Chapter 9 - Abberation
In a gothic chamber of an ancient court, four amassing figures sat predominantly to set forth and take heed to their ongoing discussion.
"If what you say is true, War Dancer, we may have found the final piece of the puzzle."
"Are you certain, comrade? The time of belief has long past us."
"Evidence without proof is the reason we are a myth. Her will is ours to judge."
"You may be right. However, her words does no justice to sway us."
"She came forward to testify her declaration, for a good reason. That, I bear witness to her loyalty."
"We cannot quantify the impending situation dwindling towards the future, we'll do whatever is necessary to justify our requisition!"
They bestow their gaze upon the figure standing idle in the Court of Justice.
"Her faith will be tested, thoroughly." They nodded respectively.
"Kina Of The Hyūga heritage and War Dancer Of The Lion Organization, you are hereby…"
Naruto could hardly sleep as he stared at his living room ceiling with a mundane look on his face. The day was chaotic and just when he thought it couldn't any worse, his mind flickered into the dark horrors suppressed only by his internal will. 'Just one those days...' His self-talk was the reason of his sleepless journey but he usually blame it on himself. Pedalling to his train of thought, the night just got longer.
Click
He heard a resounding click of the door shutting down the hallway and his immediate reaction was to fake sleep. He didn't quite understand himself of why he did it but he left no room to be caught. Like a ghostly presence, it crept down the hallway floating by his sofa leaving him to shudder in imagination. He peeked through his eyelid and only saw a shadow looming by the faint glow of the moon as it made its way to the other side. His heart skipped a beat and only his realization was falsified when the figure manifest into a shape of a human.
'Kina?' She slid open the door to his balcony and quietly shut it behind her. He tried to get an explanation from her earlier but she refused straight out so he left her at be. He got off from his couch then stared through the faint glass and a familiar scent of nicotine snuck up his nostrils. He stepped into her time of serenity and leaned onto the fence by her side.
"You have the best view in the neighbourhood." She murmured, blowing away a trail of smoke right down her nostrils. He didn't know how to respond to that so their shoulders made contact in the midst of bliss. The night sun was freshly glowing and silence was accompanied by an occasional cricket of nature. Soon enough, she flickered her blunt and looked down the muddy, empty street. "This morning…"
She explained the situation and he only looked at her from the corner of his eyes. The explosion occurred was confirmed to be a terrorist attack by a notorious rebellion, enemy of the Capitol. By what she discovered in the suitcase, the victims were men of an important hierarchy linked with the Capitol. She concluded that the rebel's motive was to fracture their privately funded military sector working to fight against them. It was a perfect time to strike when all the eggs were resting in the nest. Her original mission was actually to blackmail Kawamura that would positioned him into an immediate execution. Evidently, that didn't work out well for The Lion Organization.
Naruto wouldn't possibly know what to do with this information but he knew from now until then, it will not be peaceful. "Why was Kobato with you?" He asked out of curiosity but to her, it was a demand.
She bit her lips and hesitation slipped through her mouth. "She...She was…" The more she explain, the more hesitant she became as his eyes morphed into a cold, hollow stare. "I put her in danger. You believed in me and she was my responsibility. I know it's impossible to make up for my actions but I will accept any form punishment." Her voice was a trembling mix of fear and guilt. When she saw his eyes, her heart bent to the rough, grey tiled floor.
The void was a cruelty he inflicted unintentionally, but had he been aware he would not have cared one iota. He picked his eyes off the gravel with the weariness of one who is fatigued with the whining of a small child and sharpen his eyebrows. "Kina, look at me." It was nothing short but an immediate demand. She lifted her head up and met his impassive, glacial gaze. It was obvious he was the dominant force in her wretched demise. He lifted his throbbing hand up and her tensing limbs brace hard for the impending strike that would slap her neglection away. For what reason she may not know, he pried the pack of cigarettes right out of her hand, took the blunt and light it up in a very composed manner.
He breathed in hard and its contagious ascent circulate through his body, to tame the pulsing anxiety gushing and throbbing in his head. He blew to the side and rest the blunt over the fence, "What you did was extremely irresponsible. Did you even think what will happen if things went south?"
"I know…" The guilt sat not on her chest but inside her brain. What she had done she could not un-do. She could make amends in subtle ways, but confession was out of the question, even to her love.
"I'm not asking you to dwell into your pitiness. Putting her knee-deep in danger without consideration was stupid and you crossed so many lines. My lines. I know that isn't you…" His words embedded deep into her chest forcing her to look away. He wiped his face and rubbed the bridge between his nose before finishing his final sentence. "...and I can't blame you. I want to but that would be hypocritical."
"What?" She wore a puzzled expression.
He sighed and flickered his blunt, spewing the ash to the breeze. "That was my mistake. I didn't ask anything of you but you took the liberty in taking care of her. I did nothing. By all means, she was my responsibility and you made me realize I'm guilty of neglecting her." He phrased with contempt and looked into her vanilla orbs. "Today was unforeseeable and you prioritised her safety, if what you said is nothing but truth."
"It's the truth." With firm she said, then replaced by uncertainty. "Y-You forgave me?"
He mildly shook his head. "There is no reason for me to forgive you but I'm gonna have to close one eye." He knew she won't be satisfied with that answer and he paraded himself to what to say next. "If that really pains you, there is something you can make up for." He lean in to whisper and she was slightly taken aback.
