Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Life of a Kunoichi ❯ ~To Let Go~ ( Chapter 22 )

Chapter 22

 

~To Let Go~

 

 

“Lord Kazekage!” a jonin ran in to the meeting room, throwing the doors open with a slam. Making half the occupants jump, Baki rose and hollered, “Have you lost your mind?! You don't just burst in here like that!” The young man bowed, “my deepest apologies sir, but you need to come to the entrance of the village.” Looking around the room at the confused faces, he proceeded, “its lady Phoenix, her body has shown up.” Raising from the seats the room was emptied in a matter of seconds. Running at top speed Haru was the first to arrive. No no she's not dead she mentally ranted. Looking down she fell to her knees and removed the blanket that was placed over the body. Pulling it back slowly she uncovered the pale, blood covered face of her sister, Phoenix. Shaking her head and removing the rest of the sheet to reveal the wound in her chest Haru began to scream, “NO!!” even before the rest made it to her they heard her screams. She reached down and picked up the lifeless form and held her close wishing her screams would reach her and bring her back. At the feel of someone dropping down beside her she felt someone pull on her to let go, but instead she clung tighter to Phoenix fighting back she and shaking her head. It was when her brother spoke did she look up and loosen her grip, “Haru, let Kankuro have her, please you need to let go.” Looking up to see that Kankuro was staring hard at her sister, almost as if he didn't believe it himself, she released her death grip and slowly laid her sister down. Ryu reached underneath her arms and gently pulled her back, just a little. The entrance was anything but silent, screams and wails could be heard all around the village. Kankuro slowly reached a hand to her face, feeling the coldness of her skin, he tried to stifle sob that tore from his throat. No he pleaded mentally. Moving so he was closer to her body he ran a hand through her hair and bent so he could lay his forehead to hers his warm breath rushing over her cold blue lips, “I'm so sorry, baby. I failed you..” placing a kiss to her forehead he let his tears fall, no longer ashamed of who saw. Wrapping his arms around her chest and hugging her to him he clung to her as if she were alive and hugging him back. Haru held onto her brother and screamed burying her face in his chest and fisting his shirt in her hands. Ryu himself was crying, burying his face in Haru's hair soaking it with tears. Temari had slid down the wall nearest to Kankuro shaking her head and crying out. Hearing his sister call his love's name her released her and sat up and pulling his sister into his arms letting her scream out without protest. Soon their moment was interrupted by Gaara, “brother, we must take her in and prepare her burial. She's home now and the village needs to be able to pay their respects as well.” Pulling back Kankuro shook his head taking the sheet and rewrapping her in it. Standing up with Phoenix now draped in his arms he proceeded to walk out into the sunlight, but he was surprised to see that most of the village was standing around holding one another and crying. Kane was holding a sobbing Kei and Toru, who was holding a sleeping Kenchi, silently crying his own tears. Every one loved you, who couldn't. Kankuro proceeded to the mansion with his brother by his side and the rest of his family following behind.

 

~Later that evening~

 

Standing at the tomb that now reads, `Here lies Phoenix a mother, friend, lover and a loving sister' Haru ran her hand over the top of the stone. She didn't cry at the burial her tears exhausted just as much as she was. She closed her eyes and prayed, Phoenix I promise I will take care of Kenchi and Kankuro. *smiles* I know that you will always be watching over us and I know that you will be there even if I can't see you. Now her tears flowed. She opened her eyes and gave the stone one last rub, turning to head back inside. She needed to write a long letter, Konoha doesn't know that they have lost someone too.

 

