dark-ninja-ayane- um... just wondering... why does every one of my ? and! marks turn into a !mark instead? same with when i use the double ! mark, it turns into a !mark instead... does anyone know how to fix that?
Recap- Run Away Forever Chapter 5- An Unpleasant Reunion
Akiya arrives at Koenma's palace only to meet an unexpected person their. It was Yukina. She's held long grudges against Akiya for killing her mother. Hiei, being the secretly protective brother he was, was obviously concerned about the situation. When he found out why Yukina was so angry with the ninja, he attacked her. Their match got interrupted thanks to the rest of the detectives and Botan. They all went back only to have Koenma confront Akiya with the problem. When Akiya denies killing Yukina's mother, Yukina runs out the door with Akiya following her. Akiya tries to tell Yukina that it was all a misunderstanding, but Yukina was still angry. Later on in a forest, Hiei asks for a straight answer from her, whether she killed their mother or not. Akiya asks him why he bothered asking again if he wasn't going to believe her anyway. A few moments after that, she meets Botan, Kuwabara, Kurama, Yukina, and Yusuke passing by. They invited her to go with them to Genkai's though they got sidetracked for a couple of hours because Yusuke and Kuwabara went into a huge arcade. Kurama went to the bookstore to pass time leaving Yukina and Akiya alone. She asked Akiya one more time if she killed her mother or not and Akiya said the same thing that she had said to Hiei. After a while, Yukina finally let go of the strong grudge that she held on Akiya. Now, they're on their way to Genkai's again. (srry… long summary)
Run Away Forever Chapter 6- Reunion at the Training Session
They all finally made it to the top of the stairs and were standing in front of Genkai's temple. They all let themselves in and were going behind the temple. They assumed that Genkai already knew that they were there. Akiya was behind the others a bit when all of a sudden, a blast of blue energy flew at her. She did a back flip and swiftly landed on her feet, ready for anything else that may be thrown her way.
"You're sharp, as always," Genkai said smirking slightly. "Come on. They're waiting."
"Who are?" Akiya asked.
"You'll see," she answered as she led everyone to the back of her temple.
"Hey old hag," Yusuke called. "You train her before or something?"
"No dimwit," she said. "I was over at her village once and saw her fight. She comes over once in a while."
Genkai continued to walk and Yusuke decided to keep his mouth shut. After a minute or two, they came to Genkai's backyard. When Akiya looked, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Akiya!" the ninjas shouted to her.
"Guys!" she shouted as she ran over to them. "What're you doing here?"
"We're here to train," Hiro answer. "The children are here too. Hey! Katsu, Mika, Yomi!"
Three children came out of the forest and huge smiles came to their faces when they saw who was standing there waiting for them.
"Akiya-san!" they all shouted as they ran and jumped onto her and embraced her tightly. Akiya hugged them back. She was really happy right now.
"Yukina!" Kohira shouted to her.
Yukina went over and smiled at her. The children went over with the other ninjas. This was their first time meeting Yukina. Akiya smiled at Yukina who smiled back at her. As the children were being introduced to Yukina, Genkai and the detectives were stretching and getting ready to train. After a few minutes, everyone came and joined the detectives.
"So who's fighting who?" Kuwabara asked.
"Well I remember that you were going against one of the children," Hiei mocked. "That leaves the rest of us experienced people to fight."
"Shut up you shrimp!" Kuwabara shouted in his extremely annoying voice. "You should be with them! You're their size anyway!"
"You're the one whose dumb enough though," he mocked again.
"Look who's talking!" he shouted as he tried to think up of a quick come back.
"We'll do it like we were going to last time," Akiya spoke up hoping that it would end the arguing. "Mika and Yomi will go. Kuwabara and Katsu. We'll keep going from there."
"Of course Akiya!" he said holding her hand. "Anything for you!"
"Then let go," she said a bit coldly as she took her hand away from Kuwabara's.
"Let's get started already," Genkai said.
"Yes," Botan said suddenly. She hadn't spoken since she had gotten to Genkai's temple. She went over and stood next to Genkai to watch the fighters train.
