V4 ch4

Sleepover

Daiya turned over onto his back. He rubbed his eyes. He yawned hard. How long have I been asleep? Daiya opened his eyes. Idai was watching him. "Idai? Have you been there the whole time," he asked hoarsely.

"Yeah, pretty much. You were really tired. It's been a few hours since you fell asleep," Idai said. He watched Daiya stretch. "Daiya, you know, they are concerned about you." He watched his friend look away. "I wish you wouldn't fight them. They are trying to help you. I heard Takeru's mom crying over you." Daiya looked at him again with a sad expression. "It wasn't that you had her upset. It was your – the woman who gave birth to you. Ms. Izumi is furious over that woman hurting you. She wants to kill her."

Daiya looked down. "I don't understand why she approaches me when I am angry, or goes out of her way to do things with me. I don't know why Sasuke sensei wanted me to live here. I don't get Takeru's infatuation with me or why Onari clings to me at certain times."

Idai cocked his head. "Daiya, it's because they want you." Daiya looked up at him quickly. "Ms. Izumi wants to be your mom. Sasuke sensei wants to protect you – give you a reason to continue on living. As for Takeru and Onari, they want you as a brother. When I talked to Takeru, he was down hearted. He likes you. He wants to be around you, as much as, his friend Ryu. I'm not trying to get you to change. You need to be who you are. Just open your eyes a little more."

"It's hard to believe those things," Daiya said. "No one wanted me when I first came to the Hidden Leaf Village. The ones who brought me here knew I had a temper – knew what happened to me. They couldn't find a home for me. I've been on my own for most of my life. The only adults I knew were that horrible woman who gave birth to me and the men that came over to stay with her. None of them concerned themselves with me. Sh-She used to lock me in a box in a closet, Idai. If I made a noise when someone was over, she'd open it and cut me," Daiya said as his voice shook with horrible memories.

Idai cupped Daiya's face in his hands. He wished he could erase his awful past. "Daiya, stop. Stop," he said gently. Daiya was getting upset. "I can't change the past – only the future. If the future is bright enough, the past vanishes eventually. We're trying to make it better for you. Please don't push us away. You're the first real friend I've had. I love you to death, lightening bug."

Daiya looked at Idai slowly. "Y-You love me…?" He had never heard those words before. Idai nodded gently. Daiya's gaze remained focused on Idai's orange eyes. Both of them came from people who had tossed them out like garbage. It was probably why Daiya felt close to him. "Idai, what is…. Love….?"

Idai looked at Daiya sadly. Daiya had never had those feelings. Idai knew what it was because of Gai. Gai showed him all of the time by doing things with him and treating him like he was his own son. "Sit up, lightening bug." Daiya didn't know where he was going with this, but he did as Idai asked.

"Love is a funny feeling you get in your chest. It's different for everyone and is kind of hard to explain. It feels like your heart is leaping out of your chest. You feel warm all over, too. It's also a gesture, or an act displayed upon you by someone. Such as this," Idai said as he hugged Daiya hard. He kept his arms around him. "I love you because you're my first real, true friend. You've never been cruel to me or hurt me intentionally. For that, alone, I thank you."

Daiya slowly brought his arms up to wrap them around Idai. He blinked realizing something. Idai had never talked ill of him at the Academy. "You were really trying to get close to me the whole time. That's why you stopped me in the hall at the finals. That's why you picked me out of everyone when we played Hana Ichi Monmei. You… the whole time… were trying to get my

attention and… I kept pushing you off." Daiya body tensed. He hugged Idai so hard, the boy gasped. "I'm an idiot, Idai. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

"Can Idai stay the night," Takeru asked his parents. "Please? Daiya will behave. He's already acting differently." Takeru was hoping by Idai staying, that it would take the tension out of the air with his parents. His mother was confining herself to her room. Sasuke was hesitant about the idea.

"I shouldn't let him on the grounds of Daiya's misbehavior. However, I know how you operate, Takeru. I think you're trying to defuse the situation." Takeru tilted his head. He was caught. "Takeru, Gai has to give Idai permission. You also need to ask Onari and your mother."

"Mom, can Idai stay over? If Daiya acts up, I'll set his pants on fire," Takeru said smiling. "We can change his name to the Bar-B-Que-nin."

Izumi tried to force back a laugh. Takeru didn't like for his parents to be upset. He always felt the need to fix things. Takeru took another person's problems as his own responsibility. "Takeru, come here." Takeru walked to the other side of the bed. His mood changed once he saw Izumi's reddened eyes. She didn't cry around him.

"I know you want to make things better with Daiya, but it's not yours to make. Daiya needs to own up to what he did earlier. If he can do that and show us he understand, then we'll consider letting Idai spend the night. Bad behavior shouldn't receive an award."

Takeru looked away. "I don't know if Daiya will apologize. It's not in his nature. I wasn't asking for him anyway. I wanted Idai to stay."

"I understand, but Idai is Daiya's friend. It would benefit both of you. It wouldn't be any different if you were the one in trouble," Izumi said.

Takeru knocked on his own door. Daiya and Idai were talking. He hated to interrupt them. They both watched him enter. "Um, I asked Mom if Idai could stay the night. She said you had to fess up t-to earlier and we had to have Gai sensei's permission. We also had to have it okay with Onari," Takeru said rather shyly. He was kind of afraid of Daiya's anger. The boy was very defiant.

"They're expecting me to admit what happened like they aren't aware of it? Are you serious," Daiya said. He narrowed his eyes. Takeru moved back a few feet.

Idai put his hand on Daiya's arm to make him stop. Daiya backed down. "Takeru, who asked for me to say the night?"

