From Behind the Stand

Chapter 1

She remembered the first time she had seen him. It had been a rather dreary day, which led to business being rather slow. That was fine with her considering she had only started helping her father at the ramen stand.

Anyway, she had been cleaning up after the last couple of customers when she had happened to look up. It took her a minute to place the whiskered-boy but when she did, she jerked in surprise. He was small and frail looking with his clothes threatening to swallow him. His bright yellow hair was long and unkempt while his blue eyes bore into her own dark ones.

How anyone could hate this child was beyond her.

She looked around, wiping her hands on her dark blue apron, and when she saw that everyone looked in order and no customers seemed to be coming in any time soon, she left her post.

She didn't miss the pain in his eyes a split second before he tucked his chin against his chest and clenched his fist. She felt a strong emotion...one that she hadn't felt in a long while come over her. It took her second to name it.

Anger.

Anger at the villagers for the undeserved hatred for a young boy. She didn't know why they hated him she just knew it wasn't right and, though she had in the past, she wasn't going to stand by any longer.

When she reached him, she crouched down to his level with a small smile. She stayed that way for awhile until he peeked up at her in childish curiosity.

"Hello there, cutie."

She giggled at the red that covered his face.

"What's your name? Mine is Ayame."

"N-Nawuto..." He practically whispered.

"Naruto, huh?" She tilted her head slightly to the left. "Are you hungry?"

She outright laughed when his stomach let out a loud growl. She could feel the stares of passerby trying to burn a hole in her back but she stubbornly ignored them in favor of the boy in front of her.

She stood up and held out her hand for him to take. He did so with a little hesitation and started when she began dragging him toward the stand, where she helped him up to the seat.

"Alright, Naruto, your first bowl ever will be on the house, k? Also," she leaned forward, "it'll be our little secret."

So, I came up with the idea for this story at 430 last night. I've read tons of stories about Naruto's life through the important character's eyes but never through a minor character, such as Ayame. Granted, it might not be that awesome but I'd just thought it'd be fun :)

Kindly leave a review to let me know what you think. Thank you!