Harmony (Konoha School of Arts)

13.

"Let's forget about the winter comps for a sec. How are you guys spending your winter break?" That was Tamaki starting a conversation with her classmates. They were all in the class since homeroom hadn't started yet because of Kakashi's renowned lateness.

"How does one spend the winter break?" Kiba mumbled, uncharacteristically quiet, into his palm which he had been resting his head on. If anybody was overstuffed for the winter, it was the canine boy. His mother had withdrawn him from the boarding system as soon as the atmospheric temperature started dropping and the next time they saw Kiba, he was wrapped up in series of warm clothes like a burrito. Akamaru never left his side either.

This wasn't new. Last winter was the same for Kiba and some of his classmates had observed the pattern. Akamaru didn't even stay at the pet center around this time of the year. He was always with the brunet. The boy clearly hated the sudden attention he was getting from his mother and sister but he didn't go against it like he wanted to.

Doing that would only set his family on edge. You see, Kiba had a medical condition he kept secret from his classmates. None of his classmates knew why he needed a service dog still but nobody pushed him to talk since he always danced around the subject when asked.

"I dunno, go on trips, spend time with the family, things like that." Tamaki answered his question with an animated gesture of her hands.

"Yeah..." Kiba drawled as he placed his head on his table instead. Winter break wasn't always fun for Kiba because his mother and sister were always worried about him even though he was clearly okay. Spring was even worse. They were always on his case, asking him if he was okay and doing medical check ups on him at every opportunity they had. He was tired of it but nothing he said could convince his mother that he was really okay.

"Omoi and I are going back to Kumo after the winter comps." Karui announced happily. It had been a while since they went back to their homeland so she was excited. Omoi was her exact opposite. The boy paled considerably for a dark skinned person at his twin's statement.

"I just remembered that Samui promised me an ass whopping for breaking her favorite vase!" He exclaimed with dread. Samui was an old friend of their brother's and she was as tough as they got. She often picked on Omoi for laughs but the boy was genuinely scared of her. Legend says that she's the originator of his wild thought spirals.

"When exactly was this?" Tenten asked in amusement, knowing the other's exaggerating tendencies.

"Last year, when we last visited her. Aaah! I'm doomed!" Omoi shrieked while Tenten shook her head. She was right not to be worried about him.

"She would have forgotten about that ages ago, Omoi." She dismissed carelessly. Omoi perked up.

"'xcuse you! You don't know Samui like I do."

"He's right." Karui supported her brother. "Samui has the memory of an elephant. That being said, you should probably worry about the winter comps before our journey back to Kumo, Omoi because Samui is participating in this winter comps, or did you forget?"

Omoi clearly didn't put that into consideration because he screamed. "I'm dropping out! Please I'm dropping out of the competition!"

"You've gotten this far, don't blow it, idiot!" Karui punctuated her 'idiot' with a loud knock on her brother's head. It worked, the boy whined in pain but he calmed down.

"How are you spending yours, Garbear?" Fuu turned to the boy who had been shrinking into himself to avoid the conversation ever reaching him. Alas for Fuu had eyes for him and him only. Before he could say anything Matsuri had taken the conversation from him.