A/N: Hows about some fluff and silliness after all that drama, hm? As always, thank you so much to the beautiful givers of feedback; cutiekyoto, CookieKrisp, Chey3X, jenjenjojo1012, Azura Soul Reaver and lovelyanimangel. You are wonderful people and I dedicate this chapter to you. Thank you also to the favouriters and alerters :) All is very much appreciated.
Disclaimer: Naruto and all associated scenes belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Claimer: The random points that do not appear in the original anime, manga or specials belong to Ookami Tsubasawa, the rightful owner of this fanfic.
Eien no Shasai
(The Edited Version
Chapter 12;
Setsumei
Explanations
People tend to want reasons for everything that ever was, currently is and ever possibly could be.
-x-
"...Care to explain?"
After returning to Konoha, Naruto promptly dragged Kari in the direction of Ichiraku's as he spotted the back of Iruka-sensei. Kari had uncomfortably tied her hitai-ate around her ears and shoved her tail up her shirt where the lump was hidden by her katana. She was still mummified and her gloves had sadly been torn to shreds so she had a pair of Kakashi's spare ones on.
Once filled with ramen and with her ears ringing from Naruto's excited storytelling, Kari went to tell her irritable sempai she had returned so he could once again stab her with his fingers and give lectures until her ears bled.
After conversing with an angry guard, Neji came to her rescue and allowed her in to the training ground, activated his Byakugan to look her over for injury and spotted the extra parts she had acquired when away. Kari was torn between embarrassment and extreme humour as her sempai's straight face became lax.
"Anou..." Kari began as she pulled her hitai-ate down to her neck and let her tail free. "I really haven't got a clue how this happened. Near death experience?"
Neji's eyebrows raised. She said she had been on a C-rank, how could she possibly have found a way to almost lose her life?
"How?"
"Nukenin with big knife, boy with kekkei genkai, befriended boy with kekkei genkai, attempted to protect him when he tried to protect his master, big electric hole through Kari-chan," Kari mumbled awkwardly.
"So it was your fault?" Neji asked bluntly.
"Not all of it..." Kari said sheepishly. Neji gave her a look. "Okay, most of it." She blushed and looked up. "Neji-sempai, will people look at me differently like this?"
"You have suddenly sprouted canine features Kari," Neji stated and her blush darkened as she started to fidget. "I however, will not view you any differently."
In a very Lee-like move, Kari's eyes glistened and a bright smile lit her face.
"Neji-sempai!" Kari squealed promptly throwing her arms around his middle. Uncomfortably, Neji patted her on the head watching as her tail swayed back and forth.
"Aa, now why do you have a wolf pup?"
"Kita!" Kita declared indignantly as she shook her white fur and twitched her nose up at him. Neji once again showed his rare look of utter disbelief and Kari could help but think how she really had missed the grumpiest, sternest, most painful of her sempai's.
-x-
"Aa, the mission report," Sandaime said leaning over to reach for the paper.
"Hokage-sama, did you manage to find anything on Kari's health tests?" Kakashi asked as the old man finished the report and looked quickly over what Kakashi had gathered about Kari. The Hokage looked up with a stern gaze and sighed softly.
"Yes," he said slowly. "I was surprised at first, still am in fact. However, at the same time as it is unbelievable it also makes perfect sense."
"Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked feeling a bit nervous. He knew he shouldn't have, but he became attached to the little blonde kunoichi with her hard work, loyalty, compassion and cheekiness. There was no doubt in his mind whatsoever that her story was legitimate and she posed no threat.
"Look at the report Kakashi."
The silver-haired Jounin took the sheets of paper and glanced through what was written. The first page was obvious, he'd seen these things from his observations. His eyes stopped halfway down the second page before continuing slower until he reached the end.
"Do you understand?" the Sandaime said leaning forward. "Kakashi, we must deal with this very carefully. For now, tell her no more than necessary as she settles into Konohagakure life. When the time comes, support her to the best of your ability."
"But..." the Jounin was speechless.
"We must act in the best interests of the village. From what you've written she is very loyal and has a lot of love to give, we need to see that this does not change," the Hokage said. "You grew attached too quickly Kakashi, but now you have her trust keep it close to you. If anyone else finds out..."
