Team Yumi re-entered the Hidden Leaf Village as the sun began to set over the Hokage Monument. They had just finished a mission, and were on their way to report their success to the Hokage. Despite the time of day, various villagers were running, talking, playing, and laughing through the streets. A few ninja discussed their most recent mission, while vendors tried to sell goods to annoyed customers.

 

"Heh... I really missed being in the village!" Koukon grinned, happy to be back home.

 

"Yeah. We can finally rest." Hikari wasn't as enthusiastic as her friend, but still smiled. "I can't wait to go eat some ramen." She rubbed her stomach, having missed her favorite food.

 

"Of course, that's the first thing you think of. It's always ramen with you." Koukon teased Hikari. "I guess that going to Ichiraku wouldn't hurt, though..." He looked over at his teacher. "Yumi sensei, is it fine if we head off?"

 

"Yeah, I'll go check in with Lord Hokage. You three can go off and get something to eat." The woman smiled back at her students.

 

"Alright!" Koukon shouted, and looked over to his teammates. "Let's go, Hikari! Are you going to come with, Kiniku?" He asked his best friend, hoping that the three of them could go together.

 

"It's been a while since the three of us got to go to Ichiraku together, hasn't it?" Hikari asked. "You should come with us, Kiniku."

Koukon jumped back up, and looked towards Kiniku. "No need to worry about me, Kiniku. That hit was nothing to me." He boasted. He helped Hikari up. "Get her away, though... I'll handle this." He said, then glared at Shogo. "Hey, white eyes. You might think that we don't deserve to know, but it became my concern as soon as you started hurting my friend. If you're not willing to say what it is, I'll just have to beat it out of you."

 

It's not worth it, Koukon... Hikari thought to herself.

 

Akarui sat silently, unsure of what to do. She glanced nervously at Koukon, hoping that he would be able to settle the issue.

Shogo / Ryuichi / Kiniku

 

"I don't have to explain anything to you. Nor anybody else. She knows exactly why I did it," Shogo pointed out, before jumping away from the grounds.

 

"Shogo, wait!" Ryuichi called out, but to no avail. He sighed. "Ah..." He turned around to his comrades and bowed. "I am very sorry for the actions of Shogo."

 

"Don't be. It's not your fault," Kiniku said, then looking over to Hikari. "She doesn't look too messed up. Koukon, I'll keep an eye on her. It's time for you and Akarui to spar."

"Alright..." Koukon muttered, looking at Akarui. He wasn't exactly in the mood to spar, especially against someone who was innocent in the previous situation. I'd much rather beat the crap out of Shogo for what he did to Hikari... He thought.

 

Akarui jumped when Kiniku said it was her turn to spar. I forgot I was against Koukon... at least he'll probably be... calmed down, thanks to what just happened... She stepped up to Koukon. The two both formed the Seal of Confrontation.

 

"You can go first, Akarui." Koukon said calmly.

 

"O-okay." Akarui nodded. She ran towards the boy, preparing to punch him. Koukon quickly dodged Akarui's punch, but didn't counter. Akarui took the chance to try and sweep at his legs, but he managed to jump over her leg. Koukon kicked Akarui's stomach lightly, but hard enough to knock her back.

 

Hikari watched as the two fought. Despite being injured, she was completely focused on the sparring match.

Kiniiku / Ryuichi / Shinachiku / Daiki / Misaki

 

"Okay, now lets get you fixed," Kiniku said, bringing Hikari over to the shade. He then took off her jacket and peformed his Ninja Art: Muscle Reconstruction to clear her injuries. Ryuichi joined them and sat by their side, watching Koukon and Akarui all the same.

 

"Hey Muscles!" Shinachiku cried as he and his team ran over to the three others. "Is my sister gonna be okay?!"

 

"Of course. Don't worry about it, squirt." Kiniku playfully said. "Ain't that right, Bushy Brows?" Ryuichi simply nodded in response.

 

"If there is one thing I know, it is that Kiniku is very skilled at using his clan's healing jutsu," Ryuichi added.

 

"Heh. Thanks... and uh..." Shinachiku said, suddenly becoming nervous. "I, uh... I'm... I'm, uh..." He stuttered.

