At the affectionate nickname, Yugito's face reddened a little more. "I was assigned to deliver a letter to the Hokage, telling them we're willing to cooperate on certain matters. They didn't give me many details, but apparently a group of missing-nin has become a threat to both sides. After Lord Raikage received information from Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, he decided to take action."
The blonde girl sighed and continued, "But when I arrived, I found out that Lord Hokage had died, and they hadn't chosen the Fifth Hokage yet. So I can only enter Konoha once the new Hokage takes office."
"That's rotten luck, Yugi-chan. But it's not all bad. I'm traveling with the Pervy Sage right now, looking for the next Hokage. Except that old hag is a drunk who uses the Transformation Technique to look young, and she doesn't want to go back and become Hokage at all," Naruto grumbled.
"Pervy Sage?" The blonde girl looked puzzled.
"Oh, right, you don't know. I mean my teacher, Jiraiya. He's the one who sent Lord Raikage that information," Naruto said casually, as though treating the legendary ninja with such disregard were perfectly normal.
"You actually call Lord Jiraiya the Pervy Sage? He's a highly respected ninja even in Kumogakure. How can you be so disrespectful to him?" the girl with slit pupils asked in bewilderment.
"Trust me, if you knew him, you'd understand why I call him that. Whatever you do, don't visit a hot spring when he's nearby. I swear he'd risk his life to turn a beauty like you into 'research material' for his books," Naruto muttered.
"I'll keep that in mind. By the way, what kind of books does he write that he needs to gather research material like that?" Yugito asked curiously, assuming they were professional books, like ninja guides.
"Those orange-covered books called Icha Icha Paradise. I figure they sell them in Kumogakure too," Naruto said.
"He does what?! One of the most legendary ninja in the world writes that kind of pornographic novel... So how exactly does he do his 'research'?" Yugito asked. A moment earlier, she had thought appearing in his books might be fun, but now the idea made her stomach turn.
"Usually he picks up women at bars, or peeps on girls in changing rooms and hot springs," Naruto said offhandedly. He couldn't help finding the young Kumogakure kunoichi's outraged expression amusing.
"He really is a dirty old man, but he's also a very good person. He's the closest thing to a father I've ever had." A warm, contented smile spread across Naruto's face. Watching his expression, Yugito felt her anger gradually subside. "He's also the one who taught me never to give up, never to let hardship break me. He taught me what being a ninja really means."
Yugito's furrowed brow relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. She gained a little more respect for the womanizing Toad Sage.
"He really means a lot to you." She paused, weighing whether to tell the boy who she was. In the end, she decided to tell him. She wanted to know him better, and this was the best way. "Naruto-kun, you know, we're actually very alike. We both carry a burden that very few people can understand."
Naruto-kun... Why did I call him that? Two-Tails, don't you dare say a word.
Oh, I wouldn't dream of it, my little kitten. But haven't you noticed how nicely defined his muscles are? Two-Tails teased inside her head.
Yes, there isn't an ounce of fat on him, just firm muscle... Wait, damn you, Two-Tails! You tricked me into saying that! Yugito fumed inwardly, while Naruto had already begun to reply.
"You mean you're also, also a..."
"Jinchūriki. That's right, I am," Yugito finished for him as he stammered. "Two-Tails is sealed inside my body. I'm the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, and you're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"So that's it. Is that why you have those beautiful slit pupils too?" Naruto asked.
This time, Yugito froze completely, unable to speak. No one had ever called her eyes "beautiful." Those eyes were the source of her suffering, the mark of her being a "jinchūriki," the reason everyone shunned and hated her.
"Y-you think my eyes are b-beautiful?" she stammered. A deep crimson blush instantly spread across her face, and her heart skipped a beat.
Damn it, I can't fall for him. I only just met him. It's all his fault, with that smile so warm and so handsome, like his whole body is glowing... Wait, what am I thinking? No, Yugito, calm down!
Oh, I don't think you can calm down anymore, my little kitten. I felt your heart skip a beat. That's never happened before. Maybe my vessel has finally fallen in love. Now that would be quite an occasion. Two-Tails continued teasing her inside her head.
Stop it, Two-Tails! I only just met him. How could I possibly love him? That's ridiculous... Right? Yugito pleaded inwardly, but Two-Tails fell silent. Damn you, Two-Tails, playing dead just when my head's a mess. You just wait!
"Um, Yugi-chan? Your face is really red. Are you sick?" Naruto asked, reaching out and pressing his forehead against hers. "You don't have a fever. So what's wrong?"
Naruto completely failed to notice that the girl whose forehead he had touched had gone rigid, her face filled with delighted surprise and shyness.
Oh my god, when he touched me, it was like an electric current shot through me. That felt incredible. He only pressed his forehead against mine, but my whole body tingled. I'm done for. I've really fallen for a boy I only just met. Thank goodness he hasn't noticed. It must be because we jinchūriki barely received any kindness growing up that we fall for someone so easily, Yugito thought in a panic.
"Um, Naruto-kun, I'm fine. It's just... uh, Two-Tails was talking to me," she lied.
"Oh, I see. Nine-Tails drives me up the wall all the time too. That bastard never helps me with anything," Naruto complained.
Before you continue