Phase 4:
"Get up." The bland sound which was being uttered through the mouth of Itachi.
My whole body jolted up. His voice is so deep and stormless yet it scares me. It's almost as if he's under my skin. I need to come over this unnecessary fear. If I want to become strong and burly; not like a big over exotic, muscular-looking beast...I would have to overcome my tiny terrors.
Itachi handed me the morning meal just the same as yesterday: Himono consisting of dried fish, jack mackerel served with rice, miso soup and pickles. And a steaming tea cup filled with kukicha: a blend of green tea made of stems, stalks and twigs added to juice. The tea sounds pretty nasty but it actually tastes good.
I finished my meal and was ready to go to work with my merciless training. I already feel the anxiety and it wasn't good in any kind of way. Kami, kill me now. My stomach looked like a pot belly, which I find funny because usually I don't eat this much but I'll grow to this lifestyle...eventually. I felt fat. But eating a good meal is required for training though. To build up strength. To become strong, it's going to be the most problematic thing I will ever have to go through in my life.
-------------Training Grounds--------------
Back at the place where I feel most suffering and torment at: training grounds. It's like a living nightmare and I'm not to fond of that assumption. However this time was different. The shark-guy was standing there as if he were waiting for my arrival. Oh great, let me guess. I'm training with him. I sighed heavily.
"Kisame." Itachi pitched to him.
That's his name. Kisame. It's pretty much like a pun. His name means "Demon Shark".How funny...and frightening.
He smirked and rose his sword up and then directed it towards me.
I shrilled and hid myself behind Itachi's leg, seeking for some sort of protection.
"Yuuai," Itachi spoke regularly, "you will be fine. Now go to him. He will be your instructor for today."
I swallowed the lump of fear and constraint as I walked over to Kisame. He stood there all tall and proud of himself with the revealing of his triangular teeth. I didn't want to be near him.
I changed the position of my head to see if Itachi was still standing there. He wasn't. Now I was left all alone with this 'Kisame'.
"Listen up brat." Kisame's assertiveness made me staggered in a most unpleasant way. I shifted my head and body to face him...and his sword. Although I wondered why his sword was bandaged up. Is it some kind of killer animal?! I don't know but I allowed myself to hear what he was saying at the moment.
"This is the plan. The leader demands each member of the Akatsuki to train you so you can become very propitious for us. None of the Akatsuki members is going to go wieldy or basic on you and I'm not a patient person either so allow yourself to become fine tuned with my tactics.
I stumbled on my response. "H-Hai."
He laid the information right out on the table. My purpose, my reason for living is to be a servant to the Akatsuki. A mere weapon. Ano...this is the way I 'll become strong? I consider this will be no easy task. I think I'm going to be nauseous.
Kisame lowered his sword and swung it around to his backside on the part of drawing in air. "I'm aware of the fact that Itachi has taught you new techniques the day before today. If I'm not mistaken?"
I nodded my head.
"A vindication which pleases me. I shall test you on your new gained strength." Kisame simpered at the fear in my appearance.
"Kisame stop being so harsh on the girl." The yellow haired guy jumped off the roof in the midst of landing on the ground so gracefully with his cloak swaying to the movements of the wind. It was as if he came out of nowhere.
I looked at him with increased dazed eyes. I never seen anyone like him before. When the breeze came by without a fair warning I could see the eye, which was covered by a thickness of honeyed hair. However that wasn't a eye...a scope was there in the place of the eye. It was different, he was different.
Kisame laughed quietly. "Deidara. Came here to save the day eh?"
Deidara. That is his name.
Deidara tucked a strand of yellow hair behind his ear. "Shut up. She knows what's she here for. Besides I'm just here to see what I'm working with, hmph." He sat himself on the ground with his legs forming a wide open space while bringing one leg up to rest his elbow on idly.
He chortled softly. "Go ahead. Continue on." He lazily waved his hand for Kisame to continue.
"Hmph, okay. Brat," Kisame alerted, "now then. Shall we begin?"
I wanted...to ask him a question before Deidara appeared out of nowhere. It was bothering me. "Kisame-san?"
