V 3 ch 7

Hesitation and Aggression

"Come on, Daiya, it'll be fun. I promise we won't harass you too much," Takeru said putting his hands up in a prayer. He was watching the boy he had been buddies with on the hot spring vacation. Daiya had opened up a little to him and Ryu. He was trying to get Daiya more involved with him because he wanted to be friends with him. Daiya had always stayed to himself at the Academy. Takeru didn't know why. He didn't know if he was afraid of the other students or if Daiya simply didn't trust anyone.

Daiya Eimino looked at Takeru Uchiha like he was crazy. "Why do you want me around? I don't really know you." He stood with his body tense, gray stormy eyes watching Takeru. Daiya was cautious of the other children. He had spent some time with Takeru on the vacation they took, but he didn't really know the boy. He stayed to himself like he always did in the past.

Takeru opened his eyes to look at Daiya baffled. "I like you. You're a nice guy. Why wouldn't I want you around? You're fun." He watched Daiya simply look at him blankly. There was no emotion on his face. Takeru didn't understand why Daiya was pushing him off. "Why are you so resentful of others?"

Daiya averted his eyes from Takeru. "I don't trust anyone. I have no reason to. And I'm not fun. I'm just myself." He didn't look at Takeru. He didn't know why the Uchiha boy was so nice or accepting of others. He wasn't used to that. No one had bothered to mess with him before. It was just chance that he had been paired with the other boy for the vacation.

"Daiya, in all fairness, you have to give someone a chance sometime. You can't be alone forever," Takeru said. "You are fun. You just don't see what I do." He smiled at him. Daiya glanced at him not understanding. "Come on, Daiya. It'll just be me, you, and Ryu. You know who we are," he said practically begging.

"Begging is pathetic," Daiya said bluntly with no emotion in his voice. "Why are you trying so hard to get me to go? I'm not exciting in any regards." He kept his hard gaze on Takeru.

"Why am I trying? You're my friend. Why shouldn't you go," Takeru said looking at him seriously.

Daiya's eyes softened. "I'm… your friend…?" He didn't know why Takeru had chosen to befriend him. At the Academy, Takeru kept to himself only speaking to a few other students he knew through his parents. Daiya had been found and taken to the Hidden Leaf Village shortly after his mother was killed. No one had bothered to take him in. He had lived on his own for the past seven years.

"Yes, you're my friend. It's not that hard to fathom, Daiya. I thought you were smarter than me. You talk like an adult. I'm not that hard to understand," Takeru said as he watched the boy.

"But… why am… I… your friend..," Daiya asked not understanding at all. He tensed more as Takeru stepped a few feet closer. Daiya watched the boy put his hand out to him. What was he supposed to do?

"Are you that afraid of me? You're older than me, right? I'm not going to hurt you," Takeru said leaving his hand in the air. He figured Daiya didn't understand. Takeru had never seen Daiya touch anyone. The boy from the lightening country avoided speaking to anyone and didn't meet anyone's gaze if he could help it. "You're supposed to shake hands. It's what people do to introduce themselves." Daiya was so cautious; he only stared at Takeru's hand. "Daiya, I promise I won't hurt you. You can fry me all you like if I do."

Daiya looked at Takeru's hand afraid. The last person who had touched him was his mother. She had abused him his entire life. Daiya was worried that if he touched Takeru that there was something else to follow – something bad. He slowly lifted his arm. His hand shook as he tried to force his fingers to outstretch. Takeru was only watching him, giving him a chance. Daiya didn't know if he could do it. He wanted to believe there was someone who did want to get to know him. Was Takeru that person?

Takeru was looking at Daiya's shaking hand. He's completely afraid of me. He's afraid to touch me. Did... something happen to him that causes him to be alone? Takeru made sure he didn't move a muscle. If he did, Daiya would become more afraid. Daiya's eyes were closed. His facial expression told Takeru that he was fighting himself. Come on, Daiya, just grab my hand. I'm not going to hurt you, but you don't know that, do you? I wish I knew why you are so afraid of others.

Daiya was getting angry at himself. He was stronger than this. It was only a hand. He could grab it. You idiot. He's not moving. He's not trying to attack you. Takeru isn't saying anything cruel. He's just standing there. Do it! Daiya swung his arm out to the right of his body then back to the left. Daiya's hand met Takeru's. Takeru was not hurting him. He opened his eyes slowly to look at the other boy.

"Okay," Takeru said smiling at him. He was proud of Daiya. It had taken major guts for him to overstep the boundaries he kept for himself. "You're my friend. And I'm yours." He looked at Daiya sincerely.

