Chapter 10

+Naruto's POV

When L, Light, and Near exited the dressing room, I suggested we go to my house. Certainly I would have a shirt for L's lean frame. He isn't ripped, like me. As we walked around, L wrapped his arms around himself, mumbling something under his breath. I felt a little bad; I only tore his shirt because he mocked my smartness. Light and Near just kind of watched their surroundings, not noticing, or caring, about their friend's embarrassment. I kept forward trying to ignore my urge to help. He said he was miserable, but he hasn't done much to make it enjoyable.

Despite my beliefs, I unzipped my jacket and stopped walking. When I turned around and shoved it in L's face, he looked confused but took it anyway, taking any opportunity to end his agony. He looked down at his clothes, "I look ridiculous." Light chuckled at him, Near watched some villagers work on a piece of construction. I glared at him.

"Well, that's why we're headed to my house, to get you a shirt."

"Why don't we just go buy me a new one? Obviously our sizes aren't synced, therefore I decree shopping as the only option." My hands trembled with anger. I could've just left him the way he was, the spoiled and priggish jerk. I wonder if he's always like this, or just with people he doesn't like. So he's pretty much always like this.

After three hours of searching, and 15 shops, L finally decided on the first shirt he saw. It was black and white striped with a V-neck and long sleeves, much like Light's, only he added a thin black jacket over it. Of course, "with a new shirt come new pants, so they can match in quality." I don't know where this guy gets his way of thinking, but I would much rather he leave sooner than six days from now. Not to mention, he had no problem spending MY money on bland, one-colored clothing for only HIM. The jeans he got to go with the shirt looked exactly like the others he wore, only in a darker shade of blue "so the colors wouldn't be so off-balance."

I couldn't just let him have all the glory, so I bought Light and Near some new clothes as well. At least they were nice about it, but they too had me buy single-colored clothes. What about the variety? I mean, sure, most people here do wear one-colored shirts or pants, but that's like Neji and Kiba, or Gaara, and they're all weird so it doesn't count. Why can't everyone think like me? Orange and black go perfectly with each other; it's like having Halloween all year long!

Near got a white button-up shirt, identical to the other he wore, with a light gray vest and white jeans. At least he didn't look like he was parading around in his pajamas. Light had me purchase a black jacket with pockets that zip up on the sides, and a white tee to go underneath, along with black "skinny jeans," as he called them, and black and white "sneakers." Their names confused me. How can shoes sneak? Better yet, how can jeans be skinny? Do they just not eat?

"So," Near began, "are we going to your place or not?"

"I wanted to go to my place three hours ago!"

"Well, then let's get moving," Light stated. L started walking.

"Hey!" I hollered, "You don't even know where I live!"

He looked over his shoulder, "Well then I suppose you should be in front of me shouldn't you?" Ooh, that guy really knew how to push my buttons. But regardless, I did say we'd go to my house, even though the whole reason for it is gone now. After a few minutes, Near leaned against a building.

"I can't walk any further, just go on without me!" He draped one of his arms over his face dramatically.

Light walked towards him, "What's the problem this time?"

Near pointed to his feet, "These rocks, I can't withhold their stabbing any longer!" I blinked a few times, realizing that this is Near and not L. Light rolled his eyes and suggested to carry him the rest of the way.

I pointed around the corner, "Uhh are you sure? My house is like, right there." Light nodded while muttering that it wouldn't ever end if he didn't. He probably knew more than I did when it came to Near, but, even though he made this scene, I doubt he'd have it last for much longer. Then again, he hangs out with L and is easily influenced by certain things. L then glared at me, paralyzing me with fear. It's almost as though he knew I was talking smack about him in my head.

Suddenly, he smiled at me cheerfully, "Let's go inside, shall we?" And turned the corner. My eye twitched, I'm more bewildered than before, but I quickly recovered and brushed it off. I raced up the stairs and managed to get to the front door before L. I grinned to my unannounced victory, then unlocked the door and opened it so they could enter.

~L's POV

I reached the doorway and was completely and utterly repulsed by the ghastly appearance and grotesque aroma of the location. Light and Near walked up behind me, in total shock of it. Naruto scratched the back of his head, "It isn't THAT bad." We all stared at him. He lowered his head, "Fine, so it needs a little fixer-upper!"

