#and finally ends up telling kurama to stop holding back whatever it is that hes keeping inside

[rouge-the-bat]

MAN. the dynamic of "just wants to be loved and desired and wanted" x "fantasizes about locking you up so i can have you all to myself forever" HOOOOO

[ga-yuu]

Yoshitsune Main Story Summary (Chapter 24 to 26 + Both endings)

Yasuchika looks at Yoshino, who was riding on Yoshitsune's horse. He understood that, the thread that ties both the Shogunate and the Rebels is Yoshino. So in order to break the alliance, Yoshino must die.

He then, with whatever power left, summoned a much bigger inugamis to attack one small girl. Yasuchika apologizes before he releases the inugami towards her. Seeing the large size of beasts, the soldiers started getting scared. Even Yoshino was shivering. But Yoshitsune was pissed. He was pissed because Yasuchika was trying to kill his one true love. But he knew that, to defeat the large inugamis he needed more power than usual.

Then suddenly, something inside him started to change. It felt like his body itself was changing and he started to feel more power. Then, a huge storm started coming from nowhere. The wind kept surrounding Yoshitsune and then suddenly, Yoshitsune hair turns completely black and both eyes turn red, like those of Kurama.

Seeing this transformation, everyone looking at him was mesmerized but at the same time scared. Yoshino then recalled Tamamo telling her something about using demon powers within limits. Apparently, each human has a vessel which should not be overflowing. When a human who made contract with a demon, uses demon powers beyond their limit, it can cost their life. That's why Yoshino cannot use foxfires unless she pushes herself to the limit.

Right now, Yoshitsune is using all of his powers, and this started to scare Yoshino because it might cost his life. She reached out to hold his hand, worriedly and Yoshitsune reassured her that he's okay. He then looks at Yasuchika and threatened him that he will not forgive him or anyone who tries to hurt Yoshino. Ofc, Yoshitsune kills all the Inugamis and was almost about to cut Yasuchika's head. But Yasuchika is a playable character so Yoritomo stops him. Instead Yoritomo takes him under the Shogunate's custody to find more info from him. Yoshitsune didn't care, as long as Yasuchika wasn't a pain in the ass.

Soon Yoshitsune goes back to normal and they all return. Also on the way, Yoshitsune and Yoshino kiss on a moving horse. Isn't that dangerous?

At the camp, Yoritomo and Yoshitsune have a final meeting to settle things down. Yoshino also joins them. Yoritomo asks Yoshitsune what he wants as a reward for killing the Inugami and capturing the main villain. Yoshitsune with a straight face said he only wants 2 things: 1. He wants Hiraizumi to be seen as a separate country and that he wants to be the leader of it or something (I don't remember) and 2. He wants Yoshino as his trophy.

Yoritomo smirked at him for being greedy. He was okay with the first one but for the second request, he tells Yoshitsune to ask Yoshino's opinion first. They both looked at Yoshino and Yoshino nods her head, saying that she wants to live in Hiraizumi with Yoshitsune.

After they go back to their tent, and have sex for the first time. Next morning, Yoshino asks if she could go and say her final goodbyes to Yoritomo and friends. Yoshitsune nods and Yoshino leaves. She meets up with the Shogunate gang and thanks them for everything they have done for her. She also bows to say sorry if she had caused any troubles to them. Everyone of them laughs at her for being so serious. They all told her that she was one of them and she is still one of them and if she ever gets bored of Yoshitsune, she can come bact to them. They all laugh together.

After that, we see Yoshino going on top of a cliff to pick up some herbs. Out of nowhere, Kurama drops down and glares at her. Frustrated, he confronts her and asks her why did she change Yoshitsune's heart? Yoshitsune was suppose to die and Kurama would have gotten his soul, then why did Yoshino change Yoshitsune's heart, that now Yoshitsune wants to live. Yoshino openly says that Yoshitsune now wants to live for his friends who care about him. She also knows that deep down Kurama also doesn't want Yoshitsune to die. Yoshino says that if Kurama is frustrated, just because he didn't get Yoshitsune's soul, then she is ready to give her soul instead. Since now, Yoshitsune and Yoshino are in love, their souls are connected. So it won't matter, right?

Kurama was silent. He didn't know what to say or how to process her words. After a minute, he just tells her that he doesn't need her soul and flies away quickly.

After that, few days later, everyone goes back to Hiraizumi and Yoshitsune officially welcomes Yoshino as a member of their family.

Romantic Ending

Few days have passed after Yoshino is welcomed into the Rebel family. Yoshino goes to meet Tamamo at a mountain top. She meets Tamamo regularly to fight demons so that Tamamo can restore his powers. Tamamo was happy to see her but...he wasn't happy to see the two puppies following her all the way from home.

Tamamo looks at both of them and asked why 'uninvited people' are here. The two puppies, Yoshitsune and Kurama looks at each other confused, because they didn't understand who was Tamamo referring to and Tamamo sighs. Yoshitsune said that he followed Yoshino because he wants to make sure that she's safe. He grabs her hand with both of his hands and smiles beautifully. Yoshino just couldn't no to Yoshitsune when he asked if he could follow her.

Tamamo asked why Kurama followed her and Kurama was like "No reason, I'm only here to fight Tamamo."

Tamamo sighs again and decided to simply let them be. All 4 of them, then started to walk towards the direction of the demon so that Yoshino can kill it. While walking, Yoshino looks at Kurama and thanks him for everything and Kurama looked dumbfounded as if he didn't understand what she's talking about. But soon he started smiling, calling her weird. Yoshino looked surprised seeing Kurama smiling beautifully.

Soon they see a demon and Yoshino steps forward to attack. Yoshino was doing good but then the demon charged an attack and when Yoshino tried to dodge it, her foot twists and she almost falls off the cliff. Luckily Yoshitsune came in clutch and caught her.

Seeing Yoshino almost die made both Yoshitsune and Kurama (for some reason) furious. They both at the same time, unleashed their powerful hurricanes killing the demon who tried to kill Yoshino. (It was literally an overkill)

They both happily turned towards Yoshino for validation but to their surprise they see a furious angry Tamamo. Tamamo started scolding both Kurama and Yoshitsune for killing the demon in place of Yoshino because if Yoshino doesn't kill the demon, Tamamo's powers are never gonna be restored. Both of these idiots forgot that they were not suppose to get in the way of Yoshino. Obediently, they both quietly accepted Tamamo's scolding.

After that, Yoshitsune holds Yoshino's feet and started rubbing it, asking if it hurts or not? He also offered to give Yoshino a piggyback ride back home if she can't walk. Kurama also offers Yoshino to carry her in his arms and fly back to home. Seeing Kurama so eagerly willing to help Yoshino, Tamamo understood that Kurama is in love with Yoshino but doesn't seem to realize it.

Tamamo held back Kurama saying that he is going to educate Kurama about something and they all go back to the mansion.

At night, both Yoshino and Yoshitsune were getting ready for bed. Then Yoshitsune curiously asks if Yoshino is happy staying in Hiraizumi or not? He asks her if she needs anything? and that he will buy her anything that she needs or wants. Yoshino was confused.

Yoshitsune looked guilty and with a sad face he said that this is the first time he has ever fallen in love and seeing Yoshino, his 'love' a.k.a 'obsession and possessiveness' keeps increasing. He wants her to be happy and not leave him. So that's why he asked if she wanted anything, so Yoshino wouldn't leave him. But he also doesn't want Yoshino to feel overburdened seeing him being possessive.

Yoshino was genuinely surprised but she smiled. She was so happy that Yoshitsune loves her so much. She moves closer to Yoshitsune and reassures him that all she wants is him and that she will never leave him. Ever. This makes Yoshitsune happy. He pushes her down to the futon and starts making love to her.

Dramatic Ending

Few days after Yoshino joined the Rebel family, both Yoshino and Yoshitsune were busy as hell. They weren't able to spend time together. Yoshino also got permission from Yoshitsune to work as a pharmacist in Hiraizumi and also at his mansion for the soldiers.

They got little time to be together so, they were walking hand in hand through the hallway. Yoshitsune apologizes for not being able to spend time with her and Yoshino shakes her head.

They both run into Benkei and Yoichi, who were coming from the other way. Yoichi smiles at both of them but Benkei looked at Yoshino with a straight face. He then pulls out a box of sweets and gives them to Yoshino. Yoshino was confused but she still took it. Benkei tells her that he made those sweets for her as an appreciation. He's thanking her for accepting Yoshitsune's heart and also being his friend.

Yoshino smiled and thanked him. She took a small sweet and ate it. Yoshino's face lit up due to how delicious the sweet was. Benkei looked relieved seeing her liking his cooking. Benkei was thinking too hard if Yoshino would like his cooking and also used Yoichi to taste his sweets before he gave them to Yoshino.

Yoshitsune also thanks both Benkei and Yoichi for their gratitude. Then Benkei's motherly instincts starts to kick in. He then holds Yoshino's shoulders with a serious face and tells her about Yoshitsune's bad habits since now Yoshino will also be taking care of Yoshitsune. He tells her that Yoshitsune doesn't like to eat vegetables and some times he even falls asleep while eating. He also goes on and on about his bad sleeping habits and Yoshitsune started to get embarrassed.

He quickly takes Yoshino's hand and both of them runs away from Benkei and Yoichi. They both then walk hand in hand in the forest and Yoshitsune apologizes for Benkei's behaviour. Yoshino just laughed and told him that she was happy that everyone is accepting her as a friend.

She was also happy that she is getting to know more about Yoshitsune. Then Yoshitsune curiously asks her if she wants anything? He promises that he will fulfill all her wishes and make her happy.

Yoshino thinks for a while and then says she only want Yoshitsune and just like him, she wants to stay by his side and make him happy.

Hearing her words made Yoshitsune incredibly happy and he kissed her forehead. The fact that she chose him more than anything else made him more happy than he could think. They kiss and promise to be with each other.

THE END.

[lilyofthesword-writes]

Hunter (Kurama Oneshot)

Summary: Kurama reminisces over his early human childhood memories while he waits for you to regain consciousness from your comatose state.

Pairing: Kurama x F!Reader (Can be read as platonic)

Word Count: 1,864

Disclaimers/Warnings: Short depictions of bullying, childhood trauma. Angsty but there is still some fluff to be found.

A/N: Set post-canon. This pulls in bits of Supernatural lore, specifically some of the creatures seen in the series, but is not actually set in the Supernatural universe. This is something I’ve had in my head ever since I started the series over five years ago. Feels awesome to finally have it written out! Hope you all enjoy!

Masterlist

Your breath was slow as it filled your lungs, almost as though it were fueling your comatose slumber. Kurama stood idly against the wall, watching over you in the hospital bed. He didn’t necessarily need to be there, but he felt like he should. For what it’s worth, he hadn’t seen or heard from you since you were children. He wondered if your eyes still held the same fire that coursed through them all those years ago.

In his younger years before puberty, he hadn’t been the most popular amongst the children at the playground. His bright ruby hair and green eyes made him stand out and not in a good way. While the parents found him adorable, most the kids did not. His mother, Shiori, always did her best to keep a close eye on him, but being a single mother presented various challenges for both of them. She was unable to catch every moment when the other children would pick on him, purposely leaving him out of their fun. His first true glimpse into humanity should have left him jaded, and it did, at least until you showed up.

One morning, while his mother was preoccupied, one of the boys shoved him onto the gravel, scuffing Kurama’s hands as he braced himself for the fall. It hurt, just not enough to make him cry. He was still a demon of the Makai after all. It would take more than that for him to show pain. He glared up at the boy, but his view was blocked by the small back of another child.

“Why do you have to be so mean?” Although your voice was quiet, it still managed to express more rage than a yell or scream ever could.

The boy’s retort died on his tongue. He could have said something. Any child would have, however lackluster it could have been. There was just something about that situation that made him turn tail and run back to his friends.

“You didn’t need to do that,” Kurama’s voice was just as soft.

Spinning on your heels, you swung around to face him. Your face was serious with the twinge of a pout on your lips. “But neither did he.”

You watched his confused expression curiously, the brightness in your eyes not dimming for a single moment. He wasn’t sure if he should thank you or just leave, still unsure of this being human situation.

“What’s your name?” You cut through his thoughts.

“Shuuichi.”

Your hand shot out to help him up as you gave him your name. He accepted it reluctantly. The warmth of it seeped through his skin, a warmth he still remembered as he stood by your side in the hospital.

Reaching his feet, he continued to study you. Why didn’t you act like the others? You grinned and squeezed the hand you were still holding for whatever reason. “Wanna play on the swings, Shuu-chan?”

He didn’t really like the nickname. Others kids tried to call him that and were shot down immediately. Yet from you... It sounded right, like you were the only one meant to call him that. He joined you on the swings every day you two met up at the park. When he learned you and your family moved in next door, the days you weren’t at the park were spent at one of your houses.

He wouldn’t be adverse to hearing you say it again. Kurama thought about what it would be like now that you were an adult. Would it still sound just as right? Would you even remember the nickname, or even him for that matter? You had only known each other for a couple of years. Did he make as much of an impression on your life as you did his?

The day you had to leave was one of the most upsetting in his human life, second only to his mother’s terminal illness he and Yusuke had managed to cure with the Forlorn Hope artifact. He had woken from a light sleep, sensing a demonic entity nearby. Then, there came a faint smell of smoke. Fully alert, he dashed to the window to peer outside. The smoke was coming from your home.

By the time he flew down the stairs and out the kitchen side door, the house was already engulfed in flames, no doubt due to the demon. He flung himself over the fence and ran to the large tree that grew beside your window on the second floor. You had your window thrown open when he started climbing, your choked coughs and sobs were engulfing all of his senses. You couldn’t reach the branch that protruded out to you, but he could close the gap. He could get you out of there.

And he did. He grabbed your hand and pulled you onto a sturdier part of the branch before the end broke off and fell into the grass below. The way you sobbed in his arms... He couldn’t bring himself to pull away and have you climb down the tree with him. No. He opted to wait for the fire department to safely bring you both down.

Shiori cradled the two of you in her arms after the firemen brought you to the paramedics for a check-up. Other than smoke inhalation, you were physically fine. Emotionally? That was an entirely different story. Losing your parents and the newborn baby brother you had been so excited for was not something you should have had to experience. You had stopped crying, but it was like you weren’t even there. The light in your eyes had dwindled to nearly nothing.

Over the following few days, you stayed with the Minamino’s. You barely ate and your sleep was plagued with nightmares. Your dreams were filled with the demon that destroyed your life. You had caught a glimpse of it before you were rescued but that was all it took. Kurama desperately wanted to help you sleep, help you live. His abilities had not yet amassed to their full potential, so the plants he knew would work, he could not grow. For the first time in his long life, he felt truly hopeless.

Your aunt and uncle, your only living relatives he quickly learned, were at the Minamino’s doorstep later that week. They had come from overseas for you as soon as they had heard about your family. While they were clearly apprehensive at the thought of staying any longer than necessary, they still allowed you enough time to say your goodbyes. Shiori embraced you as any mother would, full of warmth and love. When you hugged Kurama, you poured every part of you into it. You didn’t want to leave but understood you had no choice.

“Goodbye, Shuu-chan.”

The last words he heard from you echoed in Kurama’s head. He had thought that goodbye was permanent. It never once crossed his mind that you would find your way back into his life.

“Kurama?”

His mind snapped back to the present.

“Botan,” he greeted casually.

The blue-haired reaper was tentative in her response. “How is she doing?”

“Still dreaming. She should wake soon.”

The djinn Koenma sent him after should be dead before dawn if the carnivorous plant he seeded in the creature’s chest had anything to say about it. Then, its spell would be lifted.

“Good...” Botan stared at the floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

“Did you find out anything?”

“We... We found a lot on her, but I don’t think you’ll like it.”

“Will it explain why she was there?”

Botan relented with a sigh. “Yes.”

Kurama stepped forward, gently swiping at the hair that had fluttered onto your face because of the air conditioning vent above you. “Then, tell me.”

She huffed and came around to stand on the other side of your bed. Gripping the railing, she watched your peaceful form. “Kurama... She comes from a line of hunters. At least on her mother’s side, she does.”

He glanced up at Botan before placing a large hand over yours.

“Against her mother’s wishes, her aunt and uncle trained her to continue that line. She excelled at it for quite a few years.”

No... Not you of all people.

“Why past tense? What has changed recently?”

“She started working alone after her caretakers passed away. We’ve found instances of her starting a hunt but not following through. The most recent was a small nest of vampires in the United States. They were breeding cattle to feed off of, never once having a drop of human blood. She... She wound up defending them against other hunters.”

Despite the short couple of years he spent with you, that sounded more like you. Kurama held your fingers so delicately as though they were glass, stroking your knuckles with his thumb. “So she was hunting tonight...”

Botan nodded nervously. “I believe so. It wouldn’t be hard for a skilled hunter to put together the pieces from all the news reports of missing women.”

Yes... The missing women found dead a week later after they had been reported, drained of blood with only a tiny needle wound as the culprit. Had you beaten him there only to be captured yourself?

“I wonder what you are dreaming about...” Kurama muttered more to himself than anyone. Most djinns preferred their victims to have pleasant dreams as they fed on their blood. Complacency lowered the chance of the human waking up and escaping.

Silence settled in the tiny room, tense and thick. Botan’s head hung low with her gaze still on you. You certainly did not look like a hunter by any means. Then again, your unassuming looks could aid in how dangerous you really were.

“You know Koenma will want to see her when she wakes up,” Botan’s quiet voice still felt too loud for the room.

“Yes... However, I would like to speak with her first.”

“Of course. I will leave you to it.” Botan left and returned him to the quiet of the room.

About an hour later, sunlight was just barely beginning to peak over the horizon. He had sat himself in the chair next to the bed, waiting for you to open your eyes. He had spent most of the time racking his brain on how he would explain everything.

You had caught Spirit World’s attention with this one. It sounded like you had been trying to atone, but Koenma still needed to do his job. Maybe, if he took a liking to you, then you would be more like Kurama or Yusuke and be assigned random missions to protect the three realms. Although, that may have been wishful thinking on his part.

He heard the sheets rustle ever so slightly. Your eyes flitted under your eyelids. Kurama surged forward, taking your now twitching hand in his. A dry, raspy groan left your throat as you slowly woke. Even in the low light, your eyes had trouble adjusting. Yet, they settled on him regardless. Confusion turned to recognition when you were finally able to focus properly, his original question being answered.

“Shuu-chan?”

[nagitolovebug]

How would(does?) Izuru react to the twins that Nagito and Hajime had together? Would be love them just the same? Also, could we hear more about Juliet, the ballerina and antagonist of the killing game?

(does! izuru and hajime share a body- they're not a system bc I don't think that's how DID works and as someone who's not a system i'm not gonna hc that as it's not my place...izuru is just kinda there (maybe more like sukuna/itadori, naruto/kurama type shit)..how he's perceived by the remnants/how he views his situation with hajime is touched on here https://archiveofourown.org/works/32147236 (though this isn't bebiverse just general izuru introspection but my thoughts on him and hajizuru and general stay more or less the same in this au lol))

izuru is present less often than hajime, for one because at first he makes the rest of the remnants very uncomfortable (he's hajime's 'remnant' self after all) and for another it's a lot for him. it's dull and he gets tired and annoyed very easily, he'd rather stay the whole day in the cabin with nagito and bebi but knows the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. he really only tolerates his family. so on one of izuru's hiatuses, nagito Finds Out.

nagito wakes up one day to his partner (he can finally say partner- it took nagito getting pregnant for hajime to propose- realizing he didn't want what they had with anyone else ever. nagito had no idea they were even dating. he was so confused.. "I..I dont understand..why are you doing this? is it because of the baby? I know you're traditional, hinata-kun, but there's really no need.." and hajime smiles and kisses him. "I love you. I'll tell you as many times as you need. until you believe it. I want to marry you. because I love you. he said yes.) staring at him, unblinking.

