The Hidden Countries
Chapter Twenty
Vanishing Cabinets
**The idea of the vanishing cabinets, Fluffy's puppies, and the little Gai scene at the end is all from the amazing mind of Lanelle! Thank you, you truly are full of genius ideas. ** I know you said I didn't need to give you credit, but I believe in only taking credit for my own ideas, plus you deserve this. You are amazing!
And the guest reviewer; RandomGuest08. For the whole fiancé idea, it made me laugh, so it had to go in.
And to all my reviewers in general, I might not reply – mainly because I'm lazy, but I do read and really adore all of them!
This story is only meant to be about the defeat of Voldemort as well, so many things that Rose has messed with in Konoha, I won't really be going into detail about..
And Onwards!
"We're going back to Konoha, actually, but… thank you for the offer Kingsley," Rose said with a forced grin, as she thanked the intern minister.
He looked completely surprised. "You do know that you're turning down the position of minister for magic, right Potter?"
Rose shrugged her shoulders. "It's overrated, plus, I have family from my mother's side over there – Ron and Hermione don't go anywhere without me so…"
Kingsley nodded his head seriously, walking away from her with a brief goodbye and a sincere good luck. Rose turned around to see the three ninja she had come with in conversation with Hermione, Ron and Hagrid – who was holding what looked like two mini-fluffy's. It was scary. Rose shivered, thinking what harm those things could come to.
Rose made her way closer, and she could hear what Hagrid was saying to Jiraiya. "As thanks fer gettin' rid of You-Know-Who, I wan' yer to 'ave Fuzzy n' Jazzy, when dey grow up they're gonna be very good guard dogs. Yer just 'ave to play 'em music and take good care of 'em and they'll be loyal for life, can protect anyfing."
Ron was laughing nervously, his eyes darting from to ninja to the three-headed dogs. "Fluffy had puppies?"
"Yer, she 'ad five," Hagrid explained looking overly pleased. Jiraiya nodded his head, giving him a small bow.
"Thank you Hagrid-San, we will be honoured to take care of Fuzzy and Jazzy," Jiraiya said sounding nothing but honoured.
"An' Rosie'll know 'ow to take care of 'em," he explained, beaming at Rose as she approached. Rose looked down at the three headed puppies, not having to have the heart to say that the gift was probably inappropriate, she just smiled.
"Fluffy had puppies?" Rose asked. "I didn't know she was a girl."
Hagrid nodded his head happily. "Please don't try to eat us," Ron muttered to the dogs, that were currently in Kakashi's arms – he looked oddly like he was having fun holding the dogs. Rose could already tell he was a dog person.
"Wha' was dat, Ron?"
"Nothing!" Hermione intersected. "I'll make sure they get the proper care Hagrid, we're going with them."
Hagrid nodded his head. "Well don' forget ta visit yer three! Don' be strangers!"
"Never," Rose said smiling, and when Hagrid left she eyed the dogs carefully. "They're going to be bigger than your house, Kakashi."
"They get that big?" Jiraiya asked his voice excited. Rose eyed him warily.
"Yes," Hermione responded. "The Cerberus, more commonly known as the three-headed dog, in mythology they're keepers of the underworld or hell. But, in reality, they're mainly used to guard very important things. They're hard to come across though, because they have puppies once every fifty years. And are considered highly illegal."
"That doesn't stop people though, my dads have to deal with a Cerberus running amok in Muggle London, it was a nightmare, honestly," Ron added in.
Rose blinked. "I didn't know that."
Hermione huffed. "That's because you and Ron never think to open a book!"
"Hey!" Ron protested. But Rose was already laughing. Things were settling down quite a bit. It was nice.
"Potter!" Someone yelled cutting though the haze of laughter. The group of six turned to face the sound of the voice, and Rose saw that it was Draco Malfoy. He walked up to them, looking like nothing was going on but him walking up to a bunch of people. "I wanted to talk to you."
"Fire away."
Malfoy looked confused not getting the muggle reference. "Alone?"
Rose shook her head, and Ron interrupted. "In front of us too ferret boy."
Malfoy glared at Ron darkly. "Fine. The vanishing cabinets are in the Headmistresses office, just like you asked, now?"
Rose smiled. "Thanks Malfoy, you're not going to prison. I can't believe you thought I would send an innocent person to Azkaban!"
