Heart's Treasure
Chapter 9: Introductions
I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for reading.
Perspectives: Kakuzu and Snow
Kakuzu's Perspective
The heat of the summer doesn't bother me. I would be happy if I did. That would mean I'm actually alive and not a corpse clinging onto life by a pitiful boy's chakra. Bishop licked my fingers taking me out of thought. It's time to make my rounds. I walked the two-mile perimeter around the graveyard. Bishop followed closely behind me. My last stop was the tomb. Bishop ran down stairs and into the tomb. It was much cooler inside. Bishop spread himself on the cool stone floor.
"Come on you lazy mutt", I said.
He gave an annoyed grunt, but got up. I sensed an unfamiliar chakra in the tomb. It was a member of the anbu black opts. He wore white wolf mask with intricate light blue detailing. The anbu of the Hidden Diamond are known for their beautiful masks. He stood in front of Snow's mother. How does he know her? No one ever comes to visits her except Snow. He touched his fingers to surface of diamond of her encasement. His eyes focused on her face. Even though I couldn't see if face just by the way he looked at her. I knew they had relationship. This man is no stranger to Snow's mother.
"Kakuzu, I know you're there", he said.
I slammed him against the wall. Bishop started growling.
"How do you know that name? And why shouldn't I kill you?!" I asked.
"I like to keep an eye on my family. I know all about you what you've done, who you love, and the jutsu you are entrapped in. Those secrets I won't tell. To why you shouldn't kill me you can't. Almost no one can kill me", he said.
I didn't trust him, but I didn't have a choice. I won't leave my family even with the risk this man poses.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Only to introduce myself. But for me to do that I have to show you who my parents were and more importantly who my brother was", he said.
I followed him to oldest room of the tomb. The engravement above the large arched entrance read: Here rests the first guardians of this great land. Three diamond caskets rest on three well-crafted marble stands. They were lined next to each other in the center of the room.
"If we are continuing this conversation take off your mask", I said.
"A fair request", he said.
He took off his mask. Most women would consider the man handsome. His hair and eyes were both a light silver.
"It's only fair for you to do the same", he said.
"Too high a risk", I said.
"I should have expected that much worth a try though", he said.
He walked over to the body that lay last in the line. It was Katashi the son of the founding guardians. The founding guardians weren't only the first protectors of the Hidden Diamond, but also the founders of Snow's bloodline.
"This conversation will go smoothly if you tell me your name", I said.
"Manzo",
I know almost all of Snow's family dead and living from working here. But his name is new to me.
"You don't recognize my name. That's not surprising. My relatives did their best to make me vanish from history", said Manzo.
"Who are they to you?" I asked.
"My parents and twin brother", said Manzo.
"I thought he was an only child", I said.
"Like I said before my relatives did their best to remove me from history. The ones who do remember call me the cursed brother", said Manzo.
"What earned you the title of cursed?" I asked.
"I murdered my brother in cold blood, which brought the curse of immortality upon the family bloodline. My abilities were sealed and I was locked away and forgotten. Most of this family blames me for causing blood shed within the clan. If I hadn't activated the curse there wouldn't have been that bloody civil war", said Manzo.
"That doesn't explain why you here", I said.
"Visiting loved ones. That's what you do in graveyard or has that custom changed over the years?" asked Manzo.
I shook my head.
"Why come out of hiding now?" I asked.
"To visit one who doesn't rest here", said Manzo.
"What does that have to do with me?" I asked.
"I've already told you. And I assure you I won't reveal your secret. That's your to tell if you choose to", said Manzo.
Snow's Perspective
I was ready to go.
"Where is this meeting?" I asked.
"The borderline", said Eiji.
"Which one?" I asked.
"It's called Banishment Line", said Mari.
"Why have I never heard of it before?" I asked.
"It isn't a highpoint of the village's history", said Eiji.
"How far away is it?" I asked.
"Only ten miles half of it is up hill. Nothing difficult", said Mari.
"Says the woman who isn't about give birth any day now", I said.
"I'll carry you", said Eiji.
He easily picked me up bridal style. Wind whipped through my hair as Eiji ran.
"Can you tell me about it?" I asked.
"About what?" asked Eiji.
"The Banishment Line", I said.
"Remember when I told you I banished most the first family. No other village would risk taking them knowing it would risk a trade cut off from our village. I gave them a small piece of land to live on, so they wouldn't bother any of the other Hidden Villages", said Eiji.
