Chapter 40: Calm
'Inner thinking'
Writing
°Telepathic communication°
Kohaku's POV
Brought in the dead of night I remembered the groggy appearance of the caretaker as she opened her door. Even though she was tired she guided me to a room and set up the things I needed. Too tired to ask questions I fell asleep immediately. It was weird sleeping in a room with strangers but that didn't matter, I was tired and I was going to sleep.
Not much changed the following days I was introduced to my roommates and told about the activities in the orphanage. But even with that I still hadn't really become friends with everyone.
'I wonder what Ryota-kun is doing…' Sitting on the branch of a tree I climbed I watched everyone as they did their own thing. 'I wanted to see that city but we can't leave without a trusted adult.' I sighed wondering how I could do that.
"Ow!"
Looking down I saw a brown-haired boy that tripped over the tree's roots. Jumping down from the tree I landed on my feet and helped the boy up. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you." He squinted. "Are you new here?" He asked more to himself than me.
"Yeah, I came here a couple of days ago."
"Really? Where are you from–"
"Kohaku Uzumaki! Is Kohaku here!" I heard someone yell. "A letter arrived from Ryota Uzumaki."
"Oh, that's for me!" I yelled. "See you later," I told the boy before running to the mailman by the gates.
Ryota's POV
Holding the letter in my hands I reread the response. Ryota-kun. Hi! It's me Kohaku. This place is okay. I only made one friend so far, his name is Kiyoshi and he comes from the land of steam. I asked around and I found out that you are very busy so the next time you come back you better show me around the village like promised. Covering the smile on my face I shook my head wondering how she ever ended up like that. It's been a while since I received the response but since then I've been working on finding that time to show her the island. But things kept happening that prevented that like the weather or a new mission that Yukino had.
Sighing, I put away the letter and I looked up. 'I should be going back to meet up with them.' Getting off the park bench I fixed my Konoha forehead protector so it wouldn't slip off. 'It still feels weird.' I pinched the fabric as it slipped forward. 'Yukino got it for me but still… I don't like it.'
Retracing my steps I headed back to this Kurenai's house to pick up Emi. 'I wonder if Yukino will be back soon. It's been three days.' Just as I finished the thought I heard a familiar voice, straying from the path I was more than happy to see Yukino. That's when I noticed the masked whitehaired man talking to her. Quickly turning the corner I eavesdropped. "Kakashi-senpai how is your team?" Unable to hear what he was saying I could tell from his one eye that he was just tired. "I see that sucks but at least you have more time to yourself. Well later…" Seeing them go their own ways I ran up to Yukino and covered her eyes.
"Guess who?"
"I wouldn't let you do this if I didn't know who you were."
"Good point." Uncovering her eyes I looked at her. She was wearing Konoha's forehead protector on top of her head like a headband separating her red bangs and blonde hair. Her outfit was on the average side for a shinobi which was good for not drawing attention. "Did the mission go?" I asked her as I saw no scratches or bruises.
"I thought it would be quick but no I just had to babysit this lord's kid." She closed her eyes pinching the bridge of her nose as the memories came to her. "Anyways where is Emi?"
"Well, she took an interest in it and went back to Kurenai-sensei's house to learn more," I told her walking back to the path I was taking.
"To think she would take an interest in Genjutsu." She sighed and hummed. "It would be nice to have another skill under her belt. Maybe I should learn something else."
"Well, you do have the time. The Inu and Koi started weeks ago, you should take advantage of it."
"Yeah, maybe I should! But what…" She hummed. "I know! I'll work on my taijutsu. Ryota, go and pick up Emi. I may take a while." She bounced on her heels and ran off quickly.
'How much more do you need to learn?' I asked myself seeing her dash off with a fire in her eyes. 'But, I guess that's what makes her happy.'
"Haha. Lively as ever." Feeling a shiver up my spine I quickly turned around to see a young man around my age. 'I didn't sense him.' I breathed out realizing I had held my breath. "Nice to meet you. You must be Ryota." The young man asked, turning his stormy grey eyes to the direction that Yukino went.
"So she told you about me?"
