It was close to the Chunin Exams and Yuki and I were doing our best to try and get sensei to allow us to participate. Tanzo was going to be able to, we knew that was for sure, but we were worried that we wouldn't be able to. After one of our more recent missions, Yuki had to use her Heartsong ability to save Tanzo's life after we were ambushed when tracking down a criminal that needed capturing. Needless to say we were chewed out by Tsunade for keeping our abilities a secret for so long. Though she was happy that we were learning how to control our gifts and that they had become stronger. Over the months though both Yuki and I had changed.
We both decided to allow our hair to grow out, now Yuki had hers tied in a flower style bun on each side of her head with two long braids hanging down and crossing over themselves on the back. Her bangs now reached past her shoulders, and she decided to update her look. Now she wore a white and pink colored kimono top with bell sleeves, that was cut so it tied under her boobs. Under that she wore a simple light green body suit, but unlike Rock Lee and Gai, hers were cut so it fit like shorts. Pale pink leggings that came up mid thigh were also part of her wardrobe, along with shin guards kept in place by a ribbon that was attached to her Chinese style flat shoes. She now carried a kunai holder that was similar to my old one and came across her hip for easy retireval.
I now wore a simple black vest, tailored so it would form a V shape on either side of my ribs and fit like a tank top. Under that I wore a light red tunic like shirt, that split at my hip and came down to mid thigh, that was made so one side had an over sized sleeve that covered my left hand, and the other side did not have one. I still kept my black shorts and fitted two thick strips of cloth that attached to the bottom of them and connected to red leg warmers that covered my shinobi boots, which was useful to keep kunai in. Now my kunai pouch was fitted on a belt that rested so I could retrieve them from my lower back, I also kept miniature scrolls and pigments for my Impression Jutsu. My bangs now covered my left eye and went to my cheeks, and my two uneven strands of hair reached my shoulders, now I wore a simple bun style to keep my hair from getting caught in everything. I also now kept my konoha bandana around my neck for safe keeping.
When we returned on our latest mission it was already September twenty second. Yuki remembered what day it was and began to flip out.
"Calm down woman," I said grabbing her, "I doubt he would be up at three in the morning."
"He always wakes up at around six," she said, "What if his family wake him up because of today?"
"I doubt it," I yawned, "I am going home, there is a large fluffy, soft, silky, glorious, warm, not moving from it for hours, bed."
"Come with me!" said Yuki dragging me behind her.
"Bed!" I fussed, "Bed, bed, bed, bed, no, bed, bed, bed, leggo, bed bed, bed, FINE!"
"I knew you would agree," she smiled.
"We are almost there!" I said pointing at Ino's house, "Home is the other way."
"Stop whining," she said.
"The next tree we pass I am passing out in it," I huffed, "This isn't a good idea."
Our argument lasted until we reached the police department, then we just walked in silence down the street. We were halfway down when a few questionable looking people stepped out of the alley way.
"What have we go here?" said one.
"I wouldn't mind taking them home," said another.
"Does this mean you have a bed?" I asked before Yuki hit me, "What was just a question."
"Yeah I got a bed, and you can pass out there once I am finished," he said drawing a knife.
"Lame," I said, "Look if you are going to be intimidating, jump your target, then threaten thier life, then offer 'hospitality', THEN have your way with them, after you bound and gag them. It keeps them from screaming."
"Kori!" yelled Yuki.
"What, I am just trying to help," I said, "Fine, you take the three on the left, I get the three on the right, we meet in the middle, and they say goodnight."
"Wha?" said one.
"And no cheating," I grumbled as I caught the closest one to me off guard with a punch to his gut.
After they were all knocked out, I was bored so I decided to tie them all up and steal their left shoe. It seemed like a good idea at the time, and they were knocked out cold, so they couldn't complain. I pouted when Yuki told me that we had to leave because I wanted to teach them more of a lesson. The police arrived because someone reported a commotion. Yuki was upset because it delayed her from being sweet to Shikamaru, I was upset because I had to stay there awake for two more hours. When that was over I finally convinced Yuki to let me go home and sleep, before I killed anyone I wasn't supposed to.
I arrived home as fast as possible, opened the door, closed it behind me, and began stripping all the way to my room before falling asleep.
Yuki's POV
I could have killed Kori, it was Shikamaru's birthday today and she didn't even care. Frustrated I told her she could go home while I finished walking to Shikamaru's house. There were no lights on and the gates were closed, which made me more upset that Kori could have been right. I knew better than to try and sneak into another person house, they could have millions of traps, so to speak. I sat outside for a moment debating on what to do. Then it hit me, I was going to make him a cake for his birthday. Smiling to myself in my thoughts I did not hear someone come up behind me.
"Yuki?" came a voice that made me jump out of my skin.
"Shikamaru?" I said when I turned around to find him there.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Wishing you a happy birthday," I said before hugging him.
"Thanks," he sighed, "I have business at the Academy."
"So what are you doing for your birthday?" I asked.
"The usual," he said, "Get my assignments turned in then stare and watch the clouds. Until my mom comes and drags me away to celebrate my birthday with the family. Before you think about it I do not want a party. I like the quiet, at a party everyone expects you to be social. I just don't really care enough."
