"..." Normal chat.
ABC. Thought.
Chapter 19
Kakashi's grip on her hand's so strong that Nina can't escape. Meanwhile, Sasuke deactivates his cursed seal to catch a breather.
"Ugh!"
Before he can get his answer, however, the red aura on Nina's body fades and she collapses.
"Nina!"
When checking on Nina, Kakashi finds that her breath is unstable. She seems to be in pain and her body's burning hot. Like someone's on high fever.
Swiftly he lays the mattress down for her to lie on. To cool down the temperature, Kakashi asks Sasuke to fetch some cold water at the lake. Therefore he obeys and vanishes within seconds.
"Sigh... Just what have you gotten yourself into."
While Kakashi searches for something that can help reduce the pain. Fortunately, there are a few remedies left for emergency cases. And after forcing them down her throat, he uses his handkerchief to dry the sweats off her forehead.
"Ryu nii-sama..."
In response to his touch, Nina groans and whispers another unfamiliar name.
Ryu? I wonder if she and this person are related.
Therefore Kakashi memorizes it right away, as this can be an important info which he can use on her later on.
Yesterday at the cliff.
"Gaara is abnormal."
Nina confessed to him. And Kakashi noticed that frightened expression, which had yet to worn off from her face ever since their last meeting with Gaara.
"You're not going to ask me to make Sasuke quit the exam, are you?"
They knew that the decision couldn't be changed. And there's no way that Sasuke would give up on fighting a strong opponent just because someone was telling him not to.
"Not at all."
Instead Nina insisted that Sasuke must used his newly learnt technique to take Gaara down. It's good to know that she believed in her teammate and was willing to support him.
Considering their discussion about Gaara and Sasuke was done. However, that was not the main reason for them to be here.
"Last time you mentioned about an old friend, it's Orochimaru, wasn't it? You knew about his arrival."
Kakashi asked Nina how she knew about Orochimaru. Therefore her reply was...
"I read about it."
It's the same excuse. And what troubled him more was that Nina's being serious about her reading business.
"Fine. Is there any limit to this record?"
"Seventy two volumes and hundreds of documentaries. But that's still not the end of it."
So much that they're even divided into volumes? And documentaries? What is she even saying?
Still, Kakashi couldn't find himself believe in everything she said.
Since there's chance that Nina was only spouting nonsense to confuse him. When she could have been informed about the event beforehand by someone from the outside.
An ally of Orochimaru? It could be a possibility. Out of nowhere appeared a mysterious girl who carried tons of confidential information within her. That was too shady no matter how much one thought about it.
It's even more frightening that there could be more people who were similar to her lurking out there. Plotting to invade Konoha with these knowledge in any moment.
"What else are you hiding from me?"
"You still don't trust me, do you? But it's alright. Because something such as mutual trust takes time."
When her sincerity's being questioned, Nina forced a smile.
"...Someone's going to die."
Then she whispered something to herself that was only enough for him to hear, and Kakashi froze on his feet.
Death? Is this a warning?
Countless people died every single day, anywhere and due to any possibilities. For what reason should I be cautious?
However after what had happened, Kakashi figured that he shouldn't take her words too lightly. As this person must be playing an important role. Either to him or to anyone, many or not. And above all...
"Has this person interacted with us?"
"They know you well."
Nina answered half of his question, but at least he'd gotten a hint.
"What about to happen is inevitable."
While Kakashi's counting how many people he's close to, she gave him another warning.
Inevitable? Is she saying that person has to die?
For some reasons, Kakashi had a hunch that it would happen in Konoha. But it could also be anywhere within the Land of Fire. While there's nothing to confirm his doubt, there was no threat that could make her speak.
They had a serious talk after Nina woke up and there, she took the blame to herself and admitted that everyone in the team 7 had known about her condition. Except for Kakashi, her supervisor.
Despite hiding it well behind his usual smile, they knew that he's angry at their irresponsibility. And Kakashi decided that she would receive her punishment when they returned to Konoha.
A powerful ability that costs its user life to master. Interesting.
