Thanks for the reviews Blaze 909 and Mizuki San! So here is the gang and they're finally home from the mall! Well here's Chapter 7: Trying To Avoid the Truth…

P.S. I just like to say I dedicate this chapter to my grandma who died last year…bless her soul…

On with the story now!


Chapter 7: Trying To Avoid the Truth

They arrived at the gated community and there was a guard in a booth. Mr. Oyamada drove up to the booth.

"Hello, do you live here?" the guard asked.

"No, but this girl does." Mr. Oyamada pointed to Kunoichi who was sitting in the back.

"Oh! Miss Takeda! You may go in." The guard opened the gate and Mr. Oyamada drove in. They arrived at the gate of Kunoichi's house. Mr. Oyamada saw a button that says Speaker on it. He pressed the button and someone spoke.

"Hello?" said a female voice

"Hello, this is Mr. Oyamada."

"Why hello Mr. Oyamada, I take it you brought Miss Takeda and her friends home?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Alright, I'll open the gate." The gate opened and Mr. Oyamada drove in.

"Wow...what a community...It's amazing…Especially the Takedas' house." Mr. Oyamada thought.

He drove in front of the house and turned off the car. He looked at the boy right next to him. Masamune was sound asleep and he wasn't snoring anymore and his head was leaning against the window. Mr. Oyamada looked at the back seats. Oichi's head was now lying on Kunoichi's lap. Kunoichi's head was still lying against Yukimura's arm and her arms were hugging Yukimura. Yukimura's left arm was wrapped around Kunoichi and his head was leaning against the window like Masamune's.

Mr. Oyamada chuckled to himself, "I really wish I didn't have to wake up these children… They all look so peaceful." He looked at all of them again and then at the house. He sighed, "But I have to…"

Mr. Oyamada honked his horn. Masamune jumped up in surprise and rubbed his eyes. Oichi's head shot up and she yawn. Yukimura and Kunoichi woke up and realized what position they were in. Kunoichi let go of Yukimura and Yukimura did the same. Yukimura blushed and scratched the back of his head. Kunoichi blushed and looked out the window to see where they were.

"Hey! We're here!" Kunoichi said excitedly. "Yukimura, can you open the door?"

"Sure…" Yukimura opened the door and he went out of the car. Kunoichi and Oichi followed with their shopping bags in their arms. Masamune opened his door and went outside. Mr. Oyamada did the same. He went to the front door and rang the doorbell, with the teenagers followed. Mrs. Takeda opened the door.

"Kunoichi, there you are! What took you so long!?" she asked.

"I kinda lost track of time…" was her only answer.

Mrs. Takeda sighed, "At least your home…" She looked at Mr. Oyamada. "Mr. Oyamada?"

"Hello Mayaki, how have you been?" he said. Mayaki Takeda was Kunoichi's mom's name.

"I'm fine but did you drive them here?"

"Yes, and they are all tired," Mr. Oyamada said. The teenagers nodded.

"Kunoichi, why didn't you tell me Mr. Oyamada was bringing you home?"

"Because I wanted to make it a surprise for Grandpa," she said.

"Your Grandfather will surely be surprise. Now come on in," Kunoichi's mom led them inside and closed the door.

"Do you know what time it is, Mom?"

"Yes… it's," she looked at her watch, "7:34 p.m."

"Wow… we really did stay at the mall the whole day," Oichi stated. Mrs. Takeda nodded in agreement. They walked into the living room. Mr. Takeda was sitting on the tan leather couch and next to him was Shingen.

"Satoru, Uncle, Kunoichi and her friends are home," Mrs. Takeda said. Satoru Takeda was Kunoichi's dad's name.

"Well good! We were worried sick," Satoru said.

Kunoichi smiled, "Grandpa, I have a surprise for you."

"Really, what is it? If it's the newspaper, I don't want it," Shingen said. Kunoichi chuckled and rolled her eyes.

Mr. Oyamada chuckled, "You were always like that Shingen. You hated seeing the news off the paper."

Shingen looked at the sound of the familiar voice, "Nobushige, it's so nice to see you again!"

"You too, It's been a while."

"It sure has..."

"And Kunoichi has grown into a lovely young lady."

"She's so grown up now… I still remember when she was so little…" Shingen started. Kunoichi was afraid her grandpa would talk about her as a child so she ran into the kitchen.

Kitchen-

Kunoichi entered the kitchen and sat at the high table and turned on the TV. Drake & Josh was on. It was the one when Drake had a tough girlfriend and Josh had to impress his girlfriend's parents.

"Have you guys since our front door?" Josh asked Mindy's family. The family looked at the front door while Josh threw food at the sleeping harpist and she woke up.

