Reborn
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Chapter 4: No Reason
Saki “I have you Rei! Don't worry...I love you. I won't ever let you go”
Kiyoshi is dragged out further down stream, his heartbroken expression only increased by Saki's words. The weight of Saki and Rei no longer holds him and he spirals down further, faster...Kiyoshi...is the first to fall of the waterfall. Saki and Rei, held close together in each other's embrace...protect each other as they fall down the waterfall as well...Kiyoshi...falls alone...
Kiyoshi falls down the waterfall, followed shortly by Saki and Rei who hold each other tight. The loving embrace of the two sisters excludes their brother. The three...their fate may be the same but Kiyoshi will face his alone
??? “Hyuton: Touketsu Heki Houyou (Ice Release: Frozen Tear's Embrace)
Kiyoshi falls and closes his eyes, his heart aching. He prepares for his face.
Kiyoshi “*Saki-nee...is that...how you really feel? Rei-nee...how do you feel?*”
Suddenly the fall begins to slow down and freeze. It doesn't freeze solid like ice, but rather it freezes into a gentle blanket of snow. Water that flows down after freezes almost instantly into snow. From below a large pillar of snow shoots up towards Kiyoshi and it sucks him into the pillar.
??? “Two more? (makes one handed seals)...Hyuton: Yuki Kyuutai (Ice Release: Snow Orb)
From the frozen waterfall, a large piece of snow snaps out at Saki and Rei and covers them in a large orb chakra packed snow. The orb falls into the water and remains firm. The man on the top of the gentle water bank at the bottom of the waterfall, walks over to his pillar of snow. It opens up and an unconscious Kiyoshi lay safely inside. He takes Kiyoshi and walks him over to land and lays him down. He then dives in into the water and swims down to the bottom where the orb lay with the two girls. He releases the jutsu and then brings them back to land. Rei was completely unconscious but Saki was semiconscious and was looking at the man as he was bringing them to shore. The man places the two girls on either side of their brother.
??? “Why were you falling by yourself child?”
The mans blank rhetorical statement was directed towards Kiyoshi yet he looks at Rei and Saki. He turns his attention to Saki who was still looking at him in a daze.
Yuki Shinobi “Daichi-san!”
The man turns when he hears his name. He looks to see one of his comrades sliding down the snow waterfall.
Daichi “Release!”
The waterfall of snow immediately turns back into water and the shinobi looses his footing and falls into the water.
Daichi “Hahahaha...You have to stay focused”
The shinobi brings his head above water.
Yuki Shinobi “Daichi! That wasn't funny”
Daichi “I'm sorry, just having a little fun. What do you have to report?”
Yuki Shinobi “We found those bandits that you saw a while back. We have them tied up. What do you want us to do with them”
Daichi looks down at the three children behind him and his eyes look cheerful and gently at them. He smiles gently and then turns his head to his comrade changing his smile to an intensely serious expression.
Daichi “Kill them slowly”
Yuki Shinobi “Sir!”
The shinobi leaps up out of the water, freezes himself in ice and it shatters, with him disappearing. Daichi turns his attention to the children and looks at the the children with a gentleness.
Daichi “Don't worry”
Bandits “AHHH!”
The cries of the bandits could be heard in the distance.
Daichi “You'll all be alright now”
Saki finally succumbs to fatigue and she passes out, unconscious. Daichi slings Saki over his shoulder and puts Rei and Kiyoshi under his arms and he begins walking into the forest.
In the Lightning Country Capital
Iseiya remains unconscious. He dreams in his subconscious.**Dream**
Iseiya is running through a large group of shinobi. He slashes away at them one by one with his clan behind him. They follow the lead of Iseiya, their leader.
Enemy Shinobi “Get him! Get their leader”
Shinobi surrounding Iseiya throw hundreds of weapons. Iseiya makes quick seals and a large dragon of lightning shoots out around him deflecting the projectiles and darting out from all directions towards the shinobi. The cries of the enemy shinobi rains loud, but the roar of victory for the Yotsuki clan rain even louder. Iseiya feels a hand on his shoulder and turns to see Lee standing behind him smiling.
Lee “Iseiya you're a great leader. You've protected and brought glory to our clan”
Kana “I'm so proud of you Iseiya...you truly are strong. I'm proud to be your mother...and I know your father is proud too”
Yotsuki Army “All hail Iseiya!”
