AN: Yes, I am making another multi-chaptered fic, along with my Temari one. This fic actually came to me through an impulse idea. It was crazy, but it drove my imagination wild, so I can't help but do this and the Temari fic at the same time. Not only will it test my limits, but I'll definately have fun with this.

Anyway, on with the show, eh?

Chapter 1: Sadness


"Why... Why did this have to happen?" A certain blonde said, feeling sad and miserable. He was walking down the road in a nearby alley in the middle of the night, to where the moon was out and about, shining its rays of moonlight to a certain blonde ninja. He was in a miserable state, his clothes were torn a little bit. Naruto looked at his right shoulder, and saw that a small red-eyed mouse was nibbling on his orange & black jacket. He brushed it off of him, and saw a eaten mark on his jacket. Naruto sighed in his depressed state, not believing the state he was in. He slammed his fist into the alley wall. With so much force, it left a small crater within the wall. Naruto felt his hand hurt, and saw a little bit of a red liquid come out of his knuckles. It was only a small scratch, and Naruto wasn't even phased by it.

"...Hm?" As he walked along, he saw some lights lit up in the nearby distance. It turns out that he was walking straight to Ichiraku's. Looking at his miserable state, Naruto gave a sigh and decided to head there, seeing as how walking around in a sad state would not make him feel any better.

"Guess being sad on an empty stomach won't help much..." Naruto would normally be enthusiastic about Ramen, but it seems he was not in the mood to be excited. He walked towards Ichiraku, while flipping away the many cloths that were hanging from the roof. He took a seat, and looked around. It was nearly empty, and only Ayame seemed to be occupied within the ramen stand. He could smell the aroma of many different ramen flavors, but again, he didn't get excited over it. Ayame looked at Naruto, and waited for his order.

"Hello Naruto-kun! What do you want today?" Ayame said to Naruto. Naruto's head was looking at the counter with a sad face. Ayame looked at him and it seemed something bugged him. She was about to ask him, but it was none of her business.

"Erm, Naruto? Do you want anything?" Ayame spoke up a little louder. Naruto flinched a little bit, looking up at Ayame. He snapped out of his thoughts, and looked at what he should get. Once he had a general idea of the situation, he said:

"I'll take a Miso Ramen, just 1." Naruto said. Ayame nodded. As she was about to go make the ramen, she heard another voice.

"Make that 2 Miso Ramens. I'll be eating as well." Naruto and Ayame looked at where the sudden voice came from, and found out that Naruto was sitting beside another girl. A girl with brown hair, which were put into 2 buns, and she had a white and brown chinese outfit on her. It could only be one person. Ayame simply nodded and headed on to make the ramen for the two.

"Tenten?" Naruto looked at her, she was smiling. "What are you doing here?" Naruto asked, curious.

"Long time no see, Naruto. I'm just here getting a bite to eat before heading home." Tenten said, looking cheerful as ever. "What about you?"

"Me? Well... Same here I guess.. Although... today hasn't been that great of a day." Naruto said, as he looked down at the counter.

"Ah. Well, it's one of those days where something can go wrong. I mean today, Gai-sensei decided to be all rough with me, Neji, and... Well, I can't say Rock Lee, since he was involved as well. He wouldn't let us go until he taught us alot about the 'Springtime of Youth'... Ugh." Tenten said, feeling slightly agitated at the thoughts of the Springtime of Youth. "I wish Gai-Sensei and Rock Lee would tone it down a bit..." As she talked on and on about herself and her team, Ayame brought out the Miso Ramen to Naruto and Tenten.

"Ikkademasu!" Tenten separated her chopsticks, and started to slurp up some of her ramen. But as she did, she felt like something was missing, like a puzzle missing a puzzle piece. She looked at Naruto, and saw that he was just staring at his ramen bowl. Tenten was surprised. Normally she would see Naruto hogging up the noodles like it was no tomorrow. But he was just sitting there, staring at the ramen bowl, like his cat died.

