Yo..
I'm back from my short break (if you could even call it a break LOL), and first of all I have to say: FUCK YEAH!
Thanks everyone for giving this story so much support and helping in crossing the milestone of 1000 reviews, hear's to hoping more such feats and enjoyable ride.
Enjoy the new arc...
Chapter 35
Mikasa Gaiden- Part 1
"It's so beautiful!"
A young girl squealed in delight as she ran straight ahead on the ice covered street of Kaizan town. It was a small town on the border of Fire country, it was just an ordinary town, and had nothing special in it except- it was the only place in the entire Fire country that was covered in snow all the year.
The streets were filled with people who were engaged in their daily activities, as a young girl with shoulder length black hair and a small angular face ran happily through the streets.
Behind her two people stood with different expressions on their faces, while one of them was smiling happily while the other had a stoic look on her face.
"Oi, don't go too far ahead."
This voice belonged to a tall woman with shoulder length black hair and who had the exact same face as the little girl running ahead. and the other little girl currently beside her with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Idiot!"
The woman smiled gently as her younger daughter had an annoyed expression on her face. Kami, she was always so gloomy, but she could not blame her for being like this..
"Miyako, I want to go home. I don't want to stand in this ice," said the 6 year old little girl flatly, as her mother patted her head gently.
"There, there Miku-chan...why don't you go play with your onee-chan?. I'm sure it will be fun, see your sister is having so much fun," said Miyako kindly, as her daughter looked at her coldly.
"Don't call me by that name, my name is Mikasa. And I have no interest in acting like an idiot in front of so many people...I'm not like her," said Mikasa seriously, as a tired sigh escaped from Miyako's lips.
Then without another word, Mikasa walked away from her mother. She didn't like that woman, not after what she did...
Miyako silently watched as her younger daughter went away from her, and was currently looking at a toy shop on the opposite side of the market.
She was not like this, but after everything she had to undergo there had to be some repercussions. Their small family had came here to start a new life, and Miyako was determined to do her best for her two loving daughters.
A small smile came on her face, as two soft little hands wiped away a lone tear that slipped from her eyes.
"Don't cry Kaa-chan, you know she does not hate you." said a beautiful 8 year old girl, who looked the exact replica of Miyako herself except for the dark brown eyes she inherited from her father.
"I know, Haku-chan...but it pains me to see her like this. I just want her to be happy and live a normal life,"
"Maybe, she will like this town. Don't worry, I'll look after her" said the girl name 'Haku' cheerfully, as a hopeful look came in Miyako's eyes.
Miyako was truly grateful to Kami for giving her such wonderful daughters. Haku and Mikasa, these two were the star of her eyes and were the only reason for her existence.
Haku was her first child, she was 8 years old but she possessed wisdom far beyond age. Haku was a kind, caring girl who tried to enjoy life to the fullest, even after everything their family had to go through, Haku never became depressed and tried to help her mother and younger sister, whom she loved the most in the entire world after Miyako.
And then, there was Mikasa. She was her younger daughter, and was the 'princess' of their family. In the past, Mikasa was a happy go lucky idiot like Haku, Miyako could still remember the mischief Mikasa would used to do.
But everything changed the day...Gray died!
The person Mikasa admired and loved the most in the entire world.
Since that day, Mikasa became the person she was now. She closed her heart from the entire world, and most of the times Mikasa was never interested in any thing despite Haku and her best efforts. It was as if she had lost the will to live.
But Miyako could clearly feel the dark aura radiating from Mikasa, a heart that burned with the hatred and feelings of revenge.
"I will seal your darkness away..."
The small family was currently seated in their small house. Mikasa was silently eating her food, while Haku was happily chatting with their mother, when Miyako decided to bring her silent daughter into the conversation.
"Mikasa-chan, would you like to enroll in the civilian school here? It's a very good place for young talented girls like you," said Miyako happily, she carefully avoided calling her 'Miku-chan' as that was the name which only one person was allowed to say, and he was dead.
Haku noticed her sibling nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders, and continued eating her food.
"Oi, Mikasa...Kaa-chan is always so nice to you, stop being a brat and at least answer her question" scolded Haku angrily, as Mikasa just gave her a blank stare.
"She is your mother, not mine. And I don't care which school you send me in, it's not as if we are going to stay here for long." said Mikasa coldly, and quickly got up from her chair to escape towards her room as she saw the broken look in Miyako's eyes.
But it seemed Haku was not done...
Before Mikasa could escape Haku grabbed her collar and looked her young sister straight in the eye.
"Tou-chan's death was not her fault. When will you stop blaming our mother for his death?" asked Haku sadly, as Mikasa's dark black eyes fumed with anger.
