Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Ghost District
"I'm fine Naruto Nii-san", I said tonelessly as Naruto stands at his front door, blocking my exit. "I'm not sick anymore". I had woken up this morning in Naruto's bed with an empty stomach and a restlessness to get to the academy. Not so much that I can't stand to be away from school, because training with Neji-sensei is a lot more instructive than sitting through one of Iruka-sensei's boring lectures. I want to go to school because: one I have a makeup test that is crucial in crushing Izumi's ego, and two, I want to see if Akio's illness was as short as mine.
"No you're not!" Naruto exclaimed. "You haven't eaten yet!" Man he's being really whiny this morning.
"But I don't want to eat ramen for breakfast". I said as I rub my eyes. I don't think there's any other person other than Naruto who would eat ramen for the morning meal. "I'll go back to my place and get an apple".
Naruto huffs, and said, "An apple isn't a good breakfast!"
I raise an eyebrow. How is it not a good breakfast? It's fruit. "What and ramen is?" There's a pregnant pause as Naruto scratches his head, trying to come up with a retort. The right corner of my lips quirk and I add on, "No offense Naruto nii-san but you're a bit of a dope". No sooner have I finished speaking when Naruto's posture instantly changes. His shoulder drop and his arms hang limply at his sides. He's looking straight at me but it doesn't feel like he's seeing me. And slowly his face turns white. Kind of like the look Iruka-sensei got after that time when I glared at him when my hands were in my pockets. It feels like Naruto is a hundred miles away right now. I wonder what he's seeing. "Naruto nii-san?" I asked.
Slowly, it seems like, his eyes come back in focus. Naruto suddenly shakes his head, raises both of his hands and hits both his cheeks twice, which completely snaps him out of whatever daze he was in. 'I got training to get to". He said without any of his usual pep. "Just eat something", he said gruffly before stepping aside.
As I pass him I look at him wearily. I didn't think he'd be offended by be called a dope. And I did say no offense. Even so, once I'm standing in front of the exit I look over my shoulder and said, "I'm sorry Naruto nii-san. I didn't mean to hurt your feels".
At the sound of my words he too looks over his shoulder. Although still not in his usually attitude, there's a smile on his face. Naruto shakes his head and me and said, "It wasn't anything you said".
My guilt turns into confusion as I face forward, open the door and walk out. "Bye Manami", I hear Naruto say from behind me. Once I close Naruto's door I shake my head. First the fact that no one will tell me what my last name is, the taking hostage of my father's weapons, then the red eyes, and picture from last night of that Sasuke guy, and now Naruto's odd behavior Things in this village keep getting weirder and weirder.
On the way to the academy I munch on an apple. Having eaten absolutely nothing yesterday, this apple tastes amazing, though I can't keep my focus completely on my food. My thoughts keep drifting back to Naruto, and that picture. I feel like I'm missing something. Something that everyone, well everyone who already knows the big secret, is seeing. I guess that if I want to solve this riddle then I need to see what they're seeing.
By the time I reach the academy my apple has dwindled away to just its core. Well, it was good when it lasted. The schoolyard is just as active as it was yesterday. Except this time the sounds of activity isn't painful. All of my peers are doing the regular things, playing tag, hide and seek, talking, or rough housing. All but one. I see Akio sitting on a bench in front of the school pouring over his notes. Smirking I head over to him. Looks like he's taking the make-up exam today too. Once in front of him I said, "Let's never train that late again". Referring to the whole reason why neither of us was in class yesterday.
Akio looks up, only to reveal black circles under his eyes. "Ya can say that again", he said before going over his notes.
I toss my apple core into a nearby trash bin before sitting down next to him on the bench. "Did you not sleep well?" I asked.
Akio shakes his head. "No. Mom gave me some bad tasting medicine yesterday that made me sleep most of the day. So I wasn't tried last night", he said before gesturing to his scholar. "And now I gotta study for this stupid test if we want our plan to work".
I smirk and asked, "Studying the first time around wasn't enough for you?" All I get in return is a scowl.
We spend a couple of minutes in silence as Akio studies and I look at his notes over his shoulder. Though a minute later Akio lets out an exasperated breath and throws the scroll down onto the bench. "If I don't know it now I never will".
"Amen" I concur. Though this time I don't get a scowl, I get a full out glare. Though really, I don't know why he feels the need to study so much. Akio does better on tests and exams than I do. And plus, he's higher up in class rank than I am.
"So what did ya do yesterday?" He asked.
Leaning back on the bench so that my back was resting on the school building I said, "Well after Iruka-sensei kicked me out of class for being sick I-"
"You too!" Akio interrupted.
I nodded. "After I got kicked out I got to watch a bunch of ninja have a fist fight for no particular reason when I was supposed to be going to the hospital".
Akio looks at me for a long second before nodding his head. "Nice", he said just as the bell rings.