"It's hard to tell with you," Malfoy muttered darkly before walking away.
"What is a vanishing cabinet?" Kakashi asked curiosity showing in his voice.
"A vanishing cabinet is an object that delivers one person from one place to another, no matter the distance involved," Hermione responded, sounding like she had just quoted a textbook.
"Welcome back, Hermione Granger, Know-It-All extraordinaire everyone," Ron joked, and Hermione hit Ron in the stomach looking pleased.
"What Rose intends to do with it, is another question all together," Hermione concluded.
"A more stable portal!" Rose said grinning.
Understanding dawned on everyone. "A link between our realties," Jiraiya concluded.
"So we can stay over there and… not lose out connection to the people over here?" Ron asked with a relived smile.
"Of course!" Rose said. "I'm a genius right?"
"Not to my level of course, but..."
"Hermione!"
Hermione just grinned happily. "What is the plan then Rose?"
Hermione and Ron turned to Rose with expectant looks on their faces, and the ninja just looked interested. Rose took a deep breath. "Okay, so you – Hermione and Ron, will take the cabinet back to Konoha with these ninja. I'll make sure it works and come by tomorrow."
"Why are you coming tomorrow?" Jiraiya asked suspiciously. "Tsunade isn't going to be happy with us coming back without you."
Rose smiled. "I have to go and… have a chat with my Aunt about a few things."
"Petunia? Horse-Face?" Ron asked incredulously. "Why would anyone willingly talk to her?"
Rose shrugged her shoulders and Jiraiya had a thoughtful look on his face. "I'll go back with her," he gestured at Hermione. "With one cabinet, and these two," he said pointing at Ron and gesturing to Haku. "Can wait to go through the one on this end to make sure it works. So you can go and talk to this Aunt of yours with Kakashi."
Rose gave him a confused look, and everyone else nodded their heads. Jiraiya grinned. "Tsunade is less likely to kill me if I say Kakashi is with you."
Rose gave him a look, and Hermione broke out in a fit of giggles. Rose gave him a look, and Hermione broke out in a fit of giggles. Rose gave Hermione a confused look – what was funny?
THC
Rose was laughing. Rose didn't know how she managed to get Kakashi to wear a suit, but it looked much too funny with that mask still firmly in place. Kakashi tugged at the suit sleeve self-consciously. Rose grinned happily.
"The mask needs to come off," Rose said firmly.
Kakashi rolled his one good eye. Rose had already managed to get him to ditch the forehead protector; she was really surprise by the long scar running though his closed eye. But it really hadn't bothered her that much. "No."
Rose eyed him warily. "My Aunt is very… normal, she doesn't like not-normal things – your mask is not normal, and I need to know about my mother and the Uzumaki… If you want to come… no mask."
Kakashi stared uncomfortably at her, and Rose shifted on the spot, biting her lower lip. "Please? I won't laugh… I promise?"
"You just want to see my face," Kakashi accused.
Rose shook her head, but couldn't hide the growing smile on her face. "I never thought of it like that!"
Kakashi eyed her accusingly. Rose widened her eyes, pleadingly. Kakashi sighed. Rose smiled with triumph. Kakashi moved his hand to his mask and he froze for a few minutes – and Rose realised that he wasn't going to take the mask off. Rose sighed – it would probably freak her family out with his hair anyway. "You know what; your hair would freak them out so I guess the mask doesn't do much."
Kakashi smiled happily, and dropped his arm. Rose darted forward and grabbed his hand. "Try not to move."
"Why…?"
Rose apparated with a crack. Rose landed in the bushes in the park that was around the corner from number four private drive. Rose had spent a lot of her childhood in this park. Rose looked over at Kakashi who had let go of her hand and was gripping a tree like it was his life support. Rose laughed, because that was the exact same thing that she had done – except she had grabbed a lamp post.
"What was that?" Kakashi grumbled, quickly righting himself.
"Appreation, it's our method of travel," Rose said grinning. Kakashi shuddered. Rose nodded her head away from the shrubbery. "Come on lets go."
Rose walked out of the trees, and brushed the leaves off – Ginny's red dress, that she was sure that Petunia would approve of. She wasn't there to start a fight; she was there to get some answers. Rose walked out of the park to see the perfect yards, and the same white brick houses, that had made Rose feel like she was in a boring, bland world when she was younger.
