Konohagakure
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over Konoha as five young girls emerged from the Academy gates. The lively atmosphere was infectious, with vendors shouting out their wares and children running around, their laughter ringing through the air. Despite the fatigue from another long day at the Academy, excitement bubbled within the group—Rei especially, since her brother was to return today—as they stepped into the village square for their first outing together.
Anko, her raven hair tied up in a messy ponytail, bounced on her toes and tugged at her best friend's sleeve, "Come on, Rei! I heard old man Teuchi's got a new ramen flavor today!"
Rei, her eyes sparkling with mischief, grinned back, "Race you there!" she called out, already darting ahead through the crowd. As she wove through the throng of people, Rei felt a familiar surge of adrenaline. For a moment, she could forget about the loneliness that had been her constant companion these past weeks, the strange silence of the Hatake household, and the nagging questions about her clan that kept her up at night.
Rin, ever the peacemaker, laughed and jogged after them, "Wait up, you two!" She glanced back at the others, her smile warm and inviting, "Kurenai, Yugao, you're coming too, right?"
Kurenai nodded, her crimson eyes taking in the bustling scene around them. She gently placed a hand on Yugao's shoulder, noticing her friend's hesitation, "It'll be fun," she said softly, "And we can always find a quieter spot if it gets too noisy."
Yugao, her long purple hair partially hiding her face, gave a small nod, "O-okay," she whispered, staying close to Kurenai as they followed the others.
As they weaved through the crowd, the girls' senses were assaulted by a myriad of sights, sounds, and smells. Street performers juggled kunai, much to the delight of passing children. The aroma of grilled squid and sweet dango wafted through the air, making their mouths water.
"Look!" Rin exclaimed, pointing at a colorful stall, "They're selling those new ninja trading cards!"
Anko and Rei, who had paused their race to wait for the others, immediately changed course, "I bet they have the Third Hokage card!" Anko said excitedly.
As they crowded around the stall, Kurenai's observant gaze noticed Yugao's fascination with a nearby weapons display, "Would you like to take a look?" she asked gently.
Yugao's eyes lit up, "Can we?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rin overheard and smiled brightly, "Of course! Maybe we can convince Rei to show us some of her cool moves after."
Rei, overhearing her name, puffed up with pride. "You bet! Obito and I have been practicing this awesome shuriken trick!"
"Alright, everyone stand back!" the Arakawa announced as she grabbed a set of shiny shuriken from the display. The stall owner, who had been watching the girls with mild interest, suddenly looked a bit uneasy as he noticed Rei's determined expression along with the familiar red streak of hair.
Anko and Rin exchanged excited glances while Kurenai gently nudged Yugao back a few steps.
"You got this, Rei!" Anko cheered, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Rei took a deep breath, channeling chakra to her hands, just as she and Obito had practiced. With a swift, fluid motion, she launched the shuriken into the air. The metal stars whizzed through the air in a perfect arc before they embedded themselves into a wooden post on the other side of the stall, forming the unmistakable shape of a spiral.
"Wow!" Yugao gasped, her voice a bit louder than usual. Even Kurenai couldn't hide her amazement, her crimson eyes widening in surprise.
Just as Rei was about to turn to her friends for praise, the shuriken began to vibrate. The wood around them cracked, and before anyone could react, the post splintered into pieces, sending debris flying in all directions.
In the chaos that followed, Rei felt discomfort on her arm. Looking down, she saw a large splinter of wood embedded in her flesh, a thin trickle of blood running down to her wrist. A familiar sense of unease settled in her stomach as she realized once again how her inability to feel pain could lead to unforeseen consequences.
The stall owner's face turned a bright shade of red as he rushed over, waving his arms frantically, "What do you think you're doing?! This isn't a training ground!"
Rei winced, her earlier confidence evaporating in an instant, "I-I'm sorry!" she stammered, bending down to retrieve the shuriken amidst the splintered wood. Her friends rushed to help, but the damage was done. The owner huffed, crossing his arms with a stern glare.
"You need to leave," he said, his eyes trained on Rei.
As the girls walked away, Rei muttered a final apology, acutely aware that she was to blame for what happened. Regret started to bubble inside her, mixing with the familiar fear that always followed these incidents—fear of rejection, of being seen as different, dangerous.
Rin noticed the dejected look on Rei's face and gently bumped her shoulder, "Hey, don't worry about it, Rei. That was an awesome trick—just maybe not the best place to show it off." Her kind eyes then fell on Rei's arm, widening in concern. "Oh no, you're hurt!"
