New Friends
For two weeks the twins had visited Kyoko at her house on alternate days. They still had clan training to do but if they could they would come everyday. After two weeks were up, her mother had deemed it safe enough for her to go out. The three of them planned to meet at a park that was located between their respective houses.
Kyoko, "Shino - kun, Torune - kun, over here."
Shino, "Kyoko - chan."
Torune, "What should we play?"
Kyoko. "Umm, how about hide and seek? You two hide first and I'll seek."
Kyoko, 'Not to forget, I can re-learn the non flame based tracking techniques, Reborn sensei had taught us. Better not to slack off in a dangerous world like this one.'
Kyoko, "I'll start counting, you hide."
The twins were excited and rushed to find hiding spots while Kyoko counted. She started to remember her lessons on tracking people: what they wore, how they behaved and what was the best way to find them. She still couldn't reach her dying will flames, apparently her chakra was stubbornly dominating her body. She would need to learn to control her chakra first which annoyed her a little but let it be.
Kyoko looked around, "Here I come ~"
The three of them were being watched by another Aburame today who observed them play around. It was relaxing to feel the happy vibes coming from the children, especially after the last two weeks. It had come out after a very thorough investigation led by two furious fathers that Danzo was involved. It had not gone down well with any of the clan heads, they already allowed volunteers to join Root. The fact that Danzo has been kidnapping children showed his greed.
The Sandaime Hokage had been calm as ever, but had his Council of Elders step down till the investigation was over. In their places, a new Council had been installed, including one Elder each from different clans. It was an idea proposed by the Yamanaka Head, who was feeling very vindictive. The Sandaime had a pinched expression and let out a sigh muttering about how he got rid of one set only to be saddled with another. Ox had been one of the ANBU in the wall privy to the Hokage's mutterings and it was glorious.
Right now however, he was watching the three children as Aburame Kayeta, not ANBU Ox. The three oblivious brats, who were the root cause of an internal upheaval with the Council, pun fully intended. The three of them changed who did the seeking, depending on who was caught first. Huh! It was a good way to practice blending in with the environment, he supposed. It was now Kyoko - chan's turn to seek the twins again. Kyoko was about to count, when she heard a commotion happening.
Kyoko, 'What the?'
A brunette girl was pushing a raven haired girl, "Go away, freaky eyes."
Another girl, "Yeah, your family are a bunch of traitors."
A third girl, "Leave freak!"
Kyoko felt her fury flare remembering how Chrome had been treated by her own mother as a child. Unknown to her her flames had felt her strong emotions and reacted. She stomped over to the group of girls and pushed the three who were bullying the ravenette. The midnight haired girl was watching surprised as the three girls shrieked falling over one another. The light brown hair almost blond in the sun was what she saw first glaring at the other three.
Kyoko took out something, "If you three don't leave, I'll put this caterpillar on your hair messing it up."
The first girl ran, "Gross!"
The second girl shrieked, "No!"
The third one pulled the second girl away, "Freaks all of you."
Kyoko snorted, "Well, they sure are blind. This is a twig insect not a caterpillar."
The dark haired girl, "Um."
Kyoko, "Are you okay? Don't listen to those idiots. They can't even distinguish a caterpillar from a stick insect."
The young girl giggled and Kyoko was reminded of Chrome, her sweet Chrome. God, she missed them so much, she hoped they were doing well.
Kyoko helped her up, "What's your name? I am Kyoko, Naiko Kyoko."
The pretty girl smiled, "I am Naomi. Uchiha Naomi. Thank you for that."
Kyoko grinned, "No problem, want to play hide and seek with us instead?"
Naomi blinked when the Aburame twins joined them, "If you don't mind me joining."
Torune, "We don't mind."
Shino, "Because the more, the merrier."
Kyoko grinned, "It was my turn to count anyway so go and hide, okay?"
Naomi nodded and followed Torune and Shino who explained how the game was played. One person would count while the others hid. Naomi found it interesting and found herself hiding in a tree. Kyoko had stopped counting and started searching for them. While she was searching Kyoko paused, she swears she felt her flames for a moment, just a moment. Then Kyoko grinned widely, looks like things won't be so bad after all.
Kyoko hollered happily, "Ready or not, here I come."
Kayeta looked up feeling the warm vibes coming from her that had his hive of locusts in an excited tizzy. Guess Touka was right, the young Naiko did make their partners excited, not in a bad way either. Kyoko in the meantime chased after the fleeting flames that she recognized as her sun flames. Good! In a world where people kept getting hurt, being able to heal or healing others was an advantage.
Kyoko, "Found you Shino."
Shino nodded, "I suppose my turn next."
Kyoko grinned and looked at the trees, "There you are Naomi - chan, I can see your dark hair among the leaves."
Naomi came out sheepishly, "I guess hiding among greens was not a great idea."
Kyoko, "It's fine, Naomi - chan, this is for fun. Now then, let's see.... Ah ha! Got you Torune - kun."
Torune laughed as he came out surrendering to his friend. The four of them played till sun down and then left promising to meet the day after tomorrow again. All four of them had to study the basics before their semester started in a month. They offered to take Naomi - chan home first as her home was closest, then Kyoko and finally the twins.
Kayeta, "Did you have fun?"
Shino, "Yes, it was fun to play around."
Torune, "And both Kyoko - chan and Naomi - chan were really nice."
Kayeta felt his lips quirk, his cousins would love to hear about this. They had already started gossiping on who Kyoko - chan would marry after they grew up. Now, with Naomi - chan added, their shipping wars will become more intense. Thankfully, they don't bring this up in front of the children or else who knows what punishment Aburame - dono would inflict on them.
