(Not Human)

"Why am I still here?" Heterochromatic eyes stared at a man's face, head tilted to the side. He was surrounded by the white ceiling and the white walls. There were white tables, desks, and chairs. Everything around him was bright-maybe too bright. The man gave him a slight smile, but it didn't reach his tired green eyes as he raised his hand to ruffle his own hair. His hair was even more unkempt. His white doctor robes were ruffled and there were brownish red splotches around it. "You're here because you're special."

The same heterochromatic eyes stared at him, unblinking. "You're here too. Are you special?" It was strange for the two year old to be asking that kind of question. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he was now… different. "Are you special, Ren?" His small hand raised to lightly slap the man's cheek.

"Yeah… we both are.. That's why we're here.. And why we're still alive." The child frowned and looked to his right. He stared at the slightly opened door, a horrible smell coming from it. There were strange red liquid on the ground, its color more pronounced due to the white surroundings. "What about them? Why are they not here anymore? They're special too, aren't they?" Ren gave a weak smile, resting his much larger hand on the child's hand. "Yes they are.. But.." The child looked at him curiously, lips forming into a confused pout. "But?"

Ren let out a shaky sigh and carried him. He walked towards another door and opened it, revealing a dark room, unlike the previous room. There was a simple cage in the middle, one that could fit a child. He placed him down and stared at him, "Somebody didn't like them. That's why they're not here anymore." He motioned the child to enter the cage and he did, althought he was a bit hesitant. "Why am I here now? And who didn't like them?"

Ren didn't reply for a whole minute before he started to close the cage. "You're there because you're dangerous. You're dangerous and you don't remember." He locked it and sat down in front of the cage, tiredly rubbing the bridge of his nose. Before he started trembling. The child didn't answer, confused. Why was he dangerous? What did he forget? "You don't remember. I remember it so vividly but you don't remember.. It's you. You didn't like the other children.." The man looked at him again, before whispering, fear swimming around his orbs.

"You killed them all, Akaito."

(Not Human)

Toshio stumbled out of the bathroom, extremely pale. His foot hit one of the legs of the desk by the hallway and he almost fell, but his forearm was held by someone. "What is wrong with you?" He looked up and was met with the obsidian eyes of Sasuke. He was scowling at him but it transitioned to confusion when he probably saw how pale he was. "Are you sick?" The Uchiha asked almost awkwardly before pulling him upright so he could stand properly. Toshio shook his head, eyes darting everywhere. "I.. Have to go." He started to walk passed Sasuke but he was stopped when his shoulder was grabbed. "Wait. Did my brother ask something you're not comfortable with? Did.. Did he knew about it?"

Toshio slowly turned his head, seeing the Uchiha looking a bit bothered. It was strange thing to see. "I didn't tell him about it. So.. It's okay. He won't know." He sounded as it he was reassuring him. It was unsual to see and hear Sasuke act even more different than his already different self when he was in his own house. "I know you didn't tell him. It's okay." He tried to smile to reassure him as well but Sasuke didn't look convinced. Damn. He was disgruntled. It didn't help that Kai was not answering him. "What happened then?" He raised an eyebrow at him.

After being asked around, Toshio started to feel more calm. He took a deep breath and felt himself getting better. "I can't really stomach tea. I puked it all out. I'm not feeling too well." That was what he had come up with as an excuse. Sasuke looked satisfied with the answer, thankfully enough. "Right. I'll make sure to tell Aniki not to serve you tea next time. Come. I'll walk you home, otherwise he's gonna suggest that." The Uchiha then walked pass him, heading towards the living room and Toshio followed quietly.

He waited for Kai to talk to him again, but he didn't. Somehow, he couldn't sense him inside of him. It was as if he disappeared. Could he hear him? He let out a soft sigh. Kai showed him some parts of his memory. He saw Ren. And suddenly, he remembered. He remembered him giving him cookies when he was younger. He remembered receiving kind smiles, pats on the head, and being teased relentlessly. He remembered him sometimes being with his father. He remembered going to his funeral. He remembered crying. And he remembered that he forgot about him.

It was so strange when you think about it. He knew that man before but how come he just remembered it today? Then it hit him. It was because of his father. He probably messed with his head. Or maybe… maybe it was Kai himself. Maybe he didn't want to remember his 'creator'. Maybe he didn't want to see that part of his memory so he hid it. For years. And now, he made Toshio remember. His father killed Ren, his own friend that always treated Toshio like his own son.

And that made Toshio hate his father even more.

