Hope you enjoy!
Disclaim: I don't own Naruto.
I couldn't believe how perfect this moment was. It was like picture perfect, like on commercials, with all those cheesy smiles and fake laughter. As corny as that sounds, it felt just right with me. But I got too pulled into it, and it soon turned around to a disaster.
"Ah!" Screamed Hinata as me and Kiba splashed her simultaneously. She giggled and tried to splash back. Kiba laughed but then fell back when Akamaru pulled him by the shorts and the two wrestled in the water. I continued to splash Hinata un aware what was about to happen next.
"Ow!"
I wiped the water from my eyes and my vision cleared to see Hinata sitting in the water gripping her hand. I was speechless at first as her teammates surrounded her for comfort.
"Hinata? Are you okay? Where are you hurt?" Asked Kiba and Shino, bent down to check if there was any damage done.
"I'm okay…" Winced Hinata. "Its just a scratch." She held out her open hand to revile a deep cut that she must have sliced on a rock when she fell. I stared in horror as the blood trickled down from her palm and into the water, the content spreading and causing the water around Hinata's knee to turn red.
Kiba got up and started to climb out of the water. "I will go get some bandages." He called out as he ran towards his house.
Shino helped Hinata to her feet, which was holding her wrist, the blood now dripping down her arm, collected by the water.
My body began to tremble as my eyes widened at the site. My mind began to whirl. I knew who ever I got close to I would end up hurting.
Monster!
"No…" I said with fear in my eyes, starting to back away from the two who were now looking up at me with curious expressions.
Get away from us!
"Magen? What's wrong?" Asked Hinata who took a step forward."
Look what you did! Get away!
I took another step back. "I'm sorry." I said quietly, holding out my arms as if to keep Hinata away. My legs felt week and I stumbled as I stepped back again. My eyes began to fill with tears.
NO! DON'T KILL ME!
"It's just a scratch Magen. I'm fine. It's okay." Hinata held out a comforting hand, my eyes darted to the cut on her palm.
MONSTER!
"I didn't mean to!" I screamed, to no one in particular. "I'm sorry!" And with that I dashed out of the water and ran away.
I let my guard down, as I often did and I ran away. I was a coward and a lost cause. I knew I shouldn't have come. I knew I shouldn't have gotten carried away. I can't get close to anyone can I!
I didn't know where I was running or care that I was soaking wet. I needed to get away. I ran right past Kiba who was jogging back towards the pond. He called after me as he watched me disappear from sight.
I wouldn't have stopped running if that letter didn't smack me in the face. I stumbled backwards, bewildered and confused to what just came in contact with my nose and was blocking my view. I pulled the letter from my face and beamed with relief. The letter was from Mitsuki.
I looked around to see where I was and fortunately I was alone at the training grounds. I walked towards a tree and leaned on its trunk, then fell down onto the ground; my legs tucked underneath me, and opened the letter, everything else from before vanishing from my mind for that short moment of peace.
After reading that letter I felt relieved that Mitsuki was okay and that everything was going well for her over there. Besides the whole pervert attack and I wasn't happy about that at all. After reading that I felt a surge of dread and felt useless once again. I wasn't there to protect Mitsuki once again. But I knew she could take care of herself.
I sat there under the tree in silence for a while. I didn't know how long I was there and I didn't care. I wanted everything else to dissolve around me and leave me here with nothing but the sound of the wind swaying the branches and the soft grass underneath me. But that fantasy disappeared when I sensed a body towering over me. I looked up to see Tsunade.
"Having fun?" She asked. I studied her expression carefully and to my surprise I found a hint of sympathy. That made me curious.
"What do you want?" I snapped, slightly irritated that Tsunade disturbed my daydreaming.
Tsunade frowned. "I just wanted to talk to you."
I crossed my arms and looked away. "What is there to talk about?"
Tsunade knelt down so she was about my height. "Your team came into my office about 30 minutes ago. Claiming that they couldn't find you. I asked why you were missing and they explained…" She trailed off.
The image appeared in my mind once more. Blood trickling into the water. Hinata getting hurt. I tensed up. Tsunade noticed this and sighed, still frowning. "You know when I first met you, the first thing I thought was that you were a stubborn little girl who was disrespectful and rude."
I scowled. She was insulting me?