I tried to relax. I noticed his arms weren't bandaged. Even on the hottest of days his arms were always covered. He hates revealing his tattoos. It was point of shame for him.
"Why aren't you hiding them?" I asked.
"Intimidation", said Eiji.
"Are they all really that bad?" I asked.
"There might be some innocence left in his side of the family", said Eiji.
I closed my eyes and ended up falling asleep.
"Minori it's time for you to wake up", said Eiji.
If he's calling me Minori other family members must be near. He carefully set me down. I recognized Hiro, but there were three strangers standing behind him.
"Nice to see you again Minori. How are your twins doing?" asked Hiro.
The strangers were stared wide-eyed at me. Is it that shocking I had twins? The most shocked was a woman short shimmering silver hair and ruby red eyes. I've never seen a member of our family with ruby eyes.
"Please leave my children out of the conversation", I said.
"That's difficult to do in your present condition. Does your son belong to my brother or your late husband?" asked Hiro.
How does he know I'm having a boy?
"My late husband's", I said.
There's no point in lying to him. It will only make an already tense situation worse.
"As I thought", said Hiro.
He stepped back. Eiji moved in front of me and Hiro backed away.
"I wonder if he will be as powerful as his siblings. His brother has already shown exceptional abilities", said Hiro.
"You have no rights to spy on my lands", said Eiji.
That earned a quiet chuckle from Hiro.
"Wasn't it you who said that lands of the Hidden Diamond belong to no one man, but every man, woman, and child of the village", said Hiro.
For a brief moment it looked liked the two of them were about to kill each other, but thankfully it subsided. The look of shock on the woman's face changed to one of hatred. What did I do to earn such a look? I just met her. I don't even know her name.
"This is the woman who murdered my son!" growled the woman.
"I don't know what you're talking about", I said.
"Your a liar!" growled the woman.
"I really don't know what you are talking about", said the woman.
"Calm yourself. Its understandable her not recalling the incident between your son and her. She was on an oh so lovely woman is your grandmother Jade", said Hiro.
"She was sired by a monster. Not by my son", said Jade.
Hiro and Eiji both sent deadly glares toward Jade. A look of fright appeared on her face.
"My apologies Hiro", said Jade.
"Besides as far as both I and Eiji are concerned your son was inhumane beast. I would have killed him myself. Trying to take the life of an infant is an inhuman deed", said Hiro.
She looked too young to be anyone's grandmother. She must hold the immortality trait of our bloodline.
"Let us continue with the rest of our introductions shall we", said Hiro.
A tall man with blonde hair and golden eyes stepped forward.
"It's nice to meet you Minori. I'm Kin", he said.
"Nice to meet you too", I said.
I wasn't even sure if that were true or not. Kin seemed nice enough. Another man stepped forward. He had short silver and dark silver eyes. The man smiled at me.
"I'm Michi. It's been a long time since I've seen a woman of our family heavy with child", he said.
My twitched, but I resisted the urge to punch him.
"Nice to meet you Michi", I said.
"Very polite that's a nice change", said Michi.
The only one who hadn't introduced himself was a short scrawny looking man. His shaggy silver hair fell into his eyes. One of his eyes was gold and the other was silver. Even though he didn't look like much compared Kin and Michi he seemed far more dangerous than the both of them.
"They saved the best for last. I'm Goro", he said.
I didn't say anything. I moved closer to Eiji as Goro glared at me.
"Don't I get a nice to meet you?" asked Goro.
"Isn't the reason obvious? No one would be happy to meet you Goro unless they had a death wish", said Mari.
Hiro chuckled.
"Very funny Mari", said Hiro.
A man appeared in front of us. He wore a white wolf mask with beautiful ice blue detailing. He has to be of our bloodline otherwise he wouldn't be welcome here. His hair was shimmering light silver I'd never seen in our family before now. The man's eyes were the same beautiful light silver as his hair. I noticed something odd. Everyone except for me was avoiding the man's gaze. What is so terrifying about this man? He actually shied from gaze. Why does he shy from me? Two of the most powerful men of the Land of Wealth are in his presence, but he shies from my gaze. I'm the least threatening person here. Why shy from me? Something told me I would never get an answer to this question.
"What's your name?" I asked.