Kunoichi laughed quietly. Masamune and Oichi entered the kitchen. "What's up Kunoichi?" Masamune asked as he sat next to her on her left side.

"Nothing really…just watching TV," Kunoichi replied.

"Hey it's Drake & Josh! I wanna watch!" Oichi said as she sat next to Kunoichi also on her right side.

"Why are you guys here?" Kunoichi asked the little teenagers.

"We're hungry…And this is a kitchen… You know, where the food is," Masamune said as he walked to the cabinet.

"Okay Mr. Smart-Aleck, just asking…" Kunoichi looked around, "Where's Yukimura?"

Masamune grabbed some chocolate chip cookies and sat back down, "You're looking for your boyfriend? Well, he's still in the living room."

"He's not my boyfriend!? But I hope he's okay…"

"What do you mean? He's just in the living room with your family," Oichi said.

"I know, that's the point, my family is probably interrogating him for all I know!"

"Your family would do that?"

"No…but how would you know?"

"I think your being paranoid," Masamune said.

"NO, I'M NOT! THEY'RE GOING TO KILL HIM!" Kunoichi yelled.

"Kunoichi, calm down, and let's just watch TV," Oichi said trying to calm the crazy ninja.

Kunoichi took a deep breath in, "Fine…I'll watch TV…"

Living Room-

Yukimura was standing and he was getting tired of it so he sat on the black leather couch. The whole time Yukimura was listening to Mr. Oyamada and his principal talking about 'important' stuff with Kunoichi's parents listening. He really didn't care. He started to look around and found what he was looking for. The remote was on the lamp stand next to him. He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. It was Drake & Josh.

Shingen turned his attention to Yukimura who was just paying attention to the TV.

"So once Christmas comes we will have fill stock," Mr. Oyamada finished.

Shingen just nodded and said, "I see, well, thank you for discussing this. I'm sure everyone will have something in there hands once they leave your mall."

"Along with your help… I'm sure of it."

"Well Uncle, I'm going to do the laundry," Mrs. Takeda said as she started to walk, "Yukimura?"

Yukimura turned his attention to Mrs. Takeda, "Yes Mrs. Takeda?"

"Make yourself at home. If your wondering where your friends are, they're in the kitchen."

"Thank you for telling me."

Mrs. Takeda nodded and started to walk again up the steps, "Satoru, your helping me."

Mr. Takeda sighed, got off the couch lazily, and followed his wife up the stairs.

"Well Shingen, I think it's best if I go now. It's already getting dark out, so I should be on my way."

"Well yes, but if you want to come and visit, you are welcome to come. I will be staying here for a while since my favorite Granddaughter lives here," Shingen smiled.

"Alright, goodbye Shingen," Mr. Oyamada said as he was walking to the door.

"Goodbye Nobushige," Shingen replied.

Mr. Oyamada looked back at Yukimura, "Take care of that crazy girl, okay Yukimura?"

"Huh?" Yukimura said really confused.

"I take that as a yes. Well goodbye again," as he said that, he was out the door.

Shingen smiled and turned to look at a very confused Yukimura, "I take it you didn't understand my very confusing friend, right?"

Yukimura looked at his principal, "Yes sir."

"Mr. Sanada, you know better not to call me sir. Just Mr. Takeda or Principal Takeda in case you're talking to either me or Kunoichi's father," Shingen chuckled.

"Alright Mr. Takeda," Yukimura nodded.

"My friend meant…," "Shingen paused, "Nothing… You'll figure out sooner or later."

"Huh?"

"Let's not dwell on the subject… But let me ask you one question."

"What is it?"

"Will you take care of her?"

"Come again?"

"Will you take care of Kunoichi?"

"Kunoichi? I don't understand?"

"You went to Hirosaki Middle School, am I correct?"

"Yes, but how—"

"Your permanent records… Did you happen to meet a ninja girl?"

"Yes…"

"What happened when you met her?"

"I saw three boys throwing stones at her, so I decided to protect her."

"And then what?"

"I won the fight against the boys and nobody ever harmed her again."

"You're a real gentleman, Yukimura."

"Thank you, Mr. Takeda. But can I ask you one question?"

"Yes?"

"Why were you asking me a bunch of these questions?"

"You'll find out…" and with that Shingen left the room and was walking upstairs. Shingen stopped and said to Yukimura, "Yukimura, you're a great student, very athletic, and a smart boy. Plus you're one of my best, I know you'll protect and take care of her. She's in good hands…" Shingen then went upstairs.

"Okay?" Yukimura said to himself. "What was he talking about?" He shrugged it off. He turned off the TV, got off the couch, and walked into the kitchen. He saw that his friends were watching Drake & Josh while sitting on the high seats. Masamune and Oichi were eating chocolate chip cookies.

