Chapter 22: Catch and Release

Almond shaped eyes for Lori, sorry about the mix up last chapter! When I have the girls learn things from the ninja I am planning on having Lori as more of a supportive type while Jeri will be more offensive.

Opening:

Naruto Opening 2 Far Off Distance (Haruka Kanata) -

Asian Kung-Fu Generation

Lori's Past Arc

Previously: "Lori, I'll stay with you during the tests, so don't worry. Everything will be fine." Shisui offers with a kind smile that would make the fan girl's swoon. Unfortunately it only served to make the object of his affection even more tense.

Summary: Tobirama saves Jeri and Lori from Inabi U. and Lori is introduced to dango. Mikoto realizes Shisui's affection for Lori and tries to coax him to confess to her but he decides to be brotherly instead of romancing her until he can find a way to tak about his feelings to Itachi and Mikoto seeing as they had no idea when they would be leaving this world and Shisui didn't want to hurt Lori. Afterwards Jeri asks why Lori doesn't know much about her parents and Hashirama wants to run some tests on Lori and she freaks out and hides behind Shisui terrified of tests with needles as he tries to convince her that everything will be fine and he would stay with her during the tests.


Chapter 22

As drowsy eyes began to close, tired from the events of a "second Halloween", Jeri and Lori's heads started to nod off. Both were leaning against heir respective walls and were phasing in and out of the realm of consciousness, fighting to keep awake. It was hard to do without sweets, coffee, or...

Coffee and sweets! That's it! Realizied Jeri ecstatically. "Hey Shi, throw me the bag will ya?" Jeri asks across he room to which the crow summoner smirks.

"Hope you don't mind sharing..." Shisui responds tossing her the bag of delectable sweets, but not before claiming some milk duds for himself. Jeri manages to catch the bag in her exhausted state an pulls out a dark chocolate candy bar and some milk duds. After unwrapping her chocolate she takes a bite and relishes the sweet and dark taste of the creamy goodness of the chef crafted chocolate. Dark chocolate was her favorite. Quickly gobbling he rest of her sweet bar down she threw some milk duds at Lori who was still asleep.

When they hit Lori in the face she jolts awake instantly, her dark brown, some what most would call black as they turly did appear black, eyes overshadowed with alertness like a mouse aware of a nearby predator. When she figured out she was in no danger she looked at Jeri sleepily. "Forget it I'm going back to sleep..." she mumbles as she closes her eyes. It was currently 3:00 in the morning and Jeri was also fighting sleep.

"I think it would be best for us to head to bed." Itachi says quietly as he looks at Jeri who yawns and was trying her best to hide it. Jeri nods as she falls over on the floor and sleeps deeply, sprawled out like an eagle in flight. Itachi sighs as he picks up the tired female and heads off upstairs. Mikoto then grins and elbows Shisui in the ribs lightly and whispers in his ear making him blush slightly.

Hahsirama laughs as he does the same to Tobirama who glares sharply. "No."

Upon hearing Lori mumbling in her sleep everyone listens closely. "Snowy-haired jackass..." Lori mumbles in her sleep as Tobirama's eye begins to twitch at the nickname and insult.

"So that's what she calls me... She obviously doesn't know who she's dealing with...!" Tobirama mumbles under his breath his red eyes irritated with lack of sleep and anger. Hashirama puts a hand on his younger brother's shoulder.

"Tobirama, we aren't in our world. Of course she doesn't know about you." Hahsirama says with a hint of amusement in his voice as he watches the sleeping girl with a smile. He really did see her as a sister.

Shisui smiles as well knowing that he can't be with her, as they literally come from different worlds, dimensions. But that won't stop him from being nice to her, at the very most treat her as a sister until he could find a loophole or something... Hopefully. At the very least he won't talk to her much so as to ease the pain that they would both feel should they leave soon, hopefully they won't become attached to eachother. Shisui liked seeing her at peace like this and silently vowed to protect her, even if it meant him not making her his girl. He would never hurt her, and he knew that if they ever did get into a relationship and it was their time to go it would hurt her only increasing the pain he would feel. He wouldn't hurt her. He couldn't hurt her.