After sending her letter, walking through the halls of the Kazekage's mansion, Haru couldn't help but feel this tugging at her heart, like something just wasn't right. She brushed it off as nerves. Glancing in on her family she sighed at the scene before her. Lying on the couch she found Kankuro sleeping on his back with Kenchi lying on his chest, asleep as well. Grabbing the blanket off the nearby chair she draped it over the two. Turning to the recliner nearby she took the album out of Temari's lap and laid it on the table next to her, before walking away she glanced at the picture on the page and smiled. It was a picture of Temari, Phoenix and herself at Halloween a few years ago. They dressed as their significant other, Temari had on the normal Sand jonin uniform, very uncomfortable she remembered her saying. Phoenix had on Kankuro's older uniform with the yellow and purple circle on the front, her face was painted in his purple face paint and he even gave her crow to carry around. She of course had her hair pulled back to resemble a pineapple, and was wearing Shikamaru's shirt and chunnin vest. Running her finger over the picture she sighed as she walked away. Making her way back out of the room she soon found herself in `her' room. Looking around she walked over to the bed, sitting down she picked up the pillow that belonged to her. Putting the pillow to her nose her face fell as she pulled it back, “did I actually think it would still smell like her.” falling back on the bed and burying her face in the pillow she cried once more, soon crying her self to sleep.

 

~One week later~

 

Phoenix's name was spoken in praise and love at the gathering in Konoha. Haru was with Shikamaru, whose face was flushed, eyes red and looked as if he hadn't sleep in a long while. When he first the news from the Hokage, he dropped to the floor on his knees in complete shock. He couldn't believe that one of his best friends was gone, no it can't be true he thought. But when saw his love running to him at first sight, tears streaming down her face as she jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and burying her face in his neck, he knew it was true. Holding Haru to him he dropped to the ground in the middle of the street, surrounded by their fellow leaf shinobi and cried. Now at the gathering he watched as Naruto approached them, “Haru…I'm so sorry.” The normal vibrant ninja was quiet and his voice was soft. Haru smiled weakly and hugged her friend.

 

The village soon made their way to the memorial stone, to listen as friends spoke of their fallen comrade. At the end of Kankuro's speech the sky opened up and began to rain, lightly. Everyone took it as a sign that Phoenix was smiling and crying at the words being spoken about her from her friends and the people she loved the most. Kankuro closed his eyes and tilted his head to the sky letting the rain pour down his face, concealing his tears. Soon the gathering came to an end and everyone returned to their homes, the Sand ninja going home with Haru and Shikamaru.

 

The gathering however did not go unnoticed to the figures just outside the village. “So they buried her.” “Why wouldn't they?”

 

~The next morning~

 

After hours of lying in the dark, light flooded her room once more. Closing her eyes tight due to brightness she shivered as a cold breeze blew in as well. “Get up.” She opened her eyes to see Manzo standing at the door to her cell. Doing as she was instructed she sat up, wincing at the aches in her unused muscles. How long have I been here…three no four weeks. Hn four weeks in this..Kami forsaken hell. Standing she backed up against the wall a scowl written across her face. “Don't look so hateful.” Dropping a package on the makeshift bed he glanced back at her, “put it on. I'll be back for you in a hour.” Turning to leave her alone once more she asked, “Why? What is it?” Looking over his shoulder he said, “because you are now a member of the Akatsuki and you must look the part.” He laughed at the disgusted look she now presented to him. “What makes you think that I'll be here long enough for that?” Turning completely around now he approached her making her stiffen her stance, “We delivered your body a week ago to Suna and a week ago they buried you. To them you are dead.” Standing in complete shock she shook her head, “No, they wouldn't, they have to know I'm…” she cut off due to Manzo grabbing her throat, “You. Are. Dead. Buried in Suna near the rest of the ones that fell that night, they have accepted it and are moving on. You should too, we are your family now and now you belong to us.” Growling at the man before her “I belong to no one! ” she spat out. Laughing once more Manzo turned and walked out of the cell shutting the door, locking it and walking out the other leaving her once again in the dark. Closing her eyes she took in a deep breath and slid down the wall, pulling her knees to her chest she buried her face in them and cried. How? Why would they think this? How could they bury….me, I'm here. I'm alone….

 

Katur….can you hear me?

 

…….

 

Sighing to herself she assumed the reason he wouldn't answer was because he exerted himself in healing her, at least she hoped. She felt more alone now then she has ever felt before. Standing up she reached for the package and she pulled out what she was supposed to put on. Sighing she dropped her old clothes to the floor and pulled on the new ones that were now her future.

 

Her door opened once more, but this time she walked threw it and out into the other room where the rest of her new `family' waited. Taking her eyes off the floor she looked up her face held no emotion and she felt just as she should be….dead.