Chapter 3
After the event of last night, everyone resorted to going to their rooms so the atmosphere would cool down.
Koratani apologized profusely to her father for the vulgar language but he said, "It's fine, you were upset." He gave her a light smile and kissed her forehead, and said, "Get some sleep. You need it."
She nodded and did as she was told, but locked the door. It was a safety precaution because she was in a new home with new people. Honestly, she didn't trust anyone; and for good reason. She didn't give Kakuzu all the truth, her mom didn't just die…she was murdered. Just like Kakuzu, her mom was also in a bad business. Thus why Koratani ended up being homeschooled her whole life and was a little naïve about things.
In all honesty, she didn't want to be here. Not because she secretly hated her dad or anything. But she didn't want anyone to get hurt. She had been here half a day and she already had taken a liking to them. She was also putting up a mostly innocent front. She was a little naïve in some ways, but in others she really was as bad-ass as she was when she slapped Hidan. If it wasn't for her quick acting of being a sensitive mess, she would've blown her cover. She really wished she wasn't here, she didn't want any of them getting into the crossfire. But she just had to lay low for a few days, maybe a week, and then she'd half to leave. She didn't have any friends to go to, and her father's crew were pretty steel hard bad-ass people, but even still…she refused to have her family. Her last family member, no one would touch him. And she would do anything to keep him and the others safe. Even if it meant never seeing him again; which is one of the other reasons why she came here. If things got dark, she could leave at least with the thought that she had met her father, and her father's crew.
Kora tried to sleep but she tossed and turned all night. So she silently left her room and scouted out the house. If she was going to be here for a bit, then it would be best to know the layout and if there was any places for a quick getaway if needs be. Koratani drifted from room to room and somehow ended up sitting on the roof. Roofs had always been a safe haven for her. A place to think when there's nowhere else to go. She sighed as the light breeze hit her just right, and gave her light playful chills.
"For a sensitive girl, you're full of fire." Itachi said, as he sat beside her.
Kora went back to sensitive mode, "Oh, I'm not sure whether to thank you or apologize to that."
Itachi smirked and stared at the moon, "You remind me of my kid brother…his name is Sasuke…he's about your age actually."
"Do you not get to see him often?" She asked.
"It's complicated." He said.
"I know what's going on, and it's scary." Koratani said, "But you don't have to hide the truth."
After a moment he said, "In the line of work your father and I, and the others are in? Hardly ever anymore. Sasuke lives with our parents; he and I don't get along anymore. Ever since Mom and Dad kicked me out…He doesn't understand the life we have to lead to keep the ones we love safe."
I know the feeling. She thought lightly. She was cutting it close with what trouble she was into, but she had to learn what she could from this group. "Yeah…I understand."
"So how did you come to learn of this?"
"My mom told me a lot about Dad growing up, so that I couldn't hate him for what he did. And I didn't. We have to do whatever we can to live…that's how life works, right?"
He nodded, "Sensitive, but clever. That's a good thing around here."
She smiled lightly, "Thanks."
They both sat in companionable silence and he asked, "So why are you out of bed?"
"Restless…it's so strange being here…without my mom."
"Ah…so that's what happened, I'm sorry about your mom. You have my deepest condolences. How did she die?"
Koratani sniffed a little at the thought, "She got in the crossfire of a gang war." Not far from the truth she reasoned. For some reason she really hated lying to Itachi.
He shook his head lightly, "That bites…maybe the world will right itself…high hopes, but we have to have something to believe in."
There was a moment's pause before Koratani broke the silence, "So why are you not catching 'z's?"
Itachi shrugged, "Just couldn't sleep. It happens sometimes."
"Do you miss your family?"
"Sometimes…but then again, they don't want me around. So this family I have now…despite the squabbles I know they'd do anything to keep me safe, but the same goes for everyone."
"Wow, must be nice to have a family like that, with a bunch of siblings to joke with." Koratani said with a light sorrow. She had always wanted siblings. People she could talk to that were around her age.
"You know, if you want it, you can have a true family here, you just have to try and be a part of it, and we'll easily accept you. But you have to trust us, if you distance yourself, we can't welcome you properly." Itachi finished. His hand extended to her.
Koratani looked at it for a moment and a rush of feelings, thoughts flooded into her. If she accepted his hand, it meant she couldn't leave them without breaking and betraying them with her lies. But if she didn't accept it, he'd be suspicious unless she came up with another dreaded lie to compensate for herself. But could she get away with it? Would he buy it?
