Masato stood waiting in the field. He was holding a picnic basket that was released the smell of freshly prepared food. Flowers were blooming everywhere. Masato happily carried the basket with both hands. Then He saw his parents smiling at him. They began to wave… Then the dark figure appeared behind them. As it stood; a shadow began to grow from the horizon. It walked towards Masato's parents. He began to yell and scream desperately trying to warn them of the impending danger, but they just continued to wave blissfully unaware. As the figure walked through the field the flowers died and a dark shadow followed it blocking out the light. Masato wanted to run to them to stop this from happening, but his legs wouldn't move as he felt the cold touch of fear run through his body. The killer grew a mouth full of gleaming fangs and two bright red eyes as it walked behind Masato's parents. As the killer stood behind Masato's parents its mouth spread into wide smile, and it decapitated Masato's parents. Their blood spewed all over Masato and his picnic basket. His parents' heads rolled to his feet lying there looking up at him. Masato's eyes filled with tears and he dropped the basket at his side while he fell to the ground crying. He knelt there sobbing until his despair was interrupted by his mother's voice.
"Masato why are you crying?"
Masato slowed his tears and tried to replied, but his mother continued.
"Don't you love us?"
"It's not about whether he loves us… it's that he is weak." Masato's father said while staring into his eyes with compassion.
"He's not weak. He just needs to find his strength" his mother said looking hopefully at him. "One day you'll find your strength."
"There is nothing wrong with being weak Masato. Just remember to run until you can find someone who can help you." His father said with concern written all over his face.
Masato noticed the grass and flowers around him began to die; the food in his picnic basket let out the smell of rotted food; and the killer stood in front of Masato.
"Kill him" his mother yelled worriedly.
"Run Masato!" His father yelled with a sense of urgency.
Masato pulled a knife from the basket, and stood up pointing at the killer. The tears were still streaming down his face, but he set his jaw and stared down the killer.
The killer let out a sickening laugh and swung it's sword with absurd speed struck Masato's forearm leaving nothing but red mist.
Masato fell back lying there in terror as he felt fears cold touch return.
The Killer began walking towards him again.
"Get up Masato you can still win!" His mother said.
"Run Masato he is going to kill you!" His father warned.
But Masato couldn't. He couldn't fight, and he couldn't run. All he could do was lie there in terror. As the Killer knelt beside him grabbing his throat and pulling him close. He stared into the killers glowing red eyes for a moment. They were Terrifying full of malice and pride. Then in a split second it's jaw snapped open as it brought them down on Masato's head.
Then Masato woke up. He was breathing heavily and sweating all over. The nightmares were getting worse. Masato got out of bed. Still coping with the nightmare. He looked over to the picture on his end table. It was a picture of him and his parents, Akio and Ami Takeshi. He could feel a cold pain in his chest as he thought about them
A knock came from his door "Masato are you up yet?" It was Hibiki checking up on him again. She was always checking up on him. She was always really kind and considerate like that.
"Yeah I'll be out in about five or ten minutes" Masato replied. He got up to get ready for the day as he thought to himself that he couldn't lose anyone ever again. He needed to find the person who killed his parents and make sure they never hurt anyone again. He would train so when the day came; So he could protect the ones that he loved.
—
Masaru fell on his back with and slid a few feet before stopping. He took his time getting back up. Next time he wouldn't commit to the punch so much.
"How's the view down there" Shun said looking down at Masaru with a small smile.
"It's pretty nice. You should try it sometime." Masaru replied.
"Who knows maybe I will some day… you know when someone actually wins one of our fights" Shun said with a sly smile.
Masaru quickly leaned back and used his hands to throw himself onto his feet. "Well I suppose we'll have to remedy that then" Masaru said assuming his fighting stance.
Shun assumed her own stance as she said "Dream on."
Masaru then began to focus on the coming bout. Shun was a clever fighter. She was patient always looking for you to put yourself in a compromising position. She was also cunningly able to make herself look vulnerable; so you would come in for a finishing blow and spring her trap. Masaru's train of thought was interrupted as Shun came in with her first punch which landed lightly on Masaru's nose before retracting to evade Masaru's late block.
"Stay in the moment Masaru leave strategy to those of us that are good at it" Shun said half jokingly and half seriously.
