The first thing Dosuke saw was a pair of slender, fair legs. Not too thick, not too thin, they looked perfect, standing straight and elegant.
The setting sun glowed on her pale skin. Her skirt reached the middle of her thighs, adding a hint of red to her fairness.
Her soft slippers hugged her delicate feet. They moved lightly across the kitchen floor, making Dosuke smile.
Looking up, he saw a familiar face.
"Sister Tatee, why are you here?" Dosuke asked, surprised.
"You are back!" Tatee straightened her apron. She turned to face Dosuke at the kitchen door and said, "Did I not say last time? I will come cook for you when I have time." She lifted the pot lid with her left hand, picked up a spoon with her right, and tasted the stewed soup.
"Yes, you said that. But how did you get in?" Dosuke asked as she cooked.
"Simple," Tatee replied. "I knocked on your door, but no one answered. I used my Byakugan and saw you were not home."
* I am here anyway, so I will wait inside * , she thought. "With my Byakugan, I used this wire to pick your lock." She set down the pot lid and pulled a piece of wire from her skirt.
* Oh, wow * , Dosuke thought.
He never imagined her Byakugan could help pick locks.
"Dosuke, go rest. The meal will be ready soon." Tatee waved him off and turned back to her cooking.
Dosuke stepped into the kitchen to help.
Tatee pushed him out. "Hey, it is almost done. Just wait."
Dosuke stood outside the kitchen.
After a while, Tatee called, "Dosuke, the food is ready. Come here and serve it."
Dosuke and Tatee carried a series of fine dishes to the table.
"I am starting!" they shouted, eyeing the tasty dishes.
"Is the meal okay?" Tatee asked.
"It is so delicious, Sister Tatee. Whoever marries you will be very happy." Dosuke gave a thumbs-up, his mouth full of rice.
Tatee's cooking was truly great.
"Then I will come cook for you tomorrow," Tatee said, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons as she watched him eat.
"No need tomorrow, Sister Tatee. I will go out with Jiraiya-sama tomorrow." Dosuke set his chopsticks on the table and looked at her sipping soup.
"Oh, I see." Tatee's rosy lips curled slightly, her small face showing an unhappy look.
Seeing her expression, Dosuke thought of their first meeting at the village entrance. Back then, Tatee seemed bold and heroic.
After sharing life-and-death reconnaissance missions, he found Sister Tatee strangely cute.
"What are you laughing at?" Tatee bared her small canine teeth, feeling mocked.
"No, I just felt, * Tatee, you are so cute * ," Dosuke said. He reached out and patted her head.
Slap. Tatee swatted his hand away.
"You brat!" Her face turned red instantly.
Dosuke smiled, rubbing his slapped hand, but stayed quiet.
After dinner, they tidied up and stepped outside together.
"Go back. Do not send me off. Pack up and go to bed early," Tatee said to Dosuke, who wanted to walk her home.
"Then take it easy, Sister Tatee." Seeing her firm expression, Dosuke turned back to his house.
Tatee watched him go, her eyes fixed. * What an idiot * , she thought.
She turned and walked home. Her wooden clogs made a heavy sound. Clack. Clack. Clack.
The next morning, Dosuke waited at the village entrance early.
He carried ninja tools, a ninja tool bag, a storage scroll with clothes, and some money. He was ready to train with Jiraiya.
Time passed slowly.
At first, Dosuke stood full of energy. Then he sat on a stone bench at the village entrance, looking bored.
The morning sun rose higher.
Dosuke lay on the bench, his head resting on his backpack. He squinted to avoid the harsh noon sunlight. He glanced toward the village now and then.
"Jiraiya-sama is so unreliable. What time is it?" Dosuke grumbled. His stomach growled.
As he wondered whether to eat first and return later, a scent hit him. He opened his eyes and saw a wooden clog.
Looking up, he saw Jiraiya's white hair. He held a bowl of ramen with "Ichiraku Ramen" written on it.
"Dosuke, you are hungry. This morning, on my way, I met a woman who lost her way. My sense of justice would not let me leave her alone. I was a bit late helping her." Jiraiya grinned, seeing Dosuke's sour look.
"Oh, Jiraiya-sama, did she fall into a wine tank? Did you drink it all to save her?" Dosuke smelled alcohol and perfume from two meters away.
"Hey, kid, trust your elders! Look, I even brought you lunch." Jiraiya raised the ramen.
"Hurry and eat." He set the bowl in front of Dosuke.
Starving, Dosuke eyed the deluxe ramen with eggs, fish slices, and toppings. His mouth watered.
Slurp. Slurp.
Jiraiya watched Dosuke eat, still lying sideways on the bench. "Dosuke, how is it? Delicious?"
"Yes, it is delicious. Food tastes great when you are hungry, especially Ichiraku Ramen."
"Then, are you paying for it?" Jiraiya rubbed his index finger, middle finger, and thumb together.
Dosuke froze. "Jiraiya-sama, you did not pay for this bowl?"
"Haha, I brought it, but I did not say I paid." Jiraiya rubbed his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Hurry and pay, kid. You do not want to eat for free, do you?" Jiraiya urged as Dosuke sat stunned.