Do not consider my kindness as my weakness. The beast in me is sleeping, not dead.
-Moosa Rahat
Kireina froze, as her hold in Kazue's hand tightened. Her heart pounded against her chest, her palms slightly sweating. She could feel Sasuke's eyes burning holes into her form. But now, she could do nothing. The damage had been done.
She looked up to see Sasuke's eyes boring into her hooded ones, narrowed and activated. Kireina felt another shudder pass through her body, as she began to feel the weightlessness she'd felt whenever she'd looked into his eyes.
Sasuke, on the other hand, felt a burning sensation behind his eyes. The longer he stared into the woman's eyes, the intense it got.
But the moment was cut short.
"They're like mine, mama!"
Kazue repeated, unaware of the bomb he'd just dropped. The tension was thick, so much so, that it could've been cut with a kunai.
"Kazue," Kireina began, her voice quivering, "It's not good to play jokes. Now come on. It's time for us to go."
Kazue's face fell, as he looked back at Sasuke, his eyes pleading.
"But, I promise! It's not a joke!"
But, Kireina had had enough.
"I said it's time to go." She said firmly, tugging on Kazue's hand. But, Kazue was not done yet. And, as it turns out, neither was Sasuke.
He took ahold of Kazue's other hand, turning his face towards his own.
"Why don't you show me kid?"
Out of the corner of his eyes, he glanced at Kireina, his gaze challenging.
"Show me your red eyes."
She saw Kazue grin, as he nodded and took a deep breath.
With a moment that was too quick to be registered, Kireina manoeuvred herself infront of her son, clutching the wrist which had, previously, been just a second away from the shy of Kazue's hood.
"Stay away."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his lips set in a straight line. He didn't care if the boy was lying, but he just wanted to be sure, if only to rid his pathetic heart of its pathetic hope. Stubborn as he was, he wasn't leaving until he saw the boy's eyes.
Sasuke glared at the woman, his eyebrows rising slightly when he saw that it did nothing to intimidate her.
"Step aside." He ordered coldly, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
Kireina crouched low, as if a wolf, ready to pounce. And maybe that was what she was. A lone wolf, who had to provide and protect her cub.
"Please," her tone now had a begging edge to it, "Let us leave in peace."
Sasuke hesitated, looking at the woman, contemplating what to do.
"I will let you leave," He said at last, "But, after I take a look at him."
He heard Kireina inhale sharply, but he wasn't done yet.
"If what he says is a lie, then I'll let you leave." Sasuke slightly unsheathed his sword, "But, if it isn't..."
Kireina had no time to register the rest, as Sasuke's sword came hurtling towards her. Instinctively, she grabbed Kazue and jumped, doing a black flip in the air. She landed a good few meters away from Sasuke, just as his sword came crashing down where she had been standing, mere seconds ago.
"You're not a traveller, are you?" Sasuke more stated than asked, his suspicions confirmed. He took a step towards her.
"You are to come with me to the Hokage for identification. If you do not comply, I will be inclined to use force."
Kireina herald a small whimper, as someone clutched her cloak. Kazue's eyes were wide as she set him to the ground, finially realizing the depth of the situation they were in.
"Mama?" Kazue whispered, "What's going on?"
Something clenched at Kireina's heart as she recalled the last time he'd said those words in the exact same voice. She gritted her teeth, stepping infront of her son, taking note of his terrified expression. She'd vowed over a thousand times that she'd always protect Kazue, now she vowed a thousand times more.
Her resolve strengthened, as she turned back to her opponent, intent on injuring him then running as fast as possible.
She saw Sasuke charge at her, sword in one hand, poised to attack. She charged too, trying to make distance between him and Kazue, dodging all of Sasuke's attacks with ease.
Sasuke suddenly noticed the crowd that had formed around them, everyone watching but no one stupid enough to step in. He could see the distrust in their eyes, their lips pursed.
They didn't even know what was going on, and they already held him accountable.
Kireina stepped away, her breath slightly heavy.
I've gotten out of practice, she thought grimly.
