A.N: Okay guys! Welcome back! Thanks for waiting too. And I'm sorry for the long update. The reason is, well, let's just say that shit happens in your life. I got a massive headache for days and there are piles of homework that have to be done if I want to graduate, and to add the worst, one of my beloved teacher suddenly grow mad and give us test every day... Yeah, life sucks sometimes. And I also change the Prologue, I realize that some things were wrong and I fixed that. Try to read it once more, you will find my blunder.
And thanks for your reviews! It really inspirited me! And before I started, let me answer some of your question. Some of its, are questioned about the line I will used. Whether it will be the Anime, or the Visual Novel. Actually, I planned to combine both of it. But yes, I will started with the Anime first. But some of the characters will not be introduced nor get a role in this story. And that's final. Yes, I know some of you may get upset, but I have my own reason. I don't want to put spoiler here, but at least I can tell you that the characters that will be appear here are the only one who appears in Visual Novel. But remind you, Koihime Musou Visual Novel, not Shin or the others.
Now, without further ado, I present to you... THE NEXT CHAPTERS! (Yeah I know, it's not cool)
"Character speaking"
'Character thinking'
THIS IS PURELY FANFICTION, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, THEN DON'T READ IT!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Koihime Musou, Naruto belongs to Masahi Kishimoto and Koihime Musou belongs to BaseSon. And I also don't own any other part from any Animes that show in this story. All of them are belongs to their respectively creators.
Chapter 1: Lin Lin, the Lonely Bandit.
The road to the village was quiet. An old woman carrying a bamboo basket was seen walking from the village. From the clothes that she wearied, it can be concluded that she was a mere peasant. But if we see on the opposite road, there were two people in a cloak walking side on side. The first one was a beautiful girl with a black, long, and shiny hair. She wore a gray and slightly tattered cloak. On her right hand, there was a long, sturdy and beautiful Guan Dao. Inside the cloak, we can see a green dress with a short blue skirt. Beneath it, there was a white shirt with a red-white tie. The shirt itself was unsuccessfully covered her... assets. She also wore long stockings that reached her tight. This girl's name is Kan'U.
On her side, walking a man with a sun-kissed yellow and spiky hair. His back hair was reached his back and tied with a white ribbon. A three pair of whiskers-mark adorned his cheeks. His eyes were bright blue. This man was wearing a cloak with red cloud pattern. Beneath the cloack, we can see a dark blue pants. He wore a green vest with a lot of pockets. An old katana strapped on his side. A red sheath covered it. The sheath itself was patterned with flames. And this man's name is Naruto Uzumaki.
When these two bandit-hunters came upon a small gravestone, the girl stopped and prayed to it. However, the man only standing there, watching the girl finishing her prays.
"Do you not wish to pray?" asked Kan'U
Naruto only smiled "I'm a heretic"
"Well, just because you're a heretic, doesn't mean you can't pray for those who lost his life right?"
"And just because I can doesn't mean I have to right? Kan'U-chan" replied Naruto with a teasing smile.
Kan'U blushed from the suffix. "I told you don't call me that! It's embarrassing!"
Naruto only giggled on his companion antics. "But it's suited you, or do you wish for me to call you Kan'U-obba-san?"
"Th-that's worse! Just call me Kan'U!" shuttered Kan'u. "And without suffix!" add her quickly when she saw her companion opened his mouth.
Naruto closed his mouth and smiled "As you wish, Kan'U-ojou-sama" bowed him.
"Argh! Do as you wish!" said now the rampage Kan'U.
Unknown to them, the old woman that came from the village has already standing beside them.
"Fufufu, what a sight, a couple to be flirting around the day." Said now the smiling woman.
Hearing that, Kan'u starts to stammer "Wha- A COUPLE! No! No! You got it wrong! We aren't coup- umph!"
All of a sudden, Naruto put his palm on her mouth "Ahahaha, what are you saying honey? Of course we are a couple aren't we?" Naruto said while give Kan'U a meaningful look.
