After quickly grabbing a sample of the fluid in the tank the canteen was sealed away. He turned back into his little form and, with his heart pounding in his tiny body, he reached in the tank with a vine. The vine shook as the terrified tremors in the moss creature went up the vine. Despite that Kaji was able to write a few markings on the blackened skin.
It was a little embarrassing. After all, the place he put the seal was in the gap between the thighs that was behind the balls. The man in the tube seemed to gasp into the breathing mask, making Kaji feel guilty that he might have hurt him by touching the burnt skin. However, Kaji couldn't think of an easier and better place to hide the seal. As a bonus the blackened skin is the best camouflage. Unfortunately, there was no more time to think about it. The smell of the unmasked ROOT agents became stronger meaning they were returning. Kaji quickly used all his vines. The top of the tube was carefully closed so it didn't make a loud bang and the hedgehog was propelled back to the vent. Just as he pushed the vent back in place the agents disguised as civilians returned.
"Those are old files so seal them into the scroll along with the last other things. We can just carry the whiteboard out as it is after erasing everything." One agent instructed unknowingly being listened to by a tiny moss hedgehog hiding in the vent.
Kaji stayed frozen in place just on the other side of the grate. He didn't dare move even a little in case the trained agents heard him. The next thing he heard nearly gave him a heart attack.
After many things were sealed away and cleaned up, more instructions were given, "You two help me prepare the capsule for the transfer later tonight." Kaji heard the agents move towards the tube where '000' was. "Where did the water come from?"
In an instant, Kaji stiffened even further. Whatever fluid was in his veins in this form turned to ice. To his horror, his own vine betrayed him by leaving droplets around after applying the seal.
The lights in the room below were turned off, but Kaji was too scared to even breathe. It ended up being wise to stay still. After a minute he realized that the agents were searching in the darkness. Not only that, but it sounded like they were checking every potential hiding spot … even vents.
Without any other option left he removed the tape he used to secure the vent. Thankfully, the vent grate didn't fall, but he held the sticky evidence and extended his vines as far as they could go. When the tips of his vines found the bend in the ventilation system he pulled as hard as he could. Just as he shot backwards he saw the vent he was using suddenly open up.
In fact, Kaji could hear the other vent nearest to the bend pop open. Of course, the ROOT agents probably didn't expect to find a spy in the small shafts, but Kaji definitely didn't want to be found while they were looking for listening devices. His vines held him in mid-air as he waited for the search to end.
Moments later he saw light from all the vents meaning the lights in the rooms were back on. For a second he thought he was safe and his vines started moving him towards the exit, but then he saw little things scuttling between the slats. To his horror, a swarm of bugs were headed into every nook and cranny.
That swarm was organized and searched thoroughly. It could only mean that Danzo had an Aburame on his staff. Those were the only ones in the village capable of controlling insects. Unfortunately, that also meant right towards him!
With the path so close there was a chance that he could get out. However, if he moves he will be spotted and the bugs will swarm him for sure. The bugs could easily kill him if they're aggressive enough. He had a classmate in his class who never lost a spar because of his insects. Thanks to their speed, both in flying and draining chakra. It was scary and he knew he had to try to escape.
Sadly, just as he shifted to run part of the swarm entered from the exact path that was his exit. Since this was the weekend there wasn't anyone in the school. It's exactly why Kaji risked coming here at all. Obviously, he didn't expect the civilian scientists to be slaughtered right then and there. Unfortunately, an empty academy also meant a swarm of insects could enter from the cafeteria just like he did. Now his exit was cut off, he was surrounded and they were closing in.
All Kaji could do now was curl up and hope.
"There's a pet store in the next outpost town," Ayame said after skimming for information on any nearby places for fish tanks. "We could close up early." She pondered, but then shook her head. "Perhaps Kaji should go check first. He's faster."
"Faster?! I'm very speedy-Ah! My back!" Teuchi exclaimed in pain.
Ayame blinked, "Maybe we should close the stand today … I don't think you can stay standing for that long." She muttered as her eyes followed Teuchi, who was slinking across the floor like an inchworm because he couldn't get back up onto his feet.
Teuchi chuckled as he inched around, "No worries! … Oh! Can Kaji even leave the village? There has to be a setup so he can't just leave unless he has his teammates, right?"
Ayame's eyes widened, "Come to think of it if he hasn't ever left the village alone before that could be." She murmured thoughtfully. "I'll go put the closed sign-up and go to the pet shop myself," Ayame said and was about to get up when she heard a thump. She winced when she realized that Teuchi accidentally inched his way right into Kaji's scary shell. "I'll ask Kaji to seal that away when he gets back."
After helping her dad into his room and onto his bed they both noticed that it was getting later. Kaji was taking much longer than expected. If he didn't return soon he might not be able to help them while Ayame was gone.
XXXXXXXXXX
Pain shot through the tiny moss hedgehog's body as the insects crawled onto him. He could feel the pull on his chakra, but his chakra wouldn't budge. That didn't stop the insects from trying to get a sample. After all, the process of taking chakra isn't supposed to be painful so the insects probably didn't realize it hurt.