"Naruto? Are you alright?" Tenten asked Naruto. But Naruto didn't react or give a response, he just kept on staring at his ramen bowl.

What's wrong with him? I've never seen him like this... Tenten thought. Tenten pushed him on the shoulder a little bit, seeing if he would react. And he did. Naruto flinched, and looked around him like crazy like he just woke up.

"Hey, are you alright? You've been spacing out for a few minutes now. Did something happen?" Tenten said, growing a little bit concerned about Naruto's situation. Naruto looked at Tenten, still a little spaced out. He was pretty gloomy. He looked back at the counter with the ramen bowl.

"I... Well..." Naruto said, stumbling a little bit.

"Naruto, you can tell me. Whatever it is, I'm sure we can work it out." Tenten said. She reached for his shoulder, and gave him a pat on the back. Naruto looked at her again, and Tenten gave him a smile, a smile that would show that nothing would go wrong. "Trust me."

"...." Naruto sat there, silent. He was thinking on what he should do. Feeling gloomy all the time wasn't going to help him or anything, not even any alone time. He figured that telling her would get it out of his chest. Naruto sat up from his seat. Tenten looked up in confusion.

"Hey... Tenten, mind if we get the Ramen to-go?"


After they got their ramen to go (And for free since Ayame was concerned over the situation) Tenten and Naruto walked down the road in the middle of the night. They were just walking in silence. Until Naruto spoke.

"Do you really want to know Tenten?" Naruto asked as he faced her. Tenten turned to face Naruto.

"Only if you want me to know, Naruto. If it's something personal you want to keep to yourself, then by all means keep it to yourself. You don't really have to tell me." Tenten said. Naruto looked down at the ground, thinking.

"I'm just not sure on how to tell you this... It's the middle of the night, and... I just feel hazy. I just can't seem to get my thoughts straight on the whole situation."

"Situation?"

"Yeah... Something bad happened this morning, but..." Naruto looked Tenten in the eye. "I'm sorry, I just can't explain it today unless I get my thoughts straight."

"Oh..." Tenten said. She started to think for a moment, and came to a conclusion.

"Well in that case, how about tomorrow afternoon, at the park?" Tenten said in conclusion. Naruto looked up at her, and saw confidence in her eyes.

"Tomorrow afternoon?"

"Sure! I mean... Only if you want to."

Naruto looked into the sky, and started to think. He definately can't tell Tenten here in the middle of the street, especially when he was confused. He didn't want to say something wrong or stumble over his own words without mixing himself up. He thought it was the best solution to solve this problem, and he really wanted to get it off his chest.

"Alright, tomorrow afternoon at the park then." Naruto said, giving off a small smile, which he hasn't smiled in hours. Tenten saw that smile, and saw that things were starting to improve.

"Okay, great! I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Sure thing..."

After that, Tenten left Naruto for her own home. Naruto looked at the sealed paperbowl in his bag, flowing with ramen. He decided to eat it while he walked his way home with a spare pair of chopsticks given from Ayame. As he walked home, he looked into the sky and saw the pale moonlight shining upon him. It gave a mysterious feel, and yet, it relaxed Naruto a bit. However, he knew that wasn't going to improve his situation.

Can I really trust her on what happened on that day? She won't laugh at me, right? Or make fun of me... No, she's not that kind of person. Several thoughts roamed Naruto's mind, to see what tomorrow had in plan for him.


Naruto got to his home, and proceeded to his kitchen. He threw away the paperbowl he finished on his way home, and went into his room. He took off his jacket and his ninja slacks. He didn't feel like getting into his pajamas, so he just proceeded to his bed, to where he could sleep. He pulled the covers over him, and looked at the window near his side. He couldn't help but admire the beautiful night that was out there.

If only my day was that great, then I wouldn't have a care in the world... But I do, unfortunately.


AN: Unfortunately, this became a short chapter too. I think I'm seeing a pattern here. If I do one-shots, I end up with 4k worth of a story. If it's multi-chaptered, it becomes around 1500-2000. I need to improve... Anyway, you know the drill. Feel free to review.