V 9 ch 3
Treason
Daiya Uchiha stood upon one of the large boulders as he checked the landscape. This was one of his and Idai's favorite spots outside of Konoha. Two years ago, he and Idai came here to explore and talk about the world. It was one of the few times in his life where he had talked Idai's ear off. It was also a great place to see the stars at night. Daiya looked over to Idai who was laying flat out on another boulder, his arms behind his head, eyes closed. I'm relieved he was able to come back.
Idai was enjoying the peacefulness of the forest around them as he thought carelessly about random trinkets moving around in his head. Tilting his head to the left, he craned his ear upwards. "Daiya, there's noise upon the wind." He sat up with his arms behind his back, head turned in the direction of where he had heard the light steps upon the trees.
Daiya tensed, unlike Idai. He didn't like being sought out when he was outside the village. He opened the rod case on his back. Taking out a metal rod, he twirled it with his hand. Daiya was prepared for an attack. He glanced at Idai. "Don't just sit there. How can anyone know where we are out here?"
Idai stood with a groan. He had been relaxing so well that his body was achy from laying flat upon the rock. Moving his hand near his ear, Idai curled his fingers around his ear to intensify his hearing. "Quiet as a mouse jutsu," he said with his hand in front of his body, finger poise raised to help him concentrate. The world around him came alive with sounds that weren't noticeable to the human ear. He ciphered through the sounds, trying to pick through them to get a better idea of who was coming their way. "Mom, feed those chicks, they're noisy!"
Daiya walked over slowly with his arm raised to land it straight on Idai's head. Sometimes that ridiculous jutsu of his was more trouble than it was worth. Case in point, Idai eavesdropping on a romantic conversation with Yanagi. The mere thought of it, turned his face red. He stopped in motion.
"Huh. It's Saori and Onari. They're fleeing from someone," Idai said as he opened his eyes to see Daiya's red face staring at him with his fist raised. "You were going to nail me, weren't you?" He narrowed his eyes. "Good thing I have blackmail on you," he said with a quick smile.
"Idai!" Daiya snapped back to himself, his face blushing so hard it felt hot. He was sure steam was coming out of his vest, rising into the air.
Saori and Onari both spotted Daiya standing on top of a large boulder next to Idai. He was holding his rod out anticipating an attack. Saori touched down seconds before Onari, her face showing a mixture of fright and sadness. "We're being followed by unknown ninja!"
Daiya extended his arm holding the metal rod out. "Ninja? Why are they after you," he asked as Idai closed his eyes, listening for noises upon the wind.
"They're after Onari," Saori said. "Some tough looking guy attacked all of us. Ryu has taken Takeru back to the village to get help. He's been severely injured," she said rather fast.
"they won't get past Idai and I. we can handle a Jounin, or two while you both escape," Daiya said. He saw Saori shake her head against the very idea.
"One of those guys defeated all four of us! You two aren't any match for three of them. Especially since your condition is worse," Saori said latching onto Daiya's wrist turning him around. "We have to hide!"
Idai went straight for Onari. He lifted her up against the kicking and fighting to oppose him handling her. The anger of being attacked earlier was causing her anger to burn full throttle. "Follow me! There's a cave under these boulders. They won't find us in there," he said despite Daiya's uneasiness of enclosed spaces. Idai made his way down the boulders, his eyes searching for the entrance. Soon he found it. "Get in," h esaid pushing Onari to slide her body between the rocks.
Onari wedged herself between the boulders, her legs dangling. She had no choice but to let herself fall, her eyes not able to see in the darkness. She descended, her feet scrapping upon the flooring of the cave. Onari lifted her head to see Saori struggling to wedge herself through. There was no time to delay. Onari jumped up grabbing onto the other girl's ankles, forcing her body through.
Saori yelped as she fell on top of Onari. Idai was right behind them, landing straight next to her. "It's not my fault I couldn't fit through." Onari pointed at her chest. "They are not that big!"
Daiya landed almost on top of her, his balance corrected as Idai pulled him upwards. "If you had simply flattened those, we could have pushed you in," he said turning his head towards Saori. Idai put his hands over both of their mouths. "Shh!" He strained his neck, ears listening. He was sure they were out there scouting the area.
Kakumei moved over the boulders his eyes narrowing as two of his men searched the area. "Either those brats are faster than I thought, or they're hiding." He jumped down, crouched like a demon stalking his prey. "If they're here, find them!"
Idai stopped Daiya's hand from opening the case upon his back. Instead, he unsheathed a sword from his own back. Idai kept his eyes focused on the light coming into the save. He signaled everyone to get into the darkness. The entrance wasn't too noticeable, but if they were found out, he'd be the first to attack.
"Why are they after her," Daiya asked in a whisper.
Saori turned her gaze to see Onari's shoulders shaking. Her head was lowered. "I'm not sure, but Takeru knew. He must have known. He gave her the chance to get away."
"They want Akaihi," Onari said with closed eyes, her voice showing pain and regret. "He's the leader of Gekido's army. He killed my mother," she said softly her memory resurfacing a miserable part of her life. She could still see Urea departing from her and Sashizo, her body moving swiftly to encounter the lightening army.
