Kakuzu's Treasure
Chapter 21: Taijutsu and Dodging
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Perspectives: Kakuzu, Snow, and Orochimaru
Kakuzu's Perspective
I gave Snow a day to recover. It amazed me how easily her body adjusted to the new demands of her training. Whatever clan she came from they were bred for this kind of profession. I got out of bed. Snow was still peacefully asleep. It was five in the morning and there was work to be done.
By the time I finished it was only seven in the morning. I looked behind me. She was still in a peaceful state. The bounty on her head was still a concern. I've already killed several hunters looking for her. The woman who placed the bounty on her head only thought of Snow as her inheritance. I left my desk and sat down beside her. I caressed her cheek. Her skin is so soft. Snow's eyes slowly opened and she smiled at me.
"Morning Kakuzu why are you up, so early?" asked Snow as she slowly got out of bed.
"I have to train you", I said.
"What's next?" asked Snow.
"Taijutsu and dodging", I said.
Snow took off her pajama shirt revealing white silky bra. When she took off her pants, I saw her underpants matched.
"Unfair", I said as I moved behind her.
I ran my hands down her sides.
"If you don't like the way I'm playing I can move back in with Konan or you could agree to my terms", said Snow.
I hugged her from behind. Snow didn't pull away.
"I won't kiss you", she said.
"You said nothing about this", I said as I massaged her soft round breasts.
She gave a small sigh.
"Or this", I said as I slid my finger underneath the fabric of her panties and started a teasing rhythm.
She bit her lip to hold back her moans. I turned her, so she faced me and gently pushed her onto the bed. Snow wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Stop teasing me, Kakuzu", said Snow.
"Then let me hear your pleasure", I said.
Snow gave me her best death glare. I found the glare extremely attractive anyone else would find it terrifying.
"Such an attractive glare", I whispered.
Her anger faded and a caring smile appeared on her face. My threads gently stroked her. Snow couldn't hold back any longer and let out a moan. I stopped my teasing rhythm and gave Snow rhythm she wanted.
"K-Kakuzu", said Snow as her climax.
After she dressed we went to our training ground. She's determined and I'm losing my will to deny her what she wants. I missed the feel of her soft sweet lips on mine. She tugged on my cloak's sleeve pulling me out of my thought.
"Taijutsu is physical attacks. The strength depends on the user's physical strength, which is gained by training", I said.
"Um, Kakuzu if you haven't noticed I don't exactly have much muscle", said Snow.
She was a skinny little thing, but that didn't mean she couldn't pack a punch.
"Yes, we'll have to build up your strength, stamina, and
Snow was intimidated. She is a great student and has seemingly endless determination, but lacks self-confidence. Snow has the potential to be great.
"We will first work on your speed and stamina first. We will be running to the edge of the woods and back here", I said.
She didn't complain about having to run. She actually seemed happy that she would get the chance. It was about ten miles there and two miles back.
"What?" Snow asked.
"I'm surprised this exercise doesn't bother you", I said.
Snow's Perspective
"Running comes naturally to me. The wind against my face was the only taste of freedom I knew. After being caught so many times I lost the urge to run. Now I don't feel like I ever have to run again", I said.
"And why is that?" asked Kakuzu.
"I've where I belong", I said.
The outlines of a smile appeared on his mask. He took off again. His pace was slow so I wouldn't lose track of him. He stopped when we reached the edge of the forest.
"Your speed is impressive for someone with such little training", said Kakuzu.
"It didn't feel like I was going that fast. I must have seemed slow to you", I said.
"In time you'll be able to keep up with me", said Kaku
I sat and caught my breath. Kakuzu sat beside me.
"How did gain such speed?" asked Kakuzu.
It was an honest question, but the answer forced me to look into the past. I'll tell him.
"When I was young an brave I'd flee from Master. I'd go as far as my feet would take me. But his guards would always find me and the punishment was always harsh. Soon running was no longer worth the slight taste of freedom it granted me", I said.
