Chapter 7: Festivals And Letters
She dressed in her kimono and pulled on the tabi before pulling her hair up into an intricate bun. She wore only pink lip gloss. She walked out and the Higurashi clan looked to her. They bowed and Katsuragi handed her an umbrella as they left after pulling on their sandals. They exited the compound and entered the crowds.
Sasuke saw her. He thought she was beautiful. But he would never approach her, like Shino was doing now. He scowled before glaring at the boy wearing sunglasses and a tan haori with black hakamai. He wanted to tell him off as it was but didn't.
"Kagome-san, you smell and look beautiful today," he said in his quiet voice, a voice she could appreciate.
"Arigato. You don't look bad yourself," she replied shyly. She couldn't help it. There was always something about him that had her blushing. "You could join us, if you want, Shino-san."
"I think I might," he said as he walked beside her.
Katsuragi knew his cousin felt something for him so said nothing about it. As long as he didn't do anything to hurt her he wouldn't have to hurt him. He smirked to himself when he saw the Uchiha glaring at the one named Shino. It was obvious that he was obsessed with her but he would never come forward with it. That was the difference between him and Shino. Sasuke hid his feelings while Shino showed them through compliments. Sasuke may have power but Shino was more caring , even if he was more to himself.
"Kagome-sama, can we go find Akumaru-kun?" The twins asked her.
"Do not go too far," she told them before they ran off.
"Kagome-chan, here." Hitoki handed her a hair comb.
"Arigato, Hitoki-san." She put the comb, which had a red crescent moon and grey clouds, in her hair, the clouds and moon facing backwards. It matched her attire. She smiled at him and he chuckled. It was a rare affection from her that made her seem far more beautiful as it is. Shino seemed to think so too because his gaze lingered on her.
"Kagome-sama," an ANBU said as he bowed. "This message was sent for you. No one has been able to open it." He held forward a scroll.
"Arigato," she said seriously as she took the scroll. He poofed afterwards. She easily opened the scroll and started to read before her eyes narrowed slightly. She wanted to burn it but could feel what would happen because of the jutsu entwined. She would need to bring this to the Hokage's attention. "I must see the Hokage," she stated as she started to walk away, but Shino stayed at her side.
"Kagome-san, What's wrong?" He asked.
"I have received an important message," she stated. "A lot will happen if I do not report this to the Hokage. He will know what to do." He nodded.
"Hokage-sama," Kagome said as she entered his office.
"Kagome." He saw Shino behind her. It was odd but he didn't question it.
"I received a message from Orochimaru," she said as she held forward the open scroll. He took it and read it. His eyes widened before he quickly dismissed Shino.
"You will travel to the village of Suna. Gather information on them and return within a month's time. You leave at the end of the week. Do not get caught," he emphasized.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." She stood.
"Return to the festival."
"Hai, Hokage-sama." She turned and left.
Shino got side-tracked, which was unusual. He followed after hi father. His father said something had happened, but not what.
Kagome left the Hokage tower and found her family. She figured Shino had something to do so thought nothing of it, only continuing to walk with Katsuragi, Kanna, Hitoki, the twins, Akumaru, and, a now blushing, Kiba. She figured the twins dragged him along because of Akumaru. She could understand as it is. She would make preparations for her mission later. For now she would try to enjoy herself.
"Kagome-sama, where did Shino go?" Katsuragi asked, knowing Sasuke heard the question.
"I don't know. I had to talk with the Hokage, who sent him away. He was not there when I left." They continued to walk until the twins stopped.
"Kagome-sama, can you throw the ball in the glass cups?" The twins asked.
"Hai." She took the balls and tossed them leisurely. The ball easily landed in the cups. The twins squealed as they got their prizes and kept walking. The twins were happy and she was glad about this. The clan was strong and happy, but she wished that it would grow. "Katsuragi, I wish for you to find a kind, strong woman."
"Kagome-sama,…"
"I wish for our clan to grow and prosper. For that to happen birth is to take place. I am not old enough to bring like and Hitoki is too old. It is up to you and Kanna at this time. There is not much I or the twins can do at this time."
"Hai, Kagome-sama," both said. "We will do as you say."
As it was, Kanna already had some had someone in mind. She had grown fond of an ex-ANBU. She knew he had three genin under him, but he always seemed to make time for her. He had introduced himself as Hatake Kakashi one day four years ago, when she was still new to the village. He talked with her often and she often found him trying to hide a perverse book, a book she had been caught reading a time or two. It wasn't like she was getting any anyways.
