Author: Hello to my beloved fans…as you've probably already guessed, this is a new story I've started an –

Kakashi: Shouldn't you be studying for your final exams? *raises an eyebrow*

Author: *waves a hand* Yeah, yeah…whatever! Anyway, back to wha –

Tsunade: *staggers in* OI! YOU…SHOULDN'T YOU BE BURIED UNDER NOTES AND BOOKS?

Author: *muttering* Way to make a person feel loved! *to Tsunade* I'm taking a break, and letting my creative juices flow. Wait, shouldn't you be buried under paperwork?

Tsunade: *shiftily looks around* Um…aah…I-I'm also taking a break to let my creative juices flow…

Author and Kakashi: *sweatdrop* …riiiight….

Tsunade: *waving a green glowing fist* Say anything to Shizune, and I'll personally deal with you.

Kakashi: *retreats a few steps* Ahahahaha…I think I hear Obito calling me! Bye! *poofs away*

Author: Oh, okay…WAIT, ISN'T HE DEAD AND BURIED SIX FEET UNDER? KAKASHI, YOU DOUCHE!

Tsunade: *watches the Author go on a rampage with a sweatdrop* It's really no wonder she doesn't own Naruto…*shakes her head turns to the readers* Enjoy the chapter and review please…otherwise…let's just say, it won't turn out pretty. *dead aura flies around*

I've always wanted my life to be that little bit more exciting. Now, don't get me wrong: I like having a routine. Hell, who wants to be preparing for anything that's everything everyday. Talk about exhausting! But even for the routine-extremists, life will get boring without having some form of excitement every now and then.

I'm Fukui Kioko. My friends tell me that I'm pretty much the definition of happiness. I'm always smiling, even when I'm about to get in the biggest shit, and I somehow always manage to make people smile back at me – my friends are always thankful for my 'happy-go-lucky' attitude; it gets us out of a lot of trouble. Apparently, a day when I don't appear happy is considered to be close to Doomsday. Yeah, they're a melodramatic bunch, but that's why I put up with them.

There's six of us in the group. Hayashi Emiko: the cool calm collected one out of the group. She's usually in charge of keeping the rest of us from permanent insanity.

Koizumi Mai is the cutie pie; it's so hard to resist her when the puppy eyes come on at full power. Her doll like appearance, complete with blonde curls and huge aqua eyes, render literally everyone defenseless against her cuteness. It's quite dangerous at times.

Kaneko Akira is the golden boy, just like his name. He is the smart one out of the group. While Emiko keeps us from insanity, Kin thinks up ways in which to get us on the quickest path to hell – he's almost always the main mastermind behind our destructive plans.

Mizushima Kaida is our little fighter. She's more boyish that the boys; when ever there's a brawl behind the oval at school, you're almost guaranteed to find Kaida in the thickest of it. She's also got the dirtiest language – she'd give Hidan a run for his money (well, Kakazu's cash, anyway).

Tsukino Mitsu is a sweet talker – that's putting it lightly. He's what most would see as a playboy, save for the fact that he hangs with us weirdos and not the popular bunch. His girl wooing face has only been rejected by myself, Emiko, Mai and Kaida. We'd developed an immunity the moment we met him. And strangely enough, this led to Mitsu hanging around us even more, trying valiantly to get one of us to fall for his 'lady charms'. He was very active for about two months. Then he realized that we weren't falling for anything he threw, and so decided to become friends.

The six of us has only been together for about a year and a half, but it feels like we've known each other since birth. Between the six of us, we have four sets of parents: Kaida was raised by her mum until three years ago, when her mother was killed in a car accident. She'd become a rebel since her mother's death, always acting tough. Only I'd seen her cry late at night, once everyone had gone to bed. She made me promise – "cross my heart and hope to die the most painful death possible and end up in hell" – not to even breathe a word about the incident to anyone else. She can be persuasive, especially with a baseball bat in her hand.

I'm the other orphan in the group. I was told that the orphanage had no idea about my parents. According to the matron, I'd appeared on the door step one day (sorta like Harry Potter). All I had pinned to my blanket was a small scrap of paper with my name on it – Kioko. Not even a last name. It was something the people at the orphanage gave me – came out of some random book.

