A/N Yo!
Ahahhaha...hah... First off I'd like to apologize for (very) late and irregular updates. Just letting you know but fanfiction is a side thing...and I guess school takes priority, so with exams and all I don't think my updating will stabilize and become regular until after this year.
I just got through a round of school assessment so that explains my absence. Sorry for anyone that's been eagerly awaiting (it be nice if people were) the next chapter.
I typed rather furiously to get this done and I hope you all enjoy... (Though nothing much happens in this chapter...sorry...)
Anyway have fun reading :D
~Chapter 2 - ALLOWANCE
- - - - - Mindscape - - - - -
"This is rather unique." Inoichi commented. The girl's mind was actually quite strange in fact. There was nothing that suggested anything of her, no shapes, colours, objects. He merely stood in a blank, white, hallway.
"How strange." Miyu added. Of course being her mind, she would be present with him. Inoichi easily assumed her surprised expression was from witnessing her conscience for the first time. "So, what exactly will you be doing?"
"It's just a simple investigation." He began walking forwards and his loud footsteps echoed down the hall. Miyu hurried to keep up, cursing her shorter limbs. She was ultimately confused. This white space was a vast change from the usual sewers, she could only assume Kurama changed something. Though, the overall format was similar so if she was correct they would be led to a large chamber soon.
"What is that?" It seems she was correct as they broke out of the hallway. It appeared that Kurama couldn't disguise everything as both of them stared up at the giant row of rusty bars. She shrugged, staying silent while the veteran ninja went over to investigate. "How odd." Just as she expected nothing was able to pass through the bars and he could easily rest his palm against the air between each strip of metal. "Do you happen to know what this could be or symbolise?"
"…the nurse at the hospital will probably report it later but there's a seal on my stomach." Miyu commented loosely, "I guess this is where it leads."
"So you don't remember what it's for?" He probed.
"It stores chakra." She said after a small silence. "Not my own. It acts like a secondary source."
"Hm." The Yamanaka was used to ninja sealing items in their body but wasn't storing more chakra redundant? Soldier pills would probably be more useful. "So, why don't we find the memories you do have?"
"How?" She was genuinely curious. Ino had never told her about what you could actually do with the human mind.
"As, uh…cliché as it sounds you must open your mind. I could force it out of you, but from what I've seen its excruciatingly painful…" Miyu shivered lightly. She had a high pain tolerance, sure, but that didn't mean she like the pain.
"I'll try my best then." She struggled to let down her walls, finally managing enough for glimpses of colour to appear on the floor they stood on.
"Down there then." Inoichi changed the direction of his attention, now focusing it downwards. "It seems memories appear at random locations. There was once a case where I had to look upwards for so long my neck ached." He was trying to lighten the atmosphere but Miyu couldn't help but feel slightly unsettled at the mention of his previous… victims. They both focused on the episodic flashbacks and at once Miyu could see they were false. Some were simply of her training but the scenery had been altered to keep confidentiality and any people were removed. "What style of taijutsu is this?" It looked familiar yet unquestionably new.
"My own style. Picked up here and there I guess." Since there were no memories of her acquiring it he could only rely on her word. It was one of the most severe cases of amnesia he had seen before. and it didn't look like she'd ever be getting back those lost memories.
"And there is nothing else you remember? What about your fox?" His words triggered more false memories. A small, red fox, frolicking in the undergrowth, flashing to an older image before finally reaching a scene that mirrored Kurama's grown form. "That really is all there is…" He muttered under his breath.
"I'm sorry I can't remember anything else." Miyu said apologetically. Maybe she was laying it on a little thick, but it would be more suspicious if she stayed completely silent.
"No, it's hardly your fault. There's nothing for you to be sorry about." He gave the room a final examination. "It seems that's about all we can do here. We should leave for now." He slowly formed the familial seal with his hands and released the jutsu.
- - - - - Reality - - - - -
It was disconcerting for those in the room to watch the two, deathly still bodies, gazing emptily at each other. That was why they could safely safe they were relieved when, after a deep gasp, the two were brought back into the real world.
