A/N: CONGRATULATIONS NEJI HYUGA ON YOUR UPCOMING STORY. Thank you everyone that participated in the little contest, I really appreciate it! I would like to jump right in! After this chapter there is only three chapters (I think) until Shippuden. A little early update for you guys! FINALLY! Let's get to it!
Thank you for the favorite and/or follow: eidyas, gincitri, CollegeGirl2018, and KiaraNumes
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*Kabocha POV*
I didn't want to spare a glance over my shoulder to look at Shikamaru, knowing if I did I would've stayed to check his injuries.
We would also have to go over his timing for his confession of love. I felt that he had said it to manipulate me into staying with him instead of chasing after Tsuyoi. Maybe he really did love me, I know I meant it when I said loved him, but did he really mean it when he said he loved me.
I stored the thought away in the same place with the next time I would see Kakashi Hatake. I felt my left eye twitch in anger at the thought of Naruto's sensei. We would definitely be having words...maybe jutsus if his explanation wasn't sufficient.
I cleared my mind completely of what was behind me as I approached the Shukaku and Naruto. I was a little thrown off and wouldn't believe Naruto was over there if I didn't smell him. There was an enormous toad currently fighting the Shukaku. I didn't need my senses to see or hear the crashing of the giant beings. I stopped briefly when I caught Sasuke and Sakura's scent right below me. I would've passed them if at the speed I was going, and was glad for the return of my heightened senses.
I took in deep breaths because my body's protest to my exertion. The breaking of the seals was taxing on my body. The very placement of the seal left me unconscious. I jumped down the branches of the large tree and right beside a shaking Sasuke and trapped Sakura. I went right past Sasuke to check on Sakura since she was unconscious. She seemed to be completely fine, I sighed in relief that she wasn't mortally wounded or dead. I turned back around and squatted in front of Sasuke making him flinch.
"Kabocha…" Sasuke whispered, I smiled softly at his shaken form. "Hey, Sasu." I assessed him as discreetly at possible. I didn't know what had happened to him to make him so frightened, but the Sasuke I knew would not be cowering away from a fight. I decided to proceed with caution since I was unaware of his mental state.
"I'm happy you're both alright. Where is Naruto located? Where did the toad come from?" I asked simply but quietly.
"Naruto is on that toad...he...summoned it." Sasuke said through clenched teeth lowering his head. I kept my face neutral even though I was shocked. I didn't expect Naruto to be strong enough to summon a creature of that size. My mind made a sharp turn to who trained him. I had no idea what Naruto had been doing for the past month. I was no longer aware of what he was capable of. I pursed my lips at that particularly dark thought. He was still Naruto...just a little- a lot stronger.
'He's as strong as your father. There's no way you can beat Jun as you are now.' A voice in the back of mind hissed making me flinch violently and grimace. Sasuke looked at me immediately noticing my sharp movements. I gave him a shaky unconvincing smile. His eyes trailed to my exposed left arm, I immediately stood to my feet feeling self-conscious and not wanting to have a conversation about the new arm I barely knew anything about.
"Are you okay?" He asked me in a stronger voice. The voice of the boy I knew. I grinned a real smile down at him.
"I'm fine-"
"No...I mean after what Gaara did to you." He interrupted me with eyes full of anger as he spit out Gaara's name. My grin fell as I looked at him in pure shock. How did he know about what Gaara did to me.
"Sasuke...how do you know about what happened in the forest?" I asked him cautiously. His eyes strayed to my arm once again before looking me dead in the eye.
"I saved you," was his simple statement as if it was public knowledge. "You saved me...you were the one to drag me out of his sand attack…" I was talking more to myself than to him. Why was he around where I was training at? Did he know Gaara was in the forest?
"Yeah, your uncle wouldn't let me see you when you were recovering. I was...afraid….you were going to lose your arm." He told me now avoiding looking at my left arm. I snorted and shook my head feeling a strong sense of irony.
