Chapter Three: A Voice I Hear
Rika rested her head on her sensei's firm chest, listening to the assured breathing his sensei let off. It had been a long day, and all she wanted was to rest. Glancing at the now orange sky, the sun was starting to set.
Sighing, she fell asleep, wondering whether she was going to have any strange dreams…
Oh, how right she was…
"Kazekage-sama, we have arrived."
"Good."
Gaara entered the gates of the impenetrable stronghold, his guards cowering before him.
Useless pawns, he thought. One would think they would even try to make an effort in hiding their fear.
Honestly, do they really think I would kill them? Orochimaru's men overestimate their worth. I wouldn't even waste my time. Maybe in the past, but not now.
After all, he thought, Kyuubi's work was not completely for naught.
I have respected him as a rival, an ally, and perhaps, a friend.
A friend who is now dead.
Shaking himself from those dangerous thoughts, he looked around the throne room. No one seems to be around, except…
"If you're looking for Orochimaru-sama, he's not here."
Gaara's features tightened. Only three people have the gall to address him cockily: Orochimaru, the Uchiha, and …
"Yakushi Kabuto"
The gray-haired man's glasses flashed in the darkness."At your service, Kazekage-san."
Gaara frowned. Where was Orochimaru? "What do you want?" Gaara said, neon eyes boring down on the gray-haired nin.
Kabuto smirked. "Orochimaru-sama wanted me to ask you about the massacre that occurred a week ago. You know he doesn't like being informed about his-I mean, your village."
He ignored him. Gaara knew that it was pointless to argue with Orochimaru's most trusted servant, Kazekage or no. Anyway, he wasn't that stupid to lash out in anger just because of some puny insolent bug in his way. He normally did, but this was a special case...
"Tell me where your master is." Gaara ordered
Kabuto chuckled to himself. "Orochimaru-sama likes to amuse himself by using genjutsu on himself to explore this village and I quote, 'play'. It's his favorite pastime. This place is his territory, after all."
An amused voice replied. "So it is, my dear Kabuto."
Kabuto kneeled subserviently, murmuring. "Orochimaru-sama, it seems we have a visitor."
"Yes, what a pleasant surprise….I wonder why my dear Kazekage-kun would come at a time like this…."
"Orochimaru, I am here to report about the massacre of the three rebellious clans that we recently disposed of…"
"Ahhhhh, good, good…"
"The mission was successful. Some... bugs attempted to escape our grasp, but they were easily eliminated. Resistance was futile. Although..."
Orochimaru smirked, albeit dangerously. "Go on..."
"Did Uchiha ever reproduce?"
This definitely got Orochimaru's attention. Even Kabuto was now listening intently. A few moments of silence passed. Then...
Orochimaru laughed mirthlessly, the sound resounding throughout the room. "Why, Kazekage-kun, I never even expected that question to come out of you! No, Sasuke-kun does not, although it is time for him to do so. And the revival of the Uchiha clan under me is one of my major priorities, as well as my apprentice's. Although it does intrigue me...why do you ask?'
"I..."
A picture of the girl looking at her dangerously, killing intent hidden beneath her eyes...
"..I met a certain child who looked to be 11 or 12, a young shinobi with ebony eyes, the same as your pet. The resemblance was...uncanny, to say the least. Although the child seemed weak, she was able to handle my men, but only barely. The ones I brought with me were totally weaker, despite their levels... "
The snake sannin was intrigued. The possibility of another Uchiha heir...
"Ah, perhaps you were just mistaken. If Sasuke-kun did have one, I would know. You are dismissed."
Gaara bowed low, before walking out of the room. Orochimaru stroked the arm of his chair thoughtfully, and finally, he ordered. "Kabuto-kun, I want you to investigate this immediately. It definitely sounds a bit..troublesome, for someone to have the Uchiha bloodline unsupervised. Although,I greatly doubt this to be true. Remember, it is not a priority."
Before slinking back to the shadows, Kabuto bowed." Yes, Orochimaru-sama..."
Orochimaru smirked.
Rika fell into a deep sleep, unaware that she was snuggling in her sensei's arms. Her eyes closing, she was enveloped in darkness...
She could hear voices that sounded from far away. Two blurry images formed in her mind, seemingly having a heated discussion. And then…
"You can't do this!"
"Why can't I?"
"Because I won't let you!"
"That's not a good enough reason for me."
"Don't do this, please. It would destroy me if you do it."
"What is the real reason?"
"I … I …"
"I love you"
Silence echoed in the forest where they resided, until the second voice spoke.
"I... I do not return your feelings. I do not love."
"No!"
"I used you..."
"Sasuke, you're lying!"
"No, I am not. Forgive me for doing this, Aki..."
The man named Sasuke rounded on the one named Aki, until she screamed. Then, everything went to oblivion.
