This chapter does not include any episodes, and is an original mission.
Naruto sat down with a loud sigh. "Man, I'm tired!" I smiled at him, the warm fire that I started in front of us burning. I sat next to Shikamaru who was laying down and looking up at the stars. Kiba was sitting next to Naruto, taking off his jacket and placing it on the ground for Akamaru to lay on. Ami and Angel were rummaging through their bags when Ami spoke.
"Here, dinner." She said, pulling out a bunch of Bento Boxes. Angel did the same as well, and they both started handing them out.
"Fuck yes!" Aoi yelled, opening hers and digging right in. I smiled, Ami stopping and handing me two; one for Shika and the other for me.
"Thank you Ami." I bowed my head respectfully, placing one on Shikamaru's chest. He tilted his head at me with a raised eyebrow before taking it and sitting up.
"Alright! Thanks Ami-sensei!" Naruto shouted, digging right in.
"You're welcome." Ami responded with a smile, sitting back down next to Angel who was eating hers slowly, unlike Aoi.
"Angel and Ami-sensei's cooking is godlike." Aoi said with her mouth full, slowing down a bit. I opened my bento box, and slowly started eating it, Shikamaru doing the same. Wow, this was really good!
"Don't talk with your mouth full, please." Sango said seriously, scolding Aoi. I smiled down at my bento box, before looking up at Ami.
"This is soooo good..." I spoke, making sure not to talk with my mouth full like Aoi.
"Thank you. Angel helped me too though." She said, her face having a slight shade of pink on it.
"My mom is cute." Angel said, teasing her mom.
"Thank's Angel!" Naruto shouted, a wide grin on his face. I nodded as well.
"Thank you."
"Her cooking is better than my chef's at home!" The Prince's voice suddenly said, him beaming at Ami. I turned and looked at him in surprise. When did he get here? He was literally just with his caravan. Damn he's quiet.
"Thank you." Shikamaru spoke. I turned my head towards Kiba, looking at him expectantly, but he said nothing, eating the food with a stubborn look. What's his deal?
"You're welcome." Angel replied. I turned back towards her to see her smiling brightly and continuing to eat my dinner. We all sat in silence for a little bit longer as we ate, the food going quickly due to us being hungry from our long trip. When I was almost done with my box, Aoi let out a loud yawn. I looked over to see her bento box empty.
"I'm going to sleep now." She said, placing the box on the ground.
"That was quick..." Sango said, raising her eyebrow at the Zorro. I giggled, turning and seeing Kiba snoring loudly, but Shikamaru was wide awake, Naruto looking at the fire. I knew he was thinking about Sasuke. I felt my face falter a bit, looking at him. It hadn't been long since Sasuke left, and I knew just how guilty Naruto felt about it. While he and Shikamaru's team had helped save me, they failed to retrieve Sasuke. All that mattered though was that everyone on the team survived.
"Well, I'm going to sleep too." Sango voice said, breaking me out of my thoughts. I looked to see her hopping up on a tree branch above us.
"Me too." Angel hopped up on the same tree before I heard her voice. "Move overrrr." She whined.
"Good night beautiful ladies! Feel free to join me in my carriage." The Prince said seductively, making me internally gag. I turned away from him as he walked back towards his caravan, looking back at the fire. I could feel someone's eyes on me, staring me down, but I didn't want to say anything, choosing to instead keep staring into the fire. However, I looked over to see Shikamaru put his bento box down, finally finishing it and yawn, stretching his arms over his head and making me smile. He was absolutely adorable at this moment.
"Tess, how did you use magic?" Ami's voice suddenly asked seriously, startling me. I swallowed the lump in my throat, still staring at Shikamaru. He didn't say anything, but looked at me. He seemed like he was curious too, but would never ask, probably because he knew where this was going. Naruto though, ugh.
"It's soooo cool, huh? She does this awesome thing she can make us invisible, and she holds out her hand and-"
"Naruto!" I snapped, making him stop.
"Huh?" He looked at me confused.
"It's alright, you can trust me." Ami said, looking at me with kindness in her eyes.
"It's not about trust." I said, looking away. The memory of how I got my power flashed in my mind again, making me visibly wince. "It's about..its about where it came from." I said, looking at her with sad eyes. I hated this, I hated feeling like a traitor because of my time with Orochimaru.
"It doesn't matter where you come from...and.." Ami trailed off, clearly wanting to add something, but hesitating. I only shook my head.
"You dont understand.." I looked at Shikamaru and Naruto hesitantly. "You dont know what i've done. The things that have happened.." I looked up at her. "But thats what you get when you have parents that dont want you, right?" I spoke bitterly. I laughed humorlessly, shaking my head. "Orochimaru showed me that a long time ago.." Ever since I could remember, Orochimaru had told me that he found me as a baby in the forest of the Land of Sound. No one had been there, and it was like someone left me. How sad is that?
