-Wished I owned them, but not mine, they are properties of their respective owner's.
". . ." speech
'. . .' thought
'Damn this woman! She's so hard to deal with!' thought Hiko. 'Who does she think she is? Bossing me around like this when I'm like this.' Hiko's major cramps had stopped yesterday and she now felt much better and was able to do some actual walking around but when she woke up in the morning and decided to get ready to get dressed she met this woman in the streets and she had INSISTED on Hiko accompanying her to the go shopping. It wasn't her fault that she looked almost half-naked with her (male) clothes on. 'Besides who does she think she is telling me what clothes is appropriate and what is not, its not like she was the boss of me anyways.'
'This is so troublesome' was what both Hiko and Kurenai thought of before going shopping.
Chapter 6: Falling Together
By Suiiren
"Kakashi, Hayate, how are things going on your current mission?"
"It has not gone well, Hokage-sama, this girl is just as elusive as you said. Neither me nor Hayate have been able to get a track on this girl yet. Neither did the "trio" get any loser to this. All our searching have proven fruitless as of yet but I am confident we will find her."
"I see, so no results as of yet."
"Don't worry Hokage-sama. I, Hayate, shall find this girl no matter what."
"I have no doubts about your abilities, but proceed with caution. Its already been three days and for all we know she could of gotten what she wanted."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Dismissed"
=Meanwhile in the market section of Konoha=
"DAMN IT! You're not going to make me do this! There is no way in Heaven or Hell am I going to put this on! You'd have to kill me first to make me wear this stuff, it's just too degrading for a Proud warrior like me to wear ANY of those things" yells Hiko as she points towards a small pile of bras and panties.
"Why are you so difficult! You rather be naked than covered up! Do you like the idea that your half naked in public and what's this about being to good to wear these!" yells Kurenai as she picks up a handful of panties and bras and throws it at Hiko. "Don't think so highly of yourself! Stop being so indecent."
"So highly of myself? What about you! You think you can just drag me all the way out here and force these things on me! Here, maybe you like to try them on yourself!" yells an enraged Hiko as she starts throwing other pairs of panties and bras at Kurenai. "I'm old enough to take care of myself you know?"
"Take care of yourself? How can you take care of yourself when your half- naked, poor, and in such bad condition. Have you even thought about how bad you smell yet!"
"Ara?" 'Now that I think about it I have been wandering the roads of this world about a month now. Well, besides that I haven'ttaken a bath yet and have not changed my clothes during that time period. Hmm, come to think of it' Hiko takes a sniff of her armpits and collapses. "Ara? I, I, I stink! DAMN IT!"
"Umm, miss, if your not going to shop here please . . . "
"Please what? Do I smell too bad for you to do business!" glares Hiko as she slowly approaches the shop owner with a crazed expression and death glaring eyes.
"What, what are you doing! Are you crazy!" yells a surprised Kurenai when she sees a homicidal Hiko attacking the shop owner. "You crazy girl get off of him!"
"Ahh, get her off of me!" screamed the owner frantically.
"Don't think you can go around and treating me like a rag doll all you want you dirty old man!"
"I never said such a thing!"
"You were implying it you old bastard!" yelled Hiko as she was pried off of the store owner by Kurenai.
"Sorry, sorry, so sorry for troubling you. Please accept my apologies and we'll be getting these. Please!"
= Ninja Academy, Naruto's Thoughts/Flashback =
'Heaven, I must of really been in Heaven these past three days. Well,not really, I had to slave all around because of the needs of Hiko- chan . . . but . . . for the first time in my life I was needed. No I was wanted, I existed, I mattered, I was NEEDED for the first time in my life. I did something that mattered to someone else and my existence was recognized and, and for the first time in my life that is all that matters . . ..' thinks Naruto as he lazily remembes the past three days he helped out Hiko-chan.
That time . . .
"What the HELL is this! I ask for food and all I get is ramen!" yells Hiko as she throws a boiling hot cup of ramen at Naruto. "I said FOOD not this junk you eat!"
