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Nakama
Apr 8, 2011 1:45:09 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 8, 2011 1:45:09 GMT -6
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You're not doing anything wrong, Keiji." replied Naruto, shaking his head. He paused for a moment, attempting to word his response correctly. "We don't mean to look at you strangely--we're just happy to have a visitor in our village." he said with smile.
Naruto looked over at Toshiro. "Isn't that right, Toshiro?" he asked.
Toshiro looked at Naruto for a second or two before nodding slightly. "Yeah. Always a pleasure to have new visitors. Naruto does his best to make people feel right at home here." he replied. Naruto smiled yet again before looking back to Keiji. "I'd just like you to know that you are always welcome here, Keiji--the same with the rest of your family." he said with the warmest smile he could produce.
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Nakama
Apr 8, 2011 18:52:37 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 8, 2011 18:52:37 GMT -6
Keiji brushed off the strange feeling, nodding his head. The boy watched as Naruto and Toshiro exchanged a silent look; he noticed a strange tension, but it passed briefly when Toshiro finally responded.
Keiji looked back to Naruto as he was addressed again, making a strange face as the man said something about his family being welcome in the village. "Thanks..." he began, considering something for a long few moments; "I dunno, though... I don't think... Um... I'm not really supposed to be here..." He sighed lightly, shrugging. "My parents..." Keiji paused, unsure of whether to continue; "...They don't seem to like this village, so my brother and me weren't really allowed out much... I dunno why... I think it's neat, and...everyone is nice." With that said, he looked around the room again, his eyes lingering on the enormous windows that overlooked the village streets.
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Nakama
Apr 9, 2011 1:31:24 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 9, 2011 1:31:24 GMT -6
Naruto did his best not to frown at the boys answer. So Sasuke didn't seem to like the village? What problem did he have with Konoha exactly? Now that Naruto was Hokage...things had changed considerably. Things were better now--he wished that Sasuke would just give them all the chance to prove that.
Instead of frowning, he smiled slightly. "Well, I'm glad you think it's neat, Keiji. You really are welcome here anytime. "But you're not supposed to be here, huh? Well, that's okay. Your secret is safe with us! We won't tell on you." Naruto responded with another smile. Kazuo nodded. "Yeah! And who knows...your parents might change their mind someday!" he added with a grin of his own.
Toshiro looked at the boy for a moment or two. He was so polite--it was hard to tell that this was actually Sasuke's kid...except for the near identical looks. With an inaudible sigh he took a seat and looked from the child to Naruto, who was still smiling. "So...why don't your parents like Konoha, Keiji?" asked Toshiro, looking back at the boy.
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Nakama
Apr 9, 2011 1:43:24 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 9, 2011 1:43:24 GMT -6
Keiji shrugged at the question, this time without as much hesitance. He seemed to honestly lack an answer. "I don't know..." he said, withdrawing to his own thoughts for a few seconds; "It's mostly Father, but..." he paused, seeming very lightly amused, "he doesn't like very much anyway. Mother is really quiet; I dunno what she does or doesn't like...We're just told a lot to not ever come here." His face flushed slightly, as if he'd been embarrassed at being caught doing wrong.
Keiji looked toward the window again, wondering--for probably the millionth time--just why his father had such a dislike for such a seemingly nice place. He couldn't count the number of times that he and his brother had been warned to not go far from the house, and don't they "dare go anywhere near the big village to the north; it was dangerous". It didn't seem very dangerous...
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Nakama
Apr 10, 2011 0:24:14 GMT -6
Post by Luke on Apr 10, 2011 0:24:14 GMT -6
Naruto smiled slightly at the boy. "Well, don't worry about it! Parents can be grouchy like that all the time!" he said before chuckling a bit. He paused for a moment or two, "You know, normally I'd say you should listen to your parents...but Konoha isn't a bad place and you're likely safer here than anywhere else out in the wilderness!" he added with a small nod.
Naruto shrugged.
"The invitation still stands! You're welcome into the village whenever you like. It's good that Kazuo has a new friend and I for one am not going to put an end to it." he said with another small smile. "You two carry on with the fun and stuff!" he added. Toshiro looked at the two of them, "It was nice meeting you, Keiji. Do be careful and make sure you don't get in trouble for being here--that wouldn't be good at all." he said after a moment.
Naruto seemed to think of something from out of nowhere, "Oh! How would you like to have lunch at our house one day this week, Keiji?" he asked.
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Nakama
Apr 10, 2011 1:09:27 GMT -6
Post by foxx on Apr 10, 2011 1:09:27 GMT -6
It was good to hear that he was so welcome here. Keiji hadn't felt this warm in quite some time, and he cherished it while he had it; he wasn't so sure how often he'd be able to return here. Just being here scared him enough, and he only forgot about the worry for minutes at a time before it came rushing back to assault his mind. His mind frequently begged him to leave, riddled with anxiety at breaking the rules; however, his heart was content here, and it dropped when the time came to leave.