Anyway, I didn't really like staying at the orphanage. So, I hitched my ass ASAP out of there – got myself a job and apartment. I've been living in my little place for about two years, now.

"So, you guys up-to-date with our all time favourites?" Mai fell back onto the green grass with a sigh. Blonde curls spread out like a halo around her, and long lashes brushed her pink cheeks as her eyelids drooped.

"Mm hmm" I mumbled, smiling at the gentle heat from the sun that fell across my body. I titled my head back, savouring the warmth.

"It sucks that Pein dies" Mai grumbled, her tone making it clear to everyone that she didn't appreciate Kishimoto killing off her much loved hero.

"Yep" Kaida flopped down next to me. She was gasping for breath, as though she'd just run from the other end of the school. "It's soooo hot" she moaned, tugging at the bottom of her faded yellow hoodie.

"Take your jumper off" Emiko suggested, settling herself down neatly under the shade of the sakura tree. Calmly she pulled out a book, and was soon immersed in the words.

We sat still in silence for a few moments, each of us lost in our own worlds. And then the boys showed up. Mitsu was glowering about something, while Akira kept shooting him nervous glances – as though expecting the other to suddenly lose it. The womanizer looked ready to rip heads off.

"What's up, Mitsu chan?" I inquired, after making sure that I was a safe distance away from his clawed hands. I was once on the receiving end of his attempted murder by strangulation. It took all four of the others plus a crowbar to pry his grip loose enough for me to escape.

"It's that bastard Takai" golden-brown hair stood on end as a frustrated hand ran through them. Mitsu shook his hand at the invisible enemy. "Always thinks he can get any girl he wants" he growled, sarcasm drenching his words.

"Takai got Shina chan" Akira elaborated as he noticed my confused look.

"Oh!" I nodded. Mitsu had been after the school's popularity princess - Kurosawa Shina. Although I'd seen first hand, the humiliating rejection she posed on other hopefuls, I was sure with Mitsu's charms he would make some progress. Apparently I was wrong. Kawaguchi Takai is Mitsu's biggest (actually, only) rival in the entire district. Two of the best looking guys had followed Shina around…and let's face it, she was the envy of almost all the girls.

"Tough luck, bud" Kaida gave a sympathy smack on Mitsu's head, and returned to lying still in the shade.

"Thanks, and ow" Mitsu replied, feathers still ruffled by the rejection.

"Look on the bright side" Mai joined in. "At least you don't have to worry about keeping Ms. High and Mighty happy 24/7".

"Hear, hear" I heard Emiko's soft agreement.

"That's the bright side?" Mitsu threw us girls a disgusted look, and went back to sulking.

"Well, we tried" Mai shrugged.

…

"So…" I dragged out, trying to fill in the silence.

"Wha'cha up to this weekend?"

"Mm…not a lot"

"Ditto"

"Nothing"

"What did you have in mind?" Emiko snapped her book close, giving me her full attention. I shrugged, then grinned as a light bulb flickered on in my head.

"How bout a Narutathon?"

"I'm game" Mai was instantly up. Her eagerness was a close match to the blonde protagonist of our all-time-number-one manga/anime. All six of us were huge fans…not fanboys or fangirls, just fans.

"Yes, hours upon hours of watching Sakura might just appease his hurt" Akira snorted in derision, jerking a head towards Mitsu.

"Actually, it will" Mitsu huffed, clearly trying to maintain what little dignity he had left.

I shook my head. "I still don't understand how you can like that girl?"

"Apart from the fact that she's unique, pretty and can punch people into space…what's there not to like?" he raised a perfect eyebrow.

I pretended to ponder on his words, pulling an overly exaggerated thinking face.

"Gee, maybe…her infacutation with a certain Uchiha?"

Mitsu waved an airy hand, as though to brush the argument away. "She's merely attracted to him, because he's the only character who's a looker…according to the female population who watch the anime" he added hurriedly, making his sexual preferences clear.

"Uh huh" I nodded adopting a proper expression that would be seen when putting up with a mentally retarded person.

He smirked. "Once Uchiha gets competition, Sakura will realize her mistake. She's smart".

There was a pause while the rest of us looked at one another.

"You realize you just complimented and insulted her in the same sentence?" Akira pointed out.

Mitsu's face fell, toppled off his pedestal. "Oh…oh, yeah".

