Nature's Friend

Ramen at last!

There was an obvious tension in the room, and there had been for quite some time now. Ibiki had, quite detailed, told the story of his encounter with me to the Hokage. It was safe to say that I expect to be in trouble. Will they lock me up? But what about the ramen! I had won fair and square, after all. My stomach decided that now was a good time to growl, and the loud noise could through the tense atmosphere like a knife cut through butter. My freckled cheeks turned a deep shade of red in embarassment. ''I-... My apologies.'' I stammered in a soft voice, trying to bend down in a bow. However, Ibiki's iron grip tightened on my arm and my face scrunched in a pained grimace. That is going to leave a big bruise!

The Hokage smiled softly, before making a curt gesture with his wrist. ''Release the boy, Ibiki. He has no ill intent.'' Begrudgingly, the head of interrogation released his hold on me, giving me a very intimidating glare. I swallowed audibly, and shifted my weight from one foot to another. ''G-gomen, Ibiki. I really do hope you can forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you.'' I apologized softly, lowering my gaze to the floor. I heard an embarassed grunt from the male before me. ''I was not hurt, brat.'' He grumbled under his breathe, standing back against the wall as he pointedly ignored me, staring out the window. The Hokage chuckled and took a drag from his pipe, gently blowing the smoke out in circles.

''It seems that is settled. Now then, what was this about a ramen shop, dear boy?'' The Hokage's old and welcoming voice questioned me softly, and I turned my gaze from Ibiki to the Leader. ''H-hai, directions to Ichiraku's Ramen!'' I clarified, an excited smile on my lips. I was eager to make the little group of ninja I had met recently my new friends for the few days I would be spending here. It was nice to know someone in case I ever came back to the village. The Hokage nodded and started to explain how I got from this building to the ramen stand, and I listened avidly to remember the directions. After a brief goodbye, in which the Hokage was saddened when I declined to join the ninja Academy, I stood outside of the huge building again.

''He said left, right and then left again--'' I mumbled to myself as I stood at what seemed to be a marketplace. ''--or was it right, left and then right again?'' I puckered my lips thoughtfully, tapping said lips with my right index-finger. Could it be that I was lost again? But I did pay attention this time! ''There you are, Shizen-kun!'' I hear a loud girlish voice exclaim. I whirled around on the balls of my bare feet, coming face-to-face with the pinkette. ''Hello Sakura-chan! I got a little lost.'' I admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. ''That's alright! We waited for you, come on. Even Sensei stayed.'' She grabbed my hand with both of hers and started dragging me after her. Suddenly the idea of being lost became more and more appealing..

It wasn't long or she had dragged me back to the shop Naruto was so excited about, and gently pushed me through the doors. I stumbled for a bit before I looked at me environment. There at the front bar sat the entire team, even Sasuke. Sakura slipped in the free seat next to the Uchiha, and I awkwardly shuffled closer. ''H-hello again! Gomen for the wait, I got lost.'' I was about to bow down, but a hand on my shoulder kept me from doing so. I trailled my gaze towards the shoulder before seeing the owner of the hand, Kakashi Hatake, giving me a close-eyed smile through his mask. ''Its alright, we guessed as much. Come sit, your order is on its way.'' I nodded in gratitude and attempted to turn around and take the free barstool on the other side of Sakura, but Kakashi squeezed my shoulder and yanked me onto the stool next to his. 

With a gasp, I stumbled rather idiotically before managing to sit on the stool, my entire face sloely but surely turning red. Why did he do that? ''Are you alright, Shizen?'' Kakashi questioned me sotly, his onyx-eye studying my face and its colour. I cleared my throat and got a hold of myself, offering up a shy smile and a swift nod o my head. '' H-hai, I am fine Kakashi-san. Just really hungry!'' As if on que with my lie, and thus saved by it, the owner of the shop set a bowl of Miso Ramen infront of me. I thanked him politely before glancing down at the soup-like substenance. The scent wafted up and into my nose and I felt myself drool just a tad.

Before anyone had the chance of noticing, I swiftly dug into the food and finished the bowl in record time. I groaned audibly and dramatically sunk into Kakashi's side, my head resting against his upper arm since he was much taller. ''Oh. My. God. That was amazing! I can't believe I have lived so long without.'' I sighed in happyness, contently patting my stomach. Kakashi shifted some and cleared his throat as he elt a blush come up behind his mask, yet I didn't move from the spot. It wasn't to annoy him, no not at all. But I suddenly realised how tired I was after such an eventful day, and how the warm food in my stomach made me more drowsy. Is it normal for a man's arm to be this comfortable? Kakashi's arm was like a pillow straight from heaven and it didn't take long or my breathing evened out, and I slowly but surely drifted off in a comfortable sleep, latched unto the taller male's arm like a koala.