—- CHAPTER 7 —
An Unlikely Ally
Stranded inside my internal world, there was little to nothing I could do to change my own fate, so I waited.
I couldn't undo the Yamanaka's jutsu to vacate my inner mind despite acquiring his memories. Even the mind exploration specialist in question speculated that if I tried it, my spirit would be pulled from my body and squeezed into his, which isn't what I wanted.
I thought about it briefly, but the idea wasn't very tempting. I could never get away with it, so entertaining the idea is pointless… and I couldn't forsake the assignment my God handed me… So all those reasons simplified things.
Why was God my last focus on that list?
You are such an overthinker. I've seen your commitment to God and it's inspiring, so please stop being so hard on yourself.
I was thoughtless and hadn't anticipated the voice of my Lord speaking the words of the Yamanaka invader.
I grit my teeth and a vicious anger welled up out of nowhere after again making a comment on my personal inner monologue.
"Do you have zero tact?! This is a violation of my privacy and I told you this isn't what I wanted. I tried to stop it. It's not fair for you to creep on me like this AND sneak in comments about what I'm thinking."
I'm sorry… You're right. I was out of line and it won't happen again.
"Wait… that's not fair, and I didn't really mean that." I swallowed knowing I needed a better handle over my temper. "I know you were trying to cheer me up..." I said, now adopting a frown and crossing my legs to sit down. "It would mean alot to me and be greatly appreciated not to abuse the fact you can hear my thoughts about personal stuff that doesn't concern you. Going forward I will address you so we can have less misunderstandings."
I couldn't shake the unnatural alarms going off in my head. It was levels of magnitude worse than a 3rd party commenting on things written in a journal or diary to the owner with intent to flex that they have knowledge they shouldn't have.
Time oozed into and out of focus until my internal clock felt messed up. More than 24 hours passed, but how much more? I couldn't say with any certainty.
The entrance was sealed shut, but a light poured forth, and out leapt a man with long kempt blonde hair fashioned into a ponytail and wearing a leaf shinobi headband.
The Man's eyes were light green, just a few shades darker than mine, but inside them I saw kindness, empathy, and compassion.
"Are you alright?" The man checked on me.
"I think I'm okay, but… The Anbu is trapped… and there's… a Demon."
"I'm Inoichi and I'm here to help, can you please be brave and show me the way, young lady?" The man paused. "Wait– What did it look like?"
I nodded in affirmation and discussed the details I knew as I guided him to the location.
He asked questions, and besides my few observations, I didn't know how to explain what it was.
We traveled down into the pit, and sweat started pouring out of me despite only being a mental apparition.
The creature that dwelled here was alert and active as we approached. It uncoiled, stretching out its tentacles and expanding its domain to cut off our escape.
Inoichi's hands flew together into hand signs and a white silver light poured out of his hands that aggravated the creature who pulled its appendages back in retreat from the light.
The tentacles exposed to the direct light caught fire and burst into flame. In an instant it was converted to ashes and settled to the ground. The remaining tentacles squirmed back into the hole in the wall.
An ache appeared in the back of my head, and a fast throb shook my brain.
—AAAAGHHHH!
"That's attached to Santa. He can feel it's pain."
Inoichi threw a couple more hand signs together and all of a sudden my body clamped still, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't budge an inch.
"We'll talk later about why you know an on duty Anbu member's civilian name, but you say they have fused? I hope I'm not too late."
He neutralized me while he dealt with the problem at hand evidently lacking trust in me.
The creature screeched menacingly through the hole in the wall threatening any who dared approach it.
"Are you in there man?" He called out walking forward. "Damned demon spores. What a nasty Akuma."
It was as if a bell rang in my head highlighting the demon spores and now the term Akuma.
"The way it's already completely merged with a new host means this isn't your average garden variety possession. She must have been inoculated at a disturbingly young age and by the spores of a very powerful origin colony to have grown into this." He talked about me like I wasn't right here witnessing it all unfold.
My mind flashed to my other siblings of singularity, and feared that perhaps they have also been victim to something similar.
He was now before the wall, and peered through the hole. "Its roots are sunk, but they stopped growing… Why?"
He gripped his chin in thought, then peered back over to me observing my state of being toppled over in a heap stinging hot with embarrassment.
"Sorry love. I had too many questions and no time to ask. Allow me to make it up to you somehow."
He released me from his seal and I scrambled to my feet looking forward to forgetting about the vulnerable state I was just in.
"Thank you." I showed my appreciation to the man who swooped in and made my problems his too, but I couldn't help but sulk and pout about how useless I was after being struck by…
Uh, Santa wasn't that Fuinjutsu right there?
