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YES! On time!
Chapter 11: New Years Celebrations
"Kashi!!" Kajika bellowed, running down the hallway. "Where's my tabi1!?"
Kakashi didn't even glance up from his spy novel. "Dresser." He frowned. It was another two weeks until Jiraiya's new book came out and nothing he tried could replace the trill that the romance novels brought. Although this 007 fellow was a very interesting ninja…
"Miki!"
"It's laid out on the bed," Mitsuki said soothingly, frowning at a package of mochi. "Ne, wouldn't it be better to just pound our own mochi, Kajika?"
"Just grill it,2" Kajika sighed, grabbing Mitsuki's hand. "Now come on! I need your help getting it on!"
"Hai, hai. Kakashi-san, would you-"
Kakashi raised a hand in acknowledgement. "On it," he said, setting his book aside and going into the kitchen to watch the pots. He had no idea what Mitsuki was cooking. Shortly after Christmas, Kajika had vanished only to return bearing gifts. She'd brought package after package of food, some strange smelling herbs, fireworks, and two winter kimonos with all the trappings. When he'd asked her where she had gotten all of these things she'd smiled and told him the whole two hour story over dinner. None of her story made sense though. Giant spiders? Fire spirits? A kind gardener with only one leg? Puzzling. Simply puzzling.
"I'm gonna be late!" Kajika wailed, hurrying as quickly as she could in the tight kimono.
"Matte! Matte!" Mitsuki ordered, grabbing the girl. "I still need to do your hair."
Kakashi glanced over at the two, watching as Mitsuki fastened the fox's hair up in leaf shaped pins. Her green kimono fit perfectly, the leaf design done in gold with swirling gold wind swirling about. Her obi was a bright red, the colour of her hair, giving her an impish look. Seeing the jounin looking at her she stuck her tongue out and smiled. "How do I look?"
Kakashi turned back to the pots. "Okay."
Kajika frowned, studying herself. "Okay!? I only look okay!? I knew the colours were all wrong! Kumo Baa-san wanted it to match my fur and eyes but I wanted… Miki!!"
Mitsuki smiled at the girl, soothing away her fears. "You look absolutely lovely, Kajika. You'll be stealing the hearts of all the boys there. Now hurry up or you'll be late meeting Sasuke and the others," she said handing her a handbag. "Get on your sandals and go."
"Thanks Miki-chan!" Kajika beamed up at her, slipping into the geta sandals. "Don't let Kashi keep you trapped in here all night!"
"Say hello to the team and all their friends for me."
"I will! I'm leaving!"
"Be safe!" both Kakashi and Mitsuki called as the door slammed shut. Mitsuki smiled for a moment before suddenly gasping and running to the door. "Kajika-chan! You forgot your michiyuki!3"
Kajika gave a groan, sounding annoyed, but ran back and slipped into the red coat. "Bye!"
"Be safe!" Mitsuki said again, gently shutting the door. Smiling widely she walked into the kitchen and took over the cooking again. "This is so exciting, Kakashi-san," she laughed, smiling. "This is my first New Year celebration in a town! I'll get to hear the bells!"
Kakashi smiled at her, his one visible eye curving happily. "Maa, you're going to drag me to a temple aren't you?"
She smiled up at him cheerfully. "Of course! You better get your kimono out so I can get the wrinkles out."
Kakashi laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, you see, I don't own a kimono, Mitsuki-chan."
"Nani!?" Mitsuki gasped, turning around. "Why didn't you tell me sooner, Kakashi-san? Kajika-chan would have gotten you one from Kumo Baa-san.4"
Kakashi grinned at her sheepishly. "Maa… It's not that big of a deal, Mitsuki-chan, ninjas don't really do holidays."
"Really? What do you do then?"
"Mostly sit around and read…"
Mitsuki frowned, turning back to her pots. "That doesn't sound very fun…" She took the smallest pot off the gas burner, opening it and smelling it's contents. "Mmm… Well, this is done…" Carefully, she placed the kuromame5 in a large obento box before setting the box in the refrigerator. "Now to start the namasu…" she muttered to herself.
Kakashi took in the many pots and pans, the growing amount of food in the refrigerator and decided that he didn't like where this was going. "Maa… What are you making all this food for?" he asked, having a sneaking suspicion that the phone call from the week before had something to do with it.
"I'm making enough food to last us the whole festival," Mitsuki said innocently, glancing over her shoulder to smile at him. "We need enough to last four days."
