Ephemeral Series:

Emerald Pools

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Naruto x - - - - -

Crossover

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I don't own Naruto nor the other featured work/s

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Chapter 0

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-Yo! Tatsu-chan, How was hero work?"

"Tsk, it was fine besides being a complete waste of my time!," a green-haired girl grumbled as she entered her shared apartment with her sister, after receiving an urgent call from the association about a 'Dragon Level' monster emerging from a mountain range in the middle of nowhere, only to be killed by a mountain-sized boulder. Like every mission, they throw at me

"Honestly, I became a hero to save people from disasters, not puny pest problems, tsk." she murmured, as she passed her 'babysitter', opting to slump her petite figure on the sofa. She was hoping to stretch her powers a bit, having dealt with only mediocre monsters that she came across, and specialized missions that like every other one, were monotonous, ending with her unsatisfied.

"Ya know, not everyone is amazing as you Tatsu-chan," he said softly as he suddenly appeared behind her, having finished tending their small 'garden'. He rolled the sleeves of his plain black suit, and slowly brought his calloused hands to the esper's petite shoulders, expertly massaging away the knots that formed."Not everyone can consider a mountain-sized monster a 'pest problem'," he continued as he kept up his newfound task, devoting his attention to his massage and her supple figure, hearing only moans of approval from his ministrations, his hands gradually traveling downwards, while allowing his eyes to roam more over the dainty frame of the emerald haired esper.

"You know, just because you think, we need you, doesn't mean you can just ogle me like a pervert," she said, now craning her head to glare at the perverted blond.

"Maa, how many times do I have to tell you Tatsu-chan, I ain't a pervert, just admiring your beautiful body" he whispered huskily as they now faced each other, their breaths now warming each other's faces.

"W-what are you doing! Baka!- she quickly pushed him off using her powers - S-Stupid! Ecchi! HENTAI!" She yelled, her face was now flushed as she floated over the sofa to try and get over what just happened. This IS exactly why she hated this blond buffoon. He clearly could not think without using his lower head! I don't even know why I put up with him!. Ever since he was assigned to them he's been nothing but a lecherous teasing pervert, THE only saving graces he has is that he's a capable house helper and cook. If we weren't so damned busy we wouldn't even need him

"What do you mean? - Posing as 'innocently' as he could - Didn't you make that your hero costume because I said I liked it?" he asked as he watched her face progressively become even redder. Is that even natural? Hahaha even after 3 years she still can't resist my teasing

"W-what are you even talking about b-baka!, I-I made this my hero c-costume because it's comfortable!," she yelled to prevent her from stuttering as much, which clearly was not working considering just how larger the insufferable blond's grin became, "A-Anyway how long before we eat lunch, I'm h-hungry," she asked trying to quickly change the subject, fortunately for her, the blond relented, as he stated it was almost done.

'That unbearable idiot, why the hell would I listen to what he likes, tsk, I only wore this because I love the feeling of the wind on my s-skin, yes!, that… the feeling of it …clinging to my skin,' she thought as she headed towards her room to change, not taking any chances on his tendencies for teasing.

. . . . .

The pair worked in silence during the preparation for the food, the esper opted to set the table, while the blond put some last-minute adjustments to their meal, working in perfect unison as they navigated around each other. After a few minutes of waiting for the food, consisting of Beef ramen stir fry, freshly tossed salad, smoked fish, and white rice. As they sat in relative silence, both chorused an 'Itadakimasu' as they quickly dug into the food.

As their previous conversation lay forgotten, they-Tatsumaki-slowly relaxed, savoring the different mixes of flavor that came from their meal, "Before I forget Tatsu-chan, I also made dessert, it's pretty much cold now since I didn't know what time you'd arrive, it's one of your favorites, so ya might want to lessen the rice a little bit" he told the petite women, electing to whisper the last part to her, as he sat and ate in amusement while the aforementioned esper quickly turned beet red, mouth still full of food.

