The Cursed Woman
Chapter Ten: Humiliated
Akari licked her lips nervously and tapped her finger against her femur, her eyes dancing around the wall as she heard the light intake of air from her father as he sipped the tea lightly in his hand. She breathed out staring at the man waiting patiently for him to open his eyes, and when he did she sat straighter if that was even more possible. The hard eyes of her father locked with her's as she soaked in his gaze, one that was blank, she hated not knowing what he was thinking.
She gulped and took a deep breath, "so?" He questioned as he gently placed the teacup onto the brown wooden table, he looked up expectantly waiting for an answer. The sounds of the early morning birds chirping in the air as the silence in the room tightened, she remained stilled at his question and stared at the reflection of herself in her teacup. She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists, she was waiting for her father to take down to her or punish her for her actions, but she didn't care, saving these people was something anyone with a heart should do.
"I did nothing wrong." He rested his cheek on his knuckles as his elbow rested on the table, staring at her as he twirled the cup of green tea leading the slight aroma to drift into both of the Uchiha's senses. He craned his neck and looked down, "perhaps you didn't." He lifted the cup for a moment, admiring the dents and cracks in it, the cup holding a special meaning even to the leader of Uchiha's. He took a deep breath as he looked to his daughter, reckless but powerful and charming.
"But what you did was something that has enraged the Elders." She sucked in her breath but kept her composure still, the Elders were a diverse group of Uchiha's who had been older than her father's and seen to be individuals who had lived for many years with the long-range of age they and were one of the main voices in the clan, whether it was giving out missions and or making harsh decisions, though Taijime had been the one to oversee the affairs with the Elders and would essentially decide whether what they say or do it appropriately.
Akari entwined her fingers together, "I have an idea." She took a deep breath and hardened her eyes, Tajima immediately raised an eyebrow in interest, her attitude and tone had completely changed. He nodded his head signaling for her to continue, he wanted to see what she had up her sleeve. Taking a sip of the hot green tea, he stared at her over the rim of the cup, she licked her lips for a moment and closed her eyes before opening them again.
She was ready. Akari stared at her father, "not too far away we have an abandoned open field, with destroyed houses and crops-" Tajima placed the cup down, "it was an attempt of civilization for other people." He replied calmly, she nodded and kept her hands in her lap, she was aware of her father's words. A few minutes away there had been one of the many attempts of civilization, the people had been regular individuals and with the leading downfall of an outbreak occurring essentially leading to the death of many.
This idea had only arrived this morning to her because she had heard about the maids talking about the tale of the town, Akari was certain if her father had allowed the people to settle they could benefit the Uchiha. Providing items such as trade and agriculture, while the Uchiha could house and provide security, she had ultimately come to the conclusion that this was one of the brightest ideas she had thought of.
"I understand that. However, I want to suggest an idea that could benefit both them and us." Tajima hid the small tilt of his lip, he was more than excited to see what she was going to suggest. A little girl like her with so many ideas and overwhelming knowledge, how did she think of a way to help these people as well as the Uchiha. He nodded again as he stared at her, seeing the clear resolution in her eyes, the shining blue that seems to be impossible to forget.
He contiuned to stare at her, his daughter was beautiful just like his deceased wife, however, blue eyes were something that was seen to be different among the Uchiha clan who always had dark features. Her eyes were seen to be something powerful and unforgettable, he had learned that even those civilians had thought of that. He had walked by one of the rooms they had slept in, hearing as their voices had praised his daughter loud and proudly.
They had called her the Blue-eyed Dragon thinking about it he laughed how matching the description of his child was. The way her pulsing and bright eyes looked upon everything and actions that were unpredictable by everyone around her. He smiled softly at the thought, she was growing stronger each and every day, she was going to become someone that even those in the future would admire and envy her. He overall was more than proud to call her his blood.
"That civilization has been abandon for many years, however, if it's possible we could use that to our advantage." He tilted his head the strands of his thick black hair brushing his forehead and eye, he hummed to himself and nodded again, he wanted to hear what she was thinking of. Though he knew what she was planning to say, he knew everything, he had already discussed with the Elders about them rebuilding over there and seemed to get the approval for his decision.
