DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Naruto. Which totally sucks ass, by the way. -runs away and cries-
BRING!! BRING!! BRING!! BRING!!
The cry of the sirens woke me quickly, blaring in my ear. "Ah!! I'm up; I'm up!! Stupid alarm clock…" I muttered and threw the clock across the room. It slammed into the wall and broke into a million pieces. "Oops…" I sighed. I had to stop doing that…
"Nikki, what was that??" my mother, Michaela Alice Samson, yelled from downstairs.
"Nothing!! I called back down. Then I forced myself to drag my lazy butt out of the bed. At least it was the weekend. Wait a sec… then why was my alarm clock on? Oh yeah, my Tae-Kwon-Doe promotion… I turned to look to see what time it was but remembered; my clock was laying on the floor, across the room, in a million pieces!! Yeah, I've really got to learn to use the snooze button. But there's no fun in that now is there?
But at least you would still have a clock.
That was my inner voice rearing her ugly head. She had a good point though… However, I had to say that it was much more fun to wreck stuff. So I had to run downstairs, look at the clock, realize that in 10 minutes my friends were coming by, run back upstairs, throw on some clean clothes, which was really hard to do since they were all buried under the blob of dirty clothes that I hadn't bothered to bring down, run back downstairs to get the door for my friends that had just arrived, then realize that I left my wallet upstairs, run up yet another flight of stairs, grab it, and run backdownstairs again, then realize that my friends were here. My life is a joyride, is it not? Ha!!
Maybe I should explain myself a little better. My name is Nikki Elizabeth Samson and I'm thirteen years old. I have long black hair that I haven't cut since I was five. My eyes are bright green, and I wear contacts. I love Tae-Kwon-Doe, long, hot showers, and walks on the beach. If you want to hear more about me, call 1-866-293-NIKKI. I'll be waiting!!
"Hey Nick!! You ready to go?" my boyfriend, Jason, asked me.
I frowned. "Ugh, would you please stop calling me that? It's Nikki. Not Nick, it's Nikki. I'm a girl. Nick is a boy's name. Can you say Nikki, or do I have to break it down. Nik-ki!! See, easy, right?"
Jason grinned. "Whatever you say… Nick."
I stuck my tongue out and him and smiled. "Fine… but only you." I turned to the others. "You got that? Only Jason can call me that. You guys try anything and you'll end up in the emergency room."
Kit rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Just because you're gonna be a black belt doesn't mean you can hurt me."
"Oh yeah? And how you gonna stop me?" I smirked.
Kit looked around and scooped something off the ground. It was a stick. "With the evil powers of the almighty twig of doom!!" she giggled.
I joined in and pretty soon, we were both on the ground laughing.
Jake, one of my other peeps and who also took Tae-Kwon-Doe, and who had just climbed out of the car, looked at us like we were nuts. "You guys okay?"
"Have they ever been?" Jason said and rolled his eyes.
"True…" Jake agreed.
I stood back up and dusted myself off. I walked over to Jason and laughed, leaning over to kiss Jason softly on the lips, though for the hundredth time this year he turned away, then glanced at his watch as if nothing had happened. "Come on Nick, if we waste any more time we'll be late for your promotion."
I frowned, disappointed. I mean, he was my boyfriend. I should be able to kiss him... He could be so stubborn sometimes. I'd actually never been kissed. That's right. Me, Nikki Samson, had never been kissed before!!
Today was the day I get my black belt, so I wouldn't miss it in the world. And I defiantly wouldn't get all bummed out over a kiss! Not today, anyway... I hopped into the front passenger seat of the truck, shoving whoever's stuff was lying on the seat out of the way. "I call shotgun!!" I exclaimed.
"Nick, will you ever learn to grow up?" Jason kidded me.
I shook my head no and grinned. "Nope!!"
"Oh, Nikki, before I forget, this great new restaurant just opened up and my cousin got a job there. He asked me to come on opening night, tonight, and said I could bring anyone I wanted." Jason told me.
"Don't worry!! I'm sure my neighbor would love to!! I'll ask her when I get home." I joked.
"I meant you, stupid!!" he laughed.
"Really?! I'd love to!!" I exclaimed and kissed him on the nose, which he didn't refuse.
We arrived at the promotion with time to spare; just enough time to get my uniform on. I was so nervous, though, that I couldn't tie my belt. Jason had to help me. After he did, I planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thankies, Jasie!!" I squealed in a little girl voice, then skipped off to the mat.
Jason rolled his eyes.
Then the promotion started. I showed off my pure skill as I kicked some instructor butt and won. Boo ya!! Finally, the promotion was over and I got to receive my black belt. After it was on I did a little celebration dance, which just made Jason roll his eyes again.
