Kazahi huffed as he pushed the last stack of papers onto the shelf. Satisfied, he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"That's the last one."
"I don't think so," Setsumi called out. She lifted the flaps of a couple other cardboard boxes, papers piled inside. "There are still two boxes left."
Kazahi and Setsumi were currently on a D-rank mission. Their sensei had subjected Awai to extra taijutsu training after their original team exercises, leaving the other two genin to file dozens of important documents alone. To them however, it felt more like menial work for a civilian than a job for a ninja.
Their work was interrupted by a low growl.
"Ah—"
"Are you hungry, Kazahi-san?"
He set down the stack in his hand. His stomach growled again, and he realized he hadn't eaten since breakfast, before their team training.
He looked at the office's clock. It was already well into the evening.
"Now that you mention it, I'm practically starving." Kazahi then turned downcast, and his shoulders sagged. "But Baa-chan isn't home today... and Tou-chan is probably dead asleep."
Setsumi fiddled with the end of her kosode. "Um, after we finish up, would you like to have dinner at the Hyuuga compound?"
Kazahi peered up at the Hyuuga and blinked. But his frown remained, if not worsening with a hint of disgust.
"If I go to there, I'll see hundreds of creepy Hyuuga eyes," he said, unabashed. "I'll just get ramen or udon. Though I won't have enough for more than one bowl."
Setsumi dropped her hopeful look and sighed. She was used to Kazahi's blunt cruelty, but it never stopped the twist of her heart after all these months as teammates. Her sandals shuffled against the floor. A paper slipped from its pile and drifted to the ground. She bent down to pick it up, then glanced over at Kazahi who had taken his wallet out to check his meager genin savings.
"Kazahi-san?"
The genin in question looked at her.
"Why do hate my eyes?"
"Huh?"
That was not a question he was expecting.
But Setsumi was adamant. She kept staring at the genin, her eyes boring into him, causing him to squirm.
"Why do you call my eyes creepy, Kazahi?"
Finally, he looked away, unable to deal with her piercing stare much like the famed dojutsu of her clan. He grumbled, grinded his jaw, and let out his words in a sigh.
"I'm not used to them." His words were mumbled, unusual coming from Kazahi. "I didn't grow up around ninjas."
Setsumi was not surprised; it was common knowledge Kazahi was from a civilian household. But he wasn't finished, and she urged him to go on.
"Tou-chan... he told me to always speak my mind." He looked up for a moment and pointed at her eyes. "I can't help but call them creepy when I see Hyuuga eyes. They're not normal like Tou-chan's or Awai's or even Kumo-sensei's. They're pale, freakishly so."
She formed a hand sign, activating her Byakugan. The veins on her temple pulsed. "And the Byakugan?"
He shivered, looking down again. "It's not normal. I hate it."
He's scared, Setsumi thought. It was quite interesting seeing the normally emotionless Kazahi spill his inner fears so easily. Then again, it was probably so simple because it was Kazahi.
She released her chakra.
"Kazahi-san, I think it's amazing that you can speak your mind so freely. You're not afraid to hold back your troubles or impressions—I know so many that wished they could do the same."
She paused. Kazahi stared intently at the stack of papers beside her.
"But..." she whispered, "Your inability to hold back, it also hurts. My eyes are a part of me, something I can't change, and yet..."
Startled, Kazahi panicked at the watery smile on Setsumi. He stepped forward, wanting to do something, alarmed that he—his actions—had caused his teammate pain, when she swallowed and built up a sudden guard. Her pale eyes, different from Awai's warm black or his hazy brown, shone steely.
"Your words will cause trouble, Kazahi-san, and not just for others. You're a shinobi in the middle of a war—your loose mouth will be very bad if you get captured. You need to learn to hold your tongue."
She looked straight across into his blinking face.
"I hold my tongue no less than Shiki."
Setsumi pouted. "See? I—I can live with you hating my eyes... I can endure you announcing your disgust aloud... but... but I don't want my teammate to put himself and the rest of the village in danger."
The lines in his young face creased, only the tick-tick-tick of the clock filling the silence.
"So, I will offer my help. I'll teach you to speak normally."
"What? But I already speak normally. You can't tell me calling your eyes creepy is wrong when you say I talk weird," argued Kazahi.
Setsumi frowned. "That's not what I mean. I'll teach you to speak respectfully—unlike the crude manner you currently use." She held up a hand. "And no, I am not referring to Shiki's voice, Kazahi-chan."
The last comment sent him grumbling.