She was right he was a instinctual fighter not some master of strategy. And with that he lunged at Shun with his right fist. As she easily deflected it; he followed it up with a roundhouse kick at her head. She ducked under the kick and caught his other legs follow up downward kick rather than stop the kick she redirected it send Masaru's face flying toward the ground. He put his hands out to stop himself from face-planting. As he touched the ground he tried to use his momentum spin himself while twisting his leg in hopes of freeing himself from her hold. When he felt his leg slip from Shun's grasp he launched himself away from Shun and slid across the grass,but she wasn't there. Suddenly Masaru's legs were swept out from under him. And he was falling again. Masaru tried to turn himself around and catch himself, but as he did Shun came down with a heavy kick slamming him into the ground… hard. Masaru decided to spend a moment on the ground thinking about what went wrong. When he spun to release his foot from her she hadn't lost her grip. She had let go and been waiting for him when he landed. He should have seen it coming. Of course he wouldn't be able to free himself from her grip so easily.
"You okay?" Shun asked with concern.
"Yeah I was just enjoying lying on the dirt for a moment" Masaru said doing his best to hide his frustration.
"Ready to go again?" Shun asked with a look that said she saw right through him.
Masaru got to his feet, forced a smile, and said, "I'm always ready."
As he was about to square off again he saw Masato and Hibiki walking toward them.
"How's you guys' training going?" Masato asked.
"You know the usual. I spend all day eating dirt." Masaru said trying to hide his frustration with humor. As he looked back to Shun he saw mild concern on her face.
Masato, shrugged and kept walking with Hibiki following alongside him.
"Well we'll leave you to it. We are gonna do some duo training as well. You two have fun." Masato said as they walked away.
Hibiki drew closer to Masato and whispered just loud enough for Masaru, "Are we doing more shadow control training today?"
Masato said something back to her, but they were too far away at that point for Masaru to hear what it was.
"Those two are so cute. When do you think they'll finally come clean about how they feel?" Shun said once they were out of earshot.
Masaru looked at her raising an eyebrow and said, "You're one to talk."
Shun looked at him surprised and feebly tried to hide her discomfort as she asked, "What do you mean?"
"You know what I'm talking about. And just as a reminder you already talked with me about it so there is no point in feigning ignorance. Masaru said amused by her embarrassment.
Shun looked at him flustered and asked, "Anyways shall we continue training?"
Masaru returned to his ready position as he felt the amusement fade and replied, "I'm ready whenever you are."
Shun shot forward like a bullet and fired a quick punch into Masaru's gut. When Masaru tried to retaliate with a punch she dodged it and kicked at the back of his right knee. Masaru stumbled forward and took a heavy kick to his back almost sending him to the dirt again. But Masaru used his hands to catch himself as he began to launch himself back to his feet. This time he made sure to keep an eye on Shun. She was already moving around him; So she moved past him, and making her way to the place he was likely to land. Masaru vaulted towards her spinning in the air to deliver a roundhouse kick. Which she quickly ducked under as he flew past her. Masaru landed and spun around in time to see a kick connect with his face sending him stumbling back. Masaru's vision blurred and from the kick; clearing just time to see Shun flying at him with a heavy kick that would lay him out. Instinctively he felt his muscles tense up before he could stop it. When Shun's kick connected with him it stopped awkwardly as if it had connected with a brick wall, and she fell to the ground heavily. Masaru quickly went over to help her up.
"You okay?" He said with concern.
"Yeah I'm fine… I was just expecting you to fall over and not be… a concrete wall." Shun said dazed.
Masaru helped her up, and dusted her off while saying, "sorry I just lost control for a moment."
"It's fine. You're the one who wanted to train with a handicap anyways." Shun said as she looked up at him with a reassuring smile. "I've already told you that we can do some training with you using your strength any time you want."
"I know… it's just that I won't be able to rely on that. If I'm fighting someone stronger than I am." Masaru said While looking off into the clouds.
"We'd first have to meet someone like that." Shun said with a chuckle.
"They're out there and some of them work with the 'Way of the Shinobi'" Masaru said feeling anger rise in his chest as he said their name. As Masaru looked into the distance he saw Yuuto bundled up as always with his hooded jacket covering him from the elements he also wore gloves and pants that covered all of his skin. Looking back to Shun Masaru asked, "So when are you planning on telling him you're in love with him?"
Shun bristled saying, "Masaru, I told you not to leave it alone"
Undeterred Masaru continued, "Well I obviously don't listen to terrible ideas. So…when?"
"When I'm ready" Shun said narrowing her eyes.
