Night Rain
Chapter Five
Returning home was like going to the battlefield. My stomach was tied in a knot, my heart was racing and I knew I was going to meet trouble. (Or it may have been because of paranoia due to my missing memory.) I walked in the living room and saw my mother washing the dishes. I made sure to close the door loud enough for her to hear me but she showed no such signs.
"Mom?"
She stopped for a second and then resumed her washing. I went closer to her. A feel of guilt overwhelmed me as I saw her eyes red from crying.
"Mom, I'm sorry."
She shook her head and lathered a cup I recognized as mine from breakfast.
Why was this damn day loaded with so many emotions?
After so much, all I could do was to stay there and stare at the wall behind her. The time stopped, the only sound was the running water, the only movement - my mother's hands.
A lot of things crossed my mind but I didn't bother to concentrate on any of them. It was a mess in there and I was just going to give myself a headache.
Suddenly silence filled the room and I saw my mom had finished. I looked at her expectedly.
She returned me one of those strict parental looks and sighed, "You greatly insulted me today. But more importantly you insulted your father and his wish."
"What?" I gaped.
"Your father was explicit about it. Or you don't care about his opinion now that he is dead?" she raised her voice as tears started falling from her eyes.
"Mom... I don't mean it this way. I respect both you and dad," I took a second to construct my sentence correctly. "But I also respect my own opinion and dreams. Being a ninja is not just a childish fad. I know what it means. During the attack I saw what they go through - they deal with constant death, deep wounds, both physical and emotional, delivering bad news and watching others suffer as well. I also know this is not the worst part."
I tried to stop here but my mouth had a mind of its own. Right now, it was working in cooperation with my dark side. The speech that had begun as a simple statement was now a fierce combination of shouting and crying.
"Have you ever even wondered about what has happened in your precious village?! Have you thought about it enough to realize it was an attack or are you naïve enough to just let it go?! If you had just let me follow my dream when I first asked it wouldn't have come to this – dad wouldn't be dead. If you let me do it I'll make sure that we are all okay, I'll be able to protect you! That is the point, isn't it?"
"There is more to it than plain stubbornness, as you think."
"And what is it then?" I raised my voice half-intentionally.
"Will you reconsider your decision if I tell you?"
I quirked a brow at the change in her composure.
"Depends, but go on."
"It started about a year before you were born. Your father and I, and all the other villagers were once Konoha citizens - civilians. It came as an idea from above; the village elders, particularly a guy named Danzo. They believed it'd be beneficial to build a secret-ish workhouse for battle supplies and so built the workhouse. They sent innocent families there under strict regulations. We couldn't just move back to Konoha or anywhere else for the matter; we had to always work and fulfil our duties and we could have only one child," she wiped her tears. "Your father had always wanted a big family. These rules killed him inside and he soon grew to hate Konohagakure and the Five Great Nations. He had never disapproved of you becoming a ninja, he just didn't want you to be dependent on one of those villages."
I was dumbfounded.
"This," I tried to slow down my mind enough to finish my sentence. "Actually makes sense."
I felt like collapsing on the ground. I was ashamed and feeling guilty for raising my voice at her and for bringing up dad. More tears ran down my cheeks, faster and warmer.
"I'm so sorry," I whimpered. "But this only gives me more reasons to want to become a ninja. It's a chance to actually change the world, even if it's insignificant. I know I sound ridiculous but there is a way. I can make sure that such injustice will never happen to you again! If you only let me."
"I don't really believe you will be able. I wanted you to know what your father's arguments were. Now that you know, you can make the decision for yourself; I won't stop you," she put a hand on my shoulder and looked straight into my eyes. "Do you, in your heart, want to become a kunoichi?"
"Yes, I do."
The sky was cloudy and much to my disappointment I couldn't watch the stars. Actually, it was raining – a mild night rain. The drops fell on the metal ledge, giving out a relaxing melody. The moon lit the trees around the neighborhood and thus shadows covered half of my room.
A battle was held.
The place was my own body, the competitors – thousands of thoughts and the need to sleep.
The latter was a genjutsu user – it used its powers to distract and trick into believing it offered peace. In fact, what one meets there were hallucinations similar to the ones in the Infinite Tsukuyomi but with the big chance of them being horrid.
Its opponent was specialized in taijutsu. With the speed of light and the strength of a boxer it hit multiple times from each and every direction – even the ones one didn't suspect were possible.
The two were longtime rivals. Their power was equal and it constantly changed. After every battle they returned stronger for the infinite clash to be able to continue.
However tonight, sleep had brought back-up – the malicious rain. With this union they managed to spread a thick layer of illusion over everything.
Everything was dark. It was muggy. The air felt really thick and heavy. I found it hard to breathe and my heart rate was too slow. I could hear rumbling in the far distance. Any orientation was lost – my senses were dulled. I soon became paranoid. Someone was standing behind me, in front of me, next to me, everywhere. Someone was watching me. I screamed but no sound escaped my mouth.