"Hi guys," Yukimura said as his friends turned their attention away from the TV. Kunoichi smiled brightly, jumped off her seat and ran towards Yukimura. She then gave him a HUGE hug. "Uh…Nice to see you too, Kunoichi…?" He looked at Masamune and Oichi with a confused face and asked, "What's wrong with her?"

Masamune decided to speak, "She thought her parents were going to kill you…"

"Huh?"

"Yeah, and we had to calm her down and tell her that you were okay," Oichi added.

"What did they do to you?! Did they even scratch you?! I'll get you some ice!" Kunoichi let go off Yukimura and was about to head for the freezer, but Yukimura grabbed her arm.

"Kunoichi, nothing happened to me. Your parents are really nice."

"Really?"

"Of course, why are you so worried?"

"Well… they are really strict…And I mean strict…"

"Oh…I know what you mean."

"Your parents are like that too?"

"Yup, all parents are."

"Yukimura's right, my parents are also," Masamune agreed.

"Mine too," Oichi agreed.

"Whew, that's a relief!" Kunoichi chuckled.

"So what do we do now?" Masamune asked.

Kunoichi smiled, "I think I know." Kunoichi then walked out of the kitchen and was walking upstairs.

"Where's she going?" Oichi asked.

"I don't know?" Masamune shrugged.

"We should at least find out," Yukimura started to follow Kunoichi. Oichi and Masamune jumped off their seats and followed. Kunoichi went to the second floor, turned left and went down the hall with the samurai warriors following. She stopped in front of a double door room.

"Are you ready?" Kunoichi asked. The warriors nodded in replied. The ninja opened the door and they could only see darkness.

"I can't see anything…" Masamune whined.

"Well duh! And besides I still have to flip on the switch." Kunoichi said. Kunoichi turned on the lights and revealed a GIANTIC room. The room happened to be a game room.

In the middle of the room were three black leather couches in the front and four black leather couches behind it. Above the couches was a TV projector. On the right side of the room was a shelf filled with games…no wait… There was a huge shelf filled with games of all the game systems and they were all completely organized. In front of the couches was a two-row, three-column shelf. On the top first column was a PS3, the top second was an Xbox 360, and the top third was a Nintendo Wii. On the bottom columns were the controls for each system. The walls were light blue and the carpet was white. There was a nice big window that had light purple curtains and the window revealed a nice nighttime view. On the left side of the room is a shelf filled with a bunch of movie of all kind. Next to was a soda venting machine but you could just press a button so you don't have to pay. There was also a remote so the soda would just shoot in the air at anyone who had the remote.

"Holy…Crap…" Masamune, Oichi, and Yukimura said in amazement.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Kunoichi chuckled.

"No kidding!" Masamune replied.

"Thanks…My Mom thought it would be nice if we had a game room since my cousins would come over and they put it here just in case I got bored."

"Wow…This place is amazing...," Oichi said.

"You have not even seen my backyard yet, so don't say anything just yet."

"Can we see it now?" Yukimura asked.

"You won't be able to see it very well because it's nighttime, Yukimura. I mean there are lights in the backyard…" Kunoichi paused then giggled.

Masamune went to sit on the black couch nearest to the game systems. He jumped onto the couch, sat down, and said, "These couches have cup holders!"

"Cool!" Oichi ran, jumped onto the couch, and sat right next to Masamune.

"You wanna see?" Kunoichi asked Yukimura.

"Why wouldn't I?" Yukimura sat on the couch behind the excited teenagers. Kunoichi followed and sat next to him.

"Kunoichi, can we play your Xbox 360?" Masamune asked.

"Sure, play whatever you want." Kunoichi said. Oichi squealed in joy and went to the shelf. She looked at the Xbox 360 shelf and looked at all the games. The first thing that came to her eyes was-

"Hey! Halo 2! Let's play this, Masamune!" Oichi looked at Yukimura and Kunoichi, "You wanna play?"

"Of course," Yukimura said.

"No thanks," Kunoichi said.

Oichi grabbed the game and sat back down on the couch. "You put it in, Masamune," Oichi commanded him. Masamune grabbed the game from her, grabbed one of the controls, and pressed the on button. The 360 turned on but they didn't see anything…

"Uh…Kunoichi I think something's wrong with your Xbox 360," Masamune said.

Kunoichi rolled her eyes, "Uh Masamune, that's because I have to turn on the TV projector." Kunoichi got up, grabbed the remote of the projector and turned it on. It showed a huge screen with the Xbox 360 main screen on it.

"You don't have an account, Kunoichi?" Masamune asked.

"No, why would I?" she asked.

"I don't know…Just being curious." Masamune then pressed the button that opens the CD tray and he put the game in and closed it. Masamune handed Oichi's and Yukimura's controls and they turned it on. The game started to play.

