I ran back to Sasuke's house. I thought it'd be risky to try the front door, so I just slithered up the drainpipe and crawled into the open window. Sasuke rushed out of his room when he heard my thuds with shuriken in his hand.
"Ah, don't shoot!" I said, holding up my hands. "It's me. I was afraid of your fans being at your front door, so...window." Sasuke relaxed his muscles a little, but there was something troubling him. I could feel it in the atmosphere.
"I'm glad you're home." Sasuke said and went back into the bedroom. I tilted my head and followed him.
"Hey." I said, turning Sasuke around. I wrapped my arms around his neck and looked into his dark eyes. "What's wrong? Why are you so tense? You were so happy before I left. What happened?" Sasuke held my waist and sighed.
"I just worry about you." Sasuke said. He lifted his hand and tucked some hair behind my ear.
"Meaning?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Sasuke groaned quietly.
"Meaning...last night. How you got that." He said and pointed at my lip. "Guys can't control themselves around you and I can't keep my word to you about keeping you safe." I sighed and connected my forehead to his.
"I can handle myself." I whispered. "Last night...I was just caught off guard. It's not going to happen again."
"It better not." He said. "Or there will be a body count in Konoha." He swore.
"Hey...I like you." I reminded him. He laughed and pulled me in for a kiss.
I smiled throughout the kiss. Sasuke grabbed my thighs and pulled them up so I could wrap my legs around his waist. He carried me to the bed and sat on it while I ground my hips into his, feeling his body heat increase. I blushed as we kissed.
He moaned at my movements and I played with his tongue. I went to get a breath and Sasuke started to suck on my bottom lip, being sure to miss the bruised part. I moaned and he lightly bit me. I pulled away from him and smirked.
"Have I told you how hot you are?" I asked him, running my fingers through his hair. "If I haven't, you...are really hot." I chuckled and he smiled at me.
"I try." He smirked. I rolled my eyes and we started kissing again.
He laid back and I was on top of his chest, the way I like it. We explored each other's mouths and Sasuke ground into me as I did for him. I moaned for him and he chuckled. He was so amused at how easily he could get a reaction out of me.
"S-Stop being mean." I pouted when I came up for air. Sasuke smirked and rolled over so he was on top. He pinned my arms above my head and just watched me. He held both of my arms down with one hand and used the free one to gently caress my cheek.
"I like you." Sasuke said. I rolled my eyes as he smacked his mouth onto mine.
I whimpered as he hit my bruise, but it wasn't like I could do anything to stop him. He stuck his tongue in my mouth and I sucked on it like I did before. I generated a moan out of Sasuke and I smirked. I started to taste iron when I realized my lip was bleeding. Sasuke noticed too and lifted his head up. He had my blood on his lips.
"I-I'm so sorry!" He said as he basically jumped off of me. "Why can't I do anything right with you?" I sat up and touched my lip. It was tender and throbbing.
"It was an accident." I said. I didn't blame him in the slightest. "It's okay, really." Sasuke scoffed.
"You can't be so forgiving all the time." He muttered. I cocked an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?" I asked and he groaned as he went to the bathroom to wash my blood off his face. I followed after him- I needed to wash my mouth, too. When Sasuke turned around, his back to the sink, I stared at him.
"Hey." He said after a time. "You're still bleeding." I touched my lip and winced slightly.
"Alright." I said. He walked away as I swished water in my mouth. After a time of this, I spit out the pink water. I grabbed some toilet paper and dabbed the exterior of my lip dry of blood. When I was presentable again, I stepped out of the bathroom.
I groaned and picked up my pajamas from the floor. I stripped out of my clothes and put those on quickly. It was too early to actually go to bed, but I could have really used the sleep. I was emotionally exhausted, so I just slipped under the covers of Sasuke's bed. Sasuke pulled his shirt off and climbed in next to me. I curled up into his chest and Kage- who disappears randomly- leapt up on the bed and curled up at my feet.
"Night, Sasuke-kun." I said, closing my eyes. "Night, Kage-kun." Sasuke laughed weakly. I guess he was equally tired.
