Chapter One

The Village of Nothing but Women!!

It was the longest journey in the three young men’s lives… at least it felt like it was. Having to wear wigs, make-up, and long dresses made it seem longer than it probably was. “I mean,” Naruto complained, “I’ve got things crawling up in places… that should never have things crawled up into!”

“It will be well worth it after a job well done,” Lee told Naruto, but his face didn’t look very convincing.

The three were pretty convincing. Neji was the only one who didn’t have to wear a wig. He didn’t know whether to take that as an insult or a compliment. Naruto wore a wig the same color as his natural hair, as did Lee. Naruto’s was blonde, long, and wavy, whereas Lee’s was shoulder length and pin straight.

The names that Tsunade had picked out for them made Naruto laugh… until she got to him. They were to be called Nejina, Leah, and Narita. “How come I couldn’t just use my sexy jutsu! These control shorts thingys are digging into my…”

“Naruto, please,” Neji sighed, sternly, “We’re all uncomfortable, but we’re just going to have to tough it out. Tsunade said that your sexy jutsu would use too much unnecessary chakra. There… up ahead.”

The other two looked toward where Neji was pointing. There was an elderly lady waiting at the top of the hill. When she saw the three she smiled, and waved. “That must be Lady Hokage’s friend. Granny Tao,” Lee said.

“Thank goodness. That means we’re nearly there!” exclaimed Naruto, relieved.

When they reached Granny Tao, she squinted and looked the three over. “Hmm,” she began, “Tsunade did a fine job. You can’t tell that you’re… well… you know. I suppose Tsunade told you that I am the only one that knows the situation. She told me to wait here… in case you came. I‘m glad you did.”

The three young men nodded. Granny Tao was small, and short. She had her gray hair tied back in a tight bun, and she wore a normal brown kimono dress and glasses. “Yes, ma’am,” Neji told her.

“Well, lets hear it. What are your names?”

Naruto cleared his throat, and in the best feminine tone he could muster, he said, “Narita.”

Granny Tao laughed a little, “You sound like you have a cold. I suppose it will do, though. You next,” she pointed at Lee.

“Leah,” Lee told her, also speaking in his best feminine tone.

“Your tone is a little better.”

Lee bowed, “Thank you very much.”

“You next,” she smiled at Neji.

He hesitated, and blushed. Then he said, “Nejina.”

“Your’s will do as well. At least you three look the part. Alright, ladies… follow me. My granddaughters have been working all morning to prepare you a room. There names are Kiara, and Tia. You will address me as Granny Tao. Everyone else does,” she explained, as she led the three toward the village.

The streets were full of women. They were all dressed in fancy kimono dresses, their hair was neatly fixed, and they all wore make-up. ‘Just to come outside, or work?’ Naruto thought, surveying the area.

The houses were all simple cottages, but all women looked anything but simple. “It’s silly, really,” Granny Tao told them all, in a quiet voice, “They all believe in being refined, and proper… no matter what. It’s what they teach here. No offense, but a lady becoming a Ninja… it’s unthinkable around here. Don’t worry about the stares or comments you might receive.”

“Right,” Neji whispered back.

“This is my little house,” Granny Tao told, as they stopped in front of a small, but comfortable looking cottage.

As soon as they entered, a girl, who looked about thirteen, with blonde hair and green eyes greeted them. She wore a blue kimono dress, with white flowers on it, “Hello, Grandmother.”

“Tia, I would like you to meet our guests. This is Narita, Nejina, and Leah. This is my youngest granddaughter Tia.”

Tia bowed, “So pleased to meet you.”

“Same,” Naruto grinned.

“Yes. It is an honor,” Lee smiled.

Neji just gave her a little bow. “Where’s your cousin?” Granny Tao asked.

“I do not know, Grandmother.”

“That girl,” Granny Tao breathed.

“May I please be excused?” Tia asked.

“Yes, you may,” smiled Granny Tao.

The girl walked out. Even the way she walked seemed proper. “She’s a really polite girl,” Naruto sighed.

“Yeah, but…”

Suddenly, the door opened. They all turned to see who it was. A young woman of about sixteen, with light blonde hair in a messy bun, and blue eyes froze in front of them. She wore a mandarin collar shirt and Capri black pants… and she was covered in mud. “Kiara! What on earth!” exclaimed Granny Tao.

“I… fell… hey! Guests, right?” she laughed, nervously.

Granny Tao rolled her eyes, “Nejina, Narita, and Leah… this is my eldest granddaughter Kiara.”

Kiara bowed a little, “It’s a pleasure. I think… I ought to go…”

“Yes, go wash up and change,” Granny Tao sighed.

Kiara bowed again, and then she exited the room, walking out funny from the mud that was caked on her pants. “She’s different,” Naruto grinned.

“Yes… that she is,” Granny Tao frowned, but then she put her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle laughter, “I suppose the three of you are exhausted. I’ll show you to your room.”

