Alright so here's the next chapter that I'm sure you've all been eagerly anticipating!
There's one part in here where I'm not sure if the Hidden Grass has ANBU or not, but since it's so small I'm assuming that they don't. So we're going with that!
Enjoy!
Stepping out of that bath was one of the hardest things I'd done in a while. It had been well over a month since I'd last had hot water and a proper bath with actual soap. In fact I was so relaxed afterwards; I just about forgot to put some clothes on before I left the bathroom, which would have been a slightly awkward situation. So instead of my birthday suit I opted for one of the new shirts that showed a bit of my midriff and my usual pair of baggy black pants. I also hadn't put on my usual bander so my chest was unusually free and while it felt somewhat strange to not be wearing it, it was also really nice.
Re-entering the bedroom area, Kisame was once again fully dressed and had reassumed his resting position against the head board, Samehada was leaning against the wall on the side closest to me. Sitting down on my bed I started to brush through my wonderfully dry hair thanks to the blow dryer that was included as part of the bathroom. Once I was sure it was free of tangles I started to braid it over my shoulder, a short while later I was finished and then copied Kisame's relaxed stance.
I wasn't sure how long we both sat there in silence but to be honest it was just really nice. It was one of the things I missed while I'd been alone these past seven years, just being able to enjoy silence. Although I admit I think that enjoying the silence for so long eventually made me hate it and turned me into something that I'd rather not think about. Although now that I had someone with me these past couple days I'd been more or less reverting back to who I was before which in a sense was nice, but at the same time I couldn't afford to completely be who I used to be. Since I was a missing nin now I needed to retain some of the things I had learned in order to keep myself alive.
With that thought in mind I threw off my pants, crawled underneath the covers of the bed and willed myself to go to sleep.
The next morning I was woken quite rudely when my senses warning me of the kunai currently on a collision course with my neck. Jumping out of bed I readied myself to fight whoever had gotten in the room only to find that it was still just me and Kisame. I looked around a little more to make sure I was correct in that assumption before I realized that the shark had the most shit-eating grin on his face that I'd ever seen. That's when I knew he was the one responsible for chucking a kunai at me.
"What the hell did you do that for?" I cursed at him while he just continued to stand there like he'd done nothing wrong.
"You were still sleeping so I thought I'd wake you up." He said calmly like he'd been doing a favor rather than trying to kill me.
"And what if I hadn't woken up in time, what would you have done then?" I demanded not at all pleased that he'd just tried to kill me and then try to make it sound like he'd done me a favor.
"Then you would have been too weak to survive being a missing nin in Akatsuki." At this his smirk disappeared completely and he looked dead serious about what he'd said. For the second time since I'd met him, I really was reminded why he'd been granted the title, Monster of the Hidden Mist. There wasn't a smidge of mercy in that gigantic body of his and to think last night I'd been grateful for his presence in my life now.
"Fine, I guess I can understand that. I wouldn't want a weakling for a partner either." I replied as I got dressed and transferred all of our food supplies and my clothes into containment scrolls and the pouches I wore around my waist. Since I'd left Hidden Rain I'd ditched using a bag because I'd had enough of carrying one around, especially when it didn't look good with the outfits at all.
Finished with my packing I turned and followed Kisame out of the room. Once we were out of the hotel I managed to locate the sun rising in the east.
"Grass country is north of here and it's still a couple days away so we better get going." To further prove my point I started walking in a mostly northerly direction. After a few minutes of silence I pulled out one of the energy bars that I'd bought yesterday and started eating it as my breakfast. Normally I would have thrown one to my partner, but considering the way he woke me up this morning I wasn't feeling particularly generous right now. He didn't say anything, not that I expected him to but I couldn't help feel like I'd failed in some way.
"Water Style: Exploding Water Shockwave!"
"Lightning Style: Grand Lightning Storm!"
The two techniques combined into an incredibly deadly combo that would without a doubt kill anyone that was unlucky or unskilled enough to get caught in it.
After a good few days practicing that and another technique where I electrify his five feeding sharks we had gotten better at working together. We could time our attacks a bit better now so we weren't getting in the way of each other's jutsus but after only such a short time we weren't anywhere near perfect.
"Our timing could still use some work but it's definitely better than it was before." I stated after we'd both cancelled our jutsus. I watched as the lightning and water slowly started to disperse from the grassland that was all either of us could see for miles. I guess it wasn't called the Land of Grass for nothing. "Let's continue on before we call too much attention to ourselves, the last thing we need is the guards on our tails." I suggested and started walking again expecting him to follow, which he did after putting away the monstrosity of a sword that he wielded.
"So where exactly is this establishment we are supposed to be looking for?" Kisame asked and I stared straight ahead as I answered:
"Since their Hidden Village is the largest settlement, searching there is likely our best bet. Unfortunately since it is a Hidden Village we will have to sneak in somehow." Risking a glance at him I saw he had an excited grin on his face, "Let me rephrase, we have to sneak in without killing anyone because it's a small village and we will be found out almost immediately if we do." He growled in annoyance.
