Chapter Seven

Disclaimer

I don't own Naruto nor any character connected. Someone else does.

A/N

I want to thank "clockright" for we are collaborated on many ideas for this story. This particular chapter was a true collaboration of clockright and I as we traded ideas back and for three nights straight building off what the other had said. I think this chapter will be special.

WARNING: There is an instance of severe language in this chapter as well as hate bashing.

But let's see what you think about it.

'What the hell is she thinking,' thought Sasuke Uchiha as he exited his second period class. The 'she' he was referring to was one Kaiko Uzumaki, the daughter of the Hokage. Originally she was supposed to be out for the rest of the week but she showed back up that morning a full three days earlier than expected. What was even worse Kaiko explained how she used to be Naruto and how he was tricked into having sex with Kiba only for him to rape her in the end.

Sasuke banged his palmed against his forehead thinking of all the exchanged confusing personal pronouns he just used to describe the very strange situation. Suddenly he sees a very familiar set of blonde twin tails heading into the bathroom. Wait … what the hell …

Kaiko was just minding her own business when suddenly she felt a force jerking her backwards and slamming her into the wall. "What the hell were you thinking? Kaiko!" yelled Sasuke, who got into her face.

Suddenly she felt like she was on fire, "What the hell am I thinking, who the HELL do you think you are grabbing me like that, Uchiha?"

"Well excuse me for thinking you rather not go into the boys' restroom," replied the smug Uchiha.

Kaiko gazed up at the sign above the door she was about to enter and blushed. He was right to stop her for it was the boys' restroom. Just when she was about to say thank you she also saw the rather conceited look on Sasuke's face and got angry again however, "CAN WE PLEASE TAKE THIS SOMEWHERE PRIVATE?"

Sasuke looked around and noticed they were the center of attention. "Fine," was all he said as he grabbed her hand and dragged her away behind him. Kaiko's eyes went wide in surprise but she did nothing to stop him from dragging her off.

In the hallway, a certain pink haired little girl turned to her blonde friend, "You saw that didn't you."

"Don't be daft. Of course I saw it, the entire school saw it," the blonde haired girl said angrily.

Sasuke had dragged Kaiko to the roof. Normally there are students up there but as soon as Sasuke arrived the other students decided to be somewhere else. He then turns to Kaiko, "Are you trying to get more humiliation? What were you thinking going when you were heading into the boys' rest room?"

Kaiko's day so far has been very stressful and tiresome. First Sakura cause a situation during homeroom that she had to diffuse and now Sasuke was yelling at her. She literally collapsed under all the pressure.

Sasuke was surprised when she collapsed. He carefully sat beside her. Naruto would just dust himself off and keep on going. It took Sasuke a minute to understand that even though Kaiko used to be Naruto she was completely different than Naruto. The tragic events of Saturday night would change anyone.

Carefully Sasuke sat down next to Kaiko and waited for her to compose herself. Kaiko was grateful when he sat down. Something about the way he did that made her feel more at ease. She realized he was only concerned for her and he did save her from humiliation of going into the wrong rest room.

Five minutes later she finally found the strength to speak, "Thank You, Sasuke, for saving me from going into the wrong rest room."

"You're welcome Kaiko. May I ask how that happened though?"

Kaiko lifted her head to look into his eyes, "Well the last time I had to think about which bathroom to use was Friday afternoon. Back then it was merely habit to go into the boys' room. Since the incident Saturday I only had private bath rooms to contend with. That was the first time I had to contend with public bath rooms so I wasn't really thinking but acting out of habit."

Sasuke thought for a second, "While that sounds logical I think it's more to it than that."

Kaiko hesitated, "In all honestly I am beginning to understand that too. I think I came back to school too early. Also I've been hesitant in seeing a therapist but I think I am ready to see one. I still need to go to the rest room but afterwards I'll meet up with my Anbu bodyguards and head home for the day."

When Kaiko mentioned meeting with her Anbu guards finally nailed it home she is different now, Naruto would ditch them or try to. Kaiko noticed Sasuke was contemplating something and had a pretty good idea what it was. "Sasuke, I've been wanting to thank you for not having anything to do with the prank."

"How could I? You're a friend even though on the outside others might think we hated each others guts you've shown me you understood how lonely I was feeling. I will never forget those times you came to me and invited me to your house for dinner. I considered you second brother to me," replied Sasuke.

