Lalalalala! Seven reviews! I feel loved... XD Anyways, another chappie up. Updates might be VERY slow, school work and such. Well, I don't this stuff 'cept for my imagination and R&R!>
As expected, Misanagi did train. Using the large tree stumps as a makeshift punching bag, she began beating the lump of wood so badly her knuckles were completely bloody and the skin was no longer intact. And the fact that she took off her bandages made it a lot easier for her wounds to get infected.
Sasuke was feeling quite bad at how he treated Misanagi, judging her without even stopping to think of what could've happened to her and felt worse that he made her cry. What he hated more than an upset woman was one that was crying.
He paused at the edge of the clearing and watched her beat up the stumps and herself it seemed. Her hands were covered in blood and looked quite banged up. If she doesn't stop she'll break her hands… he thought.
He walked over and was pretty sure that Misanagi knew he was there. Knowing fully well that she was ignoring him the best she could without pulverising him, he approached her cautiously, watching every one of her movements. She's a lot stronger than I thought…
' Misanagi-san, I'm sorry about before. I know I was being a complete jerk, bastard, asshole whatever you name it, and I feel really bad about it. I don't expect you to forgive me or acknowledge my existence at all, but I'd like to start fresh. That is, only if you want to…' He said, not really sure of what to say. Misanagi stopped punching the stump and rested her arms on a particularly bloody patch of wood.
Sasuke was shocked at how much damage she was inflicting upon herself and cringed as he realised that he was the cause of her bloody hands. He took full responsibility in making her feel downtrodden and fell horrible.
He looked at her unbandaged arms and his eyes widened in shock. He saw all the scars on her arms; most of them from fighting but some that had obviously been self-inflicted. He prayed that none of them had been his fault but from how he treated her, he knew it was his fault.
' Misanagi-san…' He started. She must've noticed his intense stare and glared at him before promptly grabbing her bandages and disappearing. Sighing, Sasuke followed her, hoping that she'd at least let him heal her wounds. And maybe let her beat him up as well.
' Sasuke, don't go after her, you'll only make it worse.' Came a familiar voice. Sasuke turned to see Kakashi, with Naruto and Sakura behind him.
' I know I was a complete bastard; it's time for me to be punished.' He said.
' No that's not what I mean. You can do that when she's in a relatively sane mood. She's had an extremely hard life. I think you should know before you go anywhere near her.
' When I took care of her, she already knew who I was but hated my guts; she never did trust me until only a few years ago. She trained to be a ninja from an early age. She had already finished her chuunin exams by the time you started in the academy. By the time she was eight, she was already a Jounin and by nine, she had her first kill.
' Killing your first enemy is never an easy thing, even if you're an adult and have had more experience. But Mi-chan was only nine at the time. It's to be expected that it wrecked her life in more ways than one.
' Unlike you three, she's never had a friend or someone to support her. Even Naruto had Iruka-sensei. I tried to be there for her but she'd always avoid me. Her hyper-ness is only a coping mechanism, it helps her deal with what you could say, her inner demons. But the problem is, her mask is quite a good one and she's a very good actor. Even I can't tell the different between depression and genuine hyper-ness.
' She's killed more people than I have just keep that in mind. She won't be able to listen to reason even if it hit her on the head; she's that mad. Sasuke, I'm not saying that what you're trying to do now by making it up to her isn't good it's just that, well, let her settle down a bit then maybe then approach her.
' You might not believe but she's is far more stronger than me and if you go to her when she's in one of her moods, chances are you're most likely be decapitated and hanging from the village gates by sunset.' His students all cringed at the last comment, as it didn't sit too well in their stomachs.
' No offence Kakashi-sensei, but you've got one twisted mind.' Naruto said.
' She did that to the ninjas who killed her adoptive family.' Kakashi said bluntly. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura's faces had gone white in an instant and Sasuke began to twitch. What if she does that to me? Sure, I was a jerk but I don't want to hang from the village gates… or be decapitated. Sasuke thought.
The group walked to Kakashi's house where they tried to get Misanagi to eat something.
' Why do I have to go in? She'll eat me instead!' Sasuke yelped. A vein on Sakura's forehead began to twitch violently.
' This is your fault you know, it's your job.' She pushed him and stomped away. Heaving a big sigh Sasuke prepared for the worse.
' Misanagi-san… uh, are you hungry?' He asked nervously. Misanagi was lying on her bed not moving.
' Uh, Misanagi-san?' He tried again taking a step towards her.
' One more step and I'm feeding you to the giant weasel I found in the Forest of Death.' She growled menacingly.
' OK, um, tell me if you get hungry or anything.' He left and couldn't help but think what might've happened if he hadn't been such a jerk. Why did I even judge her in the first place? He kept on asking himself.
' Is she eating?' Asked Sakura.
' No, the more important question is, did she castrate you with a blunt rusted butterknife?' Asked Kakashi.
