Chapter 10
"Morning, Hikari-kun," our sensei greeted me. I nodded at him and reached for the teapot. I mixed the tea and hot water carefully and with all the etiquette for it. Tazunsan was understandably intrigued.
"You know, you look like a kid but your att.i.tude is far off from those brats," he said and I smiled at him.
"I was raised as an aristocrat that must know better about what is expected from a person regardless of the perspective. I had always believed that those who had a better grasp of one's mind would have more chance of understanding others, Tazunsan. Hence, this so-called maturity that you so hopefully deduced. In truth, most kids of my age from my origin acted this way anyway," I said as I took a sip of my tea. Kakas.h.i.+-sensei's eye was closed in a way that showed that he smiled indulgently inside his mask.
"Really? Why did those brats are different?" Tazunsan pressed. My lips twitched upwards to form a half-smile.
"I was not originally from Konohagakure. I lost my entire family due to some sort of a border dispute or some kind. My mother sends me away in hope of saving me from the violence. I was alone in a forest for quite some time until this kind man brought me back to Konoha," I answered while motioning to Kakas.h.i.+-sensei.
"If I recalled, you were crying like a snotty brat yourself," Kakas.h.i.+-sensei poked and I grunted at him.
"Ugh, that was my few moments of weakness and I am far from proud of it. But if I recalled too, you seemed to lose your cool oni-san-face when you saw my eye," I quipped.
"It's not exactly something you saw every day, I admit I was taken aback," sensei said.
"What are you talking about, sensei? Byakugan is everywhere in Konoha," Sakura suddenly interrupts. I didn't even notice that she was here at all. She must have been hiding her chakra so well. It seemed that her control of chakra had increased exponentially too due to the training. We couldn't say anything more because we were taken by surprise of her presence.
"It's nothing. Hey, you ready to get going? I'll be with you to guard Tazunsan today," I said and she moved to the doors.
"Yep," she said simply and got out of the doors. Sensei and I let out our breath that was held for the few seconds of her appearance.
"What are you going to explain to her?" Kakas.h.i.+-sensei asked and I sighed.
"I know that she is not stupid so everything there is, I suppose but I'll have her sworn to secrecy when I did. Besides, there is something I need to clarify with her," I said as I rose and went out of the doors. She was standing right outside looking at the waters. I formed a hand sign in an attempt to conceal our conversation from the prying ears inside.
"How much did you hear? And don't lie to me," I said, seriously and she jumped at my sudden tone.
"Everything," she said nervously and I sighed yet again.
"What I am about to tell you is a secret that only known by four people in Konoha. Now, do you swear to keep this secret with us?" I asked and she was surprised.
"Eh? Hikari-kun, if it was a secret, don't tell me then," she said with her hand rose up in defeat.
"No, you guys need to be in on this secret too. Since you guys are my only close friends in the village. I was adopted by the Hyuugas. My real name is Otsutsuki Hikari," I said as I sat down on the porch.
"Huh, like the Sage of Six Paths?" she said.
"Impressive, you keep up with your old history. That man is my little brother," I said.
"No way, that's impossible. That would mean your age is," she mumbled.
"I am still the same age as you guys," I clarified.
"I don't follow," she stated.
"I was sent to this future by my mother's jutsu. She was saving me from getting killed in the crossfire of the war between my country and the conquering army. Unfortunately, that was a one-way trip and I am the only Otsutsuki in existence now, as far as I am aware," I said sadly.
"Oh, I didn't know," she said and she sat down next to me, "it must be hard for you."
"You have no idea but it gets better. The Hyuugas were very kind to me, everyone did. I've come to accept it, the fact that I can't go back anymore. Konoha is my home now and this team is the closest thing that I have to a sibling," I said and she smiled.
"Your secret is safe with me, Hikari-kun," she determinedly decided.
"I am counting on that. Now, about my dojutsu, while it is true I have the Byakugan albeit the purest in Konoha, but due to my Otsutsuki bloodline," I said as I undid my headband, "this is the reason made me able to copy ninjutsu as Sasuke said back in the forest."
"Third eye?! That's a Sharingan!" she exclaimed.
"Not exactly, as far as I can compare to Sensei's Sharingan, mine overpowered his by a long mile. It is said that this is close to the power of the Sage of Six Path. Keep this a secret, will you? I would tell our friends eventually but the boys are not ready yet except for you," I said and she raised her eyebrows.
"Huh?" she managed.
