Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Closer	By : SilentStar-009 Category: Naruto AU/AR > General Views: 1538 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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How did we get here

When I used to know you so well?

How did we get here?

Well, I think I know

The truth is hiding in your eyes

And it?s hanging on your tongue

Just boiling in my blood

But you think that I can?t see…Decode, By Paramore

::Chapter 2::

   Over the next few weeks Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba and Naruto always hung out and on occasions, even Shino joined the group. School weather allowed them lazy training or let them go out on the town. Graduation was only months away and they knew that soon their childhood would be over once they were separated into teams and became officially ninjas of Leaf Village.

   It wasn’t that depressing but it made them nervous. When they did train it was because they wanted to be prepared for the final. The only one who had trouble was Naruto. No matter how much they tried to help him they could never get through to him. And like Ino promised herself, she paid more attention to Naruto and the village. She witnessed firsthand what Hinata talked about when she, Hinata and Naruto went to stock up on small weapons at a shop Ino always went to.

   “Why aren’t you coming in?” Ino asked him when he lingered outside by a street lamp.

   “I’ll wait. I have extra at my apartment so you two just go.” He kicked the lamp nervously.

   Ino was skeptical. She saw the rusted old weapon he usually brought with him. More than once the other students made fun of him for them.

“Come in or I’ll punch you.” She threatened in annoyance. His eyes widened now knowing full (like Shikamaru and Choji knew) that she would make good on her threat if he didn’t jump at her demand. He grimly followed them in with hunched shoulders and shifty eyes.

   The little shop was run by a lady who sometimes used to babysit her when she was younger. “Ino!” The old, muscular lady came from around the corner. She noticed Hinata and gave her a polite nod but she her shrewd grey eyes landed on Naruto sulking by the door and she gave a chilling smile. “I see you brought guests.”

   Ino tensed, suddenly disliking the lady and her cold eyes as they skewered the blonde boy. Her hackles rose in defense of her friend. “You know we should get going.” Ino gathered Hinata and Naruto, herding them out to the door.

   “But you just got here!” The lady protested. Ino ignored her and they left the shop. Once outside Ino’s eyes could zone onto all the dirty glares or mean snickers tossed in their direction. It was all around them, suffocating her. Why? What did he do?

   “Naruto let’s go to the place where you get your weapons.” Ino jerked her eyes from the glares to the blonde.

   “Are you sure? It’s not nice like this place.” He warily looked at her.

   “Just take us.” She snapped. She and Hinata followed close behind him as he escorted them to an old, dilapidated part of the village. Ino never knew such poverty existed in Leaf Village. The buildings from the main village slowly faded into weathered shacks and the neatly paved roads crumbled into old brick walkways.

   “What is this place?” She carefully weaved her way through the smelly trash cans and unknown piles that lined the walk ways.

   “It’s called Old Leaf. It was the first part of the Leaf Village ever created but as the population began to increase they expanded the village. They concentrated on upkeep of the new additions and left this place to wither away.” Hinata explained a bit sadly.

   “Yeah most of the people here are really old, but they are really nice and they like making me tons of food!” Naruto exclaimed happily with a silly grin.

   “You eat more than just ramen?” Ino teased. He laughed and shrugged.

   “Sometimes. Look there it is just up ahead.” He pointed and began quickening his pace.

   The shop was indeed as pathetic as Ino suspected. It smelled like sour, stale mold and the weapons were the poorest quality she had ever seen. They were ancient! The ink on the explosive notes were faded like they had been sun bleached and the clothing selection was far outdated. Camping gear was virtually nonexistent and the dried food supply was probably expired.

   “Naruto! So wonderful for you to come and visit me!” An old prehistoric looking man hobbled in with the support of a cane. He had a long tangled beard and thick glasses. His robes were a well worn faded green color. Owlish eyes blinked in surprise behind his thick glasses at her and Hinata.

   “Hello.” Hinata bowed respectively and Ino followed suit.

   “Naruto you have such lovely friends. Which one is your girlfriend?” The old man nudged Naruto in the side with a thin boney finger. Naruto blushed just as dark as Hinata.

