Chapter Twenty-Five

Ramen with Friends

⠀⠀⠀⠀"What do you mean I've been getting 'chan' and 'kun' wrong?" I looked up from my ramen at Ayame, and she gave me a sympathetic smile.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Well, I noticed you only call girls 'chan' and boys 'kun'. Kun is informal, and is mostly used for males, such as boys or juniors. Mostly at work, and sometimes junior women may also be called 'kun' by their superiors," she clarified, as she handed me an extra plate of boiled eggs.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Really? I asked, somewhat annoyed as I rested my chin on the counter, and in my sorrow, I just glared death at the eggs in front of me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, and Chan is like 'san', only formal. Don't use it for adults, unless they're cute and loveable. Most boys don't really get called 'kun,' so they take up 'chan' instead," she continued to explain. "But I'm surprised you never noticed. Naruto always goes on about you being smart…"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I resent that comment," I muttered, and everyone laughed. I decided it was best to continue resting my chin on the counter, and huff in an annoyed tone, "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up guys… Let's just say I've been dealing with stress the last two years, and it's only recently been lifted…" I looked at the rim of my bowl for just a moment before adding, "Wait, I've seen other people use the terms the same way I do. How… Eh, nevermind. I'll take your word for it, Ayame."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's alright, Hikigaeru-chan, but if you want to keep talking me Ayame-chan, I won't mind," she smiled.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Wow, I never thought I'd get something right and you didn't, Hikigaeru-chan," Naruto laughed beside me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Quiet you, or I won't pay for the ramen," I continued to huff.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sorry, what were we talking about just now?" Naruto corrected himself, looking about. I glanced over at him, and just smirked at the stack of bowls beside him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"That's what I thought, Naruto… chan. God, that just feels wrong say. I'm using to using 'kun', it's just… blah," I winced at myself.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Just do what I do, and wait till you're on first name status, then just call people by their first names," Teuchi suggested. "With a few exceptions, I mean. Got to still call the Hokage the Hokage, and some Jōnin and Chūnin get the respect of 'san'. Otherwise it's all 'sama'."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'll just go bench read some library books. That'll get it all squared away." I lifted my chopsticks, and continued downed one of the halves of my boiled eggs.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"If you need any help… you just need to ask," Hinata spoke up from my left.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I will," I nodded to her, only to finish my bowl of ramen a moment later with a long, uninterrupted chug of the broth. Then, a light jingle hit me as the little bar for my hunger level reached zero. "That was nice. It's good to be back in Konoha. No offence to Tsunami, but her cooking was a bit bland."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I know, right?" Naruto joked from my side.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I don't know, it wasn't that bad," Sasuke muttered from the other side of Hinata. He then asked, "Hinata, can you pass the soy sauce?" She silently did so, then continued to eat her fill.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"So after this, you three want to head over to the training ground? I have some neat stuff I'd like to show you guys," I asked, looking between my team.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Like what?" Naruto asked as he finished off his sixth bowl.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"So… you guys know how I have a few special swords?" They nodded at my question.

