A/N: Sorry for the long wait! :D This chapter is really short.. I apologize for that v.v I just needed to update this story. Thank you for your patience!
BTW - Those of you who read Chapter 1 before 9/29/12 need to go back and read it again! I edited it v.v
Disclaimer : I do not own Naruto.
She left her room that day. It was an event no one witnessed, and she simply dragged herself to the kitchen, picking up a slowly rotting apple and staring into it, as though discovering the secrets of the world.
Eventually, she tossed it into the wastebasket and hauled herself back into the dark, damp hallway. She passed a few people, but she did not talk to them, and few spoke to her.
She did not know exactly what room she was going to until she reached his. It felt empty when she did not hear his voice scold her for entering his workshop. The room felt barren without his tools and creations all around the room.
She looked around a final time before turning around, only to see a different man behind her. She pushed past him, but he grabbed her shoulder and commanded she stop crying. She did not realize that the tears were still falling.
But he was right, so she stopped, but her eyes still burnt and her stomach still had the feeling of being torn apart.
Kotone had grown. Very much. Her hair was longer. It went past her shoulders now, but was not styled in any way besides its natural straightness. Her appearance was still as pallid as before, but her ear now had an ornament hanging from it, slightly covered by her locks. It was a lovely show of personality, so Hiromi did not question it. She was a few inches taller than Hiromi. Her geta contributed to the cause, not finding their way off her feet, joining her nostalgic outfit; a white kimono with a V so that she could still fight in it, though it was obscured by her shadowy cloak.
Her two companions had removed their hoods as well, Hiromi noticed. She recognized them as Akio and Aiko. They had grown-up some, too. Akio still sported his pale mane, and his dark skin, with his ocean eyes. Similar to Kakashi, he wore a black mask to cover his lips, but this was probably because he did not want to be reminded of his muteness. Aiko had attained longer, wavy, white locks. Her skin was as dark, if not darker, as her brother's, but her eyes were covered by an obscure cloth. She seemed aware of her surroundings despite her blindness.
Hiromi stumbled forward. It had been so long since she saw Kotone. It had been ages since she stood at these gates and waved with warm, fat tears falling from her eyes.
The blonde reached out and toyed with a strand of Amaterasu's hair to test if she was real.
She was.
Hiromi did not know what to do. Her friend had turned into a beautiful princess. There was a pulling in the golden-haired teen's heart and she leapt forward, wrapping her arms around Kotone.
"You're here," She whispered, "you're back."
Amaterasu stiffly returned the embrace, petting Hiromi's locks robotically, "Correct."
Hot waterworks poured out of the blonde chunin (she had advanced in ranks over the years) and she gripped the pale princess tightly, praying Kotone did not disappear.
"I'm so happy," she admitted, sniffling pathetically, "I missed you so much.."
"I.."
The damsel was speechless. Hiromi guessed that she was unable to convey her feelings.
"I'm sorry," she said hurriedly, releasing the young lady and wiping her tears with the back of her hand, "I .. I just.. I'm so happy to see you.. P-please, let's sit down."
The duo found their way to a bench. Aiko and Akio stood a fair distance away to give their leader some privacy. Sai had long since disappeared.
"Are there any questions you would like to ask?" Amaterasu inquired.
Hiromi nodded, "I-.. Why are you here..? So suddenly?"
The insipid royalty paused, as though thinking of the right words to speak.
"I heard of Konoha and Suna's clash with the Akatsuki," she stated, "and decided that I should bequeath any assistance that I am able."
Her blonde teammate watched in awe as the young woman looked away and gazed into the crowd. The lights from the lanterns bounced off her face and danced in her eyes. Kotone was beautiful.
Hiromi swiped some stray tears and smiled fondly, "I'm so happy.. That you decided to visit."
"T-.. Thank you. I also believed it to be time for me to see Hanako's.. baby."
"OH! You mean Haru-chan? I'll take you there!" Hiromi said excitedly, grabbing Kotone's hand and reminiscing in its cold temperature, "Let's go!"
Hanako wrapped her arms around Amaterasu in a bone-crushing hug, but received no reaction. She reasoned that it was probably still rough to show her emotions.
Haru stared up at the snowy woman in wonder, tugging on Hiromi's hand.
"What is it, Haru-chan?"
"Who is dat?"
Hanako released Kotone and smiled, "This is my student, sweetie! Kotone Kimiko!"
The two females stared each other down, Amaterasu calculating, Haru wondering.
Finally, the smaller girl reached up with both arms and a big smile, "Up!"
She grasped air with her little fingers, waiting for Kotone to react. Hiromi nudged the insipid princess.
