"The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain."
― Gabor Maté
It had been four or five days since Priya had been sick and she was finally starting to get better. She was starting to sit up by herself and even eating full meals. It would just be a matter of days before she had to leave. Kakashi didn't know how he felt about it. His house which was buzzing with life would be empty again.
"I'm going to grab some food",
"Okay!", Hestia, Eulalia, and Priya yelled back. They were playing a card game, called Spades, they were trying to teach him, but him and Eulalia kept losing, apparently it was his fault. Instead of being angry, he was actually having a lot of fun, but he wanted to get food before dark.
As he exited his home his nose perked up at a familiar scent and sighed. "Gonna need some extra food, children are such an extra expense"
He decided to visit Ichiraku Ramen, not only because it would be quick, but he knew Naruto and Sasuke were working today. They would probably want an update on Priya's condition. Priya's sickness was going throughout the school, causing a small epidemic. Therefore, the school was temporarily closed.
"Yo, dude watch yourself", he heard Naruto yell.
"Shut-up dummy", he heard Sasuke respond, "the customers will hear you."
"You two stop, no insults today", he heard Ayame in the back scolding the two.
"I'm not insulting, I'm describing", Sasuke defended himself.
"I would describe your personality, but you lack one", Naruto retorted going to the front and putting on his hat to wipe the front counters downs before the dinner rush came.
"Hey it's the one-eyed man!", exclaimed Naruto. Ayame whacked the back of Naruto's head.
"Don't be rude to customers", she whispered to him. "Hatake-sama excuse Naruto-chan, what would you like"
Kakashi proceeded to order. "And anything that Sasuke and Naruto want add it to my bill".
"Oh yeah, believe it!", exclaimed Naruto. Sasuke and Naruto smiled and high-fived each other. Kakashi smiled under his mask.
"I came here also to tell you Priya is improving and it's safe for you to come visit-", Kakashi turned around and blocked the kick that was coming from the back of his head. A series of combos came his way. The assailant-a girl dressed in fuschia color with a matching bow. She had a deep-cool mahogany skin tone and glowing russet eyes like the rest of her family. "You must be-
"Talise, what are you doing?", asked Sasuke.
Talise kept attacking and Kakashi finally grabbed her leg and brought her up to his eye level. She held her skirt up with her hands. "So we finally meet", Kakashi said in a humorous tone. "You know you don't make friends that way, right", Talise gave him a defiant look.
"I have friends old man", she yelled in his face. "Naruto and Sasuke-senpai are my friends"
"EHHHHH", they both said in unison, almost denying the fact.
"More like friends by proxy", clarified Sasuke. Talise was eight and a grade below them, and only because she was so advanced. She did take one class with them, but no one really acknowledged her due to her curtness. Unlike her younger sister Priya, who everyone adored.
"We are friends with Priya,'' corrected Naruto. "And Eulalia and Hestia", he added.
"You are disagreeable to everyone", affirmed Sasuke. "Including teachers, you made Saduro-sensei cry", he accused.
"How am I supposed to know she was single?", she exclaimed. "And you", she pointed to Kakashi. "You are taking my sisters away from me"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her accusation. Did he detect jealousy?
"Talise, he's taking care of Priya", spat Sasuke.
"Yeah, you should be grateful", added Naruto. "She probably would have died at the orphanage", he muttered under his breath. Kakashi decided to be the adult in this situation and redirect the conversation.
"Would you like to order something?", he asked. "It's on me"
"Yeah unlike you", Naruto sneered at Talise "Hatake-sama is nice", Naruto chided.
"You can't bribe me", she crossed her arms. "And let me go!", Kakashi dropped her and she landed hard on the asphalt.
"Ow", she rubbed her head. "You did that on purpose!", she pointed at Kakashi.
"Yep", he said his one eye staring down at her. "Fucking runt", he thought to himself.
"You deserved it", muttered Sasuke. "You need to stop being a bitch or you will be an outcast like Naruto", Sasuke felt a slap on his head, and he knew it came from Ayame.
"Don't say that word", Kakashi's voice deepened in a scolding tone.
"Outcast?", questioned Sasuke in confusion.
"But she is a bitch", defended Naruto. Kakashi held his hand to his face in second-hand embarrassment. "She's mean to everyone"
"Let's stop using the word bitch", said Kakashi. He was also sensitive about that word because it was a term of endearment to his clan when males claimed "mates".
