293"Complements of the gentleman at the counter ladies."
Now if you've been paying attention, Naruto had said nothing of his intentions, in fact, he was just hoping for an excuse to see what they found so funny. The girls however each had their own interpretation of what this meant.
I knew it, finally a Nin who has enough discernment to pick out a desert blossom from amongst all these leaves! Thought Temari
HAH, Obviously my silent grace has already won me this man's heart, how nice that he was considerate enough to at least include the rest so that they don't feel bad. Mused Ino
Ten-ten thought: Hmmm it appears that this is going to be an easier catch than I though it was. He already sends me gifts. Perhaps he's not worth my time… but those shoulders!…
Sakura on the other hand was thinking on totally different lines.
Beef? Prawn? Miso? These were all Naruto's favorite dishes. Naruto… you Dobe, if you were here you'd probably already be over there either challenging him or making friends.
Naruto himself was about halfway through his bowl (for some reason Iuka's lessons on etiquette and eating slowly were kicking in) When he felt four pairs of eyes on his back, Being a ninja, he immediately scanned the room to see who it was that was looking at him. The minute his eyes fell on the table that the girls were sitting at, three of the four blushed and looked down at their food. Sakura on the other hand motioned for him to come and join them.
Well, this is as good a time as any I suppose. She thought. …Odd, normally any boy who was invited to join a table full of girls would jump at the chance, why isn't he coming?
Naruto had a bit of a quandary on his hands, he had sent his spare bowls of Raman over to the girls without looking at who they were, now that he was taking a closer look, he could make out the faces of Sakura, Ino, and ten-ten. Oddly enough, Sakura was motioning for him to join them. He turned back to his food in furious thought.
I wonder what I should do, I don't really want them asking me a bunch of questions… who could give me advice on this particular problem … WAIT, I KNOW!
Kitsune!
…
KYUUBI!
What do you want kit.
Since you seem to be in a good mood for some reason would you offer me some advice?
Certainly kit, Never chew on stones, they hurt your teeth.
With that Kyuubi (who had known EXACTLY what Naruto really meant) turned his mental back on Naruto. He still kept watch from behind Naruto's eyes, but Naruto could feel that he wouldn't get any help from this particular source.
Well, I guess that I'm on my own for a while. If they ask, I'll just be vague.
As Naruto quit his mental monolog, he heard a voice speak up behind him.
"Um, Pardon me, but my friends and I, (Sakura gestured to the table behind her) were wondering if you would care to join us."
Naruto was a bit shocked, and apparently it showed on his face, because Sakura blushed a bit.
"Um it's not like it's a date or anything, and you don't have to if you don't want to. (Naruto could feel the eyes again) but, well, you DID pay for our food, so we decided that it was only polite."
Naruto, who hadn't thought about the implications in that manner, simply nodded his head.
Alright, Time to make a good impression, Ikura, I hope you know what you were talking about!
Kyuubi on the other hand was ecstatic.
Authors note:
If I have Parentheses in Bold Italics, (The world will burn) its Kyuubi's private thoughts, Naruto Cannot hear it.
: End note
(Time to see if the changes I made have the proper effect. Heh, Kit be glad I've taken a liking to you.)
As Naruto Picked up his food and turned around, the mouths of the other three girls went slack. Reddish blonde hair, Medium tan, strong jaw, and those trademark Cerulean blue eyes, (Ladies, just take the best characteristics of all today's movie stars, combine them into one person, and add Muscle underneath that makes steel look weak in comparison.) If you had hit one of them with a bat, they probably wouldn't have felt it; there was an aura around him that simply SCREAMED sexy!
Damn! He looked good from behind, but now that I can see his face… Damn! Thought Temari
Wide eyed Ino was thinking An…an Angel has come to join us. He must be! Such grace, such Radiance!
Nope, I was wrong thought ten-ten if this guy is more than a Half-wit, he is DEFINATLY worth chasing!
Sakura on the other hand, while still Wowed Was following a different line of thought again
He seems familiar… why? I've been thinking that since I first saw him, but… why can't I pace him? With a face like that, I should know him anywhere!
