End of June, already?

So I was happily filling in one of the many blank spots in my KHR crossover. I was even making some good progress- you know, fun dialogue (“No need to be so formal. I mean, you've already puked all over my shoes.”) and crazy ideas but then I got distracted.

And I thought- oh hey, I'll just deal with this nice interesting plot-bunny distraction for a few minutes so that I don't lose the idea.

Yeah right!

One hour later, I’m writing 4000+ words for a completely different one-shot story (HpxFairy Tail Manga out of all things).

Which wasn't too bad.

At that time, I was actually kind of happy to write so much in one go. And then I decided that was enough writing for the day. I'd planned to finish the new-story quickly since it seemed rather easy to write.

And now here I am, one week later, still struggling to end the story. Now instead of completing one of my previous stories, I have another incomplete story on my to-do list along with so many one-shots and drabbles and deleted scenes.

I'm starting to see a troubling pattern.

Either I have a serious commitment issue and I can't seen anything to it's end.

Or I'm slowly turning in to a goldfish.

Polar

P.S. The HPxNaruto section has really grown! It's nice to know people are willing to tackle a crossover story. Of course, most of them do seem to have the obligatory so-and-so ANBU go to the Hogwarts but still...there are unique stories in all that. Now if only I had the time to read through more than just summaries.

P.P.S. I've read over and edited some of the AtO's old chapters. It's amazing how many things felt repeated while other things were just not described enough. There's no new information, just improved language and a slightly decreased word-count. I wonder what'll happen when I edit the remaining chapters.

P.P.P.S. I was contemplating an attempt at the 100 theme challenge for my old "King" story- but I wonder if I'd be able to actually go through with that. 

Deleted Scene Episode 4

Warnings: Very un-edited. Contains only bits and pieces to help you piece together what happened during Harry's many  bouts of unconsciousness. Mostly a companion piece to Chapter 12

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Konoha Gates

“Ah, I’m so glad Kakashi finally took him to train,” Kotetsu said and fanned himself.

Izumo grinned. “He finally got to you?”

“I thought I’d have to hold him back from leaving or something.”

“But it is kind of funny, right?”

“Well, at least Harii would be all embarrassed knowing that Naruto wanted to follow him like a puppy.” Kotetsu chuckled. “We should tell him.”

There was a loud screech from beyond the gates.

Izumo stood and glanced out, his eyes immediately zoning in on a speck of pure white flying towards them. As it came closer Izumo gasped.  “That’s Harii’s owl!”  He hastily raised his arm where the owl landed holding up one of her legs.

Izumo grabbed the paper tied to the owl’s leg and read it apprehensively.

“Is that blood on her feathers?” Kotetsu said as he came closer to them.

Izumo looked up from the paper and noticed the splotches of red on the back of her wings. He swallowed painfully.

“Izumo, what’s going on?”

“I have to go to the Hokage.” Izumo ran from the gate. “There’s been an attack.”

x-x-x-x-x

The Hokage's fingers clutched the paper tightly and flared her chakra slightly. Two masked ANBU appeared in front of her.

“Get a medical-team and an recovery-team ready to leave in fifteen minutes...”

x-x-x-x-x

Kotetsu stood by the gates watching the white owl fly around in frenzy as two teams assembled by the gate.  He turned to a grim-faced Izumo and said, “What about Harii?”

Izumo just stared at the owl quietly as it flew out of the gates, apparently eager to lead the teams out.

x-x-x-x-x

Izumo stretched hoping to stave off another yawn as Kotetsu snored softly by the wall. He rubbed his eyes and looked out, trying to gauge the time. That monk said that Harii was being transported with the medic-team. What's taking them so long? Did something happen?

It was another hour or so of constant worry before the medic-team entered Konoha carrying Harii on a stretcher.

Hospital Room.

Sentoki glanced at the young boy who looked as pale as the white that surrounded him. He turned to the Hokage, “He seems to be doing a lot better already.”

Sentoki searched through his pockets, and pulled out an omamori. With a whispered prayer he placed it around the boy’s neck. May they still look over you and keep you safe from harm.

x-x-x-x-x

Izumo bit his lip as they entered the sterile room. He stood by the end of the bed and winced at the numerous bruises visible on exposed skin. I sent him there. I told him this was a good job…

Kotetsu sat on the chair and smiled. “We would have brought some dango, Harii, but the nurses tend to take away all the nice food.”

Izumo turned away when Kotetsu’s face turned serious.

“Izumo, how long are you going to act all guilty? At least say something to him before we go for that meeting.”

Izumo just shook his head.

x-x-x-x-x

“The Akatsuki, really? Of all the possible missing-nin to run in to, they were the one you ended up meeting?” Shikaku frowned.

“How did you survive? There’s no doubt from all the bruises that there was a direct confrontation.” Shikaku sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I wonder if it’s too early to get a drink.”

x-x-x-x-x

Naruto touched the hand and relaxed a bit when he felt the comforting warmth. It’s not cold. It’s okay.

