Yes! Nine reviews for chapter nine. You guys are so awesome. :) I have new people to add to my growing list of P.C.R.s (Pretty Cool Reviewers, lol.): Io's Torment, eirame, Hannahneko, HovaStrider, elidan1012, and my first Guest post!
Thank you! I'm so glad you like this story. Your words make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. No joke.
Also, taking elidan1012's advice (which I totally agree with) I rewrote my summary. What do you guys think now? I'm terrible at these things so any input would be a great help!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Naruto or the characters, Masashi Kishimoto does. I DO own Andy, Emily, and the plot.
P.S. Same deal as last chapter. I don't own Mariko's, or Natsuki Abe and her work.
Rated M for swearing, violence, and eventual lemons.
Chapter Ten
Mariko's Teahouse was a two-story building across from the stadium the Chunin Exam took place in. As a popular ninja hangout, the heavily glassed building had treated windows that allowed occupants a view outside, but no one a view in. The wait staff was trained in discretion and the foreign dishes the kitchen cooked up remind me of home. When Naruto had taken Emily and I here our first day, I'd fallen in love with the place. I didn't care if the ninja patrons were an odd cast of characters nor did I care about the suspicious glances I received because I was a civilian. All that matter were the amazing teas and taste of home cooked food.
Walking inside the open concept building, I spotted the glass encased kitchen where shinobi could see their food being prepared, several booths in one corner and an area with tables. There was also a raised platform where traditional tea ceremony took place. Currently, a group of Hyuga were occupying the tables, watching a dark haired woman with blue eyes make their tea. Shikamaru led us past the platform and took a seat at one of the booths. Immediately, a petite waitress in her serving uniform hovered outside hearing range, waiting to be acknowledged. I waved her forward.
"Hello," she stated calmly. "My name is Miki. How can I help you today?"
Her warm and friendly manner set the ninja across from me in the booth at ease. This was the attraction to the largest teahouse in Konoha. The people who worked here went out of their way to make the usually high-strung shinobi comfortable. It helped that I felt at ease in the atmosphere as well.
"Mackerel cooked with miso." Shikamaru said grumpily. He still didn't like that he'd lost the bet, although he was happy I'd gotten a job. Now if only Emily would come back with one…
I shot him a smug smile before ordering, "I'll have the chicken stir fry."
"And for tea?"
"Green," we said at the same time. Shikamaru blinked and groaned playfully, "I need to stop hanging out with you."
"Ditto."
Miki grinned, then discretely disappeared, leaving us to our own devices.
"So what books do you have to read for your first issue," my ninja friend asked.
Digging through my bag, I withdrew the list. "There's Icha Icha Paradise and Violence by Jiraiya, and Desire by Natsuki Abe. Both are erotica. There's another book called—"
"Andy-chan!" A loud voice shouted, cutting me off. I winced, knowing exactly who was yelling. There was only one person who could get away with calling me that.
"Naruto," I greeted the whiskered boy as he came bounding up to our table.
"What are you doing here?"
"Shikamaru lost a bet and has to treat me to lunch."
Naruto grinned slyly at the irritated Nara. "You lost?"
I ignored the brunette's huff of annoyance, glancing around for Emily. Her familiar head of white blonde hair was no where to be found. "Where's Em?"
Fox boy stared at me in confusion, before he seemed to remember something. "She got a job here in the kitchen," he announced with an extended index finger. Leaning around the back of the booth, I spotted my friend. Dressed in the white kitchen staff uniform, she buzzed about the other chef's, cooking dishes with quick, efficient movements. Her usually bright features were drawn with concentration. It was almost like a dance how they weaved about each other, set on their tasks.
"Well I'll be." I don't know why I was surprised. Honestly, I should have thought of Mariko's as a place for Em to work before. The food they cooked was very similar to the recipes we used back home. She'd be a natural in their kitchen. "That's awesome."
Shikamaru nodded his agreement. "It's good you both have jobs now."
"Yeah."
"Where did you find work?" the curious blonde asked.
Scooting over in my seat, Naruto slid next to me in the booth. "The Book Buyer's Guide. Icha Icha series one and two are part of my first reading list."
"Really?" he exclaimed, bouncing in his seat. "Ero-sennin would be so excited. Make sure you give an honest opinion."
"I will."
Our little trio continued to talk through the delivery of lunch and dessert. Naruto ordered a strawberry shortcake, his Mariko's obsession. When we finished, Shikamaru paid for both of us (Naruto is a master manipulator in that area) and took mine and Emily's folders, heading to the Hokage tower to submit them. He promised to meet up later. Naruto decided to stick around the area and wait for Em to finish work in a few hours. Something about safety in numbers. I wasn't too concerned if she had the future Hokage hanging about her.