"Ohohoho. It's nice to be young. By the way, are you two travelers?" asked the old woman.
Kan'U still struggling to move Naruto's hand from her mouth, while Naruto calmly answered "Yes we are. In fact, we are just married."
"Oh! A newly married couple! Glad to hear that! It's always nice to hear such news in this time. Especially after what happens recently."
"I'm sorry, but what do you mean by that?" asked now the curious Naruto.
The old woman look downcast while said in low and sad voice. "Lately, robbers have begun appearing even around here. A few people have already been robbed of all they had and then killed."
She stopped for a while and look at the grave "This grave belongs to a child named Kuro-kun. He's a nice boy. An energetic one. But one day..." The old woman stopped and shakes her head from the memories.
"These flowers are our only offerings to him." Finished the old woman with a sad look. At this Kan'U has been stopped struggling. Naruto, noticed this, moved his hand from her mouth.
"I see" said Kan'U slowly.
"If only the government officials had gotten off their butts, something dangerous like this wouldn't have happened. This world has become unpleasant." Sighed the old woman.
"Ah! But forgive me, to tell you such a story." Said the old woman again.
"Oh, it's okay. I'm sorry. It's my fault for asking such things." Quickly said Naruto while slightly bowing to the old woman.
Looking at this, the old woman made a small smile. "What a polite young man. You're lucky to have such a man, young lady." Said the old woman while looking at Kan'U
Hearing that, a big blush quickly appeared on Kan'U cheeks. When she's about to correct the misunderstanding, Naruto quickly put his hand on her mouth again.
"Hahaha. Thank you for the compliment, but may I ask something?" asked Naruto
"Of course my dear, what is it?" said the sincere old woman.
"You see, we just have traveling for quite a time. And we just about to rest at this village. Do you know where we can find lodging?"
After that, the old woman gives them a direction to a small lodge. It seems that there's only one lodging in this village. So it should not be hard to find according to the old woman. After that, Naruto and Kan'U bid a farewell to the old woman. It turns out that the old woman was just about to collect herbs in the wood.
When the said old woman out of their sight. Kan'U punches Naruto on the shoulder, hard.
"Ouch! What's that supposed to be?!" asked Naruto
"Who give you permission to be my husband?! And why you're lying to her? And do you have to asked 'that' to her?" ranted Kan'U.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down Kan'U-chan. Are you on your period or what?"
"I am not on my period! And answer my question!" shouted Kan'U
"Okay, okay. But calm down first. You see, I prefer that people do not know that I'm a bandit-hunter. If it's possible, I just wanted to people know me as a common traveler. Being a bandit-hunter is just... brings a lot of attraction."
"And why do you hate to be attractive?" asked Kan'U
Naruto smiled at that question "You see, if you gain popularity, people will know about you. If they started to spread that out, your enemy will know about you, and they will fear about you. They will avoid you, and your prey will be quickly disappearing."
"But isn't that a good thing? For they to be afraid about you?" asked Kan'U
Naruto just shrugged "Indeed it have a benefit, but it's also have its drawback. Peace that comes from fear are never last long. This problems in this country, it will never be solved just by making your enemy fear to you."
Naruto stopped and look at Kan'U. But what he can see is just confusion on her face. Sighing, he tried to explain more "Let me give you some example, let's say that there are a group of bandits that brings suffer to people. And you are a famous bandit-hunter. They also know about you. And they will afraid to you. They will try to avoid you, and brings suffer to more people in a places that you were not there. See, you can't bring peace if what you just do is drive problems away but not solve the problems."
"Then why do you choose to be my husband? Why not just simply tell her that both of us are just simple travelers? And both of us are not related."
"Because that's will be too suspicious, a young girl and a young man that not related simply traveling together? It will bring a lot of question. But sometimes it's just simple if you say that you're my girlfriend, or my wife."
