Meilin: REVIEWS! Yayness!
Sasuke: Again?
Meilin: YEP! Kage-kun is so great! (For the record, -kun can be used to girls, it kinda depends upon the name. Like in Fruits Basket, the main character Tohru is called Tohru-kun since it's usually a boy's name. Kage-chan just doesn't flow right.)
I FOUND THINGS I OWN!
I own: Lyric no jutsu, Meilin, Traveler Nins, plushies, manga, pins, a stack of shonnen jump and Sasuke.
Sasuke: WRONG!
Meilin: WHY CAN'T I OWN IT? I WANNA OWN NARUTO! -Clears throat- Duo. Say the disclaimer.
Duo: Were there scenes of Sasuke in boxers in the latest episode of Naruto? Did you actually get to SEE Naruto kiss Sasuke? Did Sakura drop dead from rare diseases to be replaced by Hinata? If no, then Meilin does not yet own Naruto.
Meilin: Keyword: yet. RESPONSES!
Kage-Ichihashi: I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you meant that 'Colors of the Wind' had been in another Naruto fic. ;P There will definitely be flashbacks in this chapter and part two about Meilin's past. And I'm only rushing to type, I wrote the whole part 1 of the fic before I dared to start typing. Thanks for the wonderful review!
Meilin: Oh, and better still: There's a fight scene in this chapter! It's okay, I'm not good at them, but it's okay. You will also be introduced to two character based on friends of mine. They'll show up later, so remember them!
Warnings: HinaNaru, SasuOC, Semi-OOCness (Not intended, but it always happens anyways.)
OMG! There's no yaoi! LMAO
"Talking, duh."
'Thinking'
Authors notes
--------------- A Shinobi's Fate Chapter Three: Consolodence's and Vanishing Acts -------------
They stood at the gate to Konohagakure. Meilin had tried several times to speak to Sasuke, but to no avail. Thus, with a heavy heart she motioned for them to begin walking, herself in the lead, the other jonin at the back, the genin between them. Meilin continued to try to speak to him during their semi-frequent rests, but he'd always manage to be arguing with Naruto or debating strategy with Kiba whenever she was nearby, and believe me, it hurt. It hurt her more than Itachi betraying them... And that had been the emotional equivalent of a knife twisting in her heart.
Meilin sulked against a tree. Would it ever end? She wondered. She wondered if she deserved forgiveness. She'd been trying to protect him!
But he hated her. She knew it. She understood and accepted it. She deserved it. He had every right to hate her. But it hurt so much! She closed her eyes as she walked. 'I'm so horrible... Forgive me, Sasuke... Forgive me...' She motioned for a stop. This time it would be she who sat first. Moving behind a tree to hide her weakness, she wept silently, tears flowing down her cheeks and memories flashing through her mind.
------------------------------------------ Flashback Mode ---------------------------------------
Meilin, a younger, less confident, Meilin, approached the gates to the village of Leaves fearfully. She glanced up, for this village was far larger than even her home had been, and more formidable, it seemed to her, for it was a strange place, unlike the familiar houses of Kiri or Suna. Her companions gestured her into the slightly open gates. She shook her head. "I don't wanna... I don't wanna... Don't make me go..." she said, grasping the hem of one of their shirts. "I wanna go home."
The taller of the two smiled indulgently. "Sorry, Mei-chan. You've gotta go see Uchiha-san. You know him. Isn't he your friend?" he asked.
"I don't wanna be here. I wanna go home." she repeated, casting fearful glances at the ANBU guards of the gate.
The shorter, black haired one grimaced. "Meilin. You have no home anywhere but here now. C'mon." he said in a far less compassionate tone. The taller picked her up and strode inside. "Don't worry. When you're all grown up, you can count on our friendship, okay?" he said reassuringly.
The little girl sniffled. "Okay, Zack-kun."
"Good. Now, come on."
