Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Shinobi: Pride of Pride ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Shinobi: The Price of Pride

By: Hanasaki Rikku

Summary: With a clan like the Hanasaki, is it any wonder why Rikku is the way she is? She lost her brother and friend at such a young age, and things with Chizuko have seemed to only gotten worse. What does Itachi want and why does a certain Snake Sannin seem so interested in her life all of the sudden?

Rating: T/M. For violence (poorly written, but still there), language, and some other stuff I can't quite recall at the moment. Just be warned. Oh, that, and my horrible writing.

Genre: Romance/Action/Adventure/Angst

“The degree of one's emotion varies inversely with one's knowledge of the facts -- the less you know the hotter you get.”

((CHAPTER EIGHT))

Her despondent gaze fell on her hands, gauze wrapped tightly, ensnaring her injured palms. She could still see the faint tinge of red, but they were well on their way to being healed.

Chizuko sighed.

She could have done better; she should have done better. She was an ANBU now. Well…not technically, but still. Both Rikku and she had been forced to rely on Kakashi; it was pitiful. Rikku had been out for a day and a half, which surprised her, because Rikku was always a fast healer.

She had been ushered into the emergency room upon their arrival in Konoha, both had, actually, only her own wounds had needed minor treatment. Rikku had been severely injured, and the doctors were left to nurse three broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and a broken arm. Most of her scrapes had been well healed, save for those few deep ones. All she had needed was some mending in her right arm, stitches and a sedative for the minor shock. Both had suffered from loss of blood, and, added to the other wounds, were left with extremely fatigue.

Kakashi had faired well against the man, whose name they learned to be Kisame, and hadn't needed as much attention since he didn't have to fight Itachi as well.

The white door leading to the other girl's current room opened, the Hokage's assistant, Shizune, stepped out, a light expression on her soft features. As she glanced up from her clipboard, a momentary streak of surprise flashed across her obsidian eyes, before recognition set in.

“Himura-san, I believe she is well enough for visitors.” Chizuko nodded, standing from the rather uncomfortable chair, stretching her stiff back. Shizune walked away, leaving the door slightly ajar for her to enter.

The room was fairly dim, and she had to squint to see, her eyes having grown accustomed to the brightly lit halls. “Rikku?” She called, eyes finally settling on a lone figure situated on the bed slightly to her right. She made to turn on the lights, but Rikku's cold voice stopped her proceedings.

“Don't.” Rikku's amber eyes were fixed solely on the piece of canvas hovering above the only window like a shield, her expression dulled and unreadable. Chizuko frowned slightly, slowly meandering closer until she stood at her bedside.

Something was wrong. Rikku seemed oddly distant. More so than usual. “Oi, what's wrong?” It was a stupid question, but the younger girl's solemn demeanor was making her nervous. She didn't answer and Chizuko tried again, “Rikku? Hello? You there?” She prodded the girl's bedside with her knee, unable to do any actual, worthwhile movements at the moment, seeing as both her hands were currently disabled.

“What do you want?” Rikku mumbled distractedly, eyes glazed over and unfocused. She didn't look her way, nor did she make any further note of acknowledgment, and it was beginning to worry her. Rikku left too long to soak her thoughts was never a good thing. She didn't like to see the girl withdraw into herself, and chose to avoid it whenever possible.

Who knew what the girl could conjure up in that head of hers.

Chizuko sighed, scooting a chair closer with her foot and plopping herself down on it, “For you to stop acting so weird. Now, do you mind telling me what's wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.”

Chizuko sighed in frustration, “Obviously, something is! Stop being a stubborn jackass and just tell me!”

Rikku's trance finally seemed to break, her eyes locking on hers, “Stop being such an arrogant prick, and I will.”

She couldn't think of what could have possibly gotten her friend in such a dreary mood. Sure, it would have been understandable to be upset over the failure of their mission, but for some reason, she doubted this had anything to do with that. Rikku was never one to dwell on such things for longer than necessary. So what could possibly be wrong?

