A/N: Hello, everyone! :) Sorry for the delay - I've been feeling a little under the weather lately, but that won't stop me from updating! Actually, it inspired me to update since I have nothing else to do XD
Omg so umm yeah The Puppet and the Puppeteer made it into a community! See the end for more details :O
This chapter is a little awkward in my opinion, but I think it's just because of the last part v.v
2/20 - Edit - I fixed up the final part a little bit. Still not all the way satisfied, but I think it's better :o
Anyways, enjoy yourself! :)
I do not own anything!
~:~
Little do men perceive what solitude is, and how far it extendeth.
For a crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures,
and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love.
- Francis Bacon
~:~
Her closet was an enigma, seemingly filled to capacity, yet utterly empty. As she rifled through it at a quick pace, Maiko could barely find anything suitable. Her pale, bony fingers grabbed at fabric and she yanked out another shirt, immodestly torn in several places. Groaning, she threw it back inside the black hole that was her closet, and began to search once more.
Ailing sounds escaped her throat and she doubled over, rasping. Her throat felt raw from all of her wheezing, but there wasn't much she could do; he was gone.
Sighing, Maiko finally simply decided to wear the tattered shirt, letting her mesh undershirt show. Looking in the mirror, she hated what she saw.
Her tall body was unattractive when combined with her boniness from lack of nutrition, but that was her own decision. She was long-legged and gangly. Her semi-long green locks were strewn everywhere, some pieces ending abruptly and jutting out from her head while others were soft and rested on her shoulders.
A guest made himself known and Maiko spun around anxiously, her black eyes wide. Her guest had cloth in his arms and she eyed it suspiciously.
"What do you want?" Maiko asked.
"This is for you," he replied, holding out the dark fabric, "since your beloved friends died, you must wear it."
The visitor said 'friends' like her loved ones had never truly liked her, or vice versa, but Maiko didn't note it and slowly took the drapery, holding it up in front of her. The designs caused her to look up at her guest with unreadable eyes, but he was already out the door.
The cloth then became extremely precious as she held it closely to her body, embracing it tightly. Suddenly, as if realizing it was wearable, Maiko stuffed her arms through it and buttoned it up correctly.
Turning back towards her mirror, her insane smile faded. Her body was swallowed by the fabric and pulling the collar up higher, she took in the smell. It smelled so much like…
Tears sprang to her eyes and Maiko scurried to her door, sending a glance to her dark haven once before stumbling out into the dimly light hallways made of solid rock. Her door swung closed behind her and she suddenly felt like she had just escaped from the wilderness. Sure, she had bathed regularly, (very short sessions in the bath for she found her naked form gruesome) but the hallways was a step closer to outside.
Her battle the other day didn't quite give her the same feeling of satisfaction of just existing outside these walls. She had bruises and cuts from the encounter, but she hadn't been seriously injured. Maiko still needed to exact her revenge on those idiots, as well… She was envisaging more murders in the future…
Laughing loudly and cruelly, Maiko doubled over in her fit of insanity. That was right! She was going to kill those little ninja and get revenge for herself and her friends!
She would start by torturing all of her prey, painfully and slowly. She wouldn't let them die of course, but she would show absolutely no sympathy at all, cutting into them with her swords and biting them… Oh yes, she would sink her sharp teeth into their arms, necks and wherever else!
Maiko grinned insanely. That's right. Her revenge needed to be brought out by none other than herself.
Clutching her cloak, she felt her eyes stinging.
Senpai…
-:-
Haru was growing up, slowly, but surely. She stilled dressed strangely, for Kakashi did not disapprove of anything colorful she wore unless it was somehow immodest. Unfortunately, though, she was morphing into a lonely child. The only people she really spoke to were older than her, like Hiromi, Sakura and Naruto. Whenever surrounded by children of her own age, she was awkward and silent.
Kakashi was off on a mission, so Hiromi had decided to babysit. She sat off to the side, reading a small book with the background noise of laughing children at the playground. The slide was one of the main events, while some other kids were happily playing tag.