⠀⠀⠀⠀But then Sasuke stated, "Enryuu, Raizan, Shippuu, and Bishamon, right?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah. I'm surprised you remember them all considering I've only ever used Shippuu… once?" I questioned, only to shake my head.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"You don't really forget the time the Dobe nearly caused a tornado," Sasuke deadpanned.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, that was fun," Naruto laughed."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, anyways, the… way I got them was a bit extreme, but recently a contact of mine—the one who gave me them to start with—passed away. I inherited a bunch more of the swords, and I wanted to show them to you guys. To see what you thought of them."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I've got nothing better to do, so I'm in," Sasuke shrugged.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Can I swing Shippuu again?" Naruto asked me. "I just loved how I almost blew away the lake we trained nearby!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"We'll see, Naruto-kun—damn it, I did it again… Old habits die hard, indeed," I hissed.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"So how many swords d-did you inherit?" Hinata asked.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Over third swords, a hammer, two spears, a big axe, a flail, a few chakra whips, and the list goes on. Also it turns out my Enryuu wasn't the best it could be. There's five versions of Enryuu, and one shines above the others." I stood up, took a step back, and withdrew the level ten Enryuu from my inventory. "I mean—just look at it!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh wow, Hikigaeru-chan!" Naruto nearly yelled as his eyes gazed on my blade.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"It does look nicer then before," Sasuke nodded.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I don't really know that much about swords, but that," Teuchi took off his hat in respect, "is a beauty."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"No kidding," Ayame agreed, and Hinata just silently nodded as she looked at it.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"And just when did you get your hands on it?" I turned about and saw Yūgao. She wore general Konoha Chūnin and Jōnin gear, and her ANBU uniform was nowhere to be seen.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hello, Yūgao-sensei, how have you been?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Good. You on the other hand…" She pointed at my scar.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, it's hasn't been the best month,' I shrugged.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Um, Hikigaeru-chan, who's this?" Naruto questioned.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yūgao-sensei, this is Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Hyūga Hinata. Everyone, this is Yūgao-sensei. She's been helping me get the basics of Kenjutsu down in my spare time."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hello everyone," she waved. "Now, about my question?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I got them as a gift after returning to Konoha," I turned about and took my seat, "but that's private, Sensei." I looked back with her with a grin, and placed Enryuu back into my inventory. "You don't want me to be asking you questions about you and Hayate-san? If I recall, I can always sense the two of you going to training ground—"

⠀⠀⠀⠀I was interrupted as Yūgao-sensei clapped her hand over my mouth the same was I did it to Naruto. She then stated, "Alright, I get it, you can stop now, Hikigaeru-chan. Besides, I just came by to see how you were doing, and to see if you wanted to continue training next week."

⠀⠀⠀⠀When she lifted her hand, I asked, "Oh, right. Um, how about next… Sunday?" She nodded at my question, and I reached into my inventory and withdrew some ryō. "Then here's payment for the next four training sessions."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Keep it," she held out a hand to stop me, "and just swing by when you're ready."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"You sure, Sensei?" She, again, nodded at my question.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"You'll need it to cover the medical bills after we're done," she stated, only to give me a cheerful grin. "So I hope you're ready."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh. Alright then… I—guess I'll see you later," I muttered. Yūgao nodded for a third time, and then turned about and left us be.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"You were paying her to train you?" Sasuke asked me with a curious stare.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, I was. Guess I don't have to anymore," I shrugged. "Wonder why…"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Speaking of training, I'm game if we go spar after you show us more of your swords, cause I heard a few rumors about the Chūnin Exams in a few months, and it would be great if we can attend!" Naruto ranted in one long breath, then as he suggested it all, he pumped his arms, and shifted about in his seat in excitement.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"The what?" Hinata asked in a quiet tone.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Apparently, they're what we Genin have to do to become Chūnin! I overheard a bunch of guys talking about it while I was scoping out a place I was going to prank. I sent a bunch of clones out to scout around, but after he heard it, I just had to look into it. Wasn't able to though," Naruto turned about, and looked down at his ramen, "and I don't know everything about it. I do know Sensei has to recommend us, so I figured if we train even harder then he just has to!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hikigaeru-chan—do you know what the Dobe is talking about?" Sasuke asked me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yep," I sat back down, pushed my bowl forwards a bit.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"And…?" Hinata questioned.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's taking place in eighty-ish days," I replied.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Anything else?" Sasuke leaned back towards his bowl.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Um, it's great for gambling?" I offered. "Look, guys, I know more, but we're not suppose to know about it, so I don't want to get us in trouble." I then leaned closer to the counter, and held up a hand, "But next time we're alone, yeah. Just don't mention a word of it to Sensei, got it?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hm."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, what Teme said," Naruto grinned.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Alright, but—I d-don't think I can train today," Hinata spoke up. We turned to her, and saw that she was looking down at her bowl of ramen rather crestfallen.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Why's that, Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Otōsan—and I have plans today," she didn't explain further, and began to drink the broth in her bowl.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I noticed the way her chakra flinched. How it quivered and the tug it made when Naruto let out a sad 'ah' sound. "That reminds me," I started as I looked at her, "do you mind if I come with you after this? I need to ask your Otōsan when he wishes to host the dinner, and what he'd like me to wear."

