Chapter 39
Kira had only been down a full day with the inner fight against her curse mark. A part of Aphrodite wondered if that meant there was much of a fight at all or if Kira was simply accepting it. That entire day Aphrodite sat in Kira's bedroom watching her slumber as if at any moment someone was going to break into their home to take her. She knew that Orochimaru wanted leaving Konoha to be Sasuke's choice. This is why he didn't just take Sasuke to begin within the anime. Could it be possible, however, that he wishes Kira to do the same? Would Kira herself even be willing to place herself in Orochimaru's clutches, especially after their fight and him finding out about Kira's…. abilities?
A part of Aphrodite didn't wish to believe that her cousin would ever make such a move. Yet, there was still always the chance that Kira's own quest for power will force her to do just that, even knowing that she would be experimented on and dissected. Over the years Aphrodite could tell that her cousin's mind was becoming ever more wrapped around obtaining power. She couldn't say much about it though, one it's not her place to question her cousin too much, and two because they both really did need to get stronger. Aphrodite had been telling herself for years that Kira's drive was so they could get home and that she didn't want Aphrodite to throw herself in front of an attack meant for her ever again.
Looking up towards the darkening sky through the eyeholes of her Anbu mask from her place on a tree branch. Aphrodite's thoughts linger in the silence. She knew from the beginning that those things did drive her cousin forward but there was more to it, causing her to push herself harder than she probably should. She could see it in Kira's eyes; the more time passed the more she withdrew from everyone even Aphrodite herself. Her thoughts were always on the epic love she was blessed enough to feel. Kira is dwelling on the past and even possibly blaming herself for Light's death. "Looking at it that way. It isn't rocket science to see what she is thinking." Aphrodite whispers to herself before leaving the area of trees her cousin is currently training in. She wants to find a way to take away someone's humanity. Little does she know that when Aphrodite returned home to train under her mother again. The same thought had occurred to her from thinking about the love shared between Kira and Light. So one day during training, Aphrodite broke down and spoke with her mother about it. "If she ever knew, she would kill me for the information." -Or worse, hate me for keeping it from her.- Aphrodite found herself nearly laughing at her own thoughts. –What am I thinking? She'd hate me for keeping as much as I do from her.-
Being called away from my training upset me just a bit. I have one month to train as much as I can before regular missions start up again. One month, that's four weeks. It's like a blink in time. I don't have the time to be interrupted. Yet, as I was training a hawk flew over my head showing me that Gramp was summoning me to his office. "Tch." How annoying. Sighing I found my right hand moving up to my chest just below my scarf and grasping onto the moon pendant as I look over the rooftops above me towards the setting sun. A soft warm breeze passes over me sifting gently through my hair taking my mind back to a simpler time. - "Yes, close your eyes. Feel the hum within your veins as you seek out your energy then push it outwards. Maybe you should focus on your hand. Move the hum to a hand then push it outwards." Aphrodite corrected herself successfully confusing me more. Obviously seeing my confusion she continued. "Umm… Like this..." She spoke before closing her eyes and I watched her. "Find the hum... Then move it to a hand... Mine will be the left." I moved my gaze to the hand she signified and waited. Nothing was happening. I found myself shifting from one foot to another restlessly as I began to wonder if she was truly off her rocker or even knew what she was doing. "Then push it outwards." She mumbled just before I seen it. My eyes widen as I watch a faint pink glow surround her hand. Steadily growing to a more prominent shade of pink before suddenly disappearing and she opened her eyes to look at me. "Your turn."-
-"And what exactly is this supposed to teach me? Like what is the glow suppose to do?" I found myself asking as I close my eyes. I really did want to try it. I want to do it too even if it was useless.-
-"Moving your energy around and focusing enough to bring it to view in your hand you learn energy control. Not to mention with enough practice you can manipulate the energy you push outwards. It's how... Let's say... Someone can create fireballs or a light with healing attributes. With enough control, you could even use it as a protective shield." So... It wasn't completely useless. It was the first step of many.-
-"I understand."-
Raising my hand I run my fingers through my bangs lifting them up from my eyes. Back then I was willing to learn so I could return home when I wanted to but, I had never really wished to delve any deeper than that. I was lazy and self-absorbed. My mind was only ever about one thing. "My life with Light." I sigh to myself. I was an idiot. All I can think of for now is this world revolves around chakra and the jutsu you can create from it. If I somehow learn to utilize what Aphro had tried to teach me back then, they wouldn't know what hit them. Even if it is just a shield or even a fireball, no hand signs mean they will not know what to do about it. No forewarning. "Something they've never seen before." I mutter allowing my hand to drop to my side as I come up to the Hokage mansion.
So far it doesn't feel like I have accomplished much at all in this world. Even though I know otherwise. Before I got here I could only coat myself in energy, now I can use jutsu and have learned how to fight. Yet even though my mind is more mature than my body, my skill level is still genin possibly chunin at most. While Aphro is an Anbu. Sighing I shake my head. She just keeps rising through the ranks. Becoming ever more stronger with each passing day. I'm standing in place compared to her.
