Permission To Seek

Chapter 46 Unfortunate Path

[Warning someone dies *speaking with kikai*]

She sat under a stairwell, forcing her breathing back under control. In her head, she could hear Iruka-sensei explaining the art to becoming, a successful ninja is being able to conceal your presence and remain several steps ahead of your opponent. ‘I am scared Iruka-sensei.’ She shut her ruby eyes beginning to focus her chakra slowing her heart rate just before the pursuers stormed down the stairs.

“Find her quickly!”

“Why are we doing this, ourselves we should be using…:”

“YOU KNOW WHAT KUNI-TE-SAMA SAID DO NOT USE YOUR KIKAI! GO THAT WAY!!”

The small ninja’s presence unnoticed, silent tears eased out her cheeks. Her primary worry the Elder, she was still trying to digest the information she discovered. “…for the good of the Clan…” Ruby clenched her teeth she knew she had to get to Shino with this valuable information. Listening closely she raised her right hand staring as the tiny insects emerged.

~*You must take this information to Shino-Sama, he must know the full truth*~

The Kikai wings fluttered but none took flight, she pursed her lips ordering them to leave her, only a small cloud would she part with, however the tiny insects could sense the danger and were reluctant to leave her unguarded.

~*It is more important that we save the Clan I am insignificant go to Shino-Sama now*!~

Less than a dozen took flight staying along the walls and shadows; they sensed the many watching eyes. Once they were out of sight, she eased out of her hiding place to search for a way out, replaying the conversation she over heard. As far as Kuni-te is concerned, nothing will stand in his way of creating the ultimate Shinobi. She held in the despair that grip her heart learning of the experiments he conducted on the missing children, those thought to have been still born he harbored in his laboratory. The children cries cutting into her very soul. ‘I must let everyone know this is all just some sick game, for the benefit of the CLAN! How dare he hide behind that as an excuse for his sick experiments and manipulation of people’s lives? I will not let him get away with this.’

She noticed a door at the far end on the dark basement warehouse, glancing around carefully she crept along the wall listening for any sound. Her Kikai began to swarm, Ruby pulled out her kunai ready to kill whoever was approaching. The juvenile Kikai flew up toward the dark ceiling for the first time Ruby allowed her eyes to gaze up into the pitch blackness, she began to quake with fear. Her eyes wrenched from the ceiling as a more terrifying presence began to approach.

“Heh heh heh.” Kuni-te step out from the darkness were he lurked, chuckling at the young ninja. “You are not even women yet, and you call yourself a ninja.” He laughed louder.

She clenched her teeth ordering the Kikai to return, none did. Narrowing her eyes at the Elder still voicing the order to her insects, she tried to master the consuming fear.

“Ruby isn’t it.” Kuni-te began to pace towards her as he spoke his voice a frigid tone. “You have over step your boundary and I have no choice but to,” he paused the ceiling showering the dead bodies of Ruby’s Kikai she gasped opening her hands and catching a few. “Well, this has been amusing I must say I was getting rather bored with the ordinary everyday plans for the future. I will take great pleasure in killing you for your interference.” He chuckled again, stopping a few feet away from the trembling ninja.

“I wont die so easily, you bastard! Shino will stop you!” Her ruby eyes flames as she called on all her ninja skills making several hand signs.

The sound of a dull pop and crunch echoed in empty shadows, Ruby froze mid-jutsu. Her body fell limply to the floor among her Kikai the Elder step closer crouching down to look in her fading gaze.

“Well that was fun.” He opened his hand raining over her face the Kikai she sent forward, their dead bodies passing before her slowly blinking gaze. “I will tell you Ruby-chan, I look forward to Shino.” He smirked “Trying to stop me, which will be a day to remember for the entire Village our Clan will no longer be looked upon so lightly.”

She could not move a dull pain at the back of her head her eyes fill with blood. “Pleas.. pleee don t ku..te..” The world closed around her as she took her last breath.

*Unattainable Dream*

He quickened his pace through the dense trees still too close to the Village to be a missing ninja. Someone was following him, they were clever and silent but Sasuke was far better at concealing himself when need presented. He did not waste his time training under ANBU the ninja tracking him will need to learn some manners. He thought blending perfectly with the trunk of a large Red Wood Tree.

The Shinobi leaped in the clearing looking around carefully sure Sasuke could not be much further ahead; she crouched staring at the untouched weeds and dead leaves.

“Why are you following me?”

She stood; Sasuke suddenly appeared in the shadow of a large tree the sight of him still astounded her. “I don’t know Sasuke-kun I just wondered why you would leave the hospital early. You know Tsunade-sama said…”

“Sakura, I do not need you to chase after me, go back to the Leaf I need some time alone.” He glared at her waiting to see if she would leave.

