Hibiki laid Minako down on the bed and she rolled over onto her back, her one arm over her eyes.
'I'm such an idiot... just... that name... makes me lose it now... I-I don't understand how Hibiki can tolerate me... if I were him I would have dubbed me a lost cause and thrown me aside...'
Minako looked up towards Hibiki. "I-I'm sorry... I-I didn't mean... t-to... lose it... again." Minako said, her voice hardly a whisper as she felt tears well up in her eyes. "I wish... I had never done... that... back then..." She mumbled somberly.
"If you keep thinking it was all your fault, you'll slip deeper into insanity." Hibiki murmured.
Minako sighed. "Yeah... I know..."
"Did you like her?" Hibiki asked and leaned against the wall beside the bed.
Minako nodded. "Yeah... b-but she scared me when she hugged me..." She mumbled.
"How come?" Hibiki asked with confusion.
Minako looked over at Hibiki and forced a smile. "No one but you... has ever been that close to me."
"Satomi is different. You can't help but be attracted to her." Hibiki laughed, reminiscing about the past.
Minako's smiled faded as she glared at Hibiki. "Attracted?"
Hibiki shrugged and then laughed in realization. "I was referring to her personality and attitude. There are very few who can't help but enjoy being around her. She brings a positive attitude that just draws people in."
Minako nodded. " I just want to go on that mission and get back home..."
"Home sick?" Hibiki asked.
Minako shook her head. "No, not really. I-I just... I don't even know..." She reached over to the night stand and put her headband back on, feeling more like herself. Without another word she stood up and walked to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water.
"Something bothering you?" Hibiki asked. "Not including...you know."
Minako finished her water before placing it on the counter. "Not... really. I just don't like it here."
"It is different." Hibiki shrugged and slipped down onto the bed. "I miss it here though. I miss everyone. I miss going to the parties with my parents; the festivals and holiday celebrations." Hibiki smiled softly.
Minako walked over and sat beside Hibiki, looking down at him. She smiled warmly as she carressed his cheek with her one hand. "I wish I could have met your parents, they sound like they were good people..."
"You would've loved my mother." Hibiki closed his eyes and sighed. "She was beautiful and smart. My father on the other hand, he was confusing. You could never tell when he was serious or joking. But he had a great sense of humor. He was well respected, one of the greatest ANBU's in the leaf village." Hibiki's mouth turned down into a frown. "I always imagined my father taking on numerous people at once and being able to kick all their butts. He was that sort of hero in my mind, but that was unrealistic."
Minako frowned at Hibiki. "I-I never met my mother... but before my father started to beat me... he told me stories about her. She was one of the best Wind jutsu users in the village. I-I can't help but to wonder what it would be like... had my birth not killed her... s-she was such a caring woman..." Minako laid down on her back as she shut her eyes. "We look so alike... it's almost frightening..."
"She must have been a beautiful woman." Hibiki whispered and chuckled lightly. "I'm sure she was a strong shinobi."
Minako smiled through the sorrow she was feeling. "I'm not that beautiful, you know..."
"Than tell me what you call it."
Minako thought. "Nothing, just average." she said with a laugh.
"Everyone has their own looks and appearances, there is no such thing as average. Your eyes are beautiful alone, the colour and depth to them. Your skin is fair, and matches everything else physically, and your hair is the right colour; it matches with the rest of your appearance and makes you look so beautiful. And I do not compare two seperate people."
Minako felt herself blush. She rolled over on top of Hibiki and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I think you look into me too much." She murmured.
"You don't want me to? I grew up with an analytical father, I can't help it. That's why Hotaka chose me out of all the others. My memory is photographic, your name, your age to the very second, every thing you've said since I've met you, your actions the exact way your hair flows when you blush and turn away. I can't break the habit of reading people and wanting to know all about them, but I can try."
Minako laughed. "No, don't. I know it makes you who you are... it just makes me blush a lot."
"You're cute when you blush." Hibiki shrugged.
Minako lifted her head to search Hibiki's eyes. "I-I didn't tell you everything on my mind... but... I think I want to tell you what I am thinking now..."
"I'm listening."
Minako inhaled deeply before exhaling in a sigh. Her eyes searched Hibiki's again as she sighed. "I-I have a bad feeling about this mission... when I s-slept earlier... I had a dream... b-but..." She lowered her head as her hands tightened on Hibiki's shirt. "I-I hurt you in it... b-badly... I-I..." Her voice trailed off as her body began to tremble.
"Hm?" Hibiki asked as he rubbed her arm caringly.
Minako shook her head. "I'm so worried I'm going to hurt you, Hibiki..."
"You may be able to hurt me, but I know you wouldn't kill me. What did you do in the dream?"
Minako shook her head again, her hands tightening even more. "I-I don't even know... I-I just saw... me... and..." She trailed off again, refusing to relive her dream.
