Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Glimpses of Darkness ❯ To Fear You ( Chapter 4 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: shattered-words 
What am I to do, when I’m hopelessly terrified of you?
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.14.2008 | Updated On: 01.14.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.4K | Visits: 140 | Status: Work In Progress
What am I to do, when I’m hopelessly terrified of you?
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.14.2008 | Updated On: 01.14.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.4K | Visits: 140 | Status: Work In Progress
Glimpses of Darkness
Author: shattered-words
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, it’d be called ‘Gaara’. So, isn’t it a shame that I don’t own it? (Poem was written by me.)
Summary: The Kakurezato are on the brink of war and certain events leave several lives hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, what’s the fire wielder’s fate, and who is the deadly Oto Oinin that has suddenly appeared? (AU, Sequel of “Glimpses of Fire”)
AN: It's short and a bit pointless, lmao Well, not that pointless, but a bit blah I think. Please, be kind. These things need to happen so that everything can be cleared up, so please enjoy. (Onegai means please. Tomare means stop.)
He had searched for the two kunoichi the day he had met up with Satori and Satoshi, but he hadn’t found them in any of the training grounds that they frequented. The Oinin had even tried Arisa’s house but he had only found Gaara there. It had been a strange sight and he wondered how long the scarlet haired ninja had been there.
The next day he had gotten sent out on a mission by the council and so were the other members’ of First Seat. He had been gone for a few days and now he was returning haggard, needing a shower and a good night’s rest. However, he knew that he had to go to the tower and give his report before he would be allowed to rest.
Ever since the invasion of Leaf by Sand and Sound, and the reforming peace treaty between Konoha and Suna, things had started to change. Before, the Kaze no Daimyo had decreased the missions he gave to his own hidden village and flooded Konoha with them instead. Of course, the Sandaime had been hesitant to take them and only had after he had assured him that the Sand-nin were getting more than their share of assignments.
The old man had believed him since he was the Lord of the Wind Lands and wouldn’t think he’d lie. Now Konoha had refused to take missions that came from him and besides that, his eyes had been opened by the attack on Leaf. He had witnessed the matches and then the fight between Baki and the Proctor, and Arisa’s attack. The Sand was strong.
Of course, the girl had become overpowered by the curse seal and had started to kill at random, but nonetheless he had seen the power of the Sand-nin, even if they had been driven back. The missions were now coming in regularly and the Hunter and Anbu were busier than ever.
Harukaze fought back a yawn as he finally exited the tower. He had raised his hand to stifle it, only to remember that he still wore his Hunter’s mask. It had taken twenty minutes to get in and out, but only because the ongoing debate of the next Kazekage took up a lot of the Council member’s time. The heads of each influential clan within Suna were rallying for their own choice.
Many wanted Gaara, but the Itagaki fought this decision. The Erizawa was in the same ship with them, but whether it was because they were intimidated by Hiroaki or because they truly wanted to, was beyond the Hunter. He had caught a bit of the heated debate and he didn’t think it would be over anytime soon.
He rolled his sore shoulders with a groan before moving away but paused as he saw a figure making their way in his direction. They looked familiar and it took him all but two seconds to recognize Itagaki Akemi, or rather Amane. The girl might have tried to burn him through with a glare if he had used her given name.
The kunoichi would have passed right by him if he had been anyone else but he saw the recognition that registered in her face before she stopped in front of him. “Oinin-san,” she muttered by way of a greeting. It looked like she wanted to say something to him before she opened her mouth next. “Have you seen my teammate?”
Harukaze was slightly surprised. If the girl didn’t know where her own partner was then he wondered why she thought he would know. He studied her features for several silent moments and saw the strain there and the shadows under her eyes. “Iie,” he admitted after another second. “Did something happen?”
From the few times that he had encountered the girl, he knew that the Erizawa was very passionate, and had wanted to recover Arisa as much as her silent comrade. He wondered if she was hot-blooded enough to go there by herself. If she went without permission then she would be labeled as a missing-nin and she’d fall under his jurisdiction. ‘Is that why she’s asking me about her?’
The Genin hesitated to answer and knew that something was wrong and she didn’t want to tell a complete stranger. “If you need help you can ask me,” he said, making sure not to use the word ‘trust’. He knew that if he assured the girl that he could be trusted then she’d retreat away from him, and he didn’t want that to happen.
