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"The house is still as messy as ever." I walked inside our simple home, the various windows through the floor wide open and allowing a cool breeze inside.
I made a face and walked over to the nearest window, sliding it closed and locking it. "and you left the windows open the whole time we were gone? What if we were robbed or some shit?"
My old man shrugged and tossed his bag onto the floor beside the shoe rack, smushing his shoes. My black sandals were placed neatly by the door, while his were kicked off lazily. I resisted the urge to make a nasty comment about him being a pig. No matter how... disgusting he is, I don't even have the energy for that right now.
"I'm surprised a bird didn't fly in here and make a home for themselves." I turned around and placed my hands on my hips, scanning the little studio floor plan our home had.
The kitchen was overrun with halfway drunk water bottles, soda cans, and matcha cans. There were at least a dozen take out containers pouring out of the trash, that had probably been sitting out for kami knows how long... just... yuck. The smell wafting all the way over to my spot made me want to vomit right then and there. But then i'd just have to clean that up too, so no thanks.
"Actually, any self respecting animal or person wouldn't even come in here." I pinched my nose, grimacing at the sudden strength of the old takeout. I gave my old man a pitiful look. "You couldn't even take out the fucking trash? For real?"
He shrugged. "I'm a busy Jonin, little delinquent. Don't have time for things such as that."
"But you have time to read those garbage ass magazines?"
He waved me off, walking toward the back of the house, probably to his bedroom. "Let's not forget who's the parent here. Now i've gotta take a fat shit, so I'll see you in a bit."
I rolled my eyes. "Great, just so you can make the house smell even more like ass."
I sighed, placing my hands on my hips.
We arrived back in Kumo not too long ago and were released by the Raikage to rest after the long trip. He said some bullshit about us 'earning' a break, but that excuse seemed kinda sketch. Raikage-sama didn't believe in breaks. He believed that if we were in the need of a break, then that just meant we weren't conditioned enough to tolerate the amount of work needed to be done... which just ended up leading to more work.
Really, you just can't win with him.
I wasn't sure what I was suppose to do now. I guess I could just walk around the village... maybe take a nap? Train a little...
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, looking around at the still messy living room.
If one thing was for certain, I wasn't cleaning up any damn messes today. At least not any that weren't mine.
Tightening the tanto around my shoulder and the weapons pouch around my thigh, I walked over to the living room window and slid it open, leaping out of it and onto the short ledge just outside our seventh story apartment window. I bent down into a crouch and leaned my elbows on my knees, pursing my lips as I looked around at the ground below.
The cloud village had a bit of a strange set up. We didn't have everything in one big clump, but different districts separated by the mountains. Different districts were separated into different mountains. Bridges connecting each one. I guess when you take into account the terrain it made sense.
I patted my pocket, fondling the extra ryo from my last mission before the chunin exams.
Guess the only thing for me to do was waste my money on useless shit I didn't need.
I jumped down from my ledge to the closest one attached to the floor below, before moving some chakra to my feet and scaling the side of the building, sprinting to the edge. A few people peaked at me as I passed by their window, but they didn't pay me much mind other than an eyeroll. I didn't give a flying shit what they thought though. I was just running by then I was out of their hair.
I leaped off the brick and landed on the side of the mountain exposed next to the bridge, rough brown rocks chipping off at my landing. Pushing more chakra into my feet, I slid down the side, giving just enough that the speed wouldn't rip through my shoes and I wouldn't start tumbling down the side like a ball of loose garbage.
Reaching the bridge, I flicked out my chakra wire, it wrapping around the steel rod placed into the ground for lighting and power. Using it as leverage, I swung myself onto the bridge, landing in a smooth roll.
I grinned and got to my feet, taking a few steps back to look up at the electric rod I had just swung from. Letting out a low whistle, I tossed my head to the side, throwing my hair over my shoulder. "Oh hell yeah. Now that's how it's done."
Turning around, I jogged from the residential district where most shinobi lived, to the main district, where most restaurants and shopping centers were located. I had to cross a couple bridges, but that wasn't really anything new for Kumo. You couldn't get anywhere without a bridge around here.
I slowed to a walk when I reached the end bridge leading to the main district. Civilians walked out of the district to just hang out on the bridge, but not many walked back the way I came from. The ones that did were carrying stuff, probably to visit a shinobi friend or drop stuff off for a shinobi.