'Wha-girlfriend? WIFE?' Kan'U blushed at the thought in her mind, but quickly brushed it off. It's not the right time to be day-dreaming.
"And I, simply asking about the recently events, just want to know about the situation in this village. But it seems that it doesn't very different from the last village I visited."
"... I see" said now full-blushing-face-from-embarrassment Kan'U.
"Well then, let's keep going shall we?" asked Naruto
Kan'U didn't answer, she just simply following Naruto in silent. But before long, as they approach the gate, Kan'U broke the silence. "I'm sorry"
"Huh? Sorry? For what?" Asked the now confusing Naruto.
"For punching you earlier. M-My emotion got control over me and... Well..." said Kan'U. Her voice becomes lower and lower each word until it became a whisper.
Naruto however, just smiled at this and said "It's okay. I understand. And I'm sorry too"
Kan'U perked up from that sentence and look at Naruto
"I'm sorry for making you my wife without your permission"
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"I'm sorry sir, but we really don't have any available room."
"Come on! There have to be one! Please check it once more" plead Naruto
However, the receptionist just shakes his head and said with a guilty look. "I'm really sorry. But it doesn't matter how many times I checked, all rooms are occupied. We don't have any rooms left."
Naruto let out a defeated sigh and said "Fine, thanks for the effort."
When Naruto leaves the building, he spotted Kan'U standing on the entrance.
"Huh? What are you doing here? Our agreement is just to accompany me to this village. Oh, do you perhaps want to rent a room here too? Well, too bad, it seems that they don't have any vacant rooms." Said Naruto
Kan'U however, just shocked her head "No, although it's true that I need a place to rest, my reason to be still here is to wait for you."
"But I told you already, our agreement is just to accompany me until this village. After that, you're free to go."
Kan'U just looks at him with a serious face. "Are you saying that my presence is just a bother to you?"
"No! Of course not!"
"Then why do you so insisted for me to leave?"
"Because I don't want to 'restrain' you. You're free now."
"Well, then I'm free to follow you right?"
Naruto just look at her for a moment and let out a small sigh "... Fine then, do as you wish, you're one stubborn girl aren't you?"
"I am, and don't feel too depressed. I'm here on my own, not because of any obligation." Said Kan'U with a little proud.
Naruto look at her with a blank look and said "I am sorry for whoever became your husband"
Kan'U jabbed him on his side for that. "Do you have any death wish Uzumaki-san?!"
"Ouch! That's hurt! Are you sure you're not on your period?"
Kan'U just raises her hand again, ready to jab him again.
"Okay! I'm sorry! Just don't hit me again!" Defend Naruto. He rise his hands up in 'I am surrender' gesture.
"Fine, but we still have to find place to re-"Kan'U never finished those sentences, because a loud growl perked up from Naruto's stomach. The man himself was just let out a small laugh.
"Ehehe... How about we find a place to eat first?"
Kan'U just smiled for his companion's antics. She slowly nodded and starts to walk.
"I hear there's a nice restaurant nearby. Let's get something to eat." Said Kan'U over her head to Naruto.
But suddenly, Naruto jumped to her and pushes her to the side as a group of kids ran past her. A small girl with dark pink hair riding a pig lead the group. Judging by her looks, she looks to be around thirteen. She wore blue tight shorts, a red scarf and a yellow shirt. On her hand, she was spinning a wooden stick.
"Make way, make way, make way! The Lin-Lin Bandit Group is passing through!"
Following her, some kids with the same age were running alongside while carrying some food. There was even a kid who brings a flag. Kan'U and Naruto just looking at them, speechless.
"Wh-What was that about?" shuttered Kan'U.
"That? That was a group of kids. What else?" answer Naruto.
"I-Idiot, that's not what I mean! A-and could you get off from me? I don't mean to be rude, but this position is... well..."