Amane eyed him warily and seemed to be debating with herself about something. He knew that she trusted few people and that he would most likely never gain it. Harukaze wasn’t sure if he wanted it but he realized that they would have to if they wanted to recover his niece.
“You will not be able to get Arisa-san back by yourselves,” he said quietly as he stepped once toward her and stopped. He waited for her to say or do anything that would give him an indication that she agreed or denied his silent offer of help. The Hunter wanted to find the Genin more than anything but he didn’t just want to do so for his piece of mind.
He knew that he had wronged her in the past but he also wanted to do so because amidst all those years that he had come to save her, he had started to care for her in some odd way. She was his only living relative, after all.
Her eyes snapped up at the mention of her friend and they narrowed suspiciously but he refused to look away. This was where he knew things could go either way. He was accepted as a Hunter apprentice because he knew how to read people and exploit them, while never flinching or showing anything on the surface.
Harukaze supposed that at the time his master had realized that he would rather have him as an asset instead of the rouge ninja he was threatening to be. He had been devastated by his mother’s death and had started to neglect his responsibilities. Then he was constantly reminded of how wonderful his brother’s life was going that he was nearly driven to flee from Suna. However, the Harukaze at the time had stepped in and knocked some sense into him as he had been preparing to leave, literally.
“We don’t need your help to recover Eizan-sama,” she stated firmly. Her eyes weren’t as sharp as her teammate’s but he still felt them cut into him. She turned to leave as she inwardly berated herself for even speaking to him, but his next words stopped her in her tracks.
“But you do need help finding Iwane-san, don’t you?” His tone left no arguments that he’d seen past her attempts to hide this. The truth was that the head of the Erizawa Ichizoku had been reporting to the council of the disappearance of one of its own as he had come within hearing distance.
They had decided that they would give the issue a few days since the individual being discussed always failed to return to the main house when called. He connected that earlier conversation with Amane asking if he had seen Iwane, and he knew something was up. “What’s happened?”
The Itagaki female turned around and he saw her eyes narrow dangerously. “That’s none of your business,” she snapped. He knew that it had been the wrong thing to say but he was surprised at how hard it was to read the kunoichi. Even then, he wouldn’t be diverted from the isssue.
Harukaze nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right,” he responded. “My business is rogue and missing ninja.” A light twist of her features was the only indication that he had her attention. “However, I’m currently off duty so any help I give you would be strictly between us.”
He knew that it was a risky approach, but the only one he knew would work. Haru waited for her reaction and would honestly say that he couldn’t read her expression. The kunoichi was quite skilled at concealing her feelings to a point that one wondered if she even had any. He knew better, since she wouldn’t have said anything to him is she wasn’t so worried for Iwane.
Amane knew as well as he did that in a few days, if she didn’t show, then her presence would be noted. Since Itagaki Hiroaki had no leniency toward deserters, he would pressure the Erizawa head to declare her AWOL, and thus a Nukenin.
Amane’s eyes narrowed on him and he made no movements as she observed him. “Why do you want to help me?” she countered, instead of accepting his assistance. The Itagaki were suspicious by nature, as he had realized by interacting with both Katsuhiko on various occasions, and having had the twins on his second Genin team, and it seemed the female ninja was more wary now that she’d segregated from her family.
Harukaze studied the girl and debated how much he should tell her. He knew that if he were to reveal that Arisa was his niece, then she had no way to prove or deny his claim. Telling her that the reason was because they were comrades would work against him since they trusted few in Suna. He knew that he’d find himself in the same boat as Gaara where they were concerned. Haru decided that the truth would be best in this situation.
“She’s my family,” he responded in a calm voice. He watched the younger ninja’s face carefully for any reaction. There was the instant flash of confusion and shock and then he saw what he’d been expecting, anger.
Haru knew the kunoichi would demand to know a lot of things. “I have my reasons,” he answered her question before she could ask it. “Although, none of them excuse my behavior. I abandoned her.”
In all honesty, his actions were understandable. His mother and he had suffered at the hands of Ashikaga Eizo when he had denied being his father. Her name had been Iwaki and she had been so beautiful, and then she’d died. She had taken her last breath as he held her.
He was glad for his mask or she would have seen his eyes darken at the memory that had almost made him leave Suna forever. At the time it had taken the intervention of his sensei to keep him from going rogue and from the Council or anyone else finding out. However, the thing he remembers most at the time, after the funeral, was the agony and hatred for Ashikaga Ritsuko and his perfect life.
