Love and Death
Disclaimer: People my age do not own anime shows or characters...
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I've been swamped with homework for the past few days, and yesterday I was out until late. But I'm putting up this chapter and chapter 10 because I have THE BEST idea for it. Can I hear an "emotionally charged?" Anyway, this chapter may be kind of boring, but it'll be made up for in the next one. Yokusoku yo.
P.S-I learned a couple of really handy Japanese words, so I'll be using them a lot in this chapter. Their definitions will be in brackets, ok? That's all! Enjoy!
Chapter 9- An Explanation
"Ite-e!" Miharu cried out in pain, rubbing her head frantically. Looking up, she glared at Neji, who was, of course, grinning at her. "Argh! Omae wa honto ne BAKA KA!!!" (You stupid asshole!) She screamed at him as she charged. "Yurusanai!" (I won't forgive you!) Drawing out a kunai, she through it at his head. He grabbed it inches away from his face, and threw it aside.
Sudden laughter stopped Miharu in her tracks. She turned toward its origin only to see Kisa clutching her side and practically dying with laughter. She was turning red and was starting to cry. Miharu turned on her next.
"Just who the hell are you laughing at?" She demanded. When Kisa only began to laugh harder, Miharu drew out another kunai. Throwing it at her assignment, knowing full well the girl wouldn't be able to dodge it, she yelled "Shin'ne!" (Die!) Only when it had left her hands did she realize that if it hit the target, she would be responsible for the death of the person she was supposed to be protecting.
"Kuso..." She cursed under her breath. Then, she began to laugh. Both Neji and Sasuke turned from the still laughing Kisa, who apparently had not noticed that she was about to die, to the now laughing Miharu, who could be stripped of her title as Jounin if Kisa were to die at her hands.
Sasuke shuddered. 'They've both gone crazy.' He thought. Racing over to where Kisa stood, this thought still in his mind, he planted himself in between her and Miharu's kunai. He grabbed it in his hand the same way Neji had, and pocketed it. Kisa, still laughing behind him, managed to choke out a small "A-arigatou."
Miharu stopped laughing suddenly and glared at Sasuke. "Move! I'm going to kill her!" Quickly doing the hand seals, she yelled "Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" The huge blast of fire streamed straight toward where Sasuke and Kisa both stood, Sasuke looking shocked, and Kisa still laughing. Neji just watched them all with mild interest.
Sasuke did the hand seals to perform a shield around both him and Kisa. After the attack wore off, he appeared behind her with a **poof! **
"Dame da...gomen ne, Miharu-chan..." He whispered into her ear as he knocked her unconscious. Looking down at her limp figure, he turned back to face Neji. Shaking his head in disbelief, he said "She went completely crazy...she snapped. I wonder why?"
Neji, too, had wondered why she had attacked Kisa in such a fashion. It just wasn't like her. Sure, Miharu was known to be rash and outspoken, and at times even rude...but she had never done something like this before. So...why then?
Looking at Kisa, who was still laughing, [[Inner Neji]] what an idiot! It's not even funny anymore! Mou...Shojo wa shitsukoi. [[Inner Neji End]] (Jeez, she's being a pain in the ass) "Urusai!" He spat at her, causing her to stop almost immediately. Instead, she looked at him uncertainly.
Sasuke bent down to pick up Miharu. Cradling her once more in his arms, he looked over at Neji. "We should be heading on. Her place is supposed to be less than an hour away. Ikimashou." (Let's go)
*
Miharu awoke to find herself laying on a bamboo mat. She had a horrible headache. Bringing her hand to her forehead, she realized that someone had placed a cold cloth on it. Sighing loudly, she looked around her.
"Ah, Miharu-san, you're awake." Came the frightened voice of Kisa from her left. Getting up slowly, she held the cold cloth to her forehead and looked at her assignment.
"Why are you so afraid?" She asked her tiredly. She couldn't even remember what had happened before she had awoken. Looking around, she saw both Sasuke and Neji sitting in the corner. "Is someone going to answer me?" She asked, getting angry.
