Chapter 33: Changes and Rest

For a shinobi to have not attended a funeral for someone who has died in combat by my age and rank is surprising. I think about this brutal truth as I pull the black shirt over my head. It feels too soon for anyone who would be my physical age mentally to have to attend the funeral of someone brutally murdered by the person they once taught and cared for. By someone who was once apart of their pack. The memory of how I died last time reminded me just how bitter that kind of betrayal is. There are times when I almost forget how twisted this world is when compared to the morals of the world I lived my last life in.

I feel my brothers chin dig into my shoulder as he rests his head on it. For the first time, everyone is home but the house is silent. Almost all the village is today, and it is deafening. Leaning my head against my brothers I look at the floor. Even my mind is to quite to bear with Enid, the pond girl and Catmask locked away by the seal on my forehead.

Grimacing slightly, I reach up to tie a traditional hitate onto my forehead. Both because I am not wearing my normal spear and because I must cover up the seal on my forehead. Seeing my pain my brother takes the headband from my hands and ties it for me without a single word.

My mother appears dressed in black in our doorway. Her purple lipstick is absent, and her clan markings stand out more than ever in contrast to the black she is wearing. Even her naturally feral looking eyes seem tamed.

I go to try and get up, but my body is quick to make itself clear on the point that moving is not a good thing for me to be doing. I should be in the hospital, but it is filled to the brim with those injured in the attack, so I was allowed to stay home to be treated by my sister. It is only because of who the funeral is for that I can attend otherwise I would still be bedridden.

Kiba wordlessly helps me to my feet as he lets me lean on his shoulder for support. I can feel the underlying worry under the anger and grief that my brother is feeling and I wordlessly intertwine my hand with his in silent reassurance. whether it is for him or me or a combination of both it doesn't really matter.

As we make our way out the front door of the house thunder rumbles in the sky. I have never heard the Inuzuka compound this quiet before. It sounds as desolate as the Uchiha and Hatake compounds. In a way, the whole village is dead today without the man who was at its heart.

~O~

Wordlessly people arrive at the funeral, the whole squadron plus team Gai's genin and the Konohamaru corps gathering in the same area. Kiba and I haven't let go of each other's hand since we left the house. Even the insects of Aburame clan members are almost silent today. The air is heavy with moisture and I hold out my empty hand out in time for one of the first raindrops to hit it. I don't know whether it should be considered ironic that the element that extinguishes flames should fall from the sky in commemoration of one of Konoha's greatest will of fire's death.

My broken body screams at the enhanced sensation of the raindrops hitting my skin, but I ignore it and look up towards the sky. I remember hearing a song once in my past lifetime that spoke of how each drop of rain had its own story to tell and how tragic it's inability to tell its story to someone before it hit the ground.

As the rain falls harder I close my eyes and listen to it as I let my hand fall back down to my side. Turning my head back to the front I open my eyes slightly and look at the image of the man who watched me grow from an academy student into a genin rank shinobi. It is a bitter realisation. I never really formed a close bond with him like Naruto did. Perhaps I was subconsciously trying to protect myself from the pain that would inevitably come with his death.

"We are gathered here today to remember not only the Lord third Hokage but all those who sacrificed their lives in battle so that this village may survive." One of the two people standing at the front say.

It isn't long before the Shinobi ranks begin placing the white flowers at the altar at the front one by one.

I can't help but note that Kakashi is absent as is Jiraya. The sound of sobbing reaches my ears and I look over to see Konohamaru breaking down. It isn't long before both Sasuke and Naruto have place a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Before long it is Kiba and my's turn to place our flowers however unlike everyone else we don't go single in single but go together and we don't let go of each others' hands. Which proves to be a good thing was nearly slip as my legs try to give way on me. None notices though since Kiba keeps me from barely falling and we lay our flowers down simultaneously. No one will really complain about Kiba and me's break from the normal procedure since we are believed to be twins and it is socially acceptable for twins to stay together through every part of a funeral.

