Mu computer got fixed, finally, so I'm updating from the comfort of my room. (My photoshop got deleted tho, so we have to reinstall it, so no deviations for awhile) I'm still not feeling well, (I has a fever and major stomach ouchies and headache...) But I still decided to update of my own free will. Why? Because I love the thrill of getting to sit here and type the chapter. My stories become more then stories to me. Sometimes when I'm sitting here, describing how a character is acting, I find myself portraying their expressions with my own face. It may sound funny, but that's how into it I get. Plus it's exciting to see what's going to happen in the chapter. I know I'm the writer, but I feel like I'm a reader. I may have the basic plot for the story down, but I have such a wide imagination...I never know what I'm going to type next. It just sorta comes to me. It's fun and exhilarating to see what's going to happen next, and I can see that you guys think so as well. ^_^ Well, a lot of stuff happens in this chapter and it's pretty good if I do say so myself, so please enjoy the chapter!!!!
"Is Aki-chan okay?"
Inami glanced at Shuro, who had set up a fire and was treating an injury on Kishun's arm. They'd ran for about two ours before they felt safe enough to take a break. They'd found a little grove surrounded by trees where they set up their tents. Inami sat beside Asuka, her bangs hanging in her eyes.
"She's checking Nodoka-san's injuries," Inami mumbled, motioning at the tent furthest away from them.
Kishun scowled. "Psh."
"...What a day..." Shuro mumbled. "I'm worried about her...a person, no matter how strong, can only handle so much..."
Inami glanced at the tent, frowning.
Nodoka watched Aki as she tied some fresh bandages onto his arm. When he had woken up he was in the tent, and that guy, Asuka, explained what had happened. Aki was being completely silent as she looked over his wounds, her green eyes distant. He frowned and looked away, his eyes narrowed slightly.
He didn't know why he was allowing himself to be taken care of by these idiots....by the people that were supposed to be is enemies. Frowning, he looked at Aki again, who was still staring at nothing. Sighing, he asked; "What your deal?"
She ignored him.
His eye twitched and he looked away once again. "..." The silence was driving him crazy. He was more used to arguing with this loud mouth brat then just sitting in complete silence with her. "Why'd you turn down your family?" He asked.
She tugged very hard on his bandages.
"Ow!" He winced, glaring at her. "I just asked you a question, you little idiot!"
"No one asked you to ask me a question!" She snapped back, looking up with a flare in her eyes.
"I asked me to ask you a question!" He growled back.
"Well I don't care what you ask yourself to ask someone else, you brainless airhead!" She cried, grabbing a bandage and tossing it at him.
"..."
"..."
Nodoka raised his eyebrows.
Aki frowned at him and looked away, her eyes narrowed slightly. "Bastard," She grumbled. She finished dressing his arm then leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest and refusing to look at him.
Nodoka pulled his shirt back on before glancing at her. "Why don't you go back out there with your friends?"
"You ask too many questions for comfort," She mumbled. "I liked it better when you refused to talk to me at all."
"Hm," Nodoka shrugged.
Aki sighed and hugged her knees to her chest, her eyes lowered. "I don't know what to do," She whispered, making him look at her curiously. "The thought of actually having a family...any orphan would be jumping for joy if they were in my position, but..." She buried her face in her knees. "I hate shinobi! The thought about having a family that consists of shinobi is one that makes me sick to my stomach...and it's not just a thought, it's true..."
Nodoka remained silent.
"And Tou-san lied to me...people have just been lying to me my whole life! You herd what he said, didn't you!? Tenkataihei thought I'd be a benefit to them because I'm a Jewel...why do people think that they can just use me...?" She took a deep, shuttering breath. "I hate it...that's why I hate this world!"
"Then why do you continue to live in it?" Nodoka inquired quietly.
She looked up at him, her eyes burning. "Because I still have reasons to live, whether I like were I'm living or not! I want to make it to the land of ages when we find Genbu so I can prove to those idiots that the Jewels aren't their tools to use! Plus I still want to protect Inami, Shuro and Kishun!"
"...I'm surprised Seiyru isn't larger," He murmured.
"...Huh?"