The civilians lived in multiple other districts toward the center of the village, for safety purposes. Most shinobi districts were placed on the outer parts of the village. It made sense though. If we were to come under attack we'd be the first to know and the only ones to really be able to do something about it.
I stuffed my hands into my pockets, strolling through the busy dirt roads. A couple people tended to their small collection of green, stringy plants outside their shops, while others just chatted with their companions.
I frowned at the sight of a group of teens who couldn't have been more than a year older than me hanging out and having fun together. The sight made my insides turn in... jealousy.
I shriveled my nose at the recognition of the emotion and kept walking, not wanting to look like a fucking creep for watching these kids hang out with their friends.
Now that I was back home... I couldn't help but feel that painful stab of loneliness again. If you couldn't tell already, before, friends were not my thing. At all. But now that I've met such amazing people in Konoha, I couldn't help but long for someone to call my friends. Of course I had Katsu and Ryuu, but they were kind of... forced to get along with me. I wanted to make a friend that was my friend because they wanted to hang around me. Not because they were placed into a regulation three man squad universally used by the shinobi nations.
There was the option of going back to my little gang of pals... the Ukiyo... but even if I wanted to go back, I wasn't sure I'd be welcomed with open arms.
What started off as a group of kids searching for some people they could rely on, turned into a reckless collection of tyrants who wanted to do nothing but harm. I'd quit as soon as I became a genin. The things they did... even I didn't want part in that. Me. Ms.Little Delinquent. Even I knew the shit they were doing was fucked up.
They began as little funny pranks such as moving people's belongings or tagging buildings with stupid ass drawings that were easily washable. But as the leader of our pathetic gang, Kokoro, got bored, the stuff got progressively worse.
I sighed, shaking my head at the memories of what the people I had affiliated myself with did.
But that was behind me now. Even if they were still active in Kumo and did not like me. One fucking bit. People disliking me wasn't something I was a stranger too. I wasn't a stranger to disliking others either. Maybe it was time for me to change that up.
I strolled into a little restaurant full of nothing but junk food. The classic stuff such as salty, gross ramen to fries were on the menu here. It wasn't exactly my favorite place to go, but I was in the mood for some shitty food that was gonna make me feel like shit later.
It was a tiny place, long wooden benches stretching from the wall to about halfway across the room instead of individual tables. Wooden benches were tucked nicely beside the surfaces, only a few people here and there actually sitting and eating. Most were lounging around with a cup of sake and talking rather loudly with their friends.
I didn't recognize anyone. They all seemed to be either brand new genin, academy kids, or older jonin. I figured I was gonna end up sitting alone, until I spotted a familiar dark skinned boy munching on some fries in the back corner of the restaurant.
I didn't know Omoi well—but I was aware he knew me. And was scared shitless of me. Apparently I wasn't the best person for an anxiety ridden ninja to spend their time with. At least the old Kohana wasn't. I remember I would plant these crazy, extreme ideas into his head about all the terrible, terrible things that could happen. I thought it was funny how worked up he would get. In hindsight, I was just an asshole.
Karui tended to get hella pissed at me for that. Which is part of the reason why she really, really does not like me. Maybe I would go as far as to say she kinda hates me.
But Omoi... he just seemed cautious around me. So if I approached him and tried to be nice, maybe a little nonchalant... there wouldn't be a problem?
I took a deep breath, before making my way over to the table Omoi sat at, his back facing large glass windows overlooking the street. He sat with his chin smooshed into his face, while the other hand dipped his fries into what looked to be mayonnaise. His eyelids drooped lazily, and I was a little concerned he hadn't noticed me yet.
"This seat taken?" I pointed to the empty bench in front of him. My heart thumped in my chest as his eyes moved up to meet mine.
"K-Kohana?" Omoi looked more alert at the sight of me, which did sting, I wasn't gonna lie. It wasn't the polite kinda alert like 'oh, someone's talking to me.' It was more along the lines of 'oh shit, I better not make any sudden movements or Kohana is gonna fucking beat my ass.'
He rested his arm on the table and sat up, blinking rapidly. "What are you uh... doing here? Thought you were um... at the chunin exams in the leaf?"