I thought you had all my memories?
As soon as he said that… A memory bubbled to the surface showing me a simplistic fuinjutsu that was taught to Santa long ago as if the retrieval was triggered by a catalyst.
Inoichi from what I remembered from the story of Naruto wasn't that amazing when you compare him to the crazy outliers of the universe. That same mid-tier Jonin was carrying my future in his hands, and for some reason I couldn't imagine him being able to do anything to help me out of my situation.
My life wasn't some fairy tale or fantasy that some random person can come save me from. I knew better after experiencing when that Angel yoinked me right off Earth or when the singularity gave me the doses of harsh reality I needed, when I needed them,
Thank you Lord.
This whole situation was awkward and I wanted it to be over, so I joined Inoichi's side as he observed the swirling plasma.
"That's what took Santa. He touched that," I warned the man fearing if he also vanished there wouldn't be any way out for me.
Inoichi isn't me. He's the best around at this stuff.
"I heard him make communication back and he seems alright… but he told me something odd that I'd like to confirm with you." Inoichi spoke.
"What is it, Sir?"
"You have seen his memories —At least some of them, Yes?" Inoichi pushed.
"…Yeah." I cast my gaze to the floor expecting to be admonished.
"I see… That's how you learned his name." Inoichi nodded. "Wonderful. I guess that makes you part of our family now," he finished then let out a collected chuckle.
My heart jumped as if shocked by the unexpected development.
"Uh… huh?" I uttered out without any semblance of class or grace.
What?
I stared at the man expecting him to start laughing or yell "SIKE!"
He came closer, and I steadied myself and paid full attention.
His hand reached out and landed on my shoulder with a couple playful pats.
"Don't worry. Everything is going to be okay." He attempted to comfort me. "I'm going to fix this."
He added a little squeeze before pulling back and turning around, sending his stare up the pit.
There was a soothing sensation that washed over me as I accepted his words and let go of my concerns. I took a long deep breath and could feel the tension I'd built up begin to vanish.
"What about Santa?" I asked, pointing back to the hole.
"Since my clansman and the demon have merged, it's going to be complicated to split them. There will need to be more preparation."
I flashbacked to my time in Eden's White Room where I learned where these creatures came from and what they wanted. Another wave of memories crashed over me like a wave hitting the beach. Several exorcisms and sealings of demons rushed through my mind. There were many more instances than I expected.
I didn't know that the Yamanaka's specialize in exorcisms and demonology.
Goosebumps broke out all over my neck, arms, and legs.
"Wait… Are mental health problems actually demonic possessions?" I asked the Man.
"Sometimes, but not always." He nodded after pulling on the line we descended down, then finished with: "A full blown possession is more of a rarity these days, which makes me wonder if your clan might have done this to you."
"Don't badmouth my clan without proof." I snapped.
"Sorry." He apologized then scooped me up in an arm by my waist without warning.
"Hey! Stop— put me down! I can climb perfectly fine." I fought and squirmed my way out of his grip.
He waved dismissively before setting me back down to my feet.
"Mizuki-kun, You like being independent, don't you?"
"I like doing and accomplishing things for myself, so yeah." I said.
"Why?" He questioned.
"Because then I get to have the sense of accomplishment and know in the future if I need to I can do it by myself." I said.
"I see. Do you feel like you owe people that lend their help to you?"
"Yeah… Then I have to worry about how I'll have to repay that in the future —when I could have done it myself then I wouldn't have to worry about it and when it's over it's over."
"Maybe the other person wouldn't expect anything in return."
Inoichi gauged my reaction, but I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"It wouldn't sit right with me even if they didn't want something. I would still be reminded of what they did, and I wouldn't feel right until I returned the favor."
"You're a weird one." Inoichi chuckled. "Selfless Selfishness… How can you hold two opposing ideals coexisting at the same time?"
Cognitive Dissonance.
I clenched my jaw and pressed my teeth together.
They are right. Maybe I'm not being honest with myself…
"You know how you feel when you accomplish something?" Inoichi spoke up. "That rewarding feeling you get?"
"Yeah, duh."
"If you do things for others without expecting anything in return, especially if you are close to them, that feeling is even better." Inoichi grinned from ear to ear. "And eventually even doing favors for strangers can feel awesome, once you get used to it."
Hmm… And people might feel more indebted back to me too.
You missed the entire point to do it WITHOUT expecting anything in return. If that's how you look at it, you're not going to get any value from the lesson of giving without the expectation of repayment.
I sighed.
But you already knew that.
You're doing it again! I argued with the Yamanaka trapped in my head.