Daiya watched as Takeru shook his hand. "Wh-What does.. that mean exactly?" Takeru's hand was warm and had feeling to it. The Uchiha boy's grasp was firm, but not threatening.

"It means that I would do anything for you, stupid," Takeru said continuing to smile at him. "As my friend, it means you're entitled to mess up and get in trouble with me and Ryu." He laughed.

Daiya tilted his head slightly. Takeru was not letting go of his hand. Why is he so nice? I don't understand this type of person. Daiya watched as Takeru turned around. The boy still had a hold of his hand. Daiya slightly blushed.

Takeru pulled him gently. "Come on," he coaxed. "We're going to the river to practice water walking. I don't know how to do it yet. Do you? Ryu's going to train me on it. I'll probably fall in."

‑ Daiya let Takeru lead him. He didn't know where the river was. He mainly stayed in his single dorm room, or he was in a tree staying to himself. He had spent so much time alone that Daiya hadn't thought of exploring the other areas of Konoha. "Water walking? What is.. water walking?"

"It's a technique that lets you balance yourself on the surface of water with your chakra. Ryu knows how to do it because my dad taught him. He agreed to teach me and you. It looks easy, but it's not because water is always moving. You have to learn to adjust your chakra flow with the movement of the water."

Daiya's eyes remained focus on Takeru's hand attached to his. The boy was only leading him, but to Daiya it was something more. Takeru wasn't ashamed to be around him. Daiya absentmindedly squeezed Takeru's hand. He didn't want to be let go. He wanted to know Takeru was really there.

Takeru felt Daiya squeeze his hand. His eyes got a little wide at the surprise of it, but he smiled softly. Daiya didn't really want to be a loner. It was a choice that he had had to deal with. Daiya really wanted attention and to have others around him. Takeru kept his hand attached to Daiya's the entire time they walked to the river.

Ryu yawned softly as he sat on a small boulder, his chin in the palm of his hand. He had been training all morning by himself. His mother was a great Genjutsu user. He felt he needed to be as good as her. It was exhausting. He noticed two figures coming towards him. Ryu tilted his head. So he did convince Daiya to come. Takeru is an interesting kid. Daiya doesn't seem to welcome the idea of anyone getting close to him.

"Hey, Ryu, guess who I have," Takeru said happily. Daiya shrunk back hiding behind Takeru as they stopped. Ryu was watching both of them. "Daiya, Ryu isn't going to hurt you."

"You think he would realize that with us being on the same team," Ryu said. "You don't trust anyone. It's noticeable. I don't mind it, but it will only get in the way of you learning." He watched Daiya give him the usual blank expression he had become to know since the Academy Finals.

Daiya watched Ryu from afar. Takeru was standing in front of him glancing at him. "I'm not afraid of you. I don't understand you," he said seriously. Ryu was odd. He was two years older than Daiya and had free reign for someone with a parent. He didn't understand that at all.

"If you're not afraid of me, come here," Ryu challenged. He was testing Daiya. If the boy couldn't trust him as a team mate, then he wasn't going to be able to do what Ryu asked of him on missions, or during training sessions. He was giving his time freely to them to help them. Ryu watched as Daiya weighed out the situation. He was looking around to see if anyone was hiding out here with them. "No, no one is out here but us," Ryu said. "Come here, Daiya," he said calmly.

Takeru watched as Daiya lowered his head some only looking at Ryu. Daiya was hesitant like always. Takeru was used to seeing him like this. He was the same the entire time at the Academy. Daiya would only do half of his outside training if Kurenai sensei coaxed him a lot. "Ryu is Kurenai sensei's son," Takeru told him. He was trying to make him understand – to help ease the boy.

‑ "You're not a dog and I'm not threatening you. Don't lower your head like a coward," Ryu said calmly. He wasn't advancing towards Daiya or issuing any sort of aggression. "I know you're not used to anyone speaking to you, but you have to understand my position. I'm here to help train you. I'm not here to hurt you."

Daiya slowly walked towards Ryu. Ryu wasn't moving. He was only watching him. Daiya stopped ten feet in front of Ryu. "Better," he asked. Ryu waved him closer. Daiya swallowed. "Why do you want me closer than what I am?"

"How am I supposed to teach you if you can't see what I'm doing," Ryu said. His patience was starting to run out. It was different when he had first met Daiya. He was unknown to the boy, but Daiya had already had quite a few training sessions with Sasuke sensei. They were a team. Daiya had to trust him. "Look, kid, I'm responsible for your existence on the team. The least you can do is come here."