When he heard of his death and that woman, along with his son, he had been glad. He had felt a sickening sense of relief that had filled him with such disgust for himself that he had discarded his life completely and disappeared into the elite ranks.
When he had laid eyes on Arisa after her family’s death he had felt none of the compassion that he should have felt for her. His niece that had been nothing but an innocent child thrown into the harsh reality of life and the hatred the village held toward her.
“Why do you want to help her now?” she hissed at him, and felt the sting of her anger and relished it. He deserved it. Haru knew he deserved the angry eyes that were directed at him.
“Because I made a mistake...several, and I want to redeem myself,” he answered truthfully. He could tell that his words were only serving to increase the kunoichi’s anger, but she had to know the truth if she were to ever trust him to help them in the end.
“Is that all?” she asked angrily. “You only wish to get over your guilt?!”
Harukaze smiled and was once again grateful for his mask. “No, that is not the only thing I care about,” he answered softly. He closed his eyes and brought back the image of an eight year old Arisa staring up at him with a mix of awe and horror on her features. It was a time long ago and when he had first saved her. He had been keeping tabs on the girl for some time and he had come upon the scene.
The assassin had raised the kunai, the girl had frozen in place and his instincts had kicked in. Before he realized what he was doing, the Suna-nin was dead at his feet and Arisa had been staring up at him with that expression that had captured his heart. No, he didn’t only care about sating his guilt for abandoning her.
“I care against my better judgment,” he admitted to the younger ninja. Hunters were not allowed to care about anything other than the well being of the village. They held no loyalty but to obligation. That is the mantel that Oinin undertook when they because the nameless, unknown shinobi that answered only to their Kazekage.
The recent death of the leader of Suna had shaken their foundation so they were forced to follow the council, but the members were weak and old. The next Kazekage would have to be named or Kamikaze would grow restless and take control of the forces of Suna in order to ensure the safety of its borders and villagers.
Suna had betrayed Konoha with Otogakure’s assitance, and while they had reformed the treaty, it was still shaky so they had to be wary of the Leaf. Not to mention the fact that the Sound had officially become their enemy. They knew that allowing their weakness show for a moment would be their downfall, so they had to be on guard now more than ever. Although, if worse came to worse, the shinobi and citizens of Suna would follow Kamikaze and protect their home.
“Against your better judgment,” she repeated quietly. Amane might have not accepted that answer if she had been younger, but she knew more than during her Academy days. She knew well what an Oinin was and their duties. “Why would you go against your creed as a Hunter?”
Harukaze wanted to laugh when she asked that, thinking that he had made that answer pretty obvious. Obviously, the kunoichi had no faith in him as a human being. He sighed and turned toward a Jonin that had just exited the building. “That is a question for another day, but for now we better find your teammate. The Council will not overlook her absence for long.”
Amane frowned but nodded after a long moment. She turned away from the Kaze no Dairi and they both vanished in the sand storm that had suddenly picked up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he muttered and he let a grin stretch his handsome features as he leaned against the wall. He hadn’t heard or seen her enter and realized that she had gotten to be quite a good shinobi. If it wasn’t for his uncanny ability to sense whenever she was near then she might have been able to take him by surprise.
He watched her whirl around in shock and then as her emerald eyes widened when they came to land on him. It took him back to the first time he had made her his and he almost let his instincts take over but restrained himself for the moment because there would be time enough for that later.
Itagaki Motoki was quite a piece of work, if anyone ever tried to notice. Of course, there were several young girls and women that had taken notice of his looks and his status, but never of who he really was. No one word would be able to perfectly describe him, and sadistic seemed too nice for his demeanor. Besides, he didn’t want any of them to try getting to know him because Erizawa Miwako had always been the only girl he had wanted.
He had first seen her when he had been ordered by his mother to pick up his younger sister from the Academy. Their class had been having a demonstration outside and Miwako had gotten into a fight against the boys.
The Itagaki Chunin had arrived in time to see her knock three of the boys to the ground and then give a winning smile, before being smacked in the back of the head by the Chunin instructor. She had fallen over and lay twitching on the ground, until his sister walked over and dragged her after the retreating class. He had watched her ever since that day.
At first it had been genuine affection for the girl, but he had gradually started to feel a dark desire to make her his. He had made his first kill during a C-rank mission. After that, his demeanor had darkened and his outlook on life had changed. He had initially suffered after killing that first person, but then he had marveled at how easy it became after a while.
