This is chapter 3 of The Hidden Curse
This is my first attempt at fanfiction! Since it's sure to have lots and lots of flaws, suggestions are welcome. I only sort of have an idea where I'm going with this so things may get weird...I haven't come up with the chronology, but I'll be including Naruto characters. It's kinda AU but kinda not...if that makes sense...
I will be trying not to center on any one character as they are all awesome (^-^)b As for ratings I think T is an overestimate of where I will go, but better safe than sorry XD

Chapter List:
Chapter 1: The First Arrival (Again)
Chapter 2: Welcome to the Hidden Leaf
Chapter 3: (You are here)
Chapter 4: Dude Looks Like A Lady

Cast List:
Azure Fang - Hasu
Scarlet Blaze - Mutsuo
Crimson Fist - Senju Takeshi
Breeze Dancer - Namikaze Ayaka
Midnight Blade - Hatake Koji

Chapter 3: Revealed
Hasu was getting more and more settled into Konoha. And yet the nurses at the hospital kept telling her to rest more. It was honestly a bit constricting, and she came to look forward to Takeshi's visits, especially when he took her and Ayaka on outings. Koji rarely came along, which didn't bother Hasu much since he was clearly a big grouch. But Takeshi became busier with his training, and even Ayaka had less time to entertain her guest. So all Hasu could do was follow her wind ninja friend to the training field and watch her practice.

Today was another bright, sunny day as Hasu sat down in the grass to watch Ayaka train. As usual, her thoughts began drifting as she wondered when she could also train with her friends. Would she have to go to the Ninja Academy? Would she be a genin or even lower than that? She certainly had a lot to catch up on. Hasu's eyes followed the leaves *n about by Ayaka's fan while her mind continued wandering. Taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu -- there were so many terms that she had begun to learn. She was excited to find out which style suited her the most. If only they would allow her to try, though. She felt perfectly well by now, and the others had promised to be careful to avoid training accidents. When would she find someone to teach her how to be a ninja?

For the sake of amusing herself, Hasu decided to try climbing a tree. After all, no one had said she wasn't allowed to try something as harmless as that. She sneaked around, playing at being a stealthy ninja laying an ambush. As she padded around silently, she was proud to notice that she was actually pretty good at this. Do I pick things up quickly or what? Hasu thought to herself somewhat smugly. She remained in the shadows for a bit, imagining that she was going to jump up the tree in a moment and spy on people below. And then she effortlessly leaped up to the thickest part of the branches.

That was when she saw someone in front of her in the tree. She only saw the back and the person was masked, but...oh ho ho, she was gonna give someone the shock of his life. Hasu leaned forward, holding her breath until she was right next to his ear.

"BOO."

To Hasu's surprise, the male screamed "WHAT THE-" before toppling off the branch. At the noise, Ayaka looked up and Hasu stared down. Both of them immediately hurried to the sprawled ninja's side.

"W-what were you doing up there?" The intruder spluttered furiously, ignoring Ayaka and dragging himself to his feet. It wasn't any type of injury he couldn't handle, but he was naturally irritated and a little embarrassed.

Hasu folded her arms crossly. "I could ask the same thing."

The blond girl looked from one to the other. "Oh, knock it off, you two. I'm tired of training today and I'm going to head to the hot springs. And I'm taking Hasu with me, so none of your shenanigans." She had a good guess who this Anbu was, though she had misgivings knowing that he was there. But she lived with Hasu and so far had noticed nothing amiss. With that, she grabbed her blue haired friend by the wrist and dragged Hasu off, though the younger girl didn't neglect to turn around and thumb her nose at the boy.

However, Hasu's mood improved by the time they arrived at the hot springs. After all, anything new to her was fun, especially when she noticed that a lot of familiar people were there. Sakura, Ino, Hinata, and Tenten were there, and no one was arguing, either, so in no time Hasu forgot about her little earlier conflict. Since Hasu was still figuring out her way around, she took the longest putting her belongings away and by the time she put her towel on, everyone else was already outside. She hurriedly wrapped a towel around herself and joined the others.

"Hey, what took you so long?" Ino asked, making space for her between herself and Sakura.

"Sorry, just feeling a bit new to the terrain," Hasu said with a big smile. "Oh, this is nice..."

"Welcome to our corner." Hasu glanced around to see Sakura with the water almost up to her nose, looking severely demoralized.

"Everything okay there?" In response, Sakura only pointed to the other side of the bath. Ino, Ayaka, and Hinata, all with something in common. Hasu flushed and slowly sank into the bath. After some silent grieving together, they eventually rallied around and joined the conversation, though the two of them remained well under the water.

"Oh, I'm going to go fetch some extra soap, girls," Ayaka suddenly exclaimed after glancing around.

"I'll help," Sakura volunteered, edging herself out.

"That's really all right-" Their voices faded out as they politely bickered all the way to the soap and back. They were about to slide open the door to the baths once more when they had another surprise waiting for them.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Ayaka asked, hearing a sharp gasp from Sakura. She took in the pink haired girl's wide eyes that were staring at Hasu. Specifically, at a black mark on Hasu's shoulderblade. Ayaka didn't know what it was - was it a seal of some sort? It was in some strange circular pattern. Sakura pulled Ayaka aside, still looking shaken. "That's a curse mark."

"...Are you sure?" The blond whispered in a low voice.

"There's no doubt about it. I saw something like that on Sasuke..."

"You think she could be one of Orochimaru's?" Ayaka's eyes had sharpened, focusing on what to do next. "I think we shold inform someone-"

There were multiple screams and then a splash of water. Ayaka ran swiftly towards the springs, wondering if Hasu could have done something. Would she have? Ayaka had doubts, since she thought Hasu seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary girl, but still...better safe than sorry.

As she rushed on the scene, her eyes were met by something she didn't expect at all. Hasu looked unmistakably terrified with her hand instinctively lashed out in a counterattack and a silver haired masked Anbu with a blade at her throat. Ayaka stared at the hand on the Anbu's arm and noticed poison seeping through. There was even more commotion from the boys' bath as they stumbled in. Luckily for the girls, they had all pulled up their towels. The whispers of "Hidden Sound" began traveling through the crowd and the ones there who had fought the Sound Five tensed.

"What's going on here?" Takeshi demanded, shoving his way to the front. He froze, looking at the two stiff figures. Hasu, who had now learned enough to know that Anbu held some authority, slowly lowered her hand before being roughly dragged up by the masked person. I guess he found what he needed...


This post was last edited by ISeeYou at 2017-4-12 01:32
This post was last edited by ISeeYou at 2017-4-28 23:14