Rei glanced down, having almost forgotten about the splinter. "Oh, it's nothing," she said quickly, pulling it out without flinching. "I barely felt it."
Anko, always the first to offer encouragement, chimed in with a grin, "Messed up? You were amazing! You have to be on another level of powerful to pull that off!"
Kurenai smiled softly, her voice warm, "Anko's right. It was impressive, even if it did cause a bit of... trouble."
Yugao nodded in agreement, "Yeah...it was really cool, Rei. I...I'd like to see more of your tricks."
There was a hint of admiration in her voice, but Rei couldn't help noticing how Yugao's eyes kept darting to the splinter wound on her arm, a mix of fascination and unease in her gaze.
Rei's spirits lifted at her friends' words, a small smile forming on her lips, "Thanks, guys. Maybe next time we can train together and show off our tricks!"
"That sounds like a great idea," Rin said, happy to be involved in even more training. "But maybe we should practice somewhere a bit safer next time."
As the group continued their walk around the square, the golden hues of the evening were beginning to deepen into twilight. Rei was in the middle of recounting a particularly funny incident from class when she suddenly fell silent, her eyes darting around warily.
"Rei?" Anko asked, noticing her friend's sudden change in demeanor, "What's wrong?"
Before Rei could answer, the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from their left caught everyone's attention. The girls turned to see a woman striding towards them, her face set in a tight expression that seemed at odds with the jovial atmosphere around them.
"Yugao, Kurenai, there you are!" The woman's voice was clipped, carrying a note of urgency that made even Anko, usually so boisterous, fall quiet.
As the woman—Yugao's mother—reached their group, her eyes swept over them, lingering for a moment on each face until they settled on Rei. The change in her expression was subtle but unmistakable—a slight narrowing of the eyes, a downward turn of the lips. Her gaze fixed on the distinctive red streak in Rei's hair, and when she spoke again, her voice was laced with a coldness that sent a chill through the group.
"Are you...from the Arakawa clan?" The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken accusation.
Rei, her earlier cheerfulness evaporating like morning mist, nodded slowly, "Yes, I am," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. In that moment, all the joy of the afternoon seemed to drain away, replaced by a familiar dread. She knew what was coming—she'd seen that look, heard that tone, more times than she cared to remember.
The transformation in Yugao's mother was immediate and shocking. Her face contorted with a mixture of fear and revulsion, as if Rei had suddenly turned into something monstrous before her eyes. With a swiftness that startled them all, she grabbed Yugao's arm, yanking her daughter away from Rei.
"You shouldn't be hanging around with people like her, Yugao!" she hissed, her words dripping with venom. Her eyes, wide with fear that bordered on panic, darted to Kurenai, "And you, Kurenai, come along too. Your mother would not want you associating with anyone from that demon clan!"
The girls stood frozen, the sudden turn of events leaving them stunned. Yugao's eyes were wide with shock and confusion, her gaze darting between her mother and Rei. Kurenai looked utterly bewildered, her crimson eyes clouded with uncertainty.
Anko was the first to react, her surprise quickly morphing into anger. Her small fists clenched at her sides, and she took a step forward, opening her mouth to protest. But before she could speak, Rin gently placed a hand on her arm, shaking her head slightly. Instead, Rin moved closer to Rei, her presence a silent show of support.
Rei stood motionless, her heart plummeting. The joy and warmth of the evening crumbled around her, leaving behind a familiar ache. No matter how much she ignored it, this wasn't new—whispers, stares, and outright hostility had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember. Flashes of memory surfaced—her mother's sad smile, the way she would hold Rei close and whisper that things would get better. But they never did, not really.
As Yugao's mother dragged the two girls away, Yugao looked back over her shoulder, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and apology. Kurenai's gaze lingered on the group for a moment longer, her brow furrowed as if trying to understand what had just happened.
The remaining girls stood in uneasy silence. The once lively square now felt oppressive, the chatter of the crowd fading into a dull roar in Rei's ears. The warm glow of the setting sun seemed to mock the coldness that had settled over her.
Anko, her earlier anger giving way to concern, gently nudged Rei, "Hey," she said softly, her usual brashness tempered by worry for her friend, "You okay?"
Rei blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts. She managed a small, unconvincing smile, "Yeah, I'm fine. It's...It's nothing new." But even as she said the words, she felt their hollowness. It wasn't fine. It was never fine. The constant rejection, the fear in people's eyes when they looked at her—it all weighed on her, a burden she carried every day.
