Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series…But if I did I would be rich by now ^_^
"Speaking"
(Thinking)
"Guardian Angel Talking" (Guardian Angel Thinking)
(Also known as)
What happened in Chapter 11:
Back in the facility…
"Steam, how long does it take for Anubis to search for that girl?" Liz complained.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch; Anubis is a dog of patience and wits. So be patient" He blurted.
"Be patient? Steam, Noboro had to dispatch some scouts to look for the kid and your mutt. Don't you think your dog failed?" Liz barked.
"Hey, I trained all of my pets to never fail an order" Steam pointed out.
"Oh yeah, then explain to me what went wrong with Kai? Liz asked.
Steam grabbed on to her jacket and glared at her. "Never, ever mention that name in front of me again"
"Steam let go of her" Noboro ordered.
Steam lets go of Liz and grunted.
"The scouts have returned" Noboro mentioned.
A few minutes later a group of ninjas entered the room. "Noboro –sama, we have found Anubis" A scout declared.
"Really, where is he? I need to give him a piece of my mind" Steam exclaimed.
The ninja looked at his teammates and nodded, a few seconds later they brought in something that was suspiciously wrapped in a huge cloth.
"What's that" Steam pointed at the cloth.
The ninja's fell silent.
"Oi, answer me" Steam barked, but the ninja's didn't budge. "Fine I'll look at it myself" Steam walked next to the cloth and cut it open, when the cloth fell on the floor he was shocked to see Anubis's severed head rotting right in front of him. "A-anubis?"
Steam carried the head and hugged it. "ANUBIS" He cried, he looked at the head straight at the eye and saw a kunai lodged into one of them. He took it out and was enraged. "I'll get you for this Kai" He swore.
"Where's the child" Liz asked.
"We don't know" One of the ninja's answered.
"You lost her trail, what are we going to do if the world finds out about his? You people are useless" She barked.
"LIZ" Noboro barked.
"But Noboro they –"
"Forget about it Liz, what I have feared must have came true. The child must've found someone and followed that person to their village" Noboro cursed.
"So what are you planning to do?" Liz asked.
Noboro stopped and thought, he then looked at the scouts. "I want all of you to split up and got to the surrounding villages near the area. I want you to search KA1, and if you spot her come back and report to me"
"Yes Noboro –sama" The scouts quickly headed out to do their mission.
Steam kept crying over Anubis's head and couldn't pull himself together.
"Noboro, what are you planning to do when you find out where she's been hiding?" Liz asked.
Noboro looked at Liz and grinned. "Simple, I'm going to take matters into my own hands. If she doesn't want to cooperate I'm just going to have to kill her on the spot"
"But the Jubi's transformation isn't complete yet" She pointed out.
"Liz you have completely forgotten"
"Forgotten what?"
"That when the Jubi's transformation is complete the child will cease to exist" Noboro explained.
"So that means…"
"Yes Liz, killing two birds with one stone" Noboro sneered.
Chapter 12: A Game Called Shogi
It was Saturday, a day where children gain their freedom from school. But not for the kids in the Yuhi household, whenever it's a Saturday Shikamaru comes over to watch over Keiichi and Kai while Kureani goes out. And whenever he's in the house Shogi
is the name of the game.
Shikamaru picked up the Kin –Shou (Gold General) and moved it to the upper right side. "Checkmate" He proclaimed.
"What?" Keiichi observed the Shogi board and groaned. "Awww man, I lost again"
"Keiichi, that's the twenty fifth time you've lost. Didn't I tell you to practice?" Shikamaru reminded.
"Hey, I did practice" Keiichi lied.
Shikamaru crossed his arms and sighed. "You're lying"
"I'm not lying, right Kai?"
Kai looked at Keiichi and didn't know what to do.
"Just agree to what I said" He whispered to her.
