My puter's still broken...TT_TT But man....lots of pressure to finish this chapter, HUH GAIS!!?!?? It doesn't help that I'm not feeling good, but I am SOOOOO nice, that I got out of bed and am gonna fix up this chapter for you. I'm watching Code Geass online while working...Lelouch's evil laugh makes me crack up no matter how many times I hear it...Anooo...this weekend my friends and I are gonna do a Rurouni Kenshin photoshoot at the ZOO. It's gonne be fun. I'm Kenshin, my bff is Kaoru, my boyfriend is Sano (D:) and my cousin is Yahiko. My mum is coming along as the photographer, and my dad is coming just to come. The ZOO actually has some good ares for photos, like in the forests and near the river. I wanna get a pic inside of the butterfly house, because that'd be really cool...We plan on going to the Dolphin show, and who knows. Maybe we'll get called up there. :D I'm gonna try to ride a horse in my Kenshin outfit, and my Kaoru wants to ride a llama...wtf they don't LET you ride Llamas at the ZOO, do they...? 0_o....Anyway, our ZOO here in Indy has a small rolocoaster, so we're all gonna go on that. XDDD I can't wait to go see the wild dogs. I'll point at one and be like, "OMFG IT'S THE WORLD OF MIBU!!!!" I wanna scare people... )-0_0-( They put in this new exibit where you can reach into a small tank and pet da sharks....LOL this is gonna be so much fun...well, enougn of my stupid AN rambling. READ THIS LONG CHAPTA!!!
Konoha was in complete silence. All of the villagers had stopped what they were doing and were simply watching the scene that was unfolding before them. Aki stood not too far behind Kishun, Inami and Shuro, her round eyes on Gaara and Hinata. Nodoka stood to the side of Gaara, his eyes switching between the Kazekage and Aki. Asuka was standing on one foot behind Michiru, who was looking back and fourth between his parents and Aki. Naruto and Tsuke stood to the side, watching with matching shocked expressions.
The awkward silence that had settled over them all was driving Aki insane. She felt all eyes on her as she stood there, just staring at them, looking like an idiot. She blinked a few times before she scratched her head, took a deep breath and whirled around, jabbing her pointer finger in Nodoka's direction. "W-what are you doing here!?" She asked shakily, trying to draw attention away from her.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that any of your business?" He asked, his voice cold.
"...." She frowned and then turned to Asuka. "And you-"
"Aki-chan," He shook his head. "I'm not the one you should be speaking with right now..."
"...." She frowned uncomfortably and searched for someone else to take their eyes away from her. "Ts-Tsuke..." It still didn't work. "N....No...?" She blushed slightly and looked around at her friends, begging with her eyes for support.
Kishun shrugged, his mouth hanging open. Inami was watching Nodoka while Shuro looked utterly confused. She smiled meekly and looked back at Aki. "Uh, you're on your own for this one...sorry..."
"...Gah," Aki glared at them. "I hate you guys..."
Michiru smiled at her. "Aki-san," He motioned towards her.
She sighed and walked up to him, her eyes flickering from Gaara to Hinata. She stopped short, her breath catching in her throat. "Heh," she looked at the ground. "Oh man...this is too wierd for comfort."
Michiru placed his hand on her shoulder and looked at Gaara. "Otousan," He said, very calmly, though his eyes betrayed his excitement. "This is Aki-san. She's a member of Tenkataihei...I met her thanks to her friend, Shuro," He frowned slightly, then glanced at Hinata. "I think that she's....our Aki."
Gaara simply continued to stare at him.
"I-I mean..." Michiru motioned at her hair and eyes. "She looks....just like Okaasan, and she has your eyes, Otousan...plus her name is Aki, and she's the Jewel of Seiyru..." He shrugged. "It's...it just can't be a simple coincidence."
"Bu..." Gaara blinked before looking down at Aki. Green met green, and instinctively, both took a step backwards.
Aki's eyes were narrowed with slight distrust. This was...the Kazekage. A leader of the people she hated most in the world. Her enemy.
Gaara's head was spinning with questions. A member of Tenkataihei...was supposed to be his enemy! Besides, Aki was...
"Okaasan...what do you think?" All eyes turned to Hinata as Michiru spoke.
