A.N: Hello everyone! This is your not-so-favourite-author came back again! Okay then, I'll try to make it short.

Kenshin.503: You almost puke from reading it? Then how about me who write it? LOL

SomewhatPsycho: I know. My grammar is terrible. But that's not something you can master in one day or one week. It takes years.

Hanmac: Curse? What curse? Have I mentioned about curse or anything like that? Yes, that would be nice. But I'll finish this story first before make another. Yes, I watch that one too. But I think I prefer Hataraku Maou-sama. The concept is similar, but Hataraku is more... funnier? Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, I know that too... But the original story is already good. I think it will difficult to make a crossover out of it. I mean, the main character, Yuusha, is already badass. The Demon Lord is also a cunning one. So... I don't know, I haven't think about make a crossover out of it.

I guess that's all. As I said, I'll make it short. Anyway, here's the next chapter!

"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 12: Reflection, Rocks, and Dogs

Ryofu awake so sudenly and quickly regret it. A massive pain crossed through her head and body. It feels like someone electrocuted her with high voltage. Slowly, she lay down again. She looks around and quickly recognize where she is now. She's inside a cave where she lived. Her halberd is lying at her left. There's a coat covering her as a blanket, there's a pattern of red cloud on it. A smell of food comes from the outside. There, sitting while stirring a pot of soup is Naruto. He's humming slowly. Sitting beside him is a brown dog. Ryofu's eyes widened as she recognize the dog.

Naruto turn around and smiled at her, "Oh, you've awaken already? I make a soup."

Ryofu get tensed, she grips her halberd so strong but her hands are shaking uncontrollable. She tried to raise it only to get the same pain shock her body once more.

"Don't move just yet. Your body is still not in the perfect condition." Naruto walk to her and pushed her down again to the bed. He put a bowl of soup next to her.

"I'm sorry about your condition. It's not supposed to be like this." Naruto scratched his cheeks. Naruto noticed that she give him a clueless look elaborate, "When I, my clone I mean, pull you down to the earth, I tried to hit your nerves point with a senbon to put you unconscious. However, I... take out a wrong senbon. That one is coated in a poison."

Ryofu's eyes widened hearing it. Poison? In her body?

Naruto quickly waved his hand, "Ah! Don't worry. It's not lethal... at least I think so. It's supposed to paralyze the victim for a week. However, I quickly realize my mistake and made the antidote. The pain should be gone tonight. Anyway... soup?" Naruto raised a bowl of soup in front of her.

As soon as she looks at the delicious looking soup, her stomach grumbled. Naruto chuckled, "Here, let me help you."

Naruto gently help her sit down. He put her to lean at the wall of the cave. He raised the spoon full of soup and blows it to cool it down. Then he gently moves it to her mouth, "Open your mouth."

Ryofu look at him for a moment before open her mouth. Naruto fed her, "How is it? Is it good?"

Ryofu nodded. It does taste good.

Naruto smiled, "Glad to hear that. I put a lot of antidote inside the soup. You should be able to sit on your own soon."

Ryofu nodded again. She feels a little better after she ate the soup. She looks at Naruto, "Why?"

"Hm? What is it?" Naruto quirked his eyebrow.

"Why do you do this?" She asked again. Her expression still the same.

"You mean why I didn't kill you then bring your head to the villagers?"

Ryofu nodded. Naruto lean back to the cave's wall. The dog barks a little at him. Naruto raised it and pet his head, "Why indeed. I guess it's because I don't think you are wrong or something like that."

Ryofu tilted her head to her side. Indicating she doesn't understand. Naruto sighed, "You don't understand huh? Let's see... I think it's because what you do is not completely wrong. You steal those foods for those dogs right?"

Naruto pointed at the deeper part of the cave. There, about a dozen more of dogs look at them with curiosity on their eyes.

"The food is too much for a single human. There's so much of it that I think it was used to feed a whole army. I guess if that's the case then it would be a problem."

"They are my friends." Ryofu said quietly.

Naruto smiled at her, "I know. After you feel unconscious, I follow your scent and ended up here. This guy looks very worried when they see you." Naruto flicked gently at the dog on his lap, "This little one got worked up so bad that he nearly bites my leg."