Nina's owning an abnormal power that could kill wasn't much of a surprise to him. As Kakashi had his doubts way back to her first D rank mission, when Sasuke was not the one responsible for the brutal massacre.
"So, you used Sharingan on them. Was that what happened?"
"...Yeah."
Despite not mentioning a thing about Nina during their discussion at the hospital, Sasuke's obnoxious reactions to most of his questions were everything he needed.
In one morning.
"You're going to report this to the Hokage, aren't you?"
Still lying on the mattress, Nina asks her teacher who is sitting on a boulder nearby.
"Of course, since that's my job."
Kakashi calmly replies, his eyes haven't left the pages on that adult book in his hand.
"Can you please not do it?"
"No."
It's a straight forward response. And she sighs.
"You'd better not placing me on custody after this."
"That depends on the Hokage's decision."
Closing his book, Kakashi jumps down from the boulder and speaks to Sasuke, who has just arrives to the spot, to ask him watching over his injured teammate before disappearing through flicker technique.
"How much longer are you going to be lazy around?"
Once settles down next to her, Sasuke places the fruits, which she has begged him to get, on her mattress.
"We aren't here to nurse you forever. You know that, right?"
His outfit has changed into a black, one-pieced attire. It's the one he wears for the upcoming Chuunin exam battle that god knows where or when he has gotten from.
Despite being busy with training, he still spends his time to visit her in his break, which surprises her greatly.
"I know. Sorry."
After their short talk, things fall awkwardly silent again.
"Hey, Sasuke. Do you know that..."
And whenever that happens, Nina will try to think of an interesting topic to talk to him.
"... Is that so."
While Sasuke welcomes the soothing silence in his short break. Until he's tired of watching Nina constantly embarrassing herself and gives in. By expressing his dull opinions to her stories from time to time.
Their talk don't last long. It usually starts with how he spend his day training, to his Chidori progress and Kakashi. His plans for the upcoming battle against Gaara and what he will do after. Sometimes it's about their friends back in Konoha. The members of team 10, 8, and their teammates. Sakura and Naruto.
"Why did you cover for me?"
Thinking about what happened back then, Sasuke asks her.
"You're still learning from Kakashi-sensei, aren't you? Causing him angry won't do any good to your training progress."
Nina's confident that their teacher won't stay mad at her for long.
"And just what are you trying to prove in a friendly match?"
"It's because... I had a bad feeling about that power that Orochimaru has given you. So..."
Sasuke's surprised when Nina admits that she didn't want to lose against that cursed mark and went all out on him. Though it's also a chance for her to test her own limit.
"Is that it? And not because it make me stronger than you?"
He had thought that Nina's being jealous with his newfound power.
"What are you even saying? You already are without that ridiculous mark."
Despite her honest praises, Sasuke doesn't believes her. And after having failed to persuade him for nth times, Nina decides to use that same level of stubbornness against him as payback.
"That's right. I've been holding back because you're so weak. It's so difficult to stay behind every single time and watch you take all the spotlight for yourself."
Nina notices that his expression stiffens up. It seems that those insults have done quite a number on his pride.
"Dude, chill. I'm only kidding. Has no one ever said that you're so easy to fool?"
That intense moment vanishes once she bursts out laughing.
"What the hell?!"
Finally realizing that he's been made fun of, Sasuke yells at her. But she keeps recalling to his dumbfounded face from earlier and laughs even harder. Until the muscle pain kicks in that she's forced to stop.
"O-Ouch!"
Watching her suffers from the instant karma, he snickers. And that's when Nina notices that this is her first time seeing him smiling so genuinely toward her. It's truly a rare sight.
"What is it? Something on my face?"
"...Nope. I was thinking that how great would it be if Naruto was open-minded about my power as much as you."
Then, Nina imagines what kind of hell would break loose if Naruto's there watching their fight.
"Jeeze, I sure do miss him."
Recalling to that overly excited yellow haired boy and his birdbrain moments, Nina can't help but wondering how hilarious Naruto training days must be when having Jiraiya by his side.
"Are you done?"
Unbeknown to her, Sasuke's cool demeanor has long withered the moment that name shows up.
