Naruto: A Little Help


Author's Notes: Just some minor tweaking in this one. Nothing important got changed.


Chapter 5: Brewing Trouble

"What!?", I exclaimed at my blonde friend, "You have a new apartment?"

"Not so loud!", Naruto yelled back.

"Why didn't you tell us before? We were planning on paying you a visit. It would have been a waste of time if we didn't find you there.", said Sasuke matter-of-factly.

"I just got the keys this morning. Even I didn't know my apartment was being transferred. I just found parents of one of the bullies and they led me to the new place.", replied Naruto.

We three were sitting on a bench in the playground. It was recess time so we were eating lunch alongside a shy Hinata. Her occasional glances at Naruto gave me a sense of relief. She had fallen for him. That's at least acceptable.

Naruto was being quite elusive and quiet today in class, so Sasuke and I pressed him to reveal details. The revelation was a shock to both of us bar Hinata, whom I had dragged to eat with us. To think just a bit of change can have so expansive consequences.

This filled me with dread. This meant that from now on I will be walking in blind for whatever was coming next. It was like a blind play-through in a video game where you don't know the out-come of your choices. And this fit the situation perfectly.

"So, you going to tell mom about it?", I asked him.

"Of course. I even have a couple of documents that I want her to read over before I sign them.", was his reply.

"When are we getting a tour?", asked my Uchiha friend.

"Right after the classes are over."

Hinata wasn't sure when to join the conversation or what should she even say about the matter. I noticed her uneasiness and tried to change the subject to something she will have less trouble speaking about.

"Hinata-chan, this is Naruto. You remember him, right?", I asked the blue haired girl.

"Y-yes, I-I remember h-him" was her shaky reply, "Thank you for saving me Naruto-san." She turned to Naruto and bowed.

"Oi! Don't be so formal. Call me Naruto.", he said, "And you are welcome. Though, anyone would've done the same thing."

Hinata remained silent. I wanted her to know what was going on since she was directly involved in this.

"Those bullies that were trying to hurt you?", I tried to remind her without making her feel guilty, "Their parents have given Naruto an apartment. They didn't know who their children had messed with, namely you, so they have sort of bribed Naruto here, to keep his mouth shut."

Even though this was stark clear by what Naruto has told us, I still felt like an explanation was required. This had the expected effect as her pale eyes bulged.

"Wh-what?"

"Think about it. If Naruto told your parents about the bullies, they along with their parents would be punished, harshly.", I began explaining in further details, "You may think your father is a cold person but I can tell he would sacrifice himself to see you happy, or he would murder anyone who tried to hurt you. What would have happened if he found out about that?"

Understanding dawned on Hinata and I saw her shiver slightly, probably imagining the fate of the perpetrators. She was kind like that. Wouldn't even want her enemy to get hurt.

"I know. We three are going to get Ramen then we are going to see Naruto's new home. Wanna come?", I inquired hopefully.

The other girl thought about it and then her expression became solemn. "I'm sorry. Father wouldn't allow me."

I was about to reply when Naruto spoke up with his boisterous attitude, "Don't worry, Hinata-chan. We will ask your father for you! I'm sure he would allow it, dattebayo!"

Hinata turned pink and both Sasuke and I noticed it. The only one who didn't was Naruto who continued to give her a bright cheerful smile.

Sensing that she might pass out any second now I changed the subject. We chatted about menial stuff until the bell rang signalling the end of recess.

X-X

We were all making our way out of the gate as a group when we noticed Hiashi-san, standing by the iron gate. His stoic expression gave way to a slightly surprised one at seeing Hinata with friends. We approached him and bowed in greeting, except for Naruto who bowed to make his request.

"Please allow Hinata-chan to go out with us for Ramen, dattebayo!", his words could have easily contained a different meaning, but he got a pass since he was just a 5 year old, and we were going out as a group.

"Hinata has training today earlier than usual. I'm afraid she might not be available to join you.", replied Hiashi stoically.

"Oh come on.", drawled the blonde, "You can come with us. My treat, dattebayo!", said Naruto.

