New Lives

Chapter 38

Kidoumaru looked through the various cards he'd received from people who hadn't been able to attend the party. Kai had, sadly, been forbidden contact with Kidoumaru by his idiot parents, Hiro was training in the forests of Otogakure, or whatever it was now called, with Kotaro of the Wasps, Maki had his duties in Amegakure, Gaara obviously couldn't come between his duties as Kazekage and caring for Temari's welfare. He yawned and put the cards away. Time to sleep. He stretched and lay back into bed. I can't believe so many people actually care about me!

...

The next morning,

Sai was walking down the road alone when a certain red-headed Kunoichi approached him.

"Sai, can I ask you a question?"

Sai smiled, "Of course, Foul-Mouth."

Tayuya ignored the nickname, "So... Have you seen Shikamaru naked?"

Sai was puzzled, "Yes, at the hot springs. Why is that of interest to you?"

Tayuya gave a devilish smile, "I want to know how big he is."

Sai held up his hands and held his index fingers a distance apart.

"HOT #!" Tayuya shouted, causing several passerby to turn towards her. "Thanks, Sai!"

"You're most welcome."

...

"Okay, boys, I've brought you some textbooks to help you out." Kakashi dropped a stack of orange books in front of the Twins.

"Icha Icha? These are textbooks!?" Sakon eyed the books with skepticism.

"Yeah, they're full of romance." Kakashi prodded.

"Romance, suuuure... And realistic! How often do you save big-breasted chicks from packs of zombies?"

Kakashi smiled through his mask, "A lot more often than you'd think. But not all of these deal with zombies..."

"How will this help when the only girls we know are either taken or think we're disgusting freaks?"

"Well, Ukon, then you'll have to meet new girls." He paused for a moment, "And you definitely need to work on your attitudes."

...

"So, when are your birthdays?" Tomoe asked Zaku and Kin as they packed to leave.

"Well, mine's September 14th, and Kin's is..."

"July 6th."

"So you're older than he is?"

"Yep, she's robbin' the cradle."

"You need to learn to respect your elders." Kin laughed.

"Wait! July 6th! We missed it!" Tomoe put an arm around Kin, "Why didn't you say something!?"

"I forgot. Things have been so busy..."

"That means you're fifteen now!"

"So's Dosu, his birthday is June 12. You're the only one who's still fourteen, Zaku. AWWWWWW! Such a cute little boy." Kin pinched Zaku's cheek.

...

Kankurou watched in fascination as Kidoumaru used his six arms and Chakra strands to manipulate Karasu, he was obviously inexperienced, but the sheer agility of movement was very impressive, "Are they're any puppeteers in your clan, jan?"

"Yeah," Kidoumaru was making Karasu dance, "Most of us are artists of one type or another. I haven't been back in my village for about ten years now, so I don't remember much. But there were puppeteers, though probably not ninja puppeteers, just entertainers."

"It must be impressive to watch. Maybe one day I can go there, jan."

"Maybe, but it's a long way..."

This guy is amazing, he learns so quickly! No wonder he was able to figure out how to counter the Byakugan!

"So, Kankurou, have you ever played any team sports? With those broad shoulders you'd make a great lineman."

"No, I've always been too busy with training and fighting, the Kazekage didn't like for his kids to slack off, jan."

"Kidoumaru-Sensei."

They turned to see Kai standing nearby, "I'm sorry I couldn't make the party."

"Don't worry, that was your parents' decision. They just want to protect you... I got your card, it was nice."

"Thanks." He looked at his feet, "I have to go before someone sees me. Good to see you again, Kankurou-Sama." He nodded toward the puppeteer, then walked quickly away.

"Don't feel too bad, Kidoumaru. There are still people here who don't trust Suna-Nins either, jan."

Kidoumaru nodded in agreement, "There are still ungrateful idiots here who hate Naruto and would be happy to see him dead. I don't care what trash like that think of me, I just don't like them messing with my students." He smiled, "But, there are a lot of good people here, too. Iruka-Sensei for one, most of the instructors are good people. Even Tsunade-Sama is a good person, underneath the screaming and furniture throwing."

"People treat Gaara badly too, mostly the old people. Even the council disrespects him, the fools. But most of the younger people support him, and he's really popular with the girls, jan!"

"It's funny, when I first came here, the girls used to chase me around... I never thought a girl would chase me, unless she was Tayuya, and out for my blood. But Sakura is tough enough to scare them off. I bet you've had that problem a lot too."

"Well..." He admitted, "A few girls would look at me, but most want Gaara. I was surprised when Hana actually liked me back! She's incredible, jan. She's so beautiful, strong and funny."

"Girls didn't chase you? In the words of Sakura, 'Where are you from, The Village Without Eyes'? Well, it all worked out for the best, didn't it?"

Kankurou considered for a moment, Why is he complimenting my looks? Well, at least it's not like with Sai... Kidoumaru arched an eyebrow, then started waving his hands frantically, "I didn't mean it like that, I swear! I'm just saying you're not a freak-show like me."

Kankurou nodded, "Thanks, I know you didn't mean anything by it. You wouldn't believe what Sai said to me the other day, jan! And you're not a freak-show."

"I have six arms, that's enough to turn a lot of girls off. Sai, huh? I bet I could guess what he wanted to talk about."

Kankurou rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "At least it was a compliment, not like with 'Dickless'..."

To be continued...