A/N: SORRY. Honestly I'm seriously disappointed with how long it's taken me to come out with a new chapter. But do not fear I won't let this story die. Been going through so many drafts and rewrites for the story over the months that I haven't been happy with anything I wrote. However I got some much needed Inspiration at the Naruto exhibition in Osaka, Japan just before Christmas and I'm now quite set on the direction I want to take this story. Hope you like the new chapter even if it's a filler.
The apartment building was a strange bastion of calm from its location in the centre of downtown Konoha. Its large decrepit exterior walls, covered in decades of fly-posting and illegible graffiti, blended into the urban sprawl. Just another 10 story apartment block in a crowded city. The shops and stalls had encroached on all sides, hugging the exterior lower walls like limpets clinging to the side of a ship. From these crowded streets, one on each of the buildings sides, was an archway that tunneled into the buildings heart.
Down these easily missed gated passageways. Passing the discoloured aged walls, caked in posters for movies from years past. You came upon the secret, peaceful space away from the masses. The designer of the apartment building had built it with a large open air courtyard in its centre. The apartments going off the large balconied walkways that circled the square. The thick, tall walls of the surrounding building cutting out almost all outside noise.
All four of the refugees liked it. The structure gave off an air of familiarity, as the architecture was similar to building style back home. Though it had taken some work to get the place to what they considered a habitable level. It seemed that it was near all but abandoned a few years previous to their arrival. When William pressed the locals for the reason behind this, all he got was odd looks and an explanation that the building was haunted by demons. Of course he had heard of the the attack that had occurred five years previous where a great demonic creature attacked Konoha. So he put the locals inhospitable nature towards their new home as part of a complicated coping method.
Even with the apparent dislike for the building among the general population, they knew that they had at least one neighbour. They hadn't seen them and if not for the appearance of extra rubbish bags on collection day, they probably wouldn't of realised at all. William was the first to notice. With 'help' from his charges, he had gone out of his way to ask about their mysterious neighbor on one of the Hokage's frequent visits. In response the hokage had made them promise not to seek out the individual in question. Explaining that the person was shy and distrusting. But would, hopefully, after getting used to their presence seek them out. The children had shouted in dismay that anything interesting was out of bounds and they never got to do anything fun. But they accepted the Hokage ruling on the matter.
This statement that they never got to do anything fun extended to their supposed catch-up work for the coming school year. Since their first meal with their tutor all he'd been having them do is pour over text books. Though learning about another culture and history was interesting. The novelty of it soon wore off. Leading to the eventual whining for more practical and exciting lessons. That was why Farid, Michael and Gry were waiting in the arena like courtyard at the base of the building.
This central courtyard was clearly a ghost of its former self. Though nowhere near as bad as it had been upon their arrival. Thanks greatly to some extra effort being put into cleaning away the years of discarded rubbish. Mostly done through D-rank missions, paid for with the money William received in payment for relinquishing his villages techniques. The groups of disgruntled 'Green' genin getting to grips with rotting garbage and painting the graffiti covered walls. It had taken Once finished, the square was a surprisingly light and airy place. What once was a communal garden, with a small children's play park had become a hard compacted earth courtyard. Though not an aspect that any estate agent would consider a selling . It lended itself perfectly as the ideal training area in the children's eyes. This had led them to seek out Grand-Master William for guidance on their own villages teaching as well as their individual clan's traditions.
As they waited for the tutor to turn up they slowly went through the steps of their individual clan fighting styles. They were slow and carefulas they moved through their respective Kata, putting technique over speed. Key to perfecting any fighting style. Though it had taken getting shouted at by Michael's Grandfather for them to slow down, as well as a few well aimed discarded scrolls getting lobbed out of the higher windows to solidify the point.
They were so focused on getting their stances and footwork right that they never noticed the young Uchiha sitting on one of the lower balustrades that encircled the courtyard on each level. He watched in mild curiosity, dissecting and scrutinizing the childrens techniques. As children go, he thought, they do seem to grasp the concept of their individual styles. Though, like in everything, they needed practice and a lot of it to get the forms down and make their styles a functional, usable fighting technique for the future.
He was rather proud of his little charges. With a motionless shunshin he appeared in front of the group. Causing the kids to hesitate in their stances. This was quickly followed by a started cry as Farid, who had paused in the middle of changing his footing, momentarily forgot to secure his stance and began to topple. He remembered his footing though and steadied himself with a little hop, skip and a jump. Regaining his centre of gravity.