Looking down at the ground a familiar guilt welled in her heart, always she wondered. “Sasuke, why won’t you go out with me some time there are some nice places to see, away from the Village if you like.” The green eyes managed to cast furtive glances between words as she spoke her fair skin flushing as pink as her hair.

Sasuke leaned against the tree actually considering the question he smirked. “Aren’t you seeing Lee?”

She blushed deeper, “Sorta.” Turning away from the penetrating dark eyes, “We are good friends.”

‘Women.’ “Well, that means you are dating Lee, so no I don’t believe it would be appropriate to go out on a date with you, under those circumstances.”

“Sasuke-kun you know…” She began to disagree, however Sasuke cut over her words.

“Also Sakura, I do not find you the least bit attractive, I barely consider you a friend and now you have given me more reasons to dislike you. What makes you think I would want to be seen with a person who would betray someone like Rock Lee?” His dark eyes bore into her as she began to sob. “He is really a pathetic guy, great ninja; but to deceive someone like him.” He sucked his teeth in disgust. “Lee deservers better than a person who can not let go of a pointless and unattainable dream; you are the most disgusting person I have ever known. My life would be much better if I never meet anyone like you again.” He turned to leave, clenching jaw to stop from saying more.

Sakura sobbed staring at the ground a bitter anger growing in her. “You would know all about pointless and unattainable dreams, right Sasuke-kun?” The angry green eyes staring at his back, Sasuke did not turn to face her or acknowledge the remark.

‘Farewell, Sakura.’ Leaping into the trees, he left, planning never to return until he killed his brother.

*To be useful*

Kimimaro stared as his travel companion pulled a wide comb through the lengths of deep brown hair; thinking how very beautiful the tresses are. “Your hair is uplifting, I once longed for hair as deeply colored as yours.”

The brown eyes glanced his way, an innocent smile lighting the angelic features. “I have always envied hair of you color and texture Kimimaro-san.” His caretaker carefully fixed the long tresses securing it in a tight bun. “How much longer will we rest here, I really would like to see the Hidden Leaf.”

‘Why do I linger in this place, we should have continued our journey days ago.’ “We can leave at first light to maximize our day if that will suit you.” The pale green eyes focused on the brown eye beauty. “You will love the Leaf; people are very friendly, I am sure you will be able to remain once your application is completed.” Kimimaro lay back on the ground staring up at the last traces of light in the fading sky.

His companion stared a few minutes longer wondering about this strange man, and then placed small fingers to touch the full lips, the memory pleasant. “Your friend is fortunate to have someone as passionate as you; can you tell me what you are thinking?” The caretaker stretched out lounging on one arm staring at the pale profile on the opposite side of their campfire. “How do you know he still cares for you?”

Kimimaro grinned thinking about how Morino pursued him to ‘have a meeting.’ “To meet him you would not believe it, so try not to judge him based on the initial encounter; he can be unsettling.” He turned the large brown eyes, appeared almost red in the fire light. “When we were together, he asked me to stay with him, to live together.”

“If you have a secure relationship a person would expect that level of commitment.” His companion added.

The handsome grin spread as Kimimaro gazed up at the stars now popping out of the darkening sky. “Yes, you are correct, for a man like Morino to ask after one day together means something more. For me it means he is in love with me even though we never admitted the truth.” He considered how simple minded it was to set guards against such things, and wished not for the first time he had told the Jonin how he felt.

“I don’t understand Kimimaro-san, how can someone ask you to live with him if he is not comfortable enough to express his emotions?”

He closed his pale eyes his mind adrift, “You know I believe it is foolish to hold emotions of this type inside.” The green eyes flashed open turning to face his companion. “You knew all along you had no such emotions for me, even if I hoped to salvage some part of happiness just in case my lover is not waiting.” He paused the thoughts of Morino caused a dull pain in his heart. “You are so insightful to already realize we make better friends than lovers, and I must admit you fooled me completely.” He grinned at the angelic features.

“Please forgive me for that I do not mind you calling me Nee-chan.” The large brown eyes gazed at the dark sky full of blue-ish white stars.

Kimimaro smiled. “I feel only innocence when I gaze at you, but you are a very strong Shinobi, gifted in medicine and I suspect a formidable opponent.”

The smile eased from the full lips a shadow falling over the features, remembering the person they once were and how many lives were lost to fulfill the desire of that precious one.

“I can be of use in the Hidden Leaf, if they need me in such a manner. I only desire to be useful.”

Kimimaro looked at the fire his mind thinking of Morino again. “They always need soldiers in the Leaf; it is what I applied to do if needed. With your gift I am sure you will be welcome.” He then gazed back at his friend, “Haku, do not worry you will find a great use in Konoha.”

“Hye.” He hoped.

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Woot!! Did anyone know it was Haku with Kimi xDDDDDDDDDDDDD I love him
Thanks for reading more to come...8) 8>>>>