He didn't want a creepy-eyed Hyuuga telling him the way he spoke was wrong. He was proud of his manner; Tou-chan always praised him for it. But he was a shinobi now, he had to be responsible, and Setsumi had a point, a very grave point.
Then, he had an idea.
"The way you address me—'Kazahi-san'," he started. Confused, Setsumi vaguely nodded. "If you drop the honorific, you can teach me to speak the way you want me to."
Counterproductive, she thought, but agreed nonetheless. "Okay, if you insist... Kazahi."
His mouth twitched faintly, balancing on the brink of a smile. "You said that so easily. Were you waiting to informally address me all this time?"
Setsumi sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Oh, Kazahi." This would be a long road ahead of them.
Suddenly, the library outside the office was flooded with light, and the doors to the office burst open.
"Kaza-chan! You still here?"
"Shut your trap, mutt! This is a library!"
"Like he'll listen to you, Uchiha."
"Hm?" Setsumi turned away from Kazahi to face the new vistors. "Awai? And Squad 2?"
Yuuji grinned and waved excitedly, Takeki on his head. Beside him was Nori Akimichi, a plump and charming girl, and Shiki Yamanaka. Hobbling off to the side was Awai, who looked worse for wear, covered in dirt and bruises.
"We rescued her from training," Shiki explained. He jabbed a finger at the growling Uchiha. "We thought we'd see if you two were still here."
"And you are!" Yuuji cried out, jumping over to sling an arm over Kazahi's shoulder. Takeki yipped.
Nori smiled, holding up a set of tickets. "My brother gave me some vouchers for yakiniku, all you can eat. We're heading there now and guessed that if you were still here, you're probably starving."
"Oh, thank you, Nori," Setsumi said. "We'd love to join you."
Kazahi opened his mouth, but thought twice when Setsumi glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He conceded. "Thanks for coming to get us. I haven't eaten since breakfast."
Pleased, Setsumi sent him a quick, yet approving, smile. "Right, Kazahi."
Awai, who was three steps away from collapsing, leaned against her Hyuuga friend. Despite being so sore, she furrowed her brow at her two teammates.
"Did something happen? Something doesn't feel right..." Awai mumbled. She quickly forgot what was biting at her though, as she leaned into the gentle touch of Setsumi massaging her back.
"No, you're just your usual grumpy self," retorted Kazahi.
Setsumi muffled her groan, unaware Kazahi had looked her in the eyes when he said it.
.
.
.
Kumo tapped his finger against his arm, the nearby lamppost casting his shadow into Konoha's subdued nightlife.
"Quite rare for you to offer to go drinking, Kumo."
The Aburame grunted.
The newcomer, a kunoichi, took a seat next to Kumo. She called out to the waiter from the bench, her bright brown hair masked by the darkness of the evening.
"It's been a long day..."
"Hmm..." She accepted the glass of alcohol and leaned back. "Must be pretty tough for old loner Kumo to have to work with a squad for once in his life."
Akari Hanashi was the sensei of Squad 2. Her spotless hair trailed a little past the lip of her flak vest, and running lengthwise across the tawny skin of her nose was a line of bright red face paint. An old classmate and comrade of Kumo's, she was often the one to drag him out to bars and restaurants.
"Stop barking at me. You're turning into an Inuzuka," Kumo grouched. "That kid—her stance is so poor she can't even sense an earthquake. How can an Uchiha be so bad at taijutsu."
"Awai? C'mon, she isn't a sensor like the rest of her squad." Akari nudged him as she bottomed the rest of her drink. "And if she can't fight hand-to-hand, just up her training! It's what you're supposed to do. That's your job, Kumo-sensei."
Kumo swatted away her poking finger.
"I didn't ask to become a teacher, unlike someone else." He glared.
"Sure, sure, but it was bound it happen eventually! Honestly," Akari paused, ordering a plate of edamame, "There's nothing I love more than a group of genin all chorusing out, "Sensei! Sensei! Sensei!""
"And I'm sure your genin love you too, slavedriver."
"Hey!" she spouted, swiping the newly delivered plate out of Kumo's reach. "At least I'm not like our other friend. Takehiro-sensei has already taken his chunin out to the front lines."
Kumo grimaced. "Always quick on the draw, that one."
The remaining excited nightlife slowly dwindled down. The bar's outside seating was empty, except for the two jonin, but the yakiniku shop across the street was as lively as ever.
"The winter chunin exams are coming up. Of course, with the war it'll be smaller, but still just as difficult."
