Come Full Circle
by: knuckz


Summary: Ninjas use taijutsu to beat their opponents down, genjutsu to disillusion them, ninjutsu to destroy them or heal them, and weaponry for quick kills. Some specialize in specific areas, and exceed in that talent, while others keep a general base in all aspects. As such, there are general ninja's and nin-, tai-, and genjutsu masters respectively. This was before Uzumaki Naruto became a ninja. For the first time, there will be a fuuinjutsu specialist.


"blah" – talking

'blah' – thinking


The main character in this filler chapter is Ichiraku Ayame, who is eight years old.


Chapter 1.5 – Interlude: Ayame's Pet – Commencing


It was currently the month of January, and the chilly season of winter had invaded Konoha, leaving none safe from its frosty touch, whether young or old, civilian or shinobi. However, despite the cold, Konoha did not often see snow. This year was different than most, as there was a nice snowfall this year. Through the months of snowfall, kids were engaged in uncommon winter activities, for Konoha at least. It was quite a sight to see children rolling around in the snow, or building snowmen. Some couples were even enjoying walks out in the cool weather, hugging each other closely.

There was definitely an air of romance.

This was also a great opportunity for the deadlier population of Konoha, the shinobi. Instead of using kunai or shuriken to practice, snowballs were used to prevent fatal injury. Veteran shinobi were using snow-walking as a means to refine their chakra control; it was very different than most of the regular chakra control techniques used in Konoha. The idea was to mold chakra at the bottom of their feet and harden the snow beneath the foot until no imprints were left. The more perfectionist and elite shinobi even went as far as to return the snow to its original softness after removing their foot for the sake of true stealth.

However, though winter did bring a certain joy with it, today was not a particularly joyful day. The winter wind, though usually nice and cool against the face, was harsh and stinging with a particular ravage. Much of the population had stayed indoors today, and many shops were so consequentially closed.

Of course, not many shop owners were as stubborn as Ichiraku Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku, a humble, but relatively famous ramen stand.

Teuchi sighed as he sat at the counter, awaiting customers looking for the delicious flavour and warmth of ramen. There was no one but him in the stand at the moment.

The day had brought precious few customers; in fact, only the ninjas who were brave enough to weather the weather had come. Ayame, who was eight years old at the moment, was in her room. She had fervently told her father to stay away.

Teuchi couldn't help but grin. As sneaky as Ayame tried to be, she was only eight years old. It was quite obvious that she was hiding something from him.

"May I ask what is so funny?"

Teuchi jerked in surprise. He looked into the waiting eyes and wry smile of the Sandaime Hokage.

"Hokage-sama! Ahh, welcome, welcome! Sorry to keep you waiting, what can I get you?" Teuchi said, feeling a little embarrassed that he had been caught so unfocused.

"A miso ramen, if you will, Teuchi-san." The Hokage said, smiling pleasantly.

"Coming right up!"

Teuchi went on making the ramen with a practiced speed, and the Hokage has his warm miso ramen within minutes.

"Ahh, thank you." said the old man, placing money on the counter after grabbing the bowl of steaming noodles, "It is much too cold today, wouldn't you agree?"

Teuchi nodded, seated once more.

"Yes. The unexpected snowfall brought me a lot of business, but nobody wants to leave their homes today." Teuchi responded, "You're the first in a while, Hokage-sama."

The Hokage swallowed the food in his mouth before responding, "Well, despite the slow day, I'm sure you must have had a funny thought or you would not have been grinning so."

Teuchi grinned again.

"Oh, I was just thinking about Ayame." he replied.

"Where is little Ayame? I was wondering why I didn't hear her delightful voice upon entering the shop." the Hokage asked, drinking the last of his ramen.

"She's locked herself in her room." Teuchi replied, smiling. "Not before telling me that I was not allowed in under any circumstances."

The Hokage gave him an inquiring look.

