Blonds Have More Fun

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto and company. This was removed a year ago and its coming back, a little cleaned up and combined.

Chapter 1

BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…

"Mmm…Honey turn off the alarm." Ino groaned and rolled over to snuggle into her husband to drift off to sleep once more.

Wait, that isn't the chime alarm Naruto got me for our anniversary. Ino's blue eyes snapped open seconds before she rolled out of bed and landed with a THUMP on the floor.

"OW!" Ino winced as she rubbed her posterior and reached out and slapped the alarm to silence.

Looking around she realized she was in her room…a room she hadn't lived in since after she made Chunin.

"It worked." She muttered in shock. "Damn fur ball was telling the truth." She said standing up and dropping her blanket back on her bed. She frowned. Gah, I'm alone. I haven't been alone in years in bed.

She looked around trying to figure out when she was, when there was a knock on the door.

"Ino dear, are you alright?" her mother's worried voice came thru the door.

"Yeah mom." Ino said trying to keep herself from rushing out the door and hugging her mother. Her parents had died when an Oto suicide bomber had entered their home and tried to get Ino. All because that stuck up bastard wanted to piss Naruto off and get him to come out and fight.

"I'm fine, just rolled out of bed trying to get the alarm and got tangled in the sheets." Ino said.

"Alright dear. Remember, you have your final Genin Exam today."

Ino swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thanks mom." She called out and after hearing her mother's footsteps retreat back downstairs, Ino was in motion grabbing clothes and getting dressed.

I need to see him. I… she stopped mid-wrapping of her legs. He won't be my Naruto. We aren't even friends yet.

Ino let the tears fall at this thought. I won't let it turn out like it did. I promise, Naruto, you won't be alone any more. She thought as she increased her speed and soon was rushing down the stairs and past the kitchen.

"Ino honey…breakfast…" her mother called out.

"Not right now mom, I got to meet a friend before school. We'll get something on the way, love you bye." And she was out the door. Her parents shared a look over the kitchen table.

"Another diet?" Inoichi asked sipping his tea.

"Not that I know of." His wife said looking at the toast and fruit slices her daughter ate in the morning after yelling about how she was trying to keep her figure.

"I don't like it when she does it for that Uchiha boy." Inoichi said.

"It's a phase dear. Remember when I was her age? I thought I would be with Wataru Inuzuka."

Inoichi snorted. The old hound, rest his soul was a player in the day. "Yeah, but he had three kids with Tsume…"

"And they were a better match." His wife Izumi said. "Besides I do enjoy a man that can plant a proper garden and not treat it like he was digging for bones."

Both Yamanaka adults laughed.

"Ino will be fine dear." She said. "I'm sure she'll find a nice boy that will treat her properly."

Inoichi snorted. "I'd rather she would hook up with either a Nara or an Akamichi." He muttered only to get brained by flying toast from his wife who scowled. "Ino will love who she loves. And if I find out you pushed her towards someone…YOU will be sleeping in the garden…during the cold season."

Inoichi winced as his wife cleared their daughter's plate and went to do the morning dishes.

Man, Shika was right…women are troublesome.

Across town Shikaku Nara sneezed. Man, someone's talking about me…what a drag. He thought before he went to wake his son up for school.

XX

Ino raced the streets and cursed her smaller chakra reserves. I really didn't start to train properly until Asuma-sensei died.

She hurried down the early morning streets. If I know Naruto, and I do…he'll be at…wait this was… her thoughts raced to remember.

Ino altered her course and found herself at the base of the Hokage Monument moments later panting. "Damn I've really got to get into shape, this sucks." She muttered catching her breath. She looked around and smiled as she saw him dangling from a rope in front of the faces of the four Hokage's.

In front of the village and he's not even being noticed and he's wearing blinding orange. And laughing like a loon. She smiled as she watched the blond work, laughing as she remembered he proposed to her by painting it on the Hokage Monument as well.

He's a goof, a silly goof, but he's mine and I'm not going to wait as long or allow anyone to harm him any more.

Rushing up the path she got to the top and peeked over the edge as he was working on the face of the Third Hokage.

Ino thought about what she was going to say, but smiled as she thought it would be fun.

