 20-30 minutes of answering questions. The paper work was finally done. "Alright kid. Your paper work is done and will be put into our files and your first day at the Academy is in a couple of weeks. August 5th is your first day. Be HERE at 8am and tell them your name. They will tell you where to go. Okay?"
Naruto shook his head yes in understanding. The man sweat dropped thinking they had gotten past not speaking but guess he was wrong. He said one more thing before letting Naruto go. "Kid you might want to learn how to write before your first day. It will make everything easier. Just something to keep in mind." He waved bye.
Naruto then left. He wasn't sure what to do now. He needed to learn how to write but wasn't sure who'd help him but he unintentionally signed up for the academy. He just wanted to ask questions but he was too nervous to ask.
-Meanwhile at the Hokage office"
This wasn't how Mai expected her day to go. First she woke up early to get a start at the mountains of paper work she needed to sort through. Then she forgot to bring her lunch. Next she asked to look through the academy documents and file them away and send them to the hokage for somereason, she wasn't even supposed to do this. The academy have teachers to do this. It's how they get to know their students before hand. Finally she had gotten a second wave of paper work. In other words she was really busy today and for the next few days. Then as she was looking through the Academy files. She stumbled upon. Naruto Uzumaki. She was interested but also concerned. Was naruto even old enough. In his defence shes only seen him everynow and then but from what she remembers he's rather small. She had to confirm this with the Hokage.
Mai barged into the room scattering around like a goof. "Hokage-same pardon the..." She gave an unimpressed look to the Hokage who was reading the latest Icha Icha novel with a perverted grin.
It all happened within a couple of seconds so he was caught very off guard. "AHh what could I do for you?" He said while trying to seem professional and presentable with hiding the book under his desk.
"We will talk about that BOOK later. Sir while I was doing the academy's paperwork I found this." She hands him the papers.
He grabs them curious as to what she found so strange as to barge into his office. He looked at the papers in his hands. He couldn't believe it. At the top of the page. Student Name:Naruto Uzumaki. Other than that more than half of the page was blank. He had a lot of questions. "Mai-san did you fill this out for Naruto? I highly doubt he was able to spell his own name and everything else on here considering he can't read." He says still looking through the papers.
"What did you just say?" Mai said in a calm low tone.
"I said Naruto can't read so I know for a fact he can't write." He was still unaware as to what was going on in the room. He was filling out the rest of the papers so naruto could get to go into the academy without any problems.
"He is a year younger than the rest but that shouldn't be a problem. Did you know the academy starting age is just a suggestion. You can actually start earlier but we don't recommend that since we are currently in a time of peace. At least for our nation. Speaking of time of peace, did we receive the scroll from the mist village or the sand village. This will be great for trade and commercial business."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE CAN'T READ! NO ONE EVER TAUGHT HIM HOW TO READ? How is he supposed to do well if he can't read." Mai said pretty loudly.
" He's been by himself his whole life so no one has ever taught him how to read. I learned of it not that long ago at Ichiraku Ramen. Young Naruto really deserves better but I just wasn't able to do all that much but the bare essentials."
"Shouldn't teaching him how to read and write count as the bare essential?"
" I always planned to teach him how to read and write but I never had the time and I can't just send an anbu or a shinobi to that they would all decline except for a small handful but they were always assigned to different missions outside of the Village."
" Fine I'll teach him then. Where does he live. I'll go visit him after work and speak to him about it."
"Are you sure? You're under a lot of stress here as it is."
"Yes. Tell me where he is so I can teach him."
"He lives in a run down apartment on the outskirts of the town. You really can't miss it. Also I hope you know you won't get paid for this extra work. at least not yet."
"That's fine. That's not why I'm doing it in the first place."
"Okay good. Also I will send you a copy of these later so you could just leave them all here."
"Thank you Hokage-sama."
Mai leaves the room back to her desk and leaves the Hokage to his book.
"You can come out now." Hiruzen says
Then an Anbu appears
"Hokage-sama, You summoned me?"
"Please remove your mask."
Kakashi then removes his mask
"I summoned you to relieve you of your Anbu duties and you will now be a Jonin instructor with your own team."
"Hokage-sama I dont understand."
" I've been thinking of doing this for quite sometime but there was never a decent time with Orochimaru roaming around not to mention the absence of Jiraiya not to mention Tsunade, While you had a near perfect record as an Anbu captain. I believe you were never meant to be there for this long. Minato put you in the Anbu to help you. He saw it as a way to get over your nightmares and keep you busy so you wouldn't be alone but now I don't really think thats necessary because of this."
He tosses the papers on the desk for Kakashi to see
Kakashi looks at the papers and it just seems like the standard academy paperwork he also had to fill out when he was younger but he looked at the name. Naruto Uzumaki.
His eye opened wide
"He signed up for the academy. This is great. Was this the reason for the sudden change?"
"I think the time for you two to officially meet is coming. I think this would be good for both of you."
"It'll be a couple of years until he graduates but thats why You will have practice with other teams. Think of it as a practice to when its naruto's turn."
"I see. Will this be all Hokage-sama?"
"Yes that will be all. You are dismissed."
Kakashi vanished. The Hokage was finally left with the important pages. The pages in the book. "Now where was I?" He says pervertedly as he pulls the book back out.
