Nature's Friend

Unexpected Things

I was warm, too warm. Too comfortable. My body wasn't used to the feeling and soon shot up, startled and awake. It only took a few seconds for my green eyes to adjust and realize that I was in a bed. In a house. None of the above are mine. None. I slipped out of the bed and peered down, realizing I was dressed in a pair of boxers. A pair of boxers a few sizes too big. I walked to the door and soundlessly pushed it open, sticking my head out to see if anyone was there. A figure lay in the dark on the couch, but I couldn't quite make out who it was. With one hand holding the boxers up, I walked to the couch and stared at the sleeping form of Kakashi. ''O..'' Well, that was new.

It was early in the morning already, so I just let him sleep for a bit as I made my way to the kitchen. I started cooking some noodles and vegetables, humming a soft tune as I did so. On the ledge in front of the opened window sat a small bird, cawing persistently. I tilted my head to the side and eyed the animal, almost as if listening to what it said. ''Oh no, that doesn't sound good. Are you sure?'' The bird nodded and flapped its wings angrily, trying to get me to hurry up. ''Alright my winged friend, thank you for telling me. I'll deal with them.'' It flew off the ledge and landed on my shoulder, almsot as if to point out that it wasn't leaving me to fend for myself. I smiled warmly and finished the food, setting it out on the table.

The bird told me that he overheard some rogue-ninja devising a plan to attack Kakashi and steal his Sharingan eye, right in his own home. I shook my head and found my clothes, washed and folded, on a chair. I quickly put them on and hung the ukulele on my back, right as three ninja smashed the window and swung themselves inside. They landed in a crouch, gazes fixed on me as I waved happily. Kakashi stirred, slowly but surely waking up. ''Hello there! I really don't like violence, but I will resort to it if I must. I'm sure we all know that stealing someone's eye, no matter how powerful it is, is a tad rude. Don't you agree?'' The ninja with the black mask eyed his companions, one with a red mask and one with a green mask, before scoffing. ''Move, brat.'' 

Kakashi finally woke up completely and jumped up, his uncovered eye staring at me and then the ninja's and back again. Perhaps he is a bit confused? The bird cawed angrily and I giggled. ''Don't mind my feathery friends' manners, he tends to be a bit rude. Forget he said that.'' I took a kunai from my pouch and twirled it on my finger. ''Please leave Kakashi-san alone, he's been nothing but faithful and kind in his life.'' The ninja narrowed their eyes before, all at once, taking out their own kunai and running at me. 

I pouted as the black-clothed ninja reached me first, his kunai aiming a deadly stab to my throat. I deflected it with my own, pushing his arm back so far that the momentum of his swing ended up cutting the throat of the green-clad ninja, who fell on the floor before bleeding out to death. ''I will not fight you, however, it seems you are perfectly capable of doing that to yourselves.'' I offered up an almost cheeky smile, the black ninja fuming as he threw the kunai at me before grabbing a pocketed knife and running at me. I grabbed the arm of the red-clad ninja and swung myself to sit on his back and yank him to the side, just enough to have the thrown kunai lodge itself in his eye and brain, killing him instantly. I jump from his back as the body collapses to the floor.

''Mah mah! I think we need you alive, Mr. Ninja. I'm sure the Hokage would like to know who send you to attack his Copy-cat ninja.'' Ever polite, I informed the ninja of his future as I swung myself on his back and wrapped my legs around his throat, choking him until he passed out. I grunted as I landed on the floor with him, making sure he was unconscious before I unwrapped my legs and stood up.  ''Gomen*, Kakashi-san. I was trying not to wake you up.'' I mutter as soon as I notice Kakashi standing there, dumbfounded, bowing down quickly.

''What happened?'' He demanded, rubbing a fist through his uncovered eye to wake up fully. ''I received information that rogue ninja were going to attack you in your home to steal your Sharingan-eye--'' I gestured to the headband he had over one of his eyes. ''-and its powers. I apologize for the mess. If I had fought rather than make them fight their own, there would have been less of a mess.'' I rub the back of my head sheepishly, shifting my weight from one foot to another as the bird nibbled on my ear-lobe from its safe spot on my shoulder. ''But I really don't like fighting, you see, so this was the next best choice.'' 

Kakashi was quiet for a long time, and I suddenly realized he hadn't eaten yet. ''How about you eat breakfast first, Kakashi-san? You must be hungry I managed to cook before they came in! We can deliver the rogues to your Hokage-person after.'' I inched closer before grabbing his hand and dragging the half-awake Hatake with me to the kitchen. ''The Hokage is the village leader here, right?'' I pushed him in a chair and set the delicious, vegetarian foods in front of him with a broad smile. He gave a dazed nod, staring down at the noodles and vegetables. ''Great! Glad I got that right. I don't usually enter the bigger villages because there's always so much violence or hatred spread throughout.'' I hoisted myself up on the table and sat down criss-cross applesauce, tucking my hands in my lap. The little bird jumped from my shoulder and in my lap, staring at me with beady eyes. ''Yes, little bird?''

It cawed repeatedly, hopping around in my lap before staring at me again.  I giggled and nodded, plucking a single vegetable from Kakashi's plate and handing it to the bird. ''You are right, you deserve a reward. Thank you, birdy, for helping us out.'' I was unaware of the observant stare of the Hatake, who had used the time I was occupied to speedily eat up his breakfast and then to watch me and realize I could talk to animals. The bird grabbed the vegetable and flew out of the window again. I followed its example by slipping from the table, stretching my arms above my head. ''Arigato*, Kakashi-san, for letting me sleep in your bed. That was really kind of you. But I don't want anyone to ever give something of themselves up, for me.'' I gestured to the couch with a warm smile. ''You should have put me there, or on the floor, silly.'' 

**

Gomen - Sorry

Arigato - Thank you