17
Age: 16
The room was cold.
Kakashi locked the door behind them quietly. It was pitch black. The lights weren't functioning in the room. Years of abandonment had made the room useless and a thin coat of dust covered every inch of the room like a second blanket. Approaching where Ryou knew the window was, she ripped off the curtains that had been covering the window from the outside world. A cloud of dust and dead moths lifted off making them both fall into a fit of coughs. The ominous moonlight now illuminated the room and Ryou realized that everything looked exactly the same as it had when Miharu still lived. The walls were still a light shade of pink. Her queen bed was placed in the middle of the room, her desk on the side. Her ninja tools were still sitting in a chair in the corner of the room along with her backpack. A Massive pool of blood decorated the floor. Splatter and droplets of crimson dotted the pink walls amongst other furniture. Ryou's mouth felt dry, a small sob escaped her mouth as she looked at the dry crimson contrast against the pale furniture.
There was so much blood…
Her shadow casted upon the dirty floor. She reached for her mouth covering it with one hand, feeling her knees go weak her other hand sought for support against the wall. Failing, she slowly slipped down her breathing ragged. She wasn't counting on the room not having been cleaned. She felt as if it was spinning.
"Ryou!" Kakashi rushed over to her.
He knelt down to her eye level and grabbed onto her shoulder. Her eyes were wide and glassy, still processing the murderous scene. She did not reply. He repeated her name and shook her slightly.
"I need to get out of here!" She gasped remaining petrified down in her knees. Both palms slammed against the dry blood in the floor. Nails clenching the wooden floor.
"I need to-" she let out a ghastly breath fighting back her tears.
He started at the scene before him. It reminded him of he found his father's lifeless corpse hanging from his bedroom. Another grim memory he had attempted to bury into the depths of his consciousness.
She considered running away, turning away from the truth and locking it all up in a dust ridden forgotten room. Everything had come down to this. She had to face her fears. She took a deep breath and stood up. Regaining her composure she analyzed the room. She looked at the evidence before her. Carefully observing every detail of the scene. She looked at the pool of blood beneath her. That was probably where her mother had wasted her last breaths. She barely remembered the gruesome photographs of her mother's body and the details in them. She had died of exsanguination from an open wound to the heart. Whoever had done this had pierced through her chest instantly killing her.
This type of crime, it was personal…
She remembered the details of what she could from the Uchiha police report she read all of those years ago. There was no sign of force entry… So why would her mother run to this room?
She guessed that the villain must've been someone she trusted, someone whose scent she recognized. She wouldn't have been taken by surprise. That ruled out the theory of a potential business partner being responsible for the Noa clan tragedy. Then there was that blood trail that had sprayed all over the furniture. All signs pointed to a violent struggle.
"Your mother was a tracker, correct?" Kakashi suddenly said.
"Yeah," the other answered.
"There was no way anyone could've snuck up on her," he repeated the conclusion that she had already made herself.
"What are you implying…" She said with a scrunched forehead.
"If it was someone she knew and your father was away… The only person left was your sister, or…" He looked at her and gave a step back uneasily.
"Me?!" She exclaimed her mouth open.
"Me?! I can't believe you would-"
"Well-" He said sharply. "If it wasn't you the only other pers-"
"Enough!" She snapped. Her mind racing. It couldn't be. No it wasn't true. The evidence did not add up. Suddenly her sister's face popped into her head. It had been so long since she had last thought about Miharu. She always wore a bored expression on her familiar features. Her hair was straight and a light brown color just like her mother's and brown eyes just like her father's. If she was with life she would be twenty now.
"There's no way. They found her leg. There was so much blood. She's dead!"
Their conversation flowed quickly. Both of them taking sharp guesses as to what could've happened.
"They never found her body." He said with his arms crossed over his chest as he remained pensive.
"That doesn't mean she's alive-" she said beginning to sound distraught.
"What about the murder weapon?"
"I-I think I found it… Miharu's sword, in the woods-"
"Outside of the wall," he said looking with a dead set expression.
She knew exactly what he was thinking. She just wondered if Miharu would be capable of slicing of her own leg. She sliced her own leg, staged her death, and ran away after committing the most gruesome murder of the decade.
"It just- it doesn't make sense… She had no motive and she really wasn't that skilled as a Shinnobi." She said looking down in defeat.
"Did she need a motive?"
Ryou barely remembered but in the days previous to the tragedy there seemed to be a tense aura in haunting the house. Her parents had been arguing and she remembered that one moment she had shared with her sister. They hadn't been very close in their youth seeing as Miharu had been four years older they were both always on different age stages.
