Chapter 15 - A Village Divided

Katsuyori looked out the window, trying to control his breathing. It wasn’t working, it never did. But he didn’t want to freak out, not just yet. He flinched at his ‘father’s’ touch, even the simple gesture of ruffling the boy’s hair was enough to put him on edge. Without interest, he looked back out the window.

So this is Konoha, huh? What does it matter where I am…I’m still the freak. ‘You’ll make friends here, honey’, ‘you’ll like Konoha, sweetheart’, it’s all pointless. They might be my family now, but they mean nothing to me. I feel bad, Aki…I mean, ‘mom’ really tries…but ‘dad’ doesn’t want me…I don’t want myself. I’m broken. And no one knows what’s wrong, even the best medic-nin’s in the Mist village couldn’t figure it out. Well, I’m here now, might as well pretend I give a damn…

Katsuyori saw his reflection again. One eye was black, one was gray. His right eye was the gray one, the ‘special’ one. Never in Katsuyori’s life did ‘special’ mean ‘good’. It always meant ‘different’. Or ‘freak’, as the others called him. His eye was sightless, had been since birth. No one looked him in the eyes twice. If they DID look him in the eyes at all, it was a brief, abbreviated glance, then they looked away as quickly as they could. The rest of his appearance was normal. He wore a black shirt, decorated with red spirals. The collar fit around his neck perfectly, neither baggy nor choking him. His pants were the puffy “Bushi” (Son of a samurai) styled pants. Another reason they called him a freak. Katsuyori tossed his black hair out of his eyes, resolving to trim them. He always handled it himself. His bangs were too long, and they covered his good eye. He let the other side grow, to cover his gray eye. (NOTE: Can anyone name the manga that Katsuyori’s eye condition is based on?)

Now it was time to find the bar and restaurant his new family owned. He thanked the carriage driver and dropped money into the man’s outstretched palm. The man had been nice enough, so Katsuyori had tipped him a little more than he would have. It was his money, he could do with it what he wanted. Being a kind boy at heart, Katsuyori liked to brighten other people’s days, even though his life never seemed to brighten itself.

After a few minutes of searching, Katsuyori found the bar/restaurant. Inside, he saw his ‘mother’, Aki, talking with a guy that Katsuyori pegged as ‘different’. That did NOT mean, however, that he got his hopes up to ‘make a new friend’ out of the guy. Closing his bad eye, he read the kanji on the boy’s headband: ‘Dragon’. Dragon, huh? I wonder what the deal is with that?



Ekyt heard the sound of someone coming in. They weren’t trying to disguise their footsteps or movements, so he didn’t react as if it were a threat. Aki smiled.

“Katsuyori, welcome home!” she said enthusiastically, opening her arms for a hug. The boy looked dispassionately at the gesture, but stepped into the embrace, so as not to hurt her feelings.

Aki tried not to cry at the boy’s hesitation. He’s more open with me than anyone else. That’s not saying much, but still…a hug is a hard gesture for him…Katsuyori… Aki let go and stood up, putting a hand on the shoulder of the boy next to her.

“This is Ekyt Kaguya, Katsuyori. He works here, and he has something interesting to tell you. Why don’t the two of you take off for a little while, have a chat? I’m sure nothing will happen in an hour’s time.”

Katsuyori saw the ‘Dragon’ kid nod. He had the boy pegged as close to his own age, although when he spoke, he sounded a little older. More haggard, jaded maybe. Like he was tired after a battle, maybe even one fought in his mind. Katsuyori was a good judge of character and the traits that went with that character.

“Katsuyori, is it? Please, come with me,” Ekyt spoke as friendly as he could, although he guess his hoarse whisper didn’t help his case.

Katsuyori followed the older boy silently, as the guy explained the town.

“It’s a nice place. But I won’t give you a speech, you probably don’t want one of those. I’m sure you’ve heard it all,” Ekyt said dismissively. He could sense Katsuyori warming to him a little bit. He continued once they had reached Lone Pine Hill.

“Katsuyori, let me ask you something, if you don’t mind. Do you ever feel…different? Like you don’t belong. Something’s wrong, but you just can’t figure out what?” Ekyt spoke calmly and quietly, as if he knew something, and understood.

To his surprise, Katsuyori found he had no problem opening up to this guy. He’s not a threat. Somehow, I can just tell. He’s not asking to be an @$$, not like everyone else. He knows something…

Aloud, Katsuyori replied with “Yeah. All the time. I mean, not just my eye. I breathe weird, and my heart races. Sometimes I can’t eat…or sleep, even.”

Ekyt nodded. “You know, you sound a lot like me. Even the eye part. A couple years ago, I took a shuriken in the eye…for my team, before we disbanded. The girl who I saved hates my guts now, but that’s alright. I was blind in that eye for a couple years, before I got it fixed. But I can tell, that’s not what’s bothering you. And I can tell you what is, and I can understand it. You’ve got anxiety problems, Katsuyori. I know…I’ve got them, too.”

