A\N: more and more reviews! I'm so happy ^w^… thanx to thought, and the person with the very long name for the anonymous reviews..
Thought: no Naruto still hasn't been informed that he has the Kyuubi inside of him, this chapter makes it clear… and thanx for the suggestion, but the story is already finished in my computer, including the ending… but I'm glad you're enjoying the story enough to participate..
A.T.C.N.H.B.T: thanx for the review, it's sorta' a NaruXOC… but mostly it's a friendship.. read on more and you'll understand.. as for the personality change, that's just how I imagine Naruto would be if he wasn't so hyper active and rash..
A friend in demand
A.K.A
Choices
It'd been a week since Naruto's miraculous return, all the teen ninjas had visited him at least twice. All telling different stories, the ones they remembered the most.
Kei and Sayuri had just left the apartment building a little before sunset.. "Naruto ni-san!" they heard a younger voice call.
The two turned around to see three teens, about 12 years old, standing in the middle of the constant moving crowds. The middle boy was smiling widely, "Konobanwa.. Naruto-Nisan" –good evening; said when meeting someone-
Naruto and Sayuri flashed a smile, exchanging an understanding look between the two of them. The boy was looking at the blonde in anticipation, as did the other two teens that stood next to him.
"Hello I'm Sayuri" Sayuri suddenly said, glancing over at Kei.
"Oh gomen, I'm Konohamaru.. This is Moogi, and that's Adon" the boy with the long blue scarf said, pointing at his two friends in the order they were mentioned.
Sayuri nodded politely, and Kei gave her a gratefully smile, "Well, Knonhamaru.. You do know that I have a memory loss right?" Kei said calmly.
The three kids' eyes widened with remembrance and horror, "That's right! Ebiso-Sensei told us" the orange haired girl said.
Konohamaru looked away thoughtfully, "How can I make you remember?" he murmured to himself, as his two friends joined-in in their thinking position.
Kei and Sayuri exchanged laughing looks, "Aha!" Knonhamaru hummed excitedly, "This technique will bring back your memory in no time Naruto-Nisan.. don't you worry"
The boy then exchanged serious looks with the other two then nodded, "You taught us this technique" Konohamaru added.
"Okay.. Harmn no jutsu!" the three yelled simultaneously. *poof*
"Eep!" Sayuri gasped, turning away with a crimson colored face, while Naruto's nose began bleeding uncontrollably and fell on his back.
*poof*
"N-naruto-Nisan?" Moogi stuttered cautiously staring at their mentor.
"Do you think it worked?" Adon asked, followed by a short sniffle.
Sayuri helped the blond boy back to his feet, as she put a handkerchief on his nose.. her eyebrow twitched slightly, "Konohamaru.. Please do not do that technique anymore.." she then shot Kei a furious glare, "Kei.. They said that you taught them that technique"
"A-ah.. I don't remember any of it.. honest!" he stuttered waving his hands.
"I can't believe you were such a pervert.. Kei" Sayuri mumbled to herself, "Now, if you three don't mind.. Naruto.. And I have somewhere to go" she added to the kids in a sweet voice masking great anger.
"Um!" The three hummed excitedly in agreement, "See you later.. Naruto-Nisan!" Konohamaru yelled as he waved goodbye.
"Oof!" Kei gasped after receiving a jab in the side by Sayuro's elbow, "Try to remember that when you regain your memory!" she huffed, "Don't make me remind you" she added threateningly.
All Kei could do was nod in response.. A nervous smile on his lips.
They arrived home late that night.. No, they weren't partying, but they still had trouble finding their own way around the village.
Sayuri climbed under the covers and Kei set a sleeping bag as they would do every night. They remained silent for sometime, their steady breathing being the only heard sound. "Kei?" Sayuri said, trying to keep her voice close to a whisper.
"Hmm?"
"What do you think is going to happen next?" She asked, her voice containing a weird tone.
There was a low ruffle as Kei flipped over to look at Syuri's silhouette in the moon light, "What do you mean?" he asked, a concerned look was unseen on his face.
"I mean.. what if you never regain your memory? Then what will you do?" She asked, but he remained silent, "I mean.. Are we going to stay in Konoha? Or are we going back to the cabin?" she said, trying to make it easier for him to answer.
