disCLAIMER: While I do not own Naruto nor any affiliated subjects therein, Kishimoto-sama does and therefore he owns my soul.
Chapter 3: Ramen and Reading
"Ichiraku Ramen is the best in the world," Naruto bragged. "I usually just go there to eat, but it's also a great place to celebrate stuff too!" Naruto eyed Kaori. "What are we celebrating for?"
"Ah, Naruto, be nice," Temujin chucked Naruto's shoulder.
"And how can you've never eaten ramen before?"
"I've spent most of my life sailing," Kaori sighed. "Ramen isn't very practical on a ship and won't keep well."
"Don't worry, Kaori. I've never had ramen either."
"Never had ramen!" Naruto was stunned. How could a human being live without having ever tasted the delicacy? They sat at the counter, the owner all too pleased to serve Naruto.
"Three bowls, on me," Naruto declared. He felt himself bouncing in anticipation of the hot noodles. When his bowl was placed in front of him, Naruto nearly swallowed the entire dish. He paused a moment to glance at Temujin. He didn't look particularly impressed, which ruffled Naruto quite a bit. He looked at Kaori, who had an elated expression on her face as she slurped the ramen up.
"You like it?" Naruto asked.
"Mm." Kaori didn't pause a moment to bother with speech. Feeling pleased with himself, Naruto looked back to Temujin.
"What do you think?"
"Eh, I'm partial to sweets myself. It's okay."
"Okay!" Naruto puffed his cheeks, insulted that someone didn't absolutely love ramen. He growled and returned to his bowl, only to find it empty. He looked around, up, down, looking for spilt ramen. Kaori was still devouring her own bowl.
"Hey, you had the yellow bowl! Mine's that grey one!" Naruto pointed accusingly. "You stole my ramen!"
Slurping up the last noodle, Kaori peeked at him sheepishly. "Sorry, were you going to finish that?"
"Hrm." Naruto ordered another bowl, irritated, but also hiding that he was impressed that she would dare steal ramen from him.
"Are you starting school tomorrow?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah." Kaori wiped her chin with her sleeve.
"I...I think I'll take you to the school. Would that be okay?" Naruto grinned.
"That would be nice." Kaori beamed back.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow," Temujin said suddenly. Naruto and Kaori stared at him.
"But you just got here..." Naruto began.
"You can't just leave!" Kaori said at the same time.
"I only need one night's rest, and then I'd like to return home as quickly as possible. I'm needed there."
Kaori crossed her arms and growled.
"Don't worry about yourself," Temujin smiled. "There are great people here that will take care of you."
"I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about...you know."
"This is a new place. Maybe the...you know, won't bother you here."
Naruto glanced back and forth, aware he was sitting right in the middle of a curious conversation. Before Naruto could ask questions, Temujin stood.
"I must rest now. Kaori should rest too. Thank you for the ramen, Naruto."
"No problem." Naruto settled himself in front of his fresh bowl. "See you in the morning."
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Kaori sat on her bed, shaking slightly. Most adventures made her excited, jittery, but going to school on invitation for the first time was scary. Plus, everything familiar was gone. The village was beautiful but strange. The people welcome but suspicious. Naruto seemed to have gotten past his initial suspicions, but he was mild compared to what she'd encountered through her life. And now her only companion was going to be gone.
She slowly followedTemujin outside, where Neji and Lee were waiting to escort Temujin back to the shore. She gave them nods, but otherwise kept her head down and remained silent. Lee seemed to be an okay character, even though his appearance was a bit startling. But Neji creeped her out. His eyes and demeanor made him seem as if he thought himself better than everyone else. It could have been true, but she wasn't going to test him.
"I don't know if we'll ever see each other again, Kaori," Temujin said with sad green eyes. "But leave me a message with your Gelel stone if you need to talk."
"Okay," Kaori said quietly. Temujin gave her a tight hug before slinging his pack over his shoulder.
"'Bye, Naruto," Temujin called past Kaori. Naruto bounded from the apartment and waved enthusiastically.
