Chapter 9 Hana
I slid the door of the dojo open. There was a small genkan when you first entered the room. People who felt like being respectful or sticking to Japanese tradition would leave their shoes here before entering, which was few. I had given up wearing shoes when I came here, I enjoyed the feeling of being barefoot anyway. Today there was a pair of laced zouri in the genkan. I looked up to see Mizuko standing in one corner of the dojo, staring at the wall. Mizuko never left her shoes in the small hallway, I knew automatically something was up.
"Mizuko-san?" I asked warily.
She turned to look at me and, for a split second, her face held the expression of emotional suffering. The she smiled.
" Ohayou Gozaimasu, Karasu!" She said.
"O-Ohayou." I responded.
She walked past me, without making eye contact.
"I'm…just gonna go take a shower." She mumbled and slid the door shut behind her.
Something was off, something was wrong. Mizuko was a active, okay maybe almost hyper, sort of person. Yet, what was this aura she was emitting? She even walked sad. I spun around a yanked the door open.
"Mizu-!!!" I began but was cut short when, again, I nearly ran in to a boy.
Geez, I thought, it seems as if every time I try to leave the dojo I run into someone.
The boy in front of me looked about fifteen. He was rather attractive with beautiful blue eyes. Red marks framed the bottom of those eyes, matching the two red dots on his forehead. His hair was shoulder length and a pale silver. He wore a stereotypical sound outfit with long sleeves and a zipper down the middle.
"Uchiha Karasu?" He asked.
I had heard his voice before but where? I couldn't recall.
"Can…I help you?"
"I am Kaguya Kimimaro."
"Huh?!" I blurted. "Y-you're Kimimaro-san?!"
Kimimaro nodded.
"Are you okay? I mean, are you not sick anymore?"
He shook his head. "Kabuto-san released me so I could meet you, besides I challenged you back in the medical ward."
I blinked, surprised.
"You want to have a match? Right now?"
He nodded. "Don't have much time, and besides I need to know if you're capable." Then he was gone.
I spun around and blocked a sword attack with one of my sai. It took me a minute to realize I wasn't blocking a sword, though.
"Is that…your bone?" I asked, starring at morbid weapon that extended from his palm, giving me a clear view of his insides.
"Yes." He said before pulling away and attacking again.
Dodging him proved more difficult that I had anticipated. His taijutsu was very impressive but luckily so was mine. After about a minute of attacking but failing to land any hits, Kimimaro chose to turn the tides.
"Tsubaki-no-mai." He said calmly.
A rush of bone thrusts came flying at me. I could barely read the pattern of the blade. Dodging every strike was no push over. At one point in time, I failed to completely evade a strike and ended up with a rather deep cut on my cheek. It was then I realized that holding back was getting us no where, in fact we were practically evenly matched.
I dropped down onto my back and caught Kimimaro's bone between my feet. Kimimaro and myself made eye contact in that short moment when neither of us moved. I twisted the blade sharpley. This was often used to disarm an opponent but since the weapon was attached to the user, Kimimaro was sent to the ground as well. I spun my legs around in the air in a brake dancing like style to get myself back on my feet. Kimimaro also rose and attacked immediately. I blended with his attack and gently placed my left hand on his own. I slid my hand down, two fingers in his palm the other two on his wrist, and mirrored my right hand on top of his, lightly gripping it. I turned his arm behind him and pulled. Since he was still in the movement of his attack, Kimimaro lost his balance and fell backwards, his feet coming out from under him. I pivoted until he landed on his back. I twisted his wrist but not enough to break it and put a foot on his neck. I sighed and stared down at him through my sharingan. Kimimaro stared up at me apathetic.
He's a calm one, I said to myself.
He hesitated, but I soon felt Kimimaro's body relax. I released his wrist at his wordless admit to defeat. He sat up slowly.
"You-" He began but he was cut off.
Kimimaro's whole body shuddered and he coughed up some blood.
Did I go too hard on him?
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, crouching down.
Kimimaro took a couple deep breaths and nodded.
"Kimimaro-kun!" A voice called out sternly from the dojo entrance.
We both turned to see Kabuto in the doorway. His arms were folded and he had the kind of scowl a parent would give a disobedient child.
"Kimimaro-kun, you told me you merely wished to meet Karasu-san. If I had known you intended on fighting her, I would've never released you." Kabuto said sharply. "You need to focus on getting better as soon a possible."
"Forgive me, Kabuto-san." Kimimaro apologized as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "But I had to find out for myself and I am going to have to ask that I remain out for a while longer."
I didn't understand what he meant but Kabuto's face relaxed a bit.
"Fine, but don't damage your body any further." He said and left, but not with out giving me a sharp look first.
Kimimaro stood up slowly and I followed. I looked at his blood stained hand and clicked my tongue.
"Here." I said and took his hand.
Using the hem of my yukata I cleaned Kimimaro's hand, not caring that I was staining my clothes with his blood. I was used to such things. Kimimaro didn't resist, he just watched me clean his hand before watching me directly.
"You don't seem like the kind of person to be in league with the Akatsuki." He said.
"Why do you say that?"
"You're too nice." He stated.
That made me laugh.
"You really have no idea." I said. "You shouldn't judge others by preconceptions and appearances. Itachi-san told me that."
Kimimaro didn't respond to this but patiently waited until I finished cleaning his hand. I dropped his hand and smiled. He continued to stare at me a while longer.
"There is someone I'd like you to meet." He said finally. "Follow me."
I hesitated but followed him out the door. I stopped to close the door behind me. As I did so, I caught a glimpse of someone leaning against the dojo wall, watching me. It was Yoshimitsu.
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Kimimaro led me to a heavily locked door. He pulled a ring of keys from his sleeve and slowly began to unlock the many locks. I waited patiently, wondering what was on the other side. Finally the last lock clicked and Kimimaro opened the door slowly.
"Who's there?!" A voice called from the other side.
"Relax, Juugo." Kimimaro said soothingly. "It's me."
"Kimimaro?" Came a voice.
I noticed the way Kimimaro only cracked the door open. I couldn't see in but I got the feeling I would eventually.
"Juugo, I've brought someone. Someone I think you should meet." He paused. "She's been given your curse."
"She?" Was all Juugo said.
I noticed Kimimaro close the door a bit more and his free hand tensed.
"Are you under control?" Kimimaro asked wearily. "Can we come in?"
"Y-yeah." He responded.
Kimimaro hesitated but opened the door. I began to walk forward but he gestured for me to stop.
"Stay behind me." He whispered. "Just in case."
I nodded and followed him in. I saw a figure curled up in the corner. He stood slowly and I had to stifle a gasp. This man Juugo was huge! Must've been around 6' 4''! He stepped forward a bit and I got a better look at him. I guessed he was around the age of sixteen. His eyes were a light, earth color, as was his hair. His face made him look older than he I had guessed. It was shaped with features that could display sadness and innocence or violence and madness. But at the moment in only displayed curiosity and kindness.
"This is Uchiha Karasu." Kimimaro introduced.
I bowed slightly.
"Nice to meet you." Juugo said.
I smiled. "Same here."
"Karasu is one of Orochimaru-sama's test subjects." Kimimaro explained. "She's going to be here for a while and I think I might have to hand you over to her."
I didn't understand what he meant but I didn't interupt.
"What about when you get better?" Juugo asked, anxiety in his voice.
Kimimaro paused.
"When I do, I'll probably be caring out missions for Orochimaru-sama. I won't be around as often."
"I see." Juugo mumbled.
We were all silent.
"Does anyone want to play a board game or something?" I asked awkwardly. I felt the need to say something.
The two looked at me and I felt my face go red.
"There's none here." Juugo stated.
"There's a Go board in the dojo, I could run and get it." I answered quickly.
I was a bit surprised when Kimimaro nodded.
"It's a good strategy game." He said. "Do you know how to play, Juugo?"
"A little."
I smiled. "I'll go get it then." I turned and ran out of the room.
I returned shortly with the board and stones. I set up quickly on the floor and sat.
"Do you want to play me, Juugo-san?" I asked.
"Yeah." He said and kneeled in front of me.
As we played I noticed his clothes for the first time. A tattered gray t-shirt with matching shorts, also worn. He had scars here and there on his body. He shifted his leg and a soft metal clang rang through the room. Around his ankle a shackle chained to a large iron ball rested. I suddenly felt sorry for him. Like me he was a prisoner here, only he was confined and treated like a criminal.
"Where did you come from?" Juugo asked.
"huh?"
"What village were you in before here?"
"I actually came from the Akatsuki organization. I was a spy, though, not an actually member."
"I've heard a bit about them." Juugo said. "Orochimaru hates them, right?"
I nodded.
"What about before Akatsuki?"
"I lived in Sunagakure." I answered.
"What happened to your family?"
I was about to place a stone but Juugo's question froze me. Both Kimimaro and Juugo noticed my reaction.
"They're dead." I said, monotone.
"I'm sorry." Juugo said after a pause.
"Don't be." I told him.
There was silence once again. After while Kimimaro left the room at the sound of approaching footsteps. I heard him begin to talk to someone but I was more focused on the game to wonder. After a couple minutes I noticed Juugo's hand begin to shake.
"Hey, Juugo-san are you okay?"
He didn't answer but he began to mutter stuff under his breath.
