-11-
Pretty Little Eyes
"Gaara...I think we need to have a talk."
"No, we do not."
His voice was cold and impersonal, like he didn't know me, or didn't want to even see me. He probably didn't, seeing as he had been avoiding my like I was the god damn plague.
But I really didn't care. I wanted him to just knock it off and...
I didn't like being alone. I didn't like sitting there for hours and hours not talking to anyone-
I hated sitting in my room, waiting for him to call me. Ever since he met her, it was like I didn't exist in his world. I wish I had someone to hang out with...
The memory was unwanted, unneeded. I tried to pretend that it never happened. Instead, I took a step forward and jabbed a finger towards my only friend.
"Yeah, we do. Now shut up and tell me why you're avoiding me!"
"You...wish for me to shut up...and speak?"
A little smile made its way on my face. That was Gaara. Maybe...we were done with this? Maybe he'd tell me what was going on and just, stop being such a child...although...he was five. All things considered, he was being very mature. He was always mature...but I guess he was forced to be that way.
I pouted, "Don't be cheeky and answer my damn question!"
"I think it is best if we do not speak any more."
He looked away from me, his teal eyes narrowing. He tried to walk away from me, but I moved in front of him. He wasn't getting away. I was tired of chasing him. I just...needed to talk to my friend. I could see his eyes move to my leg.
Damn it...was that what this was about? I mean, I knew he felt guilty...but I had a new leg now. There was nothing for him to worry about. I knew it wasn't his fault, even though there was a vicious, angry part of me that blamed it all on him. If he hadn't been so weak...Shukaku wouldn't have come out and ripped my leg off. It was a useless, irrational thought.
"AND WHO THE HELL SAID YOU COULD DECIDE THAT ON YOUR OWN!" I took a step forward. I wasn't sure what I was planning to do. Maybe if I hugged him...or...or something, he would knock it off? I continued to speak though, "You're my best friend- MY ONLY FRIEND!"
"And I tore your leg off." His expression was blank
"That wasn't you, and you know it! That was the monster your father sealed inside you! You aren't the one I'm afr- You aren't the monster."
He wasn't. I'd known it all along, but I knew what he could if I couldn't change things. I didn't want to lose Gaara to Shukaku. Gaara was so much more than just Shukaku's host, or the future Kazekage.
"I should be the one you're afraid of." He crossed his arms, and for a moment, all I could see was his older self, the non-crazy Gaara of the future, "You'll only end up dead."
There was that at least. If I failed to save him now, then at least Naruto was there in the future.
His words bothered me though. Did he think I'd die too?
That didn't even matter. I'd already lived once. This wasn't even...it didn't feel real in the first place. It was almost like this life was a game, and I was just a player going through the levels. I didn't even care if I lost this game.
I really didn't.
"I don't care!"
He blinked, "What?"
"I don't care if I end up dead! You're the only friend I have in this life! I won't just...just up and ditch you because something you had no control over happened."
He stared at me, disbelief tainting his eyes. There was a strange look on his face. He was frustrated...and worried. Panicked, maybe?
Maybe he was willing to listen now? I just had to keep talking. He'd give in eventually, right?
I kept talking before he could respond, "I don't care if I lose my other leg, or my arms...even if my organs are torn out!"
He shook his head, looking so worried in the instant his eyes met mine. Then he looked away and whispered his response.
"I don't want you to die."
His voice was quiet and pitiful, but emotion made it tremble.
I forgot he was a child. I did it all the time. Maybe because I was old enough mentally to be an adult now, and he always managed to understand what I was saying. He was a smart kid. And I was a stupid moron.
I felt my expression soften. He had just lost Yashamaru...of course he would be afraid of me dying. Yashamaru was Gaara's first real death. Yes his mother had died...but its had to miss someone you never knew.
So...even if I didn't care...If I wanted my friend back...I just had to promise not to die, right?
I grinned and spoke, with all the determination and sincerity I could muster.
"Then, I won't die. I'll be immortal."
I would have said more, but the look on his face made me stop. He looked so guilty. Why did he look like that? Why did he look so guilty, but like he had won as well?
