A/N - ok...here's the second chapter! Plz R&R. Enjoy!
As I left his office a strange thought came to my mind. I remembered an incident that happened when I was about six…On the first day o spring an itinerant circus came to our village. Being fascinated with felines I wanted to see the tigers but I ended up watching the monkeys instead. Their holder gave each and single monkey a piece of paper and a pencil. Then he said a "magic word" and the animals started drawing. The first drew a flower – the people applauded - the second, a tree – the applause came again - and the third drew five vertical lines. No one applauded. The monkey had drawn the bars from its cage and the people didn't find that funny. They left without paying the circus-man. Angry the man started beating the poor animal. I rushed to his side and begged him to stop but he didn't listen. Then I told him that if I was going to buy the monkeys, I took of my golden earrings and showed them to him. His greedy eyes sparkled at the sight of gold. He took one and positioned it between his yellow teeth.
"Good" he concluded "its gold! If you want it, take it! But all it do is eat and sleep. It don't wanna learn no trick. Bad monkey! Stupid monkey!"
"No! I want them all!"
"Ah those two are well trained. They not for sail."
Immersed in this peculiar memory I didn't notice that I'd missed the way home. When I finally looked around I was in front of the Ichiraku Ramen and the owner was yelling at a little blond boy. "Well, since I got this far, I could very well eat here!"
"Hello, Teuchi-san" I said brightly.
"Ah, good afternoon Ayumi-sama" he said bowing. "It's an honor to have you with us! I'll be with you in a second! Naruto how many times do I have to tell you, I don't run a charity! No money, no food!"
"Hey, wait! Kid is your name Naruto?"
The boy stopped arguing with the shop owner and stared at me.
"Are you talking to me? The blond boy asked quite shocked."
"Ikiraru-san, please, let the boy pass. I want him to eat with me."
"But, but, Ayumi-sama. This boy is a….This boy you see….He has no money!"
"Neither do I! But since we are your only customers and we have no money. I guess you really are running a charity… Our maybe I'm wrong" said I entering my drama-theatre-
mode "maybe the Ichiraku Ramen harbors favoritisms. Oh, so sad! Old-fashion-pure-minded people like my father would be so disappointed if they'd found out…"
"Ayumi-sama! You're not wrong! If there's something that Ichiraku Ramen harbors above ramen is equality… Naruto, sit! Now my dear guests, what shall I bring you?"
"Do you prepare something else here? asked Naruto. Beside's ramen?"
"No, said Ikimaru still smiling."
"Well, then I guess I'll have…ramen."
"Oh, very good choice Naruto and you Ayumi-sama?"
"Aaaa…surprise me…."
"How does…Shoyu-RAMEN sound?"
"…perfect…"
"Noo!" cried Naruto. "I want that too."
"No, I already took your order!"
"But" the boy continued turning towards me "it's the more expensive then the normal ramen. Are you sure you should accept?"
"I didn't know that! Oh, Ikimaru-san you're too kind!" I said reentering in my theatric-drama-mode. "But you know giving a girl a better soup than to a boy is still a form of favoritism. I shall not accept! Even thou I understand the…gentleman within….I can not let you fall into this temptation because of your… gentlemeny-good-manners…"
"Ok! Fine! Two shoyu-ramen…Drinks?"
"Water!"
"Water will be just fine, thank you."
Teuchi-san's eyes were twitching so hard that I though his pupils would explode. He couldn't concentrate on the ramen with us children staring at him so he soon disappeared with his two bowls behind a wooden paravan. Several noises of plates and glasses braking were heard afterwards...
"Hey! I didn't understand a word you were saying, but if you managed to get me a free lunch at the Ichiraku Ramen you must be someone important!"
"It's just a ramen-shop, not a five star hotel! Now tell me, where do you live?"
"I can't tell you that!" answered the boy loudly chewing his food.
"But ...Why?"
"I can't tell you that either."
"Why are you eating so fast? ... Are you expected home soon?"
"This is how I usually eat!"
"Your parent's might worry." I waited for a reply, but he was too focused on his food and didn't answer. "You're to small to be walking around all by yourself … I don't think they gave you permission to leave … Maybe they're searching for you at this very minute … They must be worried sick…"
"Don't worry, Ayumi-chan!" he finally answered sending me one of his fox-like smiles. "They're searching for me, but not out of worry."
" Here you are, you punk!" screamed Ebisu. "Ah, Ayumi-sama you're here also…Step aside so we can sent this little demon back to the place to which he belongs. We won't let him disturb your serene meal…"
"You idiot, you are the one who's disturbing! And, start talking like a human, will you?"
"I'm sorry Ayumi-sama, we won't bother you anymore." said one of his team-mates "we'll take the creature, and leave…"
"You're so annoying … Naruto do you want to leave with this gorillas?"
"Not really…"
"Good then, turn around and just ignore them. Stop eating so fast! You'll choke yourself to death! Now remember, you must chow your food slowly. Chow every mouth-full five times, you get the benefit… Not that slow!"
"You don't understand, Ayumi-sama, said Ebisu, grabbing Naruto by the shoulders. His position doesn't allow him to make decisions and to act on behalf on them…"
"Hey you let me go!" screamed Naruto.
"So sorry Ayumi-sama, but my orders come from Hokage-sama…You'll have to take it up with him"
"Belive me, I will…"
A/N - next chappy "The Dog"