V6 ch2
The untold future
"Want some," Idai asked as he waved his banana at Daiya. He looked at his friend happily, with a huge chunk in his mouth. "Come on, Daiya, what's wrong? You act like someone has died."
Daiya sat on the branch staring at the village below them. Someone did. Me. How am I going to do this? Idai will hate me for the rest of my life. He looked over at Idai. "What was it like when you were a kid?"
Idai stopped chewing. He forced himself to swallow. "Why are you asking me that?" Daiya gave him his normal expressionless face. Idai looked at him seriously. He didn't like where this was going. "Drop it."
Daiya had never seen his friend so serious. "If I tell you about me, will you tell me about you?" Idai kept staring at him not moving. "Idai," he said softly," You have me worried."
"Who told you to ask me about my childhood? I know you're not the curious type," Idai said.
"I don't know anything about you except you like to play around; you use sound waves with those swords, and you have nightmares. Oh, and the fact that you like to hang around me," Daiya said trying to make his point. "Why is it bad if I ask you to tell me something about yourself?"
Idai was not budging. "I like bananas. A lot. I think I was a monkey in a past life," he said as his personality reversed back to his normal playful nature. He smiled at Daiya goofily.
Daiya's gaze softened. The way Idai was able to switch his personality like that was not normal, for anyone. Something was deeply wrong. He had to back off for now, or risk Idai's anger over the matter. "Idai, come here." Idai moved closer to him. He sat in front of him on the branch with his legs hanging over the sides and hands placed on the bark to keep himself steady. Daiya reached forward to hug him. He laid his chin on Idai's head.
Idai blinked. It wasn't like Daiya to be sentimental. "Daiya, what's going on?" He felt Daiya hold onto him tighter.
Daiya's voice quivered. "Idai, I want you to realize that... I care about you. You're one of the few people I'll do anything for. Promise me, you won't ever fight me." Daiya closed his eyes, petting Idai's white and red hair softly.
Idai didn't understand. He clutched to Daiya gritting his teeth. "Why are you saying stuff like that? You act like I'll hurt you one day!" He didn't hear an explanation coming from his best friend. "Daiya? Daiya!" Idai sat up. He looked into his friend's face. Daiya's eyes were closed. He could tell he was in pain. Idai knew his friend was having an attack. His body was tense and face was contorted.
"Daiya, look at me," Idai said. Daiya couldn't. Idai gasped. He grabbed Daiya and held him against his body. He had to see if his friend's heart would calm down. Did I cause him to have an attack? Was it because I can't tell him what's wrong? Idai kept holding him afraid to let go. Daiya soon eased up. "Are you okay?"
Daiya gasped a few times as he tried to speak. "I-I...d-da-," he said trying to say his name. He couldn't say what he wanted to. He had to remain still, or continue to suffer with struggling against his heart's demands. His eyes closed. There was blackness.
Idai looked down at him sadly. Daiya had passed out. He kept holding his best friend, his orange eyes focused on Daiya's face. "I don't know what's going on. I wish I could trust you enough to tell you. You'll leave me if you find out. I don't want to lose you. I can't tell you," he said softly as he continued to lean into Daiya's limp form. "I'm sorry, Daiya."
Daiya woke to someone putting a cold rag on his forehead. "M-Mom?" He looked up to see lavender eyes looking down at him. Where was Idai?
"Hi, sweetie, how are you feeling," Izumi asked. Daiya has been unconscious for several hours. She caught on to the expression on his face. His eyes were searching the room. "Idai isn't here. He brought you home and left."
Sasuke walked closer to the bed. "Daiya?" The boy from the lightening country turned his head. "What caused you to have an attack?"
"I... don't know," Daiya said. He couldn't look Sasuke in the eyes. Sasuke knew he wasn't telling the truth. It wasn't because of Idai. It wasn't! Idai didn't make me have an attack. It was my own fault. I feared the worst. It wasn't his fault.
