Chapter Four: Awake
Akari panted heavily against the cold metal table, her skin aching and the wounds around her body pulsing. She grounded her teeth and closed her eyes as she heard the click of the belt, the hand buried into her hand and pulled her roughly up as she locked eyes with Kyro. His eyes filled with utter satisfaction and relief as he looked down at her, he licked his lips and pressed a wet kiss on her cheek before pulling away, "you're mine." He glowed as he spoke.
She leaned her head against the metal table looking up, she could somehow see the image of her and Kanato together. From the time he had raised her since she was a baby to know, even his last moments, his heart was always in the right place. He had always wanted her to be better and stronger than him, she was well-aware that he had taken note of when they had attempted to fight off their enemies. He had seen her in a different light.
Whenever she had been with Kanato she had always been so happy, she had relished in the attention from her older brother. He had always protected her, made her feel safe. Yet, she had been the cause of his death, the flash of his dark eyes pierced her soul as she sucked in her breath. His beautiful smile that had always graced her eyes had been something she had felt blessed with, she had always felt happier once she had been in his arms. His arms were so warm and had encased her tightly.
She loved him. So much.
Though he had died because of her. He had been one of the many lives that had given themselves up for her, she wanted to curl and cry out for her to die. Their souls were so pure and warm, her's was dark and hollow, they hadn't known the secret about her. Once she had died she would have another life. While those who had died would be sent to Heaven and she would have to face another horrid life where she would lose everything. It wasn't fair.
"Here." She looked up seeing as the man named Yura had wrapped a blanket around her body, she simply stared at him. She had known this act too well, he was going to act this way and give her feelings only to betray her and use her in the end. Keeping her lips sealed she had stared at him, he was silent as well. The only sound echoing in the room was the droplets of the water falling to the ground, Akari had stared at the wall that she had become familiar with the cracks and dents in it.
She wanted to be with Kanato, "be strong." She slowly looked over to Yura seeing the look in his eyes as he stared at her, she wasn't sure what to think but simply stared. He gulped as he raked a hand back and gently pressed a grape to her lips, she took it in her mouth and chewed it softly tasting the burst of flavor in her mouth with the mix of sweet and sour. He took a deep breath as he stared at her, "that's all you can do." She stared at his eyes harder.
Pity.
He didn't approve of the actions of the others and simply being here with the young girl was seen as an act of defiance. He was only supposed to escort her to her cell and leave her. Yet, when he had watched her conscious figure remain still on the metal table he had felt his heart pound. His eyes had taken in her naked figure, not out temptation, rather, it was out of concern and pity. The wound that had lined her body and the dried blood that had stuck to her skin made his heart race.
When he had first seen her he could only think of one person like her, his younger sister, Ona, a young girl with such dark brown hair and bright green eyes. Her presence was something that could light a whole room up, could replace an individual's emotions from sadness to happiness. She wasn't a ninja nor had she thought of being one. All she had wanted to do was help others. He had found that rare in this era, the need for an individual to have strong desires to help one no matter their clan or race.
She had always been a foolish girl and he had let that be known to her, often helping men she had found by the river that was bruised and battered. And with the use of medicinal herbs she would heal them, she never used chakra and rather seemed to rely on the earth's gifts. Ones that she had often praised to be something that should have been God's greatest gifts. He had always remembered yelling at her for her actions as she would respond with a pout and her arms crossed over her chest.
If only she had kept to herself she might have been with him today. He had heard his father say to him before he had parted to the other world 'life is created to be destroyed' he had a rush of emotions and didn't believe his father's words. Slowly after his father's passing, he had become more like his sister and cared about others than his family. For a time being, he had a great life, waking up to his mother and sister humming in the kitchen as they would cook and throughout the day he would help his sister tend the injured men and after he would train.
