Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Dance With Me ❯ Encounters of the Ramen Kind ( Chapter 3 )

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for their wonderful reviews. This is a new style of writing for me, so I was unsure of how people would take it. I'm glad that you guys like the story so far. Secondly, I realized that it doesn't matter what the songs sound like as long as the lyrics fit in nicely. I feel so stupid now lol. I've got a few suggestions and found some songs on my own, so I think I'm good for music for awhile. Lastly, I apologize for the delay in updating; I was bombarded by evil plot bunnies that needed attending to. The resulting four new stories are now posted under my fanfiction dot net account, so please check them out if you have some time. Enjoy the chapter!

 

 

Where the hell could he be? I've run through almost the entire list Kankuro gave me of Naruto's usual haunts and I've yet to see heads or tails of the boy. And it's a long fucking list too!

 

After he had woken up, Kankuro and I had spent the better part of an hour going over how I could `accidentally' run into Naruto somewhere. I don't usually go anywhere other than to work or to the store, so I was having a hard time finding all of these places Kankuro had listed. I glanced down at the next address. Ichiraku Ramen Bar huh? Well at least I can get some food at the next place. Driving around for hours on end is a lot more tiring than I had expected.

 

-

 

After searching for close to 15 minutes I FINALLY found a damn parking spot and made my way to Ichiraku's. It was a grubby little place, the kind of establishment anyone with even a bit of taste wouldn't be caught dead in. Why someone like Naruto would want to eat here I haven't a clue. Inside there were a few tables and a window booth, as well as a counter right next to the kitchen. The tables and booth were all full, so I headed over to the deserted counter. After a minute a young woman of about twenty came over and handed me a menu. I took one look at it and instantly regretted my choice to eat here. Everything on it was unhealthy! I finally settled on plain miso ramen…it seemed the least likely to give me a heart attack. I placed my order and returned the menu to the waitress.

 

“1 miso ramen!” she yelled back into the kitchen.

 

“Gotcha!” someone shouted in response.

 

While I was waiting for my food, I looked around at the other occupants of the small restaurant. They all seemed like normal enough people, happily chatting and eating with each other. Well this is weird. Looking at these people I feel strangely…hollow. I can't remember ever going to a restaurant with friends and laughing like that.

 

“Hey, are you listening?” the waitress suddenly interrupts my reverie.

 

“What?” I ask, unsure of what she had been saying.

 

“I said your ramen is ready.” She gestures to the counter and gives me a strange look. I look down at the food and, finding it edible-looking enough, dig in. It's actually pretty good, to my surprise. “I've never seen you around here before. Are you new in town?” she asks after a moment.

 

“No.” I grunt in response, not really wanting to waste my time talking to her. Amazingly enough, she takes the hint and walks off. Maybe I'll leave her a tip.

 

After a minute or two, I heard the door to the restaurant open. In just a few minutes, I'll be out that door and never have to come to this crummy little place again. I didn't bother to look up when the newcomer sat down next to me; I wanted to finish my food and move on to the next place. So, it came as a great surprise when…

 

“Naruto!” the waitress cried as she ran around the counter towards him. It couldn't be…it is. Figures; I spend the entire day searching for the blond and he ends up coming to me. I looked up and saw that he was sitting a mere 3 feet away from me being hugged to death by the annoying waitress. Bitch, get your hands off of him! Whoa, where did that come from? Calm down Gaara, remember the plan. Now is as good a time as ever…

 

“Naruto?” I breathe, suddenly feeling much less confident due to the proximity of the beautiful blond. He turns and stares at me for what feels like forever before a look of recollection crosses his face. That's good; I was worried that he might have forgotten me.

 

“You're Kankuro's brother…Gaara right?” he asks after a moment. I nod and he smiles at me. “Good. I would have felt horrible if I had forgotten your name. I mean how embarrassing would that be?” he says, chuckling lightly. I notice out of the corner of my eye that the waitress isn't too pleased with the situation.

 

“Naruto! Why are you talking to that rude guy huh?” she butted in, pressing her breasts up against him at the same time.

 

“Whoa Ayame, down girl. If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times; I'm gay. So please don't go there. And what do you mean he's rude?” he asked, turning to look at me.

 

“He wouldn't talk to me while he was eating!” the girl whined, glaring at me all the while. Stupid bitch, she actually wonders why people don't want to talk to her?

 

I was just about to tell this and some other select things to the girl, but Naruto beat me to it. “Ayame, didja ever stop to think that maybe he was, yanno, busy eating?”

 

“Oh of course you take his side!” she screeched. Ouch, my ears. Thankfully, she decides that she has wasted enough of our time and after an angry “humph” retreats into the kitchen. So much for that tip I was going to leave for her.

 

“Sorry about that.” he apologizes, smiling sheepishly and rubbing the back of his head. “She's a little weird, but very nice once you get to know her.”

