[author] This is one of the last comedic chapters for awhile...! As a reminder, please review the trigger warnings...! A new arc is coming folks, be prepared to learn more about Nikko's powers and haul in for some tragedy..
ꕤGᗩᗩᖇᗩ'ᔕ ᗪEᑕIᔕIOᑎ! ᗰIᔕᔕIOᑎ–ᖴᗩIᒪEᗪ?!ꕤ
[11]
Nikko
With the right motivation a shinobi could run at amazing speeds. Especially when that said shinobi was hungry. Nikko found that out the hard way as Uzamaki Naruto blazed through the forest and skid to a stop just shy of the town's street. It was as though she'd taken a ride on a high speed roller coaster. Her insides felt all kinds of nasty, and the girl clung to Naruto's white collar for deal life. Her biggest life regret in that moment was allowing him to carry her piggyback.
"You doin' okay back there Nikko-chan?" He had the audacity to ask.
Nikko couldn't speak for swallowing down vomit. The fox boy took her silence as a yes and carried on to fullfil his newest mission: ramen. He hoisted her higher onto his back, none too politely, picked up her crutches and jumped onto the nearest business' roof.
The town below her was still buzzing after last night's activity. Local shop owners were busily sweeping up debris and straightening their goods amongst the strewn red lanterns and hanging lights. It was as though the town had experienced some sort of windy rainstorm instead of the horde of hired shinobi Nikko recalled vividly.
Naruto nimbly hopped from rooftop to rooftop as if he belonged in Assassins Creed as he carried his luggage. And that was what Nikko felt like she was as her eyes rolled in their sockets. She didn't know how much longer she could keep it up. "U-Uzamaki-san," she whimpered.
"Hm? You say something? Oh! There it is!" Naruto jumped straight down in front of the ramen stall Mizuga. His sandals clapped loudly on the cobblestone. The momentum sent Nikko's bosom surging forward with surprising elasticity right to his head. "Ngn!" She uttered.
"Time to eat!" He sat the girls crutches by the exterior wooden wall and lifted the fabric sign out of eye sight. The long counter with bar seating was currently empty. Naruto aided Nikko onto a seat before taking the one beside her eagerly.
"Ahh, the local heroes have arrived just in time for some fresh miso," said the shop owner. A man of stout heritage and nonexistent eyes with a loud booming voice. He was busy stirring a pot filled to the brim with soup. The smells in mizuga would make any person's mouth water. Even Nikko felt her tongue salivating.
"Hell yeah! Give me the best you've got," Naruto exclaimed. He pulled from his person a frog shaped coin purse and peeked inside it, only for a lone moth to escape as the frog deflated. The teens eyes watered. "That damn pervy sage! I forgot he took what I had saved..."
Nikko felt a pang of sympathy. Or maybe it was hunger. She knew from watching the show how the sannin had used his savings for his important research. Her hand covered his, "I-If you need some money, I have some back at my place. My job doesn't pay as well as yours, but I can afford a meal for two."
The fox boy brightened instantly. "Really, you mean it? Awesome! Thanks a million!" He said before glancing at her creamy hand on his. Nikko quickly retracted it.
And so Nikko told Naruto where her home was. She once again mounted him, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his torso. The boy wasted no time in sprinting through the streets. As he passed by, various shop owners raised their fists. Nikko turned to see he'd made a mess of things.
"Over there. That's the bath house. My hotel room is a little past it," she explained.
The hotel was a two story place of traditional design. A long structure with balconies running all along its exterior. The view was of sakura tree and the local garden. Greenery was even planted in pots outside each sliding door. It boasted a plethora of occupants, some of which were there for the summer to enjoy tea tasting. As the two entered, Nikko allowed Naruto to help her up the stairs leading to the second floor.
Her hotel room was of plain design. Nikko didn't care very much for fancery, so the interior was bare of paintings and decorations. Only a few healthy flower pots populated the corners. Her futon was made nice and tidy in the floor. Naruto sat her down and glanced around a moment. "So..this is a girls room..." he muttered.
Nikko nodded. "It's not much. I don't stay here aside from sleeping, and the hotel doesn't allow us to put holes in the wall. A-Anyway, my purse is just there." She pointed to a tall chest. The dark mahogany chest had a mirror, a drawstring purse with koi fish on the side, and a wooden comb decorated with scrolling artwork burned from wood.
