Cursed Beauty
Chapter 9: Tragedies
Author's notes: Hi ya! Updates faster….
Thanks for the reviews that came despite my very, very late updates!
Sasuke was drying his hair in Kakashi's apartment, watching Kakashi desperately squeezing the water out of his clothes, those clear liquids flowing into a basin he had placed beside him.
'My bad, Sasuke. Must have forgotten to take them in before I slept just now. And I should apologize for the obvious lack of maintenance and management in this humble little space I take as my permanent accommodation,' he said, with an honest smile beneath the mask he always wear. Why, though?
'Hey, Kakashi,' Sasuke asked, 'Why is it that…' He couldn't bring himself to ask something that he had always wanted to know, but he knew Kakashi would always give him some weird answers.
Kakashi's right eye darted to Sasuke, suspiciously.
'Alright,' Sasuke took a deep breath, and continued, 'What's with the mask, Kakashi?'
'Oh, that again?' Kakashi shot a distant look, and continued squeezing his shirt.
Sasuke knew better than to expect a normal answer from his quirky teacher. There was only two other occasion, when he had asked the same question. The first was when he was introduced to Kakashi. He was only eight, full of skeptic opinions and doubts for his private tutor. Unsurprisingly, the first question he asked Kakashi was 'Hey, why are you wearing a mask?'
Kakashi, who was half reading a book, Icha Icha Paradise (the earlier versions), closed it immediately, and bent down to Sasuke, his right eye just inches away from Sasuke's left.
'Not telling.' That was his answer, short and conclusive. Then, he flashed Sasuke a smile, and hand out his hand for him. 'Let's cooperate, shall we?' Sasuke cannot help but thought that Kakashi, while being a really weird person, could be really fun too.
The second time, was when he trying to spar with him. Kakashi was a master in martial arts too, and he had taught Sasuke some moves. He was twelve, a pre-teen full with eagerness and curiosity towards what the exiting world of teenagers could offer him, and attempted to pull that mask out. He had warned him not to read that book of his while fighting him. But he just answered, 'It's ok, go ahead. If I do not read what happened next, I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.'
'At your risk!' was Sasuke's reply, and he immediately charged towards him. He attacked with his left, occupying Kakashi's right, and his right immediately blocked Kakashi's left elbow, thus fingers free to scratch that mask away from his face. But Kakashi was too smart for Sasuke, he kicked him, and Sasuke fell as a result of improper balance, and Kakashi squatted beside him, 'Yo, boy, didn't I tell you to always keep your feet on the ground? It had meant to maintain your balance!'
Sasuke groaned of pain. 'You're mean!'
'By the way,' Kakashi added. 'I also told you once that I am not telling you why I am having this mask on.'
'What's beneath it?' Sasuke yelled.
'Oh, wasn't it the same question?' Kakashi chuckled.
'No, idiot!' Sasuke couldn't get past the fact that his tutor was much stronger than he is, besides being a smart, mysterious young man.
'When I was young,' Kakashi seemed to have given in, 'I went up the mountains to catch butterflies, and then well, I sort of went too near to the cliff, and then I saw a tiger.' He told Sasuke with the air as if speaking of an untold legend to a child. 'That tiger was so vicious, I immediately ran, and ran, and ran…until I realized that the tiger was no longer chasing after me. I heaved a really relieved sigh, and resumed my butterfly catching session..'
He went on and on about butterflies that he caught, without once seeming to reach to a part in which an incident that caused to cover his face forever.
'Hey, Kakashi,' Sasuke had no choice but to interrupt him. 'What does this butterfly-catching session had to do with you covering your face with a black mask?'
Kakashi stop abruptly, and then blinked his eye a few times. Finally he stood up, smiling, and said something that made Sasuke wanted to thrust his abdomens with a sword, 'Nothing, I told you the wrong story.'
This, is the third time Sasuke tried to find the reason for that mask, and he saw Kakashi was contorting his face, as if carefully choosing words to say.
'Hmmm…How should I put it?'
'Thanks for willing to make the journey, Dr. Tsunade,' Naruto bowed to the young-looking middle-aged woman.
'I am just merely accomplishing my job as a serologist, and a specialist in hemodialysis. Hiashi is an old drinking buddy, can't disappoint him,' Tsunade said, with a broad on her face, packing up her medical equipments. 'Hinata should do with a little rest, please do not worry.
Almost all prominent members were present in the Hyuuga mansion upon hearing of Hinata's condition, not that they had to make a journey, as the houses of those branch members were just a stone throw's away.
'I shall take my leave now,' Tsunade headed to the door, 'Hiashi, a word, please,' she asked for the Hyuuga head with a whisper.
