Naruto does not belong to me at all. I'm certainly not that good or consistent lul.

Chapter 2

Honestly…

He didn't know how long it had been since he had sat there and cried. All he knew was hurt in his heart and anger at himself for thinking that everything could go back to normal. 'THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!' He blamed the voice inside his head, fists clenched tightly on his knees while his shoulders shook from his sobs. 'You just had to say something, to force myself out there to embarrass myself not just in front of Kariginai-san and her parents, but also making it come full circle and have it bite me in the rear! I HATE YOU!' He yelled into his mind with a terrible malice and yet had gotten no response in return. Typical. Always encouraging him to do stupid stuff but always bailed on him when the going gets tough.

It never really crossed his mind that someone could walk in on him at that very moment of weakness. Though, even if the hypothetical person did, He couldn't fathom garnering enough shame to even care. He didn't even care of that stupid rule of ninja's were they aren't allowed to shoew emotion. He doesn't care about either at all. Cause, honestly, all he wanted to do at that moment was to just get away. He wants to run from all of the things that cause him so much grief. Kiba, Ikigomi, Ochiba, his parents, his past, everything.

The idea of running away has floated through his mind more often than not, but as usual, there was always a reason to stay and he hates it. 'Shouldn't this be the last straw?' He thinks through one of his hiccuping sobs.'Shouldn't I at least try to go away this time. It's not like anyone would really care.' This he knew to be the furthest thing from the truth, he did have people who would miss him.

He did have his love from his family (even if they are always overprotective) and he did have Tsukiko(but he wasn't there for him when he actually does need him, since he's always away on missions). Which brings him back to square one which is him wallowing in his self pity.

"W-why me." He whispers sadly, his voice shaking with emotion. "Why am I a-always the one who e-ends up screwing u-up." He grits his teeth and screws his eyes shut as he hugged his knees up to his body, closely to his chest. "Why c-can't I do a-anything right?"

It's his fault for not being good enough, cool enough, nor strong enough to keep his friends together and losing them like he had. It's his fault that his new friend has to keep fussing and worrying about him when he should instead be focusing on his promotion. It's his fault that no one hangs around him, cause who wants to hang around someone like him who can't handle social interactions that weren't focused around brutal verbal exchanges.

He hates feeling this way. He hates stuttering over his words because he doesn't have the confidence or self assurance that he once had. He hates that he isn't able to meet a person's eye without him thinking that he's not worth it. He hates it, he hates it, he hates it, he hates it, HE HATES IT! Honestly…

A nudge from behind snaps him out of his thoughts. "Hey… Mayonaka-san?" A voice calls softly through the crack in the boy's bathroom door. At the sound of it, the white haired boy sits completely still, halting in his breathing. That voice… He knows that voice. "Are you there? The door won't really open and… Well… I was hoping we could talk?"

Talk… To him? After all of the ample opportunities that he had, now he wants to talk. "So now you want to say something after all this time?" He grounded out hot anger surging through his chest. Irrational as it may have been considering he never reached out to someone for help in defending himself from Kiba, they were at least running mates with each other. The least he could have done was talk to him to chill out. And not just that, but the fact that he, of all the people to come to him, actually had the decency to try and apologize or offer any sort of words of sympathy was just a slap to his face.

There was a long moment of silence before a sigh penetrated the thin layer. A soft thump came to his ears and the door that he was pressed too gave him a soft push. What came next was the sound of cloth sliding down against onto the floor before another thump was heard signifying that he had sat down. "Yeah… I deserve that, hell… We deserve it since we really did nothing to stop it."

The green eyed student remained silent, pondering on his classmates actions, nose scrunched up. While he should be thankful, a part of him really wanted it to be someone else. Honestly, anyone would have been better. Someone like...

Another sigh interrupted his thought process. "I know what it's like, ya know." came the words, quiet though they were, that made young dark skinned boy scrunch his nose up at the insinuation that they could have had anything in common.

"You know…" There was a bit of hesitance in his voice that did make Kosetsu pause a little, curiosity warring with a type of petulance that wanted him to cut him off and tell him to buzz off. Curiosity was winning. "I'm treated like an outcast by everyone. I get picked on a lot, even by Kiba at times as well as some of the others. I'm laughed at and no one really cares to help me and I even get ignored by the majority of my peers… Even by you too.." Indignation welled up in his chest whilst his cheeks blushed slightly at being called out.

