Hey guys! You read the recent Nisekoi chapter?

If you haven't, Tsugumi dresses as a Kunoichi! I look forward to writing that in when it comes around!

So I've actually decided to proceed in the order the Manga intended. So it's Chapter 18, then 19, then 20, rather than my previous plan of 18, 20, then 19.

Also, this chapter will only cover 18 and 19. Twenty will be next chapter.

And since I never mentioned it, here are the official pairings:

(Eventually Reciprocated):

NarutoXTsugumi

ShuXRuri

(One Sided/Other):

RakuXChitoge

RakuXKosaki

RakuXMarika

RakuXHaru

RakuXYui

(Grown Out Of):

ShuXKyoko

NarutoXHaru

And here are my personal leitmotif for these pairings (as of now, incomplete and subject to change).

NarutoXTsugumi: Geronimo (Sheppard)

RakuXChitoge: Disgusting (Ke$ha)

RakuXKosaki: Sooner (Andrew Allen)

RakuXMarika: A Thousand Miles (Boyce Avenue)

RakuXHaru: Guessing (Against the Current)

ShuXKyoko: Love Lost (The Temper Trap)

I don't have much else to say. So here's chapter 4!


Japan

Bonyari High

Class 1-C

May 21, 2014

10:32 A.M.

(Raku)


It was my second day...with the transfer students Tsugumi Seishirou...and Uzumaki Naruto.

"Let me introduce myself again," she bowed, "My name is Seishirou Tsugumi. It might be a boy's name… but I'm actually a girl."

At the moment, she had changed back to her earlier clothes, and was reintroducing herself to Onodera and Miyamoto. Kirisaki stood behind her at my right, and her partner sitting on the desk to my left.

"I understand that the two of you are friends of my mistress," she continued, "Please excuse my rudeness for not properly introducing myself earlier."

"Oh, it's no problem!" said Onodera with a smile.

Miyamoto seemed to catch the "Mistress" part, but filed it away for later.

"What a surprise! I thought you were a boy!"

"Really?" asked Miyamoto in that dry tone of hers, "I knew all along."

"You did!?"

(*FWUMP*)

The door flew open upon Shuu's arrival.

"Ohayou, Kirsaki-san!" he shouted, "You're looking stunning as ever!"

(*KCHNK*)

A gun was brandished, the barrel smashing into Shuu's cheek.

"How dare you!" Tsugumi growled, "Watch how you address the Mistress, impudent cur!"

"H-Hey! Chill out Tsugumi!" Kirisaki walked over, "He's a friend! ...Kind of."

Meanwhile, the boys were discussing something amongst themselves.

"Hmm, so Tsugumi's a girl then? She's kinda' cute!"

One of the other guys nodded, "Yeah. I guess the girls will finally calm dow-"

"KYAAAH!"

"Tsugumi-san! Why do you dress like a boy?"

"Tsugumi-san! You should hang out with us!"

Naruto sighed, as his partner was bombarded with questions.

I nudged him, "What? Are you jealous?"

He chuckled, "Hmph. Not a chance. Better her than me."

After that… Tsugumi pretty much settled in. And things pretty much went back to normal.

(*GASHIIIN*)

Although… she'd level a glare with me once in a while.

It's clear she still doesn't trust me. Not to mention, I've had to keep my distance for a while… But that's fine with me.

Her partner was another story. Uzumaki Naruto. He seemed to be completely fine with me, though that nickname of his is a little annoying...But I guess 'Cross' is a better alternative than 'Bean Sprout'.

It's weird that I didn't know much about him… In fact, no one really did. I even asked Kirisaki about it, and she said she barely knew anything; he always kept to himself. Tsugumi seemed to be the only person he was close to. Other than that… he was an enigma.

The one thing Kirisaki did tell me… was that he was even stronger than Tsugumi. She'd seen them spar before, and no matter what he was hit with, he'd just stand right back up.

She said he could even shrug off bullets. He could catch them too, but if he were hit, it wouldn't be much of a problem for him.

If that was true, he must've been one hell of a bodyguard.

He was also pretty unpredictable. ...Spontaneous would probably be a better word. There really wasn't much logic to his actions at first glance, but in the long run they'd be tremendously useful.

I'd witness that unpredictability first-hand later that day.


Bonyari High

Garden

May 22, 2014

3:42 P.M.

(Raku)


(*SKWEEE*)

The rusted axle of the wheelbarrow squealed like a dying cat, as Kirisaki pushed it around the corner, the thing loaded with bags of fertilizer. She set the thing down with a loud (*KTNK*).

"Hey, honey," she looked up, "Sensei says we need to go pick up more animal food."

"Huh? How come we hafta' do it?"

She held up an bag of the stuff, shaking it to find that it was empty.

"Honestly…" she dropped it, and the thing fluttered to the ground, "Don't schools usually have that stuff delivered?"

"Well, we have plenty of rare animals," I muttered, sitting down, "So the only option is to buy a special blend from the nearby pet store."

"Go by yourself!" she grunted, wiping her dirty hands on her skirt.

"It's heavy," I muttered, "I can't carry it all alone. Plus you have that crazy strength of yours; do something with it why don't you…"

She growled, raising a fist-

"Please wait! Ojou!"

(*SHFF*)

"Yikes!"

