Hours later, Kyori was tasked with starting dinner while her mother had left to pick up her baby brother from a friend's house. Since her return, it wasn't often that she was alone, but when she was… it bothered her.
Something about the overall stillness of the house disturbed her peace of mind. The deafening silence was unfamiliar even throughout her loneliest nights here. But since her return, Kyori always felt that she had to keep her eyes open, just in case she missed anything; she had to keep her strength and stamina, in case there was an… emergency.
'Was that what I think it was?' chocolate eyes narrowed on the entrance to the living room. She could have sworn she heard footsteps just then. 'IknowwhatIheard! IknowthatI'mnotmakingthisup! I–'
The burgundy haired teen shook her head at the nonsense she was left to formulate in her lonesome. Alone or not, this was her home and there was no reason to feel so restless… so frightened and vulnerable. Clutching the knife in her hand, her brown eyes narrowed as she focused on carefully chopping up the beef and then the vegetables.
More than anything, she wanted for her parents to trust her, so Kyori tried to suck it up. She had to show her parents she was more than capable of being on her own. She did not need them watching her every move and she sure as hell did not appreciate them expecting the worst of her, either.
"Things are different now." She bit out confidently.
Still, she couldn't help feeling weary due to the quietness.
"No shit, you're cooking. And it smells amazing."
Kyori grew stiff at the male voice and without her knowledge, she turned with an unforgiving glare, clutching the butcher knife up to the intruder's throat. Her eyes widened as she recognized the dark eyes that had grown wide in alarm.
"Stupid ass! I could've killed you!" she yelled after backing away from the startled teen, a bit startled herself.
"S-sorry sis," the boy with gray hair blanched as his older sister continued to glare at him before she dropped the knife with shaking hands. "I really am sorry for scaring you."
"You should be." She snapped, then turned to the half-cooked dinner, shoving it into the oven with a loud slam that had the boy ready to bolt. "Haven't anyone told you to not sneak up on me? It freaks me out!"
"Uhm… I kinda forgot." Shin looked away bashfully, not wanting his older sister to see him flushed red in embarrassment. "It's been so long since you've cooked… guess I was excited."
"The excuse of an idiot." The burgundy haired girl murmured before hopping onto the island with a smirk. "All is forgiven, if you don't tell Papa about this."
Shin nodded, mirroring her smirk. "You got it sis."
She turned with a patient grin while busying herself by setting the timer. Shin carefully watched the burgundy haired girl before he found himself at the table, trying his absolute best to set it up for the grand dinner. He knew his sister well and had an idea that everything she did held a reason, though most of the time—there was never a good one.
"So… what's with the dinner?" he asked with a smug smirk, filling in the silence. "Are you trying to be in the old man's good graces because that ship sailed long ago."
Kyori rolled her eyes at his snarky-ness. "Something like that," she mumbled, leaning onto the island while her brows furrowed on the boy with gray hair. "Why do you wanna know? Sounds like you care."
Shin clicked his tongue. "I've always cared, Kyo-baka." Not being a fan of his sister's defensive attitude, he headed towards the exit for the second time and before he left, he grumbled, "You're my big sister, and we all thought… I'll be back later."
Kyori tensed at his words, knowing exactly what the boy was referring to. While her and Shin were usually at each other's throats, things have changed due to the incident, especially Shin's behavior. He no longer partook in dangerous choices and has even tried to talk to Kyori about his feelings and ideas, which brought them closer. Still, he was quite hesitant on voicing his opinions since there was no telling how she would react to it.
Chocolate brown eyes were now down casted as she tried to forget about what she done. But she never could, not for long. There were many times she tried her best to not recall or process what had happened to her.
And sometimes, there were blurs and gaps in place. Days felt like months under the sinful substances the world has cultivated. Sometimes, Kyori had trouble distinguishing reality from her delusions. All she was capable of was accepting the fact that it had happened, and she was left to clean up what remained. Kyori blinked her way out of her thoughts, now aware of her mother holding the hand of her baby brother.
"Mother, Tampon's cooking. What's going on?" the small boy asked while innocently batting his bland inky eyes between the two females.
"Sai!" Hizume crouched down, giving the child a hard frown of disapproval. "What did I tell you about being cruel and nasty!? Do you want to be grounded?" she chided, sighing at the confusion on the face that was beyond pale.