Though he wanted to say something, the young man found out that he couldn't. His lips fought against him and words that were circling around in his mind couldn't form into anything coherent for him to use. All there was, was just confusion. He knew that he was trying to apologize for not stopping one of his "pals", but why? He even said that all he did was ignore him and never really reached out to him at all. So why was he trying to help him now? Wasn't he a monster? Wasn't he just a ticking time bomb ready to happen and kill him and his family? Was he trying to lull him into a false sense of security just so he would never see him pounce when he was least expecting it? So why? Why was he trying to console him...

"I just let it happen." The boy on the other side of the door went on, unaware of the inner turmoil he was causing the one he was trying to comfort. " I didn't want to lose a friend, regardless of how loose the term really is. But when Kiba started to get even more cruel I wanted to step in, but… I was- no I still am- selfish. I didn't want to lose-"

"Stop…" Kosetsu cuts through finally, eyes shut and teeth clenched. He had enough. "Just stop."

However, the other boy was not just going to let this go that easily, something that seemed to frustrate the normally subdued Kosetsu to no end. "I can't do that!" He exclaimed, making a face that the white haired boy couldn't see. "I have to-"

"No… You don't have to explain anything. All you're doing is trying to compare you to me and console me with empty words." He says in an uncharacteristically cold voice that shocks the other boy completely. "Don't you think that I already do enough damage to myself? I don't need you trying to sympathize with me just to make yourself feel better." 'I don't want your pity… I already have more than enough on my own.' He thinks the last part to himself.

A long awkward silence elapsed between the two as the other boy tried to find something to say and Kosetsu try to figure out a way to disappear. "Fine..." His soft voice permeates through the vents on the lower part of the door taking Kosetsu's attention. "I just wanted… To say I'm here for you. You know… That you have a friend in me if you ever need it, I guess." he pauses to see if he can get the boy to say something, but of course he got nothing. He lets out his one millionth sigh before getting up from the floor. "It's just about time for us to head back to class… I'll see you there." There was a long silence, as if he was waiting for something. When it dragged on for too long, the sounds of shoes slapping softly against the oaken floor began to fade away, meaning that now he was finally alone.

For a long time he didn't say a word. He just continues to sit there, on that floor, looking up at the ceiling. "As if I'd ever listen to a monster like you… Uzumaki."

What Can Someone Like Me Do?

The sun is setting in Konoha. The endless omnipresent sky above, lights up in bright Scarlets, burning oranges, and fading purple. The sun shines down lovingly onto the earth below, as if it's a child. Faint wisps of clouds linger still, defiantly, trying to stay in the sky in order to gaze upon the village below them, as did the sun, who cursed the moon for taking over its spot as it trails down slowly. Though, it lets out a figurative defeated sigh, accepting its fate. Because, of course, everything must come to an end.

In the back of Konoha Ninja Academy, lay a sweaty and heavily breathing white haired boy who had black streaks within the snowy white strands. His hair covered the left side of his face while you can see his emerald green eyes glistening within the dying light of day. Surrounding him were numerous scrolls and books that range from "Chakra Control: Tree Climbing" to "Chakra Theories and Uses: Intermediate Level". In front of him stands the ever present tree that casts a looming protective shadow over the Academy bearing slash marks on its body, from the now mostly blunt kunai in his right hand.

The young boy has a small and soft smile on his face as he looks up at that fiery sky, a look of happiness and pride in his eyes as he thinks over his accomplishment. 'I did it.' He thinks. 'I…. I actually did it.' His eyes glisten sigh unshed tears as something indiscernible fills his chest. 'I'm getting there… I just… Have to keep going… I have to…' He then proceeds to get up from his spot on the ground, his muscles groaning in protest.

Everyday. This is what he did everyday after school. He trained and trained and trained. Trained until he dropped. Trained until he couldn't get up. Trained until he couldn't feel his arms or legs. And most of the time he showed progress in his training while other times, he doesn't because either a concept was too complex for him to get or he himself didn't believe he was doing great. Those times, he just got caught up in his failures that he just trudged home in his own sadness.

