Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything or anybody except Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Any concepts/ideas mentioned in this fanfiction that seem to be borrowed from another media/piece of continuity - note that I don't mean to plagiarize anything or anybody in any way! This fanfic was made for entertainment purposes, not for pissing off others! So yeah!
The theme for this chapter is once again from Animenz Piano Sheets, this time being his cover of the first opening of One Piece, We Are! I personally attribute this choice due to my reading Ocean Stars Falling by Lang Noi of Catch Your Breath fame. It's because of her that I started looking into One Piece as something other than 'art-style-WHA',and it's more than just the last remnant of Shonen Jump's Big Three. I at least know now how much One Piece is so well-beloved, and I believe this theme conveys my appreciation for it the most. Not to mention its happy-go-lucky tune does go well with the half-tension, half-warmth the characters go through here.
Please enjoy!
Chapter 40: We Are Human
"... Kakashi?"
The masked Chunin didn't even glance at me, just placing a hand on his hip. "Yes Tomoko?" He sighed.
I tried not to grimace, instead pointing a finger in their direction. "... Are you sure they are up to this?"
"... Better than Satoru, don't you think?" He deadpanned back.
"Obito-san, you are doing really well so far! Keep up the punches!"
"QUIT - huff - PRAISING - huff - ME WHEN - huff - I HAVEN'T EVEN - huff - HIT YOU!"
… Strange how Guy was taking all of this training in stride while Obito seemed to be getting more and more frustrated with each passing second. Seriously, I was wondering HOW he was still staying as cool as a cucumber while dodging various punches and kunai from the reddening Uchiha.
Then again, this was the same guy that would go on to raise Rock freaking Lee. I should've seen it sooner.
"O-Obito…" Rin-chan on the other hand seemed to be caught between wanting to interfere and/or stay back to try finding a more peaceful solution.
This was a better training session than the ones… well, that Satoru participated in, but...
I wasn't sure how to start describing this whole thing. It was supposed to be a simple spar between the two boys, only for it to turn into a strength contest…. Or something. It didn't help that my worrywart self decided to take things a bit TOO out of proportion whenever Obito kept missing. Hisako literally resigned herself to cleaning duty in my head, clearing out any negative thoughts into a trash bag.
What if something happens - swish.
Obito's not going to get hurt, right - fwoosh.
What if Guy messes up something - mop.
Oh god, should I - sweep.
… Tomoko-chan, you're giving me a lot to work with here.
Instead, I found myself sighing while leaning my head against my friend's shoulder. "... Point taken."
The last thing I needed was to depress myself AGAIN.
Thankfully, Kakashi didn't mind and just patted my head. "There, there. It'll get better."
"You think?" I added dryly, holding back the urge to sigh again.
Kakashi just shrugged while still resting a hand on my head, fingers lightly threading through my hair. "They at least don't annoy me."
"Joy." I muttered, trying not to twitch at yet ANOTHER one of Obito's punches missing.
"S-STAY - Puff - STILL, DAMMIT!"
"Keep trying, Obito-san! You're very close to your Spring of Youth!" Guy yelled out, clearly missing the point while jumping over another one of Obito's attempts at a punch.
"COULD YOU NOT TALK ABOUT YOUTH LIKE THAT?!"
"O-Obito!" Rin interrupted, clear worry on her face. "S-Shouldn't you take a break now?!"
"..." I just smacked my head against Kakashi's shoulder tiredly. This was getting hard to watch. "Should I do something?"
"... Nah," Kakashi settled for a moment later, his arm now wrapping around my shoulders. "They can handle it."
"Kakashi…" I found myself muttering in protest.
"Wait for it." He said immediately, moving me so that my eyes were instead pointed at his shoulder.
Hisako stopped her cleaning to blink. Huh?
I blinked. "Wait for what -"
POOF.
Oh, here's the Yellow Flash, who FINALLY decided to join us! Hisako deadpanned idly, absently opening yet ANOTHER mental trash bag. What WONDERFUL timing.
… Hisako, do you still have a grudge against Minato-san?
Silence greeted my mindscape instead. I had a strange feeling she was sulking now.
