(Munching on ice cream, wishing it was caramel flourved Ice Cream instead of vanilla) Yo. Here's the chappie then.

Mucho lovin' ta-

Zero Asakura - Joster13 - Neko of Light - Hibiki-chan - Emerald Lady - SilverMononoke - Depressing Truths - Mizuki - Exhale Vanilla Lace - Blood Zephyr - Kimura Akira - Kiros Razer - RyuHagakure - Nikki Hatake - Miorochi - Suna-Angel

Without Further Ado, I present to you, Chapter Thirty Eight for you.

Chapter Thirty Eight

Richochet grumbled as she sat at the teachers' desk in the teachers reporting hour at the end of the week, five nearly six slow, but relaxing weeks later. Wearing a plain pair of leather bottoms that stuck to her legs, some baggy Hyuuga style top she borrowed from Neji since she felt bloated with eating so much breakfast that day and some black ankle boots, she gave a yawn. 'Damn, do I want some watermelon. These people are boring me.'

'Deal with it. I deal with reports and boring old farts called a council you deal with bratty children and stuck up teachers.' Gaara stated, calm and serene as always.

'At least I could spruce up those old farts and fake reading those reports. Kids are exhausting, ask way too many questions and cry a lot. And these stuck up teachers are worse then Neji when I first met him! They hate me for making the kids like my lesson best! Which is stupid because we all know it's the best.'

'I heard that.'

'That I wanted watermelon? Yes, please.'

Neji scoffed into their link.

Richochet blinked and looked out the window, knowing someone's chakra she knew was coming in. Whose was it again? Five of them… Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I think we should take some lessons away. It's far too much for both parties." The History teacher complained.

Oh, and they were all whiny men too. What was with that? From what she'd seen of the Suna male Nin was that they were damn hardcore. Take Gaara for example. Hot, tough and top of the chain.

'Thank you.' Gaara said, actually seeming thankful. 'I don't think anyone's said that to me without fainting.'

'Those fan girls of yours?' Richochet smirked slightly.

'Yes.'

'Hold the phone.'

'What phone?'

'How about this then. Shut up for a moment I have someone to insult.'

'Understood.'

"What do you mean take away some of the lessons, you pathetic, spineless fool?" Richochet sneered at him making him stiffen, knowing he was about to get the verbal shock treatment. "I will not have this country filled to the brim with puny little brats who could barely reach Chuunin because of your lack of caring."

"It's too much for us. We're not used to-"

"Get used to it."

"But..."

"No buts. Do you want the reputation of this village to go downhill? No. You don't. I'm not giving you a choice on whether or not you think it will. It will if you blundering idiots don't stop complaining. Children are easy to deal with."

The others frowned at each other. "Then you teach them all." They exited the room with small smug looks on their faces.

Richochet scowled. 'Fuck. Not good. I can't do any bloody Genjutsu.'

'You scared away my teachers.'

'Yeah, well…' Richochet mumbled in her mind, crossing her arms. 'They were shit anyway!'

Gaara growled in annoyance. 'Teachers are damn well hard to come by, Richochet!'

'I didn't mean to bloody well scare them away!'

'Get more then.'

Richochet groaned and stood up, not really bothered today. And he was her C.O. too. 'Fine, fine, Ka-ze-ka-ge-sa-ma.' She moved from the room, remembering to lock the door behind her with a key from her pocket. Not that there was anything to steal apart from a couple kunai and a random senbon or something. It was a pretty value-less place.

She walked down the corridor, whistling to herself. Or at least trying to whistle a tune. It kind of came out with spit instead. Her whistling sucked, so shouldn't even bother attempting it again for a while. And she wouldn't even try humming or singing. That would probably kill the surrounding living beings.

Moving out the corridor and into the outside, she locked the double doors and turned around to see Kino waiting for her. He grinned at her and jumped into her arms and she caught him easily.

"Ne! Ne! I did it! I'm finally a Medic-Nin!" Kino cried happily, clutching her tightly and Richochet grinned smugly, pride filling her face. "I'm so happy! Can we have some cake tonight?"

"What one?"

"Hmm… Strawberry Cheesecake!"

Richochet's mouth watered slightly. "That sounds so good it's untrue. Not chocolate thank god. I'm feeling fruity." Richochet smirked at his giggle and then wondered at him. "Hey… It's nearly Neji's birthday again. What do I get him?"

Then she frowned before scowling, hiding it easily and summoned weasels around them.

Kino frowned and looked up to her in confusion. "What's that for?"

"I just wanted them around." Richochet winked at him and looked at the weasels and whispered harshly to them. "Surround the place! Now, what should I get him?"

"I don't know." Kino shrugged, not too sure and wiggled to get down. He dropped to the ground, wearing his cloak and cowl around his neck in the white of the Medic-Nin in hospital. Battlefield Medical Ninja wore dark brown ones with white cowls. "You've given him a lot of things. And you already gave him The Scroll, remember?"

She nodded as they walked to town, Kino gripping her hand and swinging it happily. "Yeah… Maybe I should make a card."

"And get all the school children to sign it!" The Medic said cheerfully. "And me and Deida…ra…" He trailed off and moved behind his Lightning Mistress as they stared at Sasuke, Mizu, and three others Richochet had no notion of, nor cared about.

Mizu stepped forward. "Richochet, I-"

"Get the fuck out of Suna." Richochet snarled, eyes shining red and Kazangan whirling. "Or I will hurt you."

She winced and the other three looked at each other while Sasuke watched on calmly. "Look, I wasn't going to kill him! I was ordered to by the Akatsuki! Didn't you get my other messages?!"

"I read them and burned them instantly." Richochet replied snidely, eyes whirling viciously.

Mizu tried a different path. "I see you found my brother Koudo. The Kaguya Clan one. Koudo, may I really see you?"

Kino stayed behind her legs, not budging. "No. Go away, sister Enzeru."

'Gaara, Neji. Sasuke and his new… team are in front of me. As is Mizu.'

'Get names and anything else you can.'

'I'll be there straight away and in hiding.'

Richochet crossed her arms belligerently, glaring them down. "And who are the followers you gathered?"

