CHAPTER VI
I bit the apple repeatedly; moodily. I hated feeling like I was just being strung along. I began to wonder if I was just around as a source of entertainment for this girl. I did indeed find battling in this world, interesting, but at the same time; no I wouldn't allow myself to think of that right now.
I decided that I'd focus on this match. I always thought better whenever some action was taking place anyways. I looked at Alu's Mareep, and decided that my best bet was to keep battling it out with Charmander. I had already analyzed my surroundings. While her water type indeed did have an advantage over Charmander, I still had Squirtle. I knew that Mareep was super strong against Squirtle though.
I felt my heart speed up. Charmander knew smokescreen… Alu said she wasn't going to read my mind regarding this match. If I used it… Jet would have to be able to see, to land a hit.
"Charrr? Charrr?"
"I know Charmander, Go use smokescreen!" I commanded.
Charmander unleashed its smokescreen and the match began again.
"Alriiiight Jet!" I heard her cry out jubilantly. "USE WATER GUN!"
I watched a blast of water shoot through the haze, and I quickly called out to Charmander, "JUMP, and use EMBER!"
The fire lizard evaded the water gun, as it sliced through the smokescreen. Feeling energized at Charmander's successful evasion, I called out, "Alright go, now use ember!"
"Jet, let's put them out of their misery! End it with Water gun!" I heard her exclaim triumphantly, but I wasn't ready to call it quits just yet. "DODGE!" I commanded, but the blast hit Charmander full on, and it let loose a little cry as it was propelled backwards towards me. I saw it collapse on the ground, its flame smaller than what was normal. Charmander had fainted. "Thank you for fighting beside me," I said, recalling it to its ball.
I knew that I was outnumbered, and out-typed. She was watching me, grinning. She had known all along that I wasn't going to win. I hated feeling like I was just a puppet, used for her source of entertainment. I had to think logically though, in a ninja mission, I would retreat and rethink of another battle strategy if I had the opportunity. I decided that, instead of making my entire Poke'mon team faint when it was hopeless, I'd just withdraw and then try again later. I knew her three Poke'mon now, so the next time, I would be better prepared. I raised up an arm in the custom signal of defeat during a match. She smiled at me. "I'm withdrawing from this match. I accept the defeat." I said strongly. I knew I was doing the right thing. Alu seemed to know too, because she clapped her hands together.
"Way to go, Minato." She said, and I realized she was praising me, not taunting me.
"I was curious to see, how you would handle a situation like this, I am glad to see that, you aren't abusive to your partners." She said, approvingly. I hadn't been thinking only of my Poke'mon, but I realized that they do need to be taken care of, they aren't just tools.
"Your Poke'mon may have fainted, but they did gain experience which was the whole point of this match. Winning, isn't everything, because it's the experience gained that makes all the difference, neh?" she said, smiling. I was surprised, that someone as peppy and unorganized and as impulsive as her, would have said something so enlightening.
"That's me, full of surprises!" she said laughing, skipping back to the camp site. I guessed the whole not reading my mind thing was over since the match was over. I sighed, and followed her back.
I looked at my Poke'watch that Alu had gotten me to see the time. My Poke'watch was blue, and in the symbol of a Poke'ball, with a screen in the center, and buttons on the side. It was nearing evening, but I saw the faces of buildings appear past the trees in the distance. We were so close to Pewter city now.
"That was like the longest walk, I've ever been on." Alu complained. "Man, I'm sore."
I was used to walking long distances, but without my chakra, I had felt slowed down. "Maybe, if you hadn't decided to seal my chakra, then we would've gotten here faster." I grumbled.
She just laughed. "You know how to make a person feel energized."
I groaned in response. We hadn't encountered any other wild Poke'mon who wanted to fight, although I had seen plenty watching me as I'd walked by. It still sent shivers down my spine. In this world, there was a no kill policy apparently; otherwise those creepy bugs would've probably been dead if Alu hadn't explained things; and also thrown away my ninja tools which I was still pissed about.