Kaiko blushed, "How could I let you be? I asked myself how I would feel if I lost everything and everyone I loved. I never felt more alone. I reasoned you had to fell worse than I felt. Since Saturday I know a lot more on how you must have felt. I was thrown away in an alley like I was garbage which made me feel so lonely and worthless. One bright shining point was the Daffodils you gave me. That note made me feel special, like I was your … sister," she said the last word in a whisper.

Sasuke and Kaiko remained silent after that as both was absorbing what each had said. In essence they just declared to each other they considered the other their sibling. Sasuke was wondering if he was betraying the memories of his long lost family and Kaiko was wonder what her parents would say.

Towards the end of the break they went back inside. Sasuke was heading toward the Men's locker room as next period was their physical conditioning training. Kaiko this time made sure to head to the Ladies locker room. She did not have a chance to use the bathroom but thankfully each locker has a full set of facilities.

Once Kaiko was in the stall she proceeded to make her preparations to use the facility. While doing it she reflected on the very humbling experience she had Sunday when she first needed to use the facility in her new form. She had no idea then pains girls had endure just to relief themselves and still look good.

She thought she could do it quickly and be done with it but then she discovered she had no idea on how to do it in the first place. Embarrassingly she had to ask her Mom for help. That turned into a nightmare as her mother spent nearly an hour with her in the restroom explaining not only how to do it but the importance of girl hygiene. When they exited the restroom Kaiko was red as a beat.

Kaiko reflected when "Naruto" would make fun at or complain about the amount of time girls spent in the restroom. That always got a rise out of the girls. That ended abruptly when his own mother threatened to pummel him into dust the next time he poked fun at them. Some things were off limits to the known prankster known as the red-hot habanera.

When Kaiko finally was through relieving herself and made it to the locker room she was greeted by, "Well look what we have here. It looks like the queer is here to join us. You have some nerve to come in here."

Kaiko looked up at her new tormentor with pink hair. She could not believe Sakura just used the q word. What does she mean by that?

Then Ino stepped in front of Sakura. "Now hold on Sakura, Kaiko can't help being a brainless, good for nothing hussy."

"Ino, for Naruto to be a hussy he would have to be a girl. He is just a good for nothing queer," replied Sakura with fist clenched.

Ino was getting flustered. While she agreed with Sakura they needed to bring Kaiko down a peg, Sakura was going too far with the hate bashing. She finally stood her ground, "SAKURA! You're going too far with this gay bashing nonsense. You are being downright disrespectful."

Sakura jumped into Ino's face, "He must be gay. Only a queer would agree to have sex with Kiba. Now he is trying to seduce our Sasuke!"

-SLAP-

Sakura looked at Ino angrily after she slapped her. "I better not hear anymore gay bashing come out of your mouth Sakura. Naruto may be gay. If he wasn't then Saturday night would never have happened. And he may be after Sasuke next. But I have more faith in Sasuke not to fall for this hussy's tricks."

Kaiko crumbled again. She heard every word. They think she wanted Saturday night to happen. They think she was pulling a prank again and that 'He' was after Sasuke. She started to cry, "I am not gay."

Both Sakura and Ino felt the pain of that exclamation from Kaiko. "You must be Naruto. You wanted Saturday to happen. Why else would you agree to have sex with Kiba?" asked a smug Sakura.

"You think I wanted Saturday to happen. I only agreed so I could gain a new perspective to understand you better Sakura. I felt nothing but disgust when we started so I said no … Kiba had other ideas … You were not there I was … You did not feel the power of his fist … I only relented when I was so dazed I didn't care anymore … then was that grunting … I was so num I couldn't feel it happening …" wailed Kaiko uncontrollably.

'By Kami … everything she said was true' thought a now horrified Ino. Instant she was on the ground next to Kaiko, "I'm so sorry Kaiko."

Sakura was somewhat miffed though, "So you went that for my sake. You think I want someone who did that as a boyfriend? Why you?"

Sakura drew her fist back but two things happened before she could strike. The first thing was Ino covering Kaiko with her own body to shield her. The second thing was Hinata using her 'Gentle Fist' style very quickly on Sakura. Before she knew Sakura was on the verge of passing out.

"Don't ever threaten Kaiko again, Hussy. Someone, please take her to the hospital's emergency room," ordered Hinata.

Two female anbu agents popped in. "We'll take her Lady Hinata. You take Kaiko home as she is in no shape to continue today then head home as you are suspended for fighting today. The same goes for you Ino Yamanaka. Your families will be notified of your transgressions."

