Chapter 57
Rewind and Fastforward
My vision vanished from the intensity of the light; I couldn't make out anything but the blinding light in my eyes. Even as it began to fade that sight was replaced by shadows as my eyes attempt to adjust. "We need to go!" Aphrodite yells just before I feel her grab my hand and yank me off of the roof. Did I just…. Did the same thing that happened to my cousin just… No... Right? I try to wrap my mind around the possibility while trying to use every ounce of my will so it would not be true.
"You won't get away that easily!" Damen yells from the edge of the roof. The shadows have finally begun to recede and clear my vision allows me to see him standing on top of the roof grinning down at us. "I will make it so no one ever finds you!" He declares his final words as he sends a ball of light in our direction as it slowly passes us. Mere moments before I hear something echoing throughout the area with a sickening crack as everything is engulfed in darkness.
The Naruto World
"Is it possible they were actually transported from another dimension?" The Third asks more himself than Kakashi before looking back to the two of us. "Be as it may. I doubt you know how to get back home. You may stay here until either you can, or you decide to return where you came from." He said as he put his arms behind his back. Yes! It worked! Now... Turning I look to the smiling Aphrodite before I tug on her arm to get her to look at me.
"He said we can stay but now comes the hard part cousin. Remember the rules?" I ask her as seriously as I could. I watch her eyes widen before she grins.
The Academy
"Class, being your first day here I say we should get to know each other. I am Iruka Umino and I am your Sensei. Now when I call your names stand up and introduce yourselves to the class. There is no need to come down here in front of everyone but be sure that you stand so the rest of the class can see you. And feel free to tell us as much about yourself as you like." The teacher at the front of the class explained. I was watching him smile up at us as if he had no care in the world. He is a kind and gentle soul who cares for the nurturing of others as if they were his own family. I remember Iruka from the anime. He can be strict to get students to listen to him and push them to reach their true potential. Even knowing this why the hell would he have us introduce ourselves? "Aphrodite Damphire" Iruka's voice cuts through my thoughts as I notice Aphrodite standing from her assigned seat drawing the attention of the class. Taking a moment to brush her long blond hair from her eyes causes me to nearly roll my own hearing the gasps around me from the boys. She is such an attention whore. I thought silently to myself.
The Promise
"How about this. If the Third doesn't take care of your son… I will." Glaring at her a little more harshly than I had expected to I turn away from them. "We will find a way to communicate so you can receive updates on Sasuke and so that when the time comes Sasuke can come to you. Until then. Be safe. Be smart. Be happy." With that, I left them watching me as I walk away. I had to get back to the village before Iruka or someone decided to check on me.*
Orientation
"Squad 7!" He calls breaking me from my thoughts. "Naruto Uzumaki" Of course it's Squad 7, next will be Sakura Haruno causing Naruto to cheer for joy. Oh yay… which when you think about it. Their team doesn't balance well at all. Sasuke got all the best scores out of the boys and Naruto got the lowest. Yeah, that balances but then you have Sakura who is only book smart and weak everywhere else. Utterly useless. "Sasuke Uchiha." Great now the flat chest is yelling victory. So annoying. "And Kira Lake." Wait… what? How do I fit into the whole balancing shit? What the hell. Sighing I look past Aphrodite to see out the window. Yet, I can kind of guess why. I just said it didn't I? Sakura is utterly useless so they need someone to balance her out since two teams have to have four. I guess it's only logical.
First time together as Squad 7
"Well you forget Naruto, we are no longer in the academy." I tell him now turning to face their confused expressions. "We are now all on the same team. If what I know can help the team then I'll tell you guys. It is the only way we will not only survive missions but succeed in them." With that I turn and walk back towards the door of the academy, leaving them to think about what I had just told them.
Kakashi's Test
"And here I thought Naruto was going to step into the trap I laid out." He says before dropping a rock onto the place where Naruto's foot would have landed if not for Kira. A snapping sound echoed before you could see a rope dangling from the tree. So she saved Naruto.
"Sorry Kakashi, but I need her mind intact." I spoke brushing my hair out of my face.