She hid behind her guardians as they gave the travel papers to the ANBU. The silver-haired shinobi nodded at the street to the estate. With a nod of thanks, Zack shifted his pack on his shoulder and walked off. When they arrived, Zack waved at her from the gate as she went inside. "Don't worry, Mei. When you're a traveler too, we'll work together."
She ran back. "Pinky Promise?"
"Promise."
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Meilin hesitantly entered the Uchiha house and bowed to the head of the home. "Ko-Konichi wa Uchiha-Sama..." she stuttered.
The man smiled. "No reason to be nervous, Meilin-chan." he said kindly, "I'm sure Itachi and Sasuke will be happy to see you again."
Meilin looked up. "Uchiha-kun and Itachi-san are here?"
"I'm afraid Sasuke is at the academy. Itachi is upstairs though, why don't you see him?" Meilin nodded and dashed upstairs. The man sighed. "Her family is dead, aren't they?"
The Mist ninja nodded. "It's a pity she can't know yet. Such a kind girl."
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Meilin looked around nervously at the young Konoha children. "Uchiha-kun... Why are they all staring at me...?" she asked in a tiny voice.
"They've never met you before. They're curious. You look strange to them."
"Strange?"
"Yeah. People don't dress like that around here. I've never seen any of the girls put their hair up either."
Meilin looked down at herself. What was so weird about her robes? Everyone wore them in Kiri. In her opinion, THEY were the strange ones. She flipped her hair back behind her shoulders. And what was so weird about putting her hair up? It got all over if she didn't pin it into the buns atop her head, and she tripped over it, too.
Needless to say, the staring didn't help her nervousness as she stood in front of the classmates she would be stuck with until graduation. After a mumbled introduction while staring at the floor, she ran quickly up the stairs to sit beside Sasuke. A loud farting noise made her blush to the tips of her ears. The whole class started giggling as the boy behind her kicked a whoopee cushion from her chair.
"Gotcha, sucker!" the blond boy crowed.
"Stuff it, Uzumaki!" Sasuke yelled at him.
"Who'll make me, pretty-boy?"
"Depends. Would you prefer me or Kimura-chan to rearrange that face for you?"
Meilin tugged on his sleeve. "Leave it, Uchiha-kun... Just leave it."
"Aww... Gonna chicken out 'cause your girlfriend says you should?"
Sasuke's arm twitched but he sat down with Meilin just the same. "If they ever make fun of you again, you tell me, okay Meilin-chan? Aniki would have my hide if I let something happen to you."
Meilin smiled, eyes shiny with tears. She nodded. "Okay."
But the teasing wouldn't stop. If anything, Sasuke's intervention caused more problems for her, ostracizing her from most of the other girls. Without friends save the Uchiha, she became a prime target for Naruto's pranks.
Meilin hid beneath a tree in the schoolyard, cold and wet. Naruto was playing his usual pranks, and as always, had hit Meilin directly. Directly in the face with a water balloon that is. She sniffed, her face wet with water and tears, red with pain and embarrassment. If Naruto had hit anybody else, the other girls would've yelled at him. It was Meilin. They just laughed.
She sniffed again as she tried to tie her hair up again, but realized her hairband had fallen out. "Double drat!" she said, choked. Now she definitely wasn't going back.
A hand stuck out beside her, a pair of ribbons in the open palm. "Here." Meilin looked up at the seemingly blind eyes of a girl she'd never met before. "Here." the girl said again. "It's okay... Take them. That was a really mean prank Uzumaki-kun played on you."
Meilin nodded. "Thank you." she said, tying the ribbons around her hair to hold it in place.
The girl smiled. "Uzumaki doesn't mean it. Don't take him to seriously."
Meilin scowled, but didn't say anything. "Hey... Who are you?"
The girl smiled. "My name is Hyuuga Hinata."