Takeru sweat dropped. "I don't think I would have put it that way, Ryu." He shook his head. Daiya wasn't advancing. Takeru walked towards them. As he did, Daiya's head flipped around to watch him. "Daiya, it's only me. " Daiya's eyes were wide.

"Daiya, don't look at Takeru," Ryu instructed. Daiya looked at Ryu again, but his eyes kept switching back to Takeru's movements. "I know you have trust issues, but it's time you get over them. Takeru is not going to hurt you. Neither am I. Face me like a man and let Takeru approach." Ryu wanted to see if Daiya could follow directions. Takeru was his friend and it was a shame Daiya didn't regard him fully as one.

"B-But," Daiya stuttered. Ryu was the leader of the team. Sasuke sensei had announced it a few days after Daiya had been added. Leaders were responsible for everyone on a mission. Daiya slowly turned around as Ryu's finger pointed to the ground and went in a circle. He had to do what Ryu said. Daiya could hear Takeru moving towards them. His heart was racing anticipating an attack from behind. Daiya closed his eyes; his breathing was quick and shallow.

Takeru looked at Ryu sadly. Daiya appeared to be having anxiety. Ryu shook his head. He wanted Takeru to keep moving. Takeru didn't know about this. Scaring someone wasn't going to help them learn. He didn't know if Ryu was trying to teach Daiya to trust them the hard way or what. Takeru kept walking until he was next to Daiya. Daiya's eyes were closed. Takeru reached for his hand. When his hand came in contact with his, Daiya gasped hard and tensed majorly. "Daiya," he said. The boy opened his eyes and turned his head slowly as if he were being punished. "It's just me."

Ryu got up. He walked over to Daiya and Takeru. Daiya wasn't pushing Takeru off and he was glad for that. He was only watching him. Ryu lifted his hand and placed it on Daiya's head. The boy jumped a little, but it was alright. "See? You have to learn to trust others. Friends don't hurt each other. Enemies do."

Daiya looked up at Ryu slowly. "Y-You.. are .. my friend…?" Ryu nodded. He felt the older boy pet his head. Ryu wasn't hurting him. Neither was Takeru. Friends don't hurt each other. Enemies do. Ryu and Takeru are not hurting me. "Wh-Why..?"

"Why am I your friend? Because it's better to have a lightening user who trusts you than one who doesn't. I don't enjoy electrical shocks," Ryu said laughing as Daiya quirked a brow. "Turkeys smell terrible when overcooked."

Takeru popped his forehead. "Daiya, he's kidding. That's not why. He's only trying to make light of the situation. Ryu is an idiot that way."

Daiya smirked. Ryu was funny. He liked that about the older boy. Ryu didn't like things to be too serious. "So… how much should we cook the turkey?" Takeru started laughing, but Ryu tensed. "Now I made a joke."

"Oh, you just wait," Ryu said looking at Daiya seriously. "Just for that, you can be first." He pointed to the river. "Start trying to walk on it, Daiya Eimino."

Areku sat outside with his father. The situation about how his dad had taken Idai under his wing kind of bothered Areku. He was jealous. Kiba was his father, not Idai's. Idai had Gai. Why was his father finding it necessary to include Idai in everything? There was a reason everyone stayed away from the guy from the sound village. It was because of where he came from. Not to mention that the entire time Idai had been at the Academy, he rarely spoke. The guy kept to himself and never looked at a soul. What was going on in that guy's head? Was he a spy for the sound village? Areku didn't know, but he knew that foreigners couldn't be trusted.

Kiba looked up to see the look on his son's face as he played with Akamaru. The old dog wagged his tail as he rubbed his head roughly. "Areku, what's on your mind?" Areku glanced at him before looking away all of a sudden.

"Nothing," Areku said as he looked away tearing up a stick. He was picking all of the leaves off before he started to crack it in his hands. It helped take his mind off of things. That was one thing. The other was he liked to be destructive. No one cared about twigs and sticks.

"Something is up because you don't usually look away when I talk to you. What is going on with you," He asked as he sat down beside his son. Areku looked away again. That told Kiba that his son was bothered by something. "I can't help unless you tell me, kid."

Areku sighed heavily. He cracked the stick a few times before he answered his father. "Why do you have such a strong interest in Idai?" He was jealous and it showed in his aggressive voice. It disgusted him.

Kiba put his hand on top of Areku's head. "Areku, look, no one likes Idai. I don't know if it's because he comes from the sound village, or because he's as different as can be. There is no reason for any of you guys not to get along. It doesn't matter whose team he's on, you all need to respect each other. If there is hostility amongst the twelve of you, than missions fail and the lives of the people in the hidden leaf village are threatened. We don't train and fight with no purpose. I work hard to teach others how to protect the ones they love. Idai is doing the same."

