A/N : This update was rather quick, if I do say so myself :) It is rather short compared to the others, but I wanted to end it where I ended it so yeah v.v Apologies! c:
I hope you enjoy! :D
!Warnings! - Dark themes! (Shoulda warned for the last chapter :L)
She threw everything onto the floor. Her tantrum was destructive, as she yelled and screamed and kicked and pulled all of her things to the ground. Trinkets shattered and she punched her remaining mirror. She seethed, snatching a jagged shard and staring at it intensely. Before she could experience that pain she knew so well, her door opened and she dove into her bed, hissing.
"Maiko."
The greenette looked at her visitor, her pitiful expression involuntary. The glass shard was hidden under her blankets.
"What do you want?!" She fumed.
She didn't really know why she was angry, but she just was. Maybe it was because she didn't feel well, with all those bruises on her body from that tiny brat. Maiko cursed under her breath.
"You need to have your injuries inspected."
The imp felt like protesting, but allowed her guest to remove her outerwear. Gentle, smooth fingers traced her bruises, pressing softly those that were an insalubrious greenish violet. Maiko growled when the hands reached her wrists.
"You should stop. It's not benefiting you."
"Is that all that matters?!" Maiko screeched.
Her guest disappeared and she suddenly realized that she was all alone. Maiko was always alone. Alone. Alone. Alone. Always.
Her pale, chapped lips quivered and she was suddenly very, very, very, very, very, very lonely. In moments, she was whimpering, forlorn and deserted.
-:-
Kotone felt like someone had just cut off her oxygen as she stared back blankly, with her mouth open slightly, at Hiromi whose face was sunken from the lack of nutrients and her usually bright eyes had dulled.
"This is the truth," the taller female spoke, her expression remote.
It was neither a statement, nor a question, but sat as an in-between.
"Yes. It's the truth."
Amaterasu sat, completely shocked. She leaned back, the hospital bed pillows gently embracing her. She seemed taken back. How could this happen? How could she let this happen? This was all her fault.
"Hanako-sensei… is dead."
The statement sent Hiromi into hysterics once more, and caused a lump to grow in Kotone's throat, like she needed to swallow the news and let it settle.
"She's dead," she repeated, as though trying to convince herself the elegant woman wasn't just hiding somewhere, prepared to jump out.
This seemed to anger the grieving blonde, who was suddenly sullen.
"Of course she's dead!" Hiromi bit out.
Her sadness sunk in, and Kotone felt something tight in her chest.
"I'm hurting." She whispered.
The petite, mournful, overwhelmed ninja looked up at her friend and stared before replying in a quiet tone, "Where?"
Very slowly, Amaterasu raised a hand to her chest, above her heart. She gripped the fabric tight and keeled over, groaning in pain. Her chest was so tight and it was twisting and twisting. Feelings hurt.
Hiromi felt like she should comfort the woman, but knew that they were both in need of comfort.
"Stop moving your arms," she said instead.
Kotone looked down at her bandaged forearms. The cuts Maiko had made down her limbs still stung dully, and moving them hurt very much, but according to Sakura, she could be healed.
When she looked up, Hiromi had slid out of the room and was shutting the door behind her. Somehow, she had changed. Somehow, she had turned into a depressed little girl. That's what she was, though. Just a fifteen year-old girl standing up strong for those around her, trying to take on the world. A little girl sent out on the battlefield, watching as her friends dropped dead around her. The life of a ninja was not an easy one.
Leaning back into her pillows, Amaterasu felt very weak. She had nearly just woken from the horrible nightmare of being sliced by Maiko, and was slapped in the face by the news of Hanako's death. She had no idea where Akio and Aiko were or what had happened between Maiko and Hiromi.
Feeling overwhelmed, the princess closed her eyes. Her white hospital room was somber and grim, and very slowly, she realized that Hanako had a family, too.
She had a little girl who wanted her to braid her silver hair, and one day would go on a date and would want to ask her mom about what to wear. Her daughter would want to sit up late at night and watch movies with her mother, and eat popcorn. She would want to go out and spill her heart to her mother.
She had a husband who wanted to lay in bed with her and just take in her beauty. He would want to kiss her and hug her and hold her hand while their daughter ran around. He would sit across from her and stare at her very happily.
Kotone felt her eyes sting, like she needed to blink, but she didn't want to close her eyes.