I giggled and then got up to give the poor boy a hug. "It's ok, Mitsu chan" I cooed. "We're all dumber than Akira…"

"HEY!" I fell down, hands spread in an attempt to protect myself from various missiles.

I sighed for the umpteenth time and glanced at the noisily ticking clock opposite me. Deciding that glaring at the poor object isn't going to hurry things up, I decided to turn my attention to the preparations I'd made for the sleepover. A last run through wouldn't do any harm!

"Ok, so we've got the popcorn" the buttery smell from the kitchen – especially the microwave – provided me with enough evidence to tick that off my list. "The beanbags and couches" a nod for the comfort cushions, "…and the most important thing of all…DVDs" I triumphantly held multiple cases up in the air. Some had drawings on the front – indicating their origin from a manufacturer – and the others were blank white discs in clear plastic covers, labeled using black and blue permanent textas.

Ding dong…ding dong…ding dong…ding dong….

I sighed. Mai's impatience seemed to be seeping through the wood and the brick walls surrounding it.

"Hi" I turned to see the blonde bouncing up and down. "We just let ourselves in" she pointed out the obvious.

"Yeah…I figured" I laughed, giving her a one-armed hug. She wriggled out of the embrace.

"Hugs can wait! Let's start already" Mai claimed a bean bag and turned huge puppy-pleading eyes on the rest of us. Emiko sat down next to her.

"Fine" I raised my hands in surrender.

"Got the popcorn" Kaida announced thickly through a mouthful of the said food. "You got the buttery one" she grinned at me. I beamed back.

"Knew you'd notice".

"Sssh" Mai hissed, flapping her arms at us. After exchanging an exasperated look and a shrug Kaida and I curled up in a couch. The boys took the remaining bean bag and sofa.

"NOOOOOOO" Mai wailed, tightly winding her arms around Emiko's neck. The choking girl eyeballed the two remaining people in the room – clearly pleading with them to help her out.

Kaida lunged across the small table in the middle and yanked the dying girl out of harm's way. Mai continued to grip my huge teddy bear in turn.

"PEIN SAMA! COME BACK! YOU CAN'T DIE, YOU BASTARD!" she shrieked jumping up to run at the TV.

"No! Not the TV!" I yelped and sprawled myself across the front of Mai's feet. The blonde tripped and landed on top of me. "OOF!"

"Wow, you guys just blow people away with the maturity you display" Mitsu's sarcastic comment drew a growl out of Kaida. She launched herself at the boy, and then proceeded to chase him around the room as he ducked and dodged to escape her clutches.

"Guys, please, I still need the house tomorrow" I pleaded, still being squashed by Mai. "And Mai, I would like to live a bit longer, so get off me!"

"Hehe" she complied to my request, immediately rolling commando-style under the low table that was to the right of us. There was a thud and a curse as her head came into contact with the leg of the table.

"Watch that mouth, missy" Emiko massaged her throat and glared at the cringing blonde.

"Yes, mom" Mai replied sarcastically. Then she stopped and gave the TV a funny look.

"What's the noise?"

"What noise?" I asked, also staring at the device. Mai cautiously moved towards it.

"Like a 'bzzzzz'" she imitated a bee. I sniggered.

"What, you a bumble bee, now?"

"HEY! But seriously guys, there's some weird noise coming out of the TV" she continued to stare. This time, I joined her. The others went quiet, and all of a sudden a buzzing sound resonated in the room.

"Woah" Mitsu and Kaida simultaneously backed into the wall opposite the TV. Emiko jumped up, looking ready to follow a 'flee on sight' command. Akira gripped a cushion in each hand, and Mai and myself crawled backwards.

"Guess you're not the bee" I laughed, only to have Akira whack my head with a pillow.

"Not the time for stupid jokes" he said, eyes never leaving the TV.

We jumped as the TV stopped it's droning.

"M-maybe something's wrong with the channel signal" Mai suggested nervously.

"…yeah…"

"Whew" I sighed after a few minutes of silence. "You guys scared the he –" I got cut off as the black screen exploded into colour. This time, there was no humming. Instead, it sounded as though there was open air rock concert playing during a massive thunderstorm. I screwed up my eyes in pain, and slapped my hands over my ears in an attempt to muffle the roar somehow.