Takeru looked away embarrassed. He didn't know what Idai would think. "M-Me," he said softly.

"You asked for me to stay? You don't really know me. Is there a reason you wanted me to stay over," Idai asked. Takeru mumbled something. "I didn't catch that."

"I want to get to know you. I only have Ryu and Daiya. Onari doesn't understand me. At least, I don't think she does. Saori mainly hangs out with Yanagi. I wanted you to be my friend," Takeru said rather soft spoken. He looked away. Idai was baffled.

"Is he for real," Idai asked Daiya.

"Takeru's not a liar. He actually means what he says – for the most part. So you want me to confess to earlier to benefit you," Daiya said sternly.

Takeru shook his head. He was so worried that Daiya was going to grab him and hit him. "Why do you always assume I'm trying to control you? If Idai stayed over, we could have fun and do stuff, but you're always negative!"

Idai put his hand over Daiya's mouth. He sighed. "Daiya, do you want me to stay? Don't look away. Is it that hard to admit being wrong?"

"Yes," Daiya said with his mouth covered. Idai took his hand away. "I don't want anyone telling me what to do. I'm my own person."

"They want respect, Daiya. They do feed you, clothe you, and do things for you. I don't know why it's so hard for everyone to give each other respect," Takeru said annoyed. "You all act like the five-year-olds at the academy. Be right back."

Takeru came back pulling Onari. "I'm stopping all of this nonsense. Ri, apologize to Daiya for saying you wished he'd choke." Onari tilted her head. "The words you used were mean and unnecessary. You were wishing him death."

Onari looked at Daiya slowly. Is that what she had said? Takeru was mad. She didn't like others upset with her. "Onari not wish Daiya dead," she said softly. "Onari like Daiya."

"I'm sorry about earlier, Onari. It isn't my initial reaction to leap over a table at you," Daiya said. He knew he had to settle it although he hated to admit when he was wrong. "Idai is right and so is Takeru."

"Ri, can Idai stay the night," Takeru asked the girl. Onari moved behind him looking over his shoulder. Takeru sighed. "Onari, he's not going to hurt you."

"Onari no know boy," she said softly.

"How come you were so accepting of me, but you're afraid of Idai," Daiya asked. Onari was tilting her head left and right. "Idai is more scared of you than you need to be of him. He's a foreigner like us."

"Daiya," Idai started," Don't tell her the obvious. You're embarrassing me." He looked down.

"Sorry," Daiya said petting his head. "My point is we're the only foreigners in Konoha, Onari. We should stick together."

"Idai boy no hurt Onari," she asked holding onto Takeru.

"No, why would I hurt you," Idai said as he watched her.

"Onari is Onari," she said trying to make him understand.

"Uh, I think she means she is herself. Onari is playful," Takeru said. "She gets in a bit of trouble." He believed that's what she meant. "So can he stay, Ri?"

"Idai stay," Onari said. She watched Daiya get up. Her brother sighed heavily. He shook his head then walked out of the room. "Where Daiya go?" Takeru and Idai both looked at each other.

Daiya knocked on the door softly. Apologizing was not part of his character. The talk with Idai made him think. Izumi and Sasuke were taking care of him. They had given him a home and a family – they even worried about him. Daiya knocked on the door again. He had to make amends.

It wasn't fair to unleash his anger like he did. After all, he was still confined to the house with Izumi during the day. He wasn't allowed to train yet. Sasuke wouldn't let him. The door opened. Daiya looked up at Izumi. Her eyes were red from crying.

"What is it, Daiya," she asked softly. He was looking at her as if something was wrong. "If you don't feel well, I can get Sasuke." Izumi leaned closer slowly and stopped. "Daiya, what's wrong?" His shoulders were lightly shaking.

Daiya bit his bottom lip. He leapt at her. Izumi's eyes went wide as she fell backwards. Daiya held onto her holding his face on her stomach. "I'm sorry," Daiya said muffled.

Izumi sat up bewildered at his actions. She

looked over her shoulder at Sasuke. He was standing behind her with a toothbrush in his mouth. Her husband was protective of her despite the fact that she could handle herself just fine. She assumed it was a male thing. Izumi turned her head back to Daiya. "What has gotten into you?"

Daiya was realizing a lot of things. It was all

hitting him at once. "I didn't mean what I said earlier. I need you and Sasuke. I'm sorry," he said truthfully.

Sasuke walked over and shut the door to their

bedroom. He didn't' want the other kids eavesdropping. He sat down beside Izumi looking from her to Daiya. "Daiya, what is making you say you need us?"

Daiya clutched harder to Izumi. Izumi felt the tears through her clothes. "Sasuke, he's not just saying it." She put her hand on Daiya's head. "He's crying," she whispered.

"If Idai has that kind of influence on him, he can stay as long as he wants," Sasuke said. "Daiya, can you look at me?"

"I can't see out of my right eye," Daiya said as he tried to look at Sasuke. "My… My… m-m… m-m…m-mo..,-"he couldn't say it. That word didn't match the woman who had tortured him when he was a child.

Sasuke's eyes softened. He put his hand under Daiya's arm to make him sit up. The tear streaks were still on the boy's face. "Daiya, how bad is your eye," he asked. He noticed the scar over it the first day he had met him. Daiya became more guarded if he was approached from that side.

"I-I can't see you," Daiya said afraid. "I c-can only s-see colors." He gasped as Sasuke put his hands on his face to look at his eyes more closely. He tensed badly.

"Daiya, Sasuke's not going to hurt you," Izumi said softly. She put her hand on his back, rubbing it. She could feel his body shaking.

