V7 ch 5
Run, Onari, Run!
Onari wondered what had been going on lately. Everyone had stayed to themselves for the past few weeks. She wasn't sure if what she had done to assist Ryu had helped him or hindered his recovery. Onari didn't have the strength to go back and see him. Hospitals were terrible places where people went when they were injured. She despised it.
Ryu's situation wasn't the only thing that was bothering her. Her brother had grown quiet and sought refuge most of the time from the family. It was unlike Daiya to act that way now that he wasn't alone. He often hung around Takeru or Ryu. She sighed.
Takeru was another problem of hers. He wouldn't look at her. She didn't know why. When she managed to catch his eye, his personality was serious and nonresponsive. He didn't speak to her or interact with her anymore.
Onari felt alone. All she had was her training. Onari's main purpose was the find the man who had killed her family. However, knowing where to look was a predicament. She closed her eyes. Sasuke had given her a home for the past two years. She was more of a burden now than anything - that's how she felt.
Onari knew she caused anger and frustration with everyone. They were tired of working with her; instructing her; being patient. She was annoyed at herself for not picking up on things faster. It bothered her a great deal. What was she going to do? She could leave the village. That seemed to be the best option for her. It wasn't her own. She had no home in her mind.
Onari looked around the room. There wasn't anything of value to her here. Her fingers trailed onto the mask Sasuke had made for her. It had yellow clouds on it. The mouth of the mask was curved into a nasty smile that displayed fangs. It suited her. Masks were used to hide the face of an attacker. She held it up to look at it. Onari put the mask on. She would use it to hide her emotions.
As the mask was put on her face, she buried all of her worries, regret, pain, anger - everything. If Takeru wouldn't confess to her what was wrong - if she had done anything to him - than she would let it go. He had changed. He wasn't the same caring boy, as before. It was time for her to change, too.
Onari let the darkness behind the mask swallow her. The pain she felt at losing Takeru outweighed the sorrow in her heart for Ryu. It stabbed at her with icy needles. She couldn't cry. Onari was her own person as she had always been. No one was going to boss her around anymore.
She opened her eyes behind the mask. The world appeared differently from this point-of-view. It was a separate reality from the one she resided in. Onari looked at her hands. They seemed foreign. In this world, her thoughts shouted at her and ran free. No one else's mattered.
What as my name before I was given one? I don't remember. I don't know who I am. I do not belong here. It is only a place with walls and people that are not my own. Why do I stay here?
Onari stood onto her feet. She turned towards the window. Her hands went up to open it. She looked back at the space that was hers. Everything seemed so distant to her. Her hands couldn't touch this area anymore. Onari went out of the window. She had to find herself.
Yanagi leaned against Daiya as they sat on a branch. She let her legs hang as she looked up at him. He had become so quiet as of late that it was beginning to concern her. She reached up to move his bangs out of his face. Daiya kept staring below not even reacting to her touch. It was as if Idai had left all over again.
Yanagi sat up. She gently placed her hand on his cheek and turned his face towards her. He looked at her blankly. "Hi," she said cheerfully as she smiled at him. She rubbed her thumb on his cheek. "Hi," Yanagi said again trying to make him snap out of it. She leaned towards him to kiss his other cheek softly.
Daiya raised his hand to place it on Yanagi's arm. He knew she was there. He was just semi-out of it. Daiya closed his eyes at the kiss. She always tried to make him feel better. "I'm sorry," he apologized.
"You don't have to be. I know where your mind is," Yanagi said as she leaned back to look at him. "Just don't forget about the rest of us, okay? We're still here. Ryu isn't gone, Daiya. He is getting better last time Kiba sensei checked on him. It's going to take some time for his body to heal. We can't be impatient," she said trying to keep his attitude more optimistic.
"It's been two weeks, Yanagi. I thought what Onari did was going to heal him quickly. I didn't think it would take this much time. It's driving me insane," Daiya said frustrated. He touched his forehead with the palm of his hand. He wished he could rub it all away.