The exam, while tedious, turned to be a walk in the park. Iruka-sensei, as promised, allows us to take the make-up exam first thing. We take it while everyone else is finishing up yesterday's discussion, which apparently was on effect jutsu application. Yeah, kind of glad that I missed that one. The test was on math. Which is okay because I'm decent at math, and Akio is, compared to average students, a super brain. The only problem is that Izumi treats math likes it's a festival. She literally thrives on it, which, unfortunately means that taking the top of the class rank from her with this specific test is a challenge. And what's worse, Akio and I won't know the results until next week at the earliest. "So how do you think you did?" I ask Akio as we head for our regular training field once school had let out for the day. After having both been under the weather there's nothing that we can think of that would be better than some stress destroying training.
Akio shrugs, and reaches up with his arms, stretching out his shoulders. "The first part was as easy as stackin' blocks. But on the second part I had to go back and check a couple of things. Ya self?"
I rub my forehead with my left hand. "I think I did well another to pass with an above average grade, but I think we'll have to count on your scores to knock Izumi down a peg". I said as we enter the training field. As usually Neji is on his side of the field and seems to be practicing taijutsu. It's good to see that our absence hasn't changed anything with our training arrangements.
"That's fine by me", Akio said, referring to the last thing that I said. "Whatcha want to do today?" He asked.
I stare off into space for a minute as I think. After what happened last time I really don't want to spar again. What I'd really like to do is practice with kunai, but Pineapple head still has procession of father's weapons. Maybe Akio has access to some. "Do you have any kunai or shuriken on you?" I ask him. "We could do some target practice.
Akio shakes his head. "Nah The rule in my house is that mom or dad has to be with me when I use them or it has to be an in class thing". Right, I forgot that parents are generally against letting their children own weapons. My father was the same, the exception being the day that he got killed. Akio moves a little closer to me and asked, "Could we ask Neji-sensei if we can use his?" in a quieter voice.
Shrugging I said, "Do you want to ask him?"
Akio shakes his head. "Ya ask him!" He said, back to his regular volume. "If he says no he'll make me do pushups".
"If ask him and he says no he'll make me run laps", I counter.
"Pushups are worse than laps", Akio counters. "Every time he makes me do them my arms feel like lead afterwards!"
I put my hands on my hips and argued, "Well that's how my legs feel after he makes me run. And then I still have to walk home. Once your pushups are done your arms can rest".
"But he makes-" Akio starts with another retort, but a different voice has a different point to make.
"He can hear every word you're saying". Both Akio and I pause before turning to face the voice. Neji stands a few feet away from us with his arms crossed and a neutral expression on his face. I kind of feel like we should have seen this coming.
"Hi Neji-sensei", Akio said in a high pitch, changing his words. "How are you?" He asked trying to sound innocent. I roll my eyes. We're just planning on asking for weapons. It's not like we are planning a murder or anything.
There's a short pause as Neji's eyes the both of us in turn. After a moment he sighs, which in my eyes is starting to become a trademark for him. "What are you two up too?" He asked.
Akio opens his mouth but quickly closes it when nothing comes out. Letting out a sigh of my own I step forward and said, "We just want to ask you if you would lend us some kunai for target practice".
"Or shuriken", Akio adds in as a last minute thought.
Neji doesn't say anything but he keeps his eyes on us as he appears to be in deep contemplation. After what feels like three minutes Neji reaches in his back weapon pouch and withdraws two kunai. With one swing of his arm he throws them and the kunai stab into the ground right in front of our feet. I gasp and Akio exclaimed, "What the hell", as we both jumped back in surprise.
For a moment all we do is stare at the kunai stuck in the ground before Neji said in a stern tone, "Get to it then".
"Yes Neji-sensei", Akio and I both say in sync as we scramble to get the borrowed kunai.
We should have predicted this but Neji doesn't simply allow us to use his ninja tools. He follows us to the already set up targets where he precedes to correct every single flaw that he sees in our stances before either of us even get to throw one kunai. Though I am proud to say that the number of corrections I get are far less than Akio's. Thanks to all of the kunai training that my father used to have me do. The first throw I make ends up sticking in the target about an inch and a half away from the center. I nod to myself, pleased that I haven't lost all of my weapon ability from lack of use. Akio's throw, however, ends up at the bottom edge of the target. He scowls as Neji orders us to retrieve the kunai. This continues for a while. Neji gives us corrections; we take a throw, go collect the kunai and then Neji gives us more advice. Though eventually Neji seems to decide that we weren't about to do something idiotic because he goes back to doing some of his own training. Though he still somehow manages to say something about everything that we do wrong.
It's late when we finally call it quits and the stars are already out, but not as late as it was the night that led to us getting sick. After returning Neji's kunai to him Akio and I head off. We are walking through a quiet residential area when the first strange thing happens. A flash of light to the left of us makes the both of us jump. Then there's a lot of lightening which is out of place because there isn't a signal cloud in the sky. Not long after that all the street lights go out. Akio and I are just about to turn down a street that leads to Akio's house. We pause to see if they'll flicker back on. A minute later we hear clashes metal and thousands of pounding feet. We share a glance before heading over to house where we climb using a drainpipe. Once on the roof all we could tell is that there's a massive fleet of shinobi all running in the same direction. I didn't really think anything of it, but Akio suddenly said, "We're under attack!"
