Quake
Chapter Six
-The Start-
A loud yawn came from a stretching pink haired girl. Natsumi rolled onto her side and looked out the window, it was morning. She sat up abruptly. Today was the day she began her mission. She was out of bed in an instant, pulling on her sister's arm until she was awake as well. "What?" Satomi groaned, turning her head away from her sister. "Go away," she mumbled almost incoherently.
"Satomi! Wake up, today we have to make Minako go to Toshiro for comfort and not Akito." She said, giving her sister another sharp pull.
"What's all this we stuff? I don't care, I don't even like him." She said, finally sitting up from bed.
Natsumi let her face form into a pout, "Please Satomi, I can't do it by myself!"
With a roll of her eyes Satomi got out of bed, "Fine, whatever." She agreed.
With a small cheer the two disappeared into the bathroom so they could shower and get ready for their plan. Once they were out and dressed in matching outfits, they dashed to their brother's room. Without as much as a knock they ran in giggling, pulling their brother out of his bed. He hit the floor with a thump and groaned. God he hated his sisters sometimes. "What do you want?" he demanded, getting up slowly.
"Come on Toshiro!"
"We want to go play with Minako!"
They both smiled, no hint of evil in their faces. He stared at them suspiciously, "Then why can't you just go?"
"You know how dad will get."
"Come with us."
They always started finishing one another's sentences and it became real annoying, real fast. "Ok, ok." He said, getting them to stop before they could continue.
"YAY!" they yelled, running from the room so Toshiro could get ready.
It didn't take long for the boy to get dressed, since he really didn't care. When he came out he was tackled in a vicious mass of pink. "Let's go!" they screamed in his face, dragging him up and forcing him out the door. They didn't need to tell their parents they were leaving. Sakura knew Konoha was safe with so many friends around.
The trio walked down the streets of the busy village, both twins searching for something. It had been awhile since they started their search, they were walking past a park when Satomi glanced over and saw their target. She nudged Natsumi and pointed towards a swing set nearby. Minako was swinging by herself. She looked distressed and was playing with the charm around her neck.
Toshiro stopped, spotting the girl they were looking for, but when he turned around his sisters were gone. He arched a brow and looked around the area. Focusing back on the dark haired girl, he could tell something was wrong. So, he decided to go see what it was. He stopped his advance right in front of the swing set and watched her. "You okay Minako?"
Minako looked up in surprise, and she immediately dropped the charm she had been fiddling with, letting it hang at her neck. "It's nothing Shiro-kun, I was just thinking." She said, voice solemn.
He gave her a bright smile, "Come on Minako, you can tell me. My mom always says that if you talk about what's on your mind, it really helps you feel better." He went to the swing beside hers and sat down, starting to push himself with his feet. "So, what's up? You seemed real upset at the party too."
She gripped the chains holding the swing to the beams and looked at the ground, ashamed. "That's what my daddy says, but I talked to him about it last night and I don't feel better." She said, blue eyes beginning to water.
"Well maybe you didn't tell him everything that was bothering you then," he suggested, started to go higher on his swinging.
She began to kick the ground, moving the dirt with her foot. Should she tell him everything? She wanted to, but what if he just got even madder at her? And why was he being so nice right now? She took a fortifying breath, and began, talking in a rush.
"It's just, Akito-kun has never done anything like that for me, and he was my friend first! I mean, Akito-kun doesn't like it when people touch him, but he was holding Natsumi-chan! And then I was jealous of Natsumi-chan, so I told your daddy what happened, wanting them to stop. And then everybody got upset and angry, and I only made things worse. And you're mad at me, and I'm a horrible person, and…and…" by now she was crying so hard that her vision was blurry, and she was starting to hiccup she was so upset.
Toshiro slowly stopped, looking over at her. "I'm not mad at you. It's just it's really bad when my dad gets worked up and I don't like to deal with it. So it was a little irritating, but everything worked out alright, cause' I went and got my mom." He gave her another smile. He was glad he had found her, he didn't like when anyone was sad, especially if they were a friend. "And, about Akito and Natsumi, how do you know that Natsumi isn't Akito's special person? And that's why he acted like that."
She sniffed, and looked over at him. "Special person? You mean like my mommy is to my daddy?" she asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Yeah! And how my mommy is to my daddy. My dad told me that sometimes you don't realize who your special person is until way later on. Because my dad tried to kill my mom when they were kids." He nodded, and then he got up and walked in front of her. "So you never know, it's just a thing that happens! And I know you're kinda sad because you're a girl and now you're getting less attention, but would you want to keep special people apart?" he shook his head, "No, because think, if someone had kept your mom and dad away from each other, you wouldn't be here!"
