Shadow: Yeah… I don't have that much to say, except…
I like being bad. It makes me happy.
That's my favorite line from Spidy 3. Venom is awesome.
I am also finished with school! Yay! Summer time!
But… I don't really like summer, it's way too boring… I need a job.
By the way… this is the last chapter (sob)
It's really short...
Be happy…
Arisa pushed the chair in behind the table. She dropped her rag and leaned on the wooden table with a sigh. It had been almost four months since she had opened her shop, and it was wearing her thin. Even though it was small, she was always very busy. Arisa was glad that she had taken the weekend off to go with Naruto to a nearby hot spring.
Now she had four waitresses, Holly, Greta, Kim, and Ichigo, and three waiters, Zach, Tamaki, and Yuuri. Kyo and Kitsu had been given promotions to assistant managers who were actually given charge most of the time. Arisa had also taught the twin girls how to cook most of the meals on the menu. With their help, the weight had been lightened, but had not disappeared completely.
Arisa smiled at the woman who was now helping her wipe down the tables. With all the others given the night off, it was Kyo, Kitsu, and Arisa who were closing the shop. Yet, Hinata, who had eaten a late dinner there, was assisting her with cleaning up the tables, while Kyo cleaned the kitchen and Kitsu the dishes.
"You really don't have to do this…" Arisa told the shorter black haired woman.
There was a shy smile at her, "But I want to."
There was no more discussion on that topic. Yet for some reason they got onto the topic of couples.
"I can't believe that Shino asked Kitsu out. But, it was probably with Neji's prodding. He didn't want Kyo to feel bad that she had a boyfriend and her sister didn't." Arisa said.
Hinata shook her head, "But, Shino really likes Kitsu, so it's okay I guess. I'm happy about that."
Arisa put the chair on top of the table, "And how are things with Kiba-kun? Did you go to the hospital yesterday?" The wedding had taken place only three months ago, and already Hinata was expecting.
Hinata smiled and patted her belly even though she hadn't gotten any larger yet, "Yeah. It's a girl. She's due in March." Hinata looked up at Arisa, "Shino's going to be her godfather."
"I'm so happy for you!" Arisa exclaimed, pulling the girl into a hug.
After a few more minutes of cleaning, Arisa turned to Hinata and asked, "Hinata, there's something I want to ask you."
Hinata frowned, "What is it?"
Arisa stopped cleaning and leaned against the table, unable to look Hinata in the eyes, "Well, Naruto asked me to marry him at your wedding."
Hinata nodded, she already knew. Everyone did.
Arisa continued, "But there feels like there is something missing. I like Naruto," she looked at the smaller woman, honesty showing in her eyes, "I really like Naruto. But, I don't know what's missing."
There was a pause before Arisa continued, "Did you always love Kiba? Was it like Sakura and Sasuke… you know, falling in love with your teammate? Or did you love him after you started going out with him? I really don't know if I love Naruto or not. I'm so confused!" she sat down in a chair with her head in her arms.
There was a long pause, then Hinata gave a small chuckle, "Actually, would you believe that I had a crush on Naruto until I was sixteen?"
Arisa smiled dispite her confusion. Hinata knew how to take a problem, make it seem so simple, and answer in the best way possible, by giving a personal experience.
"One day I was on a mission with Shino and Kiba. We had to go over this long, hanging bridge. It had rained the night before and I slipped on the boards. Then there was Kiba's hand in front of me, offering to help me up. It just kind of clicked, how he had been there for me, supporting me and caring for me. Even though we had been going out for a while, I hadn't really quiet understood just how much he meant to me."
Arisa smiled as they headed back to the kitchen with the dishes that were left and the dirty rags. They entered the kitchen together and were met by tired smiles from the twins.
"Are you guys making it alright?"
"Yeah, but I'm ready to go to sleep, Arisa-sensei." Kitsu moaned.
Kyo didn't say anything, but did her work in a sluggish manner that showed her exhaustion. Arisa helped them finish as Hinata excused herself to go home, "Who is scheduled to work tomorrow?"
Kitsu answered, "Ichigo, Greta, and Zach, with you opening. Their squad doesn't have any scheduled missions."
Arisa groaned, "Just tie me up and let me die."
"No, cuz then you wont have to work." Kyo said, smacking Arisa's hand lightly with a wooden spatula.
As Arisa opened the door and bid the twins farewell, she caught sight of Naruto standing there. He was standing nonchalant with his hands shoved in his pockets and a slight slouch in his shoulders. Dispite the fact that he was standing in an ally way next to a dumpster, Arisa tought he looked hot, looking up at the stars, a softness to his hair that he had left down instead of brushing into its regular spikes.
When he saw her, he straightened and a bright smile broke out across Arisa's face. "Hey, I thought I could walk you home."
"I would like that." Arisa whispered quietly.
Arisa watched him as he turned, prepared to lead her home like a little puppy. "It just kinda clicked." … That never really happened with me. I thought it would be where there is nothing, then all of a sudden… a spark ignites everything. And that's all that's all that is ever needed. With me and Naruto, it was like we were on a rollercoaster that started with a huge hill. But, I'm not going to lie and say that I don't enjoy what we have…
Arisa smiled at the back of the man before her, walking. Quickening her step, she took his larger hand in his. In a short time, they were at the apartment building and Naruto was dropping her off in front of the door to her apartment. The next moment, he was walking down the hall to his room.
For some reason, Arisa felt a pang of sorrow in that moment. Her pain at the emptyness was felt acutely in that moment. Arisa felt herself about to break down and start to cry when Naruto spun on her suddenly.
"Oh, yeah!" He exclaimed.
Suddenly, he stooped down slightly and stole a soft kiss from the tips of her lips, his hand cupping teh back of her head. Giving her a huge grin, he turned back around and Arisa was left with a startled and satisfied feeling. Hands lifting to where his lips had just been.
And that was it. The emptiness was suddenly filled and she had found what she was missing. Like a puzzle peice fell into place and suddenly Arisa could see the whole picture. The pain she had felt was no longer there.
And everything just… clicked.
Shadow: I have one word… click.
Naruto: What the heck kind of word was that?
Hinata: I liked that story about me and Kiba.
Kiba just smiles and puts an arm around her shoulders.
Ino and Sakura: We didn't even appear in this chapter… (sigh)
Shadow: Yeah, I know. I'm sorry.
Sakura: It was kind of short.
Ino: Yeah, like really short.
Sakura: Like really really short.
Ino: Like really really real—
Shadow: Okay! Shut the hell up!
Naruto: Sorry!
Shadow: What the hell are you sorry for?
Naruto (shrugging): It's an automatic reaction.
Shadow: Whatever… that's kinda pathetic.
Sasuke: So that's the end of the story?
Shadow: Yeah…
Kitsu: I'm happy… (hanging off of Shino's arm).
Kakashi: I didn't hardly come in, in this story. (sob)
Shadow: You forgot about the chapter where you and Iruka were together.
Iruka (majorly ticked off): and what the hell was with that! There is no way that we would—
Shino (interrupting him): I wouldn't do that if I was you.
Iruka: Why not…
Shino: It's your funeral.
Five minutes later...
Shadow (with Iruka hanging upside down over a pit of snakes): See… you should have listened to Shino.
Naruto: Um… Shadow… didn't you want to tell everyone good-bye.
Shadow: Oh yeah! (turning to the audience from her strange torture device) I love you all! Kisses! Hugs! And Farewell!
