A.N: Wow! I don't expect for the quick reviews! Thanks folks! I really appreciate that. Okay so this is the next chapter. But before that, let me thank you for all of you who had give me reviews. And as what I said in the last chapter, I will reply to your reviews. Now there is something that I want to point out. In anime, Chouhi got a nick 'Lin-lin' while in the VN, 'Rin-rin'. I already asked my friend about this. He said that the actual one is 'Lin-lin'. But because people of Japan pronounce 'L' like 'R' some people tend to mistaken this. But, I agree with Haseo55. It doesn't matter since all of you understand who she is.
Now, Konoha will only get a little act on this story. And mind you, there will be no character from 'Naruto' aside from Naruto. So there will be no Kakashi, no Hachibi, ect. But, there is one character that will accompany Naruto since I don't know how to part those two. I guess all of you already know who I talking about. But if I plan to change that, I will inform you.
And yes, I plan to have a harem. But it will take a looonggg time for that. So you don't have to worry about the fast-development. I will try to avoid that. And for 'Kan'U' instead of 'Aisha'. I believe that I have not write in my story anything about Kan'U mentioned her name, or real name, or whatever it calls. And so I make Naruto calls her 'Kan'U'. Remember, Naruto actually thinks that he will not stay long with Kan'U. But that will change soon. For now, just read it.
Now there is one review that got my eyes. It's from Raximus. He mentioned about the important of grammar. I'm sorry but I tend to be a perfectionist. And by writing fanfic, I hope that my skill in writing will increase. So I think that grammar is important. And about the canon-like. Yes, maybe some people don't think it's a nice one. But I believe that too much canon will make a fanfic useless. Because people already know about the line-story, so if I want to follow canon, I have to change that but still following the story-line. And that's quite difficult. And forgive me, but there will be no lemons for now, perhaps some in the future. But for now, I rated M because of the bloody, gore, and some dialogue that quite... radical.
Okay, now that's what I want to say for now. And without further ado, I present to you... The Next Chapter! (Do you have any better lines? Because I can't think another one)
"Character speaking"
'Character thinking'
"Flashback"
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 2: Memories, Purpose, Hope, and Action
"Aisha. Wake up, Aisha."
A man with a long hair waking up a small girl, named Aisha.
"Onii-chan, what's wrong?" asked Aisha as she still sleepy.
"It's war. Our village is under attack."
Aisha's eyes shot open heard that. "Eh!"
"Hide under the bed right now. Hurry!" told the man again.
"O-Okay." Quickly Aisha crawled under the bed. She hides there, waiting for things calmed down.
"Close your eyes and don't move. Don't make a sound, no matter what." Told the man from the side of the bed. After that, he quickly ran out from the house.
For a moment, nothing can be heard. But after that, some sounds came from the outside.
"Hand over all your valuables!" the sound of a man shouted from the outside of the house.
Some crashing sound can be heard from the house. It seems that the man's group was rummaging the house, searching for valuables.
'Onii-chan, onii-chan, onii-chan, onii-chan!' The little Aisha can only hope for her brother's safety. She chanted his name inside her head over and over again. Hope that he will save.
"Don't you see? I don't have any..." said Aisha's brother from bellow.
"Argh!" the sound of a blade piercing a body can be heard. A man's scream following it.
Aisha's eyes opened as she heard that man's voice. It's her brother's voice. However, as she open her eyes. Her brother's body fell down on the floor. His head faced her. His eyes opened and look of horror are placed on them.
-Flashback end-
Kan'U opened her eyes quickly. Cold sweat flowing on her body.
"The bandits who ran away are here... Found them!" A small echo can be heard. She still remembers that day. That day when she lost her only family.
Slowly, she sits and placed her hand on her head. Her hands are felt cold.
'It's that dream again.'
She has tried to get rid of that dream. Sometimes, it came back. But sometimes, it's also never came. She looks at the window and saw that the moon is still rising up in the sky. Slowly, she lay back again, try to get some sleep.
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A man in a black cloak walking quietly in the shadows of alley. His footsteps are quiet and make no sound. He walks with sturdy steps. He walks on the alley deeper and deeper until he finds a red house. There's a light coming from it. Sounds of people can be heard from the outside. Two bulky man guarding on the door. There is a big sword on their hips. The man continues walking to the house until one of the guards stop him.
