Normal POV
Within the temple Ryuusuke's stone engraved letters began to shine and out of it came a bluish, ghostly form of a large man "Shukaku, awake." He says with a wave to the dragon incent holder and it lights up like hot metal before bursting and suddenly a squirrel with a raccoon pelt falls with the smoke.
"I live!" a voice rings and from the smoke Shukaku rises before he scurries around "So tell me what mortal needs my protection great ancestor. You just say the word and I'm there." The fur ball says with grand gestures. "Shukaku." Ryuusuke says but Shukaku cuts him off "Just let me say something. Any mortal who is foolish enough to threaten our family, vengeance will be mine!" Ryuusuke rolls his eyes at the loud mouth while Shukaku snarls below.
"SHUKAKU!" Ryuusuke yells and silences him "These are the family guardians." He gestures to the pedestals above each bearing an animal. "They," he says and looks at Shukaku he rolls his little eyes "protect the family." The ghost rise up "And you, oh demoted one," he points to the empty pedestal. Shukaku fidgets "I," Ryuusuke raises a brow "ring the gong."
Shukaku looks at the gong in distaste when he stops and looks at his hand "What in the hell?" Shukaku runs over to a stone and stares at himself "What happened to me! I'm a rodent!" "That's right," Ryuusuke says and smiles "That was part of your demotion; I stripped you of your true form." Shukaku touches his fluffy fur and glares at the great ancestor behind him.
"I was an all powerful, fire breathing dragon!" he point to his rear "Now I'm a fluffy cute squirrelly creature that breathes fire!" he stares at the fluffy tail "Shukaku, enough of the drama and wake up the ancestors." With an unintimidating glare he snatches up the gong and tiny drum stick "One family reunion coming right up." He sulks around the temple beating on the gong "Okay. People, people look alive! Let's go, get up, move it, rise and shine. You don't have time for more beauty sleep and trust me it won't do you any good anyways."
The stones light up again and more ghostly figures float up and out of them before each perches atop their stones "I knew it! I knew it!" the shrill voice of a female ancestor howls "That Sakura was a trouble maker from the start!" she points her cane at the elderly man beside her "Don't look at me! She gets it from your side of the family!" he bickers "Oh really?" she snaps back and he points to the house "Mebuki was exactly the same." He states causing her to gasp.
When, from the other side of the room, another woman spoke "She's just trying to help her father." She reasons when a man appears besides her with an abacus "But, if she is discovered Haruno Kizashi will be forever shamed. Dishonor will come to the clan, traditional values will disintegrate!" he exclaims "Not to mention they'll lose the farm." Another adds.
The woman from before floated up and waved her cane about in frustration "Aside from Mebuki my children never caused such trouble," down below Shukaku read a tiny newspaper as he waits for them to stop yelling. "They all became acupuncturists!" she shouts causing the man beside her gets up and gesture around "Well we can't all become acupuncturists."
The hoarse grumpy voice of another ancestor shouts at him "No, your great granddaughter had to be a CROSSDRESSER!" Chaos erupts in the shire with shouting and accusing when a male shoots up "Let a guardian bring her back." He offers up "Yeah!" another agrees and snatches the fleeing Shukaku up into his palm "Awaken the most cunning!" "No, the swiftest!" "No, send the wisest." Shukaku sat with crossed arms in each hand that tugged him about when Ryuusuke's voice rises over the others.
"Silence! We must send the most powerful of all." He gestures out the window when a chuckle comes from above drawing their attention up to Shukaku "Okay, okay, I get the gist, I'll go." Who pushes back his fur and poses. The ancestors all look to one another with matching expressions when everyone laughed at him.
"Oh, y'all don't think I can do it. Watch this here!" he huffs and puffs and a small fire flew from his mouth "Ha! Jump back cause I'm pretty hot huh." He boasts to them "Don't make me have to singe anybody to prove no point." Ryuusuke points to him angrily "You had your chance to protect the Haruno clan."
"Your misguidance led Sasori to disaster." The grumpy old woman adds as she points to the young headless male who hadn't gotten up with the rest and in his arm was his severed head, Red hair, fair skin and a glare stared up at Sukaku. "Yeah, thanks a lot." Shukaku rolls his eyes "Your point is? HE was a part of the Akatsuki anyways." Ryuusuke shoots up and Shukaku backs up into the pillar.