"Maybe Onari gave him the turtle for a reason. Turtles are known for being slow, Daiya. If she had given Ryu any of the other celestials, they could have sped his body up too quickly. Sometimes, it is safer to heal slowly. Try to look at it from a different perspective," Yanagi said.
"I wish I knew about the mysteries surrounding her. She isn't telling us anything about her past. I was young when I left our homeland. I don't remember a lot of things. That woman who gave birth to me was outcasted from her own family," he said regrettably.
"Onari was only trying to help Ryu. She doesn't wish demise on anyone. All of her strength is coming from the intense training she endures to protect everyone. I believe she's taken her role quite seriously. It's like she's preparing fro something no one knows about."
"I fully understand her position at home. She's the only girl and is often by herself. Wait, Yanagi." Daiya looked at her as if his brain had finally started to put on the past occurances at home. "Takeru has been acting odd, too."
Yanagi tilted her head. "Has Takeru said anything that might affect Onari's behavior?" She watched Daiya shake his head.
"No, but I am aware he's in love with her. He told me the day Onari bonded Ryu to her. We tried to stop her. It could have killed her as it drained her chakra to open the channel. Onari fought against Takeru and I. She was bent on fighting us if we chose to get near her. Takeru had to back down."
Yanagi looked at Daiya sadly. "Takeru has to understand that we make our own decisions. We have to respect each other in that regard. Takeru is usually interactive with everyone. He is a sweet guy. What is his mood like now?"
"He's distant. He doesn't speak to me much and he's gotten quite serious like dad. It's like he's another person," Daiya said as he shook his head.
Yanagi looked away. "He's given up, Daiya. He's heartbroken. I know how that feels. I felt the same way when I was unsure if you felt the same way about me. Takeru needs to focus on other things. Simply put, he wont' know how Onari feels if he doesn't confront her in way she'll understand."
Daiya reached up to move Yanagi's hair behind her ear. "I don't know what he's thinking. I suppose I need to find out." He leaned over slightly to kiss Yanagi by the ear. She closed her eyes in return.
Gin Akimichi dug through the dirt in the forest. She was looking for special seeds to help her in training. Shikamaru sensei had told her about various plants that were deadly and poisonous. Gin was wearing gloves to protect her fingers. She moved through the dirt carefully as her eyes searched for any signs of the round seeds she was looking for.
As she dug through the earth, Gin looked up to see a figure dart past her location. Her blue yes managed to see the red shirt the person wore. Forgetting about her search for the moment, she stood up to follow the figure. Gin through the person looked familiar. Where was Onari going? She followed her until the foreign girl stopped on a branch perched over the river. "Onari, where are you going?"
Onari looked over her shoulder at Gin. The girl was on a team with Kandai and Kiba's son. She tilted her head slowly trying to figure out why she was being sought after. Onari wasn't a secretive person, but she didn't understand why Gin wished to know. She didn't really know the girl. "Onari is going away," she said in her fast dialect.
"You're going away? Why are you leaving the hidden leaf village? Are you searching for something to help Ryu? We all heard how he was injured," Gin said. She watched as Onari shook her head. Onari turned around. "Onari, it is Ryu's job to protect another person on a mission. It's all of our jobs."
"Onari does not know Gin. Onari is going to go now," she said dismissing Gin's curiosity. She took off at lightening speed. Onari wasn't exactly upset with Ryu's slow recovery. She was expecting it to be that way. She was more concerned with where her position ly.
Takeru glanced at his brother as he sat cross-legged at the edge of the pond. He threw a rock into the water. It plopped. Daiya approached him from behind. Takeru didn't turn around. "What is it, Daiya?"
"You do realize that you've been distant with everyone," Daiya said. He watched Takeru nod his head before throwing another rock. "Have you given up on my sister?"
