Another day, a day for training with Tsunade which wasn't very long it only lasted about an hour and half which was unusual, studying with Shizune which just like Tsunade did not last long either. Both seem to be pretty busy today, so they just gave you take home work to do. The day still just started, the sun had only been up for just couple of hours, it was about to go late morning.
Making it home, it was empty Temari was not back yet. Closing the door behind you, setting the scrolls and books on your desk in your room. Temari always liked a clean place, and you did too. But she was more stricter about it. Slipping off your shoes, opening one of the scrolls getting comfortable in your chair, opening a desk drawer pulling out your Grimoire, before you open it. You look longingly at the picture of you and April, placing a gentle hand upon it. Hearing her laughter echo in your mind, comforted and pained you. Opening the cover, there was a another picture. A group on, you had everyone. Including your father. Found memories made you feel they where till here. But the silence in the house didn't help, it added more.
Sighing to yourself, turning the next couple of pages to find an empty one. Looking at the scrolls and texts writing things down, taking out another scroll this one belonging to Tsunade's Granduncle, a Master in water jutsu. She gave you his personal scrolls to learn his technique, using your own knowledge with his and write down your own and a few of his.
The pen you held stops, tapping it upon the table in the mood for a snack and head to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, there really wasn't much in here."I should go replenish our food supply. Maybe, Hinata would like to come."
At the Hyuuga Compound, Hinata was sparring with Neji. On the offensive, Neji manages to break through Hinata's defense. Breathing heavily from the training, Hinata still kept her guard up.
"Are your ready?"Neji asks her.
Calming her breathing, Hinata nods her head and goes in to strike, Neji easily blocks each hit. Giving her pointers with every strike, when a shadow somewhat cast over them, making the two cousins look up and see you come landing down just a few feet away."M-May."Hinata smiles at you.
"Hello Hinata and Neji."you greet them both."Please excuse me interruption."
"No, it's fine."Hinata tells you."Though, I thought you would be training with Lady Tsunade? Sorry if I missed it."
Shaking your head."No, it is alright. As for Miss Tsunade, training was not very long today she had matters to attend to. As well Miss Shizune, so my training was cut short. I was though wondering, Hinata if you are not busy perhaps you would be willing to accompany me to replenish my food supply? And perpahs spend the day...together"
She looks at you, sensing something else behind your words."You mean, go grocery shopping with you?"She looks a bit more, seeing something was bothering you."May ar-"
You quickly cut her off."Yes, that is correct. I would like us to go shopping."you turn to Neji."And you are more then welcome to come as well Neji." You look at him, then turn back to Hinata awaiting her answer.
Seeing you quickly discard how you felt, feeling bad she had to decline and gives you a sorrowful look."I would love to, May...But, I have to t-train today. I'm sorry."
A bit sadden by this you, you just brush it off understanding."Yes, of course."you bow to them."Please, enjoy your training."Turning your back you fly off, though turn around to her and wave bye, she waves back. Neji just watches.
"...May..."Hinata.
In the marketplace of the village you go to a few different shops to buy groceries, and paying with the Kazekage's seal. Which didn't really make you feel good. Holding three bags in your arms, looking down at the seal. Thinking back to the night when you had BBQ and meeting everyone for the first time, how they all where able to pay with their own money, though you had to rely on the money from Gaara and his village. That pit like feeling inside you, became deeper. So wrapped up in looking at the seal, that you didn't pay attention until you bumped into someone making you spill most of your things upon the ground.
"Please, excuse me."you apologize."I did not see where I was going."
"Tch...Oh, hey May."Naruto greets you, looking you find him rubbing his head. He looks down at food on the ground."Sorry."he starts to pick them up, when they outlined in thin golden energy and levitate up. Awing and slightly freaking the blonde out. He looks at you, guiding the fruit back into their bags. He points a trembling finger at you.
Looking at him, a vexed looked on his face."Naruto, are you alright?"
Pointing to the fruit then to you."W-what the heck was that?!"
"Excuse me?"
Throwing his hands up."Th-that thing you just did! Making the food move, without even touching IT!"he outburst other turn and look at you both, still freaking out by this. Not wanting to draw attention you try to hush him quietly, but was a loud mouth person, so it seem impossible. So you offer something to get him to be quiet and let him choose. Which of course he took you up on your offer, smiling slyly. Grabbing hold of you, he pulls you off to where he wanted to go.