As the insects relentlessly, albeit unknowingly, tortured Kaji something happened. The vines that lay around the curled hedgehog started twitching involuntarily. Kaji simply wanted to play dead and wait. However, his own vines seemed to have a very different plan.
It felt like the vines were swelling in certain spots. That sensation was causing the uncontrollable spasms. A few seconds later it became painful as if each spot swelled too much. Just as it was becoming unbearable all the swelling spots … for lack of a better word, popped.
Right after that Kaji felt the insects slowly stop trying to drain him. However, the insects weren't getting off him. Since there was no more pain Kaji became curious as to why the insects weren't leaving or draining him.
Very slowly the hedgehog uncurled his mossy body and looked around. The blue beady eyes widened when he saw what happened. Apparently, his vines sprouted flowers and that was what was distracting the insects. Instead of draining him the insects almost seemed to be playing amidst the small flowers, whose colors were hard to determine in the dark space.
The hedgehog suddenly jumped after being startled by some knocking on a vent somewhere, "Hurry up!" Someone yelled into the ventilation system.
When the echo reached the insects they quickly crawled away. A few of them ran in circles for a moment. It was as if they weren't sure if they wanted to leave, but they did all scuttle away eventually. Now that Kaji was alone he quietly backed away as he listened to the echoes from agents' voices that followed.
"They finally returned! What kept your bugs?" One agent asked.
Another agent was heard right after, "There's a lot of ventilation to cover." Kaji stiffened slightly realizing that this was the voice of the one who owned the insects. He started moving faster towards the exit knowing that the following information would put him in danger. "They were thorough. Nothing was found."
The mossy hedgehog nearly stumbled, he was so shocked by the agent's report.
Nothing?
Was a hedgehog or mass of vines really nothing?
Everything was sealed off enough so little creatures couldn't just crawl in so it should be weird, right?
There was no doubt that the insects found him so why didn't the agents say anything?
Kaji bolted for the exit as fast as he could the second a terrifying thought crossed his mind. He realized that just because the agents were talking out loud didn't mean that's what they were saying. After all, he's been watching Sasuke and Sakura more carefully and they definitely used a silent code to communicate. He had no clue what they were saying sometimes and that could easily be the case here.
If the ROOT agents were using a code so he couldn't hear then they are definitely onto him! Kaji immediately got out of there. Thankfully, he made sure the grate was in place before he went to check on the lab so the insects probably didn't suspect anything from that. The insects most likely just went through the slots in the vents, but the danger still remained. Without a second thought he rushed off into the trees and raced back to the ramen stand where he found the chefs.
Ayame saw the hedgehog pop up from a mouse hole hidden under the Teuchi's bed, "Kaji, how'd it go-Kaji?!" She exclaimed when the hedgehog unsealed the canteen and promptly flopped over.
"What?! What happened?!" Teuchi exclaimed from the bed, which he was lying face first on.
"His vines have pretty blue little flowers on them!" Ayame gushed as she carried the hedgehog over to the other side of the bed so her dad could see. "Oh. He's unconscious too."
Teuchi gasped, "That seems more concerning! Don't you think so?" Teuchi muttered as Ayame placed the dizzy hedgehog on her father's back.
Ayame hummed thoughtfully as for any wounds on Kaji's tiny form, "I think he's just tired … Either way, we shouldn't delay. I'll rush off, get the canteen to a lab, and check out the fish tanks. Be back in two or so hours." She said and picked up the canteen.
Teuchi nodded against the soft pillow, "Be safe!" He said and heard the door close as Ayame left. "I wonder if I can keep the tank after the tube guy is fully healed." He mused and soon fell asleep.
During Teuchi's dreams of pretty fish and mermaids, he started snoring. Those loud snores quickly made Kaji wake up in a panic. Thankfully, Kaji realized that the scary noise was just Teuchi and settled down. He hopped to the floor and shifted into his human form.
"What? … Something feels off." Kaji muttered, but he was more concerned with that ROOT agent.
Without any hesitation, Kaji ducked low and went into the kitchen. As quickly as possible he moved towards a window and opened it. After several minutes he sighed in relief. It didn't seem like he was followed, but he still didn't want to let his guard down just yet.
Despite the tension, all his focus went straight to the reflection of his face that he saw in the stove door. Much to his shock the blue in his eyes seemed to pick a new design and his hair looked different. It wasn't too bad, but why did he have changes in this form when he wasn't eating? Could he not change all the way back anymore?
"Maybe … I should eat something, calm down and think … and get my pants on," Kaji muttered before unsealing his clothes and changing into them.
Just in case someone would see he put the goggles on too. Only after he was fully dressed did he get up, take a spoon, and rush to the basement, which was connected to the ramen stand's basement. It wasn't connected originally, but a quick renovation to add a hidden door between the basements was done after Kaji's accidental change. After all, the freezer in their home wasn't big enough and it'd be strange if they made many trips to and fro.