Izumi looked at Sasuke with sadness in her eyes. Sasuke and her knew Daiya wasn't telling them the truth. She could see it in her new son's eyes. He was in denial. "We need to let him rest." She got up placing her hand on Sasuke's hand. "He's not going to tell us. It's best if we don't pry it out of him," she whispered.
"I know. I don't want to have to separate the both of them. If Idai is causing him to have attacks like this, then I have no choice," Sasuke whispered back. Daiya was staring at the wall. They had to leave him alone for now.
Daiya curled up. His mind was more on Idai than himself. Was it wise of me to tell him how I viewed him? How I felt? I can't lose Idai. I can't lose him to his past. He closed his eyes. He could hear Idai screaming.
He narrowed his eyes at the target. Idai withdrew one of his swords. He rotated his wrist causing wind currents with the blade. The holes in the sword emitted a deafening sound as he turned his body, his arm moving outwards to flick the weapon at the wooden target in front of him. The sound waves he used were directed and went flying at the target, thus shattering it.
Idai kept his sword aimed at what used to be the target. His arm was shaking. Tears were flowing down his cheeks. I'm hurting everyone around me by remaining here. My dad doesn't deserve this. Neither does Kiba sensei, or my team. Not even Daiya. Idai's vision became blinded by his own grief. The voices were talking to him
constantly now. They sounded as if a crowd of people had surrounded him and were demanding attention all at once. "Shut up," he told them as his voice broke. "Shut up! Leave me alone! I don't want to hear any of you anymore!"
Idai dropped his sword onto the ground. He grabbed his head, closing his eyes and crouched low as if he expected an overhead attack. "Leave me alone," he screamed. "I don't understand what you're trying to tell me! Shut up! SHUT UP!"
Two figures came running out of the brush. They had been training since that morning. Yanagi Lee and Masaru Uzumkai, Idai's teammates, knew about the flashbacks. Idai had had one during a training session with Kiba. It appeared this particular one was driving Idai insane.
Yanagi ran up to him quickly. She crouched looking up into his face. Idai didn't seem to see her. His eyes were open, focused on something unseen. She put her hand on his forehead. "Idai, do you know I'm here? Idai?" Idai didn't answer.
Masaru kneeled beside Yanagi. "He doesn't know we're here, Yanagi. Takeru said that when Onari sings to him, he snaps out of it. Try singing to him," Masaru said. Idai was yelling loudly, "Go away!"
"Masaru, I don't know any songs off the top of my head. I only know one my mom taught me when I was little," Yanagi said. "I'll have to make one up." She leaned towards Idai holding onto his wrists so he wouldn't try to hurt her.
"Think of something, Yanagi," Masaru said. "Idai's flipping out worse than I've ever seen." He looked at his teammate with concern. How are we supposed to fight Idai's visions if we don't know what he's seeing?
Yanagi took a deep breath. She didn't know what Onari sang to him before. The words didn't matter. It was the sound. Yanagi's eye opened wide. The sound! Singing is a pleasant sound! It chases away the bad sounds he knows like a candle chasing away the dark! That's it!
Yanagi cleared her head. It has to be sweet in tone, or this isn't going to work. She calmly started to sing to Idai. "As the leave change for the fall, I sit and ponder it all. Will you come and sit with me? Under the maple tree~ We shall talk and laugh, as one~ Till nightfall chases the sun~ amongst the twinkling sky as the baby birds fly~ Come sit with me and listen- as the stars glisten. Let me sail with you- out in the open blue~ As the morning come to dance, we'll both be sleeping by chance, under the maple tree- just you and me~"
Masaru watched as Idai's arms untensed. Idai swallowed as his breathing started to calm down. Masaru looked up at him. "Idai?" Idai looked back at him with shaky eyes. "It's over. It's okay," Masaru said softly.
Yanagi touched his face gently. Idai tensed again as he started to realize she was there. "Am I a good singer?" She smiled at him, before she hugged him. Yanagi was trying her best to lighten the mood.
