Chapter Twenty-Two: Lazy Days and Friends

I groaned, rolling around the sheets. Cold sweat popped from my back and sending shivers down my spine. Drifting in and out of sleep, I twisted myself again. Then my eyes finally flew open. Huh.

Gasping, I pushed myself up.

Another nightmare.

I moaned in frustration as I rubbed my face. Although I can't remember the dream, thank Kami, but I don't think I have the guts to go back to sleep. Fine then. Dragging myself from bed, I peeled away my sweaty pyjamas and changed into my normal outfit.

Being the eccentric weirdo that I am, I cut off the right sleeves of most of my long sleeved shirts. And of course the belly part. I prefer to have maximum air flowing around my body. Easy to conjure ice from the air to use as protection. On top of that, I sneaked a few fishnet undershirts from Shikamaru because I didn't really like showing too much skin. Most of my clothes are really baggy, so someone might have a lucky day and get to see my upper lady parts. Obviously I'm not letting anyone have the honour.

I considered my own habit peculiar but I like it. Whatever floats my boat.

Once I was ready, I escaped my home and melt into the night.

XX

I was considering about going to the Fourth's tonight. But I didn't know what changed my mind that sent me to walk along other people's rooftops. Maybe it was how the moon looked at this quiet hour. No hustle and bustle, no rich scents from the people as they haggle and sought. It's a really nice time to be out. When everyone's asleep.

Silently, I jumped from one house to another, spreading my arms out for balance. The sky's clear. The stars against the black velvet above are exceptionally bright. The lampposts in most places are shining dimly.

A very lovely night it is.

Suddenly, the wind picked up and a new scent came drifting after. I stopped walking and sniffed.

Strange sand smell. And it was very tangled with dark emotions. Anger, hatred, fear.

Death.

And blood. Lots of blood has been spilt by the bearer of this scent.

Of course, I was terrified about the fact that someone might have such an intricate and delicate smell in Konoha. But I was curious as well. I could almost hear the loneliness crying inside the smell. It was very peculiar, which began to ignite my curiosity.

Weird thing about scents, you can smell them, sort them out with your instinct and yet sometimes, you know in your mind that something else lie beneath it. As if you could smell their soul. Everyone has a soul scent, some well masked, others strong and pungent. It depends on the individual, really. But shame, I can't smell my own. I wonder if Kiba could? The Inuzuka's have a better nose than I. They can smell everything. I can only smell someone's soul and it doesn't work half the time. Drives me bonkers when that happens.

Eager to feed my growing curiosity, I followed the scent trail, hopping from house to house, until I got to one of the most well known inns of Konoha. Big place. Big enough to host a third of the village.

The scent shifted to alertness. I tilted my head. Strange. Very strange. Does the bearer know I'm here?

I shimmied up the walls and pounced on the roof, soft as a cat.

Found him.

The boy was sitting at the other side of the roof. I got on and sat on this side, tilting my head at him. He didn't seem scary, just quiet. But the bloodthirsty tinge in his scent was hard to miss. But he didn't attack me yet so I took it as a good sign. Playing with fire, I scooted closer to get a good look of him.

Fire red hair accompanied with terribly ringed eyes that looked empty. The light of his eyes were so dimmed, I almost thought he was dead. But the scent, his scent, it was so strong. The only other person I know with such a smell is Naruto, although his was just happiness, sunshine and pure raw determination. But of course Naruto's also have many tinges of the darker emotions, like loneliness and sadness. It's just hidden away by the brighter ones.

"Can't sleep?", I asked, almost shivering with excitement and fear, crazy combination really.

But he didn't answer me. No matter.

"Me neither.", I replied myself and looked to the moon. One more night and it will be a full moon. I heard a soft shift close by. "I'm Mononoke, by the way.", I turned back to him and jumped in surprise.

Sand was drifting over me but stopped the moment I said my name. I leaned over to look behind the sand. The boy stiffened when he saw me. I made a half smile, throwing him a confused look, "What are you doing?"

A few moments of silence ensued.

Then the sand shifted before receding. That's when I noticed the large gourd on his back. The last of the sand form a stopper. The next moment, it was as if nothing happened. At least the boy was acknowledging me now. I widened my smile and moved my butt a little closer, so I didn't have to talk so loud, "How do you do that? With the sand?" He still watched me as if I was some alien creature that fell from the sky and wanted to eat his brain.

But I waited. I waited for him to speak.

