Chapter 7
Soon the two kids are done with their lunch. They stay seated at the table while I take the dishes and wash them. I feel their eyes staying trained on me as I move about the kitchen. Once I finish I go and sit across from the kids at the table. They stare at me and I stare right back with a small smile.
"Our kaa-san will be coming back," Hotaru says after a long period of silence.
"I never said she wasn't," I reply,
"It's a warning to not get any ideas," she replies back.
"I promise you that there will never be anything," I say sincerely as I look at both the kids.
It a bit absurd that the girl would think something would ever happen. I am not into married men with kids. That's just…yuck. I don't know I just find it very wrong.
"Then after our tou-san comes home don't ever come back," Hotaru says. Kei lowers in his seat burying his face in his sister's arm.
"No," I reply with a tone of authority causing Hotaru to glare. Leader wanted me to get a job to help the Akatsuki, which is fine since they are letting me live with them. Besides I need the money, I have plans and need to survive.
Taking a deep breath I continue, "I'm not here to steal your kaa-san's place. I am here to watch over you until your tou-san gets back from work, or…." I trail off; I can't just say until your kaa-san returns. What if she never returns? I don't want to be giving them false hope. So, I clap my hands with a smile as I change the subject, "Let's go outside and play sakkā."
Kei lifts up his head with curious wide eyes. "What's that," he asks.
"Well, it's a sport," I reply. "Though you need to have a certain amount of people it can be just us three, the two against me. Let's go outside and I'll explain more."
"Hai," Kei says with a small smile as he climbs down from the chair. "Let's go nee-chan," he says tugging his sister's hand.
She gets away from the table and pushes both of their chairs in. As she grabs hold of her brother's hand I get up. Kei leads the way outside to the backyard. My eyes scan around the yard until they land on a ball. Going over to the ball, I kick pick it up. It's red about the size of a normal soccer ball and has plenty of air.
Turning around I say, "This isn't going to an official sakkā that means changing some things. See those trees behind you guys?"
The look behind them then back to me, Kei replies, "Hai."
"You two have to make sure I don't get the ball between those two trees. Meanwhile, I have to keep the two of you from getting is passed…."
Trailing of I look behind me to see what I can use for a goal. Finding nothing, I hold up my index finger telling them to give me a minute then rush inside. I grab the two chairs at the table and take them outside. Going over to the fence, I place the chairs about five feet in front of the fence, and I did all of this with one hand, which is hard. Finished I turn back around and smile.
"I have to make sure the two of you don't make it pass these two chairs right down the middle just like with the trees. The team that scores the most points in thirty minutes win."
"That sounds easy," Hotaru says sounding a bit intrigued.
Grinning I say, "To score you're not allowed to use your hands or arms at all. You control the ball with your feet and you may use any other body parts except for the first two I mentioned, like this."
Dropping the ball to the ground, I kick it around a little bit then balance it on my right foot. After getting steady for a moment I kick it up into the air gently. As it comes down I use my knee to place it back in the air and continue to switch knees for a few moments. Then once it's in the air again and starts coming back down I use my head. After showing off for a couple of minutes earning awes and that's cool from Kei, I let the ball fall to the ground. I place my foot on top of it to keep it from moving. I then proceed to tell them the rest of the rules that would apply for the three of us, and what they can do with the ball, ways to get it away from me and anything else that wouldn't put me at an advantage (besides experience).
"So do you two understand," I ask.
"Hai," Kei replies with a grin bouncy on his feet. Hotaru eyes narrow with determination, pressing her lips firmly as she nods her head. I can see the gears turning in her head as probably thinks up possible strategy.
"Okay, we'll use this entire area as the field," I reply kicking the ball towards them. Hotaru quickly brings her foot up and stops the ball just like I did moments before. "You two get to start the game off. I'm ready whenever you two are."
Hotaru stars whispering in her brother's ear. I slightly spread my legs apart watching the two of them carefully. A moment later Kei is running away from his sister to the far right but my eyes stay trained on the sister. She grins and I notice that grin as someone determine to win. I just give a simple smile. She then starts running keeping the ball close to her feet. My eyes quickly glance over to Kei to see him standing still while watching his sister. I glance back at her, my body tenses as she goes to kick the ball.