-Later that day-
Naruto left the academy earlier feeling satisfied but is scared. Where is he supposed to learn how to read and write. What was he supposed to do.
He was home trying to cook. He wasn't very good at it. He can barely see the top of the stove. He was currently cooking fish, rice and some vegetables he "found". While he was cooking and trying his best to clean he heard a knock at the door.
*KNOCK KNOCK*
He kept on cooking thinking it wasn't for him. Then...
*KNOCK KNOCK*
Naruto now is nervous. He wasn't expecting anyone and well he didn't know anyone so in his head this could be anyone good or bad. He walked to the door but for some reason he felt like he knew who it was. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but it felt familiar. He slowly opened the door.
"Yes?" He asked quietly.
He looked out the door. He was actually very scared but his nerves died down when he saw none other than outside his door.
" Hello there Naruto-chan can I come in please?"
"Okay" He opens the door to let her in.
As Mai walked in she took a look around. An empty kitchen, a table with two chairs, a small couch in the living room, some plants here and there. There wasn't much. It really put into perspective how some people really live. How a child lives. She couldn't help but feel a little bad but shes here to help him, prepare him for what he signed up for.
As she was looking around and thinking to herself. She noticed naruto wasn't around her. She looked to the kitchen and there he was trying to cook. It was adorable but kind of dangerous since he couldn't see what he was making. "What are you making?"
He jumped and he turned to look at her. He looked nervous? Scared? Embarrassed? She couldn't really read his facial expression but what she could see was that his face turned red and he was pouting after she scared him. She laughed. "I'm so sorry Naruto-chan. I didn't mean to scare you."
He turned towards his countertop where he kept his plates and grabbed one. He put rice, vegetables and the fish on top. he put the plate in front of her. "This is for me?"
He shook his head yes.
"Oh thank you. This is very nice of you."
Naruto got rice and vegetables and sat across from her at the table.
"Now naruto you might be wondering why I'm here."
"Yes" He stated pretty quickly. He was still a little embarrassed.
"I saw that you signed up for the academy and that's great but the Hokage told me you can't write or even read."
"I can't." Naruto stated looking at the floor.
"Well that's why I'm here. I asked the Hokage to let me teach you how to read and write before you started at the Academy and he said it was okay. So as long as you'll let me. Can I teach you how to rea-"
"YES" He exclaimed.
This startled Mai as Naruto has never yelled near her before. She wasn't expecting him to raise his voice like that.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell, please show me." Naruto hit her with his strongest weapon. The baby eyes.
Mai found it adorable that he was trying to convince her to teach him when she already said he would. "Naruto-chan you don't have to do that. I said I was going to teach you already but you are really adorable. I'll be coming by 5 times a week to teach you okay. So please be ready." She said with a smile.
"You promise?" He said while holding out his pinky.
"I promise." They interlock pinkies.
"Okay." He smiled.
"I should get going. Bye Naruto-chan."
"Bye Bye"
With that she left and Naruto was extremely happy. Someone was willing to show him how to read and write. He was ready to be a shinobi. Atleast he thinks he is. With that he gets ready to go to bed and be ready for his first lesson tomorrow.
-With Kakashi-
He was standing over the graves of Minato and Kushina.
"Did you see; Sensei, Lady Kushina. Naruto is old enough to enter the academy. I know he'll make the two of you proud. I'll do my best to continue to look after him but with my new position I don't know how it will go. I've spent hours watching over him making sure he's safe. Watching him grow up in the husk they call an apartment. It really isn't the same as it would've been with the two of you here. He should have a family here with him. He needs the two of you probably more than I'll ever know since at least I got to know my father. He doesn't get that same privilege. I'm sorry I couldn't be of use on the day he was born. Everyone tells me it's not my fault and there was nothing I could've done but the way I see it. It will always be one of my biggest regrets."
"You know Kushina would hit you if she heard you talking to yourself like that."
"Hokage-sama what are you doing here?"
"I had originally summoned for you but you never came. So I came to find you, I'm not upset. It gave me a chance to get out of the office. I had a feeling you would be visiting the graves tonight. Especially with the news of Naruto." He looks at the graves and leaves flowers.
"Their absence is felt but only some are truly affected."
"Are you in the some that are truly affected?"
"I needed them. More than they would ever know. I looked up to my father but Minato Sensei is who made me who I am. Naruto should've had them. I feel like I failed them."
"You didn't fail them kakashi. Yes, they are no longer here but they left someone that was worth giving it all for. Naruto is their legacy and as his current guardians it is our job to shape him into the shinobi of tomorrow. The future of our village is Naruto. As long as he has the will to do so, and as long as we guide him toward the right path I know they would be proud of him. That includes you Kakashi."
"I understand hokage-sama" Kakashi says with a remarkably rare genuine smile.
"Good. Now I have someone teaching him how to read and write. He will become a shinobi. I will make sure of it. Well that was all I wanted to say. Have a good rest of your night."
"Thank you Hokage-sama. You as well."
