How orphan boys play

Hey guys^_^ thanks for being patient with this fic. If it weren't for real life, wouldn't we all be that little bit happier?

Anyway, here it is. The chapter that inspired the whole fic. But don't fret, this isn't the last installment. Not by a long shot. THere are stil bits and pieces i'm working out but i find i write better when improvising sometimes. So, we'll jsut see how it goes. Your reviews have been really inspiring so far. Honestly. I have had some really sucky reviews in the past, things like 'please update'. How lazyright? i really ave ad reviews that just said that!! But you guys, you are a writer's dream ^______________________^ there are some treats at the end of this fic for ya all so remember to check 'em out.

Thanks again guys and enjoy

How Orphan boys play

Ch4

Wecome House Part 3

There had never been any real consideration to it in the past but today, Gaara was realising his least favourite colour. He’d never seen so much green in one place. It was everywhere from the brightly striped couch moulding into the luminous walls, to the fluffy, grass green rug. Even the white blinds failed to convey their actual colour against this forest. All of it was leaving a nauseating feeling in the pit of his stomach so, he tried to walk it off. The apartment was a lot bigger than it look from the outside; a living room that had to be twice the size of his old room, adjoining hallways in the shape of an upside down L with three rooms on each side Gaara was doing a little exploring while Gai was on the phone; he was checking when the other person who lived here, Lee, was coming back.

The first room he peeped into was the bathroom, another tribute to the repellent colour. Over hanging green towels had their users names embroidered into them. Diagonal to the first door was an even stranger room. The colour was no a longer surprise but the odd number of mirrors were. The red head didn’t stay long enough to even ask. A few steps down and Gaara found himself a room of metal. Tall, hard instruments of bizarre shapes and sizes. The only thing Gaara recognised were the dumbbells he saw in book once. Lots of these strange things were framed and coated in metal with blocks of black attached to the frames with thick, silver strings. What on earth is wrong with this house? Soon, exploring just didn’t seem all that interesting anymore. He shut the door behind him and let his back rest against it, trying to take this strange place in. His viridian eyes flickered over the wall in front of him and found the row of photo’s hanging there. One in the middle was a picture of Gai and, what had to be, a miniature clone standing by the older man’s side. There were more pictures just like it, all in different places and all smiling like Cheshire cats.

“That’s Lee, if you’re wondering?” Tiny shoulders jolted at the sound behind him. “That was one of his friends on the phone. He over did it during training again and there’s no way to wake him up once he’s clocked out. He knew you were coming here, I just hadn’t told him when so it would be a surprise. My luck, huh?” Gai looked down at the red top and smiled. He didn’t really mind that Gaara wouldn’t look directly at him and, instead, just from the corner of his eye. He’d been told a few times before that he looked pretty intimidating at first glance but he could never figure out why. There was a loud chime from the living room, the old grandfather clock striking a number and playing a bell eight times.

“I’d like to go to bed now” It was only eight o’clock and at this time of year the sun was barley setting. But, Gai understood. It had to have been a long day for the kid, moving around so late in the day, saying goodbye to his friends and being brought into a whole new environment.

“Come on, I’ll show you were you’re room is”, he beamed brightly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Routinely, at 9.30pm on a Thursday, a thousand pull ups and six hundred squats made a goodnight sleep. Tonight, it was four hundred sit ups and on orphanage personnel file to read over. He wanted to give the thing a proper look over before dumping it in the trash for good. Half a mug of tea and two pages later and Gai felt he should burn these miserable records. Just too many bad memories for a twelve year old and all marked on paper as part of systematically record operation. A boy’s life shouldn’t be a file of reckless behaviour and an overpaid psychologist’s analysis. It must have been very difficult for Kurenia to have to write such slander, especially when she spoke so highly of this boy.

Page one was enough to give a great horror novel a run for it’s money. Before being admitted at the age of six, Gaara lived far east of Konoha in a desert town called Suna. Gai had never been there personally but heard the place was filled with skilled craftsmen and the made most of their income through tourism. It had to be filled with very intelligent people to master regular irrigation and rural farming in such a dry and hazardous place. But, maybe that had been the problem to begin with; too many worries over where money was coming and going to notice a small boy in desperate need.

Medical records showed two arm fractures and a hair line on the third rib; all common injuries found in small children who played on the more rocky terrains of the area. It was the fact that the injuries all happened within the space of six months. Either this kid just loved a good climb or something was up. Doctors insisted on an investigation but local neighbours vouched for the Uncle, emphatic that Yashamaru was a very gentle man, his nephew no more than a brat who threw is temper around and got hurt in the process.

