The Water Maiden

2

Itachi Uchiha is easy to manipulate. If you tell him something that sounds the most logical, he'll believe it. From everything I told him, he should be fine. The shinobi life isn't meant for him at all. Yet, he's forced to engage in the life style by his family. This leaves me to think about the curse of hatred Itachi has spoken of. Some think it's a myth, but I've experienced how real it is. Even though it wasn't the Uchiha's curse, the Kasai's curse was stronger and more threatening.

"What's wrong, Kappa?" I looked up from my pond in my backyard and saw my big brother Hiro. He was the oldest and was my light in the dark clan. He had long spiky red hair and the same gold eyes I have. It felt like he was the only one on my side other than mom.

"I'm just thinking about how to drown you."

"Is that so? How about we go and take a trip to the library?"

"The shinobi library?"

"Yeah! I'll even get you a scroll for a new jutsu."

Excitement bubbled up in me. I started spinning from happiness until I thought about the repercussions I'd face if I was caught. I couldn't predict what father would have me do or do to me.

"What's wrong, El?" Hiro looked worried, knowing something was wrong.

"What does father think of this?"

"Honestly, he doesn't want you out. Let's just say your big brother got father to agree to let you out today and whenever you want."

"What?! Whenever I want? I can go to other bodies of water in the village?" Hiro chuckled and ruffled the top of my head.

"That's right. Let's go before it gets too late."

"You got it!" I put my hair up in a ponytail with a yellow ribbon and wore a knee length purple kimono with gold accents. Mom always wanted me to look beautiful no matter what. Even if I never showed my face, she still wanted me presentable.

"Ready, Kappa?" "I always am." Hiro picked me up and jumped over the walls of the compound so I wouldn't have to face the rest of the clan and their hateful glares.

In the village, people stopped what they were doing to stare at me with shock. It was as if I was a hideous monster that was walking right through town.

"Who's that girl?" A man whispered to his wife.

"Is she the rumored child from the Kasai clan?" Another woman asked her friend in a hushed tone.

"She's beautiful, but she was born not of her clan blood." I could hear everything they said. It didn't matter how soft they whispered.

Now I remember why I hated going out. People always gossiped about me and mother. I didn't care if they talked about me. I'm no one important. However, I hated the way they'd talk about mother. Hiro put a hand on my head to bring my attention and focus onto him.

"We're here." I spun in a circle at the entrance. Inside, Hiro kept me close to his side until we were fully inside.

"I'm going to look at some fire scrolls. Water is on the other side. If you need my help, call for me."

"Okay, big brother." I walked to the other side and looked at the abundance of water scrolls. There wasn't a lot compared to the fire section. It made sense since we are in the fire country.

There were too many to choose from. It was as if a child stood in a candy store. Everything looked too good to just choose one. The scrolls looked like no one has touched them. I guess not a lot of shinobi want to learn any water jutsu.