"'Bye, Temujin, and eat more ramen!"
Temujin made a face, then smiled and turned away. Naruto and Kaori watched them until the buildings hid them from sight.
"How could he not like ramen?" Naruto wondered.
"I know!" Kaori agreed. She glanced shyly at Naruto. He tilted his head and observed her.
"Is something wrong?"
Kaori sighed. "I'm starting school in a strange place with strange people. Back home...when I was little, they wouldn't let me. I mean, I wasn't allowed to...I'm freaked."
"You're strong," Naruto said positively.
"Not strong enough. Did you hear what Kakashi-sama said about me?"
"It takes a strong person to admit when they're scared."
Kaori glanced at Naruto. He was grinning foolishly, but it was disarming and inviting.
"Thanks, Naruto."
"No problem. Time for class?"
"Time for class," Kaori gulped.
Naruto chattered non-stop on the way to the school, mostly about ramen. Kaori didn't care what he talked about, for he made her laugh with his animated manner. He had irritated her at first, but now she realized that his bluntness and scorn was endearing.
"I feel like everyone's watching me," Kaori sighed.
"Of course they are. You look weird!" Naruto continued forward, his hands behind his head.
"Geez, thanks."
"Ninja Academy!" Naruto announced, dramatically pointing to a building. "This is where I was taught all about ninja. Well not all, because Kakashi-sensei and Ero-sennin taught me loads of stuff to be more powerful..." Naruto chattered away, unaware that Kaori was ill at ease. She shamed herself, for she should be thrilled for the opportunity the Konoha ninjas were giving her. Yet ever since Kakashi had rejected her as a ninja, she felt there was no other hope for her in the world. Her strange power had set her apart and now put her in a place with others of strange power. She didn't feel so welcome as she thought she might.
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto shouted, taking a running leap inside a classroom.
"Gagh! Naruto! You're too big for that anymore!" Iruka scolded as Naruto leapt on his back.
"Getting old, Sensei?"
"Never," Iruka promised before shucking Naruto from his back. "Kaori, it's a pleasure to see you again." He held out his hand, which Kaori stared at.
"Ahem." Iruka withdrew his hand and placed it on his hip. "I figured we'd start with an overview of the history of ninjas, then follow with the basics. Chakra, weapons, physical training. Then we'd move on to basic techniques everyone," Iruka said pointedly to Naruto, "must learn to graduate and receive a forehead protector."
"I did learn them. Mostly."
"I have some scrolls that I've marked sections in that I'd like you to read."
"What? You're going to make her read? Why not teach her Bunshin no Jutsu? Or Kawarimi no Jutsu? Henge no Jutsu?"
Iruka sighed and grabbed Naruto by his shoulder. "Yes, I know you have a thorough knowledge of basic techniques, but Kaori does not."
"She doesn't even know what a Jounin is!" Naruto protested as Iruka manhandled him out the door.
"Exactly why I'm teaching her the history of Shinobi."
"I should teach her how to kick the bad guys' asses!"
"Why do you think Tsunade asked me to teach and not you?"
"Uh, 'cause you're a teacher?" Naruto guessed, shoved into the hall.
"Bingo." Iruka shut the door firmly.
"I'm coming back at two!" Naruto called before pattering away.
Iruka sighed. "He's worse now that he's as big as I am."
Kaori had watched the interaction with amusement. Iruka gestured for her to sit, then placed one scroll in front of her.
"First thing to study is the history of Konoha. Assuming you become a ninja, you will be affiliated with us, and therefore should be familiar with the Fire Country's past. Just let me know when you're done and I'll answer any questions and ask some of my own, then I'll give you the next scroll." Iruka sat at the desk and began perusing homework assignments.
Kaori stared blankly at the scroll. As if starting school hadn't been nerve-wracking enough, she discovered something she'd never been aware of. But how could she tell the man? Godaime would change her mind about educating a foreign ninja. They'd send her back, Temujin would be disappointed, her crew mates would say they told her so, and she would keep receiving the cold shoulder from all civilians.
No, I won't do that again. This is my only chance, Kaori argued with herself fiercely.
