Book 2: Chapter 2: The Truth Part V

Book 2: Land of Sand

Chapter 2: The Truth Part V

1

Walking outside of Hiruzen’s tent, I was ambushed by Kurai. I honestly wasn’t in the mood to talk, but it wasn’t like I had a choice.

“You know I was kidding about it being my turn to take watch, right?”

“Jokes to you, truths to us.”

“Th-that’s not how it goes.”

Kurai stood there rubbing his chin. “Is that right… what a drag.”

You know, for a guy who was a professional eavesdropper at this point, I was fairly disappointed. Then again, was he even there for that conversation? And now I understood why Kimimaro didn’t bother killing us. We’d probably do it to ourselves before he got the chance.

“Jokes aside, you could use some fresh air after being with the Third Hokage. I assume you know the truth?”

“The truth that matters,” I said with a shrug as he continued to stare at me.

“Then you’ll keep it a secret, right? Like the rest of us, you’d die if you were to talk.”

I knew for a fact I didn’t have a seal on my mouth. He was clearly threatening me, and it was working. Fighting Naruto was easy. The guy had no technique with his clones, but Kurai on the other hand, I didn’t think I’d even land a hit, so I simply clicked my tongue. And I said I’d kill Danzō. “Yeah, or else they’d have died for nothing.”

“Phew, I’m glad. It would’ve been a drag having to explain it to Sui.”

“Don’t say it.”

“Why we suddenly became a 6-man entourage.”

“And for that, I’m going to bed.” I yawned and walked away from Kurai, who said something along the lines of: ‘Wait, I’m tired!’ and something, something, something, ‘Kai will get mad.’ I really did not care, especially since I knew he wanted to keep watch. He wasn’t the only one good at overhearing things. Though it did put a smile on my face when I heard him panic.

“Wait, that’s Sui’s tent!”

2

Now I know what you’re thinking: ‘Yuki, using the excuse that you can’t sleep by yourself as an opportunity to sleep next to Sui even when you’re out on a mission is wrong!’ But in my defense, Tayuya was already sprawled out on the floor knocked out when I entered Sui’s tent, so I was the one beaten this time.

“Man, I’m starting to think I should be worried.”

“Me too,” Sui said to my surprise. “I’m surrounded by babies who can’t sleep on their own.”

I scratched my cheek. “Sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, I haven’t gone to sleep yet.”

“How come?”

“Wasn’t tired—” Sui let out a yawn, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how bad she was at lying. “Stop laughing you jerk.”

“Fine, fine,” I said, taking the open spot next to her. The mat was softer than I expected, but somehow it was still harder than Sui’s room floor. There weren’t any pillows, and though there were blankets, we didn’t use any, seeing as Tayuya was a blanket thief.

“Take that you Uchiha trash….”

“I wonder which Uchiha she’s dreaming about?”

“Knowing her. All of them.” Sui said, laughing with me until our eyes met. Black to white and black. “Speaking of Uchiha. Did he tell you?”

I let out a sigh and stared up at the roof of the tent. “Yeah… Hiruzen told me, Kurai threatened me, and honestly, I don’t know what’s better: The lie that Itachi had just gone rogue, killing us off because he could. Or clinging to the delusion that Itachi had some kind of grand plan when in reality, he was just following orders. Orders Danzō gave.”

“Yuki, he had to or else—”

“The village would’ve been destroyed because Hiruzen was too weak to make a choice and act on it.”

Sui let out her own sigh and stared at the ceiling too. The only difference was she could smile. I didn’t understand why until I noticed our hands were intertwined. It was comforting… How did that even happen? “And now you see why I never understood why you looked up to him.”

“Who wouldn’t look up to the Hokage,” I said, reaching out to a long-ago fantasy. “They’re every boy ninja’s dream.”

“And girl ninja. There can be women Kage, you know.”

“Has there ever been one?”

“Not that I know of….” Sui trailed off as I felt her eyes on me. The moment I turned, I saw the fire that lay within them. The sheer determination and I just had to put a stop to it.

“Nooooo, not that look. Don’t you dare say what I think you’re going to say-”

“Yuki, I want to be the first female Hokage.”

“God damn it, you don’t even like politics.”

“Yet if I was in charge,” Sui stretched out her hand, and I was sure she was trying to capture her newfound dream. “I’d be able to change things. Make the village better. Fix the world even.”

“And what about your normal life? I can promise you Kage don’t live normal lives. They’re legends. The kind you put your hopes on. The ones that save the day. Even if it kills you.”

“Wow, you’re sounding a lot like Kurai.”

There was a brief moment of silence where we only heard Tayuya’s mumbling as the shivering thought crossed my mind. Did she just compare me to Kurai? “Please don’t compare me to Kurai. I might need a reality check now. My god, did I really sound like Kurai?”

“Your existential crises aside, I’ve decided not to become the first female Hokage, but you—”

“No.” I shook my head. “No way in hell. I won’t become Hokage.”

“I wasn’t going to say that.”

“Oh, thank god—”

“You will find the first female Kage,” Sui said, laughing at my misery.

“Fuck my life. You do realize I’m still a Genin right? I don’t even think normal ninja get a say in things like that.”

“Then you better start making connections.”

“You know what Sui.”

“Yes?”

Looking to my side, all I saw was her smile. All giddy even as I was sure she was tired from today. Though it was well worth the effort. When all I used to get were blank stares filled with confusion. Or when she would just quietly listen to me talk about my day because hers was only filled with who she sent to the doctors. A carefree smile that could take a joke as much as she could tell one. And to be honest, if she wanted to become Hokage, I’d make it happen. Hell, if she wanted me to become Hokage, I’d do it too. Simply because she washed away my worries without even trying.

“Never change.”