Then again, I didn't see him around the team for the past few days…
Anyways.
Instead, I looked up from Kakashi's shoulder to see the Jounin himself, appearing taller and a lot more solemn than before, hands on his hips. "Hello kids. I see you've been busy bees."
"Minato-sensei!" Rin cried out, and the announcement caused Obito and Guy to stop their so-called spar, now looking up in interest.
"Hello Minato-sensei!" Guy called cheerfully, waving an energetic hand.
"H-Hi sensei…" Obito mumbled before neatly plopping himself down onto the grass with sweat rolling down his face. His wave in the Jounin's direction was much more subdued, probably because of his exhaustion getting to him, and I had half the urge to sweatdrop.
Minato-san seemed to be smiling now at least. "Hey Obito. Anyways, where's Kakashi?"
"Right here, sensei." My best friend waved back, and I didn't miss how the Jounin's eyes went to me for a moment before refocusing back on the Chunin. "What is it?"
"... Oh, nothing." Minato-san was smiling again. The glint in his eyes seemed to be… something. I didn't know.
… I call that he's stalking you, Tomoko-chan. 5000 ryo.
Hisako!
Hey, ninja CAN do that.
Brrr. I did NOT want to think about the Future Fourth Hokage possibly sitting on my roof to keep watch. That was NOT a mental image I was looking forward to.
Nonetheless, Minato-sensei walked over to help Obito up from his slouching position on the grass to grin. "Anyways, you three still want to go into the Chunin Exams, right?"
"Of course!" Obito seemed to get his energy back at those words alone, perking up immediately. "We missed out the first time! We have to pass this time!"
"Yeah, Obito-san! That is YOUTH at its finest!" Guy added, holding up a fist for a bro-fistbump. I wasn't really sure what else to call it, since the last time I saw that gesture, it was Papa and Uncle Sakumo doing it for some weird reason. Nonetheless, Obito noticed and the two bumped fists, clearly grinning and over the incident from before.
Rin was finally smiling, walking over to the boys with a giggle. "Of course."
Minato-san seemed to finally get his game on, smirking a bit. "Alright then," He then turned in our direction, motioning with a hand. "Kakashi, come over here and help me out, alright?"
My best friend only blinked before walking over, letting me go in the process. "Sure."
"Minato-san?" I piped up, feeling a bit left out while raising a hand. Thankfully, my voice projection was working. "What about me?"
The Jounin seemed to finally focus his eyes on me, and then he grinned a very… well, Naruto-like grin. "Tomoko-chan, you will be…" He then pointed in the direction behind me. "You'll be with Kushina."
Kushina? Hisako started, snapping open another trash bag to sweep up another stray thought. But I don't see her anywhere -
"TOMOKO-CHAAAAAN~!"
… Oooooooooh. Brace for it, Tomoko-chan.
I just waited patiently, slowly turning in that direction with a soft smile.
Here it comes…
Hisako was grinning, flipping open another bag. Three… Two… One…
I started with a timid, "Kushina-nee -"
And then I was promptly tackled and lifted up in the air, a cheek rubbing against mine. "Tomoko-chan~! It's been so long!" Kushina-nee was promptly cooing, a hand reaching over to brush through my hair while her other hand went over to squeeze my waist. Through this whole thing, I could vaguely feel my feet swinging limply in the air. Her red hair smelled of warm strawberries, and a part of me wondered if she just showered with how soft it felt against my skin. "How have you been?"
I kinda missed this. Being carry-hugged and all.
… But did I hear a surprised squeak behind us? I could've sworn that it was Rin-chan…
Oh well. It was DEFINITELY not the boys though. At least, I think so.
I bet that was Obito.
Even with the breath knocked out of my lungs, I could tell love was there without blinking. "I-I've been okay, Kushina-nee." I tried to hug her back, despite being limp in the air. "How have you been?"
"Wonderful, now that I've seen you~" The Uzumaki lady continued to snuggle my cheek. And were there… hearts behind her? "Oh, I MISSED you, Tomoko-chan! I'm sorry for not visiting as often! Missions SUCK!"
"I-It's okay, Kushina-nee, really." I tried to soothe, reaching up to touch her hair. "I've been okay."
