Chapter 5

Meeting Takara

The Naruto Uzumaki had just gotten home after visiting Lady Tsunade and fixed his arm. Naruto lays down in his bed so that he can get a little rest before the meet up at Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto would love to see Neji up and going.

Naruto takes a deep breath inside his new remodeled apartment. After the war, the whole Leaf village wanted to repay Naruto, so they decided to remodel the whole apartment complex. The inside and outside looks completely different and nice. No more sad and dirty apartments!

When Naruto closes his eyes, he hears noises next door to his apartment. Naruto sits up and listens. About 10 seconds later, Naruto gets curious so he gets out of bed and walks outside. Naruto sees a girl moving into the apartment next to him. Naruto gets excited and knocks on the new neighbor's open door.

"Hello new neighbor!" Naruto says excitedly.

The new neighbor turns around and looks at Naruto. When Naruto sees who his new neighbor is, his mouth drops to the ground.

"You're- you're... Takara Uta!" Naruto says in pure shock.

"Man, everyone is treating me like a celebrity," Takara says, then chuckles.

"Well, you kind of are," Naruto says. "When you first went missing, the news about it was everywhere! Even the hokage sent shinobi to go out and search for you! After a year went by, everyone lost hope. Your missing person posters never went away though."

Takara raises an eyebrow. "Huh. I didn't think people cared about me. Well, I mean my kidnappers and abusers did make me feel like nobody wanted me."

Naruto's eyes light up. "Hey, I'd like to get to know more about your story!"

"Yeah?" Takara asks. "Well, I'd like to know more about the big war that just happened."

"Well you're in luck because tonight me and all my friends are meeting at the best ramen shop to catch up and talk about the war. You can come along if you'd like," Naruto says.

"Ramen shop?" Takara asks.

Naruto gasps. "YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF RAMEN?! Oh Takara! You're missing out!"

Takara chuckles. "I know what ramen is. In fact, ramen is one of the things I remember about the Leaf village. My dad and I would bond over ramen." Takara sighs. "I miss my parents."

Naruto looks down. "I miss my parents too."

"What happened to your parents?" asks Takara.

Naruto looks back up at Takara. "They were killed when I was born."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry," Takara says.

"Yeah, but it's all okay," Naruto says and smiles at Takara.

Naruto and Takara hear a knock next door.

"Oh, someone must be at my door. Be right back Tak!" Naruto says.

Takara's eyes get big. "NEVER call me Tak!"

Naruto giggles and walks to his apartment. He sees Hinata and Neji at his door.

"Hinata! Neji! What brings you guys here?" Naruto asks.

"I- I wanted to visit you, and see how you were doing after getting a new arm," Hinata says.

"I'm doing just fine!" Naruto says with an ear to ear grin. "In fact, I just made a new friend!"

"A new friend? W- who would that be?" Hinata asks while fidgeting her fingers.

"She just moved in next door actually," Naruto says. "Do you guys want to meet her? I'm sure you've heard of her."

"Sure," Hinata says.

"Okay!" Naruto says.

Naruto knocks on Takara's unclosed door again. "Taaakarra! I have friends for you to meeeet!"

"Wait, Takara? As in the Takara Uta?" Neji asks.

"Yeah! How cool is it that I live next to the legendary Takara Uta?!" Naruto says excitedly.

"Come in," Takara says from a different room.

Naruto, Hinata, and Neji walk inside Takara's small apartment. There isn't much in the apartment, just a cheap pillow, 2 small throw blankets, and a green journal. Naruto didn't even notice the journal when he was over just a minute ago.

"Takara? Where did you go?" Naruto asks.

Takara comes out of the back room. Takara looks at Hinata and Neji. "Whoa, hey!"

Hinata bows. "Nice to meet you, lady Uta."

Takara chuckles. "Please, Takara is just fine."

"Sorry. Nice to meet you, Takara." Hinata says.

"No need to apologize," Takara says. She looks up at Neji. "Who is he? Your brother?"

"B- brother Neji? Um," Hinata started to say.

"We're actually cousins," Neji says. "I'm Neji."

"And I'm Hinata. We're from the Hyuga clan."

"It's nice to meet you Neji and Hinata," Takara says.

Hinata smiles.

"Tonight, we all are meeting at Ichiraku Ramen, would you like to join us?" Neji asks quietly with his eyes closed. His cheeks slowly turn red.

"I haven't had ramen in so long. I would love to join," Takara responds.

"Cool, see you there," Neji says and quickly walks outside.

"Brother Neji! Wait!" Hinata shouted. "See you later Naruto and Takara." Hinata runs out of the apartment to catch up to Neji.

"Huh. Wonder why Neji darted out like that?" Takara says.

"Neji is one mysterious guy," Naruto says. "He saved my and Hinata's life during the war. Everyone calls me the village's hero, but I think Neji deserves that title too."

"He saved you and Hinata's life?" Takara asks.

"Yeah, he got impaled and was rushed to a hospital," Naruto says.

"Damn, he is one brave guy," Takara says with a smile.

"Yeah," Naruto says. "I'm gonna let you get settled in. I'll meet you here at 6:30 to go get some ramen!"

"Yeah," Takara says. "See you then."

Naruto waves then leaves. Naruto shuts the door behind him. Takara watches the door shut.

SLAM!

Takara takes a deep breath and walks to a window. She sees people below her walking around smiling and chatting. Takara also smiles.

"I'm finally home..."