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Nakama
May 13, 2011 0:32:39 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 13, 2011 0:32:39 GMT -6
Keiji seemed to brighten a bit as the door opened, though it quickly turned into surprise as he realized it was Naruto who had opened the door. He returned the smile, waving slightly and stepping past the man into the room. "Hey, Kazuo, um..." he paused, looking to Kakashi for a moment; "...Kakashi-san, right?" He gave a small, nervous laugh as he settled onto the couch beside his friend. "I'm trying to remember everyone... So..." Keiji paused again, looking to Kazuo; "Who else is coming here...?"
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Nakama
May 13, 2011 1:56:11 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 13, 2011 1:56:11 GMT -6
"You are correct! Hello." Kakashi smiled.
"Well, there's a man coming named Hiromi--he's a good friend of ours." replied Naruto with a nod. "I hope it won't make you nervous having all these extra people around, though." he added after a moment. Taking a seat in an empty chair, he glanced over to the clock.
"I just wonder what time he's going to get here." he said.
Kakashi shrugged. "He'll be here soon, I'm sure." he said. Naruto nodded. "Yeah, you're right. No reason to sit here wondering." he replied before looking over at Keiji. "So, did you actually make it here okay? Didn't get lost in the village or anything?" he asked, looking curious. Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"I doubt he did--from the sounds of it he's been led through the village multiple times by your son." he said.
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Nakama
May 13, 2011 3:07:44 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 13, 2011 3:07:44 GMT -6
Keiji laughed a bit, shaking his head. "No," he answered, looking at Naruto; "I didn't get lost. I remembered." He looked over at Kazuo. "He's dragged me through this place so much, it's kinda like a...part of the back of my hand?" The boy blinked, feeling a bit stupid. He shrugged it off, then looked up as a knock came at the door. Could this be that other person they'd mentioned?
---
Ashitaka, by now, and at his hurried pace, had reached home again. He slowed his pace as he neared the house, strangely relieved when he saw no sign of his father anywhere around. Perhaps Sasuke would forget? Pft. Yeah, right.
Sighing, he started toward the house, glancing over his shoulder in half hopes that Keiji would appear so that he wouldn't have to tell on the boy... Or...what if he lied-- "Oh, Ashitaka. Back already?" Ashitaka swore mentally, shutting his eyes briefly before turning to look toward his approaching father; the man's eyebrows were arched, giving him an expectant expression. "Uhm, I..." Ashitaka began, running a hand through his dark hair; "I followed him for about half an hour..." "Did you lose him or something?" Sasuke asked. "No, he..." Ashitaka began, but trailed off. "Ashitaka," Sasuke said again, his tone growing more serious; "Where is Keiji?"
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Nakama
May 15, 2011 21:40:39 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 15, 2011 21:40:39 GMT -6
Kakashi shook his head. "Well, I'm not sure if they were paying attention or not, but it looked like Kazuo was showing Keiji around just the other day--until he nearly knocked me over." he stated, looking over to the boy. Kazuo laughed. "Yeeeeeah...sorry about that!" he stated. He quickly looked over to Keiji, "Yeah! And if you had gotten lost on your way here, I'd have been slightly worried about your sense of direction." he stated.
Naruto grinned slightly at Keiji's response. "Well that's good! I'm glad that you can find your way around--I'd almost bet you'd have found your way without all the practice beforehand!" he replied before looking over as there was a knock at the door.
"That's probably our last guest." he stated.
Moving toward the door, he swung it open. "Come on in!" he said before he plastered a big stupid grin on his face. "You're just in time!"
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Nakama
May 15, 2011 22:16:49 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 15, 2011 22:16:49 GMT -6
Keiji laughed, clearly amused at Kazuo's statement. "It's not...really all that easy to get here. I have to have a sense of direction..." he said; "If I didn't, I'd be stuck at home all the time...or I'd always be lost in the woods." He laughed slightly again. "I...don't think my parents would appreciate having to come find me all the time..." The boy trailed off slightly. Let's hope that doesn't happen anyway... Keiji fell silent, looking toward the door again just as Naruto made to open it. He watched as a russet-haired man in baggy clothing stepped in, patting Naruto on the shoulder and smiling slightly. He looked oddly familiar, but Keiji couldn't put a finger on why.
