Kyori comfortably sat, slouching in the office chair, she hummed a low tune as she impatiently waited. Her knees bounced and often knocked together as she thought of her first week back. To her utter shock it went well despite not being what she had expected. She was slowly picking up the various lessons and had even considered going to tutoring, if her father allowed it. But while she felt a short burst of optimism towards her improving her comprehension academically, Kyori abandoned that same optimism, socially.

Fu was in quite a few of her classes, but thankfully she kept her distance to the point that she was sure there would be no repeat of what happened at lunch. And while it pained her greatly, she had enough dignity to act as though he was nothing more than another face. Even though he was so much more than that, she had to respect his decision and let this go. Kyori had hurt him time and time again, and there was just so much one person could take.

'He's — nothing but a face,' she reminded herself, unknowingly shaking her head in hopes of willing her feelings away.

Then there was that stranger, that boy from lunch with his strikingly stupid face, smiling at her from afar during passing period. She had hoped to never see him again, and as if it couldn't get any worse, she discovered that the raven-haired boy was in several of her classes. He grinned and waved as if he was happy to see her and at first, Kyori brushed him off; all in hopes that he would get the hint to leave her alone. But god, was he persistent and she was in no mood to tolerate the stalker nonsense. For once, Kyori was grateful to see the platinum blonde step into the spacious office; she seriously needed guidance.

Inoichi greeted her per usual, offering refreshments before settling into the seat across from her. Extracting her file with a small memo at his side, they carried out their usual routine of her answering or avoiding his mundane questions at her own accord. Sometimes her eyes would narrow when he jotted down anything, he found unusual.

"So," the Yamanaka sat his memo aside and brought his sky-blue eyes onto the burgundy haired teen. "How was your first two weeks of school?" He asked, growing more attentive as she tensed at the question. He could see it now; she was considering whether she should answer truthfully or not.

Kyori let out a heavy sigh before adjusting in her seat. "…It was really disappointing."

"What had happened for you to experience disappointment?" He asked while observing the frown decorating her face.

"I thought by going back that everything would be, I don't know… better?" Kyori shook her head at her foolishness. Frowning deeply, she slumped into the chair with bland eyes. "Thought I'd get my life back. But I was wrong…"

"Kyori, what do you mean when you say: thought I'd get my life back?" The Yamanaka questioned as he fiddled with his pen top. "Was there anything in particular that you expected once you resumed with public schooling?" The girl raised a brow as she silently asked him to elaborate. "Any behaviors, ideas or urges you'd like to tell me about?"

At that, her face twisted. First, she was shocked, then mildly upset at the implications. "No, nothing like that." She quickly answered and he nodded, hoping she would add on. "I just want my friends."

Inoichi nodded with his blonde brows furrowing in deep thought. "I'm sure you could make other friends or give them time? Also, you do have your family at your side."

"That's not what I meant, though." Kyori rolled her eyes. "I don't need new friends and my family has changed too. It's all messed up." She bit out while her steaming brown eyes burned holes into the deep cobalt rug beneath her feet.

"Is it about them trusting you?" Inoichi wondered. Light blue eyes observed her subtle hesitance before she nodded. "Well is there anything else you want to talk about?" he asked, gesturing at the little time they had left before he began to pack up.

"Actually, I think I need some advice," she started and immediately he placed his files onto the desk and leaned forward, giving her his full attention. "You see, there's this boy from school—he's a nice boy, but that's gross!"

Inoichi raised his brows and she shot him a disgusted glare, though the thought of the raven haired teen calling her pretty made her cheeks flared up with heat.

"You know what, never mind."

"Kyori, I think- "

"I said, never mind. I got this." She interjected evenly.

Simultaneously, the clock went off, relieving Kyori immensely. Though she's been speaking with Inoichi and under his care for years, talking about her issues was no easy feat. She stood up at neck break speed and marched towards the exit.

"Just a quick tip." The Yamanaka grabbed her attention, halting her escape with his wistful gaze. "Making new friends is harmless and can be just as fulfilling if not more exciting than rekindling old one. I think you should give it a chance and decide for yourself."

Kyori sighed and parted him with a quick promise to attend next week, same time. The burgundy haired girl dismissed his words as her father escorted her to the backseat. For some irrational reason, it made her father feel free of risk. Kyori presumed her father's ease came from child locking her in the back. He provided the entrance and exit which was expected by the paranoid control freak.

"What did he say?" Her father asked once they were in the comfort of their home. At least he gave her time to digest the session, Kyori thought as she mainly focused on removing her shoes, alternating with cozy house slippers.