"Why are you asking me that?" Takeru lowered his head. He had told Saori he was trying to move on. So far, his decision bothered him. It was hard to get her out of his heart.
"Onari hasn't given up on you. Why are you choosing to push her off?" Daiya was concerned with the outcome of Takeru's decision. The more he through, the more he realized Onari was in love with Takeru; even though, she was unfamiliar with her own feelings.
"Saori told me the reason Onari gave Ryu the turtle, was to save the dragon for someone. She said the dragon bonded with the phoenix. Is that true, Daiya?" Takeru looked over his shoulder. He looked away. "You don't know."
"Onari and I are from two different clans. I don't know much about what her clan's way of life. Instead of worrying about what Saori has told you, why not ask Onari yourself? And if the dragon is being saved for someone, why don't you ask her if she intends to give it to you," Daiya asked. He watched as Takeru stopped throwing rocks. "You could level with me."
"I'm not afraid of being married to Onari. I'm…worried…that it may be false," Takeru said softly. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Why was he admitting something like this to Daiya? Takeru was only thirteen-years-old. He was deeply in love with Onari. He couldn't imagine a life without her. "I want to be with her. Yet, I know it's not smart for me to say that."
Daiya sat down next to his brother. He looked at Takeru seriously; watching his face. "You're more sure of what you want out of life than anyone I've ever met. You also push the rest of us to recognize our own goals and mend the fragile parts of ourselves.
I've watched how you are around Onari. You're in love with her so much, that it clouds your own thinking. You're hurting yourself by trying to get rid of her. I don't understand your reasoning for it."
"If I let her know what I'm thinking and feeling, she might grow apart from me. I don't want to lose her. I don't want to lose what we had in the past. I want her to experience more to life than just us - just me."
Daiya looked at the area over the pond. He knew what Takeru was doing. "You're testing her. That's what it is. You want to know if Onari really harbors feelings for you - like you do her. Takeru, I know this isn't my place to say, but if you have to distance yourself from her, do it gradually. Onari is going to think you hate her if you stop all contact. She doesn't deserve that."
Takeru sighed heavily. "I don't want to hurt her, Daiya, but I can't bear the thought of losing her. She'll find someone else who will have feelings for her. I'd rather walk away than to be rejected heavily."
"You don't know if she will reject you. I doubt she will. You're assuming an outcome that is not set in stone," Daiya said disappointedly. He was angry at Takeru for thinking the way he was. Takeru was not giving Onari a chance to tell him anything.
Takeru bit his lower lip. "First loves are only first loves, Daiya. They don't last forever. Onari will always be my first. I have t move on. It's not fair for me to hold her back from experiencing others. It's Onari's decision who she wants to be with."
Daiya turned his brother towards him forcefully. He looked at Takeru sadly. Takeru's eyes told him he was rejecting himself from falling madly in love with Onari. His face was emotionless, but his eyes told him all of the feelings Takeru was harboring. "Takeru, you're trying to fool yourself, but I see past it. Onari has followed after you for the past two years. She-"
Takeru shook his head gently to stop Daiya in his tracks. "Onari has to stand on her own two feet. She's not allowed to follow me anymore."
Daiya looked at Takeru in slight shock. Takeru was trying to make Onari distance herself from him. They all were going to do it at one point or another. They were at the turning roads were life was going to be more difficult; missions would get harder; and life would have to be endured. Daiya understood him a little more, but he didn't agree with it. He cupped his brother's face in his rough hands. Takeru's eyes were sad. Daiya could almost feel his brother's heart fighting his head. "I understand what you're trying to do, Takeru, but Onari might not. Childish games are over for us. I wanted all of us to learn together, but it's not possible anymore. You are right. We have to l
"Please, don't hate me," Takeru said gently. If Daiya held a grudge against him it was going to be painful and difficult to live with him. He wanted Onari to grow into a woman - not to remain as a little girl.