"Why am I getting chastised?" Sai frowned slightly, turning his eyes on his teenage sister that held an amused grin on her lips. "I read in a book that giving nicknames are supposed to be endearing… am I wrong?"
Hizume sighed. "You're not. BUT you SHOULDN'T insult your sister, young man." The mother of three shook her head, wondering what she got herself into by becoming a mother. "Unless you want to have a stare down with four walls, I'd suggest an apology. Now!"
"Mom, it's fine. Sai's trying." Kyori tittered at his blank expression that remained while the burgundy haired girl defended her baby brother before snatching him into a hug. "Besides, I got a little something for Chalk-zone." with a dark grin, Kyori wrapped her arm around his neck before burying her fist into his noggin, rubbing abrasively.
"I do not enjoy these nuggies." The boy squirmed in her hold and to no avail did she let up. "Uncle." He surrendered, deadpanned as usual.
The siblings laughed while their mother shook her head at their playfulness. She was immensely grateful for the small boy. Though Sai struggled with being socially inept, he was very observant and wise for his age, and surprisingly, he was the only one that could look passed Kyori's incident, he was the only one to not judge or give up.
"Kyori, can you make sure Sai bathes? I still have to have a talk with your father."
Kyori smiled brightly as her mother gave her a small wink, giggling at her baby brother's slight frown. "C'mon it won't be too bad." She told him, dragging him out of the kitchen to his displeasure.
"I'm old enough, I don't need your help," Sai uttered as he playfully tried to shove the teen away from his side.
"I know, you're slowly becoming a man." She joked, grinning at the pale boy that was now up to her chest. "Soon you'll hit puberty and once you enter middle school, you'll be dating like crazy!"
"Like my friends?" Sai turned his curious dark eyes on the brown skinned girl expectantly.
"Friends? You made friends, Sai?" She blinked away her astonishment, not wanting to offend her baby brother at all.
Sai nodded very briefly. "I've seemed to make a few, but I'm closest to Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun." A smile reached his lips as he recalled the energetic blonde and the grumpy raven-haired boy.
"I hadn't known. I've been home for a while…" The burgundette trailed off and a frown took place on her face, sinking the corners of her lips. "Why haven't you told me?"
"Because father said you were going through a lot." He murmured while scratching at the ink build up on his nails. "I didn't want to bother you, Tampon."
Kyori took in his bashful habit, followed up with his empty smile and her heart dunked its way into the pool of her stomach. She gently ruffled his hair and mustered a convincing smile.
"It's not your fault, you were just listening to Papa." At the sound of the familiar purring of their father's car, Kyori's woodsy eyes darted to the staircase before they landed on conflicted pools of obsidian. "I'm really happy for you and I'd love to meet your friends someday. I'm sure you can invite them over."
"Father wouldn't allow it." Sai shook his head, raising a brow at the deep mischievous grin his sister flashed him.
"That's why you ask mom, Chalk-zone." She jabbed, turning down the hall to head into her room. "Don't forget to wash behind your ears!"
"Yes. I know."
"Honey, I'm home." The war veteran called out as he placed his coat upon the rack before stepping in while his good friend slipped out of his shoes.
Hizume slipped into the living room with a bright smile as she welcomed her husband of twelve years home. "I'm glad you're back," she voiced, gently wrapping her arms around his neck. "And you brought company."
"I don't mean to impose on your family dinner." The Sarutobi gave the woman a polite smile and bowed. "Danzo mentioned you make a mean cream cake and I couldn't pass up the offer!"
"I hope you don't mind. I thought Hiruzen could use an extravagant dinner." Hizume tittered at her husband's snobby remarks, knowing it was all fun and games.
"Oh of course not dear, and please Hiruzen come in and join us!" The man smiled as he watched the couple pull away from their loving embrace. "You are like family!"
Hizume stepped towards the cabinet in the walkway and pulled out plane slippers that looked to be Hiruzen's size.
"I'm sure the kids wouldn't mind." She waved dismissively and the three of them walked over to the kitchen. "And luckily for you cream cake is on the menu."