"So which map are we playing?" Oichi asked.

"Hmmm…Let's play Headlong," Masamune suggested.

"Alright," Yukimura agreed. While Masamune and Yukimura were editing the settings, Kunoichi and Oichi were talking.

"I like your house Kunoichi… If this is what your game room looks like, I'm excited to see what your rest of your house looks like…well, at least the parts I haven't seen yet."

"I'll show more stuff later, but in the meantime, I think you should be playing," Kunoichi said and pointed to Yukimura and Masamune acknowledging that they were done editing.

"You guys need to create your own little player people," Kunoichi said. The warriors nodded and started to create their own Spartans.

Yukimura's Spartan was mainly red and the secondary color was black. Masamune's Spartan was mainly green and the secondary color was dark green. Oichi's Spartan was mainly white and the secondary color was pink.

"Okay, let's play!" Oichi said excitedly. They started the game and were playing.

In the meantime-

"Hey! Masamune, you ran over me!" Oichi argued.

"It's not my fault…My warthog lost control…" Masamune laughed. Oichi stuck her tongue out at him.

"Hey! Yukimura, you sniped me!" Masamune argued.

"Sorry I have bad aim…" Yukimura teased. Masamune glared at him. Kunoichi giggled at their arguments for the past few minutes.

"Take that Yukimura!" Oichi said.

"I don't think so, Oichi…" Oichi thought Yukimura shotgun her…

Oichi's character died. "What! No fair! I had you right there! What happened?!" Oichi argued.

"Let's just say I took an advantage…" Yukimura and Masamune started laughing. Oichi looked at Masamune suspiciously.

"Hey! You guys double teamed!" Oichi shouted in anger.

"We don't know what you're talking about…" Masamune said calmly.

Oichi looked at Masamune's screen and saw what he was holding, "Oh my God! You sniped me!"

"Shoot! I thought I changed my weapon!" Masamune said in frustration. Kunoichi started laughing.

"Masamune, how could you forget that?!" Yukimura said trying to hold his laughter.

"I don't know?!" Masamune said confused.

Kunoichi rolled her eyes and got off the couch. The warriors were busy playing the game they didn't notice. Kunoichi smiled and looked at the clock on top of the system shelf. It read 8:24 p.m. It was pretty early still since it was the weekend. Kunoichi walked out of the room and was heading towards her room. She walked up the steps and entered the opened door to her room and she turned on the lights. As she entered, it reminded her of her past houses.

Each house she ever live in, she always had a huge room. It was because her grandpa wanted the best for her. He gave her everything because he loved her very much. But she really didn't want everything… It made it seem like she was a spoiled brat… And she hated spoiled brats… But on the bright side, her parents were never like those snobby rich parents that were too busy to even care about their kids. They were the loving strict kind and that was a good thing… a very good thing.

Kunoichi looked at her balcony. "It couldn't hurt to take a breather…" she thought. She went to the door that leads to her balcony. The magenta curtains were blocking the door so she pushed them aside. She opened the door and let a cool, nice, night breeze into her room. She left it open and went onto her balcony. She leaned against the rails front side and looked onto the hill view scene that was before her. The stars and moon were out and were shining bright. She was part of the moon since she was a ninja. She sighed at that thought. She looked at the stars and remembered what her grandma used to tell her when she was about to go to sleep.

Flashback

"Kunoichi dear, lay down and let me tell you something," her ninja grandma said.

"Alright Grandma!" the excited little ninja girl listened. She jumped onto her bed and pulled up the covers. "So what is it?" she asked with excitement.

"Calm down little ninja…or else you won't be able to go to sleep at all."

"Alright Grandma, but can you tell me already?"

"Impatient are we? We'll let me show you something…" Kunoichi's grandma started to head for the little girl's balcony.

"Grandma, where are you going?"

"Just follow me little one."

"Okay," Kunoichi said and got off her bed and onto the balcony.

"See those stars…" Her grandma started.

Kunoichi nodded, "Yes, I do."

"My Mother once told me that the stars are people that were very special to you or it was someone special that died."

"What's the moon for?"

"The moon…it's the flower that blooms and lets us see all the stars in the sky. The starts and the moon are together as one but without the sun, the moon can't shine. It's one of the reasons I became a ninja. My Mother always loved the moon… she said when she was little it gave her strength at night when she was scared."

"So did your mom still like the moon when she grew up?"

"Of course, as she got older the moon and stars gave her hope because of how bright they shine."

Kunoichi looked at the stars, "So they can give hope and strength, but how?"

"My Mother never told me… I did ask her the same question but she just said that it's just a feeling inside you."

"Oh…" was the little girl's answer.

"Let me tell you something else… When you look at the moon and stars, I want you to promise me you'll remember something."

"What is it?"

