A Lotus in Winter: A Rock Lee Love Story

Chapter 12: The Anbu Test part one

Sayuri's POV:
The day of the test finally arrived. I was more than ready when I was summoned to the hokage's office before the test.
In the week I waited for my inspection, I spent my time studying the village and training with Lee, Kiba, and Hinata. They were all kind to me, and were eager to learn my fighting style. Hinata was shy but willing to learn, Kiba stared at me, and Lee never gave up on a lesson. I admired that in him. There was one incident though in which I. . . I hurt someone. I was meditating and Kiba decided to sneak attack me. I realized it was him, but my instincts took over and before I knew it, he was on the ground with a broken arm and a concussion. I couldn't hold back anymore than that. I immediately ran to him and began healing him. The familiar pain came back to my heart, but because of the curse mark, no emotion showed. 'I must appear heartless.' I healed him completely and apologized, Lee and Hinata ran up to Kiba and helped him up. I went to Hitsugi and mounted. "That's enough training for one day." I stated, then made Hitsugi run off. Lee found me later and asked if I was okay. I left without a word.
Now I stood before the Hokage and all of the village Jounin and Anbu superiors.
Sayuri: "With all due respect madam, I thought we were to meet in the arena."
Tsunade: "Yes, your inspection will take place there. First however we need to know about you, who you are, and what your goals are."
The crowd nodded in agreement.
I thought about this. 'I can disclose everything, because the events that made me who I am were the bad ones, but they will want to hear the good too.' I didn't know what to say and my hesitation was picked up on by those present.
Tsunade: "Well?"
Kakashi: "We won't bite or anything." He gave a close eyed smile.
I looked at each face and knew they would react poorly, so I said "I will tell you, but I would like to be tested first. I don't want anyone to hold back because they feel sorry for me. Is that alright ma'am?"
The hokage thought it over and agreed, she found it sensible. I looked at her and said, "There is one more thing though. I can't tell anything of the few happy memories I have ma'am."
Might Guy: "Why not? Surely you must have some, you're in the springtime of youth! They should be celebrated!"
I looked at him, I knew they saw only my eyes through my head wrap, but they held all the empty emotionlessness required. I spoke while I pulled the neckline of my shirt down slightly to reveal the curse mark over my heart. There were collective gasps and anger. "The anbu elites in my land did this to all anbu. It doesn't give us power, it can in fact be used to drain our chakra to control me and other anbu. It suppresses emotions and blocks me from remembering happiness and memories of the kind. They wanted heartless warriors. That is why I can't talk about it."
There was a stunned silence and Lady Tsunade made her way to me and inspected it. "It's faded, the caster must be dying." I nodded, he had asked me to heal him and I refused for the good of the world. He had a disease of his chakra that would slowly kill him and I didn't save him. A fitting death for one so cruel.
"Lady Tsunade, I have a request" I stated as I returned my neckline to normality.
Tsunade: "Hmm?"
Sayuri: "I would like for Guy sensei's team to be present when I tell you about myself. After saving me, they deserve to know."
The hokage smiled and nodded, the others did as well. Then we set off to the arena to find out my fate.