But then, he realized another thing. Kai was human before. He was an experiment. A human experiment. He couldn't even imagine what life he had experienced and it made him sick. Kai was a killer-his gained powers made him unstable. Made him killed all of the other human experiments. And he watched Akio, Toshio's own fucking father kill Ren. Before being tortured for two fucking yea-

… Was he feeling sorry for Kai? Was he regretting the fact that he treat Kai badly sometimes? Or using him?

Some part of him was. And it made him more sick. He thought of Kai as an it for years. Now he found out that like him, he was human before. He understood everything now. Kai was forced to feel and think of himself as a monster because he killed and was told that he was dangerous. He stayed inside that cage in a dark room alone for a long time, that was why he said that monsters lived in the darkness. He understood and felt what Kai felt then. Kai was lonely. That was why he kept pushing the thought of him of being a monster. That was why he kept telling him not to get attached. That was why he said that there could only be the two of them. That was why he protected him. He didn't want to be left alone again. Toshio then knew, that despite what he had said of him being a monster, he knew for sure that he wasn't. Toshio knew that inside, Akaito was still there. He was still human. And that thought made Toshio think about what he really was.

"I sincerely apologize. I should've ask if you liked tea or not." Itachi looked at him apologetically as soon as Sasuke had finished telling him a brief explanation of what happened, simply being-'His stomach doesn't like your tea.' Toshio smiled, as if he wasn't thinking about a lot of things and nodded. "It's okay. I should've told you. I just didn't want to be rude, you've already prepared it." Sasuke then rolled his eyes before giving a slight smirk to his brother, "He thinks everyone likes his tea." The Older Uchiha gave him a stare that made Sasuke look away and briskly walk towards the door, before he started putting on his sandals. "I'm walking him home. I want some tomatoes for dinner." He looked back at Itachi before walking out of the door, waiting for Toshio. Toshio let out a chuckle and felt Itachi's eyes on him. "If you have some time, please accompany me to eat some dango. Or training. No more questions like earlier."

He gave him a smile again. Toshio nodded, not really finding it hard to do so. If he could befriend him, that would be good. And he wouldn't be asking questions like that anymore which was a good thing. "Dango and training is fine. It was a pleasure to meet you, Itachi-san, although our meeting is cut off short. I hope we can learn more about each other for the next meet ups." He bowed politely and Itachi simply smiled, but Toshio could see some hidden emotion behind it. "It was a pleasure to meet you as well, Toshio-kun."

Toshio then walked out, seeing Sasuke waiting for him iust outside. The Uchiha glanced at him, "Lead the way, Yasushi." The mentioned man started walking, heading towards the direction of Kakashi's house. It was getting dark and it would probably be halfway through there. "You don't have to walk me home, you know." He stated as he crossed his arms while he walked. Sasuke shrugged, his hands casually inside his pockets. "You're unwell cause of my brother. Least I could do is walk you home."

How weird. So this Sasuke would be more respectful once someone meet his brother? Or were they perhaps getting close? For a few seconds, he actually expected some kind of a reply from Kai, but he didn't say anything. Toshio should let him be for now. It wasn't as if anything bad was going to happen. "Oh. Okay." Was his only reply. Sasuke looked at him with a raised eyebrow before looking ahead again. They walked silently for a couple of minutes, the sky getting darker and darker each second. And then-

"Have you ever felt this insatiable thirst for revenge?" He asked out of curiosity, wondering how Sasuke was going to react. This was a different world. The Uchiha massacre happened, but instead of Sasuke being the only remaining Uchiha left behind in Konoha, Itachi was here too. And he was the killer then. Who was the killer now? And did Sasuke still want revenge? "... Before." Sasuke replied, not even looking at him as he answered. "But aniki changed my mind." So this Sasuke didn't want revenge.. He wondered how much that was going to change everything then. There was a possibility that he wouldn't leave Konoha now. "Have you?" Sasuke questioned back, glancing at him. There was no curiosity in his tone. It was just a simple question. Toshio looked back at him, giving an empty smile. He remembered Akio and answered honestly, hands clenching.

"All the time."

