Being of the Sea

Chapter 7: Intel

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Cora's Perspective

I sat in my room. Two months past since I first arrived and I've adjusted to my new life. In this time Kisame had made a point of avoiding me. I didn't understand why. What have I done to earn this? We were friends, even family. It's like I don't exist anymore. I should focus on my work and there's plenty of that. There were ten stacks of boxes that reached the ceiling of my room. Each of them was filled with paperwork. Orochimaru's abandonment of organization left tons of work. I had to go through all his experiments. And there seemed to be a countless number. I had to give him credit. Some of them have potential and gave me ideas of my own. All of it was written in code, which made the process even longer. There was a knock at my door.

"Enter", I said.

Konan came in.

"Any health concerns?" I asked.

"No, I came to check on your progress", said Konan.

"He's documented years of experiments all of it is encoded. It will take me weeks to get through all this. How he managed to get so much done in a short period of time amazes me", I said.

"What have you gathered so far?" asked Konan.

"His work is bound by no limitation", I said.

"Meaning?" she asked.

"No person who has taken the Hippocratic Oath would dare to perform these experiment", I said.

"Did you take such an oath?" asked Konan.

I smirked. She couldn't see the expression.

"Do no harm isn't part of the hunter-nin motto, but even we wouldn't dare to go so far", I said.

"Have you found any locations?" Konan.

"One in the Hidden Sand and the other hidden some in the southern region of the Great Cayon of the Land of Earth", I said.

"Are you capable of finding it?" asked Konan.

"I believe so", I said.

"Thank you this information will be of us to us", said Konan.

"Only doing my job", I said.

Konan nodded and took her leave. My back cracked as I stood up. A swim would do me good. Shit, I haven't gone for a swim for months! The nearest water source is the stream running to the hideout. Its fresh water, but I need to feel the cool current of the water against my skin. I left the hideout and went upstream. I touched my fingertips to the water's surface.

"Clean enough", I said.

Considering the human population I thought the water would be more polluted. I tossed off my cloak, pants, shirt, shoes, and undergarments. I tied my mask to my hip. I dove into the water. Energy returned to me. I shifted into my seal form. It's been so long since I've had the luxury of fully transforming. Small schools of fish scattered as I swam through the water. I twirled through the water. My silver and black pelt shimmered. I jumped from the water and splashed down into. It's been too long! I came to a waterfall. It seemed secluded. I rose above the water surface. I didn't smell anyone near. I walked to the shore. I shed my pelt and carefully set in a rock.

I sat smooth rock emerged barely out of the water's surface. I lay down on the cool dark rock, enjoying the feel of the sun against my bare skin. I took my pelt from the rock and lay underneath me. I untied my mask from my hip and put it on. My eyes closed. After some time sunbathing I went to the waterfall to shower. I started humming a tune.


Kisame's Perspective

Itachi and I were returning from a mission in the Hidden the Waterfall Village. I groaned.

"You should take this time to rest", said Itachi.

"Take your own advice. You look like shit", I said.

"I have to pay visit to our healer visit", said Itachi.

Itachi is her most frequent visitor what those two talk about I don't know. He's the type of man who could get a woman like Cora. My hands fisted. Why does the idea bother me? On the mission, he'd used up his inhaler a week into our mission. Cora and I are the only ones that know of his condition.

"I have no interest in her. She's only a friendly ally", said Itachi.

"Why would that matter to me?" I asked.

"You have feelings for her that you've yet to deal with. I suggest you follow them", said Itachi.

I grabbed him by the collar his cloak and slammed him against the nearest tree.

"I have no such feelings", I growled.

He grabbed my hand, forcing it to release.

"It's obvious you harbor such emotions for her you only refuse to see them. I assume that is your reason for so rudely avoiding her", said Itachi.

"You don't know what you're talking about", I said.

"You don't have any understanding of what you're wasting", said Itachi.

"And what would you know of it. You're the man killed his entire clan!" I growled.

He flashed me a warning glare.

"Except for one", said Itachi.

"That's ruthless the merciful thing would be to kill to him as well", I said.

Itachi collected himself.

"I suggest you get your emotions in order, Kisame", he said.