I looked over her shoulder at a book she was reading, and she handed it to me instantly. "Wh-wha?" I stammered, taking it confused. "Read it, it has intel on all the cities of this region. Gyms and stuff. It's called the Bulbapedia, which is very, very, handy. I am in debt to all those people who spent the time to come up with it." she said, and I flipped it open to a page she'd marked. I read:
PEWTER MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
A famous museum is located in the northwestern part of Pewter City and is one of the city's main attractions. The main building is open to the public for 50 and features several historical artifacts, including Aerodactyl and Kabutops fossils, and a model of a space shuttle. There are two floors to explore in the Pewter Museum of Science. The first floor holds the front desk and a fossil exhibit containing the fossils of Aerodactyl and Kabutops. The second floor hosts a space exhibit featuring a Space Shuttle and a large Moon Stone that fell onto Mt. Moon. People are able to explore the museum at any time, after paying the 50 admission fee.
I figured that little symbol stood for Poke' money which was their form of currency. I found that little Bulba-book to be very interesting. It also, had info on the Pewter Gym, which was my primary concern at the moment. I read:
Pewter GymThe Pewter Gym is the official gym of Pewter City. It is based on Rock-type Pokémon. The Gym Leader is Brock. Trainers that defeat him receive the Boulder Badge.
Other known members Brock's father, Flint, and Brock's mother, Lola. Brock currently left to become a well known Poke'mon breeder and has joined a boy named Ash Ketchum on his journeys. There are 8 children including Forrest. While he is still away, next in line, Forrest, is currently running the rock-type gym.
I didn't know how old this Forrest guy was, but I figured if he was gym leader, and second oldest, he must be at least 18. I had no idea who Ash Ketchum or Brock was, but Alu had told me that the Gym Leaders were Gym Leaders for a reason. I looked up to ask Alu what we were gonna do about lodging for the night, but she wasn't there. My face dropped. "ALU!" I yelled, as I saw her small dotted figure already closer to the city than I was. CRAP.
After steaming for twenty minutes at being left behind, I was surprised to see a small inn where Alu was leading me to. "Figured you'd wanna sleep outta the dirt tonight." She said, grinning. It was a nice looking building, made out a nice reddish brown wood, and we entered through two wooden sliding doors, the inside was so clean. There was a small desk, where a young woman with her black hair pinned up sat. She looked up, revealing a set of almond colored eyes, which stared at me intently, until I nervously looked away.
"Welcome, guests. If you aren't registered for tonight, please do so, but if you have made plans in advance, I will lead you to your rooms."
We had taken off our foot-wear, as was custom, and I carried mine now, as we were led to our rooms. I was glad that I'd at least have my own room. I felt awkward enough as it was, traveling with a 13 year old girl. "fourteen." She called back to me. I rolled my eyes. Of course, reading my mind wouldn't change.
Our rooms weren't the only rooms, and lamplight lit up the hall as we passed by. A few sliding doors later, the woman led me to my room. Alu had already gone into hers, which was across the hall. The sound of trickling water caught my attention, and I walked towards the back sliding door across the room, and upon opening, found a small little hot spring outside. I looked at the woman, questioningly.
The woman bowed in a proffessional manner, and said, "Since you and your friend have paid well, and contributed to the renovation of another one of our inns in Cerulean City." I had no idea what she was talking about, but if she was talking about the contribution or whatever, that was probably Alu. "This is a guest suite, at half price. I hope you do enjoy your stay for this week. If you need anything, please, don't hesitate to ask for assistance from me, or any of our team. Food will be served at eight p.m. if you have any allergies or medical conditions that we should be aware of, please fill out this form and turn it in to the front desk. You may call me Irene-san, and I am happy to be of service at any time." She bowed once more, and then left, leaving me with a relaxing outdoor bath and my own thoughts.
I was surprised, but felt strangely satisfied. I figured soaking in a hot bath would help me clear my head, maybe focus on reeling in all these confusing thoughts. I took off my shirt, right when Alu barged in. I instinctively covered my chest with it, feeling very self-conscious. "A-Alu," I spluttered, "Da Hell are you doing in my room?"
She gave a hoot. "Dammit Alu!" I said angrily, "can't you see I'm changing?"
