A/N: WOOOAHH, TEN REVIEWS! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! This chapter is a little short because I have an important announcement I wanted to get out to you all. Okay guys! Please leave a review on what kind of chapter you would like for the valentine's day special! You have two options to choose from either: A) Tamer AU; the AU will be a huge surprise OR B) Kabocha experiences heat on Valentine's day. I need to start working on it right away so let me know what you guys want! Please enjoy!
Thank you for the favorite and/or follow: Zaremun, Dragon83, and Momochan19
Liar, Liar
*Kabocha POV*
"Good morning, Lady Tsunade." I was a little surprised that I was able to disarm her, judging by the way she jumped awake…
I was surrounded by the leaf's ANBU at a moment's notice, but the three cloaked men and one woman did not phase me in the slightest. I continue to stare at the now awake and pissed off looking Hokage. The hostility that the ANBU was directing at me was making my skin prickle in anticipation.
"How'd the hell did you get in here? More importantly, how did you even breach the barrier without tripping any alarms?" The woman before me bellowed, slamming her hand down on her desk. Temper, temper…
"That would be my new abilities, at which, I am not obligated to discuss with you." I knew I was treading in dangerous waters with this woman. I was essentially poking a hungry animal with a steak around my neck in reference to my blatant disregard for showing her respect. I was taking a page out of Kakashi Hatake's book: respect was earned, not given.
"Why you little brat!" Kabocha watched a vein become prominent in the older woman's forehead.
"Would you like us to detain her, Lady Tsunade?" The woman with purple hair behind me asked, and I tensed my entire body for a fight. I had no doubt that I could take the ANBU surrounding me, however, I was a little skeptical of the fiery, new Hokage in front of me.
"That would be most unwise. I am only here to say my peace, and then I will leave if your Hokage wishes." I switched to the more diplomatic route, having to bite back my ire for this woman.
"Fine. All of you out." She finally conceded after looking me over for a long moment, and during that long moment I stared her down as well.
"Yes, ma'am." The ANBU poofed away making me wave my hand in annoyance.
"Sit." She demanded, pointing to a seat in front of her desk. I didn't move at her beck and call which proved to irritate her further.
"I said sit down!" Lady Tsunade was screaming once again. I only blinked at her unnecessary volume, her shouting was grating on my sensitive hearing.
"I prefer to stand, thank you. I have no intentions of taking up more of your time than necessary." I explained and her scowl remained but she nodded begrudgingly. She chose to sit down as she observed me once more.
"What is you want?" She asked tapping her fingers on her desk which was serving to also irritate me but she would never know that.
"I'm here on behalf of my coronation ceremony that is also doubling as a formal choosing of a husband for me. Invitations have been sent out all over the world, but Konoha was the only village to receive two invitations." The more I explained the more she looked puzzled...and pissed off again.
"What? Why wasn't I notified of this?" I smirked internally, it looks like my hunch was correct. I now had a leg up on my father for once.
"I am not surprised that my father didn't notify you of the coming events considering the now rocky relationship between the Lava and the Leaf." I shrugged coming forward to finally take a seat, I wanted her to relax and listen carefully. I crossed my long legs, leaning back, and placing my hands on my knees.
"I see. Who were the clans that your father chose in your absence?"
Check mate.
"Initially only the Hyuga clan was chosen, but my uncle was able to...extend an invitation to the Nara clan." I now had her full attention.
"Hm." She hummed, intertwining her fingers in thought. "Why wouldn't he send the Nara clan an invitation? Shikamaru Nara has been courting you for years, hasn't he? The reports that Hiruzen left say exactly that."
"Formally, no. Things are done differently in my village. He would have to go through my momma for permission, but since my momma is dead my father has taken it upon himself to choose a husband for me on a power basis. The Nara clan wouldn't provide any form of leverage for him. Originally I was to marry Sasuke Uchiha, but that fell through because of the massacre of the entire Uchiha clan. I'm positive he's leaning towards Lord Kazekage or Neji Hyuga." I explained in truth since there was no reason to lie...yet. I was also a bit perturbed that Sarutobi-sama kept a record of Shikamaru and I's relationship status.