Still continuing to stand because I hadn't really gotten an answer from him and I didn't want to push my limits, I slouched, crossing my arms. "They ended and I just got back today. With Ryuu, Katsu, and Momo sensei."
I pursed my lips, gesturing to the seat again. "So um... can I?"
"Oh!" Omoi's eyes widened, realizing he had totally forgot about my question. He coughed and pounded on his chest, a bit in shock at how civilized I was acting. He nodded his head through his wheezing. "Yeah, thats um... go ahead."
I slid onto the bench and placed my chin into my hand, eyeing the basket of fries he'd been munching on.
It got really quiet fast, but I couldn't really think of anything to talk about. I wasn't friends with Omoi, and I knew he was scared shitless of me. It was hard to make conversation with someone when you knew they would flinch if you made any sudden movements.
"What the hell is she doing here?"
I looked up in surprise at the sight of Karui, her short red hair held back by her white head protector. She didn't look surprised to see me—just annoyed. Her golden eyes were glaring daggers at me, and if looks could kill I would be fucking dead.
"I just saw Omoi here and thought I would say hi." I answered, trying to be as polite as possible. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, before looking back up at her. "Is that... okay?"
"I don't know." She crossed her arms, not buying what I was saying. "Is it okay that you've been a complete asshole to everyone, and that you like to patronize Omoi knowing he has problems with anxiety?"
I grit my teeth, trying to keep a lid on my temper. But I was really struggling. It was hard to sit there and smile while someone trashed you to your face.
"I don't know, is it okay that you're deciding to be a complete smartass when I'm trying to be polite and have a civilized conversation?" I curled my hand into a fist, fingernails digging into my palms.
Karui curled her lip, about to dish me another rude ass remark, but Omoi jumped in before she could even get a word out.
"Karui." He patted the spot beside him, giving her a pleading look. "Let's just hear what Kohana-chan has to say, alright? There's no reason to get upset, right? I mean... she hasn't said anything rude today. At least... not without um... being provoked."
Shooting me one last snide look, she walked to the other side and slid onto the bench beside Omoi. She remained stiff and scowling as she looked at me from across the table, and I sorta wished I was completely invisible. If I could have one super power, it would be to turn fucking invisible.
"Listen, um," I folded my hands on top of the table and swallowed hard, trying to ignore the pounding of my heart that only got louder and louder the longer I sat here. I could feel both their gazes burning holes into my body as I prepared myself to talk. "I've been a pretty terrible person in the past. Done and said some bad things. But I want to try to um... be better. So could we start over?"
Karui raised a brow in surprise. She blinked slowly, obviously in a bit of a shock at the words coming out of my mouth. Not that I could blame her. Grudges use to be one of the things I was best at—but I really was trying to change. If the old Kohana saw me now, she probably would have projectile vomited everywhere. The thought kinda makes me laugh.
"Alright."
My eyes widened in surprise at her agreement.
"Only on one condition." Karui held up her finger, looking at me seriously. "You have to join Omoi and I sometimes for training. Even if you might be getting promoted to Chunin—that doesn't mean you're too good for us. You were a terrible person in the past, but I'm not going to prevent you from trying to be better."
The corner of my lip quirked up. I was glad one thing was finally going right in my life.
I glanced over to Omoi, only to see him give a shrug. "You were pretty mean to me, and really didn't help my anxiety one bit—but I don't really have a problem with you. I'm not one to hold grudges anyway. My Kaa-san on the other hand... she might need some warming up."
I cringed at the thought of Omoi's strong willed mother, who had a quick and hot temper that could match the Raikages fury. Not that the woman was abusive in anyway toward her son, but I wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason his anxiety was so bad was because of her. Ikari was a... special woman. Her name literally meant anger... so her personality wasn't really that much of a surprise.
Deciding to change the subject, I raised a brow in Karui's direction. "So, what did you mean by might be getting promoted?"
"Didn't hear?" She cocked her head. "Raikage-Sama, C, and Darui are going to be having a discussion for who will be promoted later today and tomorrow."
"I thought because of the attack on the leaf they decided no one was going to be promoted?" I asked.
