For the third time this night Ino woke up. She had shifted from her previous position again and now lay on her side, facing Narutos bare chest. His arm was still around her and she could feel his fingers drawing circles between her shoulder blades through her shirt. At least she wasn´t the only one who couldnt sleep.
This whole situation, as nice as it felt, was just too new to have a deep and relaxed sleep. She placed her arm around his waist and pulled herself a little closer to him, snuggling into his chest before a sigh escaped her mouth.
„Can´t sleep either, huh?" Came Narutos voice from above her head.
She just nodded into his chest and enjoyed the feeling of his fingers on her back. It surprised her all the time how Narutos instinct managed to let him do just the right things. At least sometimes.
„Its the third time I wake up." she told him. Maybe a little talking would make her fall asleep again.
„Good thing we have no training tomorrow." he joked and managed to bring a smile on her face.
„Yeah, just as if Anko-sensei had known we wouldn´t sleep good."
„You know, I think we just got these days off to get used to sleeping together."
„Not that it matters, does it? Oh by the way could you rub my back a little bit lower?"
Without giving an answer Naruto started to do as she had told. Ino didn´t know why but she knew she could get used, if not addicted to have Naruto do that to her. His hand was warm and somehow he managed to just find the right pattern to relax her tense muscles.
„Hey whiskers? Can I ask you something?"
„Hhhm..."
„Did you ever imagine that we would end up like this? You know, you and me together in one bed?"
„Not really. Actually I didn´t think that I would end up with anybody because of who I am. Girls don´t really like to end up with the loser. Which Sakura has told me more than just once."
She knew he was joking, at least partly but still to hear him say that made her feel bad about how she had treated him before all of this had started.
„Wanna know a secret? I had to live with said loser for a while and can´t really complain. Especially since he has such skilled hands. Sakura and the others don´t know what they are missing out on."
„You really mean that?" Naruto asked in surprise.
„Uh-huh. Don´t sell yourself short whiskers. I'm happy that you picked me up that night. Afterall you didn´t have to and now see how much you have done. We have really great teachers and improved a lot, the two of us became really close and soon we will be a team that Hokage-sama herself wants to use for gathering information. Also you have matured a lot since the academy. Things could´ve turned out worse if you ask me."
„If you say it like that, I suppose you´re right."
„Of course I am. Afterall I am the brain of this team. Now please if you could rub a little lower again."
„But..."
„No buts, do as I said. I know where your hands will be, but my muscles there are sore too.
As long as dont lower your hand any more than I say you will be fine. „
„O-Ok-Okay If you say so."
„I do. Now be a good boy. Maybe tomorrow you´ll get a reward.
„Troublesome woman."
„And don´t you dare to start with that too foxy. Or else I´ll show you troublesome."
As Naruto continued to rub her backside, though now with shaking hands because of where exactly his hands had traveled, Ino decided that getting used to this wasn´so bad.
Her roommate made this all pretty easy. Truth be told Naruto made everything pretty easy.
The girl that would someday make Naruto her boyfriend wouldn´t have much to complain about, as far as Ino was concerned. Sure he needed a little bit work, like someone to teach him some sense of fashion and how to eat healthy for example, but all of that were just small things.
Compared to guys like Sasuke and Neji, who you needed to threaten before they would talk about feelings and such things, Naruto was a real gem.
Too bad that he was still hung up on Sakura or else...Well she didn´t know, it was not that she really wanted to be with him. Maybe she had considered the possibility once or twice since her first lesson with Anko-sensei and Shizune-Sensei, but there was no way that Ino Yamanaka would fall for Naruto Uzumaki. That was just impossible. I mean why would he want her? She was loud, bossy, a gossip addict and she made fun of him whenever she could. The only thing going for her was her looks. No Naruto wouldn´t be happy if she were his girlfriend.
However as soon as she had thought this, she unconsciously pulled herself closer to him, so that now there was absolutely no space between them anymore.
Naruto noticed this and interpreted it as her being cold. A moment later she felt the blanket being pulled over her shoulders, before they boy started to rub her back again.
„Are you comfortable Ino? Or do you want to sleep in another position. I don´t mind if you do."
„Im fine, just...lets just stay like this okay? I like being like this with you whiskers."
„Me too. Wouldn´t trade it for a year of ramen. It´s not to often that you can share the bed with the most beautiful girl you know, is it?"
She smiled at his compliment. He just knew how to make her feel good. That stupid, adorable boy probably didn´t even know how it made her feel.
„Don´t flatter yourself Naruto. You´re really not that much of a pretty girl." she joked.
„You realise how bad that joke was, don´t you?"
„Maybe I should make jokes about you having a „hard time" again, huh?"
„HEY!"
