Pretty Maelstrom

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Disney's Lilo & Stitch

-Chapter Start-

Nani grunted as she readjusted the heavy load she was trying to hold in her arms. A large book clutched against her chest as she stopped walking to take another set of breaths.

"You sure you don't want me to carry that?" Naruto asked for a third time since the two of them had left the library.

"I've got it," the tan woman responded. "The librarian only let you check this out under the condition that I carry it."

Earlier in the day, as the two spent their usual time together going over old legends, Naruto found one particular story that had finally grabbed his interest. Unfortunately it happened to be written in an old, and rare, tome.

The blond's first attempts to bring the book home, to show his roommate, had been met with swift denial. His follow up tactic of borrowing the photocopier was even less successful. With the machine having suffered a breakdown over a month ago, and no one wanted to pay to have it fixed, or bring a new one to the island.

Thankfully the old librarian had relented on Naruto bringing the book home, but only if someone with two working arms carried it. She didn't want the precious book to get damaged in the whiskered man's backpack.

This had been where Nani stepped in, offering to carry the book to her friend's house, and even bring it back the next day when they were finished. This was before she had found out that the blond lived outside of town, and chose to walk everywhere. Leading to her now takinging a short break on a rock beside the road.

"Even if that old lady's not watching us now, you've admitted that you're not used to working with just your left hand," the local woman continued, pointing out the blond's self admitted flaw. Although secretly she confided to herself that she was probably being stubborn.

"True," Naruto lamented, looking down at his only visible arm.

The two continued to talk for a few minutes, before Nani felt rested enough that she once again hugged the book to her breasts and continued following the whiskered man to his house. And a few short minutes later she was standing in front of what looked like a well maintained two-story shack.

Around the yard were several stacks of wood, ready to be used on anything that might need them. The wall of one side was unpainted, giving Nani the sinking feeling that Naruto might have actually replaced an entire wall of this house.

"If you think it looks bad now, you should have seen it when we first moved in," Naruto said, easily figuring out what Nani was thinking. "Thankfully I've had a lot of practice maintaining a run down building."

Without another word, the blond headed towards the front door, and opened it. Showing that it had been left unlocked. Probably by this Sakura girl that Nani was finally going to meet.

"I'm home," Naruto called crossing the threshold. "And I brought a guest."

Where the outside of the house had been slightly messy, the inside was clear to an almost sterile degree. There was a couch facing a television on a table in what must have been the living room, but nothing else. No shelves filled with trinkets or pictures to show off the personality and lives of those who lived here. Just plain walls painted in cheery colors.

Since she had known Naruto, Nani theorized that he might have been in Hawaii on a research trip. Explaining why he was studying all he could about polynesian folklore. Yet the emptiness of the house was a stark contrast to that theory. There wasn't a single book or scrap of paper to show that anyone did anything but sleep in the building.

"If you want to put the book down somewhere, I'll get you something to drink," Naruto called out, walking into the kitchen.

Nani followed, but stopped at the large wooden table that dwarfed the two chairs next to it. A plate of bread crumbs was already resting on the surface, but nothing else. Matching the barren nature of the house.

The local, happily, set the heavy book down, and almost melted into one of the chairs. Stretching her legs out as she rested from the hike.

"Naruto, you're too loud," a voice yelled out in a whisper.

While startled, before Nani could look around, someone slid into the lone chair across from her. The woman sat with her head leaned back, letting her shoulder length pink hair hang loose. This had to be Sakura.

Suddenly Naruto appeared beside the table. Placing a cup of water next to Nani, and leaving a shot glass of something in front of the pinkette. The girl sneered at the liquid, but held her nose before taking the drink in a single gulp.

With her drink gone, she once more leaned back in her chair, allowing the tan woman to see what she was wearing. An open fluffy fuchsia robe on top of a large orange shirt that was draped over her lithe frame. And from what Nani could see of the other girl's naked legs and bare feet, that was all she was wearing.

"So, you're Nani," the Hawaiian native heard as she returned her attention to the other girl's face. Finally seeing the woman's vibrant green eyes. "Naruto's been talking non-stop about how smart you are," Sakura stated.

