V 2 ch 3
The New Year's Festival!
It was the day of the New Year's festival in the Hidden Leaf Village. Takeru Uchiha glanced at the people putting up decorations and getting the booths ready for games and food. He wasn't interested in the festival for the first time since that day. His father wasn't going to be back in time for it. Missions came first. The village as a whole was more important than a single person.
Takeru had a lot on his mind. He still had to make a decision about the girl Onari that was coming back with his father and the others. Should he give her a chance? His mother said the girl had no one. Do I let her stay? Dad must like her if he is willing to bring her all the way here. What could have happened for him to make that sort of decision? He sat down in front of a tree. Something heavy and metal fell onto his head. "Ow," he said picking up the flute. He looked up into the tree.
As he squinted his eyes, he made out someone at the top of the tree. Takeru looked down at the flute. Who did he know that played a musical instrument? He snatched the flute up then jumped into the tree. He hopped up and up until he got closer. A boy with white hair was searching his pockets for something.
The boy wore colorful clothes, had long, dangling earrings in his ears, and was rather tall and thin. Takeru recognized him as the kid who sat all the way in the back, on the far left in class. His name was Idai. Idai had been abandoned by the sound village when he was younger. He had been taken in by Gai sensei.
Idai didn't seem to notice Takeru watching him. Takeru knew Idai to be an outcast in class. Takeru assumed it was because he was a foreigner – and being from the sound village didn't help. The Hidden Leaf Village was at peace with the neighboring countries, but the Hidden Sound Village couldn't be trusted. They had always found ways to attack the Hidden Leaf Village for power.
Takeru could hear his father's friend, the Hokage, speaking in his head. "You can't judge a book by its cover, Takeru. It's also not wise, or fair to blame on person for the actions of others. A person can only be held accountable for what he does. Everyone deserves a chance to be happy, even if it means giving him several chances to realize it. Look at how long it took your father," Naruto Uzumaki smiled at him. I guess he's right. It wasn't Idai that fought the village all of those times, but that's what everyone sees. Takeru took out the flute, held it up to his mouth, and blew into it.
The boy above him flipped his head around, orange eye wide. He wasn't expecting anyone to find it. Idai moved back some, hesitant at the appearance of Takeru. "This is yours, isn't it?" Takeru watched Idai move farther away from him. "I'm not gong to hurt you. It fell and hit me on the head."
Idai had never been approached before. The only person that had anything to do with him was Gai. Why was this boy returning his flute? "Why are you being nice to me?"
Takeru stood up. Was this guy viewing the world the same way he was? "Am I not supposed to be nice to you?" His eyes fell on the red streak of hair that grew underneath Idai's top white layer of hair.
"No one else is. Why should you be any different," Idai said resentful. He didn't move from his position. He trusted no one at the Academy. They sure didn't trust him.
"You can't blame one person for what an entire group does," Takeru said seriously. If Naruto heard him throwing one of his statements at Idai, he'd never live it down. He watched the boy with a calm stare. "Here's your flute," he said throwing it back to him. "Later." Takeru jumped off the branch leaving Idai in his wake.
I still have to make a decision. Do I let this Onari girl stay with us? Naruto would say everyone deserves a chance – much like Idai did. Gai sensei take him in without holding his background against him. What village or country is Onari from? Takeru walked with his head down, thinking. It was a lot to think about.
"Hey, Takeru, want to help us set up our booth?"
Takeru glanced in the direction of the voice. He saw the Hyuga twins putting up banner sand signs with their mom, TenTen. "What are you guys selling?"
Kandai smiled at Takeru. "We're selling meat buns for the festival. Mom's special recipe," he said happily. He showed him a few that were for display.
Kandai and Eiyu Hyuga. Kandai was the nice, quiet twin that prefers helping others while his brother, Eiyu, was serious, and prefers talking about nothing but weapons. At least Kandai is a nice guy. Eiyu was watching him out of the corner of his eye as he put a sign up. Takeru's eye twitched. Why was Eiyu looking at him like that?
"How are you, Takeru," TenTen asked. "Is your mom doing well?"
Takeru nodded. "Sh-She's fine. I have to go now." He walked away from the booth. It was awkward having others speak to him.
"He's a fun one. It's going to be interesting watching him crack out of his shell," Kandai said.
"He can stay in it for all I care," Eiyu said distastefully.
"I hate festivals. They're so noisy," Ryu Yuhi said as he swept the tent out. His punishment was to spend the day assisting his mother while she read fortunes to the kids. He wondered who believed in that nonsense.
"It's your punishment for blowing your silent fuse," Kurenai said. "I don't want to hear you complaining."