The Uchiha looked them over with a smile as they waited for him to say something. However Nothing happened. The teen just stood there giving them a good look over. Even starting to move round them in an almost searching manner. His smile turning to one of thought.
It was Gry who first broke the silence. Her arms coming to her side as she screwed up her face at her sensei. "What!"
The other two young children stared at Gry for her out bust. But as the Uchiha straightened in the corner of their vision, their attention snapped back to the teen. Their sensei nodded to himself. "First day of school tomorrow." He said casually looking up at the square patch of blue sky above him.
The silence returned momentarily, the only sound being the the wind bouncing off the walls.
"What!" This exclamation now including all three children.
"Yeah. Funny how quickly those weeks have flown by, huh." he grinned at the startled children.
His three students were silent for a moment before the teen heard a hitched intake of breath that made his jaw clench. This was quickly followed by a low sob. In a fraction of a second his three charges had gone from their assured stances to a huddled group. Clutching at each other.
"Hey, hey, hey." the teen said making placating gestures with his hands as he closed the distance between them. Dropping down to a knee in front of them, a little unsure of what to do or say. He didn't get a chance to think though as he was quickly enveloped by his temporary students. Their hands balling into the fabric of his clothing, not wanting to let go.
Carefully he pulled them into an embrace. "Hey there. Whats with all the negativity? You should be excited. Schools gonna be awesome." In answer he could feel their hands tighten. Then it hit him.
He took a deep breath and hugged them a little tighter. " I'm not going anywhere. I'll still visit." He rustled Michaels hair, " I have to make sure you guys aren't soiling my good name and teaching skills don't I."
All three of the children's stifled sobs. Gry gave the Uchiha's arm a punch, "Like we could let you down." Her statement was met with nods as they wiped the tears from their eyes with their free hands. Michael's face came up to meet the older teens, his eye's fixing the Uchiha's.
"You Promise?"
"Promise what?" The Uchiha said innocently.
"You promise, your not leaving us?" Michael said uncertainly, his eyes searching the older boys.
The Uchiha placed a comforting hand on Michael's shoulder. "As long as it's within my power to keep this promise. I Promise I will never leave you. Any of you." he said in his best assuring voice, his gaze traveling amongst the now bright upturned faces of his students.
"Good." Michael said happily. "A promise is sacred. If you don't keep it let the darkness come for everything you love."
The Uchiha's eye twitched as he stared, "That's a rather dark threat Michael. Where did you hear that?"
The boy shrugged as his gaze dropped. "I… well…. My cousin used to say it all the time."
"Well then I better keep my promise then." The teen said grinning, untangling himself from their grip. Standing up he suddenly clapped his hands. Forcibly dragging the children's attention to the present.
"Now. School. First impressions are important so I think we need to find you lot some good, practical clothes for school." His statement made the children look down at their current cloths.
"Whats wrong with these?" Farid asked, gesturing to to washed out sets of second hand generic cargo shorts and t-shirts all three had been wearing since their arrival in konoha.
"Nothings wrong with them." The teen said, "But school is a chance to express yourself. As well as the fact all the training and work your going to have to do will put your cloths through hell. You're going to need something robust and stylish." The Uchiha continued, a gleam in his eye.
There was a brief moment of silence as the teen stared almost longingly into space. "Were you forced to wear something to school Uchiha-san?" Gry asked curiously with a smile. In response to which the Uchiha grimaced, kissing his teeth in disgust as his memory briefly flicked back. "Y-e-s." He said slowly, " Just be glad you get to choose."
They nodded.
"So," Michael said looking from his friends to his sensei, "Are you taking us shopping then?"
"Of course. How else am I gonna live out my epic childhood clothing fantasies through you otherwise?"
All three children visibly inched away from the teen.
Hiruzen knocked firmly on the apartment door as the winter air made his robes flutter. From behind the door he heard a cry of 'Enter'. With a smile the Hokage reached out and opened the door. The elderly man however paused in the doorway as the flat was filled with people. More specifically, copies of a single individual. The clones were diligently filling out scrolls and books, there faces screwed up in looks of painstaking concentration. Mentally shrugging the hokage asked the collective, "Is the real Takahashi-san available?"
