THE WILL OF FIRE: 2. The Phoenix (A Naruto Fanfic)

The Phoenix, Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

It was raining on the day of the funeral. It felt as if the gods were weeping with us. The whole Village was quiet and all the shops were closed that day. I was standing with Naruto right behind family and closest friends. Some people made speeches, and I saw Naruto trying desperately not to cry.

“It’s ok,” I whispered to him. “You can let go.”

He just nodded and that was the end of that. But when the time rolled around for the flowers, he took his extra time at shedding some tears. Soon, my time for the flower came and I remembered what the Old Man did for me. He took me in, despite knowing every single thing about me. He always believed I would make the right choices and end up on the good side. And he kept my secrets. I would never be able to thank him enough. I’ll never get the chance.  

After the funeral, I decided to get as far away from that place as possible, so I could have some alone time to think. Since I slept most of the day yesterday, I really didn’t get the chance to think things through. I was worried what the new Hokage would do after he or she finds out about me. I doubt they’ll be as understanding as the Third.

“Wrapping your head around it won’t help,” Anko said. I turned around in surprise. The place I picked for my retreat was the statue of the fallen ones of the Third War and I doubted anyone would come here, especially today. I also never imagined anyone (who didn’t have a linked-mind with me and knew I didn’t want to be found) would go looking for me.

“No matter how you look at it, it’s horrible,” I said, turning back to the statue.

“I’m not talking about Lord Hokage’s death. I’m talking about you,” she said and came to stand next to me.

“What about me?”

“I know you keep thinking about it. You don’t want to sound selfish, so you don’t tell anyone because you’ll come out a bad person.” When I didn’t say anything, she said, “I know you’re thinking: ‘What’ll happen to me now? The new Hokage’ll probably have all my info. They’ll never let me stay! On the other hand, what if they choose me as the next Hokage? I’ll be safe but will I be strong enough to handle it?’”

“It’s scary how you know me,” I laughed.

“All I know about you is what I learned from Orochimaru. Everything else is a blank space. Even he kept your secrets. And you’ve proven your loyalty in this fight. I don’t think a single soul in this Village thinks you’re a threat.”

“That blank space will come and haunt me.”

“It might…but there’s no data on it. No one can do anything to you if they don’t have any solid proof.”

“Anko…can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“How many people in this Village know I’m a Jinchūriki?”

“Well, that was an unexpected question! Well, I’d say your brother and his teammates, and Kakashi of course, and then there’s me, the Elder Council, Lord Hokage did…then that’s about it. The others who’ll claim you’re a Jinchūriki are the ones who heard tales, but nobody actually confirmed it to them. We were just told-“

“To keep it a secret. And that’s the way it needs to be.”

“I don’t understand, though. Why is it important?”

“Have you heard of the organization called Akatsuki?”

“I did. They hunt Jinchūriki, right?”

“Well, they have knowledge of every Jinchūriki out there, including Naruto. But they don’t know that the Nine Tailed Fox’s chakra was split into two and the other half was sealed inside me. According to the world, I’m not a Jinchūriki at all. I don’t know the details myself, but all I do know is that that’s the way it’s supposed to stay.”

“But wouldn’t it be safer if they didn’t know about Naruto? I mean, you are a lot stronger than him.”

“I don’t know why Naruto is the only one labeled at the Jinchūriki, but I’m working on finding out. I need to know why we were separated at birth and why it’s so crucial that I’m not a Jinchūriki to the rest of the world.”

“Tell me when you come up with any theories.”

“Well, the biggest source of my answers died, so I don’t know where to start.”

“Why don’t you check the database? You might gather some intel on your parents and that’ll give you some clues on what to do.”

“But those files are strictly classified. Only the Hokage and some other authorized Shinobi can get to them.”

“And when has that ever stopped you before. But why are you telling me all of this, though?”

“Because you know and there’s no sense in hiding it. And also, you’ve kinda grown on me.”

“Gee, thanks! And you’ve grown on me too, kiddo! Now, I know this is a really sad day, but it’s still better not to wrap your head around things you don’t understand, at least not today. The Elder Council will soon make the decision and you should be ready for it.”

By the time I got home, I was already soaking wet. I changed out of my funeral clothes and got them in the washing machine. Then, I fed Obito only to realize that there was a letter occupying his food bowl. I picked it up, tossed in some food and went to the couch to read it.

I heard the news about the Hokage. Never mind, I know you’ll get yourself ouT of trouble. But I’m not writing thiS just because. I need to warn you: it’s time. I knOw you guys just went through some rough days, but this you’ll have to handle. I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you what’s on the line, because you already Know. I can’t do Anything more but to wish you good luck. And watch Yourself!

 

Shishou. It wasn’t signed, but I knew it was from him. I’d recognize his handwriting anywhere. I wanted to reply something, but didn’t know where to begin. The last time I’d spoken to him was right before the exams and he never replied to my letter. But I had other things to worry about. It’s time. Just thinking about it sent shills down my spine, but it also meant I might be reunited with my family again. Well, that didn’t help as much as I thought it would. I read the letter again and again and realized the hidden message. I reread all the letters that were written in caps and it spelled out:

                                                                              ITS OKAY

 

And that’s all it took to make my world okay again. He forgave me for failing the one and only mission I had. It meant the world to me! But the other thing still wouldn’t let me sleep. I knew it was up to me, as always, to operate in the shadows and work thins out. But this time, it’s gonna be different. Sure, Uncle Orochimaru was tough, but this was a whole other level of strength. We were playing a dangerous game here and I had no idea who’ll come out the winner, if anyone.

I made sure I burned the letter, as I did all of them. This was for real now. It was more real than Uncle Orochimaru. It was the real that sent shivers even down my spine.

“Lily Uzumaki, you need to start training,” I said to myself as the dawn of the new day reminded me of how I got zero sleep in what was the first of many sleepless nights.

End of book two