Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Threadbare

By Cosmogyral

Thread 1:

The old building across the city street was a patched together mosaic of crumbling brick. The checkerboard brick was scrunched between a slightly more handsome structure and an anorexic alley. It had a simple face of rusty red with a single glass door. While the building mimicked the styles of neighboring units, it was no beauty by anyone's standards.

But Naruto loved it.

It was amazing what two weeks away could do to one's perceptions. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, no?

Smiling and heaving a deep sigh, Naruto took a hand out of his worn blue jeans and ran it through his wild blonde locks. Jogging across the lazy street, the young man maneuvered into the narrow alleyway, dodging lumps of sleeping humans and piles of trash. It didn't take him long to reach his destination. The faded door in front of him was fondly branded in chipping paint, Konoha Soup Kitchen: Employees Only.

Grabbing the old brass handle, Naruto strode in.

People were bustling around in a practiced sort of chaos. So many things were happening at once, but everybody knew what they were doing. Black hair, brown hair, sunglasses, fur-lined jackets, people of all walks of life littered the cramped kitchen for various reasons. Out of the movement, a pink head of hair stopped to look at the open door. Her bright green eyes locked onto a pair of purest blue and a smile spread across her features.

"Naruto!"

All movement stopped for a heartbeat as the kitchen came to a halt. Many pairs of eyes took in the five-foot-eight blond sporting a retina burning orange jacket. Instead of shrinking from the scrutiny, Naruto scratched the back of his head as his smile wrinkled his scarred cheeks.

Letting out a little chuckle and shutting the door he greeted the others cheerfully, "Hey, guys."

"Naruto!!!" was the joyous exclamation from all. The pink-haired girl, being the only one with free hands, weaved through the slowly re-animating bodies. Jaunting over, Naruto met her half way.

"Sakura!" Hunching slightly, Naruto engulfed the women in a hug as she returned the gesture. Pulling back, the blonde took in the curvy woman in front of him. "What happened to red hair? Is pink the new blonde?" He joked.

The comment earned him a wince-worthy punch in the arm. "I thought that I'd try something new." Stepping away, she spun around and struck a pose. "What do you think?"

Squinting his eyes and looking thoughtful, Naruto analyzed his friend. "Actually, it looks good. I think it suits you." A flirty smirk stretched his lips. "But then again, you would look gorgeous no matter what you did, Sakura."

"Psh! Nice try, Naruto, but I don't believe you for a second," the shapely girl retorted.

"But it's true, Sakura!" Naruto protested.

"Thank you, Naruto," she conceded while giving him a hug. "Sure you won't bat for the other team? You would make a girl happy."

"And who says I can't make a man happy?" Snorting, Sakura again gave him a playful smack in the arm.

"Alright you two, enough flirting." A tan hand was placed on each of their shoulders. "Sakura, I think that our soup could use your special touch." Said girl let out a breath of disbelief.

"Nothing can save that soup," she said wryly. Looking up into kind brown eyes she smiled. "Iruka, if you wanted to hog Naruto to yourself, you should've just said so." With that, she strode off towards the stoves.

"Thank you, Sakura!" Iruka called after her. Rubbing the scar spanning the bridge of his nose, Iruka looked back at his younger companion with an affectionate grin. "So, how were the performances? We've missed you these last two weeks."

Shrugging, Naruto let out a huff of air. "Not as good as it could've been, but I've seen worse. Not many people came."

Brown eyes mirrored the older man's empathy, "I'm sorry, Naruto."

"S'okay, Iruka."

Deciding to brighten the blonde's sullen mood, the tan man added, "I'm sure you lit up the stage." The comment worked like a charm and brought another glowing smile on the blonde's face. Wrapping a fatherly arm around Naruto's shoulders, Iruka messed the short spikes. "If it's any consolation, we're all glad to have you back."

"I missed you guys, too." After a moment, Naruto reached back and pulled a strand of Iruka's brunette ponytail. "So, what are my duties today, Sensei?"

Whacking the back of the twenty-two-year-old's head, Iruka reached around Naruto to pluck an apron from the hook on the wall. "Put on some gloves, Uzumaki. You're serving today. We're starting in five."

"Aye, aye, Captain!" With the enthusiastic reply, Naruto eagerly tied his almost-white apron behind his back and strode to the stoves. Spotting long black hair in a low ponytail, Naruto smirked. "Hey, Hinata!"

Jumping, said girl spun around with a blush. "H—hello Naruto." Her pale gray eyes were locked on the floor. Hinata had always been the bashful sort.

Pointing over to the pot she had previously been hovering over, Naruto asked, "Mind if I steal your masterpiece?"

"N-no. Not at all."

Snatching some oven mitts, Naruto grabbed the large pot at took a big whiff. "Mmmm…what are we serving today?"

"Uhh…umm…Tomato soup," came the shy mumble

"Yum!" Turning around, Naruto looked at the timid women. "Thank you, Hinata."