Kisa squeaked in fright at the tone of her voice. Miharu's head whipped around in her direction again. "What is it?" She demanded.
Sasuke's voice cut in from the shadows in which he sat. "Tell her then, Kisa. Who better to do it than you?" For some reason, he sounded rather bitter. Miharu wondered what had happened before she had wound up here.
"A-ano...Miharu-san...you tried to kill..." she cut off and looked away.
"Dare? Chikusho, dare!?" (Who? Dammit, who!?) She demanded even louder. She had never failed to kill an opponent before. Who could it have been?
"...me."
Silence hung in the air. "Y-you...?" she asked, uncertain of what she had heard. "Usotsuki! (Liar!) I wouldn't...couldn't have! You're our assignment! I would never do anything so stupid!" She exclaimed. The thought of her trying to kill the girl was frightening her. It couldn't have been her! She had thought of it, but she had never really meant any of what she had thought.
Neji spoke up. "It was you. None of us know why. It is unlike you. And the fact that you can't remember any of what happened makes it even more confusing. Maybe then it wasn't even by your will it was happening."
Sasuke looked at Neji, eyebrows raised. "Are you saying that dareka (Someone) may have used Shintenshin no Jutsu?" (Mind Body Switch Skill)
"Heh. That's exactly what I'm saying. But what I want to know it, when did it take place? One minute she was herself, and the next she was trying to kill Kisa."
Miharu nodded her head slowly, ignoring the pounding pain in her temple. "Naruhodou..." (I see) Looking straight at Kisa, she continued. "Then, I guess it's good that we've finally returned her to her home." She said.
"Maybe. But the thing is...is this really her home?" Sasuke asked, getting startled glances from both Miharu and Kisa. Neji knew where he was going. "If someone wants you this bad, then there's no way that you could live in one place. I don't see your parents, either. If they were killed, it must have been for a reason.
"Naruto Hokage-sama didn't know why you were being chased. You told him you didn't know either, didn't you, Kisa? But...you really do. So now, I think it's time you tell us why we've been risking both our lives and the separation of this group because of you. You owe us that much."
Kisa nodded slowly. Looking up at them all, tears shining brightly in her eyes, she said to them, "you're all right. I'm a liar. I didn't want anyone to know...because I didn't trust anyone. But I've caused you so much trouble...I've come to believe that this is the only way that I can repay you. What you said made me realize...you've been risking your lives and you don't even know why...so...I'll tell you."
Neji and Sasuke moved forward as she began to whisper to them the reason that many ninja were after her.
"In my family, there has been a great secret, one passed down through many generations, until it found itself under the possession of my parents. You see, this vial contains a sacred liquid...one which can give any one human immortality."
"So ka...so this vial...this is why everyone is after you, is it?" Miharu asked, intrigued by her story.
"Hai. You see, my parents told me, when giving me this, that many ninja would be after it. It seems as though for a ninja, this vile could be necessary for anything that could happen to them."
Sasuke spoke up. "As a ninja, death is almost always a factor. To have immortality, you would be able to do whatever it is you wish without having to worry about life-threatening consequences."
Neji nodded his head slowly. "With this in their system, Shinobi from the different countries could try to overthrow others...and none would have to fear dying..."
Miharu listened and didn't speak. So this was why the young girl was entrusted to them for protection...she held with her the one thing that ANYONE would want to have.
Kisa nodded and continued. "My parents also had another vial with them that only I knew, or rather, I thought that only I knew, they had. Theirs was much stronger than the one that I carried with me. Because we held such dangerous items, we were forced to move about the country regularly. We couldn't allow ourselves to stay in one place for too long of a time, because the enemy might have been able to reach us. Although we were trained for combat, we weren't ninja ourselves. This being said, you probably realize why I was assigned to you.
"As it turns out, we had accidentally stayed in one certain place, the Village of the Hidden Rain, for too long. That's probably why the rain ninja attacked you when they heard word that you were to protect me.
