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Uzumaki Naruto could have sworn that things could have not gotten any worse than they already were.
To say the last few hours had been troublesome (well, Shikamaru would anyhow), would be an understatement.
He and Sakura get thrown into another world by Madara.
All their friends seem to have their personalities flipped upside down.
He was being called 'Menma' of all things.
And to top it all off, he didn't even have a place to live!
Prior to this moment, Naruto had been kicked out of his own apartment and was now walking the streets of Konoha. While the night air seemed calm, an otherworldly chill seemingly danced through the air, making the boy shiver, causing him to rub his arms together to keep warm.
"This world sucks," He groaned, "So much for wanting to see my parents. What if they're not around at all and I'm mistaken?"
His head looked up towards the stone faces of the Hokage. The individual between the Third and Tsunade was a man with hair stylised in the shape of a flower, coupled with a goatee.
Is that really Sakura's dad? So, he was the one who sacrificed himself to save the village from the Nine-Tails?
Naruto had so many questions, but it didn't look like he was going to get any answers at this rate.
He stopped in the local park, sitting on a bench. He looked up to see the stars spread across the sky like an artist canvas, each one seemingly twinkling.
"Just what the hell is going on…?"
He placed his hands in his face, taking a deep breath, hoping to regain his already shaken composure.
Stay calm Naruto. This is where you have to think of a solution. We tried breaking the genjutsu, but nothing. There doesn't seem to be anyone here who knows about Madara…
Naruto placed his arms at his sides, leaning back on the bench. He felt his eyes falling shut, his body slowly beginning to collapse from tiredness.
Well, maybe I should try and get some sleep. Perhaps Sakura and I could gather some intel in the morning and-
"Hey Menma!"
Naruto's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a soft female voice.
Sakura?
The boy shot up instantly, looking around to see the source of the sound. To his left, a familiar figure came walking towards him.
"Ino?" He questioned, the blonde girl stepping closer to him. "What are you doing out here so late?"
Ino stopped in front of him. She was wearing a purple jumper and long pants with a black overcoat. In her right hand, she was carrying a small bag of what looked like food.
"I…I was out for a walk getting some groceries and I usually walk back this way." She began softly, gently curling some of her long hair back.
"What are you doing out here on your own? Is everything alright? Did you and Sakura have a fight?" Her voice echoed a worried tone, sad-looking eyes encompassing her face.
Naruto looked back at her, puzzled at how he would reply.
This isn't like the Ino I know at all. She's never this worried about me.
"You shouldn't be out here on your own. Shouldn't you be at home?"
Home.
The very mention of that word made right now made his stomach turn.
Was this some kind of sick joke or something? He was stuck in a world he didn't know and she was asking if he should be at home!? Was this the universe's way of telling him he should just give up on everything?
"Are you okay?" The blonde girl repeated, "You and Sakura have been acting strange all day. After the bathhouse, I wanted to see if I could do anything to help you." Her eyes seemingly trailed off to the side.
"I…I…." A small blush appeared on her cheeks. "I…wanted to make sure you were okay. I feel helpless if I can't help my friends. I mean, do you want to talk about it?"
Naruto, still unsure of how to answer, pondered for a minute.
Think damn it! You can't blow your cover otherwise the questions will pile up even more. And then what? She'll think you've lost your mind.
His eyes locked with hers. Deep blue met with aqua. There was something about her that seemed angelic right now, he wasn't sure what to think.
Has she always been this cute? No, it's just an illusion! She's just part of this trick Madara's pulling.
Naruto shook his head.
But then again… His gaze returned to capturing her face. There's something awfully adorable about her.
"Ino…" He began after a few seconds of silence. "I've had kind of a rough day. A lot's happened to me and…"
He stopped himself, hoping to try and make some excuse to cover up the reason why he was out here sleeping on a bench.
"...and I needed to clear my head. So I thought a walk to the park in the evening would do me some good."
"Oh," Ino replied, her mouth forming a straight line. "I'm sorry you're not feeling too good." She sat down next to him, placing the bag of groceries to the side.
"Do you still want to talk about it?"
The calmness of her voice danced softly to his ears. This definitely was not the same girl he knew back home.
Naruto sat up straight on the bench, unknowingly placing his left hand across Ino's right hand. The slight touch made the girl jump and squeak, with the already pink blush on her cheeks turning slightly darker.
"Sorry, Ino…"
"No, it's…" She turned her head slightly. "It's okay…"
"No, not that." Naruto continued himself still surprised from the moment of touch. "It's just…would you believe me if I said I wasn't from around here?"
