A/N: Big thank yous to a lot of my readers. For all of the people who have made this story so much fun to write, thank you. And not limited to these, but they have been reading since the beginning. VitalInfo, Chewie Cookies, FiniteParadox... Thank you especially for your kind words. Its such a joy to know that others are enjoying my work. With that said, allow me to take a moment to digress. The next several chapters will be very focused on all the characters. I'll be developing Yuzu, Nanjo, Rise and the others intensely. That said, let's begin.

Chapter Sixteen: Storm's Beginning

Kaze and Rise sat in the living room after everyone else had left. The storm was worsening rapidly. The skies were draped in black clouds as a steady downpour fell from the heavens. Rise said nothing for a while, merely listening to the sound of rain drops splashing on the roof of the house. Kaze was gazing at the bracelet his father had given to him. After what seemed to be forever, Rise spoke.

"Want to go out and get some ramen?"

Rise said to Kaze. Kaze's stomach rumbled in approval. He flushed and he stood up.

"Let me get my jacket first."

He stood up and he went into his room. He slid the bracelet into the pocket and he brought Rise's coat along with him. Rise put her jacket on and she smiled at Kaze.

"You really missed them."

She said and she hugged him. Kaze nodded and he embraced her in return.

"It will be very hard. I will manage somehow, as long as you're by my side Rise."

Rise took his hand and she held it in both of hers.

"I always will be. And so will our friends. You may not know it, but Serah, Hiro, Syao, Lyn and everyone else all care about you, Kaze. I'm sure that even Nanjo, confusing as he is to figure out, cares about you. We're all part of the Konohagakure family. Now, let's get some ramen."

Kaze smiled. There's no doubt about it. This is where I belong. Mom and Dad are giving me strength and support from Sunagakure, but its Rise who gives me a reason to push myself. Kaze opened the door and he held it open for Rise. Rise stepped out and locked the door with her key. Both of them put their hoods up as the rain started to beat down on them. A chill wind blew past them, causing Rise to cringe.

"It's so cold."

She said and Kaze nodded in agreement.

"Maybe we should go back?"

Rise shook her head.

"I don't know how to cook very well, so we'd go hungry. Besides, I don't mind the rain. I just don't like being cold. Come on."

Rise said. She and Kaze walked through the driving rain for what seemed to be hours, but was actually just a few minutes. Ichiraku wasn't too far from the Uzumaki Manor. By the time they reached the ramen stand, Rise and Kaze were drenched head to toe. Teuchi welcomed them and he asked for their orders nonchalantly, but then he saw who it was.

"Hey, its Naruto and Hinata's kids. Where's your parents?"

Rise smiled at Teuchi and she sat down.

"They're on a mission. They'll be gone for a few days. Can I get a bowl of pork bone?"

Teuchi smiled and he called out to his daughter.

"One pork bone! What're you having Kaze?"

Kaze thought to himself.

"I'll have miso pork."

Teuchi nodded and called out the order to Ayame. Ayame started to make the food. Teuchi occupied himself elsewhere in the small booth. The curtains swung open and the familiar black hair came into view. Nanjo entered the booth and he sat next to Kaze. A young girl with long blonde hair sat next to him. Kaze smiled and he spoke.

"Hey Nanjo. Are you and Yuzu on a date?"

Nanjo grinned and he squeezed Yuzu's hand.

"We sure are. What about you and Rise?"

Rise felt the heat rise in her face. Kaze looked at her and he whispered.

"We can tell him."

Rise nodded and she grinned.

"We are. We've been together for about four months."

Nanjo smiled and he ordered two bowls of ramen for Yuzu and himself.

"I had no idea, although I saw it coming eventually. You two have been friends for years, or so Yuzu told me."

Kaze nodded and he squeezed Rise's hand. The smell of ramen was wafting through the stall, causing Rise's stomach to rumble. Nanjo was sharing a passionate kiss with Yuzu. Kaze felt his face growing hot. Rise was occupied elsewhere. Rise laid her head on Kaze's shoulder, causing the young male to automatically put his arm around her. Nanjo grinned at Kaze and opened his mouth to speak, but the four bowls of ramen were placed in front of them. All conversation was lost then. They ate noisily, slurping the noodles into their mouths. Teuchi was grinning at them all.

"Just like their parents, eh Ayame? Especially Rise. She's just like her dad was at her age."

Ayame nodded and she went back to her kitchen duties. When the meal was finished, Nanjo rose and he laid the money on the table.

"You two should get home before the streets get flooded. I have to take Yuzu home. See you at the Academy, Rise, Kaze."

Nanjo and Yuzu left them in peace. Rise sighed when they had left.

"I hate watching those two sometimes. They're always all over each other."

Kaze nodded and he smiled.

"We're not really that much different. We just keep getting interrupted."

Rise laughed and she hugged him.

"This is very true. We should get back. Its already 4PM. If we stay out much later, we'll be rained out."

Kaze nodded and Rise paid for their food. The two young Shinobi to be put their hoods up again and they braved the storm. Rain was falling in a torrential downpour. It seemed that Nanjo was correct: the streets were flooding rapidly. As the two of them walked, Rise suddenly stopped in the middle of the street. Kaze looked at her and he whispered.

"Is something wrong?"

Rise shook her head and she chest

"I thought I felt something nearby. It's probably just my imagination. Let's go home."

Rise said and they resumed their walk. The wind started to blow, adding a chilling effect to the already cold air. Rise and Kaze reached their home about ten minutes after they left, both shivering and drenched from head to toe. Rise fumbled with the key, her hands too cold to move properly. She got the door open and Kaze shut it quickly behind them. The house was only slightly warmer.

"We should probably take warm baths so we don't end up sick."

Rise said and Kaze felt his face flush red. Rise grinned and she poked his cheek.

"Not together silly. Not yet at least. I'm not ready to show myself to you. One day I will though."

Rise said and she hugged him after she dropped her jacket on the couch. Kaze threw his aside and he embraced her.

"I'm not ready either. I'm scared."

Rise laid her head on his his chest and she whispered.

"You don't need to be scared. No matter what you look like, you know I won't judge you."

Rise said and she kissed his cheek and she patted his chest as she held up her finger in her trademark gesture.

"Go take a bath and we'll come back out here after."

Rise said and she entered her room, closing the door behind her. Kaze followed her lead and he entered his room and he undressed, stepping into the warm bath. His bones thanked him as he slid under the hot water. He was instantly warmed as he closed his eyes. He started to think, until he heard a voice in his mind.

"You sure seem happy, Kaze."

Kaze grinned. He knew it was the Shukaku talking to him. Kaze had formed a pact with the beast, and they were on good terms.

"I am. I have Rise."

The Shukaku chuckled in his host's mind.

"Just don't get too excited. She's stronger than anyone else. When you're around her, I can feel my power pulsating. More than like, its because she's carrying the Kyuubi. Her nine tails compared to our one."

Kaze nodded and he thanked his beast. Kaze washed his body and he stepped out of the bath. He dressed in warm thick clothes and he made his way back to the living room. Rise was already waiting for him. She was sitting on the couch, reading. When she saw Kaze, she put the book down and she scooted over so he could sit.

"Feeling better?"

Kaze asked her and she nodded in response. Kaze sat and Rise laid on him.

"Can you hold me tonight?"

She whispered and Kaze slid his arms around her.

"Just like this."

She whispered with her eyes closed. Rise then fell asleep. Kaze laid back and he threw a blanket over them both. He then fell asleep, listening to the sounds of the rain.

TO BE CONTINUED...