"Gaara. Sabaku No Gaara.", he finally said, before turning away. "Gaara.", I repeated and cocked my head to one side. I could feel his eyes were on me, even though his head was facing forwards. His scent changed, but it was slightly lighter than the scent before. He seemed confused.

I nodded and grinned at him, "I'll remember that."

He was silent.

But I was already satisfied. I leaned on my hands and looked over the moon, enjoying the view. I've found the bloodthirsty scent and I've made an acquaintance. Lovely night indeed.

XXXXXX

I stretched and rolled over. Picking at a blade of grass, I played with it while waving my legs back and forth. Shikamaru yawned beside me before shifting to a more comfortable pose.

We both had a day off today and decided to spend it together, doing the thing we did best.

Lazing around.

I stifled a yawn and whacked the boy beside me lamely, "Close your mouth when you yawn, Shikamaru." He snorted, glancing at me, "Troublesome woman."

I had been doing that for a few days now. Dragging his full name around. He didn't want to admit it but I knew he liked the nickname before and he probably regretted complaining so much. But of course, now I'm using his name just to watch him squirm uncomfortably as a payback. Revenge is sweet when served cold.

"Whatever. Shikamaru."

Groaning, he turned to lay on his side, propping his head up with his arm, "Okay, cut it out. What do you want?" I gave him a look that loosely translates to 'I don't understand what you're on about'.

He wagged his finger at me, like a mother scolding a child, "Oh no, you don't. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

Another look, this one is more of a 'You're exaggerating' before I turned back to my blade of grass. I'm having so much fun.

He groaned and to my absolute surprise, grabbed my chin to make me look at him, "I'm not exaggerating, dammit! Is this about the 'Shika' thing? I like it, okay? Just cut this 'Shikamaru' crap already!"

That's when I mirrored Shika, holding his chin the same way, "Shika, I never thought I would be telling this to you, but seriously. Take a chill pill." He was about to protest when he finally realized I said his nickname again and relaxed.

I rolled my eyes and went back to playing with grass, muttering, "Weirdo."

"Troublesome woman.", he countered but he went back to his original pose, relieved now. He must be worrying his ass off. It's not obvious, but as lazy and uncaring Shika may be, his brain is always swarming with things. Downside of being a genius, I guess. He never told me about it but I can always smell it on him. The tang of interchanging emotions and thoughts are always easy to detect.

I sighed and scooted closer to him, pressing my side against his, "It's okay, Shika. I'm here."

He sucked in a breath of surprise but as I snuggled into his arm, my attention still on the grass. I felt him steadily calming down. The smell of his emotions became more stable and I exhaled in content and relief. At least he's calming down now. The crazy smells were getting out of hand.

Lucky for him, Shika has a nice scent so it's a win-win situation here.

XXXX

"Naruto, please. You're going to get a stomach-ache.", I said, looking over at him worriedly. The kid's been training his ass off ever since we got back from the Waves and he keeps missing meals. Sure, he's walloping like a horse now. Which is going to kill him later. No food for a whole day and now he's gorging himself. I have no idea what came over him but whatever it was, it had to do with the prince of doom and gloom beside me.

Duckbutt was on his third bowl and shows no intention of backing down.

Sakura, who was sitting between Naruto and I, was staring at the blonde in disgust. She insisted she didn't want to eat but she ended up sharing half a bowl with me. "When was the last time you ate, Sakura?", I asked her, directing my concern to someone else. I swear, this entire team has issues. Including me, but I'm not as bad. At least I eat normally.

"Yesterday, lunch?", she turned to me in confusion and I smacked my forehead, groaning, "You're a ninja now. You need energy to do stuff. Energy comes from food. And if you're going to run around fighting bad guys, you have to eat more to be useful. You're going to burn the energy off anyway." I leaned over to her, "You. Can't. Get. Fat. You get me?"

She sighed and twisted her finger around her pink hair, insecure, "Well, I'll try."

"No, no, no. Don't try. Eat properly.", I said firmly before ordering another bowl for us. Two bowls shared between us would equal one each. Simple maths.

Duckbutt raised his hand but I smacked it down, hard, seething at him, "Just because I'm paying doesn't mean you need to stuff yourself for next winter." He glared at me and as he tried to raise his other hand, I leaned closer, "Try that and you're going to find yourself iced to your bed for a week."

"One more bowl, Teuchi-san!"