Ryu narrowed his eyes. If he argued, he'd be in more trouble. It was best to stay silent for now. She thinks she has me beat, but wait until she gets engrossed in what she's doing. I'll slip out of here faster than a rabbit with a pack of wolves chasing it. He smiled under his face mask.
Kurenai popped her son the back of the head with a scroll. She pointed to the table and chairs that needed to be set up. "Get busy, Ryu," she said annoyed. Every time he gets punished, he schemes. The kid acts like I don't know his intentions.
Two girls entered the tent, giggling. They pushed each other forward until Kurenai spoke to them. Ryu caught one of the girls looking at him, whispering. He rolled his eyes and grumbled. I hate girls…
Kurenai held out one of the girl's hands and looked at it deeply. "This line means you have good fortune coming your way, but not until you overcome your obstacles. Love is around the corner, yet you won't realize it until it passes. In a few days, you'll receive unexpected new from family." The girl showed her hand to her friend, they talked about it, paid, and then left in awe.
Ryu kept sweeping the tent as he listed to his mother give fortunes to the young girls. It was his job to take the money, also – apparently. An older girl he recognized as Hire came into the tent. Ryu despised this girl intensely. She was one of people that teased him about his father.
Hire was hospitable while inside the fortune telling tent and in front of his mother. Ryu was waiting for the girl to say something to him unpleasant before he dogged her. Her companions weren't here to back her up. Just as expected, when he stepped out to dump the trash, Hire came up to him.
"So the Legendary Coward's mother does fortune telling. Too bad she couldn't foretell what a loser and disappointment you were going to be, Ryu. They ought to move you out of the training group and back to the Academy," she said matter-of-factly.
"Don't you have a heart to be ripping out somewhere else," Ryu said under his breath. He stood his full height, eyes narrowed. He had to cool it, or risk Kurenai's anger at his behavior.
"I'd rather have yours on a platter. You are beneath the ground we train on," Hire said tensing her arms.
"Get lost," Ryu said, his shoulders tensing and hands clenching, as well.
"It's not every day that I get you to myself. Afraid I'll start something you can't finish, Ryu?"
"I think you need to be more afraid of what I'll finish," a serious voice said from behind them.
Hire turned around "And I suppose a little Academy Ant like you is going to teach me a lesson? You might want to re-think that mouth of yours, puppet girl. I don't play with kids," Hire threatened.
Oh, no. Saori. Ryu watched Saori narrow her eyes. He didn't know why she was choosing to get involved. She needs to stay out of it.
Saori walked towards the pair, and then stopped. "You're the one with a big mouth – and big butt to prove it," she said, her eyes focused and ready.
Hire snarled. "What did you say to me, you lousy brat?"
"You heard me! Or do your old fat ears need to be cleaned out?"
"Knock it off," Ryu said lowly. "I don't need you or anyone else fighting my battles."
Saori got a hurt look on her face for a split second. Just as Hire was relinquishing in Saori's defeat, Saori shot her wire at the girl's legs. The wire wrapped around Hire's legs, and then violently snapped her feet forward. The older girl was thrown onto her back in the blink of an eye. "I fight my own battles face-to-face. And it became my fight when she threatened my friend."
Ryu's eyes widened a bit. "I didn't ask you to run your mouth," he said harshly. Saori stared straight at him with an intense gaze. Before Ryu could issue her to let Hire go – that it wasn't worth it, Saori had Hire in the air, upside down. The wire pinned the girl's legs and arms together.
"You'll learn to respect me, or die pleading for your right to exist," Saori said to Hire. "Python hold!"
The wire around Hire started to tighten. The girl screamed as the thin strands started to cut into her skin. Ryu had to do something! Saori was going to kill that girl without mercy. He ran towards her, shifted his weight to the right, slid and came up behind Saori.
Saori's body tensed. She couldn't move her legs, arms, mouth, or fingers. Wires were confining her, pinning her. Saori blinked, her eyes getting is… Genjutsu? "Drop her now," she hard a low voice say into her ear. I…can't move. Is Ryu the one doing this? "You can cut her loose without using your fingers. Sever the chakra flow to the wires. Do it," the voice commanded more threatening.
Saori Nara had no idea how to do that. I can't. Chakra flows throughout your body and it wraps around your internal organs. Severing the flow would mean to disrupt it in some way. If the chakra is severed and has no way out, it builds up and can cause you to lose a limb, or die. It's impossible!