"If you don't die," his voice was still quiet, and it trembled, but it was also full of his own determination. My 'declaration of Immortality' was so weak in comparison. He took a deep breath and continued, "then you really will be the monster everyone thinks you are."
I blinked, feeling completely startled by the words. What did he mean by that? He...he wasn't going to- 'No. Please no.' I begged mentally. He couldn't say what I knew he was going to.
Like Machiko, I had given him a out, like I did everyone who spoke to me. I gave him the option.
All he had to do was choose the monster over the girl.
FLASHBACK
"Gaara." I greeted after jumping onto the same rooftop that he was standing on. We had been meeting for four months now. He wasn't comfortable around me yet, but I was beginning to get attached. I saw him as a friend...or something close to that.
Which was why I had to do this.
I didn't want to though. I didn't want to offer it to him, but if I didn't...I don't know. I don't know why I even offered it to anyone? Maybe it was a trust thing? I...I had problems with trusting others. Ever since the Test Drive, I couldn't bring myself to trust others completely.
So, in this life...I found myself giving them an escape. A way out. If they took it, then I knew they weren't even worth my time. They weren't worth talking to. If I did talk to them...it would be to keep them away.
"Aisako."
At the greeting I felt the unease begin to grow more than it had on my way to him.
"I need to talk to you about something." I stood in front of him, shifting awkwardly. I couldn't seem to work up the courage to look him in the eye. Which was hilarious, considering who I was. I was a teenager, and here I was, scared a little kid was going to reject me. God, I was a sad, sad little person.
"What?" His eyes shifted around nervously.
"I need to ask you a question...it's really important."
"What is it?"
"Well...I...Do you want me to be Aisako...or do you want me to be a monster?" I asked him, but cut him off before he could answer, "You don't have to answer now! It's just...If you see me as a monster, I won't bother you anymore...not like this anyways. If you want me to be a monster, I'll only ever chase you...but I won't actively search for you. I won't talk to you unless it's to threaten you. If you choose to see me as Aisako...not a monster like everyone else...I'll be your friend. I like you Gaara. You're one of the few people around that actually...see me, you know? I don't want you to answer me now...just...if you ever call me a monster...I won't be Aisako to you anymore."
He stared at me for a long moment with wide sea foam eyes.
"Just think on it. And even if you don't mean it, if you have to lie and get me away from you, I'll take it as the truth. Please...think on it."
I didn't want his answer. I never wanted to hear his answer. I knew what he would say, no matter how much I hoped he would never answer.
END OF FLASHBACK
Maybe...Maybe I heard him wrong?
"What?"
"You. Are. A. Monster."
That was it.
I felt cold. So, so cold. It was nearly as cold as...
Nearly as cold as the time I spent dead.
But...that was right, wasn't it? I was dead. I wasn't the same person I was before death. Maybe Gaara brought that part of me out? The normal part. I had been a normal girl at one point. But I was dead.
And now...I was Aisako. That woman's daughter. That's all I was to Gaara now, after all.
Maybe...Maybe I heard something deep inside me snap at that.
I grinned, feeling the muscles in my cheeks tense and stretch into that predatory look. And oh didn't he look scared!
A giggled bubbled up at the look on his face and the pain and fear in those pretty little eyes. I loved it. But I hated it. I wanted to stop, but somehow, I just couldn't stop giggling.
"I'm a monster, am I?"
If I kept going...I would really, truly scare him. And even if the little...traitor, had become just that, a traitor...
He was all I had, besides my family.
Family was okay, but they weren't what I needed...or what I really wanted. I wanted a friend. Someone I could trust that didn't feel the need to stay by my side because we shared blood. I wanted someone I knew would never betray me, or leave me alone.
I hated being alone.
He left me alone.
"Eheh. Then...I..."
The giggled wouldn't stop, but I didn't know what to say. What could I? 'I better go home and stay there, because what was the point staying with you?' or 'I'll just go home and hide in my room until I feel a little less like crying'? My vision went blurry for a moment as something leaked from my eye.
Well. Looks like it's too late for the second option.
Still laughing, I finally thought of something to say, "Than I- I better leave. Eheh! There's no sense in chasing you if you're already h-home."