"H-How long have you guys been here," Idai asked. He was so ashamed he couldn't look at them. I'm hurting everyone around me. I can't do this to them!
"Only a little while," Masaru said.
"I don't need you guys to get involved," Idai said rather lowly. "I can handle this on my own!" He freed himself from Yanagi's grasp, moving back with his head downcast.
"No, you can't! It's hurting you," Yanagi said trying to make him understand. "You're my teammate and my friend, Idai. I can't let you fight this on your own! Don't you trust us?"
"No," Idai said emotionless and with a serious tone.
Masaru clenched his hands. "We're your teammates and you don't trust us? After we've helped you and everything? Why," he demanded to know. "Why, Idai?"
Idai's expression turned to one Masaru and Yanagi had never seen. It wasn't the Idai they knew. The person in front of them was serious, violent, secretive, and resentful. Yanagi's eyes quivered as Idai picked up his sword. The boy half-way aimed it, pointing it a little over her head.
"I don't trust anyone," Idai said harshly. "Especially not ninja from the hidden leaf village."
Masaru gritted his teeth. He unhooked the large shuriken on his back. "You attack her, and I'll attack you," he warned. I don't care if he is my teammate. Right now, the person in front of me, is not Idai. I don't know who that is!
Yanagi had to be brave. Idai could hurt her. She knew that. I have to be strong for myself. I have to be strong for Idai. He's not in his right mind. That's not him. It isn't! Yanagi stood up. The second sword was aimed at her abdomen. Idai's face did not change. "Who am I to you," she asked softly.
"A leaf-nin," Idai answered.
"Incorrect," Yanagi said. She watched Idai quirk a brow. "What is my name? You don't know, do you? You have no idea who I am," she said.
Masaru caught on to what she was doing. "Who am I, Idai? What's my name? Who is your trainer? Who is your dad?"
"Stop it! You are leaf-nin," Idai snapped. "I have no trainer! I have no parents! I am alone!"
"No! You're not alone," Yanagi said. "We're here, but you don't realize it! What about us? What about Takeru? Ryu? Daiya?" She watched as Idai's swords started to shake. "Do you remember Daiya?"
"Do you remember calling him 'lightening bug'? How he saved Yanagi from Hire? Any of it," Masaru demanded. "You have to know who we are!"
Idai's face was changing. He was fighting it. Something had a strong hold on him. The boy from the sound village lowered his swords. He looked at Yanagi. He saw the fear on her face - in her eyes. Masaru had his shuriken out. What... was I doing? Why is Yanagi and Masaru afraid of me?
They were watching him, not moving. He looked from one to the other, his eyes softened. Idai had to leave. He knew it. It had come to this. "I can't be on your team anymore. I don't wish to hurt any of you. Tell Kiba sensei and Daiya 'I'm sorry for everything.' I have to go," Idai said softly. He sheathed the swords onto his back and turned around to leave.
"Where are you going," Masaru yelled after him. "Idai! Idai!" Idai's form faded away amongst the trees.
There was a loud knocking at the door. Areku Inuzuka got up. "Who in the world is causing all of that commotion?" He grumbled. Areku walked tot he door and opened it. Masaru and Yanagi were standing outside panting. "What's wrong? Did you guys run all of the way here?"
"Areku, where's Kiba sensei," Masaru panted. "Idai tried to attack Yanagi!" He grabbed her arm and pushed her inside.
Areku couldn't believe it. It had finally happened. Idai had snapped. "Hold on. Dad," Areku took off to find his father.
"Idai wasn't himself. It wasn't him," Yanagi said. Masaru was looking at her as if he didn't believe any of it. "It wasn't Idai who was doing it!"
Kiba came running once he had learned what was going on from his son. "Yanagi! Masaru! Are you two okay?" They both nodded. "What happened? Did Idai hurt you? Yanagi!"
Yanagi started crying. She didn't believe Idai was to blame. She couldn't accept the fact that he was a bad person. "It wasn't Idai. It wasn't him, sensei. His face changed. He changed. His personality was not his own," she said through her tears.