"But I was wrong." She quickly added, noticing my scowl. "Well you were stubborn. But you were stubborn for the right reasons. You never gave up and you always trained. Ozu wouldn't stop blabbing how proud he was of you."
I inhaled sharply but didn't look Tsunade in the eyes.
She continued. "I remember watching you two go at it, fighting with those silly wooden swords. Ozu wanted you to try a real sword, but you kept refusing. I always wondered why."
I coughed slightly, knowing where this was going. Straining to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Then you finally gave in and you two practiced with real blades." Tsunade hesitated. "You accidentally cut Ozu in the arm. Then when you saw the blood, you stood there screaming your sorry when Ozu tried to calm you down. It was as if you were screaming at someone else, as if you were scared of something. And when you saw the blood, you fell to the ground trembling and crying."
"I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!" I screamed at her. My eyes were red with tears and I was on my feet now, my hands clenched into tight fists. "Did you just come here to make fun of me? To point out my flaws?"
Tsunade got to her feet now. I felt so small and week compared to her when she towered over me. Her stance threatening to punch me in the face but she kept her cool. Her shoulders relaxed as she spoke. "I felt so close to you that day Magen, you are afraid of blood too aren't you?"
I was just about to scream at her again but didn't. "Too?"
Tsunade nodded. "I too was afraid of blood. It isn't something to be ashamed of."
I glared at her. She had no idea, and yet she's talking to me as if she knows everything. I didn't want to talk or look at her anymore, instead I stomped right past her and walked away, leaving her behind in her own thoughts.
When I got to Shizune's house I was relieved that she wasn't home. She must be at Tsunade's office taking care of things while she's gone. After I got dried off and changed, I walked right into the kitchen to grab something to eat but I saw something at the corner of my eye. There sitting on the counter was a bottle of sake. I picked it up and studied it in my hands. Anger, guilt, loneliness, sadness, and dread filled my mind and I wanted them all to go away. I wanted to become numb, and that's what this drink did right? So with that thought I swigged back a huge gulp, feeling the side effects right away.
Mitsuki P.O.V.
I yawned as I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. I had actually had a decent night's sleep, after I had thrown kunai at random objects for like three hours of course. I got dressed and brushed my teeth and hair and walked towards the kitchen.
"But Temari…"
I heard voices just inside the room and stopped to listen. I knew eavesdropping was wrong, but hey, can't blame me, it could be about me!
"No Tenten, I can't come back!"
I looked inside the room through the inch of space from where the door hadn't completely closed. There was a brown haired girl who I assumed was Tenten puppy dog pouting at Temari.
"Not even for a visit? Please?" She begged. Temari shook her head. "No."
"PLEASE?" Tenten shouted. Temari shushed her. "Shh, Mitsuki's still asleep upstairs." I chose that moment to walk into the room. I pushed the door aside and walked in and towards the fridge.
"What about me Temari?" I asked as I pulled out an apple. Temari smirked. "I thought you were asleep."
"Nope! Well, I was, but then I woke up!" I said cheerfully. I knew I shouldn't be, but I was warming up to Temari, definitely more than I should be. Temari nodded, and Tenten forced a cough, grinning.
"Oh yeah, Mitsuki, this is Tenten. Tenten Mitsuki, Mitsuki Tenten." Temari said pointing back and forth between me and Tenten. She stuck out her hand and I shook it nervously, noticing the Konoha forehead protector.
"So Mitsuki, where are you from?" She asked. My eyes widened and I turned and raced out of the room at an almost inhuman speed, memories flooding back.
"So, this is where you live now eh?" A man asked me. I nodded slowly, looking at the small cabin I had been hiding out in. He shook his head.
"Well this won't do dear."
"But…I've been fine…living here…" I whispered. The man shook his head again.
"Nope. Mitsuki you need a home. A real home."
Tears ran down my cheeks. "But, but momma and daddy…they died…how can I go back…" I whispered yet again. He bent down on his knees and wiped the tears off my cheeks. He smiled softly.
"Mitsuki, you used to live in the village with your parents. Now you live here on the outskirts of our village all alone. It's not safe. I knew your parents well, they would not approve."
"But the villagers, they hate me!" I shouted, the tears falling again. "They hate me for killing them! I couldn't do anything! It was my fault! But I didn't mean to let them die!" The man pulled me into a hug, petting my head, trying to comfort me.
