Team Yumi re-entered the Hidden Leaf Village as the sun began to set over the Hokage Monument. They had just finished a mission, and were on their way to report their success to the Hokage. Despite the time of day, various villagers were running, talking, playing, and laughing through the streets. A few ninja discussed their most recent mission, while vendors tried to sell goods to annoyed customers.

 

"Heh... I really missed being in the village!" Koukon grinned, happy to be back home.

 

"Yeah. We can finally rest." Hikari wasn't as enthusiastic as her friend, but still smiled. "I can't wait to go eat some ramen." She rubbed her stomach, having missed her favorite food.

 

"Of course, that's the first thing you think of. It's always ramen with you." Koukon teased Hikari. "I guess that going to Ichiraku wouldn't hurt, though..." He looked over at his teacher. "Yumi sensei, is it fine if we head off?"

 

"Yeah, I'll go check in with Lord Hokage. You three can go off and get something to eat." The woman smiled back at her students.

 

"Alright!" Koukon shouted, and looked over to his teammates. "Let's go, Hikari! Are you going to come with, Kiniku?" He asked his best friend, hoping that the three of them could go together.

 

"It's been a while since the three of us got to go to Ichiraku together, hasn't it?" Hikari asked. "You should come with us, Kiniku."

"Having trouble keeping up?" Koukon taunted, and used his Swift Style to appear behind Shinachiku once again. He kicked him back to where they had been earlier. "You might be Old Man Naruto's son, but you can't go this fast, can you?"

Shinachiku

 

"Grr..." Shinachiku growled to himself. "Don't mock me, I'm the best ninja in the village!" Shinachiku said, getting uppity in his usual way. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" He cried, producing several clones on the battlefield which surrounded Koukon.

"Heh, this won't work on me!" Koukon formed hand seals, now preparing a ninjutsu. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" He shot multiple fireballs, and each one homed in on a Shadow Clone. And now while I do that... I'll go and do a really cool finisher on him! Koukon used his Swift Style again... Only to end up a few feet above the nearby pond. "Alright, time to-" He began to shout, before he realized where he was. He fell into the water, screaming until he was cut off by a loud splash.

 

Kiyoshi sighed. "That's what he gets for trying to show off so often in one fight... Neither one of us has even mastered Swift Style yet."

 

Koukon was considering hiding out in the pond until the others had left, and saving himself the embarrassment of seeing the others' reactions to his mistake. I shouldn't have used it so many times in a row... Crap... So much for impressing Misaki.

Shinachiku / Daiki / Misaki

 

The clones dodged the fireballs, and like their original, stopped and stared as they saw Koukon's blunder in the lake.

 

Misaki couldn't help but giggle as she tried to hide it from Koukon's view. Daiki shook his head and mumbled something about Koukon being a "total idiot".

 

Shinachiku was a little surprised at Koukon's blunder but decided to take advantage of the situation. "Okay, now my's chance. Shadow Clones, dive!!" He commanded, the mid-air Shadow Clones now aiming towards the water, hitting Koukon inside the lake. Shinachiku then had the last Shadow Clone punch Koukon back up into the air.

 

Shinachiku used his speed to meet Koukon in the air, jumping on his shoulders and then wrapping his legs around his neck before throwing him back onto the Training field ground.

 

"Now the tide's in my favor!" Shinachiku posted, landing back on the ground.

Koukon hit the ground hard, but his pride was still what hurt the most. He slowly stood back up again. It'll just be worse if I let him beat me like this... I'll just take him down and go hide somewhere. Yeah, that works.

 

Just as he'd stood back up, Hikari returned from the mission report, and managed to find Koukon and the others at the Training Field. "What's going on here...?" She asked curiously, wondering why Koukon seemed so upset in the middle of a fight.

 

"O-oh... He, uh... He kind of messed up with Swift Style and fell in the pond." Kiyoshi told Hikari.

 

Hikari sighed. I-idiot... You were showing off for Misaki, weren't you...? She thought, now becoming upset herself.

 

Alright... I'll make up for it with this... Koukon formed more handseals, and fired another Phoenix Flower Jutsu straight at Shinachiku, every fireball now targeting the Hokage's son.

Shinachiku / Misaki / Daiki

 

Shinachiku dodged the fireballs, although he couldn't help but catch some fire on his sleeve after dodging the last one, which he quickly put out, but it left a small scorch mark on his jacket.

 

"Hang in there, Shinachiku! You can do it!" Misaki cheered, while Daiki continued to observe in his own silent way.

 

Shinachiku simply flashed his teammates a quick thumbs on and readied his next attack. Koukon's probably tryin' to impress Misaki or somethin'. Sorry, pal, but my team is on my side, not yours! He thought as he readied some shuriken. 

 

"Take this!" He cried, throwing his weapons. "Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!" He cried, going through some hand signs and multiplying the shuriken into three times the amount they were before as they all dashed towards Koukon.