As Kiba and I return to our place in the crowd I can't help but think of what my own funeral must have been like when I last died. Did my little brothers cry like Konhamaru is right now?

Naruto doesn't ask why the Hokage had to die and I look over to see him and Sasuke looking over at me as Iruka takes over in comforting Konohamaru. Kakashi finally makes his appearance at the funeral as he appears behind Naruto.

Looking up I watch as the clouds begin to part and the memory of one of my few interactions with the third comes to mind, "If it does not rain then the clouds will never dissipate to reveal the sun." I say thinking of the day when I took off when I was little only to be found by Naruto and Shikamaru. I had been brought to the Hokage himself to be lectured for causing panic in the village. He didn't ask me why I was crying and didn't even lecture me on my behaviour he merely said that to me as he looked out the window at the sun appearing after the rain.

"What is that supposed to mean," Naruto asks.

"I think that is something that we will both have to learn ourselves," I reply.

~o~

The whole of the rookie squadron plus team Gai sit around a table in a restaurant owned by a member of the Akamichi clan. The atmosphere is lighter than before, and I can't help but feel that the suns fire brought out the hope inside everyone's will of fire with its appearance.

But for the life of me, I still can't figure out why team Gai is here considering Tenten's dislike of me. Before I can speak up to ask I hear a familiar voice arguing with Anko outside and my suspicions are only proven as a tall sword-wielding figure enters the restaurant behind Anko.

Anko and Zabuza continue arguing and from what I can gather she had attacked him during the invasion mistaking him for an Oto nin due to his camo arm warmers only for him to turn around and save her. Not long after a very tired looking Haku and a very energetic Inari enter the restaurant.

I look over at Naruto and Sasuke and the two are just as confused as me.

"Kokoro-nee," Inari exclaims rushing over to me as he engulfs me in a hug causing me to wince.

"Uhhh, who are you?" My brother asks as Aōko starts licking Inari's face.

"Sorry about Inari," Haku apologises as he bows respectively. "My name is Haku and this is Inari. We are both friends that team seven made in Wave. I take it you are Kokoro-chan's older brother Inuzuka Kiba and Aōko-chan's older brother Akamaru."

"Uhh yeah," Kiba says narrowing his eyes at Haku.

"What the hell are you guys doing here!" Naruto exclaims. "I know at least Zabuza is a known missing nin and the two of you are supposed to be in Wave. You shouldn't even be able to get into the village."

"Zabuza-sama insisted that we sneak into Konoha to watch the chunin exam finals to see Kokoro-chan compete after he heard that she was going to be in them as well as the rest of team seven." Haku explains as Zabuza continues to argue loudly with Anko who is now throwing the sticks from her dango at him. "When the village started to get attacked however we decided to help. No one has really mentioned or done anything about us being here since we were also hired to deliver a trade agreement from wave to here."

"Isn't it cool," Inari says smiling at me. "The first mission you took outside of your village was to come help us in wave and my first mission as a Shinobi in training outside of wave was to come here with medical supplies from Wave."

Okay, none of this is supposed to be happening at all. Since when did Inari train to become a ninja and Wave start trading in medical supplies? And Anko and Zabuza aren't even supposed to meet and their argument now seems to be going into more of an angry flirting territory.

"Kokoro-nee," Inari asks looking up at me. "Can you have a sparring match with me before we have to leave for Wave again?"

I am so confused and want to say yes but Naruto cuts me off, "She definitely can't Inari. Sorry."

"Kokoro shouldn't even be out of bed right in the condition she is in," Sasuke says before Inari can even ask how I am injured since it isn't really a physical injury.

Before I can protest Haku has his hands above my collar bone as they glow with medical chakra. It takes a whole two seconds for his expression to become one of confusion.

"What do you think you are doing," my brother growls.

"Relax Kiba it's just medical ninjutsu," Ino scolds rolling her eyes.

"I am not okay with some random guy just touching my sister without her permission like that," Kiba growls and I can't help but sigh at his overprotectiveness.

