Disclaimer/ Warnings: From now on I will only post these on the first chapter. I don't want to fill up the chapters with these things and annoy you, the readers. Sound fair?
Shiruba is my OC (Original Character) and so this chapter is told from her perspective. Gaara's POV will be in the next chapter. Hope this clears everything up.
"Family Ties"
By: Beloved Shadow of Light
+ To Become A Chunin +
Wowee! Big gate! Not as big as I'm use to but it's big by human standards. I grin as I hitch my pack higher on my shoulder and just about skip towards the gates. Well it sure felt good to be home that's for sure.
I pause and blink. Is this really home? Well lemme see, one… two… three… ah forget it I can't remember how many homes I have but that just means I have lots of people who love me! I giggle and continued my skip-jog.
The guards look at me weird but I just smile brightly at them. "Konnichiwa!" I say brightly. One of them slowly smiles at me, nodding at me. Before he can ask I reach into my pocket only to frown. Not there. Okay my other pocket. Not there either. Okay now where did I put it? Frowning I remove the pack from my shoulders and give it to the guard.
"Hold this for a sec," I tell him and check all my pockets. I pull the neckline of my shirt and look inside but nope, not there. Frowning I just about attack my pack and the poor guard holding it, throwing stuff out. Oh man if I lost it mom is gonna kill me--hey my book! "Found it!" I just about squeal and flash my ID pass into the guard's face. "Forgot I was using as a bookmarker," I grin.
"I'll just check this over while you, um, gather your things," he says and nods to the large mess I had. I blink and blush madly as I see one of my favorite nighties lying in the open for all to see. Giving him and his partner a sheepish grin I quickly grab it and shove it into my pack. It'll get wrinkled but I can wash and fold it later. By the time I have everything back in the pack the guard gives me my ID back.
"Welcome to Konohagakure, young lady," he tells me with a smile.
"Arigato!" I thank him, swinging my pack back onto my shoulders. "Feels good to be back!" As soon as the doors open I ran right through, waving and telling them thanks. Wow this is really cool, I'm back home! Yay me!
Okay first I should-! I blink as I try to remember what I was suppose to do first. Didn't I write it down? I recheck my pockets before slapping my forehead. Oh Kami I think it got wet in that rain storm. Well I should remember what I wrote down! Then again, I can barely remember half the stuff I write. Um I think I was suppose to go meet the Sandaime, or was it mom? But was I suppose to go to the tower or home? Is anyone even home right now or do they have a mission?
I stop and reach up to rub my temples in little circles. Ugh all this remembering is giving me a headache. I know! I'll get something to eat! That usually helps me remember stuff. Now, where can I get something to eat?
I ask around and several people point me to different places. So many choices so little-
-sniff sniff-
Wait. Wait a damn minute. Is that -sniff sniff- what I think it is? My eyes widen as I catch sight of the stand and the sign outside. Oh my god, DANGOS!! Squealing happily I race inside and immediately order a few dozen orders of the sweet treat. I hum happily as I eat my treat on a bench just outside, enjoying my little snack. Doesn't matter where I go this place always has the best dangos, so sweet and freshly made. Oh sweet heaven I'm in love with it!
Oh damn I'm done. Hmm I would love to take some with me but mom wouldn't be very happy about that. Ahh well. Looking at the slightly sticky sticks I pick them up and locate a lone tree just several yards away. I smile and with a sharp twirl, hurl the sticks right at the tree all at once. They all fly straight and true, hitting the tree but I was smiling at the image I had made. A goofy looking star with a big happy grin, winking.
I smile and making sure I had my pack, was off once more. Wow, this place sure grew last time I was here. Ooh I hope that club is still here. I'm tempted to go have some fun but then again... I end up wondering around the area, looking in new stores, enjoying the delicious smells, enjoying the sights but I stop just in time as someone rushes by me. I blink and take another look. A really pissed off sakura-colored hair girl is chasing a blonde boy her age and a younger boy wearing a ridiculously long scarf.
Blonde hair… oh it's him! I grin and open my mouth to call out but my eyes widen as the little kid crashes into a guy dressed in black. I watched as he turns and at first I'm taken back by his face. He's wearing red face paint with a hint of purple but why is he wearing kabuki paint? Is there a show going on? Wait, that symbol on his forehead… oh hell no!
"What are they doing here?" I ask myself, growling angrily.
