Dying Embers – Chapter 10 – A Productive Day

Dying Embers

Chapter 10
A Productive Day

—

As Momoko walked down the road, she jangled the money in her purse. She loved money. If only Mitzuki didn’t keep such a tight hold on it. Well, that didn’t matter. Momoko had money to spend, and on an instrument of her choice as well! The money had been on the table when she’d finally decided it would be a wise idea to wake up, and do something productive before the day was over; maybe cloud watching with Shikamaru before the sun set followed by dinner with Choji. She was still going to have dinner with Choji, she had promised him that she would be there for the tasting of a new dish at a local restaurant. The note that had accompanied the money had explained nothing but that Mitzuki was going to go buy herself an instrument and that if Momoko wanted to, she should go get one herself. Mitzuki had not only given unusually detailed instructions in writing but drawn an equally detailed map. If Mitzuki had had time she would have probably counted the steps.

“Really,” Momoko said to herself, pouting moodily. “Am I that stupid?”

Shaking her head, Momoko realised she had reached the end of the main road. Swearing, she retraced her steps, having missed the turning. Alright, maybe she was a little absentminded. Going down an eerily quiet street compared to the bustle of the main road, had it not been for the display she would have once again missed her destination.

Catching sight of the flute glistening in it’s case Momoko felt a wave of nostalgia, remembering the feel of her own, the metal warming as she blew down the silver and the fluid movement of her fingers as music was produced. It was her main instrument, seeing as she was skilled in a few others, but some of those others she had not been allowed to play. Damn you Orochimaru!, Momoko cursed, clenching her fists. Taking deep breaths, she remembered why she was here and calming down. However, the flute wasn’t what she wanted to play, not now. It would bring back too many memories, and when they returned in the end, she’d have most of her life to play since Orochimaru was rather fond of classical music.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Though she had of course expected to see instruments, since it was a music shop, she was overwhelmed. Every where she turned she saw wind instruments, all which could be played at the calm and soothing pace she enjoyed and yet produce such beautiful sounds. Momoko was tracing the shape of the cutest piccolo she had ever come across, close to touching but not quite, wondering what sound it would make when she heard a sound behind her.

Startled, Momoko spun round, though careful not to be her clumsy self and knock anything over. Before her stood a man, his age given away only by his shocking white hair. She eyed him suspiciously, having met Jiraiya, and wary. He could after all be a hentai.

“Ah, sorry young lady. I didn’t mean to startle you,” the old man said. “I’m Kirishima Kuze, but you can call me Kuze.”

“I’m Tanaka Momoko,” Momoko said slowly, bowing her head politely, remembering her manners for once. Her initial thoughts of him being anything but respectable had gone, and all it had taken was his voice. It sounded wise and his eyes…such vivid clarity did not appear in the eyes of a hentai or perverts. “Nice to meet you, Kuze-san.”

“Why, it’s my pleasure.” He smiled, his eyes creasing in such a friendly and warm manner, Momoko slapped herself for ever having such a though. “I see you were looking at a piccolo. Looking to buy one?”

“No…I was just admiring the craftsmanship. Piccolo’s always fascinated me, being so closely related to the flute and all but I never really got round to learning to play. Seeing one brought back those feelings.”

“So you are a flautist?”

“Amongst other things,” Momoko said, colour rising in her cheeks. She walked around the room, pausing at different instruments. “I was looking to buy something actually, just not the piccolo, at least not today.” She paused. “My friend said she was going to buy an instrument today. Has she passed by already?”

“Not too long ago actually,” he answered. “She was the first customer I’ve had in a long time. Mitzuki-san, I think her name was. A really nice and polite girl.”

“Yeah, sounds like Mitzuki-chan.”

Momoko spotted another room. “Ne, Kuze-san, what’s in that room?”