"You're welcome, Naruto." At her reply, the blue-eyed youth shimmied over to the front of the kitchen, where a serving area faced a room crammed with tables. The soup kitchen wasn't much, but the people who filled it gave the place a welcoming atmosphere. Laminate floors, plaster walls, and small, round tables made up the half of the establishment not taken up by the kitchen.

A bang to his right grabbed Naruto's attention. Looking, he found a shaggy-haired brunette trying to place another metal pot of soup into its place. Wiping sweat from his face, the brunette shot the soup a victorious smirk.

"Ha, take that!" Looking proud, the young man looked challengingly over at Naruto. "Hey, Naruto, I'd like to see you pull that off."

Smirking, Naruto turned to his soup. Although the crimson tattoos under the other man's eyes made him look fierce, Naruto knew that deep down he was a push-over. Grabbing both handles he easily lifted the pot and put it in its place. "Easy as pie."

"Damn it, Naruto! How the hell can you do that?"

"Years of practice, Kiba." That earned Naruto a quick chuckle.

"It's good to have you back, Blondie."

"It's good to be back, Dog-breath."

"Hey, hey!" Kiba turned to the table and snapped on some gloves, "You keep Akamaru out of this."

"I would," Naruto reached into a drawer and pulled out two ladles, "if you didn't spend more time with your dog than with Hinata."

Scrambling over to Naruto's side, Kiba snatched the ladle and clamped a big hand over Naruto's mouth. "Shhhh!" Scanning over his shoulder, Kiba made sure that nobody had heard. "Keep it down! She'll hear you!"

"That was the point," was the muffled response through the hand.

"Well, I don't see you doing any better," Kiba quietly hissed. Turning back to his own pot, the brunette sunk the large spoon in the red concoction.

"But I don't have someone I desperately want to ask out." When Kiba only continued to stir the soup, Naruto added, "And who is patiently waiting for you to ask her out."

"Che. Yeah right."

"It's obvious to everyone but you, Dog-breath."

"And what am I supposed to do?" Kiba's shoulders slumped and his apron sunk lower. "I hardly make a living training dogs, and volunteer at a soup kitchen. I can't afford what she deserves."

Naruto released his ladle and let it bang loudly against the side of the pot. Turning on his friend, he shot him an incredulous look. "All she wants is you, Inuzuka! You don't have to do much. Just…take her out on a picnic…or something…"

Chuckling, Kiba shook his head. "Look man, I think you've been hanging around with the girls too long. You're turning into a damn romantic." Pausing, Kiba changed tactics, "Besides, it's the middle of winter; and haven't you been watching the news? It's going to rain for about a month straight. Not exactly picnic conditions…"

"Actually my TV set went out a while ago." Naruto picked up the ladle and started stirring again.

"Shit, man. Sorry."

"It's okay. Who needs television? I'd rather spend my time here."

"And you say I'm pathetic." Red drops of soup flung across the space between them to land on Kiba's face. "Hey!"

"You still are pathetic, Dog-breath."

"Oi!"

"Alright boys," Iruka interrupted, "Save the soup for those who need it. I'm opening the kitchen."

Both boys watched as Iruka went over to the glass door and unlocked the entrance to the brick building. Before he even made it back to the kitchen, figures started meandering in. Tall, short, bulky with many layers, or decked out in nothing but thin flannel—the only thing most had in common was a woolen hat. All shapes and sizes could wind up on the streets.

Although as a poor actor Naruto wasn't much better off, at least he had a home to go back to at the end of the day. He knew that these people didn't want his pity, though. That's why he only looked at their hands when he served them food. He couldn't look in their eyes.

Scarred hands, brown hands, red hands, gloved hands, gnarled hands, four-fingered hands—Naruto watched as the pairs held out a plastic bowl and he scooped tomato soup into it. After each he muttered a cheerful, Have a nice day. He doubted that they listened. Not Everybody was as optimistic as he.

He enjoyed seeing some of the regulars, though. Gaara and his siblings were always fun to talk to. His heart clenched at how Gaara was a year younger than him, but they seemed to get by. Shikamaru and Chouji were a kick to have around. They always had some scheme to make it through. He swore that Shikamaru, for all his lazy complaining, was a hidden genius. Then Sai scared him. He was a socially awkward Asian with a knack for art. He was a homeless artist that sold his work when he could afford supplies. Being an unknown actor, Naruto hoped that he wouldn't be reduced to that one day.

Glancing at the clock, Naruto was surprised at the time. Lunch hour was almost over.

"You alive over there, Blondie?"

"I'm good, Kiba."

"Well, I'm going to take this pot back. It's almost empty and it looks like no one else is coming." Lifting the lighter pot Kiba bent over and turned off the burners used to keep the soup warm.

"Mine's still a bit full. I think I'll stay here and see if there are any stragglers," was Naruto's response.

"Kay." As he lifted the kettle off the counter, Kiba stopped before he went back deeper into the kitchen. "Maybe I'll see if Hinata needs help with the dishes."

