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Joki walked through the streets of Konoha, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds. He was annoyed; he hated being followed, especially by his father's pathetic students. He could only tolerate Homura and Kagami, and the former only because he had recently remembered the guy was his trainer.
He was seventeen years old. He wasn't a child anymore to be treated like this. Ever since he had been named as a future sensei, the other ninja had become even bigger bootlickers than before.
"I can take care of myself, thanks!" he snapped, forcing them all out of their hiding spots.
"But your 'mother' explicitly told you not to leave the house. It's too dangerous to wander the streets alone!" Koharu scolded, planting her hands on her hips.
Ah. Right. He was grounded. He had left Mion waiting out in the rain. But he simply hadn't wanted to open the door for her; it wasn't his fault the girl couldn't take a hint.
"I don't care," Joki retorted, his tone defiant.
"Stop being such an idiot and go back home," Danzo added, his expression severe.
"We don't want to have to take you by force, Joki-kun. Please," Kagami said, approaching with a calm, placating smile.
"If you want to go peep on girls, I can tag along," Hiruzen chimed in, causing everyone else to sweatdrop at his remark.
"Or we could go grab something to eat," Homura suggested, trying to smooth things over.
"You can trust us," Kagami added with a sincere look.
The Uchiha-Senju sighed, stepping closer to the group.
"Carry me home."
If he was going to have these annoying ninjas tailing him all the time, he might as well reap the benefits. With a mix of resignation and cunning, he let his self-appointed escorts haul him back home. As they walked, Kagami stayed close to his side in silence.
When they reached a quieter street corner, Joki suddenly stopped, forcing the others to halt as well.
"Kagami, can I talk to you in private?" Joki asked, leveling a serious glare at the young Uchiha.
The rest of the team exchanged uncomfortable glances but backed off far enough to give them space.
"What's wrong, Joki-kun?" Kagami asked, his tone laced with concern.
Joki stared him down, his dark eyes swirling with a storm of emotions.
"Why are you always so close to my father?" he demanded suddenly, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
Kagami froze, completely caught off guard by the question.
"I... I simply respect him a great deal. He is a great ninja and an incredible teacher," he replied, struggling to maintain his composure.
"Is that what you call it when you spend hours locked alone in his office?" Joki pressed, his words dripping with venom.
Kagami lowered his gaze, his face flashing a mixture of shame and pain.
"It's not what you think, Joki-kun..."
Joki studied him for a long moment. Finally, he gave a slow nod.
"Don't ever do it again," he warned, his tone softer but unmistakably firm.
Kagami looked up, grateful for Joki's apparent understanding.
"Did you tell your papa?"
"No, and don't force me to," Joki stated coldly, turning on his heel and starting to walk away.
Kagami followed after him, feeling a profound sense of relief, but at the same time, a creeping terror. He would have to be far more careful from now on.