The Perfect Present

Warnings: Not part of AtO timeline at all. Un-edited and very much a drabble format.

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"Are you sure you don't want anything for your birthday?" Harry asked yet again.
"I just want you to be there, Nii-san."

=x=x=x=x=

"Something he really wants?" Sakura repeated.
Harry nodded. "He keeps saying that he doesn't want anything. But he must want something."
"I wish I could help you," Sakura said with a thoughtful frown. "But I really don't know what he'd want as a birthday present."

=x=x=x=x=

"Shikamaru!"
The teenager paused and turned to Harry. "So it's my turn to get questioned about Naruto's present?"
"Oh, you knew I was coming. That's good. So, can you help me?"
Shikamaru muttered irritably under his breath but eventually said, "Ninja supplies."
"Already gave him that before. I want to give him something better. Maybe something he wants not something he needs."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and pulled out a cigarette.

=x=x=x=x

"No one could help me," Harry said in exasperation. "Can you believe that?"
Hedwig hooted.
Harry nodded, glad that at least Hedwig understood his concern about the whole thing. "I mean it's Naruto's birthday. I need to give him something so spectacular that... well, I mean I just need to."
Hedwig stared at him curiously and hooted in an almost questioning manner.
"No, I don't have any idea on what to get him," Harry said and slumped down in despair. "But I really want to get him something special. Maybe something that'll help him as a ninja."
Hedwig nipped on his sleeve, hooted, flapped her wings and looked up at him.
"Er?" Harry blinked at her in confusion. He ducked and rubbed his head when Hedwig flew up and clipped the side of his head with her wing. "What are you... do you have an idea for Naruto's present?"
Hedwig hooted and flapped her wings as she hovered in front of him.

=x=x=x=x=

Harry stared up at the run down looking castle-like structure that he'd travelled five days to find. "This looks rather ominous."
Hedwig hooted and landed on his shoulder tiredly, apparently content that she'd managed to lead him to this location.
"You stay outside," Harry said and pulled out his wand. With a deep breath, he entered.

=x=x=x=x=

Harry stumbled forward wearily, grimacing as one of the burns on his leg stung painfully.
Hedwig hooted at him in concern.
"We can't stop now. We're late as it is." Harry grimaced as he looked up at the dark sky. "Stupid cursed castle. Making me late for Naruto's birthday!"
"Harii!"
Harry blinked and turned to the source of the voice. "Izumo? What are you doing here?"
"What am I... you idiot! I was searching for you. Do you know how worried everyone is? And Naruto was just depressed the whole day because you weren't here today, on his birthday."
Harry frowned. "But I had to get his gift. And it's not my fault that stupid ghost kept trying to kill me."
Izumo stared at him. His eyes widened as he noticed the large scroll and weapon on Harry's back. "Harii..."
Harry shushed him. "I need to get to Naruto before the day is actually over. Otherwise I can't give him his birthday present."
Izumo rolled his eyes but carefully grabbed a hold of Harry's arm. Harry wasn't sure how far they travelled but within minutes, they were in very familiar surroundings.
"Nii-san?"
"Naruto!" Harry grinned, wrapped Naruto in a brief tight hug and shoved the large weapon and scroll from his back into Naruto's hands. "Happy Birthday!"
Naruto stared at the elaborate staff and the old weathered scroll as Hedwig landed on his shoulder and nuzzled the side of his face. "What..."
"If I remember correctly, the ghost said that was a jutsu scroll or something," Harry said.
"Ghost!" Naruto yelped but thankfully didn't drop any of the items Harry had fought to obtain.
"Jutsu scroll?" A female voice said.
Harry turned to the newcomer. "Hokage-sama?"
"Izumo said you were injured," she said and assessed him with critical eyes.
Naruto gasped as looked back at Harry. "What happened to you?"
"The ghost really didn't want me to take the scroll." Harry shrugged. "But I got most of my injuries when I burnt the castle down."
"You burnt down a castle?" Tsunade asked.
Harry nodded. "I had to."
"Why?" Tsunade asked as she healed a burn on his arm.
"There were un-dead creatures that were trying to kill me because of the angry ghost. And fire seemed to be the only thing that worked against them."
"And how did you start the fire?"
Harry smiled. "Matches."
"Matches?"
"Matches," Harry repeated blandly. "Lots of matches."
Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose in obvious irritation.
Naruto gasped loudly interrupting their conversation.
Harry turned to him and grinned. "Well, do you like it?"
Naruto looked up at him. "It's a jutsu scroll. There's so many different jutsu in here."
"Yeah, that's what the ghost said. I figured it was really important if he was willing to kill me because of it."
Naruto stared at him for a long moment. "It's an Uchiha jutsu scroll."
"It's a what?" Tsunade yelled.
Harry grinned. "That's good, right?"

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Oh, Harry. You should have just given him cake.

Polar

Valentine Day Drabble

Yes, I know we're way past Valentine's Day, but since I had no internet access in Feb when it was supposed to come online, please excuse the delayed posting of this. 

Warnings: Un-edited silliness. Not a part of AtO's established timeline  obviously.

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"Harii, I need your help!"
Harry glanced up at Izumo's worried face. "What's wrong? Did Kotetsu get sugar high and end up in the hospital again?"
"No, this has nothing to do with him," Izumo said. "I asked Kasumi, the chef from Kusaka, out on a date."
Harry nodded sympathetically. "And she said no?"
"She said yes."
Harry frowned. "So you wanted her to say no?"
Izumo shot him a look. "Why would I ask her out if I wanted her to say no?"
"So what's the problem?" Harry said as he turned away to roll his eyes.
"I don't know what to do. I don't want to screw this up so I need advise."
Harry glanced back at Izumo sharply. "From me?"
Izumo nodded.
"You, a fully grown man, want advise on women from a sixteen year old who's never actually had a proper romantic relationship?"
"You've never..."
Harry twitched. "I'm single now, aren't I?"
"Yes, but you seem like the sensitive sort that the chicks dig. I mean Sakura seems less homicidal around you."
Harry blinked and sighed. "I really worry about you."
Izumo flayed his hands around dramatically for a moment before he jumped forward and grabbed a hold of Harry's arm. "Help me, Harii."

-x-x-x-x-x-

Hermione blinked and snorted through the mirror. "Another one? Just how many men need relationship advise?"
Harry shrugged.
"Are you at least getting paid proper for being such a helpful Agony Uncle?" Hermione said.
"If anything you're the Agony Aunt, I'm just the messenger." Harry remembered the numerous cake boxes on his kitchen table, the new books piled up on one side and a bundle of money notes. "But yeah, I'm getting paid."
"That's good," Hermione's sombre face shifted into an excited smile. "Now tell me about the newest man's problem. Is he a..."

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When I re-read this drabble after completing it, I found myself making a summary for it. Some summaries led to even more crazy ideas and eventually I found myself liking the original drabble a whole lot more.