"C'mon Kosetsu." He whispers hoarsely to himself, trying to hype himself back onto his feet, not wanting those thoughts to cloud his mind again. "We… We can do this." Rising, he could feel the strain going through his limbs but he didn't let it stop him. "We just have to… I have to…"

When he finally (albeit shakily) rose to his feet, he made his way over to the padded wooden post and settled down into the basic academy stance. After working out a few kinks in his arms, he started going through the katas, not striking fiercely against the post, but doing it hard enough to feel the impact through his body to judge the impact and guesstimate the amount of time the recoil on a human would be once hit.

After going through the motions a few times, he moves a little faster, but with each hit it seemed to get softer whenever he moved like the more speed he had, the less effective the hits would get. He'd have to find a way to counter that problem, maybe once his tutor comes back he could bring it up with him to see what he thought.

After a good length of time spent dedicated trying to work on what he knew and failing at trying to find a good solution, he decided to do what he had been working on, for himself. It was something that he was advised against, considering that he really had no idea how to go about what he was trying to attempt, but also something he thought was honestly pretty cool. He backs away from the post, stiff movements to his body due to still not taking a longer break than normal, and starts to do some stretches before going through the various extraneous activities that he was going to partake in, more so than the basic taijutsu.

When he finished he breathed in deeply, then let out his breath in one big breath as he slips down into a style not seen before. A style he knew no one had seen. His left foot is planted onto the ground in front of him while his knee is bent slightly as it stands underneath him, firmly planted onto the ground. His left hand, hangs loosely in the air a little ways away from his face while his right is down in front of his abdomen. It wasn't perfect, but it was perfect for him. He hoped.

Starting with the first two steps, he first moved his left hand down and his right hand up (redirects jabs). Then, after two beats, he moved his right hand to the left and his left to the right (blocks hooks and haymakers). Without pausing, he then pulls his right fist back into a 'jab' before he launches it forwards before he throws his weight to the side, turning the jab into a right hook. Though he wasn't done with the attack. Not by a long shot.

He continues with the circular motion and spins into a reverse roundhouse kick then drops low into a sweeping kick. After that, he goes onto his hands in a handstand, moving his hands to help carry the circular momentum into a full on spin making sure to lash out his kicks at certain intervals. After three more volupular strikes, he then moves his body slightly to the side and, with a perfectly timed step, landed on his right foot. His body now upright, feels the rush of blood go up to his face as he kept spinning. Bad combo. Very bad.

He was knocked off course and landed on the ground, coughing slightly. "D-darn it." He says, covering his mouth the best he could. "I-I. R-really need to w-work on that."

And so, there he lay again. On the earthen floor, staring up at the lit sky. 'Dang. This… This really hurts.' The pounding of his heart penetrates his eardrums with its rampant banging and punches painfully against his chest plate.

Taking big deep breaths, he tries to assuage his heartbeat from hammering away at its prison as he tried to think. On what? He didn't know. Honestly, why think about anything. Why can't he just stay here lying where he was and forget everything? That would be the easiest thing to do. Just rest up a little. He owed himself that much right? But he knew that he couldn't- no- he wouldn't do that to himself.

So, with a sigh, he started to raise himself up again and this time he picked up the discarded kunai off to the side and started walking towards the practice targets that had already had kunai sticking out of them when he suddenly felt a presence on his blind spot. He quickly ducks down and out, before twisting his body, the kunai going with the momentum when it was stopped abruptly by a single hand.

"Woah there, buddy." A lax tone of voice states, an amused tone to his voice that made Kosetsu smile knowingly at who it was. "That would have been bad if you were a few more seconds faster. You're improving."

Kosetsu looks up to meet the voice before him and that's when emerald connects with midnight blue. His eyes widen in delight and the smile grows even more brightly, as he takes in the chunin uniform of his friend/tutor, not really able to believe it was him. "T-Tsukiko-sensei?!" He exclaims. A rarity for those who didn't know him.

"Hey there, Snowball." The now named Tsukiko greeted the awestruck boy with a shit eating grin, eyes alit with mirth. "Miss me?"

I

"Jeez Snowball, what did I tell you about training out so late." The older boy admonished the younger as he looks up towards the darkening sky, body feeling a little bit heavier due to having to carry the academy student on his back. "It's not healthy to train yourself into the ground, ya know." He lightly admonished, clicking his tongue in apparent disappointment. "I mean, do you wanna end up like that Sasuke kid? I heard he's pretty much a brooder." He shivered at the thought. "I don't think I can take an emo Kosetsu." Hell he could hardly handle the gloomy Kosetsu. There is a difference between brooding and being gloomy…. He thinks.

