Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to the creator and those who have the rights to the wonderful manga and anime. Also, the idea of the parallel universe council thing goes to Debra Goldsmith of her wonderful Ranma1/2 fanfics such as Genma's Daughter. This fanfic is sort of based on Debra's sequel to Genma's Daughter, Equal Hearts. Just to let you know, the only thing that is mine is…hmm…now that I think about it, I don't think anything is mine to claim. Oh well, just enjoy this fic and please read Debra's fanfics. Even if you're not into Ranma1/2, they're still very good.
Warning: This fic contains yaoi and yuri. If you don't like it, then don't read it. Although there are pairings that are m/f.
Rating: R for the sake of the bad language, violence, and sex. However there will be no lemon, unless someone wants to write it for me.
Pairings:SasuNaru, KakaIru, SakuLee, KibaShino, ShikaIno, NejiTenten, ItaHina
There will be more…I just need to know more about Naruto
Without anymore delays…let's began the fic!
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Title:My Shadow, Your Shadow, Our Shadow
Author:Mei Neko
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Chapter 4:Seeing Different and Hating Different
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Naruto stared at the flowers for the second time around. It was a good thing that he was disguised as Sasuki since Ino's mother wasn't glaring at him. However, he was bored to death. There was so much one can take in staring at flowers. Sure, he had his share of plants, but at least they don't smell like perfume. He wrinkled his nose at that thought. Due to the Kyuubi, his senses were heightened and his nose often could not take the heavy sweet smells of flowers.
So the Kyuubi vessel decided to remember the conversations that he had with Sasuki while waiting for the girl.
While shopping, Sasuki explained everything about how she and Naru had met to how everyone in her world was different compared to what he knew. Naruto had found himself to be fascinated with the differences and was delighted that Sasuki's pouch had contained pictures.
To be quite honest, it was weird seeing a picture of himself as a girl. The blond girl in the picture was quite short for sure. Even shorter then he was. Interestingly enough, her blond hair was not long and done in pigtails like his Centerfold no jutsu, but it was only about shoulder length and done in layers. Whoever had done her hair had a taste in styling because the hair cut went well to framing her face. She still had those whisker scars, but they made her look even cuter, like kitten or something.
Her clothing was ironically similar to Naruto's. Orange with navy blue designs for the jacket, black tank top, orange shorts, and navy blue leggings made up the outfit that this Naru wore. She even wore the head protector the same way he did, the top of the forehead. There were of course a few differences, such as the necklace that was hanging from her neck. There was an amulet that the old hag had given him, but there was a ring that was hanging next to it. The ring looked to be made out of gold with a simple stone setting consisting of a black and blue gem.
However, Naruto could tell that the simple ring meant the world to the Naru in the picture from the way she had fingered it when the picture was taken.
There was another thing that had bothered Naruto when he was looking at his counter self. It was that her posture was different from his. He usually would stand with confidence or pride. At least that was what Sasuki said. However, the Naru in the picture was standing almost shyly in front of the camera and her smile was a shy one compared to the grins and scowls he always find in his pictures. What made his shadow act like Hinata?
Then he thought about the differences between Sasuki and the bastard. In the pictures, Sasuki seemed to be the one gathering the attention while hugging or standing next to Naru. She would either have a grin or a scowl on her face whenever he looked at the pictures. When Naruto asked why she was scowling, Sasuki answered because it was either her aniki or Hinata who had taken those pictures. Naruto had wondered why the girl disliked Hinata, but was distracted at the picture of Choiji.
The picture of Choiji was way different compared to his Choiji. The other Choiji was actually quite handsome and slender. He was a like pretty boy except he still had those weird tattoos on his face. However, Sasuki complained on how the guy could eat ten times his weight and not get fat. It was a feat that she had envied and had been trying to figure out if the secret was due to some jutsu or if Choiji's family had some weird metabolism gene.
Naruto was surprised to see now everyone was coupled in some of the pictures that he saw. He saw a picture of Shikamaru and Ino together. Well, it was more like Ino was draping herself over Shikamaru while the said boy just made a peace sign at the camera. Then there was picture of Sakura, who looked extremely hot wearing tight black leather and fishnets, and Lee, who had actually looked like he took a page from the Uchiha clan's sense of fashion instead of Gai's, leaning against each other while smiling at the camera. He noticed how different their hairstyles were. His Sakura had grown her hair long ever since she had first cut it, but the Sakura that he was currently staring at had kept her hair short with the except of two long stands of hair that reached to shoulders. Lee in the picture had his hair cut ragged and long while wearing clothing that was not spandex, but silk.
