She thought she could hide her emotions. That she could make her memories, her pain, disappear by ignoring it. But I know better. Asuka, like everyone else, dreamed. She talked in her sleep, and each night, exhausted though I was from training, I would lie awake and listen as she cried out in fear. The screams were horrible, painting pictures of torture and pain unimaginable. The very shadows seemed to writhe in pain, as though they too were subject to Asuka's nightmares. It hurt to realise that in the short space of a few years, two twelve year olds had been hurt so badly, had been through so much.
Her screams changed one night. She called out to someone, repeating the name again and again. Youji. I was curious, and wanted to know who Youji was. But I didn't ask. How could I? I couldn't force her to face her nightmares during the day as well. Instead, I pretended not to hear the screaming, that nothing was wrong. Besides, I was yet to discover why my family had been killed. I'd spent months agonising over the question ferociously, ever since arriving here. But I was no closer to an answer than I had been before I'd arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village.
I was distracted from my contemplation by the arrival of my Sensei. "Akira, come with me." I was led from the room, and was surprised to find that our trip ended in the large chamber I'd been brought to when I'd first arrived here with Kakashi. Even more surprising was the fact that Kakashi was waiting for us, as was the only woman on the council. She had removed her mask, and I froze when I saw her face. She smiled at me sadly, empathy and sorrow showing briefly in her eyes, before they seemed to freeze.
My aunt stood before me. She was my mother's twin sister, with long auburn hair and yellow-green eyes. The corner of her mouth twitched in a small smile, and I smiled back hesitantly, unsure of how to react. "Hello Akira." I stared, confused. "What are you doing here?" I asked quietly. She sighed, her smile once again becoming sad, her eyes once again freezing over. "This is my life, Akira. It's what I do." I nodded slowly, trying to take it all in, to calm my thoughts. She watched me, almost as if I were fragile, as if I would break at any moment. "I'm sorry you had to get dragged into all of this. It's my fault." My aunt began to tell a story, the story that would explain why my family was murdered.
AN- Here it is, another chapter. I'd apologise for the half cliffhanger, but since so few people are reading, and I just couldn't be bothered writing more at the time I wrote this, I figured it didn't matter. For those of you who do read this, I apologise. So yea, please review. Just let me know people are reading this story.
Akira- Do you surrender?
Asuka- No! My story will always be better than yours!
Akira- Really *pulls rope*
Asuka is lowered towards a hole filled with explosive tags.
MaiaSakamoto- What can I say? The boy likes to blow things up.