"Ko," I heard Hikaru say but I decided to ignore him. I wasn't ready to wake up. "Get up Ko, I'm hungry." He whined like a toddler but this time ripping the blanket off of me. It was getting too hot under there anyway. I didn't move again making him sigh and grab my arm yanking me to the floor.
"Hey! I was sleeping!" I shouted as I shot up to my feet slightly shaking.
"And I'm hungry so let's get going but first we need to get you out of those clothes."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" I questioned looking down at them seeing they were ripped, bloody, and covered in dirt. "Oh,"
"Don't you have anymore?"
"They're all like this...well minus the blood." I admitted thinking about all the clothes I packed which were pretty much ruined. I didn't have a chance to wash them after my mission.
"Alright well let's head off to the clothing store! Then maybe a haircut for you too."
"Why do I need my hair cut?" I asked running my hand through it. It was getting pretty long, it was already passed my back leveling with my hips.
"Well it looks like it's in the way and you could use a new style, a lot of people will recognize that hair. Your picture was actually updated last year." He explained which caught my attention.
"What? It was updated? How?" I asked surprised that someone even got a picture of me without me knowing.
"That figure I've been seeing, that's who did it. He must want me dead if he wanted to update my picture."
"I'm not sure but that's why you need a new hairstyle." He explained just as we walked up to a hair cutting place.
We walked in being greeted a woman who led me to a chair which they spun around making me face the mirror. I was honestly nervous since I've only done my own hair, never by a professional. Hikaru exchanged a few words with the hairdresser before sitting by the door giving me a thumbs up which made me roll my eyes.
"Stop moving dear, you're in good hands." The woman spoke making me look at her reflection in the mirror. "I love your hair, it looks beautiful." She complemented which made me feel good; I don't think I've ever been given a genuine compliment before, especially about my hair...father's hair.
"Thank you, please do take care of it. It's very precious to me." I responded attempting to act innocent and polite.
"Awe how sweet! Don't worry sweetie, you'll love your hair even more when I'm finished." She said as she started to spray my hair making it damp.
I watched as she cut my hair making it shorter and shorter which I didn't really want but Hikaru was right; I needed to change my look. It did feel nice having someone brushing and running their fingers through my hair, it was relaxing; something I'm not familiar with. I looked over at Hikaru who was walking over to me just as I was almost finished. He gave me a smile just before the hairdresser turned the chair back towards the mirror letting me look at my new haircut.
"What do you think?" She questioned eager to hear my opinion.
It was different to me. My once long hair was now short barely reaching my shoulders. My spiked hair stuck out at all angles but my bangs weren't as spiked flowing down the right side of my face. Honestly, I really liked it.
"It's so different," I started, "but it's beautiful."
"You look awesome! So much better with short hair." Hikaru complimented which irritated me again.
"Uh thanks," I said looking away from him. I quickly got up from the chair thanking the hairdresser and walked out of the building as Hikaru paid. Within a few seconds, he was already walking out the door.
"Why'd you storm out like that?" He questioned.
"Why are you being so nice and complimenting me?" I asked ignoring his question getting in his face.
"I'm just being me Ko, I'm always a nice person." He replied but then sighed. "Look, I know you haven't had a good life, well a normal life, and I just figured I'd treat you like a person. You deserve to be treated like an actual human being for once!"
I was shocked at his words and didn't know what to say back to him. Even though his words were true, I didn't want them to be. I wanted to believe that my life was normal but I don't think a shinobi would even know what normal is.
"Shit I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. Look, just by how you're interacting with me I know you're not use to this. I know that living with Orochimaru was probably all focused on training and killing but now you're free. You can live your life how you want and not be told what to do with it. I'm here to help you through this, you just need to let me in." He said with a desperate look in his eyes.
"I-it's going to take some time...this is completely different from what I grew up with." I said then turned away from him. "I'm in that bingo book for a reason Hikaru. I'm a terrible person and shouldn't be treated with kindness. I've done terrible things and can't be forgiven for what I did."
I heard him let out another sigh and approach me. I could tell he wanted to put a hand on my shoulder but stopped himself at the last second which I was thankful for. "Come on, let's get you some new clothes."