"Sorry about that, my wife can be… enthusiastic." Danzo grinned at his wife, shaking his head with amusement at her hospitality. She regarded all their guest in the same manner and wanted to be the best host possible. "It's been a while since we've had guest."
Hiruzen nodded and quietly followed the couple into their beautiful home. Ever since the release of Kyori, there has been a change within his relationship with Danzo. Prior to the incident, the man was always proud to show off his family, no matter the transgressions gracing the Shimura name because of Shin and Kyori's behaviors. Now, Danzo was adamant on curtaining his family from the outside world if it meant he could protect them.
Sitting, more like slouching in the dinette area was Shin. He was occupied with responding to text messages on his phone. And as he continued to wait for the rest of his family, so that he could eat he grumbled a few curses.
"Sup pops." The teenage boy looked up, grinning. "Old man Hiruzen? It's been a while, are you here to cough up your wallet?" The older man laughed at the certainty in Shin's words.
"Shin," Hizume bit out a warning, thumping her son's noggin when he shot Hiruzen a mischievous grin. "There will be no underage gambling in this house. Matter of fact, if you even think of going behind my back, I will ground you with a sentence that makes 30 days in jail look simple!"
"Tch, fine."
"Do not smack those lips at me, young man!"
"You just had to inflate his ego." Danzo mumbled to Hiruzen and shook his head at his son's antics before they sat across from the gray-haired boy whose thumbs were busy tapping away at the screen. "Shin why don't you go and check on Sai and Kyori?"
Shin huffed at the suggestion, turning his eyes onto his father as he wanted nothing more than to protest. "Do I have to?"
"It's that or deal with your mother glaring holes into your head. Your choice son." Danzo shrugged and leaned into the cushioned chair as his son excused himself. He was left to watch Hizume check the temperature of the dinner.
Once Shin returned with his siblings, the family, plus Hiruzen, ate in relative silence. They asked about each other's day. Shin went on about his Ayame issues, which had the adults engaged as they advised him on his girl problems. Sai had his own inquiries that were certain to bring silence and discomfort at the table, but he continued to ramble about his findings from his sociology books.
Kyori on the other hand, barely shared anything since there was another face at the table. She was no stranger to Hiruzen, but she had no desire for the man being a part of the conversation, especially if he was to side with her father. Instead she darted her wary brown eyes from the adults to her food whenever a question was asked of her.
"Honey," Hizume spoke up, glancing at her suddenly severe recluse of a daughter. The mother of three turned to her husband with a soft smile. "There's something Kyori and I have been meaning to ask you."
Danzo held a handkerchief up to his lips, wiping at the slight mess. "Is that so?" He asked in a delightful mood, though he was concerned about Kyori's silence. "Well, what is it?" The war veteran asked, and his eyes landed on his daughter.
"Uhm…" The teen murmured. Staring down at her plate, she looked up again with a small grin. "Sai wanted to know if he could have his friends spend the night sometime?"
Both Hizume and Sai were stunned at her words, staring as if she had four tongues. The two then looked at the man of the house that held confusion in his gaze before turning his bleady brown eye onto the ghastly pale boy.
"Maybe if you had asked me yourself, I would have been inclined to say yes."
Sai nodded and placed his eyes onto his plate while he flicked and prodded at the food. Something about his answer struck Kyori as she felt at fault for her baby brother's humility and overall rejection.
"Papa you're being unreasonable, aren't you happy that Sai's making an effort?"
"Of course I'm happy for him, but he needs to be assertive."
"But Pa- "Kyori paused as Sai turned his dark eyes on his sister that practically begged her to let it go. Her father, Danzo narrowed his lone eye on the determined glint in his daughter's eyes.
"Sai's doing his best… isn't that good enough?" She spoke up with a small frown. "Mom would've said yes… why can't you?" She mumbled with venom.
Hizume watched her daughter carefully, understanding her equivocation as she shifted her own question to Sai's. Truthfully, they may have gotten the same answer, knowing her husband.
"Fine, Sai can bring his little friends over, but you and Shin are responsible." Danzo huffed and continued to eat while grumbling something to Hiruzen about children.
"You cannot win my friend." Hiruzen only laughed as Asuma could be either transparent or as crafty as that snake, Orochimaru. "These kids are advance hagglers. I should know by now."