Naruto barely manages to dodge the bowl of ramen as he yells back, "You busu! All I am trying to do is help you and this is how you repay me? Why won't you get up yourself and make your own food," Naruto then proceeds to cradle his stomach and sticks his tongue out at Hiko murmuring, "does it hurt too much here!"
"Temme, you dare insult me! You wouldn't be saying that if you were feeling this pain!"
"So, want to make something of it?"
"That's it brat! Eat this!"
"Ara . . .?" was all that Naruto was able to spout as he sees Hiko jump out of his bed and smack him on the head with her fist at God-like speed sending him flying in to the skies of Konoha.
"Stupid brat, that's what you get for . . . Oh NO! With the brat sky high who's going to make me my dinner!" realizes Hiko as she falls on the floor with a giant sweatdrop on her head.
Or that other time she met . . .
"HELLO! Konoha's Green Beast of Passion has come to visit this fabled flower that has been under stress as of late!" yells Gai as he barges in to Naruto's home
"Gai, I told many times before that Hiko-chan does not want to see you!" yells Kurenai as she tries to get to Gai to stop her from getting to Hiko.
"What are you saying? Who wouldn't want to see Konoha's Green Beast of Passion as he comes to visit them in their springtime of youth," As he grabs Hiko's hand as he sees her sitting down on the couch trying to drink some tea with Ayame. "Eh?" stumbles Gai as he sees a demonic-looking Hiko grabbing her Shirisaiya Nihonto.
"Nee, Hiko-chan, what does he mean by Spingtime of Youth?" asks Naruto to Hiko.
"Nee, nee, Hiko- chan please calm down. I'm sure he didn't mean 'that' he said when he said springtime of youth." says Ayame nervously.
"Springtime of Youth?" mumbles a demon eyed Hiko.
"Of course! The Springtime of Youth! When a girl learns to be a woman and sheds all the inhibitions of girlishness and –"
"Do-Ryu-SEN!!!" yells Hiko as she blasts Gai with the Hiten Mitsuruugi technique that sends him flying across the living room breaking through the front door where Asuma was standing and sends the both streaking off into the skies like a fat giant green rocket.
'This girl is something else!' Kurenai thinks as she sees her two 'friends' fly across the sky.
"He he he," giggles Ayame, "I guess Hiko-chan wasn't ready to hear of Gai-sans explanation of the Springtime of Youth yet."
Hiko then gives a death glare towards Ayame and sheathes her sword.
"Please, Hiko-chan, you perfectly know well what's going. There's no need to 'it' from coming out," and by 'it' she meant Hiko-chan's womanhood.
"Hmm, I merely mistook him for some large green exotic beast on the loose and felt that I had to deal with him before anyone was hurt."
"Sure, whatever makes you happy Hiko-chan. I think that was kind of cute of you to get mad so easily when he mentioned shedding all the girlish inhibitions and you attacked him. It was so CUTE! I wish I had a camera, it was a picture perfect moment the expression on your face."
"Your not listening to me are you?" mumbles a defeated Hiko.
"Women. Are. Scary." was the only thing that Naruto was able to whisper to himself as he sees Kurenai sit back down and start sipping tea like nothing had ever occurred. He then slowly gets up and starts getting tools to fix his broken down door.
He didn't even want to remember that moment in the bathroom when Hiko- chan was about to take a bath but stopped due to his untimely entrance. Needless to say there was a lot of pain and regret on his part. Or the other time when he . . . shivers
= End Thoughts/Flashback =
"Oi, class! School is over for today! Everyone can go home now! Except for you Naruto, I need to talk to you about your three days of absence." shouts Iruka.
"Aww, Iruka-sensei, I got to get home early to make dinner or else Hiko-chan is going to kill me."
"Don't 'Aww, Iruka-sensei' me kid. You have an obligation to make up those missing days and I intend to teach in todays special after school lesson."
"But . . .."
"No buts I said! Now hurry up or your really never going to catch up to this class!"
"Yes, sensei." Murmurs a defeated Naruto as he slowly walks away for his make-up class.