Rose looked back at Kakashi, who was walking awkwardly next to her. He looked extremely uncomfortable wearing a suit, but it looked good on him. Rose smiled and brushed some leaves off his shoulder, causing him to look at her in surprise.
The two kept on walking until Rose stopped in front of number four. It hadn't changed any. Rose stood there and stared at the house for a good five minutes, before Kakashi softly nudged her forward. Rose readied herself before walking forward, not even realising that she stopped at the door and knocked three times.
Rose paused, she waited. The door opened itself slowly, to reveal Dudley standing there with a surprised look on his face. "Rosemary?" Dudley asked, opening the door wider.
Rose nodded her head; the Dursleys had never referred to her as anything but Rosemary. "Hey Dudley, I'm here to talk to Aunt Petunia."
Dudley nodded his head and moved out of the way. "She's in the kitchen making lunch, and dads at work."
Rose nodded her head. "Thanks Dudley."
Dudley gestured for Rose to follow him, even though Rose knew the way like the back of her hand. Dudley threw a curious look at Kakashi, but she didn't bother to introduce them to each other. Rose followed, until they were at the kitchen. Petunia was making sandwiches.
"Look whose here mum!" Dudley exclaimed.
Aunt Petunia turned around. "Who is it Duddy – Rosemary?"
Rose smiled at her Aunt grimly, there was no love here. "I need to talk to you about my mother."
Petunia's lips thinned. "I don't know anything about your mother."
Rose's eye twitched. She noticed that Dudley seated himself down, looking like he wasn't going to move anytime soon and Petunia had crossed her arms over her chest, looking stubborn. "Come on mum, tell her please?" Dudley asked.
Rose shot a smile Dudley's way. He had become much nicer after she had saved his life. And now, Rose was completely grateful for this. Petunia looked upset. "What do you want to know?"
"Uzumaki, what does that name mean?"
Petunia's eyes widened. "Where did you hear that name?" Petunia's eyes darted to Kakashi who was standing behind Rose. Rose could feel him standing behind her, stiffy.
"Irreverent," Rose said swiftly. "Tell me about the name, and my mother's real sister."
Petunia gasped. "I - she, her town was wiped out, with her family – except for her and her sister. Kushina I think her name was. Freaks both of them, her sister went to live wither her grandmother in a place Kono-mara or something. Lily came to live with us, because she was defective or something. Hah, everyone thought she was our cousin, but my mother didn't have a sister – I remember! And then they turn up saying that we were related? My mother and father accepted it, but I knew, I knew it couldn't be possible. And the she wanted us to call her Yuri – Yuri! Her name was Lily!"
Rose blinked; she hadn't expected her to be so forthcoming. "It sounds like they were placed under a genjutsu," Kakashi commented.
Rose nodded her head in understanding.
"And who might you be?" Petunia asked her voice stiff and unapprovingly.
"Kakashi Hatake," Kakashi responded with a stiff smile.
"You – your one of them!" Petunia gasped.
Rose blinked in confusion. "One of whom?"
"Those chakra freaks!"
Rose watched her Aunt's hyperventilating form, and her eyes flickered to Dudley – who looked really confused. "…He's a ninja."
Dudley's eye's widened with awe, and Petunia looked close to yelling and screaming. "Really?" Dudley asked sounding excited. "That's so cool! Is that why you wear a mask?"
Kakashi nodded his head, his eye never leaving the form of Petunia. "What – what are you doing with – one of, one of his kind!?"
"He's my fiancé," Rose replied sarcastically.
Aunt Petunia fainted. Rose blinked her mouth agape. "I… didn't think she would react that way?"
"Is he really?" Dudley asked with excitement, moving over to help his mother.
"…No, we better go before she wakes up…"
Dudley's face fell. "Well, it was good seeing you again, Rosemary."
Rose nodded to Dudley. "You too Dudley. Let's go," she said turning to Kakashi, who looked like he was highly amused. Rose then walked out of the house, and when she was walking down the path after closing the front door, Kakashi finally started to talk again.
"That was interesting."
Rose nodded her head. "Now, I just need to find out why my mother got moved over here and how she got magic."
