Rini - Hey everyone, sorry for the late update. I got caught up with a lot of things...stupid spring cleaning. Anyways, here are replies to your comments. :smile:

maxhrk - I'm glad you like this story, and when Kiri finds out the truth about Naruto...well...let's see what she thinks

Inuyasha-gal-97 - I'm glad you like my story. To be honest, I'm not fond of my writing skills...but I'm glad you like them. :smiles: And with posting your fanfic, please, email me and I'll be glad to help you. My email is in my profile...well, I think it is

didygal - Aww, Kiri's not an idiot...well...if you think about it...she kinda is. She can't help it she doesn't know anything about Naruto. Thanks for the comment, and I'm glad you like the story.

That's all! So, without further ado, away we go! Hope you enjoy the story. :smile:


Promise in the Night

Kiri whimpered quietly, her swollen jaw pulsing with pain with each ticking second, sitting alone in the living room of Naruto's apartment. Trying her best to hold her jaw in place with as little pain, she sighed, failing horribly as her body trembled. Coming up with a new and probably dumb way to ignore the pain, she decided to look around the living room for anything she could focus on. As her eyes searched every inch of the room, she sighed, not finding anything special to look at, just old-looking furniture and movies. It doesn't even look like he lives with anyone...is he an orphan like me? Are we...destined to be together? Her heart raced with her thoughts, picturing Naruto's warm smile in her mind. Enjoying her thoughts happily, she imagined herself and Naruto getting married...kissing...with children. She blushed slightly and looked down at her hand, remembering his touch. He's so gentle...and kind. God...it has to be love...but..does he.. Kiri's thoughts were disturbed when the sight of a teacup and saucer appeared in front of her.

"Have some herbal tea...its soothes the pain," Naruto replied softly. Kiri accepted the drink and nodded in thanks, taking a small sip. The strong, tangy liquid swirled in her mouth and down her throat, almost instantly taking her mind off of her jaw, enjoying the drink. "Let me fix you up, okay?" Kiri nodded and blushed, sipping the tea quietly as Naruto inspected the gash on her cheek, wiping the blood and dirt away with a damp cloth. She trembled from the touch, the pain slowly returning when he wiped a cool gel onto the cut, making her shiver from the cold jelly. Placing gauze over it, he taped it down, smiling at his work. "There, all done." Kiri smiled.

"Thank you...you're really kind," she said quietly, blushing again. He chuckled nervously and ran his fingers throughout his soft, blond hair. As she watched him, she noticed markings on his cheeks, almost like scars made from an animal or fight. She reached out absently, touching the marks on Naruto's cheeks, causing him to blush more and pull away. Realizing what she did, she looked away, taking her hand back. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to.." Naruto let out a sigh and stroked his cheek where she had her fingers. I'd rather not tell her about Kyuubi. Its caused me hell so far...just this once...someone won't know, he thought, looking back up at Kiri, who was blushing. He blinked in confusion, watching her quietly. Why is she blushing? D-does she like me! Oh god! Maybe there is someone for everyone! I definately can't tell her about Kyuubi! Naruto sighed, remembering his long thoughts in the bathroom.

Minutes ago, in Naruto's Bathroom...

Naruto clutched the first aid kit tightly to his chest, staring at the mirror with unsure eyes, looking back at himself. Staring into his own radiant blue eyes, he looked over his face, staring at the whisker-marks on his cheeks with hatred. God...I...I think I like her. I never liked Sakura like this...but...would she accept me? With Kyuubi? Of course not...well...I could ask... Naruto thought with question. He shook his head and placed the first aid kit down, pacing the bathroom.

"How do I tell her? 'Kiri? I was just wondering...wanna...'...God no..never straight out. Ummm," Naruto pondered, scratching his head as he walked in circles. He grinned, stopped, and slammed his fist into his hand. "I got it! 'Kiri! How would you...' No!" Immediately, Naruto turned around and pointed an accusing finger at his reflection in the mirror. "You...you dobe! Don't be so stupid! Gah...I have no idea what I'm going to do..." Hanging his head down in defeat, Naruto sighed. "Kiri...I really like you...too immature! Wahh...this isn't going to work!"

Back to the present time in the Living Room...

"Hey...Kiri," Naruto asked quietly, watching her with shy, timid eyes as hundreds of sentences ran through his mind. (Yes...most of them are about ramen...) She looked over at him in response, making him fidget in spot and blush, trying his best to obtain and keep eye contact with her, which failed as he looked away. "How come you came here? Were you visiting relatives?"

Naruto, you MORON, Naruto screamed in his mind. Kiri blushed and shook her head, looking down at her almost-empty teacup.

"I don't have relatives that I know of...you see...when I was only a few years old, a demon destroyed the village and killed almost everyone there. The people who were left took me in...but I never thought of them as family...I pretty much lived on my own.." Naruto looked up into her eyes, seeing the same lonely, sad, forlorn eyes he saw every morning in the mirror. Placing his hand onto her shoulder, he gave her a comforting smile.

"If it helps you feel better...the same thing happened to me. Except, most of the people who died were the Anbu...and my parents," he said, the last part barely a whisper. He shifted uncontrollably and sighed. "I had an uncle...and lived with him...but...he didn't want me...and left me here when he moved out of the village...probably the country. Thankfully, he sends me money for rent and groceries...and the odd times a present." Kiri looked at him with sadness, wishing she had someone who gave her presents and helped her live. She cursed at her village for the lack of help, and cursed at Kyuubi for ruining her life and what possible happiness she could have had. "Hey...I wanna show you something, okay?" Kiri looked back at Naruto and nodded, following Naruto out of the apartment and onto the roof. He jumped to a neighbouring roof, looking back at her to follow. She did, following him till they reached the Hokage monument, sitting atop and looking up at the stars.

"Wow...the sky is so clear! I don't think I've ever seen the stars this much," Kiri exclaimed, blushing from her lack of 'astronomy'. Naruto chuckled and laid back, looking up at the stars with a smile. Kiri did the same, giving her a better view of the outside world. She 'awwed' quietly, gaping at the open sky with wonder. "I love it...its great. Thank you..." Naruto smiled more, leaning his head back and looking away from Kiri.

"Hey...Kiri?" Kiri looked over and responding with a 'mmhmm'. Naruto chuckled, thinking her response was overly adorable. He blushed and continued with his thought, trying his best not to back out. "Since you don't have a place to stay...you can stay with me...and...I was also wondering..." Kiri blinked in question, watching Naruto in silence. "Would you...want to be my girlfriend?" Oh god! That was pathetic...Naruto...you blew it! You stupid idi-

"I'd love to," Kiri smiled, blushing madly as she answered. Naruto jumped to a sitting position and looked at Kiri happily, but with question. She smiled back, slightly moving closer to Naruto. Naruto smiled shyly and pulled her close, nuzzling into her long, dark hair, sighing happily.

"Kiri...I promise you that if anything bad happens...I'll protect you...okay?" Kiri smiled and cuddled against Naruto, nodding happily. Someone else to help me fight Kyuubi...this is great. Gently, Naruto shifted and pulled Kiri closer to him, gently pressing his lips against her own in a soft, shy kiss as one thought crossed both of their minds as they kissed.

So, this is what its like to be in love...


I'm not the best at writing sappy love stories. But I hope you like it :smile: If you have an idea for the story, and I like it, I'll add it and give you credit :big smile:

Ja ne! Rini