Four years prior to the 'incident' that happened to me, I was inside eating away at a bowl of rice, waiting for Momma and Papa to come home. They told me today was a special day for me, which I remember them saying the exact same words to my older brother when he was my age. I had no clue as to what to expect, considering they didn't tell me when big brother had his special day. They usually never told me anything. Of course, to be a ninja, you must be stealthy and secretive. Though, we were family, so why hide anything from us?
You heard correctly, I am - in fact - a ninja. I am already a chuunin, though a bit late for people my age. That was to say, I wasn't the weakest ninja around, nor was the I the best. My family is of the clan which holds a powerful Kekkai Genkai called the Omoiyarinoaru Hiiraa which means 'Compassionate Healer'. This ability allowed us to use the 'perfect healing' which was why our clan is so popular when it came to Medical jutsu. In fact, I remember being told a woman named Tsunade or something was taught under my people. She is the world's most renown healer now, which had brought pride among the clan. I didn't have this ability - even though it was basically assured that every person in the Baaten clan was to have it. Although, no one penalized me for not having it even though our genes were carefully monitored so we would have the Omoiyarinoaru Hiiraa.
I paced around the room after my rice was finished, not knowing what to do, but the anticipation was killing me. What was my special day about?
Finally, my parents came into the room, but to not be rude by asking what the surprise was, I ran up to each of them and gave them a hug. My mother stuck her nose in my hair as she hugged me, which she always did when she was in a good mood. My father just gave me a passive pat on the head. He was a very private man - my mother once said - he didn't like to be all hugs or too mushy even with my mother for that matter. Which surprised me, how did they even have children if he didn't like to get intimate so far as a hug? My mother was flabbergasted by that statement, but just laughed in the end, probably considering it as well.
"Okaeri Momma, Papa." I greeted them.
Momma looked a lot like me; or should it be the other way around? She had short straight black hair which was really silky smooth that I inherited. Her eyes were like beautiful onyx orbs that shone in the light. She was a healthy, fit person with a really soft voice. I hadn't received the soft voice, though. My voice was more like my Aunty Kimiko, Momma's sister. She was a lean woman with looks that could make just about any guy drop dead. Another trait I hadn't gotten. I was one of the most ugliest girls the clan had ever seen. Well, maybe not that ugly, but still, I didn't have the looks I wanted to have. The only thing about Momma that made guys shoo her away like a fly was that she didn't have giant breasts. They were only a B cup, and she was finished growing. I was sixteen and I was struggling with A's.
Papa was a lot different from Momma. He was pretty handsome, I guess, but compared to Momma, it was difficult to see how he caught her eye. He had dusty blonde hair that seemed like he never combed it. His dull grey eyes always seemed to evoke boredom. Though, I knew he was a loving father merely from his actions and a bit by his words. Sometimes, he would blow a fuse if he cared about someone's well-being. I clearly had gotten my short fuse from Papa, since we would often get in heated arguments because I was too stubborn to listen to his demands which were actually out of consideration of the family or just myself. Another thing I inherited from my father was my straight, pointed nose. His nose and mine were claimed - by a lot of people - to be similar; almost identical.
"Chiasa, dear, is that you? You've grown so big!" A voice I faintly recognized rang behind my mother and father. Before I could identify who it was, my mother and father were pushed aside like they were mere doors and my Aunt Kimiko came charging toward me and pulled me into a big hug. Her grip was like a bear's and it nearly ruined my blood circulation.
"He...llo Aunty Kimiko…," I said with a strangled noise which she seemed to ignore. Like always, I saw that she put on too much make-up and too much perfume. The waft she hurdled at me nearly made me double over. She was one of the best healers in the clan, so I had to keep my respect for her high even if she smelled like she skipped through a rose field and she was my very own aunt.
"My goodness, Mari onee-san, I can't believe she's sixteen already!" Aunty turned around to face my mother who was readjusting herself so she was standing upright again. She smiled weakly at Aunty's bubbly attitude.
"Indeed she is, Onee-chan." My mother replied. My mother was about two years older than Aunty, so while Aunty calls Momma 'Onee-san', Momma calls her 'Onee-chan'. I wished I had a sister to do that with, but I only had a brother. Ayumu wasn't a bad brother, though, in fact he was the sweetest boy you could ever know. Though, he did get on my nerves a lot, yet all in all he was a good person.
