A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't been updating! I've been focusing on this story request, but don't worry this story gets a decent amount of feedback so I'm going to put a lot more effort into updating. The request in finally over, so this story is my focus! Also, I don't plan to spend too much more time on Shikamaru and Kabocha's childhood because there is no romance. I want the chunin exams to start in no more than four or five chapters. There's also a big event that happens right before the chunin exams so we need to get to that as well. I want to do occasional flashbacks of their childhood instead of going over every little thing, so let me know through a review what you guys want to see. I love hearing from you guys! Sorry for the long author's note. On to the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters (I wish). All OCs belong to me and some of the plot that I came up with also belong to me.
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*Kabocha POV*
The following days I spent in the leaf village were nothing short of great. Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru were great company. Even though Ino teased me quite a bit she was still my friend. She spent a lot of time playing with my hair. She also briefly introduced me to Sakura. She happened to be on the shyer side of girls I'd ever met.
Choji and I bonded over the different foods in the lava village. I promised him I'd bring him back the different types of meat and chips we have. Overall both Choji and I had an affinity for food. Since I found Shikamaru my body was constantly changing and surprising me. My appetite rivaled his own and we constantly got into eating contests. There was more than one occasion where we both ended up sick with worried adults.
My alone time with Shikamaru was spent with him trying to teach me Shogi, or me trying to get him to rough house with me. The latter of the two would greatly amuse his father and especially his mother Yoshino-sama. The former of the two would amuse uncle since he thought it would be another great way for a future general to train. I thought he was being snarky. Shikamaru was a challenge of the mind not of the body.
I was currently sleeping on my last day in the leaf village. I had been depressed since I didn't know how my father would react once he discovered that I had found my tamer at such a young age...let alone that I had left the castle on my own. I was more than a little reluctant to get up since I didn't want to leave.
"Bocha-chan." I heard uncle knock twice on my door and I hid under the covers. The door opened and I didn't even attempt to peak from under the covers. A bright light shined through my covers as he opened the blinds and came to stand next to the bed.
"Well if you're going to sleep all day I might as well tell everyone to forget the surprise we put together for you."
"What surprise?!" I threw the covers off of my pajama clad body and stood up on my bed to face my uncle. We still weren't eye to eye even with my height boost much to my annoyance. I was looking at his slim nose. Almost too dainty to be on such a strong face.
My uncle and I shared many physical traits and mannerisms. We had the same laugh, same nose, we didn't like our food to touch, spicey things were the devil to us both, and the list goes on. I'm certain the similarities between us was why father hated when uncle was around…
'Kabocha…" Uncle said softly bringing me from my musings. I let my grin return and my loving uncle smiled softly at me.
"We will be leaving tonight." He told me gently and my grin disappeared. "Don't frown. Come and get dressed, my princess. You're going to love your surprise." He told me helping me down and I sprinted to the closet. He laughed and went out of the room so that I could dress.
"Oh, I almost forgot! Where something nice. We're not training today." He said before shutting the door. I grabbed a blue, off the shoulders dress that stopped at my knees. It contrasted brightly with my orange hair making me grin at my appearance.
"Uncle!" I called throwing open the door and running to the living room to see Yoshino-sama and my Maru-kun. I blushed realizing that I wasn't completely ready. My hair was still a mess.
"Good morning Yoshino sama, Maru-kun." I waved weakly and Yoshino laughed while Shikamaru waved lazily from the couch. "Come here sweetheart." Yoshino opened her arms to me and I ran into them. I looked at her right hand to see a gold ribbon. I sat down in front of her while she put my curls into a ponytail.
"There!" She said placing her hands on my shoulders. I stood and turned to face her and she smiled at me which I returned tenfold. "You look precious." She said elbowing Shikamaru. "Doesn't she Shikamaru!?" I looked at my brown haired friend and he turned a fine shade of pink.