"Yes but not very much." He smiled tilting his head slightly. "She seems happier recently. I wonder why?"
"Must be because of her boyfriend," I mumbled feeling the loneliness seep in once again. 'Maybe I'll find that special someone one day.' I hoped.
"Boyfriend?"
"Yeah, didn't she tell you?"
"Must've forgotten. Well, I have to go. Bye." He gave a closed-eyed smile that left me feeling confused. He was gone but his presence didn't leave behind a gap as if he was never there. 'Oh, shoot! Emi!' I remembered and ran to the house.
Close to reaching the house, I ran past a sweets store and walked back when my eyes caught emerald green ones. Looking into the store I saw Emi and Hinata talking with each other happily. Waving from the other side of the window Emi waved back and motioned for me to come in.
Doing so I stepped into the store feeling a nice wave of warmth envelope me along with the scent of freshly baked bread. "Buy one, they're really good," Emi suggested.
"Well if you tell me to." I walked to the glass case and looked at the cutely decorated sweets. 'They're all so cute!' I told myself wondering if they tasted as good as they looked. 'Which to choose…'
・・・
Once the decision had been done. I sat with the two kunoichi as they began talking about they're hobbies and likes with me participating from time to time. Surprised at some points I realized how "normal" Hinata's life was compared to Yukino's life or even ours. It almost made me feel envious.
"Bye!" Emi and I said in unison as she headed back to her home. "She was nice." I smiled holding the bag of sweets she bought us. "Once Yukino sees you she will devour you," I whispered happily to the bag.
"There you guys are." Turning around we saw Yukino huffing and gasping. "Wait!" She groaned trying to run. "Oh, I'm going to feel that in the morning." I heard her say under her breath.
"Oh, what happened?" I asked, amused at her current state.
"Taijutsu training. Neji wasn't there so I got lessons from his teammates…" She huffed and fell to her knees. "I need a shower." She wobbly got up and headed in the direction of her home.
"Wait." Emi stopped her and relayed to her the rest of the information through the mind link.
°Listening devices in my house?° She asked as baffled as we were when we went there.
°Yeah, we found them everywhere when we went there the day you went to your mission° I told her remembering how we just stood there confused in her entrance wondering what to do.
°There were a lot of them in your room.°
"I never put them there." She shook her head already more calmer than she should be. "I'll investigate that later. But where have you two been staying?" She asked worriedly.
"An inn near the outskirts," Emi told her.
"I'm sorry I should've checked it before I left."
"It's fine at least we noticed before we said anything important." I patted her back, regretting it when I felt the sweat. "Ew." I wiped my hand on her long sleeves. "Here Hinata bought some sweets for you."
"Hinata did?" She grabbed the bag and took out a cookie biting into it happily, "I'm going to buy her sand dumplings next time." She held the bag out for us to take some.
Finding the perfect day I passed by the orphanage and waited for Kohaku with Emi. It would've been better if Yukino was here but she had her own things to do.
"Finally!" A little twelve-year-old girl sighed exasperatedly. "I've been here forever." Kohaku shook her head in disappointment. "If you keep doing it, it may become a habit." She continued but froze when she saw Emi. "Girlfriend?" She attempted to whisper to me while pointing at her.
"It's my friend!" I corrected her.
"Oh, too bad. Where are we going first? You came to show me the city right?" She bounced happily.
"Yes… Emi this is Kohaku Uzumaki she came from my village and Kohaku this is Emi Ito she is my friend. There was someone else I wanted you to meet but she's busy."
"Oh, the girl with the red and blonde hair right? I met her before."
"You have? Oh, then okay… Uh… then I guess we head to the shrine first since it's closer."
Walking to the shrine Kohaku became tired halfway up the stairs so I carried her on my back the rest of the way. Meeting Nori and Kichi-san she took interest in their work but quickly got bored and wanted to go to a different place. "Why not show her the city center? Yukino did plant that hybrid right?" Kichi-san suggested. So we did, but instead of taking the long way back, I created a portal and took us there in a matter of seconds.