He took the purse and handed it over. Nikko pulled out her tiny coin purse, which was a simple square design with a snap button opening. She fumbled holding it and as a result, coins fell from the purse. Nikko bent to pick them up. The fox boy helped her--and the two bumped heads. "Ow!" Naruto grabbed his head with a squint.
Nikko also rubbed her throbbing forehead. After the stinging faded away she opened her eyes to see Naruto studying her. His blue eyes were too close for comfort and caused her to squirm. "S-Sorry about that," she apologized.
"N-No, it was my fault....say....this morning...." he began, then glanced to her neck, "...did uh Sasuke-kun do that?"
Nikko grabbed her exposed hickey and cut mark. "Ah--uhm...y-yes," she admitted shamefully. Her face flushed brightly remembering both occurrence that caused the marks. "Uchiha-san...he..."
"Man, what a jerk!" Naruto interrupted.
They collected the coins and stood. Nikko didn't want to explain in detail what went on and was glad Naruto hadn't asked further. He began searching around his person before pulling out a tiny round tube. The girl recognized what it was; healing salve made by the Hyuga clan. "Here, let me fix you up. It will get infected if you don't put something on it." He explained.
Timidly Naruto moved aside Nikko's green hair to inspect the marks. He wrinkled his nose in distaste before slathering on the green substance. As soon as it touched her skin, the girl flinched. "Nn...t-that stings," she admitted.
"Yeah. It's good stuff though." Naruto continued his treatment, rubbing her ivory neck with the tips of his fingers. His touch was gentle but firm. Nikko's neck began to tingle from the foreign sensation of a boys hands, noticing that Naruto's felt rough and warm.
"Hime-sama, this boy seems to like you! Maybe he will be your true love," Aponi said from nowhere. The monarchs had been oddly silent until now.
She ignored her guide's remark and turned away shyly. Nikko knew better than to get mixed up with a main character--it couldn't end well for her. As far as she was concerned her true love had to be Idate. It just had to be. The happy ending that Ichikoto-no-mikoto sought would come--Nikko was sure of it.
A loud MEEErrrEerrr reverberated off from the walls. Naruto held his stomach. "Aw man...I need food!"
The pair left her hotel and made way back to the ramen stall. At long last Naruto got his ramen fix, and Nikko gracefully ate her noodles the way her governess, Gale, had taught. While she ate, Nikko reflected on last night. Whomever had accepted her confession had yet to show their self. Just who had she given her love to? The girl was at a loss.
Full and feeling some better, Nikko and Naruto partook of some matcha tea to refresh their minds and invigorate their senses. They made friendly conversation. All until the topic turned to Sasuke. Naruto became adamant and smacked his hand on the counter, "That burns me up! I'm going to teach him a lesson!"
Nikko was shocked the fox boy was still thinking of her injury. It touched her. "It's okay Uzamaki-san." She reassured him with a smile. He frowned at her placation. "You want him to just get by with it? What, do you like that duck butt like everyone else?"
"No!" She hopped off her stool in offense, "No way in hell! He's--he's a complete and utter--" her ankle throbbed greatly and she shot toward Naruto, who dropped his chopsticks and caught her swiftly. "Nikko-chan, are you okay?"
She was not in fact okay. Nikko couldn't hear anything over the roar of her pulse pounding. Naruto's chest--she was feeling it rather strongly. And the smell of his perspiration mixed with the forest filled her nostrils. This is how a main character feels, she thought in a daze.
"Nikko-chan?" He piqued. There was a healthy glow to his cheeks that matched how hers must resemble. His lips quivered nervously, "Gaara-kun would kill me right now. L-Let's get you back to the mansion before he sees."
"Gaara-san? Why would he...?"
The boy blinked. "Aren't you two in love? At least it looked that way to me."
"Eh?! Us--?! N-No way!" Nikko shook her head, "H-He's just here for his mission!"
Naruto mulled it over a moment. "If you say so."