One of copies collected up his stuff and placed them on a over laden coffee table. Like all the copies, this Takahashi was dress in a set of standard Konoha shinobi trousers and top. Brushing himself off he smiled at the Hokage and began negotiating the minefield of clones, scrolls and writing supplies strewn over the floor.
"Be right with you." Said, what the Hokage presumed was the original Takahashi.
In a moment the Takahashi in question had made it over to the door. "Sorry for the mess. If you'd like to follow me I can take you to William-sama."
Without missing a beat the hokage nodded and moved aside for the clone who nodded his thanks as he headed out the door and along the veranda. As the clone guided the Hokage up to the roof they walked in silence. The hokage unsure if their conversation would be transferred to the original and the clone not wanting to initiate a conversation out of respect.
It wasn't long till they negotiated the stairwells to the roof. Opening the access door to the Tower blocks flat roof, they covered their eyes from the morning light. Closing the door behind them, it didn't take them long to find the original Takahashi. The man who had to rely on children for his protection. The man who had broken at his countrymen's funeral. Was gone. The Man in front of the small group was an image of determination and zeal that the Hokage rarely seen besides from a certain green spandex wearing shinobi. The aging gentleman in question was in the middle of a hanging sit up. His chest bare and moving with deep steady breaths. The Hokage looked on with a mild curiosity. Compared to the slightly hunched civilian looking man he'd met in the hospital only a few weeks ago, Takahashi was a changed man. His figure had bulked up and his muscle deterioration seemed to of been thrown into reverse.
For the first time Hiruzen was able to see the history of the man's life written in his very skin. Every scar, every blemish left on the mans skin was now easily visible. It was like looking into a mirror for the Hokage seeing another man whose body painted a story of countless battles. Hiruzen coughed causing the Takahashi to stop mid sit up before letting himself dangle to gaze at his small audience.
With a flick of his legs he kicked himself off the pull up bar he'd been using. "Hokage-sama if I'd known you were coming I would have met you down stairs. My apology for my appearance." William said with a small bow.
"I've told you more than enough times Takahashi-san, there's no need to be so formal all the time."
The Hokage's statement was met with a smile, "How can I help you Hiruzen-sama? Your earlier than usual for our regular chats."
"Indeed I am." The Hokage walked passed Takahashi. The other aging warrior falling into step beside him while his clone took its leave, heading back down stairs. "I was wondering if you could tell me about some of the abilities unique to the families and clans of your village. Specifically those which concern the children under your care." The Hokage felt the other man tense a little at his demand and so continued to put his mind at ease. "I know you have purposely avoided the topic to protect them from unsavoury attention. But I must ask for these details now as they start class tomorrow and a better understanding of each of the children's abilities. If they have any that is. Will help them in the long term in their studies."
They stood on the edge of the roof looking over the village. "I'm also guessing that members of the council are hard pressed to hold back their curiosity for much longer?" Takahashi asked, his gaze never leaving the view in front of him.
The Hokage grasped his hands behind his back as he grimaced, only for the briefest of moments. "There is no hiding anything from you is there? But yes. Members of the council are deeply interested in you and the children since you medical files were made available."
Takahashi sighed, "I'm not surprised by these turn of events. It was inevitable that they wouldn't be able to hold back their curiosity. I'd only hope that I had more time to weave my smoke screen to protect them better."
Hiruzen cooked an eye brow at his companion. "You've been dumping so much tantalising information on us in the hopes that, when information about the children became available, it would be buried or missed." The Hokage nodded thoughtfully to himself. "I've used that tactic myself." They shared a smile, "It's clever but it doesn't work with the most fixated."
Takahashi grimly nodded knowing the flaw in his plan. "What I propose however," The Hokage continued, "is for you to relinquish the information concerning the children directly to me. I will then make available a censored version to slate people's curiosity. The actual information I will only pass on on a need to know bases."
The bare chested man laughed, not that there was any humor in the Hokage's words, but in relief. "You Sir have been playing this game far longer than I gave you credit for." He leant against the roofs railing, peering down Into the crowded shopping street below. "So what would you like to know?"
A couple of streets over three children struggled to keep up with their tutor.
"Uchiha-san where are we going?" said one voice as the three nimble children ducked and weaved their way through the people that meandered in the street.
"To find you lot some decent clothing of course." Answered the teen as jogged and leapt along the 2nd floors of the shops above his charges.
