Bah-dah! Here is chapter 3! No clothes shopping this chapter, but I do believe it'll happen next chapter~
How are you readers feeling about the characters? Do you like them? Dislike them? Let me know!
As always, pictures can be found on my deviantart - whispersofduskshade . deviantart
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does. I own Kokoro, Chihiro, Asuka, Manami, Tsubaki and Haruko.
All six women lay in single beds, sleeping soundly- worn out by the events of the past two days. Tenzou remained hidden, watching carefully as instructed. As he kept an eye on the inhabitants in the room, he thought back to the information that had been gained earlier that day.
FLASHBACK
Tsunade sat back in her chair, entwining her fingers as she leaned her elbows on the desk. As Inoichi followed Shikaku into the room, he shut the door behind him. His blue eyes saw the ANBU operative standing against the wall, still as stone.
"So, what have we learned?" Tsunade asked, as Shizune shuffled through Inoichi's notes.
"They all seem to know a bit of our past," Shikaku began," The Raven—or rather, Kokoro— and Chihiro seem to know the most. Their knowledge is identical, which is the only concern I have. How can two individuals know the same exact information?"
"That does raise some concern. Especially since their knowledge goes so far back as to the First Hokage," Tsunade nodded," And the others?"
"Well, the other two brunettes- Manami and Asuka- and the red-haired girl, Tsubaki- also know a good amount of history, but theirs only seems to go back to Lord Third. The blonde—Haruko. She knows the least amount. Just little bits here and there."
"So if any of them are concerns for a threat, it'd be Kokoro and Chihiro," Inoichi frowned.
"Did you see any of their past?"
"No," Inoichi shook his head," It's like it's been completely wiped clean. No family, no home—nothing."
"But… everyone has to have something…" Shizune murmured, a sad expression crossing her face.
"It might be Orochimaru's plan. Completely erase everything. Make them dependent on him," Tsunade said, leaning back in her chair.
"Shikaku."
"Yes, Lady Hokage?"
"With the knowledge we have on them—do you think it wise to train them to become kunoichi? To trust them to protect the village?"
"It's hard to discern, honestly," Shikaku replied," With no past to go on—any one of them could easily turn on us." His attention turned to the ANBU in the corner. "What about you? You've spent more time than any of us with them. Do you think they are trust worthy?"
Tenzou was a bit taken aback at being asked, but answered," They all seem to have… interesting personalities…. The only one I would be concerned of is Haruko. She seems to not have any ties to anybody—nor does she care to attempt to. Her lack of appreciation to Konohagakure for freeing her…"
Shikaku nodded, as he turned to Tsunade," Maybe we train them—get to know their abilities. Perhaps during that time, we can figure out their intentions. Whether good or bad."
"Very well. Thank you—you may all go," Tsunade nodded, and turning to Tenzou she told him," Keep an eye on them, but at a distance. There should be an empty room on the second floor they can sleep in for the night."
END FLASHBACK
Tenzou kept his distance, but it was hard for him to do so. Something about the Raven-
No. Something about Kokoro kept drawing him near her. Whatever it was, was driving him insane. He noticed the faint light growing, as the sun slowly began to rise. Below him, he noticed Kokoro begin to slowly move- yawning with a stretch as she sat up. Her brown eyes slowly blinked open, as she looked around the room. Quietly, she stood up and walked over to the door- trying the handle. A frown plastered her face when it wouldn't open. Looking over her shoulder at her roommates, she didn't want to bother them- well, most of them—by knocking. Shrugging her shoulders, she stepped over to the window and looked out at the village.
"I hope this doesn't startle her…" Tenzou grimaced, as he disappeared from the alcove above them. Slowly, he pushed out from the wall beside the door and came to stand within the room.
"Err…" Tenzou muttered, unsure of what to say. Kokoro turned around swiftly, but calmed when she saw it was the familiar masked man.
"Oh… Morning," Kokoro nodded," Great timing though—I wanted to see about possibly getting us a bath? I can still feel that green liquid in my hair…." Her fingers played with her ratted hair as she spoke, brown eyes furrowing in annoyance.
"Of course. I'll check with Lady Hokage about it."
"Thanks… I never did get your name?"
"ANBU aren't permitted to give out their name to people."
"ANBU? Oh… the reason for the mask?"
"Correct."
"I see… Well—hopefully one day you will be permitted. I'd like to properly thank the man that saved our lives." Thankful for the mask once more, Tenzou could feel the blush on his face. Uncertain of what to say once more, he decided to just disappear- leaving Kokoro standing there alone. Her brown eyes blinked in surprise, but accepted it and turned back to the window- watching as the sun continued to rise.
0o0o
Hours had passed, and it was now just after mid-day. As he had promised, Tenzou had spoken to Tsunade. The Hokage agreed that they needed to bathe, so another ANBU operative had escorted them to the Hot Springs. After the much refreshing bath, they were escorted to one of the restaurants- where they all ate a very satisfactory meal.
Now, they had been escorted to another room- one they didn't recognize. As they walked in, Tsunade looked up from the paper on her desk.
"Ah, then I take it you're all feeling more… at home?"
"Yeah and it's about-" the blonde, Haruko began before Kokoro interrupted her.
"Yes, and we thank you." The two glared at each other, and after narrowing her eyes Haruko looked away, huffing to herself. No one noticed the amused look on Tsunade's face- which she quickly hid before she continued.
"Now, I have spoken to several of my shinobi- and most agree to assist in training you. All that is needed is to find decent matches between you lot and them," Tsunade explained, as Shizune handed each of them a piece of bark," This bark will tell us which type of chakra you each possess."
A moment of silence passed, before one of the brunettes—Asuka—asked," What's the catch?"
"You have to apply your own chakra to it in order for it to work," Tsunade smirked.
"How the hell are we supposed to do that?!" Haruko exclaimed in disbelief.
Tsunade turned her brown eyes on the blonde before answering," Figure it out yourself. If you—any of you—have what it takes to train as Kunoichi, then this test should be a piece of cake for you. When you've managed that, come back to see me. Dismissed." Haruko huffed in irritation before storming out of the room, Tsubaki soon following her. Kokoro looked to Asuka, Manami and Chihiro before shrugging and walking out of the room with the other three.
After they were far enough away, Tsunade called out to the ANBU in the corner," Tenzou—continue keeping an eye on them. Let me know of any progress or… issues that occur."
"Yes, Lady Hokage."