Diamond Family
Chapter 6: Becoming Peppermint
Perspectives: Snow and Kakuzu
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Snow's Perspective
I settled into the small room that Kitty let me stay in. It was small barely fit a twin sized bed. I've spent a week here. It was a simple job of a waitress. I need to gain attention but I dreaded the idea of going on stage. Having all the eyes on me was an intimidating idea. I shared a bathroom with two other girls. Their names were Red Devil and Honey. Those were their stage names, but they refused to go by anything else. There was banging on the door. What could they want? Is it time for rehearsal? They grew impatient and ran into my room.
"Is it time for practice?" I asked.
"It's time for your makeover", squealed Honey.
"Why?" I asked.
"All of us do", said Honey.
She was jumping with excitement. Honey was in a plain dress. Her stage costume, which was a beautiful golden dress and mask. Honey has hair that is the same color as honey, her eyes are an amber color, and she was tall. She is one of the best dancers here. She couldn't sing her for her life, but she could lip sing well.
"Honey, give her some space we can't crowd our songwriter and my singing partner", said Red Devil.
I've written a few songs for Kitty. I didn't think much of them but Kitty seemed to enjoy them.
"I'm going to be your partner?" I asked.
"Do you have a problem with that, Peppermint?" asked Red Devil.
"No, it's just that you're such a great singer why do you need a partner?" I asked.
Red Devil smiled at the unexpected compliment. She's a talented singer and beautiful too. She has bright red hair, green eyes and had an extremely protective nature. Devil was wearing her normal clothing, but when the bar opened she wore a red devil costume, which complements her figure in every way.
"Good question, what would you rather do?" asked Red Devil.
"I'm comfortable working behind the bar and writing songs. I'm not one for attention", I said.
"Being on stage is like nothing else in the world. You should enjoy it", said Honey.
"That's for you, not me", I said.
"You just need to give it a try", said Honey.
I got out of bed and dressed. I walked into Kitty's office. She looked me over with judgmental eyes. Kitty walked closer to me and moved my hair away from my ears. She was making a list of what she had to fix.
"First of we need to fix your hair", said Kitty.
"What's wrong with my hair?" I asked as played nervously with a strand.
If I wasn't feeling self-conscience before I am now.
"There nothing wrong it per say but we can make it so much better. We'll make you into a whole new person", said Kitty.
"Why?" I asked.
"Partly for safety. We've had issues with stalking before so keeping your identity safe is important. There's a reason why all the girl that work here wear costumes", said Kitty.
She sat me down and washed my hair.
"Snips get in here", called Kitty.
"Here", said a girl with short brown hair.
She was short and mousy.
"What's your name?" asked Snips.
"Snow", I said.
"Is that really her stage name?" asked Snips.
"No, it's my real name", I said.
Snips circled around.
"Can you fix it?" asked Kitty.
"I can do more than fix it I can turn it into a masterpiece", said Snips.
"Shear you get in her too", Kitty.
A lanky awkward looking girl stepped into the room. She hair was a rainbow of colors. It somehow fit her. There was a yellow measuring tape around her neck. She wrapped it around my waist.
"Is this the one with the back problem?" asked Shear.
"Yes", said Kitty.
"Do you mind if I see scars so I can see what I'm working with?" asked Shear.
I nodded, before easing my shirt down my shoulders. They were quiet.
"You're going to be a challenge. It's been a long time since someone been a challenge. Give me a few hours and she'll have a few costumes", said Shear.
She smiled at me and left. Snips grabbed some hair dye and started her work. She wouldn't allow me to see my reflection. Kitty pierced my ears and belly button earlier this week. I'm glad that I don't have to get any more piercings.
"Your eyes don't match my image for you", said Kitty.
I couldn't tell if that were an insult or not. I brushed it off.
"You can't change my eye color", I said.
"Yes, I can. You have to wear colored contacts?"
She taught me how to put them in and take them out. It was uncomfortable and awkward. Kitty handed me a red lacy mask and I put it on.
"What do you think, Peppermint?" asked Snips as she turned me around, so I could see my reflection.
Snips was smiling proudly at her work. I didn't recognize myself. There were scarlet red streaks in my hair and it was a few inches shorter. My lipstick was the same shade of red as the streaks in my hair. My eyes were now a shade of scarlet red. Now I understood my stage name. My white skin, red eyes, the red streaks in my hair reminded me of a peppermint.
"I can't recognize myself", I said.
"That's the point", said Snips.
"Let's see what Shear came up with", said Kitty.
Kitty led me to a room filled with clothing where Shear was happily working at a sewing machine.