"He's also told me alot about you," the local returned kindly.

"Probably the exact same things," the pinkette returned. "He's simple like that," she finished with a smile.

The first one Nani had seen on her face, showing how pretty she was. Although it was marred by the dark bags under the girl's eyes, and her uncombed hair.

"So, how long have you lived here?" she asked suddenly, her voice still soft.

"I was born here," Nani replied, taking a sip of her water. "As far as I know, my family has always lived on this island."

"It's beautiful." the visiting girl squinted as she looked out a nearby window. Enjoying the view. "I think I would prefer to be home, but this is probably the loveliest place we could have ended up at."

While confused, Nani didn't push for any extra details. Deciding that it was probably related to the accident that brought them here, or whatever Naruto had been talking about. Suddenly a plated sandwich was placed in front of each girl. A smiling blond having made them a very late lunch.

"I'm glad to see you talking with someone again," the lone male happily said, passing a new glass of water to his roommate.

"You're too loud," was the girl's only reply, as she began to massage the sides of her head.

"Sorry," he whispered back with a smile. Taking the empty shot glass from where she left it. "I'll get you some more."

Sakura nodded at him, as he returned to the kitchen. His right arm hidden away, like always.

"Eat up," the local woman was told, as her hostess picked up her sandwich. "Naruto might not look like it, but he's actually a really good cook." After she had her first bite, Nani could only agree.

The next hour was spent with the two girls discussing anything that came to mind. Occasionally Naruto would appear, either to refill their drinks or add something to the conversation. But usually he would be moving around the rooms, carrying some kind of equipment to continue fixing the house. Overall, Nani felt that it was a wonderful afternoon. Unfortunately, as it had done over the last year, life called her back to reality.

"I should probably head out now," the local stated. "I need to go find my little sister."

"It's fine," Sakura answered, standing up. "I also need to start reading that book you carried here. Especially if you want to return it tomorrow."

Throughout the conversation, the pink haired girl had slowly become a bit more lively. Opening her eyes a bit more, and talking a bit louder. Even asking Naruto to join them at one point in a discussion about the varieties of flowers that grew on the island. Apparently he used to take care of some back home.

"Thanks for carrying this thing all the way here," the pinkette said, lifting the book herself. "You really are just as nice as Naruto said you were."

"I'm not as nice as he says," Nani answered, remembering the latest screaming match she had with Lilo the previous night.

"Neither am I," Sakura replied with a smirk. "But Naruto always sees the best in people, and tends to bring it out of them. By force if necessary."

Once more confused, Nani was left alone at the dining table, as her new friend began making her way up the stairs, book in hand. Leaving the dark haired beauty to internally question her theories on why the two strangers were on the islands.

"I'll bring the book with me tomorrow," Naruto said, suddenly appearing. "We can meet at the park close to the library, so the librarian can see you carry it in."

"You're sure you'll be able to carry it?" Nani asked with a teasing smile, giving a not so subtle look towards the man's hidden arm.

"I'll be fine. Besides the old lady only said you had to carry it to my house. She didn't say anything about how he brought it back."

"That's true." The woman enjoyed a quick chuckle. Happy that she wouldn't have to carry the book again.

"Thank you for all you did today," Naruto said, once the two of them had made it outside.

"All I did was carry a book," Nani insisted. Wondering why her friend, and employer, was making such a big deal out of such a minor task. No matter how heavy the book was.

"I think you did more than just that," the blond responded, looking up the stairs his teammate had ascended. "I'll see you tomorrow. Say hi to Lilo for me."

"No problem," the tan woman said as she started to turn and walk away. When she had her back to the house, Naruto's arm suddenly shot out beside her head, and grabbed something out of the air. Looking back at the man, he simply blew something out of his hand, before giving her a cheery "take care," and retreating back into his home. Leaving the local alone with her thoughts as she made her way down the road.

Mosquitoes, Nani was certain Naruto had just stopped one from biting her. Ever since she had met the man, she found that she was being bitten by the bugs less, eventually noting that her blond benefactor would make seemingly erratic movements. While it had taken her some time to put the clues together, she was now convinced that he was grabbing the pests before they could land on anyone. An impressive display, that only added to the mystique around the blond.

