Desert Flower

Ramen Breakfast

  "Sayuri!" Looking up as my name was called, I saw Naruto running at me with a huge grin while waving. I gave a small wave in return as he got closer. "Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

  "No."

  "Ah! Want to come get ramen with me?" He rested his fists on his hips while still grinning.

  "....Sure."

  "Let's go!" And he started to run down the street. Watching him for a second, I felt a strange sense of ease. This boy....he knew about the beast inside of me, and yet he didn't turn away from me like the others. Was it because he understood? That he knew what it was like personally?

  Whatever the reason was....Naruto had this odd ability to make me feel like I belonged and that someone actually cared about me. Sighing through my nose, I smiled and ran to catch up to the blond.

~

  "What? That is absolutely strange." Naruto whined while digging through his pockets.

  "Sorry, but if you don't have a ticket, there's no ramen."

  "No, wait a minute! I absolutely had one more. The one I gave Konohamaru, was it the last?" Naruto was turning out his pockets looking for the free ramen ticket, and I just sat down while dropping some coins onto the counter.

  "Come on. I can only buy you one, though. I can't afford your appetite."

  "Sayuri!" Naruto made this expression like he was going to get really emotional really fast, but I put up my hand before he could.

  "It's a loan, not a gift. Pay me back with training." I stated, and the blond got a glint in his eye.

  "Perfect! I was going to train after breakfast anyways!" He plopped down beside me, and we ordered two bowls of ramen. Outside, all over the village, repairs to the wall and buildings were being done. A lot of damage had come from the attack during the Final Exam, but the people were slowly making progress to fix it all. However, a new Hokage had yet to be named, so those on the highest rungs just below Hokage were temporarily in charge to keep things in order and from getting out of hand.

  Naruto and I paused as the old man behind the counter dropped another serving of noodles into our bowls.

  "You're training after this, right? Another serving for free! Go for it!"

  "Thank you, sir!" Naruto and I both grinned before digging in as the old man smiled kindly at us.

  "Welcome!"

  "Just like I heard.... I had to come and see it." I paused at the familiar voice behind me. "It seems that you really are just eating ramen."

  "Oh, Pervy Sage!" Naruto's voice was muffled by all of the noodles hanging out of his mouth.

  "Oh, even Sayuri's here!"

~

  "What?! Why?! Why?! Why do we have to go on a research trip with you, Pervy Sage?"

  "Oh no, this isn't just any research trip. There's a woman whose data I want to collect. So we have to look for her first." He winked while pointing, and I cringed.

  "We really don't have time to accompany you on your perverted research trip! We have training!"

  "Hm? Training?"

  "I will take lessons from Kakashi Sensei and learn a variety of things, like Chidori!"

  "Chidori?"

  "Ah, right! You didn't see it!" Naruto turned to me. "It's a lightning technique!"

  "Well, I think that technique is impossible for you to learn." The old man piped up.

  "Hmph." Naruto put his hands behind his head.

  "More importantly....that woman is really beautiful. You want to meet her, don't you?!"

  "Not at all. I'm not some kid who can be cajoled by you, Pervy Sage! Anyway, no!"

  "Well, it can't be helped.... Oh, well....I know Jutsu more amazing than Chidori, but.... It can't be helped.... Maybe I'll take Sasuke and Sayuri instead?"

  "Of course I'll go!" Naruto ran in front of the Pervy Sage to stop him from walking away. "I'll pack my bags right away! Pervy Sage, don't move!" And the blond was already racing away while kicking up a cloud of dust.

  "I'll be damned.... He's really a cute kid." The old man chuckled while rubbing the side of his head.

~

  "All right." Naruto adjusted his headband before grabbing the straps of his backpack. I just stood there with a blank expression, eyeing the massive pack that very well may contain everything the boy owned. "Here I go!" The blond yelled, but he wasn't even budging.

  "Y-You're putting too much spirit into it. You're not training on a mountain retreat, you know that, right?" Pervy Sage questioned, and I just kept watching the blond to see if he could really carry the backpack.

  "Naruto....have you ever been on an away mission? What all did you pack?"

  "Just essentials!" He replied, but I highly doubted that was the truth as the backpack was four times the size of the boy. I wouldn't be all that surprised if his apartment was in the backpack, too.