Chapter 53
Leaping back into the village I pause just inside the gates as I rub the back of my neck. "Tch, man. It still hurts." I grumble as I try to ease the sore muscles. "Kira?" Huh? Looking towards my left I drop my hand back to my side seeing the usual two-gate-watching chunin that are normally on shift. "Wh." The one with bandages over the top of his nose begins with wide eyes. "We heard you were captured! How are you here?!" His friend hollers out in shock. "Can you tell me where my sensei is? He was hurt I want to make sure he's okay." I tell them ignoring their question. Tch. I knew questions would be asked but that doesn't stop the whole ordeal from being so annoying.
"Kakashi? Oh yeah, I think he was just moved to the hospital. Some of the other Jonin are with him." I give them a nod before taking off in the direction of the hospital. Just moved to? Does this mean his injuries are more serious than even the Jonin thought? I mean they should have made it back to the village well before now, right? No, wait. Remember Kira. He didn't take on any actual damage in the fight. He collapsed after Itachi caught him in his Tsukuyomi. He'll be fine, he probably just hasn't woken up yet.
Nodding to myself I walk into the hospital and up to the reception desk. The lady behind it was busy so I waited silently for her to notice me. When she did her eyes widen briefly from shock before her expression changes into an apologetic one. "What room is Kakashi Hatake in?"
"Oh, well." She peers into a book I could only guess to be a ledger before finally looking back up to me. "He's in room thirteen on the second floor, miss." Nodding to her I turn away from the desk and make my way towards the stairs for the second floor as I fall into thought. Itachi had taken the scroll without question and even made it so Kisame didn't notice what was transpiring next to him. I wonder if he realized what it was. If not then... Does that mean since that night when I was seven he.. Trusts me? Beyond his parents, I'm not really sure why he would trust me though. Sure, I've kept my word to them to watch after Sasuke and make sure he's alright. I've also kept it a secret that his parents are in fact alive too.
Sighing I shake my head as I reach Kakashi's door. -Calm down Kira.- It's obviously for the simple fact that you've kept your word on everything you've said that he does trust you. Itachi isn't a bad guy I know. But he does do bad things. If I were in the death note world still either me or Light would have killed him by now just from the fact he's a murderer. Since I'm finding that I… believe in Itachi, does it mean that I've turned my back on Light and I's beliefs? Or is it simply because I know if given the choice he wouldn't have done it? That he did it under orders and believes that he protected the very village he held dear? He did it to save innocent lives that would or could have been lost if the coup d'etat was allowed to thrive?
-Enough Kira.- Unless you can find a way to stop it, even if he is a good man. He will still die. You shouldn't fret too much about whether or not you are betraying everything you believed. Stick to your decision and focus on your dream. Nodding to myself I pull open the door, silencing the chatter that had just been going on in the room. Stepping inside I roll my neck before my hand shoots back to it from the sudden flash of newfound pain that move had caused. "Kira?!" A familiar voice meets my ears and draws my eyes to him. There in the room was no other than Kurenai, Asuma, and another I have no idea what his name is. Sighing I step further in and wave to them with my free hand. "Hi." I mutter before looking towards Kakashi. "How's Kakashi Sensei?"
"He's still out from whatever Itachi did to him." Kurenai answers gently for me causing me to nod. "Enough about that, how are you here?!" Asuma shouts accusingly as he glares at me. Clicking my tongue in irritation I walk up towards the side of Kakashi's bed and look down at him. He looks like he's having a nightmare but beyond that, he seems to be alright. "I woke up when Kisame had me on his shoulder. He and Itachi saw someone that had distracted them so I managed to hit my way out of Kisame's hold. As soon as I landed on the ground I ran…" I give a slight chuckle as I shake my head and look up to Asuma. "Guess I didn't rank very high on their list of priorities to ignore who had distracted them in the first place and make chase after me." I shrug before finding an open seat since they were all leaning against the walls near the bed and rub the back of my neck again. "Something about Itachi might be able to stand toe to toe with him and Kisame not standing a chance because whoever it was, is in a whole different league than him. Then Itachi mentioned that if they were to have an altercation with the man they would both die. Even if they had more men it wouldn't matter." I utter out recalling a hazy memory of a conversation that should have taken place between those two. "Whoever they seen must have been strong. As for why they would hold an interest in the man, I haven't even the slightest idea." Silence follows my words as the three of them let what I just told them sink in. "I see then. So Naruto isn't their only objective." Asuma was the one to break the silence as he speaks his thought aloud. "Guess so."