"K. Kira?" Sakura questions from behind me. "Wha.."
"He was going to teach you Shinobi battle technique... Lesson two... Gen-jutsu." I told her now pulling a kunai staring Kakashi down. "Naruto should be tucked away to the east of us. Find him and wait for me to return with Sasuke."
"Yes, I was where you'd least expect, right under your feet. You are different from the others Sasuke but different isn't always better." Kakashi speaks before giving me a smirk. "Seems you stopped me again, Kira. But, I wonder if you will be able to get them to listen to you even when you aren't with them." Glaring at him I watch him turn and walk a few steps away before disappearing again. Gripping my hands into fists I could feel my temper rising. He was right! I may have threatened Naruto and scared Sakura into submission but who's to say they are actually doing as I told them to. Tch.
Tora the Cat
After having set back and watched the other three chase after a stupid cat I sigh as we walk back to the Hokage mansion to turn in our mission report, oh and of course that cat. Seriously, a cat mission? We are ninja not… animal catchers. "Kira. I would like it if next time you actually participate with the rest of the team." Kakashi says causing me to glare at him.
"Why? They didn't need me for this easy task and besides cat scratches are dirty and can get infected easily. I would rather avoid cat scratch fever." I respond as Tora the cat scratches at Naruto's face again. "Speaking of which. I suggest you get those cleaned as soon as you can Naruto, you don't want them infected."
The bridge builder
"Hokage are powerful and wise. You are puny and brainless. The day you become Hokage I'll sprout wings and fly." Pausing at those words I look to the old man with a straw hat on his face his bottle of alcohol still resting near his mouth. A drunk speaking to Naruto as if he knows everything? Well, I can't say he isn't right but still. Not only is it unnecessarily condescending but we'll pay for those words from having to listen to Naruto yell more.
Zabuza
"Look out!" Kakashi yells to us just as I get the feeling of an attack, dropping out of the way of the huge sword I glance to make sure everyone ducked in time. Standing I see Kakashi looking in the direction the sword had collided with the tree. Feeling certain the others were safe I turn and follow his gaze. Seeing a man with short black hair, grayish blue pants. White and black cow pattern arm warmers as he was wearing no shirt. His mouth was covered by white bandages, though his back was to us he radiated with power. This one was definitely dangerous. Diverting my gaze away I glance to see if there were any more of them. "Well, well, isn't it Zabuza Mamochi, a rogue ninja from the village hidden in the mist." My eyes halfway close as I glare up at Zabuza. Jonin level if I remember correctly. As expected. Hearing Naruto start to run I hold my hand out to make him stop. "You're in the way." Kakashi says glancing back at him. "Get back."
An expected question
"Kira... It's time to talk. Sit down." He calmly speaks waiting for me to sit on the floor near his futon before speaking again. "Would you like to explain how you can fight like that or even heal broken bones in less than twenty-four hours?" Looking down I bite my bottom lip. I knew questions like these would come sooner or later. So now I just have to pick the correct way to answer, right?
"Shouldn't the answer to that be obvious Sensei? If not then I feel you not only wore out your body but your mind as well." He remained quiet as he continued to look ahead of himself. "You should know from looking at my photographs and now knowing that the girl in them really is me. Then you should surely know, I don't age once I reach the age of sixteen. What does that tell you, Sensei?" Looking away from the ocean I move my gaze to the back of his head. He was sitting motionless as if unsure if he should voice his thought allowed. Uncertain if it could possibly be true. "I'm not human. Neither is Aphro or anyone else in my family. Damen is her little brother so it goes without saying he too.. isn't human. Weird right?" I comment at the end looking towards the ocean again. "A family of immortals is weird enough but to find out that my family is royalty with Aphro's family being destined to serve at our side even though they are blood. Just makes it even weirder so much so it borders the line of insanity doesn't it?"