"She wants you to pick her up," she whispered.
In instant, Amaterasu was holding Haru at arm's length, the toddler's feet above ground and waving happily.
"I wike you!"
"Translation.. obligatory."
Hiromi giggled softly, "Haru-chan said that she likes you."
"I.. Understood. I appreciate your existence as well, little one."
Haru stared in awe at the robot-like creature speaking the foreign, stiff language. She was COOL.
"You don't have to put up with her," Hanako stated, relieving Kotone of the little girl, "It's just about bedtime, anyways."
The princess sent an understanding look to her sensei after putting two and two together. This was her child with Kakashi Hatake. The brunette nodded back to Kotone before bidding farewell to her students, with her child resting silently in her mother's arms.
"Haru-chan sure is cute, huh?"
"I suppose."
Hiromi grabbed her friend's hand once again, "I'm sure Hinata and Neji are hanging around nearby! Let's go find them!"
Kotone nodded, letting herself be hauled through the crowd. It had been a while since her last conversation with Hinata. In the back of her mind, she was curious if Hiromi was still infatuated with Neji Hyuga. She decided not to ask.
"Hiromi," she suddenly said, "you have cut your hair."
The blonde turned and smiled. It was as close to a compliment as she was going to get.
"Ah, yes, I'm glad you noticed. It was getting in the way."
"Are… are you not a medical ninja?"
The shorter maiden shook her head, "I learned the basic healing ninjutsu from Sakura, but I ended up being trained by Gai-sensei."
"Taijutsu.. It would be .. beneficial if we were to spar soon."
"Ah, you think?"
"Correct."
"Yo, Hiromi."
The two girls turned and said blonde beamed.
"Hello, Shikamaru," She waved, and nodded to the others, "Choji, Ino."
The fellow blonde with the impossibly long hair grinned, "Oh, hey, it's you!"
Kotone nodded, "Correct."
Shikamaru and Hiromi spoke silently to each other so that the others could not hear. Kotone noted it.
"It's been a while," Choji said, eating as he spoke plainly, "and you haven't changed at all."
Ino scolded him, but Kotone did not care, replying, "Correct. I have not changed in any noticeable fashions."
Shikamaru and Hiromi reappeared, joining the conversation with ease.
The blonde's eyes wander until she says with joy, "Look! Okanomiyaki! Let's go get some!"
The girl led the way to the booth, where a short old woman was working diligently.
"What can I get you?" she murmured.
Hiromi went first, so the others waited patiently. Kotone turned to Shikamaru.
"It's.. strange."
"Huh?"
"Maiko Arakawa.. She was one who always accompanied you. Where is she?"
Shikamaru smirked (but it looked a little..wrong.), "She's around somewhere."
"I see," Amaterasu responded, leaving the subject alone.
If there was something wrong, Hiromi would inform her.
Kotone's apartment had not changed a bit. A few people had come and gone through it, but the landlord said that nearly no one stayed for very long, and gave her the key for half off. It was very late, so she did not examine everything in the room with detail, but she opened the window and told Aiko and Akio (who had been following her throughout the evening by rooftop) to come inside.
"We shall rest here."
"Yes, ma'am," Aiko responded, clicking her tongue to find her way inside.
It was at that time that Amaterasu realized that she had an operative kitchen in the stuffy apartment. She had had no need to cook as a puppet, so she looked upon all the tools as though they were foreign weapons.
She also discovered a couch, which she sat upon for a moment before deciding that it was very comfortable and that she was to sleep there.
"Akio and I will sleep at the door, then," Aiko confirmed.
Kotone shook her head, "You should both rest. This place is not like all the other lands we have seen. There is no need to guard me. This is.. our home now. Aiko, sleep on the bed. Akio, I shall find a cot of some sort."
"But, milady," the female Akivi argued, "you deserve the bed! Not me!"
"You are to sleep there. I wish to sleep upon.. the 'couch'."
"A-ah.. Understood.."
Kotone shuffled around, but could not find a cot. Eventually, she made a small fort of pillows, saying that it would serve an alternate purpose. She made Akio sleep in a different section than herself and Akio, knowing full well young men and women should not sleep so close at this age.
After the bustling activity of trying to find blankets (which they did eventually, and nearly buried Aiko in all of them on accident), the three foreigners lay in the apartment in dead silence.
When Kotone believed everyone to be asleep, she realized just how uncomfortable trying to sleep was. As a puppet, she simply closed her eyes and she would have dreams about her homeland, as though she was a toy recharging its battery.
But now, the couch seemed as hard as a rock and her mind seemed to be computing at the speed of light. She tossed and turned uneasily until finally she comprehended that she needed to sleep in her bed.