“Nii-san.” He clutched his cousin’s hands desperately. “Nii-san.”

x-x-x-x-x

On the roof, a raccoon masked man sighed. “Not a high-profile patient, she says. He’s already had more visitors than most patients have in a day. And it's not even noon yet.”

In some dark dingy place within Konoha,

“Danzo-sama, I’ve obtained a copy of the medical file.”

Danzo took the paper and read over it critically. Unconsciously fighting off invasive chakra? Interesting, but Tsunade seems to have kept this file deliberately vague. “They couldn’t remove the glove from his right hand?”

“It couldn’t be cut off, sir. It probably has some sort of seal protection on it.”

“We aren’t familiar with any seals like that.”

“No, Danzo-sama, but he is an Uzumaki.”

Indeed. He must have inherited their seal-making skills. How else could he have survived against the Akatsuki?

“His owl has also transferred his belongings to the Jinchuriki who keeps a clone with it at all times.”

Danzo frowned. “Has anything been found about the owl? Is it from a new summon clan?”

“Nothing yet, Danzo-sama.”

 “Resume your duties.”

The masked subordinate vanished from sight leaving Danzo to nurse a growing headache. Where have you been hiding all these years?

 ----------------------------------

A/N: Danzo's part is rather spoiler-ish right now, but I might change things later so don't get too fixated on it. 

Polar

A very Itachi omake

...meant to commemorate his birthday- nothing more, nothing less.

Warnings: Not part of AtO's timeline- just borrowing that universe. Beware of huge plot-holes since this ignores any established plot, events and countless other things. Let's just consider it super crack-ish, to be safe. Very un-edited.

----------------------

"I think we managed a pretty awesome haul today. Thanks for not bailing out on me otherwise grocery shopping would have been horrid," Harry said as he climbed up his stairs. 
Harry turned back slightly, "Actually, you've been unnaturally nice about helping me get groceries. So spill, what's put you in that good and helpful mood?"
Itachi just shrugged.
"Did Kiba's sister finally agree to go out on a date with you?"
Harry chuckled at the happy embarrassment he detected from Itachi's movements as he fished out his keys. After a slight jingle, he pushed open the door and stepped in with Itachi close behind.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" A chorus of voices yelled out loud.
Harry flinched back in surprise and blinked at the numerous faces in his decorated apartment. Streamers, balloons and other colourful items filled every inch of free space. "Birthday? It's not my birthday." After a fairly awkward silence, Harry gasped in surprise and turned to Itachi. "It's your birthday?"
Itachi narrowed his eyes.
Harry winced. "Of course it is, I knew that. I bet you're completely surprised with this..."
"Nii-san, you didn't know?" Naruto came forward and grabbed some of the bags as Harry closed the door. "But you kept him away while we decorated this place."
"I had to buy groceries."
"So you weren't just taking him around to keep him away from here?" Naruto said, "I thought you realized the plan when I asked if you'd be away from here."
Harry shook his head.
"Then why were you taking him around?" Shikamaru asked. "And why'd you bring him here?"
"People tend to lower their prices when he's around. I thought it'd be a waste not to use his skills." Harry shrugged and twitched when everyone stared at him in blatant disbelief. "What? Well, it's not like he knows my birthday."
"July 31st," Itachi said with a scowl and turned away placing the other bags inside.
Harry blinked in surprise. "I stand corrected."
"Nii-san!" Naruto slumped in slight embarrassment.
"What? Itachi doesn't mind, right? Itachi?" Harry turned to his friend."Oh! This was probably another reason you were okay with all the grocery shopping. You were expecting this party?"
Itachi didn't acknowledge him and walked away towards the other side of the room, keeping his back to Harry. Everyone in the apartment shifted uncomfortably.
"So you're not going to talk to me now? Not even going to acknowledge my existence, huh?"
Itachi didn't move.
Harry sighed. "That might be a problem." Harry grabbed the handle of his apartment door. "especially since my gift is so awesome. In fact, it's probably in a league of it's own."
Everyone, including Itachi, stared at Harry in surprise just as a loud crash and panicked screams filled the air.
Harry smiled. "Perfect. I couldn't have timed it any better if I tried." He opened the door and looked up at the large purple-scaled snake that was leaning down towards his door.
Metal clinked behind him but Harry just looked up and waved, "Manda-san, over here."
The snake, Manda, made an odd gurgling sound, opened it's mouth wide and spit out an unconscious human body.
"You owe me. Remember your promise, boy," Manda said, opting to speak like a human.
Harry nodded and hissed back. "A promise is a promise." He leaned down and pulled the unconscious body in to his apartment just as the snake disappeared in an explosion of smoke.
"I really need to exercise more," Harry exclaimed as he finally pulled the body in to the apartment and closed his door. Ignoring the confusion around him, Harry turned to Itachi and stepped aside allowing everyone to get a better glimpse of the body and said, "Happy Birthday!"
Itachi rushed forward. "Sasuke."
Naruto looked at Harry in confused awe. "How...What..."
Sakura stood still with wide eyes while Kakashi dropped his book. Everyone else seemed stuck in various stages of shock.
"After eavesdropping on some tiny snakes here, I learnt that Manda had some problems, of the romantic sort. Some lady-snake he was pining for wanted nothing to do with him," Harry said, "Anyway, long story short, I promised to help, act as a go-between. Since I spoke 'snake', he took my offer sincerely and the rest... well, it's pretty obvious, isn't it?"
Yamato shook his head. "No, it isn't obvious at all. Stop skipping over the important details."
Harry waved off the questions and turned to Itachi. "Well?"
Itachi snorted but his lips twitched upwards.
"I'll take that as a large squeal of joy and a proclamation of me being the best friend ever." Harry turned around. "You know what'll make this moment perfect?"
"A commemorative photo?" Sai said.
"No twitchy ANBU waiting on your roof?" Izumo supplied.
"Background music?" Kotetsu said as he slurped some syrup.
Harry went in to his kitchen. "Cake! lots of cake."