"She's not the only one.." Naruto mumbled, making me look at him. "We're both in that boat I guess.." Naruto said sadly. I forgot about that. Naruto's parents were nowhere to be seen, but nobody seemed to know what happened to them either. Ami glanced at Naruto sadly, then looking back at me.
"Tess...you're from the Leaf Village though." She said seriously. "You were kidnapped as a baby." My head snapped up at her, looking at her in disbelief.
"W-What?" I shook my head at her. "No, you're lying.." I said, tears filling my eyes and standing up. "I was dumped in the forest in the Land of Sound, you're lying!" I shouted, feeling my chest heat up in anger. Ami shook her head again.
"I looked for you night and day, but I couldn't find you." She said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm not lying. I was pregnant with Angel at the time, and I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry." She apologized, tears now falling down her cheeks. I shook my head, looking at her, the tears falling down my face.
"What are you saying..?" I asked, my voice wavering. Naruto and Shikamaru were deadly quiet now, watching carefully. She has to be lying. I'm not from the Leaf Village, no matter how much I wanted to be.
"I'm your godmother." She said, burying her face in her hands, soft sobs leaving her chest. I stared at her in disbelief, not sure what to say. She was my godmother?
"Why should I believe you?" I asked, whispering. I felt frustration fill me, and I couldn't help myself. "Tell me, why the hell should I believe you?!" I shouted, my voice rising.
"I knew your mother." She replied, looking back up at me. "You look exactly like her." She said, looking me dead in the eyes. I felt myself shaking, though I couldn't place whether it was anxiety, anger, or fear.
"Okay, okay, then if you knew her, what was her name?" I asked desperately. I wanted to believe her, I so desperately did. But I needed a name.
"Her name was Kushina." She said softly. "Here," She reached up and pulled a necklace out from under her flak jacket. Pulling it over her head, she looked at me seriously, tears still staining her cheeks, and held it out to me. "It's a picture of your mom and I." She said. I shakily took the necklace, staring down at it like it was poison. I bit my lip and opened it slowly. There was a picture of Ami in it, standing next to a woman with red hair. The EXACT same hair as mine. Her eyes were a beautiful ocean blue, and she had a huge grin on her face, her and Ami standing close to each other. I gasped and put my hand over my mouth, falling to my knees. I could feel my body wrack with sobs, my hair falling down over my face. It was true. I knew it was true now.
"I'm so sorry Tessa that I didn't tell you sooner." Ami said, her voice cracking and fresh tears falling down her face. I could hear Naruto crawl over to me and wrap his arms around my neck, comforting me. I moved one arm up, wrapping it around Naruto and pressing the top of my head to his jaw. After all this time. After all this pain. My moms name was Kushina.
"What about my dad?" I asked her, looking up at her. She looked at me for a moment before shaking her head.
"I didn't know him." She said sadly. I looked back down, looking at the photo again. After a moment, I laughed through my sobs, turning to look at Shikamaru.
"Your dad was right, I do look like her." I said. He gave a small smile at me, nodding and moving to come sit by me. Ami's sobs stopped, and she looked at me, sending a comforting smile.
"You really do. She also had a short temper." She added, chuckling lightly. Naruto burst out laughing at this, pulling away from me.
"You should've seen her the first day we got put on a squad!" I laughed as well, recalling the memory and wiping the tears from my face. Shikamaru said nothing, clearly trying to give me some time and space for this moment. I held the necklace out back to Ami, who took it back, putting it back on but not putting it under the flak jacket.
"Was Shikaku high or something when he told you?" Ami asked, tilting her head the slightest bit. Shikamaru and I exchanged looks before I laughed.
"He was really drunk the night before the Chunin Exams." Shika said lazily. "Mom made me go find him."
"He probably remembered when Kushina got drunk on his wedding day." Ami smiled. "I had to drag her drunk ass home." She added, shaking her head.
"What?" Shikamaru asked in disbelief.
"No way." I laughed wiping my eyes. Ami nodded, then smiled.
"Also Tess, you have a twin brother." I looked at her with wide eyes.
"I have a brother? A twin brother? But I've never seen anyone that looks relatively close like me.." I said, looking at her confused. I noticed Naruto's mood drop beside me. I know it must hurt to discover that instead of me being an orphan like him, I have a family. My heart breaks for him.
"Well, you two are fraternal twins." Ami replied.
"Oh, i guess that makes more sense." I nodded, looking up at her hopefully. "Do you know who he is?"
"Welll...he's actually sitting right next to you." She said, her head turning to Naruto. My head snapped over to him, who's head snapped up and over to me.
"What?" We asked at the same time. Shikamaru sighed lightly.
"Great, now there's two of them." He smirked, making me smirk back at him.
