I am so proud of myself. This story hasn't gotten that far but it is farther than my expectations already. I am so thankful to anybody reading. Please continue to read and possible review and favorite. Thank you all so much. Have a good day and enjoy this mellow chapter
Yakata-sensei, can't we take a faster, more discreet route?" My voice held a small shake, my body pale and my stomach filled with butterflies. The road in front of us was covered in a thin mist, the air filled with the smell of trees. The sky was covered in a thick layer of grey and white clouds held down by the amount of water stored inside, trying to escape. In front of us was a long stretch of road, the road we used to come here.
"No, this road is quick and efficient, holding a lower amount of bandits and animals than the others." Those words made my stomach drop like a ton of bricks, cementing my fear. Near us was the place where we fought, the road stained in a light layer of blood that merged with soil so it was invisible. The bodies were not there as sensei had sealed them but all I saw was corpses lying there as we stood above them, Kisame grinning in satisfaction. He seemed to be a sadist when it came to enemies, allies not so much. I was grateful for that much. And it added to my bank of information I was gathering about him, which was a plus.
When we got closer all I heard was faint screaming and the sound of blades clashing. Metal on flesh followed soon, my whole body lurching. Looking to my side Kisame and Ryuuji were chatting idly while sensei led us at a running speed. Slowing down I felt a bout of nausea, the area passing by us. Trying to hold it down was fruitless as I felt an acidic liquid fly out my throat as I changed directions to the trees so I didn't hit anybody. I heard everybody stop, one pair of feet almost sounding annoyed at the stop somehow. Like they didn't want to stop. I felt another convulsion from my body as more came out. I felt a hand on my back, but I jerked away as it felt like I was going to be choked even though it was only on my back. It wasn't a calloused hand so I gathered it was Ryuuji. After three more I was finished and shakily stood up, my body weaker than before.
"Are you okay? That was some gnarly convulsions you had and you threw up a lot." Ryuuji leaned to me, offering a hand.
"I'm fine" Snapping at him I glared. It was an instant reaction and I felt bad after but I couldn't help it. Apologizing after she dismissed it and said it was fine. Going back to the group we continued back to Kiri, only an hour ahead. The trees were going back to one or two kinds now instead of the variety. It was a good change for me, giving me some familiarity instead of the uneasy feeling that the road and outside area brought.
"Are you okay today? You seem very out of it today Hei, you aren't threatening us" The first sentence was serious but I knew he would make a joke out of it, he always made a joke out of serious things. It may be a coping mechanism for worry, noting I would check that later.
"I'm fine Kisame, just a little sick. If you ask again though, I will rip your teeth out and use them as a necklace beads" Growling at the boy next to me I continued running, my stamina making me sluggish. I had piss-poor stamina and I was barely able to run at the moment, my whole body burning. Smirking at me, Kisame went to talk again.
"It seems you're back. Just try not to throw up again, I'd rather not have to carry you like a baby" Hearing the joke fall out his mouth I looked at him, fuming. Flipping him off I retaliated, my breaths still pants but more frequent now.
"Fuck off fish face" I had been having a lot of mood swings recently, since the beginning of the mission actually. It confused me, because it usually only happened to girls during puberty and their periods at times. I was all about gender equality and that stuff but facts are facts. They did have mood swings majority of the time, or at least got angry easier. It does depend on the girl though. Were am I going with this?
"Seems little Hei has some back bone. Just don't pant like that, it's not good for the people around you" The last sentence made my entire face flush, red spreading like a wild fire. He winked before going faster so he wasn't next to me.
"FUCK OFF FISH FACE, I MEAN IT!" My voice held anger, but only a small amount because I couldn't be angry at my teammates for some reason. They just made me mad but never angry or furious. It was good. Another good thing is I had become less cautious and more friendly since the first day. Chuckling, the fish boy continued running. The rest of the trip was mostly silent, except for the small sound of animals and leaves. When we reached the gates my feet landed on hard and loose tiles, spread out when the first appeared but getting closer and more compact.
