V 2 ch 6

Confrontation on the home front!

Onari watched the boy in front of her. They were both staring each other down. Her hard gaze met his – and held. Neji told her to always look an opponent in the eyes. The eyes always told a person's true character. Takeru was the type of boy who took challenges seriously. His eyes told her his guard was up.

Takeru looked at Onari just as serious. He wondered what was going on in her head. That girl had only been living with them for a few months now. Why had she chosen to want to fight him all of a sudden? What was she hiding? "Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to fight me?" Onari didn't move.

Izumi was watching the both of them from the side entrance that led to the garden. She had to make sure they didn't hurt each other. Onari was trying to prove to Takeru that she could do what he could. However, Takeru was taking it very seriously.

"Fine. If you won't come at me, I'll come at you," Takeru said. He started to run at her, arms back. The girl didn't move. Why is she not moving? Takeru came within a few feet of the girl. He was only going to abruptly stop and side kick her to teach her lesson.

Onari saw the boy coming at her. He was quick; she would give him that. However, she had spent three years of her life avoiding snow ninja. He was underestimating her. As Takeru came within a few feet of her, Onari slid her body backwards abruptly, her eyes still focused upon him. She watched as Takeru brought his leg up, kicking where she had previously been. Now it was her turn.

Onari picked up a few rocks. These would work for now. She showed the rocks in her hand to the boy. She wanted him to be aware of what was happening. After all, it wouldn't be fair to leave him in the dark. Takeru had to learn this lesson: She was not afraid of him.

Takeru decided to taunt Onari. "So you're good at avoiding a head-on confrontation. That's interesting." He looked at the rocks in the girl's hand. "If you're thinking about throwing those, I can avoid them easily."

"Takeru not place mouth before eyes," Onari said. She hated for someone to think they knew what move she was going to make. "Legs not always fast. Chakra fast more."

Onari placed a rock in her hand. It immediately glued to her chakra. She showed her palm to the boy with the rock attached.

For a moment, Takeru had no idea what she was up to. However, as Onari focused her chakra flow, the rock detached itself from her palm and hovered in front of it. "Reverse," Onari said. The rock started to spin.

Takeru fixed his eyes on the rock. Onari had learned to change her chakra flow. It was something not easily mastered. "What exactly are you up to?" Just as he asked the question, he saw the girl pivot on her heel. Onari came off of the ground as if she was throwing a ball.

"Back," she said calmly. The rock shot from her palm towards Takeru at an increasing speed. Takeru tried to avoid it by bringing his arm up to guard his face. It hit his arm at full force.

Takeru hollered in pain as the rock struck. He gritted his teeth and held his arm. It was heavily bruised. He looked at Onari with anger. She had struck him. The fire inside of him burned. He couldn't let her get the best of him! "Is that the only trick you know? Throwing rocks is child's play!"

"Boy think Onari play tricks?" Onari narrowed her eyes. She brought her hands in front of her body forming hand seals. She inhaled a ton of air into her lungs and held it.

Takeru's eyes widened. There's no way she can do that! How would she be able to perform that jutsu? It's an Uchiha technique! Sure enough, Onari formed the tiger seal – the final seal needed to activate it. Takeru swore and moved away from Onari as quickly as he could.

Onari tilted her head back. "Fire style jutsu!" It wasn't her objective to hurt Takeru; only teach him to respect her. The fire shot into the air lighting up the night sky. She looked at the bewildered boy – the boy who had underestimated her. "Boy not place mouth before eyes now," she asked coyly.

"How in the hell can you do the same jutsu as me and my father? How is it evenpossible," Takeru demanded. "Jutsus take training!" He didn't understand this girl!

"Onari watch Sasuke," she said defiantly.

"You can't watch someone and do the same technique instantly unless you have Sharingan! There's no way you can have that! It's something only the Uchiha have!"

Onari tilted her head. "What Sharingan?" That was a strange word. Was it a weapon?