"For the past week, she's been hiding away in her room most of the time. She always asks to eat in her room, and is eating more food than she usually would. And she goes to take a shower, while coming out looking like she hasn't showered at all. I'm sure it is quite obvious what she's trying to hide from me." Teuchi said.

The Hokage chuckled.

"I must say, she's a lovely girl. I'm afraid that not many girls her age would be able to bear the responsibility of taking in a stray and making it her pet." he replied, "Do you know what it is yet?"

Teuchi shook his head.

"I'm not sure, but I believe it to be a cat. If not, then a very quiet dog. Ayame has enough sense not to take in something dangerous." Teuchi said.

"Most parents would make their children get rid of such pets." the Hokage said, "That's a testament to your great parenting skills."

"Well, she'll have to let it go eventually." Teuchi said gruffly, not used to being praised so easily by the Hokage, "I think I'll let her keep it until the snow dries up."

"I hope the creature isn't sick or infected." said the Hokage, worriedly. He looked at the bowl of ramen he had just consumed. Teuchi let out a sharp laugh.

"Don't worry, Hokage-sama, I haven't let Ayame near the food." Teuchi said, "Anyway, I don't think I'll confront her about it, unless it becomes trouble."

"I'm glad, Teuchi-san. The smiles of the children must be cherished. It is their happiness that keeps these old bones going." the Hokage said.

"Ahh, well, I must be off. The work of a Hokage never ends, I'm afraid." the Sandaime said, sadly. Teuchi nodded.

"Well, thank you for coming, Hokage-sama." Teuchi said.

"Please pass on my greetings to Ayame-chan. Take care."

After the Hokage left, Teuchi decided it was a good time as any to close up for the day. It didn't seem like anyone else was going to come. Perhaps tomorrow would be a more fruitful day.


"Tousan, I'm gonna eat in my room."

Teuchi suppressed his grin. Just because he was letting her keep her stray didn't mean he could give her a hard time for it.

"You know, Ayame-chan, you've been eating a lot lately." Teuchi said, in an offhand approach.

"Oh, umm… I've just… I…" Ayame seemed flustered for a moment before recovering, "I've just been feeling hungry, s'all."

"Oh, don't eat too much, or you'll get fat!" He poked her stomach, inciting a giggle.

"I'll be fine." Ayame suddenly looked at him accusingly, "Don't come!"

Teuchi held up his hands in surrender.

"I won't, I won't."

He watched as Ayame put food for two into a tray, along with some milk.

'Yes, most definitely a cat.' Teuchi thought, grinning as she left.


A loud clang jerked him awake. Teuchi rubbed the blurriness from his eyes. The noise had come from the stand. Was it a burglar? Teuchi hurriedly, yet cautiously headed to the stand. As he came closer, he heard a familiar voice.

"Oh… I hope tousan didn't wake up!"

Teuchi sighed softly in relief. It was just Ayame.

'But what is she doing up at this hour?' Teuchi thought, "Perhaps feeding her pet?" Teuchi's thought turned out to be correct.

"Betcha' never had ramen before!" she chirped. Teuchi backed away a little, so it would appear that he was farther away.

"Ayame?" Teuchi called, walking slowly to give Ayame the chance to hide her pet, "What are you doing up this late?"

"Oh no! Quick, hide here! Stay there!" Teuchi could hear Ayame's whispered voice. He waited a few seconds before stepping out. She was standing in front of the sink, with her back to the cabinet doors.

'So that's where she's hiding it." Teuchi thought.

"Tousan! Oh, umm… I was feeling a little hungry, so I thought I'd have some ramen! Hehehe…" Ayame said, grabbing a half eaten ramen bowl. She made to eat from it, but Teuchi stopped her.

"It's okay Ayame; you don't need to convince me anymore. I already know." Teuchi said. He hated to do it, but if her pet really was sick then he couldn't have it in the stand and eating from the same bowls that he served to customers. Ayame looked shocked at the fact that he knew. She had tried her hardest to hide it!

