I know I'm late, but I wrote a longer one so put the pitchforks down. We're good now? Right?
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto, sadly
Chibi in a box Chapter 34
What to do with an apology
Ashton's POV
"Bye cuz, don't get yourself killed," I chuckled hugging Serenity tightly. She hugged back gripping me even tighter.
"Okay Ash, I won't, but that means you can't get yourself in a load of trouble," she teased burying her face in the crook of my neck.
"Don't be late either," I scolded, not wanting to let go of her. For a moment she refused to let go but complied silently before nodding her head.
"See you Serenity," June said with a simple smile gracing her face.
"Bye June, love you," Serenity sighed hugging the blond. "You guys are acting like you won't see each other again," Sasori sighed rolling his eyes.
"I'm just going to miss them," Serenity pouted crossing her arms.
"But you'll see them again," Sasori reasoned looking at the begs in Serenity's hands.
"Do you have everything?" he asked, still eyeing her luggage. "Yeah," Serenity answered clutching her bag tighter.
"Are you sure you don't want June to drive you? You don't have to go on your motorcycle?" I questioned grabbing her hand.
"I'll be fine Ash, don't worry," she giggled squeezing my hand back.
"If you don't return fine I'll beat you up, okay?" I teased letting go of her hand.
"Of course, bye," she said giving me one last hug, she then let go of me.
"Bye guys!" she called waving her arm. A chorus of goodbyes and grunts followed as she grinned at them.
Serenity opened the door and with one more look back at us she grinned before closing the door.
"Five days without our Serenity, what are we to do?" I asked looking at June and Sasori.
"We throw a wild party," June answered sarcastically while walked to the living room. "We kidnap people," Sasori answered next.
"Very funny," I chuckled shaking my head. "I need to go to work now, if I leave in two minute and," June stopped to look down at her watch, "six minutes and 47 seconds I'll be on time."
"Well then get going," I suggested ruffling her hair. She smacked my hand away to grab her purse.
I looked to the couch where Itachi, Kakuzu, Deidara, and Kisame sat. "What do you guys wanna do?" I asked setting my hands on my hips.
"We need more food," Kisame demanded getting up. "Woah there Big Blue, we are not leaving now," I warned holding my hands up.
He gave an annoyed huff and sat back down. "Maybe we can-"
I was cut off by June giving me an one armed hug then I watched her say goodbye to Itachi.
"Salutations, I'll be back at 4:00 pm sharp... hopefully, if not I apologize before hand," she sighed rushing to the door.
"Take your time, hmm," Deidara shrugged nodding his head. "Well somebody doesn't want me home, maybe I'll leave early," June teased opening the door.
She looked towards Itachi and nodded her head, he in turn did the same. "Bye kid," Kisame chuckled.
"Bye," she murmured in response.
Before she left she looked up at the ceiling. "Who ever keeps flaring their chakra knock it off! I can feel yours distinctly Hidan!" she yelled banging on the wall.
She was greeted with silence though.
"Dork," she muttered putting her finger in her ear to rub it.
"If I ever find out who keeps popping the air pressure they're dead," she snapped glaring us down before slamming the door.
The boys have started to find great joy in flaring their chakra just to annoy June.
I turned to the boys on the couch a sat between Kakuzu and Deidara. "Why didn't Hidan come down? He didn't eat breakfast, that's a first for him," I chuckled looking over Kakuzu's shoulder to see what he was reading.
"Beats me, he's probably sulking in his room though," Kisame sighed crossing his arms.
Kakuzu turned a page in his book before speaking. "Serenity came by around 6:30 to say farewell to him."
"Really now?" I asked trying to read over his shoulder. "Yes," he sighed, adjusting himself so I could see better.
"Is he really that salty?" I questioned, finally at a comfortable position to read.
"Salty?" Kakuzu questioned in return. "I mean, uh... Upset with her?"
"He's not upset, he is just spiteful at the moment," Kakuzu grumbled shaking his head.
