I'm...not used to these 40+ reviews per chapter. I keep thinking I'm going to screw up and everyone's gonna leave my story...
In other news, HAHAHAHAHAHA. I have it! The first ever fanart, by ItsTrueIStalkYou. Omgomgomgomgomgomgomg. It's reeeeeeeeeally good, too. Check it out here (take out the spaces and replace the 0) http: (slashslash) paranoidgoldfish . tumblr.c0m/post/134040556021/i-tried-this-this-mitarashi-hotaru-from-the
Anyway. On to the reviews (gaiz, get accounts yo):
Jenn: Hotaru? Get a break? Oh no, dear, ain't nobody got time for that.
FanaticFanGirl: Hotaru's fairly careful. She still doesn't know what to use that favor for. Actually, she probably forgot all about it...
TheWick: Pfft, she's hated Konoha from the start. All villages suck.
Guest: ...Hmm. Right. I know these are suggestions, but they're very, how should I say, forceful. Telling me how I should have my story proceed does not particularly make me happy nor willing to acquiesce in any way whatsoever. Also, in respect to Genno, or whoever - this story is following the manga. Stuff that happened only in the anime, or that were not related to in the manga in any way, will not be covered here at all. Of course, there will be made up missions and whatever, but anything anime-related will not be in this story. I did not like the anime and have no intention to bring it into the fold. Sorry. In any case, this is not going to lead to a fourth war. No one's ready for that nonsense - not even Akatsuki.
There's a saying in Japan: the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. That's why Naruto's such a fuckin' pest man. He just sticks out, EVERYWHERE. No, sorry, sticking out and protesting won't get Hotaru anywhere but dead.
Song Bird: Not sure what to say to this one. Seems like you have an agenda against Konoha, which is cool. Cuz, who doesn't, at this point? I'm not sure how they supposedly have so many cards - they just seem to because they're the only village we ever heard about in detail.
ShugoYuuki123: He's hiding behind his chair. :)
Guest: YugitoxAnko, huh? That'd be pretty hot, actually.
"My days count down, yet here I still stand. I can think of nothing I would want more than the one I love in that fateful land. To which do I speak, to who do I speak of, I can no more say than the giant fire above, that sun I have always loved."
After being tricked into revealing information about my mentor, I fell into a deep depression that I just couldn't seem to shake, and, in a way, didn't want to shake. I wasn't sure if I was the one to blame for breaking down so easily and yielding to their demands, or if the other people were at fault for essentially giving me no place to turn. By interrogating me, they had basically strapped me down and told me that either I tell them information and make myself of some use, possibly securing my freedom and future, or blockading them at every turn, only to have a Yamanaka swoop right into my head, get the info anyway, and leave me seeming disloyal and uncooperative. Another way they could swing it though, was that by giving the information, that made me seem disloyal to someone who meant so much to me, and what was stopping me from bowing down and telling another about my village's secrets? Then again, had I not said anything, they might have seen that as a stupid decision on my part, and it very well might have been, but that would prove that my mouth would not open and spill undesirables anytime soon, no matter the confrontation or circumstance.
In other words, I had been screwed from the very get-go, and now I had nothing to show for it. I was imprisoned, sealed, and left to await a fate for a reason I couldn't really comprehend. Why had I been put into that situation if they were just intending to get rid of me anyway? Why allow me to come back at all? What was the point?
Being stuck without any kind of outlet or way of venting frustration, I retreated inward as a way to escape from the horrible reality. I passed time by staring at the wall opposite the end of my bed. I just...stared at it, my mind blanking as I tried to push away everything that had suddenly become a negative influence, or an enemy to my state of mind.
I think that Inoichi came in to check on me every now and then. I wasn't sure. Some medic probably came in to change my fluids and whatnot, but, I only somewhat knew this because I would look up and there would be new bedding, or a different colored tape strapping the IV down. I'm not sure how often this happened – it was rare that I believed there to be a need for me to pay attention to my surroundings. I was in a metal box with no chance of escape. There was no longer a point for me to care about what happened around me anymore.
At some point, I think my sister stopped coming, though I'm not sure if that was because I was so despondent, or because she had been sit back to the front lines. Some part of me hated knowing she was out there fighting with her life on the line, but I really didn't want to consider it. I wouldn't consider it. There was no point to thinking about anything else. At least the wall never let me down.