"Oh don't worry I wasn't planning anything like that," I said, "Hey, do you know when the registration for the Chunin Exams are?"
"Last week was the deadline," he said before walking off, "Why?"
"Oh I was hoping that Kori and I could do the Exams this year," I sighed, "We have really been looking forward to it. Working our butts off too. Sensei said it would be a long shot for Kori and I, since we haven't been genin that long. That and then there is Tsunade to worry about."
"She only worries about you," said Shikamaru, "Don't get upset over nothing."
"I just feel like we are ready though, that and the impending sense of doom I keep having now and again," I said,"is a really good motivator."
"Impending sense of doom?" said Shikamaru raising an eyebrow, "You hang out with Kori too much."
"I live with her, so she rubs off," I said, "Maybe a hot springs trip will kill the Kori germs."
"How long have you been awake?" he asked.
"Not that long," I lied, "Kori and I just got back from a mission."
"Troublesome," he muttered, "Go home, you look exhausted."
"Alright," I said following him.
After reaching the house, I parted ways with Shikamaru and began making plans for the cake. I decided that a sushi cake would be the best, since he loved kelp and I could use that to separate the layers. Though I would have to threaten Kori's life if she even thought about touching it. Her favorite food in the world was sushi. I grabbed a small sheet of paper and scribbled down the ingredients that I would need and left it on the fridge for later, along with a threat for Kori. After that, I decided to take a nap. I didn't want to be falling over myself when giving Shikamaru his present.
Kori's POV
I woke up sometime later fully rested and went to the kitchen to get me a snack. I noticed a note on the fridge, Yuki had written a list of stuff for me to get at the store and threatened my life if I ate any. Sighing I picked up my clothes and went to my bed room to change. After getting dressed I headed down to the store and began hunting for the ingredients. Not even ten minutes into hunting, I got extremely bored. So I began humming the "Ding Dong Song" and dancing like an idiot. I was bent over looking at the fish, shaking my butt to the line 'deep in the night I'm looking for some fun' and heard a voice behind me.
"What has you in a good mood?" asked Ino.
I jumped up and turned around,"Oh nothing. I am bored, and a bored Kori isn't a happy Kori."
"So what are you cooking?" she asked.
"Nothing, Yuki wants to make Shikamaru something for his birthday," I sighed grabbing the fish and placing it in my basket, "So while she is sleeping, I am hunting for ingredients."
"When can we see you back at the hospital?" she asked.
"I dunno," I shrugged, "Maybe tomorrow."
After that Ino said goodbye and I finished getting the stuff and headed back home. There Yuki was already waiting for me and pounced me and stole the ingredients when I opened the door. Worried about her sanity, I avoided her at all costs because she had the same creepy laughter I had when I though of something evil. Retreating to my room I thought of something to give to Shikamaru and before I knew it I was lazily drawing random colored lines everywhere on the page. When I looked at it upside down it sorta resembled a deer so I finished connecting the lines and was happy with myself. Soon we found Shikamaru knocking on our door after the Academy had let out. The same ritual happened every day when we were around, Shikamaru would always stop by for some tea and Yuki would happily pretend to listen to complaints while off in her dreamland. I thought it was cute, but many death glares and beatings later, I kept my mouth shut.
Yuki had just finished making the cake and invited him in for some. When he sat down she laid the weirdly shaped cake down.
"Happy birthday!" she said.
"Thanks?" questioned Shikamaru when looking at the cake, "It is a giant rice ball."
"No silly it is a sushi cake! Made with fish, kelp, rice, bean paste for a bit of sweetness and wasabi," she said, "I couldn't decide on what shape to make it in, so it looks weird."
"Oh," he said smiling, "I can't eat a lot of it, mom would kill me if I went home and didn't eat any of the things she made me."
"Take it with you," she said putting on the 'I will eat your soul' smile.
Shikamaru sighed and agreed, rather than making Yuki upset. He had seen way to much of me picking at her and her being mad at me to want to be on the receiving end. After much begging, I got Shikamaru to tell Yuki to give me a slice. It was awesome, and the poor fluffy rice never stood a chance. As I was finishing the last bite Yuki and I were summoned to the Hokage's office. We got there as fast as we could and went to see what Tsunade wanted to talk to us about. We stood there in front of her desk, hoping it wasn't another bad thing.
"The reason I have called you here," said Tsunade, "Is the fact that the Chunin Exams are around the corner. I have heard from your sensei, Hayama, that you wish to participate in the Exams. Tanzo had already received permission from him and that leaves the question of you two. Looking over your missions, you both have a high success rate, and have had little trouble adjusting to life as a shinobi. You also have most of your memories return and have proven to be physically and mentally sound. However since both of you hold secrets, there is a high chance that you two would be targets for criminals and other individual factions that would use the knowledge for their own benefit. With this said, weighing the pros and cons, and leaving the desicion based upon me and your sensei, I believe that I can grant you special permission to take the Exams next month."
"But the deadline was last week," said Yuki.
