Title: The Instrument

Author: Keg369

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Joan.

Gear: AU Crossover

Pairings: None at this time.

Chapter two: The Hokage and The Beast

Sarutobi, more commonly known as the Third Hokage, had honestly forgotten about the bookseller with the odd name and the up-tight Chunin.

It had been three years sense Kyuubi had been sealed and he was still trying to get things back to being somewhat normal and they were or a lest as normal as it could be in a Hidden Village. So why the hell did he have so much paper work?

The answer was because all the council members were idiots. He almost wished they'd all died in the Kyuubi attack. Property management, which was normally handled by the council, had been transferred to him. Being in control made it easier to monitor who was new in the village, when they came, were they any threat to the village so on and so forth.

Seeing as how most of the unoccupied property in the village was being bought up by the local surviving ninja clans anyway.

Putting Sarutobi temporally in charge of property made it so the clans stayed about equal, they couldn't put pressure on the council to get more land.

Yes everything was peachy keen with plan except for the fact Sarutobi had about seventy times the paper work a Hokage normally did.

"Dirty bastards" he mumbled, cursing the council for being pushovers, as he signed yet another random paper.

"Hokage-sama." Sarutobi looked up to see one of his desk Chunin, Yamashiro Aoba, Had stuck his head threw the door. Sarutobi bristled why wasn't he doing paper work! "Hokage-sama your twelve o'clock is here." Sarutobi looked at his wall clock it was four twenty six.

She was four hours and twenty-six minutes late for her original meeting. But what had she and Ebisu been up to for two hours and Twenty-six minutes sense they'd arrived in Konoha?

It was so unlike Ebisu to be late for anything for any reason. Sarutobi knew he had at lest arrived with her. "Is Ebisu with her?"

Aoba paused his lips twitched into a smile for some reason before speaking,"Yes he is Hokage-sama."

Ok break time "Send her in."

"Yes Hokage-sama." Sarutobi raised an eyebrow as the two young people entered his office.

The girl wasn't what he had expected, then again he didn't know what he had been expecting, Maybe some one more… bookish older perhaps.

She was pretty but not beautiful. Clad in a red kimono with black obi her brown hair was pulled back in a long braid that looked a little wet. Her skin was pale but not white. She had deep chocolate eyes that seemed to be amused with her own private joke.

She reminded him vaguely of a high monk he had once met for some reason.

But the most surprising thing was she had her arm lopped with Ebisu's as if they'd known each other of years.

Sarutobi blinked as Ebisu led her to the chair in front of his desk. The amused look never faded for her eyes she walked with inborn not trained grace not silent or careful just confidant almost like a noble.

When she got closer he got strange tingling feeling that put him slightly on edge. He examined her more closely he sensed no malicious intent from her, on the contrary he felt strangely warm.

Her chakra felt slightly off but at the same time radiated balance… he wondered if she had a bloodline or maybe some short of illness.

Her kimono concealed her body well but it was clearly cut just for her. He could see she had very little muscle tone so it was unlikely she was a Kunoichi. Ebisu set her down in the chair as Sarutobi lit his pipe. 'Just great another mystery.'

Ebisu took a step back but remained at her side taking on a guard like position over the girl. Ebisu's behavior was starting to trouble Sarutobi.

After missions Ebisu would always go directly to fill out his report unless ask to do another mission. His hovering was strange and he didn't look like he was leaving anytime soon. "Hokage-sama this is the book seller Girardi Joan."

She smiled warmly at him "How do you do?"

Sarutobi smiled back "Its nice to meet you Girardi-san. But I must say I was expecting you much earlier."

Sarutobi didn't really care if she was late after all the building she wanted had already been paid for.

And god knew he was use to people be late you couldn't have Kakashi work for you and not be use to lateness. But a lot of things could have happened in the unaccounted time.

No mater if Sarutobi's feelings said the girl was harmless it was better to safe than sorry and with Ebisu acting strangely... the girl blushed before answering, "Well you see sir I had some trouble with Bill and Ted. And…"

"Bill and Ted?" who were Bill and Ted?

She smiled wider clapping her hands together "Bill and Ted are my oxen." 'Ok?' Sarutobi looked at Ebisu, who looked more than a little amused, gave a small nod to confirm her statement. "Anyway I was trying to get here quickly and I kinda shorta wrecked…"

Before she could continue Ebisu interrupted "I apologize Hokage-sama. I should have gotten her here more quickly."

The girl turned her chair to glare at the boy "Ebisu-kun! Why are you saying that! It's my fault I was late. Although we would have gotten here quicker if you had just said which kimono looked the best."

