Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ In Love With A Ghost ❯ Chapter 7 - Searching ( Chapter 7 )

Last Chapter Summary: Um... can Juri's life go anymore downhill? It's been the most horrible day, she's just pondering on the fact that she might have a small crush on Kakashi, Kakashi's mad at her, she's injured, and to top it all off... her parents are gone. Her only family is gone. What's a girl like her to do now?

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

In Love with a Ghost

… A Naruto fan fiction

 

In Love with a Ghost © SilverDragon

Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi

 

Chapter 7 -

“Searching for the truth”

 

Silently, I stood as my parents bodies were set to fire. I had requested it myself. I could've either buried them or set them to fire. I chose the fire.

 

Why?

 

Because of a simple matter I used to discuss my parents. Even when someone is dead, they cannot have any peace. If some ninja decided to make a puppet out of my parent's bodies or if some idiot decided that summoning the dead would be fun, my parents would not be laid to rest.

 

I closed my eyes, sighing deeply. Most of my parents' closest friends were here. I didn't know half of them, but I did recognize the Hyuuga clan. It wasn't Hizashi, but Hiashi. I had spoken with him earlier.

 

He had expressed his sincerest apologies and I had happened to ask him about his twin brother.

 

The most forlorn express adorned his face and he said quietly, "He passed away," And then it was my turn to express my apologies. Today just wasn't a good day, was it?

I glanced up. The sun didn't seem to think so. It was shining merrily away, mocking me with its colors.

 

It's been nearly three weeks. But it hadn't seemed long at all.

 

I bit my lip. I didn't cry. I never cried before. And I don't plan on breaking that. Sad or happy, I had to get through this sooner or later. My parents were bound to rest peacefully as age wore them out... it just so happened fate decided to laugh in my face and send them to the grave early.

 

I was used to death. I had witnessed my relative's death right before my very eyes when the Kyuubi attached Konoha. My aunts, uncles, cousins... you name it. Friends...

 

My parents were different. Deep inside, I knew that they cared for me. But they never showed it very well. I'm surprised that they didn't stay as protective as they were when I was younger. I wasn't actually allowed to leave the house without telling them exactly where I was. By exactly I mean exactly. The very location, the very spot I would be standing in.

 

My parents were the people that criticized me. The say one thing, but the expect another. I never heard any encouragement from them. The only times that I actually enjoyed their company was when they were silent.

 

But that was when it got awkward.

Sometimes I wished I got encouragement. They didn't abuse me or anything... they didn't neglect me. I got everything that I needed, everything I needed to survive. Everything except for the small things that created strong bonds between a child and a parent.

 

I never got that. And whenever I see other kids' parents, I feel jealous.

 

Other peoples' parents were different. They were the one's that were behind you every step of the way. The ones that showed they cared and said they loved you everyday. They wouldn't have their expectations set so high. My parents didn't do that.

 

They compared me to people, saying how I should always be like them. But I didn't want to be like them, I wanted to be myself, in my own way. Maybe that's why tried to force me into the Ninja Academy. They wanted me to aim high. But in the end, in their eyes, I was imperfect and never good for anything.

 

I had always wanted to mend that severed bond between us. My dad I was okay with... but my mom...

 

But all that was too late now. It was too late. They were gone. And I couldn't do anything about it.

 

I took a deep shuddery breath. It was already this hard to say good bye to them. I could only imagine how it would've been if I had actually been even closer to them.

 

That didn't mean it didn't hurt though. It may take time… but maybe I could get over it.

 

Sooner or later.

 

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked to my right. It was Genma and Ichi. Ichi gave me a small smile and reached forwards, embracing me, "I'm sorry," she whispered softly. I embraced her back. Genma gave me a sad smile.

 

"It's all right," I gave her a small grin back, "...” I had no other words to say. The last thing I wanted was for people to pity me. So far, I hadn't gotten much - which was good. However, now and then I would spot a pitying look sent my way.