They're all talking, discussing something but it doesn't look good. The blonde boy moves to rescue the little kid, racing at the guy in black but he smirks and his fingers move. I narrow my eyes as I notice strings of charka coming from his fingertips. I watch as they wrap around the blonde's ankles, causing him to trip and fall on his face. Oh that was a dirty trick!
"Hey!" I shout as I make my way towards them, my gaze focused solely on the kabuki player. I march my way right into his face, ignoring everyone else around us. "Pick on someone your own size!"
He looked down at me and smirks, leaning his face close to mine. I refuse to back up but he's seriously invading my personally bubble here. "What are you going do about it?" he taunts. Oh this guy thinks he's so bad. I merely mirror his smirk and using the same trick against him, catch the charka stings onto my fingertips. With as few moves as I can manage I make him release the boy. I giggle at the dumbfounded look on his face as he has yet to realize that I have him trapped thanks to his own technique. Well it's my turn to have fun! Still giggling I cross my arms over my chest but it causes his arms to wrap around himself like he's hugging himself. "Aah did someone need a hug?" I taunt as I struggle not to break out laughing.
He growls and struggles, breaking the strings. "You little!" He grips the white bundle on his back but he doesn't get the chance to use--whatever that thing is against me. I blink as tendrils of sand wrap around his arms and legs, holding him tightly in place. Hey I know someone who uses that-
"Shiruba-ane!!" I feel a heavy weight suddenly attaches himself to my back but unfortunately it's unexpected so guess what happens. Yep! I fell over. Well actually I tried to regain my balance but that's not going so well with the heavy weight adding to my giant pack so I end up crashing into Mr. Put-His-Make-Up-In-the-Dark and send the three of us crashing to the ground.
"Ow! Naru-kun, get off!" I yell at my brother. Yep that blonde hurricane is my brother and I love him. But I don't like the fact that I'm getting squished or having my pack dig into my spine. I have some fragile stuff and my weapons in there!
"Gomen gomen!" he says but he gets off. Now I can breathe and I look down at the guy in black. You know up close he's kinda cute, but what is the deal with the paint? The longer I stare at him the more uncomfortable I'm starting to feel. I blink before scrambling to my feet, dusting my clothes off. "Arigato for breaking my fall," I say quietly.
He also stands and dusts himself off. "Well… I didn't have much of a choice," he mutters. Okay the cuteness factor just went right out the window. What a jerk! Frowning I spin on my heel and finally look at my brother.
He's grown since I last saw him. Yeah I'm still taller but he looks good, so cute and his eyes are still as expressive as ever. Smiling I reach up and pinch his whiskered cheeks. "Oh Naru-kun, you still have the cutest baby-face!" I tell him; I love teasing him like this. I can feel the heat reach into his face as he slaps my hands away. Feigning hurt I pout before pulling him into a proper hug. "So good to see you."
"Hai ane!" he tells me and hugs me tightly, purring softly.
"Um Naruto, who's that?" the girl finally asks. Oh she has pretty eyes! Hey what can I say, I like different eye colors, they speak a lot about a person's character if you know how to read them right.
"Aah Sakura-chan! This is my sister, Shiruba. Ane, this is Sakura. She's my teammate of Squad 7," he says with obvious pride in his voice. "That's Konohamaru, Udon, and Meogi. They're academy students and my minions." I can tell he cares for them all deeply as he smiles happily and proudly.
"That's right! One day I'm gonna be hokage, as soon as I beat Naruto-sempai!" the kid with the scarf demands. So cute I just wanna pat him on the head and tell him what a good boy he is.
"Konnichiwa!" I say happily, grinning but it grows as I turn and immediately glomp the person that is trying to sneak up at my side. "Imouto!" He sighs but hugs me back. I'm the only person who can call Taka that.
"One of these days I will catch you off guard," he tells me but hugs me back anyway.
"You wish. But now I feel like something is missing;" I pull back and look up at a large tree where I see a kid around Naru-kun's age with black hair, wearing blue and white as he sits/hides on branch covered in shade. I smile and he gives me a strange look but trust me, I ain't looking at some pasty faced brat. "Aren't ya gonna give me a hug too, panda?" That's when everyone notices the guy above him.
Gaara says nothing, hanging by his feet just underneath the branch above the pasty faced guy. One would think with that huge gourd on his back he would have trouble keeping the charka and balance but he's not like everyone else. He's special in more ways than one.
