Konohagakure No Sato :
Hokage Training Ground :
Looking at The Invitation letter , Naruto was really surprised and Shikamaru too
" Why are you so surprised ??"
" I really didn't expect that someone will invite me "
" Why ? "
Shikamaru asks in bewilderment and even Shino , Choji and Ino were surprised , Why did their friend react like this over something so simple .
" Well...don't you know I am demon-fox "
" ... are you joking ....wait you are serious " Shikamaru
"..."
"..."
" .....naruto " Ino
Shikamaru's eyes widend in surprise and disbelief at the absurd reply from his friend .
The Uzumaki Naruto he knew that never gives up , always faces failures head-on and after working hard every single and finally defeating Sasuke & others and now fully focused on His Hokage Dream .
But Today he looked so vulnerable at a mere Invitation letter from him .
Choji stopped eating his snacks and also gazes confusely over everyone , The Gentle Choji couldn't comprehend with his kind and childish heart , about the reason for all this .
But looking at naruto's surprised expression that is definetly not normal , he also waits patiently .
Shino adjusts his glasses and with his usual demeanor , there is no reaction can be seen , But just like Choji he was also confused .
Ino looked worriedly at naruto and instantly realises the core of his thoughts , the bewilderment on his face and also the worries behind that smiling sun. Only She has seen the reality that naruto faces daily and also felt it personally .
( .....no what I felt was just a slight scratch of the surface that he endures .... but how long has he been enduring it ) Ino
But Before Ino can speak further , Naruto composes himself and replies to shikamaru smilingly while taking the letter from his hand
" Haha thanks .... I will surely attend "
Seeing naruto clearly avoiding his previous outspoken thoughts , Shikamaru and others also decided to drop the matter . They all remember those stupid nonsense that is going on inside the village .
( I never believed in those rumors ........but I never thought about how Naruto would have felt ) Shikamaru
( Rumors of demon fox and naruto in village .........but why ?? ) Shino
( Naruto looked sad for a moment ) Choji
( ....... ) Ino
But they all wrote down this seemingly outspoken thought that is buried inside their friend's heart .
" Well be sure to attend , I don't know what happened but my dad is making a big deal out of 'it' this time " Shikamaru
" Ofcourse I will surely be there "
Shikamaru the produces other invitations and also invited Shino , chouji and Ino.
" You guys too , here "
" Thanks " Shino
" Buffett .....hehe " Choji
" humm " Ino
After giving his friends invitations Shikamaru looks inside his bag and notices other invitations that his dad asked to to deliever
( I don't think it's a birthday party anymore ..... troublesome , let's forget it )
" I still have to invite other people , see you guys later then "
Seeing Shikamaru going away , Choji also decided to follow him and Shino found his leg kicked when he was returning to train , looking aside he sees Ino , who is trying to signal something with her eyes.
The stealthy observer says bluntly
" What is it , Ino San "
Seeing Naruto busy while looking at the invitation letter , Ino closes the distance with Shino and whispers
" go away shino "
" What ?? "
" Just go out "
Seeing Ino looking at Naruto sneakily while telling him to go outside the training ground, Shino connects the dots and comes with his own understanding .
Shino's heart and bugs buzzs in excitement
( OHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh , Ino is gonna confessssss )
Shino also speaks up to Naruto
" I have some things to do , later Naruto "
While going away , behind a distracted Naruto's back ,Shino waves at Ino at gives a thumbs-up while mouthing his words
' Good Luck , Ino-San '
Looking at Shino and his stupid actions , Ino realises the misunderstanding and her whole face goes red
( Stupid Bug , what does he mean good luck , it not ye..-)
Ino's thoughts gets interrupted with Naruto , who looks at red-faced and angry Ino and asks her with concern
" Ino .... you Ok "
( It's like she is gonna explode ) Naruto
Ino calms down her emotions and reaches inside he bag and pulls out
" Here "
" ...huh ?? "
Looking at the similar letter , just like Shikamaru but from Yamanaka's , Naruto feels totally out of place
" 23rd September , That's my birthday "
" What ...!! just after Shikamaru "
" yup "
While taking the letter , Naruto asks something
" What about Choji "
"Choji's birthday is on May 1 "
" Ohhh "
Naruto looks at the letter and notices the difference from Shikamaru's and Ino's . Shikamaru's letter is formal and also the invite is from Nara Clan .