Sasuke exhaled. "His eye is a problem. It's a handicap alright. It moves with the other one, but the light going into it isn't bouncing back like it should. You're going to have to learn to fight without it." He let Daiya's face go. "You didn't call me 'sensei' like you normally do." He watched as Daiya hid his face on Izumi.

"Sasuke, stop embarrassing him," Izumi said petting the boy's head.

"I wasn't trying to," Sasuke said looking at his wife. "I guess Idai can stay the night since you owned up to what happened earlier. You need to realize we're not trying to hurt you, Daiya."

"S-Sasuke, d-do you hate me," Daiya asked muffled. He feared the man did. He saw how Sasuke was with Takeru. He wasn't the same with him. It made Daiya feel out-of-place.

"No, I don't hate you, but it's hard to get to know you when you are so guarded. You have to give us a chance, in all fairness. Chances don't hurt. We're not here to keep you from living, Daiya. We're here to make sure you do," Sasuke said. Daiya flipped his head around to look at him in shock. "Go ahead and get permission from Gai."

Daiya watched Sasuke get up. Izumi smiled at him gently. "Y-You don't hate me either," he asked. Izumi shook her head. She wiped the tear streaks off of his face. Strangely, and for no reason at all, Daiya closed his eyes.

Izumi wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace. She understood Daiya had a lot to overcome. "I told you before, you're my kid. If anyone lays a hand on you, I'll slaughter them," she said softly smiling. "Now go play with your friend while he's here." She shooed him off. Things were starting to look up. Idai had a positive influence on Daiya. I'll have to fix him something special.

"I don't want to change into my pajamas. My dad bought me these really embarrassing ones," Idai said. He had no idea Gai was going to be so happy about him spending the night at the Uchihas. Gai had gone out and bought Idai a new set of pajamas – among other things. He looked at the backpack. "He acts like I'm going camping."

Takeru flipped the backpack open. "Has your dad ever been to a sleepover before?" He pulled out a blanket that was rolled up. It was plain blue. Takeru also pulled out two short swords. He recognized those as the weapons Idai wore on his back. "What are these in here for?"

"I don't go anywhere without them," Idai said. He watched Takeru pull out the new pajama set. "No, Takeru put those back!" Takeru was looking at them. Idai blushed when he saw the print. They were a pair of green pajamas with little bears on them.

"Idai, they're not that bad. If you weren't meant to wear them, they wouldn't make them for our age group," Takeru said. He tilted his head. Idai was depressed. "What's wrong?"

Idai said rather softly, his eyes averted, "I'm not the same age as you. I'm fourteen. I'm older than Daiya." He was heavily embarrassed. "I'm small for my age."

"Oh, I can see why you'd reject them then," Takeru said as he put them down. "Cheer up, Idai. You don't have to wear them. You can borrow some of my clothes, if you want."

Idai shook his head. "No, that would be awkward. I don't want to upset my dad. I'll wear them." He didn't know what anyone else was going to say about them.

"Hey, Sasuke and I have the fire started so we can go outside," Daiya said as he entered the family room. His eyes fell on the bear pajamas. "Takeru, aren't you a little old for those?" Takeru pointed at Idai. Daiya turned to see Idai covering his face. "Oh, they must be new. Sorry."

************************************************** **8

Onari ran outside in the garden freely. She was trying to catch fireflies in a jar. Every time she got close to them, they would disappear. She tilted her head as she searched the area. There went one! Onari chased it, but lost it again.

Sasuke was watching her attempt to gather the fireflies. "Onari, you have to be slow to catch them." She tilted her head. He checked the fire before walking over towards her. He took the jar from her. "Watch, Fire Bird." Sasuke saw a firefly blink. He slowly approached it. He put the jar in its pathway and it flew right into the jar. "They don't fly fast. You have to be slow," he repeated. He handed her the jar. Onari took off running again. "Or being slow just isn't in the cards for you." He watched her speed through the area left and right.

"Good grief. Onari's gotten to be rather fast since Neji's been training her," Izumi said. The girl was darting all over the garden. "Onari, you have to be slow to catch fireflies."

"Yeah, I already told her that," Sasuke said. "I think she likes running around too much to slow down. Onari, if you don't slow down, you're going to,-"he closed his eyes as it happened. "Fall."

Onari had slid on her side. She turned over onto her back. "Onari see stars," she said pointing up.

Sasuke walked over to her and crouched with his hands on his legs. "Onari, are you okay?" She nodded. "Perhaps you shouldn't run during the day so you can see."

"Sasuke, Akahi sleepover, jes," she asked. She hadn't seen her bird since she came to the Hidden Leaf Village. Onari had no reason to unleash him here. There was no danger present. Sasuke and Izumi protected her.

"I don't know, Onari. Akaihi's a huge creature. He'll be noticed immediately by everyone around if you summon him," Sasuke told her. "Takeru doesn't know about it and neither does Daiya."

"Sasuke, no bad men no big Akaihi," Onari said. "Akaihi little no bad men. No reason for big Akaihi."

He furrowed his brows. "So you're saying that he is huge to protect you, but small when there is no danger?" Onari nodded. "How small?" Onari put one hand on top of the other, her palms facing out. "So he's the size of a chicken."

"Akaihi no chicken. Akaihi Onari phoenix," she corrected. She turned her head to see Daiya, Takeru, and Idai come outside. Izumi told them to stick wooden poles in the ground so they could string up miniature lanterns for light.

"That's not what I meant, Onari. It was a comparison to his size. Question. Will he have fire when he is summoned?" Onari shook her head. "I see. So he's a regular bird when there is no threat. You can summon him for tonight. I don't want him found out." Onari sat up and hugged him. He petted the back of her head.