"Oh…" She winked back. "Shikamaru –san, he's telling the truth"
"See Shikamaru –niisan I'm telling the –"
Before Keiichi could finish his sentence, Shikamaru swats Keiichi's head with a rolled up magazine.
Keiichi rubbed his head to ease the pain. "Oww, what did you do that for?"
"You lied right in front of me" Shikamaru pointed out. "And for that, I'll challenge you for three more rounds"
"What no way" Keiichi moaned.
"Five" Shikamaru barked.
"Hey, that's not fair I –"
"Ten; don't make me go to fifteen" Shikamaru warned.
"But…FINE" Keiichi growled. "But after me you teach Kai to play too" He pointed out.
"Okay, deal" Shikamaru shook hands with Keiichi and continued playing.
It wasn't long until Keiichi finished his turn; he lost all the ten matches in less than three minutes and had enough.
"Finally its Kai's turn" He stood up and grabbed Kai, he placed her on his side and patted her shoulder. "Good luck Kai" He then ran back to his room.
Shikamaru looked at Kai and smiled. "Don't worry Kai, I'll go easy on you" He assured. "So, what do you know about Shogi?" He asked.
Kai dug into her pouch and took out the How To Play Shogi book. "I've been reading this book but…I still don't get it" She confessed.
"No problem, that's why I'm here" Shikamaru pointed out. "Now, let's start with the basics. What are the names of the Shogi pieces?" He asked.
Kai scanned the pages of the book.
"Without looking at the book" Shikamaru ordered.
Kai closed the book and laid it at her side.
"Now name all the pieces from the minor pieces to the major pieces" Shikamaru ordered.
"Okay" Kai sighed. "The first minor piece is the Fu –Hyou (Pawn), Kyou –Sha (Lance), Kei –ma (Knight), Gin –Shou (Silver General), and Kin –Shou (Gold General). For the major pieces they are called Hi -Sha (Rook) and Kaku –Gyou (Bishop)" She
explained.
"Very good Kai, I'm impressed" Shikamaru complimented. He than picked up the two biggest pieces and showed it to Kai. "Now, what are the names of these pieces?" He asked.
Kai thought long and hard but forgot what it was; she tried reaching for the book but Shikamaru's eyes were too fast.
"I said don't look at the book" He barked.
"S-sorry" Kai apologized. "But I forgot the names" She confessed.
"This one is called the Gyoku –Shou (Jeweled King) and this one is called the O –Shou (King General). Understand?"
Kai nodded her head.
"Okay do you know how they move?" He asked.
"Yup, that's the one I read the most" She boasted.
"Okay, what about promoting the pieces?" He asked.
"Promoting pieces?" She asked.
"Okay I'll explain" Shikamaru grabbed the pawn and placed in on the board. "What if the pawn kept moving forward and reached the end of the board?" He asked.
"It won't move anymore because there's no more space to move up" She answered.
"That's why there is a promotion, Kai when something like this happens you must flip the Fu –Hyou (Pawn), when it is flipped it is now called the To –Kin (Promoted Pawn). You could also promote your Kyou –Sha (Lance), when promoted it will be
called Nari –Kyou (Promoted Lance). Both promoted pieces moves like a Kin –Shou (Gold General)" He explained.
"Oh, I see"
"The Kei –Ma (Knight) and Gin –Shou (Silver General) can also be promoted. When the Kei –Mai (Knight) is flipped it will be called Nari –Kei (Promoted Knight). And when the Gin –Shou (Silver General) is flipped it will be called Nari –Gin (Promoted
Silver). Both newly promoted pieces moves like a Kin –Shou (Gold General) too" He explained.
"What are the pieces that can't be promoted?" Kai asked.
"Good question Kai, the pieces that can't be promoted is the Kin –Shou (Gold General), the Gyoku –Shou (Jewelled King), and the O –Shou (King General)"
"What about the Hi –Sha (Rook), and the Kaku –Gyou (Bishop)?" She asked.