He didn't believe that innocent look for a moment. Well, whatever Mitsuki was planning couldn't be worse then what he usually got dragged into. Usually Gai and Anko had shown up by now and had dragged him into a local bar to get drunk.
Mixing up the radish and carrot, Mitsuki topped the salad she had made with them and placed the second tier of the obento box into the fridge. "Done!" she said cheerfully, wiping off her knife. Humming cheerfully, she opened a cupboard door rummaging through it. "Eeh? Kakashi-san, we don't have any rice left!"
Kakashi glanced up from his book. "So?"
"So if we don't have any rice then we can't make the proper offerings to the household gods and we'll have bad luck for the new year!"
Kakashi blinked and decided to go back to his book.
"Kakashi-san!"
"Yes?"
"Would you-"
"We'll do fine without the rice, Mitsuki-chan."
"But what about breakfast? We can't eat cereal during New Years! We can't anger our household god either." She hauled Kakashi to his feet. "You only need to go to the corner grocers."
Kakashi sighed, tucking his book into his pocket. "Fine, fine. Is rice all that we need?"
Mitsuki thought for a moment. "Let me make a list."
He sighed again, accepting the list and heading for the front door. "We don't even live in a house," he pointed out, slipping on his shoes.
"Be sure you get everything," Mitsuki said, smiling at him brightly.
"I don't even own an alter."
"Bye Kakashi-san! Be safe!"
Sighing once more, Kakashi muttered an 'I'm leaving,' before shutting the door behind him.
Mitsuki beamed down at the tiny spirit who was clinging to her apron. "Don't worry Hotei-sama, we'll have a proper holiday celebration."
The big bellied household god smiled up at her then vanished in a gust of strong wind that blew through the apartment, decorating it. Smiling, Mitsuki went back to the kitchen and turned down the heat on the pot that contained tonight's dinner. Then, still smiling, she retired to the bathroom to get a shower in before the guests arrived.
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The chuunin glared at the five men suspiciously, but nodded to them, handing their passbooks back to them. "Everything seems to be in order," he said gesturing for his comrade to open the gate. "Enjoy your stay in Konoha."
The man with the golden hair and the glowing eyes smiled at him smugly. "Thank you," he said pleasantly, pulling his fur coat tight. "We will."
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Kakashi wandered down his street, grocery bag in one hand and book in the other. This was turning out to be a strange New Years. He'd been forced to travel across town to find the rice Mitsuki had wanted (all the local stores had been sold out) but he hadn't been attacked by any of his fellow jounin yet. Usually, he couldn't step a foot out of his apartment before he was attacked by someone claiming he needed to join the group in a drink. Suspicious, Kakashi thought to himself, turning his book's page with his thumb. Very suspicious.
"So where to now?" a familiar voice asked from just around the corner. Kakashi heard the voice, smelled the cigarette smoke, and vanished, reappearing a block away on a tree branch just outside his apartment window. He glanced down, watching as Asuma, Genma Anko, Kurenai, and Gai walked down the street, Anko's face already red from sake.
"New place," Kurenai sighed, staring into space. Really, drinking wasn't her thing… So why did she go with everyone year after year and get drunk? She shook her head. She didn't know the answer to that question.
"Anybody seen… You know… that other guy?" Anko asked, swaying a bit.
"Who, Kakashi?" Genma asked.
"Yeah, him…"
"Ah, my great eternal rival!" Gai sighed, grinning widely. "Today I will show him that my New Years gift will be the most practical and useful item he will ever use!" he crowed, thrusting a wrapped package into the air. "The score will soon be 52 to 53 my friend!"
Kakashi sighed, shaking his head. So they were on their way to collect him were they? Well, not this year. This year he refused to wake up hungover in Gai or Asuma's bathtub with no recollection to how he'd gotten there. This year he was going to stay sober! The grocery bag rustled slightly in the wind reminding Kakashi of one important fact he'd forgotten… Mitsuki…
He mentally shrugged. He'd just have to take the girl with him, wouldn't he? She'd been talking about wanting to see all the temples decked out in their New Year finery... He'd just take her to see them earlier then expected. They could eat out, go to one of the temples and watch the ceremonial ringing of the bells, buy a good luck charm, and pray before the masses came to do it on New Years Day. Kajika was supposed to be attending a sleepover at Sakura's house so they could stay out late. The outing might even be fun…
If he got them out of the apartment before the others arrived…
Jiggling the latch, Kakashi opened the apartment window and slipped inside. Great, now all he had to do was collect Mitsuki and make their esca-
"Kakashi!!" Mitsuki shrieked, pulling her kimono tight and whirling around so her back was to the silver haired ninja. "What are you doing!?"