' Don't tell me she actually did that to some poor person.' Sakura winced.
' No, but she's been telling me how much she'd like to try it out.' And of course this new piece of information didn't make Sasuke the slightest bit more paranoid.
' I'm happy, I'm sane, I'm fine…' He muttered. Kakashi just gave him a strange look before turning his attention to the window. It's getting dark, better get the kids home… He stood up and fixed his forehead protector.
' Well, it's getting dark, you kids should get on home.' Sakura and Naruto nodded.
' I'll stay here, I want to try to apologise to Misanagi-san.' Kakashi just stood there with an uncaring look on his face, but deep down, he was screaming at Sasuke for being such an idiot.
' OK, your funeral not mine.' Once Kakashi and the others had left, Sasuke tried to get Misanagi to eat again; he knew for a fact that she hadn't eaten much all day. He had taken to observing her and her habits, strange or not.
He smiled when he remembered Misanagi getting angry and her left eye would twitch uncontrollably. Or how she'd unconsciously bite her bottom lip whenever she was nervous. Or how… I think someone has a nasty little crush… an inner voice in Sasuke's head taunted.
' … do not.' Hew hissed quietly.
' I think someone's in love…' The voice taunted again.
' I am not. I don't like her at all; you saw how I was being mean to her.'
' Yeah, but you know what they say. Boys are only mean to girls they like…'
' Shut up would you!' Sasuke ended up yelling. He sat at the kitchen counter with his face buried five miles into his hands.
' Talking to one's self is the first sign of insanity, you know?' Came a sweet soft voice making Sasuke jump.
' Uh, uh Misanagi-san. I, um… I'm sorry for everything I've done to you and I take it all back.' He said in one breath.
' Don't worry; you're entitled to your own opinion of people. Freedom of speech you could say.' She smiled sweetly. Sasuke was dumbstruck. Wasn't she supposed to be depressed and angry? But then he remembered what Kakashi said. ' She's a very good actor… Even I can't tell the different between depression and genuine hyper-ness.' Misanagi hastily made some food before disappearing into her room again.
After an hour of silence, loud music was heard. It was from Misanagi's room and it didn't sound very happy.
' What on earth is she doing?' He smelled something strange a little metallic but very familiar. Oh no, that's blood! He mentally screamed, bolting towards Misanagi's room.
' Misanagi-san, open up. Misanagi-san!' He yelled, banging on the door. She couldn't hear him over the music. Finally, the music stopped but the door remained firmly shut.
' Misanagi-san!' He yelled once more. His temper getting the better of him, he knocked the door down and ran over to Misanagi who was in the bathroom, which was connected to her bedroom. She was bleeding heavily.
' Misanagi-san, what did you do?' He asked. He turned her face to a large gash most likely from hitting her head on the bench. He looked down at her body and held it close to him. Her arms were covered in cuts and her wrists were so covered in blood he could barely find her pulse. It gave a whisper of a beat and almost disappeared altogether. Panicking, Sasuke picked her up and laid her on her bed.
Looking at her now pale skin, Sasuke began cleaning the cuts and tried to stop the bleeding but to no avail. I'll have to take her to the hospital… he thought. Wrapping her wounds tightly, he carried her all the way to the hospital where she was immediately admitted.
' Misanagi-san, why did you hurt yourself?' He whispered as she lay there in a deep sleep. She had been rushed into the operating room for emergency surgery and was now in a private ward used only by Jounins.
' Sasuke, what the hell did you do? If she dies, it's your fault and I'll take great pleasure in killing you.' Growled Kakashi as soon as he entered the room. He was fuming; absolutely livid. No words could properly describe Kakashi's expression. Kakashi looked as if he was ready to rip Sasuke apart any second.
' Mi-chan…' Kakashi's face softened as he saw her pale face. He stroked her cheek gently and blinked away tears.
' Kakashi-sensei…' Sasuke started.
' What happened?'
' I don't know. After she kicked me out of her room you guys left. She came out later and got some food. She seemed all right; she even forgave me for what I've done to her. She went back into her room, started listening to some angry sounding music and as soon as it stopped… well yeah…' Kakashi sighed and began to leave.
' I've asked Sakura and Naruto not to come just yet. Make sure she's all right; tell me if she wakes up. Remember, if something does happen I'll know who to blame.' He said before disappearing.
' I don't blame him for wanting to kill me.' Sasuke sighed, sitting down on a chair. Gently taking hold of Misanagi's hand, Sasuke quietly studied her face.
He remembered how mean he was to her and regretted ever calling her ugly. In fact, he thought she was quite beautiful. She's so beautiful, but she'd be prettier if she'd wake up and smile… he thought. He looked at her unusually pale face and smiled.
' You know, you really are beautiful, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.' He whispered. Without thinking, he reached out and ran his hand through her soft hair and sighed.
' Maybe things would've been different if I hadn't been such a jerk. Maybe, wait more than maybe, I'd probably have asked you out. But then Sakura would get jealous and hate you, huh?'
