We met up with Kisame and Itachi a few minutes from town as Kisame pitched an Akatsuki cloak at me. I quickly put it on as Deidara burst into laughter. I sighed. The cloak swamped me and came to just above my ankles not my knees, the collar covered just about all of my face and the sleeves trailed fast my finger tips by about an inch.
'I think we'll have to tailor her cloaks' Sasori said blandly as I gave him a glare. Deidara was still laughing as he hugged me.
'Oh, you're just too adorable yea!!!' He squealed as I looked at the others for help or at least for someone to punch this guy. Kisame grinned but didn't move and Itachi kept the same stoic look on his face as Sasori just watched calmly.
'Come on, you're going to crush her Deidara and that's leader's job or Orochimaru when she tries to get his ring' Kisame laughed as I suddenly felt ill. That's what this mission was about was to get Orochimaru's ring.
The ring on the chain went icily cold against my skin.
'Leader said we have to have a meeting with him first' Itachi said as I flinched at his silky voice. Itachi frightened me, he was truly a viper in a basket of silk scarves as Kisame nodded.
'Come on woman, if you slow us down I'll have to carry you again' he said as I nodded and we left Deidara and Sasori in the secluded clearing as Itachi led the way leaping from tree to tree.
These guys were fast as I struggled to keep up. I hated being such a useless warrior as Itachi and Kisame pulled ahead of me by at least a hundred meters. I sighed and pushed myself to keep up. Kisame glanced back every once in a while to check that I was keeping up. Itachi didn't bother as I noticed Kisame slowed his speed a little to fall back with me.
'you're not moving your chakra effectively' Kisame said as I shot him an irritated look.
'Of course I don't I'm not a warrior I'm a medic you idiot' I snapped as Kisame gave his low chuckle.
'Right, even then you need to know how to fight within Akatsuki. A dead medic is of no use to us. Now move your chakra to just where your foot touches the branch. For you, that's the balls of your feet and give a solid push' he instructed as I did so and shot forward with less energy than I had been previously using. Kisame caught up easily and gave me one of his toothy grins.
'Thanks' I smiled as he nodded and we easily caught up with Itachi.
'I assume you have no training with weapons either' Kisame laughed as I shook my head.
'Just shuriken and Kunai, nothing fancy' I said as Itachi made an irritated noise. I guess he didn't like my voice as I fell silent and dropped a few feet back.
'Leader will not be impressed.' Itachi said as Kisame gave a nod of agreement. I sighed, this really wasn't boding well for me. Why had they picked such a weak ninja like me to join their ranks? Kisame looked back at me with shocking golden eyes before returning to say something to Itachi that I couldn't hear.
I was wary of this duo. Kisame could crush me and Itachi had murdered his entire clan without resistance. All if could do was heal wounds as I thought for a moment. Healing jutsu were a gift and a curse in a sense. I could kill myself healing but I could also use healing chakra to do devastating things within the human body. We were forbidden from using our healing jutsu to kill. It was extremely painful and if we didn't know exactly what we were doing the damage we could cause ourselves was immense.
'Do you have any type of effective attack jutsu?' Itachi asked in his silky voice as obsidian eyes caught mine.
'A few but… they're very painful to the enemy' I said as Kisame laughed.
'They must be good jutsu then' He grinned as I fought the shudder than ran down my spine. Kisame obviously loved carnage as in an instant that bloodlust was smothered and normal Kisame seemed to surface. I blinked. Did I just imagine that?
'What do they do exactly' Itachi's voice didn't hold a question it was a demand for me to tell him.
'I put a bit of my healing chakra into their bodies but instead of healing it destroys. I can block arteries, create internal bleeding, crush vital organs. Just about anything' I shuddered at the thought as Kisame and Itachi looked at me. Itachi seemed… pleased and Kisame seemed interested.
'I'll have to see you in action some time' Kisame laughed as I gave a small smile. I hated fighting really. If I could be a monk I would be but I wasn't disciplined or dedicated enough for that, instead I was now running around with a renegade bunch of shinobi. Itachi slowed the pace as we dropped to the ground and they both donned straw hats as Kisame slapped one on my own head. The bells jingled as they swung from a little string as I notice how much these outfits covered, I was just about unrecognizable other than the fact that I had breasts and the other two definitely did not.