Sarutobi couldn't help but laugh "Which kimono?"

Ebisu surprisingly blushed "Joan-chan had fallen in the mud…" he trail off as if trying to figure out what to say next "and she had trouble deciding which kimono to wear."

Sarutobi nodded understanding having had a wife he understood perfectly. Picking out what ware for women was a serious thing. Getting the girl to pick an outfit had probably taken up most of the two hours. "Well Girardi-san. I guess we should get on to business every thing is in order for you to take control of the building." He began searching his desk for the wayward file. " The building has three floors; the bottom floor is of course the shop and the top two is the housing portion of the building but I must say it's rather large for someone to be living all alone."

He said the last part casually keeping his eye on her it was very unusual for Non-ninja women to live alone and taking a home so large? There were much cheaper shops with smaller apartments that would have been perfect 'and we need more people' he thought sadly he wanted more family's to move in to the village and was trying to keep larger homes vacant for just that purpose.

"Is that a problem?" She was giving him a thoughtful look as if she sensed his sadness.

"No if you can handle the space alone that's fine you are after all the owner."

A pleased look crossed her face. "Don't worry I wouldn't have gotten it if I weren't meant to have it." He blinked that was an odd response but he had finally found her file. Which had all the letters form her lawyer and herself inside every thing down to the last detail was by the book.

There was no legal way to turn her away, even if Sarutobi had wanted to refuse her and that alone was troubling. He looked over her background for honestly the first time. He had received it a year ago when his daughter had died.

"You were from Loki!" Sarutobi stared at the girl in amazement the village called Loki was a village in sand country that had been completely destroyed by Kyuubi.

There where said to be a mer five survivors the lord of that region and his family, who disappeared soon after. It was suspected they had all been killed by the lord's bother but that was all rumors.

Sarutobi hardy cared about the politics of other country's if they didn't involve his own the only reason he knew anything about it all was because Loki had set right at the border between fire and sand. There had been a beautiful shrine there. But that was no more.

"That's what the paper says." He looked directly at the girl her statement had come out more like a question. Could this girl be a noble hiding form assignation? Or just a survivor that had not been taken in to account?

" Let me blunt Girardi-san is the village and my people in any danger of you being here?"

She looked at him as if he was insane "no never! I just want to open up my shop I'm no threat to you I promise." She said it desperately which did little to reassure him. " Please you can't kick me out I have to open up a shop here!"

Sarutobi stared at the girl she had to… "What do you mean you have to?" Ebisu had tensed up behind her ready to restrain her if need-be.

She looked about to cry, "I mean I have no wear else to go…" Sarutobi felt a twinge of sympathy, which he ignored. Looking over the rest of her background it didn't say much; no living family, birthday, blood- type, and favorite color? That was strange but nothing incriminating in the report and without evidence of well anything…

"Do not worry Girardi-san that is a question I ask all new comers." She relaxed as did Ebisu "I just need you to sign these papers and I'll have Ebisu take you to your new building."

She smiled happily stood up and bowed "Thank you very much sir." He nodded back and remained seated pushing the papers forward for her to sign. After she had done so he handed over the keys to her new home. He bid them farewell handing the address to Ebisu with one last lingering look telling him to watch her and come back after he was done with her.

He watched as she took Ebisu's arm and 'skipped' out the door.

An ANBU appeared in front of his desk Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. "Fined out everything you can about the survivors of Loki and have that girl watched at all times until I say so."

The ANBU with the cat mask bowed low "yes Hokage-sama" and disappeared

POV

Ebisu didn't know how to feel about Joan-chan. But Ebisu had trouble with people his own age in general he tried to make friends his age. But people in his age bracket seemed to naturally dislike him and he didn't know why.

He had friends of course but the were all older or blood related. But Joan-chan chatted away like they were old friends she called him Ebisu-kun and no one did that even people he would call his closer friends. His mother called him Ebisu-chan but that didn't count.

It was strange but he felt so warm it was just comfortable to be around her and that was suspicious. The Hokage seemed suspicious of her as well but what irked Ebisu was they way she acted like she knew everything would be all right even with being them late and the Hokage's questioning. He could vaguely sense an ANBU following them. So she most definitely wasn't in the clear.

"Ebisu-kun?"

He snapped out of his thoughts and looked down at her she was about a head shorter than himself. "Yes Joan-chan is something wrong?"

she frowned a little "No. I was just talking to you and you didn't answer I was wondering if you were alright?"

