Shino's heart continued to race long after he ran out of the room. His face simmered pink with embarrassment at being caught, and by the Hokage no less. He ran outside as quickly as he could, seeking shelter in an empty side street. He collapsed against the wall, panting softly. His head leaned back, eyes closed as he tried to process his feelings. Last night…that kiss…had been over-powering. Its taste, their bodies pressed together…its intensity stirred things within him, what did it all mean? Never in his entire life had he witnessed such passion among the Aburame. Not publicly and he doubted it privately. Marriage was more of a "time-of-life" thing, sometimes a business arrangement even. He had nothing to compare this experience to so where to go from here?
He sighed as he looked up at the rising sun. Might as well go home and face his Father…
Hands slipped into his pocket as he walked away. As he turned down another street, he bumped into Shizako and Satoru.
"Oh Shino-kun!" Shizako greeted with a smile. "Were you turned away at the hospital? Us too, it's not fair!"
He wisely kept his mouth shut.
"Hey, thanks for saving her dude, you rock!" Satoru said as he lightly punched his arm. He flinched at the familiarity.
"It was most unusual; do you know who was behind the attack?" He questioned. Surely her teammates must know.
Both shook their heads. "Not a clue," she confessed. "I mean, she can be mysterious when she wants to be-hardly forth-coming—but if there had been any real danger, I think she would have said something." But even she looked unconvinced.
Shino turned towards her, curiously. "Your expression contradicts your statement."
She sighed as she gestured for them to lean in closer. "Ok…but you've got to keep this secret, though now that Kiyoko-san is dead it may be a moot point. Still, I hate to betray Isae…"
"C'mon what's going on?" Satoru pressed. "We won't tell her."
"Her mother was driven insane from her husband's death. Like she was convinced he's still alive. I went over to their house a couple of months ago for a visit and she was just talking to him like he was sitting right there with us."
He looked confused. "Why didn't she tell us?"
"She didn't want anyone to know, she made me promise not to tell a soul. I think she was afraid they would take her and lock her away in some padded cell."
Shino nodded. "That sounds most likely." His brow furrowed in thought. "That burn on her hand…"
"Her mom had put something in the oven and it caught fire while she was sleeping. Nearly burned the house down too. Things like that happened sometimes because Kiyoko-san was convinced her husband was there to help."
What a bizarre situation, though it did explain why Isae kept to herself. "That is too much for a child to handle on their own." He tried to imagine a younger Isae trying to protect her mother…when it should have been her mother protecting her.
"I'd hardly call fifteen a child," Shizako huffed as she folded her arms defiantly across her chest. "But yes, I think she should have gotten some help."
"But what does this have to do with those guys?" Satoru asked, scratching his head in bewilderment.
She shrugged. "I have no idea. I'm just saying that she's already kept secrets, this could have been one of them."
Shino inclined his head thoughtfully. What an interesting turn of events. He excused himself and went home, pondering along the way-trying to strain his memory to recall specific details. No such luck. He hated to admit it but he had been oblivious to all but her. He frowned in self-condemnation. Regardless of sentiment, I must not be distracted.
Once inside, he was confronted by Shibi. "Where were you? You didn't return last night; I was concerned for your safety."
"Or were you more concerned that I was with Isae-chan?" He countered as he kicked his shoes off.
Shibi frowned bitterly. "Do not speak to me like that, you know better."
"And I thought you trusted me," Shino said wearily. "Father, I mean no disrespect, truly, but I am no longer a child."
Shibi sighed. "I know…that is what worries me." He turned away. "Perhaps I should have remarried. A mother would have been a better guide than I have been. I have cared for you as best I can, but I seem to have neglected your emotional well-being."
"You are a fine parent," he reassured him. "Another would not have subtracted from your contribution." And yet he hesitated. "But I do not wish to be limited in terms of sentiment."
Shibi considered this for a moment. "I can only advise you Shino based upon my own experiences. I feel that the preservation of our clan, the purity of our lineage, counts for something. But…if your values lie elsewhere…that is for you to decide."
Shino smiled at the veiled approval. "Thank you," he said humbly.
Isae slept restlessly, tossing and turning. Hiro curled up beside her, giving her kisses of encouragement. She stroked behind her ears absent-mindedly. "What am I going to do?" She whispered to herself. "Can I really just leave it all behind?" Last night she was desperate to run-away; now she was reluctant. Shizako…Satoru…they won't understand, she thought dismally as she remembered Tsunade's warning for secrecy. She was used to keeping secrets, but this one seemed impossible to keep. And Shino…her gaze lowered as her cheeks burned at the memory of the kiss. What possessed me to do that? She thought miserably. She couldn't even remember the reason why, or rather she was afraid to. Bonds with her friends were one thing, but this…she shook her head to clear it. It didn't matter anymore, after tonight she was going to leave Konoha forever. There was no sense in resolving problems that would no longer exist.
Tsunade had made it clear that should she remain independent, she was always welcome but Ibiki clearly disagreed. The implication was obvious: she did not belong here. That was a fact she had long since known.
Suddenly Hiro growled low and deep, sending a shiver down her spine. She sat up and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place but Hiro continued to snarl, her eyes fixed on something behind Isae. She was terrified to turn around. A sudden chill fell upon the back of her neck, causing her to gasp.
"Hmm…what a beauty," a male voice purred in her ear as fingertips like ice trailed along her neck.
She whirled around with her fist raised. Nothing was there and she cracked the headboard instead.