"What's going on?" I could barely hear Kaida's screech over the earsplitting noise.

"Hang on, I'll just ask the TV" I yelled back. There was no doubt she heard me: I almost hit the floor from the slap I got on the shoulder. "OW!"

"Stop being stupid…although I know that's near impossible for you!" Emiko ordered. Her narrowed orbs glared at the screen. "Is it me, or is there something on the screen?"

"You mean the bunch of colours?" I asked. "No, I'm sure you aren't going insane, I see it too."

"No, you complete airhead! I mean I think there's a picture…or something" she moved forwards.

"Are you nuts?" Mitsu darted forwards and grabbed her arm. "Emiko chan, you could sucked into the TV…like those fanfics" she waved her free arms in the air, before grabbing her ears in pain.

Emiko made a face. "You are so damn gullible".

Immediately, the TV emitted a high pitched whine. The sound grew so loud I was sure the neighbours were going to come to investigate. My eyes started to water in pain, and I fell – first to my knees and then to my side – ears still clasped in my hands.

Figures, my TV would try to kill me…knowing my luck. With that last thought, I passed out, just aware of two other shadows hitting the ground near me.

I woke up, only to clench my head tightly. The skull splitting headache insistently pounded the insides of my head, making it feel like my brain was bashing the bone that encased it.

"Not good" I whimpered, curled up into a fetal position. Ever slowly, the pain decreased. The 'brain-bashing' grew less in intensity, and I was able to squint at the softly lit forest ground.

Trees shot up in the air, growing as tall as sky scrapers (well, from I was standing). Emerald leaves danced in the gentle breeze, sunlight filtering through the thick branches and broad leaves in thin shafts. The small splints of light danced and shimmered in rhythm to the moving air currents.

"Oh, wow" I breathed, dazzled by the beauty of the shadowed world in front of me. Then, reality hit me.

Why am I in a forest? I had to sweatdrop at my own slowness. My brain concurrently registered another fact. And where are the others? I panicked, not used to being the cool and collected one during emergencies.

Scrambling to my feet, I stumbled down what looked like a faint path in between the monster plants. Coming to terms with my situation, I gulped and glanced nervously around the undergrowth. Suddenly, the waving branches and the dark woods didn't seem all that friendly.

"Oh come on" I angrily heaved yet another branch out of the way. Who would've thought that walking in straight line would be such a hassle?

It'd been hours since I first set off in an attempt to find another human…well, another life form – other than plants – actually. The first three attempts got me back to the start. Getting sick and tired to seeing the same place over and over again, I decided that the only way I was going to get anywhere was if I walked in straight line. Hence the reason I'm currently waging a war with a particularly stubborn creeper-jumble.

"You're so damn lucky I don't have a lighter on me" I growled almost pulling a vine and the plant it's connected to out of the ground. In response to my threat, another green rope tripped me, making me get a mouthful of disgustingly bitter leaves.

"Eugh" I laid still, exhausted with the battle. Silence fell as I stared at the green sky above me. The leaves waved mockingly; it was like they were taking pleasure in my predicament.

"Fine" I huffed. "I'll just sleep here, then". I closed my eyes, finally giving into sleep.

"Ne, Kakashi sensei" a boy's voice whispered. I frowned, not happy that my nap had been interrupted. When all fell quiet again, I sighed and tried to return to dream land.

Suddenly, there was insistent poking at my ribs. An eye twitched as I tried to ignore the annoyance. But it soon became clear that the assailant wasn't going to stop anytime soon. I waved a hand in one last attempt to stop the poking.

"AAH!"

I sighed, mad that I wasn't able to sleep for longer. Fury built up in me as I slowly opened my eyes. Glaring I looked around for the intruder. A flash of colour caught my eye and I looked down to the forest floor.

Blonde spikes stood naturally up, shooting out in all directions at the top of his head. The soft looking hair complimented the tanned skin and the bright cerulean eyes that were popped open with surprise. Three whisker marks adorned the each cheek. The blindingly orange suit he wore made him very visible, even in the gloom of the forest. I blinked and rubbed my eyes. The pain from pinching myself assured me of one thing: this was no dream.

"AAARGH!" I screamed, much like how Naruto screamed moments prior. Pointed a finger at him, I barely registered the appearance of three new arrivals.