"Snow, did you want death when you were with your master?" Kakuzu asked.
"Yes", I said.
I couldn't believe that not, so long ago I craved death. Now I want to enjoy my life with my new family. I don't want to be the cowardly girl who wanted to escape life.
"When I found you, Snow you were at death's door. A few more days then you would have died", said Kakuzu.
I nodded.
"Is what Hidan said true?" he asked.
"Yes, but you must understand at that time I thought it was the only way I would ever have freedom", I said.
I pressed myself closer to him.
"Why did you crawl towards me when you bleeding out on the floor instead of giving up?" Kakuzu asked.
As the memory came back I felt a painful prickling sensation from my scars caused by Hidan's scythe. My scars were faded and healed. Why are they hurting? I got caught in a flashback.
Snow's Flashback
The blades pierced through my chest making it almost impossible to breathe. I prayed death would come soon. Blood formed a large puddled around me. It stained my skin and hair. How much longer do I have left. Footsteps came toward me. I was too weak to raise my head to see who it was.
A callused hand gently moved my hair away from my face. I can't recall the last time I felt such gentle touch. It was the man with red and green eyes. His touch warmed me. I heard more people approaching. A cold laugh made me shiver. It belonged to a pale slender man. He smiled at me. His long tongue slid out of his mouth and licked the blood off my chin.
The pale man's tongue returned to his mouth and he said, "Hello my sweet I'm looking forward to seeing you on my lab table soon", he said.
I was a slave and now I'm a lab rat, which one will be worse. The pale man touched my face. I hated it. I only want the man with the Christmas eyes to touch me. I forced myself to swat away the pale man's hand.
"The poor girl", said a blue-haired woman as she gently touched my face.
When she touched me, I felt the same feeling as when the man with Christmas eyes had touched me. I liked it better when he touched me, though. I finally recognized the feeling it's safety. The silver-haired man was pacing.
"Will you stop that, Hidan?" asked the man with the Christmas eyes.
"I want my scythe its been stuck in that bitch for too long!" he said.
The man with the silver hair approached me. The pale man tried stopping him, but the silver-haired man pushed past him. The man with the silver hair ripped his scythe out of me. My blood spattered on the people closest to me.
"You could have killed the girl!" yelled the blue-haired woman.
"I didn't kill her she's still breathing", said Hidan.
I don't want to scream, so I bit my lip to hold back my scream. I felt my lip bleeding from me biting it, so hard. I can't hold back any longer I screamed out at the top of my lungs.
Someone asked, "Will someone mind explaining to me why there's a dying girl on the floor of our hideout?"
The man who asked the question had red hair and weird looking gray eyes. The man with Christmas eyes explained how I got there. My eyes filled with tears, but I tried to hide them as the red-headed man approached me.
"What should we do with her?" asked Konan.
"She should die soon enough just leave her there she should be dead by morning", said red-headed man.
He's right I will be dead by morning. I looked up at the man with the Christmas eyes to try and ask him to help me in some way, but what could he do for me. I would forgive him if didn't help me. I let myself cry I didn't care if they knew about my talent.
The man with the Christmas eyes said, "Leader she's crying diamonds".
When the red-headed man heard that he came back over to me. I felt fear set in I knew my tears would change to emeralds.
"You might be useful to us after all", said the red-headed man.
"Orochimaru, Kakuzu heal the girl", said the man they called leader.
The pale man approached me. I used whatever strength I had to crawl away from him. I crawled towards the man with the Christmas eyes. I want to feel the safety he makes me feel.
"Orochimaru, leave the girl it's obvious she doesn't like you", said the blue-haired lady.
The man with the Christmas eyes came closer to me. He tried to pick me up as carefully as possible, but I still whimpered in pain as he picked me up.
"Looks like I might be able to help you after all", whispered the man with the Christmas eyes as he carried.
He wanted to help me, which made me happy. Being in his arms made me feel safe. I nuzzled my face into his chest and breathed in his scent. He smelled good. My vision went dark.