"The point is we will be sending a real dragon to retrieve Sakura." Shukaku's head whips to the great ancestor is shock "What! What!" he yanks on Ryuusuke's beard "I'm a real dragon!" Ryuusuke snatches him up causing Shukaku to claw into the pillar of the pedestal "You are not worthy of this spot." He rips Shukaku off the pedestal and stares him down "Now awaken the great stone dragon." He commands and throws him out of the shine.
Shukaku land with a roll and falls onto the first step outside before popping up "So, you'll get back to me on the job thing?" he asks hopefully when the gong flies out and hits him causing him to roll down the steps and fly right into the stone block the great stone dragon sat upon. "Just one chance, is that too much to ask?" Shukaku mutters into the sky before frowning at the statue above "I mean it's not like it'll kill you."
He stands up and shakes of the dust before ringing the gong "Yo Rocky! Wake up, you gotta go fetch Sakura!" he shouts at the stone but it remains impassive. His whole body fluffs up in frustration as he sulks around the block to face him and calls to him like a dog "Come on boy. Go get her! Go on." He throws the stick and whistles with a pat of his knees. Again the dragon doesn't awaken.
In a last attempt he climbs up the state and, once face to face with it, snarls in a mocking pose before climbing to his ear "Hello?" he calls in irritation "HELLOOOOOO!" he shouts and bangs to gong on its ear "HELLO!" with a mighty strike the ear breaks off. Shukaku gasps, catches it and shoves it back in place as if that'll fix it "Uh oh . . ." he mutters as cracks form all over the dragon.
He curls up atop the stone head and in a split second he is falling after the rest of the stone. In the dust cloud he stares at the head lying there before him "Uh, Stony? Stony." He pats the rock pleading the guardian was fine. When nothing happens fear bubbles inside of him "Oh man they're gonna kill me!" he exclaims and covers his head as his small body shakes.
"Great Stone Dragon, have you awakened?" Ryuusuke asks from the temple window Shukaku grabs the head and props it up on to his chest and looks over the bush "Y-yes, I just woke up. I-I-m the Great Stone Dragon. Good morning, I will go forth and fetch Sakura. D-did I mention that I'm the Great Stone Dragon?" Shukaku's little body was having trouble keeping the stone up.
"Go. The fate of the Haruno clan rests in you claws." Ryuusuke tells him with a bow as Shukaku begins to lose his footing "Don't even worry about it. I will not lose faith." He trips and suddenly the bound back to the rubble "AH!" he shouts as the stone head lands on him "Ow, my elbow." He mutters before groaning "I know I twisted something," he throws the head off of him and sits down, burying his head in his bushy tail "This is just great! Now what? I'm doomed!" he panics "And all cause miss man decides to take her little drag show on the road." He heaves a heavy sigh when the cricket from before appears "Chirp." "Go get her?!" Shukaku asks the cricket in disbelief "What's the matter with you? After this great stone humpty dumpty mess I'm going to need her to bring home a metal to get back into the temple."
That's when the idea sinks in and he gasps "Wait a minute, that's it! I make Sakura a war hero and they'll be begging me to come back to work maybe even change me back." He slaps his hands together "That's the master plan. Oh you've done it now man" he runs off with a new mission ahead the cricket looks after him in confusion before chasing after him.
"Chirp chirp chirp chirp." "And what makes you think your coming?" it chirps again at Shukaku who stops and looks back it "You're lucky?" he gives a hearty laugh "Do I look like a sucker to you?" he asks it as it jumps pass him and chirps. "What chu mean a loser? Who about I pop off one of your antennas off and throw it across the yard then who's the loser, me or you?" Shukaku asks as they run outside the gate and the cricket chirps once more.
Shukaku didn't like his answer and began to chase after the little insect.
High up into the mountains an entire village was up in flames as a bird circles the damage before flying about a few mile from the destruction and the Oto army rides forth from the successful slaughter of the innocent.
Orochimaru halts his horse and raises a hand. The rest come to a stop behind him where he turns his head and points into the woods. Two men, the blonde from the wall and a younger male, enter the woods. They wait a couple of minutes when two shinobi come flying out of the woods and hit the floor. They look up and meet eye to eye with Orochimaru and terror fills them.
"Anbu." The young man states and Orochimaru dismounts his steed. He walks gracefully toward them with all the deadly danger of a snake "Orochimaru." The eldest of the two says in a hushed voice. "Nice work gentlemen. You found the Oto army." He gestures his arm out to the massive group of me.