   “Girlfriend?” Naruto bellowed in embarrassment. “They’re just friends Himo!”

   Himo chuckled and hobbled to a cheap looking straw chair to rest. “That’s too bad. Both of them are pretty cute and from well-to-do families.” His wise eyes crinkled into a friendly smile. “I knew both of your grandparents back in the day. Ah it seems so long ago but my memories are as fresh as when they were made. But enough talking about the past. Have you come to get some tools?”

   Naruto rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah. Do you have any?”

   Himo shrugged. “Not much to choose from but you can take a look.” He pointed to the display bin with his cane. They all went to check on the merchandise.

   “These look used.” Ino picked up a broken kunai and then dropped it back in with a frown.

   “Yeah. Some of the kids from the village bring all the weapons they find to him for some pocket change.” Naruto seemed embarrassed because he didn’t make eye contact when he spoke.

   “Hey old man, why don’t you have current supplies?” Ino turned to Himo who looked like he was taking one of those old people naps.

   He snorted awake and rubbed his knee. “I can’t travel as much as I like to the suppliers.”

   “Don’t you have couriers?” She asked with a frown and a hand to her hip.

   The old man gave a wheezy sigh. “I used to but the wars took them away.”

   Ino’s gaze swept the shop in contempt. She reached into her pocket and pulled out some bills, she hesitated for just a second before plopping them on the counter next to the old man.

   “This should be more than enough to get what I want. Hire new couriers and have them collect everything on the list I will give you. You’re still a papered business right?” He nodded in surprise at her sudden briskness. “So you can get supplies at warehouse prices?”

   “But—”

   “Just do as I ask. Remember the most important ethic of business.” She interrupted.

   He raised his brows, wrinkling his already winkled forehead. “Which is?”

   Ino smirked. “Cater to the customer.”

   “Ino that’s a lot of money!” Naruto exclaimed.

   “Well yeah I have expensive tastes.” She flicked her hair behind her shoulder. “I’ll come by with my list tomorrow. Come on guys.”

XOXO

   The final days to graduation seemed to come upon Ino so suddenly. Long days of test after tests made her weary and nervous. She spent most of her days studying and sleeping when she could all the while working in the flower shop for some cash. After dropping two months of savings at that store in Old Leaf, she found herself trying to earn it all back. Her dad never gave her any kind of money that she didn’t work for. He only bought her things that she needed or begged for but mostly she liked getting things herself.

   After the passing the final, Ino was secretly pleased that Sakura did as well as she did. Even if they were at odds with one another, she enjoyed it when Sakura blossomed more and more. She knew it was due in part to her efforts of teaching Sakura confidence and the pleasure of success.

   When it certain loud mouth, brash blonde’s turn to demonstrate his jutsus on front of the class Ino instantly became nervous for him. Naruto passed all of the other tests with no problem but one test in particular had her biting (not really…who would ruin a perfectly good manicure?) her nails. When he was called forward most of the class snickered at the dead last, a nickname that Ino had sometimes called him before she got to know him. Ino saw the silent cheer in Hinata’s eyes and the intense gaze of Shikamaru’s. Still, she couldn’t quench the tight ball of dread in her stomach. Shadow clones were the hardest thing in the world to him. Ino didn’t know why. In one of their training sessions when they were practicing that particular jutsu, Hinata had said that Naruto had a lot of chakra, more that she had ever seen in one person. Why he couldn’t make a simple shadow clone was beyond her.

   His first try was a failure, leaving a pale lifeless copy of himself slumped on the ground like a rag doll. The kids snickered and Ino sent them a glare, quickly silencing the mean uproar. A few more tries resulted in the same way and Iruka-sensei regrettably told Naruto that he would have to fail him. Again.

   Ino wanted to hang her head just like him but she didn’t. She didn’t think any kind of words could comfort him so she kept her lips shut. Hinata just continued to stare at him and Ino knew she was probably thinking the same thing.