She was standing there, staring at Aki with the same shocked expression she had first taken on the moment the girl stepped foot in the village. She paused before walking forward to stand in front of Aki. She knelt down before her and studied her closely.
There was silence for a long time as their eyes met.
"...." Hinata looked down and pulled a flash bomb out of her bag. She smiled at Aki and gently took the girl's hand, before placing the flash bomb within it.
"...? What's she doing?" Kishun whispered.
Inami shrugged.
Aki blinked, looked down at the flash bomb, then at Hinata. "Wha?"
"Does it sturr up any memories?" Hinata whispered.
"...." Aki looked down at the bomb, her eyes narrowed very slightly. "It...seems a little...tad bit familiar...but..."
"Hinata-" Gaara looked at his wife, blinking in surprise. "Hinata, you don't actually think that-"
"Are you blind?"
Half of the stares in the village turned to Nodoka, who had stuffed his hands in his pockets and was glaring at Gaara. "You seriously don't believe it? Then I'll verify it for you," He cleared his throat. "Twelve years ago," He said coolly, all eyes on him now. "I was in the labyrinth with Kabuto-sama. I was four-years-old when he brought in another baby. A baby with violet hair and bright green eyes named Aki, the Jewel of Seiyru."
Silence met his words.
Aki stared at Nodoka, her eyes wide.
"But the labyrinth collapsed on her! How-!?" Gaara looked utterly confused and helpless, his eyes wide, sweat forming on his brow. He met Hinata's eyes and she frowned slightly.
"Gaara-san?" Gaara looked around to see Fuuhaizu walking up to him, a question in his eyes. "Gaara-san, I-"
"T-Tou-san!" Gasped Aki.
"Fuuhaizu-san!" Kishun said, shocked.
"Eh?" Fuuhaizu looked over Gaara's shoulder and saw the two of them. "A-Aki!" His eyes widened. "What are you doing here!?" He hurried past the others and up to her, ignoring Hinata. "No, never mind that...I'm just glad you're okay! I've been so worried about you-"
"...Fuuhaizu-san?"
He froze. Very slowly, he turned around to face Gaara, who was staring at him, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Aki frowned and stepped in front of her foster father. "Leave him alone!" She said defiantly, staring into Gaara's eyes. "He's my foster father! He raised me in Tenkataihei!"
Hinata straightened up and approached Fuuhaizu. She stared him down until he swallowed uncomfortably. "Who are you to raise someone else's child, without their consent?" She whispered, her eyes distant and hurt.
"...." Fuuhaizu stared at her for a long time, before he snapped. He let out a sound that was like a yelp mixed with a sob and dropped to his knees, placing his forehead on the ground. "I'm sorry!" He cried, making Aki jump slightly. "Gaara-san and Hinata-san...and you, Aki...I am so sorry! My superiors also decided not to tell Aki...or tell the two of you for that matter! W-we thought if we could Raise Aki in Tenkataihei, she could be a large benefit to us because of her powers! We never thought...that she would actually meet you two!"
Now even Nodoka took on a look of surprise.
"Then...Tou-san..." Aki blinked and looked up. "Those two...are really-"
"You parents...yeah..." Fuuhaizu closed his eyes tightly.
Gaara took a step back in utter disbelief, and Naruto had to grab his arm to hold his steady. "Oh my God..."
Tears quickly came to Hinata's eyes. She leaned forward and pulled Aki into a tight hug, not saying anything.
Michiru smiled, holding back the urge to cry himself. She's alive...his little sister...
"H-hang on..." Aki gently pushed Hinata away, turning to look at Fuuhaizu, who was staring at the ground. "You mean that...all these years, you've been lying to me!? Like when I was nine and I asked you who my real parents were...you said you had no idea!"
"I did it to protect you..." He whispered, not meeting her burning gaze. "You already hated shinobi...I didn't want to confuse you as to where your loyalties lied-"
"Loyalties lied!?" Aki scoffed. She laughed, shaking her head. "I'm not sure of ANYTHING anymore! Suddenly I find out that my blood family is full of shinobi, people I hate! I find out, t-that you, the one person I trusted most in the world lied to me-....I don't feel the need to be loyal to EITHER party!" She quickly brushed her eyes, but her rage still burned. "No, I'm tied of people keeping secrets from me! In my mind, I don't have a family with either Tenkataihei OR shinobi!"