I turned around and nodded my head following him to the next store which was only a few blocks away. It was pretty small but the staff was really friendly leading me around the store suggesting outfits but there weren't many for shinobi. I just wanted to get out of there so I chose a red top with a long sleeved undershirt that had a black sash around it along with purple shorts.
"Wow, you look really good in red." Hikaru complimented as I emerged from the dressing room.
"Thanks," I answered looking down at the ground.
Hikaru walked closer inspecting me. "Is that a blush I see? Awe I made the big bad Ko blush!" He teased making me punch him in the arm.
"Shut up, I'm not use to compliments." I mumbled facing away from him.
He only laughed in response as he walked over towards the cashier paying for the outfits. "Well little lady, better get use to it with me around. Maybe you should take off your headband; might draw some attention."
"That's not an option Hikaru. This was the first gift my Father gave me; I wear it with pride even if it put a target on my back!" I shouted just as we exited the store.
"Okay okay just saying," he said putting his hands up in defense.
"Where are we going now?" I asked after moments of silence once I saw we were heading towards the gates.
"Another town, it's imperative to your recovery."
"Recovery?" I asked giving him a look. "I thought you were hungry?"
"Yeah but I got some apples for us for the trip. There will be a lot of food where we're heading. And your recovery is helping you find your real self silly." He laughed looking over at me.
"Real self?" Ko raised her brow at him.
"Yes! Come on, you're not a cold blooded killer Ko. You weren't born a killer, only raised as one."
Ko placed a hand on her chin understanding his reasoning. "I guess you have a point. Why are we walking there instead of running?"
"No need to rush, can't really have a conversation while running now can we? So, tell me about your Subete Miru. I want to see how advanced you are without the guidance of another Himura."
"Uh well I activated it when I was eight I think. I can see about ten miles around but without chakra only five."
"Awe still a baby." He cooed.
"What do you mean?"
"Well fully mature eyes are able to see twenty miles around but it really depends on the person, our cousin bragged about being able to see twenty five miles but no one believed him. Do you know of the forbidden techniques?"
"Techniques? There are more? I only know how to revive someone...that's the reason why Father wanted a Himura but, I still failed." I said sadly looking down at my feet feeling the depression creeping up once again.
"The Himura Clan has the ability to give or take lives. We can either give a dead person our lives or we can take another's adding it to our own."
"Take their lives? How?"
Hikaru took out a kunai throwing it at a squirrel pinning it by the tail. "Only a few Himura can take a life force, your Mother could so maybe you can too. But you must be careful, if your enemy's will is greater than yours, they can take your life force instead."
I looked from Hikaru to the squirrel desperately trying to get away. "Can you do it?" I asked looking up at him.
"Actually no, trust me I've tried but I think it's because I've never taken a life before. Just go to the squirrel and place your hand over him."
"I know how to do it, I don't need you to teach me." I snapped walking towards the squirrel. I knelt down and placed my hand over the squirrel like I've done before.
"Now, look at his life force and imagine that you're pulling it out of him." Hikaru instructed.
I activated my eyes still not use to Hikaru being blue but focused on the squirrel seeing it only had a few days left to live. I did as Hikaru said and after a few minutes, I could feel it's tiny life slowly dimming. It was slowly starting to get weaker and weaker eventually starting to give up fighting as its eyes became lifeless.
"Heh I knew you could do it! On your first try too!" He cheered which filled me with pride, something I haven't had in a long time. "We should start walking again."
We started to walk in silence unsure of what to say to each other. I thought about what he said earlier about how I am free now, able to do what I want but I'm not completely free. I can't wipe away what I've done for Father and no one will accept me. I looked over at him wondering if he would accept me if he knew I destroyed the Sound Village.
"Uh so I was wondering," I started catching his attention. "Can I bring people back if they're not completely dead?"
"What do you mean? Like they're about to die?"
"Yeah, a uh long time ago my teammate was dying, and I actually brought him back. I remember his life force number was close to zero." I looked over at Hikaru who was giving me a shocked expression.
"I actually have never heard of that, either you kill them or you revive them. Nothing about bringing them back when they're almost dead...hm...Are you also a medical ninja?"
"Yeah, I only knew the basics at the time though."
"It might have been a possibility. I haven't heard of a Himura medical ninja. Usually we're in the front lines of battle. We itch to fight so staying back and helping isn't in our criteria."
