'...' - Eliza talking to Inner Sakura.
... - Inner Sakura speaking.
Wave Mission: Part III
We were greeted at the door by a smiling Tsunami. Stepping inside with two bags of groceries in hand, one of which barely weighed more than a small bag of coins, I placed them softly on the kitchen counter. The kitchen was almost as bare as the stores we had visited, with only a few containers and jars visible on the shelves. They were all half-filled, some not even a fourth.
I felt a surge of pity at this, but as soon as the feeling came, it was gone. No one liked blatant pity, least of all me. So I shouldn't be a hypocrite. Turning toward the busy woman, I offered to help with dinner. Silence.
Tsunami froze, literally. Rewind a few seconds ago, and her hands were swift in taking out the groceries, humming softly under her breath. I waited. Then, as if there was some invisible switch that suddenly turned on, Tsunami came back to life. She blinked once, twice, turned around, and gaped at me. Complete with the deer in headlights look.
"What?! I couldn't possibly have one of our guests help!" was her frantic reply, head shaking furiously. If we weren't in the situation we were in, I might have found it funny. Though at this moment, I was intent on helping while my teammates were still throwing themselves at a tree.
So I smiled and gently took the unpleasant looking vegetable out of her hand(it had a weird, bumpy texture and had a yellow-looking hue), "There's no need to be so polite, Tsunami-san. I'll be glad to be of use since we are intruding on you quite a bit."
"B-but-!"
"Consider this my token of gratitude for your hospitality. I would feel terrible if you didn't accept." The look in my eyes held no room for arguments, giving her the hint that I could be much more persuasive.
Tsunami wilted, "As you wish." The corner of my lips twitched upwards as I took a knife from the drawers. I then picked up another of the yellow vegetables, rolling it over cautiously in my hands. It felt squishier than it looked.
After a beat of silence, "What would you like me to do?"
0o0o0
The bubbling pot of stew smelled extremely appetizing, though the ingredients used in making the soup looked far from it. The cooked and seasoned fish also held the same pleasant qualities. Thank God I remembered how to cook from before, seeing how my hands flowed almost gracefully through the motions of cleaning the fish. It was far from professional, but it looked presentable enough, according to Tsunami's approving glance.
"Ahh. So tired!" I recognized the sound of Naruto's voice even with the sounds of cooking in the kitchen. It was loud and had that raspy characteristic. Sasuke, as expected, was a lot more quiet in his entrance; the sound of the door shutting my only clue that he was even there. Tsunami chuckled at the boys and ushered them to the table, taking out steaming bowls of stew and the small plate of fish.
I stepped out from behind her, holding utensils in one hand. Naruto nose sniffed the air excitedly, his eyes closed. Then his eyes shot open, revealing a bright and excited blue. "Something smells really good!" He giddily rubbed his hands together as Tsunami set the bowls on the table. I smacked his hands with a chopstick when he appeared to be reaching out. He yelped and immediately retracted his stinging hand, lips forming a pout while his eyes turned teary.
"Wait for everyone to be seated." I gently admonished, melting a little. Those eyes will be the death of me someday.
Naruto stared longingly at the food, "Okay..." Kakashi chose this moment to appear, tucking his book somewhere and taking a seat.
"Looking good." He gave a thumbs up. I smiled. Sasuke soon took a seat afterwards, positioning his chopsticks and picking at the steaming piece of fish on his bowl.
0o0o0
At first, it started like a normal dinner. There was the polite talk, the comfortable silence(aka when everyone is eating their food), and the awkward one when we were all waiting for someone to initiate the conversation again; it happened when Naruto was busy demolishing his food. Then, somehow, it became an eating war between Sasuke and Naruto. No one really knew how it happened, it just did.
Okay, I lied. The reason was pathetic, but it was still a reason.