A thought struck out in the darkness and Chizuko frowned, “Don't tell me you're still sore about what I said before we left?” Rikku didn't answer, but her silence spoke volumes. “Why don't you like him?”

Rikku stared at the whitewashed walls across her, expression blank. “Why do you like him?”

“What? I never said…I… Don't changing the subject!” Chizuko frowned at the lack of response, visibly twitching at the girl's impudence. Stupid Rikku had a way of pissing her off without even trying. She truly longed to just reach over and hit her then. “Rikku!”

“What?”

She sighed, “Stop avoiding the subject, you know we're going to have to talk about it sooner or later. Now…why don't you like Kakashi?” She asked again, hoping that this time the girl would bother with at least a half decent answer.

“I never said I didn't like him…” Rikku muttered after a time, her amber eyes bearing into the wall across with such intensity Chizuko was surprised not to see a hole burning through.

She snorted, “Are you sure? Because by the way you were acting around him, it almost seemed as though…”

“Enough.” Rikku snapped, voice below a whisper but colder than ice. Her gaze flitted away from the wall, catching Chizuko's before resting on the strips of light seeping in from behind the standing canvas. She seemed to ponder a moment, considering her words, something the girl did often, though still annoyed her. She hated the wait, but at least the girl was responding. “Do you remember Tochi?”

Tochi?

Chizuko blinked, cocking her brow at the sudden swing in topics. She thought about shouting at the girl again, but the name caught her interest. “Yea…I do. What about him? Didn't he…um…you know…”

“Die?” Rikku offered icily, eyes hardening behind the veil of hatred. She was surprised to see so much behind those jaded amber eyes, the girl drawing her in with every word. “I suppose that's what Hokori and Meiyo told everyone.”

Her brow furrowed, “What? What are you talking about?”

She didn't answer.

Chizuko watched her closely, silently contemplating whether or not to ask her to elaborate. She barely remembered Tochi herself; he hadn't really had time for much it had seemed. But Rikku adored her older brother dearly, spending any spare minute she could with him. From the few times she had seen the older Hanasaki, she had categorized him as an all about kind person.

He had only been Chuunin, and had quite the busy schedule, but made sure to walk Rikku to the academy every morning, and be there in the afternoon to pick her up after. Usually, he'd pause to say hi to Ayame and her, then heading off to watch duty. He was such a sweet older brother. Completely innocent and unmarred by society.

Ayame had been particularly fond of him, maybe because she had the oldest of two, and still a child herself. But either way, Tochi had a way of making them all feel secure and wanted.

And Rikku…

That girl had been so full of energy then, smiling and grinning, pulling pranks on teachers with Chizuko. Around Tochi, she'd become serious, though. As if she were trying to prove something to him, make him proud of her, never mind that in terms of skill and strength, she could very well surpass him; Rikku was the prodigy of her clan, the mysterious and dark Hanasaki. She didn't have to try to showoff; Tochi nonetheless harbored a brotherly-bordering fatherly affection towards her.

“He didn't die.”

It took her a moment to realize the girl was finally answering her question, her voice strained and not like the Rikku she knew at all.

“Rikku… What happened? What happened to Tochi?” She suddenly found herself curious, and leant forward, inspecting the girl. If she didn't know better, she could have almost said she saw some sort of underlining sorrow beyond those eyes, but, alas, she had no way of knowing, Rikku's gaze so carefully guarded in a tight façade.

“I don't want to talk about it.” Rikku answered, hesitant eyes turning to meet hers fully for the first time since her arrival.

“But you're the one who…” Chizuko sighed. It was of no use. Rikku was beyond reasoning when it came to family matters. It was incredibly annoying, but she couldn't say anything. What could she say? As much as it bothered her that Rikku still didn't trust enough to share that part of her life with her, what more could she do but wait. “Fine, whatever. But, what does this have to do with Kakashi?”

Returning to the initial topic at hand, she was very aware of Rikku's slight frown at the mention of the name, but didn't comment. For now. “You'll have to ask Hatake-san.”