   Their parents waited for them in the auditorium as the graduates were marched proudly in. Ino was happy for herself, proud of her high marks (number one kunoichi in class! Take that Sakura!) but she couldn’t help but to look at the closing door at Naruto, sitting in a tree swing alone. Hinata stood beside her and followed her sympathetic gaze.

   “Stop.” They both turned to Shikamaru. “We’ll go see him afterwards. He wants to be alone for now.” He sighed.

   “But—” Hinata began but Ino put a hand on the shorter girls shoulders. She knew Shikamaru was right. Naruto didn’t need their belittling sympathy right now.

   The ceremony seemed really long with the teachers and Hokage giving them pep talks and congratulating them. She and Sasuke were called to the front for special recognition and were given a polished gift box filled with ninja weapons for being the top male and female student. She took the opportunity to exploit her success to Sakura by grabbing him and kissing his cheek with a flirty wink when their picture was taken for the newspaper. The girls gasped and Ino soaked in all the heated glares and disgruntled whispers thrown her way at her little action. She especially love the way Sakura’s cheeks flamed in outrage and jealously and she let triumph flash in her gaze when their eyes met.

   Sasuke tried to jerk himself out of her hold but she leaned in close to his ear. “Just stand there and look cool, poster boy. Everyone is watching you.” She murmured softly making his struggle useless. His image was important to him, she knew it well. She finally let go after the lights of flashing cameras died down and they both made their way back to their empty seats. When the whole ceremony was over her dad came rushing to her with a glowing face. He hugged her and then picked her up and swung her around.

   “I’m bursting with pride baby girl! Congratulations! Let’s look at you! A new genin!”

   Ino beamed and tried to cover her blush. Somehow only her dad could make her blush so vividly. “Thank you.” She murmured.

   “Tonight I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. How ‘bout it kiddo? Care to spend a little time with your old man?”

   Ino nodded with a smile. “Of course! But you know I’ll have to get a new outfit to celebrate my great accomplishment.” Mischief danced in her eyes and her dad chuckled.

   “I’m such a sucker for your big baby blues.”

   Ino smirked. “I know.”

   They left the gym when the graduation celebration had ended. Naruto was still out there talking with Mizuki-sensei.

   “The monster didn’t make it huh?”

   “It’s a good thing he didn’t become a ninja…”

   “Failed again? What a surprise.”

   Ino heard the whispers all around her and she flinched inward every time another person muttered a scathing comment. “Dad? What did Naruto do?” She felt her dad stiffen and she looked up at him to find out why.

   “What do you mean?” He tried to sound casual but Ino detected the strain.

   “Why do the villagers say such mean things? I know he’s loud and pulls his stupid childish pranks but he’s a nice guy.” She insisted with a defiant glare at no one in particular.

   “Are you friend with him?” Her dad raised a brow.

   “Yes.” Ino instantly said and captured her dad’s gaze with a pondering look. “You’re not one of them are you?” She coolly asked.

   He was taken back. “I have nothing against the boy. Calm down honey.”

   “Then what about the others?” She demanded. “Why don’t they like him?”

   Her father sighed heavily. “Their reasons are stupid. Ignorance can justify fear. Fear breeds hatred.”

   “Fear of what?” Ino softly inquired.

   He moved his eyes away and stared blankly to the side. “I can’t tell you.”

   Ino blinked, his words lost on her for a second. “What?!” She finally exploded.

   He held up his hands in defense, smiling in an apologetic goofy kind of way. “I can’t tell you but if you really want to know I can give you one little clue.”

   Ino folded her arms and tapped her foot in annoyance. “A clue? You want me to play detective?”

   His eyes lost some twinkle and Ino immediately lost her rude posture. “Do you want to know or not?” Ino gave him a contrite smile and nodded once. “October 10th.”

   Okay now she was frustrated. “That’s all? A stupid date?”

   “Ino! That date isn’t stupid. I’m surprised you don’t know it. Didn’t you just graduate at the top of your class?” He was being coy. Ino softened her glare but didn’t let it completely fade from her expression. “History is always important.” He teased and turned to Naruto who was now talking with Shino and Choji. “His history is important and I’m glad he’s your friend.”