"I would also like to know why Sarutobi-sama kept a record of the relationship that I have with Shikamaru?"
"Classified." She told me with a straight face, and I felt my indifferent mask twitch in annoyance.
"That's funny considering all of the classified information I shared with you out of the goodness of my heart. The relationship formed by marriage will impact this village in an enormous way. Dealings are happening all around you, Lady Tsunade, and you are none the wiser. You will either be gaining a powerful ally or making a formidable enemy-"
"Is that a threat?!"
"Call it what you will!" I bellowed in anger, smoke rising past my parted lips. ANBU had returned to the room in an instant. "I will not be interrupted again." I told her through gritted teeth, watching as as she fumed.
"You will not make passing threats to the safety of my village and leave this room unscathed." She was now on her feet, and I made no move to stand to my own feet just yet. I titled my head up an inch to look at her face.
"You will not make a threat to the Princess and general of another growing nation and think I will simply take it sitting down." I rose to my feet slowly, skin prickling from the tensing of everyone in the room. "I was not making a threat towards this village, it was a warning. You are surrounded by enemies, most of them are in your own village." I hissed and her eyes widened.
"What!? Who are you referring to!?"
"Classified." I told her with a vicious smirk, and the scowl on her face was deeper than any other I had seen.
"You little brat." She laughed scornfully, and I laughed as well except full of mirth.
"That may be true, but you're underestimating me, Lady Tsunade. I have lead an entire nation's military power since I was fourteen. I am first in line to lead my nation, so I know how to play this game. My country has never seen a war, however, I will lead them into war and back out if I have to. I make the same decisions you do regardless of my age." I explained and her eyes softened, confusing the hell out of me. She was looking at me in a different way; like she no longer regarded me as a threat.
"Your nothing but a child." She sighed, shaking her head with a smile. "Technically, I'm an adult now. My birthday just passed a month ago, I'm officially eighteen." She rolled her eyes at my technicality.
"Your still a child compared to my age." She huffed before assessing me once again. "I must say...out of all the things I've heard about you, you're not that far off from description minus your height. Your much taller in person." I fought the urge to roll my eyes, of course she would have heard of me.
"Mostly good things I hope, I'm not going to say 'all good things I hope' considering I've rubbed a good number of people the wrong way." I shrugged lightly.
"Kakashi Hatake is indifferent towards you...more on the not liking you. He finds you entitled and arrogant. The Hyugas find you respectful, the Naras adore you, Asuma Sarutobi finds you dangerous, and Gaara himself gave you nothing but praise." I couldn't hide my shock at her expressing the reports that were given to her about me.
"I'm surprised you told me all of that." I told her quietly.
"Yes, well, I seem to understand you somewhat now." She told me with a smirk and then looked at the Anbu surrounding me, she gave them a nod and they disappeared once more.
"Oh? I'm that easy to figure out? All that training for nothing." I said sarcastically and she laughed.
"There's nothing wrong with the results of your training. I just understand that you want Shikamaru Nara as your fiance, and you want to establish ties to the village again through me. I commend you for going to such great lengths for you and Shikamaru's happiness." I blushed, looking away with a smile. The thought of having Shikamaru as my fiance…
"Let's just say I'm a woman for young love. There's so much fighting and conniving plans, and your only here to win Shikamaru over, right?" She squinted her eyes as me, and I became serious once again. I forgoed words in favor of nodding in the affirmative.
"Then you want to make a deal of some sort, right?"
"That was the plan." I shrugged again feeling nonchalant, no longer feeling the need to pounce.
"Alright. I guess we can come to some sort of agreement. What are your terms?" I faked a sheepish look at her question.
"I'm not quite sure considering I didn't think I'd get this far." She gave me a soft smile and I grinned internally at my acting skills.
"How about I give you some terms, and we'll adjust them as we go. Does that sound alright?" I nodded, sitting the same time she did.
