One Of Us (Akatsuki Fan-fiction)

Chapter 64

  

The attacks had stopped, but that only made your guard rise higher than it already was. What are they doing? Why did they suddenly stop? You wondered. There was a shadow moving on the ground, a human's shadow. You looked up and saw a dark figure flying toward the group of men. What...?

   The dark figure landed beside Yoshirou on one knee. His hands were on the ground and his head tilted down. He wore the standard Cloud shinobi attire complete with a sword strapped onto his back. His hair was a golden yellow and fair skin. Slowly, he stood until he was standing up straight. His cold, ocean green eyes stared at you blankly, with no emotion at all. Nothing to give away his thoughts.

~3rd Person~

   "So you're the last Amachi," the blonde commented. "I'd heard one of you survived, but I never expected to see you alive and well... Hoshiko Amachi. Your appearance has certainly changed. And to go so far as to change your name... you must really not have wanted anyone to find you," he paused to see if the girl had anything to say. She said nothing and only glared at him. "Huh, I thought we killed you thirteen years ago." No, she can't possibly be Hoshiko. We made sure she was dead. An image of a young child crossed his mind. Wait a minute... "I get it now, you're Hoshiko's little brat."

   "So... she's the heir to the Amachi?" Yoshirou asked.

   The blonde nodded. "Did you come to avenge your clan?"

   "I didn't come for that," the girl responded. Her eyes narrowed at the blonde. "Let me leave and we can avoid unnecessary conflicts."

   The blonde raised an eyebrow and looked at the girl with amusement. "You're a pretty bold kid. But where would you be going with that file? You're gonna have to give it back. However, if you're willing to compromise, we'll spare you. Well? What do you say?"

~Aiko~

   Your eyes narrowed at the blonde man. Out of curiosity, you had to ask, so you did. "What kind of compromise?"

   "You can read through all the information about the Amachi clan," the blonde began. "However, in exchange for the information, you will join us. You will work with us and follow my every command."

   You frowned. "And if I refuse?"

   "Infiltration is already a reason for being hunted down and thrown in prison. Betrayal—"

   "Betrayal?" you interrupted with a scowl. "I've betrayed no one."

   "—is also imprisonment," the blonde continued. "If you became a rogue, you'll be hunted down. Your charges, as of now, are infiltration, betrayal, and thievery. You've stolen classified intel. That's more than enough reasons to ensure your death."

   "I've betrayed no one," you repeated. "You're the ones who raised your blade against your comrades! The Amachi were a part of the Hidden Cloud!"

   "They wouldn't listen to us," the blonde stated calmly. "We proposed to them the same compromise we just did to you; if they lent us their strength, we would provide them with protection and share intel from within the Raikage's building. However, they refused. And look at the results. You're the last one, in danger of putting your clan into true extinction if you refuse, now, what is your answer?"

   You remained silent and looked at the ground as you thought over the possible consequences for each response. Suppose you agreed, you'd have to stay here, most likely hidden, and do what these men wanted you to. The Akatsuki would probably get worried if you didn't return when you promised, and they'd most likely come looking for you. You could escape from this place then. But no, you couldn't stay. If you did stay and the Akatsuki came for you, they'd risk getting hurt or worse. You couldn't stay here, you wouldn't be free. If you disagreed, they pretty much painted the picture there; you'd be killed right here and now. You knew it was stupid, but you knew your answer already...