Itachi, who had come back a minute prior, seems to sense this from his best friend and nods accepting his decision. Though that won't stop Itachi from finding a loophole for his best friend, like the little weasel he is.

As Lori's head begins to droop she awakens and walks slowly to the stairs ready for sleep. She stops in the entryway of the hallway, leading to the front door and stairs. Without turning around she says in a clear but exhausted voice. "Goodnight, feel free to use the spare bedrooms, upstairs." After saying that she quickly heads upstairs, not once stopping of turning back.

The ninja who knew her were shocked if only slightly by the teen's words. She never once told them goodnight or much of anything nice.

Kagami smiles warmly to Tobirama. "It seems she's warming up to us, don't you think, Tobirama-sama?" Tobirama nods with a stern look still attached to his features.

Hashirama laughs happily as he is happy to hear that. Butsuma simply smirks with a small but of joy in his chest upon hearing that girl was warming to him and his sons. He knew all too well that Itama loved her to death. Tajima smirks as Izuna smiles a barely visible smile and Madara is just Madara. Shisui smirks a smooth Uchiha smirk to Itachi with a dash of Shisui in it, making it not as cocky as Tajima's, while Itachi smiles slightly, having been around Shisui and being forgiven by his family made it easier to be him, show his true colors.

In truth Itachi was a kind soul, sweet, helpful, calm, protective too. Just like Shisui, but there were some things that could never heal or mend, truth was he was still broken. It would take his little brother taking his life to fully make amends and be free... Not that he would tell Shisui or anyone else this. But he would make it happen, to also grant Sasuke the power of the Mangekyo.

"Why don't we all get some rest? I'll show you where the spare rooms are." Shisui suggests as he leads the way upstairs with the new shinobi following him.

Itama turns to Butsuma with tired eyes. "I'm going to sleep with Lori-oneechan!" Quickly he runs off upstairs as. Butsuma smiles lightly before it vanishing quickly.

Lori's Dream

A young Lori looked up at her mother as she saw her taking a pill. "Mother...? What are you taking?" Asked the four year old version of Lori with innocent curiosity, worry held on her nearly onyx eyes. As her mother turned around she hugged the small child to her stomach with a smile.

"Mommy is just taking medicine to feel better honey." What Lori didn't know was that her mother was taking pills that were given to her by a man.

Within 30 minutes the small child noticed a complete 180 turn within her mother. The normally compassionate and charismatic personality of her mother was replaced with a cold indifference, and abhorrent detestation. The woman was currently yelling st the child, something she normally didn't do for she hated yelling.

As a young Lori curled into a ball and sobbed loudly the woman seemed to have realized that something was wrong with herself and quickly locked herself in the bathroom in hopes that she could stop herself from doing something more callous to her dear beloved daughter.

Just as Lori got up and started to walk over to another child, one who had blonde hair but was not messy like hers or her mother's she held out a hand to soothe the girl-

"Lori, wake up!" Firm hand shook Lori's shoulders begging her from the chaotic dream. Lori could see nothing but blackness until the lights were flicked on in the room revealing a worried Hashirama hovering over her slightly, holding her shoulders firmly, but gently. A frightened Itama sitting beside her with his eyes brimming with fresh tears, Butsuma stood by the door to the room with a small bit of worry ringing his dark eyes. Tobirama stood near his elder brother, looking down at the midnight and raven's wings eyes of the girl.

Tobirama didn't know what to make of the situation.

First he couldn't sleep because he was on a new place and every movement would wake him up as he was a sensor type, then he felt Lori's chakra switch to something akin of fear and sorrow with Itama's changing from peaceful and giddy to fearful and panicked. Hi little brother has burst into their room in a blind panic proclaiming something was ailing Lori waking Butsuma and Hashirama up easily. And now, the object looks to be as calm as day with little beads of sweat covering her pallid (sickly pale) skin.

"W-what are you doing here?" Stammered Lori with a delicate blush on her cheeks. She slept in a sports bra and sweat pants, she didn't want guys coming in without permission.

Itama spoke as he hugged Lori's head. "I wanted to sleep with you tonight and when you started crying and talking in your sleep I went to get my family... You were also whimpering..."