"Hold there. State your business!"
"I'm here to meet Miss Kohakuren. I have some... business with her."
"And who are you that 'have some business' with her? Give me your name."
"Just tell her that whirlpool pay her a visit." Say the man with emphasis on 'whirlpool'.
"...Okay, wait here!"
One of the guards came inside the house. While the other one still staring on the man. However, the man seems unaffected by his staring. A little while later, the guard came out from the house.
"Miss Kohakuren is ready to welcome you. I don't know who you're but don't you dare to make a ruckus here. Or you will have to face us." Threaten the guard.
"Of course! Why would I do that?" said the man with a smile on his face. A glimpse of whiskers-mark can be seen from him. Yet, he walks in quickly.
Inside the house was quite lively. There are some people inside. The people itself were very diverse. There're men with armor. There're some hooded men smoking in the corner of the room. There's also a man with an official uniform. Some girls are bringing food and drinks to tables.
On the corner of the room, there's a bar with a women smoking from a pipe. She has a purple hair; her hair was tied with some hair band. She has yellow eyes with a slit like a fox. She wears a red kimono which quite... if not... revealing. Her... assets are showing from the kimono. There's also a hair ornament on the top of her head.
She saw the stranger came and give a gesture with her hand to come close. The man walks to her and sit next to her.
"It's been a long time isn't it?" asked the man.
"It is. In fact, I surprised that you can found me. Care to explain how?" asked the women.
"Let's just say that I have lots of informant. You sure never change huh Kohakuren-chan? I remember that you still like to lazy around and smoking. How long has it been? Five years?" asked the man while lowering his hood, revealing Naruto.
"Ten years. And your appearance also never changes. I guess its came from the side-effect huh?" asked the woman, now identified as Kohakuren.
"...Yeah. What can I say? It's already one package with it." Said Naruto with smile on his face.
Kohakuren chuckled hearing that.
"Fufufufufu, I see. Well then, let's talk somewhere else that more private shall we?"
"Sure."
Kohakuren get up and Naruto following her to a door on the side of the bar. Inside the door there was a small hallway. There's a stair on the end of the hall. Kohakuren climbed it with Naruto following her. When they get on the top, there's a wooden sliding door. Kohakuren slide it and invite Naruto in.
They are in a working room. There's some furniture on the side of the room, a big desk that face the door. Behind it, a big window that face the street. Kohakuren sit on the chair behind the desk.
"Please, have a seat." Said Kohakuren while gesturing to the chair in front of the desk.
Naruto sit and stay silent. He continues to stare at her. On the opposite, Kohakuren also starring at him while smoking from her pipe. Times pass with their silence. No one breaks it, until Naruto brings out a sake bottle from the cloak. He puts it on the table.
Kohakuren just smile looking at the bottle.
"It seems that your charming side is also never change." Said Kohakuren. She reached from her drawer and pull out two cups.
"Really? Glad to hear that. Your alcoholic also never changes too." Said Naruto while pouring sake on a cup.
"Why bother to change if you like it just the way you are?"
"True." Naruto give her a cup, he himself is raising his cup.
"Cheers." Said Naruto again.
"Cheers." Said Kohakuren.
Both of them drink their sake at the same time.
"So, let's get down to the business. What do you want from me?" asked Kohakuren
"Information." Answer Naruto with a serious look.
"And why would I give you information? Don't you already have some informant as you said earlier?"
"True, but yours are the best and the most reliable."
"Fufufufufu, glad that I'm still important to you. Okay, I'll give you information, but I want some information too from you. You know, for 'payment'." Said Kohakuren with a wink.
Naruto just look at her still with a serious face.
"Sure. But some of it maybe will quite ambiguous."
"Then, mine will be the same." Replied Kohakuren
"Fair enough."
"Okay, so what do you want to know?"
"... I want the recent news on this land. I have been gone for long enough. And as far as I remember, this country never had been this chaotic before."
