Yay next chappy! :D It was ninteen pages on Word, so hopefully it's longer than normal on here ^-^
Hopefully you'll find it vote worthy ;P
Pic of Shimei and an apple --->
Ashley’s POV
“What hotel are you guys staying at anyway?” I ask with a sigh, being dragged along by a ticked off Kiba. He stomps ahead of me, pulling me by the hand, as Saffire and Kurai giggle behind me.
Poor Kiba. He’s been putting up with Saffire’s taunting and Kurai’s snide comments for a few hours now, and he’s been doing so well. I think it’s beginning to get to him now though.
“Not sure what the name is” Saffire informs me, smirking at the back of Kiba’s head. “Maybe Dog Boy knows?”
I see an anime vein appear on Kiba’s forehead, making me sweat drop. How much longer would it be until he exploded?
I think he was happy when Akamaru showed up earlier, but Tiez, being the crazy thing she is, had decided to scare the poor Ninken and chase him through the Village.
“I highly doubt that idiot knows anything……” I hear Atsui mutter, making Kiba pause in his walking. He suddenly whirls around, fist raised in the air.
“What was that you little bastard?!” he shouts in Atsui’s face, making the green haired boy scowl and grow an anime vein.
“What did you just call me?!” he shouts back, glaring into Kiba’s eyes. The two boys snarl at each other, little sparks of electricity zapping between their eyes.
“I called you a little bastard” Kiba repeats lowly, smirking at Atsui nastily.
“You’re gunna regret that…..” Atsui growls, his hands lighting up with electricity and making my eyes widen.
Kiba smirks back, placing his hands together in a hand sign.
“Bring it” he sneers, as Atsui suddenly charges towards him, pulling his arm back to throw a bolt of lightning at Kiba.
Shooting forwards, I skid in front of Kiba and glare at the incoming Atsui. Waving an arm downwards, I make the earth trip Atsui up, causing him to fall.
The lightning disappears from his hands, as he goes to catch himself before he hits the ground. Before he hits the earth though, I reach forwards and grab him by the collar, roughly pulling him up to my face.
He blinks in surprise, looking slightly uncomfortable by the nasty scowl on my face.
“LEAVE HIM ALONE DAMMIT!” I bark in Atsui’s face, before heaving him up above my head and flinging him at a tree with all my might.
Everyone flinches as he collides with the tree upside down, before sliding down the trunk and landing on his head, eyes spinning dizzily.
Kiba suddenly bursts out laughing, earning a dirty look from Kurai and Saffire. He points at Atsui as he slowly rises to his feet, hand held to his head.
“I remember the day you did that to me” Kiba leans down and mutters in my ear, hugging me to his chest with one arm. “Good shot Angel.”
I chuckle into his jacket, clutching onto it with my free hand. It certainly had been a long time since I’d thrown Kiba at a tree, or punched him through a wall. Funny how your thoughts and feelings towards another person can change so dramatically……
“You know my aim is perfect” I boast, leaning back from Kiba and trying not to blush as he sends me a subtle wink.
I smile to myself as Atsui stalks back over to us, sending Kiba daggers.
“Okay guys” I announce, eyeing all of my friends seriously. “I know not all of you may like Kiba-”
“Try none of us” Kurai pipes up sweetly, giving me a closed eye smile as she hugs Shimei’s arm. Kiba gives her a deadpan look while I sigh.
“Okay, I know that none of you like him” I correct, pulling my hand from Kiba’s and placing my hands on my hips. “But just because he’s a jerk sometimes, and he’s an Inuzuka, and he likes Dogs more than Wolves, and he’s really, really arrogant sometimes, and he likes to start fights and he-”
“Is there a point coming any time soon Angel?” Kiba asks, shoulders drooping defeatedly. I poke my tongue out and give him a sheepish grin.
“Oh! Uhh….yeah!” I confirm, before turning back to my friends. “Even though he’s all of those things, he makes me happy and I happen to l….uhh…..”
I look down at the ground, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I’d never said I love Kiba in front of other people before, and it made me nervous. I may be better at understanding my feelings than I used to be, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy for em to express them……
“You happen to what Ashley?” Saffire asks me knowingly, smirking at me cruelly. Seems she’s enjoying my discomfort. What a great best friend she is.
I turn my head to the side and cross my arms.
“I happen to…..love him” I mumble under my breath, making Saffire squeal excitedly and Kurai to roll her large, fuchsia eyes.
“You look so embarrassed!” Saffire laughs loudly, leaning forwards and punching me in the shoulder. “It’s just so damn cute!”
“Shut up Saffire!” I exclaim hotly, whirling around and almost smacking right into Kiba. Blinking, I look up at him with wide eyes, the blush on my face deepening at the affectionate look he’s giving me.
He places his hand on my chin and strokes my cheek with his thumb, smiling at me adorably, before releasing me and looking up at my friends.
I blink a few more times, before sighing with relief. At least he hadn’t tried to kiss me in front of everyone. I smile to myself, leaning my head against his chest. He knew me well enough to know I’d be uncomfortable if he did. He’s such a good dog…..
“Looks like you’ve gotta be nicer to me now” Kiba smirks, making Saffire and Kurai poke their tongues out at him, while Atsui just rolls his eyes and crosses his arms.
“I never had a problem with you though” Kiyumi speaks up, raising an eyebrow at the cocky brunette. I turn and grin at my sister, making her smile. People may think I’m a smartass, but she can be just as bad as me sometimes.
Shimei glances down at Kiba, before shrugging and producing another apple from his pocket and begins happily munching away on it.
“Uh Shimei?” I address, making the attractive red head pause in his eating and look down at me. “Don’t you want something else to eat? You know, besides an apple.”
Shimei shakes his head slowly, giving me a closed eye smile as he continues eating his fruit.
Atsui rolls his eyes and suddenly grabs Kiyumi by the arm, pulling her forwards.
“Ugh, let’s just get back to the damn hotel” he sighs irritably, pushing past me and Kiba.
“Hold it right there Atsui Minami!” I command, holding out my hand and making the earth wrap around his ankles.
Leaping up, I land down in front of Atsui and give him a frown, eyes narrowed at him suspiciously.
I wrench Kiyumi from his grip and hug her to me, making her blush.
“And just why are you trying to drag my little sister back to the hotel with you?” I demand to know, making Kiyumi and Atsui’s eyes widen.
“What?” she asks nervously, looking over at the green haired Minami. He stares at me in disbelief, face red. From embarrassment or anger, I’m not sure.
“Let me go” he growls, making me shake my head.
“No way!” I scoff, releasing Kiyumi from my death grip and throwing my hands on my hips. “Not if you’re gonna drag her back to the hotel to do who knows what with her!”
Kiyumi gives me a deadpan look, as Atsui freezes.
“I WASN’T GONNA DO ANYTHING WITH HER YOU IDIOT!” he explodes, thrashing around and trying to free himself from the ground.
Kiyumi sighs, and uses her Katsuryoku to release Atsui from the ground, allowing him to jump away from me.