Odayakana Tsukiko is a lightly tanned young man in his late teens with a mop of black hair and midnight blue eyes that goes with an angular face, devoid of baby fat, but has slight acne. He stands at an average 5'12 and wears the, newly acquired, chunin uniform upon his body, over the black long sleeved shirt that every chunin/jonin tends to wear with the black pants and sandals. Around his neck is the leaf headband and upon his hands were a pair of black gloves.

He was a lot of things: awesome, handsome, extremely likable, a genius, intelligent beyond his years (things only he calls himself). Though not most of his class see him this way and yet he doesn't know why. Snowball at least seemed to think he was the coolest guy ever. That counted for something right? It wasn't just because he was his tutor right... Right?

Though, all of what he said only managed to do was get a mumble of acknowledgment and a huff before he went back into silence. After the initial excitement of seeing his only true friend, his little heart wasn't really able to enjoy the moment with Tsukiko because if there's one thing he knew, it was that the older teen would see past his facade and try to get him to open up with his problems. All he could do now was prolong it as long as he could.

"Ugh… Why does walking hafta be so booooring." He whines to his companion, jostling him a little, to both distribute his weight on his back more evenly as well as trying to get his attention. "You could at least say something ya know," He starts, a bit accusingly to his ward on his back. "instead of leaving me alone to my thoughts meanie."

He half expected him to shoot a reply back to him, some sort of smart aleck (but not very good) comeback, but he never got one. Tsukiko glances over to his friend only to see his head low and eyes drawn down to the ground causing him to frown heavily.

Ever since they had walked away from the Academy, he couldn't help but notice something was off about him. It was from the way that his eyes had seemed clouded over after the initial surprise from seeing him he sort of just… Retreated into himself and wouldn't rise up to any of the barbs and occasional topics he would normally like to talk about. Yeah, something was really off because if there was one thing he knew about the kid, was that he would always try to hide his pain away from him so that he didn't want to talk about it. He chews the inside of his bottom lip, wondering if he should ask. Normally he would do it without hesitation, but this time… It just seemed...Different… in a way.

However, as soon as he notices his indecisiveness, he rolls his eyes at himself. 'Oh, come on. Don't tell me you finally grew soft and considerate towards others' feelings.' He chided himself as he shakes his head. No, that most certainly won't do. He has to cleanse himself of this, this humanity. He was never much of a thinker anyways, he usually left that to his super hot teammate while he did the ol' razzle dazzle. Time to test the waters and then dive headfirst into the deep end!

"So Kosetsu~." He sings happily, seemingly 'unaware' of the twitch and tension in his younger friend's shoulder. "What's up?"

On the inside, Kosetsu was panicking. He knew how Tsukiko gets whenever he sings his name. He'll pursue the answer until he either gets it from him or sings horrible songs (his vocals were so incorrigible). Thinking quickly, his eyes moved this way and that until he finally landed his eyes on the vest his older friend was wearing. "What's up with the vest?" He asks back, trying to play innocence on this. Maybe he could get him to talk about himself, he always went on long and rather boisterous monologues about his greatness.

Unfortunately for him, however, he saw straight through it. Narcissistic he may be, easily manipulated he is not. "I got it from being a part of the Chunin Exams a month ago. But that doesn't mean that this conversation is over with, buddy. So start talking."

'Of course he wouldn't fall for that… Why am I not surprised.' He groans and , seeing no way out of this, he sighs reluctantly and opens his mouth, telling him everything that had happened today at the academy

And to say that Tsukiko was mad was an understatement. He was particularly livid! How dare that blonde bitch do that to the already messed up kid. Oh when he sees her, regardless if she was the daughter of a council member, she'll be getting the harshest, most severe…

"... But when I got back to the classroom," Kosetsu broke through the fierce revenge plot formulating in the dark haired chunin's head. "she had a black eye and a busted lip. I don't know who did it, but… Why w-would anyone stick up for me?" His voice was quiet towards the end, going back to his stuttering that Tsukiko absolutely hates to hear in his friend. He had hoped he was rid of it completely by the time he got back, but of course that was an impossible dream. He was at least thankful it wasn't as bad as when he was younger.