"I don't hate you," Daiya said. Takeru closed his eyes. It was time for all of them to mature, one way or another. He would allow Takeru one last feeling regarding his youth.
Saori Nara walked through the forest slowly. Her hand trailed the bushes as she walked in sorrow. She had checked on Ryu almost every day. His condition was still the same - he was stable. No one gave her anymore information than that. Each time she came back from the hospital, she locked herself in her room to steal away into Ryu's world. Her parents were concerned about what she was doing. They forbid her to go back to the hospital the last couple of days. Saori was depressed. Her heart ached. She wanted Ryu back.
Saori sat on a fallen tree. She put her hands up to her face. I can't do this. I can't. Her tears rand own her cheeks. She couldn't get her mind off of Ryu. The image of him laying in the bed was burned into her mind. She wiped her eyes with her arm.
I just want to see him smile again. Why is it so hard? I'm aware he's not getting worse, but he's not getting any better. Saori lifted her head to look up at the trees. The sun blinded her eyes. She blinked. Saori turned her head. She thought she had seen something out of the corner of her eye. Saori stood up. She took a kunai out. Even though she was in the forest outside the village, Saori was still cautious. She was alone.
A stick breaking caught her attention. "I don't know who you are, but you have seconds to identify yourself before I throw something nasty at you," Saori warned. She went into a defense stance with the kunai in her hand. "Time's up." Saori threw the kunai towards the noise. She blinked as the kunai came back seconds later. Saori brought Rose out to block the kunai from hitting her. It sunk into Rose's puppet body.
Saori gasped. A figure was watching her. The ninja wore a mask with a hideous smile containing fangs. She tensed. Was she about to die? The ninja was by her side as soon as Saori blocked the kunai. Whoever it was, was extremely fast. Her eyes looked over the form of the ninja - her body frozen. Long dark hair and a red shirt caught her eye. "Onari?"
The girl from the lightening country tilted her head a few times. "Why did Saori choose to throw a kunai at Onari," she demanded with an emotionless voice. She stood stiffly watching the puppet girl through her new world.
"Onari, why are you out here? I thought you were going to attck me! You're not as quiet as you may think you are. What kind of ninja gives away her position by stepping on a stick?" Saori could understand that Onari had only been training two years, but she knew better at this point.
Onari tilted her head again as she pondered what Saori said. "Onari has not stepped on a stick, Saori Nara. Onari uses the trees to travel - not the ground." Saori's eyes widened. Whatever had made a noise, wasn't Onari. Onari's guard went up. She let her head fall forward as if someone had lightly popped her on the back of the head. It took a moment for Onari to check the area using her Bird's Eye View technique. "Onari and Saori are the only ninja here," she said lowly as she confirmed it. It was probably an animal.
Saori put her kunai back in the pack on her rear. She took a deep breath to clam her nerves. "What are you doing out here? And where did you get the mask?" She watched Onari move away. "Onari?"
"Onari is going away now. Onari's mask is from Sasuke," she said as she answered the girl quickly. The puppet girl walked towards her. Onari shot back as if she was a threat. "Saori must go back to Konoha. Onari is going to go now."
Saori caught onto Onari's words. "Onari, why are you leaving the village? Have we done something?" The raven haired girl did not answer. "Is it because Ryu was injured?" No acknowledgement came. Please don't let it be what I think it is. "Did Takeru do something?" Onari turned away. She walked off. Saori followed her. "Onari, what did he do?"
Onari looked over her shoulder. "Onari does not wish Saori trouble. Saori must go back. Onari does not belong in Konoha. Onari is on her own." She turned back around to speed off before Saori could say another word.
Saori ran after Onari until the girl's form was nothing more than a blur. Onari had been hiding her speed up until now. "What in the world? She's as fast as Lee sensei! I guess it's gullible of me to assume she'd be lacking in skill with several trainers." Saori slowed down. She looked around the forest. There was no sound, or movement. Onari was gone.