“DON’T CALL HER AN IDIOT, YOU IDIOT!” Kiba shouts at Atsui, eyes turning into angry white circles as he jabs a hand at the green haired boy.
Atsui’s eyebrow twitches, before his eyes change into angry white circles as well.
“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!” he shouts back, hands suddenly sparking with electricity again.
Saffire, Kurai, Kiyumi and I all sigh, our heads hanging towards the ground.
“We really need to keep them separated” I suggest, rubbing the back of my neck and watching as the two boys begin launching attacks at each other.
“Maybe I should help those two hot heads cool off a bit” Saffire says slyly, grinning as she creates a large ball of water from the moisture in the air.
“No Saff-” I cut myself off as she bounds towards them, shrieking some sort of battle cry. “-Ire…….”
Kurai skips over to me and pats me on the back.
“Don’t worry Ley-chan” she assures me warmly, giving me a cute closed eye smile. “Once Fire-chan and Atsui-kun kill that Dog, this will all end and you can come home with us!”
I send Kurai a dark look, unimpressed with her words of assurance. Before I can reply though, a voice catches my attention.
“Hey! Ashley-chan!” the voice cries, making me turn around. A broad grin appears on my face, seeing the familiar blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.
“Naruto!” I exclaim excitedly, tearing away from Kurai and running over to the blonde boy. I skid to a halt right in front of him and we both just grin at each other for a moment, before I throw my arms around his waist in a fierce hug.
“You guys are finally back” I mumble into his orange and black jacket, before releasing him and peering at the two people with him.
“Sakura-chan!” I squeak, smiling at the pinkette as she waves at me.
“We missed you on our mission Ashley” she laughs as we envelope each other in a hug. “I like it better when you come with us.”
“So do I” I snort, rolling my eyes and crossing my arms. “But try arguing about it with Lady Tsunade.”
Sakura and Naruto sweat drop, as the blonde whips his head from side to side.
“No thanks!” he announces loudly. “That crazy, old witch yells at me enough.”
I can’t help laughing at that, when something suddenly catches my attention. Standing beside Naruto, a boy with very pale skin and black hair stares at me, a blank look in his eyes and on his face.
I take in the black cropped jacket he’s wearing, showing of the flat, toned stomach he seems to have acquired over the years.
The boy continues staring at me, irritating me and making an anime vein appear on my head.
“Can I help you?” I suddenly snap, making the boy blink in realisation.
Sakura and Naruto both sweat drop again, before Naruto grabs the boy by his shirt and pulls him over, whispering in his ear. Not very well though, considering I can hear him.
“Don’t annoy her Sai” Naruto advises the pale boy. “She’ll destroy you. She’s even scarier than Sakura when she’s mad…..”
The pale boy nods, leaning back from Sasuke and giving me a strained closed eye smile.
Sakura gives Naruto an annoyed look, having heard his words to this Sai character. I see her elbow him in the stomach, making him double over in pain.
“Blue Eyes?!” an incredulous voice suddenly cries, making us all look up. Turning around, I see Saffire leap away from a dazed looking Kiba, and an irritated Atsui. As she runs towards us, the orb of water floating above the two boys’ heads suddenly falls, drenching them both and knocking them to the ground.
“Huh?” Naruto asks, straightening up and squinting at the excited girl charging towards us.
Before Naruto can react, my crazy best friend launches herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
Naruto flails around wildly, trying to keep his balance, as Sakura and I give each other deadpan looks.
Saffire clings to Naruto tightly, a content closed eye smile on her face. Naruto on the other hand, finally manages to catch himself, and glances down with a bewildered look.
Recognition seems to dawn on him, as his eyes widen and a blush slowly starts to colour his cheeks. Obviously feeling awkward, Naruto rubs the back of his head, freezing as Saffire lifts her own head and gives him a broad grin.
“Nice to see ya again Blue Eyes!” she chirps brightly, still not releasing the poor blonde from her grip. “It’s been awhile huh?”
Naruto stares back at her, his eyes turning into tiny white circles as his face flushes an even deeper red. He begins swaying slightly, making me worry that he’s going to pass out.
“Alright, alright!” Sakura growls, clenching her fist in front of her face and scowling at Saffire. “That’s enough! Get off of him!”
Sakura stalks over to Saffire and grabs her by the back of her dress, ripping her away from Naruto and dragging her across the ground.
“Hey!” Saffire shrieks angrily, flailing her arms and legs around. “Lemme go! Lemme go!”
I lean towards Naruto, while the rest of my friends slowly approach us, watching as Saffire manages to trip Sakura over.
“You okay there Naruto?” I ask in amusement, watching as he sweat drops and gives me a sheepish grin.
“Yeah” he laughs awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. “I just wasn’t expecting that…..”
Naruto looks up, watching as Saffire leaps at Sakura, causing them both to disappear into a cloud of smoke, punches and kicks being thrown in all directions.
“She’s even prettier than I remembered” Naruto admits, pursing his lips and crossing his arms. My eyes widen slightly.
“You mean Saffire?” I ask, holding in my smile.
“Ahhhh, that’s her name!” Naruto cries triumphantly, raising a finger into the air. “I couldn’t remember!”
At that, I can’t help face palming. She’s got a thing for him, and he can’t even remember her name?!
“Baka….” I mutter, punching Naruto over the head.
“So….” Saffire grins, sliding over to us with her hands behind her back, looking a bit dishevelled. “You’re looking good Blue Eyes.”
I look down and try to hide my smile. Back when I’d lived in the Land of Ambience for my training, I’d advised Saffire that Naruto isn’t always the sharpest tool in the shed, and the only way to get him was the incredibly direct approach. Subtlety wouldn’t work, and it seems like she’d remembered my advice.
Naruto blinks, before grinning at Saffire and flexing his arms.
“Well, I have been doing a lot of training these past few years” he brags, making me deadpan again. How stupid could one person be?
“I can see that” Saffire says slyly, sending me a quick wink. I merely roll my eyes at her, as Kiba trudges over to me, dripping wet.
“I see you’ve been playing with Saffire” I comment, biting my lip to keep from laughing.
Kiba shakes his head vigorously, throwing drops of water in every direction.
“She’s crazy” is all he says, making me nod in agreement. Saffire is pretty much the definition of the word crazy.
Sakura suddenly stomps over to me, shoving past Kiyumi and Kurai, little puffs of steam shooting up from her head.
I can’t help laughing as she points to the small chunk of ice over her mouth. Using my Katsuryoku, I make the ice melt, freeing her mouth and allowing her to take a deep breath.
“You PSYCOPATH!” she screeches, whirling around to direct her wrath at Saffire. “You’re an absolute nut job! You could have killed me!”
Saffire shrugs, flicking some of her long black and white hair over her shoulder.
“You’ve got a nose don’t you?” she asks smartly, raising an eyebrow and making Naruto chuckle to himself. I think he liked watching someone stand up to Sakura. Since he’s normally the one on the receiving end of it….
Sakura grows an anime vein, arms shaking with anger as she glares at the calm Saffire.