At the moment, Chizuko found herself using a good amount of self control so as not to smack the other upside the head, reminding herself Rikku was still in the injured. But, the minute the girl recovered… She inwardly smirked.

There was enough wrath in her to go around.

“What are you doing…?” Rikku was in the process of sitting up, sliding out of bed and onto the cold, tiled floor; she could see the visible shudder run up the girl's back at the contact. “Rikku…” Was she supposed to be moving around so soon? She swore the nurses said something about taking a few hours to…

“I have to go see Hokage-sama.” She mumbled, steadying herself with a hand on the wall. “I have a favor to ask of her.”

Chizuko frowned, rounding the bed to girl's side. The girl's steady eyes turned to her, locking on crimson. “Are you completely insane? You need rest not…” She trailed of, blinking, Rikku nowhere to be found. “Shit!” She looked away from the spot in which Rikku currently resided, rubbing her eyes madly as she rushed out of the hospital.

That damned Rikku had used her technique on her, giving her enough time to get away before she'd notice! Damn it all!

Performing a quick seal just as she ran out the door, focusing her mind on the Hokage's Tower, chakra engulfed her, and she disappeared, leaving behind a column of jutsu smoke and a set of bewildered medics.

She reappeared in the hallway leading straight to the Hokage's office, and had enough time to catch a brief glance of Rikku's dark robes before the office door closed shut. She cursed, speeding off after her.

Of course, as luck would have it, two idiots chose to get in her way at that moment, in the form of ANBU. The said duo stepped forward, masked faces addressing her coolly.

“Do you have an appointment?” One asked, a crow.

Chizuko scowled, “No, but I need to see the Hokage-sama. Now.”

The elephant stepped up, blocking her path, “I am sorry, but the Hokage-sama is in a meeting right now with Hanasaki-san. She won't be much longer.”

Chizuko's mood darkened at their attempts of being polite, “Listen, I am going to see the Hokage-sama whether or not she's in a meeting. This involves Rikku too!”

Both ANBU made a move for their kunai pouches, “We do not wish to use force, but—” no other words were spoken as Chizuko slammed a fist into the stomachs, then, just as quickly knocking them away. She didn't bother to see if they were okay, opening the door and entering.

Tsunade's cinnamon eyes flickered to her, and her next words trailed off, a small, annoyed frown touching her lips. “Chizuko? What are you doing here? And how did you get past the…” Her eyes wandered beyond the Himura, to where her two guards should have stood, only finding a pair of unconscious bodies. “Chizuko, this had better be important.” She resumed with a frustrated sigh.

Chizuko paid it no mind. “Please, Hokage-sama, do not allow Rikku to go on a mission yet.”

The Godaime sighed again, running a hand through her golden bangs, “I wasn't planning to. Besides, she was just reporting what happened during her encounter with Uchiha Itachi.”

Chizuko blinked. “Oh…”

Rikku sent her a silent glare, before turning back to the Hokage. “After that, nothing happened. I passed out, and later awoke in the hospital.”

Tsunade frowned, “Strange… Do you have any idea why he would mention him?” She spat the words like acid, and Chizuko's curiosity heightened at what could possibly have the woman so displeased. The Godaime even seemed to have momentarily forgotten her natural dislike for the Hanasaki, her anger averted unto something else. The blonde shook her head, a hand fisting around her black pen. “What does he have to do with this?”

Rikku shrugged nonchalantly, “I don't know. But I was wondering,” She paused, amber eyes flickering in Chizuko's direction. “Would it be possible for me to…?”

“I know what you're going to ask, and no. You are still too weak. You shouldn't even be out of bed in the first place.” Tsunade interrupted, brow furrowed for reasons Chizuko didn't know. A smug smirk tugged her lips at the second glare Rikku shot her, but wiped it away just as quickly so as not to anger the younger girl.

“But, ma'am, I may know where he is.” Rikku protested, and Chizuko noticed the slight wince of pain that marred her cool countenance; unfortunately, so did the Godaime.