Tenten, Lee, and Neji both blink at Haku. Haku sighs seeing their expressions, "You thought I was a girl, didn't you?"

"Can you really blame them Haku-chan," I reply with a sly smile as Haku does his best to ease the pain using his chakra. Given the fact that his chakra naturally has cooling and freezing qualities due to his kekei genkai it works surprisingly well.

"Remember Kokoro-chan," Haku says with a way to innocent smile. "I have that picture of you in a Yukata still."

I glare at the ice user, "You wouldn't dare."

"Haku stop flirting with her," Zabuza grumbles walking over to the table having finally stopped his argument with Anko. Though the ceasefire seems to be temporary since it looks like she is ordering food. "You put on quite the show Kokoro. Your whole team of brats did."

"thanks, Zabuza-sensei," I say with a smile as the rest of my team smiles.

The muscles in Zabuza's shoulders twitch and his eyes narrow, "Haku, Inari we are leaving now."

Haku smiles most likely detecting what Zabuza is as he grabs a hold of a confused Inari's hand before the kid can protest, "Yes Zabuza-sama. Goodbye Naruto-san, Sasuke-san, Aōko-chan and Kokoro-chan."

"bye," I say still completely confused as to what just happened as an Angry Anko chases after the strange trio.

"What exactly just happened," Lee asks and honestly, I can't even answer.

"Kiba just put another name on his list of guys he wants to kill for flirting with his sister," Chouji answers as Hinata tries to calm my brother down.

"Haku wasn't flirting he was just being nice," I say rolling my eyes before I change the subject. "why is team Gai here. Tenten-chan, you can barely stand me. Birdy isn't entirely forgiven for what he did to Hinata and Lee should be in the hospital all things considered."

"You should be in the hospital yourself," Tenten says glaring at me. "It was Hinata that invited us, and you have been a bit more bearable than it was during the exam."

"Well, of course, it is why," Shino says adjusting his glasses. "Because the way Kokoro acted around you and other enemy teams during the exam was faked."

"Wait what?" Tenten says looking at me.

"All of our team faked our personalities to a degree," Sasuke says. "that way we could deceive the enemy and make them believe that they knew what to expect from us. They were extreme exaggerations of personality traits that we do have as a base with traits that we actually don't have built on top."

"It was Kokoro's idea to do it," Naruto says. "After all she had already started to fake her personality when we ran into the suna nin team."

"That is actually a very smart tactic," Lee says with a twinkle in his eye. "I will have to train not only my body but also my mind if I want to rival the members of your team Kokoro!"

I smile but it is quickly torn away by a coughing fit. Luckily there isn't any blood with it this time since I am still suffering from overuse of chakra supplements and chakra exhaustion.

Kiba's eyes darken as he looks over at me and places a hand on my shoulder, "If it gets any worse than we will have to leave early."

I give a small smile to everyone, "I'm fine really. Besides some say that good friends and food can be the best of medicines, right Chouji?"

"Don't you dare try to win us over one by one Kokoro to get out of having to rest!" Ino shouts seeing through me right away.

"Well you kids are all very lively," A voice I haven't heard in a while says as I turn around to see one of my sister's old teammates from her genin team.

"Hi Maruten," Chouji says as he starts to list of a large order of things having memories not only what he will usually eat but everyone else's. Though Lee orders his team's usual foods for them.

Through the whole thing, Tenten remains quite as everyone else starts to chat, bicker and argue. I try and suppress another fit of coughs as I observe the highly skilled markswoman.

"That's it I've decided," Tenten says slamming her hands on the table before she points at me. "I'm going to take some of Gai-sensei's ridiculous advice for once. From today forward you are my sworn rival Inuzuka Kokoro!"

I blink and smile awkwardly, "Okay then."

I really was not expecting that today. Then again today has been filled with unexpected things so far. But it will honestly be interesting to learn more about Tenten since the original story didn't tell me much and if the relationship our rivalry builds ends up being anything like our sensei's than I am completely fine with it.

Things are starting to change.

