Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Firebird ❯ Chapter 6

Chapter 6

 

*Note* Levii and I are close friends IRL and I have permission to use her characters, as

she does mine.

 

*Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of the genius Masashi Kishimoto.

“…” - Talking

`…' - Thoughts

 

Italics - Flashbacks

 

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

“Five years and you're still too skinny.” Miaka jumped at the deep feminine voice behind her. Spinning on her heals she came face to face with Onibashi Kaishi. Or, she would have come face to face had the other kunoichi not been almost a foot taller than her. “Onibashi-Sempai,” she greeted the other. Remembering the things her sempai had said at the memorial, Miaka did her best to keep her defenses down. `Too skinny? Humph! I've filled out quite nicely.' She couldn't help but think to herself as she looked up at her sempai. “You've grown up,” Onibashi-Sempai said, as if reading her mind. Despite everything, Miaka couldn't help but feel some fear at being so close to the older woman. “H-hai,” she said her voice soft. “I was wondering who ate that bento. Hope you liked it.” At that, Miaka blushed.

 

 

Ducking her head, she replied “H-hai… it was quite good, arigatou.” “No big really,” she heard the other woman say. "Iie. It was very kind of Onibashi-sempai to make that for me," the girl protested. Miaka jumped as she felt a hand touch her shoulder, then squeeze it in a friendly manner as the Onibashi said "I'm glad you're back, Shakaku." With that, the older woman turned and walked away, leaving a very dazed kunoichi in her wake.

 

 

Miaka was dumbfounded. Despite what she had overheard at the memorial, Miaka had not expected to be greeted in such a friendly manner. Well, as friendly as Onibashi Kaishi ever got. Miaka was un such a state of shock, she never noticed the two boys approaching. “Miaka-Neechan!” Naruto greeted her in his usual loud manner. “Naruto!” Miaka gasped, turning to the boy. Her confused frown melted into a bright smile the instant her eyes landed on the boy.

 

 

~* Flashback *~

 

 

Miaka walked slowly through the park, her mind blank and heart broken. Tears she hadn't bothered to wipe away now lay dried on her cheeks in a salty line. Light was beginning to fade from the sky, bathing it in a vibrant mix of reds and oranges. A few short hours before, Miaka had been on an all time high. She had done it… she had proven everyone wrong and passed the final chuunin exam. But waiting for her outside the Hokage's office was a crushing blow she had never expected.“I trained you. You're a Chuunin now. We no longer have places in each other's lives. I no longer have a place in yours. You no longer have a place in mine.” Hatake-Sempai had said to her. Then he had turned and walked away.

 

 

Miaka felt tears begin to well in her eyes at the memory. Fiercely blinking them away, she forced herself not to dwell on it. `He has that Onibashi woman after all. What would he want a little chit like me hanging around for?' Taking a deep breath, she continued on her way.

 

 

As Miaka passed the children's playground located near the northern edge of the park, she heard a soft noise, one that distinctly reminded her of a muffled sob. Freezing in her tracks, Miaka started looking around for the source of the noise. It was then she spotted a small form huddled under the playground slide. As she approached the slide she saw the form was a young boy. He couldn't be older than eight or nine. As she got closer, she recognized the boy. Eyes widening, she nearly walked away. That was until Miaka noticed he was crying. Heart softening, she continued towards the child. `If he was evil, then he wouldn't be here crying by himself, now would he? Poor little one, he seems so alone'.

 

 

Having reached the boy, she leaned over and spoke, “Daijoubu desu ka?” She asked him, her voice soft and warm. With a sniffle, the small blonde looked up at her. She could see shock and slight fear in his eyes as if he thought she might hurt him. Casting a warm smile at the boy, she leaned a little closer to him trying to reassure him. “What's wrong, little one?” She asked, voice radiating concern. Kneeling down in seiza* in front of the blonde child, she waited for him to speak. “What is it? You can tell me.” She tried again when he remained silent. The boy sniffled again then spoke, “S-sasuke won't play with me anymore and… and Nee-Chan's not home!” The poor child was sobbing again, having stopped when Miaka had spoken to him.

 

 

Heart breaking, Miaka wrapped the boy in her arms, cooing softly. “Shhh… shhh… daijoubu,” She said, whipping the boys tears from his cheeks. “Namme wa?” She asked him. “U-uzumaki Naruto desu,” he replied. Miaka beamed down at the little blond, “Yoroshiku Naruto-San! Watashi wa Shakaku Miaka. I'll be your friend, if you would like.” Miaka watched as Naruto's eyes lit up at her words. “Honto ni?!” He practically screamed. “Hai, honto ni.” Miaka answered with a smile and a nod.

 

 

Next thing she knew, Miaka found herself flat on her back having been practically tackled by an overly enthusiastic chibi. “Daisukiyo Miaka-NeeChan!” Miaka faltered, unsure what to make of the boy's words. No one, save for her OkaaSama, had told her that they loved her is so many years… yet here was this boy she had just met calling her “Nee-Chan” and telling her he loved her. What's more, he was hugging her. `I… I like this feeling. Nee-Chan, hu? Who would have guessed.” Miaka thought as she slowly wrapped her arms around Naruto, returning the embrace.

 

 

~* End Flashback *~

 

 

“Gomen about NeeChan, she tends to throw people off sometimes,” The now much older blonde said with a fox like grin. `He has no idea…' She mentally groaned. “I know all to well…” She replied instead. Smiling at Naruto, who was now at least a good half a foot taller than her, she spoke. “How have you been Naruto-San? And who is your friend?” “Daijoubu desu! I've been training with Ero-Sennin.” Naruto was practically bubbling over with excitement. “Oh! This?” He asked, nodding to the other boy. “This is Aoi!” He introduced to platinum blonde, purple eyes boy beside him.

