Ramen Doodles
By Andrew J. Talon
Disclaimer: I do not and probably never will own Naruto or any other copyrighted works mentioned in this story. I am not writing this for profit.
Author's Note: When I have writer's block, I often write a lot of random snippets of ideas, omakes, and continuations of other author's ideas that kind of petered out. As I'm afflicted with a bit of writer's block regarding Key Through the Heart (again), I've decided I'm not going to leave you guys in the lurch. Therefore, enjoy some writing I've been doing over at The Fanfiction Forum.
Here's another scene for the Star Trek (2009)/Naruto fusion idea I kicked around a little.
He's tugging at his sleeves again... Doctor Shizune Senju thought, striding down the corridor alongside Iruka Umino. Even as they went over the checklist for the new medical supplies, his fingers went to the rank bands just above his wrists on his amber uniform. She couldn't help a small smile at this. He was so cute.
"At least two cadets have come down with some variation on H45N4," she said.
"Sounds nasty," Iruka commented as they continued on their way. Shizune shrugged.
"Nothing too serious. It's been picked up before and the vaccines for H45N1 are still working. These two cadets just missed the chance to get their shots due to a family emergency. Still, we'll keep an eye on them."
"How about the new grav stretchers, didn't some of the medics complain about them being stuck at 2 gees?" Iruka continued. Shizune nodded.
"I've had the affected equipment sent down to maintenance but they keep saying that they just don't have the time with all the equipment hiccups popping up," she sighed, shaking her head. Iruka smiled wryly and shook his head as they passed crewman through the corridor.
"Trust me Doctor, compared to some of the other headaches I have to deal with, this is pretty minor."
"The launch preparation isn't that rough, is it?" Shizune asked. The newly minted captain sighed again and rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, Engineering's having some software glitches so they've had to pull some dockworkers in for manual adjustment of the EPS conduits, at least half the airlocks are stuck in maintenance cycles, I've got supply problems of every kind..."
"I've noticed an awfully large number of shuttles, you know," Shizune commented. "I thought this ship was equipped with a transporter?"
Iruka made a face. "Yes, but it's limited to beaming up maybe 2,000 kilos a shot, and it takes at least a minute each way to complete. A shuttle is a lot more efficient."
"A minute? Then what good is it?" Shizune asked.
"Figures a doctor wouldn't get it."
Shizune stiffened, and grit her teeth. She managed a friendly smile though, at the curvy, grinning figure approaching. Iruka stiffened a bit next to her, which filled Shizune with a warm fuzzy feeling while it lasted. He smiled widely at the woman in the green Starfleet Marine fatigues.
"Anko! How'd you find me?"
"I wouldn't be very good at my job if I couldn't find you, would I, Captain Umino?" Anko asked, her broad, impish smile barely covering something more... Predatory.
Bitch, Shizune thought venomously. Out loud, she managed to be polite, though the tension was palpable between the two women.
"Captain Mitarashi."
"Major Mitarashi while the Captain's onboard, Doctor," Anko returned, her smile growing positively deadly. Shizune's own smile felt more like that of a psychotic killer, but she didn't really care at this point.
"Very well, Major. Exactly what did you mean by me not getting something about the transporter?" Shizune asked icily. Iruka, no stranger to their tension, coughed and moved just a little bit out of the way of their glares.
"Well, since we're the first to actually develop the technology, it means we can insert special forces anywhere we want to. Hell, might even be able to beam bombs aboard enemy ships if we can figure out their shields. Oh, and beaming up critically injured people off the surface of a planet is a much faster way of getting them treatment. Might save a few lives. Wouldn't you agree, Captain?" Anko asked, almost sweetly. Iruka coughed and tugged at his collar.
"Ah, yes, all sorts of things..."
"I find it hard to believe that a device that takes people apart and puts them back together again somewhere else is going to be particularly safe. Especially considering it's merely a prototype," Shizune sniffed.
"Now that doesn't sound very... Open-minded, does it Doctor?" Anko asked cattily.
"Too open a mind leads to nothing staying in," Shizune retorted.
"Uh-" Iruka tried.
"Aw, did you think that one up all by yourself?" Anko mocked. "I wonder how long Iruka's had to endure that kind of 'witty banter'."
"Nearly as long as he's had to suffer your presence," Shizune hissed.
The sound of a cleared throat interrupted the impending catfight, and all eyes went to it's source. Itachi Uchiha, smirking a bit at the situation, with Neji Hyuuga, looking (per his usual) unamused.
"Captain, there are a few messages from Starfleet Command we think you should have a look at," Itachi said. Iruka nodded and gave a warm (if rather relieved) smile at the two women.