"Idai is not from our village. Sound-nin cannot be trusted. We were informed about foreigners that we go up against on missions and in battles. I don't trust Idai and I'm not going to lie about it. I have no reason to trust someone who is quiet and cannot look someone straight in the face. He is hiding something. I don't trust anyone that is strange like that. I don't even particularly care for that guy from the lightening country either. He is just as secretive as Idai."

Kiba sighed as he scratched the back of his head. "So you're telling me because someone is different, you won't have anything to do with them?" He looked at Areku with a serious gaze. "I didn't raise you like that, Areku. You need to be more appreciative of the other kids you train with. Everyone that is in training now came from somewhere different – different families- different walks of life. You can't hold it against Idai or Daiya for where they came from. Those two have suffered in the past and did not grow up with a loving family as you did."

Areku looked up at his father, watching him. "Why did they get taken in by people here? Why weren't they taken in by someone in their own country? We've never had foreigners before. Kurenai sensei told us about the other countries surrounding the fire country and how they each had their own agenda. I thought we were supposed to keep our guards up if we were ever attacked and to trust no one. We're ninja."

"Being a ninja doesn't mean we are ruthless individuals, Areku. We all have souls and hearts that abide us in making decisions to benefit the others around us. Idai and Daiya were not fortunate enough to have someone take an interest in them at critical points in their lives. Gai adopted Idai to give him a home. That kid is dealing with a lot under his belt – things I cannot tell you about because I was sworn as his trainer. I don't know too much about Daiya, but his past is just as horrible as Idai's. It isn't fair to hold things against them that you know nothing of, Areku," Kiba said seriously as his father. He didn't want his son to undergo this attitude of his and make it permanent. "You need to be wiser and have more respect for those around you." Kiba knew Shikamaru wouldn't tolerate such behavior out of one of his students.

Areku glanced at his father angrily. "How bad can their pasts be that doesn't let them associate with another person?" He broke the stick in his hands roughly before throwing it aside. It hit the dirt in front of him. He was fed up. No one could give him an answer. He had sought to try and find out more about those two guys, but no one told him anything. They were like some big secret that the village wanted to keep quiet about. He didn't like that at all.

‑ Kiba sighed heavily. "I wish I knew what has gotten into you. You act like you've tried to befriend them and were rejected or something." He caught his son's angry glance before he averted his eyes. "Is that what it is? Who did you try to befriend?"

Areku shook his head. "It's not important. I'm not on a team with either of them and I couldn't be happier about it." He stood up. His father pulled him back down. "Dad, I'm trying to let it go."

"Obviously not since you've let it get to you this badly, Areku," Kiba said sternly. "I don't know why you are worried about either of them. Is it because they are foreigners or because they are hesitant to get to know you?" That seemed to be the key point. Areku's shoulders relaxed. "The reason they are hesitant towards anyone is because they are foreigners in a place they know they aren't being accepted into. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Areku slowly nodded. "I guess so. I'm sorry I've been blinded by jealousy, Dad." He felt his father put his hand on his head. Areku looked up at him, not understanding.

"I know you don't understand. You have a family that loves you and wants you. Those two guys don't. It would be the same if it had been you and you were forced to live in an unknown country with strange people that wanted to get to know you. It would all be confusing and you'd be hesitant as well as guarded to who you could and could not trust."

"So should I keep trying, or not bother?" Areku didn't know which. The one he had tried with was Idai. Idai had looked away instantly when he spoke to him. Areku thought Idai didn't like him, but it wasn't until now, after he thought about it, did any of it make sense. He couldn't remember when he had seen Idai hanging out with anyone at the Academy. He felt silly to regard Idai as an enemy. He supposed his father was trying to reach out to Idai to make him feel more at home since no one had ever done it before.

"I would keep trying, Areku. If they don't recognize that you're trying to be friends with them, at first, they will one day. If you give up that easily on anyone, then maybe your efforts weren't strong enough," Kiba said. "Real friends keep pushing and trying despite the obstacles lay before them." Kiba stood up. "If you have to still get it out of your system, take Akamaru for a walk. He'll appreciate it. You two can cool off a bit before it gets dark."

