Guardians of World's Harmony


"…"– speech

'…'– thought


Chapter 2: Ramen Interlude

Ayame was worried. Something seemed to bother the young boy in front of her. That in itself wasn't what scared her that much tough. It was how the boy showed his emotions outwardly that troubled her and her father, not to mention that the slowly cooling ramen on the counter was still untouched.

A really, really bad sign.

Normally, when troubled by something, the boy would hide behind that false grin, talking about this and that, until he accidentally touch on the subject on his mind, before going on about something else or solely concentrating on his ramen. But this time, he did the exact opposite, just sitting on the stool and staring in empty space … for nearly fifteen minutes already without saying a word or even recognising their presence. It made the pair wonder if Naruto even knew where he was.

After another five minutes, and removing the by now definitely cold ramen, Ayame couldn't bear it any longer and shook the boy by his shoulder. "Naruto-kun? Naruto-kun, hey. What's the matter with you today? Is everything alright? Do you feel ill?"

The boy jumped, shocked by the sudden closeness and concern in the voice, but soon he realized where he was and to whom the voice belonged. "S-Sorry, Ayame-chan. Guess I … I spaced out a little … was thinking about some stuff … ", he murmured and smiled, but only weakly.

Seeing him trying to put on a mask – and failing miserably – the girl decided it was time for some sisterly advice. "Naruto-kun", she tightened her grip on his shoulder slightly, so that the boy would look at her. "I know something's bothering you. You seem so sad and forlorn the last two days. At first I thought it was because you failed the exam again, but seeing the hitai-ate on your forehead I was wrong in my assumption. So please, Naruto, tell me, maybe I am able to help you."

Then she saw his face going blank, like he tried to ignore whatever problem it was. She went around the counter and took his head in her hands. "I'll try to help as best as I can, I promise. Think about it: Sometimes, if something is to big to take on alone, it is easier to succeed by splitting it up in smaller pieces between more parties. A shared burden is a lot easier to carry, isn't it?"

For a few moments, the boy seemed to consider her offer, but soon enough, he shook his head slightly. "Thanks, really. I am glad that there is somebody who cares about me." He said, no louder than a whisper, but loud enough for the girl to hear. She could see the sincerity of this statement in his eyes.

"But … I'm not sure if I'm ready to talk about it right now, maybe later on, when I have cleared my mind a little. Would that be alright?"

Receiving a smile as answer, he felt easier, hurting her feelings was the last thing he wanted to do. But having been taken back to reality, he suddenly also remembered another issue that would have to be dealt with immediately: his really, really empty stomach, which hadn't gotten any food (read: ramen, ramen and yeah, ramen) since the morning. Instantly, he ordered a few bowls, his previous thoughts somewhere back in his mind, and for the moment he instead just felt content with the way things were.

After a while, Ayame initiated also a little discussion with the blond, about new kinds of ramen and what he did the whole day. She was happy to see the boy back to his cheerful self, but couldn't help but notice his reluctance to talk about his graduation, as just the day before she had to but a bowl before him to even get a minute of silence.

'Did something happen? But what could be so bad for him to not even be able to talk about? I know there were a lot of rumours around, about him failing miserably; but that's impossible, as he's wearing a hitai-ate now, right?'

All he spoke of was the graduation in general, basic things like how it's usually done, and told her about, for some of the students, embrassing moments, especially during the taijutsu test. At one of the stories even Ayame and Teuchi had to laugh out loud, joining their young friend in his fun as he recounted all the happenings, only regretting that he unfortunately, or surprisingly for Ayame and her father, hadn't had a hand them.

Eventually, the topic came to his new team and the girl wondered if maybe he wouldn't talk about it too. But luckily, Naruto had no intention to stop now.