Tsunade shook her head, “No, you're still in the process of healing. What would happen if you were to have another encounter with the Akatsuki?” She held up a hand as Rikku began her objection, then bringing it to massage her temple. “Look, I'll give you a week to heal on your own, and if not, I'll have Shizune look at you. Then you can go on your mission, and only then.”

It was clear from the girl's tense posture she did not like having to compromise, but Chizuko couldn't help but agree with the Godaime. It was for the best, and Rikku was just going to have to swallow her pride and accept it.

“Why can you not heal me now? It would be much faster.”

“Because, you're bones are still in the course of healing. Your lungs were severely damaged. If, as I healed you, your ribs were to somehow further the injury, I'm not sure you'd be able to go on any missions at all.” Tsunade explained, waving her off. “Now go back to the hospital and have Shizune look at you. Afterwards, you may go home and rest.”

Chizuko placed herself before the door, blocking the girl's exit. “Hokage-sama! You're not seriously thinking of letting her go, are you?”

Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly as they rested on her. “Yes? Do you have a problem with that?”

Chizuko grimaced, not wanting to cause trouble for herself. “But…!”

“But nothing! If you are so worried, you may go as well. You act as though I were planning to send her out alone.” She made an incredulous face at the notion, as though the thought of warranting Rikku permission to enact her own searches her nothing short of preposterous. The Hokage quickly ushered them out of the door, mumbling incoherent insults about troublesome teens nowadays.

She scowled as the door slammed shut in her face, and she had to bite her tongue to avoid getting in trouble. Glancing at the two guards, who had yet to regain consciousness, she huffed, turning around in search for the young Hanasaki. With a grunt, she found herself racing after Rikku, cursing all the way. “Hey, wait up! What's your problem?”

Rikku paused in her step, allowing her to catch up, which was a surprise, because she'd expected the girl to have still been angry. Sometimes, though, she tended to forget about the Hanasaki's complete inability to hold a grudge for longer than five minutes. She wasn't sure whether or not that little trait of the girl's was a good thing or not.

“Nothing. Why do you insist on asking something you know the answer to?” It was a rhetorical question, they both knew, but that wouldn't stop Chizuko from answering, even if half the reason behind it, she knew, was solely to annoy the other.

“Because, obviously I don't know. Now, if you're sure there's nothing wrong, lets go get something to eat, `cause I'm starving!” She patted her stomach to emphasize her point.

She didn't miss Rikku's slight twitch, and grinned inwardly on a mission accomplished. “Sure.” They meandered out of the central office, stepping out of the Hokage's Tower into the bustling streets of Konoha.

It was not noon, yet more than half of the Fire Leaf's population was out and about, performing simplistic duties and whatnot. They walked in a comfortable silence, taking in the domestic settings, scanning the streets for something to eat. She hadn't been lying when she said she was hungry. It felt as if she hadn't eaten in days, and if she didn't get some form of food down her, preferably ramen, she'd punch something.

A blonde mass of hair suddenly collided into her, but Chizuko caught herself before she could lose balance, grasping the blonde's shoulders with a settled glare. She only realized her mistake when she felt the pain shoot up her arms, her palms feeling as though on fire. Pulling them from the boy sharply, her lips twisted into a frown. “Hey, watch where you're going, kid!”

The blonde looked up, crystalline blue eyes narrowed in a scowl, “Hey! I'm not a kid, you hag!”

Chizuko scowled, “Excuse me? Apologize, brat, before I beat the shit out of you!”

“Like hell am I going to apologize to a hag like you!” He snapped back, stepping back to establish a glare of his own on the older Nin. She felt herself twitch, and gritted her teeth in anger. About to retort, she cut off short when a man came up, punching the boy upside the head lightly.

“Naruto, behave.” Kakashi drawled, leveling his gaze on the boy.

Chizuko blinked, “You know this kid?”

Naruto huffed, crossing his arms, “I'm fourteen! I am so not a kid, hag!”