"Sakura, you are the brightest person in our cla.s.s--the anchor of our team. You are my new siblings, remember? You guys are all I have," I said while she blushed. I dreaded my next word as I don't know if I should say these next words but I figured that I should.
"I am trusting you with my secrets also because I knew your biggest secret," I continued and she was beyond surprised now, nervous even, "I saw it during the training, the scars. Don't worry, sensei can't hear us. I know its not normal to harm one's self, Sakura. Trust yourself and trust me, you are worth it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We are all here for you or at least you have me now and your secret is safe with me. Just stop hurting yourself, please."
She looked away.
"Why do you care? What does it matter anyway?" she croaked and I know that tears had fallen off her cheeks. I rolled up my pants up towards my thigh.
"Look," I said, revealing my weakness to her. She turned her head to look at the deepest shame in my life. She gasped as she knew that it was worse than hers.
"These stemmed from when I was eight. Although I don't know what is the reason for this, my father never knew that I was his. He treated me like I never existed. Naturally, I doubt myself--exchanging the mental pain for a physical one. Well, you know how it is. I wasn't kidding when I said that Kakas.h.i.+-sensei saved me. He did. In that forest, I was close to a suicide point actually and also the fact that I was lost in the forest. He brought me into the village, even managed to make me stay. He had given me another chance, a new hope to start over and here I am, giving you the same," I patted her head, "don't ever feel that you are beneath anything. Don't do it again, please. I lost my mother and sister once and I can't afford to lose you too. You're my sister and my sister is the bravest of them all."
She immediately hugged me and sobbed.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she said in between sobs, "I won't do it anymore."
"You better, because my eyes can tell. My Byakugan is the purest in the village--I see everything. And if you do it again. I will give you a good clunk on the head," I joked and she laughed. It is good that I made it through but no one
"If you need me, just call. I'll be there," I stated as I patted her head.
"You don't know how long I've waited for somebody to tell me that," she sobbed. I gave her a handkerchief for her to wipe herself. She sniffed and took a long deep breath.
"So, how did they can't hear us?" she questioned, changing the subject.
"It's similar to the jutsu that the Hokage used in his office when he discusses a very sensitive matter. Can't explain it properly though. I don't understand much. I just copied it," I shrugged and undid the jutsu.
"Eh, what else did Sandaime-sama taught you? Care to teach me some?" she nudged me.
"I was thinking about it too. I can start with you earlier than the boys, but you need some more stamina and those two need to sort themselves out first," I said while grinned at her. She naturally couldn't help but grin back at me.
"Maa, I wonder, if Hikari-kun became the sensei, what would become of me?" Kakas.h.i.+-sensei said darkly. On cue, s.h.i.+vers ran down our spine.
"Hey, you are always our favourite sensei," Sakura said while twiddling her fingers akin to Hinata.
"Don't sneak up on us, you pervert! Throw that book away when you talk to us," I yelled. He was reading his familiar book. I took the liberty of reading it last night when he was sleeping and when I found how vulgar the book was, I despised it.
"It's not my fault that you sneaked up my room and read this of all things. Don't expect me to not notice the crease you made on it," sensei mumbled, unmoving.
"Eww, nothing brings me more happiness than to burn that piece out of existence," I pouted and then I got a clean hit from the book onto my head.
"Then you will never come near it again," he stood up and Sakura immediately burst into a fit of laughter.
"You know, you two do look like brothers arguing over something this silly," she said. It was the truth though. I regarded him as my first brother here in this world. I grinned and gritted my teeth.
"That's freaking hurt. You're lucky that I look up to you," I said while rubbing my head. Our sensei was chuckling darkly as he would normally do.
"Tazunsan had gone ahead of you. You better catch up with him. Or else," he threatened and we immediately ran towards the bridge.
Tazunsan was working on the bridge while Sakura and I sat in the vicinity conversing with each other.
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"How can you use Mokuton? That is Shodai-sama's Kekkei Genkai," she asked suddenly.
"About that, this third eye of mine let me use different chakra nature at once. Sort of an advance kekkei Genkai of sorts. I've been learning Mokuton with Sandaime's ANBU for a few days and he was really helpful. He must have been a descendant of his," I explained, "chakra nature manipulation is easier when you know your affinity. But, from what I could see, you are a genjutsu type with that kind of precision with chakra control. You're the best among us genin."
She smiled at my words. We could not continue our conversation because there was a commotion brewing in front of us. A group of guys was walking away, wanted to leave Tazunsan.
