There's no other way when it comes to the truth [Team 7]
[ooc: takes place approximately a week or two after everyone's back in Konoha post-gala. This log was done before Ziri left and I've been sitting on it until the gala was over.]
Sachiko: *hears knocking, goes over to the door and opens it* Hey. Come on in.
Sakurai: Thanks. *slips off shoes before stepping further inside* So, what shall we work on today?
Sachiko: Actually, I was thinking of less working and more...talking. *bends to scoop up Neko*
Sakurai: Talking? *clearly surprised* Talking about what?
Naruko: *looks up from where she's perched on the back of the couch* Adult type stuff, scary concept.
Sakurai: *blinks* Naruko...? ...Ah! YOU'RE IN BIG TROUBLE FOR WHAT YOU DID EARLIER!! >E
Sachiko: ...? *blank look*
Naruko: *sighs* So are you gonna skin me now, or can it wait until later?
Sachiko: *gives Sakurai a look; they talked about this at the gala*
Sakurai: Hey! Don't try to brush this off! Sachiko-chan is also really pissed off! Aren't you Sachiko-cha---ah. *realizes what that look is for* ....I-I mean...... *very stern but not-nearly-as-murderous look* It wasn't funny.
Naruko: *has a very Sachiko-esque expression* Whatever.
Naruko: It was the first thing that come to mind. If you don't want the present you can give it back.
Sakurai: ...eh? *blinks, staring at Naruko, then blushes a little, but a look of concern is growing on his face* Um, Naruko...are you feeling okay?
Naruko: *gives Sachiko a Look* Would you like to start telling him the Great Explanation?
Sachiko: Ha-ha. *sets the cat down* You may want to sit for this, Sakurai.
Sakurai: *is admittedly getting a little confused and freaked out by this; so figures it's good advice and takes it, sitting down on the other end of the couch*
Sachiko: *decides to remain standing* On the way to the gala, you asked me what happened between me in Naruko. The answer is, I apologized for trying to kill her at the Valley.
Sachiko: And then I offered up my reasons behind my actions. For quite a lot of things over the years.
Sachiko: And amazingly enough, she's chosen to forgive me.
Sakurai: ...She...? ....You...? *looks to Naruko to see if she'll confirm this*
Naruko: That's what friends do, isn't it? *looks Sakurai dead in the eye*
Sakurai: Uh... I, uh.... *looks down, suddenly feeling very guilty about all the mean, nasty things he was going to do in revenge for Naruko's "gift"* ...I guess so...
Sachiko: *watches him for several moments* *shakes her head a little*
Sachiko: This... This all started back when we were seven. You know that my sister was the one who massacred the clan.
Sachiko: What I didn't mention, not to anyone until fairly recently, was on that night, I returned home before she had finished. I saw her kill my--our parents right in front of me.
Sakurai: *has looked up and started to listen intently*
Sachiko: *pulls her collar aside to expose an old, old scar* She gave me this, so I wouldn't forget. *lets go and the shirt falls back into place* I ran. She followed.
Sachiko: She stopped me, and then she... *swallows, throat dry* She used an advanced form of the Sharingan, called the Mangekyou Sharingan, on me.
Sakurai: ...mange...kyou.... *repeating, as though to help memorize it*
Sachiko: *nods* Inside that genjutsu, I saw how she slaughtered the clan. Only I saw it from the perspective of my hand holding the weapons that killed them all.
Sachiko: They were her memories, Sakurai. Memories she forced me to live, to feel. I didn't just witness it, I did it.
Sachiko: She also did something that kept me from passing out immediately afterwards. I don't know what. She told me how to get that advanced form of Sharingan.
Sakurai: *looks pained on Sachiko's behalf, but still doesn't say anything. Doesn't know what to say. Can only just...listen*
Sachiko: *glances at Naruko, then looks back at Sakurai* My sister told me that in order to get that advanced form, the requirement was to kill your closest friend.
Sakurai: What?! *blurts that out, suddenly enraged by the idea* What kind of technique requires such a thing?! She had to be lying to you!