'I'm sorry Kosetsu. I wish… I wish I can help you more than I have…' "Hey…" Tsukiko says softly, catching his attention immediately. "How about we head on to Ichiraku's, I heard tonight's 50% off."

Without thinking, Kosetsu just nods his head. "A-alright…" He whispers. 'Dang it… Why… Why do I always do this to him…' Kosetsu thinks angrily. Once again, he brings the normally cheerful Tsukiko down, just because he had a bad day. It was at times like these that he just… He just can't help but…

Unknown to him, Tsukiko was having similar thoughts as him. 'What can someone like me do, Kosetsu…'

But Feel Helpless?

When his head finally hit the pillow on his bed in his room, Kosetsu lets out a groan. The events that had transpired today all came crashing down on top of him. From Ikigomi's hurtful words to Uzumaki's confusing words then to Tsukiyo's helpful hand, it just left him feeling emotionally drained. Let's not even forget to mention his parents.

A tired sigh escaped his lips as he stares up at the ceiling, head spinning with rampant thoughts on the matter. He breathed deeply, turning onto his side away from the ceiling and just about everything else. But, in doing so, he spies the black journal that he had written the day before.

Those words he wrote… It would be a lie if he said that he didn't feel that way. Heck, nothing has really changed for him to make him think otherwise. 'Well… Except for Tsukiyo… And even if it pains me to admit as much, Uzumaki.' He just shakes his head in frustration as he thought about the words of his blonde haired classmate. The words he told him, still fresh in his mind.

"Yeah… I deserve that, hell… We deserve it since we really did nothing to stop it."

"I just wanted… To say I'm here for you now. You know… That you have a friend in me if you ever need it."

"Grr." He growls lowly, slamming his hands over his eyes as he grabs his hair. 'Dang it! I hate this!' Everything. All the indecisiveness, all of the left field confessions.

He hated how he reacted. He wishes he could be someone different, someone who is stronger than his current self. He needs it. Not just a mask to appear like he still has it, but an honest to goodness

~Flashback~

"Moony." Tsukiko told him, over their bowl of ramen and effectively breaking the awkward silence between them. Once Kosetsu's eyes met his, the young boy could tell, just by looking into those dark blue eyes, that what he had to say was something that he needed to hear. The way he sat, that look in his eyes, and even the way he had said his nickname, told him that he was serious.

Once aware that he had the Academy student's attention, he continued. "I know you weren't always like this. I know that you used to be happy and silly."

A sudden image of his younger self, carefree and optimistic as he was, flashes behind his closed eyelids with his big signature grin on his face.

"All kids are that way to begin with, especially when you have friends to make everything else disappear. Both the good and the bad."

How he used to laugh. How he was on top of the world and how nothing could ever bring down his high horse. He was invincible and he had his two friends there if his armor almost cracked…

He pauses to contemplate his next words. "I can't pretend to know what you're going through and to try and make you feel better. To make you, you again."

What he wouldn't give to have that back. To have them back. To have himself back.

"Because ever since that day. I've grown to like you, Moony… You're my friend and I can't help but feel helpless when you're sad like this… So… I'll try my best to have the old you back."

"Because to me, you deserve to be happy. You go through so much pain. You go through so much hardship. And yet you're still here surviving. Still hoping that one day they could come back for you." He breathed in deeply before looking him in the eyes once again. "Hoping that something like that never happens again."

"Listen Kosetsu." His voice was deadly serious as his eyes shown a strong determination in them. "I can't be there for you all the time. I'm sorry. But… what I can do is try to be there." At this, he points to his heart. "In your heart so that you can draw upon my strength. So you can pull on me when you need me the most. So that way… even when I'm not there, I'll still be there." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as he lets out a nervous chuckle.

"So I guess what I'm saying buddy. Use me for your strength. Use me to help you. Cause… I want to help you. I want you to smile a real smile." The words were said with so much conviction that Kosetsu's heart skipped a beat. Pausing for a bit, he couldn't help but scratch his cheek absently. "Man… That was really cheesy of me to say, huh?"