The biggest surprise was Hinata. The Hinata in Sasuki's world had lots of confidence and her hair was about as long as Sasuki's. She was also just as sexy as Sasuki. Instead of the modest clothing that his Hinata usually wore, this Hinata wore clothing that was tight, sexy, and revealing at times. Naruto almost had a nose bleed at a picture of Hinata in a two piece bathing suit. As he looked at more pictures of Hinata, he noticed at how she would usually pose with Naru or Itachi. Sasuki explained that Itachi and Hinata were engaged. She also explained why the picture of Hinata and Naru were crooked.
Naruto briefly wondered if maybe Naru had a hard time trying to keep Sasuki from killing Hinata everyday from the way the girl was glaring at those pictures.
"Ojou-san?"
Naruto blinked as he looked up to see Ino's mother staring at her. Naruto blushed and tried to remember how to talk properly as a female.
"Hai?"
"Are you having trouble looking for flowers for a present?"
The disguised boy blinked at that. Present? Why would she think that way?
Ino's mother, thinking that the girl was confused at how she knew, smiled at her.
"Today is Uchiha-san's birthday. My daughter and her friends have been buying presents for him. Flowers have been selling quite well because of that boy." She replied cheerfully.
Naruto tried his best not to make a face at that fact. The woman thought she was out to buy that bastard a birthday present. Why the hell would he buy flowers for that bastard. He ignored the little voice inside his head that he had bought a card for the bastard and mailed it to him. Problem was that the card was going to be two days late, but who cared?
As he mentally ranted, a thought came across his head and he stared at the flowers in shock. Of course! Why hadn't he thought about it before!"
"Ano, oneesan! I would like to but some flowers for a friend!"
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Sasuki was busy staring at the manga that was currently in her hands. She had a bad habit of reading manga in a store and so did her Naru-chan. The old store man would always kick them out after an hour or two and often enough tried banning the two from entering his store. And that is why Kami invented blackmailing for Sasuki.
The girl was upset that a few of her manga series were not in existence. Such a pity too since Hikaru no Go, One Piece, and Iron Wok Jan were the very reasons why she was friends with Shikamaru, Konohamaru, and Choiji. At least there was still Nejima, XXXHolic, and Blade of the Immortal. Maybe that meant this Sasuke bastard was friends with Lee, Ino, and Neji. Sasuki then shook her head at that thought, from what she learned about this Sasuke guy, she highly doubted that he was friends with them.
She was actually quite surprised about her double of this world. It turns out this Sasuke was the complete opposite of her. A brooding son of a bitch who thinks mostly about revenge against Itachi. Well, maybe they were the same with the cursed seal and about getting revenge against Itachi, Sasuki's idea of revenge was merely getting back at Itachi. However that was it! At least Naru and Naruto were pretty much similar. Sure this Naruto was a tad bit louder and more confident, but the two Uzumaki's were really alike. The same love for ramen, plants, and Konoha were all there in those blue eyes.
Sasuki scowled as she thought about the last thought. Konoha still had this Naru-chan's heart much like her Naru-chan. That pissed her off the most. How could a stupid village be beating her in the war for Naru-chan's heart! If she could, she would have blown the stupid village to bits, but that would leave Naru-chan mad at her. No doubt this Naru-chan would be pissed at her if she tried blowing up this Konoha. That was only reason why Konoha was still standing; otherwise Sasuki would have no problem blowing the stupid place up. She gave up thinking and went back to reading manga, ignoring the thoughts of not wanting to blow up Konoha because she actually liked the village to the back of her mind.
A cry of "Naruto!" interrupted her reading and she snapped her head to the caller. How dare any person calling out for Naruto without her permission! Sasuki was about to snap and throw a kunai at the person when she found herself staring at four people who were staring at her in return.
The first thing that Sasuki noticed was that there was a really weird guy in green spandex with a coconut hair cut. It took her a moment to realize that the guy was Rock Lee. Her first thought was that the guy was Gai and that someone, Kakashi, had performed a jutsu that deaged the man. Thank god it was not like that.