Thus, left on my own for the first time since I arrived in Konoha, I did what any good fan would do—head to the Hokage Monument for the view and read the Holy Grail of perverted books: Icha Icha Paradise.
The climb took me past the ANBU headquarters and several feet of stairs. By the time I was at the top, my clothes were soaked with sweat and I was gulping for air like a fish. Just as I was about to swear to never do this again, my breath caught in my throat at the incredible sight before me. All of Konoha sprawled out under the monument, people like ants and buildings, spots of vibrant color. The air encased by the circular walls crackled vibrantly with life. Afternoon sky so blue and spring so bright, I felt like I'd never seen the world before. The Narutoverse was beautiful and I felt extremely humble to be one of two people from our world to experience it. Despite all the challenges Emily and I had over come and those I could feel looming on the horizon, this was something I would never trade for the world.
Shuddering and feeling ridiculously small, I took one last look out on the world, imagining how Harashima Senju and Madara Uchiha must have felt looking out of the valley and plotting a village that would change the world.
This was Konoha. The Will of Fire.
With that thought in mind, and the muscles in my cheeks twisting with the unfamiliar movement of a smile, I plopped down on a patch of grass and began reading Icha Icha Paradise.
Jun, a strapping young boy of fifteen, woke to a startling sight. It was Tume. Gloriously naked with her large breasts pressed pleasantly to his side…
"Well, this should be interesting," I murmured and continued to read. When I looked up again, the blue sky was now pitch black. I glanced at the book in my hands, seeing I was near the end. I decided it was, surprisingly interesting, even if the writing style reminded me of an elementary school student. The boy, Jun, spent his time chasing after other women in the hope they could measure up to his first experience in love with Tume. It was a thinly disguised portrayal of Jiraiya's love and attempted seduction of Tsunade. I wondered if the Hokage had ever read the books. Probably not. If she had, Jiraiya have died long before the encounter with Pain.
Turning to the last page, I read:
Tume froze at Jun's sudden confession. "So all the other women you've chased…"
"I tried to forget you, Tume, just like you asked me to," the young man cried, "But you are the only woman who can truly sedate my desires. The only woman who can make me hard with a look. The only woman who—"
"Enough, Jun! I told you never to say such things again after our time together. I told you that there would be consequences."
Jun gulped. He didn't want her to leave him. He couldn't take it if she walked away again.
Suddenly, Tume leaped across the room, giving him a full display of her wondrous breasts. She seized his wrists, wrenching them above him with her inhuman strength. Pressing down on his throbbing dick, she whispered, "Speaking of such things results in…screaming."
To Be Continued…
I blinked at the text before snapping the first volume shut. Eyeing the next red-colored volume in the series, titled Icha Icha Violence, I totally understood the title.
For a brief moment, I debated whether I really wanted to read it or not, but who was I kidding? I so was. I just hoped it didn't stray too far from the fine line BDSM topics trekked. It would make me extremely uncomfortable to read it, if it did, and I wanted to be as unbiased as possible when I reviewed.
Noting the sky had darkened further, I stood up and headed back to my apartment. Everyone was probably wondering where I was. I was kind of surprised Shikamaru wasn't looking for me by now. Then, I passed the ANBU headquarters and snorted to myself. Of course they weren't looking for me. Unable to resist, I waved at the building, positive a guard was posted at one of the many tempered windows to observe me. A startled laugh erupted from behind one to the right on the second floor.
Yup. I loved it when I was right.
I continued down the stairs, relieved the downward journey was much easier on my lungs and aching thighs. Making it back to my apartment in record time, I opened the door to a small surprise. Naruto and Shikamaru were seated at our eating table, a board game between them. Naruto was groaning loudly in defeat, two others looking on as the game progressed. I recognized them instantly.
Ino Yamanaka looked exactly like she did in Shippuuden—flattened blonde bangs with ponytail, red clip, purple two piece with exposed midriff, and fishnets at her joints. She had her usually bossy air about her, but it seemed tempered with maturity and a slight motherly quality. I'd never minded Ino as much as I had Sakura—possibly because she wasn't as big of a character—but right now, with her relaxed expression and laughing at Naruto's expense, I didn't think I minded her at all. I'd hold out on the official judgment for later.
Next to her, a silent, stoic spectator, was Sasuke Uchiha. I couldn't believe he was calmly standing beside his former fan girl as if it were nothing. I also couldn't believe Ino wasn't even the least bit psyched about it. He looked extremely different from his time with Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. Gone was the long, white sleeved shirt and in it's place was a black, sleeveless gi top and grey belt holding it closed. I fought the urge to snort since it still hung open, exposing his pale, toned chest. Ego much? Baggy pants were replaced with tighter grey ones, tucking into black ninja boots. He wore a Konoha forehead protector around his right bicep. And his hair…still looked like a duck's butt. His personality didn't seem like it had changed much either. Perhaps his face had softened, the hard edge of revenge absent, and his aura a bit calmer, but that was it.
