Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!
The big reveal on Sasuke's new hair color! Prepare to laugh! If not, then just enjoy the chapter!
When Kaoru got up in the morning, she began laughing again and went out, Neji puzzled by her mischievous smirk.
"What happened yesterday?"
'Nothing.'
"Then why do you look so happy?"
'Oh, it's just gonna be a good day today.'
She walked straight to the ninja academy, putting her hands around her eyes almost as if she was holding a pair of binoculars. She looked at the window that went to the classroom that both Sasuke and Naruto attended. Naruto was staring at Sasuke, shaking so hard he was almost falling off his seat. Sasuke turned to him and he doubled over, unable to contain his laughter anymore.
A pair of girls came into the classroom at the same time, one a blue-eyed bleach blonde, the other green-eyed with bubblegum pink hair. Both of them looked over the classroom before spotting Sasuke and the pink-haired girl shrieked, so loud that Kaoru could hear, "SASUKE-KUN! WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR?"
Naruto fell off his chair as Sasuke drew his bangs in front of his eyes and stared at them in horror. He screamed, Kaoru hitting the wall she stood behind, she was shaking so hard from her silent laughter. Neji looked at her in suspicion and demanded softly, "What happened?"
She merely gave him an amused grin. You'll find out eventually. For now, I'm gonna go to the Uchiha Compound and seek out Fugaku-san.
She skipped all the way there, before slowing her skips to a brisk walk, Neji not quite sure how to take her jubilant behavior. Hmm, let's see…Fugaku-san works as the chief of police, so he should be at the station at this time of morning.
She found the building she sought and wrote down her request as she approached the man running the front desk. He looked up and greeted, "Hello, young man. What can I do for you?"
She lifted the pad to show him what was written down. 'I'm here to deliver an important document to Fugaku-sama.'
"Oh, of course. Hyuga-san, wait here until I bring him back."
Neji nodded, going to sit down on one of the chairs near a wall.
Kaoru walked with the older man and stopped when they reached a door that said "Uchiha Fugaku, Chief of Police". Her guide knocked on the door and she heard Fugaku answer, "Yes?"
"There's a young man here to deliver an important document to you, Fugaku-sama."
"Let him in then you can go."
"Yes sir."
The door opened and she stepped in, Fugaku looking straight at her. "Sit down, Sakurai-san."
She did so, taking the contract out of her jacket. She held it out to him and he took it. He opened it and glanced at her signature, before drawing out a kunai.
Whoa, whoa! What's he planning to do with that? I hate all things sharp and pointy!
"The contract is worth nothing if it isn't a blood pact."
Her pupils dilated as he flipped it over in his hand and held out the blade. Blood pact? I think I'm gonna pass out!
She took the weapon and placed it next to her thumb. Her vision began fading in and out and her hands shook.
"Let me help you."
He took her wrist and pushed, her skin slicing open on the pad of her thumb. She winced at the pain that welled up along with a pearly white liquid that had to be her blood. He pressed her thumb onto the paper, it glowing a bit as he nodded.
"The contract is set."
She saw the wound close as soon as her thumb left the paper, her other hand dropping the kunai. She mentally cooled herself down from the experience. That sucked, but I think I'm okay. I'll be fine, as long as I don't have to do it again.
"I want you to begin by wearing this right away."
She took a black t-shirt that she thought was plain until she turned it around and saw the Uchiha symbol between the two slits where her wings would go. She stood and shed her jacket then pulled off her shirt.
"Completely flat," Fugaku stated, his eyes looking over her chest. "If I didn't know better, I'd be absolutely fooled."
She replaced her old shirt with the new one. She donned her jacket again and bowed her thanks, just as the door banged open. What was that just now? She whirled around to see.
Sasuke stormed in, cheeks flushed in embarrassed fury. His hair was covered by a black bandanna, which looked odd compared to his normal look.
At least it isn't as bad as when his hair is bared. But still! She roared with laughter inside her head, although she showed only surprise at his appearance. I can't wait to see Otou-san's reaction!
"Sasuke, did you not pass the exam?" Fugaku asked.
"I did Tou-san," Sasuke answered as he raised his hitae-ate, face still red.