A bowl of steamy ramen was placed down infront of you."Here you go."a kind voice tells you. Looking up at the slender young woman in her early twenties with long, dark brown hair and large black eyes, and fair skin. Wearing a white robe with the sleeves folded, a sort of dark blue apron with ribbon ties at the top and a bright white bandanna. She smiles at you.
"Thank you."you give her a smile back, looking you find some chopsticks, pick them up and take the eating utensils out of their package breaking them apart evenly. Feeling the steam upon your face, from the broth mixed with many different aromas from the succulent meat down to the noodles. It smelled just as good as it looked. This bowl was huge to you for some reason, you felt yourself drowning in it. But it was all your imagination. Hearing slurping and gorging sounds next to you, coming from Naruto.
Who was happily wolfing down his food, it amazed you at how he was able to just eat it. He finishes his first bowl drinking every single drop, placing it down. He orders another one with extra pork. Making the older man somewhat dressed like the young woman, though he had more a small chef hat than a white bandana. Chuckle to himself and gets started on making Naruto's second bowl.
The young woman who was no behind the counter comes over to Naruto and you. She watches you blow on the hot bowl to cool it off."Well, aren't you adorable..."she turns to Naruto."Who's your cute friend, Naruto? Is she your girlfriend?"she simple asks.
Making the blonde fluster from what she said."W-what! NO!"he objects."She's just a friend, who's treating me to ramen."
The young women raises an eyebrow."Treating you? Isn't it suppose to be the other way around?"the older man interjects coming over and placing Naruto's second bowl down infront of him. Laughing.
Naruto fluster angrily, thanking the man."We're just friends, old man..geez."he snaps. Breaking his chopsticks apart, picking up the noodles and starts to eat them, though he blows on them first.
Feeling the need to explain, to the workers."Yes, I am a companion of Naruto."Though you exact words did not help the situation, Naruto spits out his food, gagging he turns to you abruptly, about to say something but you kept talking and every word did not help."I meet with him back in Sunakagure, he was traveling or going on a mission with his others. Hinata and Lee. I invited them over to, my current residence at Mr. Gaara's home. There I entertained them, Naruto seem to enjoy it the most. After which he left with the others. I did not seem him afterwards till I came here, and I must say, we both are quite thrilled to be in eachother's company."you smile at them, going back to eating when you realized you did not introduce yourself."Forgive me, my name is May O'Neil. A pleasure to meet you both."
"I'm Ayame."the female introduces herself.
"And I'm Tecuchi, owner of this fine establishment. Welcome May, my what lovely manners you have."Tecuchi gives you a warm smile."I can see why, Naruto likes you. You really balance him out."
Naruto reacts frustrated by their assumptions. Which made Ayame and her father laugh from the fun they where having. Naurto soon came to realize they where just pulling his leg, he settles down."Hahaha, very funny."he comments sarcastically.
Ayame giggles a bit more."Sorry, Naruto."she apologizes to him, looking to you."So, your from Sunakagure? What are you doing way over here?"
Finishing the food in your mouth."I am here under Miss Tsunade's tutelage, to become a medical ninja."
"Oh, so your the new one."Tecuchi comes over to his daughter's side, leaning on the counter.
You nod your head."Correct, I did not realize that my presence here would be notice so fast. Then again..."
Naruto interrupts you speaking with food in his mouth."Then again...not many can move things like you did."he swallows his food.
"What?"Ayame was lost at what he said. She looks at you curious on what the boy meant.
Naruto slurps up his noodles, he speaks again."Yeah, she can move things...Show them May."he tells you. Turning to the Ayame and her father."I mean, it's freaky yet cool too. I don't think it's jutus either."
"Naruto."
"I mean, if it is. Then I would like to know how to do."Naruto kept going, not paying attention to Ayame nor her father who kept trying to call him.
"Naruto."
"She makes it look so easy, I mean what can she move...?"he ponders.
"NARUTO!"Ayame snaps at him, scaring the boy a bit. She gives him a burning look then gestures to you, giving her a confused look until he looks at you. You hadn't stopped eating. A calm yet still presence emitted from you, mustering up what you could, you hand Tecuchi the slip to pay for your food and Naruto as well any other bowl he might order. Thanking them, getting up you leave, forgetting your grocery. The second you left, Naruto realized what he just did. Getting up racing after you, but he couldn't find you. Looking back he sees the groceries you left.