"So, Chiasa, do you know what your surprise is yet?" my father asked me, to which I shook my head animatedly to make sure it stood out that I was enthusiastic to know. Aunty smirked at me while I did so, and I figured that she had to do something with my special day. Just what it was, I was dying to know.
"What is it?" It took nearly everything in my power to not jump around with vigor as I waited for them to tell me. Though, everyone seemed to get solemn at my eagerness. Why shouldn't I be happy to receive something that was a secret from me the day it was announced my brother would also have one of these 'special days'?
"First, we need you to sit down, Chiasa." Aunty instructed me, pulling out a chair for me to sit in. A tad bit confused, I did what she asked of me. Aunty and the rest sat in chairs surrounding me, making the atmosphere tense. I blinked at them with a smile on my face in blind ignorance. What were they up to?
"I know this may confuse you, but we have a few questions to ask of you." My mother told me, taking a hold of my hand and squeezing it with reassurance. This was all a test, I could tell. Momma wouldn't hold my hand unless she was telling me that she was right with me or signaling to me that I could do this. A test of what, though? A test to see if I was worthy enough to stay in the clan that I clearly had not received the proper genes to continue in?
"Shall I start, Mari?" My father asked my mother upon seeing her hesitate.
She shook her head, "I'll begin, Yoshio." Facing me now, she asked, "What do you know of the day the Baaten clan was kicked out of Iwagakure?" I tilted my head to the side. What did this have to do with anything? Maybe it was a test to show how much I retained of my knowledge of the history of the Baaten clan.
"Lots. The Baaten clan was kicked out of Iwagakure because the Baaten clan was proud of their abilities so they wanted to have more special treatment and a higher standing in society. Iwagakure's Tsuchikage told them that they couldn't supply them with that seeing as they were short on money at the time." I explained, earning an encouraging nod from the three of them,
"However, the Baaten clan wouldn't stand for that answer so they kept asking and asking until it became apparent that the Tsuchikage wasn't even listening to them anymore. Though, he was actually afraid that the Baaten clan would withhold their medical services for the village because of his actions, which soon became reality. The Baaten clan wouldn't help any outsider of the clan until they were made the ultimate clan in Iwagakure. Having been defeated finally, the Tsuchikage gave up and banished the clan so the village would be relieved of a civil war."
"Perfect, Chiasa, that was beautiful." my father acknowledged, causing me to smile, "Now could you tell us what you remember of Iwagakure?"
My eyebrows shot up. I'd never been there since it was a hateful place within the clan. The older clan members like my mother and father had been there, sure, but not me. What kind of question was that? It was unfair, I was far too young to have been there during the time the Baaten clan was kicked out. Even my brother would have been very young and he was at least three years older than me. I went to answer, but my mother cut in.
"Yoshio… that's too hard to answer…," my mother whispered with concern.
"Let's see what she has to say, Mari Onee-san." Aunty Kimiko told her with a finger on her lips as they all faced me again expectantly. I took a gulp. How was I supposed to remember something that I didn't even have a memory of?
A pain shot through my head like an angry storm. I didn't let the pain show through my face. It happened often, but not so often that I knew when it would come or when it would pass. Sometimes it would be long enough to make my vision fuzzy, other times, it was just a passing moment. I couldn't describe it other than a sharp pain even though it didn't seem like it at the same time. Sometimes, I just didn't know what it was, but I didn't want to tell my parents about it so they didn't get worried.
Almost immediately after the passing of the pain, a village was displayed before me inside my mind.
There were rocks everywhere, so I assumed it to be Iwagakure. Though, how did I get a vivid image of a village I hadn't been to in my life? It was so confusing that I had to hold onto my head to make sure I was still conscious. The buildings were made out of rocks and there were people walking around in ninja uniforms with the Iwagakure symbol clear and proud on their foreheads. That really freaked me out. How was I seeing people who I clearly hadn't seen before in my life? And how was it that I was only seeing this now? Was it just because I was being questioned about Iwagakure - something I hadn't really thought of too much before?
"Nothing." I lied, shaking my head as it passed, "I don't remember anything." The only reason I lied was so that I didn't freak my parents and Aunty Kimiko out that I 'remembered' something about a place I wasn't supposed to remember.