He opens his eyes to reveal incredible pale jade color eyes, smirks ever so lightly before vanishing in a swirl of sand to reappear just a few feet away. I can hear the guy in black and the blonde girl with that huge ass fan hiss sharply but I don't pay them any mind. Stepping up to him I smile and hold out my arms. He bows his head but steps forward and walks right into my embrace, wrapping his arms around my waist and rests his head against my shoulder. Warm and rough like the sand. Yep, that's my panda alright.
"Aneki..." He still speaks so softly I can barely hear him and from the corner of my eye I watch as fan girl flinches. It takes everything I have not to snort.
"Arigato for earlier," I whisper to him but he just hugs me tighter so I content myself with running my fingers through his crimson hair. I can hear Naruto telling his friends about me as I talk with Haku, talking about what's new and how our lives have been since we last met. Gaara doesn't say anything but he doesn't have to. I don't care if we look weird in the middle of the road, people can go right around us for all I care and besides, I haven't seen my family in a damn long time. I can hug them in public if I want!
The blonde girl swallows and makes to step forward but I pin her in place with a fierce look. I don't say anything but I'm telling them with my body language 'Don't even think about it.' They go tense but I can tell they want to defy me. 'Take another step and you'll regret it.'
'He's our brother. We have every right!' she yells at me.
'You lost that right the day the kazekage passed the order.'
She froze but I could tell she was trembling. She still tried taking a step but I didn't have to move. The sand shifted so fast she was forced to back up or else she would have lost a leg, or a foot. I don't think Gaara realizes what's going on but I know who does. Reaching out I run my hand over the gourd, keeping my eyes trained on the two before me. The sand backs off but no one notices except Haku yet he's keeping quiet, ready to attack if the need arises. The girl looks hurt but slowly turns away.
"Let's go, Kankuro."
"But Temari-"
"We have to meet Baki-sensei."
The boy in blue finally jumps down from his perch just as Gaara pulls away from the hug as the two nins from Suna leave us. I still wanna go over and kick their asses but it'll have to wait. No way those two are hurting my panda.
"And this is Sasuke-teme." Oh? I study him carefully but the eyes and the symbol on the back of his shirt ring a bell in my head.
"Uchiha Clan of the famed kekkei genkai, the Sharigan Eye." He looks shocked but he's really good as hiding his emotions as he pulls on a 'mask'. What, is he expecting me to grovel at his feet and worship him? I don't think so! For one thing he's too young, so not my type and I just plain don't like him. "Whatever kwaidan." Now he looks shocked but I don't give him another look as I smile at my siblings.
"So! I don't know about you but I'm starving and since this is the perfect chance to catch up on some juicy gossip with my three best friends let's have a family dinner out! My treat!"
"Hai!!" Yep, that was Naruto alright.
"What about Zabuza-san and Hidama-san?" Ah Haku, the sensible one in the group.
"What about them?" I ask sweetly.
"Shouldn't you let them know you're here?"
"Oh I can do that later. Besides, I have presents to give and I'm really hungry." Okay I'm not really that hungry but the dangos are starting to wear off. I need food food, pronto! He gives me a look but nods in agreement. I win!
"But there's one little thing you have to do first." They all look at me as I take a couple step back, giving them my sly grin as my eyes shine. Slowly I hold up a single finger as I continue smiling. "You have to catch me first! Whoever catches me gets to pick the restaurant. On your mark… get set…" I set off a small set of smoke bombs before them and in a flash I'm gone, laughing as I shout "Go!!"
"Ack Shiruba-ane! That's not fair!" Naruto yells but they take off. Even Gaara was smiling.
Lemme tell ya if there is one thing I love more than anything in the world (besides dancing and eating sweets) it's playing with my family like this. I'm a kid at heart regardless of my age (hell no I'm not telling you my age! It's not polite to ask a lady her true age anyway) meaning I love games and right now I'm in my element. I don't look it but I'm really fast. It's how I earned my name after all.
I race though the streets of Konoha, sometimes taking a break to admire the view or see where my brothers are at. As I stop I sigh and admire the village. Despite the people its really nice and in tune with nature, I can feel the power flowing through every street and home. I sigh and feel a gentle breeze drift by, casting my eyes towards the hokage monument that protects a great portion of the area. I smile fondly at the faces of the men who had held the position since the village was first created.
Kami I miss them so much.
