I ended up fixing Naruto's jacket for free, slipping a few candies in the pockets before I gave it back to him. It wasn't so much that I liked the kid, he was loud and annoying, but I felt bad for him. Everyone hates him, and from what I know about the dumb show I'm apparently now living in (why me?) he's also the main character. And that isn't a good thing. Main characters go through trials and challenges, they're made to fight for good and oftentimes save the world. So really, my picking up the tab for his jacket and giving him some candy was a sign of my condolences. I was saying, I'm so sorry, I'm glad I'm not you. He didn't have to take it as some sign of friendship or something. But that's exactly what he did.

The bell on the door jingled as Naruto came bouncing through. "Hey lady!" Was his chipper, if rude, greeting. "Thanks again for paying for my jacket the other time! I was wondering-"

"Sorry kid. One time deal." I cut him off and went back to counting the money in the register.

"Wha-? No! That's not what I was gonna say. And don't call me kid! I'm a real ninja!" Naruto protested.

"Then don't call me 'lady'" I replied.

The kid blinked, shrugged and asked, "Then what's your name?"

"Kiko. Now did you need something?"

Ignoring my one and only attempt at customer service, he barreled on. "Just Kiko? What's your family name?"

"None of your business." I told him flatly.

"Kay, geeze." Naruto muttered, somewhat spooked, as most people are, by my 'done' look. "I was just asking 'cause you didn't want me to call ya lady."

I went back to ignoring him and he shook himself, resuming his casual stance of hands behind head before saying, "Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for the candy you gave me! They were great! I especially liked the melon flavored one. Sakura told me I was an idiot for eating candy from strangers, and the bastard Sasuke called me a loser again!" I looked up briefly to see him radiating anger, and unfortunately he caught me stare. Mood brightening in a flash he said, "But I ate the candy and I didn't die or anything and they were really good, so that shows him! And thanks for the really great candy lady!" He bounded over to the register to smile up at me.

I blinked at his exuberance and proceeded to deny everything. "I don't know what you're talking about." I told him. I did not need this kid in my life. I didn't need his main-character-cooties to get all over me. I did not need any more reminders that this world was strange-and-possibly-an-anime. I opened up a book and started reading so I wouldn't have to see him deflate in disappointment. He didn't.

"Come on!" He yelled, only going slightly quieter when I glared at him over my book. "I know it was you, lady. I know I didn't have anything in my pockets before I brought the jacket here since I just came from training and it would've fallen out."

I flipped a page and continued to read. He didn't take the hint, instead choosing to barrel on.

"See? I kept the wrappers, it says 'Junko's mixed fruit taffies' and the only place that sells these things is next door and I know because I looked and see, you even have an empty bag for it in the trash, so you can try to be modest or whatever, but you can't fool me 'cause I'm a super cool ninja and I'm gonna be Hokage!"

When I at last gave up and looked at him it was to the sight of the largest grin I'd ever seen. I've been told I don't have a very emotive face, and that in fact it is rather creepy. So I'm not surprised that as I gazed at him his smile began to falter. Saddened slightly, if I were to go searching for a hint of emotion to name, but not surprised. "Do you always keep candy wrappers and speak in run-on sentences?" I asked.

His strained grin was replaced by a confused expression. "Run-on whatsits?" He shook his head.

Does he really not know what a run-on-sentence is? I wondered.

"Anyway, you admitted to giving me the candy so now I can give you this!" Naruto pulled out a card and shoved it into my hands. "I gotta go, but I'll come back and visit, lady! And next time I'll bring my teammates to show them you're not a creepy stranger! Bye!"

I was left the sound of the jangling door bell and an empty storefront. "When did I admit to giving him the candy?" I asked the open air. I looked down at the card in my hand; yellow with a crude drawing of a plant and the words 'Thank you, from Naruto' written on it. Was that really necessary? It was just some candy. Did he really get so few gifts that he thought he had to write a thank you note just for that? For lack of anything better to do with it I pinned the card up on the cork board along with the various orders and lists of clients. Then I sighed. It looked like Naruto Uzumaki was here to stay. Something like a smile reached my lips. I could deal with that.