The Curse Of Hatred ~Book 2~

Chapter 19: Scroll Keeping

The demands never seemed to end. The influx of requests had increased since Yuzuki Uchiha was sent out on her first recon two weeks ago. The gossip and news spread quickly to neighbouring countries and small villages about her interactions regarding the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand.

(An Uchiha at large!)

She thought that might as well be the headliner. Hiruzen Sarutobi was not impressed. Over a dozen requests were denied after siphoning through the long list. Some were outrageously stupid- simple tasks, or unfit for Yuzuki's condition. Although the list was cut in half there was still too many.

"You wanted your missions." the Hokage said almost amused. "Here they are."

"I never meant..." she trailed off under his gaze. Her meeting with the Kazekage was blown out of proportion. Some say she was there to assassinate the Kazekage, other's said she started a fight and there was a massive battle of the Wind and Fire. She even heard whispers the Kazekage wanted to marry her. Ugh. She shivered at the thought.

All untrue.

Yuzuki would like to know who started that rumour so she could give them her fist. "You'll be assigned these missions for the week." Hiruzen handed her a shortened list of work. "There simple and quick. Should be easy for you." the scroll was bound in twine. Her black nails wrapped around the parchment and she unraveled the 'short' scroll. Everything on this list was C-rank and below. Escort that person - deliver this thing to them - guard this man - retrieve that package.

"Lord Hokage, I'm not a genin."

"Your body condition says otherwise. Or would you like something different?"

Yuzuki recoiled the scroll to her chest. "This will do. Thank you, Lord Hokage." A smile of amused crossed his thin lips. Yuzuki cleared her throat rolling the scroll back into place. "Lord Hokage." she says. He hummed in reply. "When you sent Kakashi and I to the Land of Wind, I did meet with the Kazekage on his request and he a-"

Hiruzen's hand flew into the air and she paused. "I've heard the stories and rumours and they will remain as such. Whatever was discussed stays between you at the Kazekage. I'm sure I don't need to indulge... these rumours will die quickly." he leant back into his seat.

Yuzuki's head dipped politely. "Yes, Lord Hokage." she swiftly turned on her heel and made her way for the door. Her hand wrapped around the handle and she paused again. Hiruzen perked noticing her pause and he asked, "Yes?"

Yuzuki looked over her shoulder opening her mouth several times hesitant to speak. The nightmare which had turned into a haze filled her mind, but Itachi's grimaced face came to thought clear as day. "Have you heard from Itachi?"

"I'm afraid I have not. Why, have you heard from him?"

"I haven't, no. Are the barriers...?"

"He is still able to bypass them."

With a curt nod, Yuzuki slipped out. Her eyes read over the list of missions without actually reading the words. Her eyes were unfocused on the ink written on the paper. She felt like she was reading the same words over and over. She felt like she was reading the same words over and over. She felt like she was reading the same words over and over. She felt like she was reading the same words over and over.

Yuzuki ended up outside of the Hokage building The day was dark and gloomy with clouds blocking out the sun and threatening to rain at any moment. The sound of the Academy bells chimed in the air and was soon followed by the sound of screaming children who ran for their lunch break. They're shouts of laughter drowned her thoughts out like a hard slap of reality and their sing song of 'Rain, Rain, go away, come again another day!' drove her back to reality.

She wondered where her mind went in those lost minutes.

Yuzuki looked up at the Hokage monuments to see the progress. Only the First, and Second Hokage faces had been completely cleaned. The Third Hokage's face was only half finished. Poor little Naruto was hanging by a rope at the waist with a bucket and scrub to wash away the paint job while Iruka supervised the boy from the roof.

A familiar orange haired anbu landed by Yuzuki. Katsuko Hibiki drew back her anbu mask and her hair fell back in short waves. "Heard you're back on commission!" she chirped. "I heard about your trip to the Land of Wind-"

"Don't get me started!" Yuzuki flailed her arms. "Nothing you hear is true."

A smile pecked the corner of her lip and Katsuko leant in so say, "No I meant, you know, you and Kakashi." she insinuated. Yuzuki's mouth fell apart and blood rushed to her cheeks. "Did anything, oh, I don't know, happen? While you were away and alone." the blush on Yuzuki's face was enough to tell. She turned way in hopes Katsuko didn't see her embarrassment. She did.

"N... no."

Katsuko held back a sniffle of laughter. "Yuzuki..." Yuzuki's dark eyes glanced to her friend for a mere second. Katsuko cocked an eyebrow and like a falling string of ribbon Yuzuki unravelled. "Okay, we didn't go all the way!"

Katsuko's head flew back in one fit of laughter. "I knew it!" her gloved hands grasped Yuzuki's bare forearms and seriousness overtook her features. "Why not all the way?" she asked seriously.

"W... why are you asking me that?"

"Isn't that what you want?"

Yuzuki's cheeks darkened. "Well, yeah... but-"

"B-b-but- what!?" Katsuko purposely stuttered to mock Yuzuki's demeanour. "Don't tell me mister Kakashi Hatake got all soft on you. Come on, I'm at least expecting the bed to break."

"Katsuko!" Yuzuki scolded and turned away in utter embarrassment that someone would hear and she skipped down the steps two at a time. Her cheeks were burning. "I can't believe you right now. He didn't want to, okay. Is that what you want to hear?"

Katsuko hand grasped Yuzuki's and she turned her around. "Why? I'll kill him if h-" her yellow eyes flared.

"He didn't want to hurt me, you know." she gestured to her injured body. Katsuko's mouth shaped into an O and she took a step back as if to back down from Yuzuki.

"Have you's said the L word at least?"

"No, Katsuko."

"Just asking..."

"And what about you, huh? I don't see any action coming from you." she poked the red headed Hibiki.

Katsuko's arms folded. "For your information, I'm seeing someone."

"You're seeing someone?"

"Yup."

Somehow Yuzuki didn't believe her. She nodded, "So, if you're finished interrogating me about my sex life, I have work to do." she held up the scroll.

"Okay." Katsuko reeled holding up her hands. "Tune in, next time on when Kakashi will grow the balls to-" she was cut short by Yuzuki's glare. No. Not this time. She wasn't going to allow her to insult him for her own humour.

"I'll go now."