Over the next few weeks Naruto and Mai got pretty close during his lessons. The first one was the worst. Naruto really knew NOTHING about reading. They couldn't start reading until he learned the alphabet. That first day was filled with a lot tears when Naruto didn't understand what he was looking at. Naruto is very lucky Mai is soft on him. Anyone else and they might have yelled or hit him but she was understanding and patient with him. There were multiple trips to the library that were filled with such enthusiasm. Naruto would run off and pick books he wanted to read or just wander around to see what there was. With the first day of the Academy coming closer and closer Mai sped up the lessons so he could be ready until. The day before the first day arrived.
"Alright Naruto, today is your last lesson before you start at the academy."
"I know, are you sure it's okay for me to go?"
"You're a child like the rest of them, you want to be a shinobi like the rest of them. There is no reason or excuse they can give you in order to not let you. Besides if they won't let you why don't you go tell "grandpa"." She said while smiling at him. She was looking at his grammar practice. While it wasn't perfect, it was to the level where she could let him go to the school and be fine. "Once you finish with that worksheet bring it to me then you'll read the history book I got you.
"But I don't want to read that one. Can I read this one?" He hands her the book and she glances at the cover and she held back EVERY urge to burn the book right then and there because it would scare Naruto. "Naurto-chan. Where on earth did you get this book?"
"That book. I found it at the grandpas office. It was on his desk and i saw the book so I took it. Can we read it. I'll start let me see it."
'This is going to be bad either way no matter what I do. I don't want to make him sad but I must preserve his innocence forever.'
"Naruto-Chan. This book is not for children it's a very naughty book now promise me you aren't gonna read it."
Naruto didn't want to get her mad so he agreed to it. " I promise."
"Naruto I need to talk to you about something important."
"What?" He asked
"After today I wont be able to come by anymore. It's not that I don't want to but you just don't need me to teach you anymore. I think you'll be able to do it by yourself from now on. Will you be okay by yourself?"
"I-I don't know. Do you have to go away?"
She kneeled down to look at him "I don't want to, but I have to. The hokage needs me to be there and do the work. Other villages are going to fight and we need to stay out of it."
"Okay." He says starting to sound me sad
"Naru. Can I call you that? Look I'm not leaving you forever. I'm just going to be away for a while."
"How long is a while?"
"When the hokage says I can come back… I know you'll be fine. You can do it. I believe in you. You're my little special man after all." She says as she pinches his cheek
Naruto on the other hand isn't taking this as well as she thinks.
'Does she have to leave? When will she be back? Will she forget about me? What do I do?'
"Who's gonna play with me?" He says starting to sound
"When you're at school you'll make friends to play with."
"But what if I don't. What if no one wants to play with me. What if I don't make any friends."
"Naru. Come here." She says opening her arms for a hug. He springs towards her. While she was prepared for him. She wasn't prepared for the speed. Naruto knocks her over.
She laughs while Naruto tries his best to be as close to her as possible
"Naru would it make you feel better if I stayed with you just for today?"
Naruto nods
"Okay I'll be right back. I'm going to go home and get some of my stuff for tonight." She moves naruto away for her to be able to get up. And she walks towards the door.
"WAIT!" Naruto yells and grabs her hand to stop her.
This surprised her yet again. Naruto rarely yells.
"What's wrong Naru?" Mai asked confused
"You're coming back right?" He asked almost desperate for her to say yes
She sighs with a smile. "Of course I am Naru. You didn't think I'd just leave without saying bye right?"
"No"
"Then I'll be right back okay. Start cutting up some vegetables I'll cook for us okay. Be good."
"Okay."
Mai is walking through the streets on her way to her office then to her home to pick up some things for her sleep over. The walk was uneventful but on the way she passed a little book store. She stopped and took a look at the catalogue of books hoping she can find something for Naruto or maybe even herself.
"See anything you like?" The shop owner said
"I'm not too sure. I'm just looking at the moment."
"Well if you need something to new read come back in a couple of weeks. Word has it that the village is getting an exclusive early access to the new Icha Icha volume 3. I personally can't wait to see what new adventures… blah blah blah."
As Mai stands looking in disbelief she makes a break for it to get away. She ran for away then stopped once she got to her office.
"That was no doubt the hokages idea. That pervert." She sighs and heads inside and makes her way to her desk. She picks up some spare money she had hidden away in her desk and grabbed her spare key to her house as she realized she left her bag at Naruto's house.
On her way out she ran into the hokage coming back from his dinner meeting.
"Oh Ms. Suzuki I wasn't expecting going you to be here. You had already left for the day. What are you doing?"
"Good afternoon hokage-sama I was just grabbing some spare money I keep in my desk and as well as my spare house key. You see I left my bag at Naruto's house and I'm gonna grab some stuff from mine and head back."
"You keep your office key on you but not your house key? Ms. Mai that's some dedication. I might have to give you a raise." He laughs
She sweat drops and laughs out of embarrassment.
"Oh hokage-sama before I forget. I might a little late tomorrow."
"Oh. Why?"
"You see Naruto doesn't exactly want me to leave for today. So I'm staying at his house. I think he's nervous about tomorrow. To try and calm him down I'm gonna take him tomorrow."
"What a great idea. You know I hadn't thought that maybe seeing all the other children with their parents or guardians might set him off the wrong way since he might not have had anyone to take him. Good thinking Ms. Mai"
"Thank you hokage-sama. Well I'm off. Have a goodnight."