“Mainly string instruments, including some electric ones,” Kuze explained as Momoko walked over to the room. “We also have a drum kit and a piano. I doubt you’ll want to-”

“Grand pianoforte,” Momoko said, already seated behind the piano, gazing wondrously at glistening black and white keys, so radiant not even dust had dared to settle up them.

Kuze smiled. Maybe he had misjudged her. Perhaps she was different from her friend, and yet so very similar. They seemed to radiate an equal knowledge of music, something he had learned to pick up over the many years he had dedicated to music. Momoko hovered over the keys, not sure whether she wanted to play or simply continue to dazzle in the beauty of the dark wood that was the frame.

“I hated playing this,” Momoko mused, forgetting herself. “I couldn’t get the hang of my hands doing two things at the different times at completely opposite ends. It frustrated me. It’s such a beautiful instrument, yet I couldn’t play it the way I wanted to. I can play roughly, but I haven’t touched one in a long time.”

“Ah, so you won’t be buying this one then,” Kuze commented.

“I’d love to buy it!” She blushed at her outburst and remembered an important detail. “We don’t have space in our apartment. I’d have to give up my bed to fit this in.” she sighed. “It would be great to play though. Just to remember.”

“What’s stopping you?”

Looking up at Kuze, she realised his words were true. What was stopping her? Gingerly placing her hands above the keys that she remembered began a piece she had once laboured over for days and without given up, one of the first times she had actually put her mind to something and refused to give up when it got too hard, she began to play. Slow and uneasy at first, the music soon flowed, filling the room and Kuze’s heart. It made him happy to see that there was a chance, in the two girls that had come to visit that music would be brought back to Konoha.

A loud dissonant clash brought Kuze out of his thoughts.

Momoko stood staring at something on the opposite wall, her hands still in the position that had caused the clashing chords. Following her gaze, Kuze saw an old mirror that had been there a long time but wasn’t so old as to not reflect the guitars behind Momoko.

“That’s it!” Momoko said, as she stood up and went over to the electric guitars. “That’s what I want. An electric guitar!”

“Your friend bought one as well,” Kuze said smiling.

“She did?” Though she spoke Momoko was too entranced by the guitar to really pay attention.

The guitar was simple, but that’s what made it so beautiful. It’s body was entirely black, the surface gleamed having polished to a high standard but also with care. The fret board wasn’t a complete black but the wood so dark to an untrained eye it would seem that way. The taut silver strings contrasted against it’s body but it only added to the beauty. Orochimaru had never approved of guitars, never. And disapproving something only makes the things seem more appealing. That is why Momoko reached up and took it down carefully, sitting down on the piano stool and began to strum a few chords, surprised to find it perfectly in tune. This felt right.

“I’m doing a special offer today,” Kuze said breaking the silence. Momoko looked up to see him pick up a case, black to match the guitar, and ruffle through a small drawer in a small desk by the wall. “You can have the guitar, a case, and five of plectrums all for one price and, I’ll throw in an amplifier free of charge.”

“Free amp?” Momoko’s eyes widened. Something at the back of her mind told her to be polite and kindly refuse the offer, a free amp was too hard to refuse. “Kuze-san, you are too good to be true.”

Leaping about excitedly she helped him place the guitar in it’s case, her eyes brightening as he placed the plectrums, or picks as they were better known, into a zip pocket. In a few moment, once she had paid the good man, Momoko would be walking out the owner of a brand spanking new guitar. She watched eagerly as Kuze moved around, finding a guitar lead in a neatly organised chest she hadn’t noticed, and selecting an amp he thought would suit her and placing it in a box, complete with handle to make it easier to carry.

“Thank you so much Kuze-san,” Momoko gushed as she handed over the money. “I really don’t know how I am ever going to thank you.”

“Play to your hearts content,” Kuze said putting the money in the till. “And enjoy yourself. Spread the music around Konoha.”

“You have my word! That I can do.”

Strapping the guitar case carefully but securely to her back, Momoko waved as she left the shop promising to come back soon, amp in hand and a skip in her step. Today had turned out a lot more productive than she’d ever thought it would be.