(Not Human)

There were only a few more days before the graduation exams. Toshio listened to Iruka as he babbled on while his eyes were reading and memorizing everything he see on the basic academy jutsu and taijutsu book Iruka lent him just so he could study. Multi tasking was kind of difficult at the moment but Kai was… somewhere inside his head. He was probably still feeling fearful about what happened just a few days ago. He decided to let him do just that while he focus on his chakra. He haven't been using his ability that much aside from just heating up the water while he took a bath and all of the useless things. So far, Kakashi had been acting normal. He wasn't as cautious before and he seemed more comfortable around him as well. There could still be ANBU following him around but he figured that as long as he doesn't do anything remotely weird, they wouldn't get suspicious again. For the past few days, he had been accompanying Naruto to find the 'white haired man' in hopes for Naruto asking him to be his friend. Although Toshio knew Kai wouldn't be found in the village since he was inside his head, he still accompanied Naruto. It was, dare he say, entertaining to say the least. They had explored every corner of the village besides the forest. It seemed that Naruto didn't want to go back there anymore, saying that they might get caught this time around. He was just lucky the other time cause he caused a distraction that… made some civilians angry.

They had sneaked inside shops, swam on the river, angered some dogs which caused them to run around the village just to lose them which Toshio was pissed off about. Although he didn't want to admit it.. He had fun. Naruto definitely knew how to make a hopeless finding game be entertaining. All they had eaten together was ramen and annoyingly enough, those three kids, whose names were Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon, kept following them.

He knew they wanted fun since practically everybody in the village had seen the two of then running aroune, doing crazy things that would spell fun. And he recalled what game he suggested just to make them shut up.

"Do you guys want to play a game called, uh, ninja? It's a fun game." Immediately, four heads, including Naruto, whipped to his direction. Konohamaru immediately nodded and grinned, "See, he gets it! What do we do?! What is it?!" He looked really excited as he jumped around. Moegi seemed excited as well, "Are we going to fight?" While Udon simply sniffed and looked at Toshio curiously.

Naruto, although interested, acted like he knew about it. "It's a fun game, believe it! Once we're done though, you're leaving us alone! We have our own adventure!" He crossed his arms and glared down at the three. Konohamaru scowled, "Fine!"

Toshio cleared his throat, interrupting them. "Well, it's a game that tests your reflexes. Okay, so let me explain it first." He raised his right index finger, the four pairs of eyes following the movement. "Ninja is a game played with four or more people swiping at each other's hands to eliminate them. Moving clockwise in turns, players strike a pose in one swift movement and slap the hand of the person next to them to get them out. You'll have to avoid the slap and do the same thing to the person next to you. You have to be fast." As he said that, Moegi squealed. "Oh we're gonna beat you, Naruto!" Udon sniffed again and nodded eagerly, "Who gets to be on the two sides of Naruto then?" They were already planning who was going to eliminate him and Toshio sighed. Of course.

"You guys can choose. Anyways-" They stood in a small circle-it went like this: Konohamaru, Naruto, Moegi, Udon, Toshio. "-your hands have to be in front of you, close them into fists and place them over each other." They followed him, keeping quiet. "We will count down from three and say 'ninja'. All of you can take any position you want to hit your opponent and player one has the first strike and you only get one strike. Turns are taken in a counter-clock motion from then on. You can only strike if you're attacked or if it's your turn. You have to freeze after attacking or dodging and have to wait to be attacked or if it's your turn to strike again. Only hitting the hand count as an 'out'. Got it?"

And the game had started. Player one was Konohamaru who immediately tried to slap Naruto's hand who avoided it using his height. Naruto stuck out his tongue and moved his hand to swipe Moegi's who simply raised her left hand up and the right hand down. She grinned and tried to swipe at Udon who barely managed to avoid it, having to step out a little bit and clumsily swiped onto Toshio's but Toshio smirked and dodged it easily.

"I get it, I get it!" Konohamaru excitedly exclaimed and even Naruto seemed entertained. "Yosh! Let's do it again! I'm gonna out you, Konohamaru, believe it!" He grinned and laughed boisterously. Toshio smiled slightly but then frowned, "Just a few more rounds and we're leaving." The three kids gave him a thumbs up, with them saying, "You got it, boss!"

For the next rounds, there were certainly some…. mistakes. Konohamaru had gotten angry that Naruto avoided him everytime and he hit him on his groin which had the blond screaming in agony and proceeding to try and chase Konohamaru around for a few minutes. Then there was a time where Naruto accidentally slapped Moegi's chest which earned him a punch. He still had the bruise. Then there was another time where Udon had hit Toshio's nose and fumbled, completely falling and grabbing onto Konohamaru for support. They all toppled on the ground in a heap then, with Toshio thankfully on top and not that hurt. But he was so mad. Udon was the first one out after, and then Konohamaru, and lastly, surprisingly enough, Naruto as well. They demanded for another round. Moegi was surprisingly good at it.

Unfortunately, they took way longer than a simple 'few more rounds'.

