V3 ch 8

Behind the Mirror

Daiya sat on his twin bed with his knees held up to his face, his arms wrapped around them. His face was hidden from view as if he was expecting someone to eavesdrop onto his secluded world. The boy from the lightening country kept to himself so much that his thoughts had grown quiet with resentment at the life he had. It was no one's fault for how things were turning out. He was a foreigner in the hidden leaf village. The other kids ignored him entirely; all but Takeru Uchiha and Ryu Yuhi. Daiya wondered why the two boys had tried to get to know him.

Daiya looked out of the window his gray stormy eyes seeing only clouds and foliage. It was a week ago that Takeru had taken him to learn water walking. He had picked up on it faster than the Uchiha boy. It wasn't that hard to him, but he was older than Takeru by two years. He wondered if Takeru had mastered it by now. Daiya had not spoken to anyone – not even Ryu, who was on his team. He wanted to avoid everyone for the time being.

The outside world seemed as forlorn to him as if he had been a fish trying to walk down the road. Things for him were as different now as they had been before. He was trying to do what he was supposed to on his new team, but it was hard for Daiya to take instruction from anyone. He didn't regard an adult as trusthworthy. The past that bonded him was a horrible and lonely one that ensnared his very being.

Daiya dug his nails into his legs as he tried to not remember anything from where he was raised. The loneliness, sadness, and anger he had felt the entire time he was a child echoed in his heart. It was still there. It was what prevented him from moving on. He wanted his feet to start walking with the other kids. Yet, each step he took made him fall. Daiya gritted his teeth as he felt his emotions swell inside of his chest. I just want a family. Why doesn't anyone like me here? Everyone looks at me as if I have something wrong with me.

The tears started to flow down his cheeks. It was the only time he allowed himself to let it go. Daiya never let anyone see him like this. He kept to himself for his own protection. The world outside was unknown and it held many obstacles and fears. Daiya choked on his sorrow, his mouth opening to where he gasped as his lungs demanded air. "What have I done to any of them," he asked no one in particular about why the other kids always stood away from him.

There was a knock at his door. Daiya tensed as he looked at the door as if it was a loathsome creature that was trying to eat him. He didn't move towards it. He only stared at the door, thinking whoever it was had the wrong room. Daiya gasped as the knock became louder. His body was immensely tense.

"Daiya, did me and Ryu do something wrong," Takeru asked. He knocked on the door again, louder. "Daiya? I know you're in there. No one has seen you around the village. I checked. Come on," he coaxed. "Please open the door."

Ryu looked at Takeru. "I don't know what's gotten into him. He won't talk when we train. He's been avoiding me a lot lately, too. He does what sensei says, but it's like his mind is elsewhere." Ryu looked at the door. "I could just go through it and scare the living daylights out of him." Takeru looked at him a little like he was crazy. "Daiya knows I'm capable. I scared him when I came through the wall at the Academy finals."

Takeru quirked a brow. "You did that? Ryu, I don't think scaring him would make him trust us more." He looked back to the door. "I wish he would come out. What could be bothering him?"

"I don't know. Daiya doesn't talk to anyone – about anything. He's very reserved. Something must have happened to him for him to be that way." Ryu tilted his head. "He is afraid of your father, Uchiha." Takeru looked at him confused. "When Sasuke sensei approaches Daiya to instruct him, Daiya moves back as if he is fixing to be attacked. There is fear in his eyes and a lot of misunderstanding."

Takeru looked at Ryu sadly. "The only things I know about him is that he was abandoned. He has no family and no one wanted him when he came to live here. That's why he lives in this sole room by himself. He's never spoken to anyone, really."

"Is that why you feel the need to befriend him," Ryu asked rather softly. He looked at Takeru seriously. Was it out of pity? He wasn't sure.

"No, not at all. Daiya seems to be a really nice person. I don't think he wants to be alone, Ryu. When I was trying to get him to let you train the both of us, he was really hesitant about it. He didn't understand why I thought he was my friend. " Takeru kept his eyes on the door as if he was seeing through it; as if he knew Daiya was looking at him, too. "I introduced myself properly and it took a lot of courage for him to simply shake my hand. He's afraid of us. I don't want him to be. I want him to be happy, Ryu. There's no reason for him to suffer. If I knew why he was, I'd stop whatever it is."

