Hey guys! I'm back with Chapter 3 of WtH! I've been looking forward to this chapter. When I first decided that Roku was going to have hydrophobia, this idea popped into my head. Things are going pretty good for our hero so far, right? It might be too earlier to tell if being with Tsunade and Shizune is a good thing or not.
In this chapter, our now named hero, has a rough time. But when does he ever have an easy time? Enjoy!
I don't own Naruto~
I slowly inched towards my target. I made no sound. I was stealthy and silent like a ninja should be.
Okay, maybe not.
Shizune glanced at me out of the corner of her eye but returned to her book a moment later. I scuffled closer to her. I pushed myself up and peeked over the top of the book. I still couldn't see the writing.
Damn, I'm too short.
Shizune watched in amusement as I stood on my toes and tilted the book back.
What sorcery is this?!
I stared in confusion at the strange markings on the page. Shouldn't there be words or something? Wait, it might be Japanese... Why can't I read it? Maybe it's because it's upside down? Yeah, that's it. Shizune allowed me to take the book from her and turn it around.
Nope, still makes no sense.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I sat down with the book in my lap and flipped through the pages. Everything looked the same. Just more weird symbols after symbols. I brought the book closer to my face, hoping that my vision was just playing tricks on me. No such luck.
This didn't make much sense. I could speak and understand what people were saying to me, but I couldn't read Japanese. How does that even work?
It's possible that when I took over the kid's body that our brains got mixed together. I got to keep all my memories but didn't get any of his. Which is why I didn't know what happened to his parents or know anyone at the fishery. I did get something from the kid other than his body.
I got his ability to speak Japanese. Apparently this kid didn't know how to read so now I can't either. Couldn't this kid do anything besides fish? How was I supposed to do anything if I couldn't read? What if I got lost and needed to read a map? I'd be fucked, that's what.
"What's wrong? You're making strange faces," I looked up at Shizune with a dumbfounded expression still plastered on my face. "Can't you read?" she asked.
I nodded vigorously. I didn't want her to know I couldn't. Homeless boy with no parents can't read. Could I possibly get more pathetic?
Shizune looked skeptical, "Alright, read this paragraph," she lightly tapped the paragraph at the top of the page with her finger.
My grip on the book tightened and I looked back down at the symbols. I swallowed hard and fought back the panic bubbling in my stomach. I needed to calm down. I just needed to make an educated guess.
What kind of books do girls like to read? Simple. Romance!
"Uh, well, it says..." I gulped and wiped away the sweat that had formed on my forehead. "The guy... um... bumped into the girl and... helped her pick up what she dropped... then they went out for coffee-"
"Roku, this is a book on repairing damaged nerves and tissue."
"Oh..."
Damn it! I was so close!
Shizune plucked the book out of my hands and ruffled my hair. "Nice try,"
She put the book away and left for the bathroom. I stared after her, bonking myself in the head with the side of my fist once she was out of sight. Tonton walked over and rested her chin on my leg.
"Buhi,"
I was grateful for her reassurance.
"What kind of dipshit can't read?"
My head snapped around to glare at the blonde. Tsunade snickered, putting things away into her bag. Despite her annoying face, I could tell she was a little wavered from all the drinking she had done the night before. What's the best thing to do for a person with a hangover?
I started clapping as loud as possible.
"Gah!" the blonde winced and pressed her hand to her head.
"That was great," I applauded. "You really got me."
She glared and hissed between clenched teeth. Tsunade grabbed one of the empty bottles on the floor and chucked it in my direction. The glass sailed past my head and went straight through the wall, shattering into pieces in the hallway.
I froze mid clap and my mouth gaped open. I had felt the bottle graze my cheek. If it had been just a little closer, there would be a hole in my head instead of the wall.
Shizune appeared in the doorway while I was still paralyzed from the shock. "Tsunade! They'll make us pay for that!" she shouted, motioning towards the hole.
"Not if we hurry and get out of here!" Tsunade returned to putting things into her bag. "Hurry up and get the brat ready!"