"She'll be targeted," Kakashi finished.
"I'm unsure whether to keep her and Naruto together considering the circumstances," the old man mused with a soft sigh. "What do you suggest?"
"They had an instant bond, neither will leave the other. Naruto's too hard headed and Kari's too loyal," Kakashi replied. "She's warmed up Sasuke, given Sakura confidence, keeps Naruto in line. Even without her skills, her mere personality and presence have become the glue of my team. Removing her now would be problematic for all of us. She's stable in the team."
"Aa, with Naruto and Sasuke I'd rather keep problems to a minimum," Sandaime agreed. "In that case, continue to watch her Kakashi, watch her closer than before. Having her close is good, but don't let your affection cloud your judgment."
"Shouldn't she at least know she's different to put her on her guard?" Kakashi asked. "She's a smart kid, she knows somethings not right with her. She's worried Hokage-sama."
"The village comes first Kakashi," the Hokage said apologetically. He hadn't seen Kakashi form such a bond since he lost his own team and didn't want to deprive the Jounin of embracing the chance to love again. But no matter how much Kakashi saw her as a little sister or close friend, he knew not to jeopardize the safety of his brethren. If the time came, he would let her go.
"Aa."
"Also, this... wolf cub. I'd like to request a look at her, followed by sending her to Inuzuka Hana for a check over. I need to take a look at Kari anyway. Will you send her over?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama," Kakashi agreed. He felt uneasy keeping the truth from Kari. But if she knew, she would both be made happy and yet crushed at the same time. He would lie to her for her own good, to keep her from being caged.
-x-
"You finished your mission report quickly, ne?" Kari asked. Kakashi had tracked her down after a while and found her covered in dirt from training. She hadn't been back for more than a few hours and had already got to work.
"Aa," Kakashi replied as Kari hoisted Kita higher in her arms.
"Ne, Kashi?" Kari said with a puzzled glance. "Something wrong?"
"Hmm?" the Jounin said, keeping his gaze carefully calm. Kari was extremely perceptive, he had to be cautious with his words and actions so she didn't worry. "No, just thinking over the last mission. To have an A-rank so early was an experience."
She accepted his half-truth, her suspicious gaze easing.
"Something you can't tell me, ne?"
He couldn't stop the slight smile. In less than a month she'd come to read his body language extremely well. While his face bore little expression as it was covered, she found different ways to check he was alright. Then again, sometimes he felt she could read his soul just by looking in his uncovered eye.
"Aa, but if you're lucky I'll tell you one day," he said and she nodded holding him to his promise. With that she let the matter drop, though insufferably curious she drew the line when she felt she was becoming bothersome and too nosy.
"So Hokage-sama wants to see me and Kita-chan? Should I prepare for incoming doom?"
The Jounin chuckled and ruffled her bangs, resisting the urge to remove her hitai-ate so she wouldn't hide her ears. He could understand her embarrassment, her shyness – but if only she realised how utterly adorable she looked with those puppy ears.
-x-
"Well, she seems delightful!" the Hokage said placing Kita down on his desk.
"Delightful!" Kita agreed, liking his chosen compliment. The old man chuckled and Kita glanced quickly at her Okaasan to make sure she was still being a good girl and watching her manners.
Kari kept fidgeting nervously as her precious little pup was looked over. Kakashi eventually gave in and allowed Kari to squeeze his hand to stop her jitters.
"So, Kita-chan is okay? She can stay?" Kari asked hopefully.
"She appears to be a lovely little character. I'll send her for a check up with Inuzuka Hana to see that all is well with her and as long as all remains well I see no problem in her remaining here."
Kari's tension deflated like a balloon as her grip finally eased on Kakashi's poor abused fingers. If Kari ever decided to have a baby (very far in the future) Kakashi sincerely hoped it would not be his digits that she was crushing.
"Okaasan..." Kita said as Kari went and scooped the little fluff ball into her arms. Kari looked down at the pup as she pawed at Kari's ninja headband.
"You want one?" Kari asked perplexed.