=Hokage Tower, Hours Later=
'Hmm, today I've finished early again as well' thinks the Hokage as he sees the sun beginning to go down on the horizon. 'I think I should check up on Naruto, its been awhile and I should not slack off on my promise now.'
Just then as the Third was about to get out of his seat and move comes a sudden –puff-.
"Why, Kakashi, Hayate, Shikato, Chomaru, and Inoshin too! What are all of you here for so late? Come here to give up on your mission? Well, I should guess so. It's already been three days and-"
"No, Hokage-sama, we came here to talk. We came here to talk about what this person may have wanted and there is only one lead left that we have not yet investigated . . . for respect of the Fourth. Naruto." states Hayate calmly.
"This surprises me greatly. Why might you think that this person is after Naruto? There are only a few who know about Kyuubi outside this village and why would anyone want Naruto?"
"Because he is the last person we would least expect anything to happen to . . ." interrupts Kakashi.
". . . I see your point."
"Please, Hokage-sama, let us investigate this. If it is fruitless then I would think that that person who made it in here got in here by luck. It would put my mind at ease that I did not let in some assassin and –"says Hayate as he is suddenly interrupted by Kakashi.
"And I wouldn't forgive myself if something were to have happened to Sensei's Legacy." interrupted Kakashi.
"Kids these days, I told them not to worry and that all these two were doing were some excess worrying. I mean, who would possibly want anything to do with Naruto-"
"I see, well, I was just going myself to see Naruto right away right now," as the Thrid interrupts Shikato. "But I am pretty sure myself that nothing would happen."
"Well, then. After that us three can go back into retirement and my wife has been getting a bit worse about this mission easy mission taking too long." Smiles Shikato as he say that.
"I see, your still whipped by that woman." mentions Inoshin.
"At least mine doesn't possess me when she's mad." smirks back Shikato and hinting at the use of the possession technique of the Yamanaka family.
"I don't get you two, marrying such bossy women when you should of married one who could cook. I'll never get you two." remarks Chomaru.
"Hey now." Remarks both Inoshin and Shikato.
"Would you three shut up!" yells Hayate. "Can't you see that the Third is already ahead of us because of you three idiots!" pointing towards the place where the Third use to be at. "Now shut up, now we got to do some catching up."
"Yeah, yeah, as long as we get there." mentions a lazy Kakashi.
'Idiots.' Was all that Hayate could think of.
=Meanwhile not far out from Konoha=
"So, today's the day isn't it? The day I get to take that fox away forever and claim him as mine." mumbles a black cloaked figure maniacally.
"Ku ku ku, don't be so hasty, Hao. We still have some time before nightfall." 'Besides I have my own agenda to check upon tonight. Tonight I will be free of you and your special 'group.'
"What? Are you not excited to be home again? Aren't you just dying to see this place burnt down? If we are successful tonight, I will make sure that this place is burnt down and that no one will survive. You can call it my 'gift' to you."
"Heh, whatever you say. Just remember to not burn down this village's Hidden scrolls, it holds a lot of secrets that could be of use to us."
"Hmph, still after that damned dream of yours after all these years? Even after you joined Akatsuki . . . Oh, well I guess it can't be helped can it, Orochimaru?"
"Ku ku ku, whatever you say, just remember to not be too easily seen when we start. What we need now is surprise, stealth, and speed. I would not want to be 'burdened' by you."
"Hmm, whatever. With 'that' in my possession, nothing can stop me tonight." was all that was said as the two members of Akatsuki loomed over Konoha.
= Near the Academy =
"Where is it, that woman said that that academy would be near here somewhere." Mumbled Hiko to herself dressed in her new outfit. 'Damn, that woman for making me wear this thing. Damn thing, I don't know how women wear these tight things. Like I always suspected, behind all their feminine façade they are monsters.' thought Hiko to herself as she looked upon her new Kimono. It was a black kimono with the design of a blue dragon representing Seiryuu, it wrapping itself all along the Kimono. The kimono made Seiryuu look like it was swimming in a sea of stars as there were also golden star designs on the kimono as well, it looked as endless as the skies if you kept your eyes on it. The dress was exquisitely designed and Hiko couldn't still believe that she got it for free. 'That woman was lucky she got me in to this thing. If only it wasn't for my clothesbeing too dirty this thing would not be here.' Thought Hiko in defeat as her thoughts were about the whereabouts of his old clothes, except her cape, she had kept it at Naruto's place. 'Where are you brat.'