He turns his head to the floor, thinking over his words. It was weird… To hear him say that. So, very unlike him to put everything out onto the table without cracking one single joke (except for the end of that, but he was willing to let that slide for now). There was a lump in his throat, and he tried for it to disappear, but failed completely.

For the second time that day, Kosetsu cried. Though for an entirely different reason than earlier. Because this time, he felt lighter. As if a small weight was lifted from his already burdened shoulders.

"Aah!" Tsukiko freaked out, eyes wide in a panic as he tried to placate the weeping boy. He was beginning to draw attention from the others in the stall and he did not want to deal with the questions of why the kid started crying." "Stop crying before Ay-!"

"HEY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO POOR Kosetsu-CHAN TSUKI!" Screamed the daughter of the cook of Ichiraku, Ayame.

"W-WAIT! PUT THE LADLE DOWN, AYA- AAAAAAHHHH!"

~Flashback End~

The memory of the incident at Ichiraku's puts a small smile on his face, but the words that were said, while said with good intentions, still thrust his mind in turmoil. Tsukiko had been there for him when he needed it the most. He was the friend that cared for him and looked after him. But then he had been promoted and left him alone again. While he knew it wasn't his fault, it still hurt him. He was being selfish, but he could care less at that moment. It's just…. Tsukiko wasn't there. 'He's almost never there…' He grits his teeth in frustration at his own thoughts.

He knew he wouldn't be able to do what Tsukiko had asked of him. He didn't like accepting anyone's pity and regardless of what the older teen had asked of him, it was still pitying in its own way. And after being on his own… only having them for support. He was used to having this feeling. As sad as it was. He wanted to deal with this because he deserved it. He wasn't worth Tsukiyo's strength.

Just like he wasn't worth Ikigomi's and Ochiba's friendship.

It was like a never ending cycle, a storm without pause. They turn and churn, (the memories of the past and the present) until they just get meshed together, leaving him with a massive headache. A weary sigh leaves his lips as he sits up and slips silently off his bed, his bare feet touching the soft carpet of his room.

It wasn't much. There was a desk on the far corner of his stands next to a bookshelf that holds all of his scrolls and books on chakra while on his desk was a picture of old times. His bed rests against the wall, opposite of his desk and bookshelf, but is right next to the window that he uses sometimes to escape from everything and just feel at peace.

On the other wall, the one a few feet away from the foot of his bed, was his closet that held his dark clothing. The floor was oaken and the carpet the color of a soft, woolen black which goes with the pale gray walls that surrounds his room. It was simple, just the way he liked it.

Once he stands up, he makes his way towards the window, his black warm up pants, swishing slightly with the movement. He swings it open softly because there was always a loud creak that escapes the hinges whenever it was pushed harder then normal. When it was opened enough to where he could fit through, he slips out of the window and, with catlike grace, lands on the ledge below soundlessly.

He leans back against the wall, head thumping lightly against the wood as he rests it against the side. He tilts his head up, slightly, his eye closed and lets the moonlight wash over him. The tranquil serenity of his surroundings calms down his mind and he relaxes just a little bit, enjoying the warm feeling in the pit of his stomach.

And he would have continued to enjoy it too, if it wasn't for the heavy load that had landed on his lap.

Opening his eyes in shock, he looks around wildly, wondering if they were the assassins coming back to finish the job, but no. It's his number one weakness. The one thing that would, and could, bring him down to his knees in seconds. Something that is both cunning and mischievous yet beautiful and graceful. It was something that would, one day, bring upon his undoing. And all it had to do was one simple thing.

"Meow~."

He stared.

A beautiful black cat gazes at him from his lap with big innocent yellow eyes, tilting its head to the side adorably. It's black fur glistens in the light of the moon, giving it an elegant look. It raises its right paw, only to put it back down on his stomach lightly. "Meooow?" It calls again, a lilt in its voice making it sound curious.

He blinked.

"Yoruichi-chan~" he cooed, happily, as he brought the sleek black cat up to his chest and cradled her close to his chest as he rubs his cheek against her head. "I missed you so much~" he sings to the content cat, whom, by the sound of her purring, felt rather pleased at the affection given to her by the boy. "You're just as cute as ever!" He exclaims, putting her head against his chest and petting her soft fur.

Yoruichi was his first feline friend that he had ever made from all the way back to since he was five years old when he had saved her. Ever since, the cat would usually be seen with him outside of the academy. Though he hasn't seen her for about three days.

