Flame of A Shinobi

(3 Nightmares)

I am stuck in a genjutsu, unable to break through as I am run through multiple times. My team mates are forced to watch, paralyzed as I am cut over and over again. The wielder has no face, a blank and empty canvas of nothing. Except that he held the blade. I was unable to move or scream, lost in this sea of nothing, going no where at all. The wielder of the blade sticks it right through my chest, burying it into the tree I am tied to, kind of like a crucifixion. 

I bolt out of bed panting, only to realize that it is the morning of the day I have to leave the village. I get up and walk to my vanity table, looking in the mirror. One glance at it makes me grimace. I have deep bruise-like shadows under my eyes, nearly displaying the lack of sleep I have had for the entire world to see. Just like a big fat neon sign. 'Damn... They are not going to be impressed.' I dab at the puffiness and let out a long suffering sigh. I throw my hair up into a pony tail and tie my Hitai-ate around my forehead before throwing on my clothes. grabbing my pack, I stuff a few loaves of bread and several assorted fruits and cultured cheeses into the bag from my kitchen. With a glance down the hallway to my mothers room, I leave without another word. I know my mother will not want to say goodbye. She hasn't spoken a single word since that day. 

With time to kill, I ambled around the Hidden Leaf Village, watching as everyone else's day was just beginning. I stopped Just in front of the dumpling shop that Kakashi took me to the day before yesterday. I small smile appeared on my face at the memory of what he had said to me. 'Tactless huh? I wonder if he is single?' I quickly brush that thought out of my mind. There is no way he will ever take a liking to me. Not like that anyways. I was hopeless. I just hoped that my hopelessness did not jeopardize the mission as I was going to be spending a lot of time with the one that I was attracted to. 'This is a BAD idea, Shizuka, you should just go tell the Hokage you want another team.' I thought to myself. I shook my head. 'They are counting on me, I need to do my best as a shinobi of the hidden leaf.'

As a result of my wandering, I notice that it is almost time to go. Clearing my head, I make my way to the Village gates. At this point, children are playing happily in the streets. I smile as I approach the gate, Instantly cheered by their laughter and play. Kakashi and the other two were waiting for me at the gate already, chatting quietly. Kakashi turns and gives me a one eyed, masked smile, making my nerves jitter. I instantly return his smile, holding  a hand up. "Hi, nice morning for a mission huh?" I ask feeling slightly awkward for interrupting. Kakashi breaks my awkward silence by suggesting we head out, not wanting to spend any time just standing there. Not knowing what else to say, I took off after them, watching as our surroundings start to change We were heading for the Western border that linked us to the hidden Grass. From the reports, the hidden grass was amassing an army.

Whether or not it was to invade the Land of Fire remained to be seen. After three hours of travel, we took a break. I ate an apple from my bag, slicing it up with my Kunai. Kurenai came and sat down next to me as I ate, closing her eyes as the gentle breeze blew past. My hair fluttered in the wind, making me breath in the smells it brought with it. As I wolfed down the last of my fruit, Kakashi sat to my right staring ahead. 'God he smells great.' The shaking thought runs through my head before I can stop it. Asuma was team captain for this mission, and went over all the different plans in case we were caught watching the border. The tricky part about the entire mission was that it was a double border. The hidden Rain village and the hidden Grass village were right on our border, and we were supposed to Patrol right around that area where all three met.

Asuma decided that he would take point with Kakashi and I in the middle on either side and Kurenai in the rear, due to her having incredible genjutsu capabilities. We went over strategies and battle formations for yet another half hour before we set out again. I focused on the task at hand, keeping an eye out as we got closer and closer to the border. Clouds formed and it began to rain, starting at a drizzle and increasing to a steady rain. A frown made its way onto my face as I contemplated how it was going to affect our scouting capabilities. In another hour and a half, we were on the border, hidden in the trees. The rain showed no sign of clearing up or even slowing down a little. I nestled into a tree, taking shelter from the rain. The cold droplets were the only sound that could be heard in the area other than our steady breathing. It sounded like a sullen lullaby, making my head spin. No shapes could be seen on the border yet. If the next week was to be like this, I was going to lose my mind.

