I woke with a gasp, sitting bolt upright in my bed, ⌠What a dream┘■ I whispered to myself, running my fingers through my sandy blonde hair. I turned to look at my friends on the floor and first noticed that they weren▓t there, then I saw that the floor wasn▓t carpeted, but hardwood. I jumped out of my bed and threw the door open to see the inside of an apartment, at the end of a short hallway sat two more doors. I ran to them and threw the first open to find a room filled with neon green, bright orange, and hot pink. I stepped in and pulled the covers off of Lauren who moaned in protest and turned over, ⌠Lauren! Get up!■ I yelled, she opened her eyes for a moment and then closed them again, never willing to wake up before noon.
I sighed and ran out of the room to the one beside it, opening the door I found a bunk-bed with a makeshift couch underneath that was covered with stuffed animals. I climbed the ladder to where Caity lay sleeping, I watched her in silence a moment, tempted to simply shove her off the bed. Rethinking my decision I climbed down and left the room, coming back to my own room I actually looked around. A cheap iron bed with simple white sheets covering it, the corners cluttered with stuffed animals, piles of what looked like scrolls, and empty ramen cups. And then, on the far wall of my room I saw a door handle that looked like it had been made to blend into the wall. I pulled it and a hidden door opened, revealing a pink bedroom filled with more stuffed animals than I had ever seen in my life. I looked at the pink bed and found my little cousin laying there, sleeping like a baby. I patted her head lightly and left her to sleep, I opened the door to her bedroom to find two other closed doors. I opened the first to find black walls covered in chains and handcuffs hanging from the ceiling, a whip lay in the corner of the room and a spiked collar sat upon a dressing table. I slowly shut the door, deciding it best to let Ramona sleep, and I entered the last room to find the walls covered in pictures of wolves. I rolled my eyes and shut the door, everyone was accounted for, now I could find out what was going on.
Back in my own room I found a closet in which I found the perfect outfit for myself, black pants with a brown belt to let hang from my hip. A fish-net shirt was the closest to an actual shirt I could find, and over it I wore a gray, hooded jacket lined in black fur, that barely fell below my chest. Then I went to my dressing table to find a chopstick, I put my hair up in a bun and covered it with the hood. That was when I noticed a headband set off to the side of the table, I picked it up and flipped it over to find a metal plate with a crescent moon carved into it. Smiling brightly I tied it around my neck like a necklace and checked the drawer in the table, there I found my shuriken holster and I wrapped it around my belt.
I checked on everyone once more, before I left the odd apartment and decided to explore wherever I may have been. As soon as I stepped out of the building I noticed a group of people right across the street, they were crowding around something so I stepped forward to see. That was when I noticed that everyone in the crowd was a boy, and most of them wore the same hitai-ate as I did. Taking a deep breath a stepped into the crowd, pushing boys twice my size aside so that I could see what they were all falling over. When I reached it I knew why they all looked so awed, it was a listing and at the top of the paper in bold letters it read: Kuraigakure Genin who have PASSED the Chunin Selection exam this year
I studied the list and I found five female names, along with at least ten other names belonging to boys and one that I knew could belong to either. I looked around at all of the boys, one of them smiled in my direction and stepped forward, ⌠Tsukasa,■ he said, ⌠Looks like you got the top score, just like you to almost fail in school and then ace the actual important stuff.■ I assumed he was talking to someone else so I began walking away, that was when he grabbed my shoulder and turned me around. ⌠Hey! I▓m talking to you!■ At first I was surprised, if I was Tsukasa then my name was on the list, and that meant that the other five girls had to have been the ones who were right below me on the list. Then I realized that he boy now gripping my shoulder was challenging me, he probably hadn▓t passed this year and was bitter about it.
