Metamorphosis
Kokoro ran through the halls, straight for Ancient Miranda's chambers.
She crashed through the door.
"Ancient Miranda! What happened to my hair?" she yelled pointing at her hair, which was no longer white, but now black.
"And my eyes?" she added pointing at her eyes which were now gold.
"Do not fret child, it is a change in power, a metamorphosis if you wish to glamorize it."
"But, what does it mean?"
"It just means that you've gotten stronger, much stronger. Remember, you are a unique little girl, or young woman, as I know you'd like to be called by such a title."
"So, my hair and eyes changed because I got stronger?"
"Exactly."
"But that doesn't make any sense!"
"It makes perfect sense, you will know what I am talking about in due time. Now, aren't you going to sign up for The Passage?"
"Oh yeah! I totally forgot!"
Kokoro dashed off to complete her task.
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"Hey, what's going on here?" Naruto asked as he and the others watched people dash by towards a large coliseum in the distance.
They saw Kokoro running up.
"Hey Kokoro, what's going on? Why is everyone running towards that coliseum?" Naruto asked.
"They're all going to sign up for The Passage."
"What's...The Passage?"
"It's a tournament that men and women from this city and many other towns and villages come to fight to gain rank, and of course pass into adulthood."
"Oh, so it's like the Chuunin exams." Sakura said.
"Yeah. I have to enter it too, if I want to rule that is. Anyone who wants to call themselves warriors in this land have to do it. Hey! Why don't you guys sign up?"
"Sure!" Naruto agreed.
A few more nods from the others, and Kokoro turned to walk with them towards the coliseum.
"Kokoro!" she heard someone yell from behind.
Kokoro turned around and smiled,"Sera! Are you gonna sign up too?"
"Yeah," Sera said catching up,"I was just letting my mom know so she doesn't go bonkers."
Sera turned and looked at the ninja beside Kokoro.
"And they are?"
After a lengthy introduction, (forgive me, typing all their names is tiresome), Sera was finally introduced to Sasuke, and Kokoro told her about the bond.
Sera grabbed Kokoro and whispered,"Oooh, he's a cutie! So, how long you two been going steady?"
"We're not going steady! We haven't even started dating!" Kokoro hissed.
"Oh! So you've been thinking about it?"
"No! That thought hasn't even crossed my mind."
Sera gave her a skeptical look.
She quickly walked towards Sasuke and whispered something to him.
'Dammit! Just when I think it couldn't get any worse.'she thought.
Sera whispered something to Sasuke and giggled walking away.
He tried to hide it but Kokoro could tell he was blushing.
Sera shoved Kokoro towards the coliseum,"How about we go sign up before it starts oh great Princess."
"What did you tell him?" Kokoro asked.
"Oh nothing; just that the White Flower Ball is coming up soon and, seeing as you two are dateless he should ask you to go."
"What? Why did you do that?"
"Oh come on!" Sera said taking a back look at Sasuke, who was busy observing the scenery,"he's a hottie! Don't tell me you wouldn't wrestle with him in your bedroom!"
"Shhhh! They'll hear you!" Kokoro said.
"Actually, we've been listening for quite a while." Ino said walking up with Sakura, Hinata and Tenten.
"Yes! Girl gossip!" Sera said pumping her arm."Let's walk ahead and survey the guys!"
Sera was able to shove all the girls a couple of steps ahead of the guys.
"Hey, what are they doing?" Naruto asked.
"I wouldn't get to close. Looks like they're gossiping." Shikamaru said.
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"Okay, right now, I'm trying to convince Kokoro to go with that hottie over there." Sera said pointing at Sasuke.
"Not gonna happen." Kokoro concluded.
"Oh really? Come on, he totally digs you. That's the reason he's around you so much."
"Actually, it's because he has to be close by so they can both make sure nothing happens to the other." Sakura corrected her.
"Thank you Sakura." Kokoro said.
Sera took a good look at Sakura, then looked back at the guys.
"You and that kid in the green jumpsuit would make a fabulous couple!" she exclaimed pointing at Rock Lee.
"Why is she pointing at me?" Lee asked.
"Like I said, it's gossip. Your guess is as good as mine." Shikamaru said.
"Lee is a friend, nothing more." Sakura said blushing.
"Is that sunburn or are you blushing?" Sera said sarcastically.
"It's sunburn!" Sakura said.
"It's sixty degrees; I hardly doubt you'll even get hot." Sera said.
She then looked at Hinata, who appeared to be back-glancing at Naruto.
She slithered next to her, "Looks like you have a crush on blondie don't ya?"
"Sera! Stop meddling with people's affairs!" Kokoro said.
"I'm not meddling, I'm simply, giving little pushes here and there."
"More like a tackle." Kokoro said.
"You can deny your feelings from yourself Kokoro but I will always triumph, you'll see. Anywho-" she said turning back to Hinata,"I could get you a date with him. Come on, you know you want it!"
"That's enough Sera." Kokoro said putting her in a headlock the rest of the way to the coliseum.