"..." Normal chat.
ABC. Thought.
Chapter 10
I'm now somewhat awake but my mind feels a bit fuzzy. Just how long has I been out already?
From here I can hear the sound of birds chirping, curtains flowing through the wind, leaves rustling against each other and feel the warmth of morning sunshine on the surface of my skin. My guess is that I am on the third floor.
Without opening my eyes, I can sense Naruto is sitting by my bedside, slowly dozing off. While Kakashi's standing against the wall several steps away. Sasuke and Sakura are nearby, probably staying in the next room.
Despite wanting to flick Naruto's forehead to wake up so badly, I just can't move a single muscle. My limbs feels numb, my throat's so dry, I'm tired all over.
What was the last time I've been in this state again? Probably a couple of years back.
It's my first try activating this mysterious energy, accidentally but worth it, when desperately trying to free Ryu's from the enemy's grips. And I still remember being bedridden a whole week long after that just to recover from serious Ki loss.
Luckily Momiji was there to help me speed up the progress by imbuing her spiritual life-force into my body. If not, I would have died out of boredom for not being able to do anything in such amount of time.
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...
Once finally coming back to my sense, I was lying on my bed inside my room, completely worn out. And sitting by my bed side was Ryu, who was no longer in his usual shinobi black suit but a simple dark-greenish kimono.
"How are you feeling?" was the first things he said to me as I felt his hand touched my forehead.
As much as I wanted to say I was fine, none of the muscles on my body felt like moving so I blinked to him as response. Therefore Ryu smiled and proceeded stroking my hair, telling me what happened soon after I fainted.
"Back then you was burning hot like a mini furnace, Momiji almost went crazy when she saw me bringing you home. Everyone was so worried."
Despite being unconscious throughout the chaos, I could still imagine her expression at that moment perfectly inside my mind.
Momiji was angry and sad, plus disappointed in between, because I didn't listen to her sayings and followed Ryu out of the village on my own. Resulting me being held hostage by the opposite shinobi's clan and interrupted Ryu during of his important mission.
And if I didn't awaken this strange power within that critical moment, none of us would have been here alive by now.
"Ryu nii-sama... aren't you mad at me?"
Hearing my faint whisper, his hand stopped.
"Why would I be? You almost risked your life to save me back then, Nina. I couldn't be thankful enough."
Yet Ryu's face grew serious and he sounded forced, as if he's blaming himself for letting this to happen.
"However, starting from today, you're forbidden from activating that dangerous power in any way, any situation." He declared, not giving me a chance to object or express my opinion about this matter.
Whatever, I'm going to find a way to figure things out without his consent.
"At least not until you're trained enough to fully control it." Seemed to have read right through my mind, he added another line in. Only one second before my eruption about not being allowed to learn about true identity.
"Promise me."
Ryu had been holding my hand tight while speaking those words, and that was probably the first time I saw him asking for something so desperately. Just how could I possibly refuse?
...
..
"It's been three days already. Will she really be okay, Kakashi-sensei?"
Getting impatience that his friend hasn't showed any sign of waking up, Naruto asks his teacher.
"The doctor said that she's just sleeping, Naruto. Have a little faith."
Getting tired having Naruto bugging them with the same question all over and over, Sakura ensures him, again, while trying not to hit the boy in the head out of irritation.
Meanwhile Sasuke's standing beside them and being as quiet as ever. Probably even worse than before when coming back from the previous mission. And the only one who manages to make him open his mouth from time to time is properly Kakashi. Though whatever they have talked about forever remains a mystery.
"I'm sure she's fine. Look for yourself."
Kakashi points his index finger toward to Nina's bed. Therefore they all turn around, finding that the girl has opened her eyes and staring at them.
It takes Naruto a few seconds to calm himself down from jumping or shouting in excitement and, along with Sakura, hurry over to check on her. Despite not being able to talk or move much, everyone senses that Nina's spirit has gotten much better than before. What a relief.
A few days later.
"Nina-chan!"
Naruto, who is as enthusiastic as always, is here again to visit me. But this time he brings me breakfast, a couple of nicely done onigiri and a bottle of tea. Simply because hospital's food are too plain that it's starting to get me sick.
"Thank you so much!"
Been starving for ages, I dive into those beautiful rice balls without a second thought, while Naruto watches me with a grin on his face. "We can't wait to go on the next mission with you!"
"...Me too." I answer him, a little reluctantly. Because unlike him and the other members of team 7, I do not looking forward to what so called *next mission*, even for a single bit. Who knows if this one will turn out to be another disaster?
And more importantly, that D rank mission was not suppose to happen, right? That's what I have been asking myself ever since. So much that I'm about to develop an anxiety for it.