An amused chuckle echoed around her. "So feisty, it's delicious!"
"Where are you?" She demanded as she carefully climbed out of bed.
Something separated from the shadow on the far wall – tall, slender, male. The only visible features were his black eyes and sinister smile. "Right here precious…though sadly this form does not reveal my beauty quite like a mortal one does." He glided across the room towards her.
Hiro snapped and barked at his approach. He simply passed through her, disorienting her. She weaved about and collapsed on the bed. Isae pressed up against the wall. "You stay away from me!" She said as she brandished her Father's knife.
He paused at the sight and clapped his hands in delight. "You have found it! How clever of you! Oh He will be most pleased! As am I," he purred as his gaze smoldered. His hand enclosed around her right wrist. The burn marks twisted and writhed along her arm, neck, and now her face. The agony was suffocating and she began to feel light-headed. Her skin faded to shadow once more. She tried to twist away as his shadow began to merge with her own.
"Why do you resist so?" he whined softly, as if he pitied her. "You are one of us...you belong with us…" His mouth claimed hers and her eyes rolled back into her head. His voice filled her mind as he fed upon her soul. You don't belong here; Akihiro was selfish to keep you hidden away. Come with me…join us…
She leaned into him subconsciously, drawn in by his seductive tone and persuasive words. Why resist? The chemistry was undeniable. The mark continued to spread as she gave in to him. Yet there was something lingering in the back of her mind-something was wrong. She struggled against his alluring words as she tried to focus. With a snap she came to herself. NO! I don't want this! She screamed inside.
One of the scrolls glowed at her bedside.
The Kumori exerted more pressure. I am your friend Isae…don't you trust me?
She continued to resist. You're not my friend! GET OUT!
The scroll trembled as it struggled against the seal. It rolled onto the floor and towards them. Once it touched him, he let out a demonic shriek and immediately flew back. Weak and exhausted, she collapsed to her feet. The Kumori limped as his foot sizzled and hissed. "What jutsu is this?" He wailed.
The scroll glowed at her fingertips as it vibrated with power. She grabbed hold of it and it burst open, flooding the room with a brilliant light. The Kumori writhed in torment as he was ripped to shreds. His lingering scream echoed throughout the room.
She remained on the floor, head back against the wall with her eyes closed. The light was soothing, enriching, peaceful…Her soul revived and her skin returned to normal. Well done Izzy, a familiar voice echoed within her mind as its presence enveloped her senses. May this be this first of many victories. A gentle kiss was placed upon her forehead, leaving behind a seal that began to fade into her skin as the light began to diminish. Thoroughly exhausted, she instantly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
"Woah, hey, did you fall out of bed?" Satoru asked as he gently shook her by the shoulders. She jolted awake and scrambled in vain to stand up, eyes wide in panic mode.
"Easy! Easy! It's just us!" Shizako reassured her.
Isae looked around warily as her heart pounded in her throat. Then she realized that the Kumori was gone and she sighed in immense relief. "Oh good," she said wearily as she allowed them to help her back to bed. She sat down and pressed a hand against her aching head. "Did you just see that?"
"See what?"
Then she noticed that the sun was setting. Where had the day gone? She shook her head. "Never mind, it must have been a nightmare."
Satoru pulled her in for a hug. "I'm glad to see that you're ok. Hang in there girl. Even though your mom is dead, we're like family too, ya know?"
"I suppose he should get points for trying to be sympathetic." Shizako groaned and tweaked his ear painfully.
Isae smiled and pulled her into the hug as well. "But you guys are just like family to me." She squeezed them tightly. Oh how was she going to abandon them? She looked at the shadows the three of them created and her jaw was set. She never wanted her friends to encounter such demons. She had no other choice.
"Hey, we brought you some jerky," Satoru said as the hug ended. "Want some?"
"Absolutely!" She eagerly accepted it and ripped off the plastic wrapping. Her teeth sank into its richness and she sighed in pure bliss. "Oh that really hits the spot!"
Shizako sat beside her and looked down at her friend's arm. "What's this?" What bizarre markings…something she had seen before.
She flinched at her gentle touch. "DON'T!" She snapped angrily. Shizako narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Isae blushed and rubbed it defensively. "Sorry, it's just, it's really sore," she mumbled.
"So how much longer are you staying here?" Satoru asked, oblivious to the tension between the girls.
"I leave sometime tomorrow," she said vaguely.
"You can stay at my house," he offered.
She smiled gently. "Thanks…but I'll probably just go home."
"I wouldn't have thought you'd want to go back there," Shizako surmised. "Not after what happened."
Isae's laugh seemed a bit dark. "If I avoided every place I found unpleasant, I'd never get anywhere."
Just then a nurse entered with a tray of food. "It's time for Isae-chan to eat."
"Well we'll see you tomorrow then," Satoru said with a back-handed wave as he went out the door. "We'll get your place cleaned up for you too."
Isae caught hold of Shizako's hand. This was it: the final good-bye. She swallowed hard. "Shiza…"
She looked concerned. "Something wrong?"
"No, no, it's just that…" she took a deep breath. "I just wanted to thank you…for being my friend. It's meant so much to me."
Shizako smiled and hugged her tightly. "We'll get through this together," she reassured her. "Just you wait; this will be the beginning of better things to come."
Isae sighed as the door closed behind her friend. "It certainly will be a beginning," she mused under her breath. "But will it really be for the better?" She set some food aside for Hiro. "Eat up girl, after dinner we're checkin' out. The sooner we leave the better."