"It was my fault! I couldn't stop that man! It was my fault! They all hate me!" I screamed out, and then I broke out into hysterics. "I'm s-so so-sorry! I'm sorry! I'M SORRY!" I screamed over and over. I clung to the man, sobbing.
"Mitsuki it wasn't your fault. You are four years old! You couldn't do anything then, no! But one day you will find the man who hurt you and your parents and you will get your revenge and all will be well! But Mitsuki you cannot blame yourself for what has happened!" He said, pulling me away from him and staring deep into my eyes.
"But if I had been stronger! I could have saved them!"
"Mitsuki, you are four and a half years old. You flew out of a window from one of the hits that bastard gave you. When you went inside your parents had passed on. You are lucky you didn't die! You did what you could!"
"But they wanted me! He came outside looking for me! He wanted me because of that thing! Even my parents were always mad at me cause of the thing! The villagers hated my family cause of me! They all say it's my fault! ALL OF THEM!" I yelled, tears still falling down my pale cheeks.
"Don't listen to them. You are the last of your clan and you have survived much child. Do not blame yourself for their death." He said calmly.
"I don't even remember my clan name! Nobody does! All I know is momma and daddy said we were the last ones!" He pulled me back into his arms as I tried to run.
"Mitsuki, do you want a family again?" He asked. I looked up at him hopefully.
"You can bring mommy and daddy back?" He shook his head.
"Sadly no. But would you like to become a part of my family?"
I nodded my head violently.
"Welcome to my family Mitsuki, you have been adopted." I smiled and we walked back towards my new home, hand in hand.
I jumped off the balcony and ran towards the lake I had found the other day. It was small, but it was surrounded by rocks and it was the perfect area for me to train myself. Twenty minutes later I had reached my spot. I pushed chakra into my feet and walked to the middle of the lake.
"Kage bunshin no jutsu!" I shouted, making the proper hand signs. This was the one forbidden jutsu I actually knew how to use. My father had taught it to me. Several clones appeared and ran towards me. I threw my hands up in the air and an igloo type shape of water surrounded me. My clones threw kunai and all sorts of weapons at me, and some senbon nearly got through, so I made some hand seals and the water dropped and was replaced by stone.
"Well me, what are you going to do now?" I asked.
"Not sure. I think I'll just wing it." I heard the reply. It wasn't my clone. I snapped my fingers and the stone wall and all of my clones disappeared. I turned around and stared into the smiling face of Tenten. She walked out onto the water and stood straight across from me.
"Nice place you got here." She said, looking around. I nodded.
"Yeah."
"Too bad I have a Hyuuga on my side, who can see-!"
"I know what they can see." I said. She nodded. "So you come here often?" I shrugged. "Sort of. This is like the third time I've been here."
"Does anyone know you're here?" I pointed at her. "I meant besides me, and Neji, he's the Hyuuga I mentioned." I shook my head. She grinned.
"Cool, well I won't tell anyone about your place if you agree that we're friends now!" She said, sticking out her hand as she had earlier. She was smiling brightly, and I sensed no ill will coming from her. I smiled back and shook her hand.
"So friend, wanna fight?"
After splitting up to search for Magen, Shino was now wondering the forest to where he saw her last time she ran away. He studied the fallen trees where Magen's sword destroyed between their huge battle.
He replayed their last encounter through his head. He couldn't get her expression she wore when she saw Hinata's cut. She looked so terrified; it gave him an uneasy feeling. He shook his head in an attempt to erase that image but failed. Shino sighed and continued his search.
It wasn't long before he spotted a silhouette in the distance. He quickened his pace but kept his footsteps quiet, sneaking up on the stranger. Maybe it was Magen.
It was when he got just close enough to interpret who the silhouette was, that he knew the person was drunk.
The stranger had a sway in its step and seemed to be mumbling to itself. Shino stopped when he heard the person's voice. He recognized it right away. It was Magen.
"Magen?" Shino took a step closer.
Magen twirled around, almost loosing balance, a white bottle in her hand. Her eyes widened once she saw who it was. "Shino?" She gasped then giggled. Her voice slurred. "You stalker. Following me in the night."
