NAAAAAAAAA! Sorry, sorry! It's kind of late in the day of my usual update time, but I still updated on the usual update day (um...what a weird way to phrase that...)! Anyway, the excuse is that when I logged into my e-mail there were TONS of e-mails from FF saying that lots of people updated and I was like, "YAY! PEOPLE UPDATED!" And then after several hours I was like, "OH NO! I HAVEN'T UPDATED!" And I kept getting side-tracked. Sigh...what can you do? (grin) Anyway, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
In a dark, uncharted area, a man groaned. He was sitting on a chair, shaking slightly and cursing. "Damn that old man!" he cursed. "What he did to my arms…"
"If it's any consolation, Orochimaru-sama, not everyone can take down a Hokage."
"Silence, Kabuto!" Orochimaru hissed. "I'm in no mood for your kissing-up."
Kabuto was silent, but only for a second. "Orochimaru-sama, I just recently found out that what Dosu said…"
"About the girls who could predict the future?" Orochimaru scoffed.
"Yes. It may be true," Kabuto said. "I think they would make an excellent addition to our prisoners. They would come in handy. And we wouldn't need all three, just one."
Orochimaru was silent for a while.
Kabuto was about to speak up when Orochimaru said, "I want you to investigate these girls for a little while. I'm confident you can get that done."
Kabuto nodded and bowed. "When shall I leave?"
"Once it is convenient."
"Hai." Kabuto walked towards the door and with one look at his master, disappeared. This is gonna be fun…
---
Nami and Kyoko were eating at a small sweet shop, several bags of groceries next to them.
"Why do we have to stop here?" Kyoko said with disgust. "I hate sweet things."
"I've heard," Nami said, rolling her eyes as she closed her mouth over some dango. "But I'm hungry. And it's not my fault Midori decided she didn't want to get groceries today. What's up with her? She always gets them!"
"Maybe that's why," Kyoko shrugged.
"What's so important that she need to see Naruto about anyway?"
Kyoko shrugged once more.
"You don't know anything."
Kyoko gasped and grabbed Nami's shirt, pulling her closer and whispering excitedly, "I do know that that's Uchiha Itachi sitting right there!"
Nami gasped and glanced quickly behind her. Turning back to Kyoko she whispered, "You're right. What do we do?!"
"We should just—"
"Good morning, Kyoko, Nami! I didn't see you there."
The two girls jumped as Kakashi poked his head between the two.
"H-Hi Kakashi-sensei!" the girls chimed.
"It's different of you to arrive first, Kakashi."
Kakashi turned away from the girls to face Sasuke, relieving the two.
"Let's get outta here," Nami said to Kyoko.
"I'm right behind you!"
Once the friends were finally out of earshot from anyone, they started talking again.
"Do you think Kakashi-sensei heard us?" Kyoko asked nervously.
"I dunno, the guy looks old enough to be using a hearing aid."
"That's the thing, he isn't."
"Whatever," Nami shrugged. "I'm pretty sure he didn't."
"That's not a good sign," Kyoko mumbled.
"Oh no you didn't!"
"Well, whether he heard us or not, we still need to get these things home for the sand siblings," Kyoko said in an attempt to change the subject.
"Yeah—hey wait…" Nami said, stopping.
"What?"
"Since…since Midori's hanging with Naruto today…who's gonna cook?"
"…This could turn out really bad."
---
"Naruto-kun…" Midori said, averting her eyes as Naruto stripped down to his underwear. "I can just pay for you if you want…"
"No, no!" Naruto exclaimed. "I have a coupon, really I do! Ah! Here it is!" He handed the coupon to Teuchi and said, "There!"
"Close call," Teuchi remarked with amusement.
Once Naruto had put his clothes back on, Midori looked at him and said, "Geez, you took so long that I finished already."
Naruto grinned as he quickly worked on polishing off the ramen.
"I thought I'd find you here!"
"Eh?" Naruto turned around.
Midori saw a big man with long white hair come in and sit down next to Naruto. It's Ero-Sennin.
Jiraiya smiled and placed a hand on Naruto's head saying, "Hey kid."
Naruto gulped his noodles and said, "What do you want, Ero-Sennin?"
"Is that any way to talk to me?" Jiraiya said, clearly offended. "You didn't even introduce me to your lady friend!"