Naruto, hearing Kan'U's words, just realized how 'compromising' their position now. With his hands on her side of head. His right leg was knelled between her legs. Her skirt was a little unveiled. This is surely a position that many men wants to be with a girl.
Quickly, Naruto stand up and help her get up. He said "I'm sorry. I don't mean to..."
"I-It's okay. I understand." Interrupted Kan'U while her cheeks begin to turn into red.
An awkward silence came down on those two.
Naruto cleared his throat and change the topic "Ehem, well, about that restaurant, shall we go now?"
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A sound of laughter came from a restaurant.
"Ahahahaha. That sounded like a disaster." A woman in her mid thirties with a brown hair tied in a bun and brown clothes laughed.
"It's no laughing matter. What were those brats up to? They were calling themselves the 'Lin-Lin Bandit Group'." Argued Kan'U
"Come on Kan'U-chan, do you still hold a grudge towards them? They are just kids." Assured Naruto while eating his ramen.
"I-I'm not! I-I just disagree! Yeah, I disagree with what they do! They make a ruckus inside a town!" shuttered Kan'U.
'Of course I do! Because of them, I ended up in such embarrassing situation. And for the worse, I involved a man that I barely know' Cursed Kan'U in her mind.
"As the name suggests, it's a gang of brats led by a kid called Lin-Lin. Well, all they do is damage the fields and pull pranks on the cows." Explain the waitress again.
"See, they just bunch of kids that like to pull pranks. They are harmless."
A glare from Kan'U shut Naruto's mouth.
"Oh yeah, they drew a huge graffiti portrait of the village chief on the wall of his house the other day. That was a masterpiece!" said the waitress with a huge smile.
'Hm? It seems that the villagers are quite favoring them. They seem to think that whatever this 'Lin-Lin gang' does is just a joke. Well, it reminds me of my childhood... Only this one is much happier... and less hostile.' Thought Naruto.
"But still, what is her parents doing? Leaving a brat whose playing bandit unattended..." said Kan'U while eating her fried rice.
"...That child doesn't have parents." Said the waitress with a melancholy eyes.
This brought Naruto and Kan'U attention to the waitress.
"When she was small, robbers broke into her house and killed her parents. After that, she was taken in by her maternal grandfather, who lived in a mountain hut. But her grandfather passed away as well. Right now, she's all by herself."
Kan'U put down her spoon, she felt... sad. Naruto noticed this and look at her. There's something on her eyes that caught Naruto's interest.
'I know those eyes. Those are eyes of loneliness, eyes of sadness... Interesting.'
"She's a good-natured child. She's just a bit stir-crazy at the moment. The parents of the kids who follow her are also turning a blind eye to it."
"Now that does explain almost everything. By the way, this ramen is delicious, may I have another one?" asked Naruto
"Of course you may! It's always nice to see such a young man have a big appetite! Please wait for a moment." Said now the cheerful waitress.
"Don't you think you eat too much? You already eat... 20 bowls of ramen!" asked Kan'U, her eyebrows rise seeing how much Naruto eat.
"Really? I thought that my food portion is normal." Said Naruto with sincere look.
"Fine, but who will pay all of this? Just for you know, my money is not much."
"Don't worry. My pocket is much fuller than its look."
"Here's your ramen. And can I ask something?" asked waitress with a curious look.
"Yes, what is it?" answer Kan'U while continue eating her food.
"Don't you think you two are too young to be married?"
There's a small split-second before Kan'U burst out her food on her mouth. She coughed a couple times while Naruto give her a pat on her back.
"Don't worry about her, she's quite sensitive about that topic. But maybe you're right. We may appear to be quite young, but as long you past age-limit and you love each other, why bother postponed it?"
Kan'U gives him a death glare but Naruto just ignored it... or he just too afraid to look at it.
"Hmm... You're right. But then again, it's not my business to pry on someone too much."
Kan'U gives Naruto a last glance before look at the waitress and speak "By the way, Mistress. I actually have a favor to ask of you."