Shizune tsked and motioned for me to follow her. "C'mon, Roku," she disappeared back into the bathroom.
I shakily pushed myself up. My legs felt like jelly and my brain still hadn't registered what the hell just happened. I slowly hobbled towards the bathroom, my ankle injury and the near death experience weren't helping me any. I paused to look at the hole.
It's a perfect fucking circle!
My face paled and my heart felt like it skipped a beat. If she was actually trying to hit me then I'd be dead. What if she was trying to hit me but her hangover impaired her aim? I tried to shake off the anxiety and limped into the bathroom.
"I thought you might like to take a bath." Shizune spoke once I entered the room. "So you can clean out your wounds." she added.
Go ahead. Say it. The homeless kid needs to bathe.
The bathroom was pretty tiny. There was barely enough room for both of us. I slid around her and moved closer towards the tub. I stopped dead in my tracks.
My eyes widened at the sight of the clear water in front of me. My breath got caught in my throat and a sudden sharp pain stabbed me in the chest. My whole body quivered and my mouth went dry.
I can feel the water all around me.
I can feel it!
The foul tasting water filled my mouth and flooded my lungs. It crushed me from the inside out. Squeezing all the air out of me in slow, painful suffocation. The water hindered my ability to take in oxygen, watching me struggle to inhale.
I can't breathe!
I clutched my chest, bending over and fighting for air. My throat felt tight and I was starting to get light headed from the lack of oxygen. My muscles were starting to ache from the struggle.
I can't... I can't feel anything!
I couldn't feel my legs. The numbness slowly crept up my arms and took hold of them. My heart slammed against my chest and my lungs screamed for air.
I'm so cold...
All the heat had drained from my body, leaving me shivering and clenching my teeth. The world around me was getting dark. Black spots appeared in my vision and slowly expanded. My heart fought desperately to escape out of my chest but to no avail.
I'm drowning...
I heard a faint buzzing noise. It sounded far away. I could feel my life slowly slipping away from me.
I'm so cold... so numb...
The buzzing noise got louder. It almost sounded like a voice. My heart lurched and the darkness finally took over.
"Roku!"
Everything came rushing back. I inhaled sharply, my heart still beating rapidly. I blinked a few times, getting my eyes readjusted to the lighting. The feeling in my body had returned. I felt of my face, my neck, and my arms. I was still in the bathroom. I could feel myself trembling. I slowly turned, looking up at the woman.
Shizune was watching me intently. Her face was full of concern but she was clearly puzzled by the situation. She held my gaze for a long time before opening her mouth to speak.
"What's the hold up?" Tsunade appeared in the door.
"I-I'm not getting i-in there..." I stammered, taking a shaky step back and pointing at the tub. "Y-You can't make me!"
"I can't?" Tsunade scoffed. "You're not the one calling the shots, you little shit!" she pointed a finger at me. "Am I going to have to remind you who's in charge?"
"Tsunade-" Shizune tried to intervene.
"Now get your ass in the tub!" the blonde commanded. "We don't have all day!" she snapped when I stayed rooted to the spot.
"N-No! I won't!" I argued, standing my ground.
Tsunade stared at me in surprise, but a moment later her surprise turned to rage. The blonde moved into the crowded bathroom.
"Tsun- Ah!" the blonde roughly shoved Shizune against the wall, creating a large crack in it from the force.
I was too terrified to move. She grabbed me by the neck of my shirt and dropped me in the tub. I felt the lukewarm liquid hit my back and I immediately shot up. Tsunade pushed me back in by my chest, splashing water all over the room.
I fought against her, swinging my arms and kicking my legs wildly. My thrashing didn't faze her in the slightest. My mouth was wide open, breathing heavily from the pressure she was applying to me chest. My head went under the water and the liquid rushed into my waiting mouth.