"Yeah, yeah can we go already?" Shikamaru said standing and stretching. I smiled and blushed and turned to look at my uncle. "Let's go." He said placing sandals on the ground instead of my normal ninja shoes. "Thank you uncle." I slipped my feet in and followed everyone out of the door not even looking at my hair considering it wasn't the first time Yoshino-sama did my hair. Playing with my hair was something that she loved doing.
"Where are we going?" I whispered to Shikamaru and he shrugged. "I'm not allowed to say." He smirked. I puffed out my cheeks and looked away from him. "Don't do that. We're almost there." Shikamaru said poking my cheek. I giggled and completely miss the look Yoshino-sama and uncle shared.
We made it to the Nara home and my expression flatlined. "You could've just told me that we were coming to your house Maru-kun." He just shrugged and looked away from me at the nickname. The three of them led me inside and I frowned at the darkness. I was ready to bolt from my fear, but backed up into my uncle. The lights came on suddenly and a loud,
"SURPRISE!" I jumped in surprise and jumped at the other two friends I made and their families stood in the room. There were also quite a few new face as well. I looked at the 'farewell' sign and my steady enhancing eyesight sasw the tiny 'for now' in the corner.
"Uncle…" I looked up at my uncle's smiling face. "Shikamaru wanted to plan a goodbye party for you." Uncle said with looking at the brown haired boy. "All of the clan children and their families are here this afternoon. The hokage is even planning to show up in a bit." I already knew he was telling me that so I would behave and act accordingly. Manners were taught to me by the best... that being him and my beautiful mother.
"Thank you so much, Maru-kun!" I cheered hugging my first friend while he flailed and then just resigned himself to the hug. I heard a handful of awww's and laughs at my blatant display of affection. "You're welcome." He grumbled, but I obviously saw his smile. I let go and turned to the room to look at the slew of other children my age and some a few years older.
"Come on! Introduce me to everyone!" I said taking his hand and dragging him over to the group. "Alright, alright." He said as we stopped in front the other kids and I released his hand to wave.
"Hi, I am Princess Kabocha Kasai of the village hidden in the lava." I bowed to them and they returned the gesture.
"Wait a minute! You didn't introduce yourself as princess when you met us!" Ino shouted pointing at me making me giggle. "Ino…" Choji grumbled and Shikamaru glared at her.
"I know. I know. I just didn't introduce myself correctly before. My uncle corrected me when we returned to his home." I explained and everyone ooh'd.
"So your a princess!?" The brown haired boy with red markings also shouted. "That is correct…" I trailed off since I didn't know his name.
"I'm Kiba Inuzuka. The future clan head of the Inuzuka clan." He said proudly pointing at himself. "Nice to meet you." I shook his hand formally and grinned back at his fang filled grin. I was currently hiding my own so only the tips of them could be seen.
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha and this is Itachi. He's my older brother and future clan head!" A little boy with obsidian hair and eyes said excitedly. The other boy had the same features except his face was slimmer and ahd one line on each cheek. I waved enthusiastically at them both. Itachi reminded me a lot of Tsuyoi; not just because they looked the same age, but because of how quiet he is.
"I have an older brother too." I told them and they all looked like they wanted to hear more. "I have two older brothers to be exact!" I said proudly.
"Yes. I have met the oldest Kasai son: Tsuyoi-san. I haven't met Shosha-san, but I have heard of him." I nodded at Itachi's brief explanation before he excused himself to go mingle elsewhere.
"Your brother Tsuyoi and Itachi-san are the same age." Shikamaru whispered to me and I glanced at him and gave a slight tilt of my head to let him know I heard him.
"I-I-I'm H-Hinata Hyuga...I-I'm the heiress of t-the Hy-Hyuga clan." A pupiless eyed girl stuttered horribly and bowed deeply to me. "Nice to meet you!" I said loudly and startling her on purpose to straighten her up.
