AN: Yo yo yo, happy holidays! So, it' s been months I know, and I honestly don't have anything to say. I'm very bad at updating it seems (read: lazy), but have faith! I might update slow but I haven't forgotten you guys! Though winter break just started, so I've got nothing to do but write. At the very least there should be one more update for this story. Also (shameless self promotion) if you haven't checked out my ItaSaku Hearts Wide Open you should. Who knows the worst that could happen is you like it. Besides, I'm planning to have 2 chapters up in the next month! Whooo! Hope you enjoy, and don't forget to review to let me know your thoughts! Constructive criticism is appreciated. (Too many exclamation points)
DISCLAIMER: I just write this for fun.
Dedicated to a reader of mine on Ao3: pooKie420. You motivated me to finish this chapter ^.
Naruto liked to think this wasn't her.
That she didn't have it in her to flip out at a random worker who just happened to dump her drink. But apparently she did, and it was like she couldn't even think clearly.
Besides, even if she was in the wrong, it looked like Duck Ass was taking out whatever angst he had, out on her warm, sweet, caramel-y, heaven-sent drink, that should be praised for all of eternit-.
That train of thought had just derailed, crashed, and burned in a fiery inferno.
Okay, moving on.
Even before her father had taken office and become Hokage, he'd wanted Naruto to be conscious of the hardships of others less fortunate than herself. So around when she was 7, the Uzumaki-Namikazes went on a couple years long service mission to Ame.
The history of Ame is an unfortunate one.
Their downfall started with 2 nations.
Suna and Iwa.
Suna fighting to bring justice down upon the murderer of their third Prime Minister, and Iwa to redirect the finger being pointed at them. Konoha was quick to rush to the aid of its ally Suna and thus fighting on 3 sides began.
Ame was caught between the brutal force of 3 powerful nations, all three willing to do whatever was necessary in order to avenge the wrongs that had been committed against them and their ally.
All of them forgot about the small nation caught in the middle of it all, being devastated on all sides. As the war (which would later be called the Third Great War) raged on, poor Ame fell deeper and deeper into poverty and instability and its' citizens suffered for it. The result after the dust had settled and the blood pools dried up?
Ame was left a pale shadow of the nation it once was, dying and neglected.
After the war Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze, formerly First Lieutenant, was promoted and given the title of Sergeant Major of Army because of his vital role in the war, (some believed it was because of him Suna and Konoha won). "The Yellow Flash" was how he was known throughout the world, for his shock of yellow hair and the speed of which he dispatched his enemies, turning him into a yellow blur on the battlefield.
It weighed on him though.
Minato was a soldier, he knew that- knew what was expected of him, knew what he would see and do in the name of his country and the people he swore to protect. But the knowledge of the deaths he had caused, indirectly and directly, still kept him up at night.
During the war, sleep evaded him, leaving his bright blue eyes dark and clouded, with nothing to do but stare up at the grimy tent ceiling above. Lying there reliving the day over and over again, gunshots ringing outside. The sound was somewhat distant but to a battle sharpened soldier, it might as well have been right next to him.
In the morning though, he'd have to lock it away. As soon as he lifted the dirt-streaked canvas flap of his tent, no one would ever know that this firm, battle-hardened man was the same person who wrote tear-stained letters every night to his wife and daughter, that he knew he would never send.
It eased the burden somewhat, putting into words how much he missed them. How he couldn't promise that, only tomorrow they wouldn't hear a knock on their door, opening it to find a solemn man dressed neatly in military gear you could tell had never been used, hat respectfully off and head bowed, glancing up to meet eyes that pleaded for some kind of mistake. Naruto, his little baby girl, clutching Kushina's leg and taking in the first time she had ever seen fear on her strong mother's face.
No, as soon as the dawn rose pink, and the hellish nightmare began once again, that man disappeared- it would do no good for his subordinates (or enemies) to see anything that could be equated to weakness.
Rule #17 of war: A soldier must never show any weakness.
Especially from a leader.
After the war was different, though.
Minato filed his request for a couple years of military leave in an attempt to salvage what was left of his conscious and avoid falling prey to survivor's guilt and PTSD. Of course they said yes with his record and the fact that, now every nation had issued a flee on sight order (making him their most powerful military personnel) may have helped.
He never told anyone what he'd seen or done but he thought Kushina understood- after all they'd met in Military Academy. She understood his need to get away from it all for a while, and so she'd suggested moving to Ame for a couple years.
Think of it as atoning for the lives, she'd said, people suffered in that war, but the people of Ame shouldn't have to.
And so they'd moved, buying a small cottage on the outskirts of Ame's capital, Amegakure. They lived humbly for a couple years, living off military grants and Kushina's inventive business of bottling water from Ame's magnitude of wells, and selling it to other nations. She called it " Tenu Mizu", (天の水) or "Water of the heavens."
