Blah= whatever
"Blah"= talking
Blah = different language
'Blah'= thinking or emphasis
(Blah)=Me
Blah= Flashbacks
Blah= Change of place, time, and POVs
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A few D-ranks later/Kaori's POV:
"So after we baby-sit the fire daimyo's nephew we have to… take… out the… trash?" I repeated hesitantly as I staggered inside the customer's house. I set down the mountain load of groceries. "That has to be it, right?"
Tsubasa set down his own loads sighing as he took out a small grocery bag from Suzumaru's beak as the poor bird was struggling under the weight of the parcels. "Hmm, well we painted someone's fence, and washed their windows. We also had to trim that one lady's bushes and feed all fifty-nine of her cats. Umm. Yeah, I think so."
Sigh. That C-rank mission had gone by really fast. We had to escort a family to the Hay country, and it included a newborn baby later on during the assignment. Whoosh! What was scary was that I had to take care of it most of the time because I was the healer, which made me the unofficial nanny…
And midwife…
Flashback:
Me: "Hey! The baby's coming! Someone bring me warm water! NOW!"
Tsubasa: "I don't want to go in there! I'm not supposed to see those things!!! I'm still a premature male!"
Makoto: "She didn't mean you specifically! Just get the damn towels, you pansy!"
Woman: "It's coming out!!! HELP ME!!!"
Husband: "DARLING!! Help her already! My wife!"
Me: "I'll be right there! Tell her to keep breathing! Just where is the rose and neroli oil I asked for?"
Tsubasa: *Cringes* "Here! S-Should we wake up sensei?"
Hikaru-sensei: *Unconscious*
Me: He's fine where he is! Now PUSH!!!"
Flashback over:
I have to say; nothing exciting really happened other than that, as that was the most climatic part of the mission. Sure, there was that one time when we almost got ambushed by a couple of bandits. But thanks to Makoto and her Bunsegan, we noticed this and surprised them and knocked them out in ten minutes flat. Nothing else.
I turned around as Makoto threw an old moldy carton of milk into the trashcan.
I hid a smile. We also found out that Makoto-chan had a thing about snakes. We were just peacefully walking along the path when we saw a small, adorable little garter snake slithering on the forest ground. When Makoto-chan first noticed it, she gasped and jumped about a meter high, looking freaked out, but then she had on this angry glare on her pale face and she turned her Bunsegan on and did the scariest technique ever.
While I was cooing over the tiny thing, she grabbed it tightly in her hands and muttered. "Toshi Nomu No Jutsu!" and soon after muttering the jutsu, the snake's aging process just sped up and after a few minutes it withered up and died, leaving a small pile of ash in its place. Luckily she can only do that on really small plants and animals, and even that tires her out. I do remember Tsubasa-kun teasing her about her fear when she had to sit down and rest. Thanks to her, I now have an Ophidiophob-ophobia.
"Ne, guys, you know what I heard? I heard that when Team Seven went out on their C-rank mission, they accidentally received a B-rank mission and had to fight two A-ranked criminals. What do you think about that?" Tsubasa asked, lugging in an empty trashcan as he came back inside.
I took the information slowly. Oh, so it's that again. I had heard a few whispers about it here and there, but I had shrugged them off. I didn't pay them much mind.
Hikaru-sensei picked up a package of eggs and carefully set it inside the fridge. "I'm not sure if this was true or not, because all members had come out wounded, but alive. Kakashi-senpai didn't really tell me anything."
"Uchiha almost died."
We whipped around towards Makoto as she placed a set of seasonings into a cabinet.
"Sorry, what?"
Makoto finally looked up from her task, yawning. "Uchiha Sasuke almost died." She repeated, impatient.
"And how do you know this for sure, Majikan?" Tsubasa-kun asked, not believing her.
She frowned. "I took a glance at Team Seven my eyes right when they passed through the gates. Did you already forget, baka?" Tsubasa mutters, she continues. "Well, I saw Sasuke's almost death and I saw Naruto did most of the fighting. He's stronger now, that Naruto. He's got, ah, powers."
I studied her closely. "What kind of powers?" I asked, warily. This was the first time I've ever heard Makoto-chan sound so cryptic… well, more so than usual.
"Just a different kind. He's got a different chakra." She simply replied, deep in thought.
Hmm. This definitely calls for an investigation!
Now, where is Naruto most likely to be after his mission today?
Bingo.
"Hey guys, after today's mission let's all head to Ichiraku! How about it, ne? Come with me! It'll be my treat! How about it?"
"Sure!" Hikaru-sensei grinned, looking forward to free food.
"What? Why? Kaori-chan?" Tsubasa asked, placing the empty grocery bags on top of the table. He narrowed his eyes. I could read his expression, and it clearly said. 'You're up to something.'
I ignored him. "Makoto-chan! Tsubasa-kun! Come with me! Ne, ne?"
"I need to train." They simply replied, unintentionally in synch.
And I was so sure Tsubasa would say yes too!
"Come! Come come come! Come come! Please?"
