Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Naruto.
-Tones-
Hesitantly, I rapped my knuckles against the door. I fought back my urge to fidget, and instead stood still, basket held in one hand. The door slid open to reveal Shino, who wore a Yukata as well, his a full black with a beige sash. As usual, his eyes were covered by his sunglasses. His face was bare, however. Which was quite different from the usual.
I bowed politely, my shoulder length hair swinging with the motion. He nodded at me, and made a questioning hand motion toward my basket.
"Gifts from Ayane, my guardian." I told him. He nodded and stepped aside to allow me into the house. He handed me a pair of house slippers, which I pulled on silently.
"It will be awhile before dinner. Would you like to join me in my room?" He asked me.
'If we were older that could have been taken the wrong way, very, very easily.' I thought. I bobbed my head in acceptance and followed him through the house. He stopped at a doorway, and took the wicker basket from me. He left for a few moments, then returned without it.
We walked up the stairs, and I silently marveled over the woodwork and craftsmanship of his home.
"Your house is lovely, Shino-sama." His lips twitches upwards.
"Believe it or not, the house is actually made out of Hashirama trees, why? Because it's harder for our hives to dig through the wood." I hummed in acknowledgment, running my fingers over the wood.
We settled down in his room. I dug through his bookshelves and read while he took care of a few of his hives. He had several more than just the one he always used. On occasion I'd ask him to clarify something I read, or he'd show me something. It was quiet.
I liked it.
We sat together like that for around half an hour, before he stood up. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Dinner is done, why? Because my father's hive just informed my own." Smirking, I lifted myself out of the chair I had been using. I glanced around the room, then followed him out. We walked back down the stairs, then he stepped into another room.
I bowed to the two people who were already sitting down.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Isamu, I'm a classmate of Shino-sama's." The woman, who's black hair was much, much longer than my own, smiled.
"Aburame Hisoka, my husband is Aburame Shibi. You can call me auntie, if you wouldn't mind, Isamu-chan." Her voice was soft, and like Ayane's, you could hear the kindness in it.
"Of course, Oba-sama." I agreed easily. Shino led me to a seat, then sat next to me. I blinked behind my goggles, and turned to Shino.
"Er, Shino-sama?" I asked.
"Yes?" He tilted his head toward me.
"I have no qualms with the insects resting on me, but the back of my ears are ticklish." I fought down the urge to remove the irritation. To my shock, Shibi lifted his hand into the air. Not long after, the small beetle flew toward him.
"You pass." He intoned. I blinked.
"Pass?" I questioned.
"We understand that most people are not used to our partners landing on them, and that, if startled, you will most likely swat at them. However, we will not permit the unnecessary killing of our hives. That is why I chose an insect that you would recognize as a insect. By not crushing it, you pass." So, a right of passage? A way to tell if I was trustworthy? If I would show them respect?
"I will admit to having a phobia of spiders, and that it's not unfounded. However, I won't kill them. I'll just curl up in the corner and shriek. Apologies in advance." I smiled. Hisoka turned toward me.
"Not unfounded? So, their appearance isn't the problem." I shook my head, and instinctively rubbed at my leg.
"I was in the hospital for a few weeks two years ago. I got bit by a very venomous spider in my sleep. Aburame Kasumi-san made the antidote. She also removed the spider from my house." Hisoka nodded, and started eating.
"What spider was it?" She questioned. I started eating after everyone else.
"Brown Recluse. It bit me eight times on my right leg, and twice on my left calf. Left several nasty scars." The older woman winced.
"I can imagine. There was no permanent damage?" The food was really fucking good.
"No, not aside from the scars. Ayane's boyfriend recognized the bites when I got up the next morning, and took me to the hospital immediately. If he hadn't, I probably would have had permanent muscle damage. Spiders have scared me ever since." I shrugged. She nodded, then turned to Shibi, who just sighed and nodded his head.
"We could help you with that, if you'd like. Your fear, I mean. It would do you no good to keep it. There are many spiders outside the village." My mouth opened, and I blushed before shutting it.
"I couldn't ask that of you." I murmured. She shook her head, laughing.
"It's no problem. You're ahead in the Academy, correct? Shino mentioned that you were one of four given extra materials." I nodded.
