You're not the only one.... ×Book 1×

31. The start of something new

"TORA!" A woman said as we entered Granddads office "OH! YOU FOUND HIM!"

The woman, who was slightly overweight, jogged over to me and scooped the sleeping cat from my hands. Tora awoke with a screech of pain and misery as the woman squeezed it to death in a hug.

Oh, poor thing....no wonder he ran away!

The woman took out some ryo and gave it to Granddad before leaving.

"Good job you four" Granddad said addressing my teammates and I.

Granddad then looked over at me and gave a large smile.

"How are you Ruka?" He asked softly "was the mission hard?"

I grinned and shook my head, "no it was really easy. I like cats so it didn't struggle when I picked it up. Thank you for asking Granddad."

"GRANDDAD!!" Naruto, Sakura, and Saskue all yelled in disbelief.

I blushed and turned towards them, nodding.

"I told you he adopted me" I said simply.

They still continued to stare at me in disbelief, their mouths hanging open.

"Now" Granddad said "let me find another D-rank mission for you."

He started to examine some nearby papers and that got Naruto's attention. He turned his gaze away from me and stared at Granddad.

"No way old man!" He said stubbornly "I'm tired of all these baby missions! I want a real mission! Believe it!"

Before Granddad could reply Kakashi Sensei balled his hand into a fist and hit Naruto on top of the head. Naruto groaned in pain and fell to the floor before staying there. Naturally, I went and helped him.

"Naruto" Granddad said sternly "you know there is a system to these kinds of things. First is the..."

"I had beef ramen today."

I ignored Granddad's continuous lecture and turned towards Naruto who had started talking.
"It was pretty good" he continued "but not as good as the BBQ ramen. Nothing tops that."

"Chicken does" Sakura said as she was listening in "chicken is obviously better then all of them."

"Those noodles suck" Naruto said crossing his arms "everyone knows BBQ is better."

"Actually, beef is better" Sasuke said joining in "beef or nothing."

"Ok fine" Naruto said turning towards me "Ruka, which one do you think is the best?"

Kakashi Sensei leaned in to hear our conversation and I hesitated. I tried them all....I really like beef, chicken is good too, but BBQ is kind of gross.

"I-I like beef" I said shyly.

"Told you" Sasuke said smirking.

"Oh, put a sock in it, baka!" Naruto said angrily.

"ARE YOU ALL EVEN LISTENING?!" Granddad yelled angrily.

We all jumped and turned towards him as he glared at us. Oops....

"Listen old man" Naruto said saving us from our embarrassment "I want a real mission!"

Granddad and Naruto had a small glaring contest then finally, Granddad gave in and sighed deeply.

"Fine" he said gritting his teeth "I will give you a C-rank mission to protect someone."

Before Sakura, Sasuke, and I could overcome our shock. Naruto jumped up hurriedly and smiled.

"Sweet! Who are we protecting?! A federal lord?! A princess?!"

Before his questions could be answered the smell of stale alcohol and dirt invaded my nose and the door swung open. A man walked in, probably in his late 40's or early 50's, with a bottle of alcohol in his hand. He stared at us for a minute then sneered and took a long swig from the bottle.

"This is Tazuna" Granddad said simply "you will protect him while he builds a bridge for him hometown."

"We're protecting this old gargoyle?" Naruto said in disgust.

"Hm" Tazuna said sneering once more "I'm being protected by a bunch of brats?! How ironic!"

He took another swig of the bottle as Naruto turned red with rage.

"I'm going to become Hokage mister!" He said angrily "you better watch who you're talking to!"

"Yeah right" the man said laughing "I'm being protected my a weird goth kid! A little bubble gum haired probable fangirl! A orange midget! Lastly, a golden eyed freak!

A....golden eyed freak?

My eyes watered slightly but I held back my tears. He didn't have to say that. I've been called a freak too many times to find it amusing. Naruto, noticing my glazed eyes, growled angrily and punched Tazuna in the stomach.

"NARUTO!" Granddad said sternly "WE DO NOT HURT THE CLIENT!!"

"Don't ever call Ruka that again!" Naruto said angrily as Kakashi Sensei helped Tazuna up "if you think making fun of people makes you a better person! You really do belong on the ground with the rest of the filth! Ruka is the nicest, sweetest person I know! So talk about me all you want, but if you talk about her I'll kill you! You old gargoyle!"

There was silence for a long time and I stared at Naruto for a long time as a blush worked it's way across my cheeks. Naruto stopped glaring at Tazuna and glanced at me as he smiled. I turned away and my blush increased.

Naruto....
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Me: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed Chapter. 31. It's a bit longer than usual, but who cares?

Naruto: I care

Me: Don't talk

Naruto: ......

Me: Well in the next chapter instead of being an actual chapter I'm thinking about making a bonus chapter since this story is getting so many votes.

Naruto: That's a good idea!

Me: Don't talk.

Naruto: ......

Ruka: Story_of_Fate13 doesn't own Naruto.

Naruto: Why does she get to talk?

Me: Later guys!

Naruto: HEY!!