[Chapter 47: Playing with Fire]

"Megumi Uchiha." The ends of my hair stood up as a fellow ninja suddenly body-flicked next to me. Narrowing my eyes, I tilted my head for a small bow. I was just heading off to training— what do they want? "The Hokage requests you come to her office immediately!"

I blinked, the Hokage? I don't remember having any missions scheduled this early. My lips quirked upwards for a smile. "Thank you, I'll be going now." Watching as they bowed their head and disappear, all I could do was sigh.

Well... hopefully, Shiori won't be mad for me ditching.

"Alright, here's the mission: there's a village near the southwest fire borders that has people coming up missing. Your job is to investigate the problem and do whatever it takes to take them back." Tsunade announced to the five of us. Glancing around, I only recognized Shino from the bunch. Now that I think about it, isn't this my first B-rank mission? The Hokage firmly placed a hand on her desk. "That is all!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

When we all walked out of the room, I walked next to Shino. "How've you been?" Ah yes, small talk— my best friend. It's not like the author didn't have any idea to start this conversation. I mean— what?

"Breeding more bugs." I got shivers. "How about you?"

"Honestly, not much. Life's been mundane." I sighed. Maybe I should just do what Naruto does and paint the world red. I swayed from side to side. Decisions, decisions.

"Listen up," An unfamiliar chunin, the one appointed leader, spoke up. "We will end meet up within an hour at the gate entrance— do whatever you need to do until then."

We all saluted to that. "Yes!"

And with that, we settled off.

ູ

Placing a hand over my mouth, I gave in to the urge to yawn. The hell? I don't remember staying up that late... Turning around, I couldn't help but smile at the boy I sensed. "Hey!"

Hiro in front of me waved with his other hand in his pocket, strolling up to me. "You going out on a mission?"

I tilted my head in curiosity, lightly patting the stuff I needed hidden in my clothes. "Yes— but how'd you know?"

The guy only shrugged. "I met Shino on the way here I wanted to say goodbye."

Ah— then it's good I decided to not body-flicker my way there. I placed a hand over my mouth with a small giggle, not minding how my chest felt warm at the sound of that. "Awww, you care~!" I cooed to him.

"Wh— I literally just—" Hiro stiffen as he then averted his eyes, narrowing his eyes with furrowed brows. Letting out a huff, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, sure. Whatever."

I blinked, I know he's a Tsun tsun but... I couldn't help but look away, my cheeks suddenly burning. To think he'd just admit it I— I felt the beating in my chest get louder and louder. Eh? Am I getting flustered?!

"Princess?" My head whipped to look at him. His facial features were creased into an expression of concern— which only made it worse. "You okay?"

I reeled back just as he reached out. "No, no! I'm fine!" I swiftly assured him with a huge smile. Kyaaaaa~ He's just so— I couldn't help it! My feet bounced around as I giggled it off, placing my hands behind my back. "Well, how about you? Any plans at the moment?"

"No, not really, besides from helping my siblings." The Hyuuga heir spoke. I noticed that he had not stopped being so tense. Is there something wrong? "Uh, I mean," His eyes flickered to mine before backing to the ground. "I have..." He trailed off.

Now that my heart had somewhat calmed, I took it upon myself to lean in. "Have what?" I questioned. For some reason, I had an... odd feeling about this. My eyes narrowed.

The dark-haired ninja looked a little constipated as he then huffed, crossing his arms. "No— nothing! I can just... tell you later."

I puffed out my cheeks. He's going on the defensive. I noted to myself. I guess I shouldn't push it. Letting out a sigh, I spun my feet around, giving a small wave at him. "Well, I should go now. I'll hold to that!"

And yet... Why is his chakra source wavering? I felt uneasy. It's been like that for a while: he's flustered, blush, stammer on his words, be really really cute and make me happy and—

Just what does this all mean?

I let out a hum— I can figure it out later.

I never realized how he reached out his hand— once more.

⋋⋌

I shouldn't be thinking about this now but... I've held it long enough. I stared at the fire flickering against the cold darkness of the night. My team had settled when it became night and as of the moment, it was my turn to keep watch.

I placed a hand on my cheek. Just... why? Why does Hiro act like that?