I stepped into the abyss that was his living room. Gently, I picked up an open ramen cup lying on the floor with my index and thumb. Some of the residue slipped onto my fingers and I dropped it instantaneously. I looked back at Naruto, eyes full of pain and suffering. He sympathized with a sigh, "Fine, I'll clean it up."

Light gestured to the whole group, "We'll clean it up. This is a mess needed to be sanitary, pronto, and you can't achieve that with how slow you move."

Near lifted a finger, "You could be on that hoarders show."

Naruto held out his arms, "It's not that bad!"

"Not that bad…" Light tsked, "There is rotting food in the entry of your home."

Naruto left into the next room while mumbling to himself. He returned with a trash bag. "One?" I asked. "This job is going to take more than one lousy garbage bag." He tossed me the bag, eyes full of frustration, and left to fetch some more. Within two hours we had cleaned the whole thing spotless. "Now," I ordered, "Go take the ten bags where they belong." I pointed out the door.

Naruto left while stomping his feet, slamming the door behind him. Light and I plopped on the couch, exhausted. Near fell asleep on the floor, curled up into a ball. "This is nice," Light said. I agreed with a smile of accomplishment.

+Naruto's POV

I created shadow clones to go do the trash for me. "I would've loved to use this jutsu while cleaning my house," I talked to myself, "Oh but wait, that would make me Satin." I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "These guys really are a handful." I leaned against my front door, arms crossed. "But even so…it's nice to have some company around here." Just then, my clones returned, saluting a job well-done. I made them disappear and entered the building.

L sat on my couch in a squatting position, his thumb grazing his lips. Light stood in the middle of the room, picking up Near. I shut the door. He looked at me awkwardly, "Umm, do you have a place where he could sleep and you don't mind it?" I smirked waving him to my bedroom and showing him the way. He lay Near on my bed and followed me back, closing the door quietly behind him. As I return to the living room, hear a knock on my front door. I opened it and Ino and Hinata stood there. Hinata somewhat hiding behind Ino, face flushed. L casually walked behind me, scanning the visitors.

"What are you doing?" I questioned.

"Analyzing."

"Well cut it out."

He leaned against the wall next to the door, still looking at the girls. I exhaled, "Don't mind him, he's just weird. Now, what do you two want?"

Ino flipped her hair, "Tsunade has requested you for another mission."

I slapped my face, "And it took two people to tell me that?"

She put her hands on her hips, "Well, she knew you had foreigners here, so she asked us to look after them while you work."

I groaned, "Of course. Watch, I'll have to catch another cat!" Then I left, waving the guys off. "I leave them to you, girls."

~L's POV

The long-haired lass had what looked like a cake in her hands. She tried to hand it to Naruto, but he was too self-absorbed to notice. When he was far enough away and she gave up on her endeavor, I slid next to her, slipping past the blonde. She was shocked. I pointed to the cake, "What is that?"

She looked sad at the food, "It's a chocolate cake, for N-Naruto."

I looked at her blankly, "Mmhm . . . and, may I be allowed to taste this?"

She looked at me, eyes full of innocence. She held her hand in front of her mouth, "I-I suppose."

I smiled wide, "Great!" My excitement made her nervous. I snatched the chocolate heart cake away from her in one hand, and with the other, held her hand as I pushed past the blonde into the kitchen. There, I searched for a fork in a cupboard or drawer, but I didn't find any. I scratched my head, befuddled. We just cleaned this place and I can't find one fork?

The girl put her hand on my shoulder, and when I turned around, she tried to secure herself with her arms while also managing to say in a low voice, "This chocolate doesn't smear. You can eat it with your hands." My shoulders relaxed. I tapped the cake, it was hard. Then, I gently picked up the treasure; it was cold, freshly removed from a refrigerator. My heart beat rapidly. Unable to take the anticipation much longer, I ate a big chunk out of it.

I took in the taste. I was in chocolate heaven, jumping on clouds of cocoa and diving into a chocolate syrup pool. Sugar poured over me steadily and stuck to the thin layer of sweet chocolate coating my body. I took a sip from a hot fudge lake, and then eventually jumped in there too, slurping the delectable sweetness. I return to the surface, and float in ecstasy.

I came back to reality while swallowing my bite. I set the cake down and grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her slightly, "You must make me more like this!" She looked alarmed to my aggression, but soon calmed with a smile and nodded. She and I walked out. I waved to Light, who was stuck talking to the blonde girl. He glared at me for leaving him alone with no escape. I just smiled happily, knowing I'm going to receive my sweets.