Sachiko: *quietly* She killed her best friend the night before she killed the rest of them.
Sachiko: *continues* And the Sharingan is an odd doujutsu--it evolves generally under immense emotional and physical distress.
Sakurai: But.....but that kind of thing....
Sachiko: *keeps going, but at a normal volume now* I awakened my Sharingan when I nearly died fighting Haku. It evolved during the chuunin exam, and I attained full Sharingan fighting a semi-possessed Naruko at the Valley.
Sachiko: So it's entirely feasible for a higher form to be attained at the cost of a great sacrifice.
Sakurai: *takes a moment, looking down at the ground just in front of his feet, just letting that sink in* ....And... *glances up* ....your best friend is....
Sachiko: *nods in reply* Naruko.
Sakurai: .... *turns and looks at Naruko* Did you know...?
Naruko: *scratches her head*
Naruko: About being her best friend, or her having to kill me to get the Mangekyou?
Sakurai: ....Both.
Naruko: Of course I'm her best friend, that's a weird question.
Naruko: But I never found out about the other until she told me recently. At the time she was just telling me how weak I was and how she needed to go to the snake bitch and blablabla we're nothing but excess baggage.
Sachiko: *winces minutely at the "excess baggage" part*
Sakurai: *kinda looks saddened by the "excess baggage" part but...isn't surprised by it at all somehow* ....But.... you two.... have worked it out. ....Right?
Sachiko: I... *glances at Naruko*
Naruko: I thought so.
Sachiko: *nods in agreement, and gives Naruko a faint half-smile*
Sakurai: *looks between the two of them* So....you two are friends now. No more dumb rivalry fighting?
Sachiko: *looks amused* I don't think we'll ever stop being rivals, per ce, but I'm not out to kill her anymore.
Naruko: Thank goodness, it's kinda rough on my system. = ~ =
Sachiko: And you think I'm fine with it?
Sachiko: The seal might've boosted my physical strength and my pain tolerance, but your attacks hurt.
Naruko: *tsks and wags a finger at her* That's what you get for being ungrateful.
Sachiko: Yes, well, let's have you being on the receiving end of a Rasengan and then we'll talk.
Naruko: Been there, done that.
Sachiko: *blank look, then thinks* Jimaiya?
Naruko: Yup.
Naruko: And my special. It kinda takes out everything, including me.
Sachiko: ...Special?
Naruko: Top secret, not saying anything. = ~ =
Sachiko: *looks about to press, then stops and nods*
Sakurai: *is just sitting, watching the two of them talk and....well, NOT kill each other, or even yell at each other. It's...nice. Wonderful, even!*
Sakurai: *Isn't this actually something he'd hoped to happen for a long time now? The fact that it's happening now is....* ..... *chuckles happily* ^^
Sachiko: Anyway. Back then, I wanted to kill her for trying to stop me from going to Orochimayu. I wanted to kill her for progressing faster than me.
Sachiko: I wanted to kill her because she's my best friend, and by her death I would gain those Eyes. And with those Eyes I could finally kill my sister.
Naruko: *makes little blablabla motions with her hand where Sachiko can't see*
Sakurai: *almost snickers, but stops and looks absolutely straight-faced when Sachiko looks*
Sachiko: *nods to Sakurai* You...can understand how the seal can affect you. Both witnessing it, and because... *trails off* I think the effect was already pretty obvious after the Forest of Death.
Sakurai: ...yeah
Sachiko: I...actually was already beginning to change before Orochimayu bit me. Because you two mattered. Even the seal didn't fully retard that.
Sachiko: But then my sister came looking for Naruko.
Sachiko: I confronted her, both for my own sake, and to try and protect Naruko. I not only ended up with a broken wrist, but...
Sachiko: She decided to remind me of what my goals should be. So she made me relive the massacre. Again.
Sachiko: Sharingan is such that anything observed with it literally cannot be forgotten. Every detail is retained with perfect clarity.
Sachiko: So now I had a double dose of not-me slaughtering everyone I had loved. That was how I ended up comatose until Tsurude-sama came back to Konoha.