"At least I'm smarter than you, top of my class in my year", she folded her arms. "And you", she pointed at Sasuke" "At least I have my sisters",
Sasuke's eyes glowed red as his Sharingan activated. He clenched his fist, wanting to attack her, but then he thought of Priya and exhaled. She would not want to see her sister pummeled.
Kakashi turned his attention back to her. "You need to stop", demanded Kakashi. Talise could feel the anger and irritation coming from Kakashi. "You never talk to a comrade like that, ever", he said in an authoritative tone. She didn't know why but she could feel that she not only insulted Sasuke but inversely touched a nerve with the older gentleman. "You don't say words to intentionally hurt someone"
Talise pursed her lips together in stubbornness, something that reminded him of a similar trait of Soraya.
"They are not comrades or friends apparently", she folded her arms again. "When I go home, I will forget you ever existed, and be back with my family"
Kakashi furrowed his eyes together at the strange statement. Then it clicked him. She wasn't talking about the orphanage, she was talking about their original home, in Soraya's former world. She was in denial. "Oh Shit", was all he could think.
Naruto sneered at her. "Dude your family's dead" Talise seemed to react to that statement. "That's why you're at the orphanage"
"And even if you could go home, there is nothing to go back to", Sasuke added. "Trust me I know",
Kakashi watched as Talise reacted to that statement as if suddenly realizing the depth of Sasuke's statement. A tear escaped her eyes and then a full stream followed. "You're lying!", she turned and ran away.
Ayame grabbed Sasuke's hair and pulled hard and guided his head to look her in the eyes."That was really harsh", she scolded.
"OW", he yelped.
"You are older than her, you should have better control of your words and your actions, you will apologize later, with Naruto". She let him go. "I know that you are hurting which means you should understand her pain", she added. "Both of you", she pointed at Naruto and Sasuke.
Sasuke responded with a 'hmph' and continued with his work. He didn't feel bad that she was crying or about what he said. He returned to his duties and decided not to speak further on the matter. On the other hand, Naruto had a look of sympathy, before returning to his work. But both did plan to apologize even though they didn't agree with Ayame.
Ayame returned her attention to Kakashi and smiled like nothing happened.
"Umm", Kakashi exhaled at that more than awkward exchange. "Add whatever she usually likes on the bill too", referring to Talise that ran away.
"She likes seafood, extra spicy noodles, with bone broth. She also likes banana tea with extra bubbles and salted crema, also she likes this specific desert", said Sasuke holding up a wrapped pastry. Ayame awkwardly looked back at Kakashi as some of the items were on the more expensive side of their restaurant's menu. He groaned and paid the bill.
"Naruto and Sasuke take this home when it's done", Kakashi commanded.
"Okay!", they chimed. Kakashi turned and followed Talise's scent to find her.
"Nice upselling Sasuke", Ayame said, giving him a thumbs up. "I see you do listen to me", she beamed while mutually goading him.
"Sometimes", he blushed and Naruto snickered.
It didn't take long for Kakashi to find Talise. She was at one of the playgrounds on the outskirts of the village. He was glad that there wasn't anyone here as it was almost dinner time. He walked up to the crawl tunnel that she hid in and kicked it.
"Come out", he commanded. "Your food is going to get cold"
"Microwave", she rebutted. Kakashi was taken aback at that response and bent down and peaked in the little holes with his unmasked one. Her face was puffed up in anger and she glared at him. "My parents aren't dead", she looked away from him. "They just lost us"
Kakashi sighed. His heart was in knots at her denial. He subconsciously rubbed his chest as he felt it tighten. "Listen, I got all your favorites, why don't just come with me, eat and we can talk about this like logical adults."
"No",
"Talise get out, or I will forcefully get you out", he demanded.
"No, you're not my dad or guardian.", she yelled through the crawl space. "That's child kidnapping", she said matter-of-factly
"Fuck she's right" Kakashi groaned in annoyance "What the fuck am I even doing", he questioned himself. Why did he want to get it right with this little runt? And why was she making it so difficult? He felt a tap on his back.
"Oh Gai-", Gai put his fingers to his lips and ushered Kakashi further away so the girl wouldn't hear them.
"How long have you been here?", Kakashi whispered.
Gai wanted to tell him that he wanted another contest with his rival, but he saw the whole display at the ramen stand. He knew that Kakashi was inept in some areas of emotional intelligence, but Gai was preparing to be lead in a genin team so he knew of some techniques to help in this situation. Truthfully, he was impressed that Kakashi had adapted so well with the other sisters, as he observed him every now and again around town. But, he had yet to gain experience with negative emotions, especially from a child, who didn't want to be reasoned with.