Iseiya “*One...two...three...good none of them are dead...they're all safe. Father I did it...I managed to protect our clan*”
Suddenly Iseiya feels a hand on his leg and notices one of the enemy shinobi still alive. He turns to him.
Enemy Shinobi “You think you're strong boy?!...hahahaha don't make me laugh you're a weak fool”
Iseiya “Coming from the man who's groveling at my feet right now. My clan has defeated your pathetic force”
Enemy Shinobi “What are you talking about...they're all dead”
Iseiya “You've lost so much blood you're delirious. The ones that are dead are you and your men”
Iseiya feels a hand on his shoulder again.
Lee “Iseiya”
Iseiya “Don't worry Lee this guy is~”
As Iseiya turns around he see's Lee battered in blood from head to toe barely standing his ground. Iseiya's eyes widen in shock and confusion.
Iseiya “Wha...what just~”
Lee “Why did you let this happen...why didn't you protect us?”
Iseiya's gaze moves past Lee and he sees the rest of his clan, on the ground, battered in a large river of blood. Iseiya pulls away from Lee in intense fear of the situation.
Iseiya “What the hell is this?! They were all just~”
Kana “Iseiya-kun...you're so weak”
Iseiya turns and looks at his mother on the ground with horrible wounds, bleeding greatly.
Iseiya “*Mother?!* MOTHER!”
Kana “You...you've failed to protect us...you're a failure Iseiya....if you were stronger...if you had more power, we'd all be alive. This is your fault for being too weak”
Lee “You can't protect a clan if you're weak. You are our leader...you were supposed to protect us...but you were too weak”
Kin “Iseiya...my son...you've failed me”
Iseiya “Father?!”
Iseiya looks and sees his father standing over the fallen Yotsuki clan.
Kin “You were my heir. You were supposed to take over as my successor and be so much stronger then me. But you've turned out as nothing more then a weak failure...I'm so ashamed and disappointed”
Enemy Shinobi “HAHAHAHAHA! I told you even your loved ones say you're weak”
Iseiya looks and sees the enemy shinobi army standing, facing Iseiya and laughing at the boy.
Iseiya “No...you're wrong. This has to be some sort of trick”
Enemy Shinobi “Who's in denial now huh? Hahaha”
The entire enemy shinobi force laughs cynically and mockingly at Iseiya. Iseiya clinches his fist in anger.
Iseiya “YOU BASTARDS!”
Iseiya runs towards the shinobi but the shinobi merely back fists Iseiya knocking him down. Iseiya looks up and he sees the enemy shinobi walking away from him.
Enemy Shinobi “You're not worth my time, you're too weak”
Iseiya “No! Stay and fight me like a real shinobi! If I'm weak then kill me!”
Enemy Shinobi “No. I wouldn't have good karma if I killed such a weak child”
The shinobi turns around and faces Iseiya and it turns into the face of Iga.
Iga “You're not a real shinobi!”
The shinobi and the army continue walking and eventually fade away.
Iseiya “No come back! Kill me. If I'm weak kill me damn it!...please...I can't...I can't live knowing that my clan would be better off...”
**End Dream**
Iseiya “Kill me....end me please”
He mumbles in his sleep after the horrifying dream. A second later Iseiya shoots up awake. He has broken into a cold sweat and he pants heavily. Iseiya notices that he's in his home. His body is bandaged up as well.
Iseiya “It was...just a dream”
Kana “Iseiya...baby are you alright?”
Kana enters the room after hearing her son's mumbles.
Iseiya “Mother...what happened?”
Kana “We received your distress signal, and we got to you all immediately”
Iseiya “Wait! Where's Lee and the others?! What happened to~”
Kana “Iseiya-kun calm down, you shouldn't exert too much energy”
Iseiya “Mother where are they, what happened?”
Kana “Lee is alright...his injuries are very serious, he's still in critical but he's going to live. The others are alright too. They're in bad shape but they're not as bad as Lee”
Iseiya “And I'm the one with the least injuries”
Kana “Iseiya don't blame~”
Iseiya “And the warlord...he got away didn't he? I remember”
Kana “Iseiya...this wasn't your fault, you had no idea that, that shinobi was going to be there”
Iseiya “It doesn't matter, I'm a shinobi. I had several other shinobi at my side as well. We should have been able to handle one guy”
Kana “Iseiya, you don't know about this man”
Iseiya looks at his mother attentively as her face bares a serious expression on it.