We walked in silence as Kisame of all people struck up a conversation.
'So how's Konoha doing?' he asked as I shrugged. Itachi and I were probably the only two people in the world that hated Konoha for what they did to us. Orochimaru didn't count because he's a psycho.
'Hopefully its burning' I said as Kisame burst into loud gaffs of laughter as I thought I saw Itachi smirk. 'I never want to go back there, I would be returning to certain death and idiocy anyway' I said quietly as Itachi made an 'hn' noise as if in agreement. Then again, he had killed his entire clan randomly.
'Well at least we know you have no loyalties. The start of an Akatsuki member in the making' Kisame laughed as I smiled. Kisame was trying to make me feel welcome, it was nice as I notice him shift closer so that our shoulders were nearly touching.
'well, no loyalties to Konoha' I said quietly as Kisame and Itachi both nodded. Kisame went on to talk about weapons and what ones would be good for me as I fell into an easy conversation with the duo. Kisame really was a nice guy. Cocky, and arrogant but I believed somewhere deep down was just a regular guy. Not a completely psycho mass murderer as I looked at Itachi. Itachi was a whole other matter. I didn't trust him in the slightest with his stoic feminine face and silky tones. He was much more dangerous than Kisame was. But Itachi also had changed slightly since our first meeting. Even now walking beside me it was like I was a younger sibling that was tagging along on an outing. I wasn't welcome but I was tolerated and even slightly enjoyed if only for the company.
'We will see what Leader wants' Itachi said ending the conversation as I noticed we were at a small waterfall with a bunch of rocks. Kisame grinned and grabbed my upper arm lightly. He was being extremely gentle with me unlike the others as he marched us straight at the rock wall. I waited for the impact as it merely shimmered over us and we were standing inside of a dark cavern.
'You're late' A dark commanding voice boomed as my spine went ramrod straight at the tone. The other members had also stood straight at the sound of the voice.
'We are sorry Leader. Deidara had the prisoner in the store for longer than expected' Itachi said smoothly as I tired to pin point the location of the voice. Kisame's hand was still on my upper arm as we stood in the darkness.
'Bring her forward' The voice commanded as we moved as a single unit to the base of a small waterfall. Through the gloom I could make out something that looked like a hologram with a rainbow fuzz around the edges with static in the middle as two eyes peered out at me. I bowed very low as leader seemed surprised at my actions yet pleased at the same time. I didn't rise as neither of the other Akatsuki members said anything. 'Stand. You have manners, that is good now do you know why I commanded you be brought to me?' he asked as I nodded. He waited for me to speak.
'I was brought before you to collect Orochimaru's ring to join the Akatsuki because you are in need of a ninja who specializes in field diagnostics of wounds.' I said as leader seemed pleased by my response.
'Indeed. Kisame, Itachi leave' he said as the two Akatsuki members immediately disappeared in whirls of leaves. I felt incredibly vulnerable in that moment as Leader's eyes bore into mine. 'I know you have had a past connected to Orochimaru. How' he demanded as I looked this man in the eyes.
'Kabuto, His underling, was my mentor. I have no more knowledge other than that' I said as leader nodded and stared at me as if looking for something.
'Do you know the ring you are looking for?' he asked as I reached inside of my shirt. He seemed confused as I pulled the chain off of my bra and pulled it out ring and all.
'Is this is ring?' I asked as I showed him the badly warped ring. It was men's silver ring with a jade inlay that had the character Sky marked in the top of it. Leader scrutinized me for a moment before nodded.
'How did you acquire the ring?' he asked as I recalled the day that Kabuto had tired to kill me.
'Kasumi, can you come here?' Kabuto called as a smaller version of kasumi walked into the medical tent. Lying on the table was a pale man with long black hair and strange purple tattoos on his face. Immediately Kasumi started backing out of the tent. Something was screaming at her to run.
'Kasumi?' Kabuto turned to her with a scalpel in his hand. 'I said come here' he demanded as he reached out and grabbed her arm stabbing the scalpel deep into her skin.
'NO LET ME GO!' she roared kicking her mentor hard in the crotch and trying to make it for the door. It was blocked by the same man that had been on the table only now he looked like he was in extreme physical pain.