Kakashi hummed, the two remain mainly silent on the way back to the park so they could apprieate back to Diagon Ally. "Do you know who to ask next?"
Rose frowned. "No."
Kakashi smiled. "Well, as your fiancé it is my duty to help you."
Rese glared at Kakashi. "Shut up! I was being sarcastic! Sarcasm people!"
Kakashi chuckled. "I don't mind it."
"Don't mind what?" Rose asked huffily.
"People thinking we're together," Kakashi said flippantly.
Rose raised her eye brow, her hand grabbing Kakashi's shoulder. "I hope you're ready to go."
Kakashi's eyes widened with horror. Rose grinned and they disappeared from the area with a loud crack, only to appear again in Diagon ally. Rose let go of Kakashi, and let him regain his balance. Rose snickered, and Kakashi glared at her playfully as well, before straitening up.
Rose gestured for him to follow her, and he did so without any hesitation. Rose paused for a second. "Kakashi?"
"Yes?" He grumbled, walking next to her. He was walking so close to her that their hands were constantly brushing against each other.
Rose bit her lip, wondering who to say exactly what she was thinking. "I was wondering, well, I was wondering if-!"
Rose had cut off mid-sentence, standing in the middle of the street, her mouth hanging open. She was looking into the owl emporium, and she saw an owl that looks like she could be Hedwig's twin. "Rose?"
Rose nodded her head, before grabbing Kakashi's hand and dragging him into the shop, she could take an owl with her to Konoha… Couldn't she? Rose practically ran into the shop, not even paying much attention to the jingle of the bells as she entered the room. Her eyes flew from the owl at display, he hooted at her. Then she looked at the sales person who looked to be around twenty.
"How much for that owl?" Rose asked, gesturing to the snowy owl that reminded her so much of Hedwig.
The boy grinned, showing off his dimples. "Jewels? She's pretty expensive, 25 gallons for her." Rose nodded her head seriously. "But for a pretty girl like you, I can do 20?"
Rose blinked and shrugged her shoulders. "I'll take her," Rose said, whilst Kakashi coughed loudly from behind her. Rose turned to face him, to see he was glaring.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Kakashi grumbled.
The boy left and then came back with the owl in a silver cage, looking slightly nervous. "Here she is, that'll be… wait… you…"
Rose looked at him strangely as he trailed off, his eyes darting from her to Kakashi, then finally her forehead. Rose sighed, as the boy's eyes widened. "You're Rose Potter!"
Rose nodded her head, in defeat. The boy looked like he was panicking before he settled down. "She's free for you! Thank you for defeating You-Know-Who!"
"But it wasn't me!"
He waved her off, piling up things for to take to take care of the owl for free. Rose was glad to be getting away from this. With a sigh, Rose looked over to Kakashi, who looked as surprised as she was.
THC
"You can keep this safe, Professor? Don't let anyone though it okay?" Rose pressed.
"Of course, Miss Potter, the question is… why did you trash my office?"
Rose's shoulders slumped and Kakashi chuckled. "I was... I was… upset?"
McGonagall sighed. "Of course you were. Before you set off again, Miss Potter, I believe Miss Lovegood was looking for you."
Rose blinked. "Okay, I'll go talk to Luna and come straight back, alright Professor? Kakashi, why don't you go on ahead. I'll only be a few hours."
Kakashi nodded his head. "If Tsunade-Sama kills me for coming back without you, my death will be on your hands."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Baby."
Kakashi rolled his eyes, but you could see the amusement in his eyes. "I'll show you baby…" he muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Rose asked.
"When's the wedding, Miss Potter?" McGonagall asked, with amusement.
Rose went red. "Wha-What!?"
"If there's no wedding, then I must insist that you carry on with your tasks. I need my office back."
Rose nodded her head speechless. Kakashi just chuckled under his breath.
THC
"Luna! Luna!" Rose yelled after the blonde girl that was walking around the castle like she had nothing else to do. The said blonde turned around and smiled at Rose. "Hey! I heard you were looking for me?"
"Yes," Luna said dreamily. "I need to go with you."
"Huh? Why?" Rose asked surprised.
Luna smiled mysteriously. "Things need to be speed up."
"What?"
"Come on Rose, we need to hurry, the future is near," she answered her voice never losing its dream-like quality.