"You see, somehow word had reached them that my family and I held the 'Vial of Immortality', as it is called. They tracked us down one night. It was late, and we were off guard. I was only fifteen. It was terrible. The came for my mother first, and she was killed instantly. However, they hadn't realized that my parents only held one of the vials. Therefore, they did not take notice that I was hidden in a corner.
"They went after my father next." Kisa began to cry softly, yet she continued speaking. Miharu, to the surprise of everyone, including herself, laid a comforting hand on Kisa's back. "He backed up to where I was hidden, and while they weren't looking, told me to escape through the back of our house. Of course, I didn't want to leave. I told him I wouldn't. But the way he looked at me....
"I did end up leaving, realizing that my father must already have died. That would mean that the ninjas must have gotten the vial that he held. But that also meant that they had realized that he only had one. They would be after me...my family's only offspring.
"For the last three years I've been able to keep low...but I slipped up about a month ago. Once again I forgot to leave a village I had been staying in. I had gone out to get something...and when I came back...." Kisa sobbed harder, hiding her face in her hands. "When I came back...my house was on fire. They had thought that I was in there...and had burnt the place down in hopes to kill me and get my vial. Realizing that...t-that...that I had b-been there t-too long....I left immediately.
"I a-arrived in your village a month ago. I l-learned that three of the strongest Shinobi in the entire country were stationed here. I went to the Hokage for help...f-for protection. I...I told him that men were after me, a-and I wasn't aware of the reason why. He believed me...he's such a kind man. H-he told me to wait here until you th-three got back. When I t-told him I needed to get to the Village of the H-hidden Mist, he assured me that it w-was on your way. I waited.
"Now I'm with y-you. You've brought me here safely. Arigatou gozaimasu!" She bowed her head, tears dropping onto the floor. Miharu's heart went out to the girl. She knew what it was like to be without a family. She hugged Kisa tightly, placing her chin on the girl's head.
"Do you want to come with us, Kisa?" She asked. Kisa lifted her head, eyes wide.
"N-no! I wouldn't want to trouble you. I'm fine. I realize now how much it means for me to be more careful. I'll be fine on my own. You have all helped me so much already!" She protested.
"Are you sure?" came Neji's smooth voice. Kisa turned toward him and blushed slightly.
"I'm positive, Neji-san. Thank you so much for everything, though...I am forever grateful..."
*
Neji, Sasuke, and Miharu left after spending another hour with Kisa. Miharu had apologized thoroughly for everything she had done to Kisa. Yet still, guilt consumed her. She had had no reason to take out her anger on the girl. She had had no idea what Kisa had gone through!
Sasuke sensed the guilt, and looked sidelong at Miharu's delicate features. Furrowing his brow, he said to her, "It's not like you knew or anything, Miharu. It's not your fault. Stop blaming it on yourself."
Neji watched as Miharu lifted her head to nod thank you. Something inside of him twinged. 'Ah, shit...it couldn't be...? Iie...masaka..." (no...impossible). He looked straight ahead and continued walking. "Well, we're supposed to meet the rest of the Jounin at some place called..."
Miharu looked at him pleadingly. "Neji...Sasuke...I know this mission is the most important that we're ever going to have in our lives...demo..."
"Nani?" asked Sasuke, stopping.
"It's just that...I don't think I can start the mission just yet. Maybe you two should go on without me..." she looked down sadly, knowing what she said was for the best.
"That's not going to work, Miharu." Neji informed her. "You even had said earlier. A team cannot operate with less than three people. We'll come with you. We can leave the village for a while, I guess." He turned his gaze to Sasuke. "But we have to be back in two days. Wakarimasu-ka?"
Sasuke nodded curtly, Miharu slowly. "Wakatta." They both replied.
End of Chapter 9!
A/N: Anyway, I wasn't really that sure what Kisa should be pursued for, so I just made it like this. I'm pretty sure it's not the best thing ever but, oh well. Anyway, I might not be able to get the 10th chapter up today, but if I don't, sorry from now. High emotions in the next one though!
Also, once again sorry that it took me so long to update! I hope you'll still review! Thnx! Ja ne~!
