Jaymaru rolled her eyes when Xantrex asked if she had more. "Plenty. But I'm not going to sit her and waste my time on you. Maybe you're the one that needs to get some sleep, because you're not exactly thinking straight either. You're judgment isn't all that great at the moment." She shook her head. "You're really pathetic, you know that Xantrex. You'd rather for me to pound your face in, rather for you to go apologize. You're sick. Pride is going to be your downfall." She gave him a sympathetic smile. "I pity you, I really do. Goodbye Xantrex." She turned away for real this time. "It's quite a shame, I saw some real promise in Kazuma too," she called over her shoulder. "That all just went down the drain. Sucks for you."

"Of course I'm thinking straight," he said with a bit of irritation mixed in. "It's just that my judgement has never been great when it comes to other people," he said with a shrug. He blinked when Jaymaru called him pathetic. Now what in the hell was she getting on about? "I dunno what you're talking about," he said with that same small grin. However, that grin faded into a complete frown when she said that she pitied him. He didn't respond as she said goodbye, but only after she said that the promise she'd seen in Kazuma just went down the drain. "He'll be fine," he called, as if it were no big deal. He kicked his door shut, then collapsed backwards on his bed, clicking his tongue slightly. "What the hell man. The kid was asking for it," he mumbled. Had he been too harsh? For once Xantrex felt confused. He'd never had to look after someone before, and he didn't exactly remember how his teachers in the Stealth had treated their students. He pushed his hair out of his face with a sigh. "Well what the hell was I supposed to do..." he grumbled, turning on his side.

When Jaymaru had come to his room door, Kazuma had ignored her. Falling in and out of consciousness, he finally fell asleep for about thirty minutes before he woke up. He'd almost forgotten he'd come to the bathroom too patch himself up, but the bloody towel was reminder enough. Feeling stiff from lying down on the floor for so long, he pulled himself to his feet. Grabbing a smaller towel, he pressed it to his stomach and left out of his room. Looking down the hall, he looked at the exit. There was two ways out. Leaving through the hall door, or going through the main room. Kazuma didn't want to go either way. If Xantrex's room door was open, he'd spot him and Kazuma was not up for a second encounter. If he went the other way he ran the risk of running into Jaymaru. Kazuma laid his head against the side of his door. Move, he told himself. He went down the hall, stopping at Xantrex's door, he checked to see if it was still open. No, it was closed. Kazuma hurried past and out the backdoor. The cool air was nice. Kazuma kept moving though. He didn't want to be anywhere near the Hideout right now. Where he wanted to go to the Open and vent, he couldn't make it that far, so he found a single tree and sat under it. "I'm so stupid," he scolded himself. "So freakin stupid." Kazuma wanted to scream, to yell, to cry. He wanted everything he couldn't. He felt like prisoner. I'm not strong enough for this. I could just give up. At least I know I won't be guinea pig. I'm not deserving enough to have such luxuries, he thought sadly. I wanna just bleed out. Kazuma dropped the towel from his wound. "I hate this place."

It was a while yet before Xantrex decided to suck it up. He simply didn't know how to deal with people, but he couldn't have the kid trying to run away. Or worse, get himself killed trying. Xantrex sat up and used his hand to push his hair to the side once more. He grumbled lightly. He really would rather not do this. With a sigh, he pushed himself off his bed. Just what was he supposed to say to the kid? Sorry for stabbing you I hope you don't die from it? Yeah, right. That would go over real well. Walking out of his room, he went over to Kazuma's room and cautiously went in, only to find the kid wasn't there. Next step was to check the main room. Not there either. Xantrex sighed. Great, he made the kid try to run away. So, next he went outside, only to find the kid quite a ways from the hideout, sitting under the tree, letting his wound bleed. Xantrex almost started feeling bad now. Was the kid letting himself die? He sighed and walked over, kneeling down, and putting the towel back to the wound and holding it there. "Don't be an idiot," he said plainly. "Why didn't you go to Jaymaru like I told you?" He didn't sound angry, or amused, but rather, his voice was plain. But there might have been a hint of concern in it.