 

"We're sorry for saying all those mean things to you!" Misaki blurted out, covering her mouth after realizing how loud she yelled. "Uh, yeah, we're sorry. We didn't mean any of it." She then looked to Daiki, who looked uninterested in what was going on. She frowned and nudged him in the ribs.

 

Daiki flinched but with one look from Misaki, he straightened up. "I apologize as well... even though I didn't say anything..."

 

"Daiki..." Misaki whined.

 

"Gr, never mind. I'm sorry anyway" Daiki corrected.

 

"Heh. Don't worry guys, I know. I remember when I used to be that cocky. But I guess as times goes on, you get a bit wiser," Kiniku said.

 

"Please, come and join us. Hikari will be with us soon, and then we can all watch Koukon and Akarui's great battle!" Ryuichi cheered, not only excited about the spar but also trying to direct attention away from Shogo's previous actions.

 

"Heh heh! Sure!" Shinachiku said, flashing his father's trademark grin as he and his team settled down with the others.

 

"Hey Sis, I hope you're doing okay," Shinachiku said to his sister, trying to be nice after what he had said earlier.
 

"Yeah, we really hope you get better," Misaki added, also caring for her fellow ninja. Daiki simply sent a nod in her direction and then focused on the spar with Ryuichi.

Hikari was shocked by her brother's sudden change in attitude. She didn't say anything, but smiled. She continued focusing on the battle between Koukon and Akarui...

 

Akarui continued punching and kicking Koukon, who continued dodging her attacks. Eventually, she faltered, and Koukon took the opportunity to kick her chest. Akarui was knocked back again, but quickly recovered, and darted towards her sparring partner. She managed to punch him in the jaw. "... Nice hit." Koukon muttered. He tried to punch her back, but Akarui dodged, and kicked him in the stomach.

Kiniku / Ryuichi

 

"Okay, Hyugamaki, that should do it." Kiniku said, putting Hikari's jacket back on her for her.

 

"Ah that is great to hear," Ryuichi said cheerfully, as Team Sai also turned their heads over to Hikari. "How are you feeling Hikari?"

Hikari fought the urge to correct Kiniku's nickname for her, and stood up. "I'm still sore, but I'm a lot better now... Thanks, Kiniku." She smiled at her teammate, grateful for his healing ability.

 

Koukon and Akarui continued exchanging blows, with neither side letting up and giving the other an opening. After a while, Akarui slightly slipped. Koukon took the opportunity to kick her over, and stood over her. The two were both clearly exhausted. "Well, looks like I win this one." Koukon grinned as usual, and offered a hand to help Akarui up. She sighed, and let Koukon help her. "That was a good match, Akarui. You're really tough."

 

"Th-thanks, Koukon." She said.

(Make sure to do the Unison Sign)

 

Kiniku / Ryuichi

 

"No problem. Its what friends do," Kiniku said to his teammate.

 

"Look! It seems that Koukon and Akarui have finished their match!" Ryuichi pointed out, seeing Koukon help Akarui up.

 

"Oh yeah. And it looks like String Bean's the winner. That's two-zip, Bushy Brows!" Kiniku boasted, not counting Hikari's and Shogo's fight for obvious reasons.

 

"Aw, no!" Ryuichi said, facepalming himself. "Okay then! That means Team Lee will need to work a thousand times harder the next time," Ryuichi proclaimed, giving Kiniku a "nice guy pose".

 

"Heh heh. Whatever you say. I'll be looking forward to it," Kiniku said, returning his pose.

Koukon and Akarui both formed the Unison Sign, and returned to the rest of the group. "So... You feeling better, Hikari?" Koukon asked his friend worriedly.

 

"Yeah, I'm feeling perfectly fine now." She grinned. "You did really well in that fight!"

 

"Heh, I guess I did." Koukon scratched his head. Akarui did really well, too."

 

"Th-thanks, Koukon." Akarui blushed slightly.

Kiniku / Ryuichi

 

"Yeah, good going out there Koukon. Way to show off that Yougan Clan pride," Kiniku said, getting up and patting his friend on the back. "Now then, team; it's been a long day. What's next on our agenda?"

