V 3 ch 3
The Hot springs vacation part II
"If I was a duck and you were a tree, could I come up and see you? We could both stare at the sunset together as the clouds went by. I could lay in your branches and ruffle my feathers. And as the seasons changed, you would shed your leaves. I will fly south and hopefully return, to those branches that I knew so tenderly when I was young," Yanagi sang softly. Gin smiled at her. "My mom used to sing that to me when I was little. I don't quite understand it, but I like it," she said.
"The song represents the duck's longing for its real home," Idai said out of nowhere. He turned his gaze away when Yanagi and Gin looked at him. "Sorry," he said softly. He had no right to say anything to them. They didn't know him. He found himself moving closer to Kiba sensei.
Kiba looked at his student sadly. He lifted his rough hand and put it on the boy's head, petting. Idai tensed for a second before looking up at him with his orange eyes. "It's okay. They're not going to hurt you. You have to push a little to get others to notice you. It's not necessarily a bad thing, Idai."
Idai glanced back at Yanagi and Gin. They were enjoying each other's company so much. He didn't know anyone out here that would talk to him. He was a loner. Idai lowered his head to look at the ground as he walked. He wished he would have stayed back in Konoha with Gai. Gai did things with him when he was home.
Saori walked backwards until she caught up with Takeru, Daiya, and Ryu. She smiled at Takeru. "So are you okay from earlier? That little drop scared you, didn't it?"
Takeru looked at her seriously. "The only thing that scared me was how quickly you let us go." He eyed her.
"Sorry, but dad told me to. Gin already made that basket for you two to fall in to. My chakra was getting low. I can't hold objects long. The strings are mainly used to control Rose," Saori said.
"What is Rose," Daiya asked. He looked at Takeru for an explanation. Saori was watching him as she walked.
"Rose is her puppet. She is a puppet master," Takeru said. "Saori controls puppets to use in fights. They're tools that can be molded to the personality of the user."
"I don't understand," Daiya said. He glanced at Saori. This was the most he had ever talked to anyone before. He tried to hide his face from Saori by moving to the other side of Ryu. She was still watching him.
"Why are you guys talking about me like I'm not here? Rose is my puppet, yes. She does what I want her to do. If I want her to be cruel, I can hide her, use the weapons she has on her, or even toy with an opponent like a cat after a mouse. Puppets are just large dolls that hide contraptions on them for a ninja to use against someone. What they hide is part of the mystery in a fight," Saori said. "You're afraid of me aren't you?"
"No," Daiya said. "I'm not afraid of anyone. I don't know you."
"Well, you can't possibly get to know me hiding on the other side of the large turkey that is walking next to you," she said about Ryu.
"I am not a turkey," Ryu said annoyed. "I'm an ostrich." He laughed as Takeru started to laugh.
"You two are quite odd," Areku said as he glanced at them. "I've never seen someone who can turn around a tease and just laugh at themselves before." He glanced around at a few birds in the trees around them.
"It must be nice growing up without someone teasing you constantly," Ryu said. He turned his gaze away from Areku's. Ryu didn't like others noticing anything about him, in particular. Yes, he had a habit of turning things around to where they were less threatening. It was his way of dealing with it.
Takeru didn't like the way things were going. Ryu was constantly withdrawing every now and again to his own thoughts. The boy looked up at his friend. He could tell by the look in his eyes that his thoughts were focused on the past. Takeru had to get his mind on other things. How was he going to do that? I could light his pants on fire. No, that would get me in trouble. I could have him chase me. No, everyone would get mad at us weeding in and out of the group. He tried to think.
"Hey, what's up with that kid from the sound village," Saori asked quietly. "He's sticking awfully close to Kiba sensei. Is he afraid of something?"
Ryu looked at Idai. "He's like Onari. Cautious. I don't blame him. I don't know what kind of past he's had, but it's apparent it wasn't a good one. If I remember, I think Anko found him. I don't know where or how she got him to come back to Konoha, though. No one knows anything about him."
Daiya looked at Idai. The boy with white hair was constantly watching Yanagi and Gin laugh and talk. "I know what happened."