He just wanted to hear her say it, "they are merchants and builders if we can provide them with that land and give them security, they could help with trade and possibly even agricultu-" Tajima placed the cup down and sighed before leaning back, "okay." His voice was quiet as Akari became still and blinked at him for a few moments as if shocked he stared at her as he placed his cup aside and got up, Akari still staring at him in shock as he aimed to head back to his office.
"Wai-what?" She breathed out still in shock, he wanted to laugh at his daughter's expression. He could always remember her talking back and giving attitude but seeing her shock had been one of the many faces he had yet to discover, her wide eyes watched as her father looked back for a moment, "I will talk to the Elders, I will let you know anything further." Quickly her father exited the room leaving to her confused emotions.
Kanato had contiuned to look over the scrolls hearing as Izuna and Madara had been training in front of him, he read along the thick white ink and could hear the clashes of metal in the air followed by the rambles between the two close brothers. He hummed to himself as he had become more in-depth with his thoughts, his father had asked to privately speak to Akari and he assumed it was going to be about the civilians she had rescued yesterday.
He smiled as he thought about her, his sister so young and powerful, she seemed to be a peacekeeper but was deadly when needed. Akari was his sister someone who was becoming more and more powerful. Softly to himself, he prayed that she didn't grow up and remained at himself, he was after all jealous of those who had gotten her attention. Hearing the clang of metal he looked up seeing as Madara had proudly stand in front of Izuna who frowned.
"I win little brother." He grinned widely. Izuna narrowed his eyes and leaped forward before Madara kicked him in the face lightly, sending the younger brother flat onto the ground. Kanato shook his head at Madara's actions, "Kanato!" Madara called from the field, he looked up and craned his neck, "why don't you come to train? Aren't those books boring you?" Madara easily placed the sword on his shoulder, raising an eyebrow as he stared at him.
Kanato looked down, "knowledge is important in the midst of war." He spoke softly, Madara frowned in response, "why would you need knowledge when you have the strength?" He questioned as he walked close to Kanato, his face full of curiosity, he seemed truly interested. Kanato smiled softly at his younger brother's words.
"Sometimes understanding your opponent can help you defeating them quicker." Madara raised a brow before crossing his arms over his chest, "hm. Interesting. Though I failed to ask enemy ninja's what they think about that theory." Madara scoffed as he brushed his thick hair from his eyes, Kanato sighed and shook his head as he looked at his younger brother. He took a deep breath watching as Madara stomped away into one of the rooms.
Humming to himself Kanato made delicate strokes onto the paper in front of him, the black ink painted onto the paper as he contiuned to hum. The morning had just begun and he could already hear the bustling sound of everyone within the compound, it was different, he usually used to the quiet and calming atmosphere, however, ever since the people Akari had come across had woken up they had demanded to help around the Uchiha compound.
He smiled softly, he had already begun to see how young Akari was going to affect people. How her simple smile and the aspiring attitude to help others had glowed within her favor. He silently contiuned his work as he drifted his thoughts about the girl. He still couldn't believe only two years had passed by, and he was still alive. Something about it felt so unreal and unsure, he always questioned it whenever it had a spare moment to think, but he would always be rushed by his sister and immediately recalled his purpose for living.
He had known that he was fully supposed to die that night. Though he was saved and by his sister. So as foolish as it may appear he would live for her. That was her pure motive. He wanted to continue to protect her, though it seemed that she would protect himself. He chuckled at the thought and gently touched his knuckles to his lips and attempted to halt himself from bursting out in laughter, he was, sure enough, going to get looks from those around him so he remained chuckling to himself softly.
Kanato had only seen fourteen summers by now and was slowly growing into an adult quicker than he expected, he had faced the mild conditions of this dark world and soon would be consumed by the destruction by the rest of the era. As foolish as it may have seemed he was going to become a man before he could be a boy.