"Well...you weren't too far off. I did kind of lose my arm." I laughed darkly and his concerned expression remained. "We'll talk more after I assist Naruto." I turned away from him readying my body to take off.
"Wait a minute! I don't know what happened to you after we disappeared after Gaara, but your back to normal and I can tell you're exhausted-!"
"Sasu, the mother hen costume you're wearing isn't fitting you." He immediately shut his mouth and glared at me. I let out a light laugh at his mean glare. "I'll be fine, always am. Watch over Sakura. I'll be back in no time." I grinned over my shoulder at him.
The wind bit at my face as I took off at full speed. I pushed my body to make it to the toad while he was stationary. It would be the worse if he decided to jump when while I was in the vicinity or if I didn't have a grip on him. The toad looked like he was just analyzing the Shukaku while he howled with crazed laughter.
I landed lightly on the toad's arm after jumping off the last tree before the clearing began. I heard him release a loud almost musing sound. He must've felt me land on him. I ran up his arm at a more leisure pace...more like forced leisure pace because I was tired.
"Naruto!" I shouted urgently when I felt the toad beginning to swing his arm.
"Kabocha? Kabocha! Hey, Chief Toad that's my friend! Don't throw her off!" Naruto screamed in a panic. The giant toad immediately stopped moving his arm, I released a breath of relief. I finally made it to Naruto, he tackled me in a hug almost throwing us off of the toad's head.
"Ack! Naruto, stop before we fall!" I wanted to be annoyed but ended up laughing. I was happy to see him alive and semi-well.
"Man, is it good to see you! You're back to normal too!" Naruto told me happily then glanced down at my arm. "Well... almost normal." Naruto laughed while scratching his cheek as he studied my new arm.
"Yeah about that…" I drawled out giving him a weak smile.
"Enough chit chat, brats! He's not going to wait all day!" The giant toad bellowed at us making me cringe violently. I didn't know how long I could take his loud voice.
"AHA! HA! HA! HA! HAAAA! Is that little Miss. Pumpkin Head!? We thought you were dead before we saw you at the matches; barely standing on one leg!" The Shukaku cackled loudly. I hissed openly in disgust at the sand demon.
"It's Dragon of the West to you, you overgrown sand dune! You couldn't kill me with such a weak attack! However, I will thank you for making me lose my arm. I have a better one now." I grinned sarcastically at the sand demon.
I felt my body unintentionally draw power from Gaara once more fueling my anger. I felt my left arm practically take a deep breathe at hearing my praise. I was really going to have to get myself under control. That would have been the rational thought, but all I feel now is raw fury.
"I didn't kill you last time, but I'm going to now! I'm going to kill you, that bright orange idiot, and that soggy tadpole!" The Shukaku was now angry as well, which made me consider a new theory about Gaara being my singer. Could it be possible that he drew power from me as well? Was the Shukaku mimicking my emotions?
Fuck it!
"Come and get it!" I roared out feeling the surge of power. My vision zeroed in on an unconscious Gaara on top of the Shukaku's head. The Shukaku roared back at me and barreled towards us.
"Hold on!" The giant toad called out, I felt his entire body tense up preparing to jump.
"Wait!" I ordered wanting the Shukaku to get close for me to attack. I didn't want to use any intense jutsus because I didn't want to hurt Gaara.
"Who are you to give me orders, little g-"
"I won't apologize. I came here to save Team Kakashi and Gaara, and return the favor to Shukaku." I cut him off with a smirk as the Shukaku came into range. I tensed up and launched off of the toad's head. I ignored Naruto's calling after me.
I threw my body into a front flip calling forth my scythe in one motion. "Wind style: ultimate wind blade." I spun the scythe with my body, feeling the intense wind gather around my scythe and reach out towards the Shukaku. Aisuru Kaze draining massive amounts of chakra to create the wind around him. My scythe didn't even need to hit him to cause damage, however, it would have obliterated his entire left side if I made contact. The ultimate wind blade didn't slice on contact, it had more of an exploding affect. Saving Gaara was still one of my priorities.
