I still stare in wonder at the scene before me. My father lets out the same half-smile I possess when my Kaasan's eyes flutter open, dreamily. She can all but gasp when she sees her husband before her.
A beautiful, rare smile spreads across her lips. She outstretches her hand, grazing it over Tousan's face as if to make sure he was not an illusion. Sure he was really there before her, Kaasan hugged Tousan tightly, still upon the couch. "Sasuke-kun, you're home," she mumbles.
Another half-smile from my father as he says. "Aa. But only for a short time I'm afraid," he reports.
This shocks me. He wants to be here. Had I heard right? Was this actually coming from my Tousan? The same man who had not attended any of my siblings' births? I have to be hearing wrong.
My mother again starts to cry and my heart builds with anger. Why does he always make her cry?
"Shh," Tousan soothes and his hand leaves her cheek to stroke her back. "Don't cry." I rub my eyes and when I reopen him, the scene before me has changed, but its still an unusual deal. Now, both of my parents are kneeling on the living room floor, and they're hugging. Both of them. They clutch to each other, as if someone is threatening to tear them apart. But then a thought strikes me. What if someone was threatening that? What if?
When their lips began to near each other is when I decide to leave. I didn't want them to discover me. I head to my bedroom and get back under the covers.
After around an hour, I hear my bedroom door open. I close my eyes tightly and even my breathing. I feel a new weight on the side of my bed and a hand go onto my head, ruffling my hair lightly.
"Ah, Seiko, you have grown," my Tousan says, "you are developing into a fine young man. I wish I could be here to see it, but for now, you're going to be the strong one in the household for I am unable. I know I don't deserve the title of 'father' or even 'husband' for that matter. I don't even deserve to be called a ninja. I pray that you will grow up to be a better man than I can ever be," he continues.
I'm touched. My Tousan does care for us. All of us. He just can't be around as much as he hopes. I have misjudged him.
The weight upon my bed is gone, and I know he has moved to my brother's bed. But all I can think about is the fact that he cares. He really does.
The next thing I know I open my eyes to find it the next morning. I stifle a yawn. I sit up quickly and get dressed. I take a glance at the clock. 6:30. I hope Tousan is still around. I leave the room and walk down the hall and into the kitchen. The aroma of pancakes and bacon fill my nose. Well, at least I know Kaasan is awake. I stumble into the kitchen and frown. Tousan is nowhere in sight. Kaasan notices me and smiles. "Seiko-kun, what are you doing up at this hour?" she asks me.
I shrug in response. "Couldn't get back to sleep."
Kaasan, satisfied with the answer, turns back to her cooking.
"Need any help?" I ask.
Kaasan turns back to me. "Thanks for offering, but I can handle it," after this is said there is a loud wail, coming from my one-year-old brother in his room.
"You sure you don't need any help?" I ask again.
Kaasan smiles. "Could you make sure nothing burns while I see what is wrong with your brother?" she asks and I nod eagerly in response and walk to the kitchen as she heads down the hall.
Then, a feeling that someone is watching me weighs upon me. I look out the window of the kitchen and catch a glimpse of a face. An unfamiliar face. I shake it off. Maybe I am seeing things; I have been on edge for awhile.
I went to the meeting place of my team an hour later. Well, it is going to be our last team meeting. Since we are now Chuunin, we will no longer need to be on a team.
"Today we have your first Chuunin mission," says Tayuya-sensei. (Do you guys remember her?)
"What is it Tayuya-sensei," one of my teammates, Satoni asks. He is thirteen.
"You all have a very important job. Now, I want you to take this seriously," Tayuya-sensei starts, "you are going to play an important part of the Master's plan."
My teammates' eyes light up but I still do not know of whom they speak of so I daringly ask, "Tayuya-sensei who is this 'Master'?"
My question seems to startle her. "You do not know? How can you not know?" she questions then she lets out a sigh, "your father has not mentioned anything to you, has he?"
I shake my head. What has Tousan not told me?
"Orochimaru-sama is our master. Learn it and remember it, kid," Tayuya-sensei replies.
I nod quickly. Orochimaru, huh? I should be able to remember that.
"Now, as I was saying. The three of you are going to go to the village of Konoha and stall them while we elites take them down, do you understand?" Tayuya-sensei questions.
My two teammates nod but I think for a moment. Konoha? Where is that?
"Uchiha," I snap my attention to my sensei, "are you in or not?"
I nod, hesitant. "Sensei, how long will we be gone?"
Sensei thinks for a moment before responding, "It could be awhile. Now, we'll meet here tomorrow morning at 5 sharp, understand?" Tayuya-sensei asks.
"Yes, sensei," we all reply in unison.
I sulk home that evening. Kaasan greets me when I come into the house. "Something wrong, Seiko-kun?" she asks with that worried tone.
"Kaasan, I have a mission tomorrow," I tell her. Her face looks crushed.
"Oh, what is it?" she asks and I don't want to tell her the truth.
So, I respond with, "Nothing special. Just going to go on a mission for some scroll." I hope she bought my lie.
"How long will you be gone?" Kaasan questions.
"Tayuya-sensei says it could be awhile," at least that isn't a lie.
Kaasan's face is shadowed with emotion. "I see."
She has bought my lie and now I feel more hollow than ever. I really don't want to go on that mission tomorrow but something tells me I don't have a choice.
Wee, chapter two is done.
Next Time: Seiko goes to this Konoha village and is in for a surprise!
Review, please!
sasuke fanatic1