The ball leaves her and heads over to Kei. He tries kicking the ball like his sister but keeps fumbling around having a hard time. He eventually gets the hang of it and starts running towards me and my goal. Hotaru starts running on the left side and I quickly catch onto the plan.
Just as I thought once Kei reaches a certain point he kicks the ball over to his sister while she was running towards me. She is going to be the one to try and make the first score, and I will let her. And just when she believes she's close enough she kicks the ball. I make a weak attempt at trying to stop the ball from going through the chairs. My weak, but believable, attempt ends up making me hit the ground. I know the ball goes through because I hear Kei cheer. When I look up I see Hotaru smirking.
"Nice," I say standing up with a smile. I walk over to where the ball is and kick it out of my goal between my feet. "Good teamwork."
With that said I run forward, kicking the ball. Hotaru singles Kei towards their goal as she runs towards me. I grin knowing this will be fun, gosh how I miss playing soccer. Of course I'll let the kids win after putting up a good match. I think it's wrong for adults and kids to beat kids at games; it's like taking candy from them. However, you can't let the kids win every time, but since this is the first time we're playing I'll let them win.
So for the next how we play soccer. It feels like it's longer as all three of us seem to get into the game. I make some weak attempt moves that are believable and then I make some moves that aren't weak at all. I think Hotaru catches on that I'm not playing at a one hundred percent and glares at me a few times. They find out that being a goalie is my weakness, which is no surprise because when I did play soccer I was never a goalie, and try to take advantage of it, but I couldn't allow that so I would steal the ball from them something I was good at. All in all they win as planned, with twenty-seven points to twenty-four points. I did mention I wouldn't make their winning easy.
"Good game," I say as I flop down onto the ground in a sitting position to catch my breath. Kei walks over and plops down next to me. Hotaru stays away watching as she leans on her knees catching her breath.
"That was fun," Kei says after a few minutes. "Can we play again?"
"We'll have to wait a while, and if we don't play again today I promise we will tomorrow."
"Don't make promises you're unable to keep," Hotaru says.
"I always find a way to keep my promise," I reply as I look over to her. "Anyways, we should get inside and get something to drink. I'm dying of thirst and I know you two have to be as well."
"I pick juice," Kei yells as he gets up and starts running for the house.
Picking myself up, I dust off the dirt as I follow Hotaru inside. Hotaru goes over to her brother as he sits at the table. I smile and start looking through the cabinets until I find cups. Placing three cups down onto the table I turn to the fridge.
"What would you like to drink Hotaru-chan," I ask opening the fridge.
I pull out a large bottle of juice as she replies, "Tea."
"Any specific tea," I ask.
"The ice tea," she replies and I can imagine her rolling her eyes.
With a nod I use my other hand to pull out the pitcher of ice tea. Using my foot, I close the fridge as I head back to the table. I fill up their glasses then hand them the cups. I leave the bottle and pitcher on the table in case they want more and take my glass to the sink where I fill it up with water.
While I drink my water, I look around the kitchen to find the snacks left behind that were labeled. It takes a few moments before I find them in the freezer in the form of ice cream. With a smile I pull it and start making them the ice cream.
"Enjoy," I say placing the bowls in front of them.
"Arigato," Kei says with a smile. I smile in return.
After their snacks, the three of us were back outside playing games. One game we play that they knew nothing of was money in the middle. For a moment it had shocked me they didn't know the game but then remember this is a different world, so I had to teach them just like I did with soccer. Is it bad if I teach games like this? I don't think so, it's not like it will harm anyone. I teach them how to play hopscotch it's kind of fun. I told them if they ever have friends over I could teach them more games.
We stayed outside until five o'clock. All three of us were exhausted. Hotaru went to go take a bath and Kei went to watch TV. While they were busy I got dinner started. When five thirty rolled around Honoka walked through the door announcing he was home. Both kids got up away from the TV. Kei ran to his father while Hotaru stayed back a little. Honoka went over and pulled her into a hug.
I informed Honoka that I had dinner started and he thank me. He asked if everything went alright with the kids and I assured him that there were no problems. He then informed me that I'll be getting paid on Saturdays when he comes back home from work.
