XVI: Realization
"What do you mean 'no'?"
"I mean no."
"And why 'no'?" I snapped at him, as he stood there with his back to me, his hands in his pockets.
He shot me a harsh glare in response. In that simple look I could tell something was really bothering him.
"Since when do you refuse a fight from me?!"
"I simply do not wish to fight you." His glare sharpened as he turned his body to me.
I shook my head in disgust as I watched him.
"You're being childish. Just because this is the first time ever you've-"
"That has nothing to do with the reason why I do not wish to fight you." He spoke lowly, taking a step to me as his angered expression seemed to soften.
"Then why the hell not?!" I shouted in annoyance.
He continued to approach me slowly.
"We'll have plenty of time for that when I become Orochimaru's vessel."
Sasuke towered before me as he watched me with wary eyes.
Orochimaru's vessel.
From all the years I spent with Sasuke that fact only flashed through my mind a few times. And each time, I got more and more excited for that day to come.
I had forgotten the entire reason why he was here. Father had what Sasuke needed in order to take revenge on his brother, while Sasuke was the next to perfect vessel that Father was after. They both had their own motives, and they would most likely end up destroying each other in the end.
I knew the moment Father would take Sasuke, he wouldn't take pity on him and destroy his soul.
That's just how merciless Father is. I thought of myself as ruthless, and everyone who met me, if they lived, saw me as a ruthless and bloodthirsty killer.
That was until I discovered the truth of what Father was trying so hard to control inside of me.
There was a time I hated Sasuke; there were many times when I had the opening to kill him. And I tried, a few times, but Kabuto would interfere each time.
But now, after what I experienced with Sasuke, after he injured the thing I most treasured about myself, my eyes, I realized something.
If Shiroryuu hadn't interfered, I would be dead right now.
Yeah, I was under someone else's control. But Sasuke had almost killed me. He was the only person that had come close to killing me, besides Father.
And it was at that moment that I discovered my fear.
Death.
I don't want to die. I never paid much attention to that topic before, since I figured my abilities were strong enough to prevent me from falling into death's hands.
And beyond my abilities, Shiroryuu was there to protect me.
No wonder Father said I was impossible to kill. Both him and Sasuke experienced the reason why.
"Miyako."
Sasuke. The only other person I had developed some sort of relationship with. Before my incident with him, I saw him as the most annoying and egoistic person I knew. That's still true, but the only difference is that I hate him.
Well, hated him.
But now, after the almost fatal experience I went through at his hands, I realized something.
I didn't hate him. In fact, it was more like a feeling of admiration towards him since he had almost killed me.
And I don't want him to be Father's vessel.
Time is not on my side this time around.
"Miyako." Sasuke repeated, his tone dropped dangerously low.
"Thank you." I said, looking up at him with raw emotion.
His eyes widened in shock before a scowl formed on his lips. I could tell he was slightly uncomfortable as I looked up at him with sincerity.
"For what?" He snapped in irritation.
"Thanks to you.. I feel.. different."
His eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You almost killed me." I said with a smile.
"You're crazy."
"Escape this path your following." I said in a serious tone, catching him off guard as he stood there watching me, eyes blinking.
"No."
"Giving yourself to Orochimaru is the worst decision you'll ever make in your life." I told him.
"He is powerful. I need his power to defeat my brother."
"You don't need that snake. He'll only betray you."
"I don't care. I'll give myself to him over and over again if it means killing Itachi."
I swung my fist at him, catching him off guard as it collided with his jaw.
"YOU ARE AN IDIOT!" I snapped.
Sasuke straightened himself as I watched him pop his jaw back into place, blood trickling down his lips.
"Why do you care?" He snarled, eyes narrowed into slits as he glared down at me.
I frowned.
He's right. Why do I care?
Since when do I care about what happens to Sasuke? The only other person I know I care about is Naruto.
Why do I even care at all? Why am I even trying to steer him off his path?
-
After escaping that uncomfortable moment, I found myself at the top of a waterfall. I sat upon the edge of a rock, looking down at the long drop as the water sprinkled my body slightly.
I don't know what happened back there, why I suddenly cared for Sasuke's well being. What the hell is the matter with me?
I don't care what happens to him. I mean, sure, I enjoy his company not only because he is a skilled fighter, but also because he is the only one I can argue with over nothing. Those are the only reasons in which I'd bother to keep him around.
But Father gets what he always wants. Even I can't stop him from his dark ambitions.
I can't wait for someone to kill him. Hopefully its Naruto.
I sighed, trying to forget about the conversation I had with Sasuke; that was probably our only heart to heart conversation we'd ever have, ever. And it wasn't even that emotional, it was just me yelling at him. Of course I had to punch him right after. But he wasn't as angry as I had expected him to be. I could see the uncertainty in his eyes; he was hiding something from me. Or maybe my eyesight is still playing tricks on me, and I saw nothing at all.
Who knows. Sasuke is a confusing person. I'd feel bad for his future girlfriend. That is, if he ever gets one.
"Um, excuse me, miss?"
I flipped around in a split second, lifting the little boy up by the throat with my water jutsu.
My eyes widened when I realized it was just a little boy, so I set him back down quickly on his feet.
"I'm the last person you'd want to sneak up on." I warned him with narrowed eyes.
"S-sorry, my lady. I was just wondering.. do you know.. do you happen to know where-"
"No." I snapped. "Now, leave me alone."
I turned back around, swinging my legs back over the cliff as I stared at the tops of trees before me.
I gasped when an image of a woman with haunting pale blue eyes held a child, a child with crimson colored eyes. That image was instantly replaced by the image of a beast with spikes on its shell as it charged at me.
When I got back to reality I felt someone's rip away from my shoulder.
I snapped my head back, meeting the nervous pink eyes of the dirty blonde haired kid.
What was that? A vision of his past? A premonition?
"s-ssorry ma'am, I didn't mean to startle you.." The boy quickly dropped to his knees, bowing his head.
But I continued to look at him in uneasiness.
This boy.. what the hell is he? Why is it when he touched me, that I suddenly feel a pull to him?
What is this?
"What's your name?" I asked, trying to make my voice gentle and soft.
It worked. The little boy lifted his head up slowly as he met my expression.
I took a better look at his face; bright pink eyes with a sweet smile on his face. Its like I've seen him before..
"Yuukimaru."
Yuukimaru.