The lights in the garden came on. "That's better," Izumi said. She set out something special on a tray. "Oh, Daiya, guess what I have," she called.

Takeru jumped up and down. He pulled Idai with him. "Mom has marshmallows!" He handed Idai a carved stick. "Dad, are you going to roast marshmallows with us?" Sasuke nodded. "Onari, come here. It's something you've never had before."

Daiya slowly walked over to Izumi. He made sure Takeru and Idai couldn't hear him. "H-How come you got me marshmallows?" He watched her crouch to look up at him.

"Why did I get my son marshmallows? Hmm," Izumi pondered. "Because I know they are his favorite." She watched the shock on his face appear again. She reached up to rub her thumb against his cheek. "People, who care for you, do things for you, Daiya. Okay? Okay." She let him go back to Takeru and Idai.

"Hey, maybe I should have invited Ryu over. Onari still hasn't met him," Takeru said as he roasted his three marshmallows.

Sasuke looked at his son as he started to put the marshmallows on the stick. "Takeru, have I don something to upset you?" Takeru raised a brow. "Don't invite Ryu. I have to be… prepared for that." It will take a lot of sake'.

Daiya started laughing. His laughter got everyone's attention. It surprised him, too. He normally didn't laugh. "Ryu drives him crazy," Daiya said still laughing. He grabbed his sides. "He makes – He makes Sasuke chase him and fume every time we have to train." Daiya fell backwards onto the ground. "Ow, my sides."

Sasuke stuck his stick in the ground. He got up. He walked over to Daiya who was still laughing at his expense. "Oh, you think it's funny how Ryu pushes my buttons?" Daiya looked up at him. Sasuke held up five fingers so he could see. He started counting down.

Takeru choked on his marshmallow. "Daiya, run! He's fixing to get you!" There were three fingers remaining.

Daiya sat up quickly and high tailed it as one finger was left. Sasuke went after him alright. Daiya couldn't believe how fast Sasuke was. Every time he turned, Sasuke turned also at the right moment – as if he knew his movements. Before he knew it, Sasuke had him in his grasp. Daiya looked up at the man's red eyes. He tensed not understanding what he was seeing.

"Are you wondering how I caught you so quickly? I'm able to anticipate another's moves easily by suing Sharingan. That's what you're seeing in my eyes. It's something only my clan can do. And in saying so, I'm the only one with it. Takeru has no learned this technique yet." Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment to turn Sharingan off. "It's like any other kekkegenkai. If you use it for an extended period of time, it drains your chakra."

"So it's like the electrical currents I have?"

"Sort of. I can kind of do what you can, but it's not the same. I can make my chakra visible with a technique called 'Chidori' that I was taught a long time ago. I think your lightening jutsu is just as quick and deadly. The entire area around you becomes a battlefield and you can't be touched. You have a very useful offensive and defensive attack, Daiya. That has me wondering about something. Can you perform 'Bird's eye view'?"

Daiya cocked his head. "I'm not sure what that is. The only thing I've known how to do is erupt my electrical charges."

"I thought you could possibly perform the same operations as Onari since you both are from the lightening country. I wasn't sure. It's some kind of jutsu she does that lets her see an aerial view of the surrounding area. She's able to target opponents and devise battle plans without ever giving her position away. I suppose it's a kekkegenkai," Sasuke said.

Daiya thought for a moment. "When I was little, I used to wander a lot. What else did I have to do," he said shrugging it off. "I used to hear the old people talk about a clan that used to exist that had extraordinary strength and speed. It was one of the reasons they had become dominant in the Hidden Cloud Village. But it doesn't exist anymore due to the Hidden Leaf Village destroying it. Although, the village is gone, that doesn't mean there can't be survivors in hiding."

"That's very true. It's hard to find out about Onari's past. Her parents were on the run from someone, or something. She grew up with no friends and only her mother and father around her. They were killed a few years ago. Onari doesn't remember anything, to my knowledge. Her language skills are a huge obstacle, as well. She's gotten better, but it's hard for her to express herself like she needs to. Right now, Takeru understands her more than I."

Daiya closed his eyes. He smiled softly. "Takeru understands all of us more than we understand ourselves." He opened his eyes to see Onari watching him. "Hmm?"

"Daiya brother want see Akaihi," she asked. Before he could answer, Onari bit her thumb. She formed a sequence of fast hand seals, pressed her hands to the ground and said, "Summoning jutsu! Akaihi!" A soft light formed around her. A puff of smoke popped beside her.

Daiya watched as a beautiful red bird popped into view. It was roughly the size of a chicken. He saw the long feathers on its tail dragging the ground as it walked. "Is that… a phoenix?"

"Daiya, say 'hello' to Onari's guardian. Although, last time I saw him, he was as big as the house. I don't quite know how she received him, but she used him to get us out of a fix last year," Sasuke said. The bird was absentmindedly walking around inspecting the territory. He watched as the phoenix flapped its wings and flew at the fire. His eyes widened. "Onari, you've got to control him!" Onari ran after the bird.

Idai looked up as a bird flew right into the fire. He yelped. The bird landed on the other side as if nothing had happened. Its plumage was on fire. "Takeru, that bird's on fire! And it's just looking at us!" He pointed at it.

"Demon bird," Takeru yelled. He grabbed Idai and they moved back from it. The bird cooed sweetly – somehow unaware that it was on fire. Takeru clutched to Idai as he watched it. He turned his eyes to see Onari glaring at the bird.

"Bad Akaihi! No fire! Diffuse," Onari ordered. The bird cocked its head at her as if to ponder what she was saying. "Akaihi, now," Onari scolded. The phoenix shook its body, the flames blowing off into the air. It cooed sweetly at her. She looked at Idai and Takeru who were a little freaked out. "Sorry Takeru and Idai. Akaihi like fire."