"Idai has no emotion in him except hatred," Masaru said. "It was like he wasn't his own person - like someone else had taken over inside of him."
Kiba placed his hands on Yanagi's shoulders. He looked at her. Areku was standing behind him watching intently. "Tell me everything that went on. Every action; every detail; everything that was said."
Idai packed his belongings. He sighed as he closed the flap. Someone was behind him. He stood up, not turning around. "What do you want," he asked seriously.
"I want to know why you tried to attack your teammates," Kiba said from the doorway. He had gotten to know Idai over the past few months quite well. The boy didn't turn around. "Idai."
Gai was on the other side of the wall, listening. He had to know how sick Idai was. When Kiba had came to him earlier and told him what had transpired, Gai didn't want to believe it at first. He had to come up with a solution for Idai. He wouldn't caste him out. He had adopted the boy and he was Gai's responsibility now.
"I don't know what happened," Idai answered. "I keep hearing the voices. They aren't stopping. My nightmares are so bad, that my clothes are soaked when I wake. I hurt everybody around me: Daiya, my team, you, my dad - everyone... I cannot stay here and torment the others around me."
"So you're going to run," Kiba said. "That's a fine fix when everyone has tried to help you overcome it. You're just going to pick up and leave like we don't exist! That is not what Gai has taught you! Or me! That is not what your friends deserve, Idai."
Idai turned around at that point. His eyes met Kiba's, but he was looking past him. "I'm not on your team anymore. I'm no longer your concern. You don't have to be responsible for me. Worry about Yanagi and Masaru."
"Being on my team is not why I am here. I am not here as your trainer. I'm here as your friend, Idai. I still hold that bond with you, whether you like it, or not," Kiba said. He looked at the boy more intently. The boy looked away.
"I'll only hurt you. I can't control it anymore. I don't know how. I've tried. Everyone has tried to help me. There is something wrong with me and I don't want it to prevent anyone from living," Idai said as he closed his eyes.
"Then don't you think we need to find out what the solution is," Kiba asked. "We can't leave you to dwell in the past, Idai. You have to move forward with or without us. Right now, it doesn't matter if you hate us for our efforts. I'm willing to sacrifice my bond with you if it means you come out unscathed."
"Adults are weird," Idai said. "You talk as if you really mean what you say. As if your feelings about something are seen on the same level as pride."
"He does mean what he says," Gai said as he showed himself. "Kiba is loyal. He always has been. So are you friends. They would do anything for you, despite what it would do to them."
"That isn't true," Idai said in disbelief.
"It isn't? What about when Daiya approached you? He took the responsibility to try and find out what is wrong - at the cost of his friendship to you. You mean as much to him, as he means to you," Gai said. He could see Idai weighing it all out. "I need to find out what is going on inside your head, son, but you are a danger to those around you."
Kiba looked at him. "So what are you planning to do? Idai won't let anyone help him - not even Daiya. What are we supposed to do?"
Gai only had one solution. "Idai and I will leave the hidden leaf village. We will find out what is wrong with him. You guys will stay here and live. I don't know how long it will take, but I will get to the root of the problem. I have to. He's my son."
"And where do you figure is a good place to start," Kiba asked.
"The root of all of Idai's problems is where he comes from. You will have to face it, Idai, but you won't be alone. I'll be with you every step of the way." Idai looked up at him.
"Why would you be willing to do all of that for me," Idai asked.
"Because you're mine, you hard headed kid," Gai said. "Finish packing. We'll leave soon." He turned to Kiba. "I don't want the others to know until we're gone. Daiya might chase Idai. It's best if we drop everything like it is and go."
"I understand," Kiba said. "What if a solution can't be found for him? The mind is a labrynith of unopened doors. Idai has a lot of confusing turns going on inside of his head."
"If we can't cure him, then we won't return. I cannot have him cause injury to another person. It is better for him to live with memories than regret," Gai said. "I have to look at things from both sides of the fence, Kiba - as his father and his protector."