I made sure he looked into my eyes. Those pretty little eyes widened with fear and what a part of my really hoped was regret. But it was too late. He could feel as bad as he wanted...but it didn't matter to me anymore. He'd proven he didn't want anything to do with Aisako. He wanted the monster..I'd give it to him.
I spun on my heel and made my way down the stairs, making sure to keep my emotions under control. I opened the front door, ignoring Temari and Kankuro, who were talking to each other quietly in another room.
"Did it work?"
"I don't think so...she looks kinda..."
"Yeah..."
I turned around, but kept my head down so my bangs covered my face. Looking through the matted mess of dry-blood red, I could see Gaara still standing on the landing. I couldn't stop the grin on my face, so I was gad my hair covered my face from his view.
Raising my hand, I flipped the boy off before slamming the door shut behind me.
It was cold outside. It was always cold at Suna at night. I barely noticed though. I was still freezing inside. I giggled to myself as I raised my hand to check and see if I still had a pulse. I knew I had one, but holy shit I was cold. Like a fucking corpse.
The walk home was slow and silent. Or it would have been, if the laughter would stop.
Maybe I was weaker than I thought I was.
Maybe I had been too trusting.
I had trusted Gaara...I had thought we were close enough that I could talk some sense into him.
I thought we were close enough that he would never say those words to me.
But he had.
They were all I could hear now. Every time I closed my eyes, took a breath...every second all I could hear was that little bastard!
You're. A. Monster.
I...I wasn't a monster. I was still a person...maybe I was unnatural...maybe I did do something terrible...what ever it was I did to make them hate me...but...I was still Aisako.
Shaking my head, I tried to drive the thoughts did it matter? I had lived my life...a different life...without Gaara before. I didn't really need him. Sure I could use a friendly person but it wasn't like I had anyone-
Again, I shook my head and let out a heavy sigh. I just needed to go home, and relax. Maybe sleep...for a long, long time. Or two.
I reached me home and reached up to open the front door, only for it to fly open.
Takeo stared down at me with wide grey eyes, "Where the hell have you been? We've been worried- Eh? Why are you crying?"
I stared at him blankly for a moment before pushing past him. It was probably an impressive feat for a little kid, but I really didn't care. I just wanted to go to sleep. I was tired, it was late and I had to go to the academy the next day.
"HEY! Ai-chan, c'mon! What's the matter?" Takeo gripped my wrist, pulling me so I was facing him.
I stared at him with dull amber eyes, "Nothing."
"If it were nothing, you wouldn't be crying."
"I tripped."
"Bull. Fucking. Shit." Takeo released my wrist and grabbed the fabric of my shirt. He leaned down and glared into my eyes, "The only time I've seen you cry is when you had your leg ripped off."
Well shit. Little Takeo was a little bit angry. I dug my feet into the floor and tried to pull away from him, but the genin had a pretty strong grip.
"So, tell me." His grey eyes narrowed even more, and I could almost feel some Killing Intent rolling off of him, "What did he rip off this time?"
I kicked my prosthetic leg up as hard as I could, nailing him in the crotch.
"He didn't rip off anything. Now fuck off."
And with that I was on my way upstairs.
I stared at the mirror, fingers poking at the skin on my cheek. The bruise under my left eyes was no longer a bruise. It was a thin yellow streak running from the bottom of my eye down to my jaw. it had a strange texture. It was soft like skin, but it was cold and stiff like stone or plastic.
"The fuck is this?"
I stared at the mark a while longer before shaking my head and heading downstairs. It wasn't all that important. Besides, as soon as someone noticed downstairs, I would get my answers.
Breakfast was...tense. They kept on staring at me. Takeo was mostly concerned, but Saki, Taiki and Satoru were staring at my cheek, like I had in the washroom.
I snapped.
"WHAT!?"
Surprisingly, they all flinched at once.
"Sorry, brat. We were just admirin' the new marking." Saki drawled.
Taiki gave her a look before he walked around the table, holding my face in his hands. He stared into my eyes, "Aisako...what happened?"
"Nothing happened."