"I told you, didn't I? The God's size and strength is determined by how much love a person has in their heart. You love all your friends...I can't believe Seiyru is still that small."
"I care about my friends," She corrected him. "Caring about a person and loving a person are two very different things."
"Do you love anyone?" He asked after a moment.
"Nope. You?"
"Nope."
They stared at each other for a moment before they both chuckled slightly.
"Wow," Aki wondered why, but she smiled at him. "I didn't think you knew how to laugh."
Nodoka quickly removed the smile from his face and shrugged simply. "I was laughing at that stupid look on your face."
"And what look is that?"
He shook his head.
"What are you going to do now?" Aki asked. "Are you going to go after your brother, or continue looking for the Jewel of Genbu? Or..."
"I don't know what I'm going to do, but it's got nothing to do with the Jewels anymore," He said, yawning.
She blinked. "What?"
"I'm on dead man's row now," He told her, his eyes closed. "In Kabuto-sama's eyes, I'm no longer his underling. I told the Hokage and your...father, all of Kabuto-sama's plans. I'm a traitor. He probably found out, and that's probably one of the reasons why Ryuu was there."
Aki's eyes widened. "Did they torture information out of you?" She whispered.
"No, I told them willingly."
"Why!?" She suddenly snapped, startling him. "If you knew doing so would mark you down as a traitor, then why'd you do it!?"
Nodoka frowned. He lifted his fist and tapped her forehead slightly with it. "Because," He said, his eyes narrowed. "Because of YOU. You're making me question my own motives...that's why I did it."
".....Question...your own motives...?" She murmured, placing her hand on the spot where he had tapped her.
"The way you always talk about your friends and how happy you look with you friends...you-" He fell silent.
She blinked.
"No...never mind," He waved his hand, brushing her away. "Forget about it. You'd better get back out there with your friends, okay? I'm sure that they wanna talk to you or something."
"...." Aki frowned slightly. "Am I strong enough yet?" She asked quietly.
"What?"
"You said when I was as strong as you, then we'd have a real battle," She narrowed her eyes. "Do you think I'm strong enough yet?"
"....Don't be impatient to have your ass kicked," He said, looking at the ground and closing her eyes.
Aki sighed. "The old Nodoka's back..."
He glared at her.
"Well, whatever..." She glanced at him and smiled slightly. "At least...thanks for listening, Nodoka. I was glad to get those things off my chest. You're....pretty easy to talk to, you know?"
He blinked.
"See yah in the morning," Aki smiled again before crawling out of the tent, closing its flaps behind her.
"...." Nodoka sighed and laid down, resting his hands behind his head. He stared up at the roof of the tent, his silver eyes narrowed. "I swear..." He whispered. "She just doesn't give up...does she?"
Asuka glanced around as Aki came out of Nodoka's tent, stretching. He got to his feet and opened his mouth but was immediately interrupted by a furious Kishun.
"Why were you in there for so long!?" Kishun snapped, leaping to his feet, holding his injured arm. "What were you two doing in there?"
Aki frowned, her eyes twitching. "We were talking, genius," She said darkly. "About what Nodoka's going to do now that he can't go back to Kabuto." At their confused looks, she explained. "He told The Hokage and...and the Kazekage everything he knew about Kabuto's plans, and now he can't go back. He's an outcast, and Kabuto's marked him down for death...apparently."
"That's terrible!" Said Inami, her eyes wide.
"No it's not!" Kishun corrected her. "It's a good thing!"
"How!?" Asked Shuro, her anger flaring.
"No one slap me, please!" Kishun said, facing the three angry girls and backing up to stand beside Asuka. "I just mean...since he's not working for Kabuto anymore, he'll stop trying to kill us! That's a good thing!"
"....I have the strangest feeling that's not what you were originally going to say," Aki said stiffly.
"...."
"Well, now that that's settled," Asuka smiled at them all. "I thought I should tell you....I'm heading out."
Aki glanced at him. "Where?"
"I have someone I need to meet up with," He shrugged. "Are you four going to continue your search for the Jewel of Genbu?"
"We don't have a choice, do we?" Aki said quietly. "It's not like we have anywhere else to go."
"What about that rebellion...the one those men were a part of with that guy...uh..." Shuro tapped her forehead, thinking. "Oh yeah, Okojo!"