Gai had seen a few cases like this in his own career and found a very familiar pattern that he called, ‘Violent Outcry’. This, in his experience, meant that when a child is suffering from abuse they will act out in public places, sometimes aggressively, in hope that someone would see how unhappy they were. The main problem with expressing in such an angry and destructive way meant no-one else could see the pain, only the temper. Out bursts were the only way these kids could reach out because they knew no other way of dealing with a problem. When the only vocalisation techniques learned through a parent were nothing but cruel, violent and loud abuse, how was the child supposed to express any differently?

The grim tale led on to a call made by a neighbour, complaining of an incessant whaling and screeching coming from a few doors down. A knock on the door and no answer. Wouldn’t have gone any further than that if it wasn’t for the nosy investigator with nothing else to do that night. Gai couldn’t quite read the rest of the massacre some over exaggerated reporter must have wrote down. Murdering Monster on Rampage. Sick people. Gai could only say how lucky Gaara must have been that Kurenai was vacationing in Suna at the time. She got him away from that place before they could throw him in the box.

Gai closed the folder, wanting to leave the rap sheets for another night to endure. Eventually he’d throw the thing away. Here, is Gaara’s life and home now. Until then, he’d have to keep a hold of it at the moment in order to create a suitable environment for Gaara to live in. The mustard coloured folder was shut firmly, air flowing over Gai’s free hand along with a loose sheet of paper that managed to escape. As it landed on the edge of the couch, Gai noticed a major difference in it’s format compared to the rest of the record; it was hand written.

Hello there, Gai. It’s Kurenai. As you can pretty much tell from the folder, Gaara’s story isn’t exactly abundant. I wish I could say that none of it is as bad as it seems but it‘s been some rough years. When Gaara first came arrived here, he was very anti-social and isolated himself from everyone. You can imagine the kind of attention that got him from some of the more hounding kids. All those incidents I had to write down, they were all provoked. It may not have seemed much but it gave me the indication that Gaara wasn’t a naturally aggressive boy but, defensive of himself.

I exhausted every technique I knew at the time but with the other kids teasing him so much when I wasn’t around it just caused him to jump back five steps every time. I believe he might have been lost forever if it weren’t for his friends. You’ll see them quite frequently by the way. It’s like seeing three brothers who were split at birth and never want to lose sight of each other again. I believed in miracles the day those boys became friends.

The main reason I’m writing is to let you know the little details that the system deems unnecessary. Just little bits and pieces that might help off start the first few days. His favourite meal is spaghetti. No sauces, just nice and cold with a bit of salt. He’s an extensive reader. If it has words, he’ll read it. It’s how he likes to pass the time at night. He likes to be outdoors as much as indoors but sometimes need the gentle reminder to come back in. He’s naturally curious but, finds it difficult to ask sometimes. There’s a tell tale sign that gives it away but, I’ll leave that one for you figure out on your own.

Summer is on it’s way so, I hope it’ll prove valuable free time for you all to get to know each other better. Send my love to Lee and Little Gaara and I wish you all happy memories.

Gai felt touched by the letter. Kurenai really had a way with words sometimes. Lee had never been one of her kids but she looked out for him nonetheless. Her experience and influence played a huge role in giving that boy a family again and now she was doing her best to make it happen for Gaara.

The empty mug was left in the sink and the folder was tucked away in a cabinet along with a few old phone books. He switched the lights off to head for his own room when a faint, white glow came from the cracked door of Gaara’s room Was he up? It was going past midnight now, a good few hours after he said he was calling it a night.

Gai was built with the frame of a giant but could be light on his feet when he had to. Taking a peek into the room revealed the light’s source; a small flash light, clutched in a small, shadowed hand and hovering above a bundle of tattered pages bound in an old cover. It didn’t look like much sleeping was getting done but, Gai wasn’t going to be too picky. All the anticipation must be making it difficult to sleep. As the older man readied himself for bed he made a silent declaration; first thing tomorrow he’d make sure Gaara knew just how welcome he really was and make a breakfast worthy of a new, youthful beginning.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gai had awoken bright and brisk, ready to seize the day ahead of him. It was six-thirty in the morning and with every morning in the Maito household, a good warm up of five hundred sit-ups were welcome. Afterwards, it was a full, hearty and nutritious breakfast to help start a youthful day. All he had to do was wake the new member of the family.

Odd surprise to find the red head still already awake and still in the same place Gai saw him in last night. Had he been awake this whole time? No way. He didn’t look drowsy or anything but it was a little difficult to tell wit those dark rims. Maybe it wasn’t even that serious? Gaara could have just woken up and went back to reading until he could hear if someone else was up. Well, time to let him hear.

