Treasures of Time
Chapter 6: Selective Truth
I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thank you for reading I hope you enjoy.
Perspective: Snow, Kakuzu, Mika, and Saizo
Snow's Perspective
I gasped as a sudden surge of natural chakra struck me. How can Saizo take in such a large amount of natural chakra? I never thought it would be this strong. He's young and untrained in this sort of chakra use. This shouldn't be possible. My hands clenched down on the kitchen counter. Kakuzu gave me a concerned look.
"Snow",
"I'm fine",
"Is he?" asked Kakuzu.
"Yes, that's one thing I'm sure of. As soon as the seal was placed on his chest he should have passed out. The odd thing is even while he's unconscious his body is still absorbing natural chakra on its own accord", I said.
"How?" he asked.
"My best guess to how Saizo is capable of gathering natural chakra is that he has an affinity toward. If was he were average child the amount of natural chakra he's absorbed would kill him", I said.
"Why?" asked Kakuzu.
"He was born of snake sage. That gives him natural born immunities that other children lack", I said.
I allowed my body to shift somewhat into sage mode. My eye twitched, when I saw Kakuzu's disapproving glare.
"If you continue looking at me like that I might lose my temper", I said.
He sighed.
"I just thought what happened in the past would stay there. I never thought he would effect our children down to their DNA", said Kakuzu.
The stone counter shattered into hundreds of pieces under my grip.
"Orochimaru did many have done horrible things to me, but I don't regret my experience in Ryuchi Cave. I became a snake sage and those powers were passed down to our children. I'm glad they inherited them, even if you aren't. Many would kill for such a gift", I said.
"How can you say that when it nearly killed our son?!" yelled Kakuzu.
My body shook with anger. I couldn't stop myself from hissing.
"Every gift I've passed down to them could be dangerous!" I snarled.
"That I expected. I never thought our children would be so inclined to the path forced on you. I didn't they would be like her", said Kakuzu.
"My daughter has a name", I said.
"That thing is not your daughter!" yelled Kakuzu.
My body shuttered as I forced my rage down.
"We have five children and four of them have the blood of snake sage running through their veins. I warned you about this!" I yelled.
"I have four children with you. I will never accept that girl as part of our family!" growled Kakuzu.
Both our bodies tensed. We haven't been on verge of a physical fight in years. It would have gotten far worse if it weren't for Kameko interrupting us.
"Ren and her group have returned to village. They are waiting for you at the hospital", said Kameko.
"Go we will catch up", I said.
She nodded her head, before taking off.
"This argument is over Kakuzu", I said.
We ran toward the hospital. I let my anger fade for now. A nurse led us to his room. Our son lay on the bed. His eyes were closed, but his body seemed relaxed, which was a good sign. Saizo hands were clawed and thin purple marking were around his eyes. The smell of blood stained his hands. The instincts of the snake are hard to fight, but once mastered can bring a person great power. My attention went to Ren she was pretty beat up, but nothing to serous.
"Where's his other teammate?" I asked.
"Sterling condition was more serous, but the idiot had to be tied down to the bed to keep him there", said Ren.
I sighed, when I saw Mika. She seemed to be shock, but otherwise okay. Her eyes were focused on Saizo.
"Mika",
Her light blue eyes met mine.
"He's going to be okay. I want you to go with Ren and get check out by a doctor", I said.
The girl nodded her head and followed her sensei out of the room. My eldest child leaned against the wall on far side of the room. The smell of blood stuck to her too.
"Hantia",
She came alive at the sound of my voice.
"Yes, Lady Guardian", she said.
She's nervous. Hantia only calls me by that title, when she is.
"I want a full mission briefing in hour", I said.
Both Dad and Hantia nodded their heads.
"Kameko",
"Yes",
"I need an empty room with plenty of space", I said.
Kakuzu picked up Saizo and we followed Kameko to a large empty room in the basement. The tile floors were clean.
"Will this do?" asked Kameko.
"Yes",
I took Saizo from Kakuzu's arms and placed him in the center of the room.
"You two can stay or go I don't care, but you chose to stay you better keep out my way", I said.
