A\N: Thanks to all the anonymous reviewers, since they didn't get their thank you-s yet…. I really do apritiate the support..
A friend in demand
A.K.A
Choices
Sayuri woke the next morning at the sound of a faint knock at the door.. she sat up rubbing her eyes and yawned, as the knocks continued. She looked over at the ground; Kei wasn't sleeping next to her. The knocks continued.
She sighed and rolled out of bed, stumbling over to the door, so she could satisfy this polite, yet persistent, visitor.
Sayuri cracked the door open to see a tall boy with black hair pulled back into a messy high ponytail, "Yes?" she said blinking curiously.
He turned to her with slight discomfort, and stared at her with intelligent eyes, "Is Naruto here?" he finally asked in a laid back attitude, not bothering to take his hands out of his pockets, or be polite enough to introduce himself.
However, Sayuri isn't the kind of person to judge people from their appearance.. she shook her head, "No, he must've left earlier this morning, I was sleeping" she said in a low voice, still hiding half her body behind the wooden door.
The boy stared at her blankly for a few moments then sighed, "Well I'll just go find him then" he mumbled to himself turning to leave.
"Uh Um… Excuse me" Sayuri called, the boy turned around with a lazy annoyed questioning look on his face, "Would you mind if I came with you? I don't know anyone in this village besides Kei-San" she stuttered, blushing shyly.
The boy stared at her blankly for a few seconds, "Sure" he sighed, starting to walk away again.
"He-hey wait up" Shikamaru heard the girl call from behind him as he reached the street.
He didn't turn around but he slowed down letting her catch up with him. A medium sized dog tagged along.
Sayuri grunted and gasped as she walked in the crowded streets of Konohagakure, she wasn't used to being around so much people. They pushed her from side to side, as she struggled to keep up with the oddly silent boy. "Everyone here is so rude" she thought to herself in a huff.
However, she seemed to be the only person who thought so. Then someone pushed her roughly.. out of an automatic impulse, she grabbed onto the boy's arm, cowering towards his shoulder. Two seconds later, she realized that it wasn't Kei's arm that she's holding onto so tightly.
She jumped back blushing heavily, "Go-gomenasai" -sorry- she stuttered at the boy, who continued glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
He didn't comment, and Sayuri remained silent for some time too. "I.. I'm Sayuri" she suddenly said in a low voice, realizing that she hadn't introduced herself yet.
The boy gave her another one of his lazy yet somehow piercing glances before answering, "Nara Shikamaru" -surname before first name, as is costume in Japan-
There were a few more minutes of silence, "Do you know where Kei-San is?" Sayuri asked timidly,. This guy seemed intimidating to her, with his weird glances, piercing eyes, and cold attitude.
The boy looked away, a thoughtful look on his face, "I think so" he said in a low voice shortly after.
Sayuri remained quiet for the rest of the way, as did the Shikamaru character. Well most of the way, because at one point Sayuri asked, "Um.. Shikamaru-San?"
He turned to her, no sign of interest on his face, "What… what's going to happen to Kei-San?" she asked hesitantly, looking everyplace aside from Shikamaru's face.
The intelligent shinobi seemed to be mildly interested in what she was saying, as he waited for her to elaborate, "I mean, what if he never gets his memory back? Then what would happen?" she added twiddling her fingers.
The boy remained silent for a few moments, as he does every time before he answers, "Well, he'll probably have to learn everything about his past life, and then start a new" the boy answered, his tone of voice indicating that he was still in thought.
"But.. wasn't.. I mean, isn't he a ninja?.." Sayuri asked finally looking at the tall boy's face.
The usual pause, "I don't think he'll be continuing his life as a ninja.. not unless he regains his memories."
Sayuri got very quiet after that, thinking about the boy's words. Bobo seemed to understand his owner, and in respect of her thoughts, he didn't make another sound, for a while.
"Heh… there he is.. Just as I expected." The boy suddenly said, smirking contently.
Sayuri turned around to see a small ramen shop, she could see behind the flaps Kei sitting at the high chairs, "Kei-san" she exclaimed excitedly, running towards her blond friend.. Completely forgetting the other boy.
The blond turned around and smiled widely at his friend, "Ah Sayuri-Chan" he said in a calm voice.
Sayuri's smile widened. She opened her mouth about to say something when she saw a girl with pink hair sitting next to Kei. The girl turned around and stared at the two for a second before smiling.
