Speechless (Book 3) - The End

01 - Home

"It's me, Kakashi."

A natural smile spreads across my face as I remember what happened just minutes ago. It's almost odd to believe that I came back from the dead, but what else would you call it? Everyone in the hospital was beyond shocked. Apparently, this never happened before.

I'm almost too deep in my thoughts to realize I don't have any shoes on when I feel a sharp pain in my middle of my foot. I let out sharp squeal and yank Kakashi's arm as I go down.

He catches me easily, "Are you alright?!" A dull pain rises from my foot, and a small red bruise greets me.

I nod slowly and Kakashi easily brings me to my feet. "Let's go get you some shoes." He looks down at me, and as always, even though I can't see the bottom half of his face, I know he's smiling.

It doesn't take us long to find a shoe store, and by the time we walk out, I'm wearing a new pair of red shoes. I'm reminded of when we met, and he bought my first pair of red shoes.

I can't help but smile as I listen to the sounds of my new shoes on the dirt path. I'm going home. That thought alone is enough to keep me smiling for a long time to come.

Less than five minutes after leaving the store, a guy suddenly runs up to us. He looks strangely familiar, but I don't remember knowing anyone else with silver hair.

"Ririn, there's someone I want you to meet." Kakashi introduces him as my brother. The brother I don't remember. The brother that supposedly abandoned me.

"I've missed you so much, Ririn!" He smiles at me, and for some reason, I can't help but smile back. His smile seems familiar, and I know it's genuine. Don't ask me how I know, but I know he truly missed me. And I missed him too.

When we finally make it to Kakashi's familiar house, I know I'm finally home. I've been smiling so much today, it almost feels like a dream, like maybe I didn't wake up from the dead, and I'm actually in heaven.

But I'm not. If only it took me a bit longer to find out, maybe I could live bliss a little longer.

Over the new few days, my brother tells me stories of our past, our family, and it's strikingly different from the stories I heard from everyone else in the village. I almost wonder if he's lying to me, but I catch myself. He wouldn't lie to me, he's my brother.

Within the week, I've learned more about my brother than I used to know about myself, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like a normal girl. Well, a normal ninja.

I somehow manage to pass the Chunin exams, and before I know it, a month has passed.

I have to say, life is good. I couldn't ask for anything better. Tomorrow, I'm moving in with Akio. We've been going on missions together to get enough money for our own apartment. Kakashi, for once, isn't on a mission and decided to help us move.

"Ririn, are you done packing yet?" My brother asks from the other side of the room.

"Nope" I smile sheepishly, and continue folding the dress in my hands.

He rolls his eyes, "Of course not, you've been staring at the wall for the past 5 minutes." He chuckles and joins me in packing up the rest of my belongings.

It'll be hard to leave Kakashi's house, which has been my home for a good chunk of my life, but overall, I'm excited to move in with my brother. Maybe one day I can remember what really happened before our parents died.

"There, you're all done now. Let's go home, shall we?" Akio asks, as he places the last trinket in the last box in my room.

I fold up the box and look up to him, but before I can answer, I'm frozen by the sight of my brother's glowing red eyes. I blink repeatedly, trying to remove the thoughts of that night form my mind. But all it does is return Akio's eyes to normal.

"Are you alright?" He looks concerned, I'm sure he is.

I smile widely and make a beeline for the door, "Everything's great! I can't wait to see our new home!" I exclaim through the gruel twisting in my stomach.

You're fine, Ririn. You're just seeing things. You're fine.

I was not fine.

***

Two Years Later

I'm stressing out. My nerves are kicking in hard, and I'm pretty sure I won't make it.

"Ririn, are you ready?" Anticipating, and judgmental eyes of the panel of ninjas seem to stare into my soul. I don't know what to say, I'm definitely not ready. I don't want to be interrogated again, not like this, not after...

No, I can't think about that. Not now.

I have to focus; I have to lie.

I nod, feeling more confident that I truly am.

"Now, Ririn, two years ago, you were involved in the epidemic that resulted in the death of thousands of our citizens. Explain your role in these events. Keep in mind that we will know if you are lying." One of the men in the panel feigns a polite tone. I glance to his left, and my eyes land on a familiar face; Kakashi.

He nods, I should tell the truth. I should speak. But I can't.

***

It's here!! Hope you enjoyed the chapter, but Ririn just can't seem to catch a break huh? :P

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MissChryss <3