Masaru breathed in saying, "okay then" He then looked over to Yuuto who was walking in the distance yelling, "Hey Yuuto"
Shun's eyes went wide with surprise and she angrily whispered, "Don't you dare!"
Masaru ignored her and continued to yell at Yuuto who had now stopped and looked over at the two of them. "They are going to be doing some explosive testing on the north-east side of town. So, stay clear of that area."
Masaru could see Yuuto nod and say something, but it was too quiet to be heard from across the field. So Instead, Yuuto raised his hand in thanks as he went on his way.
Shun sighed in relief and relaxed saying, "Thanks, I thought you were going to…"
"… Out a friend of something they told me in private?" Masaru interrupted her and looked at her with feigned disappointment. "You think too little of me."
Shun laughed, "So you wanna continue training?"
"No, that's enough for today. Why don't you go catch up with Yuuto and see if he could use help." Masaru said knowing that's where she wanted to go.
Shun blushed and replied, "Uh sure I'll go see if he needs help with any of his tests or something." As she turned to leave a smile grew across her face.
"Shun" Masaru called after her as she left. Shun turned around looking at him still smiling. "Life doesn't last forever. We could go on our mission tomorrow, and some of us not come back."
A uneasy look came over Shun's face as she replied, "Why are you telling me this?"
Looking back over to Yuuto who was now leaving their sight Masaru said. "Because you have something you need to say, and time won't wait forever. Tomorrow everything could be gone including…him."
"Well aren't you a bundle of joy." Shun said obviously not pleased by what he said.
Looking back to her Masaru continued, "I'm just saying. This game you're trying to play might feel comfortable, but trust me when I say if you care about someone. You don't want to leave something like that unspoken when they're gone." Masaru paused and watched as a look of uncertainty came over Shun's face. "Never mind, just go have fun. If you keep waiting around he'll disappear into the city again."
Concern came over Shun's face as she turned and ran after Yuuto. After she was halfway across the field she turned her head and yelled back at Masaru, "I'll see you later, Masaru. Try to make lunch this time!" And then she sprinted after Yuuto.
Masaru chuckled to himself, "Those crazy kids." He let his mind wander for a moment when he was like them… No there was nothing there for him. Nothing but pain. He needed to focus on moving forward. The past didn't matter. Only the future. He started walking towards his next training. He would move forward and be a different person than "him", a better person. Even if it killed him.
—
Yuuto took another step feeling the pain shoot through his leg. The pain was sharp as if a bunch small pointed objects were stabbing into his foot, and then wormed their way up his leg. He took his next step feeling the air slowly enter his lungs. He felt it biting his lungs as he kept on walking. Yuuto noticed that the sun was coming out of the clouds. So he moved closer to a building; so he could stay in it's shade. He didn't want to get sunburned again. It was a warm day as well. He could feel the heat burning through his jacket and hitting his skin. The black jacket did make the hot day worse, but the protection it offered from the elements made it worth it. Yuuto clenched his jaw as a sharp pain shot from his foot all the way through his body. He kept walking though; because he already knew what it was. It was a pebble; after all it was far from the first time he had stepped on one. The pain began to numb as he picked up his foot and move it away from the pebble. Yuuto then continued walking turning his gaze downward; So that he could better avoid any future pebbles. Yuuto then continued walking. He just needed to focus on putting one foot in front of the other The pain would always be there. He would have time to study and think when he got to the lab later. But for now, he needed focus on moving forward; and putting one foot in front of the other. Just then he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Unlike the pain he usually felt with contact. There was a tenderness and care to the touch. It was Shun. He turned and looked into her blue eyes. He saw her looking at him the same way she always did, and in a moment none of the pain hurt quite as much.
Shun spoke in a quiet voice. It was loud enough for him to hear her perfectly, yet quiet enough so that it wouldn't hurt his ears. "Hey there, How's today going."
"It's been good mostly" As Yuuto spoke it felt as if a bunch of small blades were cutting at his vocal chords. "although I did slip in the shower. And I now have a bruise on my right side." Why did he bring up the shower of all things.
A concerned look descended on her face as she asked, "is there anything I can do."
Great, Yuuto thought to himself. Now you made her worry. Yuuto looked at her and tried to reassure her by saying, "No I'm fine. I just need to get to the lab. So I can prepare for tomorrow."
Shun let a delicate smile spread across her face as she walked past him and knelt down saying, "Come on I'll give you a ride"
Yuuto looked at her for a moments before coming behind her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. He felt her put her hands under his thighs as she rose to give him a piggyback ride.