Sayuri stopped in her place.. she suddenly felt a feeling building up in her heart.. Could it be? Was she… Jealous? Never before had she ever felt this way before, it just wasn't in her nature.
"Ah Shikamaru.. Um.. S-Sayuri-Chan" Sakura said with a small smile as she and Naruto left the ramen shop. "I was just taking Naruto for a bowl of ramen" she added with a wide smile wrapping her arm around Kei's.
That only made Sayuri feel worse, her smile suddenly disappeared as she waited for the two to reach her. "Sayuri-Chan, you found me" he said with a smile, "And.. um.. You are?" he added questioningly, turning to Shikamaru.
The black haired boy extended a hand, "Nara Shikamaru"
Kei shook his hand not knowing what to say, this boy might've been his best friend and he doesn't remember anything about him.
"Um.. Did you enjoy the ramen?" Shikamaru asked after a few minutes of awkward silence.
"N-not really, I thought it was too oily.. but at the same time I couldn't stop" Naruto said smiling.
"That's because you used to love ramen, your current personality might not like it.. But the old you is still in there somewhere"
Shikamaru's words sent each person into a world of thoughts. "So what are you planning on doing next?" Shikamaru asked suddenly, turning to Naruto and Sakura.
"Well I wanted to…" Sakura started with a happy smile.
"Hey weren't you supposed to be at the hokage's office half an hour ago?" Shikamaru suddenly interrupted pointing at Sakura with a gleam of remembrance in his eyes.
"Oh crap you're right!" Sakura yelled, a terrored look on her face, "Dammit Shikamaru! Why didn't say that since the beginning?.. Baka!" she added dashing away.
Shikamaru shrugged although she was already out of sight. "So.. What were you doing here?" Sayuri asked Kei, her attitude seeming to be a bit dry.
"Ah.. Well actually, Sakura-San came early this morning and asked that I'd go for a walk with her. You were sleeping deeply and I didn't want to disturb you" he answered with a sheepish smile.
There were a few more minutes of silence then Shikamaru said with a smile, "Well I still have some time before I have to get back to working, how 'bout we walk and talk?" he told Naruto, taking a step to the side, so that the three could walk next to each other.
After a few minutes of walking in total silence, Shikamaru suddenly said, "How about I introduce you to some of your old friends?"
Naruto nodded slightly, "Okay so..I'll just start with your own team.. There's Haruno Sakura, the girl you were with earlier.. she's a medical ninja trained under the hokage herself. She also has high skills in hand-to-hand combat.
Then there's Hatake Kakashi, he's your Sensei.. he's a top rank ninja, one of the best.."
Shikamaru paused to let Naruto absorb the information then continued, "Next there is my team, besides me there is Yamanaka Ino, she's also a medical ninja, she possess the Yamanaka's special mind jutsu's.. she's a Chunin like me and Sakura..
The third member is Akamishi Chouji, he's my best friend, also a chunin.. he possess the Akamishi's body techniques."
Shikamaru paused as he was about to mention Asuma-Sensei, he bit his lip before continuing, "Then there is team Gai, Mighto Gai is the Sensei, he's Kakashi's rival.. He's strongest at Taijutsu as is his favorite pupil Rock Lee.. Who is unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu.. but makes it up by his unbelievable Taijutsu skills.
The other two team members are Tenten who is a weapon master, and Hyuuga Neji, who has the Kekkei Genkai of the Hyuuga clan, the Byakugan.. That brings me to his cousin Hyuuga Hinata, she also has the Byakugan… she is from the main branch family, however Neji is… how to put it?.. A bit more skilled..
Hinata is part of team 8, aside from her there is Inuzaku Kiba, who is from a dog training family.. And Abrame Shino, who's family trains bugs as weapons.. Their sensei is Kurnai."
Shikamaru stopped, and finally took a deep breath, while Kei remained silent, trying to slowly let the package of information sink in. The thing that troubled him the most was that none of this information seemed even remotely familiar. He couldn't tie a face to a name, or remember his relationship with any of them.
What surprised him though, was that he understood a lot of the information, or in some form knew them.. He knew what a Byakugan was, he even knew what a Kekkei Genkai was.. He knew there were ninja's that used bugs as weapons..
Sayuri on the other hand, was unable to follow the conversation, and chose to remain silent.