Kumo watched the genin inside the yakiniku shop pounce on each other as they laughed innocently.
"Please," he mumbled, "my genin are the least qualified to take the chunin exams."
"The war's not stopping anytime soon, Kumo. It won't be long before they send the greenhorns out alongside the jonin. Next year's genin won't even have time to prepare their tombstones before they're sent out to their graves."
Kumo grunted. "What else is new."
Akari traced her finger along the rim of her glass. Her bangs overshadowed her eyes, the half-filled plate left forgotten on the other side of the bench.
"You might not want to work with others, Kumo, but that won't stop your genin from being sent out. Can you live with the guilt of knowing you didn't try to help those children before they had to fight? Will you ignore their needs because you're too scared to work in a team? Being a loner might have worked out in our squad, but not anymore."
She lifted her face and stared into the mask covering his eyes.
"They depend on you and solely you. Sure, they're pathetic kids with no skill, but it's up to you to give them a fighting chance."
Kumo breathed in deeply. Akari suddenly grinned and stood, stretching her back like she had ran around the village a thousand times. Her glass lay empty, a few froth bubbles lining the bottom. Looking over her shoulder, she raised her hand in a goodbye salute.
"Well, I'll see you next at the chunin exams! Now I'm off to leech some food off some poor genin. And remember, it was your treat!"
With that, Akari dashed off across the street to the yakiniku shop. Kumo grumbled, but he finished the rest of the edamame and gathered the leftover glasses and plate, heading inside the bar to pay. The only other customer left inside was a man slumped against the bar, and Kumo raised his brow when he saw his face.
"Kazahi's father..."
"Oh, he's out like a light again," bemoaned the owner of the bar, her face cupped in her hand. "Almost every night he's like this at some shop. If you wouldn't mind, Aburame-san?"
"Yeah, yeah," Kumo complied. He crouched down and swung Kazamaru's arm over his shoulder, draping the rest of the larger man over his back.
It was nearing midnight as he walked the man back home. Kumo hummed, realizing his genin were still out so late at night, and he hid a grin as he planned to wake them up nice and early tomorrow as punishment.
A loud commotion up ahead caused Kumo to pause.
"And don't you go stealing again!"
"I—I won't! I'm sorry!"
"Sure, fine. Fugaku, you can take over."
"Yes, sir."
Kumo frowned. It was the Uchiha police force, as usual. They seemed to have caught a thief this time.
The leader of the trio of officers noticed the Aburame walking towards them, and a big smile grew on his raggedy face. "Hm? Oh, if it isn't Kumo-sensei!"
"Suguru-sama, hello."
Suguru Uchiha, chief of the police force. A large fellow with leathery skin and a lopsided grin. He was also Awai's father.
"As always, thank you for taking good care of my daughter, Kumo-sensei. Hell knows what I'd do if some other jonin was training my girl." His hands on his hips, Suguru's grin was plastered on his face.
"Uh, right. I'll keep up the good work," Kumo forced out.
"Haha!" Suguru belted. Finally, he seemed to notice the other man splayed over Kumo's back, and his grin faltered. "Ah, that's Kazamaru, isn't it?"
His stomach in knots, Kumo started to regret asking Akari for a drink. "Yes, Kazahi's father."
"Right, Kazahi, the boy on Awai's squad." Suguru sneered at the unkempt man. "I hope his boy isn't as lousy as him."
Kumo squeezed his eyes shut, ever grateful for his mask.
"Suguru, sir. We should be heading back."
Suguru turned around. The thief had been handcuffed and was now led by Fugaku, a young officer. Fugaku's face was stern yet adamant, so different from his superior's.
Suguru nodded, his grin back. "Yes, yes. Oh, Kumo-sensei, I should introduce you. This is Fugaku, my second-hand man. He's quite the hard-working officer!"
Fugaku turned to Kumo and bowed, his deep eyes studying the Aburame after. "Thank you for taking care of the chief's daughter."
"Ah, yes." Kumo offered a slight smile, suddenly realizing his shoulders had shrunk midway through the conversation. "I've heard of you. A brilliant Uchiha, perhaps the next chief, too?"
Suguru seemed to think the comment was hilarious. He roared with laughter so hard that tears sprouted at the corner of his eyes. "No, I won't be retiring anytime soon. I still intend to lead the police force for quite a few more years to come! Besides, Fugaku still has to get used to being clan head! And being married!"
"Sir."
"Right, right. I entrust my daughter in your care, Kumo-sensei!"