Running off, Kohaku ran around the tree no longer in full bloom. "So… what is Yukino doing?" Emi asked as we both kept our eyes on Kohaku as she was halfway around the tree.
Looking away I focused on creating a small portal to the infirmary. Seeing something blocking my view I quickly closed the portal. "She must still be busy."
"I see. Do you think I could use her library?" She looked away blushing a little.
"Emi… Yukino gave you permission, you can use it whenever you want just as long as you don't take anything out." I reminded her.
"Thank you. I–"
"Ryota-kun, show me the cove next!" Kohaku said tugging on my sleeve.
"Why the cove?" I asked since not even I have much interest in going there.
"I remembered that some kids at the orphanage were talking about it and were curious."
"I guess we can go. Emi you haven't seen it yet have you?"
Shaking her head I opened another portal leading to the other side of the island. Before Kohaku could run through it I pulled her back. "Don't run and watch your step," I told them, mostly her, as we entered, hearing the sounds of the waves first before smelling the salt from the ocean.
Seeing the cove from the cliff we were standing on I looked around spotting the shed with the staircase leading into the caves that led to the beach below. Going ahead I could hear their surprise as we went down and through the cave. Light shined through a couple of holes making the place bright enough for us to walk without worry. Quickly opening a portal I took out Yukino's camera and took a quick picture before putting it away. 'I might as well add to those memories she has.' Remembering the path from the last time I was here I heard the waterfall in the distance as we were approaching the Inu and Koi base.
The stone stairs led down to a quaint wooden bridge going over a small stream from the small waterfall, a clear indicator of the exit just steps aways. "Waterfall!" Kohaku exclaimed causing her voice to echo. Before the cave could become quiet once again she ran past me and towards the beach. Her steps, becoming muffled the moment she stepped on the soft yellow sand.
"This must be her first time seeing a beach." Emi laughed quietly as she looked at Kohaku with a smile. 'This is her first time.' I realized as I saw her enter the ocean and put her hands to her mouth.
"Don't drink that!" Someone yelled.
Stepping out of the cool shadows of the cave we walked towards Kohaku and the woman who stopped her from drinking ocean water. Shimizu-san. The woman, always by Kaito-san's side and the first woman Yukino had met on this island. Fierce and strong she was chosen as the leader of the Koi division. She was someone I only saw from a distance but now she was steps away standing with her hands on her hips telling Kohaku that the ocean water was salty and that it could make her sick. But not harshly. No. Her voice was like that of a teacher lecturing a student who knew no better. "Ah, Shimizu-san…" I hesitantly said as the woman directed a serious stare to me.
"You came to see the base?" She asked pointing to the cliff behind her. Not knowing how to answer that I just silently answered with a simple yes and a smile.
・・・
Going into the Koi base it was clear that the place had changed greatly from the last time I was here. The entrance was big like a theater showing three floors. "These changes are new," I whispered to Emi as she stared in awe at the stained glass ceiling depicting the scene of a calm pond and a koi.
"Really?" She whispered back.
"Yeah, it seems better though." I looked around noticing a tack board on a wall to our side with posters on it. "Where's everyone?" I asked.
"Some of them are training by the cove entrance, you might've seen them if you looked further," she turned her head, gesturing outside to the open double doors. Following her gaze I squinted slightly and I could see the figures of people swimming close to what I would assume strong currents. "The others are currently on a mission or teaching," Shimizu-san explained, pointing to the board. Going to it I read the list of who was currently where. There were three separate lists each saying exactly what she said.
"Oh, that's good." Noticing Kohaku was gone and so was Emi I looked around seeing both of them on the second floor being shown the place by Shimizu-san. Looking around I spotted the stairs leading up. "Wait for me!" I yelled running to it.