"You good?" Shun asked softly
"Yeah" Yuuto answered quietly
And with that Shun started to move. She moved quickly, but she was very careful to stay in the shadows. She was very careful to make sure that she didn't oscillate much; so that it wouldn't be painful for Yuuto… She was very kind to him.
"Thanks for doing this" Yuuto said to her as she carried him.
"No problem, After all what are friends for?" Shun said cheerily.
She liked to call them that a lot, friends. For a moment Yuuto's mind wandered down that rabbit trail before he decided that It didn't matter. As they moved along some other young shinobi saw them and some of them released a snicker. Usually this would bother Yuuto. He had often been a curiosity to other people. But at that moment Yuuto was more interested in Shun. Yuuto felt Shun tense up after the snickers. So he leaned a little closer and held onto her a little tighter. This seemed to help, because he felt her relax again as they kept going. The rest of the journey across town was uneventful as they continued on in silence.
When they arrived at the lab Shun knelt again so Yuuto could get down. Yuuto Got off and walked around to the door.
"Do you need anything else?" Shun asked.
Yuuto considered the question as he started walking on the hard ground again. "Yeah come in so I can see how Gorudengan is doing.
Then Yuuto opened the door and flipped on the light as he entered the small apartment his friends called "the lab". It was an ominous name for what was basically a study room. For the most part Hibiki and himself were the only ones who used it. He looked around while he walked over to his desk. Hibiki wasn't here it seemed. She was probably still training with Masato. Yuuto went around his desk and sat in his chair. It was a very comfortable chair. Which for him meant it wasn't painful to sit in. Shun pulled up a chair to sit on the other side of the desk her golden hair glimmering in the fluorescent light.
"So have you been having any problems with the Gorudengan? Any unexpected side effects that I don't know about." Yuuto asked as he flipped open his notebook on the Gorudengan. Once he had found his notes on the Shun he looked back up at her.
"There isn't really anything to report. It has been performing wonderfully." Shun said as her irises and pupils were replaced with a brilliant gold. "It has been helpful how it lets me see how the chakra flows through peoples body when they use techniques. I've already copied several techniques because of that."
"That and your photographic memory" Yuuto piped in.
"Well sure that helps too" She said with a smile.
"What about side effects" Yuuto asked.
"As far as I can tell there are none. Although I would be able to give you a more accurate answer if you told me what else this eye was capable." Shun said suspiciously.
"I would if I knew what it was" Yuuto wasn't lying. He had deduced that the Gorudengan could do more than Shun or him were capable of utilizing, but he had yet to figure out what that was. However he did understand where her skepticism was coming from. He had recently decided to "protect her from the truth" and since then she had started to question certain things he told her.
She looked at him skeptically and said, "alright." There was an awkward silence, and then Shun said. "Anyway I'll get out of your hair so you can get back to your work.
Yuuto wasn't sure what to say, "You're not in the way at all. You can stay if you want."
Shun shook her head, "No, I better head out. I have other things I need to do before tomorrow. I'll see you at lunch." And with that she was out the door.
Leaving Yuuto there alone as he murmured to the empty room "Alright, see you there."
Yuuto sat there thinking about how he could fix this situation. How could earn her trust again? But the truth was there was nothing he could do… Nothing beside making sure he never did it again. And trying to find ways to make up for it every day. But no matter how hard his mind raced no answer seemed good enough. So he sat there spinning his wheels. Hoping she could one day forgive him.
—
Hibiki's mind raced as Masato stood there awkwardly. What was she supposed to do? Her heart was beating a mile a minute.
Masato began to mumble embarrassedly, "Sorry, I was just caught in the moment. I saw you standing there, and I…"
Hibiki interrupted him by throwing her arms around him and kissing him on the cheek and whispered into his ear, "I love you too." She felt him go tense up under her embrace for a moment. Before he relaxed and hugged her back. Hibiki felt warmth fill her heart as he held her tightly.
Masato laughed, "For a second I thought you didn't feel the same way."
Hibiki giggled, "Well I do."
After a few seconds he pulled away from her smiling, "We should get going or we're gonna be really late for lunch.
Hibiki nodded at him still glowing. He took her hand in his and they began walking towards the ramen shop. They rushed along the streets still hand in hand, and ran up to the Mr. Tsukahara's Ramen shop. It was small old fashioned Ramen shops that was never very busy, and most importantly it was right next to "The Lab" as Katashi had named it. Hibiki saw Shun sitting alone eating some Raman.