"Ri, what is that," Takeru asked as he watched the bird clean its feathers.

"It's her guardian," Daiya said as he caught up to them. "Onari controls a celestial. She summoned it."

"Do you have one," Idai asked. Daiya shook his head as he watched the bird, too. "Well, who would have thought I'd have such an interesting visit?" Onari was chasing the bird around. It was running for it.

"Akaihi, back Onari now," she yelled at it.

"Never a dull moment with Onari," Takeru and Daiya said.

Takeru rubbed his eyes. "Onari, you're sleeping in Daiya's bed tonight. Idai's going to sleep in your room." It was really late. Izumi and Sasuke had already gone to bed.

"Onari sleep Takeru," she said. She ran at him and jumped on him. Takeru fell backwards.

"Ri, I'm tired and you still have energy," Takeru said as he laid on the floor. "It's time to go to bed. Ri…" She was wiggling on top of him watching him. He yawned hard.

Daiya sighed. He shook his head. He and Idai had finished changing. "Onari." The girl sat up and looked over her shoulder. "Stop playing. It's time for you and baby Takeru to go to bed." Idai covered his mouth so he wouldn't laugh.

"Shut up, Daiya," Takeru said as he sat up. "I'm not a baby." He watched Onari get up, run, slide on the floor and go into his room. He heard her throw herself onto Daiya's bed. "Man, doesn't that girl ever get tired?" He got up and walked slowly to his room. "Ri, lay down," he said. She flopped back onto the bed. Takeru crawled onto his bed and fell asleep rather quickly.

Onari watched Takeru sleep for a long time. She sat up. "Takeru?" He was sleeping hard, his face hidden in his pillow. She hopped off of the bed. Onari crawled over to Takeru. She pulled the sheets over him. Onari tilted her head. She petted the top of his head.

"Takeru? Play with Onari, jes? Takeru?" He wasn't answering her. She moved around to the other side of the bed. Onari popped her head up. She crawled onto the bed, her hips swaying left and right. She looked down at him. Onari blinked. She stopped moving. Takeru's kind of… cute. Onari moved his long hair off of his face. "Takeru?"

Takeru rolled over. Onari tilted her head as she watched him breathe. What was that weird feeling she felt? It wasn't going away. Onari got really close to his face. "Takeru, Onari sick," she said. The feeling became lighter. What is wrong with me? Why am I staring at him? It's just Takeru. I live with him. Takeru is Takeru. Takeru is a boy. Takeru kisses me sometimes. Should I kiss him?

Onari moved closer. She looked at him with a gentle gaze. "Onari promise protect Takeru." She touched his face gently. Onari bent closer. She hovered over him for a second.

Takeru felt something on his face. He scratched. His hand brushed past hair. Takeru opened his tired eyes. Onari was watching him. "Ri, why are you on my bed?" She tilted her head at him.

"Takeru kiss Onari," she said softly.

He tilted his head back at her. "Yeah, I have before." He yawned.

"Takeru, Onari kiss Takeru?" She moved closer. He wasn't fully awake. Onari kissed him beside the mouth. "Onari protect Takeru from bad man," she said even softer.

Takeru blushed. He felt Onari kiss him. He was starting to wake up. His heart was racing. Onari kissed me. Takeru looked up at her. He reached up to touch her face. His brows furrowed as he watched her expression.

Onari didn't look like Onari. She looked like a beautiful, mysterious girl with yellow eyes that drew him to her. Takeru lifted himself off of the bed slowly. He was studying her face as he came closer. She was still watching him. "Ri, I want to kiss you," he said softly. He smiled at her as she lowered her head. "No, not on the forehead." Takeru brought her face back up. He leaned in; his heart feeling like it was swelling in his chest.

Onari leaned in, closing her eyes. Takeru came closer, his eyes closing, too as his lips met hers. Onari kissed him back. Takeru has soft lips for a boy. Onari brought her hands up to touch his face. She kissed him again. He kissed her back.

Takeru opened his eyes to look at Onari. She was still close to him. In that moment, Takeru knew what she was to him. He adored her. He could feel his heart swelling more. Takeru wasn't sure if Onari understood. "Ri, I… love you," he said gently. She tilted her head a few times. She doesn't understand. Takeru stopped her head from moving. "I love you, Onari," he said regardless of her comprehension.

Onari didn't understand the words he uttered. They were ones she didn't think she knew. Takeru leaned in, kissing her again. She closed her eyes as he ran his fingers down her cheek. Onari blushed. Her heart was emitting that same feeling again. Was she sick?

Takeru ran his hand through her long, black hair as he parted the kiss. "I know my dad didn't mean for it to happen. I know you really don't understand, Ri. Maybe when I can figure out how, I'll make you understand me," he said softly. "I love you with all of my heart, Onari." He put his arms around her.

Onari leaned into him as he lay back with her. For tonight, she could sleep next to him. He petted her head until he felt her body ease. Onari was asleep. Takeru kissed her again before closing his eyes.

Idai tossed and turned in his sleep. He whimpered as the nightmare grabbed onto his mind. He couldn't escape from it. The visions he saw in his sleep occurred since he had been caste out of the sound village. Most of the time he didn't remember what he saw in his dreams. Idai jerked his legs. His body was sweating badly.

Daiya felt himself get kicked. He turned over. "Idai, what'd you kick me,-"he watched as his friend jerked. Idai was sweating so badly in his sleep that his pajamas were soaked. He shook Idai's shoulder hard. "Idai. Idai, wake up, you're having a nightmare." Daiya knew what was wrong. Idai suffered from frequent nightmares. He had seen it happen so often, Gai had to talk to him about it.