"Did she say where she was going," Yanagi asked as she and Gin jumped from branch to branch. They had been searching for a few hours. No one was at Saori's house. Yanagi couldn't find Daiya, or Takeru. They were probably together. Gin had left word with Izumi of what had happened.
"No, she kept saying she was going. I asked her why she was leaving, but she wouldn't say," Gin answered. "It's not like Onari to go anywhere by herself. Every time I've seen her there has been someone with her." She kept her gaze on the path ahead.
Yanagi sighed. "I think it has to do with Takeru. Ever since Onari tried to help Ryu, he's closed himself off. He's been pushing her away since she started to go out with Eiyu. Daiya said Takeru's acting more like their father each and every day. It's unlike him to be that way. Onari is more than likely feeling abandoned. She and Takeru were so close. I know I would be if the one I loved just stopped all contact with me. Man, I wish I knew Takeru's reasoning for this."
Gin stopped on a branch. Yanagi stopped on a tree next to her. She looked around the area. "Yanagi, it will be dark soon. This was the direction I saw Onari take off to, but she could have changed her course. There's no sign of her."
"We're running out of time. I'm worried Gin. Onari doesn't know where the village is location wise. She could get lost. Onari hasn't left Konoha but a few times since she's moved here. And those times, she's been with her team. There's always been someone to guide her back. I hate to say it, but she has poor orientation."
"Perhaps it would be wiser to have Areku and Kiba sensei with us," Gin said. "They are trackers. It might be too late to find Onari. Her scent would be long gone by now."
"Gin, we are the worst trackers ever," Yanagi said with a smile. She had to laugh. "It's not wonder Kiba sensei made Idai the leader for my team."
Gin and Yanagi turned around. They started to go back the way they had come. Darkness was not a good factor against two lone ninja. It was dangerous outside the village. Who knew whom or what was lurking.
"Yanagi, where do you suppose Idai is," Gin asked her friend softly. Idai had been missing for two years now. Gin was aware of Idai's flashbacks. Yanagi and Saori had had to level with her concerning it. Areku had told her more regarding the experiences his father had relayed. There was no guarantee they would ever see Idai again.
"I'm not sure, Gin. You think he would keep in touch with Daiya, or Kiba sensei. There hasn't been any word from him," Yanagi said sadly. "I wish Idai would let Daiya know he's alright. He's so lost without him."
"But he has you," Gin said not understanding.
"He does, but Idai is his best friend. His bond with Daiya is different than mine is. I can't replace Idai. I wouldn't try to, or want to," Yanagi said softly. "It's not right to forget someone you love."
Onari stopped running. Her lungs heaved for air. Sweat beaded across her forehead. The area around her was unfamiliar. Onari was good and lost now. If she wanted to go back, she couldn't. Darkness echoed around her.
Onari looked up at the stars shinning brightly in the sky. The moon hung like a time piece keeping record. Crickets softly played their song as frogs croaked into the night. There was no one out here but her.
The mask she wore, was lowered. Her face was covered in cold sweat. She wiped it clean with her sleeve. Onari was purely alone. Izumi was not here to tell her to eat properly. Sasuke was not training her. Daiya was not around to correct her language. Takeru was not teaching her or doing anything with her. Onari pushed her emotions deep down. She refused to let it worry her. Everything was a lie. No one really wants me. I thought they liked me. Saori is sad because Ryu got hurt on our mission. It was my fault. I should have anticipated that bastard getting after him. Onari sat down. She leaned against a tree. Takeru is not himself anymore. He is starting to act like Sasuke. I don't have the right role to play Izumi with him. I also don't have the patience to demand attention. Her yellow eyes darted as she surveillanced the area. I have more important things to worry about. Gekido is going to come after Akaihi. I'll be the right age soon for him to try. If he dares to send his lightening users after me, I'll show him the true meaning of torment.
