Kat: hey every it's me, Hikari Matsuri. In order to avoid confusion, i shall be using the name 'Kat' while doing these little intros x3.
Hikari: ya ya we get it, just get on with it already.
kat: *glares* be quiet you! Anyways, please enjoy the story. And don't forget, reviews are luff and Flames are used to heat up my Curry! =D
Disclaimer: Hikari Matsuri, in no way, shape, or form owns the anime and manga series 'Naruto' and any of the ideas, characters, or plot lines in it. They all belongs to Masashi Kishimoto & TV Tokyo. She Never has, and never will own the series, so don't sue her poor ass, for she spent all her money at Anime Expo 2009(Kat: It's true! But it was all worth it! xD) and cannot afford to pay for any lawsuits against her.
Claimer: Hikari Matsuri, does own her original character, Hikari Ame Uzumaki.
Warning: This Story contains mild, possibly strong, use of profanity. As well implied Sexual themes & possibly In Future chapters, strong sexual acts might occur. Possiblity of 'Lemons' & 'Limes' for future chapters are currently small, but that may possibly be due to change in the near future. Due to this the rating shall remain 'T' until further notice.
Lemme say this, regarding any comments or thoughts about Hikari beign a Mary-sue...All the cannon characters appear to be either strong or weak when they first make an appearance. They are either perfect or losers. Later on in the series you find out what made them who they are, and helped shape them & their strengths. Though regardless, they all grow in some form as the story progresses. The same goes for my character. I took this-and the way Kishimoto-sensei created his character's, their pasts & skills-into account when I created Hikari. As such, please keep this in mind and take it into consideration when judging Hikari's character. In a regular manga/anime, you either hate or like a character when they are first introducted, but your opinions usually change as the series progresses; and I hope the same will apply for my character.
You have been warned.
Konoha, "The Village Hidden in the Leaves", One of the main towns in the Fire Nation. Home to many different, skilled and interesting people, Shinobi and non-shinobi alike. Many young and spirited shinobi have come to call this place home, accepting all it has to offer; its ups and downs, hardships, peacefulness, friendships, everything. The town currently being in a wonderful state of peace.
Today many of the younger shinobi, Gennin and Jonin alike, can be found relaxing, or training. But each and everyone of them thinking of what is taking place today, and how it shall change their lives. The departure of one of the village's most loved & well-known Gennin shall be leaving for 2 years to train with one of the legendary Sanin.
Naruto Uzumaki, the prankster who once was hated and shunned throughout the village, now having earned their respect and gratitude, will be leaving the village with the "Toad" Sanin, Jiraya, in a few hours, to continue with his goal of becoming stronger to protect the ones he loves and to one day accomplish his dreams of becoming Hokage.
Each and everyone of his friends, and comrades are wishing for his journey to be a wonderful one, and when he returns, to have become stronger. For they too, shall be working hard to become even stronger then what they are now, and to do their utmost best doing so.
In the center of town; in the old Condominiums/Apartments, sat the very person that shall be most effected by Naruto's departure…
~Uzumaki Household~
On the floor of the small room, a young girl, no…a young woman sat. Scattered all around her were boxes and books of all sorts, as well as bags of clothes and other items set further to the side. Most of the items in the room had been cleaned out, either having been thrown out or packed away already. The only items that had not yet been put away were a couple of picture frames resting on the nightstand by the bed.
~Hikari Ame Uzumaki's POV~
Shifting my legs so that they were tucked under me, leaning slightly to my right, I went back to packing up the rest of my stuff. So much was on my mind at the moment. All sorts of thoughts swirled around in my head, varying from how tried I was, all the way to my brother and him leaving in just a few hours time. It was all so overwhelming, and yet at the same time, it all felt so…right.
I couldn't help myself from letting out a saddened sigh escape my slightly chapped, from the recent mission, cherry blossom lips, as I picked up one of the books lying on the floor next to my feet. After inspecting the title and verifying the contents of the book, I placed it in the correct box. I repeated this process for about 4 other books until I came to find one without any sort of labeling. Sighing, I opened up the book to the first page.
Upon opening the book, I just couldn't stop myself from widening my eyes in slight surprise and letting a smile slip its way onto my face. I started to flip through the next few pages of the book, my smile widening as I did so.
