Hey everyone! It's here! We've made it! One year of The Last Princess of Whirlpool!
We're back in Konoha starting now, something I know a lot of you have been wanting.
Thank you all so much for your support on this story, it always makes my day to see your comments!
As a small update about a future schedule: I'll be pulling back and updating once every other week. I want to take more time as we head into this section of the story.
I also wanted to let you know about another project I've started. It's called "Purple Rain," and it's a fix-it-of-sorts of The Last of Us. I've already uploaded the first few chapters and if you'd like to read it, it's on my profile!
"This is so weird," I mumble as we start to walk up to the open gates of Konoha. The sun is setting and it casts an orange hue over everything. Maybe that's why Naruto always wears it. It's his favorite time of the day.
"Well look who's back!" A voice says as soon as we step through that gates. I look over to see Izumo and Kotetsu both leaning over their desk. "It's been awhile, Uzumaki-chan!"
"Hey," I wave my hand awkwardly and sensei snorts. He grabs my identification card from my pocket and places it on the desk with his and Reiji's cards, too.
"I guess you two are going to take her to the tower?"
"We will," Reiji says, his hand on my shoulder. I try to push comforting chakra through our bracelets. Reiji is on edge, like he's afraid I'm going to disappear.
It's hard hiding the pain that sears in my chest at the thought.
Reiji squeezes my shoulder and I take a deep breath.
"Be careful, Kiku-chan," Izumo says.
"Tsunade-sama will throw something at your head instead of pushing you out of the tower like Sandaime-sama," Kotetsu finishes.
"He pushed you out of the tower?" Sensei asks as he hands me my identification card. I slip it back in my pocket as I nod.
"He did it to Kakashi more than me," I grin as sensei shakes his head.
"Come on, let's get to the tower."
My heart beats wildly in my chest as we walk up the steps of the Hokage tower. Sensei's hand is planted firmly on my shoulder, just like it was the last time we made this trip.
But this time, Reiji is on my other side, my hand grips the end of his sleeve tightly. He doesn't seem to mind. His arm moves in time with my own as Hikari crawls around my ear.
There's a new secretary in the office. I look to sensei and he pats my shoulder.
"Joben-san retired the night you left the village," he says. "He said without your pranks there wasn't much left for him to deal with."
"That sounds like him," I laugh as the new secretary opens the doors for us. I freeze when we walk in.
Tsunade looks over a scroll with Shizune as Shikaku stands off to the side. When we walk in, he looks up and his eyes meet mine. They turn glassy as he gives a lazy smile.
"It's about time you got home, lazy ass."
"I'm telling Yoshino you cussed!"
"You wouldn't."
"You know the price."
"I'll get you taiyaki when we're done here you brat." Shikaku's voice is warm. I release my grip on Reiji's sleeve and slip from sensei's hand on my shoulder. I run across the office and tackle Shikaku in a hug. He huffs as he barely manages to stand upright.
His arms wrap around me tightly and I feel the tears come immediately. I sniffle into his shoulder as he runs a hand over my hair.
"Yoshino will be happy you didn't cut it," he murmurs.
"I think my ancestors would find a way to murder me if I did."
"Not if Naruto doesn't get to you first," Shikaku says and I laugh. It's wet. I sound broken. But I feel like I'm home.
Something I didn't expect to feel when I got to Konoha.
"Alright you two, I'm sure she'll bug you another time," Tsunade says. I turn my head slightly to look back at Reiji and sensei and I smile at them as I wipe under my eyes.
"I'll see you soon?"
"Team dinner, normal time," Reiji says.
"If you're late, you'll regret it," sensei smiles and I sweat drop. Shikaku snickers and I hit the top of his arm as I lay my head back down on his shoulder. I push my love for Reiji and sensei into my chakra bracelet and feel it reflected back from both of them as they leave the office.
"We'll have to do this sooner or later, brat. You're just putting it off."
"But Shikaku is warm!" I whine as I bury my face in his shoulder. He laughs freely.