The routine of his life was something he had taken for granted, he never thought it would. The smiles, the laughter, the amount of happiness he had felt. He thought they would be like that forever. But the cruel reality that he had forced himself to avoid had caused the horrid actions to take place. After a day of training, he had returned home, only to see his sister and mother laying on the floor. Still and not breathing. The pools of their blood tainted the floors as he fell to his knees and wailed in desperation.
He had later found out that one of the ninja's that Ona had healed had been an enemy to a group, and the group had arrived and killed everyone including the remaining of his family. A year later he had managed to get revenge on the group that had killed his family. But that was it. He had gotten his revenge and was aimlessly wandering the lands, he had no goal, no motivation, no will to continue on. He had thought before that he could end his life and see his sister again, but somehow he would always force himself to ignore that.
So when he had finally met the scar-faced man, Daiko, he had felt that he could do something with his life. He hadn't appreciated the goal and the methods certain things had been done, but he had been underneath him for years and was seen as a loyal servant, yet, when he had seen the drawing look in Akari's eyes it had remained him so well of the lifeless eyes of his younger sister. He knew he was more than capable of stopping her. But to what reward? Death?
"You killed him." He heard her small voice, he looked over to her, seeing the piercing red and the Sharingan spinning. He stood still for a moment as he recalled her brother, he wasn't a man, he was a simple boy, protecting his younger sister. Yura had felt his chest tighten, the appearance of the boy being a ninja at such a young age had been something that had shown him, ' lives were created to be destroyed' and he had been the cause of ending a young boy's life.
He wiped the wet cloth on her face, immediately taking away the dry blood and exposing the small cuts on her face. Her bright red eyes shining as she looked at him, he looked away, he had known the ability of the Sharingan and hadn't planned to be a victim of it. He took a deep breath, "I never wanted too." He whispered softly, those words were true, he didn't want to hurt the boy. But, all he did was follow orders. And he would continue to do so.
"Is this how you're going to live. Letting others make decisions for you." He had stared at the girl now, the spinning Sharigian had been gone and rather was replaced by the bright blue eyes. He had never seen an Uchiha with colored eyes, he had always seen them with dark eyes, ones that seemed to replicate the night itself. Paired with the infamous thick black hair and the pale skin. She had all the beautiful features through the blue eyes had been something that was odd about her.
He swiped her arms, "you're a child. Yet, you act like you know me." He spoke bluntly, "yes I am." She breathed out and closed her eyes looking up at the ceiling, "but I know when someone is struggling." She looked over to him seeing as he had placed the clothing over her body, it had been a spare shirt that was his as he couldn't find any other sized clothing. She slipped it quietly as he clicked the chains around her ankles and wrists.
Gently he tapped her leg, the one that had been broken before. He looked to her seeing the pulsing gaze, "you healed it." She turned her face away, his eyes widened. Yura had never known an Uchiha being talented in the arts of healing, the Senju's had the ones who were more known for their healers will the Uchiha's known for the Kekkai Gekkai. She had lived in the main house with that boy would be one of the five children of Tajima Uchiha, she had to be the youngest and possibly the most talented.
"You know the answer already." Yura had gently tugged on the chains as he led her back to the room, his steps echoing in the dark and quiet hall, he had walked the hall so many times and thought nothing of it. Though when he walked this girl he had thought of her, and how she will be forced to face this every day. All he knew was this was just one day. Who knows how long this will go on for?
Yura stared at the girl. She appeared to be young. Younger than he thought. To be able to use jutsu and control chakra was something that was foreign to him with the proper training. Yet she was able to heal herself, she would be so great to the Uchiha. She would have been. Yura wasn't sure what Daiko had intended to do with the young girl. But he had been aware that the girl had unlocked her Sharingan, if he had known Daiko well enough he was sure the man would try to get the eyes for himself.
He could only sigh as he brought her to her cell, the three Senju's had been awake and alerted. He had twirled the keys around his wrists and moved forward, placing her in the cell next to them. He locked it once she had been secured to the wall in her chains, the rattling sound of metal echoed his ears as he looked at her. She looked up for a moment, her bright eyes showing hurt and regret but she immediately placed her head down, her long hair blocking the view.