It was getting dark now and Naruto had been training all day and while Iruka-sensei had already left. Naruto had decided to stay behind and practice some more. 'Besides, no one will come looking for me.' He was now on the swing next to the academy now swinging slowly in its place. 'Its not like I really matter too. Its not as if . . . why am I the one always alone? Its not fair. For once I wishd that I had parents to go home to, to not have to be looked at with those eyes, what is wrong with me that would cause so many people to look at me in anger. Why does everyone hate me so? Everyone hates me, maybe, except maybe, her. What is so different about her that makes me feel this way . . . that I actually have a point in trying now and that she. No, she's going to leave soon anyways, she's probably somewhere else now because she packed all her belongings this morning and . . . ' tears start welling up in Naruto's eyes as he thinks about going home tonight and not actually seeing Hiko.
"Oi brat! There you are!"
'Hm?"
"Yo brat! Are you trying to ignore me! Even when I, myself, the mighty master of Hiten Mitsuruugi came to look for you?" yells Hiko.
"Hiko-chan? Why? Why did you come here to look for me?"
"Oro?" borrowing the phrase from his baka deshi as he is confused by this question.
"Why, why would you come here to look for me? Why am I so despised by everyone? Why do they always give me cold stares as if I don't even exist. Why, why are they like that? When I try to ask Iruka-sensei these questions he just shrus it off and tells me I will know some day but . . .. Please, tell me Hiko-nee!?" yelled Naruto in desperation.
'Baka, the boy is now questioning his existence. Was this because of me? Whatever the cause this boy could use a small lesson on the principles of Hiten Mitsuruugi. He obviously needs it. Why am I aways stuck with these bleeding hearts people.'thinks Hiko as he sees his baka deshi all over again. 'Just like an idiot like Kenshin to not value or know how important life is until it was already too late.'
"Baka, why would I not look for you?"
"Ara?"
"Look at me, look at all these bags I'm holding, who do you think his job is to carry all these? I'm still not fully recovered from my predicament so who do you thinks purpose I'd to carry these? Besides you're the one who has the key and what's this with your not worth it? Why would you think that? Just because a few or even the whole village does not recognize you does not mean they hold any sway over your life. It only happens when you let them and when that happens you leave yourself out to dry. You should NEVER let that happen!" pointing towards Naruto now. "No matter how much pressure people put on you, you are still you, you baka. No matter what, rain, sleet, war, hate, prejudice, you Naruto are still Naruto. You should know that it is the will of life that is greater than anything. That the will to keep on living, to keep on fighting whatever bad hand fate deals you and whatever hardship comes your way that you know that you are still alive and are able to change it because you are ALIVE! It is the will to live that will surpass all else! So what if they say a bad thing or two to you! Just show them that you are worth it and not give in to their petty whims! I see in your eyes that you crave being acknowledged and that you hold a potential that is greater than any in this village that has to offer but you are held back by your belief of self-worthlessness! Well, the first step in being acknowledged is to acknowledge yourself first! Just don't let others acknowledge you so that in the future you can be used as tool! The first step to being recognize is to recognize yourself first! What you have in here," pointing to her head and heart, "are more important than anything else! First learn to love yourself first and know that if you believe in yourself no matter what you can change fate! That is the most core reason that we, the Masters of Hiten Mitsuruugi, believe in! When you have totally mastered your mind and soul, Heaven and Earth itself will present themselves to your feet! The will to live is stronger than any other force in Nature and if you truly believe in that you can become such a force of Nature that you can even change Fate! The will to live and believe in yourself, nothing and no one can beat you once you have realized that! Just don't fall to the whims of other and do what they say, that's the same as dying! You can always die. It's living that takes courage.(Kenshin, a quote from Kenshin.) Now, muster up some courage and carry all my bags for me."