"This isn't over! You haven't proved anything to me except that you can avoid an attack and throw rocks!" he was madder than a cat that had been chased all day by a dog. To him, Onari had no skills. She didn't even know how to use the techniques she was picking up.

"Takeru, that's enough," Sasuke said from the side entrance. "Onari doesn't have Sharingan. She didn't learn the fire jutsu instantly, either. It took her several tries. This is still pretty impressive because it took me three days. There is a lot you don't know about her and a lot she doesn't know about you. Both of you are in serious trouble."

"She challenged me," Takeru said through his anger. "You told me to never back down from a challenge! How am I getting in trouble for that?"

"I told you not to back down from a worthy opponent. Onari is highly inexperienced. The mere fact that you two could have injured each other is very obvious. Both of you were trying to prove something to the other and neither of you knew what that was. I will not have you two fighting," Sasuke said with a strict tone.

"I'm disappointed in your lack of judgment, Takeru. Onari, look at me." Onari turned her hard stare away from Takeru to Sasuke. "Your aggression is going to land you in some serious trouble, Fire Bird. I'll have to find a healthier outlet for you, soon. Your time with Izumi during the day is over. From now on, you'll be training every day with Neji. I want both of you inside, now!"

Takeru and Onari went in. Izumi pointed at their rooms. They went in and the doors were shut. Takeru sat on his bed, fuming. Onari was in the next room sitting on her futon, staring at the door.

"Were you going to let them injure each other, Izumi? They can't be taking out their anger like that." Sasuke put his elbows on his legs as he sat on the back porch.

"I was keeping an eye on them, Sasuke. It was a fair test for the both of them. They now know how serious the other is about defending themselves. It didn't escalade until Onari used the fire jutsu. She was trying to out do Takeru," Izumi said sitting next to her husband.

"I understand that Onari wants Takeru to know that she's capable of fighting. If we hadn't of been here and Takeru had let his anger out on her, he could of hurt her. That girl doesn't know the difference between a friendly match and a serious one," Sasuke said.

"It was my fault, too, Sasuke. I kind of knew something was going to happen the way Takeru had resented her after offering to help her," Izumi said as she piddled with her kimono.

Sasuke looked at Izumi. "Takeru offered to help train Onari? Before they fought? You're kidding."

"Takeru was getting stressed about the finals coming up for graduation and I had Onari tell him to do his best. Well, Takeru had the idea to let Onari train under him – that he would teach her the basics before you started training her in the afternoon when you got in. One thing led to another and before I knew it, he denounced what he said. In turn, it made Onari upset. I have no idea what happened, Sasuke." Izumi closed her eyes shaking her head.

Sasuke brought his hands up, putting his mouth against them. He, too, closed his eyes. "How much do you want to bet Takeru took whatever Onari said out of context? That saying, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree', is perfect for this lesson. I know myself; and Takeru acts like me in most ways."

Izumi kissed his cheek. "You acted the same way with me," she said hugging him around his shoulders. The stars were beautifully hanging in the sky as crickets chirped in the garden.

"I know I did. I admit it. You saw right through me, though. You kept giving me chance after chance – no matter what I put you through. I wouldn't change anything as it is, Izumi."

"What is their punishment for fighting anyway," Izumi asked.

"I think they're going to sit in front of each other for a long time tomorrow. Maybe all day if it takes that long to get them to respond friendly towards each other," Sasuke said. He watched Izumi hang her had. "What's wrong with you?"

"I'm a bad parent," she said depressingly. "I let them fight, so I have to take the punishment, too." Sasuke patted her on the back.

"Well, I guess we'll all be sitting tomorrow. I'm a bad parent, too. I knew what Onari was capable of and have neglected to do anything about it. I've been tired up with my team. I've been worried about Ryu's progress over the past few months."

"Is he still not trying?"

"No, he is trying, but there's no determination in him. I may have to demote him like Naruto instructed. The options are running out."

