Chapter - 25

Hinata was lost in thought as Ino and she had left the ramen stand. Hinata took a small amount of pleasure in seeing Naruto ignore Sakura or at the least keep her at arm's length. She figured it was due to some of the resentment that all throughout the Academy she had wished to be the medic and that she enjoyed the fact that in a sense now she was as Naruto devoted his time towards her leaving Sakura out in the cold.

When Sakura had asked to accompany him back to the training ground and he refused, it had been hard not to let the smile reach her face. Apparently she didn't need to smile though as Ino said, "You can try not to let it make you happy he's ignoring Sakura."

"I know," Hinata admitted, "but she does deserve it somewhat."

"Then don't I?"

"It's different with you," Hinata admitted, "but I would probably say yes if he had devoted as much time to trying to be with you as he has her."

"I guess I can understand that a little," Ino admitted, "I imagine it must be hard to not be a little bitter at watching someone spurn something you wished for yourself. Still, she is beginning to recognize just how important he is to her." Taking a stab in the dark about why it really bothered Hinata she said, "Don't tell me Sakura is a reason for your doubts that Tsunade was talking about."

"No…" Hinata replied after a moment, "Is she yours?"

Ino laughed a little before saying, "Hinata we should both be thanking our lucky stars forehead's skull is so thick."

"Why?"

"Because if Sakura had returned his feelings or at least acknowledged her own,then there is no way Naruto would have opened that scroll and we would not be enjoying the benefits of it," Ino answered linking her arm with Hinata's.

"Then what is your doubt and how do you plan to overcome it?" the Hyuuga asked hoping Ino would share and maybe the Yamanaka's answer could help her with her own.

"Mine's simple," Ino said, "I went from being all about Sasuke to not even carrying if he came back. I guess my doubt is whether or not what I'm experiencing with Naruto is real or simply a girl whose first love who spurned and is simply reacting to anyone who shows her a little affection. The only way I can answer that is by seeing how things turn out so I'm not stressing over it."

Hinata frowned since she was still bothered by Tayuya's feelings for Naruto being somehow more open and honest. But she didn't feel like talking about it further so asked upon noticing that Ino missed her turn to return to her family's flowershop , "Was there something else you wanted to talk about?"

"I need your help with something," Ino said still walking arm in arm with Hinata.

"If I can help I will," Hinata said curious.

"I want to get Naruto into Ayame's pants," Ino said giggling a little at the surprised face Hinata made.

"But she's seeing someone," Hinata said, "Naruto says he doesn't want to break up people."

"I know," Ino said but countered, "But, didn't her boyfriend remind you of anyone?"

"He acted a little like Naruto," Hinata admitted.

"And did you notice how even with her boyfriend there Ayame would drop everything as soon as Naruto asked her for something. Plus, Ayame's boyfriend isn't even a natural blonde. I think he's putting on an act to get into Ayame's panties himself."

"But if Ayame likes Naruto why would she date him?"

Smiling at the Hyuuga, Ino answered, "That's easy to answer. She was closest to Naruto for the longest of all us girls, so if anyone knew of his massive crush on Sakura it was Ayame. She probably convinced herself that Naruto would never see her as anything but the girl that brings his ramen. That Toshio bastard probably picked up on that and is trying to supply her with the next best thing. It would be kind of sweet if he wasn't the love them and leave them type."

Hinata nodded and asked, "I take it you have a plan?"

"Yeah, it's rather simple too. A bastard like Toshio is doing this for his own ego, therefore he probably brags a lot. All we have to do is find out where he does his bragging and make it so Ayame hears how he really feels. Then add one part Naruto to ease her broken heart and…"

"He makes it so Ayame has trouble even remembering the bastard's name," Hinata said giggling slightly herself as Ino made a surprised face at her finishing the sentence.

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It took Hinata thirty minutes to locate Toshio and much as Ino suspected he was nothing like Naruto when away from Ayame. He was sitting in a bar with his friends making obscene jokes at Ayame's expense and as he talked about how it was only a matter of time before she spread her legs for his act. Hinata was tempted to go inside in order to pound him and his bastard friends senseless. However she decided to take pleasure in the idea that if everything went as Ino planned then he had simply gotten Ayame ready to be taken by the real Naruto.

Ino had returned to Ichiraku and was pleased to find it deserted except for her target who was chopping vegetables. Watching the stand from an alley it wasn't easy to get a line of sight with Ayame without entering but when she finally did she made a handsign and smiled.

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Ayame was surprised it was so dead, but secretly enjoyed the quiet. Although she wished that her favorite customer would return. It made her rather sad that they hadn't been able to really talk since he came back. It also made her jealous that he was always with either, Hinata, Sakura, or Ino, as none of them had been there when he was alone before and during the academy. If there was a regret in the young waitress's life it was that instead of cheering Naruto on in his pursuit of Sakura she should had told him to forget her for someone a little closer.

But she was trying to not so much move on, as accept that as far as Naruto was concerned she was just plain old Ayame. Thinking of Toshio she tried to smile, but couldn't as she found it rather pathetic that instead of going for the real thing she was settling for an imitation. At times she felt sorry for him, since he probably had no idea that as far as she was concerned he was Naruto Light. He gave the appearance of the real thing but didn't have what it was that made Naruto special.

In mid-chop she was suddenly overtaken by a desire or feeling that she needed to be somewhere else. Placing the knife down, she locked up shop and followed the sensation to a bar. Entering she saw Toshiro acting like a rowdy hooligan instead of the kind but energetic boy he had pretended to be.