Standing I stretch my arms over my head. "Well, I think I'm going to head home and get some rest. I'll be by later to check on Kakashi Sensei." I really just want to relax in a hot bath to ease my sore muscles. I thought to myself as I walk out of the hospital room. Itachi must have hit me hard in order for my neck to still hurt this much, meaning if I was normal.. he very easily could have broken my neck. The fact of this whole thing though... I pause in my walking once I reach outside of the hospital and look up towards the windows, picking out which one would be Kakashi's room. Kakashi was no match for Itachi and I am still too weak to even hold a candle to Kakashi's own strength. I'm weak. Too weak. I'll never accomplish my goal like this. Clenching my hands into fists at my sides I snarl at my own thoughts picturing Kakashi, Aphrodite, and Itachi, people far stronger than I am. Light's figure standing behind them. The distance between us growing farther and farther apart.
"I'm standing still. I'm not getting any stronger." I mutter before looking away from the hospital and heading home. My thoughts lingering in my mind. 'I'm still too weak. No matter how much time I spend training. It's not doing any good. I need more power.'
The next few days I spent down at the river either on the water or just within the forest alongside the water's edge. Sasuke was in the hospital in a similar condition to Kakashi Sensei and Sakura, of course, was at his side. I am now able to focus less on the water as I stand and maneuver on it than I had when I went to stupidly face-off with Itachi and Kisame. I had found actually performing jutsu while water walking was much more difficult than simply using Taijutsu. It took me a good day and a half just to keep my ankles from sinking in when casting a fire jutsu. At first, it felt like I was trying to throw my energy in multiple directions, but now it has balanced out. I can still feel my energy coursing to my feet while molding into a jutsu but it doesn't affect me as it had.
My shield was also coming along. I found it was just like the water walking or tree climbing. To practice it enough to make it second nature was key. It also helped that I began to focus solely on the shield for now rather than making my energy create a fireball without the need for hand signs. Guess this is what Aphrodite had meant that day so many years ago about taking it in steps. To master one step before even attempting or searching for what other possibilities my energy can do.
Yet, even though I've nearly mastered both techniques I still feel… weak. Like I haven't accomplished anything at all. To top all of it off. That strange power... In the forest of death, and when fighting the sand and sound… or even when it stirred as I fought against those two. I can't seem to figure out how it's triggered so utilizing it is far out of my reach. Sadly, that power would be mighty handy when fighting if I could use it whenever I wanted. As is I wouldn't even know where to begin on controlling it rather than it controlling me. As it stands, the possibility of that power suddenly surging through me is more of a danger than anyone I could possibly face. It's unsettling knowing there is some sort of power inside of me that could take control of my own body away from me at any given time.
Setting on the river's edge I look down at the moving water. The feeling of being swept away taking me off my course filling me. The same feeling I have begun to notice more often. No matter how hard I train. No matter what jutsu I master… I need to know. I need to see how strong I've become... Narrowing my eyes I stand and leap into the trees. Looking for only one person. Moving as quickly as I can I leap from a tree onto a rooftop once I had crossed the line into the village. I began scanning the ground below me as I kept an eye out for anyone moving along the rooftops. Trying to spot a particular mask or the gleam of wavy blond tendrils. Nearing the edge of the village I look up at the stone faces of past Hokage. If I thought it was possible, I would have wished I could have challenged one of them at this very moment.
