Treasures of Time

Chapter 12: Strength

Sorry it's been so long since I last published. Thanks for reading. Pleas leave a review.

Perspectives: Saizo, Snow, Mika, and Hazel


Saizo's Perspective

I woke from a restless sleep. I rolled onto my side. The clock on the bedside table read six in the morning. I groaned, when Copper my giant cat pounced on my chest. I pushed him off. My body was still sore. Sensei gave us today off. So I had a good time chunk of time to rest. Copper swatted my face, when I tried pushing him off. I sat up and he jumped off of me. I dragged myself out of bed. I walked into the kitchen and was shocked to see I wasn't the only one up. Mom sat at the kitchen table. A large book was spread out on the table. She wore silver circular glasses. Her fingers went along the page as she read the small script.

"Mom?"

"Saizo, what are you doing up at this hour? Are you not feeling well?" asked Mom.

"I can't sleep", I said.

"I can tuck you in", said Mom.

"I'm thirteen, when are you going to stop treating me kid?" I asked.

"In time", she said.

"Is that time any time soon?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"You should enjoy be a kid. It's amazing how quickly it goes by", said Mom.

She walked over to me and touched her hand to my forehead.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Making sure you don't have a fever", said Mom.

I pushed her hand away.

"Why has dad been acting so strangely lately?" I asked.

She sighed and brushed her finger nervously through her hair.

"Your father is under a lot of stress. He hasn't been sleeping well either", said Mom.

"I didn't know that", I said.

"Your father was born in a different generation where showing pain in any was considered a weakness. But what has you up Saizo. I know it isn't the cat", said Mom.

"This worried feeling in the pit of stomach. I don't know how to get rid of it", I said.

"You're worried about Mika", said Mom.

It was a prying question like the one dad and grandpa asked. This was a gentle statement. She wasn't prying at me. I nodded my head.

"How do I fix it?" I asked.

She gave me soft smile that made feel safe, even at this age.

"Whenever your father left for a mission I felt the same way. I got comfort from my friends and you and your sister. But what made it completely go away was, when your dad came home. You should go visit her at the hospital today", I said.

I yawned. I nodded my head.

"We both get some more rest before visiting anyone", said Mom.

"Why do you need rest?" I asked.

"I've been up half the night", said Mom.

"Why?" I asked.

"There a lot on my mind", she said.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She kissed me on the forehead.

"Get some rest", said Mom.


Snow's Perspective

I walked into my bedroom. Kakuzu was still in bed. I joined. I snuggled close to him. His eyes opened. He ran his fingers lazily through my hair. I started purring. That stupid trait from my time with that monster hasn't gone away.

"About time you came to bed", said Kakuzu.

"I don't want to talk right now", I said.

He gave a small smile and pulled me close. His skin was cool. I kept my pressed against him to warm him. I listened to his hearts beating. My eyes closed, but sleep refused to come. I lay there with him. My fingers traced along the stitches on his shoulder. His thread wrapped playfully around my fingers.

"Snow, we're suppose to sleeping. We don't have much time before our children wake", said Kakuzu.

"Sorry Kakuzu there's a lot on my mind", I said.

He sat up.

"Tell me", said Kakuzu.

"Hope, the one who attacked Hazel and Saizo. She was able to affect Saizo's seal. I should be the only one with that ability. I need to figure out just how a like her and I are", I said.

"You need to relax. You've been over working yourself", said Kakuzu.

"I can't", I said.

"Maybe I can get your mind off it", said Kakuzu in a deep seductive voice.

He kissed down my neck. His thread ripped through the front of my shirt. I smirked. I fell back into our bed. Our lips met in a kiss. His tongue pushed into my mouth. My fingers tangled in his hair. Soon my hands traveled down his muscular back. My fingers played with the seams of stitches along his threads slid beneath my bra and unclipped it. He kissed my breasts. His weight rested between my legs. He kissed down my stomach. My breath hitched, when he kissed my inner thighs. I gasped as I felt his tongue against my most sensitive of areas.

"Ka-Kakuzu", I panted.

He kissed back up my stomach and our lips met briefly. I gasped as he slowly pushed into me. We both needed a moment to catch our breath. I can't remember the last time we were together like this. I wrapped my arms around his neck. I moaned as he started slowly thrusting forward.

"Shh, my treasure. If we aren't careful we might wake them up", said Kakuzu in a hushed voice.

We didn't last long. It had been a long time since we were last together like this. Kakuzu watch me as I walked into the bathroom. After all these years he still looks at me in the same way. I showered and made breakfast for the kids. They woke at their own times.

