CC: Hey everyone! I'm very happy to be bringing you the prologue of my first multi-chapter KakaxSaku fic. A huge thanks is in order to my most awesome beta reader Mystic Spirits, I can't thank you enough for your work. Without her, well ... lets not talk about that lol XD. Also, thank you to some wonderful ladies that let me bounce some ideas off of them for this story. I've really been looking forward to this, so I hope you all enjoy it. Reviews/Feedback/ConCrit are encouraged and appreciated. Now that that's done ...
Short of Glory - Prologue
Two years ago …
The night sky was calm and clear with a star-littered sky, no clouds in sight for miles. The song of the cicadas had long since faded, and now the few fireflies that remained darted and danced in the warm summer air. The end of the season was upon the Village of Shiragiku, and workers had begun preparing for the upcoming harvest. Out of all the employees, none dealt with more paperwork or headaches than Kimoru.
Sometimes life as a secretary could be pretty hectic, which was a shame, really, because these nights were too lovely to be spent holed up in an office.
Kimoru removed her glasses with a sigh and rubbed the bridge of her nose feeling some of the day's tension drain from her. She was quite pleased to have finished sorting the last stack of forms. She slid her glasses back in place and raised her arms to stretch. With a pop of her lower back, she turned in her chair to look back at the clock. Realizing the time, alarm flitted across her soft walnut eyes, and she muttered a curse before quickly logging her last report and finalizing it with her stamp.
She gathered her things, clocked out, and shut off the lights before the ink even had time to dry. With someplace very important to be, she hurried out of the main doors as she slipped her jacket on, pulling her purse onto her shoulder. Outside in the fresh air, she picked up the pace, practically jogging down the long path from the estate to the iron gate. The two men on guard duty met her with a slight bow and a pair of matching smiles.
The newest - and youngest - guard greeted her first. "Another late night, Kimoru-san?"
"Afraid so," she replied, a little short of breath, as she signed her name.
"I'll call your escort right away."
With a shake of her head, she returned the clipboard. "There's no need, I'm already late."
"Kimoru-san," the younger man began, "we're under orders-"
"My fiancé is going to kill me! I'm already really late to meet him. I won't tell if you don't, okay?"
The young man seemed to hesitate for a second, but the older, more experienced guard raised his hand and pressed on. "I must object."
"Come on, Makoto, you know I can take care of myself."
"I know, but as your friend I'd feel safer if your escort went with you."
Tired, stressed, and a little fed up she hit him where it counted. There was nothing like taking advantage of a new father. Which reminded her- "How's the baby?"
"She's doing great, she's finally sleeping through the night."
She smiled as his eyes brightened at the mere mentioning of his newborn daughter. "That must be a relief."
He sighed happily. "For Ami especially. I've never seen a woman look as worn out as she has. It'll be nice for her to get some rest, she deserves it."
Kimoru couldn't resist herself and she pinched his cheek. "Aww, Makoto, who knew you were such a softie under those thick layers of armor?"
Aware of his partner's attempt to stifle his laughter, he swatted her hand away. "Please Kimoru, not in front of the new guy."
The newbie straightened as Kimoru set her sights on him. "Don't worry, I'll break him in too."
"Be gentle with him."
"Only if you ignore the supposed need for an escort. I can't wait another fifteen minutes for one to get here when I'm already this late! Please, Makoto."
He sighed in defeat, knowing there was no arguing with her. When she wanted her way, she usually got it. "Fine, but you owe me."
"I know. Tell Ami hello for me!"
With that, Kimoru waved over her shoulder and set off at the same quickened pace as before. Hopefully her fiancé wouldn't be too terribly upset with her for being late again. Besides, she couldn't help it if her job got incredibly hectic at this time of year. But tonight would make it the fifth time this month alone… in fact, that was the only reason she denied her escort this time.
Despite her rush, however, the night sky was too pretty to ignore. Lucky for her, she knew how to admire her surroundings and power-walk at the same time.
Without a doubt, Shiragiku was beautiful during the day, with its fields of trees full of colorful fruit, ripe and begging to be picked. The rich fragrance of flowers filled the air, and the streets were always so alive with vendors from neighboring villages taking advantage of the frenzy the harvest produced.
Yet at night, there was a certain charm to her home. The full moon hung in the sky brightly illuminating the tops of the trees and the surrounding buildings in the district. At night it was quiet, serene, at rest. It was quite the change from the busy atmosphere of the day, but she preferred it that way.