Saori, Ryu, and Takeru looked at him.
"Idai was abandoned," Daiya said seriously, trying to keep his voice low. "I saw him in the hall at the Academy when he had first arrived. His clothes were filthy and he was scared of me. He had been crying and wouldn't look at me. I didn't get a chance to find out anything. That was when Anko came out of the room and Gai sensei took him."
"What else are you hiding in that head of yours," Saori asked. Daiya looked at her with a blank expression. "It's always the quiet ones that know everything."
"No one talks to me. All I do is think. What else is there to do," Daiya said.
"Make them notice you," Saori said crossing her arms. "You can't sit on the sidelines watching everything pass you by. You have to get up and attack it."
"You're really rough around the edges," Ryu said to Saori. "Kind of like a stray dog chasing a home." Saori's eyes went wide.
"Ryu, you insensitive -," she paused. "I am not! I say what I think! Why is it bad for a girl to do it," she said highly annoyed.
"Simple. Advice is good and bad. If someone chooses to follow it, then they ask for it. You shouldn't give advice that someone isn't willing to listen to. I never give advice unless I know it will help someone. You need to think before you speak," Ryu said walking away from her.
"What was that about," Takeru asked. Saori turned her head away. She walked away from him and Daiya. Saori was hurt. "Man, Ryu keeps hurting her feelings. I know Saori meant well, but he doesn't."
"He is right, though," Daiya said. "Saori talks too much. She is younger than me and shouldn't be giving advice. She knows nothing about me. Neither do any of you."
Takeru turned to look at him. "I'm trying to get to know you. It's like you're here, but you're not. Kind of like Ryu. Both of you are standing on a pillar and I'm having to wave and jump around to get your attention. No matter what I'm doing, the both of you keep looking off into the clouds."
Daiya didn't answer him. He knew what Takeru was getting at. It wasn't that easy to get to know someone. He knew Takeru was trying. He didn't know why though. It couldn't possibly because Takeru wanted to be his friend. No one had ever tried to get to know him before. So why start now?
"Takeru," Sasuke said from behind him. The boy glanced at him. Sasuke waved him over. "Come here."
Takeru let the others pass him as his father walked towards him. Sasuke tugged him to start walking with him. Had he done something wrong?
"I know you're trying with Ryu and Daiya. Ryu has opened himself up some since he's been talking to you, but Daiya is not going to be that easy. Both of them are different. You can't approach both of them at the same time, or in the same way. Do you understand what I'm saying," Sasuke asked.
Takeru looked away. "I like Ryu. He's a lot of fun, but it's like he doesn't believe what I say. Daiya isn't a bad person. He thinks I am, though. I can tell by how he looks at me and answers me. Why is he so reserved?"
Sasuke tilted his head, thinking. "Daiya comes from a horrible past that I can't tell you about. He has to. If you are patient with him, then he will open up to you. But until he does, he's not going to let you in. Someone that comes from an environment that has denied them the right to be cared for, loved, or appreciated, is going to think twice about their actions and what they say to everyone. Everyone is seen as an enemy to that person."
Takeru closed his eyes. He had no idea that it was that bad for Daiya. Sasuke told him to be patient, but Takeru wanted to get to know Daiya now. He wanted to play with him like he did with Ryu. "Why can't they both just give me a chance? I'm not trying to hurt them," he said softly.
Sasuke raised his hand. He put it on his son's shoulder. He knew what was wrong. Takeru had found something inside of Ryu and Daiya that he wanted to grasp; something about those two were appealing to Takeru. Sasuke blamed the way his son was feeling on himself. He sighed. It's my fault. I know why Takeru is seeking those two out. He wants a brother – someone he can look up to; relate to. I don't know if Daiya and Ryu are willing to give him a chance or opportunity like that. Both of them are loners. It's not easy for a loner to accept others. Takeru is too young to understand this right now."Takeru, if you truly want them to notice you; accept you for who you are, then you have to be willing to accept them for who they are. Not just what you see at face value. You have to accept them for their strengths, weaknesses, flaws – whatever it may be."