I knew my voice was cold, but right now this emotionless state was the only way I could keep myself focused. I took their silence as an agreement to my rules. I moved a few yards away from my son. I rolled up my sleeve revealing the summoning tattoos on my arms. A diamond kunai formed in my hand. I made a deep gash in my forearm all the way down to the palm of my hand. I did the same with my other arm.
The blood pooled at my feet. Soon my hands were covered in the red substance. That should be enough. I made the hand sign and channel my chakra into the blood dripping from arms and puddled on the ground. The shapeless pools at my feet veined out. As they spread they paint interact symbols on the floor.
Now the natural chakra. I channeled the natural chakra I took from Saizo into the blood dripping from arms. The drops turned into a steady streams. When the blood from my wrists hit the ground they transformed into snakes. They circled around my feet waiting for the command. I furthered empowered them with my chakra.
The snakes traveled through the symbols painted on the floor. As they moved the patterns started glowing red. Good, almost there. The constrictors lifted their heads from the ground and stood ten feet high. Their hisses echoed through the basement.
"Dual Constrictor Seal!"
Saizo screamed as the two snakes dug their fangs into each side of his neck. The red light sped through the snakes and into Saizo. They returned to their original form. I walked to my son and released the seal Dad placed on his chest. Saizo's midnight blue eyes opened slightly. It's amazing he's awake after this.
"Hey mom", he said.
"Hey honey", I said.
I waited for his eyes to shut before I collapsed.
Kakuzu's Perspective
I rushed to Snow's side. The smell of blood was powerful. Kameko joined me. Her hands went a glow with chakra as she healed her sister's arms. She picked up Saizo and I carried Snow.
"You've seen this before", I said.
She nodded her head.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.
"My sister told me to not too. My loyalty is to her not you", said Kameko.
I didn't know how she remained, calm during this. I placed Snow in the free bed in Saizo's room.
"I have to work to attend to", said Kameko.
She placed a chocolate bar on the table near Snow's bed.
"Make sure she eats that. She'll need the sugar", said Kameko before she left.
"Leave you aren't welcome here!" I growled.
Her long white hair hung like curtains around her face, hiding it from view. She wore the Hidden Diamond uniform with mesh shirt underneath her vest. From this angle she could pass off of as Snow at first glance. She moved her hair away from her face revealing her slight resemblance to her creator.
"I'm not here to pick a fight with you. She's my mother if you accept it or not", said Hantia.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"I think she would want me to explain the seal she gave Saizo", said Hantia.
I gritted my teeth and forced myself to endure her presence.
"You shouldn't worry about her condition. She was in a far worse state after the first time she preformed it. Mother should wake up in a few hours. The jutsu is straining both mentally and physically", said Hantia.
My hands fisted, when she addressed Snow like that. I knew she was only doing it to spite me. She moved closer to Saizo's bed. I threw a kunai at the floor near her feet. She backed away.
"Do you really think I would harm? He's my brother after all. I've helped rescue him twice now", said Hantia.
"I rather not take the risk", I said.
"I understand why you hate me, but I'm not a blood thirsty monster anymore. My loyalty belongs to my mother. She gave me freedom and introduced me to the love of my life. I will never betray her and the family, even if that means I have to protect an ass like you", said Hantia.
"Tell me about the seal and leave", I said.
She sighed and took off her black flack jacket. Hantia turned her back to me. She lifted her hair exposing a tattoo on the back of her neck. I didn't know the symbol, but it had two snakes coiled around it in a circle.
"The symbol encircled by the snakes is that of Ryuchi Cave. Only a full-fledged snake sage can give it. It doesn't seal away the power of the snake sage, but slowly allows for a release of natural chakra, so the body can adjust over long periods of time. When it power becomes too much it transfers it to a host who can endure it", said Hantia.
"And that host would be Snow", I said.
"Yes, or one of her snake. It depends on the condition she's in at the time", said Hantia.
"That's enough", said Snow as she sat up.
Hantia nodded her head and put her vest back on.
"I know you have a mission report to complete. This is no excuse I want it on my desk by tomorrow morning", said Snow.
"Of course mom", she said before rushing out of the room.
The door shut behind her. Snow took the candy bar from the table. The color came back to her face.