Some silly/faux-dramatic summaries and further craziness that got inspired by the above drabble.
1- Konoha discovers Harry's reliability in dealing with one of it's relatively unknown fields: women.
2- Harry finally finds a way to be an invaluable asset to Konoha. Even the most hardened ninja is willing to acknowledge the skills of an adept matchmaker.
3- "And he's such a..." She sighed and rubbed her forehead.
Harry sighed. "I can understand what you're trying to say, Nara-san. But I don't understand why you're telling me all this."
"Because," she turned to him with narrowed eyes. "My son needs to be pushed. If I left it to him, I'll never get a grandchild."
"But he's only sixteen," Harry said, even as he thought, And I don't want to get involved.
"He'll be more willing to listen to someone his own age. If you introduce him to a suitable girl now, then in five years times I can expect a grandkid. That's the usual timeframe for Nara men."
Harry frowned. "What if he already has someone?"
"Do you know something that I don't?"
Not wanting to cause any trouble, Harry shook his head and said, "No, I just wanted to know."
She stared at him for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction and pulled out a brown envelope from her pocket. "These three are possible candidates..."

Of course there were tons more ridiculous tangents I ended up with like 'Harry the wedding planner' and 'Harry the relationship counselor' or the one idea where Danzo enlisted Harry's help to pair up the Root members to create future soldiers. Funny and slightly very creepy to imagine, trust me.

Polar
P.S. I haven't made a dent in my internet catching up at all. I think it's because, instead of being glued to the computer/internet, I find myself doing other things. At least I've caught up with all the manga I follow! That's progress.

Christmas Gift

“But think about it. No one's ever done it before and he'll be so thrilled...”

“No!” Hermione said immediately.

Harry frowned. “What?.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “You're not buying Naruto a country, no matter how much spare gold you have.”

Harry looked at her incredulously. “I don't have that much gold.” He scratched his ear and cleared his throat. “The most I'd be able to afford with my gold, is a tiny village probably.”

“Harry!”

“What?” Harry looked entirely unapologetic. “He wants to be a leader. If he owns a village, he's automatically a leader.”

Hermione glared at him. “Just for that you'd destroy their economy and make people...”

Ron sighed and grabbed the mirror, making the image screen blur for a few seconds. “Now, now, Hermione, you do realize that Harry is kidding. Aren't you, mate?”

Harry sighed. “Obviously.”

“There, you see. Harry has not gone mad without us.” Ron looked at him. “So what were you really thinking of getting him?”

Harry smothered a grin. “Well, there's this travelling circus...”

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Going to be away from the computer for a few days, so I thought it'd be best to put something up to wish you all (if you celebrate X-mas, that is).

Hope you guys have fun this holiday season- no matter what you end up doing.

Polar

Requested Drabbles (Final)

Warnings: Obviously doesn't take part in AtO timeline.Not edited, has the potential for deep and dangerous plot-holes.

10- Harry meets Anko (from mer)

“Ssshe’s at it again, that crazy woman.”

Harry paused and tilted his head to the side. Hissing? A snake? I havn’t seen any snakes since I came to Konoha.

“I wish I’d had more time to sssleep, but nooo, that hag keeps dragging us out for stupid reassonss”

Two different snakes? Harry listened carefully, trying to find the direction the hisses were coming from.

“Did you ssmell the rancid alcohol on her breath?”

Rancid? Since when do snakes sound so intelligent? Unless it's a person … another parseltongue? Harry frowned slightly but stood in his spot when the he noticed the voices coming closer.

“I can't believe she sssummoned usss like thiss again. Last time, I got cut open and we weren't even in a battle...”

There was a loud hiss that didn't get translated but Harry felt it was the equivalent of an agreeing shout.

“Ssshe never even bothered to check if I'd healed properly.”
A bush at his side shifted and two large greyish-green snakes slithered out. They paused abruptly and stared in Harry's direction.
One of the snakes, with a distinctive patch of black on it's head hissed, "Sssince when was there a human here?"
"We must have been too distracted getting away from her." The other snake hissed back.
Harry noticed a long jagged scar on the second snake's body and winced slightly.
"We sshould leave. It doesn't look like he likesss ssnakess."
Harry tilted his head to the side in surprise. They're rather considerate. That's a refreshing change. As they turned to leave he hissed, "Is your wound really all right? It looks unhealed."

The snakes paused and turned to him in tandem.
"Did you hear him?" The first snake hissed softly to the other.
The snake with the jagged scar hissed back equally softly. "Maybe we're caught in a genjutsu trap. I wouldn't put it past her to torture uss like thiss..."
Harry knelt down, concern overriding any sense of caution at the term 'torture' and hissed, "Do you want me to heal that wound for you?"
The scarred snake came closer and flicked it's tongue rapidly. "You're real. And you want to heal me? Aren't we sstill in Konoha?"
Harry frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Little boy, you shouldn't be playing with other people's summons!" A lady's voice rang through the clearing.
Harry turned and found a purple haired woman on a tree branch above him. Her outfit distracted him for a minute but he concentrated on to her eyes as the snakes hisses replayed in his mind as he stood up. "I'm not playing. I was wondering if I should heal the injured one since it's obvious that the human in charge of it couldn't be bothered about it's well-being."
"What do you just sa..."

Harry interrupted her rudely. “Do you even bother to figure out when they usually sleep during the day? Or when they'd be willing to help you so that it doesn't conflict with their lives. Or just even if they've healed from their previous injuries?” 
One of the snakes beside him hissed, "He'ss sstanding up for uss. Who iss he?"
"How would I know?" The other hissed back. 

The lady snorted and leaned forward with a mocking smile on her face. “What of it, little boy?”

Harry said, “You’re abusing them and treating them like they're nothing more than disposable pawns to you.”
Another hiss from the side. "Oh no! Sshe might attack him... what do we do?"

The smiled vanished abruptly. The lady in front of him narrowed her eyes and suddenly the air became uncomfortably heavy.

Harry stared back defiantly at the ninja, ignoring the cold shudder that ran down his spine and said, "They deserve better if they're willing to fight alongside you."

The lady stared at him for a few more minutes before she turned to the snakes who had been hissing nervously. "You two, go back."
Harry turned to the two snakes.

"Nice human, thank you," the scarred snake hissed. The other nodded and they both vanished in a puff of smoke.
Harry stayed very still as something sharp dug in to the side of his throat.
"And you, stay out of my way. The next time I see you, there will be blood."
There was a rush of air, and the weapon disappeared from his throat. Harry turned around but the lady was already gone.

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A/N: Parseltongue fail! So hard to write all the sss- I didn't know where to add them without making everything sound stupid. Either way, I think the snakes stole the show here, right?
Anko on the other hand, well, maybe I made her a bit crazy here? But that's totally expected, right? After Orochimaru, people tend to go a little off. *cough*Sasuke*cough*

Of course, I don't know actually how Anko treats her snake summons... I just needed a situation for Harry here.

I finished this drabble ages ago but didn't get around to putting it online as usual. Anyway, finally done with those requested drabbles- only took me … 8-ish months? Pft, yes I know- my writing/update speed is very mock worthy.

But the main point is- I finished the requested drabbles- so that's a cause of celebration.