"Suigetsu, Juugo and Karin. Left to right."

'Got that?'

'Yes.'

Sasuke stepped forward and then all five looked around as hundreds of weasels of all sizes surrounded them, growling viciously. Kama himself was standing over the two Suna-Nin, teeth bared at the enemies. "We did not come here to fight."

"Oh really? What did you come here for? Tea?" She asked sarcastically. "Get stuffed. I don't like you. Naruto constantly rambles on about you and it drives me mad. What do you want?"

Karin finally spoke up. "Don't talk to Sasuke-Taichou like that!"

'This Karin one is fond overly so of Uchiha Sasuke.'

'Yes.'

Richochet rubbed her ear in irritation. "Banshee, shut up." Richochet pointed at her and let a bolt of lightning fly at her, missing on purpose and striking the tree into ash as a warning. "Or I'll electrocute you to death."

Storm clouds rolled in threateningly, the noise echoing over the land warningly in a dazzling fear-inspiring show.

Karin shut up, nodding in fear, staring resolutely at the Lightning Mistress.

Suigetsu laughed loudly. "That finally quietened her down! Thank you, girly!" He hefted up a huge blade on his back and she spared it a thoughtful glance before looking back at Sasuke. "A ton, honestly. Why'd you look at the blade like that?"

'Suigetsu doesn't work well with his team mates and smell distinctly of sea water. He has a huge blade with a hole at the end and looks extremely heavy. He may be one of the Seven Swordsmen.'

"Nice sword. I have swords too. Fun."

Suigetsu smirked proudly. "It belonged to my sempai, Momochi Zabuza."

'Momochi Zabuza. Ring any bells?'

'Hey, we beat him! And we called the bridge The Great Naruto Bridge. Oh yeah! Wait! Why does HE have the sword, dattebayo?!'

"What are you here for?"

"The Uchiha boy."

Richochet raised a brow and scoffed. "Why would I hand him over to a betrayer? You'd as soon as kill him as you would Itachi." She said dryly and waved that away. "Next question."

He glowered darkly at that, but went on. "Where is he?"

"Somewhere." Richochet looked at her nails in boredom.

"A little more detail please." Sasuke asked monotonously, fingering his sword edgily. "I want to check for myself."

"No. Consider it this way. You kill Itachi and prove your worthy enough of such an honour… you get the boy." A smirk tilted her lip up slightly. "I think that's fair. I wouldn't want to hand over such a good Genjutsu user as he is to a boy. Then again, I wouldn't want to hand over a boy to a man that would kill his own brother."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and unsheathed his blade, pointing it at her. "Tell me. Stop playing games."

Richochet bit her thumb and ran it over the scroll, unleashing two blades that she reinforced with a poisoned edge of her own fang poison. It was in a small dosage so it would only disintegrate anything a few centimetres from the cut, but the after effects were worse if not treated with water and her curing saliva. "I have two. And I've got a whole more chakra than you."

The weasels growled and Kama sneered down at them. "An' let's not forget us, eh?" His voice was deeper than the playful one it usually was.

"I must apologize, Sasuke, but against Richochet with my brother behind her; I will not fight. I would not even fight her alone." Mizu said, and backed away from the battle.

"Wana, swallow her for safe keeping and bring her to Konohagakure no Sato with a message." She ordered the weasel nearest to Mizu. The rather large weasel about a story high in light coloured fur swallowed her into a special compartment that knocked the person in there out. Not even a scream was heard it was so fast. "Keep her for interrogation by Ibiki."

The weasel ran off the way and on the way to Konoha.

Richochet's lips pulled down in distaste, looking a touch thoughtful. "So, she wanted to get caught, hmm?"

"Those are Raiga's swords!" Suigetsu stated in shock, finally registering where he'd seen them from. "You the one who killed him?"

"Yes. It was rather simple." Richochet said tersely, glaring at them in irritation. She preferred fighting to info gathering. She left that to others in her line of work. Morino, Ibiki for example. 'Okay, not the battle but what we did was simple enough.' She stared at the shark toothed male. "That is also one of the swords of the swordsmen."

"I'll be taking those." Suigetsu smirked. "I'm collecting."

"How quaint."

'Get info on that other male.'

"If you're tagging to get swords…" Richochet pointed with her own swords held with skill to the Mist Nin. "You're tagging because your lovey-dovey with the Uchiha Bastard…" Karin yelled in denial and she pointed to the vengeful Sharingan user. "You're wanting to kill your brother. Then what the hell are you here for? Amusement?"

He smiled bashfully at her, blushing slightly at her attention, making a growl echo from the tree area, low enough for her only to hear it. "So I don't go on a murderous rampage. The Uchiha is my prison. He keeps me sane when I go crazy."

"Cute… Split personality?"

"Yeah."

"You were kept in a cell as well?"

"You were too?" Juugo asked shyly.

"Yes." Her eyes darkened in hatred. "They thought me psychopathic." She said uncaringly. "I still am, so I don't mind now. Much. I just kill loads of bandits for fun instead and take their money."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Richochet looked decidedly evil as she smirked at them, tilting her head back to look down at them from her nose. "Weasels, keep 'em busy."

Sasuke suddenly disappeared and she blocked his attack easily with a sword thrust horizontally against his vertical one. "You will not beat me in a pure power match, Uchiha Sasuke. In fact… You never will beat me in any match. HAH!" She forced a burst of electricity into the blood and bones copy of him.

"Come out little boy…" Richochet sing-songed mockingly, creating her own Kage Bunshin without any hand seals. "If you can't beat me… what chances do you have against Itachi-kun?" She dodged another attack by Sasuke as he went for her upper arm and locked blades with the real one, seeing him glare at her with revulsion.

She stared into his eyes, her own Kazangan easily deflecting the Genjutsu he aimed at her with the Mangekyou Sharingan, bursting chakra out of some tenketsu in her face as the line of chakra that came with Genjutsu fired out to her. "That won't work. Your Sharingan is rendered useless against my Kazangan. Are you scared? Why don't you just… run?"