"I know you're worrying about it, but it was a dream. It could be what might happen, but it is also just an accumulation of everything going through your mind."
Minako nodded. "P-Please... just promise... you'll never let me get that far..."
"I promise, Minako. Besides, I'm more afraid of you hurting yourself."
Minako looked up to stare into Hibiki's eyes. "Wh-why would I hurt ... myself?"
"A human's mind can only handle so much. When someone has an accumualation of negativity, that can weigh someone down extremely. When one becomes depressed and burries themselves deep into their thoughts, or the negativity that has accumulated, they are pushed to the brink and may commit suicide. It's the same thing, with all that has happened to you, I'm afraid that you'll burry yourself deeper into your past, deeper into your insanity, and deeper into the negative thoughts that it'll just weigh you down to the breaking point and hurt yourself in one way or another."
"Oh... well... I'm trying to listen to you... Hibiki..." She whispered.
"Every person has the capabilities to exercise self-control; some have to work harder than others, but I believe if you try you could achieve self-control in this area."
Minako hugged Hibiki tightly. "I-I love you... Hibiki."
The following morning had finally come. Minako was uneasy as ever as her and Hibiki met the others at the front gate.
"Morning." Kazuko greeted with a yawn.
Minako flinched at the sight of Kazuko. 'If he found out... that it was me...' She shivered at the thought as she gripped Hibiki's sleeve.
"Just waiting on Keiko." Yama stated with a sigh.
"Sorry to keep you waiting?" Keiko laughed as she walked out from behind the big gate doors. "I've been here longer than you have!"
Kazuko walked over to Keiko and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Idiot, why didn't you walk out ealier?" He asked, laughing.
"I want to prove to the three of you that I could be on time for once in my life. Although, just to let you know - I'm dead tired." Keiko yawned and stretched.
Yama walked over closer to the two and smiled. "Even though you're tired, I'm glad."
Minako crossed her arms and stepped forward. "C-Can we just go already? I just want to get home..."
Yama looked at Minako with an uneasy feeling. "Sure, Minako." He forced a smile as he looked to his squad. "You all ready?"
"Patience. Learn some." Keiko spat.
Minako glared at Keiko before walking out of the gates.
"Ah... Minako?" Yama called. "Wh-where is she going?"
Kazuko shrugged. "She seems to be in a bad mood..."
Hibiki walked over to stand in front of Keiko. "I know you're jealous of the relationship between Minako and I, but if you really want to hve a better relationship yourself, put more energy into making your relaionship with Yama better. You're already on her bad side, and if you want to survive this mission without dying than I suggest you watch what comes out of your mouth. I can only do so much, and it may seem like I can control her so that she won't kill you, but I'm not always around." Hibiki whispered and carried to jog to catch up with Minako.
Keiko had a grimace across her face. "Whatever." She stated and began to walk out of Konoha's gates.
Minako saw Hibiki and turned her glance from him. "H-How long is this mission?" She whispered, her voice rough.
"Depends what happens. We have to be as quick and quiet a possible." Hibiki replied.
Minako nodded silently.
"So," Kazuko called, breaking the odd silence into a more awkward one. "why are you two so special? Like, honestly I was never told a thing about you."
Minako turned to look at Kazuko, her nails digging into her one arm as she tried to ignore the pain. "I-I'm just what the sand would call... a curse..." She whispered before looking back ahead.
"A curse?" Kazuko echoed in confusion. "You mean... Th-nevermind..." He lowered his head trying to shake the ridiculous idea from his head.
Minako's nails just dug deeper. 'H-He knows... I know he does... but he doesn't want t-to believe th-that I-I...' She hung her head even lower.
Hibiki reached out and placed his hand gently on Minako's shoulder. "We're considered 'special' since we work the best together and we tend to get missions done that others can't do. Minako is powerful and can take on a group of people, while I know much about many clans and have exceptional battle strategy. I know a lot of stuff about almost every village... The Hokge contacted us because she wants this mission to go as smooth as possible while bringing up the acceptance of your team."
Minako realeased some on the pressure she was putting on her arm and looked up at Hibiki with a small smile.
"Oh! Makes sence..." Kazuko stated simply.
Keiko laughed. "Tsunade thinks we can't do a simple mission?"
"Have you ever been to the Fountain Village? Do you know about the people living there?" Hibiki asked as he looked back over his shoulder a Keiko.
"I don't care who lives there or what it looks like; we're perfectly capable." Keiko crossed her ams and stuck her nose in the air.
"The Fountain Village may sound like a tranquil place, but it is one of the most confusing Village's you'll ever visit. It's completely complex and most don't even know how to enter. The name is deceptive. Most people there aren't a nice as you think and a lot of them are strong." Hibiki replied.