"You look so cute when you do that, honey bun!!" I ruffled his hair.
"And you're adorable. You just have to stop calling me that." He told me, getting somewhat annoyed.
"Ya know ya love it, darlin'!!" I grinned again and skipped off to the car, singing "I've got my black belt; I've got my black belt!!" all the way there, just to annoy Jason.
When I got home, I became the serious me again. Or, at least I did for a while…
"Where are my fucking Tarot cards?? I can't find em anywhere!!" I screeched, digging through the other big pile of stuff I had. Finally, I found them. They were all the way at the bottom of the pile of junk…
I glared at the cards. "You've really got to stop running away from me, you hear!!" I scolded them. As if they could hear me!! I then shuffled them, clearing my mind. Then, setting them out in four piles and selecting the first card in every pile, I examined what the cards had dealt me. It contained a reversed Wheel Of Fortune, a reversed Chariot, a Page Of Cups, and a reversed IX of Swords.
Reversed Wheel Of Fortune Luck isn't on your side right now. Don't get embroiled in anything you'll regret. Stay constructively selfish. This is not a good time to be alone. Ask questions, seek answers, and try options.
Reversed Chariot People are more defensive now. Don't give in to intimidation or pressure. No one wants to waste time. Expect last-minute cancellations of plans.
Page Of Cups Don't get upset if things aren't going as you hoped. Be open to alternatives and prepare for a change of plans. Think before reacting, beware of childish behavior.
Reversed IX of Swords Confusion and poor decision-making are in the air. Your step falters and progress is delayed. A good time for second thoughts.
"Okay then… stay selfish… I'm good at that!! Okay, probably not going on that date with Jason tonight then… no childish behavior; that sucks, and second thoughts. Got it!! Man, my life is gonna suck today…" I sighed and collected the cards, putting them back in the case and setting them on my dresser then glanced at my watch.
"Oh well!! Time for Naruto!! Yay!!" I said and grabbed the TV remote and switched the channel to Naruto. It was a rerun, one of my fave episodes, when Gaara first starts to fight Rock Lee in the prelims!! I had decided that I was gonna skip the dinner with Jason anyway, besides that's what my Tarot cards said. I'm really serious when it comes to them. Jason understands that.
During the commercial I ran to the kitchen and made some ramen, then brought it back to my room and slurped the noodles one at a time, very slowly, cherishing every bight. I watched Gaara and thought about how he felt. He must feel so alone… it's just so sad to see him like that. I wish I could make him feel better… I wish I could make him feel good… O.o I meant as a friend!! DEFIANTLY not that way!! Ack!! Dirty thoughts!! Bad Nikki!! Bad!! But Gaara is soooooooo hot!! Like, smexy hot!! Very, very smexy!!
I finished my ramen and watched another rerun of Naruto, singing along to the opening theme, Haruka Kanata, cus it's like my most fave song ever!! It was the end of Naruto and Neji's match, and I was cheering for Neji, even though I know Naruto wins. Gotta support the hot guys after all!! Naruto's cute, hell, if I wanted to I could say he was hot, but Neji is just plain sexy!! But Gaara and Kiba are hotter!! Kakashi is fifth, just cus he's cool. Then comes Sasuke. But no one probably cares about my opinion on the hotness of guys from Naruto, even though they should… I know Jason defiantly wouldn't care. But that's his problem… He's just not a fan… Not that there's anything wrong with that, and I respect his feelings, but he's still crazy for not liking the show!! Right, I'll shut up…
After Naruto was over I decided to go to bed early. Kicking that instructor's butt really pooped me out… He was tough to beat, and I didn't have my katana with me!! Darn Tae-Kwon-Doe won't let you use any weapons except for the ones they give you… They suck…
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I also swordfight! It's really just a hobby, and no one teaches me, but I do really well. I'm like a natural at it. I first got interested when my father brought home one, and I started swinging it around a little. I turned out to be really good at it and my father, who used to swordfight himself, would go against me. I always won. Yay me!! But dad is gone now, and it's just my mom and I. But I've gotten used to it, and I still go and visit him. Oh, you thought I meant he's dead? Ha, ha!! No, he lives in Japan, and I go see him every other month for a week. Not very much, but I enjoy every second of it. I mean, it is Japan!! Who wouldn't like it?
I stripped down to my pajamas, which had Naruto all over them because I couldn't find any with Gaara on them, and got into bed, popping in a Naruto DVD into my TV and grabbed the remote. I always had to put Naruto on when I went to bed; otherwise, I would never be able to fall asleep. Yeah, a little weird, but who cares. If it gets me to sleep, then I sure don't!!
I talk in my sleep. A lot. And tonight I dreamt I was getting married to Gaara, so all night I was murmuring, "Gaara, I love you!! Marry me, marry me!! Oh I do!! I DO!! Yes!!"