It began with a single glance. That's right. A glance. Naruto looked at Sasuke, then Sasuke looked back him. It seemed to have been a communication of some sorts, before their eyes glinted with a determination that I knew all too well. Then their food seemed to have disappeared from their bowls with a speed faster than the naked eye could see. They asks for seconds, thirds, and even fourths... That was when they puked their guts out with loud retching noises.
It was disgusting.
I pinched the skin between my eyebrows, "Naruto! Sasuke! I expected better that this from the two of you! Konoha ninja, acting like ki- no, brats! Have you no shame?! Take a look around you..."
Needless to say, they received a huge scolding and a smack to the heads. What can I say? Mother always took out the closest thing and whacked us with it. Old habits die hard, you know?
When things finally quieted down, I noticed a little boy staring at a torn picture on the wall. With a start, I realized that boy was Inari, someone whom Naruto had befriended. I stared solemnly at the picture before speaking up about it. Someone had to ask it, didn't they? I sighed, sometimes being Sakura had it's little disadvantages. Asking about a memory that clearly seemed tragic made me seem like a witless, insensitive jerk; but the job had to be done.
With a glare that I foreshadowed, Inari pushed his chair back angrily and stormed out of the room.
"I-inari! Where are you going when we haven't even finished yet?" Tsunami made an apologetic face and chased after Inari. The poor boy. Experiencing death at such a young age, it wasn't surprising that he'd act that way. After the two were out of earshot, Tazuna began to tell the story of Kaiza's heroic deeds and tragic end. I only listened with half of a mind. The other half was busy making a mental list of what useful skills that I should learn. Since I knew that Sakura's affinity was earth, I might want to start learning some simple earth jutsus.
...or not. Maybe I was jumping the gun here. Thinking it over, any jutsu would work really. Just ones that finished the job and could be used relatively easily by anyone with any type of chakra affinity. Reminded suddenly of Haku and his unique weapons, I decided that learning how to use the senbon wouldn't be too bad either. A nice, clean kill. Medical jutsu would be next on my list, if I could ever manage to learn any... A flash of Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi's bleeding bodies crossed my mind, their eyes turning more dead with every second that passed.
I sighed, finding myself slipping deeper and deeper into the darker realms of my mind. I can't. I just can't. I c-can't help them with the way I am right now!
What if I die out there? I died once, and it definitely wasn't some trip to the candy store. Although in this place... I could easily meet my end in much more worse ways. I could have my limbs cut off one by one, have my head sliced clean off, obtain a mental scar that would be impossible to erase until I- The possibilities were endless.
Now I found myself slowly wanting to back away from the whole thing and just resign from being a ninja. After this mission, I could live my life peacefully somewhere not too well-known. No one would care enough to purposely find me anyway. It wasn't as if I belonged in a major clan or had some rare kenkai genkai. It could all work out fairly well. Though as I continued further into my thoughts, I knew that they were getting more and more unbelievable. And childish.
What about Sakura's parents? What if I manage to screw up the plot even further? Sakura needed to be there in order for everything to fall into place, I soon realized. There was something in my gut that told me that if I left, something would happen. Something bad.
Wordlessly, I got up and excused myself from the table, fear creeping into my heart. Sasuke and Naruto miraculously remained silent, scrubbing their dirty rugs furiously on the floor. I felt a ghost of a smile appear on my lips as I walked to the door and opened it, feeling a gust of wind flatten my bangs to my forehead. Eyes fluttering shut, I enjoyed that single moment where I could pretend that everything was fine and that I was... completely safe. Then I opened them, and the imaginary cocoon around myself disappeared.
I was vulnerable again and hit with a sudden coldness that had nothing to do with the wind.
In a daze, my feet carry themselves deeper into the forest. The chatter of animals follow me with every step, the sounds of their talk warped into some kind of mocking. With one hand, I clutch a kunai tightly, feeling the blood drain from my hands. It was the only way to ground myself before I completely lost it. Stopping a distance away from a tree, I looked down at my kunai and raised it to eye-level.