What was he supposed to expect? For her to talk to him? To confine her feelings in him? She had her purity taking from her forcefully, while he had stood outside the door and been silent. He had been the one to let everything happen when he knew he had the power to stop it. He had shut the doors to the cells, hearing the whispers of the Senju boys talking to her, he was sure that the boys were aware of her being an Uchiha. Otherwise, the interaction between them would be completely different.
He sighed, he was an example of a boy who had been forced to turn into a man. To face life by himself. Walking down the hall he kept his lips sealed as he arrived in the main office, he was greeted with the sight of the man he had loyally followed for years, his stern eyes appeared to be more bright as he clenched the sake bottle between his fingers. His features glossed with a bright smile as he sat in the chair, the stack of papers on the table in front of him seem to be ignored as he relished in everything.
Daiko huffed raking a hand through his hair, Yura walked in his hands behind his back as he kept his lips sealed for a moment until he had finally locked eyes with Daiko. "She is back in the cell." Daiko's eyes brightened even more as he heard the words of the younger man, "perfect." He purred as he stared into the bottle, Daiko leaned back into the chair and closed his eyes as he grinned widely. Yura hadn't known what to say, but remained silent, something he was familiar with always doing.
"This is amazing." He spoke out loud, "finally. An Uchiha in my hands." He took another sip of his drink before casting a look at Yura, he reached into his shirt and tossed something to Yura. Yura easily had caught the pouch of money, heavier than he had expected. He had looked down at it, "you deserve it." Yura nodded as he moved himself to exit the room. He planned to leave Daiko for her personal celebration, he didn't feel the need to participate in it.
Suddenly the dark laughter from Daiko had bounced off the walls and filled the entire room, "you know Yura. If you want you can have a go at her. I mean I had reserved her specifically for Kyro, but you do deserve some pleasure in your life." Yura had become still before walking through the door, the girl was supposed to be taken like that everyday only for Kyro. Regardless, one or more, she was a child who shouldn't have been treated like that.
He surely didn't approve it. And for sure he wasn't intending to treat her like that in any way. He sucked in his breath, "thank you for the offer. But I will respectfully decline." He glanced back seeing as Daiko had roared with laughter and had a large grin on his lips. Yura had only followed orders, he was slowly losing himself and knew he wasn't planning to fully commit himself to the actions of Daiko and Kyro, knowing well what that could have done to him.
"You always were the cold one." He had closed the door behind him as he had drifted himself easily towards his room, the place he had called his home, he knew what he was doing wasn't right. Hell, he had felt this was the only he could survive. Daiko had been one of the ninja's he had trained by and had looked over him after he had lost him his family, he could have easily stayed at the house he had lived in with his sister and mother.
But he had constant nightmares of their bodies filled with blood and their rolling heads, the scene had he had found them had always remained in his head. Despite the dark and inhumane nightmares he had about them, he had also reminded himself of the good. That they hadn't died to do something they were against and rather had a strong desire to help others and sometimes he had often blamed it on them, mainly for that reason. If Ona hadn't brought that one man in, just maybe she would have been alive, and just maybe he would have a different life.
Just maybe.
Madara had frowned his brows as he leaped forward on the next branch, he had paused for a moment seeing as something had caught his eye in the distance. He sucked in his breath as his wild and uncontrollable hair had ruffled in the winds, he jumped on the next branch as his eyes had found the white material. He leaped again, hearing the steps around him, other fellow Uchiha's had been looking for his missing sister. It had been close to over a month and the thoughts of the other Uchiha's giving up had been close.
However, everyone in the household of the Uchiha's had loved and cherished Akari, she was the small child who was good at everything. He had often heard of the maids talking about her in the kitchens when he would pass, he hadn't been filled with malice or hatred, it was filled with love and amazement. One that the maids had often talked about when he had first walked by the kitchens he had heard of the maid talking that Akari had started her starting embroidery and that she had mastered.