Edited January 7, 201510 yr by Firaga Sensei

Koukon managed to dodge most of the shuriken, but was hit by one, in the arm. Ugh... After that screw-up, I'm not sure how to catch back up... He thought hard, using shuriken as a distraction as he did so. Aha, I've got it! He formed a handseal, and smirked. He disappeared in a puff of smoke... With a rather attractive girl now standing in his place, staring at Shinachiku seductively. "Sexy jutsu." He said, proud of his new idea.

 

Hikari, on the other hand, was certainly not proud. She ran towards Koukon, clobbering his head. "You idiot! Keep that stupid move for when you're not being watched!" She shouted at him, making Koukon's jutsu deactivate.

 

"Oooow!" Koukon hadn't even noticed that Hikari had been watching the fight. "O-oh, uh... Hey, Hikari." He laughed nervously.

 

Hikari was glaring at Koukon. "You told me you'd stop this whole act... I guess I shouldn't have thought you actually would..." She sighed, and left.

 

"... Crap..." Koukon muttered. Ugh, I really screwed up...

Shinachiku

 

Shinachiku's team had different reactions to Koukon's "transformation": Misaki's jaw fell open as she gawked at the sight, Daiki's eye twitched in anger before he brought his palm to his face in frustation, and Shinachiku couldn't help but let the ruse get to him, a big open mouth grin appearing on his face and with his nose bleeding out a little as he cried: "WHOOOA, That's a hot lady!!" 

 

As soon as Hikari came in and bonked Koukon on the head, shattering the illusion, Shinachiku fell back on his butt due to the impact of Hikari's punch, and he sat in nervous fear as his sister teared into the perverted ninja before leaving. Following that, Shinachiku got up and went over to Koukon.

 

"So uh... that happened..." He said, nervously scratching the back of his head. "Need a hand?" He said, offering a hand to his comrade.

"Uh, yeah... Thanks." Koukon took Shinachiku's hand, and pulled himself up. "Um... Sorry about that. I didn't think... Well... You know..." He muttered, upset that he'd already forgotten about his promise to Hikari. "I really shouldn't have done that..." He sighed.

Shinachiku

 

"It's uh... you know, no big deal," Shinachiku said, putting his arms behind his head, sort of nervous about what he said next: "I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it either. You really did well to learn that from the Old Man, ya know," Shinachiku said, deviously chuckling.

"It's not that, Shinachiku..." Koukon sighed. "You see... I kinda promised your sister that I'd stop doing weird things like that. And, well... I already ruined that." He explained, only feeling more guilty as a result.

Shinachiku 

 

"Ohhhh..." Shinachiku said, understanding the situation a lot more clearly. "Well, uh, I'm sure she won't be too mad at you after a while. Maybe if you just say you're sorry, you'll get off the hook quicker," he then tried to reason.

"Uh... I guess I could try that... She seemed pretty mad, though." Koukon said, becoming worried about how he could make up for his mistake. He wasn't sure how long Hikari would stay mad at him this time. I should probably try anyway, though... "I-I'll be back." He told Shinachiku and the others, then ran off towards Hikari.

Shinachiku / Misaki

 

"Hm, alright," Shinachiku said as Koukon went off. He then walked back to this teammates.

 

"Ugh, I can't believe Koukon used that stupid jutsu," Misaki said in disgust as Shinachiku came forward. "But I guess we were lucky that Hikari came in at the last minute. You were kicking his butt though, Shinachiku!" Misaki added happily. Shinachiku was secretly glad that she didn't catch on to his reaction to the jutsu.

 

"Thanks. But, you know, he was really sad that Hikari caught with that jutsu. He just went over to go apologize to her," Shinachiku replied.

 

"Really? Well, good. That's exactly what he should be doing," Misaki said. "But I hope she gives him a good beating too!" Misaki said, punching her fist in their palm, causing both Shinachiku and even Daiki to sweatdrop.

Edited January 10, 201510 yr by Firaga Sensei

Kiyoshi sighed. She wasn't very happy with her brother's choice of attack, but felt bad for him after what Hikari did. Misaki's behavior didn't help much, either. "Hopefully those two can work things out... So, now what should we do? We shouldn't go and bother them while they're talking..."

 

Meanwhile, Koukon finally managed to find Hikari. She was sitting on a bench back in the village, looking upset. "Uh... Hey." Koukon greeted her. Hikari avoiding eye contact with her friend. This is going to take a while... He thought.

Shinachiku / Misaki / Daiki

 

"I dunno. Maybe we can go get some ramen?" Shinachiku asked.

 

"You always want to get ramen," Misaki replied in a annoyed tone. "Why can we ever go to that anmitsu shop near Miss Tenten's tool store?"

 

"Anmitsu? Come on, that stuff ain't nothing compared to Icharaku's miso pork ramen," Shinachiku argued back.