"Those two are special, when the Hi –Sha (Rook) is flipped it will be called Ryu –ou (Dragon King) the special thing about it is that, when promoted it can also move one step diagonally. And when the Kaku –Gyou (Bishop) is flipped it will be called Ryu
–Ma (Dragon Horse). When promoted it can move one step forward, backward, left, and right"
"When can I promote them?" Kai asked.
"You can promote your piece when that piece enters the opponents' camp" Shikamaru explained.
"Where's that?"
"The opponents' camp is here" Shikamaru pointed at the farthest three rows from his side. "That's my opponents' camp" He then pointed at the first three rows of his side. "And this is your opponents' camp"
"Ohhh"
"Remember, it's optional to promote. But when that piece is promoted you can't turn it back to its original state, okay?"
"Okay"
"So let's start playing" Shikamaru suggested.
"Can I fix the pieces?" Kai asked.
"Sure, why not"
Kai grabbed the pieces and assembled them on the Shogi board. When she was done Shikamaru observed her work and chuckled.
"What's wrong?" Kai pouted.
"Kai you made a mistake, the O –Shou (King General) Should be mine" He pointed out.
"But why?" Kai asked.
"Because, I'm older and more experienced than you" He pointed out, he then switched the O –Shou (King General) and the Gyoku –Shou's (Jeweled King) places. "And don't worry, since this is you first game I'll be very easy on you" He assured. "Let's
begin, I'm giving you the first move" Shikamaru gestured.
Kai took a deep breath and picked up a Fu –Hyou (Pawn), but as she was about to place on the board Shikamaru stopped her.
"Kai you don't pick them up that way"
"How do I pick them up?" She asked.
"You snap them" He pointed out.
"Snap?"
"I'll show you, you pick up the piece with your thumb and middle finger. But when you drop it you switch your thumb with your index finger like so, and snap" He explained.
"Oh okay" It took Kai a few minutes to get the hang of the snap, but with a little help with Shikamaru and she eventually got the hang of it. But even if Shikamaru went very easy on her, Kai had a hard time beating her.
Shikamaru raised his Kin –Shou (Gold General) and snapped it in front of Kai's Gyoku –Shou (Jeweled King) "Checkmate" He proclaimed.
Kai knew that she would lose, so she wasn't surprised when she lost.
Shikamaru stood up and patted Kai's head. "Don't worry Kai, A little more practice and I'm sure you'll win some games" He assured.
Kai looked at Shikamaru and hugged him. "Thanks Shikamaru –san"
Keiichi got out of his room and looked at the two. "So, you two finally done?" He asked.
"Yes nii-san" Kai answered.
"So how'd you do?" Keiichi asked.
"I lost" Kai smiled.
"Why are you happy? Aren't you supposed to be angry or something?"
"Well Kai is a good sport, and unlike you she actually studied for this" Shikamaru pointed out.
"Well it's my book that taught her that, so you have to thank me" Keiichi boasted.
Shikamaru sighed. "Why won't you play with Kai, I'm sure she will learn a lot from you" Shikamaru suggested.
"Okay, but I won't go easy on you" Keiichi warned. "So do your best"
"Sure" Kai nodded.
The children placed themselves beside the Shogi board and arrange their pieces.
"You know what'll make this game interesting?" Keiichi told Kai.
"What?" She asked.
"If I win, I get you to do something for me" He suggested.
"And If I win?" Kai asked.
"It's up to you" Keiichi pointed out.
"Hmmm, I know you get to answer something for me. And you won't lie about it" She announced.
"Okay it's settled" He shook Kai's hand and smiled. (I'm going to beat her for sure; I've been playing this game longer than she has) He thought.
When the children assembled their pieces, the game started. Shikamaru sat on the couch and watched the children as they played; he was impressed with Kai's skill. She only learned the game for a few days, but she is showing signs that she has been
playing this game for a long time.
Keiichi was annoyed; he didn't know that Kai had this skill. (I have to beat her; I just got to beat her) He thought.