I blink before grinning and lightly tap my temple with my fist. "I'm such a dork!" I tell myself as I jump off the rooftop and vanish into thin air. I think it's time I pay one of my favorite people a visit!
I appear in a hall, blinking at the masked faces of two men dressed in black uniforms with white vests and wearing porcelain masks on their faces. Grinning I wave and push the doors open at a run. Of course they try to stop me but I'm too fast as I run in and spotting an old man looking out his window I run up to him and hug him from behind.
"Hi Sarutobi-ojiisan!" I say happily. I think I may have startled him but he just chuckles and turns to the ANBU that look at us with--well I don't know but I think they're really surprised. Guess not everyone can glomp their leader like I am but he doesn't seem to mind.
"It's alright," he says and nods to them. They bow and leave us alone. Once the door closes I release him and give him a proper greeting. After all this is one of my oldest mentors. Even though there's a big difference in our ages I like calling him ojiisan cuz he's like the grandparent I never had. He bows to me and gives me a hug. "Gobusata shite imasu. Now let me look at you. You have grown up so beautifully," he tells me with love and pride.
I blush lightly at his compliment. "Arigato. It's been a while since I've been here, I'm kinda glad you're still around," I tell him softly as he offers me a seat. I watch as he slowly sinks on the other end of the couch, sighing. I never realized it but he's so old, making me realize I have been gone a long time. I smile as I see his eyes are still strong and very wise. I never had any grandparents but I like to think that if I had a grandpa, he's be just like ojiisan.
"What are you thinking about?" he asks me.
"Nothing. Oh, I bought you a present." Smiling I reach into my pack, dig around for a bit and pull out a small box. Moving closer I give it to him but I'm smiling nervously. "It's not a lot and I wasn't sure what to give you and--I hope you like it." He chuckles softly but opens the box and pulls out a small crystal ball about the size of his fist where a crystallized flame rests in the center, as if frozen in time. He smiles at me with such sincerity and love.
"Domo arigato." I just smile and hug him once more.
"Shiruba-ane!! I'm gonna find ya, dattebayo!!"
And that is my cue to vamoose! "Gomen ojiisan but I gotta go. Places to be, food to eat, siblings to hide from," I tell him as I grab my pack and open the window. Before I jump out I look at him. "Is my mom here?"
"She should be returning from a mission today. I have a meeting with her later on."
"Okay. Arigato no sayonara!" I jump down from the twentieth story window, letting my jacket flap around me. Ground floor coming up--ack Haku sees me! Detour detour! I land on a window sill and without warning land right in the Mission Room. Close call. I look up, ignoring the ninjas looking at me and preparing to strike but I catch one face with a scar over his nose.
"Iruka-jikei!!" I pounce, nearly tackling off the chair.
He blinks and stares at me before smiling and hugs me back. "Shiruba! Oh kami, when did you get back?"
"Today! Wow, you look so cool! How come you aren't married yet?" I ask curiously as I look at his hands, not noticing a ring on any of his fingers. He blushes but holds my hands. I look up at him and smile. Yeah, this guy is one of the few people I would do everything to protect no matter what.
"Oh, I have to go but here." Rummaging in my pack I give him a small box and lightly kiss his cheek. "If anyone looks for me I haven't been here. See you later!" Without another word I jump out the window just in time to hear Naruto and Haku barge in.
"Hey! Anyone seen Shiruba-ane?" he asks panting.
"Naruto! What have I told you about running in here like that?!" Iruka yells but I giggle as I land.
I'm not sure how long I ran around, giggling and having fun. Hell I even managed to get a bit of shopping done. For example, I found a really petty wind chime with small pieces of colored glass to resemble leaves that looks really nice as it catches the sunlight. But I'm getting tired, I'm hungry and I wanna eat now. Looking around I vanish in the air and reappear on a small platform from where you can see the hokage monument. I just smile and sit on the ground, facing them as I set my pack off to the side, then fall back to stare at the sky. I'm too tired to move right now so maybe if I close my eyes I can take a nap and find another place to hide. Guess I was really tired cuz I didn't know I was surrounded until it was too late. I open my eyes as I feel the rough grains of sand move over my arms and legs. I want to struggle but I just sigh and close my eyes. I feel him kneel beside me, his hand gently brushing my bangs back.
"Hiya panda."
"Ane-chan." The sand moves off and he sits next to me. Tiredly I roll onto my side so my head ends up in his lap. I sigh softly in content as he strokes me hair, just enjoying the peace and quiet.
