=====================
Author's notes - Read the next chapter before quitting
==========================
Konohagakure No sato :
Going Towards Academy Gate , Naruto remembers the previous day when everyone gathered together and talked about their plans before Academy day .
1 Day ago :
" I am gonna spend day with my Dad and later dinner with family , .....before I thought My Dad was just Genin Failure but now I want to know more " Gian
" I talked with my parents about Training and they issued a mission , to appoint a Personal Instructor for me , Tomorrow I am to stay at home and get introduced " Rich Kid Suneo
" I am gonna relax at home " Nobita
" My Father wants to spend the day together and see my progress " Shizuka
" Maybe helping my mom in shop or rest "Ino
hearing everyone's plans Naruto also considered his situation
( Need new Kunai's and shuriken , everything's dulled over the training and may need a whole Ninja tool pouch and kit ,.......I also Need to see new bag , clothes and other Academy stuff )
Remebering the Notebooks, pencils and other study materials dwindling . Naruto remembers tomorrow's salary + his saving including this month's allowance , Naruto also decided to rest and voice out.
" Then tomorrow is Rest day , I guess "
At This Suneo speaks up
" Will you train alone then ? "
" No , It's rest day , i will also rest and I need some things at house and need to prepare some things for academy so shopping I guess "
Hearing Naruto's plans , everyone discusses other things about their home and some time later they all parted ways.
Suneo and Nobita goes together to Civilian District and Gian and Shizuka also leave for the Shinobi Residential area while Ino and Naruto head to other dirction Near Clan District .
Walking along the way Naruto considers his own Apartment Location
( In the Middle of clans , Near Hokage Office , Konoha Academy and then there's Invisible other Tenants that I can never see or meet )
A very precise and secure Location in case of Emergency.
( And of course 24/7 ANBU surveillance )
Naruto's thoughts were interrupted when he notices a fork on Road .
( Time to part ways with Ino and Grind Lone Wolf Skill , all alone )
" then Ino , take care "
saying bye to Ino, Naruto goes on his way but he hears Ino's voice
" Naruto "
( hmmm )
looking back , Naruto sees Ino catching up and saying
" Wanna go shopping together "
"......hmm I need to head Ichiraku first then shopping "
" Goood then same time like everyday at Academy Gate "
Saying her piece Ino waves her hand and goes away , Naruto remembers their gathering time near academy gate at 1 PM and thought to himself .
( In the middle of summer with scorching sun on top of my head ...I was gonna shop near evening but hummmm is it a Date ??? )
================================
Present Day Pov :
Coming close to the gate Naruto sees Ino dressed in a white sundress with a hat on top her head and thinks
( ... since I am no lolicon so there's no heartbeat Accelration too and most importantly the girl is also not late and this is just a Kids outing )
Walking up to Ino , Naruto greets her from some distance
" Yo Ino , Sorry for making you wait "
" It's ok , I just came early "
Ino also walks upto him and they both headed to shopping street while talking and walking
" So what are you gonna buy , Naruto "
" My old clothes are wornout and also a little small and i also need new Ninja tools , everything's blunt .... What about you "
"Hehe I am the same....... dresses and tools the same things hehe "
" Then ladies first "
" Really , Thank you "
Walking through the streets Ino notices something unusual , wherever they go the people parted ways , not because of respect but more like Disgust .
Hushes and whispers were heard around the way , Ino hears these things despite not wanting to.
' isn't that '
' shhhhh'
' come this way my dear '
' why do i have this 'thing' in my path '
' curse my bad luck '
' a black cat would have been better '
' my day is ruined now '
' my baby come this way '
' why mama'
' don't ask ...there's a demon there '
' I heard he tried to destroy Hokage office '
' at least there should be a leash '
' Just what is Hokage sama thinking '
walking with Naruto , Ino's face paled soon and all the giddy thoughts in her stomach evaporates . Even she who was walking with Naruto felt a great discomfort and the whispers pierces her young and fragile heart .