"He thinks I should try making new friends." She uttered vehemently. Turning to her father she quickly shot her own question. "What do you think?"

Danzo scowled as he remained silent. She had known he was not a fan of some, no majority, of her friends. They shared her reckless behaviors, and probably was just as if not more disobedient than Kyori. But he'd rather not have his daughter socializing with just anybody, after all meeting the wrong person got them in this awful predicament.

"I think you should stick to your little friend group."

Kyori frowned at that. Not wanting to present the fallout to her father, she remained silent. Danzo wouldn't accept it as it was, and he would ask the most evasive and aggravating questions. He was always a bit of a prier and the last thing she wanted to do was fall back into the habit of lying.

"Yeah? We'll that's easier said than done." She murmured before avoiding the curiosity within his beady brown eye and rushing pass her father, slipping into the kitchen.

A smile graced Kyori's lips at the smell of sweet cinnamon goodness mingling with a savory smell. Her mother was stirring a large pot, adding along to it before she turned, donning her apron decorated by Sai himself.

"Hi sweetie!" Hizume smiled, ringing her hands out of habit as she stepped forward to embrace her daughter.

"Hi mom." Kyori murmured. "What're you cooking? It smells amazing!" She pulled away, producing a bright smile of her own. However, her mother was no fool, Hizume could tell something was bothering Kyori. She was especially concerned after receiving an accidental voicemail of her daughter bursting into tears.

"What's going on? And don't say it's nothing." Hizume sprouted a stern look, albeit she just looked rightfully concerned. Seeing the skeptical expression working its way onto her daughter's face, she gently nudged her, softening her tone she suggested, "Kyori talk to me, maybe it'll help."

"Yamanaka-sama suggested making new friends." She reported, leaning against the granite countertop. Her umber eyes focused in on the bubbling pot as she avoided the confusion in her mother's stare.

"There's nothing wrong with new friends, sweetie." Hizume assured. The older woman moved close to grace the girl with an affectionate hand to the shoulder but was surprised when the girl grew tense and instantly shrugged off the touch.

"But there is!" Kyori insisted, the volume of her voice shocked her mother to the point she turned down the fire.

The older woman then brought her attention back on the teen, her light brown eyes full of determination to grasp the issue.

"Then what could you possibly want then?" Hizume questioned while Kyori lowered her head, not giving the woman a chance to see the conflict in her eyes. "Sweetie, you have to understand that you've been gone for months without an explanation, you cannot expect your friends to be welcoming. There are good people out there, Kyori."

"I-I don't want to talk about this anymore." She uttered with apologetic brown eyes.

Her mother's wistful words easily reminded her of the sweet brunette girl and the annoying boy from school. Maybe they weren't bad people, but how could she know for certain? It made Kyori stomach churned.

"I promise to come down for dinner. Promise." The girl stood up straight and uncomfortably scampered towards the hall connected to the flight of stairs.

Finally, in the sanctity of her room, Kyori was left to consider what would be her next move. Her family was as weary as ever, not including her brothers and her friends might as well be nonexistent along with her idiotic hopes of assimilating. Kyori frog splashed onto her bed while her thoughts came to a very few solid conclusions. She was all alone in her journey back to being an ordinary girl and she was already facing a stream of challenges.

"What does this lead to?" Her question was dismissed in the suffocating silence. She would have to see on Monday.

Monday came, and the burgundy haired girl remained unsure of her next move.

Making friends, was never a strong point for Kyori. Though she was by quite loved among her peers, she was insufferably crude if she had no desire of making a connection. Bad tempered and heavily guarded had followed her name everywhere and that was by no mistake. No, she was aware of her bitchiness, but that had not stopped her from being a disgusting and hurtful person as she used it as a means to protect herself.

'Honestly, I don't deserve new friends. I don't even deserve a second chance.' She thought, while going course to course with Inoichi's suggestion grating her mind. And despite it all, in came the dark-haired young man she's been dreading to see. He was beaming at the fact that there was a free seat beside her even though she frowned when their eyes met.

"What no hi?" the dark-haired teen huffed comedically, settling into the seat next to her before placing his head onto the cool surface of the sturdy alloy desk.

Kyori rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, adamant on ignoring him.

He pouted. "You sure are rough around the edges, aren't you?"

"Hi," she greeted blandly with her eyes focused on the science zealot in the center of the class. "Now if that's all, I'd like to focus on the lesson, Stalker."

Kyori always liked Orochimaru's classes, there was something about him being unconventional that made things fun.

"That's not my name!" The teen frowned.

"Like I care. Stalker."

