Ch 5 - First Day at the Academy

POV Shikamaru

Its the first day of the academy today... what a drag.

The Hokage's speech just ended and I am headed to the 1A classroom.

As soon as I walked in I noticed that all the students were looking at a dark red haired kid sitting in the corner.

They looked at him like he was a monster.

Hmm... I've seen him in the village before and even the villagers looked at him like that and from the way he looks I would say that he is used to the stares.

As I was studying him he turned and looked me in the eyes and winked at me.

Troublesome.

I went and sat next to him with choji.

Naruto: "Hi I'm Uzumaki Naruto nice to meet you"

"Shikamaru and this is Choji"

Choji: "Would you like a chip?"

His eyes lit up and he gave us a thumbs up.

He seems like any other kid even a bit dumb from his movements and gestures but that calculating glint in his eye gives him away.

Hmm... interesting.

POV Naruto

I finally met the lazy genius Nara.

I'm definitely going to be best friends with this guy.

"So what do you guys like to do? I like going to Ichiraku to get ramen, training, and cloud watching."

I'm not even lying.

After my workouts I would lie down and watch clouds to relax.

Shikamaru looked up at me like a long lost brother.

Shikamaru:"I like sleeping, cloud watching, and hanging out with Choji, troublesome redhead"

Choji: "I like eating new things and hanging out with Shika"

"You guys are from clans right, have you started your training yet."

Shika: "Hmm... my parents drilled into me the basics... what a drag."

Choji: "Mine as well, but how did you know we are from clans."

"No offence but you both look like the stereotypical Nara and Akamichi."

They blinked at that and then chuckled a bit.

Shika: "What about you, what did you do to piss off everyone in the class."

"Haaah, well I actually didn't do anything. It is there parents that hate me and they just told there kids to do the same. And before you ask I didn't do anything to their parents either and I can't tell you why there parents hate me, but if you figure it out come talk to me and I'll fill in the blanks."

Shika stared at me for a bit probably digesting what I just said and thinking of ways he could solve the problem.

Shika: "What a drag"

"Hey wanna be friends."

Despite everything I was still a bit nervous because living as Naruto is really lonely.

Shika: "Sure we can hang out after the academy."

Choji: "Yeah lets go get some food."

I was a bit touched by that and nodded.

Iruka: "Good morning class and welcome to Class 1A. I'll be your instructor Iruka Umino for the next 6 years... blah... blah... blah..."

He went on to talk about the rules and regulations for the academy and what we are expected to learn.

The civilians went through a test to get into this class while the clan heirs had recommendations to get in and I had one from the Hokage so I didn't have to take the physical test.

It seems that Iruka doesn't hate me.

He seems conflicted when he looks at me which is much better than most people.

I mean his parents died due to the attack and he still understands that I'm just the container but he still can't help but project some of his hatred onto me.

After school I went to Ichiraku's with Shika and Choji.

They were good company and I even asked Shika if he would teach me Shogi sometime which surprised him a bit.

I decided to just perform average in the academy.

The civilian council will sabotage me no matter what I do so I'll be average and do some pranks over the years to give them a target and also for my own enjoyment.

After that I headed home and got ready to train again for the night and start working on a new technique.

POV Shikamaru

I was headed home after hanging out with Choji and our new friend Naruto.

I couldn't help but think about all the stares and people making way for him as if he'd killed there families.

I'll have to ask dad about it.

I was sitting across from my dad playing our daily shogi matches when I decided to ask.

"Dad I went to get ramen with choji and our new friend Uzumaki Naruto after class today."

I saw him widen his eyes slightly but that was it.

So he knows.

Shikaku: "Hmm and I'm assuming you have more to say right."

"What do you know about the troublesome red head and why does everyone look at him like he's there mortal enemy."

I saw my dad rub his brows and look up at me.

Shikaku: "Haah, son all I can say is that it is an S-Rank secret. I won't stop you from being friends with him but I also won't encourage it. I will just say that I am not like those civilians and I will not hate a boy just because everyone else does."

"What a drag... why did it seem like he knew why they hated him though if it is supposed to be a secret."

My dad snapped his head at me when he heard that and mumbled something I barley heard.

Shikaku: "... so he figured it out huh, well he is his son after all."

Hmm, it seems that my new friend must be the son of a ninja if my dad is talking like that.

Now that I think about it he did look familiar to me but I can't place it.

"Troublesome, I won't ask anymore, goodnight dad."

Shikaku: "Goodnight son"