Satoru scoffed, but didn't say anything. He never did. He just sat there and judged me all the god damn time, like he had some right to. Sometimes, most of the time, I wished he would just go back to Ame and stay there.
"Something happened...Please Ai-chan, tell us what happened."
I rolled my eyes, "Nothing happened. Really."
"I doubt she'll tell you anything. You know how personal it can be." Satoru chipped in.
This got my attention. What was he talking about? Did it have something to do with the mark on my face?
Taiki sent him a harsh look, "But..."
"Don't bother."
My father seemed to deflate, and he sent me a sad look as he ran a hand through my hair.
I only grinned up at him, like everything was fine. Because it was. Just because Gaara decided to abandon me and call me a monster, and basically rid me of the only friend I'd had in this life didn't mean I wasn't fine.
I was better than fine.
I was fabulous.
Let's face it...Gaara...he kept me tame. I didn't let all of the...oddness out when Gaara was there, because I was always so scared I'd scare him off. I guess that didn't work too well, if he was still willing to call me a monster.
I frowned internally. That didn't sound right. Gaara wasn't afraid of me...he was trying to protect me. I knew that.
But what if that was just wishful thinking?
"Oh look, it's still happening." Satoru's blank voice cut through my thoughts and my amber eyes snapped to him.
And then something in me snapped.
"What the fuck are you even doing here?" I asked him, finally tired of the bullshit. Stupid fucking freeloading son of a bitch.
He scoffed, "I'm here to train you, if you must know. Although I honestly don't know why...you don't seem like much. I'm a bit disappointed, really."
What? What did he expect? Why was he called in, specifically?! They were talking about it, the morning after the nightmare. After I...cried solid tears. And then I found that bruise on my face...but it wasn't a bruise anymore. It was a line.
What the fuck was going on?!
Annoyance and anger and frustration and something else clawed at my chest, making me feel so...hot, like boiling water was bubbling its way through my veins. I really needed to let off some steam.
Before I exploded or something like that.
"Well, it seems like I never really live up to anyone's expectations." I said with a smirk, like it was all just a game and I found him incredibly amusing. Like I wasn't so angry, without really knowing why.
Why was I angry?
Not wanting to deal with them all any longer, I got to my feet and left the house, heading for the academy. As I walked down the street, i heard him call in a voice that sounded way too much like Taiki's for me to stand, "I'll be picking you up from school so we can start right away~!"
Just fucking fabulous.
By the time I reached the academy, word seemed to have spread that the monster was in a bad mood.
I had kept my eyes open the entire way there, making sure no one tried anything. I didn't have Gaara's protection anymore. I hadn't realized just how relaxed I was, knowing he was there with what many called the 'Ultimate Defense' to protect me. Now, without him by my side...I was sorta fucked. I mean, what chance did I really have?
These kind of thoughts were enough to make me angry, and then when you added my 'training' with Satoru, I just...Wanted to blow up. Like, pull a fucking Deidara and yell 'Katsu' until every last person in this village blew up.
I didn't even know why I was this angry, but I could still feel that bubbling hot rage inside of me, trying to claw its way out.
'That's a lie. You know exactly why you're angry.' A little voice chimed in my mind and I shook it away, just as I entered my classroom.
I was running later, so most of my classmates were running late. It was expected, but I had wished to avoid a situation like this. There were few empty desks, and most of them were in the little semi-circle around what used to be our desk. But I wasn't going to sit there today. I couldn't. I was too angry and there was no way I would go near his sand when I felt this close to attacking him, or anyone else that even remotely bothered me.
So, I marched to the desk on the other side of the room from Gaara, and looked down at the trio of girls in clear disdain. It was the same three girls I had chased when I was younger. The Little Blond Bitch was in the middle, and her two plainer friends sat on either side, dutifully serving as her unofficial servants. Like their mother's, they would probably end up being there to make Blondie look more attractive when they got older.
The three cowered when they saw me standing in front of them. I smiled pleasantly, before pointing to the blond, "Move."
As I spoke, I threw my thumb back over my shoulder, motioning for her to leave. The three kids shared terrified looks. I grinned at their fear. Something about it...made the day a little better.