Yukino's POV
Weeks after that happened the fox twins, Hina and Haru, were put on the investigation. So far no results. The listening devices had the markings of the place where they were bought wiped clean off and they couldn't find evidence of who left them there. Not a hair or footprint. But that was their mistake; it narrowed down the suspects greatly for us. 'The suspect could only be Anbu or a jōnin. No one else inside that village could set up something like that without leaving evidence. But the question is who?' Turning around I looked at the empty infirmary. It has become a habit for the place to be empty but the time intervals that it remained as such kept increasing recently. 'What are they doing?' I wondered as I left the infirmary to go look around for some clues or to "accidentally" hear some information. 'I should really be sending some of this to Konoha. But how can I do that? I can't just drop it off in Tsunade's office.' I sighed feeling the hole I dug for myself becoming deeper. But who was I complain? I received many chances to leave before but I didn't.
"Oh, Yuki." White Zetsu said, appearing from above my head making me flinch. "Tobi is the new member." He smiled.
"He's joining since Sasori is now dead." Black Zetsu added.
"Dead?" I asked since he seemed fine the last time I saw him. 'Then again he's a puppet. Also, there's going to be a new member joining?'
"He and Deidara were on a mission together." White Zetsu continued, "Deidara made it so prepare the surgery room~" he kind of sang the last bit.
"Oh, okay I hope it's nothing serious." I kept a straight face and returned to the infirmary.
Entering the infirmary I jumped in surprise when I saw a stranger in the room. He was wearing the Akatsuki cloak and he was playing around with a vial on my desk. 'A vial?' Running to the desk I snatched the vail from his hands. "Don't touch it." I hissed placing the vial down. "Sasori left it so it's dangerous."
"It's fine you will heal me if I got poisoned, wouldn't you! Pein-sama said you're really good!" The masked figure said in a childish almost cute voice.
"Oh, you must be Tobi right?" I asked, feeling something familiar from him. The mask could've been what made me feel so but a chill ran down my spine when I placed my finger on it. The similar chakra and the hole on the same side of the mask. 'It can't be a coincidence.' It took everything to not tense my muscles or to show the slightest reaction on my face.
"Mhm!" He nodded. "Tobi is here to help since there's an opening!"
"That's kinda rude isn't it?" I kept my calm picking up the poison vial. "Sasori just died didn't he?"
"Oh? Did you like Sasori-san?" He asked, leaning on the table like a curious highschool girl. 'Why are you acting like this?'
"He never bothered me like Hidan and Deidara do. Yes, he might've stolen the herbs from here but still, I don't hate him." I said looking at the poison. "That guy probably made this using the herbs I have here." Opening the vial I took a whiff of it and took a gulp of it. Clutching my heart I coughed violently and fell on my desk.
"Kya! Zetsu the healer is dying!" He ran out of the room screeching.
Waiting until the sound was gone I sighed feeling my body cool with relief. Glancing around the room I opened a portal putting away the remaining poison. 'I will look at that later.' Placing my fingers where my stomach was I focused on the poison and pulled it out. Throwing it in the sink I turned on the faucet and watched it wash away. Looking around again I opened the curtains to the bed closest to me and picked up the poster on it. Sticking the poster to the empty space above the bed I checked for a moment that it stuck before pulling the curtains close on the bed.
Thud! Turning my attention to the doorway I saw Deidara missing his arms. Throwing himself to the bed closest to him I stared at his missing appendages. "What happened?" I asked lifting what was left.
"He blew himself up," Pein said entering the room tossing his arm on the bed.
"You did what?" I asked looking at his one visible eye.
"That's what they think I did, hm." Whipping his head away mumbling… "if it weren't for that Konoha nin with the Sharingan I wouldn't have my right arm like this, hm."
'Sharingan? Does he mean Kakashi? He's the only one left in Konoha who has that eye. Is he okay?' Picking up his arm I saw what he left me to work with and slapped him softly with it. "Well, you should've been more careful." I lectured and shook it in front of his shocked face. "What am I supposed to do with this stitch it back up? Oh sure! Let me do just that and stitch it right here where half of your upper arm is!" I said sarcastically as I put the arm right where what was left to show him.
"Yuki can you fix it?" Pein asked.
"I will try to salvage his arm but can I lecture him more?" I asked.
"As long as the arm doesn't go bad."
"Will do." I nodded and slowly froze his arm. Sitting across from him I smiled, "Deidara-san, repeat after me."
"Ugh… what."
"I will be more careful."
"I will be more careful."
