Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Life of a Ninja ❯ Chapter 4
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
Chapter 4
(2 hours later…)
The two Jinchuruki came to a stop right before Konoha's western gates. They closed their eyes and resumed their original forms. The sky was just starting to reach nightfall and the gates were only half opened. Konoha's gates always closed completely twenty minutes after nightfall. The girls cautiously entered the gates as they closed another inch. Once past the gates, Kaitoshi gave a quick smile to her new friend. “Good race, I dub it a tie.” Keyoko nodded as they began to walk through the darkened streets. “Yeah, traveling is more fun when it's competitive.”
A few street lamps popped on as they passed; filling the streets with an eerie orange-ish light. There was no one about save for a couple straggling citizens; hurrying home anyways. Kaitoshi glanced worriedly about. “I hope no one notices me and says something. I'd rather not draw attention to myself.” Her tone was low so that only Keyoko could hear.
Her companion flashed an evil grin. “Or do you?” Kaitoshi reacted with a quick glare. “Let's go find Sasuke.” Keyoko nodded, stifling a giggle, and followed her Uchiha friend down the street. Silence reigned throughout the village. However, the silence was broken by a soft sound of footsteps dashing off n their opposite direction. Instinctively, Kaitoshi activated her Sharingan and caught a glance at the retreating nin. She silently dashed after him, with Keyoko following not far behind.
She pursued the raven-haired nin all the way back to the gates. Before the escapee could dart out of them, he stopped dead in his tracks. Clutching his neck and grunting slightly, he wheeled around. His whole left side of his body was covered in strange black markings. His red eyes connected to Kaitoshi's. The two red-eyed ninja stood frozen; both utterly shocked to see one another.
Suddenly, the boy's eyes softened. “K-Kaitoshi, i-is that you?” Kaitoshi nodded as her eyes faded back to black. The boy's black markings receded as his eyes also returned to their original black color. He dashed forward and embraced his long-lost sister. “Where have you been? I missed you so much.” Kaitoshi wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. “I'm sorry Sasuke, I was afraid.” Sasuke hugged her tighter; as if afraid he might lose her again. Kaitoshi ruffled his hair gently.
“Why were you trying to run away? Were you going somewhere, little brother?” Sasuke couldn't bring himself to meet his sister's eyes. “I-I was going to g-go to him. H-He promised me power.” Kaitoshi's eyes widened; afraid to know whom he spoke of. “Who, who is this `him'?” Sasuke raised his head slightly. “O-Orochimaru. He placed this curse seal on my neck. It makes me crave his power. If you hadn't stopped me just now, I'd have left and gone to him. I'm so sorry.” Kaitoshi's eyes burned with hatred.
Her fingertips grazed the back of his neck, causing him to shiver slightly. She gazed upon the ugly mark as her eyes glinted maliciously. “That son-of-a-bitch! How dare he do this to you! I swear to god I'm gonna have his head for this! I'm so glad I stopped you from going to him. Who knows what that bastard would've done to you to break your will and serve his will? He will beg for death when I'm through with him. But for now, we've got to get rid of this curse-mark.” Sasuke grew frightened; he'd never seen his elder sister so upset.
She inclined her head towards Keyoko. “Hey Keyoko, do you know any healing jutsu? My fire's no good here.” Keyoko grinned and gave a thumbs up. “Sure, they're a specialty of mine.” Kaitoshi giggled quietly. `That gesture she just did reminded me of Lee's trademark thumbs up. Te he, she's so much like him.' Keyoko walked over to Sasuke to get a better look. Sasuke grew slightly uncomfortable. “Are you sure, sis? She's not even from around here.” He eyed her Waterfall hitite suspiciously.
She changed her eyes to dragon to fully analyze the mark. She could see that it had already burned pretty deep into his soul and was gaining more control over him each day. “You can trust me, Sasuke. And it seems that this mark is considerably deep. I can fully remove it, but it'll take nearly all my chakra.” She sighed. “But with a little help from Hachi, it should be no problem.” Kaitoshi and Sasuke's eyes lit up with hope.
Kaitoshi stepped back, sensing that this would need some space. Keyoko motioned for Sasuke to be seated. He sat cross-legged in the grass and Keyoko knelt beside him. “Please try not to scream. This is probably going to hurt quite a bit.” Sasuke readied himself by gritting his teeth. Keyoko raised both palms and closed her eyes. Once they had both surrounded themselves with red water, she opened her eyes, and hovered her hands above his neck. “Ready?” Sasuke nodded bravely. Then, it began.