"izuru?"

his face barely changed but nagito could tell he was pleased. it always made izuru happy when nagito could tell the difference between him and hajime every time without fail.

nagito was still half awake, choosing to not question where his fiancé (hajime and izuru proposed to nagito separately..) had gone and instead snuggling closer to izuru. izuru doesn't stop his clearly analytical staring, but strokes nagito's hair and tucks him under his chin nonetheless.

"you look different. your skin has a dewy and delicate sheen and your weight has fluctuated slightly. you're more conscious of your stomach when positioning yourself. what happened. while I was gone."

nagito frowns. "hajime said you knew..."

"knew what? what did he do?"

nagito pouts at him, pulling his hair slightly. "be nice to him." he looks pensive for a moment.

"I...I'm pregnant."

izuru's eyes widen marginally. his hold on nagito tightens slightly.

"izuru?"

izuru only noses at nagito's neck in response, small pecks pressed to the skin. it was his favorite form of affection.

"i am displeased hajime has kept this from me for so long, yet cannot deny the.....joy i feel. knowing another little one has found their way into our lives." he kisses nagito's cheek.

"really? do you mean that? that you're happy? you're not mad?"

izuru frowns at him, nipping at his neck.

"i am overjoyed. you and bebi have introduced to me a life worth living, quelled my boredom by continually surprising me, shown me how to...love. i cherish you both more than anything, and will cherish our new child equally. you are mine, nagito, for life. as i am yours. there is nothing that could ever change that."

izuru really is very excited, being able to truly spend time with nagito now during his pregnancy without having to worry about survival, or food, or supplies, or enemies. he can dote on his partner as freely as he chooses. and the unpredictability of the entire process keeps him interested. he doesn't think of the twins as not his own (because they really aren't; hajime is the only one who struggles with that with bebi bc of his own identity struggles- identity struggles izuru lacks). his only issue with them comes far later, when they're grown, and find out about the NWP and despair.

as for juliette, she hasn't been developed terribly aside from her relationship with kiko. she's vindictive, and cold, and makes it clear she is uninterested in cooperating with anyone from the start of the killing game. she asserts many times that she is unafraid of killing anyone, and implies that she is planning to do so. that she'll do anything to get out. kiko, being kiko, antagonizes her repeatedly, goading, teasing, generally trying to provoke juliette and they have...a rivalry of sorts? kiko is entirely unafraid of her, despite the threats, whereas juliette hates her (says if she's gonna kill anyone, it'll be kiko. lol). they do end up in a confrontation where juliette almost kills kiko in front of everyone ("I'll slash your throat" "not like that you won't. you aren't even holding the knife right, princess. I'll show you." n kiko adjusts juliette's grip and forces the knife to her own throat. "well? what are you waiting for?" she yanks her hand from kikos. "you're insane." "you're a liar.")

what ends up happening is juliette does go through with a plan to kill kiko. she breaks into her room in the middle of the night with a knife. kiko wakes up to strawberry blonde ringlets in her face, a masked figure holding a knife to her throat. her hand is shaking.

"and here I thought we were finally friends-"

"shut up. don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"for all your talk, I didn't think you had it in you. is the golden girl really gonna dirty her hands with my blood? filthy and beneath you, right? whatever's waiting back home must really be worth it."

"stop! stop talking!"

"just.. do it already." and kiko grabs her hand again, pushing the knife into her skin. "i'm glad it was me. this way, you're not a monster. i hope it's worth it. you won't make it out. my brother...he's stronger than all of you. he'll win. but if it's me, at least, they can all move on. haru will only get angrier, and my death will help him get out of here. .....and for what it's worth. i'm glad it was you."

and juliette ends up stabbing the knife through the pillow right next to kiko's head and collapsing on her, sobbing. they're closer from there on out, but how close....

i'll try and think up lore for her if anyone's interested😅

[kazimakuwabara]

Memory Seed 2

A direct sequel to this. I got a surprising amount of people wanting more, So here we are!

Summary: Kuwabara thinks that if he’d been in a group of four, he’d remember that. Boy, is that little weirdo angry. (2300+ words)

***

“About half of his victims have already reverted to normal-”

“...But then only half of those people recovered their memories.”

“Why hasn’t Kuwabara remembered?”

“Yusuke, it’s been an hour! He was the last victim, we have to wait a full twenty-four hours.”

“Some people didn’t remember!”

“Kuwabara... Kuwabara will remember!”

“He has to...”

“What if he doesn’t remember?”

“...Can you guys stop talking about me like I’m not here?” Kuwabara asked uncomfortably. He flinched as Koenma, Yusuke, Kurama, and Botan all looked at them, their eyes wide and unbelieving. He cringed at their bewildered expressions, and really wished they’d just take him home.

The shorter figure, Hame? Hino? No, no... it was Hiei. Hiei, stood away from the group, away from Kuwabara, his arms crossed and his red eyes glaring in the far corner of the room. He radiated with a dark aura, that warned for everyone to keep away.

Kuwabara was happy to oblige.

Koenma ran his hands down his front, drying and ridding them of the nervous sweat that he’d broken out into. Bending slightly towards Kuwabara, as if he was speaking to a child, Koenma asked, “Do you remember the mission you all agreed to help on before you left here?”

Kuwabara stood up. One, because of course he remembered, and two, because why was Koenma bent over treating him like he was the child! Koenma was the one who still wore diapers--probably! 

“Yes, I remember! This asshole was using these seeds to take memories, and turn people into his warrior zombies. So we, as usual, went out and took care of it.”

“And you got hit!” Yusuke snapped, less angry, and more... frantic.

“Do you remember what the first memory is that you lose?” Koenma asked, standing straight, his brows knitted together with that anxious concern everyone wore on their faces.

“Yes... I do...” Kuwabara muttered awkwardly. He remembered the assignment. He remembered which particular memory he “supposedly,” lost. He just... couldn’t really believe it.

“You forgot me,” Hiei spoke up from the corner, his voice bitter and deep.

The room was silent.

Kuwabara awkwardly rubbed the toe of his shoe against the back of his leg. He wanted to deny that he knew Hiei again, but he’d been dragged to Spirit World and shown some video evidence that they had all once been a team of four. Not three, like Kuwabara’s memories, told him. It was hard to deny what he was shown. There was even footage of Kurama and this Hiei, training him before the dark tournament.

Kuwabara could even think of a few sword moves that he knew, that he saw Hiei use, with admittedly far better skill.

“And so I loved you?” Kuwabara asked, jumping as he felt the whole room flinch. Botan had sucked in such a sharp breath, she started to choke and cough.

“I don’t know. You tell me,” Hiei bit out, finally turning to glare at Kuwabara, “You never told me!” The way Hiei said that, sounded strange to Kuwabara. Hiei’s voice was angry and bitter, but it wasn’t just the feelings behind the words. It was the words themselves that was also strange. It was like he had heard it before, somewhere. It made his head hurt.

“You never told anyone!” Yusuke added suddenly, “You always said you loved Yukina!”

“That’s odd,” Kuwabara admitted, “I really don’t.” That was another thing that bothered him. He liked Yukina, loved her in a way, but she was not... he wasn’t in love with her. He knew this to be true as certain as he was sure of his own name. It seemed strange to him, his friends didn’t know that.

Again, the room stared at him.

“He...he admitted it so easily,” Kurama muttered.

“Hold on a second! You only gush every other day, that you love her!” Yusuke snapped, pointing at Kuwabara with accusation.

Kuwabara opened his mouth to protest. He squinted and narrowed his eyes a bit. Yusuke was right. He did do that. He did have memories of fervently declaring his love for Yukina. All the time. Around his friends.

Why?

“Why?” Kuwabara asked aloud, a hand coming to his chin. He tapped a finger on his mouth and muttered, “Why do I do that?”

“Because you love her! Or you said you did! Why didn’t you tell me you were in love with Hiei?! I don’t care! Did you think I would care?!” Yusuke pulled his hair as he shouted out the thoughts that had been haunting him since this all started.

Kuwabara titled his chin, disregarding Yusuke’s panic, “...I was saying I loved Yukina because... I told her I would.” Kuwabara narrowed his eyes as he struggled to remember. Did it involve this Hiei guy somehow?

“What do you mean Kuwabara?” Kurama asked.

“Because I did love her at first I thought,” Kuwabara continued to mutter, “But then we talked, and were looking for...” Kuwabara’s mutterings ended and his hand went to his head. He closed his eyes wincing against a sudden headache. He heard Kurama gasp, and felt blood drip from his nose, pouring out suddenly as if he’s sprung a leak.

“Kuwabara stop trying to remember whatever you’re trying to remember,” Koenma ordered, voice firm but tinged with fear, “That’s the memory seed still at work. You can hurt yourself if you push too hard.”

Kuwabara wiped his nose, sniffing as his head throbbed dully.

He felt Hiei’s eyes on him, glancing at him.

“It’s fine,” Kuwabara muttered, sniffling as he blinked rapidly until the pain was gone.

“It’s not fine Kuwabara! if you push too hard... well I don’t want to find out what that could do to you!” Koenma insisted.

Kuwabara wanted to roll his eyes. He had taken a lot more beatings than whatever this little plant was doing to him. He sighed and finished off his initial thoughts about Yukina, “I made some sort of deal with Yukina, and that’s why I was saying it all the time. We made this deal around the time Kurama and Yusuke went to the Makai for the first time. I can’t remember the ‘why,’ fully, or I could if I pushed a little more... but you’re all worried about a little headache-”

“Kazuma, don’t push your luck!” Kurama scolded, green eyes alight with concern. “Just... drop it. It... it doesn’t matter that none of us knew about your feelings, what matters now is just... taking you home, and hoping that by tomorrow afternoon you remember everything.”

“He’ll remember!” Yusuke insisted, looking at Kuwabara, and then looking at Hiei, “Kuwabara’s the strongest psychic around or whatever! That’s gotta count for something! He’ll remember!”

“I mean does it matter?” Kuwabara asked with a shrug. He pointed at Hiei, “This little guy clearly doesn’t like me, in the romantic sense or any other. If I don’t get my memories back then... whatever right? We’ll just start fresh, get to know each other now.”

The room went into an uproar all at once.

“How could... you are all friends!” Botan sniffled, eyes watery.

“Kuwabara...” Yusuke tried to speak, his brown eyes full of concerns he didn’t quite know how to express.

“Kazuma... please don’t say that. I know the tapes made it seem like you and Hiei had a... strange relationship...”

“But you two are really friends! It’s just-” Koenma’s babbling was cut off by the sound of a loud crack.

Hiei had punched one of the ostentatious decorative pillars in Koenma’s office, into dust. His eyes were glowing red, and his teeth gnashing as he took on an ashen shade. Kuwabara clamped his mouth shut, and his head retreated into his shoulders.

That little guy seemed pretty tough... it sent an excited little thrill through Kuwabara’s body.

“Out,” Hiei spit.

“Hi-” Kurama tried to talk, one hand reaching out for his friend.

“Everyone but Kuwabara-OUT!” Hiei snarled stomping towards the group that sputtered at him.

A strange look passed through Kurama’s eyes, but he was soon ushering everyone out, Yusuke and Botan protesting loudly, and with different reasons.

“I don’t think leaving them alone is a good idea!”

“Hiei! If you hurt Kuwabara you’re dead!”

Koenma didn’t argue. He didn’t even care that he was being chased from his own office, or if Hiei partially destroyed it! Without looking back he fled the room, Kurama pushing Botan and Yusuke after him. Kurama spared the anxious Kuwabara a soft look, “Kuwabara, you’ll be fine. Hiei’s not going to kill you.”

And then Kuwabara was alone with the angry little demon-man, that Kuwabara very much thought would kill him.

Kuwabara took a step back.

“Does it matter to remember me?” Hiei repeated bitterly after a long stretch of silence. He turned to glare at Kuwabara, the latter startled to see guilt underneath the layers of rage in those red eyes. Hiei stalked towards Kuwabara, Kuwabara walking back until he was pressed against a wall.

“It matters. It fucking matters, because you need to remember me. You need to remember so you can recall all those countless times I saved your pathetic life,” Hiei snarled, “All those hours wasted, teaching you to use a sword with some skill, rather than waving it around like a fucking flyswatter! You need to remember so you can tell me what deal you made ith Yukina, and so you can FUCKING tell me...”

Hiei pursed his lips tight, eyes narrowed as he stared at Kuwabara’s frightened face.

“You... you need to tell me why you loved me. I... I don’t believe you,” Hiei grumbled, his lie obvious. There was a different reason he wanted to know, but Kuwabara didn’t dare ask for it.

“I mean... I don’t believe, can’t believe I loved you either!” Kuwabara muttered, trying to force some bravery in his shaking words. Crossing his arms, and sliding along the wall away from the raging demon, Kuwabara continued, “From the twenty minutes of footage I saw, you seem pretty aggressive towards me all the time. And if you’re not aggressive, you looked hell bent on ignoring me.”

“How dare you accuse... you think you would understand our relationship? One that you don’t remember!?” Hiei snapped, cheeks mottled red.

“What are you mad about!?” Kuwabara wheezed desperately confused, “Are you mad that I don’t remember you, or that I’m supposedly in love with you? Because, I dunno, you seem the type to be mad about the second-”

“The type? The type?” Hiei snarled stalking towards Kuwabara, who yelped and fled to the other side of the room.

Hiei was now half chasing Kuwabara as he walked in a large circle around Koenma’s office, desperate to keep some distance between himself and Hiei.

“What do you mean, Kuwabara?” Hiei growled throwing Koenma’s office chair aside. It shattered against the wall as if it was made out of brittle match sticks.

“Look! You just... you’ve clearly got some anger issues-” Kuwabara tried, backing quickly away from the exploding man.

“ANGER ISSUES?!”

“Some anger issues! And you don’t look like you’d like a big guy like myself being interested in you-”

“Who are  you to decide what I might like?!”

“Well, it’s clearly not me!”

Kuwabara didn’t even have time to scream. 

Hiei, who had been at least four feet away, disappeared in less than half a blink of an eye, and reappeared, his hands on Kuwabara’s shirt, and weight pushing him down. Kuwabara slammed hard against the wall, sliding down to the floor as Hiei’s weight forced him down-something that impressed Kuwabara, as well as terrified him.

It was amazing to see such a little guy with such amazing force and strength.

That excited little thrill was back.

“You don’t remember anything,” Hiei muttered darkly, his voice filled with anger, longing, and bitterness. All somber feelings that surprised Kuwabara with their intensity. Hiei’s hand hooked around Kuwabara’s jaw, and he shifted Kuwabara’s face, tilting him at an odd angle.

‘He’s not going to-’ Kuwabara didn’t have time to complete the thought as Hiei kissed him, hard and desperate-and far too intimate and intrusive for it to be a first kiss.

Hiei knew Kuwabara’s mouth. 

He knew where to slant his lips against Kuwabara’s mouth, knew to bite the bottom of his lip, and then swipe a tongue over the top lip. Kuwabara’s body responded a fact that shocked the man, even as he moaned. Hiei invaded Kuwabara’s mouth immediately, his tongue abnormally warm, and seeking. He stroked the inside of Kuwabara’s mouth with demanding passion, pressing and tilting himself against Kuwabara so that he could suck against Kuwabara’s mouth as if he could draw water from him.

Hiei drank greedily from Kuwabara, until, Kuwabara was pushing at Hiei, eyes watering from the air he needed. Hiei pulled away, Kuwabara gasping for a painful breath, his hands gripped knuckle white against Hiei’s shoulders. 

Kuwabara took in several gasping breaths, fingers flexing nervously against Hiei. He stared down at Hiei’s waist, suddenly too scared to look him in the eyes.

That had been good.

Really, really, really fucking good.

Hiei was breathing hard, and after another few seconds of silence swore under his breath. He seemed disappointed in something that did or didn’t happen. Hiei reached into his cloak and pulled out a small silver object, which he revealed in the flat of his hand to Kuwabara.

Kuwabara looked up, Hiei waiting for his gaze.

“That’s... that’s the key to my apartment,” Kuwabara muttered. His lips felt pleasantly heavy, and he resisted the urge to swipe his tongue over them. He was scared what type of reaction that would cause if he did that now.

“...It’s my copy...” Hiei amended softly, the heat in his voice gone, and left hollow with longing and sadness.

“...Your copy...?” Kuwabara muttered blinking rapidly.

Kuwabara looked back to the door his friends had fled from, and then back to the little demon straddling him. He looked back at the key, and then back into Hiei’s sullen expression.

“Were... Were we in a secret relationship!?” Kuwabara choked, suddenly realizing that this missing memory thing might be a little more complicated than he first thought.

Hiei looked at Kuwabara, answering with his eyes, rather than his words.

“What the heck is going on here!?” Kuwabara fumed.

[kurama-is-love]

Promise [Kurama x Reader]

Word count: 1477 Genres: Fluff, drama (a little) Pairing: Kurama x Reader (You)

A little note by author-chan: English is not my first language and I have no beta reader. So I hope it’s not too bad :) And if anyone is interested in beta’ing my stuff, feel free to message me! Because I have a few more Kurama x Reader stuff that waits to be translated ♥

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Can't you even look me in my eyes anymore?" ... Your voice was cracked even though you tried not to admit it. Kurama had avoided you for a few weeks without any reason or explanation, despite the fact that your friendship with the fox had recently blossomed fantastically close. Kuramas head hung low and he remained silent. "If I've done anything wrong .. Then please tell me, but do not punish me for pushing me off of you .." you added quietly and looked down at the ground. A salty substance fell from your cheek to the floor.

Kurama noticed the fallen tear from the corner of his eye and looked up immediately. He never saw you crying before. You always was a kind-hearted, smiling woman who caused your fellow human beings' moods to brighten with your warming smiles. And now you were crying and he was the reason.

“You did nothing wrong.“ finally he started to spoke. His eyes were closed firmly and his usual calm tone broke ever so slightly. You looked up at him and wiped away your tears after hearing his voice.

“Then tell me please, why are you avoiding me for weeks.“ you begged him. You had no idea what you did to him to make him upset..  

The redhead sighed. “That's not easy to explain.“ he spoke after he got back his calm attitude that caused you to despair often. Because it was quite impossible to see what he thinks right now. “Try it.“ you spoke. You already calmed down from your emotional outburst. Still, you wanted answers.  

He remained silent again in slight embarassment and his gaze turned away from you. “GODDAMNIT KURAMA!“  

Suddenly your eyes widen in surprise when you were pulled against a strong chest. Kurama hugged you so tightly, you almost had problems to breathe anymore. Though his embrace was not too firm to hurt you. You looked up, puzzled, trying to estimate his facial expressions. His eyes were hidden behind some of his red strands that fell into his handsome face. And his mouth was quivering slightly as if he was just fighting his own tears. Since his mouth was open a bit from his quivering you saw his teeth clenched and his lip trembling.  

