Previously: Daisuke and Anko make up, before which Daisuke laughs at Orochimaru's face. Haku likes Ameyuri Ringo and is scared to tell her. All of Konoha's Genin advance to the second stage, with Sasuke and Lee now definitely in the Finals. We left when the board announced Hinata's and Neji's match.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Kishi does. But, Akira, Daisuke and Kazumi are mine though.
[O_O]
Neji Hyuuga vs. Hinata Hyuuga
I looked towards her in worry. I was somewhat comforted when Shino already had his hands around her shoulders and held her steady. Not that she needed it. She was staring determinedly at the board. Seeming to accept the challenge, she nodded her head slightly and went down.
"I was not expecting our fight to be so soon, Hinata-sama.", Neji stated when he reached the centre. "You have always been sheltered by the Main Family and are not ready for the brutality that being a ninja entails. Forfeit and you shall be let off lightly."
"Th-That just goes to show you that you don't know how much I've changed, Neji-nii.", Hinata replied.
"Neji-nii?!", Sakura asked shocked. I snorted at this.
"You've got good brains Sakura-san. You should've realized that they were related somehow!", I scolded her. "But that isn't the full story is it Kakashi? I mean he's glaring at her like as if she's wronged him somehow."
"Astute observation Daisuke. To know the situation between them both, I have to explain to you some of the Hyuuga clan's bloody history. The Hyuuga clan are one of the very earliest clans to have settled in Konoha. There weren't any rules back then and were winging it as they went by. Problems began though when the son of the first heir sired a child with a civilian. Now, having children with civilians wasn't the issue here, there were lots of children already born that way by the time this child was born. It was the second heir's son, obviously younger, though who had an issue. He didn't want the riches of the Hyuuga clan to be exploited by the civilian mother's family. So he developed a seal, one so horrible that with the activation of a single handseal, would give the user immense pain. If the holder of the seal were to die, the acid pre-stored in the seal would dissolve their eyes. Only, he called it a medic seal that would be guarded closely by the Hyuuga clan. Obviously those civilian born children, who had no idea of sealing, were enticed by it and it was on them whom he applied the seal first. He branded those people as Branch House. People not worthy to be in the Hyuuga clan because of their ancestry. Those without the seal were branded Main House, who had complete control over the branch house.", Kakashi lectured looking a little disturbed. Naruto and Sakura were looking at him in shock. Sasuke was glaring grimly at the contestants below. Me? Well my stomach threatened to throw my previous night's dinner all over the observation area.
"Obviously, this started a riot within the clan. Imagine children, crying because some sadistic bastard in the Main House wanted to see them cry, or a really determined person breaking down because they couldn't stand the pain from the seal which was activated by a Main House member who wanted them to stand down.", Kakashi continued painting a really grim picture.
"Before it escalated to full out civil war, Hashirama-sama and Madara-sama were forced to intervene. Swift justice was brought down on the second son's heir when under the influence of Madara-sama's genjutsu, he applied the seal on himself. This person is Hiashi's great-grandfather's older brother, whose family line is now extinct. Hiashi's grandfather's cousin, that is, the second heir's grandson, saw no reason to bring a sire a child into a clan this convoluted, though the Main branch demanded him. Insubordination obviously meant agony via the seal. He went mad because of overuse of the seal and died three days later." Kakashi obviously was not comfortable telling this tale. "There has always been bad blood between the Branch house and Main House after that incident. Looks like they're about to begin.", he nodded towards Neji and Hinata. Sakura looked really melancholy and Naruto looked absolutely shocked.
"Begin!", Hayate's voice sounded from below.
"Before we do this, let me appeal to your logical side.", Neji began condescendingly. I frowned at this. So did Hinata. He smirked though, probably thinking that he was successfully getting under her skin.
"You're a kind soul. You seek peace wherever you go. Harmony seems to be your definition. Gentleness and soft-spoken is how I've ever seen you be. You do not want to get exposed to the brutality that this world of ours dishes out, Hinata-sama. Please forfeit.", Neji ranted. It seemed like he was praising her, but the tone of his voice clearly showed that he was in fact, mocking Hinata. This enraged me for some reason.
-With Hinata-
- Hinata-sama. Please forfeit.", Neji asked of me. "I didn't come all this way for me to back down because Neji-nii asks me to. No. I will Fight." I thought vehemently.
"I've just about had enough!", Naruto shouted from where he is standing in the observation area. Neji glances up at him. "Who even gave ya the right?!", he demands enraged. "Hinata!", he called out to me. I looked up at him. "Don't tell me that you're going to stand there and listen to all that spiel! Beat the living crap outta him!"
