章節 29: Chapter 29 : Operation Don't Be Antisocial

So I think after this story (Which isn't even close to being finished btw) I'm gonna take a crack at Avatar. I still haven't posted my original story like I said though. So many things to do. ~sob~

Esketit.

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Before Kenji could reply to the daring red eyes, His perception faded, and he was back on the street, staring into the sky. He squinted, still trying to adjust to the lighting. He didn't know what that was, but his heart told him to stay away. His mind desperately wanted to find out more. Kenji felt sort of gone. He jumped on top of a roof and only sat, reflecting on his decisions and his life.

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Back at the hospital....

Tension was definitely present. Rei stared at her father in disbelief. Why would he....SEAL A MONSTER INSIDE HER? Minato knew this moment would arise, but he still hadn't prepared himself for it. Rei understood his point. Kushina harbored the beast before her, Rei gathered more respect for her mother. With all the Uzumaki scattered, Rei was the only candidate strong enough to hold the Kyubi. The pressure of her body being the 'warden' of this scale of prisoner was still unsettling.

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Sasuke worked alone. In the outskirts of the Uchiha compound, he flung shuriken and knives into the dummies. He seemed to be in his own world. He could teach Kenji a thing or two. He had become used to the loneliness. Always being reminded every day that his parents left. And they were never coming back. He gazed at the stump in the corner. All he could see was the image of his brother, sitting and watching, marveling in what Sasuke learned from the academy and teaching him extra moves. Sasuke breathed in and out slowly. And continued.

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Kakashi flickered away. He checked up on his team. It seemed like they were already as mature as jonin, but they had already lost all tolerance for social matters. Minato informed him that Rei knew, so He wanted some extra eyes on her. Rei never had any social skills to begin with, and Sasuke and Kenji's sociability were taken away. The jonin prowled the street with his book in hand. He had the perfect idea.

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He went to Sasuke first and said he had a surprise to show him. Sasuke just obliged and agreed to meet Kakashi at Ichiraku's Ramen Shop. Rei loved that place...a lot....for some reason. Rei happily agreed when Kakashi said "Ichiraku" and "I'll pay". The last was Kenji. He still sat where Kakashi had left him. The jonin hung from the light pole, right next the roof. He lifted his hand. "Yooo. Kenji."

His eye disappeared behind a smiling eyelid. Kenji turned his way. "Oh, back again?"

Kakashi wasn't surprised. "I was just checking up on my students after the mission." Kakashi hopped on the roof and joined Kenji at the sitting level. "Besides, this time I'm here for a social call." Kenji didn't change his blank expression. " I'm taking the team out for ramen, and then we might have a little fun or something. Just a team bonding session. And since you're part of the team, I want you to come." Kakashi figured it wasn't a good idea to weave around his objective with Kenji. If he didn't shoot straight, it would probably be a worse outcome.

Kenji thought for a minute. His barriers were up around himself. But the other side of him won. "Ok." He didn't really sound excited, but at least he said yes. Kakashi smiled and told him were to meet. Kenji stayed on the roof until it was time. He was still in his ninja attire while his team was a little more comfortable. The meal was a little quiet with small intervals of ninja talk. Kakashi felt the night loosing its pull. He stood. Everyone was finished. "Alright, lets go."

Rei look conflicted, but still asked "Where?"

"You'll see." The man smiled.

Everyone followed him into his home. Kakashi's home was quaint. Nothing really there for attachment. No pictures or anything. Kenji took notice and opened his eyes a little bit to his situation. Kakashi smiled at him. "Alright. Make yourselves at home. Here we go."

The kids made their way into the living room. Stacks of movies, card games, snacks, and board games littered the table. Blankets and pillows were everywhere. Kakashi jumped into pajamas with a little bitty hat on top of his silver head. He still had his mask on though. "SLEEPOVER!" He yelled as he flew into the stack of pillows. The three kids didn't know what to say. Just standing there. Kakashi looked back. He laughed. "Well come on. Lets get it started."

Rei and Sasuke slowly went to the table as Kakashi started up a card game. Kenji stood back in amazement. What was happening? His body felt warm, like he was a normal child again. He hesitated, but eventually made his way down.

Laughs all around. Watching movies and having fun with each other. Team 7 was coming together piece by piece. Even Kenji couldn't deny, he had fun over the course of it all. But like everything else in life, the fun came to an end. Everyone was asleep, nestled into the furniture surrounded by softness. Except Kenji. The vision of those red slits and deep voice still haunted him. Kenji stood up and walked onto the balcony. The moonlight reflected off his slashed up torso. Kenji couldn't help but examine his broken body. The cold air whistled past his skin. He breathed out and propped his hands along the railing, staring into the night.

He heard a shimmy behind him. Kenji turned and saw Rei heading towards him. Rei stole a glance at Kenji's scars a few times, heating up her face, but the night air cooled her off instantly.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Just thinking about life." Hinted by his tone of voice, Kenji tried to push her away. This was his alone time she was threatening. But she wouldn't leave.

"Do I have the right to know now?" Rei eyed him.

"Know what?"

"Your past. You told me to figure out the real ninja world. Don't you think that would be a start. Plus it could make us closer, a..as teammates of course...I wasn't trying to-"

"Fine." If redheads were all the same, Kenji already knew he couldn't get out of this.

After his tale was told, Rei found a new admiration and sight of Kenji. She understood why he did things. She loved the feeling of trust Kenji placed in her. He probably didn't announce his life story from the rooftops, so she felt pretty special. A new goal, instilled in Rei was to make Kenji her first, real, friend. Kenji, on the other hand, felt a bit better. It felt good to talk to someone, but letting the feelings beyond that out was his struggle. He didn't trust anyone with those. He looked at Rei, wondering if she could be that person. When he was caught gazing at her, Rei frowned and punch his shoulder. " If you stare a hole into my head I might charge you for it."

She looked back at Kenji real quick. He looked away from her, but she could see that small genuine smirk on his face. Every journey begins with a single step, she thought. The breeze hassled Rei's hair. She wondered how Kenji was standing this as she burrowed into her blanket around the shoulders. After a few seconds, she grabbed Kenji's arm and flung it around her.

"It's cold." Was her excuse. She nuzzled into Kenji's side. Despite wearing no shirt, his body never got cold. He learned to regulate his chakra in the body like a built in heater. With his fire affinity of course.

Kenji applied some more pressure. Completely pressing Rei into his side. She smiled and stared into the night. Kenji noticed her smile, and in his frozen hellish heart, the tiniest part possible....melted.

Kakashi plastered the couch, opened his eye, and hid a smile under his mask.

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Note : Another one for development. I feel like it is still needed. Even I'm interested to see how Kenji turns out. lol. The one thing I respect about some authors like ole George R. R. Martin is the way he just kills off people like nothing and throws stuff in your face unexpectedly, so I'll probably try to throw some more surprises in there. Don't worry tho. I won't mass murder "ALL" of the characters. Maybe. I'm out. YERRR!