"You two being brother and sister is the reason I quit the ANBU. The Hokage wouldn't let me raise the both of you." She said, looking at us sadly. "I basically threw my ANBU mask at him and told him to eat my shit. Needless to say, I was demoted to Jonin." She said, a smirk on her face. Naruto and I looked at her in amazement. She quit the anbu because of us? Or I guess Naruto, since I was taken. The Third Hokage never seemed like that... Naruto and I suddenly looked at each other, both of us grinning.
"Who's older?" We both asked, leaning forward eagerly.
"Naruto is." Ami said laughing. "By a minute."
"Ha!" Naruto yelled triumphantly, throwing his arms up in the air victoriously. I crossed my arms huffing and pouting at him.
"No fair!" I said.
"Naruto was the biggest baby I had ever seen." Ami said, laughing. I also broke into a laugh at this, Naruto having anime tears fall down his face. "It feels so great to finally get this off my chest. The Third forbid me from saying anything." Ami said bitterly. I stood up and jumped at Ami, wrapping my arms around her neck tightly. She was our godmother. Our godmother. I felt her wrap her arms around me tightly. "I wanted to hold you again for so long Tessa." She said softly into my hair. "I love you both so much." She said, her head lifting, probably to look at Naruto as well. I didn't say it back, mainly just because well...I didn't know Ami. But I was excited to get to know her and Angel so much better. Shikamaru groaned.
"I can't believe Naruto is your brother." Naruto laughed for a moment, but stopped.
"Wait, are you dating my little sister?!" He asked protectively.
"Naruto!" I shouted, my face bright red, pulling away from Ami.
"How cute." She laughed. Shikamaru turned red as well, looking away from us, but not denying it, making me turn red as well.
"So where have you been? Are you okay? Are you eating right?" Ami asked, probably wanting to ask a million other questions. I moved, sitting back down next to Shikamaru, my hands in my lap.
"Well..." I hesitated. I looked up at Shikamaru who was watching me with serious eyes, and then Naruto, who was watching me with concern. I gulped. "I guess its time to tell you two as well.." I looked up at Ami with furrowed eyebrows. "I was with Orochimaru." I said softly. "He had me since I could ever remember and, well..'taken care' of me." I said, looking away.
"Looks like I gotta kill a snake and burn it to death." Ami spoke darkly. I acknowledged what she said, then continued.
"I've never been so terrified of anybody...when Sasuke took me.." I stopped, looking up at Naruto who was looking at me worried. "Well...the Sound Ninja Four came, and I tried to fight them, but..I couldn't. I was so scared, I couldn't even think straight."
"I know what you mean, sweetie. That man is insane, and always has been. I'm a tiny bit afraid of him too." Ami said, looking at me sincerely. I looked at her but then looked down.
"He...he always did these...experiments.." I struggled to say, feeling chills travel through my body. "Either...I had to help him, or..or I was part of them.." Ami suddenly got closer and pulled me into another comforting hug.
"It's okay now. You're safe. I won't let him take you again." I hugged her back, but refused to cry about Orochimaru again.
"Tessa...what did he do?" Naruto asked genuinely, looking at me protectively. I pulled away from Ami and looked down at my hand, the burns glowing in the firelight. "No.." Naruto realized, looking at me with wide eyes. Ami looked at my hand as well, defeat in her expression.
"That's a curse, isn't it?" She asked. I shook my head.
"No..he did something to me..injected me with something, and it did this to my hand, and..well, it's what gives me that magic."
"Our clan can use magic as well. Remember in the fight, my fist was engulfs in flames? But this is...different." She said, gently holding my right hand and looking at it. "You can do more with your magic than we can." I shook my head.
"I can't do what you do. It's always dark magic. And also.." I looked at Shikamaru, who gave me a knowing look. "I can't keep using it. If I do...or if I do too much..there's this..this evil. This darkness that builds up in me..and I go into a bloodlust."
"I wish I could do more to help." Ami responded, looking helpless. I shook my head.
"Nothing can. I destroyed all of Orochimaru's research on it so he couldn't repeat it on himself or recreate it. But...there's no cure for it. Not that I'm aware of at least." I said. I heard Naruto growling beside me, making me look up. His hands were clenched into fists, and he looked upset. "Naruto-"
"That bastard!" Naruto shouted angrily, making me look at him in surprise. "He just experimented on you like a test subject! First you, then Sasuke..why can't anybody just kill him already?!" Naruto...
"He's always on the move unfortunately. It's what makes it hard to catch him. Every time I found clues to where he was keeping Tessa, he dipped out and sent rogue ninja after me. Specifically the Sound Ninja Four." Naruto continued growling, looking at the ground. I put my hand on his and gave him a soft but thankful look.
"Unfortunately, Shikamaru witnessed that bloodlust first hand." I said, looking at him sheepishly. He looked over at me and nodded, not seeming to care that he watched me attempt to murder people.