"Huh?"
"Naruto this, Naruto that! I'm sick of hearing his name over and over. Is that bastard all you care about?"
Letting those wild emotions gets over him, Sasuke raises his voice at her. Though he's quick to calm down once seeing Nina staring at him with a deeply confused expression on her face.
"...Forget it."
Having reverted back to his solemn side, Sasuke stands up and leaves.
"Alright, I'm here."
Just then, Kakashi returns from his business.
"Eh? Where's Sasuke?"
Unable to find his student, Kakashi asks Nina and she points at the direction which Sasuke has gone off to. Therefore he goes off again to find him so that they can continue with their training.
From then on, Nina realizes that there's no problem with mentioning Naruto in their conversation for a thing or two. But anymore than that will result in Sasuke stops talking and leaves for his training immediately.
Must be because of his over the top competitive nature. Or so Nina thought.
While Sasuke doesn't understand his odd mood swing either. For some reasons that whenever seeing Nina talking about Naruto with those shiny eyes and gentle smiles, he feels irritated. A lot.
In that morning.
Kakashi's waiting for me to take his hand, but I refuse.
"I also know that flicker technique. You two can go up ahead."
Needless to say he's surprised, and Sasuke confirms that I'm speaking the truth. Since he has seen me using it before.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to run away."
Ignoring Kakashi's irritated face, I explain my plan to them. And that I will find myself a seat within the audience area. Instead of appearing together with them on the battle ring. Mostly to avoid pointless attentions and misunderstandings.
"You'd better keep your words. Miss."
After having warned that he'll hunt me down if I ever try to escape on my own, Kakashi leaves with Sasuke.
A few minutes later.
The moment I arrive to the arena, everyone's cheering for the contestants who are standing at the battle ring.
"Sakura!"
After spotting where Sakura and the others are at, I approach them.
The Anbu notices my presence but doesn't make a move. It seems that they've been informed about my arrival beforehand. While the Sandaime's too focus on the battle ring to care. Though I was positive that our eyes had met.
"Nina-chan! Over here!"
Quickly Sakura asks Choji to spare his seat so that I can sit together with her and Ino.
"It's alright. I don't mind standing."
Therefore I tell them that it's unnecessary. Since Chouji looks like he doesn't want to give up on his chair as he hates standing for the rest of the battle.
"But we do! Come on, Chouji. Get up already!"
However Ino and Sakura are too determined to have me watch the show together with them. So he has to leave his seat in the end. Comparing to having to stand, suffering from those glares and loud nagging from them is even worse.
"Jeeze, Where have you been?! I was so worried!"
The moment sitting down, I'm being bombarded by tons of questions.
"Well... Stuff happened. You didn't read the note on my table?"
Therefore Sakura takes out a folded paper out of her pocket and shows it to me.
"Yes I did. It said that you wanted to go outside to enjoy the beautiful world. But didn't specific where you would go and when you would be back."
Enjoy the world, huh? After reading the message that Kakashi has *carefully* prepared for me, I frowned deeply at how cringe it sounded.
"Oh well, as long as you returned to us in one piece. I was afraid that you would get caught up in that if traveling alone, you know?"
Carefully, Sakura whispers into my ear. And I understand what that means almost instantly. She's worried that those robots would appear and kidnapped me again like last time.
"You must be the new member of Kakashi's team. Nina, am I right?"
Suddenly Might Guy approaches us from behind. So I stand up from my seat to greet him.
"This man is Might Guy, who is in charge of Team Guy, which conists of Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee and TenTen."
Therefore Sakura introduces the smaller version of him standing nearby is Rock Lee, who is a contestant of this Chuunin exam and is recovering from his injuries at the moment.
"Heya gal."
Soon Kakashi shows up to check on us. After having small discuss about the mark on Sasuke's neck, the fight begins.
Needless to say, it's amazing. Just as expected from both incredible shinobi. And from then on, everything plays out like how it's supposed to be. From Naruto shouting to stop the fight, to Gaara's sand cocoon and Sasuke's Chidori.
Finally, the big battle that everyone has been waiting for, Konoha Crush.