Chapter 2
DINNER
In following weeks team 7 was getting only easy missions.
Kakashi fulfilled his promise and brought Naruko special paper.
Naruko was very grateful, that he gave it to her, when others were gone. Naruto would want to try it as well for sure.
"Now concentrate your chakra in the hand which is holding the paper."
Blond girl followed and paper almost immediately cut in half.
"That's wind, right?"
"Yes, it is. That's not bad. Good chakra for close fights. If you learn to use it well, it can help you with your lack of physical strength."
"Hmm, not bad."
"But as I said, this is long way run, so don't overdo it. I'm pretty sure, that you will use this information."
"It won't go to waste, but I wont fall with exhaustion. That's good compromise, don't you think?"
"Just don't neglect your duties. Otherwise, ask for my assistance, if you need it. By the way, am I wrong, if I say, you already think about nearest scroll about wind chakra?"
Naruko answered with wide smile.
"Of course you do... Wind chakra is rare, bud there is someone in the village, who use it as his main weapon. He may give you few advices."
"Who? Hokage-sama?"
"Well, he can use it, but just few techniques. I was speaking about someone else. But finding out will be your homework."
"Nani?!"
"You don't want it for free, do you?"
"Hai. Hai. I will think about it..." Naruko thought about it for a while. "Sensei,...what is your chakra?"
"Lightning."
"Wow, good. I don't know much, but I think, it's quite impressive. But I can't judge a strength."
"Well, thank you."
"No, I thank you, sensei. So long."
'Fathers head, but mothers fidgetiness. And the other one inherited determination and heart. I hope, you see them, sensei.' Thought Kakashi.
Naruko tried to remember everything about Konoha's shinobi. She immediately set aside many of them, because they were known for their families' skills. Others were out, because they were low ranked and she was sure, Kakashi didn't speak about someone week. She would like to ask around village, but that wasn't possible. She came out with five names after few days.
"Only five? Not bad. As reward I'll give you last hint. When you spoke about Hokage-sama, you were close."Naruko's eyes lighted up. "Thanks, sensei." With that she ran after vision of new knowledge.
"You wants to know something about wind chakra?"
"I would appreciate if you found some time for me, Asuma sensei. But I don't want to steal your time."
She was glad, he was alone. It was better when nobody knew about her training.
"OK, I'll give you some tips, if you treat my team for dinner."
"What? How can I pay for Chaji's dinner? That's cruel, sensei... But wait a minute, if we do it this way, than maybe... Yes, that's it." Last words she said for herself. "What if I make a dinner for your team?"
„Homemade cooking? Are you good at that?"
„I like cooking, and Naruto likes my meals."
"Why not. I agree... So what would you like to know?"
"Well, I already read a little..."
Asuma spent almost two hours with Naruko. He was surprised, how much different she was from her years at the academy. In fact she knew pretty much already and rather asked about practical usage, tips how she can make the best of its potential and what does Asuma think about some of her ideas.
Later Naruko thought about everything what Asuma told her and about dinner as well. And she got an idea.
"Kakashi, sensei, I have an idea." Was the first, what members of her team heard next day, when Kakashi showed himself. She explained them everything and they agreed. Even Sasuke mumbled an agreement.
A week later were twins really busy. Their small house was full of people. In a dining room stood large table with fourteen chairs around, everything borrowed with Kakashi's help. Naruto was bringing tableware on side-table placed under window. (Borrowed from Sasuke. Uchiha Familly used to have many members.) Naruko was working in kitchen. Sakura, Hinata and Kurenai-sensei were helping. In one moment appeared Kiba with few things, they sent him to buy. Sasuke sat with Shino at the central table, they arranged not long ago. Kakashi was nowhere to be seen, but there was Iruka on one chair. He helped with table and chairs as well.
This was Naruko's idea. Because she invited another team into their house, she could invite rest of her team as well. They all knew each other from school, so there was no problem. Then she invited Kurenai's team as well and conceived this dinner as celebration of appointing of ten new genins. And so Iruka was invited as well, because he was their Academy teacher. Kurenai, Kakashi and Iruka offered they will share twins' expenses.
Only Asuma's team didn't know about anything of this. Yes, they were surprised. But not unpleasantly. Asuma was glad, he doesn't have to be alone with five kids. Shikamaru wasn't really interested, but he knew, that when it starts to be boring, Naruto will do something funny, or Naruko will come with some interesting topic for talk. Chaoji was immediately delighted at nice smell of dishes and when he saw amount of them he was in heaven. (Side note: Even Akamaru got his own meal. :c))
Ino didn't like Sakura's presence, but as long as she could be with Sasuke she didn't mind.