Lori felt like a huge boulder had just hit her as she realized that her cheeks felt wet. Really? Whimpering in her sleep? No. she did not whimper, it was just light sounds coming from the back of her throat is all... And she does not cry, she might have irritated her eyes somehow...

"I'm fine Itama... You can all go back to sleep now."

Hashirama frowns as he looks at Tobirama who also looks skeptical about leaving. Butsuma merely nods trusting that Lori would be fine and goes back to his room. Itama's brow furrows in worry but pushes it aside as he climbs under the covers and snuggles up to Lori as she ignores him touching her.

With a few more once overs of the girl's condition Hahsirama nods and gets up walking out with Tobirama. "Goodnight." Hashirama says quitely as he closes the door.


The next morning Lori is the one to awaken first as usual and looks to the side of her bed to see Itama curled up beside her. He looked so angelic and peaceful... Lori decided she would let him sleep in and slowly go out of bed and threw on Shisui's shirt that he let her borrow the night before. It went down to her thighs and the sleeves went a little past her elbows, but she didn't mind. It was comfy.

She threw her hair into a messy ponytail without brushing it and went to wash her face and brush her teeth, afterwards she thoroughly bushes her hair out, dyes it a pale blonde and straightened it with the straightener. No longer did her hair look messy but now neat and pristine. After putting a bit of shine gloss to her hair to make it shiny instead of dull, not oily though, she turned to put on ivory foundation, beige power to give color to her skin, light rose blush, with shimmery, light peach colored eyeshadow and black mascara. Putting on celestial pink lipstick with peach lipgloss to give the natural look of beauty. All that was left was blue eye contacts...

"If only I didn't have to wear makeup..." Lori's eyes dialate in realization as she remembers last night. "Oh my God... They all saw me without makeup..."

Lori was currently cooking some waffles, bacon and sausage for herself and now that it was done, sat at the table ready to eat. When she was done she cleaned and looked at the clock to see it was 7:00 a.m.

Lori would need to check her phone soon, knowing that they would be calling soon. Quickly she went upstairs and grabs her phone from the nightstand, making sure not to wake Itama. Right as Lori just got outside the house and into the chilly air, her phone started to ring. Lori inwardly dreaded this call but she wouldn't show it. Hitting the answer button on the screen she put it to her ear.

"Ja?" (Yes?) Answers the dyed blonde.

"Was bringt Sie so lange? Wie läuft die Mission?" (What is taking you so long? How is the mission going?) Asks an agitated and gruff voice of a man on the other end. Lori is hesitant for a second before she answers.

"Entschuldigen Sie mein Herr. Vergib mir. Aber ich habe in ein bisschen ein Problem laufen..." (I'm sorry Sir. Forgive me. But I have run into a bit of an issue...)

"Es gibt kaum Probleme, denen Sie bei Ihrer Arbeit begegnen ... Kein Wunder, dass Ihre Mission so lange gedauert hat, höchstens eine Woche bis zum Ende." (Issue? There are hardly any issues you come across in your work... No wonder your mission has been taking so long, at most it takes you a week to finish. What is this issue?) The man on the other end asks curiously. Lori rarely took long to accomplish her missions gifted to her by her leader, thanks to her training. After all the training was very brutal, most men even cried after a small taste of the experience. She was a natural prodigy in her line of work with high pain tolerance to boot, built up by years of endurance tests.

"Sie sind nie voneinander getrennt, die Familie ist." Lori comes up with the lie easily though has difficulty getting the words out. (Und sie haben viele Freunde zu jeder Zeit, so kann ich nie einen Moment finden, um die Mission ohne große Schwierigkeiten durchzuführen, Sir." (They are never separated from each other the family is.) (And they have many friends around at all times so I can never find a moment to carry out the mission without much difficulty, Sir.)

"Freunde? Wenn möglich, kümmern sich um sie ohne einen Aufruhr verursachen, senden Sie sie auf eine Besorgung und weiter Ihre Mission. Ich erwarte heute Statusberichte." (Friends? If possible, take care of them without causing an uproar, send them on an errand and continue your mission. I expect status reports often now.) Demands Lori's leader.

"Yes." With that she ended the call feeling nothing but her stomach churning and making knots, she felt like she would throw up. She couldn't understand why though, and cursed herself for going a little soft, and for lying to her superior... She couldn't fathom as to why or even how she had lied to him.