I was about to slap him on the back of is head for such a rude comment and even ruder request to a Clan Head, but Uncle Hiashi had different plans.

"Alright. I accept."

This was an unexpected turn of events. All three of us had shocked expressions. This knucklehead's innocent charm had worked.

"F-father, a-are you s-sure?", asked hesitant girl, "D-don't you have any meetings or a-appointments today?"

"I do, but they can wait. I just want to get to know my daughter's… boisterous friends.", he replied as he scanned over all three of us one-by-one.

"See Hinata-chan? I told you he is a big softly under that stoic demeanour.", I said teasingly.

Uncle Hiashi must have understood what I was doing there, so he remained silent.

"Hiashi-san, It's an honour to accompany you today.", said Sasuke respectfully, gaining a nod in answer.

We made our way to Ichiraku Ramen. Seriously, that was good. No wonder Naruto is addicted to this.

X-X

We four were climbing the final stairs to Naruto's apartment and making small talk along the way.

"Seriously. I didn't know Ramen was this expensive. Especially when you are treating a party of five, including yourself. I had to cut down my own bowls just to pay for everyone else. And now I am broke, dattebayo!"

All the way Naruto has been complaining about paying for everyone's bowl. He had confidently said that this was his celebratory treat for obtaining his new apartment. He had to pay for all of us with his monthly stipend he gained from the Hokage. I felt a bit bad and wanted to pay more than half of it, but decided against it. Just to teach him he should be more responsible with his money.

Immediately after we had finished our meal Uncle Hiashi had excused himself and told Hinata that Ko, her bodyguard, would come to pick her up. The way he said that made me think that he was delaying something important, either out of fear for his daughter or to annoy some clan elders. Knowing him, it might be both. Two birds with one stone.

Reaching the gate, the blonde took out a bunch of keys and picked one and turned the lock. Entering the place I was mesmerised by the simple beauty of it. It was quite barren and required a bit of homely touch. But it was still better than the apartment he was being given by the Third.

"Nice…" was what I said.

"Pretty good.", was what Sasuke said.

"I-it looks l-lovely.", was what Hinata said.

"I have two extra copies of my new home, so I want both of you to have one.", our blonde friend said to Sasuke and I, extending two copies of the key to his apartment. We each took one and pocketed it. "I'm giving you these because, knowing myself, I might forget my keys and lock myself out. Also, so that you guys can come and go as you like. Just don't touch my stuff or enter my bedroom, without permission."

All three of us chuckled at the face Naruto made at the last sentence.

X-X

Upon a mountain surrounded by a large village, there sat a home at the side of it. It was a small homely place. Inside were two people staring each other down. Both of them had long flowing blonde hair. Both of them had jet black eyes, a blue kimono shirt with white lining, brown shorts, and black flip flops. The only difference between he two was that one was a fourteen year old male and the other was a fourteen year old female.

It was not difficult to see they were twins. It was also not very difficult to see both had hate in their eyes. It was also not difficult to see, that hate was just facade they had built up to hide their concern for each other.

The male was named Deidara and the female was named Reidara. Both of them loved explosions.

The reason of their silent glaring fight was that they disagreed on a sealing method to create bigger explosions.

"I'm telling you a three circle seal added to the base explosive tag would create a much bigger explosion.", said the male.

"And I'm telling you that it will not work. The explosive tags are already primed and ready. Putting a seal on top of a primed seal is foolish. We should copy the seal and add the reservoir strokes in the base formula to create bigger explosions, since the chakra stored in those strokes will explode independently of the base seal. We can have mini explosions happen at the same instant as the base one.", said the female, who clearly had taken all the brain cell chromosomes among the two.

"Argh! You don't get it. Those 'mini explosions', as you like to call it, won't work because the main explosion would be big enough."

"If you wanna blow up your hand while writing a seal on top of the primed one, then be my guest."

"Like you know about sealing!"

"I do know about sealing because I actually paid attention during the period."

"Of course, you would pay attention during the period. You are a girl after all."

"You take that back, you insufferable swine. One shouldn't talk to a lady about her menstrual cycle."

