A/N: Hello again everybody! As you can tell from the chapter heading this is not the eleventh chapter of the story, rather a special omake that I really wanted to write, but couldn't realistically fit into the main story. I noticed that a lot of people were a bit unhappy with my last chapter, wanting instead for me to skip straight to the genin exam instead of showing a bit of back story on Naruto and his relationship with some of the other characters. I guess I can understand these points of view, I am going into a lot of unnecessary detail, but that's what fanfiction I believe is about. I think of things that interest me and I write them. You read what I have created and then give me feedback through reviews, pm's, or whatever other way you want to contact me. This isn't a published work, more of a director's cut before the editors take out all of the 'extras' if you will. I will get to the main story, I just want to have a bit of fun along the way, and besides the more detailed I make the world, the more absorbed you become within it.

Alright, now that my little rant is over, I would like to tell you what this chapter is all about. It is an omake, so you don't have to read it to understand the main story plot. These are basically side stories that go more in depth with some of the character's and their pasts, relationships, etc. They're just fun little plot bunnies that I can't fit into the main story line, but want to write and share anyway. So I hope you enjoy this little chapter. I'm going to make you a little deal. If I receive one good detailed review about this omake, I will immediately post the next chapter the moment I see it. I already have it done and ready to go. If not, then I'll just post it tomorrow afternoon after school. You get the chapter either way, just sooner if you review!

The Strongest Ninja in the Universe

Special 1: Kindness of a ramen chef.

"That was the best old man!" An energetic blond youth cried before dropping his chopsticks in satisfaction. Ichiraku Teuchi just smiled and added the empty bowl to the top of the stack next to Naruto on the counter. The boy had put away ten bowls tonight, he must have eaten a snack before hand.

A satisfied belch left the young Uzumaki's mouth, and he patted his swollen tummy with a grin. "That hit the spot!" He yelled loudly, before pushing back his stool and jumping to the ground. Naruto pulled out his frog wallet and dug out some bills, before placing them on the counter. Teuchi took the money, and slipped it into his apron without even looking at it. He would have to visit the Hokage later and give him half to put back into the boy's food money.

"See ya later old man!" Naruto cried with a smile and a wave before disappearing in a cloud of dust. Teuchi just chuckled, and began clearing away the stack of dishes with a smile.

"Damn demon brat."

Teuchi's grin disappeared, and his hands froze over the next bowl. His eyes landed on the scowling man sipping from his bowl who had been seated one stool down from Naruto. Nobody but the Hokage, and occasionally a certain ANBU would ever sit next to the young boy. Teuchi frowned, before standing in front of the man. Noticing the ramen chef's presence, he glanced up from his meal. "What?" He asked confused, and slightly fearful of the cold look in the older man's eyes.

"What did you just say?" Ichiraku ground out, hands tightly wringing a dish towel, knuckles white.

The man blinked at Ichiraku, then replied off-hand, "What, you mean what I said about the demon brat? We're both adults man, we both know what that little monster really is. I don't even know why you let that thing sit at your counter. It should be locked up where it belongs." The man gave a cruel smile, then turned back to his meal.

In a flash the bowl disappeared from in front of his eyes, and he cried out as he found himself pushed violently back from the counter. He hit the dirt with a grunt, rolling over to stare wide eyed at the menacing ramen chef standing over him, clutching a large knife in his hand. The terrified villager crawled backwards on his hands, frightened eyes never leaving the large cleaver brandished in his face.

"W-What the hell is wrong with you?!!? He desperately cried, scrambling to his feet.

"Get the hell out of here before I add your worthless carcass to the special menu!" Teuchi's voice was dangerously low, and the frightened villager gulped audibly before turning around and fleeing down the street, the entire time screaming about a demented man chasing him with a cleaver.

"And don't you dare come back!" He yelled loudly, brandishing his meat cleaver, before giving a satisfied nod.

"I knew there was a reason I never ate the special here." Ichiraku turned around and spotted a young man with silver hair, and a black face mask . Teuchi couldn't tell with the mask obscuring his face, but he knew the young man was grinning. The older ramen vendor gave a chuckle and returned behind the counter, putting his cleaver away.

"Not on duty tonight ANBU-san?" He asked casually, cleaning his hands with a dishcloth. Kakashi just shrugged and approached the bar, taking a seat next to Naruto's stool. He glanced at the empty spot, and back into Ichiraku's eyes.

"The kid's lucky to have someone who cares so much about him." Teuchi looked away and continued to wring his hands with the dish cloth. "I do my best, but I just wish more people could see past the demon, and into the scared, lonely little boy that he really is." He was silent for a moment and a pained look entered his normally happy eyes. Chuckling ruefully he grabbed a bowl and filled it with ramen before placing it before Kakashi. "I can't really blame them though, because I used to be just like them."