"N-NANI?" the blonde screamed back, clearly confused by my reaction.

"Naruto" a gloved hand descended and pulled the boy up by the back of his collar. Following the hand up, I stared at the masked face of Hatake Kakashi. Fighting the strong and sudden urge to squeal, I blinked stupidly at the ninja.

"Otetsudai shimashouka?" (can I help you?) Kakashi asked, his visible eye taking in my appearance.

"Huh?" Yeah, real intelligent. I mentally face-palmed myself.

"Um…" I tried again. "I-I don't understand what you're saying."

Kakashi looked confused. He glanced down, exchanging a looking with Naruto before turning his attention back to me.

"Otetsudai shimashouka?" he asked again, pausing between each syllable. I scowled, knowing exactly what his first impression of me was.

"Oi, I'm not stupid like this blonde here" I pointed at Naruto. I sighed when that didn't get through. I racked my brain for the word Sasuke always used when he insulted Naruto.

"Baka" I said, my finger still trained on the orange clad boy. The person the receiving end of the insult squawked, and started to yell at me in Japanese. A giggle directed my attention to the two silent specters in the clearing.

Haruno Sakura was laughing hard, almost bent double clutching her stomach. Uchiha Sasuke stood a little way away from the cackling pinkette, smirking at me. He pointed at Naruto and opened his mouth.

"Usuratonkachi" (you good-for-nothing) he uttered. Sakura all but screeched at this, acting as though it was the world's funniest joke. Kakashi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Naruto turned to his team mate and let loose of what I could confidently identify as a torrent of insults.

"TEME!" the last word vibrated in the air, the blonde gasping for breath at the end of his tirade. I felt my lips twitching.

"This is waaaay better than any reality shows" I muttered, catching the attention of the ninjas. "Keep going" I waved a hand.

"Aah…ano…sumimasen…" Sakura started, annoying me endless with her broken speech.

"Look, if you wanna say something, spit it out already" I huffed, letting loose a yawn. "I wanna go back to sleep". More confused looks replied me. I growled. Then decided that sign language was the only thing that was going to work here.

"I…" I pointed to myself "…sleep" I titled my head to a side, pillowing it with my hands. Eyes closed, I pretended to snore. I think the nins understood that. They glanced at each other, before Kakashi reached over and yanked my arm.

"Hey!" I yelped uncrossing my legs to avoid a meeting between my face and the forest floor. "What's the idea?"

Kakashi ignored my questions. He turned to his students, still keeping a tight grip on me, and uttered a few instructions. The three twelve year olds nodded once, before turning their attention to me once more. The Cyclops also turned to me. He continued to jabber away in Japanese. Most of the one sided conversation flew right over my head…except for one word: 'Hokage'.

I started, immediately aware that:

a) they were either taking me straight to the Hokage…or

b) they were taking me to I & T, where they'd meet the Hokage.

I shuddered at the second one. Although I was a fan of Ibiki's, I'd rather meet him when I was able to speak in the same language. Didn't want to have misunderstandings with that man.

"Ikimashoo" (let's go) Kakashi ordered. The next moment I felt myself being flung onto his back. Looking down, I saw three branches disappearing at a rapid, yet steady, pace.

"Kami sama" I squealed, hiding my excitement into the back of Kakashi's jounin vest.

I fidgeted, feeling inadequate under the Third Hokage's steady gaze. The old man's wrinkles scrunched together as he studied me through the smoke billowing out from the end of his ever present pipe.

The Sandaime conversed with Kakashi, who'd still to let go of my arm. I stood still, watching my feet, occasionally blinking as I heard a recognizable word.

"Nani o shitara ii ka wakaranai, nani o shitara ii ka wakarimasen" (I don't know what to do) Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish expression visible in his eye. The elder ninja chuckled. He made his way towards me, and stopped in front. As the hem of the Hokage robes stopped moving, I slowly raised my eyes to meet the leader of Konohagakuru.

"Konnichiwa" he said slowly. I titled my head.

"Oh…um…k-konnichiwa" I stuttered. I grinned at the amused grandpa.

"O-namae wa nan desu ka?" he pointed at me and raised an eyebrow. I blinked at the sentence.

"Ok, I'll take a guess and say he's asking for my name" I mumbled to myself.