Kakashi politely turned and covered his eyes. Really, with the traditional undergarments on he couldn't see a thing. Although, it seemed he wouldn't be able to point that out to her considering how red her face was turning. "Ano… Need help tying your obi?" he asked politely.
It was obviously not an answer she was looking for. "Kakashi!" she shrieked again, throwing a hair brush towards him. "Get out!"
Shrugging, Kakashi exited the room, gently shutting the door behind him. Women. They were so fickle. It wasn't like he hadn't seen Mitsuki naked or anything. And she had been wearing more then the time Sakura and Kajika had managed to drag her to the swimming pool at the public gym. That actually had been rather fun… The cool water and the crisp fall air… The sparkling water as the girls got into a water fight with the boys…
By his calculations he had five minutes before the others arrived. Damn, Kakashi thought to himself, turning off the stovetop and collecting Mitsuki's shoes and coat. With Mitsuki still changing escape was looking iffy at best and…
The bedroom door opened, a flushing Mitsuki stepping out. In one hand she was holding her silver obi while the other hand was tightly holding her midnight blue kimono shut. Sheepishly, she glanced up at Kakashi. "I need help tying my obi," she sighed, refusing to make eye contact.
Deciding that silence would perhaps be the best reply, Kakashi helped wrap the obi around her waist before tying the complicated bow. Slipping the coat over her shoulders and handing her the sandals he smiled down at her. "Ready to go?"
"Go?" Mitsuki repeated, looking confused and slightly nervous. "But we haven't had dinner yet, Kakashi-san!"
"We'll eat out."
"But it's already made!"
He steered her towards the large living room window. "It'll keep."
Mitsuki planted her feet and glared up at him. "We're not going anywhere," she said firmly, the sandals dangling in one hand. "You're the one who wanted to stay in, after all."
Kakashi shrugged. "Well, since we're not expecting anyone, let's go out!" he said cheerfully, smiling at the guilty look on Mitsuki's face. He grabbed her hand and opened the window. "Let's go Mitsuki-chan."
Mitsuki glanced around the room looking for something to help her stall. "I… Ano… I haven't done my hair yet!"
"You look fine." There were voices in the hall. "Nice even." Mitsuki was staring at him, slightly confused. Had she just been complimented on her looks or brushed off? Now, while she's distracted… Kakashi thought to himself, scooping her up into his arms. Mitsuki squeaked in protest, but he managed to get them out of the window and onto the neighboring building's rooftop before the doorbell rang. He mentally sighed in relief as he set her down.
"Don't put me down!" Mitsuki protested, hitting Kakashi on the head as she struggled to get her sandals on. "My sandals aren't on and…" She groaned in annoyance, glaring at Kakashi. "You!" she growled.
Laughing quietly, Kakashi helped her get her sandals on before setting her down on her feet. "Where do you want to eat?"
"Where do I want to eat?" Mitsuki asked, glaring at him and pulling her coat around her tighter. Unbelievable. He'd just left a perfectly good dinner on the stove and kidnapped her so they could find a place to eat? From the still open window Mitsuki could hear someone calling and a door behind pounded on. Kakashi raised his eyebrow at her, glancing at the window. Unable to stop herself, Mitsuki blushed, before walking towards the fire escape. "It's New Years Eve, we should have soba," she said simply, ignoring the smug look on Kakashi's face.
"Was that what you were planning on feeding our visitors?" Kakashi asked, smirking as he followed her.
Mitsuki thought about protesting but instead glared at the taller man. "Yes," she said shortly, shivering slightly in the cold night air. She frowned up at him, sighing wistfully. "I'm sorry, Kakashi-san… I guess I should have told you, but Gai-kun said it was a tradition and… Gomen…"
Kakashi shrugged. "No problem," he said, picking her up again and jumping down to the street below. "So we want soba, huh?"
Mitsuki adjusted her slightly rumpled clothing. "We could have something else if you like."
"Soba's good."
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"Ramen's better."
"I absolutely agree with Naruto!"