Climbing trees
"You're definitely the one that talks the most. Now get focused and do it!" Shaking my head I close my eyes not even bothering to raise my hands into a hand sign. Feeling the hum in my veins I push the energy down towards my feet gathering the more stubborn of energy from my body's cells along the way. Feeling a steady flow at my feet I open my eyes and run towards the tree first. Stepping onto the tree I begin to run-up. My eyes seeing the top come somewhat closer made my heart stop. The top that is taller than the buildings at home! Closing my eyes I felt my feet slip and I fall, back first onto the ground knocking the wind out of me. It was only then I felt my heart begin to beat again. "Kira! Don't think about your fear! It will only cloud your focus!" Kakashi yells down at me causing my eyes to flutter open to look up at him. Only realizing now the others had stopped on their way to their own trees to stare at me.
Fangs
A sudden throb causes my world to become momentarily blurry before clearing back up. The red haze around my vision was an old reminder of what was happening. The excruciating pain now aflame in my throat caused my hand to automatically touch my throat. My vision darkens as I feel a new pain radiating through my body. Focused in my mouth as my teeth begin to elongate. Hidden by my lips. Closing my eyes I fight now to hold in a cry of pain. I try to keep my breathing even and focus on the sounds of the others still trying to climb.
First connection
"I wanted to be your friend. Nothing more. When I realized I couldn't easily talk to you, I started pushing myself to be better than you. I figured if I couldn't be friends with you. Then I would fight like hell to be an obstacle for you to overcome in order to be the best."
"So that's why you were always better than me. You didn't do it like everyone believed. It wasn't to show everyone up."
Haku
"So it seems, you must be the tracker they had been talking about." I smirk watching for even the slightest shift of his weight.
"I am"
"Well Haku, I know you are probably itching to fight her. Why don't I let you two fight it out."
"One more time!" Naruto proclaims as they stand next to me. An irritated sound comes from me as I silently cuss at this situation. "Shadow clone jutsu!" I hear Naruto say as I hear his shadow clones again. C'mon Kira see the movements. Deciding on an action to help us see. I run to one of the many puddles we had created with our fire jutsu. I kick water up into the air just as I hear Sasuke do the same. See it Sasuke, I silently tell him as I pull my forehead protector down over my eyes. I am going to need more than a split second this time.
"Don't you see that it's useless?" Haku more states than asks. I hear shadow clones begin to pop as they are attacked. Pulling my own blades quickly just as I feel the first slice of a needle. Noticing strength behind it to know it was not thrown I swing my blades out. As I spin feeling slight restraint on my left blade and hearing the small sound of tearing meeting with the scent of blood. "How did you…" I smirk toward one of the many Hakus. As I lift my forehead protector just enough to see nearly laughing.
A new enemy
"My name is Gaara of the desert. I'm curious about the two of you as well… Who are you?" I smirk as Sasuke smiles.
"I am Sasuke Uchiha" He states arrogantly.
"And I'm Kira Lake." Coldly stating. The three of us just sort of stand there for a few moments looking at one another.
Rock Lee
"Hey you, with the attitude... Hold on!" We hear someone holler from the balcony causing us to pause and turn to look up at him. It was the creepy-looking Rock Lee.
"Which one genius." I snap causing Sasuke to chuckle.
Meeting Ibiki
Looking away from him as a loud sound happens I see a group of people standing at the front of the classroom. "Alright, you baby-faced degenerates. Pipe down and listen up!" the voice pauses as the smokescreen fully dissipates. "It's time to begin. I'm Ibiki Morino, your proctor and from this moment your worst enemy. First you candidates from the village hidden in the sound. Knock it off! Who told you, you could fight? You want to be failed before we've even begun?"
The second Chunin Exams
"Instead. I'll bite." The girl's soft sweet voice seemed to harden and turn to ice as she spoke her threat. 'How interesting' I thought to myself as a smirk began to show its way to my features. 'Even after the beating, I gave this genin she still gets up and dares to speak to me like this. She either has guts or she is foolishly deluded.' I watch as she closes her eyes taking a moment of silence as if she was scared and desperately was trying to collect herself. I wasn't prepared though for the sight before me as she opens her once dark eyes. A deep red unlike the bright hues of the Uchiha eyes, even darker yet than the eyes the nine-tailed brat looked at me with. No these eyes were different. As if they were made of fresh blood themselves, swirling endlessly in their depths. Neither beast nor human. And with the reveal of these eyes, this girl's presence changes drastically. What was once a small annoying fly was now standing before me as if a predator had cornered their prey. Even from this distance as I take in the beauty before me, I can see her muscles shifting beneath her flesh. A perfect black panther about to pounce.
