Flames Of Recollection
Chapter 8
While walking back to the village, Akiya and Kaliya talked about what had happened in the time they had been separated.
" So this special someone... Has someone won my sisters heart? " Kaliya giggled playfully as Akiya blushed intensely.
" W.. Well... Yes.. " Akiya stopped walking for a moment as Kaliya spoke again.
" So which village boy won your heart hmm? " Kaliya was smiling and had not realised that Akiya had stopped walking.
" Well.. Actually... A girl... " Akiya blushed even brighter as Kaliya stopped walking and turned around in shock before giggling happily.
" It's about time you started being yourself. It took you long enough. " Kaliya laughed lightly as Akiya sneered at her playfully.
" And what about you? You were learning something new before the night we parted. You never told me what it was either. " Akiya smiled as Kaliya spoke.
" Yeah. I was developing a Dojutsu. It resulted differently than i expected but i won't complain. " Kaliya turned to face Akiya as she spoke.
" What was the result? " Akiya looked curiously at her sister as she closed her eyes and reopened them. Akiya gasped at what she saw.
" T... That's... " Akiya couldn't finish her sentence but Kaliya spoke for her before turning around and continuing toward the Hidden Leaf village.
" Rinnegan. " Kaliya smiled as she turned. " And yes it can be gained by others. And yes i can teach you how but not today. I want to meet the girl who has your heart. Now get a move on slowpoke. "
Akiya smiled brightly before running to catch up with Kaliya. After about an hour, They walked happily through the gate of Hidden Leaf village. Before going to find Sakura, Akiya decided she was hungry so the two sisters walked to Ichiraku Ramen to get lunch.
As they sat down, Naruto and Hinata walked in and sat down. Hinata looked toward Akiya and spoke. " Who is that Akiya? "
" This is my sister Kaliya. Kaliya this is Hinata and Naruto. " Akiya smiled as Kaliya said hello to Hinata who looked surprised but said hello with a smile.
" So Kaliya as i was saying... This shop has the BEST ramen. Seriously i could eat all day and still be hungry when i have Ichiraku ramen. " Akiya smiled as Kaliya spoke playfully.
" Akiya you could eat all day no matter what your eating. " Kaliya and Hinata both giggled softly as Akiya sneered at them playfully.
After eating a bowl of ramen, Akiya and Kaliya walked towards the Hokage's building. As they approached, They saw Sakura and Kamura waiting. Kaliya ran forward and gave Kamura a hug.
" It is good to see you again Kaliya. " Kamura spoke softly before Kaliya replied.
" It is... OW! " Kaliya fell backwards after a walking stick hit her on the head.
" Idiot! Where have you been?! " Kamura looked mildly discontent as Kaliya rubbed her head tenderly.
" Grandma it isn't her... OW! " Akiya fell backyards and landed next to Kaliya before rubbing her head as well.
" And you made us wait longer than it should have taken to bring her back! What were you doing?! We were worried sick! " Kamura spoke forcefully before the two girls explained.
" Well we were hungry when we got back... " Kaliya spoke first before Akiya finished her sentence.
" So we stopped for ramen before coming to find you.." Akiya spoke for a moment before the thunk of a walking stick echoed twice.
" You two didn't think to ask us if we wanted lunch?! Pah.. The manners you two have. " Kamura spoke disappointingly as the two girls apologised in unison.
" We are sorry grandma! " Akiya and Kaliya spoke in perfect sync as they again rubbed their heads tenderly before Sakura spoke up softly.
" U..um.. Akiya.. " Sakura looked longingly at Akiya.
" Hm? Oh Sakura! You waited for me too? " Akiya had a bright smile on her face as she stood up and hugged Sakura lovingly. Sakura put her arms around Akiya as she blushed happily.
" Of course i waited for you. I would wait eternity for you if that's what it takes. " Sakura blushed and smiled brightly as she held Akiya lovingly. After a moment Sakura had the feeling of a steely gaze upon her as she realised that Kaliya was glaring at her.