The Uchiha police chief marched off, his two officers following at his heels along with the captured thief. Kumo watched them go, the twister in his stomach still spinning. Kazamaru weighed down his shoulders much more than they had earlier.
"It won't be long before he's sent out to the front lines, too," Kumo muttered.
.
.
.
"Awai!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Setsumi!"
"Yes, sensei."
"Kazahi!"
"Uh, here."
"Good." Kumo slapped each genin on the head with an envelope. "These are for you."
The kids looked at him, puzzled, but Kumo urged them to open each one. Awai took charge and hesitantly tore open the top. She pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it, reading it aloud.
"The chunin exams?"
As the other two genin opened their own envelopes, Kumo nodded. "Yes. The three of you are going to take the chunin exams, Akari-sensei's orders. Not that you'll pass, of course."
Awai frowned and huffed. "Kumo-sensei! What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Chunin exams?" Kazahi asked. He turned the paper over, confused.
"It's a test where the village's genin can compete to become chunin. Earlier this year there was another exam, but I suppose we forgot about it," Setsumi explained.
Kumo shook his head. "No, I just didn't appoint you because you'd fail before you even got to the testing site."
Awai growled. She pounced at Kumo who grabbed the paper from her hand and bonked her head with it.
"See, you failed."
Awai made a strangled, indistinguishable noise.
"Now, this means that in the next couple of weeks I'll be training you to the bone. No fussing, no backtalking, and no playing peacemaker. You'll each be accountable for your own effort, but I want you to work together to get everyone to their best before the exams. Got it?"
"Yes!" Kazahi and Setsumi chorused.
"Aw, not more training..." Awai whined.
"Awai—"
"Let's do our best, okay?" Setsumi placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"We'll show Sensei that we aren't failures," Kazahi added, resting his hand on Awai's other shoulder.
"Huh?" mumbled Awai.
Kumo watched his students band together, a tiny smile itching his face. It wouldn't be much, but if he could offer his help, no matter how inexperienced in teamwork, the genin could somehow make it out of the war. And if they proved themselves in the chunin exams, maybe they weren't so pathetic after all.
All he needed to do was coax their hidden talents into daylight.
"We'll start training today and continue into the night. You three are fine with camping out?"
Awai paused, looking troubled. "Are we allowed to go home to get supplies?" she asked.
"You're so reli—I mean, shouldn't you learn to live in the wild for future missions?" Kazahi suggested. Setsumi nodded in agreement.
"He's right," Kumo acknowledged. "But yes, you can take a quick trip back home—"
"Alright!" She punched a fist in the air. "I'll be right back! Then we can start Camp Kumo!" shouted Awai, racing away down the road.
Setsumi blinked. "That was fast. I wonder why she was in such a rush."
"Camp... Kumo...?"
Ignoring his sputtering sensei, Kazahi cocked his head, looking down at the paper in his hands. "Did she not want to train that bad?"
.
.
.
"I'm home!"
Awai waited, but she smiled bittersweetly when she was met with silence. "Thought so."
She skipped the action of taking off her shoes and rushed inside the traditionally-sized house to her bedroom. She hurriedly opened her backpack and stuffed her gear inside.
A set of pattering small feet came rushing into the room.
"Nee-chan!"
Awai looked over her shoulder and grinned.
"Achi-chan!"
Achi was a young girl of four or five with charcoal black hair, rosy skin, and the sweetest smile in the whole compound.
The little girl stumbled across the room and fell into Awai's waiting lap. She snuggled her nose in her lap and finally popped her head up, lost in her smile.
"Nee-chan, Nee-chan! You're home early!"
"Yeah, but I won't be coming home for a while, Achi-chan," Awai murmured, caressing the little girl's soft bangs. "Nee-chan's going on a camping trip to train."
"Nee-chan's coming back?"
Awai chuckled at the pout she received.
"In a couple of weeks. Until then you can play here with Obito and the others."
"Eww!" Achi stuck out her tongue. "Obito is weird! So are his glasses!"
Awai poked Achi on the nose. "Those are goggles, not glasses. And be nice, Obito's just like you were before."
"What's that mean?" Achi mumbled, looking up intrigued.
"It means I'll see you later!" Awai teased, blowing a raspberry on the top of the giggling little girl's head. Then she picked up her backpack and slung it over her arms, standing up. Achi followed her as she left her room and headed to the foyer. With a final wave, Awai opened the front door. "Bye, Achi-chan!"
"Bye-bye, Nee-chan!" Achi waved as her sister ran out of the house. Her hand dropped when she was gone. "See you later..."