There was nothing he could do to help Idai. The nightmares were a result of Idai's tormented past. Daiya wiped his friend's forehead off. It was sad that there was nothing he could do at the moment. He looked down at the fear on Idai's face. Not knowing what else to do, Daiya grabbed Idai and held him. Idai was still jerking and whimpering. "Idai, come on. Wake up." Daiya petted the back of his head. I have no choice but to wait this out. Idai doesn't snap out of these easily.

Daiya kept his eyes on Idai the entire time. The birds were starting to chirp outside. The sun was beginning to come up. Idai had finally stopped jerking. He felt him stir.

Idai opened his eyes. He was being held. "Daiya?" He felt Daiya pet the back of his head softly. He looked up. Daiya was watching him tiredly. Idai realized why. His clothes clung to his cold, clammy skin – the after effects of a nightmare. This was not what he had wanted to happen. "I'm sorry," he said as his voice started to break. Daiya was so tired, he couldn't focus.

Daiya was only aware that Idai was awake. It had taken half the night for him to get over his nightmare. Daiya was awake the entire time. He was really groggy. He felt Idai move around.

"Daiya, I didn't mean for you to have to stay up like that. I'm really sorry. Please, go back to sleep," he said as he covered his friend up. Idai felt terrible. He was worried last night that he might have an episode – that's why he was concerned about staying over. Only Daiya knew about the problems he had.

Idai had to change out of his clothes. As Daiya started to go back to sleep, Idai changed. He closed his eyes. This is not what I wanted. I'm a burden over here. I should just go home. He sat for an hour looking out of the window. Daiya was sleeping hard. Everyone was. He figured he was the only one awake. Idai got up. He padded out of the room.

The wooden floor was cold to his feet. He walked past Sasuke and Izumi's bedroom. Idai turned the corner where the hallway stretched out more. He passed the family room, kitchen, and bathing area. The training dojo was around the second corner. He walked to it slowly. Idai went in. he had to get things off of his mind. It's what he normally did when he was bothered by something.

Idai took a deep breath. He had to learn to use his hands and legs along with his swords. His taijutsu was nowhere as good as Yanagi's or Daiya's. Yanagi was strong like her mother and fast like her father. Yet, unlike Lee, Yanagi could use Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. Genjutsu was harder to pull off because of the amount of concentration it took.

Idai punched the air with both of his arms at once in a forward motion. Not fast enough. He punched each arm in front of his body a few times before doing a round house kick. He sighed. "I'm nowhere as fast as Daiya." Idai didn't have a training partner so he was going to have to pretend there was one. He punched towards the shoulder area with one hand and punched towards the abdomen on his left of the 'opponent'. He continued to do these moves several times in order to get faster.

Idai grabbed the 'opponent' in a bear hug, squeezing. He proceeded to tilt his body towards his left, brought his legs up really fast, let the opponent go, and as his hands touched the floor to balance himself, he performed a mule kick. It was a simple technique to knock an opponent unconscious. He flipped over gracefully.

"You're pretty well-balanced," Takeru said from the entrance. He had been watching Idai for a little while. Idai stepped back as if he had been caught doing something wrong. "Idai, you can come in here. You don't have to act all shy about it. Hey! Can you teach me that move?"

"S-sure," Idai said nervously. He supposed Takeru had really meant what he had said about wanting to be friends with him. Takeru walked towards him. "Can you balance on your hands?" Takeru showed him.

"Alright, but to do the move I did, you have to punch like this," Idai showed Takeru where. "As you do that, grab like this and turn your body. You'll let the other person go and land on your hands to kick. Now you try."

Takeru punched at the shoulder area and abdomen area a few times before doing the bear hold. He tilted his body like Idai showed him and kicked. It was at the wrong moment. Takeru put his arms out too late and ended up landing hard on his stomach. He grimaced. It had knocked the wind out of him.

Idai got up on his hands and knees to check on him. "Takeru, breathe." Takeru coughed. "It's not as easy as it looks right? You have to keep practicing. It took me twenty-two times. I'm a little more nimble than you, so it might take you longer."

Takeru sat up holding his stomach. "I didn't think it'd be that hard. Oh, man, twenty-two times? It'll probably take me twice that." Idai signaled for him to give it another go. Takeru got up. He practiced with Idai for a long time. Idai was a really patient person. Takeru liked that a lot about him.

Takeru moved back. He was going to show Idai a front kicked he had picked up from Onari. She often played with moves she saw, or learned to make them her own. Idai was standing far enough away so he wouldn't get hurt. Takeru was about to try it when he glanced at Idai and saw his face.

Idai's eyes were wide and he was afraid. "Idai? What's wrong?" Takeru looked around. They were the only ones in the dojo. Idai was moving farther back, alerted by something.

Idai wasn't where he had been with Takeru. The area around him changed to old houses that were on fire. Idai tried to get away from the flames. People were running around him screaming in terror. Some of them were on fire – others were carrying children and yelling.

Idai fell back as he was shoved by a large man. The man turned on him with a long weapon called a Yueh-Ya-T'san. Idai's eyes fell on the half mooned metal that was covered in blood. "Get away from me," he screamed in terror. He was fixing to be killed. The man raised his weapon to strike at Idai. "Leave me alone! Don't kill me!"

Takeru stood in shock as Idai flipped out. The older boy had pushed himself all of the way against the wall. Takeru watched as Idai's hands came up to push something off of him – but there was nothing there.