Sakurai: *remembers just how worried and sleepless he'd been during those days* ...
Sachiko: Between the curse seal screwing with my mind to remind me of just how weak I was in comparison to everyone, and my sister compounding the fact, and the damage with the Mangekyou, it should be at least somewhat understandable that I was more than a little desperate to get stronger.
Sachiko: ....I also went more than a little insane, I think. I did...I'm not exactly sure of what, but I allowed myself to eat a pill that Sako--one of the Sound-nin sent to get me--gave me.
Sachiko: It essentially killed me, and then I was "reborn". With the ability to use the second level of the curse seal.
Sakurai: *looks a bit horrified, but just swallows the nervous lump in his throat as he continues to listen* ...Second level...?
Sachiko: It's... something I hope that you'll never need to worry about it. You don't even use the seal, so I doubt it should become a problem for you.
Sakurai: *just nods, hoping that'll always be true*
Sachiko: But it turns me into a literal monster. Incredible power and stamina, at the cost of straining my body. ...and eating away at my will.
Sachiko: I was warned, by Sako, that the more I used the second level, the more it would eat away at my will to replace it with Orochimayu's.
Sakurai: ...How often have you used it?
Sachiko: Not enough, I don't believe. ...Of course, I don't know what "enough" constitutes.
Sakurai: *doesn't look entirely appeased by that answer, but doesn't press any farther* .... *looks at Naruko* Have you seen this... "second form"?
Naruko: *Looks at Sakurai, then looks away*
Naruko: Yeah, I have, actually.
Sakurai: .......oh. *isn't sure what else to say*
Naruko: 's really creepy looking.
Sakurai: *can't help but glance up at Sachiko then, wondering how she feels. ...and wondering what it must look like*
Sachiko: *is looking plenty grim* *meets Sakurai's eyes* My skin goes gray. And these hand-like wings sprout from my back. *rubs her shoulder* It hurts, but not as badly as you might think.
Naruko: They look like frog-hands with claws and smaller fingers sprouting out all over the place.
Naruko: Really weird.
Sakurai: *tries to imagine it for a minute before shuddering it away* You don't use it anymore do you?
Sachiko: *shakes her head*
Sachiko: *adds dryly* Of course, if I ever did I'm pretty much guaranteed to be thrown back into T&I and never permitted to see the light of day again.
Sakurai: *doesn't look entirely reassured by that sarcasm*
Sachiko: *stifles the urge to sigh* I'm not going to use that form again. Even without the threat of incarceration... I can't describe how it feels to have that much of that chakra coursing through me.
Sachiko: ...Though, granted, at the time I didn't care. I was just too focused on killing Naruko. Any price was reasonable.
Sakurai: .... *scratches his neck. Or rather..just above his own cursed seal, thinking of what too much of "that chakra" might do to him if he had no control over it*
Sachiko: *watches his hand before looking back at his face* Like I said, you should be safe. You don't use it, and the barrier does help.
Sakurai: *stops and drops his hand, almost looking embarrassed to be caught with those thoughts* Y-yeah...right.
Sachiko: Sakurai, the seal works its best when the bearer wants its power. You don't want it. Nor does Mitarashi-san, and even though he lacks a barrier seal, he's still fine.
Sachiko: *thinks, A bit crazy, but still mostly sane.*
Sakurai: *seems to be thinking almost exactly the same thing* ...Un. >__>
Sachiko: *looks to Naruko* Your turn, I think.
Naruko: *kicks back, looking up at the ceiling* My seal's weakening.
Sachiko: *says nothing, just folds her arms over her chest*
Sakurai: Seal... You mean, the one for....
Naruko: Kyuubi.
Sakurai: *purses his lip, kind embarrassed that he couldn't quite say it, but he wasn't sure how okay Naruko would have been. Apparently she was just fine.* Have you told Hokage-sama?
Naruko: Yes.
Sakurai: ....And?
Naruko: 'S why Sachiko's able to take lessons from Kureno still.
Sakurai: *blinks, confused* I don't understand...