No matter where I was, or who I found myself around, my flaws in my character kept getting thrown into my face. I should be used to it… but it still hurts to know how foul I am on the inside even after all the work I put in to grow as a person and as a believer. Despite trying to do the right thing, when the music kicks in and starts playing, the temptation to dance with the devil always finds a way to call out to me and deliver a personal invitation.
Even if we could always know what is right, it doesn't mean we would do what is right every time.
The rhythm called out to me to dive back into a lifestyle of sin. Vibrations pulsed through my body and calming colors appeared in my mind inviting me to give in to the familiar and take my seat at the glorious table of sin.
It took everything I had to decline getting swept up by the allure of 'Just one last dance for old times.'
I can talk myself out of it after thinking it through, but the problem is I try to talk myself into it in the first place.
"I never claimed to be perfect… Am I going to be okay? I'm still working on myself."
"Same goes for me." Inoichi smiled.
"I mean the Demon. Is everything going to be okay?" I questioned.
"If it was allowed to continue to grow and mature it would be a nasty problem, but as it is now it's not much of a threat. I'll explain later."
"As the former head of the Terror and Investigative Unit, I wish to have Mizuki-kun released to my custody and urge you to accept my request."
"Err—" Ibiki tilted his head as if to question the man.
"Would that not be possible my friend?" Inoichi winked at him and I suddenly found myself questioning his sexuality.
Nononono— I don't want to know. I take it all back! Don't you dare Santa!
Hahaha! He is happily married and isn't a degenerate. He is simply comfortable being himself.
Do you think you could be comfortable with yourself if you knew for a fact you weren't a good person but you desperately want to be?
… Wow, you're not holding back. I guess it could be hard, but all you really have to do is forgive yourself and start over.
Of Course. So simple! That's how it always works! Keep it simple stupid. Thanks! You're pretty wise for a creep.
Ouch.
My focus shifted back to the room and the occupants.
"The Hyuga were specific not to allow her into any new custody." Ibiki squinted his eyes together and applied pressure back to the Yamanaka Lord.
"—And in her body now houses the spirit of an elite jonin ranked ninja from MY clan. I am now a member of the chain of custody and am asking to exercise my right. Is that a problem?" Inoichi shut Ibiki down and tried again to gain his permission once again.
"… I expect Hiashi to fight you on this, and in that event he WILL try to hold you responsible."
The warnings didn't phase Inoichi in the slightest, and with the shake of his head, he waved one of his hands dismissively.
"—I don't fear accountability. Make it so." He said.
And within the day, the paperwork was in order and I left this cursed prison. I fought to bring my art with me, but they said I needed to come back anyways, and they weren't done going through it and documenting it.
It felt wrong to leave my work behind, but beggars can't be choosers, and I was lucky enough to be handed the opportunity to dip out of this captivity, so I was determined to take full advantage.
I'd long outgrew my old clothes I wore when I was booked and processed, so Inoichi ran to his house and back to bring me some clothes to borrow. I found out that they belonged to his daughter, and this was a temporary solution until we could go shopping.
"Shopping?" I perked up despite never having been a dedicated shopper before, and then I considered that I didn't have any way to pay for goods. "I don't have any money."
"Take a deep breath… Are you still with me?"
"Er— where else would I be?" I struggled to understand the point of his question.
We were outside standing in the shade cast by the large building we walked out of minutes ago.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head about that. My girl Ino's been bugging me to bring her to the market and auction house and now we've got the perfect excuse, and she has no problem spending my money, so you shouldn't either."
I looked down and saw a rock the size of a golf ball sitting on the concrete sidewalk, and I couldn't help myself from kicking and launching it into the nearby flower of sight, out of mind.
"… Why are you being so nice to me? I barely saw any of your family's secrets." I turned to him confused about exactly the angle he was playing at.
Did he want to groom a potential dual-Kekkei Genkai wielder into a loyal subject?
"When I see injustice, I want to correct it. You are a sweet girl, I've been briefed by Santa how odd this all has been and that a clear abuse of power is at play."
"I won't betray the Hyuga." I folded my arms across my chest and pouted. "Especially not Mom."
"You don't have to. I don't want you to betray the Hyuga, I just feel like the world has given you a short stick, so I'm trying to help you out." Inoichi grinned wide." Have you ever heard the story of the Good Samaritan?"
"I have." I nodded in shock that someone else was bringing up religious scripture to me and not vice-versa.
"I want to be the type of person that would stop and help a stranger, without worrying how much it might cost me or what I might gain from it. I want to be the type of person my family can be proud of and can inspire them to leave the world a better place than they found it."