With the amount of writing I do on here, I wonder if I should have opened a Livejournal account instead of using Blogger- the interface there seems a bit more suited to long chunks of text.

Chapter 13- is being written slowly but surely. 4810 words! Obviously, don't rejoice- you should know how things go with me- none of those 4000 words make any sense yet... too many broken scenes that need to be connected properly.

Polar
P.S. Two years since I published AtO online? Wow! It completely slipped my mind cos I was working on other stories.

Alternate Jobs (Omake)

The two other jobs Harry could have ended up with if his spur of the moment answering had gone another way...

Warnings: These are just what-if scenarios. Not part of AtO's established time-line, so these are full of plot-holes.

1- Gardener
"I didn't actually believe them when they said your snakeroot was still healthy and growing," the woman said as she looked around the room in awe.
Harry smiled politely.
"I'd like to buy all of these plants."
Harry gaped slightly. "Okay?"
"And I think it'd be helpful if you dropped by the greenhouses. Maybe you can find out what's troubling our plants there..."
"I'm not a professional or anything. Everything I know is self-learned," Harry said.
"And yet, you are the only person in Konoha who has managed to keep their stock of snakeroot alive and healthy for use. What's your secret?"
Harry sighed. "I talk to them."
The lady blinked in surprise.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Harry fiddled with the cuff of his sleeve as he followed the woman through the hospital. "You do remember me telling you I'm not a professional or anything."
The lady nodded. "Yes, I remember. But it's been two weeks since then and our plants here haven't shown any sign of recovery. But your plants are still thriving. Maybe your... unconventional methods have some merit."
Harry stifled a snort at the polite wording. "Don't expect much."
The greenhouse was better than he'd expected. Sure the plants were in various stages of dying, but it wasn't all bad.
"Then I'll leave you to it," the lady said and left.
Harry walked around, paying particular attention to the plants that needed the most help. The things I end up doing to maintain my cover story... Harry patted the soil beneath one of the dying plants. "Don't be like that, I'm sure they'll take better care of you from now on..." Herbivicus.
The colourless spell seeped in to the soil releasing the scent of rain-drenched soil. Harry smiled in accomplishment as the plant rippled slightly and it became a healthy green.

-x-x-x-x-x-

On the roof of the building opposite the greenhouse, a masked man gaped.

2- Fortune teller
Harry stared at the cigarette in the bearded man's mouth and then looked down in to the tea cup in front of him. "Your death will come after your lungs fill up with smoke and ash."
The teenager beside the man snorted softly and rolled his eyes but the man just smiled politely and paid him before leaving.
Harry wanted to scoff at himself too as he pushed the tea cup away. Why is it that the first 'fortune' I gave dealt with death? Maybe I'm drawing too much inspiration from Trewlany.

-x-x-x-x-x-

A week later, the teenager returned wearing black. His face was grim as he emptied his tea cup and passed it towards Harry.
Harry frowned as he recognised the expression on the other boy's face as a mixture of fear and a need for reassurance. He looked down in to the tea cup. "You won't be dying any time soon."
His customer relaxed slightly.
"You'll bury your problems easily."
The boy blinked, looking slightly confused but he paid and left.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Harry didn't know whether to laugh or cry when the boy came back with new customers two days later.
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So, mid September and I'm back in the normal swing of things. Funny how it's easier to write now than it was in the summer. You'll be happy to know that I now have 3000+ words written for chapter 13- that makes me quite happy actually.

I've also finished my Fairy tailXHp crossover- only it doesn't have a name and proper summary. The old summary just wasn't working for it- understandable since I added so much more to the story since I wrote that summary.

But for the title, I can't think of anything- does that mean that the story isn't as complete as I think it is? Usually after you've written something/ know the plot, doesn't the name just come to you- that's how I name all the chapters for AtO.

Polar

Requested Drabbles (Part 6)

9- Shikaku scene (from… er, the Shikaku fans? Only takes events till/in chapter 11 in to account.)

Shikaku drained his cup of sake and frowned when the alcohol failed to induce any pleasant buzz over his thoughts. He motioned for the waiter to bring another bottle to the table just as Inoichi and Chouza sat down.

“Oi, oi, Shikaku, what’s the rush?” Inoichi said in amusement. “You started drinking without us, even though we're only ten minutes late.”

“And you didn't even order any snacks,” Choza said waved to another waiter. “Is something bothering you?”

“That stupid brat,” Shikaku said and drained another cup, “is going to get himself killed.”

“What did Shikamaru do this time?”

Shikaku just shook his head. “Maybe it's just their generation. Now that I think about it, they're all too... stupidly suicidal.”

Inoichi stared at him. “What the hell happened to you today?”

Choza seemed rather worried. “Did something really happen to Shikamaru?”

Shikaku scoffed. “It's only a matter of time before he ends up doing something stupid. That's how they'll all be especially if a non-ninja their age acts like that...”

Inoichi and Choza shared confused looks.

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A/N: This is terribly incomplete. I started it ages ago and re-opened it recently to complete it but I can't remember what I wanted to convey through this scene. Darn my lazy procrastination and bad memory.

Interesting things I've come across

1- Cauterize by Lady Altair [Harry Potter fanfiction]

This story is a bit old and it's been reviewed heavily, but I just came across it recently and I have to say it really deserves all the reviews it's gotten. It's a very realistic look at the aftermath of DH- more specifically all the survivors. Even though it's a short story- it does manage to convey a lot of emotion with few words. Definitely a must-read. Although I do wish there was some mention of Hermione in there...

2- HPXSupernatural (100 theme challenge) by sa_kun

A different take on the whole Master of Death thing. I have to say- I love the universe created in these drabbles. Harry has become an interesting character after his contact with the Hallows and him meeting the cast of SPN in this story was fun to read. No pairings have been stated- so that's a plus for me. Another plus has to be the unique ideas in it.

Polar

P.S. How many of you have registered with Pottermore?

Requested Drabbles (Part 5)

Warnings: Unedited as usual, silly and not part of AtO's actual story/time-line.

8- Harry gets mistaken for a ninja (from Duchessa)

Yoshida looked around and surveyed the building critically. The windows, the exits, the type of wood used for the wall, everything needed to be studied before he raided the place.

He smirked as two kids ran out of the building. Perfect, I'll use one of them to get in. He jumped forward to the next rooftop carefully, following the brats as they ran down the streets.

Then he caught sight of the village chief talking to a teenager, a little older than him, with messy black hair. Yoshida assessed the teen's appearance critically. He looks like someone living in luxury, such pale skin and those clean clothes.

Yoshida jumped to the ground and watched the teen carefully from a distance. Change of target. He'll definitely have something valuable.

By the time they exited the village and entered the woods, Yoshida had a good understanding of the teen's movements and was confident he'd be able to attack without any problems. He's really asking for trouble by travelling alone. But I'll just knock him unconscious and rob him.

Yoshida grabbed a senbon, aimed carefully and threw. He gaped when the teen ducked forward pretending to wipe his nose as the senbon embedded in the tree where his neck should have been. He's not even looking this way.