"Don't flatter yourself now, sis. Like you would qualify as a lady."

"That's not important! What's important is that you don't lose your arm when a failed seal backfires!"

"How about this then? You do yours and I do mine and see who's idea is better."

"I won't let you. You will get hurt, you idiot! I don't want a liability on my team."

"Then we can't keep fighting like this. The art of an explosion isn't something to be discarded just because we disagree on the seals!"

Both of them glared at each other some more before the girl sigh resignedly.

"Alright, you punk. Here's how we are gonna go with your idea. Create a Mud Clone and have it write on the seal. Give it enough chakra that will allow the explosion to go off."

"Fine! I'll show you my idea is better!" replied the blonde male.

Five minutes of fiddling and pre-mature explosion of the seal and a destroyed Mud Clone later, we find both of them sitting right where they were, with a grumpy boy and a smug looking girl.

"I told you."

"It was a big explosion, at the very least."

"Its no good if it isn't controlled. It exploded pre-maturely and it even destroyed the writer. That's suicide."

"At least it was big."

"Stop whining like a child!" she exclaimed before taking out an explosive tag, which was a little different than the usual one. "Look here! While you were devising a suicide bomb I made my idea of the seal. I have even put the required chakra in the reservoir."

"Why don't you give it a try. I doubt it will trump my art."

"Outside. Now.", the duo made their way to the training ground that was at the peak of the mountain, which wasn't the highest peak in the region, mind you.

The girl set up her explosive tag in the middle of the field and walked back close to five hundred metres. Her brother was surprised to see her this cautious, but silently decided to follow her to that distance as well. When both of them were at a relatively safe distance, the girl put up one hand in front of her chest in a two fingered seal, "Katsu!", she yelled right afterwards.

Immediately following that command, the seal lit up in a blaze of fire, rapidly expanding to cover well over 200 metres. The siblings were watching the show while shielding their faces from the flying debris. Deidara was dumbstruck from his sister's ingenious seal. He was surprised that she could make a seal this well. Reidara on the other hand had an inquisitive look in her eyes, silently questioning the actual mechanism of the seal.

Deidara looked to his side to his sister and curiously asked, "What the hell are you thinking right now? You beat me, isn't that enough?"

Reidara looked towards her brother and gave him a deadpan, "Were we competing in the first place?"

"Answer the question, damn it!"

"Agh. I was thinking as to why this explosion was bigger than expected. It was either the placement of the reservoirs or maybe it was the amount of chakra they contain…", she then began muttering inaudibly, which made her brother's left eye twitch in frustration.

"Stop that!"

"Shut the fuck up, loser! Let me think for a damn minute."

A few moments of silence passed. Then she spoke, "I've got it! The explosion can be even bigger if we use numerous smaller reservoir strokes rather than few larger ones."

"Epiphany!"

"Shut up!"

The duo then began making their way towards their home in contemplative silence.

'Let's think things through,' thought Reidara, 'I suddenly got the memories of another person from another world. An assassin, no less. Her experiences gave me much needed knowledge and it has improved my understandings of life. However, in her mind I should ave been taken over by her. She should've been living as me. But that did not happen. I think it has something to do with the wizard tricking her in his last attempt at a huge Fuck You. Regardless, I have her memories now which will allow me to become a damn good detonation expert and a far more reliable Kunoichi.'

'Damn. I am no good with seals.', thought Deidara dejectedly, 'I have to find another way of wining over her art of the explosion. Maybe I can infuse clay with explosive chakra. It would have to be pure clay, though.'

'This brother of mine is reckless and might end up dead sooner than most. Through his own mistakes. Nonetheless, I have to make sure I protect him when the time comes. What would he say about becoming a team of two when we make Chunin?'

'I will show her! She thinks she can lord over me and keep me safe. I will be the one bailing her out of dangerous situations. I will prove it to her.'

Their thoughts were much the same regarding each other. Though they had their own way of showing they care. They will become the strongest detonation experts in Iwagakure. [The Author] wills it so.