Kazuma was cold, but he figured it was due to the weather. He'd go back in later, maybe, maybe not. He was still debating on it. Kazuma didn't know Xantrex was out looking for him until he saw a shadow pass his view. He turned his head when he saw Xantrex approaching. Kazuma's heart sunk. What if he thought he was trying to run. Kazuma couldn't defend himself at this moment and he knew that even if he was at full strength, the odds of him surviving in a fight against Xantrex was slim to none. Kazuma closed his eyes, expecting death when Xantrex knelt down. Instead of what he expected to be the Death blow, he felt a slight sting that made him flinch. Opening his eyes he saw Xantrex had placed the towel back on his wound. For once Kazuma didn't have a smart remark. Possibly because those same smart remarks had gotten him here. "I'm not an idiot," Kazuma breath. "I...I was airing the wound is all," he said lightly. "Beside...being an idiot is what got me here." Kazuma gave a small smile at Xantrex's question. "I-I didn't want t-to bother her." Jaymaru was not his mother, she didn't have to take care of him. Kazuma took the towel from Xantrex and held it in place himself. "I got it...." He closed his eyes. I'm so tired. I just want to sleep. I should probably got back inside first though...Yeah. That would be a smart idea. He reopened his eyes and looked at Xantrex. "I'll be in in a few. I just want to enjoy the cool air, it r-" Kazuma stopped. "It's refreshing."

Xantrex removed his hand when Kazuma said that he had it. As much as he knew that it would probably be better for him to show concern at that moment, Xantrex couldn't allow himself to show it. It was probably more out of bad habit than anything. Yeah, airing the wound. Sure he was. Xantrex simply shook his head a bit. He hadn't come out here to be cruel to the kid again. But he wasn't sure how to apologize either. He'd never apologized to someone before. Well, not since he'd been ten years old anyways. So yeah, it had been a long time. But Kazuma didn't sound too hot. Xantrex could have sworn that he'd only made a shallow cut, but Kazuma was acting like he'd delved in right into a vital organ. Of course...Xantrex was pretty damn tired. What if that had screwed his aim up? He nearly froze at the thought. It had been nearly 45 minutes since he'd stabbed Kazuma. And the kid hadn't even wrapped the wound. He was still wearing the same shirt, so clearly he hadn't cleaned it either. "You can come outside any other time." He shook his head. "You didn't even clean it or wrap it before you came out. Are you actually trying to kill you-..." Xantrex paused mid-sentence. He really, really had to stop doing that. It was thought processes like that that led to Xantrex losing himself. He'd never actually had to monitor his thought process before. It was difficult. Sighing, Xantrex scratched the side of his head before looking off to the side. The thing was, with that last statement, no one could say that Xantrex hadn't sounded concerned. Well, they could, but it would be a downright lie.

"Dammit..." he mumbled irritably. He'd never had this much trouble with something so trivial before. And Xantrex knew what Kazuma had been about to say, or at least he thought he did. The cool air reminded him of home. And why shouldn't Kazuma have been thinking of home right then? Xantrex hadn't exactly given him a reason to want to stay. He looked down. Jaymaru had made it sound so easy when she'd described what it was like having students. But then again, Jaymaru was far better equipped for social situations than he was. Far better at handling other people. That was just the sad truth of things. She was better at being kind than he was. And most of all, she was far more sane than he was. What in the hell had made him think he'd be capable of taking on a student? Hell, even Deidara was a kinder person than he was, and that was just pathetic. Xantrex gave a small sigh once more. "I'm sorry about that. I went completely overboard with what happened. To be honest, it's not the first time it's happened, and it probably won't be the last." He couldn't tell Kazuma to leave, because that would be like signing both of their death warrants. "But if you're around the next time it happens, do me a favor and point me in the direction of someone I don't like, okay?" He said, giving a light smile. God he was horrible at apologies, but he sure as hell was trying. He didn't know what else he could do. He wasn't good with this kind of stuff.

(Nice post. Sorry for making Kazu sound so dramatic. He's he hasn't slept in a week plus the strain of being stabbed, keep that in mind. Oh, and you twisted the blade yo-yeah, you twisted the blade....)

Kazuma glanced at Xantrex when he said he could come out any other time. It wasn't exactly cool everyday though. Kazuma shut his eyes. "I tried doing that, but it hurts," he complained. "So a wet towel is the best I could manage. I just wanted some fresh air to breath. Besides, the human body can lose up to 40% of their blood before things get serious," Kazuma paused to catch his breath. "I'm only at a-about fifteen or so, which is the about the...same as donating a pint and a half of blood." But Kazuma also knew that lack of sleep coupled with the fact that he hadn't cleaned the wound meant he was prone to infection, and the chances of that happening was even higher since he'd come outside. And he was probably in shock. Kazuma wondered if that was what Xantrex was getting at. Kazuma gave a small smile, Xantrex's apology sucked. "Will do," he mumbled. The blue haired youth fell silent. He wasn't planning on talking any more than he had to.