"I can do that." That's right, she can't possibly mess this up.
"Is there anything else?"
Seemingly griping in her collective thoughts, he awaited for her response. "There is one more thing you should be aware of. It's Kobato."
"What?"
"It's about her heritage, or lack thereof." Her heritage? She was part of a clan?
"An-chan." A timid voice sounded and they turned their heads to the topic of subject. She looked tired and scared from what they could tell when she peeked through the doorway gripping tightly onto her doll. "Were you guys arguing?"
Kina shook her head dismissively. "No, Ko-chan. We were…" She didn't know what to say next so she motioned to Naruto.
'Oh right. We were discussing about you." He unthinkingly slipped it right out of his mouth and Kina temperedly glared lightly at him.
"Are you guys planning to get rid of me?" The words 'Shit No!' voiced in respective heads as she continued. "It's okay, I understand I was a burden to you all."
Kina deliriously waved her hands in frantic denial. "Nonono, we weren't talking about that! Do you want to go to the library tomorrow? A girl your age shouldn't stay at home all day." She persuade kindly, planting a gentle hand onto her shoulder.
She seemed to ponder for a moment as she quirked her head to the side. "I don't mind. I tend to get bored."
"Awesome! Now go to sleep, we'll have a long day tomorrow. I'll be with you in a minute." She gestured her off, nodding tiredly in reply within her nightly daze.
"Okay…" Yawning, she made her back with baby steps.
Both looked at her retreating form and Kina smiled endearingly. "You know, we're acting as if we're her parents." He would disagree but, "Naruto-kun," Her hand rested warmingly on his cheek, their eyes locked in timeless wonder. "She's your last shred of hope if you want to forgive yourself. From now on, do what you think that's best for her."
He grasped and lean into the radiant warmth of her palm like a fur coat in the winter. "I will." She snickered but not as a dismissive thought, but an acknowledgement. Their lips journeyed them far off the horizon and the time it took was limitless. They parted ways and her lips curled upwards, gazing yearningly at the blue sky she loved dearly.
"I know you will, just as you did for me. We'll continue this conversation tomorrow. See ya." The door clicked and he was left alone to stare in wonder at the starry night. A shooting star flint across the sky and he could only mull over for one request.
"When will I learn..."
As the allotted time drew near, the steady summer heat became far less bearable. The Hokage snapped his fingers and the windows flew dead shut for the air-conditioning to transform the heat wave into a cool thought-process for his ordeal. Yesterday was unprecedented when the public outcry for demand to the recent attack. Public fear was in the brink of breakdown until he stepped forward to acknowledge and degrade the situation. Investigation was still underway and the board meeting will be held soon.
A number of state officials had died and numerous civilians were injured, possibly by falling debris. What stood out the most was the charred marks within the perimeter of the building. Witnesses report it was a toxic green with an odorless smell, disintegrating whatever it touches and the victims succumbed to it became non-existent. There was a case like this not too long ago where an orphanage accidentally caught fire during a festival. Could they be connected? Seems coincidental.
Why would they attack in a time like this? What are their motives? This terrorist attack cannot be let by and security will be tripled from now on. The door clicked open and there comes his bandaged comrade, Danzo Shimura.
"Hokage-sama." He grunted and tapped his cane to the wooden floor.
He nodded in his presence. "Danzou, what business do you have here?"
"If you like to hear, I'm here to make a proposition."
"And what would that may be?" The hokage reinforced his guard, in suspicion of his frequent unsanctioned actions and his often-suspected (but rarely proven) undermining of specific Konoha personnel.
"As you know, the rebellion has always set their eyes on The Capitol. They've proven to themselves to be a group of radicals without boundaries and cause. The Capitol is the symbol of our nation, a crown. Since then, we are nothing but a footstool and our actions has always been discredited. Personally, Hokage-sama. This is an embarrassment to us all." He spout every remark in disdain against the Capitol for what the higher ups knew, Konoha is being belittled.
"What are you saying, Danzo?"
"I am saying we should take the fight to their land!" He ushered. "We've been infiltrated countless times and history has shown the enemies of Konoha is either to be eliminated or negotiated with. Rarely the former. We've been sitting idle and if we act now, more lives will be saved!"
He narrowed his eyes. "Danzo, we cannot quantify the situation at hand. I understand that. However, acting out on prejudice is a death's wish. We know they have a military double the size of Konoha's. We know there are elite members within their ranks. And we know since the Recollection, our military might had been reduced significantly for the fight against The Rebellion. That is the reason we are still striving."
"Surviving is a lack of a better term." He retorted, squinting his eyes before continuing. "There were your comrades, Hokage-sama. Their forces are multiplying while ours are dwindling as we speak. We are simply waiting to get plundered. When are you going to show some backbone?!"
He stood up from his chair in display of authority, thickening the atmosphere. "That's enough, Danzo! This conversation is finished!"
The shinobi of darkness refrained from scowling and turned to his back. "Hiruzen, how long are you going to wait for the fire to wither?"
Once he was out of sight, he sighed in exasperation then took off the Hokage hat and placed it on the table, staring emptily at the symbol. It signifies the title bestowed upon him. The title of a great leader to lead the village into prosperity, not despair. He rubbed the bridge between his nose and sighed distressingly. "You may come in, Jiraiya."