And quite honestly it terrifies me.

~o~

I sigh as I put down the scroll I had been reading on medical ninjutsu that was written by Tsunade herself when she was my age. I haven't been allowed to leave my room since the funeral, let alone my bed. I know that the village hasn't sent Naruto and Jiraya out to find Tsunade yet. Apparently, Zabuza's little appearance in the village through a wrench in those gears and his little makeshift team is now being hunted by leaf shinobi. They haven't been able to find them yet and a certain purple hair kunoichi has been especially smug about it.

Looking at it now it would make sense that those two would get along considering there violent and eccentric personalities. Where Zabuza is quiet, Anko is loud. Both have been twisted by their pasts and have been considered or are consider traitors. I can't help but accept that those two being friends is a terrifying prospect.

I sigh again as I flop backwards onto the bed and look at the ceiling. I completely ignore the pain that the action causes me since it is now just a dull ache after two weeks. Placing my hand on my forehead I curse the seal placed there.

"At least we will be getting a change of scenery soon, Aōko." I say to the puppy as she climbs onto me and lays on my stomach. "Not that it is going to be much of an improvement since it's in the hospital. But at least we will get to see Lee and Sakura on a regular basis."

Aōko yips in agreement and I smile, "It has been boring and lonely here without everyone. Team ten is off helping investigate what the heck happened with Suna, Team 8 is tracking Zabuza, the rest of team seven plus Neji are forwarding the trade agreement to Tamaki's family shop and Tenten has just been training with Gai constantly."

I groan, "It's been so boring. I barely know what is going one outside this room since Jiraya also limited my sense by improving upon the seal."

It's true after all the action lately the downtime is annoying as hell especially since I can't spend it with the pack and I can't go anywhere. It doesn't help that I have actually ran out of things to read and the new books won't be here for a month due to a story delaying them.

Aōko yips at me and I nod, "True, team 8 should be back soon. I know Kiba was mildly injured and so was Akamaru."

"You are really are bad at being patient," A female voice says from my window sill and I look up to see Tenten sitting in it.

"And ninjas are bad at using doors just in general," I joke motioning for her to come in. We have been trying to kill each other less since she declared herself my rival. Besides I have been aching to have some company other than my clansmen. "What are you doing here?"

"Gai-sensei said that a good rivalry requires both rivals to know each other well," Tenten says and I can tell she has mixed feelings about following her jounin instructor's very exaggerative advice. "So, I am here to learn more about you."

"So like truth or dare but with no dare," I say placing my finger to my chin before nodding. "Sounds like a good idea. You go first."

"okay," Tenten says as she sits on the corner of the bed and looks at Aōko and me. "How long have you two been partners?"

"Both Kiba and Akamaru as well as Aōko and me have been together since my brother and I's sixth birthday," I reply as Aōko yips happily. "Akamaru actually peed on my brother the first time they met. How did you come across loving marksmanship so much?"

"My adoptive father is a blacksmith and I grew up around the Kunai, senbon and a bunch of other weapons that he would forge and eventually I decided to just try throwing them one day when I was about six years old." Tenten says her face softening at the clearly fond memories. "I wasn't supposed to touch the weapons, so I would sneak away late at night to practice. Before I knew it, I had been practicing for two years."

Tenten's expression saddens, "then one night the third Hokage saw me practicing and commented on how skilled I had gotten at it and suggested that I pursue the life of a shinobi. He talked to my father how was surprised but also proud. I started at the academy the next month and have been practicing ever since."

"Wow no wonder you're so good at what you do," I say with amazement.

Tenten nods and notices the scroll laying on the bed and picks it up, "How long have you been studying medical ninjutsu?"

"Well ever since I could read, kinda. My sister found me reading one of her scrolls when I was five. I didn't start practicing anything more than the theoretical parts till I was in the academy. Kiba, Akamaru, Aōko and I started to study the non-chakra applications of medicine at that time two which is why our brothers are so good at it. Since our family runs the Clinique for ninken and other animal companions of shinobi we started learning through that first." I say with a smile seeing her shock. "But even so Sakura is leaps and bounds ahead of me now. But she has devoted her whole focus to it, so it is to be expected. She is working on a technique to help Lee that might actually work. I know that she needs the help of the Hyugaa clan's eyes to do more research before she can do anything definitive."