Rin, her eyes shining with empathy, spoke up, "That wasn't right, what she said. You're not...you're not what she called you."
Anko nodded vigorously, "Yeah! And who cares what some old lady thinks anyway? We know you're awesome!"
Rei's smile became a bit more genuine at her friends' support. Their words warmed her, pushing back the cold fear that had gripped her heart. But beneath the gratitude, a familiar determination began to stir. She would prove them all wrong. She would become strong—strong enough that no one would dare call her or her clan demons again.
She was about to respond when Anko's eyes widened suddenly, as if remembering something important.
"Oh! Rei, I just realized—your brother should be returning soon, right?"
Rei glanced up at the darkening sky, noting how low the sun had gotten. A mix of relief and anticipation washed over her, "You're right," she said, her voice stronger now, "He said they should be back before nightfall."
Rin clapped her hands together, "How exciting! Should we walk you home?"
Rei shook her head, knowing that Kakashi wouldn't want guests over, especially not today, "No, it's alright. I should head back on my own." She paused, looking at her friends with genuine affection. "Thank you both, for everything today."
As they said their goodbyes, Rei's mind was already racing ahead. Takeshi was coming home. Her brother, her protector, the one person who truly understood her, was finally returning. Maybe now, things would start to make sense again. Maybe now, she could start getting answers about their clan, about the mysterious "Red Streak Activation," about why people feared them so much.
With a final wave to her friends, Rei turned and began the walk back to the Hatake household. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, casting long shadows across the village streets. As she walked, her mind raced with thoughts of her brother's return, the incident at the square, and the looming questions about her clan's abilities.
The bustling noise of the village square faded behind her, replaced by the quieter sounds of residential areas. Lights flickered on in windows as families settled in for the evening, the aroma of home-cooked meals wafting through the air. Rei felt a pang of longing for the days when she and Takeshi would return to the warmth of their parents' home, but she quickly pushed the thought aside.
Her feet carried her along familiar streets, past the Academy where she had spent so many hours training and studying. She paused for a moment, looking at the building. How much had changed since she first entered its doors? She was stronger now, faster, more skilled with a blade thanks to Kakashi's rigorous training. But she was also more aware of the weight she carried—the legacy of the Arakawa clan, both a blessing and a curse.
As she continued her journey, Rei's thoughts drifted to the past two weeks living with Kakashi. It had been... different. Not entirely unpleasant, but certainly not what she was used to. The Hatake household was quiet, almost oppressively so at times.
Kakashi himself was an enigma—stern and aloof one moment, unexpectedly considerate the next. She remembered the night he had found her practicing kenjutsu forms in the backyard well past midnight, unable to sleep due to worry about Takeshi. Instead of scolding her, he had silently joined her, correcting her stance with gentle but firm hands.
The memory brought a small smile to her face. Maybe living with Kakashi hadn't been so bad after all. Still, the thought of returning to her own home with Takeshi filled her with a mixture of relief and apprehension. Would things go back to normal? Or had too much changed?
As she turned onto the street leading to the Hatake compound, Rei's pace slowed. The excitement of seeing her brother again warred with a strange reluctance to leave the routine she had established with Kakashi. It wasn't perfect, but it had become familiar. Safe, in its own way.
The last rays of sunlight were fading as Rei approached the house. She could see a figure sitting on the front porch steps—Kakashi, his silver hair catching the dying light. He looked up as she neared, his keen eye immediately noticing the change in her demeanor. The usual bounce in her step was missing, and her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"You're back," he said, his tone neutral but with an undercurrent of... something. Concern, perhaps? "Did something happen?"
Rei hesitated for a moment. Part of her wanted to brush it off, to maintain the facade of strength she had been cultivating. But another part, a part that had grown during her time with Kakashi, urged her to be honest.
"It's... it's nothing major," she began, settling down next to him on the steps. The wood was still warm from the day's sun, a comforting contrast to the cooling evening air. "Just some stuff at the village square. People talking, you know."
Kakashi studied her for a moment, clearly not entirely convinced by her deflection. But he didn't push, instead replying, "Ah. Those kinds of people."
The simple acknowledgment, free of pity or judgment, loosened something in Rei's chest. She found herself continuing, words spilling out before she could stop them.
"It's just... frustrating, you know? No matter what I do, no matter how hard I train or how well I perform at the Academy, some people will always see me as... as something dangerous. Something to be feared." She paused, picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. "I don't even know why. I mean, I know my clan has some unique abilities, but that doesn't make us demons, right?"