“There’s something I don’t understand here” the pale skinned boy beside Naruto suddenly says, catching everyone’s attentions. “Sakura and Naruto, you are always fighting, and Sakura is always insulting Naruto. Yet, you are both close friends. Sakura and the girl with the purple eyes-”
“Fuchsia” Saffire interrupts, lower jaw jutting out slightly as she gives the boy an unimpressed look. “We’re Minami. We have fuchsia eyes.”
“-Are both fighting as well” the boy continues thoughtfully, as if Saffire hadn’t even spoken. “Does this mean that they are both close friends too?”
“Ha!” Sakura snorts, smirking at Saffire and closing her eyes. “I wouldn’t be friends with her if she were the last human on the planet!”
Saffire tilts her head, giving Sakura a thoughtful look.
“You’ve definitely changed in these past few years” she muses. “You don’t seem quite as clingy and desperate anymore. Although, maybe now you need to work on your jealousy issues.”
Sakura twitches.
“I’M NOT JEALOUS OF YOU!” she screams, multiple anime veins appearing on her head.
“Yeah, they’re not friends Sai” Naruto informs the other boy wryly, making him look thoroughly perplexed.
“I just don’t understand the way friendships work” he admits. “I thought that if you fought with someone the way you and Sakura do, it meant you were good friends. But I must be wrong…….It seems I have a lot more studying to do.”
Naruto runs a hand down his face.
“Ugghh……Sai!” he complains, turning to give the boy an exasperated look. “You don’t need to study how to make friends! Just let it come naturally!”
Naruto swings an arm towards me, making me raise an eyebrow.
“If someone as mean and nasty as Ashley can make friends without reading books” he barks, looking irritated, “Then so can you!”
Sai turns and looks at me inquiringly, as I tap Naruto on the shoulder.
“Mean and nasty?” I ask dryly, making him sweat drop and take a step back from me, holding his hands up in defence.
“Uh….Uh….Sorry Ashley” he apologises nervously. “I’m just tryin to help this guy out and…..Well…You did kinda used to be mean……And nasty……Um…..”
I return Sai’s inquiring look, tilting my head to look past Naruto.
“Why?” I ask suspiciously. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He doesn’t understand how emotions and feelings work” Sakura sighs, rubbing her temples and turning away from a grinning Saffire. “He doesn’t know how to make friends.”
“I know how to make friends” Sai corrects, still giving me a blank look. “I read that calling out casually can bring familiarity, or coming up with nicknames for people.”
I blanch, giving Sai a strange look.
“I never call out casually” I inform him. “And the only nicknames I have for people are usually cruel ones, so forget that stuff. You can’t learn how to make friends from reading a book. That’s stupid.”
Naruto nods wisely, crossing his arms.
“Yeah, that’s pretty much what we said” he agrees. He looks up as Sai strides past him and approaches me with a closed eye smile, hand outstretched.
“You must be Ashley Minami” he says in a friendly manner. “I have heard a lot about you from Naruto and Sakura.”
I raise an eyebrow at the boy, giving his outstretched hand a strange look. Who was he kidding?
“My name is Sai, and I have been placed in Team Kakashi” Sai informs me. “Nice to meet you.”
I wrinkle my nose, growling under my breath as I suddenly smack his hand away from me.
“Don’t give me that fake smile” I warn Sai lowly. “If you want to be my friend, you need to be genuine. No matter how inexperienced you may be with making friends, everyone knows how to smile and say words that they actually mean.”
Sai blinks at me, seemingly in thought. After a few seconds, he gives me that same creepy closed eye smile.
“I just thought of an appropriate nickname for you” he smiles, making Sakura and Naruto gasp with horror.
“Uh oh!” Sakura cries, running forwards, sweat dripping down her face.
“Not this again!” Naruto groans, also diving towards Sai. “He’ll get himself killed this time!”
“Your nickname shall be…..Ugly Bitch” Sai smiles pleasantly, before Sakura and Naruto suddenly tackle him to the ground.
I blink, as Sakura grabs Sai by the collar and begins shaking him violently, while Naruto casts me a very wary glance.
“What did he just say?!” Kiba exclaims, gritting his teeth and glaring at a still smiling Sai. “I’m gonna kill h-”
Everyone pauses as I suddenly burst out laughing, holding my stomach. Question marks appear above everyone’s heads, and I have no doubt they’re wondering if I’m alright.
Walking over to Sai, I crouch down beside him and help him to his feet, grinning slyly.
“You know, I’ve had plenty of people call me a bitch before” I inform him, eyes twinkling in amusement. “But I’ve never had anyone call me ugly before. I’ve changed my mind, I think I do like you Sai. Welcome to Team Kakashi!”
“So how long are you guys gonna be here for?” I ask, blowing away the steam rising from my tea.
Kiyumi shrugs, picking up a stick of Chichi Dango and popping one into her mouth. She had taken quite a liking to the Chichi Dango, as it’s rather sweet, and my sister loves her sweets.
“Ahhhh!” she sighs dreamily, little hearts floating above her head. “I wish we had these back at home!”
Kiyumi sweat drops when she sees the amused smirk on my face, placing the Dango back on her plate and lifting up her tea.
“I’m not really sure how long we’ll be here to be honest” she admits, taking a tiny sip of the tea, and squeaking when she realises how hot it is.
As strange as it may seem, we have a completely different culture in the Land of Ambience. We don’t kneel at tables drinking tea, and we don’t eat dumplings on a stick. My friends are no doubt in a bit of culture shock here.
“I went to visit Lady Tsunade this morning before I came and got you” I explain to my little sister. “And she told me that she was going to be having a meeting with the council and Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire later today. Hopefully they’ll all agree that becoming Allies with the Land of Ambience will be a good thing.”
Kiyumi nods in agreement.
“It’ll be just like it was when we were kids” she says, smiling into her cup of tea. “Just think, if it weren’t for the Alliance with the Leaf Village, Mother and Father never would have met……”
I tilt my head in thought. That had never really occurred to me.
“I wonder just how they met” I muse. “Mother never told us about the first time she met Father.”
Kiyumi suddenly giggles, setting her cup back down on the table.
“I can tell you that story” she grins, brushing her blonde bangs out of her eyes. “I asked her about it once when Father had taken you back to the Leaf Village.”
I blink, before hurriedly setting my cup down and folding my arms across the table, watching Kiyumi eagerly.
“Well” she begins, tapping her chin in thought. “Father was on his first mission to the Land of Ambience. He was coming on a ship with some other Leaf Ninja, while Mother, Grandfather and Grandmother were meant to meet them at the docks.”
“I’m still not so sure about this Alliance stuff” the eighteen year old Aeri Minami mutters, blowing a strand of hair from her eyes and crossing her arms.
Kisei and Maiyan Minami chuckle, exchanging looks as their only daughter continues mumbling down to her Guardian.
“I have heard nothing but good things about Leaf Ninja” Kiyuna, Aeri’s midnight black Wolf, states kindly. “My Mother and Grandmother used to tell me nothing but good stories about Ninja from the Leaf.”