"I dunno..." Aki crossed her arms over her chest. "Something about those guys just..." She frowned.
"But you agreed to speak to Okojo when they found him," Inami pointed out.
"...." Aki frowned. "Well...we can worry about that later. I think we need to find an INN or something to stay at for the time being. Staying in the forest is too risky right now, especially with that Ryuu guy stalking about."
"There's one down the road," Asuka pointed out, turning his back on them. He smiled and started to walk off. "I'm sure you'll find it very useful to your cause, Aki-chan. See you soon!" And once again, he vanished into the darkness.
"That guy still gives me the creeps..." Kishun said, placing his hands on his hips.
Aki stared in the direction that Asuka had pointed out, her eyes narrowed.
"WHAT!?"
Hinata stared at Temari and Kankuro, who were gawking at her, their jaws dangling towards the floor. She looked at her hands which were folded in her lap and nodded. "Aki's alive...." She whispered. "It's too bad you guys didn't notice all the ruckus until she'd already left."
"She's alive!? Kankuro whispered. "But...how is that even possible!?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Hinata looked out of the window, frowning.
"....Why didn't she stay?" Temari asked.
"She doesn't trust us," Hinata said very quietly, her eyes distant. "She doesn't seem to trust anyone, actually...except for the friends she was traveling with. She said it herself...she hates shinobi." Hinata looked at them, her face a picture of sadness. "She's the Jewel of Seiyru...and she said that she's tried of people treating her like a tool and using her just for her abilities."
Kankuro blinked. "That sounds like-"
"The Jinchurikki..." Hinata nodded. "Like Gaara and Naruto-kun..." She sighed. "But Aki...she doesn't know that Gaara understands that exact pain. And he was so shocked by finding out that she's alive, he didn't get a chance to explain."
"...." They were both silent.
"She would of attacked Gaara...I saw it in her eyes. She has the same instincts for fighting that he does..." She closed her eyes.
"...How are you doing, Hinata?" Temari inquired gently. "Are you...okay?"
"More relieved then anything!" Hinata said, looking up and smiling meekly at them. "Once most of the villagers had left, I just cried...I couldn't really hold it in anymore. Michiru did as well, and Gaara..."
"Gaara did?"
"Yes, but he walked away before anyone could see."
Temari and Kankuro glanced at each other.
"So...what do we do?" Temari asked.
Hinata glanced at her. "If Aki wants to come to Suna or Konoha...she's going to do it of her own free will. I can tell...that's the type of person she is. She makes her own rules. For now, we have to do whatever we can to hold back the fact that the leaders of the lands want to kill the Jewels."
"So basically we're fighting for Aki, even though she doesn't know it?" Kankuro simplified her words with a confused expression.
"Sort of," Hinata got to her feet and walked over to the open window. A breeze swept in and tossed her long, shimmering hair about. "I haven't been in Aki's life for twelve years...I haven't been in ANYONE'S like for twelve years. I need to make up for that time and do whatever I can to protect my precious people."
"Hinata..."
"I've already talked to Naruto-kun about it," Hinata said, her eyes narrowing with determination. "Konoha and Suna are fighting on the side of the Jewels now. We will do everything in our power to help them complete their own mission, whatever it may be. Sasuke-kun already scent messages to Rei-kun and Akume-san to ask for their support."
"Okay!" Temari clenched her fist and grinned. "Konoha and Suna are rebelling! Sweet!"
"Yes," Hinata smiled. "We need to start making our own choices now...instead of doing what the elders in the Land of Ages tell us to do."
Kankuro nodded, smiling.
Hinata smiled at her brother and sister-in-law and looked back out the window.
Shikaru narrowed his eyes, hearing the entire conversation for outside of the door. Nodding, he turned and hurried outside to where he found his friends waiting. Suzuku, Suzuka and Tsuke.
"Well?" Tsuke said, her blue eyes expectant.
"That WAS Aki...you were right, Tsuke," Shikaru said, nodding. "My cousin...I thought she was dead."
"I told you," Tsuke smiled triumphantly. "Suzuka knew also! Right?"
Suzuka frowned but nodded.