"Hey there, Shun" Masato called out as they walked up to her.
Shun looked over with somber look on her face and said, "hi guys"
"Everything okay?" Masato asked.
"Yeah, every-thing's fine" Shun said straightening up and forcing an obviously fake smile.
Masato looked over to Mr. Tsukahara and asked, "How about you how has your day been going?"
was an older gentleman in his late fifties. He had a receding hairline with gray working its way into his black hair. He was wearing a green apron over a yellow shirt and black pants. He had two clever brown eyes that lay behind his glasses. looked away from Shun with a look on his face saying he didn't believe her either.
Mr. Tsukahara smiled and said, "Well I got plenty of business this morning just before dawn. That Masaru sure can pack it away."
Hibiki Thought to herself of the time Masaru entered a food eating competition. He shouldn't have stood a chance on account of his lean frame, but he kept eating long past everyone else. Until the cooks realized he wasn't stopping anytime soon. Hibiki remembered asking Masaru how he ate so much, and he told her, "I had a really intense workout beforehand."
"Yeah he spends most of the money he makes on food." Masato said with a chuckle.
Shun went back to slowly eating her ramen while they talked.
Masato moved past Hibiki and sat down next to Shun and ordered some ramen, "Could I have the usual, Mr. Tsukahara?"
Hibiki sat down on the other side of Masato saying, "I'd like my usual as well."
Masato looked over to Shun and asked, "So, how did the rest of you're training with Masaru go?"
"It was fine" Shun said still blue.
The three of them sat in silence for a few moments until Masato and Hibiki's Ramen arrived.
When It arrived Hibiki started picking out the corn and eating it first. She was very meticulous about it as well. She would move aside other ingredients, and search through the ramen to make sure she got all of the corn. Once she finished the corn she moved onto the next vegetable and did the same . After she finished the vegetables. she move onto the meats, and finished with the different kinds of noodles and the broth. When she was done she put down her chopsticks, and looked over to see Masato leaning on his hand as he stared at her.
He had a small smile on his face as he said, "You're so cute."
Hibiki felt a warmth flood her cheeks as she stammered embarrassedly, "Uhhh Thank you."
Masato laughed as a his beautiful smile spread across his face. She loved to see that smile. It hurt to think about how rarely she was able to see it. Just seeing it for a moment was enough for her to feel a smile settle on her face as well.
"What's up with you two?" Shun asked.
Masato turned around to Shun with his smile still on his face. Then he said, "I told Hibiki that I love her today, and she told me that she loves me too."
Shun's eyes went wide and a conflicted look settled on her face as she said unenthusiastically, "Wow, that's great."
Masato's voice changed from joy to concern as he asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
Shun looked like she was trying to force a smile, but she wasn't able to heave one onto her face.
Hibiki felt sad as she saw her friend in pain. Before she met all of them, even Katashi; She had been alone with no one who cared about her. They wanted nothing to do with her. Then she met them, and they were outcasts just like her. People who society didn't want for one reason or another. Well except Shun and Katashi. People didn't seem to have a problem with them. Except for their choice of friends. As they were talking Masato came jogging up. He was sweating a great deal; however, he only seemed to be running at a light jog. Which meant he must he had probably just finished some strength training.
Masaru grinned as he jogged up saying, "Hi guys how are you doing? Hey old man! Is my ramen ready?"
let a broad smile stretch across his face as Masaru came running up. "You're late, It has been ready for a good ten minutes." Mr. Tsukahara said playfully ribbing Masaru.
Masaru sat down heavily on the other side of Shun as he replied, "Well sorry, but I decided to train a little extra today." Then Masaru looked around and asked, "Where is Yuuto? Shouldn't he be here by now?"
Hibiki had forgotten about Yuuto. He was so quiet he would often fade into the background. She looked over in the direction of the Lab… As Katashi had so 'affectionately' called it. However, Yuuto was no where to be seen.
"He must have lost track of the time or something. I'll go take him his ramen." Masaru said already getting up from his seat to Mr. Tsukahara's dismay.
Masato quickly got up saying, "Sit down. You just got here, and Hibiki and I are already done. We can bring him his lunch. Besides we have to head over there anyways."
Masaru sat back down tiredly and nodded his head in thanks.
