Saying Sorry

A/N: If you like my other fic, "Lonely No More," and that one classic movie, "Love Story", you'll (hopefully) enjoy this fic. Hm, it seems like making titles from songs is pretty fun, lol. Well...the title and song does have a meaning to the story...just not right now. It's just the beginning...hehe

Another note: So there's no confusion, the Village Hidden in the Cotton is a fake village. It's not real. I made it up, ok? It's just to fit into the story...sorry if I confused anybody!

1. In the Beginning...

"Well, Naruto...you got your wish...you wanted to go to a mall, you're here now," an annoyed Kakashi said.

Team 7 was taking a small break from missions, and traveled to a rarely known village not very far from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. It was called the Village Hidden in the Cotton. There were a much different kind of shinobi; the shinobi of this village had a specialty of making different kinds of fabrics and clothing. Some of their clothing are soft and comfortable, and some are used to protect even the most deadliest jutsus. Of course, they had to pay a hearty price for them...

"Hm...hey, Kakashi-sensei, can we go shop around this mall? There's nobody here that seems to be harmful," Sakura asked.

"YEAH! I WANNA GO SHOP SHOP SHOP!" Naruto cried, jumping about like a pogo stick.

"Hmph, with his stupidity, the ninja here will probably mistake him for a bad guy," Sasuke thought.

"Well...why don't you all go shop around, and try not to get into any trouble, Naruto," Kakashi sighed.

"Yeah, whatever..I'll just kick people's ass if they try to kick mine!" Naruto said.

"Well, I'm off..." Sakura said, walking away from the group.

"Ok people, meet back here in 1 hour," Kakashi said.

The group then separated. Sakura checked out designer kunoichi clothing, while Sasuke just walked about to find a place to relax and nobody will bother him, and while on the way, looked at anything that might help him in battles; Kakashi looked about for any book stores (if you know what I mean) that might have books appealing to him...and Naruto was looking at new clothing at a store called, "Kimimaro's Shinobi Wear", he ran into a kunoichi.

"May I help you?" A kunoichi with a Konoha headband asked Naruto. The female ninja had long, choppy, brunette hair, her headband hanging on her neck. She was wearing a plain bright orange shirt and you could slightly see a studded belt holding up baggy navy capris behind the checkout.

"No...the question is...may I help you?" Naruto said, leaning on the checkout desk, seeing eye to eye with the kunoichi. "Ya got a name, sis?"

"The name is Jin Tensai...I believe you're Naruto..." Jin replied, moving back from Naruto's stare.

"Heck yeah I'm Naruto! You probably heard of me from all the news of me being the greatest ninja in Konoha, right?" Naruto bragged, running his fingers through his hair, his other arm on his waist.

"Uh...no. I heard you from the entrance. Your voice is pretty loud," Jin scowled.

"Er...why are you working here when you live in Konoha?" Naruto asked.

"I work here when I'm not on a mission or anything...my sensei lets me earn money here because I can't afford much."

"I see...So you got any special attacks or anything?" Naruto curiously asked.

"I'm pretty good with weapons and some taijutsu, but other than that I can...well, I wouldn't want to tell you," Jin abruptly stopped.

"Why?"

"What if I wanted to kill you? You would find a way to stop it, right?" Jin said back.

"Aw, you're just a coward! But I gotta admit, you're kinda pretty.." Naruto mumbled.

"Hm...what was that last thing you said?" Jin asked.

"I think you're kinda pretty..." Naruto said quietly.

"Hm, you think I'm pretty, eh? How long are you staying here in the village?" Jin asked, coming out from behind the desk, standing about a foot away from Naruto. Note that her cheeks slightly turned pink.

"Me and my team are leaving tomorrow evening," Naruto replied.

"Hm..where are you eating dinner?" Jin asked.

"The Ochitano Bar," Naruto replied, "Or something like that..."

"That's where one of my teammates work! I heard they got great ramen, and I make my own for fun when I'm not doing anything that night," Jin smiled.

"RAMEN!" Naruto jumped over the desk and squeezed his arms around Jin like a stuffed animal.

"Ok, ok! I get it, you like ramen..." Jin strained. She then grabbed hold of Naruto's waist and broke free of his hug.

"Whoa...you're pretty strong, sis!" Naruto said, brushing off his waist.

"That's what being a ninja's all about, right?" Jin smiled.

Naruto smiled back.

"Hey...are you doing anything else tonight?" Jin suddenly asked.

"Nah...not unless you mean sleep."

"Well...is it alright if I can take you out to a small picnic? I'll make extra ramen, if you want," Jin asked. "I won't lie, but you're annoying, but I think you're pretty cute myself."

"R-Really...?" Naruto stuttered. "You're probably the first person to ever say that..."

"I see...I guess nobody hears the inner beauty of others."

"Hear? Don't you mean see?"

"Oh, right...see," Jin mumbled. "So...I'll see you tonight?"

"Yeah! But can I buy this first?" Naruto then went back behind the counter and held out a black-and-white bead bracelet.

"I'll tell you what...I'll give it to you for free..." Jin said happily. "Besides...that bracelet doesn't cost too much anyway."

"I think it gives me a little style, you know? But thanks a lot, Jin!"

"Whatever...just don't try to hug me hard again."

Naruto smiled.

"Hey loser! Come on! We're going to eat dinner!" Sasuke suddenly yelled from outside the store.

"WHATEVER SASUKE, LEMME JUST TALK HERE!" Naruto shouted back annoyingly.

Sasuke grumbled in exasperation.

"Hey Jin...I'll see you at the bar!" Naruto said, putting on the bracelet.

"Ok...I'll be there in a few minutes...lemme just log out, ok?"

"Sure!"

Naruto then walked out of the store and went with Team 7. Sakura was carrying a number of shopping bags, while Sasuke carried nothing and Kakashi carrying a small bag.

"Hey Sakura...what did you buy!" Naruto asked questioningly.

"Clothes! God, Naruto, what kind of brain do you have!" Sakura replied, annoyed.

"Stop arguing, you two...let's try to have a peaceful dinner, please?" Kakashi asked, rubbing his head.

"Hm...like that's gonna happen," Sasuke thought.