The hitwoman emerged from the bushes behind us, her hair and blazer covered in leaves.

"Mistress! Allow me to run this errand for you!" she said, "You shouldn't trouble yourself with such trivial things!"

"Geh!? Tsugumi? Where'd you come from?"

She stepped out of the bushes and walked off.

"Come on, Raku Ichijou! Quit dragging your feet!"

"H-Huh? Wait, I'm not rea-"

(*ACHOO!*)

The girl had sneezed into her sleeve, and was glaring at me.

"What are you- (*SNFF*) -looking at!" she growled, "Let's go!"

Kirisaki looked at her in concern, "Tsugumi… you fell into the pool yesterday, right? You're sick, aren't you?"

"N-No! I'm perfectly fine!"

Another voice resounded through the garden.

"It's alright Tsugumi."

I fell back in surprise as a nearby rock burst into smoke. The haze cleared to reveal Naruto, standing there with his hands in an odd position.

He put a hand on her shoulder, "I'll go with Cross here. You stay with Chitoge and keep her safe."

She hesitated before nodding, walking off with Kirisaki.

'Thank god for that...' I thought to myself, 'If I was alone with Tsugumi again, she'd probably try and kill me!'

The teen hit me on the shoulder with the back of his hand.

"Don't dawdle! Let's get moving!"

"Wha? Oh, right."


Pet Shop

May 22, 2014

4:07 P.M.

(Naruto)


"We came all this way for that!?"

What we'd traveled roughly 2 miles for on foot, was only a couple pounds worth of pet food.

Cross shrugged, "Why? It should be enough for a week or so. Besides, I can't carry much more of it."

"Are you serious?," I sighed, "The Yakuza blood in you must be pretty thin then…"

"Well, if you wanna' get more, you carry it," he said, "The school'll reimburse you for all of it anyway."

I grunted, "They better pay me extra for all I plan on bringing."


Bonyari High

Class 1-C

May 22, 2014

4:10 P.M.

(Chitoge)


"I-It's alright Ojou… no need to fuss over me…"

I put my hands on my hips, "Of course there is! You're my friend and you're sick! Now put your head down and get some rest!"

She had no choice other than to oblige.

"This isn't going to help Mistress," she muttered, head in her arms, "I've been trained...to resist...drowsine...during missio…"

"ZZZZZZ…"

I sweatdropped, my friend having fallen asleep in mere moments.

'Wow… she really shouldn't push herself so hard...'

I wordlessly took a seat, opening the friendship notebook.

'Let's see...Iwashita...she's on the tennis team, she's always bright and cheerful…'


Streets

May 22, 2014

4:18 P.M.

(Naruto)


"You sure you're okay carrying all that man?" asked Cross, "We could always get a cart from the pet store or something."

I was currently balancing 500 pounds (or roughly 230 kilograms) of pet food across my shoulders, arms, and hands. All of it was bagged, so it wasn't much of a problem.

"I should be good like this," I said nonchalantly, "Besides, it's a good workout."

He sweatdropped, "While I have no doubt that you'd be able to do it… people are staring."

"Hmph. I guess a man carrying 25 bags of pet food would be considered unusual."

I looked around, before finding what I was looking for.

"Here, hold these."

"Wha-? AAAAGH!"

Leaving the giant heap of bags that used to be Chitoge's boyfriend, I walked into the darkened alleyway I'd spotted.

I unsealed a utility cart, and wheeled it out of the alley like nothing had happened.

I directed my next statement to the arm sticking out of the pile, "Alright, help me stack these things."

Within the next 3 minutes, he managed to dig himself out, glaring at me as he dusted himself off.

"Geez… Where the hell'd you even find this thing?"

I shrugged, "In the alley. You'd be surprised what people throw away."

He shook his head, as he tossed more bags onto the cart with a grunt.

"Damn kit," muttered Kurama, "What don't you have in those scrolls of yours?"

'I got everything, plus the kitchen sink," I thought back, 'Seriously, I think I do have a kitchen sink in there.'

"Ah...There we go."

What used to be a pile of twenty pound bags on the street, was now a neatly stacked pile of twenty pound bags on an orange utility cart.

...

...What? I like orange, okay?

"C'mon…" I called, pushing the thing down the street, "Clear a path, wouldja'? I'm doing all the work here."

"Yeah, whatever."


Streets

May 22, 2014

4:23 P.M.

(Raku)


And so, we began the mile-and-a-half long trek down the hill, back to our school. Much easier than the trip up, right?

Well, not when you have a five-hundred-and-something stack of pet food on wheels.

And Naruto was just walking casually, fingers clasped around the handlebar, without even breaking a sweat!

"Dude, how are you doing that?" I finally asked, "It's gotta' be a 30 degree incline, and you're holding back over 500 pounds with just your fingertips!"

"Focus," he said, scratching the back of his neck with one hand, "That and practice. Lots and lots of practice."

I shook my head, swinging the small bag I'd purchased back and forth as I walked.

...

"Alright…" he said, "Let's get down to why I really went with you today."

"?"

He let go of the handle, leaving it, as it rolled down the hill. It began to move faster, and with its weight, its speed doubled in less than 5 seconds.

"Gackk! Dude, what the hell!?"

He only smirked, before he vanished in a flash of orange light.