"Again...whatever." Keiko shook her head an sighed.
Minako growled. "I'm gettin' sick of your additude, girl." she hissed over her shoulder, her nails digging into her arm again as she tried to keep herself in control.
"Good." Keiko shrugged and laughed.
"You should really get to know her Keiko; she's actually pretty cool." Satomi muttered.
"Say's you? How would you know? You love everyone! You have no preception of anyone." Keiko rolled her eyes.
"At least I know how to treat others." Satomi sighed.
Minako stopped walking and turned toward Keiko. Her hand gripped her by the neck as her eyes narrowed. "Leave Satomi... alone." She demanded sternly.
Keiko ripped herself from Minako's grip and coughed. "So now Minako loves Satomi, huh?" Keiko turned to look at Satomi. "Traitor!"
"As I said, I just know how to treat others better." Satomi shrugged. "I really hope ou snap out of it someday."
Minako reached out and slapped Keiko. "You're pathetic! You're older then most of us, yet you act like you're five!" Minako's hand returned to digging into her skin as she glared at Keiko.
"C-Calm down!" Yama yelled, jumping between the two nervously.
"Whatever." Keiko growled and stepped around Yama. "Catch up when you decide to, I don't care. I need none of you."
Satomi rolled her eyes. "She's a girl, she'll get lonely after some time."
Yama caught Keiko's wrist. "Please, just stop. Watch what you say and this won't need to happen." He begged.
Keiko stared at Yama blankly. "Sorry." Keiko growled under her breath and started to walk ahead again.
Yama sighed deeply. Kazuko took the opportunity to run up to Keiko, his arm linking around her's. "What's up with you? Why does that girl bug you so much?" He asked in his cocky additude.
Keiko sighed and rested her head on Kazuko's shoulder. "I don't like anything about her... Since the time in the Hokage's office I've just hated their...relationship for some reason." Keiko muttered the last bit uner her breath.
Kazuko nodded. "You don't hate her... you just wish you had something that she does. However, I'm glad you don't! If you did, you'd be... creepy... and... scary... and... and... I dunno, it feels like I can see the blood that taints her skin... it makes me shudder to think about it. I'm happy that someone so messed up could find someone who treats her well, but I still can't see how Hibiki can't see or feel just how tainted she is..." Kazuko explained as a shiver ran up his spine.
"I just wish Yama would be more receptive. He treats her...so well. And half the time I feel like I'm just a burden to Yama." Keiko frowned.
Kazuko nudged Keiko. "No, you're not! He loves you, Keiko, you know that as well as I do."
"I know he does...but that's not what I get sometimes. I want him to read me like Hibiki does Minako." Keiko pouted.
Kazuko shook his head. "It's quite obvious that Hibiki is a smart guy, Yama is... w-well, not as smart..." He stated with a laugh.
"I know, but still. He says he's known me for so long... Why doesn't it seem like he has? It just seems like he remembers memories and that's it."
Kazuko shrugged. "Yama is different then Hibiki, me, or anyone else; it's not fair to compare him."
"I guess I'm just really jealous of the relationship Minako and Hibiki have."
Kazuko smiled. "Don't. I'm sure Yama will pick up the pace, you two still are new being together."
"And Minako and Hibiki aren't?"
"I dunno, are they?"
Keiko looked back to the find the rest of the team walking behind them and most of them watching. Keiko narrowed her eyes and stopped dead in her tracks waiting for the rest to pass.
Minako glared at Keiko as she walked by.
Keiko childishly stuck out her tongue at Minako.
Kazuko stared oddly at Keiko. "What're you doin'?"
"Never you mind." Keiko said and smiled at him before grabbing Yama's arm as he walked by.
Yama smiled. "What's up?" He asked Keiko, trying to hide his confusion as Kazuko walked up with the other three.
"I just want to walk with you, that alright?" Keiko asked and looked away with her hands on her hips.
Yama took Keiko's hand in his own. "Course it is." He said with a warm smile.
Keiko gasped slightly at Yama's gesture. "My hand is sweaty."
Yama shrugged. "So?"
"Isn't it gross?" Keiko laughed.
Yama just laughed. "I'm a guy... that should be enough of an answer."
Keiko shrugged and leaned into Yama's side. "Well, I like it."
Yama smiled. "You alright?"
"Why do you ask?" Keiko asked and bit her cheeks.
Yama shrugged. "You're just so tense around Minako, it makes me worry about you."
"Worry? Why?" Keiko asked and innerwardly sighed.
"Cause I already know how fragile you are... I don't want you to see you hurt anymore..."
"Are you calling me weak?" Keiko frowned.
Yama looked down at her and frowned as well. "No, you're strong. I mean with all the losses you have taken... I just don't want to see that for you anymore."
Yama smirked. "I'll try my best."