Both Eiji and Hiro looked at me like I was crazy for asking such a question. I ignored their looks. If I sensed that this man was dangerous I would act more cautiously.
"My name is of none importance, Kitten", he said.
Kitten? Only one person in my life has ever called me kitten. I shook my head. It's only a coincidence nothing more.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I'm only a mere observer nothing more", he said.
That voice I've heard it somewhere before, but I couldn't place it.
"Now that he's finished shall we have this meeting brother?" asked Hiro.
"Even though we share parents that doesn't make us brothers. You lost that title as soon as you murdered my wife and child. Now let's get this over with", said Eiji.
I could have sworn I saw hurt in Hiro's eyes. No it couldn't be. They both did the same hand sign and slammed their palms against the smooth wall in front of us. A tall arched entrance appeared. I followed the others down the hall. As we walked the torches on the wall went alight. At the end of the hall there was a circular a room. The floor was made from white marble. The ceiling was domed. Thin white almost crystal like stalactites hung from the ceiling. As the light hit them a rainbow like reflection shone on the pale cavern walls. At the middle of the room was a round stone table. Around the table were ten large stone chairs. They were padded with pale blue cushions.
"Do I have to remind you two of the rules of this meeting ground?" asked the masked man.
"We know, this is sacred ground and neither side can spill blood", said Eiji.
Eiji pulled out a chair so I could sit down. My ankles were already aching. I settled down in the chair. It wasn't the most comfortable chair, but it's better than standing. I put my hands protectively over my stomach. I don't like this. I don't like the idea of my unborn baby and I being here. The rest of the group sat down.
"Where shall we start, Eiji?" asked Hiro.
"Let's get straight to the point. I know there's only one topic on your mind. And you know the answer", said Eiji.
"Hmph, intimidations tactics don't suit you brother. Revealing those tattoos just shows who you really are", said Hiro.
"And who is that?" asked Eiji.
"A monster like me", said Hiro.
"We aren't the same", said Eiji.
"I beg to differ", said Hiro.
"Say your piece and move on", said the masked man.
By some miracle both of them calmed.
"I want you to lift the banishment on my people, Eiji", said Hiro.
"Never!" growled Eiji.
"My people are suffering", said Hiro.
"How so?" I asked.
Both of them turned to face me.
"This conversation doesn't concern you Minori", said Eiji.
"You made it my concern when you made me come to this meeting. Now Hiro tell me how your people are suffering", I said.
Hiro and Eiji both looked like both wanted me to but out of their conversation. It wasn't even a conversation it was only aggressive words leading up to an argument.
"She has the right. Lady Minori is a Guardian of the village. She holds the same standing as both of you. Don't waste your breath saying otherwise", said the masked man.
"We need medical supplies, but none of the villages will touch use because it risks war with the Hidden Diamond", said Kin.
"I don't see any wrong with sending medical supplies to people who need it", I said.
"No!" growled Eiji.
I brushed off his refusal.
"I know how you two feel about each other. But there are innocent people on both sides. Is that something you can agree on?" I asked.
"Yes", said Eiji and Hiro.
"There's no reason for members of Hiro's family to suffer because of a matter that is between you two", I said.
"She' right", said Kin.
"Eiji we both don't want our families in suffering", said Hiro.
Our families? Isn't there only one large family?
"Fine, some of my anbu will drop the medical supplies here. Where your people can pick it up. Don't make regret this Hiro", said Eiji.
Hiro nodded his head. The two of them continued to talk. I flinched when I felt a contraction. You have to be kidding me! Kotaro I thought you would have a better sense of timing than your siblings. It was only a small one, so I didn't let it worry me. This meeting can't last too much longer. It went on for hours. When I looked down the hall I saw it was dark. I couldn't ignore my contractions much longer and stronger.
"Eiji"
But before he could respond the ground started shaking. Dark clouds hid the stars. Thunder erupted from them.
"Hiro this is you're doing", said Eiji.
"I have spilled no blood in this meeting, so I haven't broken any of the rules. What my family does when I'm gone is not my responsibility", said Hiro.
"Remember you broke the peace of this meeting", said Eiji before he went for Hiro.
It didn't long for the others to follow suit. I barely managed to dodged Jade's attack.
"I'm going to kill you for what you did my son!" yelled Jade.
Before she could land an attack Hiro grabbed her by the neck. He squeezed her neck until she passed out. Hiro dropped Jade to the floor.
