The next day she was released. Or, more correctly, she released herself. She was still exhausted, however, it was not life threatening. She just needed a lot of rest. The only problem was that rest was not something she could do at that time. She had too many questions running through her mind, which kept her from relaxing. Also, the thoughts of a ninja who was in her room yesterday.
She, Nevins and Jin had just sat down in a Ramen Shop getting ready to eat when three individuals caught her eye. She excused herself from the table, ignoring the protests of Jin.
Kakashi, Asuma and the once 'sealed' man were walking down the street. They were conversing about some students that Kakashi had. One of which, who was extremely noisy. Suddenly, the three stopped dead in their tracks and looked behind them. They felt a presence there, though, no-one was there. Starting to turn forward to continue walking, they eyes widened in realization that the presence that was behind them, was instantly in front of them. None of them felt her presence there until seeing her.
"Konichiwa" Aki greeted them, smiling under her straw hat, pleased with the reactions from the three. Only up to her mouth was visible.
"Feeling better?" she asked the man while raising her head to look the man in the eyes.
"Aki" the man stated, surprised by seeing her.
She smiled at him, bowing slightly. "Long time, no see…Hayate-kun".
"You know her?" asked Asuma.
"Yeah" he answered to Asuma, never removing his eyes from her.
'They know each other?' Kakashi asked himself analyzing her face, searching for some sort of answer. 'How do they know each other?'
"Was it you? Did you break the seal?" asked Hayate.
She only smiled in reply to, knowing that Kakashi and Asuma both were full of questions.
"Arigatou" he said bowing.
"Hungry?" she asked them gesturing toward Jin and Nevins who were already eating in the Ramen Shop. Before either of them could answer, her stomach growled noisily. She blushed, turning her head to one side hiding her face in embarrassment. "I am quite hungry, as you can tell," she said, holding her stomach.
"Ah, that you are." Asuma stated. "I think we have time, don't you?" he asked Kakashi.
"Yup," Kakashi answered, looking at Aki. She too, was looking at him. "We have time."
"I have a favor to ask, though." Aki said looking back to Hayate. "Could you not let on to Nevins that…we know each other?"
"I could, but, why?"
"To avoid conflict of interest…."
"Conflict of interest?" Asuma repeated, questioning what she means.
Uncomfortable with the subject she quickly ended it by saying: "It's a long story. Can we discuss it later this afternoon? I have some questions, Hayate-kun, that I want to ask you anyway."
"We are meeting with the Hokage later. I'm sure he wouldn't mind you being present. We all have questions, might at well ask them all at once with everyone together," Kakashi said.
"Good. When do we meet?"
"About one hour. We have just enough time to eat," Kakashi said. With that, they proceeded to the table.
"I thought you were done with the Ninjas of this city," Nevins said to Aki while the four of them joined him and Jin at the table. They were seated at a six person table; three people on either side. Aki sat in between Kakashi and Jin. Hayate, Asuma and Nevins sat on the other side.
"Huh? No no…the fun's only just begun," Aki replied with a smile receiving a glare back from Nevins.
"More, please," Jin said to the cook.
"What more is there to do in this city?"
"We're going to see the Hokage after lunch."
"Hokage…why?"
"Hmm, maybe because I'm Ryuuchi's daughter?"
"So."
"Because he knew my father."
"So"
"More, please," Jin said again to the cook..
"Because I have some questions I would like to have answered"
"So! So what! We all have questions that will never be answered! I don't like the idea of you hanging out with these three (point to each of the ninja) and especially seeing their 'leader'!
"Leader? You make it sound like a cult"
"Oye! I don't like tone. Especially when you reference Us or our 'Leader' as you call him," Asuma said angrily.
"Nani," Nevins growled.
"Why…why do Ninja's always want to fight?" Jin said placing his, again, empty bowl in front of him. His head was bowed. Nevins stared at him, afraid to move incase it would make the boy cry. "Why are Ninja always so 'eager' to fight?" Jin, though 16, was naive, and very innocent. He always spoke his mind about everything, which usually always received smiles from those around him…except for Nevins. He found nothing amusing.
Kakashi and Asuma were not quite sure how to explain to the boy why they were ninja. It wasn't a question easily answered.
Before either of them could begin, Aki started to explain. "Well, an old friend (Hayate smiled) once told me this: 'Ninja fight to protect. Not just to protect themselves, but to protect their families, their friends, their village. If you don't have anything or anyone to protect, the idea of being a Ninja will be absurd to you. If you fight without urges to protect …you're just a sadist."
Jin sat silently, thinking over what she had just said. Nevins relaxed and was also thinking over what she had said. 'She's pretty damn close to why we all fight' Kakashi thought to himself staring at her out of the corner of his eye. He didn't want to be too 'obvious' in front of his friends, and in front of Nevins, who gets angry quite easily.
Aki had continued to eat her ramen when Jin asked "so, why were they fighting?" Everyone at the table smiled at his innocence.
Asuma thought it best if he answered, "Your friend, Nevins, was protecting Aki. I was protecting my…'leader'. Jin looked at him for a moment
"Hai!" Jin said understanding completely. "MORE PLEASE!" Jin yelled to the cook holding up his bowl.
"More? You just ordered that bowl and you've already had at least four! EAT SLOWER!" yelled a now grumpy Nevins relieved that Jin recovered quickly.
"But I'm hungry. I can have more, right?" he asked turning to Aki. She smiled and nodded.
"AHH! You have got to stop spoiling this little brat, Aki."
"He's still a kid. He's growing. We need to help him grow." Aki said
"Fine, as long as he helps make my wallet grow! I can't afford to be the one paying for him being spoiled!"
"Hai hai. Ah, Kakashi" Aki said, quickly changing the subject. "Here". She pulled out a book from her sleeve and handed it to Kakashi, who was sitting next to her.
"Hmmmm, I was wondering where I left that".
"Huh? How did you get his book?" Asuma asked.
"He left it in my hospital room."
"He visited you in the hospital?" Hayate asked smirking at Kakashi.
"Yes, yes he did!" Nevins stated angrily remembering what he say as he entered her room. "…pervert…"
"Pervert?" Hayate stated questioningly looking between Aki, Nevins and Kakashi. Aki just burst out laughing, which made Nevins even angrier. He glared at Kakashi, who just casually smiled at him and turned his attention to putting his book in his pocket.
"Nani nani? Why are you calling Kakashi-san a pervert?" asked Jin.
"HUH? You were there, you saw what he did!" Nevins yelled.
"Hai…demo…Aki was the one on top…." Everyone snickered with this innocent comment. Aki laughed more.
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Nevins yelled back slaming his hand on the table. Now everyone was laughing out loud, leaving only Nevins, who was angry, and Jin who was confused.
"Damn it! I'm leaving." Nevins said.
"Where ya going, Nevins-chan!" Jin asked.
"Gonna check a couple of things. STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!" he yelled at Jin pointing his finger. He then pointed his finger at Kakashi and glared at him without saying anything. Not expecting or wanting a return answer, Nevins quickly left the table.
"We should get going too," Asuma said shaking his head at Nevins' actions.
"Where? Where are we going?" Jin asked.
"To see the Third." Aki answered getting up from the table.
"Now, I'm still hungry?"