'Do what he says Kasumi' he hissed as tears flooded the girl's vision. 'Be a good girl and do what Kabuto says' he hissed as Kasumi grabbed the first thing she could which happened to be a surgical light.
'STAY AWAY FROM ME!' she screamed as Kabuto and Orochimaru crept closer. 'STAY AWAY!' she pushed chakra into her hands as they glowed blue. Both men laughed as Kabuto swung out to try to cut her throat as she dodged and planted her hands on each of their bodies. Orochimaru grabbed her hand as she felt the ring slid onto her finger before she panicked and pushed the chakra out of her system into his.
The scream that ensued was horrific after she realized the forbidden jutsu she had just used that would have her killed by Konoha as Orochimaru crumpled to the floor. Kabuto glared at her as she ran from the room. Ran and ran and ran until she collided with a strong chest and a mop of grey hair.
'Orochimaru attempted to kill me as a teenager and from the encounter I ended up with the ring' I said as leader seemed to contemplate this.
'Has he never tried to get the ring back?' Leader asked as I shook my head.
'I don't think he knows I have it. It was really damaged from the condensed healing chakra' I said and looked at the severely warped ring. They had had to cut it off my finger it had been melted so badly from my attack. It probably would never be wearable again.
I noticed that Leader took a step closer to me as I tried desperately not to flinch under his gaze. That man was utterly terrifying and he wasn't even completely here. He reached his hand out and gestured for me to hand over the ring. I did as I was told as I watched him mould the ring like clay until it was in perfect condition. I blinked. How the hell had he done that?! I was really in way over my head, these people were insanely high ranking ninja if they could manipulate metal just with their chakra.
'Hold out your left hand' he commanded as I did just as he asked. Leader didn't move as the now perfectly formed ring slid onto my left little finger as it tightened snugly. There wasn't a chance I could get that off as I felt something burning on my hand. I looked down to see the ring glowing white hot where the character for SKY was created as I bit back a scream that was trying to fight its way forward. I looked at Leader as he wore a smug look as I fell to my knees and held my hand gently again my chest. Oh god, the pain was so bad as I could smell burn flesh as I gently tugged the ring off. Underneath was a raw brand that had the insignia of SKY exactly where the ring was.
'That is the finger you will wear your ring and that is the finger you will stand on to seal the tailed demons.' He said as I nodded. My eyes were tearing up from the throbbing pain in my hand as he gave a low chuckle. 'I have no more business with you Kisame, Itachi come in here please' he commanded as all I could do was stare at my branded hand.
!.!.!.!.!.!.!
Outside Kisame wasn't sure what had made him so anxious about leaving the little medic kunoichi in the cavern with leader. Maybe it was because she was so small, or maybe because he knew she had very little battle training under her belt and Leader could be utterly ruthless at times.
'You seem very taken with the medic' Itachi's cold voice cut through Kisame's thoughts as he looked over at his stoic partner. He laughed mirthlessly and looked back at the waterfall.
'Not often a woman doesn't run screaming from me' He sighed as Itachi slid obsidian eyes over to his partner. Kisame knew that look, Itachi was disapproving of something as he turned to the small man.
'She's odd' Itachi commented randomly as Kisame sighed and set down Samehada against a boulder. 'She doesn't seem to be afraid like most are of the Akatsuki yet, she has no training to fight us if we did want to kill her' Itachi mumbled more to himself than to Kisame as the large Shark nin rolled his shoulders and flopped down onto a patch of damp grass.
'The file said she was manic depressive. Maybe she wants us to kill her. She said herself she's never going back to Konoha. I don't blame her personally. Bunch of assholes your village can be.' he said lying back as Itachi stood staring at the woods around the little clearing.
'She seems…defective.' Itachi mumbled as Kisame opened a golden eye to look at the Uchiha prodigy.
'She needs basic training' Kisame said blandly 'She has little to no experience with weapons or jutsu. She will be a liability if we have a medic who can't defend herself or her patients' He looked at Itachi as Itachi nodded. He agreed. They could not afford to have the talents of a good medic gone to waste based upon crappy training especially if Leader was willing to accept her into the Akatsuki ranks.
'Kisame, Itachi come in here.' Leader's voice came through the waterfall as both Akatsuki members straightened their robes and entered the dark dismal cavern.