A pair of strong comforting arms wrapped around me and pulling me close. Pulling me out of the memory.
"Snow, come out of it", said Kakuzu.
"Sorry, Kakuzu I didn't mean to worry you", I said.
I was hazy and dizzy. When I tried getting up Kakuzu pulled me into his lap again. I didn't try again. The prickling sensation on my side finally settled. Kakuzu put his hand on my forehead.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Seeing if you have a fever", said Kakuzu.
"I'm fine", I said.
"Then why are you trembling?" asked Kakuzu.
I lifted my hand and saw he was right I was trembling. I looked up at him nervously.
"I don't understand", I said.
He sighed.
"Deep breaths it will stop", said Kakuzu.
He's worried. So am I. I don't understand what's going on with my own body.
"To answer your other question. The reason why I didn't give up was I thought I would be safe with you. For most of my life, I've never felt that. Even only the chance of having that was worth staying alive", I said.
"You're the first person to ever think that of me", said Kakuzu.
His voice held a sadness to him. Kakuzu hides his emotions well except for anger and greed. I've gotten better at reading the emotions he tries to keep hidden. Kakuzu was lost in his thoughts. I rested my head on his chest. His hearts were racing. He's worried about me. I don't want him to worry me. I took his hand and gently squeezed it to remind him I'm here. Kakuzu finally broke the silence.
"Do you still crave death?" asked Kakuzu.
I don't want him to have the fear of me killing myself burdening his mind.
"I don't", I said.
Kakuzu looked relieved. Master did horrible things to me my whole life, but he managed to do one good thing for me.
"I'm happy I didn't escape Master", I said.
"Why?" he asked.
"If I escaped Master I would have never met you", I said.
My face grew warm. Kakuzu seemed stunned at what I said. He was caught in a thought again. Does he not know how much I care for him?
"Kakuzu, are you okay?" I asked.
He nodded. Kakuzu offered me his hand and helped me up. He kissed me on the forehead. He caressed my face.
"Let get back to training", said Kakuzu.
We ran back to the training ground.
Kakuzu's Perspective
I'm worried about her. Physically she's healthy. Mentally, I can't be sure of what states she's in. I reviewed her symptom in my head. Trembling, flashbacks, bad reactions to sound. It lines up with all the symptoms of PTSD. I have to treat it truly grabs a hold her. If this affects her in battle or during a mission it could very well kill her. We finished our run. Snow sensed something was bothering me. I have to distract her before she catches on.
"Next we are going to work on your dodging and hiding", I said.
"How?" Snow asked.
"I'll give you ten seconds to hide and if I can find where you are hiding I will throw a kunai at you. But you cannot leave the forest", I said.
I counted down from ten when I finished Snow vanished. I have to report this to Pain. There was a snap from behind a tree.
"You'll have to do better than that", I said as I threw a kunai in her direction.
Snow's Perspective
The blade grazed through my hair and lodged in the tree. I pulled it from the wood and threw it at him. There soft clink as he deflected it with ease. I hid in a nearby bush.
"You're talented, but there vast room for improvement", said Kakuzu.
I moved to another hiding place. This training went on for hours, but it felt more like a game to me and I was enjoying myself. I heard Kakuzu moving closer to where I use to be hiding. I saw him smiled when he saw I wasn't hiding there.
"Found you", said Kakuzu.
He surprised me and caused me to almost fall out of the tree where I was hidden. Something is bothering him. What could it be? Did I do something to annoy him?
"Kakuzu, did I do something to annoy you?" I asked.
"No, why do you ask?" he said.
"Well, ever since my flashback you've been attacking oddly. So, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing Snow", said Kakuzu.
"I don't believe you", I said.
He didn't meet my gaze.
"You shouldn't question your sensei", said Kakuzu.
"I was talking to my boyfriend not my sensei", I said.
He paused.
"I'm fine Snow. There's a lot on my mind that's all", said Kakuzu.