Midori flinched. She had hoped Jiraiya wouldn't notice her, but apparently he did.
"Oh yeah. Midori-chan, this is Ero-Sennin," Naruto introduced, less than enthusiastically.
"NOT Ero-Sennin!" Jiraiya shouted, bonking Naruto on the head. "The name's Jiraiya-sama!"
"Hi…" Midori waved awkwardly. Jiraiya scared her.
"Well I didn't come here just for pleasantries," Jiraiya said to Naruto. "I came to ask you if you wanted to come along on a little mission with me."
"WHAT?" Naruto exploded, shattering Midori's ear drum. Naruto jumped up as soon as he finished his ramen and started walking, gesturing Midori to follow him. "I don't wanna go on a 'mission' with you! I've got stuff to do!"
Midori followed along with him and so did Jiraiya.
"But it's no ordinary trip," Jiraiya said. "I want to interview a woman and we're gonna find her."
"I don't have time to go look for girls with you!" Naruto scoffed. "I need to train! And also get Kaksh-sensei to teach me Chidori and other jutsu!" He's been playing favorites with Sasuke!
"I don't think you'd be able to learn Chidori," Jiraiya said truthfully. "It's not really your style. But listen…the girl's really pretty. You don't want to meet her?"
"I'm not stupid enough to go with Ero-Sennin for that reason!" Naruto shouted. "I won't go!"
"Really? Well, I guess I can't force you. I know a jutsu stronger than Chidori…looks like I'll go see if Sasuke wants to come."
"WHAT?"
"Oh, or even better!" Jiraiya turned to Midori and said, "Do you want to come Midori?" He winked, signaling for her to play along.
However, Midori didn't even have to say anything for Naruto to get riled up.
"No wait, I'll go with you! I'll go pack now! Ero-Sennin, wait for me here! Midori-chan, come help me pack!"
Midori wasn't about to stand around there with "Ero-Sennin" all day so she shot off, trying to keep up with Naruto's sudden burst of speed.
---
"One, two, three, shoot!"
The four of the residents in the Team Twelve apartment (excluding Gaara since he wasn't about to play a mindless child's game with everyone) were playing Janken.
"Okay, Temari! You lose!" Nami said happily as she thrust her 'rock' in the air.
"Fine..." Temari said, walking over to the kitchen glumly.
"That means I don't have to cook!"
"Me neither!" Kyoko grinned.
"We're screwed," Kankuro said.
"Huh? Why?" Nami asked.
"Because Temari can't cook worth crap."
"I HEARD THAT!"
Kankuro ducked as a flying frying pan skimmed his kitty ears.
Kyoko and Nami looked at each other with apprehension.
"Uh…Gaara…?" Kyoko said quietly as she walked to where the jinchuuriki stood. "What's Temari's cooking like?"
"I wouldn't know," Gaara answered.
"Huh?"
"He never ate with us," Kankuro said, wrinkling his nose. "And he's lucky."
This time a cooking item was able to make contact with Kankuro's head. Luckily, it was only a strainer.
"Hey!"
"Shut up, Kankuro! Or else I'll be forced to chuck these assorted knives at you!"
"So that's where Midori hid them…" Kyoko said thoughtfully. "I was wondering where they had gone."
Gaara observed his siblings bickering and the two other girls talking. It was such a drag to stay inside every waking moment since Konoha wasn't too partial to Suna nin anymore. Now he wouldn't even get the chance to talk to Uzumaki Naruto about how he'd be able to change his life to be happier. Then again, all three of these girls seemed happy, Shimizu Kyoko being the happiest. But what had happened to her when she was younger? For her to act so carefree, she'd had to have a good life, right?
I think I'll question her later, Gaara thought. It was then a strange smell filled the air.
"Temari, whatever you're making smells like crap!" Nami shouted, holding her nose.
"What was that you little—!"
"Run away!" Nami yelped as she hid behind Kyoko.
Temari stormed back into the small kitchen and continued stirring something in a pot muttering something about brats who didn't appreciate her cooking.
Kankuro opened a window in an attempt to let in some fresh air.
"I think I'll go write my will right now," Nami said quietly as she exited to her room.
---
"Oh boy, oh boy!" Naruto beamed as he tossed some things into his backpack. "I can't wait to learn that new technique! I'll blow Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke away with it!"