"You look better mom", said Saizo.

"I feel a lot better", I said before kissing Kakuzu on the cheek.


Saizo's Perspective

I went outside. Dad sat on the porch swing. This was part of his routine. Every day no matter what the weather he would come out here and drink a cup of coffee.

"Dad?"

"Yes",

"Why do you always come out here?" I asked.

"It's peaceful. Something lacking in my life before meeting your mother. What do you really want to ask me. There isn't anything you've gone through that haven't go through myself", said Dad.

"Umm, what do you bring a girl when she's in the hospital?" I asked.

He smirked.

"I can't say I ever got anything for your mother while she was in the hospital. I never left her side. But a long time ago I did have a female teammate. I got her flowers and her favorite candy", said Dad.

"Does mom know about this partner?" I asked.

"It was like that besides I was engaged at that time", said Dad.

"You were engaged? Mom wasn't even born then", I said.

That earned me a glared. He didn't like us mentioning the massive age gap between him and mom.

"Yes, I was married before your mother. It didn't end well and no you don't have any half siblings. Now can we get back to your dilemma?" asked Dad.

"Come on dad. You just can't leave it like that",

"Yes, I can", he said before taking a sip of his coffee.

Bishop started whining.

"Here you stupid mutt", said Dad as he threw Bishop the cookie on his plate.

He looked at me.

"Don't you have a girl to visit?" said Dad.

My face turned red.

"She's not my girlfriend", I said.

"Did I say she was your girlfriend? With blush I'm starting to think she's actually your girlfriend", said Dad.

He was smirking. The old fart is enjoying this. His face grew somewhat more serious.

"There's no rush in finding someone. You'e lucky", said Dad.

"Lucky?"

"When I was your age my parents were already pressuring me to find a wife", said Dad.

"Why?" I asked.

"The sooner a couple married the sooner they'd children that would be trained to be a shinobi. Times have changed greatly since I was your age", said Dad.

I resisted the urge to comment.

"Mom says you've been under a lot of stress lately-

He gave a quiet chuckle.

"No more stress than I have before. Your mom shouldn't have told you that", said Dad.

"Is Mom okay?" I asked.

Dad tensed.

"Even after spending sixteen years together sometimes that woman can be a mystery to me", said Dad.

He shook his head.

"Go visit your friend", said Daid.

"Saizo, I'm coming with you. I have to check up on Felix", said Hazel as she rushed out the door.

Dad waved us goodbye.

"We have to stop by the flower shop and the candy store", I said.

The flower shop was closest. I looked through the flowers. I had no clue what to get her. I should have asked Mom about this not Dad.

"How long are you going to take?" asked Hazel.

"I don't know what to get her", I said.

Hazel smiled at me. It freaked me out much hers resembled Mom's. She picked out a flower for me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"A daffodil", said Hazel.

We paid for our flower. Then we went to the candy store. We picked up some candy. Hazel played nervously with the box of rice candy she'd gotten for Felix.

"Hazel, you alright?" I asked.

"I don't know why I even got him these. He can't even eat them", said Hazel.

"How is the hyperactive ball of energy?" I asked.

"He's in the ICU", said Hazel.

"That bad huh", I said.

She nodded her head.

"Aren't you going against his cousin in the finals?" I said.

"I am. I'm actually training with his father in preparation", said Hazel.

"You mean the creepy guy with the eye patch", I said.

"That's the one", said Hazel.

We made it to the hospital and went our separate ways.


Mika's Perspective

I lay in my bed staring at out the window. Grandpa was asleep in the chair near my bed. His snores were the only sound that filled the room. Father didn't even visit. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in", I said.

I smiled, when I saw Saizo. He had flowers and candy. Saizo placed them on the table near my bed.

"How did you know daffodils were my favorite?" I asked.

"I didn't my sister. Hazel picked them out", said Saizo.

Of course Hazel did. Knowing him he would spend hours in flower shop if Hazel hadn't help him along. He paced around the room once before sitting at the foot of my bed.

"Is this a bad time?" asked Saizo as he looked at my grandpa.

"No, he's out. You could yell on the top of your lung and he wouldn't wake up", I said.

He sat on the side of my bed. Saizo seemed uncomfortable.

"When are you going to be out of here?" asked Saizo.

"Tomorrow, but can't start intensive training for another week", I said.

"That fight was amazing Mika. We didn't know you could do something like that", said Saizo.

"Can you open the window for me Saizo?" I asked.

