Left to Fall (BoyxBoy) (REWRITE) (ON HOLD)

Chapter 13: Interlude

"So show us around! Introduce us to your friends!" Tai said cheerfully, walking along beside Kasumi and me. Kasumi shook her head fondly, giggling.

"Tai, we still have to act like genin, which means we have to be responsible and prepare for tomorrow. Not stay outside all night." She scolded lightly, reaching over and ruffling his hair, "Kyo can show us around after. We did ask our village leaders if it was alright."

"Yeah, but I'm excited! It's been so long!" Tai laughed softly, looking up at the sky. "I want to see the village, and see who's been taking care of our dear sweet Kyo all these years." He went to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and nuzzling my cheek. We all laughed, and I reached up to pat the top of his head.

"Yes, yes, I'll make sure you meet everyone."  I assured him, smiling happily. "How long are you guys staying after the exams, anyway?"

"Well, I can only be gone for a few days after the exams." Kasumi said with a small hum, placing her hands behind her neck. "I have some assignments I need to do when I get back."

"I can stay for about that same time... I might have to leave earlier, though." Tai smiled nervously. "My team isn't fully aware of what's going on, y'know? I just told them I'd be busy for a while and wouldn't be around much, but if we ever got a mission after the next two or three weeks, I'd head straight back. I only have two of them, not three, so they won't be able to do it without me."

I nodded, smiling at him. "Well I'll be sure to introduce everyone to you guys before then, I promise. The Rookie nine are all great kids! Of course, there are rivalries in all sort of things so there's a bit of static, but they mean well."

"Yeah, I noticed that when we met up before the first exam." Kasumi said with a small hum. "Sakura and that blond chick seemed like they were pretty upset with each other, and the glares passing from dog boy to food lover to creepy bug boy were rather...." She trailed off, waving her hand in the air, "Strained?" She sighed, looking to Tai and I. "What would the best word be?"

"Eh," I shrugged, "I'd go with strained. They've all gotten competitive over the years, but the boys- minus Sasuke- were all great friends when they started school. Then Naruto grew a little too hot to handle, and everything kind of fell apart after that." I laughed then, "I'm one of the things still keeping them together- I got along with practically all the boys in the class, to some degree, but I managed to become better friends with Shikamaru and Kiba pretty fast."

"Which one is Shikamaru?" Kasumi asked, and I smirked.

"The boy you were eyeing~" I said playfully, and her cheeks turned pink again before she lightly punched me in the arm.

"Let. It. Go." She hissed, and I laughed, skipping a few paces ahead for safety as I pretended to think about it.

"Hm.... Nope! This is too fun to let it die!" I said cheerfully, and Kasumi let out a frustrated shriek before darting towards me.

"Kyosuke!"

"Tai, follow us!" I shouted, before starting to run towards my house, Kasumi chasing after me angrily. I heard Tai laugh, and knew that he was following us like I told him to.

I led them to my apartment, sliding to a stop in front of my door. Kasumi apparently hadn't expected the stop because she yelped, crashing into me and knocking both of us to the ground.

Oh! That looked like it hurt! Malik hissed sympathetically, but I just let out a small laugh.

"Don't worry, that didn't hurt at all!" I assured him out loud, and Kasumi gave me a look. "Malik said that it looked like it hurt when we went crashing to the ground." I clarified for her, and she hummed again, nodding before standing up, pulling me with her. Tai walked over to us.