Chapter 46

Days past and I had used my stored blood packs in order to refill my canteen. Even though I had, I could not bring myself to even taste the chilled preservative. As for the empty plastic bags, I had returned them into the scroll knowing I'll retrieve them at a later time to properly dispose of them. My pouch now rests beneath my pillow as I just sit and look out at the sky. After Sakura had left only one other visitor had tried to enter my room. Only successfully having a kunai thrown at her head. A sign to her that I did not wish to be plagued by her presence. The blond had merely blocked the kunai since if she had dodged it, the nurse behind her would have become an unsuspecting victim. When the blade had clattered to the floor the nurse somehow managed to usher Aphrodite out of the room understanding that I wanted nothing to do with her.

Why would I? It was because of her that I had been tortured for so long. Placed at the mercy of those who only wanted unnecessary information from me. It's not like she had even opted to trade me places. She has no idea what it was like to have my skin slowly sliced open repeatedly. To have searing hot brands melt my skin just so my healing would cover up what had been done. Be asked repeatedly the same questions over and over. Questions I had already answered before they had even begun. I even doubt she knows what it's like to have a hand inside your skin. The indescribable pain from the foreign flesh. Almost as if you were having surgery without any sort of anesthetics to dull the pain. My bones were broken and rebroken just as fast as I could heal. In a way, my energy depleting preventing me from healing like I normally do was a blessing. Before then they had figured out that their torturing techniques could move well beyond their usual limitations. Almost as if they were enjoying practicing such methods on me without the worry of me dying on them.

Ever since I woke up I have not been allowed even a minute of sleep. Every time I close my eyes I found myself back in that windowless room and strapped to that table again. Enduring everything from the very beginning. My own mind was torturing me as it replays my memories. "Such a wonderful look in your eyes my panther. So cold and calculating." Raising my head at the sound of the familiar voice I glance around the room as if I was expecting him to be standing somewhere within. Seeing nothing I look down at my legs as I curl my hands into fists. Sinking my fangs into my bottom lip and allowing the sweet juice to roll down my chin. "Such a shame for you to be left in such a state. You have lost all motivation. What is it that your heart desires?" His voice was wicked and sadistic trying to lead me into the depths of insanity. To follow his lead and wrap my arms around the madness.

Silently cursing his coaxing I find my eyes closing momentarily as the image of Light flies through my mind. Egging that voice to echo in my head again as it has done every so often since I had woken up with the curse mark. I fight to quiet my mind before opening my eyes again and pinning my hands with a hard glare. He didn't have to ask. I know exactly what I want and what I must obtain for it. "P. P." I tried to answer but my voice was too weak as it cracked and felt as if I was swallowing sharp blades.

"You want my power don't you girl." Giving a nod I move my glare to the blankets.

"K. K." I frown grabbing my pillow and throwing it across the room in my aggravation with my inability to speak properly. "Kill them all." I hiss as I raise my head knowing my eyes were glowing the same cursed red that had brought about my nightmares. Imagining the deaths of everyone who had betrayed me and had a hand in my torture. Everyone who was involved in the disappearance of Light's pendant. I heard his sinister laugh echoing around me just before it vanished as the door slides open. Grabbing my pouch I slip it beneath the blanket and glare back down at my hands allowing my hair to cover my face once again.

"It's me." The female breathes just before she walks into the room. "Good morning, I'm here to redress your wounds." It seems that since I had chucked a kunai at Aphrodite the hospital staff has been nervous to even enter my room. The pillow meets my gaze in silence. Taking it I place it back where it is supposed to be. Using the time as she turns her back on me in order to prepare the medical supplies to slip my pouch back beneath the pillow. Laying down knowing that she was going to ask me to do so next. She always seems to start from my legs and work her way up. Closing my eyes I let her do her job more focusing on my thoughts and the conversation I had just been having rather than her words. "It seems they are healing nicely now. Though don't be surprised if you end up with a few scars. Most of these wounds are deep and some are even jagged from your accident. Possibly caused by a few of the rocks you had hit." I see, so they told the hospital that I had been out training and took it too far. They've been filled with lies in order to cover up what really happened. "I'm curious though. Where did you get this scar?" She asks after she had me set up and was now working on the wrappings around my torso. I felt her finger touch just above my collar bone nearly causing me to flinch as a memory flashed of the weeks I had just endured in my mind. I don't even need a mirror to know what she was referring to. It's from their last branding and they found out that I wasn't healing like I'm supposed to. "You really need to start talking to me, sweetheart." She breathes a heavy sigh as if my silence was seriously worrying her.