He blinked his white eyes once. "Hn?"
I maintained to hesitate my question. "Why is your sword wrapped up like that?"
Kisame opened his mouth to proudly answer my query but Deidara did so.
With a sigh Deidara explained. "It's called the Samehada or 'shark skin'. Instead of cutting a person into bits the sword shaves when it comes in contact with flesh. Therefore being completely covered in shark scales."
Kisame seemed overjoyed. "Well done Deidara. However you left out a few details of the sword. The Samehada also has the ability to absorb chakra around it. And only I can wield the Samehada."
Deidara resembled no interest in Kisame's intellection. "Yeah, whatever, hmph."
Kisame showed how frustrated he was with Deidara's lack of focus on the subject. Steam was boiling from the top of head. But he settled down. "If you would." He pointed the sword to me.
With a bounce I went into my battle stance. From the corner of my eye I could see Deidara raising a perfectly arched eyebrow. He hinted some sort of attentiveness in the future battle.
On the other hand Kisame implied amusement like he was doubting my ability. If he is than he better think again. He will be proved wrong. Since training yesterday with Itachi I felt as though I've improved greatly. I could kill him on sight if I desired to do so; I'm getting too over confident of myself.
Now it begins.
I summoned up up clone using genjutsu, which I recently just learned thanks to the powerful and almighty Itachi-sensei. It was near to perfection.
The illusion clone threw a couple of shuriken at Kisame as I formed the hand signs to make myself vanish from his sight. He seemed surprised.
The "Demon Shark" blocked the spinning star weapons using the aid of his Samehada. Exactly what I planned.
I finally evanesced from the view of his white, small eyes, teleporting myself behind him from a distance to watch the clone engage into the battle. A distraction.
The replication of me ran to Kisame with unbelievable speed and pulled a kunai out to injure him somewhere in his thigh. Although I knew that would be effortless. Kisame will just protect himself with the huge sword and quickly dispatch the clone. Currently, that was the correct assumption. Now here's my chance.
I emerged from a top of the tree and jumped down swiftly and silently so no one would hear me or suspect I was there. I ran behind Kisame in terminal velocity and began to form hand signs.
Horse. Tiger: Fire Style, Fire Ball Jutsu!
Flames of fire transpire from within my inner portion and blew out at full blast from my mouth. I couldn't see around the visual: if Kisame was hit or not.
As the sparks cleared I saw Kisame standing there, smirking. Impressed anyone?
I almost laughed aloud to the site. Deidara chuckled. Kisame must have not realize what's happening to him.
"Not a scratch." Kisame sneered as he lifted his sword over his shoulder.
Deidara started clapping his hands. "Good job Yuuai. You've contrived to hit Kisame." He laughed.
Kisame's eyes blew up. He slowly moved his head to look at the hem of his cloak and started to panic. He swatted at the fire and blew at it, jumping and running around in circles. It was sooo funny to watch. Proved him wrong, indeed.
Deidara and I laughed together. This will be the moment to remember and maybe the only one; good one.
After Kisame accomplished putting out the flame, he gave me my respect that I've worked hard for. "Impressive. I didn't think a little girl could pull something off like that on the first day of training. Perhaps I have doubted you greatly. You sustain extraordinary potential."
"Well put Kisame, couldn't explain it better myself." Deidara sat on the ground with his legs crossed this time but he rested his elbow on his thigh.
I could feel a blush coming as Deidara looked at me with a steady gaze.
He smiled.
"All who cares if you could 'better explain', "Kisame emphasized with air quotes, "it yourself or not. All that matters is that I know where to pick up from on her skills."
I didn't think the Akatsuki members would be so...playful at times. I thought they meant business about everything but I see that some still share their humor. I was young too, so maybe that brought out the youth in them. They weren't too old themselves virtually older than me of course. The need of laughter was created and I couldn't resist.
"Here." Kisame tossed a Ninjake to me; a sword usually carried by ANBU. So why did he have it?
"Kisame-san?" My high-pitched childish voice addressed him.
Kisame sighed in release of some impatience. "What?"