"You told us that! But Where are we going? We've pass loads of shops already." Shouted Michael before having to slide through the open legs of a window cleaner, upturning the mans bucket and startling him. "Sorry."
"You can't just buy any clothing. With shinobi equipment it's better to invest in a good store. Especially now. It's not uncommon for ninja to buy the majority, if not all there equipment from a single store." The Uchiha scratched his cheek, "If you find a good store now and get to know them, as they do you. They'll be able to tailor your clothes and equipment to better suit your needs. So," he threw a smile over his shoulder at them. "I'm taking you to one of the best."
They traveled for a another couple of minutes before, seemingly at random the teen hopped off the wall and landed at the entrance of a small ally. He waited patiently. His small charges scurrying through the crowd to catch him up.
"You situational awareness has come on leaps and bounds." He grinned at the panting children. Which in turn was greeted by mixture of scowls and grins. The Uchiha didn't give them time to retort as he turned and walked down the alley way. The children hurrying after him.
The alley was dark and confining, moisture clinging to the graffiti covered walls. Combining this with how the buildings on either side loomed over the small group. It gave the passageway a subterranean feeling. It didn't take them long though to make their way towards the light at the other end. Stepping out they were greeted with a street like any other in Konoha. But on closer inspection there were key differences. Firstly, the shops on the street seemed decades older than the buildings on the streets they had traveled through earlier. While secondly, the street didn't seem to lead anywhere. At both ends the road was dissected by what appeared to be the back ends of more modern buildings. There bare wood and painted concrete walls cutting across the roads path, turning what seemed at first to be a street into an isolated rectangular square.
Seeing the quizzical yet surprised looks on the children's faces he put on his best teaching voice. "This street is one of the oldest surviving streets in the village. However the surrounding streets, particularly the streets that it joined at either end, were destroyed during past wars. When the streets at either end were rebuilt however. The new buildings were enlarged and a decision was made to cut this street off from the main shopping streets." He said pointing at the large buildings now dissecting the cobbled street. "Leaving us," He grinned putting his hand on his hip, "with a secret square of Awesome Shinobi shops."
The Children grinned and looked about with new excitement. However a moment later Gry slowly clampe. Her gaze over cast and distant. She then snapped back. Her body instantly slipping into her tiajutsu stance. The other two children followed her lead. Taking up a rudimentary defensive positions around Gry.
The Uchiha looked on curiously at his charges actions. It wasn't long however till he clocked what Gry had felt.
The Uchiha shook his head, never losing his smile, "Ferret. Please stop scaring the children."
To the children, the ANBU operative seemed to appear out of thin air at their temporary guardians shoulder. Their Ferret mask staring at them blankly.
"You get demoted while I was away?" A voice rang out from beneath the porcelain like mask as they turned their cold gaze from the children to the Uchiha.
"Of course not. Though it's nice to feel like a genin again. Loads more freedom. But no sadly. I'm however currently on assignment." The Uchiha looked over at his friend. "We'll catch up later ok?"
The emotionless face of the ANBU looked from his friend and colleague to the three children. "Interesting." He stated to no one in particular before getting ready to leap away.
From amongst the children a stifled meow was heard, making the ANBU pause. Bringing his attention back to the children. He noticed for the first time a small feline face peering over the shoulder of the shorter of the two boys. He cocked his head at the kitten. The feline mimicking his actions with a curious gaze. The ANBU's white mask turned slightly from the feline to the boy who was carrying it.
The Uchiha looked between them, "You two ok?"
"Hmm." The ANBU looked back at his friend. "Nothing." Without any motion the ANBU shunshined away.
The Uchiha looked off in the direction that the children presumed the stranger had travel in. 'Strange' he thought. Before he grinned, clapping his hands together.
"So Shopping. The shops in this street are for shinobi use only. You have to have a valid ID, your headband or, In your case, a shinobi with you to get into the stores here. Let alone buy anything." The Uchiha started walking, closely tailed by the three children. "As I mentioned before it's best to build a rapport with a shopkeeper here now at your age. As they'll be able to customise your clothing and gear with efficiency as you solidify your skills and focus in on your chosen techniques. But also more importantly they'll keep your fighting style and techniques, that you'd need customised gear for, a secret."
The teen had been shown the children's files on the first day he started training them. Though there was very little information, with most of what was official information being conjecture at this point. He knew. More than anyone their own age from shinobi families, that they needed specialised gear. If not now, then definitely latter in life.