Before the anbu took Sakura away Kaiko blurted out, "You had nothing to fear. Sasuke is only a brother to me, a brother."

Later that day Sasuke heard about what happened in the girl's locker room. He was appalled and wished he could have words with either Sakura or Ino. Luckily they were not there. He composed himself and instead thought about Kaiko, the person that truly mattered . He made plans to visit her that afternoon.

However, after school he was intercepted by Shikamaru. "Where do you think you are going Uchiha? The apartment you are staying at is in the opposite direction."

"Out of my way Nara. I don't have time for you"

"You'll only remind her of what happened. She needs rest. I'll go see her in your stead."

Sasuke considered his words but then got angry. "What I will remind her of? Now look it's because of you she got hurt in the first place." He grabbed Shikamaru's collar to forcibly bring him face to face with him. "Tell me one good reason I shouldn't rip you apart."

Shikamaru felt a pang of fear but refused to show it, "Because she trust me now."

Sasuke released him then walked toward his apartment but turned back to say, "Ok go see her but if you ever hurt her again I will kill you."

Shikamaru knew Sasuke meant it and that he cared for Kaiko like a brother would a sister. He gained a new level of respect for him.

He then turned to the task of walking to the Namikaze mansion. Although he knew exactly where the mansion was this is his first time there. When Naruto was around he had no reason to go there. It was not as if he and Naruto were best buds. In truth he barely liked the guy.

Kaiko was something else. Shikamaru can't put his finger on it but there is something about her that he wanted to protect. He also wants to make her happy. Suddenly Shikamaru stopped in his tracks. 'What am I thinking? Only a boyfriend would care about a girl's happiness. No, this is not like that. I … I … I just feel guilty because of I set her up … that's right I just feel guilty … it's not because I li … li … like her,' thought Shikamaru as he was having a panic attack.

Nervously he started back walking toward the Namikaze residence. He had just decided to turn around and flee when the Mansion door opened, "Nara Shikamaru. We were not expecting you. I was about to go out to get some dinner with my husband."

"Isn't a little early for dinner, Kushina-sama?"

"Well it takes a while to eat around fifty bowls of Ramen, ttebane," Kushina said with a blush, "Why don't you wait in the living room. Kaiko will be down shortly."

"Aren't you going to tell her I am here?" asked Shikamaru with a bewildered look on his face and a raised eyebrow.

"No! I think it be more fun if she is surprised to see you, ttebane."

'Whatever,' thought Shikamaru as he watched the "First Lady" of Konoha disappear out of sight.

He came inside and was surprised by the interior. The exterior of the house is like a perfect representation of a lavish western style house with Japanese accents. The inside however looked like very tradition 18th century Japanese style; screen doors, bamboo mats and everything. He was sure there were elements of the house that was completely modern like a huge Kitchen and many fully functional bathrooms. Naruto did describe one time his bedroom was furnished very minimally but he slept on a real bed and not a futon. Looking thru the house there was hardly any furniture. Not what one would expect for the house of the Hokage.

Shikamaru decided to sit on the floor in the living room to wait for Kaiko to appear.

Kaiko was taking a shower during this time. Having no idea she had a guest waiting she wrapped her form in a flimsy terry cloth orange robe. Hungry she walked down the hall to get something to eat. Unfortunately to get to the kitchen she had to go thru the living room. When she say Shikamaru she stopped, being stunned to see Shikamaru.

Shikamaru was equally stunned for different reasons. When Kaiko stopped suddenly the towel around her hair fell to the floor and her barely damp hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. She looked very beautiful. Shocked at finding her very attractive he diverted his eyes to look at the dark hardwood floor while he blushed furiously from ear to ear.

The blush was not missed by Kaiko. She grabbed the towel and disappeared behind a think support pillar. "What the hell are you doing here Shika and why did you not let me know you were here?"

"Well I came here to see how you are and your mom suggested I just wait for you here."

"Why did she not let me know you were here?" inquired Kaiko.

"She mentioned something about it being more fun to surprise you … I don't know what was going thru her head and to tell you the truth with my track record lately I decided to do as I was told."

'Crap she pulled a prank on me knowing something like this was bound to happen,' thought Kaiko who was blushing, 'wait why is this bothering me so much? It's not like I … I … I like the guy. Shika just been there for me recently and I am grateful. Why am I calling him … Shika?' She started to become unglued. "Look, just stay here and don't you dare move. Also call me next time before you drop by, geez," she said frantically while scampering down the hallway.