"Anyway, I know that you put away the rocks after you get what you wanted. You also didn't beat the guys that sent to capture you to death. Some bruised and broken bones, but that's it. No death. Considering your skill, you are very kind to do that."

Ryofu glance down, "I hate hurting people."

Naruto nodded, "But you have hurt them."

Ryofu look at him with a worried look. Naruto raise his hand, "Not in a bad way. But do you know that this year is a bad year? Many people are having trouble to feed themselves. When you ask food from the villagers, they have to work harder. The high tax from the government doesn't help."

Then Naruto smiled, "But you see, no matter what, I don't think you are a bad person. Maybe a little clueless and innocent. Thoughtless maybe, but not a bad one."

Naruto gazed at the ceiling, "When I was little, many people call me 'monster' or 'abomination' or something like that. I never know why I was called like that. They abuse me, they tried to kill me. All of it was done and I never know the reason."

"When I was twelve, an... accident tells me the reason. The reason itself is very absurd and illogical. Basically, they hate me because of something that I never done. I grew up hating the words 'monster'."

Naruto look at her again, "That's why, when I heard people in the village call you a monster, I feel... sad. Because you remind me of myself."

Ryofu open her mouth, "You are not monster. You are good."

Naruto laughed, "So as you. As far as I know, you are not a monster either. Anyway, I should be going now. Take care."

Naruto stand up and prepare to leave. Ryofu surprised with his sudden statement, "Wait."

Naruto look at her, "What is it?"

"The villagers, are they mad at me?"

Naruto shocked his head, "I don't know. But if you really want to know, why don't you come down to the village by yourself and ask them directly?"

Naruto once again turn around to leave, but a small voice stop him on his track, "Ryofu."

Naruto look back again. Ryofu give him a small smile, almost unnoticeable behind that plain face of her. But Naruto has grown up good reading people's facade, "Ryofu. Housen. My name."

"Nice to meet you, Ryofu-chan. My name is Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki."

With that, Naruto leave the cave. Ryofu look at him until he disappears from the sight. Something snuggled her side, she look at what is it and smiled. Her favourite dog is there look at her with a face that could be described as a worried look, "I'm fine. Thank you."

Ryofu look at the outside again. Her mind is raging full of thoughts.

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Naruto walk back to the village. It's almost noon. He needs to stop by at the temple once before go straight to the village. He has ordered his clone to clean up the mess of his fight. But he need to bring down the food that the villagers prepared by himself.

After a while, he reached the temple. He grimaced at what he saw there.

Toutou is pacing back and forth while looking between the bushes. Sometimes, she looks inside the temple then get out again. It's very clear that she was looking for something. Or someone. Or a man named Naruto.

Then, a certain thought appears at Naruto's mind. He quietly walked behind her and tickles her at her side, "Toutou! What are you doing?!"

Toutou screamed and laughing at the same time. She looks at the prankster and smiled very wide, "Naruto-san!"

Without any warning, she hugged him very tightly, "I thought you are killed by the monster, you haven't come back this morning!"

Naruto groaned, "Right. I forgot. Sorry, but things have just escalated. But don't worry, I'm fine."

Toutou buried her head at his chest deeper, "You are scaring me."

Naruto smiled and hugged her back, "I'm sorry."

After a while, she let go of him. Naruto wiped a tear from the corner of her eyes, "Let's go back, shall we?"

Toutou nodded. Naruto look at the temple and frowned at the lack of the food, "Toutou-chan, where's the food?"

"The villagers came to check this morning. They found it and bring it back to the city. They search for you, but you're nowhere at sight."

"I see. Are you looking for me since then?"

Toutou nodded.

Naruto pat her head, "Sorry for making you worry."

They just about to walk down from the temple when Naruto noticed something on the ground. He picks it up. It's a dog-shaped strap. The dog was brown with a red collar. Naruto immediately recognize it. It's from Ryofu's halberd. Now that he thinks about it, he didn't see it at her halberd when he picks it up. It must been fell when they fought each other.

Naruto pocketed it and walk to Toutou who already waiting for him.

