Heyo!
So the cause for my lack of updating is due to lack of motivation and my classes. I have a painting class that usually has me in the studio for hours on end and I barely have time to sleep. Bleh. Though waiting for the oil paint to dry gives makes time for plot bunnies to be born.
Anyways~!
THE LOVE INTEREST POLL! IT WILL BE CLOSED WITH CHAPTER 15 COMES OUT! I REPEAT, THE POLL WILL BE CLOSED WHEN CHAPTER 15 IS POSTED.
Minato- 197
Shikaku- 158
Hizashi-74
Jiraiya- 60
Looks like Minato is still in the lead! Readers, if you haven't voted please do!
I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. I DO OWN MY OCS.
"This is ridiculous," I huffed, arms crossed over my chest as I glared at the smiling blonde. We were standing in one of the many training fields, this one being closer to the village and easily noticeable to the trained eye. 3 meters away from our spot was a target post, a large bulls eye painted on the wood. And scattered before the post were several shuriken, all failed attempts of hitting the target.
He closed his eyes and tilted his head, the smile still on his face. "Come on, Naegi-chan. You are serious on getting better at your aim, aren't you?"
Oh, don't you dare try that cute little face on me, buster. I don't care how much it makes me what to squeal like a fangirl on the inside, I WILL NOT SUCOME TO IT!
I deflated like a balloon. "Fine." Damn it.
"Take your stance," Minato said, watching as I moved into position. "Now!"
The shuriken whizzed through the air and landed below the target with a thump. I slumped my shoulders sadly while Goldie Locks clapped his hands happily.
"That's much better Naegi-chan!" he exclaimed. "This time it actually hit the post!"
Making a face, I straightened my position to eye the post with a frown. The closest one was directly under the bull's-eye, which was pretty much mocking me with its red and white circles.
"Better," I repeated, frowning. "But not good enough."
Minato blinked his baby blues at my tone. "Naegi?" he asked.
My eyes turned towards him, a fire glimmering in their green depths. "It's not good enough to become the best."
A sudden light came into his eyes. He smiled. "Ah, so you want to become Hokage too, Naegi-chan?"
I grimaced at the question. "No," I said, ignoring his surprised face. "I don't want to become the Hokage."
He blinked curiously. "Oh?"
Turning my head, I gave him a big grin. "I wanna be something even stronger than a Hokage! Or at least have a cooler title."
Ignoring the bemused look the boy gave me, I looked over at the Hokage Mountain and Hokage Tower. I haven't seen Dad in over a week, and Mom tells me that he's just busy with business but I think something bigger is going on. Anyone with eyes could see something was going on. The shinobi around the village seemed to be a little edgy, always on the alert, even more so than usual. Even Kazou-sensei seemed to be tense during class. Jiraya, Tsunade, and even Orochimaru haven't been around as of lately and that puzzled and mildly concerned me. I have no idea when Snake Face started his nasty experiments on kidnapped kids and with him not being around sent little warning bells in my head.
"Naegi-chan?"
"Hm?" I turned and looked over at Minato who was watching with a puzzled stare.
He trotted closer to me. "Are you alright?"
Shrugging, I looked back at the mountain and tower once more before looking back at the blond midget. "Yeah, just….thinking."
"Isn't you thinking dangerous?" Minato teased playfully, laughing when I sent him a venomous scowl.
"Oh har dee har har," I said sarcastically. "Look who thinks he's funny."
"I don't think I'm funny, Naegi-chan," Minato teased, his blue eyes twinkling. "I know I'm funny."
"Naegi-sama."
Our heads whipped around to see the familiar hawk masked form appearing behind us, kneeling.
'Taka?" I said in bewilderment. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Your father has asked me to collect you. There is a village gathering at the Hokage Tower and both yourself and your friend's presence are required to attend," Taka informed up, standing up and walked over to us, placing a hand on each of our shoulders. There was a blur of colors and then we were mixed in with a large crowd of shinobi and civilians in front of the Hokage Tower. With a gentle nudge, he pushed Minato towards a tall blond man with dark grey eyes before performing a Shunshin no Jutsu once more. Next thing I knew, I was standing on the roof of the Tower, where Dad in his Hokage robes, Mom, Shikakai and a few other shinobi were gathered. Dad nodded in thanks to Taka as the ANBU led me over to Mom who took my hand and tugged me close to her side. With Mom's firm grim on my hand, I looked over at Shikakai whose sharp dark eyes flicked over towards me but flicked back towards to Dad.