"There are things you'll tell no one. There are things that you hide, even from yourself. But somehow, in the end, it's still there. Remember that, Kunoichi. The truth lies within your heart, not in your head. If you need any help, look to the moon and stars for guidance. I'm sure they'll help." Her grandma started to walk away. Kunoichi followed her and jumped onto the bed. Her grandma went to her and kissed her on her forehead and said, "Good night little ninja, I know you'll remember what I said…And don't worry if you don't understand yet, you'll understand as you grow older, alright sweetheart?"

"Yes Grandma…" Kunoichi's eyes began to close.

"Sweet dreams…" And with that she left the room.

End of Flashback

"There are things I'll tell no one…" Kunoichi said to herself. "I never told anyone how much Yukimura meant to me…"

"There are things that I hide…even from myself…" "I wanted to hide my ninja identity because of what people thought…"

"But somehow, in the end, it's still there…" "I still miss Yukimura very much and it feels like he's very close and I love being a ninja."

"The truth lies within my heart…" Kunoichi stopped right there. She still didn't quite understand that yet. So she continued. "Not in my head?" She didn't get that either. She shrugged it off. "If you need any help, look to the moon and stars for guidance…" Kunoichi looked at the stars.

Since her grandma died things kinda slowed down. It seemed odd. It felt like she died yesterday when it really was four months ago. Everyone in her house talked and had memories about Kunoichi's grandma, but when they came to the subject that she passed away, they just stopped talking. It was hard having those memories… thinking of all the love, caring, helpful, and happiness that she used to give. She never did anything wrong. Kunoichi thought she didn't do enough for her…that there was a mission she couldn't complete. It worried and haunted her, but sometimes she would just try to push the memories away, and each time she tried to push that sting pain of guilt in her heart, it would come back and haunt her. She never knew why or how come, but it was surely there. Sometimes it would come during happy moments and she tried not to let it show.

There it was again…that stinging pain.

Kunoichi held her hand to her heart. She hated that feeling…why did she have it? She didn't tell her friends that both her grandma and grandpa were dead, but what was the fun in that? She really didn't quite get to know her grandfather…Her grandpa Tashiro of course. He died when she was six because of a heart attack at the age of seventy-six. Her grandma died at the age of eighty-six because she was very sick. Kunoichi was there in the hospital when she died and that was the first time in a long time that she cried. A few days later, her mom told her that when someone closest to your heart dies, your supposed to move on with your life but always remember and keep them in your heart.

She just stood there for a while and started to sing a little something. When she heard this song, it reminded her of her grandma and Little Yuki.

(This song is called "Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne.)

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

She just stood there sing to herself, trying to hold back any tears that were forming in her eyes.

Game Room-

"Hey Kunoichi, do you wanna play now?" Oichi asked. There was no answer."Kunoichi, do you wanna play?" she asked again. Again, there was no answer. Oichi started to look around, "Kunoichi?" There was no sign of her. "Hey…where's Kunoichi?"

Masamune and Yukimura stopped playing to look around. "Yeah… where'd she go?" Masamune asked. Yukimura started to get worried. Oichi and Masamune noticed.

"I'm sure she's okay, Yukimura." Oichi reassured.

"I guess your right…" Yukimura said and then stood up, "But just to be sure, I'll find out where she is."

Masamune looked at him, "Okay Yukimura, are you sure?"

"Yes, and in the meantime, why don't you guys play? And no cheating."

Oichi giggled and said, "Yeah! Masamune, he's talking about you!"

"Actually I was talking about both of you."

"Oh…man! I thought I could cheat!" Oichi whined.

"Well, I'm going guys. Once I find Kunoichi, we'll come back here."

"Alright," the little warriors said in unison. They went back to play while Yukimura walked out of the room. Once they knew Yukimura was out of earshot, Masamune spoke,

"Over protective…"

"Yup, I wonder what will happen when he finds her… Where do you think she is?"

"I don't know? But let's find out!" Masamune stood up and was about to walk, but Oichi grabbed his arm.

"What? Are you scared that you'll lose to me you had to make up an excuse?" Oichi taunted.

"What? Scared of you? Yeah right!" Masamune said.

"Then let's play!"

"You're on!" The teenagers started to play.

"Yukimura's practically in love with her," Masamune stated all of a sudden.

"I know, why can't he just admit it? Remember when he didn't care about girls," Oichi said.

"Yeah, he didn't even notice them. He was focused on other things."

"Like being over protective with us," Oichi said annoyed.

"Yup…that was a pain…" Masamune said annoyed. Oichi nodded in agreement.

Yukimura-

Yukimura was looking around the big house, but he didn't open any doors. He walked down the hall and noticed the laundry room was opened and remembered that Kunoichi's mom and dad were in there. Maybe they had a clue to where she was. Yukimura went in the laundry room to see Mrs. and Mr. Takeda doing the laundry. Mrs. Takeda looked at the door to see Yukimura standing there.