How long had I been here? Did I even eat anymore? When was the last time I did? What was the last thing I ate? Maybe I had a tube running directly to my stomach? Should I look?
No, what was the point? Even if I did someday get out of here, I would only be looked at as a flight risk, someone that needed to be watched over constantly without rest. Maybe if I just ended it all right here, that would make everything easier.
It was the first thought that had actually struck me as being of interest, and my gaze slowly turned to the machine beeping next to me. If I had chakra, I could rip it apart and use some of the shrapnel to pierce my skin and make a few dents, but then again, had I had chakra, I wouldn't be worrying about this in the first place. My eyes roamed down to my arm. I could stab myself with the needle instead, but unless I could accurately hit an artery, I would just be riddling my body with holes and the medics would cure me anyway. I felt my gaze turn back to the wall. Even trying to escape via suicide was pointless.
And yet, that was laughable, wasn't it? All these times that I'd nearly died, I'd never really once considered that I might, in fact, actually die. As in, the idea never came to light. Had I misstepped even the slightest, my death would have been assured. Had I not been so lucky, I would be six feet under right now. Had I not had people at my back, saving my neck, it would have been game over. So, now, when I was actually considering offing myself, that's when no one's around to help me out? That's when I have nothing going for me whatsoever? How fucked up is my life for that to actually be a thing?
Some people are just too stupid to die, and I was pretty stupid. Had I not been so stupid, maybe I could've foreseen this. Maybe I would've known that they were after information about Yugito, and maybe I could've played a different card, tried a different way to secure her safety while watching out for my own. Maybe if I'd...
My hands suddenly gripped the sheets tightly, a shudder passing through my body as I felt tears burn at my eyes.
No. No. I would not, could not, think about this. No, I wanted that safety net of nothingness, where nothing affected me and I noticed absolutely nothing around me. I wanted to be in a zone where nothing could hurt me, where I could hide away from my actions, from my mistakes. The worst part was though, that I was unsure whether they were truly mistakes or not. I still wasn't sure what I'd done wrong. What had I –
No, bad lucidity! Bad! Go away! It's not time to return to reality yet.
But, if I had tried...
No! I did try!
But, if I had been smarter...
How could I have known this would happen?
If I'd just known...
How could I have?
I raised my fist to my mouth, biting down as hard as I could, taking pleasure in the pain that came, stopping my tears and calming my trembling body. I released my fist, looking down at it as if it weren't actually attached to me whatsoever. I'd bitten hard enough to tear the skin, leaving rivulets of blood streaming down my hand. I let my hand fall back down to my lap as I gazed blankly at the wall in front of me.
If I'd been stronger, if I'd had more power, if I'd been better, wiser, smarter, then I could have done something. I tilted my head, cracking my neck irritably. Because I had none of the above, I'd landed in my current situation. If only I could have another chance to get the power I so desperately needed. I just wanted to get rid of one person – only one! – but the way I was now would make the task impossible. I gritted my teeth.
The struggle was real.
I felt myself jolt the moment I heard the warning beep indicating that the outer door was opening. My heart thumped hard in my chest, and I felt like I'd almost forgotten how it felt to feel, well, much of anything. I didn't have much reason for feeling these past however many days. I shook the adrenaline away, forcing myself to calm down as I curiously looked over at the door. It hadn't opened yet, which was odd. Ibiki and Inoichi were never the type to pull this kind of trick, but it might have been something new.
The door slammed open and it shocked me enough to fall out of the bed to the side, rolling back only to get tangled in the wires all over me. I struggled to get out of my precarious position, but realized I was only making it all worse. I froze when I heard footsteps walk over to where I was and my eyes locked onto a pair of burning dark-brown ones. I saw the person's mouth twist into a deep scowl.
"What are you waiting for? Get those wires off of her!"
I stared with disbelief at the old man in front of me who looked more like a raging rhino than the soft-spoken, wizened man that treated me so kindly years back. In fact, I couldn't believe the two were the same exact people. It was jarring.
Two medical ninja flashed to my side, each one gently, but quickly, taking off each wire and untangling me. One of them hooked his hands beneath my arms and pulled me to my feet.
"Erase the seals," the Hokage demanded. "Check her condition. How is she?"
"Malnourished," one medic-nin declared, tilting my chin up as she stared me straight in the eyes. "She's also suffered mental trauma and stress, most likely due to the interrogation dealt against her."
