Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto in any shape or form, nor do I profit from this
fanfiction. I only own my character Saitou.
It's hard to imagine that anyone would actually choose to live in Kumogakure. Lightning Country is infamous for it's peculiar geography and dangerous climate. The entire nation is almost nothing but a rocky, desolate wasteland – a by product of the constant lightning storms. Out of three-hundred-and-sixty-five days in the year, we have an average two-hundred days of storms. It would at least help if we got rain, but that wasn't common.
The village's construction reflected the landscape around it. Buildings are either built into, or carved out of the mountainside the village is nestled under. Some structures are even precariously balanced onto stone pillars.
To me, they always seemed extremely dangerous, but apparently, are rock steady. I still haven't had to enter one of those buildings and I'll be damned if I ever do.
To help defend – and conveniently power the city, large towering steel rods stand vigilant high above the village. Any lightning that would strike the village hit the rods, creating a shower of sparks that rained down on the people passing by it.
To survive in such a harsh environment, power and brutality is key.
Although I never liked that policy myself, the villagers and other shinobi reflected this truth. Politeness is only used if you are addressing a higher ranked member of society or ninja. But, the one person every ninja and villager bows to and respects is the Raikage. Of course this is forced, not a choice.
The Raikage – a gigantic man with a temper to match his size. He rules with an iron fist and believes that strength is paramount over anything else. He's been known to slaughter even his personal ANBU guard, if they ever so much as breathed on him wrong. He gives no quarter to ninja or civilian and expects his shinobi army to reflect that. As there are with many rules, there is an exception to this one; Me.
That is the reason why I now stand in front of the feared Raikage. He easily dwarfs me, his massive frame slouched back into a chair only he could fill.
From what I've seen of the other Kages, ours was a unique one – the only exception perhaps being Konoha's Gondaime.
The Raikage weighed a massive three-hundred-and-fifty pounds, all muscle. He was proud of his figure and showed it, always opting to go without a shirt. He wore only the Raikage hat, the robe – which was left unfastened – and white pants. His skin was a dark tone, which brought out his currently rage filled eyes.
His little black beads for pupils bore into my own, he seemed to be barely containing his rage as he decided what to sentence me to – if I had to guess.
My crime was simple, yet unforgivable to the ruthless Kage.
My last mission had been a success, to me. I was to hunt down and bring the heads back of three shinobi whom had deserted our village. I was given no information as to the rank or age of these ninja, but I wasn't too concerned. Tracking them was an easy task, even in rocky terrain. They were sloppy in covering their tracks, which started to make me believe that these were either bad ninja, or young ones. My latter assumption was unfortunately correct, I came upon them the first night of their disappearance. I was almost sickened by who my targets were. Three genin that barely looked old enough to of graduated from the academy. Their group consisted of two females and a male, all huddled around a small campfire, looking tired and frightened.
I'm glad I was the one assigned that mission. I doubt any of my comrades would of given them the mercy I had. I clearly made my presence known as I came from behind my hiding spot, causing the the three genin to jump to their feet. Old, dull kunai gripped in their fists, ready to fight to the death. I felt truly sorry for them. Life in our village was harsh, it wasn't uncommon to have genin try and run. After calming them down, I explained that I had no intention of hurting them and wanted to do the exact opposite. It took a few tries, but they knew if I had wanted to kill them I would have already.
After giving them some food and water I got them to relinquish their headbands, which now laid out in front of the Raikage.
The Raikage's nostrils flared and he exhaled violently through them. "So explain to me again why you didn't bring back their heads as I instructed!?"
His tone was overly harsh, but it didn't phase me. I've been chewed out like this plenty of times. I had to keep myself from grinning, even if the cloth covering my mouth would hide it.
I'd rather not let the Raikage know how much I loved pissing him off. Even as dangerous and foolhardy it is.
"As I reported, Raikage-sama, I'd rather not behead children." I couldn't keep the disgust out of my tone as I voiced the last word.
The Raikage slammed his huge fist down onto his desk, making another crack into the already abused furniture.
One of the headbands jumped off the desk and fell to the floor because of his outburst.
"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT! IF I COMMAND YOU TO KILL AND BEHEAD THE ENTIRE ACADAMY YOU WILL DO IT!" he roared, the windows vibrating from it.