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I've been swamped with homework for the past few days, and yesterday I was out until late. But I'm putting up this chapter and chapter 10 because I have THE BEST idea for it. Can I hear an "emotionally charged?" Anyway, this chapter may be kind of boring, but it'll be made up for in the next one. Yokusoku yo.
P.S-I learned a couple of really handy Japanese words, so I'll be using them a lot in this chapter. Their definitions will be in brackets, ok? That's all! Enjoy!
Chapter 9- An Explanation
"Ite-e!" Miharu cried out in pain, rubbing her head frantically. Looking up, she glared at Neji, who was, of course, grinning at her. "Argh! Omae wa honto ne BAKA KA!!!" (You stupid asshole!) She screamed at him as she charged. "Yurusanai!" (I won't forgive you!) Drawing out a kunai, she through it at his head. He grabbed it inches away from his face, and threw it aside.
Sudden laughter stopped Miharu in her tracks. She turned toward its origin only to see Kisa clutching her side and practically dying with laughter. She was turning red and was starting to cry. Miharu turned on her next.
"Just who the hell are you laughing at?" She demanded. When Kisa only began to laugh harder, Miharu drew out another kunai. Throwing it at her assignment, knowing full well the girl wouldn't be able to dodge it, she yelled "Shin'ne!" (Die!) Only when it had left her hands did she realize that if it hit the target, she would be responsible for the death of the person she was supposed to be protecting.
"Kuso..." She cursed under her breath. Then, she began to laugh. Both Neji and Sasuke turned from the still laughing Kisa, who apparently had not noticed that she was about to die, to the now laughing Miharu, who could be stripped of her title as Jounin if Kisa were to die at her hands.
Sasuke shuddered. 'They've both gone crazy.' He thought. Racing over to where Kisa stood, this thought still in his mind, he planted himself in between her and Miharu's kunai. He grabbed it in his hand the same way Neji had, and pocketed it. Kisa, still laughing behind him, managed to choke out a small "A-arigatou."
Miharu stopped laughing suddenly and glared at Sasuke. "Move! I'm going to kill her!" Quickly doing the hand seals, she yelled "Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" The huge blast of fire streamed straight toward where Sasuke and Kisa both stood, Sasuke looking shocked, and Kisa still laughing. Neji just watched them all with mild interest.
Sasuke did the hand seals to perform a shield around both him and Kisa. After the attack wore off, he appeared behind her with a **poof! **
"Dame da...gomen ne, Miharu-chan..." He whispered into her ear as he knocked her unconscious. Looking down at her limp figure, he turned back to face Neji. Shaking his head in disbelief, he said "She went completely crazy...she snapped. I wonder why?"
Neji, too, had wondered why she had attacked Kisa in such a fashion. It just wasn't like her. Sure, Miharu was known to be rash and outspoken, and at times even rude...but she had never done something like this before. So...why then?
Looking at Kisa, who was still laughing, [[Inner Neji]] what an idiot! It's not even funny anymore! Mou...Shojo wa shitsukoi. [[Inner Neji End]] (Jeez, she's being a pain in the ass) "Urusai!" He spat at her, causing her to stop almost immediately. Instead, she looked at him uncertainly.
Sasuke bent down to pick up Miharu. Cradling her once more in his arms, he looked over at Neji. "We should be heading on. Her place is supposed to be less than an hour away. Ikimashou." (Let's go)
*
Miharu awoke to find herself laying on a bamboo mat. She had a horrible headache. Bringing her hand to her forehead, she realized that someone had placed a cold cloth on it. Sighing loudly, she looked around her.
"Ah, Miharu-san, you're awake." Came the frightened voice of Kisa from her left. Getting up slowly, she held the cold cloth to her forehead and looked at her assignment.
"Why are you so afraid?" She asked her tiredly. She couldn't even remember what had happened before she had awoken. Looking around, she saw both Sasuke and Neji sitting in the corner. "Is someone going to answer me?" She asked, getting angry.