"What? I can't come by and see how my good pal Mina-chan is doing?" she pouted.
"Don't call me Mina-chan! It should be Hokage-sama to you." I said annoyed. "Why wait now to use honorifics anyway?" I groaned.
I wondered what went on in her head. It started a headache so I stopped.
"I'm actually going out and I'm taking my Poke'mon to the Poke'mon Center here. I'm taking Charmander and Bulbasaur with me. Your Squirtle is fine, so I'll leave it with you. Take care." she said, waving and then she slid the door shut, leaving me alone with my dark, dark thoughts.
I knew she was telling the truth about going out though, and I hoped that I'd have the decency of having at least some peace and quiet. Stepping into the hot water sent tingles through my body. It felt good though, and I watched the steam rising off the water, as if doing some sort of snake-like dance. I slid my mouth and nose under water, blowing bubbles off-handedly. I then just sat, with a small white towel on my forehead, looking up at the starry night sky, which, from where I was sitting, looked incredible. Stars cut out against the blackness, and a bright white, crescent moon seemed to glow with radiance. A small patch of grass was to my left, where the small stones ended, and a few lone fireflies zipped around. I thoughtfully watched them thinking how peculiar it was, to see something from my world, in this one. I expected to hear Alu answer my question like she usually did, but then remembered she was out.
I closed my eyes, feeling the steam press against my face like a clear mask. My senses became more acute, and my passages cleared. I stretched my arms above me, and then sat for whoever knows how long. It felt so good. It would have been perfect, but my thoughts kept on wandering to Naruto. Kushina… Alu made it sound as though she was dead… and my heart fell as I knew that Alu must've done that lightly, as to not cause me more pain. She'd at least let me see Naruto, and I knew it was him, and not some illusion. I wondered if she was one of those prodigy kids, we'd had a few in our village; Kakashi was one of them, being as gifted as he was. At 8 he'd already passed the exam for graduation.
I pondered this, until I felt a pair of eyes staring at me. I stood up suddenly, fwipping my head to the side, to come face to face with Squirtle's big red ones. "AHHHGH!" I exclaimed surprised and fell backwards into the spring. "S-sQuuiirrtle!" it countered just as shocked.
I realized that it had just been lonesome, and was probably hungry, so I got out. As I was wrapping the towel around my waist, to head in to change, I heard the sliding door open behind me. " Minato-dono, are you alright?" exclaimed Irene, the nice lady from before. We stared at each other for a few seconds, and I felt like my face was on fire from embarrassment. I felt her stare at me for a split second, and then smartly say, "Excuse me." the sliding door closing abruptly.
Alu's laughter still rang in my ears as I went to sleep that night. She'd obviously saw that incident in my mind and now she couldn't take me seriously at all. I found it very disturbing that she could see visuals too. I didn't want her anywhere near the visuals with me and Kushina. She'd assured me that even see had set boundaries for herself; but I still wondered if she'd actually enforced those boundaries yet.
I decided that I'd call her Alu-shi. That's what she was, a mysterious girl I'd never met in my life that was suddenly in charge of my life apparently. I groaned as I rolled over on my side. I slid into the welcoming embrace of sleep.
It was cold. I felt lost. Empty.
Floating I was, in darkness. I wondered if I was dreaming, or if… I was dead. I felt like I wasn't dead, but I couldn't remember. I couldn't remember anything. I was somehow on solid blackness. I walked through the darkness, until I saw a light, glowing eerily right below me.
I vaguely wondered, how was I supposed to go below, if I was above on seemingly solid ground? I heard raucous laughter from above. I looked up, to see a huge Nine-tailed fox glaring down at me, snapping its jaws hungrily. An invisible barrier separated the fox from where I stood below. I fell on my butt, heart pounding, as it scratched and roared. It was speaking, but it was on mute. I wanted to get away from the fox. I looked down, and the mirror, the mirror was closer than what I remembered. It faced me, and as I looked closer, my heart skipped a beat. I saw a woman, early 20's, with beautiful long red hair, and peach skin. Her eyes were closed, and she wore a peaceful smile. I couldn't help but think, how beautiful she looked. An emotion, one I'd thought I'd lost, came flooding back, along with my memories. "Kushina…" I murmured, reaching hungrily out for the mirror, wanting nothing more than to slide through to where she was.