"You sure are packing a lot of stuff, Naruto-kun…" Midori said hesitantly.
"I gotta be ready for anything!" Naruto exclaimed. "Maybe Sakura-chan will start liking me too! What do you think, Midori-chan?"
"Uh…maybe…" Midori said.
"All done!" Naruto declared, standing up and shutting his backpack.
Midori stared at the towering backpack with wide eyes. How's he gonna move this?
"Well, I'll be going now! Say goodbye to everyone for me, Midori-chan!"
"Okay…"
Naruto had a little trouble fitting through the door, but eventually he was able to get past.
Midori sweat dropped as she witnessed this and shook her head in wonder. Good luck, Naruto-kun.
After she shut and locked Naruto's door (she put the key under the mat like Naruto had asked), she found herself wandering through the outer parts of Konoha where there were more hills and trees than buildings yet she had nothing to do. Maybe I should go see if I can find Neji… she thought. Then she shook her head furiously. No, no, no! I'm not going to bother Neji! I've been seeing him way too much now so I don't want him to think I'm stalking him or anything…Which I'm not! Midori added the last part to reassure herself. But I do want to see him…
Her internal battling was interrupted by a voice.
"Yo, Midori."
It was Shikamaru, lying on a bench.
"Hi, Shikamaru-kun," Midori greeted pleasantly, "How are you?"
"Fine, I guess," Shikamaru shrugged.
Midori sighed subconsciously.
"Something wrong?" Shikamaru asked, though it pained him to ask.
"Nah, nothing's wrong," Midori said.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Ino says you and Neji...have something?"
Midori's eyes widened. "We do?" she said, though she didn't mean to say out loud. And if they did, how would Ino know?
Shikamaru shrugged. "It could be a lie. Ino said she saw you guys together at the hospital after the attack on Konoha."
"Oh…well…"
Flashback
"There we go," the medic nin said. "We've closed up your wounds so all you have to do is let it heal for about a day."
"Thank you, sir," Midori said. "I appreciate it."
"No problem," the man said.
Neji, who was beside her, also had a few bandages here or there. Other than that, he was unscathed, but Midori couldn't help but notice the blood stains she had left on the back of his shirt.
"Um…sorry about your shirt, Neji," Midori said, turning a little red.
Neji raised an eyebrow. "No harm done."
"And thanks for taking me here," Midori added.
"Anyone would've done it," Neji said.
Midori got the feeling that she was annoying him a bit so she stopped talking, irritated that her cheeks felt so hot.
Neji seemed to notice, but he didn't say anything about it.
After about a minute passed with silence, Midori decided to say something.
"I/Well—"
Midori stopped abruptly when she and Neji spoke at the same time. How embarrassing, Midori thought.
"I should go now," Midori said speedily. As she turned to leave, she crashed into someone and fell backwards…straight into Neji.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" the nurse exclaimed.
"Um…that's okay…" Midori said, blushing furiously.
The nurse seemed to be in a hurry because she sped past the two quickly after.
"Um…sorry," Midori apologized as she straightened herself awkwardly. "Thanks for…catching me."
"…Don't mention it."
End Flashback
Now that I think about it…Ino was there… Midori thought, eyes wide. She was helping the medics carry back all the injured people! ARGH!
"Hello? Midori?"
"Huh?" Midori was brought out of her thoughts and instantly saw a hand waving in front of her face.
"You zoned out for a moment," Shikamaru said, looking at her strangely. "And…your face is kind of red."
"Oh! That's because it's kind of hot!" Midori said lamely as she laughed nervously. "I just remembered I have to go home before Nami and Kyoko burn down the apartment! I'll see you later, Shikamaru-kun!"
Shikamaru watched her run off and shook his head. "Maybe Ino was right. If I tell her she'll be troublesome about it." He sighed and rested his head back on the bench.
---
"AUGH! WHAT HAPPENED?!" Midori screamed as she was greeted by a black smog that filled her lungs. She coughed and started waving her hand in the air in an attempt to clear the smoke.
Nami and Kyoko appeared suddenly, waving their battle fans in the air.
"Home already, Midori?" Kyoko said.
"You know, if we knew you were going to be home so early we wouldn't have let Temari cook!" Nami said, annoyed.
"You let Temari cook?!" Midori yelped as she ran through the door and straight into the kitchen.