Tsubasa had a sweat drop sliding down his head. "Why are you being so persistent, Kaori?"
"Come come! Ne? Please come! We need to have a social gathering, guys! Cooooooommmmmmmmeeeeee!!!"
"Alright! Alright! I'll go!" Makoto sighed, rubbing her temples. I couldn't have been THAT annoying, could I?
"You promise right? You better better better!"
"WE ALREADY SAID YES!!"
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Ichiraku's Ramen/Kaori's POV:
"One spicy seafood ramen, please!" I ordered, after examining the menu board for the past few minutes. I hate to say it, but I've never really eaten at Ichiraku's, seeing as I had no need to. Naruto would so freak if he knew.
I waited for the other two to order as I chose a spot for us. Makoto had gotten a miso pork, Tsubasa vegetarian, and Hikaru-sensei had finally convinced the ramen man to somehow make a sort of lemony-flavored ramen.
Um, eww?
After ordering, they sat down with all of them on one side of me. They were all muttering about how they wanted to train, with the exception of Hikaru-sensei who was instead murmuring about "What if the 'beast' came?" Well, I guess I could interrogate him on that too.
"Hey, Makoto. So what exactly were you saying earlier about Naruto?" I looked towards my right at Tsubasa who was staring at Makoto closely. He beat me to it!
Makoto gave him a wry glare. "Why does it matter to you, Toriwa?"
He shrugged. "You seemed really scared, and you're my teammate. Of course it matters."
I shared a look with Hikaru-sensei, but turned my attention back to the other two. Now seems to be a good time to slip into the conversation.
"Yeah, I'm worried for you Makoto-chan. If there's something bothering you, then I'd like to do something about it."
She looked closely between us. She looked at Tsubasa to me, and then to Tsubasa. She must've been touched by our LOVE because she said. "Fine, I'll tell you later."
I grinned. That's good enough for me!
"Here's your spicy seaweed ramen, miso pork, vegetarian, and um, a lemon ramen?" The waitress, Ayame I think, said as she placed our bowls in front of us. She had a confused look on her face for a moment until she placed the bowl in front of Hikaru-sensei. Oh dear, now the poor girl's blushing. No! Don't look into his eyes! Oh! Too late!
Love struck~!
"Kekeke!" It looks like Hikaru-sensei's got another secret admirer!
"What's so funny, Kaori?"
Sensei was again, oblivious to all of the attention and I shook my head, assuring him that nothing was wrong. We took in a hearty breath and chorused. "Itadakimasu!"
After taking a swig of my tea, I finally turned my attention to my ramen, and instantly became entranced. It just looked so… perfect. The bamboo shoots carefully lain onto the side with the shrimp curled around it so tenderly. The gummy-looking noodles and seaweed was peeking out from the broth soft and precise. How are we supposed to eat something that looks so pretty?
Although the other three didn't really share my problem, they just gobbled it down, not even noticing the beauty of ramen. I stared at their evil deed in horror.
"Is something wrong?" The old man asked, afraid that he had made his first mistake in many years.
"No, it's just so… pretty. I don't know how I'm supposed to eat this…" I murmured unsurely, embarrassed. It was really tempting, but I didn't want to ruin this hard work of art!
"Kaori, It's even MORE insulting to the owner if you don't eat it. So just gulp it down!" Hikaru-sensei drawled, giving me an, 'Oh my god, you're such a dork!' look.
I gasped. "Is it really, sensei?"
"Duhhhhh…"
Slurp! Munch, munch, munch. Gulp! "Ahh…"
"Good girl, Kaori."
"Yepp. Good ole' people-pleasing Kaori." Tsubasa muttered teasingly.
I ignored him, as my eyes sparkled. "It's so good! I should've tried this ages ago! May I have seconds?" I asked with my mouth full as I held up my already empty bowl. The last time I ate was when Tsubasa-kun explained to me about the wonders of birdseed, and that was two months ago.
BLERGHHHH… bad memories! Suppress! Suppress!
"Go ahead, you're the one paying, remember?" Tsubasa grinned.
"Oh right. Never mind then." I sighed miserably. I knew that look, and I was not surprised when he asked for another helping. It was my favorite one too.
"Here ya go." I blinked and looked up to see a duplicate of the ramen I had just ate. "Eh?"
Tsubasa smirked. "Don't you wanna eat it? I'll pay for just that one, so you enjoy."
I grinned. "Seriously?" He nodded. I squealed, glomping him. "Yay! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I cried, squeezing the life out of him as he laughed. I quickly let go and went on to eat my ramen.
"Oh, you're such a suck-up, Toriwa." Makoto rolled her eyes. "Must you flirt with your teammate too?"
Tsubasa-kun ignored her. I hadn't been paying attention and only heard the word 'Teammate'. I gave Makoto a glance. "Huh?"
"Oh, ignore her." Tsubasa grinned. "By the way, Kaori?"
"Hmm?" I didn't look up from my task. Too busy eating. No time to talk.
"Are you hanging out with us because Inuzuka isn't back from his mission yet?"
*Splode*
"She's choking."
