Hi anon, thanks for the prompt! I, too, am very fond of Kakashi although–to be honest–I feel like his “voice” always eludes me. I can sometimes get his actions/reactions/dialogue down, but his the thought processes behind those are always… ? WHAT? …
I will do my best on this prompt although, due to how close to DoS “canon” it is, it may take me a while. I wouldn’t want to contradict anything Silver Queen has written.
… am I allowed to answer this? I kind of have this notion like, because I run the dosbysilverqueen blog, I’m contractually obligated to stay neutral. I mean, that’s a silly feeling, so I’m going to ignore it, but that’s my first gut instinct.
Let’s see, for DoS ships… I have to admit that I greatly enjoy how DoS is gen–more about friendship and family than romance–because I’ve always been the type of fan who prefers what the fandom comes up with for ships than what the original does? Or rather, that the original work picking a specific ship almost ruins the magic of it–it makes it real in a very specific way and it can’t be undone. Or un-canon-ed… if that makes any sense.
From a fan’s point of view I am, obviously, quite fond of GaaraxShikako (unsurprisingly, given that my Dreaming of S(omething) series revolves around the first Dreaming of S(erenity) that was inspired by their Grass Chuunin Exam battle), and I do think it is my most favorite? In the sense that, if something had to become “canon DoS” then I would mind that the least–because there have been multiple moments of creating a foundation for a romantic relationship. Not immediately of course, but if–for some odd reason–SQ did a sudden time skip straight to the epilogue and showed ShikakoxGaara then I wouldn’t be all that surprised or disappointed?
Same with KibaxShikako, though I find that less feasible only because I feel that Shikako views a lot of the Konoha-nin (especially the Konoha Twelve/Thirteen) as, well, assets? Or… characters. Well, no, but I’m unsure about how to say this… like, Shikako can’t view any of them in a romantic sense because she knows too much about them from her own reader’s POV that there might be… not necessarily a consent gap but like a… knowledge disadvantage.
And there’s also the Westermarck effect which, technically, only applies to children raised together from birth to six years old and so doesn’t actually apply to Shikako and the rest of the Rookie Nine. But I feel like it’s something that would linger with Shikako–they are characters, they are children, they are assets that need to be kept alive–and so she wouldn’t be able to view any of them romantically (at least, not for a long while).
Which is probably why I’m fond of a conflicted/unrequited!SasukexShikako; because not only is she basically the first girl to befriend him as himself (and not the school idol) but she’s also the closest thing he has to family? So, like I’ve mentioned before, there is no doubt that Sasuke loves Shikako but I don’t think even he quite knows in what way–romantic or platonic. And Shikako for sure loves him platonically, but I feel like the consent/knowledge disadvanatge applies to him especially–seeing as how Shikako has literally changed his fate on multiple occasions. She has way too much power over him–and way too many secrets she’s hiding from him–for her to ever feel like she can be in a romantic with him.
And with InoxShikako. Well, that ship is complicated not because Ino’s feelings are complicated for Shikako–I kind of feel like Ino would be okay with either a romantic relationship with Shikako or maintaining their platonic friendship, unlike Sasuke who is unsure what he wants–but because Shikako has also changed Ino’s fate for the worse (at least, given her latest feelings about damaging Team Ten…). So not only is there a power disparity and secret-keeping there’s also guilt on Shikako’s part–which there isn’t really with Sasuke.
That being said, I am now wondering about the SakuraxShikako ship. But like, way after everything in canon has been settled; like when everyone’s nineteen or so. Because Shikako has definitely changed Sakura’s life–majorly, considering she’s not on Team Seven anymore–but not necessarily for better or worse and not even on purpose. So Shikako would be free from any guilt or secrecy because any differences with Sakura–she’d have such different formative experience than the one canon Sakura had–aren’t really Shikako’s fault. It would remove a little of that consent/knowledge disadvantage because while Shikako knows what canon Sakura would be like it’s not some kind of benchmark that she keeps in her head about how she’s failed/succeeded (not like with Sasuke and Ino, probably). It’s just… different. Yeah, I think that’d be interesting.
As for the members of Team Gai. Well. If I had to ship one of them with Shikako I probably would have originally gone with TenTenxShikako given the steps between acquaintances to friends to lovers isn’t so off. But then thinking about it further (and also keeping in mind that Shikamaru and TenTen are dating, and it’d be really weird to date one twin then the other) that’s kind of… boring? Like… where’s the spark? The passion? And also I’d be a little worried about TenTen’s self-esteem? Like it’s one thing to be friends with a kunoichi who is from a clan and a prodigy at sealing and already a tokubetsu jounin at age thirteen etc. etc. But it’s another thing to date one? Like… ouch–I’d be torn between jealousy and guilt over being jealous constantly.