Kakashi and Haru would have to fill those holes in each other's hearts, but it was impossible. No husband could replace his wife, and no daughter could replace her mother. They would live on in mourning for eternity and there would always be a hole that could not be filled.
Her chest was hurting again and suddenly, Amaterasu realized that it wasn't her chest that was hearting; it was her heart. It was hurting because there was now a gaping hole in it.
Closing her eyes, Kotone felt very tired, but didn't want to fall asleep. She would forget for those moments when she was unconscious about Hanako. She would not be able to think about the dark-haired woman for every second, so she would not sleep. She wouldn't.
She couldn't.
-:-
"I can't do this."
Her voice wavered and she suddenly felt extremely small. Her hair was loose and frizzy and messy and she still had on the clothes from when they encountered Maiko, but she couldn't even think about the green-haired menace because she was so completely emotionally and physically exhausted.
Being volunteered to tell a family about their deceased loved one does that to a fragile soul.
"God, I can't.. I-.. I can't."
The door swung open and Hiromi nearly collapsed. She looked down and saw Haru, her expression excited.
"Mumm- Oh. It's you, Hiwomi."
Her smile dulled, but did not fade. There was a heavy feeling in Hiromi's stomach.
"H-hi, Haru. How are you?"
Why even ask? The little girl was about to be crushed.
"Gewd! I'm waiting for my mummy to come home!"
Whatever was holding Hiromi back from crying was very strong. The blonde took her time thinking up what to say, swallowing the lump in her throat, only for it to reappear.
"C-.. Haru.. I-.. I .. I'm sorry."
The silver-haired child looked up at her babysitter and had an expression of confusion. Hiromi had tears building in her eyes.
"I'm so, so, so sorry…"
Gloomy clouds built up overhead and the Sato girl thought it was extremely appropriate. The sting that held her back from crying was slowly breaking and she could feel herself crumbling before this toddler, who would live her life without the beautiful woman who had always knew just what to say, and when to say it.
Haru would grow up without being woken up by her mother, and being dropped off at the Academy, and exiting a few hours later only to be scooped up by her dark-haired mom. It wasn't fair.
"It's just so unfair," Hiromi crumbled, her knees shaking, prepared to buckle, "It's just so unfair…"
Haru stood perfectly still.
"Haru," the blonde suddenly said, her voice trembling and shaking, "your mommy… she isn't coming back."
It was harsh. It was very painful. Haru went from confused to sad. Her little grey eyebrows pulled together.
"Why isn't she coming back?" She asked quietly.
Hiromi shook visibly, "Because she's dead, Haru."
It was very harsh, but it was true, and only God knew what was running through Haru's mind as she realized that the woman who nourished her with love and affection had suddenly vanished from her life.
Not being able to stand any longer, Hiromi collapsed to her knees, grabbing at Haru and wrapping her up in a tight embrace. She buried her face in the girl's thin hair and sniveled. The toddler still held a shocked expression.
"I'm sorry that you don't have a mommy anymore; I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Hiromi blubbered.
She felt little arms try to return the embrace. Her heart broke and she cried out louder.
"It's okay," Haru said, her bottom lip quivering.
Hiromi released the little girl and looked at her as she quivered, on the verge of bawling. Before any comment could be made, Haru said something only a child could say, and only a child could understand.
"Maybe I'll have a mommy next time," the little girl said quietly, yet firmly.
The kunoichi who was already on the brink of depression fell in, wrapping Haru in a loving cradle, crying her eyes out as the toddler whimpered and shed tears as well.
It was no unfair that this innocent little creature was never really going to feel her mother's love when she feels ugly and awkward when she turns twelve. It was so unfair that Haru wasn't going to get to be embarrassed by her mom chasing away her first boyfriend. It just wasn't fair that she was going to miss out on what she deserved.
"Haru, who was at the door?"
Hiromi picked Haru up and let the child cry into her shoulder. Looking at Kakashi with swollen eyes, she tried to keep from sobbing at the sight of him. He looked a little tired, like any father would, but he looked like he was anticipating his wife's return. He recoiled at the sight of the two crying females.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
He knew the answer, but he didn't want it. The blonde maiden did not even try to avoid his penetrating gaze, staring forlornly back. Kakashi seemed to stumble backwards very slightly before standing very stiffly in the doorway.
At that point it began to rain, and somehow Hiromi knew that the droplets on the man's masked visage were not rain.