In one single motion, I remove my jacket and throw it towards the proctor revealing the chakra resistant fabric armor that Daisuke-kun got me before the exams.
"Pl-Please hold on to that for me Proctor-san.", I asked of him politely. "It somewhat restricts my motion and I w-will collect it after the match." He nodded at me.
"You see Neji-nii.", I began, turning towards him, meeting his glare with my own. "I am all of those, but you forget. M-My esteemed father has always drilled me to never back down. You may be alright backing down in the face of a stronger ch-challenge, but add this to my repertoire Neji-nii. I. Never. Will. B-Because that is my ninja way.", I finished, activating my Byakugan. So saying, I relaxed into the Gentle Fist stance. I could hear Naruto and Daisuke cheering me from up there.
Neji-nii seems pissed off. But, shakes himself mentally and relaxes into the Gentle Fist stance himself. It took us perhaps a whole minute to start fighting. Me being patient and Neji finally giving in to frustration. I smirked at this and began attacking.
"I hope you're watching how much I've improved.", I thought, looking him directly in the eye. Every chakra fuelled punch countered, every feint read and every thrust parried. It was difficult no doubt, Neji's is a respect one earns. He hates Hanabi and me because he feels that we are sheltered from the harshness from life because of the Main Family.
What he doesn't know, nor realise, is that the same family crushes people they think to be weak, in line to be branded and that I am no exception. Heiress to the clan be damned.
-With Daisuke-
I'm floored. Ever since the match started. Hinata is now a different person. TOTALLY. What brought this on I don't know, could have been Naruto's outburst or Neji's stupid rant, but she's awesome. I do not know if that's how she looks while training with me, but I know one thing for sure now. Neji is going to get beat.
That armor though is covering most of her vital points nicely. It isn't an armor strictly. On the outside it looks like any other dark full-handed sweater, covering her from the neck upto mid-thigh. What it's made out of though is chakra resistant fabric, classifying it as armor. The bane for any ninja severely dependent on messing up their opponent's chakra network, be it a genjutsu user, a taijutsu user or a ninjutsu user. However, since the material is so costly, not many ninja think of buying one.
Case and point, the match going on in front of me right now. Both of them seem a bit winded. Neji, since he has to apply force to his chakra inducing attacks and Hinata because she has to look out for any Gai trained attacks that might clip her.
All was going well, when suddenly excreta hit the air-cooling rotor device. You see, Neji isn't called a genius for nothing. He figured out a way to still get to her chakra network, by pumping his attacks full of chakra. Both of them were looking to shut down the other's chakra point, but Hinata's reach is too small, something Neji intended to take full advantage of.
The both of them stopped, when Hinata threw out a gush of blood. He'd hit her point close to the stomach. I almost rushed in, before I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Shino.
"You might want to interfere, but I ask you not to. Why? Because, Hinata has trained a lot with a lot of blood and sweat poured in, in anticipation of meeting Neji in battle during these exams. ", he monotones, shaking his head. I am reluctant to, but I nod at him anyway.
"Besides, look at what she did to Neji.", he continues placing his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
I look at him. He is in obvious pain, the arm he used to thrust at her stomach now flopping uselessly at his side. He had a look of intense hate and was glaring at Hinata who was smirking slightly. Using his other arm and mouth, he uses the straps on his arms to tie his useless arm to his torso. Hinata graciously allowed him time to do that, although I could see that she wanted some time to recover from his hit.
It was apparent that he'd trained using only one arm to fight, still using the Gentle Fist. I was in awe of Gai-sensei's training programme. To the outsider, it might look brutal and unforgiving, but the fruits are there for everyone to see.
The fight was back on, full force, neither giving the other room to spare, both exploiting the other's handicap to the full. Hinata stumbled in the middle, Neji took full advantage of that and pushed her back, exposing her midriff. He rushed in struck her. Exactly above the heart. Remember the excreta hitting the rotor device I was talking about? This was it. Not having done enough he went in for the second hit, making contact successfully. She was definitely falling, close to fainting I might add, but still he was going in for a third hit. I didn't care by then, I rushed in and grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards me, exposing my back to Neji. I could see Kazumi and Akira were there too, sword unsheathed and kunai in hand, just in case.
I didn't feel any pain though. I looked back to see what happened. Gai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei were holding Neji back. Hayate-san had already called the match in Neji's favor.