"Kaka's Kita's had them," Kita said jabbing a paw in Kakashi's direction.
"My ninken?" Kakashi asked and Kita nodded in agreement.
Wolf pup and master/adopted mother looked up at the Hokage with surprising fierceness.
"Hokage-sama, please allow Kita-chan a hitai-ate!" Kari and Kita both declared as Kari lurched forward in a bow and Kita stretched her nose towards the floor in Kari's arms. Kakashi scratched the back of his head and wondered what on earth the world was coming to when he had students like this.
"Maa, I don't see why not?" the Hokage said after a pause and was momentarily stunned as Kari and Kita stared at him with sparkly eyes. He chuckled deeply and extended a spare hitai-ate that he had in his draw. "Prove you deserve it, ne?"
"Arigatou gozaimasu!" Kari and Kita cried excitedly as they launched into another bow.
"Doushimashite, now go and find Inuzuka Hana!" the Hokage said merrily as he waved them on their way.
"Hai! Ja ne, Kashi!" Kari cried momentarily winding him as she crashed into him and gave him a tight squeeze around the middle before running off to find the Inuzuka vet.
"Such energy," the Hokage said with a smile.
"You made her day," Kakashi remarked.
The Hokage gave him a stern look and the Jounin wondered what on earth he had done now.
"You're not supposed to show favouritism you know."
Kakashi mentally sighed as he decided he should just give up and ignore all the jabs he would no doubt continue to receive for being 'too soft' and showing 'favouritism'.
-x-
"Ne, Kita-chan, do you know who Inuzuka Hana is?"
"No?" Kita replied.
"Me either," Kari said with a sigh as they wandered the streets. "The name does sound familiar though, who would know?"
"What answer do you seek my youthful apprentice?"
"Lee-sempai!" Kari cried as she went into a mixture of a startled jump and a bow in greeting.
"Can I assist you on your quest for knowledge my budding blossom?" Lee asked enthusiastically as he leaned forward to show his intense will to help, eyes sparking.
"Anou... any idea who Inuzuka Hana is?" Kari asked. After Kakashi, Neji was her main source of answers and as his helpful team-mate, Lee probably knew the answer.
"Inuzuka Hana-san? Aha! While I may not know the current location of the veterinarian, I do however know of someone who no doubt will!" Lee declared with a thumbs-up.
"Hontou?" Kari asked hopefully, his excitement infectious.
"My little lotus," Lee declared throwing an arm around her shoulders and pointing off in a random direction in front of him. "I have heard through the grapevine, rumours of the rookie teams. From what my youthful mind remembers, Inuzuka Hana has an otouto by the name of Kiba who is on the team of Neji's younger cousin!"
"Eh? Inuzuka Hana has a brother called Kiba who's on the same team as Hinata? So if I find Hinata, she'll point me in the direction of Kiba who will direct me towards his sister Hana to where I can complete my mission!"
"Excellent!" Lee beamed.
"Arigatou sempai!"
-x-
"...The Heiress is currently not here."
"Ehh?" Kari said dejectedly as the Hyuuga guard glared down his nose at her. He couldn't fathom why the odd little girl kept popping up and asking to bother Neji and Hinata. Really, she needed to learn that the Hyuuga's were important people. "Any idea where she would be?"
"Why should I disclose such information to you?" he said suspiciously.
"Well, if I find Hinata, she'll point me in the direction of Kiba who will direct me towards his sister Hana to where I can complete my mission of getting my pup Kita-chan," Kari held up Kita in front of the guard. "Seen by the veterinarian for a check up."
"...You should not speak of Hinata-sama so casually civilian."
"I'm not a civilan I'm a kunoichi and my name is Kari, I tell you guards this when I come searching for Neji-sempai. Don't you all talk to each other?"
"Occasionally."
"Mou! You must get dreadfully bored guarding all day and not having conversations with your Hyuuga friends and family," Kari said frowning.
"Not all the Hyuuga get on."
"Hontou? Nande?"
"Because of the house div- Oi! That is Hyuuga family business and of no importance to nosy little girls!"
