::Well, this might be the last update for a long time (weeks?) because I'm having issues with my villain. I think I've rewritten his introduction…oh…three times now? And will SOMEBODY SHUT OFF THAT CAR ALARM!!!! Thank-you.
I love my reviewers! ^_^
Kurai thought she was going to die of embarrassment. Her father was a perceptive fellow, would he be able to tell what she hadn't known about herself? What was she going to do? She couldn't have Kakashi's kid! Her mind was in a state of mental panic as she led her ragtag team out of the snow and into the calm eye of the storm. The sun shown down in a rare display, and pine and a few deciduous trees were scattered around. It was a huge area. Acres upon acres. Still, there was no physical wall or boundary aside from the storm, and to blizzard-born travelers, Hidden Snow Village was a hidden utopia. A glance at the surrounding fields told Kurai nobody was in this area. She looked back at her guests and smiled. "Welcome to Hidden Snow Village! Home is this way."
They walked across the wild field they had entered upon leaving the storm and started along a dirt road. There were quite a few houses with boarded up windows and doors and untended fields along their route. They eventually passed a house with smoke coming from the chimney, but no one came out. As it began to grow dim, and the sun cast its light through the storm clouds, they stopped in front of a particularly large building. It looked sort of odd with its grand, traditional architecture climbing five stories up and no other buildings around that could even compare save one quite some distance off. Windows reflected the rays from the sun that also gilded the roof tiles with gold. "This is the academy and my home," Kurai explained as she opened the doors and walked in.
A large, open room with children between the ages of five and ten greeted them. They were all frozen in place, balanced on spikes or poles depending on age and strength. The instructor wore a Snow forehead protector like Kurai's. He was older, and looked to be an overall sour person. When he nodded at her and clapped his hands, ending the students' exercise, Kakashi concluded this man was Kurai and Naruto's father—as well as the head instructor and leader of the village.
Suzaku approached his guests and looked down at Kurai. "You took too long," he said grimly.
Kurai blinked. "I haven't broken the time limit, and they needed to train up to make it across." He grunted and looked at the team. Sakura looked a little tired, but otherwise fine. Naruto looked like he didn't know what to make of this guy. The facial features were there, just harder. Uzu Suzaku was a mountain of a man with blond hair and blue eyes, but everything about him was like rock. His hard eyes lingered on Sakura and Sasuke, then turned to Kakashi.
Suzaku lost some of his rock look when he arched an eyebrow. Looking at Kurai he said, "He is a Jounin? A good one I hope, still… An oath is an oath." He patted his daughter's shoulder. "You brought your brother back, you are now a Jounin." Kurai beamed. Turning to the students assembled he said, "Afternoon classes are canceled. Rest up, because we're going to have that tournament I promised you." There were some cheers and pounding feet. Kurai stepped out of the way, but Naruto ended up having to dodge the many moving bodies. When everyone had cleared out, he lay twitching on the floor. Kakashi and Kurai sighed in unison.
"So, Naruto, come here and let me have a look at you," Suzaku said. Naruto picked himself up and dusted off the footprints. Suzaku looked Naruto in the eyes, like a staring contest. Naruto stared back. Nodding, Suzaku straightened and took a step back. "Take off your shirt and concentrate on raising your chakra." Naruto blinked. Odd request. Still, with only a quick glance in Sakura's direction, Naruto unzipped his jacket and pulled off his shirt.
Hands at his sides, he closed his eyes and concentrated. Intricate symbols appeared on his stomach. Suzaku knelt and studied them intently. He traced a line with his finger and looked at Kurai. "Someone tried to meddle with it."
Kurai nodded. "There was a five element seal on top of it that had been added later and was messing up his chakra. I got rid of it and put down the proper seals."
"All except the last."
"There is no need for it."
Suzaku didn't look convinced. Stepping back he said, "We'll see. You can put your shirt back on now, Boyo." Naruto opened his eyes and blinked. Then Suzaku looked at Kurai and said, "Your mother has been worried. She still found the time to make a fuss preparing for your return, however." He tossed something to Kurai and she caught it. It was a piece of paper. She looked at it. "The place should be fitted with everything you need. Stop by once you've cleaned up." He looked at Kakashi. "You can find your own lodgings, I'm sure." Then he looked at the three students. "You all will be staying with me. This way." He led them off like a mother duck.
Kurai jumped into the air and spun around the moment her father was out of sight. "Yes! A place of my own!" Then she began to feel woozy again and reached out for the wall. What she grabbed was Kakashi's hand as he steadied her.
"You alright?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, just a little over excited." Turning towards the door she picked up her small pack and said, "You'd better stay with me for now. We don't have any inns, and most of the villagers aren't too warm towards strangers."