"Ugh…"
Rika sat up, her shoulders still numb from yesterday's training. Staring outside the window, she could see the wide expanse of land of the small yet cozy Wave village. She loved this place.
It was her home.
'But is it?' a thought came to her mind.
She shook her head. It was her home. She was born here, Kakashi told her so. Besides, Kakashi would never lie. If there was a father figure in her life whom she loved and respected in her life, it was him. Besides, he had the one thing she treasured the most.
He had her trust.
A voice shook her out of her thoughts. "Rika, wake up! It's half past nine! You should pack your things, we're going away!"
Rika sighed at her sensei's shout, but quickly did a double take at his last words.
"Wha- Did you say pack!"
Kakashi entered the room, a grave expression in his face. "Yes. But I'm sorry to say I can't come with you, and Yuri too. Someone is going to pick you up later."
Rika furiously stood, despite only wearing her nightclothes. "You can't be serious! Why am I going away! Where to!" Father figure or no, she wasn't going to be convinced so easily.
Kakashi sighed, as if carrying a heavy load in his chest. "Gai and I decided that it would be better if you were to go to Leaf village to continue your training and receive formal ninja schooling. Oh, and you have to change your surname so you wouldn't be noticed."
Rika looked at him, disbelieving. "Leaf village? I thought that was Orochimaru's headquarters? What if I get suspected or something?"
He shook his head. "You wouldn't be, just don't act too conspicuous. Besides, I heard that their ninja schooling is highly recommendable."
Sighing, Rika faced her closet. "Fine, I give up. Just give me some time to change. Oh and Kakashi?"
"What?"
"Get out and stay out!"
Kakashi blushed. He just noticed that his student was barely wearing anything on. To say that he was embarrassed was an understatement. Noticing Kakashi's bothered look, she reddened considerably.
"HENTAI!"
Ino looked at the doorway, smirking. Kakashi was doomed.
"Rika, meet," Gai said dramatically "Aburame Shino, the head of the Aburame clan, leaf ANBU squad leader, and jounin extraordinaire. He will be your temporary guardian!"
At his side, Rika sweatdropped. "Um, Gai-sensei, please don't embarass me in front of our guest. Don't be too loud." Looking at his new guardian, she was suddenly entranced by his look. He was wearing sunglasses, completely hiding his eyes. She wanted to see them...
Out of the blue, she blurted out. "Aburame-san, may I see your eyes?"
The adults, who were chattering loudly in the hall, stopped. Even Gai and Kakashi stopped their banter, but Rika continued to stare at the bug-controlling ninja. Aburame Shino was now staring at her, unmoving.
A soft but seemingly dangerous voice whispered. "Why do you ask?"
She looked unfazed by the expression on her face but she was fighting an inner battle. Her instincts screamed at her to back down, but her heart didn't. Nonetheless, she refused to back down.
"Because when I look at you, I don't see you ... because I believe that I will find what I seek, beneath what you hide..."
Silence.
And then, shocking everyone, Aburame smiled, turning to Kakashi.
" Your student reminds me of someone I miss very much, Kakashi..." and then, as if it was nothing, he removed his sunglasses.
To say that they were shocked was an understatement.
Rika smiled despite of herself. Green orbs. He had green orbs. Eyes that looked so familiar...
She grinned despite of herself. She was satisfied, now that she knew he wouldn't hurt her. She immediately took hold of his hand, surprising the bug user greatly.
"Gomenasai, Aburame-san. Let's go!"
A/N: This is too tiring...re-editing, I mean. Oh well. Anyway, next chappie will be uploaded sometime next month.
Here are some answers to reviews...
1. Yuri looks like a carbon copy of Ino, as a male of course. He also inherited Shikamaru's IQ, but thankfully, only a bit lazy. Actually, he's the only son of Yamanaka Ino and Nara Shikamaru, and is two years older than Rika. He's basically Rika's 'precious person', along with Kakashi.
2.Kuroshiro...that's a really big spoiler. All I can tell you is that that clan was once feared, so to speak. Only a few remembers them, though, coz of a certain special jutsu. Just wait for the following chapters. As for their specialty? You just mentioned them yourself.
3. The base is in Wave Village. It's not really a base, because only a few are there, in fear of being caught. It's a non-shinobi country that was chosen mainly because it's too peaceful and is rarely involved with shinobis except for hiring them.
4. Naruto and Sakura...Well, let's just say that they still exist, and I have my own plans with them. Of course, they're not going to be seen that early. Soon, but not that soon.
Next chapter:A Grasp of the Leaf
Rika and Shino reaches Konoha, and does a mini-tour. But for Rika, there was just something...off in the village, and meets new people along the way, as well as enrolling for the ninja academy. Kabuto does some snooping around, and Kimimaro makes his appearance... along with some members from your favourite S-class criminal organization.
Anyway, once again, thank you for all of your reviews!
PLS REVIEW!