Soon, he had wanted to take life because it gave him a sense of power. For this very reason he had wanted to take the young girl and mark her as his. He had held off on this because he actually loved her. It wasn’t until that fateful night when she had run away from home and come to his house.
Somewhere in his twisted way of thinking, he had thought that she was only there because of him and was using his sister as an excuse. Then he had heard her words to him that night of why she had left her home. It had filled him with anger so fierce that he’d had to leave the room or he would have killed her. She loved his sister!
He had pondered his dilemma that night and had gone in search of the girl when he didn’t hear from her and had found her in Akemi’s room. Once again, he had felt that burning pain within his chest, but there had been more anger than anything else. Motoki had made his decision as he lay in bed that night and left his room. He had raped her, several times.
Of course, he would have thought himself a monster if he hadn’t regretted it but he had forced those feelings to the back of his mind. Motoki had convinced himself that she deserved it for having fallen in love with his sister and not him. She deserved to suffer and had visited her various times afterwards, but never in her own home. Not even he was foolish enough to think that his actions would go unnoticed by her older brother, Erizawa Ryohei.
When Miwako had tried to take her own life, he had been shaken. He had been torn with grief because there was no one else to blame but himself. Motoki had abused and raped her for several months before she slit her wrists. He had thrown himself into training and had tried to beat the guilt out of his body by pushing himself to his limits and attained the rank of Jonin as a result.
Afterwards, he had visited her in the hospital and had realized that he couldn’t stop himself. Her mouth had called out for Akemi in her sleep and he had snapped. Even after everything, she still loved his sibling. He violated her again in the hospital room as he held his hand clamped over her mouth.
That was the last time he would see her in a long time. Motoki had thought it best to distance himself or he would end up killing her. However, when her presence had brushed his mind in the Itagaki estate he’d been compelled to look for her. His actions had been pure reflex as he slammed her into the wall before he could stop himself. When he’d used his kunai on her, tearing into her flesh, she had screamed and knew that someone would have heard it, so he fled.
Now she had readily come to him without the need to search for her. He knew where they lived but he kept his distance since his sister hadn’t left her side once since the incident and it annoyed him. Motoki didn’t believe that his sister was a lesbian. In fact, judging by her heart break by the death of that stupid Chunin, he was certain she was heterosexual. However, he was still jealous that they were living together.
“Come here,” he told her and saw her step away from him. He honestly didn’t know why she had come but there was no way he was going to let her go without reliving a bit of old memories. “I said come here.” He didn’t have to raise his voice to instill fear in his prey.
Iwane had left the apartment with every intention of confronting Motoki because if she didn’t then she’d never be free of him. Now, she felt her resolve falter in the face of her tormentor as she stepped away from him. She felt her back meet the wall and panic seize her as he started to advance toward her.
“Then I’ll come to you,” he purred and smirked when he saw her shudder. He wanted her to love him but there was something that made him desire her fear and pain more. Motoki wanted to continue claiming her until she completely forgot his sister.
She squeaked in fear and lunged for the door but was quickly being slammed back against the wall as she cried out. His fingers were digging into her shoulders and she was determined to fight back this time. She tried to punch him in the gut but he caught her hand and twisted her around and pressed her none too gently against the wall, her arm behind her.
“Poor Miwako-chan,” he said against her ear, his hot breath tickling her along the back of her neck. She shuddered and tried to push him off her but he was too strong. “This is your fault you know.”
Iwane flinched as she recognized those words, which he had whispered to her that night. She shook her head now and closed her eyes tightly as if that would shut out his voice. “Iie!” she cried and continued to fight his hold.
“Hai, it’s all your fault,” he continued despite her struggles. He pressed his lips over her racing pulse and heard her hiss in disgust. “For falling in love with my sister...or anyone else.” She knew what would happen and he heard her start to weep but his hands moved to her shirt and pulled until it tore.
“Iie, Motoki-san,” she sobbed, regretting ever coming here. He was too strong for her to fight alone. She was too weak against her fear of him. “Onegai, tomare!”
The Itagaki didn’t answer and merely chuckled darkly.-
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
End, Chapter Four
Author: shattered-words
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, it’d be called ‘Gaara’. So, isn’t it a shame that I don’t own it? (Poem was written by me.)