Looking up as she started a new chapter, Hiromi realized that she did not see Haru in line to slide down the slide. Beginning to stand, the blonde girl worriedly scanned the play-set until her blue eyes fell upon the lone Hatake swinging on a swing, her silver hair barely swaying at the speed she was at.
Placing her book back into her bag, Hiromi strolled to the swing beside Haru and placed herself in it, satisfied with the sound of rusty bolts and chains. The chunin swung slowly, being sure to watch Haru out of the corner of her eye. When there was no reaction from the child, Hiromi sighed.
"What's wrong, Haru? Don't you want to play with the other kids? Sure, they're a little bit older, but I'm sure you'll have fun."
The tot looked up at her 'sister' with a sad expression, replying softly, "I don't want to."
"Why not? If you want, I'll play with you."
Haru piqued up slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips, "Weawwy?"
"Sure!"
The little girl leapt out of her swing, her frog backpack (she wore it very often nowadays) bouncing slightly as she landed, nearly falling.
"So, what do you want to play?" asked Hiromi, who simply stepped out of her perch on the swing, being a little shorter than she predicted and landing awkwardly.
"Ummmm, I don't know!" Haru shrugged.
"How about… tag?" offered Hiromi.
"Oh, okay! You'we it!"
The small child scurried away, the trinkets in her bag making a ruckus as her little feet (clad in mismatched tennis shoes) padded against the woodchips. Hiromi chuckled to herself and she tightened her bag on her shoulders and slowly followed to girl's path, keeping a slow yet steady pace so that she could keep her eye on Haru while not quite catching her.
Haru peeked behind her, giggling at the sight of her babysitter chasing her (in her mind this was the most intense battle of cat and mouse) before continuing to scamper along, running in a way that only little children could.
A few seconds later, the Hatake looked behind herself once again.
"Come catch me, Hiwom-oof!"
The little girl fell to her rump, her expression blank from confusion and shock. Hiromi rushed to her aid, scooping the child up in her arms and brushing off the woodchips from her bottom.
The petite chunin was checking Haru's nonexistent injuries when she heard a choice say strongly, "Miss Hiromi Sato."
Hiromi peeked up at the ANBU officer that stood stiffly beside her. Haru must've run into him, she realized.
"Yes? Is something wrong?"
Silently, the blonde prayed no one had died.
"The Hokage requests your audience immediately."
"Oh," Hiromi sighed in relief, "o-okay. But I, uhh…"
Her blue eyes fell upon the toddler in her arms. Haru was sucking at her thumb childishly, her matching sapphire orbs staring owlishly at the ANBU officer.
"Is it extremely urgent? Kakashi is out right now and I don't think the Hokage would want her to be there…" Hiromi trailed off, looking at the stealth master curiously.
"Just bring her with you." He responded blandly.
-:-
The Hokage was sitting patiently at her desk when Hiromi arrived with Haru attached to her back like a baby animal. The ANBU officer disappeared when they entered the office and Haru seemed a bit put off with his vanishing; she had found his mask to be extremely entertaining to stare at.
"Ah," Tsunade looked up from her paperwork, "you're here."
Noticing Haru, she added, "And you brought her along."
It was neither a complaint nor a praise, but a simple statement.
"Uhh, yeah," Hiromi scratched the back of her head nervously, letting Haru slide down her back and sit on the ground at her feet, "Kakashi is out on a mission so I decided to babysit."
The women watched the toddler crawl about, finding it fun to stand and hang off of Hiromi's leg. Even Tsunade had a motherly feeling as her honey eyes softened, observing Haru entertain herself.
"So," Hiromi finally said, "why am I here?"
The elder blonde intertwined her fingers in front of her with a sudden seriousness, "It's about Maiko. I can't answer all of your questions, but… I'd like to do what I can."
"Then why don't you start by telling the truth?"
"Tsunade-sama has her reasons for keeping things secret!" Shizune intervened sternly, "you shouldn't just be considering yourself here."
"I'm sorry," the younger damsel sighed, "It's just… I need to know. She's my teammate."
The Hokage closed her eyes as she responded, "Ask me some of your questions, then. I can't promise anything, but this is why I brought you here; so I can try and help you understand."
"Well, where is she? Do you know?"