Red color in the form of lightning stroke just a few steps in front of me. Sparkles of electricity made their way to me, floating on the spilled red liquid. I moved a step back just to hit something massive – a wall.
As I watched the thing come closer, I glimpsed a silhouette. Abruptly turning my head to it, a strong light blinded me. I closed my eyes in attempt to ease the pain it caused but it wouldn't go away. It felt like a swarm of bees eating my scull from inside out.
When, after seconds that passed like an eternity, I reopened them again I focused on the only thing that had changed in the picture. One big Sharingan stared in front of me, the three tomoes contrasting on the bright red surface. I found that I couldn't move my gaze no matter how hard I tried. The thing was hypnotizing me, I felt it clearly and struggled against it. The more I tried to move, the more unease I felt until finally an agonizing pain shot through my body. Every muscle cramped, every bone felt like it was breaking, like something ripped me apart.
I screamed with as much voice I had, the act rushing me back to reality.
I sat upright in my bed, staring at the wall, my body covered in sweat and my heart beating fast.
A lightning lit the night sky with force so big to transform it into a day for the mere second it lasted.
I took a moment to look around, calm my breathing and be able to hear again. I finally noticed the heavy rain that was hitting my windows. A thunder echoed in the distance signalizing that the storm was already far away.
I exhaled slowly and set the nightmare I had to the side of my mind. It was only a nightmare, nothing more. Nonetheless, I managed to fall asleep only when the first sun rays showed up from behind the mountain.
I woke up to the smell of some goodness baking. I got up with excitement, hurrying into the kitchen and temporary forgetting about the events of the night.
My mom was there, leaning over the oven and looking through the little window.
"Mom, what is this?" I asked as I came closer to inspect.
"Cookies," she stated while getting the tray out. "I hope I didn't burn them."
"They look pretty good to me."
My mouth watered at the sight of them.
Someone rang on the door and she hurried to open it. It revealed Dai standing outside. I saw them exchange some words before he came to me.
"Well here certainly smells very nice."
"Good morning to you too," I greeted.
We went to my room, where we could talk without being heard, because Dai wanted to discuss something in private.
"So your mother is inviting my parents over to talk about something I believe is important." He stated, after I closed the door behind me.
"She hadn't mentioned anything to me. Do you know about what?" I asked.
"No idea. But we will know soon, my parents will come in a few minutes."
I nodded and sat on my bed, getting comfortable. I patted the space next to me for Dai to sit and together we waited for news.
It had been already about an hour after Dai's parents had come. We could hear their voices from the kitchen but couldn't figure out any words.
We heard steps and soon enough my door cracked open. Both of us tried to act as if we weren't eavesdropping, failing miserably.
"Guys, come join us. We need to discuss something," mom said, ignoring our odd behavior.
Simultaneously, we jumped from the bed and ran out, leaving her with a raised brow.
"So, Amaya's mother was kind enough to invite us and share her thoughts on your little dream," Dai's father began, talking mostly to Dai. "She expressed her fears but also encouraged us to accept. And-" he was interrupted.
"And we came to the conclusion that you will benefit more if you join the Academy than not," Dai's mother continued.
"We will now go and check how things stand and sign you up," mom finished.
"What?!" I almost chocked on the leftover cookie I was eating. "Are you for real?"
The three of them smiled and nodded.
"Oh my God, thank you so much!" I particularly jumped on my mother's neck from happiness.
"Should we come with you now?" Dai asked. He had kept silent the whole time, the complete opposite of me. When I tried to decipher his expression I found it was unreadable.
His parents exchanged a glance.
"No. You two have an important task – spend this last day together and rethink everything," his mother clarified. "Because tomorrow there will be no turning back." she added absolutely serious.
Dai and I had been going around aimlessly for hours without saying a word. It was almost as if we were mad at each other, the one looking in one direction and the other in the opposite. It looked like we were both so deep in thought that we didn't even notice the other's presence. But it wasn't that. All I could do was to wonder what was wrong with Dai. Ever since we went out of the apartment he had this concerned look.
"Hey, mind telling me what's wrong?" I finally asked, trying to sound casual about it. After he didn't give me an answer, I took more drastic measures. I turned around, blocking his path. "Dai. Talk to me."
He frowned, "I'm not really sure, Amaya. That's wrong."
I signed to him to continue.
"Not here. Let's find somewhere to sit.''
"Okay."
We sat on one bench not far away from the village entrance. I recognized it as the bench – you know, the one where Sasuke-Naruto almost kissed Sakura in the very beginning of the anime.
Dai sighed and started talking, "It's just I'm not sure I want this anymore."
"But why?"
