Vision of Truth II: Shield and Sharingan (Naruto)

Bonding

Chapter 13: Bonding

"It is time to train."

I stared at Itachi from my spot on my futon. I had refused to get out of bed, so he brought me food and would not look away until I ate it. Now I had to train? I didn't think so. "I don't want to train with you."

Itachi did not look deterred. "It's part of our bonding."

I rolled my eyes. "How thrilling."

Kiku nudged my side with her nose. "Come on, it sounds interesting. We can't just sit in here and do nothing all day. It's too boring."

I felt a wave of guilt concerning my cat friend. She was not supposed to be here. She had her own life to get back to but she couldn't because of me. Therefore, it was my job to look after her. I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Fine. I will consider it."

Itachi stood and exited the room, leaving me to follow. I remembered most of the hideout, but he stopped at a door that was not part of Tobi's tour. Upon entering, I looked around in awe. It was like we were outdoors in a space at least as large as a football field. Trees grew near the walls, and jagged rocks stuck out from the grass. I sensed some sort of barrier up above. Clearly, there was no means for escape.

"Our training partners will be here soon," Itachi said.

I lifted my eyebrows. "Training partners?"

"Katsumi!" Hidan exclaimed as he approached with Kakuzu. "You're in luck! Help has arrived."

"Let's get this over with," said Kakuzu.

I turned to Itachi. "How exactly are they going to help?"

"Let me tell you how this will work," said Hidan. "Kakuzu and I will attack Itachi, and you will defend him with one of your fancy shields. Supposedly, that will bring you closer together."

My eyes narrowed. "No thanks. I'm out." I set my bag down and sat beside it, leaning against the wall. "My shields are meant to protect the people I care about." I gave Itachi a hard look. "I'm not going to use them just because you tell me to."

Hidan laughed. "She doesn't like you very much, does she, Itachi?"

"Now, this is restringing," Kiku said. She lay beside me and tucked her paws beneath her body.

"Just start," said Kakuzu. "She will cooperate."

"And what makes you say that?" I said.

"The bracelets. You will feel his pain and be inclined to help."

My heart dropped. "That's kind of sadistic, you know?"

Hidan grinned at me. "It sounds fun, right?"

Kiku looked at me with a frown. "I think they're serious about this."

I snorted. "No way. Even if they do attack, Itachi will never let them-" A jolt of pain broke my train of thought. I looked up in horror to find Hidan had punched Itachi in the chest, and Itachi had just taken it. "Hey, what are you doing?" Itachi said nothing as Hidan moved in for another strike.

"Do not make me join in," Kakuzu said.

I tried to resist. Really. Kakuzu was wrong though. It was not the pain I felt through the bracelet that compelled me to act. It was the injustice of the situation and the outrage I felt that these ninja would attack a comrade like this. I could not sit back and do nothing just for the sake of being stubborn. So, I snapped.

I gathered electricity in my right hand and raced towards Hidan and Itachi. When I neared them, I swiped my hand down to cover it in lightning in a move I developed with Kakashi for when Chidori was impractical or unnecessary. My hand pushed into Hidan, causing him to stumble back and temporarily stunning him. "Back off," I growled.