"NARUTO-KUN!" A loud Sakura yelled. Naruto's shoulders jolted and he dropped Nikko to the floor. She fell in slow motion for a moment--then a hand yanked her upright. She saw blue sandals in her vision and looked up into Sasuke's face. He wore a deep frown of disgust but righted her footing.
"ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US ALL KILLED?!" Sakura yelled.
"It's not what you think! I swear! She just fell and--"
"AS IF! YOU WERE SKIPPING OUT ON HELPING US TO FLIRT!" Sakura continued her strangulation, "WHY I OUGHTA!"
At that precise moment Gaara entered the stall.
Gaara
He walked into a landmine of chaos. Thats what Gaara decided as he lifted the fabric to the sight of Sakura choking Naruto. Just what had occurred to cause this was uncertain, but he ignored them to sit at the counter. The coffee he'd drank earlier had faded now and with the little rest he'd had the boy was beyond tired. From defending Utsuri Nikko and Morino Idate, to burying all the shinobi who'd attacked last night, and lastly watching over the mansion through the night.
Gaara quietly ordered a coffee, black, and sipped the steaming contents.
From the corner of his eye he observed Sasuke Uchiha. The mark left on her came from him. What would make Uchiha Sasuke attack a defenseless girl? He pondered grudgingly. From his standpoint it seemed absolutely absurd, maybe something he would have done in his former life. It also irked him. He was here for the sole purpose of obtaining and protecting the last of the Utsuri Clan, and had failed in doing so. Even if for a moment it had been long enough for her to be in danger.
Gaara felt the eyes of Sasuke keenly. It would seem the two had both been thinking on one another. They caught one another eyes, and the Uchiha narrowed his hatefully. The two had never really liked one another, and only knew of each other's existence through the Chunin Exams. As such, Gaara felt no qualms about killing the boy should the need arise. After all, he had killed many without a second thought.
Movement caught his attention. Nikko was swaying a bit as if unsteady. Perhaps she had pushed herself more than needed. It was also probably time for him to have the conversation with her he'd been with holding. Gaara needed more information about her purpose of fleeing. Why would she want to leave the safe haven of her Clan home? Did it have anything to do with who was tracking her?
"Let us return to the mansion." He said calmly. It went without saying that Nikko would be coming along. Gaara was her protector here, and she was his mission goal. A mission that had taken an interesting turn to be sure. When he'd first set off from Sunagakure he hadn't the faintest idea that he'd encounter someone who saw past his outer persona--his defense against facing the same pain as he'd known from childhood. All the villagers who'd turned their backs on him and saw him as a feared weapon, a monster in human form. Nikko alone was a person who was quickly becoming someone he would cherish.
The girl nodded and allowed him to carry her atop his sand until reaching the mansion of Jirocho. As they approached the iron gates he spotted Kakashi Hatake on the rooftop reading a book. It was seem that for now, Idate Morino wasn't in danger.
Gaara brought Nikko into the main floor and dispersed his sand only when they'd rose to the third floor. He then gave the girl her crutches and watched her make a new expression--a scowl. "I'm sorry Gaara-san. You must be disappointed in having me as your mission," she grumbled.
It was endearing that she fretted over her worth as his mission. Also revealing in the nature of her thought process. She must believe herself of lacking in some way. He needed to reassure her that she was in fact someone he held dear. Gaara reached out to her.
Her mouth parted a little, those dainty pink plums drawing his attention. The dazed gaze she offered was one for him to remember. "Don't worry about that. You are not just a mission for me."
"Gaara-san..." she murmured demurely. The ivory of her face blotched red, an attractive color. "I--I don't deserve your consideration...! Still...thank you very much."
He settled with her pleasing response. His hand moved away her flowing green hair to inspect her injury for inflammation. The cut appeared to have been already treated with an oily substance. "It's looking some better. Does it hurt you very much?" He asked lightly.
"N-n-no! Uzamaki-san was kind enough to treat it," she stammered.
An understanding passed between them. Nikko had revealed that she had in fact been near enough to the kitsune holder to receive treatment, while the girl must have observed that he'd taken notice of her new injury. They shared a moment of silence. Gaara felt slighted somewhat, but why he couldn't be sure.
"I...see."