"Well everybody, I consider the mission a success. I will be going to hand in a mission report and you guys can take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow though, we're going to meet at the chosen training ground. Be on time because every minute you are late I add 15 to whatever you do. 15 more sit ups or 15 more push ups. Dismissed" Sensei stopped when we got through the gates and turned mid air with grace. Standing tall he spoke and then left us, the mist in the air thicker than usual. Nodding, we all left and parted ways without one more word. Struggling to stand, I made my way home.
"Hey Obāsan, I'm back!" My voice was loud and clear so that if she was awake she would be able to hear. Soon after I heard creaking wood and a crack every few seconds. Looking to the stairs I saw my grandma hobbling down the stairs slowly, her hand holding the cane like a life line.
"Oh, you're back Heiwa. I thought we could go for some food in the town as celebration for your first mission." As her legs shook, her body jerking down the stairs I felt my heart break. She was so fragile at the moment, yet she wanted to walk through town.
"It's fine grandma, you can stay here and I can go and fetch it" Going to help her down the stairs I dropped my bag and all it's content on the floor. Grabbing her arm lightly and letting her lean on me a bit we made it down soon.
"Oh thank you Heiwa. You were always a good boy. You can get from wherever but I just want some Okonomiyaki" When my grandmother got to the sofa she sat and pulled a book out. Getting a little bit of money from my bag I left, the sky becoming a more purple colour, light pinks mixing with it smoothly. My feet crunched against the small pile of twigs under me. The wind was blowing strong today, the smell of damp wood flying everywhere. It took me 5 minutes to get to the building, taking shelter under the roof. It was a welcome warmth.
"Hello sir, I was wondering if I could your Okonomiyaki and your Yakitori with a side of rice." Going to the desk I leaned against it, my whole body still aching from the trip.
"Ah yes, that'll be 1200 yen" The man turned in shock, probably from the fact that nobody was there. Putting the items on a list and getting the total price he called to the back and handed the note there. Paying the man I waited, silence in the little shop. After a small wait I had the food and departed
When I entered the building, the dark wood floor cold on my feet, I heard light snoring. She had fell asleep. With a light chuckle I put the food away so we could eat it together. Looking to make sure I closed the door I was pleased. A lot of the time I did forget. Taking out some instant ramen I went to close some of the blinds while the noodles soaked in the hot water. Until I heard a knock at least. Walking over I sighed, my dinner interrupted. As I reached out to open the door it was flung open. Looking up I saw my sister.
"Hello Heiwa-chan. Father has sent me to call you to the compound. He would like to meet with you to discuss your future. You can either come willingly or be dragged by me. Your choice." Her black hair was put up in a tight bun, the ribbon the same bright blue of her kimono. Despite being a lady of grace and intelligence she was a A-Rank kunoichi. Nodding I quickly went to write a letter for my gran, telling her I would be out afterwards.
"Are you talking about that old lady who relies on you for everything. You could always drop her at an old age home and come back. You are still welcome." Sneering at me she stood tall. My hands clenched, fists forming. Breathing out I turned and looked at the woman in front of me.
"You want to know something? I left the clan compound for a reason. I don't mind being affiliated with you but I am not in the compound because I don't like dad's rules. So I'm staying with Yamada-obāsan. She is so much smarter, wiser, kinder and stronger than you. And we are family. So please don't talk about her like that" Releasing my anger I spoke in a voice laced with anger. Turning I placed the letter on the table in front of her, placing a kiss on her head. Walking out of the house I met with Lily.
We walked in silence, the trip taking a good 15 minutes of walking. The only thing that was heard was the sound of people going home and talking quietly. When we reached the ivy covered gates we stopped to meet the guards. Looking to me she stalked off, her hair bobbing up and down with every step. Looking I saw the guards were going from their posts and being replaced. The head guard from what I could assume pulled me with a jerk, my arm in a grip of steel. Rolling my eyes I broke into a speed walk. The buildings were mainly wood with some having stone accents. They had a similar style, all of them at least 2 stories tall, probably housing around 5 or 6 people.