Kakashi's hand froze for just a moment as he reached for his chopsticks, before breaking them apart and beginning to eat his ramen. "So, what changed your mind about the kid?" He asked casually as he continued to slurp his ramen, somehow able to keep his face concealed from view.

"It's a simple story really, but it is a day that I will never forget for as long as I live." Kakashi remained quiet and listened intently as the old ramen chef told his story.

~flashback~

"Ayame, could you please take this order for me, I have to go get something from the supply closet" The young girl nodded to her father and turned a beautiful smile to the young man waiting to give his order. He blushed slightly, straightening his collar, before smiling back. Ichiraku's daughter may have been young, but anyone could tell that she would be beautiful when she got older.

Teuchi just smiled at the young man's blush, shaking his head. That girl was going to give him a never ending headache when she figured out what all those smiles and blushes really meant one day. But he wouldn't trade his baby girl for the world. She had become his reason to live after Ayumi had died, and he lived only for her happiness. Smiling sadly about the loss of his wife, Teuchi pulled himself from his thoughts and walked out the back door of the main stand and headed for the supply shed.

A noise startled him over by the garbage dumpster however, and cautiously he crept over to investigate. He had been a shinobi once, but the death of his Ayumi had retired him, so that he could put all of his attention in raising Ayame.

Silently he crept closer, until he could see a small figure trying to pull the lid off of the garbage can. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked slightly angry, and the figure spun around, surprise and fear shining from his sky blue eyes. Ichiraku was surprised for a moment at the thought of a child rummaging through his garbage, but then he saw the whisker scars marring each cheek in the dying light, and his features hardened. It was the Kyuubi boy.

Oblivious to the change in the man standing before him, and starving the young Naruto's first thought was to run away. But the gnawing in his stomach would not go away, and he knew that he had to eat something to make it stop. And something inside this big can smelled like he could eat it. So mustering up all of his little courage he turned to the silent man. Maybe this one would be different. Maybe he wouldn't yell, or try to hurt him like the others did. "P'ease, I-I hungry." He said softly and pointed at the garbage can.

Teuchi hadn't heard his soft spoken request, too absorbed in painful memories to notice. He remembered coming back to the village after the Kyuubi had been slain by the Yondaime, and the brief feeling of accomplishment he felt as he realized they had actually done it. They had defeated the greatest of all the tailed beasts, and lived to tell about it. He remembered looking around anxiously for his wife. They had been separated on the battlefield, but he knew that she would be alright. She was a jounin after all, and he a mere chuunin still.

And then his memories changed, and flashed back to the night he held his daughter in his arms as she cried, and screamed for her mother. She never stopped all night, and eventually passed out in his arms. It was then that Teuchi decided to give up his dream, and make a new one. And lastly he remembered the anger and the bitterness he felt as he discovered that the demon that had taken away his world was not dead, but still lived instead.

"How dare you come here you monster!" Teuchi advanced angrily on the frightened boy, who pressed himself against the dumpster, tears beginning to fall down his cheeks. " How dare you show your face after all that you've done to hurt me and my family!" He was beyond reason now, so absorbed in his hate and grief that he didn't notice the scared crying child babbling for forgiveness, and running away in terror. All he saw was those hideous red eyes and heard that insidious laugh that haunted his nightmares.

He finally noticed that the child was no longer in sight, and he gave a sigh, slumping as he felt the energy drain from him. Slowly he made his way to the supply shed, and then returned to work. His revenge would have to wait for another day.

Oooo

"Goodnight daddy!" Little Ayame waved as she walked back to their house, skipping along the sidewalk. Teuchi smiled and waved in return before beginning to clean up for the day. The ramen chef tried to lose himself in his work, but found his thoughts once again straying back to his encounter with the Kyuubi boy. He still couldn't believe that he had acted so violently. He remembered then, the scared look in the little boy's eyes, and that he had been hungry and wanted some food. Remorse and shame began to settle on him heavily, but Ichiraku shook his head violently, trying to clear it of such thoughts. He was the Kyuubi, why feel regret for that monster?

Teuchi wiped his brow with a cloth, and continued scrubbing the counter, trying to put the image of the frightened little boy out of his mind.

"No! S-Stop, please!" Ichiraku's head immediately shot up at the cry for help, which was soon followed by a jeering laugh, and a loud thud. Quickly he ran out the back of his stand, and his eyes widened as he saw the young Kyuubi boy on the ground curled up in a ball in front of an alleyway across the street. Ichiraku knew that alleyway lead to the back entrance of Masaru Kouta's grocery store, and sure enough a moment later the owner of the store left the alleyway, a knife held in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other.

