Shadows of Dawn

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer - I don't own Naruto.

Author's Note - Long chapter today, to make up for my absence lately! Sorry about that, it's been really hard to find time to write lately with all my coursework. And it's barely been a month of school...*mutters*

Part 12 – Sparks Fly!

-*-Minako-*-

My concern returned in the morning, when I found Reinen was still missing from her bed. I had little time to worry, however, because I soon found out that Sasori-sensei was definitely not a morning person. Upon noticing the absence of his own partner, he'd uttered a few choice curse words and, then turning to me, asked almost pathetically if I'd get him some coffee.

I took pity on him and complied. Heading down to the kitchen, I passed a surprising sight: Deidara was curled on the couch, bangs neatly blanketing his face as he slept. I hesitated before gently shaking his shoulder.

"Senpai?"

"Go away Tobi, hmm," he muttered half-consciously, rolling over. I hastily sidestepped as he inelegantly tumbled to the floor.

He sat up, rubbing his head and groaning. "What the hell…?" he muttered, glancing blearily around the room. His visible eye narrowed suddenly and he turned to me. "Where's that friend of yours, the Lioness?"

"I don't know," I murmured anxiously, "I haven't seen her this morning."

Deidara ran a hand through his hair. "Good riddance, hmm," he muttered darkly.

"N-nani?" Stuttering in shock, I glanced at him, eyes wide. "What do you mean, senpai? I thought you and Rei-chan-"

"Yeah?" he snapped. "What about us, hmm?"

His sudden anger made me flinch. "Nothing, I just… You're partners, aren't you?"

"Not if I can help it," he growled, getting to his feet. "She's a total bitch." Clearly he caught my horrified expression, for he added more quietly, "Don't take it personally. She and I just didn't hit it off well, hmm."

"No, I understand," I murmured, lowering my gaze. "Rei-chan…she doesn't trust people easily. She's always been cold to strangers, even sometimes friends. But lately…" I trailed off, wondering why I was rattling off my innermost fear to this man I hardly knew. I took an unsteady breath, shaking my head.

"I just don't know. She's been acting strangely. Please," I mumbled, "just give her another chance. I'll – I'll try to talk to her."

Deidara said nothing for a long moment. In the background, I could hear the clatter of cutlery and a murmur of conversation from the kitchen. Then he sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "You do that," he responded reluctantly. "I don't really want to hate her, but when she treats every conversation like a battle…"

We were talking about a stranger. I swallowed hard, nodding. "I'll do my best, Deidara-senpai."

"Yeah," he said distantly. I bowed slightly before hurrying away.

Deep down, I desperately hoped I could keep my end of the promise.

There was no sign of Reinen all morning. I searched the lair's dark corridors desperately, even scouting out the numerous training grounds. I'd stumbled upon the other girls practicing with their mentors, and Kaoyumi kindly asked if I needed their help. I declined, seeing Hanabiki hover in the background with a cold smirk. I doubted Reinen would respond to anyone but me – if even that. So, alone and despairing, I trooped back to the kitchen. I was starving, having hardly stopped for something to eat before heading out. As I reviewed a mental checklist of locations, I picked out a juicy apple and took a savory bite.

Something occurred to me. I stepped out into the hallway, peering past the branches leading off to the medical ward and the Leader's office, and, on the other side, to the teams' rooms. Off to the side was another tunnel, dusty with disuse. I couldn't remember Konan describing that place to us on our brief tour; I hurried to the mouth of the tunnel, peering within.

My eyes fell to the dusty floor and I gasped at my discovery: footprints, and they looked fresh. Carrying my snack I ventured cautiously into the darkness.

The tunnel weaved around a corner and ended in what I at first thought to be a dead end. A second look showed a crack of light ahead, and I scurried forward to find a boulder partially blocking off an entrance. I slithered through the crack, blinking in sudden sunlight.

When my eyes adjusted, I saw I was standing upon a cliff overlooking the mountainside. Trees leaned in on all sides. A familiar gray figure immediately drew my attention, however, and a cry came to my lips.

"Rei-chan!"

The blonde didn't turn around; she was perched upon a sunny rock, staring off into space. Her hair twined in the wind; she murmured, "Minako."

