Safu was born into a body that was weak and shackled to the earth. Day by day, she watched her organs fail, one at a time as her fingers lost their will to move. She watched her parent's eyes grow dimmer and dimmer until her own sight grew dim as we...
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SHION AWOKE TO CHIRPING. It was out of place and serene, contrasting greatly to the throbbing pain in her leg. She slowly raised her head from the bobbling shoulder, forcing Itachi to come to a stop, mid-jump, leaving them both suspended on the thick tree branch. Shion tried to speak, but instead, all she did was cough. She caught sight of a bob of curly orange hair and the one-eyed deadpan of her sensei, jumping next to them.
"Being exposed to smoke, especially in closed courters, is never a good idea," Tsukasa reminded her. "And yet you still used fire type Jutsu. How reckless."
"I...had to...protect Suigetsu," Shion whispered.
"And how did that turn out?" Tsukasa was always harsh and blunt, but Shion was in no mood to deal with it as her eyes began to water.
"Where is your bedside manner?" Itachi scolded, and Tsukasa's gaze met his, her lips slightly quirking.
"And where is the bed?" she countered, raising her hand, almost hesitant before it glowed green. The warmth of her Chakra spread over Shion's neck, and Misaki and Hikaru jumped near.
"We were so worried," Misaki said, her hand over her mouth.
"When Itachi brought you in, unconscious and bleeding." Hikaru looked away, unable to continue. A warm-like ember filled Shion's chest, and her lips spread into a small smile. The sadness and disappointment still threatened to swallow her whole. She broke a promise to Suigetsu, and that hurt so much that she couldn't breathe.
Would he think she abandoned him? Was he hurt? Was he dead?
She had no answers, but she had to believe that she would see him again someday, fulfilling her promise and recovering her pride. In the meantime, Kabuki could go fuck himself.
"Did you cry?" Shion asked, causing Tsukasa to roll her eyes at the childish question before she patted Itachi's arm. The gesture was surprisingly affectionate, not that the three children noticed.
"No!" Hikaru snapped, and Misaki slightly smiled.
"Like a baby," Misaki corrected.
"You pinkie swore you wouldn't tell."
"I didn't realize that it was a binding contract," Misaki stated, rolling her eyes.
The banter made Shion's heart lighten its burden, and she rested her head against Itachi's shoulder. His back was warm and his grip holding her up was gentle, yet strong. Perhaps she had no parents or family, but she was grateful and happy to get the chance at this new one. Her brothers and sisters would protect her, just as she would protect them.
