Part 7

Thanks for the support again

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It's been a year since academy started and if Naruto told anyone he settled in nicely he'd be lying, he was late for class, everyone there also gave him looks of hatred not to mention he'd been getting abysmal grades all though he wouldn't put that on himself only he knew the teacher's did mark him down a lot. However his most pressing issue was with Sasuke Uchiha, they person he'd considered his friend over a year ago had changed not that if your whole family was and clan was murdered by your brother and you put in a genjutsu for 2 days to witness him kill him over and over again.

Flashback

"Hey Sasuke" the blonde had gone to cheer him up as he'd heard from Kakashi what happened to his family. "What is it Naruto" he replied the blonde in a hurt but cold hearted tone. The blonde looked at him wanting to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. "I'm sorry about what happened-" The Uchiha glared at him causing the blonde to shut up, "WHAT THE HELL COULD YOU HAVE DONE ABOUT IT? TAKE YOUR FAKE SYMPATHY ELSEWHERE" he got out as he noticed Naruto's head drop. "tch" He watched as the blonde walked away leaving him alone. "I'll destroy him" he snarled as he looked at a picture of his parents.

Flashback end

Since that day Naruto, had still made attempts to talk to the uchiha but in the academy his fan girls had deemed he was just being a nuisance to the said Uchiha and when he tried anywhere else the Uchiha would blow him off. Naruto was surprised by how much Sasuke had changed he topped the class while the blonde sat in average tier. For the first time in a long time Naruto felt as if he was at the start again, all alone. Now he could feel the scowls and glares that were always directed him to make things worse the Fox had begun with his nightmares again which prevented him from getting enough sleep except via meds. They helped him with his sleep issues but also had negative issues with his brain, the meds had weakened his neural block on the fox. Which enabled it t have frequent conversation with it and or feel whatever the fox was feeling. However the blonde always kept a smile on his face, 'I have to prove myself to them'

Ayame would quite often question the blonde about his health but he was managed to roll off the issue, which was something that annoyed her. She'd ask Sasuke what was wrong but from what she's seen they weren't on talking terms, it pained her to see Naruto like that. But she always wondered how he (Naruto) had a smile on his face. She knew he was mentally suffering but he wore a mask of goofball to hide it from others.

She felt like he pushed himself too much trying to prove to them, she also wanted to have a word with Yugao and Kakashi for why they left the blonde alone.

With Yugao

The Purple haired Anbu whenever she was in the village followed the blonde around checking on if he was doing alright. She'd watch him when he left for the academy and when he returned home late at night from training or escaping mobs, as much as she'd want to intervene Kakashi had advised her against it.

After returning from her watch duties Yugao was received with warm claps and praises from the rest of the Anbu. The reason she was receiving praise? Her squad was sent by the Hokage to kill a rogue shinobi in the land of clouds.

But today she'd been approached by a guy, Hayate Gekko to go out on a date. Having nothing to do she decided to go along with him. He was a nice guy after all and on the advice on her mates about trying to get a better social life. Apparently asides Naruto and them she was practically friendless, Kakashi didn't count as they were work buddies and never really conversed outside work.

With Naruto

The blonde just stumbled into his apartment after training his legs felt dead but he manages to drag himself onto bed, "Man, I'm tired" he told himself as he stared at the ceiling. 'I wish Yugao-san was here, I'm bored'. He rolled around in his bed unable to sleep, he looked at the side of his bed where his sleeping tabs lay and then back outside. 'I guess it's about time' he said as he stared at the darkness.

"hey" the blonde shuddered as he heard the cold demonic voice. "So you're awake huh" he said as he plumped back to his bed. He heard the fox snicker and just sighed, he looked to his side table again earning a groan from the fox.

"You know, those don't help right? They allow you to sleep without the nightmares but as a side effect you can always hear me. I thought the plan was to get rid of me?" he said as he snickered causing Naruto to groan himself.