—

Rounding a corner, Momoko stopped in her tracks. Standing in the street were Sakura and Sasuke in mid conversation. It seemed to be the usual; Sakura asking her dear ‘Sasuke-kun’ something and Sasuke brushing her off per usual. Momoko had often wondered why she even bothered. Was love really that blinding? Deciding to do a little spying, her nosiness getting the better of her, Momoko hid behind the corner and strained her ears. Unfortunately the noise from the villagers carried away, making sure she only got snippets of the conversation. Curiosity winning over, Momoko decided to formulate a plan.

Well, they were standing next to a shop. If she pretended to be shopping, and took off her jacket to be a little more inconspicuous, then she’d catch the majority of the conversation. Hurrying, she took off her jacket and walked normally, keeping her gaze in the shop windows as edged closer. Finally she stood close enough to hear.

“Sakura-chan, go away,” Sasuke said in a manner that would have made Momoko punch him were it her she said it to.

“But Sasuke-kun, I can help with your training,” Sakura said, almost pleading. “You, Naruto and I are a team, we should train together. Naruto is off somewhere but you and I are together, and we should train together.”

“No.”

“But Sasuke-kun…”

“Do you have the mentality of Momoko-san?” Sasuke snapped suddenly. In the reflection of the shop she was standing before, Momoko could see his dark glare. The insult to her didn’t even register. “No means no. It doesn’t mean yes, maybe I’ll think about it. Seriously, what is it with you girls? Some of you are really stupid these days. Weak.”

He spat the last word out with such vehemence that even Momoko felt it. Sasuke began to walk away, but Sakura’s determination was something else.

“That’s why I’ve got to train Sasuke-kun. I’m sure you could help me become stronger.”

“Perhaps, but how does that benefit me? Whilst I’m helping you, I’ll only get weaker. And the weak exist only to get crushed. ” He continued on walking but stopped, obviously not finished ripping the pink haired girls feelings to shreds. “You need to sort out your priorities, and whilst your at it, wipe me from the list. I never wanted to be on it in the first place.”

That was harsh, thought Momoko as she put her jacket back on, ready to follow him. Another plan had appeared in her mind, and she strapped her guitar securely and picked up the amp, that was small but large and heavy enough to be used should she and Mitzuki decide they would do a gig. She felt sorry for Sakura but not enough to stop and offer words of comfort. More than likely Sakura would throw them back in her face, taking her pain out on Momoko, and that would also mean she’d have to admit she had been eavesdropping.

As she straightened up, she saw a young man standing before her in the shop window, staring back at her, blinking curiously behind his square spectacles. He had in fact been wondering why Momoko was stood in front of display window doing nothing but staring but not seeming to be interested in the things within the shop. Already in slight shock, and trying to convince herself that a furniture shop would have a mannequin in the front windows like she had seen in the big cities, when he attempted to be friendly and smiled, it was too much for her.

“Eek!”

Running, out of both fright (it wasn’t every day a strange man smiled when you in fact thought he was a mannequin of some sort) and realisation that she would lose Sasuke if she didn’t get a move on. Jumping onto the rooftops, not her favoured method of transport since it required so much movement, whilst making a vague attempt at staying undetected by Sasuke, it wasn’t that long before she spotted him, walking down an even busier street than he had been before. Thanking her lucky stars for the large crowds today, she stayed a few feet behind whilst keeping an eye on him.

At that moment she wished she had Shino’s bugs; they would really come in useful at this moment in time. Momoko had reproached Shino about this once, and he’d just told her to use her own skills – she’d find they were just as useful. Trying to imitate him, she’d placed a leaf on Gai-sensei during one of his bone crushing hugs and concentrated to see if she’d be able to trace it. Unfortunately, it only lasted for a maximum of five minutes. Once disconnected from the tree that bore it, it no longer radiated enough energy for her to be able to trace it.