"Night." He kissed the top of my head and we drifted off to sleep.
...
I awoke in a daze. I could hardly remember where I was. It felt like my body was made of lead. I blinked until my vision became less hazy. I groaned and struggled to lift myself up and sit on the bed. I looked around me and saw I was alone. I didn't like the feeling. I stood up, wrapping Sasuke's blanket around my shoulders, and slowly walked out of the bedroom.
No one was in the living room either! What was going on? I started to panic in the slightest because Sasuke wouldn't just leave, would he? He's left before in the middle of the night, sure, but he came back.
"S-Sasuke-kun?" I asked in a whisper. "A-Are you home?" I tightened my grip on the blanket that cascaded around my shoulders. "Hello?"
"Ayame-chan?" It was Sasuke's voice, but I didn't know where he was.
I looked around the room frantically- turning around until I tripped on the blanket that snaked itself around my ankles. I fell to the ground with a weak grunt. I kicked the blanket off of me and turned around to see Sasuke standing before me. I threw my arms around his neck and he held me.
"It's fine, I'm here." He whispered and soothed me. I sobbed once gently and tightened my grip. "Shh, it's alright. Do you still want to visit Akio today?" I had almost forgotten. I pulled myself off of Sasuke and nodded.
"Yeah. I p-promised." My voice was shaky, so I cleared my throat. "I think I'll be okay." I said half-heartedly. Sasuke picked up my chin and held my gaze.
"Kami, you're beautiful." He said with a smile. I giggled softly and blushed. He kissed my forehead then held my hand as he walked me into the bedroom. "Go on and take a shower. I'll go pick up the ramen you promised for Akio."
"Alright, Sasuke-kun." I sighed. He picked up my chin and gently kissed me. When he pulled back, he looked into my eyes and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back at him. He was important to me, after all.
"I'll be back soon, okay?" He said and I nodded. He left and I went to take my shower.
I stood with the hot water on me for Kami knows how long. It just felt so relaxing and I had to ease my tense muscles. Throughout the night, I subconsciously came to the conclusion that I am terrified. Terrified that I can't do my job as a shinobi. Horrified that I can't even protect myself from everyday scum. And mortified that I've become so weak. I yelled quietly as I punched the wall of the bathroom after stepping out of the shower. I was so frustrated, but I needed to remember how to control my emotions like I used to.
Knowing that no one was home, I stepped out of the bathroom in only the towel I used to dry myself off with. I remembered that I had to feed Kage, so that's what I was doing. I scampered into the kitchen and thought happy things. I got out a bowl of food for my dog, but he didn't come. I looked around Sasuke's flat until I saw Kage leap through his open window. Where did he- How did he- What?
"What other talents do you have, boy?" I asked, scratching his ear and he yipped. He jumped up, placing his paws on my shoulders, and licked my face I giggled and gently pushed him off. "You're silly. Eat your food." He did as commanded and I went into the bedroom.
I grabbed a set of clothes, quickly put them on and began a hasty towel drying session on my hair. After that, I started to brush my hair on Sasuke's couch. Kage sat on my lap as Sasuke walked in. He grinned widely as he set down the paper bag he was carrying.
"Hey, what happened to your lip?" He asked. "It's all healed!" I touched my lip and it was no longer sore. What happened? I looked at the dog on my lap.
"I think I figured out what kind of ninja hound Kage-kun is." I smiled. "He's a medic nin inu. A medical ninja dog. You're cool, Kage-kun. Wanna meet my Onii-san?" He yipped in response. "Well, there we go. Let's go now."
Sasuke nodded and we headed out, being sure to take the ramen I promised. We made small talk on the way to the jailhouse and it was pleasant. I looked up and noticed the clouds were grey. I sighed, knowing it was going to rain. We approached the lobby of the jailhouse and walked right in because the guards were expecting us anyway. I walked to where I knew Akio was and where Kakashi should be, but the latter wasn't there. Akio was sitting in the room with closed eyes, but I knew he was awake.
"We should wait for Kakashi." Sasuke said. I shook my head.