He smiled at her for being concerned that was another thing no one ever worried about him he could take care of himself. "I am fine Joan-chan just thinking."

"Oh. Ok."

After they collected her bag of clothing, wagon, and 'Bill and Ted' they made their way to the shop she had purchased.

The building was with in walking distance of the Aburame family Compound; a place most villagers tended to avoid like the plague for obvious bug related reasons. But it was far enough away that he doubted it would hurt her sales much in fact it might work in her favor. The Aburame were known to love books as long as she kept bug related ones she could probably make a lot of money.

He stopped the wagon in front to the address and jumped down tying 'Bill and Ted' so they would wonder off.

He looked over at Joan-chan who had gotten down by herself and was staring at her new building with something akin to surprise. "Is it not to your liking Joan-chan is this not what you had in mind?"

She looked at him puzzled for a moment "What I had..." she looked back to the building "its just so big." The building was indeed large it was one of the older and more traditional looking building in the village.

It was three floors with a black slanted roof and gray walls that had more then likely once been white. But it wasn't in that poor repair it looked very nice in fact, he could see several balconies on the sides of the top two floors, the previous occupancies had undoubtedly been Shinobi.

"Shall we go in and unload your things?" she had taken on a wide-eyed deer caught in the head lights look. She snapped out of it and nodded moving forward to unlock the door inside it was more than spacious there were rows of stacks and a counter at the back next to a ladder that went up to the other floors.

They began unloading books walking outside to get another stack he saw a few people had stopped to talk amongst them selves watching Joan-chan and himself move books.

He briefly wondered why they didn't ask what they were doing. But then he remembered.This was a Shinobi village it was much more fun to gossip than actually find out what was going on.

He sighed they could at lest help them unload the wagon. Which was rather large about ten feet long and filled to the brim with books. She had no furniture or anything-just books and her clothing that she kept in that humngus bag of hers. He began to wonder if she at lest had a futon to sleep on…

"EBISU-SAN! HOW ON ARE YOU ON THIS WONDERFUL DAY!" Ebisu just about fell over and died of a hart attack. There should have been a law against sneaking up on people and yelling your head off at them.

He gave a sigh and turn around to face a Jonin that should be outlawed on principle. Seventeen year old Maito Gai self proclaimed "Sublime Green Beast of Prey!" was standing behind him in all his teeth shining glory.

Ebisu felt his left eye start to twitch "Gai-san…" he began looking for escape roots wondering what insane tangent the boy was on about now.

"Ebisu-kun?" Joan-chan had come outside to get another load of books or to see what the yelling was about he didn't know.

But what he did know was that Gai had spotted her and his smile had widened. Oh no! He couldn't escape now he had to protect Joan-chan. She looked so innocent standing in the doorway not knowing what horror stood smiling at her.

She looked at Gai and gave a small unsure smile then looked at Ebisu a questioning look on her face.

Just as Ebisu had decided to grab her and run Gai disappeared and then reappeared in front of Joan-chan. Joan-chan squeaked in surprise as his sudden movement. He was down on one knee like some green spandex-wearing knight.

Ebisu felt a little sick as Gai took her hand she looked at him for help but all he could do was stare knowing that this would not turn out good. "I am Maito Gai Konoha's Sublime Green Beast. You beautiful flower have no doubt heard of me but we have never been introduced. May I be so honored as to learn your name?"

Joan-chan blinked three times before opening her mouth 'no Joan-chan don't tell him your name!' but to his horror she did "Girardi Joan I don't have a fancy title. I just moved here so… I'm sorry I haven't heard of you."

Gai literally beamed up at her from his place on the ground Ebisu's bad feeling got worse "Then I shall give you a title beautiful flower!" his voice suddenly became serous "that is of course at your consent Joan-san." He then proceeded to give her big puppy dog eyes.

To Ebisu's surprise her eyes softened Joan-chan not giving him an 'are you crazy look' instead she gave Gai a hesitant smile and nodded.

Gai claimed to his feet still holding on to her hand "May I ask what it is you do besides look beautiful Joan-san so I my give you a proper title."

Joan-chan smile grew wider in pride "I'm a bookseller. I just bought the shop behind me."

No! Now Gai knew where she lived this could only end in tears and blood. Gai let go of her hand and put his own on his chin in deep thought closing his eyes.

Ebisu recognized a chance to escape but he was to puzzled over Joan-chan's behavior to exploit it.

After a few moments Gai opened his eyes a triumphant expression on his face."Is the title 'Hime of Books' to your liking Joan-san?"