"Andy?" Emily called as I entered the apartment, kicking off my shoes. Ignoring the game in the dining area, I turned to find my friend leaning over a hot stove, frilly pink apron in place.
"Aren't you tired from cooking all day?"
Emily seemed surprised before her face brightened, "Naruto mentioned you stopped by Mariko's. And I don't mind. It's good practice. I could never get tired of doing what I love."
"If you say so," I shrugged, tossing my messenger bag on the couch. I could feel the eyes of Ino and Sasuke fixed on me as I moved. They'd been staring since I'd entered, probably even sensed me coming up the stairs. Giving into their curiosity, I approached the table. Ino offered a friendly smile, "Hi, I'm Ino Yamanaka."
"Sasuke Uchiha," the dark haired man intoned. I met both their gazes, registering the startled look of the Sharingan user. His black eyes caught and held mine for a second longer than the blue-green gaze of the Yamanaka. In his dark depths, I saw a sad and tortured past, similar to my own. In that split second, I realized I could have an incredible friend in this man. Someone who would completely understand everything I've been through and then some. If I could just get past what a self-centered child he'd been. Then again, that was technically Itachi's manipulation. Still, the boy does have a mind of his own…
Releasing a breath, I forced a small smile for the newbies. "Yo. Andrea Thompson."
Naruto groaned from the chair beside me. "Don't say yo. It reminds me of Kaka-sensei and I've already had enough of him today."
The Uchiha snorted. "What do you mean by that, dobe? We only saw him for an hour this morning."
"My point exact—Aw, Shikamaru! Mercy, man."
I bit back a laugh as Naruto cried out in response to a move Shikamaru made in the game. I glanced at the wooden board with a grid pattern. They were moving pentagon shaped pieces with Kanji symbols on them. I knew this was the game Nara played with Asuma and his dad, Shikaku, on multiple occasions before they died, but I couldn't remember the name of it for the life of me. Naruto seemed like he was repeatedly loosing, and very badly too. Not too much of a surprise.
"What are you playing?" I finally asked over Naruto's wailing.
The four ninja froze, staring in disbelief.
"You don't play, Andy-chan?" Naruto said with wide, blue eyes.
"I've never tried."
"What?" he cried, "But you remind me so much of Shikamaru and he loves it!"
I reminded him of the Nara? Glancing over to the man in question, we both blinked in at each other. I shrugged and he did the same.
"See!" The blonde crowed triumphantly.
"I don't see it," my friendly guard drawled. I nodded in agreement.
Several more moments of observation, and I decided I wanted to try my hand against the incredible Nara. I couldn't loose as badly as Naruto, right? "Teach me?"
Shikamaru eyed me before sighing, "It'll be troublesome, but fine."
"I'm free!" Fox boy shouted, leaping out of the chair and joining Emily in the kitchen.
"He acts like its some sort of torture."
"For him, it is." Ino said with a smile.
"Dobe."
I grinned at the ninja and took a seat across from Nara. He explained the rules as he reset the board. I found it a lot like chess. I'd never played that either, but I knew some of the basic principles. Finally, he was ready to play. Five minutes later, I slumped back in my seat, all four of us staring at the board in disbelief.
"How…" Ino muttered, awe creeping into her voice.
"Shit." Sasuke whispered, tilting his head to look at the game from every angle.
"I…I lost." The lazy ninja said. He leaned back in his seat, eyeing me like a new species of human.
I didn't actually believe it myself. There was no way I could beat a genius with an IQ of 200. Not possible. Sure I was smart, but not at his level.
"Beginner's luck," I exclaimed, messing up the board and setting it again. "You were probably going easily on me, right, Shikamaru?"
He blinked, quickly nodding, "Right. It was a subconscious thing."
"Exactly! We'll play for real this time."
Ten minutes later, I saw Ino and Sasuke exchange a look from the corner of my eye. I looked up at Nara whose head was in hand hands, staring in silent shock at the board.
Clearing my throat, I announced, "I won."
"Oh my God! Someone beat Shikamaru," Ino hollered. A clatter came from the direction of the kitchen. Nartuo, wide eyed and panting, froze before our table. His eyes scanned the board, going wider with every second. He glanced between the two of us before erupting into laughter. "You should see your faces! Both of you are so pale. Like your facing down a hoard of S-ranked ninjas instead of a shogi board."
The four of us exchanged looks before bursting into laughter.
"Good game." Shikamaru said with a smirk. "I'll make sure to beat you next time."
"And I'll make sure to never loose." I laughed.
