For the third day of my Advent
Calendar, I'm going to be posting the third part of an AtO omake
story that I started a long time ago.
Of course, it's been 2 years since the
last update and even though I found my notes about the story, I can't
recall the exact details of how I wanted to progress.
So this update is shorter than I would
like... but it's an update none the less.
Warnings: Not a part of AtO. Also, not much happens.
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“Are you excited to go home, your
highness?”
Trying not to laugh at how Sakura's
ridiculous expressions made Naruto giggle at the front of the ship,
Harry glanced at the minister. “I'd like to say yes. But I'm
worried. I didn't leave because I wanted to.”
The minister blinked, apparently
surprised. “You've become a lot more candid, my lord.”
“I've had to. Konoha isn't big on
formality.” Harry said with a practised air as he went over Kakashi
and Shizune's instructions for what to say. “And I've enjoyed the
anonymity of common life in Konoha.”
The minister rubbed his chin
thoughtfully. “Surely there's something you must have missed.”
The impromptu lessons from Shizune told
him that he should say he missed his parents or even the glowing
plants at night. But before he could put those lessons and thoughts
to good use, he blurted, “Dumplings.” Aware of Kakashi's
disapproving gaze, Harry continued, not knowing where his sudden
surge of confidence came from. “Konoha makes nice pastries. But
their dumplings leave a lot to be desired. There's just something
missing.”
The minister stared at him for a long
moment. Long enough to make Harry doubt himself. But then the
minister laughed. A genuine hearty laugh that drowned out the sound
of waves against the ship. A laugh that seemed to take everyone by
surprise. “You miss Nana's dumplings? She'll be pleased to hear
that.”
Kakashi glanced at Harry as the
minister laughed and talked about 'Nana', mentioning how she'd been
completely distraught after his disappearance and had even left the
castle to take care of orphans.
After an elaborate dinner feast on the
ship's deck filled where he had to deal with even more tedious
conversation with the minister, Harry's brain felt like he'd just
been through multiple exams.
Once they were secure in their large
cabin, Kakashi said, “Nice touch with the dumplings at the start.
He opened up after you mentioned it. How did you come up with that?”
Harry shrugged, watching Naruto twitch
in his sleep. “It just felt like the right thing to say.”
“You have good instincts.” Kakashi
turned a page of his book. “The minister will probably bring 'Nana'
to test your identity when we reach the Land of Light.”
Harry nodded thoughtfully. “Why would
he willing to take us into the country if he's not completely sure
about his identity?”
“That's what we're going find out,”
Kakashi said.
Naruto's twitch turned into a tremble.
Grabbing his own pillow, Harry shuffled
to Naruto's side only to pause when he saw Sakura already beside
Naruto with a pillow in her hand.
They stared at each other until Naruto
whimpered.
Sakura placed the pillow in Naruto's
hand. Within moments, Naruto grabbed the pillow in a vice like grip
and quietened as he snuggled into the pillow.
They sighed in relief and shared
another look.
“You know about his ...pillow thing?”
Sakura asked, almost awkwardly.
Harry nodded. “One time he got my arm
instead of the pillow.”
Sakura winced even though her eyes lit
up in amusement. “Drool?”
“Thankfully not that time.” Harry
sighed dramatically. “But one of my couch pillows wasn't so lucky.”
Sakura snorted. “Nothing survives his
toxic drool.”
“Now, now,” Kakashi interrupted
them. “You both need to get some rest while Sai and I rotate
watches tonight. We'll be in the Land of Light sometime tomorrow and
you'll need to be ready for anything the minister does.”
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I'll probably change and add things-general edits, names and plot points- later on when I have more chapters for this series.
How has December been for you so far? Are you waiting for your vacation? Are you busy preparing for the holidays?
I'm not completely sure what to do for tomorrow's post. I'm torn between a couple of different ideas. I might have to close my eyes and pick something at random.
Polar
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