Onari took out a kunai. She balanced it on the palm of her hand; her chakra caused the kunai to hover with the sharp point aimed down. It rotated slowly. Her eyes narrowed at it. "Onari is not a stupid girl. Onari is smarter than everyone gives her credit. Onari's words may not be completely correct, but Onari's mind is just as fast." She stopped rotating the kunai. Onari snatched it before it fell and threw it. She heard it plunk into another tree. I'll show you, Takeru Uchiha. I'm not beneath anyone.
Sasuke walked down the hall. His feet softly hitting the wooden floor. Izumi was waiting for him in the family room. "We've searched the entire village. There isn't any sign of Onari. Yanagi and Gin scouted the area surrounding Konoha, but they didn't have any luck. I don't know where she could have gone." Sasuke sat down tiredly.
"Kiba and his son got word about Onari shortly after you left. They are trying to help, too. They want to locate her. I don't know where she could have gone, either, Sasuke. Onari only has us. What has her on the defensive," Izumi wondered. Onari was a quiet girl most of the time. She didn't cause problems for anyone.
Sasuke put his elbows on the low table. He interlaced his fingers together and rested his mouth against his hands. "You're supposed to be in bed, Takeru." He glanced at his son with his dark eyes. Takeru's face was emotionless and distant. Izumi was watching their son, too. "You know why Onari is gone, don't you?"
Takeru averted his eyes. "I think she left because of me. I've been pushing her away." He had to come clean. Takeru didn't know Onari was going to react to him the way she did. Daiya had also threatened to electrocute him if he didn't fess up.
"Takeru, why have you been pushing Onari away? What has she done to you," Sasuke said. Onari and Takeru never had a problem with each other before. What was the reason for his son to distance himself from her?
"I… don't want her to follow me around anymore. Onari needs to find her own path in life. She can't stay on the one where I am," Takeru said to his parents.
"Takeru Uchiha, you cannot force someone to see life as you do nor expect that person to change when you want them to," Izumi said angrily. "Do you even fathom what you have done? Onari only has us as her family. She is alone in this world. Your father and I have been training her and have accepted her as one of our own the moment she set foot in this house. You have been erasing every effort we have made!"
Takeru lowered his head. His mother was furious. The look on his father's face told him he was heavily disappointed in him. "I didn't know she was going to react the way she did!"
"Onari hasn't been following you. She's been learning from you. Every act made upon proper ettitequite to training has been etched into her mind. Onari knows nothing about having a family or how to do thing properly. You cannot expect an abandoned child like her to adjust quickly. It is the same with your brother. You may not realize this at your age because you're ignorant. Takeru, you lack respect for us, your brother, and Onari. What you have done has hurt everyone in this household!
Daiya is attached to Onari because they are from the same country. He needs her as she needs him. Not only that, but your mother and I think of her as our daughter. I wanted Onari from the moment I found out her situation. Instead of her having a better life that she deserves, she has been turned out into a dangerous world. This behavior of yours won't be tolerated further. Do I make myself clear," Sasuke said sternly as his eyes stayed upon his son.
Takeru closed his eyes. It was rare for his father to show anger around him. Takeru had upset a balance his parents had made for Onari. He bit his lip. His heart clenched. "Yes, sir," he said softly. He wanted to hide, but it wasn't going to do any good.
"Might I ask why you chose to take these matters into your own hands," Izumi said as she kept her lavender eyes focused on him. "Takeru, do not lower your head."
Takeru raised his head with difficulty. "I… didn't want Onari to be concerned with me. I wanted her to meet others and make her own decisions. I shouldn't and can't influence her. It's not my place to. Onari has to live for herself. I can't do it for her." He couldn't look at his parents. His eyes told everything. Takeru knew his mother saw past everything he said.
Sasuke had to turn his gaze away. He was really angry at Takeru. He thought he had raised him to take into account the circumstances of his actions. He looked at Izumi. "What are we going to do? Now we are plagued with a heavy decision. Does Onari continue to live here, or is it more acceptable for her to live elsewhere?"