Kai looked at Keiichi and giggled. "I got you now" She picked up her Hi -Sha (Rook) and promoted it to Ryu –ou (Dragon King).
"N-no way, I didn't see that" Keiichi roared.
Keiichi is in a difficult spot. When Kai promoted her Hi -Sha (Rook) into a Ryu –Ou (Dragon King) she had the upper hand. For the Ryu –ou (Dragon King) is one of the most powerful pieces in the game.
"Oh she's got you now Keiichi" Shikamaru teased.
"I know, I know" Keiichi barked, he raised his Gin –Shou (Silver General) and placed it in front of his O –Shou (King General) to protect it.
Kai in the other hand picked up her Ryu –Ou (Dragon King) And placed it in front of Keiichi's Gin –Shou (Silver General). "Checkmate" She proclaimed.
When Keiichi observed the Shogi board, he was surprised that he lost to a beginner. "How did you?"
"Yay I won, did you see that Shikamaru –san?" She boasted.
Shikamaru smiled at the child and patted her head. "You're pretty good at this game" He complimented.
"Thank you" She then looked at Keiichi and smiled. "A deal's a deal, remember?"
"I know I know, so what's your question?" He asked.
"The other day you were complaining about Shogi remember?" She pointed out.
"Yeah, so?"
"But you had to force yourself to like the game because of your dad right?" She explained.
Keiichi didn't react.
"So I was wondering; when will I get to meet him? I mean I haven't seen him since I got here" She pointed out.
When Keiichi heard what she said his head drooped down. Shikamaru couldn't say anything and was shocked when Kai hasn't learned about Asuma's death.
"Is he in a special mission or something? Because –" Kai stopped. When she looked at Keiichi's face she knew she said something wrong. "Nii -san?" She silently said.
Shikamaru had to break the silence; he stood up and placed his hands on his waist. "Now that's over, let's do something else" He suggested.
"Was it something that I said?" Kai blurted.
But Keiichi still wouldn't look up.
Shikamaru held Kai's shoulder and looked at her. "Don't worry Kai, he's fine" He assured.
"But…"
Suddenly Keiichi snapped from his daze and smiled at Kai. "Don't worry Kai, I'm fine, and about your request. I'll ask mom first" He pointed out.
"Oh, okay" Kai stood up and walked to the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink?" She asked.
"No I'm fine" Keiichi answered.
"What about you Shikamaru -san?" She asked.
"A glass of water will be nice Kai"
"Okay"
While Kai was getting some refreshment Shikamaru looked at Keiichi and sighed. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" He asked.
Keiichi looked at Shikamaru and smiled. "Of course, she is family after all"
A few hours later Kurenai came back, she thanked Shikamaru for watching over the children and got started with dinner.
"Mom what's for dinner?" Keiichi asked.
"Domburi" Kurenai answered.
"Is it done now?" He impatiently asked.
"Keiichi can't you wait until I'm done cooking the dish?"
"Aww but I'm hungry" He groaned.
"Hungry, but not starving" She pointed out. "Why won't you go play with Kai while I'm cooking" She suggested.
"Fine" He groaned.
Keiichi walked to the living room and plopped himself on the couch.
"Nii –san, what do you want to do?" Kai asked.
Keiichi looked at the ceiling and sighed. "I don't know" He answered.
Kai sat next to him and sighed as well.
"Kai?"
"Yes nii –san?"
"Why do you want to meet my dad?" He asked.
Kai looked at Keiichi and smiled. "Because, you're doing something you hate just for him. I think it's kind of cool" She explained.
"Really?"
"Yeah"
Keiichi leaned back smiled. "I guess you could say that"
"You know, you're pretty lucky. You have such good parents caring for you" She pointed out.
"No Kai, I only have one" He silently said.
"Did you say something nii –san?"
"Huh, oh it's nothing. I just got a little distracted, that's all" He explained.