"Straight to the business huh? Well, you see, right now, the imperial is in chaos. There's power struggle to control this country. Bandits just put the party merrier. In fact, you can say that imperial's powers are disappearing. They will be replaced by many powerful factions. It will just be a matter of time before war breaks in this country."
"...I see, your turn."
Kohakuren smirk at this, she make a mischievous grin.
"Okay, I heard that you travel here with a beautiful girl. If I'm not mistaken, her name is Kan'U. Care to elaborate?"
"She just a bandit-hunter. Quite skillful and experienced if I must say. We just met in the way. Some bandits are tried to rob me. She helped me, but a bandit almost killed her. I save her and she felt that she owe her life to me. For short, she's following me right now."
"Really? Not because she like you?"
Naruto just look at her with a hard look.
"That's not funny Kohakuren-chan."
"Aw, come on, relax a bit. Okay, your turn."
"You say earlier 'factions', plural. Who are they?"
"Many, but only few that are quite powerful to start a war. There's Gi faction, lead by Soso. There's Go faction, lead by Sonken. To faction, lead by Totaku. En faction, lead by Ensho. I also heard that there's going a rebel. They called them self Yellow Turbans. Right now, you may need to be careful with the Gi faction. They are the most ambitious. You may also need to know that To faction is the most closest faction with the imperial."
"I see, it looks like it more chaotic than I think before."
"It is, now it's my turn. What are you planning to do here? After you know the situation here, do you want to join the power struggle or just watching from distance? Or perhaps you have something else on your mind?"
"I'm still not quite sure. Depends on the situation, maybe I will join, maybe not. And I actually came back here because there are some things that need to be done. So, with the imperial gone-"
"No, not gone. It still exists, but they are useless." Interrupted Kohakuren.
"What do you mean?"
"Right now, there are only two people left in imperial that still manage it. Kashin and Chojo. They still have power and authority over the factions that I said before. But, beside that, nothing. They will crumble soon. I believe that took your asking chance. Now, it's my turn." Said Kohakuren, her mischievous grin are plastered on her face.
"That's cheating you know? Fine, go on, ask me." Said Naruto with a small pout on his face.
"Aw, that's cute of you. Well then, you say earlier that there's something that need to be done here. What is it?"
"...That's a long story. Let's just say that I met a new friend that quite unique in my journey. I owe him a favor and he asked me to get rid of a... group here, in this country, as a 'payment'. They called them self 'Shiroi-fudo'."
"'Shiroi-fudo'? I know these men." Said Kohakuren with a disgusted look.
"... It seems that you're not in a good relationship with them huh?"
"Of course not! Once they tried to barge in here and tried to close this place! They said that it's for good and to keep balance! Bah! What bullshit! Good thing that I'm here, you must see their face when I show to them what I can do." Kohakuren tell Naruto with fierce voice.
"Hm, not very different from what my friend describes to me. Do you have any information about this group?"
"Not much, they conceal them self nicely. The only thing that I know is that organization is quite big, big enough to make their own army and face one of those factions before. There's supposed to be a leader in that group, though I don't know who. I only know two names, Ukitsu and Saji. It seems that they have a high position in that group, but I doubt one of them is their leader."
"That's fine. It's good information nevertheless. By the way, why do you hold your business here? It seems that this place is not very good to open such a business."
"Well, actually, it WAS a good spot. But, after the bandits' appearance, the city is almost deserted. I actually plan to open this business in another country. As I said earlier, this country is not stable. But, if you want to join this 'party', maybe I will think it again. Oh, don't worry, if you need any help, just called me. You do still have 'that' don't you?"
"Yes, I still have 'that'. How about 'mine' do you still have what I gave to you?"
"Of course, I'm not that kind of person who likes to throw out old things... Except those two man who guards bellow. They quite useless. Just muscle but no brain. I hope they don't bring trouble to you?"
"Oh no, not at all. But I agree with you that those two are useless. You need someone who is much more skillful to guard this house."
Kohakuren just nodding at that, "Oh yeah, how is your 'friend' condition?" asked Kohakuren again.
"Good, quite troubling sometimes, but he tends to spent times sleeping."
"Nice to hear that. Well then, it's already late at night. Do you have somewhere to stay? If not, I have lots of spare rooms. You can use one." Offer Kohakuren.