"What are you doing you BAKA!?" Ino yelled the last and had to stop herself from laughing as Naruto panicked and tried to look around and in the process dropped his paint cans, and got tangled in the rope he was now hanging upside down with the rope knotted around his left angle and he swung back and forth.

He looked up and saw Ino looking down over the edge at him smiling.

"Er…Hello Ino-chan." He said and she could see the utter confusion on his face. She'd never spoken to him, even while Sakura was ranting at him. Ino smiled softly. Time to change this. Ino thought.

"You know you could do better than this." She said and his look of confusion made her wish she could kiss him right now. "Your better than you pretend Naruto." She said and started pulling him up, her muscles screaming at her about what she was doing. I really need to work out. She thought.

Once he was up atop the heads of the Hokage, Ino looked at him and had to resist the urge to run her fingers thru that sun kissed blond hair, she'd found it relaxing when they talked, but he wasn't hers.

Not yet, but soon. She thought. "Come on, lets get out of here. I'll buy you two bowls…and only two bowls of ramen while we talk."

She wanted to laugh and kiss him at the happy then confused expression he wore. I swear you will have a better life. And I'm going to get you where you were after we started dating a lot sooner. After all, a woman's touch can do wonders for a man.

XX

Ino sat next to him at Ichiraku's Ramen and slowly ate her bowl of vegetable beef ramen while Naruto slurped down his first bowl of miso.

"Slow down and enjoy the flavors Naruto." She said. "No one's going to take it away from you."

He paused and she smiled seeing he had a noodle on his cheek when he turned to look at her. She took a napkin and wiped it off with a smile.

"Why are you doing this Ino-chan? What do you want from me?" Naruto asked confused, but she noted he had slowed down and was chewing his ramen, which she noted mentally with a smile and surprised the cook and his daughter to no end.

"I can't help you get Sasuke and you know Sakura-chan won't give me the time of day." Naruto said and Ino saw the look on his face.

"Why do you want to go out with Sakura so much?" Ino asked suddenly. Naruto froze mid-bite, lowering his chopsticks.

"Why do you keep putting on a mask?" she continued.

"I don't know what you're talking about, and Sakura-chan is…"

"Rude, abuses you, shows you no respect whatsoever." Ino says cutting him off. "She doesn't acknowledge you Naruto."

"She does…"

"No, she doesn't. At best she sees you as an annoyance. She treats you like her personal punching bag whenever she feels annoyed, even if you aren't around."

She saw his head lower.

"But I acknowledge you Naruto Uzumaki. I believe you will become Hokage," again she thought, "and I believe you will be the best ninja ever in Konoha. I see you as someone special, someone I want to know, and who I want to get to know me, the real me."

She reached out and touched his arm, causing him to look up at her. "I want to be your friend Naruto. I want you to be mine. I want to see you become the man that I can see you becoming."

"Why?" Naruto asked giving her his full attention.

Ino smiled. "I had a dream the other night." She said looking at him for a moment. "I didn't like who I was pretending to be. I hated how I treated you with indifference and I want to change it now. I don't want what I said to you or treated you be me. I want to know you and I want my life filled with laughter and fun. You shine so brightly Naruto, I want to be warm in your smile."

She could see he understood, but she saw the mask come up. "Um, what?"

"Don't do that." She said. "Please, no masks."

Naruto's eyes winced as she saw past his façade.

"I want there to be truth and honesty between us Naruto." Like it was once we dated. You made my life so bright and warm. Ino thought.

"As you wish Ino-chan." He said.

As you wish, I love you. Three simple words, that spoke so much between us. Words you used whenever we were surrounded by the ignorant villagers. I will not lose you, or waste time getting to know you this time. Ino thought giving him an encouraging smile.

"Now, I know we have to get to class, but after school, you and I are going shopping for proper clothes for you."

"What? Why?" Naruto asked.

"Naruto, I know how the shops treat you. We're getting you proper clothes, and we're going to train together. I need to get in shape and training is always better with someone to help you."

The pair of blonds shared ramen, Ino even feeding Naruto some her vegetables after he put up a fight, but in the end she got her way.

They realized they were going to be late and rushed off.

Teuchi and his daughter Ayame watched them go. "I like that girl." The ramen chef said.