"What? Future? Near? You're not making sense Luna!"
"I don't need too," Luna smiled. "Let's go to Konoha. The Hokage is waiting for you."
"The Hokage? Wait how-!"
"No time, put this on!" Luna pressed, pushing a bundle of clothes at Rose. Rose shook out the said bundle of clothes to see it was her Gryffindor uniform.
"Why would I-?"
Luna smiled mysteriously. "Just for one last time."
"But – I'm leaving now, Luna – why would-?" Rose tried again, only to get cut off for the third time.
"Just do it."
Rose did put the uniform back on, but only because Luna had gotten serious. And a serious Luna frankly scared the shit out of Rose.
THC
Rose stood in front of Tsunade sheepishly, Luna standing behind her in her craziest outfit. Her butter beer cork necklace, her radish earrings, her crazy glasses, and mismatched stripped socks. Tsunade didn't seem to know what to make of the two – considering Rose was wearing her old Hogwart's uniform, complete with the red and gold tie, and she was carrying a white owl she felt she could understand.
"Hello, Tsunade-Sama… Uh, this is Lovegood Luna, a friend…" Rose muttered.
Tsunade looked at the two girls slowly. "I hope you can explain what happened when you were gone, Rose."
"Well…" Rose said slowly. "We gate-crashed an execution and stopped it, and then we took over Hogwarts – a school and then, Tom Riddle killed me. I came back to life, and then Haku killed him. Then as thanks Haku was given three-headed dog puppies, and I set up a stable connection between us… I went to talk to my family and… Oh, my mother was Uzumaki Kushina's younger sister - I think her real name was Yuri."
Tsunade sighed. "I was hoping the story would change somehow. Explain to me, how you died."
"You see, well, I got hit by a curse and then died, but somehow, I didn't die and got brought back?"
Tsunade sighed. "I need sake! Rose! I hope your problems are over with now, I want a proper written report on my desk by Friday!"
"I don't know how to write a report!" Rose protested.
"I don't care; get someone to teach you… Not Hatake! I won't get that report for years!" Tsunade said, slamming her fist against the table, causing it to crack down the middle.
"But-!"
"Rose should be able to get Kakashi-San to teach her quickly," Luna said with a dreamy voice.
"I want it by Friday, you hear me!?"
Rose blinked, absolutely confused, as Luna happily dragged her away from the office. Rose blinked, Luna fit in perfectly among the ninja in their craziness and ability to confuse the utter shit out of Rose.
THC
"Luna… Where are we going?"
"To find Kakashi-San!" Luna declared and not for the first time, Rose thought that Luna had latent Seer abilities. It would explain a lot. "Yes I do."
"You can read minds!?" Rose said incredulously.
"Of course not… The Nargles told me what you were thinking," Luna explained like this made perfect sense.
"Oh, right," Rose said, confusion was evident on her features.
"My flower! And…" Rose turned to see Gai running up to her only to look utterly stumped before disappearing in thin air. Rose blinked.
"The Waklespurts must have gotten to him," Luna said sounding disappointed. Rose looked at Luna strangely. "Oh well, Kakashi-San is right there."
Luna was pointing to her left and Rose scrunched her eyebrows, trying in vain to locate him to the left of them, to no use. Rose looked back at Luna with confusion.
"Over here," Kakashi said from beside Rose. Rose jumped about twenty feet in the air, before turning to face him, looking surprised. Rose glared at him playfully, and Kakashi smiled.
"Don't do that!" Rose protested her glare firm.
Kakashi held his hands up in surrender like fashion, but he was smiling. "It's not my fault that my stealth isn't as bad as yours is."
"Hey!" Rose protested, but it was ruined by the fact that she was laughing. Rose felt free – she felt happy, and nothing could change that.
"I see it now; you two are infected by the Waklespouts."
"We are?" Rose asked.
Luna nodded her head, absolutely certain of herself. "Yes, it's giving me a headache."
Kakashi blinked and looked at Rose uncertainly before asking; "What are Waklespouts?"
"Oh, they buzz around people's heads and make their thoughts fuzzy and it makes them do silly things," Luna explained like she wasn't there. "Your head is full of them, Kakashi-San."
"Oh…"
"I'm Lovegood Luna, Rose needs your help," Luna said answering the unspoken question.