But he still didn't answer, at that moment Bobo jumped onto the bed, and lay in front of Sayuri.. She smiled to mask what she was feeling and petted him on the back gently.
"I.. Don't know" Kei's voice surprisingly came with an answer.
The silence suddenly became eerie, as an odd atmosphere took over, "Um.. Let's just go to sleep.." Sayuri said quickly, "Um.. Good night Kei" she added flipping over to face the wall.
Kei remained silent for a second but then sighed, as he too flipped to face the other wall, "good night" he answered.
Sayuri woke up before the sun had come up.. She sighed rolling over and tried to fall back asleep, but with no use… she let out an exasperated sigh as she sat up. She looked over, but Kei wasn't sleeping on the ground.. she knotted her brows, but figured that she wouldn't be able to find him.
She dangled her legs off the side of the bed, looking at Bobo as he slept in Kei's place, as if he was keeping it warm for his friend. Not knowing what to do with herself, Sayuri decided to go to the roof for fresh air.
….
"Kei?" he heard Sayuri's voice call from behind.
He turned around slowly, and watched her as she walked over to him, "It's chilly up here" she smiled faintly, as she tightened her light peach sweater over her pajamas.
He only responded with a slight smile, "Aren't you afraid to fall?" Sayuri asked smiling, as she leaned on the ledge he was sitting on.
He shook his head, "Nah.. I bet I did more frightening things as a ninja.."
The brown haired girl let out a short giggle, "I bet you did" she said, "So.. What are you doing up here?" she asked a bit more serious, watching the horizon as she waited for sunrise.
"The same as you" he answered.
There was a brief moment of silence as the early morning breeze tickled their faces. "Kei…"
"You noticed it too right?" Kei interrupted her, a sad smile on his lips, "You noticed how the villagers look at me.." he explained as he saw her questioning look.
"Kei that doesn't…"
"Only God knows what I did to make them hate me so much…" Kei interrupted for the second time.
"Kei…"
"It's all just one whole big mystery, my whole life.. I've learned so much about my life.. But it's like I don't know anything at all" he interrupted for the third time, "They -meaning the other ninjas- tell me anything.. Except what's important" he added, irritated, to say the least.
Sayri remained silent this time, knowing that what he was saying was true.. he could sense what she was feeling, so he continued gazing ahead with his brows knotted..
"And you know what the worst part is?" he added without needing to interrupt her, "I feel as if I don't want to know… What if I can't take it? What if I don't like who I actually am?" he continued gridding his teeth hopelessly, as he slammed his fist on the concrete under him.
"You are a good person" Sayuri said, her warm hand gently wrapping around his.
He looked at her surprised for a moment, then turned away a saddened look in his blue eyes, "But how can you know?" he asked, not making eye contact.
"Because this is who you are, kind, friendly, fun Kei" She answered with a playful smile, squeezing his hand tightly.
"But who said that's who I am actually.. I don't know how to put it but…"
"But this is you, this is who your default personality is.." She answered, turning to watch the first of the day light, "People like you don't just come out of thin air" -XD- she added, her smile seemingly brighter.
Kei stared at her, unsure of what to believe.. He really wanted to believe what Sayuri was saying, however.. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was nothing but evil inside.. There was an unreasonable empty feeling in his heart, that would've come from somewhere.
But the blonde forced out a pale encouraging smile, to try and put Sayuri at ease.. She settled for what she got.. She pushed herself away from the edge, "You coming?" she asked, then let out a long tired yawn.
The blue eyed boy gave her a sympathetic smile as he said, "You go I'll catch up.."
Sayuri yawned again, "Right.. okay.. I guess I'll just wait…." She said, but felt too lazy to finish her sentence, as she slowly slumped down the stairs.
She failed to see how the blonde's smile faded away.
She stumbled into the apartment, her eyelids seeming unusually heavy.. she glanced over at Bobo as he slept and she sat on the bed..
If I wait for him here it can't hurt.. she thought to herself.
Well, if I just lean my head while I wait for him.. it would be okay..
He wouldn't mind if I just closed my eyes for second..
It couldn't hurt to….
"Sayuri…. Sayuri?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm going out with Sakura-San okay?"