And, what was really weird, was after that, I dreamt that I had woken up in Konohagakure and Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were leaning over me, looking at me as if I were some freaky alien. Here's what happened then…
I woke up feeling dizzy. Sitting up I saw a boy with spiky blonde hair, a girl with long pink hair, and a boy with dark bluish hair. I squinted and rubbed my eyes, thinking I was still dreaming. But they were still there!!
"Naruto… Sakura… Sasuke…? But… you're not… how…?" I stammered, then hit myself on the head. "Oh, duh!! It's still a dream!! Haha, stupid me!! Anata wa bakamono desu!! I'm stupid!!" I exclaimed.
Sakura looked at me like I was crazy. "Um, are you okay?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yup!! Entirely fine!! Why wouldn't I be, anyway?" I asked.
"Because you just fell out of the sky talking about getting married… and you aren't hurt at all…" she replied, and the two boys nodded in agreement.
I shrugged. "So? I can talk about marrying whomever I wanna, thankies very much!!" I said and stuck my tongue out. "As for falling out of the sky, this is a dream, right? I can do anything I want to!!"
Sasuke shook his head.
"This isn't a dream!!" Naruto exclaimed. "If there was there'd be ramen and I'd be the Hokage by now!! BELIEVE IT!!"
I laughed, half because of how funny Naruto looked when he said that but also because they were acting like a bunch of buffoons. Of course it was a dream!! But usually when I was dreaming they knew that! Man… I'm gonna have to explain everything to them!!
"Okay guys, this is a dream. Because in dreams when you hurt yourself it a— doesn't hurt, or b— goes away as soon as you do it. Like so." I said and unsheathed my katana that was hanging loosely across my back. Wait, my katana? I looked down to see that I wasn't in my pajamas anymore, but actually in a midriff red tube-top. Over it I loosely wore an unbuttoned white midriff blouse. And I wore khaki cargos!! Brushing my hair out of my eyes, I squealed in shock. Then something surprised me even more. My hair was blue!! Turquoise blue!! Beside me lay a bag, my katana, and some round red tin case.
"OH. MY. GOD!! WHY THE HELL IS MY HAIR BLUE?! AND WHERE ARE MY NARUTO PAJAMAS!! I WANT MY NARUTO-KUN BACK!! WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!" But realized what I had just said and blushed, then continued on with my screaming. "WHY DO I HAVE MY KATANA?? IT WAS IN ITS CASE!! HOLY FUDGE, I WANNA EXPLANA-" but I couldn't continue because Sasuke put his hand over my mouth.
"Shut up, you're annoying the hell outta all of us." He told me, and I nodded nervously. Okay, when he glares like that, he can be really freaky!!
Freakin' hot!!
Oh shut up, you know I'm all about Gaara… and Neji… and Kiba… and Naruto…
Well you're in luck. Naruto's right in front of you.
Ya, and I just squealed and said that I wanted my "Naruto-kun" back. He'll be all over me.
That's the spirit!!
No, that was sarcasm…
Same thing.
Fudge off.
Fine, baka.
You're the baka.
"Okay, so… like I was saying, you don't get hurt in a dream. Watch…" I said and grabbed my katana then made a long cut on the back of my hand then showed them that it didn't hurt.
Or… I tried to. "Ow!! Holy purple bananas, that hurts!! Oh my god, it stings!! Ow, OW, OW!! Ouch!!" I exclaimed and blew on it. Licking it like a cat, a little tear ran down my cheek.
Naruto took out some gauze from his pocket and took my injured hand. Looking focused, he wrapped it around my cut. After securing the bandage, he smiled. "There, all better."
I whimpered, but it felt a little better, so I forced a smile. "Guess I should stick to pinching, huh?" I joked.
"Yeah, guess you should!" Naruto grinned that cute cheesy grin of his, which made me feel a lot better.
Suddenly there was a bright light, and I felt a swift breeze hit my face. My hair flew around me and it changed back to its usual black color. My clothes changed back to my Naruto pajamas, and my katana, bag, and tin disappeared. I screamed, and reached out for Naruto's hand. But they were unmoving, and I realized that I was going home from dreamland, or wherever that was. I felt as if I was being ripped apart and everything burned. And suddenly I heard my mother's voice calling out to me. "Nikki, Nikki?! Wake up, Nikki!! It's just a dream!! Wake up!!"
I awoke with a jolt and screamed again. My mother looked at me in relief. "It's okay Nikki, everything's okay. It was just a dream."
She was leaning over me, her face twisted in concern. "Nikki, are you okay?"
I nodded and cried, hugging her tightly. But when I did, I noticed that around my hand was the bandage, glowing a soothing yellow color, the color of Naruto's hair.