“Yeah well, what would they know?” Aeri huffs, rolling her eyes. “That was in the past. This is the present.”
“You have taught your daughter well Kisei” Calistan, the Chief’s cream coloured Wolf chuckles. “Hopefully she doesn’t scare the Leaf Ninja away when they arrive.”
Aeri pokes her tongue out at the old Wolf, making Kiyuna bow her head in shame.
“Please forgive her Calistan” she sighs. “Mistress Aeri seems to have a problem with anyone from outside of the Village…..”
“And she’s smart to be like that” Maiyan’s Guardian Chincha, a small, pale yellow Wolf with brown eyes, states roughly. “I don’t trust anyone outside of the Village either!”
Maiyan chuckles, reaching down and petting the small animal’s head gently.
“Yes Chincha” she says kindly, “But we have been Allies with the Leaf for generations now, and they have always proven themselves reliable and trustworthy.”
“Doesn’t mean all Leaf Ninja are” Aeri argues stubbornly, turning her head away. “And I don’t see why I have to come and meet these Ninja, while Yogetsu doesn’t have to!”
Kisei sighs, rubbing his temples tiredly. His beloved daughter really knew how to make a simple task drag out and seem so complicated.
“Your brother is on a mission Aeri” Maiyan reminds her daughter gently, tucking some of her long, blonde hair behind her ear. “This can be your mission.”
“Great…” Aeri mutters sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
“I do believe I can see a ship Kisei” Calistan announces, rising up on his hind legs, making him tower over the tall Minami.
“Excellent” the Chief replies, squinting into the distance. “Please send a mind link to the others and tell them the ship is here, and not to create any whirlpools. This ship is to be allowed into the docks.”
“Very well” Calistan replies, closing his ruby eyes and contacting all of the Water users that watch over the Land of Ambience’s waters with his mind.
“Check it out” a twenty two year old Shigeshi laughs, leaping onto the railing of the ship and gazing at the beautiful island before him.
“I tell you what Shigeshi” a tall blonde man sighs, walking over to the railing. “Those shark things in the water freak me out a little bit.”
Shigeshi laughs, pulling his long raven hair back into a low ponytail.
“You can’t act all cowardly now Minato” he teases, jumping down from the railing and thumping his blonde friend on the back. “Aren’t you meeting your new team of Genin when we get back?”
Minato nods, grinning brightly.
“Yeah, should be” he admits. “Kushina thinks they’ll be a bunch of brats though.”
Shigeshi rolls his onyx eyes, shrugging one shoulder and jogging off to help bring the ship into port.
“All the more reason not to be a coward!” he calls jokingly, making Minato roll his eyes.
Shigeshi was definitely kidding of course. Everyone knew how brave and powerful Minato Namikaze was. In fact, the Uchiha wouldn’t be surprised if he was appointed as Hokage before he reached thirty.
“Hey!” someone suddenly cries out, catching Shigeshi’s attention. “W-We’re not in control of the ship! What’s going on?!”
Shigeshi glances around, watching a few of the men beginning to panic. He raises an eyebrow, as Minato casually lets go of a rope, placing his hands in his pockets and strolling over to the railings, watching as the ship begins turning in a slow circle all by itself.
Frowning to himself in confusion, Shigeshi strides over to the calm blonde, wondering what he’s doing.
“Hey Minato” he addresses, earning a quick glance from his blue eyes. “Shouldn’t you be a bit more concerned about the ship?”
Minato laughs and shakes his head.
“No, this happened the last time I was here as well” he informs Shigeshi, raising his arm and pointing at something over by a set of large piers. “They’re going to bring the ship in for us. See?”
Shigeshi follows the direction Minato points in with his eyes, stopping when he spots three people standing on the edge of one of the piers. He leans over the railing slightly, to get a better look.
He sees two of the people moving their arms in graceful arcs, when something crosses his mind.
‘Lord Third did say that the Minami’s can control elements like water and fire….’ He thinks, a light bulb going off in his head.
“They’re moving the water around the ship?” Shigeshi asks the grinning blonde beside him.
“Yep!” he confirms, leaning over the edge of the ship and waving his arm frantically at the people on the pier, as the ship is spun around slowly, bringing them closer to the dock.
The woman in the middle waves back, as the tall man and girl on either side of her continue moving their arms, focused on docking the Leaf Ninjas’ ship.
Shigeshi’s eyes suddenly widen, as they land on the younger woman on the right, an irritated scowl on her face as she causes the ocean to bring the ship in.
A light breeze blows through her golden hair, her strangely coloured eyes glinting in the right sunlight.
“Whoa….” Shigeshi breathes, before letting out a low whistle and catching Minato’s attention. The blonde suddenly grins, wrapping an arm around Shigeshi’s neck and bringing him closer.
“That’s Aeri Minami” he whispers into Shigeshi’s ear, smirking slyly. “She’s the daughter of the Chief.”
“She’s beautiful” Shigeshi says, still staring at the blonde girl and wrenching Minato’s arm away from his neck. Minato nods in agreement, a knowledgeable look on his face.
“Yeah, but don’t cross her” he advises, sweat dropping. “She’s a bit like Kushina sometimes. A bit of a spit fire, and she’s not easy to impress. Not that I tried, but a few of the other men did…..”
Shigeshi begins tuning Minato’s voice out, pausing when he sees the blonde girl’s eyes land on him.
He sends her a charming smile and gives her a playful salute, before she rolls her eyes and looks away.
Aeri rolls her eyes at the sight of the dark haired man smiling at her.
‘Not another one’ she can’t help thinking, releasing a breath as the large ship finally reaches one of the piers.
She drops her hands and rolls her neck, before placing her hands on her hips as a small crowd of Minami Ninja stride past her, all going to tie the ship down and help the crew with unloading supplies.
“Let’s go and greet our Allies” Kisei suggests, linking hands with his wife and walking towards the large ship.
“I believe I saw Minato waving at us before” Maiyen informs her husband as they get swallowed up in the crowd of Minami’s and their Guardians.
Aeri sighs again, casting a look down at her faithful Kiyuna. The Wolf regards her with kind blue eyes, tilting her head towards the ship.
“Perhaps we should aid them Mistress” she suggests, seeing the unenthusiastic look on her partner’s face. “I am sure Minato will be happy to see you again.”
“Kiyuna, I don’t like him!” Aeri groans as she begins walking towards the ship, sick of people thinking she did. “I’m sure that the last time he was here, he was talking about his girlfriend!”
“Things can change in two years” Kiyuna chuckles softly, ducking to the left as three men walk past, carrying a large crate.
“I’m telling you now Kiyuna” Aeri states, closing her eyes and sticking her nose in the air. “I have no interest whatsoever in falling in love with a Leaf Ninj- oof!”
Aeri feels herself collide with what she thinks is a wall, before two strong hands reach out and steady her.
Shaking her head vigorously, Aeri looks up. Her eyes widen at the sight of the tall man before her, arrogant smirk etched onto his pale face.