Carefully I trudged to her side, taking a seat beside her. My heart was thundering with the joy of finding her; but at the same time, my nervousness at confronting her inner beast grew. For a long moment I observed the peaceful scene, gathering my thoughts. "It's nice up here," I said. Reinen nodded shortly, a hardness in her features.

"What…" I began, hesitating. "What happened between you two last night?"

Reinen whirled on me suddenly, fire in her gaze. "You talked to that bastard?"

I flinched meekly. She sighed noisily, shoulders slumping; suddenly submissive, she turned away.

"I'm sorry, Minako. I'm not mad at you. It's just… I don't even know anymore." Restlessly she grabbed a small stone lying at her feet and flung it off the cliff. A panicked bird shot into the air, shrieking.

We watched the bird flap crazily into the sky above, unspeaking. There was hardly a cloud in the pale blue abyss; here, however, a storm of the spirit raged.

"I hate him," Reinen murmured more to herself than me. "I hate it here. It was so much better when it was just you and me and the world to conquer."

"Why?" I asked simply. My word hung in the air like the dew dripping from the tree leaves.

"Because then we were in control. Because we were free. Because I didn't have to live with total jerks!" Her voice rose, trembling uncontrollably. She dropped her head into her hands, breathing hard. "Because then," she finished, so quietly I had to strain to hear, "I wasn't manipulated like I was by Satoshi, all those years ago."

It was the first time in years I'd heard her use that name. "Satoshi? You mean…your twin brother?"

She snapped. "Don't say that name!" Her fingers dug like claws into her head; I gently pulled her hands back, afraid she'd hurt herself. Reinen was staring off the cliff, her eyes unnaturally bright. "If you say that name…" she whispered. "If you say that name, I only think of him… The one I killed. The one he made me kill."

I bit my lip. This was the most she'd revealed about her past since that rainy night all those years ago. In an effort to reassure her, I gently reached over and touched her hand.

"Rei-chan," I said. "Things are different now. You have me; you'll always have me." An idea came to me, and I allowed a small smile. "This is just another challenge, right? A chance for us to grow stronger. You don't want to turn that down."

"Minako…" she breathed. "Thank you for trying. But I can't do that – I can't put your life in danger. I don't want to ever lose you. History's just waiting to repeat itself."

"Hey." I forced a bold smile, disguising my own fear. "I might be small, but I'm stronger than I look." A troubled look passed through my gaze. "You of all people should know that."

She stared at me, but her eyes were distant. After a long moment she nodded, "Yes… I know I'm not the only one…"

A hand gripped the emerald amulet at my throat. I swallowed hard, trying to find reassurance in its familiar grooves; but the metal was cold, hard, uncaring. She stood, gently ruffling my hair. "Don't you worry about me," she said with a flicker of an old smirk. "I'm not through with the Akatsuki yet."

"Rei-chan –" I began, worry flashing in my eyes. I wanted to tell her what Deidara-senpai had said; but bringing up the topic now would only rekindle her rage. My heart was torn; when she'd just accepted me back, I couldn't risk that fragile bond for someone else.

I lowered my head as she walked away, feeling a pang of guilt for my choice. My silence was selfishness – I couldn't stand up and take the brunt of her anger for someone else.

I sat alone for a long time, trying to let the wilderness relieve my misery. To my right a raven cawed, perched high in a tree. The sound echoed around me. The bird Rei had scared earlier circled back to its cliff-side nest; I watched it shuffle along, pecking at the ground.

If only I could be as free… I thought, sighing.

-/-

All week, Reinen and Deidara circled each other like cats. They never vocalized their feelings toward each other, though actions spoke enough of their feud. Reinen consistently avoided our room, holing herself up on her secret cliff in the evenings and feverishly training during the days. Sometimes she dragged me out to spar with her; I couldn't keep up with her fervor over the hours, however, and spent most of the time watching as she prowled alone. We hardly spoke as we did that morning, but at least Reinen acknowledged a desire for my presence.

Deidara didn't speak to me, either; his frostiness seemed directed at Reinen, however, for I rarely saw him when I wasn't with her. Whenever Reinen entered a room, he would leave, or vice versa; he always had clay at hand, but anger seemed to destroy his muse. Whenever I watched him, he would create something before violently mashing it back into a lump.