Daiya remembered the talk he and Onari had had a long time ago on the roof of the Uchiha house. She had feared someone finding her the moment she had come to live in the village. Her personality, thoughts, loneliness – everything about her had been so safely guarded over the years. But Onari had mastered in ninjutsu as well as her bonds to those around her. "We have to tell Sasuke," he said with a deep understanding of her situation. Onari closed her eyes.
Diaya drew her to him, pressing her against his collarbone. It was rare for to her cry, as she was now. Onari was a strong girl who dealt with everything around her, on her own. Now wasn't the time to handle things recklessly. They were Genin, up against three Jounin. Daiya tried to take his mind off being trapped in the cave. "How badly is Takeru hurt," he asked Saori knowing his brother's feelings for Onari.
Saori looked at him sadly, her eyes showing in the light creeping down from the hidden entrance. "If Ryu hasn't succeeded in getting him back to the village, Takeru's probably dead," she said bringing her hand over her mouth to quiet her tears. "He was trying to guard Onari – to keep that guy from taking her."
Daiya wanted to react so badly. He was eager to take out the person who had dared lay his filthy hands on his brother. He felt Idai touch his shoulder to calm him. Idai was right. He had to keep focused. There were two girls that needed him right now. Daiya reached forward pulling Saori closer to him. "We don't have a choice but to wait this out," he whispered.
Onari's body began to lightly shake when she caught sight of a man standing in front of the cave entrance. He was scoping the area looking for their whereabouts – or any trace of a clue. Her eyes were wide. She clung to her brother trying to her best to keep quiet.
Daiya's mood became highly aggressive. His eyes were full of pure hatred as the man above them turned his head to regard a noise. If they were found out, he'd electrocute the ninja with all the force he had. Realizing the sight of the man was causing Onari more distress, he moved his hand to shield her view. It was better for him to be in control at the moment.
Saori didn't dare speak or move her body in any way. For the moment, they had been undiscovered. That was, until a tiger fork came straight through the cave entrance with speed and accuracy.
Idai was already reacting, his sword up, catching the weapon between its long metal spears. The man with the weapon started to also react, pushing back at Idai. It was hard from his position to properly defend. Idai was having to stand off-balance on his toes to keep his sword at an angle.
Daiya let Onari go, getting between Idai and the tiger fork. He brought his hand up toward Idai's wrist making him release his sword. Instead, Daiya brought up his rod to keep the man at the entrance in the fight. However, he was charging.
"Ah, hell," Idai yelled as he staggered to get away. He unsheathed the other sword from his back. As Daiya let loose, he rotated the blades at the weakest part of the cave structure.
Kakumei and Moshiro turned around quickly to see Ugo getting electrocuted. As they ran towards the man, rocks and boulders exploded off to their left. They stopped in their tracks as four figures flew out of the opening. A boulder crash landed near Moshiro causing him to give chase immediately. Kakumei glanced at Ugo's smoking form sprawled back on the boulders, his mouth open in pain. "So they have a lightening user amongst them. Not for long," he said retrieving the tiger fork from the dead man.
They flew through the branches with accelerated speed, only pausing half a heart beat go touch down. Idai gritted his teeth. "There's two after us," he said glancing at Daiya. "I take it you killed the other one."
"No, I convinced him to stay behind," Daiya said with complete sarcasm followed by a low groan. The high intensity of the charge he had used, had hurt. Daiya's body became lighter, his eyes closing – the three before him seemed farther away.
"Daiya!" Idai suddenly placed his foot on a branch, twisting his body to where he grabbed Daiya's wrist. The two of them fell together from the trees. Idai pulled his best friend towards him in a rush of adrenaline, shielding his head as he prepared for an impact.
"Oh, no, we've lost Daiya and Idai," Saori confirmed as she and Onari were still on the move. "They're not going to expect us to stick around, so we'll have to do just that. We can't show fear, Onari. They're older and stronger than we are, but we're a bit more cunning!"
Onari felt numb all over as she and Saori did the chakra run up a tree. They both rotated their bodies back around, their arms outstretched. Timing was everything at this point. Both of them shot back down towards Moshiro as he came into view. They were performing a surprised aerial attack.
Moshiro was hot on the trail, his rage at full capacity. The sounds of something falling caused him to crane his head upwards as he flew. Charging his body, he sent a stream of lightening at the two girls as they came towards him.
Saori had already anticipated his move as she shielded herself and Onari with Rose. As they fell towards him, Onari poofed behind the man bringing her arms up to grab him. The lightening he emitted was forced down and away from Saori.
Mashiro struggled against the girl holding his arms down. The lightening soon subsided. The girl changed her position letting go of one of his arms to bring the other around his throat. He gasped as his air supply was cut off. The blond haired girl had his arm held out kicking the spaces between his ribs. He tried to yell, but wasn't able to. Mashiro saw the eyes of the black haired girl. His eyes widened as the pain increased. She was crushing his windpipe. This kind of strength…
Onari felt the bones snap under her arm. She let him fall from her grasp onto the branch. Saori was breathing hard. "We must go now," she said without emotion.
Saori turned watching Onari's slow movements. "He recognized you," she said. "It was more of shock, than anything. What is it about you that he was fearful of?"
