Chapter 1:
The Stray
Hinata's shoulders slumped in defeat as she glanced backward. She had left the cemetery and was already well into Konoha's bustling downtown district, but the strange dog continued to follow her. She had tried everything she could think of to lose him, but even the tempting aroma of grilled meat as they passed Yakiniku Q wasn't enough to make him tarry.
She was pondering what to do when she felt a light tug on her skirt. She looked down and saw that the dog was attempting to pull her toward a small shop. Her breath caught in her throat as she read the familiar sign.
Ichiraku Ramen.
"No!" She pulled away wildly and wrapped her arms around herself as if that would shield her from the painful memories.
The dog released her skirt but continued to look at her with a mournful expression. She sunk down to her knees and stroked his head gently. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "It's not your fault. You're just hungry, poor thing."
She rose to her feet with an air of determination. She had already decided that she wouldn't let the pain of the past rule her life any longer. Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, she pushed back the curtain and ducked inside the shop.
She was immediately affronted by a barrage of memories. The sight of the worn red barstools that she and Naruto had sat on so many times, the nostalgic sound of Teuchi chopping vegetables and Ayame calling out orders, the warmth that emanated from the shop no matter what season it was—all of it filled her heart with an ache that was almost physically palpable.
She wanted nothing more than to flee, but she stubbornly pushed down the feeling and walked up to the counter. She wasn't going to run anymore.
"Hinata-san." Teuchi paused in his work, his usually boisterous nature subdued. "It's good to see you."
"You too, Teuchi-san." She prayed that she didn't look as panicked as she felt. "May I have two miso ramen please?"
A look of confusion crossed his face. "Two?"
She nodded toward the dog who was still waiting just outside the shop. "One's for him…you don't mind, do you?"
Teuchi eyed the skinny mutt, then turned to her with a bright grin. "Of course not. Two miso ramen, coming right up!"
When their order was brought out, she picked up one of the bowls and carried it out to the dog. He gulped it down with impressive speed, then looked up at her with puppy-dog eyes and a stray noodle dangling from his chops. Amused, she ordered another bowl, but he finished that one just as fast. By the fifth bowl, the other customers had paused their meals to watch, and by the eighth, a small crowd of passerby had begun to gather. After the twelfth bowl, Teuchi declared that he could give her a run for her money in a ramen-eating contest.
"He belongs in the Ichiraku Hall of Fame," he decided. "Do you mind if we take his photograph for our wall?"
She shrugged. "I don't see why not."
"And does he have a name?"
She shook her head. "I just found him today. He's a stray as far I know."
Teuchi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, he'll need a name for the plaque. Let me think…"
Hinata's gaze wandered to the red painted strokes of the sign. "What about Raku?" she asked softly. "Short for Ichiraku."
"It's perfect!" Teuchi said. "An appropriate name for a ramen-lover."
The dog barked joyfully in agreement and Hinata couldn't resist a small smile. "Raku it is, then."
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the first official chapter of this story. The next chapter will be up tomorrow, but until then, please leave a review to let me know what you think!