“Momoko-chan! Hey, Momoko-chan!”

Turning, Momoko smiled. Choji. Though it was a really bad time, seeing Choji always put a smile on her face. Cuddly and kind, he made a great eating buddy and friend.

“Hi Choji-kun,” Momoko said as Choji caught up to where she stood, every so often glancing over to check that Sasuke was still within range.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Choji said. “Doing some shopping?”

“Just finished. Actually I was just-”

“Cool. What did you buy?” He looked for shopping bags but instead saw the box clearly marked ‘Amplifier’ and then the guitar case. “A guitar? I didn’t know Momoko-chan played the guitar.”

“Yeah, and a few other things. Listen, Choji-kun I really must dash. I’ll-”

“Could you play something for me Momoko-chan? I haven’t really heard anyone play the guitar before.”

“Later, Choji-kun, I-” Momoko had been ready to sprint after Sasuke’s disappearing back when she registered Choji’s words. “You’ve never heard anyone play the guitar? Are you serious?” He nodded meekly. “Well then today is your lucky day Big Guy.”

Sasuke mattered, but to her, Choji even more because Momoko actually liked him. Sasuke was a pain in the neck, had little regard for other people’s feelings as she had seen and Momoko would gladly never speak to him again was it not for Orochimaru needing him as his precious container. Thanking Choji as he offered to help her carry the amp, she squashed all thoughts of Orochimaru to the back where they belonged for this moment in time.

At least for now Momoko could see if she still had it in her, and it wouldn’t matter if she failed.

—

Choji led Momoko up to the rooftop where he and Shikamaru liked to watch the clouds, and they still did, on days when Shikamaru wasn’t cloud watching with Momoko. Choji sometimes joined them but there was such an air of tranquillity that his potato chip eating disturbed it. Up here in the open, it did not matter much.

“Wow,” Momoko breathed, looking around as she gently laid the guitar on the bench. “It’s beautiful up here.” She looked up. “Look at this view! The clouds seem to be more defined from here.”

“Shikamaru-kun and I come here to cloud watch sometimes,” Choji said sitting down. “I like it more here than the clearing. I feel more free.”

“True, but there aren’t any snug trees here. You don’t think the people below would mind if I grew a tree tall enough to reach here?”

“I have a feeling they’d mind.”

“True,” Momoko mused. “And it would take me a whole day to grow a tree tall and healthy enough to support me. I think I’ll just keep to the clearing.” Smiling, Momoko sat down. “Now where were we? You wanted me to play something for you, ne?”

Choji nodded. “Yes please.”

“Alright but only because you asked nicely,” Momoko said as she unzipped the gig bag. “And I like you.” She froze, her eyes widening as she realised what she had just said. Colour rising in her cheeks she quickly added, “As a friend. I like you a lot as a friend.”

Choji said nothing, looking up at the sky whilst he continued munching. Momoko wasn’t sure as to whether this was a clever tactic to avoid having to talk about it or if he really hadn’t been listening. Taking advantage of this silence, she got ready to play, her fingers sliding softly over the strings on the fret board.

Now if I remember correctly, Momoko thought, I’ve got to concentrate on the emotions I want to play and it should affect the person listening directly. It was simply said but it required quite a bit of concentration as was as empathy. Showing emotions through the music played was simple enough. Using those emotions to have a specific effect on the listener was another skill entirely.

Beginning to strum, Momoko thought of an emotion that was easiest to get across. Sadness. All those times she had climbed to the top of a tree to get away from everything, and looked out into the night sky, dotted with millions of tiny lights, wondering if her parents were amongst them, watching and protecting her. The pain she felt when she walked through a recently plundered town and watched as an innocent child was killed by the more ruthless; such was a normal occurrence but it never got easier. The thought of having to leave Konoha and watch it’s destruction was almost as crushing.