"I'm not nosy, I'm curious! And it does have importance if it involves Neji-sempai or Hinata-chan as I count those two as my friends despite Neji-sempai's insufferable haughtiness at times. Besides, you started this conversation because you wouldn't tell me where Hinata-chan is so she can point me in the direction of Kiba who will direct me towards his sister Hana to where I can complete my mission to get Kita-chan a check up!"
"You have no proof of identification and no one to prove your identification is legitimate. I will not divulge the location of the heiress because you may be of danger to her."
"If I was dangerous I wouldn't be asking you for directions!"
"Spies are forever sneakier, Hinata-sama is a person of grave importance and you may be a potential kidnapper."
"Kidnapper? You paranoid guard-man! You really are related to Neji-sempai with all your accusations!"
"Neji accuses people?"
Kari and the guard paused in their squabble to glance at the little girl who stood staring at them with a puzzled expression.
"Hanabi-sama, you had a good day at the academy?" the guard said with a cough as he straightened and tried to regain his composure.
"You must be something to fluster the guards, they aren't usually so talkative," Hanabi mused as she glanced at the blonde kunoichi.
"Aa, Hanabi-chan is Hinata-chan's imouto, ne?" Kari asked cheerfully, hopeful that maybe she could direct her in the right direction. Confused at being addressed so casually (causing the guard to be appalled at Kari's lack of respect) Hanabi blinked.
"Hai. You are Kari-chan, Neji is training you for some reason or another. Why do you require my sister?"
"Well, if I find Hinata-chan, she'll point me in the direction of Kiba who will direct me towards his sister Hana to where I can complete my mission to get Kita-chan a check up," Kari explained and Kita nodded in Kari's arms.
"Sou ka. In that case, Oneechan should be at Team 8's training grounds or attending to D-rank missions around the village," Hanabi explained.
"Aa, arigatou! Can you point me in the direction of the training grounds Hanabi-chan?"
With a swift point Kari shot off while the guard glared at her back.
Hanabi's lips twitched into a small smile and the guard gave her a slightly puzzled look.
"I like Kari-chan. She's rather interesting. Next time, tell her what she wishes to know or show her to Neji or Oneesan without argument."
The guard gave an uncertain nod and allowed Hanabi inside.
-x-
When Kari finally spotted the dark blue hair of her target she inwardly rejoiced and promised to bring Hanabi some pocky the next time she was heading for the Hyuuga compound. That little girl was wonderful.
"Hinata-chaaaan!" Kari called as she landed not too far from where she was practicing her kata's and two boys were sparring.
"Kari-chan?" Hinata asked softly in surprise as Kari started skipping over to her. "Anou... What... What are you doing here?"
"Well you see, I need to get Inuzuka Hana to look over Kita-chan for me. Lee-sempai told me that your team-mate is her little brother and is more likely to know where she is as I have no idea myself."
"Oh, that makes sense," Hinata said with a small smile as he gave Kita a little pat. A white blur shot up Kari's back and landed on her head. Glancing up, Kari spotted as floppy brown ear.
"Akamaru!" a rugged looking boy called as he headed over. His most striking feature were the two red triangles that each covered a cheek pointing down, they stood out brightly even though he was quite tanned. His eyes were sharp, almost wild and slightly shadowed by the thick dark fur that lined the hood of his grey coat. The other boy followed silently in almost a glide, his pale face mostly hidden by the collar of his large pale blue coat and his dark round sunglasses. His hitai-ate kept his curly beehive style hair up. "Yo! You must be the Kari-chan Hinata mentioned, I'm Kiba and this is Shino, nice to meetcha! The puppy's Akamaru."
"Good day," Shino said shortly and Kari swore she heard a faint buzzing coming from him.
"What's this, you need Kiba?" Hinata's red-eyed sensei said suspiciously. She was a beautiful young woman with thick dark waves curling down her back and creamy legs revealed in a short wrap dress. "I'm Yuuhi Kurenai, sensei of Team Eight, you are?"
"Hikari, though tend to be called Kari which is preferred, newest addition to Hatake Kakashi's Team Seven! This here's Kita-chan," Kari immediately provided. Kurenai's eyes gleamed and Kari wished she hadn't spoken at all. "Anou... nice to meet you?"