Passing a few shops. The children trailing behind a little as they stopped to stare at the range of cloths and weapons on display in the windows. The teen stopped in front of one of one of the oldest looking stores. It's exterior was well worn by the elements. A large engraved brass sign above the door faded and buffed out a little from constant polishing. The children gazed up at it, making out what it said.
Michael pressed his face against one of the windows, his breath condensing on the glass. "Is this it?" He asked as he ogled a set of strange armour displayed in the window. His question hung in the air however. Pushing his face away from the glass he looked around to noticed his friends and tutor were gone. His gaze scanned the street as he turned on an axis. Starting to worry that he'd been left. Pressing his face against the window again he gazed passed the display, glimpsing parts of the shop interior. 'Maybe they've gone inside.' He thought before a sharp whistle grabbed his attention.
He looked over to see Gry's head sticking out of a door stuck between the shop he'd been gazing into and the one next door. "What are you waiting for Bakka?" She shouted playfully. The boy quickly ran over, kicking up dust off the road. Gry shook her as she ducked back inside. Just inside the door was a steep staircase which, due to the two's stature, forced the Gry and Michael to all fours as the scrambled up the stairs like puppy's trying to race to the dinner bowl. The two shoving each other as they careered into another door on the small landing at the top of the stairs.
The door swung open and the two rolled into the room. Their progress halted as the scruff of their shirts were caught. Dragging the to sheepish children.
"... These two as well. " The Uchiha continued.
"I see." said another voice the Grey and Michael didn't recognise. Taking stock of their situation, the two looked round for the owner of it.
The young man in the room stood leaning back against a counter top. He gave the children tight smile, his lips pulled tight into a white line on his face. "Energetic aren't ya." The man was wearing a pair of slim grey trousers with a matching waist coat. Under the waistcoat he wore a rolled up white shirt. The heels of his black high gloss shoes clicking against the counter as he shifted his stance.
"They start at the academy tomorrow." the Uchiha answered for them letting go of Michael's and Gry's collars. Both giving him an unpleasant look.
"Oh." He said realising the Uchiha wasn't the customer, but the children. "So you brought them here?" The shop owner asked quizzically. "I make clothes and equipment for licensed Shinobi. Not kids." He gave the Uchiha a frown, "And what are you doing with a pack of rugrats anyway Shisui?"
The Uchiha took a deep breath to begin his retort when an angry accusation came from his left. But he didn't quite catch it before it was muffled. Looking down the teen saw Michael struggling with Gry, one hand clamped over her mouth as he wrestled her flailing arms.
"And that's why I don't work with kids." the owner said sweat dropping, as his head cocked to one side.
"Erm, Sir?" a voice said next to the shop keeper, snapping the man's attention away from the brawl beginning in his shop. The man looked down with an annoyed, but curious look, meeting the gaze of the third child.
"We came to you because we were told that you were the best. From what Uchiha-san has told us we'd," Farid gestured to himself and then at the two getting split up by the teen, "like to open an account with you."
The owner sighed before crouching down to the kids level. "That may be so. But I trade on my reputation. And making kids clothing isn't the image I want to give to people."
"Not even for a clan head?" came a voice from the doorway.
The group looked over the shock of brown hair was unmistakable. "Inuzuka-san your early." The owner said looking over, nodding his head in acknowledgement. "I wasn't expecting you till this afternoon. Your order is ready if you want to look over them now?" He asked as he made his way to round the group. Turning his back on the kids and their chaperone.
"Hayato!" The Inuzuka matriarch literally barked. Making the young man halt in his tracks. His hair standing on end at her tone. "Do I have to tell your father that you've been so narrow minded as to turn away probably the richest clients you ever had in your store?"
Hayato, for that was the young man's name, composed himself for a moment before turning to meet her gaze. "I don't care about a potential customer's wealth. This is purely a matter of principle." Hayato turned to the small group next to him, bowing his head in an apologetic bow. "I'm sorry. I can not take you on as customers at this time. I hope you understand."
The sound of someone kissing their teeth bounced off the wood panelled walls. "Then I will be closing our account." Tsume said taking a step into the room with a look of regret on her face.
This simple statement made the young mans head snap round so quickly, the children looking on thought he might dislocate his neck. "Your joking. You wouldn't spoil our working relationship for three mere children." Though he said it with confidence. His eye had a slightly wild look about them. Reminiscent of prey who knows a predator is circling.