Ayame watched the blonds vanish around a corner and smiled. "She's good for him."

The cook and his daughter were already planning on helping Ino get the blond of her dreams.

"Young love needs a push every now and then." Teuchi muttered as he cleaned the bowls. "But she's going to have to let him eat more ramen. Two bowls won't last him long."

Ayame smiled remembering the sounds Naruto's stomach could make when it was empty. "I hope she's ready to deal with that."

They went back to work knowing the lunch crowd would be coming in several hours.

XX

Chapter 2

"HA! I WIN!" Sakura Haruno yelled entering the classroom. She'd raced all the way here and was surprised when she never saw Ino the whole way, and seeing the empty spot next to Sasuke Uchiha.

"If you think so forehead." A voice said and Sakura looked around to find Ino sitting next to…

"What the hell are you sitting next to Naruto for Ino-pig?" Sakura blinked thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her. "Did you lose a bet?"

Ino scowled. "No. I'm sitting next to my friend. You can set next to emo-ass, hell date the needle dick for all I care."

Many eyes in the room widened. Naruto next to her was trying to stifle his laughter by trying to fit his fist into his mouth.

Ino looked at Naruto and smiled. "Now, when the time comes, remember…"

"What's the deal Ino-pig?" Sakura shrieked and the blonds turned to see Sakra standing before their desk with her hands on her hips.

"Having a conversation. Go sit by the Uchiha, for all the good it will do you." And Ino turned back towards Naruto leaving a stunned Sakura standing there.

The rest of the class was still in shock. Sasuke himself was sitting facing forward, his eye twitching at the insults that had been thrown his way.

"Now, you got it?" Ino asked as Naruto mimicked the hand seals. "Yeah…are you sure…"

"Trust me Naruto-kun. The problem you've had is that you have way too much chakra and you overload your jutsu's. This will help, I promise. If it doesn't I'll buy you ramen for a month."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Ino-chan…"

"I'm serious." She then got a mischievous look in her eyes. "And when I'm proven right, you will go on a date with me tonight."

Gasps filled the classroom as the Sasuke fan club were shocked that one of Sasuke's biggest supporters was planning on a date with the dead last of the class, one that almost all of them thought of as a menace.

One pair of pale lavender eyes widened in surprise across the room at what was happening.

Sakura was still standing before the pair of blonds in shock at what she was hearing.

"Ino, what are you doing?" she asked, well shrieked in shock.

"Asking someone I like out on a date. But unlike the limp dick Uchiha, Naruto has personality and I bet it will be an awesome time." Ino said then looked at her. "You're still here Sakura? Why aren't you sitting by your precious Uchiha?"

Naruto looked at Sakura then back at Ino. The Yamanaka heiress knew he was confused. Oh Naruto-kun, there is so much I want to say to you. And much of what I want to do to you, we're too damn young for. Turning back to Naruto she decided her conversation was done with the pink haired girl who was still trying to process what she just heard.

She patted Naruto's hand. "You'll pass." She said with a smile as the bell sounded.

Iruka walked in followed by Mizuki. Ino's eyes narrowed. It had been a year after she started dating Naruto that he finally told her how he'd became a Genin.

And you won't be causing my Naruto-kun any grief you bastard. She thought as Iruka called the class to order, surprised how quiet it was.

"Sakura, take your seat please." Iruka called out.

Sakura still stunned about the recent events dropped into a seat, it wouldn't be until lunch that she realized that she sat away from Sasuke Uchiha.

"Now then, as you know today is your finals to see if each of you can become a Genin of Konoha…"

XX

The written test wasn't that bad once Ino pointed out to Iruka that Naruto's test paper had a genjutsu on it, surprising the teachers as well as the blond that someone would stick up for him in class.

Iruka gave him a fresh one and Ino saw Mizuki didn't look happy.

People like you are the reason Naruto failed two other times and why his grades are so poor. I'm going to fix what you've done and he's going to show you all. Ino thought with a mental smirk as she handed in her own test then returned to her seat next to Naruto.

She spent the rest of the morning watching Naruto as he passed the obstacle course with ease.

That's my man, yeah. She thought with pride, and ignored the looks from Sakura as she clapped when Naruto had the best time.