 

“Oh it shows.” I reply, the sarcasm in my voice so strong that I immediately regret it. Insulting his friends isn't exactly the best way to go about this.

 

To my surprise he laughs, a wonderful musical sound, made even better now that it is with me instead of at me.

 

 

“Hehe, yeah, she definitely needs to work on her first impressions. But man this sucks, I don't think I'm gonna get any food now.”

 

Oh my god, is he pouting? He looks so damn cute like that. FOCUS DAMNIT! “So do you, uh, come here often?” Great Gaara, real smooth. You just used the fucking oldest line in the book.

 

“Yeah, like everyday! Ichiraku's ramen is the best!” There's that perfect smile again. How does he do that? “The only place I go nearly as often is Black Lotus.”

 

“Black Lotus? Where's that?” I ask, having never heard of the place before. He cocks his head to the side and stares at me for a moment with a quizzical look on his whiskered face.

 

“You aren't serious are you? It's the name of the club silly. You know; the gay dance club you were at last night?” Oh. Well that explains a lot.

 

“I didn't really notice the club; I was too busy being dragged around by Kankuro.” I tell him, struggling to hide my embarrassment.

 

“Really? Wow, I wouldn't have pegged him to be the dominant brother. He's like a little puppy whenever I see him. Neji is usually there though, so maybe that's it.”

 

“He isn't the dominant brother!” I hastily reply. Just the thought of being ordered around by Kankuro makes me want to hurt things.

 

“Whoa man, take it easy! I didn't mean anything by it.” He's laughing again now. Well at least one of us is having fun. “Anyway Gaara, I have to go, gotta get to work or Tsunade will have my head. You should come to the Lotus again tonight. Everyone will be there and I'll guarantee you'll have fun.” He winks at me during that last part and I can literally feel the blush fighting its way to my cheeks.

 

“Thanks, maybe I'll take you up on that.” I reply as coolly as I can, still battling this damnable blush.

 

“Hope to see ya there.” He gives me a final light chuckle and heads for the door. Well, that went well.

 

“If you're done eating pay and GET OUT!” the waitress suddenly screams into my ear. Yes, very well indeed.

 

-

 

So did you find him?” my brother asked the moment I walked into the house.

 

“Yes.” I answered simply, already heading towards my bedroom to start getting ready. I made sure to lock the door to prevent him from annoying me further. Sure enough, within a few minutes there was a loud knock on the door.

 

“Gaara you can't just leave me hanging like that! At least tell me what happened!” Oh well, might as well tell him. I can probably get him to help me prepare if I do. Sighing, I walked over to the door and opened it, only to have Kankuro fall into the room.

 

“Eavesdropping much?” I ask, trying to hide my amusement.

 

“Well it's your fault that I was.” he huffs indignantly. “Now are you going to tell me what happened or not?”

 

“Fine.” I growl. “I finally found him at…”

 

-

 

“There, I think you're ready Gaara. This should definitely turn a few heads. I really am a genius huh?” Kankuro laughs while indulging in his self-flattery and I leave him to it. Why burst his bubble? Looking into the mirror, I can literally feel my jaw drop.

 

“What the fuck Kankuro! What the hell did you do to me?” I scream, unable to believe this.

 

“What are you talking about, you look great!”

 

“I'm wearing makeup you jackass! I may be gay, but I'm not a fucking girl!” I shout, referring to the thick coating of black around my eyes. I haven't even gotten started on what he did to my hair yet…

 

“But it looks really good; the eyeshadow really brings out the green of your eyes. And anyway, Naruto likes guys who wear makeup. I heard him compliment Sasuke on it once.” he tells me matter-of-factly.

 

“…”

 

“Look, if you want to get Naruto you need my help right? I say this will work so just trust me for once!” he yells, entering his drama-queen mood. “And another thing-“

 

“All right I get it!” I snap. “But if you think I'm wearing that lipstick you're dead wrong.” I add. I smirk when I see him drop it out of the corner of my eye. At least he remembers who's in charge. Looking back into the mirror, I note that the clothes Kankuro picked out for me actually look pretty nice. Black leather pants and a red fishnet shirt, not bad. I do feel a little exposed, but compared to what some people were wearing last night, I figure I'll manage.

 

“C'mon Gaara, we've got to get going. We have to stop somewhere before we go to the Lotus.” Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to like this?

 

-

 

I can't believe I'm doing this…all for some kid I just met last night. Granted, he's gorgeous and the only one who has ever caught my interest, but still. Just two days ago I wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near here, not that I had anyone whose opinion really mattered, but still. I'm about ready to kill Kankuro as I get back into the car.

 

“Did you get it?” he asks.

 

“Yes.” I grumble, holding up a single white rose. I feel like stuffing the horrible little flower down my brother's throat.

 

“Great! Naruto loves white roses!” he cheers, starting the engine. God help me…

 

 

I'm upset about the club's name. I don't know why I picked Black Lotus, but it's bothering me. A lot. Oh well. Please review and help me update faster.