But it was what he said as he slammed down a shot with his friends that hurt the most. "Man I'm telling you, pretending to act like that doofus is the key to getting her to hand over her virginity."

One of his friends said, "I don't know. You've been at it for two months. Usually by now you would have sealed the deal by now."

"It's because that bastard came back," Toshio said, "If he had stayed away a little longer she'd be riding the T-express right now…Ayame."

Dropping his shot glass he tried to get back into character but she turned on her heel breaking into a run as soon as she cleared the door. Returning to her family's shop she made her way to the back where she broke down and cried. "Stupid," she admonished herself, "You should have known even imitation Naruto wouldn't feel anything for you."

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Naruto left the training ground as the sun set after kissing Tayuya good-bye. The red-head would have to sneak back to his apartment. He had promised that he would bring her something to eat and then had to further promise that it wouldn't be ramen. But while he did agree he hadn't said anything about himself so was going to stop at his favorite restaurant.

But upon approaching it he frowned as there was no light coming from inside even though the front gate was still open. He lifted the flap hoping nothing was the matter and was slightly relieved that the place appeared as organized as it always was. He was about to call out to see if anyone was there when he heard some sobbing. Making his way to the back, he saw Ayame with her head down at a table crying.

Filled with worry for one of his important people he asked, "Is everything alright Ayame?"

She stiffened when he called her name, and quickly spun towards her feet trying to straighten her appearance. Putting on a face that she used to greet customers she said, "Oh I'm fine Naruto you don't need to worry."

Not buying her act he said, "Yes I do. Please tell me what's wrong, you're important to me."

Ayame's eyes widened, but before she could say anything a voice cut in saying, "Ayame baby, I'm sorry please let me explain."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he asked, "Is he the reason you were crying?"

"I'll handle it Naruto," Ayame said quickly moving towards the front.

When Toshio saw her appear from the back he said, "Look Ayame, I know I was acting like an ass back there, but my friends were giving me a hard time so I started shooting off at the mouth."

"Really," Ayame said disbelievingly, "The way I heard it. It was you that had some sort of master plan to trick me into giving you my virginity."

"Look baby it was just me talking out of ass."

He tried to get close to her but she stepped back saying, "You should leave."

Toshio's face darkened as he said, "Oh I'll leave when I'm damn good and ready." He took a step closer towards her and his demeanor seemed to promise violence. Ayame backed up until she reached the doorway to the back and was surprised she couldn't move back anymore. Fearing she had closed the door behind her. She reached back for the knob but felt only empty air.

She then felt strong hands grab her by the arms and the normally warm voice of Naruto, which was currently as cold as steel spoke from behind her. "I believe Ayame told you to leave." Realizing that barrier she was pressed against was Naruto, she felt the fear that had been gripping her heart disappear.

Toshio stared at them moving his eyes from Naruto's angry face to Ayame's relieved one. Addressing Ayame, he said, "Well that didn't take long you little whore did it. Decided to finally act on those feelings you carry for him. Were the two of you fucking in back?"

Naruto felt Ayame stiffen no doubt mortified that her feelings for him were out in the open. Naruto was surprised, but secretly pleased. He gently moved Ayame to the side and said, "What Ayame does is no longer your concern. Now Leave."

Throwing his hands up Toshio said, "Fine I get it. You overpaid messenger boy, no skin off my ass. She's probably a cold fuck anyway. I'll be seeing you Ayame."

Naruto did not like the insult or the implied threat so moving quicker than either civilian could follow smashed Toshio's head into the counter. He held it there as he whispered darkly, "Since I'm a messenger boy listen to this one. You stay away from her. If you see her coming down the street you move to the other side of the village. Because if she even hints to me that your presence on the same continent bothers her, I'll find you and the results will not be pleasant for you. Am I clear?"

"Y-yes," Toshio said fearfully as Naruto's eyes began to turn red and his voice lowered.

"Good," Naruto said picking him up by the hair. Facing him towards Ayame he made the man bow towards her and said, "Now apologize."

"I'm sorry…I'll never bother you again I swear."

Ayame nodded and smiled as Naruto walked him towards the flaps before throwing him bodily out. However she looked away as he turned to face her embarrassed that her feelings were out in the open. But eventually she said, "Thank you Naruto. I'm sorry for troubling you."

"It was no trouble Ayame," Naruto said, "You're very important to me."

"Please forget about what he said though. I know I'll only ever be plain old Ayame to you."

"I never thought of you as plain old Ayame," Naruto said moving right in front of her, "But I know how I would like to think of you…" When Ayame's hopeful eyes met his, he said, "I would like to think of you as My Ayame."

Naruto then slowly leaned in to taste of her lips. Ayame stiffened at first, but quickly gave into her feelings. A moment later they were making out hotly, without thinking Naruto's hand moved to her breast and she gave an appreciative moan. However, instead of encouraging him to go further, it acted as a bucket of cold water. He pulled back and Ayame immediately asked what was wrong.

Thinking that Ayame didn't deserve to have her virginity taken in the back of her stand, as he also had come to realize that he had been rather lazy with his other girls as well. They deserved to be pampered and to enjoy a real relationship so he said assuringly, "Nothing is wrong, but I want to take you on a real date before we get too carried away. I'll pick you up here tomorrow after you close."

"But I'll want to go home and…"

"Don't worry about it Ayame," he said sweetly before kissing her. "I promise it will be a night to remember."

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