Briefing
A simple green shade cloth was pegged up in the thick foliage that had managed to sprout through the old rubble. Whirlpool country, a large island off the coast of Fire country, was once abundant with skilled shinobi. They were a force to be reckoned with and held a strong alliance with the village hidden in the leaves. Mainly skilled in sealings, they became a threat to many other nations. Now all that remained were the old collapsed ruins and the odd ex-villager scattered around the world; hiding in fear for their life.
"Where is the reinforcement we sent for?" A man clad in a white vested ANBU uniform, showing him as the leader, and a Bird mask asked to himself as he paced back and forth.
"Relax, I'm sure Hokage-sama would have sent them as soon as possible." A Kunoichi in a grey vested uniform and Rat mask said, lounging back with the cow masked shinobi playing poker. This received a disapproving glare from the leader before he returned to pacing.
"Wolf reporting for duty, Hawk." The bird masked man spun around in slight surprise to see the young kunoichi kneeling, awaiting orders. Then he registered what the kunoichi called herself. 'Wolf but that means…' and in fact he was looking straight at the legendary snarling wolf mask. Hawk quickly gained his composure when Rat cut him off.
"Why did Hokage send only one? I was thinking more of an entire squad."
"Go back to your stupid gambling." Hawk spat at Rat, annoyed at being interrupted. "Wolf, follow me."
The young girl followed the man who's elbow she only just reached. They sat opposite each other at a small table. Hawk passed her a few scrolls all containing intel on the mission.
"Basically they're a group of rogue ninja who have taken to the life of bandits. They hit farms along the coast of Fire country; taking anything worthwhile, killing any who oppose and kidnaping the kids before retreating to their hideout in Whirlpool country. The kids are being held prisoner as slaves." Hawk said, summing up most of the reports while Wolf skimmed through them. "The base is in the North East of the island where some of the ruins still hold their structure."
Wolf nodded thoughtfully. "Now I understand why Hokage-sama suggested that formation."
"Ahh, which formation?" Hawk asked. Wolf took out her scroll and handed it to the shinobi. He quickly scanned it, eyes widening behind his mask. 'Hokage-sama actually suggested Formation FH?!"
Captured
A young girl scaled the rubble almost effortlessly. Her Brown combat boots helping her to grip the old stone. She wore short beige shorts and her white collared t-shirt showed her tanned skin while her black jumper was tied around her waist. Her backpack slung over one shoulder. Her short black hair spiked in all directions except for the right bang. Unlike the rest of her hair, the right bang was a deep red and hugged her young face, reaching no further than her jaw.
The midday sun was blaring down as she looked around from her high vantage point. Suddenly from somewhere amongst the rubble two large thugs climbed into view. One was heaving a large sword off his back while the other was spinning a kunai lazily around his finger.
"Hey girly, what ya doing way out in these parts?" The one with the kunai called while his friend smiled greedily. It was sickening, but the young girl forced herself to take a step back.
"I-I'm waiting f-for my nii-san." She stuttered out.
"And what business does ya nii-san have here?"
"Earth country i-is employing u-us to get as much info f-from these r-ruins as possible." She replied, taking another backwards step.
"Earth country, eh? Well I don't think he will be coming any time soon." He said with a sickening smile while the other thug let out a loud bark of laughter. The young girl fought the urge to wrinkle her nose in disgust and keep an expression of a fearful, helpless kid. "What's ya name girly? Come on, no need ta be shy. We have a comfy place that you can come stay at while waitin' for ya nii-san."
"Your background story is you're travelling with your older brother who interprets ancient carvings for a living. You're from Earth country and were sent on an information gathering task. In your excitement, ran ahead while you brother was paying the boat man." Hawk said.
"What about my name?" Wolf asked.
"Oh, I know!" Rat said practically bouncing where she sat. "I always loved this name…"
"Sora." She replied, but before she could take a full step back the man appeared behind her. She could feel the cold blade of the kunai at her lower backthrough the thin shirt.
"Well Sora, why don't we go for a little walk?" She didn't bother to hide the shiver that ran down her spine.
A new friend
I wince as I hear the sound of my captors enter the hideout. Everyone did, especially when we heard the sound of dragging feet. Another prisoner, another innocent kid stripped of their family, and another mouth that would fight for the scraps they got fed.
I quickly huddled into the far corner as the shadowy figures stopped in front of my cell. I guess I had been quite lucky. I had been here for three months and still had my own cell. It meant I only had to fight with the rest at lunch, but not breakfast or dinner. But my luck must have run out as the rusty iron bar door swung open and the newbie was practically thrown in. There was a muffled 'ughf' as the wind escaped their lunges and they landed face first into the dirt floor.
