Chapter 7

After washing and changing into the clothes left out for her, all the while listening to Naruto's shock-horror at how she has never eaten ramen before, Rio finds herself wandering down a bustling street, the blond happily pointing out his favourite places and occasionally bragging.

This kid is an idiot. How has he survived all this time?

She doesn't say much, only putting in one syllable words where required, taking in as much fresh air as possible without hurting her ribs too much. She wishes she had a long sleeved top on, or at least a jacket; staring at herself in the mirror earlier had shown she has bruising on the right side of her face, from her cheekbone to her temple, and still healing burns splotching her once bronze skin from her arms upwards. Even her fingers are bruised, probably from her crushing them whilst they were tied behind her back.

Naruto ceases his cheerful rambling and stops in front of a small, open air shop.

"Welcome to the best food outlet in all the Fire country!"

She stares up at the faded sign, and wonders whether she's going to get food poisoning.

Why couldn't they just poison me in my cell? It would be far more practical.

Seeing something in her face, Naruto's innocent smile wavers, but after a few awkward moments, Rio lifts her chin and strides purposefully into the ramen shop.

Seating themselves on two of the stools lining the counter, Naruto is greeted affectionately by the owner, and places an order for two large chicken ramen. He chats in good nature with the chef and his daughter while the ramen is being made, and Rio's mouth waters at the smell of real food. She makes herself promise not to overeat and get sick. The stuff she was fed back in the holding cells was not enough to keep her healthy, but enough to keep her alive. It tasted like cardboard and had the texture of wet cement, but it was food none the less and she was grateful for it.

Hearing her name spoken, she stirs from her flashback and finds the eyes of Naruto and the kind looking man who had addressed Naruto when they first arrived resting on her.

"Sorry... what?" She responds, slightly humiliated by her lack of focus.

Get it together Rio. Here you are, in the centre of the town that imprisoned you with a trained killer who is so obviously loyal to this hole it's embarrassing! They could jump on you again at ay second! Don't trust anyone!

That is the code she has always lived by, even at home in the Land of Art. But looking at Naruto, she doesn't feel the sadistic vibe that hovers around Ibiki like cigarette smoke.

The man chuckles.

"I asked if you two are on a date. I've never seen you around here before. Are you a kunoichi from the Land of Earth? No, you're too pale for that, let's see." He says, clearly enjoying the game.

Rio keeps her expression devoid of any feeling, and coolly glances at Naruto, who is apparently too interested in her response to deny the assumption.

"How bout..." He squints his eyes at her, "The Sand?"

"No sir." Her voice this time comes out as it is meant to sound; monotone, deadpan. "My name is Rio Toyohai. I'm from the Land of Art. I'm pale because I haven't seen the sun in two weeks, not since my village was sacked, my friends and family murdered, and I, kidnapped. Held here by your violent 'protectors' -"

She notices she is starting to sound a little venomous, and works to modulate her tone.

"- until they got bored of me and shrugged me off on some hopeless case who cannot talk about anything other than his love for your ramen. So no, we are not on a 'date'." she concludes, spitting out the last word like it tastes sour.

"I hope that clears up any further questions."

Naruto's face transforms from shocked, to angry, to pitiful, to guilty. The man, casting a look at Naruto that translates to, 'Yikes! Sorry for asking', busies himself with serving up their bowls. Rio is both proud and ashamed at the tension she managed to stir up.

Once the steaming ramen is placed in front of them, Naruto picks up his chop sticks and nods in appreciation to the old man. Rio stares down at the giant helping, and then in confusion, at the wooden tools beside it. Truth be told she has never used chop sticks before, so she decides to start with the spoon and drink the soup first, with the reasoning that it will be easier on her long-deprived stomach.

Naruto beside her is motionless, she sighs.

"After all that, now you're not eating?"

"What? No, I just... You okay?" He pauses, as if to say something else but doesn't quite know how to say it, so instead focuses on his food, expertly catching the slippery noodles between his chopsticks and inhaling them.

A million responses fly through her mind, most of them rude and judgemental, but she doesn't want her insecurity to come through in any way, so she just gives a small nod. Turning to her own meal, she paces herself between each spoonful, blowing on it to watch the clear liquid ripple.

Naruto finishes his almost instantly, and begins to order a second, but Rio intervenes.

"Look, I can't eat all this; you can have mine if you want."

He looks her over appraisingly, if not somewhat cautiously.

"Um, thanks, but you should really eat that, you're too... skinny." He lets the sentence hang.

Rio knows she's lost more weight over the past fortnight than what is healthy, but she still takes offense; it's not as if she chose to be this way.

"Suit yourself, but I'm telling you, I can't eat all this." She repeats, lifting another spoonful of broth to her lips.

"Don't you worry Miss."

The old man suddenly reappears over the counter, giving them both a fright.

"Naruto never lets anything here go to waste."

He smiles genuinely at her. Rio's heart thumps painfully in her chest at how easily he forgave her. She lowers her head, shame washing over her.

Her parents had always said she was too cynical, her sarcastic remarks leading them to believe she had a cold heart. Rio knew better; she would endure the lectures about how Cinari was compassionate and better accepted in the village, and then pour her heart out over her beloved instruments when she was alone. However, her outward appearance was what distinguished her from others, and was probably the reason Orochimaru had chosen her at a young age to bear the seal. She never got involved in disputes, and was known by barely any, which suited him. He had been the one to personally perform the Jutsu, burning the black mark into her skin.

Having lost her appetite, she pushes her bowl towards Naruto, averting his eyes, and at the same time asks so he doesn't have a chance to object,

"So where am I staying from here on out? I take it I can't go home."

Naruto clears his throat.

"I suppose I should make this clear for you now eh? You are not allowed to leave, but other than that, you can do whatever you want. I'll take you to your new place after this." He says, not meeting her eyes either.

"Am I really so much of a threat?!" Rio's anger bubbles, but she tries to temper it. Neither Naruto nor the old man deserves her resentment or exhaustion-spurred rants.

Naruto pretends he cannot answer due to having his mouth full, Rio hadn't really been expecting an answer so she just looks on in amazement at how he drinks down the hot fluid in three gulps.

Forget all those Jutsus; this is a superhuman act in itself!

After a satisfied, slightly theatric sigh, Naruto pays the content chef, and squeezing her eyes shut against the distress in her ribcage, Rio slides herself off the stool. Naruto observes her, evaluating whether or not she will be able to walk all the way to her apartment. He tries to slide his arm around her waist, but she smacks him away and keeping her discomfort under wraps, they leave the restaurant.