。 。 。

3, [Miko]

Kicking off my sandals, I turned them away from Miko's doorstep before following my host through the unexpected clean hallways of her home. I'd expected sloppy furniture, stained floors, and piles of dishes in the sink. Instead, it was well-kept, with cheap but tasteful furniture.

"Make yourself comfortable," Miko said when we reached her dining room. Taking a seat on the tatami mat, I took a look around the sparse room. After a bit of scuffling in the kitchen, Miko brought in a tray of tea and placed it on the low-set table. I waited until she served the green tea before speaking.

"What are the kanji in your name, Uzumaki-san?" It was a good conversation starter- everyone liked talking about themselves, and names usually evoked positive memories.

Sure enough, Miko's face relaxed as she sipped her tea. "I was born on a boat," She began. "My mother was on the Uzushiogakure island patrol, and there was no time to return on land. It was a risky birth, but she made it. She thanked the peaceful waters of Uzushiogakure by naming me after them- Mi as in 美, beautiful, and Ko for 湖, lake." She traced the characters on the cheap wood table.

"That's pretty."

Miko smiled, her lips a thin line. "Care to share your kanji, Ryūto-san?"

"Dragonborn. 龍 for ryū, and 人 for to." It was my turn to demonstrate. I traced the complex characters carefully.

Something flickered across the redhead's face. "It suits you."

I nodded.

Our conversation meandered in all different directions, from the weather to cooking to my thoughts on the Academy. Sometime after two more rounds of tea and a light dinner, Miko suddenly fell silent.

"Uzumaki-san?" I prodded.

"Who are you?"

I blinked. "What?"

"Who are you?" The woman demanded again, prowling forward on the table until her face was barely inches away. I froze. Her sharp grey eyes pinned me down.

I swallowed, beyond uncomfortable. Under the table, I groped for the kunai hidden in the folds on my robe as the tension in the room thickened. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean." I drew in a sharp breath. Miko smelled of paper, ink, and tea leaves. In any other setting, it would've been a calming concoction. "If you're really as smart as I think you are, you wouldn't be here." Her eyes shifted around, as if scanning for people hidden in the shadowy corners.

"Why not? You're not a danger to me, Uzumaki-san."

That was the wrong thing to say. Miko's face contorted into a mask of absolute rage, and I was suddenly flying towards the wall. As my back collided against the bamboo planks with a fleshy thunk, Miko twisted my head sideways, her hold suspending me above ground. The kunai in my hand clattered to the ground.

"Then allow me to remind you," the redhead hissed, "Of who I am." I flinched as she slammed her free hand onto the wall beside me, sending vibrations thrumming through my body.

Grunting, I launched a kick towards her stomach. Miko easily dodged my knee and tossed me out into the hallway. I used my momentum to roll into a stand, feeling a strange sensation spread through my body.

"You've overstayed your welcome tonight. Leave," The ex-A-rank kunoichi announced. Facing her, I retreated warily down the hallway. Just as I reached the door, Miko caught me completely off-guard. "And only return when you're ready."

"Ryūto-kun!"

Groggily, I turned towards the bright voice, squinting as the morning sun assaulted my retinas. It was Katomaru, waving eagerly as he strode over to me. I paused in front of the Academy's open gates.

"Morning person, aren't you?" I yawned, scratching my ribs as the beaming boy caught up, a svelte blond woman and a grumpy-looking blond kid in tow. From the lack of pupils in their cerulean eyes, they must've been Yamanakas. Weird. I thought. Kato's an Inuzuka, right?

"Correct, Ryūto-kun. My happiness levels are the highest before 10:00 a.m." Kato chirped. "As promised, you may refer to me as Kato-kun from now on."

I smiled despite my exhaustion. "So our acquaintanceship is beneficial, Kato-kun?"

"Yes. You are one of the only people in our age group who can respond to me intellectually, and your patience and dry humor makes for good company."

"Is this the Ryūto that you spoke of last night, Kato-kun?" I was basking in Kato's warm words when the Yamanaka woman stepped up beside my friend. The metal of her Leaf headband glinted in the sunlight as she scanned me analytically. She had the air of the perfect kunoichi- toned, tall, intimidating, with just the right touch of charisma, beauty, and seriousness.