"Fukui Kioko" I pointed to myself.

"Kioko san, Hokage" Sarutobi pointed to himself. He repeated his actions and words.

"Jeez, you old geezer, I know that already" I rolled my eyes. This seemed to confuse all the shinobi present.

The Hokage studied me for a few more moments, before striding back behind his table. Pulling out a drawer, he held up a small red scroll with a white band in the middle. Unrolling it, he spoke to Kakashi.

"Gomen" the Copy nin whispered as he secured me in a bear hug.

"Wha'?" I asked, wrong footed by the new development. "I didn't know you hit on twelve year olds, you perv" I growled, trying to pull my arms free. Two pairs of hands, one on either arm joined Kakashi as he imprisoned me. I scowled at Naruto and Sasuke as they held me still.

"What the hell is going on?" I demanded. Then gasped as Sarutobi walked towards me, holding a blue glowing hand. He quickly did some hand seals, and with an apology tapped my forehead.

Immediately I was consumed by pain, worse than the one induced by the TV. I screamed and jerked my head back, hitting Kakashi's chest. All the restraining hands left me and I fell to my knees, clutching my head, feeling as though someone had cleaved it open with an axe.

And as immediately as it came, the pain was gone. I panted, staying still, waiting to see if it was truly gone. I whimpered, closing my eyes, refusing to let tears flow. Hands still cradling my head, I slowly climbed to my feet. Then, just as slowly, I lifted my head to glare at the present team 7 and Hokage.

"That fucking hurt, you stupid old geezer" I hissed, not noticing what came out of my mouth. But I did note the ninjas' reactions.

Naruto screamed, then started to shout out gibberish. Sasuke narrowed his eyes, so much so that they appeared to be slits of white with a black patch in the middle. Kakashi's visible eye widened, before it swung to the Hokage. Sakura yelped and covered her mouth with her hand. And Sarutobi grinned and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Aah, sorry about that" he chuckled. I gaped at the man.

"W-what did you just say?" I asked, voice tiny.

Sarutobi smiled and started to roll up the scroll. "I've still gotta work on a way to get rid of the pain." He placed the scroll back in the drawer and sat behind his table.

"So, Kioko san" it was business now. There was none of the informality from before. "What exactly are you doing near Konoha?"

"Wow" I cried putting my hands up in a T. "Time out! How come I'm able to understand you? I've never done Japansese in my life, and all the words I know come from reading manga and watching anime!"

The Hokage chuckled again. "It's the jutsu" he locked his hands together in a Sasuke-like manner. "It allows the person on the receiving end to speak and understand the native language of the person on the giving end."

"Wait, lemme get this straight" I pointed a finger at the Hokage. "You put a jutsu on me that let me understand Japanese, because it's your native tongue?"

Sarutobi nodded, amused. I gaped at him for a minute before throwing my hands up in the air.

"Jesus holy Christ! You have to teach me that one! God, imagine all the time that would be saved if I could just use that for my German, Chinese and French classes…all of which I'm failing" I informed a confused Kakashi.

"Um…German? Chinese? French?" the Copy nin struggled with the foreign words. He tossed a helpless glance at his leader. "Hokage sama, what is going on?"

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow before indicating towards the available chairs. "Why don't you all sit down and Kioko san can explain it to us?"

"Ne, ne Kioko chan" Naruto started, walking backwards down the street. I looked at the orange clad boy, letting him know he had my attention.

"What?"

"Is it true that you're from a different world?" the blonde ninja tilted his head to a side, looking very much like a lost little puppy. I let out a squeal and tackled him in a hug.

"Aaah! Sooo kawai" I pulled his cheeks.

"K-kio-ko c-chan, y-y-your 'urt-ting m-me" the poor boy whimpered through the pain. Rivers of tears flowed from his eyes.

"OH NO! Gomensai" I let go of his cheeks, both of which immediately turned red. I chuckled and scratched the back of my head.

"So…is it?" Naruto massaged his abused cheeks and turned great big blue eyes on me. Resisting the urge to glomp the boy again, I nodded, skipping.

"Yep!"

"How different?" Sasuke butted in, completely ignoring Sakura who was all but clinging to his arm. I grinned at the ravenette.

