Sunrise chat

At the end of episode 196, Kawaki had that conversation with Naruto about having a "rival that makes you better", at the following morning he picked up the broken pieces of the vase to get it fixed, this second chapter of my Fanfic took place some hours before he does that. Kawaki had woken up much earlier in that morning, something like 30 minutes before the sunrise, he got up, went to the bathroom and get out of the house sitting at the front stair. Hinata was already awake in her bedroom, she woke up Naruto telling him she had listened to Kawaki opening the front door. Dozy Naruto got up and went to Kawaki's spot:

_Hey, boy, it is still dark, what are you doing outside?

_Don't worry old man, I'm not going anywhere, I just couldn't sleep anymore and I decided to come here to have some fresh air_ Kawaki replied.

Naruto yawned and said:

_Sure it is good to use the very first minutes of the day to start brand new.

_This stuff doesn't sound to be much of your thing, old man_ Kawaki answered with a skeptic smile.

Naruto answered blinking his right eye:

_I can be a morning person sometimes, you know. By the way, there is a good spot to see the sunrise, do you wanna come with me?

_Yeah, sure..._ Kawaki answered with no enthusiasm, but inside he had enjoyed the idea.

Naruto went back to the house to grab his coat and put his boots on, he told Hinata he and Kawaki were leaving briefly. Then they took about 10 minutes in fast steps to get to the upper part of Senju Park, Naruto imagined there wouldn't be anyone on the streets, but the fact the Village has grown in population made the odds to find some people with early morning behavior increase, although they were few in number. One of them happened to be already in the spot of the park that our duo was heading to. Naruto recognized the purple-haired girl that was standing looking at the trees lost in thoughts, she didn't notice their presence at first. Naruto stopped walking and observed surprised Kawaki going in the girl's direction.

The first thought that came to Kawaki's mind as he saw Sumire was: "Right, this one really seems to be a morning person!". He didn't felt like avoiding her this time and he didn't even rationalize why he was moving toward her. Kawaki noticed Sumire was using her two braided hair version and also her purple romper she used to wear at Academy's days, "Her hair is different today..." he thought. The previous times Kawaki had seen her, she always was in her gennin mission outfit and with one braided hair. Kawaki approached Sumire from behind and sat on the grass by her right side about four feet distance, this was when she noticed him; her reaction was not what he expected.

Sumire surely was surprised to have a sudden company, but she barely demonstrated it looking quickly at Kawaki with a lifted right eyebrow saying just: "It's you..." and turning her look back toward the trees, she was in a reflexive moment waiting for the sunrise. Kawaki was using his unexpressive face when she looked at him, he didn't look back at her and he remained speechless.

However, when Kawaki noticed she wasn't looking in his direction he couldn't stop staring at her, he was wondering: "She can be silent as hell if she wants to. Is she just ignoring me? Where is that cheerful talk from before? Maybe she doesn't need to play that role now. Damn it, why she is staring at nowhere? She is... she is so... I can't tell what she is."

As the first sun rays appeared touching Sumire face skin Kawaki thought: "Well... at least... she is kinda pretty. Wait, what?! Don't be stupid, Kawaki! Ow right, the sunrise, that's where I should be looking at". He stopped looking at her to see the orange skyline made by the treetops, Sumire kept a mesmerizing look into the landscape. Kawaki did the same, although he sporadically looked at her from the corn of his eyes. They kept this contemplative behavior for 5 minutes longer.

Naruto was observing from about twenty feet distance, he decided it would be better to give them some space. When he left the house he intended to have another opportunity to get closer to Kawaki, however, he thought Sumire's company would be good for him. He expected Kawaki behavior would be kinder to Sumire after the last talk they had about her, also the fact that Kawaki was the one who willingly approached Sumire made Naruto hope the boy could evolve his social abilities.