The minute her hands made contact with his neck, a searing pain jolted through his entire body. His face twisted and contorted, but he managed to stifle the rising scream in his throat. Keyoko closed her eyes and forced more chakra through her fingers. Sasuke continued to writhe in pain as Keyoko's chakra supply grew low.
A few minutes later, the red water surrounding her hands disappeared. She began panting as she admired her handiwork. Where the curse mark had been, now only showed three red circular scars. She smiled. Although she was considerably weak now, she had successfully removed the curse mark. #You used more of my chakra than I would have liked.# Keyoko frowned. `Sorry Hachi, but that was no walk in the park. I couldn't have done it without you.' Hachimata snorted. #Oh well, I guess it could not have been helped.#
Sasuke stood up slowly and reached for his neck. An enormous ominous weight felt as though it had just been lifted. He felt alive and pure again. He was finally free! “I, I can't believe you removed the curse mark. Kakashi-sensei couldn't even seal it. I am forever in your debt.” He lent Keyoko a hand to help her up. She shook violently as she attempted to keep her balance. She waved her hand carelessly. “There's no need to thank me. If you had been in my position, you'd have done the same.” He let go of her as she finally regained the ability to stand on her own.
Kaitoshi's face grew soft. “Let's go home, Sasuke. We'll let Keyoko spend the night since she's in desperate need of rest.” Keyoko grinned. “I'd like that.” So, the trio of new friends made their way down the streets towards the Uchiha manor, which was only a few blocks away. Once it came into view in the far distance, Keyoko stumbled and began to fall. At that moment, a green blur whizzed before her eyes as she landed into a pair of strong, muscular arms. She opened her eyes and turned her head to her savior. Originally, she thought that Sasuke had saved her, but it wasn't his face she was staring at now.
Her eyes gazed into the face of a boy about her age with large round black eyes, and black hair in a bowl-cut. He hoisted her up into his arms and grinned brightly at her; his teeth issuing a shine. “A beautiful girl in your condition must not be walking by herself. Let me assist you.” Normally, Keyoko would've punched this guy square in the face for even considering touching her. But because she was so weak for the earlier ritual, she had no choice but to allow him to carry her. “Who are you?” She uttered weakly. She was now very tired as well.
The boy opened his mouth to say something, when Kaitoshi gave him a glare. “Lee, why do you have to show off all the time? Sasuke or I would've easily caught her.” Lee frowned. “But she is so beautiful, I could not resist.” Keyoko giggled. `Ryo's got some competition now.' Sasuke also frowned at the unwanted visitor. “What about Sakura, Lee? Have you already given up on her?” Lee sighed heavily. “Why does everyone have to ask me that? It would have never worked between us. She would have just wanted you even more, Sasuke.” Keyoko smiled and touched the side of Lee's face. “That's okay. I think I like this guy already. It couldn't hurt to let him carry me the rest of the way, could it?” The Uchiha siblings sighed, but reluctantly allowed Lee to follow.
They reached the manor minutes later. Lee gently placed Keyoko back on her feet. “If you should ever need my assistance again, just call for me. I am Rock Lee, the Leaf Village's handsome devil. And what might your name be, miss?” Keyoko bowed politely. “I am Keyoko Katara of the Hidden Waterfall village. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lee. I hope we meet again soon.” Lee nodded. “Farewell, Keyoko.” With that said, he jumped into a nearby tree and disappeared.
Kaitoshi sighed. “Lee hasn't changed one bit since I left. I only hope Neji hasn't either.” She gazed dreamily at the sky as Sasuke opened the front door. They stepped inside and turned on the lights. Kaitoshi helped Keyoko to the couch, who graciously slumped down into it. She smiled innocently at Kaitoshi. “Did you mean Neji of the Hyuuga clan? The genius branch member whose father was killed in place of the Main branch leader?” Kaitoshi nodded. “Wow, you sure know your Konoha clans, don't you?” Keyoko nodded. Sasuke grinned evilly. “Yeah, Kaitoshi's been obsessed with Neji ever since they met. He just never got to ask her out before.”
Kaitoshi hung her head. “And he probably would've too, if that damned brother of ours didn't go and kill our clan, causing me to run away for seven years. I wonder how he'll react when he sees me.” Sasuke stretched his arms upwards and issued a low yawn. “I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to bed. See ya in the morning.” He walked out of the room and closed his bed room door behind him. Kaitoshi yawned as well. “I hope you don't mind sleeping on the couch for tonight. I don't want you to fall again while looking for a bed in one of the extra rooms.” Keyoko waved her hand. “Don't worry about it. The couch is quite comfy.” Kaitoshi nodded and turned off the lights. “Good night.” “Night.” When all was said and done, the Uchihas and the waterfall nin settled down to their first solid night's sleep in a very long time.