Akai eats slowly to save herself from burning her tongue on the spicy dishes while listening to the birds singing outside. She sits alone in the Isozaki garden to get the chance to calm down after her intense training just some minuets before. It has passed two days since she found the Konoha ninja in the woods. Her leg is getting better but it's still sore and Akai avoids using it more than necessary. Akai and her family are waiting for Naruto´s awakening so everyone can get an explanation from the blonde.
She sits leaning against one of the tall trees in the middle of the garden. Her white hair is pulled back into a loose and messy ponytail, but some strands frames her pale face just as her eyelashes frames her closed eyes. Her light green long sleeved kimono has some small stitches where Sasuke hit her but it looks new, her fishnet shirt and trousers are fixed so as her short dark shorts. She has pulled off her ninja sandals and is playing with some grass strands with her toes without thinking much about it. Chewing on her lash piece of chicken she stands up to walk back into the house, grabbing her shoes with her free hand.
Her mother greets her with a smile and takes the bowl to start washing it by hand. Akai murmurs a thank you before she heads toward the front door without opening her eyes. She knows her house well and is aware of every door, doorstep and room. Her ponytail falls down over her right shoulder as she leans down to put on her shoes.
"Are you heading out again?" Her mother asks from the kitchen.
"Yes. Yoshi forced me and Kanaye-san to tag along somewhere…I'll be home before nightfall."
"That sounds just like him. Be careful." She starts but her eyes widen as she remembers. "Akai you haven't forgotten the sun lotion?"
"I think I took too much; my face is all slippery." She replies with a little sarcasm in her voice while touching her face.
Akai turns her back to her mother and opens the door to leave but Akane is quickly by her daughter's side and inspects her half unzipped kimono jacket. Akai turns when she feels how hands start to zip up her clothes. The girl who's suffering from Albinism is mentally sighing as she thinks that her mother acts a little too caring.
"I think we need to buy you a new jacket with a higher collar, I don't think this one is protecting you neck enough…"
"I like this jacket, and more cloth would just make me sweat more during practise..." Akai sighs interrupting Akane. "I'm fine mum. I've to go now or I'll be late. Keep an eye on the Konoha shinobi. Bye."
Akai walks out.
"Don't forget to walk Gosai-chan home!"
She shuts the door firmly, almost not catching that last sentence.
The soft breeze caresses her face as she walks over the bridge over to the north part of the village. The gentle sound of waves below gives the Chuunin a clear picture of the river under her until a pair of steps approaches in the other direction. She's fully aware of that the women's chatter dies out as they pass her by. Two pairs of eyes stare at her; she knows. Her odd looks has always attracted people and they stare like she's some animal at the zoo. Even if the village is small enough for everyone to know each other.
"1000 yen and you can look as long as you want ladies."
Akai reacts like that; shielding herself with rudeness. Feeling that her true self fades inside of her for every time she has to snap at someone, just to protect herself and tell them that there's a limit to their rudeness. Tapping sounds behind her back tells her that the women increased their speed to get away. Away from her.
Akai walks through the village, greeting friends and elders, while keeping her head up high. She knows what people thinks of her. ´What a freak´ or ´She´s nice hair. Can I touch?´ Her albinism has always brought her down but she has improved and gotten better since she became Chuunin. But she can't ignore the pain when someone insults her.
Akai arrives at her old team´s usual training ground where Yoshi said they would meet. The eighteen-year-old is the last to arrive and she smiles as Uesugi Yoshi and Makiguchi Kanaye greets her.
Yoshi is the hot head of the team; he's impulsive, aggressive and very quick to insult people. He's the only one who's still a Genin and that's because his foul mouth got him into a rather unpleasant situation during the last exam, and he was forced to stay hospitalised. But Yoshi is different to his friends he can be really friendly, but he can also be a teaser. He's pretty short for his age and doesn't weight much so he uses his small body to gain speed in battles. He has speed but no physical power. Yoshi has dark green, almost black, wild hair that reaches the end of his neck. His eyes are golden.
Kanaye is a chuunin and is a very quiet and mature person. He doesn't say much but he's always there for you no matter what situation. Kanaye is a power package and uses his whole body in his attacks. He's got a great body but girls seem to think that he's too well built. He has short brown hair and chocolate coloured skin, jade green eyes and he doesn't mind what he's wearing. Just a simple t-shirt and a pair of shorts are alright for him.
"Akai, long time no see!" Yoshi cheers.
"How are you?" Kanaye wonders.
"Hello. I'm just fine. It's nice to see you guys again."
Akai smiles with her whole heart as she tells them that. She can be herself around the two men, well most of the time, and she utterly enjoys their company. Yoshi and Kanaye are two of the few people who believe in Akai and her abilities as a kunoichi, and they don't judge her by her handicap or odd looks. It took a while of struggles until they grew close as a team of genin but now it feels like they´ve known each other since forever.
