Whispers In The Dark | Naruto

› 09

She had never been outside the village gates, in all her 12 years of life. Every day she anticipated and dreamed of what it would be like — the exact moment she stepped out of the village and was freed, however brief, from the shackles of her home.

Fossa seemed to enjoy crushing every sense of excitement Akita has built over the years. Her icy blue eyes that were laced with a beautiful ring of white stared her down as information on their destination was revealed.

"We will be heading south, to the Village Hidden in Marshes. We will travel nonstop, only with periodic breaks to sleep and eat. This mission is of utmost importance and the Hokage trusts us to complete it no matter the cost. Do you understand?"

Akita nodded once to confirm she had listened to everything Fossa had told her. She wasn't very sure what the indigo haired woman meant by 'no matter the cost'. Either way, there was a strange and unusual excitement running through her veins. It quickened her heartbeat and dilated her narrow pupils.

She was also incredibly curious about what would be out in the world. She had read in books that there are wild animals—harmless and harmful—out in the forests and deserts. Would they run into any of them? Would they have some epic first battle with rouge ninja?

"Focus, Akita. Be aware of everything and stay focused if you want to stay alive," Fossa said. The girl nodded, keeping her gaze ahead and swiftly moved from tree to tree with an effortless grace. She could survive long distance travel, probably. She had never done it before but with Sparrow making her run 20 laps around the village, stamina was definitely something she had built up.

Silence ensued for hours at a time as they travelled. Akita found herself wondering about Sparrow and how he was doing. The man seemed to be in a constant state of worry since he was informed of who her instructor was.

It led to the idea that perhaps, he knew Fossa personally and she had done something to trigger such a reaction within Sparrow. Did that mean Akita should prepare for whatever the advanced ninja had in mind?

.
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A few days passed before the pair reached their destination. Akita was instructed to wait outside the Hidden Marsh kage tower. Of course, the girl obliged.

Only for two minutes.

Despite her desire to impress her teacher, her curiosity was taking the best of her. What could possibly be within the village? What kind of people were living here? She had so many questions but very little time to find them all.

Despite the typical similarities between shinobi villages, Akita felt like the Village Hidden in Marshes was something completely different. Architecturally, homes and shoppes were sat upon long wooden beams spread evenly apart. That was probably in case of flooding, most likely.

Sweat beaded her forehead as she continued on. It was incredibly humid, nearly unbearable with the sun shining high in the cloudless sky.

Akita paused in her tracks when she spotted a group of children, no older than 7 at most, in a tight circle. Something seemed suspicious about it. Laughter and shouts emanated from them—vulgar shouts. Akita's brows creased in anger; they were quite obviously bullying someone. If she were to guess, someone their age or younger.

Without a moments hesitation the 12-year-old glided over with purposeful steps. Her long black hair swayed behind her in the ponytail she had put it up in only moments before. She couldn't exactly say anything to get the attention of the bullies, so her eyes quickly scoured the area for a rock or pebble of some sort.

The girl bent down to pick up the one spotted at her feet and tossed it once in her left hand, a small smirk tipping the corner of her mouth upwards.