I watched as the Shukaku's left arm hit the ground creating a rumble that rippled through the earth. I couldn't fight the grin that touch my face. My face was hurting from the irony of it all. It was his left arm that hit the ground. The same arm that he had taken from me.
"We're twins now!" I howled out in laughter, but stopped abruptly since I landed in the giant toad's palm. I was grateful that he decided to catch me at all.
"You lizard bitch! I'm going to kill you!" The Shukaku screamed waving around his nub. I didn't know what he was screaming for considering the arm I cut off was already starting to reform because of that damn sand. I still felt a sense of accomplishment regardless of his growing arm.
"Woah! Way to go Kabocha!" Naruto called out with a grin to match my own. I gave him a thumbs up as I landed back next to him courtesy of the giant toad.
"Thank you for catching me, Chief Toad!" I addressed him by his title, patting his head with my grin still in place as the Shukaku bellowed out in anger and pain.
"I'll let ya fall the next time ya decide that patting my head like a puppy is a good idea. I was going to let ya fall, but I recognized the chakra and color of the scales on that arm of yers." My elated smile fell away at the last part of his explanation. What did he mean he recognized the chakra signature in my arm? Recognized the scales too, huh?
I didn't have time to ask questions because Chief Toad jumped without giving us warning. The wind screaming loudly in my ears as the Shukaku released a powerful wind attack that passed harmlessly below us. Chief toad landed before we did, but I had enough sense to land and bend my knees to prevent injuries. Naruto fell on his stomach, smacking his chin in the process. I bit my lip to keep from laughing as he reprimanded the Chief Toad. I wasn't too keen on Naruto's loud voice being directed at me at the moment, no matter how much I wanted to tease him right now.
"Naruto!" I called out to put an end to his ranting. I also wanted to end this fight immediately, so I could go check on Sasuke and Sakura. Those wind attacks were really tearing up the forest. The battle in general was destroying everything around us. "What!" He shouted back in annoyance but shrank away at my intense glare. My playful mood was gone entirely because of my worrisome thoughts.
"Did you see how the Shukaku emerged? What happened right before he appeared?" I asked him, turning to look at Gaara. I felt my concern grow looking at my singer's limp body.
"Well- uh…." Naruto began to laugh nervously making a growl bubble up in my throat. I didn't have time for this since another attack was coming our way. Chief Toad dodged swiftly to the right almost rolling to keep his balance. He countered with water bullets, tearing up the forest behind the Shukaku. I winced at all of the lost wildlife, this terrain would forever be altered.
"Chief Toad, are you aware of how the Shukaku emerged?" I asked feeling a sense of cold take over as my fury faded away. I was slipping back into my battle persona, my patience was now gone.
"No idea, kid. I was summoned after he got here." He explained dodging another attack and he countered with an oil like jutsu. "I know ya know fire jutsus. Ya' wouldn't be a Kasai if ya didn't! Do a fire jutsu, now, and aim it at the oil!" Chief Toad called out quickly.
"You got it! Fire style: multi-fireball jutsu!" I took a deep breath and released the fireballs in a flurry of heat. The streams of oil immediately caught fire. The Shukaku wasn't able to dodge all of the fire causing him to burn up on his right side and torso but not much. Water would be the most effective against him. I knew the Chief Toad was just trying to slow him down right now until I made my point about how the Shukaku emerged. I'm sure the fire still hurt like hell though.
"Naruto!" I looked down at a dangling Naruto as an epiphany hit me. He was still on Chief Toad's head with me, he was just on his stomach gripping for dear life. I, however, stood straight up without any balance issues. I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, and yanked him onto his feet making him yelp. "I need you to wake Gaara." I told him urgently yet quietly.
"What! You think that will work!?" He beamed at me, but I could see his hesitance. I grabbed by his shoulders and gave him the most encouraging smile I could offer.
