Author's note: because of that obligatory two day waiting period I have three chapters finished. I'm currently writing chapter four and having a ridiculous amount of fun coming up with chapter titles.

same as everyone I suppose: R&R

As it says in my profile, this is actually my second step in getting myself a backbone (the first was posting stupid comics about me and Naruto characters) so if you hate my writing style but like my sense of humor: the link doesn't show up, just look for L2the4 on deviantart and then look for the comics in my gallery)

disclaimer: Naruto at Masashi Kishimoto

Awkward Konoha

Chapter 2: Why do I know you?

There are no marks, footsteps or broken twigs in the clearing, nothing to indicate someone has walked there. But there they are, lying in the grass, two girls cuddled up and sleeping in the sunlight. the brunette is the first to stir. She tries to stand up but falls over, causing her to stop and stare at herself for several minutes before she suddenly jumps to her feet. "Caro, wake up this is serious!" She yells at the redhead, not thinking about said red's infamous morning temper in her panic. "Seriously wake up, I think I'm losing it!" She starts shaking Caro awake. "Alvar stop that, I'm awake. Unfortunately." The eldest of the two glares up at the loud girl in front her. "Did you shrink?" She asks her friend, something seemed wrong. "Yes, now keep looking what else has changed?" The younger girl looks like she is about to have a panic attack. Caro pulls herself to her feet. "Well this is going to sound a bit awkward but what happened to your breasts?" she asks, "…and mine for that matter." Then it dawns on her, Alvar didn't just look smaller, she looked younger. She manages to stutter a short 'oh' as she lets this revelation sink in. Meanwhile the brunette has reached the brink of her self-control, her breathing becoming heavier indicating that hyperventilation is at hand. She falls to the ground, temporarily forgetting about their age as she tries to regain control over her breathing. "Oh god, Alvar calm down!" Caro stops her line of thought and rushes to her friends side.

"We should forget about our age for a minute and assess the situation." The youngest hates to take control but it's important to keep her mind busy so that she doesn't panic again. She motions her friend, indicating that she should follow her train of thought.

"We are in the forest, wearing our PJ's and it is day."

"I think it's almost evening and look at the bright side: we're wearing shoes."

"When you get lost you're supposed to stay put and wait for a rescue team to find you."

"But we don't know when they will notice we're missing or if they will know to look for us here, wherever 'here' is"

"The first thing we should do is find water, not just because we need to keep hydrated but also because that's where we will most likely find other people."

"Wow, who would have thought that you're talent to get lost would prove useful one day?" Caro says to her poorly coordinated friend. Alvar has zero sense of direction but with all the times she has gotten lost, she's picked up a nice set of survival skills. The eldest takes the lead for the obvious reason that they would just get lost if the other lead the way.

(*_*)

The road seemed to be mocking them. The two stare at it sullenly as if it is the road's fault that neither of them had thought of looking for it. The road looks worn and they wonder if that meant that it is much used or just old. They decide to follow it east, for none other reason than the fact that it's downhill. Sure, they keep assuring each other that civilisation is more likely at the foot of a mountain but they both know the real reason. Not that it mattered, when the two reach what they assume to be the foot of the mountain, or rather hill, all they find is an abandoned inn. Alvar stares at the inscriptions on the stone in front of the building. "At least now we know where we are." She states but her friend just stares at her. "I'm going to guess that it's Japanese. A language I can speak, thanks to you, but not read." Caro smiles at her friend letting her know she's not really mad. "Sorry," the brunette answers, "it says here we're standing in front of an inn on the border of the fire country." She stares at the kanji she just read. "I don't know a country that goes by that name, but we can't be in Japan, right?" Caro looks up at the sky, this whole thing is just becoming more and more confusing. "I don't think so," Alvar answers, "but the name seems familiar somehow." The brunette stares at the kanji a couple more seconds before accepting that no epiphany would come.