Mika and Yomi got in the middle of the large field and got into their fighting stances. Once they felt ready, they went. Mika threw a kunai at Yomi who easily dodged it and performed a small series of hand seals. He performed a simple lightning technique, Yellow Thunder Technique. A strike of lighting came out of his hand as he carefully aimed at Mika. Mika immediately performed her small series of hand seals and performed a simple Rock Wall Shield Technique. Yomi's Yellow Thunder however, broke down Mika's wall and hit her in the stomach. There was a poof and Mika was gone. The Mika he hit was a Shadow Clone. Mika cam from behind Yomi and attacked with her kunai. She chucked it at Yomi and hit him in the back as there was also a poof and he disappeared. Yomi, who was behind Mika, threw a kunai at her and she once again disappeared. Yomi disappeared too however. Right before Yomi's attack had hit Mika, she had turned around and stabbed him with her kunai. Now the field was empty. The detectives were wondering where the two children had gone. Akiya, who was watching the entire fight, was smiling to herself. They had grown a lot since the first time she had trained them. She had trained them well. Yomi and Mika both concealed themselves in the trees and both thought up of strategies. Mika suddenly jumped into the middle of the field. Yomi, after a while, did the same. They both drew their kunai. They were going to end this in one shot. Mika concentrated her sprit energy on her kunai and engulfed it with fire. Yomi did the same except he engulfed his kunai with electricity. They both charged at each other and their kunai clashed which caused a small explosion. They didn't stop though. Mika jumped back and threw her kunai at Yomi as he threw his at Mika. Both kunai hit their marks and caused them both to fall to the ground. They both got up and smirked at each other as they walked over to join the rest of the group.
"Draw again huh?" Yomi asked smiling.
"Guess so," Mika replied.
Kuwabara and Katsu both stepped up to the middle of the field this time. They both got into their fighting stances. Katsu took out his kunai as Kuwabara summoned his Spirit Sword. Katsu threw his kunai at Kuwabara as he stumbled out of the way. Kuwabara then charged at Katsu with his Spirit Sword. He swung it at Katsu who dodged it with no problems. Kuwabara kept swinging his sword as Katsu dodged every single strike. Kuwabara, who was getting annoyed because he couldn't hit the little boy, controlled his sword so that it swirled around and hit Katsu. Katsu immediately got back up and performed a small series of hand seals and performed a simple Flaming Wind technique. The wind picked up and was heating up. It suddenly became red as it went towards Kuwabara. It hit him but Kuwabara didn't seem to be hurt. He summoned hit Spirit Sword again as he swung and hit Katsu hard. This time, there was a poof though. On instinct, he turned around and batted Katsu who was behind him. Katsu landed and jumped backwards to get some distance so that he could perform a Summoning Technique. He bit his thumb as blood seeped out. He then performed a series of hand seals, put both his hands faced down on the ground, and summoned a huge eagle. It flew by and picked Kuwabara up.
"Oh crap!" Kuwabara shouted nervously.
The eagle was taking him at least a hundred feet into the sky already. It suddenly let go of Kuwabara as he dropped down screaming. Yusuke and Kurama stood up in concern for their friend. Hiei stayed put and watched as the ninjas and Akiya watched Katsu intensely. He didn't look like he was going to make a move to stop Kuwabara from hitting the ground. He just stood there watching Kuwabara fall.
"Sword Get Long!" he shouted at the last minute, cushioning the fall as he landed safely.
Everyone let out a breath of relief. The eagle returned however and held Kuwabara a few feet in the air. Katsu performed a series of very complicated hand seals. The ninjas, the other two children, and Akiya gasped. They recognized the hand seals. Katsu was planning to paralyze Kuwabara's lungs!
"Katsu no!" Akiya shouted to him desperately. What in the hell is he thinking! Not only will that be dangerous to Kuwabara but if he doesn't do this technique right, he'll wind up with paralyzed lungs himself! And If I go in there right when Katsu's releasing the technique, that might cause it to hit someone else!
Katsu took no heed of Akiya's desperate shout. The other ninjas were shouting to him for him to stop. When he still didn't stop, they all decided to make a move.
"Summoning Technique!" Akiya shouted after biting her thumb and performing the seals for the technique and placing both her hands on the ground faced down. An unusually large wolf appeared. "Kitamru! Stop Itoru! Make him drop Kuwabara!" she commanded it.
The wolf obediently listened to his master. He jumped onto the eagle and made him drop Kuwabara.
"Hand Mirror Technique!" Hiro shouted after performing a series of hand seals as a mirror popped up in his out of seemingly nowhere as he grabbed it and lined it up with Katsu's attack. As Katsu's attack hit the mirror, Hiro redirected it to the sky. When Akiya looked back at Katsu, Hayate was standing behind him. He hit the back of Katsu's back and knocked him out.
"You taught him a dangerous technique like that?" Hayate asked Akiya.
"Not me!" she argued. "I have no idea where he could've learned that technique! You know me better than that!"
"Do I?" he mocked.
"Hey!" Kuwabara shouted. "Why did you just jump into my battle like that? He was just a kid! I coulda handled whatever he was gonna try and hit me with!"
"If we didn't stop him, he would've paralyzed your lungs and killed you," Hiro said calmly.
