Never Too Late
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Chapter 3: Breakfast Ramen
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While leaning on the one out of two dining chairs in Ino's dining room, Naruto thought about all the other places he could stay.
"Lee's?"
"He's out on a year long mission, left a month ago."
"Sasuke's?"
"That's what I thought too. You two are good friends after all. But I guess it's because of his wife and new kid."
"A kid?! Ugh," he removed his headband and put his hands through his hair out of frustration, "Hinata?"
"Married to Kiba, no space."
"Chouji?"
"Out of the village as well."
"Shino?"
"Married to some girl that none of us met."
"Shikamaru?"
"Lives with temari, the two are engaged."
"CRAP! Everyone's married!" he complained, stopping the leaning and getting off of the chair. He marched over to the couch and sat next to Ino. He let himself sink into the cushions as his frustration continued to seep out.
"I know," she rolled her blue eyes, "Everyone marries young these days anyways," she replied, crossing her arms and turning away from him.
Naruto was annoyed by her attitude towards him, but he was tired. He got up from the couch, "I'm going to bed." She immediately pointed towards his room. He frowned at her, but rolled his eyes and trutted towards his room. She decided to sit and stare at the ceiling, for just a little longer.
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"INO WAKE UP!!" Came the loud voice of Naruto. He called out a couple more times, his arms waving around in urgency. His hitting of puberty made the sound of his voice even more powerful.
Ino's eyes slowly opened, "I don't remember having an alarm clock..." she muttered to herself. Lazily turning to her side, her face met Naruto's.
"WAKE UP!!"
Her eyes were wide open at this time. Since he was so close she decided to punch him in reflex.
"Owie..." he muttered, rubbing his blonde hair. She stood from her bed and was surprised to see him already showered and without his headband.
"There's barely any food in your fridge," he whined, his arms crossed over his chest. "I'll treat us to some breakfast ramen!" He then declared with his fox smile. By this age he didn't look as goofy as he did before.
"You have money?" she then asked, picking up her towel from the back of her door, "You're not gonna trick me into paying?" She's never been out with Naruto so she wouldn't know.
"You're mean Ino," Naruto responded, "First a punch, and then thinking that I'm cheap." She could feel her eye twitch at his attitude. He almost reminded her of his younger self, but at the same time, he was far from it. She shook her head from any other thoughts of him and pushed him out of her room so she could shower in the bathroom cnnected to her room.
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"You take so long!!" Naruto complained, wearing his orange and black hoodie and pants. He was sitting cross legged on the floor as Ino emerged from her room wearing her usual outfit.
"Excuse me, I like to make sure I'm clean," was her response. He growled at her as he got up.
"'m only treating you for letting me live here," he noted as the twoexitted the apartment.
"And I'm thankful," she replied honestly, locking the door. He took one look at her smile and refleted his own. WIth a toothy grin he put his arm around her choulder, only to get rejected.
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Neji and Tenten were already at the ramen stand. Naruto turned to Ino explaining tha tehre is such thing as breakfast ramen. And now pointing at the couple claimed that he wasn't the only one who ate breakfast ramen.
"Oh Naruto," Neji greeted, seeing the two blondes.
"Neji, Tenten," Naruto greeted with a polite bow. From this action all three konoha ninjas froze. He was being polite, and his voice even contained the right amount of sincerity. But as he rose from his gesture they simply smiled at him. He stared with a raised eyebrow, they were twitching furiously.
"Okay, it's not THAT surprising guys," he replies with a raspy voice. He takes a seat next to Neji and offers the one on his other side to his fellow blonde.
"One pork ramen!" Naruto declared with a happy face.
"Make that two," Ino followed after, resting a hand onto her chin.
"So what have you been doing this past year Naruto?" she asks, this caught the attention of both Tenten and Neji.
Naruto rubbed his fingers onto his temple then scratched his eyes. With a yawn he rested his hand onto his cheek, "I just did some personal things. Training, exploring, just occupied myself for a year. Shouldn't have done anything to the village, 'sides, you all have your precious Sasuke back."
Ino winced, he had no idea how much his absense affected Sakura.
"Sasuke has been very useful after his return," Neji claimed, finishing the last of his own ramen.
"He's changed," Tenten stated, leaning her head onto Neji's shoulder. Ino nodded at Naruto, and he just shrugged.
"Well isn't that great," he said with a sigh. Both of their ramen were ready at the time and they commenced the eating habit.
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After ramen, Naruto seperated himself from Ino and decided to go visit Sasuke. He had reached the old region where the Uchiha clan stayed. There was a single standing home now, it stood out amongst the ruin. He walked casually towards the house, hands in his pocket, and his hood over his blonde lockes.
With two knocks, the door was answered by Chihiro. She held in her hands a baby girl with a small amount of hair. The eyes were taken from Chihiro, the hair colour from Sasuke. Naruto couldn't help but smile at the child.
"Hello there Naruto," Chihiro greeted.
"Yo," Naruto replied, walking in thanks to Chihiro's invite.
"Sasuke's in the back," she said quickly before retreatiung into the kitchen.
"Thanks."
Making his way to the back of the house, Naruto found Sasuke sitting on his porch sipping tea. Quietly, he took a seat next to his friend/rival.
"You're back," Sasuke greeted, turning to face Naruto. Naruto nodded in response, leaning back into the wind. "How was it?" He then asked, putting asde his cup of tea.
Naruto took in a deep breath before answering, "Not too much progress. I'm still a long ways from becoming Hokage."
"What's this?" Sasuke stated in a mocking shocked tone, "No, 'I'm going to become Hokage-tebayo!' from you?" He asked with a snicker.
"Shut up man. I know I still need to become stronger," he muttered, his voice retaining an angered tone.
Sasuke let out a soft sigh and looked away from Naruto, "We all do."
"I need more power," Naruto claimed, his hand forming a tight fist. asuke turned to his friend as he growled. A smirk took its place on Sasuke's face.
"Haha, then just do what you usually do. Never give up and continue training," by this time Sasuke understood Naruto. At least, that's what he though.
"What if that isn't enough? I've been training for so long...Yet, I can't be powerful enough!"
"Baka, all three of us became powerful. We're probabl going to become the next sannin," Sasuke claimed with a proud smile.
"You had your revenge, your life's purpose has been accomplished. I still haven't become Hokage-"
By this time Sasuke had his hand on Naruto's shoulder, "Now shut up. We're still young aren't we? Just relax and do your job as Konoha shinobi. You'll get that Hokage status eventually."
Naruto sighed, "I guess."
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A/N: Wow, I suck. Such slow updates. Sorry guys.