Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything or anybody except Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Any concepts/ideas mentioned in this fanfiction that seem to be borrowed from another media/piece of continuity - note that I don't mean to plagiarize anything or anybody in any way! This fanfic was made for entertainment purposes, not for pissing off others! So yeah!
The theme for this chapter is actually fireteamtorch piano's cover of "Dream Catcher" by Nano, the main ending theme for Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku, or Magical Girl Raising Project. Even though I just started getting into the anime and light novel series lately, it is a very different show from its other magical girl counterparts, even though a lot of people, myself included thought it was another 'Madoka copy' - but in the end, it enamored me.
I mean, they actually had a boy become a magical girl in the series and a goddamn magical girl battle royale! Now that I can give credit to! Sure, Tomoko doesn't really play the song this chapter, but I feel like the music itself fits the themes of this chapter.
On the other hand, for the ninja-specific scenes, I'll actually refer you to Kyle Landry's cover of I'll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan! I never did get to use it in Chapter 29, so here we go with a training montage that's worth the great music~
Please enjoy!
Chapter 31: Dream Catcher
How do you cheer someone up?
That can be a subjective question, and to be frank, there isn't any one right answer.
When I was still Vy, that question always loomed on my mind every now and then.
Whether it was Dad, Mom, my big brother, heck, even any of my friends that were upset, I just did what I did best.
Speak honestly and emphatically, hugging them with any chance I had while offering my assistance with anything they needed.
But when it was just me, then I didn't know. Most of the time, I forced myself to be cheerful, or tried to find something to cheer me up. If that didn't work, then I would just write.
Write or talk about my feelings somewhere, with someone.
Turns out even as Tomoko, that didn't change.
"Tomoko-chan?" Papa was calling me, and yet my heart was far too numb to really answer. We had went out to the backyard to try training while Kakashi was out with Team Minato and yet, even with the fresh air and sunlight shining on my face, I didn't know what to think.
I didn't know what I should even be feeling right now.
Satoru's words were still echoing in my head, even if 24 hours had already passed. And the fact that he was a complete doppelganger of Leo just made it worse.
"Who are you calling Leo, you dumb broad?"
"I mean, really? Why make such a fuss over a stupid pianist? If she's killed off, then you could easily replace her with some other bitch!"
"That Tomoko-chan might be a whore for all we know!"
Why did I have to see him?
"Oi~, Tomoko-chan!" The next thing I knew, Papa was literally in my face grinning without a care in the world, and the sudden shout just made me squeal and back up considerably. "What's going on in that cute little head of yours?"
"P-Papa!" My voice was already turning high-pitched as an embarrassed red darted across my face. "Y-You scared me!"
In response, he just mockingly put his hands on his hips while bending over to my height, giving me a teasing grin. "Well, you were all the way up in the clouds, so there wasn't any choice, was there?"
I just pouted.
Papa's smile turned soft as he just walked over and flicked my forehead. I did my best to not squeal again, instead blinking at the sudden flash of pain before looking up at him, my hands covering my forehead. "W-What was that for, Papa?"
"What's really going on, Tomoko-chan?" Out of anything Papa would've said, I wasn't expecting that and just blinked in confusion. The expression on Papa's face was both thoughtful and concerned all at once, brown orbs swirling with love and worry. "You don't usually space out like this. I thought you trained with Kakashi before."
Well… Hisako started, shrugging. 'Trained' might be an overstatement.
Considering that I still had NO idea on how to access my chakra, Hisako had a point. In the past few months, Kakashi had been working with me on physical training and stamina exercises, whether it was running laps or attempting to do Academy katas.
Being a 10-year old doing exercises for 5-6 year old ninja kids felt somewhat degrading and enlightening all at once.
Heck, I still remember how Kakashi reacted when we first started!
"... So you have NO clue on how to activate your chakra?"
"... Unfortunately, no?"
He sighed. "Then how about we try to unlock it then? Try to imagine channeling your energy into your fist and attacking me."
"W-Wait, a-attack you?!"
"Don't worry, Tomoko, if my guess is right, it shouldn't hurt that much."
"O-Okay…" I closed my eyes, did my best rendition of One Punch Man, and reared my fist back.
The resulting punch was so pitiful even Kakashi gave me a pitying face!
… His mask didn't help much in concealing it either.
Saitama would probably be so ashamed to know I tried to imitate him but failed. Epicly.
That's why after getting a certain amount of stamina, my best friend just turned me to Papa while he was on missions. Apparently in his eyes, family members would be able to grasp each other's' methods better, and considering that the war was still going on, Kakashi couldn't stay around often.