He reappeared at the bottom of the hill, open palm extended in front of him, ready to meet the cart when it came.

Without thinking, I sprinted down after them, hoping to stop the thing before it flattened him.

But I tripped, rolling down a good ten meters, before I landed on my back. I watched helplessly as the truck barrelled toward him…

...Only to vanish before it ever reached him.

He lowered his hand, an odd series of tattoos glowing gold, before turning solid black and disappearing.

Along with his whole body.

"H-Huh?"

"Need a hand there?"

In an instant, he was at my side again, offering me a hand up.

"But you-" I looked down the hill, "And then... the cart… what?"

He pulled me up, and I dusted myself off again, "There's a reason for that."

He pointed to the ink that reappeared on his palm and wrist, "See these? That's where the cart went."

"I-I don't understand…"

He sighed, "Well, we've got time. Let me explain to you the basics of chakra…"


Streets

May 22, 2014

4:53 P.M.

(Naruto)


"So what you're saying…" he said, "...is that you're some kind of mutant, super-ninja?"

"Exactly," I nodded, "Though, we prefer 'shinobi'."

We had continued down the hill at a leisurely pace, until we were about a quarter of a mile out from the school.

"Can I ask a question?"

"Technically you just did," I said, as he glared, "But go on."

He stopped walking, "Why are you telling me this?"

I stopped and turned to him. Even with the incline, we were the same height.

"You're Chitoge's 'boyfriend', right?" I said, making air-quotes, "I don't want you freaking out whenever I do some crazy shit."

"Huh? My girlfrie..."

"OH, RIGHT! She's my girlfriend! ...Right…"

I hit him on the shoulder, "Hey, you don't have to act around me. I already know."

He looked surprised, "You do!? Aw man, did Shu tell you?!"

I shook my head, "No, Shuu said nothing," I smirked, "So he found out too then?"

He sighed as we continued walking, "Yeah… the only ones who know are you, me, Shu, Kirisaki, my dad, and her dad."

"And Kosaki and Ruri too."

He stopped again.

"What?"

I stopped too, talking over my shoulder, "Oh, Chitoge didn't tell you? She told them after she apologized to you for the swimming incident. That's why Kosaki tried to-"

"Huh? 'Onodera tried to' what?"

I caught myself, "Nothing. It's nothing."

"...Hey, wait a sec…"

He ran over to catch up, "All that stuff happened before you and Tsugumi transferred in. If what you say is true, then does that mean…"

I nodded, "Yes, we were watching her. Claude did too, but he was clearly more obvious in doing so."

He blanched, "So you guys were there the entire time!? What was the point of even joining school then!?"

"Claude thought it'd be better if we were able to interact with Chitoge's classmates. That and you guys. He thought we'd be able to get the truth that way."

He raised an eyebrow, "But you already figured it out, right? So why not just tell him?"

It was my turn to do the same, "Do you really think I'm that stupid? If Claude catches wind of that, he'll be at your door, guns a-blazin'."

"Well, thanks for that, I guess."


Bonyari High

Class 1-C

May 22, 2014

4:56 P.M.

(Chitoge)


(*ZZZZZ…*)

I glanced up from my work to Tsugumi, who was still sleeping.

'...Hey, that's not such a bad idea...'

I put my head down, and minutes later, I was out like a light.


Streets

May 22, 2014

5:02 P.M.

(Naruto)


We continued walking in silence until-

(*KCHYUU!*)

I sweatdropped, "Man, you're sick too, huh? And tomorrow's Saturday, right? Must suck."

"Yeah…" he sniffed, "I fell in the pool yesterday. And so did Tsugumi, right? You'll probably get sick too at this rate…"

I shook my head, "Nope. I don't have to worry about stuff like that."

He rolled his eyes, "What? Another side effect of your 'chalk-rah'?"

"Sort of, yeah."

He grunted, rubbing his irritated nose against his sleeve. I unsealed a package of tissues and tossed it to him, which he gladly took.

"So you can do things like this… and you say your arsenal is limited?"

"Restricted would be a better term. I'm not allowed to do any of my stronger techniques, like cloning myself, or creating life-size-spinning-beach-balls-of-death. I can use Sage Mode though."

"The one the talking toads taught to you, right?" to which I nodded, "Can you show me?"

"Eh, why the hell not?" I muttered, sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk, "Here, gimme' a sec."

It wasn't long before I felt the natural energy flow through me, as my eyes gained a different pigment, the eyelid changing to an orange shade. My pupil was now a bar-shape, like a toad's.

"Whoa…" muttered Cross as I stood up, "...that's kinda' freaky."

"Better than turning into a Toad Statue…" I murmured, standing up, "Here, check this out."

I unsealed the cart, and hefted it over my head. I slowly reduced the amount of fingers holding it, until my pinky was its only support.

"Holy shit!"

I sealed the cart away, as I let the energy leave me, "I can only use that one because it draws from nature. For those not in the area, there's no flux or spike in energy. And even for those in the area, if they're not a skilled sensor, it might go undetected."

We continued walking, "For my other modes, that's another story, since they draw on energy within me and all that."

I laughed, "But I shouldn't need them here, lest Obito Uchiha somehow rises from the dead or something."

...