Welcome back kit. Kurama intoned. Miyu shot him a knowing look that garnered an explanation which would come in due time.
"So? What did you find Inoichi?" The Hokage asked, folding his hands underneath his chin.
"She wasn't lying. She does indeed only remember her abilities and pet fox." Inoichi replied with a straight face. The fox growled slightly at him for being called a mere pet.
"Partner." Miyu corrected feeling the expected migraine come about.
"Ah, sorry. Partner fox then." The Yamanaka replied, "It also seemed that her memory loss is permanent."
"Permanent?" Rin echoed, looking concerned for the younger child.
"So then she has nowhere else to go." Kakashi surmised. He was much at ease now that they had the affirmation of the T.I. Head.
"I see." Sarutobi thought long and hard, "Then I don't see a problem with admitting her into Konoha. Minato, from now on she will be your responsibility until she can take care of herself. Is that alright with you?"
"I'd be happy to help." The cheerful jounin answered truthfully. Minato actually quite liked the girl. There was just something about her that caught his attention.
"I'll be setting up an enrolment into the Academy." The Hokage informed, "You'll be put into the graduating level but according to your skill you may be moved. For now I'd like to welcome you to Konohagakure, Uzunami Miyu."
Sarutobi leant back in his chair with his subordinate still standing in front of him. They waited until the more recent guests had left, already shown to be walking out of the tower as Inoichi peered out the window.
"Well then Inoichi, what's the full report?" The Hokage asked with a serious expression.
"That girl, whether she knows it or not, is hiding something," The Yamanaka began, "Her mind was completely blank with no outstanding shapes or colours. That in itself, while it does suggest amnesia, is impossible."
"How so?" Sarutobi pressed.
"It's because of how she acts. If you had nearly all your memories erased except for that of your ninken, I'm presuming, and other ninja abilities, wouldn't you act more like those ninja Danzo raises? As an emotionless war tool?" Inoichi questioned, "Miyu, as far as I can tell, is a weary and cautious girl, but from the small moment I spent with her she does have a personality. That in itself should be reflected in her mind."
"I see, then how do you propose she managed to clear her mind?" The Hokage asked.
"That's the bit I'm not so sure about. I'd have to say it's from an outside influence." Inoichi said thoughtfully, "I'd recommend first finding out what the seal on her is for."
"Seal?"
"Ah, I forgot that you haven't seen her hospital report yet." The blonde realised, "In her mind, there was a row of rusty bars, a giant cage of some sort. When I asked her about it she said it came from the seal on her abdomen and that it was used for storing extra chakra. Since it was the only thing that stood out in her mind it probably has some sort of relevance to her missing memories."
"I call back Jiraiya, but until then maybe Minato will be able to figure it out." Inoichi nodded in approval, and prepared to take his leave. "One more thing," The Hokage called to his back, "What do you think her threat level is?"
"Possibly a three. If she doesn't remember, congratulations, you've got a new ninja. If she does, then we have a possible spy, but her position in the village limits the amount of information she can acquire, and don't forget the fact she is just a child." He declared before leaving the Hokage to his thoughts, paperwork long forgotten.
"Welcome!" A younger Teuchi said in his friendly voice. "I see you've brought a new customer."
"Yeah this is Miyu." Minato introduced, "You'll be seeing a lot of her around Konoha from now on."
"Well I guess that's enough reason for everything to be on the house today."
"Are you sure?" Kakashi asked as he stared at his leader who was currently drooling from the smell.
"Of course! Your sensei is one of my best customers. What does it matter if I offer you guys a free meal every once in a while?" Teuchi gave a laugh, "So what'll it be."
"Pork for me." Rin ordered.
"I'll have beef." Kakashi decided.
"4 pork, 5 miso and 3 beef for me Teuchi!" Minato announced as his students gagged. Miyu was tempted to say 'the usual' but held it back. She was going to have to do a lot of adjusting.
Beef! Kurama ordered eagerly though no one but Miyu understood. She just added the item to her own list of orders.