I wouldn't get any more out of him. The walk to the hideout was quiet. I held his hand trying to offer him some comfort. A week went by swiftly. In this time Kakuzu has intensified my training. He wasn't going easy on me. I never expected him to. Now my leg weight was a total of one hundred pounds, which was a few pounds lighter than I was.
Kakuzu's Perspective
Snow has improved greatly since I first started training her in taijutsu. Her skills were coming along quickly. I watched Snow brawl with my shadow clones. My focus wasn't on her. I can't put it off much longer. I have to tell Pain about Snow's PTSD. Her frequent night terrors only mean it's growing worse. I can't risk her getting hurt because of this mental problem.
Kakuzu's Flash Back
Snow's screaming forced me from my sleep. The hideout was empty except for Hidan so no one came rushing to the door. I tried waking her, but she responded by attacking. Her strike only missed by inches. I rolled out of bed before diamond blades sliced through it. The mattress and pillows were shredded. Feathers were scattered everywhere. Snow was out of bed and now hiding underneath my desk. I lifted the desk and she spooked. She threw the desk at me. It missed and shattered against the wall.
"I won't go back to Master!" screamed Snow.
She ran to the corner to try and find some sort of comfort. Emerald tears fell from her eyes. She's scared. She should feel safe when she's with me. I have to approach in another way. I have to calm her before she hurts herself or me. Snow's body is in full flight or fight mode. She twitched nervously as if she were expecting an attack. I walked to her.
"Snow, it's alright", I said in my most calming voice.
"Kakuzu", said Snow.
I picked her up and put her in the bed. The bed was strong enough to hold our weight. I hugged her close to me and waited for morning to come. Snow calmed and I relaxed. Her peaceful state didn't last long. She fought my grip as she suffered through another nightmare. Snow scratched and bit my arms as she desperately trying to break free of my hold. She elbowed me hard in the ribs. Snow broke one of my ribs. I should have hardened my skin, but I know she wouldn't cause me any serious harm.
"Shhh, Snow it's alright", I said.
My voice didn't calm her. It is going a long night. It was six in the morning and I felt Snow waking up in my arms.
"What happened?" asked Snow.
"Do you remember anything from last night?" I asked.
"No, what happened", said Snow.
"You suffered through a horrible night terror. I held you through the night to stop you from harming yourself. This could have been much worse", I said.
Snow broke into tears. Emeralds and sapphires fell from her eyes.
"It's alright Snow", I said as ran my fingers through her hair.
She always seems to calm down when I ran my fingers through her hair. She stopped crying. There were emeralds and sapphires everywhere. I kissed her on the forehead.
"What happened to your arms?" asked Snow.
Shit, I didn't want her to see my arms. I know she will feel bad if she saw she hurt me. They were just scratches and didn't bother me. But I can't lie to her.
"You attacked me in your sleep", I said.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to", said Snow.
Snow was crying again. I didn't tell her about my broken rib that will only make her feel worse.
"Why did I do that?" Snow asked.
"You're ill", I said.
She was confused. How do I explain this?
"I feel fine", said Snow.
"Its a sickness of the mind", I said.
"I'M NOT CRAZY!" yelled Snow.
"I never said you were crazy, Snow. You have something called PTSD", I said.
"What does that stand for?" she asked.
"Post Tramautic Stress Disorder", I said.
"How'd I get it?" she asked.
"It's caused by traumatic events in life. And Snow you've had more than your fair share", I said.
"How do I get rid of it?" asked Snow.
"I wish it were that simple. This isn't something that can be fixed by taking a pill. It's something that's treated over time and there's no grantee it will ever go away", I said.
"Why me", said Snow.
"I don't know", I said.
I let her curl up against me and fall asleep.
I came out of the memory.
"Kakuzu",
"What?"
"I beat them", she said.
"That took thirty minutes you can do better. Again", I said.