Ryu nodded slowly. "That sounds nice of you, Takeru, but Daiya may not be so quick to let you inside his head. I can only imagine what his previous life was like before he came here. The way we were often dictates how we are." Takeru looked at him slightly baffled. "You'll understand when you're older. And in saying that, it's not wise to keep aggravating him if he won't come out. He will on his own."

Takeru nodded slowly. "I guess you're right." He walked off with Ryu. It wasn't wise to beat the door down. That wasn't going to make Daiya open it. He knew that. Takeru could only hope that Daiya would come out eventually.

Daiya's back was to the door, his eyes wide. He had heard everything Takeru had said about him. He slumped to the floor slowly. Takeru wants to pro-protect me. He felt his heart flopping around in his chest. Daiya swallowed as he looked at the doorknob. It led to the outside world. He cautiously put his hand on it. Daiya closed his eyes, awaiting something awful as he turned it. The door clicked open.

Daiya opened the door a bit more, his head coming out. He stepped out of the room cautiously. The walls in the room protected him from harm. Yet, Takeru and Ryu were out here – somewhere. If he wanted to get to know them, he had to come out of his hiding place. Daiya gently shut the door behind him.

Areku and Gin walked through the forest searching for things Gin needed. She smiled at him as she looked around the forest, eying the different plants and trees. "So what kind of plants do you normally use in your jutsus?"

"I usually use trees and vines. Trees are really good when it comes to getting away and blocking someone from hurting you. Vines are great for keeping an opponent off the ground or away from you," Gin said shyly. "Areku, you're a really good friend to help me search. I appreciate you using your nose to aid me. It's much easier."

Areku smiled at her softly. Gin was a sweet girl. "No problem. I don't know why you haven't thought of it before. I don't mind smelling out the seeds for you. My dad has me tracking with him all of the time now. I'm getting better at it."

Gin put her hand on Areku's wrist. The boy was older than her by a year. Him and Idai were the same age. She tugged and pointed off into the distance. "See that tree over there? I normally go in that direction to find a lot of different plants and things for Yanagi. She likes to put them together in displays. Want to look with me?"

Areku nodded, his long ponytail hanging on his back. He walked with Gin to where she had pointed out the tree. He looked around. "This is a nice area. I can smell all sorts of plants and flowers here. It takes a while to sort through them though. What kind of flowers does Yanagi like to put in her displays?"

Gin thought a moment. "She likes to use irises. They are really pretty and bring your attention to it. I know she likes orchids occasionally and daffodils. I tried to find her some roses before, but I don't think they are in bloom. If they are, I don't know where to look actually."

"Roses are really sweet smelling. If there were any around, my nose would pick them up. They don't have a bland or mildly strong smell like the irises Yanagi uses. I'm trying to think where they usually grow. Sometimes they grow in a bush, or up like a vine. We can look for some, if you want," Areku suggested. "I don't have anything else planned for the day."

Gin smiled at him softly. "Areku, do you think a rose bush would grow in a dark place or a sunny area?" Gin wasn't used to using roses. One would think she had researched all sorts of flowers and plants, but she had her favorites. She mainly stuck to those in her training. Shikamaru sensei was trying to get her to expand her horizons a little and use other plants to help aid her in battles.

"Roses are pretty adaptable to most areas. They can grow beside water, in a sunny patch, near a shady spot, on a mountain, or a hill. They also come in a wide range of colors. I think yellow roses are exceptionally beautiful. Um, don't tell my dad, or Kandai I admitted that," Areku said rather embarrassed at the discussion of flowers and foliage.

"I thought flowers only came in red or white. Those are the only colors I've ever seen. Do they come in blue?" Areku nodded. "I'd like to find some blue roses. Blue is my favorite color. "

"It should be. It's the same color as your eyes," Areku noted. Gin blushed terribly and looked away at the mention of her eye color. "Gin, you don't have to be so shy about it. It was just an observation. Let's walk a ways and see if my nose picks up the scent of a rosebush." Gin agreed.

Areku stopped a while after they were further away from the village. He turned his head. A scent was on the air. One he knew. Gin noticed his posture. She looked at him wondering what was up. "I think I've caught the scent of someone we know. But why would he be out here?"

