Black and Crimson Clouds
The snow had ceased not too long ago in the night. Of course, spring was nearing now. This also made you somehow sad, actually. Winter had snow, which in turn was so much like you. The distant chill of lonelyness that surrounded your soul.
Giving a small pout, you brushed off your thoughts. You shifted the wieght on your luggage as you strolled down the village of Amegakure. The storm, to your dismay, didn't take too much care of your weapons last night. So here you were looking like a fugative with a black cloak and a bundle of weapons snuggled to your chest. Sure, some passer bys stared oddly. But this town wasn't so much as a sheltered one at that.
There was also another reason you decided to take a trip in civilization today. You still had to find out a bit of infomation on that man that is currently residing in your home. A piece of his strange colored cloak was another of the things you had brought with you.
Although you had said he could leave, you were near certainty he couldn't. The stranger was ill from not only wounds, but infections, a small case of pneumonia, and a severe fever.
DING DING
The shop keeper looked up with a scowl to view the intruder. Upon seeing your familiar face, he gave a weak grin. It would have been inviting if not for the dirt splotches marking his cheeks, as well as grease smeared about his busy hands and arms.
"Well that didn't last long, did it Hyuga-sama?" The middle age man chuckled as he put his work aside to grab an already used rag. "Did I do that bad of a job?" He (gross as it seems) wipped the sweat dotting his forehead with it as well. "It's only been a week."
A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of your rosy lips. You dumped the load of accessories on the counter infront of the grungy man. Up close it was easier to tell his morning beard and fine traces of scars. Well, maybe just with your keen sight.
As you made a seat on an old tattered bar stool, you untied the front of your black cloak. You slung it over the torn stool next to you with a silent motion.
The front door in the distance slung open with another DING DING.
The person was glared down by the shop keeper as he entered the back room. "Damn bastard, your late again!" The lazy man shrugged his shoulders and trudged along to the back room.
Taking a glance at the large red sack of rusty metals, you glanced right back to the angered man. A silent order to hurry it up.
He gave an amused grin at your antics and took a good hold of it. "Hey newbie, get your lazy ass in here and start your goddamn DAY!" His temper slightly flared again as you noticed his jaw clench through that grimy skin of his.
"I have a fuckin name, Hiroshi" The late teen retorted as he entered the front.
Hiroshi snorted, "Hey, watch your goddamn mouth in front of a lady." He then shoved the ruby sack in the shaggy raven haired teen's arms.
The teen scuffed while turning to eye you with suspicious chocolate hues. Your silver orbs narrowed a fraction as you watched the scene unfold. The teen then looked back at his boss to shove your belongings back in his arms.
"Is there a problem Naoko?" Hiroshi drawled daringly. But you didn't miss the nervous side glance he gave you.
He was afraid of what you might do to him if your things weren't taking care of.
B
"Why would I do all the work for some girl who probably doesn't even know how to hold the-"
There was no time to think
No time to utter a word
No time to even blink
As the teen's regretful eyes clashed with yours, he was greeted openly by the spinning wheels of Sharingan. "I dare say," you began offhandedly. "Do you mind finishing that sentence for me?"
Those cool almond hues were struck with fright as he collapsed on the ground. "No...no...mam!" Naoko stuttered with fear.
The shop keeper chuckled lightly, "Ah, you heard the lady, brat. Don't keep her waiting." With that, the flustered raven haired teen scampered off.
As silence stilled the musky air, your pale eyes averted to Hiroshi's knowing smirk. You brought your arms to drape eachother as you rested them on the countertop. With a faint curl of the lips, you acknowleged his gester.
The greasy haired man picked up a chipped kunai to busy himself with again. "I'm really sorry about that. The boy just has no manners." He sighed, "But all seriousness aside, how long did you give him those nightmares of yours?"
Brushing off the stares of the newly entering men, you tilted your head to the side. "Six and a half nights." You stated indifferently.
He gave a hearty laugh while banging the weapon across the hilt. "Why only half shorter?" He questioned without meeting your gaze.
"He stopped himself." You confirmed cooly. "Besides, I do doubt he will last that long anyways." Your voice was calm and serene.
The shop keeper nodded understandingly. "True, true." There was a pause, "So what else did you come here for, Hyuga-sama? It's not exactly like you to come just for a bit of rust."
Before the man continued any farther, you whipped out the ripped particle of your strangers cloak. It had the corner of the crimson cloud and black background.
Hiroshi stopped in the middle of his swing. His coffee eyes bulged out in shock. "Where-wh-"
"That is an irrelevent question." You commented dryly, "I'm merely asking if you know of this. Also, assuming by your reaction," you paused, "you certainly do."
The man ran his grimmy hand through his greasy dark locks. He shifted uncomfortably and glanced around his store for any ease droppers. "I can't say much." He began with a hoase whisper as he leaned closer. "But they've been coming in here alot recently."
"They?"
"Akatsuki." Hiroshi breathed making you take in a whiff of his foul breath and retched scent with the close proximity.
Narrowed crystal gems stared back at the fearful man. You gave him a full glance as if deciding to believe him or not. But, of course, he knew better than to lie to you. You lowered your dark lashes to stare down at the parchment of cloth.
Without an exchange of words, you were exiting the weapon repair in a mere blink of an eye. Easily blending in with the crowd, you shrugged and knotted your cloak on. Some nearby customers were looking at eachother confused at the bizarre speed. With a distorted frown from Hiroshi, everyone continued like nothing ever occured. He looked down to the wooden surface that you had laid the evidence atop. But it was gone.
You had some matters to tend to.
| End Chapter |
Alright, there's that. Sorry no Itachi in that chapter. =(
This will either be a short story, or rather long one; I'll let you guys decide on that. Also, I have another story connected with this, and oh boy oh boy is it dark :D But I don't know if you guys could handle it, hm? If you ask, I'll consider posting it up. It's more for my amusment anyways. ^^
Well, leave me some feedback!
Brett-chan*