Walking over towards the edge and looking over the large crowds of people, Dad opened his mouth and his voice rang loud and clear over the people.
"Today, I must inform you all that Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Amegakure have declared war upon us."
Something lodged in my throat at Dad's announcement, my grip on Mom's hand growing tighter at the news. War? Oh lord, the Second Shinobi War. We barely recovered from the First Shinobi War and that was over twenty some years ago. The crowds below grew restless, panicked voices of the people rising in the air. Families with ninjas immediately latched onto them, as if their tight grips would prevent their loved ones from leaving. A familiar blob of blonde pressed himself even closer to the tall blonde man who had lifted him up into his arms. It was then I noticed the thick chunin vest the man wore and I inwardly swore. Now I see why there was no mention of Naruto having grandparents. Minato's father was shinobi.
Damn it.
I snapped out of my thoughts as Dad continued to speak.
"But even in these dark times, our Will of Fire will burn even brighter. Never forget these words, for the First Hokage gave them to us, and we shall pass them down towards our future. And after this war, we will make sure that peace is insured so that never will innocent blood be shed as we fight for freedom."
Dad continued to speak on about the war and explain how we should be prepared for attacks close to the village but my thoughts immediately turned inward. Was this when the Sannin came to be? When Jiraiya took in the Ame orphans and spent 3 years training them? Why the hell wasn't there a guidebook for this sort of thing?!
When the announcement ended and the crowds dispersed, Dad approached me and Mom with his hands crossed behind his back. Exchanging a silent nod with his wife, the Hokage bent down to press a kiss to my forehead.
"Behave yourself, my Little Leaf," he told me in a gentle but firm tone.
"Daddy?" I asked, taking on the adorable daughter persona. "Will you come home for dinner tonight?"
The corners of his lips twitched down, a sad glint in his dark eyes. "I'm afraid not, little one. I have many things to do but I promise to come home tomorrow."
A grin took over my face and I launched myself at him with my arms wrapping around his waist. The familiar warmth of Dad's hugs enveloped me for a brief moment before,
"Hiruzen, we must discuss battle plans," came the irritating voice of Koharu with Homaru and Danzo right behind her. I gave the three a scathing glare as Dad pulled back from the brief hug. Ruffling my dark hair, Dad walked off with the council, leaving Mom and me with the few shinobi on the roof. With a light tug, Mom led me to the entrance, not even blatting an eyelash at the four shinobi that shadowed us, not even mentioning the ANBU that began to follow us.
When we reached home, Mom left me to my sources as she entered her office, most likely to get started on healing jutsus for the upcoming battles. I retreated to room to do the homework I have been neglecting in order to train more. But as I scribbled down the answer to some question about the Second Hokage, I took a glance at my floor. 5 floorboards to the left of the one board with a dark spot in the wood, was my hiding spot. The notebook I have been scribbling in for the past 2 days was hidden there, and at least once a day, I read over the events to come. And yet, I don't think it's enough.
Dad never showed up to dinner the next night, explaining that he needed to take care of some work.
The first deploy of shinobi left the next week to Amegakure. Thirty-five whole shinobi left, and a month later, fifteen returned with a few missing a limb or two. Due to all the injuries, Mom has pretty much spent all of her time at the hospital, taking charge of major surgeries and helping trainees. So I ended up getting stuck with a nanny. Poor sucker's name is Shou, a distant shinobi cousin to Mom who was given the job of watching over me while Mom and Dad are off doing their stuff.
"And why isn't Sakumo-Sensei not watching me again?" I asked, my eyes focused on a target that had been set up in our backyard.
Shou didn't look up as he continued to sharpen his own kunei. "He's on a mission, brat."
I scowled at 'brat' and stuck my tongue out at him. Immature, I know, but ever since the war was made known to the village, I've been on a tight leash. Everywhere I went, there was a shinobi not too far behind. As soon as school was over, two shinobi would be standing there with the shinobi and civilian parents, waiting to take me home.
With a heavy sigh, I flopped back onto the soft grass with thump. I could feel Shou's eyes on me for a brief moment before turning away.