Takeru thought hard about what his father said. He wanted Ryu and Daiya to like him. He thought they were both cool, even though, they didn't see it in themselves. Daiya had always stayed to himself in class and when they did learning exercises. He didn't say much unless it was to stop someone else from making a fool of themselves. Takeru looked at him sadly. He accepted everyone for who they were. He didn't have a problem with anyone he knew, not even Eiyu. And Eiyu was pretty serious all of the time. He nodded slowly.
"Can we take a break? We've been walking for hours," Hire said as she moved away from some of the kids. They were walking too closely. She looked at her nails. "At least a bathroom break or something," she said making demands.
"How about we find a pond or lake to throw you in," Yanagi said rather bluntly. "You need to cool off. It isn't nor our fault your stamina isn't as good as ours. She stuck her tongue out at Hire.
Hire shot her a cold stare. "If I were you, I'd be more worried about who you slept near tonight. You just might need a bodyguard." She smiled evilly at the pink-haired girl.
"You won't touch her. Or I'll pull the same move on you that I did at the New Year's festival," Saori warned. She saw Hire twitch. The older girl shot her a glare so cold Saori could feel the wind change temperature. "I don't back down, so whatever you wish to challenge, throw it."
Sasuke looked at Saori. "Shikamaru's daughter is kind of spunky and threatening like her mother." Takeru nodded slowly.
"Saori, calm down. There won't be any fighting while we're here. I wasn't kidding about earlier. If you guys wish to fight, it'll be the last trip you ever make," Shikamaru said. He reached over, putting his hand on her head. "Now is not the time to be demonstrating your abilities. Save it for training."
"He may have said something about fighting, but there's nothing about a prank, or two," Ryu said snickering. "Hire does have it coming." He raised his eyebrows at Daiya. Daiya only looked at him with his usual blank expression.
Kandai tugged on Masaru. "Reach inside of my backpack. I have a few dumplings in there. You can have one if you want."
Masaru walked behind Kandai. He flipped open the boy's backpack. "A few? How many are in here? You were supposed to pack clothes, too, you know. He took one out. Thanks."
"Eiyu, are you hungry? I brought some of mom's dumplings. I think I have enough for everybody," Kandai said. "I just kept putting them in."
"Kandai has food for everybody, so now can we rest," Hire said.
"I think so, but Kandai hasn't offered to feed everyone. It's rude to assume he will," Lee said. He was trying to teach that girl some manners.
"I don't mind," Kandai said. "I brought enough for everybody. I even have some for Akamaru. If everyone is hungry we can stop." He smiled.
"Kandai, I think he was trying to teach Hire a lesson," Masaru said as he munched on his dumpling. Kandai only looked at him. He didn't catch that. Masaru sighed.
Everyone stopped where they were. They all sat down. Akamaru laid down breathing hard. They had been walking for hours without stopping. The kids seemed to enjoy their break. "We can rest for an hour or two. As long as we don't stop anymore, we'll get there around sunset," Kiba said. He took his dumpling from Kandai. "Thanks."
"It needs hot sauce on it," Takeru said as he bit into the dumpling.
"Takeru Uchiha, you can't put hot sauce on everything," Sasuke said. He ruffled his son's hair. "You're going to make yourself sick one day."
Saori sat next to her dad. She leaned up against him as she ate. She was watching Ryu out of the corner of her eye. Ryu was sitting by himself. He wasn't eating. Was it because he didn't want anyone to see his real face? Saori watched him turn away then started to eat. Yep, that was the real reason. Her eyebrow twitched.
Idai tore his dumpling in half. He was cautious about getting something from someone else. He knew Kandai meant well though. I guess they're not all bad. He looked at it. "What kind is this?"
Kiba sniffed the air. "I think you have a sweet dumpling. They came in all kinds of flavors. TenTen must have made a bunch of different kinds so we wouldn't get all the same. That was really nice of her. I've got a meat dumpling myself."
Idai looked at the other dumpling he had. He tore it in half, too. He held his hand out to Akamaru. The dog sniffed it then took it. At least Akamaru likes me.