"Still!" Kushina-nee pulled away from snuggling my cheek to instead put me down and promptly pinch said cheeks, stretching my gaping lips into a smile. "You deserve more attention, Tomoko-chan! In fact, while Team Minato's going through drills right now, you'll be going with me!"
… wait, WHAT? Hisako squeaked loudly, promptly dropping whatever thought she was clearing away.
That was NOT what I was expecting at all. Even with the lady pinching my cheeks. "K-Kushina-nwee?" I stumbled, still dealing with the fingers stretching my face rather teasingly. "Whwere are -" Pinch. "- Fwe gwoing?"
The Uzumaki woman was eagerly grinning at me. "Anywhere! Ichiraku Ramen, back home, anywhere you want, Tomoko-chan!"
… she's on an adventure now. I'll go clean up in here.
No. Nononono, NO, wait, Hisako, don't -
Lalalala, go ahead and have fun, Tomoko-chan!
I could only tiredly wave in Kakashi's bewildered direction before promptly getting whisked away on a red train. "Take care of yourself, K-Kakashi~!"
A bright red, loving, excited train to wherever.
"See you later, Minato! Make sure to train those kids hard!" Kushina-nee called out while piggybacking me.
Minato held back the urge to shake his head fondly, opting for a small chuckle.
Of course his girlfriend would notice the civilian girl first. She HAD been begging to see Tomoko for a while.
But it wasn't the time to focus on the lasting whiffs of his girlfriend's hair left in the air.
"Minato-sensei?" Kakashi was blinking up at him.
It was time to get to his job.
"Sorry about that, Kakashi, I was just thinking." The Jounin put on a smile.
"Let's start training."
He had to make up for the past starting now.
"Hey Kushina! It's been a while!" The man that I was SURE was a younger version of Teuchi-san, the original owner of Ichiraku Ramen, was standing in front of us, wiping his hands on a towel behind the counter. "Are you here for the usual?"
"YEP!" Kushina-nee-chan properly cheered, sitting herself down on one of the stools while putting me down on her immediate right. "Salt ramen, please!"
"Got it!" The chef cheered, turning around to his workspace. I wasn't sure whether or not to say something or just sit there to contemplate.
But even then, when looking around, the stand was almost exactly the same as the canon stand I remembered. At least, the stand that Vy remembered. Warm, bright light, welcoming white curtains with "Ichiraku Ramen" written in bright red kanji, and the same red stools and counter.
If I didn't know any better, the warm scent wafting through my nose would've been something of the past.
"Tomoko-chan," Kushina-nee was grinning at me with a warmer glow now. "What do you want? You haven't ordered yet."
I tried to not be taken aback while looking up at her. What I wanted? "A-Are you sure, Kushina-nee? I-I mean, I've never really had Ichiraku Ramen before -"
"WHAT." The Uzumaki was quickly in my face, and I only NOW just realized what a horrible thing I just said. "Tomoko-chan, have you NEVER had Ichiraku Ramen in your LIFE before?!"
… I guess I earned myself a few thousand mental ryo. Thanks Tomoko-chan.
Hisako, you BET on this happening?
You being the cute doofus you are? Yes. There's no one else in here to really gloat towards now, is there?
I didn't know what to say to that as I instead raised my hands in surrender. "I-I've honestly been at Nagareboshi for all this time, Kushina-nee! I never really thought of trying it!"
… You're making it worse, Tomoko-chan.
Kushina-nee's mouth could've hit the ground at that point. "Well, we have to amend that, don't we?" She then turned to Teuchi-san, raising an energetic hand. "Teuchi, give this lovely girl the biggest bowl of what you can offer!"
"Aye ma'am!" He waved back, giving a thumbs up while still facing his counter. "But what does the ojou-chan want?"
There was a pause.
Kushina-nee then turned to me with a sheepish expression. "... Still, Tomoko-chan, you didn't answer my first question. What do you want?"
My face was surely red by now if the heat flooding it was any indication. "Er…" I glanced at the ramen shop owner in embarrassment. "C-Could I get a small bowl of miso chashu ramen then, please? Er… Teuchi-san?"