She flipped me off. No doubt a gesture taught to her by Hidan. My shadow clones attacked again. My training is strict but she flourishes under it. I need her worn out. The more tired she is the less of a chance she'll have nightmares. I don't want her to undergo such suffering every night. I meeting with Pain tonight. She completed the task I gave her.
"Good Snow, that's enough for today", I said.
She smiled.
"The sun isn't even down yet", said Snow.
"We've been training since seven in the morning. You must rest", I said.
She nodded. We returned to the hideout. She joined Konan in the main room. Snow would be fine on her own.
"Where are you going?" asked Snow as she saw me walking away.
"I have to talk to Pain it shouldn't take long", I said before I left for Pain's office.
"Okay", said Snow.
I walked into his office.
"What did you want to talk about, Kakuzu?" asked Pain.
"Snow", I said.
"How's her training going?" asked Pain.
"Well but, I'm not here to discuss her training", I said.
"Then what?" asked Pain.
"Her mental health is what concerns me", I said.
"It isn't surprising considering how much she's undergone", said Pain.
"I believe she has PTSD. She has shown all the symptoms. The one of most concern is her flashbacks", I said.
"She relives the hellish memory", said Pain.
I nodded.
"It can occur at any time. If one is too powerful she may suffer a complete mental breakdown", I said.
"What's the treatment", said Pain.
"Nothing simple. It's time-consuming and may not even work", I said.
"Can you predict when this mental break will occur?" asked Pain.
"There's no way of telling", I said.
"Thank you for telling me", said Pain.
I nodded before leaving. As I walked out of his office I caught Orochimaru lurking outside. I glared at him. He must have been ease dropping on my conversation with Pain.
"So, Snow isn't as healthy as you've put on", said Orochimaru.
"Stay away from her", I warned.
Snow's Perspective
I showered. Kakuzu always makes a fuss, when I use up the hot water. He never did anything about it. I changed into my sleeping clothes. I sat on the bed and brushed my hair. What is taking Kakuzu, so long? I guess whatever they're talking about is important. I still haven't figured out what was bothering him. Kakuzu isn't the type slip up and accidentally give out information even in front of me.
I yawned. I will just have to let these questions be. I climbed into bed. I wanted to be tucked safely in his arms. The bed felt empty without Kakuzu in it. I couldn't sleep. Maybe I'll just peek into Pain's office to see how everything is going. I crept out of Kakuzu's bedroom and toward Pain's office.
"Little Bitch you should be in your cage", said the shadowed figure.
When the shadowed figure stepped into I saw it was Master. No, how can he be here? He's dead. I screamed and ran to exit. I have to run I have to get away from Master. I don't know the hand signs to get out of the hideout. I channeled chakra to my fist and charged at the boulder it shattered into a million little pieces. I ran as fast as could I had to keep running. I don't want to be caged up like an animal. I have to run!
Orochimaru's Perspective
I followed Kakuzu to Pain's office and heard them talk about Snow's mental problem. I could use her mental problems to my advantage. If I could get her to completely break down I could build her into a ninja that would a great host body for me. I wanted her kekkei genkai.
All I have to do is trigger her mental break down. All I have to is remind her of her former life. I performed a simple transformation jutsu that made me look like her master. I just had to wait for the right moment to scare her.
"Little Bitch you should be in your cage", I said.
Snow's face went pale when she saw me. She screamed at the top of her lungs and ran out of the hideout. That was too easy.
Kakuzu's Perspective
I was in my room working. It's getting late Snow should be coming up to my room soon. I heard Snow scream when came out of my room I saw the door to the hideout was in a million pieces.
"What happened?" I asked Konan.
"I don't know she seemed fine. Snow said she was getting tired and was going to your room. But something must have freaked her out", said Konan.
"I'm guessing this was the mental break you were talking about, Kakuzu", said Pain.
"Yes, it is. What could have triggered it", I said.
"What are you talking about?" asked Konan.
I told Konan and the rest of the group about Snow's PTSD.
"We have to find her", said Konan.