"In that case, I can talk to your teachers to give you to me for a few days each week. I'll also help you with Kunoichi lessons, as I know that they don't give extra materials." I was speechless for a moment. On one hand, it could be construed as rude to accept her offer. On the other... I really needed to get over my fear.
"It would be an honor, Oba-sama." I bowed my head.
-emerald-
I ignored the stares I received as I stepped toward the practice ring. Aunt Hisoka had convinced me to start wearing shorts once a week, putting the scars on my leg on display. I regretted informing her of my insecurities pertaining to that.
I glanced down, and frowned. The scars truly were disgusting. Against my dark skin, the white of them stood out. Several circles lined my leg, each around the size of a marble. They sat snugly in the center of the scars. The actual bites.
"Isamu versus Inuzuka Kiba!" Iruka yelled. Kiba snarled at me. I didn't take offense, he was like this with everyone.
"They think a girl can beat me? Losers." He scoffed. Never mind, I took offense.
"Kick his ass, Isamu!" Naruto yelled. I smiled a bit.
"Of course. I feel guilty about kicking the puppy, but we're ninja." I shrugged my shoulders as Kiba's face turned red from his rage. I heard a quiet buzzing sound, and smirked. Shino found my comment amusing as well?
"Make the sign of confrontation." Iruka ordered. Scowling, Kiba did. I did the same.
"Taijutsu only! Ready? Begin!" Iruka leapt from the ring. I sidestepped Kiba's wide punch, and dug my fist into his gut. He flew backwards, spittle flying from his lips. He landed, hard, on the dirt. I crossed my arms, and tilted my head, waiting.
"Seven seconds to get up, Kiba!" Iruka warned. Slowly, the boy climbed to his feet, face pale.
"Round two!" Iruka spoke. Kiba lunged, slower this time. I ducked under the attack, and slammed my fist into his face. He dropped. I blinked down at him, and Iruka leaned down to check him.
"Winner by knockout, Isamu!" Naruto cheered loudly as I walked toward him.
"You were great, Isamu." Shino informed me.
"Thanks, Shino." I smiled. Naruto leapt onto my back. I laughed as I tried to get him off of me. He giggled when I failed. Brat.
-Tones-
I looked up from my push-ups when someone walked into the backyard, or rather, several someones. Smiling, I finished my exercises, then walked toward the only adult in the group.
"Happy Birthday, Isamu!" He bellowed. I laughed, and accepted the hug. A snooty voice interrupted our moment.
"I do not understand why we have to be here. Can't Gai-sensei just get a gift? We have training to do. Let the boy celebrate with his family." I frowned and turned toward the boy.
"First, I'm female, Hyuga. Second, Gai is family. Third, if you don't like it? You can get the fuck off of my property." I informed him. This little fuck was going to bitch and complain? When this was the first time I'd seen Gai in months? Nope. I'd dick punch him if I had to. Gai didn't interfere, he didn't need to, and he knew it irritated me when other people fought my battles. The pretty boy scoffed at me.
"I couldn't tell your gender, perhaps because you don't look it? And Gai-sansei has more important things to do than come visit an academy brat." He sneered. I took a deep breath.
"You have known him for awhat? Three months? He has been a member of my family for several years. Yes, I am an academy brat, but guess what?" I didn't let him answer, and continued.
"I'm also going to be one of your allies. If you keep being a dick, you'll jeopardize your own survival. I don't know about you, but I'm not jumping in front of an enemy's blade for someone who treats me like scum." The boys face contorted, but his teammates interjected.
"Enough, Neji! You're being a jerk!" Tenten.
"Neji it's incredibly unyouthful to be rude to someone younger, and female! Especially on their birthday!" Lee, and boy was he a Gai in the making. My good mood was also ruined. A butterfly landed on my nose.
"Come on in, Shino. I'm in the back." I said, my mood still sour. A few moments later, Shino stepped through the gate, and the butterfly flew off. A bouncing Naruto next to him.
"Isamu! Happy birthday!" He yelled, promptly tackling me. I didn't budge, and instead wrapped my arms around him.
"Hey, Naru." I smiled.
"You are upset." Shino spoke.
"I am." I agreed.
"Why?"
"I was insulted by a boy who looks like a girl."
"The Hyuga?"
"Yep."
"I wasn't aware that their clan had become so improper as to insult another in their own home. On such a day as this." The scowl on Neji's face was art.