"She looked like she was possessed. Her eyes changed color, and it's like she enjoyed hurting them. She even said that it wasn't bloody enough." I winced under his gaze, feeling ashamed that he had to witness that. Ami looked at me, her eyes sad.
"I'm sorry Tessa. I failed you as a godmother." I shook my head.
"I don't know what happened when I was taken, but..I'm sure you did all you could." I said, reassuringly. "Orochimaru just...I dunno, he got what he wanted, I guess."
"The thing is the only people that can get magic is my clan. The thing that worries me is where he got the magic he injected into you." She said, her head tilted back to look up into the sky. I shrugged, playing with a strand of my hair.
"I dunno. He never said anything about it, but all that he had was injected in me, and I never saw it ever again." Ami sighed, Angel snoring loudly in the background from the tree above us, making me snicker. I turned to see Naruto yawning and stretching. I shook my head with a smile and turned back to Ami, changing the subject. "So...I wanted to ask you, just because I know it might be a sensitive topic, but..how did Sango survive the Uchiha Massacre?" I asked softly. Ami smiled sadly at me.
"The Uchiha and the Zorro clan got along really well, so..well...during the massacre, Sango's older brother and a few other Uchiha managed to escape. However, her parents were killed." I looked down at the ground sadly. Itachi Uchiha was the one who killed them, along with Sasuke's parents, and every other Uchiha that was there that night.
"Naruto and I had a run in with Itachi Uchiha earlier this year." I spoke softly.
"Sango would of had a panic attack if she saw him." Ami admitted, looking up at the tree where Sango slept. "She has a slight fear of blood." I nodded, understandingly.
"He and Kisame Hoshigaki were coming to get us wanting to take us with them." Ami's face filled with worry, her looking between Naruto and I. "Jiraiya said we have 3 years to prepare for the fight ahead of us." I looked over to see Naruto finally passed out in his sleeping bag, snoring. I gave a soft smile and looked at Shikamaru, who was watching us carefully.
"You can train with Tsunade and I." Ami said, a yawn escaping her mouth. I nodded.
"I'd like that." Shikamaru stretched his arms over his head, finally speaking.
"We should probably sleep, but we need someone to keep watch." I nodded, in agreement.
"I'll take first watch." I said softly.
"Okay." Ami said, standing. "Goodnight." She nodded, before jumping up into the trees above us. Shikamaru waited until Ami climbed the tree, and then looked at me.
"Thank you for trusting Naruto and I." I gave a soft smile and nodded.
"Thanks for not running away." I chuckled nervously, moving some hair out of my face. Shikamaru shrugged.
"I've seen scarier woman. You should see my mom." I laughed, looking at him. He suddenly leaned forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead before pulling away. "Good night, Tess." He spoke softly, before getting up and hopping up on a branch.
I knelt down on the branch I was on, keeping lookout for any incoming attacks. It was currently 2 am. I probably should wake someone else to take watch, but I wasn't that worried about it. I hopped down onto the ground, landing lightly, but I immediately felt something.
"What the-" A pair of hands came up through the ground, grabbing me by the ankles. "Naruto!" I screamed as the hands pulled me down. My hands scraped against the ground trying to stop myself, but the ninja was too strong. "Shikamaru!"
"I told you it wasn't over!" The ninja's deep voice warned. I looked up towards the trees to see Sango and Aoi jumping down, Angel landing first. She jumped for me and grabbed my bloodying hands. I hissed at the pain as the ninja tried to pull me down farther into the ground, Angel pulling hard.
"Kiba!"
"I got it!" Kiba yelled, jumping down and quickly transforming Akamaru. "Fang Over Fang!" He tunneled into the ground next to me. Ami ran over to me, and said quickly.
"My bad Kiba." She muttered quietly before slamming her fist into the ground near me, forming a crater. The man let go of my legs, letting Angel pull me out.
"It's okay, Kiba's looking for him, but.." I turned to look around, trying to sense his chakra.
"Earth Style: Earth Tsunami!" The ground near us started rising above us, daunting over us.
"Shit." Angel said, her eyes widening at the earth tsunami.
"Get back to the Caravan! Trust me!" I yelled, forcing myself to a stand and running towards the Prince's Caravan. I felt Angel's team running behind me as well as Shikamaru and Naruto.
"Dammit, and here I was sleeping good!" Aoi shouted behind me.
"Tess, you dont mean-" Shikamaru asked, looking at me in shock.
"It's the only plan I have right now unless you've got something!" I shouted, still running for it.
"Honestly, we don't have time for another plan right now!" Sango shouted. When we made it to the Caravan, I turned towards the Tsunami.
"Every one get behind me and shut up!" I said hurriedly. Naruto and Shikamaru got behind me, watching the Earth come barreling towards us.
