I'm all bunged up with flu and this is what came to me at work.

Summary: Naruto has a secret, one that is about to come out.

Pairing: Naruto Uzumaki x Kagome Higurashi

'It's a Secret'

Name: Naruto Uzumaki

Age: 21

Rank: Jounin

Location: Konohagakure

Current temperament: Hyperactive

"Naruto sit down for Christ sakes!" Sakura yelled at her blond ex teammate as he sent another of her vases crashing. "What has gotten you so hyped up today?"

Naruto came to a speeding halt infront of her as she sat on her couch; a wide grin set on his handsome features. "It's a secret!"

XOX Flashback – Suna, four years ago XOX

Naruto happily sped to the Kazekage tower to see his old friend; Gaara. He came to a full stop as he noticed something new in the town he claimed as his second home. His eyes lit up and he dashed into the stall grinning. Sitting at the counter, he looked around.

"May I help you?"

He looked up and was drawn into deep pools of molten cocoa. He blushed sheepishly and smiled at the pretty waitress. "Yeah, what kind of ramen do you have here?"

The woman – Naruto assumed to be no older than eighteen – smiled brightly at him and handed him a menu. "Take your pick. If there is something on here that you don't see, just tell me how to make it and I will. What can I get you to drink?"

Naruto scanned the menu with a beaming grin. "Can I get a peach iced tea?"

"Sure." She said happily and left for the back. When she returned a few moments later, Naruto had placed down the menu in front of himself. "Have you decided?"

He nodded. "Yeah, can I get a miso beef please?"

The waitress nodded and walked back into the kitchen. She pulled some ingredients from the fridge and took them back to the cooking station out front. Naruto watched as she expertly friend beef, onions, mushrooms and beans before adding them to the miso soup and noodles. She placed the bowl in front of him with a smile. "Enjoy."

He dug into the noodles, his stomach rejoicing in being filled for the first time that day. He finished the bowl quickly and as he placed it back onto the table be noticed another sitting there. He gave a curious look to the waitress.

"I guessed?" She said with a small laugh.

XOX

When Naruto went back the following day with Gaara, he found the same waitress sitting out front. As soon as she saw him walk in, she pulled a fresh hot bowl of ramen out from under the heat lamp and handed it to him. "I though you might be back." She said happily before turning to Gaara. "I'll have your regular order done in a few moments Kazekage-sama."

Gaara twitched a non-existent eyebrow. "We have been over this Kagome-chan."

She gave a small laugh and waved her hands as she walked into the kitchen. "Hai, sorry Gaara-kun."

Gaara gave a stiff nod and turned to his companion, whose look just begged for an explanation. "Kagome-chan is a native of this village, but a traveler. She had only come back recently to open a ramen stand."

"Yep!" Kagome chirped happily as she began to fry shrimp and crab. "When I was travelling, I went to the village of Konoha and completely fell in love with a place called Ichiraku's. When I came back to Suna last year, I decided to open my own ramen stand. If you're ever in Konoha stranger, go to Ichiraku's the have the best oden."

"I'm from Konoha." Naruto said. "And I'm pretty sure that I'm their best customer."

Kagome leaned over the counter to get a better look at him. Her face lit up in recognition. "I recognize you! You were the cute blond that was always with that emo boy."

Naruto gave a hard laugh. "You mean Sasuke? He's a bit of a bastard but he's alright."

XOX End Flashback XOX

Sakura gave a sigh. "How about we go for Ichiraku?"

Naruto shook his head, a small grin on his face. "Ichiraku's has been closed for close to a week now."

"Why do you seem so happy about that?" Sakura said suspiciously.

"It's a secret!" He chirped.

She groaned and placed her head in her hands.

XOX Flashback Suna – three years ago XOX

"Kagome-chan!"

Kagome turned around and smiled at the blond running toward her. "Naruto-kun, it's so good to see you."

"I've missed you so much Kagome-chan." He said as he began to shower his beloved in kisses.

Kagome and Naruto had begun a long distance relationship not long after their initial meeting the previous year. It had been hard on both of them, but the saying was true. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Naruto had taken to visiting Kagome at every opportunity, spending a few days with her as much as she could and Kagome had begun to spend more and more time in Konoha. The owner of Ichiraku and her had spent some time discussing business and trading ideas whenever Naruto was busy.