Sasuke snarled in rage and went in to lop her head off but was blocked by a hand full of chakra from a Byakugan wielding male.

Neji narrowed his eyes at the shorter, younger male, giving his own version of a demonic snarl.

"Don't you dare touch her, Uchiha." Neji said, deadly and threatening. "Don't. You. Even. Dare."

Richochet's eyes widened as everything stilled in shock, watching the male seem to burst, filled to the brim with and chakra and power. Neji stood out in colour more than ever, making her heart pound hard, missing a beat. Her beast was clawing to get to him, worried and aroused and it reflected in her eyes and body.

Neji slipped his eyes to her, full of rage and fury. She definitely stopped any thought she had of surviving when he looked at her like that.

It was…

So…

So…

So much.

Just everything.

Just pure everything.

She trembled, eyes widening.

This was the type of emotion she loved seeing on him.

Pure emotion.

And it was only one of the few times she had seen him as anything else other than orgasmic.

It didn't matter it was a dark emotion.

It was one he gave to her.

Demons don't love.

They obsess.

And oh boy was she obsessing.

She grinned unrepentantly, suddenly pounding with adrenaline and other such energy boosters and eyes brightly glowing a melting lava. "Oh, do you make me wanna…" She trailed off and then commanded her Bunshin to go and do its' job as she tried but failed to look away, mesmerised.

The Bunshin of her rammed her sword into Sasuke's upper arm, but he moved and skimmed only the upper shoulder into a clean cut. The cut slowly spread its purple miasmic poison into the skin, infecting everywhere it crept into, killing off cells slowly but surely.

Richochet smirked at the boy, Kazangan switching off. "I'd give you a few more days to live at best, Uchiha Sasuke. Come see me when you want to return to Konoha and inform their Hokage of what has been happening at Orochimaru's and get an antidote. Naruto will tell me if you do or don't."

They disappeared in a blink.

There was a pause of silence before the weasels bowed to their leader and disappeared. Feeling light headed, she held her head and kneeled to the ground.

"Shit…"

Neji quickly kneeled down beside her and held her hair back as she puked up what little food hadn't converted to energy. "I realise you get ill easily enough, but nothing has been going around." He frowned in confusion, rattling his brain to figure out why she had become so ill. "Your poison doesn't affect you. They didn't do any poison or illness jutsu..."

Richochet sighed and then spoke her mind. "I don't know. Look, it's been a hella crappy day with only two good things. The best was that Kino…" She looked around for him and another weasel that towered over her while she sat bowed his head and Kino jumped off to hug her tightly as the weasel poofed away. "Kino made Medic Nin status t'day."

"Yup! I did it! But is Chet-dono okay?"

"I'm feelin' better." She stood up fluidly and then staggered, swiftly steadied by Kino and Neji at the shoulders and the stomach. "I, was, at least feelin' better. Now I wanna puke."

Neji nodded, still concerned. "You'll be better in no time. Right?" He raised a brow at her slang, knowing she felt even more ill if she couldn't be bothered to form proper sentences.

"Course I will. Can't keep me down." Richochet smirked but looked a little pale around the edges and moved away from her stomachs remains on the ground.

"I'll heal you if you want." Kino smiled sneakily. "I'm a Medic-Nin to the rescue!"

"After some watermelon and strawberry cheesecake." Richochet nodded, making it a decree and then yawned. "And then you can while I sleep, I'm sooo tired today… I seriously want some melon badly. My body is demanding it. And nuts."

((Editor: That sounds…..naughty. :3))

R: I seriously hadn't realised that... but I suppose Neji did! ;D!

Kino and Neji shared thoughtful looks before walking after her, eyeing her speculatively.

The Kaguya boy spoke up happily, grasping her hand. "Melon contains folic acid… Nuts have Omega three in it."

"Yea… So?"

"Just saying!" He swung their hands again, Neji following eyeing her body, wondering.

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

They entered town and Kino dragged her to the market. Instantly the smells assaulted their three noses and they sighed in content as the scents of all foods and products hit them.

"It's so nice…" The limed eyed eight years old said dreamily.

"I… Concur." Richochet mumbled, looking to the market stall that held the melons and other fruits lovingly. "We hafta get some now." She stated and walked over to the stall. "How much for the watermelon?"

"Ah, that'd be ten ryou, my dear." An old lady said to her with a wrinkled smile on her face. "Though for you, Seishou-san, it will be seven."

"…Thanks, but why?"

"Our Flower Girls." The old lady laughed. "They've taken a shine to you and your family. They especially think that husband of yours is extremely handsome."

Richochet gawped and looked at Neji in surprise who shrugged back at her, grinning. "Seriously? Tell them sorry but he's taken. Off the market. No go zone. Capice?"

"Richochet, they're just children." He said softly, but pleased at her irritation.

"Though, my other grandson, who is a couple years older, things you're very sexy." The old lady stirred up trouble for the heck of it, her twinkling blue eyes sharp.

Neji stepped in front of Richochet and eyed the woman with renewed interest. "Who is he? Where can I warn him off she's my wife?"

Richochet smirked. "Just children, huh?"

Neji scoffed in displeasure and looked away, taking his wallet out from his pocket in his three quarter lengths.

The silver eyed being was wearing Anbu clothing that was identically to that in Konohagakure. Black top with silvery tight armour over it and gloves that were slim and came up and over to his elbows and on top of the gloves was matching silvery armguards was tightly on his body. With black three quarters lengths and then black shinobi sandals, he looked hot.

Especially since he'd taken a liking to having his hair up in the way Richochet had done it back in Konoha.

He'd taken Richochet's job and dispatched bandits around Suna, taking money and had to admit, it wasn't the nicest work, but it helped calm his beast down. The beast had become especially territorial around her since she'd become his mate and was irritated when any male he didn't know came up to her; even if they were married. It was crazy with all the instincts in his body running rampant.

"We'll take a red watermelon and a yellow watermelon." He said to the old lady, completely ignoring his earlier statements. "And some cherries and apricots."

