You've... changed. (naruto fanfic)

Chapter 23

 ---Kiyomi---

It was dark; I was in some room that was foreign to me. 

There were windows to my right, closed by the white curtains, however the crack let the moonlight seep through. 

I glanced left and saw something that struck fear in me. 

There was Rei, all bandaged up and bruised, sitting on a chair, facing the bed, his head resting in his arms that lay on the bed before him. 

But what I feared the most was Akari. There she lay, in that bed just before Rei, her body bandaged and bruised as well, but... I could barely sense her. It's as if... she's barely alive.

I felt tears filling my eyes but I just ignored them.

What.... what the hell happened!? I thought. Rei and Akari.. How are they so- but I cut my thoughts off as I sensed someone else.

"No." I whispered. "It can't be."

I shot out of bed, moving at an impossible speed, making sure not to make a sound as I ran out my room, down the corridor, ignoring the pain surging through me until I busted open the doors.

There, lying in bed, unconscious, barely alive.

Mariko.

H-how- but my thoughts cut off once again as I could sense him on her.

No... I thought as I slowly walked over to her, my eyes never leaving her body. I know this... this presence.. this sent... it... it was... 

Itachi and Kisame.

I had no words. All I could do was stand there, right before my sensei. My eyes were wide before I felt tears reach them.

I'm so stupid. I thought. I knew that he was a rogue. I knew that we were enemies... but for some reason.. I still trusted him. I still wanted to him train me. 

I knew he was powerful, crazy strong. I liked that. I knew he was evil, all he had done was break the rules and kill so many... but... even so.

When I was with Kisame and Itachi... I smiled. 

I don't know why, but when I was with them, I was happy for the first time since my parents died. I don't know what it was. But I almost thought of them as older brothers.

I mean sure Itachi was cold to me at the beginning but he did warm up to me eventually. 

But Kisame really was like the older brother I never had. He was special to me and I felt like I was special to him. 

Maybe I was. Maybe I still am. But... now that he's done this to Mariko... I don't think I can forgive him.

He... he knew Mariko was my sensei.. he knew everything about me. I told him. Well, he doesn't know about Gaara. He knows I have a friend from the Sand but I never told him Gaara's name. And now this? I... I just can't.

I closed my eyes, letting a few tears pass my eyes and roll down my face. 

I... I have to leave.

And with that, I turned my back to Mariko, and began to walk out the door, not making a sound as I closed it behind me, making sure I don't look back.

I wiped away my tears, not wanting to feel any more pain as I made my way back to my room.

I found it just as I left it, Akari and Rei still asleep.