Given Lee’s eternal, unwavering love for Sakura and also his very disconcerting first/second impression of Shikako (post-Orochimaru battle in the Forest of Death, right after she totally demolished the Sound Genin even though she was so injured and tired and probably concussed) I don’t really think a romantic ship could form between them? Definitely not for a long time. Because Shikako is very clearly not what Lee is looking for–and because Lee is oddly sexist? Like, he doesn’t have anything against kunoichi being shinobi but his “ideal woman” is essentially a damsel in distress whose affection can be won by defeating Sasuke in battle (that’s straight up canon) or by rescuing her from the Sound Genin. And Lee’s continued crush on Sakura (in canon) is because she’s so overtly feminine, or his idea of femininity–pretty and passive–that it always made me very uncomfortable whenever his crush on her was brought up. Especially when she made it clear that she liked Sasuke and he’d still try to pursue her/impress her by trying to defeat Sasuke. I DUNNO. He grows out of his crush on Sakura (eventually) but I have no idea if he’s grown out of that weird idealized femininity, but either way Shikako wouldn’t want that. Like… at all.
And now for Neji. I’ll be honest, anon, until you brought it up I hadn’t ever really thought about it? But now that I do I’m just like… hm… yeah… yeah? Alright! Because Neji is one of the few of the Konoha Twelve that isn’t really in Shikako’s sphere of influence nor someone whose life she feels obligated to improve. Mostly because… she can’t do anything about his life. There’s no way she could have saved his dad, she can’t affect Hyuuga Clan politics, and Naruto has already changed his view on life/Hinata. So… it’s, much like the GaaraxShikako ship and the SakuraxShikako ship, something different and… freeing?
Now as for the specifics of the NejixShikako ship–I do enjoy how Neji’s first/second impression of Shikako is basically the same as Lee’s but instead of being discomfited, Neji is… impressed? He respects her ability and her decisions even if he doesn’t necessarily agree, or maybe because they are so different. Two points that I’d want to see addressed in this ship would be the topic of fate and the Caged Bird Seal–because these are both things which are vital to Neji’s character and which Shikako could possibly change. Because her very existence proves that fate can be changed… and given her reputation as Konoha’s newest budding fuinjutsu master. Well, it wouldn’t make any sense for her not to at least be curious about the Caged Bird Seal.
But these two matters would also be very… Okay so, it’s canon that Neji dies. And Shikako has already gotten in trouble with her fuinjutsu. I almost feel like Shikako would be, at least subconsciously, reluctant to be in a relationship with Neji–at least, before the whole Madara/Kaguya madness. Because then he’d be one more person she’s responsible for. And she’d put so much pressure on herself to prevent his death which would just… it’s a lot for her to juggle and it would absolutely wreck her if she failed. Of course, if this relationship starts after the whole Madara/Kaguya madness then that’s a different story. And, because she’s already been through the end of the world, she’d be more willing to get involved in the politics of the Caged Bird Seal. What does clan politics matter to her anymore? She can do whatever she want… essentially, timing is very important.
Hi, anon! Well, I haven’t actually watched the Boruto movie, but I’ll see what I can do about Shikako in the epilogue world.
I’m a little wary, though, to be honest because there’s SO MUCH that she’s changed that I honestly don’t know what would still be the same in the epilogue.
I will do my best to include a scene with Kakashi (which shouldn’t be too difficult since I’m very fond of him, too). But this one miiiiight take me a while.
Thanks for the prompt, anon!
Strangely enough, the rumors originate not from Suna or Konoha, but from Kiri–specifically, with Mei Terumi. Of course, when asked about the matter, she will only smile and say, “A mere misunderstanding; I just wanted to prepare for my own possible political nuptials.” As she explains, she sends a wink towards Kakashi who is reluctantly acting as one of Tsunade’s guard.
Needless to say, this does not impress the Hokage’s other guard–but then again, Shikamaru’s brow has been stuck in a near permanent furrow for the past few months. Mostly, Tsunade brought him along for entertainment.
Both of them, actually. God knows she’s been needing something to laugh at. Having two people more stressed out about Shikako’s near engagement than her makes the situation less headache inducing.