⠀⠀⠀⠀She looked at me, and gave me a kind smile. "S-sure."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I guess, you two boys will have to go training without us," I prattled on. "How are your weights feeling?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I could make them heavier," Sasuke answered, but I knew he avoids answering my question directly.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, what Teme said," Naruto repeated his comment from before.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'll hook you guys up with heavier weights before we leave then. Think you can handle twice as much?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Y-yeah, no problem," Naruto confirmed.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Mhmm," Sasuke agreed.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Guess that's it then. Ayame, can I get the bill?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sure," she reached for a notepad, "your total is—seven-hundred-twenty-seven ryō."

⠀⠀⠀⠀I withdrew a thousand-ryō bill from by inventory and handed it to her, "Keep the change, Ayame."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Thank you, Hikigaeru-chan. Good luck with getting 'chan' and 'kun' right," she prattled.

⠀⠀⠀⠀A moment later, after we stepped out of the lovely ramen shop, I withdrew some of my older weights, and held them out towards Naruto and Sasuke. When they took them, Sasuke informed us, "The Dobe and I will be by training ground three. Do you know how long it'll be?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Nope," I replied, and after we ducked behind Ichiraku, they began their tedious task of dawning their weights started.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hinata-chan, can you hold my jacket for a sec?" Naruto asked, and Hinata took it without a word. She then turned red as he began to remove his shirt.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Sasuke, on the other hand, pulled off his shirt, and held it out to me. I took it, and when he reached down to get the weight he placed on the floor, there was a flash. He looked over at me with a glare, and asked, "Did you just take a picture?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I didn't take 'a' picture, Sasuke," I replied with a straight face. "I took several pictures," I then corrected him, which made him scowl. "Oh don't look like that. It's not for me, and besides, I took some of Naruto too," His scowl deepened, and I just chuckled. "Ah, what's wrong Sasuke… um, chan," I shivered at it rolled off of my tongue, "don't like me helping you find a nice girl?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I don't need a nice girl, Hikigaeru."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"A naughty girl then," I laughed, and he just shook his head.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hey, Hikigaeru-chan, mind getting my good side?" Naruto asked, as he flexed. It made Hinata blush harder, but after I took another picture, I laughed.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"You know, Hikigaeru-chan, if you ever want more pictures of me shirtless, you just have to ask," Naruto informed me, only to give me a cheeky grin and wiggle his eyebrows.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"No means no, Naruto," I stated, only to take a picture of his deflated, sad face after I rejected him for the hundredth or so time.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Then… could you at least do me a favor?" he started, still a bit deflated.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"If it's something perverted, I will let you know now, I am legally able to perform castrations," I lied, and he flustered.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"What? No, no!" He then clapped both hands on his privates, which made me laugh again. "Nothing like that! I was… going to ask if you—could help me get a girl. If it's not you, then could you at least help me find someone? You always go on about I'll find someone, but I don't really know, you know?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh," I glanced at Hinata, then back at him, "yeah, I think I can help you find a date then. Like I always said, one with hair as nice as mine and eyes as beautiful as the moon."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Thanks!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'll help you find a date—tomorrow, Naruto-chan—god that still feels wrong just to say…"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm alright with you calling me 'kun'," Naruto beamed. "And thanks! Oh, I know, do you think Sakura-chan will want to go on a date with me? No, wait, she's obsessed with Teme…"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Don't remind me, Dobe, Hikigaeru-chan's been trying to get me to go out with her since before we were a team," Sasuke hung his head.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh come on, Sasuke-chan, the two of you would make wonderful babies," I joked, already knowing what their child would look like.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Could you not—do that?" he requested.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"We'll see… but Naruto-kun, we'll figure it out tomorrow."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Um, hey Hikigaeru-chan?" I looked over at Sasuke. "You can keep calling me 'kun' too, if you like," he stated.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Okay, good, that makes this so much easier. Then… I guess I'll be seeing you two tomorrow then," I beamed at them, only to toss Sasuke's shirt back at him as he pulled on the weights.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"We'll be waiting, Hikigaeru-chan!" Naruto added with a wave, only to yelp as the strap on his weight gave, and it dropped on his head. He tumbled forward, crashed into the dirt, then moaned in pain.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Will you not kill yourself, Naruto, that's my job," Sasuke deadpanned as Naruto slowly pulled himself off of the floor.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"N-Naruto, are you alright?" Hinata asked as she rushed to his side.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hey… wait a minute," Naruto started as Hinata rolled him on his back, "I didn't know you learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Hinata-chan…"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Apparently we found Naruto-kun's weakness. A strong blow to the head."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Eh, I don't really think he needs more brain damage," Sasuke muttered, but he did smiled.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I dragged Hinata off after a minute or so, then, after were were far enough away, I leaned into her, and joked, "So what format do you want these pictures of Naruto?" She turned red.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"It d-doesn't… matter," she stated.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Really? Alright, well," I leaned towards her, and asked, "how about I make them waterproof so you can take them into the shower?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"W-what‽"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"You know, in case you need some alone time," I joked, only for her to somehow go redder then before. "But I've seen your bathhouse, Hinata-chan… I know you won't be able to, so if you'd like, you can swing by my place and borrow mine."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"H-Hikigaeru-chan, that's n-not necessary—"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's entirely necessary," I interrupted her. Again, I leaned forward, and was nearly pressing my face into hers. "And if you like, I could use a reverse version of Naruto's sexy jutsu on you. Like right now."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"W-what‽" she cried as I transformed into Naruto. Her eyes slowly drifted down, and then, after a moment of staring, she fainted.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I released the jutsu and barked out a hiccuping whoo. "Man, that was… memorable." I then pulled out another camera and took a picture of Hinata as she lay on the ground. I then stared at her for nearly a minute, and then muttered, "You know Hinata-chan, if you didn't love Naruto-kun so much," I crouched down and lifted her up bridal style, "you probably wouldn't be my best friend… The way your chakra feels when it's like this is—something I don't think I'll ever give up on."