"You've got to hand it to the people of Nami. One threat from a shady stranger with money and you immediately ran between your legs," I said loudly and one of the guys was irked by it.
"What did you say, brat?!" he yelled.
"Hikari-kun. Stop this," Sakura chided me.
"No, Sakura. They need to know. Tazunsan is doing this for the people. He is restoring your courage while risking his life from that sc.u.m, Gato. Not to mention that the old man is a drunkard too. A drunkard who knew better than a lowly piece of..." I could not finish my words as the man grabbed my dogi.
"Eh, so you do have it in you. Go on, try me. If you have this much guts to hit a kid, why don't you channel it to build this bridge?" I challenged. The man gritted his teeth before he looked away and leave the bridge. The others did not follow him, however. They continued working on the bridge.
"Tch, coward," I gritted. Tazunsan walked towards us.
"I appreciate what you've done but I didn't know you had it in you. That was pretty harsh words coming from you," he said.
"I despised being that way, but this cowardice is beginning to get on my nerves. Don't they understand the significance of what you are doing here, Tazunsan?" I replied. Tazunsan let out a heavy sigh.
"They do, but they are just too afraid. But it won't be long now," he surveyed his work. After they finished for the day, Sakura and Tazunsan went into the town to get a few things for the house. I chose to walk around aimlessly towards the house.
I was quite a distance away to the house when I saw a kid heading towards the town with a basket in his hands. When he looked at me he, his eyes visibly changed but immediately returned to innocence, if I were anyone else, I would have missed it. Veins were showing around my Byakugan as I looked at him. By his chakra signature, I immediately recognized who he was.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the hunter-nin himself. I wonder, did you ever had the chance to finish your mission?" I narrowed my eyes without stopping and what I meant was that I know that Zabuza was still alive.
"Successfully, I was finis.h.i.+ng some errands before I return to Kiri," he said with a grin so innocent that Sakura could squeal in madness if she saw it. But the underlying threat was not missed, we're all going to die it said.
"Well, hoped we cross path again," I said as I pa.s.sed him. I sensed a great deal of malice from him before he shuns.h.i.+nned away.
"d.a.m.n, I got a bad feeling about this," I grumbled to myself.
At dinner, I was visibly quiet most of the time. But when Naruto and Sasuke barged in saying they finished the training. My smile somewhat came back. I could see that they had improved from before. Though, I couldn't help but notice the uneasiness had returned yet again.
"What's up with you? You're awfully quiet tonight. You didn't even scold Naruto just now," Sakura said while we did the dishes.
"Huh, what? Uh, Nothing. The uneasiness came back. That's all," I said. Kakas.h.i.+-sensei and Tazunsan were drinking at the table while the boys slept immediately after dinner.
"Don't let it bite you," Kakas.h.i.+-sensei said without looking away from his book.
"Told you to keep that thing away when you talk to me," I joked then I felt something hit the back of my head and I yelled in protest.
That night I really couldn't sleep with all that uneasiness. Despite that, Naruto was sleeping soundly beside me. He used up too much chakra. At this rate, he could be out cold for a while. I recounted my conversation with Sakura in the morning. I understood her struggle completely. I was glad that I could reach out to her. Remembering my despair, I was surprised that I didn't have an episode since coming into Konoha. I remembered that when I realized that I was alone in that forest, I had gone through the roughest break down yet. It's not until a few days later that I thought back, I was there for days even. That would explain to me being caked in filth and dirt. I sighed and thanked whatever deity was present up there that night that had saved me from the despair since. I chose to put it behind me and start over. I am very thankful to Hias.h.i.+'s family for being there for me. Then I felt my stomach twisted in every menacing way possible. I hurriedly made my way to the toilet to ease the pain. That night was the longest night I had in Nami no Kuni.
"Hikari-kun, hurry up, you going to be late! Did you eat something wrong last night?!" Sakura yelled from the outside. My stomach ache had kept me returning to the toilet throughout the night.
"I think so, you guys go ahead. I'll be going to take a bath first." I yelled back. I barely had enough sleep last night and now this. Yelling to make me hurry.
"Geez, can a man had a good time alone in peace!" I grumbled.
"Hikari-kun! Don't forget to wake Naruto up!!" She yelled again.
"Honestly, woman! Leave me in peace!" I yelled back as I turned on the tap water. I heard her giggling so hard outside. I was very irritated that morning.
"If I get my hands on that girl, she is going to have a good chunk in the head!" I said to myself.
A few minutes afterwards, I was drying my long, pixie cut at the end, black hair when I heard Naruto woke up.