"So, what are you up to? Preparing for exams?"
"I'll do the Chuunin exam this year in Suna, I've heard that the new Kazekage has planned an awesome challenge in the deserts! I'm so fired up." Answers Yoshi.
"Sounds cool. Kanaye?"
"No… I'll pass this time. I'm thinking of taking over my father's business and start raising horses. He needs all help he can get in the stable." Replies Kanaye.
"And you Akai?" Yoshi asks.
"Well, I plan to try the Jounin exam, but I'm not sure my mother will allow me to. Especially if it's in Suna, I can't stand the sun or heat."
"That sucks." States Yoshi.
"Haha... well... So, Yoshi, do you have any plans for your training?" She laughs if off half heartily.
"Maybe I'll ask Aoi-senpai for help…" He answers noticing the fake Akai´s fake smile.
"…" Akai starts glaring. "No! I'm not allowing you to ask my brother to help you with your training!"
"Why?" Yoshi asks in a fake voice.
"Because…He's busy, that's it!
"You just don't want to share him!"
"Well…do as you wish!"
Kanaye sighs at his two ex-team mates as they just keep on arguing. He knows that the two is really close, and that's why both are usually smiling while arguing. Something about Akai bothers him; it's as if she's really fighting this time. But the expression is hidden below the surface as if it hasn't been discovered yet.
Gosai smiles as his sister appears in front of him by using a basic Kusa jutsu, the ten year old takes her hand as they walk down the road toward the bridge. The sun is slowly sinking near the horizon and the once blue sky turn orange and pink.
"Akai onee-san! You know I fought this big guy today! He was so fat and he tried to bully Takao so I just; ´Leave him alone! Don't bully people smaller than you!´ And the fatty became so scared and ran off!"
"Oh."
"Yeah! And you know what? The snobby Takao thanked me and asked if we could play together! I mean he was like really nice!"
"Gosai-chan don't judge people, ok? Takao-san is surly a nice person."
"Yes… you know sensei praised me today!" Gosai is good at changing subject.
Akai walks in silence; half listening and half thinking for herself.
Akai awakens as the sun touches her face through the window. She yawns and stretches before getting out of bed. She walks slowly without making a sound, down the stairs to prepare herself for her morning practice. A sudden sound makes her turn her focus toward the living room. It takes some time before she understands that it´s the Konoha ninja who´s the source of the sound. She had almost forgotten about him. Akai kneels down beside the sofa as she feels and hears how the guy lying there is slowly regaining his consciousness. She opens her eyes and tries to focus on the body but her sight is as blurry as ever. A gasp leaves his mouth and the weak sound is followed by a louder bump, Akai feels how a foot hits her tight as the Konoha ninja probably falls out of the sofa. Akai smiles and is just about to greet him but he interrupts her.
"A-a-a ghost!"
Naruto has fallen down to the floor and is lying at his back pointing his finger at Akai´s face. His blue eyes are narrowed, but the orbs grow as the young man realises that it's a person in front of him and not a spirit. Akai´s smile fades slowly and a frown takes its place.
"Hello to you too Mr Sunshine." Greets Akai with a bitter tone.
Akai earlier excited expression turns into bitterness and she doesn't stay by the shinobi´s side for long. She puts her hand on the foot that's close to her thigh and puts her body weight on it as she gets up from the floor. Naruto´s eyes becomes narrow again as pain reaches his senses.
"Damn that hurts!"
"Mother, he's awake!" She ignores Naruto completely.
Akai lets go of Naruto´s foot and disappears into the kitchen with a pair of blue eyes glued on her back. Naruto glares at her furiously as he tries to take away the pain in his ankle by some massage. Akane opens the bathroom door with a bang and is by Naruto´s side as fast as lightning. She smiles sweetly and starts using her medic skills to take away the soreness with her long piano fingers. But she gets pushed away.
"Where the hell am I?!"
"In a small village in the country of Grass. My daughter Akai found you in the bamboo forest in the north. You were seriously injured so she took you here. I'm Isozaki Akane one of this village's few medics. I'll do as much as I can but I'm not near the skills of a Konoha medic."
Naruto allows Akane to treat his wounds this time but his eyes travel to the girl who's sitting alone in the kitchen with a teacup between her pale hands. The blonde frowns; he doesn't believe that she saved him; she purposely hurt him just a moment ago! He notices how her unclear blue eyes become distant before he focus on Akane once again. He's slowly remembering his fight with Sasuke.
"Thank you Akane-san. Do you know if someone else was found?"
"No. I'm sorry but I don't know. When I've finished healing your wounds I'll ask Akai to take you to our leader. I hope he'll be able to help you as you might be able to help us."
