Defying Gravity

Chapter 7

Ethelia's pov

"I don't want to be a ninja." I said for the fifth time that day. Both Rin and Obito had to hold my hoodie, keeping my floating between them. It was pretty awkward for the three of us, but over the past fifteen minutes, I'd gotten used to it. If that isn't a a sign of true acquaintanceship, because I don't really do friendship, then I'm not sure what is.

"You don't really have a choice here, Ethelia. We have to at least teach not to explode if you get too upset." Minato answered, just as he had the past five times. "Yes, and you could be the key to us winning this war." The Third added. I'm quickly starting to dislike him...

Oh, wait. Too late, I hate everyone.

"It's okay! We'll help you, I promise!" Rin exclaimed happily, a grin on her face. I think she just wants another girl on her team... "Yeah! I'm sure a great ninja like me can do something to help you." Obito said, smirking in a boasting manner. I squinted at him. His ego is nearly as big as Kakashi's, but their personalities are so different. It was hard to tell I guess.

Minato nodded in agreement to his two students, smiling at me reassuringly. I frowned. All of use then turned to Kakashi. He had been silent since our arguing started, but I'm sure he's going to say something like "face up to your duty" or "she'll only be a burden." Those seem like things someone like him would say.

"Tch, why are you all looking at me? She's only going to be a burden." Kakashi scoffed. I was right, although I honestly do wish I could say that I didn't see this coming. "She's actually not." Minato started. I turned to him. This is news to me. "Her reserves are so big that we could draw on her when drained, and keep going. She wouldn't notice. She's like a chakra bank." 

Ah, good to know. Ninjas know a lot of random stuff. I mean, I guess if the controlling my chakra thing doesn't work, they'll just drag me onto the battlefield so their soldiers can keep going and going. That would suck. Maybe I should learn to be useful in some other way... ugh, but that requires so much work!

Kakashi perked up like a dog at this new piece of information, now eyeing my like I was a piece of meat. I squirmed a bit, and felt both Rin and Obito tug me down. I sent them both slightly-thankful looks, and they nodded back with smiles. They're too nice. Like, literally, it's freaking me out.

"Can you help me stop doing... er, this?" I gestured from myself to the ground, causing Minato to smile softly in an understanding sort of way. "Yes, we can." He said confidently. "Not only that, but you'll also be paid for training as a ninja, going on missions, and everything in general. Seeing as this is being done against your will." The Hokage just sealed the deal. Look out everyone, literal bomb ninja Ethelia is in town.

"I'm in." Maybe now my dad can get more time off, or maybe even quit one of his other jobs! I'm not the only person in this world, so I can't think about only myself. I might not like many people, but everyone is a living organism, and it'd be rude af to let them all die. We're all humans here, with families, and we breath and... stuff. (See guys, Ethelia can be deep and emotional)

Except I'm dead in side, but it's cool.

"Y-You are?" Minato sputtered. He seems awfully surprised. I blinked at him boredly. What has my life come to at this moment? What is it anymore?  "Yeah. My dad works really hard just so I can have a warm place to sleep and food. If I could take some of the load off, that'd be great. He's the guy who's kept me stable all these years." I shrugged.

"What about your mom?" Rin questioned. I stiffened, and as though proving Minato and the Hokage right, the buzzing inside me spiked a bit. Minato's eyes widened a bit, as did Kakashi's and the Hokage's. But I had it under control, seeing as I'm a low-key badass. At least I have my dad. As long as I have him, everything is fine.

"Like I said," My voice came out grimmer than intended. "He's the guy who's kept my stable all these years."

Obito and Rin both gulped, and Rin looked a bit guilty. I sighed, my tense shoulders going slack. I really don't want to blow myself or anyone else up. All I have to do is help with the war, then I can go home and live normally, right? 

"When do we start?" Kakashi is literally looking at me like I'm the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I guess I'm his dream or something, an endless supply of chakra for him to draw on. Well, at least he isn't scoffing at me anymore. That was hella annoying. That and that tongue clicking thing. 

"Why not today?" The Hokage asked gleefully. I snorted almost instantly. "Um, no. I'm going home so I can sleep. And I want to know when I get payed, and how much." I demanded. "Of course." He was unaffected. "You get payed in advance today. I'll be sending some money home with you. I don't know if it is just you and your dad, but it should be enough to pay the bills of a three person family." He informed helpfully. 

'Fucking score! This guy is loaded!'

"Hell yeah. Ima be a ninja forever if that's the pay." I laughed a little, and it sounded pretty evil in my ears. The Hokage and Minato both sweat dropped, but they smiled anyway because adults do that to kids.

"Why's she get payed so much?" Obito whined. "Simply because we're making her do this," The Hokage explained. "And it seems she wouldn't be inclined to try all that hard without some... motivation."

Well, someone has me figured out then, now don't they?

The third clapped his hands together twice. Instead of the lights turning off or some fancy shit, there was a poof of smoke. Everyone else was completely unfazed, excluding me who shot up in surprise, my head banging against the ceiling. I let out a hiss.

"Boar, I'm assuming you've hear. Draw all the money our of our smallest safe, safe H." The Hokage smiled. The man in the mask owed before disappearing in another poof of smoke. I stared at the place he had once been. That's like... creepy. They all follow and worship this guy's word without a second thought?

"Okay, no." I shook my head, pushing myself away from the ceiling. "What is it?" Rin asked. My nose scrunched up. Fool. "I don't fancy men in creepy masks popping up out of nowhere. And the er..." What's the word? "cancer clouds smell bad."

"...What."

"Like rotten eggs and death." I provided Obito.

Heh heh... Death.

I need mental help.