Dismissing it as a lucky fluke, Yoshida grabbed another senbon and threw it at another vital area.

The teenager turned and pretended to search for something in his bag effectively dodging again.

No civilian or bandit can dodge my sneak attacks. Only a ninja...Yoshida flinched in realization. But there wasn't any headband. Oh no! A missing-nin? But he's just a little older than me!

His chaotic thoughts distracted him. He missed the small tree root in the ground, lost his footing and banged his head against a tree trunk.

Before unconsciousness grabbed a hold of him, he saw bright green eyes looking in his direction.

x-x-x-x-x

Yoshida sat up with a start. “Where am I?”

A lady patted his shoulder gently. “Ahh, Harii-san found you injured and brought you here. Said you'd fallen.”

Yoshida patted his head warily, not finding any bumps. “I…”

“He healed you, I think. He seemed more worn out than before.” The lady shook her head.

“Healed me, but I…” Yoshida frowned. I attacked him. What kind of person heals their attacker?

“I hope he gets a chance to rest. Poor thing, always travelling.”

Yoshida looked up surprised at the real concern from the woman towards the other teen. Constantly travelling. So he is a missing-nin! But for people to be concerned about him like that... he's different.

The lady turned to him. “How are you feeling?”

“I'm fine.” Yoshida looked away feeling a little embarrassed. No one would bother if they knew I was a common thief.

“We're about to have lunch. Come join us, it looks like you could use a proper meal.”

Yoshida nodded, flushing when the lady smiled at him in a motherly fashion. What have I accomplished as a mediocre thief? I'd rather have be respected as someone useful and dependable.

Yoshida closed his eyes and carefully recalled the missing-nin's appearance. I'll find him and become his student. I'll become someone useful, too.

x-x-x-x-x

Harry walked down the dusty and uneven pathway and sniffed in irritation. What am I allergic to? He sneezed and winced when his ears popped painfully. I can't wait to get back to Konoha and sleep. 

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I forgot I had these requested drabbles (there are two more) with me. I'm finding tons of incomplete writing (fanfiction and other stuff) stored in Cds and USBs.

Using an OC perspective for this drabble was hard, since I had to create a complete personality from scratch. At least with Akira I knew what I wanted so it was easier.

Anyway Yoshida is supposed to be a young, smart but incompetent thief- a fun contradiction to think about but not easy to portray. For some reason, now I keep imagining Yoshida acting like Harry (helping random people) as practice to be 'useful/dependable' as he searches for him... poor guy.

Fun distractions
Secrets of the Darkest Arts by flayu [Harry Potter fanart]

The concept behind this picture is really well done- you can really see how Tom Riddle eventually became Voldemort after losing bits of his soul.

I love flayu's art style, the blending and colouring is unique and I imagine if Harry Potter ever became a graphic novel this would be the quality and style of artwork used.

The artist's gallery contains other beautiful pictures and interpretations of HP characters/scenes (some pictures have non-explicit yaoi themes, some nudity, etc, so careful if that bothers you).

Polar

P.S. Aren't drabbles supposed to be small/tiny?

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.

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"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.

Requested Drabbles (Part 4)

Warnings: Unedited as usual, silly and not part of AtO timeline.

7- Harry gets asked to tell a fairy-tale (from Johahptw)

“A story from me?” Harry asked with a little bit of trepidation. The kids in front of him looked up at him pleadingly. One of them even sniffled dramatically with tears in the corner of his eyes.

Such unnatural methods of persuasion, Harry grimaced and took a seat on the floor. “All right, once upon a time, in a very distant land…”

“What kind of land?”

“Which country was it in?”

Harry twitched at the interruptions but said, “far from any shinobi countries…”

“Then how do you know what happened there?”

“That sounds fishy.”

“Oi, you brats, stop interrupting Nii-san’s story!”

Harry gaped. “Naruto, when did you… never mind. Anyway, this story takes place in a castle.” He noticed a few kids about to open their mouths and added, “which was almost the size of Konoha.”

The kids looked satisfied but impatient.

“Anyway this castle was built as a school for special children. Children who could… uh, do magic?”

Huh, no odd reactions. So the concept of magic is probably common in stories.

“Our story is about one such child at the school, a young boy, about twelve…”

“What did he look like?”

“I was just getting to it,” you impatient little…Harry twitched once more. “He was a tiny kid with black hair and very distinctive… purple eyes. And his name was uh, Raiden.” Stupid! Renaming myself because of my scar and ending up with such a stu…

“Oh, such a heroic name!”

Harry resisted the urge to smack his head. Only kids would think that.

“Did he have a bloodline with lightning?”

I brought that on myself, didn’t I? “No, he wasn’t a ninja, so he didn’t have any bloodlines or chakra or jutsu.” Wait a minute… “Sai? What are you doing here?”

x-x-x-x-x

“And out of the stone mouth’s statue came a large and ugly snake. A snake as tall as the Hokage Mountain. But you know what made this snake really scary?”

“It ate people!” one kid whispered in fear.

“It could split apart into tinier snakes.”

“It spoke in riddles!” another kid said and nodded his head sagely.

“Err, all that, but the most fearsome thing about it… One look at its eyes and you get turned to a stone statue.”

The children gasped and Naruto let out a strangled yell of surprise. “So Rika had been right! So smart.”

“I’d look good as a stone statue.”

“That’s not something to be proud of. It just shows that you can’t even defeat a snake. And stop hogging the food, we brought it here to share.”

“Kotetsu? Izumo? Seriously, where are you people coming from? Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Sai held up a large sheet of paper and looked at Harry. “Am I missing anything?”

“Huh?”  Harry looked at the paper and gaped, “you illustrated the story while I was talking?”

“Ohh, show me! I want to see.” One of the kids yelled prompting the other kids to swarm a visibly startled Sai.

As the noise level grew, Harry frowned. Now how do I settle this without having to yell and waste energy? Ah! “Raiden was scared out of his mind. How could he survive and fight when he couldn’t see? And all the while the evil spirit kept telling the large snake to kill him. He dodged and tripped…”

“He’s continuing the story…”

“Nii-san, wait, I can’t hear.”

The kids scrambled to their proper seats quietly and Harry hid his grin.

x-x-x-x-x

“And when they held on to each other, Raiden grabbed on to the Phoenix’s tail. Warmth traveled from the bird’s feathers and through them and before they knew it, they were flying up in the air and going up the long dark tunnel to the main castle,” Harry said, smiling at the kids.

“As soon as they landed on the floor, they hurried to sensei’s room where Akai and Hikaru’s parents were sobbing.” Harry enjoyed the silence as everyone hung on his words. He skipped over some of the events and ended the story. “But you know what made Raiden and Hikaru really happy? Rika came in to the hall. She’d been cured when they had been away.”

The kids cheered loudly and Naruto smiled widely.

x-x-x-x-x

“I want to be Raiden.”

“No, I want to be Raiden, you can be Hikaru.”

“But we need someone to be Baka-sensei too, otherwise we can’t play…”

“I don’t want to be Akai. She doesn’t do anything. I want to be Rika.”