"Really?" Momma asked, looking a tad bit relieved. I nodded my head, feeling terrible for lying to my family like that, "That's OK, Chiasa. You tried your hardest. It's not anything to worry yourself over." I really didn't like the way Momma was fretting over something that I 'didn't' know about. Why wasn't she telling me what was on her mind? Why weren't they telling me why they were asking all these questions?
"Are you sure?" Aunty Kimiko clarified, eyeing me closely, "What about pains? Have you been getting those?" I squinted my eyes at Aunty. How did she know about those? I didn't tell anyone about them. I was fairly sure I didn't.
"Kimiko… that may be going too far." Papa warned her.
"No, it's not." Aunty Kimiko shot back at Papa, "We've got to know what's going on, is all. Is that so hard to ask?" With that, Papa shut his mouth. Though, I could tell that he was at his breaking point. He always clenched his fist if he was near ready to explode. After that, I didn't know what would become of Aunty Kimiko.
I sighed, not really wanting to alarm them about pains they already seemed to know about, "Yes. I've been getting throbbing pains inside my head at times." Aunty Kimiko sucked in her lips as she seemed to work out what I had told her in her head. Momma and Papa also exchanged worried glances with each other, leaving me out.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with me?" I asked, suddenly feeling extremely concerned with what the pains were all about after their worried looks. I wanted answers - so much so that I was about to scream if they didn't tell me.
"No, there's nothing wrong," Momma consoled, giving my hand another squeeze, "We're just discussing, like what adults do is all."
"Momma, please. Tell me what's going on." I said to her, causing her eyes to downcast from mine which were adamant and somewhat accusing. If this was concerning me, then I had to know. Though, they weren't telling me, so how else would I get my designated answers if I didn't ask or even demand of them? Besides, if they seemed informed of my pains, what else did they know about me that I hadn't a clue on?
"I guess I'll tell her, Mari onee-san." Aunty Kimiko spoke up, not as hesitant as Momma and Papa. Aunty and I weren't that close, but she visited our house a few times and we kind of got to know each other that way. That was probably why she didn't seem to have a problem with breaking the news to me,
"Chiasa, we asked if what you remember of Iwagakure because you've been there before."
My eyes widened and I scowled deeply, not quite believing Aunty Kimiko quite fully. I don't actually remember being at Iwagakure, but there was that image inside my head which I assumed to be it. How could I receive that image? The only way was what Aunty Kimiko told me - that I was actually there before. Even still, why didn't I remember such a place? If what she said was true, then where did all my memories of it go? Surely if I had amnesia my family would tell me. Wouldn't they?
"No I haven't." I countered, slipping my hand out of Momma's, which caused her to look hurt and a bit worried. Though, all that they were telling me… I couldn't help it. If all they were saying was true, that I had been to Iwagakure then they had kept this a huge secret from me; something I wasn't fond of,
"I've never been to Iwagakure. Are you trying to accuse me of secretly aiding Iwaga—,"
"Of course we wouldn't!" Momma cried.
"Then why are you asking me these questions!?" I stood up and slammed my palms on the table, causing it to shake. While Aunty Kimiko was calm, Momma and Papa looked torn. Did my words sting them? I hoped not.
"We're asking you of them because we want to know if now is a desirable time to awaken your Kekkai Genkai." Aunty continued as if I hadn't just blasted at her sister. I turned to Aunty Kimiko, who seemed the most inversed and calm throughout this whole conversation. Was she the one who put Momma and Papa into asking me these questions?
"My Kekkai Genkai? I don't have the right genes for it!" I rose my voice in silent fury, "Stop telling me I have things when I don't!" Once again, Aunty was calm as a silent storm. She didn't even twitch her eyebrow at my attitude. All she did was turn to Momma and Papa to give them a reassuring smile like she knew what she was doing. Of course, if I knew anyone, it was always Aunty who knew what she was doing. I bet she gave Momma and Papa the same fake reassuring smile when she was aiding my brother's and my delivery. She was one of the clan's best healers, who else was better to do this job especially since she was also one of the best when it came to fake smiles to reassure her patients?