"Lori? What are you doing outside?" Lori jumps as she didn't notice anyone behind her and whirls around on her heel to face the intruder with a sharp glare to see a tired Itama. Lori's eyes immediately soften as she hopes the young boy didn't see her glare.

Itama was busy rubbing his eyes as he was still very tired and used to sleeping in till about 9:00. Looking at her phone Lori found it to be 7:30. She was glad the boy didn't see her glare and hoped he had t overheard her conversation on the phone, not that he could decypher the language anyway.

"Just enjoying the cool air Itama... What are you doing up?"

Itama smiles as he stands on the porch. "You weren't there when I woke up so I came to look for you... Who were you talking to? Why were you speaking German?" Itama really was naive and innocent, Lori was thankful for that. She would have to make up a lie though, but this didn't involve the little tike.

"I decided to let you sleep in. A friend, Itama... Just a friend. My friend speaks German only, so that is the only way I can communicate." Lies Lori, well more of half lies. Her leader did only speak German.

"Why did you sound angry?" Itama asks again as Lori inwardly wished the kid would shut up and stop asking so many questions, but he was a kid. Kids are curious about the world around them and their questions never stop. It kind of made Lori feel good that someone wanted to know about her culture and cared for her enough to ask questions though. It didn't escape Lori's notice that the boy was shivering lightly from the cold.

"That's just how the German language sounds. Come, lets go inside before you catch cold. Your brother's would kill me." Lori forced a small smile as she grabs Itama's hand gently in her larger one and tugs him lightly to the door, Itama gave no resistance and followed obediently. Lori could feel the chill of his skin which she didn't like.

Closing the door behind them she locks it and seeing that Itama is about to fall over, she picks the boy up and carries him upstairs running into Itachi who just stares inwardly stunned but outwardly stoic.

The two teens stare at eachother for a moment.

"Don't breathe a word of this... Please?" Lori asks really not wanting to be seen as soft. The corner of Itachi's lips twitch in response as that is the only movement of a smile on his face.

"Fine." Itachi agrees, his voice sounding slightly tired. Must have just woken up. Lori nods before continuing to the bedroom with the small boy in her arms and once inside, lays Itama on his side of the bed and climbs into the other side. To warm the kid faster she holds Itama close to her and once he had warmed up enough she simply layed down on top of the covers on her side to keep the boy company.

Lori's mind couldn't help but wonder as she looked to her dresser top to see her three multi-colored balls. She had always had them and she always considered them keepsakes. She felt lonely without those balls and never went anywhere without them just to make sure they didn't fall into the wrong hands. Maybe, she could let Itama play with them...?

Lori was now close to falling asleep and was soon to do so had it not been for the creeping sound of her door slowly opening to reveal Hashirama who smiled at the sight of Lori and Itama. In his opinion she was more of an older sister to Itama than a friend, maybe Lori didn't want to admit it... But why? Hahsirama wouldn't dwell on that and decided to talk with the girl as he saw her eyes looking at him. Quietly she got out of bed and walked to Hashirama and closed the door quietly as she followed Hahsirama downstairs.

Once downstairs she saw the clock said 8:30 a.m. and that everyone was up and dressed, ready for the day. Lori was too since she woke up earlier than they had. Kushina and Mikoto just stare at Lori's change do appearance, her eyes were a pale blue and her hair straightened and a pale blonde color.

Unfortunately Lori didn't know that's in Japanese culture, if a child or teen were to dye their hair light blonde and or get blue eye contacts it meant that they were being rebellious.

"Release!" Mikoto and Kushina said holding the release hand sign and not seeing Lori's appearance changing. Lori stood there confused as they did this two more times.

"What are they doing?" Asks Lori to Hashirama who answers with a laugh.

"They think it's a genjutsu, that is on you."

"Oh. Okay." Lori says nonchalantly. Mikoto and Kushina then glare at Lori and a chill creeps up the teen's spine.

"What happened to your hair?!" Kushina demands with her hands on her hips.

"And your eyes!" Mikoto joins.

