A Different World

Chapter Two

Growing Pains and Misao's Tears

Misao got out of class early because she finished the lesson early as usual. It was fun being the top of the class because you were smarter than everyone. Her seven year old mind just smiled at that thought. She was looking forward to seeing her Aoshi-sama all day. Maybe that was one of the reasons she tried so hard in class. She wanted him to acknowledge her existence.

It was strange because he was not there for her. But he was usually always early. 'Maybe he got caught up with something. Stupid Jiya.' She thought that to herself, but secretly she felt that maybe he wouldn't come. She shook her head fiercely. 'That can't be it.'

Finally it was time for the other students to get out of class which meant that 30 minutes had passed. The older students that were in her class just ignored her. She never really did make friends when she moved up to the higher class. Sometimes she missed the simpler days of when she was with people her age. They were her best friends all of them, but they were holding her back. Given the choice of friends or power she chose power because she needed it to protect her friends. A strange way of rationalizing someone once told her, but she was still a child so whatever she thought could still be foolish.

Misao stood waiting for almost an hour. She still believed that he would come. After all why would he stop coming to pick her up? It was his job to come and see her back home and ask her about her day. It was his job to see that she was fine.

A few of the older girls from her class came up to Misao. They were jealous that a tall dark ninja always came and picked her up from school. None of the students seemed to know who he was. They had guessed that he was an ANBU member, but he never wore the uniform.

The girls were at the phase of going crazy over boys. "Misao what are you doing still here? Where's your mommy?" One girl threw a kunai at Misao, but she caught it at the loop at the end of the kunai.

"Oh no wonder you can't beat a girl that's six years younger than you. You can't even throw a kunai something I learned when I was four years old." Misao chucked the kunai to the ground not aiming for the girls. "Leave me alone before you really get me angry."

The three girls just stared at Misao and prepared to attack again. "That ninja that you always have with you he's from the ANBU isn't he?"

Misao just ignored the girl. "It's none of your business."

"You're just a stuck up little girl that had your precious grandpa get you into our class. A kid like you doesn't deserve to be around such high class ninja like that guy that comes and picks you up."

"Just leave me alone before Aoshi-sama gets here and scare the pee out of you!" Misao stuck out her tongue.

With that remark the three girls lunged at her. Although, Misao was a top student in her class she was no match for three healthy girls that were twice her age and twice as big.

The three of them managed to pin her down and tie her up. One of them taunted Misao and told her the little braid she was growing was nothing and looked like a little paint brush.

The bully was getting ready to cut the hair off when a rock flew and hit the other bigger girl's hand. The bully dropped the kunai in pain and all three of them looked up to see a white haired man.

"Eh? ANBU member?" The three of them started to step back and soon started to run away. The three of them yelling back an apology.

Kakashi came up to the little girl and untied her. "Tough day huh?"

"Kakashi did something happen to Aoshi-sama?"

Kakashi stepped back for a moment. He was silent for a moment and kneeled one knee in front of her. "Misao-chan, I think it's time you started walking yourself home right?"

"What? Who said that?" Misao just looked confused.

"Aoshi said that."

"What you must be joking. Because Aoshi-sama said he would always be here for me no matter what. He doesn't break his word."

"Misao there are times when you must understand that not everyone can keep their word. It's just not possible." He hated breaking bad news to her.

"You're wrong!" She yelled at him and ran towards her house.

When she finally came home it was turning dark already and dinner was almost ready. "Jiya!"

He was in the living room reading a book. "Misao-chan? What's wrong?" He noticed that she was very upset. "Did something happen to you? Did those older girls pick on you?"

"No." She lied. "Where's Aoshi-sama? Is he ok?"

Jiya looked solemnly at the girl. "He's a busy person you know. He doesn't have the time to come pick you up from school."

"Liar. You tell me the truth. Why didn't he come pick me up?" She seemed so desperate.

