Story Title: LEARNING CURVE

Series: The Way of Shadows, The Way of Shinobi (1/3)

"Speech"

'Thought'

Chapter Seven: Shopping for the Basics

It was clear that Shiro hadn't thought everything through. That had become obvious after the boy had learned to set the double trap asked of him after a few mistakes and then how to safely disassemble it. Shiro had thought a tour of the house would be best as he was sure at this point in time that Naruto hadn't ever stepped foot in a more traditional style home then the sprawling buildings that made up the center of the village. He partially wanted to make sure that the kid didn't break his house ensuring many hours of repairs. He had stressed which rooms Naruto wasn't allowed in for his own safety. It was when they got to the bedrooms that Shiro had paused and realized that he hadn't really thought the Hokage would be persuaded to give Naruto into his physical custody.

"I think we should go shopping," he mused aloud as Naruto gazed around the empty room that would be his in awe. Telling the kid he'd meet him in the living room and that he should leave his bag in the room, Shiro went to change out of his ANBU uniform. What he hadn't expected was to hear voices as he neared the living room.

There was not one but two blonds sitting on his couch. Naruto's head whipped around towards him as soon as he heard Shiro and his posture immediately relaxed. The Yamanaka was wearing an amused expression while Shiro's was one of annoyance and reluctant understanding. "Ah."

Now it made more sense. The Yamanka that the Sandaime had stuck on him seemed to have vouched for Shiro. Likely the reason that he was allowed a small reprieve from his back to back mission the old man had been sending him on lately. Or could have been the result of the last mission. When he, Genma, Aoba, and Raidō had turned in their report, Sarutobi had an indecipherable expression while Shiro had made sure to maintain his own stoic one. As there had been no reprimands, he assumed the Hokage hadn't been too opposed to their solution.

"What do you want now?" Shiro was not going to thank the man. He didn't really feel like feilding any questions about his mental or emotional state either.

"I just came by to see how you and your new charge were getting on."

The deadpan expression Shiro gave to the other man's 'innocent' one had Naruto glancing nervously back and forth between the two adults. "I'm sure."

Clearly enjoying himself, Yamanka teased, "I'm sure that you didn't forget to furnish your other rooms while you were remodeling the house?"

"Of course not. I thought that Naruto-kun would like to pick out his own things."

Naruto's eyes went wide with excitement and awe while the Yamanaka's expression stated that he didn't believe him at all.

"We were just about to go shopping, weren't we, Naruto-kun?"

"Yeah! Dattebayo!" Jumping up, the boy was nearly vibrating.

"Go get your sandals on, we'll be along in a minute."

"Okay!"

The men watched the boy run to the genkan to put on his shoes and slip outside. Shiro turned back to companion who held out an envelope. "Sandaime-sama wanted to cover his moving expenses."

Eyeing the envelope, Shiro didn't want to take it. He had enough money to cover for getting the kid the basics. "Hmmm," he considered. "Does he do this for all children that move into an apartment?"

"Not directly. He does fund the furnishing and basics upon them moving out of the orphanage."

Taking the envelope he tucked it into the inner pocket of his azure colored hoari. Moving towards the genkan to put on his own sandals he sighed. "I don't expect you'll leave it at that?" At the other's look, he muttered, "Of course not. Whatever." It was to be expected as much as he'd annoyed, exasperated, and put the other through.

"What's taking so long?" Naruto had run back and was pouting at the adults to see what was keeping them. He wasn't so sure about shopping, but it was rare that anyone wanted to spend time with him! And Shinobi-san was going to let him choose!

"Maa maa, Naruto-kun. We're coming. So impatient."

Naruto's frown turned into a head tilt of curiosity at the man. He was sure that he was smiling even if his mouth was hidden behind a facemask. The question died on his lips as soon as Shinobi-san ruffled his hair. Grinning, he skipped along because he was happy and to keep up with the long stride of the two men. Sometimes he would run ahead and then back, relieved that their expressions didn't change at all. They didn't become angry, or annoyed with him. They didn't even pretend that he wasn't there! When they got nearer to the center of the village, Naruto didn't stray too far, keeping closer to Shinobi-san.

A hand to his head had him glance up to see the expression he would later associate to know that the man was giving him a gentle smile. "Where do you want to start, Naruto?"

Naruto blinked owlishly up at the man. The blond man who had introduced himself as Yamanka Jinichi gave a small laugh. "I think you're overwhelming him again."

Shiro gave a hum, then elaborated. "Would you like to get your furniture, clothes, or books first?"

"You can't forget some dishes for the boy."

"I have dishes."

"For you, not for a child or guests."

"How would you know if I did or not?"

"You had to scrounge for a spare teacup the first time I came by. And I know you had a full set."

"Four is an unlucky number and proved itself when one of them had an accident."

"An accident." It was stated with skepticism.

"One decided to go on an adventure when I wasn't looking after it was left on the engawa."

"I'm sure. And what happened to the last one?"

"No idea."

Naruto watched as the two men went back and forth very confused. They were arguing but they weren't angry? The more he watched the two as they went back and forth the more confused he got. He'd seen the helpers around the orphanage and they sometimes got like this but they would always get red and angry and their voices would soon be yelling. Even the older kids who claimed to be friends would end up fighting.

"You weren't invited."

"I'm never invited."

"That should tell you something, shouldn't it?"

"That's rude."

Shiro's expression and body language clearly stated that he didn't care.

"Ne, are you two friends?" He couldn't help but ask.

Yamanaka-san didn't say they were when he introduced himself when he came to the house. He and Shinobi-san knew each other and the blond man hadn't been kicked out or looked at with any kind of negativity that Naruto could make out.