"Kurama..?"

“Say no more, please. Could we just.. stay like this for a while?“ he asked, his voice quiet as his breath hit your ear. His head was leaning against yours during the embrace.

You gulped, his closeness made you nervous. Slowly, you just nodded silently that caused the fox to smile gratefully. His smile however, showed a vulnerable sorrow within him when he remembered a conversation with Hiei he had earlier.  

 [Flashback]

“I really thought you were smart, fox.“ Hieis cold voice echoed through Kuramas head.

“Hiei, my private life is none of your business.“ the redhead sighed and looked to the tree where Hiei sat and gazed at his friend appraising.  

"I just want to save you from a mistake, because I have no desire to suffer because of it." Hiei replied bluntly. "Your ... feelings for her would only bring problems, not at least because she would  be directly targeted by your enemies."  

Kurama closed his eyes. It wasn't that he didn't thought the exact same before. It was risky, especially after what happened with Maya years ago. He decided to live a lonely life after this, he didn't wanted anyone close to him to be in danger because of him again.  

“Hiei, it's not that she is just a civilian. [Y/n] is part of our group and is able to defend herself. There is no reason to warn me. I protect her.“ Kurama said with a stern voice. He just heard a heavy sigh in his mind.

“Fox, I won't explain every single detail to you why it's dumb and reckless, but you should be aware, that your human feelings fog your mind. Tch, who would have known that the ruthless and feared Yoko Kurama turned into a love sick human boy?“ Hiei scoffed, clearly not amused. “Hn, you don't have to take my advice, stubborn fox. But keep one thing in your mind. It's not just your human girl, you put in danger. We are all in the same boat, after all. Plus, she is just another weak spot from you and every enemy knows how to take advantage of it.“  

This was the moment, Kurama started to think that Hiei was maybe right. He was not allowed by himself to put his friends – and you – into danger because of his selfish feelings of love.

“I understand, Hiei.“ “Hn, did you really, fox?“  

...  

[Flashback End]  

After a while of holding close onto each other, you both lost balance from your hugging. Fortunately you were located in the living room of the Minamino household and landed on a couch. Since he avoided you during the day, you visited him at home to get your answers. Shiori, Hatanaka and his step brother happened to visit an old friend of Hatanaka, so you both were alone.  

Because of the now sitting position, the angle of the embrace changed. Kuramas nose buried into the crook of your neck while he inhaled your scent. He tried to suppress a low purr because of your intoxidating smell and pulled you closer. When you noticed that he won't move or loose the hug, you put your arms around his neck to press your body flush against his. You still didn't understood why he was so touchy all of the sudden, but you didn't complained.  

Kurama thought for a while during this physical affection. And then it hit him. It was far too late to lie about his feelings. It was too late to escape from what he was feeling.    

"...[Y/n]." his breath danced over your skin and caused a shiver running down your spine. Your heart began to race, something Kurama surely noticed. “..:Yes..?“  

“Whatever will happen in the future. I will protect you. I promise.“ he spoke softly and his embrace became more gentle but firm. Your bodies were so close that you almost felt his heartbeat when his chest was pressed against yours. „Forever. I'll protect you..“ Kurama added quietly.  

There was a brief silence between both of you while you stood remained motionless in this position, until you adjusted a little. Before Kurama could look what you were doing, you pulled up his head by having both of your hands on his cheeks. His emerald orbs stared deep into your [e/c] ones with so much intensity.  

“Kurama, you don't have to carry this burden all by yourself.“ you said, astonishing the Kitsune infront of you. „I know you always try to solve everything alone and protect your friends from harm. But even you are not invincible. We support you. You are not alone, you know? Yuusuke, Kuwabara.. even Hiei. And me of course. We are with you, no matter what. We support you, because we're friends. No.. we are more than that. We are like a family.“ you said with a heart-warming smile that made his heart skip a beat. „So.. Please.. Don't exclude us.. exclude me from your life anymore, because you seem to feel like this is the best for us. If you think I let go of you that easily, then I have to disappoint you.“  

Your words made his eyes widen in disbelieve. They flashed golden for a second before he closed them again. “..Thanks.“ he just spoke and chuckled. Sometimes he felt like an idiot. He had known better that it was unable to push you away from him. Your smile widened and you caressed his cheeks lovingly. “You're welcome. Because.. Whatever happens, Kurama. I will always be by your side. No matter what, I will never stop to support you.“  

Kurama smiled thankfully, before he sat up and released you from his grip. You blinked perplexed and a little disappointed that he ended your intimate pose you enjoyed so much. The redhead merely grinned at you when he saw your sulking form and pulled you into his lap. You gasped in suprise and put your arms around his neck again when you looked at him. „I just wanted to change this position into something more.. comfortable.“ he purred, his smirk still on his handsome face. He leaned his forehead against yours and both of you let out a content sigh. It felt incredible good to be so close. Kurama asked himself, how the hell he was able to avoid you for such a long time. He didn't understood.  

„Thank you. Thank you for everything, [Y/n]“

„No, I have to be thankful Kurama. Because now you continue to allow me to be part of your life again. That means alot to me.“

"[Y/n].."

[chemicalmagecraft]

Foresight is 20/20 Chapter 9

"I'm assuming this is the desert," I said, looking over the sandy terrain. I was glad that I'd replaced my arm and leg warmers with a much lighter set that didn't warm me all, because even with the additional bit of heat resistance that having Kurama's chakra apparently granted me, I was getting a little hot. "Either that or we somehow managed to stumble upon a beach with no water."

"This is indeed the desert," Baki said. "We should arrive at the village by this evening at our current pace."

I sighed and reclined back on the Akuma Tensei construct that I was riding on, making sure to keep my parasol shading me. "This is boring," I complained.

"You consider riding a giant snake made of sand through a desert to be boring?" Baki asked incredulously from the back of his lindwurm.

"Yoooooouuuuuuuuth!" Gai agreed enthusiastically as his poor lindwurm was forced to go through a bunch of unnecessary tricks and expend more energy to keep up with us.

I shrugged. "The novelty wore off," I conceded, then turned around. "And Gai! Stop forcing your lindwurm to move around like that! It's gonna run out of energy if you keep it up like that!"

"These things can run out of energy?" Baki asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course they can run out." I gestured to the crown made of three demon gems that my lindwurm had. "My creations may regenerate energy and their unusual sage chakra means they're even more potent than one might expect and can gather natural energy even while on the move, but they still have limits and the rate we're going at would definitely wear out at least one gem long before we get to Suna. I think. The three gems mean they share the burden, but they'll run out eventually. Gai's just running the clock down in fast-forward. Speaking of which..."

I turned back to Gai. "Oi! Your lindwurm's probably gonna die before we get to Suna at that rate, Gai! Gather up the gems so I don't have to go looking for them when it does!" I faced Baki again and thought for a bit. It was mid-morning, which meant I still had a couple of hours before Suna if Baki was right. I shrugged, dropped my parasol so I could grab it with a chakra thread, then grabbed hold of two of my lindwurm's gems and yanked them out, causing it to start disintegrating. I used the gems to pull myself into the air, stepping on the third one as it fell to complete my impromptu flying 'machine.' I flew over to Baki, whose lindwurm slowed down a bit so I could fly over. "Catch," I told him as I dumped myself into his lap.

"Why?"

I placed the gems back onto my body and grabbed my parasol with my hand again. "I'm going to catch a quick nap so I'm well-rested for when we get there." He nodded. "Wake me up outside of the gates. I'm kind of a zombie when I first wake up, but I should be good if I walk around for a bit. The lindwurms should respond to 'start,' 'stop,' 'slow down,' and 'speed up,' but they're not the brightest so don't expect them to understand any other commands." I rubbed Baki's lindwurm. "No offense, Lindy-chan. Right, I'm gonna sleep now." Now, I used to be really bad at falling asleep when not in school, but I'd recently figured out a trick to it.

"Kurama-chan, can you pleeeeaaaase knock me out so I can take a good nap?" I pleaded over the connection I shared with him thanks to having his chakra.

I felt his disdainful 'glare' over our bond. "Do I look like sleep medicine to you?"

"Yeah, that's the point. Real sleepy meds make me all loopy, and for whatever reason they make my sleep not as refreshing..."

He grumbled. "Fine, just don't resist or you'll end up loopy and your sleep won't be refreshing. I'm not used to using genjutsu like this."

"Thanks..." I told him as I felt myself drifting off.

kukukuku~

"-ki-san. Kouki-san!" I groaned and just barely managed to lift up my glasses to rub my eyes. "We're here," Baki told me. I grumbled and rolled over.

And immediately fell onto the sand. "I hate mornings..." I said, then spent about a minute of brushing sand off and spitting it out, before remembering that I theoretically had the ability to control sand. I sent out a pulse of magnet release to throw off the remaining bits of sand that got everywhere. The good news was that I was definitely awake.

"It's the evening."

I shrugged. "I hate waking up then. Right, we should probably get a move on. Where are my gems, Gai?"

"Here they are!" he said, then chucked them at me. I stared at him as the gems slowed down and stopped in midair, then put them back where they were with but a thought.

I closed my parasol, flourished it around to point at the gates of the village, and declared, "Let us proceed!" really dramatically. As I opened my parasol back up, I had an idea, stuck my tongue out in concentration, and lifted into the air, shakily floating forwards a bit.

"I do realize that the answer is most likely 'seal master' or 'demon gem,' but I would like to know exactly how it is you are floating," Baki said.

I turned around to stare at him, smiled slightly, and said, "Demon gem." I took a moment to internally snicker at his facial expression before continuing. "It's a new idea I thought of. I'm making five of the gems take control of the air around me to let me defy gravity. The gems on my limbs and head are doing most of the work, which theoretically means that they'll run out first, but I can easily swap them out with the unused gems. The one at my sternum is barely going down at all. I think it might take a day of continuous floating to run out at this rate, though high-speed flight will probably drain it faster." I twisted around a bit in midair to get a feel for my newfound flight powers. It was a little wonky at first, but I got the hang of it. "I'm pretty sure everyone will take me more seriously as some mysterious sealing genius if I disobey the laws of gravity."

"I see! What a youthful idea!" Gai exclaimed.

"I... suppose that that makes sense..." Baki agreed. "Shall we go?"

kukukuku~

The Kazekage stared at me. "...I was expecting you to be taller."

I shrugged and floated to reach eye-level with him. "Who'd expect the miracle seal master who offered to fix your son's seal to be about his age?"

"And you appear to be floating."

"Well why wouldn't a miracle seal master have the ability to float?"

He squinted at me for a moment, then nodded. "...Fair."

"Right, so I should probably get a look at Gaara-kun," I said, then ran my fingers through my hair. I sighed at how messy it felt. "And I forgot my brush at home. I don't suppose I could borrow one once I'm done with the seal?"

The Kazekage nodded. "That seems reasonable enough. Do you need any special equipment to work on Gaara?"

I shook my head. "I brought my stuff. Might change my mind if it's a more complicated job than I thought, but as of right now I doubt I'll need you to provide anything aside from the patient and an area in which I can set up the sealing circle in. Could you take both me and him there?"

He blinked. "You can do it now?"

"Yup."

kukukuku~

"So," I said, "what brings you to my office, young man?" Gaara, who was lying down, giggled lightly.

"Umm... don't you know already?" Kankuro asked me. He, Temari, the Kazekage, and Gaara's uncle who I couldn't remember the name of were watching. Also Gai was still escorting me, but he wasn't paying as much attention.

"It was a joke," I told him. "I know perfectly well what I need to do here, I just wanted Gaara-kun to be put at ease." I sat down cross-legged on the ground and closed my eyes. "Now, I'm going to be concentrating on this. Please stay still, Gaara-kun." In addition to using my chakra-sensing to make sure the seal was right, I linked to Kurama so I could get his opinion. Once we were both sure the seal was as good as it could be, I unsealed my ink and brushes and floated up so I could get a better look at my seal. The brushes floated around, constructing the seal stroke by stroke. When it was done, we gave it a once-over to make absolutely sure it was right and then I floated down a bit to finally take my hand from my pocket and put it on Gaara's forehead so I could collapse the seal. With an application of some chakra, the seal was completed. In its finished state, it looked almost exactly like the kanji scar he got after killing his uncle, but in a slightly different style and not made out of scar tissue, as a sort of nod on my part to his fate. "How's it feel?" I asked as I floated down to the floor.

Gaara brushed his hand over the freshly-made seal. "I... it's as if a weight I've had upon my shoulders my entire life has lifted..."

"That means it's working," I told him. "Or at least, I assume it is."

"What do you mean, 'you assume it is?'" Temari asked.

"I made the seal specifically for Gaara-kun," I explained, then licked my lips. "Really, it only works on the Jinchuriki of Shukaku, so my ability to test it was rather limited."

"Why only the Ichibi?" Kankuro asked.

"Much as he projects the image of and is a raving lunatic, Shukaku is deadly smart and has the most control out of any of the biju, even though he's technically the weakest. Kind of a deadly combination, meaning he can extend much more influence on his jinchuriki, as you've surely noticed." I shifted my attention back to Gaara.

"Now, I should probably tell you how to use the thing." I floated a small booklet over to him. "That's an instruction manual. Consult it if you forget anything. First thing you need to know is that there are three distinct settings. The one that's on now is the default and should be on the most. It should fix itself faster than Shukaku can degrade it. If you use a half ram hand seal to 'activate' the seal, it'll switch to sleep mode. At that level, it'll make you so resistant to Shukaku's influence that you should be able to sleep on the night of the full moon with naught but a bad dream, though I should warn that it will make you more than a little drowsy and it degrades to the point where it will automatically switch back to default after nine hours of continuous use."

Gaara blinked. "I can finally get a good night's sleep," he muttered.

"Yup," I nodded. "In fact, the drowsiness is side effect of using a pacification seal component on the biju of a jinchuriki and I specifically made sure to calibrate it to let you sleep." I leaned in close and muttered to him, "Just saying, if you still can stay up a couple days a week without a giant murder tanuki screaming in your inner ear, you should. You can get soooo much done like that." I backed back up and switched back to normal voice. "And aside from sleep, you should use it in the off-chance Shukaku manages to surface during the day. The other setting, by using half dragon instead of half ram, pretty much turns the seal off."

"Why would I do that?" Gaara asked me.

"First, I'd like you to turn it off under supervision at least twice a month, preferably more, so you are still at least somewhat acclimated to Shukaku. You get that Kazekage-sama?"

"I understand completely," he nodded.

"Good. I'm holding you to that. Second, it regenerates the seal at a greatly accelerated rate. Limited resources and stuff." I thought for a bit. "Pretty sure that's everything you should know about how to use it for now. Oh, and just so you know, intentional infliction of severe emotional trauma, perhaps from having a beloved family member attempt to assassinate Gaara and then having him or her tell him that he or she hates him and his deceased mother died cursing the name she gave him in an ill-advised attempt to get him to... I'unno, better harness the power of Shukaku or something, voids the warranty and you'll have to actually pay me actual money to fix the busting you get from that level of breakdown combined with Shukaku breaking free. And it won't be cheap."

I felt the Kazekage blanch without even having to look. Chakra-sensing is useful. "That... may or may not have been my first idea on how to deal with Gaara. Thankfully, you came along..."

I shrugged. "S'cool, just don't even think of anything like that again. Inadvertent trauma is covered, though, so don't worry." I placed a bit of pressure on him with a red chakra genjutsu for a moment. "And I will know if you meant to or not. Now that I'm done with the legal disclaimers, I'd like to watch Gaara sleep for the next three days."

"That's a little creepy..." Kankuro muttered.

"It's to make sure the seal is working, right?" Gaara's uncle asked.

I nodded. "Ja. I'm pretty sure it'll work properly, but it'd be pretty embarrassing if I had to turn back halfway through the trip home because sleep mode breaks under the full moon. And yeah, that's why I timed it so that tomorrow night will be the full moon. Day before the worst, at the worst, then the aftermath. If I'm gonna find any complications it's gonna be after the full moon. Right, I'm done for now. Can I have that brush now, Kazekage-sama?"

"I can help with that," Temari offered.

kukukuku~

I made a noise somewhere between a purr and a contented sigh. "Are you purring?" Temari asked as she brushed my hair.

"Feels nice..."

"Oh... kay." She continued to brush my hair. "Wow, this is pretty curly."

"Mhm..."

"Thank you for helping Gaara. I've wanted to do something to help him, but I don't know what to do..." That statement made me crack one of my eyes open slightly.

"Be there for him," I said in a reassuring tone. "As much as what I gave him will help him, the best thing he could ever receive is love, and there's no cap on that. Be there for him and shower him with as much love as you can. That's what you can do for him. Pass that on to the rest of your family, by the way." I closed my eye again and resumed enjoying the calming feeling of her brush on my scalp. I felt her fiddling a bit with my hair, but let her.

"There," she said. I opened my eyes and looked into the mirror in front of me and gasped. In addition to being neatly brushed, Temari had put my hair into two curly pigtails.

"Do you not like it?" she asked.

"It's cute!" I said as I moved my head around, making my new pigtails bounce around a bit. "I love it."

"Oh. Good."

I got up and stretched a bit. "Right, I should check on Gaara now. Thanks for the brushing."

"You're welcome," she said as I walked out the door.

kukukuku~

I attacked the food the Kazekage brought me, taking a few quick glances over at Gaara. He was sleeping like a baby, probably for the first time in his life. "Thanks for the food," I said after I finished off the curry.

"So did Temari give you pigtails?" he asked.

"Yeah!" I said. "They're cute, right?"

"Aren't you a boy?"

I harrumphed. "Doesn't mean I can't look cute..."

"Sorry. So why exactly did you offer to help Gaara?" he asked.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked him as I put down my plate, then put my hands behind my back.

"It depends. Would not revealing it compromise the safety of my village?"

"Most certainly not." I assured. "In fact, it would be most beneficial for you to know of this secret but only reveal it to a very, very trusted few. Hokage-sama and I have decided to entrust the secret on you, but only if you tell me you are trustworthy enough with absolute sincerity, so I will ask you again. Can I trust you to keep this matter a secret?"

"Yes, though I'd like to know how you plan on telling how I'm being sincere."

I shrugged and closed my eyes to do a small scan to see if anyone would overhear our conversation. "I can't detect sincerity, but I can feel malice and sense lies. Close enough."

"I suppose so. What is the secret?"

I looked over at him and opened my now-glowing eyes. "My eyes see that which is and that which is yet to come."

To his credit, he only blinked before processing that. Probably not the weirdest thing he'd seen considering both his job and the fact that he sealed a giant sand-controlling tanuki into his infant son. "Is that part of that Nocturne power Baki told me about?"

I shrugged. "Technically, Nocturne is more a part of it. The Shoraigan is a dojutsu that grants me future vision and farsight, at the cost of accelerated tiring. The future vision has a neat little quirk where I can see very far into the future if the future I'm seeing is a future where I don't exist."

"And in that future where you don't exist, I went through with my plan, traumatizing Gaara," he said with horror.

"Yup. And then there's more."

"What other stupid things am I going to do in the future?" he sighed.

