The first time Naruto saw her he was transfixed. Her viridescent eyes glimmered under the natural lighting of the Raikage's office, and the rays of sun that peeked through the clouds seemed to part around her. Her lips moved, and yet he heard nothing, only the feeling of a warm embrace enveloped his senses. Naruto couldn't help but be reminded of the comfort that surrounded him when he'd first met his mother, while he was taking control of the Kyuubi's chakra. It was as if he'd stepped into the presence of an angel.
The first time Naruto truly took in her presence he was enthralled. Her green eyes shined with a tightly kept annoyance, and he could see shards of the broken desk beside littering her hair. A few steps behind her was Darui, his hand on his face as he exhaled, his sword drawn in front of his head as if to block his face and presence from what was transpiring. Her lips parted, and Naruto felt chakra saturating the air, her teeth gritting together. He could see the Raikage slowly inching towards me, or rather, towards the door. He was perplexed, given the rumors he'd heard of the Raikage's preference for a windowed exit.
"Raikage-sama..."
A voice. Breathy and soft, almost indiscernible, yet still retaining a sense of elegance and refinement. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Raikage freeze up, his journey towards the door stalling. Naruto saw the Raikage's adam's apple bob up and down, an audible gulp slicing through the silence of the room. He then cleared his throat, building his confidence, and straightening his back.
"What is it Mabui? I've many things to do, as I'm sure you know, what with the alliance and all and..." The Raikage visibly faltered as the temperature in the room rose. It was clear who's chakra had been spreading throughout the area, the air around the Raikage's secretary visibly shimmering with heat.
"Raikage-sama. That is the twenty seventh desk you've broken. Today."
The Raikage's eyes darted around the room, lingering on the window, even as the air began to crackle and spark. "W-well, that may be so, but I haven't broken any windows today!" His voice had lost it's previous authority, descending into almost a plea. Sweat dripped from his brow, whether from nervousness or the temperature Naruto wasn't sure. Mabui's face was composed as it had been when he entered, but her eyes had narrowed minutely, the shining green further turning murky.
"Raikage-sama, in the past two weeks-"
"Ah! Uzumaki Naruto, you have finally arrived! How was your training with my brother? I have, ah, arranged for my secretary to show you around the village! Come, Mabui, be good to our honored guest." The Raikage said, and Naruto himself was flabbergasted. He didn't blame the old man for wanting Sasuke dead, but Naruto's first impression on him had been, in the Raikage's words, pathetic and cowardly. Since then, there had been a sort of begrudging tolerance of him once the Raikage had learned of his father and his status as the Kyuubi jinchuuriki. So to see him go out of his way to arrange a tour around Kumogakure, and with his secretary no less, it was almost enough to bring a tear to his eye.
At least, it would have been, if the Raikage's voice hadn't been high and wavering, and his legs hadn't been slowly inching past him towards the door. The sweat dripping down his forehead clearing any doubts as to its cause with the temperature returning to normal. As for the Raikage's secretary, she seemed to have finally noticed him and come out of her stupor, and looked rather embarrassed at having shown a foreign shinobi such an unsightly side of her.
"Ah, Uzumaki-sama, I apologize. Welcome to Kumogakure no Sato. Apparently, I am to be your host, I will take good care of you." She then bowed, side eyeing the Raikage, to which he only grew more fearful.
"Yes, yes, well that's all well and good. I leave him in your hands Mabui! Now if you'll excuse me." The Raikage stumbled out a farewell, and rushed out of his own office, not even paying the red-headed girl who had beaten Naruto up any mind for her snickering.
"Uzumaki-sama, follow me, if you would." Naruto's eyes shot over to the secretary, her eyes having lost that maddened glint. It was only as he followed her out of the office that the absurdity of the situation dawned on him. The desk laying in pieces on the floor, the multiple sheets over many of the windows, the weights strewn throughout the room, Darui attempting to curl in on himself, and then the multitude of shinobi milling in and out of the office as if this was a daily occurrence. Presented with a scene so foreign and yet familiar, only one thing popped into the forefront of Naruto's mind.
