Blissful warmth enshrouds my body. The rays of an early morning sun break through the darkness provided by my closed eyelids, tinging my vision with a cloudy pink. For once, my mind, body, and soul are completely relaxed.

WHERE THE HELL AM I!?

My eyes snap open as I throw myself out of the bed. Fabrics scatter to the floor and a chill sets into my bones, startling my brain awake. The events of yesterday come flooding back to me. Meeting Naruto. Meeting Iruka. Lunch at Ichiraku Ramen. The sponsorship. Late night strategizing with Iruka. Shaking my head, I close my eyes and will myself to calm down. Inhale. This is my home now. Exhale. I'm safe here. Inhale. Today brings me one step closer to my goal. Exhale. I am calm. Slowly opening my eyes, I reexamine the room. My bedding is strewn haphazardly across the lower half of the bed, half of it is piled up on the floor. Scraps of navy blue and olive green peak out from underneath the desk. Iruka's clothes. Oh nooooo, I can't believe I brought those in here last night. Picking them up, I carefully fold the shirt and flak jacket, leaving them piled neatly next to my own clothes before making my bed. The sun is already up—note to self: buy a clock—surely he's headed out for the day. Great. I'll just have to delay the inevitable awkward exchange until this evening. No sense in dwelling on it now.


Having finished my morning routine, I emerge from the bathroom clean and semi-ready for the day. I lightly towel dry my hair, opting to let it air dry today. Most of my skills with water manipulation were picked up in the Village Hidden in the Mist and considering its bloody past, it's probably best I keep those skills to myself for the time being. I'm already too comfortable around Iruka. The last thing I need is slipping up and having him think I'm some deranged blood-thirsty lunatic like the mist shinobis. I go about affixing my weapons pouch to my leg and sling my empty bag over my shoulder before making my way to the kitchen.

All I had yesterday was ramen and it's come back to bite me in the ass today. Checking the fridge, I find a depressing lack of sustenance. There's an overly ripe apple, half of a carton of expired milk, and a some leftover takeout rice. The cabinets are similarly bare save for a few containers of food pills and mission designed food bars—definitely not something that should be stored in the kitchen. And here I was prepared to feel guilty for eating Iruka's food. Does he even know what grocery shopping is? Settling for the slightly soft apple, I mentally budget out a few hundred ryo for some much needed groceries. In all I have 1000 ryo set out for necessary purchases today, leaving me plenty to get by with until I can take and pass my exam. Hopefully, Iruka can get that scheduled for me today. Stepping around the counter, I don my mask and gloves. A flash of white catches my eye as I start toward the door. Ah, a note from Iruka I suspect.

Mei,

I hope I didn't disturb you this morning. I couldn't find my jacket, but I trust it's safe in your hands. Here's your key in case you wanted to leave before I came back. I should be home around 6. See you then!

Iruka

Awesome... he knows I have his stuff... and I can practically hear the smugness of his thoughts. New tally: Mei-1, Iruka-1 for catching me like that. Well, whatever. I guess that just makes things slightly less awkward for me later. The clock on the wall reads 9:15am, best get a move on. Tucking the note into my pocket, I make my way to the door and pull on my boots and cuff the ends of my pant-legs. I really need to pick up some lighter clothing. The last set of clothes I had were made in the Land of Snow, granted it was "springtime" when I bought these pants and sweater, but they definitely weren't designed for the harsh heat of the Land of Fire. Stepping outside, I lock the door and test the knob. I suppose locks are kind of superficial here; I mean, it's a village full of ninja so I doubt a little thing like a lock will be able to stop someone from breaking and entering. Oh, well. Fluffing out my hair in an attempt to rid it of more water, I try to walk naturally down the stairs. Of course, naturally for me probably means I look like a rigid pole.

"Oh! You must be new in town" says a softly cracked voice. My head snaps to the right and meets the gaze of an incredibly pink older lady pruning the flowers outside of apartment A. Seriously, everything she's got on her is pink from her kimono down to the polish on her fingernails. "Did Ru from upstairs move out?" Ru? She must mean Iruka. She's obviously much older and the slightly glassy look in her left eye tells me she's likely losing her vision. Not a threat.

"Do you mean Iruka?"

"Yes, that lovely young man. He's always so helpful and kind." A wistful smile stretches across her face only to be marred by a deep frown a second later. "Surely he would have told me he were leaving?"

"No, he still lives upstairs." Thinking for a second, "and I'm sure he would definitely tell you if he were leaving anytime soon." Honestly, he probably would. She smiles again. Thinking I've resolved the matter, I take a step into the street.