"Peppy as usual, I see," Hiromi mused, laughing as he patted Naruto on the shoulder once; "So...why'd you drag me up here anyway? You seemed really excited about something, but that's nothing out of the norm, right?" He laughed slightly, moving farther into the room so Naruto could shut the door.
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Nakama
May 15, 2011 23:19:11 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 15, 2011 23:19:11 GMT -6
Naruto laughed in reply. "Can't a guy invite friends over for lunch for no apparent reason without someone thinking there's some kind of ulterior motive?" he asked. Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "Maybe he could if he didn't ask rhetorical questions like that." he said. Naruto laughed nervously yet again. "Heh! Anyway--lunch will be served shortly! Just make yourself at home!" he said before moving back to his chair before shooting a look at Kakashi.
"Oh!"
Naruto, seeming to think of something, looked over at Kazuo. "Kazuo! Why don't you introduce your Hiromi to your new buddy?" he asked. And here it was! Operation: Change Hiromi's Mind was in motion! What would break first--his delicate psyche or Naruto's jaw!? He smiled as Kazuo nodded. "Alright!" the youngster replied before hopping up from his seat and gesturing for the secret Uchiha to follow. "Hiromi! I made a new friend the other day! He's not from around here." he stated before glancing over at the boy and gave him a look as if to tell him to introduce himself.
Naruto watched from his seat, smiling to himself. Even though Hiromi had called him 'spawn' not a week ago...he knew that once he found out who the kid was he'd understand the importance of bringing them all back. After all--it was his nephew.
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Nakama
May 16, 2011 0:09:00 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 16, 2011 0:09:00 GMT -6
Keiji felt a fresh pang of nervousness as Kazuo stood up, motioning for him to follow suit. The boy slowly rose from his seat, his hands clasped behind him as he looked toward the man, Hiromi. He dipped his head slightly in greeting, uttering a small, "Hello... I'm Keiji. N...nice to meet you." I wonder if he's even paying attention... the boy thought, noting that Hiromi's gaze appeared a bit vague and distant. He must have been, however, for Keiji saw him give a quick nod in his direction, and a very small smile. Feeling awkward, the boy sank back into his seat. He still looks really familiar...
New friend...not from around here? ...This must be...his kid, that one Naruto mentioned before. Great, so this is what Naruto wanted me over here for... I should've known. Still there was no need to be too irrational, and though he felt the pangs of annoyance rise, Hiromi kept his composure intact. He ran a hand through his hair, releasing a somewhat heavy sigh. "Right..." he said aloud, making his way to the nearest seat; "...Nice to meet you I guess. I'm Hiromi, like he said."
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Nakama
May 16, 2011 0:22:52 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 16, 2011 0:22:52 GMT -6
Naruto almost frowned having seen Hiromi's reaction--he found out a little quicker than he had expected. Mentally shrugging it off, he stood up and walked out the back door of the residence to check on the seating arrangement and such. While he did that, Kazuo couldn't help but notice Hiromi's strange behavior as well. "He's not normally like that when meeting people..." he thought to himself. "Maybe he's just really grumpy today..." He looked around the room and noticed Kakashi looking over at the man.
"....this is probably going to go a lot less smoothly than Naruto wanted." thought Kakashi.
A moment or two later he poked his head in the door. "Alrighty, everyone! Come on out and bring your appetites with you!" he stated, grinning widely.
"Oh! Great!" exclaimed Kazuo as he rushed toward the door, getting cut off by Kakashi. "Oh! Too slow!" he said before making his way out the door to pick his desired seat. Naruto watched as they all funneled into the backyard one by one. He watched the doorway, waiting on Hiromi to exit. "I'm sure you're angry with me...but I'm doing this for you as well as Sasuke." he thought, though he didn't dare say anything out loud.