"I would've survived," Kuwabara argued stubbornly.
"He doesn't know what lungs are," Hiei insulted. "They're the organs in your body that allow you to breathe. If they're paralyzed, then you can't breathe. Then you die. Now do you understand?"
"I know you stupid little dwarf!" he shouted angrily.
"At least I don't have a block of wood for my brain," Hiei simply said.
"At least I don't need a ladder to reach the door knob!" Kuwabara insulted.
"At least I don't scare everyone away with my face," Hiei retorted.
"I'm not the one that can kill everyone with my hair!" Kuwabara shouted.
While Hiei and Kuwabara were throwing insults at each other, the ninjas gathered and were talking about Katsu.
"How did Katsu learn that technique?" Kohira asked out loud.
"I dunno," Akiya answered. "I didn't teach him… I don't know anyone else that would teach him."
"We're missing the main point," Hiro said. "How did he learn such a complicated and energy consuming technique such as that one? Such a technique… it would've taken every ounce of my spirit energy to perform… and yet…"
"He used it successfully… as if it was nothing…" Keta finished. "We're missing another point. That technique is way too complicated for him. With all the seals and amount of energy required, it should've been impossible… Hayate, you learned it, didn't you?
"It took me nine months to learn how to gather my energy… and at least another six months to learn the seals and how to combine the two together," he answered. "However, I've never successfully performed the technique… ever."
"What about you Akiya?" Kohira asked as everyone turned to her. There was no answer. Everyone looked at her questioningly but she didn't seem to notice. She was staring at the unconscious Katsu who lay on the ground. The two children were beside him.
"Akiya?" Kohira called as she walked up to her to see if she was okay. "Hey, Akiya…"
"Oh! Yeah?" she asked as she was pulled out of her trance.
"Nothing…" Kohira said. "You were just quiet, that's all."
"Oh. Sorry," she said. "I was just thinking, the only person I know who ever pulled off that Paralyzing Lungs Technique… was Rejuko."
Everyone's eyes widened. Akiya was right. The only person who ever succeeded using the technique was Rejuko… and here was Katsu, a little boy who, like all the other children that were ninjas, couldn't even perform one hundredth of the techniques that Akiya, Hayate, Kohira, Keta, and Hiro could. Suddenly, everyone looked up at Kuwabara, who was practically blowing steam from his nose from anger.
"WHY YOU LITTLE! TAKE THAT BACK!" Kuwabara screeched. "MY WIENER IS NOT HALF AN INCH LONG!"
"Then why the big fuss?" Hiei asked amused. Yusuke was laughing his head off and rolling on the ground. Kurama bit his thumb to keep from bursting out laughing as Yukina covered her mouth with her hand and giggling. Botan was laughing while trying to calm herself down while Genkai looked at them with annoyed eyes and muttering "dimwit."
Akiya smiled at them. Then she turned to her friends.
"Should we continue with the training?" she asked.
They all nodded.
"Hey," Akiya said as the detectives calmed down. "Let's get back to training."
"Yes," Hiei commented. "Insulting those who are inferior to me physically and mentally is insulting to me."
"HIEI!" Kuwabara screeched.
Hayate stepped in the middle of the field and looked at Hiei.
"Yes," he commented catching Hiei's attention as he turned to look at Hayate. "It's insulting to even watch… but who's inferior to whom in our fight? That's what I wanna know... that is… if you're as strong as you want me to believe."
Hiei glared at Hayate. "You've been trying to act superior ever since we met. Only the weak do that," Hiei mocked. "Who's superior you ask? It's so obvious. I don't have the time to waste on such an incompetent person such as you."
"Only the weak act superior you say?" Hayate asked, a glint of anger in his voice. "Look who's acting superior right now. If you think that you're even close to being on my level, then you're greatly mistaken. You only lack one concept that I have and it makes me that much better than you."
"Which is?" Hiei asked.
"Fight me!" he said. "It's so obvious that you would completely break once you realize it some day. It'll hit you that hard."
"I highly doubt that," he replied.
"Then let's go," Hayate said. "We'll find out who's right."
Hiei stepped in the middle of the field while glaring at Hayate.
"Don't blame me if I accidentally kill you," Hiei said confidently.
Hayate didn't say anything. They both disappeared without warning and drew their katanas. Kohira, Keta, Hiro, Akiya, and Genkai could see exactly what was going on. Kurama and Yusuke could see most of it while Kuwabara, Mika, and Yomi could barely keep up. Yukina and Botan had no idea what was going on.
They were both extremely good with their swords. Both of them matched swing for swing. Hayate jumped back to gain some distance and performed some hand seals. He then put up two fingers and drew them down the blade of his sword. As he did, his sword began to glow red. Soon, there was flame engulfing it.