Her own time was about middle of the pack. Well at least I finished it this time unlike my first time through I fell into the water and spent the whole time whining about how my dress and hair were ruined. Gah, how did I ever live as long as I did back then?

She'd seen Sakura fall earlier, and Hinata made it, but it took her longer than most as she was shorter than most of the other girls in class.

Ino was next to Naruto during the target test.

"Keep calm and remember to line up your shots. Think of it as targets for your pranks." She whispered into his ear.

"Ino-chan?" he asked looking at her.

"No more masks Naruto. Don't hold back, for me…please."

The blond looked at her and nodded as he went after the Uchiha who had a smug look on his face getting the best score.

Ino clapped and yelled, "COME ON NARUTO, YOU CAN DO IT!" getting her many strange looks from the rest of the class.

She ignored them. Come on honey, you are better than that arrogant bastard. Show them all.

She smiled as he hit the stationary targets with ease, each one dead center. Clapping her hands after he hit all ten, she was watching as he went for the moving targets and scowled when Mizuki swung one of the rope targets harder and faster than anyone else, but it turned to a smirk when Naruto hit the target dead center between the eyes.

Take that you bastard. She thought with a bit of vindictiveness to the horrible teacher.

"Ino, what's going on with you?" Sakura asked stepping in front of the blond and blocking her view of Naruto as he went into the target range with mobile and pop up targets.

"Out of the way forehead." She said as moved around the other girl to watch.

"Why are you so interested in that loser all of a sudden?" Sakura asked as Ino watched him move down the range using shuriken and kunai with a practiced ease.

"He's special to me." Ino said. "I grew up and realized that the emotionless asshole isn't what I want in my life."

"Why Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"Why not?" Ino fired back as she watched him finish the range and looked at his score. That's right baby, perfect. YATTA!

"I mean, he's loud, dresses badly and has no skill, he's dead last." Sakura went on, and Ino scowled at her.

"Naruto may be loud, but he's also kind, considerate and caring. As for his clothes, that isn't his fault that's all the idiots sell him, as for dead last…I think you better look at the scores forehead. Naruto has out performed the Uchiha in everyway."

With that Ino walked past her and walked up to Naruto and to the surprise of everyone, including the said blond hugged him.

"You did great Naruto-kun." She said.

"Your up Ino." Iruka called out.

"Be right back." She said and skipped towards the targets.

XX

Ino smiled she had the third best score at the kunai and shuriken test. At least all my skills aren't totally crap again. I'll need to work on my physical fitness and chakra reserves, but this is good. Ino thought, as she walked with Naruto. Said blond kept giving her strange looks out of the corner of his eye.

"Up next we have sparring with Mizuki." Iruka announced once everyone reached the sparring platform.

Ino pulled Naruto with her to a tree and sat down. Naruto was surprised when she pulled his arm around her and she leaned into him.

"I'm not going to do to well here." Naruto said.

Ino sighed. There was nothing she could do right now to fix Naruto's taijutsu, but she had an idea. Lee and Gai are at Training Ground 9. I wonder if I can get them to help Naruto and myself this early.

"Just try your best Naruto-kun." Ino said. "Mizuki is a chunin after all, and your other scores will compensate. I'm sure your better than Sakura, she can perform the book work fine, but in the field its different."

They sat in silence and Naruto wasn't sure how to deal with the blond next to him. When he woke up this morning, he never would have imagined this.

XX

Ino tried to think of a way to get Naruto to win against Mizuki. Sasuke was doing well, but he was using his clans personal style instead of the academy basic style.

"Time." Iruka called and Mizuki congratulated Sasuke loudly for going the full five minutes.

Bastard took it easy on Sasuke. Ino thought with a growl.

She watched as Naruto was called up and whispered to him "Good luck." It was then that if she remembered this right, Mizuki was about to crush Naruto, as the Chunin went all out the moment…

"EWWW! GROSS!"

Sakura screamed when Akamaru peed on the other side of the tree she was leaning against, thus getting the classes and Iruka's attention.

Ino didn't look, her scowl deepening as she watched Mizuki take Naruto down with an advanced grapple hold that was taught to Chunin for crowd control.