"I spent one night with Gaara and apparently that was fate on that roof. Gaara doesn't sleep because of the Shukaku. It's why his eyes are so dark. If he sleeps then the Shukaku has the chance to run rampant. You will wake him up by any means necessary. I will be right behind you….believe it." I watched his eyes continue to widen to comical proportions as he listened to my pep talk, his smile growing with every word. I thought he was going to blind me with the radiance from it.
"I believe it!" He told me with a cheery laugh as we fist bumped.
"Sounds like a plan to me. Just make sure ya do it right the first time, kids. He'll wise up to what we're cooking and then it'll be impossible to wake that red-headed brat up." He told us and I nodded even though he couldn't see me.
"Let's do it. Chief toad please counter any attacks coming from his mouth. I'm going to lop of both of his damn arms this time. Get us as close as possible so Naruto can wake Gaara." I ordered and both of them snorted making me confused.
"What?" I asked looking at Naruto as he rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Your so bossy." He told me, sticking his tongue out and wiggling it around.
"Got that right." I heard Chief Toad grumble. I clicked my tongue, rolling my eyes hard enough to give myself a brief headache.
"I'm a shinobi force leader, being bossy is a part of my job." I scoffed spinning my scythe lazily to warm myself up. "Now, I'm going to jump first to take care of his arms. He'll try to get rid of me, but Chief Toad will intervene and you go in right after, Naruto."
"Yeah, yeah we heard you the first time." Naruto grumbled and Chief Toad actually chuckled.
"Let's do it brats! Hang on!" He bounded off towards the Shukaku, thoroughly surprising him. I grabbed Naruto's shoulder to steady him, giving him a meaningful look. I released him after he nodded at me.
I performed the hand signs for ultimate wind scythe instead of ultimate wind blade. The ultimate wind blade wasn't a long distance attack, the dangerous winds only swirled around the blade of Aisuru Kaze. Ultimate wind scythe extended to my entire scythe which was what I was counting on to link chakra strings to Aisuru Kaze.
We landed in front of the Shukaku with a speed that I could barely follow. I jumped off of the Chief Toad's head and onto Shukaku's raising hand. My feet immediately began to sink, I cursed loudly sprinting up to his shoulder.
I dug my scythe down into one shoulder and took off to the other side. I was going to use the sinking sand to my advantage. I made it to the other side quickly calling forth the wind jutsu. ""Wind style: Ultimate Wind Scythe!" I yanked my scythe using almost all of my chakra to pull my scythe through the Shukaku. Aisuru Kaze had sunk pretty deep, so I had to use all of strength to pull him back to me as well. I watched as Aisuru Kaze came towards me, ripping up the Shukaku with his harsh winds. I caught Aisuru Kaze with a grunt, the brunt force throwing me off of the Shukaku. If Aisuru Kaze hadn't of knocked me off, Shukaku's falling arms definitely would have.
The wind was loud in my ears as I fell, but I could see Naruto's mouth moving as he addressed an unconscious Gaara. What the hell was he-
He headbutted him…
I rolled my eyes in exasperation. Whatever worked I guess. I chuckled quietly as my hair whipped around my face, thanking the dragons that my hair was soft and fluffy like. I closed my eyes since the rate at which I was falling was making my eyes water from the wind. I was also flailing through the air at an awkward angle. I didn't even notice Chief Toad reaching for me until the last moment I opened my eyes once more, I knew he was occupied with the Shukaku so I didn't even think about him catching me.
Branches and twigs snapped loudly as I descended into the trees; not a single branch or large bushel of leaves attempting to slow me down. I stand corrected as I land stomach first on a sturdy branch. Blood flew past my lips, ensuring me of my internal damage. The copper taste almost unbearable to my sensitive palette.
I black out for only a moment, or what I assume is a moment. I open my eyes to a blue sky instead of the dirt I was previously facing. My eyes finally focus on Chief Toad as he gently places me on the ground a little ways away from Naruto.