(Thanks, and no problem.)

Xantrex looked to the side as Kazuma complained that it hurt. His first reaction would've been to tell the kid to grow up and deal with it, but he was trying not to be a complete ass right now. It was a lot harder than it seemed. Xantrex shook his head as Kazuma started spitting out numbers. "That's for the average well rested adult. You're a child who's barely slept in the past six days, outside in cold air. I'd give it until 25% that something goes wrong," he stated simply. He didn't like having to talk the kid into going back inside. It would be so much simpler to just drag him along. Xantrex wasn't sure if Kazuma's response counted as an apology accepted or not, but he would take it.

"I'm used to cold air," he said as he found a grip on the tree and pulled himself up. He wished that he hadn't done that. But since Xantrex was so persistent on correcting him, he decided to go back inside so the guy would leave him alone. Kazuma started back for the Hideout without another word. Things to do when I get back inside. Clean myself up, dress in something comfortable, sleep. Wake up, change the bandages, sleep some more. Make sure to get in a snack between that time. Kazuma sighed and kept moving. Left, left, left, right, left.

Xantrex stood up when Kazuma did, watching him to make sure he wouldn't fall. "Are you going to need help?" He asked, walking next to Kazuma. He was pretty sure he knew what was going to go through Kazuma's head, because it was the same thing that was going through his own mind. Haven't you helped enough already? Xantrex held back from giving a sigh. He had to get his head on straight. Ever since coming back from the loss at the Magma, his mind hadn't been working the same. It almost seemed like it was less functional. Normally he would have been able to talk his way out of trouble with Deidara, but we can see how well that had worked out.

Kazuma wanted help, but he wasn't going to ask for it. He'd already been told that he was weak, and that he didn't deserve a lot of stuff. Asking for help would further prove Xantrex's opinion about him. "It's not that far of a walk," he told her. He glanced down at the towel. Removing it from his stomach he wrung it out and placed it back where it was suppose to be. "Rin is the fighter, but Hanabi is the genjutsu specialist," he started. "I think it would be better if we used Rin for the project. She's older and would be suitable for the SSP Drug. Besides, Hanabi, would be capable of faking her death and that would not go over well." He knew what his sisters were capable of. Hanabi was like his mother, she could get into someone's mind and it was not easy to break out of something like that.

Xantrex shook his head. "I was talking about the wound," he said when Kazuma replied that it wasn't a far walk. After all, Kazuma had said before that it had hurt too much for him to do anything about it himself. Xan blinked and looked at Kazuma when he started talking about his sisters. That was out of the blue. He nodded nonetheless. "Alright then." He paused. "Another genjutsu specialist, huh." He looked down as he walked, but his gaze had passed over his arm. He figured he should be able to use it by the time they leave to go take care of things. He'd missed being able to use jutsu. It was such a pain when your work required so much of it. "Obviously, we're going to need to take them out while they're on a mission. Do they have separate squads or are they on the same squad?"

Kazuma shook his head. "I can handle it myself," he told Xantrex. He really didn't want Xantrex touching him. He wasn't sure if he was just afraid of losing a student, or if he was being sincere, but Kazuma was still fearful since he could see what Xantrex was capable of. Besides, the guy wasn't a doctor, a scientist yes, and a brilliant one at that, but not a doctor. "A better one than my mother. She's a special Jonin that works with prying information from spies and enemy ninja. She's never failed." Kazuma paused for a very long time. Mostly trying to catch his breath and then figuring out how to answer Xantrex's questions. "They're on separate teams, but they occasionally work as a two man unit together. However, three days from now they'll be take a trip to the Shopping District around five, for their weekly girl time shopping crap. They usually come back home around eight." He knew his sisters like the back of his hand. They could easily ambush them, and he was going to explain how. "They take a boat to get back across the lake instead of walking back to the Snow, since it's on the other side. If we wait until they're halfway across the lake, I can freeze it over and create a mist. Not many people are in the Open that late at night, so we don't have to worry about anyone interfering." The reason Kazuma had brought this up was because he had nothing else to talk about on the way back to the Hideout, and his pace was slower than when he'd made his way out here. Besides, they needed a plan, and he was going to be sleep for the next two days, so they wouldn't have time to devise one.