I glared at him. We went our separate ways for the moment. A song touched my ears. I couldn't stop myself from following it. I froze when I saw. Cora was bathing under a waterfall. The water streamed down her pale soft skin. Her pelt layout on a nearby rock.

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
Pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

Cares you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While over you a watch I'll keep.
Sleep,
Pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

I walked slightly over and took her pelt. It held the same shine a silk but was softer than chinchilla fur.

"I thought you would be better at protecting this by now", I said.

The muscles of her back tensed. She dove into the water with a small splash. Cora surfaced seconds later in front of me, completely bare. She seemed completely comfortable with the situation. I forced my gaze not to wander. Instead of fierce anger, there was playfulness in her gaze.

"Will you return my pelt? Or do you want me to be your bride?" asked Cora.

"Why would I want a bride like you?" I asked.

She raised an eyebrow.

"I think the real question is why wouldn't you want a bride like me, Kisame", said Cora.

She leaned closer and her pelt from my hands. It merged into her skin.

"Why do you strain not to look? Do you not see anything of attraction?" asked Cora.

I kept my gaze focused on her sea green eyes.

"I have no interest in the body of my sister", I said.

"You still consider me that? Maybe it time for you to change your views. You've already changed so much since we children why not change further. Maybe you're truly not interested", said Cora.

There was a slight disappointment in her voice. She turned away from me and put on her mask. I couldn't stop my gaze from traveling down her body. She has a perfect hourglass figure. I couldn't help but stare at most beautiful well-shaped ass I'd ever seen. She looked over her shoulder.

"Or maybe I was wrong", said Cora.

"Don't toy with me", I said.

"What? I'm not toying with you. We are only having a simple conversation", said Cora.

"You're not wearing any clothes", I said.

"Are you uncomfortable with me being in such a state? Maybe you'll prefer this form", said Cora.

A moment a large leopard seal stood in front of me on the water's surface. It was slightly unsettling to see a seal with large sea-green eyes staring up at me. She slapped her tailfin against the water, soaking me in the process. Then she dove into the water, jetting downstream. I sat on the water's surface not knowing how to respond the situation I just encountered. I'm not used to dealing with beautiful women. Especially one like Cora.

"Told you she liked you", said Samehada.

"And what would a sword know of women", I said.

"Enough to know she's attracted to you. And you are attracted to her", said Samehada.

"Physical attraction means nothing", I said.

I got up. The image of her body would haunt me all night. Samehada gave an annoyed growl. I needed cool down. I allowed myself to sink into the water, but it did little to ease the lustful ache.


Cora's Perspective

When I reached the shore I shifted into my human form. My facing was burning with blush from my most recent interaction with Kisame. I had no idea what had gotten into me. My clothes still rested folded on the shore. I slid my clothes on. I ran my fingers through my hair working out the tangles. I returned to the hideout. I found Itachi waiting for me in the infirmary.

"How was your mission?" I asked.

"Successful", said Itachi.

"And what do I owe this visit to?" I asked.

He tossed me his empty inhaler.

"That was quick. This means I will have to take more invasive measures", I said.

"I only need a few more years", said Itachi.

"I'll try to give them to you, but there's no grantee", I said.

"I'm fully aware. What do you recommend?" asked Itachi.

"I have to run further tests. They will be more invasive", I said.

"When can we start?" asked Itachi.

"If you have time we can start now", I said.

He nodded.

"Remove your clothes and lay down on the table", I said.

I touched my hands to his chest. He tensed slightly.

"Your hands are cold", said Itachi.

"I apologize my hands are always cold", I said.

An aura of chakra appeared around my hands, allowing me to see within him. It didn't take me long to find the problem. I hate this part.

"I can tell you don't have good news", said Itachi.

I nodded.

"I have no expression for you to read", I said.

"I can see it in your body langue", he said.

"I should have caught this sooner. If only I'd looked more closely", I said.

"Don't", said Itachi.

"What?" I asked.

"It isn't easy for a shinobi to reveal a weakness. I don't enjoy speaking of my condition", said Itachi.

"Understandable, no one enjoys revealing a weakness. Does Kisame know?" I asked

Itachi nodded.