Izumi came running into the dojo with Onari. They had both been alerted by Idai's screams. She moved to the boy quickly thinking he was in pain. "Takeru, what is wrong with him? Idai? Idai!" She shook the boy but he kept yelling and holding his head.

Takeru ran over worried. "I don't know! We were training and he started screaming like he was being attacked." Izumi had Idai pinned so he couldn't hurt anyone. Idai was breathing hard and panicking.

Onari watched Idai kick his legs. His eyes were full of terror. He's hurting. She moved closer, putting her arms around his neck to move him closer to her. Idai was not mentally in the dojo. She knew he was somewhere else. He was scaring Takeru and Izumi.

Onari moved her lips closer to Idai's ear. She pressed him to her as she started to sing softly into his ear. She was hoping he would focus on the soft sound and his mind would move away from wherever it was. "Sweet little boy with snow white hair, what is the name of your mare? She's pretty and brown like the trees that comfort me. I see wisdom and courage in her eyes, as the years have gone by. Will you let me pet her for a while, just for a trial? I'll feed her oats and hay – the best crop of the day. Then we can ride her together in the field – while the house is being built." Onari looked at Idai. He was watching her with a softened gaze. He was back.

Izumi watched as Idai closed his eyes. Tears of embarrassment and shame were flowing down his face. Onari let go of him as Izumi held him. She pressed him to her, shielding him. Izumi looked over her shoulder to see Sasuke and Daiya watching them. She looked at her husband, worried.

Daiya walked over to see if Idai was alright. He crouched to grab him from Izumi. "It's okay. It's over. No one's mad at you." Idai was very embarrassed. Daiya pulled him closer so he could let Idai hide his face. "I'm going back to me and Takeru's room with him." He made Idai stand and they walked off.

Sasuke waited until they were gone before he spoke. "Idai suffers from flashbacks. He had an episode not long after the teams were formed. He tends to see things from his past that torments him. Kiba didn't know what was wrong either at the time. Gai has been trying to help him overcome it, but it's been hard. Idai is sick, Takeru.

He can't anymore control what he is seeing than when it happens. Until now, there hasn't been any way to snap him out of it. It seems Onari's singing called him back. You did a courageous thing, Fire Bird. When Idai is like that, his actions are unpredictable. He could have hurt anyone that came near him. If he has a flashback, you guys need to try and help him. Don't make fun of him. It won't nullify the situation," Sasuke said.

"What has that child seen to make him that way," Izumi asked.

"We don't know. Gai told me Idai complains of voices yelling his name. As for the images he sees, we have no clue. He won't talk about it. It's a very touchy subject. Daiya doesn't even know and he is fairy close to Idai."

"Dad, will Idai get better," Takeru asked softly.

"I would like to think he will, but no one knows. All I know is Idai didn't display these problems when he was at the Academy. He had them after he was adopted by Gai, for a period of time, but they stopped soon after. I don't know what's brought them up again," Sasuke said. "It's best if we let Daiya get Idai to calm down."

"I know how to make him feel better. We can fix him something special. He probably thinks we're angry at him," Izumi said. Sasuke nodded. "Takeru, you and Onari go put on your shoes. We can all go out for some fresh air."

Idai clutched hard to Daiya as they sat on the bed. He was so ashamed at not being able to control what he saw. Idai gritted his teeth as he cried on Daiya. His face was still hidden.

Daiya knew he was embarrassed. He held him tightly trying to comfort him. He pressed Idai's head closer to him. I wish I knew what to do. He hasn't had one of those in a while. I guess he was due for it. Still, he can't control when they happen. I hope Takeru isn't discouraged from getting to know him.

Idai rubbed his wet eyes on Daiya's chest. "I'm s-sorry, D-Daiya," he let out. "I d-didn't mean t-to em-barass you." He felt he had done that. It was his first time over and he had messed it up.

Daiya made him sit up. He cupped Idai's face in his hands. "You haven't embarrassed me. There is no reason for you to be ashamed. You cannot help what is wrong with you. Blaming yourself for what you see, is not going to solve anything," he said seriously. Idai hiccupped. "At least let me hold to what I said. I won't let anything happen to you."

"No one can help me. My dad has tried. I don't know what's wrong with me. The voices and visions stopped for a long time, but they came back. I want them to go away," Idai said angrily. "Kiba sensei, Yanagi, and Masaru know about them now. I don't want the whole damn village knowing I'm sick," he shouted.

Daiya looked at him sadly. He brought Idai towards him quickly. He pressed Idai to him, again, trying to protect him from everything. "If I could fight it for you, I would without hesitation. I'd take those awful memories and bear it if you could live. But I can't. I can only be here to help protect you."

Idai sniffled. He hugged Daiya tightly as he calmed down it was no good to continue to apologize for the outburst earlier. He just hoped Sasuke and Izumi weren't mad at him. "Daiya, you're my best friend," he said softly.

"I better be," Daiya said smirking. "Someone has to keep you in line when you're acting hyper." He ruffled Idai's hair. "Come on; let's go train for a while. It'll help take your mind off of it."

Onari tilted her head as she watched Daiya and Idai train together. To her, it looked more like playing. "Daiya and Idai eat now," she said as she walked towards them. Idai froze when he saw her. Onari could tell he was being shy – probably because of what happened earlier. She approached him quickly and grabbed his wrist. "Boy Idai eat." Idai tensed as he was grabbed.

Daiya followed her as she pulled Idai out of the dojo and down the hall. "Onari, let go of him. It's not nice to pull someone." He was getting cross with her. Onari was rather forceful for a girl.

Onari stopped. She kept her hand around Idai's wrist. "Idai afraid Onari?" She cocked her head a few times, watching him.