"Is there any reason why you're holding my hand like it's a life line?" The guard to my right, the one holding my hand just continued walking, not bothering to listen. Taking the hint I stopped talking and just walked, the kids roaming the streets pulled back by their parents in fright. One parent was angry and decided to throw rocks at me. I didn't know why but ignored it. 5 minutes later we got to the tallest building in the compound, the home to my father. Feeling the guard let go I looked around and opened the door with a heave, the iron handle cold on my hand. I pushed my entire body into it and walked in, the sound of bare feet on a marble floor loud and ominous. My father was always a one to buy things he didn't need, including the tallest building. Looking around I saw a spiraling staircase and random ornaments kept on display, only for show.
Sighing at his wasteful nature I continued walking, my feet cold. Making my way up, the individual stairs tall and hard to walk up at my size. After going up 2 floors, the second housing the actual home's kitchen, lounge and dinning room. Reaching the top I saw doors leading to different rooms, the tallest one to my right. Looking around I saw my father's office, the door open slightly. Peeking through I saw my father with a woman I didn't know, their lips colliding roughly as his hands roamed her body. Sighing, I leaned back and knocked loudly. I heard some shuffling and a muffled sound of annoyance. I felt the woman's chakra signature go through what I had assumed was a wall. Her chakra disappeared from a mixture of distance and her low amounts of it.
"Come in" A gruff voice called out, the booming sound of it resounding down the stairs too. Pushing the door open I was met with my father seated by his desk, a dark blue kimono with a wolf crest on it. The wolf crest was one of the most noticeable things about out clan. The main reason we chose it was because of spirit animals, as members personalities' often matched animals similar to a wolf, such as a fox or coyote. My father's dark reddish brown hair was slick and held down on his head, a style most people didn't have. My father used it as a way to stand out, seem important even.
"Afternoon Otōsan. I believe you called for me?" I stood in front of the man after bowing low, my voice monotonous and still. I may not like my father but I respected him for his strength. Quickly collecting a few papers my father slid them across the table before talking.
"I heard you have gotten your team and you have finished your first mission. This would of happened before that but you have been away and I've been busy. You know that all clan members are put together on a team except for a select few. And I think you should continue that tradition. I have the perfect team made out for you, and another two people if you dislike any of the original members. You can take a look and decide." A smile graced his face, his eyes closed as the lines on his stretched. When I grabbed the papers I ripped them in half, my father's face in shook and soon anger.
"What are you doing!" My father stood up and walked to me, his calloused hands gripping my shoulders. Looking up at him I shrugged his hands off with a flinch.
"I like my team. I don't need to change!" My father picked up on the double meaning and slapped me before going to get more papers.
"I do not care about your wishes to stay with your 'team'. You will join a team with clan members and you will fix your attitude." Pulling another pile of papers out he shoved them in my face.
"I am not. I am leaving and you are not stopping me. I may be your son but you can't dictate my entire life as you did Lily and Okāsan!" After the last word I felt another slap, tears springing in my eyes from the force.
"You will not talk about your mother and sister that way. Now you either take those papers and do as I say or leave and never be able to walk into this compound again." When he finished I didn't hesitate as I walked out the room after throwing the papers at him. I had been a toy for far too long. I heard a grunt and something hit the floor hard. The stairs were still cold on my feet but were not covered in thin trails of dirt from my last walk. Exiting through the door I was escorted through the compound, the gravel path hurting my feet a tiny bit. When I got to the gate I was shoved lightly through, the ivy on the door shaking as it was closed.
I wandered around the village for a little bit, 10 minutes or so until I came across a marketplace. Entering I took out some coins to buy something until I saw a little girl. Near the small gap by the wall to my right she sat, her pigtails messy and her ashy brown hair caked in dirt. Walking up I placed a few coins in and spoke.
"Hey, are you okay? You seem like you've been here awhile" Despite being short I towered over her, even if she stood I would be taller. Growling at my face she crawled backwards a bit.