-:-
She didn't know how much time had passed when Sakura entered her hospital room. Kotone probably looked extremely sickly because the pink-haired chunin seemed shocked.
"Kotone?" She inquired, "How are your arms?"
"They sting, but besides that, there has been no apparent change."
The two females fell back into an appropriate silence as Sakura simply check her bandages, using some sort of green, healing chakra to mend the wounds.
"Where are the twins?" Amaterasu asked unexpectedly.
She had not seen Akio and Aiko for hours.
Sakura hesitated, "They're located on Level B of the hospital."
"May I see them?"
"I don't suggest it; they're recuperating, just like you need to be doing. Why don't you sleep a little?"
"I… can't."
"Would you like me to grab you some medication?"
"No. I simply want to ensure that the two of them are alright."
"Well, they've both received some major injuries; Akio has multiple bone fractures, including some broken ribs. He's being taken care of by Shizune as we speak."
"And Aiko?"
Sakura remained silent, preparing some sort of injection for a pain medication.
"What about Aiko?" Kotone said stiffly.
If the dark-skinned female was dead, she felt as though maybe her heart would tear itself apart.
"She's resting."
Amaterasu felt extremely relieved, not even flinching as she was injected with the needle.
"Tsunade will come by soon and explain all the details," Sakura began to leave, but turned and smiled sincerely and sympathetically at the insipid damsel, "I hope you recover quickly. I'm also so.. so.. sorry about your loss."
The sting returned to her heart as the snow-colored girl simply nodded in return, watching the door close before returning to stare at her injuries.
-:-
Hiromi strolled around town, her tear-stained cheeks drawing no one's attention. She felt extremely ill so she had decided after leaving Kakashi and Haru to mourn that she would take a walk and try and regain her sanity.
The only person who had kept her sane during her lonesome years without her teammates was gone, and that woman had been pregnant.
Her feet stopped moving and she stood stiff in the middle of the street, her face shocked and dispirited.
God, the baby. The baby. The unborn child that had been slaughtered. Kakashi's second child. God.
The sound of her shoes against the ground resounded throughout the area of the village she was in. When she reached a certain area, she threw up the food she had been given at the hospital. After that, she wretched again and dry-heaved until she felt completely empty. She wiped her mouth with a napkin she had salvaged, but ended up thinking about the baby again.
The petite lady threw up again, hurling whatever she had left. She felt enormously nauseous and her skin looked yellow.
"Whoa! Hiromi, are you okay?!"
That voice was easily recognizable. Hiromi spun around and saw Kiba atop of Akamaru, his trusty companion. Her big blue orbs filled to the brim with tears as he threw himself off of his horse-like dog and wrapped his friend up in an embrace. He must have heard the news and came searching for her.
His leather jacket smelled fantastically soothing and Hiromi clutched at it as though it was keeping her alive. She cried furiously into his shoulder, eased by the gentle strokes he made with his hands on her back. She had never before seen Kiba so compassionate and never had she felt so mollified by his touch. When her tears subsided, she still didn't release him, and he didn't stop petting her calmly, and for that, she was gratefully.
The dog-lover's fingers softly and tenderly comb through her messy mane, untangling knots and soothing Hiromi considerably. Though he was always full of energy and spunk, at that moment he was just what she needed, a pillar of strength and affection.
Finally, after a long time one of them spoke.
"She's dead," Hiromi mumbled.
The male responded delicately after a slow moment, "I know."
"And she was pregnant, too. God, I can't believe-" Hiromi was cut off as her throat constricted, a sign of incoming tears.
"It's okay," Kiba placated, "if you want to cry."
The words pierced through the armor of the ninja and struck the little, cowering girl inside. Hiromi began to sob again, and this time, she felt like she could've spilled out everything to this young man and not have any regrets.
"It's all my fault," she blubbered, "I should've stopped her."
"Don't even try to blame yourself," the brunette scolded, "nothing was your fault. Your enemy was strong, and you would've gotten yourself killed."
Hiromi loosened her grip on Kiba and looked up into his eyes, her own eyes red and swollen, "You know about..?"
The dog-lover raised a brow. The blonde girl returned to shoving her face in his jacket. He caressed her kindly.
"You can tell me," he reassured her.
"It was Maiko!" Hiromi spewed out, taking short and random breaths, "It was Maiko; she's alive and she killed her own sensei! God, Kiba, what can I do? Where am I useful? I barely did anything; I'm such a nuisance!"
