Making A Wish Under The Sun

EPISODE 23: Hot Tub Torture

Emi sank into the water, her dry towel on her head. Her hair was pulled into a bun to avoid it getting wet. Karin had taken a seat next to Sasuke. Jūgo was quiet. Karin was enjoying this more than what was appropriate.

"You look stupid," Sasuke said, speaking to Emi, "Like a hippo."

"Whatever..." She said, sitting up, crossing her arms over her chest.

"At least you don't smell anymore," Karin snickered. Their clothes had all been washed and we're hanging out to dry. Karin had done the deed in hopes to impress Sasuke.

"You're right. Good for me," Emi said sarcastically. She wasn't having too much fun chatting with the Uchiha and his red-haired admirer. She looked to Jūgo, he sat to her right a ways, putting her between him and Sasuke. She would have preferred another bath with Itachi and Kisame. At least it wouldn't be this uncomfortable.

"Are you one of Orochimaru's?" Jūgo spoke up.

"Ah, I don't think so," she replied, her ears heating up.

"I did catch Kabuto gathering samples from her. That means she could be valuable," Sasuke chimed in.

"What can you do?" Jūgo asked, leaning back and spreading his arms to support him on the edge of the bath.

"Well, it's sort of a genjutsu I suppose," she admitted.

"We already have someone that can do genjutsu," Karin began, "So yours better be good."

"She's a Hinigami," Sasuke said.

"I didn't think that Clan was very significant anymore," Jūgo began, causing Emi to look down.

"Still, the last Hinigami has got to be worth something, right?" Sasuke stated.

"I'm not the last technically," Emi began, "My brother is alive and well."

"So he has your kekkei genkai too?" Karin asked.

"Actually, I don't know. He didn't seem to know much about it. I don't think he's activated his Yokubo yet," Emi said, tapping her chin, thinking.

"So what happened?" Jūgo asked.

"What happened? What do you mean?" She asked.

"What caused you to activate your Yokubo. Activation requires a traumatic experience where your body is physically in danger. So, what happened?" He asked again, this time looking down at her.

"I suppose it was when some rogue shinobi broke into my home. In the end all of our food and belongings were stolen," Emi replied.

"But what happened to you specifically?" Sasuke asked, intruiged.

"This man, he grabbed me up. I don't think I was much older than your typical new genin," she answered.

"So is this Yokubo of yours even something worth using?" Karin asked.

"It's similar to that of the tsukyomi," Jūgo stated, "However, the Yokubo has a timer on it. Once it's filtered through the bloodstream, you come out of the genjutsu."

"How do you know so much about the Yokubo?" Emi asked.

"I know a lot of things about a lot of clans," Jūgo replied.

"Smart ass," Emi mumbled, hiding a smile with her hand.

Jūgo looked down at her. He poked fun at her, asking why she his her face. They seemed to get along. After a few moments Sasuke cleared his throat and Jūgo ceased his friendly banter. Emi crossed her arms again, a slight glare aimed at Sasuke.

"I say we head in for the night," Sasuke stated, standing up, his towel wet around his waist. Karin watched closely as he walked away.

Jūgo was next, then Karin, and finally Emi. The group all grabbed their clothing and got dressed out of sight of one another. They regrouped in their room and decided on sleeping arrangements.

"I call dibs sharing the bed with Sasuke!" Karin exclaimed.

"I'm alright down here on the floor," Jūgo noted.

"Emi and Karin get the bed. Jūgo and I will take the floor," Sasuke ordered.

"Listen man, I'm fine on the floor, really. Share the bed with Karin, I'll be fine," Emi said, smirking.

"I don't think he's worried about you, more like he's worried about himself," Jūgo spoke to her quietly from their spots on the floor.

"Fine. Karin and I will get the bed and you two can have the floor," Sasuke said, a scowl on his face. Jūgo and Emi looked to one another holding back devilish smiles.