1st Year in Konoha High School

Part VIII

Naruto

I was in my math class on a Friday afternoon, waiting for the tests to come back to us to see our grade.

Kurenai usually calls names and we come up to get our test. Of course I am going to be last because of my last name. Like, Uzumaki? C'mon!

Once I finally got it back, I took a deep breath before I looked at it, Hinata was sitting next to me so she could see how I did too. I counted very slowly in my mind before I turn it around...3-2-1...

I turned the paper around very gingerly and looked at the numbers. I said 96%.

I got an A... I can't believe it.

I didn't say anything, but just smiled. I turned around to see Hinata and gave her a huge hug and kisses her on the forehead. "Thank you so much Hina-chan!"

"Your truly welcome Naruto-kun."

Right after class, we went to lunch. But before I did, I had to get something out of my locker to give to everyone today. Hinata knew what it was and helped me out with it.

It's the invitations to Jiraiya's funeral.

I turned extremely cheerful from getting a good grade on my test to an absolute depression. I really didn't want to go to this funeral and I didn't want my friends to come too.

They all knew about my guardian's death so it won't be new to them, but I feel awkward bring up the subject. They all feel sad for me if and try to change the subject anyways. I just feel bad for making them come. It just-

"Naruto-kun, it will be alright. I'll hand them out myself if you can't." Hinata offered than gave me a warm smile.

"I can handle it. You can give them all to me and I'll hand them all out." She gave me the rest of the invitations as we walked to lunch.

Once we got their, I got everyone's attention. "Hey guys, if you can. Can you come to Jiraiya's funereal? It would make me very happy to have your guys' company." I continued to talk and all of them except for one will come.

The one that isn't coming is Sasuke.

I saw Sakura begging Sasuke to come, but he won't allow it. I probably understand since he doesn't have a family either. But Sai is coming though, and he is an orphan.

Once everybody accepted the invite, Ino just started up the drama. She was teasing Hinata and I about our relationship. Especially me, she was making fun of me not noticing her feelings until now.

"Oh Ino, you could be such an idiot sometimes. I can't believe Sai is dating you." I sighed.

"Hey! Don't make fun of me!" She yelled, cracking her voice.

"Oh look who's talking." Kiba smirked.

The whole table laughed including me. It's great to have friends like them. I would be very lonely and isolated with out them.

________________________

After school I went home to get prepared for the funeral on Sunday. I have to take care of it because I was the one that lives with Jiraiya.

All of his family member will come to Konoha on the day of the event. Including some of his friends. I was going to be doing a speech including his closest friend Tsunade.

Hinata was helping me writing my speech since I am not good at writing out stuff. We were at my house and also making thank you bags as well for the end of the funeral.

She has a little experience with funerals because of her uncle's death. I could say I do too, because the last funeral I went to was my parents'.

I was an infante though, so I don't really remember. They got into a car accident while I was in the car. The cause of the accident was a fox that was in the middle of the road. My dad tried to not hit it, which he did dodge, but the price was getting of the highway and rear-ending a truck.

It was late at night, the truck had gasoline leaking out, the car caught on fire and my parents couldn't get out. My mother threw me out of the car and the police found me. Jiraiya than came into town to take care of me ever since. He was actually the one that told me the story, he told me when I was 5 because I always wondered why the others had more than one parent.

Jiraiya than left to go out of town when I was 7 and didn't come back until I was 13. I was the one that was not noticed at all. I was always ignored. I than wanted to get attention because I couldn't stand being all alone.

I pulled pranks laughed at everything, people called me annoying and never even knew my name, they always called me 'That Kid' just because I don't have a family.

But I started to have friends during middle school. First Shikamaru and Choji, than later on Kiba. In the second year, I always was in a group of 3 with Sakura and Sasuke and became friends with them. Than in the last year, I made friends with Shino, Hinata, and Ino.

But I than started to despise Sasuke for the actions he has been doing. He even got expelled in the end of the year, but has changed a lot now since he is with Sakura.
I still wish Sasuke was coming to the funeral. We have this one thing in common and I want him to realize that.

I am still happy with all my friends, especially Hinata. I remember that she always use to hang out with me as much as she could with out getting caught before I even made friends with Shikamaru and Choji.

Hinata was always there for me. Ever since the beginning. I could never repay for what she did for me. I really have never knew all this time she was in love with me, but now that I realized she did... I makes me love her even more.

"Thank you for always being there for me Hina-chan." I said to her as she was finishing up with the las thank you bag.

"For what?"

"For always being their for me, nobody except you has been their for me all this time. I could never repay you for what you have done... Thank you." I smiled at her.

She turned to me, "You have already repaid me Naruto-kun."

"How?"

" For noticing me too. You are the only one that I wanted you to notice me for who I am. And I know you do because we wouldn't be dating now, wouldn't we?"

"You're right. You're welcome for that. But I thank you even more."

"I know Naruto-kun, and your welcome."

We finished up with the preparations for Sunday so we don't have to do any work tomorrow. Hinata told me she is going to hang with the girls tomorrow anyways. So I can't spend a day with her. I hope I can survive... heh heh.

It was already night time before we knew it, we went out to get some Ichiraku Ramen. Once we did I of course treated her, at first she refused, but I begged her and she accepted. She at even more ramen than me. How is that even possible!?

After our dinner we shared I walked her home and before she walked into the house, she gave me a passionate kiss. She didn't want to let go. Probably because she feels sorry for how much I am going through since Jiraiya is gone.

I gave her a hug after out long lasting kiss and told her, "I'll be fine don't worry about me. I'll see you at Sunday." She that left and gave me a wave good bye.

Before she closed the door she told me, "I know you'll be fine you're always so strong and I know you will be now like you never had before." She than closed the door.

She's right. I was always strong when I was little when I thought I lost everything, but I than made friends and I have her.

These people will make me even stronger. I know they will. Every single friend I have.

This is a new chapter, where it's only me... my friends... and my true love...Hinata.