V 6 ch 8
Traded!
Takeru sat with his elbows on his knees as Eiyu and Saori sat on either side of him. They were waiting on Lee. The man had just begun going over their training routine for the week when he had been called away. "What is taking him so long?"
Eiyu was turned tot he side with his arm hung over the couch. "Who knows. Maybe he went to go run around Konoha a few times."
"Eiyu, leave Lee sensei alone. He's a positive person. It's not hurting your motivation any." Saori glanced at her teammate. He was in a more foul mood than normal. Man, what is up with him today?
Takeru flopped onto the couch. "If he's going to take much longer, I'm going home. I can train with my mom if I have to. A day of rest from Lee sensei isn't going to hurt me any." He closed his eyes.
Saori soon found herself laying on her side. She didn't know how long she had napped. Saori glanced up as she heard the door open to the balcony. She saw Lee standing in front of her with his eyes watching them. Saori moved her leg to kick Takeru. Takeru woke up yawning. In turn, he reached over to push Eiyu on the back.
"Glad to know the three of you are well rested. I had to meet with the Hokage over an important matter. There has been a change in the assigned teams." Lee could tell the three before him weren't understanding what he was saying. "Saori, you are no longer on my team as of today. You have been assigned a new team."
Takeru stiffened at the news. Saori's eyes widened. "You're taking her off of the team? She's been working harder to catch up to us! That isn't fair," he said ready to take charge of the matter.
Saori's heart was racing. If I'm kicked off, where am I going? Am I not good enough to be on this team? She felt all of her extra training with Kandai had been wasted.
Lee held up his hand to stop Takeru from making a fool of himself. "I said Saori was off my team, Takeru Uchiha. She is going to be on another team. It does not mean her efforts have been for nothing."
Eiyu glanced at Saori. The girl was relaxing, but not by much. "Whose team is she on? And if she's not here, who is replacing her?"
"Saori, please stand," Lee said as he ignored Eiyu's questioning. The girl stood slowly and difficultly. "It has been a pleasure training you. I wish you the best." Lee bowed to her. He stood up erect again to hand her a piece of paper. "Please report to your new team. It is listed on the paper. Do not open it here," he said stopping her from doing so in front of Eiyu and Takeru. "It is for your eyes only."
Saori turned around to look at Takeru and Eiyu. Her eyes showed sadness and confusion. I've been traded to another team. This can't be happening! Saori walked off of the balcony in silence. As she came to the bottom of the stairs, she opened the piece of paper slowly, afraid of what it told. Her eyes widened further. No way!
"Who is replacing Saori? We work well together despite her slow improvement," Eiyu said blandly. "Putting an unfamiliar person on the team is unethical, in my opinion."
Takeru frowned. "Only when it comes to the poor soul having to work with you." His eyes went back to Lee. "Sensei, who is replacing Saori?"
Lee smiled at the boys. He opened the door behind him. "Takeru Uchiha and Eiyu Hyuuga, welcome your new teammate." He stepped away from the entrance to the hall.
Takeru and Eiyu watched their new teammate place her hand along the door frame. Few seconds later, they saw a foot. The girl walked through the entrance slowly. Eiyu and Takeru's mouths fell open.
"Meet your new teammate and give her a proper welcome," Lee said much to the shock of the two boys. "Welcome to Team 9, Onari." He gave her a dashing smile.
Takeru's heart fluttered. Onari was brandishing a ninja headband on her forehead. Eiyu was still bewildered, it seemed. "Ri's replacing Saori? Seriously," he asked with a smile as he stood.
"She's really on our team," Eiyu breathed out. He had never doubted her for an instant despite her ability to understand language. Like Takeru, he was thrilled and taken aback, but he didn't show it.
"Onari passed the Academy exam with flying colors," Lee commented. "Her test was issued verbally by the Hokage himself." Lee placed a hand on his hip. "I hope you three will look out for each other and grow together in your training."
"You made it," Takeru said happily as he stood before her. Onari nodded slowly as her serious eyes kept their gaze upon him. He hugged her quickly, causing her to be off balance for a split second. "You made it, Ri!"