Summary: The Kakurezato are on the brink of war and certain events leave several lives hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, what’s the fire wielder’s fate, and who is the deadly Oto Oinin that has suddenly appeared? (AU, Sequel of “Glimpses of Fire”)
AN: It's short and a bit pointless, lmao Well, not that pointless, but a bit blah I think. Please, be kind. These things need to happen so that everything can be cleared up, so please enjoy. (Onegai means please. Tomare means stop.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Death, come take me away,
so I shall not suffer anymore.
This is the final agonizing day,
that I will live in blood and gore.
Let my life fade like the candle flame,
when the wind haunts my windowpane.
I shall not feel any more unwanted blame,
as my sins are cleansed by the rain.
The years will pass and so shall my fears.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter Four: To Fear You ~*~*~*~*~*~
Harukaze sighed as he crouched on the roof of the Kazekage Dairi, arms dangling between his spread legs. His mask hid the expression of exhaustion that overpowered his features, but one just had to see the stiffness of his body to know he was tired.Death, come take me away,
so I shall not suffer anymore.
This is the final agonizing day,
that I will live in blood and gore.
Let my life fade like the candle flame,
when the wind haunts my windowpane.
I shall not feel any more unwanted blame,
as my sins are cleansed by the rain.
The years will pass and so shall my fears.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter Four: To Fear You ~*~*~*~*~*~
He had searched for the two kunoichi the day he had met up with Satori and Satoshi, but he hadn’t found them in any of the training grounds that they frequented. The Oinin had even tried Arisa’s house but he had only found Gaara there. It had been a strange sight and he wondered how long the scarlet haired ninja had been there.
The next day he had gotten sent out on a mission by the council and so were the other members’ of First Seat. He had been gone for a few days and now he was returning haggard, needing a shower and a good night’s rest. However, he knew that he had to go to the tower and give his report before he would be allowed to rest.
Ever since the invasion of Leaf by Sand and Sound, and the reforming peace treaty between Konoha and Suna, things had started to change. Before, the Kaze no Daimyo had decreased the missions he gave to his own hidden village and flooded Konoha with them instead. Of course, the Sandaime had been hesitant to take them and only had after he had assured him that the Sand-nin were getting more than their share of assignments.
The old man had believed him since he was the Lord of the Wind Lands and wouldn’t think he’d lie. Now Konoha had refused to take missions that came from him and besides that, his eyes had been opened by the attack on Leaf. He had witnessed the matches and then the fight between Baki and the Proctor, and Arisa’s attack. The Sand was strong.
Of course, the girl had become overpowered by the curse seal and had started to kill at random, but nonetheless he had seen the power of the Sand-nin, even if they had been driven back. The missions were now coming in regularly and the Hunter and Anbu were busier than ever.
Harukaze fought back a yawn as he finally exited the tower. He had raised his hand to stifle it, only to remember that he still wore his Hunter’s mask. It had taken twenty minutes to get in and out, but only because the ongoing debate of the next Kazekage took up a lot of the Council member’s time. The heads of each influential clan within Suna were rallying for their own choice.
Many wanted Gaara, but the Itagaki fought this decision. The Erizawa was in the same ship with them, but whether it was because they were intimidated by Hiroaki or because they truly wanted to, was beyond the Hunter. He had caught a bit of the heated debate and he didn’t think it would be over anytime soon.
He rolled his sore shoulders with a groan before moving away but paused as he saw a figure making their way in his direction. They looked familiar and it took him all but two seconds to recognize Itagaki Akemi, or rather Amane. The girl might have tried to burn him through with a glare if he had used her given name.
The kunoichi would have passed right by him if he had been anyone else but he saw the recognition that registered in her face before she stopped in front of him. “Oinin-san,” she muttered by way of a greeting. It looked like she wanted to say something to him before she opened her mouth next. “Have you seen my teammate?”
Harukaze was slightly surprised. If the girl didn’t know where her own partner was then he wondered why she thought he would know. He studied her features for several silent moments and saw the strain there and the shadows under her eyes. “Iie,” he admitted after another second. “Did something happen?”
From the few times that he had encountered the girl, he knew that the Erizawa was very passionate, and had wanted to recover Arisa as much as her silent comrade. He wondered if she was hot-blooded enough to go there by herself. If she went without permission then she would be labeled as a missing-nin and she’d fall under his jurisdiction. ‘Is that why she’s asking me about her?’
