Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A day in the life ❯ My true feelings ( Chapter 5 )

A DAY IN THE LIFE c5

 

///

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!!!!

 

.

..

…but…

….

…..I could…

 

\\\

 

Chapter 5: My true feelings

 

The world blurred into focus.

Ishizu slowly opened her eyes, keeping perfectly still as not to betray the fact that she was awake. The cords were still wrapped around her arms, body and legs, preventing her from moving. She scanned the room, finding to her dismay that she was not alone.

She was in a large wooden cabin, but the area wasn't familiar to her. The trees outside showed no indication of training, meaning that they were most likely nowhere near Konoaha village. A large fireplace sat inside one of the far walls, spewing smoke into the air. The two nins that had kidnapped her from the fight were sitting at a long wooden table, staring at the edge of the table obscured from her view by her blind spot. They spoke in low tones, apparently nervous about detection. And though Ishizu couldn't see him, she knew who was at the end of the table by his soft voice and easy tone.

“Seriously, we've gotta get out of here!” said the smaller of the two nins. “That brat is in copycat Kakashi's squad, and you know how powerful he is! He could find us at any time!”

A soft chuckle sounded from the edge of the table. “So…do you doubt my ability to handle him, then?” the voice meandered. The nin shook his head. Quickly, staring at the table.

“Oh my…what time is it?” came the voice. A brief silence, and then…”5:30…well, you're awake now, aren't you?”

Ishizu kept still. How could he possibly know?

“Huh?” said the bigger nin. “What, her? I don't know when she'll wake up, it's based on her-“

“Age, blood type, gender and physiology. And don't worry, I worked it all out. Ishizu Hyuga of the branch house would be affected by that Genjutsu for approximately 1 hour, 37 minutes and 45 seconds.” The man walked into view slowly, still chuckling softly. “I do research on all my trophies.”

A large smile grew on the mans face. He walked over to Ishizu, remaining out of her blind spot the entire time. Probably on purpose, Ishizu thought bitterly. How much does this man know about me? He moved himself directly behind her, bending down.

“Come on...” he insisted softly, prodding her back gently with his toe. Ishizu grimaced, rolling over and sitting up with difficulty. She did her best to glare at the man - she hadn't had much experience. He just smiled again. “That's better.” He cooed. The other two nins just shook their heads.

Ishizu looked into the mans face. “Just why am I h-here, sir?” she asked, struggling to keep as much of the quiver out of her voice as possible.

“Why, you are the newest addition to my collection!” he said, beaming and pointing towards the far wall. With her blind spot moved, Ishizu could see quite a few wooden plaques on the wall. One had 4 masks resting upon it, while another held a long arm bone; nearly all the others were empty. It was quite strange. She looked at him again, allowing herself a questioning look. It seemed he wasn't interested in hurting or…using…her, so she kept her tone civil.

“Collection?”

He nodded. “I am Rensuara Togoh, a hunter of fine trophies. I only collect the best type, though: The gifts of the mighty Kekkai Genkai.” He smiled again, turning towards the plaques on the wall. “Soon I'll have more, you know. Soon I will collect the symbols of all the advanced blood in the world…”

He turned back towards her. “And I will need to learn how to remove your gift, too. I sincerely hope I would not have to kill you for it. You're such a nice young girl.”

Ishizu stared at him. He was serious. He wanted to remove her eyes, and though he said he didn't want to, he would apparently kill her to get them. Realizing the danger, Ishizu activated her Byakuugan and let her tone rise, her temper flare.

“What right have you to my eyes?!” she screamed. “These are my gift, my curse! These are the tools I use to serve the Main House! These are my life!” She glared at the hunter, who smiled sadly back. “If you remove my eyes, you are killing me nonetheless. The Main House would not allow a useless Branch Member to live.”

The smaller nin laughed. “Sounds like he's doing you a favor, girl! Way I heard, you branch members got the tail end of life!”

She swung her gaze to meet his, pulsing Byakuugan. He grinned a couple more seconds, then turned his gaze away and focused on his hands.

The larger nin stood up. “I gotta take a leak,” he said, “I'll be back in a few minutes.” He walked out through the front door of the cabin, watched all the way by the Hunter, Togoh. Once he was out of the cabin (and apparently, out of earshot), Togoh chuckled softly to himself.

“Hm….that's really going to hurt.” He said, smiling. He picked up a large backpack, removing the wooden plaques and their contents from the wall and placing them in the bag. The smaller nin stared at him.

“W-what?” he asked. “What are you doing?”

Togoh looked towards him. “Well, I don't want my plaques or my trophies destroyed, now do I?” he stated matter-of-factly. “And where that boy is concerned, there could definitely be some collateral damage.”

The nin sprung to his feet. “You mean Juyai just went outside into a trap?!” he shouted. Togoh shook his head. “No trap…the boy came head on, alone. Who knows, Juyai might be able to handle it. But just in case, I think you should go help him.”