 

I don't like getting pity. I know that there are probably people out there that just pine for that kind of attention, but that's not me. It makes me feel weak and helpless - which I don't like. Wallowing in self-pity gets people nowhere and despite how I felt like just breaking down and bawling my eyes out, I knew my parents wouldn't want to see me like that.

 

Besides, I don't think I know of anyone who even likes getting pity. It just makes people feel bad. Who the hell invented that stupid emotion anyway?

 

I let out a deep sigh, watching the last bit of fire burn out. That's when it started to rain. I let out a snort. Sure, the weather agrees with my mood now. But I suppose it was good that it didn't rain earlier - or burning the bodies wouldn't have worked. Besides, the rain was putting out the fire now - they were finished burning.

 

Since the Hokage had told me that she already had ninja that were going to take care of the rest of the remaining parts, I turned around and my gaze hardened instantly.

 

What was she doing here?

 

It was Naomi. She was standing near the back, giving the entire ceremony a curious once over. Once she met my gaze, she kept an expressionless face but I still saw the eyebrow that rose slightly at my scrutinizing.

 

And another thing.

 

I hadn't seen Kakashi since that day. The day the fire broke out. Three damn weeks ago. I know it's kind of hard to admit to this right now, especially since my parents were gone, but I missed him. Even if all he ever did was scare the living daylights out of me.

 

He was probably still mad at me.

 

My head shifted when I suddenly felt something shift behind me. I frowned, watching a lone leaf drift to the ground. Was it him? Was he here?

 

My eyes scanned the crowd and widened as the landed on the familiar tuff of silver hair. He was standing near... Naomi.

 

Okay…

 

Did they know each other? Now that I think about it… my eyes narrowed. Kakashi had mentioned something about someone waiting for him…

 

Lowering my eyes, I turned back to Ichi, "I'm... going to go home... clean up a few things, you know?" Ichi looked alarmed.

 

"Do you have a place to stay?" I had been staying at the hospital for the past few days.

 

I gave her a sad smile, "Fortunately, yes. I found an apartment on the south side," Yes. South side. The complete opposite direction of where my house used to be. I guess it helped me start anew. I doubt that I will be walking much around my old house. I still needed to go there, to see what I could scavenge, but that shouldn't take that long.

 

"Need any help?" She gave me a grin, "I can rope Nii-chan and Kotetsu-kun into helping you. Maybe a few more... cute guys I might know," she let out an innocent whistle. I gave her a grin. She was trying to cheer me up, I could tell.

 

I laughed, "It's okay. No need for you to launch your charm on some poor guy now," She smirked at me, "Hey, it's what I do best!"

 

"Aa. Ja!" I gave her a small hug, before walking down the path. Maybe I'll head back to the house now. The sooner I get it over with the better I suppose.

 

I glanced sideways in Kakashi's direction. He was sort of staring up at the sky, looking like he was deep in thought. Sometime told me it was going to be a while before he would talk to me again.

 

And for some reason, that made my heart feel heavy.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

I stared at the mess that was once my home. Black, charred remains were all it was now. Well... half the house was still in tact. The front was gone; the back was still there...

 

I peered deeper in, relieved to find that the fire hadn't even reached my room or my parents bedroom yet. Well, I suppose that was a kind of relief... I suppose they had managed to put it out before it hit the whole house...

 

How had the fire started anyway?

 

My first guess would be that it had started from the kitchen.

 

I walked in closer, avoiding the burnt patches of grass on the ground. Solemnly, I stood, staring into what had been the kitchen.

 

Mom...

 

Dad...

 

How long until I could get over this? Will I ever get over this??

 

I stepped in further, glancing at the charred remains of the furniture and accessories. The sink… the chairs… the table... the stove… I felt my eyes blur slightly. Even the damn vase that I had replaced. I shook my head.

 

Half the room as gone; with the wall punctured and haven fallen over. At least we didn't have an old-styled Japanese house - with the paper-thin walls inside. That would've only burnt down faster - and the fire would've left nothing.

 

We had one of the more modern houses - with wooden walls inside and outside.