"Hello Yukimura, what do you need?" she asked.

"Well, I was wondering if you knew where Kunoichi was…" Yukimura said.

"Did you check her room?" Mr. Takeda suggested.

"No, but thank you," Yukimura said and went to go to Kunoichi's room.

"What a nice boy…" Mrs. Takeda smiled.

"Yes, it seems like he's very responsible," Mr. Takeda said.

"Kunoichi and Yukimura will be such a lovely couple if they would ever be together."

"Yes, they would… I'm sure that boy will be able to control that crazy girl of ours."

"She knows how to behave when she has to."

"I know, but she has so much energy… But I know Kunoichi is in good care…"

"Yes, she is…"

Yukimura again-

Yukimura was walking up the steps to Kunoichi's room. He heard a faint sound… it sounded like a voice singing…a beautiful voice… As he got closer, he could hear what the voice was singing.

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend
Yeah, yeah

He wanted to go see where the voice was coming from. He made it up the steps and heard the voice was coming from Kunoichi's room. He saw that the lights were on in her room. He entered the room but he didn't find Kunoichi anywhere.

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Yukimura heard the voice come from the balcony and saw that it was opened. He went to the balcony and stopped. He saw it was Kunoichi who was singing. She continued.

Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da

Kunoichi felt a presence so she turned around to see Yukimura. It startled her a bit but she calmed down quickly.

"Oh hi Yukimura, how long have you been standing there?" Kunoichi asked.

"I'm sorry I startled you and I haven't been here long."

"Did you hear me sing?" Kunoichi asked embarrassed.

"Yes…" Yukimura said and he leaned against the rails front side.

Kunoichi did the same and said, "I'm sorry you had to hear it… I know it sound bad."

"No, no it didn't! Your voice is beautiful."

Kunoichi blushed, "Really?"

"Of course, why don't you sing all the time?"

"I don't know… I always thought I sang badly," Kunoichi chuckled.

"Well, you don't, so I think you should continue."

Kunoichi nodded and began to sing again.

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Keep holding on
Keep holding on

There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Yukimura was listening to her intently. She had the most beautiful voice. He remembered Little Kunoichi had the sweet childish voice and he always thought it made her look even cuter. Listening to Kunoichi was like listening to an older version of Little Kunoichi.

Kunoichi wanted to break the silence and so she said, "So why are you here?"

"Ummm… I was looking for you…" Yukimura said as he scratched the back of his head.

"Oh…why were you looking for me?"

"Because you kinda left without saying anything," Yukimura stated.

"Oh yeah…I'm sorry I left like that."

"It's alright… I thought something happened to you."

"Why would something happen to me in my own house?"

"I don't know…I guess I was being paranoid."

"I know how you feel…" Kunoichi said as she thought about what happened earlier.

Yukimura chuckled, "Why are you here anyway? Did you get bored hearing us argue?"

"No, it was actually funny! I just…wanted to get some air…that's all," Kunoichi smiled.

Yukimura smiled at her. He looked away to look at the night hill view scene.

"Kunoichi, you have a nice view…" Yukimura said dazed.

"Thanks, I love coming here when I have free time or when I just want to be alone."

They stood silent for a few moments but then Yukimura spoke, "Kunoichi…"

"Yeah Yukimura…?" Kunoichi asked.

"I really hope she doesn't get mad at me…" Yukimura thought. He looked at her. "Well…It's now or never…"

Yukimura hesitated at first but then said, "I just want to take a good took at you…"

"Huh?"

"Kunoichi, look at me." Yukimura said. Kunoichi slowly turned her head to look at him. He was looking at her curiously.

"Yukimura, why do you want to look at me?"

"Shhh…" Yukimura said quietly.

Kunoichi giggled, "Yukimura, answer me first."

Yukimura smiled, "You're so impatient, Kunoichi."

"But I want to know what you're doing," Kunoichi whined.

"I want to look at you Kunoichi, because I think you look like my childhood friend… Yeah Kunoichi, I would say that right here and now." Yukimura thought.

"Ummm…I'll tell you later…"

"Fine…you win…" Kunoichi rolled her eyes.

Yukimura chuckled, "It's just that… You remind me of someone… She was a childhood friend of mine…"

Kunoichi smiled and nodded, "I understand. I know what you mean." They stood silently and just looked at each other. Yukimura looked into her eyes.

"This can't be the Kunoichi I met long ago…After eleven years it just can't…" Yukimura thought.

"Can you be any stupider, Yukimura?" a voice said.

"Who's there?"

"Your freakin' conscience…seriously, I don't get paid enough to do this…"

"You get paid?"