'Right, Tsunade,' Hiashi motioned to her that she'll be there in a while by nodding, and called for-
'Naruto-kun, I would like you to follow.'
Naruto, still not over the shock of seeing Hinata coughing up blood, was a little bowled over by the sudden invitation. He was not complaining however, Tsunade was probably going to discuss Hinata's condition further than was necessary to others, and he wasn't going to turn that request down. That request meant much more that what it sounded - acknowledgement and most certainly respect.
'Yes,' was the only word that he could form with a lump in his throat, and he tore his gaze away from the unconscious Hinata.
They gathered by the door to Hinata's room, and Tsunade's face frowned seriously. 'I'm sorry that what I am going to say is not something pleasant.'
'We appreciate that,' Hiashi replied, as a form of courtesy, 'please continue.'
Tsunade and Hiashi exchanged approval glances, both agreeing to be transparent. 'I'm afraid that her condition had worsened beyond my calculation upon the current observations of her symptoms.'
'She may not last more than 10 days or even lesser,' Tsunade said after swallowing her saliva, 'Please be mentally-prepared.'
A boy of thirteen stood outside the house which was blazing with fire. He saw numerous people rushing to and fro, and some trying to connect the hosepipes together.
Not long after, the boy caught the sight of his parents.
'Kakashi, thank goodness you are safe!' his mother hugged him, engulfed with tears of gratitude. 'What should I do, if you were inside?'
'Mother,' the boy has no other question, 'where is Obito?'
'Oh my god, wasn't he with you?'
The boy couldn't say anything else. He took a nervously panicked gulped of saliva into his throat, and looked back at the inferno that was consuming the brick building in front him. For a moment he thought he heard a silent cry calling for him.
Naruto was still stroking Hinata's hair when she stirred, and mumbled something inaudible to his ears.
He said softly to her, 'Hey Hinata, it's me here.'
'Naruto-kun?' she began to open her eyes weakly.
He gave her a little gentle peck on the forehead, and then whispered, 'Yes, it's me. You just made me almost lose my heart out in panic, remember?'
'I'm sorry,' At least Hinata retained the heat and red colour of her cheek when she blushed, it had been so pretty whenever she does that, 'I didn't mean to…'
She did not finish her sentence because-
'Ah, Naruto-kun!' her voice shot louder, shocked Naruto, 'I forgot to ask you about today's match!'
He gave a chuckle. How could she be so sick, so needing rest, yet able to find time to be worry about his match, insignificant match?
'There's no need to worry, because we won it,' Naruto answered her, 'And you should be resting, not worrying about my match.'
'Because..because,' there seemed to be some sort of reluctance and anxiety in her voice, 'I care for your matches, Naruto-kun. Because…because I love watching you play. I'm sorry that I never managed to tell you…'
'I love the way you blush, Hinata. I also like it when twiddle your fingers when I teased you before we started going out. And I really, really like the way your hair smells after you shower,' Naruto cut her, 'Don't say such things, Hinata, we still have a lot of time. Tell me one by one if you have to. But you know, I already knew it.'
'Thanks, Hinata, for choosing me.'
'Naruto-kun…'
'Promise me, Hinata, you'll rest well,' Naruto held her frail hand, 'I'll be here for you, always,' and lift it to his lips.
'Hey, Naruto-kun,' Hinata seemed more relaxed, 'Let me watch you play.'
Naruto had been wishing for the same thing. 'There's a mid-week match in two days.'
And he stayed by her side, as always, for the night.
'Where should I start?' Kakashi was still lamenting on his confusion in his life story concerning the origin of the scar.
Sasuke knew better than to finally accept the fact that his teacher's finally going to tell him the truth.
Kakashi gave a grin, and said, 'You know, Sasuke, I may be telling you my life story, please be patient.'
'You're not going to tell me the wrong one, are you?'
Kakashi's grin expanded and he replied, 'No, of course not. I promise.'
'It's not that I do not want to answer you, Sasuke, it was me trying to evade from reliving that day.'
'That day I lost my brother.'
Sasuke heartbeat stopped for a moment. He never knew, he never realized, he never felt – there was actually such tragedy lying beneath the quirkiness, humourous and fun-loving nature.
'You see Sasuke, I once had a younger brother. He was one year younger, but for all the years we had together, he was the careless one. Careless, alright, but decent.'
'Decent, yeah. Maybe just a little too naïve, I would say. When I was thirteen, we had a fight, because I picked up smoking at that time. As usual, it was because there was a hot girl who rejected me for a good-for-nothing guy who was a jerk, and who loved bragging about the way his hair smelled like…'
Kakashi cleared his throat after pausing upon seeing a disapproved look from Sasuke.