"What happened during class, then? Does it have to do with your hair being completely covered?"
The Uchiha pre-teen shifted his weight before he untied the bandanna and pulled it off his hair.
Fugaku paled then stood up, eyes furious. "Who did this to you, my son? Uzumaki Naruto?"
"No, he swore he didn't, plus how would that moron sneak up on me long enough to dye my hair to the roots?"
"Whoever did this to my son will wish he'd never laid a finger on you when I find them!"
Sasuke hair had been dyed pink. Not just any pink, neon pink. A/N: Congrats Yuki! Kudos to you!
This is so worth it! If I could laugh out loud, it would make my stomach hurt from not being able to stop! I'm gonna take this secret to my grave!
Sasuke snapped his eyes to Kaoru and demanded, "What's he doing here?"
Fugaku waved to his youngest son to re-cover his hair and replied, "Kaoru is your new older brother."
"You adopted him? He doesn't deserve the name of Uchiha! He has no respect for those in our clan!"
No, no, it's not the clan, just you. Whenever you wanna fight, I'll fight back. You'll be so floored when you find out I'm a girl. Big blow to your pride, Otouto! If you think you're the best ninja ever just because of your last name, let my dying your hair tell you that you sleep too deeply to be safe, you arrogant prick!
"You have no proof of what he's done beyond challenging you to a fight. He seems to get along with Itachi just fine."
"Why is it that Aniki is always favored by everyone over me?"
"That is nonsense, Sasuke."
So Sasuke has a jealousy thing with our older brother, under all the adoration and love he holds for Itachi-onii-san. It wasn't because I favor Itachi-onii-san, it's because you were mocking Naruto-kun and that ticks me off, and then you kept acting like a complete, utter brat. I don't like your type in addition to your arrogance and cruelty to those you think are lower than you are. You're a jerk. Oh, and speaking of Naruto-kun, I wonder how he did. She stood and wrote, 'I'll see you at home, Otou-san.'
Fugaku nodded and reminded, "There's a clan meeting tonight, don't be late."
She nodded and hurried out heading towards Naruto's apartment. She found him sitting on the balcony in front of his back door, but stopped when she saw one of his teachers, Mizuki, appear to talk to him. She cupped her hands around her ears to listen, hearing the whole conversation. She nodded when she heard it all, proud her friend could have a second chance to graduate.
Naruto-kun, good luck, but I have to go to this clan meeting. But…the location of the scroll…isn't that…and the fact it's "forbidden"… It sounds fishy…but I can't investigate. I don't want to breach the contract right away. Please forgive me for not coming to you today.
"Fugaku-sama, who is this boy?" one of the clan elders asked, pointing at Kaoru.
"My newly adopted son Kaoru," Fugaku answered as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He's that angel everyone's been talking about!" another elder exclaimed.
"How did you discover him, Fugaku-sama?" yet another questioned.
Fugaku nodded to Itachi. "My eldest brought him home for dinner last night and both my wife and I were pleased with him. He will be an excellent addition to the clan."
Kaoru bowed to them, wearing a black yukata with the Uchiha symbol on the back, a stark contrast against her pure white wings. They're just a group of old farts! Do they really hold so much power over this clan? I wouldn't doubt Otou-san and Itachi-onii-san would be able to wipe the floor with them, no sweat! I think they should leave all the decisions to the Clan Head, but I'm a newbie, so I can't say anything or else I'd make my family look bad.
"Skinny little thing, isn't he?"
Skinny?
"That hair is quite the garish shade."
Garish?
"Those eyes don't compliment anything about him at all."
Don't compliment? If I wasn't worried about clan tradition, I would beat those arrogant pains in the—
"I'm sure he'll improve in time," Fugaku assured.
Kaoru straightened and kept her temper inside. As long as they don't say anything else about me, I'll keep myself in check.
"First, let us all welcome our newest member…"
Kaoru tuned it out, since she was kneeling behind Fugaku and Itachi. She played Cat's Cradle to pass the time, singing songs in her mind. She actually began to rock her head a bit to one of her favorites from America. She looked up when suddenly one of the guards ran in, shouting, "Naruto has stolen a secret scroll! Hokage-sama needs all available ninjas to begin searching for him!"
