A/N: Thanks to my reviewer (singular), iwriteokstories for her excellent review. I think I'll be including more information about me in my profile once I get the confidence to do so. I mean, all I have on my profile is my age and birthday month. Also, I seem to have forgotten to mention during my translations in the previous chapter. "Osashiburi" means "It's been a long time" or "It's been a while." It's a common Japanese greeting for people who haven't seen each other in a long time. I will probably be updating on the weekends or when I feel like it since I still have school. (Today is Saturday, June 03, 2006 and I have school until the 15th.) After school ends, I may update more often. Just to clarify, I rated this fanfic "T" because I am paranoid, not because the characters are. That's enough rambling from me. Enjoy the next installment of "Cheerfulness Incarnate."

Disclaimer: "Naruto" is not owned by me, or any member of my immediate family, so I do not expect any lawsuits, okay? Okay.

(Chapter starts)

Naruto chattered joyfully as they walked through the streets of Konoha.Sarutobi responded to every statement with a smile while realizing that Naruto seemed to feel fake as he talked to him. He wondered what was happening in Naruto's young mind and figured that Naruto was acting cheerful just to hide the pain. Sarutobi also realized that he may not be able to know what Naruto is really thinking by just talking to him.

"It seems that Naruto has lost trust in just about everybody. To think that he has to put on a mask for everyone to see makes me fear what he will become later in life. It seems that your last wish wasn't granted, was it Yondaime?" Sarutobi sighed as he made this thought. He then shifted his thoughts to where he and Naruto can go without Naruto having to see hateful glances wherever he looked. He spotted a small Ramen stand and started towards it. Naruto noticed this and started to speak his thoughts about it.

"Hokage-oji-san, are we going to eat there?"

The Hokage only nodded at the small boy before walking into the small stand. The owner instantly walked over to his customers and took their order.

"Welcome to Ichiraku's! How may I help you?" The owner said this without a hateful tone. The phrase did not seem to be forced unlike the voices of the villagers. He also said this with a true smile, not like the villagers' scowls or forced smiles.

"Two miso ramen specials, please" Sarutobi responded smiling, pleased that there were people who didn't hate Naruto for what he had inside his stomach.

The owner left after taking the order, making the preparations for the soup.

(POV change)

Naruto was starving. To say the aforementioned sentence would be a grave understatement. Naruto was absolutely famished! He hadn't eaten anything decent in weeks and here he is, with the Hokage, having a meal being paid by the Hokage himself. Naruto knew he shouldn't take advantage of his kindness, but he was just too hungry. As soon as the ramen came, he basically shouted, "Itadakimasu!" and dove into the bowl, finishing its contents in mere seconds. He stared at the Hokage with eyes that seemed to beg, "May I have some more, please?" The Hokage noticed this and merely nodded before Naruto yelled for more.

"Okawari, kudasai!"

The owner, who was also the only worker, turned in shock, thinking that there was no way that a kid can finish a bowl that quickly. Ichiraku was snapped out of his stupor by the Hokage's voice.

"Can you please make it an extra-large bowl this time?"

Ichiraku then turned to go into the kitchen to make a large serving of miso ramen.

(POV change, a little later)

This was one of the times that he was glad to be the Hokage. The cost of the meal would easily be the equivalent of a genin's monthly salary. He looked over to Naruto where a stack of fifteen bowls were placed next to the small, yet full, child. He turned his attention to his side of the table to only see two bowls stacked in front of him. During the meal, Sarutobi looked over to Naruto to see that he was eating the ramen as it was the best thing in the world. He thought about Naruto's state of being during the meal. Even now, questions swam in his mind.

"How can such a small boy eat so much? How can he eat so quickly?" A thought suddenly struck him. "How much has he eaten recently? It seems like he hadn't eaten in a long time. I found him on the street; does this mean what I think it means? I'll ask him, I mean, we came here to talk, didn't we?"

"Naruto?" he said, getting Naruto's attention.

"Hai?" Naruto responded, contented on having eaten a meal.

"Why did I find you on the street? Weren't you in an orphanage last I saw you?"

Naruto's smile seemed to flicker before replying in a small voice. "They kicked me out. I don't know why, but I was only able to take my blanket before they chased me out of the building."

Sarutobi was shocked to hear this. Without thinking much upon the subject, he questioned Naruto again. "How long were you out there before I found you?"

Naruto kept the small voice as he answered. Naruto couldn't raise he voice more than this while talking about this subject. "I can't remember exactly, I think it was around a year."

This shocked him more than the last statement. Thoughts along the lines of, "He was homeless for a year and I didn't notice!" swam within his mind. The next set of thoughts went along the lines of "I have to find a home for him. I wish I can take him into my home but I can't fit any more people."

Naruto's poking drew him out of his thoughts. It seemed that Naruto had picked up his mask and was acting like the smiling actor of a play. "Hokage-oji-san? Daijoubu deska?"

Sarutobi only smiled as he saw the concern on Naruto's face. "Un. I'm okay. Why don't we go back to my place to see where you can stay?"

Naruto sprung back to life, grabbing the Hokage's hand as he dragged the Sandaime to his home.

(End Chapter)

Translations:

Yondaime: The 4th Hokage; he sealed Kyuubi into Naruto to save the village 5 years ago (currently, Naruto is 5 years old)

Itadakimasu: General phrase said before meals, common etiquette in Japanese society

Okawari, kudasai: Seconds, please

Hai: Yes

Daijoubu deska: Are you okay/all right?

Un: Casual way of saying "Yes"

(End Translations)

A/N: Okay, I know it sucks. I also know this is short, but it's not as short as my last chapter. This is my first time and this is just a bridge to the next chapter. I really appreciate reviews and I would like to thank iwriteokstories for her support in my first chapter.