"I will grant you a visa to come in and out of the village, but you have to see me every time you enter and leave the village. You will also have one ANBU follow you everywhere you go unless your with Shikamaru Nara or Naruto Uzumaki. Since, I am giving you free reign I would like to do an examination on your left arm as well as watch a sparring match with a person of my choosing so that I get a feel for your abilities." I blinked feeling fury bubble in my lower stomach, however, outwardly I remained calm.
"That's very generous of you, and I will agree with all of your terms except the examination of my left arm will also have conditions. You are not allowed to take any samples of any kind from me or my arm. You are also to be the only one present during the examination. I will wear a hospital gown, my undergarments will stay on, and the exam is not to last longer than three minutes. I would also like a visa extended to my teammates Kanpekina Hana and Shosha Kasai, the terms that were given for my stay can also apply to them. I am okay with the sparring match except I would like it to be under an hour or until someone yields." She hummed, taking in all of what I said.
"We have an agreement." She told me, holding out her hand for me to shake and I did with my right hand. "I must say...your negotiation skills are far less aggressive than your uncle."
"He's going through a...tough time. We all are because of the passing of my momma, everyone is different." I flinched as the words passed my lips, but there was no taking them back.
"When would you like to view this sparring?" I asked trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. There was a knock at the door following my question.
"Right now." She told me with a smirk. "Come in." Lady Tsunade told the person on the other side of the door. The scent was somewhat familiar, but it was hard to place because it had been a while.
"Lady Tsunade, all of the hospital's charts have been organized like you requ- Kabocha?" I looked over my shoulder at the pink haired woman. She had grown slightly in height, and it looked like she had gained slight muscle definition. I couldn't spot anymore obvious differences, even the styling of her clothes was almost the same as three years ago.
"Ah, Sakura, right on time. I would like for you to spar with, Kabocha Kasai."
"Are you sure, M'lady?" Sakura asked with a confused scowl and I didn't contain my eye roll.
"I'm up for it if you are, Sakura." I stood to my feet again, and Lady Tsunade followed suit. I turned around fully to face her, and I watched her assess me from head to toe before she met my eyes. Her hate for me on could be seen on her face as she agreed to the spar.
"Excellent. Let's get started then." Lady Tsunade said with a easy going smile, leading both Sakura and I towards training ground three. I placed my hands in my sleeves, looking around the village to see the changes.
"This is a no holds barred fight. The only restriction being is no killing blows." Sakura nodded putting gloves out of her pouch with a determined look.
"Yes, ma'am." Sakura confirmed vocally and I just nodded. I was going over what I was going to do in my head. There were techniques that I didn't want to use because it would surely kill her, and other techniques I wanted to be kept secret in case Konoha became the enemy. I debated heavily on using my scythe, but again...didn't want to kill her.
Taijutsu it is.
"Begin!" Lady Tsunade called from across the training ground, and Sakura wasted no time in coming for me.
She moved fast, but not nearly fast enough. She came at me with her hands raised and ready to strike. I squinted my eyes slightly when she got close, she simply started throwing a flurry of punches. I dodged every single one of them, however, one strike brushed my cheek making me furrow my eyebrows in confusion. There was a stinging sensation on my check causing me to raise my hand to check and of coarse... there's blood. I looked at her hands closer seeing the outline of blue chakra. I wondered how bad it would hurt if she were to actually land a hit.
Sakura was becoming more and more frustrated since I placed my hands back in my sleeves, and continued to dodge with ease. I couldn't help but wonder if she knew any real ninjutsu now.
"Why did you even come back!?" Her question caught me off guard emotionally, but physically I continued to dodge.
"Believe it or not I have friends here, Sakura. Someone asked-"
"No you don't! Don't even say you're here for Shikamaru either because he's moved on with Temari! No one wants you here!" I blinked blandly at her accusation, I was sick of people interrupting me…
I dodged her right hook, snatching her by the wrist to yank her body against my own. However, when I attempted to yank her in my direction, mind you I was using almost all of my strength, she barely stumbled. Her angry scowl turned into a confident smirk making me narrow my eyes.