"N-No, I guess not," Idai said. He looked at his wrist. She wasn't hurting him. Her grip was soft for the most part. "D-Daiya, why is she holding my wrist?"

"Onari, he's not afraid of you –just cautious. He doesn't know you or Takeru. Idai is going to be hesitant around you two," Daiya said.

"Onari no understand boy Idai. Onari not bad girl. Idai think Onari hurt Idai. Onari take Idai eat now," she said trying to explain. Idai was confused. Onari grumbled. "Onari not know words. Onari try to make boy understand." She let his wrist go. Onari hit her head as if she could get the words to click inside her head.

"She's frustrated. Her language is a bit… hard to understand," Daiya told Idai. Idai reached his hand up to stop Onari from hitting herself. "Onari, no offense, but it is hard to understand you. I'm still learning so don't expect Idai to get it right off."

Takeru came walking down the hall. "Onari, you were supposed to tell them lunch is ready. Mom fixed a ton! We're having stuffed mushrooms, fried sweet potatoes, sweet and sour shrimp and chicken, yudofu, and sweet cakes." He was practically bouncing. Takeru looked at Idai. "What's wrong?"

"You're awfully excited about eating," Idai said.

"Well, yeah, my mom makes everything homemade. She doesn't cook a lot unless it's a special occasion," Takeru aid. Onari ran down the hallway as she heard her name being called.

"And what is the special occasion," Daiya asked. He watched Takeru smile at them. The boy tugged Daiya and Idai to follow. He wondered what was up. "Takeru, is it someone's birthday?"

"No. I got a brother and a friend. That's why," Takeru said.

Idai felt surprised and happy all at once. Takeru still wanted to be friends with him after the outburst he had had. He felt emotional. Takeru accepted him for who he was without hesitation or regret. "Ta-Takeru," he said his voice shaking.

"Huh?" Takeru stopped and turned as they neared the kitchen. His eyes softened. Idai was crying. "Did I do something wrong?"

Daiya shook his head. "No, you haven't done anything wrong. I think Idai is confused to why you have accepted him. No one's ever done that."

"Why shouldn't I? He's my friend. I told him I liked him. He's easy to talk to and he's fun," Takeru said. "I can't help the way I am. I don't see people's faults."

Idai's first friend had actually been Kiba sensei. Kiba had made sure Idai was included on the trip to the hot springs. But it wasn't until after Daiya came out of the hospital, did Idai feel he could be himself. He was so close to Daiya that Idai sought him out about every day. Could Takeru be as open to him as Daiya?

Onari yelped. She came flying out of the kitchen. "Boy Onari no knows!" She ran to her room.

"Onari, don't hide in the closet! Dammit. Now I have to go get her." Sasuke came out of the kitchen annoyed. "Fire Bird, you won't know anyone if you keep running."

"What is going on? Who is she running from now," Daiya asked. Idai was wiping his eyes. Takeru shrugged.

"Yeah, I seem to have that affect on people," they heard a calm voice say. A tall figure stepped out of the kitchen. His red eyes were watching them silently for a second. Ryu held up his hand. "Your mom invited me over. Although, now I wish I wasn't here because your friend took off." He sighed.

"Onari, get out of the closet," Sasuke said angrily. She was grabbing the door. He had his hands on her ankles, pulling. "Ryu is not going to bother you!"

Ryu tilted his head towards the noise. He felt bad. And as usual, Daiya raised a brow. "Don't look at me like that. You're not the one that got her excited."

"Ryu, she does it to everyone. She did it to Idai, too. She was actually afraid of Saori," Takeru aid. "I know it's something she has to get past."

"Onari needs more training," Ryu said shaking his head. He watched as Sasuke came out of the room with Onari under his arm. The girl was kicking, but she couldn't manage to free herself. Ryu was watching as they passed. He scratched his head. "So I take it, you're Idai." Idai looked at him cautiously. Ryu could tell he was uncomfortable with being put on the spot. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said trying to coax Idai into easing up. They had never been formally introduced.

"Ryu's just a turkey," Takeru said. "He's harmless. Ryu, don't do anything to scare him. Behave yourself."

Ryu quirked a brow. "You guys must think I'm a moron. I get in trouble with Sasuke sensei every day. What in the world would make me want to tempt a cobra when I'm in the basket with it?"

Takeru, Daiya, and Idai all busted out laughing. "You're an idiot," Daiya said as Ryu smiled. He tugged Idai to follow. "Let's go eat before Onari gets excited again and runs."

Ryu walked behind Idai. So this is the kid Daiya has befriended. He reached up to pet Idai's head. Ryu knew a little bit about Idai being from the sound village. As expected, Idai tensed. "It's okay, I'm a nice guy." He kept petting Idai. It was important to have the boy be comfortable around him. He was going to be around Ryu, Saori, Daiya, and Takeru a lot from now on. "You have to get used to me. I'm Takeru's best friend and you're Daiya's. We'll be hanging out a lot together."

Idai looked up at Ryu shyly. These guys aren't like the others. I don't even know Ryu and have never really spoken to him. He seems pretty calm for a guy that harasses Sasuke sensei. He watched as Ryu held his hand out to him. Idai's heart pounded. Ryu was trying to befriend him. He slowly took the other boy's hand and shook it.

"Hi, Idai. I'm Ryu Yuhi. I'm Kurenai's son and I'm on the same team as Daiya and Hire. I'm not aggressive like Daiya so you have nothing to fear. I'm just a turkey," he said smiling gently.

Idai liked Ryu. Ryu was calm and complacent. "Hi, R-Ryu," he said softly. "I-I'm Idai, Gai's kid." Ryu petted him again. It was time to eat.