The three figures of Taki's former team twelve were walking down a small path through a forest. The sun was finally starting to set so the air was starting to become a little cooler making it easier for the three to continue. As the three walked Shiro finally thought of something he could say to break the silence. "Naruto mind if I ask you a question?" Shiro asked looking at the blonde figure in front of him.

"Sure," Naruto said looking at Shiro a little confused.

"You're from Konohagakure right?" Shiro asked looking at him. Naruto nodded when he asked this and Shiro looked at him. "If we were to return to Konoha is there anyone you'd want to see?" Shiro asked looking at Naruto. When he asked this the blonde closed his eyes and began to think for a moment.

"Yeah, there's three people I'd want to see, I'd want to Iruka, the Sandaime, and Teuchi," Naruto said looking at the two in front of them.

"Oh?" Fu questioned as she turned her attention to Naruto. "Who are they?" Fu asked a little curious. After all, she had never really thought to ask Naruto this because she knew that he didn't want to return to Konoha.

"Well, Iruka was sort of like a father to me. In fact, I think he might have been the only shinobi in the entire village besides the Sandaime that cared about me. He'd visit me most of the time to make sure I was okay, and he'd even take me out to Ichiraku's on special occasions," Naruto said as he remembered the male with fondness.

"Well that was nice of him," Fu said giving the blonde a smile.

"Yeah," Naruto said a little sad. However, he quickly hid his sadness and continued. "The Sandaime was something like my grandfather. He was so protective of me and anytime he was around I was always so at ease like no matter what happened that as long as he was around he was going to keep me safe," Naruto said as he once again found himself thinking of the elderly male.

"I see," Shiro said as he turned to look at Naruto. "And the last one?" Shiro asked a little interested.

"Teuchi? Well, he was the owner of a Ramen shop named Ichiraku he served some of the best ramen I've ever had," Naruto said looking at the two in front of him.

"I thought you didn't like ramen?" Fu asked looking at the male in front of him.

"I don't," Naruto said as he looked at her. "But . . . his ramen was different," Naruto said as he looked at the sky and started to think back to the day that he first met Teuchi.

Flashback

A young Naruto was wondering the streets of Konoha. It might not have been so bad for the young male if it hadn't been for the fact that it was raining. He would stay at his house but like so many other nights his home was currently full of a bunch of villagers looking for him. The young blonde held his stomach as it let out a slight grumble. It had been a while since the last time he had eaten, so at the moment his appetite was greater than usual.

He continued down an alleyway until he found a large bin full of trash. Naruto once again felt his stomach grumble slight and he bit his lip 'Since they threw it away they shouldn't mind,' Naruto thought as he began to look through the trash. Unknown to the male he was making a small amount of noise that attracted the attention of the owner of the building.

An elderly male with gray hair yawned as he heard a small amount of noise outside. He mumbled to himself as he got up and picked up a small broom. 'Damn pests,' Teuchi thought to himself as he walked down stairs and out of the building. He then walked to the side of the building expecting to find a rat or any other form of pests that Konoha had.

However what he wasn't expecting was to find a young blonde looking through his trash. "What are you doing?" Teuchi asked looking at the male a little confused. When he asked this Naruto jumped slightly and looked at him.

"S-sorry it's just I'm hungry and I didn't think you'd mind," Naruto said a little timid seeing the male in front of him.

"N-No, it's fine," Teuchi said as he looked at the young figure in front of him. It was at this moment that Teuchi started to recognize the young male. He would notice that on some of the days that this particular boy would walk down the streets and would often take quick glances at his shop. There were even a few times that he would start to walk over to the shop a little hesitate before walking away.

Teuchi would be lying if he said he wasn't a little curious about the male. Not because of the fact he'd often look at his shop but because he was always alone. Even now as he looked at the blonde male in the pouring rain looking through his trash for something to eat he was alone. "How about you come inside and I make you something. It'll be better than anything you'll find in my trash, I promise," Teuchi said offering Naruto a kind smile.

Naruto was a little uneasy at the males offer after all he had received the same offer before and it had always ended badly for him. However, for some reason, this man didn't seem like the type of person to do that to him so Naruto slowly nodded and accepted his offer. When he did Teuchi smiled and looked at him "Good," he said as he turned and began to walk into his restaurant.