"Let's round it to thirty ryou, eh? For Seishou-san doing a good job in being a teacher. They, my three soft little dears, actually beat a robber when he tried to get into our house. What was it… Ah yes. They used Leopard style. Fit's them perfectly. Gave your grandmother a fright but still saved me!"

Richochet smirked. "I knew I'd get results from Mimako, Mikoma and Mimoki. Mimako likes Wing Chun more though even if she's better at Leopard. Tell them to keep it up."

The old lady laughed. "Will do, will do!"

"Cheesecake!" Kino tugged at her borrowed top and she followed him as he pulled her away.

"I'm Saki Kyoto." The Grandmother smiled happily. "And congratulations on your marriage, young man! Ah, how nice it is to see young love and young marriage! Oh, if I were ten years younger…"

'Ten…?' Neji sweatdropped but chuckled anyway with her. 'Or fifty, rather… But who's counting, though?' He straightened up and gave a small bow to her. "Thank you very much."

Richochet inwardly burst out laughing at his thoughts and went to argue with Kino.

"You're a fine boy. Keep each other happy!"

"Will do."

He moved away to see his wife who was in conflict with Kino.

"Cherry and raspberry!" Kino said pointing to one cake.

"Strawberry!"

"Cherry and raspberry!"

"Strawberry!"

"Cherry and raspberry!"

Richochet glowered at the boy. "Strawberry! Who's the one buying?"

"Neji-sama!"

"No way! I am!"

Neji himself interrupted them. "Why don't we get half of each?" Still having his wallet out, Neji turned to the vendor who was grinning at him in amusement. "We'll buy a full apricot cheesecake, please."

"WHAT?!" The other two glared at him and he smirked back.

"It's the best one." He shrugged at their put off looks.

Richochet sighed. "Aw, man… I really wanted strawberry."

Kino sighed. "I really wanted cherry and raspberry."

They sighed again in unison. "Aww…"

Neji chuckled at them.

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

Ibiki stared at the long haired girl with calm eyes. Everything she said he believed to be fully true. She'd answered every question instantly, which was rather boring, but new.

"Hmm… Why have you told me this?"

"Richochet wanted me to tell you."

Ibiki remembered that one for sure. "The psychopathic one."

"She's not psychopathic. Just messed up in the head from her grandfather. He made her think things as a child and now she believes those beliefs are actually her own. The lack of emotional intelligence that comes with psychopaths, along with lack of control with impulses and manipulative behaviour, may be genetic, but it was only prompted by that wretched man. She's really just a bitchy, anti-scocial, person."

"You know her past?" Ibiki asked bluntly.

Mizu nodded her head under his close scrutiny. "I know things in her past even she doesn't know."

"Will you tell me something?" He asked, leaning against the wall.

Mizu shrugged. She didn't mind any question. "Like what?"

"The grandfather."

"Sorry. That's her business."

"Well, then… Her sister. I heard she had a sister."

"Heard or told and from who?"

"Richochet herself. She intrigues me." Ibiki smirked as Mizu chuckled.

"She intrigues many. Which is why she's currently married, Ibiki-san." The female said softly, happy for the girl. "She had two. One older brother, one twin sister."

"A twin." He said in disbelief. "Good grief. Another one."

"Grief…" Mizu smiled, eyes darkening as Ibiki picked up all signs. "Quite."

"You don't like this twin?"

"If Richochet doesn't, then why should I?"

"Don't you have your own opinion?"

"Yes, but hers is worth a lot more than mine."

Ibiki sighed and leaned away from the wall, using his lower back and behind to push off the wall. He leaned over her, intimidating her. "Who was she that you didn't like her?"

"You don't have to do that. I answer your questions, correct?"

"True." He moved back, annoyed with this one for being so easy when he had other better pickings in other cells. "Go ahead."

"I was her fake twin sister, Shoko."

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

Rakuin gripped his head with his large, tanned hands.

'Shut up, Mana.'

'That's Queen Mana to you.'

'But dearest Rakuin... You really should do what I say.' A bolt of pain shot down his spine and he clenched his hand into his hair, pulling the luscious black locks roughly as he gritted his teeth, determined not to shout out his pain to the whole building. 'Did you like that?'

'Go irritate someone else!' He muttered threateningly.

'The other you is having some fun gathering people. Not many want to, and what a pity that is... It's that damn Akatsuki and Lord Toko getting everyone or killing everyone! It makes things hard to do when you have plans that need making! Tch.'

'I don't care for your plans! Just get over yourself and stop ruining it for others! I got you here, didn't I?! Stop doing this to me!'

'I could… If you find a jutsu that can transfer souls.' She laughed, knowing that he wouldn't find one when their souls breaking apart would cause death for them both.

'Promise?'

'Of course.' Mana said flippantly, as if it were nothing to her.

'Swear it?'

Mana sighed and shot a huge ball of pain down his back. 'Nice tattoo down the spine for you as a seal of my promise. A blaze of black tumbling hellfire.'

'Hellfire? Just who are you? What are you?'

'I am a succubi. Called a demon… but not exactly, it is hard to say what I am. Just a dark, lust filled being. I am a succubi.' Mana said softly, always knowing he was wondering what she truly was.

Rakuin looked at the sweat lightly covering his hands. "Hell, what is going on in my body? Nye! Come here."

Nye opened up, looking as cheeky as ever. "Yah, whaddup?"

"Take over the work for a bit." Rakuin stood up and moved around him, ignoring his gaping friend. He really wasn't in the mood to just sit around and do things when he really wanted to do something else.

"Wha…What?! I have places to go, girls to check out! DON'T DO THIS TO ME!!"

Rakuin ignored him, looking for the little lady his affections were for only. "She said she'd be out here somewhere…" He mumbled and then looked down to himself.

Ink splotches were on his hands from overworking zealously. His face was likely redder from the headache of keeping in the pain from Mana, bloody woman, and he was still trembling. With a thought he calmed himself, taking a deep breath. He controlled his heart and within moments the rush of adrenaline the pain brought him visibly went.

"Good. Shower first, Hanabi second, eating next." He tapped off his fingers. "Want to look my best for her."

"Rakuin, WHAT THE HELL?!" Nye shouted from his office. "I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS RUBBISH!"