 

I ran my hand carefully down the broken counter. I frowned. Wait... I turned back to the stove. Since I knew my mother doesn't use candles or matches, the fire must've started from the stove, right?

 

My eyes narrowed. If the fire had started here, the entire stove would've been burnt and would be completely black. The only parts of the stove that were black were the bottom. The top was still the shiny white it was before the fire. And even if the fire had started on the stove and it hadn't burnt the entire stove, the top should be black, not the bottom.

 

What was going on here?

 

All sympathetic thoughts of my parents disappeared momentarily as I focused on a new task. Finding out how the fire had started.

 

Dad doesn't smoke.

 

Mom doesn't use matches or candles (neither does my father).

 

Unless it's my hair spray... yeah right. I ran out that morning.

 

I eyed the stairs leading to the second floor, and decided not to risk it. I'd rather live right now, thank you very much. When I moved again, I kicked something on the ground. It made a rattling sound as it rolled across the black floorboards.

 

I cocked my head.

 

Bending over and retrieving the item, I stared at it. It was an exploding note. Half of it was burn. My eyes narrowed. Mom was a homemaker. Dad was a retired ninja.

 

Why would he leave exploding notes lying around? That's when I saw the kunai that it was attached to. That wasn't my dad's kunai... dad used kunai that was specially marked. The tips of the kunai were blue.

 

This one wasn't blue.

 

So this wasn't Dad's kunai.

And it couldn't be Mom's.

 

Then whose kunai was it?

 

My mind began to fuse together. What if... what if the fire wasn't accidental at all? What if... it was deliberately provoked? What if my parents had been dead before the fire? My parents didn't also spend lots of time in the basement. That would explain why I didn't find them the day the fire started. Alarmed, I began to scour the ruins of my house for anything else that was suspicious.

 

After about 10 or so minutes of fruitless searching, my eyes landed on a burnt weapon. I held it up. Another kunai.

 

And on the end, was a string attached. Whatever it was attached to was missing. My eyes hardened. The fire wasn't accidental at all.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Knock, knock, knock!

 

I waited impatiently, a bag in hand at the entrance of the Hokage tower. I had to see her about this. My parents' death wasn't accidental - that I was sure of.

 

When no one answered, I raised my hand to knock again, and knocked on thin air.

 

"Juri-san?" I glanced up. It was Kotetsu. The ninja from before... I desperately hoped that he had forgotten about that one encounter... and Kakashi's stupid words...

 

"Kotetsu-san!" I gave him a thin smile, "... is it possible for me to see the Hokage right now?" The ninja gave me a apologetic look, "Gomen, Juri-san, but the Hokage is in a important meeting right now...”

 

Damn.

I was a bit too late...

 

Time for Plan B.

 

I gave Kotetsu the most distraught expression I could possible muster, "Oh... well...” Kotetsu immediately looked alarmed.

 

"Is something the matter, Juri-san?" Kotetsu stepped closer, giving me a concerned look. On impulse, I tried not to step back. I wasn't used to the proximity of strangers... I mean, who would be?

 

“It's just... nothing… it's all right," I turned away, intending to give him the impression that I was going to walk away, but an arm caught my own. Well... that was definitely not expected - not even when I had placed my Plan B onto the playing board.

 

"Well... I suppose I could sneak you into the hall so that you could wait until the meeting was done..." he said guiltily. I stifled a grin. Now this part was expected. The 'playing-distressed and dismissing the idea' always seemed to work.

 

He took me by the arm and led me in. Stomping down the urge to snatch my arm away from him, I allowed myself to be led into the tower. I glanced up briefly; my gaze landing on what I knew was the Hokage's window.

 

I hoped whatever meeting the Hokage had wouldn't take too long... the situation I had discovered didn't look too good.

 

A few minutes later...

 

Kotetsu left me in the hall, promising to be back after he had alerted the Hokage of my presence. I don't think he would have needed to alert her - half the people in the room probably already knew of my presence.

 

A few seconds later he appeared in front of me, startling me to no end.

 

He gave me an apology and kindly informed me that the Hokage could see me now if I wanted. I gave him a confused look, "I thought Hokage-sama was in a meeting..?" He gave a small shrug and gestured me over.

