Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ In Love With A Ghost ❯ Chapter 8 - Discovery ( Chapter 8 )

Last Chapter Summary: Well, so Juri's parents' death wasn't so accidental after all... what's going to happen now? Time to face the firing squad! Will Juri survive after confront the Hokage as well as all the villages' clan members about this? Will they believe her? And if they don't, will Juri commence in her searching anyway?

 

[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 8 -

“Discovery”

 

No one spoke.

 

In fact, everyone was just... staring. Staring at the items I had poured onto the table. I gave the man that had been yelling at me earlier a smug look. 'Ha! Evidence is right under your nose! Bastard...'

"Hatayama," Tsunade said sharply. A bad feeling crept up from my toes when I heard her tone. Maybe it was of how I had acted... I mean, I was downright rude to everyone in the room (which was all made up of the most respected clans in the village!). I had even insulted the Anbu for heaven sakes' and I slammed my hand onto the Hokage's desk.

 

The Hokage's desk. It wouldn't have mattered if it was... let's say... the Ramen counter or anything, but this was the Hokage's desk! What kind of idiot would do that?

 

Well, that idiot was standing right in front of everyone.

 

Namely, me.

 

"Yes?" I asked meekly. I now very much regretted my actions. I was being rash and had just rushed in - without an invitation.

 

"What is the meaning of this?" she continued, her hand brandishing the 'items' I had found, "There is absolutely nothing here! Are you trying to make fools of us?" I backed up a step. Boy did she ever sound pissed.

 

Then I froze.

 

Wait, nothing there? What the heck was she on? Crack? I was staring at five kunai. One of them even still had an exploding note attached to it! Then I stopped. Exploding note STILL attached?!

 

What was I, an idiot?! Why the hell didn't I notice that before? And I even said that my observation skills were in top notch… boy was I ever stupid.

 

I dove for the desk, but I found two Anbu holding me back.

 

"Take her out," The Hokage said firmly. She shook her head, "Hatayama, I'm disappointed in you. I expected better from you, especially after knowing your father for who he was," My gaze was fixed up on the exploding note, which could activate at any second. I had to get that out of here!

 

"Wait!" I cried desperately, "I have to-!!" I glared at the Anbu holding me, who suddenly let go. I fell onto my backside, yelping in pain.

 

"What the-!" I cut myself off, cursing insanely inside my head. Why the hell did he drop me now?? I glared at him/her. Maybe he/she didn't appreciate me bad mouthing the Anbu from before.

 

Gasps resounded about the room.

 

Confused, my eyes scanned the room for anything, but found nothing out of the ordinary. What was so shocking to everyone?

Then I found Hiashi kneeling in front of me. I looked up at him blankly. What was going on? His hand reached out and I involuntarily flinched, eyes squeezing shut.

 

"Open your eyes," a voice said quietly.

 

I did.

 

Blankly, I watched him as his hand passed over my eyes.

 

"Seishin me..." (spirit eye) His hand remained over my left eye. For an extra minute or so, the entire room remained silent, and then everyone burst out into rapid conversations. Confused, I leaned away from Hiashi's hand, desperately looking for a way out of the chaos.

 

"SILENCE!"

 

And indeed, it then went silent. The Hokage was now in a standing position behind her desk, "I will not have this riot break out in my own room," she said tersely. Her gaze landed on me, "Hyuuga-san, what was it you said about her eyes?"

 

The tall Hyuuga stood, making me feel even smaller.

 

"Her eye," he corrected solemnly. That was all he gave. The entire room stared at him. I heard someone snort, "Some explanation…"

 

It was the same man that had been yelling at me earlier.

 

I saw Hiashi give him a blank look, "Watch your tongue, Otake," Said man's eyes widened slightly before backing off, muttering something under his breath. For a moment there, everyone's attention was diverted from me and I took the time to glance around the room.

 

It was a different room - not the same one I had been in before. There were windows to my left and bookshelves to my right. The window curtains, a basic and dark green, billowed as an unsuspecting gust blew in from an open window. The floor is a patchwork of small rugs and the wall to my right was obscured entirely by floor to ceiling bookshelves.

 

Wait... Otake... Otake... why did that name sound so familiar? Otake..

 

Otake! My eyes widened. That was the name of the person who was my father's partner... My eyes landed on the Otake man. His cold gaze was on me in return.