She turned on her heel and marched back to Shuro, Inami and Kishun, who were staring at her in disbelief. "Let's go, you guys," She said darkly.
"W...wait-!" Gaara pulled away from Naruto and hurried forward towards Aki-
"SEIYRU!" The dragon appeared in a flash of blue and Gaara skid to a halt, Seiyru fluttering between him and Aki. The dragon screeched, raising her wings threateningly.
"Stay away from me!" Aki snarled, her whole body quivering.
"Just listen to me," Gaara said. His voice was shaking, surprising his friends. "....For the past twelve years, we thought you were dead. We did everything in our power to find you, to save you...Our friend gave up his LIFE trying to save you! You don't understand the lengths to which all of our friends went just to save you from Kabuto! And they were all shinobi...We tried so hard...and thinking you were dead tore us up inside! Hinata's been in a living coma ever since we lost you!" He stared at her, his green eyes reflecting her own.
"And now...finding out that you're alive..." He shook his head. "Is the most wonderful...confusing feeling in the world...Aki..." He looked up at her, frowning slightly. "So just give us a chance. You don't have to view us as Shinobi...the fact is, we share blood and-"
"You think I care about that?" She asked, clenching her fists. "I've made more of a family with these three here then I would ever make with you...you..." She shook her head, unable to find a proper word to describe her hatred for shinobi.
"Aki..." Gaara stared at her.
"Shinobi....Tenkataihei...the two of you are the same, aren't you? You want to use the Jewels..." She glanced at Nodoka, who had a blank expression on his face. Then at Tsuke, who looked confused and scared. "We are not weapons, and we will not be used!"
"You're misunderstanding!" Gaara told her, his anger flaring slightly. He understood entirely how she felt. The pain of being lied to, the pain of being used because of something you have no control over...oh, he definitely understood. "You're our daughter...my daughter! When we still had you with us...you'd be shocked silly if you saw how happy you were."
"I don't care about the," She said quietly. "I care about now."
"Aki?"
Hinata walked up to them and stood beside Gaara, smiling warmly, her tear filled eyes gentle and full of love.
Aki blinked in surprise, slightly taken aback.
"You're free in this world, Aki...you're allowed to choose whatever path you want," Hinata smiled weakly. "Live for the benefit of yourself and your friends."
Gaara looked at his wife in shock. "But Hinata-!"
"Just knowing that she's alive should be enough for us, for the time being, Gaara..." Hinata whispered, looking at him and smiling. "We've thought that for twelve years, she was dead...and now we know that she's not."
"...." Gaara frowned.
"And at least, thank of us as allies!" Naruto put in. "Because, you know, I'm your god father! Yup, and I'm also Tsuke's dad!"
Aki blinked and glanced at Tsuke, who shrugged.
Inami stayed behind Aki, her blue eyes narrowed slightly.
"..." Michiru sighed and walked forward. "I really wish you'd stay and accept us..." Michiru said quietly, staring at Aki. "Because...we really love you. We always have, even when we thought you were dead."
Aki felt a pang in her chest, but hid it with a scowl.
"But, your choice is you own," Michiru said simply, shrugging. "But always understand...you have a family here that loves you and is always prepared to accept you back with open arms. Well, not here actually. In Suna...that's where we live." He smiled.
"...." Aki remained silent.
"Well, that was fun!" Asuka said, yawning as he walked forward and stood beside Aki. He smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Gonna continue your search for Genbu now, Aki-chan?"
She pushed his hand away, glaring at him. She paused, before looking back at Gaara, Hinata, and Michiru. "I'm still...going to look at myself as an orphan," She told them boldly. "And nothing will change that..."
"Aki, are you sure?" Kishun whispered, grabbing her shoulder. "I mean...I'm fine with you staying with us, but completely rejecting your family..."
"I know how to make my own choices, Kishun," Aki said stiffly. "I can't change my feelings about something just because I'm related to that something. In current days, what does blood matter?" She looked at her real parents and frowned. "It's spilled everyday...people share it and they don't even know it. How will it help me to have blood ties? Exactly, it won't. People leave their family all the time, so how is this any different?" She shook her head. "I've never had the slightest interest in knowing who my real family is...and now, even though I do, I still don't care."