"Flame of the Mortal's Sword," Hayate said coolly as he got into a fighting stance.
"Fist of the Mortal Flame!" Hiei shouted.
With one hand holding on to his katana, he used his other hand to attack Hayate. A fireball engulfed Hiei's hand as he threw it towards his enemy. Hayate swung with his flaring sword. Hiei immediately withdrew his Fist of the Mortal Flame to parry Hayate's katana. He knocked it outward so that Hayate was left wide opened… or so he thought. Thinking that he couldn't protect himself, Hiei used his Mortal Flame attack to punch Hayate in the stomach. Hayate surprised Hiei when he simply moved out of the way and knock him in the back with the hilt of his sword. Hiei did a flip and landed safely on his feet. As soon as he landed, he charged at Hayate again. Hayate was caught off guard this time by Hiei's quick recovery. He dodged Hiei's sword at the last minute, escaping with a small cut on his shirt. Hayate teleported behind Hiei and sliced him in the back, causing a deep wound. Hiei fell to the ground but struggled back to his feet. Hayate kicked him in the stomach and then hit him beside his neck with his elbow. Hiei didn't let himself fall this time. He attacked Hayate but failed to do anything. Hayate kicked Hiei upward. Hiei, who was knocked in the air, was defenseless. Hayate teleported behind Hiei and kicked him hard which sent Hiei crashing into the ground.
"This fight is already over," Hayate said to Hiei. "You're no longer in any condition to fight me. I told you I was superior."
"What makes you think that this fight is over?" Hiei asked as he struggled to get up.
"Uh… the fact that you can barely stand let alone charge stupidly at me anymore," he stated. "Just look at yourself. You're all talk and no action. Look at the guy who thought he was superior to everyone in every way. Look at him now, on the ground, struggling to get back to his feet again. Arrogant fool."
The Spirit Detectives, Botan, Yukina, and Genkai were impressed. Hiei, the fast, hot-headed, and strong fire demon was beaten. Normally Hiei could live up to his reputation. If he said that someone was weaker than him and that he could beat him, he was always right, but this time, he was dead wrong. The only thing he was able to accomplish from fighting with Hayate was to make a small cut on his shirt.
The ninjas suddenly felt something coming at them from behind. Genkai and Hiei felt it as well. When they turned around, there was a whole army of shuriken headed their way.
"Watch out!" Akiya warned everyone.
Mika got Katsu up and jumped out of the way. Yomi grabbed Yukina and jumped out of the way. Genkai grabbed Botan as Akiya knocked Kuwabara to the side and landed safely. Kurama, Yusuke, and Hayate jumped out of the way as Hiei rolled out of the way, missing the shuriken by only inches. When they all looked again, Rejuko was standing there, smirking.
"We meet again," Rejuko said to Akiya. "However, there is no need to be worried this time. I have come for the Koorime."
Rejuko looked over to Yukina.
"You're much prettier than the rumors have told me," he said. "Why don't you make this easy for us all and come with us?"
"No way!" Kuwabara said as he ran in front of Yukina.
"What do you people always want with me!" Yukina shouted.
"I'll be honest this time my feisty little prey," Rejuko said looking at her mockingly. "I will bring you to my place, and kill you. Actually, it won't really matter where you die. I can just kill you here. You know what? I just might do that. It would make it much easier for me that way. Prepare yourself!"
Rejuko charged at Kuwabara and easily knocked him out of the way leaving Yukina wide opened. Hiei, despite the fact that he was still injured from his fight with Hayate, jumped in the way of Yukina and Rejuko's kunai. He braced himself for the attack but it never hit him. When he looked up, he saw Hayate blocking the attack with his kunai.
"Guess I was a little wrong," he stated with a smirk, "but I'm still superior to you."
Hiei frowned at Hayate. Hayate turned around to see that he hasn't done anything yet.
"Okay, maybe you don't get it," he said a bit irritated. "When I'm standing here defending you and Yukina, that means get yourself and her out of danger and run! Or are ya gonna wait till he kills me?"
"Hn," was all Hiei said before he led Yukina over to the rest of the group.
Hayate dropped all of his strength and let Rejuko overpower him as he swiftly moved out of the way so that he wouldn't be hit by his kunai. Kohira came and performed a series of hand seals before shouting out,
"Water Bomb Technique!"
Water gathered in her hand and took the shape of two spheres. She chucked them at Rejuko but he easily dodged the attacks. Keta used her Windy Breeze Technique again and tried direct Kohira's Water Bomb Technique to hit Rejuko, or at least get closer. While Rejuko was busy dodging the attacks by Kohira and Keta. Hayate and Akiya looked over and each other and performed hand seals.