"So what do you have for us Shear?" asked Kitty.
"I have a lot. She's my new muse", said Shear.
She put me in a simple short red dress. Shear said it was a fit and flare. The finishing touch was a lacy red mask.
"Tonight will be your first night on stage, Peppermint", said Kitty.
The bar is packed with men waiting for the show to start. I stumbled around in high heels.
"I don't want to go on stage", I said.
"You are a new attraction. You have to go on", said Kitty.
Someone screamed no else seemed to hear it because of all the other noise. A man was choking Red Devil. I easily threw him off her. With a single punch, I broke his jaw.
"What happened?" asked Kitty.
"Peppermint, saved my life", said Red Devil.
Red Devil's voice was very weak there's no way she could sing tonight.
"How did you learn how to defend yourself like that?" asked Kitty.
"My boyfriend was a ninja and taught me how to defend myself", I said.
"Can you teach the other girls how to defend themselves like that?" asked Kitty.
"I can", I said.
"That will have to wait for later", said Kitty.
I heard the crowd in the roaring through the red velvet curtain.
"Pick any song and the band will play it", said Kitty.
I looked through the songs and stopped when found the one I wanted.
"Good luck on your first solo Peppermint", said, Kitty, as she pushed me onto the stage.
The curtain rose and I saw a giant crowd. The roar went down. I went into shock at the amount of attention being put on me.
"Shit, she's freezing", said Kitty.
The curtain started going down. I took a deep breath a started to sing:
Sweet love, sweet love
Trapped in your love
I've opened up, I'm sure I can trust
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me, free us
You're all I'll need when I'm holding you tight
If you walk away I will suffer tonight
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you that I'm bound in chains?
I've finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to you
So much, so young I've faced on my own
Walls I built up became my home
I'm strong and I'm sure there's a fire in us
Sweet love and so pure
I catch my breath with just one beating heart
And I brace myself
Please don't tear this apart
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I'm terrified to love for the first time
Can't you see that I'm bound in chains?
I've finally found my way
I bound to you
Suddenly the moment's here
I embrace my fears
All that I have been carrying all these years
Do I risk it all?
Come this far just to fall?
Fall
I've entrusted boy, I believe in love
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I'm bound in chains?
I've finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am
Ooh I am
I'm bound to you
(I don't own this song it belongs to Christina Aguilera)
I turned to see the stunned expressions of my coworkers.
The crowd chanted, "Encore, encore!"
Was I really that good? Kitty motioned for me to continue. The band started playing again and I sang another song. After five more songs, I needed a break. I walked off the stage. Honey and her dancers took the stage. I saw Kitty motion for me to come over to the bar. When I reached her she was talking to a man with white long hair. He looked in his fifties but I'm horrible at guessing ages.
"Excuse me, Kitty, you wanted to speak with me", I said.
"Kitty who's your new girl?" asked a man with long white hair.
The old man moved closer. He's pervy, but harmless unless provoked.
"This is Peppermint my new star", said Kitty.
"Star is a bit much", I said.
I blushed.
"May I ask your name", I asked
"I'm no other than Toad Sage Jiraiya!" yelled the man.
There was a puff of smoke under his feet. When the smoke clear I saw him striking a funny pose while standing on a giant green and orange toad.
"Awww, what a cute toad", I said.
The toad nodded its head in approval.
"And what cute girl you are?" said Jiraiya.
My face turned pink.
"Can I pet your toad?" I asked.
"Sure", said Jiraiya.
I ran my hand over the toad's bumpy skin.
"Most women don't like toads", said Jiraiya.
"I don't see why", I said.
I sat with Jiraiya at the bar for an hour, but something in his bag caught my eye.
"Is that the newest Icha Icha book?" I asked.
"Are you a fan?" asked Jiraiya.
"Yes!" I said.
"You are my dream girl", said Jiraiya.
I giggled.
"You're just being nice", I said.
"No, I'm just telling the truth", said Jiraiya.
My face went red again.
"You look even better when your blushing", said Jiraiya.
"Thank you", I said.
"Here's gift so you don't forget me", he said as pushed the newest Icha Icha book into my hands.
"Thank you so much!" I yelled.
I hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek. The expression on his face was so funny it made me giggled.
"Did you write that song?" asked Jiraiya.
"Yes", I said.
Talking with him was easy. He left at closing time. Kitty more had to kick him out.
"You have your first super fan", said Kitty.
"He's just a nice old guy", I said.
"That nice old guy is one of the most powerful ninjas to step foot in this bar. He's a Saninn", said Kitty.