The sound of his voice alerted a few peers and Orochimaru turned as well asking if the boy wanted to participate in a study for the disruption. With a quick apology and a few declines, he was subjected to an hour of detention because he was trying to crack at Kyori's shell.

Still, the boy turned to her with a grin. "I'm Shisui, what's your name? Little miss feisty?" he snorted at his own joke, watching her pause with a slight glare.

Kyori wanted to throw a scowl at the amused grin he presented as he brought his hand out of her to shake once again. This time she felt this hesitance roll over her. She did not know if it would be wise to reject him. He was as stubborn as an old dog and that was bothersome. Biting her lip, she willed herself to at least try to be nice. Maybe he would leave her alone then.

Shisui's smile only seemed to brighten as the burgundy haired girl slowly brought her cooler hand to his warm one and firmly shook it.

"It's Kyori but don't get used to saying it." The young Shimura couldn't help the grin slipping onto her lips at his chortling as she released his hands and wiped hers onto her skirt. "I'm serious, you're kind of annoying and perky looking."

"Rude much? That's no way to talk to your best friend, new girl." Shisui scoffed as she snatched her hand from his once she insulted him. Kyori graced him with the sincerest eye roll she was capable of as they began to set up their table for a lab experiment.

"Best friend?" Kyori scoffed dubiously. "I never even said we were friends." She snorted absently before looking up from the directions in the lab manual. "And what's with the new girl thing—I'm not new here." Kyori grumbled annoyed, but Shisui was occupied with measuring the liquids.

Fu saw this and he instantly began to frown. Kyori was seated fairly close to—was that one of those Uchiha's? Anyways, the raven-haired boy seemed too cheery for Kyori's liking. He definitely was not her type. Then, why was she touching and grinning back at him? Was she doing this to spite him?

That must have been the case because he had witnessed the boy buttering her up with smiles and greetings lately and it couldn't be a coincidence. After he decided he was done with her, she turns around and has someone else following her like a wounded puppy? The auburn-haired Yamanaka turned in his seat with bouncing legs as he was hoping lunch would come sooner.

"Join me for lunch." Shisui then spoke out of the blue. Kyori almost snapped her neck to face him with an incredulous look in her eyes. She stared at him like he had insulted her very existence rather than asked for her company.

"No."

"C'mon! It'll be fun." He gifted her a smile.

"No," she repeated.

"Kyori-san, please?" he politely begged, poking out his bottom lip adorably.

Shisui was sure this would do the trick as it had for Itachi and even that little grump, Sasuke. No one could resist his pout, or so he had thought.

Annoyed, she let out a huff. "Christ, do your ears work?!" she shouted, her eyes turned into narrow umber slits as she glared at him.

Orochimaru turned, for the second time that day and brought his unusual golden eyes onto the pair. "Kyori-chan, while I'm ecstatic for you to be vigorously participating I don't appreciate you disturbing the class. This is your warning."

"Alright, I'm telling the others that you'll join us for lunch some other time."

The burgundy haired girl groaned, throwing a death glare at Shisui who would have flinched if he had not seen worse. Who the hell were the others? And did she not decline? Kyori turned in her seat and faced a bored Kinoto who raised a brow at the interaction taking place. She was hoping that he would back her up in declining the invite, but the man just sat there with his finger tracing his empty holster, where his berretta 92 had belonged before he was tasked by Minato to leave it behind.

"Fine. I'll think about it and let you know but Kinoto has to be there." Kyori turned back around seeing the questionable look in the teen's catty eyes. "He can't leave my side so deal or no deal?" She grumbled.

"You've got yourself a deal." Shisui flashed her an excited smile full of pearly whites that had her frowning at him. Damn him for getting his way. "Well, I'll be waiting." He began to pack up, not at all bothered by the burgundy haired girl quickly retreating into the hallway. He'd grow on her soon enough.

Kyori strutted down the hallway with Kinoto at her side, amused by the pep in her step so to speak. Though, she was still unsure whether she should be making new friends or not, she had ultimately decided that having lunch with Shisui would be a test run for her. If she liked it, then she'd go about making friends throughout the semester. If she didn't, she could tell everyone in proximity to buzz off and let her be. Simple enough, but Kinoto's teasing was anything but.

"This is partially your fault Kinoto!" the burgundy haired girl groused as he held open the door to the cafeteria, walking in behind her. "If you would have backed me up, I wouldn't have to eat with that boy."

"True, but I thought it would be a fun change." The ex-militant shrugged, finding amusement in her disdain for the raven-haired boy.

"Yeah, it's super, isn't it?" Kinoto grinned at the sardonic smile on the teen's face.