Kiba looked at Idai for the last time. Idai was walking around like a zombie going through things. "I don't know if I agree, but it is your decision. Take care of him, Gai. He needs all the support he can get." Kiba left. He couldn't bear to hug Idai or comfort him. The decision was made. Idai was going to have to face his past like a man.
Takeru bounced on the bed. "Daiya, get up," he sang to his brother. Daiya was ignoring him. Takeru crawled over him. He put his face next to his. "Daiya, I know you're awake."
Daiya glanced at him. "You don't take hints very well," he said unemotionally. He kept looking at Takeru's happy face.
Takeru flopped over. "Did something happen? All you do is come in here and lay in the bed. Are you sick?" Daiya shook his head. "Has someone been mean to you? Want me to set their pants on fire," he said laughing lightly.
"I just want to be left alone," Daiya said. He couldn't be mean to Takeru. No one knew what had happened between him and Idai. He wondered where Idai was. Why hasn't he came by? Is he angry at me for asking?
Takeru looked at the bed sheets. There was a large mass under them. "Um, Daiya, is that you?" Daiya looked down. The mass started to inch closer. It stopped short of Takeru and Daiya. What is that?
The sheets popped up unexpectedly. A person was under there! Takeru put his arms in front of his body and tried to ward the person off. The figure was wearing a feline ANBU mask. Takeru went over the side of the bed as he fell.
"Onari, that wasn't nice. You shouldn't scare baby Takeru," Daiya said. The girl tilted her head at him. "I don't scare so easily."
"Has she got my ANBU mask," Sasuke yelled from his bedroom.
"Yes," Daiya yelled back. Sasuke padded down the hall towards the room. "She scared Takeru with it."
"Onari," Sasuke said. The girl turned around to look at him. She tilted her head. "Stay out of the closet."
"Onari Sasuke," she said in her broken speech.
"Aw, Sasuke, she looks cute," Izumi said with a laugh. "Daiya, get out of bed. We're not letting you mope any longer. You have to find something to do."
"She's right, Daiya. I don't know what occurred between you and Idai, but you can't lay in bed all day," Sasuke said. He raised his finger for Daiya to get up immediately. Daiya's lip quivered as if he were being punished. "Takeru, you and Onari leave the room. Now," he said with authority.
Takeru didn't like it when his dad was angry, or being stern. He grabbed onto Onari's wrist. He tugged her to follow. She followed him out of the room looking back at Daiya and Sasuke.
"Daiya, you will level with me. I've waited for you to tell me on your own. I want to know what went on," Sasuke said. "I can tell when you lie like you did the other day. Idai caused your attack didn't he? Daiya, sit up and don't look away from me. I am not your enemy."
Daiya sat up. He looked at Sasuke. "Idai didn't cause it," he said softly.
"Daiya Eimino," Sasuke said sternly. "Do not cover for him!" He looked at him with a parenting look. "I won't have him upsetting you to the point where your arrythmia is affected."
Daiya shook his head, his teeth biting his lower lip. "Dad, he didn't make me upset. I-," he closed his eyes. "I did it to myself. I couldn't let Idai know what was going on. The thought of him resenting me got to me."
"Daiya," Sasuke said as he walked forward. He sat on the bed. "Look at me. I don't want you to think I don't have your best interests in mind. As a father, I have to protect the three of you to the best of my ability. No one else matters. If someone ever hurts any of you, he would regret it for the rest of eternity," Sasuke said so seriously that Daiya tensed.
"I can't force you to listen to me. I'm not your real father. The least I expect is for you to not upset Takeru. He is still to young to understand real cruelty that exists in this world."
Daiya slowly reached forward to touch Sasuke's hand. He grabbed onto it; looking at it. "You're the only one who wanted me," Daiya said so softly that Sasuke had to lean forward to hear him. "You're my real dad. I'd rather have you than the nicest guy in Konoha. Takeru is the best little brother I've ever had. He accepted me the first time he was my partner for the first vacation the teams took. Izumi is a wonderful mother. She claimed me as hers, despite how I acted towards her. And Onari came at me without fear - or redicule. She said I was her brother after only knowing me a short while. I don't regret my life, Sasuke. I regret what I can't do to protect all of you," Daiya said in the most adult voice.