"Try me your petty little brat." She almost growled out. The air getting physically heavy with killer intent.
Hayato's face visibly twitched as he thought over his options. It wasn't worth losing such a presidus client such as Tsume over making clothes for three kids. But it wasn't just that at stake. The Inuzuka clan head had used the word 'Our', not 'Mine' or 'My'. She hadn't been just talking about her personal account with him, but her clans account. It would damage him financially for sure, but the hit to his reputation would destroy him. His face twitched again before his posture slumped a little in defeat. "There's no need for such drastic measures." He looked back over at the group silently watching in awe. "Right. Who want to get measured up first?"
It wasn't long till all three of the children had been measured up. During the process Hayato inquiring about fighting style and techniques each child favoured. With everything noted, he was hunched over his desk sketching out designs. While he worked the three children and two shinobi sat, spread out over two leather couches chatting and watching the man work.
"So you're the kid assigned to get these pups up to date. Uchiha Shisui isn't it?" Tsume asked, picking something out of her teeth as she fixed the Uchiha with a glare. "I was expecting someone…." She paused, "Older."
The Uchiha smiled, "You're not the first person to say that." He leant forward and grabbed a glass of water off the coffee table placed between the two facing couches. "Thank you by the way." He took a sip, his gaze going down to the glass as his hand swirled the liquid. "Hayato over thinks everything. I don't think I could of convinced him to change his mind without you stepping in."
Tsume shrugged, "It was lucky I came by then."
"When you made Hayato-San nearly wet his pants." Michael said, which was quickly followed by an angry rebuff from a back room. "You alluded that you had a clan account. Why's that?"
Tsume sank into the couch, getting comfortable. "Hayato maybe a brat at times," Another muffled cry of indignation from the same back room. "He's probably the best tailor and custom equipment maker in a generation. Maybe even two generations." She paused stretching her legs out a resting them on the coffee table, "He's also never happy with just sitting still and is always developing new things."
"And the clan account?" Michael probed again.
"Hm," Tsume fixed him with a gauging look. "Oh. My clan are tracking and scouting specialists. We seek out the enemy on our own or in small teams to carry out our missions." She than hooked a thumb under the arm hole in her flak jacket. "Hayato excels at experimental armour and has a developed a replacement for the standard Konoha shinobi Flak jacket. Which," she grinned, "Has saved clan members countless times."
"I'm glad you believe in my work so much Tsume-san." Hayato said slipping out of the back room, arms laden with cloth.
"Seeing is believing Hayato."
"So what's so special?" Asked Gry, her head cocked to one side in curiosity.
"Well." Hayato said as he dumped the stack of cloth on the counter before fishing something out from a cupboard underneath it. He held up a rather beaten and chard flack jacket. "This is a standard issued flak jacket. Of the kind presented to you when you gain the rank of Chunin. If you may humour me Tsume-san."
The Inuzuka shrugged and produced a kunai out of her thigh holster. She tossed it without much effort at the vest. With a dull thunk the blade sank into the he material. Hayato grabbed the blade at where the material came up to and pulled it out. Holding it out to the group he showed that the blade had sunk nearly the entire blade length into the vest. "At best the ninja wearing this vest would be incapacitated by such an attack." He put the vest on the counter along with the kunai. Again he fished another jacket out of the counter, holding it up for the group. The children couldn't see any physical difference between the one on the counter and the one in Hayato's hands. "This one is my 2nd generation flak vest made to my own specifications." As he continued he unzipped the jacket and put it on. He then went to zip it up and failed as the zip failed to close past his stomach. Much to his embarrassment and his grumbling's of, "Blasted thing fit last month." Turning away from the the group, which were now stifling giggles and full blown laughs. Hayato finally zipped it shut. Breathing a sigh he turned back, his mouth already open to give Tsume the same instruction. However he barely opened his mouth when he had step back.
Shisui had body flickered from the couch. His tanto was driving into the man's gut with enough force to drive Hayato back against the counter top. The shop's owner was bent over the blade, the breath driven out of his chest a bit. There were startled intakes of breath from the children, Michael even leaping to his feet. Tsume however had a hand over her eye's, "Bloody dramatics." He mumbled.
Hayato and Shisui stood up straight. The store owners eye twitched as he met the appreciative look of the young shinobi. "I wasn't ready dumbass." Hayato said coughing a little.