Soon I gave up on following Reinen and left her some space, quietly retreating to my own training regime except when she wordlessly approached, her hardened expression asking for a battle to relieve tension.

I could hardly stand the tense atmosphere around her, nonetheless understand how she could cope for so long. It was as though her wild mood swings had hit rock-bottom somewhere along the ride, and she was trapped within a deep pit of her own creation. Anything seemed to set her off these days – I knew this couldn't go on much longer. Sooner or later, someone was going to explode.

There were, I had to admit, some benefits to the growing distance between us. I spent time tagging along with Kaoyumi, who was surprisingly sympathetic to my plight. "I live with a moody teenager," she'd stated with a smile as we worked together in the kitchen. Kaoyumi was, among other things, an excellent cook – raising herself and her sister was her explanation for that (a nice change – Reinen had a tendency to burn things).

We immediately took a liking to each other – probably due to an understanding with our sometimes exasperating extroverted partners. Kaoyumi might have been only a year or two older than Reinen, but she was like the mother I'd never had. She fussed over my well-being when I was too worried sick about Rei-chan to do anything else; and she drew me out of my shell with gentle compassion. She was utterly focused when it came to battle, but she had a multitude of other interests as well. One evening she revealed her favorite craft – wood carving. She even gave me a tiny kitten, its contours perfectly smoothed, its eyes wide with curiosity. I cherished it gratefully.

While my new friendship served as a welcome distraction, the absence of Reinen also forced me to take an interest in my own sensei. Surprisingly, Sasori wasn't as cold as he outwardly appeared.

He didn't seem too fazed by Deidara and Reinen's silent war – his only words on the subject to me were, "Maybe he'll finally understand how annoying he is to me."

We didn't speak all that much, as we both preferred quiet; in the evenings when we were alone, he would occasionally ask me to hold some part while he screwed it in, or if I would help sand the wood of a puppet. In these small tasks, I sensed a sort of growing trust. From years of caring for my bo I knew my way around woodwork, but I learned a lot more in that single week spent with him. I discovered the one way to get him to talk was to ask a question about his art – then he could go on forever, explaining the beautiful intricacies of the puppets. They weren't simply tools for fighting; they were art, unique and eternal.

I liked to listen to him; his soft voice was soothing, and sitting together in the candlelight I wished time would stretch on forever.

-/-

Then, one morning, disaster struck. It was a rare reunion of the four of us girls at the table – Reinen had come out of seclusion early this morning, probably out of hunger. None of us broke the awkward silence; I stared down at my breakfast, not really that hungry anymore.

Deidara wandered into the room, purposefully ignoring us. I mumbled a quiet "Ohayo" but he didn't hear me, turning his back and fixing a cup of coffee.

The air was suddenly choked with tension. Reinen was glaring at his back, icy eyes narrowed to slits. I prayed one of them would hurry up and leave – I could hardly breathe, glancing from one to the other. Reinen stood, pushing aside her full plate.

Things might have gone smoothly. But Hanabiki was the catalyst.

"Hey, Reinen," she drawled with an icy grin, "you've been acting even bitchier than usual. Is it that time of the month already?"

"Shut up," Reinen snapped. Deidara made the mistake of sniggering. "I said, shut up!" she screamed, whirling on him.

"I didn't say anything, Lioness," he said, raising an eyebrow at her. "Maybe you should get your hearing checked, hmm."

Things were going downhill rapidly. Hanabiki sat there with her arms folded, smirking. Kaoyumi got to her feet. "Hana," she said firmly, "go on ahead to the training ground. I'll be there in a minute." I shot her a grateful look.

"But nee-chan, I'm not done-!"

"Now, Hana," she warned, voice dangerously sharp. Hanabiki cast her a last disgruntled look before storming out of the kitchen. Reinen and Deidara were glaring at each other, neither moving.

"What is with you?" Rei said in disgust. "You think you're so cool with that stupid art of yours."

"That's something you wouldn't understand," Deidara shot back coldly. "Art is for the enlightened. You're just a stupid animal."

"An animal knows enough to kill you!" she snarled, digging her claws into the edge of the table. I flinched, trying to block their words from my mind. But they were real, and all the rage pent up over the past week was unleashed like cannon fire.