"What's wrong? You don't want to?"
Seems to have seen through my lie, Naruto asks. That bright smile on his face's also dropped.
"I don't know, Naruto. Am I really suitable for the team?"
The food in my mouth starts to taste bitter and I stop chewing on the half eaten Onigiri. Trying to say those words to Naruto clearly but don't have the heart to look at him in the eyes.
"Why are you saying that all of the sudden?" Just as I expected. He sounds sad and confused, perhaps even disappointed. Still, Naruto isn't going to outburst immediately and keeps on listening to what I have to say.
"It's... my fault for being too reckless. Both Sasuke and I were lucky to get out of that hellhole alive, but that didn't mean there would be no next time."
When Sasuke decided to go on suicide mode by facing those bandits alone. I had no choice but to use that power to help him, even if it would cost my own life. Because I, no... not only I but everyone here, depends on both of you to save the world from Kaguya.
"I mean, things are getting out of my control now, Naruto. I just can't..."
Now that my existence has caused changes to the story line, it also means the future will no longer be the same as the one I used to know. Although I have yet to figure out what will happen if I continue staying with them, but I'm not going to risk it. Not this time.
"Don't give up! If there's next time, I shall be fighting by your side. I'm not letting you get hurt like that ever again, you know!"
Meanwhile within Naruto's mind, he's probably imagining that I'm sulking over being weak and tries to cheer me up, promising to never leave each other side and protect me from whatever to come in the future.
Oh how I wish everything was that simple, I really do. Except it's should to be the other way around, Naruto. I'd rather die than having you mindlessly sacrificing yourself for me.
"Seriously, you're just too good for your own good, Naruto..."
Still, I am contented to know that this boy really treasures me as a friend.
After a while, Naruto begins to open up about his tough past. He's treated as an outcast, growing up without parents and struggling to be acknowledged by the people around him.
He states that no one is perfect from beginning, as he's the also the same, and it takes a lot of time for him to improve his shinobi skills in order to get to where he is now.
"I'll always be here whenever you need my help. Believe it."
In the end Naruto asked me to rethink about leaving the team as he thought that I might have been to hasty since it's only been one mission. Though If I still resolved to quit after thinking about it thoroughly, Naruto promised to not interfere and respect my decision completely.
Next morning
Sakura visited me just now to inform great news that Sasuke had been discharged this morning. While I'm still stuck in this place for a couple more days or so.
If I didn't collapse for every ten steps or so, I would have jumped out of the hospital's balcony and gone home already.
Staring at the same old scenery for nth times through the room's window, I sigh in boredom and return to my bed, getting ready for the upcoming check-up.
Then the door is opened but the person steps inside isn't one of the expected medical-nin but Kakashi, carrying and basket full of fruit in his hand. Seeing me, he gestures his hand to say hi and casually makes his way toward to my bed, finding a chair to sit down and placing the basket onto the small table nearby.
"You're not here to interrogate me, are you?"
Leaning onto the soft pillow, I ask him and Kakashi gasps, pretending to be heart-broken.
"How could you think so poorly of me, Nina-chan? You're making your sensei sad..."
The moment team 7 arrived to Konoha, Kakashi was told by the medical-nin that it's only matter of luck for the girl to make it out alive. As Nina's life force was almost drained empty, plus suffering from a deep wound on her shoulder and terrible blood loss. Yet none of them could heal her through Shosen no Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique)
Same goes with the first time they brought her into the hospital due to suffering from severe fall damage, the medical-nin had no choice but to mend the injuries in old fashioned way, with bandages and medicines.
Because Nina possessed no chakra within her body.
Therefore Kakashi reminded the medical-nin to continue keeping the info of Nina's condition from everyone else, including his students. Yet it's already too late since the rest of team 7 had eavesdropped everything through the hallway.
Right now by the look on Kakashi's face and his carefree attitude, I bet he's known something. That means more explanations and I definitely don't like the sound of that.
"Beside, there is no need to rush things. We still have plenty of time."
Kakashi says, offering me a fresh apple inside the fruit basket. "Today, I'm simply here to see how you're doing."
His eye then glances toward to a specific spot through the wall before us. And it doesn't take much time for me to guess that it's Sasuke who is hiding behind it, trying to gain information for himself.
That Uchiha sure doesn't know when to give up, does he.
"If you say so." I accept the bright red apple from his hand and take a bite, the fruit's sweet and crunchy.
It's been ages since I've had something this good, perhaps I should try looking for some more at the market once getting out of this place. Oh right, talk about money.
"Sensei, I heard from Naruto that we gained quite a good amount of Ryo from the last mission due to the bonus from defeating Kibutsuji. Was it true?"