"Oh, okay...so what about you? I don't know anything about you."
"Right, well after the massacre we didn't want to live in a village anymore, so we just traveled from town to town that's why I know my way around."
"Why haven't you killed anyone?" I questioned curious about his answer. He must have had to defend himself before.
"Uh well Mom trained me to be a ninja but she told me that killing kills your innocence. Life should be peaceful and fill of bliss instead of hatred and revenge." He responded making me scoff.
"That's stupid, we're ninja. We were made to kill."
"Just because we have chakra doesn't mean we can't live normal lives, I use my skills to protect people. Now, back to your teammate. Orochimaru put you on a team?"
"Uh sort of...I was sent to the Leaf village to recruit Sasuke Uchiha, the guy who really killed my Father," I said clenching my teeth in anger. "My team was crazy and annoying but everyone in that village was friendly. I betrayed them and took away Sasuke which everyone hates me for."
"What are your feelings towards your team?" He questioned.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I said with a harsh tone.
"You can't perform the jutsu with so many negative emotions. Stop bottling things up and talk to me."
"Stop badgering me!" I shouted at him but he started to laugh.
"What's so funny?!"
"Before with your hair all wild you were intimidating but this new look, it's too funny. You look like a doll!" He laughs making my anger spike. "Okay calm down Ko, look, you don't even have to tell me everything. I'm amazing at genjutsu like all Himuras' and even made my own. With permission, I can see whatever you want me to see."
"I'm not that good at genjutsu, I only know a few." I told him which surprised him.
"Seriously? I thought everyone from our clan was talented in genjutsu. Hm maybe it's because you're a medic. Please tell me you're immune to genjutsu."
I thought back to the exams when we were in the Forest of the Death. I remember there was a team that tried putting us in a genjutsu but I was the only one who realized it.
"I believe so, so what makes you think your jutsu would work on me?" I questioned wondering where he was getting at.
"You basically give me permission. It's not like a visual genjutsu, it affects me not you. Our minds connect and you show me whatever memories you want."
"And why would you want to see my memories?" I questioned as a town came into view.
"To help you resolve your problems. Obviously, you have something to deal with, it seems like you won't let anyone get close to you and you don't really like yourself."
"Of course I don't! Why would I? Who would? I've been digging a grave for myself from day one hurting and killing many just for my Father who I was suppose to die for...and now, I'm alive and he's dead. I have to live with everything I've done. I had so many chances to leave but I didn't take them. I-I was suppose to die weeks ago or at least a few years from now. But now, I have more time than I thought I did with nowhere to go!" I shouted finally letting the realization set in, I have nowhere to go...
"Hey you have me now, a fellow clan member. You have family now, family that actually cares." He reassured me as we approached the gates.
Hikaru only nodded to the guard who let us in. The first thing I noticed in this town was how decorated it was. The buildings all had lights hanging up on them along with banners and streamers going across the streets.
"This town has a celebration every year," Hikaru spoke up as we walked around, "Mom and I would always come here." He finished with a smile.
"What are they celebrating?" I questioned.
"The day the Third Shinobi war ended actually. This town was always in the crossfire between the Leaf, Stone, and Grass Villages. The Grass tried to protect this town but because of the many shinobi in this area, it was the perfect target for the Leaf and Stone. Innocent people would fall victim to the violence resulting in many casualties."
"I guess that would be a reason to celebrate. Why'd you bring me here anyway?"
"To have fun silly!" He laughed flashing me a smile making me narrow my eyes as I found his voice irritating.
"I don't need fun and I'm not silly!" I shouted unable to keep a calm composure which caused a few people to stare.
"You're making this pretty difficult," Hikaru sighed running a hand through his hair.
"What's difficult?"
"Enjoying the festival," he whined making my anger spike.
"If I'm such a burden then I'll go elsewhere!" I shouted turning on my heel.
"Don't walk away from me!" Hikaru shouted grabbing my forearm.
"Let go of me!" I said jerking my arm out of his grip. "You just said I wasn't making being here enjoyable so I'm leaving."
"I didn't mean it, whatever mean thing I say shouldn't be taken seriously. It's just in our blood to be assholes towards each other."
"I don't care, I need to be away from you. I need some space." I said turning away and started to walk out of town. I was surprised he didn't follow.
