Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A day in the life ❯ The sound a heart makes ( Chapter 7 )

A DAY IN THE LIFE c7

 

///

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

 

But that will change once I defeat Luffy and become KING OF THE PIRATES!!!

…um…

…

…yeah…

 

\\\

 

Chapter 7: The sound a heart makes

 

“F…for me?” Ishizu said slowly.

Neji nodded. “Assatsu Gaara was informed that to the public, he was an enemy. Thus, anything that happened to him in public would have to be painful and humiliating. But because of his blood lineage, he was given a choice by the Main House: He could be disciplined in the town square, or he could pay a fine of $5000 and go free.”

Ishizu stared at her father. “Then why didn't he just p-pay the $5000? He has enough! A-and how was what he did for m-me?”

Neji frowned. “Let me finish.” Ishizu nodded, keeping her head low as a sign of respect.

“If he had paid the $5000, the public would have needed another scapegoat. Qill is an Uchiha, and you were the only other applicable target. He originally WAS going to pay the money, but when he was told you would be punished in his place her refused.”

Ishizu blushed, a mournful expression on her face. She turned her head towards the boy lying unconscious in his bed.

Assatsu was in pretty bad shape. Besides the numerous cuts and bruises, his nose had been broken, several teeth had been chipped and he had several broken bones. His heart had been going weakly, but steadily. Though he was expected to make a full recovery, it would be some time before he was at full fighting effectiveness again.

Ishizu turned back towards her father, keeping her head low. She chewed her lip nervously. “I…I formally apologize for disobeying your wishes, Hyuga-sama.” She said in a low voice, trying not to look at her father. She knelt in front of him, head bowed and hands folded.

Neji stared at her. Finally, he smiled, chuckling and shaking his head. Ishizu tried to keep a puzzled look off of her face.

“Don't worry, Ishizu. I'm not going to hit you.” Neji said, still grinning. Ishizu turned her position into a formal bow, smiling.

“Th-thank you, Hyu-“

“You know my name, Ishizu. Please…'Hyuga-sama' makes me sound like a Main House member.” Neji smirked, pulsing his Byakuugan on for a split-second. Ishizu blushed.

“Very well. Thank you, Neji-papa.” She rose, sitting back in her chair beside Assatsu's bed.

“I think you made a fine choice, Ishizu.” Said Neji. “I confess, I too thought of him only as a demon at first. But seeing how much he truly cares for you…” His voice trailed off, leaving it's meaning clear as daylight.

“I…I'm g-glad…you see it…my w-way…” came a voice from the bed. Ishizu's mouth opened in a happy “O” of surprise.

Assatsu lay staring at them from where he lay, eyes moving and head resting against his pillow. His face was half grin, half grimace of pain. His finger twitched at random points, showing some of the damage along his arms. “Th…that way…I…d-don't have…to steal her…f-from you…”

Ishizu looked towards Neji pleadingly. “Um, Neji-papa? Won't mother be worried about where we are?” she asked sweetly. “Shouldn't you go let her know? Please?” A hopeful light shone in her eyes.

Neji nodded, standing up with a dignified air and exiting the building. Ishizu turned back towards Assatsu, and passionately let him know just how thankful she was towards him…

 

* * *

 

Ishizu walked out the door, adjusting her clothing and straightening her hair. She quickly wiped her forehead and tried to keep a straight face. The last few days had been quite straining, and Ishizu now wanted nothing more than a warm bath, some good food and a good night's sleep.

“Ishizu!” came the inevitable call from Kikyinn. “Ishizu, wait up!”

Ishizu briefly considered Assatsu's words once he had come out of his coma: “Beware rain. It's a bringer of life, but a harbinger of trouble.” She looked for any raindrops, but not seeing any, she sighed and put on a polite face before turning to Kikyinn. “Yes, Kikyinn-chan?” she asked, mentally begging Kikyinn to leave, or lose interest…or have a sudden heart attack. Anything.

“Ishizu, we have a mission!” said Kikyinn. “Kakashi-sensei says to meet him in front of the school at 11:00 PM. He says-hey, are you alright?”

Kikyinn peered into Ishizu's eyes, suddenly looked worried. “You don't look so good. Have you been sleeping much recently?”

Ishizu couldn't suppress a giggle. “Um…no, not really. I need to sleep. Desperately.”

Kikyinn clucked here tongue, shaking her head. “Jeez. What could possibly more important than sleep for a ninja-in-training? You aren't peeping again, are you?”