"Oh, man, I forgot I have drinks in my backpack. Dad has my clothes," Yanagi said. She rummaged in her bag. "I can't remember anything. I have… let's see… flavored water and plain water. The flavored water I have is peach, strawberry, and … grape."
"Yanagi, can I have peach water," Gin asked. Yanagi handed it to her. Gin thanked her.
"Why don't you guys hold up your hand for who wants peach water first," Shikamaru said. "That way Yanagi can go ahead and hand them out."
Yanagi counted. "Okay, Areku, Eiyu, Saori, Kiba sensei, and … Hire." Yanagi handed them out until she got to Hire. She threw hers.
"Alright, who wants Grape," Shikamaru asked as he raised his hand. He saw Takeru, Kandai, Lee, and Ryu raise their hands. "Now who wants Strawberry?" Masaru, Idai, and Daiya raised their hands. Idai glanced at Daiya. The boy from the lightening country turned his head away instantly. "That means Sasuke wants plain water, Yanagi."
Yanagi handed everything out. She sat back down. "I wonder what other things there are to do when we get there," she said rubbing her eyes. She lay back onto her backpack.
"They usually have games in one of the rooms," Eiyu said as he ate his dumpling, his eyes focused on his weapons book. "At least that's what I hear."
"Eiyu, we went to a hot springs when we got accepted to the Academy," Kandai said smiling at his twin.
"Is that where we went? I don't remember," Eiyu said flipping through his book. He munched some more.
"If he took his head out of that book, he might notice were he walks," Ryu said laughing.
"Oh, you're one to talk," Hire said as she drank some of her peach water. She watched Ryu narrow his eyes at her. "I'm not scared of you," she sang back.
Takeru yawned. He rubbed at his eyes. It was a long walk to the hot springs. This was the first time he had left Konoha with a group, or on a trip. His father had never allowed him to journey before. Takeru thought his father was very over protective of him.
Sasuke put his dumpling into his mouth as he placed his hand on the side of Takeru's head. He pushed him over towards his leg. Takeru flopped over, his eyes staring off. Sasuke played with his son's hair as he ate. He didn't expect Takeru to not be tired. It was a long trip.
Everyone rested for almost two hours. Eight out of twelve students fell asleep onto their backpacks and on each other. Shikamaru was the only trainer that had fallen asleep. His head was leaned against his daughters as they slept comfortably against a tree.
Ryu yawned some. He glanced around to see who was awake. Sasuke sensei, Kiba sensei, Lee sensei, Idai, Hire, and Daiya were all awake. Idai was petting Akamaru and keeping his distance from the other kids. Ryu wondered why the kid from the sound village was glued to Kiba sensei. Daiya was forcing himself to stay awake. He could see the fatigue playing on his new teammate. He's going to have it rough in the next few hours. Hard headed guy like that. Hire, of course, was rubbing her feet and taking a load off. Ryu's eye twitched. What I wouldn't give for her to trip a few times before we get there. He smiled slyly.
Sasuke caught Ryu's smile. He's planning something. I know he doesn't like Hire. I don't like her, either, but there isn't going to be any fighting on this trip. In fact, I think Ryu needs a taste of his own medicine. Sasuke thought for a moment. He waved at Kiba. "Come here."
Kiba got up. He walked over to Sasuke and kneeled. Takeru was sleeping on his father's leg. "What's up?"
"Look at Ryu." Kiba glanced at the boy who was sitting there smiling and watching Hire. "See how unnatural his smile is when he's looking at her? He's planning something. I think we need to teach Mr. Yuhi a lesson," Sasuke said lowly.
"And what do you have in mind," Kiba asked. Sasuke signaled for him to bend down. He raised a brow as Sasuke whispered his plan into his ear. Kiba started grinning. "Sasuke, you're mean. Alright, I'll help. He could be taught a lesson. Hire needs one, too, but I think Yanagi and Saori might be coming up with something regarding that. We'll have to keep Shikamaru and Lee occupied, or we'll get in trouble."
