[29] Sasuke Returns to Konoha, and Nikko Acquires a New Guard…!
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[29]

 

Sasuke

 

Ten days had passed since he'd last saw Utsuri Nikko. Their argument, the finishing blow of many attacks, still lay open as though bleeding inside his heart. How he'd hated acting that way---

But it had to be done.

Nikko wouldn't be out of danger unless she was as far away from him as possible. He knew that, and that's why he'd pushed and pushed at her resolve until finally breaking any hope of their future together.

Now,

He stepped just outside Konoha's gates. There were four Jonin guards posted at the corners, but it wasn't nearly enough to protect the gem inside. Sasuke needed Konoha to be on high alert at all times. If they weren't, it would be all too easy for her enemies to come by and take her. Sasuke would have preferred her to go some place else, some place more...guarded. Maybe the sand village, or to the north, in samurai land.

Moonlight as his only witness, he tapped down onto the tree limb. From his back pocket he pulled Kabuto's loaded needles, throwing one towards the farthest guard. He then let loose another, hitting the first to split and head straight for his target: their neck arteries.

"Huk!"

The guards fell over benignly asleep.

Sasuke jumped onto the gate, threw two more needles and put to sleep the remaining Jonin. Once they fell he shook his head. "...Too easy."

Fwp

Fwp

His cape billowed behind him, casting a mysterious shadow until he eventually made it to the outskirts of the junction where Naruto's apartment lay, seeing Shikamaru Nara yawning atop the roof. Sasuke frowned; Shikamaru wasn't actively alert, either, and needed to be. He pulled a kunai from his pouch but was distracted by movement down below.

"Ha ha! Nikko, that tickles!" He heard Naruto's loud ass voice yell.

His coal eyes fell to the window which was open a peg. With Shikamaru Nara as guard Sasuke knew he'd have to be quick or potentially become a puppet of his Shadow Possession Technique, as Shikamaru had the upper hand with darkness casting many shadows. He grabbed another sleeping needle, threw the kunai and jumped high into the air.

Shikamaru was distracted by the area where the kunai had been thrown just as he'd hoped; and Sasuke took his chance, seeing him jump to the area he was just at, throwing his needle right into his cervical spine. Shikamaru teetered before falling over to the ground with a thump.

Now that Nikko's guard was at rest, Sasuke went back to Naruto's apartment and jumped onto the balcony. Through the slits in the dirty blinds he saw Nikko laughing, tossing a chip to Naruto, who leaned and caught it between his teeth. "See? I can do this all night," he told her proudly.

Sasuke's breath caught. Nikko looked happy--incredibly happy--more happy than when she were by his side. He only had himself to blame as trying to keep her safe and learn from Orochimaru had taken a toll on their relationship, to say the least.

Nikko giggled and sat down her bag of chips, throwing herself at him. They were both sitting on the couch in his tiny living room, barely clothed. "There's something else you can do all night," she told him, dragging her creamy hand down his bare chest.

The Uchiha clenched his teeth together.

Naruto, his rival and ex-friend asked, "Oh? What's that?"

Nikko began kissing him, and Sasuke had to look away. He was ill; and would likely had vomited if not for his lack of food. Here was the love of his entire existence, the one he'd given his very freedom for, messing around with his former friend and comrade Naruto Uzumaki. It was too much. He bent over and gagged up hot bile, coughing for a time.

His body trembled. "Nikko..." he grunted, holding onto the wall for support. Everything inside him was falling apart.

Half of him wanted to just enter Naruto's apartment and catch her in the act. But he knew it wouldn't make a difference, really, as they had ended things already. By all rights Nikko was free to be with whomever she chose. Why, then, did she have to choose Naruto? He wasn't able to protect her! Sasuke himself hadn't been able to!

Did Naruto even know that she wasn't who she claimed to be? That she'd really just awoken in this world? He doubted it; Naruto was an idiot. Sasuke alone had this knowledge. Knowledge that would do him little good now. Nikko had moved on. He had to accept it. Or so that's what he told himself.

"What am I doing...?" He whispered, sitting up to watch some more. Sasuke's hand shook on the window pane as he spied Nikko and Naruto lip locking one another. To watch anymore of it would be sheer torture. He turned, but heard, "Naruto~!" and couldn't help but look.

He really wished he hadn't.

"Why you---" Sasuke pulled a kunai. It shook in his hand. He couldn't attack them; wouldn't. But damn did he want to.

No. He had to calm down. Nikko didn't know what Sasuke had to do to keep her safe. She'd only feel bad if she knew, and would likely try to come for him, bringing Naruto and Sakura into the mess, too. It had to be this way.

Sasuke would take care of the baby. And when the child was old enough, take it to her. Until then...