Joan-chan's smiled warmly at him "Thank you. I like your title I really do but I'm no ware near a being princess of anything…"

"I disagree beautiful flower you are now 'The Great and Wise Hime of Books!'" Joan-chan clearly didn't know what to do.

Finally Ebisu snapped out of his daze enough to at lest try to help. "Gai-san. Joan-chan has had a very long day and we still have much to unload so maybe this conversation so be continued to another day?" 'Or never' he added in his mind.

Gai turned his attention back to Ebisu and he had to fight off the urge to run. "Ebisu-san you are of course most right."

He suddenly began to cry, "I insensitively thought nothing of Joan-hime's heath! As a punishment I will run one hundred laps around Konoha! After I assist you in unloading Joan-hime's books!" Before Joan-chan or Ebisu could open their mouth's to protest Gai had two large stacks in each hand.

Thirty minuets later Gai had turned out to be a blessing at lest as far as getting the wagon unloaded he had refused to let 'Joan-hime' help and she had gone off to explore the rest of her new home.

As soon as they were finished unloading the wagon, Gai had proclaimed that he was off to punish himself for his insensitivity to 'Joan-hime.'

Ebisu was more than happy to be rid of… "Gai-kun please don't leave I was about to make tea."

Ebisu stared at Joan-chan in horror and sense when did she have a teapot and tea. "Joan-chan you don't have a teapot or tea" it all came out rather desperately but Ebisu didn't care.

Joan-chan looked at him strangely "of course I do."

"No you don't were is it." He said it with the maturity of a four-year-old. She held up a brown teapot in her right hand and a bag of tealeaves in her left.

"Umm… Were did those come from?"

"From the wagon, Ebisu-kun are you feeling alright?"

Ebisu wondered if he was "But there were only books in your wagon?"

She looked even more puzzled at him "Ebisu-kun…"

"Never mind Joan-chan." He had turned red in embarrassment he must have missed the teapot and tea.

"Okay… both of you come up and have tea." She moved the bag of tealeaves to her right hand and proceeded to clime the latter at the back of the shop.

Ebisu and Gai both waited eyes averted until she stood at the top so they wouldn't see up her kimono.

The second floor was one big room with large windows that led out to the balconies and let in natural light. The room was more than likely meant to be split-up with one half to be a living or dinning area, as there was already a kitchen at the end.

There was no furniture at lest he'd been right about that. "I'm sorry I don't have furniture yet. I hope you guy's don't mind seting on the floor."

"I am more than honored to set on your floor Joan-hime!" Ebisu let out a sigh and set down on the wood floor looking at the gray walls for a moment then over to Joan-chan as she made tea in the kitchen.

It was a full kitchen stove, refrigerator, every thing a small box set on the counter beside the stove Joan-chan took out three small cups. When the tea was finished she brought two cups and they were all soon drinking green tea.

" So Gai-kun how do you and Ebisu-kun know each other?" Ebisu almost spit up his tea Gai beamed at her yet again

"Ebisu-san and I took the Chunin exam at the same time three years ago Joan-hime." the last Chunin exam before the Kyuubi attacked. Ebisu added silently, expecting the grim silence that always accompanied the mention of three years ago. But it didn't come.

"Oh are you a Chunin too?" Joan-chan ask as if nothing had happened three years ago.

"No Joan-hime I graduated to the rank of Jonin last year. And what a horrible year it has been."

Ebisu looked at Gai puzzled Joan-chan tilted her head to the side "Why has it been horrible Gai-kun? Didn't you want to be a Jonin?"

"I find myself at a stand still, Joan-hime, my goal was to make Jonin. So as you see I have no goal I find my self lacking inspiration to train harder."Ebisu was surprised Gai never seemed to be unmotivated. In fact if anyone had ask him he would have said Gai had far more motivation than any sane person could possibly have. "But fortunately Joan-hime I have found a solution!"

Ebisu couldn't help himself "And that is?"

and Gai happily said, "I need a rival! But I don't who?" Ebisu fought the urge to fall over. "My rival has to be a Jonin who is better than me so I can better my self. Do you know of such a person Joan-hime?"

Ebisu was about to remind Gai that Joan-chan had only arrived in town today when she spoke, "I've only herd of one really strong one and his name is…"she looked at Ebisu "Kakashi?" Ebisu blinked then nodded.

POV

Across the village seventeen-year-old Hatake Kakashi wearing a dog mask felt a chill go down his spine.

End chapter: next time Joan gets a second task and Gai informs Kakashi he is now his rival.

P.S. please review