...
Shioon came to later and found he was in a room. The room was unfamiliar with a wooden ceiling and a dresser to his right. To his left he could see a door leading out. This wasn't his apartment that he shared with Ha Ill. Where was he?
The door suddenly opened and Hayate entered. Shioon's mouth went dry as he took in his teacher's appearance. Hayate looked as if someone had put him through a wringer. Exhaustion lined his face and his color was so pale he looked as if he might fall over any second.
As his mind registered all of this his body was pushing him to get up and make his way to the man's side. Hayate started with surprise at seeing him not only awake but moving. His brain caught up with him a second later. Before Shioon could do anything Hayate was turning him back around and towards the bed.
Suddenly Shioon was remembering all the times that had been done when he tried to escape the Hopsital Wing of Hogwart. Don't tell him he had another mother hen to deal with. He did not need someone looking over everything he did because they thought he would break.
Opening his mouth as he was going to argue his point when he was pushed back onto the bed. Hayate picked up his wrist and pressed his thumb into the pulse point. It was just like when the Murim members would check his center. What was Hayate checking for?
A breath of relief escaped the man. The tension that had been in his shoulders eased. This worried Shioon. The last thing he remembered was black and blue lightning coming off of his body. A growl. Then nothing.
He brought his free hand up and pressed it against his temple. Why did his head hurt? Why couldn't he remember what happened after the lightning and growl. Brown eyes stared at him for a few moments. Assessing him with stoic eyes and face.
When the pain passed Shioon asked, "What happened? Why can't I remember anything that happened after you were captured?"
His teacher blinked in surprise as he asked, "You don't remember anything? Nothing of what you did to Zabuza?"
"What I did?"
His mouth went dry. This wasn't the first time he lost time during a fight. Hell it wasn't even the first time that he had gone up against an impossible opponent.
Hayate frowned deeply considering his words. For his part Shioon reached out to his ki center. Searching for whatever was causing his teacher to give that look. Something had happened in his missing memories.
"You acted like you were possessed by one of the Tailed Beasts," he said finally, "Yet when you were checked there wasn't a seal. Every person who has a Tailed Beast must have it sealed. The only mark you have is the one on your wrist. The mark of a wolf. So what happened to you? What do you carry within you?"
Shioon flinched. So that's what this was about. The mark that made his original master abandon him. The mark he still didn't understand.
Would Hayate abandon him too? If he did Shioon didn't think he could take it. He was growing close to the man. Too close for him to be comfortable now. Maybe he should just be like Ha Ill. Not getting close to anyone or anything.
Hayate's aloofness softened and concern darkened his eyes. Slowly he reached out and pushed up Shioon's jacket revealing the mark. When he touched it something within him reared up. It snapped and snarled at Hayate. He could feel his ki trying to push the man away. Then his hand retreated a frown causing lines to cross his face.
Quietly the man said, "You don't know the full story either. I can see it in your eyes. That's something at least. You weren't hiding the truth from us."
Shioon's head bent and he whispered, "The mark appeared a few years ago. My first teacher abandoned me when it appeared. He didn't explain why. Just was gone one day. I know nothing about it. I'm sorry, Sensei."
Hayate stared at the top of his head for a moment before sighing, "It can't be helped now. With any luck the mission won't last too long and we can return to the village. At least there we can have you looked at by the Hokage. At present he has the most extensive knowledge on seals and Beasts."
Shioon looked up surprised, "You mean you want me to stay?"
Hayate blinked before he said, "Of course I do. You are a member of my team and even lost as you were you didn't attack us. You kept us safe constantly. I want to know what kind of power that was. But I trust that it won't hurt us."
Shioon breathed out a sigh. That was a relief. Hayate believed in him and for now that was enough. The question was still there however. What was he?