Thanks to his incredible lung strength, my ears were now ringing slightly.
The Raikage was now visibly outraged, on the verge of spontaneous combustion from the look of it.
Not that it would be a bad thing; just funny as hell.
"As you say, Raikage-sama." I replied, just wanting to get this over with.
The Raikage seemed to calm somewhat, although his breathing was still violent. Slowly, he stood up and turned his back to me, staring out the window that stretched across the wall behind his desk.
"You are a valuable asset to this country, Dragon Ninja. I would hate to have you executed simply for being a fool. Disobey me again and your life will end. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
The Raikage turned to face me once more, his face oddly calm. He sat down again in his chair, and started at me with an unreadable expression.
"I had hoped you would have taken care of these three deserters yourself, but I took a precaution."
I could feel the blood drain from my face, as the possibilities of what his statement could of meant hit me. My right hand began trembling slightly as I prayed he didn't mean what I thought he did.
"You may enter now," Raikage said, calling to an unseen person.
Hearing the door open behind me, I didn't want to turn to look. I heard three sets of footsteps walk up behind me, and stop at my side. I bit my lip as I looked down towards the other shinobi and had to muffle a scream.
The three ninja were ANBU – black-ops ninja. All held white sacks that had a noticeable blood stain on the bottom of it.
On one bag I could almost make out the face of the male genin whom I had tried to save not six hours earlier.
One of the ANBU stepped forward, presumably the squad leader. He wore a mask that resembled a eagle. "Raikage-sama, we did as you commanded, after following Saitou-san at a considerable distance we found the three genin. They were still alive but missing their headbands, we killed them and brought the proper proof." Upon finishing his report, I could barely contain my rage as I watched him reach into the sack. I looked away, not wanting to see the head. After a moment, I could hear the Raikage's approval and dismissal of the three. I still didn't bring my head back up to look the Raikage in the eyes. I still can barely contain my anger.
"That, is how I expect your future missions to turn out. One-hundred percent completion and success. If another incident like this one occurs, I will kill you myself. Are we clear?" he asked, resting his head on his fist.
". . . yes, Raikage-sama." I managed to say, trying to keep the rage out of my voice.
"Then you're dismissed."
I didn't let him finish his sentence before I teleported out of the room by shushin. I was on the verge of tears I was so frustrated.
Now on the roof of the Raikage tower, I looked out over the village and felt contempt. Contempt for the Raikage, for the shinobi who followed him and the villagers who lived under his rule. I wouldn't have it, not anymore. I've been tired of constantly having to bend to the tyrannical rule of the Raikage. I took a deep breath as I stepped to the edge of the tower, looking down at the ground below. I'll leave all this behind . . . or I'll die.
I let myself fall forward, feeling the wind start to whip across my entire body as I freely fell from the tower. Faster and faster I soared, the ground quickly coming up. I quickly used the shushin jutsu again, transporting to the ground a few feet from where I would of hit the ground. Thanks to the physics bending power of the jutsu, I was unharmed.
Villagers gave me a startled look; they must have been sure I was attempting suicide. I paid them no mind, however, as I walked into the crowd of people towards my apartment. I was going to leave the village behind me, but to where and how was still up in the wind.
The smell of an instant dinner began to waft through the air as I leaned up against my kitchen counter top. I'm actually not too bad of a cook but I seldom felt like cooking, unless I had company. So, I usually just ate frozen foods – one of which was now slowly rotating in the microwave. I watched it cook with little interest, my mind elsewhere.
The issue of leaving my home country was not so much a question of if, rather when and how. I had thought of a few options, some better than others. Defecting to another village was usually a risky business, unless you had something the other country would want. Out of all the hidden villages, only Konohagakure and Sunagakure sounded even remotely possible for me. Any of the other villages would be too much like Cloud.
The microwave beeped twice, alerting me that my dinner was finished. Taking it from the machine, I grabbed a fork and sat down, slowly eating my food.
On the one hand, Konoha was well known for it's peaceful ways and beliefs. If you asked any Cloud-nin however, they would say the opposite. I suppose it was more a conflict of interest rather than anything else. But to be honest, it's hard to believe any village could be as pure or happy as Konoha was told to be. Not to mention the popular rumors of their Hokage really being some kind of demon.
