p style="margin-left: 0px;" Chapter 54 /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Standing in the forest outside of Konoha, my breathing labored as I bend forward and place my hands upon my knees in order to keep myself standing. The trees around me were scarred from my previous days of training though untouched by this training session. With the fight against Aphrodite on my mind. I now knew I could perform my shield against a jutsu, but my training today has shown... I can't seem to keep it up while trying to cast my own jutsu. This fact was frustrating to no end. "Here I am exhausted and barely able to remain standing and yet... Why?! Why can't I do it?!" /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Try as I might, I can't seem to hold onto the energy around me while molding my chakra into a jutsu. All it seems to have been doing is severely draining me. Is this my limit? Is it impossible? It would make sense. There are Jutsu out there that are forbidden from being a double-edged sword. Then there are Jutsu that are strictly meant for certain purposes, they cannot be made to do anything other than what they are. Such as the clone jutsu. They are illusions meant to confuse the enemy. They cannot block nor defend for they are intangible. But thinking on it in that way there is a variation to such jutsu. Which would be the shadow clone jutsu. Where your clones are solid replicas and can aid you in fighting. Would it be possible that I am looking at this all wrong? That instead of doing two things at once that I should be looking for a variation? Or is it also a probable thought that it is just not possible to mix the energy of my shield with the chakra needed for a jutsu? Would that mean I need to do either or? Use energy or chakra? Such as, if I use my energy for my shield would I have to also use my energy to attack in order to keep my shield intact? /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"That in mind would mean I must now figure out a way to attack with my energy so I may figure out if I can maneuver an attack with my shield. Even though deep in the recesses of my mind I have a feeling that it is impossible. Attacking and defending at the same time in this manner may not be possible. Unlike a battle of intellect, this is a physical aspect. You simply cannot block an attack with a kunai and still execute an attack with the same kunai while it is still blocking. So maybe instead of just focusing on my shield and keeping it up even when I am attacking. I should be figuring out how to move onto the next step. Which would be creating an attack with my energy so there would be no use in me using hand signs. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Even though I think that I already know. My style of fighting, I don't usually use jutsu anyway unless it is as a diversion. I mainly rely on my speed, strength, and agility. So maybe I can find a way to manipulate my energy that would better fit my style? If I were to create an attack it would do me little to no good if I never actually use it. With that thought in mind, I push myself to stand straight before turning to my travel bag that I have been bringing with me. Going to the tree it was resting next to I reach in and withdraw the heavy metal sets I had spent the last of my money on. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Taking my time, I remove my leg warmers and arm sleeves before slipping the weights Aphrodite had previously placed within and replacing them with the new and heavier ones. I need to focus on my strengths rather than probabilities that are less than 40 percent. Nodding to myself I replace my items back onto my limbs. First lifting one foot before the other after securing my sleeves and leg warmers I take in the extra weight. Making my legs feel as if I can barely move. I sigh before taking a few quick drinks from my flask to renew my energy and placing my pack back onto the ground. I have an idea of what I can train my energy to do next. But for that, I will need to go to the library and pull the books I will need to study. In the meantime. It wouldn't hurt to build up my current strengths so that they may better suit me in battle. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""If Sasuke can raise his speed exponentially in only a month I should be able to do so as well." I tell myself aloud. Even with that being said he had a jonin that pushed him to reach such speeds and my guess is, Kakashi Sensei did not make it easy. Whereas I am training alone like always. A thought occurring to me has my eyes widening. Who needs anyone else when I have myself! Shadow clones give you the experiences they live. So why not speed up my training a bit! Nodding to myself I perform the necessary hand seals before coaxing my chakra in the correct ways to complete this jutsu. With a puff of smoke, I was now staring straight into my own dead emotionless eyes. Eyes that were starting to purple from the sleep deprivation I have forced myself into. This will not only exercise my chakra, force me to further extend my chakra control but also, I can fight myself without holding back. To push myself further than I ever have before. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"A week has passed and I finally found myself sitting at my dining room table surrounded by books. All week I pushed myself to the point of collapsing from exhaustion to only drinking from my canteen in order to replenish myself as soon as I woke up. I felt decently satisfied where I had left that part of my training off when I had resorted to going against three clones of myself at the same time. Though I did find out that when all of them were defeated my exhaustion was three times as horrid so, I decided to take a break in order to do some long overdue studying. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Three stacks of the books piled five high were made of thick binds of information concerning medical information. Mainly concerning cellular regeneration and Illnesses. Two more stacks were learning manuals that I would believe most doctors must learn consisting of anything from treating wounds and fevers to various surgeries. And finally, the last three stacks consisting from medical ninjutsu to poisons and antidotes. I got it in my head that somewhere within these pages I may be able to figure out more about my own abilities. It didn't help that with my interest came the nagging feeling of needing to know absolutely everything there is about the subject. One of my little ticks I found I still carry from my life alone in that mansion. Every time even one aspect caught my attention I had to learn it all. It is why I was proficient at hacking among other things. I didn't need to know most of what I studied due to my whims but I still did so I could fully understand it. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Retrieving my latest scroll, I begin to highlight different aspects of my current book. A habit that was also unnecessary but I figured on the off chance that I forget something about my studies it would be nice to have notes to glance back on. I knew that if I ever did align myself with Orochimaru for the very power I need, that Kabuto would get his hands on me. Through his research, I could learn more about myself than ever. I also knew that the experiments would push further past what any book could ever tell me. The prospect itself almost had me packing my things to go. Yet I knew that if I did the cons would far outweigh the pros. However, if I learn more myself about this field. Would it not be better if I conducted the experiments instead? I could even start filling a scroll with the ideas these books were giving me. Such as getting a closer look at my own blood beneath a microscope. I wonder how different it would look compared to the illustrations I have seen so far in my studies. Also, if my own blood is the cause of my healing, would it help others heal as well? /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"There was so much uncertainty and just as many questions to be answered. These books were giving me a new outlook on not only myself but others as well. Also, so many more questions that could only be answered if I used others to test my theories. I could tell myself all I want that it would be just like when Light used the death note to figure out his limitations with it so he may more properly use it and get what he wanted. Yet, if I were to do that I would need a handful of criminals at my disposal. There is absolutely no way I could ever try these things on innocent people. Then again, even if I had the necessary criminals, could I really go through with it? /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"The scariest thought of all that is what had me closing the book and going to my room in order to rest. Knowing the me in the death note world, I wouldn't have even debated about whether or not I could or would do it. I would have done it without a second thought. Much like when I used the death note to send Light messages through my victims. Laying on my back I sift my fingers through my bangs and raise them from my eyes. Even now, I know I am capable of such an act. I was already envisioning ways of getting ahold of criminals just to do my research. To figure out what my blood is capable of. Problem is, where I would keep them during my studies and how I would keep it a secret. Fact is, where I am at now, the leaf village. It would be impossible. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"As the sun rose I open my eyes and get up to return to my reading. My mind is full of possibilities and even the information I was learning. Setting down at my table, still in my pajamas with a cup of hot tea in my hands I begin flipping through pages again leisurely. The sun was shining through the windows of my apartment proving today would be another perfect day for training outside. Yet for a change, I could not seem to abandon my reading. The familiarity of learning dug its claws into me deeply, pushing me back to the times when I would sit at my computer or even when I was setting in class next to Light listening to the teacher drone. Smiling I take a sip of my tea as I push on. Leaving the books on medical ninjutsu for last. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"I had read every medical book in the library before I had ever felt safe enough to move out to my little spot in the trees to begin reading the eight different books on Medical Ninjutsu. The sun was shadowed by the treetops, showering me with gentle rays as I sit with my back against the bark of the tree I was sitting under. The books stacked next to me neatly as I flip a page of the chapter explaining how Medical ninjutsu works. The birds were playing and singing happily, as the gentle breeze rustles the world around me. At least until a twig snaps somewhere near me causing me to close my eyes and push my energy outwards. Reaching through the area until I find someone standing just out of sight. Their slight movements showing they were moving closer to me in silence. No one beyond Sasuke or Aphrodite should know about this place and Sasuke was in the hospital. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"My lip curls in a snarl at the thought of how it could be Aphrodite even though I could feel whoever it is coming this way was taller. Their eyes trained on me with each slow step they were taking. Closing my book as I feel them stop in front of me I sit quietly waiting for them to make a move. When they did not move or even utter a single word I open my eyes and look up toward the one who decided to interrupt my studying. "If you do not wish to fight, you will come with me quietly." His voice flowed smoothly with a hint of pain hidden beneath his otherwise emotionless tone. As if he had really wanted to say, I don't want to hurt you but if you don't come with me I have no other choice. Sighing I gather up my books and stuff them within my bag before standing and pulling the straps over my shoulders. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"I knew this was going to happen, he had just come later than I had expected. I think it would have bothered me more if he hadn't of come. As he slowly turns I couldn't help but notice how his eyes were watching me. Thoughts lingering in his gaze that I couldn't quite understand. Yet as he leaps into the trees I follow behind him in silence. There isn't any need to say anything. I already knew his reasons. I'm not thick-headed or naive like the rest of my team. I didn't need someone pointing out the obvious. Such as why he was here, or what it would have meant if I didn't go along with him. A fight, most definitely. But if he could not retrieve me this round who else could get caught in the crossfire on their next attempt? The probability of my team being in danger if I did not go with him now was extremely high. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Besides, his timing couldn't be any better. Naruto was still off with the toad sage looking for Tsunade, Sakura was still sitting at Sasuke's side while he is still out of it, and Kakashi hasn't woke up yet either. Anyone who would notice or care that I was gone are otherwise preoccupied. Closing my eyes, I openly sigh at my thought. Sadly, even if they weren't predisposed. It would be about nine hours before even one of them would notice I was gone and that would just be because I wasn't at training on time. Even then, I doubt he would care. He would simply train on his own thinking I was doing something else. It could be weeks before someone would even notice I'm not, in the village anymore. Question is. Would they care? /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Jumping out of the trees into a clearing our silence is broken by someone chuckling. "About time, Itachi." Kisame's voice comes from a bit in front of Itachi as I move around him to see for myself. There was Fishface setting on a boulder with his sword resting between his legs and propped against his knee. "Let's go Kisame." Itachi speaks waiting for him to get up and follow as well. "I see you didn't have any trouble. She isn't unconscious like last time." He chuckles again and looks back at me as he leaps up into another set of trees. "Lost your fight huh." He comments causing me to shake my head. "Why would I fight a useless battle? No one I care about was being threatened and I already figured why Itachi was there. If I were to fight I would either lose or you guys would continue trying to retrieve me. I decided to save the headache and just come along." Kisame laughs again though I couldn't figure out what was so funny? "I like you girl, you have spunk." He likes me? Tilting my head, I watch him even though I do not comment on his words. I never thought a guy like him would take an interest in me. He's a murderer and all-out crazy. He would be better off dead in my opinion. Still, the point is, he likes me. It took seven years in the village for even one person to be able to tolerate me enough to call me a friend, and that same person probably wouldn't care that I'm not in the village anymore. But Fishface of all people likes me and it's only the second time of us meeting?/p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"As I followed them the day was slowly passing us by. It was when the blue skies became darkened by clouds that I felt something cold begin to fall. Raising my head, the rain droplets fall on my face causing me to close my eyes as if they were washing away my thoughts. "We are almost there." Itachi's voice breaks through the silence causing me to look ahead of us. Tilting my head, I try to mull through the pieces of the anime to figure out where we are going. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"My thoughts however come to a halt as we leap onto the streets of a village. The heavy scent of rain wafting around us as if it is nearly always raining here. A large metal structure stands at the edge of the village overlooking the streets below. It was large enough I doubt there was a single spot in the village that you couldn't see it. Nearly sighing at the thought of a god complex I follow Kisame and Itachi up to the tower. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"By the time we walk inside, I could swear my clothes were soaked completely through even under my green vest. The walls were steel planks placed together as the floor was somehow stone. At least until we left the first floor. Then it was almost like there was no difference between the walls and floor. It was almost disorienting with having the halls only lit up by a few lights. A window here and there but not enough to really make much of a difference. The silence between the two of them though made me wonder how much they actually talk. It was clear both of them were used to this quiet. They were both comfortable with only speaking when necessary. Or they were just being silent because I am here. As if they weren't supposed to actually talk to me until this was all over. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Reaching the top of the tower we stop in front of two large steel doors. Muffled voices could be heard coming from inside. Disrupted by the doors so I couldn't quite tell what was being said. My stomach begins to turn. I never thought of what would happen after this. It is possible I could try to portray myself as an air-brain child that got lucky with a guess. Or I could just tell them an amount of what they want to know. Either way, there is one thing for sure. I will never leave this building. They could kill me or keep me here so I can't relay to anyone what I know. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"The doors in front of us open and I nearly fidget from my nerves. All of these members are so much stronger than I am. They could probably kill me before I even blink. Taking in a slow breath to try and steady my nerves I follow them inside a well-lit room containing two couches, a couple of armchairs. A desk near the side and a balcony leading outside. On one of the couches, his orange hair first caught my attention before the piercings lining his features. His eyes I knew would be purple rings of the rinnegan were closed as he was leaning back on the couch with an arm over the back of it and a leg resting over his other. He looked almost, comfortable. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""You two may go so we can talk." His voice flowed smoothly even though he made no motion to even show who he was talking to. However, Itachi and Kisame turn to leave. Itachi's eyes catch mine in a glance as he walks out of the room. Kisame closes the doors behind him shutting me in the room alone with Pein. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Turning back towards the man I step further into the room ignoring the pounding of my heart. Pein's eyes finally slowly open as I go ahead and sit down on an armchair and lean back as well. Resting my head back against the chair as I sift my fingers through my bangs. "I know why I am here. Kisame told you that I knew too much. You want to see how much I know and determine if I should be disposed of." I sigh looking at him from the corner of my eye. "No that's not exactly right. Just from what I already know. This meeting is only to determine which course of action you should take. So basically, you are trying to determine if I could be swayed to be of use to you. If you decide I cannot be used I will be killed to be kept silent." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""Which do you think I should choose?" He mutters as he openly watches me. His eyes are steady and calm though it feels like he could strike at any second. "Honestly, you don't know me. I could say that I could be of use to you but you would not know if I was being deceitful or not. You know I'm a chunin of the leaf but you also know that not only did Kakashi feel confident in letting me join him in a battle against two S rank criminals but you also know that if I was able to fight only Kisame that the battle could have drug out longer than it had. Proving that my skills alone aren't chunin. Just as you know that I only joined the fight because of my Sensei but I had attempted to avoid fighting. This alone tells you that my loyalties aren't what they seem. Basically, your best choice is to talk to me further so you can decide if what I am saying is true." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""Tell me, why did you try and thwart members of your own village to let criminals go?" Raising my head I look to him before situating myself on the chair so my legs were now in indian style in the seat. I see, he is trying to understand me yet his skepticism is purely because of Tobi's influence on him. So, would it be safe to say that it's Tobi who wants me dead and not Pein? Thinking of that I smile at Pein causing his eyes to waver momentarily. "Isn't it obvious? Beyond those on my team. I care nothing for what happens to that village anymore. You could destroy it and kill everyone inside for all I care as long as my team is left out of it... even then." I reach up and tap my chin with a small smirk dancing along my lips. "You could kill Sakura Haruno, all she's done is annoy me since the first day I met her." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""If you hate your village so much, then why have you not left before now?" I see, he's trying to figure out that if I really don't care for people in the village then why would I even bother staying. Or at least why I haven't killed anyone yet. "Because of three people that live there of course. My team was one of two that had four genin placed in it. So naturally, there were five people on my team. Besides, it's not in me to lash out at innocent people. They have to do something worthy of my judgment and Sakura's constant hostility to me just because she wants a member of our team to herself is not punishable by death. I don't care for the child but that doesn't mean I would kill her myself." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Watching his now unwavering gaze I sigh and reach up to my scarf and pull it off my chest. Opening view to the unsightly brand marking my skin. "The leaf tortured me for information I could not give them. Then to cover up what they had done they lied to the hospital and everyone else that was not directly involved. So, believe me when I say. More than a handful of them have earned my judgment. As for the information they wanted. It was information about my... abilities. They know about as much as I do but they refused to take that for an answer. As if it is a given that someone is supposed to know everything about their bloodline. Which would probably be true if my upbringing would have been different." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""If you are from their village why would they resort to such measures?" This time he finally leans forward placing both feet on the floor as he rests his arms on his knees. So, I finally have his attention. Releasing my scarf, I let it fall back into place as I brush my hair out of my eyes. "Simple. I'm not from that village. Just as they know I was somehow transported here from another dimension. When Orochimaru marked me, they felt it necessary to learn everything they could about me. Either that or the fact the same person that threw me into this world actually altered my age making me younger truly did hold precedence to the aging previous Hokage." Now actually smiling at him I tilt my head. "Having a difficult time believing I'm not from this world huh." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""It is difficult to believe, yes." Wow, he doesn't say much. Openly sighing I look towards the balcony. "I would show you some of what I am capable of that I know about, but with how there are people in this world like Kisame for example that are more monster-like than I am, it is beginning to make me believe I'm not all that different beyond one thing about me." Turning my attention back to him I try to smirk. "Tell you what. If you want me to stay here I will but I will need a few things. As I said I know very little about myself which is why I am studying medical information. I would need things I can use to be able to learn more about my blood. Such as microscopes among other lab equipment. And also." I lean back noting how his eyes are more serious than before. "A fresh supply of blood that is not my own. For both my studies and my own use. I would say blood packets would be good enough but they aren't exactly fresh." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"Licking my lips at the thought of fresh blood I sigh and shake my head. I really am a monster. "As for the Akatsuki, I can help with jobs you need done if only you guys will help me out in return. I know my knowledge is not as extensive as every member of this organization. So, between all of you, especially Sasori and Tobi. I am pretty sure you guys can think of ideas I have not thought of yet on how to better make use of the power I have humming inside of me. Basically, for you guys to become my new teachers." /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""I see and what would be the first thing you want help with?" So, he's asking instead of outright saying no? Weird but could be a good thing. "I want help breaking this curse on me so I can look the age I am supposed to." His eyes narrow a moment as I smirk at him. "You see a 12-year-old but really the body I am supposed to have looks eighteen." Holding up my hand with one finger extended as if telling him to wait for his comment. "Actually, I am much older than that but I am not supposed to look." I motion to my body. "This young and no, genjutsu may help make me look the way I am supposed to, but I won't settle for anything less than the real thing. Maybe you guys can help undo the energy that was used on me that made me a child again. That being said I won't hold my breath since it's not a jutsu. Do this and I won't tell the others what I know even." I give him a pointed look. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;"His eyes nearly widen before he sets back again. "For example." I decided to speak again if only to solidify my words with him. "I know Tobi calls himself Madara and he is the true leader of this organization." This finally got under his skin as he finally shows his shock openly and it was my turn to lean back relaxed. "As for everything else I know I do not see the need any longer to tell you. You now know what I am saying is true." Now how will you react? I know you don't want to kill me but I also know that my even being here isn't all your decision. /p
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p style="margin-left: 0px;""Konan." He says a little louder than we had been talking, his calm expression back in place. It was then a woman with blue hair tied up into a single bun on her head and a white paper flower nestled neatly just beyond her bangs walks into the room from the balcony. "Show Kira to her living quarters and have a robe sent to her." He orders her, though it seems even his orders sound as if he is only having a one-sided conversation. "So, she passed." Konan comments getting a grunt of confirmation from her friend. "Come with me." She speaks softly as I stand and follow her before pausing to look over my shoulder at Pein. "Thank you for making a wise decision." I thank him startling him again causing me to smile. Yes, I've shown him today that the fact he is stronger than me doesn't even phase me, as I have also shown him I am far more intelligent than I should be. I can be unreasonable however but I am not a blood-thirsty beast that cannot see kindness when it is right in front of me./p