I'll Show You Insanity

Chapter 37

Yuma was called to Grampa Saru's office, and her stomach buzzed with anxiousness. She kept her gaze to the ground as she knocked on his door, something she'd never done before.

His voice drifted through the heavy wooden door.

"Enter."

Sarutobi's heart ached as little Yuma pushed open the door to his office, her head low. He hadn't spoken to her since she'd found out about the demon within her. He'd heard that she'd also found out about her relationship with Kakashi, and made peace with him.

She must be too outraged with Sarutobi to forgive him...

"Hello, Yuma," he greeted quietly.

She couldn't meet his gaze. She was too scared that he would not forgive her. She was too ashamed that she did not come to him first and beg for forgiveness.

She nodded meekly. "Hello..."

"I have a question for you."

"Yes?"

He hesitated. "The chunnin exams are coming up. There can be no more than three people to a team in this exam. The other three aren't as strong as you, dea- Yuma... So I ask you. Would you like to wait to become a chunnin next year, and see if you can join another team of the leaf? Or would you rather do this alone?"

"Alone," Yuma answered immediately. "I need to look after my team."

Her eyes flickered upward slightly, meeting with his before lowering again. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying as Sarutobi watched her sadly.

He sighed. "Thank you, Yuma."

Taking that as her signal to depart, she nodded swiftly and turned, leaving the room as quickly as possible. She paused outside the closed door, tempted to turn back now. Crimson tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head.

She didn't want to annoy him.

She left the tower, and decided to take a walk through the village to clear her mind. She wandered silently, looking around the village.

Children stopped their playing, and scampered into hiding. Younger and older adults alike sent her filthy, hate-filled looks. Insults were spat at her, left and right, yet she paid them no mind.
That is... Until a small group of villagers began chasing her. They had her cornered in an alley.

Yuma stood with her back against the wall, watching the mob approach. A darkness within gnawed at her, telling her to waste the worthless lot of-

No! She couldn't, she promised Kashi she wouldn't hurt the villagers.

"Monster," a woman spat at the charcoal haired girl.

"Don't hurt them," Yuma breathed, shutting her eyes tight. "No matter what..."

Kill. KILL. KILL!

"Leave her alone," a raspy voice growled, making Yuma open her eyes in shock.

Looking past the mob, she caught the gaze of a fiery haired boy with seafoam green eyes. Sand was floating around him in a threatening manner, appearing ready to strike as the ignorant adults merely scoffed.

"Run along, boy," a man spat rudely. "This doesn't concern you."

The unknown boy's eyes darkened as the sand froze, and Yuma's eyes widened at the bloodlust radiating from him.

"No!" She cried, flashing to stand before the confused mob. "Don't hurt them! Ack!" Stars exploded in her vision as a man hit her over the head with a wooden plank.