Seeing her reaction, he simply chuckled as he continued watching the crimson light show, "B-baka!, d-don't you know it's an absolutely heinous crime to tell that to a woman! B-besides, I need the calories, d-didn't I already tell you that I burn through them when I use my powers!" she quickly answered, as she glared at the blond with all her willpower, though was perceived as even cuter as a prominent blush stained her cheeks.

"You know I didn't mean that Tatsu-chan, you know I love it when you eat my food, I'm just saying, don't you wanna eat more of your favorite food? I made it especially for you, ya know," the blond corrected as he continued to watch the ever-growing blush that painted the espers face. He smiled softly as he continued, "I also want to remind you, Fubu-chan is about to become an A-rank Hero, so I was hoping we'd celebrate, and that… I'm gonna be out of your hair's soon" he said as he calmly continued eating, now focusing more on the meal instead of the reaction he'd elicited, he knew of course, that no matter what Tatsumaki kept saying, she'd grown attached to the blond along with her sister since he was the reason they'd changed- changed her, providing her a much-needed bridge to connect with her younger sister, a reliable stress reliever, that saved her more often than not from blowing up and destroying her already fragile friendly relationships with her fellow S-class heroes, while also being all-around dependable both inside and out.

"Hmm... well since you're the one preparing I don't have any problems, as long as they leave before 8:00 P.M. sharp,- she opened the fridge to get her sweet, sweet glazed apple pie -and that's good that you're leaving! I've had enough seeing your ugly mug all the time, I didn't even need a babysitter in the first place" she said passively as she dug into her dessert, 'I knew he'd leave someday... it wasn't like he was tied to us anyway' she thought to herself, hopelessly trying to suppress the feeling that was slowly enveloping her stomach.

"If you keep saying that it makes it even harder to stay." Ditching his food to slowly wrap the short esper in his loving embrace, whispering in her ear. "I know you said that you didn't need anyone other than your sister… that you're willing to compromise just to make her happy, but I-I don't even know how I feel about her."

"I-I told-d you already b-baka, I don't Lo-."

"The party is tomorrow night.. a-and I already moved out my s-stuff," he whimpered softly as he hugged her tightly for a moment then separated, not willing to look back at the still form of his soon to be former roommate.

. . . . .

"Yosh! Let's get the party started Fubuki-chan, Congrats on getting to A rank! Hehe, I knew you could do it."

"Ah- Uhm, thank you, Naruto-sen-kun," Fubuki replied as she went static from the side hug Naruto was giving her.

"Well you're welcome, now let's eat first! I made sure to feed an army for tonight!"

As soon as the words exited his mouth a general chorus rang inside the loft, around them Fubuki's friends and close co-workers attended for her celebration, the members of her previously built group the most prominent ones; ever since Naruto helped her out of her vicious shell of self-doubt, not only did she managed to slowly realize her potential, she also began actively helping her group to achieves theirs until they could no longer use the excuse of strength in numbers to stay together. Even then they still were a close-knit group that weren't shy from collaborating with other heroes and became known as their own persons, achieving higher rankings than their previous posts while also helping newer heroes to settle into the job. Nevertheless, Fubuki was more thankful for Naruto in helping bridge the gap between her and her sister, making their relationship more loving instead of an example of a toxic one, to the point that her sister even accepted "positions in her friend group". All of those were nothing but distant memories that helped her build a true foundation as both a person and a hero, if only she could pursue a romantic one with the hyperactive blonde.

"Oooh, Naruto-san this is Super~! Good! Really Healthy too!" Captain Mizuki exclaimed as she stuffed herself on jumbo spring rolls, dipping them on Naruto's special sauce.

"I agree, Naruto-kuns food is truly top-notch, these smoked salmon is heavenly." Eating serenely on the long table was Bang and , along with Lily and the rest of the former Blizzard group, unfortunately, Eyelashes couldn't attend the party due to his rising obligations in his city as an independent hero.