Naruto's favorite? Hisako seemed to be nodding approvingly in my head. Nice choice, dear.
The man seemed to beam even brighter now as he turned to look at me with a happy glow. "Of course, ojou-chan! Anything for a new customer!"
"And make it on the house, Teuchi!" Kushina added hotly.
My stomach could've dropped faster than any large stone in a pond. I turned to the Uzumaki, trying to hide my horror. "K-Kushina-nee?!"
"Don't worry, Tomoko-chan~!" The woman was winking at me while swinging an arm around my shoulders. "It's on me! Eat as much as you want!"
"B-But…" My face was getting hotter by the moment. And I was SURE it was not because of her soft red hair tickling my head. "I-I have my allowance on me, Kushina-nee! And I don't eat that much -"
"Oh, Tomoko-chan!" Kushina-nee was now rubbing cheeks with me again. "It's been so long since I've last seen you! Just let me spoil you because Judai doesn't seem to let go of you any other time!"
Fair point. Hisako added.
I tried again, my voice getting more and more meek. "B-But -"
"No buts." She finished, pinching my cheek again. "You deserve something nice every now and then, Tomoko-chan. Especially after helping Minato so much with his team. Just let me spoil you for a bit, okay?"
Her violet orbs staring me down were far too strong at that point to resist. Along with the arguments raised, I just found myself conceding with steam wafting out of my ears from the embarrassment. No point in fighting it, despite my modest nature saying otherwise. "... okay…." I found myself mumbling, hanging my head.
Kushina-nee beamed again before giving me another side-hug.
The ramen came by pretty quickly, and I soon found a warm bowl of noodles sitting in front of me, pork scent meaty and positively mouthwatering. Before I could even reach for them, Kushina-nee was already handing me a spoon and chopsticks, and I soon found myself looming over the bowl with a hesitant face.
The soup reflected said hesitance clearly in its soft brown surface.
"Um…" I started, glancing between it and Kushina-nee.
"Come on, Tomoko-chan! Try it!" The Uzumaki cheered, fist-pumping.
"Don't let it get cold, ojou-chan." Teuchi added idly while wiping a glass.
I just broke my chopsticks before turning to the bowl again. "Then… itadakimasu…" I grasped a noodle, and then slurped.
And...
HOLY. CRAP.
I found myself gaping after the first mouthful. "K-Kushina-nee, this…."
"Yeah, Tomoko-chan?" She was eagerly leaning into my personal space again, wide grin on her face.
"This is… really good!" I admitted quietly, slurping another mouthful of noodles. "I can see why you're a regular here. And why Teuchi-san is grinning right now."
"Of course it's good!" Kushina-nee beat a fist against her chest in pride. "Ramen is the work of the gods! No matter how many times I try, it's always Teuchi who's the best!"
"Thank you, Kushina!" The ramen maker commented cheerily, twirling a soup spoon while doing so. "Always happy to serve!"
And then another customer came into the stand, and Teuchi-san focused on them.
I just turned my attention to this bowl of heaven so reminiscent of phở, slurping a bit more eagerly. It was completely okay to binge a little bit, right? There wasn't really anything stopping me.
Kushina-nee seemed to be agreeing with the sentiment judging by her loud slurping of soup.
… She seems to be enjoying that. Hisako made a small circle with her pointer finger. Now I can see where Naruto got his love of Ramen from…
I kept slurping quietly, feeling the previous shame erode away with the ramen's warmth.
Then, an arm softly wrapped around my shoulders again. I looked up to see Kushina-nee's warm smile, her head tilted slightly when looking at me. "Are you happy, Tomoko-chan?"
"Eh?" I made sure to swallow the noodle I was currently holding before answering. "I am happy, Kushina-nee, why?"
Her violet eyes seemed a bit softer now as her hand reached over to tuck a stray strand of hair that wasn't occupied by my hair ribbon behind my ear. "... No reason, Tomoko-chan." Kushina-nee was smiling gently. "No reason."
Suspicious…. Very suspicious…
I tilted my head at her, blinking. "Kushina-nee?"