"Seals have been erased, sir!" the other medic stated. "Releasing tenketsu restraints!"
The veins around the medic's eyes bulged dramatically, and with a speed I couldn't follow, his fingers sped forward, striking all along my body. I winced as I felt like a fire had starting burning at each point he touched. He turned me around, hitting more points, picking up my feet and hands for an extra few. By the end, I felt as I was standing in a furnace, and I sighed as the warmth overtook my body. It was so noticeable that I couldn't prepare myself for the transition, my knees buckling as I almost slid to the floor. The man, a Hyuuga I suppose, righted me, making sure I was strong enough to stand on my own before letting me go again.
The Hokage looked down at me, and although I could see his anger, I knew it was in no way directed towards me.
"How do you feel now, Hotaru-kun?"
Like shit. "Tired, sir."
"That is to be expected," he replied with a nod. "Do not worry. I will be dealing with the person who put you in here."
I nodded wearily. God, receiving my chakra back was awesome, but it utterly exhausted me. I had grown so used to not having it, that getting it back was like a sugar rush and being high on caffeine, and maybe a few drugs, too, with the crash happening like, two seconds later.
The moment I dipped again, the Hyuuga guy scooped me up in his arms and I just kind of stared at the ceiling, feeling really retarded and dumb, and high. Something cold touched my forehead.
"She has a slight fever," I heard the woman say, "but nothing a little rest shouldn't fix."
"Good," came a disembodied voice. Oh, God, I was high. I was hi-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-igh. "Where's her sister?"
There was an awkward silence and I lolled my head up, took a look at the Hokage who seemed even angrier now than before, and then let my head fall again. I'd be embarrassed about this later. I was sure of it.
"...She was assigned a mission, sir. She's due to leave soon..."
"A mission? By whose authorization?" came the now icy disembodied voice.
"...Danzo-sama's, sir."
"Belay that order. In fact, I want every mission I have not personally assigned each person canceled, period. No one goes anywhere or does anything without running it by me first. I do not care what any member of the council says, my, word, is, law. Notify Mitarashi Anko to be in my office within the next ten minutes!" There was a pause. "And tell her to bring a change of clothes for her sibling. Now!"
There was a resounding chorus of yes's, and then all I heard was complete silence. I mumbled something unintelligibly before falling asleep.
When I woke up and remembered my high and my antic, all I could think was that there was probably no one else in the entire world who acted as dumb as I had in my moment of delusion and insanity.
My eyes opened to stare up into a set of caramel-brown eyes, widening when I recognized my sister. She smiled down at me when she noticed I was awake, her fingers sifting through my hair gently and relaxing me from my adrenaline rush.
"Is she awake?"
I jolted again, frowning as I pushed myself up on the couch my sister and I were on. I pulled my feet up onto the cushions, narrowing my eyes when I realized that I was, in fact, not in the metal room I'd grown so accustomed to. I looked at my sister, who continued to smile back at me, although that didn't hide her troubled expression whatsoever. I looked around at my surroundings, feeling that same detachment I'd had for so long come over me.
"The Hokage's office?" I inquired with a tinge of confusion. "I've been released? Does that mean my loyalty's been proven?"
I felt Anko wrap her hand around mine tightly. I looked up at her to see how tense she seemed, but she focused on the Hokage when he began to speak.
"There was never any doubt about your loyalty," the old man told us. "You performed admirably in a difficult situation. Things just happened to not go as we had originally intended for them to."
"Why was I locked up then?"
Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. "There was a...complication, so to speak. Normally, I would not think to divulge any of this information unto one as young as you, but considering the circumstances and the wrongs committed against you, I should think that it is your right to know what has taken place while you were incapacitated."
I gripped Anko's hand as tightly as she was holding mine, looking up at her for support. Her smile was tight, but still very much a smile. It was enough, although it didn't quite feel real. I looked back at the Hokage.
"As you are already well-aware," he began to explain, "we launched a strike against Kumogakure nearly two months ago."
Two months? I should've been distraught. I should've been filled with horror and disbelief. I wasn't. Not yet. Two months?
"I first went to Sunagakure to speak with the Kazekage about future plans for the war, and to enlist some of their medical experts, like Chiyo, as our bargaining to gain my own student's help was refused time and again by that point."
"Wait," I interrupted, my tone dull. "You said, 'by that point'. Does that mean that Tsunade's out there on the battlefield helping out right now?"