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"So, how's the monster?" asked the village chief. After Naruto and Toutou reached the village, many villagers are very happy when they saw Naruto. The village chief immediately brings them to his office. There, with some tea and cookies, Naruto tell them what happened.

"It's not a monster. It's a girl actually. She wore a coat of a white tiger. I think she used it to scare peoples."

"I see. Then, what's happened?"

Naruto pondered for a moment, he can't reveal everything to him, especially his fight. He doubted the man would believe it as it sounded like a fight that came out from a fictional fantasy book.

"I met her at night. We fought. She is a very skilled warrior. I beat her and put her unconcious. Then, I tracked to her base, in case she has allies or something like that. It turns out, she has... sort of."

"What do you mean by 'short of'?" asked the village chief.

"Her base is a cave near the river. I think she has lived there quite a long time. Inside the cave, there are a lot of dogs. Abandoned dogs. She uses the food that she get to fed them."

"Dog?" asked Toutou.

"Yes. Dogs. A lot of them. Most are not hostile. In fact, they are surprisingly docile. I guess the girl train them well."

"This girl, does she has a name?" asked the village chief.

Naruto nodded, "Ryofu Housen. I think for a time being, she lived in this village right?"

"Yes. She once lived in this village. But then she disappeared. We thought she go back to her village as she's not born in this village. But... how do you know about this, Naruto-san?" the village chief look at him with a frown.

"Let's just say that I visit your administrator's document and found some interesting information. By the way, you and your wife have a unique taste to spend the night. Don't misuse that whip okay?" Naruto smirked at the old man.

The village chief's face has turn red, "Naruto-san, please don't tell anyone about this!"

Naruto waved his arm, "Sure, it's not my style to criticize someone's habit. Night habit especially."

Toutou look at Naruto, "Naruto-san, what are you talking about?"

"Nothing, just man's stuff. Anyway, let's get back to the topic. What are you going to do with Ryofu?"

The village chief coughed, "Right, about that. Erm... I think I need to inform the villagers first. Then we can discuss what actions we should do."

Suddenly, the door was burst open. A villager came in with a panic look, "Chief! You must come with me now!"

"What is it?!"

The villager pulls him from his chair, "No time to explain, come with me right now!"

Toutou come outside with them. Naruto however, calmly blow his tea and sip it, "So, she choose to do that huh?"

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The crowd whispering and pointed at the girl who walks at the street. Lots of dogs walking surround her. Some children even dare to pet them. Ryofu held her halberd high at her left arm. Occasionally, she would twitch when she walked. The poison in her body hasn't completely gone.

At the end of the road, the village chief, Toutou, and the villager who fetch him are running towards her. They stopped in front of her.

"Chief! This girl has entered the village claiming that she is the 'monster'. All of these dogs are coming with her. She insisted to meet you. Chief! We must immediately kill her! She's-"

The village chief raises his hand to stop him from ramblings much more. He walked towards her, "Welcome back, Housen-san. If you want to talk, let's head to my office."

The villager looks at him with wide eyes, "Chief! You can't be seriously thin-"

"I'm sorry."

Everyone stop whispering and look at Ryofu. She's bow down at the chief. Every dog that follows her also does the same. They bow down their heads.

"I'm sorry for hurting the villagers. I didn't mean to. I didn't think that my action will burden you so much."

Murmurs filled the air again. Everyone was shocked to hear it. Some doubt her, but some smiled. Smiled because she realizes her mistakes and apologized for her action.

Ryofu closed her eyes, waiting for some kind of punishment. Peoples might hit her. Throws her rocks or something like that. But that's fine. She's wrong. She needs to be punished.

However, that punishment never came. Instead a fist or rock, a gentle and warm hand cupped her head and ruffles her hair.

"Feeling better?"

Ryofu shot her head up. It's Naruto, a big smile etched on his face. She feels her mouth curled into a smile. An honest smile. A smile that almost never she shows.

"Yes."

"Good. Let me handle it from this point." Naruto stand up and look at the crowd. His face is very serious.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Children and elder! Listen to me! Listen to what I was going to say, because what you will hear is what you have done!"

Everyone stopped whispering. Silent came down to that place. Everyone attentions fixed at Naruto's words.