'Uh-hum,' he continued, 'Anyway, my brother caught me smoking in the kitchen once, and he told me off. But I wasn't willing to lose, and then I threw the cigarette butt there, ran off to the sanctuary I once called my friends.'
'I did not know what happened later, but when I return back home, the house caught fire. Because of me.' Sasuke realized that Kakashi's face was clear of that of shame and regret.
'My brother died, and I was left with a burnt face after going in to search for him.'
Sasuke did not know what to do, to comfort him, or to act like usual. He could see now why he was never willing to tell the reason why he was wearing a mask. To confess is to relive that day that he had caused such an accident, to have an incident that scarred not just his face, but his heart as well. It sure had taken him a lot of effort just to forget about it, and he had forced him to remember it. Kakashi, he thought must have mustered a lot of strength to just tell that to him.
'I'm sorry, Kakashi,' Sasuke felt obliged to apologize, 'if I knew that it was something like this, I wouldn't have..'
'By the way, Sasuke,' Kakashi didn't seem to want to continue that topic that spanned around his tragic life story, 'You gotta go back to class.'
'After all, there is only a few weeks left before your second year end.'
Sasuke hadn't given thought about his own education. 'I don't care anymore about that.'
'You cannot say that, Sasuke,' Kakashi disagreed, 'I was hired to be in charge of your education, and until you graduate, I have to make sure that you actually attend the classes.'
'Kakashi, there was something that I need to ask your opinions on.'
'Fire away.'
He began to unload his mind, and confide to him what he had just heard from his own brother.
Amsterdam, Holland
'Orochimaru-sama, my resources had confirmed the whereabouts of the weasel,' Kabuto bowed before him. He was a loyal subordinate that was the ambassador for himself and the Uchiha clan. The clan was a real cash milk cow, and Itachi's absence made it easier to form an underground coalition with them, making it sounding as if they were collaborating.
Orochimaru was a cruel, ruthless man when it came down to business. Partners may they be, but when Itachi defied him, he had the Uchiha head and his wife killed. Seamlessly. Perfectly. Without a trace.
'He is now in the place where the heart is.'
Orochimaru cannot help but smirked at the predictability at his prey's action. 'See, Kabuto. Love not, and emote not. Bonds and emotions, these affiliations gained you nothing but a pimp-like man with no heart for greater things.'
'Let us be there for him. The poor boy will be broken without me.'
'Look, Sasuke,' was what Kakashi had to say after a long sigh, after listening to the younger man's account of what's the latest trouble he had been weight down upon. 'I would want you to take Itachi's advice to leave your girl alone, whoever it is.'
Whoever it is? Sasuke didn't understand.
'I've lost track of your conquests, to be honest, no offence intended,' Kakashi said, with a smile to indicate to joke.
'That wasn't funny, Kakashi!'
Kakashi laughed and then continued, 'Sorry, anyway, back to business.'
'Do you have anything in mind?'
Sasuke took a deep breath, and announced, 'I'm going to find a way to save my Itachi.'
'Thanks to you Kakashi, it made me realized that he must have been gathering a lot of courage to actually tell me the truth, and to warn me about the days ahead. I can't say that I have a plan, I can't say I have a definite way to get back at Orochimaru, but I have objectives.'
With eyes showing full determination, Sasuke said, 'Save my brother, and also to not let my beloved ones hurt again.'
'Thanks for the advise, Kakashi. I hoped it doesn't sound corny, but the part about beloved ones, include you,' he said awkwardly.
'Nah,' Kakashi brushed the air with his Icha Icha Tactics, 'I don't need protection from a guy weaker than me,' and landed an unexpected punch on him.
The crowd roared with such a commotion, that even the crowd in the dressing room is getting their blood boiled.
'We win this, we are getting that damned trophy!' Kiba was obviously getting very excited.
'Yeah, lucky, aren't we? That Oto's lost that last match? Win this one, win another one, and another one, and we are champions!' Lee had as much eagerness as Kiba.
'Right, Lee. Three more match to go. Don't get too confident,' Shikamaru pulled them back to earth.
'Yeah, Oto's a good team. We worked hard to beat them on the first leg remember?' Neji added himself into the conversation.
'Don't worry, Shikamaru, we'll win this. I just have feeling that we will!' Naruto butted in with his usual hyperactiveness that never failed to cheer up the whole team.
'Not with Sasuke missing!' Coach Gai just entered the dressing room, 'Have anyone seen him?'
Everyone went silent, with only the stadium crowd audible.
Coach Gai took it as a negative answer.