"That shouldn't be a problem. Shikamaru doesn't like to be bothered. Lee will have his hands full; I guarantee it, with some of the students. Yanagi takes up his time, too. Just don't let anyone know we're up to something," Sasuke said.
"Yeah, yeah," Kiba said. He walked back over to Idai. The boy was lying down with Akamaru watching the dog. "Do you like dogs?"
"I don't know… I've never had a pet. Akamaru's a nice dog," Idai said rather embarrassed at how he was freely speaking to Kiba sensei. He scratched the white dog's ears. Akamaru leaned into it.
"Alright, you guys, it's time to get up," Kiba said. He hoisted his backpack. "Up and at 'em, Akamaru." The dog got up complaining. "We need to get there before it gets dark. I'm sure these kids will want to get a move on just to relax for the next few days."
All of the kids got up brushing themselves off. They slipped their arms through their backpacks and rubbed the sleep out of their eyes. The twelve students, four trainers, and one dog from the Hidden Leaf Village resumed their journey to the hot springs. Nothing was going to stop them from getting there by sunset.
"We finally made it! Alright, let's go down to the hot springs and get in," Yanagi Lee said excitedly as she threw down her backpack into the room. She started to rummage for her bathing suit.
"Hold on, Yanagi. First, we need everyone to put their backpacks up against the wall," Sasuke said. "Once you guys do that, pick out your swim wear. I don't want anyone running out there. The rocks are slippery. Please be mindful of the other guests that are here. If you guys cause a commotion, they'll ask us to leave. Understood?"
"Yes, Sasuke sensei," the entire group said. They all put their backpacks against the wall. Everyone was excited about getting into the water. The girls went to change first. There were only four of them. The boys were last.
Daiya watched everyone rummage for their clothes. He wasn't about to let anyone see him in his shorts. He sat down against the wall, away from everyone else. If he took off his shirt, everyone would see the scars all over his body. The less they knew about him, the better.
Takeru wondered why Daiya was the only one not going. He walked over to him. "You don't want to go with the others?" Daiya shook his head. "Why not? The area is big enough. No one is going to bother you."
Sasuke knew something was wrong. He thought back to what Kurenai had informed him about Daiya the day the teams were assigned. He walked over to him, too. "Daiya, you don't have to wear just shorts in the water. Some people are funny about how others view them. See Gin? She's wearing a shirt over her bathing suit. You can wear one, too, if you have to." Daiya looked up at him. For a glimpse, Sasuke caught a sample of who Daiya really was. "Do you need me to loan you one of my shirts?"
Daiya nodded a little. Why was his trainer nice to him? Sasuke sensei was more understanding than anyone he had been around. Kurenai sensei often gave up on him in class. He knew he was a difficult kid.
"Alright, well, I'll just loan you a shirt. You can wait and change when the others are through," Sasuke said. He walked over to his backpack to retrieve a shirt for Daiya. He was trying to push Daiya a little in order to get him to interact.
Eiyu and Kandai were both on the way to the hot springs. They passed an old couple that was playing cards in the game room. Just as their father had taught them about respect, they both bowed slowly and held it. The old couple was thrilled that the two Hyuga twins had such decent manners.
Gin and Yanagi were the first into the hot springs. Gin was holding onto Yanagi as she got in. The water was really hot. She almost slipped. It was a good thing Yanagi had a hold of her. As they sat down against the back wall, Gin lifted her feet out of the water to look at them. "Yanagi, what do you think the sleeping arrangements will be like?"
Yanagi turned her head to look at her. "I don't know. They might put two of us to a futon, or three. It depends on how many large futons they have. Some of the kids might have to sleep with the adults if there aren't enough."
"They better give me a futon to myself," Hire said snobbishly. "I'll even pay for it if I have to." She moved into the water at the same time Masaru did. She went to the right side of the hot springs away from the others.
"If you don't have enough money to get a futon, I'll just take up a donation," Masaru said seriously. Yanagi and Gin started laughing. "Who wants you rubbing all over them in the middle of the night anyway?"