'Wait a minute.' He frowns a bit as a sudden thought strikes him, causing him to pause in petting the feline in his grasp and a low growl from the cat as she felt the loving hand of her pseudo master stop giving her the needed affection that all cats are naturally born with. 'Yoruichi's here, but… Wouldn't that mean that-'

All of a sudden, a mass of black covers his head surprising him much like Yoruichi's had (he also, briefly, wondered how the heck he had failed to sense the them). He picks the cat up off of his face and looks into the yellow eyes of another black cat (though this one's was a shade lighter than Yoruichi's). However, the difference between this one and Yoruichi is that this one had a witches hat on the top of its head. A hat that he had given her six years ago when he had saved her too, but that was… Something he would like to avoid thinking about.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." He clicks his tongue while shaking his head at the other feline. "Blair-chan, why are you always doing that?" He asked, only getting a blink in return. Kosetsu sighed exasperated by his wayward kitty. "Oh, What am I going to do with you?"

"Meow." Sorry, but I can't help but do it. It's fun sneaking up on you. Blair replies.

Kosetsu eyes narrow. "Why do I have the feeling that you're messing with me."

"Meow." Because I am and it's hilarious. Oh she loved humans. Especially this one the most. He was so adorable.

He rolls his eyes. "Blair. Why can't you be more like Yoruichi? Or maybe even Kuro?" A brief image of the black cat that had his tail split by a chef who had thrown a butcher knife at him appears in his mind. He's a good cat, loyal to a fault and was a very good friend that let him hold onto him whenever he was feeling sad."Huh, I wonder how he's doing?" It's been awhile since he's seen his other pal. He missed him a ton and guys like them had to stick together to overpower the amount of feminism that Yoruichi and Blair exudes.

"Meow." …Kosetsu… Yoruichi calls.

Eyes alighting on his other cat he breaks into a marvelous smile. A feat that would bring everyone's eyes towards the boy as it seemed to radiate with a special and unique kind of warmth. "Well. I'm sure he's fine wherever he is… Knowing him, he's probably out there catching fish out of the pond I showed him." A fond look is in his eyes as he thinks of the various antics Kuro could be up to. "Besides, he'll come back. It's not like he'd abandon me."

"Meow." ...No… He wouldn't… This time it was Blair, a sad undertone to her tone.

"Well. C'mon you two." He starts to get up, bringing his other two cats with him, one in each hand as he jumps up to his windowsill using chakra for the jump and to stick to the sill. "Let's go to bed."

As he lays down in bed with Blair on top of his head and Yoruichi on his stomach, his right shoulder feels empty without the weight of Kuro on it. However, it was quickly replaced by the nostalgia of the moment. How even after two of his closest friends left him and then gaining a friend only to lose him time after time again, there was only these beautiful and loving beings to help him in his time of need. To be there for him. It brings a smile to his face, the warmth of his cats.

And he felt content that nothing could take that away from him.

Hey guys, been awhile. But like what my first chapter said, there will be long stretches of time where I just can't write because I'd just feel burnt out. Honestly I wasn't really feeling even getting this chapter out because I just felt dead in a way. So I guess you're wondering why do I continue writing if that's the case? Simple really, I love to write and I can't not stop yanno? And while my storytelling does suffer because of it, I still can't help but want to do this because it's something I love. So if this seems like a step down from the first one, I'm truly sorry. I know it's really edgy and comes off as angsty but there's not much I can do considering this is a rewrite and I'm basically just using the same material just tweaking it in certain ways.

I'm going to be adding new segments just to get rid of all the sadness and all because while this story does focus on broken bonds and huge character flaws, I also want to hit on some happier beats like the end of this chapter because not everything has to be gloom and doom. Thank you to those who are still reading this and thank you for sticking with me, really I appreciate it so much and if you can put up with my inconsistent updates then I love you. I will be adding more/taking some content from this chapter as I see fit just so that I can flesh it out in a way that is better for those who are coming off of the first chapter as well as for myself because I know I can do better and I have no excuses. So expect some changes to this one as well as a new chapter in the future. Thank you all!

Fukuro D. Nox signing off!

P.s. Regular users and Beta's are welcome to dm me about the story ;)