The teen however shrugged as he kept jabbing the blade into the vest. "The vest was."
Seeing the man unhurt was akin to a magic trick for the three children, who scramble to get a closer look. Where the tanto had been stabbed into the vest there was a small gash. With Shisui putting his blade away, the children's fingers seeked out the cut left by it in the vest. Their small fingers prodding and prying at the cuts to see how deep they were. None were deeper than a millimetre, the cuts only seeming to get through the top treated canvas layer before its journey had been stopped.
There were amazed intakes of breath as they looked upon their tailor with a new sense of respect. "I want one. I want one. I want one" they chorused patting the vest.
The shop owner grinned as he straightened with a grin. He ruffed the nearest child's head, only to pause when he felt two objects buried in the mess of hair. Before he could inquire something bit his hand. With a startled shout he yanked his hand back with a speed that put Shisui's body flicker to shame.
The group had mixed reactions. Shisui chuckled A little nervously. Tsume got to her feet to see what happened. While Gry and Michael closed in around Farid protectively. However it was Tsume who spoke first. "That wasn't with you in the hospital!"
On top of Farids head, standing between the boys now revealed, flattened feline ears was Sia'dia. Back arched and hackles up, her whole body puffed up like a small black cloud. Farid looked up from his embarrassed downturned gaze. First to Tsume then at Hayato. "Sorry. She's just overpro-tect-ive." The boy said a little unsure if he said the last word right.
While he was apologising, Tsume edged nearer. Her gaze was locked on the young feline, a mixture of triumph and curiosity etched on her features. Her advance was only halted when Gry intercepted her. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing." She said like a child caught doing something they weren't supposed to. Gry gave her a questioning, accusing look.
The woman maneuvered past the girl, Gry's stare burning into her the entire time, reaching Farid. Who was still apologising to Hayato. The two apologising to each other in a never ending circle of blame ownership. Sia'dia was the first to notice the Inuzuka's presence. Her head turned to see the tattooed face of the woman barely a foot from her own. The cat didn't however run, jump or hide from this strange woman. She sat. Looking the Tokubetsu Jonin up and down, before meowing in greeting. This brought Farids attention to Tsume. "You ok Tsume-sama?"
Tsume looked at the kitten with utter fascination before looking down at the boy it was riding. "I'm fine." She waved him off. "However I want to see your kitten for a checkup at my compound after school tomorrow. She needs to be registered." She stretched and turned on her heel. "I better be off. I'll send some genin round to collect the goods Hayato." She said walking towards the exit.
Everyone watched her go with mixed reactions. Hayato was however the first to gather his thoughts as he produced a small red box from under the counter. Placing it down with a metallic clunk against the wood of the counter. Opening it up he slipped out a plaster for his hand. "Now that there's one less person to worry about. And before I get attacked again. Let's see to your clothing situation."
Hayato wasn't the happiest of people. He could be really grumpy at times. His current mood however had ticked past grumpy to down right angry frustration. He was the prodigy of the shinobi equipment scene, but this meant nothing to his current task as he desperately inspected a stitched piece of fabric.
Foolishly after measuring his new clients he'd boasted that he'd have there clothing done by the end of the day. Even though he had nothing in their sizes or items he could easily customise to their individual needs. Within an hour of them leaving with the teenager in search of school supplies, Hayato was frustrated. Within three hours he was angry and at the four hour mark he was throwing things around his back room studio.
He had the material and the skill, but time wasn't on his side. His rush over this project was causing him to make silly mistakes he hadn't made in years. This was why he suddenly, with conviction, put his work down and closed up shop. Making his way down stairs he locked the door and walked down the street.
Hayato however didn't go far, only a few steps in fact. He stopped in front of the equipment shop directly under his. The shinobi armour in a style fazed out decades ago sitting in the window. A child's face size smudge on the glass in front of it. The young man sighed and pushed the door open.
Inside was well stocked. From floor to ceiling, shelves heaved with gear of all shapes and sizes. Wooden mannequins stood in small alcoves between the shelves displaying a range of uniforms and shinobi outfit in various styles. Hayato made his way inside hesitantly. Eying up the clothing and equipment on display. Searching the shelves he started picking out items of clothing that would fit the needs of the three children.
