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Nakama
Apr 2, 2011 23:52:08 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 2, 2011 23:52:08 GMT -6
Kazuo waved at the boy as he ran off. "Something tells me he isn't from the village." he mumbled to himself before he looked to the other children with a small smile on his face. "It was nice playing with you guys, but I should be getting back to my parents too! Bye!" he said before taking off himself--he had a lot to tell his father!
Arriving home, he stepped into his house with a huge goofy grin--one that would make his father proud. "...you look like you had a good day." said the man at the table, his hat set aside as he read the paper (scary thought, I know). "Yeah, I did!" replied Kazuo. "I played tag with a bunch of other kids and met this really strange kid!" he replied.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Strange kid, huh? What made him strange?" he asked. Kazuo thought for a moment. "Well, when I met him he was just sitting up on a ledge, watching the kids play tag! And when I asked him if he wanted to go play he acted like he didn't know what tag was! His name was Keiji!" he replied. "Though....having the name Keiji doesn't make him weird--I just forgot to tell you his name in the first place!" he added. Naruto nodded.
"A child that doesn't know what tag is, huh? Yeah, that's certainly strange." he said with a small puzzled look on his face. The two sat there for a few minutes in silence--Naruto reading the paper and his son tormenting the cat with his foot. A few more moments passed before Kazuo looked up.
"Hey dad?"
"Hn?"
"What's a red and white circle with a stick on the bottom of it mean?" asked the boy. Naruto raised an eyebrow and eyed the boy from over his paper. "What do you mean? Circle with a stick? Huh?" he asked. Kazuo sighed slightly, "....that's exactly what I mean! A red and white circle with a stick at the bottom!" he repeated. Naruto fished around in his pocket for a moment before tossing the boy a pencil, "Draw it for me, champ."
"...uh...okay." replied the boy as he drew a crude representation of the crest before handing it over to his father.
Naruto stared at the picture for a long time, not blinking. His eyes grew a bit wider as he stared in disbelief--how could that be? "Kazuo....where did you see this at? Tell me quickly!" he demanded. "Well..." Kazuo started. "Quickly!" repeated Naruto. "It was on the back of the boys shirt, dad!" he replied, looking confused as to why it was so important.
Naruto looked down at the ground. "...Sasuke..." he mumbled.
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 0:48:28 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 3, 2011 0:48:28 GMT -6
Please just be at home... Don't be out looking for me again... Keiji dashed as fast as his legs would carry him, swinging beneath trees and bounding over rocks. On his trips to see Konoha, he normally made it a point to come home early to avoid suspicion. This time, however, it was nearly dark.
Even as Keiji reached a wall of rocks, he hardly slowed. Adept at climbing them by now, he zipped up them with the agility of a monkey, though his limbs ached and protested. He cleared the top finally, pulling himself up with one final heave. Taking merely a moment to catch his breath, Keiji darted under a patch of raised shrubs. He stood up straight again, taking in a familiar sight: a small clearing beneath the trees, and a seemingly normal house tucked over in one corner. It was this area that was the most familiar; his family had moved quite a bit during his life, but it was here that he enjoyed his time most. Heaving a sigh, Keiji sauntered toward the building, hesitating for only a moment before entering.
Keiji slipped in as quietly as he could, leaving his shoes at the door and shutting it quietly. "It's almost dark... And...why are you so dirty?" Keiji flinched, looking over his shoulder at the woman standing behind him, her arms folded. "I was...chasing a rabbit... And I fell," he lied; figuratively, it could have been a version of the truth...
Akane sighed lightly, a weary smile crossing her face. "Alright, well... Go wash up so you can eat..." She turned and left the room, and as soon as she did, Keiji's father entered from another room, eying his son questioningly. "Did you just get back?" Sasuke asked, making note of the play-wear covering the boy. Keiji nodded, repeating his story of the rabbit-chase-and-fall. "Smooth," came another voice, and an elder boy walked into the room, smiling lightly; "Did you at least catch the rabbit?" Keiji shook his head, shrugging. "No, I was... I was just testing my speed..." he muttered, glancing at Sasuke briefly for approval. The man shrugged, walking past them. "Try harder. Do like I showed you and you shouldn't fall anymore."
Keiji seemed almost relieved, grinning as he turned to his brother. "Aniki, come play tag with me in the yard!" he said, tugging at the elder's sleeve. Sasuke looked over his shoulder at his youngest, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. "...Tag? How did you even come up with that?" he paused, shaking his head; "Ashitaka has work to do..." "Sorry, Keiji..." said Ashitaka, ruffling Keiji's hair as he walked out the door. Sasuke made to follow him, eying Keiji briefly before walking out as well.