"Who can you tell?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around my shoulders, to block out some of the night's cold air. I thought I really should have grabbed a jacket. Do I even own a jacket? I better not get sick again.
Akio scoffs at me. "Why else would a bunch of shinobi be running together in the same direction?"
We sit in silence for a few moments as I try to think of a reply though eventually I settle for, "good point". A breeze comes, messes up my hair and we both shiver. "So what should we do?" I asked as I try not to let my teeth chatter. I am so investing in a jacket tomorrow.
Turning to face the hokage monument Akio said, "Everyone has probably been evacuated. That's why it's was so quiet. We should head there". I nod my head, deciding to let Akio take the lead as he starts down the drainpipe, because he obviously has a better idea than I do. Before it's my turn to climb down I shiver again, but this time it isn't because I'm cold. The last time my home was attacked I lost my family. If there's any mercy in this world that won't happen again.
The minute my feet hit the ground Akio grabs my left hand and pulls me in some direction. "I think there's a shortcut if we go this way", Akio said as we speed up to a run. "I think if we keep heading inward we won't meet the enemy", he said shakily. I nod even though he can't see me and squeeze his hand.
We don't run into anyone else. Not a person from Konoha or the enemy. We've been going for what feels like ten minutes when Akio stops and looks around. I move my other hand to double grasp his hand that I'm already holding and look around too. We're standing in the section of the village that I've never been before. All the buildings, some shops but mostly homes, look abandoned, like they've been unoccupied for years. And on every wall and every building there is the same symbol, a fan with a red top and a white bottom. What is this place? "Where are we?" I asked
Akio shakes his head. "I don't know".
Instantly I turn and stare at him with wide eyes. "I thought you said this was a shortcut!"
Akio looks at me with wide eyes of his own. "I thought it was! I've never been here before. We've must have taken a wrong turn somewhere". He said as his grip on my hand tightens. "Maybe we should hide in-"
Though before Akio can finish a new voice calls out, "Oy you kids! Get over here! Every kid is being evacuated!"
Akio and I share a quick glance at each other before turning around, where three genin are standing a couple of feet from us. 'How did they find us?' I thought, 'why didn't we hear them come?' The only girl out of the three has orange hair in two pigtails that sticks straight up out of her head. One of the boys has flat, straight hair and wear glasses, while the other, the one that called out, has spikey hair, a little bit like Akio's, just longer.
"What's goin' on?" Akio asked as we run over to the genin.
"There's no time for that now!" The girl genin yelled.
"Yeah we need to get you two to safety", said the spikey haired one again. Akio shrugs at me before he starts pulling me with him. I take one look over at the fan shaped symbols before following willing.
The three genin stand behind, to the left, and to the right of us as we all run in the correct direction for the hokage monument. As we get nearer and near Akio said between breaths, "Inside the monument are evacuation shelters. Ya haven't been here long enough but when we do emergency drill in school this is where we go".
The three genins leave us at the entrance of the shelters at the base of the monument. But not before telling us not to, "waste time", and to, "hurry up". Akio leads the way up the stairs and around turns. Eventually we enter a tunnel and that tunnel s to a dark but open room where other civilians are waiting out this attack with only each other and torch light for comfort. A tad out of breath, but not really thanks to all of Neji's efforts, Akio and I stand in the entrance way, looking around and still holding hands. 'What now?' I thought.
"Manami!" A shrill sounding voice called out. Both Akio and I turn to the left to see Pineapple head's mother standing up with her hands on her hips. "Why are you here so late? Both of you should have been evacuated a lot sooner. And where are your sweaters? You'll both catch your death without them". She lectured as she walks closer to us. I want to say that we've already had caught our deaths since we did get sick not too long ago. But I don't.
"Nara-san", I greeted, because I really don't have any clue of what else I can say that's appropriate for a village attack. And since Akio is being quiet I'm going the guess that he doesn't either.
She sighs, and asked Akio, "Are your parents here son?"
"No ma'am", Akio said, looking up at her. "Both my parents are jonin". She shook her head before she places one hand on my left shoulder, and one on Akio's right shoulder. "You two might as well wait this out with me then" And she leads us to a spot against a wall.
That's how Akio and I spent the rest of the night, curling up next to each other trying to stay warm as we are in the presence of nagging Nara-san. She dotes on us and makes us drink and eat some of the supplies that she had grabbed from her house before evacuating. She only faces away from us for a second to talk to another shinobi's housewife, and I take the time to lean into Akio and ask in a whisper, "Do you remember those symbols back when we got lost?" Akio nods. "Do you know what they mean?" Akio shakes his head, making me sigh. And there's another question to add to my growing list, what are those symbols?
It is late into the night by the time they let us out. Akio's mother finds us in the crowd of civilians in the hands of stern Mrs. Nara. She thanks Shikamaru's mother exhaustedly due to her involvement in the defense of the village, and then insists on walking me back to my apartment before going home with Akio. It's only when I make to the steps of my apartment building that Akio and I finally let go of each other's hands. I'm glad that neither of us let go. If one of us had one of us might have been lost. Like my father had been lost. Once at home I promptly go to bed. I barely even remember taking off my shoes as I wonder what that deserted place, and symbol means.