Kana “Iga Yamashiro...He's one of the strongest shinobi of this time period. He's a rouge from the Yamashiro clan. He was born blind but was naturally sensitive to chakra. He's a sensor. He works for wealthy persons who can pay him. But he's extremely powerful. Iga of the Blind Wind...”
Iseiya notices the expression of guilt and shame on her face...
Kana “Iseiya had I known that man would have been there I would never have even sent you or Lee on that mission, let alone lead it”
Kana's guilt is for herself, her shame is of putting her child in such a dangerous position.
Iseiya “It doesn't matter, I should have been able to defeat him if I were powerful”
Kana “Iseiya you're not understanding~”
Iseiya “I don't care about whatever his reputation is. I don't care what he's done or who he's fought if I were stronger~”
Kana “Iseiya Yotsuki shut your mouth right now!”
Iseiya stops and looks at his mother who is beginning to cry.
Kana “You're still only a child...you and Lee. You mean everything to me! You are my heat. You don't know what this man has done. You don't know what he's capable of. Even if your father and I were to face him, the chances of us surviving would still have been next to nothing!”
Iseiya's eyes widen at this statement made by his mother.
Kana “The fact that he spared you makes me grateful to him...the fact that he allowed you and Lee to live makes my faith in the gods even stronger...(cries intensely). From the injuries I saw on all of you. From the description of the battle I received from the men...that man held you in no regards of seriousness. He was toying with you, and whatever reason he had for sparing you and the others he had must have been meaningful...my heart sinks ever moment I think about what happened...Iseiya. What you don't understand is. You still have a long way to go. There will always be those out there that are stronger then you. That doesn't make you weak. What makes you weak is what you do about it. If you decide to abandon the concerns of your men, to prove a point to yourself then you're weak...if you understand that there is nothing you can do...that your men, the ones who depend on you, are in danger. It is your job as a strong leader to do what you must to protect your men and get them out of there”
Iseiya's gaze at his mother is full of anger and guilt towards himself for making his mother feel this way.
Kana “Iseiya...you're still young, and I see so much of your father in you...except for this undying thirst to prove your own strength. My child...I don't want this to corrupt you. I don't want you to feel you need power to defend us, at least not the type of power you're trying to prove you have. The power you need, is something you need to find through other means besides fighting.”
Kana kisses her son on the cheek and walks towards the door.
Kana “Please rest and think about what I said Iseiya”
Kana leaves the room and Iseiya sits up thinking about what his mother said...several minutes later he crawls over to a walking stick and props himself up. He walks through the city with his robe on and heads to the hospital to see Lee. He doesn't enter his room. He only looks into the window and see's Lee covered from head to do in bandages and the breathing mask on him. The medical seals and chakra transfer pots are on him, flowing chakra into him to sustain him and to heal his injuries. Iseiya stands at Lee's window for several minutes until the nurses and medics take Lee to preform an operation. Iseiya takes himself back to the confines of the Yotsuki clan and he finds the other men who had survived sitting down in the center of the complex talking.
Yotsuki Shinobi “Iseiya-sama”
Iseiya “Are you all alright?”
Yotsuki Shinobi 2 “Don't worry we're fine, we were discharged a while ago”
Iseiya “I apologize...for putting you all in that kind of danger”
Yotsuki Shinobi “Iseiya-sama it's not your fault, he was just too much for us to handle”
Yotsuki Shinobi 3 “Yeah, and if it weren't for you we'd all probably be dead”
Iseiya “I haven't been a good leader...I haven't~”
Yotsuki Shinobi 4 “Iseiya-sama, you're still young, and for your first mission you did great, especially considering who we were up against. There was no way we could have seen that coming. Our mission would've been a success if that guy wasn't a factor. You can't blame yourself for what happened”
Iseiya “...Iga Yamashiro...what do you all know about him?”
The four shinobi look at each and then one of them turns to Iseiya.
Yotsuki Shinobi “Iga Yamashiro is perhaps one of the strongest shinobi alive at this point in time. His feats as a shinobi are unparallelled by any shinobi right now. His reputation began after he defeated an entire clan of shinobi using nothing but taijutsu...”