The thoughts Sumire was lost in were memories. In that very park, she had summoned Nue that had gotten strong through absorbing the chakra from people known as "Ghost incident victims", in order to destroy Konoha, while she was playing "the beloved Class Rep". That spot they were at was close to the one where she had engaged Mitusuki and where Boruto interfered, she remembered all the battle in Nue's dimension and how Boruto had saved her. All she wanted since then was to work together with Nue to bring good to this Village, she had been forgiven and this gratitude debt was her duty. She was doing her best as a scientist apprentice to the point she was acknowledged by the head leader of Konoha Scientific Facility, Mr. Katasuke, some other person that had been granted a second chance himself. From the moment she noticed Kawaki by her side her thoughts came back to her childhood, so painful memories of an abusive father, she couldn't help feeling that Kawaki could have been through something similar. Then she recalled her mother's voice while praying for her happiness. At least not all the memories were painful. She was devoted to fulfilling her mother's wish to find her own happiness by achieving her goals. Being back to Konoha gave her new energy to do that.

Kawaki's thoughts were not so focused. He was appreciating the view, listening to the chirping of the birds, feeling the fresh breeze in his face that trembled his hair and also moved Sumire's shorter loose hair. Yeah, he was looking at her again and he wondered: "What she must be thinking about?" Then he was back looking at the view, noticing the photosensitive pole lights were turning off, he saw few people showing up walking in the hiking trail, he saw a dog chasing a pigeon, it kinda reminded him of the stray dog he helped once... with Sumire. He was looking at her again, remembering the last words he said to her were accusing her to had tricked him to stall time, while he was choking her. Yes, because the last time he saw her in Konoka's street he didn't actually say a word. Kawaki felt that guilty feeling again, but this time it was not mixed with suspicion. He recalled Sumire's speech reported by Lord Seventh to him. "Why she asked for my sake after I had hurt her?" he thought. Then he decided to break the silence:

_Hey, is that true you talked with Lord Seventh in Ryutan Village before he met me?_ He asked looking at Sumire.

The moment he spoke, Sumire was thinking about her mother. She turned her face in his direction to listening better, but she didn't look at his eyes, she understood the question but answered it briefly:

_ Yes, I did_ Sumire was still in a less talkative mood.

Kawaki got a little annoyed with the fact she was not looking at him, so he spoke with a firm voice tone:

_Sumire.

Sumire got startled when she listened to her name spelled with such a conviction. She turned her face and looked at Kawaki's eyes that were staring at her.

_ Y-yes?_ she replied a little nervous.

Kawaki that have gotten her attention at that moment stopped looking at her and asked:

_Why did you stand up for me that day?

_ Because I knew you have a good heart and you deserved a different life opportunity!_ She answered immediately, bringing back her cheerful smile.

While he listened to her answer Kawaki looked back to Sumire and couldn't hide his surprised face. He had imagined she would answer something like "I wanted to help you" or "it was not your fault", but he was got out of guard when she said he had a 'good heart', this time he was speechless because he really couldn't even think in any answer. He was stunned for a few seconds just repeating her speech in his mind.

Before Kawaki could put his face together, a brown-eyed girl suddenly jumped hugging Sumire while she spoke excitedly:

_Sumire-chan! You're back!

Kawaki stood up and gave some steps back seeing the scene perplexedly. Then a taller girl approached breaking the girls embrace:

_Namida, don't squeeze Sumire like that!_ Then she hugged Sumire almost lifting her from the ground. _Good to have you back, Sumire!

_ You are squeezing her even harder, Wasabi. _ A short girl with a ponytail spoke while approaching them.

_ Tsubaki, you came too! Good to see you all girls!_ Sumire spoke opening her arms embracing Wasabi and Namida.

Tsubaki:

_Sure I came, it is good to see you Sumire, but I'll pass the hugging session.

_Don't be shy Tsubaki_ Namida replied while Wasabi pulled Tsubaki into the group hug. Tsubaki managed to escape the hug while complained out loud:

_Can't you be less brutal Wasabi?! Namida, are you crying?!