Gritting his teeth, the man ran out the door. “We're more than a match for any snot-nosed kid.” He snarled. Togoh just put his head back and laughed.

“Not this one, good sir.”

Ishizu craned her neck, trying desperately to see what was happening. She heard the sounds of battle, along with the screams of the larger nin, but she couldn't see anything. She looked to the hunter.

“Who is it…Hunter?”

Togoh looked to her, a sad expression on his face. “I don't want him as a trophy yet…” he said glumly. “That Genkai is so extraordinarily rare, I want a true challenge out of the legendary defensive bloodline!” He threw his hands up into the air, apparently annoyed. It didn't seem to fit him.

He turned towards Ishizu. “Well, good child, I assume he has come for you. And I do not think I can keep you without harming him…so I bid you adieu.” Gathering his bag and his swords, Togoh bowed and disappeared, leaving Ishizu tied in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. She was confused, she was uncomfortable and she was frightened. She could no longer hear the screams of either nin, just…silence. Dead silence.

She waited there alone, trembling like a young child. With the Hunter nin no longer there, it seemed silly to bottle her emotions. This was frightening. She had apparently been left as bait to ward off a powerful Kekkai Genkai…not that it mattered much, she realized. She must have been reported missing by now, and the Main House would never take the chance that their precious Byakuugan secrets might be discovered. She was expecting to have her cursed seal activate at any time.

A small movement in the keyhole of the door caught her attention. Something flowed into the room through the cracks in the door, creating a second layer over the door. There was a loud crack as the door splintered into tiny fragments, allowing the substance to quickly trickle back out through the doorway. Ishizu held her breath, wondering whether the intruder saw her or not.

Her eyes widened, and she gasped with shock as Assatsu Gaara walked into the room, his customary scowl gracing his lips. He glanced quickly around the room, his sand flaring at his feet.

Seeming satisfied that nobody else was in the room, he walked slowly over to Ishizu. He stared at the bound girl at his feet. “Why is it that whenever I see you, you're laying helpless in front of me?” he asked, a slightly amused look on his face. It was almost more frightening than the scowl. “Be glad my name isn't Yamaki Kankouro.”

Ishizu looked up, finally catching on. She felt her face turning red, but strangely she felt no indignation at the implication. She smiled weakly. “I-I do it only for you, Assatsu-san.” She joked, giving a small giggle.

It was his turn to stare. He seemed angry at first, but soon a slow grin spread across his face. He sniffed. “Heh. Maybe you really do live up to your new title.”

Ishizu curled into a ball, suddenly feeling very sad and ashamed. Assatsu thought she was a pervert, too…

Why does it seem to hurt so much more when he thinks it? Ishizu thought sadly. She sniffed back a tear that somehow made its way to her eyes.

He stared at her again. He closed his eyes and sighed, kneeling down in front of her. “You know, I was only joking.” He said, untying the cord that bound her. He worked busily, sand resting in his container or spinning around the two of them.

Finishing, he helped her to her feet. She smiled at him, bowing. “Um…Arrigato, Assatsu-s-san…” she said shyly. He stood still, his head turned slightly to the side. His eyes wandered around the room, resting everywhere but on her. She remained bowing for a few more seconds, blushing once again.

She felt kind of silly. She had thanked him, but he was ignoring her. He saved her, but he wasn't interested in her. She liked him, but he didn't-

Her eyes grew wide. Did she really just think that? Did she actually care about a psychotic mass-murderer? How could she? She didn't know him. It was stupid, foolish. It didn't make sense. This couldn't be right!

Ishizu's fingers pressed tightly together. She felt more nervous than ever before in her entire life.

Then her jaw set. Well, if he was going to try and ignore her…she turned towards him, ran a few steps and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in an enormous hug. He stepped back, startled and obviously disturbed.

“W-w…what are you d-doing?!” he asked incredulously. “W-why are you t-touching me?”

She smiled happily, allowing a sigh to escape her lips. “I guess I'm just thankful towards you, Assatsu-san.” She spoke, keeping her speech normal. “I'm glad to know that someone cared enough about me to rescue me.”

He moved his lips. “B…but, I…I'm…a…the…” He snapped his head towards her, his teeth baring in a ferocious snarl. “I'm a Jinchuuriki, you idiot! I'm a murderer! I can kill you! I could-ulmf!”

His rant was suddenly cut off by a pair of lips pressing against his own. His eyes widened with shock, and his spine went rigid.

Ishizu held her first real kiss for a long time, seemingly for eternity, and Assatsu didn't pull away. She felt blissfully happy for the first time since…since she could remember.

She gingerly pulled her head away. “You know what?” she said quietly to her stunned savior, “I don't care.”