He was Orochimaru's prisoner.

 

Nikko

 

It was too early. But the loud knocking at the door woke both Nikko and Naruto who fallen asleep on the couch after a nice session. Naruto's blue eyes slit open and he grumbled, "Go away~"

"Naruto...there's someone at the door," Nikko said to him. She gave his shoulder a push and sat up, pulling her lilac kimono on. "I'll go see who it is."

Shikamaru looked oddly fierce for it to be so early. His beady eyes looked her over, "You're okay?"

"Hm? Yes, I'm fine. Why, is something wrong Shikamaru-san?"

He sighed a little. "Yeah. I was attacked last night. Whoever it was just put me to sleep; but they got the border guards too." He eyed Naruto on the couch. "...Seems like I came at a bad time."

"Ah...it's fine, fine!" Her cheeks felt warm. She hurriedly said, "Do you have any idea who it could have been?"

He nodded. "Yeah. There's only one person I can think of who would come here and not attack..." Shikamaru watched and waited for Nikko's brain to catch up. Finally it did, and her amethyst eyes sparkled. "You mean--Sasuke!" She clutched his chunin vest in her grip, "Here was here?!"

"--Calm down--"

"--Where was he? Tell me, please!" She begged. Naruto stirred and hobbled over to the door, putting his hand on the frame. With a rub to his eyes he asked, "Whazz all the fuss about?"

Nikko dropped Shikamaru's vest and took off running down the street.

Naruto instantly woke; and made chase. "Hey! Nikko! Where the heck are you going? Get back here!"

Shikamaru cursed and followed them both. He jumped onto the nearest building sign and performed Shadow Possession Jutsu. His shadow followed the electric pole nearest her and snagged Nikko into it's grip. She quivered trying to get free. "I have to see him!"

Naruto paused by her side and placed his hand onto her shoulder. "Nikko? What's going on?"

"Sasuke was here...he came to check on me...." she wriggled, "He could still be close by!"

"Sasuke-kun!" Naruto's brows lowered. "He was here? When?"

Shikamaru growled. "Last night."

"And you didn't tell us?" The fox boy accused. Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "He put me to sleep, Naruto-kun. Not like I could tell anyone anything."

"No way..." Naruto's shoulders shook. His friend had been so near, and for what? Just to check on Nikko?

He turned to see Nikko's purple eyes watering over. In that instant, the fox Jinchuuriki knew that Nikko Utsuri was still very much in love with Sasuke. His chest throbbed tightly as if bound by shackles, but he had to be there for her. With what he knew about their baby, Naruto couldn't help but be protective of her even more. He grabbed her hand in his. "Hey. It's gonna be alright."

"Naruto.."

Shikamaru released his jutsu and hopped down. "He's long gone by now."

"I know...I know that, but..." her chin quivered. "He came all the way here...just to see me..."

"So?" Naruto said. His mouth drew back, "I looked for you for four months! Gaara-san did, too!"

Nikko didn't know that Gaara had been searching for her, too, and her eyes widened. "Gaara-san?"

"Are you even hearing me?" Naruto asked. He growled. "So what if Sasuke came! He's a total jerk! Remember what he did to you?"

She did remember. Many times, in fact. How cold Sasuke had grown. How his eyes had faded, lacking their usual warmth. But there were the good times, too, and in that moment she pushed the bad aside for those memories. Nikko withdrew into herself and grew quiet in reflection. Despite all the bad that Sasuke had left her with, he'd still came by just to see her. The girl who'd fell from nowhere into the body of Nikko Utsuri, cursed all her life. He had been her true love--

Her eyes lifted. Sasuke wasn't here. But Naruto was, and he was who she had the best chance with. She had to get past her time with sasuke and focus on the future, a future beside the Hokage. Nikko nodded to Naruto. "I remember. I'm...sorry."

He relaxed. "Good."

Jonin dropped down beside them. "Shikamaru-san," they greeted, "Border is all clear. No sign of the intruder." The one of the far left held in his hand several needles. Familiar needles that Nikko recalled Kabuto using. "Found these. No poison on them, just a tranquilizer."

Talk changed from Sasuke to the safety of the village. Shikamaru Nara left to explain what had happened to the Hokage, leaving the Jonin in charge of Nikko's protection in his stead. Naruto and Nikko went back to his apartment complex and waited, eating a hot breakfast of sausage and eggs. Eventually Shikamaru came back via the balcony, and his face looked grim. "...Utsuri Nikko," he called.

The girl put down her fork and waited for what he had to say. Shikamaru drew a deep  breath. "...The Hokage is going to be finding you a new guard."

"Eh? But Shikamaru-san..." she pouted; Nikko was used to the Nara being close by and didn't like the sounds of someone else taking over.  "..We didn't have our match," she reminded him.