Preliminary Round
It was the only way. I told myself as I fall to my knees pain shooting through me from my curse mark as if it were a thousand knives plunging through me repeatedly. Breathing heavily I look ahead of me at the girl who was now lying in an unmoving heap. Closing my eyes I brush my bangs over them to cover the scarlet hues with shaky hands. Yes, I had decided the best course of action was to block the view of the onlookers so I could move with fewer restrictions. Even brought the spears down in a way they would remain held up by wires so I didn't have to worry about dodging the falling debris. I had even created a clone to stand before them all as the ground filled with my huge smokescreen. I never would have thought that the curse mark would attempt to spread though. I could feel it. The markings that started growing over my body felt like insects made of hot lava.
Chunin
He clears his throat as I witness the Jonin in the room smile at one another from the corner of my eye. Gramp remains silent as he sets up straighter in his chair and straightening his shoulders. The relaxed vibe is no longer there. Guess it's down to business. "After speaking with you, Kakashi along with your proctors, we have come to a decision." He pauses causing my mouth to go dry as my mind whirls around the possible decisions they could come up with. It was then the old man smiled. "I would like to commend you on all of your hard work and thank you for the insight you willingly gave us. From this day I give you the rank of Chunin." I found my eyes widening and I think my mouth fell open at his words.
"I'm a... I'm a chunin?" I needlessly ask causing the others to laugh. Shaking my head I try to wrap my mind around the recent development. –I'm a chunin- I silently tell myself as I straighten my shoulders. "Gramp, why am I being made a chunin now when the exams have yet to be completed?"
Hayate's death
Aphro's voice meets my ear in such a tone none of the others would be able to hear her. "Not you right?" Not me?
"C'mon Aphro you know I wouldn't waste the blood by letting it spill all over a rooftop. You shouldn't even have to ask." I speak to her in the same tone as I roll my eyes.
Turning Point
"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."
Betrayal
"Now that, is a threat. Good work Hokage you have me quivering in this chair." As he glares at me I roll my eyes. "Come on you should have expected smart remarks. You can say it's a defense. Or that I'm arrogant. I would shrug but yeah, I'm sort of tied down." Closing my eyes I pause momentarily trying to perceive a sense of pain. "You know. I had seen you as a grandfather, but this betrayal will not be forgotten. I swore to fight for you and this village, I became a ninja to do so. I go on missions even those that are only considered missions because people are too lazy to do it themselves. Not once have I complained. I've obeyed everything. Yet you resort to interrogation just so I will tell you my secrets? Truly pathetic." Opening my eyes again I look towards the Hokage. "From questioning me about my eyes you are guessing they are a Dojutsu similar to that of the Sharingan or Byakugan. You are wrong. They do nothing. So if you are looking for some huge secret just in case the pedo snake actually does get his hands on me, you are wasting your time. I certainly pegged you wrong. I thought you were better than this. I thought you were someone worthy of my loyalties. You are just power-hungry like everyone else." Moving my gaze to Ibiki I give him a tilt of my head. "I answered your question you can let me go now."
The light at the end of the painful tunnel
Opening my eyes I look up at the same ceiling I have seen for over two weeks now. My left cheek was wet from tears as my right was now swollen. Moving my gaze towards my right I find Ibiki staring down at me with his eyes wide. What's wrong? Why did he hit me? Was it him that had been yelling my name? "She has been telling the truth." The blond Inoichi speaks as he comes into my view before grabbing a hold of Ibiki's shoulder when he doesn't respond. This isn't like Ibiki; nothing is supposed to get to that man.
"Right." Ibiki speaks as he seems to collect himself and looks towards his comrade. "Have the nurses come to take care of her and we will report to Lord Hokage." Is it… finally over? Do I dare hope? I could be dreaming after all. It was then Inoichi looks down at me showing me a reassuring smile. It's over. Exhaling a shaky breath I let my eyes finally close this time allowing sleep to take me.