"We must leave," Onari said looking at Saori with an expressionless face. "The leader of the lightening army is coming. I cannot defeat him," she said urging Saori to follow her, with her hand brought up.
"Onari, I'm not moving until you are straight with me," Soari said knowing full well they had to get a move on. She crossed her arms, her eyes staring at the black haired girl with a hard gaze. "You aren't open with anyone – much like Daiya."
Onari did not want to get Saori Nara involved as she had already gotten Daiya and Takeru to agree to follow her in her decisions. She sighed, her eyes drifting down to the fallen man on the branch. "My eyes were recognized," she said. Saori wasn't understanding. "The eyes that I have are the indication that my father was Sashizo, a daimyo of the Lightening Country. He was gifted with the phoenix by his father, for he was the first born. Sashizo was not like his father in the ways that he dictated. I will tell you more on the way," she said trying to give Saori enough information to entice her to move.
Saori nodded her head as they took off. It really wasn't wise to stand around when they had just eliminated a threat. She wasn't sure what was going on, but Onari's past was complex. Saori figured Onari had been secretly plotting what was going to happen, and trying to handle it outside of the village to not get anyone else involved. But they were involved. All of them who had celestials were in danger – even Daiya for he was from the same country. "Continue," she said. "I cannot make a decision to aid you if I don't know anything."
Onari glanced at her, her mind heavily focused on Takeru. She had not wanted this to happen to him. The pain in her chest tightened. "My father was a kind man, not adhering to the ways of the council. The council determines if my father is to stay a ruler, or not. He was treating others with dignity and that was a problem for a daimyo. Often he was supposed to do what was good for the family, or clan – not for the others surrounding it. It's a selfish attitude one must take. I suppose that's why there are superiors and inferiors in a clan.
My father fell in love with my mother. She was an assassin and below the ranks qualified to be with someone in his position. He ignored the rules of etiquette and pursued her behind closed doors, and in corners where eyes could not follow, or ears to listen. They courted for some time, his love for her faltering his decision making as a daimyo. Soon, my mother was carrying his child – me, and they realized that I was in danger."
"You're saying to clean the bloodline, his relatives, or the clan would have slain you," Saori asked, her attitude showing complete disgust.
"Yes," Onari said her voice showing she was wiser than what she had been letting on for the past two years. "By my birth, I had every right to inherit the phoenix, before my uncle could claim it. My parents fled, and he sought us from the time of my birth until I was a child – following us everywhere we went, just to get his hands on the phoenix."
"But your parents' luck ran out," Saori said understanding all too well.
"Gekido sent his army after my mother. Her duty was to protect my father and I by using her life. We got away, but it wasn't long before Gekido found us in the snow village where I had been found by your father and the others," she said with remorse. "Before he died – at the moment he knew Gekido was going to obstruct him- my father passed the phoenix to me. I was next, but as he tried to drown me, something happened. I blacked out. When I awoke, Akaihi was standing over me, protecting me and Gekido was not to be found," she concluded.
"So you knew as you got older, that he would come back to claim it," Saori said understanding now why Onari had been training so hard. "What does this have to do with us? Especially Takeru," she said noticing the mention of his name caused a painful reaction to Onari.
"The dragon and the phoenix must work together, or there is war," Onari recited from the Buddhist and Tibetan layout of the myth. "I must make sure that Takeru keeps Uso, or there will be a war greater than any that has come to pass. Without him, I cannot survive," she said softly.
"And without you, he cannot," Saori said with a sense of lost hope. They continued to flee from their surroundings, their movements now quicker that they were closing in on the village. It was dire that they get inside, or succumb to the same fate Takeru had experienced.
Onari leaned against the building of the hospital covering her eyes with her arm. Everyone was in danger because of her. She couldn't help Takeru. He was beyond her reach, lost to her. The more her mind searched for a form of her training that could surpass Gekido, the more her confidence slipped. Her own father couldn't defeat her uncle years ago when they had fought. Gekido was stronger than she was. Onari pressed her fingers to her forehead, forcing herself to think.
Daiya walked slowly to his sister, his body sluggish from the attack he had undergone. "It's not your fault for being targeted," he said trying to take the stress off of her. He moved her hand away, putting his fingers under her chin, lifting her gaze to match his. Her eyes were streaked with red. "He would have done anything to protect you," he said gently, brushing her bangs out of her face. "It's not just about what you have," he said laying his hands on her shoulders. "It's about family, Onari. We're a family together. That's something none of us had before."
Onari frowned, her mouth opening slightly as her eyes closed. She was trying to suppress her emotions, but they were starting to leak out. More than anything, she wanted to be strong like her mother. Urea had been a quiet, graceful, strong woman who feared nothing – not even death – not even being separated from the ones she was destined to protect. Onari felt she was weak in that area, alone. She didn't have the same attitude about it, as her mother had had. She had been seeing it more as a worse case scenario.
Onari felt Daiya grab her face, his brotherly tenderness stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I don't want to be alone again," she said remembering how she had been hated in the snow village. Every day had been a struggle to survive for her. Those people lived in fear of her, fear of ridicule for helping her. She had only been a child – innocent and defenseless against them. "I'm not strong enough to protect Takeru, or you," she said so softly it was barely heard.