Not to mention he still had to deal with the Konoha-local Chunin Exams coming up for his teammates.
In the end, I just did my best to hide a blush while scratching my cheek. "... To be honest, Papa, I still haven't activated my chakra yet. T-That's kinda why I was spacing out."
Papa just raised an eyebrow at me. "Is that all there is to the story, Tomoko-chan? Your posture's clearly saying something else is going on."
… He got you there, dear.
Oh no.
Now there was only one question moving through my head.
Should I tell him or should I try to get my way out of it?
Both options sounded pretty bad, considering Papa's protectiveness of me AND the last few times I tried to tell somebody something about Vy's memories, so I instead tried to compromise.
I at least wanted to stop feeling emotionally numb and start working towards my goal of defending myself properly. Not to mention, even if Papa wasn't my old Daddy, he was still Dad, and it didn't feel right to lie in front of his face.
I just took a breath and spoke honestly. "Y-Yeah, Papa… there is something else going on."
Papa's chocolate brown orbs now turned sympathetic as he smiled again. "Do you want to talk about it, Tomoko-chan?"
The offer was tempting, and for once, I decided not to turn it down.
Holding it all in wasn't going to help me no matter how much I tried to rationalize it otherwise. I just swallowed the lump in my throat to look up at him hesitantly. "... Can we?"
Papa just plopped down into the grass of our backyard, criss-cross-applesauce style, before patting the spot next to him. The smile he was wearing just solidified my decision of venting even more, and I couldn't help but slowly smile back while walking over.
Then, I just sat down into the wet grass, folding my hands in my lap trying to come up with the words. Even with everything in mind, I at least knew I didn't want to start crying again. I cried enough yesterday already - and it took the combined efforts of Kakashi, Mama AND Papa to get me to this shaky equilibrium today.
"Just take your time, Tomoko-chan." Papa murmured softly, and I didn't miss how he immediately wrapped an arm around my shoulders to pull me close.
His shoulder almost felt like a tough, warm pillow.
I exhaled, then opened my mouth. "... Papa, how do you deal with people insulting you?"
A few seconds passed before an answer graced my ears. "Are you by chance referring to that Satoru kid from yesterday, Tomoko-chan?" Just hearing that name alone made me tense up, and it was only because of Papa being near me that the tears didn't start up again. I just forced myself to nod, never fully looking up from my lap. "... What did he say to you, hime?"
The memories were quick to remind me. Not to mention Hisako starting her own little list.
Dumb broad, stupid pianist, bitch, whore, need I say more? Even with the sarcasm in her words, I could tell that my other personality was ANGRY. And I didn't blame her.
Judging by the grip on my shoulder tightening by a small but significant margin, Papa felt the same.
Even then, thinking about it just brought a lot of pain into my chest, so I shook my head. "P-Papa, I can't really say it because it was a lot of curse words. B-But I think you know what they are already."
"... Did he call you a bitch?" I did my best to not flinch at the word, and instead nodded. In response, I found myself getting picked up by the waist and then situated on a familiar lap, muscular arms wrapping around me immediately.
"... Papa?" I said slowly, attempting to wiggle around and adjust to my new 'seat'. In response, I was squeezed a little tighter as a chin landed on top of my head. "... Daddy?"
A long sigh sounded on top of my hair as Papa's big hands reached over to hold onto mine, interlacing our fingers together. "I'm alright Tomoko-chan, just a bit miffed." Soon enough, his fingers started tracing circles into my left palm. "... Why is it always my little girl that has to be targeted these days?" Was the resounding mumble in my hair.
I didn't know whether to say something or just sweatdrop.
… Then again, we have been getting bad luck lately.
… Hisako, you're not helping.
I'm just saying, dear.
"I-I'm sorry Daddy," I said sheepishly.
In response, I got a chin noogie. Doing my best to not cringe, I just looked up only to get an exasperated glance. Was Dad angry? "Tomoko-chan, don't apologize. At least I know what's going on in that little head of yours now."
If only you knew, Judai-san. Hisako was humming now. If only you knew.
Hisako!
Heh, sorry. Couldn't help it.
Outside in the physical world, I wiggled around a bit to look at Papa in the eye. "Daddy…"
He sighed again before snuggling me. "I'm guessing it's because of that brat that you're spacing out today?"
I sighed myself before nodding slowly. The grass really looked interesting now, and I wanted to look at anything OTHER than Papa's face.
I know that everything that happened up until now wasn't my fault. How was I supposed to know that Inoichi-san saw my memories? How was I supposed to know that the new teammate for Team Minato would be the complete doppelganger of my former boyfriend?
How was I supposed to predict things like that?
