A Monsoon
Chapter 1: Sixteen
Disclaimer: I would like to say, I only own Aishina Kyoko and the lovely plot.
A/N: Feedback is much appericiated. Please, let me know what you think of this story. It won't be very long... Most likely four to five chapters. Thank you...
The first thing he noticed about her was her hair. It wasn't pink like Sakura's or platinum blonde like Ino's. It wasn't midnight blue like Hinata's, or chocolate brown like Tenten's. Her hair reminded him of ice, of snow, of everything that was cold. The strands danced in a multitude of colors, different hues of blue that blended together. The tips were the same shade, purely white, the color of fresh fallen snow. The second thing he noticed about her were her eyes. They weren't apple green, corn flower blue, lavender, or chocolate brown. They weren't sapphire blue, onyx black, or coals. They were the purest shade of silver he had ever seen. They were unique, like her.
The final thing he noticed about her was her skin tone. She didn't possess the porcelain skin like Hinata, milky skin like Ino, or peachy skin like Sakura. Her skin was olive in complexion that caused her to stand out. She was an outsider to the village of Konoha. Yet the moment his sapphire blue eyes fell on her form, he accepted her. She was unlike the other shinobi of the village, something about her drew him to her, like a moth to a flame. She was the bright blue flame, the hottest stage of fire, an he couldn't look away. She was enchanting, her movements fluid like water, her hair the oddest color, yet in his eyes she was perfect, she was beautiful.
The first time they met, he was seven and she was six. She was new to the village, freshly enrolled in the academy. She stood before the other students, all a year ahead of her, listening as the instructor introduced her.
" Class, this is our newest student, Kyoko Aishina. I would like for all of you to show her respect," Iruka sensei informed the class, glancing up from the young girl as his name was called.
" Iruka, may I have a word with you?' Mizuki requested, his gaze narrowed as he glared at the young girl. Iruka nodded, stepping out of the class room.
" What color of hair is that?" the question was asked by Ino, her nose wrinkled in disgust. Her gaze remained down cast as the insults began.
" What are you? A icicle?" another student shouted, his laughter echoing off the wall. Her eyes shut, her fists clenching into balls at her sides. He sat in the corner of the classroom, watching the girl as she stood still.
" Leave her alone," one lone voice caught everyone's attention, including hers. Sharply she looked up, her sterling silver eyes meeting cold, onyx black
" Sasuke, you actually like her?" Ino's voice drifted through the air, causing the younger boy to shut his eyes in annoyance.
" She's going to be our comrade whether we like or not. Things would run smoother if you didn't insult her. One day your life may be in her hands," the Uchiha explained, his voice bored of the conversation.
" Aishina, why don't you take a seat beside⦠Naruto," Sharply the said blonde boy looked up, his sapphire blue eyes widening slightly.
She stood before her Hokage, head bowed as she read over her captain's report. Her back was straight, shoulder's square. Her uniquely colored hair was tied at the nape of her neck.
" Excellent job, Aishina. I am truly impressed," her Hokage praised, eyebrows raised as she met the young girl's gaze. Aishina glanced up, meeting her Hokage's cool amber eyes, her face void of any emotion.
" You praise me to much Lady Hokage," Aishina shook her head, relaxing her posture. She was dressed as a civilian, wearing a plain white tank top that hugged her torso and faded jeans that stayed in place because of her narrow hips. Lazily she slid her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, her eyes holding boredom as she waited to be dismissed.
" I actually wished to speak to you. You're a very talented kunoichi, your determination reminds me of someone I once knew, she too was an outsider. The villagers didn't accept her, they often teased her for her hair color. Do you know what she did?" the Fifth Hokage, Tsunadae, questioned, resting her elbows atop her desk and weaving her fingers together beneath her chin.
Aishina shook her head, truly curious as to what her Hokage had to say about this strange girl.
" She beat them the only way she knew how, with her fists. She was hot blooded and ill tempered. Yet she still made a friend, managed to find the acceptance she so desperately sought. That girl always impressed me, as do you. I would like to offer you a position as a member of my personal guard," Aishina cocked a delicate eyebrow, a fragile smile curving the corners of her lips as she bowed her head, watching her feet as she gathered her thoughts.
" I am flattered with the offer, Lady Hokage. However I feel my place is still with ANBU, as a hunter. Maybe next year," she offered instead. Tsunadae chuckled, shaking her head at the young woman standing before her.