Kakashi was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the darkening horizon. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, thoughtful. "People fear what they don't understand. And what they fear, they often hate. It's not right, but it's how some people are."
Rei nodded, absorbing his words. They weren't exactly comforting, but they rang true. "I just wish I knew more," she admitted. "About my clan, about why people react the way they do. There's so much I don't know, so much that seems to be hidden."
She thought about the book they had found, the one with the torn pages about the "Red Streak Activation." The memory sent a shiver down her spine, despite the lingering warmth of the day.
Kakashi seemed to sense the direction of her thoughts. "You know," he said, his voice carefully casual, "now that the mission's over, you don't have to stay here anymore."
Rei felt a small pang at his words. Despite his aloof demeanor, she had grown fond of staying with Kakashi. "Oh," she said softly. Then, brightening a bit, she asked, "But... you'll still train with me, right? I feel like I'm really getting the hang of kenjutsu thanks to your help."
Kakashi nodded, a hint of pride in his voice, "I don't see why not."
Rei smiled, genuinely this time, "Thanks, Kakashi. I—"
Her words were cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps. Both children looked up eagerly, expecting to see Sakumo with Takeshi in tow. Instead, they spotted Sakumo walking towards them alone, his shoulders slumped and his face drawn with exhaustion and something deeper—a sadness that made Rei's heart clench with sudden fear.
"Father?" Kakashi said, standing up, "Where's—"
"Sakumo-san," Rei interrupted, her voice small and trembling, "Where's big brother?"
Sakumo looked at them, his eyes filled with a pain that made him seem much older than his years. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again, as if the words were too heavy to voice.
"Takeshi..." he finally managed, his voice rough, "Takeshi was wounded during the mission. It's... it's bad. They took him straight to the emergency room when we got back."
The world seemed to tilt around Rei, Sakumo's words echoing in her ears. All the fears and worries she had been pushing down over the past two weeks came rushing back, threatening to overwhelm her. Without a word, without even a glance at Kakashi or Sakumo, she bolted.
Her small legs carried her swiftly through the darkening streets of Konohagakure, her heart pounding in her ears. She didn't care about the startled looks from passersby or the ache in her lungs. All that mattered was getting to her brother.
As she ran, memories flashed through her mind—Takeshi teaching her how to throw a kunai, comforting her after nightmares, promising her that he would always be there to protect her. The thought of him lying wounded, possibly dying, sent a surge of panic through her body.
The hospital loomed ahead, its windows glowing in the twilight. Rei burst through the doors, her eyes wild and searching. "Where's big brother?!" she demanded, her voice carrying across the quiet reception area, "Takeshi Arakawa! Where is he?"
The scene that unfolded next was a blur of confusion and frustration. Nurses tried to calm her, to explain that they couldn't give out patient information. But Rei wasn't listening. All she could think about was Takeshi, alone and hurt somewhere in this sterile maze of corridors.
Just as the situation was about to escalate further, a tall man in a white coat stepped into the reception area. "What's going on here?" he asked, his voice calm but authoritative.
The head nurse quickly explained the situation. The doctor listened, then knelt down to Rei's level, his kind eyes meeting hers. "You must be Takeshi's younger sister," he said softly, "I'm Dr. Yoshida. I've been taking care of your brother."
Rei's anger deflated instantly, replaced by raw worry. "Is he... is he okay?" she asked, her voice small and trembling.
Dr. Yoshida placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Your brother's vitals are stable," he assured her,
"He's a very strong shinobi, and he's fighting hard. You don't need to worry."
Relief washed over Rei, but she could sense there was more. "But?" she prompted, searching his steel-gray eyes.
The doctor sighed, his expression softening with compassion. "Takeshi's injuries were very severe," he began gently, "He lost a lot of blood, which caused him to lose consciousness. Right now, he's in what we call a coma."
Rei's brow furrowed, fear rising at the unfamiliar term. "What's a coma?"
Dr. Yoshida pushed himself up to a stand, his voice calm and patient. "A coma is like a very deep sleep. Takeshi's body is trying to heal itself, so it's keeping him asleep to focus all its energy on getting better. We don't know exactly when he'll wake up, but we're doing everything we can to help him."
Rei's lower lip quivered as she processed this information. The weight of it pressed down on her small shoulders. The familiar feeling of helplessness crept in, threatening to overwhelm her.