"W-What?" Blondie asked, looking scared and confused.
I sighed, letting my grin drop, "Must I repeat myself? Move your ass, Blondie! I want your seat. I also don't want to see your face, so go sit down somewhere else already."
She frowned, "Why should I-"
"Because if you don't, I'll show you just how much of a monster I can really be. And this time, no one will be able to save you."
She flinched and jumped to her feet, hastily grabbing her things and leaving for the nearest seat. It was a few rows down from us and a few to the right. I hopped over the desk and took her seat in the middle, between the two brunette girls. Once seated, I let my face go blank and relaxed in my seat. I didn't look at the two girls, and eventually, they stopped shaking and continued on like normal, but I think they smiled a little bit more than usual.
The lucky little brats.
Carl-sensei walked in and scanned the room briefly. It was his way of doing attendance. I watched his eyes flicker from me to Gaara to Blondie and back again as he took in the change in seating arrangements.
I cocked my head to the side and grinned at him eerily. He caught my eyes and motioned towards Gaara with his head. I only snickered. Sorry Carl, but Gaara and I were at war now.
"So, the fuck do I have to do for training?"
I was walking alongside Satoru as he led me away from the academy. I received no answer, so instead chose to follow along silently until we reached a training ground. It was sandy. Like everywhere in Suna.
"To answer your earlier question, we're meditating."
I gave him an odd look. What was the point in that? I already had a higher spiritual level than a physical level, so meditating wouldn't really help. It may give me better control, but I would rather gain some control when my chakra levels weren't raising by irregular amounts daily, like it was now as I grew.
"Why?"
"So we can get that nasty little temper of yours out of the way."
I narrowed my eyes. You know, besides the occasional fit of rage, like most children experience, I was pretty calm. Today was just one of those days I wanted everyone dead. Had I been a teenager, I would have blamed it on hormones.
"I'm sure you've noticed, but you're a little unstable, and quite frankly that's the worst thing you could be right now, given what's happening to you right now."
"Well, what's happening?"
"You're awakening a Blood Limit."
I stared at him. The fuck? Taiki told me we didn't have one! How the hell could I have one if he said we didn't? Unless...He lied. Taiki lied to me? He...He could actually lie? Wow...I hadn't known he had it in him.
The feeling was back again. The boiling hot feeling in my veins.
I heard Satoru scoff, "What on earth could I have said to make you angry now? I certainly hope you won't be this volatile when you hit puberty or else this village will suffer rather greatly..."
"Good. I don't mind it if they suffer."
"That would include your family."
I frowned, "Well, never mind then. Fuck that."
While I wasn't sure what it was that I could do that would hurt everyone, I...I didn't want to risk them. Saki may scare the shit out of me, but she was my mother in this life. And Taiki was my dad. And Takeo was such a nice pet.
Satoru could still go back to Ame for all I care.
"Great!" Satoru said, once again sounding exactly like my father, "Now! Sit down and figure out how to meditate."
I blinked, "What?"
"Sit down and figure it out."
Frowning, I did as he said and sat down in the sand, making sure my scarf was up to cover my head, as there was nothing to offer any shade in the training ground. I crossed my legs, and was about to close my eyes when I saw my relative begin to walk away, "Hey, where the hell are you going?!"
He gave me a bored look, "Well, seeing as you'll be here for hours doing nothing but sitting there and failing to meditate, I thought I would go find a book to read."
With that he continued walking, leaving me alone.
"What a fucking ass." I muttered to myself, before closing my eyes and trying to meditate.
My thoughts wouldn't stop, no matter how hard I tried. As soon as I began to clear my head, something always came up and I started focusing on that without even thinking about not thinking.
Alright mind, shut up. I need to relax and clear my thoughts.
I probably shouldn't relax too much though. I could get attacked. Why the fuck did Satoru walk away? What if some shinobi come here looking for a training grounds, only to find me here? I can't fight them. I don't stand a fucking chance.
Shit! Stop thinking. Relax. Peaceful thoughts.
Maybe i can meditate with my eyes open?
No. I shouldn't try. Its too bright out anyways.