Suddenly, it was as if sound was turned on again, and I heard the fox roar, "MINATO! I'LL RIP AND TEAR YOU AND THAT BITCH TO SHREDS!" I fell into the mirror just as a clawed reddish orange hand swiped for me.
I was in a meadow. Flowers surrounded me, and I realized they were white roses, but the thorns… weren't there. They were pure, white. A white, so bright, that it was its very own shade. The purest shade, I'd ever seen. In the middle of them sat Kushina.
Tears swelled up in my eyes. My body seemed to move on its own, and I ran towards her. "Kushina!" I called out, but no sound came out. I tried again, but she couldn't hear me. She continued to look up. I stopped. I wasn't getting any closer to her. I looked up too. Above me, was the village, Konohagakure. I felt my heart pound in my ears. It kept edging closer and closer, and the only thing keeping it from compressing me and Kushina was another invisible barrier. I heard a baby's wail. Kushina, still not noticing my presence, got up, and walked towards me. My heart caught in my throat. Her eyes were an intense blue, but they were glazed over. She was already dead.
I felt sick.
She was wearing a white dress, of course… I shuddered, as she walked by me. She wasn't breathing. I found myself frozen. I couldn't move. I heard the baby's wailing behind me, and gave a start as a cold hand, grabbed my own, my own warm one. "Shhhh… Naruto…." She said softly, and even though the baby was far away, the wailing stopped. She looked at me, and I stared back, unable to break free. "Minato…" she murmured, brushing a hand on my cheek. It was ice-cold, and I felt a shiver go down my spine. This… was still Kushina though. She stared into my own blue eyes, and a small smile played her lips. I felt my heart beat go up, as she laid a hand over my heart. "You're…. alive…." She murmured softly. I felt my heart, beat against, my ribs, as if trying to avoid contact with her.
"I-it… it seems that way…." I said hoarsely. "Feel my own… heart…" she placed one o f my hands over her own heart. I grimaced, but didn't pull away; her heart wasn't beating. Her peach skin began to turn to a paler pallor.
"Look at me… look at what I've been reduced to… while you… you continue to live." She said, in a low tone. I sensed I was in danger. I knew that… it was my fault though. "We were supposed to both die.. Together…." She murmured softly.
"K-Kushina… I…. I know… I didn't… it wasn't my intention… I just met this strange girl-"
She placed her hand over my mouth. "Shhh, it's ok. I'll forgive you… if you die a second time…" and she pulled out a dark, black sharp knife; a kunai.
"K-Kushina!" I yelled, terrified. I was forcefully pushed down, and she had me pinned.
"You… should've died… the same fate as I did…" she said menacingly, as she raised it over her head. A dark red stain appeared on her stomach, I felt sickened. It hadn't been there when I first saw her. I knew what it was from. It was when she'd jumped in front and gotten the Kyuubi's claw in her chest, with me right behind her. Her eyes, lifeless hatred shining in them, seemed to smile at the shining terror screaming within my own.
Her hand, gripped the Kunai, while her other hand, had me by the throat. I looked up at her, at the woman I'd loved. I gripped her hand around my throat, choking. Then I just, released my hands. I let them fall to my sides. I deserved this. Of course I did… I didn't deserve to live…
"Minato you IDIOT!" I heard a voice call out suddenly. I looked up, at the face of Alu. I was startled to see shining worry in her eyes. "Minato, this isn't really Kushina!" she yelled. "This is… the form your guilt took! If you give it power, it really can KILL YOU! Now put down that kitchen knife!"
I didn't understand what she meant, but suddenly the white field disappeared, and in its place was a kitchen. Kushina too, she disappeared. I looked around, in daze, and saw Irene-san and Alu staring at me. "Wha?" I murmured, and then looked at what I was holding. Startled, I dropped the giant knife which clinked as it hit the ground.
I felt tired, incredibly tired. I found myself falling, and I thought as I slipped into unconsciousness, I heard Kushina call my name.