"The Hokage will stop you." The young Anbu states "Stop me?" Orochimaru asks with faux shock before a menacing smile fills up his features "He invited me." Orochimaru snatched up the young man and holds him off of the ground "By building his wall he challenged my strength." He was almost choking the boy "Well I'm here to play his game." He unsheathes his sword and throws the boy backwards "Go! Tell your Hokage to send his strongest armies." The older Anbu flees "I'm ready." Orochimaru says in pleasure.
They both flee into the foggy path "Deidara, how many men does it take to deliver a message?" Orochimaru asks the blonde who smiles widely "One." He lifts his bow and arrow and aims at one of the Anbu's back.
Over in the Hatsuharu camp men begin to arrive and General Itachi sits with Ebisu and one other.
Sakura's POV
"How about this?" I ask Khan who has been watching me try to act like a man. I clear my throat in an attempt to lower my voice "Excuse me, where do I sign in?" I ask and make odd gestures "Haha I see you have a sword. I have one too." I pat it and reach for the swords hit "They're very manly and," I struggle with pulling it out "tough." I lose grip and it falls down marking my attempt at saving it a failure.
Khan gives a horse laugh at my clumsiness so I throw my shoe at him and he shuts up "I'm working on it!" I say defensively before pulling my shoe back on and I let out a sigh "Who am I fooling?" I ask and look out at the camp below "As if having pink hair wasn't already a problem. It's going to take a miracle to get me into the army." I shake my head "Did I hear someone ask for a miracle?" a deep voice asks.
I turn and stare up at a scary silhouette on the large bolder before me "Let me hear you say I!" "AHHHH!" I run behind a rock and peek at the shadow figure "That's close enough." It says "A ghost." I whisper and I can feel Khan hiding with me "Get ready Sakura your salvation is at hand for I have been sent by your ancestors to guide you to your mastery."
It vanished before rising back up "For if the army finds out that you're a girl the penalty is death!" smoke and flames burst up at that word "Who are you?" I ask it "Who am I? Who. Am. I? I am the guardian of lost souls, I am the powerful, the pleasurable," it began to walk around a rock in the way "The indestructible Shukaku."
I stare at the cute little squirrel in disbelief and also concern as to why it looked like a raccoon. He laughs "I'm pretty hot huh?" he smiles and Khan begins stopping at him. I stop Khan and look at the rodent who coughs "Uh," I kneel and pick him up slightly "My ancestor's sent a little squirrel to help me?" I poke him and he swats my hand. "Hey, Dragon, D-R-A-G-O-N, not a squirrel." He crosses his arms "Um, well you're a squirrel." I whisper and he looks at himself and climbs up the bamboo beside me "This is just a disguise." He explains and I raise my brow at him.
"Why?" I ask and he smiles at me "I'm travel size for your convince if I was in my real for and normal size your cow here would die of fright." He pats Khan's nose who snaps at the fluff ball "Down Bessy." He says and jumps onto me before crossing over to the original area he started in "My powers are beyond your mortal comprehension. For example: my eyes can see straight through your armor." His eyes grow big as he looks at my chest.
I cover my chest and slap him so hard he flies away from me a few feet "Ow! Alright that's it." He says and he stands up "Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family, make a note of this," he says to a familiar looking cricket "Dishonor you! Dishonor on your cow! Dis-" I cover his mouth "Stop, I'm sorry." I say and release his face "I'm sorry, I'm just nervous. I've never done this before." I explain.
"Then you're gonna have to trust me." He says before pointing at me "And don't you slap me no more, we clear on that?" he asks and I nod "Alright. Okie dokie, let's get this show on the road." He starts walking "Crickee, get the bags. Let's move it heifer." He slaps his hand together and leads the way.
Once down the hill and at the gates of the camp I peek in "Okay this is it." Shukaku says as he peeks out of my clothes "Time to show them your manly walk. Shoulder back, chest high, feet apart, head up and strut." He commands 'I'm going to look so stupid I just know it.' I think as I begin to walk in and past the men already inside.
Now either I did look stupid or my hair color was my only flaw . . . maybe both. I duck into a tent and find a man with his finger in his nose and another picking between his feet 'ewww' "Beautiful isn't it?" Shukaku asks "They're disgusting." I tell him as I look at the appalling sight before me "No, they are men and you are going to have to act just like them so pay attention." He says and makes me look forward.