The boy was broken from his stupor as Naruto interjected another suggestion. Keiji looked back at the man, seeming a tad bit astounded at his cordial demeanor; he was so welcoming and warm. Lunch? he repeated in his head, considering the question thoughtfully; They'd welcome me that much? The thought made him happy. He desperately wanted to respond "yes", but found himself unable to put his feelings into words as his paranoia returned another time. His gaze dropped to the floor.
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Nakama
May 11, 2011 0:06:03 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 11, 2011 0:06:03 GMT -6
Naruto watched the boy for a moment or two, taking note of his nervous look. He certainly didn't want to push the matter--wouldn't want to get the boy in trouble with his father for taking off from home. Finally he opened his mouth to speak. "If you don't want to, that's perfectly fine--I won't be upset." Naruto shook his head to add emphasis.
"But as I stated before, the offer will be on the table should you change your mind! It's rare we get visitor's as polite as you." he stated with a small smile.
Kazuo nodded, "Anyway, do you wanna go look around the village a little bit more?" he asked. "There are a few others that I'd like to introduce you to!" he added after a moment as an afterthought. There were quite a few people that Kazuo thought would like to meet his new friend--he wanted the boy to feel as welcome as possible.
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Nakama
May 11, 2011 0:29:26 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 11, 2011 0:29:26 GMT -6
"It's not that I don't wanna..." Keiji began, but fell silent with a sigh, shaking his head. He looked up, offering a small smile. "I... I can try."
Keiji turned his attention back to Kazuo, his smile fading a bit as he thought about what the boy had suggested. Meet more people? It sounded like a nice idea, he thought, but...did he have time? Absentmindedly, Keiji glanced out the window, peering over the desk in an attempt to find the sun. It wasn't far from the horizon, but they still seemed to have time.
Turning back to Kazuo, he gave a hesitant nod. "Y-yeah... Let's go." He attempted to smile again, finding that over time, the smiles came a bit easier. He looked over at Naruto, smiling again. "It was nice to meet you, Naruto-san."
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Nakama
May 11, 2011 1:13:49 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 11, 2011 1:13:49 GMT -6
As they made their way through the village, Kazuo kept an eye out for anyone who might be deemed worthy enough to meet his new friend. He received several looks from passersby, wondering what he himself was looking for. Minutes flew by and it seemed like none of his friends where out and about at this point in time--a shame. Turning a corner without looking, he bumped hard enough into a man to knock him backward on his rear.
"Oof! I'm sorry, sir!"
"...hm? Oh. No need for sorry, Kazuo."
Kazuo raised an eyebrow and looked up, wondering who he had just bumped into. "Kakashi!" he cried out--a grin spread across his face after realizing it was Kakashi, who had barely looked away from his book. Chancing another glance away, he looked down at the two. "Nice to see you too." he stated with what seemed to be a smile...it was impossible to tell really with the mask on. He paused for a moment, noticing there was someone with the boy.
Taking a closer look at the boy, his eyes widened in disbelief. 'No way.' he thought to himself. There was just no possible way that this could be--but he looked so much like him! Clearing his throat, he scratched the back of his head and put his book away and attempted to look as calm as possible-this was an important situation.
"Kazuo, who's your friend?"
"Oh! This is Keiji! Say hi to Kakashi, Keiji! He was my father's sensei!"
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Nakama
May 11, 2011 1:28:58 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 11, 2011 1:28:58 GMT -6
Keiji had hardly been paying attention as he walked along behind Kazuo. Again, his gaze had been along the tall buildings and the people passing by, not on where he was walking. And so, as Kazuo walked into someone, Keiji walked into Kazuo, and the boy fell onto his rear right along with his friend. He groaned lightly, then picked himself up and dusted off his pants, looking up to another person he had yet to meet. Kazuo seemed to know him well, for the boy lit up immediately.
Upon being introduced, Keiji flushed slightly again, nodding his head at Kakashi. "H-hajimemashite," he muttered; "Nice to meet you. I'm Keiji." He paused, looking at Kakashi for a few moments. He's giving me that same strange look the others gave me... I wonder what's up?
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Nakama
May 11, 2011 23:25:28 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 11, 2011 23:25:28 GMT -6
"...well, aren't you polite?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the boy's behavior--could this really be his kid? Of course it was--there was just no way otherwise...Kakashi knew. He had to tell Naruto what was going on here--this was probably the biggest lead they had ever been given as to the whereabouts of Sasuke and Akane. He chanced another glance at the boy and noticed the look on his face. He seemed nervous and a little awkward--which was strange to see as it was almost as if he had gone back in time.
Thoughts came rushing to mind of Team 7's first meeting...their first real mission...and the Chunin exams. He quickly snapped out of it having remembered where he was and what he was doing. Pausing for a moment, he looked at the two of them before glancing behind him toward the Hokage Tower. "Well, it was nice seeing the two of you but I've...uh...got some things to take care of." he stated before disappearing in a plume of smoke.
"...he does that a lot." mumbled Kazuo before turning to Keiji.
"My dad tells me that he's a really strong shinobi...and that he trained the genin team my father was on!" he stated with a grin. "I hope I'm that cool when I grow up!" he added after a moment. Realizing that he had just gone off on a tangent, Kazuo quickly moved on. "Anyway! Let's get moving! There are a few other places I want you to see before you have to leave again!" he added.