Sakura sighed, shaking her head and mentally groaning. Why hadn't she come up with a plan before they went searching for somewhere to eat? Naruto only wanted ramen, Kajika only wanted what Naruto wanted, Chouji only wanted meat, Kiba wanted somewhere that would allow Akamaru inside, Hinata wouldn't speak up, Sasuke didn't care, Ino-pig was hanging all over Sasuke, Neji was acting like he was somewhere else, Lee had run off looking for Gai, Shikamaru was staring at the sky, and Ten Ten was sharpening a knife. "But soba's traditional," Sakura protested.
"I still agree with Naruto!" Kajika cooed, grabbing onto the orange clothed boy.
Glad that someone was on his side for once, Naruto beamed at the kitsune, ignoring the fact that she was holding onto him. "See? Someone else wants ramen too!"
"S-S-Sakura-chan," Hinata stuttered, looking down shyly. "I-It wouldn't be so bad if we w-went out for ramen."
"No!" Sakura protested, her head held high. "We're going for soba and that's final!"
"There's no meat in soba," Chouji sighed. "Why don't we go to a beef bowl instead?"
"No! We're eating soba!"
Shikamaru shrugged. "I'll take you to the beef bowl, Chouji," he said stuffing his hands in his pockets. "All this arguing is troublesome."
"NO!" Sakura shouted, glaring at the young Chuunin. "We're all eating together and we're eating soba got that!?"
"But ramen's better!"
"NARUTO!!!"
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Mitsuki smiled as she walked down the street, enjoying the crisp winter air. "What's this next temple called?" she asked Kakashi, following him up the many steps to the next Shinto shrine.
"Ano sa… Something something, otera."
She laughed at him, smiling cheerfully. "You forgot!?"
Kakashi shrugged, slowing down so she could keep up. "Not really the religious type."
Mitsuki nodded in understanding. "In that case, what do ninjas believe in?" she asked.
"Protecting the village," Kakashi answered automatically. "And the people who are precious to us," he added after a moment.
"Like Obito-kun."
Kakashi hesitated, glancing up at the night sky. Slowly, he nodded. "Like Obito." He smiled as they reached the top of the steps, passing under the huge red gate of the Shinto temple. "Here we are!"
Mitsuki gasped in delight as she looked at the huge red buildings. Priests and priestesses were rushing about doing last minute preparations for midnight, but overall the temple seemed serene. "Do they do the ringing of the bells here?" she asked, strolling between two huge buildings, her eyes aglow.
Kakashi shrugged. "Not sure. I've heard this is the best place for cherry blossom watching in the spring though."
Mitsuki laughed, whirling around and grabbing Kakashi's hands. "Really!? Then in the spring we'll have to come back here!"
Kakashi looked down at the pure delight in her face before nodding. "Sure," he said. He mentally shrugged. Well, why wouldn't they come back here for the cherry blossoms? He frowned as he followed Mitsuki around the rest of the temple grounds. He'd never gone cherry blossom viewing before, he realized watching as Mitsuki tied a wish onto a good luck tree branch. For that matter, he'd never done anything for New Years besides go out and drink with his fellow ninja. Not since his parents had died…
"Is something the matter, Kakashi-san?" Mitsuki asked, looking up at him, concerned. "You look so serious."
Kakashi shook his head. "Nothing's the matter, Mitsuki-chan," he said smiling. "And call me Kakashi."
Mitsuki smiled at the start of their old argument. "Ah, you know I can't do that Kakashi-san! It's too disrespectful."
"You call Naruto and Sasuke 'kun,.'"
"They're younger then I am!" Mitsuki giggled, heading for the main stairs.
"But Gai's not."
"I'm not living on Gai's charity though."
Usually this was the end of the argument, with Kakashi protesting that it wasn't charity and Mitsuki apologizing repeatedly for intruding on his life. However, he'd thought of some new arguments since Kajika had arrived. "Kajika doesn't call me 'san,'" he pointed out following her back down the steep steps.
"Kajika-chan's rather rude."
"This coming from the person who's been calling Tsunade-sama 'chan' lately."
Mitsuki faltered, looking up at him surprised. "Well… I…"
Kakashi smiled. He'd won.
"I'm still calling you Kakashi-san."
Kakashi mentally sighed. New tactic. Maybe he should focus on the times she'd slipped up and called him 'kun?'
From his side, Mitsuki suddenly squeaked, pitching forward as lost her footing. Instinctively, Kakashi grabbed her stopping her from falling down the remaining thirty or so steps. "Alright?" he asked, slowly releasing her.