She blinked as everyone rushed out. She stood and went out, taking flight and heading towards the spot where she'd heard Mizuki telling her friend to practice. Naruto-kun, I hope you're safe. I really don't wanna beat up a teacher for picking on you. Sasuke is one thing, but an adult is another.
She spotted Mizuki heading towards where Naruto was supposed to be and landed just beyond the clearing, just as Iruka, who was with Naruto, shouted, "We're not supposed to talk about it!"
"You are the Kyubi no Yoko!" Mizuki yelled, grinning.
Naruto stuttered, "I-I'm what?"
Kaoru tilted her head in confusion. Kyubi no Yoko? What is he talking about?
"Yes, you're the demon fox that attacked Konohagakure no Sato twelve years ago, killer of scores of ninjas, including Iruka's parents!"
No way…is that what everyone's been hiding? That is huge, if that's the truth, since I smell a rat.
Naruto panicked when Mizuki threw a large shuriken at him, Iruka protecting him, which made Kaoru raise her eyebrows. I thought no one cared for Naruto-kun except me, but for his teacher to protect him…it might be a start for the people to begin accepting him. I hope I don't have to step in, because I'm technically not supposed to be outside the compound.
Naruto fled, and Iruka and Mizuki chased after him. Kaoru flew above as Naruto hid, and Iruka transformed into Naruto while Mizuki transformed into Iruka. She landed above Naruto as Iruka attacked Mizuki, who's transformation failed with the blow.
"How did you know I wasn't Iruka?"
Iruka canceled his transformation, smirking. "Because I am."
"Why do you protect that monster? I know you hate it!"
"That's true, I hate the Kyubi."
Kaoru saw the pain in her best friend's face as he heard that. Naruto-kun, when this is over, I'll—
"But Naruto is not the Kyubi. He is his own person. He's a mischievous, determined, energetic kid, but he's my student. He's a good kid, and the Kyubi has nothing to do with how I care for him."
"If that's how it is, I'll kill you first, then Naruto, to get the scroll! Say goodbye!"
Naruto knocked Mizuki away and Iruka weakly cried, "I thought I told you to run!"
The blonde boy glared at Mizuki. "You dare lay a finger on my teacher, I'll kill you!"
Mizuki laughed. "Let's see you try it, demon brat!"
"If you hit me, I'll pay you back a thousand times over!" Naruto yelled, forming a cross with the first two fingers of each hand. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Hundreds of Narutos appeared, Mizuki staring in disbelief. "But that's a Jonin-level technique! How did you manage to master that in such a short time?"
"If you're not gonna come get me, I'm coming to you!"
Mizuki screamed as he was pummeled into the ground by Naruto and his clones. Kaoru was about to show herself when Iruka waved Naruto over.
"Close your eyes, I have something for you."
Kaoru's eyes widened when Iruka removed Naruto's goggles and tied on his own hitae-ate. Wow…I think I like Iruka-san even better now.
"Congratulations, you graduate!"
Naruto opened his eyes and cheered. "Thanks, Iruka-sensei!"
She smiled and jumped down to land, the flapping of her wings attracting the attention of the pair. Naruto's eyes lit up and he ran to her.
"Kaoru-kun, Kaoru-kun! Look! I graduated!"
Kaoru gave him a thumbs-up. Good for you, Naruto-kun.
Iruka got up, wincing as the movement strained the wound in his back. "Are you the angel that Naruto told me about?"
She nodded.
"I heard you can't talk, but I won't judge you on that. Thank you for befriending Naruto when no one else would."
Of course I would! Why wouldn't I? She grinned and bowed, just low enough that the older ninja spotted the symbol on the back.
"You've only been here four days and already have a clan's insignia, huh? You're a hot commodity if you were snatched up that fast."
She straightened up and scratched the back of her neck.
"What?" Naruto exclaimed. "You're already part of a clan?"
She nodded, looking sheepish. What did you expect? I'm sure anyone would like an angel to join their clan. Angels are known for spreading good fortune and positive feelings.
"Which one?"
She heaved a soundless sigh and turned so he could see.