⌠Who are you?■ I asked, not really caring but trying to get my point across that he didn▓t matter to me. When he gripped tighter on my shoulder and balled his other hand into a fist, I drew my own fist back and brought it forward, into his stomach. I had expected him to let go of me, what I had not expected was for him to be sent flying into the crowd and crashing into at least three boys who had not been smart enough to get out of the way. I stood there with wide eyes for a moment and then I huffed and turned on my heal, running back to the apartment to wake everyone up and tell them what happened.
As soon as I had dragged everyone out of bed and to the kitchen in my apartment, I asked them all what my name was. They responded with my American name and I shook my head, ⌠No, my name is Tsukasa┘■ they stared at me in silence for a moment before laughing. I smacked Rebecca and Lauren over the back of their heads because they were closest to me, then I said, ⌠Incase you haven▓t noticed, guys! We▓re not at my house!■ They fell silent and they looked around nervously.
⌠What do you mean?■ Melia asked, her large brown eyes focused on me with innocent fright, she would break down if I made it sound too morbid.
⌠I mean, I don▓t think we▓re in Kansas anymore, Toto.■ She began to giggle at my small joke, but the others stood and retreated to their rooms to get dressed as I took Melia to her room to find her an outfit. We picked out a cute blue skirt, a matching blue top that let her belly show, and a white scarf for her. But, because I thought she was too young to wear anything revealing, she agreed to wear bandages around her middle to keep herself covered, and as she did that I wrapped her shuriken holster around her right leg.
⌠What▓s that?■ she asked, looking down at me curiously as I handed her the hitai-ate that she was to where.
⌠This,■ I pointed to the holster, ⌠is a shuriken holster, to hold throwing stars. It▓s like what Naruto wears.■ I tied the hitai-ate around her tiny middle, ⌠And this is a hitai-ate, it means you▓re a journeyman ninja, and you get a ninja name to go with your ninja outfit, okay?■ She nodded with a smile, open to the idea of being a ninja, I stood and began putting her hair in a ponytail as I thought about what her name was supposed to be. I could remember all of the girl names on the list, I just couldn▓t figure out which one belonged to which girl. ⌠What do you think, peach-fuzz?■ I asked, calling her by the nickname I had given her when she was younger.
⌠How about peach? You call me that all the time!■ I smiled as I remembered the names, she had gotten it on the first try.
⌠Good job! From now on you▓re Momo, you can▓t tell anyone your real name okay? As long as we▓re here you use your ninja name, okay?■ She nodded, a great grin crossing her face, she seemed to be liking this game, but she had no idea how much it would scar her the first time she had to spill blood. I sighed and lead her into my apartment, where I found everyone waiting for us in the kitchen.
Ramona wore black leather everything, her hitai-ate wrapped around her forehead and her black hair up in buns on each side of her head, held in by chains that dangled off the bottoms. On her right sat Lauren, her black hair put up in pigtails with fuzzy orange scrunches, she wore an orange turtleneck that showed her midriff and low-riding blue jeans. On Ramona▓s left sat Caity, a look of utter horror on her face, she wore a black scarf with the basic, stereotypical ninja outfit, her hitai-ate worn like a headband in her violet hair. And sitting across from Ramona was Rebecca, her ebony hair braided and resting in the hood of a gray hoodie, underneath which she wore a fishnet shirt and blue jeans.
Melia, now Momo, sat across from Lauren and I sat across from Caity, watching her a moment with a cocked eyebrow I finally said, ⌠You look like a fucking power ranger┘■ She looked at me with wide brown eyes, before shooting a glare at me and standing so fast she tipped her chair over backwards.
⌠You!■ she pointed an accusing finger at me, ⌠You did this! You▓re the fan fiction writer who came up with this god damned village! You did your stupid ass fucking magic shit and brought us all here on purpose!! You▓re the one who made us all into original characters!! I hope you rot in hell for this, Abbie, because if you don▓t I▓ll break into heaven and drag you down with me!!!■
I let her get all of the hot air out of her system before smiling at her and saying, ⌠I don▓t have any more of an idea how we got here than you, so why don▓t you sit down and eat your breakfast while I try to figure this out? Okay, babe?■ She looked like she was going to yell at me some more then seemed to figure it wouldn▓t do any good and sat down, hanging her head over the table as though she would rather die than be here.