"That's Hidan for you," Kisame piped in rolling his eyes. "Was he always like this?"
"Hidan's been more active than he has been, but that's only because," Kisame waved his hand at me trying to find the right word, "you're so... you."
"I'm feeling a bit attacked," I stated crossing my arms
to glare at him.
"Bite me," he snapped playfully glaring back. I leaned over Kakuzu to carry through with the action before I was stopped by said miser.
"I can ask Hidan if he wants to go out with us?" I offered leaning back to my original spot.
"No," Kakuzu grunted turning the page in his novel, "leave him, he won't listen anyways."
"Such an emo," I muttered rolling my eyes. "Ashton," Itachi warned glancing at me.
"Sorry, I won't pick on Hidan," I muttered, putting my hands up defensively.
I leaned back into the couch and bobbed my foot up, then down out of boredom.
Kakuzu's book wasn't even good in all honesty, Hidan was sulking, Konan is with Pein, Kisame and Deidara were just sitting there as if something were going the happen and only God knows where Obito is.
"Why don't we go to the store now, hmm?" Deidara asked impatiently while standing up.
"We don't even have a car, June took the van and Serenity took her motercycle," I pointed out.
"We can walk," Kisame suggested getting up as well. "But that's like eight miles away," I groaned sinking deeper into the couch.
"How close is the gas station then? Can't you shop in there for cheaper?" Kakuzu asked, now putting his book down.
"It's like a mile away but-" "Then we'll go to that," he interrupted standing up.
"But the gas station doesn't have the best food," I argued scooting closer to Itachi.
"I don't care, it has cheap food," Kakuzu grumbled slipping in his shoes at the front door.
"Itachi doesn't want to go so I'll stay here," I argued crossing my legs.
"Leave," Itachi ordered closing his eyes in slight annoyance. "But don't you want to hang out with your favorite-"
"No."
There goes all of my dreams and emotion. Sometimes Uchihas can be real jerks.
Kisame chuckled before grabbing my wrist and heaving me off the couch.
"Fine, but we need to be home before lunch or else Hidan will throw a hissy fit," I ordered, sliding into my tennis shoes.
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Kisame dismissed opening the door.
"I mean, only if you're sure, I don't want to deal with him screaming at me for the rest of the day," I sighed rubbing my neck uncomfortably.
"If I'm wrong I'll take the blame," Kisame offered. "That wouldn't really be fair, but if you're offering. Sure, okay," I decided heading out the door.
Deidara and Kakuzu followed me out, closing the door behind me.
"You're going to have to henge Big Blue," I said patting him on the back. "When don't I have to?" he jokingly asked, putting his hands together in a seal I could not name.
A puff of smoke later and Kisame stood with his altered form.
"Why doesn't Kakuzu ever have to henge?" Deidara asked stepping onto the sidewalk.
"Because, no offense Kisame, Kakuzu doesn't have blue skin. You can get away with almost anything in America as long as you don't have blue skin. Or you're like Zetsu. Again, no offense," I announced holding up my hands.
"Your world will never cease to amaze me in how weird it is," Deidara chuckled, shoving his gloved hands in his pockets.
"In your world you can walk around half naked then have pink skin and nobody will bat an eyelash," I argued crossing my arms behind my head.
"I don't see your point, yeah," Deidara grunted, turning his nose up.
"Exactly, you just proved my point," I stated finally. "You were telling us that everyone in your world stays on their..." Kakuzu looked to my pocket before thinking for a moment.
"Their phones," he concluded nodding his head.
"You know Kakuzu, why don't you take off your mask and hat, after that why don't you henge so your eyes look normal," I snapped, not wanting to hear his argument, knowing he'd probably win.
"No," he answered gruffly, walking ahead of me. "What if the cops think you're a robber, hmm?" I asked speeding up my pace.
"You'll give a simple explanation," he explained gesturing on. "What if I say you're a robber holding a poor maiden hostage against her own will?" I sighed dramatically, putting the back of my hand against my forehead.