Kisame was a little disturbed to see the figure of the short kunoichi hunched over on her knees as he fought with himself to walk over and ask her what had happened. Instead he stayed beside Itachi and waited for Leader's orders.
'Seems you don't have to go hunt down Orochimaru, she already had the ring from a … previous encounter. Itachi, give this to Tobi and Zetsu' leader handed a scroll to Itachi as Kisame moved to where Kasumi was still crouched and was now shaking. Kisame was impressed, kasumi had taken on Orochimaru and managed to grab his ring. Most Akatsuki members would die before they ever let their ring be taken, let alone from someone as week as her.
!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.
My god my hand hurt as I heard Itachi and Kisame come back into the cavern. Leader was talking to them as I felt Kisame come to stand close to me. I pushed chakra into my finger but it seemed like however the brand had been made my chakra wouldn't heal it as I gasped at the doubling of pain that action had caused.
'Don't try to heal it. It will heal on its own in time' I heard Kisame's gruff voice as I nodded and shakily got to my feet. I looked to my right to see Leader and Itachi watching Kisame and I as I bowed to Leader.
'Leave' Leader commanded as Itachi turned and left as Kisame grabbed my upper arm and once again escorted me from the cavern. I tried to ignore the pain in my hand as I was momentarily blinded by the harsh sunlight outside of the cave.
'You did well' Kisame's voice was so low I just caught the compliment as we kept walking. I looked up at the shark nin. Kisame was odd. I stared at him for a few more minutes trying to see what exactly he was thinking as he turned sharp golden eyes to meet mine. 'Something interesting about my face?' he asked as I shook my head and looked away at the trees. One thing I had noticed was that Kisame didn't have any eyebrows. Well, he did but they were very slight lines of the same odd shade of blue that his hair was. I didn't dwell too long on the shark nin as the pain in my hand throbbed, god it hurt. But I kept silent as we followed Itachi along the path. Kisame once again slapped the irritating straw hat on my head as I followed along.
'So how did you manage to get snake boys ring?' Kisame asked as I glanced up only to see the lip of where the hat me his collar. I turned back to watch Itachi's back as he walked.
'Freak accident' I said as Kisame gave a low chuckle.
'With Orochimaru, no surprise but not many can go again someone like him and survive' He commented as I glanced at his sword handle just visible over his shoulder. Kisame was one of the few Akatsuki members that I found I could trust as unsettling a feeling as trusting an S-ranked criminal was. But at the same time that same little voice hissed at me to keep my mouth shut and stay as far away from them as possible.
'Kabuto, his minion was his mentor. I caught him doing something to Orochimaru and a fight ensued. Leaving me with the ring' I said as suddenly a hand whipped out and grabbed my neck slamming me against a tree as I gagged and gripped the forearm now holding me to the bark of the tree.
'Kisame, check her for a curse seal' Itachi's voice was cold as I opened m eyes to stare into rapidly rotating sharingans as I close my eyes and fought for any little amount of oxygen. I felt hesitant hands gently pull of my hat and aside my cloak and tunic as I felt Kisame gently check all around the base of my neck and shoulders. My vision was being dotted with black spots as my limbs were going numb from lack of oxygen.
'Nothing' Kisame said as I was released from Itachi's death grip. I gasped and fell to my knees as two hands steadied me so I wouldn't fall over. 'You could've asked her Itachi' Kisame's voice was annoyed as I felt him gently set my tunic and cloak back into place. My throat was burning as I gasped in air and tried not to hyperventilate as I leant against Kisame for a bit of support as he pulled me up to stand beside him. I swayed dangerously as Kisame held my shoulders politely keeping me from toppling over.
'She could've denied the mark. Most do' Itachi's voice was emotionless as I heard something along the lines of irritation from Kisame as I gently felt my neck. That was going to be a nasty bruise as Itachi started walking again.
'That still isn't a reason to strip search the girl!' Kisame snapped as Itachi turned and raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything before walking away. Kisame gave a growl as he swept me up into arms and caught up to Itachi. I was quite sure my face was bright red as Kisame held me again him, I was thankful for the high collar and hat as not a word was spoken between the duo.