Chizuko made a face, not about to let the boy get away with insulting her; it never hit her that she was behaving like some child, and more than likely causing a scene. “Well I'm sixteen, two years older than you! Beat that!”

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Rikku shaking her head, watching the scene unfold with an apathetic eye, shoving her hand into her pocket, the other still held to her chest in its stiff cast. She cooled some, knowing the girl was mentally reprimanding her for her behavior.

Kakashi shook his head, smacking the teen upside the head once again. “Sorry `bout that.” He smiled underneath his mask, turning his attention on the bandaged hands, then letting his gaze settle on the Himura's crimson eyes. “How are you two fairing?”

Chizuko shrugged, ignoring the boy, and offering the older Jounin a polite smile. She hadn't had the chance to thank him yet for helping them back, even if it had been part of his job. She just felt obliged to do something for the man.

Maybe she'd buy him ramen.

Glancing at her hands, she frowned. “Fine, I guess. They still kinda hurt, but I've had worse.”

Kakashi chuckled. “What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.”

Chizuko rolled her eyes, but couldn't completely stifle the smile from forming, which ruined the entire effect all together “That's gay.” She then, turning her eyes on Naruto, raised a brow in question. “So that's your student?” Odd. She hadn't thought Jounin were permitted to go on leave while with students. At least, that had never been the case with Genma-sensei.

“Yes.”

Chizuko snickered, giving the boy a once over. He looked like a pathetic excuse for a Ninja, his attire insanely bright and bound to attract much attention. “He looks like a nuisance.” An identical scowl formed on Naruto's brow, and both began their second verbal brawl.

“Uzumaki Naruto.”

Chizuko stopped mid-insult, turning to Rikku with a curious look. Uzumaki Naruto? Wasn't he that one demon boy her father told her to avoid…? Only, he hadn't exactly used those words. In fact, she hadn't known until after accidentally hearing an elder couple mumble about it. Apparently, it had been meant to be kept secret.

“Hai…?” Naruto turned to Rikku somewhat tentatively, his eyes betraying the anxiety he truly felt. But why would he feel weary? Chizuko noticed Kakashi's own attention had been drawn to Rikku, and obvious warning look in his sable eyes. “Do I know you?”

After a moment longer, Rikku's eyes boring into the youngest of the four with a cold sense of knowing aversion, she shook her head. “No.” There was something in the way she stared at him, much like everyone else in the village, that confused her. It wasn't hatred, but a sort of dislike that surprised her, because Rikku was never quick to judge people.

Naruto in turn, avoided her gaze, a serious expression falling over his formerly bright features. Silence followed for a moment longer before Naruto fond the courage to speak again, even if it was mostly directed towards the Himura and he'd somehow managed to inch as far away from Rikku without bringing attention to himself.

“Hey, didn't you guys used to hang around with Ayame-chan?” An icy feeling washed over her, clasping her heart in a frigid hold and her face paled. Swallowing, she suddenly found it hard to breathe, and her eyes prickled in warning. “I haven't seen her in ages, but I remember you two. Where is she?”

She really couldn't think of how to answer that, and she doubted Rikku would be of much help in this situation. She nearly snorted, her gaze dropping to their feet.

Where was she? She was in her grave…gone. She didn't believe in a set Heaven or Hell. She wasn't even sure if she believed in an afterlife. All she knew was, that wherever she was, Ayame was somewhere she belonged. She'd have to be, right? Ayame was, and had always been, a kind person.

“Resting…” She answered distractedly.

Naruto frowned, “Resting? Is she sick?”

Her eyes avoided his own, turning instead to a lingering piece of gravel. “Yea…kinda.”

“When will she get better?”

Chizuko didn't have an answer for that, and Rikku refused to speak. Kakashi, sensing the building tension, quickly mumbled an excuse and found a way to distract the blonde, wandering off elsewhere, but Chizuko didn't notice.

Ayame wasn't getting better anytime soon. Ayame was dead; how could one get better after that? She didn't want to think of this. She didn't want to remember. Didn't want remember Ayame smiling after a mission accomplished, even if it was just a D-rank mission. Didn't want to remember Ayame reprimanding her for pissing off Genma-sensei.

