Learning to Live Again

By Ammie Hawk

Disclaimer: …

AN: So, here's the next chapter. As I explained earlier, I'm kind of on a roll with this fic right now, so I'm gonna continue to plug away at it until it leaves me alone again. A few people have been asking, so I figured I'd clear this up, this story is yaoi, meaning male homosexual pairings. That's usually what I write, and there it is. Harry will be with a male, though who, I'm not going to say just yet. Anyway, Happy Easter, if you celebrate it, and on with the show.

Chapter 7: TMI

The boys settled around Neji's living room, helping themselves to the food the long haired brunet had ordered. Harry was handed a plate by Neji, with a generous portion of each of the three types of noodles that had been ordered. He took it, but frowned slightly as he was handed a pair of chopsticks. Kakashi and Iruka hadn't gotten around to teaching him to use them yet.

"Something wrong, Harry?" the Jonin asked curiously.

"Uh," the bespectacled teen bit his lip, he really didn't want to admit this shortcoming, especially since Shikamaru already believed he was incapable as it was.

"You can tell us," the Hyuga urged. "No one here will judge you."

"He will," emerald orbs darted in the lazy Chunin's direction.

"Shikamaru will mind his tongue," this caused the other to roll his eyes, but he decided not to respond beyond that. "He is in my house after all. Now, what is the problem?"

"Fine. I can't…" he sighed heavily. "I can't use these." He held up the chopsticks.

"You can't use chopsticks?" a frown marred Neji's features.

"It makes sense," Gaara cut in as he filled his own plate. "In England they use knives, forks, and spoons."

"Weird," Kiba shook his head, his own chopsticks moving food rapidly to his mouth as he leaned against Akamaru, every third bite going to the giant dog.

"In that case, you'll just have to learn," Neji concluded, pushing to his feet. Pale eyes locked with brown in a form of silent communication, before the Chunin sighed and sat up. "Now," he settled into the newly vacated seat next to Harry, "take your chopsticks and hold them like this."

He held up his own hand in demonstration. Harry studied his hand and tried to mirror him. The Hyuga shook his head slightly and leaned over to adjust his grip.

"There," he sat back. "Now, you move the top one with your first two fingers to pick up the food."

"Okay," the wizard took a deep breath and gave it a try.

He managed to pick up a few of the noodles but about halfway up, they slid off. He scowled and tried again, only for the same thing to happen.

"Hold your plate closer to your face," Neji gently nudged the arm holding the plate. "Now, try again."

Harry gave him a dubious look but complied. He was quite surprised when the food managed to make it to his mouth. Though, he couldn't see how he was supposed to get the long noodles into his mouth neatly. Surreptitiously, his eyes darted to the others to see how they did it. Taking his cue from them, he began to eat, with only minor mishaps.

"So," Kiba said, once his plate was finished, "Harry, what exactly is this magic stuff you use?"

"Um," Harry wasn't sure how to answer that, he was sure Hermione would know but he sure as hell didn't.

"It is an energy similar to our chakra," the redhead answered. "They learn to hone it from a relatively young age. However, unlike chakra, magic is an innate ability, they do not have to build it up to use it. Even toddlers can use magic without much effort."

"How do you know that?" Harry asked incredulously. "I've been going to Wizarding school for four years now, and I didn't even know that."

"I had a mission in Wizarding Britain a few years back," he shrugged.

"A mission?" the bespectacled teen frowned. "What kind of mission?"

"I was sent to investigate a break in at the bank."

"Wait," Harry shook his head. "You investigated the break in at Gringotts? But you couldn't have been more than eleven."

"I turned twelve on the mission," jade eyes stared at him impassively. "The goblins wanted me to capture the culprit and bring him in for questioning. It was my first failed mission. After six months, I was told the culprit had been killed and I was sent home."

"I—I'm sorry," the emerald gaze drifted to his lap.

"Why are you apologizing?" a nonexistent brow rose curiously.

"Well, the guy who broke into Gringotts happened to be one of my teachers that year. My friends and I figured out what he was after and that it was hidden at the school. So at the end of the year, we went to confront him, and I, um, I accidentally killed him."

"How do you accidentally kill someone?" Kiba asked.

"Well, he, uh," the wizard sighed, running his hand through his hair, "he couldn't touch me. When he came into contact with my bare skin he received severe burns. So when he was about to kill me, I, uh, kinda grabbed his face and didn't let go. When I woke up in the hospital wing, he was dead."