Holding the groceries, Naruto ran around the village calling for you. Leaping from roof top to roof top, there was no sign of you at all. An hour had passed after what happen, how he without thinking just ran his mouth. Not releasing his words where bothering you and to make matters worse, you treated him to ramen as much as he wanted. A tight knot in his stomach of guilt couldn't be tighter. Landing on a roof, he looks far and wide for you. Still nothing. He cursed himself, he should know better than to talk about someone if they do something different, making them feel like an outcast. Something he knew way to well. And he just did it.
Beating himself up. He wasn't going to give up on trying to find you, holding onto your groceries tightly he leap off.
"May! Hey!"Ino greets you cheerfully, she rushes over to you, grabbing hold of your hands in hers."So, here for another flower for the Kazekage?"She links her arm with yours. Walking with you in her family's flower shop.
"Yes, I have come to deliver Mr. Gaara another flower."you smile at her.
She squeals slightly, but it still showed. Gushing over it, her grip on you became tighter."That is so cute! I have the perfect flower for you!"she pulls you to it. Picking it up, a red rose."How about a red rose?"
"A red rose? What does this one mean?"
She pinches your cheek lightly."Aww, your just so cute and innocent! It's just to adorable!"Waving the flower a bit."A red rose means love."
"Love!?"
Nodding her head."Yes!"
"But, I just want to give Mr. Gaara color. Flowers that bring that and mean in it some form of way. I do not intend to say such a thing. Though if you mean love for his village, then I would not mind."
Her smiles drops."Are you serious!"
"Yes, it is very clear. He cares deeply for his village."you tell her."So perhaps I shall get the flow-"you reach for it, but she moves it away."Ino?"
She shakes her head."Wow...ok well then...we'll just save that one for later. Come on...Miss Joy kill."she tells you this time slightly aggressively pulling you with her."I know what flower you need."
After buying the flower, Ino again went with you to the Aviary, where you wrote a letter and gave it to the shinobis to have it deliver. Walking out with her, thanking her for coming.
When Kiba spotted you both."Hey May!"he calls to you, turning you see him with Akamaru who greets you with a friendly lick.
"Hello Kiba and Akamaru."you greet them both while petting the dog.
"Hey, so what are you doing here?"he gestures to the Aviary.
"Just delivering something to Mr. Gaara. What about you?"
"Me and Akamaru are going to meet up with Hianta and Shino to train...hey why don't come with us?"he invites you."I'm sure the others won't mind."
"Thank you for the invite, but I am with Ino ri-"
Ino quickly comes and hushes you up, by covering your mouth laughing."Hahaha, she's so funny, she would love to go with you."She pushes you hard into Kiba almost knocking you to over, but Kiba manged to keep his balance. Before you could say anything Ino hurries and leaves saying bye.
Shino and Hinata waited at the meeting spot for Kiba and Akamaru. Shino was become impatient saying how Kiba should not keep others waiting it's rude and not being considerate about other people. Hinata though did her best to suggest maybe he became held up, which Shino felt it didn't matter.
"Hianta! Shino!"they hear their teammate, turning they see him coming with his dog and you.
Seeing Hinata you wave to her and hurry over to her, giving her hug. She was surprised and happy to see you greeting her and also Shino who though he didn't show it was delighted you did. Kiba comes to your side with Akamaru."Sorry for being late, I hope you guys don't mind I invited May to join us for training."
Neither Hinata nor Shino objected, with that you guys head over to the training ground. Linking your arm with Hinata pulling her up more with the guys in the back. They watch you both talk, though you did most of the talking compared to Hinata.
"May is pretty cool."Kiba tells Shino.
"In a manner of speaking. Inviting her to come watch you train?"Shino bluntly and calmly says.
Kiba hushes him."Really? Did you have to say that!"
"I don't see the issue."he looks towards you."It's written all across your face. Hope to impress her no doubt, though she could easily be doing something else."
Taking offense to that."What is that suppose to mean!?"
Shino remains calm, having his words speak for him. Which angered Kiba.