"Idiot." Rakuin scoffed and walked on quickly before Nye caught up to him. "Home. Shunshin no jutsu." He murmured, a drop of water in his place as he felt Nye hurriedly come around the corner.

Nye moaned in disbelief. "You gotta be kidding me. I can't do this…"

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

Rakuin felt far more refreshed when smelling of zingy orange and lime and in a new male kimono of expensive taste in a lovely shade of steel blue with a border of lighter mint green. Underneath he wore a black vest and some shinobi three quarter lengths in the blue of Kirigakure no Sato along with shinobi sandals in black.

There was also a kunai and shuriken pouch on his upper right thigh, being right handed, and underneath that was his hitae-ate. On his head was the necessary hat of the Mizukage for the 'water sign' on it and he held onto it as he tied it with the strap under his head.

He never wore anything nice without something more practical underneath. When you're Mizukage, it helps in case of attack. And attacks there had been on him. Apparently, and unfortunately for him, the first one and a half years could have a Mizukage attacked by anyone to keep him in top form.

Rakuin jogged down the road. "Where are you, girl?"

"Mizukage-sama! How are you today?!" A man yelled from his fish store.

"Fine, Koueki! And you?!"

"Everything's fine! We're moving though!"

Rakuin paused and looked back in confusion. "Moving?"

"To one of Lord Toko's villages!" Koueki grinned cheerfully. "Don't worry we don't leave today or nothin', just soon!"

"Oh, well…" The Mizukage was silent for a moment, unsure. "…Good for you! See you soon!"

"Good day! Say hi to your girlfriend for me!"

Rakuin blushed and stuttered an 'Alright!' to him before running off this time, hoping for no more embarrassment. Honestly, these people had no lives for themselves!

Koueki chuckled to himself, fiddling with his white beard.

Rakuin finally made his way to the practice area he said he'd meet her at if he wasn't done at the office for a long time. Breaking through a patch of grass and around a bush, he peered down at the small female at the base of a tree, sleeping. He smiled softly at the girl who was breathing deeply, quietly, like any trained ninja was made to do perfectly.

Kneeling down next to her, he watched her. She looked so… fragile when she was asleep. But that was the Hyuuga female for you. And many a male Hyuuga, though most had broad shoulders and strong arms. "So adorable and innocent. Makes me feel bad for liking you, girly."

He tapped her cheek after a few more minutes. "Ne, Hanabi. Wake up."

Her eyes blinked once and then she looked up at him blankly. A smile slowly slid onto her lips.

"Rakuin."

'That makes a guy feel special.' He grinned back at her. "Hanabi."

She stood up slowly, a sweet smile on her face with warm eyes. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Rakuin stood up as well, still grinning back at her.

She scowled in annoyance. "Where the HELL were you?! Do you know how long I waited?!" She put her hands to her hips, glaring up at him in a complete feminine mood of irritation no man could pull off.

"Ooh boy... Hanabi! You know I'm Mizukage. And it's hard work, you know!" Rakuin defended himself. It really wasn't his fault other people had so many demands and complaints that went to him.

Hanabi rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Naginata lessons now!"

Rakuin groaned. "What about lunch?"

"Well, I'll be hungry after." Hanabi said promptly, lifting up the previously unseen Naginata beside her. "So, you can pay for me then."

Rakuin gasped a fake gasp. "The cheek of it…" Rakuin said teasingly, poking her in the cheek at the same time he spoke the word. "So demanding of you, little princess."

"I am not little." Hanabi put a finger up to his face. He kissed it much to her amusement as her cheek slightly turned pink. "Hey…"

"You're just too cute for words."

'I could be cute if you want. An unearthly adorable cuteness.' Queen Mana spoke up.

'Don't be presumptuous. I don't want a controlling woman like you.'

'Hanabi is controlling.'

'Demanding and controlling are two different things, indeed.'

Mana sighed. 'I never have any fun with you. It's always the bad ones I get.'

'I wonder why…'

'You know. You obviously like this one… Should you really keep her around you with me in you? Who knows when I'll do something a little… Ah… naughty?'

Rakuin sighed to himself, torn between the logical side and the emotional side when it came to Hanabi and her safety. Her wanted her safe so he could be with her again, but he also wanted her with him so he could watch her for as long as he could, burning her image into his memory. His protective instincts went crazy every time that thought came up.

Mana cocked her head to the side. 'Don't you just want her? I don't understand your stupid human ways.' Queen Mana stated conceitedly. 'Idiot humans.'

Rakuin chuckled. "Silly Mana. Grow up."

"What?"

"Nothing Hanabi." He grinned at her summoning his Naginata. "Let's fight!"

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

Neji watched the boy anxiously as Richochet read a book on the History of Clans she had gotten him, slices of melon next to her, one in hand, slowly eating it and spitting out pips into the bag Neji carried it in. She was sitting at a desk in the corner they used for reports and reading, on a comfy wooden chair with nice cushioning.

He shifted and turned to the boy. "Well? Do it already. If we both think it is then we should see."

Kino frowned. "Not yet. When she sleeps I'll check her over."

"What are you boys talking about?" Richochet asked, taking a bite of yellow watermelon, having nearly eaten the whole thing. She would've hurried but she didn't want to ruin the tome she'd gotten her husband as a gift and generally be messy. "Checking me over? For what?"

"We think you might have an illness." Kino said informatively. "You were feeling dizzy and you puked so we wan't to make sure you're okay. Can I check you over later?"

Richochet raised a brow and drawled out. "If you'd want… Don't worry; I get ill plenty and it goes in days or even hours if I'm lucky. Quick to break, quick to heal and break it back. And don't you should like an emotionless doctor now?"

Kino pouted and blushed as he looked away and Neji took over. "True… We may be worrying over nothing." Neji stated, feeling put down. 'It would've been nice…' He thought idly.

Richochet raised a brow at him. "What would?"

"Nothing."

She eyed him for a few scant seconds, knowing he was lying, but she'd get it out of him later. "If you're sure…"

Neji smirked. She knew him alright. "Yes."