"Does Ryu know he is on a thin wire? Sometimes when we know the consequences, we change to avoid them," Izumi said. She lay back on the porch, propping herself up with her elbows.

"I've had too many personal talks with Ryu for him not to be aware of it. I even went over his head and talked to Kurenai. Kurenai understood Naruto's decision over the matter. She told me Ryu doesn't listen to her – that it was like talking to dead space. If he won't listen to the one person who loves him unconditionally, then why would he listen to me? I'm just his sensei."

"He sounds sad. Ryu has given up on himself. That's the problem. I know you haven't, but what will it take for him to realize that?"

"I can't waste all of my time on him. I have other students and a family to worry about. I need a vacation," Sasuke said.

Izumi rubbed his shoulders. "We can worry about taking a vacation after Onari gets in a few training sessions with Neji. Her aggression needs to be toned down some. I think Neji will be good for her."

Takeru stood in the hallway eying Onari. She was looking back at him, just as hard. He was still upset with her for getting him in trouble with his father. Sasuke's punishments were hard to take. They were either physically or mentally challenging.

Onari narrowed her eyes. Takeru seemed to be holding a grudge against her for last night. "Onari not like Takeru's eyes," she said softly. The boy clenched his fists. He was fixing to yell at her. She knew it.

"Takeru, check yourself," Sasuke said calmly from behind him. "Onari's not putting you down. You know her language is distorted. Before you flare your anger at her, use your head and try to figure out what she's really saying."

Takeru gritted his teeth. He wanted to explode. His father was denying him that. Takeru turned his gaze away from Onari. "She said she didn't like my eyes."

"So what does that mean? Is she saying she doesn't like you as a person or something else entirely? Think, Takeru. You're intelligent. More so, than you realize," Sasuke said.

Takeru crossed his arms. Onari was tilting her head at him – despite the way he was acting towards her. He was pushing her off and she was still standing there, taking it. His gaze softened. Onari not like Takeru's eyes. "She… doesn't like the way I'm looking at her…"

"Good job. Now that you two understand each other a little better, you both can take your punishment. We're all going outside to the garden and sit. That is the punishment for the day. Onari, go outside," Sasuke said as he pointed to the entranceway.

Takeru hated this type of punishment. He had to sit on his legs, hands on his lap, back straight and stare ahead. He wasn't allowed to move until his father told him to, or risk some other form of punishment. He sat down on his legs, hands in his lap. It was going to be a long day.

Onari tilted her head. She pointed at Takeru. "Game?" She wasn't familiar with this at all. Sasuke shook his head. He pointed at her. Then, he pointed at the space in front of Takeru. "Onari sit?"

"Yes, just like Takeru is sitting. This is not a game. It's discipline. You two will sit here and stare at each other until I say it's over. If you two talk, or move, you get to sit longer. To make sure you two do as you're told, Izumi and I will stay on the porch. I have work to do," Sasuke said. He sat down just as Onari did.

Izumi yawned a little. She offered Sasuke something to drink while she kept her eyes on the two kids in front of her. Onari and Takeru were watching each other intently. For a while, neither of them made any sort of movement. Things were going smoothly for the time being. It had already been two hours. Izumi got up to stretch her legs. The punishment was also on her and Sasuke who had to keep their eyes on the kids.

Onari's gaze never left Takeru's. She was looking straight ahead, her eyes intently glued to his. Even when he moved his gaze away, she was still looking at him. Takeru knew they couldn't move their bodies, but they could look around. Why is she so intent on me looking at her? I know she's there. How can I not?

Onari was trying to figure the boy out. He acted a lot like his father, but there was something underneath the front he was enforcing. How come he doesn't act like himself? Takeru is stiff around his parents. Is he not allowed to laugh, or play? She tilted her head a few times.

Sasuke caught her. "Onari, you're not supposed to move. Since you did, you'll be sitting there longer." He sat back looking at the pair sternly. Takeru's facial movement told him he had a problem with what Sasuke said. "Takeru, worry about yourself."