"Wow, you have been training just as long and hard as me and Lee then," Tenten says. "But you have created whole medical techniques on your own already."

"Not really our brothers have helped us devise every single one we came up with," I say sitting up as I ruffle Aōkos fur. "Even the automatic healing trick I have with my chakra cloak isn't completely original since I learned it from Zabuza-sensei."

"How exactly did you get the demon of the bloody mist to teach you anyway," Tenten asks the whole care about taking turns with questions completely forgotten.

"Well, I guess part of it started when I impressed him by surviving a direct hit from Kubikiribōchō which is where I got this scar," I say pulling up the edge of my casual wear shirt to reveal the part of the scar that stretches across my stomach which reveals a few other scars as well. "It goes from my shoulder to my hip diagonally. I can't reveal many more mission details since it got classified as S-rank but to put it simply I annoyed him to the point where he caved in and taught me."

"You weren't kidding about the S-ranked mission then," Tenten says in shock.

"You and Haku would actually get along well I think," I say thinking it over. "He is an excellent marksman like you and utilises it along with his knowledge of medicine. He is actually capable of using senbon thrown at long range to put a person in a temporary death-like state that stops all functions."

"Wait seriously he is only what 15," Tenten says in shock.

"Yep but then again you about the same age and most people have never seen you miss your target," I point out. "With the exception of your battle with Temari but that doesn't really count since she counteracted it with her wind jutsu. My turn to ask a question. How did you meet you team and get to know them?"

"Well, Lee and I were actually friends since the academy since we were both kids who weren't from clans and didn't specialize in ninjutsu like the other kids in our class." Tenten says smiling at the memories once again. "Neji seemed like a stuck-up jerk back then and it took quite a while for me to get used to him. After a while and learning about his past I started to get along better with him. We all met Gai when he was assigned to us as our Jounin captain. His personality took a bit of getting used to and when you add Lee to the mix it gets even weirder."

"I can understand that," I say thinking of my own team. "Sasuke was a stuck-up little brat that acted like he hated the whole world, Naruto was a hyperactive mess and Kakashi-Sensei never showed up on time for anything and kept up the appearance of being lazy constantly."

"Wow, I didn't realise how similar our teams were," Tenten says.

"I think all teams follow the same sort of template really because it works." I point out. "Almost all teams have the same mix of strengths and personalities through the combination of which tends to vary. For instance, I am the analytical 'genius' of my team like Neij is for yours but I am also the peacekeeper like you. Shikamaru acts as the analytical one of team 10 and Shino of team 8 and are both the quieter ones of their group but not necessarily the peacekeepers. If it wasn't for Chouji, Ino and Shikamaru would be at each other's throats constantly and Hinata keeps my brother and Shino from arguing constantly, kinda."

"I never really realised how similar the team dynamics were," Tenten says. "How did you become friends with all them anyways?"

"We were all in the same class together and all started to get to know each other from the very first day. The first person I met was Shikamaru and I literally ran into him. He introduced the four of us to the rest of the Ino-shika-chou of this generation. I ended up bonding with Ino over psychology and over food with Chouji. We actually ended up having an eating contest which has been thrown every year since. I became friends with Naruto after seeing how alone he was." I say with fondness at the memories of those simpler days. "I started becoming friends with Shino on the first day and we ended up talking about insects and other things a lot. Chouji, Shikamaru, Naruto and our brothers would usually skip leaving Ino, Shino, Aōko and I on our own at the academy and we started to become close. Most of the time I didn't spend with my brother was around those two. I became friends with Hinata more so after she was placed on the same team as our brothers and Shino."

"So, it is true that you and Shino are very close," Tenten asks and I can't help but wish for a kunai to throw at her in case the conversation goes in the same direction as with Ino.