Kakashi grinned to himself. "If you insist." They went out into the waning light of the day and trekked about a quarter mile east on yet another dirt road with thick wagon wheel marks. Up against a large hill on their right was a small house painted dark brown. Kakashi was sort of skeptical. All that empty space they had passed and she was happy to have this place? Naruto's apartment was bigger! She opened the door and flipped a switch. Windows that had been hidden in the shadows of the hill lit up and Kakashi blinked. The whole hill was a house. ::Yay Hobbit hole! Couldn't resist::
"You can dump your stuff wherever and find somewhere comfortable to wash up and sleep. I'm heading for the basement and the hot spring!" She barely gave the place a second look as she tossed her bag aside and opened a door off the living room. Steam billowed out and Kakashi made up his mind as to where he was going to bathe. He followed her down the steps and blinked. The basement was filled with hot mist and dimly lit by a naked light bulb in the ceiling. Candles came alive as Kurai walked with a lighter around the room and he could see. Half the basement was a pool of simmering water. Kurai stood at the edge in a thin robe, setting soap and some towels aside. She must have been looking forward to this a lot to get undressed that quickly.
She glanced at Kakashi and let the robe drop as she entered the hot spring, sucking in her breath as the hot water surrounded her. "Are you going to join me or just stare and enjoy the show?"
Kakashi was out of his clothes in an instant and sliding into the water by Kurai's side. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the edge of the pool. Kakashi put an arm across her shoulders and began to nuzzle her neck, prompting her to participate. Kurai considered the invitation and slid away to the center of the pool. She peered up at him, her eyes and nose all that remained above the water. Go ahead and tease him, that usually makes the mating rough, a taunting voice said in her head. Kurai dipped under the water before Kakashi could sense her distraction.
Leave this alone, Zanz. Kurai slammed down with her will and the demon's presence evaporated from her consciousness. Surfacing, Kurai looked around and couldn't see Kakashi. As she turned to look behind he grabbed her and captured her pouty lips in a demanding kiss. She didn't let him use his tongue immediately, and kept her lips closed. He tried to tease her open with his teeth, but she pulled away and rested her head on his shoulder as her hands lightly skimmed down from his shoulders and chest. As she kept going lower she felt his stomach muscles tighten and his breath catch. With a grin of triumph she began to lightly tease his erection.
She felt a growl rumble deep in his chest and 'hmm'ed into his neck as she played with him using her butterfly-like touch. His hands began to travel up from her waist. She didn't pay his hands much mind until they suddenly vanished inches from her breasts and one wrapped around her waist while the other slid between her legs. Kurai's head came away from his shoulder and she gasped as he stroked the soft inner regions of her things and drew close to the power point of her pleasure only to pass by. It became slow torture, this teasing. She forgot all about her other plan and allowed herself to be picked up and brought out of the water.
He carried her through the steam to one of the long and deep benches covered in padding to keep those sitting on it from burning their hides. Setting her down he rested a knee between her legs, convincing her to open up for him. He lowered himself down slowly and kissed her lips as lightly as moonlight, then with animalistic hunger. She opened her mouth and allowed him to pillage all he might find.
Not content with this surrender, he pulled away. Kurai made a sound of protest, but then she felt him pressing against her entrance. She looked him in the eye, both of hers into each of his, and showed him the trust that was there. He entered her in a single thrust and she cried out as his hot length filled her.
Kakashi settled himself down along her once more and started to scatter kisses along her chin and down her throat. She brought one hand up to his chin, making him look back up at her. With a warm smile she guided him down to her lips. As he started to move inside her a moan escaped her lips. They echoed each other for a time, their hips slowly picking up the rhythm of mating that hummed in their blood and was vocalized in the back of their throats. Then Kurai could feel the build up pressing the gates and she yelled as her climax swept through her like a wave of golden light. Just a moment later Kakashi grunted as he dove into her and came, filling her with his seed.
They lay on the bench for quite some time, hearts slowing down as their bodies accumulated more moisture from the steamy air. Eventually, Kurai stirred and whispered into her lover's ear, "How about a quick clean up and some dinner?"
Kakashi thought about a good meal and smiled. He looked into Kurai's eyes and kissed her nose. "Sounds great." They managed to take a quick bath with only a minimum amount of playful touches and kisses, and wrapped themselves up in robes before gathering their clothes and blowing out the candles. The stairs were surprisingly difficult to find in the mist and dim light, but they made it back up into the house without mishap.