"Guai wa ikaga desu ka, ane?" Gaara asks quietly.
"Hai," I answer softly.
"I missed you."
I silently take his hand and hold it tightly, letting our fingers link. "Me too." We don't have to wait long as Haku and Gaara finally arrive. "He won, pick food, onaka ga suite imasu." I tell them simply, refusing to get up. I can hear Naruto whine but I just smile softly.
"... Ramen."
Okay I'm surprised but as I look up at him I watch as Naruto glomps Gaara happily. I giggled and ask them to help me get up. Nodding to him I smile. "Lead the way." When it comes to ramen it doesn't matter if Naru-kun's at death's door. He'll find someway to turn back and have a couple dozen bowls. Haku offers to carry my pack and Gaara takes my hand in his own. Taking our time we follow the hyperactive blonde as he sings about ramen. Badly.
Nice atmosphere. Friendly people. Good smells. Yeah this is a great place. Haku sits next to Naruto who sits on my left while Gaara sits at my right. I'm introduced to Ayame and her father who own and run the stand. Smiling I greet them and tell the boys to order whatever they want.
"Three bowls of miso ramen!"
"I'll have the ebi bowl."
"Gyuuniku with wasabi sauce."
"And I'll have two torinikus!"
It doesn't take long as the bowls are set before us. Saying our good graces he goes about devouring them. By the time we're barely done with our first bowl Naruto is slurping down his third and ordering more. I just laugh as I order some tea for all of us. Man It felt really good to be back.
"Oh before I forget, presents!" I say happily, getting up from my stool and rummage in my pack. Yeah well it would have been easy but with running around everything is a mess. Frowning I give up and just upturn the entire thing, causing everything to spill out from clothes to personal stuff to scrolls along with a worn book and bingo! The presents!
"Catch!" is all I say as I take a look at the name tag and toss them to their rightful owner then go back to stuffing everything back inside. Done I kick the pack under the stool and climb back on.
Naruto blinks but tears into his gift to reveal a large, flat box made of a light cedar wood with soft leather handles and brass clasps. He brushes his fingers over his name which had been burned in an elegant script. Fingering the small clasps he flips them open and only then does a large smile appear on his lips. Inside were several tubes of different paint colors, brushes varying in size and style, a heavy duty paint palette, pencils, paper of every type, pretty much everything one who worked in art needed. I think what he really liked was the stone stamp-holder, crowned with a sleek fox bearing multiple tails so he could sign his own masterpieces. Carefully he closes it and blesses me with a sun-dazzling smile.
"This is--great! Domo arigato, ane-chan!" he says happily.
"If all else fails you can always turn your paintings skills into a profession," I smile and turn to Gaara. "Your turn."
He only nods and slowly tears through the wrapping to find a beautifully, hand carved box of deep cherry wood, also with his name engraved on the lid but the finish looked like glittering gold dust that I hoped reminded him of he sand dunes he once grew up in. He slowly opened it to find the inside lined with soft velvet, cradling a long item wrapped in a satin pouch. Setting the box carefully on the bar he removes it and pull out an ivory flute carved into the shape of a sleek tanuki with a single tail, complete with ebony stripes and two tiny emerald chips to represent the eyes. The mouth was open and even the small fangs had been carved by a careful hand to the finest detail. When he looks at me I just abut melted at his smile. It's so full of genuine warmth and gratitude, unlike his usual cold and emotionless smirks. I smile and nod to him.
"Try it out." Lifting the instrument to his lips he blew into it, playing a low and haunting melody that wrapped around everyone. His eyes close and fingers move gracefully over the notes even the sand swirls within the gourd but it stops when the song is brought to an end. He's still smiling as he carefully places it back in the specially made bag and then back into the box.
"You didn't have to, but arigato," he says softly. I smile and finally turn to nee-chan. I really hope he likes his gift.
Haku unwraps it to reveal a medium chest of cream colored wood. Its light in design of an image of a hawk in flight with carefully painted vines curving like ivy with a brass clasp but as he opened it he found nearly a dozen scrolls, each wrapped with a dark green ribbon and underneath those he found books. Taking one out he smiles as he read the title. "I was almost afraid you were going to give me daggers," he admitted softly.
"I know you aren't a fighter; and beside, someone has to know all this stuff," I reply.