The Toad Sage slipped through the gaps and fanned himself from the afternoon heat wave. "I hate to say this but he may be right, Sensei. If we live long enough, we might see this village forces turning into private military corporate. Free from jurisdiction."
"I'll be lying if I say I'm against that. We became sympathizers, that's how it is. There hasn't been a turning point for a long time since my leadership for Konoha to be recognized."
He snickered and raised his brow in a satirical manner. "What? Make Konoha great again? It's a possibility if we play our cards right."
The Third Hokage resumed his position and straightened his back. "Anything you have learned?"
"Many things," he hands over a scroll and folded his arms. "...as it turns out, they truly have established a private military. Kawamura-15th richest man in the Capitol, was the main source of their funding. They've been doing this behind our backs for three years, not to mention executing various missions. Fortunately, those working there are forbid to wear any insignia linked to Konoha and if found dead, we'll the last person they're expecting."
"What of their sector?"
He shrugged offhandedly. "When it comes to money, leaders are disposable. They'll either find a new source of income, go rogue, or come back. Neither of which will make any difference."
"The spy?"
He shook his head. "Even saying as a spy myself, it's almost impossible to say who was the culprit of the attack. It'll take a lot of time and bribery to produce evident results. We don't know if they're still lurking right under our nose and we have no idea when will if they decide to strike. The Revolutionary Army is what they call themselves. They're equivalent to a nation's army and our dangerous foe, even if we don't know it." Hiruzen smoked his pipe, suspecting there may be a traitor or more within their ranks. This is definitely unprecedented. "Is there...anything else you want me to look into?"
He seemed to be contemplating until he took out a pair of scrolls from the drawer and handed it to the Toad Sennin. "Continue what you do best, Jiraiya. If you have the time, I want you look into these cases."
He tucked it away and proudly nodded. "You can count on me!" He thumbs up and leap through the window. "GOD DAMN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE!"
"Arrrghhh."
"GOD DAMN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE!" Naruto exclaimed morbidly as he sprawled onto the grass with liquid trickling down his face and mouth..
"How many times are you gonna say that?" Kina asked, slightly annoyed, sitting legs crossed seemingly not breaking a single sweat. Seriously, how does she do that in this scorching heat?!
"Until it snows! Grah!" He attempted to regain his bearings but it's like being stuck in an endless desert barefooted. "Why do we have to be out in the open?! Why not under the shade?!" He complained as Kina hissed at him.
"Keep your mouth shut. Ko-chan is studying and you're interfering her." He lazily swayed his eyes to the girl sat comfortably under a shade with a picnic mat. Books and food surrounding her.
"This is so unfair…" He muttered, hearing his tummy growling for feast.
She quirked her lips to the side in a rather condescending manner. "I think I see the problem here. It's your mentality, you give in way too easily." Without warning, she spanked him in the back causing him to yelp in pain. "Motivation is nonsense, discipline is key."
"Fine." Seemingly annoyed by her remark, he sat straight and legs crossed. "That was fucking painful, you looked like you were enjoying it." He murmured and quell in fear when she pulls out a spanker. "Why do you even have that?!"
She grinned pervertedly, lightly hitting the base onto her palm. "If you are masochistic, I won't spank you."
He sighed, enduring the scorching sun in the state of meditation. "I don't see a point of doing this."
She raised the spanker with an evil grin. "You want me to slap away your point?"
His privates quiver as sweat trickled profusely down his face. "No ma'am." Closing his eyelids, he muster all the relaxation methods he could possibly think of.
She observed him carefully, the squint in his eyes and the tensing of his muscles. 'He's trying way too hard.' The main purpose of this process was to eliminate stress and be the master of mind. For what she noticed, he seemed to hit a brick wall and can't find a way to possibly break it. Activating her Byakugan, what she saw astounded her. He was channeling all what he can into his head like a blowtorch. Doing this, he risked damaging his internals and the chakra system itself. The distribution of chakra must always be harmonized, sacrificing one link for the other would risk the loss of a systematic network. For example, he might not channel anything onto his palm due to the link being cut off. 'No wonder he can't even summon a technique, he's broken.' Pondering once more, she looked into his system riddled in absolute chaos. 'I'm gonna have to do this, hope you'll forgive me.'
Her hands glow a shade of green as she planted them to the sides of his head causing him to flinch. "What are you doing?"
"Shhh, just relax and pretend you're asleep. Forget that I'm here." She whispered gently.
"I don't mind the view but you're too close.." He flustered looking down her spaghetti strap.
"Don't pitch a tent, before I break the twig." It was so subtle that it made him cringe. He resumed. "Just breathe, follow my tempo." She soothingly rubbed circles onto the sides of his head to signify the breathing pattern for him to follow, thoroughly. In addition to boost his concentration, she began softly humming Pachelbel's Canon which he immediately received a wave of nostalgia.
"Kina?" He asked worryingly, as if reality was pulling away by every inch of the second.
"I'm here. I'm always here." She eased him, after noticing a sudden spike in his momentum. "You're not alone. I won't leave you." It seemed to calm him down a bit but his behavior is pulsing strangely in an indistinguishable pattern. 'Just what is going on in there?'