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Nakama
May 12, 2011 0:15:38 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 12, 2011 0:15:38 GMT -6
Keiji watched Kakashi leave with a perplexed expression, and for a long few moments he watched the spot where the man had just been standing. "He zones out a lot...?" he began to ask, but paused when Kazuo changed the subject. For a brief moment, Keiji's gaze drifted, as well as his mind. "He taught your dad... I wonder who... I wonder if my father had a teacher, too?" Keiji shook his head, shrugging. He nodded, smiling lightly. "Okay..."
The sun slowly approached the horizon. Keiji seemed to have forgotten about it.
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Nakama
May 12, 2011 1:11:49 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 12, 2011 1:11:49 GMT -6
Uzumaki Residence
The Day of the Lunch
12:13 PM Naruto was sitting in the living room, enjoying a bit of free time off from his daily responsibilities as Hokage. Sitting next to him on the couch was Kazuo, who was staring at the clock. He nearly jumped out of his seat upon hearing the doorbell ring and ran to the door. Throwing open the door he grinned from ear to ear. "Hiy-awww..." he said as it turned out to be Kakashi. "...nice to see you too!" said the man, patting the boy on the head and making his way in. He looked over to Naruto and waved. "How are you today?" he asked. Naruto grinned. "Great! How about you, sensei? Did you come hungry?" he asked. The old man laughed a bit before nodding in reply. "Thanks for inviting me." he said. Naruto shrugged it off. "Don't mention it. You're family...not to mention this is a delicate matter we're dealing with." he replied, though he quieted down for the last part, clearly not wanting it to be overheard. Nodding slightly, Kakashi looked around the room. "I assume there are going to be others here today, right?" he asked after a moment. "Mhm. We invited quite a few people over!" replied Kazuo with a grin. "Dad was super excited about this!" he added. "I think he said something about Hiromi being here too! Though, I'm not so sure what's so special about today!"
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Nakama
May 12, 2011 2:20:50 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 12, 2011 2:20:50 GMT -6
"You really need to start coming home earlier..." Akane said with a sigh, watching her youngest son slip his shoes on and head toward the door; "You know we worry, and..." She sighed again, shaking her head. "Just don't stay gone all day today. Okay?"
Keiji looked over his shoulder at his mother, nodding slightly. "I won't, Mother," he answered with a small smile; "I promise." He opened the door and quickly darted out. "What is he so worked up over?" Akane muttered aloud, shrugging and walking into another room.
Sasuke and Ashitaka looked up, pausing what appeared to be a sparring session, as Keiji darted out of the house and across the yard; he disappeared through the bushes within seconds, and Sasuke sighed. "Ashitaka..." he began, his gaze still on the spot where Keiji had disappeared. "Yeah...?" "Do me a favor. See where your brother keeps going, but...don't let him see you. Okay?" "...Y-yeah. Sure thing."
Ashitaka paused for a moment, then started off at a jog, picking it up to a quick sprint. He was gone within moments. Before long, he caught sight of his sibling darting through the trees; he took care to keep enough distance, and he stayed high in the trees as he went. For a while they ran, taking few turns save to dodge natural obstacles. Finally, Ashitaka noticed Keiji slow down, and he slowed his own pace, watching his brother carefully. Ashitaka looked up briefly, and his breath left him as he noticed his brother inching toward Konoha. Does he... Is this where he's been all week? he thought in disbelief as Keiji slipped into the village; Should I tell Father this?... Keiji'll get into so much trouble, but... Sighing, Ashitaka turned around and started back toward home.
Keiji breathed a sigh of relief as he reached the village, trekking through it as quickly as he could; he was tired of getting strange looks from random people, even the ones he'd gotten to know recently. Finally he'd reached the Uzumaki residence, and he knocked on the door.
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Nakama
May 13, 2011 0:11:27 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 13, 2011 0:11:27 GMT -6
Looking over at Kazuo as he heard the knock at the door, Naruto raised an eyebrow as the boy slowly turned to him. "...you can get it this time, dad." he said before yawning and stretching out across the couch. Naruto would have been angry had it not been such a hilarious site. Shrugging it off he stood up and moved toward the door, wondering which of the guests it could have been.
Opening the door, he looked down slightly and caught site of Keiji.
"Ah! Hello there, Keiji! Come on in!"
Moving out of the boy's way, Naruto gestured for the child the come in. "I hope you found your way around easy enough--I suppose Kazuo was kind enough to show you around the village beforehand, right?" he asked after a moment. Kazuo nodded slightly. "I did!" he stated. Naruto smiled. "Good! Now, we've just got a couple of other people coming...so if you want to make yourself at home on the couch, feel free!"
Shutting the door behind him, Naruto made his way over to Kakashi, who was looking at the boy from across the room...being as subtle as possible. Naruto nudged the man with an elbow and gave him an excited look as if to say "Look! There's still hope!" Kakashi nodded slightly, understanding the look well.
Kazuo grinned as he realized Keiji had showed up. "Hiya, Keiji!" he called out.
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