Teuchi merely stood there, unsure of what to do. It was the Kyuubi kid after all, and surely the demon deserved all the punishment he could get. He was about to turn around and leave, but Masaru caught sight of him and called out drunkenly. "Hey Ichiraku-san! Good to see you man, I was just about to finish beating the shit out of this little bastard, but I'm sure you'll, hic, want a lil piece of him too!"

Teuchi looked down both sides of the street, but nobody seemed to be paying the screaming man and his victim any mind. He saw a few people peer through their curtains, but upon seeing the Kyuubi boy they quickly disappeared from view. He was unsure about what he should do. Sure he wanted vengeance on the Kyuubi as much as anybody else, but was this right? Could the little child crumpled in a ball and sobbing his eyes out really be the feared Kyuubi no Kitsune?

Masaru noticed the ramen chef's hesitation and angrily stomped over to his side, and dragged him by a sleeve across the street. "Whats'a matter Ichiraku-san? Don' ya wanna piece oh this little shit!" He kicked Naruto in the stomach, and the little boy gasped, before wrapping his arms tightly around himself, tears squeezing from his closed eyes. Masaru just gave a savage grin, and looked towards Teuchi expectantly, eyes bright with hate.

Ichiraku felt sick as he witnessed the beating of the miserable little child in front of his eyes. All of his wishes of vengeance, and hatred disappeared as he realized that he was just a boy, not a demon. A terrified, lonely little boy who had just been looking for something to eat. A child just like his Ayame. Something changed within Teuchi as he suddenly imagined his own daughter in the same situation as this poor boy. He could clearly see her huddled form, begging for mercy, tears falling from her frightened eyes as a group of angry villagers advanced on her helpless form.

He stumbled backwards from the boy, shaking his head from side to side in disbelief. "No! No this is, this is just wrong. He's just a little boy, not a monster." He covered his eyes, as the shame of what he had been about to do suddenly hit him. How could he be so cruel? How could anybody hurt such an innocent little child?

Masaru frowned and glared at Teuchi, breathing heavily. "What the hell're ya talkin' about?! He ain't no boy, he's a fucking demon." He glared hatefully at the quivering form of Naruto, and went to kick him again, but Teuchi interrupted him, blocking his leg and shoving him back with a palm strike. Masaru stumbled back in shock, before steadying himself, and turning his hateful glare on Teuchi. "W-What the hell is yer problem Ichiraku?! He's a fucking demon..."

"He's not a demon!" Ichiraku interrupted loudly, fists at his sides. He looked down at the huddled form of Naruto and sighed, looking back into Masaru's hateful glare, he spoke softly so the boy would not hear. "He's not a demon Masaru-san. He is a hungry, lonely, and at the moment very frightened little boy. He didn't ask to have the demon sealed inside of him, he was just a baby when it happened. It could have easily been my own child that was chosen, or yours. He doesn't deserve this. He hasn't done anything more than try to live. Tell me is that a crime Masaru-san?"

The other man just continued to glare menacingly, teeth clenched in rage. " Yer outta your fuckin' mind! That monster took away my brother, and some of my best friends! I'll never forgive it! It deserves to DIE!!!" Blinded by rage he rushed Teuchi, gripping his knife in a tight fist. He attempted to feint to the left and get around the ramen chef to get at Naruto, but Teuchi read his movements easily and intercepted his charge. Masaru took a wide sweep with his knife, trying to slice the younger man, but Teuchi's instincts were still sharp from his days as a shinobi, and he easily dodged the clumsy strike, grabbing Masaru's forearm quickly. He deftly spun around his opponent, twisting the other man's arm behind his back. With one arm wrapped around Masaru's throat he wrenched up on the twisted arm, causing the drunk man to cry out in pain and drop his weapon. Still holding his other arm, Teuchi increased the pressure on Masaru's neck, until the man went limp in his grasp, and slumped over unconscious.

"Hold it right there!" Ichiraku looked up surprised, as he saw a man swiftly running towards him from down the street. From the way he moved Teuchi could tell he was a shinobi. The man was wearing a blue police uniform, the Uchiha crest emblazoned on his right shoulder, and over his heart. The officer's dark gaze coolly regarded the ramen chef and his captive, then traveled to the crumpled form lying on the sidewalk. His eyes narrowed in understanding and he approached Teuchi, gesturing for him to hand over his captive. He obliged and the Uchiha officer effortlessly lifted the unconscious Masaru over one shoulder.

"The Hokage will want to hear of this. The villagers know that the boy is not to be touched." Shaking his head he turned back to Teuchi and gave a slight nod, before leaping away into the darkness, heading towards the Hokage's tower with his prisoner slung over one shoulder. Teuchi watched him for a few minutes before his gaze turned back to Naruto who was still lying in the street. He thought the boy might be unconscious, and knelt down to gently touch his shoulder.