"Hey, what's the matter?" I asked.
Stupidly, I reached out towards him. The moment my hand touched his shoulder he snatched it a bone crushing fist. I gasped sharply and felt myself pulled forward. I was too surprised by his sudden change of heart to react. I felt my back slam into the wall. I cried out in pain and I slid to the ground. I looked up at the new Juugo standing above me. His eye were wild, his grin cruel and sadistic. Black marks were crawling across his face and arm. I struggled to stand but the moment I did Juugo stuck out with impressive speed and pounded me back down. My shoulder throbbed and I saw the black marks crawl down my arm, that familiar but sickly satisfying anger filled me. I launched myself at him.
"You goddamn copies!" He yelled. "Is there no end to you?!"
The small cell became a miniature battle field as Juugo and myself attacked one another constantly but due to the fact that he was physically stronger than me, I took more damage. At some point in time he landed a blow on my stomach and I skidded backwards blood dripping from the corners of my mouth. I prepared to throw myself at him again but a figure blurred into sight between us.
"Get control of yourself, Juugo!" Kimimaro commanded in a harsh, stern voice.
I noticed Juugo's eye go wide with fear. The black marks receded quickly and his whole body began to shake. He dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to…" He said to me.
I panted and the marks on my arm receded as well. Unfortunately, the moment I returned to normal I collapsed, my body suffering from the effects of the curse mark and damage I received. My vision began to blur.
I was kind of out but I felt my body carried out of the room and the cell door lock up. I heard voices but I didn't understand. After a while I began to regain my consciousness. Kimimaro and a red haired girl I didn't recognize were leaning over me.
"She's starting to come to." Kimimaro said, his voice back to it's normal tone. "Karin."
"R-right!" The girl name Karin said and began to pull up her sleeve.
I coughed and groaned.
"Hey, girl!" Karin called and held an arm out in front of me. "Bite my arm!"
I may have been in a whole lot of pain but that was just absurd. I looked at her than her arm, scarred with a shower of bite marks.
"Hell, no!" I said.
"Do it, Karasu." Kimimaro told me.
I hesitated but regretfully did as I was told. Karin flinched an sucked in her breath sharply. Strangely I began to feel less pain and my energy returning. I sat up slowly and looked down to see all my wounds healed. Karin pulled her sleeve down. I sighed.
"Thanks." I said to the red haired girl.
She shrugged.
Karin was a girl around my age. Glasses framed her red eyes. I noticed the way her red hair was styled. One side was well brushed and long but the other side was wild and stuck out. She wore a loose fitting purple shirt and black shorts. Her zouri were also black and reached just below her knees, like boots.
I stood up, my two companions followed.
"I need to head back." Kimimaro said. "You should come back with me, Karasu."
The first five minutes as we headed back were silent. I was still thinking back on Juugo's strange reaction. The moments after Kimimaro left the room he began to change and immediately returned to normal when he came back.
"What-" I began.
"Juugo has suffered from these wild urges to kill." Kimimaro cut in. "But he kept it all bottled up inside, because of this he eventually snaps and loses control. Eventually he took to secluding himself to caves. That's how I found him. I grew to know him better and was intrigued with his condition. I offered to bring him to Orochimaru-sama, to see if he could be cured. He's been here ever sense. He used to wander freely around here since I can get him under control but ever since I got sick he's been insistent on keeping himself locked up. Juugo is a good person, he honestly doesn't want to hurt anybody."
"But the marks-" I said.
"When Juugo loses control he enters that state. Instead of curing him, Orochimaru was fascinated by his transformation. He was able to use his DNA to create and enzyme which he could inject into other, thus giving them the ability to enter a similar state."
My hand crept up to my shoulder.
"That's right. Juugo is the original source of the curse seals."
"What did you mean about handing him over?" I asked.
Kimimaro sighed. "Despite was Kabuto-san say and what I told Juugo, I know I don't have much time left. I don't think I can be healed, Kabuto-san doesn't have enough information on my clan's medical history. You have the heaven seal, and the talent to control Juugo. I don't feel I can trust the other's with Juugo, even those who have control over the seal."
"But I don't have control either."
"If you train and work with it you will. Today you didn't know about Juugo and was caught off guard. Next time you'll be prepared and your sharingan can be a great asset."
He stopped walking a stared at me.
"Will you watch him for me?" He said, his face emotionless.
I nodded. "I will."
Kimimaro nodded as well then turned down another hallway, back towards the hospital ward. I never saw Kimimaro again.
Author notes: For anyone who hasn't noticed I use several jujitsu moves for my fight scenes because I once took jujitsu. I really like Kimimaro and was sad to see him go. I wanted to do something before he got killed off.