Thoughts swam through her mind, and though she didn’t notice, her hands played minor chords, the strumming mirroring the key. The tune that Momoko began to play was eerie, the lower notes resonating and the higher notes lingering in the air. Though it did not have the same effect should the guitar have been plugged into the amp, for Choji it didn’t matter. He was under the spell.

“There you are. I was wondering where you could be hiding.”

Momoko came out of her thoughts and her fingers stopped moving, the music stopping. Looking over at Choji, though it was what she had intended, it surprised her to see a single tear fall down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly and looked at the person who had interrupted. Shikamaru stood before them, eyeing the scene with intrigue. First of all, Momoko, the laziest person beside himself he knew, was holding a guitar and knew how to play it. Secondly, Choji was crying, or at least had been. It was strange.

“You know Momoko-chan, electric guitars are better plugged into one of those,” Shikamaru said pointing to the box and amplifier.

“Yes, Shikamaru-kun,” Momoko said putting away the guitar. “I was quite aware of that fact.”

“I don’t think that matters much,” Choji said. “It was the nicest thing I have ever heard. So beautifully played. I could feel the sadness in my heart. It was like it was telling me a sad story but I couldn’t understand the words.” He looked up at Shikamaru. “You should have heard it.”

“I heard a bit whilst coming up,” Shikamaru said thoughtfully. “It was really good Momoko-chan. I didn’t know you could play, let alone had a guitar.”

“I only bought it today.”

“Ah, so that’s where you were all morning.” He turned to Choji. “Where does Choji fit into all of this?”

“Saw me walking along and asked me to play for him,” Momoko explained. “And since he asked so nicely I agreed. And he said he’d never heard anyone play the guitar before and we couldn’t have that.”

“No, we certainly couldn’t.”

Inside Shikamaru smiled. Choji had lied. A few years ago performers had passed through Konoha and there had been a guitar players amongst them. Shikamaru had been with Choji at the time, and they had been amazed by the speed of the man’s fingers. The question now on his mind was why would Choji lie?

Looking as the two people before him, one someone he had known for a long time and his best friend and the other a newly made friend that he had quickly grown accustomed to, and watching as they talked animatedly about food, an answer to his question began to form.

—

Dropping by the apartment to relieve herself of the beautiful, albeit getting rather heavy and hard to lug around guitar and it’s amp, Momoko found a note from Mitzuki saying she had gone out.

Momoko used this to her advantage. In the evening, in a few hours, she was going out with Choji on their usual excursion to a restaurant to sample a new dish but for some reason Momoko felt the need to put more effort into it. Before she’d always shown up as she was, messy hair and comfy jacket. She really couldn’t be bothered to change. Yet now, as she looked into the mirror, part of her wanted to impress Choji and show him she wasn’t just Momoko, his eating buddy and friend. She could be Momoko his – what did she want him to be? Sighing, she tried not to think about it. Instead she tackled her hair. Grabbing a brush, she let her hair loose and tackled tangles that had asked for her attention this morning but she had decided to simply sweep her hair into its usual ponytail and messy fringe and go. It looked halfway presentable when she was done and even just that was a major improvement.

Taking off her jacket she felt like someone else. It was alright when spying but to walk around wearing something else wouldn’t be her. Putting it back on, she decided the hair, complete with a different coloured hair clip would be enough. After all, Choji wouldn’t even notice. With a sigh, she left the apartment to go find something to do.

Walking along the streets, the crowds had died down as the shopkeepers began closing. There was nothing much for her to do except walk, and that was beginning to get irksome. Spotting shampoo in one of the windows, she approached remembering that her shampoo had run out a few days ago. Eyeing the different scents, Momoko wondered which one to be. Camomile and Nectarine…Aloe Vera extracts…Sakura…

Sakura, Momoko thought as she remembered Sasuke’s harsh words. The poor girl. I wonder if she’s okay. The jerk…why I ought to give him a piece of my mind. Momoko decided she was going to do just that. After all, she had a few hours to spare.