"It was that, or you would have to sit alone until you drawn a truce with Zetsu." He pointed out. Kyori frowned at that, and a genuine snicker left the man's lips. "That's a snowball's chance in hell, for sure." He stated presumptuously while she rolled her eyes, but he was far from wrong.

Kyori had no intentions of settling the animosity between her and the green haired boy. Frankly, she felt that he owed her an apology, but was content with sitting alone until then.

"Can you just get me the spaghetti and a sprite?" she asked, throwing out a thank you once her loyal guard slipped into the line.

Kinoto looked surprised by her mannerism, making her laugh at the man. Of course, she was annoyed about him practically babysitting her, but he definitely done his job well. He catered to her and stood up to her and not to mention she appreciated his company when he wasn't getting on her nerves.

Kyori's smile faded at the sight of Fu and Torune walking into the cafeteria. She brought her eyes down as she awkwardly shifted from side to side, in hopes of busying herself long enough to avoid making any kind of contact with them. She could feel Torune's eyes lingering on her as he slipped passed her and into the lunch line. However, she wasn't as lucky to endure the same occurrence with Fu.

"We need to talk." he spontaneously stated, and her brown eyes shot up at him incredulously. Kyori's mind was splitting down the middle as she focused on giving him an answer.

"And why would I agree to that?" She settled with a glare.

Had he genuinely wanted to talk to her? Was the last thing he said to her just a joke? Or was this about something else entirely? Why would he want to talk to her when he was the one that wanted her to stay away?

"Kyori, I got your spaghetti but there was no— you," Kinoto's voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she watched as her guard glared at his former student with killing intent. "What the hell do you want?"

But as mentioned before, Fu was trained and having Kinoto threaten him with his implications done nothing to stop him from turning his hazel orbs back onto her.

"It's okay Kinoto, he wants to talk." She uttered almost robotically as she hardly gazed into Fu's eyes. "It'll be short, I hope."

The Yamanaka scoffed at her short use of words as she ordered Kinoto to tell Shisui she would join him soon. Kyori raised a brow at her old friend once they were alone.

"Kinoto said it best. What the hell do you want?"

"I could ask you the same thing." He grumbled and the girl frowned in confusion. "I told you to stay away because you're troublesome and what do you do? You propel yourself onto another guy?!"

Kyori blinked, still confused. Despite this she was not going to stand here and take his shit. Not again. "What the hell are you talking about?" She questioned, laughing at the irony.

For him to declare that she was nothing to him a few weeks ago and suddenly he had the audacity to confront her about her interacting with other people. She wonder what was it that had bother him to the point he was open to confrontation.

"I know you're up to something."

"Seriously? Because I have no clue what you're going on about." Kyori asked, but her attention fell onto her bland nails.

"You're doing all of this to get to me. Why else would you tolerate the likes of him?" The auburn-haired Yamanaka sneered, gesturing towards the table full of dark-haired males.

Kyori's brunette eyes gleamed questionably as she spotted Shisui's annoying ass face. The way Fu harshly spoke as if he was referring to the boy as filth made the girl frown. She wondered during her months away had Fu gained a few enemies? Though she doubted that the moment she caught him glaring at the smirking boy that paid him no mind.

"If I hadn't known any better… it sounds like you're either jealous or you're too far up your ass." The burgundy haired teen mused with a raised brow when he shot her a look. "Well, which is it?"

"Neither." Fu shook his head in both denial and irritation as he backed away from her. "I know you're still angry with me over the Maki situation. That's why you're doing this, isn't it?" the Yamanaka asked, only to receive a light scoff from the burgundy haired teen.

Kyori took a confident stride up to the boy and scowled at him. She finally acknowledged what was being insinuated. And secretly, it had hurt to know he thought she was using Shisui to make him jealous, to enact some sort of revenge. But that was not the case, not this time around.

"First of all, your relationship is the least of my problems." Kyori stated evenly, mirroring his dubious glare. "And, if I were interested in him it's doesn't concern you, but you should practice what you preach and stay out of my business."

"Whatever." Fu snorted bitterly. "I'm not falling for your little stunts anymore; I won't let you ruin what I have with Maki."

"Then do that. I'm not opposing!" Kyori snapped. "Now if you'll excuse me, my spaghetti's cold." She grumbled, bumping his shoulder before she met up with Kinoto.

"Kyori: 1, Fu: 0." The man hummed proudly as the girl lowered into her seat, laughing.

"I showed him up, didn't I?" She smiled, nudging her guard for a verbal answer. But all she earned was a shrug as he slid her tray in front of her.

"You should eat up Champ, you have a long week ahead of you with tryouts and all." Kinoto snickered at the soft frown smacked onto her lips.