"Hai, kaa-san." Kato acknowledged her with a wide grin. "Ryūto-kun, this is my mother, Yamanaka Inodan. Kaa-san, this is Ryūto-kun, my strange friend."

I blinked.

And blinked again, staring dumbly at mother and son.

Kato...Kato...Inodan...dan...Dan Kato.

Holy shit. Inuzuka Katomaru was Dan Kato. Tsunade's future fiancé. His blonde hair and his spirit-projecting powers were because he was a fucking Yamanaka. Half Yamanaka, half Inuzuka. Sometime in the future, he must've taken part of his mother's first name as his last, ignoring the two clan names for something more personal.

Finishing my earth-shattering revelation, I bowed to the imposing blonde woman. "Good morning, Yamanaka-san." I greeted, still slightly shell-shocked.

Inodan appraised me before surprising me with a very shallow bow in return. "You have good manners, Ryūto-san. Who are your parents?"

"Taka and Daisuke Hisoru. They're both from lower-middle class civilian families, deceased as of two years ago."

The woman seemed the slightest bit taken back by my bluntness, but recovered her professional facade quickly. "Those names sound familiar."

I nodded. "Yeah. They were, uh..." I hesitated before continuing. "They were caught up in the civilian uprisings."

Inodan closed her sky-colored eyes. "Those were tumultuous times. For what my words are worth, I am sorry."

I sighed, scratching at the itchy spot on my ribs again. As much as I hated hearing that phrase, I thanked her anyways. I glanced down as memories washed over me- the bloodied sheets, the tang of blood, the mangled bodies...

Inodan cleared her throat gently, dispelling my grim remembrances. "Well, it's good to see my son has finally found a friend, but my mission debriefing starts in fifteen minutes. Goodbye, Ryūto-san, Kato-kun," she leaned down to kiss her son of the forehead. "And you too, Inoshi-kun." She addressed the blonde boy, who'd watched us silently the entire time. Inoshi smiled at her.

As soon as Inodan left, Inoshi's smile fell away.

"Freak," He sneered at me. Before I could give him a piece of my mind, he gave Kato a haughty snicker before sashaying away.

"Ryūto-kun, meet Inoshi, my cousin." Kato said tersely as Inodan disappeared into the morning crowd.

My expression hardened. Cousin, eh?

"Let's go, Kato-kun," I grabbed the half-blooded Yamanaka by the elbow, dragging him towards another day of school as my thoughts swirled.

"Hisoru!"

"Hai?" I startled out of my flirtations with sleep.

"Daydreaming again? This is your second time today." The teacher- what was his name? Isuzu? Osuzu? shook his head. My classmates snickered.

"No, I was paying attention," I lied through my teeth.

"Oh?" Isuzu-sensei drawled, clacking shut the book dangling between his fingers. "Tell me, what are we doing today?"

I opened my mouth to bullshit something, but Kato kicked me under the desk and angled his book towards me. I glanced at the small note he'd scrawled in the margin.

"It's spar day." I answered.

Isuzu-sensei narrowed his eyes, but Kato had returned to fake note-taking. "I hope that you did more than nap to prepare, because we have some rather interesting submissions today." With that, he opened up his book amidst excited whispering and resumed lecturing.

The nuances of senbon poisons and antidotes were lost on me as I processed what he said. "Kato-kun, what does he mean by submissions?" I whispered.

Kato winced. "Students are allowed to submit anonymous challenges for spar days. Those submissions are watched first. Then, after the challenges are finished, we're paired off for class rank spars."

"So...anyone can challenge anyone?"

Kato nodded.

"What if say, one of the elites, challenged...uh, one of us?"

"Then we endure humiliation for 25 minutes, and try to come out in one piece." Kato informed me curtly. "It's considered bad sportsmanship, but some still do it."

It sounds like he's been through this before. "Inoshi-san...he challenges you a lot, doesn't he?"

In response, Kato drew open the front of his uniform. I was presented a multitude of black and blue bruises. "What do you think?" Kato sighed. "Every single week, we're the first names called. He always hits in places where others, especially my mother, can not see."

"Kato..."

"Not a word, Ryū-chan. This is something that I must take care of myself." Kato drew his robe closed again. I didn't even bother correcting the honorific.

"He's why you're stuck here," I continued, realization dawning upon me. "In the beginners' class. Not because you can't beat Mebuki or whatever. It's because Inoshi beats you up so you can't fight well during the class spars."

Kato gave me a half-smile as he finished adjusting his belt. "This is why I like you, Ryū-chan. You understand."

"Inuzuka!" Isuzu screeched, effectively stopping our little heart-to-heart.

After the little fiasco with Mr. Sparkles and Kotone Uchiha, the orphans made a peaceful entrance today. I squirmed next to Kato on our rooftop seats, watching my friends enter.

"You may go if you want to," Kato said, nibbling on a rice ball. "I don't mind."

I bumped him with my elbow. "Thanks."

With that, I whipped out two kunai, jumped off the side of the roof, and dug the blades and my ankles into the walls to slide down the three-story structure. It was a nifty little trick Kato had shown me, and surprisingly easy.

Once on ground level, I sauntered across the courtyard and followed the kids into the cafeteria. I waited until they'd all received their designated bentos, found a seat, and for the hubbub to bubble to a comfortably loud level before taking a seat next to Warui.

"Hey guys," I greeted. All conversation halted as the gang recognized me. I prepared for tears and smiles and glomps-

Instead, I received a punch from Warui.

For the second time in 24 hours, I was sent skidding backwards. Grabbing my throbbing jaw, I glared vindictively at the brunette as I got up from the cold floor. "What the hell was that for?"

"That's for you not showing up yesterday." Warui cracked his knuckles.

Unfamiliar anger flared up inside of me. I leave them alone once and they turn upon me? "What about the past two years? Who fed you, huh? And who's the reason why you're here now?" I rounded upon them. "Some thankful little shits you are."

At my outburst, some of the meeker ones shied away. Others, like Warui, only became more agitated.

"The old Ryūto will never get angry!" Warui exclaimed.

"That's because I didn't have a reason to, you fat fuck!" I grabbed a fistful of the round boy's shirt. To my surprise, there was an uncharacteristic look of fear on his face. With an aggravated sigh, I released him. "Fuck this."

With that, I stormed out of the dead-silent cafeteria, taking my temper with me. I wandered around for a little, trying to walk off the steam. Eventually I settled in a quiet little alcove. I wasn't ready to return to Kato yet, not like this.

I hugged my knees to my chest and tucked my chin on top. I'd worked my ass off for those kids. I'd slept next to them, played with them, roughhoused with them, laughed with them, and suffered with them for two years. And this is how they repay me? I hadn't felt this betrayed since...

Since I became Orochimaru.

I buried my face into my hands. Hot tears prick at my eyes. I might've stolen, lied, and fought more than I ever thought was possible over the last two years, but deep down, I was still that asthma-weakened, emotional woman who'd cried at the smallest of things.

The clang of a gong jolted me out of my pitiful brooding. I looked up from my little corner as everyone flocked towards the center of the courtyard, murmuring excitedly.

"Shit." The spars were starting. The sadness in my gut churned into nervousness.

"Alright, you kids know the drill!" Isuzu-sensei announced in the middle of the sparring circle, a scroll in hand. "Sit down, shut up, watch, and learn. We have 10 challenges today. First up, Yamana- wait." Isuzu brought the scroll closer to his face. The murmurings intensified as everyone realized he'd made a mistake.

Poor Kato, I thought, remembering the myriad of bruises on his torso as I walked towards the crowd.

"First up today is not Yamanaka Inoshi and Inuzuka Katomaru," Isuzu corrected himself. "Hatake Sakumo has challenged-"

The crowd around me exploded, and Isuzu was cut off.

Someone grabbed my shoulder. "Dude! Sakumo's challenging someone!"

"So?" I shook their hand off, trying to shove my way to the front. Which wasn't working, since everyone else was doing the same.

"He's never ever challenged anyone before! Not even Jiraiya!"

"Quiet!" Isuzu-sensei stomped. The impact of his foot sent a shockwave through the ground- he laced his stomp with chakra, that bastard- and the noise level simmered down. "Let Hatake Sakumo and his opponent, Hisoru Ryūto, through!"

The world around me spun to a stop.

"Fuck." I breathed.

Pushing past the confused crowd with renewed vigor, I popped into the sparring ring. Across from me stood that monotone freak, relaxed and intimidating. His expression was bored, tinged with contempt.

I glowered at him.

He scoffed.