Iruka turned back seeing Naruto being held down and counted the three beats awarding Mizuki the win.

Smug bastard! If Iruka had seen you use that move to take Naruto down he would ream you out. Instead you adjust your grip and make it look like a basic hold and make Naruto look bad to the class and Iruka-sensei. She hissed mentally. If I had a larger chakra supply, I would have used one of the possession jutsu's and show you how it feels to be dominated and let Naruto win.

Ino patted Naruto's shoulder, but winced when he pulled away roughly.

"Ino!"

"WHAT?" she spun about snarling only to realize that she had snarled at Iruka. "Sorry Sensei." She said looking down.

"It's your turn Ino." Iruka said.

Moving to stand before Mizuki, she scowled at him when he gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Ino, I won't hurt you. Just try your best."

THE NERVE! Ino mentally hissed. You want my best asshole? Fine!

When Iruka called to begin, Ino attacked with a flurry of punches and kicks from the basic taijutsu taught at the academy.

I wish I could unveil the style Naruto and Gai and Lee taught me, but if I broke out in Capoeira that Gai and Lee taught me, or Naruto's family personal style, I'd be seeing Ibiki faster than my dear husband eats Ichiraku Ramen.

Ino was thus holding back and using the academy style, which was making her grind her teeth in frustration as Mizuki knew the style and blocked it all. And after three minutes he finally tagged her and Iruka called time.

Ignoring everyone, Ino sought out Naruto. Damn it. Come on sweetie, look at me. She willed but the blond that was, had been and she prayed to Kami would be her husband again, was sulking on the far side of the tree, he'd not even been watching.

Of course not stupid! He just had the worst spar out of the entire class where everyone witnessed his being counted down in less than nine seconds. And now we go back to class where he will need to make three bunshin to pass.

Ino prayed he got the seals she showed him earlier. Kami, please let him remember what I told him and get the Kage Bunshin on his first try.

She watched as he shuffled back towards the classroom after Iruke released them all for lunch, reminding them all to come back in time for the final part of their exam.

Ino was going to try and catch up to Naruto, when she found her way blocked by Sakura and several other nameless skanks, Ino's personal name for them as they made up the Sasuke Uchiha fan club.

"What do you want forehead?" Ino asked annoyed at being denied her time with her fellow blond.

XX

Damn it. Naruto thought. "Why can't I get that right?" the whisker marked blond muttered aloud.

Iruka released them for lunch break and then to report to the classroom for the final test.

"I did better on the other parts, but it's not fair that I have no one to learn taijutsu with. No clan scrolls to study, no one to correct me, the teachers never take the time to. I'm just the orphan that no one wants and everyone despises." He muttered under his breath, hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped as he walked, kicking a stone.

And what's up with that Ino girl? She's never said more than five words to me before, and yet this morning she's talking to me like we've been friends forever, touching me and she knows about the masks I wear to hide…

He slumped against the wall of the building in the shade, his blue eyes searching and finding her.

Easy enough being the only two blonds in school. Sorta like finding Sakura and her pink hair. He thought with a momentary hint of amusement.

He found her with said pink haired Sakura and a group of other girls.

That's it. It's some kind of prank to get Sasuke to notice her. Has to be. Naruto thought watching her talk with Sakura.

Looks like they're talking about Sasuke again. He thought seeing both girls waving their arms about and talking heatedly. I bet those hand signs Ino-ch.. Ino showed me was something to embarrass me. We'll screw that. I'm onto you now Ino, I won't be used by you so you can brag to Sasuke how you messed with me.

Decision made, Naruto ignored the clenching of his gut at the decision, passing it off as hunger pangs, he turned away and slipped into the school via a window in an unused classroom, missing the be all end all of bitch slaps as Ino laid out Sakura and the other fan girls scatter like pigeons in the park when Tora, the Fire Lord's wife's cat came too close.

XX

SLAP!

"Don't you EVER say anything like that about Naruto-kun again Sakura, or I will kick your ass so damn hard you'll be wiping your huge forehead when you go to the bathroom." Ino snarled. "AM…I…Clear?"

Sakura holding her reddening cheek nodded her head rapidly, her eyes wide in shock that Ino had slapped her, more so that she slapped her in defense of Naruto.