Xantrex merely shrugged as Kazuma said he could handle it himself. He wouldn't push the issue. It was already hard enough trying to show concern. It wasn't something the Mad Scientist was used to. He listened as Kazuma explained. If that was the case, he'd go and set up some traps around the Open while Kazuma was taking his little nap. Of course, that could wait until tomorrow. It was getting late, and Xantrex was dead tired. The plan was that he was going to take a fifteen hour sleep, get some work done on constructing the virus for the Super Soldiers, eat something, and then go set traps. Oh, and get used to moving his left arm again. It'd been nearly two weeks since it had been broken. It was about time he started using it again. "Sounds good." It also sounded like Kazuma had stopped fighting the fact that Xantrex was coming with him. "Tomorrow I'm going to go out to the Open and put up a few traps. Do they take the same boat every time?" he asked. If that was the case, he could check the past and see which boat they took, and set up some chakra seals on there, and activate them when they were needed. The last thing they needed was a genjutsu specialist running rampant with her chakra. Xantrex frowned at the thought. He hated genjutsu.

Kazuma hadn't forgotten his argument earlier. He was still doing this alone, no matter what Xantrex said. He didn't need help. He was going to prove to his sisters that he wasn't the weak little dreamer they thought him to be. The price of them doubting him would be their death, but in the end, what could do to change that? Nothing. "I think so. They have a deal with the owner, but he's never around during that time. It's a small blue and yellow boat if I'm not mistaken." He didn't see why that was relevant to the situation, but okay.

Xantrex nodded. "Good. That will make things easier," he said. He then paused as they came in view of the door to the hideout, but continued walking. "Like I said, I won't interfere unless you need me to, but if you do end up needing help, don't be a fool about it." His voice was relatively light, and not condescending like it would normally be. He wondered if he should tell Kazuma about his plans to put a chakra seal on his sisters boat. There was no point in hiding it, really. "Tomorrow, when I find their boat, I'm going to put chakra seals on it, as well as the traps around the area. I'm going to activate it as soon as you freeze the lake over. You'll be fighting two on one, so you won't exactly be helping yourself if you let them use jutsu as well as your sister Rin's fighting skills," he said plainly.

Kazuma kept walking until he heard Xantrex stop. You're already interfering by setting traps. I may not look like it, but I've been planning this since Deidara gave me my orders. You underestimate me Xantrex, but that's okay. I'd rather look like a pathetic small fry until it's my time to truly shine. However, giving me some credit now and again wouldn't kill either. "I'll be sure to holler in agony if I need your help." Kazuma blinked. "Sorry," he apologized quickly. "I'll let you know if I need help. If I end up getting killed then I'd be wasting both of our time." He gave a semi-smile and started inside the Hideout.

Xantrex raised an eyebrow at what Kazuma said, and then when he quickly apologized. He sighed. "Don't worry about it." When they started inside, Xantrex looked around for a moment. "Give me a shout if you need anything, I'll be in my room," he told Kazuma. "And make sure you get some rest." He started for his room, but then stopped. "Oh, right. Good work on getting that memory jutsu down," he told Kazuma without looking at him, before starting to his room once more.

Not a chance, Kazuma thought to himself. "Sure thing," he answered aloud and then headed to his own room to clean himself up and sleep. He stopped though when Xantrex got his attention. Kazuma looked at the blond and grinned. He wanted to jump into the air and cheer, but that would be odd and impossible in the state he was in. "Thank you." Kazuma said as he closed his room door. Finally! Some recognition! He went to the bathroom and cleaned himself up, feeling like a million bucks as he laid down on his bed. "Finally," he whispered as he turned on hi side and soon fell asleep.

Jaymaru had gone back to the couch after her little talk with Xantrex. When the backdoor opened she could only pray that it wasn't Kazuma and then the door opened for a second time and her heart filled with dread. She immediately scooted over to see who it was, and saw blond hair. Her first thought was that they'd woken up Deidara, but his hair wasn't that short. Xantrex was leaving out of the building, which meant Kazuma had left. She had nothing to say about deserters. Picking up a book she begin to read until a few minutes later when the door opened. She didn't expect to hear Xantrex and Kazuma speaking. So the kid hadn't run off. She smiled. Smart boy. It was when Xantrex gave the compliment that she spoke in a mere whisper. "See, it's not that hard. It just takes some work is all." She smiled. "Good job, Xantrex, you're making progress." She stood up when she knew both were in their rooms and headed for her own.