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 2:12:56 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 3, 2011 2:12:56 GMT -6
Welcome to...
THE BREAKDOWN
[/color][/size][/right] Completely unaware of the situation that was unfolding over at the Uzumaki residence, Akisaka Toshiro sat at his kitchen table with a nice warm cup of ginseng tea with a book in his hand. Not bothering to look up as a loud commotion was made from the other room, he simply let out a small sigh. "...Takashi...what are you doing? Herding cattle through my living room?" he called out. Takashi mumbled some kind of apology and an explanation, but it didn't really matter. He'd put up with noise from his children for the past seventeen years--it was to be expected. Things had certainly changed over the years. Sasuke leaving had left a hole in a lot of people's hearts--but he had no sympathy for the man. What had started out as respect for the mighty Uchiha, ended up as a silent fury--for breaking the hearts of his loved ones and probably the indirect heartbreak of his best friend. Toshiro was never one to let anger get the better of him, so his feelings were never really brought to light--he just never bothered sticking up for him anymore and when Naruto would speak fondly of him he'd remain quiet. Eventually the fury subsided and left mild disinterest in it's wake. Sasuke was nothing but an afterthought to him at this point in time. He was far too busy raising children and keeping his wife happy to even bother being angry. Finally setting his book down, he took a small sip of tea and glanced out the window. "...pretty nice outside." he mumbled to himself as Takashi shuffled into the room, grinning from ear to ear. "...what do you look so happy about?" he asked. "I have a date tonight." replied the younger Akisaka. Toshiro stifled laughter, "How'd you manage that? You turn on the old Akisaka Charm? Take a page outta your old man's book?" he asked. "....I would have if I wanted her to say no." "...you're so rude. I love you, son." "...you are a strange man." --- "...who's 'Sasuke', dad?" Kazuo asked, looking confused. Naruto snapped out of his little trance and looked over at his son. "Huh?" The boy looked even more puzzled. "You said 'Sasuke'. Who's that, dad? I've never heard that name before." he replied. "Oh. That's just a man I used to know a long time ago, son." said Naruto. He paused for a moment, contemplating on his course of action. "...son, that boy that you met today. Do you think you'll see him again?" he asked after a moment. He sighed in relief when Kazuo nodded slightly. "Well, I think so. I imagine he goes to that spot a lot...so I guess I'll be seeing him again." he replied. Naruto nodded slightly, he wouldn't say much about it. This was the biggest lead he had on the whereabouts of Sasuke in years. "There's still hope." he thought.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 20:38:59 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 3, 2011 20:38:59 GMT -6
A very pleased gasp sounded from the doorway, and in walked Sakura, her hands clasped in front of her as she approached their eldest. Behind her tottered their small daughter, Sayuri, hugging a cloth doll rabbit and watching them all with a detached interest. "A date?" Takashi's mother cooed, pulling him into a hug; "That's so sweet. Who is she?" She stepped back to let him breathe, her face curious. She was fulfilling her role of "enthusiastic mother" well.
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 21:46:49 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 3, 2011 21:46:49 GMT -6
Takashi was startled after hearing someone else enter the room--though he smiled slightly when he realized it was only his mother. He hugged her back, lifting her off her feet as he was now a quite a bit taller than her. Setting her back down on the ground he nearly blushed at the question--was he really going to have to talk about it? Pausing for a moment or two as he twiddled his thumbs he finally opened his mouth to respond. "Her name is Kiyomi." he replied.
Toshiro smiled. "So how'd you meet her?" he asked. Takashi sighed inaudibly. "Well, I met her at the Ramen Stand. She had forgotten her wallet so I payed her bill. We got to talking and it led to this date..." he replied. Toshiro's smile turned into a smirk, "Look at you, champ! You're a charmer just like your old man!" he said. After receiving an awkward stare from Takashi, Toshiro sweatdropped. "Honey! Your son is being horrible to me!" he said. Takashi stifled his laughter, "You're such a dork, dad. If she ever shows up here I'm gonna have to hide you." he said, laughing. Toshiro frowned. "Hey! I'm the coolest dad in Konohagakure, that's a fact!" he called out.
Toshiro looked down at Sayuri.
"Isn't that right, Hime-chan?" he asked, kneeling down in front of her.