⠀⠀⠀⠀I continued to grin as I carried her home, and when asked why she fainted, I told them I was teasing her to test her, and went a bit far. Hinata stayed asleep all the way home, and my visit was short after I tucked her into her bed. Then, I was told that in three days time, I was to come late in the afternoon, wearing a kimono, if I liked, but anything would be acceptable. As for Hinata, Hiashi, as stern as he ever was, simply said, "I wish to spend the afternoon with her. Just the two of us."

⠀⠀⠀⠀I knew, threw his chakra, what he meant. Time along with the one he loved. To be there as a father, to help his daughter who saw her friend nearly die. If I wasn't me, I would have died. I had looked up to him, and nodded, then waved, and ran off. I left with a cheeky grin, but said nothing after that, and rushed off to train with Naruto and Sasuke. When I got there, the two were throwing each other at one another, only slowly, and sluggishly. They could react faster then their body would let them, only to fall short, and everything seemed sloppy. Then there was Kakashi-sensei who stood to their right, leaning on a tree, while reading his book.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I then yelled at the top of my lugs, "Think fast!" The two looked over as I withdrew a sword from my inventory and swung. The two leaped back, and away from the horrific slash of red, crimson energy. It struck the area that the two of them had been in, and tore up the ground, leaving black charred burns.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"What the hell is that, Hikigaeru-chan‽" Naruto panic as he pulled himself up off of the ground.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's death itself," I laughed, only to look up and down the large, grey and black blade. "Well, actually, its name is Gokumonji, and it's my trump card. What do you two think?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I think you should put it away, Hikigaeru-chan," Sensei called out. "They're still getting used to their new weights, so use something else that won't kill them."

⠀⠀⠀⠀I glanced at the blade, and signed. "Fine…"

⠀⠀⠀⠀Gokumonji lv. 10

⠀⠀Damage: 25,000

⠀⠀Critical Location Modifiers: 0, 2, 5, 8, 15, 5000

⠀⠀⠀Attack Wave: When 100 chakra per second is channeled through this blade, its slashes generator waves of energy that deal equal damage to Gokumonji's base damage. If 50,000 chakra is channeled through this blade, the next attack wave will count as a '8' times crit.