Jumping onto the rooftops, she headed for the general direction Sasuke had last been headed in. It was a long shot but if she concentrated enough, instead of relying on the trees, she could ask the Earth if they had seen Sasuke. Trying the trees first once she had reached a more tree populated area on the outskirts of the village, she sent a message but there was no luck. No image of Sasuke returned. Jumping down, she crouched down and placed a hand on the floor. She’d never really tried it with no idea of where they person she was searching for was.

Smiling, Momoko stood up. She knew where Sasuke was.

—

“Uchiha!”

Sasuke looked up as Momoko’s face appeared into view.

“What?”

“I want a word with you,” Momoko said placing a hand on her hips, more fired up since she had actually found him. The Earth hadn’t misled her. “I always thought you were a jerk but you-” Momoko stopped abruptly and stepped back, eyeing Sasuke with some worry. “Are you…cloud watching?”

“No, I was thinking,” Sasuke replied sitting up onto his elbows. “Though that was before you showed up. Now what is it you want?”

Momoko stood for a few minutes, looking at the dark haired boy she before she had come to reprimand, expecting him to still be training, since he seemed to have a fear of weakness. They were at the top of the mountain, the one that displayed the faces of the past four Hokages, and he was lying on a patch of green along the flat top. Realising that direct confrontation would be unlikely to get her answers, and also wind her up before the dinner, Momoko sat down next to him.

“To talk to you.”

“About what?”

“Sakura-san.”

There was a silence, a sudden gust of wind, ruffling their hair before Sasuke said firmly, his dark eyes fixing a strong gaze upon her green ones, “There is nothing to talk about.”

“There is,” Momoko said. “Someone has to talk to you and get you to take it seriously. Sakura-san, for some strange reason, appears to love you and nobody else, and yet you can’t be a gentleman and fend her off kindly if you really don’t like her. Instead you are downright evil to the one person who cares about you unconditionally.”

“I didn’t ask for her love.”

“It’s not something you can control, your heart that is, no matter how hard you try.”

“Sakura-chan has never tried hard enough. Even after I left her like that, she still liked me. If she’d tried, she would have been able to forget about me, or at least her feelings for me.”

“The point is she didn’t. So are you going to take it like a man and face up to the fact that she isn’t some silly schoolgirl fighting others for your affection, though I really don’t get why, and do something, or, are you going to continue to throw insults at her like a little boy in vain hope that she’ll give up eventually?”

Sasuke sighed, realising that this was going to take long and leant back. “Why do you care anyway? Aren’t you meant to be hate her?”

“Hate is such a strong word,” Momoko answered thoughtfully. “Sakura-san simply frustrates me. I’ve never known a love as deep as the one she has for you. I mean, I bet she’d willingly die for you. So her constant interference whenever I want to punch you stirs up the frustration and thus sets off my temper.”

“Why aren’t you punching me now?”

“Because I’m talking to you about Sakura-san. If I punched you, it’ll will lead to some kind of physical fight and the whole point of me tracking you down would be void.”

“I still don’t get why you’re here.”

It was Momoko’s turn to sigh. Boys could be so…dense. “I overheard your conversation with Sakura-san this morning. I decided to interfere and give you a piece of my mind.”

“You were spying on me?” Sasuke demanded, throwing a glare at Momoko, who shrugged it off.

“Don’t change the subject. You were harsh, and for no reason at all.”

“I have my reasons.”

“And they are?”

Sasuke fell silent and closed his eyes. He was a hard one to talk to. Finally, when Momoko was beginning to worry she’d grow grey hairs sitting there, he spoke.

“I don’t want Sakura-chan to get hurt. It’s better if I hurt her now and she gets over it, than her getting her hurt later. I couldn’t stand the thought of that happening. I’m bad luck, Momoko-san, people get hurt because of me. I don’t want to get her to get hurt.”