"What's wrong with me?" he asked.

"Your symptoms mimic those of Microscopic Polyangiitis. It's fairly uncommon. The blood vessel lining to thin to eventually rupture, which way you cough of blood at times", I said.

"Is it treatable?" asked Itachi.

"Normally yes but your case is advanced. Your overwhelming strength only adds to the problem putting further strain on your strained blood vessels", I said.

"Is it hereditary?" he asked.

The question caught me off guard. I thought there was none of the Uchiha clan left. He seems too young to have children.

"Why do you ask?" I said.

"I have a younger brother. I don't wish him to undergo the same disease", said Itachi.

"I don't believe so unless he reaches the same strength as you", I said.

His shoulders sagged.

"Is that a possibility?" I asked.

"It may be", said Itachi.

I nodded.

"What do we do now?" asked Itachi.

"If you were being treated by a normal healer you'd last maybe two years. You have me I can most likely give you three or four years", I said.

"Treatment?" asked Itachi.

"A medical bath. It shouldn't take long to prepare", I said.

I went into the bathroom and called upon the water. The tub filled with charka heavy salt water. From the drawers, in the room, I pulled the herbs I needed. I ground them into a powder.

"Itachi", I called.

He came into the bathroom. Itachi stared at the water. He slowly eased himself into the water. Itachi gave a small shiver.

"I should have warned you it would be cold", I said.

"It's fine", he said.

"I will only take a few minutes", I said.

I channeled my chakra into the water. It took on a bluish-green glow. Five minutes later I nearly collapsed. I forgot how much the medical bath took out me. Once I turned a small lake into a healing bath. I knocked me out for nearly a week. Itachi climbed out of the water. He flexed his muscles.

"How do feel?" I asked.

"Better than I've felt in a long time", said Itachi.

"Glad I could help", I said.

"And you, Shiru?" he asked.

"I'll be fine", I said.

"Your skills rival those of Lady Tsunade", said Itachi.

"That's quite a compliment. I only do my best. The feeling euphoria you're feeling now is only temporary. It should only last a few minutes. I'll prescribe some medicines. You may go Itachi", I said.

I took a breath. I don't have the medication I need on hand. I'm not risking agitating Kakuzu by asking him for money to obtain the drug legally. I'll have to take a trip to a pharmacy. I waited until night before leaving the hideout. From my room, I took my bag. I found the nearest pharmacy and quickly picked the lock. There was no use for destruction. I sent senbon in each of the cameras. I slid over the counter and look through the bottles. Only took what I needed. There were others who needed this medicine more than the organization. I left. Circling above in the night sky was a beautiful red-crowned crane.

"Hiyaku",

It's been some time since I last saw him. I followed him. I followed him for ten miles before he finally landed. We stood in an empty field. On his back was my sister.

"Kuren",

She jumped from Hiyaku's back. I tensed when I saw her wearing Sun's mask. It was a painful reminder. Her dark red hair was tied in the same style as mine. She was dressed in the hunter-nin uniform.

"The name is Sankuren", she said.

When those of the hunter-nin organization get promotion their name changes to reflect it. I never took the promotion of name. But behind my back, they called me the Dragon Lady. It was both an insult and title of respect at the same time. I could be a harsh but gentle leader.

"Her mask suits you more than it would ever me, congratulations", I said.

"How you never tried it on. You could have changed our village but you left!" yelled Sankuren.

It was so rare for emotion to enter her voice. It only furthered the point of how much I'd hurt her.

"No, if you want to have this conversation sister. I wish to see your face Kasumi", I said.

She tensed at the sound of her real name. Her hands fisted. I took off my mask.

"You dare to call me sister after you betrayed our family!" she screamed.

She rushed over me. Her fist made impact with my face.

"There's a reason you trusted me with your true name. We're family as much you hate that at this moment it's true", I said.

I took blow after blow. The only move a made against her was to remove her mask. Her knuckles were soaked in my blood. Blood dripped from my mouth. I showed no sign of the pain. She'd ruptured my spleen.

"Why don't you fight back?!" yelled Sankuren.