Instead of showing irritation or annoyance, the Hokage only smiled kindly at me. "You're well-read to know of her. But, yes, that's correct. I was forced to meet her in person, another reason I had to leave the village for an extended period of time. Jiraiya, my other student – perhaps you have heard of him, too? – lent his aid as well, and those two are the ones ultimately responsible for keeping the Hachibi entertained that first night."
Tsunade? Fighting together with her village? Now, I know damn well that she never wanted a thing to do with her past, so what the flying fuck did Sarutobi do to enlist her aid? And, what did that mean for the battle?
I shook those thoughts out of my head. "So, are we winning? Is the battle over?"
He frowned. "No. Our intention was never to 'win', so to speak. Kumogakure has one of the strongest military forces around, and it would take around three countries to properly hold them down for long. No, what we had intended was a blind strike – no warning, no understanding of what was to really come, no time to prepare for anything. We couldn't put forth our entire force, you see, because that would have left us open to incoming attacks from Iwa, if they were desperate enough, or Kiri, if they were bored enough. Kiri seems to be having some inner conflict, however, so their attention is focused inward.
"What we wanted to do was make a point. The fact that they were so surprised and left off kilter was proof enough that we had accomplished what we'd hoped to. It took quite some planning, but we managed that much."
I must have seemed somewhat confused by his words because he explained further:
"We focused on the element of surprise, and on taking them down where it really hurt. It is no secret that the Raikage is quite fond of his brother. Focus on the Hachibi, take him out of the equation, and the Raikage will either pull back or rush forward, as tends to be his nature. With the explosions throughout his village, though, they were forced to pull back their forces so that they did not lose too much. Honestly speaking, we hardly took much of a chunk out of their military strength, but that was never the plan."
"I get it," I murmured, the fog lifting some as I thought quickly. "It's like dropping a hornet in the middle of a bunch of bees. The hornet is going to take out a good bit of them because none of them were prepared for the visitor, but given enough time, the bees would regroup and finish off their enemy without any particular issues. It's the chaos that made it seem like a bigger deal than it was."
He smiled again. "You catch on quickly. Now, are we winning? It's hard to say. We are currently at a crossroads. The Raikage has admitted to the Kumo Incident, and with all of our men standing off, we are at an impasse. If Konoha continues to fight, we will lose. Kumo is still shaken by everything that has occurred though, and are uncertain as to whether to push us into a corner or draw back to make certain that there are no surprises left."
The Hokage paused for a moment before asking, "Dare I ask how many bombs you planted?"
"A lot," I answered flatly.
"Hmm. They have quite some searching to do, then."
For the first time that day, Anko finally spoke.
"How do you foresee this ending, Hokage-sama?"
He shook his head. "It's far too early to say for sure, but we have called for a temporary truce. We are only waiting for Kumo's answer. I am of the opinion that the Raikage will agree, if only for now while they fix the cracks in their armor. A is a very prideful man, and not stupid in the least. The moment they were found in the wrong was the moment they realized that not only was their pride at stake, but their economy as well."
Anko shifted next to me. "No one will want to hire them out if they're afraid of that kind of deception."
"Konoha looks like the bigger man for calling for a truce, since we only attacked as a kind of 'self-defense'," I added.
Sarutobi chuckled. "Ah, if only things were so simple, child. Do not worry. We will solve this issue, regardless of the consequences."
A thought occurred to me. "Wait, what about Yugito? I mean, the Nibi? I was interrogated and forced to give up information about her..."
I saw his eyes darken, but he forced a smile to reassure me. "The Nibi disappeared not even a couple of weeks into the battle, so regardless of whatever information you may have given, it was of no use, I would say."
"Disappeared...?" I questioned, feeling confused. "What do you mean?"
"While the Hachibi continued to wreck havoc on our forces, measly though they may be, the Nibi just...vanished, as if she had never been there. I'm not certain if the Raikage called her back, if she defected, if she is erecting a different plan, or what the case may be."
That...was both wonderful to hear, and terrifying. On one hand, I was glad to hear that she wasn't hurt and that the council or Danzo, or whoever was pulling the strings, couldn't get their grimy hands on her. On the other hand, though, I was worried that she might have been stolen and that her dead carcass would pop up sometime later, with me never having had a chance to amend my actions against her.
I looked down at my lap. Where the hell had she gone, then? Was she okay?