There was a small forest on the outskirts of the grassy field that surrounded the small town so I walked over and sat against a tree facing the forest. After almost an hour, I could feel a strong chakra signature coming towards me. I wasn't alarmed or even cared if it were someone here to kill me. A kunai was thrown at me but intentionally hit the bark a few centimeters away from my face. I pulled it out lazily getting up from my spot to face this person. I only blinked and when I opened my eyes, a cloaked figure was standing before me.
"And what do I owe the pleasure?" I questioned the man before me, Itachi Uchiha.
He looked calm as he stared down at me. "I was ordered to confront and recruit you," Itachi spoke with an emotionless tone.
I couldn't believe it, the organization that Father once belonged to wanted me to join. I wasn't sure about how I felt though. Part of me felt honored to join amongst the strongest shinobi but the other half...didn't want to; it didn't feel right.
"No thanks," I told him with a bored tone, "I've tainted my name enough already."
"So you'd kill for that snake and now that he's dead you won't join people who can protect and understand you?" Itachi scoffed.
"You don't know anything, now leave." I growled activating my eyes. I could see Hikaru still in town walking around stopping a few times to talk with the citizens. I looked at Itachi seeing him step forward with his eyes boring into my own. I wasn't afraid of those eyes like the rest of the world, they won't affect me. "Trying to manipulate a young woman grieving for her late Father, how pathetic of the Akatsuki."
"You're on everyone's hit list for being Orochimaru's daughter. He has hurt many people, by killing off his offspring, they will get revenge." Itachi spoke. "Why grieve over someone who didn't care about anyone but himself?"
"He did care about me!" I snapped. "Yes he used many children as pawns not caring if they died even sacrificing them himself but I was different!" I my voice gradually got louder soon shouting.
"Don't be so naive, he needed Himaru blood to revive him. You were a pawn your whole life."
"Of course, I knew that. I was told since I've had these eyes that reviving him was my purpose, but I was different. He cared about me and I know it. Everyone might've been pawns but I wasn't; I was his knight." I said trying to keep my composure, but my voice still cracked as I stared into his eyes.
My eyes widened when his sharingan was starting to change; the tomoes started to swirl and combine. The next thing I knew, I was in a different world. I was in this strange world but when my eyes were closed, I could see the real world from my Subete Miru. I opened my eyes seeing Itachi in front of me. I tried attacking him but there was a tug at my wrists. I looked back seeing them in chains then glared at Itachi.
"How am I in this jutsu?" I questioned tugging more at the chains. "My eyes are immune to genjutsu."
"There's no record of an Uchiha facing a Himura." He said flashing closer towards me. "It seems you're not immune to the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"I can still see what's going on in the real world." I told him making his composure change and his eyes widen. " I can see you're actually farther from me than before."
"Interesting," he commented making me raise a brow.
"Why are you here?" I questioned him.
"I was not sent here by my Leader," Itachi replied, "I came on my own accord." He admitted making my eyes widen in shock. "The Akatsuki is talking about recruiting you or killing you."
"Then why tell me this?" I questioned.
"I can tell you're going down a destructive path." He answered. "The Akatsuki wants you as an ally rather than an enemy. You are important enough to be considered a threat."
"A threat? What can I do? Wait, maybe that thing Hikaru was talking about." I thought looking away from Itachi.
"How do you know that? I don't have a purpose; I'm not interested in what the Akatsuki do. Destroy the world with the Bijuu, see what I care."
"You have a new destiny. You needed to be free from Orochimaru to reach it and that's what Sasuke did." He said making my blood boil hearing Sasuke's name. "That man you're with, you two met for a reason and Sasuke pushed you to him." He finished making me look back up him with fury in my eyes.
"No, he ruined everything!" I growled then felt a sharp pain in my wrist. I looked down at my curse mark seeing the snake start to glow. "He was a coward. Facing Lord Orochimaru while he was sick." Itachi looked down at my wrist making his eyes widen. "Couldn't even face My Lord when he was at his most powerful!" The snake started to move coiling around me making me close my eyes able to see the outside world.
Itachi backed away as the snake multiplied into hundreds all slithering across my body making my skin look like scales. I could feel a pain in my head as it morphed a bit making my head look like that of a snake. I felt so much power from this mark it was almost unfathomable; I never knew how much power these curse marks held.