...Later on, I'd curse myself for jinxing it…

...But of course, I didn't know that yet.


Bonyari High

May 22, 2014

5:07 P.M.

(Naruto)


Upon delivering the food, (read: "dumped over 500 pounds of shit out of my finger"), we walked over to class 1-C, where Chitoge had said she was going.

I slid the door aside, as I looked in, Cross behind me. The two were both asleep, Tsugumi with her head cradled over her arms, Chitoge drooling all over her notebook. We both sweatdropped as we entered.

"Oi, Kirisaki," he muttered, nudging her, "Wake up, you damned Girl-rilla-"

(*PHWAM*)

Chitoge glanced up lazily, still half-asleep as she withdrew her fist.

"Wha? I feel like I hit a pest or something…"

I sighed as Cross pulled himself out of the crater he'd created upon impact.

"Very funny…" he muttered, rubbing his cheek, "Now come on. If I don't walk you home, the gang'll get suspicious."

She wiped the dried saliva off her face, as she packed up her things.

"Are you coming back to the mansion, Naruto?" she asked.

I shook my head, "Sorry, Tsugumi and I'll probably stay in for the weekend. She's still sick, so I don't think it's a good idea for her to be around everybody right now."

She nodded, "Alright. I guess I'll see you later then!"

"See you Monday, man."

"Yeah...see you…"

The two walked out, shutting the door behind them.

We were alone in that classroom. The only sound was that of Tsugumi's light breathing against the desk, and the ticking of the clock against the wall.

She groaned lightly as she repositioned herself, with her head facing outward, toward me. I could see her blushing face, probably from the sickness. I put my hand against her forehead; it was burning hot.

I took the seat beside her and took a similar position, waiting for her to wake up.

Those ticking seconds turned to minutes… and those minutes to hours. Until…

(*ZZZZ…*)


Streets

May 22, 2014

5:10 P.M.

(Chitoge)


"Hey, you never told me that you told Onodera!"

I glanced over at the shouting Bean Sprout.

"Oh, I didn't?" I shrugged, "My bad."

He sighed roughly, "Geez… Let me know when you do stuff like that, okay? I've been acting around her for weeks, while she's known all along!

"Alright, alright!" I conceded, as we continued walking.

"...Hey, that goes for you two, Aho-Moyashi. Who'd you tell?"

"I only told Shu. No one else," he said, scratching at his hair.

"Hey, by the way…" he said, "...your bodyguard figured it out.

My eyes widened, "Tsugumi!? Uh-oh, this isn't good-!"

He shouted back in an attempt to calm me down, "Not Tsugumi, Naruto! He told me today."

I looked over at him warily, "And did he tell Claude?"

It was a fair question. While Tsugumi took her orders directly from the man (almost blindly), Naruto's loyalties were rather iffy. But I knew that when he did accept a mission, he'd never fail to get the job done, no matter how tall the order.

He shook his head, "He didn't. Said if he did, he may as well shoot me in the head while he was at it."

I raised an eyebrow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," he said, "Telling Claude the truth behind our relationship would be like painting a target on my forehead. He'd kill me the second he knew."

"Not only that but..."

(*KERCHYUU!*)

I looked over at him, "You're sick too, huh?"

He nodded, pulling some tissues from his pocket, "And right when the weekend starts. It sucks."

'...He probably got sick from falling in the pool yesterday, so I guess it's kinda' my fault…' I thought to myself, '...Maybe I'll pay him a visit tomorrow, see how he's doing.'


Bonyari High

Class 1-C

May 22, 2014

6:53 P.M.

(Naruto)


"...ey...Hey kid! Wake up."

I rose my head drowsily, as I looked up at the janitor.

"The school's lockin' up soon," he said, "Take your gal-pal and head on home."

I was too groggy to properly retort as the man left, taking the "CAUTION: WET FLOOR!" sign with him.

I stood up and faced Tsugumi, who had yet to awaken.

"Hey, Tsugu. Wake up, the school's closing."

She moaned again in response, turning her head away from my voice.

"Tsugu… C'mon Tsugu! If you don't wake up, I'll start tickling."

No reply.

I sighed, never intending to follow through on that threat. The last time I had done so, she'd broken my arm on accident. Of course, I'd simply reset it, and it'd healed within a minute or two, but it still hurt like a bitch.

"...Mattaku…"

I slipped my left arm below her knees, and my right under her back. Lifting her up, I sealed away our bags and carried her bridal style to the door, which I promptly opened with my foot.

'I can't believe I'm doing this...'

And so began the journey home.


BeeHive HQ

Hall

May 22, 2014

7:06 P.M.

(Chitoge)


"Oh, Ojou," spoke Claude as he passed, "Would you happen to have seen Seishirou anywhere? I haven't seen him since yesterday morning."

"Ah, I think Tsugumi and Naruto are at their apartment. Tsugumi's sick, and Naruto told me to tell you that they're taking the weekend off."

The man pushed up his glasses, "I see. Considering how well those two have been working lately, I suppose I'll let them off the hook this time around."

The lenses glinted in the light, "But tell him that in the future, impending vacations require a minimum of a two day notice."

"Well, Tsugumi got sick today, so I'd imagine it wasn't exactly planned…"

"Regardless…" he muttered, walking off, "...I have business to attend to. Farewell, Ojou."