"I think asking questions, and listening, instead of responding to her behavior would be more beneficial"
"Not this gentle parenting bullshit", he muttered.
"She is eight", Gai said ignoring his friend. "She lost her parents" Kakashi exhaled when Gai gave him a stern look, telling Kakashi he should know what that was like. "She obviously hasn't processed it yet, her being difficult is just an illusion, if you are calm and empathize you can show her how to productively deal with those emotions"
Kakashi's heart felt like it was clenched as he never really processed his own parents' death. He hardly remembered his mother's death as she and his sister died during childbirth. All he could remember was having a bad fever when he heard the news. But his dad never made him feel alone, and then he committed suicide right before his chunin exams, so he didn't have time to process that situation either. Still, Talise had something he did not. A family, three sisters to be exact and a cousin itching to get back to them. Nevertheless, she was still a child.
"This better work in 10 minutes", he fumbled under his breath after being at war with himself on how to handle the situation. Gai was right.
"Talise, I know you are hungry, so I want to know what is making you upset so you can eat", he explained. He still felt unsure if this would work. Talise could feel the shift of his emotions from annoyance to a mix of genuine concern and slight uncertainty.
Talise looked down at her hands. Kakashi peered through the hole with his one eye and noticed that she was contemplating an answer. "You are trying to break up my family, I can sense it"
Kakashi thought about her response, and he decided to take Gai's advice. For the last week, the rest of the Rui clan had been at his house instead of at the orphanage. He had helped them with homework and even allowed Eulalia to bake in his kitchen.
"I'm not trying to take them away", he said softly. "When I lost my parents, I wasn't allowed to speak on it", he admitted. "I am just trying to be kind"
"Well, I didn't lose my parents", she said in a curt tone. Nonetheless, Kakashi watched her hug her knees closer, meaning her defense was wavering which felt like a good thing. He looked at his watch and noticed that three minutes had gone by.
"7 more minutes", he thought to himself counting down the time before he would 'help her' out of the crawl space. He himself was getting hungry and could feel his patience wearing thin, but he exhaled and continued because he was genuinely curious about what Talise thought about her current situation. "Talise, where do you think your parents are", he asked.
He watched her shrug in uncertainty. "I woke up and they were gone, after I was hit, and then I was at the hospital"
"That must have been really hard", Kakashi looked at Gai in uncertainty as he had no idea how to tell her the hard truth. Had it been a regular shinobi he would have just said simply 'your parents are dead. But Gai motioned for him to continue. Kakashi was no longer looking at his wrist and he forgot about his hunger. What he saw was a sad little girl, wanting comfort from her parents. "Do you know what the doctors said about your condition"
"All Eui-chan said was that I was knocked unconscious and I was lucky, my sisters won't say anything else, well Priya just cries uncontrollably when I ask her anything about it", she shrugged again. "But my parents are coming", she affirmed to herself.
Kakashi felt a sucker-punch to his stomach. There was no easy way to tell a child that their parents were never coming back. That their life ceased to exist. It was then that he heard a loud stomach growl from Talise.
"I know your parents wouldn't want you to go hungry", Kakashi said hoping that would coax her.
"Look I know what's it like to lose your parents", said Kakashi. "It's like a knife tears at your heart, you feel unsafe and unsure what to do", he admitted.
Talise was quiet for a few moments and thumping could be heard as she crawled out of the crawl space. When Talise finally was out she stared at Kakashi. "They couldn't have died", she pleaded. "I was talking about Disney at Dinner and then I woke up.", her voice cracking.
Kakashi walked closer to her and bent down. "Did you have an injury on your head?", he questioned. Talise instinctively grabbed a part of the head.
"Talise, I need you to listen to me", he had to fight the tears coming from his eye. He remembered when he got the news of his mother dying. He gently grabbed her shoulders. "Listen", he postured himself again. "Soroya's parents were murdered, and I'm guessing the same happened to your family, that's why your sisters don't want to talk to you about it", Talise's brows furrowed.
"Murdered means killed by someone", she stated to register what he was saying. "If they were killed-" she didn't finish the sentence as if finally registering what happened.
He grabbed her small hands in comfort. "They are not coming back", he finished it for her.
Talise felt like she couldn't breathe and fresh tears started to form. "Do you need a hug?" He questioned.
"Yes sir", she blabbered.