Hoshino Tomoko was never originally in the Naruto world. Back then, Team Minato didn't have a civilian friend to begin with.
There wasn't even a Civilian Pianist back in canon anyway.
So then why was I feeling so worried? Why was I feeling so upset with myself?
A squeeze on my right hand tore me out of my thoughts, and when I finally looked up, a soft kiss landed on my forehead.
Heat started to flood my face. "D-Daddy?"
"You shouldn't let those kinds of things affect you so easily, hime." The words were soft, almost to the point of a whisper brushing my head as Papa leaned against me. With the close distance, I could feel his smile. "I know I'm not one to talk, considering all the times I lashed out, but I'm being serious here, okay?"
"... Eh?" I said stupidly.
"Oh, Tomoko-chan…" Dad just put his chin on my head again, giving me another chin noogie while shaking his own head in amusement. "Mama and I have both noticed you're really sensitive. And that's fine and all, but it doesn't really help in certain situations, you know?"
I… I didn't know how to respond to that.
The fact that Papa sounded like old Dad when saying that just added to the long list of reasons to why I couldn't find any words in my throat to respond.
"It's true that your sensitivity really helps out in a pinch, hime, since you're aware of what emotions others are feeling and can act accordingly. I'm actually happy to know you inherited that from your Mama." Papa just snuggled me again, soft smile on his face. "But if you get swept up in their emotions without taking care of yourself, then where would you be? Words only do so much damage if you let them."
Huh. I never really thought about it like that.
"So, Papa, should I just try not to be so sensitive, then?" I found myself cringing at my pronunciation of 'sensitive', because with my high-pitched voice, it sounded like a cross between sense and tentative, which honestly didn't do wonders for my self-esteem.
To my surprise, he shook his head again, giving me another chin noogie. Ack. What was with Papa and that motion anyway? "I'm not saying for you to stop being that way, Tomoko-chan. It's because of you being so sensitive that you're my little hime."
"So then why?" I asked slowly, wiggling a little in his hug to look up at him.
Why mention it in the first place?
Warm brown orbs looked down at me in response, that same soft smile on his face. "What I'm saying is to remember when to reign those emotions in. Not everyone will be up for a hug or music all the time, hime. That Satoru brat was an example." A warm chuckle left his lips, and I quickly found myself getting snuggled again, Papa's cheek now rubbing against my head. "There will always be people who don't like you because you're different, and not everyone will change their minds about it." Despite the close distance, the new position made it hard to see Papa's eyes, and my gut feeling was saying that he was remembering something unpleasant. "... Not everyone will appreciate what you do, Tomoko-chan. But it's good to remember the people who do, and who love you no matter what you end up doing. Those are the people whose words truly matter, okay?"
For once, I didn't feel upset or panicked. If anything, Papa's words reminded me of a good memory from Vy's time, and to be honest, I missed the feeling.
The feeling of a parent raising you with love and care, I mean.
"You're doing just fine, Vy. Don't worry so much."
Daddy…
The sweet feeling of relief flooded my chest, and a true, bright smile found itself on my face. Without even thinking, I leaned up to kiss Papa on the cheek, hugging him all the same.
It was the least I could do for everything he's done for me.
Even with all the messed up crap that kept happening to me, it felt like Papa would always be there.
And I just couldn't be any more grateful to have such a wonderful Papa.
Actually, not just that.
I was just grateful to know that even as Hoshino Tomoko, I would have amazing parents.
"Thank you Papa. I love you."
A soft snort was my response before another kiss landed on my forehead.
"You're welcome, hime, and I love you too."
Hatake Kakashi always thought that there was a generous limit to how much bullshit he could take in a day's worth of training. Thanks to Tomoko, Uncle Judai, Aunt Hikari, AND Dad, he was able to handle a lot more than, say, his Academy self in terms of absolute stupidity.
But this?
"What the hell was THAT about, Hitoshi?! You're supposed to aim for the target, not me!"
"I'm sorry, I mistook your bright, stupid orange goggles for the target!"
"That's a REALLY big mistake if you ask me, asshole! The target's RED for crying out loud!"
"Says the guy who can't even throw his shuriken straight!"
"ARGH - Shut up and let me hit you already!"
"Try and catch me, you dim-witted dobe!"
Kakashi would've really liked to hear some piano music by now. Because with the way THIS session was going, the Chunin wouldn't be surprised at the sudden appearance of a migraine.
And this was only the 2nd attempt at a teamwork exercise!
… Why did Minato-sensei even THINK that the new guy would be a good match to their team again?
Even the bell test looked worse with him as Kakashi's replacement.