There was a sudden whoosh, and an air of silence surrounded the two kunoichi. Kikyinn looked up at Ishizu from a ducking position, a puzzled and slightly annoyed look on her face. Ishizu's fist retracted from the air above Kikyinn's head where it had been flung a few seconds previous.

“Jeez! What the heck is wrong with you?!” Kikyinn demanded, staring into Ishizu's face.

Ishizu blushed, pressing her fingers together nervously. “I-I'm sorry…” she murmured. “I-It's just…I d-don't peep. Remember that whole thing a f-few days ago? With the Main House a-and Assatsu-chan?”

The silence deepened as Kikyinn's eyes grew wide. Ishizu's hands clapped over her mouth.

“San!” she shrieked. “Assatsu-san! I-I ah…um…h-he's…”

Ishizu looked desperately into Kikyinn's grinning face. “Y-you can't tell! Anyone! Please!” she begged, looking frantically at the oblivious passerby. Kikyinn held her hands up in a sign of surrender, smiling and shaking her head.

“Don't worry,” she said, “your secret's safe with me, girl.”

Ishizu sighed with relief. “Thank you, Kikyinn-chan.” She said gratefully, bowing. “Now…if you don't mind, I'm going home to get ready. It's nearly 10:30 now, so I have about an hour and a half to be there. Right?”

Kikyinn rolled her eyes. “Right.”

 

* * *

 

“YO.” Said Kakashi, appearing in his trademark puff of smoke. The Genin merely held their breath and closed their eyes, being used to their sensei's blinding appearances. Ishizu yawned.

“We've got a new type of mission today, team, and this is going to be a long one. We're going to the village of Sound.” Kakashi picked a book out of his back pocket, not even bothering to check the reaction of his cell to this message.

Kikyinn smiled. “Hey, alright! A 2 month road trip!”

Yamaki and Ishizu both whipped their heads around to look at Kikyinn, who involuntarily flinched away from Ishizu.

“T…two month?!” yelled Yamaki. “B-but…I don't want to leave for two months!”

“M-me neither! I-I would…um…it's too long away from home!” squealed Ishizu. Kikyinn quickly hid the grin spreading across her face, and looked towards Yamaki.

“How about you, Yamaki? What is it that you want to stick around for?”

Yamaki came as close to a blush as he ever could, which was a strange shade of off-red. He stared at the ground, flexing his fingers.

“Um…w-well…nothing. It's nothing. Nothing I can't-“

“YAMAKI-CHAAAAAN!”

A loud scream sounded from across the clearing. Yamaki eyes widened in shock, and he stared with horror at the lithe figure mowing across the dirt towards him. Ishizu let her jaw drop, a faint smile reaching her lips. It was Qill Uchiha!

“Yamaki-chan, where have you been all day?! I missed you!” yelled Qill joyfully, pouncing on Yamaki with an almost feral leap. The jump carried them both to the ground, Yamaki on the bottom and Qill straddling his chest.

Ishizu watched Kakashi grin behind his mask and his book. Nobody thought he was very observant, but he was. She knew he was.

Kakashi flipped the page.

“Go get your things, people. Like Kikyinn said, we're leaving on a two month trip, so bring extra clothes and snacks. And Yamaki…no, you can't bring your girlfriend, before you even get talked into asking.”

Kakashi walked off, still reading. Kikyinn pranced off in the direction of her house, spinning kunai on both her fingers. Ishizu moped sadly towards her own house, thinking of how much she would miss Assatsu-chan. Two months! Far too long for her…

And forgotten by his cell, Yamaki tried desperately to explain to Qill why he would be gone for 2 months, why she couldn't come and why she needed to get off his chest so he could breathe.

 

* * *

 

As the cell traveled, Ishizu pondered her last conversation with Assatsu before they had left. He had been annoyed at first, but had seemed to relish the thought more and more. When she asked why, he said it gave him a perfect opportunity to solve a problem that would definitely inhibit their relationship. He hadn't explained more about his solution, he had just said that the problem he would solve posed a serious threat to her life.

Ishizu shook her head. She could do nothing but trust him, and she felt confident that he could handle any problem he was confronted with, even in his present state.

On the way to the village of sound, the group ran across a few groups of random bandits. It provided sport and entertainment, as well as a way to keep loose. Kakashi made sure that nobody died, as he figured that killing someone too early might have severe effects on the Genin.