It was only when she left the room that I pull my gaze from my blanket to shoot a glare at the door. "Heal panther, so you can seek out my power." Why is everyone wanting me to heal? What's the point? "I can make you so much stronger." His voice was quieter now almost distant as if it was echoing in a memory that I do not have. Just his voice being here without him was creepy and made me wonder if I had already fallen into my insanity. With an exhale I retrieve my pouch. His voice was right though. If I wish for more power I need to heal myself and get out of this hospital. I still need to train and increase my own energy. Retrieving my canteen I uncap it and bring it to my lips. Closing my eyes as the soothing liquid flows down my throat causing my body to feel like it was buzzing with renewed strength. I could feel after each drink my body healing itself and restoring the energy I had long lost.

By the time I completely empty my canteen I felt almost like new. Standing for the first time in practically a month I raise my arms above my head in a stretch before walking to the wardrobe to retrieve my clothing. With the nurse having just been in to check on me I reckon I have a few hours at least until another nurse steps in during the shift change. So I have no reason to hurry. Walking to the bathroom with my vest and clothes in hand I set them on the edge of the sink before looking at myself in the mirror. Raising my right hand I move the neckline of my top in order to see the scar the nurse had mentioned. In nearly a perfect leaf symbol the brand looked like ugly skin that had been melted and folded over on itself. Curling my lip in distaste I cover the brand back up. I guess scarred flesh doesn't heal over like other wounds. Sighing I turn on the water in the sink and lean forward. Splashing the water on myself in order to feel even the slightest bit fresher ever before changing from the ugly hospital gown and into my ninja attire.

I finish drying off with a hand towel before grabbing my vest and tugging it on. Leaving it unzipped for now as I pull my hair from beneath it letting it fall around my form, as I walk back towards the bed to retrieve my canteen and pouch. Securing my pouch in place after slipping my canteen back inside it I walk to the window and pull it open. I honestly have no idea what I am going to do from this point on. However, I do know that I need out of this hospital. Climbing up into the window sill I glance behind me before leaping out of the room. The wind rushes past me whipping my hair around my form wildly. It didn't seem like that long ago, I would never have even thought about doing such a thing. When I was ruled by my fear of heights.

It wasn't until I ran further into the village that I heard a large number of people cheering. Veering off in that direction I come upon a huge stadium. "Probably the final exams." I whisper to myself ignoring the fact I could feel eyes on me. Leaping into the air I shove my chakra into my feet as I plant the soles of my sandals onto the wall of the building and begin running up the tall mass. Reaching the top I found myself crouching on the shingles looking out over the stadium below. The crowd I hear cheering must be somewhere below me. The stadium itself looks like a giant fishbowl from its tall walls around a grassy clearing that had trees on one side of it. People were lined up side by side. A spot of bright orange catches my eye. "Naruto." I point out to myself before letting my eyes trail over the others slowly enough my eyes can discern who is who. The other one I was looking for was nowhere to be seen. "Probably caught up in training but knowing Kakashi he's trying to let Sasuke rest since he knows today is the exams. They sure seem to be taking their time getting here though."

"Then why not go get them?" A familiar voice comes up behind me. Fluid and full of self-confidence that nearly made my eyes narrow as I picture the owner of the voice. Without even looking behind me I stand letting my hair blow in the gentle breeze.

