YAY I'M ALIVE! Ok so I never really died, but I've been so busy and tired that I haven't had time to work on this, for all you who have been waiting for this, I apologize. I originally planned to have this chapter done back during Thanksgiving, but obviously that did not happen. Then I had to study for finals, and then finals week. I started working on this again the first week of Christmas break but I ended up on a suicide watch for one of my friends for a few days and ever since I have been thoroughly been stressed and tired as for many nights I did not sleep not knowing if I was going to wake find that they were gone. Thankfully they have started to talk to other people, they have confronted the main problem, and have a much more positive outlook on life right now.
In other news, I don't know how long before I post another chapter, I might be able to pull out another one before school starts again, but I give no promises as I have to go spend most of this coming Friday with the campus councilors change my major and my entire schedule for next semester, and I get to work that day as well. But I will try to have another chapter out, I really will.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters associated with the series. All I own is Haru and a bunch of textbooks.
Warning: Nudity (I know there is not much, but I'm trying to protect my legal butt)
Chapter 10
Why? Why do these things keep happening to me?
I push myself deeper into my bath water, not wanting to come out and have to face whatever lies ahead.
After Utakata had announced the sleeping pairs, there was some slight squabbling amongst the others, but I just tried to figure a way out of the situation. In the end, it was decided that we would have designated watch hours for the next two nights, as well as switch up the sleeping pairs to not cause further complaints with that. That would mean that one bed would have only one person at certain periods of time. The problem was how the shifts were set up meant that I would only ever get about three hours to myself in a bed, this meant more time spent sharing a bed, and more chances to be discovered.
After this was all "decided," I grabbed my bag and made my way down to the large guest bath they had at the inn. I know I had already bathed in the river earlier, but I needed some time to think, alone. And where better to do so than in the bathhouse, the one place I was sure they would not follow me.
The problem was that while I started to fill the tub with hot water, I carefully undress, making sure the door was locked, as it would be harder to hide certain physical aspects should someone come in without knocking, I discovered more of the 'blood' from earlier. This time it was on my pants, and I was able to pinpoint where it was coming from.
The thing is, I don't remember ever getting hurt there, so why would I be bleeding? I cleaned up the "blood" as best I could, but the bleeding never even slowed down. Finally I decided that it would just be better to soak the "wound" in the bath to clean it out before attempting to bandage it.
As I slipped into the hot water, I noticed that the "wound" did not hurt when exposed to the water, nor did it even sting once I added in soap.
Just what the hell did I do to myself? When did this happen?
Foolish child, you honestly still believe that this is a mere wound? Then explain to me why it does not stop "bleeding" no matter what you do.
. . . I don't have to listen to you! You've never helped me in the past why should I trust you now?
Because one of your little companions has already found out your secret. It is only a matter of time before the rest figure it out as well.
NO! That is impossible! I made sure no one could find out. You're lying!
Think what you will, but don't blame me if things get out of hand.
If what get's out of hand? . . . Answer me you damn fortune cookie!
A mocking silence is all that I get as a response.
Sighing, I resign myself to the fact that I will not be getting any answers from that damned Voice anytime soon. I figure that I might as well at least try to relax for a while longer before going to face the rest of my teammates.
I let the warm water work its magic on my aches and pains from the long trip but I am disrupted from my relaxation by the sound of the door opening to the bathhouse.
I start to wonder about who could have disregarded the "Occupied" sign outside the door when I am greeted by a very serious Utakata.
"So it seems I was right. You really are not who you claim to be." He must have seen my confused expression because he sighed and continues, "I doubt that the others would have noticed it, but there are some scents that are hard to hide. In this case, it is hard to hide the fact that you are female when you practically reek of . . . of . . . (he is turning a lovely shade of red by this point) of your . . . period.
Suddenly it all makes sense. Everything that Tsunade told me, to even what the Voice has been telling me. My body is betraying itself and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
My conflict and concern must be showing as Utakata speaks again. "Now I don't know why you are trying to hide what you are, and I don't really care. The matters of Konoha don't concern me at a time like this. But I will say that I will neither support nor expose you to the rest of the team. It will be up to you if you keep up this façade or not. As long as you can control your "inner beast" I will continue to leave that option open to you, however, if you allow that "inner beast" out and someone gets caught in the crossfire, then I will have no choice but to expose you to the others."