The mission turned out to be a demonstration. The Genin were brought to a schoolhouse and were told to demonstrate their unique fighting styles. The other children seemed very impressed, their own moves all being based on sound or taijutsu. They were treated as guests, given room and board while they stayed. All in all, it was a very pleasant trip.

All the same, by the end Yamaki was looking a little grumpy. Ishizu just felt out-and-out homesick.

 

* * *

 

Ishizu inhaled the fresh air filling her lungs, enjoying the feeling of being home. The trip had been dull, the team not even running into any bandits to practice on. As they walked into town, Yamaki ran off towards the Uchiha camp, telling Kakashi just to drop his payment off at his house. Kakashi shrugged, asking the other two if they would be sticking around. Kikyinn shrugged, nodding agreement, while Ishizu pressed her fingers together.

“I…if it's alright, Kakashi-sensei…I would like to g-go now.”

It was Kakashi's turn to shrug. “Go ahead,” he monotoned, “I'll drop off your payment too.”

Ishizu bowed quickly, then ran off towards the women's bath house. She needed to freshen up and change clothing before she went to go see Assatsu.

But as she ran, she never noticed a single raindrop falling from the sky, landing behind her as she ran.

 

* * *

 

Ishizu walked towards the large crowd gathered in front of the Gaara residence. It seemed strange that so many would be gathered around his house, being as he didn't like anyone she knew of except her. She had checked the town logs, and Assatsu was back from a trip he had scheduled, so what…?

A thought struck her. What if he was hurt? Had the Main House come again?

“Excuse me!” she said loudly to the person beside her. “What's going on? Why is everyone here?”

The man turned and looked at her. “What, you blind or something? That demon kid's on the roof crying about something! Keep glaring at everybody, too. I think he's gonna kill someone!”

Ishizu's mouth set in a grim line. She began forcing her way through the crowd, apologizing without much feeling. Running to the front door, she hurriedly forced her way in and ran upstairs. As she got up to the top floor, she found that a hole had been blasted in the roof. She quickly climbed on top of a statue and scrambled onto the roof.

A rain drop landed beside her with a `drip'.

“Assatsu-chan! What's the matter? “ said Ishizu from where she stood on the roof.

Another drop fell. Drip.

Assatsu stood silent, his head bowed. “I…I can't change…anything.” He said slowly.

Drip.

“W-well…don't worry about it, Assatsu-chan.” Said Ishizu. “We'll just forget about it.”

Assatsu's head sank a little lower, and his teeth gritted together.

Drip.

“No.” he said, softly yet firmly. “I…can't ask you to love me.”

“Of…of course you c-can, Assatsu-chan! After all I-“

Drip.

“Not that I would want you to, of course.” He growled suddenly. “You've been nothing but trouble the whole time I've been with you.”

Drip.

Ishizu felt confused. Confused and hurt. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. “A…A-Assatsu-chan?” she asked timidly.

Drip. Drip.

Assatsu lifted his head, a look of fierce determination on his face. “Ishizu…” he rumbled.

“I hate you.”

Drip.

Ishizu found her lips frozen. She couldn't bring herself to utter a word. And deep in her soul came the subtle, deadly sound of a breaking heart.

“Why are you still standing there?” he spat. “Didn't you hear me? I hate you! Go back to the Main House and beg for your worthless life, you little slut!”

Drip.

Ishizu felt numb all over. She could see the rain now, but she couldn't tell the difference between the falling rain and her draining tears.

Drip.

Assatsu's face contorted into a snarl of rage. His hand whipped up, catching her in a fist of sand. “Why aren't you gone yet?!” The fist yanked her over to Assatsu, who pulled his other arm back.

Drip.

“I despise you! I want you out of my house!” he screamed. “I never want to see you again!”

His arm shot forward, slapping her soundly across her thin cheek. But the burning sensation in Ishizu's face was nothing compared to the torturous flame engulfing her heart.

Drip.

Assatsu flung his arm forward, controlling the arm of sand to pitch Ishizu headfirst into the river.

Ishizu floated peacefully, not trying to swim, not caring if she were to drown. She didn't want to live anymore. She wanted to die. She curled up in a tight ball and tried desperately to ignore the empty ache in the pit of her stomach. She was vaguely aware of arms around her, pulling her, carrying her. She didn't care. She couldn't care.

