The voting is to decide who Kiko will be with. Wasn't sure if anyone needed reminding, because I have received no votes so far, and I sorta need them. :\ I could choose who she'll be with, but if I have to do that there will more than likely be an unhappy ending. :P
WARNING- Since I love yaoi so much, there will be hints of it between Roka and Kai (Please no flames about this, there won't be much of it, just lite fluff and that's it.)
Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto, because if I did I would make Sasuke randomly start singing Furry Walls by Infant Sorrow. :D
A Festival and the Chuunin Exam, Part 3
The night before the exam was a festival, where there was lots of food and celebrating every which way you looked. For me, it was the time to annoy the hell out of my dad.
"Papa? Can we get ice cream (1)?" I asked excitedly, tugging my dad towards the ice cream stand. He laughed and patted my head.
"Sure, why not?" So we both got ice cream, plain chocolate for me, and mint chocolate chip for him. When we passed a bar, he peered inside and grinned.
"Here, go find some of your friends to hang out with, kay? Ja ne!" Before I could protest, he had scampered into the bar to hang with his friends. I could tell I would be dragging a very drunk dad home later that night. He had pressed a giant wad of money in my hands, and I shrugged.
As I ate my ice cream, I tried looking for anyone I might know. No luck. So finally I just decided to wander around.
"Yo Kiko!" I heard someone yell behind me. I turned, trying to see the person who had called my name. I grinned and waved with my free hand.
"Hi Shika-kun!" I called out, and he walked through the crowd and eventually stood in front of me. I licked my ice cream and smiled at him.
"Shouldn't you be at home resting for tomorrow?" I asked him, as we turned and walked past all the decorated booths. He shrugged.
"My dad is being a bother. He's drunk in some bar with his old friends, and won't come home. My mom will yell at me if I don't bring him home." He explained, rolling his eyes. I giggled.
"My dad just now started drinking." I told him, and bit a piece of the cone. He looked at me and sighed.
"Do you want a bite?" I asked, offering the ice cream. He looked at me like I had grown another head.
"Aren't girls always worried about germs?" He asked. I shook my head and grinned.
"I grew up with a bunch of food stealing birds and a guy. I have no problems with germs." I told him laughing. He shrugged and took the ice cream from me and took a big bite. I stared at him as he chewed up the ice cream and the cone. He took another bite, and I laughed. It was almost gone. He tried to offer it back.
"No, you can keep it." I laughed. He shrugged and finished it off.
So we wandered around for a bit, trying different foods, and there were even a few games to play. I almost won a goldfish, but the paper broke just before I could get into the container. (2) Shikamaru wouldn't try any of the games, but I won a fluffy pink bunny from a toss the ring game. I held it and chatted with him, and pointed out certain things, rambling on and on. He didn't seem to mind though, so I was happy.
After an hour and a half had gone by, we went to check on our dads.
"Papa?" I asked, poking his head. He waved me away and downed another glass.
"I-I'm fine, Ki-hic-ko go have fun wif your boyfriend!" He exclaimed, nearly falling off the chair. I giggled and rolled my eyes.
"He's not my boyfriend papa. He's just a friend." I told him. He shook his head and went back to drinking. I walked over to where Shikamaru's dad was with his friends. They were arguing and it was obvious his dad was completely smashed.
"C'mon Shika! Have some fun! Izz a festibal you know!" Shikamaru's dad encouraged, downing a glass of sake. I approached them with a smile.
"It's alright Shika-kun, my dad won't leave either. We can walk around some more if you want." I told him. He blushed, and his dad blinked at me.
"Shika-kun? Who's this byootiful girl Shika? Why didn't you tell your old man you had a girlfriend? Good job son, thazz mah boy!" He exclaimed, and turned to his friends before we could protest.
"Hey fellas! My boy has a pretty girlfriend!" He told them, grinning. They stared at me and back to Shika, and applauded Shika.
"She's not my girlfriend!" Shika protested. I giggled.
"They won't remember it in the morning, it's okay." I told him, patting his shoulder. So he sighed, and we walked out and tried to look for more of our friends. We finally gave up, and sat on a bench. Something caught my eye though, so I turned to Shika.
"Wait here." I told him, and ran over to the stand. I came back with a giant ice cream cone filled with more chocolate ice cream, and handed it to him. He stared at it, and then looked back at me.
"Well you seem to like ice cream, and since the exam's tomorrow, it's my treat." I told him with a smile, and sat down next to him. He rolled his eyes.