" So your the one who won Akiya's heart? " Kaliya stepped forward menacingly as her eyes shifted into her Rinnegan. " If you ever break her heart i promise you that i will bestow upon you a fate worse than death. Am i understood? "
Kaliya's eyes were a soft violet with a small pupil and six rings revolving the pupil, Denoting the mystical Rinnegan, However, Sakura felt the heat of fire against her skin as if the flames of hell itself were upon her before she answered nervously.
" Y...yes.. I understand. " Sakura shook slightly as Akiya spun around.
" Kaliya don't pick on Sakura! She won't ever hurt me! " Akiya pouted annoyingly at Kaliya as she giggled.
" I know that! But i have to look out for my little sister all the same. It's what a big sister does. And there isn't a soul alive who can look out for you better than me. " Kaliya smiled confidentally as Akiya hugged her and nuzzled her neck gently.
" I've missed you Kaliya. " Akiya whispered softly as Kaliya smiled and hugged her gently.
" I've missed you to Akiya. " Kaliya smiled happily before stepping backwards.
" Now then. We should probably go and see the Hokage right? " Kaliya asked as Akiya took her hand gently.
" Yeah. She will want to talk to you. " Akiya started walking up the stairs to Hokage's room. Upon entering, Kaliya saw a tall woman with blonde hair sitting at a desk covered in papers.
" Ah.. Akiya. And.. Kaliya is it? Welcome to Hidden Leaf village. I am Tsunade. I am the Hokage here. " Tsunade spoke calmly as Kaliya bowed.
" I apologise for any trouble i may have caused. I hope i can... Make up for the pain i have caused my sister. " Kaliya sighed sadly as she spoke but stood straight again as Tsunade spoke.
" That is something only you can do. However i will assign you to the Shinobi team i am assigning Akiya to. Which is why i am glad you are here Akiya. I am sending you on a mission. Take this. " Tsunade held up a scroll as Akiya walked forward and took it before opening and reading it.
" This is an A rank mission... Don't Jonin handle A rank missions? I'm not even a Leaf Village Shinobi officially. " Akiya looked at Tsunade with confusion in her voice as Tsunade spoke.
" Normally. But the elders and i have agreed that if you are to stay here then you must become a Leaf Village Shinobi. If you are successful in this mission we can discuss how you can achieve Shinobi status. You will take Kaliya, Hinata Hyuga and Sakura Haruno. Dismissed. " Tsunade's chair turned around slowly as Akiya turned and left the room with Kaliya.
" Is it really a good idea to give them an A rank mission? Akiya and Kaliya are not Leaf Village Shinobi and both Sakura and Hinata are only Genin. " Shizune spoke nervously as Tsunade thought carefully.
" Perhaps. But it has purpose. Hinata and Sakura are both more than capable of becoming Chuunin. Kaliya and Akiya have no rank and this will determine what rank they should be placed into. " Tsunade spoke calmly before sipping her tea as Shizune had a worried look on her face.
Akiya and Kaliya were walking down the stairs of Tsunade's building as they read the scroll.
" We have been tasked with investigating rumours of a legendary weapon. The location of the weapon is marked but it doesn't specify what the weapon is. " Akiya spoke confusedly before Kaliya huffed sarcastically.
" Hmph. It could just be a kunai with a tag on it for all we know. How is this an A rank mission? " Kaliya sighed disappointingly as Akiya rolled up the scroll.
" We won't know until we find it. You go find Hinata and I'll find Sakura. " Akiya smiled as Kaliya spoke.
" Sure. You go find your girlfriend and I'll find the cutie with the white eyes. Give yourself the fun job Akiya. " Kaliya poked her tongue out playfully and ran off as Akiya pouted before smiling.
" She hasn't changed. " Akiya spoke softly before smiling and walking off to find Sakura.