 

I guess you could say that the Hatayama clan and Otake clan don't exactly get along. I don't really know the details of it... but it was right after that one missions my father had gone on..

 

That one mission that involved the Yondaime himself.

 

"Hatayama Juri."

I glanced up at my name, "Hai..?" I asked nervously. I rubbed my sweaty palms down the front of my black skirt. I still hadn't changed from this morning's memorial service. Which meant that I was still in all black.

 

But I suppose that it wasn't that strange. Most people usually wear black for a few days after their relatives' memorial service. Well… at least I think they did.

 

It was Hiashi who had spoken to me, "Do you see anything... that seems to have a pale glow around it?" I raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about?

 

I opened my mouth to talk and was hushed by him, "Just look around,"

 

Sighing, I obliged and glanced around nervously, landing on everything but the people around it.

 

My gaze landed on the kunai I had brought in and my eyes widened when I saw the one with the 'dud' exploding note had a slightly pale glow around it. Speaking of which… my jaw dropped open in horror as the note was suddenly ignited. Letting out a small squeak, I darted forwards in an attempt to put it out.

 

Slam!

I found myself slammed against a table, held by my throat.

 

"What do you think you're doing?!" a low voice growled. I meeped and glanced away from the masked Anbu holding me. I winced. If they couldn't see the kunai like I did... it probably looked like I was lunging at the Hokage herself.

 

"I was trying to-"

 

My attention returned to the kunai and grimaced. It was half-burnt out. For some reason this note seemed to go a very slow, like it was mocking me, "Let... me... go!" I brought up a knee and harshly kneed him where the sun doesn't shine.

 

Hearing a pained yelp, I abruptly shoved him off of me and leapt at the table, dodging the prying hands.

 

This time, I got there without capture. Quickly, I snatched the kunai and launched it out the window. I landed on the floor, hands covering my head, waiting... waiting for the explosion.

 

And not a moment too soon either, the kunai cleared the window, smashing into it with a huge crash. It sent glass everywhere and everyone in the room was immediately in a flurry of chaos. I peeked out cautiously.

 

"What in the name of-!!"

 

"She's a witch I tell you!! All of them are that crazy-"

 

I snorted. Witch? This wasn't the first time I had been called that... It seemed like every since I had met Kakashi, my life had been thrown out of its ordinary path and into a path of chaos and confusion.

 

That's when the explosion hit. A huge explosion of fire and air went off right outside the window. I winced. I hoped they could see that. Debris flew everywhere. Glass, leaves, twigs. If only there wasn't a tree beside the window - then maybe the debris wouldn't be scratching me up like this...

 

I gave a small frown at the cut on my low left arm and the bruise on my right wrist.

 

Gasp and shouts.

 

Then…

 

Silence.

 

Again.

 

I sheepishly glanced around the room, rolling to a sitting position. Everyone was either staring out the window, or at me. Hiashi was one of the people staring at me. And maybe it was just me, but I thought I saw a ghost of a smile on his lips.

 

The Hokage stood, "Everyone clear out of the vicinity. I have a matter to discuss with Hatayama here."

 

"But Hokage-sama-" a few of the people protested. Some even glared at me. Another few however, left quickly, most likely frightened by the mysterious explosion.

 

"NOW." her tone of voice left no room for argument.

 

Obligingly, the Anbu disappeared and the rest of the clan leaders slowly aired out the room, leaving the Hokage and I.

 

"Hyuuga," Tsunade spoke again, her voice harsh. Said Hyuuga stopped, "You will stay here."

 

Hiashi turned around, "Then I will ask that the Uchiha stay here as well."

 

Sasuke, who had been silent throughout the entire ordeal, gave him a wary look, before regarding me with a glare. I met his glare dead on. What the heck did he want? Wait... Oh yeah... didn't he seem mad at me the other day for some reason?

 

He said something about being one of 'his' friends. But... who was 'he'?

 

"Very well, as you wish,"

 

The door slowly swung shut, and I fought the urge to bolt up and run for the exit. Staring longingly at my closing escape hatch, I stayed in my position, not wanting to get up to face the firing squad.

 

"Hatayama Juri, what on earth did you just do?!"

I grimaced, "I threw the kunai out the window…" I replied meekly. The Hokage glared at me. My gaze lowered quickly, as I slowly dragged myself to a standing position. I could see Sasuke out of the corner of my eyes, smirking slightly. I fought the urge to tackle him and gritted my teeth together.