Naruto walks Unbothered with the same usual routine and reactions , but Naruto slowly and finally notices the discomfort of the 9-year old kid beside him .
( Ughhhh should have thought this beforehand , this is too much for a young kid like her )
Knowing their destination and looking around himself , Naruto slowly pick up his pace and starts walking 5 to 6 steps ahead of the little girl.
( .......hope this works )
Ino seeing Naruto disappearing by her side looks ahead and widens her eyes just as Naruto widens distance himself from her .
but Ino heard more
' Who is with him'
' They don't seem to be together though '
' Who is gonna be with demon anyway '
' why does't he just Diasappear '
' maybe a monster too '
' maybe the demon bewitched the kid '
' they should both disappear '
' a world without mosters will be peaceful'
Ino finally realizes the meaning of distance and the thoughtfullness of Naruto and decides to catch up but
( My feet , why won't they move .........why why , catch up my feet , don't let him go ..... not alone )
In the end this was too much for a 9 year old kid to burden and her feet totally stopped moving in fear and gets paralyzed by the whispers .
Naruto slowly realizes the stopped silhouette from behind and looks back to see Ino shivering and stopping in place .
Stopping himself , Naruto shifts sideways and thinks while glancing back
( .... I guess , This is it huh )
Ino Looks up to see Naruto stopping and looking back at her . Ino tries to speak but only to realize
( My voice , it's not coming out ..... Move , Move , Move , he is waiting for me , .... really after all this I can't stop here )
Waiting for a while , Naruto seeing Ino not moving , sighs and after facing forward starts moving ahead while thinking
( It's good .... this way .....it's good , for her and also... for me )
Naruto moves away and disappears in the moving crowd , just like in Life one doesn't know how many people they met , and also to never meet again .
Naruto moves and heads to the one of the tools shops that doesn't discriminate him or maybe just doesn't care either way .
seeing no one coming to intoduce stuff or even other ninja tools Naruto goes around the shop , with his Product knowledge and Blacksmith Skill Naruto gets a total of 20 shuriken 5 Kunai , two rolls of Ninja wire .
Getting the things done distractedly , Naruto gets himself a New Ninja tool pouch and also buyes some cheap training weights .
Going to counter Naruto Asks for price only to hear Old man say
" .... 3000 Ryo "
" this is not the market price and this wire also a---
Before Naruto can barter further , The man says
" Take it or leave it "
"... here , will you repair Kunai and other tools "
" No , ...just go away kid while I am in good mood "
Giving the money , Naruto walks away getting used to some things , whenever Naruto tries to inquire some things around the village . ninety percent of time , there are always this kind of reactions.
Annoying
Disappear
Discrimination
Isolation
Shunning
Walking away from the Ninja tool shops , Naruto heads to the clothing area when
" Narutooooo "
( huh )
Looking back Naruto saw Ino running towards him while out of breadth
( .....was she searching for ...me ?? )
running upto Naruto Ino puts her hands on her knees while trying to steady her breath . after a while she looks at Naruto angrily and shouts in middle of street
" I WAS LOST "
" ...what ? "
" I WAS LOST....Where were you , I was looking "
Naruto looks flabbergasted
( why is she lying ,.... no one was lost there just why )
" What is in your hands huff huff "
" Ninja tools and stuff "
" Did you bought everything ? "
" ...No "
" Good , then let's go "
saying her piece , Ino walks upto him and grabs his hand and started leading him
" Ino "
" what "
" ........let's just stop , maybe some other day " ( No need to drag a kid )
Thinking about today's events , Naruto tries to advise , Naruto fails to notice a small shiver of the Little Girl's body , meanwhile Ino didn't stops and goes straight ahead
" Ino "
" ....Nooo "
" what ? "
" I said Nooo "
raising her voice , Ino drags Naruto around the shops , if Ino hears something , she changes and heads another Shop . Naruto deciding to end things fast hurriedly buys some things and finishes today's outing.
The day ends bizzarely with no one mentioning anything about that Moment . And They both parted ways .