Riko drummed her figures on the counter. Today wasn't a busy day so she was bored. She heard the bells ring on the doors. "Ah welcome to Ferica's Bake-" Riko stopped once she noticed who has entered the shop.

"Ello Riko!" Yumi rushed over to the counter.

"Hello Yumi. It is so nice to see you." She said with a kind smile. "Oh and you brought everyone? Hello again." She said to the others.

Shino nodded.

"Hello Riko!" Kiba said walking up to the counter as well.

"Hello." Sakura smiled.

Naruto walked over to the shelves at the back that held many types of bread. "Wow these look so good."

"Jeeze Naruto, you can't say hello to Riko? You just have to go straight to the food?" Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Oh right… Hi Riko!" Naruto said rubbing the back of his neck.

Riko giggled. "Hello Naruto." She looked back at Yumi. "Oh and I see that you got another gift from one of the villagers again."

Yumi looked at the flowers. "Yup. But they are such a hassle to carry… how about you take them."

Riko's eyes widened. "But… they are for you… I couldn't…"

"No please I insist." Yumi said with a laugh. She handed the flowers to Riko.

"Are you that lazy to carry them?" Kiba asked.

"So what if I am?!" Yumi laid her hands on her hips.

"A lazy princess… Who knew there was such a thing?" Kiba shook his head.

"Grrrr." Yumi raised a fist at him.

Riko studied the colourful flowers in her hands. She looked over to Yumi who was still bickering with Kiba. Her eyes softened. Yumi…

"Is something wrong Riko?"

Riko snapped out of her daze and looked over to Shino. "Oh yes I am. Thank you for your concern."

Shino nodded.

It's because they are here… The reason why Yumi is acting like someone she isn't… The reason why she gave up a present from one of the villagers…

She would usually keep a present like this…

Then she would be sad if the flowers died…

"Oh. I knew I heard the princess's voice out here."

Everyone looked to see a women step out from what looked like a kitchen. She looked like an older Riko. The woman seemed to be fumbling with a camera in her hands.

"Hello again Mrs. Ferica!" Yumi waved.

"Hello dear… and I see that you have brought some friends."

"Yup! This is Naruto, Sakura, Kiba, and Shino." She said pointing at each person.

Akamaru barked.

"Oh and that is Akamaru." Yumi giggled. She looked at the camera in Riko's mothers arms. "Why do you have a camera?"

"Oh this thing? Well it's a gift and well…" She held up the camera to her face. "I can't figure out how to work it you see…"

Yumi snatched the camera from her hands. "Oh I know how to use this! All you have to do is switch it here to photo mode then look through this thing… then you hold down this button to take the picture." She handed the camera back to Riko's mother.

"Oh that you so much dear. I'm not very good with modern technology…" She said with a blush.

"Oh its okay… oh I know! How about you try the camera out by taking a picture of all of us! It will be a good memory don't you think?" Yumi was getting all excited.

"That would be splendid." The woman raised the camera up to her face. "Alright everyone get close together."

"Don't we have a say in this?" Kiba asked.

"Of course not! Now you stand next to Naruto… Sakura, you and Riko can stand over here…" Yumi organized the group together.

"I'll stand here." Shino said standing next to Yumi in the middle.

Yumi looked over at him. "… Psh fine."

"Okay ready…" She put her finger on the button.

Yumi laid her arm around Riko's shoulder. All the girls gave a peace sign.

"Now say cheese!"

"CHEESE!"

A click was heard as she pushed the button down. "Ah I hope it worked."

The group spread apart. "Well you should get it developed and find out."

"Alright I will go do that now. It probably won't be done until tomorrow… Riko mind the shop. It was nice meeting you all. Good bye." Riko's mother stepped outside and the sound of bells from the door followed her out.

Yumi clapped her hands together. "I can't wait to see how it turned out!"

Riko giggled. "You're going to add it to your collection of photos?"

"Yup! My collection of memories."

That's right… she had so many photographs in her room… Shino remembered back. He looked up at Yumi. Her face was brighter then usual. She would always have that glow when she was truly happy… Wait… Why would I notice something like that? And why would I care?

"Naruto do you ever stop thinking of food?!" Sakura shouted at the blonde haired ninja.

"But I'm hungry! It's lunch time." He held his stomach as it growled.

"How about I make something." Riko said with a smile. "There aren't really any customers today so how about I make a little something for everyone."

"Ah yes! How about Ramen! I haven't had ramen in so long!"

Sakura punched down on Naruto's head. "That's all you care about isn't it?!"

"B-but Sakura…" He rubbed his head.

Riko laughed nervously. "I-I'm sorry but I don't have the ingredients with me right now… I can make some puff pastries?"

"Yes they sound delicious!" Naruto said.

"Okay. I will be right back." Riko turned into the kitchen.

Everyone stood there in silence.

"OH I FORGOT!"

Everyone jumped at the sudden outburst from Yumi. "Dammit I forgot to visit Hotaru today!"

"The horse?" Naruto asked.

"She's not just a horse she's my friend! I usually visit her and take her out for a ride everyday. But today I totally spaced out. Awww she's going to be so mad at me."

"Well after were done here we will go back and then you can play with your horse." Kiba said.

Yumi blinked up at him. She was about to say something but the sound of Naruto's stomach grumblings distracted her.

He clenched his stomach. "Eh heh heh." He laughed nervously.

Yumi burst out laughing. Everyone stared at her. She continued to laugh.

Then Sakura slowly joined her. She started to laugh as well. Then Kiba laughed with them. Then Naruto.

The sound of laughter filled the room. Everyone was laughing except for Shino.

Riko walked in with a tray of small, round like pastries. "Oh my… what happened here while I was gone?"

Yumi wiped her eyes. "Oh nothing."

Everyone calmed down and looked over to the tray. "Wow those look so good!" Naruto rushed over and went to grab one.

"Wait there still-"

"OW!"

"Hot…"

Naruto sucked on his burnt finger. Riko giggled. "Just let them cool a bit and you each get one." She settled the tray down on the counter. "So what was the joke that made everyone burst into such loud laughter?"

"It was nothing really… I just started to laugh over a simple thing and then I just got everyone else going as well." Wait… It wasn't everyone was it?

Yumi looked at Shino in the corner of her eye. He didn't laugh… does he ever laugh?

After a while Riko said it was safe to eat the puff pastries. Naruto and Kiba scarfed theirs down as the rest slowly ate theirs. Riko even gave one to Akamaru who chewed his happily.

"Well thanks for everything Riko!" Yumi said waving.

"Oh you're leaving?" Riko picked up the tray.

"Yup. If I don't get back soon, Hotaru will get cranky."

"Oh I see. Well tell her I said hi." Riko said with a smile.

"Alright then! See ya!"

"Goodbye Riko!" Kiba said with a wave and a slight blush on his cheeks.

Everyone left the store and continued down the road back up to the castle.

Riko looked over to the flowers she had put in a vase. She smiled to herself. You are such a strange person Yumi…

Yumi looked over to Shino and Kiba who were having a conversation about Kiba having feelings for Riko, which he denied completely, with his face bright red. Yumi giggled. That's so funny… but Shino isn't laughing…Come to think of it, I've never seen him even smile. I wonder if he has ever smiled before.

I wonder if I can make him smile.