"Well, my team is kinda weird, but hey, I am too, so it fits. Right?" Chuckling he put down his chopsticks to drink the rest of the ramen. "First there is Sasuke. Uchiha. Bastard. What? He really is a teme. Only talks when he's insulting me, but … ah, yeah, I guess he IS a good ninja – and just so you know: if you tell anybody what you just heard, I WILL DENY it even unter torture, though I don't unterstand why everyone seems to think he is some hind of kami, especially the girls …" Here he shuddered, remembering some of his many – rather painfully – encounters with the fangirls. "I mean, sure, he is an orphan like me and he also seems to live alone, but that's really no reason to brood around and to not give a damn about the feelings of others. The girls may be annoying, but if he would have taken the time to get to know them and more importantly, let them get to know him, the real him and not some kind of mystery or ideal, then I am sure most of them would see that he isn't really what they want; that they have nothing in common. Then they would automatically stop stalking and annoying him. As for him, maybe he would even find a girl that he could like, or at least he would have the chance to make some close friends … I would do everything for such a chance …" The last part he wispered so quietly, Ayame nearly didn't catch it, but before she could return some comforting words, the boy continued.

"Then there is Sakura. I …I really liked her, and she is really beautiful … but she always hits me, regardless of what I do or not do. As if me being near her would start some chemical reaction or something. I don't know. So I guess it's better I stay away from he-"

"Wait, wait! Sakura? THE Sakura? The girl you always went on about and wanted to date – she is on your team? …wow … But …what changed? Yesterday you were sure that it would be the day when the girl would agree to go on a date with you and you told me how great it would be if she were on your team. It's as if , eh, your whole point of view … turned upside down, changed … and also the way you seem to look at a, well, not really a problem, but … eh, sorry, sorry Naruto. It's just, you look the same as always and partly you also act like the you I know, but then suddenly you seem to be more – mature, for a lack of better word. Please, don't misunderstand me here, it's just surprising so all of a sudden, and well, to say the truth a little worrying too. Naruto-kun, this sudden 'change' in behaviour, is it maybe in any kind 'related' to the reason why you are so down?"

Watching the boy's body stiffen and his eyes staring straight on the counter, the girl knew she had assumed right, but immidiatly regretted her inquiry and tried to get back to the topic itself. "Sorry, Naruto-kun. I didn't want prey. How about you tell me of your sensei. He's a jounin, isn't he? I'm sure you'll learn a lot from him."

Thankful for the slip, he continued where he had stopped, and began ranting about lazy, one-eyed, walking piles of clothes with voices and how he probably got the only jounin in all of Konoha, hell, all the elemental countries, who would be late even to his own funeral if he could help it. And about why because of that, so the boy conluded, his sensei might suffer from Chronical Lateness Disease, or CLD for short, and that he for himself decided to take the risk and to also show up at least one hour later than the actual time sat. In the very least it would show that lazy sensei how it felt to be left waiting.

After a rather long talk about various things (without bringing or even mentioning the 'problem' again), a large amount of ramen, Naruto eventually called it a day and bit the girl and her father goodnight.

"He has matured the last day … too much in that short amount of time if you ask me", she whispered to her father without taking her eyes from the back of the retreating boy until he disappeared in the approaching darkness of the night. Her father could see the worry cleary in her eyes.

"Matured, you say? Or maybe the boy never was like we thought him to be." With those last words, the cook turned around to close down his shop for the day, not intending to respond to the curious glance he was sure his daughter shot in his direction.


Ok, so this is the third chapter. Originally, it was part of the next one, but due to the length I decided to split it up. The part is not very long, but I decided there will be more chapters like this one, as I find it interesting what owners of restaurants, especially bars etc experience all in their life.

Sorry for the long wait, but I just didn't find the time to write, as much as I would've wanted. Studies before fun, or something like that. Buuuut … god praises summer vacation, and that's now, even if there is still some work to do.

But I hope to be able to submit at least once a week or every two weeks. The next chapter is as good as written down, but has still to be typed and because I am me, I sure as hell know that there will be some changes while in that process.

And before I forget: Thanks for the last review, I was really happy to know that there's somebody who's awaiting the next chapter.

Don't own Naruto.