Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Guide:

'Thinking'

"Talking"

Heads-up: Post Fourth Shinobi World War. Neji did not die. Team Guy/Neji; Neji is captain when Guy is not with them.

Neji: 19 years old, jōnin

Lee: 18 years old, chūnin

Tenten: 19 years old, chūnin

Amaterasu: 15 years old, self-taught; Jiyuu: 11 years old, boy henge

...

Chapter II: Her Lies

At exactly 8 o'clock in the morning, Amaterasu in Jiyuu's form walked out of the room. She is wearing one of the black pants she stole, a black sleeveless top and a hoodie jacket to hide her silver hair because no matter how hard she tries, the stubborn silver hair just won't transform into anything else. And no! Shinobi or not she is never shaving her head. But to be blunt about it, she doesn't really need a henge to look like a boy. With her non-existent boobs and curves, and being vertically-challenged she definitely looks like a young boy if not for her feminine face. She then put a mask which covered the lower half of her face just below her eyes.

No wonder mom is so against me wearing a simple pants and shirt. Oh well it works for me now but I must keep the henge during the travel. It's too dangerous to travel alone in female form.

After making sure that she left nothing, she headed for the innkeeper's office to settle her account as well as return her keys. Just before entering the office, she performed a jutsu which changed her voice. Like all her jutsus, with the exception of the Transparent Escape Technique, her Voice Alteration Technique is faulty and she sounds like the pre-adolescent Justin Bieber.

"Good morning Kikyo baa-chan." Jiyuu greeted the kind old innkeeper who out of pity allowed her in the inn for half the usual price. She feels guilty about lying to the lady but she has no choice. Who would let an 11-year old boy, her henge, rent a room alone? Of course no one unless she tells them a very sad tale like her father left her mother pregnant, her very poor mother raised her alone and that her mother died so she decided to find her father. Her story brought tears to the old lady and then just like that Kikyo gave her one of the cheapest rooms at a discounted price.

'I've stolen jutsu pages and scrolls, and pants, runaway from home and a possible engagement, and now lied to a very kind old lady. What on earth should be my next crime?'

"Oh, Jiyuu-kun good morning. Going out today?" Kikyo gave her warm granny smile. She really likes Kikyo baa-chan. She reminds her so much of her nanny but Kikyo baa-chan is way kinder and way cooler.

"Hai, Kikyo baa-chan. I'm leaving for the Land of Swamps today. I'm here to settle my account and return the keys."

"Oh you're already leaving Jiyuu-kun?"

"Yes baa-chan, I think my father is not here so I have to search somewhere else." Jiyuu took her purse from her backpack. The purse which was born a handkerchief but, because she needed a container for her money after she smashed her piggy bank, was now promoted to a coin purse.

"Jiyuu-kun, you don't have to pay me." Kikyo smiled. "You have greatly helped me with my chores these past two weeks by helping me clean the corridors every morning and I think that was enough payment for your stay.

"But Kikyo baa-chan I-"

"Jiyuu-kun you need the money more than I do. Just go and find your father, okay?" Jiyuu just nodded but deep inside her, guilt was eating her like shit. How could she lie to Kikyo who was very kind? Yes, she gained freedom but the weight of the crimes and lies she has to make is becoming heavier on her shoulders day by day. She is scared but her desire to become a kunoichi is stronger than ever.

'This whole mess should end well.'

"By the way Jiyuu-kun, there are several ninjas from Konoha who are checking out today. They are also headed for the Land of Swamps so I think it's best if you tag along with them until you reach the Swamps. It is safer for you. Don't worry I spoke with one of them last night and he was very kind and chatty. They will-"

"Kikyo-san!"

"Oh they're here." Jiyuu turned to see the newcomers and sweat-dropped when she saw a green tight jumpsuit with a head. No it was a head with a green tight jumpsuit. The head has two bushy brows and circle eyes and nose and a mouth and a weirdly trimmed... hair? Behind the green jumpsuit were two girls. One sporting a double high bun and the other was a very pretty but muscular girl with lavender eyes. The muscular girl really caught Jiyuu's attention. The girl has a very pretty face: it is flawless, pinkish just like that of a baby's skin when you put baby powder on it, and very calming. But despite the very feminine face, she also looks very strong and confident.

'The perfect heroine: I'm going to be just like her.'

She doesn't know how long she has been staring but she couldn't help it. It was like one of those movie moments where the film goes into slow motion and then you'll hear the Carpenters' Close to you and then the female lead would flip her hair. Only the muscular girl did nothing like flipping her long brown hair.

'If I were a boy, I would surely hit on her. I am into BL but I wouldn't mind yuri if she is the lead character.'

"Lee-kun, good morning. Did you have a good night rest?" Kikyo's voice woke Jiyuu from her daydream and blushed furiously when her "dream girl" caught her staring. The muscular girl glared at her so she just shifted her attention to the loud-mouthed green jumpsuit.

"Good morning Kikyo-san. We have recovered our youthful energy because of the comfortable accommodation you got here." And the green jumpsuit who Kikyo-baa-chan called Lee gave a toothy smile and Jiyuu swear she saw one of his tooth sparkle.

"You are welcome Lee-kun and thank you for choosing our inn. I know this is all of a sudden but can this old lady ask you a favor?" Kikyo narrated Jiyuu's made-up super sad life story while Jiyuu listened silently with her head down.

I promise to come back someday and repay you for all your kindness Kikyo baa-chan. I'll come clean but for now I have to chase my dreams. I'm so sorry.

By the time Kikyo was done telling her story Lee was already crying.

"Oh you poor little boy. You've suffered so much but the youthful persistence is thriving inside you aiding you to accomplish great things." Another sweat-drop moment for Jiyuu. "You can travel along with us and together with Tenten and Neji we will have so much happiness throughout our journey. Right Tenten? Neji?"

"No problem with me Lee." The double high bun girl answered and turned to her. "Hello Jiyuu-kun, I am Tenten. You can call me Tenten-neechan. And this is our captain, Neji."

'So her name is Neji. Very manly for a very pretty girl but very fitting. And she is even captain.'

"I have nothing against you tagging along with us." The muscular girl stated. That is, with a tiny hint of displeasure in her face.

"Thank you very much Lee-san, Tenten-san and Neji-san." Kikyo bowed before the Konoha ninjas. "Jiyuu-kun what should you say to these honorable ninjas?"

"A- ano... Tha- thank you Lee-san, Tenten-ne- neechan and Ne- neji-neechan."

And Jiyuu travelled with a bump in her head, a loud mouth green jumpsuit, a feisty double high bun kunoichi who is currently sporting a very awkward smile, and a super pissed byakugan-wielder.

...

Author's note:

Hi! I've been writing for 2 days straight. Just thinking of Neji makes me write more. 😍😂

I have really nothing much to say so see you in the next chapter. Please make a review. Thank you for reading. 😘