"I can't," Takeru said softly. His father was being unfair. Onari didn't know what they were doing, really. It was also in her nature to tilt her head when she was confused, or didn't understand something. It was the only times she did it.

"Explain to me why you are choosing to get in more trouble," Sasuke said. "I want to know why you are risking making me angry." Sasuke knew what was happening. Takeru, in a mild way, was trying to protect Onari from Sasuke. He didn't know if the boy realized what he was doing, or not.

"You can't punish her for who she is! That's discrimatory and you know it! Onari only tilts her head when she's confused, or curious. She's still learning!" Takeru turned his full attention to his father. Sasuke's hard gaze was matching his.

"Interesting. You're defying me. How original, Takeru. Why are you so concerned about what happens to Onari? It doesn't affect you," Sasuke said attempting to trap his son.

"Someone has to stand up for her! If you won't – the person she trusts the most- then I will," Takeru said angrily. He gritted his teeth, his gaze unwavering. Sasuke's eyes softened. Takeru didn't understand. Where was his extra punishment?

"You're so easy to trap. You fell for it without realizing it. As much as you hate to admit your cares and concerns, you just did," Sasuke said with a sly smile. Takeru's eyes widened. "There is more than one kind of trap, Takeru. Some you can see, others you can't. You just fell for a verbal trap."

Takeru couldn't believe it. He fell for it – hook, line, and sinker. He was equally embarrassed at how much he revealed. Oh, please, tell me Onari didn't understand a word of what I just said! When he said the most inappropriate things in front of the one person he didn't want to hear, he always took the best route of action for a boy his age: Deny, deny, deny!

Takeru slowly turned his head to look at Onari. She was sitting in front of him, tilting her head at him. He thought he was in the clear. Onari's head stayed the same. She was only watching Takeru.

Onari wondered why Takeru had yelled at Sasuke about her. She thought the boy didn't like her all of a sudden. Why was he defending her? Onari came to one conclusion. She lifted her hand and pointed at Takeru. His eyes got really wide. "Takeru like Onari," she said as her statement.

Takeru felt his heart racing. Onari understood what he had said! He couldn't breathe. How was he supposed to deny it? His parents had heard every word!

"Oh, my. Takeru's going into shock," Izumi said as she watched him panic.

"Takeru, breathe," Sasuke yelled.

Onari leapt towards the boy. He was staring at her, but his breathing was stopped. She reached around and hit his back a few times. He sputtered. "Takeru not have air," she said softly.

Takeru lowered his head as he coughed. Once he regained his normal breathing volume, he looked up. Onari was over him, watching him. He blushed. This was the closes they had ever been to one another. Takeru could hear her breathing. Onari's long black hair was touching his face. His eyes were wide.

Onari didn't understand what was wrong. She was trying to help him, but he looked more frightened. "Onari not hurt Takeru," she said softly trying to calm him down. "Takeru not have air."

Takeru couldn't move. His eyes were fixed on Onari. She was defiantly unusual to him, but it wasn't a bad thing. His heart felt funny whenever she was looking at him. The world around him seemed to have stopped.

Izumi and Sasuke were watching the pair curiously. "Is he alright," Sasuke asked. His son was totally fixated on the girl. "Takeru, you and Onari are through with your punishment," he said. He watched as the boy snapped to as he heard Sasuke's voice. Takeru nodded, but his gaze never left Onari. "What is wrong with him?"

Izumi leaned towards Sasuke, whispering. "This is the closest they've ever been to each other. I don't think we'll have any more trouble between them."

"How do you foresee that?"

"I'm female," Izumi said smiling at her husband.

"Oh. Well, if they're fine, I'm going out for a walk. I need to relax with the way things are going on around here." Sasuke got up. Izumi stood up, too, stretching. He kissed her on the cheek tenderly. "I'll be back later. We can go out to eat when I come back. It will do both of them good to leave the house." Sasuke left with his hands in his pockets.