When is that asshole coming back? Wasn't he supposed to be training me? How is this going to help anything? Why am I even meditating? He wants my to control my temper? Well him abandoning me here isn't going to do fuck all to help that! Shit. Why couldn't we do this at home? It'd be way safer there. Well...when he get's back, it'll be safer. He won't let anyone hurt me, right?
Not that they'll succeed.
Who the fuck am I trying to trick? Of course it'll fucking hurt. It always hurts!
I...always hurt.
OH FUCK NO! Stop it with the depressed shit.
My eyes snapped open and I lurched to my feet, pressing my hands to the side of my head as I tried to shake the thoughts out. I paced around the training ground for a while, moving quickly with barely contained agitation.
There was a loud, slow clapping noise, and I turned to see Satoru sitting on a rock with a book on his lap.
"Look at that. You failed."
There was something in his expression. There was his usual boredom, mixed with curiosity, arrogance and amusement, and something else, a concerned look. Like he gave a damn about me or something.
"What were you thinking about that made you have to move? Hm?" He asked, leaning forward from where he sat, "Was it that boy? The one that ripped your leg off and then abandoned you? Or was it something else? A cruel comment someone made?"
"Why are you asking me this shit?!"
He smirked, "Because I want to know where that, that snappish temper of yours, comes from. It certainly isn't from Taiki. Or from Saki, so don't go blaming her. No...there's something bothering you, very, very much."
What was bothering me?
'You know exactly what's bothering you. It's been bothering you for years now...since before you were born.'
I shook my head again, trying to chase the thought away as it niggled deep in the back of my head, trying to bring back memories I didn't want.
"Sit back down again. Try again. We won't be moving on until you can move on."
"Move on from what?!"
"Exactly."
The fuck did that mean?
A week passed. Two weeks. Three. I had made mo effort to contact Gaara, but from the little peaks I shot across the room, he was always watching. It was unnerving, but...the look of apprehension on his face...
He always looked so on edge when he watched me.
Like he was scared.
And it made me so, so happy now.
Blondie had been successfully detached from her back up girls, and had moved on to make other friends. Heartless little bitch. Of course, I was the one who separated them in the first place. The brunettes, who I had never introduced myself to, and who I had named Sally and Ann, were beginning to relax around me. They were never fully at ease, but it had been three weeks and I hadn't tried to kill them, so they were starting to question their fear.
My marks stayed up, and I gave no sign that anything had happened between Gaara and I, other than my change in seats. And my missing leg, but that was old news.
"It's not working." I snapped at Satoru once again as we left the training ground. He only sighed heavily beside me. We had gone over this over and over again in the past three weeks, but I never made any progress. If anything, it was getting worse. I was frustrated, lonely, and tired of not getting any answers about what are so called Blood Limit was. All I knew was that it had something to do with the line on my face, which was slowly thickening. Over the three weeks, it was becoming more and more noticeable as it widened.
I could feel people staring more than usual, their eyes focusing in on the marking.
This only made it worse.
As we headed home, I could feel their stares and the hot rage that had been flooding through me since the incident at Gaara's house flared back up. I clenched my fists as I walked, trying not to snap, or lash out at the bystanders.
Feeling Satoru's eyes on me, I looked up at him with a frown.
"You're mark is growing."
My frown turned into a look of confusion, "What?"
"You're angry, and its making your mark spread. The longer you're angry the more it will grow. Eventually it will cover your face. And you should hope that doesn't happen. You probably won't be able to eat after that. Or breathe. And that's only if it doesn't spread internally. Which it will. So it might never actually cover your face. You'll be dead before then when it spreads to your brain and blood."
I stared at him in open horror, "WHAT!? Why the fucking hell didn't you tell me any of this shit earlier!?"
He gave me a bland look, "I thought if I didn't tell you you'd be spared the panic, but seeing as you can't get your shit together yet, maybe you need to be panicked to get some work done."
I stared at him for a moment, before a snarl formed on my face and I picked up my speed, not even looking at him anymore.
"Aisako-sama!" A cheerful voice cried. My eyes snapped open and I could only watch as Machiko took a flying leap at me.