"Go for it, Dog-breath," Naruto smiled back.

"Yeah, yeah…" Kiba grumbled as he strode away.

Shaking his head at his friend's antics, Naruto gave his attention back to the soup. Minutes ticked by and nobody entered the establishment. The clink of spoons and the soft murmurs and grunts from the tables filled the room. Naruto always wondered what these people where like before this—what they could be if circumstances had stayed for the better. Dazed, Naruto was jolted out of his thoughts when the soft thump of a bowl sounded in front of him. Surprised, Naruto reflexively looked up to see who was there.

Naruto almost gasped at what he saw. Black orbs of coal framed by deathly pale skin stared at the bowl between them. Clumped black locks of hair hung lifelessly from under the stained wool hat. They emphasized the purple bruise on his cheekbone and the random smudges of dirt. When those same black eyes looked up towards him with that empty look, Naruto jumped. For a moment, all of his childhood worries about zombies and creatures from the black lagoon sprung to his mind. Banishing those thoughts from his mind, the blonde tried to regain his composure.

With shaky hands, Naruto attempted a smile. Lifting the ladle out of the pot, the blonde started emptying it into the man's bowl. Like something was pulling him, Naruto had to look back up into those blank eyes that had moved their gaze downward. If he reached out towards them, he bet they would be just like asphalt—hard and unforgiving. So transfixed, Naruto didn't notice he had moved the ladle. The clattering of the man's bowl startled him.

Looking down, he noticed how the man's hands were covered with red drops of soup.

"Shit, I'm so sorry." The man just looked up with no expression. Untying his apron, Naruto reached over to grab the man's hands. "Here, let me get that for you."

Each hand was as white as the pale face. Each finger was long—like they should be playing a grand piano, not holding a plastic bowl. The man didn't make a sound, and made no movement to pull away as Naruto wiped the soup on his apron.

Once Naruto was finished, he looked up to see if the man was angry, mad, upset, or anything. Nothing was revealed in the ghostly face. Naruto was afraid that if he didn't keep talking, the man would disappear like a phantom.

"I haven't seen you around before, but then again I've been gone for two weeks. Are you a regular?" There was no response, not even a raised head. "Here, let me get you another bowl." Naruto shuffled around until he found an unused bowl. "I'm Naruto, by the way." Pouring soup into the bowl, Naruto held it out and watched as the man lethargically moved to take it. "I don't suppose you talk much, huh?"

That comment made the black haired man look up. Naruto gave him a bright smile. Waiting for the charcoal haired man to respond, Naruto was disappointed when he only uttered one word.

"Idiot." With that, the man turned away and moved to a corner table.

Flabbergasted, Naruto was left wide-eyed and open-mouthed staring after the man. Finally the blonde blinked once the man started carefully eating his soup in a precise and robotic manner. Feeling insulted, Naruto lifted his now empty soup kettle and carried it off to be washed.

Sidling up next to Sakura, he threw his pot into the sink. Grabbing a sponge he squeezed some soap on it and started furiously scrubbing away the soup residue. Sakura raised a delicate pink eyebrow at the unusual behavior.

"What's got you so fired up?"

Naruto let go of both the pot and sponge and let out a frustrated growl. He turned and Sakura recognized that Naruto needed to vent.

"Do you know that guy out front with the black hair, sitting in the corner table?" Looking over her shoulder, Sakura leaned a little to get a better view.

"Oh, that guy?" Sakura looked back at Naruto. "Pretty hot, huh?"

Naruto looked offended. "Sakura! No! I—he—" letting out another frustrated noise, Naruto dug his hands in his hair. Trying a different approach, the blonde asked, "Has he been coming here long?"

Going back to the dishes, Sakura answered, "Hmm…not too long. Not regularly anyway. He just shows up every now and then."

"Have you ever looked in his eyes?"

"No," shaking her head, Sakura seemed not to care. "Doesn't seem like he wants the attention."

"But, he seems so lifeless." Naruto seemed perplexed at his friend's lack of response. "Doesn't that bother you?"

Sakura stopped scrubbing for a moment. A sad look crossed her features. Looking down into the soapy water, the girl took a deep breath, "He's homeless, Naruto. Not everybody can be as optimistic as you."

The look on Naruto's face was like a boy being smacked on the hand for doing something bad. Looking away the blonde shook his head and placed his hands onto the edge of the sink. Looking into the murky water, Naruto saw his own distorted reflection. His eyes almost looked black in the dim lighting. Lifting a hand, he reached out and touched his reflection-face. His hand passed right through his own asphalt eyes—up to his elbows in warm water.

A/N: Well, this is my first story on this site that I've actually cared enough to finish. I'm a little excited, to say the least. It was originally going to be a oneshot, but I decided that it was a little too long to read all in one go. That means that this story is already completed, so I will be updating in somewhat regular intervals. Stay tuned!

Ack! Please! Tell me what you think. I live off of reviews, even evil ones. You will make me one happy camper if you send a review.