At least Tsunade’s not dealing with the girl in question. Or her fellow catastrophic Lucky Sevens teammates.
Or her almost fiancé.
—
“This is unacceptable!” Councillor Odo shouts. Despite his seat being furthest from the corner of the hall Kankurou’s claimed, his voice is just shrill and put upon enough to cut through the distance. “We cannot have our Kazekage engaged to some… girl from Land of Fire! She’s not even of noble birth!”
While the other councillors are less vocal, most of them have expressions which make their similar lack of approval quite clear. But there are a fair few who don’t, a few who look almost… considering.
“Hey! What does a wrinkled old blowhard like you have to do with this? Who are you anyway? Shikako isn’t some girl! She’s amazing and way better than you’ll ever be!” Naruto shouts, bristling with anger, as if the world of politics were settled with volume and not finesse.
For obvious reasons, the position of Konoha’s ambassador to Suna had to be temporarily reassigned. Unfortunately, the only person both sides could agree on as a replacement was Naruto who… well… probably would never get this assignment ever again if the councillors had anything to say about it.
Kankurou does find this absolutely hilarious, though, because it’s not like he has to put up with the codgers that frequently. The only reason why he’s here is because he’s acting as–and this is the best part–Gaara’s guardian seeing as how Temari is away doing her job as Suna’s ambassador to Konoha and neither party of this alleged engagement is over the age of majority.
Old enough to kill for your country, and old enough to lead a village, but not old enough to decide who he can marry. Diplomatic marriages, who knew?
Gaara, for once in his reign as Kazekage refusing to be involved in the village’s political matters, spends the entirety of the discussion failing to hide his laughter.
—
In the mountains of the Land of Lightning, one very pissed off sword-wielding chuunin is slashing all of the training posts into pieces. The pieces of stone that fall are small enough to be considered pebbles.
Given that Netsui has literally only met Shikako Nara twice–once during their infuriating matchup in the Grass Chuunin Exams, and the second during an absolutely bizarre mission which she would like to cut out of her brain if necessary–it doesn’t make very much sense that she should care so much about hearsay on some stupid marriage. It’s not like that’ll affect either of their combat abilities so it shouldn’t matter. But Kumo has always been very… encouraging of their shinobi’s emotions and irritation at one’s self-appointed nemesis is close enough.
“You know you’re going to have to fix those before you leave, right?” Akantai says, and Netsui bites back the automatic growl because it’s not like there are many people lining up to talk to her even years after that shameful excuse for a fight.
“I will,” she grits out, because that’s all she can say before she goes on to hack away at the remaining two training posts. Of course, once that’s done now she has to talk.
“Is this about that Nara?” Akantai asks and that’s it. Netsui can’t even–
“Of course it’s about that damned Nara! Why is she even getting married now? That makes no sense! She’s not even in her prime yet, much less past it, and she’s going to ruin her career by shacking up with some guy and popping out babies? What?”
“Some guy… as in… the Kazekage?” Akantai says slowly, in disbelief.
“Whatever!” she shouts back, unappeased.
“Maybe they’re trying to make a new bloodline,” Akantai suggests, before making a quick jump back to dodge a swipe from Netsui’s sword.
“This is such bullshit!”
—
It is a very tense and awkward silence that greets Ino when she gracefully and subtly sneaks into the official meeting between Suna’s ambassador, the Nara family, and–for some reason–Sasuke.
She’s not surprised to see the scowl on Sasuke’s face, given his not so secret conflicted feelings for Shikako even to this day; but she’s not expecting the stiff, displeased smile on Yoshino-san’s face much less the mild frown on Shikaku-san’s which, for anyone else, would be scowls. Shikako’s exasperation and Temari’s barely hidden bewilderment, however, makes sense. This is practically an omiai–or the precursor to one–and Ino is more than happy to sit in and watch.
“Are you implying that my daughter somehow isn’t good enough to be engaged to your brother?” Yoshino asks, looking somehow more lethal in her pink yukata than Sasuke, brooding in the corner with his sword still strapped to his back and no less than twenty kunai in reach.
“Oh my god, kill me now, please,” Shikako mutters, face in her hands, no doubt absolutely embarrassed by everything about this situation.