„Don´t worry. I won´t tell anybody how much you like sleeping with me. Well maybe my dad, just to see his reaction."
„I see a heart attack in the near future."
„For you or my dad?"
„Both of course. First him and then when he recovers from the shock and hunts me down I will have one."
„Well then I won´t do it. Can´t risk to lose my new teddy bear now, can I?"
„Well I suppose its better to be a teddy bear, than being considered a boy toy, isn´t it?"
„Damn right. And now be quiet and rub my back, or else none of us will have enough sleep."
„As my lady wishes."
„Idiot."
With that the room fell silent again. And while Ino started to drift into sleep for the fourth time that night, she thought that maybe she could try dating Naruto. They shared a apartment, they shared a bedroom now they slept in the same bed. Other people dated for weeks and never came that far. And a date didn´t mean that she was head over heels for the boy, which she definitely wasn´t, but Ino just wanted to see if there could be something between the two of them.
If not they could still be friends like now. And if there was something more, they would make the cutest couple in whole Konoha. Anyway that could wait. Now she wanted to just enjoy the situation she was in.
All she had to do was closing her eyes and concentrate on the movements of Narutos hand. In the end it didnt take her long to fall asleep again.
Meanwhile on the other side of Konoha another couple also lay in bed and couldn´t really sleep. The reason therefore was on purple haired special jonin. Although this time she didn´t kepp Iruka awake like she normally did. Today she just wanted to cuddle and talk, which the chuunin didn´t mind. Time with Anko was always nice and the way his lover was talking right now made him happy.
„They were really cute weren´t they? And how he pulled he close outside the restaurant, I tell you the brat is a natural, just like you."
„Thank you. But do you really think that your matchmaking is the right thing to do? What of Hinata? She likes Naruto. And as far as I know he still likes Sakura."
„Oh please, the Hyuuga can´t even stand next to him without fainting. The boy needs a strong women in his life too push him in the right direction, not someone who idolizes him."
„Okay, and what about Narutos feelings? Are you sure he isn´t into Sakura anymore?"
His answer was that pout he always got, when Anko wanted him to play along. What was worse it actually worked most of the times. Sadly if Naruto was concerned Iruka was a lot more strict than, lets say about having sex on the training grounds. The boy was afterall his little brother in all but blood.
„Im serious Anko. They will have to work as a team soon and then they have to work no matter what. If one of them has his or her feelings hurt by the other this plan of your could seriously backfire."
„Pah, I just told them to get used to sleeping next to somebody, nothing more. And it´s not like there aren´t already feelings in this game. I just know missy has a thing for the brat. Also you have seen them tonight. They didn´t even notice us though we sat just two tables away from them. They only had eyes for each other."
„I know, I know. It really looked like there was something between them, though I still think it was bad to spy on them."
„Ah you and your principles. Always doing whats right. Still I corrupted you enough to follow me it seems."
„You did. Just make sure you don´t corrupt your pupil as bad as you have with me."
„Oh don´t worry. I dont plan on snuggling with blondie. She is a little young and you are more than enough sweety. Anyway I say the brats will come together soon."
„Then lets hope they work out. Not that I have any doubts in them. Ino and Naruto are at least able to talk about their problems. If not with each other than with one of us."
„Yep. We will guide them to be a happy couple wont we?"
Ankos smirk was met with a sigh from Iruka. Why even try to argue with his crazy women? There were plenty of better ways to waste time. As if Anko had read his thoughts she said:
„Well now, I think I deserve a punishment fr meddling with the little ones love lives dont I?"
„ At least you admit it. Now for your punishment.:..."
And with that he tackled Anko down on the bed, earning him a surprised squeak from his lover.
Afterall some punishments were quite enjoyable if done right. And Iruka always did things right. Whether it was teaching his pupils, helping Naruto out or spending time with his girlfriend.
To say that Ino loved waking up with Naruto the next morning would need to stretch the truth pretty far. First of all it wasn´t morning but noon when the blond girl first opened her eyes. Second she was laying underneath Naruto, who obviously had shifted his position while sleeping. Third she was still tired as if she hadn´t slept in days and fourth she really really had to go to the bathroom.
Not exactly the best morning in her books. Still the picture of Narutos head resting on her chest, while he slept brought a small smile to her face. Sadly there was still her bathroom problem and Naruto was the one thing stopping her from getting up. So without being too gentle she pushed him away from her and got up. Surprisingly the blond boy just slept on as if she hadn´t even touched him. He just hugged the pillow Inos head had just rested on and kept snoring.