“Sasuke-san, the girl already loves you. She’s prepared for anything as long as she has you. Trust me, I know these things. Though I prefer not to show it at times and act like one of the guys, I’m a girl too which is why I felt Sakura-san’s pain.”

“It hurts me as well!” Sasuke blurted out, opening his eyes. Realising what he had said he looked away, colour rising in his cheeks. “I…I like Sakura-chan as well.”

“Then tell her! Baka!”

“I can’t,” Sasuke said closing his eyes again. “Not now. Maybe one day, but not now.”

Momoko rubbed her temples in frustration. Sakura likes Sasuke. Sasuke likes Sakura. It’s simple and yet here he was making life harder for everyone, including himself. Pushing people away was not the way to go, Momoko herself was learning that. Before she didn’t want anyone else, knowing they could be taken away from her in a blink of an eye. She had Mitzuki and that was enough. Yet Konoha had changed that. Forced to befriend people for the mission, she found that it was better to have had people she called friends and lose them, than never have them at all.

Well, if Sasuke wasn’t going to change his mind, there was nothing she could do.

“You are going to die a lonely man, Uchiha,” Momoko said as she dusted herself off, ready to depart. She walked away but had only walked a few steps when he called her name. “What?”

“I’ll try to be nicer to her.”

“Well…I guess it’s something.”

“Just… just don’t tell anyone.”

Sighing, Momoko knew it would be hard for her to do so already having a lot of secrets to keep in check but after he had surprisingly confided in her, what choice did she have?

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

—

Momoko walked slowly to the restaurant, butterflies going into overdrive in her stomach. This she didn’t understand, especially since it wasn’t the first time they had gone out together nor the first time to the restaurant. It was just Choji. Catching herself in the reflection of a shop window, she smoothed down her hair, surprised herself at the neatness possible by just brushing it. Imaging what would happen if she let someone like Ino, who was always offering Momoko a makeover, loose with all those hair products. Reaching the restaurant, she looked at her watch. She was right on time for once.

“Momoko-chan! You’re early!”

“Don’t act so surprised,” Momoko snapped though she couldn’t keep the smile off her face as Choji approached. “I can be on time…sometimes. It has to be for a very special reason though.”

“What’s so special about this?” Choji questioned.

“I…err…it’s a new dish. New dishes are always special,” Momoko said quickly, hoping the steadily darkening sky would disguise her blush. “Anyway, why don’t we go in?”

“Of course.”

Offering his elbow, Momoko gladly linked her am through and they entered. Already well known, they were greeted amiably and led to a table for two at the back, slightly more private than the others. Once seated, Momoko glanced at the menu but didn’t see any difference to it from the last time they had been here.

“Ano, Choji-kun, what is the new dish?”

“Miso soup,” Choji replied absentmindedly, more focused on the menu.

“Oh,” Momoko said, slumping slightly in her chair. She had been hoping for something a little more exciting. Choji seemed to pick up on this disappointment. Putting the menu down, he gave her quizzical look.

“What’s wrong Momoko-chan?”

“It’s just…it’s miso soup. It’s not exactly…exciting.”

“You’d be surprised how exciting it can be. When you hear the name, of course it sounds simple but when you think of the ingredients put in and how each one contributes it’s own flavour to create one exquisite taste, it’s quite amazing. Each ingredient therefore much be of a different texture and type.”

“Sugoi…”

Momoko gladly ate food, and was almost as good as Choji when it came to analyzing the finished product but the preparation…let’s say that Momoko preferred not to enter the kitchen until it was ready enough to produce a smell that enticed her against her will towards the food being prepared.

With this in mind, Momoko heartily tucked in with an eager ‘Itadakimasu!’. Yet she wasn’t prepared. Momoko was aware of the standard of food Konoha had to offer, and it was certainly high and on every occasion delicious, but this was different. It was the best miso soup she had ever tasted in her entire life. She was quite literally lost for words.

