It Started With A Kiss (A Kisame Story)

Chapter 12.

The next couple of days went on much the same.

The basic things that Umi needed to know more than the rest were ones she memorised off by heart; when Kisame had asked her about their location the next day as a way to test her, she recited all he had said off by heart—ultimately leaving him speechless. Maybe it was because she had lived in a lake all her life and had never really experienced the world on shore...but he had imagined it would take longer than this. That it would be so strange and overwhelming for her to take it all in that it would take days before she would be properly be able to function. It was only now, however, that Kisame could see that that was not the case—merely the opposite. He should have realised when he came into Umi's room and found she had adapted herself to walking already, but it didn’t matter; he wasn’t about to underestimate her again. She didn’t deserve it after all she had been through as it was; after all she had missed out on.

At first Kisame hadn’t been able to understand just why Umi adapted and developed in this world so easily; but as he noted the expression on her face as he was talking at one time, he finally realised why. She was staring at him intently; the rest of the world blocked out as she focused on Kisame entirely and what he was saying. Often Umi would ask questions about so many things herself, eliminating the need for Kisame to explain them all to her when they had one of their ‘sessions’ later in the day. Her enthusiasm for this world was what allowed her to adapt so well; she wanted to be a part of it so much; to understand it more than anything, that she memorised everything that was said to her in order to learn more. Umi was so eager to become part of the world that she often got ahead of Kisame—but it never mattered to him. He could only smile every time he saw a bit of it, the excitement she revealed almost childlike, but with an adult intensity to it. It was a combination Kisame admired, and found himself becoming endeared to as time went by. That deep connection had surfaced when he first met her was starting to resurface...but it felt stronger than before.

Something Umi agreed with completely.

After all; she had known there would be that innate feeling of an understanding between them both from the beginning. She’d had visions about him; she knew that in order to stay human it had something to do with him...obviously they were going to be connected. But as they became friends it strengthened this bond; so that when she thought about it—felt for it—it was more potent and prominent in her mind than it had been before. Like it was more than just an inner thing; it was psychological and almost physical as well. Kisame's task of teaching her about the world became less of a job and more about having fun; Kisame laughing as she tried every food he put in front of her without hesitation; only to find out she didn’t like it and try to stop herself from just spitting it all out again; both of them running around the forest, chasing each other or playing games as he told her about the kind of things people did for fun. Umi integrated with the rest of the Akatsuki easily; but everyone found it hard to understand the idea that they hadn’t known each other before. Their relationship seemed too strong for them to have merely been strangers only a few days before. But it was only when Pein questioned as to whether he had found out anything more about what would keep Umi human that Kisame abruptly realised something else—something that affected him all day, even as they both ambled through the forest that evening, taking a casual walk wherever they wanted, enjoying the companionable silence between them as they did so.

Then Kisame suddenly stopped, and looking up, Umi finally saw where they were.

Without even noticing it both of them had walked back to the lake; to Umi's former home and living space. It seemed strange to look at it now; even though it felt small to her while she was living in it, it looked even smaller now. She couldn’t help but run her mind over all the memories of her life in the lake...and all the ones she had formed over the last couple of days, at last fully realising just how big a change had occurred. Everything was so different now. She had learnt and seen so much...come to understand so much more...though she wasn’t exactly sad as she gazed across the water, no expression appeared on her face, merely allowing the thoughts and feelings to rush through her body. What could she say? There didn’t seem to be words to explain what was going on in her mind as she stood there; so much had happened.

Kisame said nothing to begin with; simply watching Umi as she glanced up and noticed the lake. He couldn’t tell what she was feeling or thinking; there was no smile to suggest she was fine with seeing it and happy to turn back with him, but there was no frown or tears to suggest she was upset. Clearly something was different, however, as so much of her normal self dissipated into the background. That glint that was always in her eyes wasn’t evident anymore, and Kisame's recollection of what Pein had said...of what he had thought when he’d said it...they came back, and he couldn’t let it go. Umi had lived in the lake all her life, and clearly made herself a home there. Those guys—though Kisame didn’t know exactly who they were—had dragged Umi out of the lake forcefully, and forcefully made her change into a human without a word as to how she felt about it. Even with the Akatsuki they had automatically pointed out she was staying with them and that they would find out what would make her remain human to complete the transition. Kisame had accepted it; he didn’t know her well, and it was his job. But now they were friends...he cared about Umi. Now things were different, and as such he began softly,

“Do you want to do this, Umi?”

Snapping her gaze round to look at him, finally breaking the trance she had been in, she frowned and questioned as to what he meant, Kisame continuing on quickly afterwards,

“If you want to go back...I’ll let you; I won’t try and hold you back. I can say they took you—you know, if you don’t want to be human.”

At first Umi froze, abruptly feeling hurt. Was Kisame trying to say he wanted her to go back to the lake? That he didn’t want to be doing all this—hanging out with her—anymore? But then his first question popped up in her head, and Umi knew it wasn’t like that at all, and she melted. Umi knew and understood that from the beginning she hadn’t been given much choice; even when she was little and placed in the lake to begin with. No one had asked her if she wanted to be a mermaid; no one had asked her if she wanted to become human, or to stay with the Akatsuki and remain human. Not once had someone stopped and said, ‘you have two choices in front of you—but it is your decision to pick the one you want’. But Kisame had sensed it too; and he was offering Umi the chance to make her own decision. He was giving her a choice in life when so far she hadn’t had many. Suddenly she stared at Kisame in a whole new light; he was being so sweet to her. Finally the smile came back to her face as she eventually replied gently,

“No; I’ve always wanted to be human, Kisa. It was what I’d wished for...for as long as I can remember. Yes, when those guys grabbed me and forced me to change, my opinion altered slightly; I was unsure if people wouldn’t care about who I was as a person, but simply as my power. But now I realise that I do want to be a human, regardless. You’ve been good to me—and it gives me somewhere to go when I am fully human, you know? I dreamt of this world and always wanted to know everything about it...so I’m not about to give it up when I have the opportunity in front of me.”

“You won’t have to; don’t worry. All we have to do is figure out what will make you stay like this, and then you can stay with me,” Kisame shot back with a grin, only for it occur to him what he said and quickly correct himself,

“Uh; us—I meant us. You know, the Akatsuki.”

Giggling at his reaction, Umi looked away, blushing a bit with his words, but not about to stop him. It wasn’t exactly something she had ever experienced or understood, considering she hadn’t been in contact with humans that much...but it was instinctive. It felt good to know Kisame was saying it; and happiness filled Umi, butterflies flitting around her stomach at the idea that things would continue this way as she remained human—until abruptly it occurred to her, and the smile slipped away.

If she didn’t figure things out—she wouldn’t remain human.

She’d never be able to become one again.

And then she’d lose Kisame forever.