 

"Akarui!" Ryuichi cried as he ran up to his teammate. "I am sorry that you did not win, but I have already promised that we will work harder next time we are challenged by Team Yumi!" He proclaimed. "But that is for later. Right now... we should go look for Shogo," Ryuichi said, somewhat down-trodden that he had to say that just now.

Edited September 27, 201411 yr by Firaga Sensei

"Y-yeah..." Akarui nodded. "We should go..."

 

Koukon shrugged in response to Kiniku's question. "Well, I'd like to go get some ramen, or hang out with Team Sai... But I think we should help Ryuichi and Akarui find Shogo." Koukon suggested, smiling at Ryuichi and Akarui. "Besides... I still need to teach Shogo a lesson after what he did. I think it might be best for Hikari to stay behind with Team Sai, though... We can have Misaki or Daiki come with if we need an extra person."

 

"Right..." Hikari looked slightly upset.

Shinachiku / Daiki / Misaki / Kiniku / Ryuichi

 

"I definitely wanna stay behind. I want to make sure my sister gets back home so she can rest," Shinachiku, handling the situation very maturely. 

 

"I'll help you out. I want to make sure she's okay, too," Misaki said, smiling.

 

"Okay. Thanks." Shinachiku said, grinning back. "And what about you, Daiki?" He asked, looking to his raven-haired teammate. "You could probably help out the others."

 

"Alright," Daiki agreed. 

 

"So I guess that's settled. Ryuichi, where do you think Shogo might have run off to?" Kiniku asked.

 

"My best guess would be the residence of the Hyuga Clan. He normally trains by himself there," Ryuichi said.

 

"Okay, we'll go there first. Let's move out!" Kiniku said, dashing off with Daiki and Ryuichi following; Shinachiku and Misaki, meanwhile, carried Hikari and walked back to the village.

"Thanks, Shinachiku and Misaki..." Hikari smiled, grateful that her brother and friend were so willing to help even after their fight earlier.

 

"Yeah, let's go!" Koukon chased after Ryuichi, with Akarui following him closely. I'll make sure Shogo never pulls stupid stunts like that ever again... Koukon's thought as the group made their way to the Hyuga residence.

Shinachiku / Misaki 

 

"Hey Shinachiku, can I ask you somehting?" Misaki said as the three continued on.

 

"Yeah?" 

 

"How come you're being so nice all of a sudden? I mean, no offense, but you have a habit of fighting with Hikari and being immature," Misaki said freely, sort of expecting Shinachiki to respond negatively.

 

"Well... yeah, I guess so..." Shinachiku admitted, looking to the ground as he talked. "But even though I do, it's different when she gets hurt. I might fight with her all the time, but she's still my sister, so I l-..." Shinachiku immediatley went red. "I... I l... lo, lah...." After stuttering for a bit, he tried covering up with a grin and a chuckle. "Ah, you know what I mean! Heh heh heh!"

 

Misaki couldn't help but laugh at Shinachiku's behavior, but understood nonetheless. "Yeah. I know what you mean. I'd do the same for Daiki, and he'd do the same as well. Right?"

 

"Right!" 

 

Kiniku / Ryuichi / Daiki

 

"So then, Red Eye, why'd you decide to come along?" Kiniku asked Daiki as they traveled. "You got something against Pale Eye?"

 

Daiki looked forward without turning his head, his gaze firmly locked ahead of him.

 

"I am sure that Daiki is just as upset as we are with the actions of our comrade. Is that not right, Daiki?" Ryuichi asked, hoping that Daiki did have good intentions.

 

Daiki once again stayed silent.

 

"Hmm... I guess he's just here for the heck of it," Kiniku said, sort of annoyed by Daiki's silence.

 

"Shogo... has to be taught a lesson," Daiki then said out of nowhere, surprising his teammates. "If there is one thing that I hate the most... it's a person who would stoop so low as to go against their own family," Daiki simply stated, referencing how Shogo injured Hikari. He did not show it during, but he was greatly upset by it.