"Why must you be so mean to her?" asked Snow.
"Isn't the reason obvious", I said.
"You hate her because who her father is. Have you even taken the time to get to know her?" asked Snow.
"You know the answer to that", I said.
"You know people could hate our children just because of who you are. Would you want that for them?" asked Snow.
She has a point, but that didn't mean the prospect of Hantia being Snow's daughter any easier to accept. Snow walked over to Saizo and caressed his cheek. He leaned into her touch.
"I hate fighting with you. But what you said hurt. It made sound me like I didn't love our children. You know how wrong that is. If the gift I passed down was too dangerous to them I would have found a way of stopping it. That power of Saizo could only be sealed properly if he accessed it on his own first", said Snow.
Sapphires fell from her eyes. I took a seat by her side.
"I'm sorry Snow please forgive me", I said.
She smiled.
"I forgive you", said Snow.
"I didn't mean to say such harsh things to you. I've never had a family before, so I don't know how to react to a threat to our children", I said.
"I know. Look", said Snow.
Saizo midnight blue eyes slowly opened.
"Mom, Dad what happened?" he asked.
He was barely keeping his eyes open.
"It's alright you're safe now. Go back to sleep sweetheart", said Snow.
"Okay", he said before he closed his eyes.
"He'll be going in out of sleep for a few days. He will have to be here for awhile, but he's going to be fine", said Snow.
Manzo appeared in the doorway.
"You need rest my daughter. I know you won't rest well here. Last time you used that jutsu you were out for a week and couldn't move on your own for two days", said Manzo.
That's where she was. Kameko told me she was on a mission. I sighed. Like she said before her loyalty is to Snow first not me.
"I know I can only stay awake for a more minutes. Heh, I only have to do it two more times", said Snow.
"That's not true", said Manzo.
Snow gave him a confused look.
"You're forgetting your future grandchildren", said Manzo.
She gave a weak laugh.
"Yes, I guess you're right, but by then I should have mastered it", said Snow before passing out.
"Take her home. Her rest will be peaceful there. I will watch over him", said Manzo.
I nodded my head. I took Snow in my arms and carried her back home. When I entered the house Hazel, Rose, and Kotaro were staring at me. Shit! This doesn't look good. Snow's still covered in dry blood and is unconscious. Rose started wailing. Kotaro was on the verge of joining her.
"What the hell dad!" growled Hazel.
They weren't supposed to be home yet.
"No don't cry Rose. She's okay she's just unconscious", I said.
"Dad that doesn't help", growled Hazel as she tried calming her siblings.
I sighed.
"Watch them for a moment. I have to put your mom down then I'll explain", I said.
She nodded her head. I placed Snow in our bed and pulled the blankets over her. When I walked into the living room, I saw that Hazel managed to calm Rose and Kotaro. Now they were sniffling.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO MOMMY!" screamed Rose.
"There's no reason scream at me Rose. Your mother's condition is her own doing. She's was preforming a powerful jutsu that drained her of her chakra. It took a lot out of her", I said.
"So she'll be okay?" asked Kotaro.
"Yes, she'll be back to her normal self in a few days", I said.
"You promise daddy?" asked Rose.
My youngest children calmed and the day went smoothly. I went outside, when they all fell asleep. Sometimes being stuck in the house gives me a headache. I'm not used this domestic life style, even after all this time.
"Dad",
I tensed, when my daughter appeared on the deck with me.
"How was your mission?" I asked.
"I know you aren't interest in my mission. You're only trying to distract me, so I won't ask questions about mom. How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a little girl and you can tell me what's going on", said Hazel.
I resisted the urge to laugh. Just as stubborn and persistent as her mother.
"You are a child little one", I said.
"I'm thirteen!" she yelled.
"Quiet, you'll wake your siblings", I said.
She rolled her eyes at me.
"Don't roll your eyes at me young lady", I growled.
"I'm not all that young!" she snarled.
"I'm in my hundreds I'm not all that old", I said.
"You're so annoying", said Hazel.
My eye twitched. What happened to my little girl? She used to be so sweet and was always happy to see me. Now I have a snappy teenage daughter.
