Naruto chronicles

Chapter 5

Unlike what others thought, Ino was a very kind and sensitive girl. Yes, she was badass, but she was kind. Sakura used to be like that, but well, she became obsessed with 'SASUKE KUN!' Ino too was obsessed, but she still noticed things others wouldn't. 

So since that day when Naruto had answered the questions, she had paid close attention. Now her whole family consisted of people studying the mind. Naturally, she had a lot of knowledge about human psychology. 

And she could easily pick up the signs of trauma from Naruto's behavior. No matter how good he was at hiding it, she could see him flinch when someone called his name randomly, or the way he looked when others would whisper about it.

---Flashback---

Three days ago, she was sitting at the dinner table with her parents. Finally unable to contain her two-year worth curiosity, she asked her father the question plaguing her mind.

"Dad, why is Naruto treated so badly by the villagers?" asked Ino as Inoichi stopped eating and her mother stopped washing the dishes.

"Honey, I can't tell you exactly, since it's forbidden to tell kids by the order of Hokage," said Inoichi, as he tried to read her expression.

"O-oh... I just wanted to know why he always acted so jumpy, and why his smile looked fake," said Ino as Inoichi developed a tick mark.

'The villagers have taken it farther than I would have liked!' thought Inoichi as a tick mark developed on his head.

"Well, Ino, I won't tell you exactly, but I believe that you're mature enough to know what to do. So here, I'll tell you three things.

A Jinchuriki is a person with a tailed beast inside.

The tailed beast and the Jinchuriki are two separate entities.

Lastly, the villagers misunderstand and misjudge Naruto," said Inoichi as Ino looked at him confused.

'I couldn't have been more clear. Come on Ino, this is very easy,' thought Inoichi as Ino's mother looked at him, concerned.

"I hope you know what you're doing," she said as she remembered how a few kids used to treat him. Though she didn't want to believe her daughter was one of them, she had seen her friends be like that.

Meanwhile, Ino was starting to piece it together, as her eyes widened and she realized some insensitive and horrible things she had said to Naruto as kids.

'It's no wonder you don't have friends.' 

 'You are such a loner Naruto.'

Ino teared up as she realized what all Naruto had to go through, and she didn't even help a little.

"I hope you know what to do Ino," said Inoichi as he finished his food.

---End---

She knew what was today. Both things, since she had read in the book on Jinchuriki and it clearly stated that it had to be a newborn baby, or a consensual recipient. And so, according to her, Naruto was born on 10th October, i.e., today.

'Well, hopefully, he accepts my apology,' thought Ino.

For the past two years, Naruto had been cold to those who acted all snarky with him. Not all the time, but when someone said something taunting, Naruto would return it in kind. And well... Ino had been on the receiving end a lot, considering the fact that she had tried to remove him from his seat next to Sasuke a thousand times.

Right now, Naruto walked into the class with a gloomy look which made Ino a little sad, as she noticed Shikamaru look at Naruto with a look of sympathy.

However, Naruto brightened up when he saw Hinata who was blushing while looking at him. As for Sasuke, he just sighed as he pointed to the seat next to Hinata.

Naruto raised his eyebrow as Sasuke just grunted 'hn'.

"Gee, thanks Sasuke," Naruto said as he walked next to Hinata who blushed brightly when Naruto sat next to her.

"Hi Hinata," said Naruto as he smiled at her with a slight blush, something which didn't go unnoticed by Ino who grinned devilishly, and Naruto, Choji, and Shikamaru all shivered seeing that. Sasuke was just sitting with a small smirk as he took out the Bingo book.

"Is that the latest one?" asked Naruto as Sasuke nodded.

"Can I borrow it for some time?" asked Naruto as Sasuke shook his head as a no and Naruto frowned.

"Here Dobe," said Sasuke as he handed him a... gift wrapped thing.

"What?" said Naruto, confused as he opened the gift to find a Bingo Book, the latest one.

"Happy birthday," grunted Sasuke.

"What! You didn't need to do that Sasuke," said Naruto as he looked at him with a little wet eyes.

"Tch. After that fucking Kunai set you got me, I'd be damned if I didn't return the gesture. Plus, I can't let my friend's birthday go sad and gloomy," whispered Sasuke as Naruto hugged him tightly.

"Thanks," said Naruto as Hinata sitting next to him smiled.

"I-I've g-got something for y-you too Naruto Kun. I w-want to give it to you later," said Hinata shyly as Naruto smiled.

"Of course Hinata chan," said Naruto patting her head, causing her to faint.

"Here Naruto," said Shikamaru as he handed him a bunch of Ramen coupons.

"I couldn't find something else, too troublesome," said Shikamaru in a bored tone.

"Thanks," said Naruto as Shikamaru smiled and Choji handed him a big packet of... Naruto. I mean Narutomaki.

"My father bought this from a special Shop in Kiri, it's one of the best," he said with a smile as Naruto smiled back.

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The school was over and Naruto was walking when Ino stopped him.

"Naruto," she called as Naruto turned to her.

"Here," she said as she handed him a bunch of Yellow Roses and a bag.

"Huh? What's this Ino?" asked Naruto confused. Granted that they had been spending some time together but he didn't expect that.

"Well... I haven't always been kind to you, but you're still my friend," said Ino as Naruto smiled brightly and hugged her.

"Thanks, Ino," said Naruto as he took the gift.

"It's flower and plants seeds. I hope you find some use for it," said Ino as Naruto gave her a thumbs up.

"I'll do my best to do justice to your gift," said Naruto as he started to walk.

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Hello everyone, hope you all liked the chap.

Happy new year.

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