The pain in my hand was back as I just lay there. Kisame seemed really angry at Itachi for what he'd done to me. I was curious as to why as the same little voice jumped up telling me not to meddle in affairs that could get me killed. I listened to that voice as I heard the familiar click clack of bamboo branches in the wind as I looked up to see we were nearing the house. A few feet from the house Kisame set me down as I stood and gave a small bow before taking a right and walking along the veranda.
I had only made it about twelve steps when I nearly collided with none other than Hidan. I skirted him deftly hopping on one foot to get around him as he breezed by not bothering with a second glance as I could feel a molten hot glare hit my back. I turned to see Kisame looking rather angry as he stomped along behind me.
OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT!!!!
I doubled my pace as I was jogging and slid around another corner, rebounded off a wall and turned to find myself at another corridor. Damn, why couldn't things go my way as I turned right and smacked right into a hard chest face first. There was a grunt as I fell backward jarring my tailbone and landing on my wounded hand as I yelped and pulled the appendage to my mouth. It was reflex as I held my pinky to my lips as I looked up to see Kisame.
He didn't look angry anymore just irritated and slightly concerned as I sat there staring at him in silence. It stretched to become almost uncomfortable as he sighed and reached a hand out to help me up. I accepted as he pulled me to my feet. He immediately dropped my hand and turned to go back the way he'd come as I heard him speak.
'We're short of rooms so you'll be rooming with me for the time being.' He said as I blinked. I would get my own room? I thought about for a second as Kisame didn't move, he was waiting for a response. I thought about it, staying in Kisame's room. It really didn't bother me until I realized exactly where I'd be sleeping. Well, I guess I'd just have to deal with it. It wasn't like I was with Itachi or Hidan or Zetsu. I shivered at the thought as Kisame turned back to look at me. I gave a slight smile.
'No problem' I said as he nodded and disappeared around a corner. Why the hell was I being so damn nice? I shook my head as I knew the answer. These were powerful shinobi and some of them were downright freaky and there was no way in hell I was going to be by myself in a house where I knew a couple of them would probably rape me just for kicks.
I shuddered at the thought as looked at my still abused hand. I need antiseptic and bandages. Now, where the hell those were was a mystery to me as I cursed my stupidity for not just following Kisame as I sighed and plodded down yet another hall. I took a left and found myself at the cheery little bonsai garden in the middle of the house. It was quite pretty as I noticed all of the windows faced into the garden. At least I made it back to a central location as I heard a shower running and someone singing. I tried not to laugh as I heard Hidan singing away from a window to my left as I shook my head and took a right along the little wooden porch that ran along the outside of the garden.
I passed a window as I caught the scent of nail polish before I was assaulted by a shock of golden hair as Deidara leapt out of his window to hug me. I smiled as he let me go and looked me up and down.
'well, fully fledged Akatsuki member yea?' he asked as I nodded and he looked at my hands. 'wow, leader didn't go easy on you yea. Probably because it was Orochimaru's ring yea' Deidara gently handled my hand as he turned it over and examined it.
'I need some bandages and antiseptic. Can you get me some?' I asked as Deidara nodded and pulled me along the veranda, into a hall and down another as we passed Kisame's room and entered into the kitchen. Thankfully it was empty as Deidara rattled around in a few of the cupboards before producing a first aid kit. I thanked him and set to work applying hydrogen peroxide, polysporin, gauze and then some tape over top to keep it snug as I downed two acetaminophen and two ibuprofen for my neck as Deidara watched me work.
He obviously had never seen a medic at work even if it was simple healing like this as he was transfixed by every single one of my movements. It was quite annoying really.
'Can you stop staring at me? It's irritating honestly' I snapped as Deidara looked up at me.
'Wow someone's bitchy yea' he mumbled and wandered over to stick his head in the fridge. I wanted to reach over and smack the blonde man as I reigned in my temper. Going around slapping Akatsuki members was not a good idea for someone just welcomed into their midst and was probably weaker than all of them by a great deal.
I heard heavy footsteps as I stuck the last piece of cloth tape on my finger before Kisame rounded the corner and strode into the kitchen carrying his behemoth of a sword across his back. He stood tall and was watching me as I packed away the first aid kit and set it beside the sink. It was unnerving being watched so intently by those sharp golden eyes as Deidara slammed the fridge with a sandwich in hand making me jump at the sudden loud noise.