"I saw Kakashi earlier and he requested something, admittedly not to necessarily be done so soon, but seeing as you're here," she motioned for Kari to sit and the girl did thoroughly confused. "I am going to explain to you the basics of being a lady. Shino! Kiba! Go spar at the other end of the grounds! Hinata, we are going to explain the essence of the appropriate female being."
-x-
"Kurenai-sensei was really drilling into you ne?" Kiba said with a chuckle as he lead her in the right direction. "Something about woman crap wasn't it?"
"Something like that," Kari said feeling more exhausted than she did after being beaten up by Neji. Kurenai was an intimidating woman hen she wanted to be and she had promised to continue teaching Kari 'the ways of a lady' soon.
"I wasn't too sure on you from Hinata's description but Akamaru really likes you, so you can't be too bad," Kiba said. He was very rough, blunt and to the point but Kari found him friendly and decided she liked Hinata's team. Shino had admitted the buzzing was kikaichuu bugs and was explaining about hives and such when an impatient Kiba threatened to leave her behind if she didn't hurry up.
"Well, if you don't think I'm too bad, then I don't think you're too bad," Kari said with a grin and Kiba sniggered giving her a rough pat on the head.
"You're alright kid. You got spirit and I like that."
"Kiba."
Kita let out a delighted gasp as a 'Kita-like' being trotted over to the gate and sent Kiba a stern glare.
"Tsume-sama isn't happy about you forgetting your chores."
"Gomen, Kuromaru," Kiba said simply with no hint of regret. He was doing it to get his mothers ninken off his back.
"Ne..." Kari said, bending so she was eye level and gazing at the large black and white husky-type dog's un-patched eye. "Can I pet you? Please?"
Kuromaru bristled indignantly as Kiba snorted with laughter. Kita continued to stare in wonder.
"If it is absolutely necessary," came the gruff reply. Even if Kiba had buried most of his, Kuromaru was a dog that still had manners and the girl had asked politely.
The Nin-dog was most pleasantly surprised when Kari found that magic place behind his ear the second her fingers brushed his fur. The old dog crooned in delight as she gave the place a good scratch, his tail twitching into a slight wag.
"Oi Okaachan look!" Kiba said with a snigger, pointing at Kuromaru as a wild looking woman who greatly resembled Kiba appeared in the doorway.
"Kiba," Kuromaru said seriously once his ear massage was complete. "Court that girl and marry her."
Kari's jaw dropped and Kiba's eyes bulged.
"Say what?"
"EHH?"
"She knows how to treat a dog," Kuromaru said with a pleased sniff and Tsume gave her beloved partner a pat.
"Kiba, show her to Hana and wash those damn dishes," Tsume said in a rough voice, nudging her obnoxious son in the direction of the surgery.
-x-
"She seems to be perfectly fine, better than fine actually," Hana said as she finished investigating Kita. The pup patiently allowed the vet to prod and poke her, determined to be a good girl. "She's extremely intelligent for her age though she's still pretty young. You say she's a summon and her mother hasn't come to claim her?"
"Okaasan," Kita declared pointing her nose in Kari's direction.
"Nope, no sign of any angry wolves looking for Kita-chan," Kari confirmed.
"Well, pop in for check ups when you see fit. Even if I am busy this is an interesting case," Hana said with a slightly wild smile. "You can visit Kiba when you like too, Kuromaru and Akamaru are apparently very keen on you."
"Kita-chan is still Okaasan's favourite Kita," Kita stated.
"Ne, Kita-chan, those were dogs not wolves. Kita-chan is a wolf cub," Kari explained.
"No, no, Kita-chan is Kita-chan," Kita said adamantly. Kita was usually very good at understanding things and learning but she was still determined she was a 'Kita' and not an ookami. Kari sighed and then laughed letting the issue go for now.
"Hai, hai, Kita-chan is my Kita-chan."
-x-
After her adventures Kari had planned to track down Naruto and spend some quality bonding time with her favourite team-mate. Unfortunately, she once again found herself lost and felt slightly worried that if she remained alone, Kurenai-sensei would find her and give her another lady lecture.
