disCLAIMER: While I do not own Naruto nor any affiliated subjects therein, Kishimoto-sama does and therefore he owns my soul.
Chapter 16: Surprises
She trudged down the hall, still waiting for that first cup of coffee to kick in so that she could complete her early morning rounds. Somehow, she managed to drag herself through the list, ending on an easy patient, who just needed her vitals checked.
"Good morning," she nodded to another nurse.
"Did you hear about the affair between the head nurse and Ibiki-san?" her rather rotund coworker asked excitedly.
"That's old news, dear, and completely untrue."
"Since when have you not cared about all the latest gossip?"
"I've decided to change," she responded simply, opening the door to the last room. She dropped her clipboard, only to have it fortunately rescued by the other woman before it clattered on the floor. Curled against the patient was a person with a very distinct black rooster comb. She grabbed the clipboard back and checked the name: Akumako Kaori. In a remarkably composed manner, she silently ushered the other nurse out of the room and closed the door.
"Oh my! Did you see that?!" she squealed.
"That was the young Uchiha, if I'm not mistaken!" the other responded.
"I've got to tell someone about this! It's the biggest thing since Gai-san came out of the closet!" The pair padded down the hall, twittering like birds. Celebrity gossip was always well-appreciated.
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Despite soreness from being beaten by Naruto and the stiffness of days laying in a hospital bed, Kaori felt absolutely wonderful when she awoke. A pale, muscular arm draped over her waist, evidence that the previous night hadn't been an dream. His deep breaths against her neck gave her shivers. How many times was it now that he had slept by her side? It was no wonder that she was very aware of his presence, even in a large group of people. So when they were alone, every one of her senses honed in on him. The slight smell of mint on his clothes, the softness of that long, dark cloak he always wore, the tickle his untamed bangs gave her ear. She stifled a sigh of contentment. She would only sigh when the trial was over, which was bound to start very soon.
Sasuke stirred in his sleep. Kaori carefully turned so she could study his face. The pale lines of scars blended well with his skin, but up close she could see exactly how much damage his seventeen-year old complexion had taken. The rest of his body was bound to be just as interesting.
Kaori mentally smacked herself for thinking that. As if hearing her thoughts, Sasuke peeped one eye open. She blushed at his sleepy, seductive expression.
"Morning, beautiful," he murmured, burying his face in her shoulder. Kaori tried not to giggle.
"Who exactly is beautiful in the mornings?" she retorted lightly.
"I was talking to myself," he said mischievously, his black eyes glinting as they gazed at her.
"You're so full of shit," Kaori laughed, shoving a pillow in his face. Sasuke teetered very closely on the edge of the bed. He went over, but instead of falling, he twisted and landed on one hand before gracefully flipping himself into standing position. Kaori scowled at his display of acrobatics.
"Showoff." She grabbed her IV stand and rolled into the bathroom. Sasuke ran his fingers through his hair as he waited for Kaori, still feeling giddy from waking up to her in his arms. Last night was the best he had slept in a really long time. Who would have thought that the cure for night terrors lay in the arms of Akumako?
The hallway door opened. The foreboding figure of Godaime Hokage strode in, accompanied by two ANBU soldiers. Sasuke tilted his head towards the bathroom, and Tsunade nodded. When Kaori came out, she froze at the trio standing beside Sasuke. The initial pleasantness of the morning disappeared, and apprehension replaced it. They were here to take her to trial.
"Akumako Kaori, judging by reports of your medical status by the doctors and nurses of this facility, I have deemed you fit enough to be discharged. You will be immediately taken into custody by these fine Shinobi and escorted to the location of your trial. Do you agree to be of sound body and mind for this trial?" Tsunade's expression said she would tolerate no nonsense.
"Aye," Kaori agreed. One of the ANBU brought forth a light blue kimono that she was to wear to indicate that she was a prisoner. Sasuke withheld a growl as he recognized the garment; he'd been attired in the same thing when he underwent interrogation. Tsunade detached the IV from Kaori's arm placed a bandage over the punctured skin. Kaori retreated to the bathroom to change, and when she emerged, she looked very humble. Sasuke hated seeing her wear that, but her deeds had been too consequential to ignore punishment. He started to follow them, but an ANBU held his hand up. Sasuke was not allowed to attend the trial. Which meant this was not a public trial. Which also meant it would take place in the facility where they conducted interrogations. Which meant torture.
As the door snapped shut, Sasuke's hands curled into tight fists. Fine. He would not attend, but he would wait right outside the door to be the first to hear the verdict. And if the verdict was bad for Kaori, he did not know what he would do.