Shino was confused. Where did she get the alcohol? He never pictured Magen being a drunk. He held out a hand. "Common lets get you home."
Magen laughed and smacked the hand away. "Your funny bug boy. I like that in men, funny AND smexy." She took another swig of the drink in her hand and then looked into the bottle and frowned. "It's all gone."
Shino rolled his eyes behind his glasses and held out his hand once more. "I'm taking you home."
Magen giggled and dropped the bottle in his hands, planted a kiss on his cheek then turned on her heel and headed in the other direction. Shino quickly pocketed the bottle to dispose of later and grabbed Magen's shoulder to stop her. That was a mistake.
As quick as he blinked he felt the coldness of the blade on his throat. Even when she was drunk Magen could handle her power perfectly. Shino stood completely still, looking down at the seriousness of Magen's face. It scared him.
It didn't last long though, soon she broke out in laughter and sheathed her sword. "Don't worry bug boy. I won't kill you." She said between laughs. "I don't want to kill anyone."
Shino relaxed but kept a close eye on her just in case. "That's not how you acted when you attacked me before." He referred to their last battle when she came so close to slicing his head off.
"Silly buggy!" She grinned and touched his shoulder lightly. "I was only trying to scare you away. I knew you could dodge all that attacks and stuffs." She swayed in one spot, a blush on her cheeks.
Shino raised an eyebrow. Magen continued. "But then when you didn't move the last attack I could let your little head get sliced off now could I?" She giggled. "Then Shino would have been allll over the trees!" She gasped loudly and started to giggle once again.
"So you stopped the blade with your hand." Shino said to himself.
"It was a good thing I put some chakra all ova my hand see? Or it would have gone right through my hand and I would have no fingers see?" She held up her gloved hand. "I wouldn't want to kill yous guys. I don't want to kill anyone. Not again."
"Not again?" Shino repeated.
"There's only…" she hiccupped. "There's only one person I want to kill." Magen then reached for her sword, Shino readied himself for an unpredictable attack. But this time Magen didn't pull out her white sword. This time she slowly pulled out the black handled sword and held it in front of her face, staring into her reflection on the dark red metal that sent a shiver up Shino's spine. That metal did not look right to him, there was something about it that made him feel uneasy.
Magen's expression turned serious and she began to speak in a low and calm voice. "You know this sword has only been used once?"
Shino stood in silence, curious to hear what she had to say next.
"The only blood it shed…" Magen voice trembled as she spoke, choking back tears. "The only people it killed were my parents."
Shino's eyes widened but he stayed silent. This was something she had to get off of her chest so he listened silently, Magen's past slowly unraveling itself.
"That… that BASTARD killed the only people who cared for me in that village." Magen's grip tightened on the handle as she spoke. "the only people that aided me when I came home with cuts a bruises from the rocks thrown at me by those other kids… the only people who comforted me when I felt alone and sad!"
Shino took a cautious step back not knowing what would happen next. Magen's whole body trembling with rage. "Magen…" He said softly, trying to comfort her.
"I will find the murderer who ruined my life and I will run his own blade…" She spoke through clenched teeth. "Through his heart!"
Shino found that he was no longer scared of her, but felt severe sympathy towards her. His arms itching to grab her into a hug, to calm her down in anyway he could. But he found that he could not move, Shino could not bear to do it. Instead he kept his calm composer.
Magen on the other end looked like she was ready to collapse. She slowly lowered the sword and let it dangle at her side. She swayed back and forth, her eyes going blank. "Those kids called me names… awful names…" She said quietly.
"What did they call you?" Asked Shino softly.
Magen looked up at him, a small smile on her lips. "I… I don't feel so good." And before Shino could react, Magen bent over and threw up right there. Shino quickly backed away, avoiding the vomit and rushed to Magen's side as she fell on all fours and coughed on the grass.
Shino leaned down and rubbed her back. He knew this was going to happen sooner or later.
Magen coughed. "Thanks…" and with that final word, she fell to her side and passed out.
Magen's P.O.V.
The first thing I noticed when I awoke was my bounding head. I winced and brought my hand up to my eyes, blocking the blinding light from the window. Window? I slowly sat up and got a good look at my surroundings. I was in my room, well my temporary room.