 

"And why, may I ask? You just endangered the lives of dozens of people!!!" She continued angrily, "There was no-"

"...It had an exploding note attached to it..." I muttered, trying not to cringe under the force of her heated gaze.

 

"...W-what?!" The Hokage sputtered. She actually sputtered. Stumbled over the words, "It had an exploding kunai attached to it?" She fell silent, frowning, "No one could see it,"

 

"I saw it," I replied stubbornly, "It was there." Tsunade didn't answer me and sighed, running a hand through her blonde bangs and holding it to her forehead, "Hyuuga-san. What is it that you were trying to tell us before?"

 

Hiashi stepped forwards, bowing slightly, "As I was trying to say Tsunade-sama, she can see things that we normal people cannot. She has the eye. She has the Seishin me. The Spirit Eye,"

 

The Hokage froze, "The… the 'Spirit Eye'? Are you sure? Absolutely positive?"

 

The tall Hyuuga nodded, eyes narrowing slightly, "I had noticed it before when she was younger, and her father had as well. He even asked me to keep a close eye on her," I felt Hiashi's gaze slide over towards me, "We only suspected that she had them before, but when the signs of the Seishin me began to lessen, we lowered the surveillance on her and stopped completely just a month ago,"

 

I found Hiashi in front of me again, "However... it appears the eye had lain in dormancy... perhaps for this reason.." he paused, "It seems like the eye has been used excessively over the past few weeks,"

 

I paled. What he hell was he talking about? What was he going on about? Commoner's language please! I stayed silent, worry beginning to fill my mind. It didn't help that I was a kind of person that took the smallest things and made them into big things. What if... what if there was something wrong with me? Something wrong with my eye...

 

"Are you positive?" The Hokage sat back down, disregarding the glass that was littered around her desk, "This is a serious matter. This topic should've been closed over 60 years ago,"

 

... 60... years ago...???

 

"I am aware of that fact, Tsunade-sama," Hiashi continued, eyes watching the now open window warily, "But the subject has emerged once again, and cannot be ignored,"

 

Tsunade stayed silent. She absently brushed away the glass that was present on her desk and rested her elbows on the old mahogany, leaning forwards.

 

"You do know, that Hatayama-san has been suspected of seeing... Hatake, Kakashi lately?"

 

The Hokage's eyes narrowed slightly, "Where did you hear that,"

 

"Neji told me,"

 

"Neji," The Hokage said matter-of-factly, "Hyuuga Neji,"

 

"Is there another?" I could've sworn that Hiashi was very amused.

 

The Hokage turned her eyes onto me, "You told Neji about Kakashi?"

 

"I did not!" I protested, ".... he just heard me say something to Naruto I suppose..."

 

"NARUTO knows about this?!" If anything, she was even angrier than when she found out that 'Neji' knew about it. I mean... I didn't even know that Neji knew about it! How did he find out, anyway?

 

"..."

 

"Who else,"

 

"Well not that many... jus-"

 

"Who. Else."

 

I gulped.

 

"Well... Genma-san... Kotetsu-san... um... the girl with the pink hair... I forgot her name... and well... Naruto, but you already know that. Um... And… this guy here?" I jerked my hand in Sasuke's direction, who had basically been forgotten the whole time.

 

In turn, he looked quite pissed off at being ignored... until now, that is.

 

"Uchiha knows about this?" Tsunade demanded. She let out a hiss of anger, before settling down and letting off a soft sigh, "Forget it," she muttered, cupping her face with her left hand and letting her own hand drop to the table, thrumming away, "I should've seen this coming,"

 

I glanced at her, confused.

 

She gave me a small smirk, "Now, I suppose a full explanation is at order?" she paused, waving to the chairs, "Sit down, if you will, this is going to be a long tale,"

 

Delicately, I brushed glass that was on a chair off and pull the chair closer to the desk, sitting down. However, the other two males in the room did not sit, and remained standing. I raised an eyebrow at Sasuke, "I bet that you're going to sit down in the middle of this,"

 

He all but glowered at me. I stuck my tongue out at him, smirking slightly and turned back around to listen to Tsunade.