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The ANBU pair led Kaori through side streets, avoiding all possible human contact. At some point, Tsunade had dropped away from the group and left Kaori in the soldiers' hands. Kaori was sure they were thoroughly lost when one of the ANBU bound her hands and blind-folded her. She immediately felt that panic and shortness of breath at being suddenly blind and at the mercy of someone else. A few more minutes of walking, and then total darkness enveloped them, followed by the jarring bang of an enormous door from behind and the smell of stale sweat and mold. Hands pressed her down into a chair, which her arms and legs were tied to with thick straps of leather. The blind fold came off, but the glaring white light in her face prevented her from peering into the darkness. She was aware of many other people in the room, some of which throbbed with power. Most likely more ANBU.
"Do you know why you are here, Akumako Kaori?" The deep voice resonated in the large room. It echoed slightly into the expanse above. Just how big was this place?
"I've murdered two people, defected from Konoha, and turned on my own allies," she replied, hoping her voice was strong without being insolent.
"Those are a few of the charges," an old woman's voice creaked. "There are others that are slightly less severe, such as destroying public property, insubordination towards superiors, and general misconduct unfitting for a Shinobi of Konoha."
"If we were putting people on trial for misconduct, we should be investigating nearly everyone in Naruto's graduating class," Tsuande's retorted. "The point is, Kaori-san, that you've done some things that require reciprocation."
"Some things that have been taken into consideration," another male voice, "are that you have for all your life been host to a biiju, one that has never been spoken of in our generations. Now that you are no longer a jinchuuriki, any leniency we may provide will not apply to future crimes. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"You grew up in the Land of Dragons." Another voice. The echoes of the first man who spoke hadn't yet faded, which made Kaori's head spin with the disembodied words. "This is a country that until recently, we didn't know existed. And they didn't know we existed either. Reports from the mission to your homeland prove that while your actions weren't morally correct according to our standards, the standards of an entirely different country are significantly warped compared to ours."
"Who's to say ours aren't the warped standards?"
Kaori hid a smile at that comment. She silently thanked whichever person had the guts to say it.
"Please explain, Tanaka-san," the old woman said crankily.
Tanaka? Something twinged in the back of Kaori's mind, a memory where that name floated around. She could not place why that name sounded familiar, and knew that it would drive her crazy until she figured it out.
"First off, why are we using the interrogation room? It's not as if we are trying to get a confession out of her. Please turn off that white light." At Tanaka's request, the light switched off. For a few moments, all Kaori could see was spots. Then as she readjusted, red lights swam into view, as did this Tanaka person's face. She was Iruka's lawyer girlfriend.
"Thank you. Now, Akumako-san, can you tell us, from the very beginning, exactly the things you felt from the time you heard about Konoha till when you passed Umino-san's Genin test?"
Kaori explained to the people there, most of them ANBU, her joy at discovering that she wasn't just a freak, that there were entire countries thriving off of the talents of people like her. Then her worry that she would not fit it, being too different culturally, not being able to read or write, and not behaving like a proper kunoichi. In order to explain certain things properly, she had to delve further into her past than she would have liked, but it seemed necessary. She did not want these people's pity, but rather their understanding. Most of them probably grew up with at least one parent, if not an aunt or uncle, to take care of them and teach them what is right and wrong. This led to Tanaka asking her for her side of the reports of the mission to the Land of Dragons.
When Kaori's story came upon her real father, and the fact that she was Orochimaru's half sister, nervous whispers ran through the room. She could not confirm herself that Orochimaru had been destroyed, but Sakura and Sasuke could attest to that. She admitted that she felt intense emotions right before she had murdered Tomi and Saris, but the actual act of committing the murders, she could not remember. At this point, a man in an ANBU mask stood before her and made several seals. When he touched her forehead with his fingers, she cried out as tendrils of fire delved into her brain. He reached into the innermost network of memories, those she wanted kept hidden. Orochimaru raping her, being kissed by Sasuke, Temujin sobbing over his fiancee's severed arm, admitting to herself that she would die for her friends, drinking herself silly on Shogatsu with Izumo and Kotetsu, being called Akumako by the people of Port Lost. When the tendrils stopped burning, Kaori had no idea how long this man had been digging into her memories, but she felt like it had been hours. He wiped his hand, which dripped with the sweat from her face. He turned and left the room through a small door, several other people following him, including Tsunade and Tanaka. Three ANBU stayed behind to watch over her carefully.
Kaori really had to use a bathroom, but she was too afraid to ask for a break. She hung her head, figuring that if it came down to it, she would just go right in the chair. It would be so humiliating, but it would serve her right.
