V 2 ch 2
New Year's Rush! Will we make it?
"So, do you have any plans for the new year," Kurenai asked her son. He sat on the balcony with his arms crossed, chin on his arms, looking down below the village. He didn't glance at her, or acknowledge that he had heard her. "Ryu," she said not giving up.
Without turning around, Ryu answered his mother. "No," he said lowly and without emotion. He never had plans. Sometimes he wished he did, but things were as they were.
"Why don't you try to get together with some of your training buddies," Kurenai said.
Ryu sighed, closing his eyes. "I don't have any companions." He wished his mother would back off. No one wanted to be around him anyway.
Kurenai pressed further. "Ryu, I wish you would tell me what's wrong. You can't mope around the house every holiday and every night after training. You have to approach others to get them to notice you." She stopped. He was looking at her with 'that' look. The same one his father had used when he was heavily annoyed. Kurenai couldn't help but to look at him sadly.
Ryu got a quizzical look on his face. "How come when you look at me like that, it's as if you're seeing someone else and not me?"
Kurenai turned her gaze away, studying the floor. "I'm sorry. I just don't want you to be a loner. That shouldn't be your fate in life. It's a miserable existence to not feel wanted."
"Well, you're stuck with me, aren't you? Unlike the rest of the world, or do you wish you weren't," Ryu asked.
Kurenai looked up at him then. "How can you say such a thing? Especially to me, Ryu?"
"How can you not answer," he challenged. His mother only stared back at him hurt. If she had wanted, he supposed she could have given him up. It wasn't easy for him. His father had been some great ninja of the village that died before he even knew about him. Ryu averted his eyes, placed his hand on the rail of the balcony and jumped over it. He wasn't one to apologize for his mistakes. Fights were a different matter altogether, though. He was the type to challenge authority if refused an answer.
Kurenai ran to the balcony. Ryu's feet had already touched the street below. "Ryu! Dammit, he's fast for a stubborn kid," she said under her breath.
"Do you always run away from your problems," Ryu heard a voice ask. He turned his head. Standing with her back against a fence was the blond headed girl from a few days ago. Ryu raised a brow, his red eyes watching her. "Aren't you being a bit forward?"
"It's a habit I seemed to have picked up from this tall, dark headed guy that likes to hide down deserted streets," she said watching him seriously.
Ryu blinked. His memory was foggy. "Oh, me. I see. Do you always catch other people's flaws?"
"Not really. I don't like to acknowledge a person's character flaws, but sometimes, you can't move forward without feeling responsible."
He didn't understand. "Exactly how are you responsible for my flaws?" What was this girl getting at?
"Oh, come on, if I let your destructive flaws continue, you'll affect the whole Konoha area. Next thing you know, you'll have people arguing with you and fighting – even challenging you to make themselves look better," she said.
That already happens. "Are you a witch, by chance," he asked. It would explain how he was running into her again and able to read him like a book. His mother wasn't even able to do that.
"No, but sometimes a situation is familiar when someone else is reliving it," she said. "Who are you anyway?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Ryu said.
"Well, I beat you to it, so it's only polite to answer," she said with a grin. "I've never seen you before."
"I keep to myself a lot. It's better that way," he said.
"Better for you or the others you avoid," she asked. He narrowed his eyes at her. "Ah, must be you then. Name please."
"Fine, you hardheaded girl. I'm Ryu Yuhi," he said lowly.
"I'm Saori Nara. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ryu," she said throwing a snowball at him. He ducked, naturally. "Oh, don't get angry. You act like you don't know how to interact with anyone." She watched him walk off. Did I hit the nail on the head? She ran up behind him. "So, what are you doing for new year's?"
"Why are you following me?"
"To get an answer," Saori said.
"So if I give you one, will you go away, then," Ryu asked.
"Nope," Saori said cheerfully. "I'll just push harder."
Ryu didn't know how to partake in the advancements Saori was initiating. He sighed. Most of the others his age taunted him. They know of the legendary Copy Ninja and he heard he resembled him greatly. Ryu wasn't his father and often got ridiculed about it.
He wasn't aware if Saori knew who his father was, or his mother. Ryu figured the kids in Konoha had a lot they had to live up to regarding their parents. They had all grown up in the wake of their achievements. This meant they had to achieve greatness of the same quality, or more advanced.