⠀⠀⠀Crimson History: This sword was once known as the Onimusha Sword, but evolved when the dark energy unleashed from Nobunaga's sword of hatred, the Genma Tenmaji, was fused into it. This sword was once known as Genma Samonji. At all times, this sword is surrounded by a crimson glow. This glow will horrifically burn anyone who was not destined to hold this blade. This glow will also kill any lesser demon instantly.

⠀⠀⠀Indestructible: This weapon is indestructible, and cannot break.⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀"So is that one of the special swords you were given?" Sasuke asked me, but when I looked over to him, I noticed he was still sitting where he had leaped off to.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yep!" I chuckled. "I also got another Gokumonji, but it's a bit weaker, and is called Genma Samonji. They're both crazy looking though."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Right… Can I see Shippuu now?" Naruto interrupted.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sure—if you can," I withdrew a kunai from my inventory, "evade all of my attacks."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh, you just had to open your mouth, Dobe," Sasuke complained.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Don't look at me, I didn't mean it! Ah!" Naruto cried as I tossed a shuriken at him, only for it to miss as he dove to the side.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Take it easy on them, Hikigaeru-chan. Or don't, I'm okay either way," Sensei called out from behind me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I paused in my throwing of weapons, only to turnabout. "Oh, I'm sorry, Sensei, I forgot to pull out your couch." I then stepped forward, and placed the large sofa next to him, under the trees. "There ya' go." He said nothing as he laid down into it, and positioned his book to block what few rays of light that pierced through the tree leaves.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I stepped back to Naruto and Sasuke, and by now the two were standing, and ready to evade. "Now," I reached into my inventory and withdrew six shurikens, "where was I?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"If we end up in the hospital, I'm pulling your plug," Sasuke warned as he glared at Naruto.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I don't think she'll go that far, Sas—" I interrupted Naruto tossing the shuriken right at his face, where he had to let his body drop like dead weight to avoid. "Nevermind!"

⠀⠀April 10th, 7:07 PM, Yamanaka Inoichi

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Ibiki," I nodded to the tall man beside me as I stepped towards the Hokage's door.

⠀⠀⠀⠀He nodded back, and asked, "Do you know why the Hokage called us, Inoichi-san?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"No. I was hoping you did. I had to skip out on dinner with my family," I replied.

⠀⠀⠀⠀We stood in silence, and a brief wait later, the door opened. Ibiki and I stepped in, and I instantly knew I was there for other a mission or interrogation. I bowed to the Hokage, and nodded to Shikaku, who stood beside him. Then I noticed the scowl on Shikaku's face, and his stiff features. I immediately closed the door, knowing what came next was not to be said openly, but Hiruzen stayed quiet as Ibiki and I stood before him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I want to be very clear," Hiruzen started with his fingers interlocked, and his hands rested his table, "what we speak of here today does not leave this room. Am I clear? You will not speak of this to anyone. Not even each other, your families, or the elders. I will give you only one chance to remove yourself from this room. If you stay, you will be sworn to secrecy."

⠀⠀⠀⠀I glanced between Shikaku and Ibiki, but none of us spoke up. The Hokage, nodded to our resolve, continued, "This information—what we plan on after—it will all be regarded as s-rank secret. Do you all understand?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yes, Lord Hokage," Ibiki, Shikaku, and I chased at the same time.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Good. Now—this has to do with Danzō… and a his traitorous actions against Konoha and the fallen Uchiha clan…" He moved his hands, and reached for the pip at the end of his table. "And my own failings as Hokage for failing to guard the lives of this village." The air went cold as he leaned back in his chair. "I will be retiring after the Chūnin Exams, but you all will help me with one final mission, as your Hokage. A mission I will lead."

Please Review. It lets me know if you want more.

Author's Note

⠀⠀⠀⠀More fluff, more foreshadowing. Let me know if you have any ideas for things that could happen. Not all ideas will be listened to, but all will be read. This chapter was one part suggestion on you guyses parts, and one part me trying to figure out how it all worked.