"Are you coming to see the jounin exams next month Kagome?" Naruto asked as the pair walked to meet Gaara for lunch at Kagome's restaurant.

Kagome nodded and smiled as he wrapped an arm around her. "Of course I am, I want to see you graduate rank Naruto-kun. Do you know if you're getting a team yet?"

"The old hag said that if I want one then I can have one, but I'm not sure if I'll be the best teacher." He replied. "I don't really have much patience."

Kagome giggled. "You'll be an excellent teacher, I know it."

He smiled and planted a kiss on her head. "You always know what to say to cheers me up Kagome-chan."

The two walked into Kagome's ramen stand, oblivious to the line up of customers and Kagome began to get to work. She smiled at all the customers. "Welcome, let me get you all some menu's."

XOX

Naruto and Kagome sat together on the wall of Suna at sunset. The pair were white from sunscreen as the sunsets in Suna were scorching hot and neither wanted to get burned. Naruto gave a happy sigh and pulled Kagome tighter to him. "Hey Kagome-chan, I have a question."

Kagome looked up at him, a gentle smile on her face. "You know that you can ask me anything Naruto-kun."

"Why do you love me so much?" He asked.

Kagome was silent for a moment, setting Naruto on edge. "Because you're Naruto."

"What do you mean?" Naruto said.

Kagome shrugged. "That's why I love you so much. Because you're you and nothing else."

"Oh." He replied. "So if I changed, you wouldn't love me any more?"

"Don't be silly Naruto-kun, I'd love you no matter what." She said. "I think you're perfect the way you are though. Why do you ask?"

Naruto shrugged. "Just curious. I do have another question though."

"What?" Kagome asked.

XOX End flashback XOX

Naruto stole a glance at the clock and looked at Sakura. "Hey Sakura, I have to go somewhere, do you want to come?"

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked.

Naruto shrugged and walked to the door to put his shoes on. "I have to meet someone at the gate."

Sakura followed suit. "Who?"

"It's a secret!" He said.

Sakura rolled her eyes as they both left her house. "Why so many secrets?"

Naruto grinned and Sakura waved her hands at him. "I know, I know, it's a secret right?"

Naruto nodded. "Yep! Now, lets go!"

XOX

The pair had been standing at the gate for the last half an hour. Sakura sighed. Somehow along the way, they had met up with Sasuke and Kiba who were now standing with them.

"Hey guys, what are you all doing here?" Ino asked as she walked over with Choji.

"Meeting someone." Sakura answered.

"Who?" Choji asked.

Kiba shrugged. "Naruto won't tell us. Every time we ask, he tells us that it's a secret."

They all took a glance at Naruto who was pacing slightly and muttering to himself.

"So," Sakura said, breaking the awkward silence. "Do any of you know why Ichiraku's has been closed for the last week?"

Choji shrugged. "Yeah, Ayame-san told me that her and her father were moving to Suna. She said that he though it was time for a change and sold the place to the owner of the ramen stand there. They pretty much swapped shops. I hope that the new owner will be able to cook as well as Ichiraku did."

Ino nodded. "Yeah me and Hinata went there a few days ago and it was closed. Question, why doesn't Naruto seem upset about this?"

All eyes went back to the man who was now standing stock still as the gates opened. Naruto began to yell happily at the person who had just walked in as he ran and embraced her. Looking over his shoulder, he called out to the others. "Hey guys, come and meet someone?"

They shrugged and walked over to where Naruto was hugging a pretty brunette. Naruto pulled away from her and placed an arm around her waist. "Guys this is Kagome."

Kagome smiled at them. "It's nice to meet you all."

Sakura smiled back. "Nice to meet you Kagome, are you a friend of our Naruto's?"

Kagome shook her head softly. "No."

"She's my wife!" Naruto said happily. "We got married two years ago."

Ino gasped and looked at the small child hugging Naruto's leg. "Does that mean…?"

Naruto nodded. "Meet our one-year-old daughter Izumi."

Kiba gave a small cry of shock and Choji fainted. Sasuke's face grew dark. "Why did you not tell us you were married?"

"It's a secret!" Naruto said.

XOX

Well, the ending sucked but I kinda liked the rest of it. Anyways, tell me what you think. Much love always

Squishy xxx