"I'll show you art, hmm," Deidara muttered, shoving a hand into the pouch at his side. "Your empty roars and claws are useless in the path of a masterpiece because true art," he opened his fist to reveal a small white spider, forming a hand seal before launching it into the air, "is an explosion!"

A blast of noise met my ears; I screamed, diving beneath the table as the clay abruptly exploded. A flash of fire – then I was blinded by smoke, reeling backward at the force of the blast.

Deidara laughed, his face twisted into a wild grin. "You're no match for true art, hmm!"

"Rei-chan!" I yelled, desperately searching for her. My heart leaped at seeing her still on her feet, unharmed, thrashing madly at nothing.

"Let me go!" she snarled. Glancing sideways, I saw Kaoyumi crouched behind an upended chair, holding the Lioness down with string. She rose, fists steady, but an urgency in her eyes.

"Both of you, stop this now!" she commanded, stepping between them. "You're supposed to be partners!"

"Get out of the way," Deidara ordered coldly. He was reaching for more clay; I panicked.

"Kao-chan, look out!"

Deidara raised a clay bird. "I'm teaching her a lesson, hmm. Mind your own business, or I won't be responsible for what happens to you."

Kaoyumi, Reinen! I thought, heart pounding. I had to do something; my mind, however, was frozen along with my body.

Deidara raised his left hand in a two-fingered seal. I shut my eyes, waiting for the explosion to take place.

Nothing happened.

Hesitantly I glanced up and gasped. Sasori-sensei had appeared beside Deidara and grasped his wrist. His expression was livid; looking into his burning eyes made me flinch.

"That's enough, brat," he growled, emphasizing the derogatory name. Deidara hesitated beneath the shorter man's stare.

"Danna, she insulted my art…"

Sasori dropped his arm in disgust. "You should be used to that by now." He glanced over us all, eyes narrowing. "Both of you, stop acting like immature children. I have no patience for your petty fight." He gazed particularly at Deidara. "I expected better of you, brat. Haven't you learned anything?" At his sharp words Deidara turned away, unspeaking; his chin was raised defiantly.

"I refuse to work with her, hmm."

Across the room, Kaoyumi had tentatively released Reinen. The blonde now snapped back, "And I won't work with him either!"

"Is that so," Sasori mused, eyes narrowing. He turned on his heel. "Both of you, come with me. Minako, you too."

"Hai," I said shakily, rising from my shelter behind the overturned table. I cast a last silent glance at Kaoyumi, hoping she understood my thanks for her efforts. She nodded before turning away, raveling her string.

I trudged after the others, watching Reinen's tense lope and wondering what was in store for us now.

-/-

A cold breeze whipped through the trees, making my bare arms and legs tingle. I tugged down the sleeves of my green sweater, nervously shifting from foot to foot. We were out in a field, long grasses rustling in the wind around us. At an order I stood beside Sasori-sensei; across from us, Reinen and Deidara remained a good distance apart.

"What now, danna, hmm?" Deidara asked, a bit disgruntled. I glanced at Sasori, hoping to read something of his thoughts in his face. He was, as always, emotionless.

"You two have some problems with each other. We're going to deal with that, now."

Reinen snorted.

"I won't have you become the next Hidan and Kakuzu," Sasori continued, ignoring her, "merely because you piss me off enough already. So, you have a choice to resolve things: put aside your differences and tolerate each other, or get Leader-sama to set you up with someone else." I glanced sharply at him in surprise. Could they do that…? Reinen and Deidara exchanged an uneasy glance.

"What's the catch?" Rei growled. It was obvious what she chose.

Sasori smirked faintly. He reached within his robe, removing not a puppet but an old length of cloth. We looked on, mystified, as he held up the slashed Sand headband and tied it around his forehead.

"Simple," he said, "a test. If you two succeed, you won't have to work together again. If Minako and I succeed, you shut up and listen to us."

I quaked as both angry shinobi turned their eyes on us. A test? Maybe Sasori-sensei could fight them off, but me…!

"Stay behind me," he murmured before turning back to Deidara and Reinen. "This is how we'll proceed. Attack us with the intention to retrieve these." He pointed to his headband. "The team that manages to secure both of the other team's headbands, without losing both their own first, wins." He regarded our opponents imploringly. "Any questions?"