"Y-y-you too." She smiled at me hesitantly and I grinned. "We're all going to be friends. There's no need to act so formal Hinata-chan." I took her hands into my own and her smile became solid in a heartbeat. I turned still holding one of Hinata's hands and addressed the other children.
"Hey again Choji-kun, Ino-chan!"' I greeted them both with a one armed hug. I let Hinata keep my other hand.
"What's the lava village like?!" Kiba asked impatiently and I grinned at him.
"It's beautiful! There are both hot springs right before the Sunagakure border. There are also a few cooling water holes since ninety percent of the lava village is pure heat in the wind country's desert. The water holes are hidden in the part of the lava village that is in the fire country."
"Wow! Can we visit!" Sasuke said happily with stars in his eyes."Of course! The next birthday party I have I'll invite you all!" I answered him and he clapped along with Ino.
"When's your birthday and how old will you be turning?" Shikamaru asked actually really curious.
"I'll be six in three months." I turned to look at my first friend and he nodded at me.
"All of us are already six except for Sasuke and Hinata." Choji said motioning to Sasuke and Hinata.
I nodded at them and a boy out of the corner of my eye came into view. He had been hanging back, but now I could see instead of just smell him. "Who are you?" I turned to face the boy fully.
"I am Shino Aburame of the Aburame clan. I am the future heir of the Aburame clan. Why? I am the only son and child." I nodded at him. "Come join our circle." I motioned him over and he shrugged. He came over and completed our little circle making my slight OCD happy.
"Hinata-chan, there you are!" A boy that looked a lot like Hinata only because of his eyes and skin called out. "Neji-niisan!" Hinata answered back with a shy smile.
"Oooohh...is this your brother Hinata-chan?" I asked looking at the slightly older boy.
"N-no, Kabocha-chan. N-neji-niisan is m-my cousin. He i-i-is my father's tw-twin b-brother's first a-and o-only son."
"I see. Nice to meet you Neji-san. I am Princess Kabocha Kasai of the village hidden in the lava." I bowed slightly and he smiled at me and bowed in return. "Likewise," was his only response.
Everyone was so nice and I left my little circle to even mingle with some of the adults. The children were more my main focus. The brief meeting with the Hokage scared me because he was a powerful man in both skill and position. I expected him to be like my father, but he was the exact opposite.
"I sense a great power in you, little one." I gently placed his hand on my head and I stared at him in awe. "You will make a great general after your mother." He told me with a cheeky smile making me squint at him.
"She has a long way to go before she has any chance of beating Kiriena-niisama for her spot." A snickering voice said behind me making me whip around and face my raven haired uncle Hikari. He was supposed to come tomorrow.
"Oh yeah! I gave you the slip pretty good, so you have no room to criticize me!" I pointed heatedly at him; not caring about anyone else in the room.
"Temper, temper Bo-Bo-chan!" He tsk'd at me and I felt my face flame red at that stupid nickname. "I recall receiving a training update about you not being able to move in the armor your mother wears." He flicked me in between my eyebrows and moved back quickly from my swiping claws.
"Why don't you train with me and see what I can really do." I growled at him forgetting where I was. I squatted down ready to pounce on him until a hand snatched the back of my dress.
"Kabocha." I heard uncle Gorudo's stern, you're in trouble, right behind me. "No fighting Hikari in someone else's home. You know better." He let me go and I pouted with my arms crossed.
"Neeeehhhh!" Uncle Hikari stuck his tongue out at me making me go red in the face in anger again.
"Gah! I hate you!" I threw my hands in the air and he outright laughed. "I love you too!" He cooed hugging me and rubbing his cheek against my own.
"Ugh! Get off!" I peeled myself off of him and ran and hid behind Sasuke; who was laughing with the rest of my new friends. "I don't know who made you one of the top ninja in the village, but they need their head examined!" Uncle Hikari laughed even harder.
"I'm more of an assassin than a ninja." He said sniffing and rubbing under his nose like it was nothing, but I could tell some of the adults looked at him in slight alarm at his nonchalance. "Still better than you though." He grinned at me and I stuck my tongue out at him.