"Ahh! I overslept!" he yelled from the inside. I picked up my toiletries and got out of the bathroom. It was then I saw the streaks of orange running towards the bridge. I chuckled and entered the house.
"Tsunami-san, did he eat anything?" I asked and Tsunami jumped a bit.
"Eh, you're still here? Go ahead inside, I'll make some bento for you both," she smiled.
"Thanks, Tsunami-san! You're the best!" I chirped and walk towards the stairs. I ruffled Inari's hair that was sitting in the living room. Inside the bedroom, I took my time preparing myself. Then I heard, Tsunami-san yelled before something crashed. I thought that she dropped some hot tea or something because Inari didn't voice anything. I continued tying Fudo Masamune's sheath to the dogi.
"Don't come! Runaway!!" she screamed.
"No, this is not an accident! This is a danger!" I snapped in my mind.
I hurriedly tied my headband and fetched my sandals. I put it on as I run. Unluckily, I fell down the stairs.
"s.h.i.+t! s.h.i.+t! Why this is happening to me?!" I gritted through my teeth.
Tsunami-san was already tied up and taken outside. I groaned in pain seemingly unable to move. Inari had run outside of the house chasing after his mother. It seemed that Inari had found his courage. A smile made its way onto my face and I slowly stood up.
"Get... get away from my mom!" he yelled at them. I made it to the doors and saw two men with swords holding Tsunami-san.
"Geez, stupid kid," the s.h.i.+rtless man said. Their hands reached for the sword. I got out of the house but was halted by a piercing pain on my left shoulder. Instinctively, I grabbed it as I ran. I noticed that Naruto had arrived and used Kawarimi on Inari. I took my stance in front of Tsunami-san.
"Sorry for being late. But a hero always showed up late," Naruto said while holding Inari. The boy could only mutter his name.
"Great job, Inari!" the blonde exclaimed.
"Hero my b.u.t.t! You left me here, baka!" I said. I winced when the sharp pain came back again. Naruto turned around and took a look at me.
"Eh what happened to you?" he asked. I wouldn't reveal that I fell down the stair, now would I.
"Nevermind me, take out those losers. Leave Tsunami-san to me," I yelled and the s.h.i.+rtless man chuckled.
"Well, well. If it isn't the loser ninjas Tazuna hired," he said. He and his buddy charged towards Naruto all of a sudden. Naruto threw them a couple of shurikens and they easily deflect them.
"Heh, like that will work against us!" the short one said. He was wrong of course, Naruto used it to divert their attention as his Kagebuns.h.i.+n attacked them from behind.
"Idiots," Naruto said and I concurred with him. His Kagebuns.h.i.+ns gave those two a hard kick to head. They were knocked out immediately. Naruto ordered the clones to tie them up. He and Inari exchanged a few words as Tsunami-san checked me up.
"Tsk, tsk, you had dislocated your shoulder. Naruto set his shoulder back. I'm going to get some bandage." Tsunami-san then ran inside the house. Naruto came towards me grabbed my arm.
"Slowly bro!" I winced and he chuckled.
"On three?" he suggested and I nodded.
"One!" he pushed the bone in suddenly and I yelled in pain.
"What happened to two and three?!" I cried in despair. He just stood there and grinned like he always did. Tsunami-san came outside with the first aid kit and she immediately fixed me up.
"Inari, sorry about yesterday," Naruto said and Inari was taken aback, "sorry for calling you a sissy. Forget it. You're strong!"
He then patted the boy's head. My lips turned upwards to a smile. It seemed that I missed a whole lot of things during dinner. Inari burst into tears.
"d.a.m.n it, I decided I wasn't going to cry anymore. You're going to make fun of me and called me a cry-baby," the boy said between sobs.
"What are you talking about?" he said as he crossed his arm behind his head, "it's alright to cry when you're happy."
Naruto's grinned was infectious as I managed grinned too while wincing in pain. Tsunami-san was finis.h.i.+ng me up.
"Don't overexert your self. You might dislocate it again," she said as she was tidying up the bandage.
"Thanks, Tsunami-san," I said as I stood up.
"Well, if they attack here, then the bridge could be in danger. We can count on you here, right?" Naruto asked Inari. The boy wiped his tears as he said yes.
"Hikari, let's go! Man, it sure is hard to be a hero!" Naruto said and I snugged Fudo Masamune in its sheath.
"It sure is!" the boy grinned at us. Naruto and I immediately ran towards the forest heading to the bridge.