Day 2
My body aches, probably the remnants of the jutsu. It's a bittersweet feeling to be back in the compound. I did wonder how they took my disappearance. I guess only Hanabi took it hard. I press my hand down, feeling the cold frame. At least I can still have her by my side. I sit up, gazing ahead of me before slipping out the narrow bed. The floorboards creak even under my light footsteps. I wouldn't wait the full week. I need to find shelter. It's a daunting challenge, however I feel something in the back of my head. Survive. I can't seem to shake it.
I quickly gather the little personal items I have. I can see the little bit of sun begin to rise. I move stealthily in the darkness. As I step through the main entrance, two arms encircle around me. I instantly recognize the scent.
"Are you leaving again?" A soft gentle voice asks. I nod my head, twisting to look at the bed of hair. Hanabi has grown, much to my dismay. I realize I hardly looked at my younger sister growing up. It was from shame, or guilt. I can never be the role model she desperately needed. Hanabi looks up with her pale eyes. I can only give a weak smile.
"I must. Father wis- "Hanabi gives a loud huff, upset. I can only ruffle her hair. Hanabi swats at my hand, before reaching out and grabbing my bag. I can see the reluctance in her eyes. Hanabi looks at the ground, trying to find her words.
"I don't want you to go sis…I can hide you! Father won't k- "I gently place a hand over her hand. I crouch down, smiling at her. I can only barely hold my tears to myself.
"Hanabi we have the byakugan, he'll see me. Listen to me, I will visit when I find my place, Okay?" I mumble, and feel her shoulders drop. I can only pull her close and tightly hug her. I can't bring myself to look in her eyes as I let go. I walk out the door, gripping my bag, before looking up to the hokage's building.
"I will need money," I mumble. I make my way to the building, hoping to find a mission. When I walk close to the door I overhear a conversation.
"You are scaring people Naruto," Tsunade says, agitation evident. There is only a beat of silence.
"Baa-chan, I told you! I can't help it. I was trying to transform and well I got stuck!" Naruto whines, sounding every bit like his childish self. My heart hammers in my chest, I find I dislike it when he talks like that. I prefer us alone, his low voice when direct towards me. I press my lips together, feeling my face flair up. I jump when the door slides open. Naruto stands, eyes seeming to train on me instantly. I can't read his face.
"Baa-chan, vistor," Naruto says, instantly I hear the tone change. It's deeper, huskier. Naruto spares no more glances and walks out. Tsunade waves me in and gestures for me to sit. I sit down, placing my bag beside me.
"I came to see if there are any missions?" I meekly ask, causing a surprised look to appear on Tsunade's face. I haven't been on a mission for a while. I lived at the compound, why would I need money?
"Uh, yes sure. Hold on." Tsunade grabs a heaping stack of papers, pulling her glasses on and begins to look through the papers. It's moments before she lays a paper down. She nods, decisively and slides it to me. It's a simple mission of escorting a banker. It's only ranked C, but it seems simple enough. I smile and nod my head. The pay isn't as much as I would have liked. It will suffice at least I will have a place to lay my head. I quickly get ready for the mission.
The banker is an old woman with a shrewd sense of life. I can't seem to not hear her complain about something. At first, I am too weak to protect her. It isn't long before she complains about her good for nothing husband. I wonder what a man sees in her. When we make camp, she complains about the hard ground. I give her my camping bedding to ease her joints, and only then do I get silence. I look up into the night sky.
"I wonder what he's doing?" I wonder aloud, and sigh. He's probably happily laying with Sakura. I just don't understand. If he saw me and Kiba, why isn't he raging? Why is his eyes always red now? I grip my jacket as a breeze blows past my body. I shiver and look down at the banker. It's odd to say I envy her; she lays peacefully in her sleep. I look up at the sky once more. I can hear movement to my left and it's making me anxious. Naruto's face crosses my mind. It's frustrating. Why is he not here? Why is he not paying attention to me?
I stand up once the movements get too close. I activate my byakugan, scanning my surroundings. It's nothing to see at first. I begin to think I am anxious, seeing as I have not been out the village in a while. It's confirmed that my suspicion falls true. I see a small creature making its way throw the foliage. The head of a rabbit pops up, before going back down. The tension in my shoulders melts away. I lightly smack my head, huffing at myself.
There is nothing out here, this is a banker who has nothing on her. I sit back down, craning my head back to gaze up at the stars once more. I'm sick of this constant uneasy feeling. I can never see anything yet…I seem to stay on edge. I grab my jacket close, nestling my head downward to begin to sleep.
A loud shrill scream jolts me from my sleep. I grasp my kunai, falling into my defense stance. I locate the sound of distress and sigh. The banker, Mai viciously shakes bugs from her sleeping bag. I slip my kunai away, bemused. Mai snaps her neck in my direction, growling. I roll my eyes at her rant as I clean up and begin to make our way to her home. Once we get there, she still glares at me, gnashing her teeth at me she stomps away. A part of me wants to grab her, shake her for the ignorant actions. I look around the city, shrugging. Maybe I can find something to ease my mind.