Couldn't be any worse than our own.
Then there was Suna, a village that had been much like ours up until the newest Kazekage took power. From the little reports we did have on the new state of the village, it seemed to be at peace for the most part. But there was trouble that seemed to brew right under the surface. No village can change that fast, even if their Kazekage is a jinchuuriki. And I don't particularity want to move to such a sandy place. You get sand in places you don't want it.
Then, I could always quit my ninja career and live out the rest of my days as a farmer or something similar. I chuckled at that thought; I still shower with a kunai in the bathtub. Being a ninja wasn't just a career choice, it's who I am.
Before I fully realized it, I was sitting on the edge of my bed in my dark bedroom. Staring out my window, I sighed, wondering when it was that my life had gotten so complicated. When I had been a genin, I never thought about my country or its harsh militaristic outlook. The only care I had was my two teammates – my friends.
I glanced over at my bed stand, where one of my most precious items sit. It was a framed picture of three boys sitting down, their faces beet red and sheepish. Behind them was their Jonin sensei, a beautiful vixen who was blowing a kiss to the camera. I turned my gaze away from the picture. I couldn't think about them tonight.
Dangerous and unwanted feelings began to swell in my heart. It's always like this when it rains; my memories will never let me be.
Straighting my self onto the bed, I settle under the covers and continue to stare out the window of my small room. Konoha. . . that's where I'll go to.
Tomorrow would be the day I would leave this village behind and start my life anew. I sighed, almost contently, as I rolled away from the window and fell asleep.
The next night wouldn't come quick enough, not to mention I felt like I was being watched most of the day. I hope it was only my paranoia, that there was no way the Raikage or anyone else could suspect me leaving. I hadn't ever voiced my want to defect. If I had, I'd be dead by now.
I packed very lightly, only enough to fill a small backpack. A few dehydrated food items, a couple of water bottles, and all of my ninja tools; well, not all of them. My apartment was littered with secret compartments that hid kunai, shuriken, a katana, and other weapons. I hoped other ninja had weapons hidden in their homes to defend themselves as well, otherwise I was just crazy.
Then I entered my bedroom and looked at the small photo on my bed stand. A part of me almost wanted to leave it. It was the source of both good and bad memories for me. It seemed like I stood in place for a while, just staring at the picture while feelings of indecision ran through me. I finally walked across the room and grabbed the frame. Gently, I pulled out the picture and couldn't help but smile. I placed it in my backpack and put the frame back down. If I ran into resistance while trying to run, I'd rather take a chance of the picture getting wrinkled slightly rather than cut by broken glass.
Now there was one last item I needed to attend to. On the bed lied my Cloud forehead protector. I grabbed it and glared at it, hating the symbol etched into it. I reached behind me and grasped my katana. It was a trend for most missing-nin to scratch out their village's symbol on the forehead protector. I wanted no part of this thing any longer. Throwing it up I quickly drew my katana, the blade singing as it left the sheath. Using precise aim, I cut perfectly down the center – making it fall to the ground in halves. I smiled triumphantly at the severed symbol, knowing now that what I was about to do was irreversible.
I had everything I needed. Opening my bedroom window, I looked out across the empty streets of Cloud one last time, knowing I wouldn't see it again. A small feeling of sadness hit me, the knowledge of leaving my childhood home depressing. But the feeling of leaving the tyrannical rule of the Raikage was stronger, it gave me resolve. Leaping out my window, I landed on a nearby roof and started sprinting from roof to roof. I knew where the guards would be patrolling, since I had been on more than one guard duty. Falling into a dark alleyway, I crouched down and masked my chakra. Staring up at the roof, I saw two Jonin land upon the roof above me. They looked around and then quickly sprinted off again. Waiting a moment, I jumped back unto the roof and continued my way through the village towards the southern gate. I had no problem moving from patrol to patrol.
Reaching the wall, I quickly formed the hand seal for shushin and appeared on the top. No sooner than I had landed, I used the jutsu again to warp to the rocky ground below. I wasted no time as began running as fast as I could towards the south-east, the general direction of Konoha. I could follow roads later, but until I was sure I'd be safe of any pursuers, I would continue this way.
Soon, the light of the city was gone, and the only illumination I had to guide me was the stars. Easy enough, most ninja could navigate in little to no light.