But she could recall that night that she walked into her room. Miharu was planning on running away, or going far, far away. But why- she had been a only a Chunnin. She had several tasks to run around the village. Specifically focused in working in the hospital's medical ward. Her skills weren't outstanding. She was simply a skilled tracker, knew how to wield a sword and had basic knowledge of medical skills.
She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"You think she's still out there?"
It was around 3 AM when both retreated to sleep in their own chambers. That night Ryou found it almost impossible to sleep. Her mind was racing. The last moment when she saw her sister replayed over and over in her head. Miharu had wanted out of here- but why?
She just couldn't wrap her head around it. Sure her parents had been arguing, but it wasn't enough of a reason to murder her mother, stage her own murder and frame an innocent person.
Kakashi had left already. She didn't bother in bidding him goodbye even tho according to their deal that would be the last they saw of each other.
She sighed as she faced him for the last time as a friend.
"Anything you want to say to me?" She said with her arms crossed over her chest.
He looked at her once and remained silent before retreating. And just like that they were finally over.
Part of her wished he had said something. At least goodbye so that they would've had closure.
She couldn't believe she had gathered so much information with his help. He had been so helpful, more than any of the Uchiha's had ever been. Then again, they were better at providing moral support than actually getting their hands dirty. This was different.
It was only logical. The only person of her she that seemed to share just an equally heightened intellect was him.
Maybe with his help... she'd solve this a lot quicker than she thought...
For a minute she regretted dismissing him.
She now stood in front of her sister's room again. With a much less hesitation she reached for the knob when-
"What do you think you're doing?!" A roar echoed from the other side of the corridor. Her father stepped out of his room like a raging bull. He immediately slapped her hand away from the door.
"Ouch!" She pulled her hand back.
"There's a reason why this room has been sealed off." He snapped in a dark tone as he felt the entrance of the bedroom door.
"You are not allowed to go in-" he glared at her with his brown eyes.
"But dad- I was just investigati-"
She wants to explain to him that she could solve the puzzle. Find the missing piece. Make justice and punish whoever had torn her heart out and destroyed their family.
"Enough!" He boomed.
Sighing after realizing how harsh he had been his shoulder's dropped to his sides.
"You need to stop chasing this fantasy Ryou. Focus on what matters, the living. Besides- disturbing such a gruesome scene, it's a bad omen..." he muttered.
That same day Aru Noa had the room filled with concrete and forever shut. It's mysteries and secrets buried away with it...
A couple of weeks had transpired since the incident. And our protagonist realized that all of those who were dead, really weren't dead. They were still living in her head.
Obito forever tormenting her as a backstab her and traitor. She had done nothing but use him and in the end he had died a martyr.
Rin who only ruined Kakashi...
Her mother, who had died too young.
Her sister who... who maybe wasn't dead?
Presently she was-
"Wait-" Gai said confused as he processed everything that she had just told him.
"Are you sure you're not being too dramatic?"
'Not dramatic? Impossible' part of her thought humorously.
"Never speaking to him again? It's not like he did anything to you this time. You two were finally beginning to mend bridges," he said between slurps of his ramen.
"It's the only thing that Shisui has asked of me... I've already done terrible things to betray his confidence. Like allowing Ihim /i to stay over. It's the least I can do, and the best for everyone."
She said playing with her noodles. Already having lost her appetite for the day. She took a sip from her water.
"Could it be hay you actually miss him?"
"Gai! Don't say such things!" She protested coughing violently after almost having choked on her drink.
"Both of you are obsessed with each other. You do realize that?"
It wasn't the first time Ryou had heard this. Obito had told her something similar in another life.
"You're speaking nonsense," she said growing more and more irked and defense by the moment.
"Ryou! It's true, do not deny it," açai said getting more and more roles up. The flames of youth in his eyes began to grow ablaze. "We speak more of my eternal rival, Kakashi, than of your lover, Shisui. With the coming of youthful spring will bring the fever or love! The awakening! The realization-" he was interrupted by the loud sound of a banging. She slammed her fist in the table making the dishes rattle and even the restaurant owners turn to look at her confused.
"What is there to say about Shisui? He's perfect. He's the perfect boyfriend and we are both perfect for each other. We understand, support and make each other happy. We never have problems. The only problem is and will always be him!" She rambled angrily with a red face feeling frustrated.
It couldn't be more clear. Gai realized this by her flushed expression.
"He ruffles more than your feathers doesn't he?" He said with a wide grin. Eyes narrowed devilishly.
This conversation was over.
Just as she was leaving she heard a new voice greet Gai. Looking up she saw Kurenai and Asuma approaching them- well him.