From the estate to her destination, there was very little lighting on the road. It was believed that the orchards needed light from natural sources, so streetlights were forbidden to be placed along the main street leading from there. Even so, Kimoru had walked the path numerous times and could follow it with her eyes closed. There was a comfort that came with knowing her village so well.
Then suddenly, there was a soft echo of foot steps coming from behind her.
She shook her head. It would be like Makoto to call her an escort anyway. She glanced over her shoulder to say hello only to see that no one was there. Confused and readjusting her purse, she continued on her way. The steps picked up right after her.
Nervousness began to pool in the pit of her stomach, and she walked a little faster. No one was after her, no one knew she was here. She really should calm down, yet as many times as she told herself to do so - she simply couldn't. What if someone had followed her? She thought she had hidden herself very well, but could someone have found out about her? No, she couldn't think that way.
She made it up the crest of the hill and looked down onto the village below. The lights of many shops and homes shone in the night sky, as if they were beacons luring her to safety. All she needed to do was walk down into the center of town, into the security of the nosey neighbors and her "gal pals" and the warm embrace of her lover. Taking a deep breath to calm her distressed heart, she tried to reassure herself and smiled.
"Not much farther…!"
There was a snap behind her, a thick sound that made her heart thud heavily and she chanced another glance over her shoulder. Again, there wasn't anyone there, and though the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end warningly, she let out a chuckle. She shook her head and brought a hand to her cheek. "Paranoia, on top of these late hours, have me hearing things."
A smooth baritone voice sounded in her ear. "Oh, you ain't hearin' things darlin'."
Startled, Kimoru jumped as she looked up and took a subconscious step back from the man that loomed over her. He smiled in a polite manner, but to her it seemed almost predatory.
He was taller, taller than most men she had seen in the village. His hair looked a deep red under the lack of light, his nose was slightly crooked, and his eyes were some of the darkest she had ever seen. If his smile hadn't seemed so menacing, he would have been handsome even.
She couldn't quite explain it but there was a dangerous aura about him. Before long, she gasped and alarm bells going off in her head. She had been found out, she knew it! This didn't feel right … she needed to be on guard. The battle to keep her breathing calm was trying, but she managed. If worse came to worst, after all, she had protection and she knew how to use it.
Her eyes slid cautiously to his. "Can I help you with something?"
"Ya' sure can," he answered, his grin widening.
She shifted a foot back. "Do I know you? What do you want?"
He matched her by taking a step toward her. "You know what I want."
She clenched her jaw as she took another step back, freezing as she bumped into the firm body of another stranger. A large hand clapped over her mouth while his thick arm wrapped around her waist. She kicked and fought as he drug her away from the street, unfazed by her struggle.
Readying herself, she drove her elbow back into his gut. The man lost his hold on her, dropping her clumsily to her feet and stumbling to the side, clutching onto his stomach and wheezing to catch his breath. He hadn't been ready for that, and he was going to get payback, no woman ever got a hit on him! He angrily made a grab at her, and she felt like time froze, if only for a second.
Just as she meant to make a run for it she was jerked back by her purse. Feeling that fighting instinct from long ago rise in her, she wrapped her arm around the straps and firmly took hold. She jerked the man toward her, her fist flew and landed its mark straight on his nose. It cracked on impact.
Her attacker yelped in pain and quickly covered his wounded face, grumbling curse words at her as his eyes watered. Blood trickled and dripped from his chin, and, taking pride in the fact that she had caused him injury, she couldn't help the small grin that worked its way onto her face. She slid a foot back and raised her fists defensively. Now, where did that redhead go?
A slow show of applause sounded behind her and she spun around, fighting the looming fear that crawled up her spine. The redhead in question stepped out from the shadowed cover of the building next door, his mouth turned up in a striking half-smile. "You haven't quite lost your touch, but they say a ninja never does."
"Who are you?" she demanded loudly.
He didn't answer, only met her gaze and with a sincerity in his tone said, "We've missed you."
Kimoru slid her hand up her thigh and under her skirt while keeping her eyes trained on him. He spoke as if he knew her, but she had never seen him before in her life. It was creepy at the very least, and that wasn't the answer she had been looking for.
The familiar metal handles of her knives were warm from being strapped to her leg all day. She slipped one free and masterfully twirled it in her fingers as she raised it in front of her with a flourish as if not a day had passed since she last held one.
"Tell me who you are right now, or I'll fucking kill you!"