And with that, Meilin made one of the few friends she would make at the academy. Of course, Naruto wouldn't be swayed by her friendship with Hinata, not one bit, but it made the pranks bearable. Fortunately, her early graduation with distinction from the academy spared her the worst of the pranks Uzumaki Naruto would play on his classmates as he aged.
----------------------------------------End Flashback Mode--------------------------------------
Hinata looked towards Meilin with concern. Hinata had always looked up to the older girl. It had been Meilin who inspired Hinata's dream of becoming a medical nin. But now the jonin's face looked swollen and red with grief. Hinata sighed. She had no choice. She had to help her friend, didn't she?
She sat next to Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun..." she began shyly.
Sasuke looked at Hinata with surprise. "What?"
"IthinkyoushouldtalktoMeilin-chan." she said in a single breath.
Sasuke looked away. "No."
Hinata's smile grew more strained. "But Sasuke-kun..." she asked again, a hint of annoyance in her voice now.
"I said NO Hinata-san."
Hinata had had it then. With all the confidence Naruto and Meilin had helped her attain, she stood in front of the Uchiha. "Uchiha Sasuke! Do you realize how childish you're being?" Sasuke glared at her as she put her hands on her hips. "No, I take that back. How childish you AND Meilin are being? I don't know what happened, but it's clearly hurting both of you and you need to go talk it out. Now."
Sasuke sighed. "Fine." he said, getting up and dusting himself off. Hinata realized how silly she must've appeared, blushed and sat down. She was embarrassed, but she'd done it. She'd gotten him moving. The next move was up to Meilin.
The group was floored to say the least. When was the last time any of them had seen Hinata quite like this? Never in recent memory, that was certain.
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"Meilin."
She looked up form her sobbing. "Sasuke?" she asked uncertainly.
He dropped into a cross-legged position, leaning against the tree. He crossed his arms as well. "Talk."
Fresh tears appeared on her face. She looked down. "I'm so, so sorry, Sasuke. I should've told you... But... I just... I was so worried! You're strong... The strongest... But as a Genin, there's no way you could measure up to an entire organization of missing nins. No one could do that alone! No one..."
He grabbed her hands away from her face. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I... I didn't know if you'd try anyway... Sasuke... You're all I have left. Protecting you has always been priority one." she said, still refusing to meet his gaze.
Sasuke reached towards her, slowly cupping her chin and forcing her to look at him. "That's all you had to say." He gently wiped the tears from her face, slowly circling his arms around her.
"Sasuke..." she mumbled sleepily, "Thank you."
Not ten minutes later, Kurenai walked behind the tree. Sasuke placed a finger over his lips. "Shh!" he whispered, gesturing to Meilin.
Kurenai smiled. Meilin was fast asleep, her head on Sasuke's lap. He stroked her hair softly. Kurenai nodded, and walked back towards Kakashi. "Guess this is camp, tonight."
------------------------------------------------Next Morning-------------------------------------
Meilin was woken by the sun shining on her face between the trees. As she woke, she became aware of a warm arm slung about her shoulders. She sat up slowly, and smiled when she saw Sasuke leaning against the tree, sound asleep. She moved forwards, kissing him on the cheek softly. "Thanks... Sasuke..."
She stretched and walked over to Kurenai, who was handing out breakfast. The older ninja smiled. "Sleep well?"
Meilin nodded. "Quite. Much better than normal."
"Good. Kakashi and Naruto took a look around. I think we're about eleven hours from Sunagakure."
Meilin nodded. "We're leaving, then." She walked back to Sasuke and shook him. "Sasuke. Time to go." she said softly.
He opened his eyes slowly and stood up. "'Kay."
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The group continued down the trail for several hours. Suddenly, Meilin held a hand out, stopping the group. Meilin glared down the road. "Who's there? State your business!" she ordered.
Kiba looked oddly at Meilin. What could this girl see that the rest of them couldn't? Apparently a lot, because, without warning, shuriken burst forth from the tree line towards Sakura. Meilin dashed in front of the pink haired shinobi, the shuriken embedding themselves deep in Meilin's left arm. She winced. "Don't just stand there! MOVE!" she yelled to the shocked Genin, as the opposing shinobi sprang form the trees.