Huh? What are they…

“Oh, they already want to play out the story. That means you were a hit, Harii!” Izumo said as they watched the kids argue about roles.

“You’ve got a pretty wild imagination, Harii. A sword from an old hat,” Kotetsu snickered.

“But they make a good team,” Naruto said. “Raiden, Hikaru and Rika, they seem like a really great team.”

Harry smiled. “They are.”

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Pft, I think I went a little overboard with this one. Err, sorry? I decided to post this one separately- since it came out pretty long.

It was a good break from editing and other real life work/stuff to write some silly drabbles.

                                                                                                      

Chapter 12 is close to getting done. I can’t wait to get it online (eventually- I can’t give you a specific date) and out of my hair. This is just one chapter that I want to move on from, for some reason I’m more excited to just start working on chapter 13.

Polar.

HP/Naruto Crossover Romance Part 2.

Look what I found hidden on my laptop. I don’t remember when I wrote this, but I was surprised that I hadn’t put this up already, since there was so much written already. I just had to tweak bits of writing to make sense in some cases. 

Anyway, I thought today would be a rather convenient day to post this up- being the day after Valentine’s over here- since this isn’t really romance.

In case you never read part 1, this is just my take of what would actually occur for certain pairings (in AtO’s universe at least).

                                                                                                   

Warnings: Very unedited and may be senseless. Randomness, not actual romance and don’t drink anything while reading this? Also, none of this should be taken seriously or hopefully in terms of AtO plot.

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HarryXShizune

Harry frowned. “Do I really have to go to the hospital? My arm is perfectly fine.”

“But Shizune nee-chan said you needed a check up since you don’t get enough exercise like ninja.” Naruto said with a slight frown. “I never knew civilians were so delicate.”

Who’d believe that? Harry snorted. “Neither did I. But I just had a check up last week. Do I really need one more already?”

“Maybe this is your last checkup.”

Harry sighed. “I hope so. Shizune-san keeps making me come for checkups and it makes me wonder if there’s something wrong with me that she’s hiding.”

“I have to go to training as soon as I drop you off, though”

“I’m not a kid Naruto. I can handle a check up.”

xxxxx

Harry sat on the examination table and stared at the sterile room with a little trepidation. He turned around as the door opened.

“Harii, where’s Naruto?”

“Training.”’

“Ah! I see.” Shizune moved forward and stared prodding various points on Harry’s arms and back.

Harry sat patiently and tried to keep his mind occupied. After countless minutes of silence Harry said, “So is this the last check up?”

Shizune started. “Last?”

Harry shrugged. “There’s nothing really wrong with me, is there? I mean I know that it’s good to be cautious but I doubt weekly check ups are really necessary.”

Shizune just stared at him.

“I mean if I do feel something wrong, I could just ask Sakura for a check up.”

Shizune shook her head and turned serious. “It’s best to be safe. Since your chakra system is so unreliable…”

Harry sighed in annoyance.

“All right, remove your glasses,” the medic said.

Harry frowned but complied and blinked as the world became fuzzy. He flinched when cold fingertips prodded his face.

“Oh!”

“What?” Harry said, “Is something wrong?”

“No,” she sounded a bit out of breath. “Your eyes are very green.”

What does that have to do with anything?

HarryXTenten

Reparo. Harry threw the last weapon in to the large box with relief just as the first rays of the sun peeked in through his window. Izumo and Kotetsu didn’t bring this large box since they’re on a mission. So who did?

He yawned wearily as a polite set of knocks disturbed the quiet of his apartment. It’s too early for any sane person I know to be visiting.

He shuffled towards the main door and opened it a tiny fraction to find a teenage girl standing there looking impatient and rather surprised when she saw him.

“You’re the person who repairs weapons?”

Harry nodded and stifled a yawn.

“I left a box here last night, did you take it in? When will I get it back and how much do I have to pay?

Harry opened the door wider and motioned for her to come in. “I’m done with your stuff. The total cost comes up to something like 890 Ryo.”

“So little?” The girl asked in surprise as she examined the weapons in the box with a critical eye. “But you’ve done such a good job quickly.”

Just pay and leave already. Harry sighed when she stared at him with an odd expression. “What?”

“You’re not offering to lift the box!”

Harry stared at her incredulously. “Why should I? Aren’t you a ninja?”

The girl smiled. “Yes, I am!”

Be nice Harry, even if she’s the crazy one who caused the sleep deprivation with the large box of broken weapons. “Is there something else I can help you with?”

“Would it be ok if I came by in the evening and dropped off another box or so?”

“I’ll be going out so you can just leave your box at the front door like the last time,” Harry said absently.

“No!” The girl looked sheepish at her outburst and hastily added, “There are some valuable and rare weapons that you might not be familiar with. So I’ll have to explain…”

“Then don’t leave those weapons in the box. You can bring them here some other day.”

“But they’re really important weapons that I need soon and I’ll pay you double the amount…”

Harry shook his head, “I have a very important meeting to keep so you’ll have to take the weapons elsewhere if you need them urgently…”

“Who are you meeting with? I’m sure if I explained the situation…”

“Look…” Harry paused trying to remember the girl’s name.

“Tenten” The girl supplied.

“Right Tenten, I refuse to let work cut in to what little time I have to work on my relationship…”

“So you’re already taken? That doesn’t mean I’ll just give up!” She placed a wad of cash on the table and took her box. “Till next time Harii-kun!”

How did she know my name? Harry shook his head at the girl’s exist. And what was with that… ugh, never mind, I have to get ready to meet up with Naruto.

HarryXShikamaru

“Shikamaru, please tell me your dad wasn’t actually trying to set us up when he just left the game in the middle like that and told you to continue playing for him.”

“He wasn’t.”

Harry sighed in relief and lifted his cup of tea.

“He’s just following my mother’s plan.”

Harry choked on the mint tea in his mouth. “Your mother’s plan?”

“I told you she was the scary one.” Shikamaru moved a shogi piece forward. “She probably bribed him saying that you’d play shogi with him more often if we became an item.”

“How does that even make sense?” Harry said

Shikamaru just shrugged.

“Why are you so damn passive about this? Aren’t you annoyed that they’re trying to push you in to something.”

Shikamaru sighed. “Don’t be all troublesome about it. Just go with it for now, you wouldn’t have to do much”

“Seriously, stop acting so damn passive about it!”

xxxxx

By the door leading up to the porch a woman smiled in accomplishment. “Oh, they’re getting along quite nicely, don’t you think?”

Shikaku rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. “Yes dear, very nicely! I still don’t see why I had to give up my game. And at such a critical moment”

“Hah! I told you those two were meant for each other. Shame Harii is a boy, but even so he’ll make a wonderful addition to the family. I better contact the shrine…”

IzumoXHarryXKotetsu

“Where are you guys taking me?” Harry asked as he tried to gain his bearings.

“Remember that restaurant we were telling you about? The one that makes the awesome beef stew.” Izumo said.

