Ino and Ramen

"Hah..."

"Ugh... this is killing me..." A feminine voice spoke as it resounded across the quiet and empty courtyard. The blonde girl groaned as she adjusted herself to face the sky. Just blankly staring at the clouds.

Her current look was definitely not her best. She was covered in dirt, parts of her clothes were worn out, and her hair disheveled.

She greedily breathed in the air as her chest heaved up and down trying to regain her breathing. She was covered in sweat and her muscles were hurting.

This was the Yamanaka Heiress, Yamanaka Ino.

"...You're improving" A red haired boy near her spoke. He was seated next to her as he lazily watched her with a smirk. His body language compared to hers was much better. He didn't look at all as bad as her.

He wasn't even sweating, which irked Ino as they were sparring for the past few hours.

"Your taijutsu's gotten better hasn't it? I've seen it during the class spars" Naruto said with an easy smile.

"Of course! It's only reasonable that I get better since I'm actually trying now, it's me after all!" Ino said in a voice that made her sound proud.

After her quick defeat from Hinata, the was downcasted that whole day. It was Naruto who suggested that she can come to train and practice taijutsu with him. As she definitely wanted to improve herself she accepted. Even to the point where she went home that day to beg her father to help her improve her taijutsu.

So for the past two weeks, she's been going to the Sarutobi mansion to train with Naruto whenever she was free.

During that time, they inevitably gotten closer. In a way, they can be considered as friends. And during that time, Ino had learned something about Naruto.

That he was most definitely a tsundere. It's so obvious with the way he acts.

She must admit though, the way he tried denying it really hard when she asked makes her giggle with delight every time.

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"Well, what do we have here?" An aged voice caught the pair's attention.

The turned their heads to see the hokage entering the courtyard along with a little kid that was probably half Ino and Naruto's age.

"Ah!... H-hokage-sama!" Ino panicked as she quickly tried to get up to bow to show respect. But before she could Naruto grabbed her hand to prevent her from standing up.

"You're tired... rest" He said as their hokage chuckled. Ino blushed lightly at his action as she glanced at their village leader.

"He's right, you don't need to do that here. Right now I'm just an old man in my home" He laughed as he gestured at the little kid next to him.

"Hey Hey, granpa! Is that nii-san's girlfriend?" The kid asked after he tugged on the old man's sleeve.

"Hm? Ah, I'm not sure. Why don't you ask them?" He said with a smile as both Naruto and Ino reacted.

"Hah?" Naruto said as he blushed lightly while his ears turned the same shade as his hair. He glared at the old man as well as the kid.

As for Ino, she was a mess. She couldn't talk as her whole face was red and there seemed to even be a faint illusion of smoke coming out her ears.

"I-, we, No-, I mean-!" She started but couldn't get any words to come out of mouth.

"Konohamaru, you brat!" Naruto said as the little kid ran behind the old man.

Yes, the five year old kid was none other than the third's grandson. Sarutobi Konohamaru who was named after the village. During these past few weeks, Naruto would be tasked to babysit the kid whenever the old man was late getting home, since most workers would leave by sundown. Not to mention Hiruzen's son, Asuma, was currently out of the village.

Konohamaru was shy at first, but quickly warmed up to Naruto as he was the only one to play with whenever he was bored.

"Ah! Granpa save me, Nii-san's mad again!" He said as he circled around Hiruzen's back while Naruto got up to scare the kid.

"Alright, Alright. Relax you two" He said as he looked at both Naruto and Ino and thought of something.

"Well, since you both are probably famished. Why don't we have lunch? On me" He said with a smile.

"A-ah, n-no need Hokage-sama... I'll just head home" Ino tried but Hiruzen shook his head.

"It's fine, I'll just tell your father. Besides it would be great if we have more company. It's usually just us three, it wouldn't hurt for one more face. I'll bet Naruto would want you to come along" He teased as Ino blushed.

"I-If you say so, Hokage-sama" She said as Naruto looked at the Hokage with narrowed eyes.

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"Here we are" Hiruzen smiled as he looked at the small ramen stand.

"Er... I think I'm just going to go, Hokage-sama. I'm kind of in... a diet" She said but her voice grew quieter as she saw Naruto look at her.

"You really should eat more Ino. Not to mention you started doing more exercise, it would probably be unhealthy for you if you just ate what you used to. You have to adjust your diet accordingly" Naruto said as Hiruzen nodded.

"He's right Yamanaka-kun. Not to mention you are going to be a kunoichi soon. Dieting would cause more harm than good with how much calories a kunoichi would burn" He said.

"Mm! Mm! That's right nee-san! Ramen is healthy!" Konohamaru said as he nodded at whatever Naruto and Hiruzen said to Ino

With that said, with Naruto along with Hiruzen's and Konohamaru's coaxing, she eventually complied.

"...Then.. I'll stay" She said.

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"Ah! Hokage-sama also with Naruto-kun and Konohamaru-kun too!" The ramen stand owner, Tuechi asked while he glanced at Ino.

"And a new face too!" He said as he greeted the group. "Will it be the usual, Hokage-sama?"

"Yes, Good evening to you too Tuechi" Hiruzen greeted as Nauto just gave a nod. Naruto was surprised when he met the man, as he sensed no ill intent as well as any negative emotions from the man. It seemed that he genuinely treated all his customers the same.

Also, Naruto had to admit, he made delicious ramen.

"Uncle! Ramen!" Konohamaru said as Hiruzen laughed.

"Yes, the usual please." He said before turning to Ino. "How about you, Yamanaka-kun?"

"Ah... I'll just get whatever Naruto's getting" She said as she was still not used to talking to their hokage.

"Oh? Can you handle it?" He said which confused Ino who just nodded with confusion.

"Okay then, another Jumbo miso with pork please Tuechi!" Hiruzen asked as Ino widened her eyes.

"Okay!"

"W-wait... Hokage-sama!" She said but alas, her cries were said to deaf ears. The Jumbo size was a meal that even a full grown man would have trouble eating, not to mention someone like her.

Since she was nervous talking to the hokage, she forgot that Naruto ate like a gorilla.

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Chapter End

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a/n:

Ima go on break for the Holidays... I think. Idk, if I get bored I might write and post a chapter, but that's a small chance. January 1st or 2nd, I'll be back. Hopefully...