Naruto slid into the ramen shop, breathing hard. The old man raised his head from his boiling pot of ramen a ways back in the kitchen, giving him a big smile. Smiling back, Naruto sat down at one of the stools.

"Serve me up some ramen with pork!" Naruto said cheerily.

"Coming right up young master." The old man replied.

Naruto nodded and waited. He was surprised to see Kakashi come and sit beside him, Icha Icha Paradise in his hands and his eye on the page, scanning over the words. As usual, what's so amazing about that book anyway?! Naruto wondered, lifting himself up a bit off the stool to try and get a peek. Not looking at him, Kakashi raised the book just enough to keep Naruto from seeing the pages inside.

"Aw! Come on Kakashi sensei! What's up with that book?! The pervy sage can't be that good of a writer!" Naruto whined, shaking on the stool.

"This book is too...um, how should I say this...adult for you." Kakashi said quietly, still engrossed in his book, but obviously trying to keep Naruto from sneaking a peek.

"You're no fun." Naruto said smugly, crossing his arms.

"You're ramen's ready Naruto." A sweet voice, that Naruto recognized immediately, said from behind the counter.

Naruto looked up into Ayame's beautiful, smiling face, and his cheeks went red immediately. She was holding out a steaming bowl of ramen. Naruto took it quickly.

"Um...thanks...Ayame." He barely managed to get out, getting a happy nod and smile from Ayame, who continued her work in the kitchen.

From beside him, he heard Kakashi chuckle. He turned to him hurriedly, face now red with anger.

"Hey! What's so funny Kakashi sensei!? No one cracked a joke around here! Huh? What's so funny!?" Naruto demanded defensively.

"Oh nothing...it was the book...yeah...the book." Kakashi said, taking a look at the ramen girl and giving a little chuckle.

That put Naruto in a bad mood as he stuffed a bite of ramen into his mouth. It's not my fault I have a crush on her...she's...she's perfect. And she can cook awesome ramen!

Naruto looked at Ayame, moving through the kitchen, back to him, and admired her dreamily. I wonder if I should really ask her on a date. She can't be as crazy as Sakura! I'll do it tomorrow, believe it! Naruto wondered, scratching his head. He wished he felt as confident as he sounded in his head.

Kakashi must have noticed him gawking, cause he chuckled again and then spoke.

"Aren't you going to eat your ramen? It's going to get cold if you look at pretty girls all day." He said calmly, eyes still on his book.

Naruto lashed his head around, giving Kakashi an evil glare. Kakashi returned it with what must have been a smile, and returned to his reading. Sensei! UGH! I wish he would shut his trap!

Trying to keep his eyes off of the ramen guy's daughter, Naruto slurped his last ramen noodle. He asked for bowl after bowl, gobbling up each one quicker than he even thought possible. He just wished every time Ayame handed him another bowl, he wouldn't blush like crazy, and try not to meet her stare. She didn't seem to notice though, for which Naruto was grateful. Naruto was also happy that he kept himself from slapping Kakashi sensei in the face, every time he gave one of those really annoying chuckles.

"Father?" Ayame beckoned, after Naruto had left and only Kakashi remained.

"What is it, Ayame?" Her father asked, cleaning the counter hurriedly, while Kakashi ordered some more ramen.

"About...Naruto...did he seem a little strange to you? Today I mean." She asked.

"Hm...not really. Why do you ask?" Her father replied, looking at her questioningly.

"What? Oh...no reason. I was just wondering." Ayame replied, eyes downcast.

"Okay, and watch that ramen, it's starting to boil, it may be done."

"Yes father." Ayame said obediently.

She liked working here with her father. Seeing the smiles on the face of a happy customer made her feel good. She wasn't thinking much about work today. It was Naruto she was thinking about. She couldn't be sure, but he had probably developed a crush on her. It wasn't anything strange for her, since a lot of boys came in to eat ramen and ended up asking her out, which she politely refused. Naruto had never really shown any interest in her, he just viewed her as a friend. She wasn't really ready to go out on a date with anyone. Naruto was the only boy she had ever really talked to extensively. All the other boys just seemed to want to kiss her.

But Naruto...he's different. She wondered if she should ask him out, on a small date sometime. I think I'll try it tomorrow, maybe. Hm...