"Thank you Mai. You as well."
As she leaves the building an anbu with familiar white hair appears behind the hokage.
"Can I have that raise sir?"
"No kakashi you can't have that raise." He deadpans
Mai arrives at her house. Grabs her toothbrush, her hair curler, her shampoo, body wash, pajamas, deodorant, some books, and her clothes for tomorrow.
'This should be everything I need am I forgetting something? I am not.' She looks around and turns off the lights but she notices a small camera on her night stand.
'Tomorrow is his special day. I should take a picture for us' she grabbed it and was on her way.
About 25 minutes later -
Mai arrives back at Naruto's apartment. She knocks on the door and naruto rushes over and opens the door. She was startled by Naruto taking her in a hug.
"Naru? What's wrong"
"You took a long time so I thought you weren't coming back"
She hugs him back "I'm so sorry Naru-Chan. I guess I did take a long time. Let's go inside. I'm here now."
He nods happily
They step inside but it smells like something was burning.
"Ummmm, naruto why does it smell like burning vegetables?"
She looked down and naruto was sweating a comically large amount.
She sighs with a smile
"Come on let's clean this up. Then we'll go get something to eat." She says
"Sure"
"Naruto you sweep and I'll clean the burnt food and wash the dishes."
After 20 minutes they finish and they're on their way out
"Alright Naru what sounds good to eat?"
"I get to pick?"
"Well of course tomorrow's your special day. What do you want to eat?"
"I don't know. What do you like to eat?"
"I like to eat barbecue."
"Barbecue? What's that?"
"It's this super good food. It's pork, chicken, sausage, rice, vegetables, bread , salads and sometimes there's a dessert."
Naruto looks amazed. "Can we get that?"
"Of course, anything for you. Come on let's go. There's a place not too far from here."
She takes his hand and off they were. They went to a restaurant and ordered chicken, sausage, rice, vegetables and for Naruto a special surprise.
They brought out the food and they were huge portions. Naruto hadn't seen so much food at once before. They get through the meal slowly and surely then they ask for a box so Mai can make Naruto a lunch for tomorrow she asks to throw in a piece of chocolate cake. She pays, they make a quick pit stop at a store and then they're on their way.
-At Naruto's apartment-
"Naru before we go get ready for bed I have something for you. Come sit down."
He sits down at the table.
"What is it?" He asks excitedly
She put down the cake with a candle.
"What's this?" He asked confused
"Happy birthday Naru-Chan" she says softly next to him
He looks at her. Then back at the cake and he starts to cry.
"Don't cry Naru. Come here." She hugs him and he holds her back crying. Then he finally starts to calm down.
In between sobs he says "But it's not my birthday yet."
She chuckles "I know that silly, but I don't think I'll be able to see you on your birthday. So instead of you thinking I forgot, we get to celebrate it a little early just the two of us."
"Thank you" he says into her hug.
"Let me take a picture of you. Blow out your candle birthday boy" Mai says
Naruto smiles and he blows them out but not before Mai got the perfect picture. At least in her eyes. A happy little boy blowing out his candle on his first ever birthday celebration.
"Do you want some? We can share." Naruto asked as he help out a piece on a fork.
"Sure. We can share." She takes a bite and the two enjoy the slice of cake before getting ready for bed.
Mai makes Naruto take a bath, brush his teeth and put on his pajamas before she does the same.
She was going to sleep on the couch but there were two major problems with that. One. Naruto's couch wasn't really a couch it was more like an oversized chair. Second. Naruto was getting sad that she wouldn't sleep in the room with him so obviously she went with him to the room and both got tucked into the bed.
"Goodnight Naru-Chan"
"Goodnight Mai-Chan"
They slept.
Mai wakes up to the sounds of birds and she looks at the clock next to the bed. It reads 6:13 am. She looks to her left and there is naruto sound asleep with drool on his face and a little goofy smile.
'Oh my goodness. HOW ADORABLE.' Mai gets up as quietly as she can and goes towards her bag and grabs her camera.
'Perfect to embarrass you when you're older.'
She goes back to lying down and tries to go back to sleep. But she can't she has to get up in about 10 minutes to get ready and then Naruto has to get ready a little later.
After 10 minutes of some light reading she got up to go take a shower. She puts on suit and goes to the kitchen to make breakfast. She makes him some eggs and bacon. It's not much but it's all she can make with what he has in the short time.
Naruto wakes up and looks around and can't find Mai. He looks at the clock and it's 7:27 am.
He gets up and decides to look around the apartment. As soon as he gets out of the room he hears her in the kitchen. He smiles and walks towards the kitchen and she's there cooking and doing the dishes. She isn't aware that Naruto is awake. So he rushes behind her and jumps on her back.
"Mai!"
"AAHHH" She screams
She turns around and naruto is standing there
"Hi" Naruto says with a smile
She bends down and grabs his cheeks.
"That's not very nice Naru-Chan. You scared me." She says with a smile.
"I'm shawry" he tries to say but Mai is pinching his face
She let go of his face
"Go get ready it's almost time for us to go"
"Okay"
He runs off to his room and goes to get his clothes. Put on a red shirt and black pants. Then he makes his way towards the table and begins to eat. Mai sits down and begins to eat as well.