"I think I need to head home to let Yoshino know you're back," he says and I groan. "Come by the house when you're done and we'll both take you out for taiyaki. How does that sound?"
"That sounds good," I say after thinking for a minute. He chuckles before he leans down and kisses the top of my head.
"Be good, don't get thrown out of the tower."
I pout up at him as he pulls away.
"We can finish up another time, Shikaku," Tsunade waves her hand towards the door as she puts the seal she and Shizune were looking at in a hidden seal on the desk.
"Oh! That's new!" I immediately walk over to look at it and smile when I realize it's Naruto's. Everyone who uses seals does them just slightly differently. Some include a signature in all of their seals. And some just have a unique way of doing them.
Naruto's are the messiest I've ever seen, but they still work perfectly.
"That's cool that you've got Naruto working on seals for you! How many desks did you make him do this with?"
"Enough," Tsunade deadpans.
"It's good to see you again, oba-chan!"
"Don't call me that, brat!"
"Okay abuel-"
"Finish that word and I put you in Anbu under Cat."
"You wouldn't-"
"I would-"
"He's such a worrywart! And Anbu? Ugh, that's so much work."
I hear Shizune giggle behind her hand.
"I need a drink," Tsunade says as she reaches into one of the drawers of her desk. She pulls out a full bottle of sake but I stop her.
"Abuelito sent some Pulque," I pull out a scroll from the side of my pack and hand it to her.
"Sit down," she nods towards the chair in front of her desk as she puts the sake back in its drawer.
"Can I have some?" I ask after she pours a glass for herself. She glares at me.
"Have you had it before?"
"No," I pout. That's a major lie. Akihiko snuck some out and shared it with me after I put my Hiraishin seal on him.
"Then that's your answer. I don't want Shikaku trying to murder me," she rolls her eyes as she leans forward on her desk. Her hand slaps a seal and a silencing barrier goes up around the office.
"Nice," I say as I look over at it.
"You're worse than your father," Tsunade says into her drink. I look up at her and grin.
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It is."
"Whatever you say, Abuelita." A tick forms on Tsunade's forehead and I burst out into laughter. I clutch at my stomach as she seethes in front of me. And after a few seconds, her lips twitch. And then she's laughing with me.
"I'm going to kick your ass later this week on the training field."
"I know."
Tsunade smiles at me for a moment before she sighs.
"Alright, how was the trip back?"
"It wasn't too bad, just a team of four."
"A team of four elite shinobi. Anbu level. Not too bad for a chunin?" Tsunade asks slowly.
"Reiji and sensei were with me," I roll my eyes. I flinch and catch the stapler that's thrown at me.
"Don't roll your eyes at me, brat!"
I lean back in my seat, getting comfortable.
"It's good to be back," I say and all heat from Tsunade's eyes disappears.
"It's good to have you back, kid. Even if you're going to be a pain in my ass."
I walk through the Nara compound slowly. My hands are stuffed in my pockets as I look around. Some people wave and I wave back. If they don't wave, they send lazy smiles.
It's the complete opposite of the hate-filled looks I got the entire way here.
"There you are!" A voice says. Arms wrap around me suddenly as I feel something wet on my shoulder. My shoulders relax and my arms wrap around the person holding me. I drop my head on their shoulder.
"I missed you," I say. My words are muffled.
"Kami, we've missed you too. If you ever leave like that again I'm locking you in the compound!" Yoshino says.
"Can you do that anyways? Tsunade is going to make me take a sealing test, it's going to be so much work!"
"You lazy girl," Yoshino huffs. There's no heat in her voice. "You've been eating?" She asks as she pulls back. She holds my head and moves it from her shoulder so I look at her. Her eyes soften immediately as she starts to wipe away my tears.
"I have been," I say quietly. "And sleeping, my summons have made sure of it." I add the last half as an afterthought when she gives me that look she does when she thinks I'm lying.
"And taking rest days from training?"
"Twice a week."
"And taking a day of rest from everything?"
"Once a week. I've been on a mini-vacation the last few days with sensei and Reiji, too."