Gin searched the area thinking she would see who Areku was referring to. Her sight didn't hear it, but her ears heard something. She gasped lightly, her heart fluttering. A beautiful melody came drifting to her ears through the trees. "Idai," she said softly. The boy from the sound village was out here seeking solitude. She looked up into the trees squinting.

Areku watched as Gin looked up into the trees. She was searching constantly for his form, or where he could possibly be. Areku didn't understand why Gin was always drawn to Idai. He had had a bad run in with him at the hot springs. His eyes looked away for a moment. Areku tried to reflect on what his father had lectured him about. It wasn't fair for him to expect Idai or Daiya to be open to anyone. Both of them came from pasts that were hurtful. "Gin, why do you like Idai so much?"

Gin looked at Areku with her hand on her chest, holding onto her kimono. She was a bit taken aback by his question. However, she was trying to be a better person since she had been placed on Shikamaru's team. She smiled at him softly. "I think Idai is misunderstood. He is lonely and alone, for the most part. He is also from a foreign country and things for him are very different here. Everyone has treated him as if he doesn't exist, but I know he's there. He plays the flute really well. He is also caring and protective. Idai isn't a bad person, Areku. He gets on the defensive when he is accused as anyone else would when they know they haven't done any wrong."

Areku looked up at the trees again. He sniffed the scent on the air. Idai wasn't far. He was up high, for sure. The scent was being downcast through the trees as the wind came and bristled the leaves. "You're in love with him," he said softly. He glanced at Gin.

Gin's eyes became big and shocked. "How did you know?" She couldn't lie to Areku. He was very good at seeing past false realities and truths. He was very sharp.

"I notice how defensive you get when someone talks ill about him. It isn't right for another person to judge someone they don't know. I do agree with that. I know why you stand up for him now – even though, before I didn't. I judged him at one point, Gin. I'm very sorry for it. I don't know Idai like I should. I gave up after he snuffed me off once. I should have kept trying, like you had, but I gave up too easily," Areku confided in her. "Please forgive me for being an insincere idiot." He looked at her smiling softly.

Gin didn't know what to think of Areku admitting fault to her like he did. It had been wrong of the way he thought of Idai. However, Areku was a good friend and she knew he was passed his jealousy. She nodded to him. "I appreciate you telling me that, Areku. I know it's not easy to tell someone else when you're wrong."

Areku caught the scent. He knew where it was coming from. He reached down and grabbed Gin's wrist. "I know where he is now. Let's go pay him a visit," Areku said. Gin seemed to be highly embarrassed about approaching Idai like this. "You won't be able to get close to him, unless you try Gin Akimichi." He jumped into the tree with her. They hopped up and up until Areku stopped. He breathed in the air again to pinpoint it. "I found him."

Gin's heart started to race. She was going to see Idai. Now. Not when they trained, or by chance, but now. "Areku, we shouldn't disturb him like this. We might scare him," she said looking away. Too late. Areku hopped from branch to branch with her. She could hear the melody Idai was playing better. They were getting closer.

Idai had his eyes closed, his fingers moving flowingly across the metal of the flute. He was lost in thought, his tranquility his own as he played a tune from his soul. It was one with the nature around him. Ever since he had made friends with Masaru, they had hung out a little, but the whole thing was still relatively new to him. He was used to being alone. The trees around him bristled as the wind swept through them. He opened his eyes sensing someone watching him. Idai looked down below him to the branch where Areku Inuzuka and Gin Akimichi stood. He only sat watching them.

"We didn't mean to scare you," Gin said softly. Idai was watching them with a serious look. She looked down at her hands figeting. There had to be something she could say to him. "You play really well," she mustered to say. Idai was really cautious of them. His gaze wasn't threatening but it was rather serious.

Areku was watching this scene play out. Idai wasn't sure why they were out here like he was. "We didn't follow you, if that's what you're thinking. Gin is looking for a rose bush." He watched as Idai looked away all of a sudden. He hid his flute from view.

Idai tried to think. He didn't know why he was going to help them. Kiba sensei had told him to open himself a little so that someone could squeeze in. Of course, Kiba sensei had been laughing at him while he said it. Areku was Kiba's son. Last time Idai had seen him, he attempted to quarrel with him. Yet, Gin had never said anything against him. She was a shy girl he hardly knew.