“This…this…is perfect,” Momoko said once a word finally came to mind.

“Really? Do you really think so?”

She nodded. “I would eat this for the rest of my life without complaint.”

“I would gladly cook it for you for the rest of my life.”

Momoko’s eyes widened as his words sank in. Choji had cooked this? Not only that but he had said that he would gladly cook it for her, not anyone else but her, for the rest of his life. There was a silence between them, Choji awaiting her reaction and Momoko not quite sure how to react. Finally, Momoko cleared her throat.

“What ingredients did you use?”

“Ingredients?” Choji asked, this time seeming the one to be disappointed. “I, err, well…I’m not going to tell you. You have to guess.”

“Guess?” Momoko pouted. “For something so good, it’s not possible. It’s like there’s a secret ingredient. I suppose I’ll just have to drag it out of you. Or failing that, have you cook it for me again.” She smiled warmly. “I’d really like that.”

“I’d like that too.”

Another silence fell upon them, their eyes locking across the table. It was like there were in the restaurant alone, the rest of the world insignificant to the two eating buddies, though it seemed that gave their relationship little justice. There was something more bubbling under the surface. This time it was Choji who broke the silence, clearing his own throat.

“Seconds?” he asked trying to control the colour rising in his cheeks.

—

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” Momoko said.

“It was no problem at all. It was nice.”

After dinner, where they had refilled their bowls at least three times as well as desert, Choji had insisted on walking her home. Though Momoko protested, she did it so half heartedly that it was only a matter of time before they were slowly inching towards the apartment. To those that did not know them they would have seemed like a couple, walking arms linked, Momoko leaning on him and Choji looking proud of the girl on his arm. They enjoyed each other’s company, the conversation not solely restricted to food though it was a favourite topic. With each other they felt unafraid to be themselves.

The pair stood on the steps outside the main door to the apartment, a small lamp on the door providing some light. Momoko stood in a position to say goodbye and leave but she seemed to be hesitating as was Choji.

“You really do need to cook for me Choji-kun,” Momoko said. “Next time, I’d rather eat your food than anyone else’s. It would be more special.”

“I will,” Choji promised. “I had a good time today Momoko-chan.”

“So did I.”

“Your hair looked nice,” Choji said quickly as if it was only now that he had managed to gather the courage to say it. “I mean, it looked different. Did you do something to it?”

“Sort of,” Momoko answered, absentmindedly tucking a stray strand behind her ear. “I didn’t think you’d notice though.”

“How could I not?”

Blushing deeply, Momoko opened her mouth to answer but was cut off by a sound further down the street. Turning, even in the poor lighting, it was obvious that the drunken man that had began to sing was no other than Gai, probably returning early from an early night with the Sake Squadron, supported by Kakashi. If Gai saw her in the state he was in he’d squeeze her to death and have no recollection.

Momoko cursed and turned to Choji. “Listen, I’m going to have to run before Gai-sensei sees me. You know what he’s like. I’ll see you around Choji-kun.” She smiled. “I had a nice time.”

Opening the door Momoko dashed inside, before changing her mind and running back out to a bemused Choji who had been about to set off. Throwing her arms around him she hugged him, kissing him quickly on the cheek.

“A really nice time.”

Rooted to the spot Choji lifted a hand to the spot Momoko had just kissed.

If he could, he’d never wash that cheek again.

—

Chapter 10 by Tanaka Momoko

A word from the author

Hallo folks!

And that was Momoko’s point of view of the day. Is that some more romance I see blossoming? That was certainly a lot of fun to write, and ladies and gentlemen, we seem to be on a roll so look out for more soon, and do review!

Personal thanks to ColonelZ, who reviewed. It’s very much appreciated. Now come on people, don’t be scared to review (just don’t flame – they aren’t nice). And once you do, we’ll stop asking you to review and thank you instead.

Oh, and have a Happy New Year!

Momoko (Nez)

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