Ishizu saw the waters surface break, felt the air pour into her lungs. Water flowed down her face, her hair, her back and chest…but more than anywhere else, water poured down her trembling cheeks.

“Hey, are you alright?”

Drip.

Ishizu stood, nodding her head uselessly, not even caring who had spoken. She soullessly stepped towards the man she had spoken to before.

“Don't worry, sir.” She monotoned. “I don't think you have to worry about him killing somebody.”

Drip.

“He just did.”

Ishizu took off into the distance, heading towards her house as fast as her legs could carry her.

The crowd stared up at Assatsu, watching as the youth sobbed desperately into his hands. The container on his back shook as his back bobbed up and down from his wordless pain.

His hands shot to the top of his head, pressing against his temples as he screamed a wordless curse to the heavens. As if in response to his cry, the heavens broke open and sprayed the little village with all its fury. The container spewed forth sand that smashed into the ground in front of his house, driving the people far away from him.

The scream didn't end as he cast his hate emblazoned eyes upon the helpless villagers, herding and prodding them further and further from the house. He lifted his hands, forming a figure made from sand. It was a young girl with fine features, maybe 11 years old. Assatsu stared, reaching towards the figurine.

“Ishizu…” he moaned quietly, before his expression turned to one of pure hatred and loathing. The figurine morphed, growing taller and changing features. It became a tall man, dark eyes and a large container on his back. Assatsu trembled with rage, glaring into the figures empty eyes.

“I HATE YOU!!!” he cried, smashing his clenched fist through the figures head. “Not HER, father! YOU! I - HATE - YOU!”

There was a loud cracking sound as sand engulfed the Gaara household and crushed it, reshaping it, reforming it and transforming it into…something else…

 

* * *

 

Ishizu folded the towel, laying it in front of her. She hadn't stopped crying since she got home, but the trip there had given her solution to the numbing agony which encompassed her entire being. She would cut it out. Remove it with the sharp edge of a blade, keeping the wishes of her beloved at the same time. After all, he did say that he never wanted to see her again, correct? What better way than a permanent solution?

Ishizu looked at her parents downstairs. Hanabi was giving her a quizzical look, and Neji was glaring at her. She merely shook her head sadly, turning the latch and locking her door. Hanabi looked alarmed.

Ishizu walked quickly over to the towel on the floor, kneeling as to allow the easiest use. She pulled out the kunai dagger that rested at her belt, raising it to her forehead. Hanabi screamed, and Neji's eyes went wide as he bolted up the stairs.

Ishizu raised the kunai dagger in front of her, aiming it towards her stomach. Her arms shot inward, plunging deep into her stomach. She barely felt it. It was nothing compared to the pain she was getting rid of.

The door smashed open, and she felt a quick blow to the side of her neck. Her eyes snapped open as her body shut down on its own. The Chakra ceased to flow anywhere below her neck, and she fell towards the floor into her father's arms.

“What are you doing?!” he screamed, slowly and gently removing the knife from her stomach as blood spilled from the wound.

Ishizu didn't bother to answer him. Without attention she would soon be dead anyways, so there was no point.

Hanabi dashed into the room, two small vials in her hands. She slid to a halt in front of her family, uncorking both bottles with her teeth and pouring the contents over Ishizu's stomach. Ishizu cursed as the effects of the salve began working, and her wound began to close over. Ishizu cursed again, over and over without stop as tears flowed endlessly, as if from a fountain.

Her neck joint was depressed by Hanabi as her arms were held motionless by Neji. Neji stared into her emotionless face.

“Now! What were you doing? Why would you even consider killing yourself? What could have happened to-“

“He hates me, papa.” Ishizu interrupted quietly. Neji ceased talking, understanding filling his eyes. “Assatsu-chan says that he hates me. He said he never wanted to see me again, so I am granting his wish.”

Hanabi hugged her close to her body, allowing her own tears to flow. “It's alright, honey.” Hanabi cooed into her ear. “We'll help you through this. It's ok.”

Ishizu began to cry piteously, leaning into her mothers embrace. Neji leaned close, enveloping his wife and daughter in a silent caress.

And outside, the rain continued to fall.

 

“Beware rain. It's a bringer of life, but a harbinger of trouble.” - Assatsu Gaara

 

////

 

HAH! (Boo-hoo!) I love doing that! (I hate myself for doing that.) This is so fun! (I feel like a sadist.) I'm such a sadist! (What did I tell you?)

See you next time!

 

////