"There is a rose bush by the waterfall," he said before glancing at them.

Areku grumbled. "No wonder I couldn't find the damn thing," he said regrettably. "Water masks anything that it comes in contact with. The scent has been throwing me off." He leaned down to whisper to Gin. "We shouldn't press our luck, Gin. Idai's guard is up. He's not taking too kindly to us right now."

Gin assumed it was best. It was better to take things slow with Idai. He was moving his gaze back to them every so often; not really believing they were still there. "Thank you for helping us, Idai," she said as she smiled at him. He was a bit surprised at being thanked. "Yanagi uses flowers in her displays. I've been trying to find a rose bush for the longest time. Now I can get her something different from orchids, irises, and daffodils." Gin and Areku departed to find the rose bush.

Idai watched them leave. "Why did that girl thank me..?" He didn't understand. The flute was lifted to his mouth again. He paused. "Gin's not so bad. It's Areku that I'm worried about." He started to play his flute again, but with a more happy tune. Areku scared him slightly. Kiba had been spending as much time with Idai as his own son. He was sure to come to war with Areku one day over it. Idai opened his eyes. He had to move his mind away from that matter. It wasn't going to do any good to harvest on it, or it would happen.

Daiya swallowed hard as he found Takeru and Ryu. They were sitting at the ramen stand waiting to order. He stood behind them tilting his head as he listened to Takeru scolding Ryu for aggravating the guy who cooked the food. Ryu, naturally, was not seeing any wrong in what he had done. It was the same as on Sasuke's team. Daiya wanted to get their attention, but he felt weird about it. He thought he was going to bother them. He looked away as he heard Takeru placing three orders for ramen. Why was he ordering three?

Ryu glanced at Takeru. The girl came back with three cups of tea. He smiled a little at the girl to be polite. "You can sit down, Daiya. We've already ordered for you," he said jerking a thumb to the seat beside Takeru. He figured Daiya would sit there instead of next to him.

Daiya looked up quickly. They knew he was there? Ryu and Takeru had ordered him food. His heart felt funny. Why were they being so nice to him? "I…. don't… have any money," he said gently. Daiya had no family or way of earning his keep.

Takeru turned around to regard him. "Daiya, we ordered

for you because we thought you were hungry. You've been locked in that room all day." Daiya's eyes went wide. "Yeah, sorry, but we had to keep an eye on you to make sure you were alright. I kind of figured you were in there. We knew you were looking for us, but Ryu decided he was hungry and we went on a wild goose chase for some stupid restaurant that doesn't exist anymore."

Ryu waved it off with his hand. He was annoyed at Takeru for bringing it up. "I told you I was sorry. I used to eat there when I was younger. I knew it had been a restaurant then. How was I supposed to know the man had a gambling problem and squandered away all of his savings? The guy had some seriously insane mouth watering bread in that place."

Daiya looked at Ryu. Ryu was still the same turkey as before. These guys were the real deal. Their moods and who they were was for all the world to see. They no more tried to hide themselves than Sasuke sensei trying to master his annoyance at Ryu's antics. He started to laugh at Ryu. "You guys are weird."

"Well, you're just as weird as we are – so sit down already," Ryu said turning around. "You don't have to pay us back for a meal. If we didn't want you here, we wouldn't have ordered you anything. We would have tricked Hire somehow into running you off." He smiled at Daiya as Takeru hit the back of his head. Ryu's head went forward. "Hey, watch it, Uchiha. I'm paying for it all. I could make you pay for your own."

"You wouldn't though. You make promises like I do and live by them," Takeru said as he patted the seat next to him for Daiya. Daiya cautiously approached the seat as if it would bite him in the rear. Takeru watched him sit down. Daiya was kind of tense. He really wasn't used to being this close to anyone. "Alright, food's here," Takeru said as the lady placed their orders in front of him. Takeru tilted his head. "Say, Ryu, what did you order us anyway?"

"Well, I got you shoyu ramen and Daiya has tonkotsu ramen. What's wrong?" Ryu noticed Takeru was looking at the bowl oddly and Daiya was not touching his. He had just put his chopsticks in his miso ramen.