I stay stock still as they lock the iron gate and laugh as they exit the room. It's not until the main door is closed that I relax. I glance at the new comer expecting them to still be lying on the ground in pain only to see them walking around the perimeter of the cell, taking in every detail. My head tilts subconsciously out of curiosity. It was like being a prisoner didn't even faze them.
They must have felt my gaze on their back because they suddenly whirl around to stare straight at me. I feel like cringing under the piercing eyes but instead stand up and take a cautious step forward. I noticed their shoulders slump a bit and their head tilt. They were only taller by four or five inches so they couldn't be too much older than me.
"I'm Akio." My dry throat just managed to croak out. It was met with simple silence that I figured they hadn't heard me. Just as I took a deep breath to try again the new comer finally replied.
"Sora."
I looked at the boy who stood three metres in front of me as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. His dark hair curled every which way and he looked starved by the way his skin was hugging bone rather than muscle like hers. Large bags under his eyes and the way he slumped his shoulders made her think he could drop unconscious any second.
"Sora." I said. As usual, I was using minimal words. My head tilted in confusion as a smile split across his pale face, showing that he was missing a front tooth. "How old?"
"Eight. What about you?" It looked like that smile of his would be permanently carved onto his face despite him being hungry, tiered and thirsty.
"Eleven. Why are you smiling?" She couldn't understand it. People smile when they are happy, not when they enslaved and imprisoned.
"You're the first company I've had in three months." There, in his eye, that twinkle. Anko and he had it whenever they had a true smile. That small twinkle that let her know he wasn't lying or hiding his feelings. He was wearing them on his sleeve. Just like him. But the continuation of his words caused her to cast those thoughts aside. "Besides, I figure one friend would make this place more bearable."
"I guess it would." She mumbled more to herself than to him. Then, much to her surprise he ran up and hugged her. Her instant reaction was all her muscle tensed; prepared to move the instant it seemed he would try to harm her. But that didn't happen and it never would. Slowly she raised her hand up and placed it on his back; remembering when Anko had first gotten her to hug back.
"Geez, no need to become a stiff tree. It's not like I'm gonna squeeze you to death. The least you can do is a one arm hug." Anko said, grabbing Tskiko's hand and placing it on her back. "Besides, this way if I squeeze the life out of ya, you can just squeeze my guts out right back."
I can still remember how mortified I was when I took what she said literally. I looked at the unruly mess of hair and remembered the way he smiled at me. Akio reminded me of him so much, but that led to memories. Memories of how I last saw his lifeless grey eyes under the moonlight. I slammed my eyes closed as I tried to rid myself of the thoughts. Quickly, I moved my hand back to my side causing him to look up at me with deep green eyes.
"I better go to sleep." I said as I pulled away and lay down facing the wall. Pretending to fall straight asleep. Ignoring how Akio's feet shuffled dully on the dirt floor. Ignoring the gnawing feeling in my chest as he whispered goodnight. Why did he have to be just like him?
"Sora, are you sure you're not hungry? You've only accepted water for the past week." I asked the girl sitting in the corner of the cell. I was starting to get worried. She wouldn't take any food. Just let me have her share during breakfast and dinner and claimed to join the fight at lunch. But I saw her leaning against the wall, just watching while everyone tried to stuff as much food into their mouths as they could.
If it wasn't for that layer of muscle you could see on her arms and legs you would have thought she could drop any minute. And it wasn't because of hunger. She had bruises and cut all over her arms, neck and face. Her hands where in shackles with a two metre chain joining them together. But despite the way her actions kept getting her tortured, she would still step in front of us to cop any abuse.
Once I had tripped and sent a mug of hot coffee smashing into the floor. The closest had stormed towards me in a spitting and cursing frenzy. I slammed my eyes shut in preparation for the punch but it never came. When I opened them all I could see was Sora's back. In the man's rage, he hurled a second punch to her gut. I saw the blood she coughed up splatter on the floor, yet she acted as though it was nothing. They ended up dragging her away. I didn't see her until they chucked her back into the cell that night. She was only semi-conscious, blood trails on her forehead, mouth and wrists. You could also see a bruise forming on her neck from being strangled. Yet somehow she managed to lift her arm weakly and give me a 'thumbs up' before passing out.
And it wasn't just me she did this for; it was all the other kids too.
"I'm fine kiddo." That was her only reply as a slither of blood trailed down from her split lip. The chains clanking when she stood up and carved another tally onto the solid wall. I still felt the worry eating me from the inside out but I managed to smile. As she said, she is fine, she will pull through this. She is stronger than I could ever be.
Secret discovered
"Again with the manhandling? We have legs and eyes, no need to guide us like blind sheep." Sora mumbled with a monotone voice as we were shoved back into the cell. I couldn't help but let out a laugh. It didn't matter that the only reason she said it was to cheer me up. The fact that she was trying was enough to make me want to be happy. I would be happy as long as she was there.
But that happiness was short live as half a dozen men came slamming the door and rushing and shouting. I grabbed Sora's arm and dragged her to the far corner. It was an automatic reaction with everyone in the room. It was the fear. That many men and that much shouting meant only one thing for the person they would be taking; unbearable pain. I latch onto her arm tighter when they stop outside our cell.
"Grab the girl! Don't let her make any seals!" One commanded as four clambered through the gate.
"Sora!" I scream as she is yanked out of my grasp.
"14, Akio. 14." She said back calmly, giving me a 'thumbs up' as they dragged her out.
"Don't let her talk!" The first one commanded again. I watched in horror as they dragged her out. Two men on each arm, the commander in front while the sixth was behind her; a hand over her mouth while the other held a knife at her throat.
"Sora!" I screeched and collapsed in the corner. Where they going to hurt her? Where they going to kill her? I let the tear streak down my cheeks. Were they going to kill her just like they killed mum and dad?
Interrogation
The dark room was cold and damp. A large crack in the stone ceiling allowed the moon light to shine through onto the centre of the room. There, what seemed to be the lone occupant in the room, a young girl was bound to a chair. Her arms and legs strapped to the chair by chain that shined in the moonlight.
"You're a ninja." A male's voice rang out from the shadows. The lack of reply only made him angrier.
"Answer me!" He spat in her face but she didn't move, not even an inch. "What village are you from? Why are you here?! How much do you know? Talk!"
But the young girl didn't even blink, yet alone talk. She was as cold and unyielding as stone. If it wasn't for the blood trickling from her lip you would have thought she was a statue. SHMACK! There was the sound of rattling chains as she was jerked to the side. A red mark forming where his fist had collided with her cheek. But still no sound came from her swollen lips.
Spitting on her once more he retreated back to the darkness. Two more man stepped out of the shadows. Both swinging punches and kicks at her. The man felt a grin etch onto his face as a punch to her gut caused her to cough up blood. Finally a sound, but that was the only sound that came from her. Two hour later and she was slumped in the chair, unconscious without even saying a word.
"One, two, three…" I mumble to myself, counting the tally marks. "Eleven, twelve, thirteen."
I slowly start to carve the mark for today when two men appear at my cell. I stopped caring. They had taken everything but the clothes I was wearing. They had taken everyone.
"Come here kid." One's gruff voice ordered.
Soon the tally mark was complete. "Fourteen." I whispered as I remembered what Sora had said. With a small smile I turn to face them. Well at least until they gagged me, bound my hands in rope and pulled a sack over my head. All I could see was blackness.
"Urhg." The sound gurgled out of my mouth as another punch to the stomach caused me to cough up blood. The sun had been burning on the back of my neck all day and now the cool night breeze was a nice contrast. But even nature can be a foe. Small rain drops start making their way through the cracks.
"Are you willing to talk yet?" He spits in my face to which my only response was slamming my aching jaw shut. "Perhaps a little incentive will help you gain your voice."
I ignore the shiver down my spine as he whispered in my ear. There was nothing that could be used as 'incentive' to me. If it weren't for the fact this mission required me to stay alive I would have already turned to ash. The forbidden technique that turns lights yourself on fire with a blue flame and coverts your entire life force into mere remnants of chakra residue. It is known by every ANBU Black Ops ninja. The ANBU's unspoken rule; leave no body behind when you die.
I slumped back into the chair as he retreated to the darkness once more. Drops of rain landed on my face, mixing with the dried blood before trailing down my face. The pain boiled in my gut and my jaw stung from being hit repetitively. Yet, despite the pain, I felt comfortable. The burning pain actually comforted me. It made me feel relaxed, maybe even at peace. Pain and death were the things that I had known all my life. They were the only things that were real to me. They were both the only things you could count on to happen no matter what. They let me know I was alive, and I thrived on it. I survived on pain, and that survival created my fighting style and my title. Konoha's Blood Wolf.
I look back towards the darkness as flame touches are lit all around the room; showing at least twenty armed men and a kid whose hands are bound in rope and a small sack over their head. I watched them fall as their legs were kicked out from under them. From the muffled cry they had to be gagged too.
"Akio." I whispered a barely audible whisper. The sack was ripped off his head to reveal two frighted eyes that scanned the room before they landed on me. I could see the happiness glimmer in his eyes before he noticed the state I was in.