Yotsuki Shinobi 2 “He was hired by Roy, the Daimyou of the Grass country, who was targeted by another powerful Daimyou, who had enlisted the help of the Uchihas”
Yotsuki Shinobi 3 “The Daimyou was surrounded in a similar way to how we surrounded the warlord...Iga single handily killed 12 fully matured Uchihas with their famed Sharingan...despite being blind his vision and prowess were stronger then a clan that bared the strongest eyes in existence”
Yotsuki Shinobi “That was the feat that defined his reputation...From then on other feats of his...killing famed shinobi, and Daimyou...plainly enough, it is believed that only few individuals could even match his power...”
Iseiya remained expressionless, his mind was filled with astonishment but he contained it...what was more of a concern in his mind was the injuries of his men. He was listening to their explanations but focusing on their wounds. He was focusing on his dream, the words spoken to him in them, Lee, and his mother's words. Iseiya's mental state was nothing less then confusion and torment.
Iseiya “I'm going to kill him”
The four Yotsuki shinobi look at Iseiya with confusion. Iseiya looks down with a seriously determined look.
Iseiya “No matter what I have to do to get stronger...no matter what power I need. I will obtain it. I will kill him for what he did to our men...for what he did to Lee”
Iseiya walks away from the group and the group looks at each other worryingly about their leader. Iseiya returns to his home and he goes into the study. He goes to the back wall, which has the insignia of the Yotsuki clan on it.
Iseiya “Tori, Tora, Ne, Uma, Ne, Uma, Saru, Tora (Bird, Tiger, Horse, Snake, Horse, Monkey, Tiger)”
He makes the seals and places his hand on the insignia. A stream of chakra bursts into the wall and little sectional cracks appear and the wall opens up. A single black scroll lay in the display with the kanji for “Lightning” on it.
Iseiya “*Father, I won't be weak...I will master our clan's jutsu without fail...and I will be strong enough to protect the clan you've entrusted me with*”
Iseiya takes the scroll and closes to wall. He walks out of the study and walks outside. As he does he drops his cane and whips the scroll open. He disappears into the sun's gaze of light as morning begins.
Once again the swaying of the boat gentle rocks Saki, giving her the same sensation as before. Her mind begins to come too and the moment she feels the swaying she darts herself awake. She lay on a futon covered in a thick blanket. She feels a tight grip on her hand and looks to her right to see an unconscious Rei.
Rei “Nee...chan”
Saki looks and smiles with relief and tenderness at her little sister. Her focus turns back to the situation at hand and she begins wondering where they are.
Daichi “Don't worry, you're safe”
Daichi's voice startles Saki and she looks in the door way to see the man leaning on the edge.
Saki “Who are you?! Where are we?!”
Daichi “Calm down child, you'll wake your sister”
Saki “Where are we?!”
Daichi “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Daichi Yuki, I am a shinobi from the Yuki clan”
Saki “Shinobi?”
Daichi “Yes...But don't worry we won't harm you”
Saki “We?”
Daichi “This is one of our ships, we are heading back to our native country, the Snow Country”
Saki “What?!”
Saki turns to the window behind her and sees nothing but a vast body of water for several miles. They're at sea.
Saki “What are you going to do with us?”
Daichi “We're going to offer you the chance to live with us if you desire”
Saki gets a shocked expression on her face and looks at the man.
Saki “You're...going to lets us live with you?”
Daichi “Yes, normally we don't allow outsiders, but you're just children and from what I can tell just by the looks of you...you don't have anywhere to call home. We would like to be your home”
Saki “*This...is some sort of trick. There has to be a catch* What's the catch, do we have to work for you? Do we have to become shinobi like you and fight for your clan?”
Daichi “Well the only work you'll have to do is the shared chores of the clan, which you'll have help in. Every bit of work we do to sustain our clan is done by everybody, shinobi or not...and no, you don't have to be a shinobi.”
Saki's face begins to light up with joy but she quickly masks it behind her tough exterior to hide her emotion from Daichi. Daichi begins to laugh warmly and looks at Saki.
Daichi “Such a serious child, but I can't really expect anything less can I? Being the oldest, you had to be tough for your siblings right?”
Saki doesn't say anything she just turns her head away from Daichi.
Daichi “Well don't worry...you're all safe now. You, your sister and your brother”
Saki “What?! He's alive?”
Daichi's expression turns serious.
Daichi “Did you not expect him to be?”
