Ethelia's pov

The next morning, my dad and I didn't speak. The void that would usually be filled with our chatter was instead replaced by an awkward silence that had never existed before us before. I found that I didn't like it. At all. But then again, I guess I can't be comfortable all the time. And trust me, ever since leaving school, I haven't been. I've learned the true meaning of discomfort. 

I felt like one of those really ugly hairless kittens that look like rats. Everyone sort of pities me but they're also upset because I exist. I feel how I felt when Minato first walked into the classroom and took a seat in that tiny desk right next to mine. If I had a knife, and god damn the world is lucky I don't, I can safely say that I'd slit my own throat. Life is, officially, against me.

It was in the middle of breakfast went the doorbell rang. It rang once, and then a second later the person seemed to think it was a good idea to press it again. My heart dropped into my stomach as my father stood up to go answer it. I don't doubt it's Obito. That idiot really got up to come get me. 

I stood up and scurried after him, determined not to let my father get sent to prison for wringing the neck of some random ninja kid who did nothing but ring his doorbell and save his daughter from rapists. I felt my nerves jump. I've gotten a lot better at controlling them now that I've actually bothered practicing, but that didn't stop my body from becoming much lighter than before.

My dad opened the door. Sure enough, it was Obito. I came to a halt behind my father, trying to direct Obito away from my house with my eyes. He didn't seem to notice, mostly because he's an idiot I presume. "Hello, Ethelia! Mr. Syoko! I just came to get her for her project and-"

"He know, Obito." I sighed tiredly. Obito froze. "Ryuki was in my house last night. He told him."

Obito's eyes widened in horror. He shoved past my dad, which was a horrible idea, and grabbed my shoulders. Also a horrible idea. "What?! He came to your house?! Are you okay?! Did he touch you? You can tell me, and I promise I'll take care of it." He assured. I stared blankly at him. "Did he touch your pudding? Oh my god, he touched your fridge, didn't he? Don't eat anything. It's poisoned. Is he still here?! What if he's hiding under the porch? Ethelia, are you listening?"

"Yeah, no, sorry." I removed his hands from me. "It just takes time to process so much stupid at once. Can we just go already? Ryuki is gone, okay?"

Obito surely noticed how upset I probably sounded, which isn't good because I was trying really, really hard to hide it. I'm a wuss. I want to cry so badly. To just break down and not move at all. I want to explode. Which I'm not going to do, thank you, because I really don't want to kill mass amounts of innocent people.

"Ethelia, are you sure you're up for today? You look like you didn't sleep at all." Obito frowned.

"I don't care if I'm sleep deprived and dying, I'm still doing it." I hissed. My dad watched the exchange silently. I risked a glance at him as I grabbed Obito's arm, tugging him towards the door. My dad looked ready to follow. I paled. Right, I invited him. Great. What was I thinking when I made that offer?

I let go of Obito once we were on the porch. He scrambled to catch up with me once he realized I was no longer going to take on the burden of dragging his fat ass to the training grounds for him. "Uh, Ethelia, is your dad following us?" Obito asked.

"I invited him." I answered simply.

"He looks mad." Obito whispered this time. I'm sure my dad still heard him.

"He is." 

"I'll use my charm to bring him around, then!" Obito exclaimed brightly. I looked up at him with a dry look.

"Obito, you've got about as much charm as a dead slug."

~

Minato looked completely mortified, and he was trying to hide it behind a wide, forced smile. I'm not sure if my dad is what's scaring him or if it's the fact that Obito is on time. Rin and Kakashi also look reasonably unsure of the situation, but they get to hand back and just watch the show. Lucky asshats. 

"M-Mr. Syoko! It's a pleasure!" Minato forced a smile. "I...I guess Ethelia told you..."

"No, it was someone else." Obito answered. I don't know if he did it just so I wouldn't have to or if he was afraid of the sheer amount of curse words that were going to fly from my mouth while doing so. Either way, I guess it's fine. 

"Ah, I see! That's even worse!" Minato's tone was forced. He choked. "I-I mean, it's a pleasure to have you here, sir."

"It's okay, sensei! I'm sure Mr. Syoko isn't too mad!" Obito didn't seem so sure. Smart kid.

"Yeah, it's all fun and games until he snaps all your necks." I muttered, glancing up at my dad. He did not look happy. He doesn't seem to be mad at me, which I guess is a good thing, but I don't want him mad at Minato and his students. They didn't make me do this. I chose to do this all on my own.

"H-Hello, Mr. Syoko." Rin scootched forward. Ah, so she'll be the first to go. This will be interesting. "I promise Ethelia is in perfectly good hands..."

"Are you the ones who took her to the Hokage, then?" My dad ignored her completely, his eyes trained on Minato's nervous ones. My dad is a pretty big guy. He's beefy, and taller than even Minato, who I swear is a tree-hybrid of some sort. I looked down.

"Yes, that would be us." Minato seemed to regain his composure, which I guess is good. "She's been training with us ever since."

"What kind of training?" My dad's eyes narrowed, his arms folding over his chest. I winced, looking away. Yeah, the training is the worst fucking part of this whole thing. Yeah, I'm slightly more in shape than before, but it still sucks ass. I've never hurt so bad in my life. I'm ready to break my own damn leg again if it means I get out of it honestly. 

"Would you like to see?"