   Ino frowned. She never heard her father use that tone before and it piped her interest. “It’s not just me.” She murmured.

   “I’m glad.” Was all her father said. “He may be sad right now but in a few weeks the academy will have a class extension so he’ll have another chance at graduating. You should tell him that tonight.”

   Ino knew what her dad was getting at.“But what about our plans?”

   “We can do it tomorrow. Have fun with your friends but be home at a reasonable time.” He began to walk away. “I’ll know too because I’m home for two whole days!” He called out halfway to the academy gates.

XOXO

Ino told Shikamaru and Choji what her dad said when they were seated in an empty class room waiting for their new sensei.

   “That is when the Fox Demon attacked the village and the Fourth Hokage died destroying it.” Choji supplied for them. He had a freaky photographic memory and often placed on the top ten whenever the class took tests. History was his strength and memory retention was his specialty.

   “I wonder what is so significant besides the obvious sacrifice and deaths.” Ino murmured with a contemplative finger to her lips.

   “Whatever it is we have to be careful that we keep our…investigation a secret. Your father said he can’t tell us so I’m assuming the other adults can’t say anything about it either.” Shikamaru said.

   “It has to be something big if the older villagers can’t say anything about it.” She looked expectantly at Shikamaru.

   He just shrugged and slouched into a nearby chair with a long yawn. “I’ll try to figure it out but if no one talks and I can’t find anything then you have to let this drop.”

   “Yeah no matter what, Naruto is Naruto and I’ve accepted him as such.” Choji gave his teammates a stern look.

   “I know that!” Ino snapped defensively and put her trademark bossy hand on her hip. She had grown up with Shikamaru and Choji since she was in diapers so her look didn’t faze them as much, but it was enough for them to shut up.

   Their new Sensei came in the room. He was tall with dark hair and a beard. He wore a rather casual outfit with a sash on his waist that read “Fire” and a faded jonin vest.

   “Hello I’m Asuma.” He then reached into one of his vest pockets and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Ino’s eyes grew wide when he tried to light one.

   “Wait! This is a school room! You can’t just light up in here. Personally I don’t want to be in such a small area to inhale that smoke!” She heatedly protested.

   Asuma-sensei’s hand paused with his lighter flickering inches from his cigarette. He passively eyed her before snapping the lighter lid closed.

   “Alright then let’s go outside.” He opened the door and motioned them outside. He led them to training field ten. It didn’t take long for him to finally light his beloved ciggy and take a long drag.

   “So…” He purposely blew his smoke into the wind which in turn blew into their faces. They all coughed and Ino’s eyes burned. Ah just great, now she was going to have to wash her hair at least five times to get rid of the bitter smell. She made a mental note to buy extra body spray as well.

XOXO

It surprised her and thrilled her that through some miracle Naruto became a genin, proudly trading in his goggles for a ninja headband. When she asked how, he gave some elusive answer and showed her at least twelve perfect clones. Not just normal non-thinking clones but the rare free thinking clones. She cheered for him and then asked what team he had been placed on.

   “Team seven with bastard Sasuke and Sakura.”

   Ino stiffened in acute disappointment. So Sakura nabbed that coveted place. She must be on cloud nine.

   “Sakura huh?”

   “Yeah but she’s always like ‘Sasuke is so cool’, ‘Sasuke is the best’, ‘Sasuke, Sasuke!’” He said in a hilarious high pitched voice, batting his eyes lashes and prancing in place. Ino giggled. “I don’t think she knows I’m even on her team. Kakashi-sensei made us do this stupid bell test but all Sakura did was follow the loser around the training field like a little lost puppy.”

   “Well that’s how girls act when they have a crush on someone.” She said, trying to keep her tone light.

   “Well I don’t see you acting like a lame love sick dog. How will she ever notice me when she’s always hooked on the stupid Uchiha?”

   “You like Sakura?” Ino was astounded by the revelation.