Lori sighs as she had to explain everything. Her voice was monotone and her facial features stern like usual. "I have to keep my hair dyed blonde and wear blue colored contacts, it's a... Rule back where I come from..."

Mikoto and Kushina both raise a brow. "Oh? Who made this rule? Why is it a rule?" They ask together as Lori tries to adjust to the constant questions. In all honesty she had never once questioned this, for she knew the punishment of asking questions, instead she opted to only say "yes." and kept her head bowed.

There was one thing she did know for a fact though...

"I cannot tell you who, nor can I tell you why, other than the fact that they hold pale hair and eyes in high regard. Like a symbol of hope to them, I don't understand much of it. Nor did I question it." Lori respons just like she would to her superior, keeping her head tilted to the ground, in a kneeling position with her back straight. Her eyes never leaving the ground. The two women seemed to ponder this before Kushina made a move.

"What is wrong with your hair and eyes?" Asks the red-haired kunochi. She was starting to see a bit of herself in the teen. Mikoto could see it as well.

"They never liked my hair and eyes. And neither did I." Lori answers honestly, for once in her life being completely honest with someone. It felt... Nice to be honest and not lying. Lori couldn't explain the weight being lifted from her shoulders, as her chest felt lighter.

Lori felt a hand on her shoulder and didn't dare to lookup. She hadn't realized she was kneeling like a knight would to a queen, just as how Lori does to her superiors. Maybe she had been too lost in thought earlier before answering Kushina and Mikoto about the "rule". Now she probably looked like an idiot.

Her blue eyes never left the floor, but if they had she would have seen that her blue eyes would have came into contact with Kushina's violet ones, she would have seen how the kunochi's were filled with warmth and emotion she swirling like a whirlpool inside. Rememberance reflected in the red-head's amethyst gaze. Kushina remembered when she had hated her hair, always picked on because it make her look like a tamato, the color was red like an apple too. The only reason she loved her hair now was because of Minato.

Lori felt understood by Kushina to an extent. She briefly wondered if this was what it was like, having a mother. Kushina's lips pull into a loving and tender smile at Lori who still looked to the ground and noticed how the blonde's shoulder seemed to tense under her touch. Kushina channels some chakra into her palm to give off a relaxing pulse into Lori's Chakra System in an attempt to get her to relax. And it seemed to be working because within seconds Lori's body had went from tense to relaxed at the warmth flooding through her.

Kushina spoke then when Lori was relaxed. Her voice was sweet and loving, filled with tenderness, just as if she was speaking to her son or husband. "Lori, look up."

Lori still dared not to look up. She didn't want the possibly of punishment for making eye contact, usually with superiors, but at the same time she didn't want to irritate the woman, last time had not went well for Lori. On either term...

"If allowed, I would rather not do so..." Lori struggles to get the words out of her mouth but when she finally does the ninja in the room could hear the hesitation in the girl's voice. This makes Fugaku raise an eyebrow. He knew they must be intimidating to civilians, but this was obsurd. They had done nothing to make either Lori or Jeri intimidated by them. And neither woman in the room were angry either... Something was going on, and he would find out what.

Minato frowns at seeing Lori's hesitation, almost as if she was expecting something bad to happen should she look at Kushina, even though the woman kindly ordered her to.

"Please, look up at me." Kushina orders kindly once again and ever so slowly, Lori's head raises to the ceiling, but Lori's eyes are directed downwards. Kushina lightly grabs Lori's chin causing Lori to lock eyes with the kunochi. Kushina saw the realization in Lori's eyes as, if possible, her skin sevened to automatically drain of all color. Leaving her as white as chalk.

Lori's body tries to tense at the soothing touch of Kushina's chakra clouded hand on her shoulder, to brace for some kind of impact, but found it futile for her muscles wouldn't contract. Her body wouldn't tense and betrayed her. Lori's mind told her that she should try to move, to brace for punishment but nothing came and her body was not listening to her mind, only the tropical heat that coursed through her muscles.

"Your hair and eyes are beautiful, don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Kushina mummurs audibly but sweet and softly. Her voice was like that of an angel's. Lori kneeled there, looking up at Kushina, in shock of what had just been said. Sure there have been a few people who like doing the real her, but they were gone. Washed away by time. Lori felt numb as her brain tried to process this information and found it hard to believe.