Hearing the laughter he fixed his posture and felt his ears tingle as he got up slowly hearing the soft and contagious laughter. He got to his feet with a curious gaze as he walked past the porch leaving his writing materials open, walking past the garden and near the entrance he peered over the looming wooden beam and searched for the source. He bit the inside of his cheek as he locked his eyes onto Akari, her smile bright and uplifting.
Her laughter echoing around the area causing those around her to smile unconsciously, however, she had been with the guards she had been seen with last night. Two boys, Renta, and Kouta, both boys who had been on guard duty and had abandoned their posts and eventually stumbled upon a group that had been moving slaves, he narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two boys who appeared to be too comfortable with Akari.
He gritted his teeth as he felt the uncomfortable feeling in his chest as he had watched the interaction as Akari placed her hands around her stomach and couldn't stop controlling her laughter, while Renta had been roaring with laughter leaving Kouta with a red-face. Akari had already made friends with them so quickly. He turned away, he bit the corner of his lip as he let his eyes drop as he calmly made his way back to his materials.
Akari had told him that she would come to see him after the meeting with father, but it appeared she had other plans. He sighed softly. He was indeed jealous. He didn't like the fact that someone else could make Akari laugh such a way and interact with her so calmly, all he knew was that he didn't like it. Despite him agreeing to let her belong to everyone, he had a feeling within him that he would be left behind and would be forgotten.
Blowing out the air he raised the palms of his hands, "don't think like that." He nodded to himself encouragingly, "she is so special." He breathed out softly, he stared into the garden as he slowly passed it, watching the glowing flowers in the distance and the sparkle of the sun reflecting onto the water, "of course she could never be mine alone." Kanato remained to himself keeping his thoughts constantly flowing but his mouth tightly shut.
Akari's day contiuned along just on schedule after her hearing with her father, she had run into Renta and Kouta and somehow found them extremely interesting. Aside from the fact that the two boys didn't constantly treat her like royalty was a breath of fresh area a sort of new area she had yet to discover. After that he had visited the civilians and healed their injuries while being praised among them, she couldn't help but smile and ignore the praises.
"Please-it's nothing. Anyone would do the same." The man she was healing shook his head, he looked down as he clenched his fists tightly, "you don't understand. We tried before. So many times. Some of us were killed even when we attempted to contact anyone." He took a deep breath, "no one helped us." He stared into her eyes, Akari could only feel the tightness in their stomachs. She bit the corner of her lip.
She smiled softly, "well. Good thing I was around." She smiled and immediately resulted in the bright sparkling attitude of the man. She had almost forgotten that clans within this era had tended to keep to themselves and even the creations of villages didn't happen for years, clans wanted to remain independent and somehow saving these people could bring upon much trouble for clans. That was something any clan would avoid.
Gently brushing her fingers along the tender skin she nodded in approval, "your bone is still healing and the flesh is still tender. I will put you on bedrest, and no work a-" The man immediately nearly jumped out of his skin, "b-but-I have to help-" She stared at him and his stuttering state, his family by his side as his wife gently placed a hand on his shoulder. She looked down and Akari could already sense their thoughts.
She sat back on her tucked legs, she knew the feeling. It was hard not to know. She had live of her many lives as a slave, one that was forced to do and perform things she wished remained unsaid, she hated that life for as long as lived and was more than thankful when she had been passed onto another one. These people had been constantly working themselves for years and years, with no break and or leverage for anything. Somehow something like rest was a fleeting and false idea. Something that didn't exist.
Resting her hands on her lap she stared at the family and smiled at them, "I am so sorry for what you been through. For what not only you and many others experience but for even your child. No one in this world should be victims of such a thing. When you are here, you are my guests and will do nothing. And from what I have heard you have been working without my consent. So Yamato, I will have you and the rest of your family on bedrest." She watched as the man looked at her with wide eyes.
"You have worked too long and hard. Don't you think you should take a break?" She tilted her head, "especially with your newborn coming along." Yamato's wide eyes nearly jumped out as he stuttered before looking over to his wife who had stroked his hair softly and was getting teary-eyed, she smiled as the man quickly turned to his wife showering her with kisses and pulling her close. Akari's heart jumped in her chest, she was happy.