"No, I don't have any place to stay. Are you sure you don't mind if I spent a night here?"
"Of course I don't mind! Why I must be bothered by an old friend presence? You can stay in MY room if you want to." Kohakuren teased him, her hand is on his chin.
Naruto just smile at her action. He took her hand and kisses it. "Sorry, but I prefer to sleep ALONE."
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"Hyah!"
Kan'U shouted as she cut a white radish in the air. The radish is cut nicely and fell perfectly on the cutting board.
"That's amazing. But can't you cut it in a more normal way?" asked the Mistress of the restaurant.
"I haven't made many proper meals, so I couldn't help it." Said Kan'U embarrassed as she rub her cheek with a finger.
"Oh well, its fine. After you finish that, chop the wood and clean the store. Please clean up the barn as well while you're at it. After that, go to the mountain and mow some lawns. Hurry!"
Kan'U can only stare disbelievingly at the Mistress as her jaw fell on the floor.
"Ah, um... aren't you working people a bit too hard?" asked Kan'U
But she just ignores Kan'U.
"Well, after all, you DID need her help, and you DID say that you will help her. So, just bear with it." Said a man from the door. There, Naruto stood with a bowl of ramen on his hand. He still wears his black cloak.
"Tch, if you just want to mock me, then get lost. I have lots of things to do." Said Kan'U irritated.
"Oh, come on. I only state the fact."
"Still, that doesn't help. And why are you here?"
"Hm? But didn't I say that I will be back here in the morning?"
"Yes! Yes you did! You came back here in the morning! But that doesn't explain what you were doing yesterday! On top of that, you came back here just for eating ramen!" Shouted Kan'U
"Well, if you insisted, I can help you chop the wood and accompany you the mountain."
"No need!"
"Oh come on, that's a lot of tasks to do. I doubt you will finished it today if you work alone. Let me help."
"...Fine. But is it okay for you?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Well, you do not sleep here. You pay your food and mine. You, technically, don't have any... obligation to help."
Naruto just look at her with a blank look before burst out laughing.
"Wh-what's so funny?" asked Kan'U
"Hahaha, nothing, just... never mind. I'll be at the backyard chopping the wood if you're looking for me."
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"You're not joking when you said that you will help me." Said Kan'U looking at Naruto. There are a pile of lawns, neatly mowed on her back.
"And why do I have to joking?" asked Naruto. On his back, there are piles of lawns too just like Kan'U, only his piles are much more than hers.
"Nothing, just... not every day you see someone who is willing to help for free."
"Oh, well, let's just say that I'm 'everyday person' you often to see."
They walked further until they reached the village chief's house. There's a commotion inside it. Some soldiers standing and listening to the chief's order.
"Listen. Even though your opponent is just a kid, she's a rowdy girl who's hard to deal with. Don't take her lightly!" The chief shouted at the soldiers.
Naruto and Kan'U stopped to listen.
'I have a bad feelings about this' thought Naruto.
Kan'U approaching to a lady outside the gate, she asked to the lady "Did something happen?"
The lady answers Kan'U with a worried expression "He's sending officials to arrest Lin Lin now."
"Sending officials... That's going too far just for a kid." Kan'U said with a disapproving look.
"The village chief is pretty mad about the graffiti from the other day. This time, he just won't take it anymore." Continue the lady.
An old woman approaching Kan'U and said "But the officials are afraid of real bandits and always act like cowards. Only at a time like this do they..."
"I wonder what'll happen after they arrest her." Said the lady to the old woman.
"I doubt they'll kill her, but they might whip her. This is terrible." The two women continue speaking to each other while Kan'U lost in thought.
Naruto just look at the chief 'This man, he has a very bad temperament. To be mad at a kid. He needs to be replaced, but then, who will replace him? Or perhaps...'
"Honorable Village Chief, excuse me for interrupting your conversation." Kan'U suddenly speaks to the chief.
Naruto just face-palmed at her actions 'That girl just has to put her head in such situation hasn't she?'
All the guards and the chief's attention are now put on Kan'U. She's standing on the gate with her Guan Dao ready on her hands.
"Who are you?" asked the Chief.