"That would be a beautiful goal…Too bad I don't believe you." I shut him down. "After you get your clansman back I'll get tossed aside." I sniffled back snot as my emotions began falling apart. "Don't lie to me, I know how this works."
"No-no. That was an excuse to get you out. I guess Santa didn't tell you beforehand?"
I couldn't risk it.
Couldn't risk what?
You should ask Inoichi. It was his plan.
"What is going on?" I looked the man in his eyes. "The truth!"
He spun his head around and then looked back to me and shook his head no.
"Not here. Wait until we get back to my clan's compound." He put a finger over his lips and made a shush noise, and held his hand out asking me to take hold.
I complied and we began walking together through the village.
"What's that?" I pointed to a building with windows plastered over so you couldn't see inside.
Inoichi smiled and spoke. "That is a theater troupe that writes and produces original plays."
My intrigue instantly peaked, and I tugged his arm with excitement. "Can we see it?"
"Another day, I promise." He said, pulling me along past and toward our destination.
"Aww… okay…" I pouted for a couple of seconds, but the splendor of the village captured my heart again and pushed the theater out of mind.
"A glass shop!" I pointed to a man with a long pipe spinning the handle with a large bubble of molten glass hanging off the end.
The sound of metals being beat underneath a hammer rung out over and over from the tent behind the shop.
"They do a little blacksmithing too out back."
"Woah!" I felt my eyes widen as I soaked it in.
I'd been outside here and there since getting incarcerated, and I cherished every moment, but this was the taste of air more rich with hope and freedom.
My heart warmed, bathed in the light. At the same time, my spirit soared as if stretching out after a long grueling containment.
I was bouncing around taking in the sight of the village despite being led firmly by the hand of the Yamanaka Clanmaster.
"I can't believe the Hyuga treated you so inhumane," He said. "It's unthinkable to treat family the way they have treated you. Is this your first time seeing your village?!"
"… No. I saw some of the village when I was escorted to T.I." I argued.
"T-That doesn't count." He stammered, searching my eyes as if my statement was unbelievable and I was making a joke.
"How does your clan teach you to love our village if they never let you experience it? That's ludacris."
"We get to start going outside our compound when we join the academy."
"That's a long time before letting baby birds take flight for the first time."
"No kidding. You're telling me." I giggled.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." He squeezed my hand that he was holding.
"Yeah… The Hyuga get away with enslaving the branch families. I wish there was something I could do to help…" I mentioned.
"Do you love them?" He asked.
"I love them with all my heart, which is why I had to stay strong for them so that one day they will have a chance to be saved."
"Saved? By God?"
"Yeah! Soo… How did you find out about God?"
We stood near the entrance to the Yamanaka compound, and he turned around to face me, and dropped into an odd squat position.
"That's a long story for another time. But what I will say is that Santa told me about what he has seen in your past life. I took it upon myself to use this opportunity to offer you something better."
"So… How much do you know?" I backpedaled a step and bit into my inner lip with anxiety.
"I know that your mind has been tampered with by an ancient Demon Lord, and your body has been sealed within the Caged Bird Seal. I also know that our God and Jesus Christ lives."
Jesus? WHAT?!
"Jesus!" As I heard the syllables form, a grand weight bearing down on me vanished. "I can say and think his name again!" I jumped up and down in joy and flashed a smile at the man who was miraculously bulldozing through my life problems one by one.
"That's because Santa used a special jutsu to merge with the Demon that severed the connection between it and you, forcing a new connection to him instead and merging into one."
"So… him getting pulled in… Was the plan all along? Wow."
I fell to my knees and tears began streaming from my eyes. My chest heaved as I struggled for air through all of the sudden overwhelming emotion.
I don't deserve this.
Shh. Stop being a brat and accept a helping hand for once.
"You love your family despite their flaws, and have a kind soul." He smiled widely, crouching down and patting me on the head. "I have a cute daughter who's about your age. You are technically still considered a prisoner, but I will treat you with the same kindness I would offer my family and hope you will do the same for the Yamanaka."
"Absolutely! You are the best!" I said. The man opened his arms with an invitation and I crashed forward hugging Inoichi, and he patted my head a couple times.
"Shhh–shhh-shhh. You're going to be alright. I'll protect you."
—- Author's Notes —-
Fashionably late as always. Life's been hectic, but here I am finally. I'm moving my focus back to writing this story and working on my youtube and putting my Art/animation on the back burner again. I finished up chapter 8 today too so I'll be dropping that sometime tomorrow. Thanks for reading and hope you're enjoying the story so far!
Youtube: zemptai (Gar-Sensei)
Twitter/X: SenseiGar
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