Hey guys. 3rd chapter is now done. First off:
Yuaki1707: Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you liked it. In the book, it's the girl volunteering for her sister but here I did it the other way around. LOL. Read the book ASAP! It's awesome and you will never want to stop thinking about it. It's so addictive…like a drug!
damnheart.o3: Arigatou. You should totally read the hunger games. It's totally kick butt! Seriously though, read the book. It's awesome. I read it what? Three months ago? And I can't get it out of my head. You will totally feel the magic of the book. It's . . . how shall I put this? Unput-down-able! (Is that a word?)
Moonlight's Servant: Yeah well IDK if everything is copy-pasted from the book since I borrowed it from a friend and read it about three months ago. Hah! Maybe I have awesome memory power. I got the book for a birthday present but it's with my friend (has been for a long time) and well I don't plan on making it entirely 'Hunger Games' because that would be indirectly murdering Suzanne Collins so even though I appreciate honesty, I firmly say it's not boring since right now I only finished 3 chapters. You no likey then don't read. ^_^ Simple as that.
Special thanks to my beloved assistant, Chicky-chan (chickypoo8) for always supporting me and for being there for me. This chapter is dedicated to you. ILY!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto (If I did, SasuSaku and my other favorite pairings would be rocking and Kabuto and Karin would be dead) and The Hunger Games (I wish I was Suzanne Collins.)
CHAPTER 3
Once the anthem finished, Itachi and I were ushered inside the Hokage's office. Well, I was ushered. Since Itachi was an ANBU himself, he didn't need guidance. As the doors closed behind us, shutting us out from the crowd, we started to walk up a long flight of stairs.
Itachi looked at the two ANBU behind me, "We'll go up to Orochimaru on our own; I'll take her up. You two can go."
"Our orders are to escort you two up to the Hokage's office. Well, mostly her." One of the ANBU said flatly. I resisted the urge to snap back at him; I wasn't a baby! I didn't need babysitting.
"We don't want our tributes running off now do we?" The other ANBU said with a throaty chuckle.
"I'm not running away." I muttered under my breath. The Haimaru brothers growled lowly near me but I gave them a look to tell them to calm down. The last thing we needed before we went to the Land of Iron was trouble with the ANBU.
The ANBU had said something about tributes running away. Maybe the tributes have tried in the past but I've never heard of or seen them try. Either way, I wasn't going to try escape. Besides, even if I did try to run away, I'll just be captured and taken back or maybe even executed.
Itachi glared at them, "Are you underestimating me? Don't forget I'm an ANBU too."
I was sure I saw a tint of red in Itachi's eyes. Or maybe I was hallucinating. Whatever it may be, the two ANBU muttered something under their breaths and walked off. I smirked as I watched them go; those two were way older than Itachi and yet they feared him. And they were Jonin too! Now that was power. Wait. That's not a good thing for me. If Itachi could scare two Jonins with just a glare . . .
"Are you coming or what?" Itachi asked monotonously. I turned to look at him and noticed he was already at the top of the stairs. I nodded and quickly climbed up the stairs, the Haimaru brothers trotting behind me.
I followed Itachi down a long corridor with many doors. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the picture on the back of Itachi's shirt. It was a red and white uchiwa fan; the symbol of the Uchiha clan. Itachi and his brother, Sasuke, were the only two Uchihas in the village. I didn't get it. Shouldn't the Uchihas be around? They were one of the founders of the village, apart from the First Hokage, after all.
I tried asking my mother but she told me I was too young then. I asked my father and he simply told me that the Uchihas were now no more. It had confused me. I tried asking people in the village but people avoided the topic as if it were taboo. An ANBU heard me asking someone at the Hob and I got my hair pulled. So after that, I never questioned about the Uchihas. But that doesn't mean I'm not curious.
We stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor. All the doors were brown with metal knobs but this one was purple in color with a golden knob. I guess Orochimaru likes his doors fancy. Itachi simply twisted the knob and pushed the door open.
"Hey! Should we knock first?" I said to him. He didn't reply. He simply stepped inside. I looked at the Haimaru brothers and shrugged; I guess not. I followed Itachi inside.
Right in front of me was the view of Konoha through large glass windows and above the windows hung the pictures of the previous Hokages. There was a shelf in the corner with some books and scrolls. A large desk in the centre of the room and a person was sitting on the chair, grinning at us; Orochimaru.
He chuckled, "Well we've got two fighters as tributes this year. Normally, I'd just wish the tributes good luck and send them on their way but this is different. Both of you are from two clans with . . . special techniques."
My shoulders stiffened; I didn't like him at all. The Haimaru brothers crouched and growled at Hokage, their teeth bared in hatred. Immediately, two ANBU appeared in front of us.
Orochimaru waved his hand, "Now, now, we were just chatting. Off with you two; I'll be fine." The ANBU bowed respectfully and left in a flash.
Orochimaru sighed, "They don't like me do they?" I pursed my lips and stroked Sora's head. Slowly and reluctantly, they calmed down. I looked back at the Hokage.
"No matter," said Orochimaru. "I have gone through your ninja registration Hana-kun. " I shuddered a bit at the way he said my name; really creepy!
"You graduated from the academy at the age of eleven and got promoted to Genin at the age of fourteen," Orochimaru said with a snaky grin. "You are a part of the Inuzuka clan and have the Haimaru brothers as your partners. Also, you are a medic-nin."
"You've done your homework Hokage-sama," I muttered. "But I disagree with one thing; I'm not a medic-nin." I did do a little bit of medical ninjutsu but I wasn't perfect. I knew all the medical herbs and how to prepare elixirs and I often thought about working as a doctor or a vet but I didn't risk it; if something went wrong, I didn't want to be responsible.
Itachi looked at me with a surprised expression; apparently, no one talked back to the Hokage. I bit my own tongue; would I get punished for that?
Instead, Orochimaru laughed, "You've got spunk, girl. I admire that. There are very few medics in Konoha. It's a shame you aren't a medic-nin like your father. A fine man. Too bad he died in that explosion."
I almost lost it. Orochimaru was rubbing it in my face on purpose. Was he toying with me? Trying to make me vulnerable? Yeah well I wasn't going to act that way in front of him. I'm not weak and I will stand firm. I looked at him straight in the eye, "Yeah. Too bad."
Orochimaru looked at me for a long time and then turned his gaze to Itachi. He smiled at Itachi, "One of my finest ANBU going to participate in the Ninja Games. It's sad really. Konoha will be losing one of their two Uchihas. However, I must say I feel proud; an Uchiha participating in the Ninja Games!"
I saw Itachi clenching his fists. What did Orochimaru mean? Were the Uchihas related to something about the Ninja Games? Whatever it may be, my curiosity has risen again. There was a brief silence before Itachi spoke, "And it would be even better if an Uchiha came back as a victor."
A shiver ran down my spine. Oh geez, if Itachi was that confident, then I'm a goner. And the games haven't even begun! Also, those words seemed to have a double meaning to them but I didn't understand what it was. The Haimaru brothers sensed the air of anxiety around me and moved closer to my side.
Orochimaru seemed to understand so he let out a loud laugh, "Very true! And who knows? You might emerge as the victor; you have your Sharingan after all." Orochimaru's words were like ice being injected through my veins. How could I have forgotten?!
I didn't know much about the Uchihas but I did know that their clan had a kekkei genkai called the Sharingan. I have never seen it in real life but I did see pictures; the deadly blood red eyes with three black comas made the Uchihas invincible. Now knowing Itachi had the Sharingan and the fact that he was an ANBU and a Chunin, I realized Itachi could be the strongest opponent ever.
However, I wasn't going to let that information bring me down. I was an Inuzuka. I had some tricks up my own sleeve as well. I looked at the Haimaru brothers. Their tails became erect and tall as they looked at me. I guess they were thinking about the same thing I was.
"So did you bring us here to tell us about ourselves? If so, I think I've heard enough. Can we go now?" I said impatiently. I didn't mean to sound rude but I was an Inuzuka; rebellion flowed through my veins.
Orochimaru chuckled, "Impatient are we? Well Hana-kun, you should know that if you wish to leave the Haimaru brothers out of the games, you are allowed to do so. I doubt that you will though; you will definitely need them. Now, I wish you both a very best of luck and know that I'm hoping to see a fight between you two. That will be all." I clenched my fists and I saw that Itachi was unaffected; I bet he's planning my death already.
We stepped out of the Hokage's office and Itachi closed the door behind him. He pointed to the third door on the right from the Hokage's office, "Go wait in there. You will be given five minutes to speak with your family and friends before we leave."
I nodded and I walked towards the door. Itachi opened the door opposite to mine, the third door on the left, and shut it behind him as he entered. I sighed and opened my door. Two ANBUs arrived and stood on either side of the door. I noticed that two more ANBU were standing guard on Itachi's door as well. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.
Inside was one of the richest looking rooms I had ever seen. There was a low glass table in the centre, surrounded by plush sofas and chairs which were purple in color. The blood red carpets were deep and thick and the curtains were of the same color as the sofas. Orochimaru must love purple a lot.
I sat down on one of the chairs and sighed. My mother and Kiba would be on their way here very soon. I was suddenly afraid that I was going to cry. I shook my head; I have to stay strong. For my family. I remembered what Orochimaru had said about me leaving the Haimaru brothers out of the games.
"Listen," I said slowly. "Orochimaru said I could leave you guys out of the game. You know you can-"
To my surprise, they all barked in union, cutting me off, and wagged their tails. I got the message. They weren't going to back down; they were going to stick with me till the end. It was annoying since they don't get that I was looking out for them. But at the same time, I was grateful. Besides, the Inuzukas were nothing without their canine partners.
I sighed and smiled at them, "And to think I could convince you guys to go home."
The doors opened and Kiba ran straight into my arms. My mother walked in with Akamaru in her hands and Kuromaru following her.
"You have five minutes." The ANBU told her. My mother nodded in response before the ANBU closed the door behind her.
Kiba was still crying in my arms. I shushed him and pulled away to look at his face. I brushed the tears away with the pad of my thumb, "Come on Kiba. Do you think I'd be happy leaving Konoha knowing you are here crying miserably? You're not a baby anymore; stop crying."
Kiba calmed down a bit. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, "Hana, you can't go."
"You know I have to," I told him. I spoke up before he could argue with me. "Listen, don't skip school and stay out of trouble with your friends. Keep Akamaru with you at all times and don't go into the woods okay? It's dangerous if you go alone. Sora will do the hunting for you."
Sora looked at me quizzically and then gave a whine of protest. He licked my cheek. I knew he wanted to go with me and fight alongside me in the games but my family needed someone here. Besides, he was in no condition to fight. During one of our hunts earlier this year, we had come across a wild lynx and Sora had injured his leg. Though I had healed it as best as I could, he couldn't run with the same speed he used to.
"Sora, you have your injury," I told him as I scratched his ear. "I'm not going to take any risks. I need you to stay here with mom and Kiba. Hunt for them and bring them game. Keep them fed okay?"
Sora whined softly and nuzzled my cheek but he reluctantly agreed and went to stand next to Kuromaru. I then looked at my mother. She stiffened a bit. I guess she knew what was coming.
"You can't leave again." I said firmly.
"I won't," Tsume said softly. She set Akamaru down on the ground. "I couldn't help what-"
"Well you have to help it this time," I cut in. I grabbed her wrist and clutched it tightly. "You can't leave Kiba on his own, even though he has Akamaru, Sora and Kuromaru. I won't be around to keep you both alive anymore. You have to promise me that you will fight through it. No matter what you see on the screen, promise me that you will stay strong!" My voice had risen to a shout. In it are all the anger, fear and sorrow that I felt when she left us alone.
She pulled her hand from my grasp. She glared at me, "I know what I had done! But that doesn't mean I'll do it again."
"You better not," I told her. My anger simmered down and I reached out to pull her in a hug. "I love you. I love both of you. Please take care of yourself. Take care of Kiba. Don't let this family fall apart."
I felt my mother's arms tighten around me. Her shoulders shook and I knew she was fighting the tears in her eyes; for mine and Kiba's sake. I pulled away and she leaned towards me to press her lips to my forehead.
Kiba took my cold hands in his warm ones, "We'll be fine Hana. You're the strongest and smartest person I know. Maybe you'll win."
I couldn't tell Kiba that there were going to be people smarter and stronger than me in the games. There were ninja from Iwa with wicked earth style techniques, people from Kiri who excelled in swordsmanship and weaponry and so on. There will be people like me too; people to weed out before the real fun of the games began.
"Maybe," I replied. I knew that if I told them I was going to die, it would just make matters worse than it already is. Plus, it isn't in my nature to go down without a fight. "If I win, then we'd be rich." I added a bit of humor in my voice hoping to lighten the mood.
"I don't care about the wealth," said Kiba. He hugged me and I immediately returned the hug. "I just want my sister back home." Those words could have made me cry like a baby but I kept telling myself to be strong and soon it sounded like I was reciting a mantra over and over in my head.
Then the ANBU are at the door, signaling that our time was up. I hugged my mom and Kiba one last time and said my goodbyes to Kuromaru, Akamaru and Sora. Sora said his goodbyes to his brothers and cried so much that it broke my heart. The ANBU orders them out and the door closes. I sighed and sank back down on the chair.
Hotaru whined softly and Hiro laid his snout on my lap. I gently stroked his head, "I wish I could convince you guys to stay home too. But at the same time, I need you two." Hotaru licked my cheek, reassuring me that it was okay.
My next visitor was unexpected; Sasuke quietly walked into the room and took a seat on the sofa, opposite to me. He must have finished saying goodbye to his brother. He didn't speak and neither did I. We sat in silence and after a while, he finally spoke up.
"Promise me." He said to me.
"Promise you what?" I asked him as I raised an eyebrow.
He looked into my eyes. His eyes looked determined and demanding but at the same time, they looked like they were pleading, "Promise me that you will avoid my brother in the arena as much as possible. Make sure you don't cross paths."
My eyes widened a bit. He was telling me to stay clear of Itachi and to not confront the Uchiha at all. I guess he was simply protecting his brother. Did he think I was strong enough to take Itachi down or something? No way! Besides, I wasn't planning on confronting Itachi either; that was suicide. Maybe he's looking out for me. But then again, we hardly knew each other; this was the first conversation we were having.
However, the next words he said baffled me.
"And . . . if you two are the last ones in the arena," Sasuke said slowly. "Don't hesitate to finish him off; fight him to the death."
That was unexpected; did he want his brother's death? Or maybe he wanted mine. I didn't know. But it didn't sound like he wanted Itachi to be a victor either; not as in he wanted Itachi to die a gruesome death but like becoming the winner was a curse. I thought the two had a better relationship.
But instead of asking him about what he said, I changed the subject, "You don't even know if I'll live to fight him."
He smirked, "I'm assuming Inuzukas don't go down easily."
"Very true," I said with a nod. "But even so, the odds haven't been in my favor lately." I don't know how many times I've said that to myself today.
"Whatever it may be," said Sasuke. "Don't hold back."
"Why do I feel that you want me to fight Itachi in the end?" I couldn't help but ask.
Sasuke looked away from me; his eyes had faraway look in them, "Think of it as a test . . . for my brother."
I didn't know what kind of test he was talking about and why I needed to be involved. I doubt I'll be able to take Itachi down. And I wondered why Sasuke talked about his brother as if he were no match for me. He was an ANBU and a Chunin and had the Sharingan and I was just a Genin. I don't think it will be much of a match. However, I simply nodded in response.
The ANBU told Sasuke that his time is up. Without another word, Sasuke stood up and walked towards the door. Before he walked out, he turned back to look at me, "I'll make sure that annoying brother of yours is not skipping school. He might become a Genin if he didn't." And with that he left.
I smiled as the doors closed and I thanked Sasuke in my mind. At least there were people in the village looking out for Kiba. That reassured me a bit. I thought that was all the visitors I would be getting today but I had one more.
Ayame entered the room but she wasn't evasive or weepy. She simply came over and hugged me. I slowly returned the hug. She was warm and she smelled of cinnamon and wheat. She pulled away and looked at me with an encouraging look, "Stay strong okay?"
I nodded, "I will. Thank you . . . for coming."
She gave me a small smile and then she opened her palm in front of me. I gasped; in her palm was my father's wolf fang. My arms reached towards my chest and found it missing. I stared at her, "How did you-"
"When you left," she told me. "It slipped off as you left for the stage. I picked it up; thought you'd need it."
As she put the wolf fang necklace over my head and adjusted it, so that it lay on my chest, I reached up to hold her hand tightly. I looked her straight in the eye, "Please . . . keep an eye on Kiba for me?"
I wasn't asking her to feed him, although that would be nice, or to keep him with her at all times but I wanted her to just keep tabs on him and make sure he was okay. Ayame seemed to understand. She smiled kindly at me, "I will; you don't have to worry about him. Oh I almost forgot."
She reached up to the left side of her chest and removed something from her dress; a red colored pin which I hadn't noticed before. She kept her gaze fixed on the pin in her hand, "They let you wear one thing from your village in the arena; to remind you of home. Will you wear this?" I noticed that the pin was the shape of a small red flame; the symbol for the will of fire.
"It's beautiful." I told her. Indeed it was.
"Here, I'll put it on your dress," She said to me. Ayame doesn't wait for an answer. She simply leans in and fixes the fire pin onto my dress. "Never underestimate the will of fire. It burns on forever. You will wear it in the arena won't you? You have to! Promise me!" I could sense the urgency and desperation in her voice. Ayame's voice, which never rose above her normal cheery tone, was now demanding and loud. Somehow, she seemed to be talking to herself rather than to me.
"Yes . . . I promise." I replied. I was making a lot of promises today; first to Sasuke and now to Ayame. I looked at the red pin on my dress. Ayame's gift sparkled when the rays of the sun, which were shining in through the window, hit its surface. Then she's gone . . . just like that.
Since I had no more visitors, the ANBU called me and told me that it was time to leave. My mouth felt so extremely dry and I doubt it was thirst. I saw Itachi coming out of his room and walking ahead with his hands in his pockets. He didn't even look at me once. I walked behind him, with Hotaru and Sora and two ANBU accompanying me from behind.
We walked down a narrow flight of stairs. It was dark and cold and I could have sworn that I smelled death. I shook my head; I had to put bad thoughts out of my head. Participating in the Ninja Games itself is a death sentence for me. Why bother with bad thoughts now?
Once we reached the end of the stairs, Itachi turned left to a long narrow corridor with stone walls and dusty paths. The way was lit by torches on the wall. I immediately followed him, keeping my eyes on the Uchiha symbol on the back of his shirt. Hotaru whined softly and Hiro glanced at his surroundings nervously. I gave them a small nod, telling them everything will be okay.
I turned my focus back to the Uchiha symbol. It looked . . . haunting in the light of the fire from the torches. A bell went off in my head; I remembered that the Uchiha clan specialized in Fire Ninjutsu. That is how they got their clan got their name.
"The uchiwa fan to stroke and control the flames." I thought bitterly; I recalled the exact line from the scroll I had read. That was not good news for me.I shook my head and tried to think of something else; like how Itachi was so familiar with this place. Sure, he was an ANBU but I doubt he was allowed here in this part of the Hokage's building . . . unless it was his job.
I then noticed Itachi's head had turned slightly to the right, his eyes examining the wall. Maybe it was his job, before, to escort two tributes every year. Watch their scared movements and listen to their cries and whimpers of fear. I wondered how he felt. Did the Uchiha have some warmth in his heart for those tributes he met each year? Did he feel anything towards the people who previously walked down this corridor but never came back? Were some of them his friends? Had he offered words of comfort to them before they left? He didn't seem like the type to do that but there is more than what meets the eye right?
At the end of the corridor was one door. Itachi pushed it open and stepped inside. Being in the dark for some time, the light blinded my eyes a bit. I shook my head and marched forward. I gasped when I saw the scene in front of me.
Phew! A cliffie! Well stay tuned for more. ^_^