Kurai went into the lower bedroom and dumped her clothes into the basket she assumed was intended to hold such things. The room was furnished similarly to the rest of the house she'd seen thus far. Instead of the heavy, carved wood that was so common in the village, a majority of the furniture was simple and bore a slight curve of quiet elegance instead of a dizzying array of carvings. Then she combed out her hair and put on some loose pants and a long-sleeved shirt, both the same gray as her other clothes. A black sash went around her waist and tied in back. After a quick look in the mirror she went back out to the kitchen and found Kakashi dressed in clean clothes that were nearly identical to his travel garb. He appraised her appearance slowly and smiled behind his mask.
They cooked up a feast, for the kitchen and pantry had been fully stocked. After a filling meal they went to bed, (not necessarily to sleep mind you) and Kurai found herself feeling guilty. I want to tell him so badly, but it doesn't sound like father will let him stay. Then if Kakashi knows it'll just torture him. Why didn't I do something about this kind of chance before..? Oh well, no point in worrying now. She tucked her head under Kakashi's chin and closed her eyes.
The next day was spent resting for Kakashi and Kurai, but Naruto's group ended up face to face with the firing squad. The elders of the village, all Anbu, sat in a long booth above the arena. The bleachers were empty since this was a test and not a real match, but Sakura still felt somewhat intimidated. Sasuke and Naruto looked grim. Sasuke because he was about to be judged on his skill, Naruto because of lack of sleep the night before. Their forehead protectors had been taken from them sometime during the night, a fact that had shocked and angered them when they woke. Naruto was particularly peeved over this.
The eldest of the Anbu (think the Third Hokage minus ten years) stood and came forward. His voice was carried to the students' ears loud and clear. "These children are to be judged and graded. Let the battle begin."
Sakura moved first. She cast the genjitsu to make her imperceptible and slid into the shadows of the stands. Sasuke and Naruto wasted no time in attacking each other. It was to be an all-out battle royal. Sakura's instinct against these two fighters was to be defensive and sneaky. Naruto and Sasuke's instinct was to try and knock out each other first from sheer rivalry. The Anbu noted this and shifted in their seats.
Naruto's eyes flashed as he brought a kunai to his chin. "I've been waiting to do this a long time!" he said, and Sasuke smirked. They ran at each other, bringing their kunais together with a loud 'clang' and then using their other hands to quickly bring out another kunai and locked again. They jumped back and Sasuke threw a few shuriken at Naruto's torso. Fox-boy easily jumped out of the way, but barely managed to block Sasuke's following kunai.
"Fireball no Jitsu!" Sasuke said from the air. Naruto swore and performed some of his own seals. The fiery attack came at him before he could form the last seal, but he decided to do it anyway.
"Diamond Shield no Jitsu!" The fireball surrounded Naruto and the Anbu watching above tensed. The only relaxed person in the stadium was Naruto's father, who stood in the shadows of the hall that led to the battleground. Why wasn't the boy using his strongest jitsu? There were ways, and there were ways, but so far it didn't look like either boy would be able to count himself the victor unless something unusual happened.
Like if they stopped fighting.
The flames cleared and revealed Naruto's completed shield, shining in icy glory. The Anbu above were particularly pleased with this move, some of their village pride peeking up to say hello. Their joy was short-lived however, because when Naruto's shimmering shield came down, he was lying on the ground. A couple of the elders rose from their seats and gaped, the others just sighed and shook their heads. The boy should have seen it coming.
Sasuke stood on the ground looking rather shocked. I didn't do that did I? Naruto has way more chakra than—unless he's pulling something. He looked around anxiously, waiting for the blonde baka to show himself. All he found in his sweep of the arena was a poorly hidden Sakura near the entrance.
Then he heard someone coming up behind him and turned, kunai out. His eyes found nothing. "Sharingan!" He now clearly saw Sakura, but it was too late even for him. She knocked him across the forehead with the blunt end of her kunai, knocking him to the ground, unconscious.
How..? Was his final thought before he blacked out.
The elders stood and applauded. Sakura was panting from using so much chakra, but spared the men above her a smile and bow. Uzu Suzaku came forward and looked down at the pink-haired shinobi. She gulped. His grave face then went through a transformation and he started laughing. The way his shoulders shook and his mouth hung wide open reminded her of Naruto in a rather eerie way. He slapped her across the shoulders, making her stumble. "Nice job! Poor boys didn't have a chance I guess." He looked at the two slumbering young men on the ground. "I don't suppose you could have waited, though? We wanted to know more about them before we settled on their rank, but I guess it's not that important." He held out a hand. "Congratulations on making chuunin!"
::And a closing note: I've got half of the next chapter done already, but it usually takes me twice as long to proofread a chapter as to write it. _ Feel free to send me an e-mail to give me a healthy kick in the arse to get moving. Also, is it jitsu or jutsu?? I've seen both, and want to know what the majority think.