"And besides, why are you jealous? Do you like Akito or something?"
Her eyes widened at this. She didn't like Akito that way, she liked Toshiro. But she couldn't tell him that. "No! Akito-kun is like a brother to me!" she exclaimed, brow scrunching. Then a dejected look came over her face then, and she looked back at the ground. "But that still doesn't change the fact that I'm a horrible person. What kind of friend does that?! A bad one, that's what. Natsumi-chan is probably really upset because of me." She said, tears coming back to her eyes.
"I seriously doubt that." He laughed, "Natsumi is always happy. You should just talk to her, I'm sure she's not mad." He lent his hand down to her and when she took it he helped her up to her feet. "Actually they were looking for you, but they disappeared so I don't know where they went to."
A familiar dark haired boy was walking alongside the fence to the park. "Hey Akito!" Toshiro called over, waving his hand in the air to get his attention.
Natsumi went wide eyed from their hiding spot, "What's Akito doing here?!" she nearly yelled, but Satomi's hands were instantly over her mouth.
"Just calm down. Maybe he'll go away." She whispered, looking back down from their tree that was pretty far off. At least none of them would sense their hidden chakra.
Akito walked over to his two friends. He looked at Minako and raised a brow. "Are you okay Minako?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes, Shiro-kun made me feel better." She said, giving the redhead a bright smile. Then she turned back to her friend. "What are you doing here Akito-kun?" she asked, raising a brow.
"I was looking for Natsumi. She looked upset last night, and I couldn't find her before my dad made me leave. Have you guys seen her?" he asked, looking around to make sure he hadn't overlooked her when he walked up.
Toshiro shook his head, "She was with me just awhile ago and then her and Satomi disappeared all of a sudden." He shrugged and then laughed, "Maybe they were kidnapped," he joked.
Forest green eyes widened. "What?! Natsumi was kidnapped?! By who? Tell me which way they went, and I'll kill them." He said looking from side to side.
Satomi's eye twitched as she tried to hide her irritation. Natsumi leaned forward in the tree, a bright smile on her face. She felt all warm and fuzzy inside now. "Hehe," she giggled. And in a wave of anger, Satomi shoved her out of the tree.
She hit the ground with a loud yell that attracted all the attention of the three in the park with her. Akito's eyes widened even more. If she was in that tree the whole time, then that meant she had heard him. Was she just playing a huge joke on everybody?!
Minako ran over to her friend. Kneeling down, she asked, "Natsumi-chan! Are you alright?"
Toshiro ran after Minako and looked down at his sister. "Are you ok Natsumi?" he repeated Minako's question. She shook her head slowly, tears were already flowing down her face.
"My knee hurts," she said softly, trying to stop the streams coming from her eyes. Toshiro pushed her Capri's up and saw her bloodied knee.
"Natsumi!" he gasped, focusing his chakra to his hand and placing his palm on her knee. "You were probably hiding, trying to jump out and scare us weren't you? You have to be more careful." He told her, sounding like a protective brother.
Minako watched in awe as Natsumi's knee was healed. "Wow Shiro-kun, that's really cool!" she exclaimed, fascinated.
Akito walked over slowly, his indifferent façade already in place. He stopped behind Minako, and watched the green chakra flow from his friend's hands. Then he looked over at Natsumi, concern appearing in his eyes at the sight of her tears.
"I'm sorry," Natsumi apologized, sniffing and trying to wipe her tears away. When Toshiro moved his hands away her knee was completely healed.
"Sorry for what?" Minako asked, confused.
"I didn't mean to fall…" she looked down now, embarrassed, unable to even look at Akito's feet. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Akito walked around to her other side and knelt down next to her. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean to fall. Besides, everybody plays jokes on others every once in a while. Just ask Minako, she pranks people all the time." He said with a small smile, trying to comfort the girl.
She looked over at him. She wanted nothing more than to cling onto him, but she knew that the reaction she would get was probably not what she would want. Toshiro and Minako were around this time, and she didn't know what Akito would do.
"Hey," Toshiro smiled. "How about we all go get some ice cream? That'll make everyone feel better." He looked over at Minako, holding his hand out for her.
She smiled and took his hand eagerly. "Okay!" she said excitedly.
Akito stood up and held his hand down to Natsumi, mimicking his friend's actions. "Come on squirt." He said, smiling at her.