Sasuke reached forward. He pulled Daiya closer to wrap his arms around him. The boy laid his cheek on his chest. "Daiya Uchiha, you're sentimental and sincere like your brother. And yet, you're quiet and forceful like your old man."
Daiya's eyes widened. He gasped as his heart started to flutter and beat faster. Sasuke had changed his surname. "Y-You and I-Izumi w-want me..?"
Sasuke petted the back of Daiya's rough, messed up hair gently. "Yeah, I guess so. Takeru and Onari like you. Izumi likes you as her own and I think you're pretty cool. Just hope nothing happens to Kurenai. Ryu would cause more strain in this house than I'm willing to go for."
"I need to find out what's going on with Idai," Daiya told Takeru. "It's not like him to be away this long." He leaned against the garden wall.
"Have you and Idai ever fought before," Takeru asked. He watched as his brother shook his head. "Never? Sometimes, Onari and I fight, but it's basically due to her misinterpretation," he said with a smile.
"Onari's cute though," Ryu said as he looked up at the sky. "She's funny, too. Speaking of which...," Ryu paused as he grinned at Takeru. "I hear you're scared of ANBU masks.
Takeru looked at Daiya menacing. "Thanks a lot. What'd you tell him for? You're supposed to be on my side, Daiya."
"I couldn't help it. It was cute of her to get you so easily," Daiya said. He reached up to ruffle Takeru's hair. "Don't be mad, Takeru."
Takeru crossed his arms. "I guess I'll get you back then." Daiya looked at him. "Hey, Ryu, guess what Daiya's new surname is?" Daiya blushed embarrassed.
Ryu glanced at his friends. "New surname? How did you manage that?" Daiya covered Takeru's mouth to prevent him from saying anything further. Takeru was pointing to himself than to Daiya and back to himself. Ryu raised a brow. "I already know he's your brother." Takeru sulked. "Or could it be Sasuke sensei gave you his surname?"
"Dammit, Ryu, you knew the whole time," Daiya said annoyed. Ryu nodded. Takeru raised his arms in triumph. He let Takeru go.
"Why do you think Idai hasn't come around," Ryu asked seriously. He looked at Daiya. He had to tell him. It was why he was here. Daiya would take it easier from him than from Sasuke. Ryu had found out that previous morning from Kiba.
"He's mad at me for prying," Daiya said as he looked out at the garden.
"Do you think that's the real reason," Ryu said looking at Daiya with no expression on his face. "You and Idai are awfully close. You two are never alone without the other. Idai normally goes out of his way to harass you in some form. So I ask you again, do you think he's not around because he's angry at you?"
"I've never seen Idai angry," Takeru said. "He's always happy and moving around. He wasn't even angry when Eiyu was threatening to kick his tail at the hot springs." Takeru looked at his brother's face. He was worried. Ryu was calmly looking at Daiya.
"Spill it, Ryu, where is he," Daiya demanded.
"First, calm down. If you get upset, I'll feel bad," Ryu said. "I'd rather not see you have an attack, Daiya. I will admit it this one time and only this one time. When I see you in pain like that, it feels like my heart is being crushed. So calm down."
Takeru looked at Ryu concerned. Ryu never admitted to anything. He also didn't like to get involved. Daiya was taken aback by what Ryu had said. Takeru watched his brother ease up.
"Are you going to listen and not act ill rationally," Ryu asked. "Daiya, if you can't understand the situation, then I cannot tell you. I was sworn to not upset you. I can't let you chase after Idai." Daiya caught on to what Ryu said. Ryu watched his friend's emotions play out. The shock was all over Daiya's face. "Daiya?" Ryu leaned forward. Daiya was staring straight ahead.