Naruko: She's got a technique that can handle Kyuubi. It's not comfortable for either of us yet, but we need to get it under control.
Naruko: At least, before it becomes a problem.
Sachiko: *snorts quietly about "not comfortable"*
Sakurai: Eh, really? *looks to Sachiko* Is it a Sharingan technique?
Sachiko: *nods* It's called "mindwalking". With it, I can literally enter someone else's mind. When... That time when we fought, and she went semi-Kyuubi, that's what I did that caused me to pass out.
Sachiko: But when I was inside Naruko's mind, I saw the Kyuubi. *shudders*
Sachiko: I also got a memory flash of Naruko's showing how my sister pushed the Kyuubi back behind its barrier before. I decided it couldn't hurt to try what she had, and thankfully it worked.
Sachiko: The reason I'm working with Kureno-sensei with the mindwalking is because the memory came back completely unbidden when I was training in the compound. It nearly killed me.
Sachiko: It was actually the reason why I ended up so burned. I memory-flashed when training with a katon, and when I came back to myself I had no idea of where I was and therefore couldn't cancel the katon before falling through it.
Sachiko: I was sort-of fortunate that directly beneath the fire was the lake. *looks grim as she remembers nearly drowning*
Sakurai: Ah, then those burns from before...
Sachiko: Were from that. *nods*
Sachiko: I can't afford another memory-flash like that. So Kureno-sensei is training me so that should I need to mindwalk Naruko again, I can do so without that particular worry.
Sakurai: I see. *guesses that makes the most sense on why shishou allowed Kureno to teach Sachiko* ... *looks up at his other teammate* Naruko...are you alright?
Naruko: Yeah, up until Kyuubi kills me, but we're not sure when that's gonna happen. Probably after the seal breaks down.
Sachiko: *doesn't snarl, but wants to*
Sakurai: *stands up, suddenly fired up* Don't say that!! That won't happen at all! We'll find a way!
Naruko: *looks at Sakurai*
Sakurai: WE WILL!
Naruko: Sakurai, it's a consequence of the sealing technique and my regeneration abilities.
Naruko: There's no way around it.
Naruko: You know Tsurude-ojii's seal? It's like that. The more I use Kyuubi's chakra, the closer I get to dying.
Naruko: My body can't handle that sort of regeneration and chakra use, and it's shortening my lifespan, just not making me age like ojii-san's does.
Sachiko: In a few ways, the Kyuubi's a bit like the seal Orochimayu gave us. *remembers the whap Naruko gave her back in the Forest, when she'd made that observation*
Sachiko: *eyes Sakurai* Except I don't think Orochimayu wants your body. No offense.
Sakurai: ..... *frowns at Sachiko, but not meanly, he just doesn't want to get far off track* We haven't even tried yet to find a way, how can you already give up?!
Sakurai: Don't talk about the Kyuubi killing you like it's something that's just around the corner either! You're going to live a long, full life! Sachiko-chan will be there to help you suppress the demon.
Sakurai: And I'll be there to take care of your body and help it to handle the stress!
Naruko: *glances over at Sachiko*
Sachiko: *looks back at Naruko, one eyebrow arched*
Naruko: *sighs*
Naruko: *rubs her face* Sakurai, I think you'd better talk to Tsurude-sama about this. If he hasn't figured out a way, then maybe your input can help him out.
Sakurai: Aa! That's just what I'll do then! >(
Sachiko: *softly* With luck maybe the pair of you can figure something out.
Sachiko: *meaning Sakurai & Tsurude*
Naruko: *hnf*
Sachiko: Also, Sakurai... The mindwalking technique.
Sachiko: You can't mention the fact it can help control the Kyuubi to Kakami-sensei.
Sakurai: *clenches fists, getting a little lost in his own determination, then blinks at that condition* ...Eh? Why not?
Sachiko: Because even the normal Sharingan takes way too much out of her. I would think that attempting to mindwalk, even just to train to use it, would kill her.
Sachiko: And we all know that if she felt it necessary, she would do it without hesitation. We can't let that happen.