"Ignore him, Teuchi-san! I'm paying now!"

Yup, gotta love my team.

"Man, I'm full.", Naruto sighed contently as he patted his tummy. When we were done with lunch, Duckbutt had gone off, saying that he'll 'be back later'. More like eat and run the hell away. Sakura remained with us, however, which is something. She had been hanging out with me for two days now, talking about stuff. I don't remember the hell lot of it because mostly it was boy nonsense, aka Duckbutt. But when Sakura isn't being a rock, no offense to rock kind, she's actually a decent person. Most of her conversations are pretty smart.

"And I'm broke. You owe me big time, mister.", I growled, lightly cuffing the blonde's head. He laughed sheepishly and I rolled my eyes at him. The things I do for these idiots. Then a weird square box came hobbling over. I blinked at it in confusion.

"Uh.", I spoke up and Sakura followed my gaze before she voiced out her concern as well, "What's that?"

Naruto hummed in confusion and turned to the box. He walked around it, and it followed after. Then, he experimented with running around, and it followed boisterously. After a few rounds, Naruto got annoyed and pointed at it angrily, "What idiot thinks that a rock is square anyway!?"

So that's what it was supposed to be. A rock. OH. I must be an idiot.

Turns out, it was the Hokage's grandson and his friends. I've seen him before, when he tried to "assassinate" the old man. I laughed until my insides hurt all over when that happened. As Naruto squabbled with Konohamaru, I giggled, "Silly donuts." The duo began a game of cat and mouse, Naruto waving angrily at the kid as he threw insults at the Genin.

Sakura placed her hands on her hips and complained, "Naruto's a ninja now! Can't he act a little more mature?" I laced my hand behind my head, grinning at her, "Well, we can't all be like you and Duckbutt. Besides, it doesn't hurt to act like a little kid every now and then."

"Tch, I hate insolent brats. It makes me want to hurt them." I looked over at the grumpy voice and scowled. A boy wearing face paint grabbed Konohamaru by his scarf, almost scaring the kid to tears.

"Hey, leave him alone!", Naruto shouted and the boy looked at him like he was dirt, "And who do you think you are? Ugh, you're all eyesores."

"Hey, kitty ears. Drop the kid and I'll let you go easy.", I called walking over, placing a hand on Naruto to restrain him. He had the same sand smell as Gaara, but not as dark and dangerous. Just bratty. He looked me over before smirking, "Cute kid. Why the long face?" Oh hell no. I would not have a drag show hitting on me.

"Knock it off, Kankuro. They aren't worth it.", the kunoichi behind him said, obviously older than the boy. She looked around slightly nervously, alert. I just noticed her. She seemed interesting. Especially that big fan she's holding. And she smells like sandy wind. Awesome.

"Whatever, frog eyes.", I said smoothly, and walked closer, "Let the kid go." His smirk grew wider, "And what are you going to do? Cuddle me to sleep?"

It happened in a flash.

I substituted myself with Konohamaru, switching our places. So I was being held by my collar. But my hands were clamped down on the Hello Kitty throat hold. He grunted in surprise and released me the moment frost seared his hand. I landed on my feet steadily and smirked at him, "You're all meow but no bite, kitty cat."

A vein popped from his forehead and raised his fist, readying to punch me. But I stood there, watching him indifferently. He gritted his teeth and just as he was about to bury his fist into my face, a sharp rock struck his hand. He flinched and looked up.

I sighed and laced my hands behind me head, following his gaze, and grinned, "You're late, Duckbutt."

He grunted, but in Duckbutt's hand, a rock jumped up and down from his palm. A silent threat. Kitten boy growled angrily as he released the wrapped up thing on his back. I looked over and wowed, "Ooh, is that your scratching post?"

"Kankuro, you can't be serious! You're bringing Karasu into this?", the kunoichi asked worriedly, "You're going to get us in trouble."

I nodded, pouting a little at the boy, making him even more pissed off, "Oh yes, lots of trouble. And lots of paperwork too, since you're from Suna and everything. There's definitely going to be a stir."

"That's it. I'm going to kill you and worry about that later!", Pretty Kitty snarled.

"Leave her alone, fool.", a low voice threatened and Kankuro froze.

Wait a minute, I know that smell.

Turning to look back at the tree Duckbutt sat on, I smiled at the newcomer, "Oh, hello. Didn't see you coming, Gaara." He glanced at me for a moment before turning back to the other Sand boy, who was stammering his excuses so hard I thought he's having a seizure.