"As Hokage I can personally enter late entries," smirked Tsunade, "Plus, we had already entered your names. Hayama belives that you are capable to handle yourselves. Pack your bags for a long trip. You leave for Sunagakure in two days."
"Suna," I gasped, "As in Gaara is going to be there?"
"Kori," Yuki warned.
"Is there a problem?" said Tsunade as she narrowed her eyes.
"Not unless you count the hearts in her eyes and the random thoughts of hugging him," said Yuki.
"I am not that bad," I pouted, "He is adorable and needs lovin'."
"He is the Godaime Kazekage, you would probably get killed before you get close to him," said Yuki.
"Then I will just give his present to Temari or Kankuro," I smiled.
After both Tsunade and Yuki threatening me with lots of pain should I embarrass Konoha or try my usual outbursts, I had to come up with a better approach. We then packed up our stuff and then began to make our way towards Suna. Though it was really interesting with Tsunade keeping a VERY close eye on both us. By the time the trip was finished, I had already slipped sleeping pills into her sake and made a run for it. However Kakashi, who was recruited for our 'safty', or as I call it man handler, he stopped us before we could get too far.
"Why did you do that?" asked Kakashi.
"Before or after the hugging, yelling, beating, squishing, doting, accusing, worrying, lecturing.." I listed.
"Can it Kori," said Yuki, "God when she wakes up she will be pissed."
"Actually she should feel rather well rested, jesus I had to place enough drugs in there to kill a giant toad," I told her.
"Why?" she asked.
"Tsunade, greatest med nin known to anyone. Specialty was once a long time ago to develop cures for poisons that came out of Suna. Why wouldn't sleepy pills not be under that. Do you know what you could do to a sleeping person? Hey, that look you are giving me...Stop that," I said when I saw the hearts appear in Yuki's eyes.
Tsunade woke up and chewed me and Yuki out for making her fall asleep but she did realize she was being a bit overprotective of us. Thankfully we were already in Suna and we had to finish registering and then find a place to sleep. While Yuki was being the mature one, I was wandering around the hotel we were staying at enjoying some pocky. I saw two people arguing over something and then my mischief thoughts began to form. I ran over to them and introduced myself.
"Hi I am Kori, can I hug you?" I said smiling.
One of them got a 'I will kill you look' before he lunged at me. I bounced on my tiptoes and weaved away from him. Still munching on pocky I looked down when he hit the floor.
"Um I asked for a hug, you got a kunai, that isn't fair," I said cacthing light shining off the blade of his hidden weapon.
"Come on Sedan," said the girl, "We don't have time for Konoha rejects."
"Oh thank you, I think you are one of a kind too," I said stepping over the boy.
I managed to quickly occupy myself with other things and before I knew it, it was time for us to sleep. Still excited that Gaara was going to be there, all I could do was toss and turn in our room. Finally I started rummaging through my pack and found my little colored sandstone statue of the Suna Siblings. I turned my head and made sure no one was looking and then I cuddled up into a corner and snuggled the statue. Ten minutes later I was asleep.
Picture of Kori and Yuki: I finally found a way to upload my pics, since my friggin scanner is retarted.
These are the old costumes I had them in...and I think my art sucks anyway so if you think so to then it is alright. If the pic links don't show up, the former costumes can be found on Deviant art and look under the user Riverseither, and the last one, since DA is being a frustrating machine, is on Photobucket under the user name KarasuSuki...under the self titled album on the last page. You have to filter through my randomness to get to it, but it is titled Older Kori and Yuki.
Kori: http:/ riverseithr. deviantart. com /#/ d3hq4l1
Yuki: http:/ riverseithr. deviantart. com /#/ d3hq4we
Older Yuki/Kori : http:/ /i659. photobucket .com/ albums/ uu318 /KarasuSuki/
Alphenwolf: Hanabi is also part of the main family, I think I wrote her as a bit kinder in the story but we don't get to see much of her in the anime/manga anyway. As for Haruko, who knows she may appear in later chapters...hehehe. I am glad you liked your little cameo..I giggled when I wrote it.
SilverMusic: *giggles* yeah Kori is kinda accepted isn't she...Shikamaru probably thought about it but he was with Yuki, who didn't allow him to leave, that and he doesn't really bother with anything that seems like too much work. Shikamaru blush? I like it. Thanks, both Yuki and Kori are going to develop along the story, though I am not 100% sure where I am taking Kori. Plus, I am happy that you found yourself laughing. It brings me joy to know that my crazy ideas are liked by someone else.
Sukaretto Miyuki: Thanks for liking my story so much. It is good to see that I have another reader who will comment on the chapters I write. Crazy things are formed in this head of mine, some are funny others are scary, but I am glad you like it. As for Haruko, I wrote her that way. I have an evil plan for her so bear with me until she makes a reappearance.
River: I am sorry this chapter is short compared to the others, but I think starting off fresh then into the exams would be better than doing this bit and then the exams and have a ridiculous chapter to read. I have some bad news readers. I have a death in the family and must be away from my computer so the chapter will be late, again. I will make it extra fun, funny, and such to make up for the delay.