"Black Flame Technique!" they both yelled.
"Kohira! Keta! Move!" Akiya warned them.
They immediately moved out of the way. Hayate and Akiya spit out black fire from there mouth and hit their target successfully. There was smoke everywhere.
"Yes!" Akiya exclaimed in a whisper. They got him.
"Nope!" Hayate said as he knocked Akiya out of the way. He landed on top of her as a huge black fireball rushed past them.
"What the—!" Akiya exclaimed again.
She looked back over to the smoke. Now that the smoke was thinner, she could see the outline of Rejuko standing there. Once the smoke cleared, Rejuko spoke.
"Your Black Flame Techniques were pitiful. My Black Fire Ball Technique is far superior than both of your attacks that you'd be laughed of the earth when compared to mine. I will give you one more chance to hand over the girl. I will leave with no further arguments if you do."
"I already told ya no!" Kuwabara said.
"Sure," Akiya said interrupting them.
"What!" Yusuke and Kuwabara shouted.
"Akiya!" Kurama said surprised and nonplussed.
Akiya went over and grabbed Yukina's arm and dragged her over to Rejuko.
"No!" Botan shouted.
"Akiya!" Genkai yelled. "Get your ass back here! What are you thinking!"
"You wanted her dead, right?" she asked ignoring the detectives. "Here, I'll help!"
She slit Yukina's throat with a kunai. Yukina fell limp. The only thing that held her up was Akiya.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" the detectives shouted.
Hiei glared at her with furious eyes. But suddenly, Yukina disappeared with a poof. That's when Hiei noticed that Hiro suddenly appeared beside him. He had hidden Yukina in a safe place.
"Gust of Wind Technique!" came Keta's voice from behind.
"Water Grenade Technique!" Kohira shouted.
"Lightning Strike Technique!" Hiro yelled.
"Fire Ball Technique!" Hayate shouted.
"Blazing Needles Technique!" Akiya yelled.
All of the attacks hit Rejuko full force. When the smoke cleared, she saw that they haven't even put a scratch on him. Rejuko looked at her malevolently. He disappeared without warning and grabbed Akiya behind her neck and squeezed it a bit, causing Akiya to wince in pain. The rest of the group made a move to help her but Rejuko threatened them with her.
"Akiya Ni-chan!" Mika and Yomi shouted.
"Akiya!" the ninjas and detectives shouted.
"No!" screamed Yukina and Botan.
"If you try to follow me or get near, I will kill her," he threatened. "If you don't want me to return her corpse to you, then stay here. I will return her later."
Everyone stayed where they were. Rejuko disappeared with Akiya to the forest.
"Why is it that you always deny me?" Rejuko asked, pretending to be hurt by her.
"Simple," she answered. "Because I think your reasons are crap. I want to kill everyone simply because I think others are using ninjas. What a crappy ideal you have. If you think that you can recruit me or anyone one my friends to your side, then you're dead wrong!"
"Katsu didn't seem to think so," he said smiling. "And I think that the other children are beginning to disagree with you."
"That such an obvious lie!" Akiya shouted.
"How do you think Katsu knew my Paralyzing Lungs Technique, huh?" he asked, smiling evilly. "If you don't want to turn Yukina over, then I'll simply ask Katsu to do it for me."
"No! That's not true!" she shouted. "I've taught Katsu and the others well! They all know better!"
"Do they?" he mocked. "Can you believe that he's finally got some sense to join? You can say that it was a miracle that he learned that technique all by himself like that if you want."
"But… if he joined you… that would mean… no… NO!" Akiya denied. "They would never do such a stupid thing…!"
"He has the seal," Rejuko said in a low voice. "I am in complete control of him. I can make him do anything I want him to. He's very loyal. Did you know that? However, he's disobeyed me before. I can make him to roll over and curl up screaming in pain if I wanted to to punish him. Of course, I can also give him a tormenting death if I wanted to. I can do anything to the boy. He's never going to be in be in control of himself again. Right now, he's like an empty body. From that day, he became nothing more than a hollow shell for me!"
"SHUT UP!" Akiya screamed in her shaky voice, holding back her tears. "Just shut up…! Katsu… what did you do to him! It's all your fault that he's like this! Tell me what the hell you did!"
"Technically, it's not my fault," he replied coolly. "He's doing this for you, ya know? So pretty much, it's your fault that he's like this. It's all because you won't let him get close and protect you. When you left that day, I paid him a little visit. He joined on his own free will though I'd still have to say that this all happened because of you. It's all your fault for not letting him protect you! You can't blame the boy for wanting to protect the most important person in his life, can you? Don't deny it, and don't try to make this someone else's fault. You know what you did and you have to take full responsibility for it! You can run from a lot of things, I'll give you that much… but you can't run away from this!"