X-X

"Hmm…", Yua was reading through the documents Naruto had brought for her. It seemed okay and there weren't any points to the rent agreement which would hurt him in the long run. It was almost like the landlords were just handing the place over to him. She closed the folder and regarded Naruto with kindness, "All is well in this. You can go ahead and sign them. Do you have our signature or do you want me to help you make one?"

"I didn't think about it! I have to make my own signature. Thank you for the help, aunty!", replied Naruto loudly.

"Don't mention it.", she said before narrowing her eyes inquisitively, "Now would you tell me how you acquired such a place?"

"Well… Uh…", the blonde was looking guilty, glancing at his three friends as if to ask permission.

Ichika and Sasuke, were thinking about what to do in this case when Hinata spoke up, "Um, Naruto-kun saved me from some b-bullies…"

Yua turned to the pale eyed girl, "So, your father gave it to him as a gift?"

"N-no… You see…", the girl looked like she was about to start her waterfalls, feeling the guilt of being weak, "W-when I was getting bullied, I-ichika-chan and Na-Naruto-kun saved me and beat those bullies up. Y-yesterday Naruto-kun was in the hospital because they attacked N-Naruto-kun.", seeing the elder woman's nod she continued, "Naruto-kun told us that H-hokage-sama had called their parents and told them what their children did. He said that the parents were h-h-horrified at their kids actions and Hokage-sama told them to keep quiet about the s-situation if they know what's good for them. As a sort of bribe for N-Naruto-kun's continued silence they gave Naruto-kun their apartment."

Yua's eyelids were wide open and her eyebrows were stretched up to her hairline. To think Hokage-sama would make such an underhanded move was something of a shock. "So, that means I shouldn't tell your parents about it?, asked Yua curiously.

"P-please don't!", said Hinata quickly, "They will punish them harshly. And I don't want Na-Naruto-kun to lose his newly acquired residence."

Yua chuckled at that. "Relax, Hinata-chan. I was just joking."

The pale eyed girl looked relieved at that. Ichika took that moment to ask her question to her mother. "So, why did you call us here, mom?"

Fukushima brought in glasses of orange juice and placed them in front of the children, who bowed in gratitude as one. Yua motioned her surrogate daughter to sit with her and she complied. "The reason as to why I called everyone here is that Hokage-sama has offered me a place in the civilian council. He said that Fugaku-san and Shikaku-san has vouched for me."

"Really!?", exclaimed Ichika, which came out as more of a shocked statement than she intended.

"Yes! I may be the owner of Konoha's best travelling merchants company, but I am not always looking after them. Genzo takes care of that. And frankly I had too much time on my hand, so I accepted it. I can do more good than just sitting in my home all day."

"That is a good decision, mother.", said Fukushima, who never interrupted a family conversation before, "You were putting on a bit of weight."

The occupants of the room laughed heartily at that remark, which had the added effect of the cordial servant-turned-daughter's first ever quip. Yua looked like she was a bit embarrassed but still laughed alongside the children, never one to be a party pooper.

When the laughter died down, Yua cleared her throat, turning serious. "Listen here, you three." She addressed Ichika, Naruto and Sasuke, "Now that I am part of the civilian council, I don't want to hear complaints against you. It would look bad for the children of a council member to be brought to question for their inappropriate actions."

All three of them nodded to show they understood, even though Sasuke was not technically her child but smart enough to not mention it.

Then Yua turned to the blue haired girl, "Hinata-chan, if you need help with anything at all, you have to but ask me. And please try not get dragged in their stupidity.", she motioned at the other children.

"We are not stupid!", yelled a stupid blonde.

"You better watch that mouth of yours, you blonde ass! That's mother you are talking to.", said Ichika in response to the Jinchuuriki.

Naruto turned guilty and looked down. The rest of them giggled at this.

"Don't worry, sweetie. I know how to handle rude little boys.", replied the woman, with a deathly sweet smile. To which Naruto turned pale.

"I'm sorry!", he said quickly with a deep bow.

"Are you going to stay here, Sasuke?", the mother turned towards the Uchiha, dismissing Naruto as if nothing happened.