It felt like I had been running for more than half an hour, when I soon felt danger rear it's ugly head. I stopped underneath a small rock out cropping, pressing my back to the wall. I knew the feeling that was shooting up my spine – I had been followed.
"Show yourself!" I yelled.
I stared out into the darkness, my senses fully alert for anything dangerous. Soon, I noticed three black masses begin to materialize from the ground almost thirty feet away from me. The black masses soon took the shape of men – men whom distinctly looked like ANBU. To be more precise, Hunter-nins.
Hunter-nin's were the ninja who hunted down missing ninjas from their village as to regain any secrets they may have taken with them, or to just prevent another village from gaining the rogue ninja.
Damn, how the hell did they know what I was doing? There was no way that the Raikage could have known, nor have I told anyone. So why?!
"Saitou Kiryu, by order of Raikage-sama, you are to be executed for deserting the village. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" the Hunter in the middle asked, taking a step forward. His voice was calm and cold, expectant of any ANBU.
"Yes, just one question. How the hell did you know what I was up to?"
The Hunter-nin remained silent, seeming to decide whether or not to answer me. Finally, he spoke, "Raikage-sama foresaw your defection and had us watch you since yesterday."
He could either read me better than I thought, or I didn't hide my rage well enough yesterday. Well, either way there's no point in thinking about it. Time to fight or die. I quickly reached back towards my katana, my hand resting on its hilt.
The Hunters were just as fast, grasping kodachis that were secured sideways behind their hips.
I moved my gaze between the three of them, trying to asses whom would attack first. I hid my hand behind my back, mimicking like I was grabbing my sword, but I had it in the seal for substitution jutsu. All I had to do was supply the chakra.
They moved faster than I had anticipated, all three with their weapons ready to pierce my chest. But I was still faster and felt myself get pulled away from them, being replaced by a large boulder. Not allowing them any time to react, I dashed forward and cut the Hunter in the middle across the back, his agonized groan accompanied with a spray of warm blood.
Before the other two reacted, I used the shushin jutsu to teleport a small distance away. The moment I re-materialized, I thrust my sword into the ground and quickly began forming the hand seals for a powerful jutsu. I could feel the all too familiar chakra begin to course through my body as I concentrated.
The remaining Hunter-nins turned their gaze unto me a moment too late, I had finished forming the chakra needed for my jutsu.
"Lightning style: Lightning Dragon Multi-Missile!" I yelled out, and thrust my arm forward. In the blink of an eye, three, small dragon-shaped, lightning bolts flew from hand and swiftly flew across the field. The two attempted to jump away to avoid the attack, but I had learned how to move the dragons to my will.
As they jumped, I made the dragons follow them exactly. I sent two to the left, and one to the right. They were both hit square on the chest by the deadly attack. The Hunter-nin on the left simply fell to the ground, limp and lifeless, his heart having exploded in the massive jolt. The other, however, hit the ground and began rolling around in excruciating pain. His body couldn't take the shock and he was entering cardiac arrest. I yanked my katana out of the ground and walked over to the last survivor.
The surviving Hunter glared at me, his mask having fallen off when he was hit. He seemed to be trying to say something to me and judging by what he was mouthing to me, it was probably 'bastard'.
"Nothing personal, but no one will stop me from leaving that place." I raised my sword in the air, knowing I couldn't leave someone alive from my old village who might even guess as to where I was going.
His face never changed, even when his life left his body. An eternal expression of hatred towards me.
I had seen the look before on other ninja whom I'd killed. This one however. . . seemed to be stronger than the others.
Because at one time you were comrades, my subconscious spoke for me. I shook my head as I flicked my blade with a downward motion, the blood flying off it. I never chose them to be my comrades. As I moved away from the three corpses I only walked, knowing I wouldn't have any other pursuers.
* * * *
The rising sun came as it always did, from the east. After setting up camp in a small ravine, I found I couldn't sleep for more than thirty-minutes at a time. I finally gave up about an hour before sunrise and started off again.
Now, I stood upon a cliff that overlooked the Country of Grass – aptly named, as a large grassy plain greeted me. After crossing here, I would be in the Country of Fire. Relief coursed through me as I thought of it. While there was always a chance they wouldn't accept me, possibly even going so far as to turn me back over, It would be better than my current predicament.