"I'll bring him back! Just watch!" Akiya yelled.
"You can't," he said. "That's the whole point. Like I told you before, he's nothing more than a hollow shell."
"You must've done something! What did you tell him!"
"I told you that you can't escape this! You can't run away from it like you do from every other aspect of your life! Don't try to throw the blame on me! I did nothing to the boy! You did this to him! He doesn't have a will, he doesn't have a soul… he has nothing anymore, not even his dream… and it's all thanks to you! You destroyed him… from the inside out! And you think that we're that different from each other!"
Akiya looked down as tears escaped her eyes. She was destroying everyone's lives.
"Oh my," Rejuko said watching her amused. "Are you actually crying? Since you barely escaped with you life after your little experience with Yoko and his friend and created a human body for yourself till this very day, I've never seen you cry for any reason. How long has it been now? Since you came to the Human World? Fourteen years? That would make you fourteen right now in human years, wouldn't it? You're too old for tears."
Akiya was still crying. She hadn't let a single tear escape her eyes for all her life... the fourteen years in the Makai, and the fourteen years in the Human World… not a single tear ever fell from her eyes. Whatever pain she was in, she never showed it. She never let it out. She would hold it all in. Rejuko was amused and enjoying every minute of this. He watched Akiya tremble and cry silently.
"You're so pathetic. You're no ninja," Rejuko said. "All your life, you've devoted your life to the code of the ninjas. What happened? Look at yourself. Have you forgotten, ninjas never show their emotion in any situation. They must never shed tears! What are you doing now! You're violating the code of the ninjas! Do you realize how pathetic you are? That's why everyone hates you! You're weak. Ninjas must stick to the codes, but you're breaking them left and right. A code that you're so fond of breaking is the one where they say that they must accomplish their mission no matter what. Tell me, how many times have you abandoned your missions to save your friends who could already take care themselves?"
"You're wrong…" Akiya said. "No ninja sticks to the code completely. Everyone breaks a code or two."
"But don't forget, a ninja's mission is their life. Either they die accomplishing a mission, or they accomplish it and leave their acquaintances behind. The codes of the ninjas say that they must accomplish a mission no matter what, even if they have to leave their friends to die."
"You're right. That's exactly what the code says. Those who don't stick to the code are trash… like me… but those who leave their friends behind and abandon them to complete a mission… they're even worse than trash. I've learned that the hard way. Besides… no mission is more important than your friends…"
"If that is what you want to believe," he said. "You can talk to Hayate and the others about that if you want to. They have some feelings, even if it's very slight, that I am right! One day, you will abandon your ideal and realize that the shinobi code is the one and only way to live!"
"Never!" Akiya said sternly.
-Flashback-
"Hey! Sakana-san!" a boy with dark green hair and dark purple eyes called.
Akiya turned around.
"Karano-kun," she said. "Hey!"
"Akiya-san!" another boy with blue hair and sharp yellow eyes called.
"Hirame-kun!" she called back.
"Hey, Sakana-san! Congrats on becoming our team leader!" Karano said happily.
"Yeah. Whatever he said," Hirame said in a disappointing tone. "I doubt you can do a good job though."
"Shut up," she commanded.
Their teacher came into view and the three ninjas turned to face their teacher and respectfully bow.
"Akiya," said her teacher who had brown hair and black eyes. "Congratulations. I'm sorry that we can't celebrate all that much though. You see, there is a mission for you and your team."
"It's not a problem Akiro-sensei," Akiya said. "What's the mission?"
"Our enemy is planning an attack on us and our village, and we need you three to ambush them from the back of the entrance. The other jounins and I will ambush them from the front. We need you to go and attack them first, to divert their attention and block there way back."
"Yes sir," the three said obediently.
"Be careful," Akiro warned his students. "This is a very dangerous mission. I will come aid you if there are any problems. Understand?"
"Yes, but, if they get left behind, I won't go back for them. Make sure that they all understand that," Akiya said.
"Why don't you just come with us Akiro-sensei?" Hirame asked. "With Akiya-san as our leader, she's sure to lead us into problems left and right. Not to mention she just said that she'd leave us all behind."
"Hey!" Akiya said. "Have some respect for your leader!"
"Can you two stop fighting long enough to work on this mission?" Akiro asked.
"But I can't work with her!" Hirame argued. "She thinks that she's so much better than us all. She won't even care if we're in danger! I don't want a leader like that? I should've been leader! My father was a great hero!"