"Look!" a man says and pulls his shirt open and I stop confused "This tattoo will protect me from harm he says and I look at the red head who was inspecting the tattoo then back at the tattoo unaware that the red head looked at his friend behind him for a slit second. The red head slugs the guys in the gut and sends him flying backward taking me by surprise.
The taller of the two with spiky blonde hair and blue eyes starts to laugh "I hope you can get your money back." He hackles while the red head stares back with a glint of mischief in his jade eyes.
"I don't think I can do this." I tell Shukaku and he pops back up "It's all attitude so be tough like this red headed kid here." He glances over at me and catches me staring "What are you looking at?" he asks with a raised first. I feel my whole body yelling run but Shukaku whispers "Punch him; it's how men say hello." I look at my fist and take a breath 'Use restrain.' I remind myself and slug him in his arm.
He flies forward into a larger guy "Oh Gaara, you made a friend." He says and looks at me with a smile as Gaara doesn't turn around "Good. Now, slap him on the behind. They like that." Maybe it was the glint in Shukaku's eyes that made me hesitate but, I figure if the punch works why won't this?
I smack his rear end and he jumps up and around "Whoa ho ho ho!" 'Big mistake.' I think as he grabs be by my collar and raises his fist "I'm going to hit you so hard it'll make your ancestor's dizzy pinkie." He threatens "Gaara." The larger guy calls and holds him back "Relax and chant with me." Gaara snarls as the larger man begins chanting. I watch in awe as the angry red head chants grumpily and all anger leaves him instantly.
"Feel better?" The large guy asks as he releases Gaara's arms "Yeah." He looks at me with those jade eyes and with a shake of his head turns away from me "Girly boy." He mumbles and I feel the fur ball pop up out of my suit "Girly Boy! Why don't you say that to my face you tiny piss ant!" He startled me with that and I get yanked around to face the furious red head that pulls his fist back.
I duck and start to crawl away as the blonde takes on several face shots "Sorry Naruto. Hey!" he shouts and grabs my calf and pulls, but he lets go as he is sent back into another male knocking him down. I hear a battle cry and duck to see Naruto fly into the pile of guys who start wrestling. "You're dead!" the blonde yells and I run.
I stop and look for a place to hide "Gaara. Kiba. There he goes!" Naruto yells and I dive into the first tent I see. They run in after me and run out. I poke my head out in triumph to watch the four of them skid to a stop behind a line of people. The large guy with the swirls on his cheeks didn't have enough time to stop as he hit Kiba into Naruto sending him forward into Gaara who flew into the next man and like dominos they topple over one another in a line straight into the large cast iron pot spilling rice everywhere.
"Oooh boy . . ." I whisper as they all sit up and look at me who happens to be standing in the wrong spot at the wrong time. "Hey guys." I say 'This is how I'm going to die.'
Sasuke's POV
I sit before Itachi as he explains his strategy to me when the curtain opens and Ebisu steps inside "The Oto have struck here, here and here." He points to spots on the map "I will take the main troops up to the Valley of the End pass and stop Orochimaru before he destroys this village." He sounds sure of himself and I believe in him.
"Excellent strategy sir, I do love surprises." Ebisu says with a laugh and Itachi and I stare at him in that 'shut up' kind of way. He becomes silent and Itachi continues as we look at each other "You will stay and train the new recruits." he says to me and I am shocked and secretly happy about this revelation. "When Ebisu believes you are ready," he reaches beside himself and picks up an item I recognize as the Sword of Kusanagi and holds it out to me "Captain."
I accept the sword and look at it "Captain." I say and I like the feel of it "Ah. This is an enormous responsibility General, perhaps a shinobi with more experience. ." he goes silent again "Number one in his class, extensive knowledge of training techniques, an impressive military lineage" Itachi says the last part with pride "I believe Sasuke will do an excellent job." He reassures Ebisu "Oh I will! I won't let you down." I look at the sword "This is- I mean-" I clear my throat and remove the unnecessary glee.
"Yes sir." I bow to him and he stands "Very good then, we'll toast Konoha's victory at the Konohagakure City." He stops and looks back at me "I'll expect a full report in three weeks." Itachi exits the tent and Ebisu looks at me "And I won't leave anything out." With a small glare he exits the tent.