"Do it," Ryu said watching Saori try to control her thoughts as she battled with her reasoning. He had her. He knew he had her. Ryu wasn't going to harm Saori, but he was trying to prevent her from making a huge mistake. His goal was to stop her intent – and it was working. What he was telling her to do was impossible. As she continued to battle herself, Ryu threw several ninja knives at the wires holding Hire.
Hire dropped like a stone. She sat up wincing as she looked at her arms and legs. Saori's wires had cut through her skin and clothing. "I'll get you for this," she said to Ryu.
Ryu's red eyes focused on her as he let Saori go from his Genjutsu trap. "No, you won't. Unbeknownst to you, I saved your life, Hire. You owe me," he said with seriousness and force. Hire grimaced. "Unlike you, I'm not the type of trash that would let someone die."
Kurenai stood with her back to the tent, listening. She closed her eyes, thanking whoever was watching over them. Ryu could have let Hire suffer. He chose not to go that route. It proved the boy had the will and strength inside of himself, to overcome his own anger. Kurenai just wished Ryu showed it to everyone. "You're something else," she said to herself.
Saori regained the ability to move. She turned her head to look at Ryu. He was staring at her intently. "I was trying to help you," she said in her defense.
Ryu just stared at her. He was furious. His troubles were his own. This girl had no knowledge of him, or his past to make those sorts of decisions about him. Where did she get off taking over?
"That smart alike had it coming! She doesn't have any right to talk to you like that!" Saori stood her ground. She wasn't backing down.
"Nor did you have any right to try and kill her! I was doing fine until I met you! I don't know where you came from, Saori, but you need to go back! I don't need some girl causing trouble for me! I'm not going to baby sit you!"
Saori stopped. Ryu's anger was erupting. For the first time, her confidence left her. He was older than her and more experienced. Who was she to try and defend him if he chose not to defend himself? Saori turned on her heels and walked away from Ryu.
In the tent, Kurenai rubbed her temples. Way to go, Ryu. Your temper always gets the better of you. Ryu walked back into the tent. He ignored Kurenai and continued to sweep. She wishes she knew what to say to him.
Saori had parted with her uncles, mom, and brother earlier when she had found Ryu and that Hire girl. She didn't know if it was been worth it. Ryu had exploded at her. She clutched her shirt – the pain was still there. As always, she messed everything up. What would Kurenai sensei say to her? Would she say anything about how angry she had made Ryu?
The one person she really wanted to like her hated her. Temari had warned her not to push Ryu. And as she had been warned, he had pushed back. She felt terrible. Saori supposed it wasn't wise to mess with a loner like Ryu. He was too old for her to be chasing anyway. She decided it was best to settle things as they were and stop thinking about it. You can't dig through a wall without your hands.
Saori sat on a bench staring at the ground. She had really messed up with Ryu. If she could take it all back, she would. Things right now weren't looking up for her. She had let her disgust get to her. Maybe she should have let Ryu deal with that girl on his own. Saori wasn't even out of the Academy yet and she was already challenging older ninja and putting her foot in her mouth.
"Hey, you look like you're miserable."
Saori looked up. A boy her age was standing in front of her. He had messy brown hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. His expression was placid, pose serious, and unyielding. She noticed a scar over his right eye. Saori believed he sat in the front of the class, dead in the middle seat. "I'm not having the best day."
"Fix it," he said seriously his expression not changing. His gray eyes stared back at hers. Whatever problems she had, it was her choice to let them control her. He knew it all too well.
Saori sighed. "No offense, but I did something really bad and the person I did it to, won't listen to me. I'm not one to beg."
"I didn't say anything about begging to make your point. When you make a mistake, you must learn from it and accept it. Most mistakes can be fixed," he told the girl.
"Now when you get the person in more trouble than what he deserved," Saori said.
"Stop being negative. Obviously, your intentions were not well planned. You need to think before you react. If you don't learn now, you're only going to hurt yourself later," he said. He watched her expression change to realization. This girl was probably a smart alike who hasn't learned her lesson in life yet. "What will you do if you pass the exams and your trainer finds you to be more of a liability with your teammates?"
"I…haven't thought of that," Saori said ashamed of herself. "How come you know so much? You talk like an adult."
"Reality makes a person's world bend and twist until it slams them on the ground," he said.
Saori heard his words and felt sad for him. The boy in front of her was Daiya Eimino. Daiya's parents had perished in a fire when he was six-years-old. No one knew much about it. He rarely spoke to anyone and kept to himself all the time. He despised adults and anyone who told him what to do. Saori was amazed he was speaking directly to her. Daiya was a hard case. Kurenai sensei couldn't get him to perform the simplest tasks – because he was told to do them. Saori knew Daiya was intelligent and holding back, but why was he doing it? "You want to sit down?"