With an unreadable expression, Tsunade replied, "No. Unfortunately, I don't."
Hiromi's eyes casted down, "I-… okay. Do you know why she's… the way she is now?"
Haru wrapped her little arms around her babysitter's legs and buried her face in the fabric of her skirt sleepily. Hiromi noted the action and picked the tot up, cradling her against her shoulder. Shizune and Tsunade watched with motherly expressions before Shizune stepped forward.
"I'll take her," she offered with a small smile, "if you'd like."
"Thank you; that would be great." Hiromi handed off the sleepy child, who reached out with her hands for someone to hold her until she met Shizune's embrace and sucked on her thumb contently.
When the woman left the room, Tsunade and Hiromi stared at one another intently.
"What was she like when you saw her?" asked the Hokage.
"Not at all like herself." Hiromi responded honestly, "She was completely unstable and erratic."
"What did she look like?"
The petite chunin took a moment to think, putting a hand on her chin as she thoughtfully considered the question.
"Well, she was extremely thin. That could be a sign of malnutrition or an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. Her hair was choppy and cut in a lot of places, but still the same color. And… her eyes were completely black."
"What?!" Tsunade leaned forward, surprised.
Hiromi nodded, continuing, "They were just utterly black. There was no pupil, sclera or iris."
Tsunade did not respond and so the smaller female asked, "Do… you know anything about it?"
"I…" The Hokage closed her eyes, "I can't tell you anything."
Hiromi frowned at the ground. Of course she knew she couldn't get all the answers but she almost expected them. It was selfish of her not to consider the Hokage's position on the matter. Kotone would know how to get Tsunade to talk…
"Am I allowed to search for her now, then?" Hiromi asked hopefully.
Tsunade frowned, a glare forming, "Do you even understand what danger you would be putting yourself and your squad in by going out there and looking for her?"
"But-!"
"You would jeopardize others' lives just to find her and possibly be killed by her? That's all you would accomplish by going out and searching."
"If I find her, though, maybe I could… talk to her."
"You, of all people, should understand that she's never going to listen. She's violent, insane and unpredictable! She killed Hanako, for God's sake!"
Tears sprang to Hiromi's eyes, "Please! Please let me search for her!"
"She is wanted for murder and you want to go find her?! I'm nearly prepared to give permission to other countries to hunt her down!"
"No!"
"I'm sorry, Hiromi, but… she's on a rampage."
"P-please no... W-what… What about Sasuke?!" Hiromi blurted out.
Tsunade frowned, "That's a completely different situation!"
"No it's not! Please, just let me find her and talk her into it!"
"Sasuke may be a missing nin and with Orochimaru, but he hasn't murdered one of our own out of malice!"
"Just please don't take her away!" Hiromi sank to her knees, wiping away her hot tears with her hands hurriedly, "I-… She's my family! You don't understand! She… she's my sister! And … I … please!"
"I'm truly sorry, Hiromi," the Hokage sighed, "but there's no way I can just let her roam around as she is right now."
"Then let me be the one."
"What?"
Hiromi's tears had subsided, the only evidence of their previous appearance being her tear-stained cheeks.
"Let me the one," she said determinedly, "to execute Maiko."
The two fell into silence. No words were exchanged between the two as Hiromi's request sunk in. The door swung open as the intensity of the muteness had reached its peak and Shizune entered with Haru in her arms and a letter in her hand.
"Pardon my intrusion, but a message has arrived for you, Hiromi!"
The feeling of clean paper met the blonde's fingertips as she held the document in her hands. Glancing up at Tsunade, she turned it over and ran a finger over the straight letters that spelt out her name simply.
Carefully peeling it open, a folded sheet of paper slipped out and Hiromi unraveled it.
'Hiromi, I apologize for leaving with such short notice. I understand that at this time, I would be needed most by you, and for that, I am sorry.'
The blonde looked up curiously at Shizune, who watched her with a silent smile. It was from…
'I understand that you will be contacted by the Hokage during my absence to address the issue of Maiko's reappearance. I doubt she will allow the continued search and research of our missing teammate.'
Kotone!