"Alright! Once everyone's taken a seat we can begin! Who wants to pick the discussion topic!?"
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Nakama
May 16, 2011 16:10:37 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 16, 2011 16:10:37 GMT -6
Keiji continued to feel awkward sitting there; he had taken to fiddling with a loose string on his sleeve, desperate to find a change of subject. Every reaction he'd received from these new people had been strange, but so far this one had been the most strange. That feeling of having done something wrong slowly crept back to the boy, however he was highly relieved when Naruto announced that lunch was ready. He followed after Kazuo, laughing slightly at Kakashi as he went. Hiromi let them all file out before standing himself and moving toward the door; he said nothing to Naruto as he passed. To Keiji's silent dismay, his seat was across from Hiromi's at the table, though he sat quietly and averted his gaze; he couldn't help but feel the man disliked him for some reason. Pushing it away, he turned his attention to the others at the table.
"Oh, looks like everyone's here," came a voice from the doorway. Keiji turned around to look, seeing Hinata and Kushina enter the backyard. He offered a small smile, and Hinata smiled back, looking to Naruto briefly and smiling as well; he still seemed enthusiastic about all this. Kushina took a seat beside her brother, ruffling his hair playfully. "Sorry we're late," Hinata apologized, setting a few bags on the end of the table; "We were picking up a few last minute things. They're desserts, so," she flashed Naruto a look, "no one goes in the bags until later."
---
Ashitaka cast his gaze elsewhere, shoving his hands into his pockets. His father's gaze on him grew heavier by the second; he could feel it. "Ashitaka," Sasuke said a second time, his tone growing more serious; "Where is Keiji?"
The boy released a heavy sigh, weighing the options in his mind. He couldn't lie, but he hated to tell on his brother; then again, Keiji could be in some sort of danger by going to the village, and it clearly put the whole family at a risky edge...
"He's..." Ashitaka began, swallowing. He had to tell him. "...I saw him...going into Konoha..." he said finally, his gaze on the ground; "I was too far off to go get him, so I came back here..." He willed himself to look up, surprised to find that Sasuke's gaze was no longer on him, but looking toward the woods; a look of concern had worked its way onto his face. "...Father?" "Stay here," was all the man said before he started off toward the trees. "F-father, wait!" Ashitaka began, jogging after him a few steps, then stopping; "I'm sure he's not doing anything bad--" But it was too late, for Sasuke was already gone. Ashitaka mentally swore, turning around and kicking a nearby tree. Now he's in trouble... I could have just lied and told Keiji to stop going...
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Nakama
May 17, 2011 0:30:41 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 17, 2011 0:30:41 GMT -6
Kazuo attempted to move his head away from his sister as she ruffled his hair--attempting to fix it. "Darn it!" he said. Naruto laughed at the the boy's reaction before his attention was caught by Hinata who mentioned something about not getting into bags. He looked over just in time to catch her look and responded with a grin. "Aw come on! When have I ever spoiled a meal by eating my desert first?" he asked.
"...yesterday."
"....hush up, Kazuo."
Kakashi looked around the table for a moment--his eye resting on Keiji. As he looked, he couldn't help but wonder how exactly this was going to end. He wondered just how much resentment Sasuke still had for the village...and wondered if it would even matter that it was under new management. This boy was a small glimmer of hope, though. If a child so polite could exist having grown up around him...perhaps Sasuke wasn't as far gone as anyone had thought.
He almost smiled.
"Seriously, Kazuo! You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I was only pointing out the truth, dad!"
Kakashi snapped out of his little day dreaming session as he took notice of Naruto and Kazuo's back and forth. "So, Keiji...why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you like to do for fun?" he asked.
