It started at the Shonen-J Diner

Chapter Three: How many people know about this place?


The Shonen J Diner was busy.
This was always a sign that something was about to happen.
Akira sat at a table with Hikaru, Waya, Isumi and Ochi, watching the bleached bangs boy wolf down his third bowl of Ramen. At least that was what he was trying to watch. He was distracted by the glaring personage across the room at another table. The dark-haired boy sitting with a pink-haired girl and a red-haired boy kept staring at him. At first he thought he was imagining things, but then when he had gone to the counter to ask the extremely busy waitress for a pitcher of water, he saw that the boys eyes were on him once more. It was no coincidence, and he was not paranoid. Whoever that was, was staring, no glaring death his way. Akira stared back unembarrassed and watched the boy attempt to pull his own away. Akira shrugged and continued towards his table.
A hand on his arm startled the young go pro.
"You have made an enemy, that you have." Ken said. Akira looked up at the tall redhead.
"I'm not sure how I did that. I don't even know him. Why does he hate me?" he asked Ken.
"It is who you DO know that brings these feelings. Perhaps we will soon see, that we will." and the already loud diner was suddenly silenced by the loud outburst of the happy blonde at the door.
"It's Time! They are out!" and he waved a bunch of medium sized books in his hands. The shocked room erupted. Cheers went around and the groups of characters began to congratulate each other once more. Another month of releases was over and they had all been updated. It was euphoric. Ken patted Akira's back before moving away to join his friends in celebration. Akira was about to go back to the table, when he was suddenly glomped by the very happy blond.
"Naruto!" he said as he nearly tumbled off of his own feet.
"Sorry, Gomen. I just wanted to show you. Look," and he produced three brand new, hot off the presses, graphic novels. Akira recognized his own face on the first, and there was Ken, looking very dangerous on another. But the third brought his breath quickly to his lungs.
There on the cover was his very good friend, and right next to him was the pink-haired girl and on the other side, the dark-haired boy (1) that hated Akira. Sasuke.
"Naruto?" he asked holding the book in front of the blond and pointing to the youth at his side. "Did you say something to . . . anyone about where we went last week?"
Naruto blushed crimson, and sweat dropped as he looked around carefully, "You mean the AFF.Net mall? No, I didn't say anything. Why?"
"Because I think your friend knows something," and he indicated the now sneering Sasuke across the room.
"Nah. Wait, he has been acting kinda weird, since then. I just thought it was from waiting for the release," the blond said, tapping a thoughtful finger on his chin, as he looked up.
"Release. I think I have an idea what release he was thinking of. I'm going to go talk to Ken, I'll see you later, Okay?" and he looked toward the table the red-haired samurai had gone to.
"Hey, we are going to celebrate, right?" Naruto called after him, Akira turned back and smiled. Naruto was filled with sunshine. Neither of them noticed that Sasuke wasn't the only person glaring their way. Another head of blond hair dyed across his forehead and contrasting with the dark hair behind it, was aimed their way.

"Ken-shi-n!" the loud brunette girl at the table called as she clung to him, causing his eyes to bug out and his balance to become unstable. "I am so happy! I love release day."
"Ahh, Kaoru-domo. Yes, it is a good feeling. That it is." Kenshin patted her hand and gently removed it from his arm. "And Yahiko, how do you feel today?"
The small boy looked sullen. "What does it matter, I was barely in this one?" he sulked. The tall dark form over him, whacked him on the back of his head, and then leaned heavily on him.
"What are you complaining about, I was in it less than you? Shut up, brat." and Sanosuke reached for the pitcher of water and dumped it over the boys head. "Cool off, kid." he added. Yahiko jumped to his feet and immediately went into fighting stance. Sano just waved him away. "I am leaving, this is getting boring." Just as he was about to rise, a boy with deep green hair stood behind him, and he realized he recognized this kid from somewhere.
"Um, Ken? Can I talk to you about something?" the boy asked and Kenshin extracted himself from the woman, and rose from the table, smiling calmly.
"Excuse me, Kaoru-domo, Sano." and he followed the boy to an area off near the restrooms. Sano was trying to figure out where he had seen that kid before.

"So, you think he was really there? Then when he and Naruto were together, he was actually there?" Akira tried to focus on this. He knew that it seemed real, but how much was real.
"Many of us visit the mall, that we do. I do not know but if they had gone into the door first then they have the power over the story. Unless they give it to you. If He entered before Naruto, he would have the final decision of the parts. He could choose to be Seme or Uke. But, if he were in the Crossover door first then it depends on the strength of the bond between those that enter together. Usually it is best to go in there in groups. It can be very dangerous, that it can." Ken filled him in.

"I see. So if say, Hikaru had gone into my door first, then he could have . . . . . ?" the thought was left unfinished as the eyes of this very person looked up into his. Hikaru watched him from the table and Akira sent a questioning gaze his way. Hikaru blushed lightly then turned away. No. He couldn't have. Could he? Akira shook his head to clear these thoughts.
"I think perhaps that question will answer itself, that it will. You will need to decide what you truly want, and I find that the truth with your friends is often best." he looked back at the table he had just left and sighed. "If they will listen."
"But, Naruto and I were going to go to the mall to celebrate later. What if someone goes into the door first and messes it up?" Akira was truly concerned now.
"If it is strong enough your will is in control. Most of the time. I have an idea for you," and he leaned closer and whispered his plan. Akira's eyes went wide. This would be perfect.




(1)I know that was actually the last release for Naruto, but it was perfect for this scene.