I think has not been clarified if Lori said yes or no to Hashirama wanting to run some tests on her, Shisui said he would stay during the tests by with her to make her more relaxed. Lori just decided not to answer.

By the way what made Shisui start to like Lori was the soft side of her that usually only came out for Itama, even though it was kinda forced, it was still an effort to be kind. She is also the opposite of him, and there is a saying that opposites attract, but it is him who will be the one to either give themselves a chance or keep his feelings hidden in an effort to save them both from pain; should Lori return his feelings. But he would have to prove himself, no doubt, to Lori.

This chapter took a long time to write so I hope you all enjoyed it! Happy Thanksgiving!

1: Your thoughts and feelings about Tobirama finding out what Lori calls him and Shisui's decision?

-(Upon hearing Lori mumbling in her sleep everyone listens closely. "Snowy-haired jackass..." Lori mumbles in her sleep as Tobirama's eye begins to twitch at the nickname and insult.

"So that's what she calls me... She obviously doesn't know who she's dealing with...!" Tobirama mumbles under his breath his red eyes irritated with lack of sleep and anger. Hashirama puts a hand on his younger brother's shoulder.

"Tobirama, we aren't in our world. Of course she doesn't know about you." Hahsirama says with a hint of amusement in his voice)

-(Shisui smiles as well knowing that he can't be with her, as they literally come from different worlds, dimensions. But that won't stop him from being nice to her, at the very most treat her as a sister until he could find a loophole or something... Hopefully. At the very least he won't talk to her much so as to ease the pain that they would both feel should they leave soon, hopefully they won't become attached to eachother. Shisui liked seeing her at peace like this and silently vowed to protect her, even if it meant him not making her his girl. He would never hurt her, and he knew that if they ever did get into a relationship and it was their time to go it would hurt her only increasing the pain he would feel. He wouldn't hurt her. He couldn't hurt her.)

2: Do you think Lori is warming up to them or is she just afraid?

-(Lori's head begins to droop she awakens and walks slowly to the stairs ready for sleep. She stops in the entryway of the hallway, leading to the front door and stairs. Without turning around she says in a clear but exhausted voice. "Goodnight, feel free to use the spare bedrooms, upstairs." After saying that she quickly heads upstairs, not once stopping of turning back.

The ninja who knew her were shocked if only slightly by the teen's words. She never once told them goodnight or much of anything nice.

Kagami smiles warmly to Tobirama. "It seems she's warming up to us, don't you think, Tobirama-sama?")

-(The next morning Lori is the one to awaken first as usual and looks to the side of her bed to see Itama curled up beside her. He looked so angelic and peaceful... Lori decided she would let him sleep in and slowly go out of bed)

-(Quickly she went upstairs and grabs her phone from the nightstand, making sure not to wake Itama.)

-("They are never separated from each other the family is." Lori comes up with the lie easily though had trouble getting the words out. "And they have many friends around at all times so I can never find a moment to carry out the mission without much difficulty, Sir.")

-(With that she ended the call feeling nothing but her stomach churning and making knots, she felt like she would throw up. She couldn't understand why though, and cursed herself for going a little soft, and for lying to her superior... She couldn't fathom as to why or even how she had lied to him.)

3: Is there something Lori's dream that her mind is trying to tell her? Is there a reason Lori's mother went mad and tried to kill her?

-("Mommy is just taking medicine to feel better honey." What Lori didn't know was that her mother was taking pills that were given to her by a man.)

-(Within 30 minutes the small child noticed a complete 180 turn within her mother. The normally compassionate and charismatic personality of her mother was replaced with a cold indifference, and abhorrent detestation. The woman was currently yelling st the child, something she normally didn't do for she hated yelling.

As a young Lori curled into a ball and sobbed loudly the woman seemed to have realized that something was wrong with herself and quickly locked herself in the bathroom in hopes that she could stop herself from doing something more callous to her dear beloved daughter.)

What did you think about Itama getting his elder brother's and father when Lori was acting weird in her sleep and her telling herself why she acted like she did?

-(Itama spoke as he hugged Lori's head. "I wanted to sleep with you tonight and when you started crying and talking in your sleep I went to get my family... You were also whimpering...")