"6 miso, 2 pork and 4 beef, please!" She announced proudly. Everyone stared in surprise.
"Can you even eat that much?" Rin asked.
"It's not a competition so you don't have to try and out do our idiot sensei." Kakashi added, but all worries were washed away anyway after seeing her down her first bowl like a glass of water. Something they had only seen Minato himself do. Meanwhile said jounin looked incredible proud shouting that he had finally found himself a protégé.
So Kurama, what did you do? Miyu thought while relishing her meal. It's simple, I merely moved everything we wouldn't want the Yamanaka to see into the seal. The fox explained. Since it is still inside your mind you're able to remember everything as much as before, but an outsider will only see what I've allowed. The blonde nodded in approval. It was a smart move.
"So Miyu, do you have any questions?" Minato asked, jolting the girl out of her internal conversation.
"…Can I ask what's happening right now?" If possible it would be nice to know exactly when she had landed. She had her own guesses, but would like to have them confirmed.
"We are in the middle of the Third Shinobi War." Kakashi supplied, "It's a free for all, with every village for itself."
"Do you remember the other hidden villages?" Rin asked curiously. The girl nodded in response.
"Konohagakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure and Kirigakure." The girl listed.
"Correct." Minato praised, "There is really nothing else to say. The war's been going on for a while but at least it's finally turned in Konoha's favour." Miyu stored each bit of info away. That would mean Kanabi Bridge had been demolished and they were entering the last stretch of the war. It also meant she had been too late to spare Kakashi from the death of a comrade.
As cruel as this sounds, maybe that was for the better. Kurama intoned. You cannot save everyone, and the child's death meant the development of Hatake's person. Miyu didn't try to argue with him, suddenly feeling incredibly tired.
"…Miyu!"
- - - - - Dream - - - - -
"Ne Shika," Naru rolled around on her friend's porch, watching a stray deer graze without a care, "How do you always know what to do?"
"Pft," The lazy strategist was sitting beside her, fanning himself to try and escape the sun's hot rays. "I don't always, but I at least know what I shouldn't do."
"Same thing." She played around with the water in the air, swirling about making different shapes. The brunet shook his head at her blatant show of skill, obviously trying to fight against boredom.
"Just observe you surroundings and double check what you already know, it isn't that hard." He yawned. "But then asking you to do anything mentally tasking is usually pointless."
"Hey!" The blond gave an indignant cry. The water fell from the air, splashing onto the grass.
"It's true, think about your fights. You just rush in headfirst where other people think of a tactic. You improvise, think in the moment. Most of us here can't do that so well." Shikamaru explained. She didn't know whether it was a compliment or not so she left it.
"What if it's not a fight? What if you get in a bad situation that there are just so many options and you don't know what the consequences for your actions will be?" She asked vaguely.
"I have no idea what you're going about… whatever it is it sounds troublesome." He sighed, "When did you start sounding all philosophical?"
"Since the Fourth Shinobi War came knocking on our door," The blonde commented dryly, "Anything could happen, I just don't want to be stuck somewhere where I don't know what to do." She was stressed and he could tell.
"Well, you always have all of us to fall back on." He said calmly, "I don't think anyone it stupid enough to let you go in alone."
"But what if I do? What if I can't rely on you guys?" Naru pressed.
"Once again, I doubt you will ever get to that point. Even if they're not Konoha's, you have countless allies out there. You will never be alone." There was a strange fierceness in his voice and a protective glint in his eyes.
"Shika…" She moved her attention to the deer that had stopped eating to look around.
"If you ever do get into that situation I'll have to automatically assume we're all dead since that's the only way it'll happen," He continued ignoring her startled look, "Then follow your gut instincts. It's the rawest form of intuition we humans have and it's probably already gotten you out of some tight spots."
"That's it? Just follow what my stomach is telling me to do?" She scrunched her nose up in concentration, "Nothing else?"