The context of the question was a strange one to Ino. What was he talking about?
"Menma, that's not a nice thing to say." She answered sadly. "You've been part of the Village your whole life. How could you not be from around here? I mean, you were born here-"
"-it's not that simple." He countered with a slight rise in his voice "I don't feel like I belong here! Something's not right. Ever since this evening when Sakura and I fought Madara and-!"
He stopped, noticing his emotions beginning to bubble.
Damn it, I did it again! Why am I getting so worked up like this? He noticed Ino growing a little timid from his raising his voice.
I can't be mad at her. Not her, she's too damn innocent!
Ino was taken aback by his reaction. "Menma, who are you talking about? That 'Madara' person again? I promise you there's no one of that name here. Even if there was, this person sounds like a criminal. And the Hokage would let us know if someone like that was in the village."
There was another thing that was on Ino's mind. He kept mentioning Sakura. Sakura had been seen with him the whole evening, not once leaving his side the whole night. Were they dating and they hadn't told anyone?
"Sakura, she's a great person isn't she?" Ino said dolefully, placing her hands together. "I mean I can see why you like her, being 'the child of heroes' and all that."
Naruto, realising what he had just said, opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
"But saying you're not from around here? That's horrible." She turned her head back to face him, her eyes beginning to water slightly. "You belong here Menma. You have family, friends, people who love you. You're a great person and you've inspired so many people. I've noticed you, Naruto. Ever since the day in the Chunin Exams when you defeated Neji. Who would have thought that the kid who came dead last in the Academy would end up defeating the rookie of the year? It was incredible to see. Even when you brought back Tsunade after the attack on the village to treat everyone. You basically saved all of us."
Naruto was stunned at what he was hearing. Maybe at times, he forgot how important he was to everyone around him.
"Ino…I…"
The girl shuffled closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. Naruto was shocked at the sudden gesture that he almost jumped out of his seat there and then.
"I…I just….I just want to make sure you're okay…" Ino carried on hugging him. "I've always said a hug can sometimes make things better."
The blonde boy, still at a loss for words, couldn't help but return the hug himself.
She's right. I do have a home. But it's just not this one. I have to make a plan to get me and Sakura home.
He placed his hand across her face, slowly moving the fringe that covered her other eye. The action made Ino turn red again, but this time, she couldn't help but smile sweetly at him. She placed her head on his shoulder.
Still, I didn't know Ino could be this cute, yet so adorable.
"Thank you Ino. You're right. I'm sorry for what I said." He sighed. "Life is hard, you know?"
Ino looked up into his eyes, seeing compassion radiate from them.
"I know." She said. "But just remember you have people looking out for you okay? That includes me."
Ino suddenly remembered something. "Oh, Menma, I got you a little something." She reached down to her bag. "I thought it might make you feel better."
The blonde boy was even more confused than before. He hadn't been here a day and he was already receiving a gift?
Still, a gift would be nice to balance out the horrible day he was having.
Ino pulled out a small selection of flowers wrapped up and gave them to Naruto. The latter was observant of the delicate pink colour together with a sweet, elegant smell that tickled his nostrils.
"What flowers are these?"
"They're peonies. They symbolise good health and well wishes." Ino's face lit up and her smile grew bigger. "I figured that whatever's troubling you, that I hope you're able to get past it and you feel better."
Naruto was simply bamboozled. He thought it had always been customary for boys to give girls flowers, not the other way around.
"Ino, thank you so much."
He placed the small bouquet down and embraced her in another hug. The hug was then complemented with Naruto giving Ino a small kiss on the cheek, to which she squealed at such a forward gesture.
"Hehe…sorry…" He chuckled sheepishly.
Ino's face went completely red. "N-no, that was sweet of you, Menma."
Naruto then realised how late it was getting. "Ino, do you want me to walk you home? It's getting colder and you should be home safe."
Ino, feeling bashful, didn't how to answer. She had never had someone offer to walk her home before.
"That would be nice, thank you." She stood up and grabbed her bag. "What about you? Shouldn't you be going back to your home too? Your parents must be getting worried."
There's that word again. Parents. His face fell slightly. What if I can't find them? What if they don't exist even in this world-
"Hey."
He was brought out of his thoughts by Ino gently touching his cheek.
"It's okay. If you want to spend some time and talk some more before you go back, I'm sure my dad won't mind."
Kindness and sincerity radiated from the girl's eyes, which now seem to twinkle like the stars in the sky above.
"Sure, Ino. That would be nice." The two blondes left the park, walking together hand in hand.
Perhaps I haven't pulled the short straw after all.
FIN