Katsuyori narrowed his eyes. “What? You have them? How can you even be talking to me then?” He’s lying! He can’t have anxiety problems, or whatever he said! How could he be here, talking to me?!

Ekyt smiled under his mask. “You’re talking back. You don’t judge me a threat, the same way I don’t judge you a threat.”

Katsuyori admitted he had a point. “Yeah. But, it’s still bothering me. Isn’t it bothering you?”

“Sure. Almost all the time. But, there are ways to lessen this anxiety. And I think I can help you. If you want the help, I mean. I’m not here to force anything down your throat. Only to offer my support. We’re not so different. Maybe even less than you think. If I can ask…your name. Where did it come from?”

Katsuyori looked away. “A samurai. My father was a samurai. I was named after his Lord’s son. We were the same age. He died in battle. I only survived because my mother ran with me. It was a ninja that killed him…”

Ekyt nodded. “You should know, I AM a Ninja…but the interesting part…I’m a samurai, too. And the Lord you speak of, I’ve heard of him, and his son. I have never served a clan…but, that’s enough about me, I’m sure you’re”

Katsuyori suddenly leaned forward. He was bowing.

“Teach me. To be a samurai. My ‘parents’, they don’t trust anyone. If they trust you, so do I. Please, teach me. I want to follow Bushido, the way my REAL father did…I owe him that. He died, protecting me. Someday, I’ll fight my way to his grave and pay his respect. Those bastards beheaded him…they took his sword. It should belong to me! Please, teach me Bushido!”

Ekyt was surprised that the young man was so fervent. “I will, Katsuyori. But, understand, it will be difficult. Not the content, not for the son of a Bushi, but the people…they stopped giving me looks because I became a ninja, and I earned my place. I don’t know how they’ll treat you…”

Katsuyori bowed lower. “I don’t care. I’m already a freak to them. I will NEVER become a ninja. I will never adopt their ways. I might live amongst them, and maybe even accept some, but I can never be one. My father wouldn’t have wanted it, and I don’t want it either!”

Ekyt offered Katsuyori a hand up. “You don’t have to beg, Katsuyori. We’re equals. I’ll teach you what I know. But, right now, we’d better get back. Aki’ll be worried sick about you.”

Katsuyori shrugged. “She worries all the time. But you’ve got a job, so if you have to get back…I’d rather explore.”

Ekyt nodded. He pulled out a small scroll and wrote on it rapidly. Then, he pricked his thumbs open, whipped out two scrolls, and (in the coolest display Katsuyori had ever seen), bashed his palms onto the ground.

“Twin Summoning Jutsu!” he called. POOF! POOF!

Oh Ekyt’s shoulder was his Chinese Water Dragon, Umisu. He closed one beady eye in a wink of greeting to his summoner, then leapt over to Katsuyori’s shoulder. At Ekyt’s feet was his dog, Holly, a Keeshonden with an attitude.

“Kid, what do you want? And who’s the new guy?” Holly drawled, sniffing around Katsuyori’s legs.

“That’s Katsuyori,” Ekyt said absently. “Now, Holly, I need you to stay with Katsuyori. Take him to ‘that’ store, with this scroll. Give it to the owner, he’ll understand. Stay with Katsuyori. If there’s a problem, Umisu, you come find me.”


There were no problems. Katsuyori took to his training like a duck to water, until fate stepped in the way. Tsunade had looked up Katsuyori upon finding out Ekyt was training him, and saw that he had no family. That meant that he wasn’t a citizen. That meant Katsuyori was in the crosshairs.

Ekyt decked one of the chunin sent by Tsunade. The man had grabbed Katsuyori and tried to take him away. Ekyt, of course, protested, first with his voice, then with his fists.

“I SAID he stays here. If you touch him again, you’ll never walk again…”

“I have my orders! Please, don’t make this difficult. The adoption process was never completed, he has to go back to the Mist Village!” The chunin, someone Ekyt didn’t know, and therefore didn’t trust, yelled.

“They’ll kill him!” Ekyt protested.

“That’s not our concern!” the chunin replied.

“Letting someone else die…and sending them there…that’s not a concern to you?! Screw you, you’re not touching the kid. If you do, I’ll snap you in half.” Ekyt didn’t like this, and had a feeling he was going to have to make good on his word. Sure enough, the chunin pulled out a knife. Ryouko followed suit with his dagger, noting that it was two on one.

“Katsuyori…not all Shinobi are pricks, like these two. Hang tight back there. If you’ve never seen a Shinobi fight, you’re in for a treat, it’s a real site the first time you see one!” Ekyt took out what looked like a cigarette. The truth was that it was a chakra enhancer. It acted like a ration pill. Ekyt never COULD swallow pills, so Lady Tsunade had developed these for his (and Asuma’s) use.

“Two on one…let’s fix that. Shadow Clone Jutsu!” Ekyt produced a clone, wielding a dagger.