"Could you be any more obvious, Majikan? Ack! Kaori! Breathe! Breathe!"
"Kaff! Kaff! W-what?!" I gasped. I wasn't even thinking about Kiba before they even brought him up!
Damn, and I have spicy ramen broth in my nasal cavity!
'Ow ow ow ow ow…!'
My teammates gave each other a sly look before turning back to me.
"Hmm…"
What? I was supposed to be the one giving the interview! They just turned the tables on me!
"Guys." I sighed, keeping my composure. "I'm dead serious. I just wanted to talk to you about-- you guys!!" I screamed, growing more frustrated as my teammates gave little giggles behind their hands. Even Makoto-chan was snickering!
Ugh. I can't believe this. I glared at Hikaru-sensei the older and supposedly more 'mature' one out of all of us, as he laughed the loudest.
I blinked when I realized something. "Wait a minute, since when do you have the right to accuse me of this, when you have your own complicated little love life, Hikaru-sensei?" I asked.
"What? Who? Me? I do?" He asked, totally confused.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "Who is this supposed 'beast' you talk about? It's a girl, isn't it?"
Sensei's eyes widened, and I knew I had hit the jackpot. Makoto and Tsubasa gave me a sly glance and slipped into the conversation too.
"Tell us, sensei. It defeats the purpose of a team if we keep secrets from each other, isn't that right?" Makoto asked nonchalantly.
"It doesn't work like that! This detail brings no danger whatsoever-- ah wait… Considering it's her… then she could… and then we'd… OH NO…"
Err…
Tsubasa-kun nodded. "I'm hurt sensei! Can you really not trust us?" He asked, faking a wounded look onto his face.
Sensei sighed. "It's not anything like that. Yes, it is a female stalker sadist creature, and I am always terrified for my life whenever she's anywhere near me."
"Really sensei? Can you tell us anything else about her, more specifically her name?" Makoto prompted, eager for him to finish. We were all bonding.
"I'm not sure if I should tell you, the name itself is a curse and she could easily kill me a-and-!" He stammered, looking around nervously in case his mysterious monster was lurking about. He gulped. "Fine, before I regret this I'll tell you, but do not say another word of this."
We nodded solemnly, encouraging him to finish. Hikaru-sensei gulped again, licking his dry lips he pulled his face up close to us. "Alright, her name is…"
Yes! Go on! Continue!
"Her name is Mit-"
"Ah, you guys! I haven't seen you guys here in such a while- dattebayo!"
Damn you, Narutooooo!!! "Oh, Naruto-san! It's good to see you!"
The blonde haired boy's eyes strayed toward the ramen I was inhaling. "Are you eating ramen? The ramen here's good, isn't it- ttebayo!"
My teammates tilted away from him fighting the urge to cover their ears. I sighed and gave him a big smile. "It's delicious! Come join us!"
Naruto's eyes widened, and he smiled. "Really? Alright!" He screamed, and rushed over to the empty spot next to me, already yelling out his usual order to the old man.
I sat there stunned as I waited for the ringing noises to cease as I rubbed my sore ear hole.
I am not paying for him!
"Ah, soukka! Hikaru-sensei! Old man Hokage wants you for some reason so I think you should go- dattebayo!"
Said jounin stood up. "Huh? Me? Oh, okay." He glanced at our outraged faces and just shrugged. "Oh well, see ya later guys!" And with a poof, he disappeared.
"What?" Tsubasa protested as Suzumaru screeched. "Not now! Sensei come back!"
Makoto elbowed him. "Shut up, Toriwa! You're making a scene. We'll just make him tell us later!" ("But it was all Suzumaru!")
Naruto looked between us, trying to figure out what was going on. "Huh? What's going on- ttebayo?"
"Nothing."
Makoto inched towards Naruto. "Uzumaki, is it okay if I talk to you afterwards?"
Said genin jumped, not noticing her getting closer until that moment. "Eh? Huh? Why? What?" He asked with a mouth full of ramen.
"Because there is something I would like to talk to you about." She replied patiently.
The dobe blinked. "Ah, sure. Right after I'm done, okay?"
Tsubasa and I edged towards each other. "This is suspicious. What is Majikan up to?" He whispered. Suzumaru nodded his head, enraptured by this scandal.
"It can't be anything like a love confession… could it?" I murmured unsurely, still staring at the two in front of me.
"Her? Falling in love? With him?" Tsubasa–kun scoffed. He paused and considered. His thoughtful look quickly changed into a naughty grin. "Now I've got to see this."
"Ohh… This doesn't sound good. Wait!"
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Toshi means age, or year
Nomu means swallow. I thought it kind of worked out…
Ophidiophob is someone who has the fear of snakes. So in Kaori's case she has Ophidiophob-ophobia. Which is the fear of the fear of snakes. Lol.
Soukka means 'I see!' or 'Is that so?' that kind of thing
So how was that? Yes, a bit long and random but what else do you want to say? Well, about Naruto and Makoto… you'll have to find out in the next chapter! Nya ha ha! So please review and I might tell you!! Ooh! I'm so evil!! :3