"Naruto-kun! My friend! It is good to see you!" Lee yelled as he grabbed Sasuki's hand and shook it. Sasuki blinked and realized that these people had yelled out Naruto's name because they thought she was Naruto.
"Right, nice to see you too Lee." She answered as her gaze went over to the other three. What she saw shocked her to the core.
Sasuki had heard from Naruto on how different Sakura was in his world, but she truly never imagined that it was this different! Unlike the Sakura that she knew who was a bad ass in how she acted and how she dressed, this Sakura was just pretty. That and there was that long hair. Really long hair. Sasuki tried to remember the last time she saw her Sakura with long hair and realized it had been when they were twelve. At least the two still had their big foreheads and all.
Her gaze flickered to Ino. Ino was dressed differently and her hair was styled in a simple ponytail. That was odd for Sasuki. Her Ino was into the latest fashions and often enough styled her hair in many different styles. She had always suspected that her Ino had invented a jutsu that kept her hair the same for a day since the hair never went out of place no matter what the blond girl did. This Ino was dressed in a sexy way, but it was nothing original like her Ino would wear. Her Ino had a habit of designing her own clothing and showing it off during missions.
Finally, she stared at the last person in utter shock. It was like looking at her aniki only slightly less hot. The guy was taller then her about a few centimeters or two. Unlike her aniki, this guy had his hair cut short, but it was still longer then Lee's coconut cut. What really caught her attention were his clothes, they contained the Uchiha symbol on the sleeves of his shirt. Sasuki knew who this guy was and somehow this guy, staring at her, was pissing her off.
"Sasuke bastard!" she screamed.
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Sasuke gave a smirk as Naruto yelled at him. It felt good that just standing there could distract Naruto to him from everything else. Now he only has to say a few words and the two of them would be sparring for a few good hours. Hopefully, the girls and Lee would leave them alone and he could forget about his birthday.
"Dobe." There, that should get the blond into a fight.
"Teme! I'm not a dobe! You're the dobe!" Naruto yelled. Before Sasuke could say anymore, Sakura whacked the blond on the head. Sasuke frowned at that. Damn pink hair girl was ruining everything!
"Don't yell at him, Naruto! It's his birthday! At least say happy birthday to him." Sakura snapped. Naruto nursed the bump and glared at her.
"Happy birthday to him. Happy! Damn it bitch, that really hurt." Naruto grumbled. All four froze at that. Naruto had never ever insulted Sakura. Sakura stared in shock at Naruto before she punched him.
"Don't call me that! Anyway, who the hell were you with at lunch today!" Sakura yelled. Naruto did not answer right away since he was currently nursing the other lump.
"Che, you hit too hard. And what's it up to you with who I eat with? It's not like you're my old lady or anything." Naruto snapped. Then he turned to stare at Lee with undisguised horror. "Man, Lee, you really need a makeover."
Lee blinked in confusion while Sakura got mad once again. How many times did this idiot have to insult Lee about his looks? Sure the guy was a little strange for copying his master and for the weird ass eyebrows, but that did not give the blond the right to make fun of him! Then the blond did something that surprised everyone.
"I mean, it was cute when you were twelve to dress up and act like that teacher of yours, but you're fucking sixteen, man! Isn't it time to just be your own man? Look, spandex, I got great respect for it. But face it; spandex is a privilege, not a right. You should try silk. It'll look great on you, and it's good for the fighting. Plus all the girls love a man in black silk. Red too. Yeah, Red and black are more you're colors then green man." The blond said as he wrapped an arm around Lee's shoulders and led him away from the others while holding on to a publication of Shinobi Jump.
"N-naruto?" Lee stammered. While talking, the blond had practically moved his face so that two were just only inches apart. If someone would just smack their heads with even the slightest of force, their lips would come in contact. It was at this distance, that Lee noticed that Naruto was actually cute in a way. Too bad the blond was a guy; otherwise, he would have been cute as a girl. Especially with the way those blue eyes were taking in this lazy quality which was rare from the blond.
"You should get your hair cut. This coconut cut just makes you look like a kid. Get a buzz cut and let it grow after that. I think you'll look pretty good." Naruto murmured in his ear.