“Don’t make this hard, Ekyt. We’re just following orders, okay? Just let the kid go. If we have to kill you, we will! Huh?”

Ekyt and his clone were standing behind the two chunin, daggers at their necks. “Game over. Here, give this to Lady Fifth, so she understands you at least tried. Even if you couldn’t get the job done.” Ekyt stuffed a small scroll into each of the shocked chunin’s hands.

“Now get the hell out of here before I make you regret it.” Ekyt still held the daggers at the backs of their necks, until they used the body flicker jutsu to disappear, presumably to see Lady Tsunade.

“Aren’t you going to get in trouble?” Katsuyori wanted to know. He also wanted to know how Ekyt had made two of himself just come out of nowhere like that.

“Probably. But I’m ALWAYS in trouble with the administration. Now, as I recall, we were heading back to the bar. I need a cup of rice brew after that.” Ekyt grinned, extinguishing his chakra cigarette, putting it back in his tool pouch for use later.

Katsuyori was rapidly warming to his new friend. He’s alright…for a ninja. For a samurai…he reminds me of my father. If only he had backed down, he wouldn’t have been murdered…


When they got back to the Akakomadori bar, Ekyt found Tsunade and Team 7 waiting for him.

“Oh shoot,” he muttered, sticking the chakra cigarette back in his mouth. “Katsuyori, this time, they’ll try to take me down. If they do, you can fight, or you can run. But I wouldn’t go back to your family. Take my dog and my dragon and hide somewhere. In fact, go with my team. Holly can find them.”

--

“Ekyt, what were you thinking, attacking my two chunin?” Tsunade asked in exasperation.

“I was thinking they could go to hell for carrying out a stupid order like that,” Ekyt snarled. Behind him, Katsuyori was wide-eyed.

“Ekyt, you can’t fight it. She’s right,” Yamato produced an arrest warrant. Ekyt pressed his chakra cigarette to it and let it burn.

“Don’t do this, Ekyt-kun, is it really worth it?!” Sakura tried to talk some sense into him.

“It is. Letting an innocent boy die is not something I’ll ever let happen on my watch.”

“Damn it, be reasonable! We’ve got orders to kill you!” Naruto shouted. Everyone froze. Ekyt narrowed his eyes, and deepened his stance.

“Katsuyori, go! Hurry!” Ekyt urged. “I’ll handle this.” Katsuyori took off running, Holly leading the way.

“If you’ve got orders to kill me, then go ahead and try. If I’ve saved the boy’s life, I’ve done my job. But, my request- Kakashi-sensei, you be the one to kill me. I’ve never sparred you, and never faced your Sharingan…”

Sasuke and Ino were suddenly behind Ekyt. Unceremoniously, Sasuke stabbed Ryouko in the back, evading his vitals, but dropping him. Before he could be grabbed, Ekyt rolled to his feet, but coughed up blood.

“Backstabber…perfect moniker for you,” Ekyt muttered to Sasuke, holding his wound closed. Things looked grim. But they got worse. Temari and Kimimaro showed up, holding Katsuyori.

“Sorry Ekyt. We had no choice,” Temari said apologetically. Ekyt let his head drop.

“So, this is how it ends, huh? Fine. If I have to go out fighting to protect him, I will.” Ekyt exhaled some smoke; it was actually impure energy that the chakra cigarette removed from his body; same as a ration pill.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this, Ekyt. But, we all have to do what we believe is right.” Kakashi reached for his headband, the Sharingan revealed. Ekyt would have been lying if he said he wasn’t worried. But instantly, Kakashi was behind him, a kunai at Ekyt’s neck.

“Damn it. I wasn’t good enough…I…couldn’t help. Put the kunai away, Kakashi-sensei. You took my will to fight. And that was all I had left…sending a boy to his death…you should be ashamed, all of you.”

Then Ekyt saw Aki’s pleading face. He lowered his gaze once more. Stepping away from everyone, Ekyt raised a kunai.

“I’m not going to attack…” Ekyt flipped the kunai to a reverse grip. Before anyone could stop him, he stabbed himself in the stomach.

“OH MY GOD!” Sakura shouted, rushing forward. But when she tried to stop the bleeding, her hands didn’t have blood on them. They had ink on them.

“Damn you, Sai! How could you help him?!” Tsunade shouted. She had spotted Sai, Ekyt, and Katsuyori sitting on a rooftop across the street.

“Ekyt-kun is right. Life is a precious thing,” Sai responded. Then he, Ekyt, and Katsuyori (being carried by Ekyt) leapt off.


--


“Damn it! I’ll get them! Go after them!” Tsunade ordered. But Team Kakashi didn’t move.

“Grandma Tsunade…take me off this mission…” Naruto began. It was the first time Naruto was going to give up. His morals came first. It’s a shame that not everyone thinks that way.

You are not authorized to comment here. Your must be registered and logged in to comment