Ino glared at the other girls. "Do any of you pathetic bitches have anything to say?"

They scattered.

Ino looked down at Sakura.

"You broke off our friendship three years ago because of a rumor that someone else told you that I liked Sasuke. Now here is the truth Sakura that you never let me say when you broke our friendship and walked away. Try to process it in that over sized cranium you have. I never wanted Sasuke. I played this stupid game because it connected us. It gave you confidence and a rival that would push you. I decided this morning that its time to leave that childish game behind and focus on someone that I knew who would be caring, and treat me as his whole world. I want my life in the sun."

Ino looked at her friend. Come on Sakura grow up, be the woman I know.

"This is a trick." Sakura said finally. "You're trying to get me off guard, to get Sasuke to notice you, you're just using Naruto to do it, to make Sasuke jealous. Well it won't work."

Ino sighed. Sakura didn't grow up last time until after the fucking Uchiha left to get power from Orochimaru and Naruto left for his training journey with Jiraiya-sama for three years. Ino thought sadly. I was hoping I could get my friend back sooner.

"Its no game Sakura. If you want Sasuke, he's all yours." But you'll only end up with a broken heart. She thought, "Because I want Naruto."

Scratch that. I need Naruto more than I need air. I want my husband back. And when we're older I'll get my precious Saru back.

Ino closed her eyes to keep the tears back as she thought of baby boy.

Kyuubi swore I could change things, but I'm not strong enough right now. I need Naruto's help to make this work.

Ino ached for her husband's touch, for his warm hugs, his bright laughter, his loving caresses.

Kami I would kill for his teasing grin right now, or those look special looks he gave me from those warm, caring eyes. Kami I'd murder the Uchiha and the Civilian Council just for one of his toe curling kisses.

"Ino?" Sakura on the ground asked when she saw the flash of pain in the blonds' eyes before she closed them.

Did that idiot Naruto do something to her? The pink haired girl wondered. Is he forcing himself on her?

Yeah, that's it! Inner Sakura said in total agreement.

That's got to be it. I mean who would choose that baka when there is Sasuke-kun?

Cha, you ain't whistling in the wind there. Izzy (Inner Sakura) declared.

The bell sounded indicating the lunch period was over. Both girls cursed for similar, yet different reasons.

Damn it, I didn't get to watch Sasuke-kun eat this time. Sakura whined.

Damn it, I wanted to make sure Naruto-kun was okay and talk with him. Ino thought as she headed back towards the building, ignoring Sakura who had gotten up and was slowly following behind her.

I will save you from that idiot Ino. Whatever he's forcing you with, I'll save you and you can then return as my rival for Sasuke-kun's affections, which I'll win of course.

Cha, I'm the best. Izzy chimed from the depths of Sakura's psyche.

XX

Ino looked around the classroom as she entered, and was sad to see that Naruto hadn't returned. Where is he? She thought taking her seat. She looked around until the second bell sounded and still no Naruto.

Mizuki came in a huge grin on his face that didn't calm Ino's nerves as he'd come out of the test room where they'd take their final part of their Genin Exam. Moments later he was followed out by dejected looking Naruto; who headed for the door and finally a sad looking Iruka came out. He watched the orange wearing blond leave, failing to make a proper bunshin, sadly his test score was at the bottom and his taijutsu time messed up his score, which failed him.

"Iruka-sensei, where's Naruto going?" Ino asked.

"Home, his test is done." Iruka said. "Now when we call your name…"

Ino looked out the window shattered. Did he try the Kage Bunshin and fail? What happened in there?

Ino thought long and hard over what had happened that she didn't hear Iruka call her name, and it took Sakura throwing a wad of paper at her to shock her out of her thoughts.

Naruto-kun.

XX

Chapter 3

Ino looked high and low for a certain male blond. She was starting to panic as he wasn't at any of his usual haunts.

She'd slipped out of class and had seen Mizuki talking to him near the wall, but by the time she got there Naruto was gone.

Oh you are so sleeping on the couch when I find you. Ino thought no hesitation in her thoughts of the blond and his place in her life. I swear, men are such babies. Something goes wrong and they go off and sulk.

Ah, but you women sulk by consuming mass quantities of ice cream and chocolate. She remembered Naruto teasing her once when they first started going out.