"No way… I thought you hated Sasuke!"
She wrote down her answer. 'I do, but whoever said I had to like him? I like his elder brother and parents. He's just the little brother that I get to tease half to death.'
"Speaking of, Sasuke came to the academy yesterday with bright pink hair! You should've seen his face! I was sure he was gonna faint like a girl when he saw the color!"
She smiled as she shook with silent giggles. Iruka placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder and announced, "Let's celebrate your graduation by getting some ramen!"
"Ramen! Yeah!"
I guess now that the cat is out of the bag, I wonder how things will go on. I'm sure I'll be called to the Hokage's office one of these days to make sure that I don't blab about this "Kyubi no Yoko" that's inside Naruto-kun. A nine-tailed fox, huh? I wonder what it looks like.
After their visit to Ichiraku Ramen, Kaoru left, returning home. She went inside to find Mikoto trying to dye Sasuke's hair back to black. She hid a smile as her new mother turned to her.
"Oh, Kaoru. Welcome back. I haven't seen your father or brother yet, so you must've come back alone. Do you want some breakfast?"
Kaoru shook her head.
"All right. Go change and see if Sasuke's hair looks better once I get it back to its rightful color."
It was fun while it lasted. I'm not even a ninja and I pulled a prank on one in his own bedroom.
She put on a pair of black shorts and a dark blue t-shirt, hanging her yukata. She brushed her hair and gave up after it refused to be tamed. Satisfied, she came back out of her room, to see Mikoto helping Sasuke rinse out the dye, which seemed to have stuck. It wasn't the same as his natural color, but was close enough.
"What do you think?"
Sasuke glared at his adopted elder sister and huffed indignantly. "I'm sure you were laughing the whole time and wanted me to grow out my hair before cutting off the pink."
She shrugged. 'Whoever did that to you sure had guts and skill to not leave any traces of how the prank was done.'
"If it had been you, I would kill you."
She shook her head. 'If it was me, I wouldn't hide it.'
"Kaoru! Be nice to your brother! That prank was very mean, especially since he had to go to the academy to take his test to become a ninja!" Mikoto scolded. "Sasuke, you should forgive Kaoru and stop all this fighting, let bygones be bygones."
Sasuke crossed his arms, rolling his eyes, but nodded. "Fine. I forgive you, Kaoru."
Forgiving me because Oka-san told him to? That's awesome. I didn't even have to say sorry! I'm sure he won't forget what I did to him for a while, at least. I don't care what he did to me, it didn't hurt anyways.
The front door opened and Itachi and Fugaku came in, Mikoto and Sasuke turning at the sound. Mikoto beamed and went to her husband and eldest while Sasuke ran to the bathroom to check to see if all the pink was gone.
"Welcome back dear," she greeted her husband with a light kiss, and then hugged her firstborn. "Welcome back Itachi. How was the meeting?"
"It went on as normal until we had to adjourn early," Fugaku reported, rubbing her back.
"What happened? You were out all night."
"Naruto had stolen a secret scroll from the Hokage Tower. Luckily, it was returned safely."
"Oh, is that what happened? Were all three of you sent out to look for him?"
Kaoru stiffened. Oh crap, busted. Gotta think up a lie, quick!
Itachi nodded in understanding, which his father didn't see as the elder Uchiha man gave Kaoru a look that pierced her soul, it seemed.
"Kaoru, you didn't go straight home last night?"
She wrote down her answer. 'I did.'
"Then why didn't your mother see you come in?"
She hesitated, not sure what to write. What should I say? I'm stuck on this one.
Itachi actually saved her by saying, "One of Kaoru-san's hobbies is stargazing, Otou-san. Kaoru-san did come home, but Kaoru-san was just on the roof and must've fallen asleep there."
Itachi-onii-san, I could kiss you right now. Thank you for covering for me.
"Is this true, Kaoru?"
She nodded. I was raised where lies saved you a lot of pain. I'm sure he wouldn't hit me, but I'm not taking that chance. I'm sure that's the basis of being a good ninja, the ability to lie well.
"All right then, but tell your mother that you're doing so in the future."
She nodded again, before Mikoto spoke.