"Is there something wrong?" Iruka asked.
Kaori looked up suddenly, catching his expression. His small black eyes were filled with concern.
"I, uh," Kaori began, feeling flustered. She rarely had felt so incompetent in her life as she had in the past two days.
"If you have a question don't be afraid to ask. That's what I'm here for." Iruka smiled kindly. He hadn't guessed after all.
"Erm, Sensei? I...can't rea..."
"What's that?"
Kaori's face felt like it was on fire ."I can't read, Sensei."
Iruka chuckled, then froze as he noticed her state of being. "Oh. Um...oh."
She was completely mortified at this point. "It's not like I'm stupid or anything, Sensei. I mean, I learn very well through watching and doing. But I've never...I've never been allowed to go to school, and no one ever bothered to teach me how to read. Or write," she added, feeling that she'd better get that one out on the table too. Iruka sat there a moment, completely unsure of himself. Then he stood.
"I, uh, must see Hokage-sama. You...just don't leave." He left the room hastily, and Kaori was left with silence and a very hot face. She wasn't going to stay. Captain had been right; she didn't belong anywhere but on the Inazuma.
Kaori left the room with forced calm, but inside she was desperate to destroy something. Temujin had gotten her so hopeful for a better life instead of one with the rest of society's rejects: the sailors on the Inazuma. She belonged there, but something told her there was more for someone as "special" as her. Now where the hell was she supposed to go?
She walked for a long while, uncaring as to whether or not she knew where she was going. There was a forest area with paths and benches and an occasional drinking fountain. When she felt she'd walked far enough, she plopped on a bench and pitied herself. What to do now...
"Kaori?" A sweaty Naruto dropped from a tree nearby.
"Naruto."
"Now that's not fair," Naruto crossed his arms grumpily. "Iruka-sensei never gave us breaks when we were in school."
"I'm not really-"
"Who's this?" came a female voice from the trees. A pink-haired woman with a jacket matching Naruto's landed next to him. She was sweaty and dirty too.
"What were you guys doing?" Kaori asked suspiciously.
"Training," Naruto said proudly. "No such thing as too much training."
"In how much time? Half an hour?"
"We train hard!" Naruto smirked at Sakura, who gave him a questioning look. "Oh! Sakura-chan, this is Kaori-san. She came with Temujin yesterday to be trained as a ninja."
"Temujin!" Sakura's green eyes widened. "Why didn't he say hello?"
"He's gone now. Hey, hey, where's Sasuke? I want him to meet Kaori too!"
"He's on a mission," Sakura sighed. "A solo mission."
"Hm, ah well. She can meet the rest of Team Kakashi later."
"Team Kakashi?" Kaori started. "You mean that Hatake Kakashi is your leader?"
"Was our leader," Sakura corrected. "There isn't any Team Kakashi anymore. We're all equals now. We still get assigned missions together, but it was never meant to be a permanent team."
"We're still the best." Naruto squinted his eyes at Kaori. "What are you doing out here?"
"I..."
"Was just waiting for me to get out of a meeting with Hokage-sama." Iruka landed behind the bench. "I'm done, Kaori-san. We can continue back at the Academy."
"But I just-" Kaori caught Iruka's eye and stopped. "Aye, aye, Sensei. Nice meeting you Sakura-san."
"Same to you, Kaori-san." Sakura watched the pair leave, then turned to Naruto. "Why do you want that girl to meet Sasuke-kun?"
"Because she's all alone right now and needs us to be her friends," Naruto said simply, putting his hands behind his head.
"But why Sasuke-kun? Why not Kiba or Hinata or Lee? They're friendly enough."
"But I want her to meet us. Team Kakashi. You say the team doesn't exist anymore, but it does for me."
"Sasuke-kun is so far away though. In his mind." Sakura grew regretful.
"Ah, Sasuke'll get over it," Naruto promised. "But, are you ever going to get over him?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I have more training to do." Sakura turned away and leapt into the trees.
"That's what I though," Naruto muttered before leaping in another direction.