Well, I already knew he was a tsun tsun but, when he's around others, he's usually aloof and quiet. And when he blushes, he's not really angry but just embarrassed— but, like, a good embarrassed?

The uneasiness I felt in me churned as I continued. It was like the flames in front of me, wild and uncertain of direction.

Now that I think about it, he does it only with me. And, his reactions... they're similar to mine when I—

Could it be that—

I didn't even react. I didn't scream or squeal or anything. Nothing changed. It was as if— as if I knew.

And it was just now that I just admitted it.

Does... does Hiro... like me back?

I wasn't happy with that. I wasn't happy and I didn't know why. No, wait— I was happy but—

The urge to slap myself was strong. I was studying to be a therapist and I can't even understand my own emotions?!

"Megumi."

Abruptly standing up, I reached out for a kunai only to sigh in relief. It's only Shino. "Oh, Shino, you should know not to sneak up on a ninja." I laughed in an act, relaxing my body. Did my shift end already?

I didn't know what look he gave me as he sat down next to me. "...that is precisely why I'm concerned." I blinked. Huh? Did I slip up? "The reason is that you are a sensor along with being observant."

My lips pursued together. "Is that so." I didn't feel in the mood to humor him anymore.

"Care to talk about it?"

I resisted the urge to sigh, opting to just smile instead. Ever since a long time ago, putting up smiles wasn't even a conscious effort— yet for some reason, it felt harder to wear it. "Okay then." Plopping my ass back down, I leaned against the ground with my hands. I know I said okay but... I gritted my teeth. It's kinda harder said than done.

Well, I've already beaten around the bush. "I have a crush on Hiro." It was... very weird to say it out loud. "And... and I think Hiro feels the same way." I couldn't help but laugh— despite the fact that none of this was funny. "Hopeful, isn't it?"

"Yes," Came his curt reply, bobbing his parasitic head. "But at the same time, not. You two do make a good dynamic."

I giggled, averting my eyes. "Ehehe... thanks." To be honest, who would've thought I would have opened up to Shino to all people?

"Are you not going to act out on your feelings?"

An uncertain hum rumbled out of my throat. "I... don't know." I settled, staring up at the stars. They shined too brightly— brighter than what I could ever be. They were, in a way, like Hiro: they were so pretty yet so, so far away. "Even if we do have feelings with each other, I..." I stopped my hand that was unconsciously reaching out. "I just don't think I could do it."

I took a deep breath, grateful that the bug boy sat silently. "You see... I don't— I don't deserve him. He's just so funny and kind and his small chuckles are really pretty and just the way he's always there for me I just—" I stopped myself, placing my head in my hands. Aah... my face feels hot. Hotter than any fire jutsu. "I don't deserve to be with him."

No, it's not just that. I realized. I... hid a lot of stuff from him. Like— I know that's not important but I—

I feel ashamed of it.

So much that I feel like I can't do anything. I don't like it. I don't like thinking about it. I don't like who I was before.

And how can I love someone if I can't even love myself?

I was pretty surprised to hear the boy next to me laugh. He can laugh??? I couldn't help but think, reeling back at the sight of his slightly shuddering shoulders. "How amusing."

"Ah." I pouted, squinting at him. "The hell? I open up and the first thing ya do is laugh?" Regrets have been made. I should've never trusted someone that tortured me with bug facts.

"No, no, that is not it," Shino spoke, looking off in the distance. Well, maybe, I don't know what the fuck goes on in that hive. "Why? It is because I have heard something quite similar to that." I raised a brow. Similar? What, has this happened before?

But before I could question him on it, I yawned, a feeling of exhaustion overwhelming me. "Uwah..."

"You should go to sleep. I'll keep watch."

I didn't object to that.

⚰

When we entered the town, we were met with the upper figures. They had caught us up to speed on the actual situation: it was mainly minors who were kidnapped during the night.

After that, we were sent out to an inn to come up with a plan.

"Alright, does anyone have any ideas?" The leader asked, eyeing us with narrowed eyes.

The guy next to her spoke up, a hand under his chin. "We could go on the low and investigate."