"I.. don't like… pork," Daiya said. He tensed a bit expecting Ryu to get angry. He didn't know what Ryu's reaction would be. The guy was offering to pay for his meal and he was rejecting it.

"I don't like soy sauce in ramen. It's kind of heavy," Takeru said apologetically. "If it's all the same to you, can I get something else? I'll pay for it." He watched Ryu just looked at him. He flipped his head to watch Daiya.

Daiya's body language told him he was uncomfortable.

"Daiya, I'm not mad at you, alright," Ryu said looking down the bar at him. "If you don't like pork, you can get something else. I didn't know. You can have whatever you want. The same with Takeru, as long as, you guys don't burn a hole in my wallet."

"Ryu, we're at a ramen shop. All they serve is ramen, you cheap skate. We can't get whatever we want," Takeru said matter-of-factly. "How about I just have ramen with vegetables. "

"Can I… h-have ramen with just beef," Daiya asked. Ryu nodded. That wasn't so bad. The order was changed and everyone was happy. Daiya watched as Ryu and Takeru ate before he started on his own. Ryu was eating behind a menu. "Why are you eating like that?"

Takeru leaned towards Daiya whispering. "He's afraid the world will see his face and the Hokage will have to come defeat him to make the village safer." He laughed a bit before getting popped on the head by Ryu.

"That isn't it and you know it," Ryu said as he looked at Takeru with his red eyes. He slurped up a bit of ramen before he told Daiya why. He looked at him really seriously for someone whose eyes were the only things seen over the top of the menu. "The reason I keep my face hidden is because-," Ryu checked the area before he said anything. "I couldn't handle all of the girls flocking to me at once. I have to pace myself."

Takeru and Daiya's eyes twitched. They had fallen for it. Ryu laughed his butt off. He had gotten them pretty good. They were all serious and anticipating it. He lifted his face mask before he set the menu down. He was finished eating. "Don't be mad. You guys were asking for it. A ninja doesn't tell his reasons for why he chooses concealment."

"Maybe he wears it because he's so hideous under there that the plants in the village would die, the clouds would part, and the world would end if we saw it," Daiya said rather unemotionally. He looked at Ryu with a serious gaze. He didn't like to be tricked.

Ryu blinked. "Hey, lightening bug, that wasn't very nice. I was only teasing you guys, but you're taking it way out of proportion." He watched Daiya lower his head, watching him with a cautious gaze.

"Lightening bug," Takeru asked. He looked at Daiya. Daiya resented being called that. "Daiya, Ryu was only joking. You know he's like that. "

"Don't call me 'lightening bug'," Daiya said hatefully. He turned away from them. He tapped his fingers on the bar, his back completely to them. He stared off at the wall.

Ryu watched Daiya try to hide himself in his own private world again. He looked at Takeru. "It's what Idai has been calling him lately -The white haired kid on Kiba's team. He seems to have taken a liking to Daiya. He's been doing a lot of things to get his attention. I don't think Daiya understands the act of teasing. It's harmless," Ryu said a little louder as if Daiya had grown deaf in the past few minutes.

Daiya merely grumbled.

Takeru didn't like fighting what-so-ever. He thought it was pointless and meaningless. He got up and walked to where Daiya could look at him. Daiya was frowning intensely. "Daiya, Ryu's only a turkey. Don't hold it against him for teasing. It's what he does. He does it to me, too." Daiya glanced at Takeru. Takeru could see hurt lingering in the back of Daiya's eyes. Takeru's eyes softened.

"If he's going to be mad at me forever, I'm going to go," Ryu said disgusted with the situation. Daiya's attitude was getting on his last nerve. He was a pretty patient guy, but the kid was defiant and resentful all of the time. He didn't give anyone a chance.

"Hold on, Ryu. Sit there for a minute," Takeru said. He kneeled to where he could look up at Daiya. "Ryu always teases. I don't think that's what it is, is it?" He watched Daiya look away. "Is it…. Because we were keeping an eye on you?" Daiya shook his head slowly. "Okay, was it because Ryu paid for your meal?" Daiya kept his gaze averted. That's what it was. "We know you're not helpless, Daiya. He paid for you to eat with us because we wanted your company."