"No. I have to get back home and prepare for father's test. I have to pass the rite if I wanna wear the Clan symbol on my back.", the raven haired kid replied.

"That means you can perform Fireball Jutsu?"

"Yes. Brother taught me just yesterday."

"That's not fair!", cried Ichika, "Why does he get to use cool Jutsu and I can't?"

"Because he is an Uchiha. They are trained since birth to be above average in every regard.", replied Yua patiently.

"It's still not fair…" grumbled Ichika.

"Um… I have to get back to m-my h-home. I sh-shall take my leave.", interjected Hinata, standing up and bowing to everyone respectfully.

Fukushima stood up and smiled at the girl. "Shall I escort you?", she asked.

"Th-that's alright. Ko-san has come to take me home and he is waiting outside."

"You have unlocked your Byakugan?", asked an incredulous Ichika.

"Y-yes. Mother taught me how to before I joined the academy.", replied Hinata.

"Even more unfairness. I am surrounded by injustice!", Ichika exclaimed.

Everyone, even Hinata, giggled at her grumbling.

"I-I shall take my leave then." said Hinata with one last bow and walked to the front door.

When she left everyone went to the dining room after talking for a bit and Fukushima laid out the meal with Ichika's help.

"Ichika.", said Yua, gaining her daughter's attention, "Once the academy teaches you how to unlock your chakra, I will lift your punishment."

The girl turned ecstatic at that and beamed at her mother, "Really!?"

"Of course.", her mother assured.

After lunch, Sasuke left and Naruto created a signature with Yua's help and signed his rent agreement file, and left himself. Yua went to her room, leaving Ichika and Fukushima alone.

"Big sis.", said Ichika, "I have to tell you something."

Said sister turned to her little sister, "What is it?"

"It's a secret."

"Keeping things from mother, again?"

"No! I mean, yes. But it is something to do with… something else."

"Al right. I'm listening."

"You see. I have this ability. It's similar to the video games I play. It allows me to see my stats and stuff."

"Like an RPG?"

"Some thing like that."

"Are you sure? Can you show me?"

"Yes, and yes. Hold on a second.", Ichika then pulled up a party invitation window which only she could see and entered her sister's name with a mental command and created the party. Immediately following that, Fukushima's surprised gasp alerted her. In front of her was the same Dark blue window with light blue borders, floating in mid air. From her perspective the writing in that window was backwards. She never knew these windows were see through.

Exerting a little effort she read the backwards writing as "Yoshida Ichika has invited her to your party. Do you accept? [Yes] [No]". Fukushima looked almost afraid to touch the floating things.

"Go ahead. Accept it, big sis. Just think of doing it.", said Ichika.

With a mental command, Fukushima accepted the invitation.

"Now think of pulling up your stat window."

Fukushima did so, albeit reluctantly, and looked at the information displayed in front of her.

Status

Name: Fukushima

Age: 18

Level: 10

Job: Big Sister (+50% exp to house related skills, +50% rep gain with Yoshida Ichika, Yoshida Yua, Yoshida Genzo, and Yoshida Aname)

Status: Healthy

Experience: 60233/60500

Attributes

HP 90

CP (Locked) 53

Str 15

Vit 9

Stm 12

Int 8

Wis 11

Dex 15

Atk 15

Def 16

Lck 50

Points: 80

Titles

Caretaker of Guests (+50% rep gain with Yoshida Family, % rep gain with Guests)

Daughter (+40% rep gain with Yoshida Yua)

Big Sister (+70% rep gain with Yoshida Ichika)

Perks

Loyal Servant (+70% exp gain for all house related skills, +1 Dex/Level, +1 Str/Level)

Buffs/Debuffs

Skills

Cooking (Active) Lv 45 60% (+5 Spd & +5 Dex while in use)

Sweeping (Active) Lv 30 100% (+Spd while in use)

Cleaning (Active) Lv 30 100% (+Spd while in use)

Laundry (Active) Lv 40 32% (+6 Dex & +5 Spd while in use)

Gardening (Active) Lv 26 92% (+2 Spd & 2 Dex while in use)

Kitchen Instruments Use (Active) Lv 45 43% (+6 Dex & +6 Spd while in use)

Expressions (Active/Passive) Lv Max (-3 Charm when active, -1 charm when in use)

Bargaining (Active) Lv 28 24% (+3 Charm)

"This is really like that game we played together.", Fukushima managed to say though the admiration and intimidation of such an ability, "You were saying the truth."