Anko wrapped an arm around my shoulder, bringing me closer to her. I rested against her, letting her warmth wash over me. I flicked my gaze back over to the Hokage when he cleared his throat.
"I was left under the impression that you and the Nibi grew rather close to one another."
My body tensed so much my muscles hurt, and I gave him my full attention. "...Yes, sir."
"She took care of you, did she?"
"Yes, sir."
"Despite knowing your identity?"
"...Yes, sir."
"Hmm, I see."
What the hell did that mean? I looked at him, trying to pick apart his ways of thinking, but I wasn't coming up with much of anything. I felt a stab of guilt strike me when I realized how it must've looked for me to become so close to the enemy, but I didn't regret. Hell no, I didn't regret it.
I stared at the Hokage defiantly. I wasn't going to make excuses for anything I'd done. It was their fault for forcing me into an impossible situation.
Sarutobi intertwined his fingers together, and looked at me seriously. "Which brings us to your recent predicament. Mitarashi Hotaru, stand before me."
I hesitated, unused to his authoritative tone. I barely noticed my sister stand up before she was pulling me to my feet and gently pushing me towards his desk. I walked the rest of the way under my own power, nervousness starting to flow over me as I realized he was about to decide my fate. Sarutobi frowned, his gaze contemplative and unyielding.
"Mitarashi Hotaru."
I found myself wondering what I was supposed to do before confusedly saying, "...Yes?"
"As of February fourth of last year, you were assigned an S-Rank, covert, long-term mission involving infiltration into Kumogakure under the guise of a child soldier incorporating herself within the ranks of the academy students for a seamless transition into life in a different country. Please give me your report."
Report? I never learned how to give reports. Uh...
"Where do I begin?" I asked, feeling out of my element.
"From the moment you received the mission, preferably."
That...was a long time ago. Right.
"From the moment I received the mission," I started, grimacing slightly as my despondency began to fade again, "I chose to first visit my sibling for an implied farewell before preparing for the mission itself. At 2100 hours, I infiltrated the Torture and Interrogation unit, taking care of my opposition with well-placed sleeping powder bombs. I then made my way to the two prisoners who had taken part in the Kumo Incident, freeing them and escorting them outside. We were met with resistance by a single shinobi, who was killed by one of the prisoners. I do not recall which. I believe we also killed another person on the way outside, and we made our way to the wall as explosions occurred to cover our movements. There, we ran into more Konoha ninja that we took down and I..."
I hesitated, not entirely proud of my actions. "I killed one of them."
Sarutobi nodded slowly. "You need not concern yourself with guilt. Those were not actually our ninjas, but were in fact prisoners under a strong genjutsu, made to believe they fought for our cause. Whoever you killed was due for execution soon enough. Calm your fears."
I felt my eyes widen incredibly, and I couldn't believe how much tension I felt leave my body upon hearing that. I felt...so much lighter to know I hadn't killed an ally. Even if we technically had been enemies at that point, a part of me just couldn't forgive myself for doing something so horrible, morally speaking.
I took in a shaky breath, not trusting myself to speak for a few moments. Then, I lifted my head and told the Hokage of my journey to Kumo alongside the idiot duo, my meeting with Kenichi, my infiltration into the city, about my fight that inevitably led me to meet Yugito, about Kenichi's death, my apprenticeship, my mission in Kiri, and everything else I could remember up until the moment I saw the Hokage walk through the door to my cell. By the time I finished, my throat was dry and I was struggling to keep a hold on m emotions all over again.
I really didn't want to feel this horrible again. Once had been enough. I thought I'd gotten over this...
"Understood," was all Sarutobi said at first. "An admirable report. Firstly, congratulations on completing your first mission successfully, regardless of the issues that cropped up along the way. Due to the nature of your mission and its sensitivity, I am hereby awarding you the rank of chuunin to demonstrate your increased ability in fighting and understanding the severity of what it is to be a kunoichi of Konohagakure. You will receive a payment equivalent to time and toil, and your vest will be given at a later time."
I stared at him with no small amount of shock. I wanted to turn around and look at my sister, but didn't dare.
"Secondly, regarding your imprisonment," the Hokage continued. "That was not on my order, but another's, and is my fault for leaving them in charge during my time of absence. For the immediate future, you are to take orders from no one but me until I can properly manage this situation in its entirety. Is there anything you would like to say on the matter?"