"Shut up.", Gaara spoke and Kitty stiffened, clamping his trap.

The redhead jumped off the tree and landed a few way from me. We looked at each other for a long moment. The atmosphere in the air was thick. Then, I smiled, breaking the tension, "Try to keep them in line, neh, Gaara? I do not wish you to get into trouble." Gaara dipped his head once before walking off. Kankuro was staring at me as if I grew another head. I waggled my fingers at him, "Run along now, kitty."

"Hold on.", I heard Duckbutt intervened as the trio was about to leave. I saw Gaara stopped, making the other two follow after.

"What's your name?"

The girl smiled at him in flirty way, "You mean me? I'm-"

"No, I meant the guy with the gourd on his back.", Sasuke interrupted her and I noticed her face fall a little in disappointment before shrugging it off. Is it me or does Duckbutt have a weird effect on girls?

Gaara turned slightly, looking back. "Sabaku No Gaara. And I'm interested in yours as well." Duckbutt smirked at him, "Uchiha Sasuke." This looks more like a dating service to me than the threatening name exchange kind of thing. Maybe I'm just being mental. Gaara nodded before turning away, the other two trailing behind.

Sakura walked up to stand beside me, "But what are Suna ninjas doing here?" I lifted my shoulders, showing indifference, as I looked over to her, "Must be for the Chunin Exams. I noticed the passes in the kunoichi's pocket." She blinked in surprise, "Chunin Exams?"

"Yeah. I listened in to some Chunins talking about it the other time.", I told her and Naruto butted in, "Hmm? What? What? What're Chunin Exams?" Konohamaru told him about it and they began squabbling about the lack of knowledge in Naruto's brain.

I sighed.

Just gotta love my team.

XXXXX

Kakashi sat close by, reading his book. I could smell his excitement over the story all the way here as I kicked the water around. We were hanging out at the waterfall nearby the spot we first met. It's close to evening now, the sky was dim.

It's nice here. Shady and cool. And not that many mosquitoes. Damn things are always giving me the itchy kisses.

I was going to stay over at Kakashi's place today just because. Besides, the nightmares were getting crazy ever since I got back from the last mission and I've never had a good night's sleep hence. I already told Shikaku about it so he didn't need to worry about me.

Lifting my feet from the water, I waddled over to him on all fours before plopping my head on his lap. He continued reading his book, but his hand went to my head, playing with my hair. I breathe in the rich earthy smell of the forest and exhaled in content.

"So, I met a few Suna ninjas just now.", I said, looking up at Kakashi. "Hmm, you did?", he asked, his eyes still scanning the words on the book. "Mhmm. They're here for the Chunin Exams, I think.", I spoke again, still watching him. "Interesting.", he replied, obviously just spewing random comments. I rolled my eyes before taking his hand into mine. He allowed me because obviously he wasn't paying attention.

Then I bit his finger.

"Ouch.", Kakashi looked down at me and I grinned, my teeth still on his pointer. Now I've got his attention.

"Chunin Exams.", I said pointedly and he sighed, closing his book, "Yes, yes. I heard you. Don't worry about it." He removed his hand before I was going to bite his finger off and lifted mine to his face. I stared at him in confusion.

Then he quickly brought my hand over to his mouth and bit me back with his mask still on.

"Oi.", I complained, pulling my finger out of danger quickly, and he chuckled, "A finger for a finger."

XXXX

Ahhh.. So here we have some key meetings and some more fluff. LOVE ME. (Don't worry. The nightmares won't come near when Mono is in Kakashi's huggles. She'll be fine. FOR NOW.)

AND LOOK. MEETING WITH GAARA? Mononoke is, in this idiom we have in Cantonese, "taking worms and stuffing it in your ass". You can pretty much guess what it means. I mean, if she wasn't careful, Gaara might just make her into a Mononoke pulp. But making friends is her forte. GOOD FOR MOMO WOOT.

Fact#17: Mononoke looks more like her father. But her personality is a mix of both parents.

(I won't be talking much about Daiten and Tenshi for the time being so.. Just wanna let you guys know. Daiten is a adult ball of mischief and pure dumb luck but is fiercely loyal to the village. Tenshi is a stubborn, loving woman who is great at herbs but have zero talent in cooking. So you probably know who Yoshino is referring. And Daiten is the one that cooks, fyi.)