"Fair maiden?" Kisame snorted from behind. "I am a elegant lady for your information!" I screamed holding up a fist.
"Elegant lady, now you're just getting crazy, hmm," Deidara laughed holding his sides.
"I can rock six inch heels and a cocktail dress!" I snapped turning away from the boys.
"What's a cocktail dress?" Deidara whispered to Kisame.
"Ah never mind, let's get to the gas station!" I yelled taking a head start. I lifted one long leg after another, determined to get ahead of them.
I smirked to myself, they didn't know what hit them. I was about to look behind to check if they were running yet but there was Deidara. Right besides and smirking.
'How did he do that!' I mentally screamed, but not enrage, no, it was amazement.
I want to be able to do that.
"If you think you can really get ahead of me try again," Deidara chuckled running ahead. He wasn't even in the standard ninja run, his back wasn't bent at all.
He stood straight up with his arms pumping as he ran. His legs switched, alternating steps quickly.
With a mock growl, I pumped my arms faster trying to catch up to him.
The kid was fast, very fast. I was always being used to being one of the faster people. I loved track, because of my long legs I always placed.
Serenity could run faster than me, yes I will admit it, but she didn't do track, so that made me feel faster.
I was ripped from my thoughts and arms picked me up from under my armpits then lugged me over it's shoulder.
My stomach was placed on a certain swordsman's shoulder and my legs left dangling to the front.
"Kisame! Let me go," I whined pounding on his back. "Not if you want to beat Deidara," he chuckled keeping an arm secured around my back.
"This is so demeaning," I groaned shaking my head. "Of your such a lady prove it by being damsel in distress once," Kisame mocked, easily catching up to Deidara.
I rolled my eyes despite smiling like an idiot. This was my kind of fun.
"Onward!" I yelling before I broke into a fit of giggles. Despite not being able to see the blond bomber I was able to see Kakuzu severely lagging behind.
I excitedly waved at him while my face was graced with a large grin.
He nodded his head and shoved his hands in his pockets, then looked at the houses that lined the road.
The gas station came into view after about five more minutes, though it seemed like just a moment.
The three of us jumped into the parking lot, Kisame then promptly man handled me to set me down.
"How much can you regularly lift without using an chakra?" I asked putting my hands on my hips. Seeing how strong he was and how easy he was able to lift me up, the question sparked my interest.
"He's a monster when it comes to weight!" Deidara yelled as if it were the most obvious thing.
"I don't know, I don't count. Maybe I could lift 300 pounds," Kisame answered shrugging my shoulders.
"That's awesome," I complimented adjusting my hat to my head.
"Then there's Deidara," Kisame deadpanned in a teasing manner.
"Oi!" Deidara yelled punching Kisame in the shoulder. "The kid has muscle though, you can't deny that. Deidara also has a sharp mind," I pointed out walking through the automatic doors of the gas station as a bell jingled.
The smell of meat sticks and cheap coffee filled my nose instantly. That was okay though, I liked the smell.
"Grab whatever we need and dump it on the checkout table," I directed already heading towards the refrigerated area.
"Of course," Kisame answered heading to find food with Deidara tailing him.
I smiled as his back turned, probably going to grab loads of junk food, but who knows.
I grabbed the handle to the refrigerator tightly and opened it. The cold hit my heated face from the run.
We need milk. A lot of milk.
Everyone in the house drinks it. Some more than others, that group including me.
Though some of them *cough* Deidara and Hidan *cough* drink straight from the carton. It's disgusting.
My arms were filled with three milk cartons, though I had extra room so I reached for a Monster drink. It wouldn't hurt our budget.
Besides, I need the energy. With all of the guys here I don't get a rest, but that's not always a bad thing.
'What else?' I thought looking to the side. My eyes wandered to the shelves only to lock onto the beef sticks.
Without another thought I grab a handful and after I grabbed a bag of cheddar chips.
And with that I headed to the counter to pay.
When June, Serenity, and I were younger June would always make me pay at the counters because she was too anxious to do it by herself.