"Um...'farewell' to you too..." I waved, hesitantly.


Streets

May 22, 2014

7:14 P.M.

(Naruto)


I leapt fluidly from rooftop to rooftop, Tsugumi in my arms, and the wind at my back. The sun had dipped below the mountains, bathing the town in an orange-y pinkish glow.

I wrinkled my nose. While it was certainly beautiful, it was a result of humanity's negligence toward nature, and the pollution that followed. The translucent haze that always hung over the town made it impossible to see the stars at night; a real shame, since that happened to be a recently acquired hobby of mine.

As the sun set, the temperature dropped, and the winds grew stronger. It wasn't too much of a problem for me; with my training I barely noticed it.

But I did notice Tsugumi snuggling up closer to me. She groaned lightly, as she tried to bury her face into my chest.

"Nnnn…warm..." she moaned, "...smells...good…"

I flushed redder than she was, but said nothing as I continued forward.

By the time we'd reached the building, the sun had set, and the moon shone brightly in the sky. I touched down lightly on the roof, setting Seishirou down softly, with her back leaning up on the metal surface of the fence. I checked my pocket-seals, before patting down my pants, unable to find what I was looking for.

"Gah, dammit… Of all the days to forget my keys…"

And it wasn't like I could just bust through the door either. It had been fitted with a seal designed to electrocute possible intruders. And that seal was only deactivated when a key I'd lined with counter-seals was inserted into the lock.

Going through the window wasn't an option either; I'd rigged it to repel and withstand any impact. Not only that, but it could only be nullified from the inside.

"Shit… Curse me and my paranoia…"

I sat down cross-legged beside Seishirou, resting my chin against my palm.

'So let's see…it's almost 8 o'clock, I'm locked out of my apartment with my unconscious, incapacitated roommate, and the cold's finally starting to get to me.'

"Hey, you've been through worse," muttered the Kitsune, "Remember the time the villagers skinned you alive and set you on fire?"

'That was over a decade ago,' I grumbled, appearing in my mindscape, "And how does that help me?'

"I'm not here to help you brat, I'm here because there's nothing better to do," snarled the beast, "And besides, none of this would've happened if you'd have remembered to grab your damn keys."

'I usually don't have to,' I shot back, 'Tsugu's usually the one to open it...'

'...Hey, wait a minute...'

I pulled myself back to reality and shook my partner lightly, causing her to stir.

"Hey, Tsugu," I whispered (she probably had a headache, considering), "Where's your key?"

"Nnn?" she didn't open her eyes, mumbling as she shifted position, "It's in my...pants pocket..."

My face flushed lightly at the thought, "C-Could you maybe, get it for me?"

"...Too tired…" she murmured, "...you..get it…"

I sighed, "Will you at least tell me what pocket it is?"

"Zzz…"

I sweatdropped, as my inner beast howled with laughter.

Cheeks flushing redder than the evening sky, I reached into her left pocket; empty. Upon pulling my hand out, it brushed over the thin fabric that separated the soft skin of her thighs from my fingertips.

Her breathing hitched, as she giggled lightly in her sleep.

"Hmm… Naruto… that tickles…"

I blushed even harder, 'Geez… if she's all loopy from just being sick, I'd hate to see what she'd be like when she's drunk.'

"You kidding? I'd love to see it."

'Shut up! Freakin' pervy fox...'

"...I said nothing perverted," he chortled, "You came to that conclusion all on your own."

'...Shit.'

I patted down her other leg. No key there either…

'So then it has to be her back pocke-'

(*BUWOOM BUWOOM BUWOOM*)

The building trembled as I repeatedly bashed my head into the ground.

'YOU GOTTA' BE KIDDING!' I screamed mentally, 'THERE'S NO WAY I CAN-'

(*FWOOO…*)

The wind began to pick up, putting a nip in the air as the temperature dropped even further. Seishirou's soft, warm breaths soon became visible puffs amidst the cold. She shivered, pulling my jacket around her like a blanket.

'This is ridiculous… It's summer for Chrissake!'

I turned to face my partner, who was still 'out cold' (no pun intended). She curled in on herself, hugging her knees to shield her from the frigid air.

'But seeing her like this…'

I clenched my left fist tightly as I steeled my resolve, reaching out my hand...

'Dammit, I'm just gonna' have to!'

"HAIL MARY!"

"I GOT 'EM!"

(*KA-BLAM!*)


Maiko's House

May 22, 2014

8:31 P.M.

(Shu)


I looked up from my dinner as an odd feeling washed over me.

'Ah… it appears one of my disciples has finally gotten to second base!'

With a wide grin, I shot a thumbs up to the sky.

'Best of luck in your future endeavors; whomever you may be!'

"Erm, Shu? What are you doing?"

"Hm? Oh, nothing."


Shuei-gumi Base

May 23, 2014

9:17 A.M.

(Raku)


(*KR-BEEEP*)

The thermometer let out a colossal screech, signifying that it had performed the task for which it was built. Literally. The small screen read "38.6°C" ("101.5°F").

"Damn… Seriously?" I swore, "Well, I'm definitely sick then…"

I could hear the muffled sounds of voices and shuffling feet through my door.

'Least I managed to get rid of those annoying bastards… Guess I'll try and get some rest.'