"This'll be easy," Reinen smirked, dropping to a crouch. "I can do this without any help!"

"Like I'd help you, hmm," Deidara shot back, reaching into his clay pouch.

Get ready, I told myself, quickly adjusting my headband around my neck before falling into position. If Sasori-sensei uses his puppets, I reflected, they won't be able to get near us. On the other hand, we'll have to watch out for Deidara-senpai's explosions.

Sasori made the first move. He withdrew a scroll, unleashing five puppets. He took up their strings, chakra glowing from his fingertips.

Reinen growled, flourishing her katana. She crouched briefly before launching herself into the fray, slashing madly. The puppets responded, blocking with their own weapons. Rei's headband flashed silver on her belt as she whirled.

I can do this, I thought, gritting my teeth, summoning my courage. I had to prove I was strong, too…! I paused only long enough to grab my staff, murmuring, "Leave her to me, sensei!"

I raced between the puppets, ignored by their razor blades and hidden poisons. Reinen was a tornado of hair and steel, fighting off assault from all sides. My mind fumbled for a strategy and I did the first thing that came to mind. Slamming the end of my bo into the ground, I leaped, using its length as a spring to flip easily over her head. In midair I spun, bringing my staff down hard on her back.

Reinen crumpled, momentarily stunned; she raised her blade in time to stop a puppet from cutting her leg open. Snarling, she successfully knocked the puppet away before turning on me.

Meters away, the first explosion went off. The ground bucked beneath me and I stumbled, screaming, flinging my hands over my head. Two puppets went down, I saw, two more closing in on Deidara.

Reinen took advantage of my weakness, rushing in with her katana flashing in her fist. I twisted, bringing my staff up in time to block. My muscles tensed with the effort of holding her off; Reinen shoved against me, growling, her eyes flickering golden.

I had to stop this before she went completely feline – there was no way I'd be able to retrieve her headband that way, nevertheless beat her in this state. I hopped backward, using the space to swing my bo around and aim the end at her stomach.

She was too fast, twisting sideways in a flash and stabbing with her sword. I jerked sideways – the blade nicked my arm and I hastily forced her back.

Close combat was Reinen's specialty: in the blink of an eye she spun, kicking my staff from my hand. As it clattered away she pounced, driving me to the ground; she crouched over me, hardly out of breath.

"Sorry, Minako," she breathed, yanking the Mist headband free from my neck. I flinched; in her vigor, she nearly took my necklace along with it.

I failed, I thought with a wave of despair. I'm sorry, sensei…

Then something occurred to me: Sasori had never said I couldn't keep fighting. Reinen rose, eyes already on her next target: a puppet sailed toward her, blades spinning from its hands.

Grinning, she rapidly formed hand signs: "Flash Fire Jutsu!" Holding out her hands, she summoned twin large balls of fire from her fingertips and launched them at the puppet. It fell back in flames; in her distraction, I took my chance.

My fist closed on her headband before she knew what was happening; she tried to twist away, but the Leaf band slipped free of her sash and I fell back, smiling slightly.

"Got you!"

Another explosion went off beside us, fire licking at Reinen's hair. She whirled.

"Watch it, bastard!" she yelled, eyes flashing at Deidara. He already had another two clay birds at hand.

He shrugged, "Maybe you should get out of my way, hmm!"

Reinen's retort faded from my mind as realization hit me. Sasori-sensei's charred puppets lay around us, and Deidara was already taking aim at him…

Ignoring the duo I broke into a run, charging back to his side. I slid to a stop beside him in time to see the other two charge. Sasori reached for another scroll; Reinen flung two shuriken and he grasped a kunai instead, deflecting the assault.

They were drawing nearer; Deidara sent the two birds flying with chakra. At this range -! They were too fast, too close!

I flung myself in front of Sasori, palms outstretched, rapidly sending chakra to my hands. A second too late my glowing chakra barrier appeared; I screamed, my hands burning raw as the explosion hit.

Panting, I gritted my teeth and forced myself to retain the shield, hands shaking, until the blast subsided. Then I dropped my bloodied palms, sinking to my knees.

A second explosion went off, this one Reinen's voice. I could distantly hear her screaming as she ran to my side. "You bastard! What did you hit her for?"