Saki clinches her fist and she looks down in overwhelming anger. Daichi continues looking at Saki with a serious contemplating look.
Daichi “*This girl...she showed no sign of concern what so ever about her brother when she awoke or during the time we were talking...the moment I mention that he's alright she's angered...*”
Daichi looks over at the sleeping Rei, and see's her clinging to Saki affectionately.
Daichi “*What on earth have these children been through in their short existence?*”
Daichi closes his eyes and sighs. When he looks back up, he looks with a smile towards them.
Daichi “Well don't worry, everything will be fine, once we get to shore. It should only take another day. Get some rest, but feel free to explore the ship and meet the others”
Daichi closes the cabin door behind him and he leaves.
Saki “*Damn it! Damn it!, Damn it! Why can't I ever be rid of him*”
Rei “Saki-nee?”
Saki turns her attention and she looks at her little sister.
Saki “Rei-chan, you're awake. How do you feel?”
Rei “Saki-nee...is it true...what that guy said?”
Saki “You heard? Well yeah I guess it is. We don't have to struggle anymore, we're going to have a new~”
Rei “Not that...he said Kiyoshi survived?”
Saki changes her expression changes as she understands what Rei's question was asking.
Saki “Yeah...apparently it's true”
Rei “Why?”
Saki's expression turns to a confused surprise.
Rei “He make you sad nee-chan. He makes me sad too. I don't know why but when you let him go...I felt happy for a minute”
Saki realizes Rei's mind. She realizes that Rei is only half conscious. It's as if her inner thoughts are what drives her. A dreamy world of unawareness is Rei's state right now. Her actions, her words are what she feels most inside...but not what she intends.
Rei “Kiyoshi always makes you sad and always makes me sad...nee-chan...I don't want to be sad anymore”
Saki cups Rei's hand with both of her own and holds it to her chest.
Saki “Neither do I Rei-chan.”
Rei succumbs to unconsciousness once again and Saki looks at Rei.
Saki “*Rei, everything you've done for him. The kindness you've shown him...it has hurt you so much hasn't it? You've bottled it all up and you've fought how you really feel because you're such a kind hearted person. I'm sorry that I've allowed this to happen to you. I'm sorry that I got upset whenever you showed affection to him. It killed you inside and I didn't know...please forgive your big sister...I swear...I won't let him hurt you anymore*”
On another side of the ship Kiyoshi lay fast asleep. A shadow overs over him and his nose is pinched by soft, supple hands. Kiyoshi awakens suddenly from the lack of air and he awakes to a girl standing over him.
Manami “Hi!”
Despite the random surprise, Kiyoshi doesn't react startled.
Kiyoshi “Hello...who are you?”
Manami “You weren't surprised to see someone hovering over you? You're a very strange boy”
Kiyoshi “I'm sorry I didn't react the way you wanted”
Manami “That's alright (moves from over top of him). I mean considering the first thing you saw was something so cute and adorable your reaction wasn't so bad...My name is Manami Yuki”
Kiyoshi sits up and faces the girl.
Kiyoshi “My name is Kiyoshi”
Manami “Kiyoshi?...I like that name a lot. It's such a positive loving name...where are you from Kiyoshi?”
Kiyoshi “Well I~”
Daichi “Manami-sama, don't mess with our guest, he needs to rest”
Manami “Stop showing off Daichi-senpai, you don't need to sound like a rhyming person”
Daichi “You mean a poet”
Daichi walks and puts her hand on the young girl's head and looks at Kiyoshi, who has a depressed look on his face.
Daichi “Kiyoshi was it?”
Kiyoshi looks up at the man and looks with attentiveness.
Kiyoshi “Yes sir”
Daichi “My name is Daichi, and I see you've already met our clan heir Manami Yuki.”
Kiyoshi “Yes...where am I?”
Daichi “You're on a ship, heading to the Snow Country with the rest of my clan. You're safe now”
Kiyoshi suddenly gets a realization and he turns left and right looking frantic.
Kiyoshi “Saki-nee, Rei-nee! Where are my sisters?! Are they alright~”
Daichi “They're both perfectly fine. They're in the other cabin a few paces down”
Kiyoshi “They're both alright? (sighs with relief) Thank you”
Kiyoshi bows his head in gratitude to the shinobi.