"No," Daiya agreed in his strong brother like tone, "You're not. You need us. You've needed us from the very beginning. I may not have what they have," he said referring to the celestial contract the others carried, "But I do know my feelings for you." He kissed Onari gently by the temple, using his height and body to comfort her.
Onari let herself be swallowed by her brother, her eyes closing as she fully leaned into him, her hands latching onto his sides.
The sad thing is, if I had been left in the lightening country, who's to have say I wasn't going to be her enemy? My anger at my life back then was as bad or worse as Idai's. He had let himself be taken over by the demon inside of him. It was just, he knew how to play off his outward emotions – as I did not. Without her, I wouldn't have adjusted to living at the compound, or being accepted by the others. Onari's shown me more kindness and understanding despite my attitude towards her. I can't abandon her.
Ryu sat outside on a bench, his mind away from his form. He was thinking immensely about Takeru. The boy was in bad shape. He felt distanced from everything around him, as if he were watching a different world through a window. Ryu's shoulder had been taken care of by the medic-nin once they had taken Takeru away. The medic-nin had to hold him back to keep him from re-attaching to the Uchiha boy. He was overprotective and fond of Sasuke's son. It was now night and Ryu had no inclining about Takeru's outcome. He couldn't look up as a figure moved in front of him under the lamp light.
Izumi Uchiha had been watching Ryu for some time to make sure he was alright. The Genin was in shock. She approached him more, softly, her face only showing concern. "Ryu," she said softly. He didn't look at her. She sat beside him on the bench. Izumi knew he could hear her. "They're still trying to stabilize Takeru. He's lost a lot of blood from the cuts on his body," she said accessing the fact. Ryu twitched. "Sasuke is trying his best to help him. We don't blame you, Ryu. You've done what you can for our son by bringing him home."
Ryu closed his eyes. Was Takeru as good as dead? He gasped, the tears coming faster than he had expected. He felt Izumi put her hand on his shoulder. "It was my responsibility to protect him. He's my best friend! That bastard electrocuted me until I was unconscious. I didn't know he had gotten a hold of Takeru, again. H-he was pale, not moving when I found him with Saori and Onari. If they hadn't of bandaged him, he would have died sooner before I got there. I'm an awful friend!"
Izumi turned Ryu to face her. "Ryu, look at me. Ryu Yuhi," she demanded in her strict motherly tone. He looked at her with quivering eyes. "You have done what a friend is supposed to do. You protected everyone around you against a strong opponent. Everyone learns by doing. It's the only way in tough situations. Do not keep beating yourself up for a decision that Takeru had made to protect another. I would expect all of you to do the same for someone else on a mission.
My son is in there fighting for his life because of someone trying to attack the one he cares for. Who was the man that put his filthy hands on my son, Ryu," Izumi asked harshly her voice full of aggression. Her lavender eyes held a hint of maliciousness that made Ryu move back. "I want his name. NOW."
"The one that attacked us had the same abilities as Daiya. He had given his name to Takeru before he tried to kill him. He had only spoken it to him, but Onari was fully conscious when the man gave it. Kakumei Eimino," he said as he watched Izumi's face resort to denial and uncertainty. "His face appeared like a hardened version of Daiya's – yet older and sterner."
Izumi kept her hands on Ryu's shoulders. "Kakumei Eimino," she repeated as if the name was part of an evil spell. "Could he be related to Daiya? Is he his father? An uncle?" She wasn't sure. "I'm afraid what will happen if Daiya learns Takeru was attacked by someone from his clan. We can't let him know." Izumi's eyes shot to glance at Ryu who was covering his face with his hand. She leaned forward to embrace the spiky haired boy. "Thank you for bringing Takeru home. If it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have a chance – no matter how small it is." Ryu's body shook as the muffled sobs came out of his mouth. She hugged him tightly. Izumi soon found herself crying too.
Daiya walked down the hall with Onari clinging to his arm. Saori came back with them, her eyes downcast. They were afraid to see Takeru and learn of his condition. Izumi was waiting for them in one of the waiting areas. She stood up the moment she saw them coming towards her.
"Daiya and Onari," Izumi said. She want to them, her arms open to embrace them together. "Are you two okay? Neither of you are hurt," she asked checking them, not waiting for them to answer. Onari gasped as Izumi found a huge knot on the back of her head. "Onari, you have an injury. I'm not sure if I want any of you to see Takeru." Sasuke was walking their way, his face showing sadness. "I need the three of you to hear it straight from Sasuke before a decision is made."
Sasuke felt a bit out of sorts. His son was in bad shape, that he knew. His hard cold eyes looked up to see three kids watching him. Saori Nara, Onari, and his adopted son Daiya. They all feared the worst. They had every right to. He stopped where he was to take in each of their faces; their presence. "Hi. I'm glad to see you guys are alright. We need to talk. All of you might want to sit down." Daiya stood stiffly. Saori sat. Onari wouldn't move. "I would feel better if you both sat," he said to Daiya and Onari. They sat down next to Saori without a word between them.
