At long last, Silk and Scandal is complete. :D I'm proud of that piece, and now onward to this one again, so we can see how Izumi handles being back home after her mission - and to do what she has to in front of her clan.
I also just patched things up with my ex-boyfriend, and we're just back to being best friends. We've known each other a long time to end it just like that, but neither of us will be in a relationship again anytime soon.
Chapter Nine
The Acknowledged and the Arena
"Thanks to you, my son has shown he is more than capable," Minato told her as she stood before his desk. She had been kneeling before, but he ordered her to stand because she wasn't inferior like the other ANBU. She was no member, so she was never meant to be after her irresponsible action. Not after letting my mask be removed and cracked in half. That was a real good Shinobi I turned out to be.
"But Sasuke Uchiha is seeking more medical treatment," she stated, "and I have committed a careless action involving my identity."
The Hokage's expression became very serious. "If you had been an official ANBU assassin, the punishment would be severe, but nothing had been compromised. Regretfully, Zabuza Momochi offed your team, and you still ended up with my son's unit. Kakashi has given insight how you helped him, and Naruto really thinks admirably of you," he said with his smile. "And Haruno-san might have more for you."
Izumi wasn't sure if she blushed or not; the pink-haired girl might end up seeing her the way she saw Shisui, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for such a responsibility. I guess what I told her about Sasuke really got to her - or is it just the seed planted that needs time to grow? "What about Sasuke Uchiha?" she asked Minato, who pursed his lips.
"I wish I could put it appropriately, but as the other Uchiha - except Shisui - say, 'hn'." He chuckled. "That boy has shown more potential and pride for his clan. With any luck, he and Naruto might both reach the same height. I guess I was right to put the 'genius and dead last' - no offense to my son - together on the same team, with the one with the best chakra control. Who knows if Sakura could be just like you someday." That had to be the biggest compliment anyone, even her superior, had given her.
"You've had quite the week, so why don't you head home and recuperate for a few days?"
She had never felt so relieved; at least Kakashi and the Genin they looked after were safe, but it made her break. Sasuke was in the hospital, Naruto was starting to be seen as more than a Jinchuuriki - but that was in Wave Country, so here at home was much bigger. In a month and a half would be the Chuunin Exams. She knew she had to be there, somehow, to watch how all three would fare.
Just as she left Hokage Tower and made way onto the streets, a familiar cheery voice called out to her. "Shisui!"
"Glad you're back." His smile then descended into somber. "Except you've been summoned...by the elders."
Izumi started. The Elders...want to see me when I just got back? Oh, they just couldn't have decided at a "perfect time", could they? She was more annoyed than taken aback now.
~o~
"Sakura, it's hard to breathe with you on me."
"SASUKE! YOU'RE ALIVE!"
"...Naruto..."
"He's stopped Haku. Zabuza is dead, and the bridge is saved. And Gato - Zabuza killed him before he passed away beside Haku's body."
Sakura had smothered him with her embrace, with all those needles in his various points, disabling him but not killing him. He was still in pain even though the needles had been removed with care by Sakura and Izumi's careful hands. Why didn't Haku KILL him?
Izumi told him everything, starting with Naruto beating Haku for him, but that was not the half of it. Before Zabuza died at the hands of other rogue ninjas for hire at Gato's disposal, he killed the evil businessman and then asked Kakashi one favor: to be placed beside Haku's corpse, so the boy's face would be the last thing he saw before he departed from the world. But Haku also told Naruto how he was orphaned, was considered a threat because of his kekkei genkai, and surviving, Zabuza found him and took him under his wing as his loyal servant to do his master's bidding - and here he sacrificed his life for Zabuza. Why would a boy his age and lived alone an orphan would care about a man like Zabuza Momochi, a demon?
Izumi looked at him harshly with her eyes when she answered him. "You wouldn't understand being an orphan, and Naruto never would, because you both have families - but Naruto and I understand Haku because he was called abnormal. Naruto has something inside him that was never his choice at birth, and as for me, my own clan calls me an outcast because I am half-blooded." He cringed at the sharp bite in her tone. "I'm not surprised you will be one of them."
Just who was she to talk to him like that? Who was she to tell him he was no better than the rest of their clan?
"Now, Haku didn't kill you, because he was much kinder than he was given credit for. Naruto really touched him. He taught Naruto to fight for what he cared about. He even encouraged me to do the same, without even talking to me directly. Just like I am going to use both arms of mine."
Sasuke had no idea what to think of her now, for all his genius mind that even his father considered average. And why the hell did Fugaku have to die before he could see his youngest son's potential when he became a Chuunin? And this woman - she was giving him more flak that he wasn't sure he could take unlike the dobe getting on his nerves.