"Yer' one stupid little girl...but ya got guts so I'll give ya that. I hope there won't be anymore battles like this, brats," and with that the Chief Toad disappeared leaving a cloud of smoke in his wake.
"K-Kabocha...I was so worried." Naruto stuttered out look at me as he laid on his stomach near Gaara. I finally noticed that he was awake, and with his two siblings standing near him. Both of them looking worse for wear...Temari more so. The dark part of me giggled at the thought.
"Kabocha…"
"Gaara." I countered making eye contact with Gaara. His pretty turquoise eyes not leaving my golden eyes for a second.
"I'm sorr-" I clicked my tongue, cutting him off with a smirk. "You don't have to be sorry, Gaara. Nothing to forgive since it wasn't even you that attacked me. I'm not foolish enough to blame you." Gaara's eyes widened and he look away from me. Everyone seemed confused until they looked at my left arm.
"You...you did that to her." Naruto said through gritted teeth, and I thought that Gaara actually flinched a little. "No, Naru-nii. The Shukaku took over his body." I explained and Naruto seemed to calm down.
"That in the forest...I was….compelled to come find you. The Shukaku was leading me to your location...thinking that I wanted to harm you but I don't think that's what I wanted. There was this odd feeling and a pull...I don't understand." I felt sympathy for him because of how frustrated he sounded. I knew he felt lost since he never explored his emotions.
"There's a few different reasons for that Gaara...there are two really important ones. I will share one with you now, and the other some other time. The main reason is because you like me. Plain and simple. You enjoyed the time we spent together and I did too. You can say we're friends Gaara." I smiled gently at him now that he was looking at me again.
"Friends?" Gaara questioned looking from me to Naruto. Naruto blinked and then blinded us with a grin. "Believe it!" He said loudly but not as loud as he usually did. I knew he was tired and so was I. This entire ordeal has been tiring.
I sounded like Shikamaru…
"Temari, Kankuro, let's go home." Gaara said with a contemplative look. He seemed to be pondering what I said. I also assumed Naruto had said something to him as well before I came along courtesy of the Chief Toad. Gaara looked at us one more time before he disappeared with his siblings, and I definitely didn't miss the look Temari threw my way. It almost felt like she wanted to kick me while I was down..
I prayed to the dragons that she fucking would.
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"Oi! Wake up, boss!" I couldn't distinguish the voice currently shouting at me, but I definitely heard the commotion it caused.
"Would you shut up! Who the hell are you anyway!?" Another voice shouted in outrage. I don't know how long I've been resting, but maybe if I pretend to be asleep they'll go away. I would like to be conscious with peace and quiet for a little bit...not even for a little while just a bit.
"What a drag. If you two are going to yell get out." I definitely knew who that was. Now, I wanted to wake up regardless of the noise.
"You heard my guard dog. Shut up or get out." I croaked out, I cringed internally at what my voice sounded like. Just how long had I been unconscious.
"Not a guard dog, just an annoyed boyfriend. I've been putting up with this for the last three weeks." I finally opened my eyes to look over at my boyfriend. I felt my lips crack slightly from my grin because my lips were dry.
"Boyfriend, huh?I know you said you've been putting up with them for three weeks. Is that how long I've been unconscious?" I squeaked and then moaned when someone helped give me water. I was more than likely dehydrated. I furrowed my brows and looked to the other side of my bed. Ryu sat quietly and poised as ever, I didn't even notice him.
"How're you doing, little cousin. You are correct. You have been unconscious for three weeks." Ryu asked with his soothing, timber voice.
"Cousin?" Naruto questioned looking at Ryu and then Rai as Rai sang "Kabocha and Shikamaru sitting in a tree" behind him.
"Guilty." Ryu said with his dry humor making me snort. "I can't believe you didn't realize that yet, Naruto. All three of them have the exact same eyes." Shikamaru sighed in a tired manner.