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 22:20:41 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 3, 2011 22:20:41 GMT -6
Sakura laughed, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow. "My son?" she repeated; "He's yours, too. Though..." she paused, reaching up to ruffle Takashi's hair; "He probably gets all that sweetness from me. You just passed along your awkward--and your good looks." She winked, as if it would help cover her inadvertent insult.
Sayuri giggled, nodding and holding out her stuffed rabbit to her father. "Usa-chan thinks so, too," she remarked with a smile; "Daddy is cool." The girl's smile faded as a knock came at the door. She turned around curiously.
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 22:25:24 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 3, 2011 22:25:24 GMT -6
Toshiro's gaze moved toward the door for a moment or two before he lifted himself up to a standing position. Making his way over to the door he wondered who exactly this could have been--they weren't expecting any visitors today. "...maybe it's a door to door salesman..." he mumbled to himself before he narrowed his eyes at the thought. Always bugging people to peddle their useless garbage that probably didn't work.
"We don't want any!" he cried out as he swung open the door.
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 22:41:04 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 3, 2011 22:41:04 GMT -6
"...Y'know, if any other blind person knocked on your door, they'd be knocked into a coma." Hiromi tilted his head, luckily standing back a good few feet from the door, as if he'd been expecting it to swing open as it had. "You do this every time I come over, man." He laughed lightly. "For the last time, I'm not selling any ruddy veggie peelers." Still smiling amusedly (yes, I made up a word), Hiromi walked up the steps and rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Nice to see you, too."
"Ah, it's Hiromi. Did he try to kill you with the door again?" came Sakura's voice from inside the room. Hiromi laughed again. "Eh, I can see it coming by now. Sorry for dropping in like this without notice... I had a question to ask."
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 22:54:25 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 3, 2011 22:54:25 GMT -6
Toshiro laughed slightly at his silly behavior. "Yeah, sorry. I'll try not to do that anymore." he said before shutting the door behind him. "But you know...they just don't get the picture unless you try and kill them with your door." he added after a moment or two, moving over to his friend and patting him on the shoulder. "Good to see you." he said with a large smile.
Takashi with a grin that rivaled his father's took a step or two forward, "Heya, Hiromi. Nice of you to drop by." he said before taking his father's seat at the kitchen table and taking a gulp of his tea. Toshiro stared at his son for a moment or two before he heard something about a question needing to be asked.
His eyes darted away from his son and rested on Hiromi. "Ask away, buddy. What's up?" he asked after a moment, wondering just what the question was.
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 23:17:26 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 3, 2011 23:17:26 GMT -6
Hiromi shuffled the rest of the way into the house, slipping his hands in his pockets and yawning. He nodded at Takashi's welcome, smiling a bit. "Nice to be around again. It's been a little while."
He turned back to Toshiro, shaking his head and shrugging slightly. "It's nothing major," he said somewhat reassuringly; "I just wondered if any of you have seen my bird. She hasn't been home in a few days." He half-grinned. "I know she likes to come sit outside here sometimes when I'm away; she knows I come here often."
Sakura put a finger to her chin, her gaze drifting up as if the answer would be there, just floating. She shrugged lightly, looking to Toshiro. "I haven't seen her lately. Have you, Toshiro?" She laughed slightly. "She's a pretty big eagle. If she's been here, I'm sure one of us would have seen her."
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Nakama
Apr 3, 2011 23:52:49 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 3, 2011 23:52:49 GMT -6
Toshiro thought for a moment or two before shaking his head. "I haven't seen her in a while either." he replied. "Sorry, man. Maybe she's out looking for food?" he suggested. "What about you Takashi?" he asked after a moment. Takashi shook his head. "No, I haven't. Though I'm sure she'll turn up. It's not like she'd run off and leave Hiromi." he replied with a small smile.
Toshiro nodded slightly. "Good point. So...I'd say you have nothing to worry about!" he said. Pausing for a moment, he seemed to think of something. "...so where HAVE you been lately? You've not been around in quite some time! Wrestling grizzlies in your free time or something?" he asked with a small chuckle.
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Nakama
Apr 4, 2011 0:30:45 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 4, 2011 0:30:45 GMT -6
"It's not like she'd run off and leave Hiromi."
Hiromi smiled vaguely, nodding his head once or twice. He sighed lightly. "Yeah..." he muttered; "Hopefully not the bird, too." He laughed, albeit hollowly, then fell silent as Toshiro began talking again. He seemed to lighten up a bit at the change of subject. "Ah, nowhere... My house, the woods... Mostly with my bird, but since she's been gone, I've been kinda bored. No missions, either."