The Genin hesitated to answer and knew that something was wrong and she didn’t want to tell a complete stranger. “If you need help you can ask me,” he said, making sure not to use the word ‘trust’. He knew that if he assured the girl that he could be trusted then she’d retreat away from him, and he didn’t want that to happen.
Amane eyed him warily and seemed to be debating with herself about something. He knew that she trusted few people and that he would most likely never gain it. Harukaze wasn’t sure if he wanted it but he realized that they would have to if they wanted to recover his niece.
“You will not be able to get Arisa-san back by yourselves,” he said quietly as he stepped once toward her and stopped. He waited for her to say or do anything that would give him an indication that she agreed or denied his silent offer of help. The Hunter wanted to find the Genin more than anything but he didn’t just want to do so for his piece of mind.
He knew that he had wronged her in the past but he also wanted to do so because amidst all those years that he had come to save her, he had started to care for her in some odd way. She was his only living relative, after all.
Her eyes snapped up at the mention of her friend and they narrowed suspiciously but he refused to look away. This was where he knew things could go either way. He was accepted as a Hunter apprentice because he knew how to read people and exploit them, while never flinching or showing anything on the surface.
Harukaze supposed that at the time his master had realized that he would rather have him as an asset instead of the rouge ninja he was threatening to be. He had been devastated by his mother’s death and had started to neglect his responsibilities. Then he was constantly reminded of how wonderful his brother’s life was going that he was nearly driven to flee from Suna. However, the Harukaze at the time had stepped in and knocked some sense into him as he had been preparing to leave, literally.
“We don’t need your help to recover Eizan-sama,” she stated firmly. Her eyes weren’t as sharp as her teammate’s but he still felt them cut into him. She turned to leave as she inwardly berated herself for even speaking to him, but his next words stopped her in her tracks.
“But you do need help finding Iwane-san, don’t you?” His tone left no arguments that he’d seen past her attempts to hide this. The truth was that the head of the Erizawa Ichizoku had been reporting to the council of the disappearance of one of its own as he had come within hearing distance.
They had decided that they would give the issue a few days since the individual being discussed always failed to return to the main house when called. He connected that earlier conversation with Amane asking if he had seen Iwane, and he knew something was up. “What’s happened?”
The Itagaki female turned around and he saw her eyes narrow dangerously. “That’s none of your business,” she snapped. He knew that it had been the wrong thing to say but he was surprised at how hard it was to read the kunoichi. Even then, he wouldn’t be diverted from the isssue.
Harukaze nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right,” he responded. “My business is rogue and missing ninja.” A light twist of her features was the only indication that he had her attention. “However, I’m currently off duty so any help I give you would be strictly between us.”
He knew that it was a risky approach, but the only one he knew would work. Haru waited for her reaction and would honestly say that he couldn’t read her expression. The kunoichi was quite skilled at concealing her feelings to a point that one wondered if she even had any. He knew better, since she wouldn’t have said anything to him is she wasn’t so worried for Iwane.
Amane knew as well as he did that in a few days, if she didn’t show, then her presence would be noted. Since Itagaki Hiroaki had no leniency toward deserters, he would pressure the Erizawa head to declare her AWOL, and thus a Nukenin.
Amane’s eyes narrowed on him and he made no movements as she observed him. “Why do you want to help me?” she countered, instead of accepting his assistance. The Itagaki were suspicious by nature, as he had realized by interacting with both Katsuhiko on various occasions, and having had the twins on his second Genin team, and it seemed the female ninja was more wary now that she’d segregated from her family.
Harukaze studied the girl and debated how much he should tell her. He knew that if he were to reveal that Arisa was his niece, then she had no way to prove or deny his claim. Telling her that the reason was because they were comrades would work against him since they trusted few in Suna. He knew that he’d find himself in the same boat as Gaara where they were concerned. Haru decided that the truth would be best in this situation.
“She’s my family,” he responded in a calm voice. He watched the younger ninja’s face carefully for any reaction. There was the instant flash of confusion and shock and then he saw what he’d been expecting, anger.
Haru knew the kunoichi would demand to know a lot of things. “I have my reasons,” he answered her question before she could ask it. “Although, none of them excuse my behavior. I abandoned her.”
In all honesty, his actions were understandable. His mother and he had suffered at the hands of Ashikaga Eizo when he had denied being his father. Her name had been Iwaki and she had been so beautiful, and then she’d died. She had taken her last breath as he held her.
