'A week passed, and over the week, we talked whenever we got the chance. I didn't meet up with her that much because Shisui-Nii-san wanted us to focus on concentrating chakra throughout the body. So I spent most of my time meditating on the Uchiha training grounds while Shisui-Nii-san guided me.'
"Arashi?" Shisui's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Arashi opened his eyes. "Yes, Shisui-Nii-san?"
"I have a mission today, so you'll spend the rest of the day with Kakashi and your friends, alright?"
Arashi nodded in understanding. Shisui turned to leave, but Arashi stopped him.
"Before you go, could you do me a favor, please? It won't take long, I promise."
Shisui nodded, and Arashi explained his request. A few minutes later, Shisui returned with a pair of clippers.
"So, what made you decide to cut your hair?" Shisui inquired, a curious glint in his eyes.
"Well, I realized, the more I keep the Rinnegan covered, the more attention I bring," Arashi replied, a hint of self-consciousness in his voice.
"Really? That's wonderful. Makes sense and all," Shisui teased, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Forgive me, but for a second, I thought it was because of that girl you like."
Arashi's eyes shot up, his cheeks flushing crimson. "I don't like anyone, that's disgusting!" he retorted, crossing his arms defensively.
"Hmm, really? I doubt that."
"Cut it out, Shisui-Nii-san! I don't like anyone!"
Shisui's laughter echoed through the room, his amusement growing as he saw Arashi's flustered reaction. He even set the clippers down, clutching his sides as he laughed harder.
"Shisui Nii-san, it's not funny!" Arashi's voice was a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
"Hey, you're gonna mess up my hair!" Arashi protested.
Shisui chuckled. "Right, I have to make it look perfect. I don't want you looking bad in front of your crush."
"She's not my crush, just finish up with my hair already, Shisui-Nii-san," Arashi stubbornly folded his arms and closed his eyes.
Shisui's teasing grin softened, and he continued cutting Arashi's hair with a newfound seriousness.
"Shisui-Nii-san?"
"Huh?"
"Why don't you have a girlfriend? Are you bad at talking to girls or something?"
"..." Shisui's laughter died in his throat. That question pierced his heart, a reminder of a void he often tried to ignore.
"Well, I... I'm too concentrated on my career as a shinobi," he finally stammered out.
"Liar," Arashi muttered under his breath.
Shisui feigned offense. "Oh. I think there's something wrong with my hand. I wouldn't be surprised if I mess this hair up."
"Hey, that's cruel, Nii-san," Arashi said, his voice laced with genuine concern. "Besides, I think you could use a girlfriend. You need someone to scold you for your jokes. You can't keep getting away with them."
Shisui raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And you think if I get a girlfriend she'll scold me?"
Arashi nodded sagely. "Shikamaru says he and his dad always get yelled at by his mom, and have you noticed how friendly Uncle Fugaku gets when he gets home? It's all to do with the women, you know."
Shisui couldn't hold it in anymore. He burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as tears streamed down his face. "Man, you notice these things, huh?!" he gasped between fits of laughter.
"Hey, aren't you forgetting something?" Arashi pointed to his hair.
Shisui composed himself, wiping away his tears. He handed Arashi a mirror.
Arashi stared at his reflection in awe, his eyes wide. His hair was now styled just like Shisui's. "Aha, I look awesome! Thanks a lot, Shisui-Nii-san!!" Arashi jumped up and hugged Shisui tightly.
"Hey, don't go on and ruin my best work of art already," Shisui chuckled, returning the hug.
After completing Arashi's stylish new haircut, Shisui carefully packed away his clippers. But Arashi wasn't quite finished with their conversation.
"But I'm serious, Nii-san," he pressed, tilting his head thoughtfully. "Haven't you also noticed how even Itachi Nii-san eases up when he's near that girl Izumi?"
A wistful smile touched Shisui's lips. "Maybe I should get a girlfriend," he mused, a hint of longing in his voice. "I need someone else to laugh at these jokes with me."
Arashi's brow furrowed in mock disapproval.
"Anyway, I have to go now. Don't forget to take your medicine." Shisui said as he put his clippers away.
"Right."
"Good luck, Nii-san!" Arashi waved enthusiastically as Shisui prepared to leave.
"I'll try to come back quickly." Shisui returned the wave, then vanished with a flicker, leaving Arashi alone in the training grounds.
Moments later, Shisui materialized at the village gate, where his team awaited. "Sorry for making you wait," he apologized with a sheepish grin. "I had important things to do."
Kakashi observed Shisui's departure, then released a weary sigh. He knew it was his turn to oversee Arashi's training, and likely Naruto's as well. The prospect of wrangling two energetic young shinobi filled him with a sense of dread.
He made his way to the training grounds, finding Arashi meditating, multiple leaves balanced precariously on his face and body. 'He seems to be concentrating,' Kakashi thought. 'I won't bother him. It's only a matter of time before Naruto and Sasuke arrive, so I'll just sit here and watch.'
Kakashi settled on a nearby tree branch, pulling out his beloved book to pass the time.
An hour later...
'Those leaves haven't even budged. He's barely moved an inch.' Kakashi's suspicion grew. 'Maybe I'm overthinking this, but... something feels off.'
'Better safe than sorry.' He flicked a small stone towards Arashi.
Poof!'
Arashi's body dissolved into a cloud of white smoke, the leaves scattering on the ground.
"A shadow clone, huh?" Kakashi muttered, a tired sigh escaping his lips. 'Of course.' He tucked his book away and set off to find the real Arashi.
"Hahaha! I won!" Naruto's boisterous laughter echoed through the forest.
"Shut up, Naruto, you only won because my shadow clone dispersed," Arashi's voice retorted,
"Yeah, yeah, so many excuses! I'm just the best, believe it!" Naruto crowed, his signature grin stretching across his face.
"Whatever, I'm going back to Kakashi-sensei," Arashi grumbled, disappearing in a flicker.
"Yo." Kakashi materialized in front of him, his sudden appearance causing Arashi to jump back in surprise.
"Kakashi-sensei?!"
"You're skipping training?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, his tone accusatory.
Arashi shook his head quickly. "No, I'm training two things at once. You see, fighting Naruto would always end with my clone dispersing, but if I made a clone to train my chakra control, then I'd gain two skills at once."
Kakashi sighed, running a hand through his spiky hair. 'I should've figured.'
"Fine, you can continue training with him," he conceded, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Arashi's face lit up with a grateful smile. He created another shadow clone and rejoined Naruto as they resumed their spar.
(Edited on: 05/10/24)