"That's what one would think, but apparently the Leaf decided on promoting one of their genin anyway, and Raikage-sama being himself, he decided he didn't want them to be the only village to promote someone. So I wouldn't be too surprised if you or Ryuu, or maybe even both of you, were promoted." She answered, taking one of Omoi's fries. She dipped it into the mayo and took a bite, before gagging and shooting him a nasty look. "What the hell is that?!"
Omoi shrugged, popping another one into his mouth after dipping it. "Mayo."
"Ew!" Karui threw the half eaten fry at him. "That's disgusting!"
I chuckled, shaking my head.
Maybe these guys weren't so bad after all.
"Kohana-chan! There you are!"
I turned my head to see Ryuu running through the restaurant doorway. The old woman who ran the place shouted at him to not run through her restaurant like a wild boar—but he only sheepishly smiled at her and walked quickly over to us, hoping that was enough to console her.
He'd changed into a blue, loose three quarter shirt, and it was then I realized I was still wearing his shirt from a couple days ago. Hadn't really gotten a lot of time to change my clothes or bathe on the way home... kinda made me realize I should probably shower as soon as possible. Maybe that was part of the reason Karui was so disgusted with me.
I snuck a quick sniff at my armpit. I pressed my lips together and tried not to gag at the smell.
Kami that was bad.
Underneath Ryuu's new blue shirt you could barely see the collar of his black tee underneath. He wore white shin guards over his loose black cargo pants he replaced the shorts with, white kunai pouch tied around his right thigh. Around his waist were three royal blue sealing scrolls. They looked brand new too, and I could tell this whole new outfit change was not picked out by him, but his aunt Masumi. There was no way Ryuu could have done that himself. He looked too good.
"Would ya' look at that." I grinned, turning around to face him fully. I leaned with my back against the table, laying my arms out on the surface. "Don't you look all professional."
Ryuu looked down at his outfit and gave a shrug, before looking back up at me with a grin. "Oba-chan told me I needed a new outfit. Said I needed to look more professional. Not sure exactly what for though. Especially if I'm just a genin."
Karui snickered. "Unless you're not gonna be a genin anymore."
His golden eyes widened. "What?! What's that supposed to mean?! I'm not gonna be a ninja anymore?!"
Omoi looked at Karui in alarm. "If Ryuu-kun isnt gonna be a ninja anymore... does—does that mean we won't either?! Oh Kami, Kaa-san is gonna kill me. That is if Bee-sensei doesn't kill me first. Oh Kami. Oh Kami!"
I sighed. "Relax you two. She means we'd be getting promoted."
I eyed Ryuu, giving him a look that practically said are you that dumb? "Did you forget we just came back from Konoha taking the chunin exams?"
Ryuu laughed, rubbing the back of his head. He looked more sheepish than usual at his mistake. "No, I've just been so busy lately it kinda slipped my mind."
I raised a brow. "Busy? We've only been back for a day!"
"I know. I know. But a lots happened." Ryuu gave a shrug. He snapped his fingers, pointing at me with a grin. "Which reminds me why I came to find you in the first place. Oba-chan is cooking a dinner for the whole squad tonight! Katsu is bringing Ichiro-san, so you could bring Kenji-San too! Shes making a lot of food, so... I'd make sure to come along. If you didn't I wouldn't put it past her to come to your apartment and drag you both to our home by the hair."
I cracked a small smile at the joke. "Noted."
"Show up around seven, 'Kay? And wear somethin' kinda nice. Not super fancy or anything, but not shinobi clothes. Alright, see you then!" He waved at Omoi and Karui, beginning to walk out of the restaurant. "We've gotta hang out sometime soon too. I'll catch up to you at some point and we can get lunch. see ya'!"
He ran out of the restaurant, and I took that as my cue to head home and let my old man know about the plan for tonight. And so I could unpack and get a nice ass shower so I didn't smell like the walking dead.
I gave Omoi and Karui a small smile. "Thank you again. For uh... listening to my dumbass apologize for how much of a bitch I use to be."
Omoi's eyes widened at the strong language I used when taking about myself, but shrugged anyway with a forced chuckle. "Haha... no problem... just um... find us sometime and maybe we can train or something... um..."
"Yeah." Karui took another fry from Omoi, but didn't dip it in the mayo this time. She shot me a wink. "We'll have to see how good your kenjutsu has gotten. Couldn't be any better than me."
I rolled my eyes, getting to my feet. "Still way better than you. That's for sure."