"Oh, okay"
"Kids, dinner is ready" Kurenai hollered.
The children jumped out of the couch and headed to the dining area. They sat down on the table and humbly received their food.
After they had dinner the children washed up and went straight to bed. Kurenai checked on them before they slept.
The first room Kurenai checked was Kai's, she slowly peeked through the door and noticed Kai was still up.
"Kai, why are you still up?" She sternly asked.
Kai quickly hid the Shogi book behind her back and smiled. "Uhhh it's nothing"
"Oh, really?" Kurenai ran to the bed and pounced on Kai; she quickly grappled the chills and tickled her non stop.
"Stop it Kurenai –san, my stomach hurts" She pleaded.
"Not until you show me what you hid behind your back" Kurenai demanded.
"Okay, okay, I give" Kai grabbed the book behind her back and gave it to Kurenai.
"Why are you still reading this? You know it's past your bedtime" She reminded.
"I know but, I find it interesting now" She explained.
"Since when did you find Shogi interesting?" She asked.
"Since I beat nii –san on our first game" She boasted.
"You beat Keiichi, on your first game?"
"Yup"
"My, you really are something" Kurenai complimented.
"Thank you"
"But it's late now, so I'll take this book and tuck you in" She announced.
"Awww but –"
"No buts Kai, you have to sleep. A growing girl needs all the rest she can get" She pointed out.
"Fine" Kai groaned, she slipped under her covers and waited for Kurenai to tuck her in.
Kurenai got out of the bed and tucked the child in. "Goodnight Kai" She lulled.
"Goodnight….mama" She groggily said and instantly fell asleep.
Kurenai was surprised when she heard these words. She knew that she treated the child as her own, but she never knew that Kai will comfortably say the 'm' word with ease.
"Good night Kai" She lightly fixed the child's bangs and kissed her forehead.
She then headed to her son's room; she gently opened the door and was also surprised to see Keiichi sitting on his bed.
"Keiichi why are you –" She stopped when she saw him tearing up, she quickly sat beside him and hugged him in her arms. "Keiichi, is everything alright?"
Keiichi quickly wiped his eyes with his arm and snorted. "Yeah I'm fine" He lied.
Kurenai raised his chin and looked into his eyes. "No, nothing is fine. I know you Keiichi so don't lie to me" She pointed out.
Keiichi started tearing up again; he gets out of Kurenai's grip and continued wiping his eyes.
"Keiichi, I'm your mother. You can tell me anything" She lulled.
Keiichi took a moment and took a deep breath. "Mom, what was he like?" He asked.
Kurenai hugged her son again and kissed the side of his head. "Who dear?" She asked.
"You know…Dad? What was he like?"
Kurenai tightened her grip around the child and gently rubbed his arm. "What do you want to know?"
"Did he do, anything cool?" He asked.
"Oh he did a lot of cool things, from fighting bad guys to teaching team ten" She answered.
"Was he, a nice guy?"
"Of course he was. He might've had a bad habit of smoking, but he was the sweetest, nicest and most generous person I've ever met" She said.
"Do you think…He still cares for me?" He sighed.
Kurenai looked at him and smiled. "Of course he still does, I'm pretty sure he's watching us from heaven right now"
"What about her?" He silently said.
"Who my dear?" She lulled.
"Kiseki?" He whispered.
Kurenai's heart dropped when she heard her dead daughter's name. "What about her?"
"What happened to her?" He asked. "You never told me what happened to her" He pointed out.
Kurenai kissed her son's forehead and tucked him in his bed. "Sorry Keiichi, I can't tell you. At least not yet" She explained.
Keiichi rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Okay, I just wished they were here" He silently said.
Kurenai didn't react.
"And oh, mom?"
"Yes Keiichi?"
"Can we visit dad tomorrow? I lost the Shogi match with Kai and I promised her that she could meet dad" He explained.
"Okay" She silently said. "Goodnight Keiichi" She lulled.