"This conversation is over." She shook her head and slapped the money on the counter before heading out for her mission.
'How could Gai imply such a disgusting idea?! Ugh..!' She shook her head disgusted. 'Her and him? Never!'
Then he remembered when he kissed her that one day in the graveyard. She shook her head angrily from side to side. 'As if!
'No, no, no. Get out of my head!'
Up to this day she had no idea why he had done that and she didn't want to know. She knew that a kiss was symbol of affection, but what type of affection could a man that has hurt so many times and has constantly gone out of his way in order to ruin her day?
It was impossible. Part of her thought that it was just another attempt to rile her up. He was so unbearable.
"You're late Bloodhound." She heard the new captain scold her when she reaches the village's gate.
"Stuff it!" She screeched. The other ANBU looked at her surprised. Shocked at her outburst and the lack of respect for their new leader.
How she wished Shisui would come on this mission. However, he has his own personal assignments to fulfill. The new captain had been appointed today and until she saw his fox mask and gray hair did she notice it was none other than- Kakashi. Seeing him just made her feel more unnerved. It was the first time he had one upped her. He had finally surpassed her.
She knew that she would never become ANBU captain. She didn't deserve it. Unlike him she did have one noticeable weakness, the fact that once she fell into a Genjutsu it was game over. There was no way that such a person could ever be responsible for the entire team. Him on the other hand, now possessed the Sharingan. A precious tool that allowed him to see through tricks and easily copy almost any jutsu.
"As your captain I don't need to remind you again Hound. Please refrain from allowing your personal problems to interfere with the missions. And next time be punctual. It's the number one rule of the Shinnobi Code" he said in a stern tone.
There went that nut case again taking about the rules. She figured he must've been enjoying his new found seniority over her.
She shot him a death glare before she slipped her own ANBU mask on her face.
"Asshole." She muttered under her breath before running ahead of him.
"I heard that…" He said more to himself.
He wondered why she was in such a terrible mood and why she had a stick up her arse? He said nothing else remaining focused on the leading his team.
Not like he could say anything personal to her anyways- after all they had an agreement. They were never to speak again. Part of her had actually been wondering how he was the day before or so. She wondered if he had gotten past his nigh terrors, she had done some reading on them and thought that perhaps a service dog would suit him well...
Of course there was no way of telling him that now. Specially now that she felt this bottled up anger bubbling inside of her.
The ANBU team, Ro, consisted on:
Hatake Kakashi, leading. Noa Ryou, following. Tenzo, a panda eyed young boy with brown long hair. And Inu, a mysterious male whom nobody knew much about.
The instructions were clear: travel to the border with the Hidden Sound village investigate whereabouts about enemies harboring illegal weapons which are smuggled in and out of the Land of Fire.
Kakashi was leading the way in front of his teammates as they made way through the forest. Thus far he hadn't said a single word to her. Holding up his right end of the deal. She remained alert. Her senses focused in. As she attempted to detect any discrepancies in the environment.
'That prick...' she thought glaring at him as he advanced in front of her. Scolding her for literally being a minute late. 'Just- who did he think he was-'
"Enemy!" She said as the team dispersed. A handful a knives aimed at the man-cell suddenly hit.
If you are attached by rogue ninja in a mission, odds are that you are headed in the right direction.
It took only moments for the group of skilled Shinnobi to quickly repel the enemy. After all the four were skilled assassins.
Kakashi killed with his Chidori. It was then that he saw her again. Rin.
He saw her killing her again and again. The same tape playing in his mind over and over and over again.
The lost look in her eyes, blood seeping out of her mouth.
"Oi!"
That voice. The vision suddenly changed. He now saw a younger Ryou, the one he had almost killed all those years ago. Just like Rin she wore a tired expression and was coughing out blood.
He froze in battle. His entire body not being able to function. He hadn't realized that an enemy blade closed in to meet with his torso. Which was why someone had called for his attention to begin with. Before he could react he saw a spark fly before his eyes. A jade blade misdirected the attack.
It was the Crystal Hound.
With her other hand without missing a best she stabbed the enemy woman with one of her crystal halo blades causing her to instantly collapse into a pool of blood. She slightly turned to face Kakashi, completely covered in blood. It was almost like in his vision. She removed her mask. Breathing sharp, panting.
"Snap out of it!" She barked. Her voice rang through his mind, echoing and bouncing off. It was suddenly that he snapped out of his enslaving thoughts. He killed again, and again, and again. The words still on replay in his mind. He had days of not sleeping. She had asked him never to speak to her again. They had both agreed it was in everyone's best interest. So far, they had spoken, nothing personal. Only as teammates. It would be impossible to completely ignore each other.