(*ACHOO!*)

I rubbed my nose on my sleeve, 'Mendokusei.. Why do I hafta get sick on a weekend!?'

(*FWHM FWHM FWHM*)

I lay back on the futon, the rock-solid pillow doing nothing to stop the pounding in my head.

"...It's not just in my head, is it?"

(*FWHM FWHM FWHM*)

Upon realizing that the noise was of someone banging on the door, I slowly pushed myself off the mattress.

'Who the heck could that be, first thing in the morning?'

I passed through the common silently, and I opened the door to reveal:

"Ohayou, darling…" muttered my 'girlfriend', holding up a plastic bag, "How ya' feeling?"


Naruto and Tsugumi's Apartment

May 23, 2014

9:43 A.M.

(Naruto)


I ran a hand over my chin at a new sensation; a feeling of pain that wasn't really there.

'Urgh… I haven't been this sore in a while...'

After I'd managed to grab the keys, heal my broken jaw, and climb back up the building, I picked up Tsugumi, and entered the apartment. By that point, I was exhausted, and barely managed to drop her off in her own bed before crashing on my own.

But now, due to a good night's rest (and Kurama's inherent ability to absorb nutrients from pretty much anything), I was back on my feet and ready to go!

...Metaphorically.

At the moment, I was kneeling beside Tsugumi's bed with a basket of washcloths I'd drenched in cold water. I had placed one on her forehead, and replaced it periodically; a common method of reducing temperature during a fever.

Sensing my companion beginning to stir, I removed the cloth as her eyes fluttered open.

She looked to her right, "Naru..to…what?"

"Here," I procured a bowl of soup, laying it on a tray, "Eat this."

"Nnn… what is it?" she slurred, still more than half asleep.

"Ambrosia."

An onlooker might have sweatdropped (and/or facefaulted) at my casual remark regarding the soup I'd placed before her.

For it was no ordinary soup! 'Twas the food of the gods themselves! With its heavenly aroma, delicious broth, well-prepared noodles, and just the right amount of seasoning; it was the Ramen of the Ichiraku family!

I always carried around at least a hundred bowls or so in a scroll, in case of situations like this.

...Or, if I just missed home.

She slowly pushed herself up, shutting her eyes and opening her mouth.

"...Do you expect me to feed you?"

She nodded, mouth still open.

I sighed, using a pair of chopsticks to hold up a cluster of noodles as I blew at it.

'...I suppose there could be worse ways to spend a Saturday...'


Shuei-gumi Base

May 23, 2014

9:46 A.M.

(Raku)


"So… how're you feeling?"

I'd led the blonde into my room, at the insistence of the others. She dropped the bag in my desk, taking a seat.

"Okay, I guess. I have a fever and all, but it's not bad," I said, as nonchalantly as a sick person possibly could, "I'll be better soon."

"Ah. That's good."

She crossed her legs, laying her interlocking fingers over her right knee.

"Well, I came all the way over here anyway. Anything I can do?"

"...Um...you're kinda' creeping me out…Is something the matter?"

"Wha!? What the hell's that supposed to mean?!"

"Anyway…I brought you an apple," she pulled said object from the bag, along with a knife, "Want me to peel it for you?"

"...Are you sick?"

"Shut up! Who asked you anyway!?"

She got to work on the apple, as I laid down, trying to distract myself from the fact that I felt like crap.

'What's up with her? She's being disturbingly nice today. What's the deal?'

"There! All peeled! Here you go; eat up."

She held out what remained of the fruit.

The following were a set of rapid-fire retorts:

"What am I supposed to eat!?"

She frowned, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Why is the core the only thing left!?" I shouted, ignoring the throbbing pain in my head, "What the hell happened to the fruit!?"

"Huh? They always turn out like this when I peel them!"

"Well then, you're the worst peeler I've ever seen!"

"Shut up! Maybe have a little gratitude! I'm doing you a favor here!"

"But there's nothing left to eat!"

"God, don't get your panties in a bunch!"

"You kiss your mother with that mouth!?"

And that argument went on for a good 5 minutes.


Naruto and Tsugumi's Apartment

May 23, 2014

9:46 A.M.

(Naruto)


After finishing the bowl, Tsugumi fell to the clutches of sleep once again. I moved the tray out of the way, and had placed the bowl in the sink when my phone began to vibrate across the counter.

Yes, over the course of my stay in Bonyari City, it had been pointed out to me that owning a cell phone would be far more efficient than messenger hawk. Something that I'd realized and wholeheartedly agreed with upon holding one in my hand and learning to use it.

So Claude had given me one of his old encrypted ones, that ran on the BeeHive's private network (yes, we had one of those.). It was near indestructible, and could only be tracked by the BeeHive's satellite (and yes, we had one of those too).

I 'unlocked' it, revealing a text from Shu.

"Hey!" it read, "I was on my way to the camera shop near your house? Wanna' tag along?"

I texted back, "Sorry. Tsugumi's sick, and has been sleeping all day. I have to stay and take care of her."

It hadn't been thirty seconds before he replied, "You didn't happen to cop a feel last night, did you?"

I grumbled, my thumbs flying over the small keyboard, "That's none of your damn business."

"LOL! Well, I'm going to invite Raku then."