"Oh, I get it!" Naruto said in triumph. Shikamaru shook his head and closed his eyes in disbelief. I could see in Ryu's eyes that he was also disbelieving of Naruto's obtuseness.
"Boss, your friend really is one rice ball short of a full meal." Rai said clicking his tongue and shaking his head of wild red hair. "What did you say?!" Naruto bellowed giving me a headache.
"It seems that he is deaf as well." Ryu mumbled so Naruto wouldn't hear, but I certainly did and I guwaffed as soon as I heard his sassy comment. Naruto and Rai began to argue loudly all over again.
"I didn't know you had any cousins." Shikamaru stated and I looked away from Ryu to watch his expressions.
"I have six cousins, not including their parents, but with them included I have ten cousins on my father's side. I heard my momma briefly mention that she has a niece and nephew from an older sibling in Kirigakure, however, we don't speak to them." I gave a slight shrug since I was stiff, but at least I wasn't feeling any pain.
"I also wasn't aware that your mother had any other siblings outside of Hikari." I could see the gears turning in Shikamaru's head. Ryu was also confused, even Rai had quieted down to listen.
"Don't worry about it guys, I found out when I was really little and haven't thought about it since. What the hell happened to you, Naruto?" I asked finally sitting up with assistance from both Ryu and Shikamaru.
"It's nothing. There was a fight trying to get the new Hokage to-"
"New Hokage?" I questioned watching everyone in the room tense up. "What happened to Sarutobi-sama?" I demanded from the males in the room. All of them looked like they swallowed their tongues.
"Lord Hokage died while fighting one of the legendary sannin: Orochimaru. There was a mass burial service for all of the leaf shinobi lost during the battle two weeks ago." Shikamaru explained making my breath hitch, being unconscious was really a drag.
"O-okay. Who is the new Hokage? Did the Lava village perform funeral services?" I asked scared of what kind of person the new leader of the hidden leaf is, and fearing for how many lava shinovi were lost.
"Some lady named Tsunade, heard that she is another sannin and student of Sarutobi-sama. We were waiting for you to wake up before we performed the funeral service? Rai told me since everyone seemed to caught up in their thoughts, I nodded at him in thanks.
"Where are Shosha and Kina? Gorudo? Hikari?" I asked shifting my body to prepare to stand. All of them rushing towards me to either stop me or help me, I wasn't sure, so I held my hand up to prevent them getting any closer.
"Shosha is back in the Lava village performing diplomatic duties in Gorudo's place. Hikari is currently the stand-in general until you return. I heard that Gorudo was having intense meetings with the new Hokage; apparently they're not seeing eye to eye. Kina has been in here everyday to oversee your recovery." Rai explained shuffling through a bag and pulling out a dress. I scrunched my nose and turned away from him, I wanted pants not a dress.
Something hit me in the back of the head, and I almost fell because of it. "Don't do that!" I heard Shikamaru reprimand loudly at, who I assumed was Rai, as Ryu steadied me. Rai and Naruto laughed loudly at me ignoring Shikamaru.
"Here." Ryu said simply handing me the strapless dress and shoes. "You threw shoes at me too!" I turned around and yelled at Rai making him 'eep' and hide behind Shikamaru. He chose Shikamaru as a shield instead of Naruto because he knew I would tackle him and Naruto both. I was a little less inclined to tackle Maru-kun.
"All of you get out so I can change." The words barely left my mouth as Rai and Naruto fell over each other to exit the room. Ryu followed them out at a more leisure pace, sharing a meaningful look with Shikamaru, which confused me.
"What was that all about?" I asked after Shikamaru shut the door. "And why aren't you leaving?" I almost stuttered as he took the dress and shoes from me and sat them both on the bed.
"Nothing. He just knew I was going to stay and help you get dressed. That's why I'm not leaving." I blushed as Shikamaru came to stand in front of me expectantly.
"I-I can dress and undress myself. Who u-undresses me anyway!?" I began to panic. Shikamaru had never seen me naked nor I him. I was feeling very self conscious.