“The really expensive one that you guys somehow manage to get for real cheap?” Harry followed them feeling confused.

Kotetsu nodded. “But since we get the beef for you too, the discount doesn’t really help out much anymore.”

“Oh! I don’t mind having to pay for my own share if you guys can’t…”

Izumo paused in his walking and turned back. “It’s not that we can’t. It’s just so much more fun to get a ridiculous discount.”

Harry frowned. Ridiculous discount?

“Anyway,” Kotetsu said and pulled Harry forward. “Let’s hurry. We have to catch her before she gets too busy.”

After a few turns and hurried walking, they reached a fancy looking restaurant.

“Wait a minute, what do you mean, get a discount?” Harry asked suddenly.

“Just play along, Harii,” Kotetsu said with a large grin and pulled Harry in to the restaurant.

“Oh you two are back alre…” the middle aged woman behind the counter paused and stared at Harry curiously. “Who is that?”

Izumo leaned forward with a wide smile. “He’s our new friend.”

The woman looked between all three faces and then concentrated on Harry’s arm with a slightly red face. Harry looked down and noticed her staring at the place where Kotetsu was holding on to his arm.

“I never thought you two would find someone else.”

“Neither did we,” Izumo said, moved closer to Harry and slung an arm across his shoulder. “But he just fits. Don’t you think?”

Harry gaped when the woman looked deliriously happy. “So that’s why your orders have gotten bigger. You should have brought him here sooner.” The woman giggled. “But I understand you wanting to keep him to yourselves.”

You’ve got to be kidding me! Harry twitched when Kotetsu’s chin settled on top of his head and sent the woman into another flurry of giggles.

“I’ll give you some extra servings. You’ll need the energy.” The woman disappeared from behind the counter with a red face.

Harry stretched his arms and elbowed both men viciously. “You morons! I can’t believe…ugh!” With an irritated sigh he hurried out of the restaurant.

“Nii-san!”

“Naruto?”  Harry smiled but twitched when he heard Izumo yell behind him.

“Harii, there’s no need for you to be so shy.”

“Yeah, if we licked you or something, we’d have gotten more food…” Kotetsu paused at the restaurant’s entrance and stared at Naruto with wide eyes.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. “Licked?”

Harry stayed silent even as Izumo and Kotetsu sent him pleading looks. They brought that on themselves.

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So there is my Valentine’s gift (of a sort) to you guys. 

Did you guys eat a lot of chocolate yesterday? I sure did and I was really high on sugar which didn't allow me to do any serious work. But enjoyable, none the less.

Polar

Requested Drabbles (Part 3)

Warnings: Not edited at all.

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5- Harry finds Jiraiya peeking into Hot springs (from Lanelle)

Merlin, not again! Harry swiveled around trying to gain his bearings. “Why aren’t there any bloody signs anywhere?”

He twitched when he heard an odd giggle from somewhere to his side. And someone has the gall to laugh at my misery! Why I ought to… Harry turned around searching for the unhelpful person. He frowned when he didn’t see anyone standing and staring at him.

Laughing at me and then hiding. Wonderful, now I’m even more irritated at this person.

Harry was about to leave in another direction when he heard the giggling start up again. He felt a muscle on his forehead twitch violently all of a sudden. On a sudden impulse, Harry followed the sounds of the giggles.

He passed by a few stalls, turned down some roads and crossed over a bridge. How in the world can someone be giggling this loud? Or have I suddenly managed to gain super-hearing?

He paused at the sudden increased in humidity and noticed a large sign that read, “Konoha’s Hot Springs”

Hot springs? There’s one in the village? He ignored his thoughts as he heard the giggle once again. He walked around the main entrance and stopped when he caught sight of a white-haired man crouched by a wooden fence.

A man is giggling next to a fence? Harry shook his head and turned away from the sight. Obviously he’s one of those crazy drunk people. I just wasted my time…

Harry frowned when he caught sounds of muffled female talking. He turned back just as the man giggled and said, “Ohh, yes, yes, remove that towel and show Jiraiya-sama that wonderful young female body…”

He’s peeping. Harry felt scandalized. That no-good old man! How dare he? And why can’t the other people hear him? Harry looked around carefully, moved out of sight and made a discreet wand movement in the man’s direction. Sonorous.

It only took a second for the old man’s next giggle to be broadcast loudly and seemingly everywhere via the spell. Harry felt smug when voices from beyond the fence yelled, “Pervert!” and a few towel-clad women actually crashed through the fence with weapons drawn.

“JIRAIYA! So you were here after all.”

Harry turned around warily and found an irritated looking Hokage standing on of the roof of the building opposite the onsen and cracking a fist.

Harry murmured a soft Finite Incantatum and walked away. I’m sure the Hokage will deal with him appropriately. Hmm, although his name does sound familiar. Pft, it’s probably not important anyway. I better go back to searching for a way home.

6- Harry meets Gamabunta. (from Euphoretic)

Harry stared at the large sword in front of him.

“Well, are you backing out then, you scrawny tadpole?”

Harry rolled his eyes and looked up at the large orange toad. “If I lift this you’ll carry Naruto and me all the way to Snow Country and then back again without complaint.”

The large toad laughed and Naruto grabbed a hold of Harry’s sleeve. “Uh, nii-san maybe we should just…”

Harry scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. We need a vacation far away from these people here and we need to get there fast without tiring ourselves out. This is the best option.”

“But you can’t…” Naruto frowned as he looked at the sword.

“Can’t?”  Harry repeated.

“Even I can’t lift it. You’ll get injured trying to lift that. Then we won’t be able to have any sort of vacation because you’ll be in the hospital! We should just go the onsen village and…”

Harry smiled in amusement. “Naruto, you’re so naïve. I intend to get that free ride to snow country and some oversized sword isn’t going to stop me.”

“But…”

Harry moved forward and looked up at the toad. “So do you agree to my terms, Gamabunta-san?”

“Do you agree to mine?” Gamabunta said as he puffed on his pipe.

Harry rolled his eyes. “Yes! If I can’t lift up the sword I’ll buy you the super expensive sake from Moon country for the rest of my life.” He moved forward and examined the sword carefully. A combination of a levitation charm, a feather-light charm and a sticking charm maybe? But I need to get on higher ground and it’s not like I can climb on this toad…

Harry turned to Naruto. “Can you make some clones and stack them up? I need to reach the handle of the sword.”

Naruto just nodded with a wary look.

Gamabunta laughed loudly. “What good will that do I wonder? Such a persistent brat…”

Harry ignored the toad and climbed up on Naruto’s wobbly stack of clones until he reached the handle. With a few minutes of intense concentration and making sure his holstered wand tip made contact with the sword handle, Harry held on to the sword handle and lifted.

He smirked when Gamabunta’s pipe fell to the ground with a loud thump and crack and the Naruto clones yelled in excitement. “So Gamabunta-san, we’ll be leaving by this evening.”

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Hmm, not really all that funny I suppose and may be sort of predictable but it's the only thing that came to me at the prompts. My creativity seems to be at a low point right now.