The sharpened edge of the kunai glinted in the moonlight, and I felt the sudden urge to throw it. Positioning myself according to the textbook version, I took aim, and threw it. The weapon sailed through the air and landed onto the brown bark, creating a soft thunk that resonated through the forest. Somehow, this calmed me down a bit, arousing me from the dream-like state that I've slipped into. So I pulled yet another kunai out and aimed it next to the kunai already thrown.
It reached it's destination, and in a moment of morbid enlightenment, I marveled at how effortlessly it could have pierced one's flesh.
0o0o0
Once I finished with the kunai, I started with the shurikans. When all my weapons ran out, I only collected the weapons and threw them again and again and again. With every throw, I imagined a faceless enemy. I imagined them advancing toward me, with sunken, black eyes that were bottomless and blood-lust making the air thicker.
I threw faster, my aim being more off as a consequence, with most of them not hitting the tree at all. Panting as if I had run a marathon, I collapsed on my knees. My breath was coming faster now, and a throbbing feeling appeared by the left side of my head.
Tired... Black splotches clouded my vision as I clutched my head. Sometimes I really wonder who got the short end of the stick. Is it really Sakura? Having her life stolen from her, but not ever having to face reality. Or is it, in actuality... me? The one who would have to drench her hands in blood for the rest of her life, constantly look over her shoulder for an unseen enemy, and eventually die at a young age once again. It wasn't fair, but when was it fair? I laughed bitterly.
As I placed my hands face down on the dewy grass to push myself up, I was interrupted by the now familiar voice of Inner.
Done?
'I guess so.' I sat back down, plucking grass blades with fervor.
Good, 'cause you were starting to freak me out.
'Ah.' My fingers tightened on the tuft of grass I was currently pulling. I didn't want another lecture.
Monosyllables? Of all the things to learn...
'Hm.'
Are you trying to piss me off?
'Nnn.'
Words! Use your words!
'I don't feel very good.' I started playing with my fingers.
Um. Did you just- Hellooo~? You literally spent an hour throwing your weapons at a tree like a maniac.
'It was... It helped, somewhat.' I stopped my useless fiddling, tucking my fingers in my lap and letting myself sway in the wind.
Uh huh. I bet it did.
'I wonder a lot if I'm going to die on this mission.' I pulled my legs closer to myself, placing my forehead on my knees. Don'tcrydon'tcrydon'tcry. Why did this have to come now?
What's this all of a sudden? I thought we were good!
'I don't know. A sudden mood-swing maybe?' So far, so good.
Maybe. After all, we had this discussion already. I'll help you, so just focus on staying alive.
'Easier to say than it looks.' No sniffling.
Okay, fine. I guess I can, out of the kindness of my heart-
'What kindness?' No tears.
Fine, be that way. I guess I won't be teaching you this really, really, cool jutsu that I know.
'Copying Naruto? Really? I never would have thought.' No runny nose.
You and your blabbering mouth. I think I like it better when you were using monosyllables. So, are you going to listen or not?
'Not like I have anything better to do.' I blinked several times before my eyes don't feel as glossy as before.
I wonder why I got this rude, pessimistic little girl. Why couldn't I have a kind, obedient, optimistic, cute, respectful-
'I'm not a goddamn Mary Sue.' That comes out harsher than I intended, and I winced.
...yeesh. No need to be so aggressive. Way to take a joke.
'Sorry... I'm not in the best of moods as you can see.'
You're going to learn chakra control.
'What? Didn't I already learn that?'
No shit Sherlock. I'm teaching you a more advanced version of it.
'And you know this because...?'
Your memories. There's a whole load of interesting things hidden in your mind.
Oh, wow. It's totally not creepy at all to be looking at my memories like a freaking TV show.
Oi, what's that supposed to mean? I'm technically a part of you, anyways. Listen up.
'Listening.'
So it all starts...
0o0o0
"So, you're basically telling me that I can make myself a living shield if I manage to master this." I said out loud, mulling through the genius of it. Inner could be quite smart when she tried...
Wait. How come I feel as if I've been insulted?