Sasuke stood against the tree as Ryu and Daiya stared at him for an explanation. "It was time for Hire to advance. That's why she's off of our team as of today."
Ryu narrowed his eyes. "How did she manage to get off so easily? We were both demoted! Let me guess, she changed her attitude and now she gets special treatment?" Ryu was angry. He was doing better with his training and working well with his team. He crossed his arms. "How come I have to stay on the same team?"
"Sensei, who is replacing Hire? We have to have a third person to make a team," Daiya said. He watched Sasuke stand up to stretch his back. The man only held up his finger for them to wait.
Ryu kept his arms crossed, his shoulders shaking with anger. "Why am I still the leader of Team 2 and Hire gets away like that?" He was steaming.
"Ryu, stop worrying about Hire. You're only worried about whose replacing her. You know good as well as I do, that you like being the team leader. You want to look out for Daiya and it's noticeable. That's why you're still here," Sasuke said throwing a stone at Ryu on the spot.
Ryu stood with his fists clenched. "Don't so things so familiarly!" He hated being brought out in front of others. "Who is under me now? Is it some kid who needs another attitude adjustment? Maybe it's somebody who won't work with me like before!" Ryu started to grab onto his spiky hair. He was tempted to rip it out.
Daiya sighed. He wished Ryu would calm down. He shook his head. So much for being the oldest and most mature.
Sasuke let Ryu flip out for a moment. It was just enough to embarrass himself for the way he was acting. "Ryu, your new teammate is standing behind you," he said to stop Ryu from ranting further.
Ryu turned around fuming. He was about to really let his new teammate have it. "You better pull your own weight I am not a babysi-" Ryu stared. Daiya was on his feet in no time, also staring.
"Your new teammate is... Saori Nara," Sasuke said. He watched Ryu do a double take. "Onari took her Academy exam the other day. She passed, much to the surprises of the proctors. I can't have Onari under me. She wouldn't regard you, or Daiya instructing her. She had to go to Lee's team with Takeru. Sorry for the inconvience," Sasuke said.
"Do you always greet your new teammates that way," Saori asked as she stood with Rose on her back. She fluttered her eyes at him. He was totally speechless. Daiya, on the other hand, was regarding her as a problem. She walked over to him. He stood his ground with her.
"I know we've butted heads a lot, Daiya. I promise to keep doing what I need to in order to succeed. And I promise I won't fail you. Please allow me to train with you," Saori said as she bowed low. Up until now, Saori hadn't been respecting him. She had been regarding him as an obstacle because of Yanagi.
Daiya had never been bowed to before. No one regarded him that way. He was always seen as an outsider. "We're not going to baby sit you, Saori. Sasuke sensei is not the same type of trainer that Lee is. Both of their methods are different. You're going to work your butt off on our team."
Saori stood. She knew Sasuke was a more difficult person all around. He reflected his own past training in what he taught his students. It was only natural. "Sensei, my chakra endurance has gotten better since I took side training. Can I work with Rose now?"
"Side training? That's why you've been so tired all of the time," Ryu asked. He watched Saori smile. "Whose been helping you in the morning?"
"Hire and Kandai have been making sure I don't fall behind. I can already do the 'Chakra run'," she said referring to the technique Sasuke used every day to test his students. She was unaware that Ryu's father, Kakashi, had originally used it.
"Let's start with the uh... 'Chakra run'," Sasuke said using Saori's new term for it. "Ryu and Daiya will go first so you can see where they are at. At the end of the week, we'll start training with Rose. You'll be using her against your team before you start to use her in the training ring. It's important to be familiar with Ryu and Daiya's techniques."
Ryu ran at the tree in front of him. He was finding it hard not to show off in front of Saori. The fact that she was traded to their team delighted him in the heighest regard. As his feet glued to the bark of the tree, he ran up the side with a kunai in one hand. Ryu got two-thirds of the way up and marked it.
Saori's head was back, mouth agape, as she lost sight of Ryu. She couldn't imagine getting to that height herself. "How is he able to get that far up the tree?"
"He's been on the same team for three years, Saori. Ryu's a lot stronger and faster than you may know," Daiya said. He admired Ryu for his training effort. The guy trained all of the time; not just on the team, but also at home with his scrolls. Ryu was determined to be known for his Genjutsu like his mother, Kurenai.