"I'm giving you your pound flesh older sister. If you need more jab that pure iron tanto into my heart. I won't fight back", I said.

In her hand was the blade it was shaking. She dropped her blade.

"Heal yourself", said Sankuren.

I only healed my ruptured spleen, but that's all. She took off her mask. Now I could see her deep emerald green eyes. We took a seat on the soft grass. In her hair, she still wore the driftwood and pearl hairpin I'd made her all those years ago.

Cora's Flashback

On my bunk, I work on my gift for Kuren. Her, Sun, and Sakana were on a mission. They still considered me too young to join them. I knew better than to argue against their decision. They would have me cleaning scrubs and medical tools again if I did. At one in the morning, they returned. Their masks and clothes were speckled in blood. They each went their separate ways. I followed Kuren to the porch.

"What do you want twerp?" she asked.

"Rough mission", I asked.

"Nothing of your concern. Don't you have tools to clean?" said Kuren.

Her voice was cold.

"I made you something", I said as handed her a present.

She unfolded the cloth revealing a hairpin I made from driftwood and pearl.

"What is it?" asked Kuren.

"Your hair is always falling your face so I thought you could use", I said.

She put it down on the railing. Kuren shook her head and gave a disappointed sigh.

"You're emotionally unfit for this career. You'll never be hunter-nin at this rate. I don't know what Sun saw in you", she said.

My mask hid my tears. I face the ridicule of other hunters-nins I don't need this from the sisters of my squad. I walked away. A far I watched her. She took off her mask and further examined the hairpin. Kuren put the pin in her hair. She returned her mask to her face. I smiled.

I took a seat beside her.

"Kasumi", I said.

"Why did I grow to love you like a sister?" she asked.

It wasn't a question for me but for herself. Our hunter-nin teams were formed as early as possible. When I joined Sun and her team Kuren was nineteen and Sakana was seventeen. They'd just lost their eldest sister and I was the replacement. It was a miracle they grew to accept me as they did. At the moment we were Kasumi and Cora, two sisters.

"It wasn't easy. You made it as hellish as possible", I said.

"I had to make sure you were fit for the job, Cora", said Kasumi.

I relaxed when she called me by true name.

"You pushed me into a sewer to get a bloated corpse. I couldn't get the stink off my pelt for months", I said.

"It built character", said Kasumi.

"Character my ass!" I growled.

She laughed.

"It's been a long time since I've heard that sound", I said.

"That sound wasn't a problem for me until I met you", said Kasumi.

"Laughter is needed in our line of work", I said.

Kasumi scowled.

"My line of work. You're a traitor", she said.

"I'm no traitor and you know that in your heart. My only crime was leaving", I said.

"I should take you in", said Kasumi.

"And if that were truly what you wanted I would go with you", I said.

"I forgot how easily you can read", she said.

I laid back in the grass, staring up at the starry sky.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"To fulfill a promise I made years ago", said Kasumi as took a scroll from her bag.

She placed it in my hand.

"Is this what I think it is?" I asked.

"Yes, the location and all other facts pertaining to the man who murdered your adoptive father", said Kasumi.

"Thank you", I said.

She put her mask. Once again becoming Sankuren. She stood up.

"My final duty to you as a sister is complete. Next time I encounter you, Shiru. I fulfill my obligation as hunter-nin", said Sankuren.

Not being able to see her face I was unable to see her true will. From knowing her I knew this was our last moment as sisters and our begging as enemies. I put on my mask. Hiyaku appeared beside her. She jumped onto his back and she flew off into the night sky. Whatever she was holding back before she would give to me in full force. I grabbed my bag and returned to the hideout. I filled a tub with freezing water. I eased myself into it. Chunks of ice appeared in the water. Frost left my breath cooler the room even further. I sunk completely into the water. A thin sheet of ice formed on the water's surface. My eyes closed. As I became more relaxed my body shifted. Eventually, I punched through the thin layer of ice. When I looked down I saw my legs formed into a tailfin, swaying in the water. I sighed. I leaned forward and allowed the water to drain. My legs returned to their normal state.