Then Masato turned and started walking in the direction of the lab as Mr. Tsukahara stood there looking confused and holding Yuuto's ramen. Hibiki smiled and rose to her feet. She took the ramen from Mr. Tsukahara; who chuckled shaking his head as he handed her the ramen. Hibiki then turned and followed after Masato. About halfway to the lab(which was right across the street) Masato stopped and turned around suddenly with a look of dismay. Which was followed by relief as he saw Hibiki holding the Ramen.
Masato scratched his head while saying, "Thanks, I guess I forgot it."
Hibiki Smiled, "Don't worry; I made sure to get it." She liked seeing this side of Masato. The side that could afford to make mistakes… The kind that could afford to feel safe. The two of them walked the rest of the way to the lab in silence as Hibiki carried Yuuto's lukewarm ramen. When they entered the lab Yuuto was over at his desk. He was working on some kind of drawing in his sketchbook, but upon seeing them enter he quickly shut the book.
Hibiki walked over and set down Yuuto's ramen in front of him as Masato walked up sitting down in the chair across from Yuuto saying, "Hey, I thought I would stop in for my checkup before the mission."
Yuuto turned to Hibiki and said in his usual strained and soft voice, "Thank you Hibiki."
"You're welcome" Hibiki said with small smile. She then walked over to her own desk to look over some of her own projects.
"The Akumugan has been performing excellently." Masato said.
Yuuto said something in reply, but Hibiki couldn't make it out from across the room.
"Yeah, I've used that ability. It has been very helpful for extracting information from people." Masato replied to whatever Yuuto had asked. "No, my nightmares haven't been getting worse. They aren't fun that's for sure, but that's nothing new.
That was a lie. Hibiki had noticed Masato had been looking worse when he woke up in the mornings, but why would he… It wasn't her business. Hibiki started looking through her own notes and trying to ignore their conversation. She looked over her recent successful cures. There was a paralysis poison; that the "Way of the Shinobi" had been using that she had managed to find an antidote for. It wasn't an earth shattering discovery but it was something… if only people would look at her research. About fifteen minutes passed by and Hibiki saw Masato rise and say farewell before leaving the room. Hibiki waited for a moment before getting up and running after him.
She didn't find him though. Masato had always been able to sneak around easily and blend into the shadows. It could be that his kekkei genkai gave him an advantage in that respect. Hibiki told herself it was fine; she could always ask him about it later. Reassuring herself that everything was fine, she turned and almost ran into an adult shinobi.
The shinobi stopped in his tracks saying, "Hey, watch where you're going." Hibiki apologized and started going around him as he continued with disgust, "Wait I know you… I didn't know you started showing your face in light day."
Hibiki hurriedly kept walking. She didn't want to deal with this today. Not when she was so happy. She then felt a firm grip grab her arm, and the man spoke to her disdainfully, "Don't walk away when I'm talking to you. I understand 'you' might have trouble understanding simple courtesy, but for…" The man stopped talking as his grip suddenly left Hibiki's arm.
"Kindly unhand my friend." Masaru said casually.
The Man's tone changed to one of anger, "Let go of me you little punk."
There was the sound of someone backpedaling before coming to a stop as Masaru said, "Alright there you go."
"Look kid You might scare other people, but I know you're all bark no bite." The man said angrily.
"Sure thing, We can go right now." Masaru said; his voice never leaving the calm and collected state it was in.
The man hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "You're not even worth it." Hibiki then heard him spit before marching away loudly.
Hibiki slowly turned around as he left to see Masaru wiping his face and say loud enough for the man to hear, "What a charming guy." Masaru then turned to Hibiki and asked in a quieter voice, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, Thank you." Hibiki replied quietly. Masaru always seemed to be there to look after everyone when they needed him.
Masaru smiled walking away and said, "Don't worry about it. What are friends for?" Then he jogged off. Probably to his afternoon training.
Hibiki watched him run off around a corner before turning around and heading back to the lab. "Friends", It was so nice to have so many in her life… She didn't know where she would be without them.