"You two, calm down already!" Rin wasn't looking all that better, judging by the angry red on her cheeks. "Fighting is not going to help anything!"
"Oh yeah?" Kakashi didn't even have to look in Satoru's direction to know that he was going to push ANOTHER person's envelope. "Says the girl who's stood by the sidelines doing jack shit! I didn't see YOU help out in trying to get the bells!"
"Oi Hitoshi! No insulting Rin! She's the one who healed your stupid ass!" Now Obito was getting even MORE angry.
Joy.
Nearby, Minato-sensei wasn't looking that impressed. And considering that he henged into a bush just to observe the new trio while his clone was out and about with the bells who knows where, that was saying a lot since Kakashi could feel the amount of exasperation and frustration emitting from the Jounin. "... This isn't working."
"... A little late on that, Minato-sensei. If you hadn't told me to, I would've gone in there and broken it up myself already." In the meantime, Kakashi did his best to busy himself with the book in his hands, despite every single part of him wanting to go out and kill the bastard himself.
Let it never be said that the Hatake family can hold grudges on occasion.
They WERE dog summoners after all. Insulting pack was just an immediate NO.
"... Should I go over there and break it up?" Minato deadpanned, ruffling whatever leaves he could in the henge.
Kakashi just spared his bushy teacher a glance before attempting to refocus on the words in the book situated in his hands, keeping down as much of his anger as possible. "... Just do it before someone gets hurt, Minato-sensei."
The Jounin did his best to shrug as a bush would do before a familiar poof of smoke greeted his ears. And then…
"You three! Calm down already!"
"Oh yeah?! Try me, baka sensei!"
A resounding WHACK sounded through the Training Grounds, and Kakashi couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction at the noise. Made up for all the shit he had to deal with for the past few days, and for once, it wasn't from his teammates!
(... Then again, his teammates were a LOT better than the new swordsman.)
"OW! What was that for?!"
… If only Kakashi had the chance to do that himself, then his day would've been made.
Oh well. Minato-sensei was good at lashing out punishment anyway.
"Cut it out, Satoru. With the way you've been behaving, that was just a light punishment. Or would you like me to show you HOW I became Jounin, then?"
"... Tch."
Kakashi felt surprisingly grateful for not dealing with what the asshole was facing right now.
Maybe then he would learn not to mess with Namikaze Minato when angry. Killing intent behind a cheerful smile was something the Chunin would only wish on the worst of the worst.
And to be honest? Hitoshi Satoru was already close to the bottom of that list.
"Still - What is the point of working with these idiots then, sensei? Isn't there a shortcut to becoming Chunin? All they're going to do is just hold me back!"
… Okay, Kakashi had to retract his previous thought.
Hitoshi Satoru was. Pure. Scum.
This guy was exactly the same as the people who shunned Dad so many years ago. The people who STILL gave Sakumo the stink eye when he wasn't looking.
And Kakashi felt the heavy urge to just pummel him.
Into. The. Ground.
Before he could even stop himself, the words escaped his masked mouth.
"If you really feel like that, bastard, how about you fight us then, Hitoshi? Obito, Rin, and I - all of us against YOU. Then you'll see how much of an ass you've been."
… Judging by Minato-sensei's shocked eyes, he did it now.
Kakashi was kinda wishing Dad was here to see it.
If not him, then Tomoko.
Maybe then she wouldn't be avoiding the training grounds anymore.
At least Obito and Rin were looking somewhat happier now.
But judging by the fire in their eyes, this fight was going to be brutal.
And Kakashi didn't know who it would be brutal for.
… Hopefully the idiot swordsman. Because there were quite a few things Kakashi wanted to try on him now.
It'd be good payback for making his life almost a living hell.
Author's Notes: So honestly, this chapter came with the spur of the wind. With midterms mostly done and homework just about finished, the inspiration just came to me, and here we go! Chapter 32 will probably be where my first ever fight scene will be, so I hope you all can bear with me! I never did fights before except that one cameo in Tomoko's POV during Kakashi's original Chunin Exams, but that wasn't much. In my mind, it's almost a full out one-sided battle - and last I checked, the real Josh and Leo were a lot better at writing those kinds of things than me.
Oh well. First time for everything, right?
But still. Holy moly - we have 476 reviews, 699 favorites, AND 879 followers on Civilian Pianist! Thank you all so much for the support - especially since I worry that I'm not writing enough to sate your guys' reading speeds and curiosity. I know I started this story on a whim and for fun, but thanks again for sticking with me.
Love you all lots and here's Writer-and-Artist27 signing out to brainstorm the first major fight scene in Civilian Pianist!