"Tessa, its too big!" Shikamaru shouted. "You're not gonna be able to hold it!"
"I have to!" I shouted at Shikamaru.
"Tess.." Angel said, worried showing on her face. I took a deep breath, glaring a the earth heading for us.
"Just hold on!" I raised my hands, feeling a huge shield form around us and the caravan. Behind me, I could feel some of the Prince's staff coming out of their tents and carriages, gasping and yelling in shock at the incoming wave. I closed my eyes and focused all my energy on the shield around us, when the earth slammed into it with a big boom, making me groan, straining. It was loud as the earth tunneled over us.
"Dammit Tess, let me out." Angel said. I could feel her press her hands against the shield, as it felt like a light pressure.
"Wait, its not over!" Shikamaru whispered, his hand on her shoulder. Naruto looked up still seeing the earth traveling over them, not even touching them.
"I can't just sit here." Angel's voice whispered back, sounding anxious.
"Well you're gonna have to."
"Will you guys shut up?" I said through gritted teeth, feeling the darkness in me rising fast. It went silent, then, thankfully. It immediately grew quiet, the staff behind us silent as well. Without hesitation I yelled, and moved my hands, making my magic go underneath is, and rise us up and the rest of the Caravan up onto the surface of the earth, the night sky showing once again. People behind me were crying in relief, starting to talk again.
"Tess, are you okay?" Angel's voice asked. I could feel her behind me. I opened my mouth to respond, but it was like my magic had put something over my voice to make sure it wouldn't work. My eyes widened as I felt my body move on its on, my head turning back towards Angel and Shikamaru. Shikamaru's eyes widened at me.
"Oh no." I knew it. It was the bloodlust again. I grinned wildly at my teammates, feeling an ill intent coming. Not towards them, thank god.
"What is this feeling?" Aoi's voice whispered.
"It's the bloodlust." Shikamaru said quickly. I turned my head holding my hand and raising it up, the earth ninja immediately being pulled up out of the ground, wrapped in my magic.
"So you like to play with earth do you?" My voice asked, it sounding darker.
"Does anyone have any ideas?" Aoi's voice said, fear in it.
"Lee stopped her somehow last time, but I don't know how." Shikamaru replied with a nervous voice.
"Wait," Naruto spoke. "What the heck is going on?" Naruto asked. "Why are her eyes a different color?!"
"I don't know, Naruto." Angel's voice said scared. I turned towards my teammates, a sick grin on my face.
"Come on guys, don't be scared, it's about to rain blood." I felt someone's arms wrap around me from behind, Angel's voice in my ear.
"P-Please calm down.." her voice cracked. I ignored the girl behind me, looking back at the earth ninja.
"Lets put you back where you belong." My voice said, getting darker. I started to close my fist, the magic starting to tighten around him. The ninja groaned in pain, when a sickening crack filled the air, followed by his scream. The crowd behind me shouted in shock and fear as they heard the man's ribs snap.
"Found it." I hear Ami's voice behind me say.
"Tessa, stop!" Naruto yelled, running up to me. He placed his hand on my shoulder, making me snarl.
"Get off of me!" I yelled, fighting my temptation to turn on them.
Stop it, stop it! I told myself. Get out of me!
I turned around, throwing a magic filled fist at Naruto.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!" Shikamaru shouted, making my body freeze. My eyes traveled in his direction, narrowed downward.
"I'm gonna kill you!" I screamed. Shikamaru made me put my hand down.
"Yeah, yeah, but until then you're still my girlfriend." He said casually.
"Hot." Angel's voice said teasingly.
"Nice job holding her Shika." Ami's voice said before she appeared in front of me, slamming a seal onto my forehead. I immediately felt the evil in me fade, my magic dropping the earth ninja as well as my eyes changing.
"Tess?" Ami said softly. "Can you hear me sweetie?"
"Ami?" My normal voice asked weakly.
"Welcome back." She said, wrapping her arms around me. Shikamaru released his Jutsu, making me feel like I had control again, however, my body felt weak.
"Tess!" Angel shouted, running over.
"I gotcha." Naruto said, putting my arm over his shoulder.
"I'm..i'm sorry.." I said, looking at her with regret.
"It's okay. This is not your fault." Ami replied.
"Sango, are you okay?" I looked over to see Aoi looking at Sango, her trembling the slightest bit. Oh yeah, blood. I looked back at the Earth Ninja who was panting through the pain of his broken ribs. Shikamaru walked over, putting my other arm over his shoulder.
"Come on, we need to move the Caravan on away from this."
"Yeah, let's go." Ami agreed, helping Sango stand. There was a burst from the ground, and Kiba stood with Akamaru, looking at us.
"I couldn't find him." He suddenly saw the ninja on the ground, his eyes widening and looking at us. "Whoa, what happened? What'd I miss?"