Another teammate on the other side rose a brow, crossing his arms. "What? No, that'll have more chances of people getting captured."

The leader made a hum of agreement. "That's right." The guy let out a tsk. "Anything else?"

"Well, if we were to go as fast as possible then," Everyone's heads turned to the Aburame, who had his hands in his jacket. "Why don't we get abducted ourselves."

I blinked, staring in wonder. That could work. "Isn't that risky?" The same person who objected to the guy's idea questioned with a stern look.

"Sometimes, the riskiest is the most rewarding."

"If you think so. I think this plan is good.." The leader commented. "However, here begs the question: who will be the bait?"

Everyone fell silent. My eyes darted around to see their carefully blank faces. Is everyone afraid? It was only when I raised my hand that the silence broke. "I can do it."

"What makes you think you are capable of doing so?" The leader pressed. I didn't mind, I was used to it.

Smiling, I placed my hands behind my back. "Well, we don't really know how they capture their victims, just the time and who. So, we can go on two ideas: one is drugs." I placed. A hand over my chest. "Due to my awesome teacher's rather... special training, I have grown a sort of resistance to poison and well," I shrugged. "Drugs are poison."

"And two?

"Two is genjutsu," I explained without a beat, pointing at my eyes. "I just so happen to specialize in genjutsu so I'll be easily able to get out of it, letting me in at advantage when I find out where they go." I tilted my head at them, a bit of pride welling in me. All those months paid off, I guess.

It was then that the leader then grinned, placing a hand on her hip. "I see!" Her eyes looked at the rest of the team. "Does anyone have any better ideas?" No one did, seeming satisfied on their own. And just like that, the leader raised a fist. "Then at night, our plan goes!"

Time passed forward, just a few hours for me to prepare until our plan went into action. And here I was, just going on a simple walk alone.

"Everybody! Put your hands up!" I sang to myself, skipping along the stone path. "Saa we're flying— tsubasa ni nade! Na na... I don't know the rest of the lyrics." I giggled. I could already feel a strange chakra source following me. I swayed from side to side in a carefree manner. Come on— fucking hit me.

Okay, maybe I spoke too soon because I immediately got shot in the neck.

Waking maybe a minute or two later, I found myself weak and carried like a sack of potatoes. Oh, I felt myself think, my mind was a little fuzzy, this guy's going fast. Is he jumping off trees?

By the time I fully got myself awake, I was slammed against a wall. Not again! I managed to not choke out because, ya know, I ain't supposed to awake here! I could practically feel the clock ticking as I laid still, breathing even as I patiently waited for the people to leave. Once I deemed them far enough, I got up, growing from the pain.

The room I was in was dim, barren walls with only a few torches lit. The ground— nothing was clean. But the most chilling part was the fact that I wasn't alone.

My eyes landed on the tired, scared eyes of minors. Teens, children, all kinds as they stared away. "You're... you're not supposed to be awake." One of the older ones spoke, shaking as they stared at me with wide eyes.

I noticed how scarily thin they all were.

I couldn't help but get soft, creasing my brows. Just seeing this myself is just... disgusting. Putting up a smile, I shrugged in a carefree manner. "I guess not— oh!" I blinked, reaching into my pants. Scurrying with my hands, I revealed wrapped bars of energy bars. "Want some?" I handed it out to them.

In an instant, bodies dove in, snatching them all away. I giggled, no— I shouldn't laugh at that. "Wait." In a hushed and cautious whisper, another child examined it thoroughly. "How do we know if it's not... bad?"

I giggled. "If I was working with them or anything suspicious, would I have been slammed against the wall?" If anything, that's gonna be a trend at this point. They fell silent, seeming in thought. Slowly, they opened it up and took a bite. The kids all perked, relishing the taste, and then suddenly ravaged the snacks.

"Thank you, onee-san!" I heard one of the younger ones say. I only smiled and ruffled their hair. Haha, reminds me of the... I sighed, no, focus on the mission.

My head perked up when I noticed an unfamiliar, significantly large chakra source coming near. Is this the main boss? I placed a finger on my lips, signaling to everyone. "Shhhh... someone's coming."

