-Naruto-
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Naruto was feeling particularly rebellious, so he waltzed into the Hyuuga compound like he owned it. It's not like they'll stop him! They all still have trauma from the last time when he dunked Tora in their pond and let her loose to terrorize them. Most of them just try to leave him alone and hope that he spares them from his reign of terror.
So Naruto wandered the Hyuuga grounds without a care in the world, pleased by the way at least two Hyuuga ran like the Kyuubi itself was at their heels at the sight of him.
Eventually he wandered into a flower garden. It was pretty and Naruto likes flowers, so he decided to stake it out for reading his awesome new fuuinjutsu scrolls.
Of course, he stopped studying when Hinata showed up. She's a little surprised to see him there, but Naruto is completely unbothered. He doesn't get to talk to Hinata very often because she's so shy, so this is a great chance! He immediately bombarded her with an enthusiastic conversation. It takes a while, but she actually gets into it, so Naruto considers it a win. She even told him that she's the one who takes care of this garden! Which is awesome, especially since Naruto wants to start keeping houseplants (Fuzzy says it'll teach him some responsibility, which sounds overrated but Naruto will just have to trust him on this one), so he's more than eager to start assaulting Hinata with questions.
Of course, she gets overwhelmed pretty quickly, so Naruto dials it back. She isn't quite sure about keeping houseplants, since she tends to a garden and that's a little bit different, but Naruto's so enthusiastic that Hinata ends up getting pulled into it anyway. They leave to go pick out a plant for Naruto to start with.
They end up picking out an African violet, since they're pretty and very easy to keep. Naruto even names it Fuzzy Jr. because of its fuzzy leaves. Kurama is not amused.
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-Kurama-
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Kurama kind of agrees with Naruto that responsibility is overrated. After all, his life motto is "every problem is a nail if your hammer is big enough." Still, Kurama knows better than to think Naruto can actually live by that motto too. Wouldn't want him scaring off all the other humans. Humans get lonely easily after all, and strength in numbers is a good survival strategy, so Naruto should probably learn other problem solving methods. Like patience. And responsibility. And other dumb stuff like that.
Hence, the suggestion to try gardening.
"You know, it doesn't really matter what kind of plants you try to keep. Using the chakra cloak has let a little more of my chakra into your system; not enough to really be noticeable to anyone else, and definitely not enough to speak to each other outside of dreams, but certainly enough that you're effectively immune to most poisons. Actually, it might be a good home defense strategy to purposefully keep poisonous plants. They won't be a problem for you, but intruders would certainly have an unpleasant time. So long as you're sure to keep them away from visitors, and are diligent about cleaning up poisonous leaves and things, they probably wouldn't hurt your friends either."
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-Naruto-
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Poisonous plants are such a great idea! Naruto's excited to start picking some out, but he has to learn how to take care of them first. So his first goal is to make sure Fuzzy Jr. survives his first few weeks.
Naruto invites Hinata over a few times to make sure he's doing it right. She shows him how to fertilize the soil and check to see if it needs watering. She even shows him where the best spot to keep Fuzzy Jr. is! Naruto didn't know that some plants like shade better. Hinata knows a lot!
Fuzzy Jr. is really easy to take care of; all Naruto really has to do is give it a little water every few days and make sure to keep it in indirect sunlight. Naturally, he feels very confident adding more plants to his collection.
He goes to pick out more the next week.
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-Hinata-
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Hinata was a bit excited to see Naruto's new plants. He seemed very happy when he told her about them, but he didn't tell her exactly what he got. So Hinata made her way to Naruto's apartment, curiosity thoroughly piqued.
Of course, she wasn't exactly expecting what she saw when she got there.
Nerium oleander? Atropa belladonna? Thornapple?
"Um, Naruto-kun, aren't all these very poisonous?"
"Yep!"
"Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"Yep!"
"You won't get poisoned?"
"Fuzzy told me I'm immune! It's a good home defense strategy. Plus, they're pretty!"
"O-ok, if you say so... "
"I just wish the store had rosary peas... "
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A/N - please don't try to keep any of those plants. I looked them up, and they do not sound pleasant. Except the African violet. I've got one, he's pink, and I named him Yarn because he's fuzzy and I occasionally attempt to crochet before I inevitably drop it again.
Also, a guest asked if I was ever going to move on from Academy Naruto. My answer is... maybe. I don't really have a plan for where this is going, I've just got a little notepad I write down random chapter ideas in and pick whichever one is funny or fits with what I'm doing right now. So as long as chaotic six-year-old Naruto inspires me, that's what we're getting. I am slowly aging him, though. I've got a seventh birthday party in my little notepad, I just want to get a few things out of the way first.