"Hello, Machiko-chan." I greeted in a tired tone. My eyes drifted to Satoru who sat on his rock, watching the scene in amusement and surprise. Yeah, take that bitch. I'm not as hated as you thought. There's one person besides my family that likes me.
"Machiko has not seen Aisako-sama in so long! So Machiko went looking for Aisako-sama, and Machiko found her here!"
I heard Satoru make a confused noise, probably something to do with Machiko's habit of speaking in third person and saying names as many times as she possibly can in one sentence.
"Well, you've seen me."
"Machiko is wondering what Aisako-sama is doing out here with the man that looks suspiciously like Aisako-sama's father."
When did she even see Taiki? I asked myself silently, before focusing back on the little blue eyed blond.
"I'm training."
Satoru could be heard snorting loudly at that. I noticed how Machiko suddenly stiffened as she turned her head slowly to look blankly at Satoru. Her head cocked to the side for a moment as her expression evolved into one that could turn a basilisk into stone. Satoru shifted back slightly, a little unnerved by Machiko.
As suddenly as she had become cold, Machiko snapped out of it and gave me a beaming smile while her expression was one of awed adoration.
"Oh! Machiko wants to join!"
"Why?"
She smiled and hugged me tightly, "Because Machiko must get stronger too. Then Machiko can protect Aisako-sama from meanies."
Satoru laughed quietly, but Machiko ignored his existence. I turned to look at him, silently begging him not to let her join. I couldn't out right say 'no' since she was one of my only friends, but I wasn't sure I had the patience for her.
"She can join."
Silently cursing the man to death, I turned to look back at Machiko.
"Yay!" She squealed, "Now Machiko can spend all her time with Aisako-sama! Oh! And Aisako-sama can teach Machiko to be a very 'kickass' ku- kunoi- girl ninja!"
I blinked, but I suddenly had a terrible idea. It was manipulative and it actually made me a little disgusted in myself but...
I had failed to manipulate Gaara into not hurting me, and depending on me instead of his uncle...But with Machiko I had a fresh start, and she was willing to let me teach her what I knew. She would be my own little student...who I could, as manipulative as it was, shape into someone who would stay by my side, more loyal than Gaara ever had been.
My amber eyes locked onto her own pretty little eyes and I smiled pleasantly, "Of course, I'd love to help teach Machiko-chan. You are going to be my protector after all, and I need you to be super strong for me."
And there you have it! The most recent chapter of Demon Eyes is now posted! I'm sorry for the delay, but school's made life a living hell, and I have no free time anymore. I should actually be studying for exams right now, but I'm procrastinating. And so stressed I think I can feel my brain leaking from my ears.
...
Is that normal?
Any who, I can safely say this chapter was kinda the turning point for Ai. She went from trying to be good, helping Gaara and tying to fix her friendship to planning to create a new pawn all in the span of three weeks. This may seem too sudden, or a rushed change, but it isn't really. Ai has always been manipulative, and she did originally start off trying to use Gaara's insecurity and loneliness as a way to protect herself from him when he got older. This of course didn't really help anything but...yeah.
As always, I would like to thank the following for reviewing: Alya Tinuviel, 4everfictional, KiraKiraBluemoon, Apocalypsebutterfly, bored411, Enigma infinite, Guest, KillerCupcakes, cherryvvoid, xbox432, BloodyCamellia, shugokage, Akane Shinigami, xVentressx, Marie, BlueBubbleFlash, Trisana, Breanna Clyburn, TheConstellation, FALLING-ANGEL24, evilminionunicorns, bootkr00, Pinkbubble13, SupremeGeneralJoker, Lady The Warrior, witchbaby300, Radient Celestial Aura and WolfetteKurenai for their reviews!
I'd also like to separately thank kksambo for their complaint about Aisako being cheerful about being treated like shit. I'm just gonna say, I found it hilarious.
That aside...I'm like to announce that Demon Eyes now has 200 reviews! Holy crap I'm so happy! Along with those 200 reviews, DE now has 493 favourites, 721 followers and is listed in 15 communities!
You guys have no clue how happy it makes me when I find out I have a new fav, follow or review, and I really hope you guys continue to show all you support. I love you people, you're the best!