War
As she straightens up they watch her shoulders rise and fall from either exhaustion or pain. Her long black bangs sway with her movements before her swirling red hues meet their forms. Guy gasps at the sight of her glowing red eyes as she reaches up a blood-covered hand to the Kunai still buried in her chest. "Tch, a hair lower, and that jerk would have hit my heart." She grumbles as she yanks the blade from her own skin. Tossing it over the heads of Guy and Kakashi just in time to catch another Sand Jonin in mid-leap for Kakashi.
The fight with Itachi and Kisame
"Kira, close your eyes!" Asuma yells causing me to click my tongue. "You don't have to fight alone." I calmly state as I reach for my forehead protector causing Kakashi to smirk. "Kira, you are one ninja I would hate to fight. And not just because you are my student." I nearly shake my head at his words even as Asuma and Kurenai give sounds of confusion. So I pull my forehead protector down over my eyes before turning towards the now silent Itachi as I iterate for them. "I can fight. Be it in total darkness, or blinded. It does not matter. I can see my opponent without seeing them." Finally smirking I reach out with my energy to feel Kisame leap down near Itachi as a quirk plays at Itachi's brow.
Weak
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 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."
Pein
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.
After a month-long Meditation
I nearly pout when the blood flow ceases and leave me trying to drink nothing but air. Opening my mouth, I remove my fangs from the plastic and lick my lips clean. "Thank you." My voice flows strong and unhindered. As if I had not just been rendered unable to speak. Opening my eyes, I see him staring at me. His eyes widening as his gaze meets mine. His expression confuses me however, in the onyx depths there was no sign of disgust or hatred, just confusion and... curiosity? I wanted to look away from his gaze but I couldn't seem to break eye contact. There were so many emotions whirling in his eyes for once unhindered by his usual stoic mask. The pain buried within had me wanting to hug him or try to help him. "I can't move." I finally manage to say finally causing him to look away. Relief the contact had been broken was quickly replaced with confusion from my own thoughts and emotions.
I couldn't help but look into the mirror at my own self. the excitement of not seeing a child looking back at me had me laughing again as I touch my face. Almost as if I was trying to make sure I wasn't just seeing things. Setting the clothes on the vanity I begin making my way to the shower at the end of the bathroom. My mind buzzing with the joy of breaking the curse even though I knew that about a month or so over four years I would have looked this way anyway. Being back to the way I used to be now rather than later was enough to make me feel like I was actually getting stronger for the first time since the chunin exams.
Fast Forward
It has been three years. I have trained with Itachi and Kisame most of the time. Sasori helped with my knowledge of poisons and antidotes and further increasing my energy control. Pein held up to his end of the bargain, creating two of the lower rooms into my needed lab. One of those two rooms were designated for my study subjects. All of them with proof that they were in fact criminals so I didn't have to worry about harming innocents if any of my tests went wrong.
I have figured out that my blood does heal others from having gashed open one of my subjects and injected my blood into him. He soon began exhibiting unusual behavior before Hidan killed him one of the times I was away on missions. I began isolating the nutrients and cells in my blood that cause my regeneration. Further testing was required if this will cause the subject to exhibit behavior similar to Subject A. I have found with my subjects and Itachi that depending on my mood determines the emotional and physical reaction they have to my fangs as I feed.
When I am not in my lab or out on jobs. Training or resting. I have been out with Kisame and Itachi. Furthering my training as well as finding kinship with the two. Moments alone with Itachi at first were tense and silent but grew more comfortable as time went on.
I have not seen or heard about squad 7 for three years. Sasuke is with Orochimaru as I had expected him to be without me around. I got to meet Itachi's parents again for the first time since the night of the massacre.
I have also avoided Tobi unless absolutely necessary. He was intrigued by my being from a different dimension and had tried putting himself around me only for the others to stand up for me and help with my wishes. It seems with the reversal of my curse, my spell, is working again as well.