-(Lori felt like a huge boulder had just hit her as she realized that her cheeks felt wet. Really? Whimpering in her sleep? No. she did not whimper, it was just light sounds coming from the back of her throat is all... And she does not cry, she might have irritated her eyes somehow...

"I'm fine Itama... You can all go back to sleep now.")

4: Ideas on Lori's line of work? Why did she lie to her leader about the family? Why was it hard for Lori to get the lie out of her mouth to him when she could lie easily to the ninja?

-("Issue? There are hardly any issues you come across in your work... No wonder your mission has been taking so long, at most it takes you a week to finish. What is this issue?"

The man on the other end asks curiously. Lori rarely took long to accomplish her missions gifted to her by her leader, thanks to her training.

After all the training was very brutal, most men even cried after a small taste of the experience. She was a natural prodigy in her line of work with high pain tolerance to boot, built up by years of endurance tests.

"They are never separated from each other the family is." Lori comes up with the lie easily though had trouble getting the words out. "And they have many friends around at all times so I can never find a moment to carry out the mission without much difficulty, Sir."

"Friends? If possible, take care of them without causing a uproar, send them on an errand and continue your mission. I expect status reports often now." Demands Lori's leader.

"Yes." With that she ended the call feeling nothing but her stomach churning and making knots, she felt like she would throw up. She couldn't understand why though, and cursed herself for going a little soft, and for lying to her superior... She couldn't fathom as to why or even how she had lied to him.)

Ideas about the endurance tests?

-(the training was very brutal, most men even cried after a small taste of the experience. She was a natural prodigy in her line of work with high pain tolerance to boot, built up by years of endurance tests.)

Why was Lori hesitant during the call?

-(Yes? Answers the dyed blonde.

"What is taking you so long? How is the mission going?" Asks an agitated and gruff voice of a man on the other end. Lori is hesitant for a second before she answers.

"I'm sorry Sir. Forgive me. But I have run into a bit of an issue...")

5: Feelings about Kushina's advice to Lori?

-("Your hair and eyes are beautiful, don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Kushina mummurs audibly but sweet and softly. Her voice was like that of an angel's.)

6: Why was Lori kneeling and not looking up at Kushina?

-(Lori felt a hand on her shoulder and didn't dare to lookup. She hadn't realized she was kneeling like a knight would to a queen, just as how Lori does to her superiors. Maybe she had been too lost in thought earlier before answering Kushina and Mikoto about the "rule". Now she probably looked like an idiot.)

-(Lori still dared not to look up. She didn't want the possibly of punishment for making eye contact, usually with superiors, but at the same time she didn't want to irritate the woman, last time had not went well for Lori. On either term... "If allowed, I would rather not do so..." Lori struggles to get the words out of her mouth but when she finally does the ninja in the room could hear the hesitation in the girl's voice.)

Why does Lori fear punishment should she make eye contact with a 'superior', specifically from her own country in the place she stays?

-(Lori still dared not to look up. She didn't want the possibly of punishment for making eye contact, usually with superiors, but at the same time she didn't want to irritate the woman, last time had not went well for Lori. On either term...)

-("If allowed, I would rather not do so..." Lori struggles to get the words out of her mouth but when she finally does the ninja in the room could hear the hesitation in the girl's voice. This makes Fugaku raise an eyebrow. He knew they must be intimidating to civilians, but this was obsurd. They had done nothing to make either Lori or Jeri intimidated by them. And neither woman in the room were angry either... Something was going on, and he would find out what.

Minato frowns at seeing Lori's hesitation, almost as if she was expecting something bad to happen should she look at Kushina, even though the woman kindly ordered her to.)

-(Kushina lightly grabs Lori's chin causing Lori to lock eyes with the kunochi. Kushina saw the realization in Lori's eyes as, if possible, her skin sevened to automatically drain of all color. Leaving her as white as chalk.

Lori's body tries to tense at the soothing touch of Kushina's chakra clouded hand on her shoulder, to brace for some kind of impact, but found it futile for her muscles wouldn't contract. Her body wouldn't tense and betrayed her. Lori's mind told her that she should try to move, to brace for punishment but nothing came and her body was not listening to her mind, only the tropical heat that coursed through her muscles.)