I've been worried about my June, she's been working so much now. Overtime even.
If only I could get a job I could finally help her! It's my fault I can't-
The bell at the door made a pleasant ding noise. Kakuzu must be in here now.
I shook away my thoughts and dumped the items on the counter.
"Good morning," the gas station worker greeted. "Good morning," I echoed smiling down at him.
"Is this all?" he asked scanning the items. "No, my friends are grabbing some more," I replied looking over my shoulder.
"Deidara, Kisame!" I called waving my hand. Low and behold Deidara and Kisame came out of the racks with an armful of snacks.
Kisame specifically holding a case of liquor.
"What would Kakuzu say?" I sighed disappointedly shaking my head.
"Kakuzu's not here, hmm," Deidara answered dumping his sweet prizes on the counter.
"Brat," I muttered, ruffling his head. "Are you out of town visitors?" the gas station worker asked scanning the other items.
"Yeah," Kisame replied dumping more items onto the counter.
"Where you folks from?" he asked looking at me with a sweet smile.
"They're from Japan," I answered nodding my head, "A village near the coast."
"Sounds interesting, you know my mother was from a small village in Japan," he chuckled handing me three bags of food.
"That's cool," I answered taking the bags. "My dad's mom is from Ireland, though I don't look it I'm 25% Irish."
"That's interesting," he laughed giving me a recite," we'll have a nice day folks."
"You too," I replied turning around.
"How may I help you?" I heard him say to the next customer as we left.
As we left the gas station Kakuzu stood outside, resting his back on the wall.
"Why didn't you come in? You could have gotten something," I questioned cocking my head to the side.
He didn't answer, all he did we stand up straight, no longer resting his back.
"Is it because you thought about what I said? Did you really think the store would think you're a robber?" I teased poking at his side.
"Shut up," he growled slapping my hand away. "You did!" I yelled pointing at him.
"What did you buy?" he demanded holding out his hand. "Food," Deidara answered cheekily.
"How much?" he sighed crossing his arms. "I checked the receipt, it wasn't that much," I answered, copying him by crossing my arms.
"If I find out you spent an excessive amount of money I'll-" "I know, I know. You kill me or wring out my neck. Get some more threats gramp, it's getting old," I interrupted waving my hand dismissively.
"Ashton," he growled irritably. "What?" I groaned moving my head back.
"Give me the bag," he snapped swiping one from my hands, leaving me with two more.
"Sheesh," I murmured, "some one clearly didn't get enough sleep last night."
"I didn't, Hidan snored to loud," he snapped heading off to the house.
"You snore too," I snapped back, following him the house.
"You all snore!" Kisame yelled throwing a hand up. "You literally have the loudest room at night, you all snore through the wall!"
"It's true," Deidara agreed titling his head down.
"Not true," I argued puffing out my cheeks. "Ask Itachi, he knows," Kisame chuckled.
"Just hold my bags," I huffed shoving them in his arms. "No thanks," he answered pushing them back.
As we existed the gas stations black concrete ground we waited for traffic before I stopped.
"My, my Ashton."
The world seemed to stop for a moment, of course I knew who it was. It was his catch phrase.
My head whipped around to meet Tate's.
"Kisame, hold my bags," I whispered handing my bags to him. Thankfully, the man took my bags.
"I'll catch up with you guys, okay?" I wasn't asking, I need them to leave.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience," Tate apologized bowing his head.
"But I sincerely need to talk to Ashton," Tate added, stuffing his red finger tipped hands in his pockets.
I could almost feel Kisame slipping his hand into his pocket for a kunai.
"Ashton, let me get something from my coat to show your friend. I'm sure..." his voice died off as I didn't turn to him.
"I'll let you handle it," Kisame sighed disappointedly. Footsteps could be heard walking away leaving us in silence.
"Look, Tate. I wanna be quick about this," I snapped rubbing my arm.
"I know dear, but this has-" "Don't call me dear," I interrupted, adjusting my hat so my eyes were covered.