"Haven't you been paying for everything tonight?" He asked, taking a big bite out of the ice cream.
"Yup, but I want to." I told him, leaning back and holding my new bunny. He leaned back too, and I stared at my bunny.
"I think I will call him Usa-chan." I nodded decisively, and Shikamaru snorted at me. I giggled, and rubbed the bunny's soft ears.
"Oi! Shikamaru, Kiko!" I heard someone call out, and I waved at Kiba. He shoved through the crowd to get to us.
"Yo." Shikamaru said, and I smiled. Kiba stared at Shikamaru's ice cream.
"Where'd you get that?" Kiba asked, licking his lips. Shika shrugged.
"I dunno. Kiko got it for me." Kiba gave me the puppy pout, and I sighed as I went and got another one. When I got back, Kiba had stolen my spot.
"Hey!" I pouted as he nabbed the ice cream from my hand and went back to my seat.
"Don't make me squish you!" I threatened, and put my hands on my hips. He poked his tongue out at me, so I walked over and sat on his lap. He frowned but shrugged. Shikamaru looked very amused.
"If you two didn't argue so much, you would be perfect for each other." Shikamaru told us as he licked his ice cream. I flew out of Kiba's lap, and shook my head.
"No, no, no, no! Kiba? Are you insane?" I asked, and if I hadn't been busy staring incredulously at Shikamaru, I would've seen a flicker of hurt on Kiba's face.
"Yeah Shika, me and bird brains? No way." Kiba laughed, and bit off a piece of the cone. Shika shrugged. So I opted to lean against a pole while they finished, and then we went exploring again. When we passed the goldfish game, I left my bunny with them and raced over to try again.
When my dad had thought I was going out with Kiko, I must say that I had blushed because for a second I thought I would like it if we were. But I threw that thought away almost as quickly as it came. I've never thought about Kiko like that. I mean sure, she's cute and all. And she is a strong Kunoichi, but I had never felt anything for her other than friendship.
But as we walked through the stall lined streets, I found myself staring at her as she talked for the two of us. She was quite pretty, just like my dad had said. I don't know why I had never noticed it before. And the way she was so excited over the littlest things made me smile.
So when she bought me an ice cream I also realized she was quite generous. She was the exact opposite of what I had thought all women were supposed to be like.
Kiba came along shortly after that, and she got him an ice cream too. I wasn't very concerned when she sat on his lap; I thought it was just because they were friends. But I saw it. The faint blush that came to Kiba's cheeks, and when I made my comment and she reacted, that hurt look on his face confirmed it.
Kiba had a crush on her. So now I needed to really banish all thoughts of her out of my head. I refuse to hurt one of my friends over a girl. So I decided I should leave them alone, but I couldn't leave. Part of me wanted to tell Kiba to beat it so I could be alone with her again, and I didn't like it. But that part of me was actually very big, so I couldn't leave.
When she rushed over to the goldfish again, we waited patiently for her. I decided to confront Kiba about all of this. Maybe he doesn't like her.
"You like her, don't you?" I asked rather bluntly, and turned to watch him. His eyes flew open and his face turned the color of a tomato.
"What? M-me? Don't be stupid Shika! All those nerves about tomorrow must be getting to you!" He stammered, with a nervous grin. I frowned.
"I can tell you're lying." I told him, and turned to watch as Kiko caught a fish, but the paper broke. I must admit her pout looked cute. There was a huge sigh from beside me, and I glanced over to see Kiba watching the night sky.
"Yea. I do." He said quietly. He glanced down at me, and I hadn't realized I had been scowling until then. He gave me a confused look.
"Well this is troublesome." I said. He glared as he got it.
"What do we do?" He asked, with a slight edge to his tone. I shrugged.
"Wait and see what she does." Was the last line of the conversation, because Kiko trotted back with a big pout on her face.
The next day the final exam arrived, and I was very excited. Of course Roka had to get there early, so Hiroshi and I went and picked up Kaito, who had gotten out of the hospital the day before.
We knocked, and waited patiently for him to answer the door. When it was opened, a bandaged up Kaito stood there with a grin. He had to use a crutch, so we had decided to get him early so he wouldn't feel rushed. (That and we wanted good seats)
"Hey Kai!" I beamed, and helped him out onto the street, where he then insisted he could walk on his own. So we walked at a nice pace, and watched as most of the villagers went to the stadium. We ourselves got there on time, and got seats near most of the other genin.