As she continued her walk, Nani was once more left questioning who the man she worked for was. While he was demonstrably clumsy with his left hand, he insisted on keeping his right hidden away. Yet, with his bad arm, he seemed capable of snatching bugs out of the air. It didn't make any sense.

And then there was Sakura, the mysterious roommate, who apparently never left the house. Nani had initially thought the girl might be sick, but she was quickly rethinking her beliefs now that she had met the girl. While she looked to be suffering from a headache when she first appeared, the smell of alcohol on her breath hinted at something more.

Whatever was ailing the visiting girl, Nani was hesitant to get involved. With how strange Naruto could be, it wasn't too odd for Sakura to have many of the same traits. Dodging questions about where they were from, or what they were doing in Hawaii.

But for how weird they seemed, they were nice people. For the past few days, Nani had been hearing local chatter among the locals about a blond tourist, who would help anyone without being asked. And while she had only known Sakura for a little over an hour, the pinkette seemed pleasant enough. Despite whatever she was going through.

Coming back to reality, the dark haired woman found herself back in town. Even if she had been lost in her own thoughts, she felt the trip back to town should have taken longer. Truthfully, she probably remembered the trip up being longer due to how heavy that book was. Although the company was worth it.

In fact, as long as she didn't have to carry any more books, she wouldn't be opposed to making another trip to the house. Just visiting some friends outside of town sometime would be nice. Definitely something she wouldn't mind doing again.

*break*

The flash of a camera blinded Naruto for a second, as Lilo once again took his picture. The little girl had come to meet her sister at the library today, instead of waiting at the hula studio.

"Lilo, you lolo, how many more pictures of Naruto are you going to take?" Nani asked. Once more concerned about her sister's strange habit, as she now took a picture of the blond man every time she saw him.

"I don't know," the young girl responded. "How many more times am I going to see Naruto before he leaves too."

Nani groaned to herself. Not fully understanding why her sister was doing this, but still somehow getting it. The little girl wanted something to remember a visitor by, even after they leave.

"Here you go Nani," Lilo interrupted, tossing her camera into the older girl's hand. "My camera's full again."

"Why am I not surprised," the woman sighed under her breath. "I'll drop this off while I'm out tomorrow."

"Why don't you drop it off tonight when you go shopping," the youngest of the group countered.

"Why am I going shopping tonight?" Nani asked in confusion.

"Because we're out of food," was the simple answer.

"I bought food last friday."

"That was two weeks ago," Lilo stated with sagging shoulders. "You've been busy lately."

Before Nani could question how time had passed her by so quickly, a loud laugh came from the lone male. "Lilo's right," Naruto said. Kneeling down next to the girl as he began to rub her head with his free hand. The girl let out a giggle, but made no attempt at stopping him. "You have been helping me a lot recently. So instead of shopping, why don't both of you come to my house tonight, and I'll cook dinner."

In the week since she had first visited Naruto and Sakura, Nani had only gone back once, and Lilo had not gone at all. While she didn't have anything against going over for dinner, it was a sudden invitation. Although her other option would probably be ordering pizza again.

"We'll see you there," Lilo yelled out in acceptance, before her sister could even make a decision.

-Chapter End-

Sakura is hungover. I felt that Nani would be the kind of person who would avoid asking someone an awkward question, so she would keep quiet instead. But I want to make it clear that Sakura was (and usually is) hungover, and that's why she doesn't go to the library with Naruto. This will be addressed in the next chapter.

The mosquitoes were meant to be a reference to Pleakley, but just became something nice for Naruto to do for Nani.

I'm not going to make any promises about chapter 4 being out next week. The next chapter is going to be a weird one to write, and is going to be tricky. It will also start to answer some of the questions from the story so far. As well as a little something extra at the end.

If this is the first story of mine you've found, I want to let you know that every Thursday night (closer to Friday morning) I update my profile page. I typically give an update on how the next chapter is coming along, or I discuss something from a previous chapter.

Thank you all for reading, I'm so glad that you are all enjoying this story. I will try to get the next chapter out soon, but I don't want to make any promises.