"How'd your fat trap get me into this?" Shin smacked his lips and shot a blazing glare at his older sister as he excused himself from the table. "You should just ask pops to let you go back to school instead of buttering him up."
Silence overtook the table once more as Shin came back and presented their mother's cream cake. Hizume thanked her son, albeit she was quite miffed at his need to gain revenge, foiling their plans. As she carefully sliced and distributed cake for everyone at the table, she could tell her husband was not going to easily be swayed this time around.
"Daughter…"
A Sharp brown eye was on the burgundette who was tense under his gaze, bracing herself for the impending no.
"I can't allow you to go to school, you understand why."
"No, I don't understand! Why you're so against it?" Kyori frowned, holding back the anger in her stare. "Why are you so against me?"
"Honey, please…" Hizume eyes were watching the girl's fists along with Hiruzen. They were balling up tightly to the point they were going to shake.
"Stay out of this." Danzo snapped and the girl's glare harden at the tone he shot at her mother.
"Don't you dare speak to her like that!" Kyori shouted, she looked as though she was ready to launch herself at her father and break his face.
The war veteran easily studied her defiance and the little means she had for settling her violent temper, he scoffed. "Look at you, this is a prime reason I'd never allow it. You're out of control and a danger to anyone who doesn't agree with you!"
At that, Kyori paused. She took this time to glance down at herself to only hate what she saw. What she saw was her fists ready to strike him and it sickened her. She had hated to admit it, but her father was right. Running her hand along her temple, she tried to hold in her anger until she was heaving, shaking. She had no control over how she felt and that only seemed to make her feel… inadequate.
"I don't want this, either… I don't." she choked, feeling unmeasurable shame.
Feeling guilty, Shin spoke up, "Oh c'mon, Kyori's been on her best behavior and you should at least give her a shot." The pale haired teen shuffled in his seat, placing a hand gently onto his sister's shoulder. "Summer's almost over, this is the perfect timing for her to start over, don't you think?"
"No, the last time I've given to her, she took more than she should have and look at what happened!" Danzo shook his head vehemently against the idea and the burgundette tensed and turned her chocolate eyes onto her lap, staring blankly.
Hizume frowned, but deep down she clearly understood her husband's reasons more than anyone else in this room. Her eyes watered as she recalled the distraught state of her husband during their daughter's disappearance. Even though it was typical for Kyori to venture off and not tell anyone of her whereabouts, like any other parents, Hizume and Danzo were worried sick. Everytime.
"Hiruzen, as a close member of the family what are your thoughts?" The woman of the house turned to their guest, giving him a pitiful glance. The old man was so uncomfortable in this setting, he was practically willing himself to avoid interaction like it was the plague.
"Oh, no. It would be rude of me to intrude." Hiruzen waved dismissively, not liking the attention the Shimura's gave him all of a sudden.
"No, Hiruzen we insist," Danzo said with a smugness that had Kyori rolling her eyes internally as he patted his good friend. If anyone understood Danzo, it would be a close tie between his wife and his best pal. "Besides, Kyori has been wondering how things are going with Risu-chan?"
"Unfortunately, she doesn't feel ready to come home… the doctors say to give her time, so that's all I can do." At the sound of his daughter's name, Kyori sobbed and Hiruzen felt a twang deep in his chest before he faced her best friend's sorrowful pools of brunette. "I'm sorry Kyori-chan, but like your father I'm also reluctant about many things."
"No, Uncle I'm sorry about Risu, if only I had done something different… maybe if I had left with her?" The burgundy haired teen lowered her eyes, ignoring her swarming thoughts as the stinging coupled with the blurring of her vision.
"Don't blame yourself child," Hiruzen chided softly. "I'm sure Risu feels equally at fault and regretful, but the past should not define neither of you all too much."
"Today was supposed to be good… I felt ready." Kyori let out a deep sigh and fiercely wiped her tears away, shaking her head. "I want to go back, at least for senior year."
"Kyori, you're not ready, I'll admit you've been well behaved and haven't had any… severe fits-" Her father reasoned, losing his vibrato at the sight of fat tears welling in her eyes as she heaved. "I'm sorry Sweetheart but I'm not taking that risk with you."