When I spoke up, she was already refocused back on her ramen bowl, slurping up another mouthful of ramen loudly. Apparently the noise made it hard for her to hear my initial attempt, so I tried again, raising my voice by a few notches. "Kushina-nee?"
The redhead looked up, a noodle sticking out of her mouth. "Mm?" She slurped it up quickly to swallow. "What is it, Tomoko-chan?"
I gulped. For some reason, the words were much harder to voice than think about, but I pushed myself to speak. Kushina-nee was looking at me, after all. "I-Is everything okay? You seem… different, Kushina-nee."
A long pause.
The Uzumaki woman blinked at me rapidly, chopsticks halfway towards grasping another mouthful of noodles. Then, her expression softened to that of what I think was an emotional poker face, mouth in a thin line as a poker face would be. The only thing that seemed to be saying anything were her violet eyes, shining with something. That something wasn't any emotion I was familiar with.
Kushina-nee, overall, looked strangely sad.
"Do I seem that different, Tomoko-chan?" She asked quietly.
Oh dear. I found myself stumbling, waving my hands in the air. "I-It's not like I meant anything insulting by that, Kushina-nee!" The last thing that was on my mind was unintentionally invoking the Red Hot Habanero's wrath. "I-It's just," I gulped down the nervous lump in my throat. "You seemed… off somehow, Kushina-nee. Not... not this energetic… and quiet… all at once…" I found myself trailing off.
The Uzumaki continued to stare at me before smiling a bit more solemnly, resting a hand on my head. Her fingers then started to gently run through my hair. "Are you worried about me, Tomoko-chan?"
The question was so soft, so honest to where I was thrown off guard.
… Tomoko-chan. Don't gape. Hisako's voice was soft too. Say something.
I forced myself to nod before looking down at my ramen again. "I-It's just… I haven't seen you in a while, Kushina-nee, and… it looked like there was a lot on your mind, so…" I trailed, not sure of what else to say. My throat was becoming dry, and I found myself licking my lips hesitantly. The ramen smelled nice, but right now wasn't the time to eat. Kushina's hand was still threading through my hair. "I-I wanted to ask to make sure you were okay, Kushina-nee… because it's not right for just me to be spoiled…"
The fingers on my head stopped moving, and I looked up only to see Kushina-nee's smile be a bit more strained. "Tomoko-chan…"
I gulped down a breath before looking directly into her eyes, despite how nervous it made me. "Is… Is that okay?"
Kushina-nee blinked those same violet orbs before immediately pulling me out of my seat and into a hug. WHILE ignoring the passerby around us.
I tried not to squeak at the sudden change of position and instead reached up to touch the woman's long red hair in what I hoped was a comforting gesture. The eyes around us could easily be put out of my head. "... K-Kushina-nee?" I tried softly.
"Y-You… you strange girl." The ninja said finally, rubbing her cheek against mine again while tightening the hug. "I take you out for ramen to spoil you, only for you to worry about me?" A gentle, sad chuckle left her. "How are you so…"
She squeezed me again.
Oh. Hisako said.
I rested my other hand on her shoulder while my first hand was still in her hair. Now, I was attempting to twirl it between my fingers, hoping it did something for her. Even if it felt like I was the only one here missing the point. "Kushina-nee?"
Kushina then pulled away with a soft smile, holding me by the waist so that she could sit me back in my original stool again. Yet despite doing so, she still didn't let go of me, her hands simply moving up to cup my cheeks gently. "... I'm honestly more worried about YOUR apparent habit of not worrying about yourself, Tomoko-chan."
"... Eh?" was all that left me, my heart doing flip-flops of confusion.
Kushina-nee brushed a few of my bangs away from my forehead, resting a soft hand against the skin. It felt nice, but her face… seemed to say something else. "You're such a sweet girl, Tomoko-chan. Konoha is lucky to have you." She smiled again. "But I worry sometimes. About how much you give us."
I was honestly confused now, and found myself inclining my head. "Kushina-nee?"
Hisako just facepalmed. Tomoko-chan.
"Pfft." The Uzumaki woman looked away for a moment, holding a hand to her mouth. I was sure she was snickering now. "Did I lose you?"
I found myself nodding obliviously.