Naruto was swimming in the dark of a living hell. Eyes froze front and nothing he could possibly distinguish. The world was etched in charcoal, the once vibrant hues of the plants were no more than a vivid dream. His body was buried in darkness which seemed to oppress him like an awful weight. It surrounded everything. It ate up everything in existence. It did not give him any mercy as it suffocate his body like a damp, musty, think blanket, clinging to every inch of his pale skin. Even in this abyss, not even his shadow lures within.
And yet, where was the fear he seek?
Has reality have all but forgotten in this nightmarish limbo? No, it still lingers. There was a warmth in his head, radiant and captivating, it stayed with him when his body lay cold. A tune he was hearing, a soothing one. In the midst of this charred night, a flint sparked a faint flame. It fumed a soaring light banishing all darkness as it fleet towards him. He stretched for it, in the hopes of clinging for dear life. Horror filled his eyes when his hand simply phase through the floating ball of light. Like a disturbed sentient, it hovered away.
'No! Come back!'
Escaping the abortion of darkness, he started running towards his only shred of life. The experience was surreal, running around in an infinite void to only end up in the same emptiness of space. Neither nor science or reason could possibly define this incomprehensible ordeal. Why the hell was he still running? What is he chasing for? He could abandon it and wander aimlessly. Ignoring the possibilities that would surface in his downfall.
Then, the orb sparked once more, manifesting into a shape he would define as humane. The form seems feminine as such he concluded to be female. Her hair is liquid rose against a face so pale it obscures her eyes. The strands flow down her back, stopping in an arrow around her hips. A form so small and lively was cradled in her arms. Rocking and humming a soothing tune, she smiled brightly, striking a huge resemblance that seemed familiar.
He stretch for her but no avail, his hand undoubtedly phase through causing the form to disperse into fireflies and back into a single, floating star. He stared to his feet, and caught a glimpse of his reflection in the gloom. He lowered down and his reflection shifted into a soul he knew all too well. He could still hear her lullaby, echoing in his company in this infinite void. And so, he sat down legs crossed, to free his conscious.
Amena
The door to the Hiragana's Blacksmith rang open as she stood inside and look over the aisle. At first glance, weapons of different variance fill the shelves in their respective categories as well as scrolls arranged accordingly to its presets. Antique weapons such as Warhammers and dual handed swords etc are displayed for a viewings pleasure from outside. Chains and definitely sharp objects hang securely onto the ceiling as well as stash-away field-tested weapons on measly barrels. The place certainly tries its hardest to maintain acceptable standards to continue operating but as far as she knew, shops in Konoha are plentiful and this place is at the least of their concerns.
"Like I said, you have to treat it as if it's the most precious thing in the world! You can't just toss it like that." A certain bunned hair girl berate her customer.
"Well uh, my dog is precious. I bath him once a week and I did exactly what you said." The customer argued showing the rusted sword to her. "Didn't work all too well, does it?"
She restrained from slapping herself. "Sir, It wasn't meant to be literal. Didn't you read the instructions included in the case?"
He snorted. "Who read manuals? I chucked it and just like what I did do my dog, I gave a decent, well-thought out bath. Throwing, cutting down trees, slicing meat."
A vein twitched at his idiotic methodology. "This Katana is made of steel. Steel rusts overtime. Misusage, it degrades."
He waved off apathetically picking on his ear. "Yeah, Yeah. I heard that. Are you going to fix it or what?"
She resist the urge to scowl viciously. "I'll be sure to include a manual for your next visit."
"That's great! I'll come over at the end of the week. See ya!" As soon as he leaves, she released a massive sigh putting aside the neglected instrument and turn her attention towards the awaiting customer.
She smiled. "Amena! Good to see ya again!" She waved to her as she approach the counter smiling also in response.
"Likewise Tenten, do you have my orders ready?" This was her third visit and their encounter was due to her sword, Murasame. She was ecstatic to see such a unique weapon forged by one of the most legendary blacksmith in the century. She had an orgasm when Amena let her hold it and because of it, they became well acquainted with each other.
She nodded affirmingly. "Sure do." She went to the shelf shelf behind her to pick up the orders. "So what's the deal anyway? You said you're still in the Academy and ordering this much is pretty excessive."
"Mostly, it's for training. You look pretty skilled yourself, why are you still a genin?" The raven haired asked as the cashier chuckled lightly.
"Times are tough for the time being. It's hard for Konoha to organize a national competition considering what's going on. It may be this year, one can wonder." When she stretch her hand to the upper shelf, her sleeving slipped exposing a recently treated wound.
"What happened?"
She waved off dismissively. "Don't worry about it, tis but a flesh wound." She returned with supplies that could last for months. "One more thing," Tenten reach down to the bottom of the counter and firmly held a special small black case complete with red markings. "Here is the special cleaning tool kit you asked for." She proudly handed it over and caught a glimpse of Murasame in the scabbard. (Fangirl Intensifies)
"Thanks," She slot it into her battle kimono and rummage through one of her pockets. "I think one of your products is defective. Either or I'm unaware of something."
"Defective?" She handed over the wrinkled Chakra Gauge paper to the weapon's enthusiast for enquiries. It's all dried up but has enough indication to tell the reactive process. She closely inspect the piece of paper and ponder in thought. "This is extremely rare to happen. I'm not too in-depth in this kind of thing."
"Have any idea what might have caused it?"
She hummed to herself, riddling questions and answers in her head. "Either by an uncontrollable amount of chakra or excessive input. I doubt the latter." She handed it back to her. "One needs to be a Kage tier to achieve such feat. Did you?"
The Uchiha shook her head. "Let's leave it to customer's privacy policy. Is this all of it?" She eyed the mass on the counter.
"Yup! 100 kunais, 50 sets of shurikens, 50m(165ft) worth of iron strings, 80 paper bombs, Tier 1 Ninjutsu scrolls and a stainless steel Tanto." She reviewed thoroughly as Amena sealed them into a scroll.
"Out of all the shops I came across, this one is surprisingly the most efficient." She handed over her payment as Tenten honored the compliment with gratitude. "Do you still have one of those Chakra Gauges?"
"Of course!"
Ring
A fairly tall person entered the shop and walked over to the counter. He had onyx eyes under which were long, pronounced tear-troughs. He had jet-black hair that was pulled back in a low ponytail and his face was framed with centre-parted bangs that extended to his chin. He had a black shirt, bandages around his ankles, and black sandals. He wore tan pants with a weapons pouch strapped to his back.
He stood a respective distance beside Amena and handed a receipt to Tenten. "I'm here for the pickup." He asked formally as the clerk look over the receipt.
"Oh, alright. I'll get back to you, momentarily." Off she goes to the back leaving the two onyx eyed individuals alone.
Amena had her arms folded, something about his presence seemed familiar to her. Glancing away, she immediately noticed the Uchiha emblem on his back. An Uchiha! When he caught her peering into him, she didn't turn away.
"You're not from around here, are you?" He insisted with a friendly tone and her response was none other nonchalant.
"You could say that, I just moved here." What occurred to her the most when first talking to strangers, she would usually pry away from conversing. "Are you…?"
He concurred. "Yes, yes I am. And so are you." She was taken aback by it and he seemed rather amused. "Your posture and aura were a giveaway. It is impossible to dismiss the trait embedded in our clan, metaphorically." Shock replaced by curiosity, the male Uchiha apologised with a slight bow. "Pardon my intrusion, my name is Uchiha Itachi."
She was staggered by his politeness and proceed to introduce herself apprehensively in a similar manner. "Oh-uh. Uchiha Amena."
He smiled. "Interesting name. It has been a while since we've had any visitors beyond the walls. If you have the time, feel free to visit the Uchiha district anytime you like." At that moment, Tenten returned with the supplies and he took it effortlessly. "Farewell." He bowed politely leaving Amena to stare at his back as he left.
'Uchiha Itachi...Isn't he's-?'
"In case you're wondering, that's Uchiha Itachi," Tenten interjected. ",older brother of Uchiha Sasuke and Captain Of The Police Force."
"Why is he still here?"
She shrugged. "Who knows? It was a topic of dispute for a few months during the Recollection and he decided to stay. Maybe to maintain the balance of powers or simply out of spite." She took out a thick but portable book from under the counter and handed it over to the curious Uchiha. "This is a Databook containing a list of active duty shinobis. Ranging from Genin to Elite. To be listed, they have to be recognized. Updates once a year or so."
"Woah." Flipping through the book, she noticed various individuals from different countries with diverse skills and traits. "Is this all of them?"
"Realistically, no. It wlll expose a massive security flaw to identify each and every single high tier-ed individuals. Some might have gone rogue and others, deceased. Each to their own respective categories." As she skim through, she stopped at Uchiha Itachi. Two choices she would think of: Avoiding him would be best as he is linked to someone she rightfully distaste increasing the danger of exposure. Secondly, visit the Uchiha District.
Closing it back, she slotted it into her kimono. "Thanks for the info. This seems really useful."
"Glad you like it."
Ring
"Come back soon!"
As she waved back, her senses were telling her that she was in immediate danger. 'Am I...being watched?' Following procedures, she picked a random route and began walking. The vibe clung to her like a shadow at every step of the way, intimidating her to confront the observer. She rested her palm onto the hilt and stopped dead at her tracks. Turning her head with a suspicious glare, the grudge dwindled as seconds tick by. 'I'm no longer safe. I need to take extra precautions this time around.'
Upon arriving to the usual training ground, she stumbled onto an unsual scene. Kina spanking Naruto's face in a very repettive manner while on top of him. Once she arrived to the training ground, she was greeted by an unusual scene of incomprehensible proportions. Kina had Naruto tied to a trunk of a tree by his wrists, half-naked. To make it even more bizarre, she was hitting him at every part of his body, which left painfully obvious shades of red using a novel-forbid, spanker. She even had him gagged but Naruto himself remain unconscious, oblivious to the 'treatment' he had due. Sat on a base of a tree, Kobato mustered all the courage from peeking to the event occurring behind her back and continued reading.
Amena was stoned-faced for even she was unable to grasp the odd display. "What is going on?" She asked the gothic lolita who looked up from the leather shrouded book.
"Nii-chan hasn't woke up from his meditation. Kina-neechan is trying to wake him up...I think." She stammered, cringing at the ordeal he faced.
"How long has it been?"
"For...awhile."
Meanwhile,
"WAKE UP, YOU FREAKIN BASTARD! DON'T MAKE UP SHOVE AN ORE UP YOUR ASS!" Kina roared her throat out while spanking continuously in an attempt to 'revive' Naruto at his limbo state. The sheer amount of pain should have woke him up but it has been hours since she started. She tried various methods that ideally, no man wish to go through unless the person was a complete masochist to begin with. "Naru-Fucking-ruto! If you don't wake up at this very second, I'm gonna break every inch of your bones till you can't even fuck anymore!" Not like she wanted that.