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Nakama
May 17, 2011 1:20:23 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 17, 2011 1:20:23 GMT -6
Hinata laughed, sitting down and shaking her head. "Yesterday?" she asked, giving her husband another look; "I didn't even notice that one." She sighed, but her smile remained. "I'm glad I took a little more after you, Mom," said Kushina, eying her father and brother. "As much as I love them both..." Hinata began, "...so am I."
Keiji looked away from the Uzumakis for a bit as he heard his name, turning his gaze to Kakashi. "Uhm, well..." he began, giving the answer some thought; "Kazuo...showed me how to play tag; it's really fun... At home, my brother plays with me a lot... Well...when he's not busy he does."
Brother? Hiromi repeated in his head, his interest piqued a bit; Ah, so there are two of them... Figures.
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Nakama
May 17, 2011 1:42:45 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 17, 2011 1:42:45 GMT -6
Kazuo and Naruto stopped arguing as Keiji had started to speak about what he did for fun. Kazuo nodded slightly when it came to the tag part--that had been pretty fun. He looked over at Naruto who was helping himself to food, though there was quite a bit on his mind. What exactly was he doing when in his free time? Roaming the forest? If that was the case, it was a wonder how this hadn't happened earlier.
"Well, tag is pretty fun!" he said.
Kakashi nodded slightly. "I see." he stated. Pausing for a moment to think of something to move the conversation along, he decided to go another route with the whole thing. "Well, is there anything in particular you want to talk about, Keiji? You are pretty much the guest of honor it would seem." he added after a moment.
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Nakama
May 17, 2011 1:54:58 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 17, 2011 1:54:58 GMT -6
Keiji shuffled in his seat a bit, feeling the awkward creep up again. He scratched the back of his head, searching for something to talk about. He finally seemed to grasp something and looked up again. "I still wonder..." he paused, shrugging slightly, "why my brother and me...aren't allowed to come here..." He looked around the table. "Most of the people here...they all seem really nice. But..." He trailed off, shrugging again. His gaze landed on Hiromi for a moment; the man was absorbed in his plate again, poking food around it and appearing to not be paying much attention. ...Why is it he looks so familiar...?
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Nakama
May 17, 2011 17:14:07 GMT -6
Post by Luke on May 17, 2011 17:14:07 GMT -6
Naruto nodded. "You know, that is pretty weird." he said. "But I suppose there has to be a reason for why, though. Parents should always have their children's best interests in mind when coming to decisions like that. Maybe they think you'll get lost or something? Or they're worried about you being away from your home?" he added after a moment. Pausing for a moment, he looked around the table and then toward Kazuo and Kushina. "I don't really know what it's like to be a kid and have to deal with it--but I can sure tell you that whatever I do, it's to make sure my kids are safe." he said with a smile.
"Like when you eat my share of dessert?"
"....that's to make sure you stay fit and in tip top shape!"
"I don't think I believe that..."
"...stop interrupting!" Naruto said, flailing his arms about. Kakashi chuckled slightly before he turned his gaze back to Keiji. "What Naruto says makes a lot of sense...though I wonder--do your parents ever talk about the village other than telling you to stay away from it?" he asked. Naruto's eyes darted in that direction, very curious.
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Nakama
May 17, 2011 20:31:38 GMT -6
Post by foxx on May 17, 2011 20:31:38 GMT -6
Again, Keiji fell momentarily silent, averting his gaze as he pondered the question. His hands came up to hold his chin as he rested it in them, and he shrugged lightly. "They don't talk about it a lot... 'Specially not if my brother or me are around..." he explained, pausing; "But...I have heard them before... I just didn't catch very much. Whenever we ask...Mother just gets really quiet and Father gets annoyed, so...we stopped asking after a while." Keiji paused again to roll his eyes. "All Father ever says is 'because I said so'. He almost acts like...it's dangerous or something here, but..." he looked around the table again, "...I don't feel like I'm in any danger."
Great parenting, Hiromi thought, struggling to hold his tongue. He'd stopped poking food around his plate however, his attention caught by the questions like the others.
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