Chapter 42

*Aphrodite*

The next day Kira and I were both summoned to the Hokage's office and we were now standing side by side in front of his desk waiting to hear what he needed us for. Glancing at Kira from the corner of my eye I noticed the same look that I had come home to. A completely void expression. No emotions lingering in her gaze. Not even a glare being shown towards anyone. She just seemed to be standing there looking past Lord Third so she can see out the window. Almost as if our being called to his office was a trivial matter that she was able to figure out the moment she was summoned. Last night when I had returned home I had expected her to be waiting for me. Ready to yell at me for my impudence from earlier in the night. Yet she had shown no such anger. She was sitting on the railing of our balcony just staring up at the moon in silence. Even when I had tried to speak to her she made no move to respond or that she had even heard me. She was lost in her thoughts consisting of who knows what.

"I think it's time." Lord third spoke seriously addressing us as his unwavering gaze was trained upon the two of us. "I have spoken with those closest to you and none of them seem to be willing to tell me. Even though I am their leader they all told me the same thing. To speak with the two of you directly." Huh? Did we do something wrong for this to happen? What's he referring to? "I have been patient for almost eight years knowing you two were keeping something from me. I've been waiting for you to trust me enough to tell me yourselves but it seems that if I am to know I have to request you to tell me." Oh. That. I felt my eyes nearly widen at my own realization even though Kira had made no movement to even show she was listening to him. "I wish to know what it is you both have deemed important enough to keep from me."

"Like what Lord Third?" I question hoping that I could find a way around telling him everything. Let's face it. I have far too many secrets.

"Nearly 8 years ago you appeared just outside of this village. Portrayed yourselves to be nothing more than innocent children. From having watched the two of you it did not take me long to figure out that it was an act. I do not doubt your words that you are from a different dimension and had somehow been transported here. Yet, there is more to your story than that. In nearly 8 years you girls have become my family and such are like granddaughters to me. It is for this reason I am asking you to tell me." Running my fingers through my hair and shooting my cousin one last glance I prepare myself to speak. He only needs to know enough to satisfy his curiosity anyway.

"Sorry Gramp but that's not necessary for you to know." Kira's cold tone flowed nearly inaudibly before I watched her turn to leave.

"Kira." Lord Third spoke up with a tone of warning as I turned my gaze fully upon my cousin's form. Without even glancing back to show she had heard, she just seems to walk out of the office.

"That's... Not like her." I speak my own thoughts achieving a sound of agreement from Lord Third.

"She's been like this since I had seen her last night after what happened."

"It may be my fault. I had asked her some questions and she felt like I was suspecting her of being the one to kill Geko." Looking back towards him I exhale a sigh. "She just needs some time to cool down."

"I am sorry Aphrodite, I had hoped to have you both answer my question but it seems Kira isn't speaking to anyone."

"I understand Lord Third. It may not be my position to speak for her but I can speak of myself if that is alright with you." A spark of curiosity flashes through his gaze as he sets in silence waiting for me to continue speaking. "Before we had arrived here as we had said so many years ago we had been attacked. I was trying to protect my cousin who at the time had no knowledge of any sort of the skills she possesses. My little brother is the one who attacked us."

"You mean this, Damen, you had spoke of."

"Yes, he is my little brother. He had become unhappy with our way of life and had planned to kill my cousin. Unexpectedly he decided to take us back to our most vulnerable before opening a portal as we were trying to escape from him. He declared that he would see to it no one would be able to find us just before we fell through. He then locked this world from ours to ensure we wouldn't be able to return."

"I see, and your most vulnerable was turning back time and restoring your five-year-old selves." I give him a nod.

"Yes, though it wasn't much of a difference for Kira, it had meant my skills and strengths were drastically weakened. He had probably planned to kill us after ensuring he was stronger than me but having leaped off of the Mansion, we had given him no other choice than to send us somewhere else. Probably expecting us to die within our first year here."

"How old were you when he turned back time for you?" I see.

"Technically. Eighteen years old. I'm afraid if I answer much more than I already have I will be betraying my family. Much like the families here, like the Hyuga for example. We have our secrets to bear. Even though Kira does not know many of them." I decided to add in the Hyuga clan in hopes he will understand the secrecy. I'm not sure if I remember correctly but I don't think even the Hokage knows all of their family secrets.

"I have one last question for you Aphrodite. A question not from a Grandparent but as the Hokage to his subordinate." Damn, him saying that means I have to answer, I have no other choice.

"Yes, Lord Third." I fall into my position of the Anbu black ops first bowing my head respectfully to him before placing my arms behind my back waiting for his question.

"Why does Orochimaru want Kira?" How is it that one simple question can weigh so heavily upon my shoulders? Answering this question will betray not only Kira but our family as well. The only possible way I can explain it to him would be speaking a half-truth which would also be betraying my title as Anbu. Damn it. He's making me choose between him and my family. Question is. Which one will I choose? "Answer me, Aphrodite."

I should... Betray them both so half of my loyalties will remain with both. Is it even possible to do that or would it technically mean I am not loyal to either side? I wish Kira was here. She'd be able to alleviate this situation. "Her healing abilities, Lord Third." I guess I'll betray them both to keep some of my loyalties intact.

"Healing abilities?"