After a few more minutes of silence Shikamaru stopped, "Well, I have an errand to run now so I can't chat any longer, but if you ever need anything, or want to ask about something don't hesitate to ask" he said with a smile, putting his hands in his pockets, and taking a few steps back.
Kei smiled and nodded politely, not pointing out the fact that he has no way to contact this polite stranger friend, given that he doesn't know his house..
"Ja ne'" -See ya'- Shikamaru saluted the two, before jumping onto the roof tops in a blink of an eye.
Kei and Sayuri stayed in their place for a few more moments, "You have no idea how to get back, do you?" Sayuri said, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"Nope"
The two continued wandering through the busy streets of Konohagakure, not knowing where they were heading.. not really caring though.
"Hey Naruto"
"…."
"Naruto"
the voice called again, causing Kei to remember that that was his name. he turned around to see a brown haired girl, holding two large scrolls. Of course she's expecting me to recognize her. Kei thought to himself, waiting in his place, and drawing a faint smile on his face.
The girl hurried over, "Oh yeah, you probably have no idea who I am.. My name is Tenten.. We met at the village gate the other day" she said with a gentle smile.
"A-aah" Kei muttered, nodding slightly with a smile, as he tried to remember what Shikamaru told him about this girl.
"What are you doing on this side of the village? Your apartment is in the opposite direction" the weapon master said then giggled lightly.
The other two couldn't help but smile at the joyful girl, "I was just buying some weapons from the store, if you want I could walk you home" Tenten offered pointing in a direction.
Kei shrugged and started walking, signaling for Sayuri to do the same. The three teenagers walked side by side, following the brunets lead. "Your name is Sayuri right?" Tenten said, creasing her forehead.
Sayuri nodded slowly, her eyes aimed at the ground. "Where do you live?" the brown eyed girl asked.
"Ehm, at.. The far end of Kororo-forest" Sayuri answered hesitantly.
"Ehh'? But.. That whole area is detached from the rest of the world… you must've been so lonely." The girl said.
Sayuri didn't answer as her face slowly reddened.
"Oh here we are" Tenten suddenly said with a friendly smile, "You're apartment is number 9.. I think" she added. -Not a fact, I chose a random number-
Naruto turned his eyes to the large, old looking apartment building, a weird feeling stirring in his chest. "Kei-San" he heard a soft voice say, as a sudden warmth filled his hand.
He looked down at his hand that was gently squeezed by a smaller hand, he turned his eyes to Sayuri's face and his features relaxed. "Oyasumi nasai" -good night- Tenten suddenly said as she left.
The other two teens turned around slightly and watched her go, then headed towards the entrance of the old building.
In the apartment, Sayuri sat on the bed teasing Bobo with a small orange rubber ball, Kei sat to a side watching them with a calm smile.
"So, what do you think so far?" Sayuri said addressing Kei, although she kept her eyes on her dog.
"About what?" Kei answered doing the same.
"Well, about everything.. Konoha, your old friends, your old apartment, your old life"
Kei remained silent for a few minutes, forming his answer, "Well, Konoha is bigger than I thought it would be, very crowded compared to what I got used to living with you… but I do like being around a lot of people.." he said then paused, "My old friends seem to be nice people, although I don't know much about them.. or what my relationship with them used to be. My apartment is old, and too small, but I guess it used to be enough for me… since I used to live alone. It was practical and good to sleep in I guess."
"And?" Sayuri said, looking at his tanned face.
"And what?" he answered her with a question as he usually does.
"You didn't say what you thought of your old life.." Sayuri pressed, with a gentle smile on her round face.
Kei took a deep breath, "Well.. I guess that's because I don't know much about my old life" he answered continuing to watch Bobo play.
Sayuri stared at him with a concerned look in her eyes, for some reason Kei seemed uncharacteristically sad, as if something was bothering him, "Ni-San.. Are.. You alright?" she asked cautiously.
Kei looked up at her, a surprised look in his honest blue eyes, Sayuri squirmed, "W-what? What is it?" she asked.
"N-nothing" Kei answered, quickly looking away.
"No.. It's not nothing" she said pursing her lips, as she felt a burning sensation in her cheeks, "Since when did you start hiding your thoughts from me?"
"Well.. it's nothing… really.." Kei said and would have left it at that except that the look on the girl's face said that he should do otherwise, "It's just that it's the first time you called me Ni-San since we came to Konoha"
"O-oh" she hummed, realizing that what he just said was true.