Kushina-nee turned back to me with a brighter smile. "Let me reiterate." Her hand then went to my hair, a finger now twirling the strand holding my hair ribbon. "You've been working hard at the piano for all these years, right, Tomoko-chan?"
"... What does that have to do with this, Kushina-nee?" I asked.
It's just my job.
"It has everything to do with this, Tomoko-chan." The Uzumaki woman then tugged on my hair softly. "You've been hard at work there, playing whatever comes your way for whoever comes your way. And yet I never see you take a break. Not even play at the playground with other girls your age." Another tug at my hair, with Kushina-nee lightly fingering my hair ribbon. "Instead, you spend your time with Team Minato, even when Minato doesn't pay you."
… She has a point there. Hisako added.
Money never mattered. And that was that.
I didn't know what to say at that point since Kushina-nee just sighed. "Why do you keep doing this, Tomoko-chan? Even when you've been hurt…" The Uzumaki hung her head, no longer looking at me. Her hands slid down to my shoulders. "Even when I couldn't help you…?"
…. Oh.
I knew what this was.
Finally, I had a clue.
Without even thinking on it, I reached over to touch Kushina-nee's head. "... Neh, Kushina-nee?" I started, feeling the words naturally leave me in one breath. "Have you… Have you been worried about me all this time?"
Another pause.
The Uzumaki twitched at my touch before relaxing, and I took it as a sign to start stroking her hair. The scent of ramen tickled my nose again, but it seemed like an afterthought now since all I could focus on was the smell of subdued strawberries.
"... I have been, dattebane." Kushina-nee lifted her head to look at me, and I found myself freezing up at the sight of her glassy violet eyes. "Living with Minato means hearing about the adventures of Team Minato, and…" She trailed off, instead reaching over with her left hand to tug at my hair ribbon again. "I heard about what happened with the Hitoshis. I… I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, Tomoko-chan. It was a difficult time for you, and I wasn't there, ttebane."
Hitoshis…? Who… Oh.
Hisako only nodded in my head.
"Kushina-nee…" Was all I could say.
"You call me 'Kushina-nee' even after all that?" The Uzumaki inclined her head at me, gaze sad. "Even when Hokage-sama put you under a vow of silence?" She paused, visibly gulping a lump down her throat. "Even when… even when it was about me?"
I didn't even think. All that was on my mind was hugging Kushina-nee, so I did just that.
Jump off my stool and wrap my hands around her neck in the biggest hug I could offer.
I could barely register her yelp of surprise as her arms immediately wrapped around my waist to pull me into her lap. It was a better position than my having to stand on my tiptoes somewhat to reach her, but it worked. "... Tomoko-chan?" She said.
"Kushina-nee, it's okay." The words spilled out before I could stop them. "I wanted to play piano to help people. To help you. You don't have to feel guilty about what's happened. It's not your fault at all, Kushina-nee."
The woman shifted so that I was sitting fully in her lap, looking down at me with a raised eyebrow. "Tomoko-chan…"
"Kushina-nee, you remember the song I sang to Uncle Sakumo, right?" I continued, still letting my arms hang around her neck.
The Uzumaki nodded quietly, eyes still wide with confusion.
"When all hope is gone," I started humming the tune softly. "There's only one thing we can do…"
Kushina-nee's eyes widened again. "... Let's Just Live…?"
I nodded more eagerly. "The piano is my way of living. Um…" I paused, feeling heat flood my face as the familiar words ran through my head.
"That's my ninja way, dattebayo!"
Go for it, Tomoko-chan.
"If I was a ninja," I started, pulling away to scratch at my cheek. "That would be… my ninja way?"
Silence greeted me as Kushina-nee's jaw dropped to the floor.
"A-An old friend taught me that," I said, looking away as heat flooded my face. "So you don't have to worry, Kushina-nee. I-I'll try to look out for myself more. But… but…" I gulped. "Playing the piano is my way of living, and I'm happy when I see you and Team Minato happy, so…" I turned back to her while raising a finger in the air hesitantly. "No need to worry?"
…. Dawn would be so proud of you right now, Tomoko-chan.