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Nakama
Apr 4, 2011 0:48:59 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 4, 2011 0:48:59 GMT -6
Toshiro's expression changed only slightly during Hiromi's comment about the bird. For a split second he was reminded of Sasuke and Akane, but he pushed that back in his mind--not wanting to deal with such thoughts. There was nothing that could have been done to stop either of them. No need to bring up painful things that couldn't be changed. As he opened his mouth, the door to the Akisaka home swung open and in came a man they all knew well.
"...guys, I think Sasuke's around! Kazuo ran into a boy with the Uchiha crest on the back of his shirt!" he cried out the moment he stepped into house. Toshiro's eyes widened and then narrowed quickly in mild annoyance at Naruto's hasty announcement. He stepped to the side to allow Hiromi to come into the man's view--Naruto looked dumbstruck...but he wasn't sorry for releasing the information. He couldn't help the way Hiromi felt and this was just too good of an opportunity to let slip.
Takashi looked from his father to Hiromi and back to Naruto. His eyes quickly darted back to Toshiro, who was now giving a look of mild disinterest. "...what do you intend to do about it, Naruto?" he asked in an almost detached manner...almost as if he were asking the time. Naruto looked puzzled at Toshiro's demeanor. Hadn't Sasuke been his friend as well? "I...I'm going to bring him back, of course!" he replied.
"Not that I don't think it's a great idea..." interrupted Takashi.
"But what if he refuses....again? I mean...I may not have been around and never knew the guy but I know enough." he added. Naruto shook his head. "He won't. He has no reason to not come back!" he replied. Toshiro picked a piece of lint from his shirt and looked around the room for a moment.
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Nakama
Apr 4, 2011 1:06:34 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 4, 2011 1:06:34 GMT -6
"He has no reason to come back, either. Let him rot in the woods." Any happiness that Hiromi had built back up seemed to melt away almost instantly with Naruto's announcement. The man's grey eyes were narrowed into thin slits as he glared blankly toward the floor, and his tone had gone from a would-be cheerful to a hissing mutter.
Sakura looked between the three men with a pained expression, torn between which to feel sorriest for. Toshiro was her husband, Naruto and Hiromi their childhood friends. While Toshiro's emotions had descended into apathy, Hiromi kept a bottled up rage, and poor Naruto--even now--still clung to hope. Any one of the dispositions was too pitiful for words. Sayuri, sensing her mother's discomfort, walked over and tugged at her sleeve, her head tilted. "Mommy, are you okay?" she asked quietly. Smiling lightly, Sakura bent down and picked the child up, nodding. "Everything is alright, sweetie," she assured her, glancing to the trio a second time before turning around; "Come on, it's time for you to go to bed..." Sayuri yawned and clung to her rabbit doll as her mother carried her down the hallway.
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Nakama
Apr 4, 2011 1:21:55 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 4, 2011 1:21:55 GMT -6
"Good night, Hime-chan." Toshiro called after his daughter as Sakura took her to bed. His gaze fell back to the other two, he would rather have been talking about anything else in the world--why did this even matter? Sasuke was gone and he wouldn't be coming back--he hadn't in the first place and it had been years since they last seen anything of him.
His mind drifted back to Hiromi's statement about him rotting in the woods--finding it difficult to care about the whole thing. It was unfortunate that the others were suffering over something that didn't matter in the slightest. "...well, Naruto...you should do whatever you feel is best. I'm not strongly inclined either way toward the man." he stated with a small shrug. The Hokage looked to the two men in the room with a baffled expression.
"He was our comrade..." he stated.
"...key word there is 'was'. And if you don't remember he left us of his own accord." Toshiro stated nonchalantly--his eyes on the house cat. Naruto raises his eyebrows, "How could you be so cold about this, Toshiro! He was our friend!" he said. Toshiro looked up and into Naruto's eyes, "...he was your friend, Naruto." he stated. "I'm not going to tell you to leave him be...because frankly I don't care. All I care about is your feelings...do what you think is best." he simply stated.
Takashi looked at his father for a moment--was this the same man that had been talking not twenty minutes ago? "Dad...I'm about to leave. She'll be waiting on me." he stated. His father turned to him with a sudden grin, "Good luck, champ. Go sweep her off her feet." he replied. Takashi looked at his father with a puzzled expression...'Okay. That answers my question, I guess.' he thought to himself.
"Bye, Hiromi. Goodbye, Hokage-sama. Father, tell mother I said bye."
With a bow Takashi was out the door and on his way to his date. Toshiro pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "...would you two like to sit down?" he asked. Naruto shook his head. "No...no I'm fine." he stated.
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