"It's all her fault, she left him there to die. DON'T YOU DARE DEFEND HER, HAKU!" yelled Mikasa murderously, and lifted her hand to punch Haku straight in the face.
"ENOUGH!"
Miyako's firm voice stopped both the girls from starting a fight, Haku looked at her mother sympathetically while Mikasa looked at her with hatred in her eyes.
"Mikasa, don't hate your sister. She only loves you and does not want you to be alone. If anyone is to blame, then it's me." said Miyako pleadingly, as Mikasa's clenched hands slowly opened and she let go of Haku's shoulders.
"But Kaa-chan..."
Haku's protest was silenced when her mother raised a firm hand, preventing her from speaking any further. Mikasa quickly turned around and started walking towards her room but suddenly she stopped.
"Miyako, had it been me in place of Tou-chan there, would you have left me to die too?" asked Mikasa curiously, her voice was so soft and gentle now in comparison to the angry girl a few moments earlier.
"No"
"Then I have my answer." said Mikasa stoically, and opened the door of her room.
"Mikasa..."
Miyako's voice reached her daughter's ears, as she turned around and gave her the most hateful look she could muster in her innocent face.
"Miyako, I will kill you one day!"
BAM!
Haku cringed when Mikasa slammed the door of her room harshly, her sister still hated their mother. No matter how hard Haku tried, she could not extinguish the hatred which Mikasa had for their mother.
A hatred which Miyako did not deserve.
She saw Miyako had started cleaning the dishes, Haku knew how hard the woman was trying to give them a better future. A future for which her father Gray gladly gave his life.
Haku gently edged towards her mother as she tried to give her a forced smile.
"Why don't you tell her the truth? Why should you suffer for something which was never your fault?" asked Haku curiously,
"Because it would break Mikasa's heart. If she knew what Gray did for us, then she would feel betrayed. She is different from you, from the very beginning Mikasa had trouble in expressing her feelings...but Gray was the light of her life. He was not just her father, but her best friend, brother...and many more things. Every feelings that she could not convey to me, she could easily convey to Gray. And I don't want Mikasa to hate her father.." explained Miyako briefly,
"Even if it means she hates you, Kaa-chan neither you or father were guilty for what happened. She has to realize this, don't let her hatred get any more stronger. She has already sworn to avenge father, now she wants to kill you?" asked Haku seriously, as her mother laughed lightly.
"She will understand one day...because deep down, she loves you and perhaps even me" said Miyako hopefully,
"And if she does not?"
"Then I will seal her hatred away, no matter what it takes. Even if it means dying by her hands..." said Miyako kindly, as a shocked look appeared in Haku's eyes.
"I will kill her if she tries to harm you!" said Haku angrily,
SLAP!
Haku was shocked when a harsh slap was placed on her cheek, and the next second Miyako looked at her sternly in order to make her message clear.
"No matter what paths both of you may take, never in your life you are allowed to abandon your sister. She is family, and you never abandon the people you love. Gray wanted both of you to look after each other, promise me this Haku?" asked Miyako pleadingly, as a tired sigh escaped from Haku's lips.
"I promise, Kaa-chan...despite her faults, she is my sister and Tou-chan taught me to protect the people I love, it's just I can't see her hating you while I know that you didn't leave him to die, rather he sacrificed his life to buy us time to escape to Fire country" said Haku frustratedly,
"It was a choice Gray made in order to protect his daughters...when Mikasa grows older, maybe I will tell her the truth. If you tell her now, she will hate Gray thinking he abandoned her and that is the something which I never want. She is suffering right now, we have to constantly keep on moving so she has no friends to fill the loneliness in her heart. Haku, help your sister...she needs you now more than ever," explained Miyako in a soft and gentle tone, as she caressed Haku's red cheek where she had given her a slap.
"Haku-chan...promise me you will look after Mikasa"
The little girl clearly remembered her father's words before he sacrificed himself to save them. It was true that she loved Mikasa, but she would also not let her harm their mother. Haku loved Miyako the most in the world, for her she was the world while for Mikasa their father was her world.
But still, she would look after her...
"I understand"
A bright smile came on Miyako's face, as she hugged her daughter happily. She knew as long as Haku was alive, she could rest assured that Mikasa would be safe, no matter what.
"Kaa-chan, do you really want us to become civilians? I mean, we can be shinobi like you and Tou-chan.." suggested Haku hesitantly,
Miyako gently broke the hug as she tucked a strand of Haku's hair behind her ears. She knew this topic was going to emerge soon or later.