"So that's it then?" Nodoka stepped forward, brushing aside his black bangs. "You're just going to turn down their family like their an advertisement?"
"And what would you care!?" Aki snapped, her eyes narrowing once again. "You're someone you doesn't care about anyone but yourself! Who are you to talk!?"
Nodoka glared at her.
She glared back.
"Let's go, you guys," Aki said, turning back to her friends and heading for the gate.
Nodoka shook his head and was about to go his own way-...His eyes widened and he ran forward. "MOVE!" He lunged, tackling Aki and Inami to the ground. Right where the girls had been standing a bright white light exploded. When it vanished, it left a huge crater in the ground.
"What the-!?" Gaara took a step back, pulling Hinata and Michiru behind him.
"Ugh-" Aki coughed and looked up to see Nodoka. "You-"
Inami turned beat red at realizing Nodoka was on top of her.
"Get up," Nodoka pulled the two girls to their feet, rubbing his injured arm.
"What WAS that!?" Naruto asked, above the screaming of the panicked villagers.
"Aki, Inami, are you okay?" Kishun asked, running forward and purposely ramming Nodoka's shoulder.
Shuro ran up as well and stopped beside her cousin, frowning at him.
"Everyone, get out of here!" Naruto shouted at the villagers. "Take shelter!" He hurried up to Gaara. "Hey, we need to get more shinobi out here! The village might be under attack again!"
"I want nothing to do with you shinobi."
They all looked up to see someone standing atop the Konoha gate, but their face was blocked out by the sun. "Who are you!?" Naeruto shouted. "Why are you attacking my village!?"
"I am simply here to eliminate the Jewels of Seiyru ands Byakko," The figure said. "And take the Jewel of Suzaku back home."
Aki looked at Nodoka who narrowed his eyes.
Tsuke swallowed and stood closer to her father, while Asuka yawned, bored.
The figure leaped down from the gate, slid down a roof below it and then landed on the solid ground before them all. It was a boy, maybe in his early twenties. He had long, midnight hair that fell a bit past his shoulders and was tied into a small ponytail. The rest of his hair fell gracefully across the left side of his face and beneath his dark bangs glowed two, silvery blue eyes.
Aki blinked, recognizing those eyes from somewhere, and looked at Nodoka then the new boy...then she did a double take.
Nodoka's eyes were stretched wide. Since she was standing close to him, Aki could feel him shaking. He looked absolutely furious, and Aki knew it was only a matter of time before he summoned Suzaku. But...she looked back at the new man. Who was this guy...?
"Happy to see me again, Nodoka?" The man asked, grinning and tossing his bangs gently.
"Ryuu!" Nodoka said through clenched teeth.
...Ryuu?
"Kabuto-sama wanted me to bring you home, so come along calmly, okay?" Ryuu said, smiling kindly.
"Who's that?" Naruto whispered to Gaara, stepping in front of Tsuke and watching the man carefully. Gaara shrugged and glanced at Hinata and Michiru behind him.
"No way..." Shuro's eyes widened. She looked at Aki, Inami and Kishun, who all looked confused. "That's Ryuusuke...well, we call him Ryuu. He's Nodoka's older brother."
"Older brother?" Kishun blinked.
"They do look alike..." Asuka mused.
"Will you guys just shut up?" Nodoka snapped. His head whipped around and leaped back in time to dodge another white blast.
"You shouldn't be so rude, little brother," Ryuu said, his hand glowing a faint shade of white.
Michiru recignized the technique. "Taoism!" He gasped. "Otousan, Naruto-san, that guy's a taoist!"
"Yeah..."
Fuuhaizu had been pulled to his feet by Gaara, who quickly shoved the other redhead into the crowd behind them. Fuuhaizu may have lied to him, and Aki...but he'd actually become friends with the member of Tenkataihei...and he never put friends in danger.
Nodoka narrowed his eyes. "Suzaku!" The bird appeared in a flash. "Get out of here, Ryuu!" Nodoka snarled.
"Don't be so mean!" Ryuu said, making a mock baby face. "I haven't seen you in YEARS, little brother! Show at least a little happiness at seeing your Onii-chan again!"