"My name is Naruto. I am a traveller and I have seen many places that you never saw before. I have seen many things that you will never believe. But today! Hear me once! Hear me, and believe in what I'm saying. Because no lies are came from my mouth. Such foul action will never come from my lips! Therefore, HEAR ME!"

Naruto paused; make sure that everyone's focus is compeletely on him, "I came to this village yesterday. On my way I met this young lady, Toutou on the road. I helped her come to this place as I heard many bad rumours come from this place! I saw by myself the giant rock that blocks people's house. I feel it by myself how heavy that rock is!

"Your honourable chief has told me what stories behind all of those! He asked me to help him get rid of your so-called 'monster'! And I agreed! I agreed to help him! Thus that night, I went to the temple, the one where many people has failed! You can ask those words that spread in the city about the truth of my words! Because I go there not by my own! Some of you help me bring the food that the 'monster' asked for! And for those men, I give you my gratitude.

"However, what I encountered that night is not a monster. What I met that night is a lady who fought to protect what she cares about!" Naruto look at Ryofu who saw him wide a surprised look.

"We fought that night. A fierce battle that's it. One that I can't find any words to describe it. We fought for a long time. She by her ideals to protect what meant to her and me, the one that fought just because I was asked for. Our ideals are so different yet I manage to win."

Naruto raised his hand and make a small gap between his fingers, "This small. Our fight ended with a difference by this small. Only by trickery and outsmarting I won that fight. You can call me coward! That I shall not denied as I admit it. Our fight ended like that. But do you people know something? I DID NOT KILL HER! Not because I pity her or arrogance. But because I didn't see any reason for me to do so!

"Have you peoples ever heard any death from the ones that sent to that temple?! Have you ever lost a man or a warrior who put their lives in line to defeat your 'monster'?! NONE I tell you! No one has ever died! Everyone came back alive! This lady you called 'monster' never killed anyone who sent to kill her! She said it by herself. Come out from her lovely lips! She HATE kills people! Am I that low to do what she doesn't want to?! I already act so low by fight her unfair! Shall I make myself much lower to do that?! I don't think so!"

By now, everyone start shifting uncomfortably, Naruto ignored them and continue, "After that fight, I found a cave near a small river. It's a small one, the ground is damp. If there's a big rain, I'm sure that water will flow into it. But it's a nice cave. It's nice because that place has been a place where she hides what's precious to her. Yes, she keeps all of her friends inside that cave!" Naruto pointed at the dogs.

"That was when I realize why she's so strong. She fought to protect those dogs. Yes! Dogs! Laugh as much as you want! But I shall not laugh as it is not my place to laugh! She do all of this just to protect those dogs! When all of you fall asleep, she rolls that big boulder down from the mountain! And when you fall asleep again, she brings that boulders back to the mountain! Almost every time you bring her food she has to fight those men that sent with the food! Don't you all realize?! She's willing to do all of that just for dogs!"

Naruto look at Ryofu with a soft face, "But you know what? I don't care even if she's do that to protect a rock or a single leaf. Because she has something to protect. She's willing to do all of that just to protect what's important to her. That's what a true strength is."

Naruto look at the crowd, "Don't you all do that to? Every wife in this village wakes up earlier than everyone to prepare the food. They do that because they love their family. They treasure it. Men go to the field and works hard under the blazing sun to bring food back home. Even those who don't have anyone have themselves to protect. They want to protect their liberty and their rights to live! We are not that much different with this lady you called 'monster'!

"Everyone... do you have someone that you want to protect that much? Do you willing to do as far, or maybe even further, than this lady to protect it?! If you do than I said to you all, WELL DONE!" Naruto clapping his hands. No one copied him, everyone looks sheepish. Some even doesn't dare to look at him again. They found peddles under their feet looks very interesting.

Naruto stopped his cheers, "Yet, why do you call her 'monster'? Why do you call a lady who wants to protect what's important to her a MONSTER?! THOSE DOGS IS HER FAMILY! THOSE DOGS ARE THE ONE WHO KEEP HER ACOMPANY IN THE MIDDLE FREEZING NIGHT! NOW YOU WANT TO CALL HER A MONSTER BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE DID?! DO ALL OF YOU HAVE NO SHAME?!" Naruto shouted at the peoples.