"I don't think he can make it. He's sick, and Chitoge texted me that she's taking care of him."

"Ohoho!" he texted, "I'll make sure to let the others know! Ciao! 83"

I sweatdropped at the number. It was one of those "emoticon" things; if you tilted your head 90 degrees, it resembled that face he liked to make sometimes, the '8' being his glasses, and the '3' being his mouth.

'Sounds like Cross' gonna' have his hands full...'

I took a sip of my tea, 'But that's none of my business.'


Shuei-gumi Base

May 23, 2014

9:51 A.M.

(Raku)


"Oh! I didn't realize you were here too, Chitoge!"

"Kosaki!? What are you doing here?!"

Like an angel sent from heaven to take care of me in my time of need, there, standing at my front door, was Onodera.

"I got a text from Maiko… He said you were sick, and I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd drop by and check on you.

"Wow, really? Thanks!"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure! Of course!"

We led her back to my room, where she set her bag down next to Kirisaki's.

"I know! I'll make you some rice porridge! Can I use the kitchen?"

"R-Really? Thanks!"

"I'll make you some too!"

I looked at Chitoge skeptically, "Have you made Okayu before?"

"No… so what?"

The two went off to the kitchen, closing the door behind them.

'I don't get it… I've got two girls making me rice porridge… And one of them is Kirisaki!'

'Yikes! One of them is Kirisaki!'

'Shiiiit… I forgot! Those two can't cook! Kirisaki's cake would've been a disaster if I didn't help!'

I stood, tiptoeing to the door and putting my ear against it.

'But there's nothing simpler than Okayu… How could they screw that up?'

I heard Kirisaki's voice say, "Let's see… It's rice porridge, so we start with rice, right?"

"We'll make him a porridge that'll really make him feel better!" said Onodera.

"Yeah! It'll blow his cold out of the water!"

I sighed in relief, but the two continued.

Onodera: Maybe we should add some Aojiru for the vitamins.

Chitoge: Kale juice? Good idea! That'll make him feel better! Hey, how much salt do we need?

Onodera: I dunno'... maybe about half the bag?

Chitoge: Okay! Oh no! I accidentally dumped it all in!

Chitoge: I know! Let's add a vitamin drink! And maybe miso!

Onodera: Sounds good! What else is good for a cold...

Onodera: Black rice vinegar, some liver, hijiki seaweed, fermented soybeans, spicy pollock roe...

Kirisaki: How about some vitamin pills?

Onodera: Oh, that'll be good for him!

Kirisaki: Maybe some orange juice too!

Onodera: Good idea!

(*screams internally*)

'Fuck! If I eat that, I'll die for sure!' I opened a window, prepared to climb out if it came to that.

(*FWMM*)

The door flew open, "It's ready!"

"MEEEP!"

They walked over, presenting me with their creations.

"Well? Turned out pretty good, don't you think?" grinned Kirisaki.

Kirisaki's pot was filled with a dark, translucent goop, bubbling over the edges like a witch's cauldron. It radiated a rank odor, and an aura that promised death when consumed.

"I hope you like it…" Onodera shied.

Unlike Kirisaki's, Onodera's pot sparkled like it had been blessed by the culinary gods themselves. Coloration, texture, and temperature, with a sprig of mint as garnish in the center; it looked perfect. And that itself was kinda' unsettling.

'What the hell is with Kirisaki's Okayu? It looks like some kind of bottomless swamp from the demonic realm! I feel queasy just looking at it.'

I glanced at Onodera's, 'And why does her's look so good? She put all that weird stuff in it, right? This is even scarier! Where'd the black rice vinegar and liver go?!'

"Alright, darling! Eat up!"

"Um...yeah..ah…" I racked my brain desperately, "I… don't have much of an appetite with my fever and all…"

"What!? You're not gonna' eat the porridge we made you?!"

"C'mon! It might not look great…" she held up a spoon of the gunk, black and smoking, "...but remember last time? I'm sure it tastes fine! One bite and you'll love it!"

(*FWMM*)

"Bocchan! How ya' feelin'!?"

'Ryuu! Save me from this nightmare!' I screamed mentally.

"Sorry… I know ya' said to leave ya' alone, but I couldn't help worrying!" he then noticed the girls, "And what's this? Oh, your girlfriend's come to take care of you!"

The group behind him chimed in with their own comments:

"Now that's devotion!"

"Do I hear wedding bells?"

"Oh, a concubine too!" one said, causing Onodera to flush, "Ah, Bocchan! You're a paragon of virility!"

"AUGH! NO!"

The others wheeled in a cart, with a large metal carton.

"By the way, Bocchan… I made you some Okayu!"

"M-More porridge?"

He then took notice of the pots in their hands.

"Forgive me, Bocchan!" he cried, tears flowing, "I hadn't realized your girlfriend was making porridge! How thoughtless of me!"

"Oh! Uh…"

"Eat up, Bocchan! Before that Okayu gets cold!" he said, wiping his eyes, "I'll just throw this fetid porridge I made into the cesspool!"

'Nooo! Wait!' I continued to mentally scream, 'Please! You gotta' let me have that porridge!'

"Here it comes darling! Open wide!"

"Urk!"

I glanced over at Onodera, still waiting with her pot in hand.

'Well, fuck,' I grabbed for the two pots, 'Here goes nothing!'

