And here's where the story REALLY begins! Believe me, I'm yelling 'Finally!' about as much as you guys ^^;
Just as a reminder: My chara is NOT a shinobi and does NOT have any special fighting skills: which is why she won't actually be joining the missions. I know, sounds boring, but I'll try and fast forward those moments!
Admin: Don't. own. Now leave me to my misery.
"Wake up wake up wake up wake up wake uuuuuuuuuuup!"
I grumbled, hiding my face in my pillow, contemplating whether to use it as a bludgeon or not; figures I just had to get a hangover on this particular day. And then my grumbles turned into a shriek as cold water splashes into my neck, and contemplation becomes reality.
After looking at my handiwork with satisfaction, I head to the kitchen - about two steps away - and quickly grabbed the frying pan to make omelets. "Hurry and get dressed, Naruto!" I yelled over my shoulder, causing another headache. Was sunlight always this bright?
"I'm already dressed," he whined in response, "you're the one who won't wake up!"
"Tell that to our friendly neighbour who won't bother with expenses..." I grumbled, and quickly fished a bottle of aspirin out of the cabinet, not letting go of the omelet. At first I was surprised at the fact that aspirin exists in this 'fictional' world; now I thank whatever deity sent me here that it does. Aspirin is the average underpaid woman's best friend, not diamonds.
After a quick breakfast I got dressed (Naruto waiting outside, of course) and headed out. I know Naruto can look after himself and get there easily on his own, but nevertheless I walked him to and from school everyday (considering the look on his face everytime the other kids meet with their parents).
"Good luck, Naruto!" I yelled after him as he ran in the direction of the entrance, where Iruka-sensei was stationed (and grimacing slightly at his orange jumpsuit). It was great seeing him happy with someone other than me; even if it was the teacher who made him clean up the statues he messed up just the day before. In my opinion, the guy bought him ramen too much.
Today was a big day for him; he was going to take the examination and become a actual shinobi! Or at least, if he passed it; which I knew he wasn't. I already knew about that bastard Mizuki and his attempt to steal the scroll. The only reason I didn't act against it is because this was part of the story, that Naruto had to do this in order to gain his signature move and his headband.
Sometimes Aspirin just isn't enough to get rid of these headaches. I sighed, and hurried off to my job at the flower shop where Ino lived. Yep, I worked there, and I have to say, Ino was quite cute at first. Now she's just plain annoying. But then again, all pre-teens are.
"Good morning, Gintai-san!" I turned towards my boss, Ino's mother, and bowed. "Good morning Yamanaka-san." I replied, and quickly put on my gloves and stood next to the cash register, waiting for customers. Business came slowly in this particular shop, but it was regular, and this allowed me time to think. Most of my thoughts were about the future, and all the problems Naruto was going to face; often times I played with the thought of telling him, or even acting against it; but my decision, as always, has been to wait. I didn't want to change anything, for better or worse, because this is Naruto's life and destiny (how cheesy), and he would have to get through it, for better or worse. Once again I sighed and lamented the current absence of aspirin, when the door opened and I turned to my next customer.
***
As my job came to an end I quickly said goodbye to Yamanaka-san and headed to the Academy to pick up Naruto. When I arrived, however, he wasn't at his usual spot at the swing. I knew of course why he wasn't there and took a short moment to glare at the masses in front of me, then for appearances' sake headed over to Iruka-sensei.
"Iruka-sensei," I said when he saw me, "have you seen Naruto? He's not here and I was supposed to pick him up. Did anything happen?"
Iruka looked over, apologetically. "I'm sorry, I don't know where he is. I'm afraid he didn't pass the examination, and he hasn't been here since. Maybe he went home first?"
I quickly fixed my face to show a worried look, and after thanking him headed back to our appartment. Well, I knew what was gonna happen; bloody Mizuki was gonna make the poor guy steal the scroll. I sighed and entered the room, lying down on the mattress across from the bed (not enough space for two beds, don'tcha know?); I'd lie if I say I wasn't worried, but that comes with the territory, and I just went with the flow.
A few hours after midnight (me being awake, playing the worried sister), there was a knock on the door, and outside was Iruka, obviously pissed off. "Is Naruto here?" he panted, having run quite a bit. "No, he isn't," I replied, acting scared. "Why? Did something happen?" Iruka scratched the back of his head nervously: "I'm afraid that's classified, but could you let me know if he turns up? It's very important." And then he was gone.
I sighed, and closed the door. Well, at least Iruka was looking for him, so nothing changed. All I could do was wait. I was extremely worried by now, but decided to let the shinobi handle it, and quickly ran through my memories of what I'd seen in the anime, sniggering slightly at Naruto's prank against the Hokage. I pretty much knew what was gonna happen; the hardest part would be if he decided to ask me whether I knew about the Kyuubi. Once again I grabbed Aspirin and chugged down three, then lay down on the bed, hoping the headache would end; knowing it would stay until the part where I no longer knew what was gonna happen.
At sunrise Naruto finally came back home, sporting his allmighty grin and the headband he'd acquired by beating Mizuki to a pulp. Of course, I being the sweet coughsadistcough sister, decided to greet him by playing whack-a-ninja with him and my all-powerful rolling pin. Then I hugged him tightly, not-so-fake tears in the corner of my eyes. "Don't make me worry like that again, Naruto, ok? I don't want to lose you!"
He certainly looked surprised, I can tell ya! But then he smiled: "Sorry, nee-chan. I promise I'll tell you next time." That look on his face was the sweetest ever, and we just sat there for a while like that. Then he decided to spend the wee hours of the morning telling me the story of how he single-handedly (or thousand-handedly, whichever fits) defeated a traitor of the village; I zoned out through most of it; even fake worrying can be exhausting. I only zapped back into the story when he paused for a while. "What's wrong, Naruto?" I asked as he looked rather worried and sad.
He continued standing in front of me for a bit, and then asked: "Nee-chan, do you know about the Kyuubi?"
Uh oh. (transl.: SAVE MEEEEEEEE!!!)
A cliffhanger! 'Le gasp' How will she answer, me wonders? :3 Reed and River!