Temari’s left eye twitches before she valiantly attempts to talk her way out of this verbal trap, “As my brother’s representative in both my capacity as Sunagakure’s ambassador and as the head of our family, I can say with utmost certainty that our reluctance in this engagement has nothing to do with Shikako as a person. Rather it’s more to do with–”
“She’s second in line in succession to the Nara Clan,” Shikaku-san adds, throwing fuel onto the fire that is Yoshino-san’s indignation.
“She’s also an extremely powerful shinobi,” Sasuke contributes, simultaneously messing with Shikako and being a faithful teammate.
“And very pretty,” Ino says, just because.
Shikako makes a noise not unlike Ino’s chameleon summons when they are particularly hungry and cranky.
“Yes?” Temari responds, confused, before glancing at Yoshino-san and repeating, more firmly, “Yes, she is. But the problem is that my brother hasn’t had any say in this engagement that appeared out of nowhere and, frankly, looking at Shikako it would seem like she hasn’t either.”
“No, I have not,” Shikako says definitively, which would have ended the topic of conversation and that just cannot be done.
Sasuke, Shikaku-san, and Temari all seem to be relaxing, which gives Yoshino-san the opportunity to say, “Which isn’t to say that she’s against such an engagement. Just that these matters ought to be handled in a more formal manner.”
Shikako sends a startled look to her mother.
Which then jerks immediately in Ino’s direction when she says, “The Yamanaka clan have very reputable matchmakers.”
—
It takes three months to put down the rumor of Shikako and Gaara’s whirlwind engagement. Though it still lingers and pops up every now and then–whispers of heated looks and midnight assignations spreading around the Elemental Nations.
Jiraiya writes a book based on it; it becomes a best-seller.
~
A/N: So it was less about politics and tabloids and more about rumors and everyone needlessly voicing their opinion but…uh… hope you enjoy, anon, and thanks for the prompt.
This took me a lot longer than I would have preferred because someone Netsui wanted to keep ranting about their eternal hatred for Shikako and I kept having to parse it down to relevance.
Well I sort of wrote a thing regarding Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru reacting to Shikako dating (or at least, the idea of her secretly dating someone) in Don’t Hold Back… But I guess since they were mostly blindsided by the secrecy, it’s a different situation entirely…
Hm… Kakashi would be fairly hands off (though quietly menacing in the background) whereas with Naruto and Sasuke it would depend an awful lot on who exactly Shikako is dating. Naruto would get over it quicker, so long as everyone involved is happy, though if it were someone like, say, Kiba he’d probably loudly argumentative–”Really? Dog Breath?”
Sasuke would. Well, I headcanon that Sasuke has very mixed feelings about Shikako. Like obviously, he loves her, but even he’s unsure if that’s platonic or romantic love. So at first brush, he’d probably be mildly jealous regardless of who Shikako is dating, and only slowly let it go once he comes to terms with his feelings for her and once Shikako’s significant other proves themselves as “worthy” of dating her. Like, for example, if it were Gaara–”But is he strong enough?” “Sasuke, he is literally the Kazekage.” “So?”
Shikamaru, given his continued overprotectiveness and attempts to manipulate Shikako into being safe, would probably mess with Shikako’s significant other so badly. Just like, constant head games and Shikamaru bribing Academy students to annoy the shit out of them… that sort of thing. Because if they can’t handle small obstacles in their daily life, there’s no way that Shikamaru is going to give his approval. He probably pulls the “future clan head” card at least once as well as the “what are your intentions towards my sister?” Basically, Shikaku and Yoshino don’t really have to do anything because Shikamaru’s got the vetting process down to an art form.
Shikako, of course, is not impressed with any of this. It’s so unfair! No one put TenTen through all this when she started dating Shikamaru!
To which TenTen replies–”Really? You think Ino didn’t put me through a gauntlet?”
Hahaha, I dunno. Something like that, I guess.
2/2 Also, it is my personal opinion Evie would have an amazing time with the fashion in EAH. but that’s more of a fun aside compared to a story plot.
I’m glad you enjoyed my little brainstorm 🙂
Chad definitely needs to get chewed out by the EAH Charming siblings and Cinderella’s daughter (they certainly do not approve of his ways)–although I think at first they would be bewildered by having an alternate universe half-sibling. And theeeeen go after him for his philandering ways. I also agree that Evie ending up in the EAH universe would be interesting–especially considering her “double” is one of the main characters with Snow White’s daughter being the other.
