Suikazan-sensei had not been entirely wrong. I left the training ground limping. He even had the nerve to laugh at me, what a jerk. It was getting dark but I knew the way by heart. About halfway home I tripped and fell flat on my face. I didn't have the energy to pick myself up. I couldn't help but laugh at myself, what was becoming of me? I was beginning to grow soft.
A strong pair of hands gently picked me up. I couldn't see him or her clearly; this particular street wasn't very well lit. "Be careful now," the stranger said in a deep and yet strangely familiar voice. "The worst is yet to come."
"I'll be fine; I just lost my footing is all." I assured him. "But thanks all the same."
"Remember what I said," the stranger urged.
I hurried away, thoroughly puzzled over this stranger's cryptic warning. Who was he anyway? Probably one of those paranoid freaks who think the world is about to end any day. I returned to Hoshigaki-senpai's without further mishap. He was in the middle of dinner, but had set aside some food for me as well.
"Look what the cat dragged in," he smirked. "What did you do? Fall in a mud puddle?"
He was right, I looked filthy. That is what I get for falling down when dripping with sweat. "Nope, just good ole dirt."
"Any special reason?"
"Once I think of a creative or witty comeback, I'll get back to you." I took a seat and started eating.
"On a more serious note, what happened today? The fact that you returned must mean good news."
"I'm not sure yet. The Mizukage said I am innocent of the chargers, but now he wants me to be a part of his security force."
Hoshigaki-senpai dropped his chopsticks in surprise. "Are you serious? Did you accept?"
"Who says no to the Mizukage?"
He looked more than a little worried. "That is very dangerous work, more dangerous than anything else you've done so far."
"Its not going to be just me, there will be others. I'm sure the danger will be evenly split between us all." I laughed. "What's wrong with you anyway? You're becoming a bit of a mother hen, its starting to get on my nerves."
He looked a little offended. "Well someone has to worry about you, especially since you never take the trouble to do it yourself."
He bowed his head and slowly ate, as if his mind was on other things. The silence was beginning to get uncomfortable so I changed the subject. "How well do you know Fuguki Suikazan?"
"He's my superior. Why?"
"The Mizukage appointed him to oversee my training."
He laughed as if he could just imagine how it went. "How did day one go?"
"He was really tough, but he is nothing compared to Itachi. I don't think anyone is as-" I stopped short, cut off by his murderous glare. "What?"
He stood up, fists clenched. "Who is this Itachi you keep talking about? What really happened that day you never showed up? Was it his fault?"
I heaved a heavy sigh. I knew that eventually he would ask, but I wasn't sure that I was ready to talk about it yet. I was afraid that if I did, it would make it all too real and they would suddenly show up. Perhaps what I feared most was meeting the stranger in the orange mask again. I couldn't help but shudder. I doubt I would meet anyone scarier than him.
"Suko?" He interrupted my thoughts, his temper defusing a bit.
Perhaps we could take this one day at a time. I didn't need to tell him everything tonight right? "Itachi wasn't responsible for my disappearance. That was all because of Zabuza, he was just sore over nearly losing his newfound position to me."
He looked ready to explode but I waved him down. "Settle down you blockhead, I've already taken care of him so there is no need for vengeance. And as for Itachi, he…" I had to think about it for a moment. I had never thought to define our relationship, he was just always there. "I guess I would call him a comrade."
His face relaxed slightly. "I guess he isn't anyone to worry about then."
"I'm not so sure about that," I wavered. Itachi had seemed nice enough, but he was also a murderer who slaughtered his village. I have killed before; it's often part of the job. But I have never killed people I knew personally. I tried to pull the ring off again and it pinched my finger tightly and tingled. The curse was still active. I had the sinking feeling that that stranger may turn out to be right. Maybe the worst was yet to come. Would I be prepared?
Hoshigaki-senpai rested a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and hurried away from the table. I didn't want him to see me acting so weak. A shinobi fears nothing. Fear is surrendering to more basic human instincts. It gives your enemy more control. My hands trembled as I stepped out onto the back porch. I gripped the railing and looked up at the sky. The view was a beautiful one. The lights of the city below a blending into a soft haze, nothing compared to the clarity of the stars. But tonight I found no comfort in the familiar scenery. Instead I felt like I was being watched from all angles, like a cornered animal. But at least the animal could see its attackers. I couldn't stop trembling, and I knew it had nothing to do with the chilly night air or aching muscles. I am sure to lose my mind if I think much more about it. It's not like worrying about it was going to fix anything either.
"Why do you always insist on doing things on your own?" Hoshigaki-senpai asked softly. He leaned against the door frame with his hands in his pockets. "Even shinobi work in teams to share the burden. How have you failed to learn that?"
I turned my gaze back to the city. "It also provides the opportunity to be betrayed. I can't tell you how many of my clients had once been friends."
He shrugged. "So there are some jerks out there and you're changing the subject again."
I bristled, why couldn't he just leave it be. "Why do you want to know what happened anyway, its not like it's your business."
"It is my business when it concerns you," he said firmly. "And I'm not letting you back inside until you spill."
I shrugged. "It's not that cold out here, I could get quite cozy."
He joined me by the railing and rested his elbows on it. He looked down while he spoke. "You're scared Ritsuko. It's not an emotion you show often. You can hide behind humor and false bravado but it's very obvious that you're terrified about something or someone."
"All right." I conceded. "But this is the only time I want to talk about it ok? I would just as soon leave this behind me."
He nodded solemnly. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. "Like I said before, Zabuza ambushed me…" I cleared my throat for it was beginning to feel dry. "He wanted to…punish me…" I cleared it again. "So he turned…me…over to-"
I was seized by a violent cough. He thumped me on the back, but I kept coughing. My throat started burning and my eyes began watering. It felt like a clamp had tightened around my throat. I was gasping for air, but couldn't feel any getting in. I felt really light-headed and Hoshigaki-senpai rushed me back inside. He helped me sit on the couch and hurried to get a glass of water. Now my ears were ringing and my blurred vision was making my head ache. The pain was getting worse and I dug my fingers into the fabric. Only then did I notice that the ring was throbbing. Was this all a part of the curse? I won't talk about it again I mouthed silently, hoping the pain would go away. Sure enough, the vice grip on my throat released, my ears stopped ringing and my head cleared. I took in great gulps of air. I was startled by the sound of breaking glass. Hoshigaki-senpai stared at me, oblivious of the shards of glass, water, and ice littered about his feet.
"What are you staring at?" I asked, feeling a little self-conscious. "I'm feeling much better."
Speechless, he pointed at the mirror on the wall behind me. I turned around to look and I finally saw what he did. I was right to feel like I had been choked. There was a large red hand print on my neck.