—
Katashi looked over at the clock in his room. It was about four in the afternoon. He had missed lunch again. It hadn't been intentional this time. He had just lost track of time as he looked over the latest reports from the Anbu squads. Hiroshi Sensei used to be a member of Anbu, and he had been able to get some friends of his to give some of their reports to Katashi. It was useful for Katashi to see what kind of attack patterns the "Way of The Shinobi" had been using, and what powerful Shinobi had decided to join their cause. Katashi went back to looking over the reports as he played with the water. He would turn the amount around his fingertips into crystals and draw them out of the cup before returning them to their original state and letting them fall back into the cup. He looked over a report that had seen Jyoji Shinko and his older brother Tsurayaki Shinko. They had taken out several Anbu squads… That wasn't accurate. Tsurayaki probably took them out while Jyoji needed to do nothing more than watch. Tsurayaki was a legend in his own right. He was said to be able to move at lightning speed, and make his blade vibrate so fast that it cut through almost anything in it's path. Jyoji was said to use the same techniques, but his mastery of them was far less refined. Katashi continued reading the reports, and considering what how to best deal with such strategies if he saw them. While he was formulating countermeasures, Katashi heard a knock on the door. He had heard that knock before. How hard it hit the door, and the pace with which it hit the door. They were little details, but if you understood them then a simple knock on the door was as good as a fingerprint. The only person he had trouble with was Masaru… Masaru had figured out that Katashi knew who was there because of how they knocked, and ever since then he had made of imitating different knocks. Katashi walked over to the door and opened it up to see his older brother Masakado standing there. Katashi was pretty sure he already knew why he was here.
"Hey, What do you want?" Katashi said guardedly.
Masakado looked down at Katashi condescendingly. He stood there for a moment before finally talking. "Is that how you say hello to your older brother? Maybe those "urchins" you associate with have rubbed off on you."
Katashi narrowed his eyes, "You mean my teammates, and friends?" Normally Katashi would add an extra bit on account of one of the group, but with his brother he would rather not give him the satisfaction.
Masakado took a deep breathe before beginning his lecture. "I mean the degenerates you surround yourself with. I mean the troublemaker who seems to always be covered in blood. I mean the quiet orphan who always seems to be in a fight in the village. I mean the pathetic cripple who has no place on a team. I mean the… well you probably know more about her than I do. The only saving grace in your choice of 'friends' is that Shun girl… or at least she would be if she wasn't so loyal to the rest of them. Which brings me to you. We gave you an opportunity to leave them, and you turn it down? What have you started to bond with these these…"
Katashi cut him off, "Decent people." Katashi's remark was met with a quick blow across his face. Katashi looked up his brother defiantly.
Masakado looked down at him with disgust. "You know the rules of our family. How dare you cut me off! Have you really so forgotten where you came from, and become nothing more than one of them?"
Katashi stared Masakado in the eye and asked levelly, "Would that be so bad?" his remark was met with another slap to the face.
Masakado looked at him shaking his head. "What is wrong with you how could you even say that? When did you become such a… disappointment? You had so much promise a year ago, and now… you've started becoming like them…"
Katashi interrupted his brother again, "A capable shinobi?" Katashi knew a third strike was coming and this time he ducked… only to meet his brothers knee in his gut.
His brother stood over him. He couldn't see him but he could feel the disgust. "I can't believe what you've become. Anyway I'm not here to tell you that you're an embarrassment to the family. Which from our conversation I'm beginning to think you are. I'm here to inform you that if you don't leave these ruffians all behind and join a new team. Then the family will have no choice to disown you."
Katashi was shocked by those words as he knelt on the ground holding his stomach. Even with how his family was… He didn't think they would go so far as to disown him.
Masakado continued, "because as much of an embarrassment to our family you're turning out to be. Your "friends" are even more of an embarrassment. Especially that… Masaru, You know who his father is. And if that weren't enough he seems to go around causing trouble. Only today he tried to start a fight with one of our family's friends."
Katashi had started getting up as he asked, "Did the guy deserve it?"
Masakado grabbed Katashi by his collar and asked incredulously, "what is wrong with you? If I have to I'll…"
Katashi interrupted him a third time, "You'll what hit me?"
Masakado's fist flew towards Katashi's face, but was stopped just before it connected.
Hiroshi Sensei stood there holding Masakado's arm. "Do we have a problem here?" He asked smoothly.
Masakado lowered his arm saying, "No problem, I'm just talking with my brother."
Hiroshi raised an eyebrow as he said, "Talking is usually less physical." Hiroshi Sensei and Masakado stood there staring at each other for approximately fifteen seconds. Until Hiroshi Sensei asked, "Would you mind letting go of Katashi?"
Masakado slowly lowered Katashi, not taking his eyes off Hiroshi Sensei before looking down at Katashi and saying, "You have until you return from your mission to decide." Masakado looked down at him arrogantly shaking his head, and said, "Make the right choice. You don't belong with these kind of people."
