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As Sakura sat on the red stool of Ichiraku Ramen's bar, she tapped the countertop while waiting for her order-well, it was more like Iruka's order for the both of them, since Sakura's never had ramen before-but it was an order of miso ramen-plus extra vegetables upon Sakura's request.
"What's this? A new customer! And a classmate of Naruto's, nonetheless!" The chef, Teuchi, smiled and dumped Sakura's serving before her.
His daughter Ayame repeated the action before Iruka, "Welcome back Iruka-san! You brought along a friend of Naruto?"
Iruka-sensei smiled, abashed. "Well...Sorta."
Sakura's face turned red as she stuffed a mouthful of ramen into her mouth, nutrition complaints shoved aside. Though it was too salty, that was the least of her worries. Iruka was ruining her public image! What would Sasuke-hell, what would anyone think? Especially her parents! "I don't know him." She perked her nose up.
At that, Iruka frowned. "Sakura, do you know why Naruto always plays pranks and gets in trouble?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow, "Because he's an idiot?"
"AHAHAAHAHAHH" Iruka's body shook as his fists slammed the counter. "I can't deny that, " He wiped a tear, "so I'll just say that there's a second reason."
He turned to have Sakura fully face him. "It's because he's an orphan-"
"I know that-"
"Don't interrupt!" As she visibly sulked, Iruka realized she wasn't quite like Naruto as she seemed earlier today, Iruka scratched his nose. "It's because he wants the attention he doesn't get from a mother or father, that he plays the fool. He's really not so bad, just desperate for acknowledgement." Like how I used to be. "I hope you come to understand that, Sakura."
"I see..." Sakura perked up. "But then why does everyone hate him?"
Iruka's looked alarmed. "Aah, that's because-uh." Iruka felt a masked presence watching from above in the sakura tree a block away. He looked down. "It's an S-rank secret so I can't tell you, but please know it's not his fault...Not even he knows."
Iruka had expected Sakura to protest or even rebuke him, but Sakura had simply set down her ramen and stood to leave. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei," Maybe she'd feel some empathy for Naruto now, "for the meal." or not.
That night, Iruka walked home, feeling as though he'd achieved nothing.
That night, Sakura walked home with anger veins on her forehead and hands clenched into fists.
He doesn't have a mother or father and no one to teach him right from wrong. Think about it, he just does whatever comes into his head..
Cha! If I did things like Naruto, forget it!
My parents would get mad and I'd get in trouble so of course I don't do it. Sakura growled.
But if you don't have parents to teach you, how would you know..?
He's selfish and bratty and all alone.
It's like I can't even leave that idiot alone after all; without parents who's left to teach him? That's right, the only one who can is ME! Damn you, NARUUTO!
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