You are my Star

Chapter 11 - A Carpet Ride Through Memories

***Note from the Narrator: If you listen to Bad Vibes Forever while reading, it makes you feel a whole lot more badass.***

"So how are going to...you know...handle them?"

"We have a couple options," replied Neji. "We could wait for the monks that are half a mile away to arrive, or we could stop them right now."

Hoshiko sighed. "Leave it to me," she said, walking to the two brawling men, looking for all the world like a proper lady taking a leisurely stroll through the garden. When she reached them, she crossed her arms, considering. As soon as Naruto and the blue-haired boy separated for a second, a barrier beneath her feet slowly lifted her up. 

They hadn't noticed her yet, and were heading for each other- with Hoshiko in the middle- whilst holding deadly jutsus, and yet her expression was still calm, arms crossed, hair whipping around her face, eyelids drooping slightly, as if her situation was absolutely normal and even boring. 

By the time the two boys saw her, it was too late. It seemed as if they were going to destroy her. But at the last minute, she put up two barriers on either side of herself. They ran right into it. However, one got hurt more than the other. She opened a portal on Naruto's wall, and he flew into the portal and out the other side, where a soft patch of grass waited. She let the young monk smash into his side of the wall, but this time, there was no portal. 

"Ugh-" he said, sliding down the face of the barrier and landing in a heap on the ground. Where a hand picked him up by the collar. 

"Sora, what did I say about rushing into battle?" It was a monk who had grabbed the boy, apparently named Sora. A group of other monks appeared at his side, and Sai ran up next to them. 

"I apologize for any inconvenience Naruto may have caused. He's always rushing into things," said Hoshiko, a smile pasted on her face. She walked over to where Naruto was. "Naruto, you can't just attack the first guy you see, hear? That was one of our clients!" she hissed.

Shikamaru, a few meters back, snorted. "She scolds him, but when she was separating him and that boy, Sora, she gave Naruto a soft landing and let the monk burn."

Neji smirked a little, too. "Comrades over clients, am I right?"

Naruto looked up and scowled. "That's no client, he's a grave robber! I saw him come out of the tunnel!" From what Hoshiko could hear, Sora was telling about the same thing to the other monks, just vice versa. 

"...and he just comes out of no where, looking into the tomb. Which was empty, by the way," the boy spat. 

Hoshiko walked over. "There's been a misunderstanding, I'm afraid. We're shinobi from the leaf village, here to assist help you solve this...grave robbing mystery. I'm Hoshiko. Naruto," she pointed at the yellow-haired boy who was glowering at Sora from across the field, "and Shikamaru, my fellow team captain," she nodded at her sharp-eyed comrade, who nodded back, "didn't know this was a sacred tomb, and they went in to see what was inside, naturally. Sora must have been checking on the grave at the same time, two cats saw the other as mice, and the events proceeded accordingly. Again, very sorry for the commotion." 

The monk who seemed to be the leader, nodded warmly. "It's fine. We apologize on Sora's behalf. He should have explained himself before attacking. If Naruto hadn't struck first, I'm sure Sora would have. My name is Chiriku of the Fire Temple. We're glad you and your team have come. The situation is dire."

Shikamaru stepped up next to Hoshiko. "Of course, sir. Please, lead the way." 

Chiriku, a bald man with intense, dark eyes, nodded, and signaled to his fellow monks. "Let's show our guests to the our humble abode."