Both men looked down at him and he blinked when Shinobi-san seemed to frown. "That's mean, Naruto-kun." Before the boy could apologize or press the issue, the man squatted and asked, "Should we get the boring stuff over with first? Your furniture and such then we can go eat, and after that we can get you some toys. How would you like that?"

"Toys?" Perking up at the mention before eyes widening he gasped. "We gotta go get my kunai, Shinobi-san!"

"Shinobi-san?" the Yamanaka questioned while Shrio gave a questioning stare at the boy.

"The kunai you gave and jiji wrote my name on!"

"We'll get them after, okay?"

Naruto was hesitant because he'd never had something that belonged to just him and he didn't want the other boys to find where he'd hid the kunai. Even with his name on them he didn't think that would stop them from trying to find a way to erase his name off them if they could. Shinobi-san was giving him an encouraging smile though so he nodded and gave a small one back.

"Shiro."

"Huh?"

"My name. I'm Shiro. And since I'm going to be teaching you, you can call me Shiro-sensei, alright?"

"Shiro-sensei?"

Getting another smile and a hair ruffle, Naruto beamed as the man stood back up. "And while we go get your futon, Yamanaka can go get those dishes he was so concerned about."

There was a heavy sigh of acceptance as he muttered, "I might as well. You might end up getting the kid adult chopsticks."

Shiro waved him off and headed for the furniture shop with Naruto at his heels. Glancing down from time to time to make sure the blond didn't wander, he saw how the blue eyes widened at the different options he had for colors and designs. They looked at different futon mattresses and duvets until Naruto naturally found an orange duvet that had the leaf symbol stylized along it in blue. They picked up a black blanket adorned with orange and white koi fish that Naruto fell in love with. They found a table and cushion for his room as well as a lamp and an alarm clock.

They might have been in the bookstore a bit too long as after getting some adventure stories along with some primers, Naruto had wandered off while Shiro was looking at some cookbooks. When he heard some irate grumblings, he quickly looked for Naruto. The Uzumaki was naturally at the center of the noise. It seemed that the boy had seen the orange covers of a certain set of books and had tried to grab one. The owner of the store rightly kept the kid from the material but that got Naruto upset.

"I don't think you want those," he stated as he came up to herd the boy away from the adult books.

"I do too!"

"Do you even know what those books are about?"

There was a pause where the boy's expression was stubborn as he admitted he didn't. But then his expression changed to pleading as if his statement was enough explanation. "It was orange!"

"I fail to see your logic."

Naruto gave a huge sigh. "Nothing too bad can be orange."

That gave Shiro pause as he studied his charge before changing the subject. "I think it's time for food, don't you?"

"Believe it!"

Chuckling, Shiro steered them out to the streets. "Yakiniku?"

"Ramen!"

"Okonomiyaki?"

"Ramen!"

"Hmm, how about sushi?"

"Ramen!"

"Curry?" Shiro continued as if he didn't hear Naruto's demand. By this point Naruto was pouting and crossed his arms. Shiro was having a hard time not giving into his amusement. "I know, how about ramen?"

"Ramen!" Naruto cheered, causing Shiro to laugh. The boy ran ahead leading the way to Ichiraku chanting, "Ramen!"

Shiro watched the boy climb eagerly up onto a vacant stool and cheerfully greet the owner. Taking a seat beside him, he gave a nod of greeting himself as Naruto ordered a bowl of miso ramen. After scanning the menu, he decided on, "Hakata ramen for me please."

Shiro watched as Naruto chatted animatedly with the ramen vendor and his wife who both were listening with smiles. The man didn't interrupt the cheerful atmosphere, content to just observe. He motioned for Naruto to be given a second bowl when the boy was nearly done with his first bowl. A girl about nine years old entered, whom Naruto greeted loudly and the vendors greeted warmly. It seemed that Ayame had just finished school and she was happy to see the blond ball of energy as he gestured and talked to her. She was just as full of eagerness to tell her little blond friend about her day. A wistful smile pulled at Shiro's mouth as swirled the last of his noodles with his chopsticks through the remaining broth.

"Naruto-kun, I'd hate to interrupt but we need to get going."

For a moment it looked like Naruto was going to argue before seeming to remember they were getting him some toys. Jumping off the stool he waved at the ramen family and followed Shiro.

Yamanka caught up to them in the toy store. Shiro hadn't even attempted to keep up with the little blond whirlwind as he darted about and then back with something or other. By the time they left Naruto was the proud new owner of a set of wooden shuriken (courtesy of Yamanaka and gave a smile back at Shiro's glare and refusal of the toys), a plush frog, a set of blocks, a kendama (Shiro insisted because it would help Naruot's coordination), and a few animal figurines that drew Naruto's eye.

It seemed even Naruto's boundless energy had to flag, which he did after having had a full day, a full belly, and content. The third time he stumbled, and the fourth time that Shiro avoided Yamanaka's eye, the blond man sighed. The man picked up the surprised boy who just blinked sleepily and decided he was too tired to bother with anything and promptly fell asleep.

"Just dump him on the sofa. We'll set up his futon and room tomorrow." Shiro stated as soon as they entered the house. He hesitated when he turned to reach out to take off Naruto's sandals before he continued with the motion not looking at Yamanaka at all.

"Why couldn't you just carry him?"

"You were available and didn't mind, did you?"

Shiro ignored the other man's piercing gaze as he draped the blanket that was atop the couch onto Naruto who didn't wake at the transfer from arms to couch cushions.

"Are you sure that you are prepared to house him?"

"If you had any doubts why did you speak in my favor?"

"I wonder."

Shiro's eyes narrowed as he wondered if this was some form of final test from the irritating man. "Go away. I'm tired."

-To Be Continued—

A.N- I will be going to a 'Celebration of Life' tomorrow. So the chapter is short and chapter 8 will be posted sometime next week.