"Did something bad happen in the village while I was gone?" asked Hazel.
I shook my head.
"So then the jutsu mom preformed has something to do with Saizo. What exactly happened to him?" she asked.
I sighed, when I saw how worried she was.
"Hazel, your brother is fine. He over used his chakra that's all", I said.
She smiled.
"Dad you might be annoying as hell at times, but I love", said Hazel before she returned to her room.
Mika's Perspective
I woke early in the morning. The nurses allowed me to leave, since my injuries were very minor. I got dressed. Saizo's hoody hung on my desk chair. I sighed. Sterling and Saizo did so much to protect me and I was helpless. I should have been with them fighting by their sides. Maybe then they wouldn't have gotten so hurt. And Saizo wouldn't have turned into something monstrous and cold blooded. I packed a few things and decided I would go to the hospital. I wonder if Saizo is up yet. I ran down the stairs of my house.
"Where are you going in such a rush?" asked Dad.
"I'm going to visit my friends", I said.
I stopped at grandpa's candy shop on the way there. The bell chimed as I opened the door.
"Hello sweetheart", said Grandpa.
I picked up some black licorice for Sterling and salt-water taffy for Saizo.
"I hope your friends enjoy those. Sweets always have a way of making someone feel better no matter what shape there in", said Grandpa.
"I know grandpa thank for the candy", I said as I ran out of the shop.
I decided to visit Sterling first. I nearly laughed, when I saw him tied to the bed. Sensei was sitting by him. Probably to make sure he wouldn't make a break for it.
"Hey, Mika can you do a friend a favor and cut him free?" he asked.
"I'm not risking getting on sensei's bad side", I said.
"That's very smart, Mika", said Sensei.
I smiled.
"So if you aren't here free me. Why the hell are you here?!" he growled.
"I came here to bring you your favorite candy. Sweets always have a way of making someone feel better", I said.
"I feel fucking fine. These idiot doctors won't let me go", said Sterling.
I don't understand how he has such energy after the attacks he was hit with.
"Sugar is the last thing he needs right now, but thank you", said Sensei.
I left the room before Sterling could start another fight with Sensei. I walked down the halls, until I found Saizo's room. I tensed, when I saw Lady Minori was already there. I can come back another day. Their family I shouldn't disrupt.
"Mika, you can come in", she said.
How did she know I was here?
"There's no need to be shy please come in", said Minori again.
I stepped in.
"I'm sorry if I'm disrupting. I can leave", I said.
I couldn't look her in the eyes. This is the most powerful woman in the village. How could Manzo think I'm like her? I'm a weakling with no particular talent.
"There's no need to be so shy. And you weren't disrupting I was just getting ready to leave", she said.
I nearly fainted, when I saw Saizo in bed. She sat me down in the seat next to his bed.
"Will he be okay?" I asked.
"He'll be fine. Give him a day or two and he'll be awake. Before you know it he'll be bad mouthing and fighting with Sterling", said Minori.
I smiled at the thought of that.
"What happened to him?" I asked.
She tensed at the question. I gave a nervous flinch. Oh no I'm in trouble.
"I can't tell you that. Please respect my wishes by not digging further into it. I won't order you to because I know you are good girl. When you are older my father will take you under his wing. With his training you are bound to become one of the best medical ninjas in the village. With that power you'll become a great asset to not only your fellow shinobi, but my son too", said Minori.
My face went hot. She knows!
"I'm nothing special", I said.
She moved closer to me. I tensed. I was shocked, when she hugged me. Her embrace was so warm and caring. That last time I was hugged like this was on the bridge with Saizo. She pulled away from me.
"You are special. Your academy score rivaled Hazel and Saizo's. Mika, you were one of the star students in your anatomy, toxin studies, and psychology classes. That's impressive. Train hard and believe in yourself and you can become one of the top kunoichi in our village", said Lady Minori.
I nearly fainted at the compliment.
"If those nurses say you have to leave. Tell them I ordered you to stay here and watch him", said Minori.
"Thank you", I said as I bowed my head.
"Oh, my son might be slow when it comes to things of the romantic nature, but he'll eventually catch on. You're the only girl good enough for him", said Minori.