If I ever traveled to the Pokemon world and met the Coordinator, maybe.
I was honestly hoping I was making this woman's future son in another world proud.
Naruto did help me - Vy - back then.
The Uzumaki woman blinked at me again before smiling. This smile was much larger, much brighter, and much shakier than before. Her violet eyes seemed to be shining now as a soft, true laugh left her lips. "Oh Tomoko-chan…" She pulled me into another hug.
I just reached up to pat her back, a smile reaching my face too.
"Thank you, Tomoko-chan." Kushina-nee breathed against my cheek. "Thank you."
I nodded.
It was the least I could do.
The woman then pulled back to brush my bangs out of my forehead again, giving me a watery smile. "W-Well, that's off my chest, so let's finish this ramen and go do something together, okay? Maybe shopping or something?"
"Yeah, Kushina-nee." I found myself giggling.
I finally succeeded in making someone happy.
Another month passed, starting autumn anew, and I soon found myself waiting in front of the Academy with Kakashi for his teammates. The only reason why Minato-san and Kushina-nee weren't there was that they were with the other Jounin. Doing what - I wasn't sure. Ninja stuff, probably.
But this was different.
Today was the day.
This was the day Team Minato was waiting for.
Day 1 of the Konoha-only Chunin Exams.
Kakashi looked up at the hanging clock above the Academy doors, frowning through his mask. "... They're late."
"Kakashi, it's only been 5 minutes." I commented offhandedly, stretching my legs via standing on my tiptoes. "They should be here soon."
"Last I checked, ninja should STILL be punctual and on time." He responded, crossing his arms. "And I told Obito not to be late…"
I just sighed before resting a hand on Kakashi's elbow. "They'll be okay. They've trained for this. Knowing them, they should be coming right about…" I paused.
In the distance, I could see three distinct blurs running closer and closer.
And in the lead, there was a green jumpsuit and orange goggles.
"... Please tell me that's not them." Kakashi deadpanned.
"I don't know, friend…" I grinned as the smoke billowed around us, the blurs finally shaping into people as they approached.
Obito. Rin. Guy. All three, running up as if they had just gotten some last minute-training done, sweating profusely. Even with their forehead protectors shining in the sunlight.
"W-We…" Obito puffed, raising a hand in the air. Then, the trio skidded to a stop in front of us, and the Uchiha promptly collapsed to his knees for a moment. "WE MADE IT!"
"Just about!" Rin-chan pulled out a watch, still huffing while glancing at it. "We have about… 10 minutes to go before we need to head in!"
"What a YOUTHFUL jog, Team!" Guy cheered, fist pumping. "20 minutes around the village! That is a new record!"
Kakashi just facepalmed with a sigh. "Guy."
"Oh, HELLO ETERNAL RIVAL!" The Green Genin said immediately, saluting. "How are you doing this fine morning?"
My best friend shook his head slowly. "... Guy, did you seriously take Obito and Rin for a run around the village BEFORE you're supposed to head in for the Exams?"
"Yes, my rival!" Guy pounded his chest a bit too eagerly for my liking, jutting it out like some kind of athlete. "I thought that some running would be able to take out any last nerves! This is the day!"
I was SURE I was sharing Kakashi's deadpan expression now. "... Guy." I started.
"Tomoko-chan, do not worry!" The Genin gave a rather energetic thumbs up in my direction. "We're ready!"
"... Yeah!" Obito added a few seconds later, still sitting on the ground while bringing up a thumbs-up of his own.
"Definitely!" Rin piped in, before instinctively coughing into her fist.
I glanced at Kakashi. His shoulders sagged in response while looking at me. "... I'm sorry for assuming, Kakashi," I settled for finally, not sure of what else to say.
The masked ninja huffed a breath before reaching over to pat my head. "It's fine." He then turned to the others with a more serious expression. "Well. That went alright, but I'm going to keep this brief." He straightened himself, and I didn't miss how the other three ninja in the immediate area noticed and did the same. Even Obito stumbled to get up from his sitting position to look at his teammate directly.
A soft wind passed through the Academy grounds.
Kakashi sighed, resting a hand on his hip. "Do your best out there." He said finally, raising one eyebrow at the trio. "And don't die. We'll be waiting."