"Quick, in here," he heard Saori say before he felt himself being pulled into a small restaurant. She guided him to a table and they sat down. "Are we avoiding someone, or something?"
Saori ordered a huge desert and some nice spicy tea. "No, but it's the last day for spice tea half-off. And once New Year's comes, I have to wait till Christmas for this particular cake."
Ryu scratched his head. "You rushed me in here to catch a sale?" He started to get up, but felt something like a wire tired to his leg preventing him from doing so. He sat back down.
Saori sipped her spice tea. She snickered. Under the table, her hand glowed blue with chakra, a nice stream of wire was linked to Ryu's leg. "Instead of complaining about someone's hospitality, why don't you enjoy it?"
Ryu sighed. "Oh goody. You're a puppet user." He tilted his head in defeat.
Saori passed him a fork. "Yep," she said laughing. "My uncle is Kankuro of the Hidden Sand Village." She munched happily on a bite of cake.
Ryu sipped the spice tea. Without meaning to, or trying, he had met someone that was trying to get to know him. Opening his eyes, he saw her lay her head on her hand. He was free from the wire now. Maybe I ought to give her a chance?
"That was good! So, who's buying," Saori looked up at him Ryu rather seriously.
Ryu dropped the fork. "Saori..you…"
Saori put the money on the table. "It was a joke, Ryu Yuhi. A joke. J-o-k-e," she said slowly so he could fathom it. She got up from the table and ran out of the place.
Ryu sipped more of the tea. "She's odd. And…spontaneous." I don't like spontaneous girls. Good cake though.
"Saori, where did you go off to? I've been standing here looking for you. You have to be more responsible," Temari told her.
"Sorry, mom, I ran into a friend," Saori said smiling.
"A friend huh? Wow, what other secrets are you keeping from me," Temari asked.
"None that I know of," Saori said still keeping her smile.
"So can I ask who your new friend is," Temari said as she walked down the street looking for other items she had to buy.
"Ryu Yuhi. I met him a few days ago when I went out. I think he's a loner. He's kind of fun," Saori said as her mind started to wander.
"A guy huh? I wonder how your dad will react to that. I'm assuming this Ryu isn't at the Academy. This means he's older. Am I right?" Temari caught her daughter blushing. "How much older is he, Saori?"
"I- don't know exactly. I think he trains, but I don't know who his sensei is. Wait, come to think of it-," Saori's mind flashed remembering something," Kurenai sensei's last name is Yuhi, too. So Ryu is her son?"
"It would appear so. It might explain why he chooses to be a loner," Temari said.
"What do you mean," Saori asked as she helped her mother pick out fish.
Temari waited until they were away from people over hearing before she spoke further. "Ryu's father was Kakashi Hatake. He was known as the Copy Ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village a long time ago. Ryu's father died protecting a friend and rival of his named Gai. Kakashi trained the Hokage, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno."
"Sasuke sensei and the doctor lady?"
Temari nodded. "Ryu is probably a longer because he is living in his father's shadow. It's not an easy thing to deal with when you're young. You managed to make friend with him without knowing who his family ties are. So maybe he will become friends with you for that reason. Unfortunately, I don't know anything else about him."
"I suppose prying and pushing like I planned would be a bad move," Saori said.
"It's not wise to push others, Saori. People, who are pushed, tend to react hostile to the pusher as a way to defend themselves. You've seen Gaara do it. You have to let someone open up on their own terms," Temari said. "You wouldn't like it if Ryu decided to push you, I know."
"I guess you're right."
Temari and Saori walked home. Upon entering, they realized it was too quiet. Her brothers wouldn't have left the house with Chame, her son. Gaara sought solitude and Chame would drive him up a wall. She peaked around the corner and saw Kankuro relaxing on the couch with a smile on his face. Gaara was on the other end, eyes closed, meditating. "I'm afraid to ask what you two have been doing. Where's Chame?"
Kankuro looked at his sister with gleaming eyes. "He's taking a break," he said with a smile. His hand was hidden from her view; the wire attached to his chakra was going to the puppet in the corner that was wrapped.
Temari narrowed her eyes. "Let him loose, Kankuro, or no dinner for you," she threatened. "You shouldn't be putting him in Crow anyway!"
