CHAPTER 3



Kiya and the two men arrived at the second place on the list. It was a two bedroom apartment above a small open aired restaurant. The nicest thing about it was the fact that it came completely furnished. They had money but not a lot.
Kiya “This is perfect!”
Izumo “I thought you would really like this one.”
Kotetsu “The owner is over there. Why don’t you talk to him?”
Kiya went over and talked to the owner of the property. After a few minutes they agreed on a price and the owner said they could move in immediately. Kiya was very excited. Things were going so well. It was the perfect situation. She began to wonder why. Things never went this smoothly. She told Izumo and Kotetsu that she took the place and she needed to get their things and collect Tora.
Kotetsu “Well she is with Naruto so it is no telling where they are right now.”
Izumo “Besides we are suppose to meet up with everybody at the ramen shop.”
Kiya “Oh…I almost forgot about that!”
Izumo “Actually we might as well head over there right now. It is back on the other side of the village so everyone should be getting there when we do.”
Kotetsu “I bet Tora will be there by then too.”
Kiya “Okay sounds good.”
The three of them started back toward the ramen shop. Kiya hadn’t realized that it is was as late as it was. The time went by pretty fast talking with friends. It had been so long since she had made friends she had forgotten what a normal conversation sounded like. She smiled at the two men and enjoyed the rest of the walk.
They were almost to the ramen shop now. Kiya couldn’t believe the crowd of people that swarmed the place. She looked among the faces. She saw Gai and Kakashi….”Ah there is the familiar green head” she thought to herself.
Tora “KIYA!!!” she yelled waving excitedly.
Everybody’s head turned at her exclamation. Kiya blushed lightly.
Kiya mumbling “One of these days I will get her to talk a little quieter.”
Kotetsu “You know…I may have just met her….but I don’t think that is possible.”
Kiya blushed not realizing she had been heard. Izumo and Kotetsu both laughed.
Tora “DID YOU FIND A PLACE KIYA?? CAN WE STAY??”
Kiya “Yes Tora I found the perfect place. We can move in tonight actually.”
Tora “YAY!” she yelled turning back to the group of teenagers sitting around her.
Gai “I am glad to hear Konoha has two more youthful people residing in it walls!” he stated standing and walking over to Kiya.
Kiya “Thank you.” she smiled standing on her tip toes giving Gai a light kiss on the cheek. He blushed darkly. This caused many of the patrons to turn in shock. One person spoke saying.
“Well I never thought I would see the day that a women actually kissed Gai!” said a man that wore a bandana on backwards and chewing on a long toothpick.
Gai “Women can’t resist the Green Beast of Konoha!” This earned many a laugh from the surrounding people.
Kakashi shaking head “Since nobody else seems interested in doing it let me introduce you to everybody.” he said coolly standing up and walking over to Kiya.
Kiya “Tora have you met everybody?” she asked so Kakashi didn’t have to do introductions more than once.
Tora “DON’T WORRY KIYA….”
“Trust me…she made herself well known already….she is so loud it is a drag….” said a young man with a pony tail. He was dressed similar to many of the men in the shop.
Tora “WELL MAYBE IF YOU PAID ATTENTION INSTEAD OF DAYDREAMING AND LOOKING AT THE CLOUDS I WOULDN’T HAVE TO YELL AT YOU!”
“So troublesome….” the young man muttered.
Kakashi “That would be Shikamaru.”
Kakashi “On his right is Choji.” he said pointing to the chubby guy with long spiky hair and red swirls on his cheeks.
“I’m Ino!” said the blonde sitting on Shikamaru’s left.
“Shut up Ino Pig! He wasn’t talking to you!” said the pink haired girl.
“You shut up Billboard Brow!” Ino replied.
Tora “YOU TWO EVEN GIVE ME A HEADACHE!!”
Kiya “Glad to see your making friends Tora.”
Tora “THE OTHER ONE IS SAKURA!” she exclaimed giving both the girls glares.
Kakashi “Uh….of course you know Naruto…the one under the hood is Shino.” Shino nods to Kiya.
Kakashi “The one sketching is Sai.” He flicks his pencil barely acknowledging Kiya.
Kakashi “The smirking one with red on his face is Kiba and Hinata is sitting on his right.”
Kiba “HIYA!” Hinata gives a shy smile. The introductions where barely done before the teenagers went back to talking.
Gai “We may have taught them many things but manners weren’t one of them!”
Kiya laughing “That’s all right.”
Kakashi “The man with the toothpick is Genma and the one next to him is Raido.” They both smile and give small waves.
Gai “The tall silent one is Ibiki.” he said pointing to the man with the long jacket.
Kakashi “This is Kurenai.” as he gestured to the woman with red eyes. “She is Kiba, Shino, and Hinata’s sensei.”
Gai “The woman holding the pig is Shizune.”
Shizune “This is Ton-Ton.” she said lifting the pig.
Kakashi “The one smoking is Asuma.” Asuma raised the hand holding the cigarette. “He is the sensei for Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji.”
Gai “This is Iruka…he teaches the kids at the academy.” he gestured to the man with the scar acrossed his nose. He smiled gently at Kiya.
Kiya looked around smiling at everyone “It is definatly a pleasure to meet you all.”