 

She was watching us with an amused aura, "Very well then. What Hiashi-san has identified you with is a Seishin me, also known as a 'Spirit Eye.' The last time this eye had been seen was nearly 60 years ago, and that case was present within your grandmother,"

 

"My grandmother?" I blurted out. I snapped my mouth shut, sheepish. I remembered that someone... yes, it was the Hokage herself that said that I had eyes like my grandmother.

 

"Yes. You're grandmother. She had eyes just like yours, though yours are a bit more distinguished," she paused, "I noticed it before, but I said nothing, hoping that it was just a coincidence. Though... it does not seem that way now,"

 

She stood up, turning around to face the window, "The Spirit eye does not seem to be a very powerful thing, which is why most ninja do not even know about it. Its ability is to see... well... Spirits, as the name suggests," her eyes narrowed, "It also has the ability to see a certain type of jutsu's as well. This is probably why Hiashi-san decided to let Uchiha stay, is it not?"

 

Hiashi nodded, "The Spirit eye has qualities that is similar to the Sharingan. It can see jutsu's as well, but not ninjutsu, genjutsu, nor taijutsu. It sees the forbidden techniques, the cursed techniques, the one's that are the most powerful in our ninja world," he paused, "However, this eye cannot copy techniques, and it only distinguishes them to allow the user to see through techniques. For example..." Hiashi's eyes landed on the kunai that were still present on the desk.

 

I interrupted immediately, "You mean you can see those kunai!? You should've said so before!!" I pointed an accusing finger at him, bolting up to my feet.

 

Hiashi rose an eyebrow at me, "I cannot see them clearly, but I can see a faint outline that surrounds the object,"

 

"Oh…" I sank back into the chair, "Gomen..."

 

"No harm has been done, Hatayama-san. Now, as I was saying. This is one example. These kunai have been completely surrounded with a forbidden technique. This technique is called Mayonaka o kabau no jutsu, I believe (Midnight covering technique). I can feel the darkness the kunais' aura puts out. As a guess, I can safely say that these kunai have somehow been surrounded by some sort of chakra that prevents the average, everyday ninja from seeing it,"

 

The tall Hyuuga's eyes flitted toward Sasuke, "Uchiha, I want you to use your Sharingan and tell me if you see anything," The Uchiha grunted in response and obliged by activating his Sharingan.

 

I averted my eyes accordingly as they widened with familiarity. Where had I seen those eyes before? I... I could've sworn I've seen those eyes...

 

I blinked.

 

Red eyes stared back at me.

 

Sasuke glared at me momentarily, before glancing over towards the table, "I can see them,"

 

That brought the Hokage and Hiashi to attention fast, "How well?" Tsunade demanded.

 

"I can see most of it... although it is a little blurry..." he muttered.

 

Tsunade relaxed slightly, "Then the research I went through years ago did not go to waste," Her eyes landed on me, "You, my girl are the lucky break for all of us," I stared at her blankly. What??

 

"With you," she elaborated, "We can finally get rid of the curse Kakashi's been under,"

 

I stared at her.

 

C..curse?? How had she known about that??!

 

Sasuke fidgeted, running a hand through his dark hair uneasily. It looked like the topic of his sensei was still a bit sensitive. I could see why. I mean, he went for a couple of years thinking that he was dead, and then suddenly his 'spirit' shows up out of nowhere and begins talking.

 

How would you feel?

 

The Hokage let out a soft chuckle, "Yes, I've known for quite a while now. Kakashi told me himself," I stared at her, "That one day, I was only hiding the fact from you - not knowing if you were trustworthy enough or not,"

 

"But… if... I still don't get all of this..." I moaned, covering my face with my hands.

 

"You have a spirit eye. Tsunade-sama knows about Kakashi-sensei. What more is there to understand?" I turned around, startled to find Sasuke's face inches from mine, "Which one is it," he muttered.

 

"Her left," Hiashi supplied.

 

My eyes widened slightly when I found my own eyes right up against two Sharingan eyes, "What are you-"

 

"I can't tell any difference," Sasuke deadpanned, "Why did you ask that I stay here?"

 

"Your brother-" Sasuke grew rigid, "-knew about her eyes. Much sooner than we did, I believe. It is said that the Seishin me is related to the Sharingan," Sasuke's eyes narrowed as I squeezed my eyes shut. That Sharingan was started to creep me out.

 

"Open your eyes,"

 

"No," I retorted.