He scrutinized her face, obviously checking to make sure she was lying. She had to be lying. Nobody could love a demon. He had done too much; he didn't deserve love or care. But maybe…just maybe…

He looked back towards the girl hanging onto his shoulders, and wrapped his own arms around her waist. The sand crashed through the roof, reducing floorboards to splinters, and the pair floated gently onto the roof. Once there, Assatsu gently removed Ishizu's arms from him. He extended his arm, and the sand wrapped around something on the ground, bringing it back to his outstretched hand. He held the object out towards Ishizu.

She took the small rose from his hand. She smiled, sniffing the delicate flower. It smelled beautiful, like fresh spring mornings and pine trees.

He stared at her feet. “The truth of the matter is…I have been feeling very strange recently.” Assatsu said quickly. “I have not been wanted to kill nearly as much, I have not been anywhere as hungry as I usually am, and whenever I am around you I act very strange. And yet these feelings are not unpleasant. I needed to find out what is going on.”

Ishizu smiled happily, and extended her hand to grasp his. He stared up into her eyes with his own deep, dark orbs, his soul burning in his irises. “I think you have the same sickness I do, Assatsu-san.” She stated, grinning.

“I think you like me too.”

He seemed to stare into her mind, a question unspoken on his tongue and an answer ready on her lips. But the tender moment was broken by a sudden sharp shriek bursting from Ishizu's throat as she grasped the small green marking on her head.

“The…the M-main…h-house!” she gasped through the pain in her skull. “Th…they're activating my…c-cursed seEEAALL!!!”

She doubled over, clawing at her forehead and crying from sheer agony. Assatsu growled, placing one hand on her back and one on himself. Ishizu could barely see, but she saw a dome of sand quickly form around the two, disappearing a moment later to reveal the insides of the Gaara household. But that was all she could make out through the torment of her skull.

Assatsu yelled something, shaking her by the shoulders, but her ears were ringing too loudly to hear anything. Assatsu shouted again, holding up two fingers in front of his face. He vanished in a puff of sand.

Ishizu curled up on the floor, screaming and begging for the pain to end. It was just too much to bear alone, and now Assatsu had gone away, leaving her to die alone. She pounded at her ears, hoping to knock herself unconscious…

And then it stopped. The pain left in a flash, leaving only her ears hurting from her own blows. She opened her tear-brimmed eyes and wondered if perhaps she had died. But when she sat up and looked around, there was only one of her, and there were no bright lights leading through tunnels.

She suddenly realized she was holding her breath, and quickly began to gasp air back into her lungs. What had happened? The Main House wasn't known for its merciful tendencies, and she would have thought that they would leap at a chance to remove her from the ranks of the Branch House, cleaning a blemish from their otherwise spotless reputation.

She stood up shakily, holding on to a large, extravagant couch for balance. Her head was swimming, and she felt a little sick. She began to lurch towards the door. Assatsu probably thought she was dead by now, and would be coming back soon. She knew he wouldn't want to see her.

The doorway moved to the side, and the floor began to spin. The couches bounded into the air and the walls seemed to close in. Ishizu grasped her reeling head, trying desperately to keep secure footing. But it was no good. Her foot moved out from under her, pitching her headlong towards the floor. But instead of a painful collision, a thin layer of sand wrapped around her body and suspended her in midair.

She moved her head to the right, regarding the form of Assatsu Gaara. He wore a concerned expression as he walked quickly towards her, pulling her towards him with his sand. He stooped low, caressing her chin. “Are you alright, Ishizu?” he asked with a quiet, yet firm tone.

She smiled. “Y-yes, Assatsu-san. D-did you forget s-something?”

He gave her a hurt look. “What do you mean?”

“W-well…you came b-back.”

He glared at her. The sand constricted a little tighter, and Ishizu cringed involuntarily. He pulled her chin up to look at him.

“Of course I came back. I wouldn't leave you to die like that.” He growled, staring at her with fierce intensity. She stared back with shock in her eyes, surprised to hear such a statement from Assatsu Gaara.

She felt tears coming on again. She closed her eyes, determined not to cry yet again. She was far too emotional, and shouldn't be crying all the time. “Th-thank you. Assatsu…ch-chan…” she whispered hoarsely.

He smiled, a genuine smile. He waved his free hand, releasing Ishizu's chin gently as the sand wrapped around the two of them and carried them to the top of the stairs. The sand deposited Ishizu into his outstretched arms, and he carried her gently into a large bedroom.

Wow, Ishizu thought to herself. I'm going to be in Assatsu Gaara's bed tonight. She felt herself blush…slightly.

Well, I'm living up to my reputation of `pervert'. But you know what? Screw that.

She grinned to herself at her inappropriate choice of terms, and snuggled closer to Assatsu's chest.

 

\\\\

 

Yessir, this is an Assatsu-Ishizu story. For some reason, the character of Ishizu Hyuga has caught my attention moreso than the other characters, perhaps because I am developing a taste for a tragic romance. Thusly, I am writing my story on her and her relationship with Assatsu Gaara. Cool, huh? Kind of a twist on all the “Gaara-Hinata” fics I see around.

I love it…and you do too, I just know it. Hee hee hee…

 

////