"Secretly allying yourself with Orochimaru, letting him talk you into invading Konoha during the chunin exam, getting backstabbed like an idiot and replaced with a disguised Orochimaru, and dying alone in a ditch," I counted off.

"Dammit," he said softly. "I suppose I should secretly ally myself with the Hokage instead."

I nodded. "I'm only ever going to suggest things to you, as with Sarutobi, but I do suggest you do it. I have this plan of you double-crossing Orochimaru instead of Konoha if I haven't butterflied the Konoha Crush out of existence, though again, I'm only suggesting things."

He nodded. "I agree to your plan, I suppose. Is there anything else I should know?"

I held up my index finger. "First, there's gonna be a guy in a few years who's gonna apply to be a ninja despite being unable to use ninjutsu. He's got the potential to best jonin-level shinobi, make his own, less taxing version of the Eight Inner Gates, and develop semi-ninjustu that make him a literal pain to fight even for taijutsu specialists. Get him admitted into the academy, but make it clear to him that he's gonna have to work extra hard." I put up my middle finger too before putting my hand back down. "Second, Sasori's still alive and put some sort of dormant mind-control and/or sleeper agent jutsu into some of your men. Have fun with that."

He sighed. "Could you please tell me if any of the people I'm going to gather for the problem are infected?"

I made a quick check. "Some guy named Yura, thankfully only him, now please don't make me do that again or I won't be able to stay up for the third night."

"Thank you." He started to leave, but paused to look at eight of my cores standing on a seal tag. "What is that?"

"Surprised you didn't see that sooner," I noted. "The seal is siphoning off demon sage chakra as fast as they replenish it to gather power for an experiment of mine. And filtering it a little so it's less dangerous to be exposed to at the cost of some potency."

"Do you really need that much... 'demon sage chakra?'"

"If I have excess, then I have excess," I stated. "I want to have as much as possible for the project, for... optimal results."

"Why did that sound ominous?"

I grinned. "I'm throwing around power that can level villages to see what happens. Even if I follow safety precautions, it's still going to be pretty fun to look at."

He glared at me. "Please don't do it in my village."

"Can't, even if I wanted to. The plan is to see if giving someone with the potential to access a certain Kekkei Genkai enough demon sage chakra unlocks it for them." I gave a small chuckle. "Should be a lightshow."

He frowned for a moment, then said, "As long as it's not in my village... Do you need anything else?"

I shivered. "It's starting to get a bit cold. Do you have a spare blanket?"

"I'll have someone bring you one. Goodbye."

I told him goodbye and then spent the rest of the night watching a kid to make sure nothing bad happened to him in his sleep. I was honestly surprised I did not once burst out into song about Rose Quartz and how I loved her.

[acefrogmonarch]

Headcanons pt. 3

To get thus out of the way. I feel like Hinata wouldn't have as much pressure in the next life. Sure she might compete in the same things like Neji.

But wouldn't be ridiculed about it because she was very honest about it with her father.

Lunch - High school

Itachi sometimes skips college or his police academy and just sits on campus with them. He brings enough for everyone if he remembers them. But it’s fine because both Neji and Itachi text each other and plan ahead, just in case.

No one notices that these seniors are having lunch with sophomores. But then again, everyone looks like a senior in that group to the student body and staff.

The cafeteria was their place in the winter because it was too cold to go outside. Every other season was set outside in the courtyard. They have a place deemed “theirs” and refuse to share it with others. Absolute will fight anyone that goes near their table.

Naruto does football but only quarterback because he’s there to only throw.

He has a ‘dog’ named Kurama and always plays frisbees with him. Because it feels like throwing a shuriken. Naruto does tricks with them. Like throwing two at a time and trying to go the other direction but it never works out.

Sasuke does Track. Other things like Hurdles and long jump.

Naruto, at some point: So sasuke runs from his family and his gay problems.

Tenten versus Lee in any Martial arts. Usually mixed, but if they want any specifics, tae juan do is a good stress reliever, for Tenten.

Competitive archery Neji and casual archery Hinata. Neji also does Kendo along with Hinata; She still presses flowers in her journals.

Sakura would definitely be in S.T.U.D.C.O. like office aid, student rep, or any sort of authority position. She was left spiker until she became the Ace of the Volleyball team. Tried to do softball and hated it, then she joined the mixed baseball team and loved it.

Ino would definitely have been in every single program, at least once. Orchestra first, band next, Choir sometimes, did gynanism for fun. Hates cheerleaders, does step team.

Sai is a punk as bitch for any art club. All if not most of his artwork are in the library hung up.

Shikamaru hangs out with juniors that have a steady supply of marijuana. But he also enjoys a good cigarette more than marijuana because that shit fucks with him.

Choji hangs out in the culinary hallway with his girlfriend Karui, because she aspires to be a chief. The culinary teachers also know Choji because they let him eat the leftovers and he suggests new and exciting flavors for them. It’s usually good but sometimes there’s a bad batch.

Kiba would be like the kid you go to or one of the kids that has a side business, within the school. Like he has snacks, school supplies, or marijana. He’s your go to guy.

Kiba has Akamaru as a service dog within the school, since he cant sneak him in without being spotted. He was approved with a doctors note.

Shino likes computer programming. The essence of computers and how smoothly a program could run makes him feel accomplished and so happy. And when he finally gets it? Oof. Euphoria. 

He sometimes does web coding for fun and fucks around with his tumblr page.

Shino and Shikamaru both have a mutual respect towards each other. Because Shikamaru has this uncanny ability to find bugs and crash games on PC.

Naruto surprisingly built the PC for him, he manually updates new parts and makes sure everything is good to run. Shino makes mods for his games, like GTA V, Minecraft, GMod.

They stream it sometimes and it's just great content for themselves.

It used to be San Andreas but the game kept bugging out all the time, so they updated to V.

Sometimes both Naruto and Hinata dip the group during lunch to visit their little siblings. By blood or not, they both deeply care about their younger siblings. Naruto goes through the forest to visit Honomaru. While Hinata goes down the grave path and enjoys the creeks, nature around her.

They both end up at the same school regardless of how much it takes the other to get there but they both enjoy seeing the faces of their respected siblings. And it’s all worth it in the end.

Their missing hands.

Sometimes when Naruto is away in College he completely forgets that his right hand is perfectly fine and not at all gone, damaged, or artificial. So he just doesn’t use it until someone questions why he couldn’t grab something and they point out his arm.

Shikamaru: Why can’t you use your hand?

Naruto: Huh? What are you on ab-

Naruto finally notices his arm and lightly squeezes.

Naruto: I thought I lost it in the war.

Shikamaru: Wha-

Naruto: But I got my brother back. Where’s sasuwuke?

Shikamaru: Naruto, you saw him just yesterday.

Naruto: Yesterday! Why didn’t he visit me today?

Sakura: He’s a block away, Naruto. How about you visit him?

Naruto: That asshole! I thought he was still at the Wave village?

Sakura: No you idiot, he just sent a letter last week, he’s in the Sound now.

Again, once out of the trance, both are very confused. 

Hinata and Sasuke marry. Well almost. Both Sasuke and Hinata are very private and didn’t want to tell anyone about the engagement but have spent a couple of months planning. And when the subject of her wedding dress came up.

Hinata: How about a kimono, like before?

Sasuke: Huh?

Hinata: Yeah, like my wedding with-

Sasuke and Hinata look at each other and realize that they were about to marry the wrong person.

Hinata: D-do we continue?

Sasuke: I mean we don’t have a date, and the invites aren’t out yet. No one knows about this and we aren’t exactly marrying because we love each other.

Hinata nods in understanding and sighs deeply.

Hinata: Then who am I supposed to marry? And what am I supposed to do with the ring?

Sasuke: I don’t care as long as I get my sword.

Hinata: Yeah, whatever you want teme.

Hinata immediately realizes who she was supposed to marry and so does Sasuke.

They call up a certain pinkette and blonde and set up a meeting.

Hinata, still knowing her gentle first, from memory and will abruptly start training. If everyone tries to stop her, she takes it as a challenger and will fight them. She stops once Neji is there.

Hinata Hyuuga or Hinata Hyuga. She often calls the wrong punctuation for the Hyuga estate.

It's changed to only one u.

Since Hinata’s mother, Hana, is alive, they didn’t set a garden in her honor.

Hinata: Where’s mother’s garden?

Ko: Her what?

Hinata: Her garden, because she died.

Ko: U-uh, Hinata-sama.

Hana comes out to see what is taking them so long: What sweetie?

Hinata looks at her mother and smiles softly. She looks around again and tries to look for her training trees.

Hinata: Where’s my tree?

Neji follows soon after: What tree?

Hinata softly smiles but looks at the bow and arrow that is in his hand. Having come back from training, Neji is still in his gear and sets Hinata out of her trance.

Tiny Hinata misses her flowers. She does replant her garden but she also scared the ever living crap out of anyone because of her ominous message before.

Neji and Hinata accidentally outing each other's sexuality. While at the mall, they both notice an attractive couple and look at them approvingly. Then they turn to each other and nod their head in understanding.

Hinata: The Girl, right?

Neji: The Boy, right?

Now they often tease each other about boys and girls alike. Sasuke is often caught up on the teasing.

Since it’s mostly done in sign language and he can’t help when he notices the straight face that Hinata makes when she signs. “Gay sex” and points at Sasuke.

Neji curses and walks away, then Tenten, Lee and Hinata are following Neji like ducklings. All signing "Gay sex" Sasuke is losing his mind.

BI hinata and Neji.

Family reunions with the Uchiha!

Since there was no big massacre, everyone sort of lives and drives everyone up the wall with their attitude.

Sasuke can’t handle them so he brings Naruto. And everyone kind of loves Naruto, so they accept him as an honorary Uchiha.

Adult life?

Because I get that Hinata and Naruto married at like 21 and had boruto a couple of years later. So I really want Hinata to have followed the same feeling except a couple of years earlier. Same with the other girls and their pregnancy months. Because that’s hilarious. 

Neji and Tenten finally get together and him not dying. Just the potential wholesomeness about that makes me happy.

No one knows who the fuck Rock Lee hooks up with. Like he dips for 2 years and comes back with a baby named Metal. Tenten is super worried because Rock has a kind of pure innocence to him, in regards to sex.

Tenten: Did you get roofied? Are you okay? How did you end up with a kid?

Rock: What’s a roofie? Is that a drink?

Tenten: Kind of, but don’t worry about it.

Neji: What’s with the kid?

Rock: He’s my son, say hi Metal!

Metal is a baby and gurgles at them. They are very shocked, but not surprised. Because it’s Rock Lee. A musclehead that doesn’t want to stop training.

So anything is possible

Childhood ?

Naruto has his parents, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Obito, Rin and many others. In this life but one time when he woke up to the house being empty, he just started crying.

16, very confused and just sits for about an hour in one spot holding his crystal necklace. His Mom walks in with groceries, with his Father right behind her carrying more groceries.

Naruto: Oh thank god, I thought you guys died again.

Kushina: What, no, never again! Right Dear?

Minato: I’m not going to sacrifice myself again anytime soon, if that’s what you’re worried about.

Breaking out of the trance, they question themselves and their memories. More so, their past life.

Sasuke abruptly hates Itachi and sometimes tries to kill him in his teenage years.

Sasuke: You bastard! How could you do that to our clan!

Itachi: Foolish little brother. You still haven’t caught up to me.

Sasuke is in a kenta stance but nothing is in his hand and itachi is very confused as to why he is staring at Sasuke with his hands in a very weird hand symbol.

[sweet-cool-twins]

A Nephew and His Uncle, A Hikaru Fanfic

This fanfic is born out of the frustration of Kageyama Hikaru not meeting his uncle. You could view this as a partial Galaxy ending!rewrite. This is my take on how their meeting would have been like. I don't know if Level-5 is ever gonna address this. If they never, at least you guys have this fic as a backup and consolidation. I had to consult some episodes of Galaxy to refresh my memory (my most unfavourable season, bless my resilience). I apologise in advance for any inconsistencies or distorted flow compared to the anime. There are minor alterations you might notice to accommodate this fic. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy the story!

*Dedicated to Hikaru, Reiji, and anyone who wished for this to happen in canon.

*The Earth Eleven only appear heavily at the first half of the story and are in no part of the reunion between Hikaru and Reiji. I apologise if you guys want to see their reactions to that.

Tenma, Tsurugi, Shindou, and Shinsuke were in the Galaxy Nauts's headroom on the way back to Earth from Falam Orbius. They were opening a video call to the Raimon Soccer Team to inform them of their return. The rest of the Earth Eleven members were making a ruckus at the back of the room trying to handle Minori who was aggressively manhandling Kusaka and Tetsukadou like they were leaves that she could brush off.

"Y-you see, M-Mizukawa-sa-" Kusaka tried to placate the girl.

"I ASKED, WHERE AM I?! ANSWER ME?!" Minori grabbed Kusaka's hair and forced him down on his knees to face her.

"Ah, my hair!"

"P-please l-listen to us. We'll be back on-" Tetsukadou stepped forward and tried to calm the green-haired girl as well.

"HUH?! YOU WANT TO FIGHT ME?! BRING IT ON!"

"Ahhhh nonono I have no inten-" Minori did not hear Tetsukadou's words. She grabbed his collar, lifted him high, and vigorously shook him back and forth.

"AHHHH, MOMMMMMYYYYY!" Tetsukadou screamed.

"Waitwaitwaitwait!" Kusaka yelled as Minori, with her hand still holding on to Tetsukadou's collar, wrapped her other arm around Kusaka's neck in an attempt to choke him. "Uck! Sa-save me..."

"They seem to be making a ruckus. Will they be fine?" Tsurugi commented to Shindou as they were watching the commotion. Meanwhile, Tenma and Shinsuke were setting up the conference at the console. "It's been a long time since I was with the team, but..."

"They will. We are the Earth Eleven after all." Shindou answered calmly. The brown-haired boy turned his body to face the monitor.

"I-is that so...?" Tsurugi eyed his senior with distress. A sweat drop rolled down his cheek. He took a glance at the back of the room, noting Ibuki making his way to sort out the fight, possibly exposing himself to torture. He quickly turned around to face the monitor, hopefully, to focus his attention on the video call.

"Tenma, are you sure you've input the details correctly? We don't want to randomly connect to some other off-world planet." Shinsuke asked from beside Tenma who was setting up the call.

"It'll be alright, Shinsuke!" Tenma said as he tapped on a few buttons while looking at a piece of paper by Kabata Shizune, the Galaxy Nauts's conductor. "I think these are the inputs...and...done!" A final push of a button and out popped a transparent window with a view of the Raimon Eleven players in the Raimon soccer clubroom.

"Hey everyone! We won the final match! We're coming back to Earth!" Tenma greeted his friends.

"Congrats on winning, everyone! How are you guys holding up?" Sangoku spoke for the team.

"A lot of things happened, Sangoku-senpai!" Shinsuke piped up. "Like Tsurugi was replaced by a Fake Tsurugi!"

"WHAT?!" The entire Raimon members exclaimed.

"And that he almost got engaged!"

"WHHAATTTTT?!"

"T-there's no engagement! I'm back now! A-and there was a proper reason for those things..." Tsurugi's flustered answer did not seem to expel the shock on the Raimon members' faces, much to the amusement to Shindou, Tenma and Shinsuke.

"Hikaru!" Tenma called out to the purple-haired boy. There was a particular reason for their call back home. An interesting gift for one of their Raimon member. After the revelation of their coach's identity before they left for space, the Raimon Earth Eleven members knew they had to do something to reconcile the kinship for both their coach and their friend. They had to delay the gift due to the severity of the situation, being that Earth Eleven needed to save their planet and the galaxy from Alien invasion. Now that the Tournament is over, they have the time to procure the present for their friend. It took a lot of convincing, some pushing and pulling from him getting away, but it got Kuroiwa to agree to the idea. Currently, the man was in his office in the Galaxy Nauts sorting out his work.

"Hm?" Hikaru hummed in acknowledgement.

"We have something special for you! From Coach Kuroiwa!" Tenma gave a warm-hearted smile. He noticed everyone's eyes widened, especially Hikaru's.

"C-Coach Kuroiwa..." Hikaru mumbled the name to himself, stunned at Tenma's words.

"What is it, Tenma?" Nishiki asked for everyone.

"He wants to talk to you about something!" Tenma replied, still with the large wide grin on his face. He could not help it. He was very happy and excited for his friend.

"Y-you're not kidding right, Tenma-kun?!" Hikaru asked. His face showed that he understood Tenma's hints. At the same time, he was uncertain if his guess was correct. All the time he consulted Tenma about Kuroiwa while Earth Eleven was still on Earth. All the mystery and confusion of his similarities to his uncle. It was going to be solved, right? "Whatever it is from Coach Kuroiwa..., it-it's the truth, right?!"

"No, I'm not lying! It's the truth!" 

"We know you'll be very happy, Hikaru!" Shinsuke and Tenma both gave the purple-haired boy a grin.

"Isn't that great, Hikaru!" Amagi came around Kirino and Sangoku to put his right arm around Hikaru's shoulders, pulling him close to hug him. "Having a present from Earth Eleven's coach!"

"Ah...I-I guess so, Amagi-senpai..."

"Oi oi Tenma-kun," Kariya spoke up beside Hikaru, "What's this information about Coach Kuroiwa and Hikaru? How are you so sure that he’s telling the truth?"

"Gouenji-san and Kidou-san told us! About Coach Kuroiwa and Hikaru's un-" Tenma was cut off by Tsurugi's hand covering the brown-haired boy's mouth. He had his other hand on Tenma's shoulder to ensure he had a firm grip on the teen.

"Tenma, you're saying too much."

"We know that you're excited, but we've agreed to let Coach Kuroiwa do the explanation," Shindou whispered to Tenma, so as not to expose the secret.

"That's right, Tenma! This is a surprise for Hikaru! We shouldn't spoil it for him!" Shinsuke spoke softly to Tenma as well for the same reasons as Shindou. Tsurugi uncovered Tenma's mouth when Tenma muffled something, which Tenma quickly let out the air that he had been holding.

"Pah! ...O-oh yeah...I'm sorry everyone...heh heh!" Tenma scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Tenma-kun!" The voice of Hikaru boomed through the speakers and caught the attention of the four Raimon players in the Galaxy Nauts. "P-please tell me your arrival time! I want to be there on time to meet him!" Hikaru radiated the most determination Tenma had ever seen on his friend. He knew he had to adhere to his wishes. Tenma turned to Manabe and Minaho sitting in the seat on the right beside them, hiding from the situation happening at the back.

"Manabe, what time will we land on Odaiba?" The light purple-haired boy pushed his glasses up before replying,

"Um...based on the calculations," Manabe tapped on some buttons, "it seems we will land at about three in the afternoon, Japan time, captain."

"That will be within thirty minutes. We both concluded together!"

"...! I've never said I needed your assistance, Minaho-kun."

"I know I know...Determining the answer separately gives it more credibility. Don’t you think so, Manabe-kun?"

"...Well, I won't disagree with your logic..."

"Thank you, Minaho, Manabe." Tenma turned back to the Raimon players. "You've heard them. Three PM on the dot."

"Thank you, Tenma-kun!" With that, the purple-haired boy exited the Raimon soccer club room in the speed of light, leaving the rest of the Raimon players still in the room.