Shaking her head she stopped in the middle of the street.

"Think Ino. What did Naruto do this day?" she muttered to herself.

It took nearly nine months of dating before he confided in me how he became a genin. Now, what did he do?

Snapping her fingers she took to the rooftops. I better catch him before its too late.

Ino increased her pace, her legs were burning and she knew they'd cramp later. Kami, I can't believe I was so lazy when I was this age. She thought.

XX

Ino reached the Hokage's office in time to see the Sandaime getting to his feet and stuffing tissue up his nose.

Damn it. I just missed him. Now where was it he said he went to…Of course!

Ino leapt away, the Hokage turned sensing someone, but seeing no one there called for several ninja.

XX

Ino found him no problem near the abandoned shack outside the walls. She paused watching as he worked on the Kage Bunshin. Her eyes softened as she watched him train himself into the ground.

Oh sweetie…

She watched for two hours while he ploughed himself into the ground mastering the jutsu, the explosions from failed attempts that sent him crashing into trees hard enough that he would be a massive bruise if he was normal.

I can't do anything right now but watch. I wanted to tell him about the Kyuubi, but some events are going to happen it seems. The best I can do is to be here for him for the fallout.

Another thirty minutes passed before Iruka showed up. Ino watched as the teacher confronted her honey. She smiled at Naruto's joy at learning the technique and how Mizuki told him he would become a Genin for doing so.

Poisoning that bastard won't be enough. Ino thought darkly, as she watched Iruka shove Naruto out of the way.

Show time. She thought watching as Iruka took the shuriken barrage meant for Naruto.

Mizuki came out sneering. Ino barely restrained herself from attacking right there. That bastard has done a lot of damage to Naruto, I won't settle for a beating him within an inch of his life, I'm going to make him into a vegetable.

Ino watched the events unfold. Mizuki speaking about the Kyuubi, taunting Naruto telling him he was the Kyuubi.

You sick son of a bitch. She lost her kit because a man wearing a Konoha headband killed them in their sleep. She came here to get answers, but was attacked without cause. Ino thought having been shown the Kyuubi's memories when she did a mind link after she found out Naruto housed the nine tailed fox.

She watched as Mizuki tossed a windmill shuriken and Iruka take it in the back as he saved Naruto from being killed.

I'd seen it as a memory, but seeing it in real life… Ino thought as she bit her lip to keep from making a sound.

She watched as Naruto escaped and Mizuki give pursuit. She watched a moment longer as Iruka stood and ripped the weapon out of his back before using a transformation jutsu to look like Naruto and leap away.

Get a move on Ino. Naruto's going to need you really soon. She thought and leapt after the Chunin.

XX

Ino caught up to them in time to see Iruka transform back and lay on the ground as Mizuki threatened to kill him.

Damn you Mizuki. She thought as she heard him gloat about how alike he and Naruto were. How Naruto was the Kyuubi and how he was a monster biding its time to kill them all.

She gasped when Iruka agreed. What? Why are you saying this Iruka-sensei? I thought you thought of Naruto as a younger brother…why?

Then Iruka told Mizuki that Naruto wasn't the Kyuubi and Ino felt tears slip from her eyes as the wounded academy instructor said that while Naruto wasn't the best student, he gave it his all and tried hard, despite everyone's attempts to keep him down.

She watched as said blond blocked the windmill shuriken and stood there with the forbidden scroll.

"I won't let you harm Iruka-sensei." Her honey snarled.

Ino smiled at this. This was her Naruto. Not the mask wearing Naruto, but the one who would stand tall against all odds and triumph to protect his friends and family.

She watched Mizuki's posture and threaten Naruto, she then watched as Naruto made a thousand Kage Bunshin and proceed to beat the hell out of Mizuki.

Ino felt tears come to her eyes as Iruka put his hitai-ate on Naruto's head and the blond hug the injured chunin yelling for all to hear about his passing.

Making a decision she stepped out.

"You did it whiskers."

"Ino?" Iruka said seeing her. Naruto looked at her and she saw his frown. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone and posture changing, surprising both her and Iruka.