"For a while now, you've been on my mind. When we saw each other in the mall I realized I came off kind of possessive. Maybe even creepy," he sighed rubbing his neck.
A hollow chuckle escaped my lips. "Creepy, more like stalker."
"Can you give me a break, dear? I've been trying and its harsh but you are not helping," he snapped throwing down his hand.
"Give you a break? What about me? When are you going to leave me alone! I was finally starting to forget about you, maybe someone else came into my life! I started forgive myself! I started to even sleep again, but you pop up in my life again!" I screamed, wildly gesturing in his face.
"I'm apologizing!" he yelled grabbing my wrist in a familiar way. I tried pulled away, I wanted to kick him but he'd just hit me back.
"Let go." It came out almost pitifully, my own voice betrayed me and it came out in a whine.
"No, Ashton! I need talk to you. I never get to see you or even talk to you," he murmured looking down.
I pulled at his hand again, as a reward I was released.
"I'm listening," I whispered crossing my arms. "Would you
accept my apology?" he whispered back.
"I don't know," I answered brushing hair out of my face. "I forgive you," he commented.
"You know I wasn't the only one who was abusive, you've struck me before out of anger and left marks and not out of defense," he whispered harshly, but almost sympathetically.
"I forgive you," I muttered looking him in the eye. "Good," he answered nodding his head.
"You know I miss you," I shifted my weight, "but only some times."
"I know, as do I, as do I," Tate echoed putting a hand in my shoulder.
"Don't touch," I demanded pulling away. "I know you're frustrated but can you not?" he asked pulling back his hand as if I were a hot stove.
"Frustrated is an understatement, I am angry! Angrier than I ever have-"
Arms wrapped around my waist, cutting me off. Tate's arms hugged me tighter, as if he'd never let go.
"Just stop talking for once," he whispered, I couldn't tell if he was yelling or not. It sounded the same.
I want to hit him. I want to hurt him.
Despite wanting to hurt and yell and scream at him, my arms wrapped around his neck.
The urge to squeeze his neck was pushed down by the feeling of nostalgia.
"You're such an idiot for trying this. I just told you not to touch me," I sighed, laying my chin on his shoulder.
"I know I am. I just couldn't resist," he sighed back, his arms tightening around me.
"You really have been a mess ever since we stopped, huh?" I asked followed by a chuckle.
"You wouldn't believe how dirty my room looks," Tate replied quietly.
"You're such a slob, you know that?" I whispered shaking my head. "But I guess it's not that bad, I started smoking."
"My, my, smoking? Well don't," he scolded letting go of me. "I know, it's a bad habit. June has been on me like a hawk about it. I haven't been able to get a good smoke in since last week," I explained letting go of him as well.
"Good, you'll end up ruining you're lungs and you won't be able to talk as much," Tate laughed dryly, sticking his hands back into his pockets.
"Yeah, I guess," I murmured rubbing my arms again. "It was nice talking to you... I don't think it would've gone well if I couldn't get this off of my chest," he explained hanging his head to the side.
"I feel you man, now that I think about it I'm better," I sighed. Tate paused for a moment, wanting to speak.
His black hair grew longer, it was almost unkept. It made me question how he's been fairing alone. I know I haven't, but my rooms always occupied by someone.
"Do you think we can talk again?" he stammered, his hair hanging in front of his eyes. "Depends, can we just say that we'll be friends?" I asked, hoping he'd agree.
The silent pause he took to consider his options seemed like forever. "Yeah, I'd like that dear," he stammered again, pressing his hands further into his pockets.
"Okay Tate," I agree holding out a hand. He took my hand and shook it. His hand was cold and his finger tips still red.
"Then I'll see you around dear," Tate sighed gripping my hand a bit more, his cool personality returning.
I wanted to scold him for the pet name but bit back my tongue. We just fixed this awkward relation and I don't want to mess it up again.
"I'll see you around, don't worry and thanks for being the first to talk to me. I would've been too stubborn to apologize first, thanks," I assured nodding my head to him. He smirked, the usual confident smirk that used to make me swoon.