"Misao-chan you are almost an adult. I believe it's time to treat you like an adult. The truth is Aoshi-kun asked to be removed from his job."

Misao just stepped back for a moment. It was like her whole body had frozen on the spot and the walls around her were falling. It wasn't right. She gathered whatever energy she could muster and ran out of the house. She needed to get away. Maybe she would find him and confront him.

Okina watched the little girl run off. She would be upset for a long time. He had never seen her so upset; he even thought that she might cry. He had only seen the little girl cry maybe once or twice. She was a brave girl. He couldn't bare the thought that she might be crying by herself. He needed to do something. Maybe he would send Kakashi to find her.

Misao ran to the memorial and stood in front of it. She told her parents the whole story. After her story she felt her knees give in and she started to cry freely.

"What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong. Misao-chan is Misao-chan." Kakashi came up from behind her. "Misao?" He saw the tears in her eyes. Her face was red and puffy there was no mistaking it; she had been crying. It was a well known fact that she never cried not when the older girls picked on, not when she fell, just never.

"Misao are you all right?" He walked up closer to her. She threw her tiny arms around his leg. "Aoshi-sama hates me."

He bent down to pick up the little girl. "He doesn't hate you." There was an awkward silence. "I'm sorry about what I said today. Everyone should be able to keep their word if they really wanted."

She just cried like the little girl that she was. When she was finished Kakashi's uniform was thoroughly soaked and she had fallen asleep. He picked up the little girl and started for her house.

Aoshi stood in front of the memorial. Many people died for him a long time ago when he was just a child himself. That was even before Misao came to know him, even before Misao was born.

"I figured you were here."

Kakashi Hatake, Sharingan's Copy Ninja was walking towards him with his hands in his pocket. Aoshi just shifted his eyes in recognition.

"The silent treatment as usual." Kakashi walked closer to the memorial and thoughtfully looked at it for a moment. "I bet people would be surprised to see that I'm the talkative one when it comes to you and me."

"If you have something to say you should just say it instead of wasting my time." Aoshi letting a little annoyance slip out of his voice.

Kakashi glared at him angrily. "You know why I came here."

"If this is about Misao then you've wasted your time."

Kakashi took Aoshi by his collar and threw him on the ground and pinned him there. "You idiot. Misao waited all day for you."

Aoshi turned away at Kakashi's stare. "She should know that I can't pick her up anymore. It wouldn't—"

"She cried." Kakashi was truly angry. "She cried did you know that?"

Aoshi widened his eyes at the meaning of his words. She had cried. In all the years that he had known the little girl he had never known her to cry, not even when she was a child and she fell on her face, not even when she had an open wound sewed shut with no pain killers. She was a tough girl. She would never cry.

"Although she may be a strong girl, she's still just a seven year old girl and she thinks you hate her!" Kakashi let him go.

Aoshi sat up and realized the shock. "She thinks that?"

"Yes, she does. That brave little girl still cried for you."

Aoshi felt himself feel uneasy in his stomach. He forced himself to calm down. Why was he nervous? This was the person that he took care of everyday; there was nothing to be worried about. Except now…

Misao walked up towards him. "Aoshi-sama?" Good she still called him sama that meant she doesn't hate him. "Misao I have come to supervise you're training."

She looked at him for a moment not believing that weak excuse. But decided that this was his way of showing that he cared for her. "Really?"

He nodded at her.

"Ok then I'll do my best." She ran ahead of him.

"If you get tired I'll carry you back home." Aoshi didn't know why he said that either, but he missed the feeling of being missed.

"Ok Aoshi-sama. I'm going to be an elite ninja but I'll take your help." She turned back to her running.

He had decided that she didn't need him around her, but she thought differently.

And just like that he had resolved the problem that had made her cry. It was strange how she never seemed to ask him any questions. But that was just who she was. She didn't care too much for the little details that weren't important.

End of chapter two

AN:Any comments are much appreciated.

Meryl Lee