"Little bunny, open the door,If you don't, I won't anymore…"
Naruto strolled lazily through the bamboo forest, hands clasped behind his head, humming a childish tune. His eyes wandered as he searched for the runaway cat.
Madam Yamanaka's flower shop had lost a cat. She went straight to the Hokage's office, paid five thousand ryo, and filed a D-rank mission.
Since the other genin teams were out on assignments with their jōnin leaders, only Team 7 remained idle. Naturally, the task landed on Naruto's shoulders.
Who told him to act recklessly, dragging Team 7 into a life-and-death pursuit of Zabuza and Haku? Though they'd succeeded, Kakashi had been furious.
As punishment, Naruto was ordered to complete twenty D-rank missions alone.
"Kitty, come on out. Time to go home…"
"Ino? Madam Yamanaka?"
He called out random names, hoping to catch the cat's attention. Nothing. Finally, he slumped down on a roadside bench with a sigh.
"Naruto? What are you doing lying here?"
A familiar voice rang out. Naruto lifted his head, and a flash of blonde filled his vision.
"Ino?" He didn't bother sitting up. The sky was already dim. "When did you get back to the village?"
"This afternoon. Our mission ended, and Asuma-sensei gave us two days off." Ino plopped down beside him.
"My mom's cat went missing."
"Oh, I know. The genin who accepted the mission is me." Naruto pointed to himself lazily.
Under the streetlight, the two sat close, casually studying each other.
Naruto wore a black T-shirt and loose brown shorts, his posture radiating an air of carelessness.
"You—!" Ino grabbed his shirt, scolding angrily. "You took the mission, so at least act like it matters!"
"Damn it!" Naruto let her shove him across the bench, only to sprawl out again without a care.
"Yes, yes, Miss Ino. You're the best. So how about you find the cat, and I'll treat you to barbecue?"
"That's your mission!" Ino almost screamed.
"It's my mission, sure. But what's wrong with me hiring you? No rule says ninja can't hire other ninja."
"That may be true, but I don't owe you any help!" Ino shot him a glare.
"Come on, Ino. You don't want Madam Yamanaka to be sad, do you?"
"You—!"
"Enough chatter. If you find it, I'll treat you. Besides, you came out this late to look for the cat too, didn't you?"
Annoyed but unable to deny it, Ino finally relented. She grabbed Naruto's arm and yanked.
"Get up! You're coming with me!"
"Fine, fine." Naruto yawned, letting her drag him along.
"You're impossible! Taking on missions and then lazing around—what's wrong with you? Don't you want to finish quickly so you can—"
"I don't care if I go home or not," Naruto interrupted. "I was planning to sleep on that bench anyway."
"Don't say things like that. Just focus on finding the cat!" Ino snapped, though her voice softened for a moment.
…
"Ino, I hear something over there." Naruto tilted his head, pointing toward a patch of bamboo.
"Got it, got it." Ino huffed, brushing past him into the grove. The moonlight spilled down, illuminating her steps—until she tripped on a root.
She stumbled forward, about to fall hard—when Naruto caught her arm.
"What are you doing?" He looked at her blankly.
"Didn't you see me trip?!" Ino shot back.
"Oh. Then I'll let go."
"Wait—Naruto!!"
Her panicked scream came too late. Naruto released her, only for Ino to clutch at anything she could grab—his shirt.
"Crap!" Naruto cursed, yanked forward. His shirt tore with a ripping sound as he toppled with her.
"Ugh!" Ino's eyes flew open—Naruto had fallen right on top of her.
Their lips weren't quite touching, but his head rested against the curve of her neck. His shirt hung in tatters, warm breath brushing her skin.
"This spot—! This'll cause trouble!" Ino's face flared crimson.
"Naruto! Get off me!"
"Stop tearing my clothes! Ow—don't pull there! Your hands—!"
After a chaotic scramble, they finally pulled apart. Ino sat up, wiping her lips, glaring furiously.
"What did you just do?!"
"Nothing! Don't accuse me, Ino!" Naruto leapt up, clutching his ruined shirt. "How am I supposed to go home like this?!"
Her anger was nearly visible, fists trembling. Just as she raised her hand to strike him—
"Meow—"
A pure-white cat strolled elegantly out of the bamboo, glancing at them with disdain before walking past.
…
Under the big tree outside the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Ino pulled a white shirt from behind her back and shoved it at Naruto.
"Here. But don't you dare use my clothes for anything weird!"
"Hah?" Naruto snorted. "As if I'd do that. You're the one who tore my shirt—apologize properly!"
"How would I know what you'd do?!" Ino retorted, but her voice faltered as night deepened. "…Anyway… I'm sorry."
Naruto blinked in surprise. Ino, apologizing? That was rare.
"Well… since you apologized, I'll forgive you. I was at fault too." He scratched his head. "How about I make it up to you with barbecue?"
Ino stared at him for a long moment, her eyes complicated. Finally, she asked:
"You really want to treat me?"
"Yeah."
"Barbecue's expensive, you know."
"I've earned plenty from these missions lately. Don't worry about it."
"…Fine." Ino nodded, trying to sound lofty. "Since you've invited me so sincerely, I'll graciously accept. But—"
She crossed her arms with a smirk.
"This lady's loaded anyway. I'll treat you, dummy."