Ino's letter though , just the handwriting is different , and he remembers this handwriting . This letter is handwritten from Ino herself and also the invite is not formally from whole Yamanaka clan but only from her family .
Naruto's mind calculates and he tries to probe
" Do I need to dress up"
" Huh ?? "
" I mean formally "
" Oh That ........ only at Shikamaru I think "
" And Yours "
" of course , you must dress up for my birthday , but not that kind you know "
" Ok I understand "
Seeing Naruto blankely staring at the invitation lost in his own thoughts , Ino looks at Naruto worriedly
( It's like a cloudy sun .........I don't like this )
Ino remembers that day and the way she felt , that was the first time she saw that side of the village , even now she trains everyday just because of that fear .
Ino
" ....Naruto "
" umm "
" What are you worried about "
Ino musters her courage and asks in concern to help him
" ?? "
" What are you thinking so distractedly looking at those invitations "
Hearing Ino's questions , Naruto has a single thought looking at his first female friend
( Just a kid , no need to make her worry )
Naruto lied
" I don't know what a Formal dress is , and even where to buy it "
"......really "
" yeahh "
" Then , let's go shopping "
" Now ..!??"
" yeah , come on let's goooo "
And so the two kids leave the training ground and head to shopping district .
Ino notices naruto wearing his halfmask before leaving the academy
" Why " ( is this because of before ) Ino
" Because it's cool "
" Naruto "
" let's enjoy and not worry about the troublesome things "
"....ok "
And so the kids visit shop after shop , Ino's mood also brightens after seeing Naruto in different Yukata's .
" This one "
" Really "
Ino looks at Naruto , and thinks herself
( Well , he looked good in everything )
" Yes "
" Ok , now my turn "
" huh..??? "
" What , I also have to dress up "
" Don't you have these things at home "
" But I want a new one ...let's go to that shop "
" Not here ?? "
" hmm "
Paying the bill and getting his yukata , Naruto accompanies Ino whole afternoon and only gets freedom near evening . They both bid farewell and head to their own houses .
Just when Naruto reached his apartment , he hears hasty steps coming from behind and hears a shout
" Narutooo....!!!!!! "
Looking back Naruto sees a sweaty red-faced Ino
" Ino..! What hap--"
Ino cuts off Naruto's sentence and She SHouts at Naruto in the middle of street with a red-face and closed eyes
" UZUMAKI NARUTO IS NOT A DEMON FOX .....!! "
" .....what ???????"
" UZUMAKI NARUTO IS NOT A DEMON FOX .....!! "
Saying her piece , Ino embarrased and ashamed , ran away without looking back , Naruto looked at the kid's back in the middle of street .
Naruto's mind goes blank , he didn't hear the crowd's murmers or whispers . He Blankely goes to his apartment and heads to terrace and looked at the Way Ino's gone .
Not finding her , he felt lost and looked towards the setting sun
" Strange ........there is no rain then why "
Naruto's hand reached his face , Only then did he notice
( Ahhhhhh tears ........... )
Since the moment he comes to this world , he is someone unwanted , unneeded , The Uzumaki Naruto , The Demon Fox , The Monster .
Even after the merger of both souls , Even after knowing all the in-hows and all the information of these rumors .
Maybe somewhere inside Naruto also want to be accepted
Shikamaru , choji , shino , Uncle Teuchi , Ayame nee , Grandpa , Ino , Lee , Gian , Suneo , Nobita , Shizuka and many others , Naruto knows they have all accepted and acknoledges him
( .......But why does it feel different when hearing it though )
Naruto uses his sleeve to wipe those tears , and notices they doesn't seem to stop
( for an adult to cry over a kid's nonsense )
Thinking up to here , Naruto goes inside his apartment and heads to the Bathroom .