Naruto slowly followed the male into the building and sat on one of the several seats that were in the store. Naruto waited patiently as he watched the male in front of him start to move and do several different things. Naruto started to tremble slightly remembering what had happened to him last time. Teuchi would look over every so often to make sure that the child was still there.

However, every time he did he noticed something when he would look he noticed that the small child would look away and avoid eye contact. Teucghi let out a sigh seeing this and after a few moments had passed Teuchi placed a bowl of ramen in front of the Naruto and his terrified expression immediately faded and was replaced with a smile as he looked at the bowl of ramen in front of him.

"Enjoy," Teuchi said with a smile as he watched the small child began to eat. As Teuchi looked at the small child eat the food placed in front of him several thoughts passed through his mind. 'What is a child his age doing all alone at a time like this? Where were his parents? and how could they be so irresponsible?' Teuchi thought to himself as he looked at the young male.

However deciding he didn't want to cause any trouble he decided not to ask as he watched the small child in front of him eat the food in front of him. Soon enough Teuchi saw the small child lifted the bowl to his lips and watched as the child began to drink as much as the soup as he could. Not leaving a drop behind as if it would be his last meal.

When the child was done he placed the bowl down and grinned so wide that all of the child's white teeth showed. Teuchi smiled seeing this and looked at the boy in front of him. "Would you like another bowl?" Teuchi said looking at Naruto. When he asked this the blonde smiled and nodded. Teuchi took the young child's bowl when he saw this and once again began to fill it with Ramen.

Naruto looked at the male in front of him that was helping him. He had never met anyone besides Iruka that offered to get him a meal. The male then turned and once again placed a bowl in front of him offering him a kind smile while doing so. Naruto once again smiled seeing the food in front of him and like before began to eat. Teuchi smiled as he looked at the male and then outside.

He noticed that it was still raining and sighed. "Wait here," Teuchi said as he walked upstairs. Naruto once again felt a little uneasy seeing this and but his worries faded as he looked down at the bowl of ramen in front of him. Naruto continued to eat and like before raised the bowl up to his lips so that he could drink the soup of the Ramen.

After he did he heard footsteps and leaned over to see Teuchi walking down the stairs with an orange coat. "It's still raining out so I thought this might help keep you dry," Teuchi said as he offered Naruto the coat. Naruto looked at the coat for a moment before he reached out and took it. "I know it's a little too big for you but I got it a while ago and haven't had any use for it since" Teuchi said as he looked at the male in front of him.

Naruto felt a few tears start to build up in his eyes seeing this and held the coat close to him. No one had ever been this nice to him, yet this male that he assumed would hate him like all the others, offered him a warm meal, and was now giving him something to help. Tuechi then once again looked outside and saw the rain.

"Actually," Teuchi said as he turned his attention to the male. "You can stay here for the night if you want," Teuchi said looking at him. Naruto once again found himself at a loss for words hearing this and moved forward to hug the male. Tuechi was a bit shocked by this action and looked down at him. Hear could hear a few muffled sniffs.

Teuchi was about to ask what was wrong but his question was soon answered in the form of a muffled voice. "Thank you! No one's ever been this nice to me before!" Naruto said as he continued to hug the male. Teuchi smiled hearing this and rubbed Naruto's head.

"Of course," Teuchi said as he looked down at the male with a kind smile. "and if you ever find yourself in need of a meal that badly again then don't hesitate to ask," Teuchi said looking at Naruto. When he said this the young blonde wiped the tears from his face and nodded with a smile. Teuchi then let out a yawn only then remembering how late it was and stood up.

"Well I'm going to get some sleep, you should probably do the same," Teuchi said as he looked down the male in front of him. Naruto nodded when he said this and walked to the entrance of the restaurant and waited for the rain to clear, using the coat that had been given to him as a cover.

Flashback end

Shiro looked at Naruto with a slight smile and turned to him. "It sounds like the reason you Teuchi's ramen so much wasn't because of the Ramen but because you liked Teuchi," Shiro said looking at him.

