Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Life of a Kunoichi ❯ ~Seeing Is Believing~ ( Chapter 23 )

Chapter 23

 

~Seeing is Believing~

 

 

“Shikamaru, I'm serious! She's alive, I just know it!” The girl's eyes blazed with that of determination and happiness, determination to prove to him that her sister was alive, and happiness because she knew that it was. “Haru, how do you know for sure? What your telling me is just a guess, and if what your saying is true then how do you justify what your eyes see?” Sighing she turned to him, “Just believe in me. I know that she is alive and I will prove it.” He shook his head, “Fine. I'll turn in our request.” Leaving out the door he headed to the Hokage's office, “What a drag, but I hope she's right.” Smiling softly he made his way through the streets of Konoha.

 

Phoenix sat at the table listening to Diedara and Tobi fighting with each other once more. Rolling her eyes she let out a sigh. I've been here over two months and still I haven't found an opening to escape. Looking up she glanced around the room she caught sight of Itachi and Kisame, looks like they have a mission, tonight will be my chance with Itachi gone. Looking back down to the table she returned to listing to the two arguing. “Hn, Tobi I'm going to kill you! Come here!” Diedara began chasing Tobi around the hideout, intent on turning him into a human clay bomb. Watching as Itachi and Kisame left the room, Phoenix then rose from the table and made her way to her own room. Closing the door quietly behind her she made her way to her bed and laid down.

 

I don't know why you don't let me out wench.

 

Because if I do then Itachi will kill me thus killing you, you know if I do so do you, whether you're inside me or out.

 

Still we should try instead of sitting here putting up with their shit! You playing along with them isn't going to last forever.

 

I know, but it's all we can do right now, might as well play along until opportunity knocks.

 

Closing her eyes she drifted into a light sleep, her dreams taking her home, in the arms of her love and holding her son who is now six months old.

 

Turning in his sleep he awoke when he hit the floor. “Uughh.” Damn it rubbing his head he sat up and peered to look in the bed, smiling he realized Kenchi was still asleep. Boy sleeps like I use to, like a rock. Standing and stretching his arms above his head he let out a huge yawn. Letting his arms drop back to his sides he made his way to the shower, turning on the water he started to drop his sweat pants when he heard a knock at his door. Rolling his eyes always when I'm about to do something opening the door to find Temari standing with a small smile, “Haru and Shikamaru are on their way, I think they are going to stay for a while.” Rubbing the back of his head he smiled, “they should just move in.” Temari smiled, “hey when your done bring me Kenchi, you have to attend the meeting with Gaara and the village elders.” Rolling his eyes he shook his head, “yeah. I'll be done in twenty.” Closing the door he stopped to look at his son. We miss you Nixey walking into the bathroom he left the door open to be able to listen out in case his son woke up before he was done.

 

“Hey Kane-kun!” Kane turned around to face his secret love, with a scowl in place. “What is it Kei, I'm bust here.” Looking at her feet Kei shuffled innocently, “I was wondering, if you wanted to go get some lunch together?” sighing he turned from her, “sorry Kei, not today.” Returning to his training so he couldn't see the hurt in her eyes as she turned and walked away, muttering an ok. Pausing to run his hands down his face he thought back to the time he was training with Phoenix and Kei had asked him to lunch and giving her the same reason why he refused.

 

~flashback~

 

“Kane, you shouldn't treat her like that.” Turning to his sensai who was leaning against one of the training posts, he quirked a brow, “she's annoying. I have to practice, I've got training to do and…” he was cut off when Phoenix bent down to look him in the eyes, “you're still young. Don't be in such a rush to grow up. You have plenty of time to train and get stronger.” Leaning in she brushed his bangs back, kissing his headband. A light blush crept across his face and Phoenix giggled, “she really likes you. I know you care for her too, so I'm through training you today.” And with that she stood leaving him to wonder what just happened. Throwing over her shoulder she called out, “don't let a good thing like love slip away because you want to be stronger, life is too short to not fall in love and a life without love is for the weak.”

 

~end flashback~

 

Smiling he turned, “Hey Kei! Wait up!” Kei turned and her face lit up instantly as she watched her team mate run to her, smiling up at him when he made it to her side, “what made you change your mind?” she asked. He rubbed the back of his head and smiled, “ahh just something Phoenix-sensai said to me once.” Grabbing her hand he pulled her along, “come on I know this great BBQ place.”

 

Walking through the entrance to the sand village Haru smiled as she took in the village she was now starting to consider home. Shikamaru shook his head, “You smile everytime we come here. I'm starting to think you don't ever want to leave.” She turned and smiled back. I knew it, ah well I guess if she truly wants to move here…then I guess I need to start packing. Grabbing his hand she hurried along, “come on Shika. We need to find the others.” Remembering their reason for being here he yelled out, “are you sure they will agree to this, I mean you want to dig up her grave.” Not answering him she kept going, “they'll understand.”

 

“Are you crazy?” Ryu yelled. Wincing at his outburst she took a second then yelled back, “Ani I'm telling you she's alive and I can prove it!” “Haru, digging up our sister and showing us that her necklace is missing doesn't prove she's alive!” she stepped up to her brother, “you mean to tell me that they would take it! What use would they have from it? If they extracted Katur from her then why would they need her necklace? I'm telling you it's not her!” sighing he rubbed his temples, “Haur..” “Just believe me…” she softly spoke as she looked up at her brother grabbing onto his shirt. He looked at her, “please brother just trust me.” Closing his eyes he looked over to Kira who shrugged his shoulders, “you ask him, cuz I'm not.” He said as he threw his hands out, “I want to believe she's alive too, but I ain't giving him the reason as to why I want to find out.” Haru looked over to Kira, “I'll ask him.” She started to make her way to the door when she stopped. “no need I heard already.” Walking in the doorway was Kankuro, Gaara holding Kenchi and Temari. “we'll wait till dark, we don't want to disturb the villagers.” Gaara stated. Smiling Haru shook her head as she ran up to hug the four. Kenchi giggled as he was smushed between the adults.

