While walking though the dark streets of Konoha to get to Naruko's apartment, Naruko and Akito didn't say anything to each other bringing forth an awkward silence. 'This is really awkward' Naruko thought really wanted to say something to him but what would she say without making the situation more awkward.
"Naruko" Akito said. Naruko looked at Akito and said "yeah?" "How do you know my name? I never told you" Akito said. Naruko looked at the grown as tears started on form in her eyes. 'He… really doesn't remember me' Naruko thought still looking at the ground trying to hide her tears. "We met when we were little kids and we were friends but something happened that made me believe that you were… dead" Naruko said.
Despite her best attempts Akito saw the tears in her eyes. He also heard the sadness in her voice. Akito stopped walking and put his hand on Naruko's shoulder to stop her in her tracks. He put his hand on Naruko's cheek, made her look at him, and wiped away her tears.
After Akito took his hand hand off Naruko's cheek he pulled out the photo from his pocket and said "this is you right?" Naruko wiped the rest of her tears away and said "y-yeah it is." Akito looked at the photo with a gentle smile. 'I thought that you looked familiar' Akito thought.
Akito pulled Naruko into a gentle hug and said "I'm really sorry that I don't remember you but I would like to get you know you and be your friend again." Naruko broke the hug, looked at Akito, and said "r-really? You wanna get to know me and be my friend again?" Akito smiled and said "yeah of course I do. Especially after everything you did for me"
Naruko's eyes widened in shock as she looked away and said flustered "it's getting late. Let's just get to my place." Akito nodded his head then they continued walking. "Hey if it's not to much trouble I was wandering if you could show me around tomorrow?" Akito said. Naruko started blushing and said "um sure I can show you around."
When they got to Naruko's apartment Naruko said "I'll get you a pillow and blanket so if you need anything let me know." She then left the room. Akito started to look around the room and stopped when he saw five picture frames.
One of the pictures was of Naruko and her team, the second picture showed Naruko with what looked to be four other people but he couldn't tell for sure because a part of the picture was torn off, the third picture showed Naruko with five other people and on the top of the frame it said bffs, the fourth picture showed Naruko holding a shy and timid looking girl, she had short purple hair and pupil less lavender eyes, and when Akito looked at the fifth picture he was surprised to see that it was a picture of him and Naruko. What surprised him the most was how Naruko was holding onto his arm blushing and how he was looking at her as if she were a the most breathtaking person he's ever seen. He was also wondering what happened to the frame since the glass was cracked.
When Naruko came back into the room with a pillow and blanket she saw Akito staring at the picture frames. She then went over to him. "Akito" Naruko said causing him to look at her. She gave him the pillow and blanket then started to head back to her room but she stopped when Akito said "thanks for everything, you really helped me." "Y-you don't need to thank me. I-I was just d-doing what I was told" Naruko said facing away from Akito blushing.
The next day when Naruko woke up she got dressed then left her room. She saw Akito wide wake and dressed. "Good morning Naruko" Akito said. "Oh g-good morning Akito" Naruko said. "How did you sleep?" Akito said. "I slept pretty good actually" Naruko said. She looked at the ground and muttered "for the first time in years." "Did you say something?" Akito said.
Naruko snapped back to her senses then looked at Akito and without thinking she said "y-yeah I did." "Can you say it again? I couldn't hear you" Akito said. "Oh I umm…" Naruko tried to think of what to say when she looked at the kitchen. "I was wondering if you'd want me to make you something to eat before I show you around the village" Naruko said. "I mean if it's not to much trouble then sure" Akito said. "Ok I'll let you know when it's done" Naruko said then went to the kitchen and started cooking.
After they were done eating Naruko was washing the dishes when she thought 'this is so strange and very hard for me to believe. Akito has been alive this whole time and he's staying with me. These past days feels like a dream and at any moment I'll wake up to find out that none of this was real but I know that this is not a dream. Just the fact that someone I thought was dead for so many years is here with me in my apartment but… he doesn't remember me.'
Naruko looked at Akito saddened when she suddenly remembered what he told her last night. She blushed a bit looked back at the sink and thought 'I guess that it doesn't matter if he doesn't remember me. It's still him, he's still the same guy that I fell in love with.'
Naruko smiled and thought 'It's kind of funny to think that after all these years he hasn't changed all that much. I mean sure he's more mature, his voice is a bit deeper than it was before, and he's taller than me but that doesn't matter. He's still the exact same kind and caring goofball that I remember.'
Naruko was lost in her thoughts so she didn't realize that Akito was right beside her. "Hey is everything ok?" Akito said making her snap back to reality. Naruko jumped and fell down when she realized that Akito was right next to her and his face was so close to her's.
"Oh geez are you ok?" Akito said extending his hand. Naruko took Akito's hand and stood up. "Umm… y-yeah I'm ok I-I just didn't see you there" Naruko said embarrassed. Akito chuckled and said "you know you're really cute when you're embarrassed." Naruko blushed then looked away and said "is t-there anything you need?" "I don't need anything I just wanna ask you something" Akito said. "What is it?" Naruko said. "Are you sure that you don't want me to do the dishes?" Akito said.
Naruko looked at Akito surprised. After they finished eating he asked if she wanted him to do the dishes but she declined saying that she would do them herself. She smiled and said "yes I'm sure why do you keep asking?" "It's just that well I feel bad that you're cleaning this mess by yourself" Akito said. "I'm the one who made this mess so I should clean it up" Naruko said. "Well then at least let me help you" Akito said then started to help her do the dishes.
After a bit of silence Naruko said "I'm sorry I made a mess." "It's ok everyone makes messes from time to time" Akito said. "D-did you like what I m-made?" Naruko said. Akito looked at Naruko, smiled, and said "of course I did. You know you're really good at cooking." Naruko looked away blushing and mumbled "y-you know Akito I-I wouldn't m-mind cooking for you everyday."
"Huh? Did you say something?" Akito said. "Umm… no I didn't" Naruko said flustered. Akito chuckled and said "you dork." Naruko looked at the floor and said "Akito y-you c-can call me kitty if you want." Akito looked at Naruko and said "you want me to call you kitty?" "Y-yeah it's an old n-nickname of mine. Y-you used to call me kitty all the time" Naruko said. "Alright if you want me to call you that then I will"Akito said with a smiled.
When they were done doing the dishes and put everything away they were about to leave when Naruko said "if we run into any of my friends or comrades just know that they can be a bit strange so don't mind them." "Alright but if we do run into your friends or comrades then can you introduce me to them?" Akito said. "Of course I can" Naruko said.
"You know I'm really looking forward to staying here with you" Akito said with a big smile making Naruko blush like crazy and made her heart beat speed up. Naruko quickly opened the door and said flustered "l-let's go." She then started running with Akito following close behind her.