------------------

I have to say, it's rather irritating/amusing/sad (mostly sad) that people seem eager to pair Harry and Itachi together romantically (even in AtO). What ever happened to normal friendship? It's like people see no value in friendship.

Anyway, hope you guys are doing well,
Polar.

P.S. Why, yes, I do believe in the rare and absolutely-no-proof-from-canon ItachiXHana pairing. How nice of you to notice.

Chapter 12 A/N

I'm glad to have this chapter online. I'm also very glad I gave in to my inner editor and took the additional time to smooth things out. I'd take even longer if needed. Editing is not supposed to be a one-time thing- you can always improve your writing.

Anyway, I think chapter 12 is one of those love-it or hate-it chapters.

You either love it, or you just hate it. I wouldn't be surprised if it actually induces people to stop reading the story.

So on to the A/Ns

OMGWTF, where is Harry’s kick-ass-ness?

First of all, my character’s name is Harry Potter, not Gary Stu. He’s not going to be able to fight a very experienced missing-nin and win, especially when other ninja and ninja-monks would be hard pressed to survive against the same missing-nin.

On a related note, I have to say the pacifist in me was not very helpful when it came to writing the whole 'fight' scene (if it can be called that).

I was tempted to detail some gore for the shock factor and to emphasise that fighting is not a joke, but people would have just concentrated on that for all the wrong reasons. And I didn't want to increase my rating level for the story.

Nothing changed from canon!

Really? Actually there were changes, subtle ones. And anyway, I never promised to follow any specific routes for the story.

Canon is Naruto's story. AtO's Harry has his own story that will be flavoured with canon. Take that how you will- just know that my plans will show up slowly, there are hints of it already but it'll all come together later (way later at my update rate).

Why is Harry so useless during the questioning?

Most people never really remember important events and tend to muddle up details after they survived a traumatic event. The Hokage knew the risks of asking Harry for information like this, even so, she didn’t have a choice in the matter.

Even so, I think Harry's information was ridiculously detailed.

Hedwig?

I completely had fun with her character in this chapter but I think Hedwig can pull of regal-ness rather well if given the chance. Oh Naruto, you naïve impressionable boy.

Sai?

He's the sort of person who grows on you with all his awkwardness. I really wanted to capture that because he's really trying to be a better friend.

Also info about Momen Tofu being his favourite dish was taken from the Naruto-wikia.

Ron?

Sleep-deprived friends always say the most amusing things. I should know, I've disturbed enough friends at the dead of night just for the hilarious pieces of friend-logic they spout.

Also when you've been friends with someone for 5 years or more, you tend to pick up nuances in the behaviour- like when they're hiding things, or sick, etc.  Even someone as dense as Ron would be well-versed in Harry-speak.

Incense, shrine, photos?

I wanted to emphasize how Harry is in a foreign place and isn’t all knowing about the culture.

I also realised that Naruto has never had a chance to burn incense for his ancestors- if they do that in the Naruto-verse- and loved the idea of him wanting to do that all on his own.

Also I am mixing Buddhist, Shinto and maybe even some Taoist aspects here, because Naruto-verse seems to mix things.

Chakra and magic?

Well this chapter just has the second piece of the puzzle (previous chapters have various hints). I’m hoping to make things clearer in chapter 13/the future. Bear with me until then.

Chapter 13!

Not coming soon. All I will say is- even though it'll introduce one of my fav characters- I’m not going to start working on it for a while. There are some other things I want to finish (not just fanfics) before I can even contemplate starting chapter 13.

Hopefully that answers just about anything you would have asked me.

I'll be putting up all sorts of omakes later- I'll be spacing them out, no multiple blog posts.

Polar

P.S. Is it me or is AtO's word-count getting ridiculously large and intimidating?

P.P.S. Yay! I'm free to work on my KHR crossover- can you tell just how excited I am about that story? After that I want to finish my BleachXNaruto story... it's a matter of pride to me, I really want to finish the half-written things I pushed aside in favour of AtO or life.

P.P.P.S. Also, er... Go Canucks, Go! I've been sucked in to the NHL hype even though I prefer football/soccer. Either way lots of games to watch these days.