 

Great. Now they're both being annoying, Daiki thought.

Kiyoshi groaned. Ugh... They're just like Koukon and Hikari when it comes to food. "Uh, why don't we go see what the other teams are doing? I mean, we did just eat..." She suggested.

Shinachiku / Misaki / Daiki

 

"Oh," Shinachikua and Misaki said simultaneously, and then also chuckled and apologized simultaneously.

 

"But yeah, you got a point Kiyoshi. Let's go see everyone," Misaki agreed.

 

"As long as we don't run into Bushy Brows and deal with him being a weirdo, I'm cool with that," Shinachiku said.

 

"Hey, be nice Shinachiku. Ryuichi isn't weird," Misaki defended, but after Shinachiku gave her a look, she nervously looked back and sighed. "Okay yeah, he's weird. Really weird. But he's still a nice person," she then bartered.

 

"I know, I know... it's just really hard to be around him sometimes..." Shinachiku sighed, putting his hands behind his head.

"He's not that bad." Kiyoshi said in defense of their busy browed companion. "Just... Energetic. Anyway, let's go find someone!" She led the group away, hoping to change the topic. She didn't really like being mean to her friends, and didn't want to keep that up.

Shinachiku and the others followed Kiyoshi, bumping into some familiar faces along the way.

 

Ryuichi / Shinachiku / Misaki / Daiki

 

"Oh, hello everyone!" Ryuichi said to the four, Shogo by his side.

 

"Hey, Ryuichi..." Misaki said, remembering her talking about him from earlier.

 

"Yeah, hey Bushy Brows..." Shinachiku said in a similar tone. Daiki did not say anything, as usual.

Akarui was also with Ryuichi, standing quietly next to her teammate.

 

"Hey, Akarui!" Kiyoshi grinned, happy to see her friend.

 

"O-oh, hi Kiyoshi." Akarui smiled back, feeling a bit more relaxed now.

 

"What were you three doing?" Kiyoshi asked curiously.

Ryuichi / Shinachiku / Misaki

 

"We just came back from a most youthful training session with my father, Lee Sensei!" Ryuichi confirmed.

 

"Oh. That explains why Shogo looks grumpier than usual. Heh heh," Shinachiku joked, causing Shogo to look away and Shinachiku to regret it immediately.

 

"Uh, anyways, how are you all doing?" Misaki asked, breaking the tension that filled up the air.

 

"Great!" Ryuichi answered. "Isn't that right, team?!" Shogo did not respond for obvious reasons.

Akarui nodded shyly. "Y-yes, I've been good." She responded. "How have you all been...?" She asked the other group in response.

 

Kiyoshi frowned, not sure how to respond to her friend's question. "Well... We've been better, I guess. Koukon and Hikari got into a fight a minute ago, and we're letting those two handle it..." She answered.

Ryuichi / Shinachiku / Misaki

 

"Ah, I see. How unfortunate. But do not worry! I'm sure they can resolve their problem with the power of--!" 

 

"Don't say it," Shinachiku and Misaki said together, causing Ryuichi to lower his thumbs up and stare awkwardly.

Kiyoshi ignored Ryuichi's overly enthusiastic exclamation, instead responding to the first part of his statement. "I hope they can... I really don't like it when those two get into a fight..." She muttered sadly.

 

 

Koukon continued to try to get Hikari's attention. Realizing his current plan wasn't working, he sat down next to his friend, and spoke in a more calm tone. "Hikari... I'm sorry. I screwed up. I understand if you're mad, and don't want to talk to me... But I won't do it again. I promise." He apologized, sounding much more serious than he usually did. He hoped Hikari would respond, but had a feeling she wouldn't.

 

Hikari sighed. "Koukon... I don't think you know just how much this all means to me." She said, sounding upset, and somewhat nervous.

 

"Huh?" Koukon now looked confused. "What do you mean...? I know it makes you upset..."

 

"There's more to it than that." Hikari said, hiding her face so Koukon couldn't see how red it was at the moment. "I doubt you realize this, but... You're the reason I'm still a ninja in the first place." She forced herself to keep talking. "You're the one who always helped me out when I didn't feel like I was good enough. I understand that you like to have fun, but... It's kind of embarrassing when you don't take your position as a ninja very seriously."

 

Koukon was unsure of how to respond to Hikari. He never knew that Hikari took what he said so seriously. After a brief silence, he finally spoke. "I... Understand. I'll stop with all of my stupid tricks." He grinned, trying to cheer his friend back up. "From now on, I'm going to be a lot more serious about our missions! I can't be a real hero if I just mess around all the time, right?"

 

Hikari looked over at Koukon, and smiled. "Yeah." Her face was still red. Th-this might be my chance... I might never end up with an opportunity like this one again... "H-hey, Koukon..." She sounded more nervous again. "I-I..."