"Or Yuki will leave you to rot,"
"Or Yuki will leave me to… wait that's not fair!"
"Put yourself like this again and I will," I warned. "Pein-sama I will need Kakuzu-san's help for this."
"I'll tell him." He left the room leaving me alone with Deidara.
"Thank you!" I yelled before turning back to Deidara. "Who knows where Kakuzu and Hidan it may take them days so that means that you will be under my care until then." I hummed happily. "It may take days…" I leaned back hiding the small spreading across my face.
"What do you mean by that, hm?
"Don't worry. It won't torture you I'll just make your stay unbearable." I grabbed his hand and placed it in the fridge. "Hm… with Sasori gone I'm starting to realize that everlasting art is so much better and incredible than any other art!" I sighed.
"Listen here art is a–"
Covering my ears I hummed loudly and walked out of the room leaving him to tire himself out a bit. 'Now how am I going to put that arm back on him?' I stood by the door wondering this as I heard him yelling and attempting to open the door. Holding the door closed I stood there thinking of all the possible ways that I could, considering my circumstances. 'Maybe they will give me someone's arms.' Shivering at the thought I knew that that would most likely happen. 'There's no other way to fix that.'
"Yuki-chan, you're alive!" I heard the childish voice yell. 'They must've told him my name…'
"Tobi," I bowed my head slightly. 'I will pay you back for the scar you gave me.'
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for Deidara-san to calm down." Thump! "He is really lively at the moment. I can't help him if he isn't still."
"I see!" He nodded. "Can I help?"
"Do you know medical ninjutsu?"
"No?"
"Then no, you can't help." Hearing the noise inside die down I opened the door as Deidara tried tackling the door. Falling into the ground I looked down at him. "Deidawa-san wemove youw clothes. I need to qwean those wounds." I said in a baby voice. Heating him groan I smiled. "I'll keep this voice until Kakuzu-san returns," I said for a moment in my normal voice.
・・・
Finding a small window of time to escape I returned to Konoha to see if Kakashi was alright considering the damage Deidara suffered I was expecting him to be seriously injured. Sneaking into the hospital through one of the windows I just headed to his room by just sensing him.
Entering the room I walked to the bed and picked up his chart to read. 'Ah… I would hate to be in his place for a week.' Looking up from the chart I noticed the blanket covering his face. 'It must be stuffy.' I told myself as I removed the blanket from his face without a second thought. Jumping back when I saw his face I felt weird and placed the blanket back on his face immediately. Feeling my heart race I looked around hoping no one else saw that. Exhaling I carefully pinched the blanket a bit to allow him some air to breathe. 'Why was that so terrifying?' I sighed placing my hand to my chest feeling it beat wildly.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to be here."
Flinching I stood straight and turned to the Hokage who made it into the room while I was lost in my own worries. "Tsunade-sama," I greeted her with a slight crack to my voice. "I just came here to see if my senpai was alright."
"Ah, he's fine. Luckily he just needs rest after exhausting himself."
"Ha. ha. That's great." I placed the chart I was holding on the bedside table. "That's all I came to do tell him I said hi." I quickly made my way around her and left.
Ryota POV
Sitting in the plaza I looked up at the sky through the branches of the trees. "She's late," I told Emi who just nodded in agreement.
"Maybe she was held up by something."
"She would've sent us a message." I reminded Emi. Noticing something from the corner of my eye I turned my head as a portal opened up beside us.
Coming out of that portal Yukino came crawling out. "I'm so sorry." She apologized. "I had to make sure the arm that I restitched worked."
"What? You know what I don't want to know. What matters is that you still came." Standing up I waved to the three kids who were playing not too far away. "Let me introduce you to your new team." I showed her the three kids. "You've met her before Kohaku Uzumaki." I gestured to the red-haired and amber-eyed girl. "This is Kiyoshi." I gestured to the brown-haired grey-eyed boy. "Finally this is Fumio Yuki." I motioned to a boy with icy eyes and jet black hair. "These three are your new team." I smiled.
"New team? Wait did I miss something?" She looked around seeing a couple of Inu and Koi members with their groups of three.
