I like to think that riding a bicycle isn't exercise. It's just another form of self-expression; at least, to me it is. I try to ride every morning, for at least an hour. In my Academy days, it meant that I was up late finishing my homework because of the extra hour I'd lost in the afternoon, but it was well worth it.

Once I'd become a genin, things became easier. My family passed it off as my (attempt, perhaps ) to build up my stamina. I was fine with them thinking that; so long as I was allowed my moments of freedom, I could live with it. And so when I became a chunin, I was able to gain another half hour for riding, too, since Neji and I convinced my father. It wasn't particularly difficult to do, either; my father knows how I really feel about bicycling, and since the three years without Naruto-Kun around, we've become a lot closer. I think he understands the need to just...

Escape.

Lately, though, I'd been going on missions so much that I practically fell into my bed and was asleep before I hit he mattress, so, to say the least, my biking excursions had been... Temporarily avoided.

It was on one of these missions that my squad visited Suna. The three-day long trip had exhausted Kiba, but Shino and I decided to shop around. Kiba went ahead and reserved rooms for us at the hotel( two Beds for them, and a room for me.) normally, Kurenai would have forced him into coming with us to shop. ("What if you come across something for Akamaru?) However, she was off for maternity leave.

We had already delivered the scroll to Gaara-sama's office, so Shino and I decided, what the hey, let's splurge. We had three days, after all.

We walked all over, looking at the wares of vendors on the streets and peering curiously into shop windows. I laughed a lot; Shino has a rather dry sense of humor, but any humor at all makes me laugh. Even thinking back on some of my most embarrassing moments with Naruto-kun make me giggle sometimes, although THOSE memories are usually accompanied by a rather unwelcome blush.

The day turned to evening, and Shino admitted that he was beginning to feel the fatigue of today's traveling. I bid him farewell as he told me to take care and headed to the hotel, where, no doubt, Kiba and Akamaru were probably already curled up in a soft bed. Probably drooling all over the pillows, too.

The image in my mind made me smile softly.

I continued walking around, although rather aimlessly now.

I came across a little shop. The words "Cycler's Haven" were painted on a simple, wooden sign posted atop the shop. The windows were tinted, and I squinted to try to look through them.

For a moment I considered activating my Byakugan, but then decided against it. After all, I could just go inside and look, right? Besides, it would be slightly suspicious if a foreigner with white eyes and popping veins stood cryptically in the middle of the street. It might attract unwanted attention.

My mind made up, I entered the building.

It WAS small, both inside and out. But as I walked in and looked at the marvelous array of colors and wheel sizes, I realized with a start that by no means did that relate to the items inside.

I only needed to glance at the prices on the bicycles before I knew it was veeery high-class.

"Hello, miss, may I help you?" asked a voice from the other side of the building. I walked towards it.

"Uh-Uhm, well," I said, blushing once I heard my cursed stutter, "I w-was just cu-curious about the... Uhh..." I trailed off, embarrassed. Why HAD I come in? It's not like I was interested in purchasing a new bike; I had a perfectly useable one at home.

Although that WAS the same bike I'd had since my third year at The Academy...

"Ahh, well, come now," said a man who came around the corner of one of the bicycle racks. He was old, and my heart broke when I saw his cane as he wobbled over, hunched over rather painfully. But his smile reminded me of Naruto-kun's, and I couldn't help but realize that he must enjoy his life, to be able to smile like that. "Let's see..."

And he began to show me around, pointing out certain bicycles that might be suitable for my height and size. I nodded and smiled, mesmerized by the knowledge, and by the bicycles themselves. It was a strange fascination, i know, but nonetheless I was awestruck by those peculiar contraptions with wheels.

Finally, we came full-circle around the shop. The man smiled at me.

"So I take it that you were simply curious when you came in, am I correct?" he asked. I flinched. It wasn't that I didn't have any money, but...

I opened my mouth to speak, but he waved his hand.

"Don't worry, child, you've done nothing to upset me." He looked around his shop. "It's been a while since I met such a young one with such interest in these objects."

"Oh..." was all I managed to produce.

"Say," said the man suddenly, "Are you looking for employment? I could always use a hand around here," he said.

I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself to speak; I felt so guilty! "I-I-I'm sorry, s-sir... But... I... I'm f-from Konoha... And... So... Uhm..."

The man's smile became an understanding one.

"I see," he said, "so how long will it take for your mission to be complete ?"

I mentally cringed. He had been treating me like a civilian before, a normal person, and it hurt a bit to be brought back into the world of ninjas so abruptly.

"Uhm... I... I think we-we would be done b-b-b-b-by th-th-three d-days fro-from now..." I said sadly, looking down at my feet. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Well, three days is still three days," he said cheerily, and then waved. "I'll see you here at seven-thirty in the morning, if your schedule permits!"

I was ushered out hurriedly, and as I stared back at the closing doors, I couldn't help but feel a bit excited about it.

Authors notes: So, what did you guys think? This story was inspired by some artwork I saw on Deviantart. I can't recall who drew it right now, but I know where to find it, and once I do, I'll be sure to write it in one of these things!

Anyways, please critique! I'm always looking to improve my writing, so any helpful critiques would be nice! And if you just wanna comment, then go ahead. I don't mind that either. ^^

So, yes, Naruto was only mentioned in passing in this chapter. He probably won't appear until later on, to be honest. Originally this was meant to be a one-shot, but I couldn't make myself stop writing so this is the result. -_-'' heheh... Sorry about any plot holes, btw. Oh! And don't think that the three days they'll be here is a plot hole either! They've got to wait for a reply from Suna, and I figured three days would give Gaara enough time to get through his other paperwork to reach the Konoha scroll. So yeah...

Anyways, thanks for reading! I'll update soon :D