Examination
Sasuke and Neji were studying Konohamaru as he stared at them. Konohamaru didn’t quite understand that these were distant relations, all he understood was that his grandfather had introduced them as his cousins.
While the young Sarutobi was curious, the Hyuuga and Uchiha were less so. Upon their coinciding returns to the village, Kakashi and Amaya had directed the two older boys to at least meet the younger, so Naruto had cheerfully provided the introduction before distracting Lee, Sakura having dragged Tenten away for a girl chat. The blond was enthusiastically sparring with the musclebound Gai otaku, but remained in hearing range to prevent some kind of situation. He relaxed when Neji suggested “Shall we take a walk?” Upon Sasukes’ nod and Konohamarus’ excited agreement, the awkward trio started their way down a side street that eventually opened into the main marketplace. Neji, who wore a new t-shirt in silvery grey instead of the white he’d worn previously, watched warily for any women of the cheek pinching variety especially since Sasuke wore cargo shorts and a t-shirt, an olive and black combo that had been preapproved by Amaya. While the older boys were cute and ‘crushable’ Konohamaru looked adorable in his normal garb, even as he fidgeted with his blue scarf.
Unfortunately for all Nejis’ wariness and Sasukes’ watchfulness, the Daimyos’ wife still spotted the trio, Konohamaru slightly ahead as he chattered, skipping backward, Neji and Sasuke looking stoically amused. She shrieked and dashed forward to blubber over the boys. Cursing internally, Sasuke waited it out, hoping Amaya wouldn’t tolerate this. Konohamaru submitted, if not gracefully, then with a modicum of dignity, but Neji stood stiff as a board.
Amaya floated over to gently inquire “Shijimi-sama, what is the matter? Have my nephews irritated you?” Kakashi braced her but waited for her to react. Neji carefully herded his younger cousins to Amayas’ other side, grateful to get Konohamaru away from the Daimyos’ wife. Shijimi beamed at the younger ojou-sama. “Amaya, you’re back! When shall we have tea? Your nephews are adorable!” Sasuke glared at the ground, seething. A polite jab from Amaya’s elbow had him looking up as she replied guilelessly “Oh, I don’t know, Grandfather probably has a mission or something else for me to do, and yes, they are adorable. I’m so very proud.” Shijimi leaned forward, and said in a stage whisper “You should be, what wonderful relations you have!” Amaya nodded but herded the boys away, swatting Kakashi when he chuckled over the unintended double entendre.
He kept his voice low as he lectured “This is why you learn roof jumping, fast as you can, Shijimi likes smothering the genin.” Amaya shook her head, gaze snapping up as Kakashi whipped around, both tensing, when Katsuro leapt down from the nearest roof, with a triumphant cry. The little boy wilted when he realized his mothers’ face was bone white, his fathers’ chakra twisting, his elder cousins were staring at him, and his new classmate and same age cousin, Konohamaru, was staring at him with jealous awe. Several jounin and a handful of chunin had witnessed the chibi Kakashi, and held their breath when the volatile Uchiha-sama drew in hers.
“Katsuro Hatake, what is the meaning of this?” Katsuro replied sheepishly
“I just wanted to show the others that roof running is simple.” He shrunk under his fathers’ angry stare. Katsuro gulped and whispered meekly
“Sorry Kaachan, Tousan.” Amaya shook her head and replied firmly
“Come here.” Konohamaru almost snickered when the other boy shuffled forward, only to fall jealously silent again when Amaya scooped Katsuro up into her arms, murmuring to her son even as Kakashi moved to bracket Katsuro between them, also murmuring.
Sakura, Tenten, Lee and Naruto caught up to them then, Naruto exchanging glances with Sasuke while Sakura moved to greet him. Sasuke muttered to Sakura, who nodded, Team Seven and Neji converging to reassure Katsuro that just because he was in trouble didn’t mean he had to leave Konoha. Konohamaru mutinously took off, only to run into the Sand team.
As Kankuro was hanging him by his ankles, a girl’s voice cried
“Kankuro, let him down! That’s the Hokages’ grandson!” Kankuro started, and so did Konohamaru, when he came face to face with a near copy of his aunt Amaya. A red headed nin came forward as well, and ordered
“Let him go before I kill you, Kankuro, you’re upsetting Akashina.” Konohamaru was relieved to be let down, too much to kick up a fuss about his rescuer, when he saw Naruto coming forward, looking angry as he charged Kankuro. Akashina strode forward, and offered quietly
“You must be Naruto, Kaachan told me all about Tousans’ team.” Naruto, temporarily knocked off balance, said shakily,
“Y-yeah, that’s me.” Akashina smiled, nudged Konohamaru forward, and replied
“I’m Akashina, these are Gaara and Kankuro.” Naruto nodded, before hurrying Konohamaru away.
Akashina turned to Gaara. “I’d forgotten, what Konoha was like, and now . . .” Gaara carefully wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“We will find a way, Akashina.” The unclear promise itched at Gaara, made him want to dispense of formalities entirely and say ‘There now, Shina-chan, I’ll keep you safe.’ But he couldn’t. Anyone who knew Akashina was more than his pleasure toy would try to kill her, and it wasn’t herself Akashina was worried about. It was her parents, and her brother and her sister.