In a very swift motion, Kiba held Hiromi away from him and looked piercingly into her eyes. She felt like she was a book he was reading and she squirmed underneath her skin.
"What did you tell me you were going to do?"
"W-what..?"
"'I'm never going to give up.'" Kiba quoted, suddenly smiling softly, "Sound familiar?"
Hiromi felt her face grow hot with shame. She did say that, didn't she.
"I.. I guess so," she said, frowning, "But it's different now! That was then and this is now."
"I don't think you said you were never going to give up unless bad stuff happened," a wolfish grin grew on the young man's face, "Or did I hear you incorrectly?"
Hiromi sniffled, wiping away some foreign tears. She felt extremely embarrassed now that her tantrum was over, but Kiba was right.
"You're right," she admitted, "I'm .. I'm sorry."
The shinobi with the messy brown hair grinned, "You don't have to apologize to me."
Hiromi's eyes met his and the intensity of their stare-down became palpable. She felt a strong urge to close hers, but she didn't, subtly and unconsciously scooting closer to the brunette with every passing second. Just as they seemingly could get no nearer, Akamaru let out a bark and the two moved away hurriedly.
They sat in an awkward silence until Hiromi spoke.
"Thank you." She breathed, her voice somewhat distant.
Kiba smiled, "You're welcome."
It was at that moment that Hiromi felt warmth in her entire body. It was something she hadn't felt for Neji or Sai or anyone else. It was like it was spreading from her heart to the rest of her body, making her wiggle her toes slightly.
It kind of felt like what she read about love.
-:-
It was no more than an hour later when Tsunade entered Kotone's hospital room. The ashen patient watched the buxom blonde stroll in, her reluctant assistant struggling at her side with a multitude of clipboards.
The Hokage picked up Amaterasu's arms very plainly, unaware of ignorant of her patient wincing subtly. She inspected every little aspect of the swordswoman's health before grabbing a clipboard from Shizune and scribbling something down.
When she was done, she sat in a chair beside Kotone's bed and crossed her legs and arms.
"So," she started, "your arms."
Seemingly ignoring the woman completely, Amaterasu stated, "Maiko is alive and mentally unstable."
"So it seems," Tsunade responded blandly.
Kotone stared back at the woman with equal intensity, "You lied."
"Shut up and listen to what I have to say!" Tsunade said, raising her voice.
Shizune flinched and the room became silent aside from the unnerving ticking of the clock on the wall.
"I'm listening," Kotone deadpanned.
Tsunade snatched back her clipboard from Shizune before continuing, "Your arms were pretty torn up, but you'll be healed in no time."
"And the Akivi?"
The blonde woman with pigtails threw the clipboard to her assistant before snatching two others, flipping through them impatiently.
"Akio is recovering nicely despite the fractures, and Aiko is also resting."
"Resting? How are her injuries?"
"Well, she received less bodily damage than Akio did, but received a major injury; the trauma was dealt heavily to her skull."
"How is she feeling? Is she well?"
Shizune piped in, her voice quiet and nervous, "W-well, umm, I, umm, that's what Tsunade-sama came here to speak with you about."
Kotone refocused her attention to the Hokage, who straightened herself in her seat, tugged on her sleeves, and rearranged herself to buy time.
When she was finally settled, she closed her eyes and sighed before meeting the damsel's eye.
"Aiko is in a coma."
End of Chapter 9
A/N: Thank you for reading! :) Feel free to leave good or bad feedback c:
Thanks to..
{Reviewers}
[Animefangirl95] - Thank you :)
Who do you think "she" is? :O
No, Hiromi's parents are chunin c: hehehe XD Mr. Sato is not secretly an ANBU. I promise ;)
She does v.v She's just never had the feeling of a family before.. So she's a little nervous :O
She was, wasn't she :c hehehe :D Good ole' Haru. WHAT THE HECK HOW DID YOU ALREADY PREDICT ADGHKDFAJLHG DARN
Well, apparently where Hidan was buried was in the forest owned by the Nara's, and I just kinda imagined it would be nearby their own home, too, like their backyard XD Very likely not accurate, but it was just my envisioning of stuff.