I felt my pent-up frustration boiling inside of me. Fighting to be let out. At this point, I could probably snap against anyone. Even if they weren't the ones I was looking for. Just when I was about to hop down and give up. I saw three figures land upon the Hokage mountain as if they were just going to sit down and talk. Or whatever it is they do. Pushing my chakra to my legs I leap off of the building towards the mountainside just before directing the flow to my feet so I land upon the rough rock as if I had leaped to the ground. Halfway to the top, I slow my hastened pace to more of a walk if only to conserve a little more energy.
Reaching the top I move towards one lone tree with the three Anbu hanging around it. One sitting upon a branch, another leaning against the trunk, and the final one laying on the ground in the shade of it. If this isn't the right team, I'll have to ask them where to locate her. In order to do so, I have to act completely opposite to how I feel. I'll have to play nice. Resisting the urge to grab one of my blades I keep my hands at my sides as I walk towards them. A redhead looks up from the one on the ground shifting his gaze in my direction. The one who was in the tree stills, his laughing cutting off and the other sits up. Anbu. They think they are better than everyone else. Keeping their cool and emotions in check while looking down on you and treating you as if you had no right to be there.
The one on the ground grabs their Haku-like mask and pulls it from her face showing her warm sky blue eyes upon me. And there she is. Walking up to her I stop when my foot was nearly touching her as I look down at her. "Cousin, what are you doing here?" She questions with a quirk of her brow as if she was fighting not to smile or show surprise. We have not spoken since my time in the hospital but I am sure she has not forgotten it. "It's been a while cousin." I nearly frown at the coldness in my tone and from the slight tug at her own expression she too was trying not to react. "I want to spar." I mutter and her eyes nearly light up. I can only guess she's hoping this means I've forgiven her since we used to only spar when we were training. "But I'm not.." She begins and I feel my hand twitch in irritation. From how tense the redhead had become I can only guess he noticed. "You are lounging around. Now is the perfect time, Cousin."
If only just to keep my hands from grabbing onto my weapons I cross my arms. "Or does relaxing take precedence?" She finally stands and pulls her hair up into a ponytail so it will be out of her way. Her movements were slow and deliberate. "I'm not sure what you are expecting. But if I can pummel you and we can go back to how things were. I'm willing to try." She snips before smirking. Her hands at her sides ready to pull her kunai. "If you think you can continue to hold back, Cousin, you are sorely mistaken." I sneer before pulling a kunai and throwing it as I run towards my left to gain distance from the tree and the onlookers. Already pulling my energy from within me preparing to coat myself in my shield.
Aphrodite easily dodges the kunai as she too puts space between herself and the tree before she leaps towards me just as she used to. Meaning for me to either block or dodge. Leaping back out of her reach I raise my hands performing an all too familiar hand sign, inhaling a breath just before cupping my mouth. Expelling the large fireball in her direction. Aphrodite's eyes light up, reflecting both the fire and the emotions she had previously been trying to hide. Something breaking through my flames had taken me off guard. A roaring whirl of water doused my fire and was tearing its way over the ground towards me. Pressing my chakra into my legs I make a mad leap to avoid being struck and pulling a kunai to attack her the moment I regain sight of her.
A small disturbance in the air around me had me throwing my body around and raising my arms. Blocking the forceful kick she aimed at me and in turn, I grab her ankle. Pulling her as much as I could. Hurtling her down to the ground below us just before flipping so my feet would touch the ground. The impact she made caused the ground to tremor and dirt to cast into the air like an implosion blocking my view from her. As the wind suddenly picked up around the area I saw the dirt blow away with it just before a sudden prick at my cheek. Raising my hand I touch the spot feeling moisture against my fingertips. It was when I felt another slice against my arm and then my leg I pull my energy from just beneath my skin. Tucking it tightly against me cutting through the chakra in the wind. Aphrodite's eyes widen as she watches me and my lips curl into a smirk. It seems I can still take her by surprise.