Kakashi and Gai walk back to the seats. Gesturing towards the chair between them.
Gai “Please Kiya have a seat and join us for some delicious ramen!”
Kiya sits between the two leaving Izumo and Kotetsu to scavenge for any available empty seats in the shop. Conversation is light and fun as the many people enjoy the evening meal. Kiya listens to the camaraderie between the different ninjas. Discovering that many of them have been on missions and had only just recently returned. Suddenly the quiet camaraderie was broken….
Tora “NARUTO STOP STEALING MY FOOD!”
Naruto “BUT I’M STILL HUNGRY!”
Tora “WELL GET SOME MORE FOOD INSTEAD OF TAKING MINE!”
Naruto “I DON’T HAVE ANYMORE MONEY!”
Tora “CHOJI! NOT YOU TOO!” Choji had stolen some of Tora’s BBQ Pork while she was distracted by Naruto.
Choji “But…it was the last piece! Nobody gets the last piece but me!”
Kiya signaled to the man behind the counter gesturing to the three now arguing.
Kiya “Don’t worry it’s on me.” she stated trying to avoid a bigger confrontation. As the man placed more ramen and BBQ Pork in front of the trio.
Naruto “Really? WOW! Thanks!”
Choji “Yeah, Thanks!”
Ino “DID YOU HAVE TO ENCOURAGE THEM KIYA? NOW THEY WILL DO IT EVERY TIME!”
Kiya “Sorry I just can’t watch anybody go hungry! I guess that is why I like owning my own restaurant.”
Naruto “Your opening a restaurant?”
Tora “YEP! AND SHE IS A REALLY GREAT COOK!”
Choji “Really?”
Tora “THIS RAMEN IS GOOD! BUT WAIT UNTIL YOU TRY KIYA’S!”
Kiba “When are you opening up?”
Kiya “I don’t know….a couple of days….a week at the most.”
Tora “WE SHOULD HAVE A GRAND OPENING PARTY!”
Genma “That sounds like fun.” he said and many others agreed.
Gai “Do you need any help setting up the restaurant?”
Kiya “I think Tora and I can probably manage.” Gai’s face fell as his offer was refused.
Kiya “But, I could use someone to help me get the supplies I need.” she said quickly afraid to offend the man that was being so nice.
Gai “I can do that!” he exclaimed giving a thumbs up.
Kakashi mumbles “A perfect job for Gai….maybe I can relax a little tomorrow.”
Just as most of the people were finishing their meals, leaning back relaxing, and enjoying the conversation Gai jumped up.
Gai “Finally my youthful lotuses are approaching!”
“Great he is in rare form tonight.” mumbled the young man with long hair.
“DON’T INSULT GAI-SENSEI HE IS THE BEST MAN IN THE WORLD!” said the guy who bore a striking resemblance to the man sitting next to Kiya.
“You two have been at it all day. Let it rest! PLEASE!” stated the girl with the buns in her hair.
Gai “Hurry up you three I have a couple of people I want you to meet! I have been waiting all evening to introduce them to the fastest team in Konoha!” he said as they slowly approached. This earned many chuckles from the surrounding sensei. The finally stood standing near guy.
Gai “Kiya, Tora I would like you to meet my team! NEJI, TENTEN, and ROCK LEE!” Neji, the boy with long hair, looked humiliated while Tenten looked only slightly embarrassed. Rock Lee on the other hand was just beaming!
Kiya smiled kindly “It is so nice to finally meet you.”
Tora blushing a dark pink “I….uh…..yeah….”she said not taking her eyes of the young man in the green jumpsuit. People were flabbergasted at Tora’s quietness they may not have known her very long but this is definitely something new! Kiya’s smile faltered as she looked at her young companion. “Maybe she is just tired.” she thought to herself. As that thought crossed her mind she realized just how tired she was. It had been a long day full of excitement. She then stifled a yawn. Kotetsu noticed Kiya’s yawn.
Kotetsu “I know it has been an eventful day for the two of you. Why don’t we get your stuff and walk you to your new home. It is only a couple of blocks from our place.”
Izumo “Good idea. It is right on our way.”
Kiya “I think your right….Thank you. Tora are you ready?”
Tora “I….uh….yeah….” still staring at Lee.
Kiya mumbling “She must be really tired.”
Kiya started to pay but Kakashi quickly paid for her and Tora’s meals. Along with the extra ramen and BBQ pork for Naruto and Choji.
Kakashi “We were the ones to invite you so it is only polite that we pay.”
Kiya “Thank you. Please be sure to stop by my restaurant and I will return the favor.” she stated smiling sweetly at the man in the mask. She then realized she never did see him take a bite though his bowl was empty.
Kiya “It was so nice to meet everyone.”
Tora “Yeah….” still staring at the boy with large eyebrows.
Genma “Don’t forget about the Grand Opening Party Tora mentioned!”
Kiya “Don’t worry I won’t….we will make it officially one week from today.”
Everyone said it sounded good and they would be sure to be there. Kiya and Tora waved as they walked off with Izumo and Kotetsu leading the way. The ninja remaining at the shop watched the small group walking away. They had a strong feeling that things in Konoha were about to get very interesting.