"Hey, Hinata!", I call. Her face is really sweaty and she's fighting to keep awake. Sure signs of a cardiac arrest. "Hinata! Cough! Take in deep breaths and cough again!", I coax her, tears forming.
"Not now. You have to help her!", I think blinking them away. She complies, though it's hard for her, she does what I ask her to do. I keep rubbing her back until she's able to cough more strongly.
"What's this?!", Neji demands from behind. "The Main Family member can't hold her ground?!"
"Neji. You promised me that this feud won't cloud your youthful judgment while fighting her. But, what you tried to do is most unyouthful!", Gai-sensei scolds him, sounding disappointed.
"I already called the match when I recognized that she was about to faint.", Hayate said, adding his two ryo. "By all rights I should disqualify you. It disgusts me that I can't, since you, technically, didn't touch her after I called the fight."
By now, Kakashi-sensei and the medics are looking over her, while I glare at Neji. "The damage is to her network, Kakashi-sama. Although she did go into cardiac arrest, Daisuke-sama gave her the correct instructions on what to do, which helped us stop it quickly.", a medic reported to Kakashi-sensei. "Have you considered joining the Medic Corps Daisuke-sama?", he asked turning to me. I shook my head at him.
"Please do consider. We need people who can think quickly in critical times of need.", he asked of me. I nodded back. Perhaps he understood, what I was going through. I was seeing red. I wanted to beat the snot out of Neji, make him haul ass and apologise to Hinata.
"I wouldn't waste my time glaring at me.", he smirked, still holding his arm. "Use it properly to take care of her."
Saying so, he started walking back to the observation area. The medics were now carrying her away in a stretcher. Hayate passed her jacket onto one of them. She didn't have anyone following. I looked up to Anko. She obviously knew about the arrangement I had with the diminutive Hyuuga, so she nodded her head.
Behind me I could hear Naruto. "I swear on everything dear to me Neji. I will win the Chuunin exams.", he began. "And beat your ass to next week while I'm at it!", he snarled. I followed the medics into the care area within the building. I could hear Akamaru whimpering.
Kurenai spotted us as we entered. I told her that I would look over Kiba and that she could go help with Hinata. She nods and points me to where Kiba is now in drips sitting up, his poor puppy obviously whining in worry. I sit on the sofa available in the room. Akamaru recognizes me and as soon as I've sat down jumps on to my lap.
I look to Kiba. "May I?", I ask.
"If he wants you to, I don't see why not.", Kiba shrugs. I start petting Akamaru, which he enjoys a lot. "You're the first person I've seen outside of the clan, that doesn't have a problem with nin-dogs.", he blurts.
"Kakashi-sensei has his own pack.", I tell him.
"But they're not from our kennels.", he replies. "Our dogs are very hard to control, most are feral, but when you came for D-ranks I've observed that they become mush in your hands. Even Hana reported that you aren't scared of them. Her partners, the Haimaru brothers, aren't very accepting of outsiders, but seemed to like you on first sight, even if you smelled strongly of cats."
I laughed at this. "Yes, Buri-chan does have the annoying habit of asking me to play at annoying times."
Thinking for some time, I answer, "I think that all animals can sense fear, anger, the whole repertoire of negative emotions. Us humans included." He nodded at this. "I think that they are able to sense that I will do them no harm, that with me they are safe and that I love animals, no matter what they be. Maybe that's why they like me. I don't know, just ranting here."
He laughed at this, sounding really close to a bark. "I dunno Daisuke, look at Akamaru.", he motions to my lap, where the small motions coming from Akamaru's stomach tells me that he's sleeping. "He's been awake and refused to rest, even after the medics expressly told him to. He just growled at them and went to Kurenai-sensei, still refusing to sleep. I think you're on to something."
Said teacher was now rushing in and pulling me into an enormous hug, taking care not to wake Akamaru. My blood threatens to pour out via the top of my head. "Hey! I'm a guy!" I think shocked. "A teenaged hormonal guy at that. I can feel things!"
Blush in full force I ask her, "Errrm, what was that for?"
"That's the second time in the same day that you have taken care of one of my students, Daisuke-kun.", she replied beaming.
"It was nothing, sensei. I just asked her to do something I'd read in a book somewhere.", I muttered.
"What Mr. Modest isn't telling us here is that he helped save Hinata's life, at a crucial stage in cardiac arrest.", she explained to a gawking Kiba.
"Hinata had a heart-attack?!", Kiba asked, almost shouting. Kurenai-sensei smiled.
"No. She almost did, but Daisuke-kun here saved her from that. It would've seriously damaged her chances at a ninja career and life, if it were not for him."