"Ryu, what is the matter," Takeru asked. "Ryu?" He watched Ryu get up. He moved to sit in front of Daiya.
"H-He's gone," Daiya said with a shaky voice. "Idai is... gone." Daiya could see Idai looking over his shoulder at him.
"Where did Idai go," Takeru wanted to know.
"He went with Gai sensei to unlock his past," Ryu said. "Remember the meeting we had? It was clear then as it is now, that Idai is not well. He snapped, Daiya." Daiya looked at him. "Idai came close to hurting his teammates. Gai sensei had to react."
Ryu watched as Daiya kept his eyes focused on him. "Understand that Idai is trying to fix himself. He does not wish to hurt you, or anyone else. He is doing this so he can come back." Ryu stopped. He had to be careful with his wording.
"Idai cares for you so much, Daiya, that he chose to face his fears like a man. He is not running away any longer. Gai sensei told Kiba sensei that if Idai couldn't be helped, to tell you that Idai loves you like a brother and he appreciates everything you've done for him." He paused and waited. "He might not come back," he said gently.
Daiya stared at Ryu. He couldn't move. The tears were flowing down his face. He couldn't stop them. Daiya's body felt numb. Time itself had stopped. Everything he had experienced with Idai had faded away. It was as if it were all a dream. Idai's teasing; his smile; his pranks; the way he slept curled up -it was all a dream.
Ryu knew Daiya was taking it hard. Daiya was overprotective of Idai. He had every right to be. Idai had been very persistent in getting Daiya to notice him; to be friends with him. Ryu felt himself slightly crack. He liked Idai, too. Idai helped end arguments and liven up the group. They had all gotten to be close to each other.
Takeru reached up to rub Daiya's head. His heart was sad for his brother. They might not ever get to see Idai again. "If Idai can be strong for himself, I can be strong for him, too. I know you guys think I don't understand everything, but I know more than I let on. I just have different ways of playing it off."
"We know you're not ignorant, Takeru, but we try to protect you," Ryu said. "Whether you like it or not, you are the youngest on the teams. We're responsible for how you turn out."
Daiya closed his eyes. His hands started to clench. Why now? Why at this moment is it starting? Daiya gritted his teeth. His heart clenched a few times causing him to wince. "R-R-yu-u," he said, his voice being forced out.
Ryu turned his head quickly. "Oh, no," he said softly. "Takeru, get your mom! Hurry!" Takeru took off running. Ryu grabbed Daiya so fast, that his hat fell off. He pressed him against his chest hard. Daiya was gasping for air. Ryu's eyes were wide, alert.
Izumi came running towards the both of them. She practically threw herself at the ground. "Ryu, we have to get his vest and bandages off," she said quickly. They started to free Daiya of his clothing. Once everything was off, Izumi placed the palm of her hand on Daiya's back right behind his heart. "Ryu, don't be alarmed. This is to help get his heart's rhythm under control. He's going to yell." Ryu looked at her fearfully. "Hold him still at all costs."
Izumi had to act quickly and calmly. If Daiya's heart wasn't calmed soon, it would stop. She began to push her chakra out of her hand towards Daiya's heart. The energy she was sending towards him, was being sent in a chakra wave against his heart.
Daiya started to yell in pain. His body jerked hard. Ryu held him with all of his strength. The pain was so unbearable that Daiya's body started to push Ryu's arms, trying to get away. Soon Daiya felt his heart calm down. His breathing was quick and short. He didn't know what had happened, but despite the ache he felt in his heart, he was okay.
Ryu kept holding his friend and teammate. Daiya's attack had put him out of commission. He was weakly laying on Ryu. "What did you do to help him," he asked Izumi.
"It's a chakra push. Neji Hyuga uses it to send his opponents back. I'm not emitting the amount of force he uses, obviously. Too much force can rip Daiya's heart apart," Izumi said. "So far, it's the only technique that will reverse the attacks he experiences."
Ryu looked at Izumi Uchiha seriously. "Teach me. I have to know how to help him; for the sake of us that care about him."