"Hey Kiko!" Chouji waved as he broke open a bag of chips and started to munch on them. I waved back, and helped Kaito get comfortable.
We all talked and chatted until it was supposed to start, and even then Naruto and Sasuke weren't there yet. I leaned over the railing and waved at Roka, and he flushed and waved back. When he saw Kaito, he smiled and waved at him too. Kai gave him a thumbs up, and grinned.
I watched wide eyed as a flash of orange flew into the arena, and giggled when it flopped onto the ground. It was just Naruto. I smiled as Shikamaru helped him up.
We had to wait around until Sasuke and some sound in got there, until finally they decided to start without them.
I watched as Naruto battled Hinata's cousin, and I was quite amazed at how much he had progressed. After that was supposed to be Sasuke's match but he hadn't shown up yet, so they pushed Shikamaru's up instead. I felt like going down and slapping Naruto when he pushed Shikamaru over the side. I'll do it when I see him next, I decided.
As I watched, I sat on the edge of my seat, concerned. The girl looked like she wouldn't hesitate to just go ahead and kill him. And at one point I thought about sending Jun down to help him, but I shook my head and relaxed. Shikamaru knew what he was doing. He's a great shinobi after all.
I gasped when he gave up, but smiled. Typical Shikamaru. Too lazy to finish it. I frowned when Naruto leaped down and started yelling at Shikamaru. Everyone started talking about Sasuke's match, and I rolled my eyes. Shikamaru and Roka were just as good as that arrogant emo kid, if not better.
When the angst filled teenager finally did show up, of course it was a dramatic entrance. I rolled my eyes as Ino and Sakura got excited. I laughed when I saw Sasuke had grown out his bangs. It made him look like a girl.
I felt bad for Shikamaru. Everyone had already pushed all of his hard work aside and were making a big deal over Sasuke. Naruto and Shikamaru headed up then, and I wondered if I should go meet them. No, I'll stay here. I decided. I watched as Jun flew over the stadium, stretching his wings a bit after the long wait.
Gaara sure was intimidating. I almost felt sorry for Sasuke, but I was too busy wondering what was taking Shikamaru and Naruto so long. They were both worthy opponents, they seemed to be on the same skill level, and for a moment I wondered if I would be able to beat Sasuke in a battle. I wouldn't chance one with Gaara, who knows what that kid would be able to do to Jun?
Suddenly there came a loud cry of "Kakashi sensei!" from behind, and I turned to see Naruto and Shikamaru run up. I smiled, but it dropped when I saw Shikamaru and Naruto were both out of breath, and looked quite pale. Naruto started shouting about how his sensei should stop the match.
"He lives to kill people!" Naruto claimed, and I rolled my eyes.
"He's just a kid dummy. He can't kill people." Everyone looked at me. Even that Rock Lee kid gave me a funny look.
"She wasn't there when he crushed Lee's arm and leg, she doesn't know. Give her a break." Kaito said calmly, itching at one of his bandages. I flushed in embarrassment as Naruto carried on.
Sasuke's chidori terrified me, and I decided I wouldn't battle him, ever. He could take out one of my birds with only a fifth of that power. But when Gaara fell, I felt very drowsy all of a sudden. I yawned and glanced around. Where had all of those feathers come from? They couldn't be Jun's. They were pink and there were far too many to have come from the little owl. What the hell was going on?
Oh, it's a genjutsu! But why? I released it easily, and stood up. All of my friends and the civilians were under it too. Hiroshi and the other sensei's were up though.
"Sensei? What's happening?" I asked worriedly. He glanced over at me, a doubtful expression on his face.
"I'm not sure." He told me, and we walked over to Kakashi and Gai. I gasped as an explosion came from the Hokage's seating area. I was kind of scared.
"Should I wake them up?" I asked, uncertain. No one answered me, so I signaled Jun. He hadn't been affected, and flew over.
"Would you like me to send Jun over to check on the Hokage?" I asked. Still no answer. Anbu flew over us and over to the Hokage though, so I dropped it. I yelped when the Kazekage trapped the Hokage and himself inside a barrier.
"We have to do something!" I yelled, but they didn't pay me any attention. I saw Sakura was the only other genin who had dispelled it. When an Anbu member tried to stop all three Jounin sensei's from going to help, I was very confused.
"We were tricked." I decided, and then they started fighting. I ran over to Sakura, and we both crouched and watched as they fought. I snarled as two of the sound nin tried to attack me and Sakura. I whipped out a Kunai and deflected their blows a second before Kakashi made it over to us.