"I know stuff about the Academy too, Amaya. Don't treat me like an idiot," I opened my mouth to protest but he shushed me. "For example, children start the Academy when they are 5. We are 8 now. This means we are three years behind. Let's face it, if they don't mock us because we are not from Konoha it will be because they know more about ninja than us. We will be the class' clowns."
I looked at him in disbelief. My, he was really serious about this. Like the good friend I am, I just raised my brows and laughed. Laughed so hard I almost fell from the bench.
When I saw his frown further, I bit my lips to stop and sighed deeply.
"Sorry about that but do you seriously underestimate yourself so much? I mean, come on, we probably know more about shinobi and chakra than them. We have trained, remember?"
Dai shrugged ever so slightly and stared at the ground.
"Ok, if this will make you feel better, wanna do one last training? Like a dress rehearsal."
He seemed to wonder but agreed.
We started off with a warm up and proceeded with simple chakra exercises. It was nice to see that we hadn't forgotten the hang of it, after not doing it regularly for quite some time. As always, Dai was doing a lot better than me and managed to climb a tree, whereas I still couldn't support my weight.
The biggest success was, however, the Bunshin Jutsu. I managed one fully responsive clone and Dai – two.
"Wow," I gaped. "And you are worried about the Academy. Look at you!"
Dai scratched the back of his head and a bright grin appeared on his face, "Okay, I admit you were right."
"Good," I returned the grin. "Now, want to try the Substitution Jutsu? I think they study this as well." I forced my mind to remember other simple techniques, "Oh, and the Transformation Technique."
With a nod Dai formed the Ram seal, "Transform!"
I laughed as he transformed into me and copied, transforming into him.
The rest of the day we spent into further training and talking like in the good old times. It was one last reminder before we made the fatal jump into the unknown.
I tossed in my bed, not being able to sleep despite my exhaustion. It weren't the nightmares that were keeping me awake but the nerves. My mom had returned. I was signed in and starting tomorrow with Dai.
This was the first major step I did since I was reborn. I suddenly felt the weight of the decisions I had to make on my shoulders.
What was I doing from now on?
How was my presence going to change the plot?
Will I be in the same class as the main characters?
And the question that haunted me the entire night – Will Sasuke recognize me and what will he do?
Today I had also forgotten about the missing memory and now it paid off.
This was probably the most nerve-wracking experience of my life. It wasn't like the attack or the massacre, where I was plain mortified, but in every meaning of the word. I was a ball of nerves, cold sweat covering my body ever since I have gone out of home. Up until now I had never been 'the new girl' and the foreignness contributed to my mood.
Dai, who was walking next to me, was tense as well but either not that much or just hid it better. Our walk was once again silent but this time I couldn't care less about it.
The questions I couldn't answer were still haunting me even after another sleepless night. I could only imagine how creepy I looked with my black hair, generally pale complexion and the forming bags under my eyes. Where were concealers when you needed them?
At some point it would feel like the path was endless, like I was anxious for nothing because I wouldn't even get to the Academy. This sensation overwhelmed me completely, suffocating me. I felt the urge to choke but held it back, because of Dai. I didn't want him to see the crisis I was in, although he could probably sense it.
Then the complete opposite would hit me.
I realized we would be there any moment and, if possible, I became even more nervous. My heart was beating so fast, I could get a heart stroke any moment.
We passed by the swing in front of the building and with the exchange of a last glance of reassurance we went in.
The place was pretty big, resembling an ordinary school in both the good and bad ways. We stopped just after the entrance and looked around in confusion.
"Should we ask someone?" Dai suggested.
"Good idea…if there were people here."
The entrance led into a big corridor with rooms on both sides. The voices of students and teachers could be heard in the distance but there was no one out.
We continued down it with no particular idea of where we were going. I peeked inside one open door and noticed a blond boy getting picked at.
'Naruto.'
"Beware, this will be us after today," Dai stated when he saw it.
I wished I could answer him but words wouldn't form. He was right, maybe we will get bullied after all.
For a minute I thought about going there and helping Naruto. Then I just realized it'd be pointless since they were more than me and most likely stronger.
"Who do we have here? The new- Oh, not again," I turned to see Iruka, who ran past us and in the room, putting an end to the fight. "Everyone take your places, please. I have someone to introduce to you."
He waved us in.
"Say your prayers," I heard Dai whisper and bit my lip to hide my laugh.
"Meet your new classmates – Amaya and Dai. They've moved from another village to study here. I expect you to treat them well," He looked at us. "Go find a place to sit and don't be shy."
In the background the kids began whispering and rustling with the occasional muffled giggles.
"Nobody likes foreigners so no one will like you!" A boy with a hostile look shouted to us.
Ignoring him, we sat on the last desk. Ever since I attended school I preferred the last rows – it was well hidden from the teacher and you could observe the whole class from there. I searched specifically for the Rookie 9. They were all present, except one.
Sasuke.