It sold well becoming a staple in wealthier communities, the new "Perrier" it was called, and they used the profits to help rebuild, buy food, fund housing projects. Minato and Kushina also worked as a link between the established Konoha government and the rebuilding Ame government. Kushina was the one who worked out trades between Konoha, Ame and a reluctant Suna.
The redhead sat with her legs crossed, one hand laying on top of her knee, a couple inches above the hemline of her tan shorts. She was engaged in a staring contest with the current Kazekage, the Prime Minister of Suna, who was resolutely glaring back.
Finally the fourth Kazekage spoke, his voice low and rumbling,
"Why have you called me here, wife of the Yellow Flash."
Her face was marred by the deep frown that was etched on it,
"Now, now Kazekage-sama, I'll be addressed by my title, the accomplishments of my husband have nothing to do with this conversation- it's First Sergeant Uzumaki just in case you weren't sure."
She was giving him an out, and her eyes glimmered daring him to say otherwise, "I may be off-call, but my position still remains. And with all due respect Kazekage-sama, you know exactly why we're here," she paused,
"To pay Suna's debt back to Ame."
Throughout her statement he'd been silent, but the last part evoked a reaction from him.
"Suna owes nothing to Ame. You'd do well to remember who you are talking to." he roared.
Kushina's eyes flashed and her polite tone turned cold.
"Kazekage-sama, it is because of Suna and Iwa 's war that Ame is in ruins. Both destroyed the country and as such, both should support Ame at its weakest," her voice was firm and her body language screamed confidence. This was woman with a cause, and she would not be denied.
"That may be so, but Suna's priorities are that of its' own people. The war took a toll on all sides involved; our only focus is securing Suna and making sure supplies are readily available."
A knowing smirk danced across her face.
"Kazekage-sama, that's exactly what I'm proposing. A trade involving Suna and Ame. As you know, Ame has a surplus of water and all the agricultural space needed to produce enough food for both its' citizens and Suna's. The people of Ame sent me to offer this deal:
They are willing to trade water and food in exchange for security and help rebuilding property."
Her blue-gray eyes sparkled.
"So, what say you Kazekage-sama?"
With a little bit of persuasion, both parties came to terms and a deal was established. It was a little while after that when things started to look up for Ame. Having a purpose gave them drive and restored their faith in starting anew. Minato felt his debt had been paid off some and the time was right to return home, and that was the end of the Ame chapter of Naruto's life.
Naruto's anger was a red smog that seemed to consume her. She always had a bit of a temper but this- this literally took the cake for being the stupidest reason for getting mad ever. She couldn't seem to break free and over what? Her goddamn latte.
That thought cleared her mind and she exhaled. The sounds of the once-vibrant and buzzing cafe, people chatting, keyboards clacking, machines whizzing and whirring, the sounds of people's caffeine needs being met, were silent.
Why's everyone so freaking quiet?
She must have voiced her thoughts out loud because a flat voice replied, "Because of you, idiot.".
In front of her stood the barista himself, a clean black apron tied around his waist, mouth scowling and hair hanging over disapproving eyes.
"You do realize only employees are allowed behind the counter." A pale finger pointed towards a white sign with red words, "It's not like there's not a sign right there that says, surprise, only employees are allowed behind the counter."
He spoke as if he was trying to explain gravity to an airbender, and Naruto could hear the sarcasm practically oozing from his words.
"No shit Sherlock. I saw it, but obviously," she dragged the word out, "If I'm back here that means I don't care." Naruto said bluntly.
Duck Ass shifted, leaning against the counter with the coffee scoop still dangling in his hand, as if trying to make himself more comfortable among the flour bags. Naruto hoped it fell on his gelled head, then it would finish off the ghost look he had going.
Barista guy looked straight into her eyes, lips twisted in a wry smirk.
"You have no respect for anyone, do you?"
"I do!" she muttered under her breath, "Just not for you."
It wasn't her fault, the afternoon flashed through her mind, er, maybe it was, but she just wanted caffeine. Seriously.
But, she couldn't say that, so it translated into, "I just wanted a little professionalism and" she emphasized the word, "anyone with eyes could see you were in a bad mood, that doesn't mean you nitpick at someone else's drink. Or waste a perfectly edible item, teme.".
Sasuke scowled. This idiot's logic made zero sense.
Professionalism was her excuse? You'd gotta be shitting him. Arguing with her was supposed to let off some steam- not build more, but right now he felt like a freaking tea kettle. But, he supposed, he couldn't have expected a battle of wits with a dobe who quite obviously, wasn't even armed.
Mentally he sighed.
He'd thought this one might be fun. No matter- time to end this.