Sasuke spent the rest of his visit talking to Misanagi, knowing she'd never hear or remember a word he'd said.
' Sasuke, if I hadn't been around you for the entire time Mi-chan's been with our group, I'd think you've taken a liking towards her.' Sasuke turned around, his cheeks a little pink.
' Kakashi-sensei, what makes you think that?' He asked lamely. Kakashi just gave him an all-knowing smile.
' Oh, nothing important. How is she?' He asked.
' Fine, but she still hasn't woken up yet. The doctors say she'll be ok to leave if she wakes up soon.'
' That's good to hear. Sasuke, it's getting late, you'd better head on home. I'll leave you two alone for a minute or two ok?' Sasuke nodded as Kakashi left the room.
' Sorry Misanagi-san, looks like I'll have to go. I'll come tomorrow and you know what? I'll bring you some flowers… you likes roses and plum blossoms don't you? Oh well, wake up soon.' He bent down and gently placed a sweet kiss on Misanagi's lips. Looking at her face a little longer, he turned and walked out.
Unknown to him, Kakashi stood in the shadows and watched. Sasuke was starting to act like a proper sixteen-year-old. Finally… he thought. As soon as Sasuke left, Misanagi sat bolt upright.
' Mi-chan!' Kakashi ran into the room and hugged the poor girl who was gasping for air.
' Kashi-kun… what are you doing here? And why am I here exactly?' She asked. Kakashi told her what had happened which made her feel sad and ashamed of herself.
' I'm sorry Kashi-kun… I didn't know what I thinking.' Kakashi smiled and kissed her forehead.
The next day, Sasuke came to visit bringing a bunch of flowers as promised. Whistling a tune he'd heard Misanagi hum every so often, he walked into her room and arranged the flowers in a vase before smiling.
' Like I promised, roses and plum blossoms.'
' Sasuke.'
' Kakashi-sensei?'
' Go on and train, Naruto and Sakura are waiting for you down at the training grounds. Godaime-sama is going to check up on Mi-can.' Sasuke nodded and left, casting an almost longing look at Misanagi.
' You don't know how much you've affected that poor boy Mi-chan…' Kakashi said to himself. Misanagi started to stir and slowly opened her eyes.
' Who was that?' She asked sleepily. She started to stare at the flowers in the vase.
' They weren't here this morning… Did that person who just left bring them?' Kakashi nodded before telling her that Tsunade-sama was coming to check on her.
' How is she?' Sakura asked.
' She's fine, but she hasn't woken up yet.' Both Naruto and Sakura could see the major change Misanagi brought out of the boy. She made him a better person, even though he was cruel to her at first. Sakura even went as far enough to believe that he cared for Misanagi and possibly, might even love her deep down.
' I hope she wakes up soon, she promised me she'd tell me about Kaa-san and Tou-san…' Sasuke nodded and sat down on a branch.
' Kakashi-sensei! How is she?' Sakura asked as soon as she saw their teacher.
' She's fine. Godaime-sama is with her now. She'll be able to leave in a few days.'
' Can we visit her?' Naruto asked quietly. Kakashi looked up and saw Naruto's head bowed down, and the smallest trail of a tear slowly making its way down his cheek.
' That's a great idea Naruto. Let's go now.' Sakura squealed.
' I think she'll appreciate the company.'
Misanagi sat up in bed, listening to Tsunade-sama about the damage she had inflicted upon herself. Tsunade-sama was trying desperately to make sure she'd never do it again.
' Misanagi-san, I don't think you realise the full extent of your wounds. You severed both arteries in your left arm and almost severed a ligament in your right wrist. It took us a long time to fix those and we can't guarantee there'll be a next time, do you understand?
' I know you've had a hard time coping, especially with Sasuke around, but you are my best Jounin. I can't let anything happen to you. And anyway, you're like a daughter to me and I don't want anything bad to happen to you.' Misanagi smiled appreciatively.
' Thank you Tsunade-sama.' There was a soft knock at the door.
' Well, I guess I'll leave you with your visitors then. Keep in mind what I said.' Misanagi nodded silently and watched her team mates and Kakashi walk in.
' Hi guys…' She whispered.
' Nee-san…' Naruto ran over and hugged his sister tightly.
' Don't you ever do that again!' He sobbed into her shoulder.
' Yes, I'm sorry Na-chan. I promise I won't.'
' Mi-chan? Are you feeling any better?'
' Yes, thanks Sakura-chan. And before you yell at me, I realise what I did was foolish and wrong. I'm sorry, to all of you…' After each person other than Sasuke hugged her, they began to talk until it was time to leave.
' When can you start training?' Asked Kakashi.
' Next week if Tsunade-sama thinks I can.' They all left, leaving behind a happy and peaceful feeling behind.
Yay! Maybe I should start another pairing? Suggestions anyone? >