"Putting Two And Two Together"

By imanut

Well, I know that I've got to update a couple stories, but I'm still thinking on where to go with them next. Please be patient with me…

Warning: There are a few of my own characters in this, but I don't think I'll be pairing them up with anybody. I've yet to decide…there WILL be SHOUNEN AI in this story. So DON'T FLAME ME AND TELL ME HOW I'VE RUINED THE FANDOM OR CRAP LIKE THAT. It pisses me off….

Disclaimer: I own nothing…though if I did…muwahahahahaha….

Naruto walked to his apartment complex at a slow pace, drenched and exhausted from that particular mission. Finding a pet fish that had mysteriously landed itself into a large lake was not his idea of an "exciting adventure." Did anyone realize how murky that water was? Did anyone realize how hard it was to locate a fish in an environment where other fish, snakes, frogs, leeches, and other creepy organisms thrived? Apparently not. In the end, Team Seven found the missing fish (amazingly) and returned it to the poor, pitiful boy who had lost it…only to find out it was a prank that said poor, pitiful boy had played. Needless to say Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, and even Kakashi-sensei were all pissed off. Oh, that boy would get his; eventually.

The young blond had decided that he would go straight to bed, the moment he got home and worry about bathing in the morning. He only wanted to escape to that pleasant haven known as unconsciousness. Naruto could imagine his bed...the mattress, the lone blanket, and that feather pillow…OH YES THE PILLOW! Who could not love that sweet, luscious pillow? And he couldn't wait for the chance that dreams may flood his brain; perhaps, he would dream pleasant dreams that night?

At each enticing thought, Naruto's legs moved a little faster with each step until he had finally broken out into a run. He dodged villagers and children, pets and plants. He could see his building growing in height and width as he drew closer and closer with each step he took.

Oh, he was getting so much closer! He could finally be able to relax! It's too bad fate had something else in store for him…

"Finally…I'm huff puff I'm home…"

Naruto threw open the door and kicked his shoes off next to the door, straightening them up as an afterthought. This blond was not as messy as most thought of him. He missed the extra pair of sandals that were not his own.

To get to his room, he had to pass by the kitchenette. As he was making his way past, he noticed a new person sitting at his table and playing with a plant that resided upon it. This new person had a hair color that was almost the color of his jacket— perhaps little lighter— that fell to the tops of her shoulders and bangs that parted above her left eye, and half-lidded blue eyes with a small, lazy smile on her face. Her skin was dark, though lighter than his. Her hitai-ate tied around her neck. The carrot top's clothing consisted of a blue skirt that reached her knees and had a slit on the left up to her hip, a white shirt that showed her stomach and a red jacket with long flowing sleeves and reached the back of her knees. He had to admit she was cute, but who the hell was she, and how did she get into his apartment!

He decided to voice his thoughts.

The girl looked up from the plant, though her fingers never left the leaves. Her eyes widened a tad at first hearing his voice, but returned to their former size after she realized he had finally come home. The lazy smile broadened and she stood up from her seat and leaving the plant all to its lonesome.

"Good evening Naru-dono. My name is Tori, Yudachi. As to how I got into you pleasant home, well that's none of your business!" All of this was said with a smile. Her voice was rather harmonic—quiet and pleasant to listen to. However, that smile was beginning to piss Naruto off. "Any other questions Naru-dono?"

"Yeah, why are ya calling me that?"

"Calling you what?"

"THAT!"

"Now Naru-dono, I cannot answer your question if you do not tell me what 'that' is?"

"NARU-DONO! Why do you keep calling me 'Naru-dono!'?"

This Yudachi girl only smiled that mysterious and lazy smile and stared at him with those half-lidded blue, lazy eyes, "Why shouldn't I call you 'Naru-dono,' Naru-dono?"

"Because, -dono is used for a lord! Someone who deserves respect!" he shot back, head bent to look at the ground. The slight anguish that was held behind those words did not miss the delicate ear of Yudachi. Her wide smile dimmed a little and was not as wide as before. The girl had a somewhat sad smile upon her lips.

"Do you not think you deserve respect?" He did not answer. "Are you not Uzumaki Naruto who exclaims with pride and desire that he will one day be the future Hokage?"

"No one else respects me…" mumbled the blond. Miss Tori immediately frowned at that comment.

"I respect you, Naru-dono." Naruto's head shot up to look at this new comer before him, scrutinizing her, checking her for any falseness in her words. Narrowed eyes met half-lidded eyes. Naruto realized she was telling the truth.

"Anyway, why are you here?" he mumbled. A broad smile adorned her face and she closed her eyes. Joy and slight excitement laced her words.

"I have been asked to be your roommate!"

"WHAT?"

I hope you liked that. Please don't hate me. It's been a while since I've been inspired to write a story. Please tell me what you think, because opinions matter to me.

Love,

:imanut: