The next morning, the Akatsuki woke up as normal. The children weren't making too much more noise throughout the night beside the few incidents where Pain quickly put a stop to them. Even then it was barely any noise-- just a few traps he stepped in, the puff of smoke from the clone, the small attempt at a fight, and Gaara's demon being released. After being confronted by Pain, however, they must have known better than to make any more physical traps or start anything else. Plus Gaara's demon was away for the night and he planned to take advantage of it to get some sleep.
It was their normal waking time, around 7:00 am, and no one had woken them up. They all got up to head downstairs, besides Tobi who headed upstairs to Pain and Konan's room. He slipped in just as Konan was preparing to leave, his posture less relaxed and more rigid as he looked to Pain. "You saw the beast last night," he noted.
Pain's six paths nodded a bit, and Konan gave a puzzled look since she had been asleep. "That child will be of great use to you one day. As will the small blonde one, he holds the ninetails though he doesn't know it yet." the masked man commented.
The older Uzumaki nodded a bit "So this was the abnormal chakra I sensed when he was standing close to me. I'm sure one day these children will have no issue ending their power for our cause. Though, it is now going to be a tedious step finding a way to extract their tailed beasts without killing them."
Waving a hand dismissively, Tobi dismissed it. "The time won't be right for many years. Over time you and Konan can gain their trust then use it to get the tailed beasts event the cost of their lives. They'll be teens at the time of the extraction so they'll be more vulnerable emotionally. This could work to our advantage."
Konan frowned at this, Pain's face hardening as well. "We will not take their lives in the process, Tobi. There is surely a way to extract the beast without killing them, there just hasn't been the proper research done yet to figure out how," she commented, already growing attached to them.
Tobi wasn't convinced there was any other way but decided to allow them time to get more invested in his plan. After all, he had only offered them his assistance a few months ago, it was no surprise they still weren't totally in row with his values. Hopefully, he could build on the next few years and use their hard work during this time as an excuse to have them not give up. The only real risk was them growing too attached, but surely they weren't foolish enough to turn against him.
"Very well. You have ten years until the plan goes into action, perhaps you will surprise me and find a way around it. Just don't grow too attached. Though, if you won't make the sacrifices needed to protect this world then I will. Remember that." he warned, turning to leave the two other ninjas.
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As he left Konan to let out a breath, glancing away. She would need to start as soon as possible if she wanted to keep them safe. Just as soon as Gaara found it easier to lower his shield. "I never would have imagined the villages would place those monsters in children. They're so young. Now I understand why Gaara tried to strangle Tobi when he called him a little monster down at the park. He didn't see it as a nickname, he saw it as an insult. Oh spirits, and they didn't even tell Naruto. The poor boy has no idea."
Pain nodded a bit "I wouldn't be surprised if they faced a lot of mistreatment from the villagers. It's really just two extremes. Either they would be admired by everyone or shunned by everyone. Based on how small their friend group is I would guess shunned. Though, at least it lets them know who their true friends are." he noted.
Konan sighed, sitting down on the bed and looking over at him. "We'll just have to find out how to extract the beasts without killing them. We'll also have to work on reversing whatever damage was done to them at the hands of the village. But they aren't the only ones."
Seeing the look of prompting from Pain, she explained "Sasuke is skittish and untrusting. Neji and Hinata are nervous and defensive. Good in general, bad for the mental state. I can only guess it would be due to clan reasons for both. Sasuke for having a person he trusted spit in his face while the Hyuuga for being mistreated in the clan. I'm not sure for what, but Itachi mentioned it yesterday."
Pain nodded a bit in understanding. "I see. Yes, being defensive at all times is good when in a fight or around enemies but over time it wears away at a person's mental state. Twice as fast the younger someone is. Being truly mentally insane in battle won't work out well not to mention it will damage them even out of fights."
After nodding in agreeance Konan mentioned "I had a conversation with Hinata before bed last night. She was crying. Apparently, her sister is only a baby and she was worried about her. Hanabi was her name I believe. She was really upset about the idea of not being able to protect her from here. So I said I would ask about you sending out one of your six paths to keep an eye on her so she could stay updated."
"I wouldn't mind if it eased her mind. That child isn't like any of the others here. She's timid and...sweet. She hasn't been stripped of her innocence yet and I would like to keep it that way as long as possible. Soon. Soon enough we'll live in a world where little girls and boys aren't forced to handle this all."
Though Konan wasn't completely on board with his plan, she would always follow him as they were family. Besides, even if it was harsh, hopefully, it would be like tearing off a bandaid. Only a few short years of unimaginable pain then the world would be free. They heard a knock at the door, and Konan opened it. Naruto stood in front of the door, smiling up at her. "Kisame said it's time for breakfast," he announced.
The purple-haired woman smiled, Pain coming over to them as well. "Alright, lets head downstairs. Thank you for coming to get us." she praised the happy little boy before they headed downstairs. Everyone else was at the table, so they took their seat next.
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Breakfast passed by quietly, besides the small sound of Hinata gently letting her feat swing as they dangled and the scrapping of eating utensils against plates. Pain took a quiet breath before starting the normal mission calls he gave as they all ate. "Alright, today's missions. I know on the last day there has been a lot of excitement but we must continue on."
Seeing the understanding nodes from his members he began. "Konan, I need you in the village taking any complaints the villagers may have as usual. Zetsu, you will split in half and be around the gates." seeing the nod from his left side and look of annoyance from his right he continued.
"Deidara and Tobi, there is a scroll I need you to send to an important official. It's the reminder for the money he owes. Make sure he understands all the details." avoiding flat out saying they needed to rough the man up in front of the kids.
Receiving a nod of excitement from both, he moved on. "Sasori, I need you to go with Hidan and Kakuzu to meet with some men in a shop called 'The Jasmine Dragon'. They'll fill you in on what needs to be done once you get there."
Itachi and Kisame waited for their mission, and both were a bit startled as Pain spoke casually. "Finally, Itachi and Kisame. You two will need to take care of things here since I'll be away for the day on a mission in a smaller town nearby." seeing the look of distaste from Kisame and light sigh from Itachi he narrowed his eyes.
"Don't get pissy with me. Itachi has the most experience with children and Kisame you don't seem to have an issue with children." he added casually as the dishes were cleaned up, "Besides, you two will need the practice."
At this their faces dropped, knowing exactly what they were hinting at. While being teased by the other Akatsuki members for their closeness was nothing new, nor was the idea that they were together, normally Pain and Konan stayed out of it. Itachi's eyes swept away while Kisame grunted in annoyance. A few snickers came from around the room from the older members, while the kids only blinked in confusion.
Sasuke, sitting right beside Kisame on the edge of the children's group, glanced up at Kisame curiously. After a moment he couldn't resist asking any longer. "Does that mean you're pregnant? I heard boy sharks can get pregnant," he spoke, surprisingly blunt for him.
Kisame's eyes widened as his head whipped around to look at the younger Uchiha who didn't see anything wrong at all with his question. A few loose snickers came from the older members, while Hinata tilted her head in confusion. "Pregnant means you're a mommy, right Neji-nii-san?" she asked curiously to the older boy who's faced was brimming red from the snickers he was holding in. When the older Hyuuga nodded, Hinata looked over at the mist ninja in confusion. "He doesn't look like a mommy."
Quickly Deidara took the chance to pipe in "Least we all know who the father is." he smirked, receiving a glare from Itachi and Kisame both. Pain sighed with a slight smile, he hadn't meant to turn this into a full-on verbal thrashing for the young couple who seemed convinced they hid it well enough. Though, he couldn't say he felt guilty.
Kisame moved quickly to slam his fist to the table "I'm not pregnant, damn it! Shut up, all of you before I get Samehada and make you shut up." he commanded, Itachi standing to remove himself from the situation rather than get in trouble for putting Deidara in another Tsukuyomi. Good luck, Kisame.
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As everyone dispersed to do their missions, Kisame sighed. He sat on the couch with Itachi by his side, the Uchiha reading. The children all sat in the living room floor for a bit, chattering idly. That lasted for about ten minutes.
Sasuke was the first to stand up, heading to his bedroom. Kisame raised a brow and called out "Kid, where are you going? We're supposed to be watching you so sit down." he frowned, Sasuke's expression quickly mimicking his.
The younger Uchiha crossed his arms in annoyance, used to being able to go where he pleased. Before the clan's death, because his father and mother couldn't care less where he was as long as his academy scores were up and he wasn't misbehaving. Then, of course, these last few months because there was no one to tell him what to do. "Don't be so dumb, fish brains. I doubt watching means to literally stare at us for the entire time they're gone."
Itachi sighed lightly as he noticed Kisame getting ready to turn this into a full-blown argument, commenting without looking up. "Sasuke, don't be so rude. Calling me names is one thing but calling complete strangers by insults based entirely on their appearance is wrong. Kisame, don't take him so seriously. He's just a kid, and he isn't used to being watched much."
Sasuke, glanced away in annoyance at the light scolding, Kisame snorting a bit but letting it go. The Uchiha headed off into his room to work on a few basic shuriken jutsu. He figured the wall would work just fine, after all, that's what he had been using at home since his target broke from overuse.
Naruto asked curiously, jumping up to sit on the couch beside Itachi. "Sasuke calls you names?" he asked curiously since he thought brothers were supposed to care about each other. "I thought brothers were supposed to be nice to each other?" he asked tilting his head.
Itachi smiled lightly in amusement. Ah, the struggle of explaining the odd angle to one who doesn't have siblings. "Yes, I believe his favorite was always, 'big fat liar' after I ran out of time to teach him something." shaking his head back and forth lightly. "It's hard to explain to someone with no siblings. It's like you and Sasuke in a way."
Seeing his puzzled expression he explained "Sasuke and you are good friends, aren't you?" seeing a nod he pointed out "But you two argue and fight all the time from what I've seen. That's what it's like to have a brother or family member you're close with. You fight, but you'll always be there for each other. I'm sure Neji and Hinata don't always get along. Or I'm sure Gaara had a few issues with his siblings. The rivalry is part of having a sibling."
He glanced at the two younger boys looking for confirmation, Neji and Gaara nodding quickly in agreement. Neji explained "Like how I really hate the main family. They're mostly a bunch of jerks, but I still for some reason have a connection to them which makes me care. Like Lady Hinata. It's because we're family." he explained, adding 'lady' on habit.
Gaara nodded in understanding "Or as I told you with my elder sister or brother. They're scared of me but I still wouldn't kill them unless I needed to. Like Neji, I don't particularly care for them anymore but still, some ties are hard to cut."
Naruto just looked more confused now. "I don't get it. Why would you want to cut ties with your family? Wouldn't you be sad?" he asked. Itachi sighed lightly and pat the boy's head. He could see why he would be so confused at them not wanting what he craved his entire life for.
"It's hard to explain. Perhaps you'll come to understand what we mean after staying here as a member of our Akatsuki family." he noted on second thought "Well, hopefully, we'll be bareable enough for you to not want to cut ties with us." he noted.
Naruto slowly leaned over Itachi to look at Kisame, who had been listening in on the conversation. Naruto gave him a look too innocent for his face, and Kisame knew easily what he wanted. "Later. It's not something to be said in front of other people." the mist ninja waved the boy off, much to his dismay.
Naruto settled for huddling up next to Itachi, watching him read. Itachi felt a wave of familiarity at this, as Sasuke had always loved curling up to his side while he read. Gaara ended up beside Kisame, the redhead holding his bear which had a decent-sized hole in its stomach but not enough stuffing to the point it overflowed unless he squeezed it. Normally Gaara's uncle would stitch it, but now that the man was dead there was nothing to do but try asking Sasori. After all, he used puppets, so maybe he would know.
Gaara would steal glances at the man's sharp teeth, interested by them as he sat by him but not huddled to him like Naruto was to Itachi. Hinata had ended up on Itachi's lap, the girl wanting to be held again. After all her mother had only passed barely a month ago, so she was still in need of some attention. Her mother had been the one to keep her safe and coddle her with attention so of course, she needed someone to fill the void. Neji naturally had moved to sit between Itachi and Kisame, wanting to be close to his cousin.
This was the sight Sasuke was met with as he left the bedroom an hour or two later. They had all fallen asleep, besides Gaara. Sasuke made his way over, practically shoving Naruto off to the side to take his place nuzzled under Itachi's arm. Naruto growled at first at being woken up and shoved onto the floor, "What's wrong with you Sasuke, I was sleeping!" he demanded.
Sasuke only gave an annoyed 'hn', choosing to ignore him. Kisame was confused at first along with Itachi at his brother's actions, but he quickly realized why the six-year-old had shoved Naruto off to the floor. Kisame smirked widely, his teeth showing as he watched the youngest Uchiha. Itachi as just as surprised until he realized what the odd look in Sasuke's eyes was. Jealousy. Sasuke was jealous at how closely huddled Naruto had been to his big brother. Of course of Hinata too, but he didn't want to start anything with the prodigy boy two years his senior. Besides, who could hurt someone as sweet as Hinata?
The day went on calmly for a while, Sasuke not saying much to Itachi but no longer sending glares of hatred towards him every chance he got. Neji stayed by Hinata as usual, while Naruto stuck with Gaara. Overall they had a good day, staying relatively quiet until the members started returning home. Hidan, Kakuzu, and Sasori were the first to return. The kids quickly scattered away or closer to Itachi and Kisame, not too sure about the zombie combo.
Sasori headed to the dining room, summoning his puppets to do some work on. A few had been damaged in their last mission, the owners of the shop having ended up needing some higher-ups killed for their protection. He sighed and sat down, beginning his work quickly. About fifteen minutes in, he noticed Gaara approaching with an almost shy look on his face.
The boy climbed up, sitting in the chair beside Sasori silently for another ten minutes as they worked. After a bit, Gaara looked up at the puppet master and asked "Sasori-San?" getting the older man's attention. He stopped working on his puppets to look at the younger.
"Yes, what is it, Gaara?" adding in after a second "Also you don't need to use honorifics here. None of us do to each other, anyway. Well, besides when Itachi scares Tobi or Deidara anyway." he smiled lightly in amusement, trying to ease the child's obvious nervousness.
Gaara lifted up his bear from under the table after a moment and Sasori could see the large gap from what looked like claw marks across its stomach. The stuffing was pushed in best it could be, but some still popped out. "Shukaku broke it last night." he murmured hesitantly.
Quickly Sasori recognized Shukaku as the one-tails. He was stunned for a moment before reaching out to take the ripped toy. "A-Ah. Alright. I can fix it for you. You said Shukaku did it?" he asked the little sand boy.
Gaara nodded hesitantly "It came out when I was asleep and I accidentally hit him." his eyes were trained on Sasori and he noticed something quickly. The boy wasn't scared of rejection as he thought, but rather of him saying no to fixing the toy. Which Sasori couldn't help but find odd.
He shook it off and quickly began working to fix the stuffed bear, which already had many small lines where he could see it had been stitched back together. He asked lightly, "So you're a jinchūriki for the one-tails then. That must be difficult to control." he commented.
Gaara nodded a bit and sat, watching him stitch up the toy he had owned for years. "Sometimes." he agreed, though his voice was strained. He clenched onto his pants since he couldn't hold his bear at the moment for comfort.
Sasori asked "When did it get placed inside you? It's a lot to deal with for someone as small as you." he noted, knowing he himself could never handle it. "Why not wait until you were older?" he added, not looking up from his sewing. He wanted to understand this boy better. He was interesting.
His eyes flickered, silently grimacing. "Just before I was born, a week or so before. The Kazekage was short on budgets so he needed me to keep Suna's power levels up."
Sasori raised his brows, asking "He stuffed a demon in his own son, or rather, wife? I'm sure she wasn't too happy about that." he noted. "Seems like the man definitely had a thirst for power," he added, none too gently.
Gaara took his bear quickly as Sasori finished and shook his head back and forth. "She didn't like the idea of putting a monster inside another monster." he easily agreed and seeing the light raise of Sasori's eyes he held his now fixed bear closer to him.
"You don't look like a monster. And trust me, I've seen some monsters. It could easily be argued that most of the members in this group are monsters. Though, I doubt she meant in the sense of your personality if you weren't even born. Your physical appearance doesn't look terribly mean either." he noted.
Shaking his head the boy explained what his father had told him many times as well as what his uncle told him on his death bed. "She was dying because she was pregnant with me. I killed her. Monsters kill people." Sasori didn't interrupt him as the boy spoke. Obviously he wasn't used to speaking about it as he paused a moment. "That's why she named me Gaara. It means 'Demon fighting for only himself'."
Sasori frowned. By the sounds of it, if they hadn't taken Gaara in with them the boy probably would have shown up a few years later as a new member of the Akatsuki himself. He asked lightly "Is that why you have that marking on your head, did she give it to you? What's it mean?" he asked, not having ever seen the symbol but it looks almost like the symbol for love.
Now leaning a bit on the table, hugging onto his toy he shook his head back and forth. "I put it on after I accidentally killed my uncle. See, it's a mix of the words love, demon, and myself. So it means 'demon who loves only himself'."
Hidan, who had been listening in on the conversation, hummed and waving his scythe around lightly. "How the fuck do you 'accidentally' kill a man probably years older than you? Killing isn't anything to be ashamed of, you know." Sasori glared lightly, motioning for him to shut up.
Gaara shrugged, having gotten over killing his uncle rather quick once he realized he wasn't loved. "He snuck up behind me to kill me, and my sand went out by itself. It squeezed his life out," he explained crooking his head. "What do you mean by not being able to do it by accident? I do it without meaning to all the time."
Gaara noted to himself it was odd, being able to talk about the deaths he had caused without having the other person shrink away in fear or mock him in hatred. He decided he likes it. "Tsk, that would suck doing it unintentionally. Where's the fun in it then." the worshipper huffed, pulling out a drink from the fridge.
Looking baffled Gaara asked "It's supposed to be fun?" seeing a smirk begin to appear over Hidan's mouth, however, Sasori quickly interrupted the boy's inquiry to the psycho. After all, he didn't really like the idea of Gaara going on purposeless slaughters. When Sasori killed it was to gain more puppets or make a lasting statement. He didn't want Gaara to go killing people for no reason, wasting possible future allies or art subjects. Besides, as he said at the beginning, he doubted it would be good for the boy mentally.
"That is a matter of opinion. Personally, I don't think so. It's wrong to kill without a purpose such as leaving a lasting mark or protecting yourself. Or to work towards a goal. But you're still only six, you shouldn't even know what it's like to hurt someone besides maybe pulling someone's hair or perhaps some shoving. You still have a few years to add on before you're ready to handle the mental backlashes of killing anyone. You said it's your sand that does it, perhaps we can work on controlling it some time. I don't have the magnet release like you do, but I am still a sand ninja so maybe that will help." he offered.
Hidan looked annoyed at being cut off and moved to his room with annoyance. Gaara was unsure about accepting help due to his promise to never allow himself to think he was cared for after his uncle but reasoned with himself that he didn't need to care or be cared for to learn from the older sand ninja. He nodded in agreement after a moment, after all, being able to control it would be nice.
Sasori smiled to the boy, reaching out to lightly pat his head. Unfortunately, his sand didn't seem to trust Sasori yet as it blocked him quickly. He didn't lose him smile. Perhaps, in time, they would be able to grow close enough for that.
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Next to arrive home was Tobi and Deidara, he two enterings in quietly. Deidara stomped off upstairs, muttering about not watching to spend another second with the 'stupid Uchiha'. Tobi, on the other hand, flopped down on the couch next to Itachi, who held Hinata on his lap with Neji and Sasuke on his sides. Hinata had been glancing over at Sasuke for a while now, and finally got the courage to speak with him. She had ended up having a nice calm talk with the older boy, while Neji eyes Sasuke suspiciously as if daring him to upset her.
Tobi laid out on his stomach, swaying his legs back and forth as he playfully spoke "Ooo~ Itachi's going to make a great daddy." he laughed, the younger Uchiha glaring at him in warning to shut up. Tobi covered his face and falsely whimpered "Tobi is sorry Itachi-Sama! Tobi is a good boy!"
Itachi rolled his eyes, returning to the little girl in his lap and the two boys by his side. He hadn't been this close to children in what seemed like forever. He had rarely even held Sasuke this close since a year before they were split apart. The little boy had been going through that phase where he was 'strong' and 'a big boy' so he didn't need help. The few exceptions being the many times he was so worn out after training with his big brother he had simply let him carry him home. Not that Itachi minded.
He had missed being looked up to or seeing affection in the eyes of children. All he ever saw anymore was fear, like when he went to other villages when the parents would instinctively pull their children closer. He was glad to have his little brother back, then even more so to have Hinata and Neji with him. He had last seen them on Hinata's fourth birthday, Neji being seven at the time.
Itachi, as the son of the head of the Uchiha clan, had been invited along with his father, mother, and Sasuke. He smiled thinly to himself, remembering his brother's dislike for the situation. Their father had explained to Sasuke that he needed to be nice to Hinata, and try to make friends with her.
That had not gone over well. Sasuke had complained about it the whole way there, saying he didn't want to hang out with a 'baby'. Given, Sasuke had only been about two years older than her, but that didn't register in his five-year-old mind.
Sasuke had spoken to the little girl, though his original plan of showing his annoyance for being forced to do so had melted when he saw how scared she was and the intimidating man she stood behind. Likewise, to how Sasuke felt about Hinata, Itachi remembered also Neji's reluctance to be around Sasuke for his age.
His trip down memory lane was interrupted however as he noticed the three children staring up at him. He straightened up and his smile faltered, asking calmly "What is it?" much to the children's amusement.
"You were staring at us and smiling. It was getting kind of creepy, Nii-san." his brother murmured lightly, smirking at him. It was as though Sasuke was treading on ice, testing to see if his brother really was serious about them returning to their old bonds. He wasn't sure though, so he had been adding in small nudges all day.
Itachi shook his head back and forth at his brother, knowing exactly what he was doing. "I was just thinking about how much you've all grown. I remember a time when you refused to even look at Hinata let alone play with her. Or a time when Neji wouldn't spar with you because you were 'a baby'." he smirked. "Now at least you can hold a conversation."
Neji and Sasuke both looked away in the embarrassment of their old tendencies, Hinata letting out a small laugh at the both of them. She looked up at the older Uchiha and explained "Sasuke said he would train with Neji and me next time we have a chance. I and Neji usually do it alone but I bet the Sharingan must be so cool. I've never seen one before."
Sasuke spoke, prided by his family's kekki genkai, "That's because it is cool. My Sharingan is already on the second stage." he explained, activating his eyes which had two small markings within them.
Hinata looked in awe by this, watching his eyes in enjoyment. "They're really pretty." she complimented, making Sasuke blush and shut his own down. They weren't supposed to be pretty. They were supposed to be 'epic', 'strong', or he would even take 'interesting'. But not pretty.
Itachi chuckled lightly at his brother's embarrassment, Neji scoffing "My Byakugan could beat your Sharingan any day. Unlike your clan's weird eyes, ours know our destiny. Plain, simple, powerful Byakugan." he nodded with pride. "I've already mastered mine completely."
Hinata now turned to be impressed by her older cousin, much to Sasuke's annoyance. Stupid Hyuuga.
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Konan and Pain entered in, Zetsu following them. As Pain arrived Naruto practically bounded off his spot n the floor, where he had been looking through one of Kisame's weapon magazines he had let the boy use on the condition he was quiet. Naruto zipped past Zetsu to wrap an arm around Pain's leg, looking up at the older Uzumaki.
Pain had nearly tumbled over, only able to balance himself because of his being in his six path's forms. Once he steadied himself it was hard to be annoyed at the boy as he looked up at him with admiring eyes. Naruto asked with excitement "How was your day, Nagato-san?"
The other members quickly looked to the boy, uncomfortable as they didn't know the boy was given permission to call him by his real name. Normally, only Konan was allowed that privilege. So it was easy to assume the blonde was simply overstepping boundaries without realizing it.
They were relieved when they head Pain continue on without missing a beat "It was good, and you don't need to bother with the honorifics with us." he commented, lifting the small six-year-old into his arms. The boy easily held on, leaning into the older clan member while nodding. Pain asked "How about you? Did you have a good day with Itachi and Kisame?"
Quickly a nod was given and the boy grinned, listing off his enjoyment with his fingers as he tended to do. "Itachi was reading with Kisame by him, and we talked, and Kisame made us lunch, and everyone was happy until Sasuke started being a jackass." he pouted.
Sasuke glared at him from the couch, yelling over "You're just being an asshole!" he resorted, Itachi looking at his brother with slightly widened eyes. When had his brother learned to curse? Itachi lightly backhanded him, Sasuke reaching up reflexively to pout at his elder brother.
Hidan was cackling, while Kakuzu shook his head back and forth along with Sasori. Deidara, Tobi, and Kisame all looked mildly amused, though Konan didn't find it all that funny. Finally, Zetsu, who had both eyebrows raised, broke the silence as he normally did. "Oh my."
Hinata repeated, confused by the words as her clan was typically too respectable and uptight to curse. "What's a jackass, Neji-nii-san?" she questioned, the oldest of the children now looking annoyed.
Neji stopped the ongoing argument which had begun between Sasuke and Naruto. "Both of you be quiet! You're teaching Hinata adult words!" he scolded, the room quickly falling into silence.
Sasuke asked in annoyance "If they're grown-up words then why does Naruto say them? He's even younger than I am." he pointed out scornfully to the older boy. Itachi quickly realized where his brother had learned the words from. Damn it, Uzumaki.
Naruto too grew annoyed "Well Kiba said his sister saids them! She's only thirteen, so they can't be grown-up words. You're just making it up and trying to seem older than you are, Neji." he shot back, and it seemed as though Neji was resisting the urge to punch Naruto by now.
Pain readjusted Naruto on his hip and frowned at the little boy, moving some blond hair from his eyes. "Naruto, those are adult words. Or at least teenager words at the very least. You shouldn't say them until you're older. You, Sasuke, Gaara, Neji, or Hinata. At least until you're thirteen."
Normally Naruto wouldn't give a shit about what he was told to do, but he settled for listening to the older Uzumaki with a nod. He didn't like the disappointment that was clouding his voice, so he easily agreed. He tucked his head on Pain's shoulder, happy the man seemed to let it go rather quickly.