I sighed and thought back to the list of names, I could scratch off Momo because that was Melia▓s name, I knew. The other four, though, would be hard to figure out. I tried to place them by looks, but I knew that probably wouldn▓t work, so I tried another method of elimination. I remembered that right beneath my name was Kaoru┘▒Which one of them would be my second? Hell, which one is better than me at everything?▓ I looked at Ramona and smiled, ⌠Ramona, you▓re Kaoru. You got second in the chunin listings.■
She sort of watched me for a moment and then nodded and said, ⌠I can live with that, but I have no clue who would be better at kicking ass than me┘■ Then Rebecca began laughing.
⌠No one except ▒mother dearest▒,■ she said, calling me by my nickname, ⌠come on, Abbie, you know you▓re the only one who▓d ever be able to beat Ramona▓s ass. If only cause you▓re the only one who▓s not afraid to fight her.■
I shook my head, ⌠No, if anything I▓d be her equal in an all-out fight, but I don▓t know how I got number one┘anyway,■ I said, trying to change the subject, ⌠third was Kurumi┘I can only assume that would be Lauren because I know I heard some guys talking about Kurumi being a rainbow-colored bitch.■
Lauren grinned, ⌠Yup, that▓s me!■ she said proudly, ⌠And I got third? Sweet, maybe I▓ll get better than Itachi┘■ Caity almost choked on the air she was breathing, she then stood and glared at Lauren.
⌠How could you say something like that!?! You▓re suggesting pairings!! No! I will not stand by and let you idiots ruin the best ninja anime ever!! I can▓t let any of you leave the village!!!■ Everyone looked at her with complete boredom and she sat down, hanging her head once more.
⌠Any-who┘■ I sighed, then rounded on Rebecca, ⌠after Kurumi came Momo, which I know is Melia. Then there was Haruko, Becca, wasn▓t the name Haruharu Haruko on the inside of your bedroom door?■ Becca nodded and I pointed to her, ⌠You got fifth place in the listings and after you came┘■ I turned toward Caity, ⌠Mamimi┘■ Caity was about to stand once more and continue her rant when Ramona grabbed her shoulder and held her down. ⌠Now, does everyone remember their names?■
Everyone nodded, Caity joined them with a solemn look upon her face, and then Ramona said, ⌠Okay, but what are our last names? Only Becca┘I mean, Haruko knows what her last name is.■
I smiled, ⌠Luckily for us,■ I said, ⌠They had last names on the listing too! The names were: Tsukioka Tsukasa, Karada Kaoru, Kumori Kurumi, Mondai Momo, Haruharu Haruko, and Matchi Mamimi.■ Everyone stared at me, ⌠What?! I▓m not a complete idiot all the time!■ Then they began laughing, I joined in and it was so loud in that kitchen that I almost didn▓t hear the knock on the door. ⌠Hey, guys, I think someone▓s at the door.■ they kept laughing, ⌠you guys it wasn▓t that funny.■ They still didn▓t stop, ⌠Okay, shut up! All of you!■ I commanded as I stood and walked to the door which was now being banged on from outside.
When I opened it I was greeted by a tall man in a black Kimono that fell to the floor, he wore a hat with the kanji for night on it and I swallowed hard, knowing exactly who he was. ⌠Tsukioka Tsukasa?■ He asked and I nodded slowly, ⌠and the others are the other top five from the exam?■ I nodded and he smiled at me, ⌠I won▓t eat you, girl. Aren▓t you going to ask me in?■
I snapped out of my trance instantly and said, ⌠Oh! Right! I▓m sorry, I┘um┘sorry.■ I stepped aside to let him into the apartment and everyone looked at him curiously, and I knew they had no clue who he was. ⌠Guys, this is the Yorukage,■ when no one responded I added in a low tone, ⌠He▓s like the Hokage except for Kuraigakure.■ They all nodded and stood suddenly in respect, even Caity which stunned me slightly.