Naruto was growing a bit uncomfortable, ever since he sat down Temari, Ino, and ten-ten had been staring at him, and Sakura seemed lost in her own thoughts.
What! What did I do! Dammit Ikura! I made sure that the walk was right, I've kept proper posture, Hell, I've even managed to eat without spilling! Why are they? Ah right, I'm supposed to be dead and they're not sure what to say.
"Ahem, well ladies, are you enjoying your meal?"
Three girls had the same thought
Even his VOICE is sexy!
Sakura on the other hand answered him, "yes, quite."
There was an uneasy silence and then Sakura notice that this handsome stranger seemed to be getting uncomfortable, a quick glance around the table showed her why. They were still staring.
"Errr, so, have you been in town long?"
Naruto attempted to puzzle this one out,
In town long? I've lived here for Thirteen years! OH! How long have I been out of the hospital!
" Oh not long now, only an hour or two."
Sakura seeing that nobody had picked up on the opening she had left kicked Ino in the shin.
"Yes, seven is fine! …
Ino went a lovely shade of red and the other two girls glared at her, the spell Naruto's looks had them under dissipated somewhat.
"Um seven is fine for what?" Asked a bewildered Naruto in his light tenor voice
Ino blushed more.
"Um nothing, pardon me please I was… letting my mind drift"
In truth the three of them had been thinking up scenario's to ask Naruto out ever since he sat down.
Kyuubi! What the hell is wrong with them?
Kyuubi was amused,
Well If I had to guess I'd say it's working.
WHAT is working! What the HELL did you do now?
I Tinkered with your body a bit, nothing major… oh and I activated your bloodline, it's been dormant for a while now because it used to annoy me.
And what would this particular bloodline be called?
I believe it's been referred to as the Uzumaki Aura, it as a couple of upgrades, and I kicked on one of the higher ones just to see its effect.
And what exactly does it do?
Better pay attention to what's happing kit, I'll explain it to you laterIt was then that Naruto realized Ten-ten had posed a question to him. His mind quickly traveled back over what had been said while he was talking to Kyuubi
"Yes, the weather is quite warm for this time of year."
Ten-ten you BAKA! You had and opening and you asked about the WEATHER! Sakura was outraged.
"Errr, you really shouldn't be traveling without a coat though"
Temari? You too? I know he's HOT in every sense of the word, but this is just stupid! Inner Sakura was awake and was getting worked up now as well.
"Um well, I'm not far from my apartment at the moment, I left my clothes there."
"Apartment? You intend to stay awhile?"
WHY! Who CARES! He doesn't have to live here. If he's only here for a few days then work on him while you can. And from Inner Sakura (Hell ya! We'll get Sasuke-Kun yet!)
Naruto found the last question to be vaguely worrying, He was barely out of the hospital and they thought he was leaving? What did they know that he didn't?
"By the way (this from Ten-ten, and delivered in a suspiciously offhanded tone) what did you say your name was?"
Naruto was stunned
How much did you change me!
Kyuubi just laughed
"I didn't say" Naruto responded flashing them a foxy grin and a chuckle
All four girls laughed, slowly at first and then harder. They couldn't help it, there was just something infectious about his voice, it made them want to pay attention. To Listen, and give every word due consideration.
As they were laughing, Gaara and Kankuro walked in looking for Temari.
"Say Gaara. Who's that?" Kankuro didn't much like the look of the kid sitting with his favorite sister (his only sister, but that didn't matter right now) "He looks like the annoying kind"
Gaara was thinking, he didn't much care WHO sat with Temari, she could take care of herself, but unlike Kankuro, he felt safe around this new person. That NEVER happened, Gaara made friends slowly and guarded them Absolutely (Now) NOBODY should put him at ease this quickly. He frowned,
"Be careful around this one, there is something familiar about him, but I can't put my finger on it."
"Pah! Who cares, I'll beat him to a pulp, He's annoying me already."