I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself. I looked into the mirror. Purple bruises were already forming on my skin. By tomorrow morning they will be almost gone. I changed my clothes. I sighed when I saw the scroll on my desk. I picked it up. I asked this so long ago.

Cora's Flashback

"Are you crying again?" asked Kuren.

I pulled my blankets over my head. I don't want to be judged again. Kuren sighed before joining me on my bunk. She yanked away the blanket.

"I'm glad you're wearing your mask so I don't have to see this pitiful sight", said Kuren.

Her words were harsh, but her voice was soft.

"I can't give the comfort Sun or Sakana would give would give. But I'll give it try. So tell me what's wrong before I lose my patience", said Kuren.

"I couldn't protect him", I whimpered.

"Who?" she asked.

"Shota",

"The drunk", said Kuren.

I growled.

"You must learn to control that emotion", said Kuren.

"He was family and I couldn't protect him", I said.

"You were young and no match for a jonin", said Kuren.

"I should have been able to do something", I said.

"There's no getting rid of you so I might as well help you", she said.

"How?" I asked.

"I will find the man who murdered him and if you aren't prepared by then I'll kill him", said Kuren.

"No, it isn't yours to take!" I yelled.

"Let it go your urge for revenge it will only cloud your mind as a hunter. Me taken it on won't make his murder's death any less painful", said Kuren.

It made sense. I didn't want to hold onto it.

"Okay", I said.

"Was that so hard", said Kuren.

"Why do this for me?" I asked.

"The one you replaced did the same for me. She would want me to do this", said Kuren.

I was wrong all those years ago. It isn't for me to take the life of the one who stole Shota's. This belonged to Kisame and I have to tell him. I didn't want to think of that right now. I went to the fridge and took out the sample I gathered from Hidan and ran further tests.


Kisame's Perspective

I entered the infirmary. Cora sat on a stool looking through a microscope. She wore a large shirt that hung on her small frame like a dress. Her ivory skin was spotted with dark purple bruises.

"It can't be easy to look through the microscope with that mask", I said.

She took a moment, making sure if it were safe. I could smell her tears. She wasn't an easy girl to get to cry. Cora took off her mask, revealing a split lip and a black eye.

"What happened to you?" I asked.

"An encounter with my older sister", said Cora.

I stepped closer. I raised her chin. Her cheeks warmed with blush.

"She gave you quiet shiner", I said.

"It will be gone by tomorrow. What does it matter?" she asked.

She pulled her chin away, avoiding my gaze. The blush swiftly faded.

"She got the upper hand you", I said.

"I let her", said Cora.

"Why would you do that?" I asked.

"She needed to take her pound of flesh and I let her have it. I was expecting far worse", said Cora.

"I've seen you take beating far worse with breaking tear", I said.

"Physical doesn't have the strength to bring tears to my eyes. Emotional does. No matter how much I was trained against it there was no escaping the harshness of it. I will recover", said Cora.

She met my gaze again staring at me with those sea-green watery eyes. I had no idea how to comfort her. The powerful bond shared between hunter squads was legend, unbreakable. They would do anything for each other. The only thing they valued more than each other was their duty to the village. How am I supposed to comfort her through that? She was following her instinct. Doing what came naturally to her. But in doing so she lost the two things she'd valued most.

I followed my instinct. My arms wrapped around her. She automatically tensed. Soon she relaxed. When I tried pulling away from her arms wrapped tightly waste. I gave no response when the force of it busted one of my ribs. She nuzzled closely to my chest. Seeing her in such vulnerable state made me want to protect her all the more. Her arms fell away from my waist, but I could force myself to leave. My body urged me to stay by my side. The only time it had acted this way before was when Cora was a child, but this something much primal. I didn't want to dive into the meaning of it. I picked her up and placed her in one of the beds. I took the one next to her.

"I won't leave you", I said.

Her state current was caused by more than just losing that connection with her sister. Whatever she's releasing now has been bottle up for some time. Best let her work through it with some privacy. I closed my eyes. Moments later there was a slight squeak as she joined me in bed. She cuddled against me and hid her face in the crook of my neck. Her scent was impossible to avoid. She smelled of a fresh ocean breeze.

"What are you doing to me, Cora?" I asked.