"I'll show a little bit of happiness when your ass is buried in the dirt!" Nodoka snarled. He pushed off from the ground, running at Ryuu with Suzaku beside him. He leaped into the air and swung around with a powerful kick.
Ryuu dodged it as though it was nothing and swung out his own leg. He caught Nodoka right in the stomach and scent him flying backwards.
Nodoka slammed to the ground, wincing.
He wasn't down for long, however. He immediately sprang back to his feet and ran at Ryuu again, but the result was the same. He fell back again, wincing as he felt pain shoot up his still healing arm.
"Now..." Ryuu smiled and vanished.
"Where'd he go!?" Asked Kishun, looking around.
"AAH!" Aki let out a yelp of surprise as an arm clutched her around the neck. She winced and looked around just enough to see Ryuu smirking.
"I could break your neck right here, you know that, right?" Ryuu said kindly, smiling at her. "Kabuto-sama did tell me to kill the Jewel of Seiyru and the Jewel of Byakko..."
"Tsuke," Naruto grabbed her hand and kept her close behind him.
"Let go of her!" Michiru raced out from behind Gaara and darted towards Ryuu. He slapped a hand to the ground and black sand sprung fourth from all around him. He weaved in and out of his own attack until he reached Ryuu and Aki.
"You think that's going to work?" Ryuu raised his free hand which began to glow white once more.
Michiru pulled up a shield that absorbed most of the blow but the force of the blast still scent him flying. He rammed into a building, coughing as blood spilled out of his lips.
"Michiru!" Hinata clenched Gaara's sleeve before hurrying over to her son.
"Let me go!" Aki snapped, struggling with Ryuu.
"Hm..." Ryuu smiled at her, his eyebrows raised. "I don't know why Kabuto-sama would want to kill such a pretty face..."
"AAAAH!" Kishun ran forward and lashed out to punch Ryuu, but the obviously skilled taoiost dodged as if Kishun was nothing but a bothersome fly.
"You're friends are really pathetic, little brother," Ryuu said, continuing to dodge Kishun's punches.
Nodoka sat up, his eyes narrowed. "They're not my friends."
"Oh, alright then!" Ryuu chuckled. "Then you won't mind if I get rid of this nuisance." He lashed out with his free arm and as quick as lightning slammed a white blast towards Kishun.
Gaara acted quickly, raising his sand and lashing out. His shield caught most of the attack, but Kishun was still flung off his feet. The blond flew backwards and collided with Nodoka, knocking him off his feet once again.
Shuro grabbed Inami and forced her to retreat into the woods right outside of the gates. She knew that they wouldn't be able to beat Ryuu...he was way too powerful. Ryuu had been trained personally in taoism by Kabuto. Nodoka WOULD of been just as powerful, but for some reason, he had refused to take on the art of taoism.
Aki frowned, thinking fast. Sher glanced at Kishun and Nodoka, who were struggling to sit up. Shuro and Inai were hiding...good. At least they'd be safe. Michiru had been knocked unconscious, and more shinobi were running towards them.
She bit her lower lip, and an idea popped into her head. She took a deep breath before slamming her foot onto Ryuu's.
"Ah-" He winced and his grip on her loosened for a moment.
"ASUKA!" Aki called, her eyes wide.
The mysterious boy finally sprang into action. He leaped over from where he was standing and, moving gently like water, grabbed Aki and hauled her away from Ryuu. She stumbled a bit, but Asuka caught her in his arms and pulled her back to safety.
"Thanks..." Aki smiled at him and he returned the smile. "Now...let's get out of here." She glanced at Gaara and Hinata, who were watching her, before turning. "Seiyru!"
The small dragon that had been distracting Ryuu along with Suzaku squeaked and glided over to Aki.
Aki and Asuka ran over to Nodoka and Kishun. With a grunt, Aki hauled Kishun to his feet and the two of them took of towards the forest. "Asuka," She called over her shoulder. "Get Nodoka, and hurry!"
Asuka nodded and grabbed Nodoka who was hovering between being awake and unconsciousness. He pulled his arm over his shoulder and hurried after Aki. "Tsuke-chan," He called over his shoulder. "Be safe!" He vanished into the trees with the others.
"Those little-" Ryuu turned to hurry after them-
"Do everything you can to make sure those kids escape!" Naruto called to the shinobi around him.