"I suppose that's true," Naruto said with a slight smile. A small town soon became visible in the distance and the three smiled. "Seems like we finally made it," Naruto said with a smile. Being the energetic person he is Naruto couldn't contain his excitement and ran ahead of the others.

"Hey wait for me Naruto!" Fu said as she started to run after him. Shiro sighed seeing this and decided to just walk to the town. When Naruto arrived he looked around and sighed. "I probably should have known that nothing would still be open this late," Naruto said looking around. Fu sighed seeing Naruto's somewhat sad expression and kissed his cheek.

"Feel better?" Fu asked looking at the blonde in front of her. When she did Naruto's face turned a slight shade of red and he nodded slightly. Fu chuckled slightly seeing this and looked at him. "Good, now come on the place we're staying at can't be that hard to find," Fu said looking at the blonde male in front of her.

When she said this Naruto nodded and looked around. "Maybe we should wait for Shiro," Naruto said a little sheepishly. "After all, he is the one who knows where we're staying," Naruto said looking at the female in front of him.

"O-oh right," Fu said letting out a slight laugh forgetting that she had no idea where they were supposed to be staying. The two then looked around and saw the white haired male walking down the streets. Naruto once again ran towards him seeing this and looked at him.

"So where are we staying?" Naruto asked looking at the male. Shiro was a little nervous seeing how excited Naruto was and moved back slightly.

"We're staying at a hotel with its own hot spring. So just look for a building with steam coming from it," Shiro said looking at Naruto. When he said this the blonde nodded and the three began to walk down the street. It didn't take them long to find the building that they were going to be staying at. A building that was larger than most with a tall fenced off area that had steam coming from a few of the holes in the building.

"Seems like we're here," Fu said as she looked at the building.

"Yeah," Naruto said as the three walked into the building. When they did Shiro walked up to the counter and a male wearing a suit came out. "We have two rooms reserved under the names Uzumaki and Ito," Shiro said looking at the male. The male smiled and nodded hearing this and handed him two keys.

"I hope you enjoy your stay Mister Ito," The male said as he looked at Shiro. Shiro was a little irritated by the fact he used his last name and not his first name but he knew that it couldn't be helped. Shiro then turned around and tossed one of the keys towards Naruto. Before the two had the chance to ask any questions Shiro began to walk away.

"Wait where are you going?" Fu asked looking at him.

"To the hot spring," Shiro said as he walked down the halls. "You two may want to try them out as well. After all, it'll probably be a while before we can relax like this again," Shiro said looking at the two in front of him. When he said this Naruto nodded and looked at Fu.

"He's right we should relax when we get the chance. So let's go," Naruto said with a smile, Fu nodded hearing this and the two began to walk down the halls. The two separated and went their own ways as they each walked into one side of the hot spring. However, as they did they saw an elderly male with long spiky hair holding a book and writing something down.

"That should be enough for now," The male said as he shut his book and began to get dressed. Unknown to the male that who he was looking for had just walked passed him and into the hot water that he neglected to enter. The male then walked out and Naruto and Shiro looked at each other.

"So why did you only reserve two rooms?" Naruto asked looking at the white haired male in front of him.

"I didn't know Fu's last name, otherwise I would have reserved a third one. Not only that but I didn't think you two would mind sharing a room. After all, you two live together and I've heard from my uncle that the two of you often share a bed," Shiro said looking at the blonde in front of him.

"I see," Naruto said a little embarrassed as he looked up at the stars.

"They don't have a roof," Shiro said as he looked up. "I don't know why but I always liked that in a hot spring," Shiro said as he looked up at the stars. When he did he heard a few giggles and sighed. He then turned his attention to Naruto and saw that he appeared to be in some form of thought.

Wanting to break Naruto out of his slightly dazed state he looked at the blonde male and smirked. "You know Naruto, I can hear Fu and a few other girls in the bath next door to us right now," Shiro said looking at Naruto. When he said this Naruto's face turned a little red and he looked at Shiro.

"Why would you even bring that up?" Naruto asked looking at Shiro.