Ryu plopped off the tree. "Hah! Alright, Daiya, let's see if you can get to where I lodged the kunai. If you can get there, I'll treat you to lunch," Ryu said with a smile under his face mask. He wondered how Daiya was doing with his own training. The kunai was placed higher than his previous mark.
Daiya shot past Saori. He had to get to the kunai on the tree, or end up taking Ryu's side training on top of Sasuke's training. He glued his chakra to the tree and huffed as he ran up the side. Daiya kept pushing himself to get to his last mark. He closed his eyes and felt his heart clench. Daiya fought it. He had to.
As each one of his feet hit the bark, he kept his mind focused on his target. Soon he hit his last target. Daiya saw the kunai lodged in the hard bark overhead. He gritted his teeth as he passed his own personal mark. Daiya felt his body giving out. No! Come on! I've been training for months to overcome my problems! Ryu promised! His electrical charges erupted around him as he became angry with himself. Daiya's anger and determination got him within two feet of Ryu's kunai. NO! Daiya's electrical charge halted suddenly. He fell from the tree.
Ryu looked up. "Uh, oh. Hang on, Saori," he said stopping her from speaking further. He ran up the tree quickly. Ryu opened his arms to catch the falling boy. He managed to wrap his arms around Daiya before his feet became unglued with the increased weight. He fell to the ground sliding with his teammate.
"Ryu! Daiya! Are you two okay," Saori asked as she ran to them. Ryu sat up with Daiya breathing hard. Neither of them looked at her.
"I had it! It was right there! No! I want to try again," Daiya said angrily. "You promised!" He started to fight Ryu for a second chance.
Ryu placed his hand on Daiya's forehead to calm him down. As always, the boy fought him. Ryu moved his right hand to put it on Daiya's chest. He made him lean back. Saori wanted to say something, but Ryu shook his head at her. He was the team leader. This meant Daiya was his responsibility.
"You promised! You promised if I got there,-" Daiya swallowed hard. He wanted to try again so badly. Ryu wasn't about to let him.
"How far did you get," Ryu asked. He heard Daiya mumble something. "Speak up. How far did you get," he asked repeating himself.
"Two feet," Daiya finally admitted.
"I placed the kunai ten feet away from your last mark. You didn't fail. I placed it higher so you would push yourself," Ryu said. "I know I promised. I'll still treat you so calm down."
"Is it my turn now," Saori asked. "I can't get as far as you two though. I haven't been doing it that long. You guys might scold me," Saori said trying to make light of the situation. Daiya didn't pay her any attention.
Ryu stood up. "Okay, let's see what Hire has taught you." He couldn't view Saori as his girlfriend right now. She was his teammate and thus, she needed to learn from him.
Saori took a deep breath. Alright, Saori. Ryu is good. Better than he'll admit, but he is good. Daiya is, too. And now, I've got to match them. She ran at the tree determined to show them what she could do. Her feet hit the bark loudly as she forced herself to defy gravity.
Saori succeeded in clearing eight branches, however, she wasn't at the same level of endurance as Daiya, nor Ryu. Saori marked the bark with her kunai. She came back down faster than she anticipated. She slid on the dirt.
"Not bad for a few weeks of training," Ryu commented. "You have one week to get where Daiya is. No exceptions."
Saori's eyes widened. What? Her chest tightened. It seemed to be getting worse. Training on Team 2 was definantly different than on Team 9.
"You're not on Lee's team anymore. You're on ours. I know what Sasuke expects. Either you accept where we need you to be, or you end up failing. I can't have you fail, Saori. I know what your main goal is. Don't lose sight of it," Ryu told her.
Saori struggled to speak. "I'll reach Daiya's mark if it kills me," she said unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth.
Rock Lee stood in the center of the training ring with Onari. Takeru and Eiyu were safely on the other side. "Let's see how strong you are, Onari. I want you to hit this boulder with your fist. From what I hear, Neji has informed me this is no problem for you."
"Is he expecting her to hit that," Takeru asked baffled. It was a large gray boulder. It had to weigh at least a ton.
