Eight months before Naruto's birth-
These were the nights I secretly loved. The day after it rains, there's always this calm and cool wind that seems to ease all my worries. I could spend every hour just enjoying the feel of the breeze against my skin until the sun peeked over the horizon. Opening my eyes, I reached out to the bowl next to me and picked up a nice, plump red apple but as I began peeling off the skin with a kunai, my surroundings seemed to still. Pausing for a slight moment, I felt a tingle run down my spine; the one that always leaves a bad taste in my mouth and a pit in my stomach. Something bad was going to happen and soon.
"Onee-chan", Rina shouted as she jumped onto my back with gleeful giggles, "this came for you earlier".
Grabbing the scroll, I flipped her over into my lap and started to tickle her until she shrieked and laughed. Rina then rolled away, glaring at me playfully as I gave her a cheeky smile.
"Is it from Kakashi Sempai"? She asked as I read the message
I nodded, "He wants to have dinner, and discuss our plan before we leave tomorrow morning for the Rain Village".
"And you're going. Papa and Mama won't be happy with you".
"When are they not? Don't worry", I assured ruffling Rina's hair, "we'll compromise one day. Maybe".
"We're a family, we should be happy".
"It's not that simple anymore. I want a different life-".
"What's so wrong with the one you have now?! Are we not good enough"?!
"That's not it. What I meant was that I want a life that's mine…" I sighed, "you wouldn't understand, you're just a kid. I have to go", I stood to leave and told her, "Make sure to wash up before you go to sleep".
"Papa was right, you only care about what you want. You don't care about family or me". She mumbled, my body freezing at her words and when I turned to glance back at her I saw tears streaming down her face.
"Rina-".
"I hate you"!
Leaning against the post, I cursed under my breath. While the relationship I had with our parents isn't what it used to be, Rina is the only reason I still live here otherwise I would've left a long time ago. I couldn't leave her alone with mom and dad, not when I didn't trust them. They're hiding something and I'm determined to find out what.
"Are you just going to stand there"? I asked Mirai, my mother, with disdain in my voice. "If you have something to say then say it".
"Don't you see how your choices are affecting this family"?
"I see so it's my fault that you can't accept that I have a mind of my own. I don't want to end up like you, obedient, quiet and most of all under appreciated by someone I chose to spend the rest of my life with".
"It's our way of life. I didn't have a choice".
"Yes you did. I know you had dreams before you married Hitoshi, you wanted things but you didn't even fight for it. I won't do the same-".
A burning sensation came across my cheek and I raised my head only to have the back of her hand slap the other side of my face. Glaring at Mirai, she stepped away in fear at the sight of my eyes changing to a golden brown.
"You're a disgrace". She spat, but the fear was still evident.
"And so are you as a mother", I hissed and pushed past her, "I won't be back tonight".
Later on-
Sitting cross legged on the bed I was constantly spinning the kunai around my finger, completely lost in my thoughts. I can't stay at that house any longer, I have to get Rina and I out somehow. I'mk tired of constantly being alone, of not being able to live and have some else steer my path for me.
"Nanami"! Kakashi's raised voice interrupted my thoughts and caused me to gasp in surprise. I even managed to cut my finger and as I felt the wound healing, I quickly formed my hand into a fist. He doesn't know. I'm not sure I should tell him, I think he'd be afraid of me just like everyone else.
"Are you okay"? He asked concerned, handing out a plate of food which I gladly took.
"Y-Yeah I'm fine. I'm glad you invited me for dinner though, just earlier I was in an argument with my mom. And Rina also said she hated me because I'm tearing our family apart with my selfish decisions".
"Trying to have a life of your own isn't selfish".
"They don't see it that way. I don't even know why I try when they'll never be proud of me unless I'm obedient. I just want to be my own person, I want to accomplish a goal or a dream with hard work and discipline. I don't want it given to me like everything else in my life". I sighed meeting his gaze and asked, "did I say something strange"?
"No, it makes perfect sense. I take it this means you're not going back tonight".
"Is that okay"?
"I can take the floor and Nana... are you sure you're okay"?
"My parents… I mean as of right now, I only have speculation and a gut feeling but I don't trust them. They're complete strangers to me and Rina is the only thing keeping me together. The only two people I feel like I can really trust are you and Minato".
Tension filled the air until the bed sunk in and I raised my head to see Kakashi holding out an apple. A small smile tugged at the edge of my lips. There was no significance to them I just had an obsession with apples especially when I'm thinking too hard or depressed.
"Thank you".
He just smiled, one that actually reached the corner of his eye this time and just like that everything seemed okay. Though Kakashi's smiles rub me the wrong way in certain moments, because they're forced and fake just to hide what he's truly feeling. Not that I blame him, he's experienced a lot of pain but I hate those smiles. I just wish he'd express himself once in awhile or laugh uncontrollably at Guy pulling off something amazing yet incredibly stupid. Hell anger would be great, he should yell, scream his damn lungs out if it'll make him feel better.
"I'm thinking about taking a walk". I told Kakashi. "I'll be back to get some rest before we leave tomorrow".
"Yes, yes".