Sasuke sat down with his legs open, elbows on his knees, hands hanging. His head was lowered. He breathed in deeply, then exhaled, gathering his thoughts. Sasuke raised his head, opening his eyes. "Takeru has lost a lot of blood. I've given him what I can to help sustain his body. However, the cuts on him are taking a lot of time to mend. The medic-nin are doing what they can for him." Sasuke sighed. He continued.
"The cuts on his form are deep, his skin mangled by whatever weapon was used against him. Since the wounds are the main problem, the blood going to his brain has lessened, causing our son to be in a coma."
Saori covered her mouth. Takeru's fate was as ghastly as they had determined it to be. She looked at Daiya. He was in shock, trying to maintain his grasp on reality. Onari was not showing any emotion. She wondered if the girl understood fully what Sasuke was telling them.
"It also appears that he was electrocuted a few times. There are burns on his body where the electricity hit. How he survived those attempts by the unknown ninja that attacked all of you, I do not know. At the present time, his heart is beating faintly. I think it would be good if all of you go see him. He's been in his room for a few minutes." As the others stood slowly, Sasuke added, "We are unsure of our son's fate. Whatever you have to say to him, I suggest saying it," he said. He looked away, closing his eyes.
Saori walked over to Daiya. She took his hand pulling him along with her and Onari. Daiya, reached for Onari's hand. They walked past Sasuke slowly, not able to look at the man that had taken them in. Saori was the only one who dared to look back to see Izumi comforting her husband. Their friend and brother was dying regardless of the efforts to protect him.
The hospital room where Takeru lay was lit with soft light. They walked in as if they were in a foreign country, not knowing the customs ore the language, unsure of the world now they had entered. Takeru was pale, his arms hooked to an IV pole, fluids running its course to his body, trying to keep him nourished. The one thing that stopped Onari's heart was the machine helping him breathe. She felt the room closing in on her.
"T-Ta-keru," Daiya said softly half expecting his brother to open his eyes, to gaze at him weakly. The boy who had accepted him without cause or reason, who had called him his brother without hesitation, who tried to make him smile, was lying in the hospital bed helpless. Daiya grit his teeth as he focused on Takeru's face. He felt Saori hug him around the shoulder as she leaned against him. She was stricken with grief, also.
Onari remembered death vaguely. She had seen it with her parents when it had claimed them. The only one she had seen fall was her father as she had been grabbed by Gekido, her uncle with cold eyes and long dark hair. Onari's breathing became irratic. Her pulse increased. Takeru is dying. Her mind flashed to his smiling face as he laughed at her and her antics. The boy who kisses me is going to leave. Onari raised her hand as if she could grasp him to keep him with her.
Saori wondered why Onari wasn't standing with them near the bed. She turned around to see the dark haired girl hyperventilating. "Onari?" Saori's eyes drifted to her outstretched hand. "Don't you want to say 'goodbye' with us?"
Onari clamped her jaws tightly together. She lowered her arm. Her anger was now starting to show how ticked off she really was about being attacked. Her shoulders shook in hatred. "I'm not letting him go," she screamed in rage. Daiya and Saori came at her to stop her from lashing out. Onari pushed her brother away, trying to get towards Takeru. Her hands moved quickly to twist Saori's wrist behind her back. As she erupted, the sounds of running came towards them. She turned around ready to fight anyone who dared mess with her. Onari shoved Saori out of the way by pushing her towards Daiya. He toppled over.
A large medic-nin burst into the room, his eyes signaling her out. He formed hand seals quicker than Onari had ever seen. As he attempted to subdue her, Onari formed hand seals of her own trying to revolt against being held. A large symbol formed under her feet. She wasn't able to move as the symbol glowed. Whatever jutsu was on her prevented her from reacting to it. The only body part she could move was her eyes. Her eyes looked back to see Saori in a crouched position, her hands in front of her body. Saori was the one holding her firmly in place with the shadow possession jutsu.
As her eyes shifted back to the front of her form, she was soon faced with a bigger problem. Sasuke was watching her from the doorway of Takeru's hospital room. His eyes were stern, cold and out of her reach. The medic-nin didn't move as Sasuke came into the room. He was already plagued by his son's fate. It only took one look from him to make Oanri's bottom lip quiver. All of this was because of her. If he hadn't of taken her in, none of this would have happened. Sasuke's son wouldn't be in danger. Onari ran out of the room past him.
Sasuke had meant to stop her, but right now, he couldn't move. His eyes fell on his son's flaccid body. Sasuke's world stopped. He didn't regard anyone around him for a few moments. Nor did he feel Izumi put her arms around his neck to hug him from behind.
"Sasuke, please don't lock up," Izumi said sadly. She looked up at her husband to see his eyes become hollow. She walked in front of him, reaching her hands up to bring his face down towards hers. "Please, don't give up. Nothing is over until it's over." She kissed his lips softly without any reaction from him.
Sasuke came back from where his mind had been rooted. Izumi was watching him. He lifted his gloved hand to caress her pale cheek. "Izumi, our son is dying," he whispered the words barely able to escape his lips.
Izumi pressed her forehead to his as she closed her eyes. "I know, Sasuke," she said even softer. Her soft tears flowed painfully down her cheek.