She reversed my hold, drawing me towards her body to land an incredible punch to my entire right side. She completely decimated my ribcage on my right side. My body skipped several times across the ground, finally coming to a halt because of a large, sturdy tree. Even the tree couldn't withstand the force of my body, and toppled over from the harsh impact.
I had undergone countless months of emotional training but I was feeling complete rage and begrudging respect for the strong female. I stumbled to my feet, spitting blood onto the ground as I stood in favor of my left, uninjured side. My right lung was also punctured judging by my labored breathing.
I was indifferent towards her upon seeing her for the first time in three and a half years now I was livid. I couldn't control the fire that burned deep inside, the fire encased my entire body. It burned the beautiful silk kimono leaving behind my sleeveless mesh one piece and leather binding. The kimono was made of the finest silk instead of the flame resistant material used to create the mesh and my undergarments. My left, dragon arm was now on full display.
"This kimono was a gift." I grumbled, tearing off the remaining burning pieces of the kimono. I turned my gaze away from the remains of the kimono to look at Sakura. She was staring at me in shock...maybe disgust?
"I'm happy I took a hit...now I know what you're about. How about I show you what I'm about as well?" I grinned at her and several emotions flashed over her face, the most defining of the emotions being readiness and fear.
"Release." I held two fingers in front of my chest, holding my free hand out to my side. The tattoos on my right arm slid down into my palm to create the design needed to summon my scythe. "Aisuru Kaze." I breathed out as my scythe materialized in my hand, an additional chain was tagged onto the end now.
"I was hoping you showed your true self." She sneered at me, motioning to my scaley arm. I frowned taking deep offense considering where the arm was derived from.
"I'm gonna give you praise for that punch because of the power behind it. However, you just dug your own grave, insulting a blessing given to me by the highest being in my village. I won't hold back with you anymore."
"Good." She scoffed raising her hands for hand to hand once again. I spun Aisuru Kaze slowly after transferring him to my left hand, he was causing too much strain on my left side. I was now completely ambidextrous so using my left hand wouldn't be a problem. I was more than a little annoyed at how long it was going to take my right side to heal...maybe two hours at the most. I was sacrificing a great deal of chakra to heal that damaged parts of my body. I wouldn't be able to use any high ranking jutsus for the remainder of our fight.
"Come and get me!" She screamed in fury, and I smiled at her angry. Good. That means she was wasn't going to hold back either.
"Alright." I sprinted low to the ground, Aisuru Kaze leaving a deep scar in the Earth as he dragged by my side. She looked completely taken back by my speed, and so did Lady Tsunade. I'm assuming she thought that the injuries I sustained would slow me down.
I raised Aisuru Kaze a foot away from her, letting him tumble over my wrist for a spinning effect. She barely dodge, I slashed her right cheek making her grit her teeth and cringe. She had dodged to the left, and threw her fist forward for another powerful blow.
"I don't think so." I grinned at her letting her hit me, but by then it was too late for her to notice that I my entire body from the neck down was covered in scales. I didn't need any chakra to cover just my skin in a protective layer, but if I wanted complete protection I would have to use the scales jutsu.
Her fist crashed into my solar plexus, her hand shattering upon contact; had she not been using her full strength her hand probably would have been less damaged. She let out a shriek that left my ears ringing. She flipped over me, and I allowed it, purposely lowering Aisuru so that she could go in the direction that I came from.
I looked over my shoulder before turning around to face her. I placed my hand over my solar plexus, feeling the dents and cracks that her punch had caused. I let my scales retreat, wanting to give them time to recuperate. I was probably still going to have a bruise, a bruise that I would heal in after I was done with my shattered ribs and punctured lung.
I took shallow breaths so I wouldn't agitate my healing lung. I watched Sakura try to start healing her hand, but I didn't want that...not one bit.
She didn't know that the scars that were created by my dragging Aisuru Kaze were for a reason, and she just so happened to be standing over a crack. I directed my chakra away from healing, feeling the pain full force without my chakra there healing and numbing the pain.