"She has a disease," Ryu said smiling under his face mask. "If you don't watch out, she'll give it to you." Ryu felt a disturbance in the natural order of things. He slowly turned his head around. Standing behind him was Kiba sensei.
"Ryu, if I were you, I'd be more worried about the ghosts that haunt the area," Kiba said. He had to do this just right – just enough to spook Ryu. The boy was looking at him like he wasn't interested in what he had to say. "Furthermore, aren't you going to take off that face mask?"
"I never take it off," Ryu said. "Never." He planned on sleeping in it, avoiding others seeing him eat; you name it.
"It's because he's so ugly under it that we'll all be killed on the spot," Hire said matter-of-factly.
Gin looked up at Kiba sensei. "Kiba sensei, there are ghosts in this area?" She looked up at him fearfully. "Me and Yanagi had our fortunes told by Kurenai sensei at the beginning of the year. Will the ghosts bother us?"
Kiba smiled sweetly to Gin. "No, sweetheart, they only like to bother single males that don't believe in them. See, there was a lady who died around this area a long time ago and,-" he broke off. He looked behind him to see a few of the students watching him.
"There's a ghost that haunts the hot springs," Saori asked. Shikamaru was inside relaxing in the game room. Kandai and Eiyu were playing a quick came of cards with the elderly couple they had met.
Takeru walked outside with Daiya following him. Daiya had to borrow one of Sasuke's shirts. It was a little big on him. He tilted his head as he caught onto Saori's question. Idai was coming out with Akamaru. The boy from the sound village was staying pretty attached to the dog. Akamaru didn't seem to mind. He looked up at the others.
"Do you guys want me to tell you the story about the lady who used to come here," Kiba asked rather nonchalantly.
"Sure," Yanagi said. "I'm not afraid of ghosts. Most of those stories get mixed together and edited over the years." She smiled at Gin. "No worries, Gin! We have Kiba sensei to protect us from monsters!"
Gin blushed as she looked at Kiba. "Will you protect us from the ghost, Kiba sensei?" She looked at him thoughtfully.
"Y-Yeah," Kiba said. It's not even a real story. I'm just making it up as I go along to scare Ryu. "So do you guys want to know what happened to her?"
Saori got into the hot springs. She sat next to Yanagi, eying Hire. I hope Hire wets herself over this. Ghosts don't care how strong you are, you can't hurt them.
Takeru tugged on Daiya. They both sat on the rocks that were near the hot springs. Takeru pointed at Kiba. "This ought to be good. I bet it'll scare the girls so bad they'll have to sleep with Kiba sensei," he said smiling.
"I don't believe in ghosts," Daiya said. "The dead are only tormented by their own actions." Takeru twitched his mouth at Daiya.
Kiba sat on the edge of the hot springs. He put his legs in. Kiba placed his hands on his legs for dramatic effect and told the story in a low voice, but just enough so he could be heard over the water. "A long time ago, there was a woman that used to come to this place. She was a beautiful lady with long, brown hair and dark eyes. She was as pale as a winter's rose and her voice was as sweet as a songbird's. Her name was Ume," he said taking the name of a comrade. He was making the lady up as he looked around at his students. Kiba didn't think he was doing so bad. He had the girls' attention.
"What happened to Miss Ume," Gin asked.
"Well, Ume was in love with a man that came from the Sound Village," he said glancing at Idai. Idai looked up at him quizzically. "The man's name was Akeno. Akeno and Ume had met when Ume's father had captured Akeno. At this time, the Sound Village was at war with the Mist Village. As a prisoner, Akeno was confined to a room. He was only allowed one visitor three times a day for meals. He was in the process of being questioned as he was detained by the Mist Village.
Ume wanted to see the man named Akeno who had killed her brother. She pleaded with her father to look upon the face of the man who had no voice. The villagers all regarded the man from the Sound Village as a cruel individual that would snare their souls and take them to the underworld. Regardless of what the others were saying about him, Ume had made up her mind to go see Akeno. At this time, she did not know his name. She only knew that her father had brought him back to redeem justice upon his clan.
