:: Author's Note :
Holy flaming COWS, I didn't expect such a good reaction!! I got online and my e-mail was practically overflowing. (Very obviously, I'm not that popular, e-mail wise (:
Thank you, everyone, so much, it's really fantastic how you've taken time to help and compliment me!
Oh, and I feel you all should know about my predicament... I live in America, ecch, and I only have access to episodes 1-76 on DVD, so my knowledge is limited. I can't find decent episode summaries, and I can't spare my pocket change on bittorents or even on new episodes as of my current financial situation. AKA, my mom cut off my allowance until December because I promised it to her so I could buy random fan stuff off , so, y'know.
Please keep reviewing, I am far from perfection!! (:
The bright of lights of Konoha seemed to call to her, their tall gates opened widely to welcome her and the other travelers that entered at this time of the evening. The sun's slender beams reached out like fingers to grasp the ground, as if wishing to remain in the sky forever, smoky pink clouds ushering it out of the heavens and behind the mountains and rolling hills in the distance.
Temari had quickly run out of the food she packed in her luggage, and her inhabited belly was eager for a meal.
Her blue eyes gaped in wonder, her gasping breaths exposing that she had forgotten how grand Konoha truly was.
Lanterns were strung from brightly painted buildings, presenting the carts decked out with trinkets and souvenirs, and restaurants held their doors open to all, the delicious smells of delicacies and old favorites inviting all to indulge a little bit.
Families laughed, young lovers shared a meal, and children played about, girls giggling as they shopped for cheap little bracelets and boys boasting before unsuccessfully attempting to show off to their crushes.
It was so unlike her own village.
She couldn't remember all the times her friends had left her, often when they were told why they couldn't come over to her house or when a prettier girl came to their school, but here... they didn't seem so materialistic.
It was easy to tell the poor from the rich, but both seemed to enjoy being with one another, whereas in Sunakagure, there lower class detested upper class, and vice versa.
Casting her thoughts aside, and since she was so hungry, it really wasn't that hard, she approached a ramen stand, immediately opening her bag to fetch her money.
"This your first time here?" asked the old man as he cooked up another man's meal.
"Yes, it is." replied Temari tartly, half expecting him spread a greedy smile and try to rip her off.
"I recommend this." he paused from his work to tap the large menu lying beneath the glass, in particular, a very expensive item.
She glared at him, one hand placed subconsciously on her stomach.
Just take toys from my baby's hands, why don't you.
"I can't afford such a ridiculous item. I have other needs than for myself and my taste." she scoffed.
The old man laughed, dishing out miso ramen into a styrofoam container and handing it to a customer. "I see you haven't heard... Today is everything half off for first time customers." he smiled, resting his weathered hands on apron-covered hips.
One eyebrow quirked, and she continued gazing at him steadily. "Can I take it to go? I have things to do."
"Most certainly."
- - - - -
A couple walked through the crowds, one clutching a pink-haired baby girl. It was none other than Sakura and Rock Lee, sensei to the Ninja children of Konoha. "Ne, Lee-kun, I'm hungry. I want to eat." prodded Sakura, gesturing to her favorite restaurant.After the Chuunin exams, Naruto and Lee had become respected friends, drawn together by their crush on Sakura and on their hate for Neji.
But as Naruto had dedicated himself to becoming a powerful ninja, and Lee and Sakura focused on settling down to a calm lifestyle, their once close-knit trio had become separated, and Naruto even grew so far apart that when Lee announced his engagement to Sakura, Naruto hadn't even known they were dating.
But recently, after being given a leave to rest after his Jounin mission, Naruto had gotten in touch with his friends again, and was even having lunch with them tomorrow.
"But-but- Sakura-chan! We just ate, I haven't any room in my stomach." he insisted.
Sakura had also discovered something she had never known about Lee.
He was a lot more of a penny pincher than she was.
"You don't have to eat. I do."
Sakura began to drag her husband to the Ichiraku Ramen, but as they approached, a seemingly familiar woman disappeared into the crowd.
Sitting down on the little spinning stool, she asked, "Lee-kun! Did you see that? That was Temari."
He glanced behind himself, but saw no one. "Are you sure? Temari, from the Chuunin exam all those years ago?"
Sakura bit her lip, her confidence depleted as she considered the probabilities.
"It can't be... but I was so sure."
- - - - -
She had continued down the streets of Konoha, window shopping as she took bites of the hot food the old man had offered at half price. She undoubtably disliked that he took pity on her, but didn't mind the lower price all that much.None of the stores seemed to interest her- teenager's clothing seemed to be too abundant for her tastes.
But then she had seen it; a shop with windows filled with clothes for babies and toddlers, sewn with ducks and banyard animals onto pastel colors. In the background of the shop, there were discount diapers and baby food, even secondhand items like strollers and carriers.
In the corner of the broad window was a small sign, requesting help during the daytime and occaisionally on weekends.
She smiled to herself for the first time that day.
:: Author's Note ::
Teehee, I have plans all the way up to chapter five already (: I need some ideas for the father though, since I hadn't even thought of including him, stupid me.
And I can't think of names for the baby, and if anyone could reccommend any, that'd be great, but I'm not letting on what gender or anything :D
Thanks everyone, so much, for reading and reviewing and thinking good thoughts!!
