Nature's Friend

Lost, again.

I wasn't sure how it all happened, but Team 7 and I got seperated. I was currently squished against the wall of a building in some alleyway, and next to me stood a panting Sasuke. I rub some sweat from my forehead as I try to recall the events that brought us to this point.

We had all chattered happily amongst ourselves as my new friends guided me through the busy streets of Konoha, where I quietly voiced my appreciation of the buildings and the villagers. When a shop called 'Ichiraku's Ramen' came in sight, Naruto started screaming about how I would surely love their ramen as much as he did, and how it would become a way of life.

I didn't have time to snicker or chuckle over any of the silly comments he made, because a stampede of girls rushed over towards our exact location. ''Sasuke-kun~ !!'' I heard several girls and women scream and coo. My innocent green eyes sperred wide open in shock as I saw a group of nearly twenty girls storming dangerously close. Sasuke groaned and grabbed my wrist before the both of us darted off in one direction, and his team in the other. 

We have been hiding out in this alley ever since then, and held our breathes as the screaming girls searched for him. ''Is this normal?'' I questioned him curiously, shifting my gaze from the street towards the ravenette. ''Sadly.'' He grunted out, the corners of his lips tugging down in dismay.  I reached out and gently squeezed his shoulder, offering up a reassuring smile. ''Well, this doesn't mean you get out of paying for my ramen. You can circle back to the ramen shop via the roofs, and I'll come via the main-road.'' He seemed hesitant at my plan, but after another reassuring smile, the young Uchiha jumped up on a roof and took off in a sprint.

I shook my head at the strangeness of the situation before I calmly trotted back into the main street, weaving through the masses of people as I tried to find my way back to the ramen shop. ''I shouldn't have done that.'' I mumbled to myself as I suddenly stood infront of a huge building in a part of the village that I hadn't seen before, reprimanding myself for not staying with Sasuke. ''I should not have done that.'' I was utterly and hopelessly lost. Again.

It was almost comical how these things always seemed to happen to me, regardless of where or with whom I was. I sweatdropped at myself, craning my head back to look up at the tall building. Perhaps someone in there can help me? With a shy smile dancing on my plump, pink lips, I strode through the double-doors and walked up the seemingly endless show of stairs. After a few minutes of quietly climbing the stairs, I saw a man walk down from them. He had a few nasty scars on his face, and his overal expression was grim. Intimidating. His wary eyes scanned me as he stood before me and I had to stop or I'd crash into him, and he quickly deduced that I wasn't from this village.

I peer up at him from under my ginger locks, one hand reaching up to run through my hair and remove it from my line of sight. ''Hello there.'' I greet awkwardly, tilting my head slightly to the side in mild confusion. Is there a reason he stops infront of me? ''You aren't from around here. why are you headed to the Hokage's office?'' He sounds stern, and I could easily hear the underlying threat of pain and misery were I to try something. I blinked owlishly at his words, only now realising that these stairs lead to the village leader. ''I wasn't sure where it lead to, but the Hokage is fine. I need help, and who better to ask it from than the Hokage?'' I smiled shyly up at the man, but he merely narrowed his eyes. ''The Hokage doesn't have time for kids.'' He countered, arching one of his eyebrows as if challenging me to defy him.

I merely shrug my shoulders, tentatively taking a step to the next part of the staircase. ''Is it not a Hokage's duty to take care of its village and its people? Help them in their time of need? I require assistance, thus he is obligated to give me that, as long as I am not a threat or danger to the village and its people.'' I calmly explained the process of a Leader's politics to the man before me, not in the least bit hindered by his stoic personality. I could make up for that by the way I was naturally. Still, the man wouldn't budge and stubbornly stepped infront of me. ''And I am telling you, that you are not going upstairs, kid.'' He grunted out, crossing his arms over his masculine chest.

''I see. I apologize in advance for this.'' I breathed out softly, and before the man could do more than give me a confused look, my hand had pinched a certain nerve on his shoulder. Slowly but surely, his legs wobbled and the man sprawled out on the stairs, unable to move. I bend over so he could see my face, and offered an apologetic smile. ''You'll be okay in a few minutes, mister. I just need to ask the Hokage for directions. You see, I lost my friends who I promised to try ramen with. I hope you can forgive me.'' I quickly jumped over his limp form and coninued my short trek up the stairs. Before long, I stood facing a giant set of double-doors and gently knocked my knuckles on the wood. ''Come in!'' I heard a raspy, old voice state from the inside.

I plastered on a warm smile and immidiately pushed the doors open, stepping into a reasonably sized office. Infront of me sat an old man smoking from a pipe, a long coat and a weird hat sitting atop his head. I assumed this was the Hokage and thus bend over in a rather deep bow. ''Hokage-sama, my name is Shizen Tsure. It is an honour to meet you.'' I immidiately spoke up after I was done bowing, glancing at the corner of the room curiously. There were two concealed presences in the corner and as I craned my head back, I noticed another two on the ceiling. I gave a lazy wave to all four of the presences. ''--gomen for nearly forgetting, it is a pleasure to meet the four of you, as well.'' 

Barely had the words left my mouth or all presences showed themselves, kunai aimed directly for a vital part of my body. I blinked and ducked my head in the collar of my tattered shirt, a pink teint spreading across my cheeks. ''I did not mean to offend any of you.'' I mumbled nervously, one hand awkwardly rubbing the back of my head. The Hokage suddenly burst out in laughter, shocking both me and the ninja. ''You are amusing, child. Please, come in. ANBU, retreat.'' Reluctantly, the ninja followed their leader's orders and went back to conceiling themsleves in the corners and the ceiling. ''Now please tell me what brought you to my office.'' The Hokage's kind voice urged me to explain myself, and I quickly stepped closer until I stood infront of his desk.

''W-well, you see. I met a few people while I was travelling here, and they lost a bet. The loser had to buy the winner dinner, and they were about to buy me ramen. But a group of excited girls--'' I made a face as I remembered the horde of fangirls. ''-- seperated me from the others and I got lost trying to find my way back. I remember that a Hokage is there to help and protect his people, and I figured that you could perhaps help me too, by giving me directions to Ichiraku's Ramen Shop?'' I had said it all in nearly one breathe, and quickly trail off in silence as I peer up at the old man. His eyes sparkled with amusement yet before he could reply, the door to the office burst open. 

''Hokage-sama, I---'' The person in the doorway fell quiet as he saw me standing there, his scarred face scrunching up in disgust as he glared heatedly at me. The Hokage blinked at the hostile attitude and studied his head of interrogation curiously. ''Is there a problem, Ibiki?'' He questioned curiously. Ibiki'd entire face turned red in anger as he stomped into the office and latched onto my arm, gripping it painfully tight. ''I'll tell you what the problem is, Hokage-sama. This stupid brat!'' Oh boy, maybe I shouldn't have left him there on the stairs.