'I wonder if they make ramen in Kumo?'
"Over here are our hot springs. Under these mountains lies a volcano, kept dormant by our shinobi, but enough heat is allowed to generate to power much of our infrastructure, as well as these nation-renowned hot springs. As we round this bend, we will come across Kumogakure's famous seafood market, while not as diverse as the ones in Water Country, some aquatic life is only able to live in these mountains. I would recommend trying the-"
If there was one thing this Mabui girl liked to do, it was drone. Naruto fought to keep his eyes open throughout the tour. He wasn't sure what he expected when he came to Kumo, but it certainly wasn't this. He knew that old hag had something up her sleeve when she assigned him to visit all of the villages. 'Learn new jutsu my ass, she just wanted me out of her hair.' At least he'd finally gained some notion of control over the fox's chakra with the help from Bee, but was it really worth sitting through this lecture?
"Over here, you'll see our main Research and Development building, this is where we..." Mabui trailed off, and stopped her pace, and Naruto was broken out of his mental whinings as he bumped into her.
"Ah, sorry about that! Heh, I was just so, um, entranced by your tour! Yeah, Kumo's super interesting and stuff!" Naruto nervously got out while scratching the back of his head, hoping to the Sage that she bought it. Mabui was as stone-faced as ever, though, and merely continued to stare at him.
"I believe it is I who must apologize, Uzumaki-sama. Truth be told, I'd not had much time to prepare for your visit, and haven't built a profile on you as of yet, and could not tailor this tour to your interests." She bowed deeply, only making Naruto more uncomfortable.
"Ah, no! Really. It's fine! Sorry I was kinda zoning out, I guess you noticed, I just ran here from the coast with Octopops and he kinda dumped me at the Raikage's door and I'm rather tired so-" Naruto rambled on, scratching his cheek all the while, trying to figure out a way to not offend her any further.
"Uzumaki-sama."
Naruto's vomit of words was brought to a halt with her interruption, and he visibly cringed. "Uh, yeah?" 'Please don't be like the old hag, please don't be like the old hag' he repeated as a mantra in his mind, bracing himself for the inevitable punch.
"What would you like to do?"
Naruto blinked. Had he heard her right?
"Like, right now?"
Mabui tilted her head. "Would you prefer to do something at a later date?"
Naruto silently guffawed, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly. "Oh, well, um, I guess I'd like to eat some ramen?"
Mabui nodded, a faint glint of determination presenting itself into her eyes. "Very well, I know just the place, please follow me." She turned around from whence they come, and began a sedate pace forwards.
'For someone so blank-faced, her eyes sure are expressive.' Naruto noted absentmindedly, eyes firmly staying on the back of her head as he ignored the teachings of the Pervy Sage rambling in the back of his mind.
"So, uh, what do you like to do?" Naruto internally cringed as the words left his mouth. He was never one for silence, and the one that had overtaken them since she'd began her march was killing him.
"I enjoy serving Kumogakure no Sato and the Raikage." Mabui answered immediately.
Naruto tilted his head and awkwardly chuckled. "Oh, that sounds fun?" Mabui paused, and glanced back at him, seemingly scrutinizing him as he nervously shifted under her gaze. Her head tilted, and her eyes narrowed as if realizing something, though her aura was much different than it had been in the Raikage's office.
"I also enjoy gardening." Mabui said, facing forward once more and continuing on.
"Really? Me too! I know I don't seem the type, haha, uh, what kind of plants do you grow?" Naruto was more than excited, not many in Konoha had his hobby, and those that did weren't especially kind when he was younger, so he usually kept it to himself. It had always felt good to take care of something, to know that something depended on you.
"My favorite plant that I grow is unique to the mountains of Kumogakure, the komorebi flower. It cannot be exposed to the day until it has fully blossomed, at which point it requires nothing other than soil and sunlight." Naruto noticed that her tone had become impassioned while she spoke, and decided he much preferred this Mabui to the cold secretary he'd seen up until now.