The water slithered down my throat and filled my lungs. I choked and gagged, thrashing that much harder to get free. The water obscured my vision so I couldn't see Tsunade clearly. I tried to kick her, but missed and banged my bad ankle on the side of the tub.
I opened my mouth to cry out from the pain but the water quickly silenced me. More liquid filled my mouth in an attempt to suffocate me. My ankle throbbed and the water around me was turning a shade of pink.
I gripped Tsunade's arm with both hands. I arched my back and managed to raise myself up enough to get my mouth to the surface.
I screamed.
My screaming was cut short when I was forced back under and more water invaded my mouth. My limbs were exhausted but I tried to keep fighting. My heart rate continued to rise from the adrenaline coursing through me. The water had gotten darker and my lungs protested when the liquid attacked them. The black spots in my vision were returning.
Can't breathe... Gonna... pass out...
I struggled to keep my eyes open. My body just started to go limp when the hand on my chest was lifted. Through the murky water I could see Shizune grab the blonde by her shoulders and pull her back. I broke the surface of the water and gasped for air.
I sat up, clutching my chest and coughing up mouthfuls of water. I didn't get out of the red liquid. I just continued to sit there and struggle for oxygen. Water dripped off my face and into the tub. I didn't even know when I started crying. I looked over at the two women with tearful eyes.
Tsunade looked shocked. Like she was appalled by what she had just done. The blonde stared at me, and her mouth was open like she wanted to say something. She started to but choked up. Tsunade closed her mouth, shaking her head and quickly leaving the bathroom.
Shizune hurried towards me. She carefully lifted me out of the water and set me on the toilet seat. She leaned over and unclogged the tub, letting the murky water spiral down the drain.
A sudden surge of panic flashed through me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. My breathing was fast and uneven. I was dizzy, the room around me was beginning to turn and blur in and out of focus. I couldn't stop myself from trembling and cold chills crept up my spine. I was so unbelievably cold! I felt like I was choking. I gagged and my heart sped up in alarm.
"Roku! Hey, Roku!" Shizune knelt beside me and took my face between her hands.
I stared at her with wide eyes, my irregular breathing getting faster. I clutched her wrists tightly, digging my nails into her skin.
"Roku, you have to calm down!" Shizune ordered. "Copy what I do!" I struggled to get my breathing under control. "Come on, do exactly as I do!"
She inhaled slowly and deeply through her nose then let the air out through her mouth. She kept her eyes locked to mine, enabling me to look away even if I wanted to. Shizune repeated the breathing and I tried to mimic her. Eventually I got my breathing to calm down and my heart rate began to slow. She continued to help me breath until I was mostly back to normal.
"Are you alright?" she asked, not yet breaking our eye contact or releasing my face.
I nodded weakly. I felt something dripping down my fingers and I gasped. My fingernails had dug in too deep, making small cuts on Shizune's wrist. I stared at her blood on my hands and quickly recoiled. She allowed it, pulling her hands back.
"I-I'm sorry..." I apologized, new tears pouring down my cheeks. "I-I didn't mean to... I am so sorry..."
"Shh. You don't need to apologize. It's no big deal," she smiled and gently brushed my wet hair out of my face. "Let me take a look at your ankle."
I gave her another weak nod. She carefully lifted my leg and examined the wound. She peeled off the wet bandages that had been wrapped around it previously.
"I noticed your ankle when I dressed your wounds yesterday," Shizune explained, holding my leg with one hand and doing hand signs with the other. "This injury is different from all your others. Do you mind if I ask what happened?"
I shook my head. "Um... A hook got stuck in it..." I replied hesitantly, not sure if I wanted her to know that I was fished out of the ocean.
"I see. How did that happen?" she asked. "It's fine if you don't want to tell me." she added when I didn't respond.
I stared in awe when her hand began to glow green. Shizune lightly touched my ankle wound and I flinched from the pain it caused. I could feel the pain beginning to subside the longer she held her hand there. After a couple minutes, she pulled her hand away. The only sign left of the wound was the smeared blood on my leg.
