Defying Gravity

Chapter 27

Ethelia's pov

I really didn't want to leave the house. Leaving made me feel vulnerable, especially without my hoodie. After what happened last night, I don't feel safe going out alone even during the day. My bacon is lucky Obito was there. Damn me, Rin and Kakashi would have saved their own asses.

"Fuck my life." I muttered to myself as I exited my house. I could hear Mark and my dad chatting as I closed the door, but I didn't care to listen in. I let my eyes sweep the lawn instead. I see no signs of pedophiles but you never know man. They could be in bushes. Trash cans, where they belong. Trees. Who knows.

The walk to the training grounds was short and tense, and every single noise was a threat. Seriously, a leaf fell and I almost screamed bloody murder. Those guys weren't fully taken care of. They didn't burn to death, and the police didn't catch them, which means they're still out there. Ryuki is still out there. It's freaking me out to be honest, and not much freaks me out. Save for wet food in the sink and the idea of a being friends with someone.

"Ethelia, there you are!" Minato crowed. To my surprise, Obito was already there. Early. This is a rare occurrence. Maybe there's a shortage of old ladies that need help crossing the street. I wish I could sleep in and then pretend I did something productive, but then they'd know because I'd be slightly more awake than I usually am.

"Hey." I muttered, yawning deeply. Rin blinked at me in awe. 

"Your hair doesn't look like a birds nest." She said. I might be upset if it weren't so true. My hair is an actual tangle of horror and despair most days. They've never seen it all combed out and nice, let alone put in a braid.

"Yeah, Mark broke in and did it this morning." I scowled at the memory. Mark is an asshole. A real, legitimate asshole. But I also think he wants to be a hairstylist one day. He's never said it outright, but he loves messing around with my hair, and experimenting with his own. Not sure why, but he does. I mean, if that's his passion he should go for it. Better yet, he should go to a hair... stylist school thing out of this village!

"Broke in? That weird kid?" Kakashi scofffed as though I were joking. I wish I was. Really and truly, not only for my sake, but for the sake of our fridge. He cleans that thing out far too often. My dad may be alright with it, but I'm not. That's my substinance. My will to live. And he just keeps taking it away. I don't think I'm okay with that. Not today, not tomorrow. I get hungry fast, so when I'm starving, he will be the one to pay.

Blood will be spilled.

"Yeah, he does that sometimes. Raided the fridge too." I frowned. "I also think he's stealing my socks, but I haven't accused him yet. I know sometimes he does my laundry... it could be that they dryer is eating them again." I pursed my lips in thought, flinching when Rin suddenly turned to Minato. Damn, I'm jumpy today. 

"Are we training again today, sensei?" Rin questioned. Obito inched closer to me, concern swimming in his coal eyes. The attention was turned away from me when Rin, Minato and Kakashi began to converse. Obito apparently saw this as his time to strike. He's dropping a socialization bomb on me, and I don't think I'm okay with that. But he did just save my life so I'll allow the explosive to meet its target just this once. Next time, though, I'll be deflecting it. Thank you.

"Are you alright? You seem jumpy." He said in a hushed tone. I looked at him, surprised.

"You can actually be that quiet?" I gasped quietly. "Since when?"

"Oh shut up." He snorted, punching my shoulder. I narrowed my eyes. So friendly. So touchy. So gross. I didn't sign up for friendly punches to the shoulder, and satan forbid he try to hug me. "But seriously, are you alright? That was pretty intense. And those guys are still out there... you didn't have any trouble on the way here, did you?" He looked down at me.