Homecoming and Prank Wars
Chapter 21
Tayuya removed Shikamaru's hair tie, letting his hair fall loose around his shoulders, "So your hair isn't stuck that way . . ."
He smiled, "I bet you thought I was too lazy to style it . . ."
She kissed him on the mouth, "I don't care about that, as long as you're not too lazy for . . . Other things . . ."
Shikamaru laughed, "You don't beat around the bush, do you?"
She snuggled up against him, "Why do people play those #! Games? If you want something, #! take it!" She shook her head, "#!, I'm cussing again!"
Shikamaru stroked her hair, "You know you don't have to change for me, except for the whole troublesome 'summoning demons to kill me' thing. I like you just the way you are . . ."
Tayuya put her arms around him, "I guess I can live with your troublesome laziness, you Lazy-#! Hottie. Just wear those Man-Whore Shorts for me every once in awhile . . ."
"I thought you wanted me naked . . ."
Tayuya sighed, "I do, but you're too much of a prude for that. Tease."
...
Dosu looked up into the bright November sky, and closed his eyes, feeling the sunlight on his face. His whole face. For years, he'd felt the need to hide his damaged face and body from everyone around him, wrapping himself in bandages until only his right eye was visible. He smiled and inhaled deeply, rejoicing in the feeling of cold air on his face. He could almost believe that he was still dead, and this was Heaven, though he sincerely doubted he'd have ended up in Heaven after the things he'd done.
Perhaps the gods are more merciful than I thought . . .
He smiled, and looked around at the snow covered village with both eyes. He'd been born terribly disfigured, hunchbacked, one-eyed and with a face that looked as if it had been burnt in the womb, but now . . . Now he looked like any other fifteen year old boy. He'd even noticed some of the village girls looking at him! He still walked about in a crouch and stood half-erect, but that was more habit than spinal shape.
Yes, they are merciful, aren't they? Isn't all this a miracle?
He stood straight and proud, ran a hand through his loose blonde hair and smiled for all the world to see. He jumped onto the nearest roof and began racing across the rooftops.
I won't waste this chance I've been given!
...
Zaku leaned back against Kin, "So, you like my butt, huh?"
Kin laughed loudly, "You are a real poet, you know that?"
"Aw, you love me and you know it!"
Kin giggled, "Yeah, I guess so."
Eiji shook his head, "Okay you two, don't get too excited . . ."
Zaku stuck out his tongue, "You're no fun, Eiji!"
"Neither's pregnancy."
Kin rolled her eyes, "We know, and we're not going to jump each other out here on the street, either!"
Zaku blushed bright red, "And you call me a pervert!"
Kin laughed at his discomfort, "You are a pervert, I'm just a bigger pervert." She swatted him on the backside, "And I do like your butt."
Eiji groaned, "We're here . . ."
They went into Mizuki's apartment building, Akira and Tomoe had left early to help out. Zaku and Kin rushed past Eiji and up the stairs.
"Kids these days . . . Was I ever that young?" Eiji laughed, "I'm sixteen, I have one year on them and I act like an old man!"
He rushed up the stairs after them.
...
Itachi and Kisame listened with interest as the scientist explained what he had seen a few weeks before in the labs. Now that he was rational again, he was able to give greater detail.
"And it didn't say anything?" Kisame asked.
"No, it just snarled and glared. It was like walking into a lion cage and seeing it turn on you."
"I guess this is an indication that Shinigami does not appreciate mortals meddling into it's affairs." Itachi spoke softly, as usual, "We are very fortunate that it did not want more than the equipment . . . If it had wanted to reclaim us, it would have done so before now. Thank you for this information, you may go now."
The scientist bowed and left the room.
...
"Kankurou-Sama!"
Kankurou froze, It can't be . . . He turned, Yep. Maki. "Hi, Maki, what are you doin' here, jan?"
"I'm on a mission!" Maki ran up to the Puppetmaster, then bent over, panting in the heat, "You have to be tough to live in Suna, right, jan?"
Kankurou smiled, "Right. I certainly hope you're not on a secret mission, jan, 'cause you just told the whole village!"
"Nah, just a regular mission, my team escorted some big-wig here, jan."
"Well, which one of you two is my husband?" Hana laughed and walked up the pair, "Maki, right? You're pretty cute."
Maki's cheeks reddened and his eyes widened like saucers, "T-thanks!"
"Watch it kid, I'm a jealous man and I know where you live, jan!" Kankurou smiled and pulled Maki's hood over his face. "I see you have another ring . . ." Kankurou held out his hand, showing the Puppetmaster Kanji, and Maki held out his ring Puppeteer.
"One day I'll be a Puppetmaster two, jan!"
"Doesn't your team need you, jan?"
Maki grinned, "We finished the mission and had some free time, they're at the hotel and I came to see you, jan!"
...
Kidoumaru and Sakura walked hand in hand down the street toward the latter's home, it was beginning to get dark and cold by now. Kidoumaru grinned at the sight of a familiar face.
"Sasuke? I thought you were locked in some girl's closet somewhere . . ."
Sasuke shrugged, "I was."
Sakura frowned, "Who's the unlucky girl?"
"Karin."
Kidoumaru grinned, "Karin? Pervert Karin? You're lucky you got out alive!"
"Yeah, I guess. I have to get home, I'll see you later." As Sasuke walked away, Kidoumaru turned to Sakura, "Still can't forgive him, huh?"
"No."
He shook his head, "I was angry too, but it's dangerous to hold grudges like that, it can mess with your health and your mind."
"I know." Sakura said softly, "But I can't seem to find it inside myself to forgive him. I know I should, I know it doesn't do any good to hate him, but I just can't seem to get over what he did."
"It's hard, Sakura, I know. I can't make you forgive him, or even tell you two do so. I just don't want it to eat you up." He stopped, "Here's your place. Shall I walk you to the door, Babe?"
She smiled, "Lead away."
They walked up to the home, arm in arm.
To be continued . . .