It's Good To Be Bad

Alive

My vision was soon regained, I could see the blue sky ahead and many clouds of dust. I felt zero pain, I was somehow mysterically healed. Hesitatingly, I felt the back of my head. There was blood, but no open wound. I carefully sat up still confused on how I was alive. Were I just hallucinating an imitation of what I desired most; a family? 

I've finally met my birth parents, so it seemed. Without Orochimaru, I would never be where I am today, but is that necessarily a good thing? I wouldn't be dead for one, but was me being alive a recipe for disaster?

Was this the path of life I was meant to take?

I got up carefully moving aside rocks that surrounded me, I glanced at the spot where I fell. The blood splatter, painted on the rocks, were a wake up call to continue life, I had unfinished business to take care of.

There was cheering and shouting close by so I followed the sound to a large crowd of civilians and ninjas. I looked up and saw them surprise Naruto by throwing him in the air and calling him a hero. I guess in their eyes he was.

"You saved us!" A woman cried holding her child closely. 

I smiled behind my cloak, which covered half my face, as everyone praised Naruto for saving the village. I was actually impressed he survived a fight with Pein and won. How exactly did he do it? Even though I was standing off in the side lines and everyone was focused on either their loved ones or Naruto, someone from the crowd pointed me out and yelled out gaining everyone's attention.

"Akatsuki!" Everyone turned to look at me and backed away slowly murmuring. Instantly ninjas started closing in on me pointing kunais at my face. I took a few steps back searching for an opening to escape.

Right before one guy could start his handsigns, Naruto stepped forward stopping him. He instructed everyone to back down saying I mean no harm.

"She killed my brother!" Someone yelled out.

"My father is dead cause of her!" screamed another.

"Yeah, and she murdered my whole team!" The crowd started to riot agreeing to team up to take me down. I just stood my ground with no expression drawing out a kunai as well. I glanced over at Naruto who waved his hand for me to leave as he turned the crowds attention away. Taking the opportunity, I ran through the woods to a small clearing. I took off my cloak and spread it across the ground to sit on. I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes lost in thought, thinking of a game plan.

Few minutes later I heard footsteps. I didn't open my eyes when a hand landed on my shoulder, for I already knew whose it was. "I still don't understand you, why continue to help me after I made it a known fact I'm your enemy?" I felt Naruto sit beside me, not saying a word. I opened my eyes to peak at him, he stared back smiling a cheesy grin. I raised an eyebrow towards his behavior.

"Because I believe in you, and so does many other people. You don't see it yet, but you have people who are for you, not against you. It's up to you to let them help." His words flooded my ears, they were logged into my brain and I couldn't stop repeating it in my head. Who, besides him, could possibly be on my side?

"Oh, a lady with blue hair told me to give you this." Naruto rummaged around in a small bag and handed me an origami snake, "She said she was disbanding the Akatsuki, and that you are free to leave as well." I felt there was more reason behind Konan's action but I was too shocked to question him further.

I softly ran my finger along the body of the paper snake feeling the numerous folds. Maybe it was a twitch, but my mouth seemed to curve slightly. I got up then before I could full on grin. I helped Naruto up and took a deep breath.

"Where will you go now, I can talk to the hokage and ask for you..." I held up my hand to stop him there. Indeed it was flattering to be offered a home surrounded by people who despised me most, but I had a mission to fulfil. I wanted answers that I couldn't find in Konoha.

"Thank you Naruto, but I must decline your invitation. My presence is needed elsewhere."

He nodded giving me a thumbs up. "When you decide to come back, know we have a spot for you. With me, you're always welcomed."

I had already began to run off during his last sentence. I felt a tear drop fall from my eye as I zoomed past trees.

What a knucklehead.