Akane remembered one time in her first fight the unnerving sensation of electric flow filtering through her bones. She was in disadvantage, instincts screamed loudly while she managed to dodge the sting of a giant scorpion. Inexperience almost cost her life, but this time the dread was different. A powerful woman with a mission, so when she stepped inside and faced the council she stood straight and determined. Not threatened by their presence, nor the glare that came from a hideous man wrapped in bandages. When she finished giving all the details and assuring it would not be a menace, his threats soon filled in the room. He could have been a snake but she knew how to fight as well. No matter what it took, she would never allow them to touch their children.
They argued until Hirusen Sarutobi finally interfered, yet Danzo wasn't finished.
"We can't remain blind in this matter. How can you tell they haven't more secrets? Now, more than ever we have to think in Konoha's future."
"A future that won't come to succeed if we dare to punish innocent children. I understand there is valid suspicion, but I think a compromise can be achieved, unless another option is given" Hiruzen glanced at me, pleading with his eyes for another option. I was grateful to him, he seemed the less inclined to take extreme ideas, so she replied with confidence.
"I do have a proposition. I had noticed the tension that had raised for months within the village. To prove this event is harmless for you, I'm willing to trade my services to ensure the protection of Hikaru and Kaoru."
"What kind of service do you talk about? Aren't you a civilian as you have reported before?" Danzo asked in suspicion, his one eye completely focused on my golden orbs.
"My previous position as a priestess entails more than spiritual tasks. I was a fighter with enough skill to be tested if needed."
"This is my point, now you see how deceiving appearances can be Hiruzen? Mistaking kindness for foolishness.." Danzo again argued but I interrupted.
"Konoha is our home now, one I want to help even if you don't believe me. If so you dare to prove my loyalty I will do it. In time I assure you, what happened at the Uchiha district will be a temporal blessing. But something good nonetheless. Does my request is enough for a trade?"
Golden meet black, silence engulfed them. Hiruzen rubbed his temples, Danzo was going to argue but he demanded silence and replied.
"Given this opportunity I will concede. I'm sure that you can prove to Danzo, in order to calm his concern and I'll like to see your skills as well. Your request is reasonable, you have my word no consequence will fall upon them. Is that enough?"
"I demand a separate test, if she can do it…" He challenged, I scowled
"Of course I can"
"Very well, this is all for now. Your test will be arranged for tomorrow in the afternoon."
I was so glad in ended, my feet quickly made a path to home, still had to finish some chores and check if everything was fine at the Uchiha district. Neither Itachi or Shisui had come and I wasn't sure if it were a bad or a good sign.
"I'm fine, you don't have to do this" I pouted while Hinata spoon feed me some pudding I really liked. Highly embarrassed at noticing the amusement in Shikamaru's eyes, while touching the petals of a white orchid.
"Still, you are eating. If I knew you can be tamed with sweets before…"
"Not ever! Wait, be gentle with that" she leaned forward as if trying to reach him. Hinata look at the little flower in Shikamaru's finger and said. "I-I didn't know you liked flowers as well Kao-chan."
Instinctively I played with a strand of hair, avoiding their stare and confessed "Just some… I haven't picked any favorites…" Hinata blinked owlishly at me, I could feel some heat in my cheeks, sign of impending doom.
"So, you don't care if I take it…" Shikamaru was about to take it, I almost threw myself to him, but ended tangled in the hospital covers on Hinata's lap.
"You really are clumsy… are you sure training is working?" Apologizing to my friend, while recovering some dignity and going back to bed, the flower safe in the jar.
"I'm not! I just… have bad luck, ok?"
"That's why we have to look after you… how long will you be pretending?"
He asked straight to the point, I flinched. Hinata's hand take mine, a small smile, as if telling me silently to lean on her… on them. Biting my lip, ashamed to try to lie to them, but I was not used to ask for favors. Does that make me a bad person? I hope not.
"Not sure how can I explain, it's just that I was scared to tell anyone and… I'm starting to think that I may be crazy…"
"Why do you say that? Hinata inquired worried, squeezing my hand.
"That's the problem, I don't know why… I just feel it sometimes, I want to go home" Glancing at the window, the blue sky was one of my favorite things. Comfort at the images in my head, clear and cold water splashing my face, a refreshing breeze and the strong aroma of the forest, the layers of deeper notes of oak and something else.
"Hope you can find your answer Kao-chan, we will see you tomorrow, just wait a bit more"
"You owe me two, coming here was so tiring. Better not made me come back"
"Careful Nara-san, I could mistake that for an actual challenge" Shisui was leaning on the wooden door, his sudden appearance made me happy. I was worried, since Shikamaru had said he haven't seen them in two days. He approached calmly, scanning briefly his features to be sure he was alright.
"I'm glad you finally open your eyes" He scratched his head and showed me a little bouquet of flowers, astilbes and azaleas. Too surprised my eyes went to him, Shika and Hina, he just lifted an eyebrow.