Staring at the orange sun that brought in the new day, I was suddenly reminded of something my father used to tell me – before he passed on.
'The dawn is destined to chase away the darkness, my son.'
I used to think it was just something really cool to say when the sun would rise, but I soon realized the wisdom behind his words. No matter how bad things seemed, they would always come to an end. Even if it seemed like an eternity, it was destined to change. A truth that comforted me every time I saw the sunrise.
"And so, dawn has come again." I said smiling, before taking a final glance at the sun to confirm my direction. Then, I jumped down towards the Country of Grass to begin running again.
* * * *
If I had to guess as to why the Country of Fire was named so, I suppose because of the sweltering heat that mercilessly assaulted me. Fanning myself didn't help any, neither did removing my scarf or the cloth covering my face. So I simply had to bear it – have to get used to it.
It hadn't been long after leaving the Country of Grass that I entered a forest. I soon found that the rumors surrounding Fire Country were correct. It was almost a nonstop sea of trees. Besides the odd open plain and clearing, I was almost always surrounded by forest. Something I wasn't used to from the rocky wasteland of Lightning Country. I definitely preferred the trees.
What really surprised me about this country is that they had roadsigns directing people towards Konoha. Now, it wasn't exactly uncommon knowledge as to where Hidden Villages were in each country, but it certainly wasn't advertised. It made my travel easier however, as I had no clue where the village was before then.
I had been fantasizing for the past few days now as to what the village would be like. Would the rumors of it being a peaceful, happy village be true; Or would it be the same? I even had thoughts of maybe being able to find a nice kunoichi to be able to settle down with and have a family one day. Something I had always wanted.
My daydreams were cut short however, as I soon felt the hairs on the back of my neck raise. Normally, that meant something was watching me. Without a sound being made, I was suddenly surrounded by four ninja, whom I guessed were ANBU by the masks they wore. Before I had a chance to say anything an ANBU in a eagle mask spoke up, directly in front of me.
"State your purpose for being here, you're no civilian," he started, tilting his head as though he was looking for something. "Yet you're not wearing a forehead protector, who are you?"
I slowly raised my hands in the 'I surrender' position. "I'm no enemy, I'm – was a ninja from Hidden Cloud, but I recently went rogue. I've come to Konoha to ask your Hokage if she would take me in." I prayed they wouldn't just attack me here. But, if they were going to do that, they probably would of already.
The eagle ANBU walked closer to me, as to try and see if I was lying. After a moment he nodded. "Very well. . . I'll bring you to the Hokage. But be warned, if this is a trick, you will be cut down without hesitation," he warned.
I nodded quickly, not having anything of the sort in mind.
He turned towards the other ANBU and spoke up, "The rest of you continue the patrol, I'll rejoin you when I can." They all responded with a grunt and disappeared again. He then turned towards me and nodded his head towards the south, as to have me follow him. He jumped off into the trees and I kept pace, following him.
Soon, Konohagakure came into view. It's massive walls quite a wonder to see. I had thought Cloud's wall was strong but this looked near indestructible. As we went into the village, I couldn't help but keep my head on a swivel as I watched all of the people and ninja go about their lives. Unlike my old village, these people seemed genuinely happy. No stern faces or oppressed looks could be seen from my view.
It didn't take me long to figure out where our final destination was. A gigantic red tower that loomed over the village. It clearly displayed the fire kanji on the front of the building.
As my ANBU escort led me into the tower, I was reminded of the rumors surrounding the Hokage. I almost froze mid-step, my imagination creating a clash between a female Hokage and Enma, the keeper of hell's gates. If I wasn't accepted, I would be sent to hell – or in my case die. If I was found worthy, I would instead be sent to heaven by this Hokage Enma.
Well, maybe not heaven, that would have beautiful naked kunoichi serving me sake. I couldn't help but grin at the mental picture in my perverted head. I tried to avoid those thoughts, but my sensei definitely managed to twist my mind at a young age.
Before I had a chance to go any further, I noticed my escort had stopped. He knocked on the door and I soon heard a loud female voice come from behind it.
"Enter."
I took a large gulp as the ANBU opened the door. I almost wanted to close my eyes as I entered, praying I wouldn't see Hokage Enma.