Suzuku fidgeted slightly. "Uh...Shikaru? What was this plan of yours again?"
"Obviously," Shikaru frowned. "We need to go and find Aki and help her with whatever she's doing. No doubt that Naruto-san and Gaara-oji will start sending people out to help her, so why not us?"
"B-but," Suzuku glanced at his sister. "But Shikaru-kun, we're only gennin! There's nothing we can do on our own...especially without a jounin sensei! M-maybe we should go ask for permission before we do anything rash-"
"You know they'll never let us help," Shikaru snapped, his green eyes narrowed. "Aki's my cousin, whether she knows who I am or not!"
"And she's a Jewel, like me!" Tsuke said, placing a hand over her heart. "I HAVE to help her! All four Jewels are supposed to go to the Land of Ages together, remember?"
"A-and where does that leave us?"
Suzuka looked at her twin. "If anything, Suzuku...we're the only two that can protect these bumbling morons."
"HEY!"
"...I still don't think it's a good idea," Suzuku mumbled.
"You're such a pessimist," Shikaru said with a small, 'tch'. "...You're right though...we can't really do this with just the four of us..." He thought for a moment, before his green eyes began to sparkle.
"Uh-oh...I know that look..." Tsuke said, blinking.
"Suzuka," Shikaru turned to her. "Go find Kohaku and explain everything to him! I know of two more people we can ask to help out. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a latter to write!" He turned and took off towards the hawk tower.
"....Who's he mean?" Tsuke as Suzuka as she started off towards Kohaku's house.
"Who knows," Suzuka shrugged but smiled. "But...at least things are finally getting interesting."
Ayatsuri stared out of the village gate, blinking her large, dark green eyes dolefully.
"What are you doing?" Urin approached her, her arms crossed over her chest.
Ayatsuri glanced at her teammate, shrugged, then looked back out of the gate. The dessert was as empty as ever...she frowned.
"...." Urin frowned. "Are you thinking about Shikaru?"
"Where is he?" Ayatsuri mumbled. "He's never been away from home this long. Plus he left without saying anything....so did Yuki-oneechan and Suzuku-kun...That's not like them."
Urin gave her a narrow look. "That's probably because they didn't WANT to tell anyone. You can't expect Shikaru-kun and Yuki-san to tell you everything just because they're your cousins. And you barely even know Suzuku-kun."
Auatsuri tossed her an annoyed glare. "My dad hasn't come back yet either! Kaa-san is getting worried."
"Your father's an experienced jounin, and the Kazekage's brother. I'm sure he's fine."
"But I have a bad feeling..." Ayatsuri placed a hand over her stomach. "A really bad feeling that something big is going to happen."
"Something big as in...?"
She shrugged.
"How vague..." Urin brushed her gray hair out of her eyes and sighed. "...Ayatsuri, you worry too much. You need to learn how to take a chill pill. Life isn't completely about being a shinobi, you know. You can have fun sometimes."
"We're in the middle of a war, Urin-san," Ayatsuri murmured. "We can't take any risks by being too relaxed. Who knows when we'll have to spring into action and fight for this world that's being destroyed and corrupted...Who knows when one of our friends will be in danger. We have to be constantly prepared, or we might loose someone precious..."
Mmmmmm, I liked writing this chapter. :3 Aki and Nodoka are actually starting to become....friends!? I dunno...you can read that part of the chapter and view it in whatever way you want. You can think they're starting to trust each other, Nodoka's becoming a good guy, they like each other...whatever way you see it as. I'm not really sure, even though I'm the one who wrote it. XD You see, nothing's set in stone. I have some characters set to die, but they might not. I have characters set to live, and they might not. I have characters set to end up together, but....they might not. :3 I'm evil tormenting you guys like that. -insert evil Lelouch laugh here- So more Hinata, because I giggle at your reviews about her...some Temari and Kankuro...Shikaru and the other kids wanna go find Aki and help her, (Except for Suzuku) Who are the two people that Shikaru is going to contact? Guh...I'm tired,....I need to go drink some tea and take a nap...I might update tomorrow. Depends on how I'm feeling. _....So yeah. Next chapter Yuki and Okojo come back into the picture, so look forward to it. ^_^