"Maa, thanks old man, I made it extra special just for tonight." Replied the blond as he readied the games and presents for the birthday celebrant, carrying the present to the living room coffee table to prepare it for the opening later.

As the night went on and the curfew arrived, they managed to rope Tatsumaki into the party for the picture taking, citing that it was a monumental achievement that needed both sisters in the picture for remembrance, though the reasons where different for them both, Tatsumaki ultimately agreed, with the picture being taken by Naruto.

After the warm farewell from the hosts, albeit a snarky one from the petite esper, Naruto was left with the cleaning of the remaining mess, "Naruto-kun, I-I wanted to thank you again, every blessing I-we received was mainly thanks to you, even if my sister doesn't admit it, we both a-appreciate what you did- and k-keep doing for u-us." Bowing in front of him across the coffee table he was currently cleaning, "I-I'm sorry for m-making things awkward between the t-three of us, b-but! I don't r-regret saying-g I-I love y-you! So p-please don't leave o-on my account-t -," she exclaimed, shivering either from her intense emotions or from suddenly breaking character. "How did you kno-," Naruto interrupted as he went closer to the younger espers bowed form, but was stilled by another interruption. "I-I heard from G-Glasses, he slipped when we met in the Hero Association for my promotion, w-why didn't you tell u-us, tell m-me!"

After hearing what she had to say, the blond continued his approach towards the esper, whose face was contorted with dread, "Fubu-chan, this isn't about you, or Tatsu-chan, remember when we first met? You both didn't like having me as a 'man-servant'." Looking directly at her face for recognition, noses practically inches away from each other as their breaths dawned on their faces, he continued once he saw her eyes lit up in recognition and face change into sadness, hugging her buxom figure close to his he whispered his answer, "I promised I'll do my best to help you both achieved your dreams, but when t-that day-y comes I would l-leave, r-right?" hugging her figure tighter as he didn't trust his face from hiding his feelings.

"W-Will I still see y-you?"

"Of c-course dummy, I'm just retiring as your aid, I actually already accomplished what was assigned to me, but since I affected both your performance positively I was given the go-ahead to stay until I was sure you guys didn't need me anymore." He chuckled, breaking their minute long embrace. "Now go on ahead, I'll finish cleaning this, you still need to put away your gifts," quickly turning around to continue doing his tasks, making sure to not show his reddish eyes.

"Oh, uhm, yeah, Good night Naruto-kun," she said, passing by him to retrieve her gifts and lock herself in her room for the rest of the night.

"Goodbye Fubuki."

. . . . .

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

"Naruto-kun? Are you still awake?" Whispered a petite esper, wrapping her form with her silky green nightgown.

"I-I wanted to say t-thank you, for throwing Fubuki a celebration."

After a couple more knocks, and irritated whispers, she carefully picked the lock with her powers, making sure to not wake her sister, nor the most light sleeper she ever had the displeasure of knowing. Slowly opening the unlocked door she was met with a barren room, completely tidied and cleaned to the blonds standards.

"So he alr-ready l-left, B-Baka *sniff* d-didn't even know-w to s-say g-goodbye *sob*."

Floating towards the empty bed she immediately sprawled out, not trusting her body's ability to keep her standing, "B-Baka! *Sob* I-I wasn't ser-rious! *Sob* I-I jus-st couldn't-t say-y i-it!...*Sniff* I L-Lov…" Trying to contain her crying, she drowned her cries on his pillow, still masked with his scent. 'I hate this'

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END

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Glad to finally get this off my chest XDDD, I've been trying to write a story for a couple of months now, multitudes of problems arose, mostly procrastination and shitty internet, so I tried my hand in a "one-shot" probably, I made sure to make it as open-ended as possible while making sure to have a bittersweet ending for those that don't trust me to write a proper series (Even then, my close associates know, not to trust me with long tasks that do not tickle my fancy). So I hope you liked what you read, and if you want it to be a series, I'll make sure to comply with the consensus and hope my lazy nature doesn't hinder my creative ability. Thanks! and Kudos~!