Daichi “*His concern...it was almost immediate...and truly caring at that* There's no need for all of that. You and your sisters will stay in our clan, and be a part of it. There is no conditions you have to follow, you're troubles are over”
Kiyoshi “Thank you so much...Could I ask you a favor Mr. Daichi?”
Daichi “And what might that be?”
It remains silent for a moment. Kiyoshi stares at the ground clinching his fist trying to hold back tears. Daichi's face turns serious and Manami's turns into worry.
Daichi “Kiyoshi-san?”
Kiyoshi snaps out of his daze and wipes his face to stop tears.
Kiyoshi “Never mind actually...thank you again for saving me and my sisters”
Daichi “No need to thank me...rest up”
Manami “Daichi-senpai, can I stay here with Kiyoshi-kun?”
Daichi “Lets let him have some time to himself”
Manami snatches away from Daichi and goes to Kiyoshi. She places both hands on his shoulders and whispers in his ear.
Manami “If you ever need anything, I will be there for you”
Manami moves away from him and smiles softly. She returns to Daichi and grabs his hand and the two walk out. Kiyoshi is left aw stricken. He places his hand on his chest after feeling a sensation he had never felt before.
Kiyoshi “*My body feels so warm...I feel so...safe. What is this?*”
Kiyoshi remembers those words that were just spoken to him a moment ago.
“I will be there for you”
He lays down and closes his eyes.
Kiyoshi “*Please don't go away...this feeling*”
Night falls on the ship. The moon's light sparkles off of the water and the stars light the way. The ship is silent, everybody on the vessel is asleep or on the upper deck navigating the ship. The waves are gentle and complimenting to the navigators, practically directing the ship in the desired direction. The silence of the boat keeps a steady peace. In the hall of the lower deck light and gentle foot steps were heard, making their way down to the end of the hall. The person stands at the end of the hall, in front of a cabin door. The door opens and the person walk in. The moon's light reflects off the metal of a blade held in the hand...Saki faces a sleeping Kiyoshi, still holding his heart from earlier that day.
Saki “Hold your heart all you want. I'm going to cut it clean out of your chest”
Saki stares with a blank expression on her face. Saki remembers the pain and anger she has felt for Kiyoshi over her life with him...the scattered memories of her mother's rape, pain of enduring child birth, her death, her and Rei's sadness and pain, the struggle from day to day just trying to survive. All those memories flood into her head as she grips the handle of the kunai tighter. Her face has gone from expressionless to a tear filled face of anger.
Saki “Not anymore...you're not going to burden us anymore”
Saki raises the blade and steps forward to go and kill her brother. Suddenly the deck of the floor turns into ice and Saki slip backwards. She catches herself on her free hand and maintains her balance.
Manami “You won't touch him”
Manami drops down behind Saki but with a surprisingly swift action, Saki switches her balance onto the hand holding the kunai and turns to sweep Manami. Manami leaps up away from Saki. Saki stands up quickly and turns back towards Kiyoshi, focused only on ending him. She swings her arm down. Manami lands between Saki and Kiyoshi and blocks Saki's arm and she kicks Saki far back out of the cabin, causing Saki to hit the wall in the back of the cabin, making a big thud. Kiyoshi turns in his sleep but he doesn't wake. Before Saki regains her focus and Manami is against her, holding her armed hand above her and pinning her her neck with her forearm.
Saki “Get out of my way~”
Manami “What were you planning on doing just now?”
Saki “Do I need to explain it? I'm going to kill him”
Manami “He's your brother!”
Saki “He's not my brother. He's a nuisance! He's caused nothing but pain for me and my sister. He never should have been born. He's the reason our mother is dead”
Manami “How can you say that...how can you say that about you're own brother?”
Saki “Stop calling him that!”
Saki punches Manami in the stomach with her free hand and Manami releases her hold and pin on Saki. Saki swings her kunai to try and strike Manami. Manami blocks Saki's hook shot and forces Saki's arm to her back and pins her against the wall again.
Manami “It's not fair to blame him. He's only a kid...whatever happened couldn't have been that bad for you to want to kill him”
Saki “Shut your damn mouth! You don't know anything about what we've been through!”
Saki maneuvers her wrist and manages to face her kunai downwards and throws it down to Manami's feet. Manami pulls back a little to move from the kunai, and Saki uses the free space to spin and back fist Manami in the face. Manami falls and Saki gets on top of her. She grabs her collar and looks Saki dead in the face with anger and rage.