"I don't hate you, by the way, Sasuke," she said, "but this attitude of yours needs working on. The way I see it, you might not turn out having everything you dream of if you see anyone inferior."
And all this happened just before they arrived home for his treatment. Thank the gods his mother didn't come yet and smother him with her worries - and aniki had been the first, so perhaps Sasuke was relieved. Itachi was better than anyone. Because when he awoke in the hospital bed, his brother sat beside him and was smiling, telling him he was relieved and proud of his efforts.
Itachi...you have no idea how much it means for me to hear those words from you. But just wait until I make Chuunin. He wanted to let a tear slip but held it back. Emotions shown just made him feel feeble.
~o~
"It's with great pride you stand before us, Izumi," one of the elders, a woman named Haoroma, intoned, but she wasn't buying this. Instead, she put on a polite smile that no one returned - but she could have sworn another's eyes glittered as the closest it could be as a smile.
If I say it was last minute, I earn no respect from them. "I know what this is about," she said. "And when can you expect the long-awaited public match?"
"Before we dive into that," a male elder said sternly, "we wish to offer our congratulations for the protection of Sasuke Uchiha and his Genin team. But as such, we expect more of you if you wish to become the next matriarch of our clan. Now, to show your good faith, you have three days to rest up and then return to us to fight Itachi. That will be the decision on your fate. He has attested on your behalf that you are indeed capable, but -"
Her patience suddenly snapped, but she interrupted as politely as she could. "You don't need to finish that, sir. I look forward to that day. Will that be all?" Izumi smirked at the display of collected surprise on all their faces. If only Itachi was here to see this. But wait, if he'd stood up to them for me, then he must have already. If only I was there, but I guess this is enough. "You don't want a tired, prospective bridal candidate to be worn out and bested without any fun, do you?" She got a collective negative, then bowed her head once and smoothly turned on her heel to head home to her aunt and cat. Until now, she didn't realize how much she did miss them.
When she returned home, she did not expect Aunt Kazue to not only greet her with a strong, spinning embrace, but a visitor. That unexpected visitor was none other than - "Itachi-san."
"Please drop the honorific, Izumi," he said, smiling as he sat straight up on the couch, steaming cup of tea in his hand. "Is it trouble to simply come and properly speak to my future wife?"
Oh, you think you can come in and think I can give in to your courting methods that easily? "Is that why you are here?" she asked curiously, sitting across from him. "To ask for my hand before we can exchange blows before the old windbags and our single-minded kinsmen?" This prompted a raised eyebrow.
"Izumi, you really have changed so much. That tongue of yours wasn't what I recalled when we were younger..." He remembered, didn't he? What could you expect of a great genius?
"Things change," Izumi said simply, sipping her aunt's tea. "I see you haven't much...or maybe I am wrong. Shisui warned me that you might be, thanks to being the youngest captain of the Black Ops."
Itachi regarded her without a change of his expression. "And yet you still dared to challenge me. That happens to be the boldest move on your part I never thought I would witness," he told her, putting his empty cup down on the coffee table surface. She followed his action, though she was half-done. Hazuki the cat then made her appearance and mewed for attention, jumping onto her mistress' lap. Laughing, Izumi picked the kitty up and held her close to the chest, crossing one leg over the other.
"Just like you never thought I would have your arrogant ass flat on its back in front of Shisui."
His eyes bulged at her statement before they were back to normal size. "Feisty," was all he could state, quite simply. He really acknowledges me like he did that day, but he still won't get me that easily.
"And if I can bring the indomitable Itachi Uchiha to the ground with both hands," she went on proudly, flourishing them both, "then I'm going to use both arms to protect everyone and everything I love, because I know exactly what it's like to be treated like dirt. Naruto Uzumaki encouraged me. While on our mission, Tazuna-san's grandson accused him of not knowing what it was like to be mistreated, and the boy had no idea how wrong he was. You should have seen his face when he was put in his place." She snickered at the memory. Those who never know until they are told truly understand. Harsh as Naruto was to him, he's...not completely different from me. But he has a demon sealed within him; I have only half Uchiha blood. If I can make to where I am now, he can do the same. And since he made Inari see heroes really do exist, then the boy may become one himself someday. "Except he and Sasuke," Izumi added, laughter dying, "they're very competitive, but they still worked together."
That alone brought a small smile to his face before it faded, clearly troubled. "Knowing my brother, if Naruto did become as strong as he desires, Sasuke would come to feel inferior. There is no telling what could happen if it came to pass..." He trailed off, leaning backwards into his seat.
She decided to change the topic. "I suppose it's a good thing he's not like you at all. I've seen what a brat he became."