"Akumako-san, do you need to use the facilities?" Tanaka had returned to the room and stood before her. "We could be in discussion for at least another hour, and they sent me to have you escorted to the bathroom." Kaori thanked her and allowed herself to be taken to the bathroom. When she returned, it was indeed another two hours before the jury returned. Kaori was afraid that the emotionless expressions on the faces of those without masks meant that they needed to pull more information out of her. Which could mean more torture.
"We have reached a decision about your future here in Konoha," Tsuande said quietly, stepping forward so that Kaori could see her clearly. "You will undergo a rigorous rehabilitation regime set up for you by Umino Iruka, Hyuuga Neji, and myself. You will be strictly educated in the culture, history, and social aspects of the Land of Fire, with some general information about the other Shinobi nations for diplomatic purposes. You are allowed to retain your title of Chuunin, however you will be put on probation for a year, during which you are not allowed to take solo missions and you must always have an attendant approved by ANBU. The next few days, you are required to allow an attendant to be with you at all times, mostly for your own safety. There are a few citizens who have heard of your...misdeeds...and may take matters into their own hands. Any reports of misdemeanor will result in another investigation, if not immediate suspension of your Shinobi privileges. Everything that we have decided here is drawn up into a contract that you will read and sign. After that, you are free to return to your quarters." And with that, Tsunade left the room.
The lights came up slightly, mostly so that Kaori would be able to read the contract. She signed in her own blood, which she assumed meant a technique of sorts bound her to keeping the terms set out for her. The next year would be long and hard, but she was going to make through. As a ninja.
An ANBU handed her a different kimono to change into, a simple white one, so that she would no longer have to bear the symbol of a prisoner. She blinked in surprise as the huge doors flew open to reveal a bright summer morning. Which meant she had been there for at least one day. No wonder why she was so hungry! But all she wanted to do was sleep. Shower, then sleep.
A ninja stepped out into the daylight with her. He said nothing, but his blue eyes darted about in search of a possible assailant. Kaori did not have to ask him what he was doing: he was her guardian. This was probably a good thing, because her brain hurt from all that prodding. The only thing on her mind was getting a shower. Stuck in a hospital and then sweating during interrogation left her feeling sticky and smelling rancid.
"Well?"
Kaori squeaked as a sinister voice wafted from a dark alley. Sasuke lurked out, the sun reflecting brightly off his white skin.
"Dude, you scared me!" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"What's the verdict?"
"Oh." She glanced at the guardian, who stood mere meters away. She wasn't sure how much she was allowed to tell Sasuke. Although, the contract never said anything about keeping secrets. As they walked to Kaori's apartment, she proceeded to tell him the things they asked, what they did, and the terms of her contract.
"That's similar to what they did with me, except..." he trailed off, not really caring to elaborate that they had tortured him in order to break him.
"Ow!" Kaori rubbed the side of her head, where something large had impacted. At her feet lay a head of cabbage. "What the fuck? Where did this come from?"
Another vegetable came flying at her. This time she ducked and the tomato splattered on the wall behind her. Across the street stood a big group of indignant and furious girls, armed with various household products. The guardian stepped closer to Kaori as the throng crossed the street, stopping traffic with their numbers.
"Hey, bitch," a redhead with generous assets stepped forward. She seemed to be the leader. "We heard you spent the night with Sasuke-kun."
Kaori gaped at them. It took her a moment to realize what she meant, and then she replied nonchalantly, "So what?"
"Oh you are so gonna get it, whore!" A brunette shoved her way to the front. "No one gets to mess with Sasuke-kun and get away with it!"
"'Cause you're totally not his girlfriend, right?" another girl piped up.
"Actually she is." Sasuke draped his arm over her shoulders, his other hand going to her hip. She nearly jumped at the sudden contact. "And what exactly are you going to do about it?"
The entire collective gasped in unison. Shrieks and murmurs rang out as they could not believe it! Uchiha Sasuke had done many things to avoid the clutches of his fangirls, but there was no way this was a trick. This meant that he was serious and would cause serious problems with the fangirl factions. Fights broke out among the girls, and the guardian ninja tried to deal with the problem. He looked rather frustrated.
Sasuke gently led Kaori away, and when they were out of sight, they found a way to the roofs and traveled over Konoha rather than through it. She couldn't stop laughing at the situation, and Sasuke had a grin on his face.
"I can't believe that they believed you!" she gasped when they reached her apartment. She turned to invite him in, and he followed, suddenly brooding. How a man could go from smiling freely to scowling so quickly was beyond her comprehension. She did not care what he did, so long as she got a nice cool shower.