"So she does have manners", he thought. Her head rested on his shoulders and he tightened his arms around her. She began to sob and wail. Something Kakashi knew that she needed.
Gai watched the two and slowly backed away as it seemed Kakashi had it handled. "Looks like you are finally opening up Kakashi", Gai thought to himself. He smiled and left the pair alone. Plus he had his own student to check on.
Kakashi didn't know how long he had been there but his Shirt was wet with tears and now Talise kept going in and out of sleep. He scooped her up in his arms and walked in the direction of his home. A few minutes later she woke up slightly.
"Tengo hombre seńor", Kakashi paused as the statement was similar to the french Soraya taught him, but very different. "I should have made you buy ramen"
"I'm guessing that meant you're hungry. Good thing I ordered you something"
Kakashi felt her hug his neck tighter. "Gracias". Somehow he just knew it was a word of gratitude through her tone.
Soraya kept flicking the lights on and off as Suzume entered the room. Something that Suzume assumed passed the time as she was on continued house arrest for whatever Hanzo could come up with. Soraya stopped as soon as she saw her friend in the corner.
"Why are you truely here?", asked Soraya. "It can't be fully because you miss me"
"You are suspicious of me", Suzume questioned not offended at all, just curious.
"I just don't understand why a beauty like you is under Orochimaru's spell", Soraya said. Suzume nodded and placed the food down.
"I have my own reasons, just like you have your reasons for Itachi", she said. Suzume was the first one she cried to after discovering itachi's past in Konoha. "Plus he is very nice to me", she teased.
"I can't love a man who slaughtered his own family", responded Soraya rolling her eyes. Sazume may have the wirthol to overlook her potential lover's sins, but she could not for some reason. She kept staring out the window as if her mind was on some faraway land. Suzume was accustomed to this as she discovered when Soraya was in the newly established Sound Village, that she was a heavily maladaptive dreamer. Nonetheless, her attention to detail and conversation never ceased to amaze her even in that state.
"Says the person who begged me to find Tsunade", Suzume forced a spoon of rice into her friend's mouth. "Eat, this will be your best meal for the next week or so"
"You think I'm going to die don't you", said Soraya. She noticed the plate had all of her favorite foods, instead of the healthy bland food Suzume would typically force her to eat.
"Don't be silly", said Suzume. "These are a healthy alternative of all your favorites, less acidic and spicy", she patted Soraya's tummy. "And better for fertility"
Soraya got off the bed from embarrassment. "Don't say something like that", she pouted.
"Why", Suzume asked. "I'm hoping I get wonderful news soon after you are married", she laughed.
"I won't let someone like him touch me", she said firmly. Suzume kept her smile,
"You can not deny that you care for him"
"I'm not like you, I can't just overlook someone's past", said Soraya. Suzume was about to rebuttal but a soft knock was heard.
The girls both turned and saw it was Konan dressed in an all-white handbook, with only a red ribbon on the side. Her hair was tied in a long oval braid that was over her right shoulder.
"Mom!"Soraya ran past Suzume and gave her mother a tight hug. Suzume bowed and left, leaving the mother and daughter alone.
"I came to see you off", Soraya knew why she was here; it wouldn't be long before she left with Hanzo and the rest of his war entourage.
"The reason why you didn't want me to marry Itachi is it because of the Uchiha massacre?" Konan didn't react as she knew that it was coming. All of her meditation and prayer couldn't really prepare for the conversation that she was about to have with Soraya.
"Yes", she said truthfully.
Soraya stepped back from her mother. "You lied to me", she said.
"I didn't lie", she corrected. "After the dinner, I promised Itachi that he would be the one to tell you, it wasn't my place at that point"
"You could of told me before", she accused. "Before I trained with him, before I developed feelings for him", her voice rising in anger.
"Soraya it wouldn't have stopped you two, and the way you feel", Konan grabbed her hands.
"I tried to stop it, sending him away on missions, taking you as a student until you surpassed me, and I couldn't teach you anymore" Soraya looked shocked at her mother's words. She had no idea why her mother passed her off to Itachi. She discounted herself and thought she was way behind and her mother was getting impatient with her, like her biological mother. On the other hand, Konan was proud of the hard work Soraya had been doing despite all of her learning challenges.