"Inner beast?" Does he mean the Voice? How could he know about that? I thought I was the only one that could hear it.
"Now the storm will be here in just a couple of hours so if you want to do any exploring, do so now before the weather gets bad. At the first sign of rain, come straight back to the room, otherwise you are on your own."
With that he turns to leave, "Oh, and Haru, next time, please be a little more discreet and at least try to cover yourself."
With that he finally does leave and as I bow my head with what he just said, I realize what he means when he said to cover up. Apparently the bubbles did not cover . . . well everything.
Grrr! Why must women have such large chests! Honestly they serve no purpose this early in life!
You know that for a woman, you are not that well endowed.
Who asked your opinion?
A rather loud rumbling laugh is the only answer I receive.
Sighing, I make my way out of the now cool water and over to a nice fresh fluffy towel.
After getting dressed, I stop with my hand on the door to the bathhouse.
Hmm . . . do I want to just go back to the room, or should I go exploring? If I go back to the room then I have to deal with either an extremely hyper Naruto, or the ever silent and staring Gaara. But if I go exploring I run the risk of getting lost, or even running into Orochimaru. But I can't live my life in fear of an unknown factor. Besides, exploring will give me a chance to think.
With that obstacle overcome, I am on my way out the door, and into the port city.
…...
Alone with my musings, I pay little attention to where I am going, just following wherever my feet decide to take me. Before I even bother to look up, I can tell that I am hopelessly lost.
I find myself surrounded by what seems to be a more industrial section of the city. On one side, there are skeletons of ships that are either being scrapped or rebuilt. And on the other side is a row of buildings and factories that probably supply much of the materials for the dismantling and rebuilding of ships.
Looking to the sky to see if I can get at least some semblance of the position of the sun, all I can see is black clouds hiding behind the great plumes of smoke and steam coming from the factories. The lack of sun makes me realize that I must be out later than I was planning on.
Well I guess it's time to get back, after all it looks like rain, and the last thing I need is to come back smelling like a wet animal.
I decide that I should try to find my way back to at least a more residential or visitor friendly section of the port so that I can try to find my way back to the inn.
Before I even realize it, I am even more lost than before, only now I seem to be a part of the port that I doubt that any visitor is supposed to see, the slums.
The road is littered with debris and all matters of things that I have no names for, and doubt that I would want to name even if I could. The area is surprisingly silent despite that I thought I had heard people, the very reason I came down this way. I have the urge to run away from this place, because even though I can't see anyone, I can feel eyes following my every move.
Trying to not betray my true fear to others, I hold my head high and try to keep my pace even as I make my way to what I hope is a better part of town.
After a few minutes of walking, my nerves are about on their last legs as I try to not just give into the instinct to run and forget about this place. But I try to remain as seemingly peaceful as possible because up ahead is an opening onto what seems to be a main road for the port. If I can just reach the road I know that I can manage to find the inn.
As the main road gets closer and closer, I can feel myself relax and my panic lessen. But the fear is thrust back upon me when suddenly five men appear out of seemingly nowhere.
Trying to do my best to seem as though I did not notice them I try to continue down the road only to have them start circling me.
"Well well well, what have we got here? A little kit that's lost its mother?"
"Not so much of a kit, Leaf Shinobi by the looks of it."
"Don't get many of those down here do we boys?"
The men all laughed at that. I cannot get a good look at their faces as they keep moving and whenever one of them speaks, they do it when I can't see where they are.
"Hey Boss, do you think this one could be some fun?"
"I don't see why not. After all, the higher they start, the harder they fall."
Another round of laughter, only this time the smirks that accompanied the laughter are what really start to set my nerves on edge again. I try to break free of the circle, acting like I could care less about them and their innuendos, but they would have none of that.
"Hey boss, the little "shinobi" doesn't seem to want to play."
"No matter, just grab him and bring him back to HQ."