"Yes, she heals quite quickly. Enough so she is virtually indestructible. Such abilities only lie within the bloodline of the main family." I watch as his eyes narrow upon me nearly forcing me to fidget uncomfortably. Of course, he can tell I'm not telling him the exact truth. I suck at lying. I live my life telling the truth uncaring what they think of me. Yet, Kira, she hides herself only telling people what they need to know. I'm in such deep trouble.

"Retrieve Kira and bring her here." His tone was stern and even a bit cold. I had never seen him angered before and his voice alone nearly had me running from the room. "When you do I will overlook your defiance." He's making me choose again. I had chosen wrongly and angered him so he's giving me another chance. In the anime, he was always a kind soul and treats those of the village as if they were his family.

Guess they didn't show what actually happens if you fully defy him huh. Swallowing the lump in my throat I bow my head to him. I could just be looking at it the wrong way. "Yes, Lord Third." Raising my hands I complete the necessary hand signs and work my chakra to complete the newest jutsu I have learned. Successfully disappearing from his office in a puff of smoke. Once outside I close my eyes and focus on Kira's energy insignia. He probably just figures that I won't tell him the full truth because as I had said I cannot answer for her. He just wants to talk to her and hear it from her, I'm sure of it. Opening my eyes I find myself smiling. She's in the same trees she had been training in the day I had followed her. "You're so predictable, cousin."

Upon walking into the trees I stop behind her seeing her entire body glowing as she sets in her Indian style upon the ground. Her eyes were closed, but I knew by the way her shoulders stiffened that she had already figured out that I am here. "What do you want?" Her soft voice flowed cold nearly causing me to go against my decision as I felt the weight of her tone on my heart.

"The Hokage wishes to speak with you." Please just come with me. I thought to myself but she made no move to get up as her energy showed no sign of her concentration wavering. At this rate… Looking down I step up closer to her. "Come on Kira, I know you're mad at me but you still need to listen to the Hokage."

"There is no need for me to listen to anyone." At least she finally spoke again but she still made no move to listen to me.

"Kira, I didn't mean for it to sound like I believed you were the one to kill Geko. Please, just go to the Hokage so you don't get into trouble." Is she having fun ignoring me? She didn't sigh in irritation, growl in aggravation, nothing. No emotion. "If you don't go I'm gonna have to make you cuz, and I don't want to do that." Again nothing. Exhaling a sigh I look down at my right hand as I bring my energy to the surface. Condensing it tightly to my own body.

Please forgive me, but you've left me no other choice. It's for your own good. I told myself as I slowly reached my hand out towards her. In a split second, I had barely seen. She turned more towards me and had grabbed my coated wrist. Frowning at her sudden movement and empty gaze I close my eyes as her grip unconsciously tightens just before she releases me followed by a soft thump on the ground. "It's the same as with your old cubby cousin. Condense your energy enough to not accept another's." Opening my eyes I look down at her knowing she will never forgive me now. "I really am sorry." I whispered to her as I pick her up and perform the necessary jutsu. Transporting us back to Lord Third's office.

Setting her on the floor, I lean her up against the wall so she looked at least somewhat comfortable. "So it seems she refused to come." Lord Third's voice came from behind me flowing more with pain rather than the anger I had heard from him previously. Standing I continue looking down at my cousin only now taking note that a couple of others were in the room with us.

"Yes, she will wake up soon once the effects wear off." I tell him solemnly before turning around unable to prevent my eyes from widening seeing who else was here with us. Looking none too happy with his gloved hands in the pockets of his black trench coat. Stepping forward I put myself on guard silently wondering what I have just done. Think Aphrodite. Think.

"Lord Third. What is this?" I ask almost hesitantly my gaze still trained on Ibiki Morino. Surely the need for our information does not make interrogation necessary…

"Don't worry Aphrodite. Ibiki won't hurt her. He will just ask her some questions." Yeah right. "You can go home now. You have the rest of the day off."

"But.."

"Go home Damphire." Lord Third speaks again showing me that I need to leave. I'm sorry Kira, I hope you know I have no choice. Obeying I transport myself to our apartment just as a tear makes its way down my cheeks.

"There are no words to describe how badly I just screwed up." Why is it that even in the Death note world she does just fine until I cause something horrible to happen to her? Why do I continually screw up?

"Damphire?" His deep voice wafts over me just before his musky scent reaches me. Was he waiting here? Turning around I face the handsome redhead as I see his eyes widen. "You're crying." He breathes as he visibly pales.

"You did.. this.." I whisper in realization mixed with disbelief.

"We put everything in our reports Damphire. You know this." With his words, I felt my heart give a shuddering pound within my chest remembering Kira's glowing hues as she turned around ready to attack me from thinking I had been the enemy. That's what Lord third wanted to know about that I didn't mention... I felt myself drop to my knees as I realize it was all my fault. We never told anyone about her eyes so we couldn't play it off as it being just simply a part of her much like the Sharingan. No one knows it's a sign of her blood lust. I could have just told him that people of the first family's emotions reflect in their eyes once they come of age. Or I could have said that it's part of her awakening chakra showing itself in her eyes. I could have told them anything instead... I left it out and she has no idea beyond them just glowing when she's hungry as to why they glow.

"Get out." I snap at him sending him a glare to know I wasn't kidding. If he stuck around I would be more apt to take out my anger on him. He didn't deserve that. He was just doing his job. He doesn't need to see… Closing my eyes I take in a shallow breath already feeling my skin tighten around my skeletal structure. In the end. Kira is the lucky one. Our family is ruled by our emotions. Her ability to control herself will prevent a lot of otherwise unavoidable pain.