Naruto and Sakura responded immediately, lining up back to back, Kunai at the ready. Hinata's hands formed the sign of flames, ready to use the byakugan if need be. Behind Hinata, Kiba, Shino, and Akamaru all readied themselves. Kurenai, Kakashi and Sasuke dashed forwards with Meilin.
Meilin's left arm hung limp, but her right hand was rapidly forming katas. She looked towards the attacking shinobi . "Water Style, Water dragon technique!" she called, knocking one deep into the woods. another shinobi dashed past her as she cast the jutsu, forcing the shuriken deeper into her arm. The shinobi them moved towards Kakashi behind her, who quickly used his groundhog technique to bury him completely. The lone women of their foes dashed at Kurenai, who used her jutsu's to burn their enemy to ashes.
The remaining two attackers dashed at the Genin. Naruto, Sakura, Kiba, and Shino dashed at one, Sasuke and Hinata at the other. Sasuke's hands flew into well-practiced katas. "Fire Style: Art of the Pheonix Fire, the Touch-Me-Not!" he blew the flames at the last opponent, scorching him. As he moved towards Hinata, Meilin ran behind and finished it, slitting his throat.
Meilin's breathing was heavy. "How'd that happen? We're only a few hours from Suna... Where are their scouts?" she gasped.
Kakashi shrugged. 'I don't know, but you need to get that wound treated."
Meilin shook her head. "First, we put as much distance as possible between us and this battleground. NOW!" she yelled. She ripped the shuriken from her arm and began to walk the path again.
An hour later, darkness was falling, and Meilin motioned for them to make camp. Her breathing had not improved; if anything it had worsened, coming frequently in sharp gasps. While Kakashi, Sakura and the boys rested, Kurenai and Hinata were busy cleaning Meilin's wound. She'd hidden it well, but it had begun to pus horribly, and Meilin was in excruciating pain. Kurenai scowled. "Those shurken were poisoned." she announced to the group.
Meilin's face hardened. "Those missing nin were form Kiri, it doesn't surprise me. Ah!" she grabbed her arms as Hinata dabbed at the wound. "Man that... hurts..." She said as her eyes grew heavy.
Hinata's eyes widened. "Meilin! Don't fall asleep!"
Meilin shoook her head and leaned against the tree behind her. "What..."
Hinata pulled her backpack to her. "The poisons taking effect. She needs medical attention."
Kurenai stood. "We don't have a choice. We have to travel the rest of the path now, tonight."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "How long?"
"We're three hours away form Sunagakure, at best. If we get attacked en route..."
Blood began to drip form Meilin's mouth as she rose. "I... Don't need... Carrying..." she said softly. She walked a few steps before falling forwards.
Sasuke dashed towards her and caught her before she hit the ground. "Stop it, Mei. Just stop it."
Kakashi laid the emergency stretcher on the ground. Sasuke put Meilin on it gently, and the two oldest ninja picked it up and began walking.
Over the course of the next few hours, Meilin's condition grew steadily worse. Hinata did what she could to keep the wound clean, but more than once the pus was so bad that Kurenai had to allow Kiba and Shino to carry the stretcher so she could drain the wound.
It wasn't long before Meilin seemed to slip away. Thrashing at times, she seemed possessed by delirium. "Sa...Suke... Sasu... Ke... I'm sorry... My jutsu... Mine... My fault... Itachi... My fault..." Sasuke held her hand the whole way. They'd later wonder if that was all that anchored her to the land of the living.
After what seemed an eternity, they finally reached the gates of Sunagakure. "State your business!" the guard called. He was tall, with long silver hair, and even from a distance the genin knew this was not a shinobi to cross.