Ino on the other hand started her morning routine, like brushing her teeth and taking a shower and all those things. After that she got dressed. She really missed her closet with all the clothes she had in her room, but at least Sakura had been able to bring her some things from home, other than the bag Ino had when Naruto had found her. And of course she had the few things she had bought with Naruto some time ago so she could always come up with a good and surprising outfit. Anyway it just wasn´t the same as having her closet to choose an outfit from.
As she came back in the bedroom she found Naruto still sleeping, just that he was now drooling on the pillow in his death grip. The boy really was cute and a little disgusting at the same time. With a smile Ino decided to let him sleep and prepare breakfast to surprise him. Maybe that way she could show him that she really didn´t care about the fox. Well not much anyway. To know your best friend, and Naruto could be considered that right now, had a giant demon inside him was a little bit disturbing no matter what. In Narutos case it was easy to overlook that fact, at least for Ino. Someone who was scared of her getting angry couldn´t be much of a demon. And what kind of demon would allow his host to have a ramen addiction like Naruto had?
Speaking of ramen Ino went into the kitchen and took to cups of Narutos favorite flavour from the cupboard. Since it was already lunch they could eat those instead of a real breakfast. Of course she would still force Naruto to also eat the salat she was now making. Eating ramen for lunch was okay, but it was still her goal to make sure Naruto ate healthy food. One couldn´t live from ramen alone and besides her salat always tasted great.
The blond girl had secretly been food shopping last week and ever since then she had made sure that there was a variety in what Naruto and herself cooked. The funny thing was, no matter what they ate, Naruto always needed a cup of ramen with it.
Looking into Narutos mostly empty fridge she decided that besides training the two of them had also to get groceries today. Maybe that way she could find out what else she could get her roommate besides his favorite food.
Anyway that would be done later. Now she had to make the salad, fix the instant ramen (real challenge isn´t it?) and clean up the mess Naruto had left on the kitchen table since he had forgotten to put his sealings notes away yesterday.
All in all it took her no more than half an hour before everything, safe for Naruto, was ready for breakfast or better said lunch. How the boy could still be asleep after the ruckus Ino had made while she had everything prepared was above her.
She silently went into the bedroom and leaned down till her face was right next to Narutos ear. First she had wanted to scream to wake him, but now she decided that there was a even funnier way to do that. If she was lucky she would even see his cute little blush that made her happy every time she saw it. Unlike Sasuke, who had always been cold and repellent to her ministrations, Naruto always blushed when she showed a little intimacy and there was no better boost for her ego.
So time to get some of that from her whisker-boy.
„Naruto, wake up sweetie." she cooed into his ear. He stirred a bit but then continued to sleep. Well Ino wasn´t outdone yet.
„Naruto, you really have to wake up. It would be a shame if I had to eat all of that ramen alone."
This time she tried to sound sexy and pouty at the same time. Apparently that way her voice got to him. He opened his eyes and focused on her face.
"Ino?"
Ino could swear she could hear how his brain worked to understand the situation, before he realised how close their faces were and blushed like crazy.
Having accomplished her goal of making him blush Ino smirked to herself. Without even realising what she was doing she pressed her lips to his temple and went back into the kitchen.
„Get up Whiskers. It´s time to eat."
Naruto simply did as he was told. He still wasn´t totally awake yet and somehow he had imagined her kissing him. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and followed into, who still didn´t even realise she had kissed him.
When he came to the table Ino had already sat down and watched his still red face. Yep definitely funnier than him falling out of his bed.
Then he saw the bowls with ramen and the salad. Suddenly all that happened before was erased from his mind.
„Is that ramen?" he asked curiously.
Of course he would notice that first, Ino thought to herself.
„Yep, but you also have to eat the salad." she told him.
„Okay."
Naruto sat down in front of her and grabbed the salad. Ino also started to eat. Surprisingly Naruto didn´t wolf down the salad today, but seemed to enjoy the taste for once. Ino thought that maybe she finally got him to like the stuff. As if he had read her thoughts he swallowed and told her:
„You know, this isn´t so bad once you get used to it. Still ramen is way better but I don´t mind eating salad. At least the one you make."
The girl smiled at his compliment. They continued to eat in silence like they mostly did and after it they cleaned the dishes together.
„So what are we doing today Ino? I bet you already made plans." Naruto asked after they sat at the table again.
„I have a few ideas." she admitted. „You want to hear them?"
„Sure"
„Well I thought that we could share what we´ve learned. You know like jutsu and tactics. Also we have a few other things to do besides training. Well and tomorrow I wanted to go to the Hogake and ask for D-Rank missions so we could test our teamwork. There are a few of them that actually require the skills we have trained for." Ino explained.
„Sounds good to me. So what are those other things we have to do?"
And with that Ino told him about how they had to go grocerie shopping, that she needed new kunai and a few other minor things before both of them left the house and headed for the training grounds.