 

"Hmm, makes sense. I doubt you'd tolerate something like that if it was Misaki, huh?" Kiniku asked. Daiki gritted his teeth just thinking about the idea, but kept his composure and simply confirmed it with the look in his eyes as he looked to Kiniku. "Well, don't worry kid. Shogo's gonna learn that lesson. We're Leaf ninja, so that means we stand together," Kiniku grinned, as Daiki could not but grin back and nodded in approval. "You too, huh String Bean?" He then asked his teammate, knowing how much he cared for Kiyoshi.

 

"I agree as well!" Ryuichi said. "And I know that Akarui agrees too! Right, Akarui?" He asked his teammate.

Shinachiku / Misaki 

 

"Hey Shinachiku, can I ask you somehting?" Misaki said as the three continued on.

 

"Yeah?" 

 

"How come you're being so nice all of a sudden? I mean, no offense, but you have a habit of fighting with Hikari and being immature," Misaki said freely, sort of expecting Shinachiki to respond negatively.

 

"Well... yeah, I guess so..." Shinachiku admitted, looking to the ground as he talked. "But even though I do, it's different when she gets hurt. I might fight with her all the time, but she's still my sister, so I l-..." Shinachiku immediatley went red. "I... I l... lo, lah...." After stuttering for a bit, he tried covering up with a grin and a chuckle. "Ah, you know what I mean! Heh heh heh!"

 

Misaki couldn't help but laugh at Shinachiku's behavior, but understood nonetheless. "Yeah. I know what you mean. I'd do the same for Daiki, and he'd do the same as well. Right?"

 

"Right!" 

 

Kiniku / Ryuichi / Daiki

 

"So then, Red Eye, why'd you decide to come along?" Kiniku asked Daiki as they traveled. "You got something against Pale Eye?"

 

Daiki looked forward without turning his head, his gaze firmly locked ahead of him.

 

"I am sure that Daiki is just as upset as we are with the actions of our comrade. Is that not right, Daiki?" Ryuichi asked, hoping that Daiki did have good intentions.

 

Daiki once again stayed silent.

 

"Hmm... I guess he's just here for the heck of it," Kiniku said, sort of annoyed by Daiki's silence.

 

"Shogo... has to be taught a lesson," Daiki then said out of nowhere, surprising his teammates. "If there is one thing that I hate the most... it's a person who would stoop so low as to go against their own family," Daiki simply stated, referencing how Shogo injured Hikari. He did not show it during, but he was greatly upset by it.

 

"Hmm, makes sense. I doubt you'd tolerate something like that if it was Misaki, huh?" Kiniku asked. Daiki gritted his teeth just thinking about the idea, but kept his composure and simply confirmed it with the look in his eyes as he looked to Kiniku. "Well, don't worry kid. Shogo's gonna learn that lesson. We're Leaf ninja, so that means we stand together," Kiniku grinned, as Daiki could not but grin back and nodded in approval. "You too, huh String Bean?" He then asked his teammate, knowing how much he cared for Kiyoshi.

 

"I agree as well!" Ryuichi said. "And I know that Akarui agrees too! Right, Akarui?" He asked his teammate.

Hikari

 

Hikari began to slightly blush in response to what Shinachiku said. However, she understood what he meant, and felt the same way about her brother. She'd also help him if he was the one who was attacked.

 

Koukon/Akarui

 

"Of course I agree." Koukon nodded. "Family, friends and comrades. I'll protect all of them! Of course... I won't forgive betrayal, either." He said, clearly still angered by Shogo's actions.

 

"S-so do I..." Akarui nodded. "I don't want to see my sister, mother, or any of my friends be hurt..." Of course, if they asked me the same thing a few years ago, my answer would have been completely different...

Kiniku / Ryuichi / Daiki

 

Eventually, the team made it to the Hyuga Clan's personal home/training grounds. They could see that some of the Hyuga Clan members were up and about, but there was no sign of Shogo. They waited for a second, surveying the area, and then:

 

"HEY! Is Shogo home?!" Kiniku yelled at the top of his lungs as they walked in, as Daiki and Ryuichi covered their ears in pain.

 

"Idiot! You have to be respectful when entering a clan's home!" Daiki yelled back, showing as much emotion as well as anger in his voice as he would that day.

 

"Gee, Red Eye, no need to yell. I know that," Kiniku said, more softly, totally ignoring the fact that he yelled himself. Daiki stood silent and sweatdropped at Kiniku's ignorance.