“GOOD MORNING, GAARA, ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY OF YOUTH!” Perfect. Truly splendid if Gai said so himself. He had entered the room marvellously, his arms spread wide and a smile so bright his teeth almost gleamed. Although, from the younger one’s ears it was more like, BOOM! BANG! BELLOW! Thin arms shot up and sent the book flying in the air, carrying a loud shriek with it. As it landed in disarray on the floor, Gaara jumped to his feet, head and eyes darting everywhere, as if searching where that noise had come from. Ooops. Probably a little too loud for this time in the morning. Gai strolled over, rubbing the back of his silly noggin and intended to give Gaara a pat on the head for good measure. Too bad he couldn’t see what he looked like through a frightened child’s eyes. Tall became monstrous. Built turned into enormity. A stroll was a thundering march. The smile looked more like a viscous sneer and the out reached hand was really a fist, ready to beat Gaara to the ground for making such noise for no reason.

Get it away! Get it away! Get it away!

He had to stop it before it could hurt him. Anything! Do something before it hurts!

“Sorry about that Gaa-arrrrhhhhhgg!!!!!!” Gaara had lunged forward. Nails clawing roughly against the exposed skin and teeth plunging into the forearm. That flash of auditory pain signalled the little red head’s chance to run, tearing the flesh beneath his incisors as he made a break for it. The opening was there and he dashed for it. ‘Get away’, was screaming inside his head all the was down the hall until he reached the front door.

Gai clutched the open wound, trickles of thick murlough curving around the tendon and dripping on the hardwood. He could hear loud banging thundering through the house. Quickly, he rushed to the source of the noise and found Gaara smashing his hands against the front door. Knuckles bashed their way into the thick surface and when they failed to break through, hands yanked the door knob to the point where the arms could pop out the sockets. Well, this was certainly a new one for Gai. In his career he’d been screamed at, threatened, had a few things thrown at him and nearly attacked by some over angry kids but, this was the first time he’d ever been bitten.

“Let me out! Let! Me! OUT!” It quickly dawned upon Gai that if he didn’t stop Gaara soon, the kid was going to hurt himself badly. He marched forward, grabbed Gaara’s wrists with the mightiest ease, pinned them to the boy’s sides and wrapped his massive arms around Gaara’s chest.

All Gaara’s head really seemed to register was the feeling of being trapped and it was only getting tighter. His vision was manic and blurred. Everything felt like it was closing in and ready to crush him to pieces. It had caught him. He could feel his body being wrapped up tightly. It was going to squeeze him to death. Get away! Get away!

Man, this kid could really kick. Gai had to be extremely careful of just how firm he was holding Gaara. Too much and he could brake everyone of the kid’s ribs. On the few times he was forced to do this before, Gai had pinned people’s bodies to the ground, halting all movement until they used up all their energy trying to fight back. He hadn’t gotten a proper grip though. Gaara was kicking and thrashing with half his body still free to flail frantically. The older man did his best to calm Gaara down but when anyone was in this much of a frantic state, sometimes they don’t even hear their own screams. Gai’s only chance was the hope that Gaara would run out of steam before he did but, there was no certainty that the kid wouldn’t hurt himself like this. The point of pinning was to minimise self harm but this wasn’t going to guarantee it.

Suddenly, the door swung open and a voice called over the loud shrieks.

“Oji-Gai! What’s going on? I could hear that all the way down stairs” Gai could just catch glimpses of his nephew over the coarse hairs and skull trying to smash his face in.

“Lee! Pin his legs! Now!” Gai had trained Lee for situations like these in case someone flipped out during after school sports. Lee dodged and darted between wild legs. He managed to clutch both feet and once he did, he wrapped them under his right arm like he was holding a large scroll. Both of the bowl cuts immediately fell to the floor, Lee using his left arm and torso to hold Gaara’s legs down while Gai forced just enough weight on Gaara’s shoulders. Incoherent screams and helpless thumps against hardwood floors filled the apartment for a full, long, thirty-five minutes. Three bodies, stiff and exhausted. One a lot more than the other two. Gaara’s head was spinning and swirling with a throbbing heading. A raw itch burned through his throat and the muscles in his legs felt numb. A deep voice came close.

“You okay now, Gaara?” A weak nod responded and both arms and legs were slowly released. Heavy pants escaped his lungs and tired eyes stared blindly at his knees. Timidly, he looked up and gazed around. There were dents in various parts of the door, a broken lamp lay in pieces on the floor and the rug was tousled and tumbled into every shape. His voice croaked like it had scratched sandpaper on the way out.