After that it was time for goodbye and I head out. Find my way to the exit was easy and I found Konan waiting outside the village for me. I smiles in greetings and wanted to talk about my time as a sitter but didn't know if that would be a good thing so kept quiet.
The walk back was quiet beside the sound of nature. That was fine for me; it gave me time to soak in the beauty all around me. It almost makes me second guess about keeping my nose stuck in a book, but my addiction to reading is stronger.
Once we reached a certain point, Konan stop walking. I knew what it meant and so turned around with my eyes closed. Not even a minute later and the blindfold is placed over my eyes. I spun around a few times until Konan stop me. Holding onto my wrist she guides me back to the place. I'm thankful for her patients with me, because she was right earlier, with the blindfold on I stumble a lot. Not my fault I was not meant to be blind, and I'm very used to seeing.
Once we get back to…the living quarters…base…I have no idea what to call it. I think I'll use hideout. So once we reach the hideout the blindfold gets taken off, and the view of the empty living room meets my gaze.
"I'll get started on dinner," I say with a smile.
"Hidan and Kakuzu are out so no need to make anything for them," Konan informs me.
I nod in reply and while she walks one way I head to the kitchen. I frown seeing that there is a small mess but shrug it off. Going about the kitchen, I get some rice cooking in the rice-cooker. With the oven I cut up some vegetables and sauté them. Then I get some chicken out of the freezer and grill the chicken. While the food cooks I clean up the mess.
When dinner is done, I prepare the plates and set the table as usual. I go to yell out dinner is done but frown. Would any of them get upset if I called out? Hidan wasn't happy this morning when I did it, but it's not morning anymore so would it be acceptable. I don't want to risk the chance of losing my vocal chords even though Kisame said Leader wouldn't allow that to happen. At the same time I don't want the food to go cold and become a waste.
Making my decision, I head out to the living room. Cupping my hands around my mouth to make my voice louder I yell, "Dinner is served; get it while it's still hot!"
I head back into the kitchen to start on desert. As I'm making desert I hear them walk in one by one. I resist the temptation to eat the brownie mix as I mix well the mixture up. I look over to the table to see that Sasori, Leader, Hidan and Kakuzu are not at the table. Well it looks like Kakuzu is Mr. Green Eyes; cool I finally know his name. That is good because I don't think he would like it if I called him Mr. Green Eyes to his face…or to anyone.
"Enjoy the meal everyone," I say smiling to each member, well except for Deidara.
"What is Ayano-chan doing," Tobi asks.
"Making desert," I reply as I add the mixture into a greased baking pan. "Anyone want to lick the bowl and spoon?"
"We're not animals, un," Deidara replies with a nasty glare.
"I didn't say any of you were," I reply.
He raises his brow glaring more, then replies with, "You asked us who wanted to lick those; so you're calling us animals, un."
"It's chocolate," I reply standing up straighter. "I'm not calling anybody an animal, but if you want to go that route then for your information humans are animals. We just happen to think and behave differently."
As Deidara stands in his seat Konan says in a commanding tone, "Deidara sit." My body tenses in case he ignores her and decides to come over. I am ready to make a run for it and use my human shield Itachi.
"We can't just sit back and just let her run her mouth, un," Deidara replies angrily.
"I am not running my mouth I was simply stating a fact," I reply.
"There she goes again," Deidara says turning to me as he gives a death glare.
"I said sit down," Konan says giving an even better glare to Deidara. He doesn't listen but he's not coming over to me.
"Before jumping to conclusions," Itachi speaks up. "Maybe you should have thought that maybe her question is a custom of hers back from her world."
I think about that as I place the brownies into the over. I wouldn't really call it a costume; it's just something I've always done when my mother made cake or brownies. She let me have the spoon and bowl and I would use my fingers to lick out the chocolate-y goodness that was unable to make it into the baking pan. She said her mother let her do the same and so on and so forth. I know of a few people who do the same. It's probably unhealthy, not that any of us care, but I guess it's like a tradition. In my mind I've always pictured it was something everyone did. They obviously don't do that here, which I should have thought about, but it's hard to remember when this world is sometimes similar to mine.
