Finder77: Yay! This is definitely my most popular story. Thanks for all your reviews, alerts, and favorites! It makes me feel so special. I don't own Naruto. Oh, and I just wanted to say that if you hadn't noticed, I combined some of the chapters of this story to make each individual chapter longer and less chapters altogether. I'm doing this to a few of my stories and also am in the process of re-writing The Story of Gaara and Mitsuko and One Wild Summer. Now, to the story!
Ai and Tayuya walked quietly over the intricate stone floors of the walkway that led to the baths, their footsteps echoing off the walls. The stone was cold on Ai's bare feet, but the steam that greeted them kept her warm enough. "I never imagined the inside of Sound to be this . . . lucullan," she remarked.
"Yeah?" Tayuya asked, though not expecting an answer. Her voice fell to a whisper. "You act like you know more about Sound than you let on . . . like a spy or something . . . but you don't remember where you're from?"
Ai thought quickly, Well, technically I do . . . but no one would believe me anyways . . . and the information I have wouldn't help anyone anyway. Ai shook her head no, then keeping her voice low as well, said, "I don't remember anything. Whatever my old life was, it's completely forgotten now . . . but I like it here," she added quickly, smiling. Only after having said so, she realized it was true.
Tayuya smiled, almost triumphantly. "I could tell you would. I think you'll fit in fine here."
The two walked in through a pair of wooden doors to the baths. The air was damp and warm: perfect for relaxing. The room held a large onsen, deeper in some areas than in others and heated by a natural hot springs. Clouds of steam rose from the water which held only a few Sound kunoichi.
"Hey, Tayuya!" yelled one of the girls.
"Hey! We'll be out in a sec!" said Tayuya before pulling Ai along with her.
Ai followed after a moment but asked, "Where are we going?"
Tayuya gave a short laugh. "We have to shower first," she explained, "You weren't just going to dive in without washing yourself first, were you?"
Ai laughed to hide her embarrassment. "Of course not, I was just wondering where we were off to next."
"Sure," said Tayuya, unconvinced but still smiling as Ai blushed profusely.
The two walked quickly to a room that held several showers with Tayuya leading the way. "You can take your shower here and then just meet me in the baths when you're done," directed Tayuya.
Ai nodded before walking into a shower and pulling the curtain behind her shut. She heard Tayuya turn the water on in a shower not too far away, and she quickly did the same. Ai remembered how fast Tayuya had changed into her towel. I don't want to take too long and make her wait, thought Ai. I don't want anyone here annoyed with me if possible.
Ai showered quickly. The water was warm but not too hot and she easily found soap and hair products on a shelf that hung in the shower. She was out, hair wet and in her towel within a few minutes, and realizing Tayuya had already finished, walked out to the baths.
Ai was greeted by clouds of steam that rose from the bath's hot spring water. She heard light chattering from the girls that already occupied the spring, Tayuya among them. "Hey, Ai!" she called, looking up from the other girls. "Come on in!"
Ai smiled and walked to the edge of the bath, still in her towel. There were wide steps leading down into it which she steadily descended, hesitantly submerging herself in the warm water. She walked up through the thick steam to the other girls, blushing slightly. She wasn't exactly used to any of this.
"Oh, well aren't you a pretty little thing," said a silver-haired girl as Ai approached. "And all of Sound is talking about you."
Ai blinked. "All of Sound…?"
"Of course!" chimed in a second girl, "You're the new girl! And word's gotten round that you can sing," she finished with a small smile.
"Oh, right," said Ai, smiling sheepishly. She'd forgotten.
"So, can you?" asked the younger girl.
The silver-haired girl scoffed, butting in before Ai could comment, "Even if she can sing: Which I doubt, you know how rumors are around here… She probably can't sing very well…"
Ai stayed silent so Tayuya broke in for her, "Of course she can sing! Great even. A hell of a lot better than you can, Miname!"
The girl called Miname was left open mouthed. She quickly closed it and stuck her nose up, "Hmph! You have no idea what you're talking about Tayuya! And if she can sing so well, make her prove it." The silver-haired kunoichi smiled smugly.
Tayuya turned to Ai after a few seconds. "Come on," she whispered somewhat loudly, "I know you can sing. You're not going to make us both look like idiots, are you?"
Ai stared down at her hands that wrung themselves nervously. "I don't like singing in front of people," she said quietly. "I don't think I can—
"Of course you can!" said Tayuya. She stared at Ai then turned to Miname.
"My patience is running low," said Miname.
"Why should I have to prove it to you?!" yelled Ai.
"I knew it! You can't sing and you're both liars." Miname scoffed again, "You both should be ashamed of yourself."
Ai closed her eyes and opened her mouth, losing all hesitation as she sang:
Here I am again,
There's a truth for every lie,
The river it will bend,
Ope'ning up beneath the sky,
And truth be told,
And lies beheld,
A memory to send,
I don't know so don't ask me why.
Ai's voice echoed off the damp walls on the last syllable. She opened her eyes and almost laughed on the expression on Miname's face.
Tayuya smiled victoriously. "I think you owe somebody an apology," she said to Miname.
The green-eyed girl thrust her nose in the air again, turning her back to the group, "So she can sing!" she said loudly, "It's not like I really care." Miname walked up and out of the baths, not even turning around.
Tayuya turned back to Ai and laughed. "I think that bitch is jealous!"
Finder77: Please review if possible! I would greatly appreciate it!