"Shut up about your father already!" Akiya said angrily. "He was able to survive what should've been a fatal attack once and you think he's all that!"
"Shut up you stupid girl!" Hirame shouted. "At least my father was something! Tell me what your father did! What did he ever accomplish in his life time! Huh? Nothing!"
"Hey! Stop it! Both of you!" Akiro commanded. "Hirame, come over here real quick. Karano and Akiya, you both go wait by that tree."
They all followed his orders as Akiya and Karano went over to wait by the tree and as Hirame went over to his teacher.
"Cut her some slack, would you?" Akiro asked.
"Why!" Hirame asked angrily. "My father was a hero! She's just jealous because my father a great hero and that her father was nothing!"
"Actually," Akiro said, "her father was a great hero too. His name was Sakana Mirota."
"But then… how come she's never talked about her father?" Hirame asked. Another question popped up. "If you say that her father was a hero, then how come I've never heard of what kind of great things he'd accomplish?"
"He was sent on a mission to our enemy to make sure that their plan to ambush the village failed. He was doing a great job until his friends were in danger. He went back to help them… and was killed protecting them... but his friends got away safely. It caused everyone to fail their mission to protect the village however. People started to speak badly of him and disgraced him. That's why Akiya is so seriously bound to the codes of the shinobi. They all thought that he was a disgrace. Her father was killed protecting people and was a disgrace. Till today, he's known as 'The man who made the village fall,'" Akiro answered. "Because of the way she grew up… you know… with no parents… it's more difficult for her to see things the way you do."
It was silent.
"Well I'm rambling and you guys need top get going," Akiro said. "I have go do some stuff as well. You guys better go now. And Hirame… try to cut her some slack."
Hirame nodded and went over to join the other two that were waiting and they were off. They traveled silently until there was suddenly a scream from behind. They turned around to find that Karano was captured in a trap and was unable to break free. The trap dropped and Karano was gone. He was now a hostage of the enemy.
"Karano!" Hirame yelled. "Hold on! We're coming!"
"No we're not!" Akiya said sternly, gripping Hirame's arm.
"What are you talking about!" he asked angrily. "He's our friend!"
"That doesn't matter! According to the code of the ninjas, you are to accomplish your mission! It doesn't matter if you have to leave a friend behind!"
"Bullshit! Fuck the stupid shinobi code! He's our friend! I'm going back for him! I don't give a damn what you do! If you want to keep going, then you can go alone cause I'm not gonna be under the command of a leader who thinks that a mission is more important than her friend, so see ya!"
"Fine," she said coolly. "Go ahead and go. If that is your decision, then go ahead. I will not abandon a mission to save one person!"
"You think you're a hero by doing this! You're no hero! You know who I thought was a hero! Sakana Mirota! He was a true hero! He went back to save his friends even though he knew that he'd be disgraced! Your father was a great person and a wonderful hero that I look up too! And I'm so ashamed… that his daughter is nothing like him!"
Hirame ran off to go back for Karano and left Akiya alone…
-With Hirame-
He caught up with the enemy and stayed concealed in the trees. There was no harm done to Karano yet.
"We need to know what's going on in that village of theirs," one guy said.
"Yes," the other replied. "This Illusionary Technique should be perfect."
The guy started performing a series of hand seals but before he could finish, Hirame came out and threw some shuriken at the enemy.
"Karano!" he yelled to him.
"Hirame! Watch out!" Karano yelled.
The enemy had thrown a kunai at the young boy while his guard was down. Suddenly, another kunai was thrown by someone who was hidden, and it hit the kunai out of the way right before it hit Hirame's face.
"Sorry I'm late," Akiya said as she got out of her hiding place. "No one's hurt, right? Good."
"Akiya-san!" they both said happily.
"You came," Hirame said.
"Yup! Now let's get Karano out of those ropes and beat these guys up!"
"Right!" the two said as Hirame got Karano out of the ropes that tied him and got ready to fight.
"Powerful Fire Ball Technique!" Akiya shouted after she performed her series of hand seals.
She put one of her hands to her lips and shot large fire balls from her mouth. Most of them hit their marks as Hirame performed a Flaming Arrow Technique. A fiery bow appeared in his hand as he created a bunch of arrows and shot them all. Most of them hit their marks as well. Karano attacked using a Blizzard of Blades. Ice as sharp as a blade of a katana appeared as they flew towards the enemies. They hit, but the opponents didn't seem to be all that injured as they got up and both performed a Rock Slide Avalanche Technique. Karano and Hirame were safe because they weren't next to Akiya, but huge rocks began tumbling down the cliff right beside her. Akiya stood there, knowing that there was no way that she could get out of the way on time.