Kisa squeaked in fright at the tone of her voice. Miharu's head whipped around in her direction again. "What is it?" She demanded.
Sasuke's voice cut in from the shadows in which he sat. "Tell her then, Kisa. Who better to do it than you?" For some reason, he sounded rather bitter. Miharu wondered what had happened before she had wound up here.
"A-ano...Miharu-san...you tried to kill..." she cut off and looked away.
"Dare? Chikusho, dare!?" (Who? Dammit, who!?) She demanded even louder. She had never failed to kill an opponent before. Who could it have been?
"...me."
Silence hung in the air. "Y-you...?" she asked, uncertain of what she had heard. "Usotsuki! (Liar!) I wouldn't...couldn't have! You're our assignment! I would never do anything so stupid!" She exclaimed. The thought of her trying to kill the girl was frightening her. It couldn't have been her! She had thought of it, but she had never really meant any of what she had thought.
Neji spoke up. "It was you. None of us know why. It is unlike you. And the fact that you can't remember any of what happened makes it even more confusing. Maybe then it wasn't even by your will it was happening."
Sasuke looked at Neji, eyebrows raised. "Are you saying that dareka (Someone) may have used Shintenshin no Jutsu?" (Mind Body Switch Skill)
"Heh. That's exactly what I'm saying. But what I want to know it, when did it take place? One minute she was herself, and the next she was trying to kill Kisa."
Miharu nodded her head slowly, ignoring the pounding pain in her temple. "Naruhodou..." (I see) Looking straight at Kisa, she continued. "Then, I guess it's good that we've finally returned her to her home." She said.
"Maybe. But the thing is...is this really her home?" Sasuke asked, getting startled glances from both Miharu and Kisa. Neji knew where he was going. "If someone wants you this bad, then there's no way that you could live in one place. I don't see your parents, either. If they were killed, it must have been for a reason.
"Naruto Hokage-sama didn't know why you were being chased. You told him you didn't know either, didn't you, Kisa? But...you really do. So now, I think it's time you tell us why we've been risking both our lives and the separation of this group because of you. You owe us that much."
Kisa nodded slowly. Looking up at them all, tears shining brightly in her eyes, she said to them, "you're all right. I'm a liar. I didn't want anyone to know...because I didn't trust anyone. But I've caused you so much trouble...I've come to believe that this is the only way that I can repay you. What you said made me realize...you've been risking your lives and you don't even know why...so...I'll tell you."
Neji and Sasuke moved forward as she began to whisper to them the reason that many ninja were after her.
"In my family, there has been a great secret, one passed down through many generations, until it found itself under the possession of my parents. You see, this vial contains a sacred liquid...one which can give any one human immortality."
"So ka...so this vial...this is why everyone is after you, is it?" Miharu asked, intrigued by her story.
"Hai. You see, my parents told me, when giving me this, that many ninja would be after it. It seems as though for a ninja, this vile could be necessary for anything that could happen to them."
Sasuke spoke up. "As a ninja, death is almost always a factor. To have immortality, you would be able to do whatever it is you wish without having to worry about life-threatening consequences."
Neji nodded his head slowly. "With this in their system, Shinobi from the different countries could try to overthrow others...and none would have to fear dying..."
Miharu listened and didn't speak. So this was why the young girl was entrusted to them for protection...she held with her the one thing that ANYONE would want to have.
Kisa nodded and continued. "My parents also had another vial with them that only I knew, or rather, I thought that only I knew, they had. Theirs was much stronger than the one that I carried with me. Because we held such dangerous items, we were forced to move about the country regularly. We couldn't allow ourselves to stay in one place for too long of a time, because the enemy might have been able to reach us. Although we were trained for combat, we weren't ninja ourselves. This being said, you probably realize why I was assigned to you.
"As it turns out, we had accidentally stayed in one certain place, the Village of the Hidden Rain, for too long. That's probably why the rain ninja attacked you when they heard word that you were to protect me.