He shook his head in wonder. "Thought you'd forgotten about that. If you want, we can have it tomorrow."

"Yes. I'd like that very much." Nikko relaxed, "I'm eager to show you how well I can do."

"Hm. We'll see. So," his eyes caught Naruto's, who was glaring exceptionally hard before telling her--, "The Hokage wants to see you."

Naruto stood up. Now that he had taken the time to get fully clothed he was ready for anything. "Let's go!" But was shot down. "Just her, Naruto-kun." 

"Grr! Fine." Naruto flopped down angrily into his seat and scowled at them all. Nikko, being a kind girl, gave him a reassuring peck of the cheek and stood up. "..I won't be gone long, Naruto."

"Yeah yeah. Just get it over with already."

***

Shikamaru and Nikko made it to the Fifth Hokage's office in just a few minutes. Nikko pecked on her door and was told to come inside, alone. When she walked in, her eyes caught a startling sight. A boy with mid back brown hair, tied with a pony tail holder, stood before Tsunade's desk. His eyes were that of the Hyuuga clan---unmistakably pale, and his gaze fixed on her as she walked towards the desk. His outfit was rather boring and not worth mentioning, just a hooded top and dark shorts. One thing to note was the bandages around his limbs. "Hokage-sama," Nikko greeted with a proper bow, glancing at the boy from the corner of her eye.

She knew little about him other than his name: Neji Hyuuga. He was considered a genius among the genin, and his byakugan was quite formidable. Also...he had ties to Hinata, of course. Nikko wondered why he were there, and was rather slow on the uptake until Tsunade motioned to him. "Hyuuga Neji, meet Utsuri Nikko."

Nikko faced him awkwardly, only managing a lop sided smile. It was hard to be calm in front of him. His eyes were all seeing, and picked up everything--leaving Nikko feeling rather exposed and judged under the harshest jury. She bowed to him, "Hello. Pleasure to meet you."

"Hn. I'd say it's a pleasure, but I'm here for one reason only," he said boldly. The girl lifted her head and saw his eyes tighten. "I'm your newest bodyguard."

"Ah. I see. Then, please, take care of me."

Tsunade cleared her throat and both of their attention went back to her. She ran long nails through her blonde hair, showcasing the elegance of a woman and sighed. "It's as he said. Shikamaru Nara gave up his position this morning."

"Eh? He...gave it up?" Nikko asked, shocked that he would do such a thing.

"He's no fool." Tsunade said cooly, "He knows that Sasuke had the upper edge, and if he got past once, it's only a matter of time before he'll try again. We need someone with Neji's skills to take the job."

"I can assure you nothing will get past my byakugan," Neji told Tsunade. "And I won't be so easy on her."

At that Tsunade's breasts laughed. "Good. I'm counting on you. Konoha is counting on you."

Neji bowed. "I understand." He glared at Nikko, "Don't think you'll have any freedom. Consider that revoked."

A trickle of fear went down Nikko Utsuri's spine. She had no idea what she was in for, only seeing her first impression of Neji to be that of a strict sort who wouldn't take no for an answer. She nodded bleakly. "...If that's what it takes," she mumbled.

"Alright! Read over the material I gave you and whatever you do, don't let anything near her." The Hokage ordered.

Neji nodded. "Yes."

"That's all. You can leave."

**

No sooner had Nikko left, passing by Shikamaru on the steps who gave her a tiny smile and wave, her shoulder was grabbed by Neji who turned her to face him. "Let's get one thing straight from the beginning. I won't tolerate disobedience. If you don't do as I say, I won't hesitate to lock you up and throw away the key."

"That's...rather....harsh," she replied.

"Harsh or not my orders are clear. You are to stay by me, understand? And you can forget about staying with Naruto Uzumaki. Your new home is with us, the Hyuuga's."

"What! No! That's not fair!"

The hand on her arm tightened. "Don't make me use force."

His pale eyes glared most threateningly, and Nikko found her own narrowing back at him. Her blood was beginning to boil. "Use force?" She repeated, placing her hand over his, removing it, "...I don't think you know who you're talking to."

Electricity flickered between their narrowed eyes until Neji dropped his hand and stepped away. "I know enough. You're a Time User. The last of your kind. While your kekkai genkai may be rather special, it lacks in several areas."

"....And what would those be?" She asked between gritted teeth. Neji was rubbing her the wrong way already.

Without warning Neji thrust out two fingers, tapping her inner wrists with merely a flick. Her arms drooped down; now hanging uselessly. He smirked. "Without the use of your hands, the Time Jutsu won't work. It's a shame it's not like ours and embedded into your eyes."

"You--!"

Neji turned. "Now come along like a good girl."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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