I just couldn't help myself. I gently reached my hand out and brushed it against one of the photos. I couldn't believe that I had forgotten about this. This photo album that I had put together, containing pictures of all of my friends and comrades. Pictures from all sorts of things, varying from everyday events, to even some of the missions we had gone on over the past year. I continued to flip through the album, taking in each picture, and remembering all the memories, good & bad.
So much has happened, that its hard to believe its only been a year. I looked at some of the pictures of the Gennin, some now Chunnin, that I have met here. All of them have been wonderful, of course some were a bit rough around the edges when we first met. That thought brought up a small laugh and smile to make their way across my face. All of the new faces I had met, all of the friendships that had been creating from them, all of the bonds that had been made.
So many new friendships I had made in the past year.
I smiled once more when I came across some pictures of my friends from Sunagakure, The Village Hidden in the Sand.
Even some old friendships that had been strengthened.
Flipping through a few more pages, I even came across some old pictures from before I returned to Konoha. My smile had turned into a slightly saddened one, as I ran my fingers over some of the pictures of my times in The Village Hidden in the Mist. My thoughts drifted over to the deceased Hunter-nin and our old "sensei", the, also deceased, Missing-nin from the Mist. Though they hadn't been the, not best, but more so, correct company, I still cherished every moment we had spent together.
In the past year, I had made many new friendships, but I also had lost some as well.
Smiling sadly, I continued to flips through the pages, until I had seen them all. I softly closed the photo album and slowly stood up with the album in my hands. I walked over to a small box that lay on the floor next to my nightstand, and bent down to gently place the photo album inside it, with the rest of my more important, more sentimental, items.
Standing up I closed my eyes and stretched my arms over my head a bit to loosen up my stiffen joints and muscles. Bringing my arms back down, I slowly opened my eyes and let them drift over to my nightstand, or more specifically, the picture frames on top of it.
I just couldn't contain the small laugh that escaped my lips when I saw the picture of Kakashi-sensei, Naruto-nii-san, Sakura-chan, and myself.
I remember that day clearly, we all went out for ramen at Ichiraku's. Naruto had been trying to complement Sakura, but had offended her instead, so she had started to playfully hit him, which resulted in him bumping into Kakashi-sensei, who was sitting next to him and just so happened to be eating a mouthful of ramen at the time, and that resulted in the hot ramen Kakashi-sensei had been eating to spill all over him. Kakashi-sensei had then decided that for his revenge, that he'd dunk Naruto's face into his own hot ramen, and flick some of the noodles into Sakura's hair & face. As for me…well I was laughing my ass off at the scene in the corner seat next to Kakashi-sensei, before deciding that It'd be the perfect opportunity to try and get Kakashi-sensei's mask off, since it'd be hard for him to "defend" himself. It was then at that very moment that Iruka-sensei happened to be walking by, and took the picture of us; Sakura trying to playfully hit Kakashi-sensei whiling laughing, Naruto struggling trying to get out his head out of the ramen which resulted in bits and pieces of the noodles flying everywhere and in all of our hairs, me with my hands on Kakashi-sensei's face trying to pry his mask and hand off, and Kakashi-sensei holding Naruto's head down, avoiding Sakura's punches, and using his free hand to try and hold my hands back, but with all of us moving around his hand ended up groping my chest, instead.
It truly was a wonderful day. I smiled brightly as I put that picture frame into the small box as well. My eyes then shifted over to the last picture frame.
My smile dropped immediately, was replaced with a look of sorrow and sadness. I reached out to grab the picture frame, but stopped short just centimeters away from it. My saddened look increased, before I slowly picked up the frame and traced my fingers over the picture. My fingers hesitating for a moment over his face, before continuing to glide across the rest of the picture.
…S…Sasuke…
Indeed it was, the picture was of just the two of us.