She led them down a short hall to the second door on the right. She slid the door open, and led them inside. It was surprisingly roomy. There were three sleeping mats on the floor, and three changing screens. “This is great!” Naruto exclaimed, happily.

“Yes, it is wonderful,” Lee agreed.

“Thank you,” Neji smiled.

“You’re very welcome… ladies. Get a little rest. I’ll send one of the girls to get you when dinner is ready.”

The three bowed, and Granny Tao bowed back. She left, shutting the door behind her.

II

It had been three hours. The three were going over what they had saw when they came into the village. “This is one mission I can’t wait to get over with,” complained Naruto, “I think I’ve got a rash!”

He went to lift his dress up, but a glare from Neji stopped him. “It is a challenge,” Lee said, excitedly, “and challenges make us stronger.”

“If you say so,” Naruto sighed.

“Someone’s coming,” Neji nodded toward the door.

There was a small tap. Kiara, mud free, pocked her head through the door. “Hey, Ninja,” she smiled.

“Hey, Kiara, right,” Naruto grinned.

“You sound like you have a cold,” Kiara raised an eyebrow, as she stepped into the room.

“Yes, well…” Lee began.

“Maybe you should have grandma make you some of her special broth,” Kiara suggested.

“You aren’t like the others around here, huh?” Naruto asked.

“Narita!” scolded Neji.

Kiara laughed, “I’m not a robot if that’s what you mean,” she bowed, “So pleased to meet you.”

She straightened up, and giggled. The others laughed… a little nervously. “Yeah…” Naruto trailed off.

“Hey, but Ninja girls. That must be really… something. You’re out there… free! You can get dirty, and no one says ‘that isn’t very lady like!’, right!”

“I suppose,” Neji replied.

“Well, anyway… dinner is ready.”

The three stood. Kiara let them walk out first, and then she walked out behind Naruto. “Thank you for all of this,” Lee said, politely.

“Yeah… are you okay?” she asked Naruto.

“Huh?” Naruto looked back at her.

“It’s just… you’re walking a little funny.”

“Oh!” Naruto laughed, nervously, “It’s okay, I just…”

“I’m sorry!” Kiara exclaimed, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you!”

“She fell on the way here,” Neji explained.

“Oh,” Kiara smiled, “I see. I hope what ever you injured heals okay.”

Naruto smiled, thinking, ‘I hope it’s not injured at all!’

III

“Elbows off of the table, Kiara,” Granny Tao scolded.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, moving her elbows.

“This is a magnificent dinner!” Lee exclaimed.

“Truly, it is, grandmother,” Tia agreed.

“Thank you both,” Granny Tao smiled.

Neji glanced sideways at Kiara and noticed her rolling her eyes at her cousin. “Well, let’s begin, shall we. I didn’t fix all of this just for you to look at,” laughed Granny Tao.

Tia ate they same way she acted… politely, and very refined. Kiara, however, did not. She shoveled rice into her mouth, and tore at her bread, glancing at her younger cousin the whole time. Naruto watched for a moment, and then he smiled and shrugged. He began eating the same way. Tia stared wide eyed at the two. Neji had to put a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. Naruto knew no better, but he could tell that Kiara was doing it on purpose. “Kiara, you’re going to get choked if you keep eating like an animal,” Tia sighed.

“If you keep telling me how to eat…” she began, with a mouth full of bread.

“Kiara, not in front of our guests,” Granny Tao frowned.

Kiara put down her chopsticks, “Can I be excused.”

“May you be excused,” breathed Tia.

“You may be…”

“Yes, Kiara, you can be,” Granny Tao told her, flashing Tia a scolding look the younger of the two didn’t see.

Sighing, Kiara got up, and left the room. “Such rudeness,” Tia sighed, with an air of arrogance.

“Forgive my oldest granddaughter. I’m afraid she’s just not happy here, so she does things…”

“Hey, it’s okay. Kiara is my kind of people,” Naruto smiled.

Tia raised an eyebrow at him, “Is she?”

Naruto glared at the girl, “Yep.”

Granny Tao tried not to laugh, “She’d be glad of that.”

“About our mission,” Naruto began.

“Grandmother, should we be discussing the ninja’s mission at the dinner table,” Tia said, with that same air of arrogance.

“It’s alright, Tia. Yes… there has been some… unfortunate things going on. I believe you know what. We wish for you to find out who is doing this, and put a stop to it. I’m sure Tsunade told you that.”

“Do you have a single suspect?” Neji asked.

Granny Tao shook her head, “No, I’m sorry. We don’t. We liked to think everyone here could be trusted. All we know is… we’re scared. We need your help, and,” she glanced at Tia, “we’re glad to have it.”

A/N: Hey! Thanks so much for the reviews. I hope you guys like this chapter too. Anyway, I hope that the OC Kiara isn’t too Mary-Sue. I want to avoid that… we all try to. Warn me if she’s heading that way, and some tips would be great, too. Thanks again, guys.