Namida:

_ I am just so happy.

Sumire:

_Come one it is not like I have come back from the dead, you know...

Wasabi:

_ Don't even mention something morbid like that.

Therefore all the 4 girls started to laugh. Kawaki was looking at all the fuss with a funny face, he hadn't ever seen such a public display of affection, he was admiring that Sumire could be even more cheerful, but he was uneasy about the other three girls. "What is the point of all this mess? Why do they have to grab Sumire like that? She seems to be enjoying though..." he thought. Naruto, which was observing everything from his initial spot, could notice Kawaki being a little uncomfortable with the other girls' presence. "I guess Kawaki is seeing some scary side of a girls' reunion..." he thought laughing inside. Tsubaki that was the more collected among the girls was intrigued about Kawaki presence:

_Who is this guy? I don't like the way he is staring at you, Sumire..._ she said holding her sword hilt.

Kawaki looked at Tsubaki and thought: "Is this pipsqueak about to attack me?!"

Sumire:

_ Ow, I am sorry, Kawaki. Girls, let me introduce you guys. This is Kawaki, he is living with Lord Seventh and with Boruto. Kawaki, these are my friends from my former Shinobi team, we have settled to meet each other here this morning, this is Namida...

Namida:

_Nice to meet you.

Sumire:

_...this is Wasabi...

Wasabi:

_Hey there.

Sumire:

_...and that's Tsubaki, she is a Samurai that took my place when I left to join the Scientific Team.

Tsubaki:

_ So you're not a foe?

Sumire:

_ Tsubaki! He is a friend.

Kawaki:

_ You girls are really loud and annoying.

_And you really are lacking in manners, you punk!_ Wasabi replied with an angry face. Kawaki gave a fierce look in response.

_Hawawaa, let's keep our spirit down, guys._ Sumire answered approaching Kawaki and looking to Wasabi. _He is adapting to meeting new people, he surely has improved though.

_Sure it is an "improvement" that he is not trying to choke anyone right now..._ Wasabi replied sarcastically showing she hadn't forgiven Kawaki for hurting Sumire in Ryutan Village. Despite it was the first time the girls were seeing Sumire after she came back to Konoha, the news about Kawaki's deeds were spread among the team 7's gennin mates.

Kawaki:

_This could be settled if you like, you seem to be giving me a reason to do it...

_So he is a foe!_ Tsubaki jumped between Wasabi and Kawaki. Ready to pull out her sword.

_Ow mine!_ Namida screamed.

Kawaki was about to use his ninja tech modified arm. Naruto was about to jump in to intervene, but Sumire reaction was immediate, she stood in front of Kawaki facing her friends:

_Please, stop! Tsubaki, he didn't mean it! Wasabi, don't treat him like a threat, we are good now. Namida, there is no need to be scared.

Sumire turned her face back: _Kawaki, you...

Kawaki spoke before Sumire could finish her speech:

_ Hey, I am sorry. That was a bad joke. _ Kawaki apologized, realizing he messed up and even so Sumire trusted in him again.

Naruto approached to put an end to the scene:

_Thanks, Sumire. Girls, please forgive Kawaki's behavior, he is still learning.

_Lord Seventh!_ Wasabi, Namida and Tsubaki answered in unison.

_ I am sorry, Lord Seventh. _ Sumire said with a sad look to Naruto.

Naruto put his right hand in Sumire's left shoulder and said:

_Ow, dear child, I am the one who is sorry. Cheer up, you've done well.

_ Thank you, Lord Seventh_ Sumire replied relieved.

Naruto touched Kawaki's back and said:

_It is time to go home.

As both were leaving, Kawaki gave Sumire a last glance, she answered with a slight smile like someone that was saying "That's okay". Kawaki turned his face to his path ahead and mumbled:

_Damn it...