That said, a kunai flew out of nowhere which cut off his binds causing him to sprawl onto the dirt, possibly ending his uncharted misery. "What have you done?" The Uchiha rigidly asked, cutting off the rest of the binds with a single sweep of her sword.
Kina gulped. "Well...I kinda initiated the 'Reconstruction' sequence without telling him." You ended it with sheepish laugh which reacted a volcanic eruption on par to Yellowstone Caldera.
"YOU WHAT?!"
Though she backed away slightly, she stood firm. "Yes! I know by doing so would shorten his life and possibly ending it! But all this time, you knew he was suffering!"
"That's why I'm trying to train him! To be resilient to it!" Amena retorted, standing her ground.
Kina folded her arms and grew stern but remain composed. "But how can he when he is completely broken? You're basically making him walk on lava!"
"Are you serious?! He knew the stakes! At least I tell him the risks involved! He's stronger than that! You are betting on his life!" The Uchiha exclaimed causing the Hyuuga to lose her cool.
"Don't be delusional! You call that training? You are crucifying him! Do you really want to kill him that badly?!" Kina spouted as Amena bit her lips, narrowing her glare.
"Shut up, you little Hyuuga. All this wouldn't have happened if you just kept your mouth shut to keep all those deep little secrets you pry away from him. Wasn't it you who were the one expose him?"
She glared piercely in response, her hands fuming in chakra. "Watch your mouth, Uchiha. That isn't your place to say. Are you questioning your loyalty?"
Amena put her hand onto her hilt, scowling at her judgement. "Don't give me that. Loyalty? Seriously? Didn't you chuck it away when you abandoned your own blood?"
Her Byakugan immediately began throbbing, her teeth gritting in spiteful splurge. "One more word about my faith, will be your end, Bitch. I'm doing it for him."
Eyes full of hatred, her Sharingan swirled menacingly as she grasped onto her hilt. "Are you really? To an extent of endangering him? For your selfish needs? That's pathetic."
One can't possibly cease the impending doom that was about to behold at that very moment. Their eyes locked in a dire state of dominance as the embodiment of hatred began manifesting in a form of venomous emotions discharged by these kindred souls. Not waiting any longer, they projected their hostility by unleashing their weapons at the first step. Their hearts roared against this senseless fight, for the shed of blood was imminent. They were willing to sacrifice everything, for what they consider justifiable.
"STOP IT!" Before the mistake was made, Kobato screamed for she was watching the entire heart-breaking ordeal. All of a sudden, they were thrust back by a wave of blazing fire filled with emotions that were suppressed. Tears were dripping right down her chin as she held tight onto her stuffed doll. She sniffed, pressing back from crying her lungs out when the two bicker in their blind arrogance and hate.
Shocked and guilt was their realization for they were taken aback by the roaring fire shrouding the young girl, whom was completely unaffected by the combustion she set onto herself.
"Stop it. Stop fighting." She begged achingly, swelling the hearts of the two rivals. What have they done?
Once the hellish fume had dispersed, the serene harmony of nature took over but the charred ground could not be replaced by the aberration that had taken place. Kobato sniffed once more as she looked up, seemingly tired from crying in silence.
Later that evening, The Uzumaki fluttered his eyes open in the comfort of his bed. The moon shone high as he sat by the edge of his bed, feeling a sense of numbness in his feet. Feeling nauseous as he stood, he staggered out of his room, down the lighted hallway only to find the atmosphere to be depressingly desolated. Kobato was on the sofa in front of the TV with a sad look on her face, seemingly reminiscing over something. Only when she noticed until he sat beside her, making them both slightly uncomfortable because their communication was base.
"What are you watching?"
"Season 1 of The Red Fury Necromancer." She answered timidly from behind her doll, skimming over the action of the heroine fighting alongside her new found partner.
He observed the character as she transformed into a skimpy battle outfit and her appearance struck an odd resemblance. "Woah, she looks exactly just like you." Naruto grinned earnestly, flushing a great deal of embarrassment at her.
She squirmed in her seat. "Nnggh. I do not. She has a red eye and I don't." She pointed at the fictional vampire, her left eye shining a crimson red.
He waved it off dismissively. "You don't think so? Wait here," He went off to the bathroom and came back in an instant with contact cases. "This is for you." He handed it to her with a smile.
She nervously took it and popped the case off, looming a curious expression. "What are these?"
"Contact lenses, they're very specially made and could last a decade. I don't wear them anymore so I figured it best suite you." He answered condescendingly as she mull over it. "Go on, give it a try."
"O...Okay." Applying it with the help of Naruto, it stung a bit until she fluttered her eyes leaving miniscule tears. He pulled out a handheld mirror producing an awed expression from the blonde girl. "Wow…" Her amazement was intoxicating as Naruto grinned foxily feeling a sense of achievement.
"You like it?"
"Hm!" She happily answered with a bashful nod taking the mirror by her hands, fantasizing the endless wonders of her idol.
"I'm glad you do. Remember, don't wear it in your sleep and take good care of it. Understood?"
"Hai!"
"Nice, so where is everybody?" She didn't answer but turn her head slightly to the balcony. Behind the tinted glass door, he could make out Kina leaning against the fence. He sighed feeling a bit drained. Caressing her head, he smiled kindly to her. "I'll join you afterwards. Later."