"Are you serious? I'm not tired," Daiya said defiantly. He looked away from the girl. His eyes narrowed at the people and booths lining the street.
"You want to go play a game?" Daiya didn't answer. "Are you hungry? I can take you to get something." Still no answer. "Daiya, you're not listening to me are you?"
His head flipped around when he heard his name. "Don't say my name," he said weirded out that she knew it. He wasn't comfortable with being put on the spot.
"Then what am I supposed to call you, Mr. Sensitive? It's your name." Saori watched him narrow his eyes. Daiya's ponytail flashed with static electricity, spiking out at all ends.
"Don't say my name," Daiya said with a low tone. He was trying to hide his annoyance. This girl had no right to treat him so familiar. He didn't know her. "It's no wonder you get into trouble with your mouth!"
Saori stood up. "You don't know anything! You weren't there!"
"I don't have to be where you are to know what happened. Your anger and attitude says it all. You exploded because you can't control yourself. I'll even bet you don't know how to express yourself properly. If you want to get to know someone, talking is best. Trying to win someone over with favors, or charity, is not always wise," Daiya said as he shot Saori's kindness down.
"Go ahead and hate me for the truth. It isn't always pleasant, but it's something you need to hear, or you won't get where you need to be." Daiya turned his back on her. "Today you have lost with me, Saori Nara. Try again."
Saori looked up, the feeling in her chest feeling like she was just stabbed. Yet, as Daiya faded into the distance, she felt determined to get to know him and Ryu. Daiya knew her name and it was clear, to her, that he wasn't totally shooting her down. In a strange way, Daiya was warning her of the consequences of her actions. He was serious, defiant, and blunt; Leader characteristics, for sure. She smiled a little. She would get to know Daiya. He had only fueled the fire burning inside of her.
Hours later, Takeru returned home. He took off his shoes at the entrance and stepped up onto the floor. The house was unnaturally quiet. "Mom?" he heard fast padding on the wooden floor coming his way. Takeru blinked. "What is it?"
Izumi raised her finger to her lips. "We have to whisper," she said quietly. Your father's back. He's exhausted and he's trying to get Onari to settle down."
"Dad's home? When did he get back?" Takeru was excited that his father was finally back. He wanted to run to him and see Sasuke, but he was hesitant. The girl. He hadn't made a decision about her.
"He came home a little while ago, but his plans backfired. Sasuke wanted Onari to stay with Shikamaru, but Shikamaru's in-laws are here. Onari doesn't take to large groups, or strangers. When she saw me, she panicked and tried to flee the house," Izumi said, her voice low.
"Is she really that afraid?"
"Yes, so we need to introduce you to her, cautiously. Takeru, Onari is different so please don't stare at her, or react too fast. I'll see if your dad wants to go ahead and get it over with," Izumi said walking away. She disappeared around the corner.
Takeru stood looking around the corner into the hallway. He heard a crash, some scrambling, and his dad saying something. He wanted to know how Onari was different. Why was his mother warning him to be calm when he saw her?
Izumi came out of the room backwards and slowly. She shut the door very carefully. Raising her hand, she issued for Takeru to come over. He walked towards her, listening and alert. "Takeru, Sasuke said if you want to meet Onari, you can. He only asks that you come in slowly and sit. Your father needs to rest soon. They traveled almost all night to get here. Okay?"
Takeru nodded. He placed his hand on the doorknob and turned it gently. The door opened without a sound. He slipped in and sat against the wall. Sasuke held a girl with long back hair to his chest, his hands firmly pressing her to him, to keep her calm.
Sasuke turned his head to acknowledge his son. Onari wasn't aware Takeru was in the room yet. He gestured for Takeru to be really still. "Onari," he said lowly. The girl looked up at him, her eyes wild. He swore he could feel her heart beating out of her chest.
Takeru watched as his father sat down with the girl. Sasuke tightened his grip on her. Should he speak to her? His father pointed to his mouth. He wanted Takeru to make himself known. "Hi," Takeru said softly. He tensed as Onari's head flipped around, alarmed at the voice. His eyes met hers. Onari's eyes were yellow and had a strange black circle around the pupil. Her eyes looked like targets. Takeru gasped.
Hearing the gasp emitted from the boy as a reaction to her, made Onari feel like she wasn't supposed to be there. She brought her hands up and tried to push away from Sasuke so she could flee. His arms were around her so tightly, that she could feel his ribs grinding into her chest. Onari was trying her best to free herself. First it was the lady with white hair, now it was a boy with shoulder-length black hair who was watching her. She wanted to run.