Richochet shook her head. "Mmhmm." She replied, sounding as though she didn't believe him. "If you say so."

He chuckled and got up, stretching his arm over his chest as he moved over to her. Bending down he kissed her on the cheek lingeringly. "I had to kill a few people today and one of them could run decently fast."

"Outrun from…" Richochet turned to him in disbelief, nudging his nose with hers in slight scolding. "…A lightning demon? Christ, Neji, it seems as if I'll have to be your teacher or something. I have been teaching you Wing Chun and all…" Richochet smirked conceitedly looking away.

Neji bopped her on the head. "You are so arrogant."

"Ah you like me that way." She frowned and tugged his hair twice, looking determined. "If you're tired, then rest." She said in slight demanding, eyes narrowing and face pulling into a frown.

"Yet, you have a nice streak."

"I'm a bit of this and that, here and there. All that nice stuff. And like I said, only for you."

Neji kissed her on the forehead, leaving a mark of chakra for his own reply.

He walked out with a wink, making her feel all warm inside and he knew it, the bugger.

"Oh bloody hell. Stupid Neji…" She mumbled, hearing him laugh at her.

Kino looked at her. "You said I could check you over when you slept."

"Ugh! What is the rush? It's just a bit of illness." Richochet asked and her stomach grumbled for more food. She patted her stomach nice and… slim? She ran her hand down her usually slim waist… but a very small bump was felt. "Kino get your arse here. Now."

Kino grinned, mentally thinking 'at last', and jumped over to her, grabbing a sheet of paper he had for this. He put his hands together for a simple check over jutsu that brought out the vital statistics of her on a piece of paper.

Reading the signals he wrote down to her body, he spoke up. "Okay brain patterns; apart from your psychopathic ways, highly active and for a demon, normal. Breathing; super average due to demonic gift and the same for sense apart from your eyes with no colour due to demonic gift. Why isn't Neji-sama like that? Muscles, normal, bones, normal, blood normal… as you can get for you."

"Kino! Hurry the fuck up! You know what I want!"

Neji appeared leaning against the door, instantly interested.

"I don't know if this is wrong or something, but it shows your pregnant and… at the end of your first trimester?"

"The fuck?" She frowned in thought, working it out slowly. "Trimester… tri… three… I'm three months pregnant, already? How..." She didn't want to faint or anything but she was three months pregnant in one and it was freaking her out.

"I have the feeling-"

Richochet finished for him. "-It's due to being a weasel demoness. Weasels are pregnant for five weeks. Weasel demons may be for five months or less." Richochet stated slowly and then place a hand on her stomach. "Can you tell how many children I may be having, Kino?"

"This jutsu gives a view of what they look like also."

"Bloody hell… NEJI!" Richochet called and he appeared behind her hugging her around the shoulders tightly, ecstatic and bubbling with joy. "Look what you did to me! I'm up the duff! Knocked up! A bun in the oven! I'm carrying your children! I'm gonna be a mum! You're gonna be a dad! Oh Shinigami-sama…" She shook, not sure what to feel.

Happy?

Scared?

Whole?

Anxious?

Overjoyed?

Kino did a different set of hands seals. "Do you want to know the gender also?"

"…What the hell, go for it…" Richochet was trembling. "Holy shit… children… children… Neji, I'm pregnant." She turned around and hugged him hard, shaking with emotions and swallowing saliva and acid that built up. Then she blinked and moved back, giving him a firm look. "Treat me any differently and I'll punch you, got it?"

Neji nodded, feeling sweat drop down his neck. "Don't worry. I'll treat you as if you were made of glass." He smirked, teasing, showing off small fangs.

"You flippin' well better no-"

"Three!" Kino grinned and they turned around to see three small babies. Two red glows of chakra surrounded the two babies on the far right and a light blue chakra around the boy. "Two girls and a boy!"

"We've got kittens."

"Is that what weasel babies are called…? Kittens…?" Neji murmured, dazed as he watched the forms wriggle a bit, small humanoid shaped beings in his wife stomach. "They're our kittens…" He pulled her close to him and sobbed into her neck. "I cannot express how happy I am." He said through tears and Richochet tilted his chin up. "Truly."

The hanyou smirked. "I can feel it." She stood up and away from arms despite him reaching for her to pull the Lightning Mistress back and took off his top from her torso. She pointed to the glowing name on her chest. It shone brightly in rays of colour as if seeing a rainbow being reflected off of a light. "More than feel it. Thank you for your happiness."

Neji looked at it for a moment before allowing his eyes to drop to her stomach that seemed to bulge before him. "How did we not see this before? I know your body far too well."

"I guess it's because the possibility became too much for me not to see." Richochet shrugged. "Weasel female can hold the fertilised egg away from the uterus so they would produce in a healthier month. Though with demons I guess it's a protection thing. I was pregnant when facing Akatsuki but nothing showed."

"That was a month to two ago." Neji shook his head. "The children wouldn't appear then."

"You wanna bet? I know my body and it's telling me that's what happened. Watch, tomorrow you'll see a difference from this slightly bigger than softball shaped bump and into a football."

"…I don't know those sized balls."

"How about…." Richochet tried thinking of something he would know. "Kunai to… nah that's too big…"

Kino spoke up. "Normal Kaiten compared to demon Kaiten?"

"Hmm… that's power not size more like."

Kino then responded by adding a new size comparison, picking up a piece of her fruit. "Egg to… melon?"

"That's pretty right, actually."

Neji paled, wiping the traces of tears. "No way. Not possible."

The medic shrugged. "Things happen faster when you eventually realise them. And she is small for triplets and being at an ending of first and beginning of second trimester. 'Multiple births' is also premature so she would be early birthing the kittens also."

Richochet felt faint headed. "Say what?"

"I'll say it better." Kino smiled. "In four months, maybe less, you'll have children. Congratulations, Richochet-dono, Neji-sama. They'll be awesome children." Kino stated in his childlike voice. "It'll be a long labour though."

She swallowed some saliva again and put a hand to her stomach where the children were. "I'll tell the other two…"

'Oi, Gaara… Naruto…' She sounded rather faint in voice. 'Can you hear me?'