“Well, that’s one way to introduce yourself to me” he chuckles, eyes filled with amusement.
Aeri blushes furiously, shrugging the man’s hands off of her and crossing her arms. She recognised him as the man who had smiled at her, but she had only just realised how incredibly handsome he was.
Too bad he seemed like such an ass.
“I have no interest in introducing myself to the likes of you” she growls, glaring up at him stubbornly.
The man chuckles again, placing a hand in his pocket.
“Well I’d like to introduce myself to you” he says confidently. “The name’s Shigeshi Uchiha, from the Hidden Leaf. And you are?”
Aeri’s eyes widen slightly at the name Uchiha. She’d heard of them before. They were a very powerful Clan from the Hidden Leaf, and they possessed the Sharingan. The only power on Earth strong enough to control the Ten Tailed Beast.
Aeri suddenly frowns at Shigeshi. He had better stay away from her Mother then, seeing as she was currently the host of the monstrous creature.
“Not even remotely interested” Aeri sniffs rudely. “Come on Kiyuna!” With that, Aeri steps around an amused Shigeshi, and flounces off, not sparing him a second glance.
“I see you’ve met Aeri” a familiar voice laughs, making Shigeshi turn around. Minato walks over to him, carrying a small crate of shuriken and kunai. “What did you think?”
Shigeshi turns his head back around, watching as Aeri sneakily draws a wave of water over the side of the ship, washing some of the unsuspecting Leaf Ninja overboard.
“I think I’m going to have to have her” he says determinedly, smirking to himself. Minato shrugs and rolls his eyes good naturedly.
“Good luck” he mutters with a laugh, heading towards the Chief and his wife.
“We believe Ninja from the Land of Lightning have been sneaking into our island for the past few weeks” Chief Kisei explains, watching the two squads of Leaf Ninja from across his desk. “We’re not quite sure how they’ve managed to sneak in undetected, as we’ve got Earth users dotted across the island. They’d be able to sense an intruder long before they could get into the Village….”
Aeri leans against the wall with her arms crossed, still not happy about having the Leaf Ninja in her home, the Chief’s Tower. Surely the Ninja here could deal with a few stray Lightning Ninja?
“What are they after exactly?” Minato asks seriously, stepping forwards from his position beside Shigeshi.
Kisei sighs, reaching down into his drawers and rifling around until he finds a small file. Setting it down, Kisei opens the file and scans down the page.
“We’ve kept track of everything they’ve stolen in the past few months” he explains, eyes flicking to his Guardian at the back of the room.
Calistan had the power to both read minds, and project thoughts into minds. Because of his daughter’s paranoid nagging, the Chief had asked Calistan to check through the Leaf Ninja’s minds, to make absolutely sure that none of them were planning anything traitorous against the Land of Ambience.
“As the Land of Ambience is a rich land, we have had quite a few expensive items stolen” Kisei informs Minato, eyes flicking up to the young man. “Especially from the Okami Tsuki Temple. That’s where majority of thefts have been recorded.”
“Wait a second” Shigeshi suddenly speaks up, making Aeri narrow her eyes at him. She didn’t particularly like the Uchiha, despite how handsome he was.
“You can’t have really called us here because of a few petty thieves” Shigeshi laughs disbelievingly.
The Chief casts him a solemn look.
“You’re correct…..uh…” the Chief pauses, scratching his chin sheepishly.
“Squad Leader, Shigeshi Uchiha sir” the raven haired man states, standing straight. He was proud of his rank, although he was really aiming to be an ANBU Captain one day.
“You’re correct Shigeshi” Kisei nods appreciatively. “Unfortunately, there is a much more ominous reason you have been called here.”
The Leaf Ninja exchange worried looks, but remain silent. Shigeshi and Minato were the two Squad Leaders here, and they’d make the best possible decision for their teams.
“As of late, these Lightning Ninja have been coming after my people and their Guardians” Kisei explains lowly, sliding a small amount of photos across his desk. “So far, twelve human deaths and seventeen Guardian deaths have been recorded.”
Shigeshi sees the hurt look in Aeri’s eyes, as she turns her head away from the horrifying photos of mutilated and bloody bodies.
“As you may know, here in the Land of Ambience, our Guardians are just as important as our people” Kisei informs everyone seriously. “Killing a Guardian is as against the law as killing a human. It is still considered murder, and is punishable by death. We need your help in locating these murderers and bringing them to justice.”
Minato and Shigeshi eye the pictures solemnly, feeling slightly disgusted by the way the bodies have simply been torn to shreds. Why would the Lightning Ninja do such a thing?
“We’ll get started right away sir” Shigeshi states, saluting, which prompts the other Leaf Ninja to do the same.
“You can count on us Chief” Minato adds with a warm smile, making Kisei nod.
“I know my boy” he replies, smiling appreciatively. “These Lightning Ninja always seem to strike during the night, although not every night. So be on your toes, and stay safe. There will be squads of Ambience Ninja spread across the island as well, so don’t be alarmed if you run into any of them. They are aware you are helping us. Good luck, and you are dismissed.”
The Leaf Ninja immediately turn and leave the room, exiting out into a sinister looking evening. The sky is slowly filling with dark clouds, bringing the promise of a fierce Ambience storm.
Aeri sighs as the door is closed, pushing herself away from the wall and heading up the spiral staircase to her bedroom.
“You know that bringing them here won’t make any difference” she informs her Father as she climbs the stairs, Kiyuna not far behind her. “They’re just going to get themselves killed, like Tatzu and Riora.”
“I believe in the Leaf Ninja Aeri” Kisei sighs, closing his eyes at the mention of his youngest son and Guardian.
“That doesn’t change what happened to my brother” Aeri argues, before slamming her door shut and flopping onto her bed. Kiyuna climbs up beside her, rubbing her cheek against Aeri’s shoulder comfortingly, as the blonde picks up a picture and stares at it blankly.
Two pairs of bright, fuchsia eyes look back at her, smiles on Aeri and her twin’s faces as Kiyuna and Riora wrestle in the background.
“Alright men!” comes a loud voice from outside, catching Aeri’s attention. “I’ll make this quick, since it looks like it’s about to storm.”
Aeri cautiously slides down from her bed and walks over to her window, pushing it open and crossing her arms along the window sill. Looking down, she sees the Leaf Ninja, huddled around Shigeshi, who seems to be explaining some sort of plan to them.
Aeri kneels on the floor and rests her head on her arms, watching as they all nod eagerly, smiling determinedly at Shigeshi’s words.
“Alright men, best of luck” Shigeshi grins, hands on his hips. “Remember, if you get into strife, you’ve each been distributed two flares. Set them off if it’s an emergency. I don’t care what you’re doing, if you see a flare, you run to it. We’ve all got each other’s backs, and I want every single one of you to be back on that boat alive when we leave for home.”
Minato and the others nod, with the blonde grinning at Shigeshi’s authority. He hadn’t been a Squad Leader for very long, but it was obvious he’d been born for a leadership role. He only hoped the Uchiha wouldn’t want to be the Hokage one day.