"I don't think you should become a shinobi. That life is full of pain and misery, besides we have to avoid any suspicions. I am still a Jounin rank missing nin of Kiri, even if I have quit that life Fire Country would never accept us if we are discovered. It took all of your father's savings to illegally enter Fire Country...and we can never be sure how people of this country would treat people from bloodline clans." said Miyako cautiously,
Haku silently agreed with the reasons, if Gray had not been a Kiri Anbu they probably wouldn't have had enough Ryo to pass into Fire Country. But to think, that she could not become a powerful ninja like her parents was...
"But that doesn't mean I can't teach you and Mikasa the techniques of Yuki clan...in secret of course" said Miyako mischievously as she gave a small wink to her surprised daughter, and the bright smile on Haku's face made her the day.
Miyako Yuki, she was probably one of the only survivors of the Yuki clan of Kiri. Her clan was famous for their Kekkai Genkai known as 'Hyoton (Ice)', they were masters in creation and manipulation of ice ninjutsu and were famous all over the world for their speed.
Her daughters Haku and Mikasa, were probably the last descendants of their clan. Ever since the Yondaime Mizukage started the 'Bloodline Purge' war their life had never been the same. She didn't know what was going on in the mad man's mind when he decided to eliminate all bloodline clans, and any shinobi who possessed a Kekkai Genkai.
Due to such decisions, a civil war started in Kiri between the Loyalists of the Mizukage on one side, while the Kekkai Genkai shinobi and remaining members of various clans. Thousands of lives were destroyed due to this civil war, which was still going on.
However everyone in Kiri didn't hate people like Miyako, her husband Gray was a prime example of this fact. A fact that was wiped out by his own country men when he tried to protect his wife and daughters.
Miyako knew there were differences between Kekkai Genkai shinobi and other people, but to wage a genocide on such a whim was pure madness.
If not for Gray, she feared that they would still be stuck in a terrifying civil war in Kiri. Gray Ackerman, was one of the most trusted Anbu of the Mizukage and he knew almost all the plans of the fanatic leader. As a result, he was successfully, able to save his family when the purge started and using his knowledge of their country and various safe passages he got them out of Kiri.
But in the process he had to sacrifice himself, as the Mizukage had caught on his treachery.
His death hit Mikasa the hardest, he was the person she loved the most and losing him was a fatal blow which broke her completely.
Ever since that day, the girl lost all innocence and became a cold hearted person that hated her mother for not protecting Gray.
Mikasa had already sworn revenge against the Mizukage and Kiri, and this worried Miyako a lot. She had seen the hatred and anger in her daughter's eyes, and she didn't doubt for a second that Mikasa was joking.
Haku had accepted Gray's death and was trying to move on with her life, but not Mikasa. She was stuck in the past, memories of her father had clouded her heart and were preventing her from seeing the new world in front of them.
It had been a few months since they came to Fire Country, they had to move from town to town in order to avoid suspicion but Miyako believed this town could be a place where her family could live peacefully.
Kaizan was an isolated town among the hills, not many people came here and the citizens were all civilians with only a few officers of local police. It was like a safe heaven free from shinobi. A perfect place for her daughters to grow up and live a peaceful life.
That was the only thing that was keeping her going, and helping her deal with Gray's death.
She could see so much of Gray in Mikasa. Both of them were stubborn, but they loved their family more than anything in the world. The reason Gray was close to Mikasa, was that even he was not able to express his feelings properly and as such he could understand Mikasa more than anyone else.
Haku was like Miyako, a kind, caring and gentle person. She was really understanding and cared about people, even if her sister acted like a bitch sometimes.
"Kaa-chan, will Mikasa be able to learn Hyoton? She is my sister, and I have no doubt that she is powerful too. But she's still a kid," said Haku worriedly, as Miyako laughed a little.
"Even you are a kid, Haku-chan"
The little girl pouted on hearing the light jibe as Miyako patted her head gently before returning to her work.
The door of her room was slowly opened, as she heard the voice of silent footsteps approaching her bed. She quickly wiped away the tears that were falling from her eyes.
"Go away" said Mikasa in a choked voice,
The next moment she found herself in a warm embrace as two warm hands gently caressed her back, she tried to push the person away but her hands felt weak and she ultimately gave in.
"Nee-chan"
"Don't speak, just rest on my shoulders"
Those words struck a deep chord in Mikasa's heart as she snuggled deeper into Haku's arms. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she was glad she had a sister like Haku who cared for her despite her annoying traits. And Haku never backed down from scolding her if she did something stupid.
"Why?"
"Huh?"
Haku was confused by Mikasa's question, but one look in the crying girl's eyes made her understand the question her sister was asking.
"Because you are family" said Haku affectionately, as Mikasa looked at her defiantly.
"Haku, you are precious to me...but I will kill Miyako one day, she is the reason Tou-chan died!" said Mikasa angrily, as Haku wiped her tears away.
