The uproar over the White Fang incident finally began to subside, and Konoha returned to its tense, superficial calm.
Summer had arrived. The afternoon sun was a little harsh, streaming through the living room windows of Uchiha Makoto's house and casting bright patches on the floor. Tiny motes of dust floated in the air.
Uchiha Makoto sat cross-legged beside a low table, with a pile of tiny metal parts and rune-inscribed plates spread out before him. Holding a pair of specially made tweezers, he frowned slightly as he wrestled with a complicated little gadget.
Just then, a knock, knock, knock sounded at the door. The rhythm was so haphazard that he knew who it was at once.
Uchiha Makoto didn't even look up. "It's unlocked. Let yourselves in."
The door slid open with a clatter, and Obito squeezed in first. He was actually carrying a small bag of oranges, and the eager look on his face made him seem like a puppy waiting to be fed.
Guy followed right behind him, his signature green jumpsuit almost blinding in the sunlight. He raised both clenched fists to his chest and bellowed with boundless energy:
"Big Brother Cheng! A youthful afternoon calls for delicious fuel! We're here!"
Kakashi ambled in behind them, one hand in his pocket and the other actually holding a pocket-sized sample edition of Icha Icha Paradise. His eyelids drooped as though he hadn't quite woken up. He leaned against the doorframe as naturally as could be, making himself part of the background.
Shisui was the last to enter.
He wore his usual gentle smile and carried an elegantly wrapped box of tea cakes. After entering, he closed the door behind him, his movements impeccably polite.
"Good afternoon, Big Brother Cheng."
Shisui placed the tea cakes on an empty