Guardian Style
Chapter 2: Preparations
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters involved except Guardian F. Fire
Naruto was grinning at the announcement, while Fire seemed confused.
"Kakashi, are you available tomorrow?" Tsunade asked.
"Of course, I take it you're going to have me test Naruto and his new friend?" Kakashi asked.
Tsunade nodded as she laced her fingers together over her mouth.
"Training Grounds 7, tomorrow morning."
"Understood," Kakashi nodded, then turned to Naruto and Fire.
"You two better bring your best with you, I won't be holding back."
They both nodded in understanding.
"Now, with that out of the way. I assume you came to me for something else?" Tsunade asked Kakashi.
"Yes, I have a report I need to give you about some events in the Hidden Sand Village," Kakashi explained.
"Hidden Sand Village?" Fire asked Naruto in a whisper.
"Yeah, there are other villages like this one," he answered.
"That will be all you two," Tsunade said, looking at Naruto and Fire, "Dismissed!"
Fire and Naruto both briefly came to attention before exiting the room. Once they were outside and the door shut behind them, Fire sighed in relief.
"She's terrifying!" He said.
"Granny Tsunade? She's strong, sure. But I wouldn't say terrifying," Naruto said as he looked back at the door.
"Did you not- Never mind. So, what next? We have until tomorrow to prepare for this training exercise."
"First thing's first, food! I'm starving! And I know just the place!"
Naruto led Fire back out of Hokage Tower and through the winding streets of Konoha until they emerged near a stall that was partially concealed behind a divided curtain. Naruto led the way inside and smiled at the older man behind the counter.
"Hey, Pops! I'm back!"
The man turned around and his mouth dropped open in shock, "Naruto? Naruto Uzumaki is that you?" he asked.
"Yep, I just got back from my trip and I'm starving!"
The man laughed, "Will you have your usual then?"
Naruto grinned, "You know it!"
The man laughed as he set to work, "I can't believe you're finally back, and you've grown so much too!"
Naruto rubbed his nose as the man spoke, "C'mon, it's not like I'm a whole other person. Oh! By the way, I want you to make two bowls please, one for me and one for my friend here."
Fire stepped through the curtain as Naruto introduced him. The man looked over his shoulder at Fire, "This little pipsqueak?" he asked.
"I, uhm… Fire, sir. My name is Fire."
Fire looked up into the man's eyes. The two stared at each other for a moment before the man began to laugh.
"Well come on in Fire. The name's Teuchi!"
Fire relaxed as Teuchi set about making another bowl, and after a few minutes, he served two steaming hot bowls of ramen to the pair.
Naruto thanked him before digging in, while Fire looked down at the noodles and steaming broth.
"What's the matter? You not like it or somethin'?" Teuchi asked.
"N-No! Not at all!" Fire picked up the bowl and began to cram the noodles into his mouth.
Teuchi nodded as he crossed his arms, then looked over to Naruto.
"So, Naruto, you're back from your training journey you said?"
Naruto grunted an affirmative as he finished off the last of his ramen.
"How long before they send you out on your first mission?"
Naruto sighed as he put the bowl down on the counter, "I'm not sure. Granny Tsunade wants me to practice against Kakashi-sensei first. Something about testing Fire and me."
He nodded, "Then it sounds like you're gonna need another bowl to get your strength up!"
Naruto grinned as Teuchi turned back to his equipment and began to make another bowl, "Thanks!"
Fire finished his and set the bowl down, his eyes resting on the bottom of the bowl as he stared at it. Naruto noticed his companion's forlorn gaze and poked in the arm. At first, Fire did not budge, but then Naruto poked him harder, then lightly punched him on the shoulder to get his attention.
Fire snapped out of his trance and rubbed his sore shoulder, "Ow! What was that for?"
"You were staring at your bowl, you ok?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah! I'm fine!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"I'm-" Fire sighed, "We can talk about it later, enjoy your ramen for now."
He pointed as Teuchi served up another bowl. Naruto thanked him again before digging in. He then turned to Fire.
"Another bowl for you pipsqueak?"
Fire held up a hand to decline the offer, "No thank you. I'm full."
Teuchi took a step back in surprise, "Really? With how much Naruto can put away I figured his friends would at least keep up a little bit!"
Fire smiled, "I don't usually eat a lot. But it was very good, thank you."
Teuchi nodded, "Anytime kid. If you're a friend of Naruto's you're a friend of mine."
Fire nodded before looking at Naruto. As the other boy finished his second bowl, Fire gave him a poke on the shoulder.
"Do you have a minute? I'd like to discuss something with you about our training session tomorrow."
Naruto looked from him to Teuchi who nodded toward the door, "Go on. I'll add it to your tab."
Naruto thanked him before the two departed. Naruto led Fire back to his apartment. Naruto fished the key out of his bag before unlocking the door and stepping inside. He smiled as he saw the place was exactly as he left it.
"They must've been cleaning it for me while I was gone, it looks pretty good having sat empty for two years," Naruto said.
He walked over to the window and slid it open to allow air to flow into the room, then sat on his bed and looked to Fire.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
Fire hesitated, looking back over his shoulder to make sure the door was closed, then turned back to Naruto.
"I can't fight in the exercise tomorrow."