After that one incident, Hoshigaki-senpai never tried to pry again. It was obvious that he was still worried about it and I never ceased to be irritated by it. What was wrong with him? It's not as if he had to carry the burden of this curse. And it didn't bother me unless I tried to talk about my experience with Akatsuki, and I never tried to again. Sure we were good friends, but this behavior seemed more parental. I wasn't looking for parental guidance; I just wanted someone who would pretend that my problem wasn't one. I knew that ignoring it wouldn't deny its reality, but I hated being reminded of it. So despite his protests, I accepted the Mizukage's offer to move into the sleeping quarters of the training grounds. I also rejected any attempt to remain in contact with Hoshigaki-senpai. I wasn't trying to be cruel, but I needed a fresh start and to focus on a new purpose. I was going to break this curse somehow and someday. I wasn't sure how, but I was going to become stronger than ever before so that I would be ready when the opportunity came.
So for the next few weeks, I exercised to build up endurance, spared against comrades, and ran through the obstacle courses. The stronger I became, the more dangerous the obstacles and exercises. Not all of my comrades were up to the increasing challenges which later resulted in their deaths. It was a pity to see such talent wasted. Suikazan-sensei took complete credit for my success, and gave Hoshigaki-senpai many rewards for his wise recommendation. I was pleased to hear that much, I did wish him well.
At last the day came for the Mizukage's trip to the Land of Sound. I was deemed ready and was included in the four shinobi selected to accompany him. To my surprise, Hoshigaki-senpai was coming as well to accompany Suikazan-sensei. We were often in each others company but he deliberately ignored me. It was especially hard on the small boat we traveled on for the first part of our journey. I suppose I deserved his scorn, why couldn't things go back to how they had been before?
Now that I was feeling so much better about things, I thought that I should at least try to fix things. I knocked on his door and he opened it a crack. He looked surprised, but stepped back to let me through, quickly locking it behind me. He gestured for me to sit down. "Are you sure you have permission to be here?"
"We work in teams of two, it's not my shift yet," I assured him.
"I see."
The silence was beginning to get uncomfortable and I wasn't sure what I should say to ease it. His stance began to relax and he mercifully spoke first. "I haven't been ignoring you because I'm upset with you, if that's what you're thinking. It is never a good idea to be chummy on missions because feelings can comprise your efforts. I thought even you would understand that."
I smiled sheepishly. "I'm afraid that I haven't worked on a team in a long time."
"You always preferred to do things on your own. That mentality will come in handy on this type of assignment. You will need to protect the Mizukage even if it costs the lives of his other protectors…your teammates."
I nodded. "I know that. I was hoping to…uh…try to clear the air…so to speak…about us and why…er…I left."
He smirked. "So eloquently put."
I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Oh shut up, you know what I mean!"
He lay down on his cot and stretched out. "Back-tracking now huh? So unlike you. This is truly extraordinary."
"Do you want the stupid apology or not?" I growled, my face turning red. I was beginning to wonder if I should even bother with it if he was just going to make fun of me.
"As much as I would love to hear it, I have one to give as well."
My ears perked up. I can't remember him ever apologizing, this should be good.
"I won't apologize for caring about you," his voice softened. "That is my duty as your Senpai…and as your friend. But I am sorry that I drove you away. I was only trying to help and…well…I," he looked away, running a nervous hand through his hair. "I just felt…powerless." He whispered the last word, like he hated to admit his weakness.
Without thinking, I reached out to steady his hand. He looked back into my eyes, now just inches from his. "All I wanted to do was protect you. To help somehow, but this," he faltered. "I can't fight something I can't see."
I shook my head. "I don't need you to fight for me. You taught me well Senpai. I just need you to have faith in me."
He gratefully squeezed my hand and reached out with his other to tuck some hair behind my ear and his hand lingered on my cheek. What was he doing? Whatever it was, I rather liked it.
"What were you going to apologize for?" He asked.
"I am sorry that I left."
He wore a small smile and gently stroked my cheek. "So am I. And I do have faith in you, but perhaps I don't show it so well."
I shook my head, "I should have known. I can be pretty pig-headed sometimes."
He chuckled. "Your words not mine."
I playfully pushed him back onto his cot and stood up. "No need to rub it in. But once we're done with this mission, I'd like to stay with you again."
He nodded. "I look forward to it. And watch yourself on this mission. Relations within the Land of Sound are pretty rough. It often happens with new countries. Until power is established, everyone is out to be number one."
"I know, but you promised not to worry about me anymore." I opened the door to step out.
"I made no such promise," he protested.
"Perhaps not, but you should have." I called over my shoulder as I left.
We never spoke again for the rest of the voyage but it was ok. Knowing that the loose ends were now tied, I could finally focus on my assignment. I had never been to the Land of Sound but I had learned a lot about it from my other jobs. They were just forming a shinobi village of their own. I assumed the Mizukage wanted to assure their leader that we posed no threat and to establish peaceful connections. Really it didn't matter why we were going; it just felt great to travel again. I felt a little less enthusiastic when we traveled on foot through Amegakure. The rain was constant and mud threatened to pull off my boots with every step. The Mizukage and the higher ups traveled in metal carriages to stay dry. It was also a part of our job to make the road more accessible. The higher-ups complained bitterly at every delay, cursing our inefficiency even if we were powerless to fix the problem. Tempers were already pretty strained, but we kept our mouths shut even tighter after a comrade had snottily suggested they help push too if they were in such a hurry. He was killed on the spot and left behind without a backward glance.
Thankfully the weather was much clearer in the Land of Sound. I was tempted to drink in the sights and sounds, but kept my focus on the Mizukage. While I wasn't sure about where my loyalty was, I knew the importance of this assignment. I had to guard him with my life for it would be forfeited otherwise.
Once we reached the shinobi village, the two groups parted ways. The Cypher Division had business elsewhere. I didn't look back, but I mentally wished Hoshigaki-senpai good luck. The rest followed the Mizukage to his rendezvous with the village leader Orochimaru. The Mizukage asked for me and another comrade to accompany him inside while the other two guarded outside.
Quite unexpectedly Orochimaru insisted that we guards should sit down and personally helped us to our seats. When he took my hand to escort me, his thumb pushed back my fingerless glove so that the Akatsuki ring was clearly visible. "What a pretty little trinket," he remarked simply enough, but it was obvious from his earnest gaze that he knew it was much more than that. Once he turned his attention back to the Mizukage, I discreetly pulled my glove back into place. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up on end. Something was not right here and I hope that I have not compromised the mission because of this slip up.
The meeting was a long one, but I sat still and kept my focus on the task at hand. I let the surrounding sounds drown out what the two leaders were discussing. Politics is not my business or my concern. At the end, they shook hands and we followed the Mizukage out of the room. The rest of the afternoon was uneventful as he rested for the rest of the day.
That night he was feeling restless and asked that I attend him as he wandered the halls. This change in protocol was uncommon. Before he always asked for at least two.
After we had walked for some time he glanced over his shoulder. "Ryoku-san, are you acquainted with Orochimaru?"
"No, Mizukage-sama. I have never met him before today."
He frowned thoughtfully. "I see. Then I wonder why he asked me to turn you over to his services."
A chill ran up my spine but I said nothing. If the Mizukage wanted to trade me, I would have no say in the matter.
"But it is of no matter; you are still valuable to me."
I let go of the breath that I was holding. The Mizukage had nothing left to say so I remained quiet.