"Are you excited for your first day?" Mai asked
"No. I don't know. What if they don't like me."
"Naru you'll be fine. You'll make tons of friends who want to play and go do things outside of school. You're also going to need to study and get super strong. You're going to be a Shinobi. It's dangerous. You don't want me to worry do you." She says pulling the sad eyes
"N-no" he says with a sweat drop.
"Good. Now let's go it's almost time for your first day."
They leave and make their way towards the academy. They notice huge crowds of people. Families taking pictures, Shinobi getting a look at what's going on, and students looking to see what class they are in.
"Let's go look Naru."
He doesn't say anything and just walks forward with her. They get to the bulletin board and look for his name.
"Look Naru I found you. You're in Iruka Uminos class it's in room 3C. I'm sure he's going to be a great teacher."
As they sit around and the upper class men get called in Mai has something she wants to do.
"Let's go take a picture. I want a picture of your first day. Is that okay?"
"Sure okay" he gets up from the bench nearby.
'Now I should ask someone to take our photo.'
"Excuse me will you take our photo?" Mai asked a couple
"Oh of course. I'm pretty jealous your child is willing to take a photo. You know I had to bring my husband and child forcefully. They were telling me how it was a drag to come here."
"I mean I'm not lying coming here is such a drag. It hasn't changed since we went here. I could just teach shikamaru until he's 12 then enroll him the last year."
"This will be good for him. Hopefully he'll grow out of that lazy phase he's in"
"He's my son it's not a phase he's going to be like that for as long as he lives and besides you love us either way." The man laughs
"I might love both of you but you're still both lazy as hell. Oh I'm sorry my name Yoshino Nara and this is my husband Shikaku Nara." She says rather embarrassed
"I know. I'm the hokages secretary Mai Suzuki. I send you the monthly clan head meeting dates and other news from the hokage." She says
"Ohhhh right I'm sorry I normally don't go to those I've never seen you before. It's nice to officially meet you. Which one is yours? You seem rather young to have a child here at least."
"I actually don't have any children of my own, but I have someone very special to me. Come on out Naru." She says
Shikoku and yoshino are curious but are completely shocked when they see who it is. There he is. Naruto Uzumaki the boy who all the clan heads wondered where to find him and ironically the way to find him was to just ask the secretary.
Yoshino is the first to say something. She didn't want shikaku to scare him off once he realized what was happening. If he was even paying attention.
She crouches slightly and talk very soft and slowly "Hi. My name is Yoshino. What's your name?"
He pokes his head from Mai's legs "Naruto"
She giggles "My my someone's a little shy. Are you excited for school? No? My son isn't either. Will you be his friend he doesn't have many friends."
Naruto looked at Mai. She nodded yes. Naruto looks at Yoshino then nods his head.
"Thank you Naruto-Chan. I'm going to yell at my son really quick okay. Please don't be scared I won't yell at you okay?"
"Okay" Naruto says
"SHIKAMARU GET YOUR BUTT OVER HERE!" Yoshino yells out
On the floor by a tree a young boy can be seen waking up from what seems to be a nap and he walks over. VERY SLOWLY.
"I'm up im up. This is such a drag, did you have to sign me up for school? Why couldn't you let me sleep all day?" Shikamaru says
"I could've but then this wouldn't have happened. Shikamaru this is Naruto. Naruto this is my son. You're both in Irukas class."
"Hey." Shikamaru says
"Hi" Naruto says from behind Mai's legs.
"I'm going to go to the restroom. I'll be back." Shikamaru then leaves
Yoshino sighs "That could've gone better but it'll be okay Naruto-Chan I promise you two will be good friends."
"Oh we got a little side tracked I'll take the photo now." Yoshino says
Mai and Naruto stand in front of a tree in the sun. Naruto is standing in front of Mai and Mai has her hands on Naruto's shoulders behind him. Naruto is a little nervous and Mai can see that so she tickles him a little bit and he starts to laugh and he has a huge smile on his face. This causes Mai to start laughing as well.
Yoshino took this time to just take the picture. Two people in the moment and it was a great picture. Naruto and Mai looking at eachother with smiles as wide as possible. "Okay I got it. Ms. Mai what do you think?"
Mai takes her camera back and has a look. The picture she sees. He and Naruto looking at eachother with smiles so wide and a beautiful background. "It's perfect I love it. Thank you ."
"Call me Yoshino, the classes should be starting in a couple of minutes so we're going to get going. Hopefully we see you again sometime soon. Bye Bye."
"Have a great day Mrs. Nara." She says waving bye. Then turns around to look at Naruto. "I have to get going too Naru-Chan. Promise me you'll be good. I'll try to see you whenever I can and you have free time okay?"
"Bye Mai-Chan. Come back soon." Naruto says and runs in for a hug
"I'll try to visit soon I promise. Bye Naru-Chan" she waves bye to him and leaves. Naruto is left standing there alone.
"Irukas class is now welcome to come inside and sit down."
Naruto looks around and wonders if it's okay to go inside. He stands there waiting for others. Then "Hey. Your names naruto right?" He felt a tap at his shoulder "We should get going inside. We could get in trouble if we don't. My names shikamaru."