Sliding the door open, he felt a squishy substance on the pommels of his feet. Sprawled all over the grey tiled floor were blunts, she must have used up almost a pack. His face slipped downwards as he grasped onto her shoulder, making her face him. "You alright?"
She wore a puzzled expression. "You're awake? It...It's only been a few hours. How are you? How are you feeling? Are you sick?"
Her stammering response perplexed him. "I'm the one supposed to ask you that but I'm fine. Except, I absolutely can't feel anything, not even an itch, as if I'm inside a shell." He stressed out as she flicked her blunt away and press her hand onto his beating heart. Not a minute went by, she embraced him with her head against his chest, breathing deep in a soothing rhythm. Though he felt nothing but confusion, he gently caressed her soft midnight strands.
"You're more clingy than usual, except less brutal." He muttered through her hair and he could feel her cheeks shifted.
"I'm sorry, I just need some reconciliation." He slightly nodded and continued reconciling her. "Naru-chan, do you see anything wrong with me?"
It earned a curved brow and after pondering, he sighed unwieldily. "Apart from being an abusive cunt and cunningly dangerous, I don't see why I should judge you by your colors. A flower meant to be nurtured and nourished, not plucked. I guess, that's the best I can describe you."
He heard a light chuckle but unbeknownst to him, a tear shed down her chin. "Does that mean you might want to marry me?"
"Fat chance, I'm not convinced if you can even handle it. Not to say I won't but, we'll see."
"Aww, is that it?"
"You're begging for more now? Fine. You are…" Processing ",a...candle in my life?"
She then replied to him tauntingly. "And my love is like a candle. If you forget me, I will burn your fucking house down."
'I'm surrounded by psychopaths…'
She turned her head towards the living room and her half-lidded gaze was set to Kobato, ecstatically admiring her new looks and fantasy idol. It earned a heartfelt smile from the Hyuuga. "Keep this us and you might even convinced me to do it myself, and The child of the last Nikkusu might even be yours."
"Kobato?" He darted his eyes to the girl then back at her. "What are you talking about?"
Separating, she handed him a scroll made of leather and its age defined the generational gap. Folding her arms beneath her chest, she stared hard at the scroll. "Believe this if I told you, she is not what you think she is." Opening the scroll, his mind was caught in a flurry of turbulence. "She is the last of the Nikkusu clan (Phoenix Clan). They were claimed to be extinct almost a hundred years ago after staging a war against Konoha, which at that time, Tobirama Senju was at rule. During Operation Blood Exchange, they refused to take part of the program which then led to their preventable demise. They'd proven to extremely dangerous, on par to the Uchihas; almost wiping out an entire invading force as well setting blaze to the entire continent. Prior to that, any scattered survivors are either to be subjugated or eliminated."
He rubbed the temple of his head in frustration. "...and I have a living breathing inferno under my roof." Reflecting his collective thought, a realization pierced through his head. "Wait, how did the Sasuke knew about Kobato?!" He exclaimed in turmoil.
She set her eyes in a wandering gaze. "I asked myself that question many times and speculating was my only way of knowing. The chakra links of Nikkusus are anatomically different from others which can be easily set apart by anyone with blood-bred visions. That cocky bastard knew that a breathing Nikkusu exists. Kobato...she was a scapegoat to his ploy and you...went along with the game."
His teeth gritted and grind at the thought of his face and the anguish he suffered. "Fucking hell," He spouted spitefully ",can't wait till the day when I snap his head clean off and shit down his throat."
"That can wait, right now, we may not know if her existence is leaked so we must prepare ourselves for the worst possible outcome." She notified cautiously and he looked at her blankly.
"Why's that?"
"What the commoners not know, Operation Beta is still in motion. Naruto," She approached him imposingly and her eyes were rightfully sharp. "How much are you willing to protect her?"
He stood stiff and take heed. "I'll put down my life for her, she doesn't deserve this."
She nodded her head firmly. "...and so will I. Her abduction will cause a dreadful end to the entire world if strung into the wrong fingers. It's my job to prevent such things from happening."
At that moment, Kobato was running around the living room imitating herself as a vampire princess, inflicting a reign of terror to the masses. "KuKuKu," She peace-sign over her red eye. ",the fools of flea shalt serve thine requests! Haha-hahaha~!"
"..."
"..."
"Want to join her?" Naruto suggested somewhat persuasively.
"Sure." Before getting ahead of herself, she looked at the blunt-littered floor then to her pack, and sighed. "I've gotta control myself. Sooner or later, I'm gonna cause more harm than good."
He patted her shoulder. "Can't blame you, don't lose your priorities."
"You're giving me tips now?" She mused amusingly.
"I wouldn't have if it wasn't for Amena-chan. By the way, where is she?" He did not notice the split second shadowy guilt in her eyes as he ponder.
"She's...asleep." After their heated quarrel, they have not talked since and Naruto seemed to accept it without another thought.
Holy shit. It was 8am in the morning and he was not threatened to steel himself up and pass the blaze. Passing a specific threshold he would either be dragged by the teeth or jabbed to the canyons of his shittery. Neither seemed to happen.
Worries begone as breakfast calls.