'First learn to love yourself first and know that if you believe in yourself no matter what you can change fate! That is the most core reason that we, the Masters of Hiten Mitsuruugi, believe in! When you have totally mastered your mind and soul, Heaven and Earth itself will present themselves to your feet! The will to live is stronger than any other force in Nature and if you truly believe in that you can become such a force of Nature that you can even change Fate! The will to live and believe in yourself, nothing and no one can beat you once you have realized that!' Was the only thing that went through to Naruto's mind. 'Is this why Hiko-chan is so strong, because she believes in herself no matter what, because she first acknowledged herself, because her will to live and will to believe in herself is this strong? Can I ever become strong like her? She did say 'you hold a potential that is greater than any in this village that has to offer' so maybe one day I can be strong like her, just maybe. Maybe one day I can become like her, a force of Nature to be respected. But how can someone like her be a force of Nature?'
Hiko stood there now looking at the boy, he was silent and that only meant two things either he got it or he didn't. 'What a baka . . ..' thought Hiko.
"You know what Hiko-chan?"
"Yeah?"
"I finally know what women are good for."
"And that is?"
"All women are good for is sitting around and complaining!"
"Temme! You dirty little rat! How dare you call me lazy! A complaintive lazy one at that too!"
"Nyah, nyah," Naruto sticks out his tongue at Hiko as he starts to run away. "Hiko-BAACHAN is getting too old to catch me! Carry your own luggage BAACHAN!"
"Baachan? You dare call me a BAACHAN! How dare you!" yells Hiko as she starts racing off to catch Naruto, with all her luggage on her. "Your going to pay for that brat! Where do you get off saying that someone like me is a BAACHAN!"
"Because you are at the end of your 'Springtime of your Youth' BAACHAN!"
"TEMME! When I catch you you're gonna boil for this! I'm going to have the largest naruto (which also means fishcake) in all of history in my bowl of ramen tonight! Get back here you, you, you BAKAKAGE!"
"Bakakage?" says Naruto aloud before bursting into a round of laughter but by then it was too late.
"Caught you my little ramen topping!" says Hiko menacingly as she crunches her knuckles and what Naruto saw to be a look of HUNGER on the face on Hiko.
"Anno . . .."
"Shut UP!" yelled Hiko as she started to pummel Naruto each oblivious to how both their lives were a bit changed for each other.
Naruto, going through a few days of Heaven and feeling the golden warmth of being needed. Even if it was more slavery than actually anything else. It was better than being seen as nothing and besides . . . why did this girl have so much influence over him? This was the first time in his life that he ever really felt this way. 'My first ever precious person who really accepted for who I am. Is that it has she really become such a precious person to me so soon? Yes, she has."
Hiko, having to wander around for about a month before meeting up with this boy that so reminded her of her own baka deshi and going through the first three days of this 'period' had really opened her eyes about what women were really like. She started to understand why men could never understand women because she couldn't even understand. That she, unlike when she was a man, had to portray some sort of public decentcy and now even her own body had become an enigma to herself. She wanted to know and understand what the term 'womanhood' really meant. Even if she really were a man on the inside she knew this would be a good learning experience. Now she understood why women acted the way they did a bit more.
"Teh, women are amazing!" said Hiko and Naruto together without even realizing it.
"What did you say?" looking at each other and saying that at the same time and what came next . . .
. . . The end of this chapter!
WooT! Finally finished a chapter! Well, I had a friend read this and she told me to take out the shopping part of this chapter. I might probably add it as a bonus chapter or whatnot if people want it though. Well I covered significant ground on this chapter and the next chapter will feature the first REAL fight scene in this fan fic. Who do you think it is going to be that is fighting? Ahahaha, won't tell, it'll spoil it but kep guessing and things will make more sense when the fic goes in further deeper in to the story. Plz review and thanks for all those who have read this fic so far and submitted a review. Oh and just tell me if you guys wanna read the shopping part, I'll add it in as a bonus chapter if you do. Well, I'll add the next part soon . . .