" Next year," she agreed, watching the refugee saunter from her large circular office.
Moments later her quiet was interrupted once again, however not by her apprentice with more paperwork, no this time by a boisterous boy eager for some good news. Aishina stood in her spot, nearly being knocked down by the blonde haired boy as he raced to the Lady Hokage's office.
" Is it true Granny Tsuadae? Is it?" he stood before her desk, his face inches from hers as he leaned close, his sapphire blue eyes pleading for the answer. She chuckled at the boy before her, nodding her head.
" Yes, Naruto, it's true. The Uchiha has returned," she answered, watching his face brighten for a brief moment before his gem like eyes narrowed to slits slightly.
" But how? ANBU has been chasing him for months. Even Kakashi said he couldn't track him," the boy spoke, waiting for answers.
" Uchiha wasn't as careful as he thought this time. The Hunter Squad I sent were able to track him and retrieve him. He's lucky they were able to bring him alive. I told the captain to use whatever force was necessary," Tsunadae informed the boy she came to see as a grandson. He nodded slowly, taking a step back.
" Will he be allowed back as a ninja?" he questioned, glancing into his Hokage's eyes.
" If he can prove himself," Tsunadae answered, watching as Naruto nodded his head.
" Thank you Granny," Naruto offered her a small smile as he pivoted on his heel, leaving the office. Tsunadae smiled at his retreating back, knowing he was truly happy for once in his life.
" Don't thank me Naruto. I'm not the one who made sure he came back alive," Tsunadae whispered to the air, leaning back in her chair.
Aishina pushed herself to walk again, eager to leave before Naruto found her eavesdropping. Her postured was relaxed once she left the Tower, enjoying the bright sun that warmed her olive skin as she picked her way through the streets of the village, ignoring the disapproving looks and muttered insults. As a child she ignored them, as a young woman of sixteen they rolled off her armor like skin with ease. Only the harsher of the insults could dent her any more as she made her way through the crowded market place of the village, easily weaving through the throngs of people.
" Aishina!" a voice called, catching her attention. She paused her walking, glancing over her shoulder as her captured ninja and her teammate made their way towards her.
" Nara. Is there something I can help you with?" she questioned her lazy teammate, mercurial silver eyes watching as he rubbed the back of his neck.
" I'm suppose to help Temari arrange the Chuunin exams. However the Hokage doesn't want him anywhere near there and Captain doesn't want him in a cell. The only option is to have an escort with him at all times. Captain's doing paper work, would you mind reacquainting him with the village?" Shikamaru requested, watching as she shook her head.
" No, go ahead. I can handle him," she waved him off, watching the large smile spread across him lips. He began to jog towards the Hokage's Tower, more energy in his body than she ever saw before. She shook her head, glancing at the Uchiha she was charged to watch.
" Are you hungry?" she questioned, watching his onyx gaze dart from her to the vendors once again. She shook her head as she began to walk once again.
" You'll either starve or talk, Uchiha, which ever comes first," she commented, knowing he would follow her. He watched the long strands of icy blue sway down her back, following her feline like movements with grace as she entered the Bar-B-Q grill, finding a table near the back with ease. She slid into her booth, watching as he stood, silently debating his options before he slid into the seat opposite of her.
" Sasuke!" two girlish screams echoed off the open wall of the Bar-B-Q, causing the Uchiha to wince as his eardrums were pierced. Aishina glanced over her shoulder, rolling her eyes as the pinkette and the blonde made their way towards them.
" Sakura, Ino," Sasuke greeted the two girls, watching as the emotions passed their faces. Finally one settled on both faces, happiness.
" Naruto said you were back, Ino didn't believe him," Sakura whispered, her apple green eyes never leaving his alabaster face.
" You both should know better by now. Naruto wouldn't joke about something as serious as this," Sasuke muttered, turning his gaze away. Ino's cornflower blue eyes narrowed to slits when she saw who was sitting with Sasuke, lips parted to comment.
" I'm on probation, Ino. Aishina is my probationary officer until I can prove my loyalty to the Village. I would appreciate it if you didn't insult her," Sasuke commented, returning his gaze to the blonde. She blushed lightly before nodding her head slightly, tugging on Sakura's arm.
" We need to return to the Hospital before Shizune comes to look for us," Ino suggested, backing away from the table.