"Onari is stronger than she appears to be, Takeru. Lee knows she's going to hold back. If Onari gets really angry, her strength increases," Eiyu said. He moved away from the fence pulling Takeru by the collar. "It's not wise to be this close to her."
"Onari hit rock for Lee," she said making sure she understood what he wanted her to do.
"Yes, that is correct. I want to see how strong you are. Hit the rock as hard as you can," Lee told her again. He moved out of the ring. This will help determine Onari's kekkegenkai. Hers is unknown, like Daiya's. Up until now, it has been hidden. Training seems to be bringing it out as Neji suspects.
Onari looked at the boulder in front of her. It was as tall as she was and thrice her size. She viewed the hard substance as her enemy. Onari narrowed her eyes. She moved her arm back, tightened her muscles, and swung at the boulder with a frontal blow. Her fist went into the rock by six inches. The area where she had hit had cracks all around it. As she freed her arm, debri fell onto the ground. She turned to look at Lee. "Onari correct, jes?"
"Holy head of the Hokage," Eiyu said as it finally escaped his lips. "She can punch through solid rock. And it doesn't appear as if it phased her."
"Imagine if she was really after an enemy," Lee said as he brought it to their awareness. "Whoever goes against her is going to regret it. Her punches are fast and strong. I expected nothing less from Neji. He's brought out her true ability."
"Ri, lets show Eiyu how fast you are," Takeru called out to her. "Want to race? If Onari is chasing Daiya and I at home, she's pretty determined to catch us. I haven't figured out how to avoid her," he said with a goofy smile. He started to race with her until they became out of sight.
Lee watched Onari take off. Her feet didn't seem to be touching the ground as she moved. She is incredibly fast. Lets see how fast she becomes under my watch.
Eiyu couldn't believe Onari had made it to their team. He was so thrilled he wanted to hop up and down with excitement, but the Hyuuga in him made him remain still. She had become a good friend and alli. Eiyu thought Onari was his first love. She didn't avoid him like the other girls. He closed his eyes feeling his heart act up. He was blushing badly. He could feel the heat on his cheeks. Eiyu coughed and turned away from Lee. "Well, lets go gather them," he said walking away so his trainer wouldn't notice.
Saori sat next to Ryu on the ground as they ate bento. Daiya was sitting next to Sasuke away from them. She suspected he wanted to be near his dad. Her chopsticks stopped in mid-air. "Ryu, why was he acting so aggressive before when you promised to treat him to lunch?"
Ryu glanced at her with the can of juice in the air, parted from his lips. "He's defiant. It's just how he is. Daiya takes promises very seriously - probably because no one has ever had an interest in him. He was also angry with himself for failing. I've learned how to handle him. I'd rather he get angry with me than you. No offense, but he's closed to you. It will take time, Saori. Don't rush it."
Saori watched Daiya as he ate. The boy was cautiously eating. Every morsel of food had to be inspected, or given approval of by Sasuke. It took Takeru a long time to be accepted by Daiya. I'm going to be seen as an enemy despite being on the same team as him. My goal for now is to match his point on the chakra run. Which means, I don't have time to sit here and day dream. Saori put the top back on the bento.
Ryu watched Saori stand. He raised a brow. "Where are you going?"
"To train. I've only got a week to match Daiya's mark on the tree. I'm not going to be seen as a weak link on the team." She ran at the tree, glued her chakra to the bark, and started to focus on the kunai high above. I will make Ryu proud of me!
"I can't believe you're on our team," Eiyu said again as they walked together. He was so happy for Onari that he was smiling. Eiyu never smiled. "I wonder who got Saori. She left rather shocked."
"Saori go Sasuke team," Onari said. She had known beforehand what was happening. Onari had been in the room as Lee was mentioned by the Hokage.
"Oh, I'm sure she shocked the heck out of Ryu. He probably doesn't know what to do with himself," Takeru commented. "It's like a dream come true and nightmare all at the same time."
Eiyu turned his head to regard him. "What would make you say something like that?" He noticed Onari kept her eyes straight ahead instead on either of them. She was alert to the movements of the people around them.