"I have something important to tell the whole family. Itachi, would you fetch Sasuke from the bathroom?"
"Yes, Oka-san."
She has important news? What could be that Oka-san would need to tell all of us?
Sasuke followed his brother out and looked expectantly at his mother.
Mikoto smiled lovingly as she announced, "I'm going to have a baby."
Fugaku hugged his wife, his hand going to her abdomen tenderly. Itachi smiled, used to having a younger sibling, while Sasuke crossed his arms.
"Oka-san's too old to have another kid. With Kaoru newly brought into the family, isn't three enough?"
Wow, the jealousy sure didn't take long to surface. I doubt that it will be tolerated, even if they spoiled him rotten.
Itachi shook his head. "I'm sure Otou-san and Oka-san didn't plan this, especially since you're going to be thirteen years older than the baby."
Sasuke scowled, as Fugaku asked, "How far along are you?"
"The symptoms I've had as of yet are relatively mild, so it took me a while to notice. I'm already done with my first trimester."
What's she talking about? What's a "trimester"?
Itachi noticed her confused face and explained softly, "A pregnancy is split into three parts, each three months. Oka-san is four months along now."
Being an only child in my last life (my parents feared having another hideous child) I've never been taught about babies, the workings of the human body, or even what "the birds and the bees" means. This ought to be a good way to learn. I don't even know how babies come about, the stork? What's this "pregnancy" thing Itachi-onii-san mentioned? I'm even more confused than before.
The celebrating turned into a small party that lasted into the night, the confused look on Kaoru's face continuing, Itachi coming over to her and putting a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him, cocking her head to the side in question.
"Come with me, I'll tell you what you need to know."
They went up to the roof and sat on the top, facing each other. He scratched the back of his neck as he asked, "Do you know the truth about where babies come from?"
She shook her head and wrote, 'I asked my classmates at school when I missed the special class on it, and they just laughed and said "You're never gonna get past the stork". I'm not quite sure what a bird has to do with a baby coming, but past that, nothing.'
He turned red as he looked towards the sky. "How do I explain to a clueless fourteen-year-old the ins and outs of this without scarring her for life?"
What does he mean it'll scar me for life? Is it that terrible? She wrote down her puzzled question. 'Are you gonna traumatize me with this explanation?'
"It matters how tough you are. I think girls take it harder than boys, so how tough do you think you are?"
She gave him a dubious look. Is he serious about me being weak? I had to suffer through tons of extremely traumatizing things in my first life, so why would it matter if I'm scarred further?
"Stupid question, I'm guessing." He sighed, and then nodded. "I'll get down to the grisly details. I'm no good at anything else, since I was told straight out at seven years old."
He was half my age when he learned this? Lucky.
A few hours later, after many several different explanations and questions, Itachi groaned as he shook his head. "You really are a pure girl. Well, there's only one thing I can think of that'll educate you, and I hope Otou-san and Oka-san don't catch us."
They sneaked into Itachi's room and he pulled out an orange book from under his futon. "My best friend Shisui loaned me this, and it's the most descriptive thing you can get to watching the real thing. Maybe this'll teach you."
She looked at the cover that sported a man casing a woman and the words "Icha Icha Paradise". I guess I'll see what I'll learn from this. Though I have no clue what "Icha Icha" means. She opened it and began to read, Itachi tense as she did so, for the next hour-and-a-half, before she closed it and smiled. She got her pad of paper and wrote, 'The story was quite good. Is there a sequel?'
Itachi slumped over. "I give up. Now I've made you into a fan of the Icha Icha books."
She perked up. 'There's more?'
"Yeah, but not now, I'll buy this one and the next for your birthday. But in return, you can't show them to anyone or mention them to Oka-san and Otou-san. Deal?"
She shook his hand and nodded. I wonder why. Is there something wrong with these books?
*overcome with laughter* This ought to bring all sorts of awkward situations to this story! Whoever thought Kaoru was that innocent, or should I say dense? I really doubt any other kid would've still been confused after a single explanation, let alone several and reading Icha Icha Paradise!
Who out there thinks that it'll be found out that she's the one who dyed Sasuke's hair? Or that she's now a fan of the Icha Icha books?
Please review!