He nodded his head. Three, two, one. Sterling came flying through the window. In his hand were flowers that were stolen from the pots from the front of the hospital. He put them on the table near Saizo's flowers.

"Is he alive?" asked Sterling as he poked Grandpa's face.

He gave a loud snore.

"Yes",

"Let's get training already", said Sterling.

"I already told you I'm not training with you. I want to enjoy my day off", said Saizo.

"Who are you guys going against?" I asked.

"I'm going against Kuro. Ass hat is going against Karasu", said Saizo.

"Those are bound to be interesting matches. How did you do in the prelims? It's obvious you won, but I want to know the details. I heard you nearly killed Mirai. Some of the nurses said she might not be able to walk again. Let alone be a ninja", I said.

"Serves her right for talking shit about my family", said Saizo.

"You don't want to know. All I can say is the bitch deserved it", said Sterling.

Sterling jumped out the window.

"Mika, you should keep your hair short. It that way it looks nice", said Saizo.

There was a light blush across his cheeks.

"Thanks", I said.

He left. Grandpa started laughing.

"You've been awake this whole time haven't you", I said.

He nodded his head.

"That boy is going to make you a fine husband one day", said Grandpa.

My face went red.

"Don't joke like that", I said.

"I wasn't joking my dear", said Grandpa.

Outside I saw Sensei Hugo pacing nervously in the hallway. I got out of bed. Grandpa had already fallen back asleep.

"Sensei?"

When he turned to face me, tears and snot were streaking down his face.

"It's Bruce!" he shouted before locking me in a painful hug.

"Please let go you're hurting me", I gasped.

"Sorry", said Hugo as he wiped away his tears.

"How is he?" I asked.

"They say he might never be able to a ninja again", cried Hugo.

I found Bruce's room. I hardly knew him, but for some reason I felt the urge to stay by him. His arm was wrapped in cast. Pins stuck out of his leg. Pain was written in his expression.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you", I said.

"How is he?" asked a man.

He wore a hood and maroon markings covered his face. From his headband I knew he was one of the Sand jonin.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Kankuro, my student was the one who did this", said Kankuro.

"Why have you come to visit?" I asked.

"I already told you, kid", he said.

Oh, his condition.

"His sensei told me he won't ever be able to a ninja again", I said.

I was shocked, when I heard Kankuro laughed.

"I don't see anything funny about this!" I said.

"I've met people like him. If being a shinobi is his dream nothing will stop him from following it", said Kankuro before leaving.

Eventually the sand jonin left. I made myself comfortable in a chair near his bed. He was a fellow Diamond ninja this was the least I could do for him. He rooted for me like I was his teammate during the prelims. I took his hand.

"Please wake up soon", I said.

The door opened. I turned and saw Saizo's cousin Hana. She was bruised up but otherwise okay.

"You no he would be in heaven right now if he knew you were holding his hand", she said.

My face turned pink.

"I don't know why he has such a thing for me", I said.

"He saw you as someone who was like him", said Hana.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Someone that would never give no matter how difficult things became", said Hana.

"I never knew that", I said.


Hazel's Perspective

I knocked on the door. Felix's mother gestured for me to come in. I placed the rice candy with the other boxes.

"How is he?" I asked.

"Getting better. Doctors say he'll wake up in a few days. He'll be so happy to see all the candy he's gotten. All my children seem to have a sweet tooth", she said.

The door to the room opened. There stood Shinsetsu. He looked tired. I guess worrying about child nonstop is tiring. He looked over me with that one piercing orange eye.

"Are you ready?" asked Shinsetsu.

"Ready?" I asked.

"For your training dear. Just a warning child I won't be merciful", said Shinsetsu.

What have I gotten myself into? I looked a Felix. He's one the sweetest people I've ever met. He shouldn't be in this condition.

"Yes",

"No hesitation. Not even your trainees respond that quickly", said Felix's mom.

"You're right Jin. Hazel have you ever consider a job in interrogation?" asked Shinsetsu.

"No, not really", I said.

"Tell me if you ever do. Now shall we start training? I've already informed your Sensei that I will take cover your training for this month", said Shinsetsu.

"Okay, when do we start?" I asked.

"Today", he said.

I walked out of the hospital. Sterling and Saizo were fight. They paused, when they saw me walking with Shinsetsu. I waved to them.


Saizo's Perspective

We watched as Shinsetsu walked off with my sister.

"Why are those two together?" asked Sterling.

"He's taking over her training for the month", I said.

"I wonder what wonderfully horrible things he will teach her", said Sterling.

"Are you jealous?" I asked.

"No", said Sterling.