Whether they were skeptical or suspicious of me, their fear overlapped it, complying without complaint. Leaning back against the dirty wall, I stayed silent as the door slid open with a harsh thud. "Well, look here." It was a girl with a pickaxe set on her shoulder as they strolled in, a wide smirk on her face. "Look at all of you. Aren't you just grateful?" Her voice was calm and smooth-- yet so malicious. "You all will be sacrificed for a great cause."

In a facade, I made sure to widen my eyes. Sacrifice? Is this what it's about? I thought to myself. I thought this would be just human trafficking. "Now get up brats!" People let out whimpers as she whipped her weapon out, pointing it menacingly at us. "Tonight's special."

I stepped into the skittish crowd as we all huddled out, the woman in front. Just what is going on here, exactly? I kept silent, not wanting to be noticed.

It didn't take long to enter a larger room with what seemed to be a huge bathtub in the middle. A bathtub? I raised a brow. And there's candles on the wall too— weird.

Glancing down, I saw how a child's hand trembled. I frowned. Reaching out, I held it right, causing them to look up at me with wide eyes. "It'll be okay," I assured them softly. I don't think they were okay but they nodded— and that was enough.

"Ahahaha!" I didn't like the sound of the adult's sudden maniacal laughter. What the?! She stretched out her hand wide and high. "Don't you all see?! This is gonna be great!" It was eerily unnerving to see her swing her pickaxe gleefully. This was... this was entirely from the aura she gave off before--is she bipolar? My teeth pressed on each other. This'll be more difficult than I thought. "Your blood is going to let me be one with my god!"

I blinked. What.

Tub. Candles on the wall. Psycho bitch. The reference to God.

If I wasn't undercover, I would've slapped myself. This is a cult thing?! My eyes trailed down this psychopath's body, only to see a small chain around the woman's neck. Now that was fine by itself.

No, the thing that stood out was the upside-down triangle in a circle pendant along with it.

Holy shit. I had to take this mission, did I? She's a fucking Jashinist.

But before she could do anything, the door suddenly burst open. "What?!" The woman snarled harshly at the newcomer, whipping her head at them. Silently, I dug into my pockets for a weapon. Huh, either my ass is dummy thicc or they were really careless to not get my weapons.

"Gen! The— they are people taking out our forces!" Ah, so they're already here. I noticed how this person was a bandit and not a ninja. Does that mean she's the only threat? That's good.

"Tch." She spat on the ground. "Then take them out!" The guy let out a high-pitched when she aimed her weapon at them, rushing out. "Now, I guess that means I have to hurry it up." She smirked— only to suddenly jerk her head out of the way. "Hah?!"

"Aw, I knew that wouldn't work but still! Sucks." I spoke from behind her, hand stretched out from throwing a kunai. Gen swerved her bony at where my body flickered, eyes wide as my smile widened. I just moved to the side to dodge. "Hey, that's not a nice way to greet someone."

"You...!" She growled out. "You with them?!"

I giggled. "Yep. The name's Megumi." I titled my head, hand behind my back. Honestly, I could've just stayed quiet but... I stole a glance at the kids. I don't want them to be endangered more than they already are. "And this— ya gotta stop. This ain't good."

"Oh... oh...!" It was as if the Jashinist suddenly had an epiphany, her body shaking. No wait— she was laughing. "Ahahaha! So I see! You haven't been exposed to the truth!"

I was not amused. "And that is?" What truth? Don't bother trying to do some Madara or Zetsu bullshit.

"That this— everything doesn't matter! Relationships, people, life— it doesn't matter!" She screamed with a huge Cheshire grin. "All there needs is destruction!"

"And you think doing that will accomplish that?" And to children? I fought back the urge to frown. I should take care of this before it gets worse. "Sorry but, that won't happen."

As if a switch, the woman held a berating expression, glaring daggers at me. "Yeah right— in fact, why don't you be my first sacrifice?" Her voice was calm once more, despite her actions. Raising her pickaxe, she showed no hesitance when she struck it down. "Stain the floor red for my god!"

Yeah no. Was all I thought as I just stood there. I mean, there really wasn't any reason for me to, was there? Watching her charge up at me, I only smiled when she came in to smash my head open—

Only to burst into confetti.