7: Who is Lori's leader and what is her mission? Does she even want to fulfill this mission? Do you think she will go through with it?

-("I decided to let you sleep in. A friend, Itama... Just a friend. My friend speaks German only, so that is the only way I can communicate." Lies Lori, well more of half lies. Her leader did only speak German.)

-("They are never separated from each other the family is." Lori comes up with the lie easily though had trouble getting the words out. "And they have many friends around at all times so I can never find a moment to carry out the mission without much difficulty, Sir.")

-("Friends? If possible, take care of them without causing an uproar, send them on an errand and continue your mission. I expect status reports often now." Demands Lori's leader. With that she ended the call feeling nothing but her stomach churning and making knots, she felt like she would throw up. She couldn't understand why though, and cursed herself for going a little soft, and for lying to her superior... She couldn't fathom as to why or even how she had lied to him.)

8: Is Lori getting close to Itama or is it all an act?

-(Lori jumps as she didn't notice anyone behind her and whirls around on her heel to face the intruder with a sharp glare to see a tired Itama. Lori's eyes immediately soften as she hopes the young boy didn't see her glare.)

-(Itama smiles as he stands on the porch. "You weren't there when I woke up so I came to look for you... Who were you talking to? Why were you speaking German?" Itama really was naive and innocent, Lori was thankful for that. She would have to make up a lie though, but this didn't involve the little tike.)

-("Why did you sound angry?" Itama asks again as Lori inwardly wished the kid would shut up and stop asking so many questions, but he was a kid. Kids are curious about the world around them and their questions never stop. It kind of made Lori feel good that someone wanted to know about her culture and cared for her enough to ask questions though.)

-(It didn't escape Lori's notice that the boy was shivering lightly from the cold.

"Come, lets go inside before you catch cold. Your brother's would kill me." Lori forced a small smile as she grabs Itama's hand gently in her larger one and tugs him lightly to the door, Itama gave no resistance and followed obediently. Lori could feel the chill of his skin which she didn't like.

Closing the door behind them she locks it and seeing that Itama is about to fall over, she picks the boy up and carries him upstairs running into Itachi who just stares inwardly stunned but outwardly stoic.

The two teens stare at eachother for a moment.

"Don't breathe a word of this... Please?" Lori asks really not wanting to be seen as soft. The corner of Itachi's lips twitch in response as that is the only movement of a smile on his face.

"Fine." Itachi agrees, his voice sounding slightly tired. Must have just woken up. Lori nods before continuing to the bedroom with the small boy in her arms and once inside, lays Itama on his side of the bed and climbs into the other side. To warm the kid faster she holds Itama close to her and once he had warmed up enough she simply layed down on top of the covers on her side to keep the boy company.)

-(Lori's mind couldn't help but wonder as she looked to her dresser top to see her three multi-colored balls. She had always had them and she always considered them keepsakes. She felt lonely without those balls and never went anywhere without them just to make sure they didn't fall into the wrong hands. Maybe, she could let Itama play with them...?)

-(Lori was now close to falling asleep and was soon to do so had it not been for the creeping sound of her door slowly opening to reveal Hashirama who smiled at the sight of Lori and Itama. In his opinion she was more of an older sister to Itama than a friend, maybe Lori didn't want to admit it... But why? Hahsirama wouldn't dwell on that and decided to talk with the girl as he saw her eyes looking at him. Quietly she got out of bed and walked to Hashirama and closed the door quietly as she followed Hahsirama downstairs.)

9: Is Lori self conscious? I.E. Her appearance? Her disposition/Personality? What can help her grow more confident? Why is she this way?

("Oh my God... They all saw me without makeup...")

11: What were those three multi colored balls? Why are they important to Lori?

-(Lori's mind couldn't help but wonder as she looked to her dresser top to see her three multi-colored balls. She had always had them and she always considered them keepsakes. She felt lonely without those balls and never went anywhere without them just to make sure they didn't fall into the wrong hands. Maybe, she could let Itama play with them...?)

10: Moments you liked? Cute? Sweet? Funny? What do you want more of and what do you want revealed/to happen next chapter? Anything goes! Requests are open too!