"Samehada and I are both bored that there hasn't been anyone with the guts to challenge us." He said and I could hear the bloodlust behind his words and as much as I hated to admit it, I agreed with him to a point. While it was boring that there hadn't been any interesting run ins for the past few days, I also knew better than to ask for encounters of that kind. There were a few years early on in my defection that I wasn't proud of and if it was possible I would prefer to leave them behind me. We walked in companionable silence for the next little while as I let my mind wander in itself. I pondered the tenuous relationship that we shared. As missing nin we were both accustomed to looking out for only ourselves but now that we also both belonged to an organization that forces us to work together, it goes against mostly everything we'd learned. That led me to a question I felt needed an answer.
"Kisame-san, I have a question for you." I posed and he gave a grunt to let me know that he was listening, "Since we're partners in this, can I count on you to have my back if things start going wrong?" I gave him a level stare as I waited for his answer, although the fact that he didn't respond right away told me that this was something he had to put some serious thought into. It was also likely that he was asking himself the very same question.
"It would depend on who or what you're fighting." He responded vaguely and giving me a look that said if it benefited him to not help me he would choose that option without hesitation.
"Well I can't say I feel better, but I guess it's at least good to know that unless I'm fighting a Tailed Beast by myself I can't count on your help."
The bastard had the gall to laugh.
It wasn't until we'd gotten to the Hidden Village (or more specifically the hotel we were staying at in the Village) that we spoke again, that had been fine with me though considering I was still sore about the kunai thing and that I couldn't trust him. Deep down I knew this was stupid and that I should just let it go but the thing that hurt the most was that I knew it was my fault entirely. Kisame was just being realistic and looking out for himself, like any missing nin would. I suppose I'd just gotten sentimental with the thought of working for a group that didn't involve myself as the boss.
By the time we got into the room I was so disgusted with myself I knew the last thing I wanted to do was sit in close quarters with the Shark. I needed to get away from him for a few hours and clear my head about everything, but I didn't want to do it in this ridiculous coat. Plus if I ended up making a fool of myself there wouldn't be anything to tie me to the organization. Throwing my coat and then after another moment's consideration, my forehead protector as well, on one of the two beds here I made sure I had lots of money with me before I announced, "I'll be back" and walked straight back out. The door was closed before Kisame could make any sort of reply.
Striding out into the street I started searching for an establishment that was worthy of my time and considerable amount of money. After a few meters I saw a sign that looked promising and without further ado I went inside. The interior was actually quite nice given that from the outside it didn't look like anything really special. The whole room was furnished in a nice dark wood with tables and private booths for those that wished for them. There was also an elevated bar complete with bar stools for patrons to sit on. Considering that it was already quite late into the night already the place was quite full with only a few open seats sporadically spaced around. I didn't care for the tables though, my place was at the bar, where I'd be perfectly content to sit by myself and drink until I couldn't see straight.
Sliding on to one of the open seats, I saw the bar keep walk up to me and without giving him a chance to ask I slapped down a thick wad of cash, "Sake, don't bother with a cup, just give me the bottle and keep me supplied." I demanded and he looked shocked at my declaration before taking the money and returning with a couple bottles one of which I uncorked immediately and started drinking.
Stupid Kisame.
Drink.
Stupid Akatsuki.
Drink.
Stupid Waterfall.
Drink.
Stupid me.
At that last reason I drank heavily before I realized that I'd already finished one bottle. Putting it off to the side I grabbed the other and uncorked it next. This cycle continued for a good while before I no longer found myself alone at the bar.
"A woman who knows how to drink, now that's a rare find indeed." A smooth voice spoke from beside me and I turned my head to see a man in his early twenties with glossy black hair that covered the right half of his face. He was so obviously not ninja it was almost funny because he had no idea who he was trying to chat up.
"I'm not in the mood for company." I stated bluntly in hopes that it would throw him off. I didn't like the vibe he was giving off either, I'd encountered his type before. I wouldn't be surprised if he was working as recruiter for the prostitution ring Kisame and I were going to bring down.
"In that case let me buy you a drink and I'll leave you alone. Sound fair?" he replied and my head was filled with alarms going off warning me that he didn't intend to do that in the slightest.
"I don't take drinks from strangers." I refused and gave him a warning glance which he smiled at in response.
"How rude of me, I didn't introduce myself. My name's Horaku Yami, you can just call me Yami though, no honorifics necessary. There, no longer strangers. And you, beautiful? What's your name?" I had to hold back a snort. Beautiful? No one's called me that in a couple years at least. I gave him a less than impressed glance which was returned with a cocky smirk. It was blaringly obvious he was very used to this act having succeeded a little more by now.
"Yuki." I replied coldly
"Ah, and yet you are just as pretty as freshly fallen snow and just as cold it seems." He laughed and I began to feel my patience wear thin.