"I'd rather not have you put scary images in my sleep as it is needed and as for getting rid of you as long as I ignore you I'll be fine" he closed his eyes as he waited for a response again but received nothing. He slowly opened his eyes and eyed the tabs. He didn't admit the fox was right but he wasn't wrong, they helped but at what cost! The blonde shook his vigorously in denial, 'No he's just trying to trick me, so he can takeover' he told himself as he heard his stomach grumble. 'Might as well eat before I sleep' he got up as he walked to Ichiraku Ramen.

On his way to Ichiraku the blonde noticed a woman with purple hair pass by instantly distinguishing her as Yugao he intended to call out but silenced himself when he noticed a man walking beside telling her a joke which caused her to laugh. Curious, Naruto the followed the pair all the evening and witnessed them having a good time. "It must be sad!" he frowned as he heard the voice again.

"What do you want!" he asked a bit enraged. "Don't be angry at me now, I didn't leave you for someone else!" the fox snickered.

Turning away from the direction the two were at he began walking away, "She didn't leave me, I asked to leave and she's free to hang out with whoever she wants" he yelled at the fox who began cackling.

"Face it boy, you're alone once again. No damned Uchihas, No friends, No family back to square one" Naruto quivered when he heard that, the fox was right he had no friends and even the people who had bothered about him originally were not all here. 'No Kakashi sensei still comes around'

"Oh I guess he does, Occasionally to ask how your training is going but asides that has he ever come to check up on you?" as he heard this the blonde bit back at the fox. "Shut up! Don't talk about them like that! They do care just shut up" the fox began cackling again. "It's because you humans are weak, run by your emotions and always seek attention."

Naruto gritted his teeth at the fox. "You wait and see I'll become Hokage and prove you wrong" the fox snickered. "You? Become Hokage? Don't make me laugh! being hokage takes skill, power and brains and you have none boy let's be serious." The blonde just smiled at this.

"No biggie so I have to train harder and learn harder no issue" the fox frowned his attempt had failed again but on the upside he'd felt the blonde's anger which was good as he could exploit further in the future.

Naruto walked back to Ichiraku in silence as the fox had gone away again much to his pleasure. Kakashi watched from above as he watched him order Ramen. He also stared at Yugao was in a another direction, "Sorry Naruto but things don't always work out the way we want them to" he disappeared into the night as the blonde gulped down massive serves of Ramen.

2 years later

It'd been two years since Naruto upped his training schedules, within those two years the blonde now 8 years old turning 9 in a few months had gotten quite better at his Chakra control. Still learning D rank jutsus on the side whiles improving his knowledge on the history of the leaf. To everyone the troublemaker Naruto hadn't disappeared he'd just improved ever greatly earning the respect of some of his fellow students.

Naruto who had improved on the practical side was still lacking a bit in his studies. However the dedication he showed towards wanting to learn impressed Iruka who'd sometimes wonder why the blonde still took naps in class and caused trouble. But even told himself old habits stick with you.

Today the blonde had planned on taking the graduation test, which had surprised Iruka. "Naruto you still have about 3 years more, why are you rushing" he asked the blonde who just gave his toothy grin at him. "That's because I want to graduate early so I can become hokage faster" Iruka could only smile at the blonde's dedication.

"Well graduating early would boost your chances, but you also need to pick up a few more things from the academy!" the blonde began whinning as soon as he heard that. "like what!"

"Like making friends, the hokage is someone who must be able to protect all his friends and family. The Hokage also has people he works with Naruto so you can't just disregard them." Naruto sighed in defeat as he hung his head.

"fine" the blonde stated as he looked up at Iruka who just gave him a smile. "That said you're still allowed to take the exam and if you pass you can leave the academy whenever you want to!" as he said this Iruka saw the blonde fist pump the air with a wide grin plastered across his face.

"How about you take it when you turn 9?" Iruka asked and received a nod from the blonde affirming that he was okay with it. "Since school is over want to go get some Ramen?" Naruto's eyes glimmered as he nodded his head happily as he grabbed Iruka's hand and rushed to Ichiraku Ramen.

Kakashi watched from the tree just outside the classroom as he gave his signature eye smile, maybe he might join them today he thought as he closed the book and disappeared.