Mitsuki blushed, nodding. "These zabi are so hard to walk in and…" she trailed off. "Thank you Kakashi-kun, that would have really hurt…"
He smiled at her, starting their decent again. "Maa… If I'd known that almost falling down a flight of stairs would have made you call me 'kun' I would have pushed you down one months ago."
Mitsuki laughed, lightly hitting him on the arm. "Kakashi…" she sighed happily. "Show me the next temple!"
"Alright." Kakashi glanced at his watch. "Or we could go to the village square. The fireworks should be starting soon."
"Fireworks!" Mitsuki squealed, grinning widely. "I haven't seen fireworks in… I don't think I've ever seen fireworks!" She grabbed onto his arm, pulling gently. "Come on Kakashi-kun! We need to find good seats!"
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"Yes!" Kajika cheered, swinging her feet merrily. "Best seats of the house!"
Sitting beside her, Sasuke nodded slightly, approving of their view. The fireworks would be set off not far from here and they had a perfect, unobstructed view… "Not bad."
From the back of the small crowd, Hinata watched Naruto feeling hopeful. She'd been rather confused ever since Kajika arrived, not sure of what her relationship with Naruto was. She'd just appeared out of the blue, hanging all over Naruto like he was her private property… But Naruto had never acted the same way back. Maybe it was a one sided love?
Christmas had been especially confusing. She'd gone out by herself to see all the store window Christmas displays but instead found Naruto all alone wandering about dejectedly. If Kajika was his girlfriend then she would have wanted to spend Christmas with Naruto, right?
Hinata glanced down at her plain dark blue kimono. She wasn't as pretty as Kajika and she wasn't as outgoing or cheerful but… But… But she wasn't about to give up on Naruto just yet. Maybe she could get him to sit with her during the fireworks display instead of Sakura or Kajika?
"Oi! Naruto, sit by me!" Kajika cooed, waving her hand at the blond boy. "I've saved you the best seat!"
Naruto frowned, studying the area intently. "You sure it's the best?"
Hinata took a deep breath. This was her chance. "A-Ano, Naruto-kun," she said softly, staring at the ground. "This bench has a pretty good view too…"
Everyone looked at Hinata, surprised. Had she just asked Naruto to sit with her?
Naruto grinned at the shy girl as Kajika glared at her. "You know, you're probably right, Hinata-chan."
"She's probably wrong," Kajika snapped, getting to her feet and glaring at the slightly shorter girl. "Why would your spot be better?" she asked, putting a hand on each hip. "My spot is more attractive, has a better personality." She grinned at the girl, fangs flashing. "My spot knows how to hold a conversation."
"Kajika-chan!" Sakura gasped, glaring at the fox.
Naruto looked at Kajika, confused. How did a spot hold a conversation?
Hinata glazed back firmly despite the fact that she was trembling. She wasn't used to having everyone stares on her… And did Kajika have fangs? "I… My…" she stammered for a moment, not knowing what to say. "My spot has warmth, kindness, and human compassion," she suddenly blurted out before clasping a hand across her mouth.
Kajika blinked down at the girl, studying her carefully. "You've got me there," she said after a moment. She smiled flippantly, going back to her seat at a fountain's edge and sitting down. "Her spot's human," she muttered to herself, swinging her feet again. "Seventy years max."
Hinata blinked, realizing her small victory. Turning to Naruto she smiled. "N-Naruto… Would you l-like to sit with me?"
Naruto shrugged, sitting down on the bench beside her. "Thanks, Hinata-chan! This really is a great view!"
Kajika hummed as she pictured tearing the girl limb from limb. "Seventy years max," she muttered again, staring into the night.
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"Where should we sit?" Mitsuki asked, looking around the already crowded town clearing.
Kakashi glanced around. Not many places were left and the ones that did remain needed a picnic blanket or something so you weren't sitting on the ground. Not like that was a bother or anything, but Mitsuki probably wouldn't want to get her kimono dirty…
"Kashi! Miki! Over here!" a familiar voice called. Kakashi turned and saw Kajika standing on the wall of a fountain's pool and waving at them.
Kakashi followed Mitsuki as she weaved her way through the crowd to the fox. "Yo," he said in greeting, smiling at the genin and the lone chuunin of the group.
"Happy New Year, Kakashi-sama!" Ino said cheerfully, holding tightly to Sasuke's arm.