As night had fallen, Ume switched places with the woman who brought Akeno his food. She placed a sleeping lixor into the woman's drink and slipped off into the night. As she walked the streets of the Mist Village, Ume, kept her head lowered in mourning for the ones who had died.
It wasn't much trouble for her to get past the guards. They did not recognize Ume with all of the clothing she was wearing. As she slipped into the room where the prisoner was held, she placed the plate of food onto the small table. A young man with long white hair and orange eyes was watching her from a bed in the room.
Ume stood up abruptly. The man had made no sound. She questioned the man his name. He could not tell her. She asked him why he did not speak when she wished to hear his side of the story. He gestured to his throat. There was a scar upon it that issued his voice had been cut out long ago. Ume felt sad for the man. She told him her name was Ume. Ume took out a scroll and asked the man if he could write his name for her. She told him she wished to learn who he was, rather than to treat him so undignified like an animal in a trap.
The man smiled kindly at Ume. He took the scroll from her and gave it back, rolled up. The guards signaled for Ume to leave. She had spent long enough in the room with the man. Once Ume had changed back into her usual clothes, she had slipped back into her room. As she unraveled the scroll, she read the name 'Akeno'.
Ume went to see Akeno each and every day. And each and every day, she relieved the server of her duties. No one was the wiser. Soon Ume fell in love with Akeno. Unlike men that spoke with their tongues, Akeno spoke to her with his eyes. She saw something in him that the others in the village were not able to see. When it came time for Ume to ask the man if he had killed her brother, she learned that Akeno's death sentence had been made." Gin gasped. At this point, Yanagi had her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes. Saori was watching him intently. Takeru and Daiya, too. Ryu stood in thought, his head cocked towards Kiba. Everyone was listening. Even Sasuke had came in behind him with Eiyu and Kandai.
Kiba continued. "Not bearing the thought of seeing Akeno killed for something he didn't do, Ume chose to defy her father and his men. She made her way to where Akeno was being held and fought the guards. As she slipped into the room to retrieve him, Akeno looked up at her fearfully. He thought that Ume was sent to kill him, but she kneeled in front of him, her head lowered, to show him that she was sincerely trying to save him.
Akeno took Ume's hand and they fled the Mist Village for their lives. Over the next few months, Akeno's love for Ume grew. Ume came to know him through his actions and the kindness in his ways. She didn't believe for a moment that everyone from the Sound Village was evil. She only understood Akeno as being a kind individual who had no voice to object another's accusations.
Ume and Akeno came to this very area to rest their bodies and minds. They stayed here for a few days at these hot springs getting to know one another; their love growing each and every day. At night, Akeno would play a beautiful song on his flute for Ume. It helped her get to sleep and comfort her. One night, the guards from the Mist Village found them." Yanagi and Gin both gasped.
Kiba looked around. Everyone was so into his story. "Akeno fought the guards, trying his best to protect Ume from a horrible fate. He killed two guards, but three were upon him holding him down as he struggled. Another guard came out of the woods and raised a weapon at Ume. Ume tried to defend herself, but it was to no avail. She was killed on these very grounds. The guard that killed her removed his mask. It was her father. He told Akeno that Ume was no longer his daughter because she had chosen to fall in love with a man from the Sound Village. This caused Akeno to erupt. He fought all of the guards, including Ume's father. They were all slaughtered.
Akeno picked up Ume's body and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. Her love for him was a treasure that he didn't deserve; something he had never asked for. He buried her somewhere in this area. It was many days that he mourned for his lost love. In those days that came, each night, Akeno played his flute for Ume, to calm her spirit and keep her at peace, his tears falling upon the ground.
No one knows what happened to Akeno after he left the area. Some say they saw a lonely ninja from the Sound Village wandering the countries, searching for a purpose to exist. Others say he died of a broken heart and his soul wanders the hot springs with Ume's, both of them trying to find one another. So if you guys see a lady in white, it might be Ume searching for Akeno," Kiba said. The kids were all really quiet. Kiba looked around. Ryu was listening so hard he was tilted.