"I'm a traveling warrior. My name is Kan'U. My courtesy name is Unchou. From what I've heard, Lin Lin is a rowdy girl, and even the adults find it difficult to deal with her. It would be silly if by some change the officials failed and were injured. Can you leave it to us? I and my acquaintance here would be the ones who take care of her."
"Then who and where is your 'acquaintance'?" asked the soldier's chief.
"He's right her-" Kan'U gestured to her side only to find that no one there.
"Well? Where is he?" asked the soldier's chief again.
"E-ee... h-he's not here at the moment, but I assured you that he's very capable."
"Even though he's capable and you're holding something dangerous, are you two really that strong?" The chief's village asked her with a disbelieve voice.
"Well, somewhat. Of course, I have confidence in my skill. Even though she's a rowdy girl, she's just a kid, after all. Compared to real bandits..."
"Ah! Could you be the much-rumored, black-haired bandit hunter?" The soldier's chief suddenly speaks surprised.
"Y-You're that one?" the chief also surprised at the information.
Kan'U blushed at the nickname "Nah, I didn't call myself that."
"Eh!" every soldier that present is surprised.
"But I did hear that she's a rare beauty with black hair..." said the soldier's chief.
"The rumor was unreliable." Village's chief said disappointed.
Kan'U just enraged with that. She hold her Guan Dao with such a strength that it's quivers in her hand "Excuse me, what do you mean by that?" her eyebrow twitching in an annoyance look.
However, the soldiers and the chief are not paying attention to her; they busy discuss about what should be done. However, there's a girl behind bushes that overhear everything. This girl is one of the Lin-lin Bandit Group's members. Nobody, except a hooded man over the tree, noticed her.
"We can't count on her." The soldier's chief suggests.
"No, it's worth a try. Okay then, Miss Bandit Hunter, we accept your offer. You may bring your friend with you. What I want is that brat. If you can bring some of those brats's friend, then it's a good thing. We will give you a good amount of money if you succeeded." Said the Village's chief.
"Very well. Then I'll be excuse myself." Said Kan'U while bowing.
After that, Kan'U leaves the house. Then, she looks at the crowd, searching for Naruto. Suddenly, someone poking her from behind, making Kan'U jumped from surprised "Looking for me?" .There, Naruto standing with a small smile on his face.
"Don't scare me like that! Where have you been? Why you leave me alone?" Kan'U asked with an annoyance face.
"I'm watching you from the top of the tree. You really have to get into someone's trouble huh?"
"What else could I do? I can't let them capture her. Who knows what will happen to her!"
"Yes, you can just put a blind eye on this. But no, you have to stick your nose and bring someone to this matter with you." Naruto said with a serious face, his smile has gone.
"She's just a child! We have to do something!"
"True, she may be a child. But she has no connection to us. And you, you just involved me this. You don't even bother to ask me first."
"...I thought that you will agree with me." Kan'U said with a downcast look.
"I'm agree with you, but I'm not agreed with how you solve this. A lot of things can be done rather than this. Give me your lawns; I'll bring it to the Mistress, you just go on to the mountains."
"...You will not accompany me?"
"No."
"...Very well. Then please says to the Mistress about this. I have a feeling that I will go back late."
"I will."
Kan'U gives her pile of lawns to Naruto. After that she is heading to the mountain. When she turns back, Naruto has gone.
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Naruto just got back from the place that Kan'U stayed. Thankfully, the Mistress is not there. He doesn't know where she is but he feels that if she's there, she will ask him about his 'wife' not being there with him. She give him quite a lecture when she found out that he left her alone while he's gone for a night without telling her 'wife'. Naruto just don't want to have another lecture from the same person in one day.
Naruto put the lawns on a table in the kitchen. Then, he picks up a paper and writes on it:
'Kan'U has some errands to do. The other tasks that you asked her were already done. I put the lawns on the table. She said that she will go back late.
Naruto'
Naruto put the note on the table. He placed a small rock on the top so that the note will not fly. After that, he comes out from the house.
'Now, it's time to pay a visit to the village's chief.'
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A.N: Okay, that's it for now, please review this and don't bother flaming. And for this 'Kohakuren' character, she is not an OC mind you. Does anyone where I pick this character from? v(^.^)v