"Sayo, I will be doing a check-up appointment on you later this week for the baby, but you should be okay." She smiled through the thick tears, "t-thank you so much Milady." Akari shook her head, "you are allowed to call me Akari, just because I am the daughter of the clan leader doesn't make me more deserving than any of you." The Sayo and Yamato looked at her through the thick tears, she was so small and different. Kindness like this didn't exist in the world they lived in.
"Can I see your eyes again?" Akari looked up seeing the girl yet again, her cheeks flushed and the smile plastered onto her lips as she peered deeply into the eyes of Akari. She raised a brow, "please step away. You are close to the Milady." Okita spoke behind her, his eyes staring into the unfazed girl with no a brink of emotion on his face. Akari looked up to see her guard or stalker as she loved to call him, holding a basin of water with a rag slung over his shoulder.
He looked too deep in the role already, she was ready to tease him but didn't dare say anything. She peered at the unmoving girl, "my eyes?" She questioned before looking up to Okita for a moment, the boy placed his hand on his hilt staring at the civilian with hard and tensed eyes. Akari bit the inside of her cheek and waved him off, watching as the girl wrapped her fingers around the arm of her. Surprised by the reaction she let a small gasp escape her lips.
"Pretty~" She softly spoke with a light giggle on her lips, eagerly she leaned forward pressing her body against Akari, but was quickly pulled back a person. Akari looked up seeing a nervous boy, one that seemed to be close to her age with a light blush on his cheeks, he had a deep scar from his eyebrow to the corner of his eye emphasizing his sharp green eyes. The girl huffed his in arms as he tugged her back lightly.
He bowed quickly as he locked eyes with Akari, he was over the edge now, he was face-to-face with his savior and all he could do was a bow. He bit the inside of his cheek, "little sister?" She tilted her head, forcing his dark brown hair to brush against his forehead, Akari smiled softly as he looked startled. She eyed the young boy who nervously looked away it seemed that even Akari noticed her presence had shaken him, she scoffed to herself. Of course, she had known they would secretly fear her, she was a beast an Uchiha.
"I never got your name, both you and your sister?" She stood with the bowl on her hip staring at the boy who smiled, the girl bounced in her step, "Tsuna!" She shouted proudly causing the automatic smile to bubble on her lips. It was crazy that the girl had been herself despite what she had seen them go through. Akari craned her neck and looked at the boy, "G-Gin, M-Milady-" His words stumbled slightly making even Okita attempt to hide his smirk.
"Akari. You can all call me Akari." She gave a firm nod before beginning to leave the room, she clenched the bowl tighter seeing the glowing looks from those within the room, she suddenly knew she was wrong. These people looked at her completely different, it wasn't what she expected, rather it was hope something she had seen die within this era and was revived by Harishma. They saw something in her, something she never noticed until now.
"They believe in you." She stopped in the hall at the sound of his voice, the boy that had stuck to her side like glue had no longer been a twelve-year-old boy, rather he was older now with the growth of his height and the mass of his muscle it was easy to see the difference Okita was appearing to have daily. He was no longer a boy or a mere bodyguard, whether she had liked it had been with her every minute of the day and had seen the light and darkness in her days, but he had always silently followed her.
"Is that wrong?" She questioned softly, she had mentally pleaded with herself, was she doing the right thing? Giving these people hope? There was a moment of silence before she raised a brow and turned to him, his dark eyes locked onto her and his lips pursed into a thin line. He took a deep breath his stance flattering for a moment, something he had rarely displayed, his eyes averted for a moment as his fingers entwined behind his back tighter.
He turned back to her, his eyes glowing with the utmost pride, "no, Milady." He nodded his head the smallest tilt of his lip had raised catching Akari by surprise. The boy was simply a soldier, he had been one to never show his own emotions to display happiness or even sadness, she had automatically assumed that the reasoning behind this had been due to the specific training young Uchiha's had been taught to hide your emotions.