(*GLRFF!*)

And I gulped them down at the same time.

Imagine all those things they threw in there: vinegar, liver, fish, mustard… Now imagine they threw all that in a blender before dumping it down the drain, and scooping it out of the sewer with a pot. Then, multiply that taste by 50. That is as accurate a description as I can give you.

The 'soup' burned my throat like liquid fire, as it made its descent to my stomach, where it most likely overpowered the acid.

"De-Delish!" I managed to rasp out.

"Ha ha ha ha! Of course! Ain't nothin' better than food made by the one ya' love!"

"Well, 'scuse us for intrudin'! We'll get lost now!" he said, waving, "Rest up, Bocchan!"

The two girls looked up at my quivering form, "Are you alright, Ichijou-kun?"

That was all I really remembered before everything went black.


Shuei-gumi Base

May 23, 2014

2:57 P.M.

(Chitoge)


I sighed, flicking through a bunch of text posts on my phone. It'd been almost 5 hours since the incident, but it probably wasn't a good idea to leave until the sun began to set.

In fact I would've gotten to leave had I not won that stupid Jan-Ken-Pon game. Stupid me, picking paper.

(*SHFF*)

His covers shifted, as he reached out and grabbed my hand.

"Awp!"

I moved to smack him, like usual… But I'd probably feel guilty later if I hit him while he was unconscious.

"...Geez…"

'I guess I'll let you off easy… just this once.'

I glanced over at my bag, to see a single black marker sticking out.

'...Actually, on second thought...'


Naruto and Tsugumi's Apartment

May 23, 2014

8:53 P.M.

(Tsugumi)


The worst part of being unconscious is not in fact the cause, nor is it the unconsciousness itself, but rather, the awakening.

And trust me, I speak from experience.

Your hearing is the first sense to return. It starts with this annoying hum, that goes on for as long as it takes for you to recognize it. And once you do, since that's all you have, you start to focus on it. As you do, the noise begins to get clearer, becoming more and more comprehensible until it fully returns.

After that, your sense of touch is restored. You try to move, only to find your body unwilling to respond. While your body struggles to remember which way is up, the white void clears, and you realize that it was in fact simply your eyes readjusting to the light.

It was usually around this point that I remembered. Remembered whatever training exercise I'd been undergoing… Then how I'd probably failed, and how Claude would chew me out for it.

But not this time. All I recalled was Naruto going off with Ichijou to the store in my place. Everything after that was simply a blur.

And if that was the case, then why was I in a bed?

I tried to move again, but again, my body failed to respond. My attempt at movement only furthered the pounding in my head, and I clenched my eyes shut as I tried to drive it out.

'Nnn..Hey, what's this?'

There was something on my forehead. It was cold and moist; compared to the rest of my overheating body, it felt rather nice.

It was then that my motor skills fully rebooted, so to speak. I was able to push myself up, the feeling of cold falling from my forehead.

(*ZZZ…*)

I glanced to my right to see Naruto with his torso sprawled over the bed and his head in my lap, drooling into the blankets. He had an empty cup on the nightstand, a tea bag hanging over the side. Next to it was a glass of water, presumably meant for me.

I pulled the earlier object up off the sheets, "A... wet towel?"

Beside my partner was a whole pail of them, all soaking in a pool of water.

'He's been changing them out this whole time?' I wrinkled my nose slightly at the stench, 'Would've been a kind gesture, if it didn't smell so bad.'

I absentmindedly twirled his blond hair with my finger, 'It was still rather nice of him to take care of me all this time,' I put a palm on my forehead, 'My fever's all gone.'

I stroked the whisker-like birthmarks on his cheeks. He never let me do it while he was awake, so I may as well-

"Nnn, stop it."

Upon realizing what I'd been doing, he turned his head upward to face mine.

"You know those are sensitive…" he grumbled.

I giggled lightly, poking him in the cheek. Eliciting a grunt, he gently pushed it away with his hand.

"Thanks for taking care of me, Whiskers."

He smiled faintly, "No prob, Tsugu."


Shuuei-gumi Base

May 24, 2014

9:12 A.M.

(Raku)


'Ahh...' I stretched, 'Slept like a baby!'

'I don't remember anything after I passed out yesterday...' I scratched at my hair as I walked, 'But I guess it doesn't matter. I'm all better now.'

'I guess I should thank those two for coming by,' I nodded in response to the greetings I'd received upon entering the common, 'That porridge might've been disgusting, but it certainly did the trick.'

The grunts looked up from chowing down on Ryuu's Okayu, "Whoa! What happened to your face, Bocchan!?"

"What?"

I was swiftly handed a mirror.

"GAH! KIRISAKIIIII!"


This should be a good place to stop.

Hey! This is pretty cool; I based Tsugumi's awakening on 3 things. A fanfic, the manga, and an anime-movie. Try to guess which fic, which chapter of the manga, and which movie.

Hints: For the fic, it's the first 3 paragraphs of the 21st chapter and it's on my favorites list, for the manga, it's after the Romeo and Juliet arc, and for the anime-movie the main character doesn't have a name; only a nickname.

I'm sure most of you will get it. I'll put the answers up on the next update.

'Til then!

- Objection234 (Akane Sasu Sora on YouTube)