Immediately Naruto leaped away from him, eyes fearful. He backed away from the surprised ramen chef, until he hit a fence. His eyes darted around, seeking escape, but knew that he would never get away from the man in front of him. Teuchi felt sick as he saw the sorry state the boy was in. his clothes looked more like filthy rags, and dirt and grime was smudged all over his young face. He looked half starved, as if he hadn't had a decent meal in a week. Teuchi tried to approach the boy, but Naruto bolted, and hid in the alleyway behind the grocery store, peeking fearfully at Teuchi from behind some garbage cans.

"I won't hurt you." He called softly and Naruto just shook his head from side to side in disbelief. He remembered the man from earlier that day after all. "I bet you're hungry right?" Teuchi called and the boy's stomach rumbled in response. He appeared to hesitate for a moment before pulling back and shaking his head again. Teuchi sighed, but then smiled as he suddenly got a plan.

"Just stay right here, I'll be right back." Naruto watched suspiciously as the strange man walked back across the street and into his stand. The boy thought about running away, but something in the man's eyes tugged at him to trust his words. Besides he had mentioned food, and Naruto was absolutely starving.

Teuchi smiled at the boy as he set the steaming bowl of miso and pork ramen on the ground along with a set of chopsticks. The boy's eyes hungrily regarded the food, and Teuchi beckoned for him to come out. Naruto hesitated for only a moment, before cautiously creeping out of the alley and approaching the bowl on the ground. He licked his lips in anticipation, but never let his eyes leave the smiling ramen chef. He squatted down and sniffed the steam rising from the bowl, eyes instantly lighting up. Ignoring the chopsticks, he shoveled the noodles out of the bowl with his bare hands and stuffed handfuls at a time down his throat, barely pausing to even chew.

Teuchi stared amazed, as the little three year old boy instantly devoured the entire bowl of ramen before his eyes. After drinking the broth from the bowl, Naruto set it down and gave a satisfied sigh, before plopping back on his rear end. Teuchi just chuckled, and Naruto looked up in surprise to find the ramen chef smiling at him kindly. "Did you like it?" He asked and Naruto nodded his head excitedly, giving him a huge grin.

Teuchi couldn't help himself and laughed in response, his heart warmed by the young boy's bright smile. "Would you like some more?" Naruto's eyes widened and he looked about on the verge of tears.

"D-Do ya r-really mean it?" Teuchi's heart about broke at the vulnerable look on the boy's face, and he merely smiled, a tear coming to his eye.

"Of course I do." He held his hand out to the young boy. "My name is Ichiraku Teuchi, what's yours" Naruto's blue eyes instantly lit up and he eagerly reached for the hand offered him, tears coming to his eyes as he gave the ramen chef his first foxy grin,

"I'm Naruto! Uzumaki Naruto!" Teuchi just laughed as he pulled Naruto to his feet, amazed that the boy could move so easily after being kicked and beaten. Taking his hand he lead Naruto across the street and into his life.

"Come on Naruto-kun, let's see about that ramen I promised!" The little boy gave a cheer, and jumped into the air excitedly.

Ooooo

Ichiraku Teuchi grinned and shook his head as he finished his story. Kakashi just sat silently. He remembered that day. The ANBU who had been on guard duty had abandoned Naruto after the boy got lost trying to find his way back home. As he recalled the Hokage had punished the man very severely. He finished his ramen and stood up, once again donning his familiar dog-faced mask.

"Thank you for the story Ichiraku-san, and the meal. Now I need to go see what that little troublemaker is up to myself." He turned to leave, but then turned back again, and removed his mask. He bowed his head solemnly to the surprised ramen chef.

"What was that for?" He asked curiously, scratching his head.

Kakashi just shrugged, before replacing his ANBU mask, and turning away.

"For caring." He simply replied, and then vanished in a swirl of leaves. Teuchi just blinked and then chuckled softly. Of course he cared. Anyone who really took the time to get to know Naruto couldn't help but grow attached to the little ball of energy. He just had this affect on people, and without even knowing it, the power to change lives.

And he knew that one day he would change the lives of all those who lived in Konoha, and would be viewed as the hero that he deserved to be. Until that time Ichiraku Teuchi would continue to care, and look forward to every day that he got to see that unique foxy grin over his counter.

A/N: And that's it for this little special. I don't know when I'll write another one, I guess when the inspiration just hits me. So don't hesitate to leave me a little review telling me what you thought, and don't forget to read the next chapter of the story either. So until next time my friends, this is Engineered-Chaos signing off! JA!