"Goodnight mom" He groggily said.
When Kurenai got out of the room she gently closed Keiichi's door and headed in the living room. She lied down on the couch and looked at the ceiling.
(Why did he suddenly ask those questions?) She asked herself, she hugged her pillow and turned to the side; she tightened her grip on the pillow and tried to hold her tears.
(Asuma, how are you? I wish you were here too) She didn't feel comfortable with her position and turned the other way. (What about our daughter, how is she? I wish I could see her face) She thought.
The Yuhi household fell silent, the sound of the clock ticking and the crickets chirping echoed through the night.
But not in Kai's head, usually she would dream about the strange room and those strange people, but tonight was different from the other nights. On this night her guardian angel challenged her on a game of Shogi.
"Checkmate, I win again" He proclaimed.
"Awww, that's the eighth time I lost" Kai groaned.
"Well what can I say, I'm pretty good" He boasted.
"I'll never get good in this game" She pouted.
"Oh I wouldn't say that, you are actually a good opponent" He complimented.
"Really?"
"Really" (Shikamaru has taught her very well) He thought.
"Alright, I'll challenge you again" Kai ordered.
"Okay fine, but let's make things interesting" He suggested.
Kai rubbed her hands and grinned. "Ooohh, I'm starting to like this game"
"Each time I win, I get to smoke one stick of cigarette" He announced.
"Eeww, why do you like to smoke so much?" She asked.
"Because, it makes e feel good" He explained.
"Okay then, if I win…I get to ask you a personal question, and you won't lie to me" She announced.
"What's with you and questions?" He asked.
"Mamoru said that, if you want to learn something you have to keep asking questions" She shared.
"Okay, fair enough. So, let's start playing"
"Get ready old man, because Kai is going to beat you" She swore.
The whole night, Kai battled her guardian angel in her dream until the morning sun touched the earth. She regretted challenging her guardian angel to a match of Shogi; she lost more than fifteen times and kept challenging him.
"One more game, just one more game" She pleaded.
"Sorry kiddo, but the smoke isn't good for your health" He explained.
"*cough* *cough* Just one more game, please" She pleaded once more.
"I said no, besides. It's time for you to get up" He explained.
"Wait, what?"
All of a sudden Kai slowly opened her eyes and found herself in her room. "What the heck happened?" She asked herself, she rubbed her eyes and looked at the window. "It's morning already?" She got off her bed and headed to the door; she opened
the door and was surprised that she was the only one awake.
"Hello, is anyone there?" She silently asked.
But nobody answered her; she quietly steps out of her room and closes the door behind her. She walked to the living room and stood behind the couch.
She peeped over the couch and saw Kurenai still sleeping.
"Kurenai –san, are you awake?" She whispered to her ear.
But Kurenai didn't hear a thing. Kai walked to the front of the couch and levelled herself to Kurenai's face and asked again.
"Kurenai –san" But as she observed Kurenai's face she could see traces of tears on her cheek.
Kai gently wiped Kurenai's supple cheek, it was soft, it was warm and at the same time smooth. When her hand contacted Kurenai's skin she would not let go, she didn't know why the feeling was so nostalgic, but she liked it.
All of a sudden Kurenai slowly opened her eyes and looked at Kai. "Good morning Kai" She greeted.
Kai smiled back.
Kurneai noticed that Kai's hand was still on her cheek. "Kai, what are you doing?"
Kai quickly lets go of her cheek and places her hand behind her back. "S-sorry I didn't mean to wake you, it's just…"
Kurenai sat up and rubbed her eyes. "It's ok Kai; I need to wake up anyway. I have to prepare breakfast" She pointed out.
"Can I help?" Kai asked.
"Sure why not" Kurenai answered.
The two headed to the kitchen and started cooking. Kurenai puts on her apron and helps Kai with hers. "So what do you want to have for breakfast?" She asked.
Kai thought for a bit. "Ah I know, let's have rice and fish" She suggested.