   Naruto blushed and rubbed the back of his head with a grin. “Well—”

   “Why? Why do you like her?” Ino demanded, not sure why she was so upset.

   “Well she’s smart and really pretty.”

   Ino huffed in disdain. “That’s all?”

   Naruto was confused. “Yeah. Should there be more?”

   Ino gritted her teeth before answering. “Naruto when you like someone you should like them because you have things in common and you like spending time with them. If all you see is a pretty face that that’s all you will ever see. Those feeling you have for the person are just…well they’re not real and you’re wasting your time on them.” She reasoned, pulling back her temper.

   “Well what about all the girls who like Sasuke?”

   “What about them? Does he give them the time of day? Does he give Sakura the time of day?”

   “No, he tells her she’s annoying and you know what? When she tries to ask him out she does get a little annoying.” He sounded thoughtful.

   “You think Sakura is annoying when she gets all girly on him but are you any different to her when you constantly ask her out?” Ino didn’t know if he constantly asked Sakura but Ino knew him well enough to know that when he set his eyes on something, he would go and get it with everything he had. The guy was pretty persistent.

   Naruto’s mouth fell open. “But what about you? You like Sasuke too! Does that mean you’re calling yourself annoying?”

   Ino sighed. “I only hang around him to make her jealous.” She admitted.

   His mouth dropped open again in astonishment. “What? Why? Aren’t you guys friends?”

   Ino scowled. “We were friends but she dropped me when she thought I was going after Sasuke. Well I’ll show her what true rivalry is!” She openly fumed, hating the bitterness she still felt over their broken friendship.

   “You don’t like him?” Naruto’s eyes were wide. Ino mentally cursed herself for saying too much. She tried to play it off, smiling and tapping his chin with a curled finger to make him close his mouth.

   “That kinda just came out.” She flushed. “Can we keep this conversation just between us?” She batted her eyes cutely.

   Naruto blinked once. “Sure.” He said in an unsure tone. “So you’re really not friends with her anymore?” He looked sad.

   Ino shifted her eyes away, not too sure how to answer. “I don’t know.”

   Naruto didn’t say anything, probably thinking that girl problems were too troublesome from the look on his face. Ino felt a little bad about the sudden depressing atmosphere.

   “Come on let’s get a snack.” She tugged on the arm of his orange jacket with a cheerful smile.

   “Didn’t you say that you were on a diet?” He gave a little grin back, grateful for the change in mood.

   “I’ll skip dinner.” Ino shrugged.

   “Why do you need to go on a diet anyways? You’re as skinny as a stick. It’s not very attractive to be a walking skeleton.”

   Ino gave him a side glare. “How do you know what’s attractive or not?” She hotly demanded.

   “I’ve seen magazines. All the girls that guys oogle have curves.” He made an invisible hourglass figure with his hands and turned to her. “You’re like this.” His hands shot straight down making Ino look down at her body and flush.

   “We’ll I’m only thirteen! It takes time to grow curves! Puberty has its own agenda!” She defended.

   “Not that long! There are plenty on girls who are that same age as you and they have curves!” Naruto said loudly. “Besides, why do you need to diet? You’re a ninja so you get lots of exercise. All the food you eat just burns away. Hey, don’t look at me like that! I paid attention in nutrition class!”

   “It’s just shocking that’s all.” Ino muttered.

   “Anyways. What I said is true. My sexy jutsu has taken more that Iruka-sensei down and that’s because I got the measurements down.”

   Ino remembered his sexy jutsu well and she had to concede to that point. “Alright I get what you’re saying and I’ll think about it.”

   When they stopped at the frozen yogurt shop Ino decided that she would get the original strawberry instead of the bland sugar-free vanilla she always got. She found it pretty disturbing that Naruto’s point of view was pretty accurate and logical…the boy was surprising in many ways and Ino smiled as she listed to him tell her about their missions.

   Evening was creeping in and the two parted ways after he caught sight of Iruka-sensei heading into the ramen shop.