We had both been training together in the forest by the lake. We had eventually worn ourselves out and decided to take a break, by sitting on one of the boulders with out feet hanging off the edge, sometimes splashing in the water below slightly. I can't remember exactly what we had been talking about, but I remember that I had teased him about something, and called him Baka Uchiha. He then decided that the perfect way to get back at me was to splash me with water, which of course resulted in a water fight. We both were pretty wet, but we didn't care and continued to try and get the other wetter, laughing while doing so, yes laughing, Sasuke Uchiha is capable of laughing…well, at least he was…Anyways, pretty soon I had begun to slip off the boulder into the lake, and I grabbed Sasuke's ankle to try to stop myself, but of course that didn't work, it never does, and Sasuke had been pulled down with me. When we both were finally able to stop laughing enough to pull ourselves out of the water and back onto the boulder, we were drenched. It was at that time that Kakashi-sensei, oh so conveniently, happened to be walking by, I'd bet my life on it that he was stalking us, and took a picture of us. I think it's the only recent picture of Sasuke that catches him smiling and laughing, especially with me, the very person who he was always neck-and-neck with.
I smiled sadly at the memory, and soon I could feel the warm wetness of tears coming down my cheeks.
"Sasuke…I…I am going to hold you to your promise…"
Yes…I will make sure he keeps his word….that he shall return to Konoha, to all of us…to me…when he becomes strong enough to defeat his older brother, so that we may defeat him…together…
Quickly wiping the tears from my eyes, I gently took the picture frame, as well as the one with all of us, as Team 7, and placed them both into the box laying at my feet. I turned around to take a quick look at how my room looked.
Empty.
That's how it looked. Everything now had been put away, and stacked up neatly into boxes in the corner by the door. This is how my room is going to look for the next…2 years.
I let out a, not sad, but more so empty, sigh, as that thought ran across my mind. While Naruto's out with Jiraya-sama these next 2 years, everyone thought that I'd be lonely staying by myself, and as much as I hated to admit it, they were right. So it was decided that I'd be staying with Tsunade-nee-sama, and Shizune-nee-chan, in the Hokage's tower, above the academy. It wont be that bad at least…it'll be just like how things were before I came back to Konoha last year. But it still saddens me that the reason I'm staying there is because my brother is leaving.
Another sigh escaped my lips. Jeeze, I've been doing that a lot lately, sighing that is…See there I go again. Man, I'm spending to much time with Shikamaru…
Okay that thought brought out a small laugh from me. With a sad smile on my face I kneeled down to pick up the box at my feet, and walked over to place it with the rest of my belongings.
I turned around once more to take one last look at my room. Letting my eyes scan over the now bare room and walls.
" *Sigh* Well that's everyth-…Eh?"
My eyes stopped as they saw a piece of white sticking out from under the pillow on my bed. Confused as to what it was, I walked over to the side of my bed. I moved my pillow aside, I realized that it was a piece of paper that I saw. I reached down and gently picked the paper and turned it over to the side that had writing on it.
I let out a loud gasp, and my eyes had widened in Shock, Surprise, and realization.
Reading what was written on the piece of paper, I could feel tears falling down my cheeks once more…but this time, they weren't out of sadness…A smile found it's way across my face, as I reread the piece of paper.
"This…This is-…"
A knock on the glass of my balcony doors had interrupted my train of thoughts. Looking over to the right of my bed, I saw Kakashi-sensei perched atop the railing of my balcony. I walked over and opened the door to my balcony and stepped out, and stopped in front of Kakashi-sensei.
"Yo!", Kakashi-sensei said with a smile on his face, before he reached out with one of his hands and gently wiped away my tears.
"Ah, Kakashi-sensei….what are you-…?", I stopped short of what I was about to say, as my eyes widened in realization, "Don't tell me-!"
"-It's time…" He finished my sentence with a slight nod and a small smile on his face.
My eyes widened even more in shock, as I quickly turned my head to the Hokage's tower, squinting to see the time on the main clock.
…3:00pm…
No way, time passed by so fast. Last I remember it was barely 12pm when i started to clean…3...3pm…Naruto is suppose to leave at 3pm!
I quickly jumped over the railing and landed on my feet on the ground, before I took off running towards the Main Gates.
Hurry…I have to hurry! I can't miss him! I have to at least say goodbye to him before I'm left all alone for the next 2 years!
I kept on running, passing by many familiar faces.
Soon I could feel and see Kakashi-sensei running along side me. I look at him out of the corner of my eye to see him smiling a reassuring smile.
"Hikari-chan!"
Not slowing down my pace, I looked up at the Hokage's tower, seeing Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru, Tsunade, and Shizune all smiling and waving down at me.
"Good luck! And Tell Naruto-kun we said bye!"