"Onari, he's not going to hurt you," Sasuke said maintaining his calm voice. It was getting harder to keep her still. The long journey home had worn him out. Sasuke's strength was diminishing. "Takeru won't hurt you. He lives here."
Onari breathed hard, eyes and ears alert as she watched the boy. Her heart was racing. The boy wasn't moving. He was merely watching her curiously. She remembered the word Sasuke had said a few days ago. Onari looked up at him. He was looking haggard. "Ta-keh-lu….?"
Sasuke nodded. "Yes, that's Takeru." Onari appeared to stop fighting for the moment. She was watching his son with a newfound alertness. Takeru was watching her, too. Sasuke needed Onari to calm down.
Takeru's eyes softened. Onari was unusual, but she was exotic in appearance. The sound of her voice was light and sweet. She had a cute face, despite the horrible scar that was on the right side. She appeared to have been attacked by an animal of some sort.
"Takeru, are you fine with her," Sasuke asked. His son had this mesmerized look on his face. He had no idea what the boy was thinking. At least, they were both calm for the moment. He loosened his grip on Onari. She didn't move. "Takeru, are you fine with her," he asked again.
"Huh? Y-Yeah," he said, his eyes focused on the girl in front of him.
"I want you to come a bit closer. Do it slowly and try not to stare at her," Sasuke said. If his son could approach Onari, then Takeru would be the first kid to make contact. He had to know if it was possible for the girl to adjust to them – in a different environment such as the Hidden Leaf Village.
Takeru averted his eyes from Onari's unwavering gaze. He started to crawl towards her, slowly. Onari gasped. He stopped and looked up. Sasuke's grip was loosened. She was free to run, hide; do whatever she had to get away, but she was remaining right where she was. "Dad?"
"It's alright, Takeru. I think she's getting used to you. Just don't make any sudden movements. I don't think I could take much more," Sasuke said truthfully.
The boy resumed coming closer to her. Onari kept watching him, tensing a little every now and again. She wondered when he was going to lunge at her, but he never did. Takeru, Sasuke's son, stopped a few feet shy of her. Onari tilted her head, trying to figure out his intentions.
Very slowly, Takeru lifted his hand towards her. The way Onari was acting, reminded him of a stray, abused dog. If he could touch her, he could possibly tame her. She flinched when she caught on to the movement. "I'm not going to hurt you. See? There's nothing in my hand." He kept inching closer.
Sasuke didn't move. It was best if he let the two of them focus on each other and only each other. Onari needed to trust Takeru. Takeru also needed to be patient with Onari. They were both learning about each other at this point. Sasuke watched as Takeru touched Onari lightly on the nose. He held his finger there. Onari didn't move.
"See? I didn't hurt you," Takeru said. "Can you talk?"
"She doesn't speak Japanese well, Takeru. We don't know why, but she relies on body gestures and actions to help her understand what you're trying to say. It's going to be an obstacle teaching her to read and speak properly," Sasuke said.
"So she has no idea what I'm saying?"
"She knows some of what you're saying," Sasuke told him. "We don't know how much she understands. Her mind is alert and I think she's quicker than she's letting on." Sasuke raised his hand, pointing at his son. "Onari, who is this?"
Without averting her eyes, Onari answered, "Takeru."
"Who is the lady with white hair," Sasuke asked her.
"Sasuke lady Izumi," she answered in her broken accent.
Takeru raised a brow. "She talks funny. Why does she have an accent?"
"I have no idea. I never found out where she was originally from. No one knows," Sasuke said. "I need to rest soon. Onari will have to stay with me in here. She's not going to leave my side in an unfamiliar environment. Onari, we're going to ly down."
Onari tilted her head.
"Tell your mom not to try and wake me up, alright? I'll come out on my own. Onari might get past her," Sasuke said.
"Is she really that fast?"
"She runs like you do when you're in trouble."
Takeru blushed embarrassed. Onari was lightening fast, apparently. "I'll tell mom," he said backing out of the room, slowly. His eyes looked at the door seeing past it. That wasn't so bad. She's a bit jumpy. Onari hadn't rejected him. She spoke no cruel words, or made any hostile actions towards him. She was the first girl to accept him without hesitation. It would take some time before they could really get to know each other. Takeru knew he had to be patient at all costs, or risk undoing what his father had accomplished so far with Onari.
"How did it go," Izumi asked. She watched Takeru come out of his shell a little. He smiled a bit as an afterthought occurred. Had it really gone that well for them?
"I think she likes me," Takeru said softly. What was wrong with him? He touched his chest absentmindedly. He felt funny – like his heart was fluttering to life. I wonder what she looks like when she smiles.