"H-How did you do that?" I asked, completely amazed.
"It's a type of healing ninjutsu," Shizune replied, looking amused by my awestruck expression.
It was my first time seeing someone use jutsu in this world. I was pretty damn impressed. My drenched clothes and the water still dripping off my skin pretty much ruined it for me though. I cringed and tried to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat.
Shizune noticed my discomfort, "I'll take care of the rest of your wounds."
I didn't fight it. I let her remove the rest of my soaked bandages and gauze. She continued to use the healing jutsu on my smaller wounds. I think she only did it because she knew I liked it and it distracted me. When she finished, she grabbed the amazingly still dry towel.
Shizune wrapped the towel around my shivering body. She gently ruffled my hair with it, drying out some of the water. She dried my arms and legs but that was all she could do. Since Tsunade threw me into the tub while I was fully clothed, I had to suffer until they dried.
"I think that's the best we can do for now," Shizune adjusted the towel so it covered everything from the neck down. "Can you stand?"
I was still trembling violently. My body felt sore. Maybe I could force myself to stand but I probably wouldn't be able to walk. Not yet at least. Not while I was still scared stiff.
"Hey, don't cry anymore, alright?" she wiped away a few stray tears with her thumb. I hadn't even realized I was still crying. Shizune easily lifted me and stood up. "You're safe now, Roku." she whispered and I buried my face in her neck.
Vanilla...
I like vanilla. It's easy to breathe. It doesn't hurt. It pleases the senses.
Vanilla good. Water bad.
"I'll carry the bags," I heard Tsunade say.
Shizune didn't reply, just opened the door and kept walking. My clothes clung to my body and the towel I was wrapped in was damp.
So much water...
The thought of water being on me gave me terrible anxiety. I focused on my breathing. Trying to mimic Shizune and keep myself calm. I was managing well up to the point where Tsunade destroyed my nerves again.
"I'll wait here with Roku while you check out." the blonde said and I could feel Shizune's arms tighten around me. "I'm not going to hurt him." Tsunade reasoned. "They're less likely to bill you for that hole in the wall."
Shizune sighed and I raised my head. "I'll be back in second. Alright?" she smiled reassuringly and I gave her a feeble nod in return.
She set me on the floor, not too far away from Tsunade. I watched Shizune walk to the front desk and tried to fight back the terror I felt from being so close to the crazy blonde lady. We didn't speak. Just waited in silence for Shizune to return.
I felt something being draped over my shoulders. I touched the warm fabric, a little bit bewildered.
A jacket?
I looked up at the blonde in surprise. She had her arms crossed and she was looking off in the other direction. Her cheeks were tainted a light pink.
"You'll get sick if you go outside like that..." Tsunade told me. "You can... wear my jacket for awhile. It'll keep you warm..."
Was that an apology?
I didn't have time to ask her. Shizune returned a moment later and Tsunade pulled her aside, speaking in a quiet voice. I slipped my arms through the correct holes and held the jacket tighter around me. Tsunade's jacket smelled like smoke and alcohol. I preferred vanilla, but it was better than freezing to death. I looked over at the two women, straining my ears in an attempt to hear what they were saying.
"Buhi?" Tonton asked.
"I dunno," I replied softly.
Tonton sniffed the jacket and wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Buhi buhi,"
"I know, but it's the thought that counts." I smiled meekly when Shizune approached.
Tsunade left the motel, leaving the three of us alone. Shizune picked me back up and threw the bags over her other shoulder. I could probably walk now, but hey, I'm not going to complain. We left the motel and Tonton trotted along beside us as we walked down the street.
"Tsunade gave me her jacket..." I broke the silence between us.
"Nice of her," Shizune replied bitterly.
She didn't seem very happy with the blonde. I mean, I'm not exactly thrilled with her either, but Shizune seems really angry. It was kind of comforting to know that Shizune actually cared about me. Or she at least had enough decency not to kill me.