'While I am away, I had a single request for you. Do not give in to the hopelessness. The Hokage will put down every offer you make; that I can guarantee. No answers will be given until I return, unfortunately, but you can continue to do your own investigation.'
But how could she? Hiromi had not seen Shikamaru since she admitted him to the hospital for the injury dealt to his hands.
'I understand that others may have given up hope, but I know that you are a beacon of optimism and faith in others. Investigating Maiko will be dangerous, but I trust your abilities.'
The blonde tried not to cry. Oh, how she missed Kotone!
'When I will return, I do not know. I calculate that my homecoming will occur in an estimated amount of a week. I leave today, so this letter will be my farewell. I ask that you watch over Haru; protect her for she is our sensei's legacy, just as we are. Also, stay safe. While I do trust your abilities, I do not wish for you to dive recklessly into rash decisions without consideration.'
Unraveling the final part of the letter, Hiromi attempted to dab away her waterworks.
'I care about you, Hiromi. Do not get hurt. Take care of yourself, and though I feel that this may be imposing, I ask that you check on my family while I am away. Thank you.
Signed, Kotone.'
Hiromi slowly refolded the letter, her expression indecipherable. 'I care about you.' The words repeated themselves in her mind as she stared at the letter in her hands.
A few years ago, Kotone would've killed Hiromi without a second thought. It was entirely mindboggling that this same woman cares about her. The insipid ninja's transformation from an emotionless doll to a caring, kind yet stoic person was being brought out nicely.
In the back of her mind, Hiromi worried about her friend, remembering her damaged limbs, but she knew that Kotone was fully capable of protecting herself.
"What did it say?" Shizune inquired curiously.
The blonde lied smoothly, with a kind smile, "She wanted me to know that she was leaving and that she cares about me."
"Oh, really?" Tsunade asked, suspicion swathing her tone, "That's all?"
"Yeah! Oh, and she wants me to protect Haru." Hiromi responded, pretending to look over the message once more.
The Hokage did not seem satisfied with the answer, but said nothing else about it. The small meeting was dismissed and Haru latched back onto Hiromi as the two made their way down the darkening streets of Konoha.
Lanterns were beginning to be lit and the calm, quiet atmosphere of the night was beginning to settle in. Haru had finally awoken (the girl's sleep schedule was extremely twisted) and joyfully pointed out certain stores that she enjoyed.
Upon returning to the Hatake household, Kakashi was found nearly knocked out on the couch, his mask slipping off his face and his clothes from his mission still on. Respectfully, Hiromi did not dare peek at his face, but put Haru to bed before waking the father in a gentle manner.
"Ah, Hiromi," he addressed her tiredly, "thank you for taking care of Haru-chan. I can't thank you enough."
"It's not a problem at all."
Taking a sudden serious turn, Kakashi's dark eyes stared deeply in Hiromi's, "So, tell me. What are you going to do?"
The blonde responded quickly, "There's not much I can accomplish while Kotone is away, but I can perform my own investigation with Shikamaru, if he's willing."
"Where has Kotone gone?"
"She's retrieving a book from her homeland."
"Why? Didn't she realize the situation?" Kakashi questioned with a frown.
"It's important to her." The chunin replied, "She's doing it for her family."
The silver-haired man leaned back on his sofa, "So that's it, then."
Hiromi hesitated before stating softly, "I'm sorry about what happened to Hanako-sensei, but I'm not going to try and get revenge."
"No, no, that's good." Kakashi insisted, "But is this really what you want? Pursuing Maiko just like Naruto pursues Sasuke?"
"It's different," Hiromi blurted, wincing inwardly when she realized she had repeated the Hokage's words.
"No, it's not," the Hatake continued, "I know what the outcome of this little chase is going to be; death. Either you or Maiko or even Kotone is going to die from this."
"I'll find a way!" The petite Sato maintained, "I swear it!"
"Hiromi," Kakashi affirmed grimly, "You can't save everyone."
"But I can try!"
There was no response as the elder jounin ran a hand through his mane of silver locks. He pitied her.
"I can try…" Hiromi mumbled, suddenly looking up at Kakashi hopefully, "Right?"
The man hid his expression as he answered, "Just be careful."