It was at this opportune moment that my stomach chose to tell the world that I hadn't had my breakfast yet. Now, I was blushing for a totally different reason. Kurenai-sensei and Kiba laughed at this.
"You wait here. I'll go get some food.", she laughed, turning towards the door before I could do anything. Not that I could, seeing as I had one cute sleeping baby on my laps. I sighed.
"Careful there, Daisuke.", Kiba joked. "My mom says that sighing takes years off of your life." I snorted at this. It became quiet for a while. Then he asked, "Why do you do it?" I look up to him, still softly stroking Akamaru.
"I mean why do you help? Neither Hinata nor I have any direct relations with you, yet you go out of your way to help us. Why?"
I glared at him, all ready to be offended, then rip him a new one and what not. But, when I see his face he genuinely seems confused, although I could see a bit of cringing with the onset of my initial reaction.
"Why not? Are you all not my friends?", I ask. He nods. "Will you not do the same for me?" He bristles at this, seeming to take offence that I even need to ask, then understanding passes through his face.
"I understand, Daisuke. I'm sorry I didn't mean to phrase it like that.", he apologises. I grin.
"Nah, it's okay. To err is human after all", I replied.
It was obvious that he still needed to rest, seeing that his eyes were lidding, I helped him along by pretending to sleep myself. By the time Kurenai came around, I motioned for her to be quiet. She nodded and set the food down on the side table. I started to open the packages. Rice, stir-fried chicken and some curry on the side.
"Someone's been talking with Anko.", I murmured smirking. She rolled her eyes and motioned for me to eat. I thanked her and got to it, while she went to Hinata's side. After finishing my meal, I sit on the sofa, rubbing the pup's oh so soft fur around his neck…..
[O_O]
By the time I wake up, Hinata's already up. Akira and Kazumi are with her and the healing room's filled up quite a bit.
"Morning sleepy-head.", Kazumi teases, the both of them coming towards me. I rub the back of my head embarrassed. Akamaru's still on my lap. According to Kiba, he was guarding the both of us very jealously. Yoroi is here, one of his hands heavily bandaged. Tenten in sleeping, Lee there for her in case she wakes up. I could make out Kakashi, but no idea who he was with.
I asked Kazumi what happened.
"Well, that guy there was unfortunate enough to go against Gaara.", she points to Yoroi. "Crushed his arm like it was a pillow. Certainly didn't look like one though.", she continued, face scrunching up. "Seemed severely pissed off when the proctor wouldn't allow him to continue."
"That's him alright.", I roll my eyes.
"Kakashi-sensei is standing over Sakura. She went against your friend Shikamaru.", she explains.
"Ouch.", I wince. "Her voice would've been extremely stimulating for him. Not exactly how you want an opponent Nara to be.", I tell her. She nods her head, amused.
"Naruto went against Ino. Beat the snot out of her obviously.", she rolls her eyes, seeing my pride. "Tenten-san though..", she looks a bit melancholy and worried here. "She was against Temari-san. When she knew her weapons would be useless, tried to go for hand-to-hand combat. As you can see it's not the best plan she came up with."
"Her brother Kankuro was fighting Misumi when I saw him last. Akira and I were wondering if you were declaring your undying love for Hinata-san and that was why it was taking you so long to come back.", she teased. "Only to find you sleeping here with this cutie on your lap. Kurenai-sensei warned us not to wake you up.", she cooes at Akamaru, who yipped back tail wagging.
Judging from Hinata's reaction, it was obvious that she'd heard and I was glaring at Kazumi, blush full force.
"I can't take you seriously when you're blushing like that.", she laughed.
"I need to talk to Jiraiya!", I exclaim slapping my head.
"I can't believe I forgot to tell him that Gaara's the One-Tail jinchuriki!", I thought mentally slapping myself.
"It's not something to go to Jiraiya over!", Kazumi exclaims still teasing. I roll my eyes.
"Totally different matter, Kazumi.", I retort.
Akira is sniggering beside her. "Hey! You're supposed to be on my team!", I faux scold him.
"The prelims should get over soon.", she replied, getting that I needed the information. On cue, Choji comes in laid on a stretcher.
"What happened to him?", I ask the medic who is bringing him in.
"Punch to the stomach while using the Human-Bullet Tank jutsu.", she informs moving quickly.
I winced slightly.
"Ouch. That has got to hurt.", Akira says, voicing my thoughts.
"Are the prelims over?", I asked.
"Pretty much yeah.", she replied. "Although you've got to move fast if you want to catch the match-ups for the Finals."