Kaiko didn't really need to tell him to stay put. Shikamaru was so perplexed over his reaction to seeing Kaiko like that he won't move any time soon. His mind was reeling, 'What a drag! Why did I have to blush like that upon seeing her? I have known her for ages … well … I have known Naruto for ages and of course she is not Naruto anymore. Plus there is her sexual orientation. To my knowledge she was into girls … wait does that still hold true? Naruto was into girls … what is Kaiko into? I am sure you can't change one's sexual preference overnight … man I think I am over thinking all this … What a drag!'

Kaiko in her room was having a meltdown, 'He saw me like this … HE SAW ME LIKE THIS! Why am I concerned HOW he saw me?' She then tore her closet to shreds looking for the perfect outfit. 'What should wear? This? … No too dressy! This? … No too casual! This? … No too bold. Wait, why am I caring what I should wear next? This is only Shikamaru for crying out loud!'

For the next half hour both had thought of this until Kaiko showed back up in the living room. Shikamaru looked up and was stunned again but this time could not divert his eyes. Kaiko was wearing a simple muted soft orange kimono with a purple sash. Her hair hung loosely down her back. She looked absolutely beautiful, so beautiful that Shikamaru could not stop staring at her.

Kaiko blushed as he scrutinized her every inch, "Would you please quit glaring at me."

"I … I … I," stuttered Shikamaru as words was failing him.

Kaiko soon got flustered with his glaring. "Oh just come with me," she said agitatedly as she grabbed Shikamaru's hand and proceeded out the back door to the same Garden she greeted Tenten and Hinata in the other day. Shikamaru barely noticed the garden however. His attention was riveted on the fact they were holding hands. 'Why is us holding hands both bothering and exciting me?' questioned Shikamaru in his mind.

Kaiko was having fitful thought as well but it was over her reaction of his gazing at her like a puppy dog would at a bone they wanted. When they reached their destination she turned around and only then did she realized the rather intimate way they were touching. Quickly she yanked her hand back while blushing. 'We were holding hand, we were holding hands, we were holding hands … wait why am I thinking this way?'

Shikamaru not knowing where to look for he dared not gaze over at Kaiko took in his environment for the first time. He found the gardens an ideal place for his favorite past time, cloud gazing. This spot was better and more private than the park he goes to. He envied Kaiko or rather Naruto at this moment. "Kaiko, I have to ask you something. You have so much, more than most of the kids in class. Why did you pull prank after prank?"

Well that deflated her sail somewhat. He asked a really gut wrenching question, one she struggled with since Saturday. With a tear running down one of her eyes she asked, "Shikamaru, What do you do after school?" She sat on a bench and started to look at the clouds over head.

He sat down and answered as he gazed at the same clouds, "I sometimes spend time with Choji then I go home and do my homework before dinner. After dinner I play a game of Shogi with my father before bed."

Kaiko digested it before continuing, "So would you say you spend a fair amount of time with your folks?"

"A little too much if you ask me but yeah I do."

"You have been at my house for about an hour and a half already. Have you seen my parents since you got here besides bumping into my mom when she was in her way out?"

Shikamaru was a little perplexed what she was getting at, "Now that you mention it I was getting a little bored sitting alone in the living room."

Kaiko voice now echoed the loneliness in her heart, "My father is the Fourth Hokage. While I am very proud of him he spends about 16 hours a day at the Hokage office. There's times he has to spend days away from the house doing Hokage stuff. I hardly ever see him. Mom is almost as bad being the wife of the Hokage. When I become a ninja I have to be the best or I will make him look bad. I pulled those pranks because when he punished me is about the only time I got to see them. Now you effectively took that away from me."

She said while looking into Shikamaru's eyes with tear filled eyes. Shikamaru had no idea her life was so tough and now he felt worse for what he done to her. He silently vowed to spend the rest of his life making it up to her and making sure her days are filled with fun. For now he gave her a reassuring hug as she cried in his arms. This day their relationship changed for the rest of their lives.

A/N

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I had fun brainstorming it with my buddy, clockright, and writing it. I hope the ending surprised you. I got inspiration reading on the web that they finally finished the manga Kind of a mixed blessing there. I learned that Naruto had a little trouble with one of his kids hehe. I also hope this chapter answers some questions some of you have.

There is more to come, a lot more. So stay tuned and please comment for I love hearing form you.

Till next time!