She brushed her hair back still feeling his trained eyes on her, "I am going to protect them." She breathed out, she wanted to always do the right thing in her life. Each life she had lived had been very different from the last one, but she had been always determined to remain good-willed, holding to an oath to protect those she couldn't. In the beginning, she hated everything, from people, villages, and even herself. However, she had somehow convinced herself that throughout the neverending cycle maybe she could do the best to avoid the downfall in their future. Changing little by little could affect the future, but also could create big changes.
Looking forward had been the only thing she could, she was forced to do it. So somehow she had to be committed, maybe everything at the end would be worth it if there was an end. Call her a fool if you will, but she was the cursed fool.
"I know you will." She breathed out as she turned to him, his eyes remained blank she couldn't help but blush for a moment and let the natural smile flow on her lips. Okita had taken a moment to stare at her, the beautiful bright blue eyes he had always admired had been shining in front of him, her rosy cheeks had been due to his simply comment and the light smile on her lips had made his stomach jump. He gulped as he was taking in her features in his own silence.
She smiled brightly, "thank you for believing in me." She turned around and took a deep breath hearing as Okita had followed her closely behind the soft sound of his shoes on the floorboards. She felt the smile remain on her lips as she had looked forward, she was going to continue to protect those people. Somehow having her own resolve in this body had made her heart pound louder in her ears and her feet jump with a bounce. She was happy.
Yet all things must come to end, right?
Tajima had watched as the man looked at him, his swollen eyes along with his busted lip had been a mere blessing for what he had originally planned. He took a deep breath as he raised the cuff of his sleeve higher and looked at the man, who laughed pathetically before his body became tense as he drew forward letting his Sharingan become his witness, the man shook in the wooden chair as his eyes grew wide with horror.
"Now." The head Uchiha took a deep breath, "tell me where the rest of your people are." He bared his teeth at the man, his nerves pulsing with utter anger as he stared at the man. His very own eyes glowing with deep hatred he had seen the moment this man had stepped into his compound, he had praised his young and reckless daughter for capturing this utter fool and piece of trash he had hated his utter guts.
He held his tongue he had wanted to kill this man, very slowly though. He wanted to strip his skin while he was alive and let the ravens fed on his body. He wanted to man to be tortured and live in darkness forever. This man wasn't just a slave trader he had belonged to a long-enemy of the Uchiha's, hell to every damn clan in the world. He had taken women, children, and even men raped them, killed them, or even imprison them for life.
Taking a step forward in the cell he let his eyes dance along the bleeding wounds on the man, despite having much flesh he hadn't bleed to death yet. Tajima was impressed, the man had constantly hired bandits and ninja's for him that would do any work for him. Other Uchiha's remained around the room their eyes intensely watching the man, who nervously flashed a smile as Tajima enclosed onto him. He stared at the man, "talk." His voice rumbled.
The man's shoulders rumbled with laughter Tajima simply stared not letting his posture flatter for a single moment, this person had been always known as a madman one that had gone beyond everything just for money. He even sometimes had heard rumors that the man had preached his hands were gold and anything touched was gold, Taijima rolled his shoulders staring at his chair, one that was the dark brown instead of the shining gold. So much for a theory.
"About what? I am a man of money, not politics. You should know that." The man craned his neck angering the Uchiha, he took a deep breath as he nodded, "yes. I do. But, I also know your connections. And how many you exactly have." He flipped the kunai between his fingers, letting the sharp blade dance around as the man simply watched who raised a brow he wasn't amused at all. Somehow Taijima would have to scare him into letting the information go.
"Connections? Hm, anything that does make me more money. Of course, I do." Tajima stopped hearing the smile in his voice, "but I can't exactly sell them out, if anything I predict I would lose more business relationships, eh?" He shrugged his shoulder as the Uchiha had watched the bead of blood roll down his forehead. He grinned widely as the Uchiha stopped in front of him, he was taunting him and Taijima had informed himself he had fallen in it.