„Kakashi is late again." complained Sakura. Others nodded in agreement.
Table was already filled with dishes and people were sitting themselves down, when knock sounded from front door and Kakashi pushed his head inside the room.
"Hallo everyone. Sorry, I'm late. But I got one idea myself. If this is celebration for new genins, one person should be here. Naruko would it be problem if someone joins us?"
"We will find one more chair, there is more than enough food and as they say 'The more, the merrier...'"
But then not just her jaw fell. They saw who was behind Kakashi.
"Hokage-sama..."
All genins as one man jumped up from their seats.
"Hope, I don't intrude."
Naruko recovered in few seconds.
"You, Hokage-sama? Never... Naru, bring me chair from my room... Come here and sit down, Hokage-same." She said with a smile.
All of then enjoyed the dinner. Also rest of genins soon relaxed around the Hokage. There was lots of food and it was delicious. Kurenai even asked Naruko for some recipes. Naruto entertained others with his jokes. Adults were speaking about village and missions. Girls sighed every time their eyes came upon their respective No. One.
Naruko stood in a kitchen a prepared desserts. She wasn't in hurry, because she enjoyed scene in front of her.
„That turned out well, Uzumaki." Girl turn to the voice. Shikamaru stood there and watched the group in a dining room.
"Yes it did, but I couldn't do it without others."
"Naruto seems to be happy."
"Isn't Naruto always happy?"
"Yes, in front of others he is, but today it's different, adults are here as well."
"So you noticed?"
"Just a bit."
"Thanks for your concern, Shikamaru."
Naruko added smile to her thank. Shikamaru repaid with slightly nervous one himself.
„Ano,... dinner was delicious." Continued young Nara.
"Thank you. Do you want some to take home? Chaoji is already full and there is still a lot."
"It would be nice... Ano, Naruko... I thought..." He sounded really nervous. So much unlike his normal self.
As expected from him, Naruto choose this moment to burst in.
"Naru, guess what..."
"Otouto, didn't you notice, we were talking here?"
"Sorry, Shikamaru, bud Naru you have to hear this... We will get C ranked mission. Hokage promised me that."
"I bet, you didn't let him go, until he agreed."
"Naaaruuuu, enjoy the news."
Now, Sakura came as well.
"Have Naruto already told you? Isn't it great? We will go into foreign country!"
"Yeah, that will be fun."
'I just hope everything will go well.' She added for herself, when other two went back to dining room.
"Sorry Shikamaru, where were we interrupted?"
"Nothing important. I was just saying, I'll gladly take some food along." Nervousness already left him.
"Is that so? Then tell me later, what would you like."
"Fine... I think I will return to others now."
"I'll come soon with desserts."
Naruko continued in her work, but her eyes followed Shikamaru as he joined others. "Sorry, Shikamaru, but it's better this way." She said it in low voice, so no one else could hear her. No one expect Uchiha boy standing in the bathroom door. She noticed him right now.
"Sasuke, come here and help me, please. Take this into the dining room."
Sasuke got startled for a moment, but he slowly went to the blond. She gave him tray with parfaits.
"Don't drop it!!... And one more think..." Sasuke turned to her. "I think, I don't have to tell you, but if you surmised anything a moment ago, keep it to yourself. Thanks."
Sasuke didn't answer, just turned back and left the kitchen. Naruko followed with the rest of desserts.
Sasuke couldn't help himself and sometimes looked at Shikamaru, he was lazily eating his parfait. 'That guy, who looks like he has no interest at anything, likes his teammate?" But the longer he watched him, the more he believed it. While was Shikamaru eating he sometimes peeked at Naruko.
'Is this real love?' Sasuke had to ask himself. He knew only loud fangirls, who followed him around village and were giggling whenever he passed them. For Shikamaru it was enough just watching her silently or speak with her about random topics.
Sasuke was never interested about such things, that's why he couldn't stop to think about it. 'What does he see in her? Yes she is quite pretty,but...'When he thought about it, she was really pretty. Not like other girls. She didn't seem to spent entire morning in bathroom and looked more natural than other girls. She was also only girl at academy, that didn't follow him everywhere and called him in insistent tone. Well she didn't talk much with anyone. She talked with guys, who befriended Naruto, but mostly only few words. But now, when he looked at past, he remembered Naruko and Shikamaru sitting in the back of class and talking or playing shogi. Shikamaru was also that type who didn't speak much, but he had no problem talking with her.