He was glad for his mask or she would have seen his eyes darken at the memory that had almost made him leave Suna forever. At the time it had taken the intervention of his sensei to keep him from going rogue and from the Council or anyone else finding out. However, the thing he remembers most at the time, after the funeral, was the agony and hatred for Ashikaga Ritsuko and his perfect life.
When he heard of his death and that woman, along with his son, he had been glad. He had felt a sickening sense of relief that had filled him with such disgust for himself that he had discarded his life completely and disappeared into the elite ranks.
When he had laid eyes on Arisa after her family’s death he had felt none of the compassion that he should have felt for her. His niece that had been nothing but an innocent child thrown into the harsh reality of life and the hatred the village held toward her.
“Why do you want to help her now?” she hissed at him, and felt the sting of her anger and relished it. He deserved it. Haru knew he deserved the angry eyes that were directed at him.
“Because I made a mistake...several, and I want to redeem myself,” he answered truthfully. He could tell that his words were only serving to increase the kunoichi’s anger, but she had to know the truth if she were to ever trust him to help them in the end.
“Is that all?” she asked angrily. “You only wish to get over your guilt?!”
Harukaze smiled and was once again grateful for his mask. “No, that is not the only thing I care about,” he answered softly. He closed his eyes and brought back the image of an eight year old Arisa staring up at him with a mix of awe and horror on her features. It was a time long ago and when he had first saved her. He had been keeping tabs on the girl for some time and he had come upon the scene.
The assassin had raised the kunai, the girl had frozen in place and his instincts had kicked in. Before he realized what he was doing, the Suna-nin was dead at his feet and Arisa had been staring up at him with that expression that had captured his heart. No, he didn’t only care about sating his guilt for abandoning her.
“I care against my better judgment,” he admitted to the younger ninja. Hunters were not allowed to care about anything other than the well being of the village. They held no loyalty but to obligation. That is the mantel that Oinin undertook when they because the nameless, unknown shinobi that answered only to their Kazekage.
The recent death of the leader of Suna had shaken their foundation so they were forced to follow the council, but the members were weak and old. The next Kazekage would have to be named or Kamikaze would grow restless and take control of the forces of Suna in order to ensure the safety of its borders and villagers.
Suna had betrayed Konoha with Otogakure’s assitance, and while they had reformed the treaty, it was still shaky so they had to be wary of the Leaf. Not to mention the fact that the Sound had officially become their enemy. They knew that allowing their weakness show for a moment would be their downfall, so they had to be on guard now more than ever. Although, if worse came to worse, the shinobi and citizens of Suna would follow Kamikaze and protect their home.
“Against your better judgment,” she repeated quietly. Amane might have not accepted that answer if she had been younger, but she knew more than during her Academy days. She knew well what an Oinin was and their duties. “Why would you go against your creed as a Hunter?”
Harukaze wanted to laugh when she asked that, thinking that he had made that answer pretty obvious. Obviously, the kunoichi had no faith in him as a human being. He sighed and turned toward a Jonin that had just exited the building. “That is a question for another day, but for now we better find your teammate. The Council will not overlook her absence for long.”
Amane frowned but nodded after a long moment. She turned away from the Kaze no Dairi and they both vanished in the sand storm that had suddenly picked up.
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“I’ve been waiting for you,” he muttered and he let a grin stretch his handsome features as he leaned against the wall. He hadn’t heard or seen her enter and realized that she had gotten to be quite a good shinobi. If it wasn’t for his uncanny ability to sense whenever she was near then she might have been able to take him by surprise.
He watched her whirl around in shock and then as her emerald eyes widened when they came to land on him. It took him back to the first time he had made her his and he almost let his instincts take over but restrained himself for the moment because there would be time enough for that later.
Itagaki Motoki was quite a piece of work, if anyone ever tried to notice. Of course, there were several young girls and women that had taken notice of his looks and his status, but never of who he really was. No one word would be able to perfectly describe him, and sadistic seemed too nice for his demeanor. Besides, he didn’t want any of them to try getting to know him because Erizawa Miwako had always been the only girl he had wanted.
He had first seen her when he had been ordered by his mother to pick up his younger sister from the Academy. Their class had been having a demonstration outside and Miwako had gotten into a fight against the boys.
The Itagaki Chunin had arrived in time to see her knock three of the boys to the ground and then give a winning smile, before being smacked in the back of the head by the Chunin instructor. She had fallen over and lay twitching on the ground, until his sister walked over and dragged her after the retreating class. He had watched her ever since that day.
