Naruto One-Shots *Closed to Requests*

Home [Naruto] for 我迷死人蒙蔽了嗎

A girlish scream came from the far training ground in Konoha, drawing a ninja's attention. She snickered from behind the mask in place, moving in its direction. "Sakura," the knucklehead whined. "You're so mean!"

"Shut up, Naruto! You should've been paying attention!" his teammate snapped back.

"Calm down, Sakura," Kakashi spoke lazily.

The other member, Sai, looked up from his painting, eyes scanning the trees. "We're not alone anymore," he pointed out.

"Yes, but it's not a threat. In fact, it's a very close friend of ours." Suddenly, someone swung down from the branches upside down, feet firmly planted against the underside of the bark. "Tabatha, it's been a while."

She grinned behind the mask, giving a peace sign to show her greeting. "Three years, but who keeps track anymore?"

"Tabby!" Naruto cheered with a grin. "How was life up North?"

"Too cold for my liking! Glad to be back in the Land of Fire. Those nobles were so stuck up it wasn't even a joke. But they paid well."

She flipped right side up, Sakura giving her friend a tight hug. "Glad to have you back," the pink haired shinobi smiled.

Even Sai came over to shake her hand. "Observant as ever," the girl commented. "Only you could point me out."

He gave her a small smile. "Sorry this reunion has to be cut short, but Sakura and I must see the Hokage," Kakashi interjected. Both disappeared.

"Ibiki is in need of my assistance as well," Sai noted, gathering his supplies.

"Guess that leaves you and me, Naruto," Tabatha said. "Let's go grab some lunch."

Of course, the young man chose to go to Ichi Ramen's, the two waiting as their meal was cooked. "So Tabby, how was working for royals?" Naruto asked.

"Was definitely an experience," the young woman answered. "One I won't forget in many ways, but the younger children I liked. A few of the teenagers as well who weren't sticks in the mud like their parents. I didn't care for the higher ups, and only addressed them when needed. How about you in the Leaf? Been busy?"

His grin widened. "I finally made Jounin and have been following Kakashi on many high ranking missions."

"That's great to hear. Congrats on the promotion. I wish I could've been there to see it."

The steaming bowls were set in front of them, Naruto digging in right away. Tabatha reached up, removing the mask and attaching it to the belt. He glanced over, watching as the ninja picked up her chopsticks and dug in. Though the young man froze when his eyes landed on her face.

"Whoa..." he couldn't help but whisper.

"Hmm...?" Tabatha mused, turning to look at him, noodles hanging from between her lips.

"I'm sorry," he spoke quickly, looking away to hide his blush, feeling rude for staring. "Are you... okay?"

She gave him a lopsided smile, looking back down at the bowl. "Yeah, though at first it was painful. An experience I won't soon forget."

"A noble did that?"

"Well, their stupidity and snobbish attitude. It's a ninja's duty to protect their clients, even if we don't like them. So I protected the sexist man who did not believe women should be out in the field and were weak. Shows what he knew."

A long scar ran from the forehead, through the brow, catching the lower eyelid, and continued down the cheek ending near the corner of her lips. Short sword by the looks of it had created the mark from the clean swipe.

"Sorry..."

"It's not your fault. After that little incident the platoon leader gave a stern talking to the Council about treating us with respect. So while healing I was put on babysitting duty, which is how I got to meet the kids. I couldn't fully complain."

The two walked through the streets when they were done eating, Tabatha looking in shop windows. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at her child-like nature, looking at items in wonder. "Everything's changed so much," she muttered, looking through a display full of scarves.

"Three years can do that to any Village," he stated, ducking under a low beam. Then something came to mind, scratching the back on his head. "Hey, Tabby?"

"What is it Naruto?" the young woman asked, looking over her shoulder.

"Did Granny say...? Well, did she tell you that...?"

Tabatha turned completely around, searching the Jounin's face. "Is this about my apartment?" He nodded. "She said it burned down a year and a half ago when one of the lower complex's caught from a fault in the electrical units."

"I'm sorry about that too."

"There's nothing that could've been done to save anything I had. Besides, it's not like I had much to begin with."

The blonde watched as she looked away before walking off. Even though Tabatha kept saying everything was okay, he knew she was bothered. The young man quickly rushed after the ninja, who continued down the street. Naruto caught her wrist in hand, jerking the girl to a stop. Their eyes locked.

"Come with me."

Tabatha found herself standing in front of the knucklehead's apartment door. He led her in, flipping on the light switch before moving into the bedroom. The young woman set the weapon's pouch and mask on the table, eyes scanning over the pictures covering the walls. Everyone had grown up.

Naruto set a large box on the table top, opening it up and rummaging around. "It isn't much, but this was all we managed to salvage."

Tabatha peeked inside, eyes widening as a dust covered picture frame was pulled out. The edges were black from where the flames had grown too close, the glass cracking in areas, however, the picture remained unharmed. Four people stood inside, all smiling for the camera; a woman with long brown hair that was tied back and two young men, no older than thirty, and herself. Her mother and brothers. Tabatha had never known her father, who was killed on the battlefield, the same fate befalling her brothers. Her mother had died of a sickness one winter years after she made Chuunin.

Her hands trembled, taking the item from Naruto and holding it close to her chest. "Thank you," she breathed shakily. Tears began to build up behind her eyes, threatening to spill. It was the only thing she had left to remember them by.

"All of us searched through your home," Naruto cut in. "A few books, weapons, jewelry, and photographs of us back when we were in the Academy. I wish I could say there was more."

"It's enough. I don't know how I can ever thank you."

He gave her a kind smile. "You can start by moving in, if you'd like."

"I wouldn't want to impose."

"Believe me, you wouldn't be. As long as you cook those amazing dishes of yours."

She cracked a smile, sniffling and wiping at her eyes. "It's a deal."

As Naruto got ready for bed he walked back into the living room, finding Tabatha sleeping on the couch. Pulling a blanket from the bedroom he draped it over her body, slowly slipping the frame out of her grasp. His T-shirt and sweatpants looked nice on the young woman's figure, he noted, moving a stray piece of dark hair from her face. Bending down, Naruto's lips touched the scar on Tabatha's face.

"I love you, Tabby," he whispered. "And I'm glad you're here to stay."