"If I didn't know any better I would think your daughter is the cause because of the loss with one of my relationships." This had caught the attention of every Uchiha within the room, they all looked back and forth between the head and the bloody prisoner. Tajima felt his breath stop for a moment, Akari? What could she have done? She was still a mere child, one who had incredible skills, one who was still developing and more become more a child he was proud of.
He stared at the man, "you see, I had lost one of my closest partners. He had brought in loads of cash that could even drown a ship!" The man exclaimed, "he was one of my main benefits getting me more slaves to sell, use woman and even children. He was the perfect partner, didn't care about emotions and certainly didn't care about customs. Ruthless and hungry." He nodded at his own words confirming them.
Tajima became still this is what this man had wanted, "and from what I heard he had cashed big a while ago, he had captured the perfect pair of children I ever heard about-" Taijima gulped he could almost hear the laughter and amusement in his voice, he was playing with him and somehow he had known that this man had taken something from him. He locked eyes with the man, his eyes glowing with utter happiness and the sound of his words echoing around the Uchiha.
"Senju's and an Uchiha." The wide grin spread across his face as Taijima stared in horror, his windpipe tightening and his heart pounding against his rib cage. He was scared to hear the next words, "tell Akari I said hello, she had been a great toy for Daik-" He had watched as his own fist slammed into the man's nose letting the crunch of his nose echo loudly in his ears and felt the rush of blood on his fingers as his fellows Uchiha's had looked around in shock.
The man broke out in a burst of wild laughter as three Uchiha's pulled him back, he was angry all he wanted to do was mutilate the man, they had done something to her! T-Th-Monster! He screamed in his head as his breathing became heavier and his eyes wider as he felt his red eyes activate with pure unknown ability, he wanted to destroy and make this man never see light again. Hearing the laughter of him only made him angrier.
"You know how things work among our clan-don't you?" Tajima felt the blood rush in his body, "how we treat people, especially those we like?" He took a moment before he looked up to Taijima through his deformed features and bloody messy he grinned madly, his smile stretching from his lips to almost his eyes as he looked at the head of Uchiha's a man who was supposed to remain composed but lost himself to his own emotions.
"Let's just say your daughter got it worse than your dead wife." Some in him shook, something in him awaken as he stared at the man in horror. His eyes shaking as he stared at him. He took a deep breath as he pulled back, everyone had known the story of his wife and what had happened to her. Tajima had worshipped and praised the ground she had walked truly had loved her to pieces, however, she had been captured and taken from him, and randomly had returned to him dazed, injured and lost. He could remember her being so traumatized and her speaking of what happened.
They had used her, tossed around like some doll, hurt her and raped her multiple times. Everyone had known of the story but remained silent about it and within time she had adjusted but eventually contiuned to live her life, but it had been hard for her. He gulped as he stared at the man, "look at her in the inner thigh, you'll see the marking." Before he knew it he had taken off, he was barely touching the ground and felt as if he was flying in the air.
His eyes darted forward as he looked down the long halls and could almost hear laughing, he wanted this man to be simply playing with his mind he didn't want him to be right. He couldn't fathom the thought of him being right, he had thought of Akari when she had come home, yes she hadn't been the same but she had never talked about what had happened instead she had made them all focus on something else.
The Elders hadn't cared for her wellbeing until they had found out that she had great chakra control and her abilities to fight, she was nothing but a simple pawn to them. He hated it that everyone had seen her as a weapon, even though himself he had never thought of it, he had admired her way of doing things, talking back and even taking charge in her actions. She was disobeying him but it was the fact that she had gone against all odds against her.
He couldn't think about her what exactly happened to her out there. He had known that his dear wife had suffered greatly and she was a grown woman, Akari was still a child. He bit the inside of his lip as he turned down the corner nearly bumping into the maids, they screamed as he rushed by them, he quickly opened the door hearing the laughter and voices, he had confirmed if this man had truly taken her. Taken her and used her.