After walking for several minutes, Akiya found Sakura in the training area practising with kunai.
" Sakura! We have a mission. " Akiya smiled as Sakura turned around.
" A mission? What kind of mission? " Sakura looked curiously at Akiya as she handed Sakura the scroll. " WHAT? An A-Rank mission? Why have we been given an A-Rank mission? "
" Rumours of a legendary weapon and becoming a Leaf Village Shinobi. "Akiya smiled as Sakura giggled.
" So that's the short version huh? Alright let's get going. " Sakura took Akiya's hand before walking toward the main gate of the village. As they arrived, Kaliya and Hinata were waiting for them.
" Kaliya said we have a mission. What is it? " Hinata spoke softly as usual before Akiya replied.
" There have been rumours of a legendary weapon. Our mission is to find and retrieve it. " Akiya smiled as everyone nodded and left the village. " The location is roughly two days travel north east from here. If we move swiftly. "
" Then try to keep up newbies. " Kaliya poked her tongue out before running in the direction Akiya specified.
Sakura, Hinata and Akiya all smiled before running to catch up with Kaliya. As they ran, Kaliya spoke to Sakura about Akiya.
" Tell me something Sakura. " Kaliya looked toward Sakura as she answered.
" What is it? " Sakura spoke softly.
" Akiya won't admit it if I'm right but... Does she... Does she hate me for what I did? " Kaliya's voice trembled as she spoke.
" No. When I asked her about it she cried when she told me about you. She has missed you more than she can say. She is hurting more because you two were apart for so long. " Sakura smiled as Kaliya lost herself in her thoughts as memories of the night she left filled her mind.
" What makes you any better than me?! What makes you more worthy than I am?! " Kaliya's eyes filled with rage and sadness as Akiya spoke.
" Kaliya this wasn't my decision. I don't think I am any better than you. I am done fighting you.. It doesn't have to be this way... Please sister.. " Akiya pleaded with her sister.
" LIAR! You wanted this! You wanted to be better than me! You don't deserve this! " Kaliya screamed in anger before running at Akiya and thrusting a kunai into her stomach.
" K.. Kaliya... Why.. " Akiya spoke softly as blood trickled down her waistline.
" Because I should be Matatabi's Jinchuriki. It isn't fair that I wasn't considered. " Kaliya looked into Akiya's eyes as they shifted into two different colours. " No.. This isn't right... You should be protecting ME Matatabi! What makes her better than I am?! "
" Nothing. You are equal. Akiya was chosen because my previous Jinchuriki felt that she was the right choice. That is all. You have harmed her and are a threat to her safety. You will leave. " Matatabi's voice rang through the village as blue flames began encircling Akiya.
" NO! You should be mine! I will not leave! " Kaliya spoke forcefully with hatred in her voice as Matatabi responded.
" As you wish. " Matatabi finished speaking as a wave of chakra blasted Kaliya away before blue flames erupted from Akiya and poured through the village like a flood. Buildings and villagers were completely engulfed in blue fire for a few minutes before the flames receded and Akiya vanished.
After a few weeks of aimless wandering, Kaliya stumbled into a cave and collapsed as a soft whisper escaped her lips before she passed out. " Why.. Why her... "
Kaliya snapped back to reality as she collided with something soft before falling backwards slowly as she realised that she had run into Hinata. " Hinata I'm so sorry! I.. "
" It's ok. I'm not hurt. Are you alright? " Hinata spoke softly before getting up and helping Kaliya to her feet.
Before Kaliya spoke, Her lip trembled as tears formed in her eyes before she sat down with her knees against her chest and her face hidden in her hands. " No. No I am not alright. I am haunted by what I did to Akiya. I can never forget it. It's like a nightmare I can't escape. " Kaliya gasped as she was pulled up from behind and embraced in a hug that made her pain melt away.