Saki “Do you know how it feels to sit and watch powerless as your mother is raped right before your eyes? Do you know how it feels to watch your mother slowly fall into depression from being impregnated by the man who raped her. To give birth to a child she never wanted, a child that would only serve as a reminder of the pain she endured?”
Manami is struck silent in surprise to Saki's plea. She sees the tears arriving in her eyes and falling down her face like a raging river.
Saki “Do you know how it feels to watch your mother die right before your own eyes...from the pain she's endured physically and mentally? Praying that she won't die but at the same time wishing for her pain to be over. To look at your sister and not know what to say as they both watch their mother fall before them? Do you know....do you know the feeling of pain...to hear your mother say everything will be alright, fighting for her life to live for her children even though the pain of living is so much more then accepting death...how she fights to remain with her pain just for her children all because of some brat that never should have existed....Do you know how it feels to be the ungrateful daughter that wants her to continue fighting?! DO YOU! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW?!
Daichi “Koori Seppun no Jutsu (Ice Kiss Technique)”
Saki looks up and sees Daichi right in front of her. Before she can react he blows a kiss of cold moist wind into her face. She falls and he catches her.
Manami “Daichi-senpai?”
Daichi “You don't realize how loud you two were...If I hadn't cast genjutsu on the rest of the cabin, you would've certainly woken everybody up”
Manami “You knew?”
Daichi “Manami-sama this isn't your place”
Manami “She was going to kill him...he~”
Daichi “What she said was true...about neither of us knowing or understanding what they have been through...It's not our place to judge them, or to try to change them...Manami, you did the right thing by protecting Kiyoshi...I can sense the concern you have for him. You're a very kind person, and I know very well that he appreciates it...but don't try to impose on the feelings of the others.”
Manami “But Daichi-senpai...you saw it too...you saw how much he loves them. He cares about them so much but she~”
Daichi “As much as I don't approve of the behavior myself, or her reasons. I understand them. I understand how she feels, and how he feels...sadly there is nothing we can do about the conditions of their hearts. There is nothing we should be trying to do the attempt to fix them either. Manami, you're still very young but you must know this now if you are to ever become a powerful kunoichi and a woman. You must understand that the world is filled with imperfections and things that are unfair. Everybody faces hardships...everybody faces some sort of pain in their life. Some more then others...but that's the way life is. The only way for that to change is love. Manami...you are a person who can help many people...right now you need to continue what you're doing for Kiyoshi...I can feel it inside of you. For whatever reason you care about him. You can't make his sisters love him or stop them from feeling the way the do about him...but you can help him heal remember that”
Daichi takes Saki and begins walking her back to her room.
Manami “Daichi-senpai...what are you going to do about her?”
Daichi “She's under my genjutsu. I made it strong enough so she won't remember what happened between the two of you or her attempt to kill Kiyoshi. After I release her, she should remain asleep. Everything will go back to normal. I'll release the jutsu on the rest of the cabin...Go get some sleep Manami-sama we'll be docking soon”
Manami “Yes, senpai”
Daichi “And I'm a little surprised at you. How did you let your guard down like that?”
Manami “I could have beaten her!”
Daichi “Well I certainly hope so, you are the heiress to our clan you know, we need you to be strong”
Manami turns her head away from Daichi who smiles and walks away. Manami turns and looks in the door way and sees Kiyoshi. She walks into his room and she proceeds to release the genjutsu on Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi “There's no need...I'm awake”
Manami reacts surprised to hear Kiyoshi's voice.
Manami “Kiyoshi-kun...you were awake...that whole time? But how?”
Kiyoshi “I heard Saki-nee enter my room...I heard what she said”
Manami “*But how did he break Daichi-senpai's genjutsu?...*”
Manami looks and sees a scroll besides Kiyoshi and sees the word “Genjutsu” on it. She recognizes it from one of her clan's archives.
Manami “*Did he break the jutsu with a Kai...after just reading that?*”
Manami shakes her head and focuses back on to Kiyoshi.
Manami “But...but then why didn't you get up...why didn't you defend yourself when she tried to attack you?”
Kiyoshi “My sister's heart is my will”
Manami “What?”
Kiyoshi opens his eyes and sits up.