"And the fact that you have the worse memory isn't a factor?" He caught the chop sticks as I threw them at him.
"Shush."
Naruto looks at the book, reading the title out loud. "World of Plants That Can Heal or Kill. You sure there aren't any new jutsus in there?" he asks, reaching in to examine one but quickly pulls his hand back out before the lid could smash his fingers. "Watch it!" I can't help but giggle but soon it turns into a big laughter. I really didn't meant o laugh so hard but I can't help it. I'm laughing so hard I'm starting to cry.
"Shiruba-chan?"
"I-I've missed so much while I was gone. I mean, I had to train but-" I hiccup softly as I look up at their worrying faces, smiling even though I'm crying; "I'm just, so happy to be back!"
Naruto looks ready to bawl but instead of crying he nearly tackles me off my stool in a semi-crushing hug. Gaara also hugs me on my other side, saying nothing which lets Haku stand behind me and wrap his arms around my neck. I hug them back as much as I can, still crying but these are happy tears. Ayame and her dad smile at me but now they're crying as well. I just smile through my tears.
By the time we get home it's nearly dark but mom and the big guy aren't here yet. I'm guessing the meeting is running late but I try not to show how worried I am. The guys gave me a run down of what of their latest mission and I'll admit it, I'm really surprise at what happened but I have this feeling of dread slowly starting to build. It's like, this was just one of many obstacles we're gonna come across that's gonna test our limits and ties with one another. I don't like it.
We're all tired so I tell them to go to bed and we can talk more tomorrow. Naruto is pouting but he can barely keep his eyes open. Haku agrees and tells me to do the same. Gaara just nods as he heads for his room. I sigh as I watch him head upstairs. Poor panda… I don't think anyone outside the family realizes that the rings around his eyes aren't some fashion statement he's trying to make. It's because even since he was born, he has never been able to sleep. Sure he'll doze off in a half-daze but he can't sleep sleep like the rest of us can. I've tried so hard to help him but the only thing I can do is be there for him. The one thing Naruto and Gaara have in common is, both have a bijū sealed inside them but that's basically where the similarities end. But I don't care, they're my brothers and I love them so damn much. I look out the window of my room, sighing as I rest my arms on the sill and gaze out at the hokage monument once more.
A little girl sat at the edge of a clear lake, absently throwing small pebbles into the waters. She sniffed and ran the sleeve of her white half jacket over her runny nose once more before throwing all the small rocks in her hand at the waters as hard as she could. Silently she pulled her knees to her chest and closed her eyes, muttering what jerks the other kids were.
Yasuo watched his niece from behind the shade of the trees, eyes calm as he studied her before silently walking over. She didn't even bother looking up so he silently sat next to her, not saying a word. After a while he reached over and gently stroked her starlit hair. She flinched but let him, still refusing to speak up.
"I heard what happened," he said quietly. "It's not like you to start a fight."
She stiffened but glared at the waters angrily. "They started it," she growled.
"Then, will you tell me what happened?"
"…"
"Shiruba, you know you can trust me."
"… They said was a mistake since I don't have a dad like veryone else. They called me and mom names, they also said I was a liar when I told them you were my uncle."
"And that gave you cause to beat them up."
"No one calls my mom a whore!" she said angrily, her slightly swollen and red-rimmed eyes looking at him angrily. "I don't need a dad and I don't want one either! We're happy!" He looked at her before gently pulling her inside his arms. She resisted but not for long as she let herself be embraced, resting her head against his chest and allowing his arms to wrap around her.
"Words can cut deeper than any blade, but you must learn not to fall prey to them," he said softly. "Hidama is a strong woman, she does her best to give you everything you could need and want, but she can also protect herself. What she wants, is for you to grow up strong and to survive on your own should anything ever happen. Right now, you are all she has in the world." He paused, letting the words sink in.
"You, are an exceptional girl. Don't fall prey to those around you. As long as you know your mother is a good woman then you have no reason to believe those lies."
"But I don't believe them!" she said dejectedly.
"Then why did you fight those kids?"
"..."
"Always remember this: as long as you believe in your loved ones and know what's right, then you will never fall for others lies."
I smile at the memory and once more realize how much I miss my uncle until now. Sighing I brush the tears that have fallen and continued to gaze at the hokage monument. I don't know how long I sat there but it wasn't long before I heard a knock. "Come in," I said as I stood and smiled when I saw the one person I was so happy to see.