Areku nodded. "Come on, Akamaru," he said to the old dog. Akamaru walked with him away from the house. Areku supposed he was acting a bit ridiculous about the whole situation. It was no different for anyone that was in the new teams. Everyone had to befriend one another and get along. He knew his father was right. His jealousy over Idai was childish. "Dad's right, Akamaru. I'm being stupid for holding it against Idai. I know I didn't think about what life had been like before he came to live here." Akamaru grunted and talked. "I know I'm being childish. I know I have to grow up." Akamaru grunted and agreed. "Well, now is a good time as any. I don't want to disappoint Dad. I know he likes Idai. He's only doing what is best for him." Akamaru spoke again. "Man, you're as bad as Dad. I understand that. I know I was acting like a child. Get off of my case, Akamaru." Akamaru said something gruff. "You will not! You tell him that and I'll get you for it!" Akamaru said something else. "You do and ‑

I'll tell him where you really were last week when he couldn't find you," Areku said as he narrowed his eyes. The dog retaliated and started to chase him. Areku yelled and ran from him. "Back off, Akamaru! You were asking for it!"

Daiya coughed as he shook the water off of his head. He had fallen into the river quite a few times until he had gotten the hang of water walking. He looked up at Ryu as he instructed Takeru to try harder. Daiya didn't fully understand the two in front of him. They had accepted him without hesitation. It was a first for him. Ryu was an odd sort of guy. He smirked as Takeru fell into the river again. Ryu shook his head at the boy. "Try harder, Takeru," he said softly.

Takeru was trying as hard as he could to balance on the water but it was rather difficult since it moved under his feet. He didn't know how anyone managed to do this. He yelped as he went in again. Takeru's teeth chattered. It was getting rather late in the day for them to keep training like this. "I am, but I can't get the hang of it yet."

"That's what practice is for," Ryu said as he watched Takeru come out of the water disappointed. Takeru was wringing out his shorts. "If you want me to start a fire, I can," he offered.

Takeru shook his head. "No, I messed up so I need to walk home in shame with wet shorts," he said as he looked away. Some techniques took longer than others, but he honestly couldn't get the hang of this one. They had been out here for hours.

"You will get sick," Daiya said. Takeru looked at him. He averted his eyes quickly. It wasn't usually his idea to speak up. "Sorry," he said rather softly.

"Daiya, who do you live with," Ryu asked. The boy from the lightening country looked up, surprised at the question. He looked away ashamed. Ryu didn't understand. Daiya's mood changed all of a sudden at the question.

Takeru noticed what was going on. He walked towards Ryu. "Ryu, Daiya has no family. No one adopted him when he came to the hidden leaf village. So far, me and you are the only friends he has," Takeru whispered. He looked back at Daiya. Daiya wasn't looking at them.

"Oh… I'm sorry, Daiya. I didn't know that," Ryu said apologetically. "If it makes you feel any better, I go home to an empty apartment. My mother is always gone. You can go home with me." Daiya looked at him shyly. "I don't bite. Turkeys don't have teeth," he said pointing to his mouth.

Daiya kept looking at Ryu with a sad expression. He closed his eyes. Daiya took off running away from Ryu and Takeru.

"Daiya, wait," Takeru said as he chased after him. "Daiya!" Daiya wasn't stopping. The boy ran as fast as he could to get away from Takeru. Takeru lost him. Ryu caught up to him. "I don't know where he went." Takeru sighed.

‑ "Did I say something wrong," Ryu asked. Takeru shook his head. "I was offering for him to visit. I know he's cautious of everyone. I didn't think he'd react that way."

"I know you didn't. No one knows what he's been through. I'm really surprised he let me bring him to train. Daiya is secretive for a reason. I just wish I knew what it was," Takeru said. He looked at Ryu. "It's not your fault, Ryu. I can see you're blaming yourself for it."

Ryu crossed his arms as he looked at the ground. "Daiya's on my team. I'm supposed to know about him so I can know what to do in certain situations. It baffles me that your dad doesn't know. "

"Maybe he does. I'm not sure. I'd hate to ask him. If he learns something about a student, usually it's kept hidden from the rest of us for a really good reason," Takeru said unhappily. "I'd like Daiya to smile. He needs to."

"Yes, he does," Ryu said agreeing. "I kind of want the same thing for him. He's a good kid. There's no reason for him not to include himself, is there?"

"Hey, you picked that up from me," Takeru said annoyed. Ryu smiled at him. "Which means… you… listen to me." Ryu nodded. "Man, Ryu, you are a turkey. You have me wondering all of the time if you really pay attention."

"It's my job. It's who I am. That way, you guys have no idea what I pick up," Ryu said laughing a little. "Anyways, it's getting dark. I'll see you later, Uchiha. Go warm yourself up before you do get sick." Ryu waved at Takeru as he walked off.

Takeru smiled a little. He was lucky to be friends with Ryu. Ryu was something else alright. He just wished he could get closer to Daiya. Daiya seemed to be hurting a lot.