She walked silently to her bedroom (her geta were left properly at the door) and tried to figure out whether or not Aiko was asleep. Kotone experimentally coughed, and the Akivi jumped in surprise.
"A-akio? Has something happened?" She asked.
"Incorrect," Amaterasu responded, unsure of what exactly she should do next.
Aiko sat up, running hand through her hair, "What's wrong, milday? Are you ill?"
"Incorrect.. I .. I could not sleep."
"I see," the tanned woman said, "What would you like for me to do?"
"I'm not sure."
During the three years of her absence, she would be very cramped up against Aiko and Akio, considering that the trio had no money and usually got the worst inn, if one at all. Whether they were tucked beneath a bridge or stuffed into an alley, she was always able to hear their hearts. They ticked in unison sometimes, and the thought of having such a delicate beating in her body as well lulled her to sleep.
"I am here so that I may sleep beside you," Amaterasu announced, unaware of how childish the concept seemed.
Aiko nodded, moving slowly to make room for the princess (the queen, really, considering she was the only royalty left) and patted the spot beside her, motioning for Kotone to come.
Amaterasu crawled into the bed, savoring the warmth of the body beside her. It was a symbol of how she was human, too. She was just like that. She had a heartbeat, too. She was a person.
When traveling, Aiko had caught on to the fact that Kotone was unable to sleep unless listening to another's heart. She did not mind when the damsel pressed their foreheads together and grabbed Aiko's hand.
Poor Amaterasu-hime, the Akivi thought sadly, she is just like a child, searching for her mother.
Aiko lifted a hand and stroked Kotone's pale mane softly.
Surely Akio would enjoy this more than I, she mentally laughed at her brother's infatuation, but I can't let the two of them fall in love and leave me all by myself.
The tan young lady did not notice when Amaterasu fell into a peaceful rest.
Haru fell asleep beside her father in the hospital bed. Kakashi was still ailing since his battle with the Akatsuki and was resting in bed with his perverted book in his hands. His face was not covered, for no one was around except for Hanako.
"Hmph," She grumbled, "I can't believe Kotone is back and I can't visit her without dragging Haru-chan along with me."
"I thought you said Haru-chan liked Kotone?" Kakashi inquired.
Hanako crossed her arms, smiling at the sleeping infantile girl, "She does. I just thought maybe I could tell her about-"
She shut her mouth hurriedly as the door opened and revealed Naruto and Sakura. The sound awoke Haru, who looked around sleepily, draping her arms around Kakashi, who had whipped on his mask hastily.
"Ah," Sakura said in a whisper, "Hello, Kakashi-sensei, Hanako-sensei."
The tall and beautiful jounin nodded politely, picking up Haru and letting the child rest her head on Hanako's shoulder.
"I'll go on ahead and get out of your way," she explained, "I'm sure you three have important things to discuss."
She exited the room and immediately let out a sigh. She could not say anything about it. And that was a stupid rule.
The door was busted open. Aiko was out of bed in a flash, her hands making the two diamond hand sign, and her feet planted firmly near the door. Akio was beside her with a similar hand sign, but with one diamond. Aiko pressed her hands to the ground.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
Kotone lifted herself from the bed, straightening her attire and stepping out of the bedroom. She stared blankly at the ANBU members at the door.
"Are you Kimiko Kotone?" one of them inquired.
Aiko hissed, "What's it to you?"
"Please come with us."
Akio drew a question mark on Kotone's arm, What's going on?
"What do you want from me?" The princess asked.
"Hokage-sama would like to speak with you."
Her kimono was still wrinkled (it was strange because she thought that when she was a puppet nothing ever really happened when she slept in her same clothes.. She would need to purchase pajamas) so she straightened it gently once more, presenting herself properly.
"We will be prepared in fifteen minutes," Kotone responded, "Please return then."
"I don't see why she wants to see us," Aiko reasoned softly, raking her white locks with a brush, "Did she not expect us to return? Honestly."
Aiko, Akio signaled, she must have her own reasons.
"I still don't see why she didn't just approach us during the festival."
"Perhaps," Kotone persuaded, "she did not see us, and the news of our arrival has just now reached her ears."
Aiko crossed her arms, placing her brush on a nearby surface, "I suppose we can't just ignore those ANBU, can we?"
"Absolutely not."
"Darn."
It would be insanely rude and impolite to ignore the Hokage in such a fashion.
"I guess you're right.. Alright, let's head out!"
"Right."
Kotone bowed respectfully upon entering the Hokage's office. Tsunade seemed irritated because she simply snorted.
"Have a seat," Shizune offered kindly.
