12th Entry: Trees and Heros

Well I am feeling a whole lot better now (after taking some meds that Tazuna-san gave me, but I'm about ready to take the camera away from Naruto)... I'm back to full strength and finally free of my crutches today! I have been hobbling around on one crutch the last couple of days and it just feels more bothersome than useful.
Tazuna’s bridge is almost complete. Naruto and Sasuke have finally master climbing trees using their chakra. I must say they have really impressed me with their dedication. My only wish is that Naruto would stop goofing off so much. He gave me a fright when he tried to play a joke on me and Sakura yesterday, by pretending to fall off a high branch. Afterwards from laughing so hard at his own joke, he actually did fall off. Sigh...
Later that night though, I did see a different side to Naruto at the dinner table. Inari was upset and was yelling at Naruto, and well, Naruto snapped and told him off. He said that he should stop being a victim, and quit crying like a baby. It was a bit harsh, but understandable.
So I took the chance and I went to talk to Inari, who had run outside to sulk again... I tried to explain to him, that Naruto was not trying to be mean, but trying to help. I told him how Naruto didn’t have ANY family and never had a single friend growing up. And how I have never seen Naruto complain or cry even once because of it. Naruto is always doing his best to get people to acknowledge him because he probably is sick and tired of crying. And even thought he is young, Naruto understands what it is to be strong. He probably understands how Inari feels, what Naruto said to Inari is probably something he had said to himself many times when he was younger. I hope what I said to Inari helped, and it also made me think more about my role as the leader of this team.

Ah well, it's morning now and it's time to head off to the bridge, Sasuke, Sakura and I will be accompanying Tazuna to the bridge. I gave Naruto the day off, because I think he can't move, using up all of his chakra climbing trees the night before. I couldn't even get him out of bed. Hopefully Naruto will get some rest and all will be well.

Jya' ne!

"To abandon one’s duty is not courageous. Below the courageous, there is nothing."
-The First Hokage.