Red Mist (Naruto FanFic)

Chapter 19 - The Red Mist's Glory

At some point early in the morning, Akai finally made her way back to the home in which Ibiki and herself shared. She didn't want to wake Ibiki up yet, so she opened her window and slowly slid inside.

Akai was too on edge to actually try to sleep, but she laid down on her bed and crossed her legs over each other, tapping her legs gently with her fingers.

It was sad to say, but Akai could slowly feel herself getting weaker everyday. She could feel any and all energy she used to have being drained from her body, like someone was pulling it from her and taking it from herself.

She knew that wasn't what was happening, she knew she was sick, and that the sickness was getting worse every passing day. But she wasn't going to let it show, no, Akai was stronger than to let people know she was in so much pain all the time.

A few knocks were placed on the door, and then it was opened. On the outside of the door was Ibiki, who gave Akai a small nod of his head.

"Oh good, you're awake. I want to talk to you, so come on out so we can talk, brat." Ibiki said, and Akai nodded.

"Got it, Scarface." Akai said, swinging her legs over the edge of her bed and quickly following Ibiki to the living room. The two of them sat down on the couch, and Ibiki crossed his arms over his chest slightly.

Akai raised an eyebrow, as she watched her Sensei trying to find a fitting word to start the conversation.

"I just wanted to say that... I know the funeral for the Third was hard on you." He started, and Akai cut him off.

"Of course it did, tashikani. It was hard on everyone, Scarface." Akai scoffed.

"But I know it was especially hard for you, and that's why you didn't stay the entire time. That's why you stayed out all night training, because the idea of a funeral is too much for you." He said, "From the looks of it, you didn't even sleep, and I bet you haven't eaten, either."

'Yeah... That's it Scarface.' Akai thought silently as she sighed, rubbing the back of her hand slightly.

"I guess you're right. I don't like funerals. Too many bad memories." Akai said, and Ibiki reached his hand out and ruffled Akai's hair slightly.

"Well, just telling you, don't worry, kiddo. There won't be any funerals soon, so just believe me when I say that everything is going to be alright." He told her. Akai nodded her head at his words.

"You can tell me, or Akito and Shin, or even Anko, if something's bothering you. We will help you." Ibiki said, and Akai looked up at him with a glimmer of sadness in her eyes, but he seemed not to notice, "Besides, it's not like you're going to die soon, right, brat?"

Akai laughed, "Of course, I'm gonna survive for long. But really, thanks, Scarface."

"No problem. Well, I need to get to T&I, I have some paperwork to fill out. See you later, brat." Ibiki finished, and Akai nodded as she turned to watch Ibiki walk out. And as he exited the house, Akai only had one thought on her mind.

'If only you knew, Scarface. If only you knew.'

With a sigh, Akai laid back on the couch and closed her eyes. She hasn't slept for almost two days, and she had over trained earlier. Akai slowly drifted off to sleep, but she didn't know how short lived this sleep would be.

| * | * | * | * | * |

Akai's eyes snapped open, as a bad feeling suddenly ran through her body. She could sense a very familiar chakra signature inside the village, as if it was calling her to come towards it. Like her mother's chakra, but stronger. Her uncle's, probably. Her brows furrowed, as she pushed herself off the couch, her sense getting even more sure about the chakra signature's owner.