Descendants didn’t really explore the background myths beyond the strict villain vs hero categorization which I find a bit of a shame–yes Mal and Audrey had some conflict, but Evie and Snow White never even meet, there is no mention of Jasmine and Aladdin’s child or even the Radcliffes. And yes, I understand that it’s because the movie is primarily Mal’s story–and it’s meant to, at most, be a springboard for Mal to become her own person outside of her mother’s past crimes. But I do enjoy the mythos of the original fairytales, how to interweave multiple stories into a single tapestry. I like how EAH acknowledges the past and the characters actively keep that in mind–an almost literal, remember the past so as (not) to repeat history.
As I said before I don’t know all that much about EAH so I wouldn’t be able to juggle such a fic as the one you described, but it does sound like a fascinating read and I’d love to help you with brainstorming if you want to have a go at it 🙂
I… have not, anon–let me take a quick look at the wiki page…
Okay, so, keep in mind that all I know about EAH is from the wiki page, I do find it interesting. I definitely see the parallels between EAH and Descendants which would make a fusion (that is, as I use the term, characters of one world transplanted into the other) very straightforward. A crossover (that is, both fandoms are the same world) would be almost… impossible? Just because there are so many overlaps… but I guess if you specifically pick and choose certain characters. Like some of the EAH characters fill in the blanks of Auradon Prep. But… 
that’s not really fair, is it?
What I find most fascinating is the differing philosophies of Descendants vs EAH. Because in the former all the kids either take for granted or strive to end up like their parents–it’s villain kids versus hero kids all the way through. Whereas in the latter it’s “Royals” vs “Rebels” aka those who want to have the same destiny as their parents and those who want to make their own path. And it’s not all heroes on one side and villains on the other–although the leaders of both are as would be expected.
The strangest thing to me in EAH is that “according to Headmaster Milton Grimm, if the students don’t follow their individual destinies, their stories will cease to exist and they will disappear forever,” which just screams magical curse to me. Obviously I’d have to watch EAH to see how they explore that, but to me that’s what a fusion would revolve around.
Because it’s a magical curse that is very biased towards the heroes–I mean, a lack of free will sucks for everyone, but at least the heroes’ destinies are on paper “Happily Ever After.” So right off the bat there’s this discord and hypocrisy that adds depth to everyone’s motivation and behavior.
Take Mal for example–she would most likely want to break the destiny curse. At first, it’s because she wants evil to triumph over good. Though, arguably, breaking a curse goes against the whole being evil thing. But then, probably, she eventually realizes that she just doesn’t want to be evil. In contrast, Ben is against the destiny curse purely on principle (… or is he? Is his destiny, as was his parents’, in actuality to break a curse?).
Whereas then you have Evie who doesn’t completely mind her fate–since that means she will be a queen like her mother, and honestly might be a little evil at heart–but doesn’t want to end up defeated. Or Audrey who would prefer not to be placed under a sleeping spell, but does want her happy ending. And then there’s Chad whose womanizing is him taking for granted the fact that he’ll eventually find his one true love and settle down. Or Jane who is actively hoping to follow her mother’s footsteps because that means she’ll have magic.
I suppose the fic would then revolve around the mystery of the destiny curse–who cast it, how to undo it, if such a thing is even possible, etc. I doubt I’d actually write this particular fic, anon, given that I know so little about the EAH world, but it was an interesting train of thought to follow. So thanks!
OMG! Anon, you do not know how happy this ask made me 😀 … but also, very conflicted. Because–just one? How could I possibly choose? O_O
I guess it depends on how you mean by “crossover.”
Like… the DoS world and a different world are actually the same (via different continents or time travel, perhaps)? Or take the characters of DoS and transplant them into a different world (aka a “fusion” as I call them)? Or even, keeping in mind how many derivative fanfiction of “the second reincarnations of Shikako Nara,” in which world would I choose to have her reincarnate yet again? (Also, I’m assuming you’re not including the canon Naruto world…)
So, just to cover all my bases, I’m going to answer ALL THREE! And three times over at that! 
—
1) Crossover worlds (same universe)
In no particular order, the three fandoms I would choose as crossovers are: Star Wars, Final Fantasy VII, and Akagami no Shirayukihime. Why? Well… because in my mind each of them have different ways to be within the same universe–now whether or not that means the characters of DoS actually meet the characters of the other worlds would depend on what kind of story I’m going for.
With Star Wars, at first I thought it would be absolutely thrilling to Shikako to realize that the Naruto world was in the same universe (specifically, the same far far away galaxy) as the movies from which her beloved lightsaber originated. But then the more I thought about it–when in the Star Wars timeline this is, would make Shikako absolutely horrified.