They gazed a few seconds more than necessary. Nikko's amethyst eyes sparkled with one filled with admiration. He could see his reflection in them. His hand patted the top of her head. How he desired to feel her presence again. It was as though he were starving for it; her affection and attention. But the time for that wasn't now. To ensure her safety he had to take care of those who sought to harm her.
She murmured his name and turned away as if exposed. He took the cue. "Let us return your friends knife"
"Mhm.."
Idate was sitting up in his hospital bed and staring out the window that was open, allowing bright light to circulate. He saw them and brightened. "Nikko-chan! Thank God your here, I'm dying of boredom."
Nikko smiled and pulled from her bosom the lads precious knife. When Idate saw what it was he nearly hopped out of the bed. "You found it! You're my hero Nikko-chan!" He glanced at Gaara with a suspect stare. "And...you too."
"..." Gaara remained silent. He wasn't a fool; the teen Jinchuriki new that Idate cared for Nikko as a male would, and viewed him as an obstacle. That was fine. It made little difference to him as he was used to obstacles.
They talked more. Idate spoke of Jirocho visiting and thus confirming that the race was still on, albeit three days away. Which would hopefully give the boy time to recover his limbs. He also said that the poison had cleared his system and he was feeling fine despite the medics objections on the matter. Nikko was clearly relieved, and Gaara noticed the air clear around her.
"I'm so glad Idate-kun! You get to do the race after all!" She said with a clap of her hands.
The visitation ended pleasantly. Gaara escorted Nikko from the mansion and once again saw the copy ninja above, turning a page lazily. He glanced down at Gaara and jerked his head slightly.
"Wait here for me." He told Nikko.
Kakashi wasted no time in shutting his book and pocketing it. The jonin looked Gaara over, "It would seem your getting used to life in the Land of Tea. It's quite peaceful here...well, if you take away the hitmen. You saw that corpse too didn't you?"
Gaara nodded.
"That wouldn't happen to be the reason your here would it? After all, those hitmen were minor threats in comparison..."
Gaara thought over the pros and cons of leaking information. Kakashi noticed his hesitant reply and added, "Oh don't worry I know all about the Utsuri Clan and their Jikan Henko no jutsu."
The boy was surprised and let it show on his face. He hadn't realized the Hidden Leaf had such information. No doubt the work of their ANBU Black Ops. "I see. Then I don't think it matters if I respond either way," he said.
"Hmm...your a hard one to talk to aren't you?" Kakashi scratched his white head with a sigh. "Oh well. And here I was going to tell you what Nikko had told me in private. Her true reason in running from her Clans home."
That got Gaara's attention. He stepped forward, wind blowing the tips of his crimson hair. Kakashi was dangling some expensive bait and the boy took it. "...Very well. Yes, I'm here to keep her safe. She is our villages secret weapon...and the loss of her clan would be dire to any village. I took this mission in the hopes of protecting her from whomever kidnapped her grandmother Hana Utsuri."
Kakashi put a hand under his chin thoughtfully. "So the legendary Hana-san is gone? I see. That is a cause for concern. Of course it makes since that your enemy would target the strongest kunoichi that Sunagakure has...Well, that aside, I have an offer for you. You see..Hana-san was a good friend to me. I came to her nearly dead and the woman nursed me back to health. I had no idea about her powers at the time.."
"..."
Kakashi could see that Gaara didn't care for the particulars. The copy ninja shook his head, "That's a story for another time. Suffice to say I owe her a great debt. So, when Utsuri Nikko came across me I saw it as a means to an end. The girl was raised by Gale-san, and from what I've been told her life has been quite difficult. Perhaps the two of you have a lot in common?"
Gaara glanced down at Nikko, who was examining a flower bed down below them. He wasn't sure what Kakashi was getting at but needed to hear what he had to say. Kakashi went on, "At any rate...from what I can gather their aim isn't to keep her alive. Which means the girls life is in extreme danger."
"I'm aware."
"Ah yes, of course you are. But she's told me that prior to running away that some 'bad men' had tried to kill her. I can see from your face this is new. She also didn't seem keen on attacking the Hidden Leaf. So much against it that she would rather become a rogue ninja than be a weapon."