"You see, somehow word had reached them that my family and I held the 'Vial of Immortality', as it is called. They tracked us down one night. It was late, and we were off guard. I was only fifteen. It was terrible. The came for my mother first, and she was killed instantly. However, they hadn't realized that my parents only held one of the vials. Therefore, they did not take notice that I was hidden in a corner.
"They went after my father next." Kisa began to cry softly, yet she continued speaking. Miharu, to the surprise of everyone, including herself, laid a comforting hand on Kisa's back. "He backed up to where I was hidden, and while they weren't looking, told me to escape through the back of our house. Of course, I didn't want to leave. I told him I wouldn't. But the way he looked at me....
"I did end up leaving, realizing that my father must already have died. That would mean that the ninjas must have gotten the vial that he held. But that also meant that they had realized that he only had one. They would be after me...my family's only offspring.
"For the last three years I've been able to keep low...but I slipped up about a month ago. Once again I forgot to leave a village I had been staying in. I had gone out to get something...and when I came back...." Kisa sobbed harder, hiding her face in her hands. "When I came back...my house was on fire. They had thought that I was in there...and had burnt the place down in hopes to kill me and get my vial. Realizing that...t-that...that I had b-been there t-too long....I left immediately.
"I a-arrived in your village a month ago. I l-learned that three of the strongest Shinobi in the entire country were stationed here. I went to the Hokage for help...f-for protection. I...I told him that men were after me, a-and I wasn't aware of the reason why. He believed me...he's such a kind man. H-he told me to wait here until you th-three got back. When I t-told him I needed to get to the Village of the H-hidden Mist, he assured me that it w-was on your way. I waited.
"Now I'm with y-you. You've brought me here safely. Arigatou gozaimasu!" She bowed her head, tears dropping onto the floor. Miharu's heart went out to the girl. She knew what it was like to be without a family. She hugged Kisa tightly, placing her chin on the girl's head.
"Do you want to come with us, Kisa?" She asked. Kisa lifted her head, eyes wide.
"N-no! I wouldn't want to trouble you. I'm fine. I realize now how much it means for me to be more careful. I'll be fine on my own. You have all helped me so much already!" She protested.
"Are you sure?" came Neji's smooth voice. Kisa turned toward him and blushed slightly.
"I'm positive, Neji-san. Thank you so much for everything, though...I am forever grateful..."
*
Neji, Sasuke, and Miharu left after spending another hour with Kisa. Miharu had apologized thoroughly for everything she had done to Kisa. Yet still, guilt consumed her. She had had no reason to take out her anger on the girl. She had had no idea what Kisa had gone through!
Sasuke sensed the guilt, and looked sidelong at Miharu's delicate features. Furrowing his brow, he said to her, "It's not like you knew or anything, Miharu. It's not your fault. Stop blaming it on yourself."
Neji watched as Miharu lifted her head to nod thank you. Something inside of him twinged. 'Ah, shit...it couldn't be...? Iie...masaka..." (no...impossible). He looked straight ahead and continued walking. "Well, we're supposed to meet the rest of the Jounin at some place called..."
Miharu looked at him pleadingly. "Neji...Sasuke...I know this mission is the most important that we're ever going to have in our lives...demo..."
"Nani?" asked Sasuke, stopping.
"It's just that...I don't think I can start the mission just yet. Maybe you two should go on without me..." she looked down sadly, knowing what she said was for the best.
"That's not going to work, Miharu." Neji informed her. "You even had said earlier. A team cannot operate with less than three people. We'll come with you. We can leave the village for a while, I guess." He turned his gaze to Sasuke. "But we have to be back in two days. Wakarimasu-ka?"
Sasuke nodded curtly, Miharu slowly. "Wakatta." They both replied.
End of Chapter 9!
A/N: Anyway, I wasn't really that sure what Kisa should be pursued for, so I just made it like this. I'm pretty sure it's not the best thing ever but, oh well. Anyway, I might not be able to get the 10th chapter up today, but if I don't, sorry from now. High emotions in the next one though!
Also, once again sorry that it took me so long to update! I hope you'll still review! Thnx! Ja ne~!