Konohagakure no Sato :
Uzumaki Apartment :
Coming to The door , Naruto grumbles and speaks
" comming "
Only to hear
" Finally "
Opening the door Naruto is greeted with Ino , wearing a black-purple flower patterned Dress and behind her are two workers putting down Flowerpots , Seeing this Naruto lets out surprised voice
" huh , Didn't Auntie said it wil delivered at evening "
( It's just over 30 minutes you know )
hearing naruto's question Ino answers
" The shop is without any customers today and it's boring there anyway "
( and i am really curious )
thinking to herself Ino turns around and dismisses the workers and invited herself inside the house , shoving Naruto aside
" all right show me what you got "
" haaaa... what do you mean "
Naruto follows behind her with confusion
" I mean let me see the house to decide where to put all flowerpots and other things "
" But shouldn't I do it myself "
" Baka Naruto , look at your plain rooms and house with out any sense , also what if you put flowers wrong place and they withered , that's why my Mom send me ya'know "
( I thought it will be dirty and smelly but's it's pretty tidy and homey )
Yamanaka Ino surveys the Apartment from entrance to Living room then from kitchen to diffrent rooms and comments after looking a little in amazement
" It's actually pretty open with lots of sunlight in most rooms "
hearing this unexpected compliement Naruto laughs and responds
" Haha Thanks "
( thanks to Hokage-sama i guess , It also helps all the ANBU around too )
musing inwardly Naruto saw Ino going to terrace and color drains from his face and he calls out before disaster
" wait In----"
" let me see how the village looks from up her---------kyaaaaaaaaaaa"
Looking at Laundry and black and white briefs floating in front of her Ino Blushes and screams out loud .
" Ugh "
Naruto groaned , seeing the sight in front of him
( there goes my rest + study+ house chores day )
================================
It's been 15 minutes since Ino quieted down and sat on chair , looking down her lap while occasionally looking towards naruto who is putting all the dried clothes back in his room's warddrobes and closet .
After getting back he put a glass of water infront of her , when she questions him
" why-"
at this naruto says
" Today is my Laundry and rest day you know "
Ino counters hurriedly without thinking comparing to herself
" don't you have servants or mom doing that for you "
Naruto looked at her with his eyes twitching and says
" I am an Orphan Ino , in case you forgot "
color drained from her face as Ino screams at herself mentally and quickly apologizes
" wait i didn't mean it like that , it's just and ughhh I-----"
seeing her like this naruto goes back to kitchen to get himself busy to give her time when he hears
" I am Sorry "
" huh ....why "
asks Naruto in wonder looking back at Ino who has already stood up and looking at her toes and holding her dress near her stomach .
" It was not my intention to hurt you , and i didn't think clearly at that time either "
hearing and seeing her fidgeting naruto remembered , she is only a 9 year kid and responds calmly while shifting the topic on the original purpose of her being here
" It's alright I understand , Now how about you see how to place all these things around first "
hearing him and looking at him , Ino finally breathes as sigh of relief
( Thank god , i didn't want to make things awkward as they were already at shop )
remembering Naruto's later half of sentence , Ino straightens up and puffs her chest out and declares
" yosh Let me show you how Yamanka flower's ace work , let's do this"
" all right "
After that the next 2 hours were most tiring than even his whole day's routine and the hour-long marathon in Naruto's life .
Putting things here and those there , and then deciding and shifting everything again , the new flowerpots and other artificial flowers were all rearranged here and there , she also bring along some extra stuff from her shop saying that , This is her apology which has nothing to do with her Mother .