" Alright. We should have a get together this week, to celebrate your return, Sasuke," Sakura called as she followed after her blonde friend. Sasuke shook his head, watching the girl in front of him as she read over the menu.
" Why do you let them push you around?" That caused her quirk an eyebrow, amusement clearly written on her features as she thought her answer over carefully.
" When I was a girl, my village was torn apart from war, a similar fate had befallen a neighboring village decades ago. The Third Hokage opened the Village as an act of kindness, allowed refugees a second lease on life. I was six years old when I enrolled in the ninja academy here. I was a year younger than the other students, which wasn't that odd. Yet they still saw me as an outcast because of my hair, because of my eyes. Two boys went out of their way to welcome me, for whatever reasons they saw fit.
" The only reason I tolerate the other shinobi is for these two. I still have one friend, I'm waiting until the other returns, maybe he can make the insults worth it," she shrugged as he thought her story over, knowing exactly what she was talking about. " Can I get you two anything?" a waitress questioned as she arrived at their booth, her eyes darting between the Uchiha's and the Kyoko's.
" Black tea please," she answered, turning her sterling silver orbs to his onyx black.
" The same," he answered, watching as the waitress walked off.
" What's so special about these two boys that ties you hear?" Sasuke questioned, curious about the loyalty she held.
" One saved my life, the other, I owe him my life," she answered as if it was the simplest thing in the world, refusing to elaborate as the pot of tea was placed in front of them.
They ordered their lunch, sipping the tea as thoughts of the past consumed them. Finally Sasuke voiced another question, his eyes meeting hers.
" How did you do it?" Naruto paused as he neared their table, Sakura and Ino behind him. This was a question everyone was eager to hear.
" How did I do what, Uchiha?" she met his gaze, eyebrow quirked as he searched for the right words.
" I always saw Naruto as my brother, the only one who could possibly understand me. I understood why he wanted me back, I understood why all of the other Rookies wanted me back. Yet, I never anticipated having to face you," his words caused her lips to curve upward in a small smile as she brought her cup of tea to her lips.
" Once upon a time, you saved my life once. You were ten, I was nine. This man my mother was seeing had decided to take his anger for my mother out on me. I was a small child, a porcelain doll compared to other. If you hadn't arrived when you did, I might not be hear. I needed to repay my debt. However, if that were simply the case, I would have left you alone, waited until you returned of you own free will. I owe my life to Naruto a thousand times over. He saved me when no one else bothered to look for me. He protected me when others turned their backs on me. He was desperate for you to return. I needed to do something. I became a member of the Hunter Squad for a reason.
" You weren't as careful as you thought. Nara used one of his family's wolves to track your scent. Nara handled your teammates with ease, Captain made sure they wouldn't intervene. The rest, it was a battle of the wills. The only difference between you and I? I was fighting for someone else," she informed him, shrugging my shoulders as his eyes widened. Slowly he nodded his head, glancing over her shoulder.
" Naruto," he whispered the name, swallowing as his long time friend moved closer.
" Hey Sasuke. Aishina, I wanted to thank you," Naruto began, glancing at the girl sitting in the booth. She shook her head, glancing over her shoulder at the two kunoichi who accompanied him. He frowned, his lips parting as an argument slowly began to form in his mind.
" Don't. I owe you so much more, Naruto. Have a seat. I need to pay the bill," she excused her self, leaving the four friends and making her way to the counter. She bowed her head as she walked, paying for the meal before slinking to the girl's restroom to gather her thoughts.
No matter what she did, how long she served as a fearless kunoichi, she would always be an outcast in their eyes, she would never be one of the rookies, she would be the girl with the ugly hair. Slowly a tear slid down her cheek as she furiously wiped it away, shoving away from the sink she was leaning on. She needed to return to the table, to escort the Uchiha back to his compound so she could go to bed. It was still early in the day, yet her body screamed at her to lay in bed for a much needed nap. The retrieval had taken more chakra than she thought. She shook her head to clear her thoughts as she pushed herself back to the table, offering a weak smile as she quirked a delicate eyebrow.
" I'll see you at training field seven, tomorrow," Sasuke assured his former teammates before he slid from the booth. " I'll escort you to the Uchiha compound, if you wish to leave again, you know where to find me," she informed him, watching as he nodded his head.
She exhaled a breath as they reached the gates that would lead to the quiet compound.
" Thank you, Aishina. I owe you," he muttered as he passed through the gates, glancing over his shoulder to watch her leave.