Stepping into the bright room, I tried to look away from where I knew the Hokage would be. Unfortunately, I knew that would be bad manners so I instead to meet my fate head on and look her in the eyes. I certainly wasn't expecting what I saw at all.
Sitting in front of me was a rather beautiful woman with light skin, blonde hair that was held back into two ponytails and piercing orange eyes. She also had the most peculiar tattoo on her forehead. The most outstanding feature of her however, was her enormous breasts – they were easily F cups; if there was such a thing.
Must be where all the demon rumors come from.
I noticed my ANBU escort kneel and bow his head as he began to speak. "Hokage-sama, I encountered this shinobi while on patrol in the northern woods. He claims to be a missing-nin from Kumogakure and wishes to join Konoha."
The Hokage's eyebrow arched slowly as the report went on. It worried me, but I hoped it was just because they don't get this often. She turned her questioning gaze towards me.
"A missing-nin from Kumo? Why have you defected from them and why have you come here?" her tone was suspicious and low, not that I could blame her.
I straightened up and bowed, before raising back up. Being respectful certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. "Hokage-sama, I would first thank you for hearing me out. The reason I left Kumogakure is because I could no longer stand it. Our Raikage is harsh and overly brutal. Seven days ago, I was sent on a mission to hunt and kill three deserters from Kumo. I found them, they were all genin. I didn't kill them, I only asked for their headbands and sent them on their way." I paused, to try and gauge the Hokage's reaction from my story. So far it was neutral. "That next day, I was called into the Raikage's office, where I was throughly chewed out for not bringing back the heads of these three children. He then called in three ANBU whom. . ." I trailed off, trying to bring myself to recount what happened. But, I could only envision the horrified expression of the severed head I saw through the sack.
"It's okay, you can skip that part." The Hokage said, her voice having small hint of sympathy for me. I smiled and nodded my thanks.
"That was the final straw, I could no longer serve a Kage whom wanted me to slay children. So, after going through my options, I chose Konoha." I finished up, my heart now beating fast as I prayed she would say yes.
The Hokage nodded as she pulled open a drawer on her desk and began searching for something. "Well. . . I can't give you a definite yes on whether or not I can grant you citizenship here, I am not the only one who decides these things."
I nodded, although I could only frown as I pondered what that might entail.
"But, I can say that I will try as hard as I can for them to accept you."
Hope swelled in my chest as I stared into her eyes. "Thank you, Hokage-sama!" I almost yelled as I bowed again.
She only smiled as she finally pulled out the paper she was looking for and began to fill it out. "For now, we have to go through the first stages," she pulled the pen she was writing with away from the paper and pointed at the ANBU with it. "He will take you to see Ibiki Moreno. He is the ANBU's interrogation and intelligence special-jonin. It won't be anything bad, but if you are hiding anything he will find out." I could hear the warning in her words, as she almost seemed to dare me to have an ulterior motive.
I only thanked her again, as I followed my escort once more out into the hallway. I glanced back only once towards the Hokage, silently praying I'd be accepted.
To say that Ibiki Moreno was a. . . skilled interrogator would do him little justice. There have been very few times in my life where I knew either real pain or fear. Ibiki gave me a new memory of pain.
When the interrogation first began, I wasn't worried. He asked me random questions, some having to do with me being a ninja, others simply about my personal life. After a while, his mood turned rather sour, as well did his questioning. He began using genjutsu to try and pry the truth out of me. Of course he got the same answers I told him.
Then, he began getting physical.
I shuddered at the mere remembrance of it. I left that small dark basement with new scars, both physical and mental. After it was all said and done however, he assured me that he would give the jonin council – a council that helped decide on runaways like myself – his full reassurance that I was no threat and genuinely wanted to defect. That made it worthwhile to me. I had also been hoping for some sort of apology from the scarred, scary ninja, but received none. Probably because he enjoyed this sort of thing.
Sadists, ugh.
After being released from the interrogation room, I was told I could walk about the town if I wanted. There were of course, strict rules as to where I could and could not go. I couldn't visit the academy, the library, any ninja clan compounds, training grounds, etc. Basically, wherever I could possibly learn any secrets of Konoha.
I was then told to return later, so I could be escorted to my temporary housing. From what Ibiki told me, it was an apartment complex on the western edge of town. They saved one or two of the apartments for ninja like me.