Ryu stood up. He walked over to place his hand on Daiya's head. "But you don't understand that, huh? You have no idea what it's like to be accepted, yet." He could understand how that was. "You're not the only one who has had to learn to notice it. I wasn't accepted, either." Daiya looked up at him. "I'm not trying to put you on the spot. Takeru and I have been trying to get close to you, but you've been pushing us away a lot. I understand that you have every right to be cautious, but we haven't tried to hurt you. Only befriend you, Daiya."

"I…. I… kn-know that," Daiya said softly. He watched Ryu crouch in front of him. Reluctantly, he didn't tense, or run away like he had before. He only kept his gray eyes on him.

"I told you before, that friends don't hurt each other. Not intentionally, anyway. I don't mean to hurt you. I'm not trying to. But you have to understand that in order for me to know what does and does not affect you, trial and error has to occur. There's no helping it," Ryu said seriously. "You have to be stronger emotionally to overcome the obstacles you have. Right now, you're holding yourself back from a lot of things. I don't want you to do that. Neither does Takeru. We hate seeing you stand alone as the world passes you by."

Daiya looked from Ryu to Takeru. They were both watching him sadly. Could they possibly mean what they were saying, or informing him of? They were concerned to why every good action they had towards him resulted in a negative action. He felt out-of-place. Daiya stood up.

Ryu and Takeru put their hands on him and made him sit. "Don't run. We're not going to chase you forever. I have to work with you because you're on my team; Takeru doesn't. I'm trying to be a friend. I'd rather us get along, but you're not letting me," Ryu said as he looked at Daiya's frightened gaze. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said reassuringly. "I'm not scolding you nor talking in a strict tone."

Takeru saw things about Daiya that Ryu didn't. He saw the way Daiya lowered his head slightly as if he was not worth it. His eyes softened. Daiya was punishing himself for just trying to get to know them. That's what Takeru figured. He didn't know his new friend's whole story, but he hoped one day he would. Takeru sat back on the seat next to Daiya. He reached up and placed his hand under the boy's chin. He lifted his chin up. "You're not beneath us." Daiya looked at him with shaky eyes. "You're not beneath us, Daiya," he said seriously.

Ryu had a feeling that was the cause of all of the problems. He sighed as he scratched the back of his head. He supposed he needed to pay more attention to body language and actions. Ryu could slightly feel a bonk on the head, mentally, coming from Sasuke sensei at this point. He had told Takeru earlier that Daiya was afraid of Sasuke. So if Daiya was afraid of Sasuke because he was unknown and an adult, why wouldn't he be afraid of them, too? They were just as foreign. He looked at Daiya. Takeru was not letting his chin drop. "You're not beneath us, Daiya," he said to the boy. "You're one of us," he said very seriously. Daiya looked at him holding the gaze. "I will not give up on you. You're important. "

"I won't give up on you either," Takeru said. "I don't want you to suffer anymore." He wrapped his arms around Daiya very carefully. Daiya was like fragile china at the moment. He pressed the foreigner's head to his shoulder. Daiya was not fighting him or Ryu. Takeru assumed he just didn't understand their actions.

"Will you let us keep trying for you," Ryu asked. Daiya looked at him shyly. "Please?" Daiya nodded slowly. Ryu stood up. He turned his head to the lady who was waiting to be paid. "Takeru's paying for it."

Takeru froze. His eye twitched. "Ryu…. Yuhi…," he said as he turned his eyes on the tall genin. Ryu smiled at him stupidly. "You forgot… your wallet… didn't you…"

"It's a strange thing, Takeru. Turkeys don't often wear pants with pockets," Ryu said smiling at him. "But no, I didn't forget it." He pulled out his wallet and paid the lady really fast before he was chased down the street by Takeru.

"Get back here, Ryu! Teasing is one thing, but offering dinner and almost not paying for it, is unforgivable," Takeru shouted as he ran after him. Ryu waved at him as he seemed to get ahead. "RYU!"

Daiya sat on the stool at the ramen shop. He felt better, strangely despite everything that had happened that day. "Those guys sure are weird." He watched until he couldn't see Takeru anymore. Ryu was really running for it. "Ryu seems to be afraid of the Uchihas." He shook his head as he went home.