Before he even finished his sentence, I felt four sets of hands try to grab me from various angles. I try to get away, but all I succeed in doing is elbowing one guy in the chest before the others grabbed my arms to keep me in check.
"Tut tut, a feisty one. Well that will soon change." The overly greasy voice of their "Boss" is starting to drive me even more insane.
They pull me along through the maze of side streets and alleyways until they reached a dead end that had a few boxes and barrels slightly more organized than some of the others.
"Welcome my dear to Headquarters. Our home away from home."
I hope you have a plan for getting yourself out of this.
. . . I do! I just need to work on a few of the finer points.
You have nothing. At this rate, I highly doubt that these thugs will be kind enough to even leave your body in one piece when they are through with you.
. . .
I can always lend you my power, and then you can destroy these lowlifes and be on your way.
No, I am not so weak as to have to rely on a power other than my own.
Fine then, but don't blame me for your pain. I will be here when you are ready to beg for survival.
Before I can even think to respond to such a claim, I am thrown into a wall where the thugs proceed to tie my wrists to some hooks look like they used to hold up a banner of some kind at one point in time.
Next the a person who I assume is the Boss comes up and reaches behind me to lock a tight metal choker collar on me.
I did not fail to miss the maniacal gleam in his brown eyes as he starts to caress my jaw. "You feel that collar? That is made from a very rare metal that naturally suppresses chakra so that way you can't just build yours up and break through your wrist bindings. This way we don't have to worry about being attacked while we have our fun with you."
True to his word, I could not summon even a small amount of chakra to my will. I was trapped and totally defenseless.
"Now be a good boy." The caressing of my jaw stopped when suddenly he smashed his lips against mine, his tongue desperately seeking entrance. I tried to turn my head away only to have him gab my hair to hold me still. I still deny him entrance. He then uses his free hand to yank on my ear to try to startle me, still I deny him.
When he tries to yank my ear he stops and his smirk grows even wider. "So you're a little exotic thing aren't you? I guess that means that we'll have to not damage you as much, you might be worth something to us after all."
At this I involuntarily open my mouth to gasp, and in that minute, he plunges his tongue deep into my mouth. I try to bite the offending muscle, but all I get in return is a sharp yank of my hair.
"Now now, you'll not do that anymore little kit." To emphasize his point one of his goons knees me in the gut so that my breath is forced from my lungs. To my relief Boss backs off on his assault of my mouth. "Now let's see what kind of a treasure we brought home boys."
He backs up and one of his goons passes him a katana. Smiling evilly, he holds the extremely sharp edge just under my jaw. "Now little kit, let's see what you're made of." And with that he brings the magnificent blade down in one swift movement. About a second later, my shirt and bindings begin to fall from my form.
"Well. Well. Well. It seems we really did find a good catch. This kit is no shinobi. This kit is a little vixen. Now we can really have some fun."
With that he claims my mouth once again and starts to rub his hands all over my exposed body. By this point I am beyond humiliated. I am seeing nothing but red. I try to summon as much chakra as I can, but nothing can surpass the chakra collar.
As I start to feel the man's hands wander lower I do something I hope I will not regret.
Hey Voice! I'll take that chakra now.
A deep booming laugh responds, "As you wish."
Gaara: So you finally finished it.
Me: Yes I did. Finally. Now I can work on the next chapter.
Gaara: Good, and don't take so long this time.
Me: (pouts) Hey its' not all my fault. Naruto kept changing the story on me!
Naruto: Hey! Don't drag me into this! (walks out of room, slams the door)
Me: . . . What did I say?
Gaara: He's just mad that he wasn't in this chapter. Give him some time to cool off, and maybe and ego stroking in the next chapter and he'll come around.
Me: You really think so?
Gaara: Of course. He may be an idiot, but he still is a people pleaser.
Me: True true.
Hey thanks again for reading this chapter I hope you all enjoyed it. I would really like some feedback and some reviews so if you could please take a moment to write something that would be very much appreciated. I hope you all had a great holiday and I hope to be back soon.
And don't forget to leave me a comment or review!