Right now she just had to find some way to ensnare him. He was strong, so it would only add to the Higurashi blood. Kagome's goal was to re-establish the clan and have the clan get stronger. It was just something about him that drew her to him. Kagome would probably approve of him as it was. According to clan rules, the head had to approve of the one someone within the clan wished to have romantic relations with.
"Kagome-sama," Kanna said nervously, a blush going across her cheeks. "Ano, there is someone I am interested in."
"Go on."
"By Higurashi clan rules, you must approve of any romantic relationships, or else…"
"What is the man's name?" She asked as she looked to the embarrassed Kanna.
"Hatake Kakashi."
"The first ANBU I ever faced. He is strong, fast, and clever. The white fang of Konoha." She nodded. "I approve."
"Arigato, Kagome-sama." She smiled. Kagome would not deny any of the clan their happiness. Kagome was truly a good leader.
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. She had fought Kakashi? She was the Hokage's apprentice so she had to be strong. But the woman, Kanna, had to ask Kagome to have a romantic relationship with another. It seemed all that mattered to the clan was power. That would rule out a group of people he could think of off of the top of his head. He had to get stronger then if he was to have her.
Kiba looked to Kagome. He never knew that she faced team seven's captain. But did she win or lose? When had she even fought him? He didn't quite understand. How strong was she truly? He wasn't quite sure as it was. The Higurashi clan was a mystery as it was. They were said to have been strong once, but why were their numbers dwindling now? There only seemed to be six members now.
"Kagome-sama, then who approves of who you get involved with romantically?" Hanamei asked.
"The elders usually assign me to someone," she stated. "Seeing as it is only Hitoki, he will select someone for me."
"Oh," was Hanamei's reply. At least she only had to ask for approval. The worst that would happen was Kagome saying no. She only had the clan's best interest at heart. She would never do anything to harm the clan. She knew Hitoki was nice and would do nothing to harm Kagome. She was taking care of the clan now as it was. The clan would obey her and they would take care of her as much as they could.
"When the time comes Kagome-sama will have someone as well," Hitoki stated with a wise smile. "She shall not be disappointed."
"Hai, Hitoki-jii-san," Hanamei said and continued to pet Akumaru.
Author's Corner:
Still seems like Itachi is dominating the race as it is. So the total votes so far are:
Itachi 20
Gaara 8
Kiba 3
The next chapter Itachi and Gaara will enter the scene, so you can all look forward to that. I'll try my best with that as it is. I'm still trying to figure out how it would work and the situation of their meeting but I should get that down before the end of the day.
Another pairing for this story is Kanna and Kakashi. The mystery to why he is always late has come to light. Shino's mysterious disappearance will be answered soon. And Hitoki is hiding something from the clan. That as well will be answered in a few chapters. More twists are to come so be prepared because anything can happen.
And a special thanks to Rinda-chan for being the 100th viewer to this fic. To answer a few questions, Sasuke would be unable to kill Itachi, especially with the rules set down, and I will be killing off Genji, just not saying when and where or how. And voting will continue until I'm guessing when Kagome get's a bit older. She will be twelve for a few more chapters as it is. There is still much in store for this story so enjoy.
Memory Corner:
He sat on the swing alone. He saw all the children playing with each other, none ever bothering to come near him. He was sad about this. All he ever wanted was a friend, someone to play with. He just sighed and his eyes went down cast. But something caught his eye so he looked up. It was the girl the boy with black hair about his age always glared at. He had wondered why, but he never knew why, but she looked sad so he wanted to see why. He stood from the swing and approached her.
"Why are you so sad?" He asked, curious to her sad demeanor.
"Itachi-kun went away," she said as a tear ran down her cheek. "He said he had a mission to do and that he would be back later." She sniffled. "He never said when that would be."
"Why do you care so much anyway?" He asked, a bit disgruntled. The Uchiha clan was the worst when it came to belittling him.
"Itachi-kun is my only friend," she stated proudly, "and I am his only friend as well. Papa always told me to take care of family and friends, but how can I take care of him if he is so far away?" More tears fell.
"Your lucky," he whispered. "I don't have any friends."
"Itachi and me will be your friends," she said quickly. "Itachi-kun could always use another friend and so can I."
"Really?"
"Hai." She smiled brightly and he blushed.
"Alright."
They ran off to the sand box to play with each other.
He was happier now. He had a friend.