"Dinner is ready!" Emily yelled. We broke up our game and helped the blonde girl put food one the table. Serving buffet style and standing around, the small apartment was filled with laughter and stories. Over the next few weeks, Emily and I settled into a routine with the four ninjas. We'd head off to do our perspective jobs for the day and spend the nights together—eating dinner, watching movies or going to bars. The others thought it was hysterical I had to request a special ID from the Hokage proving my age so I could get access to alcohol. I just found it bloody annoying.
During that time, I also became quiet close with Shikamaru and Sasuke. The three of us would spend a large amount of our time on the roofs of buildings or the Hokage Monument—Shikamaru watching clouds and napping, Sasuke sharpening his weapons or reading a book I'd recommended and me, reading for The Book Buyer's Guide.
It was also during that time, my first reviews came out. I'd ended up loving Desire by Natsuki Abe and Icha Icha Paradise by Jiraiya. It was Icha Icha Violence I'd given a negative review. It had been a struggle for me to finish reading since the book had crossed that delicate line. It was even harder to write the review. I'd be forever indebted to Sasuke. He'd offered to read the book and give his own opinion when I told him how much I was struggling with it. I didn't have to go into detail. He'd looked examined me for several seconds before taking the offending novel from my hands and starting from the beginning. He'd won my loyalty that day.
When his opinion need up matching my own, I'd felt much better about myself and submitted a review. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined what kind of attention that review would get.
Especially from one Kakashi Hatake.
Desire By Natsuki Abe: A+
The great Natsuki Abe, author of Passion, has done it again! Her newest book, Desire, speaks of the sensuous thrill one lonely, older gentleman has found in his daughter's best friend. In the newest addition of the series, Sakai-san travels to the big city. At first, he's overwhelmed with the sights and sounds, however, he finds comfort in a woman significantly younger than himself. Their love transcends age and gives hope to the soul! And let's not forget that titillating little scene in the ex-wife's back garden. It still gives me shivers and curls my toes. One of this spring's must reads!
Icha Icha Paradise By Jiraiya: A-
A wonderful start to the famed Icha Icha series. Jun is lovable character who's antics result in stunning character growth and great development in emotional maturity. While the writing is a bit simplistic, and the author seems to have a breast obsession, it's an entertaining read. I particularly loved the scene where Tume catches Jun peaking in the female baths. Such a smooth talker! If you haven't already read it, go out and get it today.
Icha Icha Violence By Jiraiya: D
This book was such a disappointment! The start of the story walked the fine line BDSM readers of the erotica genre know all too well. I had hope the story would continue on the right path and develop Jun's character through a beautiful sexual journey scattered with budding romance. Alas, it wasn't to be. Half way through the book, it became one giant dominatrix orgy. The story became more about the humiliation of a man than the tender development of a teen through the love of the only woman he'd ever been satisfied with. Avoid at all costs!
Kakashi Hatake paused on one of the tree branches he was traveling across, anxious thoughts of home and a shower fleeing from his mind. His teammates Genma and Yamato stopped beside him, tense and shooting him curious glances. The great Copy Nin ignored them, riveted by the last review in the romance and erotica section of The Book Buyer's Guide. He read it again, slower this time, still disbelieving.
"Sempai?" Yamato mutter, "Is something wrong?"
He blinked away from the magazine in his hands, giving his companion a dark glance. "Yes."
Genma exchanged a look with the ANBU operative before asking, "What is it?"
In answer, he tossed the magazine to his senbon chewing friend and took off at a rapid, chakra eating pace. "I have to get to Konoha and put a stop to this. No one is allowed to trash the books of my sensei's master."
A whistle came from one of the two ninja left behind as the pair examined what had flustered the usually collected ninja.
"Well, I'll be damned," Genma muttered, a cheshire grin slowly cracking his face.
Yamato nodded, reading the review again. He suddenly stiffened when he saw the heading.
Genma, noticing the change in his teammate, followed his gaze. Beneath the section title was a foreign woman's name. "Andrea Thompson?"
The ANBU groaned, dropping the magazine to the forest floor below. "Sempai has no idea what he's getting himself into."
FINALLY KAKASHI APPEARS! Lol. What do you think is going to happen next?
I like to think of this as the end of Part One. Next week (on Tuesday EST) will begin what I'm calling Part Two, which is the romance of my OCs with a bit of humor and adventure thrown in. Thank you for sticking with me as I set up Andy and Emily's lives in Konoha. I hope you are all as excited as I am to find out what comes next. (That's a fact. I never know what's going to happen until I write it.)
Also, if you're looking for a good Kakashi fanfic, and don't mind femNaru, check out CrownsofLaurels work. It's sadly on a two month hiatus, but a good chunk (75k, I think) is there. I've never laughed so hard! :)
Don't forget my pole and thank you for all the New Year wishes!
P.S. I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes smiles, DragonSlayer2187! (And now I'm getting into 'P.S.' Geeze...)
-Red