The aroma of her savory creation imprisoned his nose in an enthralling trance as he dance his way to the kitchen. He arrived in a nick of time to see her, devoid from reality. Staring at the wall seemingly drowned in her own thoughts, so he stood beside her and gaze at the butterscotch substances in the pan. Sneakily lessening the output of the stove, he gently called out her name so to not surprise like last time.
"Amena-chan…"
"...?...Eh?" She was wide-eyed at his sudden appearance then back at her pan, frowning contemptibly. "Oh no…" She always prided herself in her ability to be serve the best and bestow the best. However, that wasn't the case this time. Abruptly, Naruto grab a spoon and serve himself a bite-size, "Hey!...Wait...They'r-..." he munched down the perfectly moist eggs and rice without tint of hesitation.
"Hmmm~! They're good!" He swallowed scrumptiously, penalizing her in a gawking state.
"...You...idiot..."
So they had scrambled eggs.
To repay her, he decided to do the dishes. "I was going to make omelettes…" Said the wistful Uchiha as Naruto laughed it off dismissively.
"Brood your way to the heavens and before you know it, everything has burned to the ground." Metaphorically and literally. She firmly crossed her arms and legs as Naruto tuck the plates away.
"That habit is going to be the end of me." Said the displeased raven haired as the blonde dry himself with a cloth and sat opposite of her before shrugging his shoulders.
"Everyone lives by habit, either good or bad; therefore, strive to good habit attitude, then you won't have to break the bad." He lightly chuckled at her daunting reaction which she earnestly stirred away with a nonchalant smile.
"You surprised me in more than one ways. I guessed my lessons really paid off." He grinned in response to her unperturbed amusement. "How are you feeling?"
"Surprisingly, fresher than I ever felt in my entire life. I feel like I can use the 'New day, new me' quote." He stared at his clutching palms, loosening the strain in his muscles. "Never thought that I could skip the pills...maybe just for a while."
"For someone like you, that's expected. The Reconstruction method is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I doubt you'll feel the same way in the near future." He tilted his head as she gazed to the floor with a slight indication of distaste in her voice.
"Yeah...she didn't told me beforehand. It was uncalled for but any available solution is worthwhile." Not meeting his gaze, he continued. "You know, whether my life is shortened or threatened does not matter," Their eyes were locked in a silent stance. ", I'll be long dead if that's gonna take me out. Because you're gonna have to do it!"
Yup. Either he lost a part of his brain or he completely lost his mind for stashing away the excruciating danger granted to him. "Nothing's gonna change you, will it? Not even death. What was going on inside your head?"
That said, he pondered long and hard before leaning against his palm. "Everything was dark...You were there...Kobato...Kina...everyone I know...it ate everything all up." He sighed. "I can't explain in a way that could be comprehend. It was messed up.."
"I wouldn't want to know."
"You couldn't possibly want to." Straightening himself up, he poured himself tea. "Do you know about Kobato-chan?"
"Yeah."
"...and? She said she wouldn't mind you being her auntie."
"Hey! I didn't pluck her out of that pit just so you two can play lovey-dovey mommy-daddy and dawdle your way to happy land! I won't be left behind!" She stammered indecisively, her cheeks flushing 10 shades of red.
He smiled satisfyingly. "That's a perfectly good answer. Glad to hear that." Realization stacked his head. "Oh right, I got you something." Taking out the black beads of marbled bracelet he bought, he gestured it to Amena who gasped in an immediate response. "It's for you."
Losing her composure, her face erupted as an heir of . "WHA-WHY-WHY ARE YOU GIVING ME THI-THIS FOR?!"
(Note: In Hyuga tradition according to Kina, presented any form of jewelry symbolizes a marriage proposal. The giftee can refuse even without reason.)
"Eh? You don't want it?"
(Note: He still doesn't know.)
"IT-IT'S NOT LIKE I DON'T WANT IT OR ANYTHING! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS ALL OF A SUDDEN?!" She waved her arms around rapidly in random motion.
Confused as a sober man in the morning, he shrugged his shoulders thinking it was better to explain rather than presenting it straight out. "If you want it to mean something, then...I can't think of anything. It's for you, right outta my heart." He caught her wrist in one swift motion and put it in himself. "There," He leaned back seemingly happy. ,"...doesn't it look good on you?"
"I-I guess…" She set her nervous gaze to the bracelet and noticed Kanjis were each engraved within the obsidian marbles. "Your happiness is my love?"
"Huh? There's a quote in it? Well...I guess that's true, in a way. Ehehehehe..." He spoke so casually that he didn't notice the mixed darkness looming behind her. "Amena...chan?" Even the dark figure had a skeptical look.
"HENTAIPERVERTLOWLIFEASSHOLEDICKBUTTLEAFYJERKDUMBASSPITIFULSHAMELESS-!"
"Gimme a break…"
"We will proceed as instructed."
"Is he serious? Has the plan really moved this far ahead?"
"Likely, the meeting didn't go too well so it's up to us to make sure things go smoothly."
"I understand. In fortnight, the world will tumble in uproar." From the village walls, they looked over the peace nestled within surrounded by limitless forest.
"...and the world will gaze upon the face of chaos."
Chapter 9 ends
Looks like something huge is about to happen in the next chapter. I hope you like the chapter as much as I like making it...maybe not. Who knows? Thanks for letting me know your concerns and if any of you do, I'll addressed it.
Jane! Have a great weekend~!