"That's good, Commander. I'll be right there, excuse me ladies," the captain said, moving quickly down the corridor. Itachi and Neji followed, the Uchiha wisely turning his face away from the fuming Doctor and Marine.
Shizune and Anko scowled at eachother, before stalking off in different directions.
"Thanks for the rescue," Iruka sighed, once he was sure the women were out of earshot. Itachi chuckled.
"I believe that's the XO's job... Although I keep failing to not make you look like an ass, sir."
"Thanks for that. Really. Truly," Iruka sighed. He glanced over at Neji, who was perfectly calm.
"Starfleet Command is waiting, Captain. Something urgent. I wanted to send the message to your communicator, but Commander Uchiha insisted we 'bail you out'." The pale eyed officer's brows narrowed. "It seemed to me a waste of time and effort."
Iruka scowled at the Uchiha, a sneaking suspicion entering his mind. "How long-?"
"Five minutes. Then Hyuuga here insisted we 'save' you," Itachi noted wryly. Iruka rolled his eyes. Why oh why did he get stuck with Itachi as his cadet-first officer?
Oh yes, because he has one of the highest GPAs in recorded history and is a genius at tactical management. Of course, his brain replied.
Nevermind the man was a pain in the ass and nearly as prolific a prankster as Naruto.
"I'll be in my ready room," he mumbled, turning a corner and heading for the bridge. Itachi smirked as Neji simply glared at him.
"Commander... With all due respect, such actions are hardly befitting a Starfleet officer," he stated flatly.
"Hey, a little tension relief is good for everyone, especially with how this launch is going," Itachi stated. He grinned.
"Besides... It's fun."
The basics:
~Captain Iruka Umino: Academy professor who, encouraged by his favorite student Naruto's determination and the encouragement of his friends (Doctor Shizune Senju of Starfleet Medical and Captain Anko Mitarashi of the Starfleet Marines) worked to pass Command School and qualify for promotion to Captain. Prior to becoming a teacher, he served aboard starships for twelve years, including the ill-fated Raiden, commanded by Commander Minato Namikaze until it was destroyed in combat against an unknown vessel. His appointment to the Konoha for her maiden voyage (admittedly a training cruise) has been criticized by many in Starfleet; Captains Hatake Kakashi and Asuma Sarutobi were both pushing hard for the assignment. Admiral Hiruzen Sarutobi has stated, however, that Iruka is what the next generation of Starfleet officers and crewmen need-A good teacher and a man with "hidden depths".
~Doctor Shizune Senju: A former student and protege of Dr. Tsunade Senju, Shizune took on her teacher's last name after being orphaned. She has taught at the Starfleet Academy School of Medicine for the last five years ever since Tsunade departed. She has been assigned to the Konoha for her maiden voyage. She has romantic inclinations towards Captain Umino, and a fierce rivalry with Captain Anko Mitarashi over his affections.
~Captain Anko Mitarashi (Marines): As a cadet, was caught up the defection and betrayal of former Head of Starfleet Xenobiology Research, Orochimaru. Despite this black mark on her record, with the help of childhood friend Iruka Umino she has recovered, and gone on to lead the Starfleet Marine detachment placed aboard Konoha. She has made her feelings regarding Iruka very clear, and sees Dr. Senju as a clear rival.
~Lt. Colonel Maito Gai (Marines): A jovial, eccentric Marine with a long history of service, who is an expert in martial arts from around the Federation and a man with a "talent" for causing massive destruction. He is beloved by all his students, though most would sooner kill themselves than admit it.
~Captain Kakashi Hatake: A prodigy who made Captain in Starfleet at the age of 26-The youngest to ever reach that rank. While a capable soldier who often went on covert missions for the Federation, he suffers from a distinct lack of initiative except in combat, and poor interpersonal skills due to trauma suffered during fighting in the last Klingon War. Applied to captain the Konoha but was turned down, instead given the USS Raikiri.
~Cadet Commander Itachi Uchiha: Brilliant, charming, and at times downright weird, Itachi is a rising star in Starfleet. Seeing in Naruto Uzumaki a kindred spirit, he is Naruto's sempai back at the academy. He serves as the Konoha's first officer, and unlike his little brother fully embraces his emotions. The rest of the Uchiha clan became naturalized citizens of Vulcan long ago with the Hyuuga clan, and adopted their ways. Itachi is most decidedly not a traditional Uchiha.
~Cadet Lt. Commander Neji Hyuuga: Brilliant, stern, and highly logical, Neji is proud of his Vulcan and Hyuuga heritage and due to his genius and determination has been appointed Konoha's science officer. Contrary to Cmdr. Uchiha, most definitely does NOT like Naruto, especially given his younger cousin's affections towards him.
To be continued sometime in the future…