Because it’s one thing to help prevent the (many numerous) excess deaths of certain people–essentially tweaking canon to be a little bit better–but it’s another thing entirely to… let’s say… prevent Anakin Skywalker from turning to the dark side. Not that that’s necessarily the storyline I would go for, but it would up the stress levels to ridiculous levels.
Of course… now that I think about it even more, it’s far more likely that all the shinobi in the Naruto world would be considered Sith which would make the Jedi (or at least, some Jedi) question what exactly is good and evil, etc.
I’m cheating a little bit with the FFVII decision, only because I’ve explored this crossover before in my FFVII series, “Into Thin Air,” with my own SI!OC character Windy Strife, but the reasoning remains the same. There’s something about both fandoms’ mythology which almost resonates with each other and makes it seem like they are the same world but maybe a few millennia apart.
In my “Into Thin Air” series, I have the Naruto world being the distant future of the FFVII world with my SI!OC somehow being summoned and mistaken for a Namikaze. I also greatly hint at Kaguya being a remnant of Jenova. For a DoS crossover, however, I think I would still have FFVII being the past but… I think Kaguya would actually be a sort of failed Ancient 2.0? (For those of you who don’t know–in FFVII there is a race of basically Tolkien’s elves but by the main game, there is only one left aka Aerith and she dies before the game ends so…)
Like… the giant tree with the chakra fruit is meant to be the Planet bestowing Ancient powers onto whomever eats it to restart the Ancient race but the Planet has been showed to be pretty bad at judging things? So it’s no wonder why Kaguya went berserk. It also draws parallels between the bijuu and WEAPONs which, as far as I understood, was the Planet creating giant monsters to defend itself from humanity.
Unsure how exactly Shikako would get involved with this all? I’m thinking most likely Gelel–because that’s the only thing that she would have had that no one else has had access to and which her reincarnation from “our world” doesn’t explain. So the Gelel stones were probably derivatives of materia (FFVII magic stones), and the voices of Gelel speaking to Shikako during her possession were actually probably the original Ancients.
Okay so, now that I type it out, the plot I would most likely go for is that Kaguya was meant to be Ancient 2.0, which backfired horribly, and Shikako gradually becomes Ancient 3.0 via exposure to her Gelel stone. So the Planet is urging Shikako to, basically, clean up their mistake (of Kaguya). Which, she was going to do anyway? But there’s some resistance because Shikako doesn’t appreciate being told what to do 😡
Akagami no Shirayukihime is now an anime! 😀 I primarily know it through the manga–but either way, it’s super cute. For this crossover, I do actually see the characters interacting with each other more directly. The lands/kingdoms mentioned in AnS would probably be a different continent than the Elemental Nations but still the same world and point in time.
Given the lack of world-ending melodrama in AnS, this crossover would probably be the most mild. As in, it would at most be similar to one of the filler episode missions that take up maybe two or three chapters and ends with no one almost dying or grievously injured. Frankly, the shinobi are just too strong for it to be a matter of battling between the two worlds, so the crossover plot would probably be something more political.
—
2) Fusion worlds (transplanted characters)
In no particular order, the three fandoms I would choose as fusions are: Katekyo Hitman Reborn, Harry Potter, and the DC universe. Mostly because they aren’t as compatible as the previous three fandoms with the Naruto world, but I do like the world structures inherent or at least implied in each.
So KHR is about a “normal kid” who turns out to be heir to a mafia famiglia in a world where organized crime also sort of has magic “Flames” based on the rainbow? Sort of. With this one, I would actually consider doing both a fusion and a crossover–in the sense that the characters of DoS are transplanted into the KHR world but they also get to meet the KHR characters. I think I’ve seen a fanart which kind of… let me see if I can find it… HERE IT IS! OMG, it’s been many a moon since I’ve seen this, but the bare bones of the idea still fits. The KHR characters would make a cameo but they wouldn’t necessarily be vital to the story line so…
So Tsuna, the main character of KHR, is the Juudaime of the Vongola Famiglia and I would have the DoS characters be yakuza members–in that similarly odd way that the mafia works in this world. Probably the Hokage position (and doesn’t that name work well given the magical Flames) is not actually the head of the yakuza so much as a Champion?
