Chapter 19: And War
Warmth radiates between my fingers as I cup a little white ceramic mug full of steaming tea.
'Hey Inoiko, look over there! Isn't that the girl?' A pause, and I can feel another set of eyes join the pair of those already staring at me.
'You mean the one from... I think you are right! She is sitting with Uzumaki-san.' I glance over and see a blonde girl and heavy brunette boy chatting about us.
'How can you tell?' The blonde one asks.
'She has the bright red hair...'
Since the entrance exams, my hearing has been stuck heightened. I can literally hear a pin drop from two blocks away. Which can be awesome, problematic, and irritating. But, to my extreme pleasure, (especially when I try to sleep and the chaotic city has other plans for me) Kushina made me a little bracelet with a seal on it. When I wear the band, my hearing is returned to normal civilian levels.
But, I took it off before showering today, and forgot it on the bathroom counter. I will learn from this mistake. Listening to two older kids gossip about me was definitely not on my bucket list.
'Do you think we'll be able to-?' The girl starts to say something.
"So, Aimisouma-chan, how is school going?" Mikoto's sweet voice cuts through the noice of the two gossipers.
Several weeks have past since the surprise attack that was launched. A lot of people were tense for a few days, but everything has gotten back to normal now, and school has started. School started up two weeks ago.
"It's good. I get lots of homework, but usually the papers don't take very long for me to do."
Yesterday the first round of quizzes had been handed out. I got a ninety-five percent! My teacher took of half a point for spelling! Not cool! Itachi got a hundred percent. The show off.
"Do you like the tea? You've not had any." Itachi asks. Both adults glance at my cup to verify, and I indeed have not had any.
"It's just so warm on my cold hands."
I had been wanting to spend the day at the library, but Kushina insisted that we go out and enjoy the city. Which led to me in a little tea café with her and Uchiha Mikoto, and ... my rival. Fortunately, it is empty aside from the four of us, so it is relatively quiet.
"Excuse me?" The blonde girl who's conversation I had been eavesdropping on stood by the end of the table. She was maybe eight-ish, has platinum blonde hair, that is pulled up into a high pony tail, and bangs framing her cute baby face.
"Yes?" I ask, voice remaining neutral.
"Hi, I'm Yamanaka Inoiko. I was wondering if I could get your autograph."
"An autograph? From me?" I say, baffled.
"Yeah! We saw what you did with the fireballs, and it was sooooooooo cooooool!" The brunette boy pipes up.
"Soooo... uh... can you sign these for us?"
"... Uh... Sure?" I say, confused about why I am apparently so interesting to these older girls.
"Yea!" One pumps his fist in the air, while the girl hops up and down.
I carefully write my name down on each, and address it them. The boy says his name is Akimichi Choiki.
"All done." I say as I hand them back, and both look thrilled before darting off.
An awkward silence falls around the low table.
"Is...that gonna happen a lot?" I hope not.
"Probably." Kushina chirps. "Someone once asked for my autograph simply for marrying Minato."
I let out a resigned sigh, and down my tea. I reach for the pot, but it is empty.
"Would you care for some more tea?" A friendly waiter asks.
Mikoto was the one to answer. "Yes, please."
A minute later a new warm pot was placed on the table. The Uchiha matron lifts and pours tea into the empty mugs. I watch as they all take sips from their steaming cups.
I close my eyes, the cups steaming liquid dispersing it's heat to my hands. I lift the cup and inhale the smell. The warmth tickles my nose.
"I think they gave the wrong kettle. That was sweet tea, not green tea." Kushina mumbles.
"No, I think it was green tea, it just has a weird f-flavor to it-t." Mikoto starts to stutter.
"I think thatt-" Itachi starts to say something, but doesn't finish his sentence.
I open my eyes, and look around the table. The Uzumaki and Uchiha pair have all fallen asleep.
"Kushina-san?" I question. She doesn't move. "Kushina-san?" I try again, this time shaking her shoulder. Nothing. No movement. "Mikoto-san? Itachi-san?" Both are out cold.
I can hear their heartbeats still. That's a good thing.
"Do you not like your tea?" The waiter asks me.
"I can't get them to wake up." I say, alarm in my voice.
Another man enters the dining area, coming from the kitchen. "Well, you were supposed to be unconscious as well, but your screams might make a good motivator."
I jump to my feet, and scramble back a few steps.
"Ah-ah-ah. No running. If you do, we'll have to hurt these three." He gestures to Kushina, Mikoto, and Itachi.
"No!"
I fall to the ground before I can fully process what happened next. My face is stinging from where he had slapped me. "Quiet brat."
He scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder, before he takes off running. The world blur as I am whisked away.
Namikaze Minato
"Help! Help!" A pair of young voices started shrieking as they run past the arena.
"Eh? What's that?" Obito asks.
Kakashi responds before I can. "Trouble."