You watched the others train, it was very interesting. Kiba and Akamaru jutsu was very strong and powerful, he did a move called Fang over Fang, which was a fast spinning attack that cut and left craters where ever it hit. He had to though transform Akamaru into replica of himself to do so. Though the one that caught your eye the most was Shino's ability to use his justu with the bugs he created. Kiba finished his jutsu and saw you watching Shino who was sparring with Hinata. Clapping at Shino's technique, angered the hot-headed boy.
So he gets ready to do his other move."Man Beast Transformation Combo: Two-Headed Wolf!"he yells on the top of his lungs, which caught your attention, turning around just as he and Akamaru transform into a two-headed large wolf. Your eyes light up in awe at this.
Kiba smirks to himself, looking at Shino."That is amazing, Kiba."you tell him, getting up and go over to him. Holding your hand out, unsure which head belonged to either. But they lower their head, petting it tenderly. Running your fingers through their fur, scratching the back of their ear. Making them wag their tail. You couldn't help but giggle at this."I must say, you all have wonder jutsus."you kept petting the large wolf, who nuzzles who licks the side of your face. Shino scoffs shaking his head. The head that nuzzled you picks you up with their snot and next thing the jutsu ends and Kiba and Akamaru separate. Falling out the sky, luckily you where caught by Kiba. He looks down at you with a smirk.
"Thank you Kiba."you tell him, getting up and out of his hold.
"You're welcome."
Looking at the sky, the sun was starting to set. Smiling knowing the day was almost done, turning to them."Thank you for allowing me to accompany you. I feel much better now."you tell them.
"Sure, no problem."Kiba tells you."You're welcome anytime, and I mean anytime."
"Thank you."you simple smile at him."I should go though...good evening all of you."waving bye you take your leave. When Hinata remember how you looked earlier today, she calls after you and catches up.
"I hope you don't mind...if I walk with you?"she asks.
Happy you was going to do so, you nod your head. She says by to her friends and goes off with.
Waiting till you both where further away, Hinata asks what was wrong from earlier this morning. Your eyes drop."Hinata...I appreciate Mr. Gaara for the seal...but...I wish...I mean..."you clam up. She waited."I want...I don't want to rely on Mr. Gaara, he has been very kind to me. And I wish to repay him back...it does not seem right, it is his village's money. They need it. I want to become better."
Hinata listen to your words, she could see it in your eyes. Feeling guilt over the seal."You will."
Hearing her positive words wash away your discouragement, looking at her, she smiles at you."Hinata..."
"You shouldn't think of...the Kazekae's helpfulness as a bad thing...h-he just wants to make...sure you're alright."she tells you."You're...part of his village, meaning it's his job to watch after you. So, don't think of it as a bad thing. You're repaying him right now, being here and learning. I'm sure he's very proud."
Your eyes well up, stopping you hug her."Thank you, Hinata."She smiles and returns your hug.
The two of you walk halfway before splitting off. Naruto was still looking for you, when he spotted you entering your residence."Finally..."he tells himself. Dropping down off the roof landing right on your balcony he waits for you come in, hearing the door open and shut. He sees you knocking on the sliding door, which surprised you. He waves you, and points to the door. Going you open it.
"Naruto..."
He just walks in, and places the bags on the table."You forgot your food, when you left."he tells you."Some of it, is a bit messy...and squishy."
You just watch him start to unpack the food."Naruto..."
Walking over to him."You might need to get some more fruit...and meat...you know I was tracking you all day. I tried to find you even when I used my Sage Mode...but there was no way I could trace you..."
"..."
He finishes taking out the food."Whoa, nice place you have here..."he looks around."Anyway..."he turns around to you."May..."his voice lowers apologetically."I'm sorry...if I hurt your feelings today, I didn't mean too. What you can do is pretty neat, I shouldn't have judge or said those comments. I mean you did treat me to Ramen...and anyone who does that is a friend in my book."he smiles at you."So, can you forgive me?"
It was quiet with the two of you, looking at the food then to Naruto. Smiling at him, holding up the peace sign."Yes, you are forgiven. Naruto, and thank you for bringing my food. Temari is not here, she went on a mission, would you like to join me for dinner? Company would be nice."
He nods his head."Yeah sure."he looks around."What are we going to eat?"
You think about it."How about, Ramen?"you suggest.
A huge grin came on his face."Yeah! Let's go!"