The hum of a fire extinguisher sounded and a white substance attacked the pan that Temari had been momentarily by. Midori breathed heavily as she stopped the fire extinguisher. "You…guys…are…impossible," she panted. She dropped the extinguisher and turned angrily towards everyone in general. "What are you trying to do, burn the apartment down?! You want us to be kicked out of our own place or setting fire?!"
"I was just cooking," Temari said with a tone of annoyance as she stared into the now snow-white pan. "It was just a little smoky."
"A little?!"
"Cool down, Midori," Nami said. "She was just cooking…something or other. And nobody got hurt!"
"Speak for yourself," Kankuro grumbled.
Midori sighed and slapped her forehead. HOW long did they say they were staying?
"Look, I'm no one's burden," Temari said, crossing her arms. "And they wanted food so I just cooked. It's not my problem if they don't like it or if you don't give them a chance to try it!"
Midori didn't want to argue with Temari partially because Temari's giant, iron fan was leaning against the wall in reach of the Suna kunoichi, so she decided to drop the matter. "Actually, I thought we could just get some takeout. Cooking's really troublesome, you know, so what do you say?"
"Fine, whatever," Temari sighed. She started walking out of the completely abolished kitchen mumbling something about that lazy bum from the Chuunin Exams.
Midori groaned as she picked up the fire extinguisher and said, "Hey, Kyoko."
"What?"
"Go buy some food."
"What? Why?! Nami and I already had to get your groceries!"
"Which are now either burnt or mixed in with foam because some people forgot to put them away! Now GO!"
"Fine! Fine!" Kyoko high-tailed it out of the apartment, deciding that it wouldn't do her any good to talk to Midori when she was being so malicious anyway.
As she walked, she stopped by the Ichiraku Ramen Shop. The aroma of scrumptious, mouth-watering miso ramen was too much for her to handle. She dashed into the shop and said, "Hey jiisan, do you have takeout?!"
Teuchi turned around and said, "Sure, Kyoko-kun! No time to eat out?"
"You could say that!"
"I'll make it quick then! How many?"
After a quick count, Kyoko answered, "Six!"
Teuchi turned back around and started the order.
"Wow, that's a lot!" Ayame remarked. "Do you have guests or something? Are you sharing with another team?"
"Um…yes!"
"Not a lot of people your age come for ramen so much, I think," Ayame said, giggling a little. "That is, except for Naruto-kun! And maybe that Akimichi boy. Who is it?"
"Uh…nobody special," Kyoko lied.
"The reverse is always true!" Ayame stated. "Tell me! Is it a boy? A very hungry boy?" Ayame said, putting a finger to her chin in a thinking position. "Back to that Akimichi boy again…Chouji, I think?"
"Not Chouji!" Kyoko said, sounding a little offended.
"Oh, then it is someone special!" Ayame said.
Dang it, Kyoko thought.
"Soooo…?" Ayame said nosily.
Gaara's face came to mind, but Kyoko wasn't about to tell Ayame that she was keeping not only one but three sand ninja who were not yet fully trustworthy allies of Konoha in her apartment. "Well…"
"Here you go, Kyoko-kun!" Teuchi said, giving Kyoko two bags, each with three containers of ramen in them.
"Arigato!" Kyoko exclaimed with relief as she handed him the correct amount of money. "Bye!"
"Daddy!" Ayame whined. "She was about to tell me who she was secretly dating! How disappointing!"
"I'm sorry, Ayame," Teuchi said, shrugging.
---
"Naa!" Kyoko helplessly stumbled through the busy streets of Konoha. For some reason, Konoha seemed extremely lively tonight. She was pushed off to the side more than once and started to get annoyed. The two bags of six containers of ramen were stacked in her arms since the old man had given her brown paper bags without any handy hand-holesinstead of plastic bags.
"Watch where you're going."
"You watch where you're going!" Kyoko shouted irritably. Then she felt one of the bags being lifted off the one she was holding. Staring curiously at the man who had kindly taken the bag for her, she examined him. He was young, probably a few years older than her. He had long, black hair pulled in a neat ponytail and glasses. A Konoha headband was placed over his forehead. His eyes were ice blue and he had a charming smile on his face.
"Hi there," the boy said, still grinning. "Need any help with this? Where are you off too?"