"Okay then, rice and fish it is"
The two started cooking, and after a few minutes the whole house was filled with the delicious aroma of the frying fish.
"Kai, could you wake up Keiichi, breakfast is almost ready"
"Okay" Kai removed her apron and ran to Keiichi's room.
She barged through the door and pounced on him. "Nii –san, wake up. Breakfast is ready" She announced.
"Five more minutes" Keiichi groaned.
"I don't think so" Kai sat on Keiichi's chest and held his nose. "Wake up sleepy head" She teased.
"Fine, fine, just please get off me" He pleaded.
Kai jumped off Keiichi and ran to the dining area. "Last one there's a rotten egg" She warned.
"Hey wait, no fair" Keiichi quickly got off his bed and ran to the dining area. He ran so fast that he got to the table first.
"Ha, who's the rotten egg now?" He teased.
Kai sat on the table and grumbled.
"Come on kids; don't start fighting this early in the morning"
"Well she started it" Keiichi pointed out.
"Kai?"
"Yes, ma'am I started it" She confessed.
"Well let's just eat okay?" Kurenai suggested.
Kurenai sat down on the table and ate with the children.
"After we eat I want both of you to get cleaned up, Keiichi has a promise to fulfil" Kurenai announced.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot" Keiichi told them.
"Wait what do you mean?" Kai asked.
"You beat me in Shogi yesterday, remember?" Keiichi reminded.
"Yeah"
"Well today I'm going to fulfil my promise to you" Keiichi sighed.
"You mean your dad's coming back today?" She blurted.
Keiichi fell silent; he looked at his plate and started playing with his food.
Kai stopped talking and looked at Keiichi. "Nii –san, is everything alright?" She asked.
But Keiichi didn't react; Kurenai had to do something to break the silence.
"Kai, why won't you wear the dress I picked out for you?" Kurenai suggested.
"Oh, good idea" Kai quickly finished her food and ran to her room. "I'm going to get ready now" She screamed.
"Will you need my help Kai?" Kurenai asked.
"No, I can do it" She screamed back.
Kurenai then looked at Keiichi and smiled. "Are you sure you want to do this" She asked.
"I've made up my mind mom, Kai should know about dad" He sighed. "She is family after all"
Kurenai kissed his forehead, and smiled at him. "I'm proud of you Keiichi" She complimented.
"Thanks mom" He smiled.
"Come on, you should get dressed too" She reminded.
A few hours later they were all gussied up and ready to go. Kai was still puzzled to why they have to go out of the house; she thought that they could've just waited for him.
But Kai doesn't know that even Keiichi hasn't seen his father's face.
Before they got to the cemetery they stopped by Ino's flower shop and bought flowers.
"How much further Keiichi?" Kai groaned.
"Just a few more steps" Keiichi assured.
When they go to the top of the mountain Kai stopped to catch her breath. "Nii –san, where are we?" She asked.
But as she looked up all she could see where slabs of stones lying on the ground. "What is this place?" She said to herself.
Keiichi grabbed Kai's arm and guided her to his father's grave.
Kai looked at the grave and read the name inscribed on it. "Asuma Sarutobi"
"My father's name" Keiichi blurted.
Kurenai walked to her lover's grave and knelt in front of it. She shared the flowers with the children and placed her shared on Asuma's grave. "Your turn Keiichi"
Keiichi nodded and placed his share on Asuma's grave as well. Kai did the same thing even though she doesn't know what they were doing.
Kurenai and Keiichi took a moment of silence and prayed; Kai looked at them and was heavily confused.
When Keiichi finished his prayer Kai looked at him and whispered in his ear.
"I don't get it" She said.
Keiichi looked at his father's grave and let out a thin smile. "My father's dead Kai" He sighed.
Kai's heart dropped when she heard this, she didn't know that Keiichi lost someone very dear to his heart.