I went running toward the house. Maybe I could train with dad. When I reached the house, I saw dad was sitting on the porch with his dog, Bishop.

"Shouldn't you being working?" I asked.

"One of my few days off. If anything urgent comes up my assistant will get me", said Dad.

"Can you train with me?" I asked.

"I thought you wouldn't want to train, but this is a welcomed surprise. But I don't think I'm the right person for the job", said Dad.

"What why not?" I asked.

"You should ask your Mom", he said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Do you think your Mom only stays at home and cooks all day?" asked Dad.

"Pretty much", I said.

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"She's one of the Guardian for a reason", said Dad.

"I thought it was because she married Eiji", I said.

He smacked me on the back of the head.

"What the hell?!" I growled.

"Don't speak about your mother like that. She's stronger than you can ever know. Come on I want to show you something", said Dad.

"What?" I asked.

"Get up and you'll find out", said Dad.

I followed him for to an old village. It looked vaguely familiar.

"Have I been here before?" I asked.

"Awhile back when you were younger you and your sister were kidnapped. They took you here. Now no one lives here", said Dad.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked.

Two powerful chakras hit me at once. Dad smirked at me. No, this couldn't be Mom. We stopped at a quarry. Mom and Eiji were standing there. Their chakra was strong it was making the ground beneath them crack. They were attacking each other at full force.

"Why are they doing this?" I asked.

"It's a stress reliever", said Dad.

"Aren't you worried that she'll get hurt?" I asked.

"I trust she can handle herself", said Dad.


Snow's Perspective

We were both panting. Sweat was dripping down my skin, but I felt wonderful. After being copped up in the house for day this was a nice change of pace.

"Enough for today?" I asked.

"Normally you have more fight in you than that. Maybe you're getting out of shape", teased Eiji.

"My husband hasn't had any complaints", I said.

He groaned.

"At your age you should know better than to comment on a woman's body. Especially, when that woman is taken", I said.

"You remember I was once your husband right", said Eiji.

I rolled my eyes.

"We have company", said Eiji.

Company? I looked up. There was Kakuzu and Saizo. What they are doing here? Only one way to find out. I climbed up the wall.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked.

"Saizo wanted to ask you something", said Kakuzu as pushed our son closer to me.

"What is it, honey? Do need advice on that girl you have a crush on?" I asked.

His face went red. I couldn't help laughing.

"I want to train with you. Is this alright?" asked Saizo.

"I would love to. We'll start tomorrow", I said.

"Why not today? Hazel started today", said Saizo.

I smiled.

"I'm going to train you so hard tomorrow that you'll regret saying those words sweetie", I said.

He swallowed.

"How about ramen tonight?" I asked.

I was happy all my children were at the table. Hazel looked exhausted. It was helping that her younger brother Kotaro was poking her. He didn't seem to notice that.

"Saizo you should go to bed early tonight", I said.

Once he finished his ramen, he went to his room. The children eventually settled in for the night. Something sent my nerves on end. I showered hoping it would take the edge off, but it didn't. Kakuzu was working in our bed. Papers were spread out the blankets. His attention was focused on his ledger.

"Snow, what wrong? I'm not even looking at you and I know something is wrong", said Kakuzu.

"My nerves on edge. I want to go check something out", I said.

He closed his ledger and focused all his attention on me.

"Snow tell me how long you've felt like this", said Kakuzu.

"Since I met Hope", I said.

Kakuzu gave annoyed sigh. I took a seat next to him. He wasn't expecting this. Kakuzu probably thinking tonight would be a peaceful sleep with his wife.

"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Kakuzu.

"I don't know", I said.

"Snow, how long have we be together?" asked Kakuzu.

"Sixteen years", I said.

Have we really been together that long? It all went by so quickly. I've enjoyed all the time I spent with him. It felt like only yesterday Saizo and Hazel were babies.

"After all time why do feel this urge to keep secrets from me?" asked Kakuzu.

I could see the pain in his eyes.

"This feeling has something to do with the snake sages. Kabuto is one of them. I'm worried that he might threaten my contract with you. Losing you again is my worst fear", I said.

Sapphires and emeralds streamed down my eyes.

"Snow",

Kakuzu pulled me close.

"Don't cry", he said as he pulled me close.

"I have to go", I said.

"I know I can't stop you from going, but at leas take someone with you", pleaded Kakuzu.

"She's not going alone", said Dad as he came in through the window.

"Take care of her Manzo", said Kakuzu.

"I always do", said Dad.

We left.

"Where are going exactly?" asked Dad.

"Ryuchi Cave", I said.