"Kina undressed you and redressed you in this." He said flicking the sleeve to my hospital shirt. Ugh, this was really about to happen wasn't it. "Don't worry. I'll be seeing all of you someday anyway. What's it matter if it's a little sooner?" Shikamaru smirked at me easing my nerves with his playfulness.
"What an enormous assumption." I laughed as he played with the hem of my shirt making me freeze. He began to lift my shirt up and over my head while I hesitantly assisted by raising my arms above my head. "I'm not an invalid. You don't have to do all of the work." I mumbled, fighting the urge to cover my breast. Shikamaru's staring wasn't doing me any favors either.
"What a drag…" Shikamaru sighed almost dreamily, his eyes glazing over. "What?" I asked defensively as he raised his hands to my pants.
"Maybe I should've went to get Kina...I'm having a hard time controlling myself. You're so beautiful." He whispered almost more to himself than to me. All of my doubts left at his sweet statement.
"Too bad the first time you see me naked we can't do anything." I shrug playful, pushing his wands away and my pants down my legs; thanking Kina for putting underwear on me.
"Trust me, the next time your naked in front of me I won't be so controlled." He practically growled pinching my right nipple to punish me for my teasing. I gasped, smacking his hand with a loud laugh.
He got the dress for me, but not really since he kept moving it out of reach so he could stare at me some more. I was incredibly stiff from my unused muscles, and I was becoming frustrated with my lack of coordination and speed. I finally took a full step towards him, regardless of my protesting muscles, and placed my almost completely naked body flush against him. Now, it was his turn to gasp. I snatched the dress away and slipped it on quickly, laughing as he scowled at me.
I sat down on the bed and groaned thinking about bending over to put on the flat, plain grey flats. "Here, troublesome woman." Shikamaru took the shoes from me, getting on his knees and placing the shoes on my feet.
"Such a gentleman." I blushed at the beautiful smile he gave me. He took in the way my figure looked in the royal blue dress that contrasted greatly with my orange hair. The dress from my hips up was form fitting, flowed away at my hips, and stopped three inches above my knee.
"Just as beautiful with clothes on." He told me, standing to tuck a curl behind my ear. I was going to pass out from all of his flirting.
"M-maru-kun." I raised a clawed hand to cover some of my blush making him chuckle.
"Is there anything else you need me to do before I go find Kina and your cousins?" He asked, I considered him for a moment and remembered a thought I had filed away for later.
"Could you bring me some food, please? I'm starving." I asked leaning up to kiss his lips, but right before I did I made me real request.
I whispered against his soft, "bring me Kakashi Hatake."
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: Hey, Nixie! Thank you so much for choosing a side! I'm sure your excited to know that Neji's story will be first! (:
Miep42: I love Gaara so much and I had a lot planned for Gaara's bodyguard since she's an unknown Senju! I'm happy you like Kabocha, too! I don't think any character I create will be as complicated as Kabocha and her family lol. Gaara will still be getting a story because between you and me *whispers* Gaara will always win. (;
Deviliciouskitty: Hey, Kitty! I love hearing from you and thank you for picking a side! Gaara only lost by one vote! )': HOWEVER, he will still be getting a story. My love for Gaara is unparalleled lol. Their little love fest is definitely going to get tested in the future. This won't be any typical story all sunshine and rainbows; some real issues will arise in Shippuden. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on those situations!
Mangafreak1997: Helloo, Manga! I have been patiently waiting to read your thoughts about the little snippets I gave! Our boy Neji has won the contest! I'm not sure if there are any HyguaxUchiha stories out here, and I want to be the first! Well at least first for Neji falling in love with an Uchiha! I am also ecstatic that I have a person to bounce ideas off of, no one has ever offered, so I've been talking to myself and writing on paper lmao. I will definitely be taking you up on your offer! Do you happen to know anything about betas? Do you beta? I just really need an editor! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter and the upcoming altercation with Ino and Kakashi! (;