Ryuu frowned in frustration as about twenty shinobi, and even some villagers, ran at him furiously.
"Tch..." He looked over at Tsuke and smirked. "I'll get you soon," He told her coolly, before he leaped onto a nearby roof. "Long live Kabuto-sama!" He called over Konoha. "And forever allow Taoism to reign!" He closed his eyes, murmured a few words, and vanished.
Gaara stood there, utterly stunned and speechless.
"Why'd you let Aki and the others leave!" Fuuhaizu asked wildly, shoving past Naruto and grabbing Gaara's collar. "That man is out to kill Aki! And you just let her go!?"
"She'd be no safer here," Naruto said, pushing Fuuhaizu away from Gaara, his blue eyes narrowed. He paused and then glanced at Gaara, who was staring into the distance. "Gaara...are you okay?"
Gaara looked up, his eyes narrowed. "Oh, what do you think!?" He snapped. "I just found out that my daughter is alive after twelve years of thinking she's dead, and she wants nothing to do eith me!" He brushed his hair out of his eyes, turned, and walked off, his shoulder shaking slightly.
"...." Hinata watched him go. A medical ninja had came and was tending to Michiru, who'd woken up, still dazed.
Naruto sighed, scratching his neck.
"I'll talk to him, Naruto-kun..." Hinata said quietly.
He glanced at her. "Are YOU okay, Hinata?"
She blinked and looked at the ground. "Of course I'm not..." she whispered, but smiled all the same. "But I'm a lot better then I have been...knowing that she's alive."
Naruto smiled meekly. He turned to Tsuke and grabbed her shoudler. "We need to get you home...I think it's time we have a little talk."
Tsuke frowned but nodded.
"Sasuke..." Naruto said quietly. The Uchiha, in his ANBU uniform, leaped down from a nearby roof. "See that everything gets taken care of here," Naruto instructed. "And double the guards around the gates."
"Got it," Sasuke nodded and walked over to some jounin.
Hinata nodded to Naruto before turning to Michiru. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yeah..." He rubbed the back of his head, wincing. "...I'm sorry, Okaasan. I thought...things would go differently if I brought her here."
"No, it's okay," Hinata knelt down and smiled at him. "I don't blame her. She just discovered that people she hates are her parents and because of us, her friends got hurt...But I'm just glad she's okay."
Michiru smiled. "You're acting like you old self again, Okaasan." He observed.
"Mm..." Hinata sighed. "Seeing that Aki's really alive...brought me back to reality I guess. And that boy Nodoka..." She fell silent.
Michiru blinked and then looked off in the direction that Gaara had gone. "...Is Otousan okay?" He inquired.
"I don't know..." Hinata frowned and shook her head. "But...let's leave him alone for a bit. Once in a while, even the strongest people just need to cry alone."
THERE YOU GO YOU IMPATIENT READERS YOU!
Not the emotional family reunion you expected now, was it? :3 Aki doesn't really care....well, she obviously does but she's not letting it show. Looks like good 'ol Hina's back to normal, so that's a plus. Gaara....is on his montly thingy. *brick'd* The whole time I lol'd at Nodoka cuz for the first half of the chapter he's just standing there like, 'duuuuurh' so are Kishun, Inami, Shuro and half the other people. XD OMG did you forget that Fuuhaizu was there? XD The only way Gaara'd believe it was if someone close to him said it...-point point- Aki gets huggled, Aki decides she doesn't want anything to do with then, Ryuu attacks-....
OMG RYUU ATTACKED!!! Lol Nodoka, Michiru and Kishun got pwnd...And the Aki Team is right out the door...again. Gaara goes off on his own and good old Hinata is back, Michiru notices...and if you were wondering about Gaara';s shoulders shaking and what Hinata said at the end of the chapter..YES Gaara was crying...he just didn't show it because he's too macho macho....XD Well, like I said I'm not feeling good, so I'm gonna go now. Next chapter will be mainly the Aki Team + Nodoka and Asuka...and maybe someone else...I dunno.....NEXT CHAPTER, AKI REVEALS HER TRUE FEELINGS AT DISCOVERING HER REAL PARENTS AND NODOKA EATS A FREAKIN COOKIE!!! (not really :P)lol