I blinked in confusion, trying to ignore the pounding in my brain and the nausea. I lifted the covers and noticed I was in my pajamas. What happened?
I was just about to get up when the door opened slowly and in peeked Shizune. She smiled when she saw me. "So you're up!"
I winced from the sound of her voice. "Shhh…" I said irritably.
"No I will not shush." Shizune crossed her arms. "You deserve the headache after stealing my sake and wandering around drunk!" She shook her head. "You are more alike Tsunade then you think."
I scowled and was just about to defend myself until it clicked in my mind. "I was drunk?" I mentally slapped myself for shouting, now my head hurt more then ever before. I lowered my voice. "What happened?"
Shizune giggled. "It was such a sight!" She clapped her hands together recalling the memory. I groaned in pain and wanted to smack her but listened patiently. "It was 1 in the morning when I hear a knock at the door. And what do I see is Shino carrying you in his arms. You were such a mess. Vomit all over you, I had to get you out of those clothes. Shino said he found you wandering around the forest." She shook her head.
I felt my face heat up with embarrassment. I shook my head too get the image of Shino carrying out of my head, which was a mistake. I groaned and slowly fell back into the pillows. Then something clicked in my brain. I gasped. "Wait, so if you changed me into these pajamas… that means you saw…" I gulped.
Shizune smiled softly. "Don't worry, I already know. Tsunade told me everything. Your secret is safe with me." She winked and turned to leave the room.
I sat there for a while, processing everything in slowly. What the hell did I do last night?
Mitsuki watched Tenten and Temari talk from the hallway. She had heard only a little, but from what she had heard not only had Tenten kept her promise and had not told Temari about Mitsuki's secret training grounds, she was asking Temari to go to the Leaf Village for a visit. Then something about some guy named Shikamaru.
"Mitsuki, it is not polite to eavesdrop."
Shit. Caught. Mitsuki cringed as she turned around to see Gaara staring at her, smirking.
"Howdy!" Mitsuki greeted. Gaara nodded and walked away, motioning for her to follow. She followed quickly and quietly, still wishing to know what Tenten and Temari were talking about. Gaara walked into his office and sat down at his desk, and Mitsuki sat in her usual chair. The doors were closed by some sand coming from the gourd on Gaara's back.
"Hn."
Mitsuki's attention went to Gaara, who was reading a piece of paper.
"Why were you eavesdropping on my sister and her friend?" Gaara asked. Mitsuki shrugged. "I dunno."
"Have you had someone escort you around the village yet?"
"No. I've been around though."
Gaara nodded in response. "Good. You will be helping the Konoha team that is here on a mission. You are to help apprehend a criminal whom has eluded capture four times already. He started his crime spree in Konoha, but escaped before the hokage could figure out who he was. That is why Neji and Tenten are here, it is there mission. They have been trying to find him, trying to figure out and stop his next move. His name is Itsuma Itaina. He has killed three people, and will try and kill you if you give him the chance."
Mitsuki nodded. "So this is just a test huh? I'm not that stupid." Gaara nodded. "No you are not. Yes, the elders are testing you. I wish you luck. Neji is the squad leader and will fill you in on the rest of the details."
Mitsuki nodded again and walked out the door.
Mitsuki P.O.V.
'Damn, it had to be another Hyuuga.' I thought, glaring at Neji.
"Do you have a problem with Hyuugas?" He asked.
'Damn, forgot about the stupid eye mind ready thing…'
"Yes you did."
'Damn!'
"You swear at people in your head a lot." He said, smirking. Tenten giggled beside me. I looked at her and grinned.
"So Tenten, where are we going?" I asked. "Huh? Oh! We're going to try and locate where his camp is! We have to split up here soon, but he should be easy to take down. If we can find him."
Fifteen minutes later we arrived at the outer location of where Itsuma's camp was supposedly at, in the forest outside Suna. Tenten took left Neji took right and I headed off straight. I pushed chakra into my feet and took off at a fast pace. I stopped in the middle of a clearing and looked around.
"Ah trees, how I have missed you."
"Well hello there sweetheart."
I jumped and quickly turned around at the mans voice. He sported a sand village headband and was dressed all in black. He walked towards me and I backed away. I jumped up onto a tree branch and stared down at him.
"Itsuma Itaina?" I asked. He smirked.