"Akiya- san!" Hirame screamed as he ran and knocked Akiya away from the falling boulders and was crushed in her place.
"Hi-Hirame!" Karano screamed.
"Hirame-kun!" Akiya shouted as she ran and crouched next to him. He was still alive, but there was nothing wither of them could do to save him. Half of his body was completely crushed.
"Akiya-san… thanks for coming back with me…" he said coughing out blood. 'Since I won't be at your celebration for becoming team leader… I need to give you my gift now… Karano… please… there is a ball of sprit energy inside of me… you're a medical ninja… please take it and give it to Akiya-san. Akiya-san… this way… you can use every technique that I know and have learned with this energy ball… please… promise me to use that."
"Hirame-kun…" Akiya said. "All right, I accept your gift. Karano- kun, please remove his energy ball and insert it into me."
"Kay," Karano said as he quickly did as he was asked and transferred the ball into Akiya.
"Hirame-kun… hold on for me a bit longer…" Akiya said softly. "I want you to see me use your gift!"
Akiya performed a series of hand seals and shouted out,
"Flaming Shower!"
Akiya's eyes grew red and large hot air balloon sized fire balls came crashing down on the enemy and everywhere else. The two enemies were killed in an instant.
"You were right… you should've been the leader," Akiya said. "Now that I know the techniques you know… I can tell that you were superior from the start…"
"Damn… right," Hirame joked.
"Akiya-san… I'm sorry… I can't save him in this condition… every bone on the left side of his body has been crushed… and I imagine that his vital organs must be crushed as well… as good as I may be in the medical area… I can't save him…"
"That's alright Karano…" Hirame said. "At least I died for you guys… knowing that you guys are safe… I can rest in peace… thanks for everything… both of you…"
"You're a true hero Hirame-kun..."Akiya said.
"Karano… thanks… for always being there… to help out…" Hirame said, beginning to fade away. "And Akiya… I know we always fought… but I always liked you… wish I told you that earlier… please tell… Akiro-sensei… thanks..."
Hirame began to lose consciousness.
"Hey Hirame-kun… I just figured out what I wanted to give you as payment of you saving my life…" Akiya said.
"Yeah?" he asked in a whispering voice now. "What's that?"
Akiya looked him in the eye and slowly bent down. Her face was hovering above his. She bent over and kissed him on the lips. She could feel his soul rush right into her body and an unusual happiness surrounded her. Akiya thought that Hirame must've been feeling the way she was… except happier. Karano held onto Hirame's hand and tapped Akiya on the shoulder when he felt Hirame's hand loosen and was soon deprived of all strength and life. Akiya stopped and looked at Hirame's face and took her hand and closed his eyes. She looked down in sadness. Shortly afterwards, Akiro came.
"I heard that you guys ran into some trouble!" Akiro said. "Is everyone—"
Akiro stopped when he saw the looks on Akiya and Karano's face. He then looked over at the pile of huge boulders and immediately knew what was horribly wrong. Hirame was dead.
"I'm sorry…" he said walking over to his other two students. "I didn't come in time… if only I were earlier… I could've prevented this…"
"No… if only I came with him when he said so… none of this would've happened…"Akiya said.
"It was my fault… if I was more careful and didn't get caught… you guys wouldn't have had to come back… and none of this would've even happened… I'm so sorry…"
Akiya turned to her teacher. "Akiro-sensei, I'm sorry," she said. "I came back and violated the code of the ninjas."
"And I'm glad you did," he said. "I'm sure Hirame was proud of you too. It's true that a ninja who doesn't follow the code is trash… but those who leave their friends behind to accomplish their mission and put their friends as their second priority… those people are worse then trash… I'm glad you came back… besides… everyone is trash… everyone's violated the code before… like me. I'm here with you guys when I should be doing my mission."
"That's just what… Hirame-kun said…" Akiya replied quietly.
"Then remember his words… and remember mine… don't always let the code guide you and your actions… let our words guide you from now on... let them be your new principles. Your friends are always the first priority on your list… no mission is more important than your friends."
-End Flashback-
"Akiya!" everyone shouted to her. She had been back for about five minutes yet she just sat there with her eyes opened. Akiya snapped back into the world again. She saw that Katsu was alright again and was beside her. She turned to him while still sitting down and pulled him in, embracing him tightly.
"Oh Katsu…" she said softly. You shouldn't have gone to him for help…
Next Chapter's Preview-
Run Away Forever Chapter 7- Further Than Ever
Akiya was already distant from everyone, even her ninja friends. Now, she's further than ever… not only from the ninjas… but also from the detectives and the others. What can anyone do to get close to her again when she's completely locked everyone out of her world… and entirely locked herself in?