   “Moocher.” Ino murmured fondly after the blond. She went to the far side of the village where buildings disappeared behind the massive trees and relaxed on a thick supporting branch on her favorite tree. The tall tree let her see beyond the village walls to the sprawling meadow of summer flowers. With a sigh, Ino rolled to her belly and laid her head on her arms. The warm summer breeze blanked her and she fell asleep, unaware of the late summer showers making their way to the village.

   A loud crack of lightning jarred her awake and she quickly sat up, straddling the branch like she was on an overweight horse. Warm water seeped through the tree’s canopy and she yawned and slipped to the ground with a graceful flip. Well it wasn’t a graceful landing because her sandal slipped on the wet, mushy grass and she fell on her knees, on a damn rock! Ino moaned in pain and anger, gently removing the sharp object and tossing it aside. She stood, wincing at the discomfort.

   “Uh! Stupid storm!” She shouted up at the sky which retorted with another loud crack. “Yeah same to you!” She yelled and began walking back to the village. When she was half way there she knew she wouldn’t be able to make it. The hard drops pelted the ground like hail and she couldn’t see three feet in front of her. The lightning was striking close by and she while she longed for clean dry clothes and her warm comfy sofa, she didn’t long to be barbecued.

She managed to get some relief under a hanging cliff in the back of the Hokage Mountain. Uhh so close to home! She thought flinching as a loud crack of lightning lit the sky. There was really nothing she could do so she tended to her bleeding knee by washing the blood off in the rain water and using some of her ninja bandages she used to cover her stomach. She untied her headband from around her waist and placed it near her on a rock.

“It’s not too bad.” She said to herself after inspecting her little wound.

“What happened?” Ino gasped in terror and bolted from her spot, pressing herself against the wall as she threw her kunai blindly toward the person. Her heart skipped a beat, hammering so hard she could feel it in her throat. In the dark shadows of the overhang, she saw his pale face illuminate when the lightning flashed again and she swallowed her fear and gave into a shaky sigh of relief.

“Sasuke.” She breathed and then took another kunai from her pouch and threw it at him in anger. He dropped his shoulder and moved his face, catching the flying projectile between his two fingers. “How long were you there? You could have said you were here! Damn it I—”

   “Was scared?” He taunted and bent over to pick up the first kunai she threw.

   Ino glared and snatched her weapons from him when he offered them back to her. “Was surprised.” She corrected.

   “Of course.” He mused and settled in the place she was sitting in before. Ino eyed him warily before sliding down the wall and sitting back down. She shivered and rubbed her shoulders.

   “Are you cold?” He asked without even turning in her direction.

   “Just a little.” She said and brought her knees to her chin, huddling to the wall. In truth she was beginning to freeze her ass off. The wet winds blew in the little shelter and made her wet clothes get even colder, though her hair was beginning to dry.

   “Here.” Ino looked up to see him offering his dark blue shirt to her. He had on a white undershirt. Ino took the dry shirt from him, not too sure what to think.

   “Thank you.” She said and pulled it over her head. It was big enough to cover her bare skin, even when she pulled her knees to her chin again, it draped over them and the dry fabric warmed her.

   “You’re not cold?” She asked.

   “It’s a summer storm. The warm rain and air feels nice.” He said and looked at her. Ino gave him a little smile and then looked at the dark night.

   “How long do you think it will last? It’s been almost an hour.”

   He shrugged and followed her gaze. “I don’t know. Another couple of minutes, another hour, you can never tell with storms like these.”

   Huh, great Ino thought and sighed softly. All they could do was wait it out. Luckily they didn’t have to wait long. After another twenty minutes, the rain let up enough for them to make it back to the village. Once they reached the main streets they wordlessly parted ways. When she got home, and went to shower she realized that she had never given back his shirt and that she left her headband at that overhang. But the rain had once again resumed full force and she was unwilling to go out there again.

   Ino gathered her wet clothes and Sasuke’s shirt and threw them in the wash as soon as she dressed. She left them in the washer and left to bed, unable to shake the chills that had started back in the cave. She groaned and pulled the covers to her eyes.

   “Dumb storm, you had to get me sick didn’t you?”
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