'Yes?'

'Good, you're here. Naruto?'

Obviously the blonde was sleeping. 'Wa…Wazzup?'

'I have news to tell you both.'

'What is it Richochet? I have a feeling this is important.'

'Really? Actually, yeah. I feel your surprise.'

'You're gonna be blown away by this.'

'What? What?!'

'I'm going to be having three children. I'm pregnant. I have been for a month or so.'

Gaara reacted first, pleased for them. 'My god… Congratulations, Richochet, Neji.' He said softly, happy for them. 'That's amazing.'

Naruto took a little while longer. '…Y-Y-Y-You're pr-pr-pregnant?! WICKED COOL! I'M GONNA BE AN UNCLE!' Naruto was crazed with happiness. 'You will be a MUMMY! AND NEJI A DADDY! UWEEHEE!!' Naruto was jumping on his bed.

'I didn't think it possible, but he seems happier than I am.' Neji muttered in disgust, standing up to hold her against his chest and actually try to see if he could sense her pregnancy, as she wrapped her arms around his neck, breathing in his scent at his collarbone, tiptoeing to reach enough even when he bent over for her.

Four heart beats pounded against his senses healthily, hungry for attention. "My Oath… I've created some children with you."

"Yeah, we're parents… we'll be good parents right?"

"Of course."

"The good side to this is that sex will be particularly enjoyable in this stage."

Richochet blinked and then grabbed Neji's hand much to his amusement. "Why didn't you say so before? Jeeze! These kittens are growing too quickly! Who knows when we can go again after a couple months and after the birth?"

Neji put his head to his hand, slightly shamed. "Why are you telling a child this?"

"Oh, he's fine! We travelled with Jiraiya, remember?"

"I don't think I want to." Neji mumbled as she dragged him to the bedroom.

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

Sasuke growled as they set up camp some miles away in a forest between the borders of Suna and Konoha. "Mizu never told me she was such a little bitch."

Suigetsu stared up at him blankly before looking away. "She seems… too strong. And she had my blades too! How am I going to get them now? And when are you going to get that Uchiha cousin a billion times removed from you from her? It's nearby impossible."

Karin snorted. "Only for idiots who lug around stupid pieces of metal!"

"You don't understand the beauty of blades like we do!"

Juugo smiled at the bird that landed on his shoulder. "I think she's nice." The other three looked at him and he shrank back. "Well, I can't help if I like a person. She makes me feel better than Sasuke does as a prison! So does that long haired man!"

The Uchiha huffed and gripped his upper arm that throbbed in pain, his headache worsening already. "Shit."

"What now?" Suigetsu asked, fiddling with his sword and buffing it up a bit with some spit and shine. "Hm?"

"We… go to Konohagakure now. Stay for a few hours to speak with Naruto and then immediately come back here so I damn well don't die before I kill Itachi. Move out!"

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

Richochet woke up with her back aching as tendons expanded to keep the child and the mothers balance in check. "Ah fuck." She moved forward but was trapped by Neji's body half on top of her. She groaned and then looked at her belly to see the progress and nearly felt like screaming. "I ate a football!"

Her stomach definitely had gotten bigger. It was like she was half way through her pregnancy with one child instead of seven or so weeks with three demon child. She smirked. "Demon spawn indeed."

'That's not nice to call our children.' Neji woke up slowly and seeing as his head was on her breasts, he gawped at her belly easily without even moving. "No way…"

"I ate a fucking ball as I sleep-walked." Richochet whimpered. "That is the only thing I can think of."

Neji sat up and stared at her stomach, reaching out a disbelieving hand to touch the stomach. "This is unbelievable. It's… I think we may have to hide you. People barely saw you as pregnant before." He teased, smirking at her. "Your breasts have gotten bigger."

"No shit. They ache." She moaned, sitting up and hugging her bloated stomach to her, ignoring her aches and pains. "Being pregnant is amazing but tiring. I can feel them in me, hearts beating, breathing, shifting against the lights that come into the womb from the stomach. I wish you could feel this."

"Happy?"

"Fucking bemused. What the hell kind of parent will I make?" Richochet smirked to herself, running a finger down her stomach. "Still. It will be nice to have them. Do you think they'll like me?"

"You're their mother."

"..I don't understand your reasoning."

Neji shifted and sat next to her, placing a hand over hers that was resting on her stomach. "Usually, children always go to their mother. You've heard the men you kill sometimes yelling for their mothers? That's a sign of closeness to mother as a child since children always go to mothers for comfort."

Richochet listened quietly. "Oh. I could have guessed that, but it never really struck out at me much…"

"You didn't have a mother figure. You were the mother figure more than sister in the relationship with Shoko." The Hyuuga spoke softly. "And don't even think of saying 'will I kill my children like I killed Shoko.' That's something different altogether."

She stared at her stomach. Deciding it would be better not to let the children feel her crazy feeling she stood up and stared down at her naked partner apart from the ring that was similar to her on her own finger. She smiled at him happily, making sure he saw her feelings in her eyes and he smiled back. She put the left hand out and he took it, hefting himself up.

Neji stood up properly and kissed the back of her hand. "Let's take a shower."

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

"What do you mean, you're the fake Shoko?"

"Simple. I was there because Richochet imagined me up one day. Her Grandfather took advantage of that and made a girl into a copy, contacts, hair dye, facial reconstruction… One of the reasons she's always despised me was because I look like her Shoko. Simple."

"Unbelievable."

"Then I was 'killed off' so to speak."

"Who killed you?"

"Richochet pushed me into suicide. Jumping off a building."

"I don't quite-"

"I was a civilian then. I had to be."

"You are still alive."

"Am I?"

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

The Kaguya widened his eyes, hand holding some lightly burnt toast, as she strolled into the room, once again in Neji's Hyuuga top but also sporting a pair of black shorts and some sandals, looking fine and not in the least disturbed despite the obvious growth of child.

Neji entered moments after, dressed in his Anbu clothing once more and followed her moving body with his intrigued silvery eyes and turned to Kino, nodding to him. "Kino, how are you today?" The Seishou male gave a half smile, looking fresh and clean.