They're still resting at the abandoned inn when Alvar starts coughing again. She warps her arms around her chest as she waits for it to pass. "I say we stay here for the night, you can't afford to sleep outside." Caro says to her coughing friend. If things kept going like this she would force her friend to go to the hospital whether she liked it or not. "Fine, we'll stay in the creepy inn." The brunette replies once the coughing subsides. The two turn towards the entrance and look at each other as if saying 'after you'. A silent battle of will commences as the two continue to stare at each other. Their wordless argument is cut short when a loud voice booms over the road. "WHAT ARE TWO YOUTHFUL GIRLS AS YOURESELVES DOING OUT HERE ALL ALONE?" They turn around towards the sound. "I'm going to be scarred for life." Caro mutters as a man in a green spandex makes his way towards them.

"I can get used at the spandex but those eyebrows are just…" Alvar lets her friend finish the sentence in her mind. Best not to insult a guy twice your size, at least not in a way that he will notice. "It looks like we both have the same plan, I hope you don't mind that me and my team are going to spend the night here too." He's still talking loud but it's more manageable now. The two girls nod in agreement, the guy seemed harmless enough and neither of them wanted to spend the night alone in that creepy inn. "HOW VERY YOUTHFUL OF YOU!" The girls cringe at the loud sound of his voice. "Sorry, let me introduce myself. I am the youthful Mighto Gai." Alvar snickers, she can't help but think that his name suits him very well. "I'm Caro and this is Alvar." The redhead takes the lead, knowing very well how her friend acts around complete strangers. Though she does find it strange how calm Alvar is, why isn't she freaking out like she normally does. But before she can ask her younger friend they are interrupted by the arrival of Gai's teammates.

"This is Caro and Alvar, they have chosen the same shelter as us." Gai says to his teammates. "WHAT WONDERFUL AND YOUTHFUL NAMES, MY NAME IS ROCK LEE." A miniature version of Gai -identical spandex, eyebrows and bowl haircut- stands proudly next to the older man. "Will you stop yelling," a Chinese girl with brown hair in two buns looks at Lee disapprovingly, "I am Tenten, Nice to meet you." She smiles at the two slightly uncomfortable girls. "What strange names," a longhaired boy with white eyes says, "where are you two from?" Nobody notices his suspicion, the only thing they sense is a killer intent coming from Alvar. "My name is strange?" Her voice is filled with venom. "At least my name doesn't mean screw." Alvar tends to be overly sensitive when it comes to her name. "yeah about that," Caro jumps in, looking at the brunet in front of them, "how come we know your name is Neji?" Of course the smart thing would have been to pretend that they didn't know his name but the two of them aren't exactly known for their subtlety. Just when the four want to ask them the same question Alvar falls to her knees coughing violently.

"So you only know Neji's name while your friend feels she knows all four of us but neither of you know why." If Gai had hoped that the answer would change after asking for the third time, he was about to be disappointed again. Caro shakes her head looking at her friend. Tenten had decided to make tea for the sick girl, who was now making a facial expression that clearly said 'I just burned my tongue'. "Look the answer's not going to change no matter how many times you ask. We don't know how we got here, We don't know why certain things seem familiar but I do think that we spent an entire night and day outside so I really need to get Alvar to the hospital." Caro ignores Alvar's disagreeing grunt and looks at Gai expectantly. "We could escort them to Konoha, that way if they remember something else they can let us know." Neji answers, as if he is the responsible one in their group. "How far is Konoha?" Caro asks, trying not to look into those pupilless eyes. Tenten comes to her rescue and answers in Neji's stead. "About a day," she is interrupted by Alvar's coughing, "maybe two since your friend is sick." Caro tries to supress a yawn but fails miserably, she eventually gives up and goes to lay next to her friend. The two begin silently humming the circle of life, They strongly believe that you sleep better with a bit of music to help you forget your worries.

Why do I have the feeling we're missing something, Caro mused.

Why do I know but not remember, Alvar thought, ah well…

It's the Circle of Life

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the Circle

The Circle of Life


Author's note: Who has noticed Caro's mistake?

ok, now that you have read 2 chapters I'm sure you've noticed that English isn't my native language. This sometimes results in using one word while I should have used an other but since they sort of sound the same I mess up (like lying/laying, of/off etc.) PLEASE let me know when you see such an error, I hate those the most T_T

Disclaimer 2: the circle of life at the lion king at Disney