"Then I will stop you. If you are so determined to go on a dark path, then I will make sure that such foolish thoughts are wiped from your mind. Let go of the past, Mikasa" advised Haku sagely,
"I can't...whenever I think of the past, all those memories come back. I cannot forget him," said Mikasa sadly,
"Neither do I want you to. Father will always be in our hearts, he gave everything for us even his life. Would he be happy if he saw his favorite daughter like this?" asked Haku kindly,
"But he loved you too...I was not his favorite," said Mikasa innocently, as Haku got a small smile on her face.
"I'm not jealous, imouto. I want you to know this, that your big sister has and will always love you. Our life has not been easy, but if we stick together we can survive. Listen to me Mikasa, the only thing that matters is survival. Always remember that" explained Haku briefly,
Mikasa intently listened to her sister, she could feel the pain and truth behind her words. In a way, she admired Haku a lot. Her sister was everything she wanted to be- a kind, caring and gentle person.
Most of all Haku could let go of the past, and was capable of moving on with her life...something which Mikasa was not able to do.
On the other hand, Haku had no idea that the teachings she currently gave Mikasa would play a vital role in the girl's life.
"Mikasa, Kaa-chan loves you too. Tou-chan's death was not her fault, today you are not able to digest this but I'm sure one day you will realize that she is innocent. All I'm asking is for you to give our family one chance, that's all" pleaded Haku seriously,
"I..."
"I lost my father too, so I know how you feel deep inside your heart. But whining and sulking about the past will not make things better. We're way past that point in our lives, Mikasa" said Haku seriously,
"What do you mean?" asked Mikasa curiously,
"I will be starting my training tomorrow with mother. She wants to teach us our Kekkai Genkai, and I want you to stand by my side as my sister. Can you do that?" asked Haku flatly,
"You know, I would do anything for you but-"
"There are no excuses Mikasa, Tou-chan entrusted us with many things, some important and some petty. No matter how much you deny it, he would never want you to treat mother like this. So you are going to suck it up and make peace with her" said Haku authoritatively,
"And why would I do that?" asked Mikasa coldly,
"Because that was Tou-chan's last wish, he wanted us to live a good life and as his daughter it is your duty to see his wish fulfilled. He died for you Mikasa, the least you can do is look after the woman whom he loved and who gave birth to us from her own flesh and blood" said Haku seriously,
Mikasa lowered her eyes from Haku's piercing gaze, she really knew how to corner her. She still hated Miyako for abandoning her father, but if this was his last wish and if this was what Haku wanted, should she...
Haku watched as Mikasa desperately struggled with her feelings, her hands continuously opened and closed again as the girl continued biting her lip.
Meanwhile, Miyako who had watched the scene from the shadows was astonished by Haku's influence on her sister. She could really bring the best out of people, Haku was able to reach Mikasa's heart...something which she failed to do.
And maybe, just maybe...
"Fine, I will train with you but only for Tou-chan. I cannot trust her," said Mikasa innocently, as Haku wrapped her hands around her sister happily,
"But you can count on your awesome, beautiful, cool, big sister!" boasted Haku proudly,
"You forgot to mention idiot too!" said Mikasa mischievously, but Haku was in an entire different world.
"Oh, sorry I forgot to mention idi-...what!"
Miyako softly chuckled as Haku had a shocked expression on her face as Mikasa almost tricked her into admitting herself as an idiot.
"Shut up, slanty-eyes!''
"You shut up, droppy-eyes!"
"Teme!"
"Baka!"
Both the girls were stopped from fighting further when Miyako jumped behind them and entangled them in a warm hug. Haku happily embraced her, while Mikasa struggled for a few moments but one firm gaze from Haku made her lose all willpower and she slowly snuggled into Miyako's chest.
Miyako gently kissed both the girls, as for the first time in months Mikasa slept peacefully in her mother's arms.
"I will make things better...I promise" thought Miyako lovingly,
A tall man could be seen standing on one of the snowy mountains of Kaizan town, with his dark sinister eyes looking at the people beneath him.
"Let's begin!"
Author's Notes: End of chapter.
This arc will be short, maybe 2 or 3 more chapters.
Mikasa is a member of Yuki clan, and is Haku's younger sister. From the start of the story I kept her heritage wrapped, and now I think it's time to reveal it.
Miyako's picture has been posted on my profile, feel free to check it out.
The results of the poll are displayed on my profile too. Apparently Harem voters have won.
So this will how pairings will work: NarutoXMikasa (The main pairing of this story), followed by NarutoXKushina and NarutoXRangiku. And ItachiXSakura will be the other pairing (This pairing is made because I like it, and Hinata won't be paired with Itachi...so please don't ask) , and this is my final stand.
Have a good day and hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Kindly leave your reviews, if you liked the chapter.