He shook his head at the memory. His goal right now was to pass the graduation exams. He didn't know which team he would be put on considering there was an odd number of students inside the class, which of course, he assumed was because of his presence. There was a possibility that he would be placed along Team Seven just so Kakashi could watch over him personally. Not to mention, he was Naruto's 'friend' and was quite acquainted with Sasuke. He haven't had an interaction with Sakura yet and he wondered how that would go. She certainly seemed not too always annoyed at Naruto in this worldBut still quite obsessed with Sasuke. He could serve as the bridge for the three of them to get along. So that would be a good thing for them he supposed.

"You're memorizing that while listening? So troublesome." He heard Shikamaru lazily drawled out behind him. Toshio glanced at him from the corner of his eyes and he smiled, "Why? Can't you do it?" He almost teased back. The Nara frowned. He was leaning his head down onto his arms which was sprawled on his desk, "It's troublesome to do that.." He grumbled quietly before yawning and letting his head drop onto his arms again. Toshio continued with his multi tasking, aware that Shikamaru was staring at him yet again. He was currently seated at the back of the class with the most quiet ones. The seating arrangement was non existent in here. Students just sit wherever and he wasn't really in the mood for distraction. If he sat next to Naruto, he might bug him. If he sat next to Sasuke, he might ask some questions as well. If he sat next to the other girls, they might get the wrong idea. And he didn't want to hear their annoying gossips. So right now, he was currently beside a quiet Shino who had been softly petting a hidden butterfly under the desk with his finger and with Shikamaru behind them.

He turned a page and skimmed the rest of it, starting to get bored. There weren't many hand seals but the form and stances of the taijutsu was annoying to remember. He should start on exercising as well.. He couldn't do backflips or cartwheels like these people do. His stamina was not as good as theirs but he supposed Kai could take care of that. He closed the book completely and focused on listening to Iruka, which of course, he decided to ignore when he got too bored. His eyes darted everywhere, looking for something to do. Then his eyes strayed to his side and he smirked discreetly. He rested his chin on his open palm and quietly used his Volukinesis, the ability to manipulate insects. He internally gestured for the butterfly to come to him and nuzzle on his hand that was resting on his side. He watched from his peripheral vision as the butterfly halted before it fluttered away and nuzzled onto his hand.

Shino seemed surprised and he looked at him. Toshio looked down at the butterfly and tilted his head before looking at Shino. He smiled, "Sorry.. Um.. Here." He 'tried' to make the butterfly go back to Shino but the butterfly settled still. "Uh.." He tried to hold back his laughter as he saw Shino simply.. staring at the butterfly, "She…seem to like you." Toshio heard him quietly say. He seemed to be trying to call it back but with Toshio's still activated and mucu stronger ability, the butterfly didn't follow Shino's command. He could see him looking confused and decided that was enough fun for the day. He didn't want to make another one suspicious of him. He deactivated his ability and watched as the butterfly fluttered back to him. "There she goes." He mumbled before looking back at Iruka again.

He could feel two pairs of eyes on him now. One with confusion and one with suspicion. It was so fun teasing them about things that he could that they don't know yet. In due time, maybe they would know. But not today. Unfortunately, he would be bored again for the next two hours or so. The academy was so boring.

Toshio..

He suddenly heard Kai call out. Toshio stiffened before relaxing after a while. He didn't expect Kai to call out. What is it? He asked, still looking at Iruka, although he wasn't even listening to him talk anymore. He was writing so many things on the board and not even all of the students were listening. Some were sleeping, some were eating-like Kiba, for example, some were just talking, and some were doodling on their paper.

I figured out a way for you to practice without being seen.

Did you find a secret place?

No.. It's.. a different thing. I was looking at your memories and I have come to realize that you can come here.

You mean.. inside my head?

Yes. A mindscape, like how Naruto meet the Kyuubi.

Toshio was then curious as to what his.. head would look like. But there was one problem.

I could practice my ability and chakra there. The aura wouldn't be sensed but the chakra however..

Your chakra won't be used. This is simply a simulation.

What? You figured all that out?

Hmn.. Mental exhaustion would happen though, if you spend so much time here. On the bright side, you won't get bored anymore.

Yeah.. I guess.. Though, are you okay? It felt awkward saying that, as if he really didn't know how to say it.

… I'm okay. I've.. remembered things that happened long ago. Although it's painful, it made me realize something.

And? What is it, that you realize?

That I'm still human.

Somehow, Toshio wasn't surprised to hear that. Although that made him question, And what am I, Akaito?

Kai didn't answer and Toshio simply closed his eyes as he felt a pull inside his head. Before he knew it, he was in his mindscape.

(Not Human)