She took a deep breath, carefully analyzing her opponent.
Distant words came back to her, as she steeled herself to attack again.
"A weapon is like an extension of one's body. When fighting an armed opponent your first priority should be to separate their weapon from them and throw it out of their reach."
At the same time, they both went in for another attack. Kireina dodged another attack from Sasuke's sword, moving to her right.
"On the other hand, the biggest weakness of an armed opponent is close combat. Get as close to them as possible, and as soon as you find an opening, you strike."
And that is exactly what Kireina did.
She suddenly took hold of her opponents right hand--the one that was holding the sword--with her own, pivoting on one foot, the other aiming for Sasuke's face. Just as she had predicted, unable to dodge, Sasuke went to block, with his free hand. But at the last moment, Kireina's kick landed on his shoulder, rather than his face.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, as the force of the blow shook him, but it seemed that Kireina was not done yet.
Without wasting any time, she turned so that she was facing Sasuke's back. Then, she struck the tenketsu there. Sasuke's eyes widened as he felt his arm go numb.
Then, using the foot on his shoulder, she summoned chakra to it, and lifted herself in the air. At the same time, her other foot kicked Sasuke's sword out of his hands and into the air with her. She let go of Sasuke completely as she jumped after the sword, and while mid-air, flipped herself upside down. Then, once again gathering chakra to her foot, she kicked the hilt as hard as possible.
All of this happened in a few seconds. Kireina closely watched Sasuke's expression, smirking slightly at his widened eyes. She'd seen the same expression many times before. It never ceased to amuse her.
Sasuke cursed as he created some distance between himself and the woman. He'd underestimated her. He glanced at his now-lifeless arm, as it hung uselessly by his side. He narrowed his eyes, suspicious.
Was she attacking his chakra network? He furrowed his eyebrows.
But, that means-
He cursed, as she went in for another attack. He really needed to stop getting lost in his thoughts.
She's good, he noted.
But, of course, it was him who had more experience. He was a Sannin level shinobi, he should be having no trouble fighting a traveller--he doubted that was what the woman truly was, but still.
In other words, it was time to get serious.
In the quarter of a second, Sasuke was behind her, aiming a punch at her. Kireina barely dodged. This went on for quite a while, until Sasuke managed to land a solid kick to the abdomen.
Kireina felt the air being knocked out of her throat as she crashed into a nearby shop. Pain exploded in her head as she hit it not-too-gently on a nearby table. Black dots appeared in her vision, as she blinked to get rid of them.
She had to stay conscious. She couldn't lose now. Not when she could hear Kazue calling our after her. Not when she could make out the blurred form of Sasuke making his way to her son.
"K-Kazue," She muttered softly.
Get up, she told herself, He needs you. He's calling for you. Get up.Get up!
Sasuke, on the other hand, made his way to the boy. He suddenly felt guilty for making the boy witness the fight.
He sneaked a glance at the woman. She was still sprawled on the ground, her midnight locks pooling around her. He could see the blood trickling down her forehead and lips-- the stain of red on the pale canvas of her skin.
He turned back to Kazue, taking no note of the gasps of the crowd, his heart clenching at the boy's terrified body language.
And then, he froze.
He could hear the whispers around him, but he paid no heed to them. He was too busy trying to make sense of what was infront of him. He could hear the pounding of his heart, as the blood thrummed in his ears.
He suddenly felt faint. And sick.
So very sick.
Because, as he stared at the boy's hooded face, he could make out two red eyes staring back at him.
FINALLY!! THE SECRET IS OUT!!
Phew, this chapter was very fun to write. I hope it would be fun to read too!!
Be sure to comment and tell me what you think about it!!
Kireina's identity should be quite obvious by now. If you haven't already guessed it then read ahead to find out!!
Either way, what do you think will happen next?
I'll give you a hint.
*Whispers* Something bad.
MWHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!
Hehe..
Anyway, be sure to point out any mistakes I might've missed. You comments make me very happy, so do not hesitate to write what you think.
-Author-chan.