"Wow, that sounds really neat. I wish we had stuff like that in Konoha." He wasn't all to familiar with growing flowers, having started his garden with seeds from the vegetables and fruit he got from the market. He'd always been curious, but Ino had been enough to keep him away from the Yamanaka Flower Shop when he was young.
"I would be happy to supply you with some on your return trip Uzumaki-sama." He'd caught up to walk beside her, and Mabui turned her head to him, a polite smile on her face.
"Ah, yeah! That'd be great, thanks a bunch!" Naruto responded with a beaming smile on his face.
"Of course, I will also detail the proper care and routine required for them to blossom." They fell into a comfortable silence, and to Naruto's surprise it was Mabui who would break it this time.
"What manner of nature do you employ in your own garden Uzumaki-sama?" Naruto blinked, turning his head to the side somewhat abashedly. His forays in gardening were certainly less unique and exciting than Mabui's.
"Oh, uh, I got some tomatoes that I grow,..and I had a potato once too! But I wasn't sure how to plant it so I just ate it, heh." They fell into yet another silence, comfortable enough, but Naruto still had one more question niggling at his mind.
"So, uh, what was all that stuff with the desks?" As soon as he'd uttered the words, Naruto knew he'd messed up. He could feel the rise in the air, and the slightest of pauses in her gait. The previously gentle clicks of her shoes on the ground subtly grew harder and more purposeful.
"It was nothing at all. Merely a daily occurrence with Raikage-sama, the limits of my chakra and the expense of my TensÅ no Jutsu mere dalliances to not be concerned with. The acquisition of birch desks every ten minutes are a more than acceptable use of it's ingenuity. After all, how can such a distinguished leader possibly restrain themselves and their emotions for more than the attention span of a child. Of course, one cannot forget Bee-sama's wonderful narration either, it certainly brings the feel of the room together." Mabui's footfalls grew more forceful with each word. Almost unnoticeably, but easily seen when Naruto had been dragged through the village by her for the past two hours. He honestly had no idea what to respond to that with, obviously working so directly for a Kage wasn't always as glamorous as he'd often imagined. Before he'd even thought of something to say, he heard Mabui take a deep inhale, and then exhale as she paused on the path.
"My sincerest apologies, Uzumaki-sama. I do not know what came over me, but that was unsuitable of someone in my position." Mabui bowed deeply towards him, and he consciously focused on the top of her head, not letting his eyes drift below.
"Hey, um, it's no big deal, really! Granny breaks desks all the time. Not that I'm saying that's good! Just, uh, I get what you mean and, uh..." Naruto managed to stumble out, feeling more uncomfortable with each word.
Mabui remained inclined. "Nonetheless, it was unbecoming of me to lose my tongue, and about my Kage at that. Please accept my apologies, and I thank you for your understanding."
Mabui straightened out of her bow, a polite smile on her face. "Now, our destination is just ahead, follow me."
Naruto blinked, still rather confused, and saw the rather humble stand that lied ahead. There was a pang of sorrow in his chest. 'Ayame...Old Man Ichiraku..." Even after his training at the Falls of Truth, his still could only push that feeling down, lest he think about everything else Nagato had taken from him.
He entered the stand alongside Mabui, and his senses were instantly assaulted with a familiar smell.
"Wow, that smells delicious!" Naruto was almost drooling at this point, the scent wafting through his nostrils was something heavenly.
He planted himself down on a stool as his eyes darted over the menu, absentmindedly noticing Mabui settling onto the one next to him. It was only as he decided on a dish that he realized something problematic.
"I shall have my usual, Hanako-san." Mabui said politely, gracing the owner with smile. Her head turned towards him. "What would you like Uzumaki-sama? I can suggest something if you've trouble deciding."
"Uh, well, it's just I remembered I don't have any money with me. I didn't bring any to Genbu, and the gran-er the Hokage sent me here immediately after." Naruto said embarrassedly, scratching his whisker marks. "Sorry for making you take me here for nothing."
