Kawaki
Neji went up to the shivering boy he squatted to take a closer look at him. He looked just like his good friends Naruto and Sasuke. As he looked into those eyes he knew that the boy was who he watched his friend cry over for years before he left. Neji wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
What do you say to a little boy who has been missing for more than fourteen years? How would I explain that I found him without exposing my location to my husband? Even if he doesn’t claim me after all these years.
Signing on his thoughts, Neji focused back on the boy. Before making assumptions he needed to talk to the boy. He took a deep breath and stepped closer, unsure of what to say. He just had to take one step at a time.
Taking a breath Neji began to speak,” My name is Neji and this is my daughter Hanami, could you please tell me your name.”
“I’m Kawaki, why are you asking though nobody has ever been kind enough to talk or come up to me since I’ve been here,” he was curious as to who this person was.
“You remind me of some old friends who went missing a long time ago.”
“Really could you tell me about them.”
Kawaki wanted to learn more about the couple the man talked to; he felt that hope that had vanished years ago in his eyes. He never knew if his parents simply lost interest or if something had happened to them. He never knew if he had siblings or if he was an only child. He searched his memory for any clue that would tell him the truth.
Seeing Kawaki was curious to know the truth, Neji knew that he needed to help put his friend's family back together even if it meant opening the closed wounds of his past life to do it.
“If I am going to tell you about what happened you're going to have to come with me,” Neji shared.
“Ok,” Kawaki agreed. He stood, gathered his bag of things, and followed Neji down to his black Audi.
The trio on the way to the house stayed silent. Neji would glance back occasionally to make sure the two were doing well since traffic was hectic. When Neji finally made it home he saw the two had both fallen asleep. He first picked up Hanami and took her to her room and tucked her into bed. He then went back outside, got Kawaki put him in the guest room, and tucked him in.
After his millions of trips to his car, Neji took a breather and a long shower and relaxed in his bed to pull his thoughts together. When he brought Kawaki into the house he knew the boy would be a little on the smaller side with his weight and that was why it was easy for him to tote him inside. Neji was on a mission to get Kawaki malnourished and healthy before he decided to open the can of worms of the past. Deciding to give his brain a rest, Neji fell asleep.
The next day
Neji woke up, got dressed, and prepared breakfast for the kids. He cooked fluffy pancakes, sausage, biscuits, bacon, and some buttery grits. When done he places Hanami and Kawaki’s plates on the table alongside his and then goes to get the two out of bed.
After breakfast
The trio completed their meals, and Neji sent Hanami to her room so he and Kawaki could have a private long conversation. He wanted him to be in comfort when he told him the news of the couple. In the living Kawaki looked down to the ground waiting for Neji to finish in the kitchen.
Kawaki looked up at Neji when he came into the living room and took a seat on the white fluffy chair across from him. He was so nervous and anxious he felt as if the walls were going to cave in on him. He gained focus after looking at Neji and controlling his breath.
“You're ok just breathe,” Neji instructed. He knew the feeling of having a panic attack and it was not the best feeling. Watching Kawaki get his breathing under control Neji left the room to get some water. Neji gave him the water, sat beside him, and rubbed his back.
Gaining the courage to speak, Kawaki spoke with a raspy voice.
“I feel better now,” he said, placing the water down.
“Ok you sure you’re ready to continue today I don’t to rush you. We can talk about this later or tomorrow Kawaki,” Neji announced.
After the pressure he was feeling exceptional to move forward and talk. Neji went back to his old seat and began.
“It started almost fourteen years ago. Your mom was pregnant with Boruto and Sarada at the time. We had been out all day the day you were taken. Naruto wanted to spend some time with everyone before he gave birth. We went all over the Christmas fair that was in town at that time we had so much fun. You and your siblings are triplets by the way. I had just given birth to my youngest son. He was three months old. All you older kids played around and wanted to get on everything. Overall the day and night went so well that we ended it off on a good note. It was so shocking to hear the call from Naruto he was frantic and scared…,” Neji took a breath before he continued.
“Him and Sasuke were both scared but you were the baby. He didn’t even know he was pregnant with triplets until he gave birth, you know. We were pregnant at the same time, he gave birth in December on the eighth and I gave birth on my cousin's birthday the 27th, two days after Christmas. He and Sasuke were scared to be having three babies but they pushed through. You were a healthy baby even though you hid from the doctors very well.”
“That’s interesting and all but why would someone want to kidnap me? From what it sounds it feels as though parents are just normal people. Yeah, they had me and my siblings at a young age. That still does justify someone taking me though. I was an innocent kid why take me from my parents..,” he sniffled.
Kawaki was feeling emotions he hadn’t felt in a long time. He felt as if he was in the position of a little child again. Where he was shrewd into thinking his parents abandoned him. He wanted that love that he saw with both of their parents or at least one at most.
Looking at Kawaki crying, Neji decided to comfort him take a break, and continue later with the conversation. He didn’t want him to get overwhelmed and have another panic attack.
On the other side of New York:
“I guess we have landed in the Big Apple.”