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, you're disturbing the customers," her mouth opened, about to protest but he stopped her with a glare and jabbed his finger towards the entrance door, "and if you refuse to cooperate, then I'm going to have to call the police."
So much for a calm afternoon, or, whatever time was left of it, she didn't want to spend it in a jail cell. She messed up and she could admit it. . . just not to this teme.
Turning around, and walking towards the middle of the room to face the cafe, she held her hands together and bowed her head, blonde hair falling in from of her eyes and hanging around her head like a curtain.
"I reacted inappropriately and I didn't respect your right to a peaceful afternoon and for that I am sorry, sumimasen. Please accept my regrets."
Peeking a blue eye open, she took in the sight of people with mixed reactions on their faces.
A mother holding her son's hand smiled gently, understanding not of her actions but of her apology. After all, the boy pulling on her shirt and pointing vehemently at a piece of cake inside the display case, face scrunching with displeasure, she has dealt with it before.
The couple was snickering behind their mugs, the man setting his down and in his haste knocking it over. Reaching for a napkin with one hand, he blotted the spill, cursing under his breath at his clumsiness, she definitely wouldn't like him now.
A hand moved with a crisp white napkin grasped in it, soaking the mess up alongside him. In fascination he watched as the brown liquid spread towards the middle of the paper, almost eating it all. Looking up, warm amber eyes gazed back, framed by severely raven locks, a small smile softening her face.
Relief washed over him and he smiled back, cheeks lifting. The window framing the scene, as they cleaned the mess together, hands holding each other under the table.
Naruto nearly gagged at how sweet it all was.
The old man who had commented about the line earlier, had a scowl that eclipsed his entire face, twisting it grotesquely.
"Should've tossed you out on your sorry ass, spoiled brat."
Black lightning flashed menacingly, and at least 6 pairs of red eyes shone menacingly, dim light reflecting off pointed teeth. The figures stalked forward, surrounding, causing Naruto to back up.
Naruto blinked, and reality sunk back in, revealing the barista's fangirls surrounding her in a circle. Like a kill circle.
Predators in Prada.
One girl with brown hair in a high ponytail, that swished as she stalked forward, green eyes sizing her up, said practically growling,"How dare you attack our poor Sasuke-kun!" Choruses of "yeahs" echoed through the group.
"Listen vulture ladies-" Whoops, didn't mean to say that.
Eyes narrowed.
"Get her girls." With a snap of the leader's fingers, they charged her and Naruto sighed in her mind.
This was what apologizing got her- rabid fangirls and an early death. Dammit.
"Some help would be appreciated." She tossed the comment over her shoulder.
Silence was her response before-
A jet of air was expelled from a machine. The whirring of coffee beans grinding and the smell of rich coffee hitting her nose.
They were getting closer.
Suddenly, right next her ear, a bell dinged and the sound rang through her ear canal, lingering longer than the initial sound.
Back pressed against the counter, hands gripping the cool obsidian, the corner of her eye catching a glimpse of a coffee cup with her name written on it in cursive.
Fancy bastard.
"One Caramel Macchiato for Naruto." The barista's uninterested voice announced, black eyes glinting with amusement at her predicament.
She scowled back, and the corners of his mouth twitched upwards in response.
Great timing.
Time to make her escape. Her slim fingers swiped the to-go cup and she darted behind the counter again, this time with a different intention.
Her human shield groaned, and cast an angered look over his shoulder.
She grinned sheepishly back in response and took her first sip of her hard fought drink, closing her eyes as the warmth and taste swept over her.
So good! She supposed Teme knows what he's doing. She was snapped from her revery by an irritated voice,
"Sasuke! What the hell is going on with my cafe, dammit!"
Sasuke closed his eyes and sighed. He seemed to be doing that a lot today.
From the staircase, Tsunade stood, holding her "to-go" cup, green eyes glinting dangerously, looking at the scene in front of her. Her god daughter using her seething, grumpy cat employee as, essentially a meat wall, cornered by legions of his rabid fangirls.
Fan-freaking-tastic.
If she was going to be honest, the blonde was quite amused, but of course she couldn't let her 2 dear workers know that, let them cower for a bit. After all, she was the boss.
Looking at the shorter girl sticking her tongue out at the fangirls from behind the Uchiha, who brushed back his bangs before smirking and turning around, lips forming what was undoubtedly a snide remark, she came to the realization that this was what the next few months were going to look like- a bad rom-com, the kind that required lots of popcorn and lots of sake.
Sasuke was going to have kittens when he realized Naruto was his new intern.
I found the best piano music EVER. Check it out you wont regret it I promise. Im attaching a link for piano and one with lyrics. Will the link work? I don't know, probably not.
watch?v=mtkBU3bV0tY
watch?v=cdYKj2PvnZE