Gosai who's been hiding behind the closet peeks out to take a look at the cat-like ninja his sister found some days ago. The ten year old steps out from his hiding place as blue eyes meet his brown stare.
"Hi there kiddo." Naruto greets him with his trademark smile.
"Hello. I'm Gosai."
Naruto points at himself.
"The name is Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto glances at Akai as she leads him through the village. The blonde can't help but wonder what's wrong with the girl. She's pale like a ghost, got a really weird hair color, and her eyes are so distant all the time. Above that, she is rude. He thought at first that her odd looks might be a Kekkei Genkai but the rest of her family looks nothing like her so it's not possible. Is she adopted?
"You're staring."
"Was not, dattebayo."
Akai turns to face Naruto, using the sound waves he's creating by talking as her guide to know where he is exactly.
"Sorry, but I'm not that naïve."
They cross the bridge and turns left, heading toward a rather tall building in the west direction.
"What's wrong with you, anyway?"
"What?" Akai snaps surprised.
"You look really sick with that pale skin… and your eyes. You should go to the hospital."
"…" She ignores him.
"Akai-san?"
"Just shut up, okay? My condition has nothing to do with you. Just keep quiet and keep walking."
"Hey!"
Naruto frowns as anger grows inside of him. This girl is seriously pissing him off. He grabs her by her shoulder and forces her to a halt. He turns her around so they faces each other; her long loose hair moves around her face. They're so close he can literally feel her body becoming tense. But that's not the thing that caught him. Her eyes look at him but are still not looking. Her misty orbs are empty and even how much she tries to focus her gaze she isn't able to meet his eyes. Naruto´s eyes widen.
"You…You're blind?"
Akai grits her teeth and pushes away Naruto´s hand on her shoulder forcefully.
"…Yeah!"
"..I..." Naruto can't find any words.
"One favour Naruto; don't feels sorry for me, because I don't need your pity."
Naruto follows Akai in silence as they walk the remaining meters to the building. He can't help but thank that he's a jerk who asked so many rough questions about her. He understands her a little; she doesn't want sympathy.
Akai knocks on the door before entering; she bows respectfully in the direction she knows the leader is sitting. Naruto does the same. The leader, who's a man in his late 60, regards them in silence. He wears a green robe with the grass symbol printed on the front.
"Isozaki Akai-san please tell us what happened."
"I was training alone in the bamboo forest two days ago. I noticed a strange inhuman chakra and decided to explore it further. There were two boys fighting but none of them were Grass ninjas. I saw something huge; like a beast fighting a young man dressed in white and black. One of them spoke of Orochimaru and I decided that he's an enemy and a threat to our village. So when he tried to finish the other off I interfered and saved his life."
Akai nods toward Naruto.
"The man dressed in black and white was skilled and forced me into battle. We got interrupted and the name Orochimaru was mentioned once again. The young man, who said his name is Uchiha Sasuke, retreated together with another male who I doesn't know anything about."
"Leader… we can't rely on her..."
One of the leader´s adviser whispers but both Akai and Naruto hears it. The Konoha ninja glances at Akai in the corner of his eye as he feels how she tenses by the insult. Naruto frowns.
"She's telling the truth."
Akai flinches.
"So, you're Uzumaki Naruto?"
"Yes."
"So, let's hear your story."
"I was out on a mission together with my team; our motive was to bring back Uchiha Sasuke who betrayed Konoha over four years ago. Some new information told us that Orochimaru´s whereabouts were near the border between Earth and Grass so we headed there to search after him. And we found him."
Naruto´s voice gets horse and it´s Akai´s turn to gaze at him.
"We battled and the fight brought us deeper and deeper into a forest with bamboo thickets. I got separated from my team who fought Orochimaru and his servant; Kabuto. The man who Akai-san didn't know anything about. So I was stuck fighting Uchiha Sasuke on my own and I was losing badly. Akai saved me."
The leader regards Akai and Naruto in silence. He closes his eyes and sighs deeply, scratching his bald head. His adviser is quiet as well when he realised that their stories are trustworthy. The leader is well aware of what threat Orochimaru could become. And Uchiha Sasuke´s case is well known in Grass too. This is not a time for hesitation.
"Isozaki Akai-san. Your mission is to escort Uzumaki Naruto back to Konoha as his bodyguard. But also to strengthen the bond between Grass and Leaf. I'll prepare the papers right away. We'll not accept our forests to be used for another country's battle again. You'll leave tomorrow morning."
The leader turns to his adviser.
"Inform every Chuunin and Jounin about the incident. Orochimaru might still be inside of Grass´s borders. Send an owl to the Hokage. Go!"
Dear mother, Gosai-chan and Aoi.
I'm on a mission, the time of my return is not certain. It might take a week, or a month.
Akai.