I pause and look at the sword "Captain Sasuke Uchiha. Hm." I slip it into place behind me "Leader of Konoha's finest troops . . . No! The greatest troops of all time hehehe." I exit the tent with a composed placid face to see everyone in a fight.
I walk forward and stop beside Itachi who pulls on his helmet and a man walks up to us, salutes and faints. Itachi and I share a look and a small smile "Most impressive." Ebisu says and I can tell he is unhappy. I watch Itachi step over the collapsed man mount, his steed, "Good luck Captain." He calls to me and leads the troops out of camp.
"Good luck, brother." I watch them leave before meeting Ebisu's glasses and I sigh "Day one." He says as I look at the trainees.
Sakura's POV
'I am safe down here.' I chant as the men attack each other and over look me. There is a horse's neigh and the hooves hammer the floor and I can spot white horses heading out of camp before burying my face back into my arms.
"Shinobi!" A man yells and they freeze and suddenly part "He started it!" the shout in unison and someone walks over to me so I peek out and look up at a handsome face staring down at me with a raised brow 'I'm in trouble . . .' I stand up as fast as possible and dust of my outfit "I don't need anyone causing trouble in my camp." He chides me "Sorry," I take a breath and look aside before remembering I'm supposed to be a guy and I clear my throat.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, but you know how it is when you get those manly urges," 'Why did I punch him? Ancestors kill me now' "and you just gotta kill something." I shake my hand from hitting it to hard against my other "Fix things, cook outdoors . . ."
"What's your name?" he asks and stares me at me with a stern glare "Uh," I look around 'How did I not think of one before!' "I-I-uh . . . uh" out of the blue the rude fart face who yelled at me appeared out of nowhere "Your commanding officer just asked you a question." He glares at me to 'Why is everyone glaring at me?'
"Uh . . . I've got a name, Heh, and it's a boy's name too." I say reassuringly and that tickling feeling came when Shukaku whispers "Naruto, how about Naruto?" he asks and I look over my shoulder "His name is Naruto." "I didn't ask for HIS name I asked for YOURS." The Captain scolds me.
"Uh-eh- AH CHU." Shukaku offers up "Ah Chu." I say "Ah Chu?" the Captain asks "Gazuntite! Hehehehe I kill myself." I glare over my shoulder "Shukaku." I chide him "Shukaku?" the Captain asks again "No!" "Then what is it?!" he yells with frustration "Kurama! Kurama was my best friend growing up!" Shukaku says with a happy voice.
"It's Kurama." I tell him a little rushed "Kurama?" his brow raises in suspicion "Of course Kurama did steal my girlf-umph" I slap my hand over Shukaku's fuzzy face "Yes, my name is Kurama." I smile at him "Let me see your conscription notice." He commands then holds out his hand and I pull it out and hand it to him.
The Captain opens it and the grouchy older gentleman reads over his shoulder "Haruno Kizashi? The Haruno Kizashi?" he asks and stares at me "I didn't know Kizashi had a son." The other adds with a critical gaze. 'Quick think of something!' I scream inside.
"Um, he doesn't talk about me much." I explain with a little laugh and I'll try to me manly and spit. I was unsuccessful at this as it flew out, but didn't go far as it slowly dripped from my mouth. Along with everyone around me I was ashamed.
"I can see why, not only does he have pink hair, but the boy is an absolute lunatic." Jerk face says to the Captain and the other troops begin to snicker as I wipe my mouth and stand up straight. The Captain starts to circle me "Okay troops, thanks to your new friend Kurama, you will spent the rest of the night picking up every single grain of rice." The looks sternly at everyone "Then Tomorrow the real work begins." He says with promise and walks away from us 'Way to throw me under the bus.' I think as he leaves.
I look at the others and see Gaara, Kiba, and Naruto popping their knuckles 'I'm so dead.' "You know, we have to work on your people skills." Shukaku tells me and I nod in agreement.
The whole time we were picking up the rice I felt like everyone was going to smother me in my sleep but, thankfully I put my tent up away from the others near a lone tree and even at that it wasn't right since the top dipped in.
Happily I hurry away from the others and fall into bed where I disrobed and curled up under the warm blanket.
A.N.: I had a tough time picking a name for him and bam! Shukaku and Kurama have bad blood so I seemed right to me and yes I made Shukaku Mushu but I like it and what I did to his is too cute in my mind. That aside leave a review if you want, but I'll post more soon. Bye.