“Scatter!” Shigeshi commands, causing all of the Leaf Ninja to flash away, each heading in a different direction.
They weren’t afraid to do a scouting job by themselves. They each had wireless communicators around their necks and flares, not to mention their powerful Ninja skills.
Shigeshi pauses before he leaps away, sensing someone watching him. Glancing back over his shoulder, he spies Aeri peeking at him through her window on the fourth floor of the Chief’s Tower.
She jumps up with a start when he grins at her and waves, before scooting backwards and tripping over backwards onto her bed.
Shigeshi smirks to himself as he takes off. She was definitely an interesting young woman.
“Th-that jerk” Aeri mutters, sitting up on her bed, blushing furiously. “He was so making fun of me just then!”
“All he did was smile and wave Mistress” Kiyuna informs the blonde softly, watching as she jumps up and begins pacing back and forth. “Perhaps he likes you?”
“NO!” Aeri exclaims, stomping her foot and glaring at Kiyuna, cheeks still burning. “That’s not it! He just doesn’t think I’m strong enough to help my own people!”
“When did he ever say anything like that Mistress?” Kiyuna asks with a sigh. Aeri was very good at putting thoughts in her own head, exactly like she was doing now. Kiyuna had no doubt that the handsome Uchiha just had a crush on her Mistress, yet her she was, proclaiming that he was mocking her for being weak. Only her Mistress could mistake a smile and a wave for something so offensive.
“Let’s go Kiyuna” Aeri commands, heading back for her window. “I’ll show him who’s weak when I catch those damn Lightning Ninja!”
Kiyuna watches as Aeri leaps from the building, not really giving the Wolf a chance to protest. She heaves a reluctant sigh, before following Aeri outside, rain beginning to fall.
Shigeshi crouches in a tree, narrowing his eyes. He’d heard something approaching, and didn’t want to take the chance of being seen, just in case it was one of the Lightning Ninja.
The raven haired man wipes his eyes with his sleeve, the rain making it a bit harder to see. He’d been told that storms in the Land of Ambience could be quite fierce, and he wasn’t looking forward to being stuck in one.
Shigeshi freezes, hearing a faint gurgling sound slowly approaching him. As he waits with bated breath, Shigeshi sees a dark figure stumbling towards him in a strange fashion, almost as if it were drunk.
The figure murmurs unintelligible words to itself, stomping through the wet dirt and snapping a tree branch off when its shoulder crashes into it. Shigeshi leans forwards slightly, unsure of just what the figure is, when it suddenly steps out from under a tree, gnashing its crooked jaw.
Shigeshi’s eyes shoot wide open, taking in the lumpy, grey skin of the figure. Bandages wrapped tightly around its eyes and nose, leaving only the deformed jaw free, saliva frothing between its few teeth.
A crack of thunder almost makes Shigeshi jump, soon followed by an impressive flash of lightning.
‘What is that?’ Shigeshi wonders to himself, shifting his position and staring at the figure’s bare chest, covered in stitches and slash wounds. One thick, muscled arm hangs from its right shoulder, its left shoulder a useless stump.
‘It’s definitely not a Lightning Ninja…..’
A small bird suddenly flits past Shigeshi, spooked by the storm. Shigeshi suppresses a horrified gasp, as the figure’s arm suddenly darts out, catching the bird in a bone crushing grip. It squeezes the bird tightly, before bringing the dead creature to its mouth and viciously tearing out some of the feathers, before biting off a wing and spitting it on the ground.
Shigeshi’s heart thuds in his chest, when a crackling comes over his wireless.
“Shigeshi?” one of the Uchiha’s comrades asks in a shaky voice, making him suck in a breath. The large figure freezes, seemingly listening as the rain pours and thunder rumbles.
“What is it?” Shigeshi hisses lowly, turning around and trying to cover his mouth so the creature won’t hear.
“Uh…I’m um, not sure how to….explain this” the voice stutters, crackling over the wireless. “But I don’t think we’re dealing with….Ninja at all……”
Shigeshi winces, hearing the creature make a low groaning sound, its head slowly swivelling around, searching for the source of the voice it can hear.
“I know, I’m thinking the same thing” Shigeshi whispers, scowling at the creature in confusion. “Minato? You get that?
Shigeshi waits for what feels like hours, when he gets the short reply.
“Sorry Shi” the blonde apologises, a shrill screech emitting from the wireless. “Kinda bus- Ow!...Busy………Fighting a mutant!”
At the sound of the screech, the creature’s head snaps up, its face looking directly up at Shigeshi’s back. Its mouth hangs open slightly, as it listens intently, pinpointing Shigeshi’s whereabouts.
“Mutant?” Shigeshi asks himself, before pressing back on his wireless. “Be careful men. If any of you come across a mutant-like creature as well, try not to engage unless absolutely necessar-”
Shigeshi is interrupted by a loud, bone chilling growl coming from the mutant behind him. Whirling around, Shigeshi is able to leap out of the way, just as the mutant leaps up into the tree after him.
The Uchiha flips around and hangs upside down from a higher branch, as the mutant obliterates the branch, falling back to the ground and tilting its head back.
“Are you alright Shigeshi sir?!” a frantic comrade asks across the wireless. “You were cut off!”
“Don’t tell me- ungh!” Minato groans. “Don’t tell me you’re fighting one of these things as well?!”
“Careful Shigeshi!” the first man to contact him advises. “I’ve been watching this one for awhile now, and it can spit acid. It can’t seem to hear anything, but it’s trying to find me by smelling the air!”
“Acid?” Shigeshi repeats, glancing back down at the mutant and seeing its mouth hanging wide open.
His eyes widen, as he swings up on top of the branch and leaps across to another one, when a glob of thick, grey liquid is shot up at him.
Shigeshi watches in horror as steam rises from the liquid, quickly burning through the branch and sending it tumbling to the ground
The mutant grunts as the branch lands on its head, as Shigeshi closes his eyes.
‘Just what are you?.....’ he asks himself, opening his now blazing red eyes.
Aeri freezes behind a tree, having heard a strange groaning sound coming from this direction.
“I have a bad feeling about this Mistress” Kiyuna whispers, ears laid back against her head.
“Shhhhhh!” Aeri hisses, placing a finger to her lips and peering around the side of the tree. “I bet we’ve just found our culprits……”
Aeri quickly ducks out from behind the tree, slinking towards the groaning sound. As a flash of lightning streaks across the sky, Aeri can’t help freezing when she sees the huge mutant looking up into the trees.
She suppresses a gasp, covering her mouth with her hands. Kiyuna appears behind her, also shocked by the giant, pale figure before her.
Both of them watch with wide eyes as the creature shoots a large ball of gooey liquid up into the trees. They hear a quiet sizzling sound, before a thick branch falls from the trees and lands on the creature’s head, making it grunt in pain.
“Acid” Aeri whispers, before a determined scowl appears on her face. She was going to get revenge for her twin brother, if it was the last thing she did.