"I'll do that, but Kabuto." A brief smirk finds its way to my features as I finally turn to face him. I hadn't been expecting to see him wearing an Anbu outfit and a familiar cat mask, but I quickly got over my moment of surprise. The image of the night Geko had died flashes through my mind of one of the Anbu that had been kneeling next to the corpse. "Sneak up on me again and I'll kill you." He just seems to laugh at my words before walking forward enough he was now standing next to me seemingly looking down into the stadium.

"You're not asking questions? I figured you would be just like the rest on your team." Rolling my eyes I look ahead of me so I was no longer focusing on him. I knew what he meant. If I were Naruto I would be asking him why he was portraying himself as Anbu black ops, or why he was even here at this moment. Curling my hands into fists at my sides I smile.

"I've known since the second time I met you that you weren't loyal to the leaf." This comment officially causes him to glance in my direction as a sound of curiosity meets my ears. "After I met Orochimaru I was given further proof from the mere fact you kept watching Sasuke and myself. Naruto had your curiosity but not enough to deviate your attention for very long from the two you were supposed to be analyzing. From there I figured out that Orochimaru's confrontation in order to evaluate our strengths wasn't enough for him. He needed to see how our minds work beyond when we are facing an impossible opponent. And you… only listened because of my abilities. You're intrigued by my Kekkei Genkai. I could see it in your eyes."

"You're different than you had been in the second exam." He chuckles and with those words, he vanishes as if they had been spoken on the wind as my hair whips around me similar to when I was running on the rooftops through the village. I'm different? Tilting my head I turn back around to look down at the stadium now seeing the first two competitors squaring off.

"Good luck Naruto." I whisper to myself before leaping from the roof in the direction of the mountains just outside of the village. I wasn't quite certain why I chose to go towards the mountains but I had a feeling. More like a hazy enough memory that I couldn't quite recall the details exactly. Either way, it was telling me to go towards the mountains. Calling my healing ability a Kekkei Genkai isn't all that off the mark. So it wasn't a lie. In this world, there is only one with this particular ability. Yes, Aphrodite heals quickly but hers works in a different way than mine and at a slower rate. Since I have never seen her consume anything other than the normal human variety of options, it's safe to assume she doesn't require blood as I do.

No, even though we are family she is a much different breed than I am. That much is certain. To be honest with myself, I don't really know that much about her. She may have let me believe she was honest, kind, and hard-working but, how much of what she has shown me is even real? I know she's faster and stronger than I am. That she has trained with her mother since she could put a foot in front of the other, and that supposedly she's my right hand. Someone that is suppose to help me, guide me, protect me, and follow my orders. She doesn't talk about herself or tell me everything she knows. Even in these years here, she's been more of a mother to me than anything else. Training me, making sure I don't run into problems with my fangs coming in. Making sure I'm out of bed and ready for school. There were even days that she would set me down at the kitchen table and watch me do my school work if only just to make sure I did it.

I trusted her with every fiber of my being. I told her things such as my thoughts and feelings. Looked to her for guidance during our training. Did she betray me when she knocked me unconscious and took me to the Hokage? Or has everything always been a lie? She rocketed up in the ranks, her skills continuing to grow with each passing day. Since she's been the one I've been training with since day two of us being stuck here. Wouldn't I be at least close to her level by now? The only logical reason I can think of is… she's been holding back. Keeping me in place as if I were a dog on a leash. Maybe when I had returned home she hadn't arrived there just to make sure I was safe from Damen. It's possible that she and Damen may have collaborated to get me out of the way. That I may be stuck in this world but she can come and go as she pleases. Or she could just be waiting to go back until I am dead.

Curling my lip in a snarl at my thoughts I move up to a mountain top. Stopping I glance around at my surroundings looking for something that would even seem remotely familiar to me. It was then just off in the distance I see two figures standing in place just below an overly large boulder. Taking the time to rest from my search for them I reach into my pouch and retrieve the hair tie I keep at the bottom of it. Pulling my hair up into a high ponytail leaving my bangs as usual down to frame my face. Almost automatically from my hair being lifted off of my body I could feel the breeze brush against my bare skin, cooling me down and bringing rise to goosebumps.

