Hey guys! Back again with another update, hopefully not too long after the last! Okay, I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is... I'm taking a class on writing, specifically creative writing, so hopefully my writing abilities improve. The bad news, which starts off from the good is... Schools starting in a rapidly ending ten days so I will have more trouble updating at times. Though don't worry this and my other story are top priority!
On with the show!
Looking around Anko's apartment Naruto grappled with the idea of taking a stroll outside for some exercise, it was a nice day and right now he really just wanted someone to talk to.
Earlier in the day Anko had left Naruto with her apartment in hand to go to the academy. She'd had a soft smile on her as she left saying, "Have a good day, Naruto-kun. Remember to the things on the list and stay close to my apartment k?" Anko said, "Oh, if you want to go have ramen at the Ichiraku's go ahead k?"
Naruto had smiled brightly, hugging her goodbye. As he saw her walk away his old memories of past negatives came up. Loneliness being a top contender. Though he did have quite a few tricks to deal with it. One being to just keep himself busy. Ayame had once said that if one's mind was occupied on something and solely that than nothing else can enter because you're so focused. With that in mind he'd completed the chores Anko had set long before afternoon came.
Next was simply trying to clean up some things. Ideally he wanted to show Anko that he would do anything to stay with her by showing initiative and some perseverance. If it didn't work he would have to take drastic measures meaning cleaning her house and some other things even more. Maybe even do a few runs around the village to earn some money—if he could get his henge to work right.
Although his plan died when the clock on her wall struck twelve leaving him no other things to do. He'd by then cleaned her floors, wiped her counters, cleaned her dishes, dusted her furniture, and then by the end he had washed her clothes at a laundry mat only for shinobi... How did he get in?
No one was there. Pure and simple no one was there.
As for his chores she only asked him to do one of them. Naruto chuckled to himself, perhaps she thought he would be much too hyper-active and would run around town all day. Quieting himself he put on his shoes, he wasn't so much hyper-active as he was someone who needed direction, something to look forward to and what he wanted most at the moment was to see his best-friend smile when she got home.
Stopping in his tracks Naruto's thought's wandered, once more, "Maybe I could meet Anko at the academy when she get's out!" His stomach rumbled, "After some ramen."
"Hey, old man!" Naruto yelled.
Behind the counter of the small stand stood one young girl and her father, Ayame and Teuchi Ichiraku. In Naruto's opinion they were the nicest people in the whole village—beside Anko.
Smiling the man responded, "Naruto-kun, what would you like today?"
"One miso ramen please."
Finally taking a seat in his usual spot Ayame disappeared for a moment to reappear next to him. With gently hands she rubbed Naruto's hair as she sat down on the stool next to him. He gave her a questioning glance before she said, "I don't think anyone would mind me sitting here if no one else is even here right now."
"Oh okay."
Breaking into silence Ayame nudged closer to Naruto, wrapping him in a short hug.
"So Naruto-kun, what have you been up to?"
Putting his elbows on the counter Naruto scrunched his face in thought, eliciting a small giggle. He turned his head slightly and glanced towards Ayame again muttering something.
"What was that?" Ayame asked, leaning forward.
"Uhm I was evicted from my apartment a little while ago," Ayame gasped, "but don't worry, I've solved it already!"
Ayame pulled Naruto onto her lap, cradling him close, she opened her mouth then closed it in what seemed was righteous anger. "Where did you stay, and for how long?" Ayame finally managed.
"I was staying in the alleyway two blocks over for a little while, but I-"
"In an alleyway!" she rasped out.
"Naruto-kun, why didn't you seek us out? You know we would've helped!"
"I know Ayame-nee, but I co-"
Ayame shook her head and silenced him again, "You're like family to us. Whenever you're in trouble you can come to us... alright?"
Naruto nodded. "Ok, nee-chan."
Calmly the blonde child in the brown haired girls arms turned silently in her lap to hug her directly. "I have found a place though so you don't have to worry."
"Where?"
Staring perfectly into worried hazel eyes Naruto smiled. "I'm staying with Anko-chan!"
During the whole interaction Teuchi had stayed silent and simply listened and waited for the whole story. Unlike his daughter who would interrupt—with good intentions—he would always wait until the story was complete and now he listened peacefully as Naruto regaled them with his decision to stay with Anko.
Flipping over the noddles into the pot Teuchi could recall the time when Naruto had actually dragged Anko to their ramen stand because it had his favorite dish. He chuckled to himself. A four year old bundle of joy yelling gibberish about ramen and a six year old unable to fully restrain the former. Now that he thought about it that was two years ago, coming close to three.
Putting the finished bowl of ramen on the table Teuchi let his own thoughts fly, "I approve; you two have been best-friends for quite a long time."
Ayame nodded, relenting rather, before she set Naruto back down on his favorite stool to enjoy his ramen.
With weary hands Ayame wiped a stray tear from her eye. The village just wasn't fair to Naruto, they treated him horribly for so many false reasons. "Why are you crying Nee-chan?"
Big blue eyes greeted her curiously like... a son does a mother. Softly Ayame waved her hand smiling all the same before she disarmed his curiosity, "I'm just being a little silly, Naruto-kun, don't worry."
Patting her lap Ayame let Naruto eat idly by. She wondered whether she could ever have a child as innocent as him.
"Class dismissed."