Naruto and shikamaru walk through the doors and head towards their room. Shikamaru can tell Naruto's very shy so he should do most of the talking for now
"Do you want to be friends?" Is all Naruto mustered up to ask
"Friends? Sure I don't see why not. You don't have many friends do you?"
"I don't have any" he says sadly
"Hey it's alright you don't have to get sad. I don't have much and look my life is normal. I get to sleep and relax. It's only a drag when I have to do something. Like when my mom tells me to clean my room."
"Your mom is nice. Your dad is scary."
"Are you sure you don't mean my mom is scary and dad is nice?"
"No."
"My mom must've been super nice to you because she scares me and my dad. Your mom looked nice too"
"I don't have a mom or a dad. That's from the hokages office."
"Do you have any family?"
"No I don't I met her a few months ago. I was alone until I met her."
"Oh. I'm sorry I should've have asked but at least you have someone now."
"Yeah that's true."
They arrive to their classroom. I very big room with roughly 60 seats and a chalkboard that says pick any seat. As Naruto was looking around to pick his seat Shikamaru had already sat in the back away from the teacher so he could be able to sleep. Naruto on the other hand was indecisive. He didn't know whether to sit in the back with shikamaru or sit somewhere else. He looked around and some people already started to talk to one another. There was a lot of people starting to come into the room and the seats next to shikamaru were already taken. So he decided to just sit down in the back. Not because he didn't want to be close to the teachers it's because the bottom was getting crowded and he was getting anxious of all the people in the front.
He sat down and brought out a pencil and a notebook from his backpack. Though he was startled by a voice.
"Is this seat taken?"
Naruto looks up and sees a girl with blond hair and teal like eyes.
"H-Huh?" He says confused
"I said is this seat taken? Can I sit here with you?" She asked a little more clear
"Yeah. You can sit here." He says a little quieter than he would've liked but it's a start
"Oh thank you. You know I was a little worried you'd say no. You look like the quiet angry type. That wants to be alone all the time." She says with a little giggle
"Oh my name is Ino. It's nice to meet you. What's your name?"
"My names naruto. Nice to meet you"
"Your hair is really unique. I've never seen anyone with red hair before. Is it natural or do you dye it? Can I touch it? Are you the only person with red hair in the village? Or the world?" Ino asked while reaching for his head
"Oh well um I don't know, uh okay? It's how I was born." Naruto isn't used to people like Ino.
Ino was really enjoying playing with Naruto's hair.
"Your hair is so nice. It's really soft and pretty."
"Okay you can stop now" Naruto said with a red face
"Oops sorry I got distracted."
"It's okay." Naruto didn't want to end the conversation but before he could say something he was cut off by someone
"Alright everyone take your seats please. My name is Iruka Umino. You can call me Iruka sensei. Now for our first class activity why don't we get to know eachother. Let's get into groups of 6 and we'll go from there."
"Lets go get some group members naruto"
"Woah"
Ino grabs Naruto's arms and drags him into the middle of the aisle of stairs and are approached by two people
"Hey Ino, hey Naruto"
"Hi" Naruto said while waving to the two
"Hey Shikamaru, hey Choji want to be in our group?"
"Yeah sure" shikamaru says
"Alright. *crunch* Yo I'm choji *crunch* you got some food? *crunch*
"I don't have any food."
*Crunch* "Aww man that sucks I'm hungry"
"Choji. You're literally eating right now." Ino says unamused and crossing her arms
"This is just a light snack. I'm still hungry you know." *crunch*
"Right right. You should really not be asking someone you just met for food you know." Ino said
"He's cool with it *crunch* he said he didn't have any. What's the big deal?"
"The big deal is you just met him. At least be his friend first." Ino said slapping her forehead
"We are friends. I said my name and asked if he had food. Aww man I'm out of chips. Good thing I have back ups." *Crunch*
"You're actually hopeless. Hey wait a minute. Shikamaru how did you know his name. Where did you meet before?"
"Yeah. We met outside, My mom called me over to meet him. At first I was annoyed since I was trying to nap but Naruto doesn't seem like a bad guy but it seems like we would've met either way."
"Your mom is scary shikamaru *crunch* I thought she was going to turn me into stone"
"That's not true shikamaru mom is really nice." Naruto said
"Are you sure you met his mom?" Choji laughed
"She's the nice lady with brown hair. She said her name was Yoshino I think. She called me a little cutie." Naruto said turning red
"Aww that's adorable" Ino said
"Well that is my moms name. Weird my mom isn't exactly the nicest person ever. She's pretty mean most of the time but I think it's her way of showing us love?" shikamaru said
" *Crunch*I didn't think there was a single person who could make nice. Hey maybe that means my dream of an infinite pork chop is coming true *CRUNCH*"
"WILL YOU STOP THINKING ABOUT FOOD FOR 5 MINUTES AND STOP CRUNCHING SO LOUD!" Ino yelled with a big head
"You don't have to yell Ino" Naruto said putting up his hands defending Choji
"Sorry sorry. Let's focus on the assignment again. We still need two people."
"I think it's fine for us four to stay together I mean everyone else is already in groups."