I gripped my backpack straps tighter, me walking behind everyone else. Since my bloodlust took over me the night before, I could feel eyes on me. Not just from the teammates around me either. The people traveling in the caravan were wary of me. While we were sure the Prince was safe for now, me having taken care of the ninja team, we wanted to be cautious still. Also, we found out he completely slept through the entire thing last night, which was good, but how deep of a sleeper do you have to be to sleep through a Earth Tsunami?
The Prince also wanted to not walk anymore, so he got in his carriage, all of us rejoining into one large group. I hated everyone being exposed like this, but what could I do about it? I swallowed the lump in my throat, braving a glance up. Sango was looking at me, but when I caught her looking, she gave a weak smile.
She's scared of you. The voice in my head whispered. I looked away from her, not smiling back. My eyes traveled over to Aoi and Angel next. Angel was concentrating on her conversation with Naruto, but I saw Aoi give me a glance. I could see the fear in her eyes as well.
They're all scared of you. Why shouldn't they be? I looked up at Shikamaru's back, him being up farther, leading us forward.
Why does he even like you? You're nothing but a monster. You saw what you did. They saw what you did. I bit my lip, biting back my tears as I thought about how much I don't belong here.
"Hey." A voice brought me out of my thoughts. My head snapped up and I saw Shikamaru standing in front of me, his hands in his pockets. "Are you alright? I've been trying to get your attention."
No. I'm a monster. You should hate me. I'm the worst.
"I'm fine." I said, looking away. Shikamaru sighed, grabbing my hand and pulling me to walk with him.
"You're so troublesome. Don't hide it, just talk to me." He said, looking over at me. I sighed, looking away from him. "You don't have to carry it yourself, you know. You and Naruto are the same in that aspect." I didn't respond, so Shikamaru gave my hand a squeeze.
"Shikamaru, you don't have to try to make your girlfriend feel better." Kiba's voice suddenly spoke up, making my head snap up at him. "After all, she's a bloodthirsty monster. She doesn't need your comfort, she just needs to kill a few people, right Tessa?" He snapped bitterly, making my eyes widen at him.
"What is your problem?!" Angel's voice shouted. "She saved us! All you did was tunnel around in the earth there!" Angel snapped. Behind her, Sango and Aoi were looking at me, fear still in their eyes.
You're a monster to them.
"You saw what she did to that guy! Who's to say we're not next?!" I felt Shikamaru growing angry next to me.
"You don't know what you're talking about." I spoke softly, looking away from him. He's wrong. I'd never hurt any of them.
"You weren't even there, Kiba!" Naruto shouted.
"Maybe I wasn't, but Akamaru felt that insane power, and you're the one who told me Naruto! She almost hit you with her freaky magic, and told Shikamaru she was going to kill him!" I felt my heart beating faster, my body trembling the slightest bit. I saw Angel shaking, her face contorted in anger.
"You don't understand anything that's going on with her! All you Inuzuka care about is yourselves!"
"Oh, shut up!" Kiba shouted loudly, making everyone look at us. I saw the way the Caravan was looking at me, my eyes filling with tears, but I refused to let them spill over. They all hate you. The voice whispered to me. They all want you to die. "She's going to kill all of us, you just can't see it!" Kiba shouted angrily, pointing at me.
"YOU ARE A PIECE OF SHIT! YOU'VE BULLIED ME FOR YEARS TO THE POINT WHERE I DYED MY HAIR PINK! YOU PUSHED ME INTO A LAKE AND I ALMOST DIED! YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE!" Angel screamed, surprising me. I looked at her to see her crying, tears falling down her face.
"Wait, what?" Ami said with surprise, turning around towards us. Kiba growled, his fangs showing. Naruto then jumped in front of me, making me look at his Uzumaki Symbol on his back.
"Leave her alone!" Naruto shouted. "We'd all be dead if it weren't for her! Stop being a jackass! You've always hated her and bullied her too!" Naruto growled, holding his fist threateningly. Shikamaru beside me gave my hand another squeeze, though for what I'm not sure.
"Kiba, if you keep this up, I'm sending you back to the village." Ami spoke darkly. "You better be glad its a crime to kill your comrades."
"Oh yeah? Do it!" Kiba challenged. Akamaru whined on top of his head, clearly not wanting his partner to get involved.
"You think I dont already feel like shit?!" I finally snapped. I let go of Shikamaru's hand and pushed past Naruto, walking up to Kiba. "You think I don't already know what you all think of me?!" I yelled, tears finally falling down my face. "I know, believe me. None of you are very good at hiding it." I said, my eyes flickering to Sango and Aoi for a split second. "But you have no right! You've always been a jackass, Kiba." I scowled, my hands shaking at my side.