"Don't try, he'd kill you, I feel a tremendous power held in check. In fact it reminds me of Naruto, but this man's chakra doesn't have the rage I associate with demon blood. He is… quite dangerous I think."
Gaara had never been the one for words. He had been speaking more often since Naruto defeated him, but that long of a speech from him was enough to stop Kankuro from announcing a challenge.
Naruto of course had noticed Gaara come in. The girls were finally winding down, and he was done with his meal. So he stood up. Naruto didn't notice it, but there was disappointment in the eyes of all the girls when he said.
"I'm sorry ladies, but I must bid you farewell, tomorrow is another day, and I have many things to do before I sleep."
There, that sounds vagly formal, should work as a polite goodbye
Saying this, he picked up a napkin and scribbled a quick note on it, and then stuck it in his pocket before heading outside. As he walked past the Former sand Nins he muttered a casual.
"Evening Gaara"
He was about to move on when Gaara replied,
"Do I know you?"
"Here"
Naruto handed Gaara the napkin.
"Read it away from prying eyes" His own eyes shifted briefly toward Kankuro "I would ask you to keep the information close to your heart at the moment."
With that he left.
Gaara was perplexed, the sense of knowing the man had grown stronger as they talked, and the strange note… Gaara glanced at it quickly and then did a double take before tearing the note to shreds.
"What did it say?"
Gaara simply didn't answer; the whole notion was too crazy. Someone following his mind my have caught this,
No, it can't be, He was buried almost a week ago. I swore REVENGE on the person who desecrated his body! This must be a trick, he looks far too old.
And so on and so forth the only thought that kept him from dismissing it altogether and going after the guy was
The eyes though, the eyes are the same.
Ino sighed as the stranger rounded the corner and disappeared, and then got annoyed when she realized that three other girls mirrored her sigh.
"Did anyone catch his name?"
This came from a newly perplexed Ten-ten
"I… I don't think he said it" from Temari.
Sakura was silent, I know him, he's too familiar, but from WHERE!
Late that night a tall man With Midnight black hair, a black cloak and matching black pants, and a Black shirt inscribed with the fox sigil in red and silver sat atop Naruto's apartment roof and mused.
Now things are going to get interesting. Tomorrow, I start training him. Sooner or later Mikuhasi you will try to strike and when you do, I intend to sit back and watch this kid beat the crap out of you…
Me: Whew, this was a MUCH longer chapter than normal
Naruto: It was worth it though. Right?
Me: but of course! I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't worth doing! OK, on to the replies!
Hisoka316: I figured that she'd use at least SOME sand attacks as she's a former member of the Sauna... correct me if i'm wrong. Temari is correct? ok Thank you.
Sirus183: He's changed mostly in appearence. I'd tell you, but it's be a spoiler ;)
Narutofreak22: not really, normally I end my reviews with "keep up the good work" If I say it I mean it to.
Jiraiya: Kunai, Temari, Ramen OK. don't bother to apologise, I prefer corrections to mis-spellings.
Demon-God Sekikage: no problem, I have about 50 links if you want more :) dunno how many of them are to your liking, but I'll send you the links if you like. if you review for them, tell them I sent you. Ok?
dojo: (Me looking offended) Of course its still a Naru/Hina... at least I think It is. I'm pretty sure anyway.
Dragon Man 180: You've got to remember that he's a bit Naive' especally when it comes to girls. He heard it alright, but as she didn't finish the last word, he's still clueless.
Hikaru & TimeShifter: you might guess why later, and thanks for the corrections.
snow child yukiko-chan: long but irregular chapters, or short chapters that I update quickly. The Majority has already spoken however, and they tend to agree with me, short and quick.
HDXShadow: so I still have a following hmmm? I could have sworn I heard something while you were coughing… would you like a cough drop? Your voice seems to be speaking without you :D Sophistication hmmm? Or was it sofisticated? I can't seem to remember ;)
To every body (And I mean EVERYBODY): Thanks to everyone for reviewing, keep them coming. Wether it's spelling or Ideas for later chapters, or even speculations on what I'm going to do next, I appreaciate getting reviews,
Manatheron