I looked down at the ground. "I was interrogated for my closeness to Yugito. Is it possible to withdraw that information?"
"I'm afraid that is impossible at this point," he answered slowly.
"Then, if ever it happened, if she were to want to switch loyalties, would it be possible to grant her asylum and amnesty, and to live as a Konoha shinobi?"
The man frowned. "That is a very difficult question to answer and would depend on quite a number of variables. I cannot give you a solid answer. I'm sorry."
Of course it would. Damn it. Fine, one last question.
"The person who called for my imprisonment and interrogation... Could you tell me who it was?"
I intentionally made my expression blank so that he wouldn't draw any conclusions from that alone. The Hokage let out a soft sigh.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you that."
I gritted my teeth. It was time to take another jump.
"Was it Danzo?"
At this, the Hokage's eyes widened and I felt my sister walk closer to me, her alarm obvious. The Hokage narrowed his eyes at me.
"How do you know that name?"
"I found out he was the person who had my contact killed," I admitted, feeling another rush of anger. "He did it to get me closer to Yugito, as if his entire goal all along was her or Killer Bee. I can only imagine that since she was the only thing I was asked about in my interrogation, that it might've had something to do with him."
Sarutobi looked somewhat irritated. "Yes, I see. Knowing this, what would you have be done about it?"
"This could happen again at any time," I said with absolute confidence. Danzo was a pain in my goddamned ass. "What's to stop him from doing it again?"
"What do you propose?"
Power. Power. Power. Lots of it. Something that would get me out of the normal ranks. Something that would essentially make every damn thing I did a secret. Somewhere where he could never touch me. Something that... I came to a full stop. It was perfect. That was the best way to get anywhere, and would grant me all of the training I could ever need. Plus, I was an infiltrator. Well, kind of. I could totally expand on that.
"ANBU," I said without hesitation.
Sarutobi's eyebrows raised, but Anko was at my side within a second. She put a hand on my shoulder, gripping it tightly enough to make me wince.
"With all due respect, Hokage-sama," Anko said, her tone clipped, "I would like to negate that possibility right now. Please, do not allow her to join the ANBU."
"What?" I asked, indignant. I slapped her hand off of my shoulder. "It's perfect. It gets me out of trouble –"
"And into a hell of a lot more!" Anko said, raising her voice slightly. "No, Hotaru, I won't allow that lifestyle for you. Never."
"How else am I going to protect myself?" I argued. "I need more training, and I don't have time to dillydally as a chuunin!"
She looked very annoyed as she faced me fully. "I said no, under no circumstances will I ever allow you into that program. End of discussion!"
"Not the end!" I countered. "What if I get kidnapped again, huh? What's going to happen then?"
"I will protect you!" she declared, looking adamant. "I will not let that happen again! Ever!"
"What about when you're out on missions? You can't be everywhere and do everything at once, Anko!"
"I will damn well try! I can't... I won't... I will not let anyone take you from me ever again! I will never allow anyone to hurt you like that, not again. I don't care how many missions I have to undertake to keep you safe, fed, and housed, but I will do everything possible to see that through!"
Her voice broke at the end and she looked away, her hands tightening into fists.
"I never," she whispered, "want to feel that way again... When I heard... When they told me that you..."
She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before facing me again. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Whatever it takes, no matter what the cost."
Seeing her look so heartbroken hurt me inside, but I couldn't let this opportunity pass. "But..."
"No," she firmly told me, not backing down.
"But!"
"No!"
I glared at her before looking at the Hokage for support. "Hokage-sama, can't you do anything?"
He looked somewhat uncomfortable. "There are other paths to strength, Hotaru-kun. You're still quite young. Perhaps you should take your time searching for what truly fits you."
That was it. My path to ANBU was officially blocked. I reeled back somewhat and turned to glare at my sister, who pointedly looked at the ground, away from me. I gritted my teeth, turning away from her. Now what? Sure, there were other paths, but they were absurdly slow and...
My eyes lifted slowly and I met the Hokage's gaze before looking back at my sister.
Well, there was one path that would accomplish my goals, but I would have to do it in a way that Anko would never find out... That no one would ever know...
I inwardly slapped myself.
Really? Really? Was I this fucking retarded?
I turned back to the Hokage and nodded slowly and surely.
"All right then. I'll find a different path – one that truly suits my needs."
And if Anko ever found out, I. Was. Fucked.
She is so fucked.