I rather disliked the way Ibiki had phrased that, ninja like me. The man had said it with a tone of contempt. I couldn't entirely blame him though. In the ninja world loyalty was a complicated concept. I didn't bother trying to defend myself however, for I had no need to, nor did I want to. No matter how ecstatic I was that I was free of Kumogakure and the Raikage, memories of earlier years made me miss my home village.
I could only wonder though if she would do the same thing I had, if our roles were reversed.
I quickly de-railed that train of thought, I wasn't in the mood to think about her; I rarely ever was.
After having all my gear confiscated – something most certainly didn't approve of, while I wasn't defenseless, I felt naked without my katana – I was led outside the Hokage tower.
The sun shined brightly upon the bustling village, warming the bodies of every man, woman, and child. It was quite a change from the constant dreary weather of Kumogakure.
I strolled about the town with almost child-like amazement. The atmosphere was much nicer here than my former home. I was also pleasantly surprised with all the different restaurants I passed by. In Kumo, we had very little in the way of choice of what we ate. Our entire nation was a harsh climate, so we could only grow what was possible.
Not to mention trade with other nations made it hard. The prices of goods like fish and herbs were through the roof. Thanks to the fact that the land was hard to traverse and the near constant threat of lightning storms. So I was used to only eating rice and very few vegetables.
So when I stepped into a street lined with various food carts and restaurants, my mouth began to fill with saliva as I smelt all the different foods and spices. As I wandered the street I began thinking back to all the foods I'd eaten on missions to other countries. There was one in particular I'd craved since I had it. It was a delicious food that was made of rice, vegetables and raw fish.
If only I could remember the name!
"Sir, would you like to try some sushi? I promise Akibara's has the best in Konoha!" I heard a female barker call to me from across the street.
It felt as though the mental wall blocking my memory was suddenly shattered by large wrecking ball. I whipped my head around to the girl, maybe too fast seeing her shocked expression.
"You have sushi here?" I asked, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.
I strained to look past her and into the restaurant. It's sliding doors were wide open, I could see past the cloth curtains and into the store. There, on a customer's plate I could see the delectable food I'd craved for months.
"Yes sir, we do, just step inside and someone can seat you!" She replied, her voice making it evident she tried to look past my crazy expression.
I thanked her and walked past her, my mouth now even more flooded with saliva than I thought possible. I barely registered being seated as I could only focus on my goal. I was a man possessed and dammit, I wanted sushi!
Leaving the restaurant, I couldn't tell if the chef was crying because of how much I ate, or how much money he just made. Heh, either way I was certain to get a good reaction when next I came. And come again I would, that was some of the best damn. . .
My thoughts slowly drifted away as my eyes caught a flash of pink in the midst of the lightly crowded street. I was intrigued to say the least, pink was not a common hair color.
Then before me, the sea of people parted for what I could only describe as an angel. There was no other way to put it, the woman who walked down the street was breathtaking. As she neared me, I stopped and my eyes began taking in everything about her.
Her hair was indeed pink and cut short, just above her shoulders. She wore a Konoha headband in her hair, signifying she was a kunoichi. Her face was perfectly rounded and full – womanly. Her eyes were a bright green, almost the color of pure jade. But there was something. . . sad, about them. Her walk also suggested what her eyes told. As much as she tried to hide it, I could see something was bothering the woman. Her fists were slightly clenched, but her face remained neutral. Her pink lips were slightly drawn downwards, another indicator.
Even with her clear melancholy, I couldn't help but be amazed by her beauty.
Then, as soon as I had noticed her, she passed by me. I swore I could smell the slightest hint of cherry blossoms from how close I had been to her.
I turned as she walked by, trying to remember every inch of her as she disappeared into the crowd once more. I almost felt despair as I watched her leave.
I had seen beautiful women before, but none had such an impact on me. A fact that confused and somewhat irritated me. Why was it that this woman's sad face haunted me so?
I could start to feel eyes on me, as villagers tried to avoid me as they walked. I began walking again towards my destination, knowing it wouldn't do to be a roadblock. But, my mind was still frozen in time to no less than ten seconds before, when I had seen the sad angel.
I found myself unexplainably yearning for her again, praying I would at least get a glimpse of her once more.