I felt my lip curling up in a snarl at my thought as I stop outside of Gramp's office door. In taking a breath I compose myself outwardly even though on the inside I found myself loathing my cousin. Raising my hand I knock on the door telling myself inwardly that emotions are best left hidden. There is a time and place for them and the room I am about to enter. Is definitely not the time nor the place. Nodding once to myself I open the door without waiting for permission. He had summoned me here so he should be expecting me.
"Ah, Kira. Thank you for coming." Huh? He's thanking me? Stepping completely into the office I shut the door behind me before turning towards the old man sitting behind his desk. What I hadn't expected to see was Kakashi, Anko, Hayate, and Ibiki. Raising a brow I step up to his desk as my gaze falls upon the old man again.
"Gramp, what's going on?" I ask as nicely as I could as my mind begins running through possible reasons as to why I would be here.
"Kira take a seat." Gramp's voice breaks through my thoughts and I find myself setting on the edge of his desk. Turning my torso so I would more face him. I remain silent waiting for an explanation of some sort as to why I am here. Yet when no one spoke I close my eyes momentarily deciding on what I should say.
"With all due respect Gramp. I really should be training for the final exam. Why am I here?" I speak as I open my eyes again meeting his kind gaze.
"Why don't you tell me what you believe the reason could be?" He questions pulling his pipe from his white and red robes. I watch as he brings it up to his mouth before I allow myself to glance at the others. Oh, I see. They want to hear what I can come up with. The proctors along with my Sensei being present must be a hint. Also since Gramp didn't answer my question or even comment on what I told him should also count as hints right? Exhaling a breath I move my gaze towards the windows behind the others in the room.
"I could be wrong but knowing you, you wouldn't pull me away from my training without good reason. Especially since the third and final exam is so important for the village and the ninja participating. Knowing that, I can fairly say for certain the reason for everyone to be gathered like this is about my progress in the exams." Moving my gaze back over the others before finally looking upon the old man in front of me again as I continue my thought. "Even knowing that I cannot say with 100% certainty whether I have been called here for my progress having made a good impression or not. I would have to say that from the look showing in your gaze it is only about a 65% chance that you found my skills to be satisfactory. This would mean there is a 35% chance of my actions being inadequate."
"I see, well before we move on I have another question for you, Kira. One I feel we all would like to know." Giving a tilt of my head I glance momentarily at the others. Their silence though understandable was rather creepy to me. Almost as if I am under interrogation or something of the sort. "At this point, we can only guess what happened in the forest during the second exam. Would you enlighten us as to what happened also what your thoughts are on the ordeal?" I see, so the question is about Orochimaru. Typical, also understandable. One of the three Sanin. No more like an S-class criminal having infiltrated the village just to get his hands on Sasuke has them on edge and they are trying to retrieve as much information as possible so they may act accordingly.
"To begin answering the question I should tell you just before the second exam began I had noticed the three grass ninja watching team seven. In particular two members. Sasuke and myself. One, in particular, made it a point to speak with me before turning in our application forms. Being open with them I told them how they smelled of blood. Enough so that it had to of come from multiple kills recently for it was masking their own scent. I questioned the ninja curious as to whom they could have possibly killed. Yet instead of answering my question, I feel I had piqued their interest in me. When we had met again in the forest I had already decided I was going to receive the answer to my question. Though little did I know who the grass ninja actually was." I pause to glance towards Kakashi seeing he gave me a nod as a silent way in telling me to go ahead and continue, I place my left hand behind me on the desk and tilt my head back. Sifting my right hand into my bangs and pulling them from my face as I look towards the ceiling. "The killer intent alone caused Sasuke and Sakura to become paralyzed with fear. I tried to buy them time to get over the initial shock but to no avail, they were rooted in place so I got them away from the ninja."
I could hear an intake of air as if someone was about to speak so I spoke again quickly to cut them off. "As we were regaining control of ourselves a huge snake snuck upon us. After dodging it Sasuke killed the snake but we got to watch..." I bit my bottom lip remembering the sight I was about to speak of. Already feeling nauseated from the whole thing. "The grass ninja standing from inside the snake. The fact he was after Sasuke was very well apparent for he slithered up the tree towards Sasuke." Setting up I look back towards Gramp not all too happy about having to replay that night. "When the grass ninja had caught Naruto with their tongue, I stepped in to try and retrieve my teammate while Sasuke was still consumed by fear. Having been "Knocked" unconscious I can't tell you much after that until I regained my sense of self. By then Sasuke was collapsed onto his knees in front of a burnt tree. Sakura shouting in glee saying Sasuke beat him but when I had seen the grass ninja move I felt compelled to act. Sasuke was obviously in no condition to continue fighting and if attacked Sakura stood no chance."
"So you fought against Orochimaru?!" Anko shouts disbelievingly. She wasn't just going to wait for me to finish what I was saying. Raising my hand to her I sent a quick glare in her direction.