"Oh, you didn't receive the notice, did you? Those that know ninjutsu and are capable of teaching it should become sensei. So there is a next generation of medics, professors, and sensei." He explained simply and guided me to the bright-eyed kids. "I am still a student so I can't teach… but you can." I patted her back. "Don't worry they volunteered."
"Hm…" looking at the kids she hesitantly glanced back and forth between each. "Teaching a couple of more kids shouldn't be too hard." With a shrug and a hair flip, she placed her hands on her hips. "Alright then from this day forward you're my team 2."
Yukino's POV
Bringing them to one of the training grounds I looked around making sure that it was safe. Once it was I noticed Ryota and Emi sitting to the side to watch. "First things first I want to know you guys better so let's start by saying our names, our dreams for the future, and hobbies," I asked them, taking a few notes from Kakashi. 'I never dealt with kids this young before…' I thought slightly worried but kept it hidden with a smile.
"Really? Then you start first." The girl Kohaku said sitting straight with intrigue. The others agreed and nodded.
"Well… I'm Yukino Uzumaki and well I come from Konoha. My dream is… well… I never thought about it. As for my hobbies, I really like reading new things." I laughed slightly embarrassed. 'Never thought I would be sharing my personal side to strangers.'
"Oh…" The kids were surprised by the little bit of info that I gave them.
"I want to go first!" Kohaku raised her hand. "I'm Kohaku Uzumaki. I come from the same village as Ryota-kun." She pointed to the side surprising him. Curiously Emi was gone. "My dream is to become someone special like the elders in my village. And my hobby is collecting flowers. They look pretty but some can hurt. I want to know all of their secrets." She finished. 'Emi could help teach her when I'm gone both seem to share similar interests… that's good.'
"I'll go next." The black-haired boy said. "Fumio Yuki, I came here with my mom. I don't remember the place that we came from but I like it here. My dream for the future is to become someone that my mom doesn't have to worry about. Hobbies? Well, does reading count?"
"It does," I replied.
"It's my turn right?" The brown-haired boy asked. Nodding he started. "I'm Kiyoshi, I really don't know where I came from but the Inu that brought me passed by a desert so I think somewhere in the land of wind." He played with his hands as if replaying the path he took. "My dream… I also don't have one and for hobbies, I really like feeding the hawks that pass by the orphanage." He said pointing up.
Looking up I saw the long tail feathered hawk similar to the one I saw when I was growing up in Konoha. 'Huh, how did I not see them before?' Looking back at the expectant kids I quickly came up with questions to ask to narrow down their knowledge. "Well, first things first. How many of you know how to–" Looking behind me I didn't see anyone but somehow I felt that there was. Glancing to the side I noticed that Ryota was now gone. Placing my hand on my stomach I activated my eyes and saw the scene before me waver before it revealed Ryota and Emi trying to sneak up on us. "Emi was that genjutsu?"
Nodding with a smile she did the sign to dispel it surprising the kids who didn't know what was happening.
・・・
Figuring out how much they knew I realized that I would once again have to teach someone from the very beginning. Sitting to the side with Emi I watched as the kids kneeled in front of the pond with their hands on the water. Trying to get a leaf in front of their hands to move a foot in front of them using their chakra. Ryota kneeled next to them doing it as an example. °Yukino. What's on your mind.° Emi asked me so the others couldn't hear.
°I wonder if I'll be able to teach these kids properly.° I sighed seeing Ryota making a small boat with the leaves he found.
°Your family has helped while you were gone. Misa-san has been helpful in the clinic.° She said referring to the silent fox that taught me what I know in that field. °But… that isn't what really troubles you. I haven't known you as long as Ryota but is there something else?°
Arching an eyebrow I glanced at her and turned my attention to the dirt on my shoes. °There is…° I sighed. 'Was it really that obvious? I thought I was hiding it well…'
Flashback to a couple of hours ago
Sitting together I had my head on his shoulder wondering how this would work. °Itachi… do you sometimes wonder how life would be if things were different?°
°What part?° he asked as he kissed my hand lightly.