Much to Kiyuna’s dismay, Aeri rushes forwards and leaps at the creature. Being an incredibly skilled water user, Aeri captures some of the rain around her hand and freezes it, like a thick glove of ice.
With a shout, Aeri slams her fist into the mutant’s face, shattering the ice and sending the creature skidding back a few feet.
Aeri flips around and lands on the soggy earth, baring her teeth at the ugly creature as is cracks its neck.
“You’re gonna pay for what you did to Tatzu!” she snaps, before waving her arms and freezing hundreds of drops of water into ice, making them float in the air around her.
With a flick of her wrist, the tiny shards of ice shoot towards the mutant, easily piercing its skin and making it roar in pain. As Aeri smirks at the beast, it flexes its muscles, expelling the ice shards back towards Aeri.
She drags a line of water up from the ground, catching the ice shards in it and making them melt back into water.
The horrible creature suddenly charges towards her, fist held high. As it brings its fist down on her, Aeri wraps the water around its wrist and waves her arms to the right, forcing the water to drag the creature away from her.
As it slams against a tree, Aeri makes the water freeze, securing the beast to the tree. Before she can celebrate, the creature growls lowly and opens it’s crooked jaw. Aeri’s eyes widen, as a ball of the thick acid is shot at her. She scowls at the beast, throwing her arms up in front of her and focusing her Katsuryoku on the water she knows has to be inside the acid.
To her utter relief, the acid comes to a slow stop in front of her. Aeri then spins in a circle, the acid following her movement, before flinging it back at the beast at the end of her spin.
The acid splatters across its chest, sizzling and steaming as it burns into the already scarred flesh. The monster roars in pain, straining against the ice and tearing itself free. It furiously charges towards Aeri, who watches on with wide eyes, when Kiyuna suddenly bursts out of the bushes and leaps over Aeri, running to meet the mutant head on.
Kiyuna growls ferociously, her body suddenly bursting into flames as she leaps into the air and tackles the mutant to the ground.
The creature screeches in agony, as a flaming Kiyuna sinks her teeth into its neck, tearing off a mass of the thick, white skin in her jaws.
It sets on fire and quick disintegrates, as the fiery Wolf casts a hate filled glare down at the monster.
“Never threaten the life of my Mistress!” she roars angrily. Before Kiyuna can react, the mutant gathers a huge amount of chakra into its throat and emits a high pitched screech that only the Wolf would be able to hear. The wave of chakra sends her rocketing through the air and crashing into a tree, snapping the thick trunk right in half.
“KIYUNA!” Aeri screams in horror, watching as the tree collapses right on top of her Guardian.
Before the tree can crush her though, someone leaps out of the trees and catches the heavy trunk.
Aeri sucks in a breath, her eyes wide as she watches Shigeshi carrying the full weight of the large tree on his shoulders, his knees shaking slightly under the heavy burden.
The Uchiha looks up at Aeri and smirks.
“Shoulda just left it to the professionals” he teases, making Aeri blush and scowl at him. “Not that your use of that Kekkei Genkai isn’t pretty good.”
Shigeshi and Aeri both look over at the mutant, as it suddenly climbs to its feet, pounding its chest with one hand, its ribcage now visible due to the acid eating away its flesh.
“Now, if you could just stall him until I can get this tree off of me” Shigeshi jokes, straining under the weight of the tree. “I’ll show you what my Kekkei Genkai can do.”
Aeri smirks and whirls around determinedly.
“I don’t need your Kekkei Genkai” she sneers, forming a long whip out of the falling rain. “Mine’s just fine!”
With that said, Aeri flings the water whip at the mutant, wrapping it around its wrist securely. With a powerful tug, Aeri manages to pull the mutant forwards, making it lose its balance. Taking that as her cue, Aeri bounds forwards, wrapping the water around the mutant’s legs and giving another pull.
The mutant falls over forwards, hitting the ground with a bang. Aeri then leaps onto its back and wraps the water around its neck a few times, a nasty grin on her face. “Now, you don’t really need that head” she taunts, before freezing the water into ice, spikes of the frozen liquid piercing right into its skull.
Job done, Aeri skips down from the mutant’s back, as Shigeshi manages to throw the tree off of his back, making him sigh with relief.
“Kiyuna!” Aeri cries, making Shigeshi look up. As the blonde runs towards her Guardian, Shigeshi eyes the mutant suspiciously, his Sharingan allowing him to see the chakra still swirling through its body.
“Get down!” he suddenly shouts, leaping for Aeri and tackling her to the ground. Aeri bites her lips in pain, as an acid ball aimed for her skims across her ankle, instantly burning her flesh and leaving the bone exposed. Her skin wasn’t as thick as the mutant’s, so even the slightest touch from the acid would melt it away.
“You okay?” Shigeshi asks, unravelling his arms from around Aeri’s small body. She slowly looks up at him, blinking rapidly.
“He got my leg” she says softly, staring into Shigeshi’s burning red eyes. “But thanks to you, I’m not dead.”
Shigeshi glances down at the painful wound on Aeri’s ankle, making him frown. He lifts Aeri up gently, and places her beside her unconscious Guardian, before whirling around and facing the growling mutant. He places his fingers on the wireless around his neck.
“Hey Minato” he addresses darkly. “How did you kill that mutant you were fighting?”
“…….Hang on a sec” comes the muffled reply. A few seconds later, a loud boom resounds through the air, making Aeri and Shigeshi look up. Despite the rain and lightning, they see faint smoke clouds floating through the air.
“Minato?” Shigeshi asks worriedly. “Are you alr-”
“I blew him up” Minato interrupts with a weary chuckle. “Nothing else worked.”
Shigeshi nods, a sly grin appearing on his face.
“Blew him up huh?” he asks himself, before shaking his head and laughing. “You always did like bringing attention to yourself Minato….”
“What’re you mumbling about?” Aeri sighs, pulling Kiyuna’s head into her lap and stoking it lovingly.
Shigeshi glances from the mutant to Aeri, an idea coming to his mind.
“Hey!” he calls to the injured Minami. “Can you gather some of the rain and make it really cold for me?”
Aeri gives Shigeshi a quizzical look.
“Why?” she asks bluntly, making him sigh.
“Please, just do i-” Shigeshi is cut off, as the mutant lets out a roar and begins charging towards Aeri and Kiyuna, making his eyes widen.
“Hurry up!” Shigeshi shouts, hurriedly performing a set of hand signs. “Just trust me and hold it up between me and the mutant!”
Aeri looks at Shigeshi with fear filled eyes, before nodding and raising her arms. She’d just have to trust the Uchiha for now.
As the small wall of cold water forms, Shigeshi places a hand in front of his mouth.
“Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!” he shouts, blowing out a powerful fireball at the mutant. As the fire collides with the freezing water, a loud sizzling sound fills the air, steaming shrouding Aeri, Kiyuna and the mutant in a thick mist.
Shigeshi charges forwards, expertly performing a set of complicated hand signs. He throws his hand down, chakra beginning to form lightning in his hand as he runs. Using his Sharingan, Shigeshi pinpoints just where the mutant is, and leaps up onto its chest as it flails around helplessly in the steam.