The others muttered their greetings, some of the males looking uncomfortable since they were being seen sitting all alone. Ten Ten refused to sit with anyone while Sakura and Ino were clinging to Sasuke and Kajika was actually hissing at anyone who got too close to her. "Wanna sit with us?" Kajika asked, cheerfully.
"You wouldn't mind?"
"Of course not, Mituski-chan, feel free to join us," Sakura said smiling. "The fireworks are about to begin and you won't be able to find a better spot."
The two adults nodded their thanks sitting down. Scooting closer to Kakashi so that Kajika could have a bit more space, she beamed up at the taller man. "I'm so excited!" she laughed, looking expectantly at the night sky. "What are fireworks really like, Kakashi-kun?"
Kakashi shrugged. "Noisy."
Kajika smiled at her friend. "The Fire Spirits gave me some. After the bell ringing ceremony we can go and set those off too if you like."
Mitsuki smiled at the younger girl. "That would be fun."
From close by the clock tower rang eleven o'clock. As if by a silent cue the crowd hushed, turning their gazes to the night sky and the fireworks that were soon to appear.
"Ne, Kakashi-kun…" Mitsuki muttered, glancing around the clearing. "Does the air seem awfully still to you?"
Kakashi glanced at a nearby tree's branches. They weren't moving. "Why?"
Mitsuki edged closer to him, grabbing onto his shirt sleeve. "Something bad's going to happen," she whispered softly as the first firework shot into the air.
Kakashi glanced down at her. He hadn't heard her in the noise the rocket's take off had made. "What did you say?"
Trembling now, Mitsuki grabbed onto his arm tightly. "Kakashi-kun! We need to ru-"
An ear shattering explosion rocked the city center, glass and other debris going flying as a bomb exploded. Instinctively, Kakashi tackled, Mitsuki to the ground as the shock wave came at them, the genins hitting the ground too, some actually diving into the fountain to escape the blast of heat and wind. Leaping to his feet an instant later, Kakashi shoved a dazed Mitsuki into Sasuke and Sakura's arms. "Get out of here!" he ordered, rushing forward to where the blast had gone off.
"Naruto!" Kajika shouted, racing forward to where the bench had been and effortlessly tearing off the tree branch that fallen there. "Naruto-kun, daijoubu?"
Naruto nodded, helping Hinata to her feet. "Are we under attack?" he asked, in shock. A second later a second bomb went off, knocking all three of them off their feet. Naruto was the first to get up, pushing Hinata at Kajika and racing towards the city center. "Help everyone get out of here!" he shouted, plunging into the growing flames.
Hinata and Kajika looked at each other for a moment. "Come on!" Kajika shouted, dragging the shorter girl back towards the group. A third bomb went off, rocking the area as a strange howl rang through the air. Kajika froze, bristling.
Mitsuki gasped reaching for the girl. "Kajika-chan!" she shouted as Kajika turned away, shedding her human disguise and letting her tails whip around her.
"What the hell!?" Ino shrieked, falling back onto Chouji as she stared at the fox. "A kitsune!"
"Kajika!" Mitsuki shouted again, running forward.
Kajika gently knocked Mitsuki back with one of her tails as a large form stepped calmly out of the flames. Easily twice her size, the gobi (five tailed) fox glared down at the nibi (two tailed) fox before throwing back it's head and laughing. Kajika took her chance and dove forward towards the kitsune's exposed throat, knocking it to the ground and clawing at it.
Sakura hauled Mitsuki to her feet, turning and helping her run away from the snapping, snarling mass of fur and teeth. "Let's go Mitsuki!" she shouted, Shikamaru grabbing the girl's other arm to help lead her away to safety.
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Kakashi dove to the side, tackling a villager to safety as yet another bomb went off, the area soon becoming thick with smoke and fire. Coughing slightly, he shoved the woman through a gap in the flames instructing her to run as he turned back to find another trapped person. This was getting frustrating. Bombs kept on going off, but not a single enemy had been spotted.
"Kakashi-sensei!" a familiar voice shouted.
Kakashi whirled, running towards Naruto's voice and helping the boy pull a chunk of rock off of a sobbing child. Grabbing the child up in his arms he put her in the arms of a fleeing old man, showing him the way out before plunging back into the flames, Naruto at his side. "Where's Mitsuki and the others?" he asked, scanning the flames for another person.
Naruto panted, covering his mouth and nose with his hand. "Kajika's helping them out."