Hm. Simple, yet effective.
Obito, Guy, and Rin all looked at each other before turning back to the Chunin and nodding seriously.
Kakashi then glanced at me.
I took that as my signal, and opened my mouth to speak, despite my heart pounding otherwise.
"I-I won't deny that I'm kinda worried," I confessed quietly, fiddling with my skirt for a moment. "You all are still only 11-12 years old, and Chunin seems like such a huge thing…"
"... Tomoko-chan -" Obito's protest was stopped as soon as Rin raised a hand to his mouth. The medic then turned to me with a soft smile, senbon glistening from her armbands.
"Go ahead, Tomoko-chan." Rin said gently. "Finish what you were saying."
I nodded, gulping down the lump in my throat before clenching my fist. Then, I made eye contact with each ninja. "But I trust all of you, okay? Just be safe. That's all I can ask for." Even with the emotion rolling through me, I put on my best smile, despite how shaky it was. "W-When you do pass, I'll play a concert."
Obito, Rin, and Guy all looked at me before giving various signs of their agreement. Obito nodded eagerly, giving me a thumbs-up. Rin just smiled, inclining her head in my direction in agreement. Guy? It was obvious. No waterfall tears, but a bright pearly white smile and a thumbs-up of his own, all in my direction.
At that moment, it really felt like my friends were going to be okay.
"ALL EXAM-TAKING GENIN, LINE UP~!" A Jounin called out past the Academy doors. "WE'LL BE STARTING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE EXAM IN 5 MINUTES!"
"Crap!" Obito wiped at whatever sweat was on his face before giving me one last, big smile. "We'll be heading off then, Tomoko-chan, Kakashi!" I didn't miss how he gave my best friend an appreciative glance before running inside. Rin-chan followed the Uchiha soon after, glancing back once to wink at us.
Guy? He stayed back to fist bump Kakashi for a moment before saluting in my direction.
The red doors then closed with an audible SLAM.
I didn't even realize I was staring after the footsteps of my friends until a hand landed on my shoulder.
"Tomoko, they'll be okay." Kakashi's voice, quiet and understanding as always. "Let's go."
I turned to him, glancing into his silver eyes before giggling the nervousness away. "Okay." I grabbed his hand, and we then walked off towards Nagareboshi Cafe.
All we could do was hope now.
A day later, I was cleaning the piano when Team Minato burst into the cafe.
More specifically, Guy was nearly dragging Obito and Rin through the doors with the loudest yell ever.
"TOMOKO-CHAN, WE DID IT! WE'LL BE GOING INTO THE SECOND PHASE IN THE FOREST OF DEATH IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS!"
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL ABOUT IT!" Mama answered from the back a few seconds later. "INDOOR VOICES!"
"... Y-Yeah~!" Obito cheered tiredly from behind him.
"... Yay!" Rin added, slumping against her Uchiha friend.
I decided to not question WHY my friends were covered in varying degrees of dirt and scratches.
"Congrats, guys!" I already had the towel in hand when running over. "Come in and sit down for a bit, okay?"
Here came the hard part.
The Forest of Death was telling enough as is.
Author's Notes: A warm thanks to AvidReader016, Goldspark1, Konety, OneWhoReadsTooMuch, BacHac, and many others for reviewing Chapter 39. It's because of you guys that I could finish this.
Also, I have to give a special mention to Lang Noi. I know I mentioned her in the Disclaimer section before, but I really have to emphasize my thanks to her. We've been conversing so much to where she's been helping me with The Sea and Stars as my beta AND a proof-reader of some segments of Civilian Pianist, so I have to really say 'thank you'.
This chapter is really just character development, bringing in some things I wasn't able to cover before (e.g. Kushina's absence during the 'Drunk Man Incident' and 'Satoru Incident') while leading into the mood that's important for the Kannabi Bridge Mission. I can't guarantee when I'll get there, but hopefully by Chapter 50, we'll see a lot of canon differences.
Until then, this is Writer-and-Artist27 signing out to brainstorm Chapter 41, sleep, and work on the last few weeks of this college year!