"You doubted me?", Ichika asked innocently.

"No. It was just a difficult to grasp idea. But now I believe it."

"Huh.", Ichika said as she inspected her sister's window. "Some things are changed from what I last saw it."

"You knew of this?"

"Yes. I have a skill called Observe which gives me information about my target. Though, the target has to be within ten levels of my own. That's the upper limit."

"So, what are your stats."

Reluctantly Ichika pulled up her own stats. Suffice it to say, Fukushima was shocked.

Status

Name: Yoshida Ichika (previously Junaid Ahmed)

Age: 5

Level: 6

Job: Toddler (+2% exp gain across the board)

Status: Healthy

Experience: 50340/14700

Attributes

HP 100

CP (locked) 66

Str 21

Vit 10

Stm 17

Int 16

Wis 13

Dex 11

Atk 21

Def 15

Lck 30

Points: 0

Titles

Young Mistress (+30% rep gain with Fukushima)

Perks

First Born (+1 Vit/Level Up, +30% rep gain with Yoshida Yua & Yoshida Asa, +2% rep gain with Fukushima, +5% rep gain with Konohagakure)

Buffs/Debuffs

Skills

Observe (Active) Lv 15 97%(Shows the status, title, attributes and perks of target)

Language Comprehension: Japanese (Passive) Lv MAX (Helps you understand the language you learn as a non-native speaker)

Reading: Japanese (Passive) Lv 3 87% (Helps you understand written words in Japanese as a non-native speaker)

Writing: Japanese (Passive) Lv 3 34% (Helps you write words in Japanese as a non-native speaker)

Gardening (Active) Lv 5 35% (+1 Spd & +1 Dex while in use)

Cooking (Active) Lv 2 32% (+1 Spd & +1 Dex while in use)

"Ichika.", came the cold voice of her big sister, with a hint of fury and fear, "Explain yourself."

"I'm sorry."

"I don't want your apology. I want an answer. Why is it that your name is written as previously Junaid Ahmed?"

"…", Ichika remained silent.

"Answer me. Who are you?", Fukushima's voice turned even colder but still stayed even and barely above a whisper, "What have you done to my sister!?"

After a moment of continued silence and Fukushima's patience, Ichika spoke, "I was Junaid Ahmed. In a previous life. I was reborn into this world as Yoshida Ichika."

"What does that mean?", Fukushima's glare turned lighter but still held it's ferocity. 'Who the hell does this bitch think she is taking over my little sister's mind?', she thought.

"The thing is… The world where I am from… This world is just a fictional story for children. The protagonist of that story was Naruto.", Ichika said. Tears were flowing down her cheek, which softened Fukushima's intense glare a bit more. "Yoshida Family wasn't supposed to exist in that story. There is this thing called [The Author]. It has forced me to be reborn into this world. It gave me this family in this world so that I can 'entertain' it. I'm a prisoner in this world, in this body."

Fukushima may have heard many sorry excuses and lies, but she couldn't seem to find any tell of one in her little sisters statement. She was inclined to believe her but held herself back, taking caution in understanding this new turn of events.

"Back in my previous world. I was an adult male. I had everything I needed in life. A well paying Job, a loving fiance, a big sister and a brother-in-law, two nephews, peace. It was all taken from me. I was about to commit suicide. But then my family brought me back. I was just walking in a park in that world when [The Author] pulled me out of it and threw me into this fictional one."

Existential crisis was starting to seep into Fukushima's mind. She barely held herself straight at the enormous revelation. Ichika stayed her tongue and grabbed her arm to keep her steady.