"For one, the buildings are A LOT bigger than these" I pointed to what looked like an apartment complex.

"B-but that's five stories tall" Sakura gaped. I nodded.

"Yeah…some are even thirty or forty stories tall" I trailed off in thought. "I think the tallest building is 828 meters or something". I turned to see even Sasuke's eyes popping out.

"828 METERS? THAT'S HUGE!" Naruto and Sakura could very synchronized when they want to be. I nodded and removed the hands I'd clapped on my ears.

"W-what else is different?" Naruto demanded, bouncing up and down like a kid about to get an early birthday present.

"Well, we've got these things called 'cars'. They're used for transportation, like how you'd use carts, but you don't need people pushing it. You just give it some petrol, sit in it and step down on the pedal, and you shoot off" I grinned, all the more eager to share.

"And it moves by itself?" Kakashi asked from behind us, his nose not buried in Icha Icha Paradise.

"Yep".

"Wow" Naruto looked like he was going to worship the ground I walked on.

"But we don't have ninjas. We have cops…police, if you will" I expanded when the nins looked confused.

"So like the Uchihas?" Sasuke pondered out loud, before realizing his slip up. He scowled and snapped his eyes away from the group watching him.

"Like the Uchihas" I agreed, smiling. "But they don't use kunai's or shurikans or jutsus. They have other gadgets, like radios…"

"We have radios" Sasuke interrupted. Sakura looked like she was expecting the world to end. This was probably the most these three had seen him talk. Naruto kept blinking confusedly at his team mate.

"But we have more advanced ones" I challenged the self-proclaimed avenger. "And we got other devices like cameras that are about the size of a dust particle. We use 'em to spy…and we got mobile phones. You use 'em to call up people instead of walking all the way to their house…" I took a breath. All the talking and walking was starting to get me out of puff.

"Damn, I'm tired" I rubbed my eyes and yawned. A hand immediately descended onto my head.

"We need to find you a place to stay" Kakashi eye-smiled. He looked at his other students.

"Um…I would love to invite you, but my house is kinda crowded with all my relatives staying while their visiting" Sakura smiled apologetically. I widened my eyes dramatically.

"Uh oh. Annoying cousins?"

"Mm hmm". I gave her a sympathetic pat on the back.

"There, there. It's bad enough having my friends sleepover at my place…can't imaging what it'd be like to have the entire family there!" Sakura giggled.

"Uh…you can stay with me, Kioko chan…as long as you don't mind a few ramen cups here and there" Naruto grinned. I eyeballed the blonde.

"Naruto, when was the last time you cleaned your place?" Naruto paused and pulled a thinking face.

"Um…ano…I-I think it was three weeks ago" he counted on his fingers. There was silence as Naruto looked between us. "What?"

"I completely understand if you don't want to stay with Naruto" Kakashi sighed. I could tell he was itching to pull out his orange book and hide from all these troublesome things.

"What about you, Uchiha?" I grinned at the still silent Sasuke. "Got a place for me to stay?"

"Hn" he grunted. I frowned.

"Uh…I'm not sure what that means, exactly. Is that a 'yes', 'no' or 'maybe'?" Sasuke remained silent. I sighed, pouting at the boy.

"Fine…I'll stay with Naruto". Sakura blinked and shrieked.

"ARE YOU INSANE?"

"HEY!" Naruto's hurt face reminded me of a kitten. I gave, yet another squeal, and started to coo over him.

"How can you guys resist this cute face?" I demanded of the other three, mashing Naruto's regularly abused cheeks together.

"S-Sakura c-c-c-chan…" Naruto faded away. He fell limp in my hands.

"Eh? Naruto? Oi! Naruto! Baka, wake up!" I shook the blonde by the shoulders. The Jinchurikin pulled himself together and took a couple of wary steps away from my hands. I pouted and sulked, arms crossed.

"Naruto, why don't you take Kioko home and show her around?" Kakashi's impatience. couldn't have been more obvious. The masked nin gave a short wave and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Come one, Kioko chan" Naruto excitedly dragged me off to his apartment, clearly forgetting the prior events. "I'll show you your new home".

Hey guys…I'm not too sure about this story. It just started off as an 'in-the-moment' sort of thing, so I'm not too sure if I should continue on with it. Anyway, just let me know what you think about it.