'While I do trust your abilities, I do not wish for you to dive recklessly into rash decisions without consideration.' Hiromi sighed. Kotone and Kakashi were both correct. She was being reckless. Thanking the man for his hospitality, the blonde left, her shoulders slumping for the burden she bore.
-:-
Never before had the winds of desert been so ruthless. Kotone's body stood as a twig in its path and was nearly blown over by the powerful gales that were out of her control. Grains of sand mixed with the mighty blows and white eyes were red from the sandy invasions.
Amaterasu had nearly been traveling for a many hours (she could not count them on both hands), possibly days, not once stopping for a break. She was constantly thinking of how the book might've been destroyed in the tempest, and held the paper with the title in her pale hands tightly.
At first, she had considered just getting her visit to the Sunagakure over with, but she was not in the mood to socialize in any way shape, or form. Her throat was raw from inhaling unwanted grains and her stomach was lurching at the lack of food.
The appearance of the Nishi no Sabaku was a relief, but not only did the aged castle in the distance bring joy, but the sight of the bright blue river that separated the mainland from the rest of the world caused rapture. Kotone knelt down to lean over its surface, seeing her clear reflection stare back. She looked appalling.
Heaving, trying to relieve her sore throat, Kotone was the visual definition of awful. Her white cloak was barely hanging onto her body, her clutching fingers having to protect her from the extreme harshness of the sun and the wind. After scooping up some water for her aching throat and her stinging face, she stood.
Amaterasu did not falter, directing chakra down to the soles of her feet. Stepping out onto the water with confidence, her geta met the surface of the water and she began to stride across the surface hurriedly.
The river was not nearly as wide as it was long, and before long, Kotone's feet met solid ground once again, and she strolled leisurely to the gates of her kingdom. The condition of the Nishi no Sabaku had not improved in the least, but it was quite relieving to see the majority of the walls still standing.
Tenderly, Amaterasu's ashen fingers ran along the surfaces of the gates to her palace. Using both hands, she pushed them open, and closed them behind herself, hoping that no more sand could intrude. The throne room welcomed her politely, as though it recognized she was once the child that sat herself upon the smallest throne in the chamber.
With long legs, Kotone strode to the thrones. Their majestic golden hues had been lost over time, leaving a hideous tan in exchange, and their cushions had been torn to shreds and stained beyond their original royal purple.
Respectfully, the former princess knelt, resting a hand over her heart. She felt a nostalgic pull in her innards, her body knowing this was her homeland; this was where she grew up. Her childhood was nothing to brag about, but she felt extremely attached to the Nishi no Sabaku.
In a tremendously abrupt second, shivers of caution ran up Kotone's spine. Carefully, she stood, her eyes turning to suspicious slits. There was someone or something following her. Battling did not seem suggested, considering the conditions of her arms (that were tucked away safely in the slings), but it seemed as though the presence of a powerful being was looming closer.
"Show yourself."
Kotone's voice rang out through the crumbling chamber with confidence, coolness, and determination. Pulling an arm out of its sling, she reached slowly for her sword.
Before any other movement could be made, she felt the cold steel of another katana pressing into her back. Her gaze hardened, knowing immediately who it was behind her, challenging her to a duel. Wisely, she kept her gaze forward, letting her wrapped arm hit her side as she decided not to draw her own weapon.
The princess and her opponent stood in an intense silence, each analyzing one another menacingly.
"Kotone… you look the same as you did back then."
Amaterasu let the statement sit in the lonesome muteness. She did not grace the declaration with a response as she drew her katana with haste and twisted to meet her opponent's blade.
Her snowy eyes followed the blade to her challenger's body, meeting the remote pupils of another, filled with taciturnity and abhorrence.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
The fact that the criminal was intruding her birthplace made her somewhat angry. The invasion of another soul who had no business in the Nishi no Sabaku was disrespectful.
"What are you doing here?" Kotone asked coldly.
Dark eyes followed her blade to her arm and rested there, studying her bandages. Feeling somewhat exposed beneath his hard gaze, the princess spun her sword and sliced at the meddler, creating space between the two of them.