My face went dark red. She left. When my faced cooled enough I left the room. If Lady Minori believes me in than I should too. I went to find sensei. She was leaning against the wall of Sterling's bedroom. My loud mouth teammate had finally fallen asleep.
"Is Saizo alright?" asked Ren.
"He's fine. Sensei I want to be stronger. Can you help me do that?" I asked.
She smiled.
"I was wondering, when I would see that confidence in your eyes. We'll start when Saizo and Sterling are recovered", said Sensei.
Saizo's Perspective
My eyes opened. I slowly sat up. I saw mom. She smiled at me. I managed to sit up.
"Mika, look who's up", said Mom.
Her light blue eyes opened. Mika hugged me tightly. The strength in her hug caught me off a guard. I tensed, when I felt her tears dripping onto my skin. Did I scare her that badly? She pulled away from me.
"Mika, I need to talk with my son for a bit", said Mom.
"Yes, my lady", she said before leaving.
"How are you feeling?" asked Mom.
"My neck is sore as hell!" I growled.
"There's no need for you to be angry. Before I talk with you I want you to calm down", said Mom.
My every muscle ached. The frustration I felt at being hurt died down.
"Why does my neck hurt?" I asked as I rubbed it to relieve some of the pain.
"That's my doing. It was caused by the seal mark I placed on you", said Mom.
Seal? I searched my body for any mark.
"It's on the back of your neck", said Mom.
I flinched, when I touched my hand to the back of my neck.
"Why did you do this to me?" I asked.
"Do you know what I am?" asked Mom.
"Mom, I'm not in the mood for a game of questions. Get to the point", I said.
She glared at me.
"Sorry",
"I'm a snake sage Saizo. Some of the talents given to me from my training with the snakes were passed on to you and your siblings. Unlike your siblings they haven't unlocked that talent yet. Yours was awoke by threat to your life and those of your teammates", said Mom.
"That's what that power was?" I asked.
"Yes, it will grow as you become stronger", said Mom.
"I don't want that power", I said.
Mom gave me another warm smile. It put my nerves to ease.
"I would be worried if you did", said Mom.
"I could hardly control it. I nearly killed Mika and Sterling", I said.
"If you were any other person the natural chakra you absorbed would have killed you. Saizo you handled it very well. And I'm going to teach you how to control it", said Mom.
"I don't want to control it. I want it gone!" I yelled.
"That's not possible. I know the first time is terrifying, but it gets better over time. If I don't teach you how to control now it something like this will happen again. I don't want you to suffer through that pain of harming someone you care for. I've been through it before. It hurts worse than any pain imaginable. That kind of suffering eats away mind and leaves a person aching", said Mom.
She can't be speaking by experience. I had never heard her voice so serous before. It was somewhat scary.
"Won't the seal stop me from becoming a monster? You have no idea what's like to have no control over your body!" I yelled.
She smirked.
"If only that were", said Mom.
Her voice weak and bitter, but she shook it away, when she saw how nervous I was.
"You are no monster. I've met many and you're not one, but you are the child of one. The man who sent me to the snakes turned me into a horrible beast that nearly killed your father", said Mom.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"You nearly killed dad that's impossible. I've seen you throw him through walls, but you would never go as far as killing him", I said.
"I was under the curse of a horrible man. His bite turned me into mindless beast who only wanted to do his bidding. I caused those scars on your father's shoulder. Some how his voice was able to get through to me and I was able to stop myself from killing him", said Mom.
From the look in her eye I saw she was telling the truth. Then I saw the pain in them. Was it alway there?
"But you didn't kill him", I said.
"I could have though. I will teach you how to control that power, so it will become an asset instead of curse. And you'll never have to carrying the worry of harming someone you love by your own hands", said Mom.
"Okay", I said.
A million questions were rushing through my head.
"Saizo, I know you know that there's more to me than what I've told you especially now. But you must understand my past is dangerous to you. When the time is right I will tell you everything", said Mom.
I didn't want know of her past. It was a terrifying idea actually. If she's kept a secret for this long there must be a reason.
"I would prefer you keep that seal secret", said Mom.
"I understand", I said.