Daiya and Saori had chosen to chase Onari until the girl had stopped at one of the training grounds. They caught up to her when she sunk to her knees crying her eyes out. Onari didn't look at them. Daiya walked closer to his sister as Saori stood back. He kneeled behind her to wrap his arms around her gently. Onari was tense. "Onari, I love you as deeply as if you were my real sister. I will continue to protect you. That will not change."
"I will, too," Saori said. "We're going to protect each other from here on out. It's not to show weakness, but strength. Do you understand? We'll fight as a team and win as a team."
Onari shook her head. "I won't let Takeru go," she said seriously. She looked at the markings on her arms. They had brought her nothing but trouble. "Ever since I was bestowed with the Heaven's Scroll, it has brought me nothing but pain," she said starting to claw at her arms, her nails raking down them.
Daiya forced Onari to stop, his hands firmly on her wrists. "Stop. This is not what Takeru would have wanted. You know that. No one can change his, or her past, Onari. Not you. Not I. The only thing we can change is if Gekido destroys the village to get to you."
"I'd say he has to be a real threatening person if he can command that bastard that attacked us," Ryu said from behind them. He had been on his way home, his mood still below average. He shifted his feet, his thumbs in his pockets. Ryu sighed heavily. "But I can understand her reasoning for what she's saying. Without Takeru, we're nothing more than a bunch of adolescents with pets."
Onari nodded slowly as Daiya let her wrists go. "Without him, without Takeru, we'll be overtaken by Gekido and his army." She hugged her knees staring off at the dark trees surrounding them.
Saori put her hand onto her forehead, her mouth puckered out as she tried to figure out just what tied the celestials together. "Each of the celestials form a supernatural bond to each other, but also stand for different elements – different strengths." She moved her hand up in the air, her head turned as she thought. "Josei is the tiger for the West gate." Saori drew the symbol for tiger upon the ground. "It also signifies autumn and the element metal."
"You're getting ahead of yourself," Ryu said kneeling in front of her with a stick. "Go in order. The turtle," he said drawing the symbol upon the ground," stands for black, night, water, and winter." Ryu moved to the cardinal direction for east. "Takeru's dragon stands for green and spring – kind of like the beginning or ending of creation, depending on which way you want to go. Onari's phoenix is for the color red, fire, and summer."
"Yes, I know this, Ryu, but I don't understand the divine connection between Onari and him," Saori said picking at his brain. "It's all so confusing. Technically, this is all a myth and shouldn't exist. None of it should. It's only a legend."
"Legends start somewhere," Daiya said looking at his two team mates. "Either from a wild imagination, or based on exaggerated truth. We've seen each of the celestials. So they are true beings. They have chosen to help whoever they are attached to."
"Alright, I'm going to take this a step further. What does Sasuke sensei have to do with all of this. He has Manda, right? Isn't there a Tibetan version of the legend that states the snake aids the turtle? If Ryu has Shogai, how is it that Onari knew Sasuke commanded the King of the snakes?"
Onari glanced at them for a brief moment. "I didn't. I was found by mistake," she said much to their surprise. "I was only trying to get out of the snow village, to escape from my tormenters."
"Fate," Ryu said seriously. "Sometimes we believe in it, sometimes we don't. You can't call it chance. It's too complicated how everything is falling into place. Back to what I was saying earlier, without Takeru, there is no place for the dragon to be next to the phoenix. Thus, the path of creation and harmony cannot exist. It means alone, the phoenix stands for destruction."
"Now I understand! If Gekido manages to get his hands on Akaihi, he can destroy everything around him – also controlling the other celestials," Saori said punching her hand into her fist with a wide grin. She was proud of herself.
"Um, if celestials are gods, why would there be a need for a leader," Daiya asked.
"Creation and Destruction," Ryu said again putting his finger into the air. "Fire is the start of both paths of life. The dragon stands for the earth. Once there is fire, the earth is formed. Only then can metal form below the earth. It cannot form into the fire, or it melts. It's the same for water and wood."
Daiya blinked. "Ryu, you've been thinking about this a lot haven't you?" He watched Ryu raise a brow.
"Not until today. Today I had a very good reason to dwell more heavily into it," he said trying not to cause any more sorrow between everyone. "Takeru's part in this is greater than he would have imagined. It's probably something he isn't fully aware of. Onari is the start, yes, but Takeru is the beginning…"
"Or the end," Onari finished for him.
"You all want to know what I think. Onari could have bonded the dragon to anyone – anyone in the village. It didn't just have to be Takeru. It just ended up that way because he's in love with her. He always has been, from what I've seen," Saori commented.
"Yeah, it could have been anyone," Ryu repeated, "but Takeru wasn't going to let that happen. He didn't know about Uso; he only knew enough about Onari to get hooked to her. I asked him a long time ago what the most attractive attribute about her was, and do you know what he answered? Eyes. He's attracted to your eyes, Onari, despite some being afraid of them."
Onari looked at Ryu with a softened gaze. "He said that? He…said that about me…?"
"Yeah, he did," Ryu admitted as he stood.
"Guys we still need to confront Sasuke sensei about all of this," Saori said breaking up the atmosphere in the air being emitted. "You have to trust him, Onari," she stressed seeing the expression coming from the girl. "He's never hurt you, or treated you unfairly."
