Author's Note: As expected Christmas made it difficult to find the time to write, but here is Chapter 4, enjoy! I'm aware that so far I haven't really given a full description of Toshiko, it is intentional. I wanted it to feel like she's always been there rather than describing a brand new character. I'm also not a fan of putting down a long list of attributes etc so instead, where it's relevant, I'll add in little details here and there. But if you want to know anything specific just ask!
I had a request to go into detail about how Kakashi and Tosh met, from the beginning I didn't plan to talk about it in this story; instead I had an idea to write it as a stand-alone piece, sort of like an origin story, if this one did well, which it seems to be so far so it's likely to happen in the future.
I'll try to post updates regarding new chapters and other news on my profile so feel free to take a look.
Thanks to all the wonderful people who took the time to review/follow/favourite it makes me really happy to know you like it!
TsubakiHana
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And Serenity10116 for your opinions and advice on chapter 3!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any characters, story, ideas that are associated with it. What I do own is my OC Toshiko Akatora and any other OC's that may turn up.
=^.^=
Toshiko awoke early the next day, she had decided that a bit of retail therapy would be the gentle exercise she needed to rid herself of the stiffness that lingered in her limbs, that along with the fact that her flat was currently void of all food. On the whole she had recovered nicely; with her full chakra supply fully restored she was able to heal the remaining aches and bruises she had left.
After a quick shower she threw on a sleeveless cream coloured cropped-top, thick high-waisted black leggings that stopped midway down her shin, her head band worn around her neck and ninja pouches tied around her waist. Pausing for a moment, the kunoichi ran a finger over the mark on the palm of her left hand that had been there since birth. Its shape was strange, irregular almost; like two overlapping diamonds, and only a shade darker than her skin tone. It was a trivial thing really, but Toshiko had always hated it and would constantly keep it covered. Heading downstairs she grabbed the black sandals she'd bought in Sunagakure and slipped a single, fingerless, black lace glove onto her hand. With a final contented glance in the mirror she turned towards the front door.
The suns warm rays gently soaked into her pale skin as she wandered through the bustling high street. She was just deciding on where to go first when a voice called out "Toshiko!"
She turned to see Gai proudly marching towards her, a huge smile etched on his face with Lee close behind. *Always those green suits... do they have no shame?* She returned the smile. "Yo, what are you two up to, no mission today?"
"We just got back from one; our team is just so magnificently talented that we finished early! How are you feeling now?"
"I'm much better, thanks. I just needed some fresh air and a bit of exercise after being cooped up inside for so long."
Gai turned to his young student "did you hear that Lee? The lady needs some fresh air. We, as gentlemen, should aid Toshiko immediately!"
"What an excellent idea, Gai-Sensei!"
This most definitely wasn't going to end well... "Wait, Gai no, I really don't nee-eeEEEK!"
Before she could finish her sentence she found herself thrown over the tall, green Jounin's shoulder as he took no notice of her attempted protest. "Right, Lee, this will be an excellent opportunity for some training! We must hop all the way to the top of the Hokage monument and back, whilst reciting the laws and lessons of the shinobi – as we mustn't neglect to exercise our minds!"
Lee looked up at his sensei in the utmost adoration and raised a clenched fist in determination, "If we do not complete this training, Gai-Sensei, we must do a thousand one armed push ups!"
"That's the spirit, Lee!"
They hopped away in the direction of the famous cliff top at an alarming speed. The small kunoichi bouncing up and down on Gai's shoulder shouting demands and complaints as they went. "I swear I'm going to hurt you for this Gai! PUT ME DOOOOWN!"
=^.^=
For once Kakashi wasn't running late. He arrived at Toshiko's flat precisely when he said he would, but alas there was no one there to bear witness to this rare phenomenon. With a slight feeling of disappointment he jumped up onto the roof, he'd left his book on a cliff-hanger and this was the perfect opportunity to read on.