"That's an interesting expression!"
"Uwaa?" Kari squealed when a woman suddenly stepped into her path with a stick in her mouth. Kari managed to stop before she crashed into the woman and looked up to see a head of purple hair and keen brown eyes.
"What ya thinkin' 'bout kiddo?"
Not seeing the harm that could come of it, Kari explained the oddity of Kurenai-sensei's lady lessons. Kari hadn't even managed to fully recite Kurenai's lectures of 'graceful movements, elegant manners' and so on before the lady before her burst into snorts of laughter.
"Kurenai-san's turning you into a prissy! I've heard a little 'bout you, kid that fell out of the sky! You see missy, it ain't actually that simple. You've got your 'ladies' and you've got your 'women.'"
"They... aren't the same?" Kari asked perplexed. The odd woman threw an arm over her shoulder and led her towards a stall selling dango.
"C'mon little missy, aunt Anko will explain the differences and the shit you really need to know!"
-x-
Kari found meeting Anko an experience. The blunt, rude, obnoxious woman was everything Kurenai-sensei had told Kari to avoid with her provocative fishnet shirt, miniskirt and open tan trench coat but Kari found the woman absolutely delightful if not a little scary and embarrassing. Kari now knew what she needed to, though was pretty sure she wouldn't be shouting about body parts in public like Anko did.
The older woman deemed Kari likeable and with a rather rough pat on the shoulder, offered Kari to come to her for anything else she needed to know (Anko had also explained a fair bit about men to her too). For a moment Kari was worried Anko was actually going to follow her for the rest of the day but the purple-haired woman was approached by a sheepish Chuunin who Anko irritably declared was a 'maggot!' for bothering her while she was eating dango.
Mercifully, Naruto managed to spot her in the crowd and after a loud declaration he had been looking for her and a tight hug, he led her to his messy little flat where they were to complete their planned sleepover (Sasuke wanted no part in it and was unwelcome and Sakura refused to go because Sasuke wasn't going to be there).
"You should obviously come and live with me, dattebayou," Naruto said as he swallowed a mouthful of ramen and waved his chopsticks in front of him. "No way Sasuke appreciates you! He made you sleep on the floor, ne?"
"Aa, he's better than he was," Kari admitted, eating with more manners as Kurenai had demanded of her. "Not quite as rude, he makes me breakfast too, though I'm gonna really miss Tsunami-san's cooking."
"I'd make you breakfast!" Naruto cried. "So come live with me!"
"Naru-kun, if I did you'd be too nice to wake me up in the mornings," Kari said grinning at him and after a moment the boy chuckled in defeat.
"Maa, you'll come and sleep over here a lot though?" Naruto asked hopefully, beaming when she nodded. "Like, everyday?"
"Naru, I can't keep stealing your clothes," Kari said gesturing with her chopsticks to the baggy shirt and boy shorts she was wearing. Naruto really was lovely letting her borrow his clothes, Sasuke never allowed her to, even when she first came and had none. "But I'll visit lots, 'kay?"
"Yosha!"
After hours of talking about everything from frogs to Kakashi's mask and having yet more instant ramen in a cup that Naruto danced impatiently for while the kettle boiled, the two eventually fell asleep donned in Naruto's clothes with Naruto's sleeping cap on Kari's head 'to keep her ears warm dattebayou'. Not even Naruto's deafening snores could stop her slipping into a comfortable sleep between the tangle of Naruto's arms and legs as they slept squashed on Naruto's small bed, both little blonde shinobi utterly content in eachother's arms.
-x-
Filler-ish no? Good filler, bad filler, not fussed either way?
Oh! By the way, important point; Should the rating be upped due to violence, occassional gore and etc? No lemons will be written in this fanfiction, any possible lemons will not appear until at least the sequel as the main characters are currently only twelve. Mild sexual themes may be brushed upon in conversation or the adults though will not be detailed or explicit. So! Should the rating be upped from T to M? As the readers it's your choice, please let me know in a review!
Review? Please let me know what you thought :) Thank you.