"Are you alright?" asked Hiro.
"I think so. Why did you save me?" I asked.
"You are pregnant with a child who will bring fresh blood to our family. And I don't want an unborn baby and its mother to be murdered on my watch. I don't want that blood on my hands", said Hiro.
"Get her out of here!" growled Eiji at the masked man.
The man in the mask easily picked me up and went running out the entrance. I felt something wet trickling down my legs.
"Stop!"
"I can't Lady Minori we are still in danger", he said.
"My water just broke!" I growled.
The man's eyes went wide. He froze.
"I know where to take you", he said.
He started running again, but he wasn't going toward the hospital.
"Who the hell are you and where are you taking me?" I asked.
"My name is Manzo and I'm taking you somewhere they will never find you", he said.
He was taking me to the graveyard. Manzo knocked on the door. A few seconds past by and Goemon hadn't answered.
"Open the damn door Goemon before I break it down!" I yelled.
The door swung open. His eyes went wide.
"Come in", said Goemon.
Manzo set me down on the bed. I was trying to take control of my breathing to help ease myself through the pain. I almost forgot how much this fucking hurts!
"Why can't we go to the hospital?" I asked.
"Too dangerous. Hiro's men could be there searching for you. It would be the perfect time to take your child", said Manzo.
"And who's going to help me through this?" I asked.
I started crying not because of pain, but of sadness. I'm going through this alone. I don't have the father of my child by my side helping me through this.
"I've helped my wife through giving birth our children. I can help you through this Lady Minori", said Goemon.
I nodded my head.
Kakuzu's Perspective
I took off Snow's underwear and threw it to the floor. I pushed up her dress. By the look on her face I knew she was ready to push. Snow screamed as she went through a contraction.
"I'm sorry Minori, but you have to stay quiet. We can't bring attention to ourselves it will be too dangerous", said Manzo.
"Do you know how much fucking pain I'm in!" growled Snow.
"I can't say I can", said Manzo.
"Than give me something to do besides scream", said Snow.
"You can squeeze my hand", said Manzo.
"I'l-
Snow's sentence was cut of by the pain of going through another contraction. Her hand tightly clutched Manzo's.
"Are you ready to push?" I asked.
She nodded her head. Snow's jaw clenched in pain. An hour later Kotaro was born. He screamed loudly in my arms. Hello my son. I cut the cord and handed him to Manzo, so he could clean Kotaro. Snow struggled to be near our new son.
"You'll be with him soon, but I have to take care of you", I said.
I lead her into my small bathroom. I filled the tub with warm water. I turned around as Snow threw off her ruined dress. She settled into the tub.
"I'll try to find you something to wear", I said.
"Thank you", said Snow.
Manzo was cradling my son in his arms.
"Do you have anything I can wrap him in?" asked Manzo.
I found a soft towel and handed it to him. I found something for Snow to wear. I turned as Snow changed. I picked her up and placed her in the cot. I handed Snow our youngest son.
"I must be taking me leave. It would be better if you don't mention I was here. Goodbye Lady Minori it was truly a honor meeting you", said Manzo.
She gave him a weak nod.
"Thank you Manzo", said Snow.
Her attention returned to our baby. Manzo left. Snow unbuttoned the top of the shirt I gave to her. Kotaro started nursing. He has Snow's eyes and white hair, but he has my skin tone. Snow yawned.
"You should rest", I said.
"I can't", said Snow.
"I promise I won't harm him", I said.
"I know you won't. I'm too stress to sleep. I have three children at home, who could be in danger", said Snow.
"I'm sure they're find", I said.
"I guess you're right", said Snow.
I carefully took Kotaro from her arms. Snow shut her eyes and quickly fell asleep. Kotaro stared up at me with his midnight blue eyes.
"You are lucky to have your mother's eyes", I said.
His hand wriggled out of the towel he was wrapped in. Kotaro's tiny hand wrapped around my fingertip. I sighed. I shouldn't build a bond with him. It will only cause me pain in the future. I carefully placed him in a well cushioned basket. He started wailing. I quickly picked him up.
"Shh, there's no need to fuss", I said.
He settled in my arms and fell asleep. Early the next morning there was a knock at the door. I groaned, when I saw Eiji through the window. Looks like my brief amount of family time is over. I went to answer the door.
"Is she here?" asked Eiji.