"Well in that situation what else could you do?" He shrugged and stood up, dusting his pants off, "Follow whatever hunches you get, observe you surroundings carefully, and make use of what's around you. There's a limit to how far thinking can get you-"
"Says the guy who's always at least a hundred steps ahead…" She mumbled under her breath which the Nara ignored.
"And you shouldn't worry needlessly. Go with the flow." He led the stray deer back into the forest in the direction towards its herd.
"You're too laidback." Naru grumbled.
"Yeah, yeah," He waved off her complaint, "It would make the others uneasy if I acted all worried, it's unlike me. That's why you should also return to your cheerful self." She huffed at him before smiling.
"I guess that's right." She moved into a sitting position and motioned for him to sit back down, "Anyway, I came here in the first place to tell you about the next mission. The details are in this scroll and I expect to see you in uniform at the gates tomorrow at 5:00am sharp." She chucked a deep-green scroll at him, a leaf tattoo on her left bicep coming into view.
"Hai Taicho." He gave her a lazy salute pausing as her yawned yet again.
- - - - - Reality - - - - -
Miyu blinked blearily, feeling a heavy weight on her chest. Slowly sitting up she saw it was Kurama sleeping on top of her, yet pushing him off did nothing to alleviate the pressure. The fox yipped as he tumbled onto the floor and she was given a chance to look around the room. For the second time since entering the past, the blonde found herself in the white-walled room of Konoha's hospital. There must have already been someone nearby, because before long she was surrounded by the remainder of the current Team 7 and a familiar nurse.
"Miyu-chan, how are you feeling?" Minato asked concerned. It had been a shock for his team and Teuchi when the girl suddenly collapsed at the ramen store.
"Fine." She did a self-check of her body, "I feel alright."
"That's a relief." Rin sighed, "It was wrong to take you out of the hospital so soon. Despite your healing abilities, there would have been some sort of lasting effect of such extensive damage." Miyu allowed the training medic nin to look over her, though the present nurse was thoroughly put off.
"Your condition seems stable so I'll be leaving to check on some other patients." The woman announced, leaving the girl in Rin's capable hands.
I fear that the worse may come to pass. Kurama's voice echoed softly in her mind. You mean that was the side effects of the time-travel jutsu?She asked. Possibly, usually it would not take effect until the first years pass. We will have to wait and see. Hopefully it was just your body forcing you to rest and recover from damage. He sounded unsure, but it was the best he could give her.
"You should be more careful." Kakashi warned, bringing a small smile to her face.
"Are you sure you're alright now?" Minato checked, "I was planning on showing you my apartment yesterday, since that's where you'll be staying, but we never got a chance after you collapsed." She picked out the fact she had been unconscious for quite a few hours.
"I feel healthy enough." Miyu replied truthfully, "I think I was just tired."
"Either way, make sure you're aware of your own state." Rin scolded, "You shouldn't be so ignorant that you would collapse at random intervals." She was quite adamant about this thought and it reminded her of her deceased teammate. The occupants in the room sensed her shift in mood and looked worriedly down at the saddened girl. "I don't mean to be harsh, but take care of yourself." The medic finished.
"I apologize for troubling you all." Miyu responded politely.
"We were just worried." Minato waved off. "For now we should probably let you rest some more." He ushered himself and his students out, leaving the girl alone with her fox.
Maybe you should sleep some more? The demon fox suggested. The time-traveller nodded and sunk back beneath the sheets, wrinkling her nose at the slightly smell of antiseptic, before falling into an empty, dreamless rest.
A/N Once again thank you for reading!
I hope you all enjoyed the random flashback (which will become a regular thing), and Shika's appearance.
If you were wondering about Naru's skill levels, she was a sage like the canon, and now you know she was also an Anbu. The flashback would've been around when she was 17ish. Though now as a child you can say a lot of her skills have deteriorated...
Slowly we see Miyu being integrated into Konoha (ah titles are hard...this one was supposed to describe Konoha allowing her in...). Next up is the Academy and another familiar face...maybe two...
Anyway, drop a review if you can be bothered. Otherwise I'm just happy knowing the fic's been read~