 

 

Turning towards the other, Miaka's eyes did a quick scan of his form. She immediately noticed that he was younger than Naruto by several years. He also wasn't from Konoha… his skin tone was far too pale and his mannerisms screamed of being raised somewhere other than Konoha. Despite this, he was wearing a Konoha hitae-ate. She would ask him where he had been born another time. Finishing her look over, Miaka had to admit that the boy was absolutely adorable. The overly large purple cat-eyes helped that aspect. Cat-eyes… perhaps he has somehow related to the Onibashi clan?

 

 

“Konichiwa gouzai masu, Aoi-San. Hajimemashite Shakaku Miaka desu. Douzo yoroshiku onegai ishimasu. Anou… are you a friend of Naruto-San's?” She asked, smile warm and friendly. “Of a sorts,” the boy answered with a nod. “Oh? What do you mean?” Miaka asked, somewhat confused. "NeeChan kinda adopted him two years ago," Naruto explained to the red head. Miaka felt her confusion melt away in an instant. “Oh? Onibashi-Sempai did that? That was very kind of her.” As she said this, Miaka began to wonder is she was the only person the raven haired Onibashi woman had ever treated so poorly. Forcing such thought from her mind, Miaka continued. “I see you have a hitae-ate. Are you a gennin, Aoi-San?” The boy radiated pride at her question. He really was kawaii. "Hai. I graduated a few months ago. Neko-sensei says I have potential to be a great ninja and that she's considering nominating me for the chuunin exams next year."

 

 

Chuunin exams?! This boy had barely graduated and his sensei wanted to nominate his team? That was ludicrous. "Oh, your sensei wishes to nominate you so soon? I suppose your team is very talented then," Miaka said, instead of what she was thinking. "Team? Nah, I don't have a team. Just me and Neko-sensei." The purple eyes boy replied. Miaka blinked at that. Since when had they started assigning single gennin to an instructor? So much had changed. Then she realized that she had no idea who this “Neko-Sensei” he kept referring to was. “Anou… Aoi-San, if I may ask... who is your sensei?”

 

 

Miaka nearly fell over in shock at the boy's answer. “Onibashi Kaishi!” He said with a proud grin. That woman had taken on a student? And he wasn't dead? It was a miracle. “O-onibashi-Sempai is your jounin sensei? How very… interesting.” This caused the boy to beam even more, "Hai! She takes me on all her missions. Even some of the Unclassified ones!" Miaka nearly had a heart attack at that. Onibashi-Sempai had taken on a student… and not left ANBU. She was even taking him on ANBU missions with her. It really was a miracle this boy was alive. At this rate, the poor thing was doomed. “How very… exciting for you Aoi-San,” She said, fearing for the boy's life. "It is. Neko-sensei is great!" Aoi was practically glowing. "She says that I'll be a great ninja one day. All I have to do is stop being so damned adorable, or so she says." Miaka nearly giggled at that, but managed to maintain her composure. Onibashi-Sempai was right, the boy really was too kawaii for his own good. “Anou… Onibashi-sempai is rarely so full of praise. She must see a lot of potential in you. It was a pleasure to meet you, Aoi-san, demo I must return to my shopping." She said with a small bow to the boys. “Yoroshiku Miaka-Neechan!” Aoi said before running of in the direction his sensei had gone. “Ja ne, Miaka-NeeChan!” Naruto called back to her as he darted after Aoi.

 

 

Miaka smiled as she watched the boys go. Both were so full of energy, so full of life. Returning to the vegetable stand she had been going over a few minutes ago, she allowed her thoughts to wander. `I hope Onibashi-Sempai knows what she is doing. If not, she is going to get that poor boy killed. Hmmm… it would seem I've suddenly gained another Otouto. What is it with genki boys and calling me NeeChan?' As she mused, a small smile took the place of the worried frown that had been gracing her features. It really did feel good to be home.

 

 

***Author's Notes***

 

*Seiza is the traditional Japanese way of sitting, with one's legs folded under them.

 

Hai = yes

 

Iie = no

 

Watashi wa = I am

 

Konichiwa gouzai masu = The Politest form saying “good afternoon”.

 

Sempai = A term of respect. Used for someone who is your senior in a job or at

school. Miaka uses it because the older ninja are her seniors.

 

Daijoubu desu ka? = “Are you alright?”

 

Daijoubu = Can be used in several ways, but Miaka is using it here to say “You're

alright” or “It's alright”.

 

Honto ni = really

 

Hajimemashite = It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time

Douzo yoroshiku onegai ishimasu = Please take good care of me, this is a traditional greeting in the Japanese language and culture. Aoi uses it in a short hand kind of version by just saying “Yoroshiku”. It's still being polite, but not to the same level and the original version.

Demo = but , however

Ja Ne = See you, bye - less formal

 

Bento = a less formal way of saying lunch. The shortened version of Obento.

 

Bento Box = A specially made box for carrying bento in.

 

Daisukiyo = The platonic version of “I love to.”

 

NeeChan = Shortened version of “OneeChan”, which is a less formal “big sister”.

 

Otouto = Little brother

 

*** Special thanks to everyone who has read “Firebird”. Especially those who have taken the time to review. Sorry this has taken so long to get out, my plot bunnies were in a coma. And don't worry, Kakashi was not just being a ass to Miaka, he does have his reasons and they are very good ones. You'll learn of them later on.

 

Please remember to R & R! Ja ne Minna-San! Daisukiyo!