And finally they put the sunflowers On terrace and near Glass doors because of their nature , at this Ino asks
" Why are you so insistent about Sunflowers placing "
( he was really stubborn about it )
hearing the question naruto thought about it a little and answers
" I want them to always look for light no matter how dark , I guess "
( I kept that line For Hokage but I think the ANBU will report to him anyway with me standing on terrace .....It's good as long as these Sunflowers grow and cover these doors from prying eyes )
saying his piece Naruto looks towards setting sun with some melancholy on his face with hands in his pocket , ignoring The other blonde whose eyes are on diiferent golden sun
Hearing his thoughts and now looking at him like this , Ino finally realises the melancholy and loneliness that someone so near her faced for how long , her hearts beats a little faster and she looks at the setting sun and finally decided to farewell something precious
( Goodbye Sasuke-kun , you will not be remembered )
after looking at the sun for a while naruto decided to Thank Ino for her hard work and thoughtfullness
" Thank you , It's getting late why don't you stay for dinner "
hearing the invitation , Ino thought a total different thing
" ....what , you can cook ???? "
seeing her surprised Naruto jokes back
" yup who else otherwise . let you taste my cooking , what do you want "
" heh you are saying it like some master , I bet it's just Ramen "
" yosh then let's asks what madam wants to eat "
bickering and joking they head inside while Ino demands
" then Curry will do "
Ino ( it will be problem , if it's too much trouble )
hearing an easy one , Naruto noticed the concern behind and starats getting himself busy , looking at him using a chair to even get to the counter , Ino's thoughts drifted back to her mom who always cooks and then to herself
( i don't know anything about cooking except for eating like some pig , am i some Akimichi )
getting back on her thoughts , Ino wonders around the house and notices small details like the worn-out academy books on his bedroom table , or the clean bathroom , diffrent posters and the new look of house which she sees differently now .
( All by himself , Alone )
she goes back to living room and notices a bag in corner with different books and she inquires about it
" What's in the bag Naruto "
looking back naruto explains distractedly
" Ohhh some books i found in Library , you can take a look "
Getting the permission , Ino opens up the bag and starts putting the books one by one on the table , while reading the title She notices a familiar name in it.
Introduction To Intelligence Division
remembering her Father's job as a Head of Intelligence Division , Ino opened the book and start reading , but the more she read , the more engrossed and disturbed she felt that she lost tracks of her surrounding.
Putting all the things for the dinner on table and putting away the other books in bag , Naruto sees Ino holding a book and not moving.
( It's been some time , just what interesting things she found )
at this Naruto interrupts
" All right , Dinner's served "
" huh "
a surprised Ino looks up from the books and noticed the table and felt awkward , putting the book aside she compliements
" it smells amazing "
serving her a plate naruto sat down and
" Itadakimasu "
" Itadakimasu "
During dinner naruto inquires
" what interesting thing did you found "
"hmmm it's just introduction of Intelligence Division "
" ohhhh u liked that you can borrow you know"
" It's ok i can head to academy and get one myself "
while casually chatting , time passes while they finish their food and looking at clock approaching 7 PM , Ino decided to leave
" It's getting late , then I will be heading Home "
" oh let's go "
" huh "
seeing naruto getting up heading to the door and hearing his word's meaning , Ino questions while following
" where are you going "
" to escort you back Home "
" Naruto i am not a little girl , i can go back myself it's not even 7 "
hearing this Naruto replies in the same say as Ino's mother
" I insist "
( 9 year old brat says she is not a little girl ) Naruto
hearing this both started laughing then headed back to Ino's house .
Arriving at Ino's house and bidding farewell , Naruto heads back home.
Looking at Naruto disappear around Corner , Ino turns to her home when she faces her grinning mom and black-faced dad with a knife in his hand.
=============================
Uzumaki Naruto POV :
It's been more than a week since the new Home renovation , i also spent my whole months salary that he got from Ichiraku on it .
Except For Yamanaka Flowers , He has been signing in some other stores in this week and the skills rewarded were
Ichiraku Ramen - Chef ( Ramen )
Sweets shop - Chef ( sweets )
Tool Shop - Product knowledge
Book store - Product Knowledge
Clothing store - Product Knowledge
Music shop - Product knowledge
BBQ Restaurant - Chef ( BBQ )
Blacksmith Workshop - Blacksmith
Butcher Shop - Butcher
Fish market - Product Knowledge
Konoha Bank - Finance