"Not the first one I've met", I said.
"What a life you've lived to meet such people and at such a young age", said Kitty.
I fell back into bed. I was grateful that we were closed tomorrow. I woke at 7:30. Today is my turn to clean up the bar and there was a lot to clean. I saw Kitty's office door open. She sat at her desk with a stressed look on her face. I knocked the door and she looked up from her papers.
"What do you want, Peps?" asked Kitty.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Tax problems and I can't balance an account for my life", said Kitty.
"Can I help?" I asked.
"Unless you have some accounting skills that I don't know about you won't be of much help", said Kitty.
"I can help my boyfriend was a banker. I learned a few things", I said.
"I thought you said your boyfriend was a ninja", said Kitty.
"He's both", I said.
It took a few hours for me to figure out Kitty's problem. I never want to do that much math again. I don't understand why Kakuzu loves counting money and organizing it.
"You're a miracle worker, Peppermint", said Kitty.
"No problem, but don't make me do that much math again", I said.
After two weeks the bar's popularly increased immensely since I started working there. I have gotten in the newspapers and talent scouts from all over wanted to meet me. If things kept on going like this the chances of Kakuzu finding grew. I refused all the talent scouts offers no matter how generous their offers were. Lots of the girls upset with for not taking them. Some them would kill for the chances I was getting. I tried not to brag about it. We've also found a lot of new talent, which brought even more customers. I learned a lot from Honey, Kitty, and Red Devil. They taught me how to seduce men and get them to do anything I want. I also became a good drinker and even better liar, but that isn't something I'm proud of. I remembered the time when Kitty taught me the art of seduction.
"Why did wake me up, so early?" I asked.
"Let's go for a walk before all the perverts wake up", said Honey.
"What perverts?" I asked as put my pillow over my head.
I want to sleep it was a long night last night.
"Our fans. I know you don't want to be around when your favorite fan makes his morning visits", said Honey.
"Unlike you Honey I like most of my fans", I said.
"The key word in that sentence is most", said Honey.
"I know you enjoy the attention of your few female fans", I said.
"That's different", said Honey.
"No, it isn't and you know that", I said.
"I still hate your biggest fan", said Honey.
My biggest fan is Jiraiya. He's a sweet old guy and got me the newest book in my favorite series.
"Jiraiya is not that bad. He's sweet", I said.
"I don't like the way he looks at you", said Honey.
"You don't like the way any guy or girl looks at me", I said.
She didn't answer, which meant she was mad at me. She can never stay angry at me for long.
"You're jealous because I give more him attention", I said.
"No, I'm not", said Honey.
"Yes, you are", I said.
"Okay, what if I am", said Honey.
"See was it so hard emitting you were wrong", I said.
Honey grabbed my hand and pulled me close.
"I can't help being protective over a face and mind as beautiful as yours, Peps", said Honey she gently caressed my cheek.
I've told Honey millions of times that I'm not interested in girls, yet she keeps pushing it. Two teenage boys came running up to us at the park.
"Can we get your autographs?" asked the boys.
"Sure", I said.
Honey and I signed their notebooks.
"Can ask you a question?" asked one of the boys.
"Peppermint lets go", said Honey.
"Ignore Honey go head and ask", I said.
"Why do you wear masks even when your outside of the bar?" asked the boy.
"To keep our identities safe", I said.
Honey looked annoyed. We were supposed to spend with each other without being annoyed by fans that's the point of getting up this early.
"Honey, I can make this up to you", I said.
"How?" asked Honey.
"I will take you out to my favorite place to get breakfast", I said.
That put a smile on her face.
"And where is that favorite place?" asked Honey.
"The Hidden Leaf Village", I said.
"That's a three-day trip", said Honey.
"It's not that long of a trip if you know the transportation jutsu", I said.
"How did you learn it?" asked Honey.
"Do you really want to know?" I asked.
She shook her head no.
"That's what I thought. Now wrap your arms around me and stay close", I said.
"My pleasure", said Honey.
We appeared in front of the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village. As we walked through the village we heard men calling out our names and there wives or girlfriends slapping them. I grabbed her hand lead to my favorite ramen shop.
"Nice to see you again Peppermint. Whose your friend", ask the owner.
"Honey", I said.
"You're that famous dancer", said the owner.
"May I get your photo?" asked the owner.
"Why?" asked Honey.
"For my wall of fame", said the owner.
There were only two photos on the wall and they were both of me, but no one knew that. I'm going to make sure it stays that way.
"Sure", said Honey.
I paid for the ramen and we left.