"Uh huh"
"Okay.. see you later"
"Hmm"
….
Again she woke up to find an empty room, Kei has been acting odd for these last few days. She sighed, she has to share Kei now, that is just a fact she has to learn to live with.
She sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the wooden floor with sleepy eyes. Finally she stretched and yawned trying to collect her energy, then let her arms drop down beside her lazily.
She stood up noticing that her dog was no where to be found. She quickly shrugged standing up and deciding that Bobo was with Kei. In a few minutes she realized that she was hungry, she headed to the small fridge then frowned when she found no edible food in it.
She slammed the door shut with a sigh, deciding to go buy some fresh food, and more dog food for Bobo.
She turned to her pack, fumbling through it she found, it horror, that their money supply was running low. She quickly imbedded the money in her pocket, wondering to herself how they would manage to make more money. Kei probably used to make money being a ninja, but since he can't do that anymore, they'll have to learn to do something else for a living.
She thought most of that as she skipped down the many stairs leading out into the street. As she stared at the crowded road she decided to take the back street where there would be less people.
And without second thought she turned into the alley that was beside the large blue apartment building. She walked through it, her mind absent in thought, until she found herself somewhere she didn't know.
She found a little restaurant, she decided to go in and ask for directions. She entered the crowded place looking for someone willing to volunteer with some information for her.
She tried asking some waiters but no one seemed to have a second to spare. She stood there a bit puffed, and not to mention confused, wondering what to do next.
"Excuse me" Sayuri heard a soft voice from behind, "You said you were looking for a store that sold dog food?"
Sayuri turned around to see a lady with red eyes and silky black hair, next to her sat a toddler with tanned skin and short black hair. She nodded hopefully waiting for the women to help her.
The women put the vegetable baring chopsticks in the child's mouth then answered, "If you want I can direct you to the Inuzuka family store… they can give you the best food for your dog"
Sayuri nodded happily wondering in the back of her mind where she had heard that name before. The lady quickly gave her clear directions… "That should take you straight to the place." She concluded.
Sayuri smiled brightly, "Arigato" she said, with a polite nod, "By the way he's cute" she said motioning at the child, "I'm guessing he takes after his father" she added as the toddler stared at her with wide brown eyes and smile.
The mother smiled kindly, "Aah" she answered briefly.
The teen waved playfully at the two, as she left the restaurant. Surprisingly it only took a few minutes for her to reach the mentioned place; she approached the building unsure of what to do next.
"Hey, what can I do for you?"
"Eep" she gasped turning around to see the brown haired boy who suddenly appeared behind her.
"Oh sorry for startling you" he said with a toothy smile, patting his small-lion sized dog.
Sayuri stared at the friendly large dog for a short moment, then said pasting a smile on her lips, "Um.. It's alright.. Do you know where the Inuzuka Pet utilities are?"
"Hey.. yeah you're that girl that was with Naruto right?.. Um.. Sa…." He paused thinking.
"Sayuri" She reminded him, barely able to maintain her smile.
"Yeah that's right Sayuri.. I'm Inuzuka Kiba.. This fella is Akamaru" he smiled widely, extending a hand.
She shook his hand shyly, smiling slightly as the dog wagged his tail and barked. "What did you say you needed?" Kiba asked leaning against Akamaru a little.
"J-Just some dog food for Bobo.." she said fidgeting a little.
"That's it? No problem.. Follow me" he said, taking the lead.
Sayuri followed him timidly as he burst through the front door of large white building.
"Nee-Chan?" he called livelily, leading Sayuri deeper into the residential section of the building.
She heard a woman's voice answer with incomprehensible words. Apparently Kiba understood them and yelled back, "Yeah I did.. They'll be ready by 5 tomorrow." He then turned to Sayuri and chuckled a bit, "What are you so nervous about? We don't bite"
Sayuri smiled at his comment, and continued following him towards the back of the house. The brown haired boy fumbled through bags of pet food.. Sayuri stood to the side watching quietly.
"Nee-Chan? Where is the energy dog food?" he yelled out.
There was another muffled answer, Kiba's face lightened after it, "You really don't need to give me that, just any regular dog food would do" Sayuri murmured, as she watched the boy climb to a higher shelf.