"I'm sorry!" she wailed, "But, he was outside alone, and he ran away from home, and I couldn't just let him stay outside in the cold, and… and…"

"It's okay Ayame." Teuchi interrupted smilingly, "I'm not making you get rid of him."

"You- you're not?"

'And break my little girl's heart? I should think not!' Teuchi thought to himself.

"No, no. It was a good thing that you've done Ayame-chan, to take care of something. It is one of the greatest joys someone can have." he said.

"Now, I'm guessing the poor fellow was hungry?" Teuchi said, bending in front of the sink cabinet doors.

"Yeah, he woke me up! He can eat so m-uww-ch!" Ayame said, yawning.

"Well then," Teuchi said, opening the cabinet doors, "Let's feed hi-"

Teuchi almost had a stroke right there and then. It felt surreal. He had thought it was a cat, but he was wrong. It wasn't a cat; it wasn't even a dog. No, what he was looking at was the tiny face and curious blue eyes of none other than Uzumaki Naruto.

"Naruto?" Teuchi whispered, so softly that only he could hear it.

"C'mon Naruto-chan!" Ayame called, "Isn't it great! You don't have to stay cramped up in my room all the time now!"

"But…" Naruto whispered softly. Teuchi realized that this was the first time he actually heard Naruto speak.

"I like it in Ayame-neechan's room…" His voice was so soft. This was Uzumaki Naruto, the son of Uzumaki Kushina? Teuchi couldn't believe that any offspring of Kushina could be so soft-spoken.

"Oh Naruto, you don't hafta be quiet anymore!" Ayame said, "You're allowed to stay with us! Tousan said its okay!"

"OKAY! Then, can I stay in your room, Ayame-neechan!" Naruto suddenly yelled happily, as if he hadn't screamed in ages.

'Never mind, he is definitely Kushina's son.' Teuchi thought flatly.

"Now, Naruto…" Teuchi started, gaining Naruto's attention, "Aren't you supposed be at the orphanage?"

Naruto pouted.

"I ran away! They don't like me, and I don't like them either!" he exclaimed, "Why?"

"Well, you can stay with us for the time being, but you'll have to go back eventually, or Ayame and I might get into trouble." Teuchi explained.

"Aww, do I have to?" At Teuchi's nod, Naruto pouted again. "But wait, how do you know I lived at the orphanage?"

"Oh! Umm-"

"Hey Naruto-chan! Don'tcha wanna finish your ramen!" Ayame interrupted, "I wanna go back to sleep, and I need my new teddy bear!"

"RAMEN!" Naruto suddenly jumped at Ayame, reaching for his beloved noodles. She giggled as they tumbled onto the floor. Naruto proceeded to attack the salty food with fervor.

Teuchi sighed with relief. Then he looked at the pair with a smile.

'Ayame, my darling little girl. You don't fully realize what you've done, but you have gained a loyal little brother who will love you forever.' he couldn't help but think fondly.

He watched as Naruto finished his ramen, and as Ayame dragged her new teddy bear back to bed.

'And a ramen lover! I can't wait until he gets some money; I just know I'm going to make a fortune off him alone!'

Teuchi rubbed his hands in anticipation.


"Itadakimasu!" rang Naruto's voice, as he attacked his ramen voraciously. As he ate, he felt a pair of arms encircle him from the back and heard a familiar voice whisper in his ears.

"Where are you these days, Naruto-chan?" Ayame said. "I want my teddy bear back!"

Naruto smiled at the memories.

"Let me eat, Ayame-neechan!" he yelled in mock anger.

"Mou, so mean."

'Everything will be alright.' Teuchi thought, as he watched his two children play frolicking with each other.


Chapter 1.5 – Interlude: Ayame's Pet – Terminating


Author's Notes:

The ending is still too cute. I want to rage. Ah well.

I barely did anything here. It's just a filler chapter showing how Ayame and Naruto first met. Of course, Ayame knew of Naruto before he knew of her, and that was why she took him in after he had apparently 'ran away from home'.

Anyway, read on!

knuckz