Obliging, I followed him in as he pushed the large oak doors open... revealing... what seemed to be all of the clans in Konoha. I could see the Hyuuga clan, Nara clan, Akimichi clan... there were so many! And then my eyes landed on a smaller figure.

 

Confused, I took in the features of none other than Uchiha Sasuke. What the heck was he doing here? Oh wait... he was the last member of the Uchiha clan, wasn't he? That would explain why he was here.

 

All were seated in chairs in front of the Hokage.

 

At our entrance, Tsunade had looked up and gave me a weary smile, "Juri-chan! How nice it is to see you again. Would you like to have a seat?"

 

Warily, and not liking the atmosphere of the room at all, I politely declined and tried to ignore all the eyes that were on me. Something didn't seem right. She was too... cheerful... or maybe that was how she usually was.

 

"Is there something you needed?"

 

I tensed. This seemed like a fairly important meeting, but why did she allow me to interrupt it then?

 

"Um... I have a few matters to discuss about the death of my parents...”

 

If possible, the atmosphere in the room grew colder, lowering by a couple of notches - not that it wasn't cold enough already. What the hell? It's my parents' death! Not you peoples'!

 

Tsunade gave me a wary look, "I thought we discussed this already?"

 

"... This is... well... something I recently discovered," she nodded for me to go on, "...I don't think my parents death were an accident. I think they were assassinated."

 

I heard a man in the room snort, "And who are you to say this? We've had the Anbu in that place for God sakes!" I glared at him. I didn't like him already.

 

".. I know... I'm not a ninja or anything-" I started, fingering the hem of my shirt. I had a feeling I was about the face the firing squad. I could feel my anger boiling already, but I knew I had to keep my cool in front of the important people that were present.

 

"Then who are you to say anything? If you are not a ninja - then you have lower observations skills than our Anbu, most definitely. How on earth would you have spotted something that they haven't?"

 

I glared at him. I was starting to lose my temper... Okay Juri, time to count to ten.

 

1..

 

"We had two teams scouring the place and cleaning up the place-"

 

2..

 

"-And if what you say is true, you have not presented us with any evidence that can prove this—"

 

3..

 

"And furthermore, the matter of the Hatayama deaths' had been closed. I don't think that it is worth opening the case again and disturbing your parents' pea-"

 

4 - Screw it. That was the last straw. I didn't really care… that much... if they didn't believe me right away. But talking about my parents like their death was just another case to add to their already big pile... that was just unacceptable.

 

I wouldn't have minded if they had talked about it when I wasn't present, but I was standing right there. That was just rude.

 

Stalking up to the guy, I slammed my hand onto the Hokage's desk. He had just happened to be sitting close to the Hokage.

 

"All right! All right!! You had no right to talk about my parents' death like that! And furthermore-" I mimicked his voice, "I do have evidence to prove my findings-" I yanked up my bag, and poured the contents onto the table, "Look and see for yourself! As the for observation skills - I'll have you know that I trained with my father for a long time! And my father wasn't called 'Stealth' for nothing you know!! Your Anbu are as blind as bats compared to me!" I seethed. I hate to admit to that. I hate to be boasting, but it was true... maybe…

 

Dad was nicknamed Stealth when he was still working as a Ninja. His main job had been to be a scout or observer, which meant his spy and tactic skills had been second to none. That meant that his observation skills were also top notch. And although I had never finished academy school, dad has still tried to shape me up.

 

I had refused to take up the ninja profession but that doesn't mean my father hadn't tried to pound the damn things into my head.

 

And I had put those skills to use today— rusty skills I had thought I would never use again. I didn't care if these people here didn't believe me. I just wanted to give them a heads-up that I was going to be doing more work on this case.

 

Maybe I wasn't ninja material. So what if I didn't have experience? As long as I was able to find evidence, that was good enough right? Good enough to bring the case back into the light?

 

I was going to dig up the truth, even if it cost me my life.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Revised August 28, 2008