"Hey, it's okay. I can get you some food and water if you want" Hearing that she quickly nodded, her growling stopping and the same for her crawling. Giving a quick smile I went to a small food stand nearby and got some Yakitori, the meat lathered in sauce. Alongside that I collected a water for her and an apple for me. Walking over to where she was I placed the plate next to her along with the cup. She ate the food as fast as she could, as if somebody would take it from her mouth. After that she washed it down with the water in one gulp. Ruffling her hair I left while taking a bite from my apple.
The juice spurted in my mouth, the sound of buzzing loud and the light from the fireflies similar to that of the fairy lights around the village market. I reached my home soon to see my ramen soggy and my grandmother asleep. Pouring the ramen out I took a blanket and placed it on her frail body before going upstairs to sleep. As I changed clothes I saw something. A kimono, one barring a wolf symbol. My blood boiled at the feeling of wearing it someday so I ripped it from the hanger, the metal clattering against the ground as it fell. Trying to rip it proved futile so I threw it to the ground and went to the outside lawn.
After making a fire, a very bad one because of the weather, I got the kimono. The black fabric was smooth and cold, the wolf howling into the moon white and bright. Taking the piece of clothing by the collar I dropped it into the fire, the gas coming from it a horrid black and grey. The smell was toxic, as is the clan the clothes represented. I watched the fire, my face illuminated eerily. After it completely burned I got water and put it out. Walking away I went to my bed, my face in a smile.
"I'M HERE, I'M HERE!" Tumbling, I ran to the training ground. I was almost late for training, everybody starring at me as I panted from running. I had woken up late and my shower wasn't working. Holding my legs as I leaned over my breaths evened out.
"You're lucky, you're just on time. Now get ready, you're all doing push ups first" Sensei turned away from us, the twigs underneath his feet breaking. The trees surrounding us were almost bare, even if it was coming summer time. The dirt floor was covered in small patched of grass, very few patches to be specific.
"Everybody, you will do 100 push ups in at least 5 minutes. Should be easy. For every push up you don't do, you will do another 5." Sighing we all got onto the ground and waited for sensei to start the time. When we heard him say go we started. I looked to my side and my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. Both Kisame and Ryuuji were breezing through it. I was a little behind, pushing myself to catch up. After a few minutes I heard a thump followed by another shortly. Looking, I saw they both finished. I was only on my 89th. Pushing myself I finished soon after.
"You did okay, 8 minutes 4 seconds for Kisame, 8 minutes 10 seconds for Ryuuji and 8 minutes 34 seconds for Heiwa. Next we are going to do sit ups" Groaning we followed the same procedure we did for push ups. This time I came second, Ryuuji 3rd and Kisame 1st with only 10 seconds difference between Kisame and I. Ryuuji and I had 3 seconds apart however, a close one.
"Next we're going to have a jog, now that your legs and arms are warmed up you should be able to run better. You will run 5 kilometers followed by a small trapped field after. Then when everybody's there we can continue. You can start in three, two, one, GO!" When we got up we stood, the instructions reading out. When the word go was spoken we began. Kisame and Ryuuji were sprinting while I went to a fast jog. Knowing that if I ran the whole way I'd be be tired I decided to conserve energy. Catching up to Kisame and Ryuuji was hard but I did it, just before the finish line. They were both a little slower, around my speed and sluggish. Sweat was pouring from their heads, mind just covered in a light coat.
"You need to catch up guys" After I passed them I went to a sprint, my head turning so I could taunt them. We all reached the end around the same time, only to be met with a large log swinging to the side. Jumping to the ground I saw Ryuuji get hit and go flying into the trees, getting up and joining us with a limp and possibly a broken rib. Looking ahead we saw a plain of open field. Slowly inching forward I surveyed the land. I stood on a patch of grass and I heard a trigger. Looking around I saw a kunai whizzing through the air. Jumping back I received a few scratches and waited for the flurry to end. When it stopped we looked around and picked up a few kunai in case we stood on them. As Kisame picked one up I heard another trigger and a mound of gas appeared near him.