"You are Kireina Kasai's younger brother?" The hokage questioned and uncle Hikari's gaze slid over to him. I knew uncle Hikari wasn't that much of a fan of the leaf and he favored the sand more than anything. I was sure uncle Hikari about to speak with Hokage was making uncle Gorudo nervous.
"That's right." He answered back simply and all teasing had left his voice making me shiver. "Come and talk with me Hikari-san." The Hokage motioned for him to follow him outside and uncle Hikari followed him warily.
"Play with your friends Kabocha." Uncle Gorudo said before making his way over to Shikaku-sama.
"Well...that was intense. That's your mom's younger brother...and he's an assassin." Shikamaru said more than asked.
"Yes an yes. He's absolutely annoying." I huffed and Ino hip checked me. "He's so pretty!" She said with heart eyes and I gagged along with all of the other boys except Shikamaru who just shook his head.
"He's almost thirty." I said leaning on Choji and sharing some of his chips. "So!" Ino said with a blush.
"He's much too old for you." Neji said matter of factly making all of us laugh at his matter of fact tone. "Agreed." Shino said simply.
*Normal Pov*
*With the adults circle*
"I heard relations between the lava and leaf are going well Gorduo-san." Choza said to the brown haired man who smiled back at him.
"That is correct. Everything is almost complete. We're just trying to fix all of the minor details involving missions and personal relationships." The adults looked confused at the last part of his statement.
"What does personal relationships have to do with the negotiations?" Inoichi asked after sipping his sake.
"It's important to know what to do if a relationship is formed between two families of the lava and leaf, or even two people of high positions." Fugaku answered making Gorduo nod.
"Is it true you and Jun-sama are trying to arrange a marriage between Kabocha and Sasuke?" Shikaku said bluntly making Gorduo's entire body stiffen. It happened too fast for anyone to notice, but Gorudo definitely kept quiet to hear the man's response.
"That's right." Fugaku said bluntly making all of the adults except Gorduo stiffen this time. "We are looking to strengthen relations." All of the adults looked at the children playing some odd game as Kabocha tackled Shikamaru to the ground and he complained.
"I don't think an arranged marriage is necessary." Shikaku said firmly and Fugaku glared at him.
"I am inclined to agree with you, Shikaku." Everyone turned to look at Gorudo as he raised his drink to Shikaku. Everyone was surprised at the familiarity in his tone. "I am going to have to figure some other things out it seems with my brother and sister-in-law." Fugaku looked angry while the other adults seemed to breathe slightly easier.
"Hm." Hiashi grunted as his brother elbowed him to look at the children. Neji was carrying Kabocha on his back as he argued with Choji, Sasuke, and Kiba. Ino and Hinata were standing behind them with the former having her arms crossed. Shino stood next to a laying down Shikamaru whom was now ignoring everyone after being tackled.
"That was fast." Hizashi said quite happy at how fast Neji had taken to everyone. "Kabocha is such a warm personality." Inochi said with a smile as his daughter and the Hyuga heiress helped her off of Neji who looked defeated.
"She takes after her mother in that aspect." Gorudo said with a warm smile looking at her explain whatever game they were playing with vivid hand motions.
"The relations between the Kasai clan and the Uchiha clan...are you at liberty to discuss the terms?" Hiashi asked Fugaku with a certain tone and posture about him. It was no secret that the two clans weren't on friendly terms, and it was a fact Gorudo knew well.
"The terms are between Lord Jun and myself alone." He answered back in a clipped tone. Shikaku and Gorudo glanced at each other briefly and looked back at the two powerful kekkei genkai heads. This was definitely going to put a bump in the two adult's plans for the kids.
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Thank you so much for reading! Please, please, please review! It's my birthday and that's all I want lol. Thanks again and see you soon. Sooner with reviews. (;