I guess it would be… the Clans of Konoha are actually separate yakuza clans, but they are all subject to the Hokage. Except there isn’t always a Hokage? Like… there are a series of challenges which a person must undergo in order to become Hokage–and each one corresponds a different Flame type/clan. Obviously, Naruto’s goal is to become the next Hokage and the various Konoha Twelve are his Guardians.
The Harry Potter series, as most everyone knows, is a fascinating world which is hindered by the titular character’s lack of knowledge of the world. While I have done a series of character analyses for which DoS characters would go in which Hogwarts House, I wouldn’t actually put them in Hogwarts. Given that… well… they are not British so why would they? And this would be an interesting exercise in adapting the Naruto world into the HP world.
Right off the bat, you have who are “pure-bloods” and “muggle-borns” being clan members versus non-clan. You can actually go further and do something like… Neji is a half-blood while Hinata is a pure-blood which makes his skill all the more damning for her. I dunno, something like that. I’m not sure what the storyline would be here, though? Beyond just, again, adapting the DoS/Naruto plot into the HP world.
DC universe, again, is an interesting world that suffers from its US-centric POV. Mostly it’s just an excuse for superpower AU which, again, would be fun to adapt. Take the clan specialties and crank them up into full-blown superpowers.
Actually, the plot for this one comes easier to me–probably something like… the Konoha Twelve have to form a sort of Teen Titans to take down Orochimaru/Akatsuki/Madara. Or… maybe something like… Ra’s al Ghul takes one of the Big Bad’s place and you get some character crossover from DC as well–most likely Tim Drake (because he’s my favorite) and the other Bat family. OR maybe the League of Assassins aren’t just nameless cannon fodder and are in fact the shinobi of Konoha, but some members (basically, the Konoha Twelve) rebel against him–basically taking Danzo’s place?
Hm…
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3) Reincarnated worlds
In no particular order, the three fandoms I would choose for Shikako’s second reincarnation are: the Tolkien universe, A Song of Ice and Fire (the Game of Thrones books, not the TV series), and… hm… it’s actually a bit of a toss up between Pokemon and Inuyasha. This is going with the same sort of set up of other recursive fanfiction in which Shikako has been reincarnated, yet again, into a different world by herself and a strange mixture of trauma and yearning for the DoS world. These worlds, though completely different from each other, all have an almost alien sociocultural mindset that forces Shikako to get some closure in one way or another.
Tolkien straight up has humanity not even the most important sentient race in his universe–hobbits are apparently where it’s at. Which I would actually have Shikako be–and, trying to hold on to her DoS roots, she’d try to be some kind of deer herder. Odd, but not that bad since she’d probably be a Brandybuck or a Took… or maybe a Proudfoot? I don’t think any of the LotR hobbits are from the Proudfoot clan and I wouldn’t want to overlap much… Either way, one of the genteel families so she’s forgiven for being a bit odd.
Of course, then Gandalf comes along and either whisks away Bilbo Baggins or Frodo, Samwise, Merry, and Pippin and she’s just like: “No, these hobbits have no idea what kind of madness lays in store for them–I can’t let this happen,” and she goes along with them.
In Tolkien universe, regardless of which fellowship she’s part of, Shikako slowly integrates herself into the group and finally… not lets go of her DoS life, but comes to accept the loss.
ASoIaF will go in the complete opposite direction–I mean, the Tolkien one would still require Shikako to use her shinobi skills, but she is very much so just acting as a bodyguard for her fellow hobbits–here she has to actively embrace her ruthless side. Not even necessarily her training as a ninja but the constant lying by omission; she has to use every bit of her DoS earned cunning to not only survive but enact justice for her Family. Because, let’s be real, she’d be a Baratheon. Not sure which Baratheon, but definitely a Baratheon.
I’m actually guessing she’d be one of Robert’s bastards but, like Edric Storm, a noble-born, and definitely one of the older ones–maybe around Gendry’s age… Like–Cersei would definitely want to keep an eye on her as the oldest Baratheon noble born heir, but not necessarily consider her a valid threat. Unsure if she’d be in King’s Landing or not (and held semi-hostage like Sansa) or, instead, sent to the Westerlands or… actually. That might be best? Because then it’d be hilarious if Shikako has to rely on the Iron Island pirates to get her out of there.
ASoIaF will definitely make her miss DoS even more–especially the relationships she made, her family and her teammates and her friends–but she also has to let go of those memories not out of any healthy reason but sort of out of shame. Because she’s no longer the “Shikako Nara” that those precious people of hers knew and loved–she’s a Baratheon, and she’s playing the Game of Thrones (the thing is, she doesn’t even want to be queen–she just doesn’t want the Lannisters to win).