"He deserved it. The kid has a smart mouth," Gaara said.
"He's seven," Temari said. "If he doesn't listen, punish him, but don't use ninja tools or devices on him!"
Kankuro moved his hand. The puppet opened, spilling out a blond haired kid who was stiffer than a board. He narrowed his eyes at his nephew.
Chame coughed. He moved his arms and legs, rubbing on them for circulation. How long had he been in there? "You're evil," he told Kankuro. Now that his mother was back he couldn't be touched.
"Damn straight! You run your mouth off again without any respect to us and next time you'll be known permanently as the Mute Ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village," Kankuro threatened.
"I wouldn't challenge him. He means it," Gaara said eying Chame with a calm stare. The boy backed down. Gaara and Kankuro kept an eye on him as the kid went around them to the kitchen. "He acts too much like Temari."
"Agreed," Kankuro said.
"Uncle Gaara, do you want to go to the New Year's festival with me," Saori asked peeking her head into the living room. Gaara was watching her with his usual expressionless face. "The festival will be fun! Oh, you can come too, Uncle Kankuro," Saori said with less enthusiasm.
"Why do you always ask him to do stuff," Kankuro looked at her rather annoyed.
"Because you always get in trouble at public functions," Saori said.
"So that's a problem for you," Kankuro asked in return.
"A festival with people," Gaara said contemplating. "There will probably be families and children there who will stare at us."
Saori sat on the arm of the couch. "If they stare, I'll pluck their eyes out of their sockets and roast 'em," she said talking tough.
"Saori, you're too young to be challenging adults," Gaara said.
"I don't care. We're family and no one will treat my family like trash," she said with a sneer.
Gaara stared straight ahead. "So there are comments flying around the Hidden Leaf Village about us."
Saori glanced at him then looked away. "People are stupid. They're jealous because we're different and smarter than them," she said trying to comfort herself more than anything.
"Let them talk," Kankuro said. "People who do nothing but run their mouths have now ay of backing it up."
"Few who do can," Gaara said. "If it means that much to you, I'll go to the festival, but I won't like it." It seemed to have pleased Saori that he was going. She leaned over and hugged his neck before returning to the kitchen. "I'm glad Saori is not a hundred percent like Temari."
"She reminds me of mom," Kankuro said absentmindedly. Gaara chose to ignore the comment. Kankuro sighed.
The group of seven flew through the trees. They were trying their best to get back to the village by New Year's Day. Instead of staying the full night at the inn, they had left after a few hours of sleep. It was better to avoid being seen at this point.
"You really think we'll make it before New Year's is over," Naruto asked.
"I don't know. We're pushing as best as we can," Shikamaru said. "We've got to get back by then. We've been gone too long. Our families are worried and if I know Lady Tsunade, she's as impatient as ever."
"It isn't our fault for being late. We found all of the herbs on that ridiculous list of hers," Kiba said touching down on a branch for a second before continuing on with the group.
"I know, but you know how Tsunade is. She's annoyed quickly," Sasuke said.
"Yeah, she's a lot of fun," Naruto said sarcastically.
Neji shifted Onari's weight a little to get a better hold on her. She woke up looking around at the darkness. He turned his gaze to her for a moment then looked straight ahead again.
Onari yawned hard as she tried to press herself harder against Neji's back to get comfortable. She was half away when he had pulled her out of bed. Now wasn't any different. As expected, she passed out again.
"At least Onari will get some sleep," Sasuke said.
"What I would give to be in her place right now. Oh, well, we should take a break soon, or we're all going to fall out," Shikamaru said.
"It looks like somebody can't hang with the big boys," Naruto said.
"Naruto, if you weren't my friend, I'd drop kick you," Shikamaru said.
"Hah, you wish," Naruto said smirking.
"What would Onari think if she saw you two acting like children," Neji said. The both of them got quiet. "You guys are supposed to be setting an example."
"I don't remember what example you were setting when you came after me all those times," Kiba said narrowing his eyes.
"You taunt me and you'll regret it. That is the moral of the story," Neji said.
"You guys will never change," Sasuke said rolling his eyes.