“Lightning Style: Chidori Bomb!” Shigeshi shouts, slamming his hand down on the mutant’s chest and pushing the ball of chakra powered lightning through its flesh.
Quickly jumping down, Shigeshi throws Kiyuna over his shoulder, before scooping a coughing Aeri up into his arms and leaping away.
“Brace yourself” Shigeshi warns lowly, running in the opposite direction of the mutant.
Aeri wraps her arms tightly around Shigeshi’s neck and buries her face into his chest, not sure just what he’s planning on doing.
Suddenly, there’s a loud explosion behind them, violently blowing their hair forwards as a wave of hot air rushes behind them.
Shigeshi manages to make a sharp turn, skidding behind a large boulder, as the wave rushes past them. He hugs Aeri tightly, shielding her from the blast, as small bits of flesh and debris begin raining down, smoke rising from them.
Shigeshi slowly releases Aeri and leans back against the boulder, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
Aeri leans back as well, blinking a few times and feeling slightly dazed.
“You alright?” Shigeshi asks, making her look up at him. She flushes under his intense gaze, his eyes back to their original onyx colour. She nods silently, her heart thudding against her chest. He had just saved her life. And her beloved Guardian’s life as well.
Aeri’s eyes widen in realisation. He’d saved Kiyuna’s life. And he risked his own life to do it.
She suddenly throws her arms around Shigeshi’s neck, catching the Jonin by surprise. Aeri hugs him tightly, something that makes him smile slightly, as he wraps one arm around her waist.
“You saved Kiyuna’s life” she mumbles, leaning back and casting her eyes down to the ground shyly. “I can’t thank you enough for that……”
Shigeshi grins and flicks a few strands of Aeri’s hair cheekily.
“Your thanks and a kiss will be enough” he says with a wink, earning himself a punch in the chest.
“Alright” he wheezes, chuckling at the adorable pout on Aeri’s face. “Just your thanks then. Now come on, you can’t walk on that ankle, so I’ll have to carry you.”
Aeri shakes her head, gazing at her unconscious Guardian sadly.
“I’d prefer you to carry Kiyuna” she says softly, making Shigeshi glance at the Wolf as well.
“What about your ankle?” he inquires, one hand on his hip as he rises to his feet.
“I’ll deal with the pain” Aeri says firmly. “Kiyuna is more important.”
Shigeshi smiles at the stubborn girl, shaking his head. He didn’t understand how she could possibly think that the Wolf was more important than her, but if that’s what she wanted…..
“H-Hey!” Aeri cries, as Shigeshi crouches down with his back to her. “Wh-what’re you-”
“You can’t walk on that ankle” Shigeshi repeats. “So climb on. I’ll carry you both.”
“B-But won’t that be heavy?” Aeri questions, blushing as Shigeshi chuckles.
“You’re not very heavy” he assures her. “In fact, you’re pleasantly light. Now get on.”
Aeri nods slowly, hesitantly climbing onto Shigeshi’s back and trying to ignore how his muscles flex when he rises to his feet.
The strong Uchiha then scoops up Kiyuna, pulling a face as he does so.
“You’re much lighter than your Wolf” he laughs, making Aeri grin, despite her embarrassment.
“You’re irritatingly charming” she mutters, making Shigeshi laugh again.
Before he can reply, a static filled voice crackles over his wireless.
“Shigeshi sir! Are you alright?! I heard an explosion…….I’ve defeated the other mutant as well!”
Shigeshi sweat drops, not sure how he’s going to answer with his hands full. Aeri takes matters into her own hands, unwrapping one arm from around Shigeshi’s neck and pressing the button on his wireless.
“We’re fine” she chirps, giving Shigeshi a closed eyes smile as he turns to look at her.
“Better than fine actually” he adds, before Aeri releases the button and rests her head on Shigeshi’s shoulder as he begins the long walk back to the Village.
“Again, we cannot thank you enough for all that you’ve done for our land!” Kisei exclaims happily, waving at the Leaf Ninja as they finish boarding their ship. “Please, if there’s ever anything we can do to return the favour, don’t hesitate to ask!”
“No worries Chief!” Minato laughs, leaning on the ship’s railing and waving a hand. “We’ll keep it in mind!”
Shigeshi remains silent, gazing down at the blonde girl beside Kisei seriously. She tilts her head, looking back up at him with sad eyes. As much as she hated to admit it, she was going to miss him, even though she’d only met him days earlier.
Shigeshi felt the same way, not that he’d told her that. He was most definitely planning on coming back to the Land of Ambience again, using an excuse he could get away with. There was just something about the Minami girl that drew him to her, and he wasn’t exactly the most loving man in the world. Sure he was friendly and everyone liked him, but he’d never felt such a strong want or need to be with someone before. She must be special if she could make him feel like that after only knowing her for a few days.
Aeri’s eyes widen, as the ship slowly begins moving away from the pier, turning to head back out to sea.
Shigeshi feels a disappointed frown tugging his face down. He really didn’t want to leave her behind.
As Minami and Leaf Ninja alike shout their good byes to one another, Aeri suddenly takes off down the pier and runs onto the water, using her Katsuryoku to keep from sinking.
Shigeshi watches with wide eyes, as Aeri makes the water rise up, bringing her up to the railing of the ship.
“What’re you-”
Aeri cuts him off by placing a finger against his lips, a serious look in her eyes.
“Promise me you’ll come back?” she asks softly, making Shigeshi’s eyes widen again. With a tiny smirk, he nods his head, making Aeri sigh with relief and drop her hand.
“Well then, here’s that kiss you wanted” she mutters, before swiftly leaning across the railing and planting a soft kiss on the Uchiha’s cheek. He blinks in surprise, as Aeri winks at him cheekily.
“Bye now” she purrs, turning around to leap back down to the ground, when Shigeshi grabs her arm.
“Not good enough” he growls lowly, smirking mischievously as he pulls her back to him and kisses her on the lips.
Okay, a few things...
First off, if you've never noticed throughout Twi and Stwf, I happen to LOVE a good backstory xP Like when we learnt about Kushina and Minato in Naruto. I also happen to love WRITING backstory aha. So I felt like adding a bit about Kiyu and Ashley's parents. I happen to like Shigeshi and Aeri, and we don't hear much about them sooo....yeah! ^-^
Second, it's only taken me sixteen chapters to realise this, but I believe I've written that Ashley is Sixteen. As she was twelve and a half when she left the Village, this is physically impossible. She's actually FIFTEEN, on her WAY to sixteen lol. I'll have to go back and fix that.
And lastly, I hate to say this, but I'm getting kind of frustrated with you people who are reading Stwf, enjoying it and NOT voting! I know I'm not the only writer this happens to, but when you've got three hundred reads on a chapter and only twenty odd votes, it tends to make you a bit mad. So PLEASE!!!! For my sanity, and the sanity of other authors, VOTE WHEN YOU LIKE WHATEVER YOU'RE READING!!!!!
Ciao! :3