Feeling the eyes of his sons and his daughter turn to him, he had watched as Kanato, Madara and Izuna had looked at him curiously seeing as he was heaving. His stamina has always been top-notch but somehow receiving the news about his daughter having her purity taken from her had been more devastating than any news he has faced in years. He stepped forward, "father?" Kanato's light voice broke the sound of laughter as Akari looked up.
"Sir?" Okita stood forward, Taijima looked up at the boy who stood close to Akari only a few meters away to give her space, he took a step closer, "I need you to take your clothes off." He narrowed his eyes feeling around as everyone else had reacted in shock, Kanato stuttered while both of his youngest sons had remained shocked, Okita stepped forward blinking in shock as Akari lips parted in shock. Maybe it hadn't been the best way to approach the situation but he hadn't thought about any form of logic, he just needed to see that he was wrong.
Akari unconsciously stood to her feet, "w-what?" Her eyes raised as Kanato had stood by his father's side, "wait-father-do you understand what you are saying?" Tajima watched the horror flicker through Akari's eyes as he gently pushed Kanato away who quickly grabbed his arm, she sucked in her breath as she watched him take another step forward. He looked down to her outfit, he had needed to see, he couldn't stress it anymore.
"Stop." Okita had automatically pressed the sword against his throat, he narrowed his eyes as he looked at the young boy, he watched as his eye shake as he held the weapon strongly to his neck. He was his clan leader and had appointed him to guard Akari, even it meant he had to protect her from her own father. Within himself he was proud but at the very moment, he couldn't care, as he lunged forward, disarming the boy before throwing him through the screen doors.
His anger was booming as he looked to Akari as he felt Kanato pull him back, "stop! Dad!" Kanato shouted Akari's eyes darted between her brothers as they stood up both Madara and Izuna standing in front of her and blocking her from her father. She had watched as Kanato struggled to keep their father back, the man was four times her own height and stronger than Kanato, she curled her fists together.
"W-What is this about!?" She couldn't help but shout, Taijima paused as both Izuna and Madara looked back at her. Everything was happening so quickly she was unsure of what too exactly do. She looked to her father, he seemed completely different from the morning. Tajima looked around to his boys as Okita had returned, his eyes glowing as the boy had sported no injuries. He bit the corner of his lip looking at his daughter.
"I know where they took you." She narrowed her eyes in confusion, what exactly was he talking about? She gulped feeling as Izuna had lightly held her hand entwining their small fingers between each other. Breathing out she watched as he stood tall, his anger not fading instead was more composed.
He locked eyes with her, "they marked you." She felt the breath escape her lips, she stepped back this time letting go of Izuna's grip and falling onto her bottom, how did he know that? How did he know anything!? He thoughts were out of control as the rest of the Uchiha's looked around uncertainly, their eyes dancing between both of them. Madara looked forward and puffed his chest, he didn't exactly like the fact that his father had demanded something disgusting and indeed believed that his father had turned mad.
"Father, you attacked her guard and demanded she takes off her clothes. Have you gone mad!?" He was angry. Izuna nodded at his words he was still caught off guard. He could only watch and keep his lips tightly pinched together, however, hearing the heavy breathing of himself echoing in his ears. He leaned forward pushing Kanato to the side but the boy quickly ground his teeth and quickly put his father into a lock.
Heaving out strongly he watched as his father contiuned to push himself closer to Akari a form of desperation evident in his actions. Akari felt her eyes widened as her fingers rested on the mark, somehow being reminded had brought her back memories of that night from many, she looked down to the palm of her resting at her inner thigh, it was silent for many moments with a constricting pain in Akari's chest.
She was always told to be brave and not give in to fear, but that night she had experienced fear again just in another form of it. Hearing the sharp intake of breath she looked up to her father seeing his eyes crinkle in pain and need to reach her had vanished as he collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide and his breathing heavy. She bit the inside of her lip as he looked up to her, his voice croaked with pain as he stared at her, "what did they do to you?" His words were heavy.
Stumbling back she felt her legs shake as the eyes of everyone focused on her, "A-Akari-tell me, h-honey-" She could feel her breathing pick up and her eyes focusing on anything that looked close to the ground. Unwilling she buried her fingers into her clothing her heart pounding against her chest as the tight slience remained. Everyone aside from Tajima and Akari had been unaware of what they were talking too, though it was enough to make the bubbly girl silent.