"Saori is in love with Ryu and he her. The two of them haven't admitted it to each other though. Ryu would love nothing more than to train at her side; however, it also puts him at a disadvantage. He's going to be more tempted to protect her than himself," Takeru explained. "When someone you care about surrounds you, all concern you have with yourself, is lost."
Eiyu supposed that was true. He was starting to understand how it felt to worry about someone else. He found himself watching Onari's training more now that she was on the team. Eiyu didn't know if he adored her in a loving way, or loved her simply in a romantic way. It was confusing for him. Eiyu was learning to pay attention to Takeru's actions towards Onari. He suspected the Uchiha youth loved her, but wasn't sure of his own feelings.
They parted ways not long after. Takeru was talking a mile a minute. Onari glanced at him. Her serious gaze wondered if he remembered she only understood half of the words she was saying. She sweat dropped. Onari brought her hand around to place it over his mouth. "Takeru, Onari no understand all words Takeru run to Onari." She glared at him out of the corner of her eye as he kept talking. "Takeru, calm down." She took her hand away.
"Aw, Ri, you're just like Daiya. You never let me say what I want," Takeru grumbled. He looked away pouting.
"What Takeru say? With few words," Onari compromised. A lot of talking, or noise disrupted her thoughts. She couldn't focus properly with so much noise.
"I was saying that we're going to be able to train together and take missions from here on out. We'll be together more," Takeru said as he smiled at her. "You were always too busy before training with Mr. Hyuuga during the day. Besides, I want to see how far you've come. Lee's a good trainer. He makes us work together on everything - including decisions we make. Eiyu's always stubborn so he doesn't bend easily to what others what to do."
Onari knew where this was going. Takeru didn't get along with Eiyu. She saw it in how he stood and how he had the tendency to look away when Eiyu spoke. "Takeru, Eiyu alone. Eiyu not hear another voice but Eiyu. Its hard for Eiyu to listen. Onari like Eiyu. Onari like Takeru. Team family. Eiyu serious like brother Neji. Takeru understand?"
Takeru was silent for a moment. Onari was standing firm about how they needed to get along. "You're close to Eiyu, aren't you," he asked softly. He closed his eyes as they walked home. "Are you closer to him than me?"
Onari's eyes softened. She lifted her hand to move his long hair out of his face. "Takeru, Onari no understand how Takeru mean." She leaned over to look into his eyes.
Takeru stopped in his tracks with Onari. He turned his head to look at her. He blushed slightly as he wrapped his arms around her. "You're a really good friend, Onari. I'll try to be more considerate of Eiyu. I just thought he wasn't being agreeable to be difficult - not because he was trying to be heard."
Onari knew she couldn't change Takeru. He was still a boy in his heart. He thought of others enough to give advice and include them, but he was not prepared for girls. He was mainly interested in being surrounded by his best friend and brother. They were more important to him. As they parted the hug, she turned away. Eiyu was more mature than Takeru. She liked both of them, but Takeru had a child's adoration for her. "Onari need time to self. See Takeru later." She walked away from him.
Eiyu walked through his mother's garden with his hand trailing the foliage. His mind was on the morning. He found himself thinking so much about Onari that he had to sit on a bench. She's gotten to be so fast now. Father has taught her well. Will it be possible for her to get to my level? Will she surpass me? Eiyu's mind drifted to Onari punching the boulder earlier that day. She could easily break someone's bones, or crush his skull in. Yet, she doesn't attack anyone verbally, or physically. She's completely self-defense. Eiyu leaned his body forward as he placed his mouth upon his hands. Why is she training so hard? He wasn't sure.
Eiyu opened his white eyes. He saw a pair of feet standing in front of him. He looked up to see Onari watching him. His face flushes as he heart fluttered with her presence. Why was she there? "Hi," he said as he looked away. He felt hot. Was she noticing how red his face felt?
Onari tilted her head. Eiyu was acting strangely towards her. She walked to him with her feet padding softy on the ground. Onari crouched in front of him. "Eiyu no want Onari here," she asked gently. He wasn't looking at her.
Eiyu turned his head to look at her. His eyes widened. Her yellow birdlike eyes were meeting his. He could see all of the different shades of yellow that were present. "I just... wasn't expecting you to be here. You've already succeeded in getting onto our team. Why... are you here?"