"Peppermint who was that other woman on the wall?" asked Honey.
"She's the wife of Eiji the leader of the Hidden Diamond Village. She is known for her kindness and generosity to her village and to her allies", I said.
"She kinda looks like you", said Honey.
"I'll take that as a compliment it not every day some compares to her", I said.
Honey started walking back to the bar and turned around when she saw I wasn't following her.
"Aren't you coming?" asked Honey.
"No, I will catch up with you", I said.
Honey let out a sigh and said, "you know he won't be there".
"No, I don't know if he will be there and neither do you", I said.
"I have a hard time believing the dream man will ever be there. Sometimes I think you only use it as an excuse not to date me", said Honey.
"That's not true", I said.
I went checked on the bounties just to see if he's there. It didn't surprise me when I didn't see Kakuzu. I turned around and someone ran into. It was Tobi. Why is he even here? If I told Tobi that it's me nobody in the group would believe him. I ran away from him as fast as I could.
I heard Tobi yell, "Wait, Wait Snow!"
I went back to the small room.
"You got back quickly. Did a rabid fan try to get you?" asked Honey.
"I came back so quickly because I wanted some sleep", I said.
I saw the newspaper clippings on the wall about the bar and me. I didn't care about my growing fame I only needed it, so Kakuzu could find me. I should have told Tobi that it was me. If Tobi could recognize me the others should too. I fell asleep.
Kakuzu's Perspective
The hideout door opened. Tobi was panting heavily. He clutched a piece of paper tightly.
"I FOUND HER I FOUND HER!" yelled Tobi.
Everyone in the hideout looked up from what they were doing. Tobi had been looking for Snow whenever he had free time. It turns out that he has a lot of free time. He normally came back empty-handed and disappointed.
"Is this some kind joke?" asked Deidara.
"It's not a joke", yelled Tobi.
"Then where is she?" I asked.
"She is in Melody Village. You see", said Tobi as handed me the piece of paper he was clutching tightly in his hand.
I unfolded the crumpled up piece of paper it was a newspaper clipping. There was a picture of a beautiful woman that very much like Snow. There were many differences between the woman and the picture and my Snow. I read the article under the picture:
A Star In the Making
Out of nowhere a great singer emerges from Melody Village. This rising star goes that by the name Peppermint. She has a massive fan base of women and men. She's refused generous offers from some of the most well-known agencies. I can't describe her voice through words you'll have to hear yourself. You can listen to this rising star at the Hidden Beauty Bar. The tickets to hear her are pricey, but worth every penny.
"Kakuzu, is it her?" asked Konan.
"There is a resemblance", I said.
I gave the newspaper to Konan.
"She does resemble, Snow. There's a chance it could be her", said Konan.
After Konan saw the picture everyone in the group wanted to see it. Everyone was starting to hope that this would be the chance to have Snow back. I didn't want to get my hopes to high up. This girl might not even be my Snow.
"Can we see if it's her?" asked Deidara.
"Deidara, I'm the one who gets to see if this girl is Snow not you", I said.
"Why can't I go un?" said Deidara.
"Kakuzu knows Snow better than anyone else", said Pain.
"I've known Snow just as long as Kakuzu", whined Deidara.
"Hidan will be accompanying Kakuzu", said Pain.
"Why do I have to fucking go?" asked Hidan.
"Yes, why does he have to go", I said.
"I don't care if you don't want to go you will, Hidan", said Pain.
We started our journey. Let it be her. It took us two days to reach Melody Village. A giant line was at the entrance and it wasn't even open yet. Men were pushing past each other to get a better place. Hidan and I appeared near the front of the line, which confused the men who had been waiting for a space for hours. None of them were dumb enough to challenge Hidan and I. The doors slammed open, but nobody was allowed in. A man was thrown out of the bar. A woman in short shorts followed the man. The man tried attacking her, but she easily blocked the attack. The woman grabbed the man's arm and dislocated his shoulder. This woman must have some kind of special training to be able to attack like that.
"What the fuck you stupid bitch you broke my shoulder!" yelled the man.
"Shut up you dumb ass I didn't break your shoulder I dislocated it. If you ever step foot in my bar again I will do much worse", said the woman before she went back into the bar.
The man went after woman again. She grabbed the man's arm again and threw him to the ground. She put her four-inch heel dangerously close to the man's groin.
"This is my last warning if you ever come near my bar again this heel of mine will go somewhere you don't want it to go", said the woman.
The line slowly started moving forward. This woman better be my Snow I looked up the prices for a ticket and they are outrageous.