In a Crowd [Yahiko & Kurohebi]
continued from here [x]
@toxicserpent
Rare as they are, Yahiko has always enjoyed outings with the rest of the Akatsuki. Despite the solemn necessity of the errands, they represent camaraderie, and to Yahiko, that is the foundation needed to create a world of peace. He is especially happy when he can catch a smile on another member’s face, or hear them chatting about things other than the war, because there is more to life than fighting.
But today, they are in the Land of Grass to purchase weapons. Or attempt to, at the very least, as Yahiko realizes that the prices even here are much too steep for their meager treasury. He pulls a purse from his pouch and counts the few ryo they have managed to collect doing volunteer work for various people over the past several weeks.
“We might be able to get a few dozen shuriken with this,” he says to the others, putting an optimistic smile on the bleak reality their group has been struggling against since its formation. The Akatsuki would not set anyone on the path to wealth and glory.
They decide not to buy the set yet and so Yahiko returns the purse to his pouch as they continue down the line of stalls and storefronts. The village is crowded, so he only flashes an easygoing smile at the man who brushes against his shoulder on his way past, but it is Kyusuke’s scrutinizing stare that alerts him to anything peculiar.
“That guy was walking too close to you,” he murmurs, but Yahiko shrugs it off.
“Probably an accident. There’s not much space to walk here.”
Yahiko turns a surprised look to his companion, astounded that he would be so suspicious, but slips a hand into his pouch to check anyway. He feels around for several seconds, and his eyes widen.
“It’s gone—!” he gasps, and Kyusuke frowns.
“I knew it. That guy must’ve snatched it when he bumped you.”
“Hey!” Yahiko calls after the stranger, already some distance away but still visible through the crowd, and starts off after him with Kyusuke at his heels. “Hey!” he shouts again, and this time turns the heads of several other puzzled shoppers in the street. Instead of moving out of his way, they stop and stare, and Yahiko has to weave between them to keep the thief in his sights.
