Naruto belongs to me just as much as St. Flying Penguin Man will descend from heaven bearing free tacos.
This is my first fanfiction; don't judge me!
Naruto trudged into Ichiraku's Ramen Shop. He felt so small, like he was insignificant, like he would never amount to anything in his life, no matter how hard he tried.
Teuchi smiled at his new customer. "How ya doin' kid? What can I get for ya?" he asked casually.
Without looking up, he responded, "A little bit better because I'm here, but in general, awful. Can I have ten bowls of miso ramen, please? Hold the vegetables?"
Teuchi frowned. "Are you okay, kid?" he asked.
Naruto looked up now, a mix of confusion and a tired sadness evident on his face. "Why would I be? I never have been before. Nobody's ever cared before. Nobody's even bothered to ask."
The old man's concerned expression changed to one of pity and shock. "Well I care, kid. Eat until you're full; it's on me. What's your name anyway? Mine's Teuchi."
In an awed voice, Naruto responded, "Th-thank you, Teuchi-sama. I'm Naruto. What can I do to repay you? I don't have any money, but if I become a ninja, I can give you some from my missions."
A sad smile adorned the old man's face. "Please, just Teuchi. And to repay me, you can cheer up. A nice kid like you shouldn't have to be alone like that, and now you're not anymore. Consider me your first friend, Naruto!"
Tears pricked at the little boy's eyes as he grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you, friend!"
"No problem, friend! Now let's get you that ramen before you starve to death!" He left, only to return shortly with two bowls, one in each hand. He walked out for two more, and when he returned, the first two were dry. He set down the next two. In the end, Naruto only had NINE bowls, not ten.
So what do you think? Please review! Flames not accepted; just go click somewhere else and pretend you never read this.