 

I heard him grit his teeth, "Open. Your. Eyes,"

 

I frowned at him, saying nothing. I heard a small chuckle of laughter, "Sasuke, there is no need to make her feel uncomfortable,"

 

"I want to see it," Now he just sounded like a sulking child.

 

My eyes shot open and I glared at him, "There's absolutely nothing to-arrgggghhhhhhhh!" I leapt back three feet, clutching my chest in fear. I glared at the figure that now stood in front of me. During the time I had my eyes closed, Sasuke had backed up a step and someone else had stood silently in front of me.

 

I glared at Kakashi.

 

Then I pointed an accusingly finger at him, "What are you doing here?!?!?" Kakashi gave me a mock hurt look, "Am I not allowed to be here?" he lilted his voice, making it seem like he had an out-of-town accent.

 

I saw the Hokage straighten up, "Kakashi?"

 

"Hai, Hokage-sama," I saw Kakashi turn towards the desk. I saw Sasuke's hand twitch as he stared at the spot Kakashi was in. Wait- I frowned at Sasuke. He... could he see him too?

"K-k-kakashi-sensei??!" Sasuke croaked. I burst out into helpless laughter, which only caused the distraught Uchiha to snarl and glare at me, retaining his posture quickly. Gasping, I managed to get out one sentence, "You... haahha.. Should've... -gasp- seen your face!" You would think that since Sasuke had already 'heard' Kakashi a little while ago that he wouldn't have reacted this way, right? However, that was not the case.

 

I saw Tsunade shake her head sadly and I heard her mother, "Just the same... just the same..."

 

I stopped and stared at her, "What do you mean?"

 

The older woman gave me a wry grin, "The way you two are acting is exactly how you and Itachi used to act when you were younger,"

 

I pursed my lips carefully, "How would you know? You weren't Hokage yet or anything...” I paled, "Gomen," She waved it off, "That is quite all right. Sarutobi-sensei was kind enough to inform me of that. We did communicate once in a while, if not a lot," she grinned, "You seemed to be a highlight in our topics,"

 

I brightened slightly, "By Itachi... Do you mean the cocky dude with the twin scars on his face?" I saw Sasuke's face contort at the word 'cocky.'

 

"The very one,"

 

My eyes rolled towards Sasuke, who glared at me.

 

I snickered, "The one that fell into the pond when a frog scared him?" I saw the Hokage sigh, "Let's get back on topic, shall we?" Now I remember... those red eyes from before... I had seen them from Itachi. I rubbed the side of my face. I hadn't thought about him for so long... in face, I haven't thought about anything for so long.

 

Ever since Kakashi had appeared into my life, everything had tumbled out of control. This happened, that happened... and then... my parents died. My brow furrowed slightly, eyes situated blankly on the ground. When would my life finally calm down?

 

I don't think it ever will. First Kakashi comes. Then Kakashi's mad at me. My parents die. Now this `Seishin me' is dropped onto my head. And now I have to help Kakashi. And now the Sharingan is related to- I don't even get half of this stuff! I hope all this will be explained soon... I heard a small creak and my eyes rose.

 

Kakashi gave me a small wink and I frowned at him. Wasn't he mad at me? For talking about 'Naomi' and his past?

 

"Now then, Kakashi, since you are here, maybe you can explain to us a bit-"

 

I narrowed my eyes at said ninja slightly, watching him joyfully endorse in reading his little orange book. Time for my payback!

 

"Hokage-sama?"

 

"Hai?"

 

"He's not listening,"

 

The Hokage frowned, "Kakashi...” she clucked her tongue in a reprimanding way. Kakashi snapped his head up, "Hai?"

 

"Listen,"

 

"Hai, Hokage-sama," his tone was slightly sheepish. I saw him shoot a small glare at me and he advanced towards me. I backed up a step. Opps. Maybe I shouldn't have done that... My gaze brightened at the cup of tea I saw on a shelf behind me and I smirked slightly.

 

Kakashi froze in his steps.

 

"Very well. Now then-" the Hokage continued.

 

"Hokage-sama?" I picked up the cup, relishing the look of startled horror that passed briefly across the silver haired ninja's face.

 

"Hai..?" she said tiredly. I might as well give her a break from all of this endless talking. Time for some action!

 

"He's not listening," I replied.

 

And promptly dash the entire cup of tea onto the carpet.

 

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

 

Revised August 28, 2008