°Don't know… but I need to leave here soon. There are changes happening in my village that I'm missing for not being there.°
°Has Konoha really changed that much?°
°It's not Konoha but somewhere else.° I looked up at him tucking his loose strands behind his ear. °That place I go to… Uzushiogakure.° Flinching I looked towards the hallway and ran to the closet and hid in it.
"Oh! Sorry!" The familiar childish voice said when he entered the room. "I thought this was my room, my bad."
"Your room in the other hallway." Itachi reminded him. °Yukino it would be safe if we don't meet together like this.°
°I know… please be careful.° I cut the link and quickly made a portal to the infirmary to check on my patient.
Flashback end
°So that's what happened.° Emi nodded looking at Ryota with sparkling emerald eyes. °If you told him he would be even more lonely.° She giggled.
°Yeah… I can't talk about it with him because then he goes on about how he wants to find someone who understands him and loves him.° I sighed seeing him walking on the lake in front of the kids who just gazed at him in admiration. "Hey, summer will end soon so let's go to the beach one of these days."
Weeks later… somewhere in the land of fire...
"Now to teach you how to do medical ninjutsu you will need to work on your chakra control and what better way than to do it on the beach where the waves are moving!"
Hearing groans from all of them I shook my head. "Hey, medical ninjutsu has to be the hardest thing you can learn but is because of that reason that if you learn it it will become much easier if you decide to go down a different path." I pointed to Emi and Ryota training. Emi with a genjutsu trick of scattering flower petals and Ryota with his adamantine chains. "Every jutsu involves chakra control in order for it to work properly." I reminded them.
"Okay…" They said in unison. Kohaku went into the cold water first walking slowly on the water bridge I made for them to use to get to the more calm waters. After she went the two boys followed her example and carefully followed. Fumio walked with a calm aura around him successfully standing on the ocean water better than Kohaku who wobbled as she tried to concentrate. Kiyoshi, on the other hand, wobbled on the bridge but eventually made it to the same spot as the others.
Here in this slightly hidden beach, I didn't have to worry about onlookers since getting here would require one to walk through a cave or go over the sharp rocks surrounding us. Keeping a careful eye on them, my hand remained relaxed ready for the moment that they would fall. "Hey, Yukino! Emi is gone!" Ryota yelled.
Activating my eyes I looked around but couldn't see her. "Weren't you just with her!" I yelled back equally confused as to where she could be. Looking back at my team I noticed Kiyoshi was no longer with the group. Feeling my heart drop I was about to freak out when I spotted drag marks in the sand not too far away. Close to that place was Kiyoshi who was looking at the sand with interest.
Looking at the two training I walked to the young brown-haired boy. "Kiyoshi are you alright?" I asked once I was close enough.
"I'm fine but… what is this?" he asked while squinting at the round ball he found in the poking out of the sand.
"A turtle egg," I responded. 'Well, there is a coral reef near here.' Glancing back at the others I knelt down and removed some of the sand to find the other eggs. Carefully placing the egg back with the others I covered the hole I made. "There." Standing up we both walked back only for
Kiyoshi to trip on a small rock. Kneeling down next to him I decided to test something out. "Kiyoshi, tell me what is that right there." I pointed to the conch shell in the sand not too far away.
"Uh… that's a starfish right?"
"…Kiyoshi how bad is your sight?"
"Oh, right that is a conch shell…" He responded squinting and pointed elsewhere. "I thought you meant that." He pointed to a pink shell on the sand.
With a sigh, I stood up. "Until I can get you glasses, you are forbidden from training without proper supervision from either me or Ryota and Emi." Extending one hand he took it and I lifted him up.
Glancing up I saw Emi. 'Weird I don't remember her green swimsuit having red patterns on it.' Realizing what it was I quickly made a water tendril and got Kohaku and Fumio out of the ocean and back on the sand. Letting go of Kiyoshi's hand I ran to Ryota as he placed his sunset-colored haori on Emi.
"What happened?" I gasped upon seeing Emi's bloody face.