That got the other three in a mental uproar. Ino was thinking that maybe the blond was just acting a tad bit too weird. Sakura was furious at how Naruto was hanging over Lee when Hinata was so after him. Actually, the pink haired girl was confused if that was the real reason, since she felt more pissed that Naruto was standing too close to Lee for her comfort. And Sasuke, well, he was building up a storm that even rivaled the one he had for killing Itachi! He didn't know which idiot to kill. The blond for ignoring him or the crying baby for taking the attention of the blond.
"You know, he does have a point." Ino said out loud. Sakura and Sasuke stared at her in surprised. "What? It's not like he doesn't have a point. Lee could use a good make over anyways. And he's right about spandex."
"I knew your great fashion expertise would come out, Ino! Anyway, got to go. My pretty lady is waiting for me!" the blond yelled as he ran out while dumping a few hundred yen to the old man. "That's for the magazine you old fart!"
"You bastard child! Don't go calling me an old fart!"
"Yeah, yeah, save it for the next time, old fart!"
Sakura blinked and shook her head for a moment. What the hell was going on? Just what happen to make the blond this crazy? Then she blinked again and scowled.
"Damn it! He got away!"
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Sasuki giggled in glee as she practically ran out of the book store and using one of Shikamaru's shadow jutsus, into the flower shop. Chances of anyone figuring out she was just across the street was slim. It was fun teasing Lee. It was something she did when she was younger, way before Sakura and Lee got together. Sasuki wasn't ignorant that people thought her to be the most beautiful girl and only second to Itachi in looks. And she used the fact to her advantage in teasing people. Mostly Lee and Shikamaru. It was fun riling up Ino and Sakura.
"Maa, I wonder if what this Ino would do if I pretend to give a lap dance to Shikamaru." She murmured and gave out another giggle. She remembered how her Ino practically freaked out and used her astral projection techniques to kill her. In the end, it took about seven people to hold the blond down to give Sasuki enough time to run away with Naruto.
"Ano, it looks really weird seeing me giggle."
Sasuki turned and grinned at Naruto. She quickly undid the jutsu and watched Naruto did the same. Sasuki took a moment to study Naruto. He was shorter then her, that was for sure. But not as short as her Naru-chan. Naru-chan could barely make it up to her chin. Which was great for Sasuki whenever she hugged the girl. In her opinion, Naruto's hair was too short. He should grow it longer until it reached chin height. And get it cut layered. Also, he should try wearing something a bit sexier. The orange outfit just made him look cute, not dangerous.
Otherwise, it was sort of refreshing to see a Naruto with lots of confidence. She ignored the little voice that stated it was her fault that Naru-chan had little confidence. Which was true since Sasuki had always babied Naru-chan when they were kids. And all the troubles that the blond had to go through were mostly done by Sasuki.
"Saa, it looks weird seeing me just standing there. Nee, I got you your magazine, let's go home. I want to dump this stuff and then go groceries shopping. Honestly, Naru-chan. You need more food." Sasuki said as she began to drag Naruto out of the flower shop. However, much to her surprise, Naruto stopped and pulled her arm a bit.
"U-uh…here." The blond muttered as he shoved a bundle of flowers towards her. Sasuki blinked as she stared at a bunch of orange and white flowers. They were wildflowers that grew all over in the training fields and such. Sasuki blushed as she accepted them.
"A-arigato." She murmured. "But what are they for?"
"Well, since today is your birthday, they're kinda you're present. I didn't have a lot of money and they were all I could get and I know it's cheap and it sucks and…" Naruto rambled while turning red. However, it was cut short when Sasuki hugged him fiercely.
"Thank you! This is wonderful!" she said happily as she kissed the blonde's cheeks twice. Naruto face turned even darker with blood as he looked at the ground, trying to avoid looking at the girl's face.
"Really? I mean they're just flowers and I'm sure you're girlfriend probably got you plenty of things way better then this."
"Don't worry about that! This is my first gift from Naruto, so it makes it very special! Come on! Let's go home and get food!" Sasuki said cheerfully while dragging Naruto. This caused Naruto to concentrate on keeping up with the girl. Otherwise if he were to look up, he would have noticed that the girl was staring at the flowers fondly.