"Naruto…"

"No Iruka-sensei. Naruto and I need to talk. I know he's not the Kyuubi…"

"You heard?" Iruka asked.

Ino nodded. "I need to talk with Naruto alone…please." She said the last part looking at the blond.

Iruka coughed. "How about we return the scroll to the Hokage and allow the nice ANBU to take Mizuki prisoner."

The two Genin looked back and saw three, masked ANBU in the trees. "Fine." Naruto said and shouldered the scroll, his eyes not leaving Ino. "We'll talk to the old man."

"Then I'll buy you both ramen." Iruka said.

Ino smiled seeing Naruto shoot the instructor a grin, before said blonds eyes returned to her. She knew that look. He's confused, he wants answers and he's not going to be nice until he gets them. Ino sighed and nodded. Please love, I'll tell you everything, just be patient…(sigh) and that's one thing you didn't develop much of until your trip with Jiraiya…maybe I can move that along a bit.

She fell into step next to Naruto who kept shooting her looks out of the corner of his eye as they walked, Iruka's pace rather slow with all his wounds.

XX

The talk with the Hokage went well. He wasn't mad at Naruto as Mizuki was a superior and he did as he had been told by someone in authority. The Hokage told both blonds that they couldn't tell anyone else about the Kyuubi, as he went on to tell some of the history. Ino was not thrilled that the old man didn't tell Naruto about his parents.

It's not fair. Well, I'll fix that when we talk. Naruto knowing his family hurts no one. You took that secret to your grave and it was Lady Tsunade who with Kakashi's aid finally told Naruto who his family was. Not this time Lord Hokage.

"Now Ino, I understand you've been trailing Naruto." The Hokage said.

"Yes sir." She said, then sighed and went on to tell the Hokage the story she'd told to Sakura earlier. "I think Naruto's special. Just because he holds the Kyuubi means very little."

Naruto was looking right at her. "Why did you always chase after Sasuke then?" he asked.

Ino winced. "Sakura needed to be pushed along. She needed a rival. I realized, hopefully not too late that I could have let you slip away and…I want you as my friend Naruto…" And a whole lot more. Ino thought physically aching for her husband on so many levels.

The Hokage lit his pipe. "I must say you two in your finals have done better than your previous records indicate." He puffed on his pipe. "And I have an idea. The teams were nearly complete, but Choji Akamichi declined a position on a team and entered the Village Militia."

Ino looked at the old man. What the hell? That never happened? "Thus I am putting Naruto on Squad 10. It will be official Friday with the announcement. You both will be on the same team."

Ino looked dazed. That's completely different… she smiled at the Hokage then surprising Naruto hugged him. She ignored his wide-eyed look he gave the Hokage and Iruka who chuckled.

The Hokage and Iruka explained their test scores and Ino smiled understanding how this happened. Her score was better and Naruto wasn't dead last with the recent bonus points for beating Mizuki.

They talked more about the security of keeping the Kyuubi secret and then they were dismissed, Iruka begging off for the hospital and promising to buy lunch tomorrow instead.

Leaving Ino and Naruto alone. The two blonds walked the darkened streets of Konoha. It was Naruto who finally broke the silence.

"How'd you know the seals for the Kage Bunshin? They were the seals you showed me earlier." Naruto said.

"Did you try they to pass the test?" Ino asked instead of answering.

"No. I…I thought you were trying to make me look stupid to impress Sasuke…"

Ino stopped him and spun around so she was in front of him, her hands clutching his. "Naruto, never think that again. Please. I'll tell you everything…I…I…" she closed her eyes.

"Let's get to your apartment." She took his hand and walked with him.

"Ino-chan?" he asked.

"We'll talk inside, but please Naruto, don't interrupt until I finish." Ino said and he could hear a tremor in her voice. He nodded and they arrived at his place. Ino growled at the graffiti on the door and walls.

"Idiots." She hissed as Naruto disabled the traps and escorted her in. she sat on the ratty sofa.

"Something to drink?" Naruto asked. "I don't have much, but…"

"Water is fine Naruto-kun." She said.

She looked around and it had been years since she'd seen this place. We torched it after we bought our place near the lake. She took the bottled water and Naruto sat across from her on a chair.

"You need to know, everything I'm about to tell you is the truth." Ino began.