"Hm? A favor?"
"Yes, you see..."
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A small wooden house standing on the side of a cliff. A pig was eating its meal down bellow. Sound of laughter can be heard from the inside of the house.
Six children are looking to be eating boiled eggs. They make a circle and a basket was in the middle. Lots of eggshells were inside it.
"Today was a big success too!"
"Oh, yeah. The picture we drew on the wall of the village chief's house the other day was erased." Said one of the children with her hair tied in a ponytail.
"It was a masterpiece. What a waste." Said the other.
"A waste." Chipped the youngest one in the group.
"Big deal. Next time, we'll draw an even bigger one, so it's okay!" said the leader of the group. She raises her hands up as she finished that. A big smile plastered on her face.
"As expected from our boss." Praise a fat girl.
"The Lin Lin Bandit Group is the best!" said the last one on the group.
The others just imitate her shouted "The best!"
They laughed for a while until sound of crow cawing can be heard from the outside of the house. Shows that the time has already dusk.
"It's about time to go home?" asked one of the girls.
"Yeah." Said the youngest.
A sad look washes upon their leaders, Lin-lin, face.
"Me too."
"Me too."
One by one, the girls prepare to go home. Lin-lin only can look each of them with a sad, and perhaps, hopeful look. She accompanies them until outside of the house. She accompanies them until they reached the stairs lead down the mountain to the village. She accompanies them... with a sad look. Yet, she quickly hides it when the girls bid her farewell.
"Bye!"
"Boss, goodbye."
"See you tomorrow!"
"Yeah!"
"See you tomorrow! We're going to play bandits again!" shouted Lin-lin while waving her hand.
The kids wave her back before leaves her. Lin-lin still waves her hand until they truly gone. After that, she put down her hand and a sad look washes her face again. She turned her head and start walking back to the house.
A basket lay on the floor. The same basket contains the eggshells from the boiled-egg that the kids ate. However, the basket only show some melancholy mood when Lin-lin unveil the curtain on the door. The sun ray shot through the rooms. The room that filled with laughter before, now empty. An old, tattered flag leaning on the wall. On the flag, written 'LIN'. The same name as the leader of the gang. The same name of the girl that alone in that house.
"When tomorrow comes, I'll be able to see everyone again." Said Lin-lin with small and trembling sound.
She reached the flag and whispered with a sad voice "When tomorrow comes, I'll..."
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The moon has reached it place on the sky. It shone brightly on the dark sky. Tonight was a full moon. Down bellow, a nice restaurant, the same restaurant we meet earlier can be seen. Inside the restaurant, more precisely inside a storeroom for wood, a girl was laying on her back. She lay on piles of hays.
"Haaahhh... That Mistress really worked me hard. But compared to sleeping outside like I usually have to, this is heaven."
Kan'U tilts her head seeing the moon from the window. "I wonder where Uzumaki-san is now?"
-Flashback start-
"What! You will not stay here?!" asked a surprised Kan'U.
"Now now, don't shout at me like that." Said Naruto while try to calm down Kan'U.
"Bu-but I don't understand. The Mistress already let us to stay here. She said as long as we help her, we may stay as long as we can. And it's already late, we should take a rest."
"Yes, but I have another reason. Don't worry about me. I'll be back here tomorrow in the morning. I'll find another place to rest."
"What 'another reason' are you talking about?" asked Kan'U with a sharp look.
"Well, things like this and that... anyway, I should be going soon. Take care!" said Naruto.
Suddenly a gale of wind came down and breeze dust. Kan'U closes her eyes for the sudden wind. When she opens her eyes, Naruto has gone.
-Flashback end-
Kan'U moves her head so that she faces the ceiling. "I just hope that he is okay."
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A.N: Okay, so that's all for this time. And I hope that you will forgive me for my lateness. But hey! At least I'm not abandoning this story. Please review this story, ask me any question and I will try to answer it. See ya!