Chapter Three: The First of Me
So, where are we going now, Aiji? Makaze drawled lazily, turning over in his half-sleep. He was often restless when the weather dimmed. I stared up blankly at the gloomy sky, the drizzle clinging to my eyelashes and rolling steadily over my skin. I pulled the traveling cloak more tightly around me, shuddering. The cold bit through my flesh and into the bone, chilling the very marrow within them.
I don't know. Why don't you tell me, Makaze? I muttered to him bitterly. I could hear his laugh, deep and guttural, grinding against my sternum uncomfortably.
Why so glum, Atsuko-chan? He asked, prodding my mind in hopes to irritate me. I ignored him, focusing on the trail in front of me, making sure that my feet when one in front of the other. I found Makaze's use of childish honorifics annoying. Never before had I referred to someone as 'chan', not even my sister.
My sister.
No doubt she would have found out by now. I was far enough away from Sunagakure by now that search parties would have been called off. I was able to make it out of the desert before the day was done. I didn't know where, precisely, I was going, but I had hopes to reach Konohagakure before wind of my treachery had reached that far. Doubtless they had sent a messenger falcon by now, but I could outrun one easily if I tried hard enough. I needed to regroup and then make my move from there.
I wanted to apologize to Kagura, for leaving her so suddenly. But then again, I wasn't a liar. I wasn't sorry. And if she were truly seeking my apology, she would hunt me down herself. And since it was I who made the betrayal, I knew that Kagura's team would be deactivated until the investigation was over. They were prime suspects, after myself, of course. That, and Kagura had been close to the Kazekage since their days in the academy three years ago. I could trust him to leap to conclusions and instantly become paranoid about her safety.
At least he was good for something.
That's my girl, Makaze said approvingly before drifting into a fitful sleep again.
I was glad he would leave me alone. His drowsiness proved to be accurate; the clouds were clearing up. The light was already faint, the sun having receded toward to western horizon, its weak, golden fingers drawing closed and brushing over the flat plains. Darkness would arrive soon. I needed to decide where to camp.
It had been an hour or so since I had exited the desert, and since then I had seen trees growing in sparse copses, but none of these provided good enough shelter or cover. I didn't want to be ambushed by a surprise search team sent from either village while I slept.
Troubled, I roused Makaze and relayed out problem to him. He was cross that I had woken him, but came up with the solution of,
Why don't you make one?
I argued that with my depleted Chakra I didn't have the energy to construct one suitable enough. Space and time jutsus didn't usually extract so much strength from me, but I had used many to escape from the reach of Sunagakure. That and I was carrying extra equipment; a red pearl necklace around my neck and a rather large summoning scroll strapped to my back, as well as an extra kunai holster or two strapped to my hips and right leg.
For my most common techniques I needed many knives, but I carried a few extra if I just needed to make a quick and clean execution.
My twin fans, which Makaze affectionately called his 'tools', were the lightest of the load, and my favorite and most frequently used weapons. The paper was cream colored, with the same stark black, spiraling seal that was on my collarbone painted in the center. The frames of the fans were made of stainless steel, painted black and wrought thin to decrease the weight. The blades, rising on each individual fold, looked like curved, silver shark teeth. Each of the fans was about two and a half feet in length, and the blades on the ends were about two inches long. Since my Chakra was most strongly wind-based, I could stretch my energy to expand the blades' reach is need be.
I didn't care about decoration as much as other kunoichi; if it got the job done, I was satisfied.
Well, it's your job as the host to keep us both safe, Makaze grumbled, so why are you bothering me about it if your just going to tell me I'm stupid in the process?
I was silent for a moment, stopping in my tracks. I wasn't going to lie; having another sentient being inside you and commentating every move you made wasn't easy, especially if you depended on the other for a substantial amount of your strength. I had a lot to credit Makaze for; on many occasions had he saved me from death and he had won me numerous titles of high praise. I wouldn't be half the shinobi I was now if not for his assistance. Only with my simplest jutsus did I not call on him for help.
You're right, I'm sorry. I said to him, and I felt his surprise. I usually didn't accept responsibility for a rebuke. But today I was feeling exceptionally charitable.
With twighlight descending, I didn't have many options. I sorted through my repertoire of survival tricks. Weighing the situation, I simply decided on the easiest path: sleep in a tree.
It was risky, but I was tired and sick of traveling.
Stumbling into the nearest cluster of maples, I selected the thickest looking one and climbed the trunk, settling myself into the crook of a branch with my back resting against the base of the tree. I rubbed my eyes.
I fiddled with a kunai, hooking my finger through the loop at the end and twirling it about. Though I was exhausted, I couldn't bring myself to finally sleep. It had been nearly two days since I had gotten proper rest, and my muscles were screaming from the strain that my high-speed jutsus had put on them. I was good at ignoring the pain, but I was an idiot if I didn't give my body the nourishment it needed. It could only sustain so much.
Hey, Makaze? I said suddenly, but cautiously and quietly, in case he had already fallen asleep.
Hmm? He answered.
I'm curious, I went on. Where are you from?
He was quiet, apparently mulling something over. I patiently awaited his answer, knowing he was touchy with the subject, but I was curious.
I don't think you're ready to know yet, Aiji. He said evasively. I was disappointed; the same exact answer for nearly sixteen years.
Come on, I whined, in a way that was very unlike me, I'm 21 now. I'm not a little child anymore, so stop treating me like one. It must be annoying, keeping a secret for that long.
You know, I can wait for a long time. I've been waiting for many lifetimes, and a few more years won't hurt. You're not ready yet. Trust me, I'll know when you are.
He had a kind of fatherly tone that I didn't like. I hated being patronized, but I knew if he didn't want to say anything, it was futile to try and pry information out of him until he was ready. He was annoying that way.
I stayed awake for a while after that, examining the stars. Makaze had long since fallen back to a restful sleep, so he did not intrude on my revelations.
Personally, I was very unimpressed with stars, even though millions upon millions crushed the sky in this area because there was barely any light pollution. They seemed kind of pointless and insignificant; so many people who had their heads in the clouds wrote lengthy poems about their mysteriousness and god-like beauty. If they couldn't help me in any way, then I wasn't interested in the slightest.
Unwillingly, I coasted into a thin sleep.
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A/N: Okay, third chapter up. Its going pretty slowly right now, but I promise the next chapter will be at least a little exciting. I'm skipping over Kagura's chapter and writing another in Atsuko's POV. I'll finally be able to write some fighting scenes, I can't wait.
Review! Tip your waiters! Ideas, comments, and critiques are all very welcome! -puppy dog eyes- please? I need some for this story. it's sad when I have two other stories with reviews and one that doesn't.
Oh, and another thing; the term 'Aiji' means 'my beloved child'. Since Makaze is so fatherly toward Atsuko, it seemed fitting.
Ciao.