I laughed nervously. 'Just your imagination.'
Yeah. Just exert tiny forces of chakra out of the pores of your skin. Even if you can't master it fully, it still is a much-needed advantage. The chakra shield can take the blunt of a kunai aiming to stab you and can help you block those pesky little senbon.
I nod. 'Useful. Though it could also act as an offensive technique.'
Hmm, possibly. What are you thinking?
'If I can manage to shape my chakra into little spikes that stick out of my hands, when I punch, it can draw blood.'
Keyword, if. You haven't even managed hardening your chakra!
'Right. Working on it.'
No, it's late. Better off working on it tomorrow.
'I probably won't be able to sleep anyways.'
Sakura. Your chakra levels are dangerously low. You will collapse if you don't stop. Remember all that tree and water walking that you did? Good night.
'What?! Inner, I still can keep going!'
No buts. Good night.
I huffed and stood up, sweeping off the grass settled on my shorts. Inner interrupting at the most exciting mo- A huge yawn overcame me. I wiped the tears in my eyes and walked toward Tazuna's house. I smiled sheepishly. I was tired, after all. All that training must of messed with my mind. I wasn't thinking rationally like I should have done.
Entering the house, I was face to face with Kakashi. Well, chest to face. Why was he so tall? Oh well, a few years would do wonders to my height as well. "Maa, Sakura. Out so late?"
I rubbed my head in a Naruto-like fashion, "Ah, lost track of time training I guess. My bad."
"Training, huh? I thought you had finished for the day..." It was dark, so I couldn't make out his face. What was with all the questioning? In our regular training sessions, Kakashi didn't really question where I went or what I did. He usually kept an eye of the boys, interfering in fights that got a little too out of hand and bonking them on the heads.
I, other hand, kept to myself. Running laps, reading a book, or practicing my katas was what I did most times. Some days, I would feel a little miffed with the lack of attention, but Kakashi would always placate me by teaching a few things here and there.
"Just some new techniques that I wanted to try out. Nothing much, really."
He hummed in reply, turning to go to his own room. I started walking to Tsunami's room before his voice stopped me once again. "Sakura... If you need help, don't hesitate to ask."
"Alright." I whisper. Looking back, I shot him a small smile.
"Anytime." He rests his gaze on my for a few more seconds and disappears within his room. Ruffling my hair, I decide to wash up first thing in the morning tomorrow. At least my hair, anyways. It was filled with dirt, grime, and who-knows-what. I cringe, having been a bit of a germ freak.
When I opened the door to Tsunami's room, I make sure to step as quietly as I can to avoid waking her. It seemed as if she was having a pleasant dream by her relaxed expression. Stripping to my underwear and putting on some clean clothing from Tsunami's younger days, I slipped inside the cool sheets. A sigh made it's way past my lips as I snuggled into the flowery smelling futon. Before I knew it, my eyes had dropped closed.
How I wished that I had kept them open.
0o0o0
Hah... It never goes the way I planned. Seriously, this was supposed to be posted like a week ago! Ugh, this will probably be the place with the authoress keeps on apologizing. So yeah, feel free to ignore this part. Although this time I actually started the next chapter! *insert proud face*
These last few days have been a reading spree. So many hidden treasures man. If any of you have any Naruto fanfics to recommend, then please do. I'm always on the look out. Though I tend to skip the ones without that much words...(aka anything under 20k) Anyway, reading other fanfics gave me an idea! I've noticed that there were always these questions at the end of a chapter, and I thought that it would be fun to try posting some! Okay, so I have two. One that relates to the story that I'm generally curious about, and the other just for the heck of it!
What do you think the character of this story is like? I have some kind of vague notion, but other than that... This is just sad.
Would you rather be holed in your house for two weeks(with food, internet, and anything within reason)or be out two weeks attending parties with your friends and family and only return home to sleep? I would go with being holed in my house. I'm not really a people person, see. (-.-)
Looking forward to hearing from you guys! ;)