Kiyoshi “I always knew my sister thought of me as annoying...I thought it was how boy and girl siblings were. I thought Rei-nee was different. She's a kind person, just like you....never did I understand Saki's true feelings for me until a little while ago”
Manami “What do you mean?”
Kiyoshi flashes back to that moment where the three of them were rushing in the river towards the waterfall
**Flashback**
Note: This is in Kiyoshi's perspective, previously it was Saki's. There are text from the last chapter chopped and pieced in with additions.
Saki releases her hand from Kiyoshi's...
Kiyoshi “*Saki-nee...What are you doing?*”
Kiyoshi opens his eyes and looks directly into Saki's as she lets go. She sees the scorn and hate in her eyes just before she turns her head. Kiyoshi's mind immediately fills with the images of Saki's true feelings for him. It was almost like reading her mind with telepathy...the vividness of the words and emotions in his head, spoken by his sister.
“You killed our mother”
“You shouldn't have been born”
“You're a bastard child, your nothing but dirt. Your father doesn't even know about nor did he intend for your existence. He only wanted to benefit himself by taking advantage of our mother. Our mother hated you from the moment she found out you were inside her.”
“You're the cause of all our problems, all of them! Our mother fought to give birth to you even though she hated you. She tried to live but you sucked the life out of her. You're the reason we're alone, you're the reason we have to struggle every day”
“You...You've always been the source. I have never been able to rid you of us before...But now... I can”
The fearful expression he once had on his face had turned into heartbreak. Everything...everything that ran through Saki's mind at that second...that brief second was all transferred into Kiyoshi. Siblings are some times noted to have almost telepathic type connections with one another. This connection Kiyoshi had, the connection of hate and rejection. It served no other purpose other then to open his eyes to his sister's true feelings...
Kiyoshi “*Saki-nee...Rei-nee I'm so sorry*”
**End Flashback**
Kiyoshi “The feelings she demonstrated...her wanting to kill me...I just about expected it the moment I woke up and realized that I was still alive. When I was falling in that waterfall...I wasn't scared. When she let go of my hand, when she expressed how she felt with that gaze of her's...I no longer felt fear of death. I was prepared. I didn't want to be. I didn't want to die but I wasn't afraid...”
Manami “But...why would you prepare yourself for such a thing...none of this was your fault. Why didn't you defend yourself, for your own sake? Why were you willing to put yourself on the line for her?”
Kiyoshi “I asked myself that question...but then I just answered it after hearing Saki just now”
Manami “What then?”
Kiyoshi turned to the window of the cabin and saw the moon's illumination of the sea.
Kiyoshi “Everything that has happened to me, Saki, Rei...everything we've been through...since the moment I was born...has been my fault”
Manami “Kiyoshi~”
Kiyoshi “I laid still waiting for Saki to do what she's only dreamed about dozens of times. I laid here asking myself why? Why was I not moving. I urged myself to wake, I urged myself to do something to save myself. I tried but my body didn't comply with my thoughts. I asked myself why. Even when you and nee-chan began fighting I didn't move.”
Manami simple looks at Kiyoshi with a sorrowful and guilty look.
Kiyoshi “Everything is my fault...our mother dying...loosing our home, having to travel through the country for years, forcing Saki to work labors beyond her age just to support us. Steeling food, begging. Our miserable life has all been because of me....but that wasn't the only reason. That wasn't the reason I didn't move...hearing the pain in her voice was”
Manami continues to look at Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi “Seeing the pain in her eyes when she let me go because of what I've done to her. Hearing the sadness and anguish in her voice when she was yelling at you...that was all me...That's the reason. That's the reason I only want to make my sister happy. I want to remove her pain even if...if it means I have to suffer”
Manami “Kiyoshi-kun...why do you love somebody who doesn't even treat you kind”
Kiyoshi turns his head and looks at Manami with an expressionless look. His heart is filled with love but his soul is empty, a shell that holds nothing but the love and affection for others. He suffers excruciating pain hidden under his eyes, but he fights it rather easily...by accepting it. He looks into Manami's eyes, who, by this point his on the edge of crying for this boy.
Kiyoshi “Do I need a reason...to love my sisters?”
No Reason...
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Alright people, I managed to write this in one day and kyuubi looked it over so I managed to get post it.
This didn't have too much action in it, it's more of a turning point in the series (there are a couple, this is specifically for this first part). For those of you who read and rep my post, naruto kyuubi and I thank you.
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