I smiled up at them, I speeded up my pace. As I was nearing Ichiraku's I saw Kiba, Shino, Choji, Lee, and Tenten all walking to the ramen stand.
"Ah, Hikari-chan!", the group smiled at me and gave me the thumbs-up, "Don't worry you'll make it! And tell that Knucklehead that we said bye!"
Continuing, I was finally getting close to the gate. I was able to see the top of the gates.
Only a few more blocks…
"A-Ame-chan!"
Looking to my right I could see Hinata and Neji standing by the fence. They both were smiling at me, yes even Neji.
"G-Good luck! Tell N-Naruto-kun bye!"
Wow, Hinata's getting better at not stuttering.
"Hikari-chan…It's not in your blood to fail…You have the ability to even change the strings of fate, So, Luck's got nothing to do with it!…but…Good luck anyways! And tell your brother not to get killed in the next 2 years!"
I let out a small laugh, from Neji's comment, as I passed by them, and flashed them a smile.
….That's right…I won't be alone…
The gates started to get even closer.
…These bonds that I've made, these friendships…
I finally was able to see the entire gates, and in the center, about to walk out, was Naruto & Jiraya-sama.
…As long as I have them, I won't ever be alone!
I skidded to a stop with Kakashi-sensei, breathing a bit rugged from the run. I quickly put my hands around my mouth as I sucking a deep breath of fresh air.
"NARUTO! Naruto-nii-san!"
I could see my brother freeze mid-step, before turning around with Jiraya-sama in tow. Their eyes wide in surprise.
"Everyone wanted me to tell you bye!"
A smile crept its way onto his face. But it looked like he was a bit sad.
He probably thinks that I was forced to come here…that I hate him for leaving…
"You Better come back even stronger then you are now! I want I challenge next time I see you! And you better not die! Ya 'hear me!"
His face broke out into a huge grin.
"And! Just you watch! When you come back, I'll be totally different person! Because! Because these bonds that we've all made will continue to grow and make us all stronger! So, Don't you ever forget them either!…The bond between us…isn't like anything anyone's seen before…it's the strongest one of them all! So no matter how far apart we are, We'll always be right there for each other!"
His grins grew even larger, is that was even possible, before giving me a thumbs-up. Jiraya-sama was smiling at me. I just knew that Kakashi-sensei was looking down at me with pride in his eyes and in his smile.
"I'm going to Keep You To That Imouto-chan! And you better BELIEVE IT!", Naruto Shouted at me before Jiraya-sama placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder, and they turned to leave.
Watching their retreating forms, a single tear of happiness slid down my cheek before I wiped it away.
"Hikari-chan. What's that paper in you hand?" Kakashi-sensei turned to me and asked as he pointed down to the very piece of paper that I was reading in my room minutes ago.
Looking down at my hand that held the paper, I slowly held it up in front of me to show Kakashi-sensei.
"This…Is the Letter that started it all…" I said with a big smile on my face.
Dear Naruto and Hinata,
Hey aniki, Hina-chan, it's me. It's been a while since I last wrote to you hasn't it?
Well I'm doing great, actually, I'm doing way better than great. Haha.
I'd ask how you two are, but there's really no point to that, since I'll know soon enough.
What am I talking about? Well just relax and keep reading haha.
Four years…It's been nearly 4 years since I left the village to go train on my own. I still can't believe how much time has passed, and how much we've all changed. I can tell just from the pictures and letters you both have sent to me, that so much as happened these past 4 years. Both good and bad. But all these things have made us who we are today, isn't that right? Things really are different now…
4 years…that was all it took…I've finally learned all I can from traveling at the level I currently am. It's taken me 4 years to complete my self-decided goal, and now, I've finally become strong enough to return.
That's right…I'm coming home aniki, Hina-chan. And this time, I don't plan on leaving anytime soon.
By the time you both receive this letter, it should be 3 days before you both are assigned your new teams, as newly ranked Gennin. I will be arriving on the day of the "assignment" day in the morning. And guess, what? The Hokage's agreed to let me be assigned to one of your guy's teams. That's right, I'll be one of your guy's, and if we're lucky both of you, teammate. Iruka-sensei already knows of the arrangement, so all that you two need to do is meet me at the village gates in the morning before "class" starts.
Well can't wait to see you both. So until then, Bye and see you in 3 days.
Hikari Ame Uzumaki