"Akamaru.", I turned toward the pup. "You've got to be a brave dog and look after Kiba for me okay? I want to go find out who Naruto and Sasuke are up against." He barked back, sitting upright, chest puffing out. I laughed here.
I picked him up carefully, put him on top of Kiba and headed out, motioning for Kazumi and Akira to follow. They did so without asking anything. It still astounded me that they looked up to me that way.
I went out to the arena, hearing Shika calling "Six. Meh, troublesome.", and Temari bristling. I had one answer.
"Good showing young ones!", Hokage-sama praised, looking at each one of them smiling warmly. Some of them looked bored, but all of the Konoha Chuunin hopefuls took pride in taking his praise. Even if Shika didn't show it outright. I rolled my eyes at him.
"You have one month to prepare for the finals!", Gekko announced. "I advise you to use this time and train properly! Dismissed!"
The formal setting immediately turned informal. Everyone smiling at each other. Gai challenging Kakashi to an inter-team match, Shika muttering about troublesome tournaments grabbing his team and heading out. I went up to Jiraiya and Anko.
"I might've -uhh- messed up a bit. Scratch that a lot.", I blurted.
"How much minion?", Anko asked, eyes narrowing.
"Threat to Konoha level?", I replied, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly.
"Only you kid.", Jiraiya growled. I kept rubbing the back of my head.
"We need an audience with Saru-ji as soon as possible.", I continued a bit angry at myself.
"He's right here.", came an amused voice behind me. I blanched at this. I turned around to see Hokage-sama in full Kage regalia, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Now what is this I hear about a threat to my village?", he asked.
"Could we please take this to your office?", I asked.
"Sure, Daisuke-kun.", he replied.
Since Anko was a part of his entourage anyway, we followed. As soon as we entered, he did the privacy jutsu, activated the sound-proof seal for good measure, sat down on his office seat and motioned for me to begin.
And begin I did, with the story of how I initially met Gaara and that he is in fact a jinchuriki, most probably the one-tails', seeing that he had similar abilities to that of the previous one-tails Jinchuriki. Also, that he felt similar to Naruto when angry. The tricky part was, I had to voice them as suspicions that I'd derived on my own. I was careful in what I said, lest I jumble something up and a bucket load of suspicion dowsed on me.
After I'd finished, the whole room was quiet. Pin drop silence, as my mom would've liked to call it. Hokage-sama is sitting on his chair, thinking deeply, eyes closed, fingers intertwined. Anko seems disturbed about it all, while Jiraiya is looking like he's coming to terms with my information. Which means that he knew about it before. Akira and Kazumi are waiting outside.
"Good thing you brought this to us Daisuke-kun, no matter how late.", he smirked at the end. "We already had suspicions, seeing that he could control sand like no other."
"Erm, one more thing.", I began. "Orochimaru is probably planning on using the final exams as a distraction to get to either Sasuke or me."
All present in the room knew enough of Orochimaru to know that he would somehow get to us, no matter the amount of protection provided. By the look on her face, I could see that Anko was probably having a mind fart. Nothing much was left to be said after that. Team twelve exited the tower, Kazumi visibly put off that the team as a whole weren't able to listen to what I had to say, seeing that Anko was still not her usual self.
It was only during lunch that Anko seemed to begin to behave in a way that was normal to her. An idiot thought that he would be able to get the better out of us by leering at us. I began grinning here. Motioning for Akira and Kazumi to watch, I sat back to enjoy the show. When the bill arrived, o' shock o' shock. It was too expensive. So expensive, in fact that it would've put a decent five star restaurant's menu to shame. He held his face neutral while he gave us the bill.
"Thanks for the food.", Anko chirped ripping it and heading out. We followed her, leaving a poor stuttering businessman behind.
"You think Hokage-sama will let you go?!", he shouted from behind. She flipped him the finger. We continued walking towards our training ground. I laughed. Even Kazumi was smirking a bit.
"Was that a good thing to do?", Akira asked from his stand point.
"Minion. Understand this. When life gives you lemons, you fucking throw them back at it. Capische?"
Akira stood there, confused look on his face, but nodding all the same. I laughed even harder.
Reaching the place, we first headed for the tower. It was a mess. Things strewn helter skelter. Stuff that was supposed to be in the wastebasket lying on the floor. I sighed seeing this.
"Tch. Stupid Genin leaving stupid stuff around, not caring for those stupid people who have to clean-up afterward.", Anko grumbled, starting to take stuff off the floor. Without having her to tell us, we began cleaning too. Seven floors was a huuuuge amount of work, but we did it piece by piece, floor by floor. It was well into the night by the time we finished cleaning the tower. All of us were exhausted.