Looking up we all saw two large panthers, one black and the other a pale yellow. Jumping at Kisame with a growl they started the attack. Jumping to the blue skinned man I pulled him back, my arm cut on one of the claws. Everybody pulled out their weapons, Kisame his odachi, Ryuuji throwing knives and me the kusarigama. Kisame started on them, his blade out of the sheath and attacking the black one. Ryuuji jumped to the yellow one and I went to help him.
"Raiton: Kusari!" The kusarigama in my hand flared to life with lightning, the blade swinging and hitting the animal. As it wrapped around the leg I got a flash and tightened the weapon on accident, my whole body flinching. The animal made a loud noise, probably from pain as the chain could have broken a bone. Unwrapping it, I jumped behind Ryuuji as blades flew out and hit the animal, his body weak and poofing away. Looking back we saw Kisame finished his. No blood.
"Let's go" Kisame took lead and continued on the plain. The training ground we were in was one of the largest ones in Kiri. It was a surprise Yakata could get this place for us alone as usually 3 or so teams use the grounds at once. But it wasn't really that hard to believe how he did it. We all stood next to each other, our breathing slightly labored. We all jumped when we heard another trap. Jumping back we saw a whole bunch of senbon rain down from above. Believing we were okay we sighed and stood, only to be pricked by a few of the senbon, splintering into halves when they hit the ground. After they all left and we dodged the rest of the flying shrapnel we moved, the end of the field not far.
We encountered a few other traps but made it in one piece. Hearing a round of applause we saw sensei sitting on a log with a drink in his hand, the colour a see through yellow and foaming at the top a bit.
"Well done, you didn't get hurt that bad. Now get ready, you're going to be sparring again. This time though, I'm not going to be going so easy on you." All we heard was the cracking of knuckles before we were flying. Kisame was flung towards a tree while me and Ryuuji were flung through the mist to a large patch of grass. Sprawled on the ground, we tried getting up with our labored breath. I felt a fist to my cheek and I was in air again, Ryuuji following after. When we went to Kisame I got up as fast I could and pulled the kimono-clad boy up too. We both whipped our weapons out and were faced with Yakata after Kisame went hurdling into the air. My chain went flying, the heavy ball on the one side going over sensei's head as he ducked. When he went down Ryuuji threw his knives and started a jutsu.
"Mizu Bunshin no jutsu!" Multiples of him appeared, the mist dragging into his form. When 9 others were made they started an onslaught of taijutsu, sensei still easily taking them. Using his momentary distraction I flung the chain around his right leg and pulled it back to make him so the splits. When he landed he showed no signs of pain, maybe even comfortable for him. Using the height to his advantage he tripped them before getting up and knocking them into the ground. That followed by an odachi going to his back, which he redirected to Ryuuji and then flung Kisame over his shoulder into said boy. They both groaned as their bodies hit the floor, a low thump coming from the ground. Using the small time he used to attack them I ran away, his chakra signature fading. He made no effort to find me but effectively had my friends hostage.
Standing alone I sat and thought, my hands coming to my head in a moment of self conflict. I would have no chance against him alone but getting to them would prove impossible unless I had a plan. And they might be too hurt if I take too long to attack. So I sat and thought, my mind going at speeds I didn't no possible. So I made a plan, one I thought would work and if it didn't I made a backup plan. Getting up I walked into the plain with sensei calmly, almost like I wasn't on a battlefield. Sensei launched at me and I ducked underneath, or almost. The fist rocketed into my face with large amounts of pain. I staggered but continued walking, sensei becoming confused at my nonchalance. Walking past him was impossible but I didn't stop as fists and feet hit me. Then I exploded into a bout of water. Looking around he saw me standing with my battered teammates. It had been a clone, one with almost all my chakra. By giving it almost my whole reserves it became more durable, more capable. It was a risk as I hadn't tested it before but it was worth it as sensei had been confused, even mistaken the clone for me somehow. I hadn't expected that either
"You really should pay more attention Yakata-sensei" Chuckling we stood together, ready to face the person that was flinging us across the field only a few minutes ago.