"He's really excited," Kurama said with a smirk.

"Well, he's been thinking about it all this time. I wouldn't blame him for that reaction," Sangoku replied.

"He's been thinking about Coach Kuroiwa? How come?" Ichino questioned.

"Haven't you noticed? Coach Kuroiwa looks A LOT like his uncle, Kageyama Reiji!" Hamano jumped into the chat.

"If he could settle this issue with Coach Kuroiwa, it would be nice for Hikaru," Kirino spoke.

CRASH

"W-what happened?!" Kurumada asked. The four Earth Eleven members had turned their heads to the back and found Tetsukadou, Ibuki, and Kusaka on the floor bruised up. Matatagi was engaged in a staring contest with Minori. There was no clue how the fight would end with both person's destructive attitudes. The damage would hurt everyone. They had to stop the fight.

"Ah...t-talk to you guys when we're back. We have some things to take care of! See you guys later!" Tenma blurted out in a hurry.

"Byeee!" That was the last thing Tenma heard from the Raimon Eleven before he shut off the communication line.

----------------------------------------

The entire Raimon soccer team were standing in front of the Galaxy Nauts landing station. All had an excited smile on their faces, except for a certain purple-haired boy with hair shaped like pincers. He was fidgeting restlessly on his spot between Kariya and Kirino.

"Calm your nerves, Hikaru. You're too nervous." Kirino tried to calm the first-year when he noticed him quaking.

"I-I know, Kirino-senpai, b-but it could be him! There are so many things I want to talk to him about! A-at the same time, this is my first time talking to him in person, so I'm not so sure how to act in front of him...W-what if he's really strict and I embarrass myself! H-he will think I'm unworth- TAGAH!" Hikaru was interrupted by Amagi who hit his head.

"HIKARU! Listen to yourself! You've been saying how much you love soccer and how much you wanted to play in your uncle's place! You helped us perfect Double Wing! You scored a goal with your first hissatsu shot that you created! All this within the few weeks you'd been with us! You helped us progressed through the Holy Road and win the Revolution! Don't you see? You've done amazing things your uncle couldn't have done! You've worked hard to get to where you are because of your love for Raimon, your love for your uncle, and your love for soccer! You are worthy, Hikaru!"

"A-Amagi-senpai...You really think so?"

"Of course, Hikaru! We've seen it. We all agree with Amagi here." Kurumada came up to beside Amagi and patted the purple-haired senior's shoulders.

"Don't be afraid, Hikaru-kun! We believe in you!" Hayami encouraged the purple-haired boy. It seemed he was interested in the topic, even despite his meek self.

"A little bit peppy today, aren't you, Hayami?" Kurama teased him.

"I-I'm just trying to support Hikaru-kun that's all!" Kurama grinned, ignoring Hayami's protest.

"Right! Thank you so much, Amagi-senpai! Everyone!" The worries lifted from Hikaru's shoulders as he replied affirmatively.

"Heh heh, I never knew you had it in you, Amagi!" Kurumada's smile turned to a proud grin to his friend.

"W-what?"

"Yeah, Amagi! That's a great speech!" Sangoku complimented.

"You were really cool, Amagi-san," Kirino said next.

"Yes yes! I agree!" Hikaru's eyes beamed in admiration.

"You could be a minister, Amagi-san~" Hamano teased.

"I-is that so? Y-you guys think I have skills in public speaking?! Hehe...haha...HAHAHA! I, Amagi Daichi, am the best at speeches! AHAHAHA!"

"Did we let it get to his head too much?" Kariya commented on the side which no one was able to listen due to Amagi's loud laughter. Just then the loud whoosh from Galaxy Nauts's engines sounded from the skies above them. The Raimon players paused their chatting and quickly formed themselves in a line as they watched the sci-fi train descend and came to a stop at the landing track. The door opened and one by one, the Earth Eleven players exited.

"Ow...ouch!" Tetsukadou was the first out, with a black eye on his face and a bandaged wrist.

"Tek...Even my demon mode didn't work against her..." Kusaka was next, with frizzy hair and a bandaged neck.

"Are you alright, Ibuki? You were thrown very badly." Shinsuke questioned the main goalkeeper, who was limping weirdly and rubbing his shoulders.

"Tsch. I'll live."

"Hmm. Humans are so interesting. Who would have thought Potomuri-san possessing her would have suppressed her abilities that much." Minaho's ear twitched in interest.

"I prefer Minori-san when Potomuri-san was in control. He was so calm and collected." Manabe adjusted his spectacles.

"Captain should've let me handle that green-haired girl. How powerful can she be?" Matatagi rebuked at how he was pushed aside as not to start a fight with Minori.

"I thought you would say that." Zanakuro followed behind Matatagi, saying his common phrase.

"Maybe we shouldn't have hit her in the head. She could be a sweet girl if we let her-" Sakura cut off Aoi during her sentence,

"No no! That woman's a monster! An ogre!" She suggested.

"Rabbits...Flowers...Cats...Rabbits...Flowers...Cats..." Morimura was the last to exit, with her tiny form quietly mumbling safe words to herself.

The Raimon Eleven stared with their jaws wide open in astonishment. Three Earth Eleven players were injured, the girls were scared stiff, one wants to fight someone, two were discussing over possession, and out of all this mess, where were the rest of the Earth Eleven players?!

"Ah, you guys have done a number on this girl." That stopped the Raimon Eleven in their tracks. They watched a middle-age woman and Tenma carrying a green-haired girl on either side of her out of the train.

"Could you bring her to the infirmary by yourself, Auntie?" Tenma asked.

"Of course I can! Who do you think I am? She'll be up and running without you knowing!" The woman smiled widely.

"We don't exactly want her to be running around though..." Tsurugi came up behind the three, mumbling to himself.

"Sorry to trouble you like this, Auntie. Thank you." Shindou thanked Kabata Shizune before the woman gave one last wave. She brought Minori closer for her to lean against Shizune before carrying on towards the building's infirmary to take care of the girl. Kirino blinked in surprise to see his best friend. He left the other Raimon members to chat with the other Earth Eleven members, while he quickly ran up to the dark brown-haired boy, hoping he would solve all his questions.

"Shindou!"

"Kirino?"

"What happened back there, Shindou? There was a crash and-" Shindou interrupted his friend. He gave a confident smile to him in reassurance. It did not seem to placate the worry over Kirino's face.

"Don't worry, Kirino. The Earth Eleven are a strong bunch after all."

"No, no it's not, Shindou-senpai! A young girl just whipped half of our team to shreds!" Tsurugi called out on his senior's obliviousness in panic. "I'm gone for half of the tournament, and even I know that she was very different before I left!"

"Tsurugi, are you alright?" Tenma asked the blue-haired boy in concern.

"Yes...I'm fine..." At that moment Shinsuke came back to Tenma's side, so did the rest of the Raimon players who stood in a group in front of them around Kirino.

"You are afraid of her, aren't you Tsurugi?" Shinsuke chuckled into his hands.

"N-no I'm not!"

"It'll be alright, Tsurugi! Everything will work out somehow!" Tsurugi blinked. He turned his head to the brown-haired captain and stared into those light blue eyes, searching for doubts. He only found assurance. That calmed Tsurugi, just like all the other times Tenma said that sentence.

"Yeah...You're right." Tsurugi closed his eyes as he nodded, heart lifted from anguish.

"Tsurugi! Tenma! Shindou! Shinsuke!" Sangoku called the four Raimon Earth Eleven players.

"Welcome back!" The Raimon Eleven shouted. Tenma's smile shifted to a grin. He yelled back,

"It's great to be back!"

Just then, everyone heard a gasp. They turned to the sound and spotted Hikaru standing at the bottom of the platform to Galaxy Nauts, mouth and eyes wide open in shock. Meanwhile, Kuroiwa stood at the top of the platform, looking down at Hikaru. It was clear who had gasped.

"Uncl-Uhm...Coach Kuroiwa, I-"

"Hikaru." The voice of Kuroiwa made Hikaru stun for a few seconds. It did make Hikaru's nervousness disparate away.

"Y-yes?!"

"Come with me."

"Ah, yes!" The purple-haired boy followed Kuroiwa along a pathway away from the others. It seemed Kuroiwa wanted the two of them to go somewhere else to talk. The rest of the players looked at each other, wondering what they should do next.

----------------------------------------

The Raimon members were all hiding in the bushes watching and listening to the scene in front of them. It was a large crowd, but they were somehow able to squeeze themselves in and still have mild space to move about. The Earth Eleven players had to leave earlier as some had to visit the doctor for their injuries, while the others wanted to see their friends and families after the long journey away from home. Kuroiwa and Hikaru were sitting on a bench along the Odaiba bay area. Their position facing inwards instead of the waters behind them. The sun on the clear blue sky gave the audience a clearer view of their facial expressions (mostly Hikaru's), and they could see how fidgeting Hikaru was. It was clear he was still nervous due to the overwhelming presence of his uncle. His uncle, on the other hand, kept his silence. His form painfully straight, yet not causing discomfort for the older man. A pregnant silence floated between them.

"Hey is this ok? Will Kageyama be ok? Ah-wait..." Kurumada stopped himself as he pondered his question.

"Which Kageyama are you referring to?" Amagi questioned.

"T-the younger one..." Kurumada replied. Hikaru’s voice broke the silence and quickly gained everyone's attention.

"Uhm...Un-Coach Kuroiwa..." 

"You can call me by my old name, Hikaru. The world knows who I am now." Hikaru gasped and quickly turned his body to face him.

"Y-you’re Kageyama Reiji! Are you really my uncle?!” 

"Yes. That's correct."

"Y-you really are-...I was right..." Hikaru sighed in relief. "I-it's nice to finally meet you, Uncle Reiji!"

"It's nice to meet you too, Hikaru, my nephew." There was a pause as Reiji gathered his thoughts. "But it's best you don't associate that name with me for too long. Kageyama Reiji has died 10 years ago," Hikaru's eyes turned sorrowful upon hearing his uncle's words.

"I-I can't call you Uncle Reiji?" Kageyama Reiji tilted his head forward, downcasted.

"I'm not sure. I was supposed to have died but was illegally injected with a serum that kept me alive. Now that I have outed myself to the Soccer Association to fight the Grand Celesta Galaxy Tournament, it's only a matter of time before I'm taken back to jail." Hikaru and the others in the bushes widened their eyes in shock.

"T-that can't be..." Shinsuke said dejectedly.

"After what he has done for Earth, it wasn't enough to unwind all the bad deeds he's done in the past," Kirino spoke.

"Hikaru..." Tenma murmured dejectedly. Hikaru eyed his fingers, unsure of what to do. He finally got to meet his supposedly deceased uncle, only to find out he was going to not see him again for another few years. Maybe even forever! Suddenly, a recall of Tenma's familiar words flashed through his mind. It gave him some positive confidence.

"It's ok! Everything will work out somehow!" Reiji and the other Raimon players focused their attention on Hikaru who exclaimed that sentence. They were surprised to see a cheerful expression on his face. The orange of the evening sky emphasised the emotion on Hikaru's face, providing a sense of warmth that everything will be alright. "Hehe, that's what Tenma would've said!" The purple-haired boy smiled widely. The Raimon players relaxed their shoulders, pleased with Hikaru's answer. Meanwhile, Reiji was still in shock at his nephew's positivity despite the gloomy future that was to entail. "It's fine by me if I call you Uncle Reiji or Uncle Ryuusei, you're still my uncle! Ah! T-that is if you're alright with that. Hehe... Are you ok with me calling you my uncle?" Reiji nodded. His lips lifted to a smile.

"You may call me any way you want, Hikaru." Hikaru had a bright smile on his face upon hearing that.

"Uncle Reiji!" Reiji's lips also widened slightly upon hearing his nephew calling him by his family title.

“Yes, Hikaru.”

"Gak! Does he not realise that he's making coach's situation worse if he keeps calling him by his original name?!" Kariya clutched his hands on the sides of his head in disbelief.

"Kariya, calm down! You're too loud!" Shinsuke whispered.

"But Shinsuke-kun..."

There were a few moments of comfortable silence before Reiji shifted from his crossed arms to placing his hands on his lap. There was an uncomfortable topic he wanted to discuss.

"How's your mother?"

"M-my mother?" Reiji gave a slight nod. Not too sure if he was wandering into uncharted territories by mentioning his sister.

"My sister, is she doing well?"

"Ah...yes she's doing well, Uncle Reiji! She admired yours and grandfather's soccer! Even if there were some illegal mistakes made, you have made up for them! We both watched Italy's match with Inazuma Japan, and I can tell she's very proud of you!" Reiji instantly let go of his breath he was subconsciously holding.

"I see..." Hikaru's face stretched to a wide toothy grin.

"I started loving soccer too! After all the praises my mother said, it made me want to play soccer!"

"You...started playing soccer because of that?"

"Mm mhm!" Hikaru nodded.

"Although I started kicking the ball not too long ago, my teammates say I learn very quickly! My position's a first-year forward! I've helped Raimon in the Holy Road Revolution and protected overpowered children from taking over the future by time-travelling!"

"Oi oi, what is he saying now?!" Kariya was aghast.

"The older Kageyama looks sort of stun doesn't he?" Kirino spoke next.

"Yeah yeah! He looks more rigid and paler than before!" Shinsuke followed.

"You're right. He does look uncomfortable." Aoi mentioned.

"Soccer probably wasn't this complex ten years ago. Else, why would Coach get so stumped?" Tsurugi suggested. The Raimon players nodded to Tsurugi's statement.

"I've joined Raimon because I've heard Raimon helped save your soccer. Maybe by joining them, I could experience the feelings you've had and continue in your place! Even when you weren't around those ten years, I can continue your love for soccer and help make your plays better! I want to learn more about soccer, so I can have lots more to talk about with you!" Even if Hikaru's eyes were black, it had a twinkle of determination that stirred something within Reiji. A long-forgotten feeling he used to have when he was young and admired his father. A feeling that had gotten him to love soccer. That last sentence too brought a lot of memories in the FFI. Particularly, a certain girl during the match with Orpheus. It then surprised Reiji when he saw the radiant boy slump down in dejection. "I know I've said that I wanted to continue on your legacy, but...I was not chosen for the Earth Eleven team..."

"Hikaru..." Tenma was saddened when he heard this. He never knew Hikaru was feeling this way.

"I don't have a Soul. I wasn't strong enough to be in the team that you're coaching. I wasn't able to fight against the universe. I'm...I'm not strong enough to be what you wished to be!" Reiji stayed patiently silent, listening to his nephew's issue.

"Hikaru, I used to think that winning in soccer should be the main thing for playing it, that's what makes soccer fun, that's what makes you strong. I was wrong. Soccer's about training hard, working to surpass others, and most importantly having fun. You've already got that. Why do you need to change?" Hikaru's eyes started to water by his uncle's words. It hit hard in his already vulnerable self-loathing heart. He could feel the love and hope his uncle wanted to instil into Hikaru.

"You have a long way ahead of you, Hikaru." Reiji lifted the hand closest to his nephew and placed it on his head. "But you're doing great. I'm proud of you." A lone tear rolled down Hikaru's red cheeks as his lips quivered. Slowly, those lips shifted to a warm smile.

"YES! I'll do my best! Thank you so much, Uncle Reiji!" The older Kageyama replied with a smile. He was glad he was able to comfort his nephew. He reminded Reiji of Rushe. The girl from Italy he had helped heal her eyes. They both have the same cute and carefree take on the world. He wished he could protect that at all costs. The purple-haired first-year rubbed the remaining tears with his sleeves. "Uncle Reiji, would you like to have dinner with us?" Hikaru asked, noticing the orange of the evening sky had turned dark blue. "My mother's making her special curry tonight! I've heard it's a family recipe!" Reiji gave a saddened smile.

"I would love to, but I have some things to report back to the Soccer Association. Maybe after that, I could join you all."

"Will anything happen to you, Uncle Reiji?" The addressed man paused in mild surprise, not expecting the young boy's intuition. He shook his head.

"I don't know. I was only told to inform the outcomes of Earth Eleven's matches. I don't know what will happen to me after that."

"I see..." Hikaru's eyes drifted to his lap. Another moment of silence overcome them before Hikaru lifted himself from the bench. "This will be the last time I'll see you in a while, right?" He looked at his uncle, hoping to drive the image of him into his mind. "I hope we can meet each other again, in the future!" Hikaru smiled brightly. Reiji nodded.

"We shall see. Like a certain someone's catchphrase, 'It'll work out somehow', no?"

"Yes!" Hikaru's laughter permeated the surrounding quietness. Meanwhile, the Raimon Eleven members were still in the bushes, watching the heartfelt scene that had happened moments ago.

"Isn't it great for Hikaru, being able to meet and have a conversation with his uncle?" Tenma questioned his team.

"Yeah, I'm happy for him!" Amagi yelled with his arms raised. It was miraculous that it did not attract the two Kageyamas' attention.

"We're all happy for him, Amagi..." Kurumada told his friend.

"We should head back. It's quite late already." Shindou said, looking up at the night sky.

"You're right. The two of them have talked it out. Our job is done." Kirino stood up. The rest followed his action.

"Alright. Let's go home, everyone!" The Raimon players walked away as a group, leaving their teammate and his uncle still at the bench making up for the lost time. Their future may be bleak, but Tenma could tell they would be alright.

---------------------------------------- 

I’ve always thought Kageyama Reiji had a sister. It’s never mentioned, but from the way he treated Rushe seems similar to Gouenji and Kidou with their sisters. He also acts like he’s very familiar with handing a younger girl. Hence, why I’m leaning more towards younger sister. As for how Hikaru got his mother’s surname, it seems there is a thing in Japan for a child to take on their mothers’ surname. It was explained by Ishido-Shuuji, but I could not find their tumblr now so you may find out more here. Cause Endou got his surname from Daisuke who is his maternal-grandfather, we could assume this is a thing. 

Thank you guys so much for reading this long fic! Bless you guys! I hope you’ve enjoyed it! <3

[lapusas]

in a way, you’re rather pleased with your current situation, the shadow presence of the threat of kara notwithstanding.     ever the optimist, eh ??     you can’t help it though, not really, not in this case, as with many other cases.

you have acquired a nasty habit of talking any chance you get about the entire village being the hokage’s family, yet, as boruto never failed to point out, you hardly got the chance to spend time with your immediate family.     or rather, you hardly allowed yourself the chance, the martyr syndrome well & kicking as you shift from sacrificing bodily safety to sacrificing mental well - being.     & physical well - being  ;     for all your oversleeping in mornings, you actually sleep very little, & most of your wakefulness is either energy drink induced or stress induced.     artificial & naturally manufactured, somewhere between the two.

but in keeping an eye on kawaki, & in the days since your watch over him began, you’ve shifted the priorities of your shadow clone allotment   ( you vaguely remember telling boruto once that you wouldn’t dare place a shadow clone in the hokage’s office.     hah.     well.    ) .     with remaining by the boy’s side, you’ve ended up spending more time around hinata & the kids than you have since you became hokage   ---   which, great, dream achieved, but gods did you miss spending time with your family.     actual family, not symbolical hokage family, much as you care for the village.

you’ve gotten to be the one to greet hinata home for once, you’ve gotten to dole out near spoiling amounts of attention to himawari   ( who’s been absolutely beaming about this fact ) , at least when kawaki’s been docile enough to not need to worry about a bickering fit erupting behind your back with boruto, boruto who, despite his grumbling you are inclined to agree with your daughter, has very much enjoyed your recently consistent presence at the dining table ...