Hesitantly she placed hers in his and let him help her up. Images of the night before kept coming back. The thought made her sad. She didn't know if he was just being nice to her because she was the Kazekage's daughter, or Toshiro's sister. What if he really did like Minako? She stared down, walking with him after the two happy children ahead of them.
He looked over at her and raised a brow. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem a bit sad. I didn't do anything to upset you did I?" he asked, giving her a worried look.
"Huh?" she blinked, shaking her head. "I'm okay." She lied. "No you didn't do anything…"
Toshiro glanced back at the two and then looked at Minako, hoping she wouldn't get upset this time. He wanted her to be happy and he wanted to have fun with her and Akito and his sister. "Whoa," Toshiro stopped. "Where's Satomi?" he asked.
Natsumi looked forward then at her brother and shrugged, "I don't know. She disappeared, probably went back home. You know how she is."
"Oh, oh." He nodded and returned his gaze to Minako, daring her to a race.
She accepted his dare, shoving him playfully and running off while he recovered, giggling the whole time.
Akito watched them run off and turned back to Natsumi. He knew that she was lying to him, he just didn't know why. "Natsumi…I can't make you feel better if I don't know what's wrong." He said, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm not lying," she stopped, going a bit red. God she was an awful liar.
An irritated look came over his face then. "Well if you're not lying about being upset then why do you look depressed? If you don't want to tell me then that's fine, I just thought we were friends. And that's what friends do. They tell each other what's wrong."
She went wide eyed and looked away from him. Now she felt bad for lying to him. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, playing nervously with her fingers. She couldn't look at his face now and was content with focusing on a rock by his foot. "Last night I got upset…and sad." She finally admitted.
"About what? Did you have another premonition thingy?" he asked, glad that she was finally talking to him.
"No, no. It wasn't something like that." She shook her head and finally met his dark green gaze. "When you were under the table with Minako…I got angry." She admitted. She felt bad, but it was true, and she had been hurt.
"Why? Minako was upset, and I couldn't just leave her there. Her dad would've gotten really mad at me if I did." He admitted, not wanting to think of what his crazy uncle would have done to him if he found out that Akito had just left her under the table. Alone and upset.
"It doesn't matter." She suddenly got defensive, a small glare forming.
"It matters to me." He said, returning her glare.
She blinked, her guarded expression and stance gone. "Why?"
"Well…because." He said, blinking back at her, not wanting to admit his real reason.
"Because why?" she gave him an encouraging look. She wanted him to continue. She stepped closer to him, placing her free hand over their joined digits.
A light pink dusted his cheeks then. He had to tell her now. It wasn't fair to make her tell him and then not do the same. "Because…I…care." He said softly, looking away from her in embarrassment.
A bright smile replaced her brooding face instantly, and suddenly her arms were wrapped tightly around him. "I was jealous," she told him eagerly, not even ashamed anymore.
He wrapped his arms around her hesitantly, a startled expression on her face. She had been jealous that he was comforting Minako? Girls just didn't make any sense to him. "You shouldn't be." He said. He really didn't want to have to go through this every time he and Minako hung out or something. She was just like a sister to him anyways.
"I know," she pulled away from him, looking down. "I don't know why I was, I'm usually not like that. So I really just don't understand what happened." She said, trying to sound happy. She looked up, giving him a pained smile.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "People do things they don't understand all the time. At least, that's what my father said." He told her, hoping it would make her feel better.
She nodded and looked off to where Minako and Toshiro had disappeared, "We should probably go now or they might get worried."
"I bet I can get to the ice cream stand before you do." He challenged, smiling at her.
She arched a delicate brow, "I'm just a little girl." She pouted, a smirk playing on her lips though, and he could tell. "Fine. Go!" she yelled, laughing deviously as she took off down the street, but when he moved to run, he found out his feet were anchored to the ground with sand.
His shadow clone disappeared in a puff of smoke, and the real Akito took off after the pink haired girl, sending chakra into his feet in order to go faster. He was not one to be beaten by a girl, especially one so small. He formed the hand signs for another clone, and when it appeared, he had the clone tackle her to the ground. He sent a triumphant smirk her way when he ran past her, the ice cream stand coming into view.
Sand exploded from the clone and from the air Natsumi appeared, a panicked look flashing across her face. She had transported herself too high. She yelled, falling straight for the raven haired boy, "Akito!" she yelled, trying to brace herself for impact.
He stopped and looked up, catching the falling girl just in time, stumbling backwards from the impact. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
She held onto him tightly, wide eyed and still a little shocked from his quick movements. "Yeah," she finally nodded and stared up at him. They stayed like that until Toshiro and Minako ran up from the cart, both holding an ice cream.