Takeru opened his eyes slowly. Two lavender eyes were watching him. He yelled as loud as he could moving as far away from them as possible. The sheets became entangled around him and before he knew it, he was falling over the side of the bed onto his back. "Man, why so early?"
Izumi jumped on the bed. She lay down, and then looked over at him. "You're a jumpy kid, huh?" She smiled at him then grabbed his foot, tickling it.
Takeru's eyes got wide. He squirmed as much as he was able, but was still entangled in the sheets. "Mom, stop!" Takeru started laughing. "Mom! Knock it off!"
"I haven't heard you laugh in so long that I forgot what it sounded like," she said stopping once Takeru started coughing. "Hey, Takeru, I had a vision," she said rather excited.
Takeru tilted his head. "A vision of what? You mean those premonitions you used to have when I was little?" He sat up yawning.
"Uh huh. I saw something weird. There were a lot of trees and it was dark. The trees swayed in the wind. They bent towards me like the wind was pushing them that way. Then there was this strange feeling of being swept away, but I wasn't moving. I saw these yellow eyes watching me from the sky, too. They weren't frightening, but they were intense."
Takeru rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "You were dreaming," he told his mother. His mom was odd. She was originally from the water country and had met his father a long time ago. Izumi was an intense water user. She was well matched in skill with most of the top ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Izumi Uchiha stuck out like a toadstool in a patch of grass. Her complexion was normal, but her hair was snow white and her eyes were a beautiful lavender color. On her forehead, were pieces of a broken jewel that had been embedded when she was a child? When the light hit it, it shone brightly and often caught a passerby's attention.
Her attitude was normally challenging, no bars held, spontaneous, fun, and witty. Izumi normally stayed home because she drew too much attention to herself in the village. Like his father, Izumi had grown up a loner.
From what Takeru had learned about his mother, she had been raised as a prodigy. Izumi had been trained as the ultimate top ninja for intense battles regarding the water country. She grew up not knowing anyone and had no parents of relatives that she was familiar with. The white color of her hair wasn't normal. Takeru thought that something drastic happened to his mother in order for it to be that way. What it had occurred, he had never learned of it.
His parents' story was a dramatic, chaotic, and interesting one. Izumi had ran away from her village when she had learned what her purpose was – what she had been trained for. The ninja of the water country had sought to make her an emotionless pawn, but despite the mental brainwashing and torments they had done on his mother, she had managed to hide herself within herself.
The eighteen-year-old Izumi had run into Sasuke Uchiha when he was fleeing opponents that were after him. Not knowing Sasuke – who he was, or what he had done- Izumi had retaliated against the three ninja that were after him. She saw it as an unfair disadvantage. The fact that they were near a river, was her strong advantage in the battle.
Water droplets in the air allowed her to pull water out of places where one couldn't see them. The only place she wasn't strongest was in sand. Sand didn't harvest water for long and it slipped so fast into the earth that even a skilled water user had difficulty accessing it.
Sasuke had seen Izumi has a strong rival. He had made it clear to her that he didn't need her help. Instead of becoming a companion to him at that time, Izumi sought to end the matter quickly. They both challenged each other and fought off and on for a full day. Neither one of them backed down, or gave up – each trying to prove to the other their worth.
Once they were at a standstill, they both reconciled and bonded in that way. They were evenly matched. Like Sasuke, Izumi was running from her past and herself. And like Izumi, deep down, he was trying to make his own foundation to stand on. They were two people from two completely different worlds whose paths crossed at a critical point in time. Over the next two years, they were an unlikely team that avenged anyone that needed it.
Izumi had a soft spot for children and those less fortunate. Sasuke sought justice against those that deserved it. He was hardcore and skilled in his fighting techniques. Over time, they became best friends and depended on each other for survival.
An intense confrontation from Sasuke's past had nearly killed Izumi when they encountered a man who was after Sasuke. Izumi's defeat had almost torn them apart as strongly as they had bonded over the past two years. Not wanting to see her suffer further, Sasuke had given up being a wanderer to assist Izumi in her recovery.
One thing that occurred during that time was that his parents fell in love. Their bond became stronger through the trail Izumi and Sasuke went through with each other. Also, Takeru soon followed and the rest was history. Yes, his mother was one-of-a-kind and he gave her trouble, Izumi was his mother. She would do anything for him and didn't let him forget it. Sasuke and Takeru were all she had. She held onto them as strongly as she could without breaking their independence.