Pokemon and Inuyasha, despite being very different worlds, both have a wishing component. In either world, Shikako is trying to find the wishing component in hopes to return to her DoS life. Obviously, that’s not how it turns out in either world, but that’s what she aims for at first. In both she starts off very much so as an animal preferring loner–much like in her Tolkien incarnation–it’s not that she’s bad at human interaction it’s just that, in her mind, she doesn’t want anyone to erase her past relationships.
In Pokemon she’s known as a legendary hunter (not in a hunt and kill way, but more like a storm chasing way) and she contracts with the laboratories. Unsurprisingly she runs into Ash/Satoshi (because I’m pretty sure he has literally met every single legendary) and ~somehow~ realizes that she can’t really go back. She can only go forward. (Or probably even Pokemon who are gods in this world can’t reverse reincarnation).
In Inuyasha… well. Frankly, I’d like her to have been reincarnated into the “present day” and think it’s just the normal world, then be completely blindsided by the Feudal Era demon nonsense, but I guess that takes away from Kagome’s story. I’m unsure, then, who Shikako should be instead. But regardless, she wants the Shikon no Tama, actually realizes that it’s more ofa monkey’s paw than a legit wishing tool, and commits to helping the group take down Naraku (and doesn’t his name offend her).
~
A/N: Anon, I hope this giant sprawling mess was entertaining for you. It certainly was fun for me–it took me several hours, hence why it’s after midnight.
Hm… a Descendants x Hunger Games fusion…
Well, anon, it’s certainly an appealing idea, but I’m not sure how I would go about doing it. I actually haven’t read the books so my POV of that world is strictly via the movies (and… well… whatever shows up on my dash).
I guess the problem–from what I understand of both–is that the stratification of people in both worlds is very rigid. There are villains and heroes in one, whereas the other is separate districts revolving around a distinct industry or the capital. So the main obstacle is that I don’t really know how to transpose canon characters of Descendants very well into the Hunger Games world.
Most of the “heroes” we meet are royalty–and in the HG equivalent, they’d most likely be Capital citizens. That is, not fighting. I mean, I guess there’s also Doug, Lonnie, and Jane who aren’t technically royalty… and then it also seems wrong to separate the four Lost kids into separate districts.
Then again… maybe if I only take the bare bones of the idea?
Like… every year, Auradon demands four villain kids from the Isle of the Lost in order to “re-enact” the triumph of heroes over villains? So to Auradon it’s basically a pantomime, while of the islanders it’s literally sending off their children to slaughter. That way you can still kind of retain the same feel as the Descendants movie.
I mean, obviously, my “Predecessors” set (aka Jemma Hook; Uri son of Ursula; Querida the Princess of Hearts; and Anthony Tremaine) would have been the first Lost kids sent as tribute. Back when the villains thought that maybe if their representatives won, then they’d be released from the Isle. Except for how everything was stacked in Auradon’s favor.
So after that, they just sent minion kids for a few years… until the Descendants four decide that–hey, we can pull it off. We can win and end this farce once and for all.
Meanwhile, on the Auradon side, Ben has newly stepped into his role as king. And he is, frankly, horrified by the tribute system. But he, like his father before him, is hampered by the demands of the other royal families, so he can’t just straight out abolish it.
But he can help the Lost kids–even if indirectly, via Doug and Lonnie and Jane. Except, like in the Descendants movie, Jane betrays the Lost kids and notifies the the hero side of their plans.
And then I guess I have to figure out who the “heroes” will be: Chad and Audrey for sure…who else have we even met? (I haven’t been keeping up with the Wicked World shorts so…)
…
Hm… now that I’ve been able to articulate some brainstorming, I’m more fond of it than I was before. There’s still a lot that I’d have to figure out, but now it seems more doable than before. Of course, I can’t guarantee that I will do it… but the probability has definitely gone up.
This was pretty fun to think about–so thanks, anon! 😀
Oooooh! I love thinking about political ramifications and the public interpretations of things within fanfic–the idea that there are such far reaching repercussions of a character’s actions, to the point where people who haven’t even met them have not only an opinion, but a stake in it…
Yes. Thank you, anon, for this prompt.
I probably won’t get to it this week (as evidenced by my recent flurry of cross posts) but I have received your prompt and I am eager to try my hand at it. 😀
JackSGreyson Says 