Itachi smirked. "Somewhat," he agreed. "If we were to marry, he would either wish to avoid you completely or give you such a hard time."
Now to the important matter. "If you intend to court me however you wish, just know that you won't get your prize that easily," Izumi told him, uncrossing her legs and standing up, looking down at him. He returned the gaze with a side smirk to show he wasn't intimidated. "Since I would be expected to do duties as clan matriarch, it means I'm going to be forced to retire from my life after spending so many years working hard to get to where I am now, and it has all been to prove myself. If I wasted my time showing it in front of the rest of the clan, it either would make a difference, or it wouldn't. They refuse to change, and who is to say you would make a difference?" She had a good feeling he might, since she knew him well enough for that - if not seeing him in years until now - but this was her way of making damned sure.
"I have upmost confidence it will," he insisted, standing up so he looked down at her. "When we are married, I'll have full control and have the elders step down to make way for a new generation to replace the old ways. With more time and understanding, everything is going to get better." His eyes sparkled softly.
"The new Council won't even have as much control as the current does. Whether they like it or not, I will have my choice in a bride."
He was leaning close to her now, the proximity making her shrink a little. He had such a power that she realized she took so lightly. But it wasn't the kind he was feared for - no, it was something else. It was much stronger than the innocent admiration she had for the guarded boy he'd been.
"What do you expect of me?" she asked, stepping back only to feel her legs hit the seat. "You're going to have to do more than just tell me you were wrong about me, or tell me all of this. Because...you think I can easily forgive you for telling me I am too gentle to be a Shinobi?"
He narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
~o~
She doesn't hate me, but she won't be mine that easily simply because I tried to help her. I tried to lead her towards the right path, and she dares to challenge that.
In some ways, he understood her decision. She really had changed so much. He found he really did like this new Izumi: not only was she stronger, but she wasn't foolish to accept without a fight. If he was a prize - really, who did not consider Itachi Uchiha, eligible bachelor, as such? - then she would make sure he was worth every effort. He would give her the same treatment.
She was given three days to get herself together from her mission, and when she did, the day arrived for them to stand before the clan within the forest, in one of the vastest training grounds where all Uchiha would bear witness. The Sharingan could assess if each movement was rehearsed or not, repeated just for the hell of it, so he and Izumi had to do things differently than they did with each other...but her chakra suppressing seals she would slip in on her own.
He could sense and see the air around as well as in the eyes of the clan beneath him now: they were rooting for him to defeat the half-blood. In other words, the message had gotten to her: you are wasting your time. You are nothing compared to Itachi. But she would not give them any satisfaction.
Shisui stood between them and gave them the signal to begin. No masks were worn this time, because this was not an ANBU exam. Lord Fourth and fellow Shinobi were not present as this was solely Uchiha concern.
Don't go easy on me, her eyes told him. Oh, he had no intentions.
He and Izumi went at each other like two wild boar, locking tusks - with kunai and katana firsthand, progressing into weapons knocked out and fists being traded. She avoided making eye contact with him, but he could even use his single finger, like he told her...but she made sure to avoid eye contact with that as well. In fact, she found his weak spot there in taking that whole hand and hauling his entire body over her head, sending him sailing into a tree above a collection of kinsmen's heads.
Shocked gasps combined with dismayed exclamations.
Izumi introduced another move he never got to see: the Phoenix Whirlwind. Her body swirled like said hurricane, and her foot came out to strike his head. He ducked, and the impact caused the wood to splinter in half. People yelled for each other to move for safety, but the top half of the trunk fell backwards in the other direction. The earth shook and nearly sent everyone off their feet. They see they underestimated her strength. Even the Elders have been rendered speechless.
When Itachi was just getting himself up, he sensed Izumi slip behind him - and she placed in the seal against his skin, but it was so tiny he barely felt it. He turned around and tried to weave a hand sign for the Fire Ball, but the seal acted faster than he could make the signs. Leaving him vulnerable to Izumi's Fist of Fire which sent him into the air and coming to crash down on the middle of the grounds.
Last time, she'd left him straight on his back, untied - but this time he was on his full-front, face into the earth; his arms were drawn behind his back and cuffed. "Sorry, Uchiha," she purred smugly into his ear. He chuckled breathlessly. So, the minx played her new game like this, huh? Handcuffing him to show she was in control now?
Somehow that made his body start stirring in a way that he hadn't felt for another woman in his entire life. While he mused this out of sheer curiosity, Shisui whistled to the appalled clan members and elders who witnessed the brutality of the half-blooded kunoichi.
"Izumi Uchiha has won."
Hell to the yes, thumbs up for Izumi. :D All that's left now is to hear what the clan has to say about her now.