"Then you must have moved into apartment D. When did they fix that old place up?" I guess if we're going to be neighbors this conversation was going to happen at some point.

"Actually, I live in apartment C." Sorry, Iruka. I really hope this old lady doesn't think poorly of you.

"I see," she hums. "You be good to that boy. I won't have you running him off!" I feel the blood rush to my cheeks.

"We're not—"

"Oh, hush," she interrupts. "I'm not implying anything. That boy has far too big of a heart to turn away someone in need." I nod my head in agreement. "I won't keep you any longer, but tell Ru that I expect you both for dinner tonight. 7 sharp, don't be late!" She's gone before I have a chance to argue. I don't even know this old lady's name and now I'm having dinner with her? I'll deal with this later. Right now I need to do some shopping.


Several hours and a dozen shops later, my arms are loaded down with bags carrying various styles of clothing. It was an overall successful trip, I just wish there were more options in some less vibrant colors. I'd manage to purchase several pairs of the navy blue loose-fit pants the Leaf shinobi wear, two extra protective mesh undershirts, half of a dozen pairs of shorts in severals colors with matching tops for variety, an olive green hoodie, and one combative qipao. Making my way to the edge of the shopping district, I narrowly avoid bumping into several genins running through the alleys. I guess the Academy lets kids out for lunch here. I catch a glimpse of Ichiraku's banners and breathe a sigh of relief. Nearly free. Just a few more meters.

"Hey!" That voice.

"Wait up!" There's no mistaking it.

"Mei!" Naruto Uzumaki is behind me and coming up fast.

Remembering our last encounter, I step off to the corner of Ichiraku's and out of the main street placing my back against the wall and my bags on the ground at my feet. Naruto's just caught up and is sucking in air heavily. He must have ran here.

"Hey," he chokes. "I was calling for ya. Didn't you hear me?"

"Of course I heard you, that's why I stepped out of the road." He cocks an eyebrow at me. "I didn't want to get plowed over by you again," I explain.

"Oh, right, ha ha. Well, what's going on? Did you take Iruka-sensei up on his offer yesterday?" He was listening to our conversation? "I may have been distracted by ramen, but I'm not deaf and I'm a highly skilled shinobi at that." Sure you are, kid.

"Not that it's any of your business," I don't see any harm in telling the kid. It'll probably save my roommate a headache later if I just tell him now. "I did move into the spare room. That's why I went shopping today." I reach down and grab my bags. He looks down and gasps, apparently just noticing all the bags I have. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to get these back to the apartment."

"Let me help you with those!" Pros to that: free labor, less weight for me to carry means I might be able to go grocery shopping. Cons: do I really want this kid knowing where I live?

"I know the way," well I guess that takes care of the cons, "and if there's one thing I've learned from the Pervy Sage," Pervy Sage? What kind of teachers do they employ at the Academy? "it's how not to treat a lady. No way am I gonna let you carry all those by yourself like that old codger would!" Hm. You're not too bad I guess. Seeing an opportunity with his chivalrous morals, I strike.

"Well, if you really want to help me out," I say.

"Sure do!" He takes half the bags from me.

"I need to pick up some groceries too. Would you have the time to come with me and help me carry everything back to Iruka's?"

"You bet I can! I should probably grab some groceries too. Kakashi-sensei says I need to incorporate more greens in my diet and I've been slacking lately," he says bashfully.


Another quick trip around the market and both Naruto's and my arms are loaded down with bags. Having found a decently priced watch, I know it's just past 2pm. We still have another 5 or so minutes to the apartment. Naruto has been filling me in on his training for the better half of an hour now. I've gotten an entire backstory on his teammates Sasuke—Naruto's best friend and now sort of a rouge ninja—and Sakura—definitely his crush. Thinking back to the sensei he mentioned earlier, I can't stop my curiosity from building. Is this knuckle-headed kid really training under the Copy Ninja?

"Hey, Naruto?" I ask.

"Yeah?"

"This Kakashi that you mentioned earlier," here goes nothing, "he wouldn't happen to be from the Hatake clan, would he?"

"Yeah, why?" I can't believe this kid is training under such a ruthless and renowned shinobi. He's in practically half of the other hidden villages' bingo books!

"Mere curiosity." There's a shift in the air. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I freeze, just a few buildings from my own. I drop my bags and take a defensive position in front of Naruto as a man materializes in front of us.

"I'm curious too."


Author's Note: Did you notice the cover photo for this story changed? My husband got me an Apple Pencil for my birthday, so I got to work sketching out Mei for you guys! I wanted you all to be able to see what I am perceiving her to be. Granted, she doesn't have a headband (yet), but this is generally how she looks in my brain. Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments!