"Alright, upsadaisy," Kyoko said tiredly, rolling herself out of the bed and onto the floor with a loud thump. "Okay, baby steps," she said coaching herself up into a standing position.
"So she's alive." Said a voice form the doorway.
"Someone sound the trumpets!" she said while turning around, expecting to see her no good 'brother' standing in the doorway. Catching her off guard and nearly causing her to fall back, she was met by the kind smile of a boy 'Okay, he's so not my brother,' she thought.
The boy had raven colored hair and dark onyx eyes. His hair was short and messy styled, framing his cheek bones and jaw line. He was about Kyoko's age, maybe a year older and he bore the Uchiha clan symbol on the back of his black shirt. The rest of his attire was pretty basic, off white shorts, bandages on his arms and a kunai holster on his left leg.
"There's more of yo….us? There's more of us?" She asked shocked, wondering just how many Uchihas were going to pop out of nowhere.
The boy smirked, his smile identical to Sasuke's. "Dad told me you were a sharp one." He said while approaching her.
"Yeah, what else did he say?" she asked, sliding one foot backwards slightly.
"That you got reflexes like a cat." He said and finger flipped her in the forehead.
She crossed her eyes in an attempt to see where he had flicked her then returned her gaze to him, "Did he now?"
He did a half nod and stuck out his hand, "My name's Deiyo."
Kyoko just stared at it for a minute, unsure of what her next move should be. Deiyo smiled kindly at her and going against all instinct, she grabbed his hand. "Kyoko."
"See, that wasn't so hard, now was it?" he asked smirking.
Before she could stop herself, she smiled back.
"Come, kaa-san wants to meet you." He said and pulled her by then hand and led her out of the room and down the hallway. She recognized it as the same hallway where she'd tried to activate her sharingan after this stupid collar was put on her.
"So where's the other one?" she asked.
"Mikoto? He's having a nap; he was out all night training with dad."
Kyoko thought about this for a moment, "All night-wait, how long was I out for?"
"Uhm, about a day," he said offhand. "Here we are! He said and led her through the door she had tried to escape through the day before.
"A whole day?" she had started to say but stopped when they stepped outside. They were in a garden that surrounded the small building they had been in, full of geraniums and carnations. They were located in a small village of sorts, with houses and small shops. Men, woman and children were every where, going about their daily lives. Some of the buildings bore the Uchiha clan symbol and there was a large wall encircling the entire 'village'. "What is this place?" she asked dumbfounded.
"This is my home." He replied. "It's somewhat an Uchiha estate, but it's more then just Uchihas that live here; there's also a bunch of friends and extended family." Deiyo explained, still dragging her by the hand.
Kyoko nodded slowly, still mesmerized by the immensity of this small village. She snapped out of her trance when she heard someone call Deiyo's name. A lady with long dark brown hair approached them. She glided as she walked and she had a smile brighter then the sun. She had full red lips and penetrating blue eyes. She was about the same high as Kyoko's brother and was very slight.
"So, this must be the infamous Kyoko." She said when she had reached the two. "Hello dear and welcome to our home.
"Well certainly not the greeting part I was expecting, but arigato." She said and bowed out of respect.
"Hm, yes my husband can take things to far sometimes." She said softly.
Kyoko frowned at stared intently at the ground, "Yeah, too far." She mumbled.
"Do I now? Why has no one told me this before?" asked an all to familiar voice.
"Kiyo, where have you been? It's almost lunch time and you're a mess!" The woman scolded playfully.
"Forgive me Tysa; there were pressing matters that demanded my immediate attention." He said and kissed heron the cheek. She giggled and swatter him good naturedly.
'Kiyo,' Kyoko thought, rolling the name around on her tongue silently. 'Sounds like a girls name.' she thought bitterly.
"What matters, may I ask, demanded you immediate attention? Tysa asked, smiling broadly.
'Hn, the destruction of my village, my family maybe?' Kyoko thought; realizing too late that she had spoken out loud.
Everyone had stopped smiling and stared at her, Deiyo glowering at her. "Sasuke Uchiha deserves what ever he gets for what he did to dad! I mean he-"
"Enough Deiyo," Kiyo said sternly. The boy began to protest but Kiyo shot him a look and he silenced instantly.
"You true colors shine through." Kyoko hissed at Deiyo.
"Kyoko, you too," Kiyo said to her.
"Ha! Don't make me laugh. What, you trying to be my father too? Hate to tell ya, but I already got one; you know the person you're trying to murder?" When she had finished, she felt the sting of a slap on her cheek. Her head snapped back slightly, but she quickly turned and glared at Tysa. Her cheek was warm and the sting of the hit made her eyes water.
"Not another word!" Tysa hissed quietly.
"Hn, repeat in the genetic DNA; never thought it'd be so soon though." Kyoko mumbled eyes down cast.
"What are you talking about?" Kiyo asked, becoming frustrated with the situation at hand.
"I'm talking about you!" She shot at him. "I've been told that those who fail to learn form their pasts are doomed to repeat them. Guess we never learned our lesson; guess I never learned my lesson. The murderer genes, you're just like him."
"Stop talking in riddles!" He glared at her. "What are you talking about? Who am I like?"
She gave an angry smirk, sadness hidden safely behind it, "Uncle Itachi." She said softly.
Kiyo's eyes clouded over, but only for an instant before returning to normal. Deiyo, enraged, grabbed Kyoko's shirt collar and hit her point blank in the jaw. Her head snapped back and she landed hard on the ground. Deiyo grabbed her collar again and lifted her partway off the ground and hit her again; getting one more good hit in before his parents managed to retrain him.
Kyoko laid on the ground, nose and mouth bleed and her jaw turning purple, forming a large bruise. She slowly sat up and rubbed her nose with the back of her hand, smearing the blood across her cheek.
"Deiyo, you and your mother should go now." Kiyo said, staring down at the injured girl. Neither of them protested and quickly walked away.
"Well he ain't no sissy boy I'll give him that." Kyoko said while getting to her feet. Kiyo just stared at her, no emotions visible on his sharp features. "Not one for humor, are you?" still nothing.
Kiyo suddenly grabbed her by her upper arm and began half leading half dragging her down the street. "You'll be staying with me and my family in a spare room; guarded at all times. You are not to leave the room without an escort; no exceptions. He said as they walked.
"What happens if I do?" she challenged him. He gave her a look and she returned her gaze to the road.
"You can either eat meals with us or in your room; it's up to you. But you will be courteous to Tysa; no exceptions." He added, eyeing her as he did.
"Hn, whatever," She said, feeling him tighten up on her arm.
They finally came to a large house in the middle of the village and he led her in. Once inside, they passed a living room, kitchen and dinning room before he led her down an alternate hallway and into a small room.
It was an off white color and had minimal furniture; just a basic bed, dresser, desk and stool, and a closet in the far north corner. There was a window beside the bed that had a clear view of the south wall of the village.
Kiyo led her over to the stool and sat her down, "Stay here," he said then left the room. Kyoko rubbed still bleeding nose with her hand, making a big red mark on her hand. "Stop that," Kiyo said walking back into the room with a medical kit in his hand. "You're just making a bigger mess." He grabbed her chin and lifted it, dabbing at her nose with a cotton ball. "You are going to be a handful." He said with a sigh.
"Well you could always send me home when I miss behave." She said, starring cross-eyed down at her nose.
That earned a small smile, "Hn, if only." He finished off by butting a butterfly bandage on the cut by her mouth. "There, all better; well…almost." He began putting everything back into the box. "Lunch in a half hour and you will be joining us for this meal." He stated as he began walking out of the room.
"Hey wait you said I could choose!" she said running after him out the door. Suddenly, there was a form in front of her and she collided with it. She stumbled back and tripped over her own feet, landing on her backside. "Alright, who put the wall there?" she asked rubbing her head.
"Kyoko, meet Kubo. He'll be your escort from now on." Kiyo said, looking at the man in front of her.
Kubo was a tall man, in his mid twenties. He had dark black-blue hair and deep green eyes. If not for the fact he was a lot older then her, she might go so far as to say he was good looking. He had shark cheek bones and crooked smile. He wore black shorts that went past his knees and a red shirt that had the Uchiha clan symbol on the back; only it was different. It was half the Uchiha symbol and the other half was a feather; some other clan symbol perhaps?
Kyoko stared yo at the man towering over her and gulped. If she crossed him, she'd be a goner. "H-hi Kubo," she said, smiling weakly.
"This is the girl? She looks like a boy, but then again her face is too cute for a boys. Are you sure about this Kiyo?" Kubo asked, shrugging his shoulders.
Kiyo nodded, "This is her. Tysa's going to alter her wardrobe tomorrow." He gave Kyoko a smirk and began walking away.
"Wait a minute, alter?!" She called after him, but he turned a corner and was gone. She turned her attention back to the human sky scraper in front of her. "Lucky you, you've been reduced to babysitter and an over sized playmate." She grinned at him.
"Do you enjoy this?" he asked, folding him arms across his muscular chest; the muscles in his arms bulged.
"No, I just try to find the sunny side of everything." She stood up and walked over to the window, staring off into this distance. "Where are you dad?" she whispered.
"Alright lunch is in a half hour and you've go tot get ready." Kubo said while opening the closet and pulling out a pair of loose blue capris, a plain white t-shirt a pink spaghetti strap dress. He tossed them to her and began walking to the door.
"What exactly am I supposed to do with these?" She asked examining them.
"You, uh, wear them?" Kubo said, giving her a confused look.
"You seriously expect me to wear a pink dress?"
"Yes,"
"Are you on anything?"
"Nope,"
Craaaaaapp," She moaned and closed the door. She could hear Kubo chuckling on the other side of it. She rolled her eyes and quickly changed. For her hair and ran her fingers through it a couple of times so it didn't stand up as drastically and hung nicely over her left eye. She tied her head band loosely around her neck and sighed; it just had to be pink! With one last look ever she went to he door and opened it.
Kubo sized up her appearance and smiled, "So you are a girl!" he said acting surprised.
"And you're not as dumb as you look!" Kyoko retorted.
"Hey no sarcasm," He warned. Then with a sheepish look, "Just how dumb do I look?" he asked, twiddling his fingers in front of him.
"You said no sarcasm." She said and crossed her arms.
His whole face fell be he soon went back to normal. "No matter, I have just enough time to show you the grounds before lunch!" he said leading the way out of the house.
He led her all around the grounds, showing her all the important things like watering hoses and flowers and ponds.
"One hundred and one lame ways to kill time," Kyoko mumbled, making an imaginary list. "….one hundred and two, one hundred and three."
"What did I say about the sarcasm?" Kubo asked annoyed.
"Sarcasms' my life line," She said.
"Yeah well I can't stand it, so quit it or else."
"Or else what, you'll say or else?" She said without thinking. He gave her an angry glare, "Sorry," She said quickly, "That one slipped."
"Well don't let it 'slip' again." He said while leading her back inside.
"Oh I forgot something in my room!" she said and ran down the hallway to the small room. Once inside she began rooting through the pockets on her shorts; pulling out the picture of her and her parents. A small smile, tainted with sadness, slowly danced across her lips. She began rubbing the picture between her index and thumb, trying to remember the feel of her mother's hair. 'None of this can be real, can it?' she thought sadly. AS she did, the back of the picture slid upwards and fell away; a second picture! It floated to the floor, landing face down. She slowly reached down to pick it up and looked at it.
All the air left her lungs and she dropped the first picture. Her hand started shaking and it slowly began to spread till her entire body shook.
"No, this can't be right! She said, fear rising in her chest.
XXXXXXXX
Kakashi sighed as he laid a cool cloth over Sasuke's forehead. After Sasuke 'barged' into Kakashi's apartment the day before, he had come down with a fever and had suffered major blood loss.
"Stupid fool, have you learned nothing I taught you?" he asked exasperated.
Sakura had finally woken and was steadily getting better and was steadily getting better. Though, after seeing the state Sasuke was in, she began worrying about Kyoko immensely.
"Is she alright?" She asked him suddenly.
He sighed and looked up from the sleeping Sasuke. "I don't know Sakura."
A tear rolled down her cheek and fell to the floor. "I can't lose another child, not again." She sobbed, barley above a whisper.
"She's a smart girl. She is just like her father; I'm sure she's fine." He tried to comfort her.
She nodded and rubbed her eyes then lifted her hand and focused chakra on it and began healing her wounds. She would have done this sooner, but Kakashi insisted that she didn't have enough strength or chakra to do so. Now that she was better, she was more then capable. When her wounds were healed, she got to work healing Sasuke's. They were bad but nothing she couldn't handle. When done, Sasuke's eyes fluttered open and he stared at Sakura with a dazed look.
"Where, where am I?" He asked, struggling to sit up from his lying position.
"You should lay still." Kakashi advised.
He ignored him and sat up anyways. "How…have, have you heard anything about Kyoko?" He asked Sakura. She shook her head sadly.
"No ones heard anything of the children. Sasuke, I can't lose her. I just can't." Sakura whimpered, eyes glazing over with tears. "I have to go find her, I can't just sit here!" She began to sob again; her entire body racking.
Sasuke reached over and pulled her against his chest, holding her tightly. "We will, we'll go fin her." he said, kissing her head softly. He then did something he hadn't done since he was very little, he cried.
XXXXXXXX
"Rasengan!" the cry echoed through the alley. Naruto shoved his open palm with the swirling ball of chakra into his opponent's chest, sending him spiraling to the ground. He stood hunched over, panting heavily. Behind him, he could hear the quiet thumps of Hinata's "gentle fists". Soon it ended with a muffled thud as her opponent lay vanquished.
When Naruto turned around, he was shocked to see Hinata crying. He was by her side in an instant, holding her tightly in his arms.
"Hinata, what's wrong?" He asked worriedly.
She sniffed and rubbed her cheek with her palm, "I'm worried about Ruuto." She said. Naruto closed his eyes and held her tighter. "We need to go after him; we shouldn't have sent him away like that." She added, a small sob escaping her throat.
Naruto nodded, "We'll go find him."