I get pulled away from my thoughts hearing Kisame laughing. Turning back to face everyone I raise my brow in confusion. I must have missed something for Kisame to be laughing. Maybe if I stay quiet I'll find out what is so funny.
"I think she missed your small little lecture Itachi," Kisame says and Itachi sighs. "Ah, that's twice today I've laughed." Okay, I'm still confused about what was so funny.
"What lecture," I ask causing Kisame to chuckle some more.
"She did miss the lecture," Kisame says.
"The lecture about if you don't keep your damn moth shut you tongue will get cut out, un," Deidara threatens.
My eyes widen as I bring my hands up to my mouth. Okay so I get threaten about losing my vocal chords and now my tongue. Yeah none of that is cool, it's a bit scary. How would I be able to explain to my parents why I'm mute?
"Deidara if you cannot refrain yourself…." Konan starts saying but I interrupt her.
"It's alright," I say with a small smile. "I guess I deserved what he said."
"Damn right, un."
"Gomen, I didn't mean to indirectly insult anyone. What I asked…it's not a costume more like a tradition if you want to call it that. It is just…this world is sort of similar to mine that I forget that it is actually different. So, I'll just keep the bowl and spoon for myself."
Deidara opens his mouth then closes it. He then glares at me and I shrug my shoulders. It's not like you can make everyone happy. Not that I'm trying to make him happy, I just figure apologizing would be the polite thing to do and would save me from losing my tongue.
"Ayano-chan," Tobi yells happily coming over and hugging me. "Tobi will take the spoon."
Chuckling I hand them him the spoon and reply; "It's all yours."
"Thanks Ayano-chan," Tobi replies taking the spoon.
"No problem," I say as I wipe some of the chocolate brownie mix out of the bowl. I then plop my finger into my mouth and hum in appreciation of the chocolate.
Taking my finger out of my mouth I say, "The brownies will be done in about twenty minutes. Once I take them out they'll need about ten minutes to cool."
"Tobi can't wait."
"We won't eat any," the black side of Zetsu says.
"Okay I don't mind," I reply shrugging my shoulders.
Zetsu has a…meat only appetite, hence the reason why his plate is the only one with just chicken. But even then he doesn't really eat a lot. He must eat something else that I don't know of. I'm not sure if I should ask or just wait until maybe he finally tells me.
I turn my attention to washing things up until the brownies are completed. Whenever anyone finished, I take their plate and wash it too. When the brownies are done I take them out placing them on top of the counter. Getting a knife I cut it into even pieces then leave it alone to cool off.
"Alright give the brownies ten minutes and then they are free to have," I say as I walk into the living room. "Kisame I'll go get changed into my training clothes and then come back."
Without waiting for any type of replies I head down the hallway. Once in my room, I close the door and strip down to my undergarments. Though I would like to take a shower there would be no point since I'll be training. Kisame said he would think about giving me some hands-on lessons and I really hope he will. Back when I used to pay attention, I was always a visual hands-on learner.
Done changing, I leave the room and head to the kitchen. I'm excited about training. I wonder when and if I'll get to learn jumping into like Konan did this morning. Oh, and I have to ask Kisame about how to use scrolls.
"Okay I'm ready for training," I say happily with a grin as I walk into the kitchen.
"Alright let's go get your training started," Kisame says. With a happy nod I follow him towards the training grounds.
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Okay so this chapter was to show her interactions with the kids. I might write about how she is with the kids everyone once in a while, but it's not the focus on the story so you won't see them much. This was also to set up for the next chapter.
The poll is still up for whom Ayano should fall in love with. You can pick anyone in the Akatsuki with the exception of Leader/Pein and Konan.
If you have any ideas or would like to see something happen, go ahead and tell me. I'll be happy to add it into the story. I like making my readers happy.
I've seen some people do this and I thought I would do the same thing. So I'll write a couple of sentences that will be in the next chapter.
Preview: I knew this was a bad idea, now I'm stuck out here waiting while the sun sinks lower. What is taking him so long?
Anyways, the Akatsuki and entire Naruto world belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I only own Ayano, any other OCs and the plot. Thank you to everyone who has been reading this as well as reviews, adding this to their favorites/alerts and voting. Reviews are much appreciated, until next time. ^.^