Naruto raise a rock. He held it high so that everyone can see, "This is a rock. Those who can't see I tell you that I'm holding a rock. Now I want everyone pick up one."

No one pick a rock up. They look around uncomfortably. Naruto suddenly shouted, "I SAID PICK UP A ROCK!"

Everyone flinched and hurriedly pick up a rock. Naruto look at Toutou and the village chief, "You too."

"Naruto-san! That's enough!" Toutou yelled at him. Naruto however raise his hand, "No. It needs to be done."

Toutou and the village chief look at each other. Slowly, they pick up a rock.

Naruto nodded, "Good. There's only one more thing that I want to say. Hear me all of you! Hear me carefully! I already tell you what was really happen that night! I already said what this lady done that gain your title of 'monster'! I already told you what I'm thinking about all of you! Now if any of you thinks that he or she is better than this girl, RAISE YOUR HAND AND THROW THE ROCK TO HER! THROW IT IF YOU THINK YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO JUDGE HER! BUT I WILL NOT DO IT BECAUSE I AM NOT BETTER THAN HER!"

Ryofu look around. Nobody moves. Nobody throws her a single rock. Naruto then drop the rock he holds. He walks towards her and sit beside her, "I'm as guilty as she is. If you said that she is a monster, then I'm worse than a monster. So if you want to throw it, throw it to me as well."

A group of child runs towards them, they already drop their rocks. The children then hugged the dogs, "Don't hurt them! Don't hurt the doggie!"

The village chief then drop the rock he hold as it's a scorpion. He rushed towards Ryofu and bowed down on his knees, "I'm very sorry!"

Immediately, all peoples simultaneously drop their rock. They look at Ryofu and kneel on their knees. In unison they said,

"We're very sorry!"

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"You are leaving already?" Toutou asked with a sad face.

"Yes. My journey is not yet ended. There are lots of places that I must visit. Besides, you have Ryofu-chan. She'll take care of you, Yue-chan." Naruto give her a wink.

Yue, or Toutou blushed, "Sorry, I didn't mean to lie to you."

Naruto shufled her hair, "It's fine. I already noticed it when we first met."

"You have?! Then why don't you tell me?!" Yue pouted.

Naruto laughed, "Because you didn't ask. Besides, you didn't want peoples know who you are right? Nice job by the way, not many people want to do what you do."

"... Are you sure you don't want to join me? You are strong; you can help us a lot!" Yue asked Naruto.

Naruto shocked his head, "Sorry, but my answer stills the same. Besides, I need to save much more girls who lost in the forest like you, Yue-chan."

Yue's face became more red, "Naruto-san! Stop teasing me!"

Naruto then look at Ryofu. She has this sad look ever since she knows that Naruto won't join Yue's faction.

"Don't give me that look, Ryofu-chan. Every villager has already forgiven you. Your dogs has places to stay, they even has a job! You are going to be a great general too!" Naruto cheer her up.

Ryofu stay silent. She really didn't want Naruto leave. She almost turns down Yue's offer just to follow Naruto. However, Naruto said that if she joins with him, they can't bring that many dogs with them.

"Come on, give me a smile. You look much cuter when you're smiling."

Ryofu still has the same look.

Naruto scratch his head, a long sigh come out from his mouth, "What should I do... Oh right! I almost forgot." Naruto take out the strap from his pocket, "I think this is yours."

Ryofu look at it. Her face shift a little happier, but when she about to take it, she stopped.

Naruto look at her confused, "Hm? What's wrong?"

"Keep it." Ryofu said.

Naruto blinked, "Sorry, what?"

"Keep it. As memento. That way, I will always be with you." Ryofu closed Naruto hand.

Naruto look at the strap, "You sure?"

Ryofu nodded.

Naruto scratched his chin, "I see. Thanks then! I'll keep it safe."

Then Naruto take out a mask, it's the mask that he wore at the tournament. He gives it to Ryofu, "Then take this. I use it for quite a long time until everyone already recognizes it. There's no need for a mask if it can't hide your identity."

