Disclaimer: Not mine.

Warning: Fluffy-ness?

Beta: Kalafina94

Beta: silverseed

Edit: 1/1/2018

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Naruto and I had become very close friends in the course of a single month.

In that time, I had discovered many things.

For one thing, Naruto was not a shy person at all. He was very outgoing, and unabashed by others. He was not afraid to proclaim himself to the others; on multiple occasions he even declared himself to be the next Hokage.

It had also come to my attention that Naruto received many inappropriate treatments, mostly from the other kids as well as a few teachers. Naruto tried his best to ignore it, but at times, I had noticed it crack through his wall.

Naruto was a kind boy who always had a smile.

Though his attention span was lacking, as he despised studying with a burning passion. I had been trying to come up with ways to make studying entertaining, but had yet to think of such a way. At least of ways that would entertain him.

I had noticed that I myself was quite satisfied with having my one friend to myself and sharing Ino with Sakura. My jealousy was nonexistent.

I had also noticed that Naruto seemed to be able to read my feelings exceedingly well and understand what I want. I rarely had to speak in order to express what I desire from others; Naruto was more than willing to do such for me. It satisfied me that I did not yet have to face up to my shyness.

Papa and Momma were hesitant of my relationship with Naruto, but only for a few days when I first informed them. After I had brought Naruto home—which I did weekly (daily if I can) now—for dinner, Momma ate him up. Not literally, of course; that would be most displeasing if she did.

Naruto loved family dinners. He was uncharacteristically polite at first, but he had grown to be more relaxed over frequent visits. Ino and him were tentative friends—similar to mine and Sakura's—friendship. Only friendly because the other was friends with the sibling to the other.

I did not mind hogging Naruto to myself. I was quite pleased with it, in fact.

And Naruto did not seem to mind my attention at all. He seemed quite pleased with it as well.

All in all, however, we had what some might call an uneventful first month in the academy. That was alright, though. I was certain my life would be adventurous when I graduated the academy. Better to relax now and enjoy it while I could.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

At lunch Naruto and I sat in front of each other, our shared lunch (Mom had added a lot more food to it, knowing I was sharing it with Naruto) spread out before us.

"Nao-chan."

I looked up and smiled shyly. "Hi Shika-niichan."

Shikamaru was the son of my Papa's best friend—or one of his best friends. Ino disliked him though, saying he was too boring, but I liked him. He was quiet and never pressured me into speaking when I would much rather be silent.

Shikamaru and I didn't talk much during school; he said he would much rather nap than talk so I never bothered to bring him to our lunch.

Naruto looked up at Shikamaru, slightly wary and equally curious.

"Naru-kun," I said. "This is Shika-niichan. Shika-niichan, this is my best friend, Naru-kun."

"Naruto-kun, then?" Shikamaru asked with a lazy drawl.

Naruto, at his newly found title, shot me a smile before grinning openly at Shikamaru. "Hey. What brings you over here?"

Shikamaru held up a boxed lunch. "Mom ordered me to make a friend to bring home. I was hoping you two would cover it."

Naruto and I exchanged a glance. I noticed that Naruto was positively beaming at the prospect of another friend. Though what surprised me most was that I held no feelings of jealousy over Naruto. In fact, it was the opposite. I was ecstatic for him to make another friend. I was even happier that it had been Shikamaru.

I patted the ground next to me. "You're always welcome to join us, Nii-chan."

Shikamaru nodded his head slowly before plopping on the ground next to me and across from Naruto. He rolled out his lunch and added it to our pile. "You guys don't mind sharing, right? I know I hate half the stuff Mom packs me but I do like your kelp."

Naruto and I exchanged yet another glance. Both of us were smiling smugly.

"Bring some food and we'll be happy to share what we have," Naruto said, a smile on his face.

Shikamaru gave him a sort of crooked grin in reply. "Fair enough."

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

At Shikamaru's house, Naruto and I lounged around on his roof. The three of us laid back and stared up at the clouds, but I could tell Naruto was itching to move. His energy seemed boundless and endless to me at times. Sometimes I pitied him, for I doubted he would ever be able to take a moment to relax without longing to be on the move.

But Naruto enjoyed our company more than he enjoyed movement, so he did not complain and he merely watched the clouds.

Vaguely, and lazily, we each pointed out shapes, and odd things the clouds formed.

After dinner, Naruto and I headed our separate ways as the sun was setting.

I for home and him to that empty, cracked hovel he referred to as his 'home'.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

When I came home, it was not even a minute afterwards did Ino come rushing in. My eyes widened in surprise at her abrupt entry, but quickly hardened upon seeing her state. My dear sister, it would seem, had been crying her eyes out.

Her usually beautiful blue eyes were puffy and red. Her cheeks pale and flushed, her clothes dirtied, and her hair a mess. She sniffled and already I was moving forward. My hand grabbed her own and I guided her to the front room and pushed her on the couch before crawling in after her.

My arms snaked around her and I held her tightly. Her arms wrapped around me and she clung to me, her cries becoming more apparent.

No words were exchanged; we only held each other. I offered her comfort and she took it gladly.

When her tears finally subsided, and her hiccups faded away, I looked back up at her with a worried expression.

I was most unhappy about seeing my sister in such a state. "Sister, what happened?"

"Sakura," Ino whispered, "doesn't want to be friends anymore."

My eyes widened and I lifted my small hand to pat her cheek. "Why not?"

"Sasuke-kun."

At the familiar name, I felt a twinge of annoyance. Sasuke had been my sister's claim. The moment she saw him, she passionately declared to us (Sakura and me) how in love she was with him. From that day on, I had merely viewed him as my sister's property. Untouchable.

"What do you mean?" I inquired. Truth be told, I had a sickening feeling that I knew exactly what she meant. Call it a hunch; a gut feeling.

"She doesn't want to be friends with me so she can have Sasuke-kun!" Ino cried, her eyes watering again.

Anger flared through me. Anger at how my sister was hurt and in pain from this girl. Anger at how my sister was being silly and allowing a boy to come between her and Sakura. Anger at said boy for being the object of my sister's attention and ruining her valued friendship with Sakura.

I pushed two of those aside for they were irrational, but I still held onto my anger at Sakura for breaking my sister's heart. She was my sister. I didn't ever want to see her hurt nor would I forgive anyone who did hurt her.

"Why don't I ask Momma to make us some hot chocolate?" I asked. "Then we can stay up late and watch movies. We don't have school tomorrow."

Ino sniffled.

"I can invite Naru-kun and Nii-chan over tomorrow, too," I continued hesitantly, unsure if that would upset her more or not, "and we can all watch movies. Just us four."

Ino's face broke out into a watery smile that shone with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Nao-chan. I would like that very much."

I nodded my head and moved to hug her again.

My sister hugged me back as tight as she used to long before Sakura came into her life.

I was satisfied to say I did not feel any selfish glee in this fact.

Perhaps my time with Naruto has allowed me to develop a better nature.

Or maybe I loved my sister too much to have such selfish thoughts in her time of need.

Either reason worked for me.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Answer: I want to say Beastly. Simply because I read the book, was expecting some fluffy little beast and got... Not. In my eyes they completely butchered the book, which seriously pissed me off.

Question: Silliest thing you've ever worn?

Reviews are love!