"If you're not going to practice like you said, go inside."
"But it's so stuff in there! I need the sun! And maybe some social interaction?" I hinted, feeling the urge to have some fun with my friends. I haven't seen them as much as I wanted to, what with me being ferried off as soon as school was over. I miss ninja with my friends, teasing the stoic Hyuga twins (especially Hizashi since all Hiashi does is sniff and gives me the cold shoulder) and I even miss the little ball of sunshine. As much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn't.
"You actually have a guest coming over soon so that should fill up your need for interaction," Shou informed me as he neatly tucked away his sharp kunei.
I sat up, bits and pieces of grass stuck in my hair. Shou grimaced at the sight and stood and walked over to pluck the pieces out.
"Nawaki Senju will be stopping by, so be on your best behavior."
The name nearly made me smack myself on the forehead. I had forgotten about Nawaki. Didn't he just move on the genin level?
"Come now brat. Lets get you clean up for when the Senju arrive."
By the time Shou managed to get me to change into a deep sapphire blue yukata, the Senju escorts arrived. Nawaki trotted into a garden with a big grin, followed by Tsunade who watch Nawaki bounce up to me like a little puppy.
"Naegi-chan! Naegi-chan! Look!" The blonde declared with a bright and overjoyed grin. The new forehead protector shone brightly in the sun on his forehead, the Leaf insignia neatly and professional carved into the metal.
I had to grin at the sight. "Congratulations Nawaki-kun," I cheered. "So you're a real ninja now, huh?"
He scowled at me. "I've always been a real ninja! I just got the headband to prove it!"
I snickered at his frustration, but a flash of light caught my attention. Hanging around the boy's neck was a green blue crystal from a silver chain, the light hitting the carved edges.
Nawaki noticed my eyes on his jewelry. "Like it?" He grinned. "Tsunade-nee-sama gave me Grandfather's necklace!"
I blinked up at Tsunade who approached us after exchanging a word with Shou. Said man gave me a stern look before vanishing inside the house.
What? I'm not to act snarky in front of people?
The older woman flashed a smile at me, reaching out to ruffle my neatly combed hair. "Hey, kiddo. Being good?"
"Nope!" I chimed in, beaming at the wicked grin that stretched across Tsunade's face.
"Good girl!" She praised. "I have a message for you from the idiot."
I swore my eyes gleamed. Jiraiya, the sneaky bum, has been leaving and returning to the village at a random schedule, informing me that it was for his 'research'. When in reality, he was gathering information on the other villages while actually writing his books. Before he left, the white haired ninja kissed me on the forehead and made me promise to behave and to make sure I kept 'the old man on his toes'.
"What did Jiraiya-san say?" I asked eagerly.
Reaching into her sleeve, Tsunade pulled out a battered looking scroll with Jiraiya's messy scrawl across the front, writing out my name.
"He wants you to open it when you're alone," Tsunade grimaced at the order. "Whatever that means."
"Thank you, Tsunade-nee-chan!" I chimed happily, hugging her around the legs.
After tucking the scroll into a sleeve, I looked up at the woman. "How's Mito-sama doing?"
Tsunade's face fell, looking as if she aged another ten years. "Not good. She's been feeling not herself as of late. I think it's almost her time."
My eyes widened. "You mean-?"
She nodded silently, a pained look on her face. Mito was dying. Which means….
"Naegi-chan! Tsunade-nee-sama!" Nawaki called out, waving over by the porch. "Shou-san says the cook made tea and snacks! Come on!"
Tsunade patted me on the shoulder and walked over towards Nawaki, leaving me to follow. Staring at her back, I chewed my bottom lip as I follow the two into the house.
So if Mito was dying, then…
"She's coming~." I sang softly.
"Who's coming kiddo?"
"Nothing, Tsunade-nee-chan!"
Ta-da~!
I apologize for my terrible my war speech but frankly, I'm terrible at writing these things.
Again, I'm sorry for the late update but they should be coming faster soon! And here's a little note for you all! I will be adding time skips in the story because I REALLLLLYYYYY want to get started on the sequel. There will probably 20-25 chapters.
So love it? Hate it?
Lemme know!
P.S. Check out my new story 'Sweet Lullaby', a D-Gray Man fic. Sequel to' Just a Dream' and 'Memories Past'