"Why exactly am I wearing THIS?!" asked Kurochan.
"What's wrong with that?" asked Miyuki.
"Well, it's frilly," pointed out Kurochan.
"Yes, it is, it's very becoming on you," said Miyuki.
"And then there's the tail and ears," complained Kurochan.
"Well, it's not that unexpected," said Miyuki. "Plenty of familiars back in Mid-Childa have those little reminders. As long as Naruto keeps paying the maintenance fee in magic energy you should remain human though. I think."
"You know a lot about this," commented Kakashi.
"Not really, I asked Aru about it once and she and Fate went on about it for quite some time," said Miyuki, shrugging. "Most of it went straight over my head."
"You, you're-" began Kakashi.
Kurochan snapped a single finger over her lips and shot a half-pleading half-threatening look towards Kakashi.
Kakashi frowned under his mask, aware that everyone was looking at him. "You've got hands now. That's got to be a step up."
"True," said Kurochan. "Now, I have some business to attend to. I'll see you later."
Naruto blinked as Kurochan walked off. "Why do I have the feeling that I've missed something important?"
"Don't worry about that," offered Sasuke. "That happens to you all the time."
"Oh, gee thanks," Naruto said sarcastically and glared at Sasuke.
"Don't mention it," said the smirking Sasuke.
Kurochan/Hanabi ignored the odd looks as she went directly to her father and reported.
Her father NEVER showed expressions. He was into that whole "stern stoic warrior" image. So he simply twitched a little as his youngest daughter, ears flicking and tail occasionally twitching, reported on the last few days.
Well, that and he used his Byakugan to determine this WAS his daughter and he was NOT dealing with some genjutsu nor was there any evidence of him getting some illicit substance in his morning miso.
Hiashi frowned ever so slightly as Hanabi finished her report, noting that she had likely rehearsed it several times.
"In other words," said Hiashi thoughtfully when Hanabi had finally fallen silent. "All we know of this enemy is that he or she is a glasses-wearing medical nin. A fairly muscular henchman or hired thug. That you are under the effects of some kinjutsu that turns you into a cat, but that you are currently staying with a boy whose own experimental jutsu gave you a semblance of your normal form. That you were specifically targetted as the heir of the Hyuga clan. Further, that this enemy employs squirrels and possibly other small animals."
"Yes sir," said Hanabi, inclining her head.
"You will return to the household," said Hiashi. "Now that we know of the difficulty."
"Actually, no," said Hanabi.
Hiashi shifted slightly, turning his baleful gaze towards his youngest. "Explain."
"I have had a chance to think long on this," said Hanabi. "The enemy has infiltrated Konoha and is unlikely to be working alone. Surveillance of this compound is likely."
Hiashi quirked an eyebrow, mutely asking her to continue.
"In the meantime, I am relatively safe," said Hanabi. "Uzumaki is surprisingly powerful and has a variety of useful clan-techniques that I am free to study. While this occurs, I am being included in their ninja missions. Which gains me valuable experience for when I am either a ninja myself or must direct branch family members on clan business."
Hiashi's other eyebrow raised. "Uzumaki? You're staying with Hinata's fiancee?"
"WHAT?!" said a startled Hanabi, her icy cool breaking for a moment.
"She is weak and useless, as you yourself have noted, and I bet on what was a sure thing that would have benefitted the Hyuga clan," said Hiashi as he mused over this development. "The engagement is not formally binding. Neither I nor Genma Fukayu of the Uchiha clan have any authority over Uzumaki. Still, it seems it may be useful after all."
Hanabi visibly bit back several things she obviously wanted to say. After a brief struggle, she returned to the outer calm and control that the Hyuga main branch maintained as carefully as their hair.
"Anything else?" prompted Hiashi.
"The jutsu that allows me to return to human form apparently has some limitations," said Hanabi finally. "Range is one. Until I can find a way to break the transformation jutsu, it would be best to keep close to Uzumaki."
"Very well, for now," allowed Hiashi. "I shall make appropriate excuses and arrangements. You will need to keep me informed of everything that happens."
Hanabi inclined her head again, accepting that.
"So, how does that explain the clothing?" asked Hiashi.
"Apparently a side effect of Uzumaki's 'fix'," said Hanabi. "He was apparently surprised by it himself."
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(Posted Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:25)
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