At first it had been genuine affection for the girl, but he had gradually started to feel a dark desire to make her his. He had made his first kill during a C-rank mission. After that, his demeanor had darkened and his outlook on life had changed. He had initially suffered after killing that first person, but then he had marveled at how easy it became after a while.
Soon, he had wanted to take life because it gave him a sense of power. For this very reason he had wanted to take the young girl and mark her as his. He had held off on this because he actually loved her. It wasn’t until that fateful night when she had run away from home and come to his house.
Somewhere in his twisted way of thinking, he had thought that she was only there because of him and was using his sister as an excuse. Then he had heard her words to him that night of why she had left her home. It had filled him with anger so fierce that he’d had to leave the room or he would have killed her. She loved his sister!
He had pondered his dilemma that night and had gone in search of the girl when he didn’t hear from her and had found her in Akemi’s room. Once again, he had felt that burning pain within his chest, but there had been more anger than anything else. Motoki had made his decision as he lay in bed that night and left his room. He had raped her, several times.
Of course, he would have thought himself a monster if he hadn’t regretted it but he had forced those feelings to the back of his mind. Motoki had convinced himself that she deserved it for having fallen in love with his sister and not him. She deserved to suffer and had visited her various times afterwards, but never in her own home. Not even he was foolish enough to think that his actions would go unnoticed by her older brother, Erizawa Ryohei.
When Miwako had tried to take her own life, he had been shaken. He had been torn with grief because there was no one else to blame but himself. Motoki had abused and raped her for several months before she slit her wrists. He had thrown himself into training and had tried to beat the guilt out of his body by pushing himself to his limits and attained the rank of Jonin as a result.
Afterwards, he had visited her in the hospital and had realized that he couldn’t stop himself. Her mouth had called out for Akemi in her sleep and he had snapped. Even after everything, she still loved his sibling. He violated her again in the hospital room as he held his hand clamped over her mouth.
That was the last time he would see her in a long time. Motoki had thought it best to distance himself or he would end up killing her. However, when her presence had brushed his mind in the Itagaki estate he’d been compelled to look for her. His actions had been pure reflex as he slammed her into the wall before he could stop himself. When he’d used his kunai on her, tearing into her flesh, she had screamed and knew that someone would have heard it, so he fled.
Now she had readily come to him without the need to search for her. He knew where they lived but he kept his distance since his sister hadn’t left her side once since the incident and it annoyed him. Motoki didn’t believe that his sister was a lesbian. In fact, judging by her heart break by the death of that stupid Chunin, he was certain she was heterosexual. However, he was still jealous that they were living together.
“Come here,” he told her and saw her step away from him. He honestly didn’t know why she had come but there was no way he was going to let her go without reliving a bit of old memories. “I said come here.” He didn’t have to raise his voice to instill fear in his prey.
Iwane had left the apartment with every intention of confronting Motoki because if she didn’t then she’d never be free of him. Now, she felt her resolve falter in the face of her tormentor as she stepped away from him. She felt her back meet the wall and panic seize her as he started to advance toward her.
“Then I’ll come to you,” he purred and smirked when he saw her shudder. He wanted her to love him but there was something that made him desire her fear and pain more. Motoki wanted to continue claiming her until she completely forgot his sister.
She squeaked in fear and lunged for the door but was quickly being slammed back against the wall as she cried out. His fingers were digging into her shoulders and she was determined to fight back this time. She tried to punch him in the gut but he caught her hand and twisted her around and pressed her none too gently against the wall, her arm behind her.
“Poor Miwako-chan,” he said against her ear, his hot breath tickling her along the back of her neck. She shuddered and tried to push him off her but he was too strong. “This is your fault you know.”
Iwane flinched as she recognized those words, which he had whispered to her that night. She shook her head now and closed her eyes tightly as if that would shut out his voice. “Iie!” she cried and continued to fight his hold.
“Hai, it’s all your fault,” he continued despite her struggles. He pressed his lips over her racing pulse and heard her hiss in disgust. “For falling in love with my sister...or anyone else.” She knew what would happen and he heard her start to weep but his hands moved to her shirt and pulled until it tore.
“Iie, Motoki-san,” she sobbed, regretting ever coming here. He was too strong for her to fight alone. She was too weak against her fear of him. “Onegai, tomare!”
The Itagaki didn’t answer and merely chuckled darkly.-
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End, Chapter Four