& then there’s kawaki...

so ...

he’s recently started calling you   “ dad ” .

you felt a a wave of mental apologies being sent iruka - sensei’s way at your response the first few times, quiet &   “ do not make a big deal out of this i will even say please ”   as they were, the parallel to your former teacher’s response to you doing the same when you were around kawaki’s age crashing its way into your stinging eyes with the force of a bijuu bomb.     needless to say, you’ve since formed a silent solidarity with iruka - sensei over picking up responsibility for a lonely, bearing - power - he - didn’t - ask - for, & love - starved child & your continued expressions of trust & concern for his well - being resulting in the very tearful realization that you’ve ended up mutually adopting each other as family when said child calls you   “ dad ” .

except, you usually have stuck to calling iruka - sensei   “ iruka - sensei ” , even when he’s insisted that he’s long since stopped being your teacher   ( not that that particularly matters, not to you who still calls yamato - taichou   “ yamato - taichou ”   & will likely never stop calling ero - sennin   “ ero - sennin ”   even in serious conversation ) .

kawaki has all but entirely stopped calling you variations of   “ lord seventh ” , at least around the house, that you’ve noticed.     what that means to you, &, more importantly, what that means for kawaki ...     there’s something about that.     it makes your chest sting a little but also warm, & you realize you’ve been smiling stupidly into your half empty bowl for the past five minutes of dinner when hinata prods at your hand with a chopstick & repeats your name for probably at least the third time.     she asks if you’re okay & you nod & say yeah, sure, of course like you always do, except this time around it actually sounds somewhat convincing.

another second & you decide that you are, in fact, going to make your marshmallow heart everyone else’s problem.

boruto starts excusing himself from the table, finished eating, but you halt him halfway across the room with a hold up, getting up & stopping somewhere in the middle of boruto & the table.     hinata has, no doubt, already recognized the expression on your face ‘cause she is looking at you with that soft, good - willed smile that makes you feel even more sentimentally sappy & you end up putting more of a slightly childish demand in your tone than you’d intended as you spread your arms out & announce  :        ❛     that’s it, dad’s feelin’ mushy, that means it’s family bearhug time  ;     get in here.     ❜

himawari grins open - mouthed & is only all too eager to get in there, after wolfing   ( foxing ??     ... kurama isn’t amused )   down the rest of her food, of course, so you give her a specially tight separate hug before hinata joins in & your arms are officially opened for everyone.     boruto hangs back feigning annoyance & you hardly need to tell him to get on over, kiddo for him to get on over.

you then look to the table & notice kawaki has yet to move much from his seat.     you smile, warm as the late spring sun, & tell him with a slight humor to your tone & nod of your head,      ❛     family bearhugs are good for the heart.     now, c’mere.    ❜

he seems to hesitate a little, but eventually shuffles over into the empty space waiting for him to complete the little group, & the moment he’s in place your arms tighten around everyone & you thank whatever heavens deigned you worthy of two growth spurts because your relative size allows you to near completely wind around your family & they fit perfectly in your hold.

himawari’s buried her face in your stomach, small but ferocious hands gripping at you with the same strength of your initial individual hug.     hinata’s got one arm on himawari & the other on the boys, head resting against the crook of your neck & you can’t help pressing your cheek against the top of her head when you tighten the hold of your hug.     boruto’s in much the same position as himawari, holding onto you about as tightly, no doubt hiding his face against you in silent giddy embarrassment   ( you can practically feel him grinning through the layers of fabric ) .

kawaki   ...   doesn’t seem sure of what to do other than stand there & take the hug, but you kind of get that.     hugs tend to be jarring at first when you’ve been deprived of such contact for too long.     you kind of really get that.     the hand closest to him reaches up & ruffles at the boy’s hair before just   ...   resting there against the back of his head, not unlike the first time you hugged him.     it feels right.

you stand still like that for a few more seconds before winding your arms tight as they can around everyone again in one final affectionate smother, & you know you’ve squeezed the living daylights outta them when hima & boruto start laughing their variants of   “ daaaaad ”   with a slight wheeze.     you laugh in return & loosen your grip & boruto uses the chance to slip out entirely, still half laughing, saying something about suffocating if he stays in there any longer.

❛     welp, i was gonna end it off there with a ludicrously sappy   “ i love you all ” , but you went & spoiled that moment.     ❜     you can’t help smiling even as you try to say it with a straight face & end up laughing as boruto retreats with a grin announcing he’s going to bed.          ❛     sleep tight !!    ❜

the hug has more or less dispersed with that, though himawari’s still loyally clinging to you, & you remove the hands still on hinata & kawaki to pry off the little cub only to pick her up & let her sit in your arms long enough to lightly touch at her nose with a    �� ❛     you should be heading to bed, too, hima,     ❜     before handing her over to hinata with a kiss to her forehead.

you stand in the middle of the room, watching the two of them disappear off upstairs, waving a nighty - night to a now sleepy - looking himawari with a soft smile.

& then you’re left alone, along with kawaki, & all you can do is sigh in earnest contentment,     ❛     family’s great.     ❜          the everything of it sounds corny & hardly necessary, even to you, but you only say it because it’s true.     & you know that something similar, at least in sentiment, is going through kawaki’s mind.     & you know how sometimes it helps reaffirm the positive if someone else says the same thing you’re thinking out loud.

you throw another soft smile kawaki’s way.     then you proceed to return to the table & scarf down the leftovers in your bowl, resuming the usual evening motions, as though a family bearhug hadn’t interrupted the whole thing.

[intobarbarians]

for your consideration: hiei as the haughtiest interior decorator. he helped yukina choose the wallpaper for her first apartment and suddenly it became a business. he has opinions on fucking everything and is snotty as fuck about it.

yusuke is his go to contractor and kurama deals with any landscaping when hiei designs entire homes; they’re the best at what they do, and hiei doesn’t accept anything less.

they land a big project and the budget is limitless. hiei is envisioning wood furniture with intricate carvings, handmade by a local artisan his client with fawn over for generations. the guy they first hire is a total fuck up(doesn’t pick up his phone, lacks enthusiasm for his craft, every piece is late and overpriced and underwhelming and he is just so goddamn rude). hiei rages for days when this asshole insults keiko over the phone and gleefully threatens to destroy his career after firing him.

he and yusuke ruin the fucker’s reputation on every review site on the internet when kurama finally suggests hiring the carpenter that built his dining table(”yes, the same table you’ve threatened to steal from my house in the dead of night.”)

yusuke knows who kurama’s talking about. don’t scare him, hiei. i fucking mean it. whatever gave yusuke the idea that hiei was scary?

the wood working thing was supposed to just be a thing kuwabara did on the side to help pay for grad school. well, kuwabara has his masters in biology but he’s still in the wood shop, making his sister new kitchen cabinets and accepting work from word of mouth. kuwabara puts his heart into everything he makes. he’s mostly sure he’s made the right choice, but a piece of him keeps waiting for him to actually use his masters.

hiei is in awe of a headboard displayed in the front of kuwabara’s shop: a dragon wreathed in flame looks ready to spring forth and guard its sleeping charge from danger. there’s a power in its gaze that hiei is drawn to, a kind of energy that’s not unlike the roses carved into kurama’s dining table. hiei has to meet this humble carpenter.

that’s not for sale. just for looks, kuwabara says. he made that headboard after a dream he had. it’ll go to the right owner at no charge, if kuwabara ever meets them.

hiei offers him the job on the spot. kuwabara immediately turns him down. hiei doubles the money and kuwabara flees.

yusuke and kurama have to coach hiei into sweet talking kuwabara. commission one piece. offer him a fair price but not an obscene amount or he’ll think you’re a criminal. let him feel you out--out not up, dude. he’s really into making things for people, you know? the craft is sacred to him.

hiei commissions a frame for a mirror his client treasures. it came from her grandmother’s house, but it’s just a piece of glass. nothing special but the sentimentality, which hiei has no use for.

kuwabara cries after hearing how much it means to the homeowner.

i’ll make her grandma proud, he vows, and he does. hiei can’t stop tracing the delicately carved ivy in the thin mahogany frame. it’s perfect for the foyer.

and this is how hiei gets kuwabara to accept his money. he explains that the cabinet will hold china the family loves, and he barely gets the word ‘cradle’ out before kuwabara dashes off to the work end of his shop.

the shop is where hiei spends most of his off site time, actually. they go back and forth about the exact designs and hiei challenges kuwabara’s limits, what he thinks he’s capable of. it’s so much more than he gives himself credit for.

not to mention that kuwabara is something else when he’s focused on the scroll work for the sofa. hiei can watch him for hours; he has.

when it’s time for this project to wrap up, hiei’s thinking about future ones, and how he’s never letting kuwabara go. god, he needs to tell him.

kuwabara surprises him first.

you know the headboard i said wasn’t for sale? i was thinking maybe you could have it. uh, if you want it, that is. you’ve really pushed me to be the best artist i can be with all of the work you’ve sent my way. although, you have also been a real pain in my ass. always got to know every detail of what i’m doing and why. but that’s just who you are. you’re kinda that way with your own sister! so i’m not mad. i’m better because of it. i’ve enjoyed this, enjoyed spending time with uh, with you. this headboard was what gave me the courage to pursue woodworking instead of taking up this job offer at a lab. i was scared i wouldn’t be able to do this and still pay the rent, but when i finished the dragon i knew i was making the right choice. i hope i’m making the right choice now.

kuwabara asks him out on a date. hiei suggests they take the headboard back to his place and christen it.

[universal-kitty]

.: Day 4 - F/O February :.

First date

   Let’s play catch up again, shall we? Notes: Kurama/Me. The first date, all those years ago...before anything else was known of him, aside from that lovely, kind boy at school. Pre-Yu Yu Hakusho canon.

   “Would you...be willing to go on a date with me??” Rachel’s heart still hadn’t calmed a beat since asking Shuichi that very question yesterday, just before a certain redhead escaped her reach at the end of the school day. Having a crush on him a long time... Honestly, ever since she’d taken the biggest fall in human history while trying to get to her next class. Not only had he helped her up, but helped gather her things, walk her to the nurse’s office, and make sure she was okay before he headed out.

   Was it probably silly? Oh, definitely. That’s probably just...infatuation, isn’t it? But yet, Rachel still felt drawn to him. An attraction that couldn’t be explained and that bothered her every day, him nearly always on her mind. That kind personality that made him so popular in school, as well as with a headstrong attitude that meant nobody dared step on his toes. Trying to start a fight with Shuichi... Who’d be dumb enough to do that?!

   ...Who’d be dumb enough to ask him out after school, even after countless other people had tried and been rejected...?

   What Rachel hadn’t expected, was for him to smile, nod, and say, “I’d love to,” and...give her directions to his favorite cafe near the edge of the city, where they could have a proper, quiet date.

   It felt like a dream. It felt...like maybe it could be a lie or some horrible joke. But...if there was one thing Rachel was, it was a hopeless romantic who trusted too easily. Who got ready that day in a daze, dressing cute, and headed out for the train station, to ride out to the edge of the city, and to the cafe he directed her towards.

   ...It wasn’t a lie. It was the first thing she realized, eyes wide at the cafe window. His shockingly red hair was easily spotted in the earthly tones of the cafe, sitting patiently. She was a few minutes late, which bothered her, but... Had he been perfectly on time? Waiting here for her?

   Walking through a door never felt so dramatic.

   “There you are... Over here!” He waved her over, smile so warm and charming that it sent Rachel’s heart into a fit, flushing before he ever had to do a thing. Hands onto onto her bag tightly as she walked over, sliding into the seat opposite him. “Were you able to find this place okay?”

   “Y-Yes... Though I must admit, I’m still getting used to the train. I was so scared that I’d miss my stop, that I almost did!” He laughed at that, her heart skipping a few more beats. He was so handsome... It wasn’t fair. How did-? Why??

   “As long as you got here safely and without incident... I’m happy,” he assured. Well. That might’ve actually killed her. Ignoring her slow death, Shuichi turned to the menu behind him, gesturing to it. “Want anything? I’ll order it for you. Of course, it’d only be right if I covered for this date...”

   “A-Are you sure?” Sure, he wasn’t wrong, but somehow...she just had to make sure. “I don’t mind-”

   “Don’t worry about it.” He looked back at her, green eyes so bright and soft and kind... “I’ve actually noticed you before. You’re so shy and still learning Japanese, but... I’ve seen how kind you are. Always trying your best to be understanding and forgiving. Fit into the roles we make... It’s incredibly admirable of you. Truth be told... I was hoping we could interact more, but school’s kept us both busy, it seems. That’s why I’m actually really glad you asked me out, ahaha.”

   .......Ah. So death...was like this, huh? He only giggled more at the bright blush on Rachel’s face, the poor girl needing to drop her head into her hands. A vain attempt to hide- done too late, to boot- but a valiant effort, all the same. At least, in Shuichi’s eyes.

   “So...? What do you want to order?”

   A few hours passed in good spirits in that cafe, talking about whatever came to mind. Shuichi admitted to his mother getting sick recently, and how he was looking for ways to help her. Rachel talked about what it was like to be a foreign transfer student, as well as some impromptu studying and tips on Shuichi’s part. Things that would help her study and remember things better.

   Something done far better with him than with anyone else thus far.

   “Well... Mind joining me? I have more things planned, after all,” he said, sighing a little as he got up, offering a hand to her. She glanced at it, a small smile growing on her face, before reaching out her own hand to take it.

   “Oh yeah? What else do you have planned?”

   “Nothing I can tell you. You’ll just have to trust me,” he hummed, smile turning more into a full on, playful grin as he helped Rachel out of her seat.

   “Mysterious... Suppose I will have to trust you.”

   “I’d hope so,” he shot back, laughing. “Otherwise, I think this would get pretty awkward.” Less so awkward, moreso terrifying, she thought, rolling her eyes. But he was right on that much... If there was no trust here, this could go from “cute date between two high school students” to “body of a young woman found” real damn quick.

   ...Not to be morbid, but worries like this still persist, even in a place that feels as lax as Japan. (...Or maybe that just increases concern? After all, the police aren’t exactly...well..... You know. Great at their jobs. Nor is the legal system that great, either... It’s all so many layers of a hot mess.)

   At least that became a topic of conversation on the train, getting one of the emptier cars and having a full blown discussion of thefts and attacks in Japan compared to America.

   “...I just still can’t believe your bike and umbrella are more in danger here than your life,” Rachel huffed. “Like? You guys don’t worry about leaving your phones and/or belongs behind at all! That’s fine and safe, but gods help you if didn’t chain your bike down hard enough.” Shuichi laughed into his fist, grinning.

   “Sure, but isn’t that more relaxing?”

   “I’m stressed all the time,” she whined, slouching a little to make her point before straightening up again. “If anything, trying to adjust to where my stresses need to go is giving me a doozy.”

   “Still. Isn’t there something positive to living here?” There was a certain gleam to his eye that had her heart stuttering and cheeks warming, but- as usual- she rolled around his subtle implication to instead be a bit more teasing.

   “Well... I guess having authentic ramen is such a big bonus...and not paying over retail cost for items due to shipping and such,” she admitted, leaning back and just to the side that she and Shuichi were shoulder to shoulder. He raised a brow at the response...but pushed into the contact with a small, low hum.

   “Gosh, only that...? How mean.”

   “How so?” Rachel fluttered her lashes at him, absolutely playing her obliviousness up to the max. He smiled at it, but any attempt at further playing up this act was lost when he leaned in, eyes lidded and noses a mere inch away from each other.

   “Well,” he muttered, voice low, “I was hoping there could be...something more to make you stay.... Something like that...could be worth something else, you know?” Uh, no. Did not know, because at that very moment, Rachel’s brain short circuited into an abyss previously unknown. Complete, total blue screen. The only notion left in her brain was that, maybe, he might-?

   But then Shuichi pulled back with a bright, innocent grin, the moment over just as quickly as it had begun, leaving her mentally reeling on the seat. Unsure of what to make of that moment...

   What the heck just happened?

   “Ah, sorry... Was that too mean?”

   “W-Well, not mean... But,” Rachel finally remembered how to breathe, putting a hand on her chest to feel her racing heartbeat. (Shuichi found that ridiculously adorable, glancing at it before back up to her distant gaze.) “that... I mean.” She sighed, shaking her head. “I think you might’ve broken me.”

   “Sorry,” he apologized, laughing a little. “I’ll make it up to you later, I promise.”

   The next destination was a museum a little ways out, still on the edge of the city...and dedicated to art. Rachel was honestly more excited than she first thought to go in, eagerly striding from painting to painting. Amazingly, Shuichi knew some of the history for certain pieces- some more than others, of course- and was able to provide some low conversation for them. It added to the experience, with Rachel gushing over each historical piece that she happened to know or when it featured a kami or mythical creature.

   Much to Shuichi’s silent joy, she especially loved to gush about the kitsune and their tricky ways. Especially praising their shapeshifting and how much she wished she could do that... (It did make him raise a brow, but if she didn’t notice, then he wouldn’t. Some things were worth figuring out on their own time.)

   “Just kitsunes?” He asked, holding her hand as they left the museum. At some point, it had become a necessity...mostly because he too often found himself standing alone when she’d seen something interesting and had wandered off. The final straw had been her wandering into a room across the hall and Shuichi worrying for a moment that he’d lost her.

   After that, hand holding had become the only way to keep her on track.

   “Mm, I think I do have a preference for them, but I also...kinda like tanuki, too. Such cute little tricksters! Though I’m...really not going to get over-”

   “The ballsack thing?” They said at the same time, the two bursting into laughter at the same time.

   “Yeah!! What an idea...” Rachel shook her head, a smile still bright on her face. “But I also appreciate the Yuki-onna... I think the ones that stick out to me are the ones that just come from the most interesting of places and have a really interesting, deep meaning to me- Oh!! And the bakeneko and nekomata!”

   “Even though they’re violent?” A pause. “Well, the nekomata, especially.”

   “Mhm. I can’t quite help it... I love all cats. Even if nekomata hate me, I’d love them a whole bunch.” Shuichi shook his head, smile still there, but... Good grief. Of course he’d have a crush on the one with no true sense of danger in her head... (But at the same time, he deeply appreciated it. He really did like her a lot, so the truth would have to come out sooner or later...)

   “I see... Ah, wait a minute. Then does that mean you like manekineko a lot, too?”

   “Of course I do!” Rachel gasped, almost sounding offended by the question. Though the look she was doing...! Shuichi almost gave in to laughter immediately! (Though to be polite and hear her out, he held it in.) “Manekineko are cats, too, aren’t they? So of course I’d love them!!”

   “Hmm... Kamaitachi?”

   “Scary,” she admitted with a nod, “but I like them in their own way, too.”

   “Are they any beasts you don’t like?” It had to be asked. So far, he couldn’t tell if there really was any yokai she didn’t like! Was it even possible? She thought about it a moment, head tilted as they walked on, hand in hand.

   “...Hmm. I guess...it would be that bathroom lady. That’s horrifying no matter which way you look at it.” Bathroom...lady? It took him a moment before he turned to her, blinking.