A smooth feminine voice answered instead. "Now Kimi-chan, is that any way to talk around your senpai?"
No… no, it couldn't be her.
"That silence tells me you've remembered who I am. So then you must know what I'm here for."
"I won't give it to you!" Kimoru shouted, but the resolve behind her voice faltered.
The woman only chuckled. "You always were Shinnou's favorite. That's how I know he trusted you with those papers. I already know where they are, Kimi, just give me the key."
If it was indeed that woman standing right in front of her,then Kimoru was in deep trouble. In the back of her mind, she knew how this was going to end. Still, she wouldn't go out without letting her know her position, even if the thought of it made her knees tremble."I'd rather die!"
"I figured as much," the woman stated, not angrily but just as if it was a matter of fact. "That's too bad, we would've liked to have you with us."
Fond memories of sparring sessions, learning jutsu, tending to wounds, and late night conversations full of soft giggles and bitter tears flashed in her mind's eye. However special that time was to her, she still shook her head. "Sorry, but I gave it up for a reason."
"And now it's going to cost you." Without taking her gaze off Kimoru, the woman changed her tone to one of authority, and she called out to her subordinate. "Take the key … and her chakra. I have a feeling it'll come in handy."
"Yes ma'am," the attractive red head complied as he came forward, withdrawing his own weapon.
Kimoru prepared herself for the attack, her eyes narrowing on her opponent. He smirked playfully as he met her gaze. The wind blew softly, and in the next heartbeat, he disappeared. Her eyes darted anxiously, and she aimed her slim kunai before throwing it with skillful perfection. When he reappeared, he swiftly side-stepped just missing the razor sharp weapon.
He charged her, striking her with brute force alone, but she had another kunai ready and blocked his attack. The metal of their blades sang as they met over and over, the two rivals twisting in a cruel dance that they had mastered so long ago. His lips curved as they locked together in another attack, both striving to overpower the other.
"You may not have lost your touch, but you're out of practice."
"Says you," she spat through gritted teeth before summoning her strength and pushing him away. She barely had time to compose herself before he was on her again, slashing and jabbing at her in quick succession.
There!
She saw where he left himself open, and in the split second of a window she had to strike, she took her chance. But his hand caught her wrist in a vise-like grip, drawing a pained groan from her as her weapon fell from her limp hand.
His hand snaked up into her skirt, causing her eyes to widen in shock. He gripped her holster and ripped it away from her leg before he carelessly tossed it to the ground, where it lay forgotten.
"I was looking forward to meeting my master's kouhai, but quite frankly, I'm disappointed."
"Bastard!" she growled, throwing her fist with all the power she had left in her.
He seized her other hand and reared back. Bracing herself, she took a quick breath, but she still wasn't prepared for the impact. The unmarked metal protector of his hitai-ate whacked against her skull as he head-butted her. Her vision crossed in front of her and she tumbled back in blinding pain. Forcing her eyes to open she caught a last glimpse of him.
"I'm done playing with you."
With speed unlike what Kimoru had ever seen before, he flashed behind her, and his blade cut smoothly into her neck. Complete and utter disbelief set in as blood spurted forth, and she hastily raised her hands to apply pressure to the wound.
But she knew it was too late.
She choked and stumbled backward. This wasn't supposed to happen. She was supposed to live a quiet life, settle down, start a family. She wasn't ready for this yet.
The man watched on with a curious tilt of his head, as though he had never seen life spill out of person before. Really though, he was impressed that she was still standing. Sensing his master's eyes on him he approached her with his kunai posed to strike. Pain soon tore through her side and she gasped as the ground rushed up to meet her. His boot met her shoulder and he kicked her over onto her back.
A slender form knelt beside her and a gloved hand gently cupped her cheek.
"We were friends once, so I won't let this hurt you."
Kimoru reached for her, her companion in her memories. "Ri ... Ri-"
The rough fabric of her glove slid down to her neck where practiced fingers flickered in the night with an electric burst of chakra. Kimoru felt her body go slack, her arm dropping to the ground. She didn't feel any pain, didn't flinch when the needles pricked into her skin and latched on.
She gazed upward, focusing on the sky and light breeze as it rustled the tree tops, and she admired the occasional blink of light from the fireflies. She was vaguely aware of a pulling sensation that seemed to stretch out from her core. Her vision became fuzzy, taking the stars along with it.
The last thing she remembered was thinking that it truly was a beautiful night.