Chapter 10: A Nice Stranger
Kabuki adjusted her belt and pulled on her ribbons to make them tighter. "Well, it's time to face my parents…" She walked out of the bedroom and found the man from before waiting for her. "Oh, you're up early."
"Do you normally get up at five?" he asked as he checked the clock on the wall.
"No, but I need to get back home so my parents won't worry anymore."
"I see. Will you permit me to walk with you?"
"Sure! I could use the company."
"Alright, let's go." They walked out of the apartment and headed down the street. "So, how old are you again?"
"Seven!" She smiled. "I'm all grown up!"
He laughed. "I beg to differ. You're just a kid. Seven is a pretty small number."
"Oh yeah!" she said defensively, "Well, how old are you!"
"I'm twenty six."
"…Oh…So you're an adult…" She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. "When I get home, I'll apologize to my parents then go to bed. I'm so tired."
"You didn't have to get up sp early. I would've taken you either way."
"I didn't want to be a burden to you mister."
"You're not a burden. The company is much welcomed."
She looked at him, then smiled. He's so kind! "Did I tell you that I'm studying to become a medical ninja?"
"Really now?"
"Uh-huh! I'm really good too! Soon I'll graduate from the academy!"
"You're kinda young, don't you think?"
"That's what I thought, but the teachers all said that I'm very advanced for my age! I even made up some jutsus of my own!"
"That's impressive."
"And I also have a secret weapon…" Kabuki looked around, then leaned in close. "I'll tell you but you have to promise that you won't tell anyone."
"Okay, sure."
"I..." she stuck out her tongue, "I'm not gonna tell you!"
"What? But I promised that I wouldn't tell."
"You fell for it!" She smiled. "Are you a ninja too?"
"Yeah."
"You're a ninja huh…" She jumped in front of him. "Hey! Before I go home, I challenge you to a fight!"
"What?" He tilted his head. "Why?"
"I'm a kunoichi in training and I have to hone my skills!" She got into a fighting stance. "C'mon!"
"I don't think so."
"Whatsa matter? You scared? Are you a chicken!"
"Little girl, I could beat you with one hit."
"Grr, no way!"
He rubbed her head. "I'm sure your parents are still worried about you. I have to get you home you know."
"But-"
"No buts, c'mon."
XXXX
Kabuki poked her head into the doorway. "Hmm?"
"Are they there?" the man whispered from behind.
"I think so…"
"Well, this is where we part ways now. It was fun, but I have to go." He turned around and headed down the hall.
"Wait, will I ever see you again?"
"Maybe, maybe not. It's all up t the winds of fate." He held up his hand and walked off.
"Thank you…" she whispered. She slipped into her apartment and looked around. "Mommy? Daddy?"
Fenrir quickly put his head up. "Kabuki!" He ran over to her. "Kabuki!" He jumped on her and began to lick her face.
"Ack, Fenrir, hey! Alright, okay, enough with the licking!" She sat up. "Where are my parents?"
"In you bedroom. Your mother cried herself to sleep and your father was so depressed. Don't ever do something like that again, okay!"
"Yes Fenrir, I'm sorry." They walked over to her bedroom. "Mommy, Daddy…"
The two adults sat up and looked over at her. "Kabuki!"
Mitsuki got up and ran to her. She scooped her daughter up in her arms and hugged her. "My child! Kabuki, you came back! Do you know how worried we were!"
"I know, I'm sorry…" She looked at Kakashi. "Daddy, I'm really sorry about the way I acted and I'm really sorry for what I said."
Kakashi sighed and smiled. "It's alright, I'm just glad that you're safe." He hugged her as well.
"Where did you go last night?" Mitsuki asked.
"A very nice man helped me out. I stayed with him for the night."
"What? Did he hurt you Kabuki! Did he…touch you?"
"No Mommy! Of course not! He was very nice to me!"
"Did you get his name?" Kakashi asked urgently.
"It's alright, he didn't do anything to me. I didn't get his name, but he said that he was twenty six. He walked me here too."
"Oh Kabuki, what're we gonna do with you?" Kakashi and Mitsuki smiled.