"Are you alright?", asked the little girl concernedly.

"That… That is unbelievable.", said Fukushima, battling her wits to keep herself thinking properly. Despite being cautious and unbelieving at first, some part of her wanted to believe this person. Reminding her that this person in front of her wouldn't lie to her.

"Yet you still believe it.", it was not a question on the girl's part.

"This… is too much to handle."

"Take your time."

"No. Please continue."

Resignedly, Ichika did so, "When I first opened my eyes here, I was staring at mom. I was in her arms. That's when [The Author] contacted me. It told me that I am nothing more than just a puppet to entertain it. It made many changes to this world to accommodate my existence. It created Yoshida family and their connections to the major characters in this world. I don't know what I am supposed to do but I refuse to abide by it's commands. I decided to live my life as I see fit and create bonds that I lacked in the later parts of my previous life"

Her big sister seemed to be taking the information overload in stride. Her demeanour turned softer at the last part and regarded her little sister with kind and prideful eyes. "So, mentally you are older than me?"

Ichika was not expecting her big sister to believe her so quickly, but she was glad nonetheless. It was a big decision to reveal her past, or even her abilities, to anyone. Her strong bond with her sister allowed her to get over her fear and spill her guts to her. It paid off.

"I guess…", was all Ichika could say through her broken sobs.

"I'm sorry for doubting you and getting angry. To me you will always remain my little sister. The one who accepted me as her family.", said Fukushima, "I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me this. Thank you."

Max reputation reached with Fukushima.

The message window floated between them and Fukushima, being part of her little sister's party, saw it clearly and smiled with a hint of pink to her cheeks.

"Oh my. It was that apparent?"

"To the system it is…", Ichika smiled through her tears at the acceptance and embarrassment in Fukushima's eyes. "There is also a window labelled as Reputation. It tells us how people see us."

"How long does the party lasts?"

"I've never tried it, but I assume it stays indefinitely."

"I want to take a look at all the menus and information this system has regarding this world. But later. Right now I just want to hold you. Come here, little one."

Without any ceremony, Ichika threw herself in her sister's arms and clutched at her like she was her lifeline.

They stayed like this for a while before the young one fell asleep after crying her little heart out. Content that she was accepted despite her ridiculous circumstances. Fukushima carried her little sister to her room and laid her on her bed, then tucked her in with a kiss to the forehead.

"I was listening, you know.", came a feminine voice from the door to the room. Fukushima turned towards the voice with a start and found her surrogate mother standing there.

"Mother!", Fukushima said with a gasp.

Upon closer look, Yua had tear stains down her cheeks and a weary look in her eyes. "Don't worry. I won't see her any different now that I know about the truth. She will always remain my daughter. Just like you."

Fukushima's dam broke and her held back tears began flowing out of her eyes with a vengeance. She slowly walked to the woman and placed her head on the woman's shoulder, clasping her arms at her waist.

"My child. You shouldn't cry so. Your little sister is someone amazing. It may be a bit weird raising her from now on, since she told you that she used to be an adult male, but I will love her nonetheless. Besides, it finally explains her ridiculous stamina and strength. I will tell her I overheard this when she wakes up."

The older girl kept weeping silently in her surrogate mother's embrace while her little sister slept peacefully.

X-X

Ever since she has taken over the body of this little girl, the Queen has been getting nightmares, of the destruction of her country in another world.

Flashback.

It was a peaceful day. Bright sunlight of the noon sun penetrated the atmosphere and cast shadows on the ground. Children were playing happily in the streets. The populace was going around doing their business. Occasionally some would stop in their tracks and bow the car that was flanked by other cars, going down the main street.

The Queen was getting back from her visit to the neighbouring country. The open top car showed her regal beauty to the citizens, who were in awe by the bright smile adorned on her dazzling face. She looked around and acknowledged her subjects' greetings.

The kingdom was quite prosperous. That was due to the advancements of the technologies that were invented their. It was an industrious kingdom, but surprisingly it wasn't as polluted as many of it's peers. The air was fresh and carried with it the pleasant smell of the spring flowers lining the streets.

