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 because of you, you idiot!) Ino screamed internally. She calmed her breathing, reached into her bag, and pulled out another envelope.
" 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 took the letter, his fingers tracing the paper. He noticed the difference immediately.
Shikamaru's was a formal clan invite, likely written by a scribe.
Ino's letter, however, was clearly handwritten by her. The ink was slightly smudged in one corner, and the writing was personal. It wasn't an invite from the "Yamanaka Clan"; it was a message from her family.
" 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 thought, watching him with growing worry.
(I don't like this. He looks like he's trying to figure out if he's even allowed to be there.)
She remembered the day she truly saw the darkness of the village—the way the adults looked at Naruto with cold, unblinking hatred. She had been training every day since then just to drown out that fear.
" ....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 smoothly
" I don't know what a Formal dress is , and even where to buy it "
"..yeahh. Pretty embarrassing, right? "
" yeahh "
" Then , let's go shopping "Ino declared, her eyes lighting up with a predatory, helpful fire.
" Now ..!??"
" yeah , come on let's goooo ".
The two children left the training ground and headed toward the shopping district. As they approached the main street, Ino noticed Naruto pulling out a half-mask and securing it over his face.
(Is he doing that because of what happened earlier?)
Ino wondered, her heart sinking. (Does he feel like he has to hide his face just to walk through the streets?)
" Why " Ino
" Because it's cool "Naruto chirped, though the gaiety didn't reach his eyes
" Naruto "
" let's enjoy and not worry about the troublesome things "
"....ok "
They spent the afternoon visiting shop after shop. Ino's mood brightened as she treated Naruto like a personal dress-up doll. She forced him into different Yukatas, scrutinizing every fabric.
" This one "
" Really "
Ino looks at Naruto , and thinks herself
(He looks good in everything,) Ino thought, hiding a smile
. (The blue one makes his eyes look like the ocean, but the black one makes him look serious... like a real hero.)
" 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....!!!!!! "
He spun around to see a sweaty, red-faced Ino. She was heaving, looking like she'd sprinted across the entire village.
" Ino..! What hap--"
Ino didn't let him finish. She stood in the middle of the street, squeezed her eyes shut, and screamed with every bit of air in her lungs.
" UZUMAKI NARUTO IS NOT A DEMON FOX .....!! "
" .....what ???????"
" UZUMAKI NARUTO IS NOT A DEMON FOX .....!! "
Ino didn't stay for an answer. Overwhelmed by embarrassment and a fierce sense of justice, she turned and bolted away.
Naruto stood frozen. He didn't hear the murmurs of the neighbors or the whispers of the shopkeepers. He walked into his apartment like a puppet, went straight to the terrace, and looked toward the horizon.
Naruto's mind goes blank , he didn't hear the crowd's murmers or whispers . He looked at the Way Ino's gone .
Not finding her , he felt lost and looked towards the setting sun , bleeding orange across the sky.
" Strange .....there is no rain then why "
Naruto's hand reached up to his face. He felt the heat, and then the moisture
( Ah tears ..... )
Since arriving in this world, he had been the 'Other.' The unwanted monster. Even with his system and his past-life knowledge, the weight of a village's hatred was a crushing burden. He thought he had grown used to it. .
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 so different to actually hear it shouted out loud? Why does it feel like for the first time, I'm finally allowed to exist?)
Naruto wiped his eyes with his sleeve, but the tears wouldn't stop.
(For an adult to cry over a kid's nonsense... I really have become Naruto, haven't I?)
Naruto turned and headed into his bathroom, finally letting the weight of the day wash away in the quiet..