"Sakura, Tsukiko, stay here, I'm going to go reduce the number of enemies." He instructed, and took off.
"Not without me." I frowned, and ran towards one of them. So I helped out, and I was proud to say I was doing quite well.
"Kiko! You go with them!" Hiroshi yelled at me, pointing at where Sakura, Naruto, and Shikamaru were gathered around Kakashi. I frowned but ran over.
"What's happening?" I asked. They explained that they were going after Sasuke. I shook my head.
"I'm sorry but I can't go. My ankle isn't completely well yet. I'll stay here." They nodded, and Kakashi summoned a little pug. I frowned.
"Jun will do much better. Take him. If he screeches, pay attention." I told them, and signaled Jun to follow them.
"That's a good idea, but Pakkun will go too, just in case." Kakashi told me, and I could tell he doubted Jun. I shrugged and smiled at Shikamaru.
"Good luck!" I told them, and before I could change my mind, I kissed Shikamaru's cheek and flew back into battle.
A very ugly woman ran towards me, and I felt very angry. I'm not sure why, I just did. So I ran at her too, and dodged her attack, while slicing her torso, then stabbing my Kunai deep into her back. She yelped, and fell over.
I felt almost helpless since I didn't have Jun, but I soon found that if no jutsu was involved, I could handle myself. But I did manage to get my shoulder sliced. I cursed and hid behind some seats as I looked at it. It was quite deep and bleeding horribly. I stole some woman's scarf and wrapped it tightly around the wound, and charged at another guy.
He turned and sliced his kunai at me, but I flipped backwards to avoid it. I threw my kunai at him, then a few shuriken. One lodged in his arm, but the rest he dodged. I grabbed another shuriken and hastily applied an explosion tag to it. I smirked in satisfaction as he was blown into the wall.
So the battle continued like this, and I would get minor cuts and scratches, when I suddenly wondered where Roka was. He should've been able to dispel the jutsu easily, being a genjutsu user himself. But I couldn't worry right now, I had to save my own neck, and I was currently facing three men.
I snarled and threw shuriken at them all. Only a few landed, and they all ran at me. Suddenly, Hiroshi had taken two and slammed their heads together, while I kicked the last one so he slammed head first into the wall. I grinned at Hiroshi, and panted from all the ass kicking I had been doing.
"You're doing great. I'm proud of you." He told me quickly, before he launched himself at another few enemies.
I ran to the railing, and gasped when I saw a ginormous three headed snake in the village. I looked back and decided they were fine. I bit my thumb until I drew blood, and formed the signs. After I had slammed my hand onto the floor, a giant Owl appeared in a cloud of smoke. He was the size of about two of me stacked on top of each other.
"Hm? What am I doing here young mistress?" He asked, and peered down at me. I slumped over, almost drained from the amount of chakra it had taken to summon him. I pointed at the multi-headed snake. He hooted in compliance. (3)
"Are you coming too?" He asked. I shook my head. I was spent. I couldn't do much else. He nodded, and took off towards the enemy reptile. I hid behind some seats until I was alright again, and went back into the fray.
Not long after, we had finished off all of the sand and sound nins, but the last one had beaten me up quite a bit. I rolled over and coughed up blood, and winced as I pulled a kunai out of my belly. Blood oozed from it steadily, and I winced and stole another scarf to tie around it. I sat up, and glanced around. Hiroshi rushed over.
"Are you alright?" He asked, and I nodded. He helped me stand up.
"What now?" I asked him. He sighed.
"Sorry 'bout this, but you've done enough for now." He told me, and I gave him a confused look before he pinched my neck and I passed out.
(1)- See, I'm fairly new to the whole Japanese thing, so I don't know much about typical sweets or foods they might eat in japan, so bear with me. ^-^
(2)- Same thing here, I just read up on a few games they have at festivals, and I've seen Naruto play them too.
(3)- Makes sense right? And if Naruto can do it, why can't Kiko?
Hope y'all enjoyed my effort at drunken talk :D High fives for whoever recognizes Usa-chan.
Oooohh, a little competition between our two boys now! How cute!
Reminder- I'm not good at action scenes, so don't kill me if it sounds all weird. And I'm sorry if it's not as long as it should be. I just wasn't excited about writing this chapter. I wrote it to get it out of the way :D
-Ash
P.S. I'd love some votes and reviews!
P.P.S (or somethin like that) I'd REALLY love some reviews and votes ^-^