My arrival prompted Isuzu to retreat to the side, where he motioned for everyone to sit down before turning back to us. "Challenger, ready?" Sakumo responded by bringing his right hand up to his chest in a perfect tiger seal, and stepping gracefully into a ready stance.

"Challenger, ready?" I mimicked Sakumo, summoning memories of martial arts lessons from long ago. As he began to circle, I copied his movements as best as I could.

"Remember, this is purely a taijutsu spar. No weapons, ninjutsu, genjutsu, chakra-enhanced moves, or clan taijutsu combos. Aim for a knockout- your opponent must stay on the ground for more than ten seconds for you to win. You have ten minutes."

I couldn't think. My heartbeat was too loud, my arms were shaking, and trails of sweat were trickling down my neck.

"Begin!"

Sakumo dashed towards me. I poured every ounce of focus into watching him. I barely responded in time, jumping as he dropped into a low sweep. At my evasion, Sakumo twisted his body, using the momentum of his outstretched leg to bring the other one up into a brutal side kick that caught me across the stomach.

The crowd exploded into cheers at the beautiful maneuver. I crumpled to the packed earth, rolling to my side and clutching my stomach in pain.

Watching anime fights is very different from being in one. It was a lot harder than it looked-not everyone had godly levels of pain tolerance, cat-like reflexes, and acrobatic grace. But there was no time to dwell on that. Wincing, I got to my feet just in time to be on the receiving end of a perfectly executed series of kicks.

As Sakumo continued to annihilate me, I tried to adapt, to anticipate, to react. But the differences in our training were stark, and with each attack, I became more and more winded, and it took me longer and longer to get up. If I wanted to win...or do something, I needed to try something else. If only I could argue with him again...at least we were on equal standing in terms of wit.

An idea popped into my head. It was crazy, and I wasn't sure if I could even pull it off, but at this point, I was desperate enough.

"Hey, Hatake-san," I grinned, barely sidestepping a punch. As intended, Sakumo glanced at me in surprise, faltering minutely. My grin widened. "You suck."

Sakumo kicked me in the stomach.

This time, I was prepared. With my abs and thighs tensed, the impact only caused me to lose my balance. "No, seriously." Another kick. "Out of everyone, you chose to challenge me for your debut fight? Come on! You're a coward." A jab. "Are you doing this to make yourself feel better? You shouldn't." An uppercut. "Because I suck." A punch to the face.

I licked up the blood from my freshly split lip, courtesy of Sakumo's fist. Sakumo's face was still apathetic, but a strange jerkiness was starting to creep into his movements. "Really, if you were looking for a good spar, there's plenty of people out there who could give you a better fight. You're just bullying me right now."

"Will you shut up?" Sakumo broke apart from me to say.

"Short temper?" I laughed, sounding pathetically nervous.

"No. You're being annoying." With that, Sakumo dove down, grabbed my thighs, whirled me over his shoulder, and dumped me on the ground. The wrestling move knocked the wind out of me. I groaned as white-hot pain crackled over my entire body. The crowd erupted into wild hoots and calls as the seconds ticked by.

"Then," I wheezed as Sakumo leaned over me. "Why...why are you doing this?"

Sakumo's expression was carefully schooled. "Where were you last night?"

"At...at Miko's," I whispered. "But that's none of your business."

"No." What's with him and contradicting everything I say? "You were fraternizing with a traitor, and endangering yourself."

I growled. "Ok, maybe she tossed me around a little and threw me out, but we were getting along pretty well before that."

"Then what's this?" I nearly screamed as Sakumo reached a hand down my shirt, pressing his palm into the itchy spot on my ribs.

I slapped his arm. "Hands off, pervert!"

Sakumo rolled his eyes and retracted his hand. "It's a seal, Ryūto."

"Seal?"

Before Sakumo could answer me, there was a rapid gust of wind. Two masked, white-clad figures appeared behind Sakumo in a swirl of dust, pulling him away. The shadows of two more fell over me. They grabbed my arms and yanked me up, shackling my wrists together before I could even protest.

By the time the Academy students realized that there were now four ANBU standing in front of them, a fifth one appeared, holding a very official looking stamped decree.

"Hatake Sakumo and Hisoru Ryūto," he announced. "You are now under arrest as suspects for the murder of Uzumaki Miko."

lol poor Ryūto got beat up so much in this chapter