"You said you were going to buy me a drink?" I reminded him and he smiled jovially.
"Yes I did didn't I? Haru, a special for the lovely lady here, and make it a double!" he called to the barkeep and I took special care to keep one eye on him while he was making it. Just like I thought at one point he checked to make sure I wasn't watching, which was when I decided to take a drink of my sake bottle just before I saw him slip something else in the drink. I almost smiled at how predictable his play was, now the question was: did I dare take the drink?
A soft 'clunk' alerted me that the drink tender had set the glass on the bar in front of me and after an impulsive decision I decided I was going to play dangerously. I would just have to burn it out of my system before whatever it was could kick in.
"There you go, are you sure you don't want me to stick around?" he asked sweetly with an overly sugared smile. I just about vomited.
"Yup." I confirmed and finished my last bottle of sake in one big gulp. Before I took the glass in my hand and looking him straight in the eye I downed it all in one gulp. I swear I saw a glint of triumph in his eye but I didn't really stick around to find out. "Seeing as you aren't keeping to our agreement I think I'll just go ahead and take my leave. Thanks for the drink." With that declaration I stood up and watched with satisfaction as horror flitted over his features for the briefest of seconds. Before he could react in any way however I was already walking towards the door.
I was outside before he'd even made a move and jumping across rooftops as quickly and as quietly as I could. I needed my chakra pills for an extra boost that I would need to burn this drug out of my system before it took effect. Thankfully I was actually quite close to the hotel we were staying in and I was able to quickly get back into our room.
As I touched back down on the ground I could start to feel the effects of whatever it was he gave me, dizziness and tiredness began to affect my conscious. I ran up the stairs and practically ripped the door off its hinges when I burst through successfully scaring my partner as Kisame instantly jumped into a fighting stance. I slammed the door behind me as I lunged for the pouches I left on the bed and rifled through them until I found what I was looking for.
"What the hell is going on?" he demanded as I hurriedly sat on the bed and closed my eyes to concentrate on purging my system of this drug. I felt my chakra flare as the pill I took kicked in and as I used my lightning release to speed up my metabolism to ten times the rate of a normal person. After that it was less than a minute until I had completely cleansed my body of the toxin. Once I was done, I was exhausted and flopped backwards onto the bed staring at the ceiling. Or at least I was until I saw the blue face of Kisame as he towered over me. "Are you going to tell me what is happening now?" he was obviously agitated at my actions but I didn't have the energy to tell him for another few seconds.
"I think I found a recruiter for the prostitution ring..." I informed him, and I could see the surprise on his face, "…and he gave me a drug of some form. I assume it was something to knock me out or otherwise subdue me." After my statement I could feel the air grow heavy and tense and after risking another glance at my partner I found the scariest glare to date on his face. Right after that the only thing I could see was the tip of Samehada as Kisame held it directly above my throat, I narrowed my eyes at him.
"I should kill you right here and now for doing something so stupid. If this pathetic village had ANBU they'd be coming down on us in droves because of you." He growled at me and I could feel my temper start to flare for the umpteenth time that night.
"The only reason I felt safe doing what I did was because I knew that there would be no ANBU here. I don't know if you recall or not Kisame but I did manage to survive on my own as a missing nin before joining the Akatsuki and I achieved the classification of S-Rank at that." I gripped Samehada not caring that it bit into my hands as my fingers started to spark with red lightning, "And let's not also forget that I was able to fight one-on-one with you Hoshigaki and the only reason a true winner was never revealed was because Leader-sama stopped it himself." I could feel the cuts getting deeper and my chakra start to be absorbed by the blade but I didn't let go and continued to get up until I was standing right in front of him glaring fiercely for all I was worth, "Stop treating me like a child and an inferior, for I am not." With that I pushed his blade away not once breaking eye contact with the giant menacing shark that was before me. My whole body by this point was sparking with lightning but I had a point to prove and I'd be damned if I didn't get it across. After a few moments of mutual glaring backed down and put Samehada back on his back.
"Hmph, we'll see about that." He replied before walking away and I was glad that we'd come to an understanding of sorts.
"Good, so don't get comfortable because we have to go back to that bar and have the rat lead us back to its nest." I informed him as I grabbed my shirt that cut low and rose high to reveal my stomach, he gave me a strange look that clearly said he was confused.
"And what are you doing with that then?" he demanded and I grinned mischievously.
"I'm going to be the bait of course." Was my response right as I transformed into a girl that looked absolutely nothing like me.
Things are finally getting going yay!
Also I noticed that at least one of you is wondering about her back story and justr as a general comment, yes it is going to be revealed. It's something that I want to work in slowly because I want to focus on (not only how she is now rather than what she used to be like) her creating a relationship with Kisame and vice versa.
Always interested to hear your thoughts on my work and please drop a review if you'd like to share them!