'Kasumi come on. I'm going to start your training.' Kisame muttered as Deidara looked at the taller man.
'You're training her? Sheesh don't kill her yea. I've trained with you and every time I end up being bed ridden for two days yea. Maybe you should let someone else help train her yea?' Deidara said in between bites of his sandwich as Kisame watched him almost measuring up what he said as I intervened.
'I think it would be great to have more than one teacher. I mean, each one of you is good at… some kind of jutsu so then why don't I have different teachers?' I said as both men seemed to think my idea was a good one as Kisame fixed his eyes on me.
'You would be willing to train with other Akatsuki?' he said as I caught the different levels of meaning under his tone. I winced. Meaning I'd have to deal with just more than Kisame and Deidara.
'I don't want her around Hidan or Zetsu they'll rape her yea' Deidara said as I looked sharply at the young man. He had been dead serious was the unsettling thing as Kisame gave the blonde a dark look. I flinched as both of them glanced as me as I quickly looked out the window pretending I had heard something.
'Itachi is best for genjutsu. I will ask him' Kisame mumbled to himself as he turned to me. 'Come on, let's go' Kisame looked at me as I nodded and followed him from the room. I followed quietly as Kisame didn't say anything and the quiet trip soon had an awkward feel. I wondered why Kisame was always so quiet around me yet so chatty with everyone else, was it because I was new? Or maybe because I was a girl? Maybe it was something much more simple than that. I was a stranger. I guess I might as well start a conversation.
'So Kisame, what's your sword's name?' I asked as he glanced over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
'Samehada, why do you ask?' he muttered as I shrugged.
'Curious. Why do you keep it bandaged?' I asked as I heard him give a deep laugh.
'You certainly ask a lot of questions' He said as I smirked.
'Best way to start a conversation isn't it?' I said as Kisame opened a door and stepped out into the late afternoon sunshine.
'I suppose it is' he said as he stepped into a very scarred and beaten training ground that once resembled a backyard I assumed.
'So what are we starting with?' I asked as I stepped off of the porch and walked closer to Kisame.
'We'll start with taijutsu. How far and fast can you run without chakra?' he asked as I stared at him. He wanted me to run. I HATED running. I giggled as he raised an eyebrow. 'What's so funny?' he asked as I gave him a grin.
'I don't do running' I said as Kisame gave me a disbelieving look.
'Well, you will start running to be able to learn taijutsu. How about we spar to begin with then?' he said watching me as I sighed. Alright, so I had managed to get out of my evil nemesis running but now I had to spar against Kisame. This might hurt.
'I'll start at a genin level and go from there alright?' he said setting his sword off too the side as I swore I saw the bandages move. I blinked as Kisame took on a basic fighting stance. I stared at him. Was I supposed to start in a stance?
I mimicked his pose as suddenly he ran at me. I ducked the first blow and caught his fist managing to grab it and pull it up behind his back as he easily reached over and grabbed the scruff of my shirt and tossed me onto the ground. I was winded as I jumped to my feet and tried to swipe at his legs. He avoided effortlessly and grabbed my arm throwing me across the clearing where I tucked into a roll and stood once again. Kisame was right beside me as I reacted purely on instinct and punched him square in the chest as I heard a click and pain spread up my hand. I gasped and pulled back avoiding a punch from Kisame as I heard a tick of metal as I dodged a kunai swipe and did a one handed cartwheel away from Kisame.
Kisame was faster than I was though as he managed to deliver a solid punch to my shoulder as my back hit the wall of the house sharply. I hit the ground and gasped for air as he came closer. I rolled to the side and put my hands together into a seal as pain laced up my arm. I had definitely broken something in my hand from punching Kisame as I was shrouded in mist.
'Good trick Kasumi. I can still find you though' Kisame's voice sounded muffled as I leapt out of the way as I fist flew at my face before a kunai and a shuriken followed from a different angle as I listened.
I heard a shift of feet and cloth as I kept my eyes closed and listened to where Kisame was or where he was going to go.
Then I felt something.
It was like a flash of energy as my eyes snapped open and I dove to my right just before the ground where I was standing was a water filled crater as I felt the same flash of energy as I dove again and managed to clamber up into a tree.