"You're right." Kyori whispered, slowly pushing her chair back. "I feel so stupid for even saying anything, I'm always ruining things."
The minute Kyori decided to walk off, Shin turned his gaze on a tearful Hizume. The mother of three shook her head while silently admonishing their father before she offered her son a tight smile. "Shin take Sai upstairs, please."
"Let's go Sai." The teenager pressed, giving his mother figure an apologetic kiss to the forehead before shooting a grin at the young boy. "I'll race you."
Once she was in her room she carelessly plopped onto her bed, murmuring, "I hate my life."
She felt ashamed for ruining dinner, for not being able to handle his dissent maturely, but mainly for eating away at their normalcy. Her father was right about her. Kyori has repeatedly taken advantage of— no, she abused his more lenient parenting to the point where he found it to be a detriment. This was his way of showing her that he called the shots and there were no more chances, which meant she was less likely to indulge in risky behavior.
At the constant rapping at her door, Kyori groaned. She wasn't in the mood to talk if it had anything to do with the topics during dinner. Still, she trudged to her door and swung it open surprised to see her little brothers pushing her aside and diving onto her bed.
The burgundette crossed her arms as she settled with a soft glare on the boys quietly chowing down on the dessert. "Are you two here to check on me?"
They nodded, ignoring the scowl growing onto her face.
"Feel free to be disappointed you missed the show," she spat before stomping back to her spot in bed.
"It's not like that, I wanted to apologize." Shin told her seriously and ignored their baby brother's curious eyes. "It was my fault things didn't go so smoothly. I was just being shitty about the sleep over thing. I'm really sorry Kyo."
Kyori only smiled and leaned over to pat her boys on the head. "And what are you up here for Sai?" she smirked at the rosy tint spreading across his cheeks. "Blushing, are you?"
"You truly are going mushy. Sai-chan." Shin taunted, squeezing the boy's cheeks.
"Hush, Zit-top." the boy shouted with a snubbed expression as his older siblings continued with their teasing. "I personally, wanted to thank Tampon for asking father in my place." He muttered evenly and was surprised at the quickness his sister had shown when she scooped him into a hug.
"This is what big sisters do." Kyori smiled. "You and Shin-baka don't have to thank me or apologize when I'm a mess."
Another knock sounded and the Shimura siblings all turned to see their father at the door and immediately, their playful demeanors were dampened as he moved to step forward.
"I need to talk to you." Danzo announced, ignoring the defiant glare Shin shot at him and the uncaring glances Sai graced him with. "Alone," He emphasized when he saw the young men scoot closer to their sister.
Kyori gave her brothers a small smile. "I'll be fine. Go." She assured them, sending them off with her finished dessert before turning to her father. "So…" she started, shooting her brown eyes up at her father. "Did you come up here to remind me? Because I understand now."
The teen let out at snort at her father frowning at her self-loathing words. "While I'm glad that you're not too upset, I don't enjoy you tearing yourself down like you had." Danzo breathed evenly as he walked over and sat near her bed. Kyori remained quiet and brought her big brown orbs full of curiosity onto her father. "I'm going to talk with Minato- "
"Seriously?!" The girl snapped up, excited for a moment and then was quick to apologize for the interjection.
Danzo shook his head with amusement. "As I was saying, I'm giving you the chance to not only prove me wrong, but for you to overcome this, whatever it is that you're not telling me."
The burgundy haired girl's small smile faltered a bit. Right, she never got around telling him what happened. As she analyzed her father's pensive expression, Kyori wondered what made him consider giving her this opportunity? She bet it came with a price. Her hunches were never wrong.
"But…" Kyori crossed her arms, letting out a dry hum.
"But there's a few rules." At that, Kyori bit back her frown and tried her best to remain expressionless in fear of him revoking this privilege. "A man I trust will supervise you throughout the day. You are to check in with me if you wish to attend events or participate in any extracurricular activity, you must participate in sessions with Inoichi and lastly, no boys. Do we have a deal?"
She smiled as he pulled her in for a hug. "Deal!"
Another Chappie, thought I'd give you guys a taste of Kyori's home life. I'm sure living with Danzo is awful... bastard doesn't even deserve a family, but here it is lmao. Anyways, feel free to book it, favorite it, or keep it in your history (ahem, app users). Until next time!