"It doesn't smell very good... but I thought I'd humor her..." the corner of Shizune's mouth twitched. She tried to fight back the smile but failed. "So where are we going?" I asked now that she was in a better mood.
"We're going to get you some clothes," Shizune answered. "You could use some new ones."
She's calling me homeless in that subtle way again...
"Where did Tsunade go? Did she not want to come with us?" I frowned. It didn't really bother me that the blonde didn't tag along but it'd be nice to know what happened to her.
"Tsunade had some..." Shizune paused while she searched for the right word. "Business to take care of. She gave me a lot of money to spend on you then said she'd meet up with us later."
By business, I assume she means gambling.
Tsunade gave her money to spend on me? That's unexpected... One second she's trying to kill me then the next she's buying me things. That woman is hard to figure out...
Shizune pretty much turned me loose at the store and told me to pick out whatever I wanted. With the help of Tonton, we managed to pick out some clothes. I actually have shoes now! Tonton has awesome taste for a pig. That red jacket and pearl collar she wears is a great example of her tremendous fashion. She knows her way around a clothes rack.
Afterwards, we got breakfast. Shizune just let me eat and eat and eat! I ate more than I could hold! What I didn't eat, Tonton picked over and gobbled down. I guess you could say we pigged out! Tonton didn't think my joke was funny either.
Awhile later, we got popsicles and sat on a park bench to eat them. Shizune ate about half of hers, got tired of Tonton staring at her, then gave the rest to the pig. There was no way in hell I was going to give my popsicle to that greedy bastard.
"Hey, Shizune?" I took a bite out of my ice pop. It might be too cold for popsicles but I was still enjoying it.
"Hm?" she looked over at me.
"Could you teach me how to do that thing you did earlier?" I grinned. "Ya know, that thing you used to heal my ankle. That was so cool!"
Shizune chuckled, "I think you should work on reading before you try anything else," she ruffled my hair.
"But that's no fun!" I protested and she laughed.
I was going to persist further, but Tsunade came sprinting down the street. The blonde skidded to a stop in front of us, panting heavily. Shizune raised her eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.
"We have to leave!" Tsunade said when she finally caught her breath.
"Why? What happened?" Shizune frowned.
"I lost," Tsunade admitted. "I lost all of the money and now they want it back."
"Tsunade!" Shizune hissed. "I told you to pay them back!"
"Yeah and I didn't listen!" the blonde snapped. "They're looking for me right now, Shizune!"
I was so confused. Isn't Tsunade like the strongest woman to ever walk the earth? Couldn't she just beat the guys up and move on? Did she not want to do that? Did she suddenly get morals or something? She is a strange lady...
"Buhi! Buhi!"
"Shut up, Tonton!" Tsunade growled. "This no time for your criticizing!" she turned back towards Shizune. "Look, if I don't pay them back they'll find other ways to get even. If they saw me with you two," her eyes flickered to me then back to Shizune. Shizune seemed to understand what she was implying.
"Gah!" I cried out when the world suddenly turned upside down.
Tsunade had thrown me over her shoulder and tucked Tonton under her other arm. "Grab the bags and let's go!" the blonde starting running.
"Tsunade! Hey! Wait!" Shizune called after her.
She quickly grabbed the bags and followed us. I was unable to hold on to my popsicle. The cherry flavored joy bringer plummeted to the ground and got trampled by Shizune a moment later.
I think my heart just shattered.
I went limp. I probably would never recover from such a traumatizing incident. We kept running to wherever Tsunade deemed "safe," Tonton oinking all the way.
That's the end of Chapter 3! I hope you guys enjoyed it!
Tonton is probably the best character in the whole story. I'm just saying. Roku is having a hard time. That's what? Three times now that Tsunade has tried to kill him? She threw him into the sun, almost took his head off with an empty liquor bottle, and almost drowned him in a bathtub. Guardian of the year, everybody!
I want to thank all you guys for the support! I'm so glad you guys are enjoying the story! As usual, let me know what you guys think and any suggestions you may have!
Until next time!