-emerald-
I wandered the village with Gai, and his team. Which, unfortunately, included Neji. My arms were crossed as I looked around the shops. We were wandering at Ayane's orders. Shino, and Naruto had stayed behind with her.
"Why do you wear those? Are you attempting to resemble an Aburame? Not that you could, with that skin." Neji snarked. I closed my eyes, waiting for the racial slurs.
"Kumo scum." Before I could say anything, he was on the ground. Gai stood above him, his face livid.
"You will not! You will not insult others simply because you are having a bad day! You are acting like a child, not a ninja! Go home, Neji." Gai snapped. Gai hated racism, in any form. He had been sweet on a girl from Kumo when he had been in his early twenties, the girl had been murdered for her skin tone.
"Also, technically? My skin is Taki." I added. The boy, silently shaking, walked off.
"I didn't mean for you to get into a fight with your team, Gai. Sorry." Gai shook his head, smile returning.
"I realized that I have been remiss in training my team. They need not only power of the body, but also if the heart. While he does have a reason to hate Kumo, he should not have spoken to you the way he did." I shrugged him away.
"I'm used to it. I've also been called worse." Tenten interjected before things could turn awkward.
"I know a place that you might like!" She chirped. I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" I questioned. She nodded.
"You're a serious Kunoichi, like me. So you should like the place." I shrugged.
"Lead the way, Senpai." Her grin was blinding.
-Tones-
I looked around the weapons shop, and had to admit that it was amazing. I was a bit of a weapons freak, despite my inherent skill for Taijutsu, another thing I blamed Kakuzu for.
"Mizusaka! I brought my team, and a friend! Mind letting us into the back?" Tenten called.
"Come on in!" A gruff voice responded. She opened one of the doors and waved at us to follow her.
Cautiously, we did. Stepping into the room, I felt like I was going through puberty again, at least, the hormonal aspect of it. Saliva filled my mouth, and I swallowed.
"Sweet mother of Kami." I whispered, staring around the room. Where had this place been throughout my lives?! The wooden room was bare of any decoration, not that it needed anything. The entire place was covered in weaponry. The walls were lined with wicked looking axes and swords, and shelves and display cases littered the room. Off toward the back, I noticed several racks, each filled to the brim with two handed weapons.
Tenten laughed at my expression.
"Looks like I judged you right." She joked.
"Where has this place been all my life?" I whispered, staring at a scimitar with ragged spikes lining its sharp edge.
"Probably here." The gruff voice from before spoke. I slowly turned to face the man, and was a bit surprised once I did. He was huge, easily a foot taller than Gai. His shoulders were broad, and his muscles solid. He had black hair, which fell down to the center of his back in a braid, and his lips were twisted into a smirk. I noticed, quite surprised, that his teeth were pointed. A Kiri native.
"I assume that you're the owner?" I questioned, barely noticing Gai and Lee leave through the door.
"The blacksmith too." He agreed. I nodded, then very carefully, fell to one knee.
"Marry me." I said, my voice serious, attempting to convey through my hidden eyes how much he meant to me. The man looked surprised for a moment, before bursting into a laugh.
"I have to admit, you're the first person to propose to me before knowing my name." He smirked. I stood up, blushing slightly.
"My name is Isamu." I introduced myself with a bow. He chuckled.
"Mizusaka." He drawled. Tenten cut in after that.
"It's Isamu's eleventh birthday, so I brought her here. Any ideas for a weapon that would suit her?" She questioned, crossing her arms.
"Hit me." He ordered. I blinked, but got into position, throwing a half power punch at his stomach. He caught it with his hand.
"Again, but this time, don't hold back." He told me. I inhaled as I pulled my hand back, and did as I was ordered. He caught it again, and bobbed his head, muttering something.
"There are a few that might suit her. She's a heavy hitter, and will probably get even stronger as she gets older." He told Tenten. She smiled, and motioned me over as he walked off. After a few minutes, he came back, toting a truly awesome amount of weapons.
"Let's get started." He declared, clapping his hands together, and pulling out a naginata.
-emerald-
That was chapter two! Next chapter will have graduation in it? Any guesses as to what team Isamu will get?
Knows all the stuff and is already thinking about Shippuden,
-Tigressa.