Standing up Anko made her way down the halls to meet up with Kurenai and Yugao. The plan was to spend some time with them and then spend the rest of the day making sure Naruto was comfortable in their home. Which was actually the whole reason why she wanted him to perform at least one chore before he grew too tired of it. It would hopefully allow him to familiarize himself with their apartment.
Scratching the back of her head Anko recited what she would need now that she had another living with her. As of yet the list she'd made had came down to the basics; more food and clothes with a tighter a budget.
Sighing she spotted her friends near the entrance. She'd have to go out with Naruto and buy some clothes with him later.
"Hey Kurenai-chan, Yugao-chan, what's up?"
Red eyes turned to meet Anko's own before she said, "We're just about to head out to a place called Ichiraku Ramen, it's supposed to have very well made ramen."
"I've been there." Anko said smirking.
"Really?"
"Yeah it's a great place with the best ramen in the village." Anko said, "Though if you want to know about dango you can find the best place over-"
Kurenai quickly put a hand over Anko's mouth, shutting her up. "I think we will have ramen for today, thanks Anko."
The black haired girl turned around and began to walk away with Yugao leaving Anko standing by herself, until she heard a voice call out to her, "Anko, are you coming?" the voice said, "I thought you said Ichiraku served the best ramen and I know you haven't eaten yet."
Smiling a little Anko yelled back, "Alright I'm coming!"
As she ran to her friends Anko's smile dropped a bit. Next time she'd have to bring Naruto with her. Perhaps she could order some take-out from the little shack so Naruto could get some too.
Slowly three girls came to a small out of the way stand with no small amount of anticipation. The smell perfumed the air, completely cutting out the more run-down look of the section. Inside the shack, as they neared they heard three voices just talking with one in particular holding a familiar chime to it.
When the girls entered Anko's eyes widened before she truly smiled and started to laugh. On with one of the stools sat Ayame and Naruto with Teuchi sitting behind the counter. What made her laugh though was the beautiful sight of Ayame feeding Naruto as if he was a toddler, force feeding him. Her hand wrapped itself around Naruto's small waist while the other would guide the ramen filled spoon into Naruto's mouth.
And by the looks of it, Ayame had been doing this for a while. Naruto never gave up easy so Anko could only assume that Naruto hadn't actually wanted to do it at first.
Raising a brow Ayame looked towards the door before she smiled softly, placing another spoon of ramen in his mouth. "What would this be Naruto-kun, your seventh bowl?"
"Fed by you?"
Ayame nodded. "Seventh bowl."
Taking the seat next to the two Anko chuckled uncontrollably, unable to resist the temptation. This honestly wasn't the first time Ayame had forced Naruto to slow his pace. Usually what would occur was the little bundle in the older girls arms would eat much too fast and would sometimes gag from it. If he didn't listen to the Ichiraku's warnings—more Ayame than Teuchi—she would feed him herself.
This time on the other hand didn't look so forced as it did the other times. No, it looked as if Naruto simply asked to be fed... or it could be the other way around? Anko shook her head.
Oh she just had to ask, "Did Naruto misbehave again?"
Ayame shook her head before putting another spoon into the boys mouth. "No actually I asked him if he wanted me to."
"At first he blushed and avoided my eyes, though after a minute or two he warmed up to the idea and voila."
Naruto looked away and blushed again. The girls, who just sat down, all giggled at him before making their orders. Looking to her father Ayame made the silent question to which Teuchi smiled and shook his head, mouthing words to her, "Stay with him."
With bright eyes she fed Naruto the rest of his bowl. His stomach bloated slightly as he quietly drifted away into the arms of morpheus, promising dreams full of childish dreams and restful sleep. Sighing slightly Ayame watched him, stroking his hair with her hand. Turning her content eyes up she found everyone simply watching the small child sleep, smiles forever etched on their faces.
Anko seemed to be the most content though out of everyone besides Ayame. The way she looked to the brown haired girl made it seem as if him sleeping gave her peace of mind. Cradling him Ayame held Naruto close as if a newborn.
"I want to adopt him, you know?" Ayame said suddenly, surprising everyone.
Looking around she analyzed everyone's reactions, the best of which came from Anko again. Anko's astonishment showed only excitement but then also momentary sadness. Ayame frowned, was she so alone as well?
"I've also wanted to adopt a girl too." Ayame mentioned off-handedly, "I've had my eyes on someone for quite some time and since I've recently turned sixteen I can adopt." She turned her head to her father. "Right, Tou-san?"
Teuchi merely smiled and nodded before setting his elbows down on the counter, resting his chin on weaved fingers. "I know this may not be the best time," he said looking around at the two others, "but we want to add you two to our family."
Anko's eyes widened, tears pricking the sides of her eyes, she wanted to adopt them? Quickly her eyes placed themselves on Naruto's small body. Well that took care of one small issue she supposed. Chuckling at herself she wiped her eyes silently.
"How long were you planning this?"
Ayame and Teuchi smiled. "Ever since you entered this stand."
I hope you all liked it! I tried extremely hard on trying to really flesh out the scene so I hope I did a better job than the last! Please be that hard editor telling me that I did something wrong and what needs fixing because I do appreciate that so very much. Every effort to leave a review in my box is read for anyone new and if it constructive I always try to implement it into my "master-plan".
R&R and PM, it does help.
See ya!