"Shiruba."
"Mom." I never felt more complete than I did that day, just seeing my mom again. Had it really been that long since I saw her last? I smile as I hug her tightly, feeling so glad to be able to hug her again like this. Pulling back I smile and reaching into my bag, hand her her present. "Before you open it, I have a message."
"..."
"He says... he's sorry and that he still loves you."
She just looks at me but I can see the flash of hurt, pain, and anger in her pale blue eyes. She doesn't open the box but I already know what's inside. It's a join gift, from me--and him. She doesn't say anything but I can see her hands trembling. "Get ready. Tomorrow you, Gaara, and Haku are taking the chunin exams."
I blink and stare at her. "Nani...?"
"You heard me. You three still hold ties to a village in one way or another though you bear no insignia. That has to change." Reaching into her pocket she removes a leather collar with a metal plate from her coat and hands it to me. The metal plate bore the kanji of 'kitsune'. Silently I take it and hold it in my hands before looking up at her.
"But, I don't want to be a ninja. I want to be a mercenary, like you."
"The damned council has spoken. They overlooked the fact that Gaara and Haku took a B-Ranked mission a while back but only because they were joined with myself, Zabuza, and another jounin."
"Huh?" Okay now I'm confused.
"You'll find out more tomorrow. Do what you want to." Silently kissing my forehead she leaves me alone. I stare at the door for a long time as I fall to sit on the edge of my bed and gaze at the collar in my hand. Did, this mean I was to be ordered around like some dog? Yes I've lived here for part of my life but I never wanted to be a ninja. I wanted to explore the world, see new sights, and meet new people. I couldn't do that tied to a village. But she said I was still a mercenary. Gah I'm so confused I ended up falling asleep with questions still lingering in my mind.
When I woke up I sighed, taking me a moment to put the words my mom told me last night together in the final puzzle. My eyes widen as I jumped out of bed and quickly undressed, casting a quick Mizu and Hino jutsus to clean myself up. Pulling on a clean set of clothes I grab the collar and snap it around my neck just around the same time I burst out of the house.
"I'm so freaking late!!" I scream as I race towards the academy, barely remembering to read the note mom managed to slip into my hand last night. Damn I slept in for a long time but why didn't anyone wake me up?! I throw the doors open, race down the halls while yelling at everyone to get out of my way. I skid as I try to turn a corner, falling but pick myself up and run as fast as I can for the doors. Almost there!
BAM!
The doors slam open and I stand there, chest heaving as I try to catch my breath. There is A LOT of students here for the exam but I guess I'm in the right place. Naruto and his team (along with several other genins his age) stare at me like I'm crazy but I notice Haku and Gaara sitting at a desk, both wearing collars like mine. Blinking I smile and wave.
"You're late, ane!" Naruto yells at me.
"Hey, better late than never."
Yeah, I decided. I'm gonna take the chunin exams but I'm still a mercenary. I'm gonna like my life as free as the stars themselves and shine with such brilliance even when my light goes out. That's my oath.
Author's Notes: I'm sure everyone is confused. Well Shiruba is my OC and she's the daughter of Hidama (as in blood relations). I'll explain where she's been in later chapters. Now as I was typing this, I needed to have someway for the trio to take the chunin exams because I have a lot planned. Yes they are mercenaries but they are young and in order to take missions ranked higher than B then must pass the chunin exams to prove their worth. The collars act almost like headbands but instead of bearing a village symbol they represent themselves. If you're confused don't worry, so am I and I'm writing this! I wanted to add more but that will have to wait the next chapter. The next one will deal with the exams and the forest of death but all in Gaara's POV. I know this wasn't as exciting but it will get better. I'm hoping to get the next chapter up but only after I
dangos:- a fried pastry served as little balls on a skewer (or stick)
-ane: referring to self's older sister
-oji: referring to self's uncle
-ojiisan: referring to another's grandfather
taka: hawk
panda: panda (it's the same whether in English or Japanese)
ebi: shrimp
gyuuniku: beef
wasabi: hot sauce
toriniku: chicken
Konnichiwa: Good afternoon
kwaidan: ghost
kekkei genkai: bloodline limit
Gobusata shite imasu.: I haven't seen you in a long time.
Guai wa ikaga desu ka?: How are you feeling?
onaka ga suite imasu: I am hungry.
bijū: tailed beasts
Mizu: water
Hino: fire