"That's so sad," Yanagi said. "I wish I had been around to help Ume and Akeno fight those guys! No one deserves to be treated like that! Love is a beautiful thing," she said as she jumped up into the air. She slipped on the bottom of the hot springs and fell.
"Yanagi, are you okay," Masaru asked. The girl nodded. "Don't do that again. You might hit your head."
"A traitor is a traitor amongst a clan," Hire said. "They got what was coming to them." Everyone started splashing water at her.
All of the kids got into the hot springs. Kiba got up. He walked towards Sasuke with a smile on his face. "I had no idea they would be listening to me that intently," he said lowly.
"Where did you hear that story," Sasuke asked.
"I just made it up as I went along. Can you guess who Akeno and Ume are?"
Sasuke looked around. "I'm going to say Ume is probably Gin and Akeno is Idai." Kiba nodded. "That was quick thinking, Kiba. Good job. Now let's get read to scare the pants off of Ryu."
"Hey, guys we're going to go lay the futons out for tonight. You guys go ahead and figure out who you're sleeping with. There will be three to a futon. Discuss it amongst yourselves," Kiba said waving. He could hear the kids grumbling as he went inside.
"Alright, kids, it's time to go to bed," Lee said issuing them in. Everyone was finished brushing their teeth at this point. "Who is sleeping where?"
"Gin and Saori can sleep with me," Yanagi said. She didn't want Hire to sleep with her. She couldn't stand her. The three girls got into the bed.
"Takeru and Daiya can sleep with me," Ryu said nonchalantly. He didn't care. His futon was the farthest up against the wall on the other side of the room.
"Idai and sleep with me and dad," Areku said. He figured his father was trying to get everyone close to the guy from the sound village. Areku knew for a fact that story wasn't real. His dad had told him it wasn't. He was good at keeping secrets.
"We always sleep together," Eiyu said about him and Kandai. "We can take Masaru." Masaru was fine with that.
Hire was the only odd one out. She pouted. "How come no one wants me to sleep with them? I guess that means I get a bed to myself."
"Not so fast, Hire. You have to sleep with a trainer," Sasuke said. The girl looked at him wide eyed. "Kiba's bed is taken, but mine and Lee's isn't. Decide which one you'd rather sleep next to."
Hire looked from Lee to Sasuke. "I'd rather sleep outside," she said under her breath. She crossed her arms.
"That can be arranged," Lee said disgusted with the girl's attitude. "Just for that, you can sleep on my futon. Shikamaru will sleep next to Sasuke." Hire stomped the floor with her foot.
Sasuke and Kiba waited until everyone was asleep. They both planned to scare the pants off of Ryu. Kiba had already learned that Ryu got up at a certain time to go to the bathroom every night. Sasuke had been Ryu's trainer for a few years and knew the boy well. Just as planned, Kiba waited until he knew the timing would be right.
Ryu glanced around cautiously as he left the sleeping room where all of the students lay. He eyed each and every individual before going to the bathroom. He twitched his eye at Saori asleep then crawled over Takeru and Daiya. He tip toed past everyone in the room.
As he walked down the hall, his feet padded on the wooden floor. Ryu glanced around. This place was eerie at night. Earlier, Kiba had tried to scare them with a ghost story, but Ryu wasn't buying it. He must think I'm a baby, or something. Ryu kept walking down the hall. Suddenly, the lights went out. It's just a blown bulb. No big deal. Kiba's so full of it. He walked farther down the hall and went to the bathroom.
Ryu exited the bathroom. He started to walk down the hallway back to the room. A figure in white was looking at him. His eye twitched. You have got to be kidding me. "I'm not falling for it, Kiba sensei. You might as well knock it off." "Knock what off," a voice said from behind him. Ryu turned around. Kiba sensei was looking at him oddly. Ryu's eye twitched. He turned back around. The white figure was right behind him. Ryu's eyes got wide as the figure lifted the sheet and said, "BOO!" really loudly. Ryu fell over, his heart racing. "Ah! Son of a -"
Kiba looked at Sasuke. "Wasn't that kind of mean to play a trick like that on your own student?"
Sasuke lowered the sheet. "Nope, he's given me hell all year.""