"Hope you like it, a gift from me and Itachi. He sends a grumpy hug! You know how much he loves to give them." I laughed. He always made me imagine the most random and funny things.
"Would you like me to put them in the vase?" Hinata asked, always helpful.
"Thank you… Oh, someone beat me" He said looking at the orchid.
"I think we can leave you now, I will wait for my you" Shikamaru said, already walking to the door, Hinata soon bowed and followed him.
"What will it be this time?" asked Shisui with a familiar teasing in his tone.
"Not sure if cinnamon rolls or anko, maybe both. "
"Keep it like that and he will sure grow to roll all around Konoha. Then Yoshino sure will chase after you." We laughed, a sense of peace settled among us, it was relaxing. We talked about the most trivial things, then before I could notice the sun settled and he had to go. Briefly, his face took a more serious aura, he got a bit closer and gave me a little scroll. Taking both of my hands to ensure I get a good hold on it.
"Open it once you arrive at home." He whispered quickly, then his usual smile returned. A bit forced this time, I could tell. He moved my hands naturally as if it were a handshake, but I get the hint to hide it. "Akane and Hikaru are near, I'm glad you are good and ready to go home. Say hi to them for me, ok?"
I nodded and he made his way out, following his silent orders, hide and wait.
"Are you sick again? Do you need medicine? Did someone punched your eyes? What happened?"
Naruto hysterically continued questioning until Sasuke hit his head hard and both started another battle of wits. Too tired to even stop them, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Forcing herself to stay awake, finish her lunch and then return to class so she can follow Shikamaru's favorite past time… sleep.
"You look awful" Sasuke declared, that get her attention. Even so, Kaoru just feel like blinking and no more.
"Not even that worked… oh wait I have an idea!" A little cloud of dirt was made, Naruto running to the unknown. Leaving the two of them in their secret hide out in the roof, silence set between them.
"Great, now what I am supposed to do" Sasuke inquired, not expecting an answer from her zombie friend who was losing a battle already. A sound like a howl, was heard. Sasuke witnessed the slowest attempt ever of Kaoru to eat. This time noticed she winced silently, her arms trembled a bit as she lifted the food. It will be a waste of time if he didn't help. Much to his annoyance, Sasuke took her food and did the job for her. This was the opportunity he was waiting, convinced that his guilt will lessen.
Kaoru stared few seconds, grunted then pouted. "I don't get your whining, just eat"
She blinked, he closed the distance to her mouth not giving much option, purposely messing with her cheek with the food. Finally, she ate, and he smiled in victory, continued the same actions controlling his impulse to bother her with her guard down. Kaoru didn't talk, he expected as much, not sure why she was so tired.
"I-I could not found any chocolate. No one wanted to… " Naruto stood in front of them, Sasuke briefly stiffened and glanced at him, slowly frowning as if daring to say something. Naruto was smiling slowly." You keep quiet! I don't want to hear "
"Pissed of to be a slave? So, she wins again Naruto countered.
"You want a fight!?"
"You're the one who's… waaaa" Sasuke was pushed forcefully to the ground. Kaoru had just fallen on top of him.
"That was close!" Naruto frowned and bent down.
"Did you have to do that idiot?" His scowl deepened, feeling a bit of pain in his chest. Only that his complaint was ignored, Naruto took his jacket and made a pillow, holding Kaoru as gently as possible she moved her to lean next to his fallen friend. Finally, free did Sasuke took his time to notice Naruto was silent.
"What do we do? She looks terrible" Sasuke asked,
"Not sure, I doubt she will wake up soon" As if to prove it Naruto tentatively touched her fingertips. Nothing. Sasuke took a better look at the bags in her eyes, the paleness in her skin. Black eyes scanning from the bottom to the top, he did found something weird.
"Do you remember if her mark was like this?" Sasuke touched the seal in her neck.
"I think not, it seems like a creepy eye in the moon or something" Uchiha Sasuke in moments like this questioned his own sanity at hanging around with an idiot like this. Despite his inner musings he did get the image of an eye, of course he won't tell Naruto that.
"She will be alright?" Naruto asked, poking her sleepy friend to get some kind of reaction.
"If you let her sleep…" Sasuke stopped him and continued to eat now that he was sure she wasn't sick.
"Sometimes it annoys me how stubborn Kao-chan can be with her things… " His blond companion confessed.
"If she doesn't want to tell us, we can't force her" Replied stoically, but he really wanted to know sometimes if her slight advantage had a secret. His curiosity might be stirred for his previous failures in ambush. Suspicion got worse after following one day Shisui and Itachi outside and get a glimpse of navy hair just next to them before he lost them.
"We can spy her!"
"I already did, bad idea" Sasuke admitted.
"Just because you don't have my talent! I'm the best shadow ninja"
"As if…" Sasuke retorted skeptical.
"Shut up! I will show you, next time she dumps us we charge."
And just like that once lunch time was up did Sasuke left Naruto in the roof just to annoy him.