"What's taking you two so long?!" Minako asked, taking a lick of her vanilla cone.
"Sorry," Natsumi blinked, remaining comfortably in Akito's arms.
Toshiro arched his brow, looking between the two. Realizing that he was still holding Natsumi, Akito put her down, leaving one hand on her elbow and another on her back for support. "Natsumi fell, so I caught her." Akito explained, trying not to be embarrassed.
"Oh, I see. Well thanks Akito," Toshiro smiled sincerely. "Natsumi can't quite control her sand yet, so sometimes she's a bit off on transporting herself." He nodded, taking a bit out of his ice cream and then yelling from the instant brain freeze.
"Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth Shiro-kun! My mommy said that really helps!" Minako said, trying to be helpful.
Akito grabbed Natsumi's hand and walked her over to the ice cream cart. "What would you like?" he asked, turning to look at her.
"I don't know," she said honestly. She had only had salty ice cream before and only heard of the sweet kind from her mother.
He turned to the vendor. "I want strawberry please." He said, and then turned back to the girl next to him. "We have fruit flavored ones here, if you like that." He suggested, not really sure what her tastes were. He didn't really like sweets, and had only asked for strawberry because it reminded him of Natsumi's hair.
"Um…well I guess," she looked over the cart, seeing the different colors. "How about…that one." She pointed at an orange ice cream.
The vendor handed them their ice cream, and Akito paid him. He took a small lick, eyes widening in surprise at the taste. It actually wasn't that bad. He looked over at his companion. "How does it taste?" he asked, wondering if she was happy with what she had chosen.
She mimicked his actions and smiled happily. "It's good." She nodded, looking up at him and then at his. "What does yours taste like?" she wondered.
He lowered his cone to her level and she took a taste. "Yours is good too Akito!" she laughed, not realizing that some of the pink ice cream had gotten onto her nose.
He smiled at her actions. Then he licked his thumb, and wiped the ice cream off of her nose. "You got some on your nose." He said by way of explanation.
A dark blush settled on her face then. Toshiro walked over, eyeing Akito suspiciously. "Dude…what are you doing?"
"She had ice cream on her nose. I couldn't let her just walk around with it on her face all day now could I?" he asked defensively. Then he took a lick of his ice cream.
The redhead rolled his eyes, "Yeah it's called telling her. Unless of course, you wanted to do it, because you like her." He said simply, returning to his delicious treat. Natsumi went blood red at this. She couldn't imagine it was true, since she had only met him a couple days ago.
As Akito began to sputter, trying to come up with something to say, the group heard a cry. It was Minako, whose ice cream had fallen off of her cone and onto the ground. "My ice cream!" she exclaimed, staring at the splattered dessert.
Natsumi hurried over to her friend then and kneeled beside her. "Aw Minako, why'd you drop it?" she asked.
Toshiro came beside the two and sighed, "Here Minako you can have mine if you want." He said offering his to her and trying to keep a comforting smile on his face.
She looked at the redhead in surprise. "You don't have to give it to me if you don't want to Shiro-kun. I can just go get another one." She said, not wanting to take his treat from him.
"It's no big deal Minako," he offered once more. Natsumi blinked and just ate hers, glad she didn't have to share.
"Okay." She said taking his chocolate cone and giving it a small lick. "Wow Shiro-kun! This tastes so much different than vanilla!" she said with a smile.
"That's because it's chocolate Minako. They're supposed to taste different." Akito said, walking over to them. He was glad that the attention was directed at her now, instead of him.
"So, I've never had chocolate before Akito-kun. Don't be mean just because Shiro-kun embarrassed you." She said, pouting. Akito just turned to the side and focused on his ice cream.
Natsumi blinked and looked between the two. She decided to leave the matter alone, even though she was really curious as to what Akito would say. "Akito, do you want to go and do something?" the small pink haired girl asked, focusing only on the young Uchiha.
"Sure." He said, shrugging.
Toshiro watched the two leave without as much as a goodbye. "They are so weird." He said to Minako, looking back at her.
"Yeah." She agreed, taking another lick of Toshiro's ice cream. "So do you wanna go do something?" she asked, raising a brow at him and biting into the cone, which was her favorite part.
"Sure thing, you can show me around Konoha and what you do for fun around here."
"Okay!" she said perkily, grabbing his hand and leading him off. They spent the rest of the day that way, with Minako showing Toshiro all around her village and her favorite places to go.