⌠Well, girls, I▓m glad you could all be here at once. Now I don▓t have to track you all down.■ I smiled nervously and then pursed my lips, ⌠I know this is probably a time of celebration for you all because each of you did excellently in the chunin selection exam for this village, and I congratulate each of you. But there are more important matters at hand.■ I breathed in heavily, I had written enough fan fictions about this village to know what was happening, and I wasn▓t sure any of us were really ready for it.
⌠Um┘Yorukage-San,■ I said with a bow, ⌠I think it would be best if we all sat down for this, don▓t you?■
He smiled guiltily and said, ⌠Yes, I suppose it would be better for you all to sit down.■ We all took our seats at the table and he sat at the head, looking prestigious and important with his hands clasped together on the table and his back perfectly straight. ⌠Girls, I have come to you because of the current disagreement between myself and the Kazekage. I▓m afraid this disagreement has lead to a series of battles between our chunin and those of the village of sand, what I need from you six is a matter of my family▓s security.■ We all nodded, focusing on him, ⌠My two sons have not yet passed our chunin selection exam, I do believe that one of them received a proper punishment this morning for taking it out on you, Tsukioka-Dono?■ I blushed, I had no idea that the kid I had punched was the Yorukage▓s son, not that it would have mattered but it would have made more sense to me why he was so bitter.
⌠Anyway, I need you girls to escort my boys from Kuraigakure to our only ally right now, Konohagakure.■ We all smiled slightly, holding in our excitement, ⌠You are responsible for my sons▓ safety from the moment you all leave the village until you reach Konohagakure, but once you are there I am afraid I must ask you to stay put until I can bring my boys home. Are there any problems with this plan?■ We shook our heads, still trying to hide our fan girl grins, and the Yorukage stood as did I. ⌠Then meet my boys at the village gate at sunrise tomorrow, they know the way to Konoha, all you have to do is make sure they▓re both alive when you get there.■ We nodded and he smiled kindly, ⌠Thank you, all, and farewell.■ Once he had disappeared through the doorway and down the hall I started giggling hysterically, as did almost everyone else.
Caity sat in her chair like a lump, refusing to join in the fan girl rejoicing, and that▓s when I froze. ⌠Hey, guys┘do any of you know how to use your chakra?■ They paused, looking at me blankly, and then stopped their giggle fit.
⌠Well, we made it to the top six spots in the chunin exam out of, how many people?■ Ramona asked, looking at me for an answer.
⌠Well, at least twenty people passed the exam, and we were the only girls.■ I said slowly, ⌠and that has to be out of at least fifty people who competed in the exam. This village is bigger than it looks and most of the occupants are nocturnal, so it wouldn▓t surprise me if almost a hundred participants were in the exam. Which would mean only five percent of them passed.■
⌠Good job, Abbie, you can actually do some math.■ Lauren joked and I cuffed her over the back of her head.
⌠My point is┘■ Ramona continued, ⌠that we should be able to, we▓ll just have to do what our instincts tell us, we▓ll get the hang of it on the way.■ She smiled and I decided not to argue, after all, we probably wouldn▓t end up fighting anyone that strong on the way. Although, with my luck Gaara and the others would show up and we▓d all be crushed like little ants in that damned sand of his.
⌠Well,■ I said, shrugging off Ramona▓s theory and replacing it with my own, ⌠I might as well get the hang of it today, unless I feel like getting killed by the first ninjas we meet. I▓m gonna go practice┘■ With that I left them to do whatever they wanted, as I found the spot I had mentioned in my fan fictions. A place just outside the guarded walls of Kuraigakure that only I would ever know about, because, you see, I never shared those fan fictions.