Just A Kid

Chapter 32

A groan rose from Araile's throat as she buried her head into her pillow, trying to get away from the interfering sunlight. She sighed as a yawn forced its way out. Thanks to the disturbing images from last night, it felt like she had barely had any sleep. She blinked as she tried to wrap her brain around the images. What did they mean anyways? It felt so real, especially the snake. Shivering, Araile pulled her blanket around her body tighter. She hated snakes.

'So tired...' she muttered in her mind as a bird chirped happily from outside her bedroom window.

She raised her head from her pillow, sending a glare to said-window. That bird obviously didn't have scary images plaguing its dreams last night. Snorting, she flipped onto her back. Some parts of her body were still tender from the preliminaries, and she winced when her ribs protested. They were thankfully on their way to being fully healed, but it was sure taking a while.

A nudge caught her attention, and blinking she raised her head and looked down. Takumi was stretched out fully on his side beside Araile, and was obviously engaged in an active dream. His jaws snapped at an invisible prey as his paws scrabbled against the bedsheets. Giggling, Araile laid her head back on her pillow. At least someone was having good dreams.

A knock interrupted her inner thoughts, and she let out another groan as she pulled the blanket over her head. Hopefully if she didn't answer the door the person would go away and let her sleep. Takumi awoke with a snort beside her as the knock sounded again.

Araile held the blanket tighter over her head as her bedroom door opened. So much for that idea. Takumi gave a short bark and jumped down from her bed before padding over to the intruder. He gave a large stretch halfway; his limbs spreading as far as they would go before he shook out his fur.

"Araile? I know you're awake. Someone is here to see you," Kakashi said quietly from her door.

Lifting the blanket off her head, Araile huffed before sitting up and slowly stretching; her spine giving a slight satisfying crack.

Sometimes living with a ninja sucked.

"Coming," she muttered as she swung her legs over the side of her bed and stood up slowly.

Araile raised a hand and brushed it through her hair, sleep still fogging her mind. She pulled on a pair of black shorts and a purple shirt and quickly brushed her still-blue hair. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Would the blue come out? Shaking her head, she walked out of her bedroom.

Walking down the hallway, the sleepy girl couldn't help but trip over Takumi as he dashed past her and down the hallway. A small 'oof' slipped out as her forehead made contact with the floor, and the nine year old laid there on the cold ground. Maybe she could just lie here until she felt ready to get up and face whoever was here to see her. Maybe she could stay here forever, just on the ground and under the kitchen table.

Kakashi walked past her fallen form, chuckling slightly. Kids these days could be so dramatic.

A small sigh from the doorway caused the melodramatic nine year old's ears to perk up. Lifting her head, her eyes fell on a familiar tall figure, leaning against the frame of the front door.

"Kane! You're out of the hospital!" Araile exclaimed as she lifted herself off the floor and launched herself at her big brother, not noticing a red spot on her forehead from when it came in contact with the floor.

He caught Araile as her arms circled his stomach. Her ears caught a small grunt coming from him as Kane hesitated, then slowly put his arms around her shoulders.

Araile looked up at his face, her eyes taking in the tiredness and gauntness in his face. She frowned when she saw the bags underneath his gold eyes.

"You're still injured?" she inquired quietly as she let go of his mid-section and took a couple steps back, tail twitching slightly in nervousness.

"I'm fine, just tender in some areas. A little pain won't stop me," Kane huffed.

Araile smiled in relief as she took a deep breath.

"What are you doing here? Are we going on an adventure? Where are we going? Is it going to take all day? Two days? Three? A whole week? This is going to be-" she asked all in one breath as her excitement got the best of her, causing Kakashi to put his hand over her mouth and ultimately stopping her tirade of questions.

"Let your brother answer, Araile," he stated.

She nodded, and Kakashi released her mouth slowly as he placed his hand on her shoulder. This was in case she bombarded her brother with questions again. Hopefully her excitement didn't get the best of her, or else they wouldn't have any quiet in the small apartment.

Heaving a small sigh, Kakashi ran his free hand through his hair. Her curiosity and excitement knew no bounds.

"I will tell you on the way there," Kane said as he gazed out the door.

"Oh...Kakashi? Can I go? Pleeeeeeease?" Araile asked, looking up at Kakashi with begging eyes.

"Alright," Kakashi agreed.

"Yes-oh! Kane, wait for me!" Araile shouted as she ran after Kane; he had already started out the front door and down the apartment steps when Kakashi agreed.

"Wait up!" she huffed as she finally caught up with her brother.

"So, where are we going?" she asked him again, this time waiting for his answer.

"To train. Those fools never taught you properly," Kane stated swiftly.

"Who? Seishin and Kazoku?" she asked, skipping to keep up with Kane's long strides, and he nodded.

"Oh..." she murmured quietly as she slowed her pace, before running to keep up.