After no action in three more hours, we decided to divide watches. I had second watch, Kakashi had first. Asuma had third and Kurenai last watch. I used the rope I bought last night to tie my legs around the trunk  In a bow knot. Resting my head backwards against the tree in the fading light and closed my eyes.

The dreams quickly overtake me, beginning in darkness. I hear nothing but screaming, yet I cannot see anything at all. There is no light. No sky, No moon. The screams continue, making a haunting song. It goes on for a while. No words, just screaming. After a while, I realize the screams are coming from me. I am being run through, over and over. Cut up Like A butcher would chop meat. Each cut feels like it is deeper than the other. Before long, my body grows weak and suddenly light reaches my eyes. A cloth is removed, allowing me to take in my surroundings. "I am going to ask you one more time. Where is the secret scroll?" A man with brown hair and amber eyes asks, a menacing look on his face. I squeeze my eyes shut. "kill me if you want. But you will never find it without me. You are as good as done." I reply, spitting in his face.

To my dismay, that earns me a hefty smack that knocks me over in the chair I am tied to. Two guards pick me and the chair up and untie me from said chair. I am led from the room, and thrown into my cell, torn and bleeding only to be visited again an hour or so later. I am tied to the ceiling, feet bound together so that I can't move them. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Little boy. Where is that secret scroll? I want it, and I want answers now. Tell me where it is and I may just allow you to walk out of here alive," The man says, a harsh look crossing his face. I shake my head. "Just kill me. I would never betray my country. Not for the likes of an enemy pig such as you!" I cried. A mean look crossed Pig man's face. And that's when the real torture began. And I.....

I wake up a cry starting in my throat. A hand quickly covers my mouth, muffling my cry before it can leave my throat. My heart is beating erratically, making me look around anxiously as my eyes adjust to being awake. Kakashi is kneeling down in front of me, his face level with mine. "Shh. it's fine. It's just me," He says, taking his hand away from my mouth as I become fully aware of my surroundings. I let out a deep breath, looking up at him gratefully. "It was just another nightmare then," I say with a sigh. Looking up, I smile disarmingly. "Is it time for my watch then?" I ask the quiet man in front of me. He shakes his head and looks me in the. "Nothing like that. You were just crying out in your sleep. I figured I should wake you before you wake the dead." He jokes.

I frown at him and look away for a moment. "Sorry about that. The nightmares started up again recently and I haven't quite been able to get them to stop." I tell him in barely a whisper. A sorrow filled look graces its way onto my face. Suddenly I brighten and look up at Kakashi. "Don't worry though, If I have to I usually just ignore them. Everything will be fine. By the way, Kakashi? I hear you and Might Guy are rivals?" I pried, changing the subject. Kakashi gave an exasperated sigh. "Not entirely. When we were kids, he just declared himself my rival. Nothing could be said to change his mind, So when he challenges me I usually just go along with it." I nod my head. Having met the man once already, I knew what he was like. He reminds me of a tsunami, which was not a redeeming quality. Though, he did have a few redeeming qualities.

Untying my rope from my legs, I pack it away before searching for the read I put aside. Finding a loaf, I broke it in half and offered the other half to Kakashi. He took it with a graceful gesture, removing his mask to take a bite from the loaf. We ate in companionable silence for a while, grateful that the rain had stopped. The rest of his watch, questions were shot back and forth between the two of us until it was time for my watch. I stood and excused myself, taking post position. My eyes and ears were wide open, looking for anything that might move. I glanced behind me as Kakashi padded to a place nearby and rested against the trunk of the tree, perfectly balanced and fell asleep. I glance at him a moment longer before resuming my watch. That night was completely dead quiet, no one else around but the four of us.

(sorry that this wasn't too awfully active.  it will get better throughout the next several chapters. I intend to make this a long, fun story.  let me know what you think!)