   “Do...you mean Aka Manto? That’s a man!”

   “It is?!” The shocked surprise had him laughing all over again, a curled fist slightly covering his mouth as he did. “Wh... But he hides in women’s bathrooms?!? That’s...” He only laughed harder at the look of confusion on her face, needing to wipe away tears by the time he could manage to straighten himself up and control his laughter.

   “Well... I’m glad I could be here for this revelation.”

   “....Aka Manto is a pervert,” she muttered, frowning.

   “Now, now, don’t say that. He might target you next, you know.” Rachel shuddered, holding his hand a little tighter and walking closer to Shuichi, not looking at him. Missing the way his eyes softened fondly at the act.

   “Don’t even joke about that... I might avoid using public bathrooms.”

   “Hey, it’s okay... If anything happens to you, I’ll be there for you, okay? Even if I have to seem like a perv.” It was silent for a long moment, Rachel looking thoughtful before finally muttering, “You know... That’s weirdly comforting. Thanks, Minamino.”

   “Hey... You don’t have to use my last name, you know.” Rachel blinked, looking up at him. At first with a slightly surprised expression, though he could soon see her cheeks flush a little brighter.

   “Um... Are you sure? I don’t want to be impolite or anything, since I know-”

   “I’m allowing it,” he assured, laughing softly. “We’re certainly closer than before, don’t you think?” He swung their hands a little, proving his point. “So please... It’s okay. I’ll call you by your first name, too. Alright, Rachel?” If no honorific was an honor enough, then what sealed the deal was him tugging her forward and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

   Today was just a full day of being mentally broken into emotional pieces, huh...?

   “Th-Thanks...Suichi...”

   “It’s no problem~”

   The sun was setting by the time they both made it back to the city, but while Shuichi admitted to plans of going to a fancy restaurant...Rachel admitted to being unable to handle the formality of that. Not to mention, the prices! He was already paying for everything today, so the deep seeded need for him to take it easier on his wallet... He wasn’t too sold on the idea, but eventually gave into the cute, anxious bouncing she was doing while trying to convince him otherwise.

   And so, the day was being closed out with a compromise: getting fast food to go and heading out to a nearby park to instead have a little picnic while the sun was setting.

   “I’ll admit...not a bad choice,” Shuichi mused, popping another fry into his mouth. “Getting to admire the sunset like this while having food... Though we should have a proper picnic sometime.”

   “Mm, that’d be nice,” Rachel agreed, completely missing his hint... It not sinking in until a chicken nugget was already in her mouth, staring at him in shock with a bulge in her cheek when it finally sunk in, Shuichi watching her hurry to eat it in order to speak. “W-Wait! You-? You want to...?”

   “Go on another date with you?” She nodded, eyes wide behind her glasses. “Well, of course. I already knew you were something special before...today’s just proven that. I’m already glad I waited for you to gain the courage to ask me out... You really think this would be just a one time thing? That I’d be that mean?” Rachel looked down at her lap, cheeks flushed, and shrugged. Shuichi’s eyes went wide, sure that he heard his heart just crack.

   “I don’t know... Maybe? You’re super popular and I’m just...kinda plain, actually. I...was honestly kinda wondering when.....this would be revealed as an elaborate joke...” His shoulders sagged, the playful atmosphere fading away into something more somber. Had... Had someone hurt her before? That couldn’t be a thing someone just...thought.

   “Hey.” He took her hand gently, pulling it between them and holding onto it was just enough pressuring to be reassuring. Waiting for her to meet his eyes, kind, yet determined. “I’m not that kind of person. Don’t let your brain lie to you like that. You must have heard of the many people I’ve turned down... I... Heh. I’ll admit,” he murmured, tone now far more gentle and painfully sincere, “I wasn’t interested in dating until you. I have...a lot of secrets. Secrets I don’t want others to get involved in...but I trust you, for some reason. Drawn to you, to the point where I meant it before, when I said I’d protect you from any mean yokai that might try to harm you.

   “It’s extremely forward of me to say this so early on, I know...” He leaned forward, pleased when Rachel leaned forward, too. Their foreheads touching and staring deeply into each other’s eyes. “But I also want to show you how much this really means to me, so... You, Rachel, are incredibly dear to me already. I know I can trust you with all my secrets someday... So please. Keep smiling in that beautiful way that you do. Laugh so warmly, that I feel at peace...and when the truth comes out, I hope you accept me as I am.” She seemed understandably confused, but nodded quietly, a smile slowly growing on her face again.

   “...Okay.”

   “I’ll walk you home. It’s only right.”

   “Oh... Okay. Thank you, Shuichi.”

   The walk home was a quiet affair, their hands linked together more easily as they walked through the suburban areas with ease and calm. Streetlights helped, but something about the redhead’s presence made everything feel more reassuring. Nothing to fear with him around...

   And his coat on her shoulders.

   “Here we are, princess,” he hummed, twirling her forward and then giving a wink when Rachel faced him. “Have fun?”

   “Way more than I would’ve ever expected... Thank you.” She laughed and he brightened up, nodding. “I... I really look forward to our next one.”

   “As do I.” He kissed her hand, nudging her home.

   “Ah, but... Your jacket?”

   “Give it to me, tomorrow, if you wish.” Rachel gaped at him, not at all oblivious to his intentions. He really was going to make it obvious they’d been on a date! To the whole damn school!! “...Or not. I don’t mind.”

   “You’re....” She sighed, shaking her head.

   “I’m me. And that’s what matters,” he hummed, a smug tone to his voice as he leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “See you tomorrow at school, Rachel. Study hard, too!”

   ...Leaving her there at the gate, flustered, heated with embarrassment, and reeling...and not knowing how deep into his life and his world she truly was. Not until later that following week...

   But that’s a story for another time.

[mokutonprince]

Cursed (part 1)

The moon settled high in the night sky, the few lights that illuminated the village doing nothing to diminish the beauty of the glistening stars that littered the black sky. 

It was calm, a distant owl hooting in the surrounding forest with muffled laughter in the red light district as groups of friends relaxing in the few bars and open late restaurants.

It was a perfect night for drinking apparently, a tight group of jounin ninja cramped into one of the corner booths with bottles of beer and small cups of sake between them.

“Aw cmon, Hatake~” Anko cooed, pleasantly drunk already as she leaned across the table in an attempt to get closer to the masked shinobi.

“There’s gotta be someone!”

Kakashi just sighed, leaning back in the cushion of the booth, “I can’t be telling my secrets, you know.” he shot back as relaxed as ever, the alcohol buzzing in his veins the only thing allowing this conversation to even take place.

Anko offered a dramatic pout, plopping back into her seat with a huff. Asuma chuckled at her reaction, giving a pat on the back when she scowled at him.

“He’s never going to tell us if you keep pushing about it. You know how he is.”

“I can hear you, ya know.” 

To which Asuma only gave him a smile.

“Well, with how often you read your books, I wouldn’t want to share my secrets either.” Asuma snickered, winking when the white-haired male huffed, not offering any response.

He was right, he didn’t want to tell his secrets...pretty much because he was not in a relationship and the person he actually had his one eye on was too far from his reach. But he wouldn’t hear the end of it if that got out. Kami forbid...

Genma finally took his time to return, Gai in tow each with a tray of another round of beer and a few fresh bottles of warm sake.

“Woohoo!” Anko cheered, immediately forgetting about her interrogation in favor of the alcohol as they were set on the table.

“So what did we miss?” Genma voiced, needle shifting in his mouth before he took a shot of whatever he had gotten from the bar. Something strong from what Kakashi could smell.

Anko visibly brightened at that question, a shit-eating grin stretching on her face as she remembers Kakashi’s little secret. She opens her mouth to continue her interrogation when the energy of the village suddenly tenses before being followed by an ear-rending boom that seemed to shake the entire country. For a split second, Kakashi thought that perhaps it had woken the dead before he was up and out of the bar in a blur.

“What the hell was that!?” 

Anko shouted over the sudden screams. Their peaceful night out, having turned into chaos only a second later.

Civilians were running out of their homes in fright, the new sound of some snarling and growling thing making them run faster with their children in their arms.

“What the..?”

Chakra flaring, each of them tried to get a sense of just what was happening. There was a feeling of Deja Vu, but looking around, there was no towering red fox ready to destroy the village. Instead, there was a growing pillar of smoke coming from a what looked like, a single building from further down the street, too close to the Hokage’s office for anyone’s comfort. 

“Go check with the Hokage!” Kakashi shouted to the others, who gave no word of disagreement before they vanished from sight, beside’s Gai who decided to stay at his Rival’s side.

Kakashi barely gave a glance before he started running towards the loud sounds, the odd growling and people screaming almost making him tense because this sounds too familiar.

As they got closer to what seemed to be this furry dark brown beast, Kakashi noticed plenty of Anbu and Jounin nearby and Kakashi frowned behind his mask when he noticed that his favorite Kohai was not among them. Lady Tsunade herself even decided to join the impromptu party even from the side. They seemed to all be watching this creature, keeping themselves a safe distance on top of the surrounding rooftops as the beast seemed to slow down its rampage with heavy breaths.

“Is that a bear?” Someone asked.

“What?”

“Is it a summon?”

As a group began to talk amongst themselves, the bear; who was much too large to be a normal bear, had collapsed. It’s heavy body dropping to the ground with a heavy thump. 

Surprisingly, or perhaps not so much, Naruto captured everyone’s attention as he drops down to the barren street only a few yards away from where the bear had fallen and made everyone around tense.

“What the hell happened!? I fall asleep for ten minutes and something blows up!”

“Get away from that thing, Naruto!” Tsunade shouted back, ignoring the brat’s comment.

“Huh?”

Turning around, blue eyes widened as he finally faced the overly-large bear. He jumped back with a shout when it moved, a low grumble startling both him and the others, especially when it moved its head around to face the young man. Kakashi held back a gasp when he saw the amount of blood that coated and dripped from the beast's mouth. Naruto has no reservations.

“AH! What the hell did it eat!?” he jumped back as far as he could go, the wall of a nearby building stopping his retreat even though he could just jump up onto the roof but of course, he didn’t realize that and wanted to make things much more difficult. 

“Just. Don’t move anymore.” Tsunade ordered, holding out her hand to stop the others from jumping down just yet.

“But it’s gonna eat me!” 

Movement and a growl made everyone grow silent, all eyes going back to the bear as it tried to stand back up, even though its legs were visibly shaking with exertion. In a fit of irritation, it shook its head like it was shaking off water much like a canine would.

It huffed once more when something shiny clanged to the ground and slid a bit away from the force. Naruto was the first to notice it, while the others waved it off as some sort of debris.

But when Naruto gasped and his chakra gave a dangerous spike, Tsunade tensed ready for some kind of fight because her idiot brat somehow got hurt and she doesn’t who to blame just yet.

“Captain Yamato...?” he whispered, shock and blooming pain in his voice as he stared at the bit of metal in his hands.

That caught Kakashi’s immediate attention, eyes narrowing on his student with concern, then to Lady Tsunade when she and Shizune gasped, hands over their mouths. Whipping his head back to Naruto, he was met with wide blue eyes staring right back at him as he held out-

“No.” 

Naruto was shaking now, but then again, so was Kakashi; both eyes wide even though the Sharingan was hidden away. Looking closer, the Happuri was littered in blood, his blood.

“NARUTO MOVE!”

“Wha-”

Without his noticing, the bear had managed to stand up and move closer towards the young Uzumaki, despite its heavy limping.

Its head drooped and bobbed in a way that spoke of exhaustion, heavy body dragging itself closer as though it was the only thing it could do. Everyone was frozen, unsure as to how they should continue without causing injury.

Naruto watched in obvious fear, eyes wide as he clutched his Captains head-plate to his chest. As the bear got closer, its head dropped lower until it could press his shout to Naruto’s stomach, ignoring how blood continued to drool from its loose lips and the obvious pain it was in. 

Against the judgment literally being yelled at him, Naruto placed one shaking hand to the bears head in a weak pat. He felt the beast grumble in its throat before it dropped once more, falling to the dirt road with a heavy thump as it finally gave in to its exhaustion.

Kurama was rumbling deep in his mind, making Naruto frown because it felt as if he was responding.

It took barely three seconds before Tsunade and the rest of her army jumped down to join him in a burst of fury.

“You can’t just touch a random beast, Naruto!��

Wait, when did Sakura get here?

“It’s dangerous!”

“No, he’s not!” Naruto shouted back, suddenly angry at her for saying such a thing and gaining a few raised eyebrows.

“He?” Tsunade asked, curious.

Naruto nodded, kneeling down to gaze at the sleeping bear at his face, grimacing at the amount of blood that was still dripping from his mouth.

“He’s hurt..” He mumbles instead, refusing to answer as to how exactly he knows. 

“What do you mean, he’s hurt?” She asked again, much more firmly this time.

He stayed silent for a while before replying, looking directly at the bear when he did, “The fox told me. There’s something wrong with him and he needs help. He has chakra but...” Naruto pauses, nose scrunching up as he tries to find the right way to explain what he felt.

“But?” 

“..It’s messed up. Like it’s fighting something inside his body. He’s in so much pain. The fox said that the blood was his own and that he didn’t...eat anyone.” Naruto explained, his attention now shifting to the faceplate he cradled in his hands.

“But why is this here? Captain Yamato never takes this thing off!” 

“He’s not here,” Kakashi spoke up, catching the gathered groups attention. Tsunade looked at him with worry, lips pressed in a thin line. When he caught her gaze, she slowly shook her head that only confirmed his fears.

“I- we have to find him.” Kakashi grit, fingers twitching at his sides in an effort to not react.

Lady Tsunade didn’t need to be told twice-or even once because she already knew that.

“Inuzuka!” She barked, 

“Hai!” Kiba jumped, Akamaru trotting them both closer to the Hokage so she could give them her orders. But as they got closer, Akamaru paused only a few steps away to growl at the fallen beast, catching everyone's attention but Naruto only stepped in between them with a glare.

“Don’t attack him!”

“I’m not!” Kiba snapped back, “But he smells weird- guh, it’s all that blood, he’ll bleed out if you don’t stop it.”

“Where’s your sister-”

“Here!” came a new voice, trotting up beside her younger brother with her three ninkin right on her heels, “I needed to gather some scrolls. I have enough knowledge of wild creatures to try and see what is wrong with him.”

Tsunade nodded, looking back to her solemn looking assistant, “Shizune will help you. Relocate him where you wish. In the meantime. Team eight! I need you to go on a search party for one of our own, effective immediately.”

“Wha-! Baa-Chan! I’m going to! He’s my Captain, and I have his faceplate. Plus my clones, I would be more than helpful!”

Like she didn’t know that was going to happen.

“Team seven, join team eight. I am not taking this lightly, there will be back up at the ready. Go along the borders of the village and further out is necessary. Now go!”

There was a combined shout of agreement and a couple grumbles as six members disappeared from sight.

“Hatake.” Tsunade spoke up, eyeing the Copy-Cat ninja as he stared down the bear, body tense as he watched Shizune and Hana along with a few assistants ready to relocate the beast probably to the clinic on the other side of the village. When he didn’t reply, she sighed.

“I need you to stay here. While the kids look outside the gates, I need you to search inside the village. You know him better than anyone.”

Kakashi tried not to scoff at that, remaining still even though he wanted to refuse because he knew that wasn’t true...not with his he had been trying to keep himself distant from his Kohai as much as possible. He didn’t really know him at all..Anbu was a different time. He doesn’t know his Tenzou anymore, not like he used to.

“I’ll do my best.”

He didn’t give her a chance to respond before he popped away in a burst of smoke.

“Oh, Tenzou...” Kakashi whispered, his feet carrying him just somewhere so he could think.

“What have you gotten yourself into..?”

[unlockthelore]

Motivation

Title: Isn’t it Love?

Chapter 3: Motivation

Relationship: Hiei/Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi

Character(s): Hiei (YuYu Hakusho), Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi

Additional Tags: Feelings Realization, Team as Family, Post-Canon, Fluff, 5+1 Things

Notes: Reposted from AO3. The link can be found here.

Summary: Hiei is noticing that his thoughts are a little different than usual when it's time to let Kurama go.

Shuuichi Minamino had been the model student. Punctual, pleasant to be around, athletic, well-mannered, everything that a mother would have wanted and a teacher could have dreamed of. When he graduated and entered the workforce despite his grades guaranteeing him a place in any university in Japan, everyone knew that he would rise through the ranks with ease. He was as model of an employee as he was a student: quick at his work, able to finish tasks with ease, the first to arrive even if he was the last to leave, and always going the extra mile. So to say that today would be a blemish on that perfect record would have been an understatement. Hiei glanced at the alarm clock as he heard the door swing open on its hinges, Kurama tying his hair up while crossing the room to grab another miscellaneous item that he might’ve forgotten on his umpteenth sweep throughout the apartment.

Hiei stopped counting how many times he entered and left the room. There was no point at this point when he was running late and on the warpath. Ward secured, sword hidden beneath the drape of his cloak and lounging on the bed as he watched the fox dart from one part of the room to the next. Hiei knew that he was fast but when Kurama actually put his mind to it, he could be just as quick despite his human form. Securing his hair, he buttoned his shirt with lightning fast speed and accuracy, grabbing something here, adjusting another thing there. Then when he finally slowed down and looked around the room tthat somehow remained neat despite the whirlwind he’d caused, he looked at Hiei and tilted his head.

“What?”

Hiei rested his chin in his hand, his fingers curled and barely able to hide his growing smile as he watched him, shaking his head. “Nothing,” he said.

Kurama folded his arms across his chest, cocking his hip and raising a brow at him. Simple movements that caught Hiei’s attention but he refused to give in. The last time he gave in, they ended up in bed until — 

He glanced at the clock then Kurama. “You’re going to be late if you keep this up,” he warned simply, climbing off the bed and straightening his cloak with a few pats to the shoulders and sides, strides slow yet sure to the bedroom’s doorway.

Kurama’s eyes followed him and he knew it was only a matter of time before he was caught. However he was able to leave through the doorway without incident and glanced over his shoulder as Kurama turned his attention back to his preparations, grabbing what he needed for the day before following Hiei out. The silence was comfortable between them and though it was later in the day than either had intended to part, Hiei felt grateful that it was. 

Wait, why did he feel grateful about that?

Something warm ghosted along the skin of his neck and he nearly jumped, whirling around with his hand poised on the hilt of his blade. Kurama stood with his hand raised in a show of peace, thinly veiled amusement in bright green eyes and a small smile that was too amused to be apologetic.

“I was asking you if you were leaving back to the Makai,” the fox said, lowering his hand once it was apparent that Hiei wasn’t going to stab him. “I might be late with work again so I may not be here to greet you if you come back early.”

It wouldn’t have been the first time that he’d come back to the fox’s apartment being dark and devoid of his physical presence. Although he couldn’t say that he liked it. While it was very different from the fox’s bedroom in his mother’s home, teeming with plant life and quaint in the way that reminded him of Kurama, cozy and familiar — it wasn’t as nice without him being there. Hiei deduced it was because he was in the fox’s space and without him present, it was as if he was intruding. Yet there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that told him that it was false. He furrowed his brow at the light poke to his cheek and pushed away Kurama’s hand, the fox’s amused expression tinged with worry.

“Hiei, are you alright?”