Kakashi took charge. "We come from Sunagakure! Meilin, traveler, Suna jonin, has been injured by missing nin while en route here! She is in desperate need of medical asssitance!"
The guard nodded. "Follow me."
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The next day, Meilin's eyes fluttered open to a whitewashed room in a Sunagakure hospital. Sasuke was holding her hand, nearly collapsing with relief. "Thank god you're awake!"
Meilin sat up. "I...I think i'm okay now." she said. She looked at her arm. It was tightly bandaged, and difficult to move.
The others entered the room, Gaara, Kankurou and Temari with them. Meilin's face steeled against the pain immidiately. She fished the scroll from the pouch at her waist. "I apologize for the delay." she said as she handed it to Gaara.
Gaara nodded and opened the scroll. His eyes widened slightly before he rerolled it, muttered something to his siblings, and nodded at Kankurou. Kankurou took the scroll and nodded back before leaving the room. Gaara turned to Meilin. "I thank you for the report. I'll assume, as always, that you wish to know it's contents?"
Meilin glanced nervously at Sasuke. If she asked him to leave, he might get angry again. If Gaara didn't tell her something important,they might miss their chance. If she wanted to know, Sasuke might get hurt. Sasuke saw a flicker of doubt behind her eyes. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and nodded. Meilin looked at him. 'Sasuke...' She sighed with relief and nodded at Gaara, who glanced questioningly at Sasuke before turning to Meilin. "Akasuki Unit Seven has been spotted in Rai no Kuni." Meilin's eyes widened. "In addition, there have been several reports of faceless bodies. Akasuki Unit One has not been seen in several weeks."
Meilin lowered her gaze. Sasuke gave her hand another squeeze, and she looked up, determined. "And the Raikage?"
"Refuses to comment."
She looked down again. "I see."
Gaara and Temari turned to leave. "If you'd like a look at it for yourself, Mei, feel free to find us when you're well." Temari said as they walked out the door.
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When Meilin left the hospital later, under strict orders not to strain herself or return to Konoho for several days, she walked straight to the palace of the Kazekage, and requested an audience with Temari.
Temari greeted the foriegn ninja as an old friend. "Good morning, Meilin-chan! Here to see the scroll, are you?"
Meilin shook her head. "I'm here to ask what Suna knows of Oto's communications as of late."
Temari smirked. "The beggar askes a high price." she said, pulling records from shelves. Meilin nodded her thanks ot hte blond kunoichi and started reading.
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Meilin made her way backto the quarters at nightfall, tired, but satisfied. When she entered their room, Sasuke sighed with relief. "You had me worried, Meilin." he said.
Meilin smiled. She grabbed her bag and disapeared into a closet, reapearing a moment later in her pajamas. She flopped down onto one of the beds. "Sorry." she said, laying back into the pillows.
Sasuke sat next to her on the bed. "S'okay. How's your arm?"
Meilin shrugged. "I'm okay." Sasuke layed down next to her. He snaked an arm aorund her waist. Meilin laid her head on his shoulder. They lay in silence for a long time... It could have been minues, it oculd have been hours... Either way, Sasuke saw that she was sound asleep. He got up slowly, careful not to disturb her, and covered her in blankets. He brushed her bangs out of her face, and planted a soft kiss on her forehead before he smiled, got into his own bed, and turned off the lights.
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Meilin: AND IT'S OVER!
Gomen. I'm sorry it took so long to type... My manuscript was stolen, it took me a week to get it back. In my defense, I'm not usually so lazy!
Ed: Liar. You haven't written in Part Three for over a week.
Meilin: IT'S WRITERS BLOCK OKAY? Meanies!
Sasuke: -whispers- She lies...
Meilin: HEY! -Glares at Sasuke-
Sasuke: If you'd let me finish! She's been to busy cramming.
Meilin: Yeppers. Regents week next week, then my birthday that weekend, at Genericon. But I promise, Chapter Four will be up before valentines.
REVIEW PLEASE!