'Anyone looking for me?' In came the usual arrogant voice that belonged to the man that was in the top of Coach Gai's wanted list.
That turn of event made the men go about sharing their own take of how the match will turn out, muting Coach Gai's lecture to Sasuke.
Naruto noticed that Shikamaru lacked that enthusiasm that is always present in that man who is now wearing his captain armband. Not that he ever showed any real enthusiasm to be exact, but that leadership qualities that made him a captain wasn't a effective against his constant rants about having a troublesome job as a captain.
'Hey, Shikamaru, Temari's not coming again?'
'Yeah, that troublesome woman's got to work overtime again. I can say that I am not disappointed but I guess I am just bad at faking my own emotions. That was so troublesome,' Shikamaru said.
'I understand why you were down, Shikamaru. Hinata's coming today, I knew how it felt to have that one person supporting you.'
'How's she?' Shikamaru immediately, apparently managed to turn his disappointment into sympathy, as he was one of the few that knew of Hinata, being childhood friends.
Naruto did not want to tell him what he had in mind about Hinata, and he was glad when Coach Gai shouted-
'Guys, it's time! Hammer them to their knees!'
Naruto had a feeling that Hinata may just not have a chance to see him play again if she did not come for today's match.
The last ten minutes had never seemed so intense in Naruto's life.
They were one-nil down, and it is a bad situation to be in.
Naruto was starting to wear out from the running and chasing. However, when he spotted Hinata among the crowd, he realized that he couldn't spare any energy, or any killing intent for the opponent. Hinata needed to see him in his best. He did not know why, a part of him seemed to want him to play at his best for Hinata.
He spotted Kiba with the ball, with nobody from Konoha team around him. He ran towards him, shouting for others to do the same. Lee and Sasuke immediately ran over, and Naruto signaled to Kiba to pass him the ball.
The electronic clock showed the time had hit the 81st minute. Less than 9 minutes, and they cannot spare any ball possession. Kiba turned around, pretending to aim to Sasuke, and then kick it to the opposite direction, towards Naruto. Naruto saw the ball rolling to him, and wiping yet another drop of sweat from his forehead with his head, he was ready to welcome that rounded glory that was the ball.
But Naruto did not anticipate for Oto guy to sneak behind him, and legs clashed, he fell to the ground. The referee blew his whistle, and-
'Konoha, penalty!'
Naruto headed to the goal holding the ball. Placing down the ball in its supposed penalty kick position, he took a few steps behind.
He took a long, deep breath, and looking around he saw what was the utmost anxiety ever seen. The Konoha supporters were all joining their hands, as if praying. Some were biting their fingers, and some were almost causing their lips to bleed.
The Oto crowd were singing a song, but it sounded strange, and it wasn't their usual anthem. Naruto's blood began to boil as he heard them singing:
Naruto's ain't got guts,
Cos' his team is full of nuts;
Konoha's just full of crap,
We won't lose to this brats!
'What a badly rhymed song, as crappy as they say about us, their lil' song a whole load of shit,' he heard Sasuke saying, 'Hit it, you moron. You've got to!' Sasuke shouted to Naruto.
Naruto have not anymore time to waste, and he gained his momentum by running towards the ball, gathered all his strength to kick it; and hit the right mark.
'GOOOOALLLLLLL!"
It seemed as if an earthquake just happened. The entire stadium was shaking with excitement. Now, Naruto heard another song, but this time from the Konoha's side.
Who said he can't win,
Gotta throw that to the bin;
Oto's job is to make noise,
Naruto will shut their voices!
Naruto broke free from the human pile that he was in, headed towards Hinata, He saw her gleaming from her seat above, and waved his fist at her!
'Watch me, Hinata!'
The electronic giant clock paused at that 90th minute mark, and the little timer below began running.
The linesman had just revealed that they were given three minutes extra.
Sasuke didn't care. They were almost all at Oto's goal, and Shikamaru was about to kick the ball from the corner, having just obtained the right for corner kick.
Sasuke's just a pretty face,
His talent's is of no base;
When a scratch appear on his cheek,
That's when he'll start to freak.
The Oto team's supporter are getting on his nerve, creating a crap song for every single player to insult the Konoha players. Sasuke wanted to win badly to get back at them, if only he had more time.
But he just doesn't have time, ninety minutes were well over, and their chances to not end up as a draw is as good as him not being a man.
The ball flew towards him, and he saw a good chance to hit the goal. He just have to try, didn't he?
He kick it towards the goal, and it-
Hit the crossbar.