"Or maybe it's exactly where I belong." Katashi retorted.
Masakado looked like a a vein was about to burst, but he didn't do anything because of Hiroshi Sensei. He just took a deep breathe with daggers in his eyes and left. Once he was gone Hiroshi Sensei turned to Katashi and asked, "Are you all right?"
Katashi nodded his head and said, "Yeah I'm fine." In a weird way he was better than fine. In the past he had always shut up and fell in line after the first strike.
Hiroshi Sensei gave him a look like he didn't believe him.
Katashi turned and walked back into his room shutting the door as he said, "Really I'm fine. I think I'm just gonna go back inside, and prepare for tomorrow."
Hiroshi Sensei's voice was dripping with concern as he said, "Alright, if you ever need to talk I'm always here."
With that Katashi shut the door and went back to studying. It wasn't fifteen minutes later that Katashi heard Masakado's knock on the door. He rose angrily and marched over to the door flinging it open, and saying, "What!"
Masaru stood in the doorway with a sly smile painted on his face. "It went that badly, huh." Masaru said with what Katashi thought was amusement for a moment until the look in Masaru's eyes betrayed his intentions. He was concerned.
Katashi sighed, that was one more for Masaru. "I already told Hiroshi Sensei that I'm fine. So, there is no reason to worry."
"We missed you at lunch" Masaru said as he tossed him a bag. "You know we do notice when you're not around."
Katashi Caught the bag, and looked inside to see a container with ramen inside… just how he liked it.
"Anyway I have to go do my evening sprints, but remember don't be a stranger."
Katashi looked up, but Masaru was already jogging away. Katashi walked back into his room opening the container of ramen. It was fresh. Masaru must have picked it up just before he came over. Katashi sat down and relaxed. Love, it was a weird word, but it was something he had never felt like he knew. Until he had met these unlikely friends of his.
—
Love, What a weird word for torture. Shun was walking back to her room. She had finished her Jutsu training just as the sun was setting, and now she was making her way back to her room under the street lights. Why couldn't she just forgive him? He had done what he had done with the best of intentions. He had already apologized several times. Why couldn't she just get over it and move on. Why couldn't she stop feeling so afraid that he was going to hurt her again. Everything had always come easily to Shun. Using Taijutsu felt as natural as walking. Ninjustsu felt as natural as breathing. Every teacher that had worked with her had said that she had enough talent to become a Kage. So why was this thing that just tied her heart and stomach in knots so difficult to get a hold of? She kept walking frustratedly down the path towards her room hoping some solace would come to her. There was no point in worrying over it. She tried to focus on the mission. It was a simple guard duty mission. The town had never been attacked because there were so many patrols that kept watch in the area. So it was going to be a smooth mission. Almost a vacation in a small rice farming town… like where she and Yuuto were from. Ahh, why couldn't she go just a few seconds without him coming up? He was on her mind all day and night. Being around him made her feel safe, and at the same time afraid. She loved being around him, but she was always unsure if he felt the same way. She could just ask him. Yeah that would go well. Hey I feel like I'm in love with you. She could already picture him leaving with that slow and careful walk of his… She was hopeless. If only there was a Manuel or something. She opened the door to her room, and walked in anxiously.
She then flopped down on her bed and thought to herself, "Why am I doing this to myself?" Shun then saw something out of the corner of her eye. Lying at the door there was a small paper. Shun got up and walked over picking up the paper and opening it. Inside was a sketch of her, She remembered exactly what it was of… it was when he first came to apologize to her. She gazed over how there was such detail in every part of it. From the tears at the corners of her eyes. To how the sun settled on different parts of her hair. Even the small bugs that were nearby. Underneath the sketch was a small message. "I'm sorry, please forgive me." As if in answer to her question She thought, "Oh yeah that's why." She set the sketch down on her dresser. She could go to Yuuto. They would talk it out, and when that was done she would tell him that she was in love with him. She would just wait until after the mission was over. She had always said that, but somehow this time. She was more sure than ever that she meant it. She started preparing for bed as she told herself, "This is going to be an easy mission. There would be plenty of time for Yuuto and her to spend time together. Before, she finally took the leap and hoped he caught her. When she finally lay down in bed to go to sleep she said to herself, "Everything is going to be fine. Yuuto and I will have plenty of time to things work it out. After all, This is going to be a easy mission." Then she closed her eyes and went to sleep.