"Can... can I do anything to help him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, desperate to find some way to protect her last remaining family member.
Dr. Yoshida smiled softly, "You being here is already helping, Rei. Talk to him, let him know you're here. Sometimes, people in comas can hear their loved ones, even if they can't respond."
Rei nodded. She had to be strong now, for Takeshi. Just as he had always been strong for her after their parents died.
"Can I see him now?" she asked, straightening her small frame with determination.
Dr. Yoshida nodded, standing up. "Of course. Follow me, and I'll take you to his room."
As they walked through the quiet corridors of the hospital, Rei's mind raced with questions. What had happened on the mission? How had Takeshi been injured so severely? And most importantly, when would he wake up?
The doctor led Rei through the quiet corridors of the hospital, their footsteps echoing softly against the sterile walls. As they approached the ICU, Dr. Yoshida gently explained that there would be a lot of machines and equipment around Takeshi, but that they were all there to help him.
When they entered Takeshi's room, Rei felt her breath catch in her throat. Her brother, usually standing strong, lay motionless on the hospital bed. Takeshi looked impossibly small and vulnerable amidst the array of medical equipment surrounding him.
His dark hair, usually tousled and unruly, was neatly combed back, revealing his forehead marred by a few scratches. His eyes, normally a vibrant blue that watched her protectively, were closed, long lashes resting against his cheeks. Takeshi's arms, resting atop the crisp white sheets, were connected to various tubes and wires. An IV drip stood beside the bed, its steady rhythm a constant reminder of the battle his body was fighting. A heart monitor beeped softly, its green line rising and falling in a reassuring pattern.
Bandages peeked out from beneath the hospital gown. His chest rose and fell with each breath, aided by a machine that hummed quietly in the background.
Despite the tubes and bandages, Rei could see that Takeshi's face was peaceful, as if he were merely in a deep sleep. Rei approached the bed slowly, her eyes never leaving her brother's face. She reached out a small, trembling hand to touch his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingers.
"Big brother," she whispered, her voice quivering, "I'm here. You're going to be okay."
Dr. Yoshida stood quietly by the door. "I'll give you some space. I will fill out your visitation form for you, since you are family I will allow this, although it's after hours."
Rei nodded, pulling a chair close to the bed. She settled in, prepared to stay as long as she was allowed. As the door closed softly behind Dr. Yoshida, Rei turned back to her brother, her small hand still resting on his arm. The quiet hum of machines filled the room, punctuated by the steady beep of the heart monitor.
"Big brother," Rei began, "I have so much to tell you about these past two weeks."
She leaned closer, as if sharing a secret, "I've been hanging out with more friends. Remember Anko? She went on a trip to Yugakure for their hot springs. And there's Rin, she's so nice and always tries to keep the peace. Oh, and Kurenai and Yugao too, though Yugao is really shy."
Rei's voice grew more animated as she spoke, recounting her days as if Takeshi could respond at any moment, "I've been training a lot too. Obito's been helping me with some really cool fire jutsu. He says I'm a natural!" She grinned proudly before continuing, "And Kakashi, he's been helping me with kenjutsu. He's really strict, but I think I'm getting better... he also taught me cooking basics! I won't have to stay and be a burden to the Hatakes anymore."
Her smile faltered slightly as she recalled some less pleasant moments, "There's still adults that are mean to me though," she admitted quietly, "They whisper things when they think I can't hear. I don't understand why they think our clan are demons. We're not, right, big brother?"
Rei paused, as if waiting for Takeshi's reassurance. Her mind flashed back to the book with the ripped pages, a memory that still brought confusion. When only the beep of the monitor answered her, she squeezed his hand gently, "It's okay. I know... we're not. You've always... told me to be... proud of who we are."
As the night deepened, Rei's eyelids grew heavy. She fought against the encroaching sleep, determined to stay awake in case Takeshi showed any signs of waking. But the events of the day, the emotional roller coaster she had been on, began to take their toll.
Her head drooped, coming to rest on the edge of Takeshi's bed. The steady rhythm of the heart monitor became a lullaby, lulling her into a state between wakefulness and sleep.
In the moments before sleep fully claimed her, Rei's features softened, a smile ghosting across her lips. Her voice, barely audible above the steady rhythm of the heart monitor, carried a promise weighted with childish resolve and profound love.
"You won't have to... worry about me... anymore, big brother," she whispered, the words slurring slightly as consciousness slipped away, "I'll be able to protect you soon."