"No…I wish I did though… Never mind that! Ugh! You almost made me forget what I was going to tell you!"

"Whatever…Just tell me already…"

"You don't want to know the truth…She really is Kunoichi. You just don't want to admit it."

"But…she can't…"

"See… you don't want to know the truth. That's her. Just face it Yukimura, this is the same girl you protected eleven years ago."

"How would I know?"

"Just ask you idiot!"

"Fine…"

"Kunoichi…" Yukimura said.

"Mm-hmm…"

Yukimura paused. "What are you waiting for?" "Ummm… It's nothing, Kunoichi…"

"You idiot!"

"Okay Yukimura…But you look kinda nervous, are you okay?"

"I'm alright…" Kunoichi eyed Yukimura suspiciously. "What?"

Kunoichi giggled, "Nothing Yukimura! I'm gonna be right back. I'm just gonna change into my pajamas. You stay right here." Yukimura watched Kunoichi go into her room, get her pajamas off her bed, and went into the bathroom.

Yukimura sighed, "I'm such an idiot…" He turned to look at the view again.

"I know!"

Yukimura waited for a few moments until he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see Kunoichi wearing a spaghetti strap magenta tank top that had a crescent moon with a flower next to it and she was wearing baggy magenta pants with flowers on it.

"Hi Yukimura," Kunoichi said happily.

Yukimura face started to heat up, "Hi Kunoichi…"

Kunoichi noticed this so she giggled, "Uhhh…Yukimura, do you want to go back to the little weirdoes or do you still want to tell me something?"

"This is your chance!" Yukimura paused. "Maybe I could just give her a little hint…" Yukimura thought. "Kunoichi…Do you remember a little boy named Yukimura?"

"Yeah…why…?" Kunoichi asked. "Wait…what is he asking?"

"Well…What was his full name?"

"Yukimura…" Kunoichi paused.

Flashback

The two little kids were at the office and were putting bandages on the little ninja.

"Thanks for saving me! My full name is Kunoichi Takeda." The little ninja girl introduced herself.

"Your welcome Kunoichi and my full name is Yukimura Sanada."

"Well Yukimura, do you want to be my friend?"

"No…"

"What?" the little girl said feeling hurt.

"Your best friend!" The boy said excited.

Kunoichi giggled, "Yay! Let's go play!" the little girl was about the get up, but Yukimura gently pushed her down.

"Kunoichi, I think we still need to finish putting bandages on your arm and leg first."

"Oh yeah!" they started to put on the bandages again.

End of flashback

Kunoichi continued, "Yukimura...Sa-Sanada…"

"Heh…It's weird that I have the same name."

"Yukimura…" "If I'll ask him this question and he answers it the way I want him to…then I'll know he is Little Yukimura." "Do you want to be my friend?"

Yukimura's eyes widen and then he calmed down, "No…"

Kunoichi's face started to grow into a smile, "What?"

"Your best friend," Yukimura chuckled.

Kunoichi gasped and went to hug Yukimura tightly. She threw her arms around his neck, "Yukimura! It's really you!"

Yukimura hugged her back and laughed a little, "Nice to see you too, Kunoichi. I told you I would protect you always."

"I hate you, Yukimura," Kunoichi rolled her eyes.

"Awww…I love you too!" Yukimura teased.

"You're so stupid…Well, come on, let's get to the little freaks." Kunoichi said. They walked into Kunoichi's room again and Kunoichi closed the door to the balcony. She looked out to the moon and stars and smiled,

"The truth does lie in my heart Grandma…not in my head…Thanks…" Kunoichi thought.

She turned around and they started to walk back to the game room. "Where did you go when you left first grade?" Kunoichi asked.

"Well, since my Dad was on a business trip, we went back to Ueda and I went to school there. During the summer after seventh grade we moved to Osaka, but we still have our house in Ueda. It's sorta like our vacation house. So in eighth grade I went to Osaka Middle School, so that's where I met Oichi and Masamune and, well, you know the rest."

"Oh I see," Kunoichi said, "Who knew that you were going to go to my Grandpa's school?" Kunoichi paused, "Wait a minute… You don't think my Grandpa planned all this?"

"He could've… I mean, when we were little we used to go to each other's house a ton of times. Your family could've remembered what I looked like."

"Your right… I knew when I first met you, you looked so familiar."

"You too," Yukimura said.

"Oh and thanks for helping me with my books again."

Yukimura chuckled, "It was no big deal."

Game Room-

"I wonder what happened to Yukimura, do you think he found Kunoichi yet?" Oichi asked.

"I don't know?" Masamune said.

"Yes!" Oichi cheered. They were still playing.

"No!" Masamune pouted.

"No!" Oichi shouted.