“I lost it again” Gai wasn’t entirely sure how to respond to such a small and dishearten voice except, to finish what he started. The red head felt a large hand gentle ruffle his hair.

“What happened back there?” Gai had to find out what started all this to avoid it in the future and best do it now when it was still fresh rather than when the mind had time to fog over. The tension in Gaara’s small shoulders was clearer than the local lake. Many people from Gai’s teaching career had told him on previous occasions to avoid physical contact with pupils when they threw their temper around but Gai couldn’t embrace that kind of logic when it seemed so stupid. Especially when this kid’s body language just cried for affection. He casually eased the rigid muscles in Gaara’s right shoulder.

“Did I do something to upset you?” A pale finger traced an invisible circle on the grains of wood below him.

“I….thought you were going to hurt me” Gai immediately brought a finger up to his lips, knowing his nephew would object to that kind of remark. “Sometimes, when I hear loud things, my head spins really fast. I see things differently and it always looks bad. Kurenai-Sensei says it’s sensory overload, I think” Gaara’s thin frame started to curl forward a little; shoulders hunched, head dipped and silently clawing the floorboards. “So stupid”, he growled to himself. Gai repositioned himself, planting his backside on the floor by Gaara’s side. The sudden movement had both boys looking his way.

“Gaara, you are not stupid”, he commanded. “It was an accident. Now listen carefully.” Gai waved his finger to the right. “No-one is going to hurt you here. Understand? This is your home now, which means you’ll always be safe here. Ok?” For a second, Gai thought Gaara had completely tuned out. There was no eye contact or even an indication that he was listening. He followed the boy’s eyes and came the bloody mess coagulating on his forearm. Oh. He could see Gaara close to welling up and calling himself stupid again. That was something the older man really couldn’t stand for.

“I did that?” Gaara croaked. Gai just waved a hand in front of him.

“Please! This is a mosquito bite to me, Gaara. Trust me, this won’t even leave a scar.” An almost forgotten voice spoke.

“Be a change for someone, other than yourself, to leave a scar, Oji-clumsy.” Oh, that’s right! Wow, this was certainly something for his nephew to come home too.

“Gaara,” Gai out-stretched his arm, “meet Lee” The two boys met eye to eye which Gai found a little amusing considering the striking contrast in the pair of them. Lee had taken the time to sit on his knees. That really had been some surprise but Lee loved a good adrenaline rush in the morning. He just smiled and gave weak little wave.

“Sorry if I kicked you”, Gaara mumbled timidly. Lee shook his head, his block-like fringe waving wildly as he did.

“It’s fine! Really!” Lee beamed. “You’ve got to show me how you did that though” Tanuki eyes blinked.

“Did what?”

“Give Oji-Gai a fighting challenge! I’ve never seen him struggle that much. It was cool” Lee could feel his Uncle’s tempered gaze on him but it was only another encouragement to Lee’s teasing. His Uncle could never take a joke that well and it fun to probe every now and then at his Uncle‘s clumsy nature. “You have to admit it, Oji-Gai, that was pretty impressive for someone who doesn’t wrestle” Gaara raised his hand a little, like he was asking a question in class.

“I wrestle” Two pairs of eyes looked at Gaara quizzically. “We used to play it all the time in the orphanage. Naruto always wins though.” Lee suddenly raised his fists in the air.

“Splendid! How about after breakfast I’ll show a move that’ll floor anyone?”

Gai couldn’t believe how quickly this was happening. He didn’t think a conversation would flow this well until after a few weeks or even months. How did domestic warfare suddenly turn into swapping fight moves? Oh well, he wasn’t going to complain. Instead he was going to make a marvellous morning meal and tonight, the rest of that folder was going to get read before anything else could pop it’s ugly head up because of someone’s ignorance. Before all that, he gave Gaara another quick pat on the head.

“Welcome home, Gaara”

As i promised, i have treats.

Some pictures i've been working on starring you're favourite orphan boys: (had to put spaces in these, they kept deleting themselves for some reason. www.mangamistress. deviant art /art/Reading -in-the-quiet-place-102660892

http:// mangamistress. deviant art /art/Lolita-Boys-107464677

http:// mangamistress. deviant art com/art/ Orphan-boys-photo-onthe-fridge-107466628

And now, here's the part where you guys come in. That little Lolita pic, does anyone actaully want to see that happen? It dosen't really have to play a huge part in the story, it could just be for fun lol

AND AND AND, remember that little 'tell tale sign' part Kurenai was talking about? What would you guys like that to be. I know it sounds like i'm scrounging for ideas but i love including other people's ideas in my work. It makes it more fun and often sparks more ideas^______^ I'll leave that with you guys. See ya next chapter!!!!!!
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