"I'm on a mission from Orochimaru." Sasuke responded, aloofly, "I could've asked you the same thing."
The gates suddenly blew open, the angry gales wrapping themselves around Kotone, her eyes glaring at the ex-Leaf nin.
"This is my homeland; what business does he have here?"
There wasn't any point in lying to Sasuke. He was obviously there for a reason relating to the fact that she was born here, unless there was some secret about the Nishi no Sabaku, which she highly doubted.
"Research." Was the blunt response.
Of course; Orochimaru was after the research her previous master had performed, successfully making himself immortal. Such a power should not have ever fallen into Akuhei's hands.
"You won't find what you want here," Kotone said honestly, still holding her katana out in front of her defensively, "I suggest you leave."
The Uchiha narrowed his dark eyes and lowered his sword an inch. Noting the sign, Amaterasu sheathed her own weapon, wincing when a blast of pain suddenly traveled up her right arm. Looking down at her wounds, she let out a small sound of relief when she noted that there was no blood.
She didn't bother to check if the criminal was following her as she exited the throne room and made her way to the courtyard. His presence loomed over her as she checked the flooded area, picking up every book she could. Nearly all of them disintegrated in her hands, so Kotone began to increase her gentleness.
When she reached a fallen piece of the palace walls that jutted out from the lake that was once the courtyard, she peered down at the cover of a tome that was lying down carefully on the stone. At first, she believed it to be a trap; most of the books she had found so far were haphazardly strewn across the waters, but she softly brushed away the dust on its cover anyways and read its foreign title.
Taking a moment to translate the words in her mind, she reached down and picked up the hardback.
'The Princess's Guardian Angels.'
Gently, Kotone opened her bag and wrapped the book carefully with cloth to protect it. She was actually a bit surprised by its good condition and its easy location, but did not question it; the sooner she got the hardcover, the sooner she could return to Konoha.
Before enclosing the entire cover, Kotone squinted to read the author's name. It was, once again, in the language of the Nishi no Sabaku, so she took a moment to translate.
'Mari.'
Covering the volume completely, Amaterasu took a moment to think about the twins' mother. Her name meant obstinacy and rebelliousness, which seemed highly appropriate, considering she was able to produce a book, likely illegally published.
Leaping up to the balcony, Kotone's geta made a pleasant sound as she made her way towards the royal official's hallway. Her old room was in this area, along with her parents'.
The largeness of her room was underestimated. It was ginormous, with its own small balcony overlooking the river. The view was gorgeous, along with lavender curtains that Kotone pulled aside. She tested the strength of the balcony before stepping out completely, letting the now-gentle winds caress her skin and delicately twist her hair.
Orange mixed with blue, pink and other exotic colors began to pour themselves from the sky; Kotone guessed it was nearing the evening. Deciding to take one last detour before resting, the former princess slowly strode into her parents' room.
Enormous did not even begin to explain the size of the bed, or the room in itself. It had its own balcony as well, with matching lavender curtains, but it was much more considerable than Amaterasu's.
Unexpectedly, the shining glint of gold caught Kotone's eye and she found herself in front of a large rocking chair. A tattered sheet was draped over it, and she removed it carefully. When the contents of the chair were revealed, Kotone knelt in front of them.
Lady Arisu was as talented as she was beautiful. Her soft hands could create all sorts of patterns, but what Amaterasu remembered loving most was her musical abilities. While her voice was as delicate and charming as a bell, there was a single instrument that she would play to put her daughter to sleep and it lay before said teen temptingly.
The golden shine of her mother's lyre caused Kotone to reach out and stroke it with a single finger. How it managed its excellent condition was beyond the princess's understanding, but she was grateful it survived.
Prudently, the girl with the snow-colored hair experimentally strummed the strings of the lyre. An exquisite group of sounds followed her action and she couldn't help and take the instrument up in her arms. Though she knew not how to play it, she strummed away at it, pleased by its superb music.
No one would've been able to tell the tool was not tuned, for the beauty of its noises overpowered its lack of correct pitching. It made one's senses blur, as though overcome with sleepiness, and Kotone did not resist its effects as she let herself lay on her parents' bed, unfazed by its scratchy texture, clutching her mother's last gift, suddenly sound asleep.