"Sit down, Chiasa, and I'll explain, OK?" Aunty Kimiko said in a different voice which was sickly sweet like honey. Reluctant, I sat back down. She folded her hands and placed them on her lap like she does when she's doing a psychoanalysis. There was a fine line of a smile on her face, "Where shall I begin? Oh, yes. Your birth. You were born July 16, were you not?" I nodded my head so she would continue faster, "Right. That was the day. Anyway, it was clear that you had the proper genes for the clan's Kekkai Genkai. Though, at the same time, the clan was trying to make the Tsuchikage into making them get a higher position. Fearing that the clan would be kicked out of the village, the Leader of the clan at the time created an order that a newborn was to keep their genes suppressed under a seal. That newborn was you."
She paused a moment, giving me time to reflect. I didn't say anything or even make a reaction show on my face. I just wanted to hear the end of this incredulous story. Of course, I didn't want to believe a word of it. How could I? It was like telling me to be a different person in a few short moments. It wasn't going to happen.
"After your Kekkai Genkai was sealed, you grew up to be just like any child. Minus the Kekkai Genkai of course. You had a ton of friends, you were positively happy." Aunty Kimiko continued, "Then when the clan was kicked out of Iwagakure, the Leader sent for the one who sealed your Kekkai Genkai—,"
"Who was it? Who sealed it?" I interrupted, brimming with curiosity.
Aunty pointed a finger at Papa, who was sitting there with his fist still clenched. Although I tried to convince myself that I wouldn't believe a word of what Aunty was saying, I couldn't help but let my jaw fall. My own father sealed up my Kekkai Genkai? No way. That wasn't possible. He couldn't have done something like that to me.
"So the Leader sent for your Father and told him what had to be done. The Leader did this all so we could get back at Iwagakure for what they had done to the clan. He said to your Father that once you were older, he would tell you that you were actually born in Iwagakure and that it was your destiny to get back at Iwagakure for wronging the Baaten clan. After he said that, you were placed before the Leader who told you that you were to be bestowed a bit of the Nine Tailed beast's chakra - a monster that had plagued Konohagakure a few months before you were born. Its chakra had dissolved across the land once the Fourth Hokage had sealed it and part of it was distributed to our clan by pure chance."
"Wait. You're going too fast." I paused a moment, now totally enthralled in the story. I needed a moment to think to myself. My head was beginning to throb a little bit along with the stinging pain from before. It never usually occurred this close together before. Was it all because I was hearing truth? No. This couldn't have been true.
An image of a smile appeared in my mind. It was the same type of image that I saw of Iwagakure. Clearly, I hadn't seen these lips recently, so of course it had to been an Iwagakure memory of old. For some reason, the thought that I had locked away memories scared me. Despite that fact, I wanted to see whose smile it was, seeing as it was faintly familiar, but it was also strange and new at the same time. Those lips… who did they belong to?
"Chiasa? Are you OK?" Papa asked me, worried.
"I'm fine. Just another pain." I brushed it off.
"Shall I continue, then?" Aunty verified. Slowly, I nodded for her to continue to which she returned, "After the Leader decreed that you were to receive the Nine Tailed beast's chakra, you were almost immediately placed into a room where the chakra was surgically placed inside of you. Though, the chakra must have been a bit too much for you because you got incredibly sick afterwards. Once the sickness passed, however, we realized that the beast's chakra gave you amnesia - you forgot where you were born, you forgot your name, you forgot a whole bunch of other things. Even now, we can't explain why you got it."
"That doesn't explain why they had to seal my Kekkai Genkai." I shook my head.
Aunty explained, "The Baaten clan's Kekkai Genkai would disturb the process of implanting the Nine Tailed Beast's chakra since it requires a lot of chakra to use our Kekkai Genkai and if it got mixed up the with Nine Tailed Beast's chakra as well… I wouldn't even want to think about it." I had to admit that made sense, but I still couldn't accept the fact that this was all kept a secret from me. I mean, seriously, was it so hard to try to inform me that I had a bit of monster forced upon me?
Once more, I stood up from my seat which caused my parents to both stand up too, but I made my palm face them to stop them, "I… I just want to be alone for awhile." With that, I whipped around and ran upstairs to my room - hearing my name being called by my parents and even Aunty Kimiko. I didn't turn around, though. A single tear found its way down my cheek and landed on the floor as I flew up the stairs.
Locking the door behind me, I jumped onto my bed and threw the covers over myself and hid in there for the rest of the day - not willing to listen to anyone who knocked on the door even if they begged me to come out for supper.