The Akivi twins stood on either side of their leader.
Tsunade sipped some tea in a serious manner, "So, you arrived last night?"
"Precisely."
"Why didn't you stay in your hometown?" The Hokage asked boldly, "What made you return?"
"You sound as though you do not appreciate my presence."
"It's just frustrating; that's all."
"I apologize for whatever inconvenience my arrival brought. I .. caught wind of the Akatsuki's actions against Suna and Konoha. So I decided to return to give manpower."
Shizune piped in, "Tsunade-sama, I don't see why she can't stay."
"What?" Aiko frowned, "You're going to kick us out after our princess lowered herself to give you assistance despite your rudeness?"
The Hokage grimaced, "That's not exactly the way I would put it. I'm not kicking you three out.. Yet. I understand you want to be here and support us, but we're not your village! You're from the Nishi no sabaku [A/N: West Desert. I know I said East Desert in the other story, but this is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion]! Not Konohagakure!"
Kotone reached into the folds of her kimono. Shizune nearly thought it was a weapon until she pulled out a bundle of clean cloth. There were some grains of sand that she brushed off, but it was completely unscathed.
The insipid princess laid the small package onto the Hokage's desk and motioned for the blonde woman to unwrap it.
Tsunade eyed it cautiously before opening the cloth carefully. Shizune prudently leaned over to check its contents.
She found herself staring at the symbol of Konoha. It was Kotone's Leaf forehead protector.
"That," Amaterasu said softly, "is proof that I belong to this village. This is my home. These are my memories. These .. are my friends. And I will do anything to protect them."
The aloof damsel laid a hand over her heart. It soft fluttering beat caused her to close her eyes peacefully.
"I swear upon my life."
Tsunade leaned back, rubbing the symbol of her village with her thumb.
.
.
.
.
"If you do anything to harm this village, or these villagers, I will personally be the one who deals out your punishment!"
Aiko smiled, "So we can stay?"
".. Yes. Now get out of my sight! I have work to do!" Tsunade smiled.
As the trio filed out, she stopped Kotone.
"The will of fire," the Hokage said tenderly, "definitely burns inside of you. Be sure not to snuff it out."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A/N: Sorry for the shortness of this chapter v.v I hope you all enjoyed it though XD
Thanks to..
{Reviewers}
[xXChirushiXx] - (Chapter 27/28 - Finale) - It's completely fine XD Ah, thank you :) I'm glad you liked Kotone! I hope you enjoy it v.v
(Chapter 1) - LOLOL yay c; Was that lame?! Was it OOC XD Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
[Fairytale-GhostPrincess] - Really? XD It took me ages to get this chapter out and its not even that good. Ahh, that's so sweet of you v.v Yay drama c: I'm so happy you read it! Please enjoy this new chapter.
[chloejaynehart] - Awww, thanks c: That means more than a review :3 Thank you very much! Speaking of characters, I may be posting pictures once I get my scanner to start working XD I will try and involve a lot of romance without forcing it v.v A k-kiss?! :O They'd be so awkward! I'm a hopeless romantic too v.v Sometimes when goodlooking people glance at me i'm like, 'omg they are so into me this is meant to be'
Anyways! XD Here is the next chapter! Enjoy!
[MaoIsSleepy] - Awww, happy birthday c: I hope you enjoy this next chapter :D
[Animefangirl95] - ...
Really!? You think Haru's cute?! XD thank yuuuu!
Aww, thank you so much v.v
Omg he needs to step up his game XD
;)
...
Awwwww XD Thank you so much~ Thank you for the review! I hope you like this new chapter!
[bored411] - ...
Here's the next update! :D I hope you enjoy this chapter!
[Omigesh] - I'm afraid I won't be making a part 3 :c only because Hiromi has kinda revealed herself through both stories, so she won't need her own :o
I'm sorry I won't :c
Ding ding XD Here's your chapter AND your ramen!
[a Wiccan] - Oh thank you c:
[Access Butterfly] - OMG HERE'S THE UPDATE SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG
Aww, thank you so much v: Yeah, making sure you're not swimming in Mary-Sue waters is tough v.v Ah, thank you very much for your kindness :D Everyone either likes Kotone or Maiko XD Poor Hiromi and Hanako ._.
Here is the update v.v I hope you enjoy it! Sorry it took so long!
(Chapter 27/28 - Finale) - AHHH THANK YOUUU C:
[Psychotic Addict] - Awwww, thanks so much! c: Oh wow XD You're too kind! Everyone cried ;_; That makes me feel so accomplished as an author. Hehehe c: you're too kind. I hope you enjoy this next chapter v.v
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A/N: Be looking out for Chapter 3!