The boy quietly mulled that over. Hearing it straight from Kakashi made Gaara realize that Nikko had a similar standing such as he. He hadn't been given an option on the matter however. Perhaps he would should have ran away as she had. If he had done so, just what would his life be like now? And as for the people who had tried to kill her in Sunagakure, Gaara would thoroughly check each and every ninja for any affiliation with her would be killers. Only then could he be certain that her safety would be assured upon their return.
Another, darker thought struck him. What would Nikko think of him if he brought her back to the place she'd risked life and limb to leave? Surely nothing good.
Kakashi sighed. "Well I see that your realizing a thing or two. If you'll hear me out, I have a proposition."
"I understand. You mean to take her with you to the Hidden Leaf." Gaara deduced.
"You catch on fast."
The boy grimaced at the idea. Sending her there would mean leaving her in the hands of Uchiha Sasuke, whom Gaara wouldn't mind killing at the moment. "Why would I agree to this?"
"At first glance it may seem suspicious, but I assure you that I'm the only one aware of her current existence. Well, aside from the sannin. If she were to come with us back to Konohagakure, I would place her safety at the highest level. As I'm sure your aware, whoever seeks her death won't stop until their job is done. We're not dealing with your average hired hand. They've been at it a long time, and I imagine her Governess had a hand in keeping her safe so far...but Utsuri-san isn't there now, is she?"
"Then I will bring her back--"
"Back to the very place she was kept as a secret weapon, never leaving the grounds? Surely you're not that cruel Gaara-san. Fencing her in will only make things worse."
Gaara grit his teeth in aggravation. He hated to admit it but Kakashi was right; Utsuri Nikko wouldn't be happy with that life. Kept isolated the whole of her existence. At least he had been able to leave his home occasionally. Plus, she was considered a rogue shinobi now if the truth came out that she had in fact simply ran away. He was left with little options. "Be that as it may, I don't feel she would be any safer within the walls of Konohagakure. There aren't too many shinobi left available, unless I'm misinformed?"
Kakashi smiled. "True. We are a little short handed at the moment. But there is one family who would take her in, providing of course the Hyuga's haven't suddenly vanished."
"The Hyuga's.." Gaara paused, thinking it over. He still wasn't sold on the idea and would feel safer if she were to stay with him. But he wouldn't always be around once the mission was complete. He knew the Hyuga's were a powerful clan, and their home would be most likely heavily guarded. The two branches weren't short on descendants, all of which knew the Byakugan. Despite that in their favor, Gaara thought on Uchiha Sasuke with increasing anxiety. That Uchiha genius of Team 7 would most likely come across Nikko Utsuri at some point. How, then, could the Jinchuriki know she'd be safe?
The answer came to him.
"There is only one person in Konohagakure that I trust with my life." He answered.
Kakashi nodded. "I see. So you mean you'd prefer her to be guarded by Naruto-kun? I understand that he helped shape your--change, but I'm not sure he'd like the tag along, if you get my drift."
The boy shook his head. "Then I'm afraid that I can't accept your proposal."
With another sigh, this one more dramatic, Kakashi nodded. "I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, maybe you should spend some time with her while you have the chance?"
Spend time with her? Gaara repeated thoughtfully. He couldn't help but ask, "And what makes you suggest that?"
"Hmm..." the copy ninja's eye crinkled, "just speaking out loud I suppose. She's not going to be available long...Utsuri-san is a beautiful girl for her age."
"..."
"Well I've said all that I wanted, so you shouldn't keep her waiting." He pulled out his book once more, "If you need me I'll be here."
Gaara turned away and hopped down to Nikko.
After some explanation he found her home quite easily. He directed his sand to the balcony floor and waited her invitation. After a tiny pause she turned, "G-Gaara-san, are you going to be here long?"
"...In order to do my mission I must stay nearby. Is that problematic?"
Nikko shook her head. "No! Not at all!"
And so the two entered the tiny one room hotel. Right away Gaara noticed there was no seating aside from the futon. Because of that he stood silently, observing the quarters. The girl was a tidy sort of person. Or maybe she simply didn't have many belongings. Nikko swayed a bit on her feet. "Ah...I seem to be feeling a little dizzy. It's probably from...ah..." her eyes fluttered shut.
Gaara grabbed her to him and helped her to the futon. She was unconscious.