Maybe both? ;) I like the way you're thinking :D
Sha! :o
I'm afraid I can't say ._.;
Dragon thing? Her eyes? :O I like your theory! :)
Brainwashing by whom? :o Everyone's health/state is revealed in this chappie c: Yeah Hiromi is kinda wimping.. But i have good plans for her c; don't TYPING THE INJURIES FOR SHIKAMARU I CRINGED I WAS LIKE 'SORRY BRO GEEZ OUCH'. I apologize, but Hanako has died. Who knows v.v Yes, I'm afraid so. I'M SUCH AN EVIL AUTHOR I'M SORRY.
So you're saying, some sort of possessing is going on? v.v hmmmmhmmm. It is revealed in this chapter that the "girl" is Maiko. So you're saying that you think she's scared of the shadows, but more what's lurking IN the shadows? That's a very good idea c:
I apologize for the depression :I
But thanks anyway for reading! :) I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
[PsychoIdiotLady] - I apologize for the cliff hanger! I also apologize for Hanako's death v.v But don't worry; it's all a part of my master plan. I would think, considering you are correct, that the punishment for any kind of murder would be death, but I also take into consideration that since they're NINJA would they do something special or just do a public execution..? :O Cuz I've been thinking about that. I apologize for the cliffhanger, again v.v I actually updated somewhat decently XD
Thank you for reviewing :) I hope you enjoy reading this chapter!
[tsuki-shinigami] - I'M SO SORRY UGHH I'M SO EVIL I'M SORRY. Don't cry D: If YOU cry, I'M gunna cry andkhagkhadfkjgh. I was listening to really sad music while typing it up, too ;_; What do YOU think is going on with Maiko? ;) Yes, typing up their reactions to the death of their loved one was extremely hard, but I hope I portrayed it correctly v.v Here is your update c: I tried to go REALLY fast! But it is a little short.
Thank you for reviewing and reading! :D
[Yamiroo Alice] - You don't have to apologize for ANYTHING! :O You don't have to review at all; you should worry more about your health! v.v *goes off on a rant* anywayss Oh, hurray! :) It was like a congratulations gift for feeling better! :D I'm glad c: Yes v.v This chapter reveals their reactions - I hope you enjoy! :D
[PixieKat6] - Wow, thank you so very much! :D I apologize :c it wasn't a dream. MWUAHAHAH WELCOEME TO MY FLUFF LAYER I PUT SO MUCH FLUFF IN HERE I FEEL LIKE I'M SUFFOCATING BECAUSE I NEEDED TO MAKE UP FOR BEING ALL DEPRESSING ANYWAYS YA. Sha, I'll very likely just have an alternate ending so that whoever supports whichever can read what they'd like c: I will try to fix that :O But then again I am also very lazy XD
I hope you enjoy this chapter~! Thank you for reading and reviewing c:
[Dreamer010102] - Thank you! Here is the next chapter - enjoy! :)
[ShadowBloodNinja] - I wouldn't get off of a skii lift even if I was being chased by Satan. I can't STAND heights. NOT. MY. THING. Though I hope you feel better soon c: UGHH I WISH PEOPLE WOULD DO THAT TO ME CUZ I'D TOTES JUST TACKLE THEM CUZ I'M LIKE THE ONLY ONE NEARBY WHO LIKES ANIME AND ITS LIKE 'DANG IT'. Why'd you have to look calm and cool? :O AKATSUKI CLOUD SKDFHGKADHFGKLJAFDHG WAAT I WANT ONE. Aww c:
Welp, I've gotten addicted to Bully, and I wholeheartedly agree with your friend - I LOVE Petey. He's so sfcgkhadkfljghadflkgjh. Thank you for introducing me to it c:
Thank you for reviewing! :)
[xXFallen-Angel-Of-DarknessXx] - I'm sorry D: I hope you are not disappointed with this chapter! :O Thank you for reviewing!
(Favoritings)
{rawrrxixeatxyou} - Thank you so very much~! :)
{Gin Nanashi} - Thank you v.v
[Followers]
(rawrrxixeatxyou) - Thanks! :D
(xXFallen-Angel-Of-DarknessXx) - Thank you so much! :)
A/N: So, I forgot to mention this, but I beat Final Fantasy 13 a long while ago and cried. A lot. I'm about to cry right now but hearing the ending song because the music for Final Fantasy games are so beautiful and emotional that if you don't feel SOMETHING when you hear them, you are a robot. Obviously.
No, seriously. This music is amazing. Compliments to the chef.
Anyways, while I go die in a corner because I STILL have not responded to that PM that young lady or man sent me about the story they wanted me to write, you enjoy waiting on my sorry butt :)
Please look forward to Chapter 10!