Pulling one of my blades I send chakra through it until it was glowing with it. Leaping forward I thrust my body in her direction just as she retrieves one of her kunai. Catching my oncoming blade. Her eyes were still alight in almost disbelief as I press down against her kunai. She pushed back to try and distance me from her but the moment my feet touched the ground I pushed forward again, this time running more of my chakra into my arm. Her eyes finally sober as she blocks my blade again. Frowning as she fights to keep my attack at bay as her knees shake beneath her. "I told you Cousin." I hiss under my breath at her. "You can't hold back this time." Closing my eyes a moment I reach into my building need. The burning I have begun to push to the back of my mind. And as I look upon her with my inhuman eyes I finally smirk. "You are a class below me. Remember this." I growl pulling my second blade and taking a swipe at her with the extended reach caused by my chakra.
Aphrodite leaps back out of my reach but the sound of tearing did not miss my ears. She touches the tear in her outfit just below her Anbu armor. "Kira.." She utters in disbelief. Feeling my fangs threaten to pierce my lip I sheathe my blades before retrieving my ninja wire. When Aphrodite makes no move to continue the fight I growl. "Are you scared now?!" My built-up anger fills my growl causing her brows to furrow. "What... What did they do to make you hate me so much?" She breathes out in a whisper. The fight has gone from her once proud claim of how she was going to beat me.
"Must you know?" I frown gripping my wire tightly in my grasp in order to feel it break through the palm of my hand. "They tortured me. Day in and Day out. When they realized my unnatural healing ability they figured out they could take their... Tactics. Further, than they ever could before." I look down as I talk, the memory flashing through my mind as if I was still strapped to that table enduring it all over again. "They were asking me questions. Most of them I couldn't answer myself. They wouldn't take that as a suitable reply though and the third simply ordered them further." I heard her gasp before I raise my gaze and pin her with a glare. "Tell me, cousin, would you like me to show you how it feels to have a hand beneath your skin? Or.." I reach up and pull my vest and the strap to my top out of the way for her to see the crude leaf symbol in my flesh. "To feel a hot iron burn you repeatedly enough well after the point of your body being able to heal?! All because of a Cousin. Someone who was supposed to be your second, who was suppose to be at your side and have your back. Because they chose to turn against you when you needed them the most?"
I release my clothing feeling my anger boiling enough tears were threatening to break free from my eye. "Any world will never accept something like me. You at least stand a chance because you seem to be more like them. I'm a monster." And I'm weak. I couldn't even save the one I love. "Kira... I'm" Shaking my head I put my wire away. "You don't have the right to apologize Aphrodite." Turning away from her I begin to walk towards the edge of the mountain pausing to speak over my shoulder to her. "You will burn in hell and I will find my way back home."
"Stop!" A male's voice reaches my ears before I could take another step. I turn halfway so I may look in the direction of the two other Anbu to find the one with red hair having moved from the base of the tree. "It was my fault, not hers." His words feel rather cold, void of any emotion. A well-practiced trait of the Anbu. "I was the one who reported your, unique, traits to the late Lord Hokage." Turning more fully I wave a hand dismissively to him. "You are not my blood. Your devotion solely towards the village has nothing to do with this situation. However, Aphrodite willingly and knowingly chose to turn her back upon the blood that flows through her veins and her responsibilities to said blood. If Aphrodite had chosen her loyalties where they should have been she would not be now cut from her familial ties. If her allegiance had saved me from being tortured and that which I hold most dear to me had not been stolen, I would not have been betrayed. Hence we would not be in this predicament that we find ourselves in now. And that mister... is not your fault nor is it any of your business."
Openly glaring in Aphrodite's direction I notice her visibly stiffen again beneath my gaze. "Today had nothing to do with how I feel, cousin. I wanted to prove to myself of my own growing strength. That is all. But, you were still holding back, and even with the wound that is bleeding as we speak, you refused to fight with your full strength. The fact that I still could not push you to your limits is one I can not ignore."