"I'll be fine." I said, looking at my confined brother. "Plus, I'll bet he's starving. Come, Kage-kun." I said, gripping the paper bag. I opened the door and slowly entered the room, while Kage went right head.
"Onee-chan." Akio smiled at me. "You came back." I chuckled.
"I said I would, didn't I?" I reminded him. "I also brought ramen and my dog, Kage-kun. It's chicken flavored. The ramen, not my dog." Akio laughed and adjusted himself in his chair. His hands were bound, but he could still eat food.
"Thank you so much." He said and I handed him his ramen. Our fingers brushed against each other and I smiled.
"Sure thing." I said. I sat in the chair I used last time and open up my ramen container. I sighed as I captured some noodles with my chopsticks.
"So, Onee-chan..." Akio said, taking a brief break from his ramen. "When will I meet this boyfriend of yours?" I actually started choking.
"I-what!?" I squeaked. Akio smirked.
"I have to warn the bastard about breaking my baby sister's heart, right?" Akio said, sipping his broth. "Isn't that was good big brothers do?" Ah, my heart. He accepts me as his next of kin! Ah! This is great! I could tell he wasn't lying or being sarcastic or deceiving me, so I was overjoyed.
"Hey, I like that bastard!" I laughed. "Anyway, I'm not going to make him walk in here, but if he wants to, he can and will." I said, not actually expecting Sasuke to bust in.
"Sasuke's the name, right?" Akio asked and I nodded. "Right. I'll have to remember that." I snickered.
"What? Do you have a girlfriend, Onii-san?" I asked, pointing my chopsticks at him. "Any girl's kneecaps I need to be busting over harassing my big brother?" Akio laughed loudly.
"No way, Ayame, I'm a nomad." He said. "I usually don't stay in one place long enough to gain any relationships." I slurped up my noddles, thinking about what that meant.
"So, will you not stay here?" I asked, tilting my head. Akio shrugged.
"I haven't decided yet." He sighed. "I might, seeing as you're the only family I have and..."
"And?" I pressed. Akio looked me dead in the eyes.
"I need you." He said. "I need you to remind me that i have a home. A place I can go and...and be welcomed. Be needed. Be loved. I haven't had that in so long- I forget what it even feels like." I looked at him with concerned eyes and he dropped his gaze, staring into his food. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine." I said, smiling. "Really, you're going to have to make up for not being there for me, man." I laughed and he smiled. He knew I wasn't really angry with him and I finally understood him. Thunder boomed and I heard the raindrops pound on the roof. I sighed relaxingly.
"You want to know why you like the rain so much?" Akio asked with a mouthful of noodles. I shrugged. "Because you were born on the outskirts of Ame." I chewed with a raised eyebrow.
"Amegakure?" I asked incredulously. "The Village Hidden in the Rain? You're kidding." Akio raised his hand in mock defense.
"Don't believe me if you must, but you and me and mother and Haruko- we're all Ame babies." He said and I blinked. Amegakure? I'm pretty sure that place is supposed to be vicious. I don't mean sassy Hama vicious, I mean take-my-bread-and-I-will-cut-your-arm-off vicious. I gulped. "HM? What's the matter, Onee-chan? What, you're not upset that you're from the Village With Bloody Hands are you? Ah, that's not the legitimate name, but still."
"H-How long were you a nomad for?" I asked, changing the subject. Akio cleared his throat and sat back in his chair.
"Well, when Haruko died, I ran away." He said and sat his ramen on the floor. "Went from village to village, learning taijutsu and getting stronger to, well, kill you of course." He laughed at himself. "Man, why did I believe that guy? Don't get me wrong, I loved him- he raised me, but he was no saint. And he wasn't afraid to use force to discipline me either, let me tell you. He was almost always accompanied by a bottle of sake, too. He was an overall bastard."
And Kitai left. She left a little boy in the hands of, what, an ignorant, abusive drunkard? I was so upset at her. My life isn't more important than anyone's, why did she just leave her baby boy to fend for himself with a monster? How could she? It couldn't have been easy. I sighed and continued to eat.