"Yes!" Masamune cheered.

"Take that!" Oichi yelled.

"Never!"

"You guys are still playing?" said a female voice. The little teenagers turned around to see the older teenagers standing by the doorway. They noticed it was Kunoichi who said that.

"Hey! You guys are back!" Oichi said.

"Yeah, what took you guys so long?" Masamune asked.

Oichi looked at Kunoichi and gave her a questioning look, "Uhhh…Kunoichi, why are you dressed in your pajamas already?"

"Oichi, were you so busy playing that you didn't notice what time it is?" Kunoichi asked her.

Oichi looked at the time and it said 9:18 p.m. "Oh ok… Come on Masamune…"

"Why do I have to go?" Masamune asked.

"Just come on!" Oichi shouted.

"Fine! Don't have a cow!" Masamune said back. Oichi and Masamune went to go change.

"What about you Yukimura?" Kunoichi asked as she sat down on the black leather couch.

"I'll wait for them to come back. I wouldn't want to leave you again and find you eleven years after," Yukimura chuckled.

"Shut up," Kunoichi smiled. Yukimura sat down next to her.

"If I shut up then we'll never catch up on things."

"Whatever Yukimura… You haven't changed a bit, haven't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about?" Yukimura playfully crossed his arms.

"Stop that mister!" Kunoichi playfully slapped his arm.

"You turned violent when I was gone! I better teach you a lesson!" Yukimura then tackled Kunoichi on the couch and started to tickle her.

"Yukimura, stop tickling me! You know I can't win tickle fights!"

"This isn't a fight…its war!" Yukimura laughed. Kunoichi was laughing so hard that tears were coming out of her eyes. Yukimura was laughing too much he eventually stopped to give his fingers a break.

"That wasn't very nice!" Kunoichi said with some giggles.

"When you slapped me it wasn't very nice…" Yukimura pouted and looked away from her.

"But you tickled too hard I could've died laughing!" Kunoichi chuckled.

"And that's my fault?"

"Yukimura!"

"Here comes the air strike!" Yukimura started to tickle her again.

"Yukimura! I didn't do anything that time!"

"I know this is just my welcome back present!" Yukimura chuckled. Kunoichi looked at him while she laughed. Yukimura again eventually stopped tickling her but was looking at her. He calmed down and spoke, "You do know that I really missed you…"

"Yup! I missed you too!" Kunoichi smiled widely. Then Masamune and Oichi walked into the room to see Yukimura on top of Kunoichi.

"What the—," Masamune and Oichi said with grossed out faces.

"We can explain!" Yukimura and Kunoichi said in unison. Yukimura got off of Kunoichi and Kunoichi sat up.

"I don't wanna know!" Oichi covered her ears.

Masamune rolled his eyes, "Let's just forget that this happen and go back to playing…"

"Agreed…" Yukimura and Kunoichi said. Masamune and Oichi went to sit in front of the two older teenagers. They started to play again and this time Kunoichi was playing.

"AHHHHHHH!!!!"

" NOOOOOO!!!"

"WHAT!!!!"

"Ha, ha you guys— what the…I died!!!" Kunoichi shouted.

"That's what you get for running us off with that dang warthog!"

"Ok! Who did I kill first!?!" Kunoichi pulls out a shuriken. Everyone looks at her in fear… Kunoichi looks at their screens and notices Masamune holding a rocket launcher. "Masamune!?! You did it!!!"

Masamune gulps, "But it wasn't my idea! It was Oichi and Yukimura's! They made me die first and shoot you!!"

"Masamune!?!" Yukimura and Oichi said in unison. Kunoichi pulls out two more shurikens. "Whoa…" they both gulped.

"Any last words…" Kunoichi asked.

"Kunoichi…I think your taking this…too seriously…" Oichi said.

"You killed me?!"

"But it's just a game?!" Masamune said.

"That's it!" Kunoichi threw the shurikens at them.

…..

…..

…..

…..

"What—?"

"These are—."

"Fake!!" Masamune shouted.

"Hee, hee! They're toys!! These are the real ones," Kunoichi pulled out real shurikens out of her small bag to show them and puts it back.

"How? They look real before…" Yukimura said.

"Ha! Push down the side of the shuriken…they turn flat once you push it. When it hits something, it becomes all puffed out." They all look at her with confusion and disbelief. "Next time don't trick me," she smirked. They shook their heads like she was crazy and they continued playing.


Woo! That was long! Thanks for reading everyone! Please Review! In chapter 8 is when OdaDemonQueen's ideas come into play! Thanks for the support OdaDemonQueen! I also want to thank the people who are reviewing and supporting me…Mizuki San and Blaze 909!! I hoped you enjoyed reading! I'll try to update soon!

PrincessKunoichi (:o3 puppy dog!)