"I admit, Tess did scare me, but it doesn't change the fact that she saved me.." I heard Sango say. Kiba scowled at Sango, before looking back at me.
"You don't even belong here, why don't you go back to your precious Orochimaru?" I heard some gasps to this. He heard our conversation yesterday.
"Kiba!" Shikamaru shouted angrily.
"I'm gonna kill you!" Naruto growled. I stared at him wide eyed for a moment before charging a little chakra in my hand, slamming my fist into face. Kiba fell onto his butt a few feet away, before growling and standing up, making hand signs.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!" Shikamaru shouted, catching Kiba and making him freeze. "I'm done. Kiba, I'm gonna let you go, and you're going to the front. I'm done with your attitude, and you picking fights with everyone." Shikamaru said seriously, his voice angry. Naruto growled behind me, but said nothing. I could hear Angel sobbing behind me, me still angry and ready to hit him again. Ami stomped forward and grabbed Kiba by his jacket, dragging him forward towards the front of the caravan after Shikamaru let him go.
"You've never met a crazy bitch before, have you?" She asked darkly. After Ami took Kiba, Shikamaru relaxed, looking at me. He reached his hand out to me, but I backed away, making him look at me in confusion.
"I'm gonna patrol around us." I whispered, sparring a glance at Aoi and Sango again. I could see them look to the ground, away from me. Angel stopped crying for a moment and spoke.
"I'm coming too." She said, walking towards me. I nodded and looking back at Shikamaru, before jumping and disappearing, reappearing in the forest where I could still sense everyone. Angel appeared next to me, and she sat down. "Are you okay?" She asked. I sat down next to her and was quiet for a moment. However, after that moment, I couldn't hold it anymore. I broke out into a sob, burying my face in my hands.
"He's right Angel! Did you see how they were all looking at me?!" I asked desperately, my body shaking. Angel wrapped her arms around me, hugging me.
"Listen to me Tess, you are NOT a monster. No one thinks you are." I didn't hug her back, but instead shook my head.
"You didn't see the looks on Aoi and Sango's faces. And Shikamaru. God, he has to deal with me too. I don't belong here."
"Sango and Aio were scared and worried about you though. And Shikamaru likes you, he definitely doesn't see you as a monster." I shook my head again and bit my lip.
"Did you really dye your hair?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Yes, my hair's actually red.." She said, looking shameful.
"Like your moms.." I said, looking at her. "I like your pink hair, but I'd like it if it was red too." I reassured. "Besides, we redheads Gotta stick together." I said lightly, a small smile on my face.
"Thank you. You're the second person to actually like my hair." She said, smiling at me. I smiled and gently nudged her.
"Come on, we better keep up." I said, standing up. "I can sense them from in here, so we should be fine to keep moving here."
"Race ya." She said, taking off in a run.
"Oh, you are so on." I said, sprinting forward.
5 days of traveling later, and we had finally made it close to the harbor. I could smell the salty ocean in the air. Shikamaru stood next to me as we continued with the caravan, being able to see the docks from here.
"Now we get to travel by boat, great." Shikamaru mumbled to me. I smiled and grabbed his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze in response.
"W-Water.." Angel's voice said, shaking in fear. I looked over at Angel and grabbed her hand, squeezing her hand in reassurance as well. I saw Aoi look at Angel with a little sadness.
"Naruto, you think you can carry her to the boat?"
"Hm?" Naruto looked over. "Oh, yeah." He walked over giving me his bag and knelt down, picking Angel up and holding her under her legs, her on his back. Angel held tightly onto Naruto, but calmed down the slightest bit, however she still seemed like she was about to start hyperventilating.
"Once she gets on the boat, she should calm down a bit." Sango's voice said.
"It's okay Angel." I hear Naruto say softly next to me. I nod, looking at Sango as we stepped onto the docks, soft footsteps of many of us echoing.
"Ahh, my boat!" The Prince's voice said, jumping me out of my thoughts. "Come, this way beautiful!" The Prince said, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
"Lets hurry so we can all go home.." Aoi said, looking at the Prince in disgust. I rolled my eyes at the prince, us following him to his boat. Honestly, when we got to it...it was huge. It had to be, for the caravan to be able to travel here with his carriages.
"I should've gotten some sleeping pills for Angel, but the pharmacy was out.." Aoi said softly, walking up to the boat.
"Shit, Naruto turn her head, she's going to-" Before Ami could finish, Angel vomited all over the back and shoulder of Naruto's jacket.
"Ahh! Aw, come on!" Naruto shouted, complaining. I backed away from Naruto, looking at Angel worried.
"Sorry Naruto, I'll wash it." Ami spoke apologetically. I looked over at her.
"What about putting her in some kind of genjutsu?" I asked her.