Eyebrow raised at the question, Hiei tilted his head and Kurama continued.

“You’ve been out of it, just staring into space. Is something wrong?”

Hiei frowned. He wasn’t quite sure. Explaining this feeling to Kurama would have been difficult. He wasn’t sure how to explain it himself. And as they stood in front of one another, and he looked up at the fox, it was even harder to put words to it. What was pushing him to act like this? To think like this? 

What he could tell was that he didn’t like the concerned almost worried look on the fox’s face. 

“I’m fine,” he lied smoothly, heading to the entryway. Kurama’s presence lingered at his back a few paces away before following after him. He could only hope that the fox believed him.

Standing in the entryway, Hiei waited by the wall as Kurama pulled his shoes on and made sure that they were properly secured at the heel. Trying to glean the answer of what he was feeling from watching the fox go through the motions, it occurred to him that this might be the last time they see one another for a few hours if not a few days. His brow furrowed and he tightened his hold on his forearm, looking down. There was no way to prolong this without the fox having to stay longer, was there? 

And if he stayed longer, that meant the more work he had to do and the risk of being scolded. If there was anything that Hiei hated more, it was when someone talked down to Kurama. He was far too intelligent and strong to endure belittlement as if he was a child. Scrunching his nose at the thought, it was a battle of wills between allowing the fox to leave and wanting to keep him close. 

It isn’t like I won’t see him again . 

But that wasn’t the point, Hiei vehemently chased himself around in circles before sighing. This ritual of seeing someone off before they left home was one that Hiei had seen with Kurama and his mother. Doing it himself made the fox smile, and that was enough for him to endure this while his mind tried to sort out these irritating thoughts. 

“Hiei, I’m off.”

Three simple words that caused cold dread to wash over him and his heart felt heavy in his chest. He wrinkled his nose in distaste and gave Kurama a curt nod, turning to head back inside, content to leave in his own fashion. However, he’d only gotten a few steps before a strong arm wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him back until he was pressed flush against something warm and solid. His heart skipped a beat, eyes wide at the breath close to his ear, ghosting across his skin and sending shivers down his spine. The hold on him was easily breakable, meant to caress rather than contain, and from the corner of his eye he could see green eyes that closed as he was hugged closer.

Heat crawled up his skin, tinging his face pink and he knew it. Bowing his head and enduring the hold, leaning back against him because it was easier than trying to keep himself upright and rigid. Why did it feel like he was making excuses?

“Hiei,” Kurama repeated, voice soft and imploring. “I’m off.”

Red locks obscured his view of Kurama’s face but he knew that the fox was smiling. He often did when they went through this familiar scene. Honestly, he was so infuriating and yet Hiei couldn’t help but smile. Turning in Kurama’s hold, the fox’s arms loosened around him to give him the space to move, green eyes open and happily meeting his own as his hands framed Kurama’s face.

Whatever this feeling was, he’d be able to ask him later. He told himself that to stave off the gnawing need to know that would interrupt this . He wasn’t certain who began to close the distance between them, his words lost in the small distance between their lips. 

“Come home safely.”

[chemicalmagecraft]

I Would Totally Kick Jiraiya’s Butt Chapter 9

"I'm assuming this is the desert," I said, looking over the sandy terrain. I was glad that I'd replaced my arm and leg warmers with a much lighter set that didn't warm me all, because even with the additional bit of heat resistance that having Kurama's chakra apparently granted me, I was getting a little hot. "Either that or we somehow managed to stumble upon a beach with no water."

"This is indeed the desert," Baki said. "We should arrive at the village by this evening at our current pace."

I sighed and reclined back on the Akuma Tensei construct that I was riding on, making sure to keep my parasol shading me. "This is boring," I complained.

"You consider riding a giant snake made of sand through a desert to be boring?" Baki asked incredulously from the back of his lindwurm.

"Yoooooouuuuuuuuth!" Gai agreed enthusiastically as his poor lindwurm was forced to go through a bunch of unnecessary tricks and expend more energy to keep up with us.

I shrugged. "The novelty wore off..." I conceded, then turned around. "And Gai! Stop forcing your lindwurm to move around like that! It's gonna run out of energy if you keep it up like that!"

"These things can run out of energy?" Baki asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course they can run out." I gestured to the crown made of three demon sage cores that my lindwurm had. "My creations may regenerate energy and their unusual sage chakra means they're even more potent than one might expect and can gather natural energy even while on the move, but they still have limits and the rate we're going at would definitely wear out one core long before we get to Suna. The three cores mean they share the burden, but they'll run out eventually. Gai's just running the clock down in fast-forward. Speaking of which..." 

I turned back to Gai. "Oi! Your lindwurm's gonna die before we get to Suna already, Gai! Gather up the cores so I don't have to go looking for them when it does!" I faced Baki again and thought for a bit. It was mid-morning, which meant I still had a couple of hours before Suna if Baki was right. I shrugged, dropped my parasol so I could grab it with a chakra thread, then grabbed hold of two of my lindwurm's cores and yanked them out, causing it to start disintegrating. I used the cores to pull myself into the air, stepping on the third core as it fell to complete my impromptu flying "machine." I flew over to Baki, whose lindwurm slowed down a bit so I could fly over. "Catch," I told him as I dumped myself into his lap.

"Why?"

I placed the cores back onto my body. "I'm going to catch a quick nap so I'm well-rested for when we get there." He nodded. "Wake me up outside of the gates. I'm kind of a zombie when I first wake up, but I should be good if I walk around for a bit. The lindwurms should respond to 'start,' 'stop,' 'slow down,' and 'speed up,' but they're not the brightest so don't expect them to understand any other commands." I rubbed Baki's lindwurm. "No offense, Lindy-chan. Right, I'm gonna sleep now." Now, I used to be really bad at falling asleep when not in school, but I'd recently figured out a trick to it.

"Kurama-chan, can you pleeeeaaaase knock me out so I can take a good nap?" I pleaded over the connection I shared with him thanks to having his chakra.

I felt his disdainful glare over our bond. "Do I look like sleep medicine to you?"

"Yeah, that's the point. Real sleepy meds make me all loopy, and for whatever reason they make my sleep not refreshing..."

He grumbled. "Fine, just don't resist or you'll end up loopy and your sleep won't be refreshing. I'm not used to using genjutsu like this."

"Thanks..." I told him as I felt myself drifting off.

kukukuku~

"-ki-san. Kouki-san!" I groaned and just barely managd to lift up my glasses to rub my eyes. "We're here," Baki told me. I grumbled and rolled over.

And immediately fell onto the sand. "I hate mornings..." I said, then spent about a minute of brushing sand off and spitting it out, before remembering that I theoretically had the ability to control sand and sending a pulse of magnet release to throw off the remaining bits of sand that got everywhere. The good news was that I was definitely awake.

"It's the evening."

I shrugged. "I hate waking up then. Right, we should probably get a move on. Where are my cores, Gai?"

"Here they are!" he said, then chucked them at me. I stared at him as the cores slowed down and stopped in midair, before putting them back where they were with but a thought.

I closed my parasol, flourished it around to point at the gates of the village, and declared, "Let us proceed!" really dramatically. As I opened my parasol back up, I had an idea, stuck my tongue out in concentration, and lifted into the air, shakily floating forwards a bit.

"I do realize that the answer is most likely 'seal master' or 'demon sage core,' but I would like to know exactly how it is you are floating," Baki said.

I turned around to stare at him, smiled slightly, and said, "Demon sage core." I took a moment to internally snicker at his facial expression before continuing. "It's a new idea I thought of. I'm making five of the cores take control of the air around me to let me defy gravity. The cores on my limbs and head are doing most of the work, which theoretically means that they'll run out first, but I can easily swap out the fresh cores. The one at my sternum is barely going down at all. I think it might take a day of continuous floating to run out at this rate, though high-speed flight will probably drain it faster." I twisted around a bit in midair to get a feel for my newfound flight powers. It was a little wonky at first, but I got the hang of it. "I'm pretty sure everyone will take me more seriously as some mysterious sealing genius if I disobey the laws of gravity."

"I see! What a youthful idea!" Gai exclaimed.

"I... suppose that that makes sense..." Baki agreed. "Shall we go?"

kukukuku~

The Kazekage stared at me. "...I was expecting you to be taller."

I shrugged and floated to reach eye-level with him. "Who'd expect the miracle seal master who offered to fix your son's seal to be about his age?"

"And you appear to be floating."

"Well why wouldn't a miracle seal master have the ability to float?"

"...Fair."

"Right, so I should probably get a look at Gaara-kun," I said, then ran my fingers through my hair. I sighed at how messy it felt. "And I forgot my brush at home. I don't suppose I could borrow one once I'm done with the seal?"

The Kazekage nodded. "That seems reasonable enough. Do you need any special equipment to work on Gaara?"

I shook my head. "I brought my stuff. Might change my mind if it's a more complicated job than I thought, but I doubt I'll need you to provide anything aside from the patient and an area in which I can set up the sealing circle in. Could you take both me and him there?"

He blinked. "You can do it now?"

"Yup."

kukukuku~

"So," I said, "what brings you to my office, young man?" Gaara, who was lying down, giggled lightly.

"Umm... don't you know already?" Kankuro asked me. He, Temari, the Kazekage, and Gaara's uncle who I couldn't remember the name of were watching. Also Gai was still escorting me, but he wasn't paying as much attention.

"It was a joke," I told him. "I know perfectly well what I need to do here, I just wanted Gaara-kun to be put at ease." I sat down cross-legged on the ground and closed my eyes. "Now, I'm going to be concentrating on this. Please stay still, Gaara-kun." In addition to using my chakra-sensing to make sure the seal was right, I linked to Kurama so I could get his opinion. 

Once we were both sure the seal was as good as it could be, I unsealed my ink and brushes and floated up so I could get a better look at my seal. The brushes floated around, constructing the seal stroke by stroke. When it was done, we gave it a once-over to make absolutely sure it was right and then I floated down a bit to finally take my hand from my pocket and put it on Gaara's forehead so I could collapse the seal. With an application of some chakra, the seal was completed. In its finished state, it looked almost exactly like the kanji scar he got after killing his uncle, but in a slightly different style, as a sort of nod on my part to his fate. "How's it feel?" I asked as I floated down to the floor.

Gaara brushed his hand over the freshly-made seal. "I... it's as if a weight I've had upon my shoulders my entire life has lifted..."

"That means it's working," I told him. "Or at least, I assume it is."

"What do you mean, 'you assume it is?'" Temari asked.

"I made the seal specifically for Gaara-kun," I explained, then licked my lips. "Really, it only works on the Jinchuriki of Shukaku, so my ability to test it was rather limited."

"Why only the Ichibi?" Kankuro asked.

"Much as he projects the image of and is a raving lunatic, Shukaku is deadly smart and has the most control out of any of the Bijū, even if that means he's technically the weakest. Kind of a deadly combination, meaning he can extend much more influence on his jinchuriki, as you've surely noticed." I shifted my attention back to Gaara. "Now, I should probably tell you how to use the thing." I floated a small booklet over to him. 

"That's an instruction manual. Consult it if you forget anything. First thing you need to know is that there are three distinct settings. The one that's on now is the default and should be on the most. It should fix itself faster than Shukaku can degrade it. If you use a half ram hand seal to 'activate' the seal, it'll switch to sleep mode. At that level, it'll make you so resistant to Shukaku's influence that you should be able to sleep on the night of the full moon with naught but a bad dream, though I should warn that it will make you more than a little drowsy and it degrades to the point where it will automatically switch back to default after nine hours of continuous use."

Gaara blinked. "I can finally get a good night's sleep," he muttered.

"Yup," I nodded. "In fact, the drowsiness is side effect of using a pacification seal component on the Bijū of a jinchuriki and I specifically made sure to calibrate it to let you sleep." I leaned in close and muttered to him, "Just saying, if you still can stay up a couple days a week without a giant murder tanuki screaming in your inner ear, you should. You can get soooo much done like that." Backed back up an switched back to normal voice. "And aside from sleep, you should use it in the off-chance Shukaku manages to surface during the day. The other setting, by using half dragon instead of half ram, pretty much turns the seal off."

"Why would I do that?" Gaara asked me.

"First, I'd like you to turn it off under supervision at least twice a month, preferably more, so you are still at least somewhat acclimated to Shukaku. You get that Kazekage-sama?"

"I understand completely," he said.

"Good. I'm holding you to that. Second, it regenerates the seal at a greatly accelerated rate. Limited resources and stuff." I thought for a bit. "Pretty sure that's everything you should know about how to use it for now. Just so you know, intentional infliction of severe emotional trauma, perhaps from having a beloved family member attempt to assassinate Gaara and then having him or her tell him that he or she hates him and his deceased mother died cursing the name she gave him in an ill-advised attempt to get him to... I'unno, better harness the power of Shukaku or something, voids the warranty and you have to actually pay me money to fix the busting you get from that level of breakdown combined with Shukaku breaking free."

I felt the Kazekage blanch without even having to look. Chakra-sensing is useful. "That... may or may not have been my first idea on how to deal with Gaara. Thankfully, you came along..."

I shrugged. "S'cool, just don't even think of anything like that again. Inadvertent trauma is covered, so don't worry. And I will know if you meant to or not. Now that I'm done with the legal disclaimers, I'd like to watch Gaara sleep for the next three days."

"That's a little creepy..." Kankuro muttered.

"It's to make sure the seal is working, right?" Gaara's uncle asked.

I nodded. "Ja. I'm pretty sure it'll work properly, but it'd be pretty embarrassing if I had to turn back halfway through the trip home because sleep mode breaks under the full moon. And yeah, that's why I timed it so that tomorrow night will be the full moon. Day before the worst, at the worst, then the aftermath. If I'm gonna find any complications, then it's gonna be after the full moon. Right, I'm done for now. Can I have that brush now, Kazekage-sama?"

"I can help with that," Temari offered.

kukukuku~

I made a noise somewhere between a purr and a content sigh. "Are you purring?" Temari asked as she brushed my hair.

"Feels nice..."

"Oh... kay." She continued to brush my hair. "Wow, this is pretty curly."

"Mhm..."

"Thank you for helping Gaara. I've wanted to do something to help him, but I don't know what to do..." That statement made me crack one of my eyes open slightly.

"Be there for him," I said in a reassuring tone. "As much as what I gave him will help him, the best thing he could ever receive is love, and there's no cap on that. Be there for him and shower him with as much love as you can. That's what you can do for him. Pass that on to the rest of your family, by the way." I closed my eye again and resumed enjoying the calming feeling of her brush on my scalp. I felt her fiddling a bit with my hair, but let her.

"There," she said. I opened my eyes and looked into the mirror in front of me and gasped. In addition to being neatly brushed, Temari had put my hair into two curly pigtails.

"Do you not like it?" she asked.

"It's cute!" I said as I moved my head around, making my new pigtails bounce around a bit. "I love it."

"Oh. Good."

I got up and stretched a bit. "Right, I should check on Gaara now. Thanks for the brushing."

"You're welcome," she said as I walked out the door.

kukukuku~

I attacked the food the Kazekage brought me, taking a few quick glances over at Gaara. He was sleeping like a baby, probably for the first time in his life. "Thanks for the food," I said after I finished off the curry.

"So did Temari give you pigtails?" he asked.

"Yeah!" I said. "They're cute, right?"

"Aren't you a boy?"

I humphed. "Doesn't mean I can't look cute..."

"Sorry. So why exactly did you offer to help Gaara?" he asked.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked him as I put down my plate, then put my hands behind my back.

"It depends. Would not revealing it compromise the safety of my village?"

"Most certainly not." I assured. "In fact, it would be most beneficial for you to know of this secret but only reveal it to a very, very trusted few. Hokage-sama and I have decided to entrust the secret on you, but only if you tell me you are trustworthy enough with absolute sincerity, so I will ask you again. Can I trust you to keep this matter a secret?"

"Yes, though I'd like to know how you plan on telling how I'm being sincere."

I shrugged and closed my eyes to do a small scan to see if anyone would overhear our conversation. "I can't detect sincerity, but I can feel malice and sense lies. Close enough."

"I suppose so. What is the secret?"

I looked over at him and opened my now-glowing eyes. "My eyes see that which is and that which is yet to come."

To his credit, he only blinked before processing that. Probably not the weirdest thing he'd seen with his job and the fact that he sealed a giant sand-controlling tanuki into his infant son. "Is that part of that Nocturne power Baki told me about?"

"Technically, Nocturne is more a part of it. The Shōraigan is a dōjutsu that grants me future vision and farsight, at the cost of accelerated tiring. The future vision has a neat little quirk where I can see very far into the future if the future I'm seeing is a future where I don't exist."

"And in that future where you don't exist, I went through with my plan, traumatizing Gaara," he said with horror.

"Yup. And then there's more."

"What other stupid things am I going to do in the future?" he sighed.

"Secretly allying yourself with Orochimaru, letting him talk you into invading Konoha during the chūnin exam, getting backstabbed like an idiot and replaced with a disguised Orochimaru, and dying alone in a ditch."

"Dammit," he said softly. "I suppose I should secretly ally myself with the Hokage instead."

I nodded. "I'm only ever going to suggest things to you, as with Sarutobi, but I do suggest you do it. I have this plan of you double-crossing Orochimaru instead of Konoha if I haven't butterflied the Konoha Crush out of existence, though again, I'm only suggesting things."

He nodded. "I agree to your plan. Is there anything else I should know?"

I held up my index finger. "First, there's gonna be a guy in a few years who's gonna apply to be a ninja despite being unable to use ninjutsu. He's got the potential to best Jōnin-level shinobi, make his own, less taxing version of the Eight Inner Gates, and develop semi-ninjustu that make him a literal pain to fight even for taijutsu specialists. Get him admitted into the academy, but make it clear to him that he's gonna have to work extra hard." I put up my middle finger before putting my hand back down. "Second, Sasori's still alive and put some sort of dormant mind-control and/or sleeper agent jutsu into some of your men. Have fun with that."

He sighed. "Could you please tell me if any of the people I'm going to gather for the problem are infected?"

I made a quick check. "Some guy named Yūra, now please don't make me do that again or I won't be able to stay up for the third night."

"Thank you." He started to leave, but paused to look at eight of my cores standing on a seal tag. "What is that?"

"Surprised you didn't see that sooner," I noted. "The seal is siphoning off demon sage chakra as fast as they replenish it to gather power for an experiment of mine."

"Do you really need that much demon sage chakra?"

"If I have excess, then I have excess," I stated. "I want to have as much as possible for the project, for... optimal results."

"Why did that sound ominous?"

I grinned. "I'm throwing around power that can level villages to see what happens. Even if I follow safety precautions, it's still going to be pretty fun to look at."

He glared at me. "Please don't do it in my village."

"Can't, even if I wanted to. The plan is to see if giving someone with the potential to access a certain Kekkei Genkai enough demon sage chakra unlocks it for them." I gave a small chuckle. "Should be a lightshow."

He frowned for a moment, then said, "As long as it's not in my village... Do you need anything else?"

I shivered. "It's a bit cold. Do you have a spare blanket?"

"I'll have someone bring you one. Goodbye."

I told him goodbye and then spent the rest of the night watching a kid to make sure nothing bad happened to him in his sleep. I was honestly surprised I did not once burst out into song about Rose Quartz and how I loved her.