"Snap out of it!" She had said frustrated through gritted teeth.
The rest of the team had gathered around them. "We should camp near here." He said in a rough voice his back stiff as he gave the order amongst the many bloodied corpses. It wouldn't be long before whoever had sent the rogue ones after them came looking for their best interest. It would be best to camp nearby and wait for an ambush. That way they could instigate more about the enemy. The team nodded and they decided to camp a few yards away from the main road, after all it would be the evening soon.
He distanced himself from his team. Just like he had always done. He sat on a high tree branch where he could scope out the terrain without a worry. The other ANBU had removed their masks and were having dinner around a campfire. Ryou was interacting with Tenzo. Inu didn't say much. Kakashi was currently leafing through an epic novel. Despite remaining focused on his book he was still carefully listening to his surroundings. High on alert in case anything happened.
He wanted to sleep, he felt his eyes slowly closing, but he couldn't sleep. If he slept he would not only be haunted by his nightmares, but he couldn't let his guard down on his first mission as captain. His last mission as captain…
Well let's just say it didn't go that well.
His mind briefly flickered to Obito's last moments as he heroically died. It was so stupid. It could've been avoided.
Maybe if Rin knew how to protect herself. If Obito hadn't been so damn obsessed with her. If they had decided to act sooner. If Ryou hadn't stumbled upon them...
He stared at her as she smiled and laughed with her comrade. She was one of the few reminder's of his past. Of his mistakes and here she was, still haunting him.
Obito was dead.
Rin was dead.
Minato-sensei was dead
His father... dead.
The only consolation he had was that he was able to visit their graves. They weren't completely gone.
To make matters even worse, the other day he had gone to visit Rin's grave and found it completely destroyed. It had been shattered to dust and crumbles. He had sworn to find the monster who had disgraced her final resting place and smashed it to nothings. Whoever had done this... had no conscience. "Go to sleep... If you can."
He hadn't even noticed Ryou had snuck up on him and was now leaning against the bark of the tree in a cool fashion.
"You might be captain, but my senses are far superior than yours. I'll be able to detect if anyone or anything approaches us."
He only spared her an insignificant glare. "I will be keeping post. Return with the rest of the team Hound." He said apathetically not wanting to meet her eyes.
"No." She said stubbornly. "You go down and I'll keep watch. Can't have you freezing up in battle like you did earlier-" she scoffed.
"That is an order," he said menacingly.
She sat in the same branch. A safe distance away from him.
"What are you going to do? Snitch to the Sandaime? I'm not scared of the old man," she said childishly as she stretched her tense back. Her legs dangling in mid air, feet bouncing.
"Ryou..." he drawled growing annoyed. This always happened.
"I thought you never wanted to speak to me again." He muttered not removing his eyes away from his book.
"I'm speaking to you as a teammate."
'Sure...' he wanted to roll his eyes. Typical Ryou. She always found a way to bend the rules to her will and convenience. He considered standing up and leaving, but he couldn't abandon his team. And he knew that if he joined the others she wouldn't have the decency to shut her damn mouth.
"I was reading the other day- you might want to consider getting a service dog. It might help you, sleep better," she said nodding.
"Is that all?" He said coldly.
"Look!" She said in a tense tone. "You helped me make a lot of progress in my investigation. My father sealed off the room once again. It is destroyed. I'm starting to think that you're right and that my sister might be behind this," She explained. "If it weren't for you, I would still be stuck in zero. And who knows for how long I would be there chasing my own tail."
She said seriously.
"What I'm saying is- I appreciate your investigative input." She casted him a glance his hair was glowing silver in the moonlight, he still had his nose buried in his book. Something in her insides twisted.
'No.' She slammed that inner door. Gai's stupid face and his words popped into her head. 'No!' She shrieked internally.
"So we should investigate together, again soon." She nodded nervously, swinging her legs. "Ryou, I'm just respecting both your wishes and your dear Shisui's. You said-"
"Forget what I said!" She turned to face him. "For the first time ever. Forget everything that I said!"
He was done keeping a poker face. His eyes snapped from his novel so that they could meet hers. He still wore his ANBU mask. As if wearing one mask wasn't enough already. "Why can't you just ask your damn boyfriend for help?" He finally cracked.
"Because-!"
She lowered her voice when she heard Tenzo and Inu shift uncomfortably by the roots of the massive tree they were currently on. She lowered her tone, pacing her racing heart.
"Because it is my dream! It is the only thing I have ever wanted. I want to know: Who destroyed my family and what his or her justification for these unjust killings were. Shisui frowns upon it. He says my 'obsession' is unhealthy, that it will drive me mad. But you- you're just as broken and damages as I am. You understand."