"Earth style: Underground Winds jutsu!" I flashed the hand signs quickly, and raised Aisuru Kaze above my head, slamming his tip into the ground. Several currents of wind began to rise out of the scars that I had created. She let out another scream in surprise, but it was too late. The dagger like winds cut her up from the ground up. She jumped back out of the dangerous winds, which was a feat in itself considering how hard the wind was to get out of.
She was covered in shallow cuts, broken hand, and was breathing heavily. "You're letting your hate for me get the best of you." I told her quietly and she looked like she wanted to kill me...or cry. I'd prefer the former.
"Why...why did you come back…and he won't?" She asked staring at the ground, and I stared at her for the longest time before putting Aisuru Kaze away.
"Secret Ninja Art: Body Seal." Aisuru Kaze faded into my palm, the binding tattoos that previously covered my arm returned.
"I didn't want you! I w-want Sasuke!" She fell to her knees not too far from me, and I could do nothing but stare as she fell apart in front of me. "I hate you! I hate you for letting him go! I hate you because you wants you! Your a monster!" Her volume was borderline shrill, and I had to strain my hearing to comprehend what she was saying.
"Get on your feet, Sakura Haruno." I demanded and she ignored me, continuing to rant about how much she hated me. I casually walked over to her, ignoring Lady Tsunade's protests.
I snatched her up by her shirt, her feet dangling slightly in the air. "Shut up." I ground out, annoyed by her shrill cries of 'Sasuke! Sasuke!'
"He may never come back, Sakura, and that has nothing to do with me. There was nothing that could have made him stay, not even I could convince him and he's infatuated with me. There was nothing that could have kept him here." I shook her slightly for good measure. She stared at me with eyes I had never seen before. I released her and she fell to her knees.
"Lady Tsunade, please take care of Sakura. If you would like me to spar with someone else I will have to politely decline. I would also like to know where the examination is to be done." I raised my voice slightly, so that she could hear me.
"No...I've seen enough." Lady Tsunade told me softly as she stared at Sakura. "The exam is to be done in room 206 at the hospital. You are welcome to go there and wait for me." She told me without looking at me, and I didn't respond. I just left her to attend to Sakura, making my way to Konoha hospital. I couldn't use the fire transportation since my chakra was being focused on healing my side again.
I made it to the hospital slower than usual, and I went straight to the exam room she described to me. I walked into the sterile room, noticing the hospital gown immediately. I sighed debating on if I really wanted to change into the gown.
It was a struggle to peel off the mesh since it was like a second skin and my side was still hurting but I managed. I left my leather binding and boy shorts on per our agreement, and sat down heavily on the hospital bed. I was so lost in thought about Sasuke, I hadn't had one thought about him since the day he left, that I hadn't heard the knock on the door.
"Kabocha?" I looked up from my hands in surprise. The Kazekage, himself, stood before me in all his glory.
"Gaara." I greeted breathlessly, and he responded with a raspy chuckle. "It is good to see you...singer." I was on my feet to meet him at the door, grasping his hands with my own and not at all surprised that his sand did not attack me.
"Your time away is certainly agreeing with you. Your voice has always been pleasant, but even more so now. Your scent is much weaker now without the Shukaku. I must admit...I miss it." I grinned at him, fighting down a blush at his blunt compliment.
"What do I smell like?" I had never bothered to ask anyone els with a heightened sense of smell, and what better person to ask than my singer.
"Cinnamon and...heat. However, now I only smell cinnamon." He told me gripping my hands lightly. He began to take steps towards me, making me back up and sit down on the hospital bed. He released my hands in favor of caging me in with his arms by placing his hands on either sides of my hips.
"You must be here for my coronation in a few days. How are you doing? Do you feel alright without him?" I questioned gripping the purple vest like piece that he was wearing as he stared down at my, but not by much since I was taller now.
"That is correct, I wanted to stop and visit Naruto before I checked into the Lava village. I am alright without him...sleeping is new. How have you been faring? Have you spoken with anyone?"
"I have been well. I have only spoken with the new Hokage, Sakura Haruno, and Shikamaru. I also have to apologize for something…" I looked away sheepishly.