Before leaving he looked at me and rubbed his neck almost shyly.
"Look, DJ and Nick are hosting some gathering in two days. If you think I'm asking you out you're full of yourself but the two have been worried about you, something about their Silver Snake leaving," he muttered rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, no more Silver a Snakes for me," I chuckled waving my hand dismissively.
"You're weird, you know that?" he snickered, shrugging his shoulders.
"I know," I agreed turning away. "I'll see you then," he said turning around like me.
"See you in two days," I called waving my hand. "Farewell," he called back before walking to a near by black car.
I watched as he disappeared inside, from there he was gone.
"That was hard to watch."
I jumped at the voice and whipped around to see Deidara with the most deadpan look.
"Stop doing that!" I scolded, letting my hand cut through the hair in an attempt to hit him. With a simple side step the blond continued to stare at me.
"My love! I am sorry I have ever wronged you!" he mocked, putting his hand to his heart.
I growled at his mocking. Knowing fully well I wouldn't be able to hit him, I started making up a story I could tell to Serenity to get him in trouble.
"Let's go back to the house, I need to throw up." This time the voice came from Kisame.
"I just mended a broken relationship and maybe now I can get some decent sleep and you're mocking me!" I yelled making a swiping motion at the man.
"Yes," he deadpanned crossing his arms. "Oh my god! I hate you!" I growled clenching my fists.
"I don't buy it, come one Ashton. Let's go drop the food off and maybe we can leave for the park or something, hmm," Deidara ordered grabbing my wrist.
"Brat, you're lucky I tolerate you," I sighed letting myself be dragged. "So what was that Silver snake talk? Hiding something from us?" Kisame asked getting close to my face.
Ah yes, Silver Snakes. As in the gang of druggies. Gangs, they're a messy business. I've never had the heart to go into any turf war. I don't think I ever will.
I was a messenger and drug runner. When things got messy I was always caught in the middle of it, with the drugs on me.
This is why June doesn't trust me with any of the money. I feel obligated to pay them back. Still do, DJ and Nick are my family. My main Silver Snakes.
"Hiding something from you guys?" I chuckled shrugging my shoulders. "Don't think I could, considering you're all ninja. All you have to do is look at me and you'd know if I were lying."
"And you're lying," Deidara accused in a sing song voice.
I never want to join a gang again, they are messy and unnecessary. They lie and steal and take all of your money.
"So what if I am. Why do you care? Let's just go home, I wanna drop all this food off. Then we can go to the park," I sighed rubbing my neck.
"I'll find out later, I'll get it out of you or Serenity. Who knows maybe that party you have in two days may prove useful for info, hmm," he explained.
"But what do I know," he shrugged his shoulders, "I'm just a kid after all."
Deidara was not part of a gang, he was part of an organization, Akatsuki. Doesn't that sound more sophisticated?
"Yes, a kid who wants to go to the park to see Sylvia," I teased flicking him in the head.
"Ashton: 1, Deidara: 0," Kisame announced with a light chuckle after.
Organizations have purposes and have a proper leader. They know what they're doing. Gangs don't.
"Win for Ashton Coal!" I yelled making a score sign with my arms.
Deidara tripped me causally and kept walking on. "Deidara: 1, Ashton: 1," he replied smugly.
I want to be part of an organization. I want to be in this organization, Akatsuki.
"I apologize before hand Deidara, but you have a war coming you're way," I snapped racing up to the blonde.
"A war now? I'll win," he challenged. "You'll lose so badly you'll go running to leader," I snapped back.
Ashton of the Akatsuki, has a nice ring, doesn't it?
So what'd you think? Terrible? Tolerable?
Fun fact- June loves Zetsu's chakra in a weird way but absolutely hates the air pressure chakra she senses.
A- Sadly not very well, I do not get restful sleep periods. Takes me forever to fall asleep.
Q- What's the weather like where you are
Goodbye for now, sorry I didn't get the update out sooner. Till next time.