Hearing so, Kakashi nods happily and proceed listing the rewards that team 7 has received, a small boost in ranking, several useful shinobi kits and of course the most important thing is also among them. Ryo.
As expected from the infamous scarecrow, he figures out my intention a few seconds after being asked. "Alright, what do you want?"
"Well... The faucet is leaking so I can't sleep peacefully at night. My door and windows get stuck quite often."
"Okay." Kakashi nods and starts writing my request into a small notebook.
"There isn't much food left and my monthly allowance is running low."
"Done." He continues noting and waiting patiently.
"My blanket and mattress are too old. I've been sleeping on the tatami ever since living in Konoha so having a proper bed would be nice."
Kakashi's movement halts for a couple of seconds before giving in. "Fine."
"Then can you get me a new TV too?"
"Don't push it!" Having enough, Kakashi shuts his notebook and puts it back inside his jacket. Not forgetting to tell me to rest and get well soon before stomping out of the room, leaving space for the medical-nin who has just arrived in time for my check-up.
"Thank you, sensei!" I bid him goodbye and notice that Sasuke's presence has also gone. Probably bored with our lame talks and decided to go home as well.
Eh, who I am even kidding. This is Uchiha Sasuke, not some random shinobi people see on the street.
After witnessing me using that, I bet he's now up to no good. Which means I have to be extra careful around him from now on. Plus that Curse of Hatred from that damned clan is not something to toy with and I'm sure as hell don't want to get involved in, ever.
Man, just by thinking about it has stressed me out already.
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..
Then two days worth of waiting passes and I'm officially discharge from the hospital. Finally.
While wandering alone around the street, looking for several skin and hair care products before going home. I bump into Sakura, who is also shopping for her cosmetics.
Thanks to the incident from last time that got me immobilized for almost a week long, everyone in team 7 has been informed that I carry zero chakra in my body. Although none of them have yet to figure out the reason.
To me, having no chakra is not really big of a secret and I have no intention of hiding it. Sooner or later everyone would know, especially when a skilled sensor type appears. Like Karin, or Ino in Shippuden.
"Shouldn't you be resting more? I mean, you just got out of the hospital." Asked Sakura when she's told that I was ready to join the team for the upcoming mission.
To assure her, I show Sakura my shoulder and she's amazed to find my wound is completely healed, not even a scar visible. It's only ki that my body's still lacking of right now but I'm sure it'll be manageable.
And much to my surprise, Sakura's actually well informed about Ki. Shyly admitting to me that she's somehow gotten interested into it, after Kakashi explained to them about my *special* condition. And ended up spending a day or two in the library swimming in scrolls and books just to get to know this energy better.
Sakura proceeds explaining that using Ki, I can do what most shinobi here can do. Walking on wall and water surface. Even casting specialized Ninjutsu (Ninpo), which I have yet be able to.
However, techniques that based solely on chakra like Genjutsu and Shosen no Jutsu, including everything under those two branches, are a no go for me.
Similar to chakra, ki is a form of life energy. Except I won't die instantly if it depletes, unless being in critical state like heavily injured and such. Because I won't be able to regenerate anything without ki.
"That's why you have to be extra careful from now on. Nina-chan, because you can neither heal or be healed." Sakura concludes her lesson time with another forewarning.
"And if you have any problem in anything, just tell me. I will do my best to help."
Sakura promised to provide full support without spending a moment to think, giving me a thumb up as a way to confirm her words.
"Uhm... Thank you, Sakura, you are so kind."
I'm moved and almost turned speechless when being showered by Sakura's tenderness. I mean who wouldn't, she studied almost the whole library just to figure out what my power was and even told me how to use it properly.
Hearing so, Sakura grins brightly. "Come on, don't be so polite. We are friends. Aren't we?"
If only the author didn't overwhelm everyone with countless scene of her punching Naruto and swooning, crying over Sasuke, they could see that Sakura could turn out to be a nice girl and a good friend.
Figure that this is be a good chance for me repay her troubles, I suggest us visiting an ice cream shop nearby. Since it's almost noon and the air is getting hot. "Say, how about we have some sweets after this? It's my treat."
Therefore Sakura gladly accepts my offer and is ready to go. But first thing first, I still need to pick up my shampoo.
"Hey, Sakura. Any advice on what I should choose?"
The next day
It's around noon when Naruto decide to drag the whole team 7 into Ichiraku restaurant. To celebrate our mission success, which has been postponed for almost a week long due to I and Sasuke being hospitalized.
Once arriving to the restaurant, I'm told that Kakashi isn't going to join us today however. Since he has an important task to finish within today. What a shame.