At some point during my stroll, it started pouring down and thunder rumbled across the sky. I stood there leaning my head back, feeling the rain pound against my face; wanting to feel numb to every emotion I was feeling. My eyes fluttered open when I heard distant and familiar voices coming from around the corner. My parents? I hid my chakra and stepped back into the shadows as I watched them turn down an alley.
"With the Kyuubi's power we'll finally be able to destroy Konoha". My father said, as I followed them from the rooftops.
They want to release Kuruma out onto the village but if they do that, Kushina… she'll die. Everyone will.
"And what about our daughter"? My mother asked. "Thanks to Kakashi's influence, she has become difficult to control. Her loyalty to him is stronger than we thought".
"I agree. Perhaps it's time we dispose him and make it look- ".
A rage, I never felt before, made my blood boil. Kakashi has been more like family to me then my own parents have and he's not even blood related. Without thinking, I jumped down and unsheathed my sword only my father pushed her out of the way before blocking my attack. The force of the impact caused the ground to cave in and his legs gave out as I pushed down harder.
"Nanami"?!
"I won't let you". I threatened with a low growl and lighting sparked down my blade. "You touch Kakashi and I'll rip you both limb from limb".
Dodging a foot just in time, I backflipped landing on the side of the wall but the moment my feet hit the stone I vanished instantly. Mirai was suddenly pushed back, flying through the walls of multiple buildings with a punch to her jaw. Landing on my feet, I slowly took steps towards Hitoshi as the blue lightning traveled over my body and changed to a thick black.
"Let's talk about this". He pleaded.
"Talk? Well let's see if I have this right, you wish to set Kuruma free however, you two aren't powerful enough to control him. So I'm guessing you're working with someone. Is it that man you talked to a few weeks ago, the one with the mask"?
"You've known"?
"I've had nothing to prove of your betrayal except for a damn feeling. Now whatever hate filled speech you have save it, no words can change how I feel. You're only disappointed because you can't control me anymore". I was interrupted when flames engulfed my body.
Mirai limped over to her husband when she tried to help him to his feet, I appeared in front of her ramming my foot into her stomach and once again she flew back before smacking into another wall. Her legs shook as she managed to stand, I was sure that killed her but she's tougher than I thought; they both are. I glanced behind me when they withdrew kunai's from their sleeves.
"You hate me that much"? I sighed out heavily and asked, "Are sure you two want to do this"? I got my answer as they attacked me simultaneously and I stabbed my sword into the ground before slamming my foot in Hitoshi's side causing him to collide with Mirai. Not a few minutes later, Hitoshi tumbled across the ground before crashing into a food stand and I came out of the alley dragging Mirai by her ankle. She was breathing, but her heart slowed with each passing second as her blood soaked the ground.
"You should run". I warned Hitoshi and threw Mirai at his feet. "Take this woman and leave the Hidden Leaf before I change my mind".
"You expect me to leave after what you've done"?!
"What I've done? You two threaten the lives of everyone I care for, you're planning to destroy my home. The man you're working for, tell me his name".
"It's too late. There's nothing you can do to stop this from happening".
"You won't kill us. We are your parents". Mirai chocked out.
You're already dying. "My entire life you've underestimated me. The last three years you've been strangers but you became my enemy the moment you decided to kill Kakashi. I have no problem disposing both of you. As much as I'd prefer to do just that, I'm giving you the chance to disappear forever, for Rina's sake. Leave".
Just as I turned my back towards them, Mirai threw a shuriken and in a flash I appeared in front of her, my hand going through her chest and out the other side. Her heart warm in my hand. I didn't hesitate when a kunai was thrust towards my face and used my free hand to grab Hitoshi by his wrist. The tip dangerously close to my eye.
"Wrong choice". I growled lowly before swiping my foot under his legs and withdrew my sword but just as the blade entered his torso a quiet, pained voice reached my ears. I froze when a familiar metallic smell filled my nostrils. Rina's blood but when... No. No. Just as I turned, I had already closed the small distance between us and caught her before she hit the ground.
"Easy. It's fine. You'll be fine". Shit! She's lost too much blood and it's too close to her heart. She can't even feel the pain. "Why are you here? You should be at home".
"You're bleeding". Her small hand touched my cheek and I shook my head, she's more worried about me. Idiot.
"Just a scratch". I assured.
"I'm sorry for what I said- ".
"What? No, no don't be. How about I tell the 3rd Hokage that I can't go on the mission tomorrow. You and I we can have the day to ourselves. What do you say"?
"You'd worry about Kakashi-senpai the whole time. It wouldn't be as fun". She smiled. "Onee-chan, I'm scared".
"I know but I'm here. I won't leave you". I let out a deep breath and clasped my hand around the hilt of the kunai. "Listen, I'm going to remove this- ".
"No! Please, onee-chan".
"Shhhh. This won't hurt... you- you won't even feel it".
"Promise"?
I nodded, squeezing her tightly and desperately trying to keep my tears from flowing. "On the count of three. 1, 2". Quickly I pulled it out, and a faint smile played at Rina's lips before the last breath left her lungs.
Author's Note: This one was a little dark, but I'm actually satisfied with it. I had it playing out mind for days. Please, I would like to hear your thoughts. I will post Part 2 soon, which I've already started working on. Enjoy!