"Good," she nods. She leans forward and kisses the top of my head, before she brings it back to rest on her shoulder. She wraps her arms around me again, even tighter this time. "I am so proud of you Kikuko."
I don't say anything. I just relish in the warmth that is a hug from Yoshino.
"Alright," she says a few minutes later. I blink quickly and she laughs as she pulls me away. "I don't want you falling asleep standing up, come home and take a nap for a few, okay?" I nod my head easily as she pulls me by the arm towards her home.
We walk up the front steps and through the front door easily.
"We'll get taiyaki after dinner, okay?" Yoshino asks as she pats my arm.
"Okay," I say as I follow her through the living room.
"She's going to take a nap," Yoshino says to Shikaku. He rests on the couch, one leg hangs off of it as he reads a book.
"Have a good nap, sweetheart," he says and I smile.
"Night," I say quietly before I'm pulled down the hall.
"Shikamaru should be getting home tonight, too," Yoshino says as she opens the door to his room. "We didn't tell him you were called home, yet. Thought we'd leave it as a surprise."
"So I can prank him?"
"No glitter in the house!" She snaps as she pulls the top blanket on his bed back. I drop my bag on the floor beside Shikamaru's bed before I poke around in it. I grab the scroll I'm looking for and look to Yoshino.
"I'm gonna go change out of this," I say as I look down at my chunin vest.
"Good idea, I'll wake you up when dinner's ready," she kisses the top of my head once more before she leaves the room, shutting the door behind her quietly.
I quickly pull off my chunin vest, sweatshirt, and sweatpants. I fold them up and lay them on top of the dresser across from Shikamaru's bed. I open the scroll on top of his dresser and pull out my favorite oversized shirt and shorts to sleep in. I slip them on easily before I go back to the scroll.
This time, I pull out his blanket. I drape it over my arm before I roll up the scroll and drop it back into my bag.
And then I finally slip into Shikamaru's bed. It's the comfiest one in the house next to Shikaku and Yoshino's. And even better, the smell of Shikamaru surrounds me as I pull both the blankets already on the bed, and the blanket I had draped over my arm, over me.
I'm out in seconds.
I hear Yoshino's shriek of laughter and groan, burying my face into Shikamaru's pillow. Shikaku snorts before I hear him walk away from the door.
"No funny business, I'm too young to be a grandmother!" Yoshino cackles.
"Mom~" Shikamaru whines. I snicker into his pillow.
"You're so mean," Shikamaru says as he pads into the room. "Not telling me you're coming home, stealing my bed."
"You can join me after you shower," I say as I turn my head to look at him. He looks tired, there are bags under his eyes and his uniform is covered in dirt. But his cheeks are bright red. He walks over slowly and leans down, pressing his lips against mine softly.
I move one hand to hold onto the arm he uses to brace himself against the bed. My other hand goes straight to his hair, pulling his hair out of its signature ponytail. Shikamaru groans as I start to massage his scalp and I smile against his lips.
"Shower," I say when we pull away.
"Fine," he sighs.
"You stink."
"Love you too, sweetheart," he calls over his shoulder as he opens the door to his bathroom. I rest my head back against the pillow and close my eyes when I hear the shower turn on.
I barely feel Shikamaru slide into the bed with me.
"Missed you," I whisper into the dark room.
"I missed you too, troublesome girl." My heart soars at the nickname and I cuddle closer to him, nuzzling against his collar bone. He chuckles as he starts to run his hand over my hair.
"This for anything special?" He asks as he runs his hand over my single braid.
"No, just for training and everyday stuff."
"Good," he says as he pulls the hair tie out of my hair and begins brushing it out.
I fall asleep to Shikamaru's quiet murmurings about his mission and his hand carding through my hair.
"Thanks, Ino-chan," I say as I take the flowers from her. It's only a few, just for mom, dad, Hiroto-ojisan, and Minoru.
"It's no problem," Ino flips her ponytail and I giggle as she starts fussing around the shop.
"I'll see you around!" I say as I step outside.