Sasuki smiled at the flowers and gave a glance at Naruto with happiness. There was also another reason why these flowers were special to her. They were exactly like the flowers that her Naru-chan gave her for her very first present.
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Ino was still shock at the change in the blond. She could tell Sakura was too. Mostly because her friend was ranting about how Naruto was not himself and that there was no way he would be hitting on Lee when he was suppose to be hitting on the pink haired girl. Ino stared at her friend before shaking her head. Honestly, that girl was just nutty at times. Must be with that big forehead of hers. At least she had two guys paying attention to her. Even if they were Lee and Naruto. Well, scratch off Naruto. It seems like he was taken from the way people had been gossiping.
"Isn't this a good things though, Sakura? Now he won't be bugging you whenever you're with Sasuke." Ino reminded the girl. Sakura paused at that before she sighed.
"Demo, think about Hinata! If what those people are saying is true, it's going to break her heart!" Sakura whined. Ino rolled her eyes at that. It was true though. The gentle girl would probably have a heart attack if she heard that some woman was posing underwear in front of the idiot.
That rumor had actually come from Choiji who was passing by on his way for Korean barbeque. His description of the girl matched with the old man at the ramen stand, only with less clothing. Ino bit her bottom lip in worry. When Sasuke heard it, his eyes had turned red so fast that she had to take a step back. It must be pissing the brooding male so much that a hot girl was paying attention to the idiot them him.
"Forget about it. Come on, let's go say hi to my mom before we got out for dinner." Ino muttered. Hopefully Shikamaru would be there and they could pick him up. At least she would have someone to talk to besides Sakura. While gossiping was fun, it was tiring at times when Sakura continued to be obsessed about a certain topic. With Shikamaru, she could talk about anything and he wouldn't be bothered with the change. Well, at least not as much as Sakura.
The four, with Lee dragging Sasuke, walked over to the flower shop to greet Ino's mother.
"Wel- oh! Ino and friends! Happy birthday Uchiha-san!" Ino's mother said politely as she bowed. The four younger bowed and gave their own greetings.
"Is Shikamaru here?" Ino asked as she looked around. Her mother shook her head at that.
"No he didn't come by today." Ino sagged at the news. "But I did saw one of your friends here. I believe it's that Naruto boy. His girlfriend was here picking out flowers for him."
Everyone turned at her and Sakura practically shot out questions.
"Honto! What was she like!"
The older woman blinked at the sudden attention and blushed. The Uchiha boy was practically glaring at the woman to answer!
"Ano, she was taller them him. Long black hair, fair skin, and just really beautiful. If she were a flower, I would consider her to be lily. She seemed pretty graceful. She left with the flowers, but when I come to the window, I saw her and Naruto together. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek twice." Ino's mother said quickly, trying to get the attention away from her.
Ino sighed and cursed Naruto and his woman. Now, Sakura would continue to obsess.
"Demo, there was one thing that was really strange. When I watch them leave, she still kept those flowers with her. She didn't give them to him." Her mother mused.
"Maybe she wanted to surprise Naruto later when they're alone!" Lee said as he thought it over. Sakura disagreed with that.
"Then why would she kiss and hug him in public? If she could do that, then she would have given him the flowers earlier." Sakura pointed out.
"Some people don't like to give out special gifts in front of people. Often enough they don't mind showing public affection because they want people to know that that person is theirs." Lee argued back. "Of course if it were me, I don't mind showing people what I got my girlfriend."
Sakura blushed at that before getting ready to retort. However Ino quickly covered her mouth.
"Can the debate. We can discuss this over dinner." Ino snapped as she dragged Sakura out. "Thanks mom! I'm going to be home later! If Shikamaru comes by, tell him that I'm at that new Chinese restaurant if he wants to come!"
While Sakura was trying to struggle from her grasp, Ino thought that it was a close call that she had stopped the two idiots. She was afraid if they had continued, then Sasuke would have destroyed something in the shop. Ino shivered as she remembered just how deadly the Uchiha heir looked.
He looked like he was about to kill someone.
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That's the end of the forth part. I wanted to end the entire birthday on this chapter, but it would take too long. I know the meeting between Sasuki and Sasuke is rather disappointing, but I promise you the next chapter will have the two meeting face to face. Without the Henge no jutsu.