The gag was removed and instantly his voice filled the room. "Sora! What's going on? What happened to you? Are you alright?"
"Everything's fine Akio. What is the tally at?" I replied calmly like we were just sitting in the park in Konoha.
His brow scrunched in confusion before he managed to stutter out. "F-fourteen."
I felt a shiver of excitement run through my body. Today was the day.
"Enough talk," the leader growled before yanking Akio's head back and holding a kunai to his throat. "No start talking or his blood will spill."
"Sora." He barely whimpered out. A new heat burned in my chest; spreading throughout my body as I violently yanked at the chains binding my arms.
"Good luck with that girly. Those chains are almost as strong as bone." He smirked. But that soon faded. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Adrenalin started to pulse through my veins. I pulled against the chain; let it slice it's way slowly through my arms. The excruciating pain caused my eyes to gleam darkly, narrowing on the man who would be my first prey. When the iron met bone I could feel the kinks starting to bend apart until they finally snapped, freeing my arms. I slipped my legs out of their bound and licked my cracked lips, never taking my eyes off of my prey. I felt alive once more as I lunged at the unprepared man with eyes as hard and cold as two metre chain still shackled to my wrists.
Blood bath
"What the hell are you doing?!" I winced at the panicked shout next to my ear but my eyes didn't waver from Sora. The man had said that the chains were as strong as bone yet she continued to pull against them. My eyes widen in horror as blood rushes from the fresh, deep cuts. Then the chains broke.
It was like the scene out of a nightmare. The blood from her arms streaked down the links in the chain that was joining her arms together. The rain mixed with her blood streaked all over her. She leaped forward and her hands enclosed around one's neck. The sickening snap rang in my ears and his limp body fell to the ground. She took strange blade things from his pouch and sent them flying into the closest five who were advancing.
I wanted look away from the blood bath but my frightened eyes stayed latched onto her. They watched as she moved gracefully and yet so powerfully. Her eyes hardened and unblinking on her stone face as more blood was splashed across her from her opponent. It was definitely not the person I had been sharing a cell with.
One by one they all fell while their cries of pain lingered. At last she turned this way and I felt my fear rising. This wasn't Sora. This was a monster. A creature that felt nothing and had no morals as it hunted its prey. One that wasn't concerned with the death it had caused, nor the pain. One that welcomed them instead. It didn't seem to even notice the blood that covered it more than it showed. It was like a shinigami; like a god of death.
"No genin should be able to do that. Just who and what are you!" The panicked shouts of the last man filled the room while the blade held up to my throat had a little more force behind it. But she didn't answer, just took steps through the puddles of blood. "Don't take another step or the boy dies!"
But then she suddenly vanished. Like a figment of your imagination. But she was still there. The sound of chain proved that. Then the force from the knife on my throat was gone. I whirled around and immediately wished I hadn't. There she was. Standing behind him; the chain around his neck. Then she kicked off his back. Blood spouted out and the chain sliced his head clean off. My eyes somehow managed to widen farther as the headless body fell and the head rolled a few metres to my right. I felt a patch of warmth on my cheek. Blood. But I couldn't move. I was frozen in place with fear; looking straight into the cold, dark eyes of the eleven year old killer.
Rejection
I felt completely at peace as I watch the head of my prey topple to the ground. The familiar red liquid that coated me gave me a feeling of warmth and the cries of their pain still rang in my ears. I looked down at the frightened boy. A large pang of pain shook violently through my chest as I recognised the look in his dark brown eyes. It was like a knife at stabbed me right in the heart.
"Akio?" My voice sounded emotionless and hollow. That simple word seemed to allow him to snap out of his unmoving state. I took a small step forward, but he quickly retreated. Rammed his back into the wall while his eyes never left me. The knife in my chest felt like it was yanked out before being slammed back in; this time twisting, creating a huge hole.
Before I could do or say anymore the door slammed open. I turned my head to see Hawk and Rat in the doorway.
"You're late." I state without any trace of emotion.
"Well I'm sorry that you didn't have to take down the fifty other bad guys and lose your friend in the process." Rat huffed before looking around at the state of the room. "Did you cause this yourself?"
"The legends certainly weren't wrong. If anything they don't do you justice, Blood Wolf." Hawk said while handing me back my mask. I take it and place it over my face. Instantly I felt disconnected from my body. Disconnected from the world. It was like watching my own actions through a t.v. while I sat back.
"So cow is dead." I state, knowing the answer.
"And all the little kiddies are out of those rotten cells. A group of chunin reinforcements arrived and are taking them back to Fire Country to be with any remaining family." Rat said. "But I don't think that one is in any state to go back to family yet. You could have made it cleaner and less traumatic for the little guy."
I looked at the still frighted Akio. "You know that isn't her fighting style. Not a single mission goes by without a single drop of blood being exposed to the air. It's why she is called the Blood Wolf. Learn you squads styles Rat and it might just save your ass."
"His name is Akio. Rat, can you bring him along? I doubt he will come near me after that." I say, stopping the argument before it began. One more look at his eyes caused the pain in my chest to double. "I'm going to get my gear then we can meet at the base."
I try to ignore the pain as I walk out of the room. Away from the scared boy who I was yearning to place my arms around and comfort, just like he did for me. Instead I focus on the physical pain I'm in. Deciding once I find my bag that I will have to get help to stitch up the wounds in my arms.
When I arrived at the base the others were already there. A campfire was set up and I could hear them clearly from my spot in the shadows.
"So what happened after that kid?" I hear Rat's voice. So Akio was talking again. I leaned against the tree, remaining hidden.
"Sh-she kept pulling at the chain. And eventually it snapped. And that's when she…" his voice trailed off. I felt a twinge of guilt. I never wanted him to see that, but it was that or lose another person like him. I know it was selfish, but I couldn't help it.
"It's okay kid. I don't blame ya. She's been like that since she became an ANBU. Hey Hawk, when did Wolf become an ANBU?"
"I was told it was three years ago, when she was you age kid. But there are rumours that she was around HQ before she got her mask."
"Sh-She was like that at my age?!" Akio yelled out in surprise and horror. "But how can anyone be that calm towards death? Yet alone a kid. Are you sure she isn't really a shinigami?"
I remained still but my emotions were conflicting. He thinks I'm a shinagami. A part of me was laughing while the over part felt a sickening weight in my chest. Guilt? Hurt? No, it was shame. Shame in the fact I had become a killing machine to the rest of the world. Shame in becoming a creature that thrived on pain. Shame in how I became a monster, barely human anymore. Shame how I couldn't bring myself to tell them why I am this way. Couldn't bring myself to tell them what I did. Couldn't bring myself to accept what I did. Shame in how I kept running from it.
In my deep thought I had stopped hiding my charkra signature from the others without knowing until Rat called out to me. "Oi Wolf, come join us."
As I stepped out of the shadows I saw how Akio intently tensed up and felt the heavy stone in chest double in size. I sat down a few metres to Rat's right while Akio cowered on her left. I was thankful that my mask hid my eyes. My eyes the showed every ounce on pain I was feeling. "Rat, can you help stitch these up?"
I held my arms out so she could see the deep gashes. She sighed and moved to kneel next to me. Taking out the first aid supplies. After she had the gotten the thread and the needle did she take a close look at the cuts. "Geez woman. No wonder the chains snapped. Hey Hawk, when you mentioned a habit of letting herself feel pain when she fights I never expected her to try and slice her arms off."
I bit my lip as the needle stabbed my flesh. I could feel the thread as it was pulled through. Sliding in the premade hole. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Akio sneak a peek but he instantly backed away. The whole camp was in silence as Rat finished.
"I'll take first watch." I said the instant she finished. I was about to stand and walk away again when a hand landed on my shoulder.
"No you're resting. We know what happened and now you must rest." Hawk said as he looked straight down at me. I pushed off his hand and stand up.
"I'm fine." My cold voice held a drop of anger as I continued to move back to the shadows.
"That wasn't an option Wolf. It was an order. Now go rest." He said as he pointed back to the shade cloth. Reluctantly I walked over towards it and sat down on the very edge. I heard Hawk mumble, "Stubborn kids."
I leaned back into the large piece of war ruin and let my mask fall to the ground beside me. I felt sleep wash over me, felt it pull me into the darkness of my own subconscious.
"Yoichi!" I bolted up right, eyes wide as I could still his last moment play. Instinctively my legs where brought to up to my chest. I realised that I had been huffing and was drenched in sweat and my vision returned to what was actually around me. I glanced around the campsite. Rat was fast asleep under the shade and Hawk was on his watch. Then my eyes landed on Akio. He was huddled next to the fire staring right at me.
"Why are you awake?" I ask as I relaxed a bit against the rubble. His eye became down casted. "It was a nightmare about it, wasn't it?"
He slowly nodded, not meeting my eyes. I sighed and looked down at the still shackled chain. Rat had forbid me from anymore 'attempts of breaking off limbs' and said that the blacksmith back in the village would be able to get them off without harming me.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." My eyes caught a flicker of movement and I knew his gaze was back on me. "The first death you witness is always the hardest to forget. I'm sorry to give you that burden."
The silence that followed was different to any other silence. Usually silence was comfortable and welcoming, but this one was strange. It felt … awkward. I wanted him to reply, even if it was a scream of 'I'll never forgive a monster'. But the only noise was the occasional breeze. I decided to find Hawk and start my watch early. As I picked up my mask I realised I was still in the same clothes that I had fought in. I guess I could stop by a creek.
I slipped my pack over one shoulder and walk away. Heading in the direction Cow went the other day to collect water. My mask remained in my hand. The sounds of the chain was my only company In the dead of night.
Damn you Anko
"Our reports, Hokage-sama." I said as I placed the four scrolls on his desk. The chain rattled with the movement. Hokage-sama raised an eyebrow.
"I do believe that acting as hostage is finished now Wolf." He said with a slightly playful tone.
"Rat forbade me from removing them."
"Hey, I was only stopping you from trying to amputate your own limb!" She exclaimed. "Not my fault you're so self-abusive."
The third let out a light chuckle, "You know Rat; that would have to be the thirteenth time I've heard those words about Wolf. Forgive me if I find the deja vu funny. Now, about our little friend in the hospital I want Wolf to help him with his trauma."
Instantly all three of us were about to oppose when Lord Hokage held up his hand it silence us. "Am I right in assuming it was Wolf who caused him to be in this state?" There was a mumble of yes while the guilt weighed a tonne in my stomach.
"Then she shall be the one to put it right. Besides," he said before continuing more towards me than the others. "Who would be better than someone who has suffered severe trauma themselves? Dissmissed."
The doors slammed wide open as I had to force myself not to run down the corridors. The hallways were like a rabbit's hole; bending this way and that while getting darker and colder the farther and lower you go. The last set of doors slammed open as my strength spiked from my confused emotions.
"Oi, no need to try and knock them off the hinges." I heard Ibiki's gruff voice complain but I ignored it.
"Where is Anko?" I say. Despite the fact I was in my ANBU uniform, the head of the interrogation and torture department as well as Anko's sampai knew who I was. That didn't really come as a surprise since no matter who I was when Anko saw me she would almost tackle me to the ground in a hug while squealing 'imoto-chan!'
"She's busy kid. Probably won't be available for another three hours. What's with the chain?" He replied. Perfect, just when I actually need her she was busy. My anger grew. Anger at my confusing emotions to the task Hokage-sama assigned me. Anger that Anko wasn't here. Anger that I needed to rely on someone. Fuming, I punched the wall. A crater with a 3m radius appeared around my small clenched fist. The skin on my knuckles had split with the contact and a blood trail formed.
I returned my hand to my side and stormed out; Ignoring Ibiki's surprised face.
"Where are you going now?" His gruff voiced said after he had regained his composure.
"To let off some steam." I said over my shoulder. The look on his face clearly showed what he was thinking. 'She didn't let off enough steam by damaging my wall?'
The only noise that signalled my presence as I walked down the cold hallways way the clinking of the chain. I still hadn't seen the blacksmith to get rid of it. It wasn't until I was at the training grounds that I noticed how people where looking at me slightly fearful. I shrugged it off and continued into training ground 99. The place was littered with training dummies. Each had a seal on the back giving them enough intelligence to know how to fight back.
I stretched my back when I came out of interrogation room 3. The stubborn shit took quite a few hours to crack. But I found my silent fumes come to a sudden end. There, in the wall, was a fucking six metre crater! The thing was huge!
"Hey Ibiki, what's with the fucking hole in the wall? Did one of 'ittle wittle Ibiki's interrogations not go according to plan?" I said slightly mocking.
"No. You're precious imoto-chan came here a few hours ago looking for you. That is the result of me telling her that you were busy."
My eyes widened in shock. Tsukiko was looking for me? That was extremely rare. Only happening out of boredom when there was ABSOLUTELY nothing for her to do ANYWHERE. But by the looks of it, this time was different. I mean, she wasn't the type to beat up a defenceless wall out of boredom.
But she was the type to punch a wall out of extreme anger. Before my mind registered it, I was running down the halls. I needed to find her. Something was wrong.
I looked from the splintered training dummies to the limp chain around my wrist. I marvelled at it slightly. It was long enough to allow plenty of movement and not impair my fighting, but short enough so that I didn't trip on it as it reached my ankles. But most of all it turned out to be a perfect weapon. If it wasn't for the fact that it stopped me from being able to switch tops and move in complete silence I would keep them on. A low whistle caused me to turn to the front of the training area.