"TELL ME!" He shouted as his voice echoed around the room, everyone flinching at the sound. Akari closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath she looked at him, "what good would telling you do?" Tajima felt his horror's come to life and begin to slowly hate himself, he didn't know what truly happened to her. She was hiding everything, she didn't want to expose herself or burden his problems, he failed. Failed as a father and the head of the Uchiha clan.
"Somethings are better hidden." She pinched her lips together. He curled his fists together, "better!?" He shouted Akari narrowed her eyes taking a step back. The tension still tight, "finding out that your daughter was branded like a dog by a criminal is better!?" Everyone gasped and Akari looked down feeling more than embarrassed. Maybe it was foolish not to tell her father what happened? But, she couldn't just say she was used?
Akari stepped back again, this time she clenched his fists and turned to walk out. As she walked out onto the porch she had felt the eyes ones she had only noticed now, she looked around both Uchiha's and civilians had been. It had finally started to set in, she couldn't look at anyone but somehow seeing Tsuna and Gin stare at her made her skin crawl. She couldn't take it anymore, she wanted to crawl in a hole and sleep forever.
"A-Akari!" She sucked in her breathing seeing the look across Kanato's eyes, she wanted to kill herself but even she knew that it would do nothing. She shook her head and quickly jumped into the trees, she was running, running away from everyone. She was in a rush to get away, she didn't want anyone to see her. She ignored the bristling pain of the branches digging into her skin, she just needed to get away.
Breathing out her feet moved across the trees like nothing, she didn't know where to go but somehow her feet led her to it. She breathed out as the past week had been different for her, and meeting Kawarama had been the biggest within it this week. He was different. Very different. His features had been different from his eyes and the lightly tanned skin, even the bright smile he had loved to flash her, made her smile unknowingly.
He didn't know she was an Uchiha, but she knew he was a Senju. She wondered how would he feel when he had found out she was an Uchiha? She bit her inner cheek, he was a boy still a growing with the opinions of others around him. She wouldn't blame him if he were to never see her again, but somehow she doubted he would do that.
She jumped again and looked forward to seeing the small figure standing on the tree branch, he turned around slowly and stopped as he locked eyes with Akari. He took a deep breath, "Akari? W-" She leaped forward and wrapped her hands around his neck, pressing her body close to him as she buried her face into his neck. She couldn't hold back as she felt the sob escape her lips, was she being selfish crying in front of him?
In spite of everything she been through and experienced, she was still human.
"A-Akari?" He was shocked. He had been sitting at the tree for almost an hour and just thought about everything, and that had included mostly of Akari. He knew today they weren't supposed to see each other, though this spot had become a place where they had thought of things, something that seemed they would be doing together a lot. As he heard the rustling bushes he expected to see Tobirama and his sharp eyes coming out from the bushes but didn't expect to see Akari.
What was the most unexpected was he crying on him. He smiled softly to himself, he was selfish, he had finally felt worth something as Akari finally exposed himself to him. She was always stoic with occasional happy moments, but this had been the first time he had to see her be weak, she was always strong all the time, especially when they were escaping. She had given herself up for them, for people she had known for less than a year.
She was like everyone else, she got hurt too.
So he gently runs his fingers through her hair quietly and wrapped his arms around her, feeling as she dug her fingers into his shirt. At the moment he looked along her hair, feeling the softness of it and the weightless feeling of it, his eyes followed the symbol on the back of her clothing. His eyes widened, Uchiha!?
SORRY FOR POSTING FOR A WHILE GUYS!
Just been through a lot of rough patches in my life, so I hope this can make your day!
Let me know what you think of this chapter?
AND DON'T WORRY I WILL BE UPDATING MORE .
I may or may not have decided more Kawarama x Akari moments so BEWARE!
Again just a reminder this book contains mature scenes that aren't for all so beware of what you read!