"We now have only 200 square kilometers of dense forestry to go.", Kazumi commented drily. All of us snorted at once.
"Leave the forest to those lazy bastards who should've come today.", Anko growled out. "I'm winding up those guys and slave-driving them tonight."
Akira, Kazumi and I shuddered at the apparent joy in her tone when she did that.
"Did you not ask us to report by seven tomorrow?", Kazumi asked. Anko waved her off.
"I'll be there don't worry.", she replied. "I don't think dinner is possible tonight minions. I have some Chuunin hunting to do. They can be motivated when they want to be. See ya later.", she cackled grinning madly.
A whoosh is all that told us that she'd Shunshinned off.
"We have got to learn that!", I exclaimed.
"Ya mean ya don't know how to use it?", Akira asked. He Shunshinned a few metres away from me to prove his point.
"You idiot! His parents died before they were able to teach him! Be at least somewhat sensitive of his situation will you?", Kazumi scolded him, with him looking cowed.
"I'm sorry Daisuke.", he apologised. It did sadden me a bit to be truthful. But I smiled.
"Nah Akira. I do that sometimes too. Don't worry about it. So team. Are we going home or to a restaurant. Or even better, we'll all go to my home. The Mist trio should be free now and Jiraiya will probably be returning sometime soon. Knowing my brothers, they'll be out celebrating with Kakashi."
This seemed to pick the mood up a bit, although Kazumi was still glaring at Akira. We made it to my clan compound and as usual, the Mist trio were training their asses off. Kazumi and Akira were in shock looking at them. Then they looked at me.
"I know right?!", I exclaim.
The training got over in a few moments. I could see why they weren't bothered that they were training out in the open. The mist was so thick that you couldn't see six inches ahead of you and from the sounds of it, those three have death battles going on inside there. As they were winding down, Zabuza dispelled the mist. Hmmm, something to think about.
"Hey Zabuza!", I called. "Coming for dinner?"
"Just let us finish polishing our blades, we'll be right in.", he replied.
"I'll help with cooking!", Haku supplied smiling at me. I nodded smiling back.
We headed into the house and went into the kitchen. I started setting up the utensils, while Haku started chopping vegetables. In a few minutes we had a broth going and with Haku's magic hands, a heavenly aroma too.
Jiraiya came in a few minutes later and took a deep breath.
"That smells divine. I can't wait to have dinner.", he praised us. I grinned back at him in happiness. Haku nodded. "Hey runt.", he called turning to me. "I passed Anko trying to play piñata with a Chuunin a few minutes back. Any story there?", he asked.
I laughed here. "Well. Let's just say that some people are not worth pissing off because they're not worth it. Others you shouldn't because of what they'll do to you. Anko falls squarely in the second."
"That told me literally nothing.", Jiraiya sweat-dropped. I pouted.
"She looking for a bunch of lazy Chuunin to lord over. Happy?", I asked, grumpily. Understanding dawned in his face.
"Ah. That I can live with.", he replied sitting on the table nodding at me smirking and beginning to read something. I got back to cooking. A few moments later the front door banged open.
"I'm telling you! I'll win, dattebayo!", came Naruto's voice, running in, if his increasing volume was any indication. "NO! I will!, came Sasuke's voice. Then the kitchen door burst open, Naruto and Sasuke panting.
"See! I WON!", Naruto shouted.
"No you didn't! I did!", Sasuke argued.
"Me!
"Me!"
"ME!"
"ME!"
"DAISUKE! TELL HIM!", they shouted turning towards me. I shrugged.
"From what I can see, it was a photo-finish.", I replied. The both of them glared at me.
"Did you scrub your shoes at the entrance?", I asked giving a full glare back. They looked at me sheepishly.
"Shoes first. Then floors. Now!", I ordered. The both of them went grumbling. I sighed. "When both of you finish, I'll make some miso ramen with a tomato based broth." This brightened the both of them up considerably and went to work.
A few moments later, Zabuza and Ameyuri came strolling in. She went upto Haku who was making the curry and took a deep breath. "Hmm. That smells lovely. What is it?", she asked. The poor guy was a blushing mess of stutters.
"Bitter gourd and chicken.", he finally muttered out. She came to me next. "And what do we have here?", she asked me.
"Mushrooms. Chopped and seasoned.", I replied.