'So he really likes her?' Sasuke looked at the boy again. And what happened next, assured and got him nervous at the same time. Shikamaru watched the blond and smiled gently. Sasuke looked at same direction and his heard skipped a beat. Naruko sat next to Hokage and was talking with him and Kakashi, who sat one seat further. Her face radiated with amusement and Sasuke could see, she was suppressing laughter. Her white teeth clearly visible as she listened to both men. In that moment Sasuke told himself: 'Pretty?... Beautiful.' He was surprised himself. He looked elsewhere and so didn't notice Shikamaru watching him.
Dinner draw to a close. Women cleaned a kitchen and guys cleared a table. When everything was clear and food was handed out, guests started taking their leave. Kurenai's and Asuma's teams left together and Sasuke and Sakura went with them. Along the way people departed. Sakura and Ino went together, surprisingly without arguing. Kurenai and Asuma accompanied Hinata. When only five guys remained, Sasuke asked others.
"Do you know, why villagers acted around twins the way they do?"
"What do you mean?" Asked Kiba.
"Well... I wasn't noting them at academy, but no I'm in the same team, and can see, how they are treated, you know, spitefully.
„Wow, Sasuke, are you really interested in something? It seams you softened after the dinner." Kiba was amused, but stopped when Sasuke coldly faced him down. "Don't be bothered with that. Twins have already done so many pranks, that almost no one got away from them. That's all." Chaoji and Shino nodded. Sasuke wasn't convinced yet, but what else could it be?
"Guys, you have to admit, this was wonderful party. Naruko is the best cook, I know. I already tasted her cooking through Naruto, but todays was one class higher." Kiba changed a subject.
"Hmm." Mumbled Chaoji while eating Naruko's home made biscuits.
"Don't you think, Naruko changed a little after graduation?" Posed Shino.
"What do you mean?" Asked Kiba.
"Well, before she was always thoughtful and reserved. Today she acted more... lively."
"Maybe she isn't so much worried about Naruto."
"Why Naruto?" Asked Sasuke.
"Naruko did always everything to help her brother at academy. He is bad with learning and always did some pranks, so she had to mitigate the consequences. But Naruto already looks calmer." Shikamru spoke for the first time.
"In addition, at academy, teachers had always their eyes on them, because of their pranks." Added Kiba. "Hmm, those days. It was newer boring with those two..." Kiba stopped. "I'll leave you here, bye."
"So do I."
"Bye." Shino and Chaoji went with Kiba.
Shikamaru and Sasuke were alone. All of a sudden Shikamaru stopped.
"Sasuke, I want to tell you something."
Sasuke turned toward the boy. "What is it?"
"You noticed how villagers act around twins. About that. I don't know why, and don't want to ask. At the academy it wasn't so bad, bud kids obviously took a bit of that from their parents. Naruto mitigated it with his jokes, but Naruko only had guys on her side. Girls were fast at noticing, that Naruko is pretty and guys like her. Not just for her looks but for her different behavior as well. There were only two thinks that hold them back. First, Naruko wasn't interested in guys. And in particular, the second, You weren't interested in her! I hope, you get, what I'm saying..."
After a moment of silence Shikamaru spoke again.
"I'll go this way. Good night." And with that he left.
Sasuke stayed for a while. He said to himself. 'Don't worry, girls are the last thing, I'm interested in right now. There are much more important things I've to achieve.'
He confirmed it next day with his unchanged attitude toward her. But sometimes when he looked at her, that smile flashed through his mind.
Twins set on a rooftop after everyone left.
"I enjoyed myself today, did you, Naru?"
"Yeah, sis."
"No one was concerned about, who we are."
"Yeah." Naruto smiled. "Another step on our path, Naru."
Now was Naruko's turn for a smile.
"Nee, Naru. What did Hokage tell you. You know, when he asked you to accompany him for a minute."
"He gave me his thanks for the dinned and gave me little contribution."
"Wow, Old man is great."
"Naru!" But Naruko was smiling. "I look forward to tomorrow."
Naruto suddenly jumped up.
"We will surely go in foreign village, but Hokage couldn't tell, what exactly will we do. But it won't be those legworks we did until today. 'C' ranked, sis, 'C' ranked..."
"Hai, hai. Now we should go to bed, so we don't oversleep it."
"Haai. Night, sis."
Naruto left and his sister followed.
„Nani?! You promised me 'C' ranked mission!"
"Naruto, calm down. This one has to be done immediately. You will get your mission after you finish this one."
"If you lie..." But Naruko and Kakashi together already pulled Naruto away from the room.
And so, after hours of searching and fight with uncooperative cat, they got their mission.
Thanks for reading.
Next chapter:
More action and one of my favorite characters...
Yes, Haku will appear.
Helarin