A gruff cough caught his attention though after a few minutes of silently rummaging through the vast selection of items. Straightening himself the young man turned to the source of the cough. A middle aged man stood in the centre of the room in a traditional Kimono. He fixed Hayato with a stern look from under large bushy eye brows.
"Hayato." Stated the man, looking the relative boy over. His gaze focusing on stack of cloths in the young man's hand. "You avoid me for months and now. All of a sudden. I find you in my store, going through my products." He paused for a moment, "I thought you said my stuff was unoriginal and old fashioned? Had a change of heart?"
The young man grinned sheepishly. "Well you see…" He started looking between the cloths in his arm and his rival shopkeepers eyes.
"From the clothes you've picked out there's kids involved. My Grandkids on the horizon." He smiled a glint in his eye's.
"Otōsan." Hayato sighed. "No. But I do need some help with some customer orders."
Hayato's father shook his head with a chuckle. "Mister High and mighty coming for help. I better get the kettle on if you've fallen so low." He laughed as he turned then walking away.
The odd group returned to the store laden with everything Shinsui deemed necessary for their first day of school. They sidled up to the Hayato's door bags pulling on the aching arms. Seeing a closed sign the Uchiha knocked. The glass window in the door rattled as the closed sign bounced with the vibrations as the door rattled in its frame.
A short while later Hayato made an appearance. Making his way down the stairs looking worse for wear. He opened the door with a tired frown, ushering them in. They climbed the stairs and entered the store properly and collapsing on the couches. Their tailor strolling in shaking off some of the stiffness in his muscles.
"I did what I could. As I said when you came in. I don't deal in kids clothing." He made his way over to the counter, collecting some bundles and returning to the gathered group. He handed the bundles to Michael, Gry and Farid. "I was able however, to put together something for you to I be getting on with. Think of these as a prototype. If you like them I'll produce more."
The kids ripped into the bundles of clothing holding up the cloths against themselves. Hayato and Shinsui smiled at there enthusiasm as they laughed in delight at their new cloths. "There's a changing room in the corner." Hayato smiled nodding to a door in the corner. This was all the encouragement the three needed as they ran off, the changing room door slamming behind them.
A short time later they filed out shoving each other playfully in their excitement. Michael was dressed in a pair of black shinobi style pants with matching black shinobi sandals. He wore a plain white t-shirt over which he had a light grey hooded jacket. He grinned turning to show the Uchiha and Hayato the back of his jacket. Stitched onto the back was the form of a dark grey 'cross potent' surrounded by two roses. Shinsui nodded in appreciation giving Hayato a glance.
Gry was bouncing on her toes, going through katas trying to get a feel for her new outfit. Like Michael she wore the children's version on the standard shinobi sandals, though in a navy blue. Her outfit consisted of a pair of Tan coloured cargo shorts, the edge of short, skin tight, midnight blue spats peeking out below the end of the loose shorts. Again, like her friend, she wore a white t-shirt over which she had a dark blue, zip-up, hoodie. She lashed out at the air with a high kick, testing the flexibility of the material.
Farid had moved straight to the couch, holding Sa'dia in his arms close to his chest. Like Michael he wore the standard shinobi footwear matched. He wore a pair of grey shinobi pants that ended mid calf, showing an under layer of mesh armour that continued to his ankles. Over his torso he wore a long sleeve white t-shirt. This however was hidden underneath a large midnight blue hoodie, which made the small boy look even smaller. To finish it off he wore a dark green sash round his waist.
Hayato sat on one of the couches watching the children. He had a contented smile on his lips as he nursed a hot cup of green tea he'd fetched while the children had scrambled to get changed. Shinsui sat with warming his hands on a cup of tea as well as he watched the children.
"You got your father involved didn't you. I recognise some of his academy clothing range, even after your modifications." Shinsui said with a grin. "Not the independent business man you like to make out, huh?"
The older male shot him a scowl. "You gave me what? Just over eight hours? I don't magic clothing out of thin air you know." He had to suddenly steady the hot cup of tea in his hand as he was shoved playfully by the teen.
"I'm only playing with you. I knew I put you between a rock and a hard place with the deadline we set." He broke away from the conversation, skirting round the sofa and coffee table to correct the three children's foot work. As the two boys had taken their friends lead in testing their movement in the new clothing. Everyone in the room grinning in happiness.
A/N: I'm aiming to get another chapter up as soon as I can. I know how frustrating it is when you want to know what happens next and you're waiting on the author for an update.