Polar
P.S. Success! No Itachi-haunting in these drabbles. Now if only I could manage the same success with that idiotic oneshot.
P.P.S. Chapter 12 is progressing slowly...but don't expect it anytime soon.

Requested Drabbles (Part 2)

Warnings: Not edited at all and rather crack-tastic.

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3- Harry meets Kakashi (from Romantiscue)

Harry browsed through the various shelves looking for a helpful book of some sort. He idly picked up a book on herbs when the bell at the storefront rang.

There was some shuffling and a vague greeting from the storeowner. “Ohh, back again?”

“Nothing can keep me away. Oh that back looks familiar. Harii?”

That voice is familiar… Harry turned around, “Hello Kakashi-sen…” He paused and stared at the space behind Kakashi. With a startled yelp he fell back and looked away from Kakashi.

“Harii? Is something wrong?” Kakashi walked towards Harry.

“Don’t come any closer!” Harry looked up only to turn away with a cringe.

“But…”

“You know there’s nothing I can do to help.” Harry angled his way towards the shop entrance. “You’ve never left that place before… how are you able to move?”

“What? I don’t understand. Harii,” Kakashi said sounding worried.

“Leave me alone.” Harry yelled. He ran out of the store, through crowded streets and in to a deserted alleyway.

“You weren’t scared enough.”

Harry looked up and frowned. “Really?”

The boy shook his head and jumped to stand beside Harry. “It doesn’t really matter. Right now, we have to wait for Naruto to come and confront you about the way you acted. Then we move of to phase two.”

Harry scratched the back of his neck. “No, going to phase two so soon… it’ll mess things up. I need to spend some more time acting terrified out of my mind when I see Kakashi. Need to establish more credibility.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes.

“I think the next time you see him, you should mutter a Buddhist exorcism chant…”

Harry grimaced. “What good would that do?”

“It’ll hint that you’re seeing a ghost.”

Harry frowned.

Itachi sighed and rolled his eyes. "Just trust me. The incantation is Rin, pyou, tou…”

“Ugh, I’m not going to remember that,” Harry said in despair.

“Then write it down on your hand and pretend you’re praying when you see him. That’ll allow you to read it.”

“That could work,” Harry said. “Now, tell me. What did you find out about Kakashi’s …”

X-X-X-X-X

“Looks like those two are at it again,” Tsunade said as she stared in to the gleaming crystal ball.

Shizune looked up from the scroll she was reading. “Oh, what is it this time?”

“They’re trying to exorcise Kakashi or something.” Tsunade rolled her eyes. “Idiots.”

Shizune frowned. “I wonder how many people they’ll fool this time.”

“All of them, just like always,” Tsunade said in resignation. “It’s ridiculous. Even though everyone expects them to pull something… they always manage to fool people. What does that say about our ninja force?”

Shizune shrugged. “Maybe it says that… Konoha's Uzumaki Uchiha combination is a force to be reckoned with?”

Tsunade snorted and rubbed her forehead. “I shouldn't have forced Uchiha Itachi to take sick leave.”

“You reap what you sow, Tsunade-sama.” Shizune nodded sagely.

4- Harry bumps in to Sasuke (from Pariah_author)

“Hedwig, that’s obviously not Itachi. Why are you stopping above him?”

The black haired boy in front of Harry started. “What? What did you just say?”

Is he a bit slow? Harry frowned. “I was talking to my owl.”

The boy narrowed his eyes. “You said Itachi. Why are you searching for him?”

“What are you, my mother?” Harry said.

“Just answer me, you stupid…”

A tall orange haired boy grabbed a hold of the black haired boy’s shoulder. “Ahh, Sasuke, don’t get angry at him.”

“Don’t interrupt me Juugo,” Sasuke said. “You! Tell me about your connection to Itachi.”

“There’s only one reason for you getting all bitchy because of Itachi. He stole your dango too, didn’t he?” Harry shook his head and sighed. “Ahh, I really wonder why I’m still his friend. The idiot keeps eating my stash of…”

“Friend?”

Harry nodded. “Yeah. Friends as in idiots who make you worry by doing stupid things like stealing dango from dangerous people.”

“Your friend…”  Sasuke’s face turned sour. “Itachi steals... dango.”

Harry nodded. “I guess we could search for him together. I have a feeling he’s going to do something monumentally stupid. I suppose extra help in stopping him would be useful.”

Sasuke scoffed and walked past Harry. “Waste of time. Get out of my way.”

Juugo, the orange haired boy said, “I’m sorry. He’s not…”

“Juugo, stop wasting time with that useless person. Let’s go.”

Harry stared at the pair and then turned to Hedwig. “There’s no way that rude Sasuke person likes dango. Ah, whatever, let's go find Itachi.”

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A/N Why Itachi? How are you worming your way into my writings in these ridiculous ways?

Polar

P.S. Should I format this post to have spaces between lines? Or is it easier to read the post like this?

Requested Drabbles (Part 1)

So this is the first batch of requested drabbles.  I’ll be doing them small batches of 2-3 drabbles per post because long blog posts are just scary. So, don’t worry if your drabble isn’t written yet.

I tried to choose the ideas which seemed very unlikely to occur in the actual AtO plotline.

I've most probably twisted  the prompts in to something you hadn’t actually intended to see. What can I say? The urge to surprise you guys was too hard to resist.

Warnings: Not edited at all. Not part of established chapters for AtO.

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1- Itachi hears about a familiar craftsman from Konoha (from Little Kaijuu)

“Rei! Wasn’t that one of a kind frame of yours broken?” An old lady said from the customer side of the counter.

Rei laughed. “It was. But I managed to get it fixed?”

“Fixed? How? Wasn’t it shattered?”

“It was. Remember how I was so mad at Hikaru because there was no way it could have been fixed,” Rei said her voice amused.

The customer nodded.

“Well, Hikaru came across a craftsman who could fix things back to its original form.”

“Really? Just like that? Why didn’t I hear of this craftsman?”

“You probably saw him. He came in here a few times as well. You just wouldn’t think of him as a craftsman. He was such a gentleman, always polite and respectful. And his beautiful white owl was so dignified.” Rei sighed and leaned forward. “I think he’s one of those fallen Princes. You know the ones who’ve been betrayed and fallen on to hard times forced to live as a commoner.”

Itachi perked up. Dignified white owl? Could it be? But he wasn’t a craftsman. He was a medic… and he was hardly prince-like. Itachi huffed and ate his dango relishing in the sweetness that spread in his mouth. No, it’s not him. He’s probably lost somewhere.

“Rei, you have such an overactive imagination…”

Itachi scoffed in agreement. Prince indeed…

“But now I remember who you’re talking about. The white owl is hard to forget. I really didn’t think he was a craftsman. Ohh I know that look, you’re thinking of getting Akane married to him right?”

Typical. Itachi finished his stick of dango.

“I think Harii would make the perfect husband for Akane.”

Harii? No… Itachi shook his head and took a sip of his tea. Harii is a very… common name, I suppose. Well, he can’t be the only Harii out there. It can’t be him.