They look around the room and everyone is in groups of 6 or more. They are the only group of 4.
"It's not so bad actually. Naruto is pretty shy from what I can see." Shikamaru said
"What are you talking about he talked to me just fine." Ino stated
"You weren't exactly keeping within your own space" Shikamaru said
"I was excited to talk to him is all. I've never seen him before. I wanted to be friends." Ino said while poking her fingers together and blushing
Ino turns to look at him "I'm sorry Naruto"
"I-It's okay. I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND TOO" he says a little louder than he intended and started to blush and he began to cover his face because people were staring at him.
'And I thought Ino could be loud. That was probably the loudest I'd ever heard anybody be.' Shikamaru thought
"Really. You wanna be friends?" Ino said clasping her hands together.
"Yes please." Naruto said
"Ahh cool I made a new friend today *Crunch*"
"He was talking to me." Ino said raising her eyebrow
"Hey Naruto can we be friends too?"
"Okay"
"Haha" Choji points at Ino
"Oh shut it Choji" Ino said rolling her eyes
"Are you sure you're just not shy around adults Naruto. You talk to us just fine so far." Choji said
"I don't know. Adults scare me. I usually run when an adult tries to talk to me. I don't have good experiences with most adults. A lot of them used to chase me around and try to hit me. When I got near them or their kids. "
"What the heck. Why?" Ino asked
"That's not cool." Choji said
'This is starting to add up. Why he's shy around adults, why he didn't have any friends. I'll talk to my dad about it later'
"I don't know. They're why I couldn't ever make any friends when I was little. I spent my entire life alone until I met Miss Mai."
"Who's that?" Ino and Choji look at eachother asking the same question
Naruto was about to tell them about but was interrupted by Choji.
"Wait as much as I'd like to learn more about you naruto but doesn't it feel like we've been talking for a while now?"
They look around everyone is still talking and getting to know eachother.
"How long has it been?" Choji asks
Ino looks at the clock. It's only 9:17
"You mean to tell me it's been 7 minutes." Shikamaru says confused
"It feels like we've been talking for atleast a good 20 minutes" Ino says
"Anyways why don't you tell us more about yourself Naruto. The three of us have known each other for years considering our parents where in a Shinobi squad together."
"I'm not very interesting. I live alone, I have no other friends, family or animals to talk about, most adults don't like me, and I've ran away from some scary guys in masks like 20 times."
"Yeah that wasn't as fun as I had hoped." Choji said
"Alright class. Now that you have gotten to know some of your classmates it's time to take a mock exam to see what you do and don't know. Don't worry this won't be graded it's just for me to see."
"What's an exam" Naruto asked
"It's to see what you know how to do and where you need improvement."
"Oh"
"Please take your seats and I will pass it out"
-One hour ago-
Iruka Umino a chunin level instructor. He wasn't suited for combat so he decided to help and mold the next generation of Shinobi. As he is sitting in the teachers lounge he is going through his class roster and paperwork to see and get to know his student before the school year.
'I got the newest generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, Miss Hyuga, Uchiha-San, I got and his duo, , Mr. Aburame, and a ? Who's that? Interesting batch this year. I can't wait to teach them.'
He finished his tea and continues on down the hall to talk to the other teachers to see who they got and what they think so far.
"Hey everyone what do you think of your classes this year?"
"It's not bad but it could've been more interesting."
"Yeah my class seems pretty standard."
"What about you Irukas let me see your class roster."
"Uh okay" Iruka seems a little unsure about this
They snatch the paper away and all gaze at it
"Woah. Irukas class is stacked."
"You got the motherload of classes. Look at this a Hyuga and an uchiha."
"That's not all Ino-shika-Cho dude this is killer."
"Wait isn't that. THAT BOY?"
"Let me see that picture. It is. They let that thing in here?"
Iruka can't help but feel a little disgusted at the way they were speaking about a student.
"He isn't a thing. He's done nothing wrong. His name is ."
"Yeah well as far as I'm concerned keep IT away from me. That monster doesn't belong here."
"He deserves an education just like the rest of the students. Now I don't know where all this is coming from but it's not okay."
"Yeah. Whatever. Just keep it on a leash. See you later."
Iruka leaves the lounge and walks towards the front of the school to get a look at the new students but isn't paying attention where he's walking and *BAM*
"Oh my goodness I'm so sorry" Iruka says getting up from the floor
"It's quite alright Iruka I wasn't paying attention either."
"Lord Hokage. I apologize sir. What are you doing here?"
"Well I wanted to see this years newest students. I heard what happened in there in the lounge. Wasn't very nice I suppose." Hiruzen sighs
"Sir I don't get it. What's with that reaction?" Iruka questioned
"They are apart of the civilian side of the village. You and I understand the Shinobi life. Civilians will never understand. All the civilians blame him for the incident. They needed a source for their frustrations for all the lives that were lost. They chose naruto."
"I see. What do we do?"
"Right now nothing. I have others working on the matter. What does matter is how you reacted. I appreciate what you said. Naruto doesn't have much people in his life. As a matter of fact only two people in his life. I feel like you could relate to him. You also lost family very early in life. I had a feeling his best chance of success was in your class and you proved me right. Although he might struggle with the chakra portions later on and you won't be able to help him with that."