"I wouldn't hold her at fault for that," Ryu said in her defense. "She's never had an adult to trust fully. In fact, you don't really trust the Uchihas, do you?"
Onari shook her head.
"For if you did, you would have told him about all of this from the very beginning," Ryu obliged to say, his hands moving to his lower back so he could stretch.
"Would it be easier to tell mom than to tell dad," Daiya asked Onari, his head leaned in, watching her. It took her a moment to weigh out the consequences of confronting either of the Uchiha who had taken her in. Onari didn't seem to like the idea of confiding in either of them about herself. "Onari, you have to be able to give a little. They've done so much for you."
"You can't do everything yourself," Saori said crossing her arms. "The whole point of a team is to let others aid you and work together to accomplish a goal. I don't know why you insist on solving it by yourself."
Onari stood, her eyes stern and serious, hands balled into fists. "Because it's my problem! Gekido is only after me!"
"And Takeru," Ryu said stepping between her and Saori. "I know you don't want anyone to be involved, but we are. Takeru's my best friend. I won't hand him over to anyone."
Kiba Inuzuka leaned against the pillar of the house, his eyes staring at the floor. He had been sought down by Saori, Shikamaru's daughter, for a special meeting. The harvest moon was high over the house, its orange light cascading on the village. It's an awful night. I'm sure Sasuke is monitoring Takeru's condition. He turned his head to hear the soft tack of the sliding shoji screen moving aside. Izumi stepped out, her eyes not showing any surprise to him being there. She only walked towards him, her feet padding softly on the cold wood. "How is he," Kiba asked in a soft gruff voice.
"We won't know until the morning," Izumi said quietly. "They just gave Takeru the second bag of blood when I left. Sasuke is staying with him. I suppose you knew that. Why are you here so late, Kiba?"
"Saori came all of the way to the house to ask me to talk to Onari. All I know is there is a secret she's kept from us," Kiba announced with his hand out, not sure what it was. He glanced at the shoji screen in front of him being opened. Daiya stood in he and Takeru's bedroom. He had overhead some of what they both had said. "Onari's not the only one who has being keeping a secret. I've known for a while about her fears."
"Well, whatever it is, you two might as well explain," Izumi said, her heart weary. "If it's this urgent, it can't wait until later. What is going on," she asked as Onari peered out from being Daiya.
Onari was kind of afraid of being thrown out of the house. She had nowhere else to go. Her eyes lifted. "The man that attacked us was the leader of Gekido's army. He was trying to get a hold of Akaihi," she said.
"Who is Gekido," Kiba asked.
"Onari's uncle," Daiya answered. "He's the same one that killed her mother to disconnect the dragon from her father. She's known that one day he'd seek to find her again."
"Alright, hold on," Izumi stopped them, her hand in front of her body," This entire time, you've been in our home, eluding us. You've known those markings on your body were connected to something far greater than we could have imagined. Now our son is lying in a hospital bed in a coma because you failed to trust us – to ensure the safety of him, and yourself. I'm disappointed in you, Onari. We've done a lot for you and this is how you repay us."
Onari looked away, turning her head slightly to avoid Izumi's hard gaze. "I haven't shown Akaihi to anyone, or taken him outside of the compound. I don't know how I was found."
"Do they know Takeru has the dragon," Izumi said in a hard voice. Onari shook her head. Takeru rarely activated his contract with Uso. A bird was one thing to see, but a dragon was an entirely rare creature to come upon. "I thought you were more responsible. You're older than he is."
Kiba sighed gruffly. "He's the baby out of the rookies, Sprout. That's why Izumi and Sasuke are overprotective of him. They have entrusted you – and Daiya- to look out for him. Withholding information from your family is sort of like treason against them."
"Until I speak to Sasuke about this, it's best if you leave," Izumi said her voice becoming hard, aggressive. The words stung Onari. The girl turned around without a word to retrieve her shoes. "Not a word, Daiya," she said focusing her eyes on him. He wanted to object to the very thought of Onari being on her own. "We can't let her out of our sight. Kiba, do you mind if she stays with you?"
Kiba didn't have a problem with it. "What do you suppose Sasuke will do," he asked once Daiya left to go check on Onari.
"I'm not sure. If Takeru doesn't pull through, he may not let her return," Izumi said realistically. "She's taken the most precious thing from us – whether she realizes it or not."
Onari packed extra kunai and shuriken in the case on her leg and bag on her hip. The mask Sasuke had carved for her to hide her face, was left in its place against the wall. She glanced at it, the object becoming foreign to her. Standing, she walked out of the room. Daiya was on his way to her room, but there was no need. She passed him, not taking anything with her except the kimono she wore.
"Onari," Daiya said turning to watch her walk away. She didn't turn around. Onari was already putting her shoes on to head out.
Tapping her feet securely in the ninja sandals, she stepped off the wooden floor to the lower entrance level. A hand upon her shoulder stopped her from bailing from the house. Onari stared at the rough looking fingers. Her gaze lifted to see Kiba watching her.