"Can't wait!", she exclaimed, going back to sit on the couch near the window. From his place I could feel the obvious eye-roll that Zabuza was doing. Hmmm, so he knows. I finished preparing the mushrooms and cleaned my hands.
"Hey Zabuza. I've been thinking.", I began.
"Great! Kid's growing up at laast.", Zabuza sniffed, pushing an imaginary tear away from his cheek. Akira snorted.
"Fine!", I huffed. "Be that way! But when another swordswoman tells you that I upgraded her sword, allowing it to channel more chakra and be more accepting of theirs, making it more efficient, don't come running to me!"
"Wait what?", both Jiraiya and Zabuza asked at the same time. It was kinda funny so I laughed, with them sweat dropping.
"You're using seals aren't you?", Jiraiya asked.
"Yep!", I answered.
"What seals are you using?" Zabuza asked.
"That information is classified.", I replied, poking out my tongue at him.
"Come on tell me!", Zabuza bugged.
I went up to Ameyuri.
"Ameyuri-san. May I have a look at your blades please.", I asked. She looked at me for a long moment.
"Know that I don't allow even Zabuza-sama to touch them, unless it's while sparring and he absolutely has to use his hands. And that was three years ago.", she told me seriously. "If this is some juvenile prank to get back at Zabuza-sama, I swear to all that is holy why they used to call me the Thunder Princess back home."
I blinked once, then twice.
"Did you say 'Thunder Princess'?", I asked shocked. She nodded looking at me quizzically. I went to my room mantel, took out the picture of my mom and her team from it's frame, brought it down and showed it to her.
"Do you remember them?", I asked. Her eyes widened. "Kushina Uzumaki. I remember her well. I was barely eleven when I first met her team. In battle that is. My master was severely incapacitated and was almost robbed of her ninja career by her and Mikoto Uchiha, while Konoha's white Fang and Mikino Yoruichi assassinated a corrupt lord of the Water country, only at that time we didn't know that he was corrupt and almost went to war with the Fire Nation. My master's whole team of apprentices ran away, the pussies, while I stayed back to fight. I was obviously easily overwhelmed, but what she said to me that day still inspires me. They're really young in this though. They were all Chuunin or higher during that mission."
I nodded here, eyes a bit moist. "It's Mikino Yamanaka now. Ino Yamanaka is her daughter and Inoichi is her husband. Naruto is Kushina's son. And Mikoto was Sasuke's and my mother. It was her who instilled the awe of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist into me. She mentioned you by title, although I didn't know it was you. I would be really glad that it was your sword that I ever updated first. May I please look at them?"
She still looked at me uncertainly. Deciding upon something, she unsealed them.
"Treat them well.", was all she said handing them over to me, where I took out an empty scroll and sealed them in it.
"I have to be absolutely sure of what I'm doing here." I informed her.
You're primarily a Raiton user right?", I asked.
"Anyone who inherits the sword has to be.", she replied.
"And the water element?", I asked.
"Needed for performing Kirigakure no Jutsu."
"Tell me how that works. Do you take the water you use as mist back in or dispel it?"
She looked at me like I was a madman. "You've seen us do it lots of times Daisuke. We have to dispel it."
"Like I said, I have to be sure. Now how about the metal used? How much chakra do you have to use to channel chakra through it?
She thought for a moment. "Initially it was high at about two and a half times the chakra used, if the jutsu were used similarly using handseals. But now, it takes almost the same."
I nodded. "Do you want the person who inherits the blade to go through that or do you want to make it easier for them?"
"Don't change that aspect. It is a critical phase of our training period. It makes us question if we really are worthy of inheriting a blade with so much history. It drove me to become stronger. And it will happen to my successor too."
I nodded again. I had no doubt that these two were going back to Kiri and if Ameyuri were to go, Haku was sure to follow.
"Expect your blade in a week. If it isn't to your satisfaction, I'll bring it back to how it is now.", I told her happily.
"Just my luck…", came Zabuza's grumbling voice from behind.
I went back to prepare Sasuke's and Naruto's second dinner. By the time they were done, it was ready. All of us then sat and ate. Naruto kept bugging Jiraiya for training, while Sasuke was eyeing Zabuza, who had noticed and was ignoring the boy.
After dinner everyone dispersed, I went along with my team-mates, informing Sasuke that I'd be back within the hour. We dropped Kazumi and then I went with Akira to meet Arima-san and Tsugumi-san. It had been too long since I had seen them.
Arima-san was as always goofy and Tsugumi-san pulled Akira and me into a huge hug. Only after ensuring them that, yes that weekend Kazumi and I would be at their home for lunch both days, was I allowed to leave that household.