" It was never your fault. What happened is in the past and I forgive you. None of that matters now. I have you back and I won't ever let you be alone again. " Akiya's soft voice made Kaliya feel like there was finally a light in her dark world as she spoke with a voice that was so delicate that it might shatter with anything louder than a whisper.
" But.. Akiya I stabbed you.. I nearly killed you.. " Kaliya's voice shook like fragile glass as Akiya spoke.
" But you didn't. You could have but you didn't kill me. And then you came back to face me despite what you did. You are the bravest person I know big sister. Nothing that happened in the past matters now. We are together now. We can get through the pain together and we can be like we were when we were children. Together. " Akiya smiled softly as tears flowed down Kaliya's face as all her pain melted away and her walls of solitude and self resentment crumbled before her eyes.
" Akiya.. " Kaliya's voice was barely audible as she broke down in Akiya's arms.
" It's ok Kaliya. Your with me now. Your home now. I won't ever let you go again. I promise. " Akiya held her sister with all the love in her heart as Kaliya cried softly.
" Why... How... Your just so wonderful Akiya. No-one else would have forgiven me. But you.. " Kaliya's voice failed as Akiya kissed her cheek gently.
" But I forgive you because I love you. Nothing you can do will ever change how much I love you Kaliya. Nothing you ever do can change that we are sisters. Nothing you can ever do will disappoint me or make me hate you or not forgive you. Your not just my sister. Your my best friend. My partner. You are one half of who I am big sister. You always have been and you always will be. " Akiya held Kaliya lovingly as her tears slowly stopped falling and she breathed out heavily.
" How do take away all my pain so quickly... I have suffered every moment since I hurt you and all it takes for everything to feel ok is a hug from you... " Kaliya put her arms around Akiya gently before resting her head against Akiya's shoulder.
" Because I'm your sister. No one can take care of us better than we take care of each other. " Akiya stepped back slowly as Kaliya smiled slowly.
" I'm so happy you forgive me Akiya... I don't ever want to hurt you again. It was the worst feeling I have ever felt when I realised what I had done. It kept replaying in my mind every time I closed my eyes. Every time I looked at my hands I saw your blood on them. I couldn't bare it any longer... And then you came to see me. When I thought all hope of seeing you again was lost.. There you were... You ran so fast to find me.. " Kaliya smiled as she caressed Akiya's cheek gently.
" I couldn't bare the thought of not finding you before you left again. I couldn't let you slip away. I had to bring you home. I had to. " Akiya smiled as Kaliya hugged her one more time.
" I never want to let go. I want to hug you forever little sister. But we have a mission to complete and I have taken up too much time already. Let's go. We can talk more later. " Kaliya spoke happily as her heart finally felt whole again.
" We can talk and eat Ramen and train. You, Me and Sakura. The three of us together. " Akiya smiled as Kaliya nodded happily before they continued onwards for a few hours before night crept upon them.
Meanwhile
Iruka and Naruto sat in Ichiraku ramen as night fell. Naruto huffed impatiently as Iruka spoke.
" Stop your complaining Naruto. This mission was not for you. The four of them are a ninja team now. You need to accept that. " Iruka spoke gently but bluntly.
" That doesn't mean I have to like it Iruka. Hinata didn't even say goodbye before they left. She would have scolded me if I had done that. " Naruto crossed his arms disappointingly as Iruka sighed.
" Then talk to her when she returns. But you are not part of the mission they were given and the Hokage will tan your hide if you go after them. Be patient Naruto. " Iruka spoke before noticing Naruto inhale a bowl of ramen before ordering a second. " Slow down Naruto! You will make yourself sick! "
" Huh? " Naruto turned to face Iruka with a mouthful of ramen before turning back to the bowl and devouring the contents before ordering a third bowl.
" He never changes... " Iruka sighed softly before smiling and continuing to eat his ramen.
Truth, Pain, Memories.
Love is a powerful thing.
But will Akiya's love finally heal the rift between her and Kaliya?
Read on to find out!
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