"You're not leaving the village. She's asked that I take you with me," he said trying to comfort her. Onari only looked away. Kiba expected Onari's view was upon punishment from the Hokage. He wondered if she feared Sasuke's or Izumi's disappointment more. "Come on, Sprout," he urged, nudging her arm a little.
Onari didn't look back as she headed out of the Uchiha compound. The night was cold, stars shining above the house in their silent veil. She followed Kiba way, leaving Daiya behind – and her life as it had been. The road she walked to the Inuzuka compound was lonely, despite Kiba being next to her. She couldn't help but feel as if she had betrayed them for their kindness. Onari should have told them once her language was understandable.
Sasuke sat next to his son watching him sleep. Takeru's head was turned away towards the window, his breathing now normal. What are you dreaming about, Takeru? Where are you in there? He lifted his hand placing it atop his son's head, caressing fondly. Was all of this a mistake to bring her back to the village? Sasuke leaned closer to him, his dark eyes watching for any signs of movement. "You've got to help me understand, Takeru. Why is this correlation to her so important for you?"
Takeru's chest moved up and down slowly. He didn't respond to his father's question. His body lay still in the bed, one arm sticking out due to the IV fluid, the rest of his form covered by the sheets. Underneath the sheets – underneath his shirt and the bandages wrapped around his wounds, the tattoo of the dragon and phoenix on his chest shone brilliantly. He was in Uso's protection.
Takeru crouched on the ground, his eyes looking out at the stars as Uso craned her head over his. She had loosened her hold on him a while ago – now that his body was stable. "There has to be a way to protect you," he said deep in thought, his mind really brainstorming to come up with a solution. "Despite giving you a name, he's found you," Takeru said of Onari. "Uso, exactly how are they going to try and control her?"
Uso lowered her head to the ground, her slit eyes turning to look at the man-boy whom she had grown fond of. "They wish to rid her of the Heaven's Scroll. Take it by force," she said in her multi-voices echoing throughout the space between time and space.
"The scroll was tattooed on her by her parents, wasn't it," Takeru asked trying to gather his thoughts. "Do you suppose Kakumei wishes to skin Onari like an animal?" He saw the sadness in her eyes. "How were you taken from her mother?"
Uso didn't like to reveal how Onari's mother, Urei, had perished under Kakumei Eimino's authority. "I wasn't taken simply because Urei had been defeated, Takeru," she said in a sad, sorrowful voice. "Even if defeated, I am still attached to that person – to that clan. Urei was rid of my contract, when Kakumei Eimino discarded it from her form. I was in mid-plane when she had been trying to send me back – to save me."
Takeru's eyes showed anger and pain. "Her mother suffered to the very end. She was only trying to protect her daughter," he said with more respect for the woman. "I won't let that happen. I'll be prepared better the next time I meet that man," he said of Kakumei. "And when we do, he'll get one hell of a payback from me for Onari and Daiya."
Uso heard the truthfulness flourishing in his voice. She smiled a dragon's wise smile. "I believe you will," she said swishing her tail into the blackness of stars. "However, if you wish to defeat your enemies, you will require more training."
"That's kind of impossible since I'm stuck here," Takeru said unsure of when he was going to be back in the mortal world. His body was not fully healed.
"It isn't just your body that must become strong to defeat an opponent," she said tilting her head in an odd way to look at him. "I cannot train your physical form here, but I can train your spirit – teach you things that cannot be gained on another level."
Takeru smiled in a smirk that was similar to his father's. "Well,… what are you waiting for?" His eyes met the dragon's, holding the gaze, as her body began to evaporate, lifting into the air. Suddenly, before he could figure out what was occurring, Uso's form slammed into his, molding her scales into his skin.
"The only way to learn how to master a dragon, is to be one with it," she said as Takeru's eyes changed to her own. "Now that we are one, I can understand you – as you understand me." Uso lifted Takeru's hand so he could focus on his fingers. They were changed to a more lengthy appearance, nails thick and long.
Takeru felt his mouth as he smiled at the new body he had. The corners of his mouth were thin, the muscles pulled to his cheekbones. His fingers moved up, the nails tapping the long teeth. His body felt lighter, more agile and flexible. Takeru tested the theory out by bending his spine backwards. He found himself stretching to new heights, his back longer. He laid his chest on the ground, his head moved well past the tips of his toes, arms out in front.
"Now that you are familiar with yourself, let's try flying," Uso said. "You won't be able to get to the clouds as I can in my regular form, but you should be able to move swiftly from areas of interest in bounds." She started to direct him to crouch low. "That space over there towards the edge of this mound. Go to it, doubling back as quickly as you can."
Takeru leapt in a canine position as if he were attacking Kakumei himself. His body touched down thirty feet away from where he had been previously. He doubled back, letting his body be guided by another force, his stomach and legs flowing above the grass. Touching down on his hands, he craned his head to look back at where he had been.
"Hmm. It's as I have tried to figure for a long time. Males do let their hormones lead them," Uso said inside Takeru's head. He laughed. He could picture her mighty sophisticated form frowning at such a conclusion. "I'll be sure to not let mine overrule my decisions." Uso waved his left hand as her own, dismissing it. "That would be best," Uso said again inside of his head. "Now, farther, and quicker," she instructed.