"Of course, we are. After years of knowing each other its only normal. We understand the way the other thinks to an extent and can tell when the other is off even if they try and hid it." I say. "Of course, it isn't to the point as it is with my brother and I."

"You said earlier that you knew your brothers had been injured, how?" Tenten asks.

"We are twins remember," I say with a smile. "It's just something we can tell. When you have been with a person all your life and longer it just happens, I can't really explain it. At times it is like we can read exactly what the other is thinking. If something bad happens to the other or if they are in danger you just feel it. There is no real way to put into words the connection shared by twins who are mirrors of each other down to the very soul."

"Why exactly do you have that seal on your forehead if you don't mind me asking," Tenten asks and I realise that for someone who knows about the caged bird seal and what it is used for that a seal on the forehead might be a cause for concern.

"It is for my own health's sake," I say touching it with my hand. "I ended up awakening a part of the Inuzuka clan Kekei genkai that was thought to have been lost but was only dormant. I am not able to control it and there is no one who can teach me how. Without knowing how to use it properly the kekei genkai could kill me since it activates of its own accord. It will be taken off once I recover."

"How could a Kekei genkai cause its wielder harm," Tenten wonders aloud.

"Any weapon or skill can be dangerous if you don't know how to use it correctly," I reply as a knock at the door of the room interrupts the conversation.

"I didn't know that you had a friend over to visit Kokoro," Tamaki says as she opens the door. The poor cat lover has been stuck in the village signing papers and documents because of her taking action during the attack so she has been staying with the Inuzuka clan for the time being on my mother's orders much to my brother's embarrassment. "I would have made more food."

"We could always make more," Sakura says also appearing in the doorway in full medical nin attire. She never does up the jacket though which makes her look more like a scientist than a medical nin. "Kokoro can actually leave her bed for a little while today if she has kept on track with the approximated healing rate for her injuries."

I smile, "I haven't been able to cook in forever.

"Tenten and I will get started cooking while you give Kokoro her examination then," Tamaki says happily as she sets down the tray of food and drags the markswoman out of the room. Those two seemed to have become good friends fairly quickly. But given the number of things the two have in common, it isn't much of a surprise.

"Alright just lay back and we will be done in a few minutes," Sakura says, and I comply having gone through the same procedure many times over the last few weeks. "You are recovering at your usual rate and even a bit faster since you have actually been letting yourself full rest."

This is one of the few times I really have to rest. The search for Tsunade isn't as dangerous for my pack as the more recent ones have been and its delayed timing has meant I had some time to just be calm.

"You still will not be allowed to take any kinds of chakra supplements for the next few months and even then, you need to consume less than five a day for the next year. Perhaps even longer." Sakura says playing the full role of a professional. "You will be allowed half an hour our of your bed once a day now. You are not to train or use chakra until told otherwise. Your muscles are finally healing, and the amount of pain caused by them should be gone completely by the end of this week. You are not scheduled to be put on active duty as a shinobi until the end of the month. Even then you will be restricted to d-rank missions only."

"Am I clear," Sakura says handing me her clipboard as I nod. "Sign here and you will be free to be transferred to the hospital whenever you wish. By signing this you also agree to see a trained medical nin at least once every three weeks until further notice."

Signing the paper, I hand the clipboard back to her and get out of my bed and can move freely for the first time in weeks. My legs, however, aren't as happy about this and jolts of pain make me wince. I ignore them as I pick up Aōko and head to the kitchen.

"The quality of the blade your father makes are astounding," Tamaki Exclaims holding up an unfamiliar knife that apparently was made by Tenten's adoptive father. "If we could get products like these at our shop we would be able to stop buying from that sleazy trader from Wind."

"I'll talk to m dad about it," Tenten says indicating that this conversation has probably been going on for a while. "that guys sounds like a real creep."

Tamaki shudders, "I can't stand him!"

"So what kind of food do we want to make today," I ask tying the pink apron that my whole family uses. "It can't be anything too strong because scents like fish will bother the whole compound."