He had always wondered about her often, though he hadn't shown it liked he would have, he had admired her. For capturing the hearts of those around her and for being so humble, she was still at the age of four and was still growing, she was still a child in his eyes. Yet, at times, he had wondered if she was more talented than she was known for, often people had talked about her heart being her downfall and that because she had been so kind for others she wasn't suited to fight in the war.
Though he was well aware that his sister had wanted to fight, she had often complained about it to Kanato, Izuna, and Ryuusuke about it. Though whenever she had been around him she would always have a smile on her face, the smile that had been plastered on her lips and exposed to him had made his stomach turn in many ways. He had loved his sister. Like Izuna, he had found her annoying at times but still adored her, whenever he had given her slight attention she was eager for more.
Whether he had yelled at her or teased her, she wanted his attention. Kind of like a pet. Despite her personality, he had known his sister was talented ever since the day she was missing, the way she had avoided the kunai had been the movement of a trained individual. When he had seen that he had seen that she had laughed it off and attempted to avoid the topic, he was sure his older brothers had noticed it too while Izuna had merely ignored it.
She was fast. Faster than he thought she could ever be. He had thought that she would simply be a girl who would follow her father's orders, and taught the way of a lady and simply be married through an arranged marriage. He had thought that, but he hadn't expected her to be talented in both the ways of a woman and a ninja. He softly laughed to himself, he had underestimated her, maybe that was what she had wanted the entire time.
"Ryuusuke." He had called out behind him seeing as his brother quickly made his way towards him, Marada had leaned over and grasped something between the thick bushes. The white material had a splattered of blood, he had picked it up and twirled it in his fingers taking a look at it, his eyes widened as he had looked down to the scratched markings in clothing, it looked like it was burned through the clothing causing damage to it but it had made his heart race.
Oni-chan he felt his heart rate pick up and his eyes pulsing over the engraved words, the material had been common in the Uchiha household, he let his fingers draw against the fabric. This specific sort of fabric had often been worn when going to bed, it was made in order to sooth the skin and provide comfort instead of the regular robes and outfits they had worn. Clenching his fists, Ryuusuke had approached him and narrowed his eyes on the fabric within in his fingers.
"Madara?" He questioned as the boy simply responded by shoving the fabric into his face, he carefully took it in his hands and looked down at the words engraved into the clothing Oni-chan he gasped unwillingly as he looked to his younger sibling. He was angered. Angered that his youngest sister had been kidnapped and forced to be in the hands of random people, they had been searching relentlessly for her in hopes of seeing her but this had been the only form of evidence they had found.
"This is the first clue." He breathed as he locked eyes with his brother, "come. We must inform father." Both of the Uchiha siblings had rushed home along with the other ninja's leaving a few to scout the area in case of any further evidence was discovered. The wind had been swift and light, rushing through their hair as they easily jumped from tree to tree with speed. People who had seen the Uchiha siblings had often thought them to be a talented family.
One in responsibility, another in the form of politics, another in the brute strength of the arts of battle, and the second youngest to be trained well also in the arts of battle while the youngest had remained to be the most talented young child the work of being a woman at such a young age. The Uchiha siblings had been aware of their talents and often took advantage of it, they needed a form of respect to be trusted upon them in order for them to display their power.
The Elders had always been the ones to rush the thought of them becoming stronger and stronger. Yet, all these young children had really wanted was to live a normal life, not to live a life on the battlefield. That was a cruel life to one, something to thrust upon an individual and force them to become someone they didn't want to. Ryuusuke had often wanted to keep Akari away from fighting and the concept of being a ninja, but she would often sneak out and watch as Madara would train or when Izuna and he would practice together.
Somehow her eyes seemed to be bigger and brighter when she had watched them swing their swords with such swiftness and speed, she had felt like she was truly enchanted by the actions of her older brothers. She had only wanted to be like them, however, the day she was kidnapped he had noticed her movements. He had been sure that if their father had seen her movements and how quick she was able to move she would be forced to be on the battlefield.