"I'm… good…" The medic didn't even look at Neji. "Whoa…" Kino mumbled, staring at her stomach. "You grew sideways instead of up. I don't think you'll ever go up, you know." Kino dodged the lazily thrown kunai.

Richochet scoffed and collected her kunai in the air as he threw it back at her. "Cheeky little sod."

"Well, I am you."

"Is Genkaku the nice half then? Cause we ain't that nice." She asked sarcastically, sitting on the comfy sofa and stared down at it, feeling its' extra softness. "Is this sofa new?"

"Probably, I mean it is Uchiha Kyo who is Genkaku and all."

She tutted, narrowing her eyes and grumbled under her breath, leaning back into the sofa. "Great. An Uchiha is me." She ran a hand up and down the sofa's arm. "Is this new?"

"No."

"You sure?" Richochet asked. "Do you know how nice it feels?"

Neji shook his head at Kino as he felt it himself. "…It's not new, but it is softer."

"Weasels are creatures who use sense, right?" The medic spoke up, swallowing some of the toast he was eating. "So it's your pregnancy. Since Neji is the father of those children, and I definitely know he is with the gender slash number of children jutsu that shows to the parents together and one can't see anything without the other, he feels what you do."

"Smart kid." Richochet declared to Neji who sank into the sofa next to her, elbows on knees. She collapsed onto his side, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Warm."

Neji stared back at her as she drifted her eyes shut. "Kino, any suggestions for what to do with pregnancy?"

"Diet of more nutrition needed than others at different stages. And with triplets…" Kino whistled. "Not many of them around."

Richochet jeered at that, smirking to herself. "If I was a full demon I'd be having six or seven. I'm damn well lucky to be hanyou else wise I'd be roaming around in my bestial form. Wouldn't Suna get a thrill from that? I could just imagine that happening. Ah! Attack of the killer pregnant weasel! Uwaah!" She burst out laughing for a minute exactly and then hiccupped. She sighed. "I'm still sleepy. Thank god it's Saturday today."

Neji and Kino stared at her.

"Mood swing?" Neji asked Kino, staring at his wife worriedly, fearing for his life.

"…Hopefully. Be glad it's not a murderous one."

"I'm going to see Gaara." Richochet suddenly stood up and hurried out of the room.

Neji and Kino stared at her in a stunned moment before running after the quickly disappearing woman. "Slow down before you hurt yourself!" They yelled to her, completely frazzled at her lack of caring for her own pregnancy.

Richochet rolled her eyes, grabbing the scroll holder on her thigh without taking it off. "I've got plenty of protection. You worry too much, you silly boys."

"You don't worry enough." Neji stated and then frowned at her sternly. "Worry more."

"Okay! I'm worrying!" Richochet said sarcastically, opening the door and walking down the corridor, letting them catch up, fussing with the door before jogging to catch up with her. "Watch me worry!"

Neji growled in the back of his throat. 'Richochet, stop this. Come here.'

Richochet appeared on his back, piggy back style, larger belly pressing against his back. "Your family is here." She felt him quickly grip her lower thighs, thumbs on top of her knees. "It's okay, Seishou Neji. We're just going for an outing. I'm jesting, is all."

"Not much of a joke to me!" The hanyou male stated to her loudly. "Don't do that!" She felt her happiness fade and anger ignite, blood rushing in her veins and he immediately sensed the change, soothing her down with a kiss to her neck. "You make me worry instead."

Neji prayed to the Higher Beings to give him strength and patience.

Richochet calmed down from her state. "What the hell…? I'm not like this. Bipolar isn't my thing."

"It's every woman's thing during pregnancy." Neji said and laugh at her irritation as they went to the Hokage building that Gaara seemed to live at instead of his actual home.

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

"…"

The red and black streaked haired male just stared at the stomach blankly.

"…"

She, tired of his staring at her stomach, dropped the top but Gaara's sand caught it and opened it back up again absently.

Neji tensed and felt lightning build in his stiffened muscles and growled loudly and snapped out of his protective rage, pushing his beast back, knocking the sand demon out of his own stupor.

"How? Well, I know how of course, but how?" The sand demon asked in confusion and sat behind his desk. "This is… Too fast. This child, sorry, children, must be at least three months – each."

Kino nodded, the medic out of them. "Mhmm. Demon and his mate. The seed and egg are especially potent."

"Hearing an eight year old say that is disturbing." Gaara spoke, giving the boy an odd look.

"Adults. Tch."

The other three stared at him.

"Blame the pregnant lady, people. Blaaame the pregnant lady."

"Oh my God..." Richochet snickered. "You really are me."

Kino hugged her happily.

"Please no. I only want this one." Neji chuckled and ducked the kunai. "You seem to like throwing things at people who irritate you."

"Whatever. Gaara and Naruto will be Godparents." Richochet decided, staring out the window. "Anyone you want to be a Godmother or father, Neji?"

Not expecting the question, but giving it some thought, he finally spoke up. "Tenten and Lee. I trust them enough. And Hinata."

"And Deidara!" Kino whistled. "Let's give them a message, hmm?" The dove flew in straight away and Kino started writing on the paper with the ink and brush Gaara handed him silently. "How should I right this, Chet-dono? My Lady Richochet-dono got 'knocked up' be the Godparents or else? Sounds like you, right?"

"I have more eloquence than that rubbish!" Richochet smacked him upside the head. Then she grabbed a shoulder and put a finger up. "That type of slang is for when I goad idiot bandits and am extremely ill or surprised. Got it memorized?"

(( Editor: Oooooh… Axel reference!! Yay!!))

R: Axel Love! We love Axel.

Fact.

"Memorization complete!"

"Good kitty."

R¬NR¬NR¬NR¬N

Whaddup, peeps? My back aches, working in the bakery section of a market smells nice and gives me cakes about to go out of date is heaven on this slab of rock I call an island named England. :D. Love the bakery smell. So homely.

Ten words.

Screw Him. Two. Pride. Sand Nin. Looking lost. Poison. Hibernating.

Ja ne!

R.