"If you would have let me finish you would very well come to the same conclusion I had only moments into the ordeal. He was toying with us. Trying to gauge our strengths. At the point of me fighting him head-on Naruto was unconscious, Sasuke was exhausted, and Sakura was kneeling next to Sasuke still quivering with her fear. I was the only one left capable of fighting. Looking at it that way he had been gauging us from the beginning. Sakura not having been touched was due to the fact she didn't have the strength of will to fight him. She knew she was out of her league. In the end, all we did was give him what he wanted. To see our strengths first hand. He could have killed us at any time yet he didn't so I believe it was because of Sasuke. He wants Sasuke to go to him of his own free will. If he had killed any of us while Sasuke had been fighting so hard to protect us, he would have inevitably turned Sasuke against himself. Ruining his chance to have him." Moving my eyes towards Gramp I take in a breath before continuing. " I saw in his eyes. He holds much hate and malice, barely masked by his temporary interest that had been piqued. I wouldn't doubt that he has more planned than just retrieving Sasuke for himself."
"And you expect us to overlook how you've completely neglected your own mark in this whole speech?!" Shifting another glare at Anko I fight to keep myself from lashing out at her.
"Gramp along with my Sensei both know and understand why I would implore Sasuke's fate over my own. It is unnecessary to explain it to you." Taking in another breath I look back towards Gramp, I notice as Kakashi Sensei places his hand on Anko's shoulder keeping her from giving me a tongue lashing. "As for my thoughts on this matter are purely speculations. However, I may not know this Orochimaru very well but I can't see him only using his infiltration and the confusion he created just to get his hands on a genin or two. From his forehead protector, he probably feels safe assuming you will believe the sound genin as a perfectly plausible explanation as to why else he is here for the exams and that Sasuke and I are only a bonus. But it doesn't seem like the ninja I faced. Plausible and otherwise sane explanations don't fit his character. He enjoys... no revels in the sight of blood and causing another pain. He's sadistic and quite frankly insane. Mix that with the hate and malice within him. I can only think his presence is putting the village at risk. That being said from how you've continued the chunin selection exams I can only guess you feel it necessary to not cancel them. It is not my place to argue or speak against your decisions."
"Hmm. I see." Gramp spoke mainly to himself as he places his pipe back into his robes and leans forward resting his elbows upon the top of his desk and folding his hands in front of him. "You have put a great deal of thought into that explanation."
"Not really Gramp. I was more thinking as I was speaking." I shrug setting up completely and folding my hands in my lap.
"I see. I thank you for your answer either way. I do have one more question for you, however." His voice suddenly became more serious as his eyes bore holes into me. "During the preliminary round, we could not see half of your.."
"Speaking of which Gramp. How is Amaya?" I interject as the thought of her comes to the front of my mind.
"She could have taken more damage than she had. After healing she will be fine."
"That's good to hear. I was worried I wasn't able to hold back enough and had seriously injured a fellow Konoha kunoichi." This brought a smile to the old man successfully lightening his mood.
"Now, during your match, we had all noticed your skills yet, would you tell us why you had stalled in the beginning?" I see, he already has an idea or he believes he has my reasons figured out yet he wishes for me to elaborate so he knows for sure.
"I know my body's limitations and what I am capable of to be sure. The curse mark however was wreaking havoc. I knew from the pain I was already in and what I had gone through previously in the forest just to pass the second exam that I could not use much of my chakra. It was a chore just to stand on the pillars. Anyway, the beginning of the match proved Amaya was not going to let me close enough to overpower her with my speed and fighting prowess so I had to come up with a way that I could force close contact. Or at least create a scenario where one jutsu would take her down and win my match. Yet, there was one member on my team that does not know about Sasuke or my own curse marks and I didn't want him to cloud his mind with worry if it acted up worse. So I set upon the spears running possible scenarios in my mind in order to achieve my victory in the match. In the end after setting up the field so that I would not have to worry about the spears falling and possibly causing more injury than necessary to one if not both of us. I used the explosion from my paper bombs to set the field. In order to shield me from her sight temporarily. Once I had, I went for close combat but even with a fractured leg, she proved to be stubborn and unwilling to concede defeat. So I had to finish her with a jutsu and used my secondary paper bombs I had placed to not only corner her but also thwart most of the damage she would have received."
"That raises the question of how you would know jutsu beyond what you had learned in the Academy? According to Kakashi, he had only been working with Sasuke so far since he had already known a fire technique." Raising a brow to the old man I couldn't believe he hadn't caught on yet.
"I have a photographic memory. When I see a jutsu I like all I have to do is memorize the hand signs then figure the rest out on my own." I lean back on my hand again and finally smile at the old man. "It's not too difficult. A fire jutsu once you watch it done the first time requires you to build up and compress your chakra in your lungs or stomach. For example, the fireball jutsu Sasuke likes so much. You build up the chakra in your lungs as you compress and mold it with fire nature chakra then you expel the searing flames from your mouth. Though through trial and error I did figure out that when expelling the flames it's easier to also coat your hand in chakra in order to keep from burning yourself." Silence followed my reveal, all I could hear was my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't exactly lie. I do have a photographic memory, though I use it less any more than I used to. Even without the scrolls, I could have picked up on the jutsu I see around me quite often. Just like I did with Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu.