“Oh they should. Can you just imagine the children? Such beautiful bright green eyes…”

Itachi promptly choked on his tea. 

2- Harry’s pain tolerance impresses Ibiki. (from Tails)

Harry paused in the street and stared at the flyer with wide eyes.

Izumo turned to Harry with a worried frown. “What?” 

“That’s the top of the line ultra-rare celebrity-endorsed stir-fry pan!” Harry said and pointed to the flyer. “Don’t you recognize it? It’s the perfect pan for making …”

Izumo crossed his arms in the air. “Don’t care.”

Kotetsu nodded beside Izumo. “Yeah, we’re going to be late…”

Harry turned back to the flyer. “I can’t believe they’re giving it away as a prize in an eating competition.”

“Right, well let’s hurry to Yakiniku’s…”

Harry interrupted him. “No, I’m entering this competition.”

“What? But…” Izumo walked closer to the flyer and frowned. “You won’t be able to win that competition.”

Harry glared at him. “I’m going to get that pan.”

X-X-X-X-X

Harry looked at the other contestants around him with an assessing gaze. I can do this. That person there might be a challenge… but I can do this.

Izumo shuffled behind him and prodded Harry’s shoulder. “Harii, you can still back out now. I really don’t think this is a good idea…”

Harry shook his head and stared at the owner of the small restaurant. “I need that pan.”

Kotetsu sighed. “Can’t you just buy it from somewhere?”

“There are only five in existence,” Harry said.

Izumo twitched.  “How do you even know about it, then?”

Harry shushed him as the owner of the restaurant came forward. “All right, let’s get down to the event you’ve all been waiting for. The last person standing gets the prize…”

X-X-X-X-X

 “Kamizuki, Hogane… what are you two doing here?” A gruff voice said. Harry was tempted to turn but he stopped himself and devoted his attention to the bowl in front of him.

“Ibiki-san?” Kotetsu sounded surprised.

Izumo said, “A friend is in the competition. We’re just cheering him?”

“Oh? Your friend must have guts. Where is he?”

There was some shuffling behind Harry and then Ibiki said, “You’re kidding.”

“No sir.”

“Not at all. We’re surprised he’s still in there,” Kotetsu said just as one of the competitors screamed with a red face and fainted.

Way to show faith in me guys. Harry rolled his eyes as he finished his bowl.

“And now we’re down to our final three. Now we’re going to bring out the highest level of spicy food our restaurant created. Yes, that’s right, the level that feels like you’re swallowing acid…”

“Harii,” Izumo said from behind. “Maybe you should…”

Harry turned around and glared at him absently examining the tall man standing beside Kotetsu and Izumo. Hmm, he looks familiar… and why is he smirking like that?

X-X-X-X-X

“What do mean I didn’t win?” Harry said and glared at the owner as Izumo and Kotetsu held him back. “I went through all your levels. I’m the only one conscious after that final round. That pan is mine…”

“Is there a problem here?” the gruff voice, from before interrupted them.

Harry watched as the owner turned to the voice in rage only to lose all colour in his face and start trembling. “S-s-shinobi-san, there’s no problem.”

“It seemed like there was. What’s with the ruckus, kid?”

What was his name again? Iki? No…Ibiki. Harry twitched. “He says he’s not giving me the pan because I cheated.”

“Cheated?” Ibiki said, “Do you have proof of him cheating?”

“No one is able to survive through our final level…”

Harry watched as Ibiki’s eyes narrowed. Oh, his scars really make him more intimidating. My scar probably just inspires pity or something.

“That’s not my question. I said …do you have proof of him cheating?”

The owner shook his head.

“Then shouldn’t you hand him his prize?”

“But it’s an ultra-rare…” the man started to protest but cowered when Ibiki glared.

After a few minutes, the owner shoved the pan in Harry’s hands with a sour look on his face.

Ibiki chuckled, “say kid, how about I treat you three to a free meal?”

Harry frowned when he noticed Izumo’s and Kotetsu’s shocked expressions and held the pan closer to him.

“I know a great chili place. But everyone I take there seems to find the food too spicy…” Ibiki laughed. “I don’t think you’ll mind.”

Oh, so he's not after the pan. Harry shrugged even as Kotetsu and Izumo groaned. “Sure, why not?” 

**Extra: If things were different… (Absolute and total crack from me.)

Harry looked up at the sky. “You know, I’ve been thinking about getting Danzo a gift.”

The person beside him shifted and Harry turned to him. “No, really. I’m serious.”

The person shrugged slightly and looked away.

“Itachi, that’s not very nice. I’m sure he’s just a misguided person who’s actually very lonely and in need of gifts.”

“But Itachi didn’t say anything…” came Sai’s confused voice.

Naruto shushed him. “Nii-san said that because they were best friends they could communicate with their minds… it’s some sort of Uchiha ability.”

“Really?”

Harry had to smother a laugh when he caught wind of the whispers from behind them. He cleared his throat noisily. “No, I’m not going to give him that.”

Itachi quirked an eyebrow in disbelief.

“You know,” Harry said trying his best to keep his voice even. “If you can’t suggest something seriously, I’ll just do it myself.”

“But why is Harii speaking out loud?”

Naruto shushed him again. “Because nii-san likes the sound of his own voice.”

Itachi’s eyes sparkled in amusement and he turned away with his lips twitching.

Harry huffed. “I want to give him a gift, Itachi. Not a heart attack. He’s ancient, if I give him something like that, I’ll get in trouble.”

“Dammit, now I really want to hear what Itachi is saying!” Naruto whined. “He never says anything interesting to us. Why only nii-san?”

“Isn’t that because they’re best friends?”

Itachi raised his hand and made an odd signal.

Harry rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. That’s even worse… seriously, aren’t you supposed to be older and more mature than me.”

Itachi gave him an exasperated look.

“Sasuke didn’t believe me when I told him about the Uchiha best-friend mind communication,” Naruto said.

“Maybe Sasuke is jealous,” Sai said wisely, “because he’s unable to do it.”

“You know,” Harry smiled, “that could work. Of course I’d need to do a bit of planning before but still…”

Itachi shook his head.

“Well, so what if he’s under house arrest, I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gift either way.” Harry snickered at Itachi’s dull look.

“Maybe we can get a Yamanaka to listen in on their conversations.” Sai suggested.

“Yeah! Let’s do that!” Naruto said.

“I can’t believe they actually fell for that act of yours,” Itachi said after a moment of silence when they were completely alone.

“Oh please! You were playing along as well. What was with that obviously fake hand signal?” Harry grinned. “So what do you think?”

Itachi rolled his eyes but nodded. “All right, we’ll continue till we’ve fooled everyone else.”

“This is going to be fun,” Harry said, “best friend.”

“Stupid is more like it. And since when were we best friends, anyway?” Itachi stood up. “Next time though, maybe we should…”

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Yay for drabbles! They make me practice and definitely help bring out new ideas and thoughts for the future.

Polar.

P.S. Errr.. maybe I should have warned you about the Itachi overload first? Pft...no. Where's the fun in that?