"You do, do you?" Kakashi asked directing the question at Rose, his voice amused and possibly a little bit smug.
"No," Rose huffed.
"Hokage-Sama asked her to hand in a report; she doesn't know how to write one."
"Luna!" Rose protested.
"What?" Luna asked, innocently. Rose was sure if she could see her eyes behind the glasses that they'd be blinking.
Rose hung her head, and Kakashi just chuckled. "Of course I can help you Rose."
Rose grumbled under her breath, before she saw a cloud of dust rushing towards them. Rose tensed for a second before realising that it was just Gai. Gai ran until he was in front of Luna, and on one knee. Rose almost blanched.
"My prettiest flower! I am Might Gai! And you are the prettiest flower that I have seen all day! Please, take this youthful flower!" he said loudly, handing out a bright blue flower to Luna.
Rose leaned over to Kakashi and whispered; "What's happening?"
Kakashi smiled seemingly pleased with something. "Gai has found another poor soul to stalk.. er, fall in love with."
Luna looked down at Gai, removing her strange glasses to reveal her bright blue eyes. She smiled. "It's infected with Nargles," she announced picking up the flower.
Gai looked horrified. "Oh no! I didn't know! I will destroy every single one of these blossoms, to protect the youthfulness of Konoha! I'm sorry for bring you a defective flower!"
Rose groaned, not actually believing what was going on. "Are Nargles bad?" Kakashi whispered to her, as the two stood over to the side of the two crazy people.
"They're not real," Rose muttered back, slowly.
Luna's eyes lit up. "You don't have to do that, Nargles are very nice."
Gai paused in his ranting, only to look more horrified. "Oh no! I threatened the youthful Nargles!"
"Oh dear Merlin," Rose muttered, covering her face with her hand. This was not happening, was it? "This is not happening is it?"
"It is," Kakashi responded, his eyes on Rose and not the two in front of them.
"You're infected with the Waklespouts as well," Luna said, smiling in her dream-like way.
Gai froze again, this time panicking. "What do I do? I need to be youthful!"
Luna paused and handed him her butter beer cork necklace. "This helps keep them away."
Gai looked honoured, and he swung the necklace around his neck. It did look odd against his green outfit – hell, it looked crazy. "Thank you flower! I will cherish this until the day I die!"
Luna smiled happy that someone had taken her gift. "You know not many people would wear that."
Gai froze. "Why not?"
"People don't like me much," Luna explained and Rose shifted uncomfortably. Luna had the habit of speaking the truth even if it was uncomfortable.
"I Might Gai like you young Flower-Chan! To prove it, let me take you to a youthful lunch!" Gai declared, shouting at the sky.
Luna smiled. "Okay."
Gai froze for a second and looked at Luna strangely. "O-okay? Yes, I-I, where do you want to go?"
Rose blinked, in surprise. "Is he nervous?"
Kakashi hummed. "I've never actually seen a girl accept his offer to lunch."
Privately Rose felt there was good reason for this, but then again, it was kind of horrible wasn't it? "Bye, bye Rose, Kakashi-San, have fun!" Luna said excitedly.
Rose looked at Luna with wide-eyes and watched as she walked away with Gai. Had that just happened? Had she just- and did she know- and Rose was so lost.
"That happened right?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes, yes it did."
Kakashi turned to look at her then seemed to realise something and froze. "What are you wearing?"
"Huh?" Rose said glancing down at herself, despite the fact that she knew full well what she was wearing. "Oh, my old school uniform. Luna convinced me to wear it for old times' sake and… Wait…"
Luna. Had admitted to seeing the future somewhat… Things started to fall into place… She… hadn't? Luna had been the one to suggest her get the crown from Hogwarts. Luna had kind of given her the idea of dimension travel… Luna had said things weren't happening fast enough… Luna had dressed her as a school girl, and helped her find Kakashi, so he could teach her… Then Luna left with Gai of all people… Oh gosh, Luna truly had a dirty mind.
It wasn't just Rose how all these things were adding up, was it?
Rose looked at Kakashi slowly. He was looking at her, his expression unreadable, but he couldn't be thinking of – of that could he? Well Rose was… Not that she was purposely! But he did read those books…. "Let's go get Ramen!" Rose squeaked out.
