Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Sekirei.
5th September 2014
"What a dense forest but were almost there. I sense three people just ahead." Lightly gripping the shoulder of the person carrying her, Naruto spoke, "Mutsu put me down".
Following her request, he gently set her down. Moving back only a few inches, a little wary of the presences he felt around him as well as the sight of two sekirei's cornering a third. Not that he thought he was an amatuer fighter or that he served as an inadequate protector but because he wanted to always be aware and not caught off guard. It would only serve as a hindrance if he ever became arrogant and overconfident.
Moving into the barely lighted uncropped forest area, they came face to face with the three sekirei's.
"O..Onee-chan", came a soft timid voice.
Staring into the teary eyes of the young child, Naruto moved closer, casually dodging the swing of a large weapon barely missing her by an inch. Turning to the person who had the audacity to even think of such a thing, she paused as she felt a light breeze flow pass her, only to materialize itself as her sekirei. Quicker than the scythe wielding sekirei was able to react, she received a strong jab to her stomach with Mutsu's sheathed sword, coughing up an unhealthy amount of spit and blood.
Rounding on the other sekirei a few meters from the first , he flashed in front of her, the young woman barely being able to twitch before she was hit with his scabbard.
"Hasaiten". He watched as her eyes widened in pain, her back scarcely touching the ground before her sekirei crest dissipated. A barely there crater formed around her body detailing how he'd held back.
Straightening up, his eyes attentively looked around them, stopping to stare at a pair of terrified, yet innocent green ones. Watching as she flinched minutely at his stare, he closed his eyes listening as his ashikabi finally took the initiative to move and greet the small child.
Seeming to realize the same thing,he felt the child eyes leave his person to stare at something else, most likely his ashikabi.
"O..Onee-chan". Stopping a few feet away from the little girl, Naruto knelt, her gaze softening as her lips curled upwards into a small smile. "Hello there. My names Naruto, can you tell me your's"?
Relaxing her body as the child moved closer, hoping to ease the nervousness the child was experiencing, she reached forward. A slender hand laid itself onto the girls head as a tender expression made itself known on Naruto's face.
"K...Ku-chan". The newly dubbed Ku-chan spoke. "K...K..Kusano, but….. but Onee-chan call Kusano Ku-chan".
Chuckling at Ku's adorableness, Naruto nodded, standing up as she took hold of the smaller hand being held out to her.
"Okay then. Onee-chan will call you Ku-chan". She couldn't stop the laughter bubbling up her throat as Kusano beamed and skipped as they walked over by Mutsu.
"Ku-chan". Naruto spoke as she eased the girl from her spot behind her legs where she ran when she noticed whom they were headed to. "This is Mutsu….". Naruto bit her lip as she thought, her eyes locking with a pair of steely gray ones. Not having really given it any thought on how she view Mutsu.
"Enemy? No not anymore. Stranger? Well that might fit the description but….not really. I guess partner or companion? Ummm probably. They seem to fit our relationship better..I mean…I did give him my trust. Not all but it's there".
"...my companion". Clearing her throat she spoke again", His name is Mutsu and he's my companion, he saved you".
Looking up with sparkling eyes causing the seemingly composed man to twitch. Not that it would have been noticed by anyone without an experienced eye she shuffled forward.
Ku..Ku-chan….Kusano. Ku-chan's name is Kusano", she stuttered, her voice coming on strong as she finished.
Looking up as him for acknowledgement as any child would, she waited with her chin held high and her back straightened. Her eyes never wavering as she stared at him.
Smiling however non-existent it may be, he patted her head. "As already have been told, I am Mutsu and what a great name you have Kusano".
"Oi ya'll done yet...ugh".
Turning as one to the voice, the three looked at the ground as Seo/Trash/Some weird person rolled around in the dirt clutching his stomach.
"Please excuse him, he has no home training" said Hikari.
Popping up as though nothing happened Seo spoke, "I see you've finish and they've already come for them".
Having known that he was talking about MBI, Naruto spoke, "Ah yeah. They just left a few minutes before you came".
Snorting to himself Seo muttered, "Of course that bastard's been here already... tch".
"Ano...".
Blinking at the new voice Naruto turned, responding with a slow and awkward hello to said forgotten person.
"Ummm you are…"? Naruto questioned.
She almost pitied the boy. He looked like a nervous wreck , ready to bolt at the slightest noise. It also didn't help that his little whisper seemed to be heard by all. Now making him the center of attention.
"Ano I….I'm Minato. Minato Sahashi", she blinked once again, turning to Seo for answers. It was obvious the boy came with him.
Scratching behind his head absentmindedly Seo spoke, "Ah I worked with him a day or so back and well…..he just popped up just now", he exclaimed. "I mean by the time my girls and that flame dude finished the fight…..".
"Not accounting for the ones you allowed to slip past", muttered Naruto her eyes narrowing in annoyance.
Chuckling sheepishly Seo continued, "Yeah not them…...anyways when I turned around to leave..well..he was there, so I just thought 'hey come along' ".
Sighing to herself, she glanced at the boy….well maybe not boy, he seemed to be in her age bracket. So boy is out. Hmm he's that person from the other day so….".Letting her eyes slide to his left a little she stared, "uhhh she needs more clothing".