"I don't want to love him", Soraya said. "And I will deny my heart in doing so"
Konan shook her head. "Even so, I can not stop this marriage, but what I can tell you is that there is always a way for a woman, to make a man respect her", Soraya gazed at her mother in uncertainty. "You are hurt, confused, and lied to", she put her palm against Soraya's face. "Don't be like me and be a man's footstool, show him that you won't tolerate his behavior"
Soraya nodded at her mother's ominous advice. She kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
"Your fight is with Mifune's squadron, make them bleed but keep him alive, and bring him to his father and Hanzo"
"Understood", she bowed to her mother. When her mother left Soraya returned to flicking the lights and continued looking outside the window.
Masaru mumbled to himself. "Normally teens would be going to high school, getting their first car, but no I'm here managing a whole organization because my parents are imprisoned or MIA", he said to himself in anger. Masaru shook his head as some of those things that ran through his head. He shifted through paperwork and signed off on ongoing missions and other areas of business to keep The Akatsuki afloat. He knew it was imperative not to seem weakened, but that meant sleepless nights for him. Jieun and Haku helped him most of the time, but they had their own responsibilities as well. Haku, was the second strongest of their little group so he oversaw anything militarily and kept the members in check, and Jieun, mainly planned their wedding. Even, if was a sham it was quite tedious. On top of that, she was their top operative currently, as the Akatuski was spread way too thin for his liking.
"You seem to fulfill the role of substitute leader nicely, and for someone as such a young age", Masaru got up in a defensive stance ready to attack with his sword. Not only was an intruder but it was extremely late, or early depending on the semantics one preferred.
"I'm gifted", was Masaru's first response "Who the fuck are you?"
"Hmm, for you two to have different formidable teachers, you and your sister are very similar when surprised", he said smiling. "My name is Madara Uchiha", he bowed slightly in respect. "Your sister calls me, Ojii-sama", he clarified. "Sadly, I won't be here as long to be that acquainted nor do I have time to place you in a genjutsu, as you are not as willing as your sister", he explained.
"Madara is dead", said Masaru not letting his guard down.
"Did you not read your sister's mind about her travels' ', Masaru was taken aback as their abilities were not widely known, even with the Akatsuki. But the knowing look of the man who claimed he was Madara made him realize that this man was very knowledgeable. Masaru looked Madara over, the man had gray hair and his skin was sunken. "Do you need to read my mind"
"No", said Masaru strongly. Masaru withdrew his sword and put it back, it made no sense to fight this man or read his mind. When he made himself known, the power and chakra radiating from him, made his heart quicken in fear. He was no match. And he could tell that his mental stamina was formidable like Itachi's. He knew that if he even glimpsed there was a chance that he could either put him in a genjutsu or reverse entrap his mind like Itachi and Kisame have done.
Madara smiled. "Clever boy", he said. "Soon to be a man I hear"
"Can we skip the mystery and please get to that point of the story of why you are here", clearly verbalized annoyance, in reality, he was quaking in his boots. He had no idea why Soraya would trust a man of that power. He then remembered the strange weapon that she had obtained on her travels. When he asked about it, she simply told him it was a gift from an old man. Was this the person?
"I believe your sister is trying to send a message to you", he said. "You see some people said that she simply lost her mind, flickering lights on and off, but I noticed a pattern" Masaru almost rushed out of the room but Madara stopped him by blocking the door.
"Wait", he said. He gave him two journals. "Take this one to your sister" he demanded, holding one of them up. If she uses a certain jutsu, the sacrifice is pleasure and pain", he ominously explained. "Tell Itachi, or the silver-haired man, if he decides to show up", he said, leaving in a puff of smoke and ash.
Madara disappeared and Masaru was left more with questions than answers. After a brief moment to clear his thoughts of what just happened, he rushed outside where he could see the palace from a window from the Compound.
"You clever girl", he smirked. He got out a notepad and started writing. He flicked his lights on and off hoping that she would get it.
If one thing Soraya knew was that her finger was indeed stronger after this week. She would have hoped by now her brother would have noticed the clear sign of her using morse code. Well she did send messages in different languages switching to French and Spanish words, so it seemed random, but a smart person would have noticed a pattern by now.
Her eyes blinked when she saw flashes of lights come from a room.
C
L
E
V
E
R
She clapped in joy as her brother spelled out the words in morse code.
S
U
Z
U
M
E
She held her breath awaiting her brother's response.
E
X
C
L
A
M
A
T
I
O
N
P
O
I
N
T
Soraya rolled her eyes. She knew that he knew what she meant. Find Suzume and he knew she was a friend, but spelling out exclamation points was a little extra even for him.
But both smiled as they found a way to finally communicate with each other.