"Yes, but she's sleeping", I said.
"I'll wait here until she wakes", said Eiji.
I saw him looking at the bloody mess from Snow's labor.
"I'll be sure to reimburse you for you ruined furniture", said Eiji.
I took a seat at the table with him.
Snow's Perspective
Someone licking my face made me woke. It was Bishop. I wiped off my face.
"Good morning Minori", said Eiji.
"Are my children safe?" I asked.
"Yes, they safe. Most of the village was unaffected", said Eiji.
"What parts were affected?" I asked.
"They destroyed the mines. It will take months to repair the damage", said Eiji.
Kotaro started crying for me.
"Give him to me", I said.
Goemon handed me Kotaro. He hungrily nursed. He's a messy eater just like his older brother.
"How are you feeling?" asked Eiji.
"Sore and tired, but otherwise okay", I said.
"I'll take you to the hospital", said Eiji.
"I feel fine", I said.
"You just had baby. Both you and Kotaro need be checked up on", said Eiji.
"Okay, when will I see my children?" I asked.
"You can see them as soon as a doctor says you are healthy", said Eiji.
Eiji picked me up. I saw Kotori waiting outside. He carefully held Kotaro in his arms. As soon as I reached the hospital I was placed in a wheelchair pushed off to a room. I panicked, when I was separated from my baby. I was placed in a room with two guards in front of the doorway. I was finally reunited with my newborn baby.
"He's perfectly healthy Lady Minori", said the nurse.
She pushed his crib close to my bed, so I could easily pick up or put him down.
"A nurse will check up on you every few hours", said the nurse.
I cradled my Kotaro.
"Mommy!"
Hazel jumped into bed with me. She stared at Kotaro.
"He looks likes daddy", said Hazel.
It's difficult to tell if he would grow to look more like his father or me. Saizo climbed into the bed. Taro was holding Rose in his arms.
"Thanks for watching over them", I said.
"No problem. Betty and I will watch over them while you're stuck here", said Kameko.
"Kameko Taro I was wondering if you two would be his god parents", I said.
"Of course we will be", said Taro.
Rose out stretched her arms to me.
"Mama!"
I put Kotaro in his crib.
"Let me see her", I said.
Taro carefully put Rose in my arms.
"Hello my little Rose", I said.
"Mama?"
"Yes, I'm your mama", I said before I kissed her on the forehead.
I gave her back to Taro.
A doctor came in as they were walking out.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"I only need your help filling out his birth certificate", said the doctor.
He placed the paper in front and handed me a pen. I started filling in the blanks:
Name: Kotaro Length: 18 inches Village of Birth: Hidden Diamond
Gender: Male Time of Birth: 11:31PM Location of Birth: Family Graveyard
Weight: 7.5 pounds Date of Birth: July 14th
Mother: Minori Father:
I handed it back to him. He placed Kotaro's feet in an ink pad and pressed them against the certificate. He gave him back to me. I wiped the ink from his feet.
"Lady Minori I hate to be bothersome, but you didn't fill out his father's name", said the doctor.
I started crying.
"This should be fine Minori", said the doctor before he left us.
I took a few deep breaths tried collecting myself. A nurse checked on me every two hours. She would make sure I was okay and would change Kotaro's diaper. I'm going to be stuck here for two days. The time passed far too slowly. Eiji entered my room.
"How are feeling?" asked Eiji.
"Less sore from the last time you asked me", I said.
I managed to walk out of the hospital. I knew I couldn't make all the way back to my house. Eiji picked me up bridal style without me asking.
"Thanks"
Eiji nodded his head. He opened the door to my house and set me down on the couch. Something was on his mind.
"Are you upset with me?" I asked.
"No, you were right at that time. But now there's a call for vengeance", said Eiji.
"Why?" I asked.
"There was a team of miners in those tunnels. We tried getting them out, but it was too late", said Eiji.
"How much vengeance do they want?" I asked.
"Enough to start a war", said Eiji.
"That can't happen", I said.
"I know", said Eiji.
"Is there anything else on your mind?" I asked.
"Do you remember the anbu member that was at the meeting?" asked Eiji.
I nodded my head.
"Do you know where he went?" asked Eiji.
"No and why does it matter?" I asked.
"Never mind", said Eiji.
"Who is he?" I asked.
"It doesn't matter", said Eiji before he left.