"That might work. Her phobia is pretty bad though. I can try." Aoi replied to me. "I'll wake you up after an hour, okay?" She asked Angel after walking up to her. Angel only nodded, before falling unconscious from Aoi's Genjutsu. Naruto let out a sigh of relief, and gently set her down on the deck of the boat. The caravan started loading, as Naruto was taking off his shirt and jacket, revealing the first Hokage's necklace on his chest. He took off his pants then, making me raise an eyebrow.
"Naruto, what are you doing?" He giggled evilly, running over to me. I don't like that look in his eye. I narrowed my eyes at him. He was sprinting at me. My eyes widened then. "Naruto, dont you dare-" Shikamaru instinctively backed away from me in time as Naruto ran into me, pushing me off the deck making me scream and into the water. I popped my head above the surface of the water, my clothes drenched and glared at him. "Naruto, I'm gonna kill you!" I said, slightly joking. He burst out laughing and ran off the deck, jumping right behind me into the water with a big splash, spraying everyone.
"Nooooo my hair!" Sango said dramatically. Right next to Naruto, Aoi jumped, doing a cannonball and splashing again. I laughed at both Naruto and Aoi, when I saw Kiba.
"Screw it." He shrugged, taking off his clothes until his boxers and jumping into the water, splashing. When he popped up, we looked at each other, both of us bursting into laughter.
"You guys are such kids." Shikamaru said lazily, but having an amused look on his face. I looked over to see Ami laughing.
"Yo Naruto, Tess, pull Ami in the water!" Aoi shouted. Naruto and I gave each other a look before slowly swimming closer to the deck, giving Ami nasty grins. Ami's eyes widened, and she started running.
"Shit!" We both hopped up on the deck and ran for her, both of us giving her a push to her side and successfully pushing her in the water with a splash. She popped her head back up and playfully glared at us.
"You brats!" She said, splashing water at Naruto and I. We laughed, both of us looking at each other again before jumping into the water behind Ami, splashing Sango and Shikamaru, the latter not looking too impressed, but watched us with slight amusement.
"Whew, I'm safe-" Sango was cut off by Kiba grabbing her ankle and dragging her into the water with a splash. All of us laughed at Sango falling in the water when Shikamaru smiled.
"Alright guys, come on. Out. We gotta get going." He said, hopping on the railing of the boat to make sure none of us would push him in.
"You guys better sleep with one eye open.." Sango said, getting out of the water dripping wet. Aoi laughed in response as did Naruto and I, both of us pulling ourselves up onto the deck. I leaned over, squeezing the water out of my hair and taking off my headband. I peeked up to see Shikamaru smiling at me, making me smile back. Right behind him however was Prince Eito, staring at all of us girls.
"Every girl run to a room on the boat." Sango's voice said. I rolled my eyes at the Prince but jumped up onto the boat, dropping my now soaked bag and taking my shirt and shorts, showing my swimsuit like bra and underwear. At least in these it would be easier to dry off. Naruto shouted, hopping up.
"What are you doing?! Get your clothes back on!" He said protectively. I rolled my eyes.
"Thanks to you, they're soaking wet. Besides, this will be easier to dry." I said, narrowing my eyes at Naruto.
"I'm going to a room, cause I don't have a swimsuit." Sango said. The Prince just drooled, looking at Ami, whom was looking disgusted.
"I'm married, bitch." She said snappily. I looked over to see Shikamaru looking away from me, but I could see a rising blush in his face, making me blush as well. Kiba walked past with Akamaru, carrying his dry clothes and sat down on the deck, Akamaru jumping down onto his pile of clothes. I felt the Prince put his hand on my waist, and I immediately grabbed his wrist tightly, giving him a glare.
"Don't touch me." I said nastily.
"You must want me to drop kick you." Ami spoke. "Don't touch my goddaughter." She said, her voice growing darker. Naruto growled, getting closer, and I saw Shikamaru give a scowl to the Prince. I let go of the Prince's wrist, throwing his hand aside. He pouted, but I could see anger in his eyes that he was told no.
"Naruto dear, please carry Angel to a room so she can sleep." Ami said, still glaring at the Prince. She reached up to her hair, sighing. "Now my curls are gone.." She quietly whined, her hair now straightened and the length going down to her waist. Naruto glared at the Prince warily, but picked up Angel, walking past me and into a hallway that went down below the deck. I walked over to Shikamaru and pressed a kiss to his cheek, still seeing the Prince staring. Shikamaru put his arm around my shoulder protectively.
"If you could stop staring at my girlfriend, I'd appreciate it." He said calmly, but I could feel slight anger and frustration coming from him.
"Cute." Ami said, walking away and following Naruto. The Prince huffed and walked away, making me look up at Shikamaru with a smile.
"Thanks." Shikamaru nodded and then pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"You're being uncharacteristically publicly affectionate, Shika." I spoke softly. Shikamaru nodded.
"Just this once."