Rikku, deny it or not, was obviously not dealing well with the loss. As she knew it, or as Ayame had explained, for little knew anything about Rikku or the Hanasaki, Rikku's father had abandoned her, and her mother had died. Both parents she'd lost at an early age.

Then there had been her brother, Tochi, but who knew what had happened to him. She had only realized when Rikku had mentioned it earlier how long it had been since she'd seen the man. Which brought about a load of unwanted guilt. Did he leave?

…Die?

She was lucky to still have her family. Her family loved her, as she loved them. After her own mother's death, her stepfather had taken it upon himself to care for the entire family. Kazihiro, her older stepbrother, was like her best friend, and then her two other little siblings.

She wasn't sure how long she stood out there, but she finally broke out of her thoughts, sighing. Kakashi was gone, as was Naruto, and now they were receiving strange looks from villagers. How long had she been standing there? She turned to Rikku, and sighed again, “Rikku?”

“…Hm?” Well, at least she was answering. That was a step up.

“Why don't we postpone lunch for another day?” She suggested tentatively.

Rikku blinked, the cloudy look dispersing from her molten eyes and fixing her gaze on hers, “Why? There's still time.”

Chizuko inwardly grinned, but only allowed a small smile, “Okay then, let's go!”

Rikku held her back, clutching her forearm with her able arm, “We have to stop by the hospital first.”

“Huh? Oh yeah,” Chizuko laughed, shaking her head as she followed the girl in the opposite direction leading to the hospital. It wasn't a long way, they had drifted only a couple blocks away from the Hokage Tower, and the hospital was only a few minutes' walk from each point.

Shizune was already waiting for them as they entered, smiling politely and leading them to a secluded room. Without a word, she made quick work of Chizuko's hands, closing up the wounds and leaving the flesh unscathed. “Now, you still can't perform jutsus or any other form of ninjutsu or genjutsu. The chakra points and nerves leading to your hands have been greatly damaged. It won't take too long to heal, and if you are impatient, you can speak to our specialist, Hyuuga Hinata. She's only a trainee, but is highly skilled as a medic-nin. It's a painful process, though.”

Chizuko shrugged, looking at her freshly healed palms, “Doesn't matter. Where is she?”

Shizune glanced up at the clock, cocking her head slightly in thought. “Mm, I believe she is in the infirmary, at the moment. A Genin, from the Arubame clan, I think, got his chakra points clogged. His insects were starving. That, and there were too many for him to handle, and started eating away at his remaining chakra.”

“Ouch…” Chizuko shook her head, sending Rikku a grin. She didn't receive much of a response, only a solemn, blank look, but she hadn't been expecting anything more. The girl offered her a small, barely visible smirk, and she appreciated the thoughtful gesture, but it wasn't enough.

“Ah yes, Hanasaki-san!” Shizune exclaimed, suddenly remembering the girl, turning to address her wounds. “Now, let me see.” She quickly healed the broken arm, and sent chakra to finish the healing process in the tendons.

“How long before I can take the cast off?” Rikku studied the older woman with a bored expression, calculating eyes watching her work.

“Not much longer,” she replied amicably, offering a polite smile.

Chizuko smirked, leaning forward to watch the woman's movements, her hand glowing a gentle verdant hue as it hovered over the other teen's wounds. “Good. We'll have a lot of training to catch up on.”

Shizune smiled at her work, shaking her head at the Himura and not bothering to comment. “Well, so far so good. But you're ribs will take a while to heal. Lay off them for a while. That means no training or anything out of the ordinary. If all goes well, you'll be back to normal in no time!”

“Hn.” Rikku nodded in approval, stretching her arm and shoulder, working out the kinks. “Arigatou gozaimasu, Shizune-san.”

Chizuko grinned, “Okay, we're all set! Let's go eat!”

Rikku nodded, “Right.”

((CHAPTER END))