I fumbled the sword in my hands and then gripped it tighter. "How did you get this? It's mainly carried by ANBU..."
"I see you study up in that so called Academy of yours. Well the other day I ran into one of the suckers and find myself in a quick battle..." his kept on going into further detail of how he killed the ANBU descendant.
My eyes enlarged at hearing his words.
Deidara took notice in me and started fidgeting around in his pouch for something. A white substance was being played at his fingertips and then...it went inside his hand.
I was pretty shocked and it showed plainly on my face.
He chuckled and then the goo submerged from within his hand. He shaped a spider out of the substance and placed it on the ground. It started to move and crawl towards Kisame! Creepy and amazing...
He set a finger on his lips, motioning for me not to look startled or say anything.
I swallowed the lump of astonishment and watched Kisame talk about his experience as if nothing was happening at the moment.
"...and that's how I killed...AHH!" He jumped and turned to Deidara and angrily yelled his name. "DEIDARA!!!!" A small explosion went off near his foot. The white thingy exploded.
He really seemed out of character at that occurrence however it was darn funny. I tried to hold back my laughter and solely a few giggles seeped through.
Deidara shrugged his shoulders. "You were scaring the girl with your detailed 'slaughter' content." He winked at me.
I blushed and I knew that was coming.
Kisame curved his body to face me. With a sigh he explained the next thing that was going to happen. "I've decided that since you were going to train with me...you're learning basic and difficult sword tactics. Now for something new."
WHAT?! I thought I was done for today but I was wrong...this time. I groaned softly to his words and nodded my head. To hide the irritation. "Hai."
-----------------Countless Hours of Training---------------
At last, more brutal, fatal, and harsh training were over with. Today this is what I've learned:
1.battle stance: check
2.the way to carry a sword: check
3.methods for coming at a person: check
4.the way to defend myself with it: check
5.the proper way to swing it: check
Some much learned in 'so little' time. Using a sword in battle. And now for...sleep. I'm busted.
Kisame evacuated into the mansion. Which means I'm with Deidara by myself. He's a pretty nice guy that much I can point out. Although I felt this...weird feeling around him and I can't explain it. It's like I can be...safe or comfortable around him.
It was nightfall and the stars behold a beautiful view. I perched myself near the river to moon the stars and constellations. Amazing visual to look upon. I never thought the sky could look so carefree. Maybe it was that I am away from the village? I don't know but I think I could be here for a lifetime just staring at this wonderful sky. I laid back on the grass.
Footsteps became palpably known in my ears. It's Deidara or divine it would be him since he's like the only person who likes me. I believe.
"An overwhelming site. Is is not?" Deidara sat beside me.
I shook my head.
He chuckled. "Don't be afraid of me. You can speak. Am I right?"
I nodded.
He rose an eyebrow, suggesting I say something.
"I mean, yes. I can speak." I blurted out bowing my head. "I'm sorry." For some reason I didn't speak much. Conceivably it was that I usually only talk to my mother and people that I know? Or is it because my mother died? No answer came to mind.
"Don't be sorry. You have nothing to apologize for." He began to toss rocks in the river. Something was on his mind and I could tell with that occupied look in eyes.
"Deidara-san?" I stumbled to say.
His eyes grew to some extent.
"Is something the matter?" I wanted to help him considering he's been so kind to me.
A smirk played at his lips. "Nah. I'm fine. Well, shouldn't you be sleeping? You do have training basically everyday."
He looked down at me and met my gaze. "Blushing?"
I gasped and turned away from him. Why am I blushing? Over what? Argh, I'm such a menace!
He poised himself and offered a hand for me to clasp on. "Come on I'll take you back to your room." He sneered.
I authorized my hand to be enclosed by his as he rend me up off the grassy terrain. Safe with him? Yes. This is what I assume.
---------------Empty Room-------------
"Well, here we are." Deidara stated aloud.
I modified my eyes to face his with a blank, child-like look.
He smiled. "Go ahead. There's no monsters in there. It's just empty that's all." He's different. That is what I keep on telling myself.
I pulled away from the grasp and went into my room to fall asleep. I wonder how he feels about me?