A snarling mass of teeth and claws fell into the fire's flames, extinguishing some of them as two kitsune's fought. Kakashi cursed as he realized that Kajika was one of the fighting Kitsune. Her opponent was as large as a house but she was only slightly larger then a horse. She was horribly outmatched. Running forward, Kakashi hesitated a moment before throwing a kunai, hitting the enemy kitsune in the eye. The huge kitsune roared in pain, breaking away from Kajika as it rolled around howling. Kajika pounced on the larger kitsune, clawing at it's stomach, drawing blood. Kakashi prepared a second kunai to throw when he spotted a man heading straight into the two kitsune's path, completely oblivious to the danger.
"Naruto! Stay here," he ordered, running forward and pulling the man away and to safety.
The man looked at Kakashi, surprised, his strange glowing eyes twinkling brightly. "Why thank you," he said pleasantly, smiling at the shorter man. Gently laying his hand on Kakashi's arm so that the ninja wouldn't leave he smiled at him. "You wouldn't happen to be Konoha's Copy Ninja Kakashi, now would you?"
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, pointing to a flaming tree that was falling towards him.
Kakashi cursed, pulling the man away as the tree fell. "I am," he said shortly, pulling away.
"Excellent," the man cooed. Kakashi blinked in shock as sudden pain blossomed in his stomach. Gasping, he keeled over, a decorative katana lodged in his stomach. How… He gasped in pain. He hadn't even seen the man move…
Bending over, the man patted Kakashi on the cheek fondly before turning and leaving. "Thank you for taking such good care of Mitsuki-chan."
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, rushing forwards towards where his teacher had fallen.
Kajika hauled the fallen tree out of Naruto's way, striking the enemy kitsune with it with her tail. An instant later she was at the kitsune's throat, ripping and tearing as it's blood gushed over her. The kitsune gave a roar, clawing at her, but she held on, biting deeper into the kitsune's flesh. Slowly, the kitsune's roars became fainter until it finally sank to the ground with a whimper. Tearing out the animal's throat, Kajika sighed wearily, sitting before making her way to where the fallen Kakashi and Naruto were.
Naruto had pulled the sword from his teacher's stomach, pressing hard on the wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Too tired to change back into human form Kajika nuzzled at Kakashi's neck yipping in his ear. He didn't move although he was breathing still.
"Kajika-chan…" Naruto said quietly, tears streaming down his face.
Kajika looked at Naruto for a moment before wrapping her tail securely around Kakashi's stomach. She pulled the ninja onto her back, the tail still wrapped around him to help stop the bleeding. "Lead me," she said softly.
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The small group of girls hurried down the alleyway, heading towards Hinata's house. The girl's home had been closest and they had to get out of these clothes and into something suitable for fighting in. "This way," Hinata called, opening a gate and leading them into the Hyuuga compound. Abruptly, she stopped, gazing back at the group. "Where's Mitsuki-san?"
Sakura whirled around, groaning. "She was just right behind me!"
Ino shook her head. "We'll find her later. Now we have to get back to the fight."
Nodding in agreement, the group of three girls hurried on to Hinata's home to change and then go and aid their fellow Shinobi.
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1. Tabi socks are socks that are sort of a mix between toe socks and the socks Americans usually wear. They come up to the ankles or thigh and have a split in the fabric that the big toe goes into. Some tabi have soles on the bottom so that people can walk around like they're shoes, but most are just regular socks. Recommended footwear for tabi socks? Traditional Japanese sandals called geta.
2. Mochi is a traditional New Years food. It's really good! It's made from pounding rice, but the more modern way of making it is to buy it from the store and then grill it. If you ever get the chance to eat mochi be sure to take small bites. It's really sticky and every year there are deaths from people biting into too much mochi and then choking on it.
3. Michiyuki. Think of it as an overcoat. It's a traditional jacket with a square collar that is used to protect the wearing and their kimono from the weather.
4. Spider Grandmother.
5. Black beans boiled in a special sauce. Personally, I hated it but it's very traditional. (Nasty tasting though…)
Wanna know more about Japanese stuff? Remove the spaces and go to
http:metropolis. japantoday. com /tokyofooddrinksarchive 299/299/ tokyofooddrinksinc. htm for info about the food
http:www. japaneselifestyle. com. au/culture/ newyear. html for info about the New Year
and
http:www. japanesekimono. com/index.htm for info about kimonos.