Yue look at it and her eyes widened, "Naruto-san! That's-"

Naruto nodded, "Yes. I'm that man. Whirlpool. Are you going to capture me now?"

Yue hesitated for a moment then shock her head, "No. I won't."

Naruto smiled, "Good."

"Fox."

Naruto turn to Ryofu who look at the mask intently, "Wha- oh, that mask? Yes. It's a fox."

Ryofu look at him, "Is this your monster?"

Naruto chuckled, "Yes, for some peoples. For me though, he is my best partner."

Ryofu look at the mask again, a smile appears on her face, "I'll keep it safe."

Naruto nodded, "I know you will. Well, then I guess it's time for me to say good bye. Take care you two!"

Naruto then disappears in a puff of smoke. Ryofu, who already saw many crazy stunts he pulled at their fight didn't show her surprised. Then again, with a face like her, it's very hard to surprise her. Yue however, look very shocked. She looks around searching for a sign of Naruto. But her effort is useless. Naruto is nowhere in sight.

"Yue! Let's go back now!"

Yue look at Kaku. She and several soldiers have managed to track her down not long after Naruto's speech. Nontheless, the villagers are very shocked when they know her true identity.

Yue look at Ryofu who still looking at the mask, "Ryofu, let's go."

Ryofu look at her and nodded. They walk towards Kaku who already preparing the horses. Kaku look at the two of them, "Huh? Where's that man?"

"You mean Naruto-san? He already leaves."

Kaku look surprised, "He what?! But I need to ask him about the bear incident!"

"What incident?" asked Yue.

"The bear incident! You know, the one that reporting of the wild bears that roaming around this area. It turns out that guy manage to decreased the bear populations quite a lot. We find numbers of bear's corpse in the road near the forest." Kaku explained.

Yue smiled, "Well, as long as the matters is done right?"

Kaku grumbled, "Seriously, what's wrong with that guy? He disappears so suddenly, his identity also very mysterious. He even refuses your invitation to be your general! What a jerk!"

Kaku then look at Ryofu, especially at what she holds. Her eyes widened, "Housen-dono! That mask!"

Yue immediately interrupt her, "That's not Ryofu's. It belongs to Naruto-san."

Kaku look at her with a surprised look, "Wait! Are you telling me that he is the one?! Whirlpool?!"

Yue nodded. Kaku then shouted to the soldiers, "Turn back! We must capture that man!"

"Ei-chan! Don't!" Yue shouted.

Kaku, or Ei, look at her, "What do you mean 'don't'?! Yue-chan! He's a criminal! There's a price on his head! You read the report yourself! You know what happened at the tournament that blonde girl idiot held! That man is dangerous!"

"I know, Ei-chan. But don't do it. Don't catch him." Yue told her.

Kaku reluctantly command the soldiers to get back with the original plan. They rode for quite a time before Kaku asked Yue, "Why? Why you don't let me catch him?"

Yue smiled, she look at the sky, "Because, I'm not better than him, therefore I didn't deserve to judge him."

A.N: That's it! It's done! Yuhuuu!

Okay, this one IS a little short. I got myself wrapped in a committee and it takes so much of my time. So, yeah. That's it.

About Kaku... I don't think I like her. Some friends of mine like her because of her megane. But while I do wear glasses, I don't have any fetish towards one. And her personality... I don't know. I never like a bossy girl like her. A yankee? Sure. A bossy? Nah.

Right, I change the ending so it's not like the one in the anime. I think this episode's ending is quite... weird? Anyway, I like this one better.

Do you guys know where I can buy that dog strap? I like it and I want it. That's why I give it to Naruto. The reason is quite simple really. That strap, somehow, is very important to Ryofu, Naruto is important to her too. If this chapter's impact is not clear enough then such a shame. I wrote Naruto's speech in library and I accidently yelled from excitement. That son-of-a-bitch librarian gives me a bad look since then.

Anyway. I want to give you a challenge, the part where Naruto ask people to throw rocks. Do you guys have any idea where I got it from?

That's it all. Don't forget to review this and don't bother flaming, because I'll ignore it.