The two brothers arrived home, their feets pounding on the floor as they directly made their way to Kanato's room. Ryuusuke had opened the door to Kanato's room seeing as his father had looked up, the stress lined around his features as he raked a hand through his hair, Ryuusuke and Madara had both stepped into the room, "father." They both bowed as a display of respect as Ryuusuke had allowed his eyes to drift around the room, the scrolls and flocks of papers had decorated the right side of the room.
After Kanato had been discovered to be in a coma, their father and Izuna had both decided to sleep in Kanato's room. Tajima Uchiha had brought his entire office into Kanato's room, awaiting the moment he would awake and had spent most of his time dealing with other affairs, he had rarely left his son's side and only if needed and if so a maid would often be tasked to be at his side or one of his sons. Seeing the pale and withdrawn look on his son's eyes had made him realize a few things he should have.
He hadn't cherished his children as his wife had told them, he had only shown respect and admired them when they had demonstrated strong battle characteristics. That was cruel. He had forced them the life of a ninja on them, it was a crucial time-period and decisions like forcing your own children to fight wasn't something easy to do. Kanato was a twelve-year-old boy, talented in many ways, he was also humble with many actions and had taken care of Akari most of her life.
He could still recall the words of the healers he had brought for his son, they were unsure that he was going to live, however, they had noticed that some damage had been repaired before he had fallen unconscious and that it had made him barely hang onto a thread of his life. He wasn't sure how, though, he had waited many days and nights waiting for his son to wake up. However, it appeared that even he was losing hope in his child.
"Ryuusuke. Madara. What is it?" He asked. The softness in his voice had been noticed by the two brothers, he was becoming weaker. Every night he had constantly worked himself and pushed himself to do work, and would go hours and days without eating, then with the stress of waiting for Kanato to wake up as well for the search for his youngest daughter. Of course, he was becoming weak, he didn't want to show it but it was hard not to see the effects of everything that had happened.
Ryuusuke had nodded at Madara, "we have found something, a possible lead on Akari." Taijime had felt his heart race and his breathing become heavier, his eyes widened as he stood to his feet without his own knowledge, his body had been acting on its wishes. He shakily breathed out before coughing lightly in his hand, Madara stepped forward and pressed the small fabric into the palm of his hand and stepped back for a moment.
Taijime stared at the fabric Oni-chan it had been engraved into the clothing but it was noticeable, despite it being scratched into the fabric. He sucked in his breath, "we had found it near the western border, almost the outskirts of it." Ryuusuke continued on, "we believe that the person who had taken her could be someone of the Ginto clan." He bowed his head, it was a rational thought, but they had known that the only clan that had dwelled in that area was a clan that had been small was known widely for its ninja's being skilled in the nature of lighting.
Madara had sucked in his breath, "father. They are the only ones that could have don-" Cough! All three of the Uchiha's had turned around seeing as Kanato had weakly been coughing on his side, he groaned out in pain as he slowly opened his eyes, Madara had been the first one to spring into action as he dashed towards Kanato's side. Madara had looked down to his brother with widened eyes, "Kanato!" His voice rang in the room as Ryuusuke had quickly run towards the kitchen getting water for his younger brother.
Taijime had made his side to his son as he coughed again, "M-Madara?" Kanato squinted his eyes as he looked up, everything was white and bright, he had been used to the darkness around him and now being exposed to the brightness had ached his eyes. He again groaned in pain as he made an attempt to move, "you need to rest." The stern but yet soft voice had tickled his ears, he looked up seeing his father stared down at him, he had been at his side.
He had looked more stressed than usually as the bags underneath his eyes were evident, "dad?" He croaked. He was so shocked, his father had always been so busy and hadn't made his time whenever it came to his children, so seeing him at the moment had made him shocked to the bone. His father had slowly nodded and taken in the look of the shocked expression of his son, he was going to cherish his children more from now on. That was a promise to himself and Yuna, his wife.