"Oh? My apologies, I didn't realize that there were rules about what we could discuss in here," Shiro said a little sarcastically as he looked at Naruto. When he said this Naruto mumbled under his breath and Shiro looked at him. "Naruto if you don't mind me asking, why do you love Fu?" Shiro asked looking at him.

"Why do I?" Naruto began only to trail on as he thought about the question. "Why wouldn't I? She's beautiful, smart, strong, not to mention her smiles are great. Well, the real ones are, not the ones she shows to the civilians," Naruto said with a smile. "She's just . . . perfect," Naruto said with a smile. A few moments passed as the two just stared at each other.

"Well this is a little awkward," Shiro said looking at Naruto. When he said this Naruto looked at him a little interested and Shiro explained. "Now whenever I hear you say those sweet words I won't be able to help but picture you naked as well," Shiro said looking at the blonde in front of him.

"You're a perv!" Naruto said looking at the male in front of him and sinking into the water a little more.

"A perv huh?" Shiro questioned to himself. "In that case," Shiro said as he looked at Naruto. "SHALL WE FIND A SPOT WERE WE CAN PEAK IN ON THE LADIES?" Shiro said much louder than usual causing Naruto to once again turn red.

"STOP IT!" Naruto said a little irritated, while his face was still red. Shiro chuckled hearing this and sunk back down into the water slightly.

"Calm down Naruto, I was only joking," Shiro said looking at the blonde male in front of him. The two stayed in the spring for a few minutes before Shiro let out a sigh and stood up. "I'm going to look around the town," Shiro said as he got out of the spring.

"Okay, how are we on supplies?" Naruto asked looking at the male in front of him.

"I haven't checked, we can just go out tomorrow and get whatever we need," Shiro said as he began to put his clothes back on. Once he was dressed Shiro walked out of the building and started to walk down the streets. He passed by a few places that he noticed were still open.

"Who are you?" Shiro heard a new voice say and when he turned he saw a male with a dagger looking at him. Shiro examined the male quickly and saw from his stance and physique that he wasn't a threat.

"Relax, I was just passing through, and the last thing I'm looking for is a fight," Shiro said calmly as he looked at the elderly male in front of him.

"Well you found one anyway," The white haired male said as he lunged forward with the dagger. Shiro easily avoided the males attack and kicked him into the side of a building. When he did the male fell back and began to hold his face.

"So you're bad at listening and fighting," Shiro said looking at the male. He then sighed and began to walk away. 'Then again he is just a civilian and not a shinobi like myself. If he was a shinobi then he might have actually been a little dangerous,' Shiro thought as he began to walk away. However unknown to him, a male with long white spiky hair had just seen what had happened.

'Hmm, he may be apart of Naruto's team. I was told that he'd be accompanied by two others. Then again there's always the possibility that he was sent by someone else,' Jiraiya said as he stood up and left a few Ryo on the table. He then began to follow Shiro down the streets. 'Either way, I'm certain he'll lead me to Naruto,' Jiraiya thought as he looked at the male.

Shiro walked back into the building he was staying in after a few minutes had passed and saw that Naruto and Fu were just about to enter their room. He paid no mind seeing this and walked into his room. "So how was your time in the hot spring?" Naruto asked looking at the female.

"It was . . . nice, a little odd since all the females weren't glaring at me, but it was still nice," Fu said looking at the blonde male.

"Yeah I know what you mean," Naruto said as he opened the door to their room. Naruto knew exactly what she meant by them not glaring. He had the same reaction the first few days that he came to Taki. Of course, their smiles of kindness were replaced a few days later when he started to live with Fu. Now that no one's glaring at him again he's having the same odd feeling as when he first came to Taki.

Naruto then felt Fu hug him and smiled slightly when she did. "Either way it doesn't matter as long as I'm with you," Fu said still wrapping her arms around Naruto.

"Yeah," Naruto said as he returned her hug and looked at her. He then leaned forward and the two shared a kiss. When they separated the two smiled and looked at each other. "Guess we should get some sleep," Naruto said his face a slight shade of red. When he said this Fu nodded and the two walked over to the bed and began to lay beside each other. Naruto wrapped one arm around Fu and brought her a little closer and Fu in turn smiled and nuzzled into his chest slightly. The two then smiled as they slowly began to drift off to sleep.