"I knew something was up when Ibiki told me you came, but for you to be this mad… I feel sorry for whoever got your knickers in such a twist." Anko! I couldn't stop my body moving as I ran full speed and hugged her tightly. By her slow reaction I knew she was surprised. I rarely hugged her, and never before she hugged me first. I let her pull off my mask and direct my chin so she was staring into my eyes. "Mind telling me what's going on?"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. Here was Tsukiko looking the most kid-like I had ever seen her, asking for my help, and the strange sense of deja vu as I entered the hospital ward. The kid in the only bed looked at me in surprise before confusion then his eyes landed on Tsukiko and fear overwhelmed his features.
"Okay, so this is the kid the old man wanted you to help recover because you're the cause of his state or whatever it was?" I asked Tsukiko who replied with a curt nod. I smiled turning to the young boy. "Hey kiddo, I'm Anko. What's ya name?"
His gaze was on me but I saw it flicker of to Tsukiko only for a second.
"He won't talk with me around. I already told you." Tsukiko said sounding more like an empty shell then a human. I looked at her eyes; usually the only way to tell how she was feeling. But they were sealed off, hard as stone and void of anything. They almost looked dead. I felt a small pang in my chest. She must really care about the kid. The only reason she would be so void is if she was sealing herself in to hide any emotional pain.
"Umm…" I started unsure. But before I could say anything she leaped out the window. A habit she gained from yours truly. Sighing in defeat I turned back to the little maggot. His large curious eye on me caused me to laugh again. These two were just way too similar.
"What is so funny?" His young voice sounded over my laughter.
"It's nothing, just you remind me so much of her when I first met her except she was in a worse state." I smiled at the memory. I saw the confusion in her brown eyes. "Oh what the heck, I'll tell you. When Tsukiko; that's her real name by the way, was five she came stumbling up to the front gate. Cuts and dry blood everywhere and completely out of it. So out of it that when I picked her up to take her here her legs kept twitching like she was still on the ground walking…"
"Asuma sampai." My voice cut through the air. Asuma and Shikamaru both looked up from their game of shoji. Their eyes widened in surprise. I couldn't blame them. I wore my usual pants and shoes again but my shirt was still the blood stained white one from my mission and my hair had obviously changed. That, the chain that hung off my wrist and the obvious stitches on the three cuts across each arm.
"Ts-tsukiko? What the hell happened to you?" They both stuttered out.
"I just got back from my mission." I stated as if it was obvious. "Asuma sampai, can I ask you some questions in private?"
The cool night breeze blew through my hair as I sat perched on the window sill. In one hand a dango while the over held the chain. The shackles remained around my wrist with the chain completely unlinked. I felt my chakra pulse through the shackles and links as I caused them to unlatch and latch again.
"Well if you get the blacksmith to keep the chain red hot and infuse your chakra into the chain then you might be able to control the links with your chakra. But those shackles will give you some nasty burns in the process."
Asuma's words played in my head. He had been right. I could control the links with my chakra. Also the doctors had bandaged my wrist to stop the severe burns from getting infection while they healed. I hadn't bothered to turn up to training that day. Kurenai wasn't letting me use my arms at all; something about resting so they healed properly. I sighed and looked at the moon. It was slightly calming.
My head whirled around as I heard a slight whimper. Akio was lying on the bed, face scrunched up while his hands where trying to strangle the sheet. "GAHHH!" He shouted as he sat up right breathing slightly heavily. His looked over at me on the hospital window before his gaze instantly lowers to his hands. It had been two weeks since I left him and Anko alone to talk. I still had no idea what she told him but he still hadn't said a word to me. But there wasn't as much fear in his eyes. They seemed more curious but the fear stopped him asking.
I take my grey eyes off him and look back to the moon. I'm about to eat the dango when his voice stops me. "Ts-ts-tsukiko?" I turn my head to face him; a slight tilt showed my curiosity. Though I'm sure my eyes betrayed my surprise.
Looking back down at his fidgeting hands he continued. "Can I … um … can I …" After taking a deep breath he looked up, straight at me. "C-can I have some of y-your dango?"
I felt my eyes widen for a moment before I broke the dango in half, holding out the larger half. I watched as he scrambled out of the white sheet and carefully walked over. His bare feet scraped over the cold floor. The closer he was the more careful he became. After he accepted the food he took a small step backwards. I turn my attention back to my food and practically eat it in one bite.
Suddenly laughter filled my ears and I looked over to Akio. "What?"
"You just at that all in one bite. If my Mum saw that she would scold your ears off before hitting the wooden spoon on your backside." I laughed. I felt the weight that had been in my chest all this time suddenly disappear as I watched his smiling face.
"Really? And what would she do if she caught me taking a cookie from the jar?" I asked, glad when it evoked more laughter.
"She would probably slam the lid on your hand. At least that's what she did to Dad when he tried. You should have seen the way he would yelp then clutch his hand protectively while pouting. Even mum would laugh at the behaviour. Why? Have you been caught stealing a cookie before?"
He asked and I nodded in return. "My Aunt made me clean the entire kitchen for it."
"Haha, that's harsh." He laughed before he took a large mouthful of the dango.
"My brother helped me since he was the one that dared me." I shrug.
"You have a brother? Where is he? How old is he? What's he like?" He suddenly bombarded me with questions. I felt a large pang in my heart as the memory of him smiling while a knife protruded from his chest flashed across my eyes.
"I-I had two brothers." I say before I suddenly let my tongue run off on its own. "But he was always happy, either laughing or smiling. It didn't matter what situation we got into; he would always find a way to smile. I complete contrast to me."
"Was?" His voice was small as he asked. My eyes widened and I cursed myself for revealing too much. Actually I was surprised that I wasn't hunched over screaming from the memory.
"You should go back to bed. I'll see you later." I said before jumping off the window. Leaving a surprised Akio watching my figure as it retreated into the dark alley ways of Konoha.
Shadow
"Onee-chan!" I still wasn't used to hearing those words. I was always the youngest but now I had another self-proclaimed sibling. I swivel 180 degrees to see the familiar mess of dark brown curls bobbed through the crowded street. I was knocked back a few steps as he tackled me into a hug.
"Onee-chan!" He shouted happily. "Anko just told me the old man wanted to see us!"
What does the third have planned now? I nod and turn towards the hokage tower. I'm about to use the teleportation jutsu when a lazy voice interrupts me.
"What are you doing Tsukiko?" I turn to face Shikamaru. I can feel Akio grip the back of my brown vest. He had been unsure about every ninja he saw since the little incident. "Nobody has seen you at training or for missions for the past month. Team six hasn't even seen you for two months. And you were just about to use the teleportation justu; which Asuma unsuccessfully tried to explain how you know. And there was that incident where you turned up in a blood dranched shirt and shackled wrist? You don't seem like the average genin."
"Genin? That's what that man called you. Onee-chan, who is he?" Akio said, Shikamaru eyes widened for a moment as he only just noticed Akio was with me.
"It's nothing Akio. Didn't you say we had to see Hokage-sama?" I say before placing a hand on his shoulder and performing the teleportation technique.
As the smoke cleared we were in The Thirds office only to run into even more people.
"Gah! Tsukiko? What are you doing here? And who is the kid?" I fight the urge to roll my eyes or send a kunai past Naruto's head. Sasuke was as moody as ever and Sakura turned her attention back to the raven haired ninja. Kakashi looked up from his book with a sleepish 'Yo'. But I turned to the third while Akio eyed team seven curiously.
"You summoned us, Lord Hakage." I said and the elderly man cracked a smile.
"Ah, Tsukiko and Akio I believe. Squad seven, you are dismissed." Kakashi had to drag the still shouting Naruto.
"What did you want Hokage-sama?" I ask as the door shut. "I know it isn't to ask about his trauma, you get regular reports about it from the hospital. And for that you wouldn't need me either. And if it was a mission you wouldn't need Akio here."
"As deductive and painfully blunt as ever. I don't know why I even bother thinking you will change." He said with a low chuckle. "As you know Akio has been released from the hospital today. Well I have decided to grant him residence in Konoha. He is now a citizen of the Hidden Leaf. As for his residence, you're little cabin has a second bedroom."
"It does?"
"Oh kami-sama Tsukiko, please tell me you've patched up that place at least a little." I look down at my feet as Akio starts laughing at my situation. "What have you been doing, that has been your home for the past three months. You're relieved from any duties for the rest of the day so patch that place up and help Akio settle into the village."
"Yes Hokage-sama."
"Someone got caught with their fingers in the cookie jar." Akio teased and laughed as we left the office.
"Come on, you're helping." I say messing up his dark curls.
"Oww, hey that's my hair." He laughs. And on the inside I feel myself smile as well.
"Onee-chan." I say as I follower her through the winding streets of Konoha. They are almost completely empty as the sun is starting to rise. "That nightmare you have. It's about the first death you saw, isn't it?"
She stops mid-step and keeps facing forward so I can't see her face. "What makes you think that?"
"Well, ah, when you said to me how the first death you see is always the hardest to get over. You told me that after you had woken up from it." I say.
"It's nothing to worry about. I will get over it eventually." She replied before continuing to walk.
Onee-chan. For someone to be fine after fighting the way she did, I wonder how horrific her first death must have been to cause her nightmares. On second thoughts, I didn't want to know.