Deidara slid to a shocked stop a few feet away, visible eye wide. "You think I meant to, hmm? She got in the way, damn it!" He turned anxiously to me. "Minako-san, are you…"

"I'm fine," I managed with a shaky smile, wincing at the burning pain in my hands. I turned them over, gasping quietly: through my tattered gloves my skin was practically burned away, leaving red rawness and blood.

A flicker of movement; Deidara flinched as the Rock headband tumbled from his forehead. Sasori stood behind him, kunai raised.

"We're finished here," he said icily. "I'm disappointed in you, Deidara. The purpose of this test was to see if you could forego your anger and work together. Now you will work together. I won't have another word of your argument."

Deidara said nothing, staring at his headband in the dust. Reinen crouched beside me, looking over my hands.

"Please don't fight anymore," I mumbled, tears springing to my eyes. "Reinen-chan, it's not worth it."

"I know," she answered quietly. "I'm sorry you got involved in this." She rose, blowing back her bangs and glaring at Deidara. She took a step forward. "Don't you dare touch her again, you hear?" I gasped; in an instant Sasori whirled, his hand glancing off her right thigh. Reinen let out a yowl and suddenly collapsed, her leg bent awkwardly beneath her. Hissing in pain, she clenched a hand to her leg and glared up at him.

"What the hell?"

"I said, not another word," Sasori repeated. Chakra flickered and died from his fingers. "Don't think I'm letting you off easily. Now, answer me: can you two work together peacefully, or do I have to turn you into puppets first?"

Please, I thought, giving Reinen a beseeching look; she wasn't looking at me, however. She spat on the ground, avoiding the puppeteer's gaze.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" she finished with a growl.

Deidara wandered away, returning with a blue Leaf headband at hand. He held it out to Reinen wordlessly – with a jolt I realized this to be a gesture of acceptance. Rei eyed him coldly before reluctantly taking it, looping it loosely around her neck.

"This doesn't change anything," she mumbled. "I'll stay, but that doesn't mean I'll like it." I breathed out a slow breath of relief; it was better than nothing. I struggled to my feet, wincing.

Sasori returned to my side. "Come, I'll take you to the ward."

"But what about…?" I glanced back at Reinen on the ground; she looked unable to stand, nonetheless walk.

Sasori spoke over his shoulder: "You two take time to reconcile your differences. I don't want to see either of you back before noon." His eyes narrowed. "And if I find out about the slightest trace of fighting, you will have me to answer to." He strode away and I hurried in his shadow, glancing helplessly back at my best friend. Reinen…please make the right choice this time.

-*-Reinen-*-

I was seething. Pain shot up my leg every time I tried to move it in the slightest, and now they left me alone with him…

Deidara stood by, unspeaking, running his dusty headband through his hands. I didn't know how long we ignored each other; Sasori and Minako had long disappeared. I growled faintly.

That puppet bastard…

How dare he make me suffer like this! I was only standing up for Minako, wasn't I? Was it my fault Deidara-sensei tried to blow her up? I raged alone until his words broke through my thoughts. I glanced sharply at him, eyes narrowed.

"Don't make me hate you, hmm." He walked away, hands in his pockets.

I tossed my head back angrily. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He stopped, glancing over his shoulder. "Use your brain for once, Toramura. I'll be waiting." He resumed walking.

I growled, watching him, too, desert me here. I was stuck – the thought made my heartbeat quicken – but I refused to ask him to help me walk. No, I would endure alone, as always.

Very alone.

I lay down in the grass, eyes closed, mind flashing back to that terrified instant when I'd seen Minako jump in front of the explosion. I had nearly lost her…

Just like I'd lost him, so many years ago, in the same way. I fought back the sudden rush of feeling I'd pushed aside for so long.

Naoki-kun… The image of his sweet face brought tears to my eyes. He was once my best friend, everything to me, and I had killed him. Now I had Minako to love and fiercely protect, but I'd pushed her away and now she had others she cared for, not just me.

And I… I was alone in this wild world, a lioness who'd deserted her pride and whose cub had learned to live on her own.

To be continued...

Gasp! What's Rei-chan talking about? Will the truce last, or will Sasori-danna be getting some new puppets soon? ...I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. :D

Please review, it makes Mina-chan happy! ^^