Naomi knocked on the door, "I am home."
Naomi's father Jiro Uchiha watched her, "Welcome home, Naomi - chan, you look happy today."
Naomi smiled brightly, "I met a girl who looks like sunshine today and two very sweet twins."
Jiro raised his eyebrow, "And who are these people?"
Naomi oblivious of her father's overprotective tendencies told him about Kyoko, how she saved her from three girls who were bullying her and the twin Aburames. Jiro felt his thought process halt when hearing the name of the child that caused so much commotion lately. Well, she did not but her action of saving the heirs did, it had made many shinobi clans and families watch their young ones closer. Jiro's nephew Sasuke had been very happy to have his father's attention, bless his nephew's innocence.
Jiro, "Are you meeting them again?"
Naomi nodded, "We plan to meet day after tomorrow, yes."
Jiro hummed and nodded, as far as outsiders went, he figured he could give young Naiko a chance to be friends with his daughter. It may not have been her intention but her actions had brought the different clans together under one goal. Every clan looked after their young ones, whether they were bastards or not. Their children were theirs to care for, speaking of clan children. He recalls the Uzumaki orphan had an increase in guards as well, his wife being one of the guards.
Jiro, 'Yes, perhaps having little Kyoko becoming friends with his little girl will be good in the long run.'
The next few weeks all the way till the start of the Academy were spent studying and spending time with her friends. At one point Kyoko insisted the three of them came to her house for a sleepover, because they had been friends for almost a month. Naomi had flushed happily, she had heard of sleepovers before and had always wanted one. The twins were curious and asked what was needed.
Kyoko, "Nothing much, bring a set of outer wear, inners and pajamas. Food will be available in my house."
Naomi, "Are you sure Kyoko - chan?"
Torune, "That's all we need?"
Shino, "Surely we can bring some food too."
Kyoko, "Hmm, well, I guess some fruits and snacks will always be welcome. Just bring what you like. The only necessity for sleepovers are the clothes. The other stuff is optional."
Her three friends agreed and on Saturday afternoon the three of them were at the Naiko household with their fathers. Jiro Uchiha and Shibi Aburame paused on seeing each other and nodded in greeting. Naomi looked around the front porch with curious eyes. There were potted plants that were flowering little yellow marigolds. It suited Kyoko - chan in a way. Shino in the meantime rang the bell which was answered by Yume Naiko.
Yume, "Ah, Shino - kun, Torune - kun, Naomi - chan, Aburame - dono, Jiro - san, welcome, welcome. Kyoko - chan has been waiting for you. She is in the kitchen."
Naomi walked into the kitchen and saw Kyoko by the oven, "Kyoko - chan, we are here."
Torune followed the smell, "Is that the pizza you were telling us about last week?"
Shino, "It smells wonderful."
Kyoko grinned at them, "Welcome to my home everyone and yes to your question. It's almost done and will be served as lunch. Come on you can put your bags in my room."
Shibi, "Your room?"
Jiro snorted as the kids ran off, "Kids, always excited."
Yume, "Thank you for allowing your kids to come for the sleepover. Kyoko - chan has been very excited about it."
Shibi, "It is not a big deal Yume - san. My sons are happy, that's all that matters."
Yume's eyes widened, "Oh?"
Shiki, "Yes."
Jiro, "You know, if anything happened to Fugaku and his wife, I would adopt Itachi - kun and Sasuke - chan."
Shibi hummed in agreement as the four kids returned to the kitchen giggling. Kyoko went to check on the five pizzas she was making and it was ready. She took all five out with the help of her mom and just on time her father's voice was heard from the door. He had no doubt come by to have lunch with them.
Kyoko beamed, "Just on time dad. Hey Jiro - san, Aburame - dono, stay for lunch at least."
Shiki, "I am curious about this food you made."
Jiro, "If you don't mind."
Kyoko noticed the two male adults were mostly sticking around for curiosity, but later on were busy talking with her dad. The five pizzas Kyoko made were Teriyaki chicken pizza, Tandoori chicken pizza, the classic Margherita, the four cheese pizza, finding four different types of cheeses was very lucky on her part and the good old pepperoni pizza. Yume looked at the steaming dishes topped with meat and vegetables curiously. This looked more like high energy food to be eaten before training.
Tachiba, "This is exactly what I need to get by today's paperwork."
Shibi, "Indeed, my hive is very excited to have it too. Usually they don't enjoy cooked food."
Kyoko blinked, "Maybe they prefer baked food? I did bake this in the oven."
Shibi shook his head, "No, not even that."
Kyoko, 'Okay, I should avoid trying to practice reaching my flame before cooking. That is the only thing I did different here.'
Jiro, "I like this one."
Naomi, "That's because you love tomatoes dad, just like cousin Sasuke."
Kyoko, "I call that Margherita, it has lots of tomatoes, cheese and green leaves."
Jiro, "Would you be willing to share the recipe? I will pay you for it."
Shibi, "The recipe for this one too. I will pay for this one."
Kyoko felt her eyebrows go up, "Um, that well. I don't mind sharing it."
Jiro, "I insist to pay. I have a food stall where I sell food. So I would love to officially buy this recipe from you."
Kyoko, "Really? But I don't want to take money from friends, so how about an exchange?"
Tachiba chuckled, "Or how about we talk among adults about this? You kids go and have fun."
Kyoko, "Okay dad."
Tachiba and Yume turned to Shibi and Jiro who were looking at them expectantly. The two gave a mental sigh, they should have known other people would be interested in their daughter's food after eating it once. Looks like they will have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she does not attract questionable people. They got down to business once they heard the door to the kid's room close.