As the two entered they were greeted by two warm smiles, one from Ayame and one from Teuchi. After exchanging greetings the two ordered their meals but they were quickly interrupted by a familiar voice from behind them. "I'll have one of what Naruto's having" the voice called out as Naruto quickly turned around to confirm his suspicions. "Kakashi sensei!" he called out as he dashed to the silver haired jonin. "How are you doing young man?" the blonde began explaining everything that happened since the last time they met. Naruto explaining all the new things he'd learnt in the past few months whiles trying to get Kakashi to give him new information about Jutsus and or stories of some of the mission's he'd been on but to his displeasure the Jonin refused to let out a single piece of information.

Iruka stared at the two with a smile on his face, 'even if his parents were still here I'm sure they would have turned out this way'. Soon the Trios meals arrived and the eventually with the meals finished Iruka had to leave the trio leaving Naruto and Kakashi alone. Kakashi walked the blonde home as he continued to talk about his training.

"So you're taking the test when you're 9?" the blonde nodded in affirmation. "That's not bad, I look forward to when you graduate." They both walked into Naruto's apartment as they talked about trivial matters.

Eventually the blonde began yawn in tiredness as Kakashi put him to bed, "I'll see you again Naruto" and with that the silver hair jonin disappeared into the night.

10th October (3 months later)

The Blone woke up and dashed into the shower "Today is the day! I can't be late" he quickly dashed out and he picked up his orange jumpsuit and dashed towards the Academy. He's watched by Yugao and Kakashi as he jumps from rooftop to rooftop at incredible speeds. "He's grown up a lot" she commented as she watched him. "Oh? In what sense" the masked ninja asked her.

"Well he's more agile, he looks more masculine and he really resembles his idol" Kakashi using his right hand to imitate hiding a blush, "You think he looks like me?" Yugao chuckled and softly slapped the jonin.

"So Captain, how's it been going?" Yugao asked the jonin looked at her with a bored look, "don't call me that" he answered before pulling out his favourite book. "I heard you failed another set of genin" Looking up from his book he nodded at her as she gave him a shocked looked. "They lacked something needed in all genin teams" Yugao looked at him confused, "but why would you fail clearly capable shinobi?" She heard him release a sigh as he closed the book.

"Capable shinobi need to know teamwork, without it there's no need for a 4 man team" When he saw Yugao nod in response he opened his book and began reading. There was a brief silence before Kakashi spoke up again, "You didn't tell me you were dating Hayate" she immediately blushed and began stuttering. The jonin just stared at her waiting for her to recollect her emotions, "Well I thought we were always work buddies and…" she was shut up by the Jonin's answer. "And it wasn't my business"

She sighed at him, but he was right she did not owe him this as they never really spoke outside work unless it concerned Naruto. "Well we are friends, even though we don't talk outside work or Naruto besides Naruto would want us to be friends" he said not lifting his eyes off his book.

"You say that but you can't keep your eyes off the book when you're talking to me" He chuckled and closed the book before giving his signature eye smile. "My Apologies" he said before jumping on to the roof of the Anbu headquarters. "Oh and you should pay Naruto a visit, I know I advised against it but you should I think it'd be best for both of you" she watched as he disappeared into the headquarters.

Later in the day

The blonde was just returning back home from his day at the Academy, he was rather late as the day's events had made him late. As he reached his apartment he reached out for the the door knob but noticed his door was open. Pulling out a kunai from the pouch on his rear end he slowly slipped in between the door trying his best not to make a sound.

Making his way into the kitchen he felt a cold presence behind him, the blonde quickly swept the space behind him with his legs causing the perpetrator the fall and the blonde to flip around and throw his kunai right at the perpetrator who split it's legs causing to kunai to fly through them. The perpetrator quickly uses it's arms to push himself onto his feet.

"What do you want!" the blonde growled before his eyes actually began to stare the perpetrator slowly examining him or her as they blonde had come to recognised the female like physique of the perpetrator with the Anbu mask.

"Why's the Anbu in my house?! I paid everything on time" he said not taking his eyes off her, as he circled around her he noticed the purple hair coming out of the sides of the mask. He quickly remembered the mask and who it belong too.

"Yugao-san?"

That's it for now

Thanks for reading