"It wasn't a dream, Takeru. I was awake," Izumi said. She talked to her son like an equal- not like a child. "Are you still going to the festival, even though, Sasuke's not back yet?"
Takeru lowered his gaze. "I'm not going without dad. No one would go with me anyway," he said under his breath. He felt his mother caress his cheek. "Mom and I that unlikable?"
Izumi kisses his forehead. "No, you just haven't met the right kids to be with. Everyone is different and everyone is special. Certain children bond with others instantly, and certain ones bond later. The ones that take the longest to bond end up being the strongest relationships. It's not your fault, Takeru. The ones that ignore you are not worth your time. The ones that keep fighting for you are."
Takeru sighed. "You're thinking of dad, aren't you…?" His mother nodded. He gave up by falling backwards. Takeru grumbled. "I'm not dad."
"No, you're not Sasuke. And I'm glad you realize that now. Takeru needs to be Takeru."
"You have an odd way of using reverse psychology."
"Yes, but it works," Izumi said smiling. "If you're serious about not going to the festival, you can help me spruce up the spare room. I did mention that our guest is a girl, right?"
Takeru sat up abruptly. "A girl?! Are you crazy? Why is dad bringing home a girl?" He was flipping out. A girl was going to be next door to his bedroom. A girl that he didn't know – that might fight with him. Why did it have to be a girl? He thought it was someone his dad's age! Takeru pulled on his hair.
Izumi tilted her head. She smiled at him again. "Takeru, calm down. If it makes you feel any better, she's extremely shy. She's going to be scared of us when she gets here."
"I guess you already know her name, too," Takeru said. His mother never told him the full details of anything – which about killed him. He liked to be given the heads up. He crossed his arms.
"Your dad named her Onari," Izumi said.
"Dad….named her…?" Takeru froze. The girl that was coming didn't even have a name. She probably wasn't visiting either. He was slowly starting to understand the huge concern over his behavior regarding the new guest. "Mom, this girl isn't just going to visit is she? She's going to live here," Takeru said calmly, his mind thinking.
"I'm hoping we can give her a home, Takeru. Your father must feel protective of this girl in order to bring her back here. You have to understand, we're parents and we want the best for you and we worry about you a lot. Sasuke is hoping that Onari and you will be friends and help each other. She is just as alone as you are, but together, the both of you have us. You two will have the support you need to make it through life. However, if you're uncomfortable with her, or a problem arises, then we have to find another home for her. Our main concern is you and will always be you. You are our son. That will never change. I need to know what's going on in your head, Takeru. Please tell me," Izumi pleaded as she watched him cover his face.
Takeru gritted his teeth. He hated to say what he was thinking. He was trying to imagine what the girl looked like; where she was from; her personality, girl that's coming could be my friend, or she could hate me like all the other students. I don't know what to do.
Izumi came off of the bed. She got on her knees and put her arms around her son. It was better to let him know now than to wait until Sasuke came home with Onari. It was less of a shock that way. She held him tightly, putting her head on his head. If Takeru allowed Onari to come into their lives, it was going to be an obstacle for all of them.
Takeru let his mother hold him. It was something he rarely allowed. If his father was home, Takeru wouldn't let anyone touch him and would act tough about it. Everything relied on his decision. By saying 'yes', he was allowing someone to have chance at a better life – possibly a family and a friend. By saying 'no', he was making the choice for the girl to live somewhere else and possibly hurting this girl who was trusting his father. He had to make a decision. Takeru didn't want to hurt anyone. "I..can't let someone suffer. I…also don't want to hurt dad."
"You have to make the decision. It doesn't have to be made right this moment. You can think about it for a while," Izumi said.
"I need to think about it," he said. He got up. It was too early for all of this. Takeru put on his shoes after he got dressed and left.
Izumi resumed sprucing up the spare room. She closed her eyes. It was in her son's hands now. She wanted to know what path he was choosing to follow in his thoughts. It would let her and Sasuke know if Takeru was slipping away from them. Please make the right decision, Takeru. Even if it's difficult. Even if it is painful. Even if you don't understand right now.