"What is it?" He asked, hands twitching making his thumbs brush my gown covered hips.
"The kimono you bought for my birthday...well...it was destroyed in the heat of my anger during a sparring much that happened moments ago." I met his pretty turquoise only to see amusement.
"That is alright, I will simply buy you another." He told me simply and I tugged lightly on his vest in protest. "You don't have to do that, Gaara." He only hummed, his amused expression changing to one of concern.
"You said you spoke with Shikamaru Nara, correct?" I nodded in the affirmative, slightly confused by his change in mood.
"How did that go?" I shrugged, fighting a blush at how that conversation went. "It was fine. We're somewhat okay now."
"That's good, yet surprising to hear." He told me and I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering what he was getting at.
"What would make you say that?"
"I thought you would be more angry given the kiss that they shared..."
Crazy Devil Girl: Hey, Girl! If that gave you a heart attack I can't wait to see what you have to say about the bomb Gaara just dropped! He'll be getting more than a cold shoulder next chapter! I'm also happy that I did the smut justice. I have done smut before of varying degrees, so I fought really hard with myself on how to handle their smut scene. I guess I was a little inspired by Sasuke's outfit, you made a valid point. He'll be back, and I'm positive you'll be shocked on the why! Thank you so much for the review, always a pleasure!
Guest: YES SHE IS, MY LOVELY GUEST! Thank you for the review! This chapter is actually in the middle of summer! (You're very perceptive to think about her mating pattern;) HOWEVER, when Kabocha goes into heat, it will be nothing like the tame smut of last chapter. You were definitely not reaching, you made a valid assumption. Also, if they had sex and she's in heat, she is definitely getting pregnant! There is no way around that, but she still has a lot of fighting so not just yet! Thanks again for the review, stay tuned!
Guest: Hello there marvelous guest! I'm excited that your loving the story so far! Thank you so, so much for the encouraging review! Stay tuned for more Shikoba!
Guest: Hellooo charming guest! You hit the nail on the head with your review! He will be getting more than the silent treatment in this next chapter! There will be a lot of reactions going around, so I hope you're ready for them. Shika will be finding out what he is VERY soon! Thanks so much for the review, I hope you're ready for more drama!
LAWDgivemestrength: Hey..Lawd! Lmao I debated on how to shorten your name. Thank you so, so much for the review! !SPOILER ALERT! She was actually going to stay buuuuut the next chapter will show if she's going to or not. Your idea about her running after our Shika is an amazing one...one that I wished I considered before writing this chapter. I don't know where I would put her actually lol. It was something that I made Kabocha understand that he had to defeat Hidan and Kakuzu on his own. I am so happy that you mentioned Tsuyoi and their mother! Everything will be coming to light REALLY SOON! Thanks again for the review!
Deviliciouskitty: Hey, Kitty! OMG, I'm so sorry I hope I didn't scare you off! Please take all the time you need lol. I still super appreciate your review even though it was only a few words. I hope to see your review for this chapter because shit is about to hit the fan!
NixieNaajix: What's up, Nix! I hope I didn't scare ya' with my absence. Don't worry we will be returning to our regular scheduled updates. Always a pleasure to hear your thoughts on a chapter! Things got cleared and noooow they're blurred again! You're definitely going to get sassy pumpkin, but not in the way everyone wants! I am also ecstatic that you enjoyed their smut scene! Super hard to write on my part if I'm being honest, I just wanted to do it right! I can't wait to see your review for this chapter!
Guest: Hello my gorgeous guest! I hope you enjoyed the meeting with Tsunade! Butts are definitely going to get kicked next chapter. Stay tuned and thank you so much for the review!
Guest: Hello my beautiful guest! You just gave me an idea for next chapter since you brought up what incident was Maru-kun's mom talking about. It was definitely a serious one, and I will be bringing it up next chapter. He is definitely down playing her anger and frustration, but next chapter he will see that she means business! Stay tuned and thank you so, so much for the review!
Guest: Hey there my delightful guest, thank you so much for the review! I'm happy you're enjoying the story so far! Stay tuned for more Shikoba!