"Well knowing you and Aōko it will probably have beef in it," A new voice calls out as my brother and the rest of team 8. "what are you doing out of bed anyway Koko."

"She got the go ahead to be up from me," Sakura says. "Your just in time to help us cook since we are going to need more food now."

I try to remember what everyone's favourite foods were. I know Shino doesn't like strong tasting foods and Sakura dislikes spicy foods. I faintly recall Sakura and Tenten both liking some kind of dumpling, "How about a variety of different kinds of dumplings. That way we can make things that everyone likes. Kiba, why don't you take Tamaki with you to go and get ingredients for every kind of dumpling you can remember."

My brother freezes as Tamaki walks over to him, "I think it's a great idea Kiba. I don't really know my way around the leaf village and I keep getting lost."

With that my brother is stuttering his agreement and following the cat-loving girl outside. He is going to kill me for that later, but I like to think of it as revenge for his overprotectiveness.

"Okay while they are out getting ingredients I want to hear about how our brothers got hurt," I say turning to Shino as Aōko yips in agreement.

"He ran head first into a trap set by the ninja we were pursuing. We weren't expecting one of them to use ice-based jutsu." Shino says as I restrain a very annoyed Akamaru. Aōko tackled him preventing him from going with Kiba and she is now getting supplies, so we can treat the wound on his right hind leg.

"That would be Haku's work then," I reply trying to get Akamaru to quit squirming. "He is the last of his clan and his Kekei genkai allows him to manipulate ice. If Haku had been more hostile to you guys my brother would have likely died from that trap."

"I hope you aren't thinking of using medical ninjutsu," Sakura warns noticing me preparing to treat Akamaru.

"No, I am just going to patch him up again since he reopened his wound," I say sighing as Akamaru stubbornly refuses to stay still causing his sister to growl at him in annoyance.

"Team ten is also on their way," Hinata says and I notice that he Baykugan is activated. "They are just arriving at the clan compound."

"Oh boy, we are going to need a lot more ingredients then," I say.

"Don't worry Kiba already knows that they were on their way here," Kurenai says. "We saw them arriving at the mission desk just as we were leaving."

"Kokoro what are you doing out of bed you should be resting," Ino exclaims announcing her team's arrival into the house.

"Ah I see that you took my advice in furthering your rivalry Tenten," Gai says embracing his student who is obviously reluctantly used to this behaviour from him. "Surely the fires of Youth are burning brighter than ever!"

Tenten sighs, "Of course they are Sensei."

"Excellent," Gai says as Ino continues starts arguing with Sakura over me being allowed to leave my bed. "Then your first challenge to your rival must be one to see who is the better cook considering what I have heard about the activities going on today."

"Can I join in if it is a cooking contest," Chouji says entering the conversation as Shikamaru already starts to nap at the table and Kurenai and Asuma start up a conversation.

"May I join as well," Hinata asks her timid nature only showing slightly.

"I don't think the kitchen is big enough for this many cooks," I reply not sure how things went from calm to chaotic so quickly. Though I am certainly not bored. "We might actually run out of room in the place if more people show up."

"What are you afraid of a little challenge Kokoro-chan," Tenten says using the honorific mockingly just to annoy me.

"Of course, not Tenten-chan," I say before laughing awkwardly. "I am afraid of my mother's wrath in the case that something gets broken or damaged."

"You make a valid point Kokoro," Gai admits. "I once broke a boning knife of your mothers while having a contest with Kakashi and ended up in the hospital for a week."

"You didn't even ask to use it Gai," My mother says appearing next to me.

Hello everyone, I know it has been a few months since I last updated and that this is quite a bland chapter but writer's block has been making writing anything hell. However, I have found some new inspirations and I have started working on this story again. I won't make any promises as to when the next chapter will be up since my University courses take up a lot of my time so I have little time for writing and even less for good editing and proofreading.

Next time on KnM: Someone learns a few secrets and the search for Tsunade begins