"Onari want to see Eiyu," she said watching him. He seemed unsure about her being in the garden with him. Eiyu's eyes kept avoiding hers. "Onari sorry for not letting Eiyu know Onari here," she said as she rose to leave. She turned to go when she felt his hand grab onto hers. Onari looked over her shoulder at him. His eyes were pleading with her not to go.
"I didn't mean to give you the impression that I wanted you to leave, Onari. It seems whenever I start thinking about you, you suddenly appear. Is there a reason behind it?" Eiyu pulled her closer to him. She became off balance and fell onto him. Eiyu caught her tenderly. He tilted his head up to look at her. She was watching him as her long black hair fell onto his face.
Onari saw a softer, kinder side of Eiyu that no one knew about. He was often serious, but with her, he was observant to every aspect of her being. Onari lowered her head.
Eiyu moved his hand to the back of Onari's head, moving her closer. He pressed her towards him as they kissed deeply. Eiyu brought his arm around her back to make her sit in his lap. Eiyu ran his fingers through her soft hair. "You're the first girl I've ever kissed besides my mom."
"Eiyu want back," she asked not understanding. Had she stolen something? Onari tried to give his kiss back, but he held his hand in front of his lips.
Eiyu smiled for the first time in a long time. "No, I don't want it back. You can keep mine, too," he said as he kissed her again. Eiyu ran his thumb down her cheek. Both of htem were watching each other softly. "I want to keep you, Onari."
"Eiyu with Onari now," she said thinking he was confused. Onari heard him laugh. It was something unfamiliar to her. She tilted her head again. His laugh sounded as if it had been held in and was let out quickly.
"That's not what I mean," he said as his eyes remained focused on her. "It means I have strong feelings for you. It means, I care about you greatly. I want to date you, Onari."
Onari brought her hand up to run her finger down his nose. She pushed his nose in. He didn't tense, or flinch at her. He was still maintaining his gaze upon her. "Onari not know word, Eiyu."
"Love," he said coming to a conclusion. "I want to love you," he expressed. "I want you to be mine and me to be yours."
"Onari let Eiyu," she said as the sun started to set. For the longest time, they sat together in the garden near the Hyuuga house. Onari leaned onto Eiyu and he, her.
"No way! The Hokage moved you to Team 2? I bet Ryu was so shocked," Yanagi said as they walked down the darkened path together. The lights were starting to come on in Konoha. "Hey, Saori, isn't that Onari? Why's she out here by herself?"
Saori saw Onari sitting against a tree staring at a flower in her hand. "I haven't the slightest idea." They walked towards the foreign girl. "Onari, hi, what are you doing out here by yourself?"
Onari looked up to see Saori and Yanagi watching her. She glanced at them for a moment before returning her gaze to the flower in her hand. "Eiyu give Onari flower."
Yanagi saw how delicately Onari was twirling it in her hands. She didn't know anything about Eiyu Hyuuga. He was quiet and reserved when surrounded by the other teams. She bent down to look at the wildflower. It seemed to suit Onari's character. "Onari, did something happen between you and Eiyu?"
Saori was just now catching onto what was going on. Her mind was so aloof lately. It was so focused on her goals with Team 2, that she wasn't paying attention to the obvious around her. "Are you and Eiyu Hyuuga dating?"
Onari cocked her head a few times. She had heard that word earlier, hadn't she? "Eiyu ask Onari can Onari let Eiyu love, so Onari say Onari let Eiyu." She watched Saori's mouth fall open. Onari didn't understand what the big deal was.
Yanagi gently put her hand on the girl's leg to get her attention. She could hear Saori overreacting behind her. "Onari, doesn't Takeru have feelings for you?"
"Takeru boy," she said rather fast. "Takeru like Ryu and Daiya." Yanagi's eye seemed to twitch at the sound of that. "Ryu best friend. Daiya brother. Takeru no like Onari. Takeru say Onari friend."
Saori put her hand to her forehead and popped it. "Well, it's no wonder Onari went for Eiyu. Takeru is too concerned with following Daiya and Ryu around. He's too young to know anything about girls yet. He probably thinks we have cooties and all of that nonsense."