"My house," Kyoko explained. "I have um…guests. And I have to bring ramen for them." He's from Konoha…but I've never seen him before. Weird…
"Then I'll help you."
"Okay." Kyoko wasn't about to carry all this stuff through a crowd and the boy seemed polite anyway.
"So, tell me, what's your name?" the man asked.
"My name's Shimizu Kyoko," Kyoko answered. "What about you?"
"Mujitsu Shinsetsu," the stranger said. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Kyoko-san."
"Kyoko's fine," Kyoko shrugged. "Lots of people call me Kyoko-kun, though."
"Kyoko-kun," he nodded as if he were programming the name into his memory.
"Here's my place," Kyoko said as she walked up to the door and turning around to face Shinsetsu. "You can just put the bag down, I'll handle it."
"Nonsense," Shinsetsu said. "I'd feel much better if I helped you bring it in."
"Um…Okay…" Kyoko said uncertainly. "Here we go then! We're gonna come in now! Me and Shinsetsu! Coming in!" she announced loudly. She heard faint sounds of shuffling and a short crash, then opened the door.
Nami and Midori were sitting idly on the couch, Midori seemingly reading a book and Nami laying upside-down.
"Oh, Kyoko, you brought a guest," Midori cracked a smile. What's the matter with her?! Why'd she bring someone, let alone a guy we've never met!
"Who's your friend?" Nami asked curiously. Since when does Kyoko make any other friends besides us?
"My name is Mujitsu Shinsetsu," Shinsetsu introduced, bowing. "And you lovely ladies are?"
"Not interested," Nami said immediately.
"Nami!" Midori hissed as she bonked her friend on the head resulting in Nami flipping over and landing on her back.
"Ow…"
Midori rolled her eyes and said, "I'm Hikari Midori. Nice to meet you." She shook hands with Shinsetsu and nudged Nami as she sat up, rubbing her head.
"Kawa Nami," Nami mumbled. "Who would like to know what made Kyoko bring you here."
Kyoko glared at Nami. "He offered to help carry one of the bags of ramen."
"You bought ramen?" Midori slapped her forehead.
"Hey, you didn't tell me what to buy!" Kyoko huffed.
"Whatever, it's fine," Midori sighed.
"Kyoko-kun said you had guests," Shinsetsu said, looking around. "But I don't see anyone."
Midori and Nami glared daggers at Kyoko that said "I'll deal with you later". Kyoko shrunk.
"Well, you should probably get going," Midori said to Shinsetsu. "I mean, our guests haven't come yet and we don't really have any room for extra guests. I'm really sorry."
"No, no, I don't want to intrude," Shinsetsu said, holding up his hands and smiling. "It was nice meeting you girls. I'll see you around then?"
"Sure," Midori said, opening the door quickly. Just leave already! Please!
"Bye, Kyoko-kun," Shinsetsu said with a wave. "Midori-san, Nami-san—"
"Goodbye!" Nami slammed the door in his face and faced her friends.
"Well…that was pleasant," Midori sighed.
"What an annoying guy," Nami said, crossing her arms. "What, did you scrape him off the street or something, Kyoko?"
Kyoko shrugged. "He kind of was just…there."
"You can come out now, guys," Midori called.
Temari came out from one of the bedrooms and Kankuro slipped out from under the couch. Gaara came out of the closet and said less than merrily.
"What're we eating?" Kankuro asked hungrily.
"Miso ramen, compliments to Ichiraku!" Kyoko said, gesturing towards the bags of takeout.
Temari and Kankuro looked at each other.
"It could be worse," Kankuro shrugged.
"And what do you mean by that?" Temari frowned.
"…"
WHAM!
"Ow…" Kankuro rubbed his head in pain as his black hat started to rise. "Temari, you're beginning to get abusive."
Temari just turned away with her arms crossed.
Eh...for some reason I don't like the way I portrayed Temari...SORRY TEMARI FOR MY CRAPPY PORTRAYING SKILLS! Oh well. Coming up next is...THE GIRLS' PASTS! OMG Yay! R&R please!
Here's another story recommendation! WHOO! If you have the time and like my story, you might like RebelFlame's Goddess! (Again, I didn't really ask permission but...) Leave a review and some feedback cuz everyone loves them please! Thankies!
Stick around for next time cuz I'll have a SPECIAL announcement...(wink)
-HM