Takeru's eyes went wide. Onari would have to leave? He didn't want that. His parents were going to get rid of her because of how he was acting. Takeru looked away the second his father glanced at him. What have I done?
"Takeru, you can go to bed. We are through with you," Izumi said in her stern motherly tone. Her son glanced at her. She caught the look in his eye. "What is it you wish to say?"
"I don't want Onari to leave," Takeru said softly afraid of an outburst from his parents.
"You should of thought about that before you chose to push her off. At this moment, Onari is not here to hear your wide of things. With the way she is, she won't come back and resume her place in this house," Sasuke said bitterly. "I see another side to that girl than you are aware of, Takeru. Onari is very headstrong, determined, and aggressive when she chooses to be. Her physical strength is much like Sakura's - Yanagi's mother. Onari is able to punch through more than just small boulders, Takeru." He caught his son's gasp. "She has been holding back her skills so as to not injure another person, or get herself attention. As much as I want her to return here, I cannot force her. If she chose to, she could easily break any bone in my body before I was able to react. Her speed has increased dramatically since she has taken direction from Lee in the past two years."
Izumi watched Takeru's face. "Brains are not the only things to rely on in battle. Physical strength can save a friend or end a life. Onari has undergone tough training from Neji and I to awaken her kekkegenkai. Whether you realize it or not, Takeru, that girl has surpassed you. Onari does not need approval from us regarding her life. She only wants acceptance and you've shot her down. The love that you harbor for that girl may not reach her now." Takeru looked away hurt.
"I've known for some time you were falling for her, Takeru. It shows in your actions more than your words. You're much like your father. I just thought you two would have given each other a chance by now. I cannot tell you if it is wise to speak to Onari if we can manage to find her. She's not going to believe a word anyone says. You may leave now."
Takeru went back to his room. His parents knew he was in love with her. He had ruined his chances with her. Takeru sat on his bed. Daiya was asleep, his body half-way in the sheets and half-way out. Daiya was going to be upset with him and he knew it. Takeru laid down. He turned away from his brother. He had lost Onari and it was his own fault.
Kiba Inuzuka jumped through the trees. It was late in the eve. The darkness around him did not frighten him in the least. His sense of smell let him know where an opponent lurked.
Kiba stopped on a branch. He lifted his head to sniff the air. "Come on, sprout, where are you?" Onari's scent was not on the wind. He was tired, but he was pressing on. He went off again hoping Onari was alright.
Kiba was not the only one searching for the girl. His son, Areku, was searching in another direction. He was hoping if he didn't locate her, his son would. They would meet up soon at a certain location to see if either one of them had had success.
Onari walked slowly on the dirt road. She didn't know where it led. The stars surrounded the sky she was under. Onari couldn't see in front of her face, much less, where she was walking. The moon had moved its position to hang above the trees. She was tired. A chill went up her back. Her teeth chattered.
Onari slightly wished she could lay against Daiya's back and he could carry her.
She had no idea how far she had come. Her anger at Takeru had kept her feet moving for hours. Onari yawned hard. She moved away from the road. Her legs went out from under her as she collapsed into the tall grass.
Onari awoke to the sounds of creaking. She lifted her head out of the grass to see an old man riding a cart pulled by an ox. The animal's horns were long. Onari sat up fully. The old man was swishing a long rod at the ox as he sung a song she was unfamiliar with. She tilted her head a few times.
The road to her left was the one she had followed to where she was now. Wherever this placed seemed to be. Onari tried to remember what had caused her to leave the hidden leaf village. Faces swirled in her head. Her mind stopped on Takeru. She narrowed her eyes behind the mask. Onari's heart ached, but her head demanded her to forget him.
Onari jumped up. The road led further away from where she had came. She had to know where it went. She started to run down the dirt road - her feet carrying her as far away from Konoha as she could get. There had to be more to life than training to protect those that didn't want her.