"I fell in a well…" Emi sighed clutching her head. "Oh, hey, don't go that way you may fall in." She pointed towards the surrounding trees. Holding her head I slowly leaned her head back and Ryota poured water on her to clear the blood. Closing the wound I looked at the injury she had.
"It's not serious is it?" Kohaku asked.
"No. But you should rest and keep that clean." I told her as I opened a portal and took out some gauze.
"I'll do it," Ryota said as he took the gauze. "There's a store nearby right? Can you go get more water to clean Emi?" With a nod, I quickly stood up and left to the store on the other side of the rocks.
・・・
Grabbing food for my students, water, and even an empty ice pack I ran back to the group carefully carrying the things. Focused so intently I didn't notice Gaara until he was literally in front of my path. Skidding to a halt I looked at him up and down taking note of his red one-piece swimsuit. It was an odd sight, to say the least. But it did suit him.
"Yukino?" He asked. "Is that blood?"
Looking down at myself I noticed the dried bloodstain on my hand. 'How did I not see it?' About to tell him that it was from a friend I stopped feeling that something was off about him… "Shukaku." I realized.
"You knew about it?" He asked.
"It was fairly obvious also your uncle told me. But it's gone so how are you still alive?" I shook my head in confusion. "Don't jinchūriki die without it?" I asked inching closer hoping that maybe I was confused. The heavy presence was gone which brought multiple questions to mind.
"The Akatsuki removed Shukaku." He explained. 'The Akatsuki? But why would they do that?' Thinking of jinchūriki, an old acquaintance of mine popped into my head. 'Yugito… Naruto… I wonder how they're doing.'
"Excuse me!" I heard someone yell. Snapping out of it I glanced at the forest seeing Fumio gesturing for me to follow.
"Who's–?"
Before Gaara could ask I interrupted, "My kid. Sorry, but I have to go." Without looking back I ran towards the trees to go back to Emi who had slipped from my mind.
Emi's POV
Feeling my head throb not from the pain but from the weird dream I had in that well. I closed my eyes as I remembered it so vividly. I had planned on using genjutsu to hide from Ryota to see if he could find me but in doing so I didn't pay attention to where I was standing. The old well covered by decaying boards broke the moment I fell on it sending me to the bottom. Falling didn't cause much damage thankfully but unfortunately, I didn't look before I stood up hitting my head with a stone. It was at that moment that I heard a voice as soft as silk whispering to me. Somehow I couldn't remember what they said but it made me happy.
"Sorry, that I can't help much," Ryota said snapping me out of my trance, looking behind him I saw that he finished propping up the last beach umbrella.
"It's fine…" I smiled as he helped me up and guided me to the beach chair. "Medical ninjutsu is not for you. Yukino knows that, which is why she doesn't push you."
"If I was better at it then maybe I can be more useful. Maybe its time that I revisit it." He sighed heavily as he helped me sit on the chair.
"You're already useful. You taught me when Yukino couldn't." Clutching the haori he had draped on me I noticed the blood I had stained it with. "Oh… I'm sorry."
"No. Don't be, I can always wash it." He dismissed it simply with a smile.
"I"m so sorry I ran into Gaara on my way back!" We could hear Yukino yell as she ran towards us with her students right on her tail.
"You did?" Ryota asked piqued. "Was he wearing a swimsuit?" Sending him a questioning look he shrugged. °Don't tell me you aren't curious.°
"He was," Yukino answered his question as she filled a small ice pack with water and froze it. "Here." She placed it on my head gently.
"Thank you." Seeing the kids just waiting for something I sighed knowing that it was my fault that they weren't training at the moment. "Hey, Yukino we can train tomorrow? I feel like everybody deserves a small break after scaring you all like I did."
"True." She shrugged. "You heard Emi you guys have the rest of today to play around but don't let your guard down. If you want to want to go to the other side tell us." She pointed to herself and Ryota. "Emi are you feeling hurt anywhere?" She asked.
"No."
"Okay." She nodded and glanced at the sea. "Call me if you need anything." She tapped her head before running towards the sea with a smile. 'So that's why she brought us to the beach.' I giggled as I saw her dive into the water with Kohaku following close behind her.