 

Wench get up.

 

Must you keep calling me that!

 

Yes.

 

Smiling to herself she got out of bed and looked at the clock. 12:45 “Ok, let's go.” She whispered. Making her way to her closet she pulled off the familiar red and black cloak, throwing it to the bed she reached in the closet and pulled out a pair of black pants and a black tank top. Wrapping her hands and forearms in bandages she proceeded to put on her pouch that held her chakra papers. Grabbing the black hooded cloak, she managed to pick up during a mission with Deidara, she tied the string and pulled the hood up. Sliding open her window she crouched on the sill looking around into the darkness. Sensing that she was alone she jumped out the window and headed for the trees. She knew she was near Suna, surprisingly and at the same time unnerving enough close by. About a six hour run.

 

~Meanwhile~

 

“Finally.” Dropping the coffin on the ground everyone looked around at each other. “Ok let's open it.” Kankuro and Ryu began to pry the coffin open. Once open everyone gasped. “See I told you.” Haru exclaimed excitement evident in her voice. “How?” Kira asked. “It must been a substitution jitsu. If Kiba were here he probably would have been able to smell the difference. But to us it was an exact copy.” “I wonder who she was?” Temari asked. Lying down in the coffin was the body of a young woman, the jutsu long worn off and revealing that Phoenix is indeed alive.

 

How long do you plan to run?

 

I'll stop when I make it home.

 

They probably know by now.

 

I don't care, let them just try to catch up. Itachi is the only one that worries me and so long as he is away he won't find out until it's too late.

 

Let's hope. You should at least let me out.

 

No. I need the energy to travel. Just sit back and quit complaining.

 

*mutters* Wench

 

“I heard that!” Phoenix shook her head as she lept from branch to branch making her way to the desert. Almost there. she sighed.

 

“So what now?” Ryu asked. Kankuro put down his cup and sat back, “we need to find out where the Akatuski are hiding. We find them we find her.” Haru who was sitting on the floor let go of a huge yawn. Shikamaru smiled as he stood and offered her his hand, which she gladly accepted. “We're turning in.” he said as he ushered Haru out of the room with his hands on her waist. Smiling Ryu stood as well and held out his hand for Kankuro to smack, “I'm turning in too.” Kankuro smacked his hand against his best friends and smiled, “don't wake Temari or we might be burring you in the morning.” Ryu smirked, “but I like when she's rough.” Kankuro turned his head and groaned, “I did NOT want to hear that!” Ryu laughed as he exited the room leaving the puppet master alone. Finishing his drink he stood and walked to the balcony doors. Opening the doors he walked out into the early morning. A cool breeze blew threw and he took in a big breath. Glancing over the village he sighed as he thought about where his girl could be.

 

Finally I'm home. Phoenix thought as the village wall came into view. Stopping suddenly she thought about where to enter, she couldn't exactly walk through the entrance. That might just cause a lot of confusion not to mention alarm, since she is suppose to be dead. Scratching her head for a second she remembered a spot that is not looked on at all times, heading there she made her way up and over the wall. Scanning her surroundings for wandering ninja she made sure the coast was clear before she made her way to the mansion. Hiding behind a pillar she glanced up at the balcony and noticed a figure walking back inside. Hurrying she made her way up to the balcony landing on the surface without a sound. Walking up to the flapping curtain she could hardly contain herself at the image before her, standing with his back to her was Kankuro. Shirtless and his sweat pants hung low on his hips she knew if he were to turn around she would be able to see his hip lines heading downwards. Taking him all in she couldn't help the winding feeling the pit of her stomach. She watched as he bent down to pick up his discarded shirt and toss it on the chair next to him. His tanned skin stretched over his body, his arm showing his muscles as he stretched his body, apparently to relieve it of stiffness. She swallowed the lump in her throat when he turned around, not fully facing her but enough for her to see his rippling abs and toned pecs. She smiled because she knew first hand what his body not only looked like, but how it felt too.

 

Giving into her feelings of wanting to be wrapped in his arms, she stepped out from behind the curtain and blue-green met brown for the first time in months. “Phoenix.” He whispered her name more to convince himself of what his eyes were seeing, his Phoenix was standing in the flesh right before his eyes just feet from his touch. She let a gentle smile spread across her rosy lips, her hair, down and clinging in places to her body, tussled from running for so long. Her face was flushed, not too much but just enough to leave a hue of pink across the bridge of her nose and her cheeks. Smiling she gathered her strength and ran to the man in front of her and with no warning jumped into to his arms. He held her tight to him as she wrapped her legs around his waist and hugged his neck burying her face in the crook of it. Breathing in her hair he could smell that familiar scent, like flowers on a spring day, her scent. He closed his eyes praying that when he opened them this wasn't all a dream. When he opened them she pulled back to stare at him. He began to mutter, “How? How did…” he was cut off by her shaking her head, “I don't know really, I just ran when I had the chance, I just ran.” Her bottom lip quivering as tears began to show in her eyes, “I'm so sorry.” Kankuro quirked an eyebrow, “sorry…” “I'm so sorry that I put you through this. There wasn't a day that went by that I wasn't thinking about you and our son, I'm so sorry.” Tears were rolling from her eyes like small streams, smiling he said to her, “you have nothing to be sorry for, I love you baby and I am so happy you're back. Kami I love you so much.” Crashing his lips to hers he stopped anything that was going to come from her mouth. Moaning at the contact that had been missing for so long he tightened his grip on her waist and made his way to the couch.