"I see you have heard of me. Yes. I am Itsuma."
I pulled out a kunai and threw it at him as he shot several shurikens at me.
"You know, you're pretty cute. You could come with me and have some fun." He said, smirking again. I stared at him, disgusted.
"What is up with all the fricken PERVS around here?" I screamed out, trying to get Neji and Tenten's attention. He glared.
"Signaling backup? Well then, we'll have to finish you off quickly." He made some hand seals and his eyes changed and so did the surrounding area. Twelve of him appeared then tripled, and the world around me swirled and tripled as well. He smirked.
"Well child, can you defeat me now, when you do not know which is the real me? You cannot tell without these eyes!" He said. I stared at his eyes desperately wishing to be able to see the real him as I dodged as many of the shuriken he was throwing at me as I could.
I continued to stare at his eyes, now just trying to figure out what they were, and how his clans kekkai genkai worked. I felt a sudden searing pain in my eyes as I stared, and I had to close them from the pain. I felt shurikens sink into my skin, but the pain was little compared to the pain I felt in my eyes. I screamed and clutched at my head, and then the pain just went away. I opened my eyes and Itsuma stared at me.
"H-how? How did you? That's impossible!" I looked around and realized that there was only one Itsuma, and the world was back to normal. I smirked; apparently during my moment of pain he had released his jutsu. He threw another round of shuriken at me, and I grabbed two in midair and threw one back.
"How?" He shouted again. I rolled my eyes. He was so annoying. I went to throw the shuriken at him, when I caught my reflection in it. I figured out quickly why Itsuma had been freaked out. My eyes matched his, an eerie orange red color, with six black horizontal lines. I threw the shuriken at him and it hit him directly on his forehead protector, and he fell back, the shock from his headband being hit smacking him in the temples.
The pain came back and I fell, and I felt myself being caught. I opened my eyes and Neji Hyuuga stared back at me, I could see a slight worried look in his eyes.
"You had his eyes. Why?" Neji asked, as we walked back towards Suna, him carrying me, and Tenten dragging Itsuma.
"I don't know…" I whispered. My head hurt so badly, and I was so confused. How had I done that? I had tried to walk, but had fallen down three times before Neji had picked me up and started to carry me towards Suna.
"Are you sure. His clan is from the tea country, and you are not from his clan are you? If you are you look nothing alike." He tried again. I shook my head slightly, then stopped because it made me light headed.
"I…I am the last of my clan…both…both of them…" I whispered, before I blacked out from exhaustion.
Normal P.O.V.
Mitsuki passed out and her head fell back. Neji looked down at her and then over at Tenten.
"Tenten, what do we know about this girl?" He asked. Tenten shrugged.
"Nothing. All I know is that apparently she's misunderstood, according to Temari. Temari also said that Gaara said that she seems to have had a rough past. Oh, and I know a few of her attacks. But if you're wondering if I think she's from the Itaina clan than no, I don't. She would've used her kekkai genkai when we sparred. She didn't." She said, remembering her spar. Neji nodded.
Neji and Tenten walked through the Suna gates, dropping off Itsuma with the guards. They walked towards the hospital and were met halfway there by none other than Gaara.
"What happened?" He asked. Neji shrugged.
"She passed out from exhaustion. She fought Itaina and defeated him, with his own kekkai genkai."
Gaara's eyes widened slightly, but then he went back to his usual stoic state.
"Hn."
He took Mitsuki from Neji and walked towards the hospital.
"Uh, Kazekage-sama, what would you like us to do?" Tenten asked. Gaara shrugged.
"Go back to my office. Fill out a report with Temari. I'm taking her to the hospital."
Neji and Tenten nodded and went off towards the building. Gaara looked down at the girl in his arms.
"What did you do to yourself…?" He asked her unconscious form. Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice, but were still half-lidded. He was relieved to see that they were purple orbs once again.
"Kazekage-san…" She started, stopping to take in a deep breath.
"Hn." Was his reply, as he continued walking. She grinned happily.
"I'm sleepy…" She muttered, and she blacked out again, but not before cuddling up against the Kazekage's chest. He shook his head.
"You continue to surprise me, Mitsuki." Gaara said to her, and continued his trek to the hospital, ignoring the glances of passing bystanders.
There you go! Please review! Nicely!