"See you!" She calls, her face buried in a plant. I leave the shop and walk down a side street. I double check to make sure no one is in the alley I've ducked in before I use Hiraishin to get to the training ground beside the memorial stone.
I walk over to the graves first. It takes a few minutes, but eventually I'm able to find Hiroto-ojisan.
"Hey ojisan," I say quietly as I kneel in front of his grave. "I've missed you." My voice cracks as I put the flowers for him in the empty vase.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come see you sooner, but I've been away training." Tears well in my eyes when I register my new Anbu guard standing just outside of the area. I can't even talk to ojisan freely in the village.
He was the first person I planned to visit after coming back from training as a kid. But those dreams were shattered when I guided him to his next home.
"I delivered a baby," I say quietly. "It was scary, but I did it. She's really cute, too. Even though she screams a lot." I feel amusement roll off of my Anbu guard, but I ignore them.
"I'll come talk to you when I don't have a shadow everywhere. I love you, ojisan," I whisper to him as I stand. I walk away from the graves, towards my Anbu guard.
"I can't believe they let you stay in Anbu," I say to him as soon as I see his curly hair. He squawks. "I missed you, though."
"I missed you too, Kiku-chan," Shisui's voice sounds distorted behind his mask.
"I'm gonna go visit the memorial stone and then go get food, I can get it to go and we can eat in the treehouse?"
He nods. Shisui and Itachi brought me up to their treehouse a few times when I was younger. Mainly on days Shisui caught me skipping the academy to train too hard. I turn from him and start making my way towards the stone.
I walk through the trees and see a familiar figure standing in front of the stone. I smile sadly at his back as I walk into the clearing. He's too lost in his grief to notice me until I stand beside him.
I carefully lay the flowers for mom, dad, and Minoru at the foot of the stone.
And then I turn, wrapping my arms around him and smashing my face against the side of his arm. He jolts and then lets out a chuckle as he shifts me to rest against his chest.
His arms wrap around me as his head falls on top of mine.
"I've missed you, imouto."
"I've missed you too, Kaka-nii. Even though you're still violating Tenzo-nii."
"Kikuko!" Kakashi says, sounding worried and I giggle freely.
"Mom and dad are happy for you," I say quietly.
"You think so?"
"I know so, I talked to them."
There's a beat of silence.
"You celebrated," he starts, but doesn't finish.
"Yup! And mom said I need to get you away from this stone. They love you and want you to be happy, niisan."
"Maa," Kakashi says in his normal drawl. "I wouldn't want to go against your mom's wishes." There's a bit of fear in his voice and I grin.
"Nope," I lift my head and kiss his masked cheek. "Now, I'm going to be mopey with you here one more time and then we're going to get food with my shadow." Kakashi looks to the treeline and snorts when he sees Shisui.
"Does Tsunade-sama know the trouble you two have caused for the village?"
"No, and if you keep quiet I'll spare you and Tenzo-nii."
"You've got a deal," Kakashi says as he pulls me back into his chest. "Now let it out, imouto. You've been holding it all in too long."
I freeze. And then my body starts to shake as Kakashi lowers us to the ground. I end up in his lap, my face buried in his neck as I sob.
"I-I'm home."
"You are," Kakashi murmurs.
"I-I-I miss Minoru-nii."
"I know you do, you love him." I nod against Kakashi's neck. "And just like your mom and dad don't want me stuck here, I'm sure he'd hate to see you like this, too."
"I know. But I just need-"
"To let it go," he finishes. I feel a silencing barrier go up around the clearing before I let out a wail.
Kakashi holds me as I lose myself in my grief.
And instead of going to get something to eat myself, Kakashi pulls me in his arms, puts down the barrier after I stop crying, and carries me along the rooftops.
"Kashi?"
"Your shadow is going to get you some lunch and taiyaki."
"Yum," I say before I yawn.
"Sleep, imouto. I'm sure you'll wake up as soon as you smell the ramen."
"Love you," my words are slurred and Kakashi chuckles as he pats the top of my head.
"Love you too, Kiku-chan."