"Why do you say that? Why wouldn't he be able to come to me for help?"
"Iruka no offense but your chakra pool is quite low for a Shinobi . Naruto on the other hand has probably the most chakra I've ever seen the only people I think could compete are lord hashirama, lord Tobirama and maybe Lady Mito, and Naruto is still a child."
"Incredible. So you're saying his potential is the highest out of anyone you've seen?"
"Undoubtedly. He will be spectacular. If led down the right path. I trust you will help your class to reach their best abilities Iruka."
"Thank you sir. I will do my best" Iruka salutes.
"Good good, carry on then. dismissed."
-back to the present-
"Time is up please put down your pencils and turn in your mock exam."
"Alright everyone the time is 11:30. That's enough for today. Think of it as a shorter day so I can look through these papers and see where everyone needs the most help." See you tomorrow."
"Oh wait before I forget. I will be pulling out others aside for the next two weeks for a little one on one to get to know you better. Alright now you can go."
Naruto is on his way out of the classroom he waves bye to his new friends and is on his way. The other three were also going home but walked together as they were on the same direction.
"So what did you think of Naruto?" Choji asked
"Naruto's cool. I think we'll be good friends." Shikamaru said
"I like him. He's really nice. I think we'll be good friends too." Ino said
"What was with his childhood. Man that was sad. Is that true?" Choji brought this up because he was thinking about it for about an hour
"I don't know but I can ask my father. He knows a lot of things." Ino said
"I think we should all ask about him. My mom really wanted me to meet him for some reason." Shikamaru said.
"Well this is my stop. See you later."
"Later Choji."
"Later."
"I know let's have our parents invite him over for dinner. I think it should be you shikamaru."
"What? Why me? It was your idea."
"Yeah but your mom likes him. Plus didn't you wanna see how your mom interacts with him."
"I guess. I don't believe what he said really happened. Ugh this is gonna be a drag trying to convince them."
They continued walking for another 5 minutes
"Alright shikamaru I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye"
"Later."
'How am I supposed to do this.'
Shikamaru was trying to figure out a way to convince his parents to invite Naruto over but he wasn't sure what would work best
''maybe if I just asked? Nah that'll never work."
Shikamaru arrives home and is greeted by his mother
"Hi honey. How was your day?"
"Hi mom. it was okay. Nothing really happened. It was kind of boring."
"School will be like that but remember it's only 3 years."
"You make any new friends today?"
Yoshino is masterfully moving the conversation to the kitchen where Shikaku is. So he's able to hear how it went with Naruto. Shikamaru is being played like a fiddle and he doesn't even know it.
"Well me and Naruto are friends now. I think. He asked if we could be friends and now we're friends."
"That's great. Finish washing the dishes and clean your room. We're going to have a guest tomorrow."
"Wh-what?" Shikamaru looks down and he's at the sink already washing dishes
"How'd you do that?"
"A parenting secret. Your father wants to talk to you."
"Where is he?"
"Behind you. When you're done with your chores meet me outside for a game. I want to speak to you"
*Sigh* "Alright."
Shikamaru finishes the dishes and makes his way outside
"You wanted to talk to me dad?"
"Have a seat."
Shikamaru sits down
"What do you think of Naruto?"
"Huh? What's with that question."
"I just want to know. Do you want to be friends with him. He doesn't have the best reputation around the village. Especially with civilians."
"What does that have to do with me? I met him and he seems like a nice guy. Why don't they like him?"
"Doesn't matter. How's about inviting him over to dinner tomorrow. I wanna speak to him."
'I normally don't swear but that was fucking easy and I didn't have to do anything. Life is good'
"Dad about naruto. Is it true he doesn't have any family or friends?"
"It's true but that really isn't any of your business. Any other questions on him?"
"Not any that matter. Good now go do whatever it was you wanted to do."
"Okay. Bye dad"
Shikaku just nods and shikamaru is on his way.
"See I told you it was going to be easy." Yoshino pops her head out from the kitchen.
"As usual you are right."
"I always am."
Naruto went home happy. He made three friends on the first day. He thought they were interesting. Once Naruto got home he got that feeling again. Where he could see someone who wasn't there. It felt different to the one that was normally around. He opens the door slightly to take a look around.
'Guess it was nothing' he thought to himself and got started on the reading assignments Mai left so he could continue to learn. After a while he got hungry and ate the leftovers from yesterday.
After he finished his left overs there isn't much to do. He isn't in the mood to do anything else it's also pretty late so he decides to just go to his room and lie there. He was so excited about his 3 friends he didn't really stop to think about not being able to see . He can't tell her that he made friends. So while at school sure he has someone to talk to but at home he's back where he started. All alone.
NOTES:
Hello It's been a while and I apologize. I originally started to write this during my spring break but I got caught up in my later half of my semester assignments and summer school. I eventually forgot about this until I opened my notes on my phone. Now that I'm done with all I will be trying to upload once every two three weeks. Let me know if you want shorter or longer chapters but give me some feed back in general as it might be seen here I forgot where I originally wanted to go with this but I'm going to try my best to keep it moving forward. Anyways Thanks for reading and hope everyone has a great week. Thanks.
Later.