-:-
When white eyes fluttered open, she noticed the unexpected lack of light. She sat up, taking the lyre with her subconsciously. Kotone leisurely made her way to the balcony, walking straight through the light, lavender fabric. Leaning against the stone railing, Amaterasu watched the instrument in her arms as the bright stars created sparkles on its golden skin.
Tweaking the pitch, though she had no knowledge of how to correctly do so, Kotone began to play it. The abrupt urge to play the lyre was foreign to her, but the connection of the music to her mother caused her to obsess over its notes. Her tuning did not prove useless, as the noises sounded beautifully majestic.
Amaterasu picked up a tune, its notes so much more familiar than any other. Realizing the memory, she stopped strumming the instrument. The melody was the lullaby Lady Arisu used to play for her daughter. The bond the two had once shared caused painful tugs in her heart; this was her only way of mourning for her mother.
Deliberately, Kotone began to pluck the strings of the golden lyre once again, playing the harmony with clear effort, as she tried to recall the notes her mother was once so familiar with.
Picking up the song again, Amaterasu began to hum. Never before had she made such a noise, but her voice harmonized effortlessly with the tune. It needed no altering, and as she plucked the last note, nostalgia caused her eyes to glaze over.
"That sounds awful."
Not even bothering to turn around, Kotone nodded slightly in response. The Uchiha was perched upon her balcony to her left. She guessed that in her mind, the notes had taken a more beautiful approach due to the connection it shared with her kind mother. In the back of her mind, she wondered if he had been listening to entire time.
She held the lyre out in front of her, seemingly contemplating getting rid of it completely. The sudden obsession over it was surely uncharacteristic and unhealthy; she had a new home and she didn't need to be reminded of it for forever.
"Keep playing."
Amaterasu turned her head to stare blankly at the haughty Uchiha. During the entirety of her life as a puppet, she would obey every order given to her, be it from her master, or from a stranger.
The thought of performing other peoples' will did not suit Kotone any longer, but she decided to make a single exception.
Turning to face Sasuke and closing her eyes, the insipid damsel began to thrum the strings of her mother's instrument. The sound of its notes echoed slightly, in an elegant way, and Amaterasu's lullaby drifted in and out.
The criminal stepped down from his perch and stood closely to his prey. He loathed her; that's what he always thought ever since they were children. But the sound of her pale fingers strumming away at the harp-like instrument relaxed him and caused him to lower his guard. Usually, this would alarm him substantially, but for some reason he felt as though he could sit there and watch the princess play without being ambushed.
The two found themselves close to one another, Sasuke attracted (no, more like enchanted or beckoned) by Kotone's serene expression, while said princess lost herself in the strumming of the lyre.
And they enjoyed the peace.
Together.
~:~
Did you ever fall for someone you know you shouldn't?
Try hard to fight your feelings, but you just couldn't?
You fall deeper with each passing day,
But try to hide it in every possible way.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
~:~
A/N: Ughhh D: awkwaardd
Someone tell me if it sucked or not XD I'm uber nervousssss i'm gunna get a flame telling me i suck D:
Anyways, I still haven't responded to that chic and the guilt is finally turning into 'i'm not even sorry' but secretly, I am still sorry XD
Who enjoyed valentines' day? :) Not me! I got some little packages from those people who just hand them out to everyone cuz they pretend to care, but that doesn't quite count XD So I stayed at home and ate a lot of food v.v Obviously, I need to go on a diet or something.
Thanks to...
Reviewers
Yamiroo Alice - Aw, it's okay to have feels sometimes v.v I felt really touched as well when I was typing it up XD I was like 'omg you go kotone you go gurl' There'll definitely be some more bonding when she returns with the book :) Aww, thank you very much :D Thank you for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate it~!