The Queen was loved by the populace. Her gentle and kind way of ruling had given birth to many of her fans. Everyone was happy.

Suddenly the ground started to shake. Cyclers were thrown of their vehicles. Mid-rise buildings were starting to crack and a few collapsed not withstanding the rumble. The sky turned fire red and meteors began to drop. Many places were caught by the shower. Utter destruction ensued.

The happy giggles of children turned to wails of agony. Crowds rushed to find a safe place to protect themselves and their loved ones. The guards surrounding the Queen got out of their vehicles shielded her from the stampede. Somehow they made their way to the castle. There on the thrown sat an inhuman being.

It's entire body was made of black smoke. A humanoid figure was barely visible. It's hands were shaped into claws. It's back was hunched over. A large pair of white canines were present where it's face should be. It gave off a loud snarl and many of it's followers went into action. They looked human but their eyes were dead and their irises were pale. Their target was the Queen, but her guards intercepted them.

With inhuman strength some of them were blown back, but quickly got back to their feet and prevented their advance towards the Queen, and made a way for her to escape. Reluctantly she ran, towards the hallway filled with living quarters.

She feared that these fiends might have killed her family. Her father, the previous ruler, her mothers, her siblings. One-by-one she opened the doors and fond them ransacked but empty. Not a single member of her family was there. She made her way down the hallway towards the panic room, in the basement of the castle.

Minutes later she arrived. What she found made her blood run cold. All of her siblings were laid out in the panic room. Bloodied bodies of her loved ones, sprawled out all over the place. Bile rose up in her throat and her knees buckled. She emptied her stomach as tears began to fill her eyes.

A female guard came through the doorway and led her to safety, miles outside of the capital, where many of her followers, including the Royal Mages were present. The shock of finding her brothers and sisters dead kept her in a daze all day. On the next eve, news came through that the previous king and all of his wives are to be publicly executed the next day.

She lost all reasoning and began making preparations to go there and try to rescue her parents. Her remaining followers tried and failed to stop her, instead they hastily made preparations for a long trek back to the capital, they will follow her to make sure she is safe.

Disguising herself she, along with her loyal subjects, went to the capital. A team of elite guards and herself entered the destroyed capital and made their way to the execution ground. Already a crowd was forming there. That 'thing' stood up on an elevated platform, surrounded by it's pale-eyed soldiers. Below the platform were the members of the royal family, blindfolded and gagged. Behind each of them stood the dead soldiers, a long unusual spear like weapon with a curved sword blade attached to the top was in their hands.

The Queen was being held back from running towards her family. One-by-one she saw them die. With crying eyes she barely kept herself from wailing. Just when her father's head was sliced off, she screamed…

Flashback end.

"No!", screamed Sora as she woke up with a start. Her face was drenched with sweat. Her breathing was shallow and quick. She quickly tried to see her surrounding and understood that she was having a nightmare, again.

'That dream was way too vivid.', she thought as she tried to calm her breathing and wipe her sweat. 'Why do I remember so many details. It was over two years ago.'

Sora, in her previous life, had been made Queen by the court after her father wasn't fit to rule due to his amnesia episodes. At the age of eighteen, she was given the crown of her father, being the oldest of her siblings. She had spent well over a year trying to form alliances and to make sure her country ran smoothly. She had won over the citizens' love and loyalty in just a year with her kind and gentle nature.

'Then that thing happened', she thought bitterly. 'It had destroyed many countries, mine being the first. Alliances were created in the time of need to ward of this evil being. Two years of war. Two years of useless sacrifices. And That thing wasn't even fazed.'

Her scream earlier was loud enough to wake up her family. All of them barged into her room, slamming the door to the wall.

"Are you alright, princess?", asked Hida, her father with frantic concern.

"What happened, dear?", asked Megumi, her mother with in a soft and gentle voice.

Yugito came closer to her and sat beside her, embracing her little sister. "Don't worry, we're here for you."

Sora looked at her new family and tears began to fall down her cheeks. She hugged her sister back tightly. "It… It was terrible."