Thread: The Will of Fire: RP for VIX and Lorelai

The small light within the nook-sized refrigerator flickered as it's door stood open, it's pitiful and lonely contents at attention. Arms tucked tightly against his sides in indecision, Naruto let out a small grumble as he peered in. A bag of sad-looking leafy greens, an expired cup or two of instant noodles, and the happy face of the cow on the box of milk sat inside. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, it was already early afternoon and had just rolled out of bed, grateful to sleep in late and for the few extra days off between missions. He had only recently returned from a particularly long winded and brutally tedious mission in the south east the morning before. After filing his equally tedious report, he'd used that time to catch up on sleep within Konoha's protective walls. He stood there another few moments, his thoughts drifting, his eyes fixed on the small fridge but not really looking at it. A prickle on the back of his neck broke him out of his trance. Naruto's head snapped towards the window where a figure crouched on the sill, dressed in a Chunin jacket, headband on his sleeve, and pitch black hair pulled into a spiky tail at the back of his head. Naruto let out a wide grin, Hey-hey, long time no see! Shikamaru returned with a smile stepping down into the small studio apartment. His expression quickly turned disdainful after a wiff of the stale air. Jeeze, Naruto, how long has it been since you've been back here? He pinched his nose between two fingers and eyed the unkept bed and a carton of cup noodles that looked like it had been sitting on the table since before Naruto left for his last mission. My mom would kill me if I left the house like this. Naruto chuckled and ran a hand through his more-unruly-than-usual blond hair. Hehe, yeah, I guess you're right. He hadn't actually noticed anything out of place. Naruto lived by himself for years and never minded the mess. Should probably get around to cleaning it up sometime. But, duty calls, 'amiright, Shika-kun? His eyes gleamed mischievously. I mean, since you're basically the Old Lady's nurse-maid and all, right? Shikamaru laughed and rolled his eyes. My freedom for a green vest, my blissful Genin friend. He sighed. What a drag, but speaking of the Fifth-- Naruto stopped him there. Perfect timing! Sounds like something we can talk about over breakfast at Ichiraku Ramen! It's lunchtime, Naruto, Perfect timing! Sounds like something we can talk about over lunch at Ichiraku Ramen! With an acquiescing shake of his head the dark haired ninja raised his hands. You're lucky I haven't eaten yet. Naruto was already pulling on his black t-shirt. - 23 - When their laughter subsided enough for intelligible speech Shikamaru cleared his throat and said, Okay-okay...So let me get this straight, you're saying that this noble, Yokoyama, was entirely convinced he was turning into a were-badger at the crescent moon and destroying his home? Naruto nodded vigorously. Hired the Village to protect his possessions? Another series of nods. And that it took you a month to convince him that it was actually the household cat tearing up the drapes every crescent moon because he was so worried about turning into a were-badger that he forgot to feed Mittens. Naruto threw up his hands, That's what I'm sayin'! The two boys deteriorated into laughter again. It sounded even more crazy that way than it did the first time when the blonde told the whole story. Though it wasn't so funny when we had to stick around that senile old bastard for a month. Hell, if I have to do another protection mission again-- Here you go, boys! Old Man Ichiraku set down their bowls of piping hot noodles and pork miso. Naruto salivated and grabbed for a pair of chopsticks, ready to dig in. About that, Naru-- Naruto! Shikamaru! Came a voice from down the street. A hand pulled aside the curtail to reveal Sakura. Sakura-chan, Naruto beamed. How'd you know we were here? She rolled her pale green eyes, You're pretty predictable. What do you mean by that! Sakura ignored him and continued, Besides, no one could miss spotting those pants... What about my pants?! Oh, nothing. She changed subjects. Shikamaru, you were suppose to take Naruto to see Lady Tsunade. Yeah, yeah, we were getting around to it. The Hokage's time is valuable-- Which, Shikamaru appeased, Is why she has much better things to do than audience with a bother like us. Plus it's breakfast. The most important mean of the day, I always say. Naruto added helpfully, breaking his chopsticks. Lunch-time. Shikamaru corrected. You do not always say! Sakura added. Her tone turned matter-of-fact, You've wasted enough of Lady Tsunade's time today, com'mon Naruto. Sakura's vise-like fingers locked around his wrist just as he he was about to dip the sticks into the bowl, Just lemme-- he mumbled in a pout just before he was dragged off his chair.