Mabui deadpanned at him. "Nonsense Uzumaki-sama. You are my guest, and I am your host. I will pay for your meal, and no, this is not up for debate." She said, adding on the last bit as she saw him about to retort.
"Well, when you put it that way, how can I say no! Hey. Old Lady, I'll take a Tonkotsu Ramen with extra Narutomaki!" Naruto beamed, happy to take some free food, ignoring the grumblings of the ramen chef about 'disrespectful youngsters'.
There was a companionable quiet between the two, only the sound of meat searing and dishes clanging piercing through. Naruto wasn't sure what made him feel so at ease around her. Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, he noticed she seemed the most at ease in the time he'd spent with her, the softness of her features not drawn tight.. He wasn't sure if it was the food, the stand, or a combination of both.
"Alright you two, one Tonkotsu with extra Narutomaki and one Mabui special coming your way!" He perked up at the name of the last dish, noticing that Mabui had the faintest of blushes on her face.
"Hanako-san, not around company, please..." She muttered, her face composed, but her voice light and bashful. The chef merely laughed.
"Haha, sorry Mabui, I couldn't help myself. Hopefully this outing ends up better than the last, huh?" Naruto was shocked to see Mabui glare at the old lady, though on anyone else it would seem to be no more than a slight downturn of the eyebrows.
"That's quite enough out of you, Hanako-san." Hanako wasn't phased in the slighteset, and continued to chuckle.
"Alright, alright, I know when I'm no longer wanted. I definitely like this one more than the last though." With a wink she ducked back into the kitchen and out of sight.
Mabui sighed, resting her fingers on her temple. "I apologize Uzumaki-sama, Hanako-san is an old friend of mine, and often does not know the meaning of propriety." Naruto was struggling to hold in a laugh as he broke apart his chopsticks. It was kind of refreshing though, it was one of the few times he'd seen the secretary act like a normal person in his, admittedly limited, time with her.
"Ah, no! It was kinda cool seeing you without a stick u-er, uh, not so uptight? I mean, not that that's bad, just not so, um, secretary-like?" Naruto stuttered out, wincing more and more as each word left his mouth.
Mabui gave him a wry smile. "There is no need to mince your words, Uzumaki-sama, I'm well aware that many consider me to be...aloof." She silently broke apart her chopsticks, her expression neutral, the previously eased aura about her lessened.
'Now you've done it, Naruto...' He thought to himself, mentally kicking himself. Opting to remain silent lest he mess it up any further, he just enjoyed the ramen, and it really was some of the best he'd had. He would definitely need to visit as much as he could while he was still in Kumogakure.
"Have your lodgings been arranged for you?"
Naruto blinked, not expecting the question, though she raised a good one. "Oh, uh, not that I know of, like I said, Octopops just kinda dumped me here and left." Mabui merely nodded, as if she'd expected that, and knowing Bee she probably had.
"Understood. You will be staying with me for the time being."
Naruto's eyes bulged as he choked on his ramen. "What?! I mean, I can't stay with you!"
Mabui simply tilted her head towards him. "I assure you, my home is spacious and well furnished, with an additional bed and bath for your personal use."
Naruto palmed his head. "That's not what I was worried about..." He muttered. "Look, you've just done a lot for me already, and I don't wanna impose and stuff. I'm sure I can manage fine."
"Forgive me, Uzumaki-sama, but this was not up for debate either. You will be staying in my home until or if we arrange the proper residence for someone of your status." Mabui turned towards her ramen, a clear indication that the conversation was over.
Naruto sighed to himself, feeling guilty and thankful at the same time. 'It's her job after all, even if she wouldn't care otherwise, it's still nice.'
Naruto's lifted his chopsticks to continue eating, only to notice he had somehow finished the whole thing already. He noticed Mabui's gaze drift towards his bowl.
"There is no need to hold back, order as many as you wish."
Yes, this woman was most certainly an angel.