 

"Grr, never mind..." He said. "Anyways, I don't think he might be here right now."

 

"Let us go and talk to someone who can help us then," Ryuichi clarified, also aware of Kiniku's ignorance but not wanting to call him out on it.

 

"Okay, sure," Kiniku grinned, walking up to the clan household's entrance with the others.

"That sounds like a good plan." Koukon agreed, following the others to the entrance of the home.

 

"Yeah, we should try that." Akarui nodded.

 

"I think Akarui should be the one to ask. She'd probably be the calmest." Koukon suggested.

 

"O-okay..." Akarui knocked on the door, and a Hyuga clansmember answered. "H-hello... We were looking for Shogo... We're his teammates... Do you know where he is?" Akarui asked.

 

"Shogo? He is in his room." The man answered. "You can see him, if you would like."

 

"Y-yes, please. Thank you, sir." Akarui nodded.

Edited September 28, 201411 yr by Shulk

Kiniku / Daiki

 

"Well then, lets head inside. Time to bust heads if necessary," Kiniku said, cracking his knuckles.

 

"Wait, Kiniku," Daiki said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "We're in the Hyuga's residence. We have to be respectful. If we start a fight with Shogo in his home, we'll get in trouble. And not to mention... we might be in trouble with Lord Hokage's wife."

 

"Ooh, right. Lady Hinata," Kiniku remembered. "Uh, right yeah... I guess you're right. You hear that, Koukon? We gotta act right. I know you're miffed at Shogo, but maybe we don't have to bust heads to settle this stuff." Even though I'd rather handle it in that way myself. "Lets just head in," he finished, Daiki and Ryuichi following.

Edited September 28, 201411 yr by Firaga Sensei

As much as I want to beat the crap out of that arrogant jerk... I don't want Hikari's mom pissed off at me. "Ugh... Right." He muttered, following the others inside.

 

Akarui sighed. I guess this means things won't get too rough... She followed Koukon inside, hoping everything would end well.

Kiniku

 

The Hyuga household was very lavious and was also one of the oldest establishments in the Hidden Leaf Village. There were a dozen rooms, and nobody knew which one belonged to Shogo.

 

"Uh... we might have to ask around again," Kiniku said.

Kiniku

 

The Hyuga household was very lavious and was also one of the oldest establishments in the Hidden Leaf Village. There were a dozen rooms, and nobody knew which one belonged to Shogo.

 

"Uh... we might have to ask around again," Kiniku said.

"R-right..." Akarui muttered. She found another Hyuga member walking the hall, and asked them how to get to Shogo's room. The Hyuga offered to guide the group, and took them through a few halls. Eventually, they reached the door to Shogo's room. "Thank you." Akarui nodded to their guide, who took off. "O-okay... Here we are..." Akarui was nervous about what might happen. "Wh-who wants to open it?"

Kiniku / Daiki / Shogo

 

CRACK!

 

Kiniku kicked the door almost off its hinges wide open, scaring a meditating Shogo inside.

 

"What the hell was that?!" He cried, turning around to see his comrades before him.

 

Didn't you say we should be civil? Daiki thought, his eye twitching and anger rising.

Akarui facepalmed. So much for settling this calmly... She thought, embarassed by Kiniku's recklessness.

 

Koukon, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind. "There you are, jerk." He glared at Shogo. "You'd better be ready to pay for what you did to Hikari!" Koukon tried to run over to the Hyuga, but Akarui held him back.

Kiniku / Ryuichi / Shogo

 

"Hmph. What business do you have with me?" Shogo asked.

 

"You know why, Pale Eye," Kiniku said.

 

"Yes. Your behavior at the training grounds was most unyouthful," Ryuichi added. "Why did you attempt to harm Hikari?"

 

"Tch. I don't have to explain anything like that to you people. Now leave me be," Shogo growled, turning his back against the ninja.

"Oh, you do have to explain it to us." Koukon snapped back at the stubborn ninja, now even angrier than he was before. "You're the one who decided to pull that crap in front of all of us. Now you have to explain it."

 

Akarui remained silent as she prevented Koukon from doing anything that would get everyone in trouble.