"I see," the redhead nodded. "Though, I do not blame you for my failure. My father sent me on that mission to fail, I know that now. But I do not regret going. It was a unique experience and, though I did not realize it at the time, I made a friend."

"You made a friend, Gaara?" Kiba grinned. "That's great! Hey, maybe Harry here knows them."

"Don't be ridiculous, Kiba," Shikamaru sighed heavily. "That's like saying just because Gaara lives in the Leaf village or I've visited the Sand a few times, we know everyone there."

"Yeah," Harry couldn't help but agree. "Unless they went to Hogwarts, I probably don't know them. I never really had the chance to get out much."

"Besides, he was rather reclusive," the redhead shook his head. "His condition prevented him from being accepted in normal society. It was one of the reasons we got along so well."

"Condition?" the raven cocked his head to the side curiously.

"He is a werewolf," Gaara shrugged, as if this information were unimportant.

"Yeah, I've only met one werewolf," Harry shook his head. "He was great. A nice guy. One of my dad's best friends, actually. Though, I only met him because he was one of my teachers at Hogwarts in third year. We learned a lot from Professor Lupin that year, except he was ousted as a werewolf and resigned."

"Remus Lupin?" the former Suna shinobi frowned.

"No way," emerald eyes blinked at him in shocked surprise. "Your friend is Professor Lupin? That's just too weird."

"And I was being ridiculous," the shaggy haired brunet crossed his arms in a pout.

"Shut up, Kiba," Neji and Shikamaru said together.

"Do you have a way to get in contact with him?" the redhead asked. "I would like to reestablish contact."

"Well, not really," Harry bit his lip. "I haven't seen or heard from him in over a year. But I'm sure once Hedwig gets here we could send him a letter."

"Hedwig?" the Jonin questioned.

"She's my owl," the bespectacled teen gave a fond smile. "And she's never failed to deliver whatever I've asked her to, even to my godfather, who's been on the run for over a year."

Before anything else could be said on the matter, a large puff of smoke appeared in front of the wizard. Immediately, a kunai flew from the direction of the wall, while two more winked into existence in the hands of the two shinobi on the couch. Harry felt a slight weight settle on his shoulder.

"Hey, there's no need for that!" a gruff voice said next to the wizard's ear.

"Damn it, Pakkun," Shikamaru sighed, replacing his kunai in its holder. "What are you even doing here? Kakashi didn't send you, did he? I mean, he just left today."

"Not quite," the little pug shrugged. "Me and the others just got back with Harry's things. But before he got a hold of them, his aunt wanted me to give him this."

He hopped down onto Harry's lap and pulled a white envelope off his back with his mouth. He waved it in front of the teen's face until he finally took it. With slightly trembling hands, the bespectacled teen broke the seal and pulled out two sheets of what he recognized as his aunt's finest stationary.

Harry,

I'm sorry it took so long to get your things to you, but once I returned from Japan, Dumbledore showed up. But don't worry, he has learned nothing about your current whereabouts or your uncle. Vernon and Dudley know nothing, something I made sure of before we left, and I didn't get where I am today by just looking pretty.

Harry couldn't help the snort of laughter at that. I mean, he didn't think Petunia Dursley was all that attractive, but he had to admire her confidence.

I learned at a very young age to never take anything a wizard gave you, thanks to Lily and her… friend. So when Dumbledore showed up, I knew better than to drink the tea he offered. And though I may not have used it much in recent years, I was quite the talented actress in my youth. So after I saw the reaction Vernon and Dudley had to whatever he gave us, I was able to convincingly mimic them.

This brings me to your belongings. I packed them up immediately when I got home, but Dumbledore arrived before I could send them, and I did not want to risk him somehow following. After a few days, he finally left. But when I went back up to your room, I noticed that your things had been gone through. I don't know if anything was taken, and I have no way to tell if they had been tampered with magically. So I want you to be exceedingly careful when handling them. I would put nothing past that old man.

On another note, I also sent what little I had of your parents' possessions. It's not much, and it's mostly Lily's, but I thought you should have them, even though it breaks my heart to part with the last remnants of my sister, and I'm not just talking about her things.

I know I never said it, and it never felt like it, but I love you and want only the best for you. I hope you stay with Kakashi, and forget about us, and everything here. Grow into the strong man I know you'll be and live a full life, away from here.