"I almost forgot about that…" the girl huffed.

Pulling out her binder, she proceeded to extract the neatly tucked papers if the clubs she would be interested in joining. All for the sake of stepping into her father's good graces, Kyori was hoping to clean up her act and put an emphasis on her many skills she neglected once she entered the realm of high school. Stupidly enough, she distracted herself with popularity, scandals, and schoolgirl romances; these things that held no long-term happiness or meaning, still she felt obligated to be interested in the latter.

After eating at least half of her food, Kyori dabbed at the corners of her lips before turning towards the gruff of a man. "Do you think papa would mind me trying out for sports?"

Kinoto snorted. "Of course not. Have you seen his man cave?!"

"Hm… let's see…" The teen's lips fell into a straight line and her brows furrowed in deep thought. "I'll have to say I haven't seen it in like eleven years?" She sniggered at the thought of her father secretly renovating.

"That man is a sports junkie, believe it or not." Kinoto said under his breath before picking up her tray once she pushed it away. "I don't think he'd mind you taking up some sort of occupation, whatever that'll be."

"Maybe I'll give it a thought…" the teen shrugged.

While he took the time to discard her food, Kyori ears perked at the sound of light laughter and melodic thumping. Her brown eyes settled on a familiar group of girls; it was the school's many pride and joy, the drill team. She was instantly reminded of her good friend Risu, who fought her way to the top of the ranks. Her leadership and good judgement contributed to the onslaught victory, making them regional champs.

A sigh escaped Kyori's lips, god, had she missed Risu… after all they did almost everything together.

Wiping away her tears before they could ruin her freshly applied eyeliner and mascara, Kyori promised herself a day to explore and splurge with Risu. Nothing tops that, nothing but cranberry vodka with her favorite petite blunette.

Back to back, the two gulped down heaps of the throat scorching liquid and embraced the easing warmth it provided for the time being. Kyori drunkenly smiled at Risu who danced at the bar, hiccupping as she demanded another round.

"Hey!" she shouted over the raging music, slamming her credit card onto the counter. The man looked down at the young girl with an admonishing glint in his eyes that had her scowling.

"Do you want the money or not?!" Risu scoffed, frowning at the man. "Asshole."

"Alright, you ladies had enough." The bartender grumbled, taking their cups he immediately washes it to place it into the cupboard which had earned him nasty scowls. "I think you should go home."

"If this is how you treat your customers, then you can kiss this shithole goodbye when I call my daddy!" Risu fumed, gaining the attention of a tall rugged looking young man with tan skin and short, dark hair with the most intimidating leer she has ever seen before his eyes fell on the burgundette. "Ohmygod, Kyori… are you seeing this?!"

"That's him, the guy I've been talking to." Kyori grin widened at the shock written all over her friend's face. Rolling her eyes, she pulled out her phone, pulling up pictures. "See."

"That's unfair! You always find the hot dominating type," Risu groused also eying the stranger before turning her eyes on Kyori.

"Relax, I got a surprise for you." Kyori winked, pointing at another.

This caught the blunette's attention and she held a wide grin as another drew closer. He was muscular, handsome too and a bit paler than the one with the deep mischievous voice that had Kyori giving him suggestive eyes.

"Hello," Risu waved at the fine stranger and downed her drink like it was iced water. Her eyes never left him, until she raised up to slyly whisper to Kyori, "He will do, like, this is going to be a long night."

The two girls giggled as they bought another round of drinks. Kyori murmured, "Good because I'm done sharing."

Blinking away the unwanted memory, the burgundy haired teen barely registered Kinoto placing her daily dose of medicine near a fresh bottle of water. Observing the small tablets for what felt like hours, Kyori quickly popped them into her mouth and swallowed it dry with little regards to her discomfort of it gradually rolling down her throat. The pain and bitter taste helped her forget her overwhelming feelings.

She felt like crying, but she had to remind herself that those days were over and she was in a better space now.

"You okay Kyori?" the sound of his deep voice made the young Shimura flinch, but Kinoto noticed it. Before he could fix his lips to question her, Kyori gave him a reassuring smile.

"Yeah…" she mumbled, narrowing her eyes with newfound determination. There was no way that she would fail Risu. "Sports will just have to wait."

Annnnd the plot thickens?

Just what was Kyori deal? Her and Risu seemed like snobby brats?...What happened to Risu, anyways? and what the hell is Fu's issue?Why does Fu think Kyori's up to something?

Kyori: You of all people know, you wrote it.

Shisui: Facts.

All will be revealed much later. So book it, favorite it, or keep it in your history until next time.

Ochaaa~

updated: 7/24