Yanagi sighed. "Sadly, I'd have to agree with that. The times I've seen him around Onari, he acts as if she's just someone to talk to. Maybe he is more concerned with having a brother and a best friend? I'm not sure. But still, it is Onari's choice who she wants to be with, Saori." Yanagi turned her head towards Onari again. "Do you have feelings for Eiyu?"
Onari thought about what Yanagi was saying to her. When she saw Eiyu in her mind, all she saw was him smiling at her and looking at her with a kind gaze. "Onari like Eiyu a lot. Eiyu sweet. Onari see real Eiyu."
"You mean, he has another side to him besides being a smart alike when he wants to be," Saori asked rather baffled. "I would have never imagined," she said as she dropped to the ground.
"Saori, he can't be that bad," Yanagi said as she smiled at her rather embarassed by her actions. "Eiyu is a boy, too, you know. Maybe he only shows himself to people he truly trusts? It's good that he trusts you, Onari. It's something not many people can gain from certain people."
"How come," Onari asked. She put the wildflower in her dark hair. Yanagi was pondering about how to explain it to her.
"Well, certain people, like Ryu and Daiya are afraid to admit things to people. They always have the feeling that someone will ridacule them, or do harm to them in some way," Saori said as she stepped in. "It's not normal for them to think that way, but they do. Is that any easier?"
Onari raised a brow. "No," she said to Saori's surprise. The girl shook her head at her.
"I wonder if I can help explain it a little better," Yanagi said. "When children grow up without trust, they fear people. Daiya and Ryu fear others who might, or might not hurt them. They don't want to take that chance. Eiyu may be the same way. He has always been alone, hasn't he?" Onari seemed to nod in agreement.
"I thought he always hung out with Kandai," Saori said not understanding.
"No, Eiyu is only seen with him in public when they are on errand runs, or train. Kandai is not the same as Eiyu. He's sweeter and likes to help others in the village. Eiyu doesn't know how to perceive his brother and instead, chooses to hang out of the spotlight with him," Yanagi informed her best friend. She smiled. "Maybe Eiyu has found something in Onari that no one else has noticed about him."
"Yanagi, that's probably because Onari is kind of innocent. She doesn't think like an adult," Saori whispered. She tensed when Onari looked at her suddenly.
"Well, I wasn't going to say that, but we'll see where it goes. I'm glad you found someone you like Onari. I just hope Takeru understands. We don't know how he's going to react towards you when he finds out about Eiyu. They haven't exactly gotten along over the past year," Yanagi said with a frown. She stood up. "We have to go home now, though. Do your best! And no matter what, let your heart guide you!"
Saori walked off with her best friend eying her a bit oddly. "What are you, a cricket who gives random advice?" Yanagi only hit her shoulder.
Takeru bounced happily towards Onari when he saw her come in. "Hey, dinner's already finished. Where have you been?" He stopped in his tracks with his leg lifted. His body was leaned forward. Where had she gotten a wildflower? "Where did you get a flower? That looks similar to the ones grown in Mrs. Hyuuga's garden at the Hyuuga compound."
Onari watched him out of the corner of her eye. "It is," she said. Takeru only stared at her. "Takeru, Onari get flower from Eiyu."
"Oh, so Eiyu gave you a flower," he said rather softly catching on to what she was referring to. "So, I guess, you have gotten rather closer to him." Takeru tried to force a smile. He couldn't really say anything to her. She could do as she pleased, couldn't she? She was only supposed to be a girl his parents took in, right? "Well, I'm happy for you, Ri. I'm glad you found s-someone you like." He lowered his head with the smile fading. Takeru turned around to walk off from her.
Onari watched him leave as quickly. He didn't hug her as he normally did, or tackle her to the ground playfully. Takeru was treating her oddly. Was he jealous? That wasn't it. He seemed to be... heartbroken. Had she been wrong? Did Takeru like her more than he was letting on? Onari sighed with annoyance. Takeru's still a boy. He needs to learn to fight for what he wants. She was sure he didn't have the same mindset as her. Onari went to her room to put the flower by her futon before she ate. It was going to be bothersome to eat dinner tonight.