Upon reaching the mountain top they were on I pause just out of sight behind the large boulder. If they were talking I felt I wanted to hear what was being said. "Seems I was right when I ordered those clothes for you." Kakashi's voice met my ears. "We had ruined your other outfit in this time."

"Because you are a slave driver, Kakashi." Following Sasuke's choice of words, I could hear Kakashi chuckle just before they fell silent. Shaking my head I could already picture Kakashi looking in my direction, and Sasuke following Kakashi's gaze as he waits to see what had distracted the Jonin.

"I know you're there." Kakashi pipes up nearly causing me to sigh. Walking off of around the boulder I meet their eyes with my own in silence.

"Kira? What are you doing here?" Sasuke asks me, this time I allow myself to visibly sigh. Shouldn't it be obvious? I mean really, this whole time they haven't seen anyone beyond themselves for their training then finally on the day of the exam I just suddenly show up? Maybe I shouldn't tell them they are late just to teach them to use their heads a little more often.

"Did you train hard?" I question walking up towards them so we were now standing in sort of a triangular shape. I could feel Kakashi watching me but I never let my eyes waver from Sasuke.

"Hn. You think I would do otherwise?" Sasuke smirks as he puts his hands in his shorts' pockets. So he was now standing more relaxed than he had, yet still giving off that arrogant posture he was known for.

"Not especially."

"Kira, why are you here? Weren't you going to meet us at the exams?" Kakashi questions interrupting Sasuke and my short conversation. Bringing my gaze to meet his I give him a shrug.

"That vest is different." Sasuke mutters drawing my attention back to him before I could answer Kakashi's question. Waving my right hand dismissively before placing it on my hip I send the boy a smirk.

"I was made chunin a month ago." I nearly laugh when his eyes widen in realization before he could replace the sudden look of shock with his usual stoic expression. Turning my gaze away from the silently seething Uchiha I look back towards Kakashi.

"After the exams, you are going to do something for me Sensei." I pause my speaking so my words will sink in. It was only when a sudden and brief flash of curiosity passes over his gaze do I continue. "Oh, and you're late. The exams have already started. Sasuke was supposed to be the second match but you can hope they will postpone it until he gets there." Kakashi suddenly diverts his gaze nearly causing me to chuckle. I could almost imagine his silent cursing. "From the time it took me to find you, however, I'm guessing if they did postpone the match that we should be going before Sasuke is disqualified, don't you think?" I tilt my head watching Kakashi as he finally looks back to me then to Sasuke. Almost as if he was debating the probability of Sasuke's match actually being postponed. "If you're worried Sensei. You know Naruto's match was the first one against Neji Hyuga. On the off chance that Naruto will or has won, the match probably took a while since he enjoys getting the snot kicked out of himself."

With this Kakashi's gaze finally moves back to me. Hazed over as if remembering something briefly before nodding. "Yes, we should go." Nodding to him I glance towards Sasuke who seemed like he was worried about being disqualified as his hands were balled up into tight fists. He didn't seem calm at all. Sighing I turn towards Sasuke.

"Don't worry so much. If you aren't disqualified you will need to be calm and level-headed in order to win." When he looks at me I give him a smirk. "Unless you don't want to catch up to me and become a chunin." I watch as his eyes suddenly narrow upon me before he smirks.

"Don't get your hopes up; I'm not going to lose to you."

"You will if you two don't come over here." Kakashi pipes up drawing our attention. "Stand next to me and I will get us to the exams." Nodding I take a few steps closer to Kakashi as Sasuke follows suit. Turning so my back was to him I close my eyes waiting for Kakashi to do whatever it is he was going to. A mere few seconds later my ponytail whips around as if the wind had suddenly picked up and was trying to take off with the soft tendrils.