"I'm Sorry" She silently said back, she lifted her head looked at him. "What was he like?" She asked.
"To tell you the truth, I don't even know" He confessed. "He died even before I was born"
"Oh" Kai looked the other way. "How did he….Die?" She asked.
"Mom said he died during a mission" He explained.
"I see" She sighed. "So you never got to see him?"
"Not exactly" He blurted. "When I asked mom how he looked like, she would drag me in front of the mirror and point at my face" He shared.
"Why would she do that?"
"Because, Keiichi looks just like him" Kurenai suddenly said.
"Really?"
"Yup" Keiichi boasted, he then dug into his pocket and took out the head protector that was lying on his drawer.
Kai pointed at the head protector. "Nii –san, what's that?"
"It's my dad's head protector" He answered. "When I graduate to Genin I will proudly wear this on my forehead" He happily said.
"You're dad must've been a cool guy" Kai complimented.
"I know he is" Keiichi blurted with a smile.
They stayed there for hours talking about Asuma. Kai couldn't believe the things Kurenai shared with them. And on that night she couldn't wait to tell her guardian angel about her day.
"Checkmate" He proclaimed.
"Great I lost again" Kai groaned.
The guardian angel reached to his pocket and grabbed a cigarette and placed it in his mouth. "Well you weren't concentrating, you were talking too much" He then lit his cigarette and took a huff.
"Well I'm sorry; it's just that Keiichi had a cool dad. That's all" She explained.
"Why, don't you have a cool dad" He asked.
Kai rearranged her Shogi pieces and sighed. "I don't even think I have one" She confessed.
"Oh come on, I'm sure you do"
"How can you say that?" She asked.
"Because, everyone has parents, including you" He pointed out.
Kai lowered her head and frowned. "Do you think they actually loved me?" She asked.
"Of course they do kiddo; I bet they are thinking of you right now"
Kai looked at her guardian angel and smiled. "Thanks old man"
"Stop calling me old man, I'm not that old" He barked.
"Sorry, but it suits you" She teased.
"I should've just told you to stop calling me that whenever I win in Shogi" He regretted.
"Well that's what you get for smoking too much" She pointed out.
"Okay, that's enough talking, let's just play another round of Shogi" He suggested.
"Fine, but this time I'm sure I'm going to win" Kai warned.
While they were in the middle of their game the guardian angel suddenly stood up.
"Hey old man, where are you going?" She asked.
"Can we finish this some other time Kai, I have something really important to do" He explained.
"You sure you're not running away?" She teased.
"I'm sure" He then waved at her and suddenly disappeared.
(Hmmm I wonder where he's going) She thought
While Kai was having a splendid evening it was a different case for Keiichi, he kept tossing and turning on his bed. Something was going on in his mind.
Suddenly he felt a feint palm gently caressing his head; it felt like a soft breeze touching his head. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a man that carried a white aura around him.
He didn't know the man, but at the same time he didn't feel scared. "Who are you?" He asked.
The man smiled and kissed the child's forehead. "I'm an old fiend" He said.
Keiichi rubbed his eyes to get a better look at the man, when he got a clearer vision his jaw dropped when he sae that the man looked like him. The only difference was that the man's eye color is different from his.
"How are you Keiichi?" Asuma asked. "I'm sorry if I haven't been visiting you" He lulled.
"Dad?" His voice trembled.
Asuma hugged his son tightly.
Keiichi started tearing up; he dug his head on his father's shoulder and cried. "Dad, is it really you?" He cried.
"Yes Keiichi, it's me" He lulled.
To be continued…
End Of Chapter 12
Sorry if it took me a long time to finish this, I kinda got distracted hehe…Anyway chapter 13 will be called: Accidents
P.S
Sorry if I became too detailed for Shogi, anyway if you want to learn the rest about Shogi please thank this guy if searched in you tube His username is HIDETCHI and his Shogi lessons are awesome….I got everything about Shogi from him ~Ciao