She looked down. This had been a stupid idea.
He stood up. Removed his fox mask and put his book away sticking one hand in his pocket.
She was about to jump below and return to the team when she saw him standing besides her. The crescent moon reflected on his eyes and slightly illuminated the scene. He extended his hand out, offering it for support. She looked at him surprised.
"You're right," he said gently.
She looked at him confused. There was something different about him. About the night. She still felt her anger towards him twisting in her insides. That feeling of anxiety that made her nerves jump and her ears turn hot.
"Two halves of a whole." He said more to himself as she took his hand and he helped her up.
"What?" She blinked confused.
"You and I. We are two halves or a broken whole."
She kept her steady, green eyes fixed on his dark and crimson ones.
He might have appeared cool on the outside but inside, his heart was pounding against his rib cage. He saw her wide eyed look. It was now or never. He attempted to compose himself so he wouldn't blabber incoherently like the complete dumbass that he was. He grasped her arms tightly.
"What are you doing?" She asked startled. Not removing herself from his touch.
"I look at you. I can't help it" His grip became stronger.
She knew what was coming, and she was dreading it.
"Kakashi, I don't want this-" she protested, still not struggling against his grip. She shook her head slightly, eyes wide as she attempted to walk away from him. This had been a bad idea.
"Do you think I want this?" He inched dangerously closer.
"I don't want to hear it-" She turned away from him in denial. Their conversation flowed like a match. For every action there was an immediate reaction.
"But you do. Why else would've you have come up here? Why else would you still be standing here? You always do the opposite of what you mean!"
She could feel the asphyxiating tension between them. He was right.
Suddenly, Gai's words came to her head.
"Everyone that I love or have ever cared about is gone" He continued.
'Uh-Oh' there it was. The L word...
"My father, my comrades, my sensei… Everyone I get close to dies."
His hands snaked up to hold both of her shoulders.
"I don't know when it started-"
"No-" She attempted to silence him.
She could anticipate the dreadful bomb that was coming. She raised her fists and pressed them against his chest in an attempt to get him away. To create some distance between them, but somehow she wasn't able to find it in her..
"-not the faintest idea of when it will end-"
"No, no..." she felt a chill run down her spine as his hands finally reached her face. She could feel his calloused hands holding her face. She wanted to shut her eyes. To shut him out.
"You. I'm in love with you."
An atomic bomb had been dropped. She felt as if someone had knocked the air out of her gut.
"No." She managed to utter. Her blood rushing to her head.
"You don't!" She said raising her voice, her pulse racing. Chest aching.
"No- you don't get that." He cut her off. "You don't have the right to tell me who I love or don't-"
"Stop saying that! Kakashi! I have a boyfriend-!" She exclaimed.
"I don't care about Shisui." He snapped. "What matters is us."
There was no turning back. At this point he didn't care if Shisui grilled him with those malignant eyes of his. He'd take him.
"Don't do this." She finally managed to find the strength to push him away from her.
He lunged towards her attacking her with his lips. He lowered his mask in a split second and held her head in place from the nape of her neck. Her mind went blank. She felt lightheaded. He shut his eyes tightly waiting for the smack, but it never came. She was about to give in-
"I know you feel it too, that's why you always keep coming right back."
She opened her mouth to protest. He once again silenced her with his bare lips. His mouth brushed against hers ever so lightly. She felt something come over her. Her stomach fluttering, knees becoming weak. there was so much passion that he could communicate with just one touch. As if he had been waiting for this, savoring the long expected moment.
'This was... nice. It was different...'
She couldn't believe she was doing this. Even thinking this. He was so close to her that even if he stopped she wouldn't be able to see his nude face. His raw expression. He remained closed. His forehead pressed against hers.
"I've hurt you so many times. I'm done making mistakes... This is the right thing. I have never been more certain about anything. I've wasted so much time already... Ryou, tell me you don't feel the same. Come on! Tell me you haven't thought about it!"
He was right.
Gai was right. Obito had been right. No matter how long she had attempted to suppress her emotions- they were there and it was going to happen.
She suddenly felt overcome by a rush of lust. She reached for his dark shirt clenching it tightly in her fist. She didn't dare move. Even breath. His arm slinked down to her waist as he held her close, pressing his body against hers.
Not removing her eyes from his she slowly pulled him in for one final kiss...
AN: Ah! I'm so bad at writing romantic scenes .
If anyone has any recommendations on how to improve let me know haha. I appreciate reviews both good and bad! Thank you for reading! *Heart*