This chapter is a little bit filler, and a little longer than my usual chapters. I am trying to make them longer, but I don't want them to have too much fluff. This is now told in Third Person. If anyone reviews wanting it to change back to first, I may revise it that way. Please let me know what you're thinking.
Sakura and Naruto went to Ichiraku's for lunch since Sakura hadn't eaten anything since her real mission.
"Hey Naruto, hi Sakura." Greeted Ayame.
"I'll take the regular please." Naruto smiled.
"How about you Sakura?"
"Umm... I'll just have what Naruto's eating. I'm having a hard time thinking about what I usually get..." She frowned.
"What?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
"Are you sure? That's a lot of food- not that I'm calling you fat or anything!" Ayame panicked, remembering Sakura's temper that mimicked Tsunade's more and more as the two spent time together.
"No, I know what you meant," Sakura smiled, "I haven't eaten since yesterday."
Sakura lied so Ayame wouldn't worry about her, when in truth it was about four days.
"Oh, okay. I'll have it ready in no time."
"Thanks Ayame-chan!" Naruto practically yelled.
"Thank you."
"Do you think that there'll be anything scary that we find out today?"
"No, I can't imagine there would be. What if we unblocked yours? Do you think we'd find anything?"
"Probably not."
"I don't think there's much to find. Tsunade said they were only small parts."
"I'm not going to tell you what happened so that it'll be easier for Ino to sort through your memories."
"Okay, that sounds good."
"So Jiraiya is coming back next week."
"Really? That's great. Is he going to train with you?"
"He's going to help me improve my seals. So sort of."
"Awesome."
"Yeah, I kind of surpassed him in strength and learned a majority of the jutsus that I can, so he may teach me those few that I haven't learned."
"I'm almost at that point in my training under Tsunade."
They sat quietly, alone in the shop.
Ayame came in a minute or so later with their food.
They both dug in and she leaned on the counter.
"What were you two talking about?"
"Training." Sakura said, between bites.
Naruto was slurping his down in the typical Naruto fashion.
"Really? On a date and that's all you talk about?"
"This isn't a date!" Sakura paled.
"Not a date!" Naruto choked.
"Well, it's just that you usually come after training or with some friends. And now it's lunch time and you're both dressed nicely."
They both looked down. They were dressed nicely, not in their typical ninja attire. Sakura had on a pair of black leggings and a dress similar to the one she wore as a genin.
Naruto was wearing light blue pants [think jeans] and an orange v-neck.
"Ah, sorry you two. I can't say anything right today."
"Don't worry about it. I'm surprised we're not used to it." Sakura laughed it off.
Naruto finished his food, and Sakura finished off here shortly after.
"So what're you guys doing today? Sorry to prod, but it's been a slow day and dad's out of town."
"Not a problem! We're just hanging around, killing time." Naruto said.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Well, we've got a meeting later." Sakura answered.
"Cool, any details?"
"I'm afraid not." Naruto shook his head.
"Oh. Well that sounds like it could be interesting or boring."
"Yeah, it should be interesting." Naruto said and Sakura could only nod.
A head ducked into the snack bar. And then Gaara entered the shop.
"Gaara! Hey! What're you doing here?" Naruto practically yelled.
"Hi Gaara!" Sakura waved.
Gaara sat down next to Naruto.
"Hello Sakura, Naruto. I always come here for lunch when I'm in Konoha. I figured if Naruto liked it so much, I should try it. And all the things he spouts are true."
"Do you want your regular, Kazekage-sama?" Ayame asked.
He nodded.
"Woah, just call him Gaara. He doesn't mind. Right?"
"Yes, I'd prefer Gaara."
"Okay."
"I am not always spouting things! Anyways! Believe it! This is the best ramen on the planet." Naruto shouted.
"So anything interesting happening in Suna?" Sakura asked.
"Well, what kind of things do you want to know?"
"Gossip... And anything that may concern me on the political factor."
"Well, as for concerns," he glanced around, "The Akatsuki and Orochimaru are planning to form an alliance, and they've been meeting outside of Suna. Luckily, our intelligence is taking care of it. That's all I can say, and I only told you because I trust you and your ninja ability. Other than that, nothing else really affects you." They nodded greusomely.
"We had suspected as much. But we may be surprised soon. There are forces at work here that we don't really know about." Sakura said.
Ayame brought out Gaara's food.
"So tell me, how's Kankōru doing?" Ayame asked.
"Are you blushing Ayame-chan?" Sakura asked, noting the link on the girls cheeks.
"No!" She blushed harder.
"Well Kankōru is handsome, and nice. He's also a great ninja. Just like his brother." Sakura teased.
"Fine..." Gaara answered.
"Huh?" they all looked at him, confused.
"Kankōru is fine."
"Oh."
"Gaara, when were you going to tell me about Matsuri?" Sakura asked.
"What about her?"
"The fact that she's your girlfriend!"
"What!" Naruto shouted and Gaara blushed red.
"How come he gets to become Kazekage before I become Hokage! And he has a girlfriend before I do!"
"Quit shouting Naruto!" Sakura yelled at him, smacking him upside the head.
"Gaara?"
"Hmm?"
"Could you give this to Kankōru please?" Ayame said, with a letter in her hands.
"Of course."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So, how is Matsuri?"
"She's good. She wanted to come but I told her to stay since it was only a short trip."
"Ohh. Next time bring her with you." Sakura smiled.
"Have I met her before? I think I did. I can't remember!"
"Yes you have Naruto. She's really nice and pretty. She has brown hair?"
"Ohhhhh! That's your girlfriend? Good job man!" Naruto exclaimed, clapping Gaara on the back.
"Yeah..."
"I'll take your bowl since you're done. How was it?"
"It was the best ramen I've ever eaten. I still think you should take my offer on moving to Suna and opening another shop."
"What? You want to take Ayame-chan or Teuchi-san away from me! Noooo!"
"Shut it Naruto. It'd be great if you did, then we could stop by and eat there when we go on missions in or around Suna. You'd also get double the profit, and you'd be closer to Kankōru."
"I don't know. Dad and I'll have to talk more about it." Ayame blushed.
"It's a great idea."
"Well it is, but we'd have to close this shop while opening the other-"
"Ohhh no. Ohhh nooo. You can NOT close this store down even temporarily."
"Or hire someone like Naruto to help, but he's too busy as a ninja. It's harder than it seems."
"Yes, well contact me once you and Teuchi-San talk it over."
"Okay."
"Oh hey, it's 1:30. Naruto and I should be going soon."
They paid for their meals and said goodbye to Gaara and Ayame and made their way out of the shop.
They leisurely walked down the streets of Konoha, and stopped when they reached outside of the Hokage tower.
Sakura peered up at the tower, before inhaling deeply.
Her nerves had kicked in.
Hope you enjoyed this weeks update, I'd love to hear from you.