"Kaori." His quiet voice stopped her from entering the bathroom. "Do you think it's funny? The concept of being my girlfriend?"
"Well, I think it's funny that they should react like that. Like it's the end of the world."
"No, that's not what I'm asking." He sat on a chair, scratching his head. "You once told me that while I wait for the right woman, I could at least date to keep the fan club off my back. What I'm trying to say is...I think I've found the right woman." He raised his head and met her eyes with such an intensity that Kaori felt herself blushing.
"W-wha?"
"I don't know for sure how you feel about me, but I know that you at least don't mind me. So I'm asking, would you be my girlfriend?"
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Kaori gaped for just a moment before flushing brilliantly. She ducked her head, nodding shyly.
"Aye, Sasuke. I'll be your girlfriend."
Sasuke reached for her, one hand sliding to the small of her back and the other gently taking her chin as he brought her in for a kiss. With his first girlfriend.
Sasuke's eye twitched slightly, amazed that he just pictured a scenario that would absolutely never happen. Her reaction would be more like:
Kaori gaped for just a moment before laughing.
"Oh wow, Uchiha, you're as funny as Naruto! No wait, funnier!"
If she laughed at him, he may have to kick her ass, even if she did just get out of the hospital. Her reaction was a combination of the two scenarios. She grew quite red and laughed nervously.
"I, uh, just realized that I should tell Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura the good news. I'll be right back." And with that she was gone in her white kimono and looking, Sasuke had to admit, quite filthy. Unfortunately, the fact that she left meant that she rejected him, but for some reason could not outright voice her rejection. So did that mean that yes was also a possibility?
"Arg!" Sasuke growled, deciding to follow her. If he did not get a response now, she would continue to avoid him rather than answer his question. He had just come to term with his own feelings, and he was not going to let her get away when he was finally being honest with himself.
She would go to Naruto's apartment first, since they were pretty much inseparable and his quarters were close to hers. He turned from the stairwell into the hall, where Kaori was standing at Naruto's door. Naruto himself stood in the doorway, looking very forlorn. Kaori looked pissed.
"They left? And never said goodbye?" she seethed.
Naruto shook his head. "Not even to me." He acknowledged Sasuke.
"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked, stepping closer.
Kaori's angry gaze turned to him. "Kakashi-sensei and Sakura left for the Land of Dragons a couple days ago. Did you know about this?"
"No."
"Apparently, they departed immediately upon Tsunade's orders," Naruto explained. "She wouldn't tell me anything except that and the mission is going to be long-term."
"How long long-term?"
Naruto shrugged helplessly. "As in until they are ordered to come back."
"And they didn't even leave a note? 'See you guys in a few years!' Nothing?" Kaori grew more hysterical.
"Are you okay, Kaori-chan?" Naruto asked, his hand reaching for her shoulder.
"No! I mean yes! I mean..." she tried to take a calming breath, which seemed to make her hyperventilate. "I need some air." She turned and ran into Sasuke before tearing down the hall and leaving the building. Sasuke glanced at Naruto, and they immediately followed. Something was definitely wrong with her. They ran out into a crowd that had gathered on the sidewalk. Kaori's unmistakable white hair was just ahead of this crowd. They pushed through, only to be stopped by the activity on the street that everyone else was staring at. Ahead of the group was the team sent to investigate Orochimaru's influence on the border between the Lands of Wind and Earth. Izumo, Kotetsu, Neji, and Temari looked exhausted, but extremely pleased to be home. Izumo and Kotetsu waved excitedly at Kaori, but the trio on the sidewalk stared to the figure surrounded by ANBU. A young man, covered in white bandages, limped among the powerful Leaf nin guarding him.
"It's him!" Kaori recognized the man from Orochimaru's lair. His servant with the piercing brown eyes.
"Hitanichi!" Naruto emphasized, proud to have remembered the bastard's name. The punk broke Kakashi's arm in defense of Orochimaru. His eyes flew to the hand that held his arm in a painful grip. The tan hand pulled him close. Kaori stared him right in the eyes.
"What did you say?" she whispered.
"The bastard's name is Hitanichi," Naruto said matter-of-factly. "We fought him when we rescued you from Orochimaru."
Kaori let him go and took off toward the group of ANBU. Two stopped her before she could get close.
"Ichi? Ichi?!" she called, desperate to know if this was the man she had lost while on the Inazuma. He looked up suddenly, staring at her blankly. There was a moment of stillness, then as the ANBU pulled her away, his eyes lit up, his lips parted in a smile, and he spoke.
"Kaizoku."