I reached home quickly enough, while taking the long route. On reaching, I ensured that everyone was in fact inside, then locked the doors. Wishing Sasuke and Naruto a very good night, I went to the living room, where Jiraiya was pretending to be asleep.
"I know that you're awake.", I said out to him. He still pretended to be asleep. "Well don't mind me then. I'll be working on updating the Kiba."
I went upto the study table and unsealed the Kiba blades. First thing to look for was always places to apply the seal. It was murder, seeing that these blades needle looking and had very little hilts. I was toying with the idea of reinforcement, writing down seals since I didn't want to waste any more chakra than I had to. Sealing them back in, I applied the seal on the table. The reinforcement seal worked pretty well, it held even when I tried to blow up the desk using a powerful Blasting seal. Sasuke and Naruto came running down when they heard the sound. Sasuke rolled his eyes looking at the slightly smoking desk and me grinning. Naruto looked excited. Through all this, Jiraiya was still 'sleeping'.
Satisfied with this, I next applied the seal on the sofa on which Jiraiya was 'sleeping'. Noisily. His head started to sweat. Then I started mumbling specifics.
"Hmmm. That was an MF of 1. Ima try an MF of ten next."
"Are you crazy?!", he shouted finally getting up. "A mag factor of ten on the Blasting Seal could wipe out this whole district! Not to mention if you don't supply a large enough sealing array lined along the main matrix it could blow upon your face! Just what are you experimenting with?!"
I poked my tongue out at him. "Just something that tickles my fancy from time to time."
"That's some fancy you have there.", he grumbled.
"I was thinking of testing out this seal on the sword next. Up for it? After this I swear that you can go sleep.", I implored.
"Fine.", he gave in sighing.
I took out the blades. I'd decided that the since the seal is going to be pre-activated and doesn't acquire chakra from the user. I applied it and all of us went out to test it.
I knew jack about swordsmanship though, so I just held the both of them in front of me.
"Whenever you're ready.", I informed Jiraiya. He sweat-dropped.
"Are you sure about this kid?", he asked.
"What's life without a little adventure eh?", I asked back grinning.
He shrugged. "Your ass."
"Earth Release: Fist-Rock Technique.", he called. I watched in fascination as rocks encased his hand and hardened there, but not too much as he was able to flex his fingers properly.
"It's been quite a while since I've used this.", he murmured. Then came rushing towards me. Immediately I went on the defensive. Naruto looked psyched, while Sasuke was looking on normally.
Every punch of his was deliberately slow, but would hurt if connected. All I had to do was bring them to the swords' path. I was amazed at how they held on. No vibrations to the hilt of the sword and powerful enough to stop those punches.
"Niiiice.", I thought to myself a little giddy. "If this is the power of normal seals, no wonder people were afraid of the Uzumaki made ones."
After a few minutes, I called a halt to the spar. I was ecstatic at the results. At no point did the seal give and Jiraiya was no slouch. He did hold back on speed, but I'm sure he didn't hold back on the punches.
"That's some seal kid.", he praised, releasing the technique.
I grinned in response.
"Now can we go sleep?", he asked.
"I don't see why not.", I replied.
We went in a happy bunch, everyone too excited to sleep. Everyone but me sat down in the main hall, whereas I went to the kitchen to prepare some hot chocolate. It was at least an hour and a half before everyone went into their bedrooms for sleep to claim them. When it claimed me, I allowed it too quite happily,
A/N: IMPORTANT NOTE: I have now officially entered my final year of college. Because of this, I've joined a hostel close to the college and my updates schedule is going to be even more fucked up. I enjoyed reading the reviews for Daisuke :D
Ice Knight: I hope I haven't spoiled your looking forward to more chapters. :\
NecrorexSparda Juubi-No-Kishin: SPOILERS! SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED NARUTO! I'll answer I order. Who knows? *smirk* Yes, all the bijuu will know. Read on to find out. Izanagi and Izanami are jutsu that the Sharingan itself is capable of, there is no need for the MS or EMS to learn these techniques. SPOILER END! CONTINUE READING!
Toasin: :\ I so wanted to bring in the Susano'o here. No situation arose for Daisuke to actually use it.
NightlyRowenTree: Right back at ya! :D
frozem1: Thanks a lot! I wanted to write them differently. So I did. :D I was too lazy to write the others though :P
Ddragon21: A mini-Madara eh? Lesse :]
Anon: Why not join FF and become one for this story? :D
As always R&R peeps. Toodles :)