Kei noticed the sudden heavy atmosphere that loomed in the room, "It's nothing… I don't mind, everybody is not themselves these days.. so don't worry about"
Sayuri smiled slightly at her good friend's attempt to make her feel better, but she knew that something had changed between them two ever since they came to this place.
She sighed slightly, as she turned around to look out of the window at the star filled summer night… somehow; it too seemed to look different.
*Knock-Knock* "One second I'll be right there" a cheerful voice called down. A few seconds later Ino was swinging the door open, an attractive smile pasted on her slender face, "Oh.. Sakura" she snorted, a challenging smile forming on her lips.
"Can I come in Ino?" Sakura said anxiously, not noticing Ino's expressions.
"S-sure.. come in.. is something wrong?" Ino quickly answered, letting her friend in with concern.
She led the pale girl into the living room, and sat her on the black leather couch, then hurried off.
A few minutes later she came back with two pink cups of strawberry tea, and set them on the glass coffee table.
"What's wrong?" she asked jumping onto the couch and curling up next to her best friend.
Sakura clenched her fists on her knees, fighting back the tears locked in her eyes. The blond stared at her, not knowing what to say, she had never seen Sakura seem so vulnerable before. She definitely hadn't come to Ino for help before.
"I… Just don't know… what to do" Sakura finally spoke in a chocked whisper-ish voice.
Ino stared at her quietly, not knowing what her friend was talking about, "It's Naruto" Sakura added as if she could hear Ino's thoughts.
"What's wrong?" Ino said in a comforting voice.
"I.. feel so helpless" she whispered, "Again" she added in a voice only she heard. "Why doesn't he want to remember?" Sakura snapped, tears running freely from her emerald eyes.
Ino stared at her cautiously, "It's not his fault he lost his memory" she said her voice only a bit higher than a whisper.
The pink haired kounichi shook her head violently, "Both me and Tsunade-Sama are medical ninjas, and we couldn't find any physical cause for his memory loss"
Sakura stopped to take a breath but then quickly added not giving Ino a chance to speak, "It's like he doesn't want to remember us, he doesn't want to remember his old life.." a faint sad smile appeared on her lips as she added, "And who could blame him?"
She paused as if trying to control her emotions, "But it hurts!" she suddenly burst into tears once more, "He doesn't know us! We're the ones who are hurting.. We have to watch him not remember us.. I have to see him and know he doesn't remember who I am to him…. And who he is to me.."
Ino paused for a moment thinking it over slowly, Sakura remained quiet her tears continuing to silently flow down her cheeks and drop on her folded hands.
"D-did Tsunade-Sama say that to you?"" Ino suddenly said.
Sakura lifted her teary eyes, a confused look imprinted in them, "Did Tsunade-Sama say that Naruto doesn't want to remember?" Ino explained.
"No.." Sakura said in a low voice, returning her gaze to the soft carpet, "But somehow.. Somehow I'm sure… I'm not making this up" she added, her voice sounding a bit more collected than a few minutes ago.
The blonde stared at her pink headed friend, thinking it over, "Iie, Sakura you're wrong" she said, making Sakura turn around and stare, "All there is, is that Naruto needs us now more than ever.. We have to help him remember.."
Sakura paused for a second her eyes aimed at her feet, "You're.. Right" Sakura said standing up a sheepish sad smile on her lips. "I'm.. Sorry.. Ino.. I.. Didn't mean to bother you at such a late hour, for my silly fears.." she said.
Ino stood up staring at her best friend's face with concern, "Iie.. Don't mention it.." Ino said with a smile, "You know, I.. kinda' missed you" she added in a voice she was only meant to hear.
But Sakura heard it, she looked at the girl across from her, a blank look on her face, "See you later Pig" Sakura said, a mischievous smile forming on her face.
"Don't forget to polish your forehead, crybaby" Ino returned the compliment.
Sakura just smiled and headed to the door, "Arigato.. Ino" she whispered gently pulling the door close.
A\N: I only meant for this chapter to be 2500 words, but I decided that this Sakura-Ino sector fit better in this chapter so it ended up bveing over 3000 words.. I also want to apologize for the extensive description of the Naruto characters that you already know, but I was just putting myself in Kei's shoes and decided he needed to learn about his friends..
I know I made Shikamaru seem like an extremely passive person, but some times he is.. And I think a shy person like Sayuri would find him intimidating.. I just hope he wasn't too OOC..
Please review!