With that playful banter being the last thing between us, I left the restaurant. I made the trip straight home, sprinting along the dirt paths and bridges to the shinobi district we lived in. I didn't really have time to screw around, as it was late in the afternoon by now and if we were to be there by seven... I would need to tell my old man ASAP. He was always late, so I'd have to tell him early so he'd be on time.
I came in the same way I left, up the side of the building and through the window. It was open and unlocked the way I left it, and even thought robberies weren't common in Kumo—it still made me wonder if the carelessness of my old man could cause some of our stuff to go missing.
Sliding into the room, I closed and locked the window behind me. I turned around, lip curling almost instantly at the disgusting living room. I could still smell the rotten takeout from the kitchen trashcan, and if it was even possible, it smelt worse than when we got back early this morning.
I sighed and rubbed my temples, walking over to the door in the kitchen beside our pantry. As soon as I opened the door, a huge ass pile of laundry flooded out and swarmed my feet. It wasn't mine either—it was all my old mans. Every. Single. One.
I clenched the shoji door I wrapped my hand around, fingers turning a paper white. The wood groaned as though the piece was going to snap off in my hand.
Why the hell could he not clean any of his shit up?! I was his surrogate daughter, not his fucking maid.
I placed my free hand to my temple and slid the door closed, deciding I'd deal with that shit later. I was gonna try and see if there was anything I could wear in the dryer—but apparently none of the items in the whole ass room were mine. Even if one or two pieces of clothing in there belonged to me, I sure as hell was not gonna sift through that fucking pile tonight.
Walking down the hallway to Kenji's bedroom, I didn't even bother to knock and just slid the door open, scowl on my face.
He sat on his bed in a pair of grey sweats, back against the headboard of his bed and legs folded out in front of him. He licked the pad of his thumb and flipped the page of one of his garbage, girly ass magazines, eyebrows raising as he read it. There was a picture of a girl in a bright pink bikini on the cover, so I could only assume what he was reading about.
"Yo," I called, getting his attention.
His eyes flicked up to look at me over top the magazine. He raised a brow, lowering it to his lap. "What's up, little delinquent?"
"Ryuu told me Masumi-San wants us all at her place at six for dinner. It's a team thing. We're going." I turned to leave his room, but stopped, remembering I almost forgot something. Holding up a finger, I looked at him over my shoulder. "Almost forgot—he said to wear something kinda nice. No shinobi clothes."
I walked out of his room without shutting the door—because I just knew that would piss him off—and finally went into my own room. I heard him let out a low groan as I shut my own door, and I couldn't help but snicker.
Yeah—I knew I told the old man dinner was at six. But if I told him it was at seven, he would be ready at eight. He had a terrible track record of being ready late, arriving late, and just being... forgetful. With this method, he'd be ready just on time.
I frowned at the sight of my bare room.
Sure, the walls were yellow. But now... I felt like there should just be more in here. It was empty and kind of sad. Not that I had a lot to put in here.
Well... there was one thing.
I walked over to the bag I had set next to my bed as soon as I got home. Setting it onto the bed, I unzipped it and began to unpack its contents, before finally finding the thing I was looking for at the bottom of the bag.
It was two photos. Two of which I took everywhere with me. The first, was of my old man and I when I was somewhere around the age of eight. I remember Masumi had taken the picture for us, as she complained we didn't have enough family pictures. So in a sense, she forced us together to take one. It was pretty obvious she had too, as I was trying to wiggle my way out of his arms as he held me in a choke hold. I may have looked irritated in the picture, but I knew I was actually happy.
The other was a squad photo of me, Ryuu, and Katsu. Ryuu had his arm thrown around my neck as he looked into the camera with a large grin. His other hand was curled into a fist, rubbing at the top of my head in a noogie. Katsu leaned on my shoulder with his elbow, smirking lazily as his dark hair obscured the view of his eyes.
They were photos of people who really mattered to me. But I did wish I had something of the Konoha nin and I. Which was a little weird to think about. I was never one for sentimental stuff before. A lot was changing though... so I guess it wasn't that surprising.
Walking over to my nightstand, I set the two pictures up beside my lamp. I scooted onto my bed and smiled at the pictures, not even attempting to suppress the warmth in my stomach.
I really had created some bonds with people, hadn't I?