But something amazing happened. Sasuke had hit the crossbar with a heavy blow after all, and it bounced over 15 meters to Naruto, who grabbed the chance and-
'GOALLLLLL again! Another remarkable comeback from the Konoha as they pull a coming-from-behind victory. And even more remarkable is that they pulled that act off in just mere 10 minutes….' Jabbered the very excited commentator.
The Konoha team had no time to jubilate, as the match is still going on. However, they had no more barriers, no more anxiety.
All they need is a delay, and all they did for the last minute was to throw the ball off course. For the Konoha team, the minute had never seemed so long, but when the last whistle was blown, they gathered together, shouting like they've never shouted before, threw off their shirts, forming yet another human pile.
Sasuke saw Naruto running towards Hinata, with a clear victorious expression on him.
Hinata rose from her seat, wanting to congratulate him. She was having difficulty even in breathing, because she had been too excited about the win. She saw him running across the field to her, and she wanted nothing more in the world than to reward him with kisses.
She had always loved seeing him play. That spirit of never giving up. That eyes that only eye for victory. That look of determination. That energy that said 'I'm gonna win'- Hinata loved all that.
She was helped by Hanabi, her sister, but just as she was about to take a step, her head started to spin. It was spinning harder, and now it began to hurt.
She fell to her knees, and she heard that voice again.
Her head hurts, and she couldn't think.
'Come with us…'
No, Hinata insisted. She would not follow those voices, she needed to congratulate Naruto. She wanted to see his face once again.
Hear his jubilant screams again.
She doesn't want to leave Naruto.
Her hand immediately shot up to support her chest as she felt the same force that was always pushing her, feeling yet another burden from beneath her chest that she needed to dispose of. Her other hand was covering her mouth, and not long after it was filled with blood that were exiting her mouth.
There's no doubt about it. She had to go. Her time is up.
No matter how much she resisted this time, it wouldn't work. No matter how much she refused those voice, they wouldn't let her go.
'Please don't take me yet, please.' Hinata whispered to that sound.
'Please…'
Naruto stood still with shock.
Hinata, he saw from the ground of the stadium, fell back to her seat, after getting up.
He forced his legs to move, and ran towards her.
But Hinata wasn't unconscious, thanks goodness, but she was coughing up blood again. She made an enormous effort to stop her coughs, and say to him-
'Congrates, Naruto-kun, you did…,' and she started coughing again, more serious than ever. Blood was now oozing from her, and her face had seemed to have lost any remaining trace of life from her.
Naruto couldn't get his throat to make any sound, and he felt an immediate rise in the speed of his heartbeat that wasn't caused by the 90 minutes of running he just did.
He was scared. Fear was what dominated his head. His chest were getting heavier, and the next thing he knew, his cheeks were wet with his tears.
This can't be happening. Not now, Hinata, he thought. Naruto coerced his mind into not thinking anything other than just her having normal attacks. He forced himself to gain composure.
He dropped to his knees, bringing himself to her level, and said, 'Thanks for coming, Hinata.'
Naruto couldn't seem to stop his tears. There's no more reason to lie to himself. He didn't know how he knew, but he had a sickening feeling that Hinata is..
Her blood-soaked hands were at his cheeks, staining them with those red colour of despair.
'Naruto-kun,' she whimpered, 'I will be going…' she spoke slowly and brokenly.
Naruto held her tight, like she was a butterfly that will disappear if he let go.
'Please do not speak, Hinata. We'll go back, and you'll rest, then you'll be fine.'
But he was only cheating himself. Being so close to her, he could felt her heartbeat getting irregular. Her hand that was stroking his cheek, now was clutching his hand. She's going to leave him anytime soon.
'Hey, Hinata, you know what they were singing about me, it was like,' Naruto's voice fell low, so low that only Hinata can hear. He sang gently to her, like a mother to her child, 'Who said he can't win, gotta throw that to the bin; Oto's job is to make noise, Naruto will shut their…'
He could bring himself to finish the song. At that moment when Hinata's grip on his hand loosens, he felt that the world had come to a halt. He couldn't hear anything, and he couldn't feel anything, nothing but extreme grief, that was beyond words and tears. He couldn't cry anymore.
Her heartbeat had stopped.
Droplets of rain began to fall upon him, as Hinata lay lifeless in his arms.
It was as if the sky was also crying.
It took Naruto a moment to be able to stomach the truth, as he stood still, and when he did, all that could be heard was his fox-like screams of the cries of his heart, that echoed through the entire stadium, broke through the rain, and pierced through the sky.
'HINATA!'
Yeah, I did it! The scene that was by far the hardest to write! Hope I did ok…
Thanks for your support, and please keep on reading, and I will work harder.
Please review, just to tell me what you think! Thanks!