Beside him was the same brown haired woman she'd met him with. Not accounting for the lack of clothing or the large male jacket that was TRYING to cover her modesty.
However,…...she switched her stare to Seo. Watching as blood leaked from his nostril, a blush on his face and his hand seemingly wandering over to his sekirei's breast as he groped her…..now who I'm I reminded of. The same man that went around proclaiming himself the super pervert", she snorted.
"Really my life is so complicated".
"We're back", came the easily excited voice of Musubi.
"And I thought I was peppy",were the thoughts of a certain kunoichi"."Ah... ah good evening". "Well if this isn't awkward I don't know what is".
"Ara..new guest? Good evening and welc….Musubi-san? That outfit. Quickly go upstairs and change".
"Hai" ,came the reply with a salute to follow as the bouncy brunette left to do as was told.
Standing before them was a slender but shapely woman with fair skin and brown eyes. She had waist length purple hair with shorter bangs in a hime style. Her appearance seemed to fit that of a miko. Purple hamaka, a white haori with a sash-like belt, wooden sandals, white socks and a white ribbon to partially hold her hair in place. A welcoming aura emanating from her presence.
All of these things made her look like a common woman innocent and harmless but, " that couldn't be further from the truth. She may try to hide it but …."
"Humph, she's strong, for a …..".
"..."
"..."
"..."
"What is it?"
"Uhhhhhh".
A human... mutant thing"?
"Sekirei's….um I think Mutsu called them aliens".
"Whatever, she's strong for one of those. Not as strong as the great and powerful me. The strongest tailed beast…
"Self proclaimed of course".
"How dare you disrespect the all powerf….
"... I'm leaving".
Coming out of her thoughts just in time to hear the woman welcome them and introduce herself Naruto responded, bowing slightly, "My name Naruto Uzumaki and these two are….umm..". Well I've already established who Mutsu is but obviously I can't say such a small girl as Kusano would be my companion sooo, "Mutsu my companion and Kusano my sister. We would like a room for the night please".
Watching as the woman 'now named Miya' tilted her head at them, her eyes scrutinizing them for what she didn't know, she saw the woman lift her hand to her mouth. The long sleeve of her haori blocking the view of the smile Naruto could blatantly hear in her voice.
"Ara one room? That's fine but the Izumo Inn has a few rules. One of them being no engaging of any sexual activities within Izumo Inn. Meaning you and your companion may not…".
Cutting her off from continuing that sentence, her eyes as wide as they could go and her arms flailing back and forth, she corrected the woman, her voice gaining a high pitch and a large blush adorning her face as she tried to stutter out an answer,"Y..y..you have it wrong. We're not in that type of relationship...er..by..by... by companion that isn't what I meant. I..I meant as in..in..in roommate ..n..no..n..no other added objective. B..Besides m...y m..m...my sister. Even if….". Biting her tongue she turned to Mutsu realizing her blunder, "I mean. What I meant was even if...I mean not if…."
Chuckling at the young woman Miya decide to stop her suffering, "Oh my! I apologize if my assumption was wrong. You two just seemed so close".
Letting out a deep sigh, Naruto tried to calm herself. "It's only natural that I was a bit "a lot" she mentally scowled, "flustered. I've never.. well..done..anything..like...that...before. Ehh the blush is coming back. Calm down Naruto, breathe. In and out. In and out".
Once again just barely managing to hear the end part of what Miya was saying Naruto agree handing over the amount of money need for one night.
"Thank you for allowing us to say".
Smiling Miya spoke, "No need to thank me as I have told Minato-san I will tell you. My husband believed in never turning away someone. Kagari will show you the way to a vacant room".
Directing her eyes to the person mentioned, she congratulated herself for such perfect control over her facial muscles at that moment because she was sure if she wasn't mistaken and she knew she wasn't, that this person was the mask sekirei from earlier.
Walking over to the man, she followed him as he lead them up the stairs, vaguely hearing as Miya spoke to Seo whom she completely forgot about.
Stopping at in front of the door, Kagari turned to them, a constant itch irritating him as he rubbed and scratched at his chest. Now Naruto wouldn't call herself a genius 'she'd leave that for Shikamaru' but she knew she'd be able to solve a problem when it mattered. No matter how small and right now she was sure this man was reacting to her.
It seemed that he didn't realize what she had. She wouldn't encourage him when he found out. She already have too much on her plate. The idea of more people just doesn't seem that tempting, no matter how much she may have wished for her circle as friends to increase as a child. Now mind you she still wanted friends but she didn't want them like this. However she knew it would be wrong to push him away, she knew from experience how much that hurt.
Sighing to herself, she thought, "Just deal with it when it comes".
Ushering them into the room, Naruto watched as 'Kagari' walked away. Presumably back down stairs to the other suspicious character ahem. What she meant was 'the landlady'.
Entering the room she could only sigh, a headache already forming as she thought about the upcoming days and what they would bring. But more importantly she had a distinct feeling that tomorrow would be even more hectic than today.
Me: Hey it's me. Yes, I am alive
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Me: 0_0 Ummmm happy hanukkah ?
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Me: Disregard that person. It was Christm…...I mean Hanukkah O_o yeah I mean Hanukkah…. _ It was great…. ^_^ ~Review~ ^_^
~Happy Hanukkah~