"...Junko stared up at the intoxicatingly gorgeous specimen of a man who stood before her, his defined muscles flexing under his tight shirt. She felt her heart pounding as her breath quickened, he made her so angry! They argued constantly about anything and everything, but today it was different. Hiro stormed towards her and punched the wall inches away from her head. He loomed over her; she could feel the heat radiating from his body as her chest brushed against his as she drew in breath. Junko wasn't sure if he was about to kiss her or hit her, when suddenly-"
A deep rumbling sound was coming from the street below, steadily increasing in volume. With a sigh Kakashi put his book away; he'd just have to wait until later to find out exactly what Hiro did. Lazily he lifted his gaze just in time to see the dust cloud that tore its way up the stairs to the patio. The dust settled, finally revealing the identities of the two who had caused such a calamity. Gai was standing heroically to the right, a sparkling smile across his face. To the left stood Lee, panting slightly but beaming just as enthusiastically as his Sensei.
"Great job Lee, I'm proud of you! You did so well I'm going to give you a treat." Gai outstretched his arm towards the younger, displaying a proud thumbs-up. "Now, enough training, go and enjoy the springtime of youth, you've earned it."
"Yes! Thank you Gai-Sensei!" He bounded away in the direction of the town below.
A muffled groan came from over Gai's shoulder, "ugh, for the love of ramen put me down..."
Kakashi let out a chuckle as he turned his attention to the girl haphazardly placed over his rival's shoulder. He didn't need to see her face to know who it was.
"Of course little lady, I have returned you to your destination in one piece."
Finally her feet touched solid ground with a slight wobble, "my 'destination'..? My destination was the bloody FOOD STORE, DAMMIT! Now I have to go out again!"
"Ah, well, that's problematic... I failed the training task! How can I make it up to you?"
Eyes aflame with a delicious mischievousness she replied "200 laps... around the village... on your hands."
At this moment in time the copy ninja was silently thankful he was on Toshiko's good side.
Konoha's green beast blinked, "200 laps?"
"Not up to the challenge, Gai? And here I thought you were worthy of being my rival…" Kakashi teased.
"A true ninja is up for any challenge! This will be a piece of cake; I'll be done in no time!"
With an agile flip, Gai was on his hands and starting on his next training task; that to anyone else would not be considered as such. "You know, he doesn't really look at that as a punishment..."
"Oh, I know, if I was serious about it I would have said no training for a few days. I mean seriously, can you imagine how he'd cope? I'm saving that one for the perfect moment. Now let's go before he comes back."
Kakashi let out a chuckle, Gai not being able to train? He'd probably have something akin to a mental breakdown, which would be highly amusing for his silver haired peer. A wicked smile hid behind his mask as he replied "promise me you'll save that for when I'm there? It would be a perfect opportunity to tease him."
"Mmm, I could, but I don't see what's in it for me."
"Name it."
"Anything? Anything at all? Isn't that a little risky, for you I mean..."
He turned his head so that his right eye was fixed on hers "Mm true, but some things are worth the risk."
Colour rushed to her cheeks, she could feel the palpitations of her heart strong and heavy inside her chest. *get a hold of yourself idiot, he's not talking about me...* She removed the thought from her head, replacing it with another *hmm, I could have some fun with this though.*
"So if I said you have to clean my house, you'd do it?"
"Sure."
"Or, that you'd have to be my servant for a week..."
"I said anything, didn't I?"
"Anything, anything..." She said with a tune in her voice. "You know I could completely take advantage of you and get you to do all manner of naughty things, and you'd still say yes?"
That definitely took him by surprise "Well, that depends."
Her eyebrow inadvertently raised itself, "On what?"
"On whom I'd have to do these 'naughty things' with, of course."
She could have sworn she detected a smirk in his smooth voice. With a wink of her eye she replied "you'll just have to wait and see what I decide then... right, so where would you like to go for lunch?"
"Toshiko... isn't there somewhere else you need to go first?"
"No? I went to the bathroom before I left the house, so I'm good."
"That's... really not what I meant, silly Tora. We can get lunch after stopping by the Hokage's office."
"Oh, err, how about we go there after food? I mean, I wouldn't want to pass out from hunger, and the nurse said I have to keep my energy levels-"
A finger pressed lightly against her lips, preventing her from finishing her sentence. Her wide, surprised eyes met his stern but gentle one as he peered down at her "-Toshiko, Hokage's office now, food later. No excuses, do I make myself clear?"
Tosh knew he wouldn't let it drop until she was standing in front of the Third, completed mission report in hand. In a way, which she would never admit to, she kind of liked how Kakashi kept her in line when she started getting irrational or distracted.
Tosh made sure to over dramatize a sigh to show her displeasure before giving in. "Yeah, yeah, I'm going already..."