What were those? I wondered as Kisame came to stand under the tree looking rather smug.
'How much do you know about fighting?' he asked as I looked down at him. I dropped the mist jutsu as the sun shone cheerily and quickly dissipated the mist as a cool breeze played through. I flopped down onto the tree branch and looked at my hand. I hand managed to break something in my thumb as it was quickly bruising and swelling as the branch I was sitting on dipped suddenly.
I looked up to see Kisame staring at me before he gently took my damaged hand and looked it over.
I was surprised. Kisame was incredibly gentle as he turned it over and looked at it before seeming to come to a conclusion. Little sparks seemed to be tingling in my hand at his feathery touches but then again that could've been the fact that my hand was broken.
'You punched me with your thumb in your fist. You really don't know much about fighting do you?' He said looking at me as I looked up at him. How had he known I hand punched him with my thumb in my fist? Sharp gold eyes fixed on mine as he gave a slight smile. 'I've done it myself and that's what the break looks like' he explained as I nodded. I had to fix my thumb as I braced myself for the pain.
Slowly I pushed chakra into the area and began the mending process. It wasn't a serious break just hairline fractures as I bit my lip at the pain before it was over and I let out a shaky breath. I hated healing it was so painful even if it did do good in the end as I felt Kisame's sharp gaze on me as I looked back at him.
'So what do I need work on?' I asked as Kisame gave one of his rumbling laughs and put his elbows on his knees.
'Just about everything, seems you pick up on my chakra flares toward the end. That's a good thing, you'll need to open up your senses to fight properly. You're technique is solid. You're strong in defence and avoidance but you didn't attack once. Do you have any attack jutsu that you know of?' he asked glancing sideways at me. I shook my
head. I only knew genin types of attacks, they were effective but there was only one technique that I had developed as an attack over the years which was extremely effective but I rarely used it.
'I've had enough training to be able to defend against most chounin. Anyone higher ranking than that I'm just about defence-less.' I said looking at the ground below as I felt a heavy hand land on my head and mess up my hair. I turned to look at Kisame as he was smirking.
'Don't worry. We'll get you whipped into shape.' He laughed as I gave a small smile. I wasn't sure whether to be afraid or glad as I nodded and Kisame removed his hand from my head. He looked away as I was suddenly remembered of Deidara, Tobi and Kisame's bet about my age as I grinned.
'So Kisame, how old are you?' I asked as he turned around to look at me with a raised eyebrow.
'29, why do you want to know?' he asked now on guard as I shrugged.
'just wondering Deidara told me about the bet you all had on me. I'm guessing Deidara is 20, you're 29 and Tobi is… frig, I don't know he acts like he's 7 but I'm going to guess 25 just because.' I sighed and leant against the trunk of the tree. Kisame nodded but didn't say anything as we just listened to the clinking of the bamboo poles against one another.
'So how old are you?' Kisame asked as I turned and looked at him. It was strange having a connection to another person, someone to talk to who wasn't screaming in pain or was half dead. Kisame, despite his appearance, threw me through a loop. He was polite and even seemed to have a sense of proper upbringing of a high class home. But at the same time, Kisame also seemed to have this anger that always seemed to follow him. Anger and power, if there was anyone who screamed alpha male it was Kisame.
Wow that last thought had come out of left field. I had spent way too many years with only textbooks for company as I realized I hadn't answered Kisame's question yet. Man, I really was doing an awesome job of trying to make a friend or even an acquaintance or partner of whatever sense.
'Oh sorry, I'm 26' I gave him a flash of a smile before hopping off of the branch. Kisame landed soundlessly beside me as I heard him stretch.
'I thought you were younger than that. We can do more training tomorrow, I think you need to read a bit about attack jutsu before Itachi starts you using genjutsu.' Kisame said as I stared at him. Itachi was going to teach me? This did not bode well as I blinked and stared at Kisame. My anxiety must've shown as he gave another one of his laughs.
'Itachi isn't that bad. Just do everything he tells you and you should survive' Kisame said as I suddenly felt sick. I was going to be killed by being taught by Itachi. Kisame picked up Samehada as I swore I saw the bandages shift as I stared at the sword. That thing was odd and I was determined to find out what was underneath it as I followed the shark ninja into the house.