Disclaimer: I do not own any Naruto/Naruto Shippuden people, places, or things. I only own Jo, Miranda, Dan, May, Conn, and Kazuki.
Oh, and this chapter is probably going to be one of the cleanest chapters (language-wise) in the whole story. Enjoy!
Chapter 2 - Arranged Marriage
Back to 13 years ago. . .
Sigh, my life is a wonder.
Spring break, and I'm stuck at home with a babysitter the whole entire week. Though I kinda feel bad for my babysitter. She's got it worse than I do. I mean, she's the one who has to stay behind to watch me for a whole week while her family is in Hawaii. I mean, she probably hates my guts.
"May, I'm going to go check the mail box."
"Okay, Jo, but don't talk to strangers."
"Sure."
Like there'd be any strangers to talk to in this boring boring neighborhood.
I grab the keys and putting my shoes on, I walk out the door.
Ah, it feels nice to be outside in the spring.
The air is still cool, and it's sunny. I walk down the driveway to the mailbox.
La-la-la.
I grab the mail and then make my way back up, but then see a shady guy leaning against the garage door. What makes him shady? Well, he's wearing all black. Black bandana, black face mask, black shirt, black vest, black gloves, black pants, black shoes – everything is black. Except his hair, skin, and his eyes. His hair is that one bright orange-red neon looking color that is my favorite crayon color. His skin is so pale. And his eyes are so pretty. They're like sapphires, all blue and crystal clear. So I do the most reasonable thing.
"Hi. I'm Jo. Who are you?"
"Didn't your parents ever tell you not to talk to strangers?"
"Ummmm, no. They said not to go with strangers unless I had proof that they were trustworthy."
The guy smacks his forehead with his hand. "Sheesh, Monica-san and Dan-san sure are trouble."
"Oh, you know Mommy and Daddy!"
"Yes I do. Here, I have a letter from them." He hands me an envelope (that I never saw him getting out) and hands it to me. "I was told that you have to reply to it in the next 4 hours. I'll be back then to pick up your-"
"Wait!" I grab onto his hand and pull with all my 6-year-old might. "You should stay. I'm bored."
"Uh, okay."
I drag the guy through the front door, yelling at May somewhere in the house, "May, I'm back. I'm gonna be talking to my friend in my room, okay?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll be in the backyard if you need anything." Part of the babysitting job is to do basic gardening/weeding in the backyard. She must be getting paid so much to do all of this.
I make the guy take his shoes off, then drag him to my room, where I tell him to sit on the bed and to stay. Then I go to the kitchen, find a tray and put two cups of water on it, grab a container of cut pineapple from the fridge, some forks, and carry everything to my room. The guy is still sitting there, so I put the tray on my bed and climb up.
"Here." I hand him a cup and a fork. "So, what's your name?"
"Uh, Kazuki."
"Ooooh, you must be Japanese. Your English is pretty good. Be my friend."
"Well, uh, sure."
"Okay, my new friend Kazuki, help yourself while I read the letter."
I take the envelope and open it to find a letter and a couple pictures. I look at one to find my parents surrounded by a bunch of others all smiling at the camera. The other is of a boy who looks a little older than me, with surprisingly silver hair. Huh.
Taking the letter, I read:
Dear Jo,
I hope you are doing well. Your father and I have this time gone back to a Japanese-style world, where there are ninjas and kimonos, and tea ceremonies. It really is beautiful. We have met with former friends and made magnificent friends here that are both like us and are normal people. The one who delivered the letter to you is one of our friends, Kazuki-kun, from our first visit. He'll answer any questions you have about this world.
Your father does not want me to tell you, but I believe that you are now old enough to understand. We've included two photos with this letter, one of all of our friends together, and one of a boy. His name is Hidan, he's 10 years old, and he's Kazuki-kun's cousin. The last time we were here, we managed to arrange a marriage between you and Hidan-kun for when you turn 20. Of course, you can now choose to accept or decline, and if you choose to accept, you can decline any time before you get married. We would like a reply by evening.
If you have any questions, ask Kazuki-kun. We love you and miss you!
With lots of love,
Mom and Dad
P.S. Make sure you call Kazuki "Kazuki-san." It's the respectful way to call someone older than you in the Japanese way.
I just stare in shock at the letter. Then I grab my fork and start eating my yummy pineapple, noticing that Kazuki-san must really love pineapple from the absence of a lot of pineapple.
Hmmmmm.
I take the picture of Hidan-san and study it. He's quite cute, and his eyes are purple, but they hold some sort of strange quality to them. But I think he looks rather adorable. I then look at Kazuki-san.
Hmmm, similarities, similarities.
Kazuki-san just stares straight back. The eyes are the same shape, the mouth is the same shape. Yup there are similarities.
I lean back and smile. "Well, Kazuki-san, looks like you're going to be my cousin-in-law?"
He chokes on his pineapple, surprising me. I stand up to stand behind him and start hitting his back. After much coughing and spluttering, he turns his head to look at me.
"You're seriously accepting it?"
I walk back over to in front of him and sit down.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I?"
"Jo-san, I really must insist that it is in your best interests to not marry my cousin."
"Why not?"
"I'm just saying, don't."
"But why?"
"Because I say so."
Wow, such a mature answer.
I just glare at him and grab the container of pineapple, determined to finish the rest myself.
"Kazuki-san, you have tell me WHY I cannot marry Hidan. You are not my parent. You are only his cousin. What gives you the authority to tell me what do to."
He sighs. "Jo-san, I'm just saying, don't. Please. You'll get hurt."
Hmph. So he still refuses to tell me. Whatever.
I jump off my bed and grabbing a piece of paper and a pencil, write down my answer. Then I fold it up and give it to Kazuki.
"You are going to deliver this to my parents, without looking inside, and without any delay. If the response in some way is not delivered on time, I will have you castrated." I give him my most furious glare. "And yes, I do know what castration is."
He pales.
I sigh again. I threaten people too much. I drag Kazuki off the bed and pull him into the kitchen. I look in my fridge and find another container of pineapple. I give it to him, along with a plastic fork, and say, "Here, Kazuki-san. Thanks for delivering the letter. I hope you get back home safely."
He takes the fruit and the fork. "Um, thank you, Jo-san. I will carry your message back." He sighs and rubs his head. "Maybe you will be a good match for Hidan-kun." He walks back to the doorway, puts his shoes on and lets himself out. He turns back and waves at me.
"Come back soon, Kazuki-san!"
He just sticks his hand up in a wave.
And with a swirl of light, he's gone.
A/N: Yes, Jo is 6 years old in this chapter.
Thank you to my readers. I will most likely be very, uh, irregular about adding chapters, so please bear with me. Please review, and thank you oh so very much!