Love,

Aunt Petunia

Harry sat in stunned silence as he read through the words he'd never imagined would come from his aunt, who always treated him worse than dirt. He quickly read through it a second time before turning to the ninja hound.

"Pakkun," he cleared his throat to keep his voice steady, "can you…?"

"No, kid," the pug shook his head.

"I didn't even ask…"

"Your aunt said you'd probably want to send a reply," Pakkun sighed. "She doesn't want it, but she knows. Her last instructions were: I don't want to see any of you again. Tell Harry to go and live his life."

Harry gave a frustrated sigh, that sounded more like the Aunt Petunia he'd known his entire life.

"Fine," he finally folded up the now partially crumpled letter and returned it to its envelope. "Can I go home now? I'd really like to unpack."

"We'll all go," Neji placed a gentle hand on the other's shoulder, he understood all too well what having family like that was about. "If there are indeed traps of some sort on your belongings, then we should be able to help."

"Alright, let's go," Shikamaru sighed.

He pushed slowly to his feet and headed for the door, pulling his pack of cigarettes out. He glanced over his shoulder at the other as he placed on to his lips.

"Well, ya coming?"

The others got up and followed him out of the apartment. He was standing just outside, lighting the cigarette, when they caught up with him.

"When did you start smoking, Shikamaru?" pale eyes narrowed into a frown.

"A few months ago," the lazy Chunin shrugged as they began the trek back to Kakashi's house. "I nicked a pack off Asuma-sensei."

"Disgusting," the long haired brunet sneered slightly.

"Could be worse," he shrugged idly.

"Yeah," Kiba laughed, while giving the Hyuga a pointed look. "I mean, he could sleep with ever Jonin or Chunin over the age of eighteen, right Neji?"

"You know," Neji said, giving the dog ninja a blank stare, "sometimes when you open your mouth you prove your lack of intelligence."

"Watch it, Hyuga," Kiba growled slightly.

"I don't know where you heard such rumors," the pale eyed teen took a deep breath, "but while I have had a few bed partners, I by no means have slept with every Jonin or Chunin. I don't think even the Paramour of Konoha has gotten that far, has he, Shikamaru?"

"Shove it up your ass, Hyuga," brown eyes glared darkly at the other.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," the shaggy haired brunet waved his hands in front of himself. "I'm missing something here."

"You know what," Shikamaru threw up his hands up, "yeah, I like sex. As long as it's good, I'll take it where I can get it."

"Which in turn has earned him the moniker The Paramour," Neji added. "Which is actually not a bad title among the upper echelon of shinobi. It is actually just a shinobi that is known for his or her sexual prowess and discretion, meaning any shinobi can approach them for sex. Shikamaru recently earned the title when the last Paramour entered into a committed relationship. He is also the youngest and lowest ranking shinobi to earn the title."

"Kankuro had a similar title in Suna," Gaara interjected. "Though, since he's become Kazekage, he's had to become more discreet."

"Look, most shinobi sleep around," the lazy Chunin sighed, "at least until they meet that one person they end up in a relationship with. It's just the way of life around here."

"Okay, okay, I get it," Kiba shook his head. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just trying to get a rise out of Neji, since Hinata told us he's had quite a string of guys show up at his room. I mean, hey, I have no room to talk, I slept with both Shino and Hinata. And most Inuzukas have several partners, even after they supposedly 'settle down.' I mean, hell, I'm sure even Gaara has a couple under his belt."

"No," Gaara answered simply.

"Wait, you're a virgin?"

"I have been imprisoned for the past three years," jade eyes locked unblinkingly with onyx. "Before that, the only people in Suna even remotely not scared of me were my siblings. Who am I supposed to have had sex with?"

"Okay, enough," Harry cut in, his cheeks a brilliant red. "I didn't want or need to know that about any of you. Can we just get back to the house now, please?"

"He is such a virgin," Kiba laughed as the bespectacled teen began walking away from the group.

"Just imagine how he would react if he discovered that Kakashi was the Paramour before the mantle was passed to Shikamaru," Neji's lips twitched up into a smile.

The others shared an amused look before they began following after the wizard.


Ammie: So this chapter kinda took on a life of it's own and went where it would. And I know some of my characterizations, especially revolving around the sexual exploits of the boys in question, might be a bit skewed, but for this fic, it actually works, and will make sense later on when they go into more detail about it, at least it does in my head anyway. Anyway, please let me know what you think.