Unbreakable (Book 1) #Wattys2015

Bad Ramen- Hibiki

Eventually, when Erika returned with the basil leaves, the kunoichi called Sakura was finally able to begin creating what Erika called the 'Preparation Spread'.

Hibiki could tell that his dark-haired squad-mate wasn't in a good mood- even for her. He pondered why; she had been fine upon her departing of the house earlier that day. What could be the problem?

As Sakura mixed together the ingredients of the spread, squashing them into a gritty paste, another odd scent was added to the room, almost a combination of sharp spearmint with the underlying harsh odor of burning tires that caused Hibiki's nostrils to want to close in on themselves of their own accord.

"That can't possibly be good for our lungs!" Hibiki cried, pressing his hands to his nose desperately as the smell grew heavier by the second, his eyes filling with involuntary tears due to the discordant fumes.

Sakura took a step back from the boiling pot which tenaciously continued to emit the horrible odor, swiping the back of her hand against her forehead to clear it of the beads of sweat which had assembled above her brow. "I think we're done for the day," the pink-haired medical ninja said with relief. "This needs to set for a few hours anyway. How does dinner sound?" she asked the three kids who stood before her, all sets of eyes watering.

"I'm starving!" Hibiki cried in answer, his stomach growling in agreement. Racing out the door, he heard Erica and Tamiko close on his heels. All were happy to escape the fume-filled room- whatever the reason for it.

Several minutes later, all four of them were seated at a common ramen shop, the fragrance there so much more appealing than that of the Preparation Spread.

"Ramen all day and ramen all night!" Hibiki shouted, quite contentedly.

"Shut up, Hibiki," came Erika's voice from beside him as she stared moodily into her soup.

Tamiko was silent on his other side.

Sakura excused herself to go use the restroom.

Hibiki wouldn't let his happy mood be bothered by this girl's sour one. She didn't always have to be so pessimistic. "Come on, Erika," he started, stirring his ramen and causing steam to rise from the bowl. "Why are you all upset? It was such a nice day today!"

Erika looked at him steadily then shook her head bitterly and returned her attention to her own bowl, simply staring at it. "Shut up, Hibiki," she said again, this time with her quite characteristic scowl.

Tamiko still remained silent.

Hibiki rolled his eyes and snapped his chopsticks around some of the noodles in his bowl. If Erika wanted to be a downer, well then fine. But he was going to enjoy himself! He stuffed the ramen into his mouth, slurping loudly.

Several seconds of this passed before Erika opened her mouth again. "Shut up, Hibiki," she said once more, darkly.

Hibiki nearly choked on the noodles. "I didn't even say anything!" he exclaimed in derision. "I was just enjoying life's wondrous gift of the ramen noodle like any other normal human being would and–!"

Erika looked at him dangerously. "Shut. Up. Hibiki."

This tone implied he had better not give a smart response. And he didn't. With a glare, Hibiki did shut up. He was almost fuming before he watched Erika's gaze drift guardedly past him, fixating on something else behind him.

"Well look what the cat dragged in," came a haughty voice from directly behind Hibiki, making him stiffen in response. He turned slowly to find a hooded boy looming over him.