"You are safe." He breathed out and slowly ran a hand through his hair, Kanato couldn't help the tears in his eyes, "d-dad." He cried out loud, Madara had become still as he watched his older brother cry under their dad's hand who had only smiled and said sorry softly. The tears had fallen down his cheeks and wetted his clothing, Madara had leaned forward silently at his brother's outburst, wiping the tears away from his eyes he watched as his brother had sent a bright smile to him.
"Thank you." He looked grateful and Madara couldn't help the small smile on his lips as he looked away, Ryuusuke's padded feet had echoed into the household as he rushed into Kanato's room. He got to his knees slowly and gently, he smiled softly seeing as he greedily drank the water. Pulling away Ryuusuke dabbed the droplets of water on his chin and placed the cup down, Kanato sighed as he breathed out. His eyes had searched the room, he had seen Izuna sleeping in the corner and was snoring quietly.
He couldn't help the smile bubbling on his lips, he had looked at the rest of his brothers but was missing something. Something he had known too well. He looked around expectedly, "Akari?" He called out loud waiting for her to appear, he looked up to his brothers and father seeing the dark look in his eyes, he was still in pain and felt so weak to lift his arms. He huffed and had stared around waiting for her to appear with her bright and big smile.
"Kanato." Ryuusuke spoke, he stared at his brother seeing as he looked down and curled his hand, "she was taken-" All of a sudden Kanato had struggled to get up, his arms trembling as he turned on his side. Immediately Madara and Taijime had forced him to remain on the bedding, "w-we have to go!" He shouted, his voice echoing in the halls even causing Izuna in the corner to stir from his sleep and wake up. He groaned as another wave of pain hit him in the stomach.
Ryuusuke felt his heartbreaking seeing as he struggled weakly to break through both Madara's and Taijime's hold, he started to cry once he knew he couldn't move and rested his head on the pillow as he stared at the ceiling. He was still in his room, "you don't understand. S-She's hurt!" Madara's eyes widened as he looked at his brother, Kanato was breathing heavily as if he couldn't tell this horrible reality. His heart tightened as he stared at the ceiling the tears from his eyes pouring.
He only wanted to protect her. That was all!
"Kanato. You need to calm down and tell us everything." Madara had spoken softly as he pressed on his hand lightly, Madara the grumpy and cold child had been showing so many emotions towards his older brother which wasn't unnoticed by the others. After Kanato had finally managed to calm down through softened through calming words he sucked in his breath feeling even weaker than before as he attempted to adjust his body with another painful wave ran through his body.
He breathed out as he had finally started, "t-that night. Akari had been the one who had noticed it, not me. If she didn't I am sure I would have been dead a long time ago." He breathed as he recalled the scene, the speed of the kunai burying into a man's neck and the sound of the feet entering the room. He could remember it all as if it happened in a few hours, however, in reality, it had occurred a while ago. He wished he was stronger more powerful, wiser.
Kanato had continued to explain what exactly happened that night, though he had specifically pointed out facts regarding the group that had attacked. However, he had also talked about Akari, and her ability to fight. The four Uchiha's engaged in a heavy topic regarding Akari, however, it was settled to the conclusion that she was alive. That had been the only way they could have thought of it. Kanato hadn't understood the feeling of a few hours could have lasted for over a month.
His heart still heavy with the idea of Akari missing though he was sure that she would be alive. He was sure! Madara had turned to his father, "Akari can handle herself. I am sure she won't die." His voice was hardened as he settled on the words, Izuna quickly nodded as he pumped his fists, "I am sure!" He shouted. Izuna and Akari had a close relationship, being the two youngest they had often been by each other, from training secretly to pranking their older siblings.
"She's stronger than we give her credit for." Kanato breathed out as he looked at the ceiling again, "trust me."