"Alright," Kakashi allowed. The two – or more Rose really, speed their way to the ramen stand and were quick to order and greet the waitress. Rose realised this was a problem when they were left alone while the food was getting ready.
She twitched, and fidgeted and slowly went red. But she couldn't get the thought out of her head. Rose's eyes periodically flickered over to Kakashi, and she noticed that every time he was staring at her, with an intense look in his eye.
It made her nervous, it made her fidget more.
Damn Luna.
"Rose…"
"Hm?" Rose almost squeaked her voice gaining a few octaves. "Y-yes?"
Kakashi paused for a few seconds to compose himself, before… "Rose-Nee-Chan!"
Rose turned around, slightly relieved for the distraction. "Naruto!"
The orange blob that had come barrelling into the shop suddenly stopped and seated himself next to Rose. He grinned at her before his eyes caught Kakashi's. "Oh! Are you on a date with Kakashi-Sensei, Nee-Chan?"
Rose's face went completely red. "I – I, y-you think that... I mean – it's…"
Naruto looked at her in confusion, tilting his whiskered head to the side. "It's what, a date, eh?"
Rose felt like being swallowed by the floor would be a more pleasant experience. She had been having… these thoughts, and then Naruto had to come in and talk about t-that. And this all made Rose realise that her and Kakashi weren't even dating.
"We are Naruto," Kakashi responded like he was telling him the weather. Rose's eyes widened and she was sure that she went beat red.
Naruto grinned and nodded his head. "Okay! I'm going now!"
"Wait!" Rose called. "Why, where are you going!?"
Naruto looked uncomfortable. "No one payed me to come in here and ask you this!"
"Who did?" Rose pressed.
"No one!" Naruto yelled before running off.
Rose gaped at him and then remembered what Kakashi had just said and went red again. "U-um, so uh…"
"I like you," Kakashi said plainly.
"Kakashi?" Rose asked doubting if it really was him and not someone pretending to be him.
"I'm not saying it again," Kakashi warned. "You're different; you… make me want to be a better person… for you."
Rose gaped. "What's happening?"
Kakashi smiled. "I'm asking you out."
Rose blinked, paused and then blinked some more. Kakashi went silent. "U-um, well, I'm saying that I will only accept if… You let me see your face!"
Kakashi laughed. "I guess… I can approve of that."
THC
"Naruto!"
"It wasn't the blonde lady!"
"Luna…" Rose grumbled.
Naruto's eyes darted around uncomfortably. His shoulders growing slumped. "It's not why I'm here to talk to you Naruto, you know that right?"
"It's not?" He asked confused, his adorable face scrunched up in thought.
"I wanted to tell you about my mother," Rose explained.
"I thought you said…" Naruto said trailing off slightly.
Rose patted the grass next to her, as she sat down and Naruto it seemed – was smart enough to take a hint. He sat down. "That she's dead yeah, but she was very pretty, and a nice person…"
Naruto was looking at her with curiosity, and a bit of something else –yearning. "Her name was Evans Lily, but she wasn't always known as that you know, she had an older sister and a big clan and everything. You know what that clan was?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno?"
Rose bit her lip wondering how she was going to approach this. Better to be blunt, she decided. "She was born, Uzumaki Yuri. That means that, you two were related, and that means that we, well, we're related."
She paused and watched as Naruto took the information in. First he went from confused, to hopeful, then he looked suspicious, and then he looked a bit lost. "We talked about it, and we think that we're cousins. And you know… We're family is, you know-"
"W-we're family?"
Rose wasn't expecting to see so much vulnerability. "Yeah, we are. And I know this is hard, but I wanted you to know that we're family and family stick together."
"You promise you'll never leave me?"
"I promise."
"Even if I'm a monster?" Naruto asked his eyes watering.
Rose's eyes widened. "You're not a monster Naruto! How could you think that?"
"I'm a Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi!"
Rose paused and wondered what that meant; Rose took note to talk to Kakashi about that later. But looking at Naruto, she knew that it couldn't be anything too bad. "I don't care."
"You – don't?"
"Never," Rose promised. Naruto threw himself at Rose, and Rose gripped the boy in her arms, as he cried.
"You won't leave me?"
"No, I'll be there, I promise," Rose vowed.
"Really?"
"Always."
The End