ShadowBloodNinja - It's okay XD You don't have to. OMG IB?! I think I'm in love with you. I absolutely ADORE Ib :P It was a very emotional, yet well-played horror game v.v I thought the multiple endings were AWESOMMEEE! :D Obito/OC.. Sounds impressive! :)
I remember valentines at my school v.v You'd have to pay a dollar for a little heart message thingy. I didn't get more than two, and they were usually from my brother and my mother. It was really embarrassing ._. HEY. If I ever visited your school, I would send you one :)
Ah, you're so lucky :) It never snows over here v.v Oh! :O Happy birthday! Don't worry; my family did that for my birthday v.v All of my gifts were heartless XD But I liked them cuz I can buy videogames with the giftcards I got! :D Awwww, that's soo sweet c: I never had any people around my age who liked anime; you're really lucky to have such a friend! Oh :o be careful! I am also very tall :C it's very embarrassing to have to look down on everyone -_- Amnesia dkfljgadfgja;lkfgj scares me more than you can imagine XD
Thanks for reading and reviewing~! :)
PsychoIdiotLady - You're right v.v It'd probably be very private :O i wonder where? Yeah, seppuku is 'stomach-cutting' :c kinda gross, but it was a Japanese ritual suicide. Maiko was the irate person :) She is identified and spoken to in the first paragraph; sorry if that was unclear! Hehehe c: that's sweet! Is she still your favorite now that she's all crazy?
Thanks for reviewing! :D I really appreciate it a lot!
xXFallen-Angel-Of-DarknessXx - Thank you! :) Yeah, it's a very big game! That's why I enjoyed it so much v.v There was no rush and everything flowed- it's a beautiful game :D Yeah X) I had never played a game with three discs before! It made me soo excited XD Yeah, it was extremely sad :( I hated that moment, but it really develops Hope's character; I am in love with him, to be honest ;D But yeah, that scene was beautifully depressing v.v Yesss c: The animations are AMAAAZZZING. I could go on forever about that game XD
Anyways, thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
iSayumix3 - It's okay v.v It's not really a secret at all - The pairings are in the summary; Kiba x Hiromi, Gaara x Kotone x Sasuke, Shikamaru x Maiko, Kakashi x Hanako, Slight Sai x Hiromi, and the last one with Deidara is a secret ;0
Thanks for the review! :D If you're ever confused about anything else, feel free to ask!
Animefangirl95 - ;) idk. Do you think she enjoys it there? Does it seem like they are punishing her, or is she punishing herself? Also, where do you think she is? ;0
Heheheheh c: I tried to make it really sweet. I was actually thinking about it v.v Idk if I really want to give her back her colors, but would it be good?
He IS such a sweetheart XD I wish there were some gentlemen out there just like him! I usually like to keep things like that a secret, but I'll tell you; it's not XD Just every fairytale book needs a dragon ;D I'm sorryyyyy! Some things are just necessary v.v Who knows what will happen to him?
:O I designed her style after myself when I was younger; I dressed very strangely XD There might be some toy frogs at a store called ummm Niko Niko v.v I love that store more than any other :o It sells anime merchandise and it's awesome; my inspiration for the froggy backpack was actually a bear (Tamaki's bear from Ouran Highschool Host Club) backpack that I really wanted :) I suggest you go there if there's one near you! :D
Maybe she's doing so for the benefit of the village? ;o thankss c: she is kinda cool XD
I feel kinda bad for interrupting their possible kiss XD but not really :3
Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter as well! :)
Dreamer010102 - Thank you~! :) Who knows about Maiko. I wonder why Kotone was able to find the book so easily..? ;) Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
Favoritings
AngelTreats - THANKS.
Pearlstone - wassup suckah thanks for reviewin
iSayumix3 - ermagerd shanks
rainbowpanther9 - Thank you very much! :)
T. - thanks so much like srsly thanks
dagooz95 - THANK YOUUU! :D
Followers
AngelTreats - Thank you v.v
iSayumix3 - MARSHALL LEE IS SO HOT UGHH
T. - Thanks! :D
A/N: OKAY OKAY OAKY OMG GUISE
I just discovered that 'The Puppet and the Puppeteer' was put in a community called 'The world of Awesome OC's!' made by Crepuscule4 :O heavens guys c: I feel so honored! Thank you Crepuscule4! :) I really appreciate it!
Anyways, yeah. That's it XD
Please be looking out for Chapter 12~! :)