Izumi nodded. "If you are willing to learn, I will teach you. Everyone needs to learn it that knows him. I don't know Daiya's fate at this point with the condition he's in. His heart is permanently damaged from the electrical currents that wrap themselves around it."
Ryu looked down at Daiya. The boy looked pale. "Daiya has to become stronger. There's no other solution. His heart will catch up with the rest of him."
"I couldn't have said it better," Sasuke said. He had been watching Ryu and Izumi for a short while. "This mess with Idai is testing Daiya in the worst way. We've got to get his mind off of it. I hate to say this, but Daiya has to forget about Idai."
"That in itself will hurt him," Ryu said. "Daiya needs to focus on other things -not entirely forget Idai. You should never forget someone that cares for you."
"Ryu," Sasuke said. The boy looked up at him. "Caught you."
Ryu's eye twitched. "I hate how you do that. Now is not the time, Sasuke sensei," he said angrily.
"Sasuke, stop trapping Ryu into opening up for a moment," Izumi said. "We need to focus on Daiya. I don't like these attacks anymore than you do. It hurts to watch the pain on his face," she said as she rubbed her son's head. "How can we approach this?"
"We need a vacation. It would be good for the kids to get away for a while. Ryu can go - and so can Saori. Everyone that is close to Daiya should. You guys can help him heal. It's important right now that he gets closer to all of you," Sasuke said.
"I understand what you're trying to do," Ryu said. "But do you honestly think Daiya will accept all of us as we are? He was only that close to Idai. He's always stood a distance from the rest of us. Even me. Not saying that I've been trying to get him to like me. I don't worry about that sort of thing."
Sasuke and Izumi both looked at Ryu coyly. "We're not falling for it, Ryu," they said. Ryu was trying to direct the attention off of what he had said earlier.
"Saori is right," Daiya said weakly as he started to come around. "You are a turkey." He looked up at the Genin. Ryu tried to play off being caught by scratching his head.
"Eh, how long have you been awake," Ryu asked looking off into the distance.
"I heard half of what you said about me not liking you," Daiya admitted weakly. Ryu was avoiding looking at him. "To be fair, Ryu, you have to let someone be able to grasp onto something. It's hard when you're sitting on a pedestal and you keep staring at the clouds - not looking around you."
"And where did the little lightening bug hear something like that," Ryu asked glancing at him.
"From my brother," Daiya said. "Although, I stopped staring at the clouds. I saw him waving his arms around to get my attention. Maybe you should take your eyes off of the horizon for a while."
Ryu looked down at Daiya. "Alright, my eyes are looking around starting now. I see you, Sasuke sensei, and Ms. Izumi. Now what?"
"Keep your eyes open," Sasuke said. He placed his hand on Ryu's head. The kid looked up quirking a brow at him. "It's better to see where you're going than to walk blindly, trust me."
"Is Daiya okay now," Takeru yelled from the porch.
"Yes, he's alright," Izumi said. "Takeru, you need to pack. We're going on a family vacation. Help Onari."
"Really," Takeru said bewildered. He ran off faster than anyone had expected. "Onari! We're going on a vacation! Get your clothes ready!"
"Onari no understand," Onari yelled at him from inside the house. "Onari no understand Takeru! Takeru out! Takeru out Onari room! Onari clothes Onari's!"
Izumi sighed. "Well, it looks like I'm up. Ryu, please let Saori know alright?" She shook her head as she went inside to stop Onari from pummeling Takeru.
Sasuke crouched. "I think we'll go camping. Is that alright with you two?"
"I like camping. You can see the stars at night," Daiya said as Sasuke picked him up. He grimaced. Ryu stood up as well. "Ryu." The older boy looked at him. "You're not so bad- even for a turkey."
Ryu watched as Sasuke took Daiya in to rest. He rolled his shoulders. "Yeah, you're not so bad for a lightening bug, either. I guess I'll keep my eyes open." He smiled under his mask.