"Nonsense! You are a friend of Naruto, and so mine too" he answered trying to reach the far end of the shelf, "Aha.. There it is" he said jumping backwards and landing on his feet.
He walked over to Sayuri a big grin on his tanned face, he carefully handed her the large bright green package. She took it from him with a grateful nod.
He walked her back out to the street, "Ha, you're pretty strong for a girl" he said smiling widely.
She looked over at him confused, "That bag is pretty heavy, I didn't actually expect you to be able to hold it" he said with a sheepish smile, realizing he wasn't acting very gentlemen like, I mean in letting her hold a heavy bag.
But Sayuri just smiled lightly as she said, "Nah, it's okay, I carry heavier things back at the cabin"
The wild-ish looking boy stared at her curiously wanting her to explain, but she didn't.. Instead she said, "Well, thanks a lot Kiba-San… I.. I'll try to pay this back to you" she said with a bright smile taking a few steps.
"Nah don't mention it.. H-hey should I walk you back?" he said, hesitant to step towards her.
"Uh huh" she hummed expressing her refuse, "I still need to do a little more shopping"
"But are you sure you can find your way back?" he asked raising his brows.
"I'll manage" she said accompanied with a small giggle, "Sayonara Kiba-San" -Sayonara is actually Japanese for good bye 'I think'-
Kiba waved back as she walked away.
Sayuri reverted her steps, safely guiding herself back to the restaurant.. She saw the street that would lead her straight back to Kei's apartment.. She turned her gaze back to the sky, it was still too early to go back and be stuck in the apartment. With that decided she turned around, walking in a random direction.
She wandered through the ninja filled streets, almost everyone in Konoha was a ninja it seemed, I wonder if the babies are ninjas too.. She snickered to herself.
At that moment a few young children were mimicking ninja actions playfully.. The timing of that just seemed too funny for her, she let out a loud giggle, causing everyone to turn to her and stare.
She blushed heavily shrinking between her shoulders slightly. She wished Kei was there so that she could hide behind his arm. With her hurried steps, she was able to get away fairly fast.. She found that she had wandered towards a large school, it took her a few moments to realize that it was a ninja school.
She stood next a swing tied to a large tree.. She leaned against the tree as she calmly watched the children play and train. She let out a slight sigh as she felt a sudden cloud of loneliness swarm her heart.
She shook her head, then looked briefly at her bags of groceries, the fruit she bought won't last very long.. But if she bought any more they'd rot in the fridge before she could finish them.
She sighed again as she sat against the tree and leaned her head on the tree trunk, closing her eyes. She thought back to her cabin, and the beautiful forest surrounding it. She wished she could be there at that moment, walking barefoot in the wet grass.. And touching the exotic flowers that only grow there. But not the Aurora flower, that one smelled awful!
She giggled to herself as her body relaxed further; she kept her mind on the forest forgetting herself…
"Sayuri.. I'm sorry I…" Kei said as he opened the door to his apartment.
He knotted his brows when she was no where to be seen, but he quickly shrugged it off.. It was noon already, he couldn't seriously expect Sayuri to just sit around and do nothing all day..
He let Bobo jump around the room hyperly, as he headed to take a shower..
He came out his blonde hair sticking to his forehead, and the great refreshment filling him, the refreshment that only comes from a cold shower on a hot summer day.. He looked out the window, it was still high noon, Sayuri would be coming back soon.
He sat on the bed, looking around at the bare room.. He couldn't find something entertaining to do.. He searched in the drawers for something to read, he only found a cooking magazine that dated 15 years back.. He assumed that it had originally came with the apartment.
He got up to pour water for Bobo in his shiny blue plastic plate, then went back and lay on the bed facing the ceiling.. He flipped to his side deciding to take a short nap until Sayuri came home..
He hadn't fallen asleep since the morning, he was too tired to even bother to cover himself..
A\N: Yeah well this chapter was sort of a filler, more action in the next one… I think…. Sorry about the bit with Kurinai, no real spoilers there, not that I know of anyways… I know that the boy doesn't fit correctly into the time frame that I'm typing this story in, but I just had to throw it in… also, I'm sorry that most of this chapter turned out about Sayuri, rather than the actual lead character Naruto.. that was unintentional..