"Calm down Ko," Itachi said as he removed the genjutsu. "I'm not the enemy." He finished backing away even more.
"You're the Akatsuki, of course you're the enemy. You've always been the enemy!" I hiss as I quickly appeared in front of him.
I aimed for a punch, but he easily evaded despite my newly found snake like speed. In the distance, I could see Hikaru hurrying here but I didn't want him to get involved with this. I kept attacking Itachi barely landing a few hits on the Uchiha making my anger grow even more.
"Keep still!" I shouted between hits which were blocked. He jumped a couple feet back still facing me.
"I'm not your enemy Ko, I came here to warn you about the Akatsuki's intentions. They see you as a threat," he started but was interrupted by my kick which he ducked under. "If this is your strongest, then they will easily recruit or kill you when the time comes."
I stopped a few feet away from him processing his words. He was right, I should be more powerful than this yet I barely landed two hits on him.
"Then let them kill me, I don't care." I responded seeing Itachi about to punch me but I side stepped to the right.
He flashed behind me making me turn on my heel to land a hit but he was already gone. I looked up seeing him in the tree above me.
"Do not think your life is meaningless, you have another purpose." He said before disappearing completely. I could see him running in the opposite direction but just as I was about to run after him, Hikaru was already here.
He lunged forward knocking me to the ground causing us to tumble onto the ground. We landed on our sides with him holding onto my waist as I tried to get out of his grip.
"Let go of me!" I hissed in anger as I thrashed back and forth starting to panic.
"Not until you calm down Ko! You're not yourself!" He shouted in my ear.
"Why are you so strong?" I questioned as I struggled.
"I haven't been wasting my abilities all these years, I train too ya know." He replied with a calm tone making me realize he won't give up. I started to calm down and the curse mark receded making me feel weaker than before. I felt him remove his arm and place a hand on my head stroking my now short hair which felt calming. I don't know what changed but I just wanted to be near him. I had a chance to get escape his grip but I was too tired to move. "What happened?" He questioned after moments of silence.
"The Akatsuki...an Uchiha approached me." I started then let out a shaky breath and explained to him what happened between Itachi and I.
"Hm, so maybe the Akatsuki is planning something and they think you might get in the way." He concluded. "Seems like it was fate that brought us together." He said as he continued to stroke my hair.
"Then teach me that technique."
"You are a loooong way from that, you need to get those emotions in check. They've been out of control lately." He explained but this didn't ease my anger.
"No they haven't, it's just because of you being here." I snapped finally getting out from his grip.
"No, you've been angry and depressed. I haven't seen you smile or show any positive emotion and that's not normal."
"I haven't felt anything positive in a long time. I was trained to be a killer not a happy citizen." I scoffed at his observation, there wasn't anything to smile about.
"Shinobi deserve to be happy too Ko, you said you were part of a team...are they happy despite being shinobi?" He questioned making me shift my gaze to the ground.
"I-I guess they are, I wouldn't know though. Every time I've seen them they've only given me glares and hateful words."
"There has to be someone that doesn't hate you,"
"I guess I can name two, they've never given up on me." I said thinking of Kitty and Kakashi.
"And you care for them?" He questioned.
"I'm not sure...maybe...I don't know." I was unsure what he wanted from me. I've never thought about my relationships and what I mean to people.
"Good enough for me," he said finally getting to his feet. "Then you will get your emotions in check just for them and find yourself."
"Find myself?"
"Yes, this will be my personal mission. Have you noticed you aren't yourself?"
"Yes," I said quietly wishing it weren't true. Despite him being an idiot, he was making a lot of sense.
"Then I'm going to help you. Now, let's get back to the festival, the sun is starting to set."
He reached out his hand to help me up which I hesitantly took. He yanked me up putting a hand on my shoulder for comfort and I placed my hand over his.
"Thank you," I said looking up at him.
"For what?"
"For not giving up on me," I said with a small smile which made him grin.
Maybe Itachi was right, I do have another purpose in this world and I have Hikaru to help me through this. He was a clan member and it felt like he knew me better than anyone else at this moment. I guess Sasuke did help me in a way, but I still can't forgive him.