Sakurai: ....................o-okay. *doesn't like keeping a secret like this from Kakami-sensei, but...Sachiko's right*
Sachiko: There's something else about Kakami-sensei to know, too. She also has the Mangekyou Sharingain.
Sachiko: *continues quickly* I don't know how she got it. Neither does she. But I know she didn't do what my sister had done to get hers.
Sakurai: ..... *isn't sure what to say, the news rather shocking to him. Just ends up staring*
Naruko: *shifts her weight so she's leaning on one hand, the other reaching up to scratch the part at the back of her head*
Neko: *sniffs Sakurai's feet*
Sachiko: ....do you have any questions, or anything?
Sachiko: *figures what with everything said, mentioning the potential side effects of the Mangekyou on a Sharingan eye can wait until another time...*
Sakurai: *wonders if he does* ...... *of course he does! But...* *shakes head* Not right now. I mean....this is....just a lot to take in right now. *weak grin* I think my brain needs a little rest. ^^
Naruko: *stares* It's the end of the world! Sakurai's brain's been overloaded!
Naruko: I didn't think it was possible!
Sachiko: *snickers*
Naruko: *is totally joking around*
Sakurai: *flushes a little* Mou. >_> Don't got making fun of me.
Sachiko: It is a lot to take in all at once. But this is why I didn't want to talk about it at the gala.
Sakurai: ... *nods* Yeah. It'd kinda be too much to concentrate on at once.
Naruko: *grins and shows off her sharp teeth* But why, Sakurai-kun~! It's so easy~!
Sakurai: *grinds teeth at while glaring, but keeps it to a minimum because he's trying to be more considerate of her like Sachiko told him to be*
Sachiko: *will try and stay out of this, but will referee if necessary*
Sachiko: *after the silence stretches for too long* ...Does anyone feel like going out to get some food?
Naruko: That sounds like a great idea.
Sachiko: Not ramen? Please?
Naruko: I didn't say anything about ramen! *poutpoutpout*
Sakurai: You were probably going to. >.>
Naruko: I was not! *annoyed growling sound*
Sakurai: *slightly malicious chuckle, as if that was a satisfying revenge for her teasing him earlier*
Naruko: *growls and snaps her teeth*
Sachiko: *rubs her forehead* (Yare-yare, minna.) C'mon, let's go eat, yeah?
[/end]
Sachiko: *hears knocking, goes over to the door and opens it* Hey. Come on in.
Sakurai: Thanks. *slips off shoes before stepping further inside* So, what shall we work on today?
Sachiko: Actually, I was thinking of less working and more...talking. *bends to scoop up Neko*
Sakurai: Talking? *clearly surprised* Talking about what?
Naruko: *looks up from where she's perched on the back of the couch* Adult type stuff, scary concept.
Sakurai: *blinks* Naruko...? ...Ah! YOU'RE IN BIG TROUBLE FOR WHAT YOU DID EARLIER!! >E
Sachiko: ...? *blank look*
Naruko: *sighs* So are you gonna skin me now, or can it wait until later?
Sachiko: *gives Sakurai a look; they talked about this at the gala*
Sakurai: Hey! Don't try to brush this off! Sachiko-chan is also really pissed off! Aren't you Sachiko-cha---ah. *realizes what that look is for* ....I-I mean...... *very stern but not-nearly-as-murderous look* It wasn't funny.
Naruko: *has a very Sachiko-esque expression* Whatever.
Naruko: It was the first thing that come to mind. If you don't want the present you can give it back.
Sakurai: ...eh? *blinks, staring at Naruko, then blushes a little, but a look of concern is growing on his face* Um, Naruko...are you feeling okay?
Naruko: *gives Sachiko a Look* Would you like to start telling him the Great Explanation?
Sachiko: Ha-ha. *sets the cat down* You may want to sit for this, Sakurai.
Sakurai: *is admittedly getting a little confused and freaked out by this; so figures it's good advice and takes it, sitting down on the other end of the couch*
Sachiko: *decides to remain standing* On the way to the gala, you asked me what happened between me in Naruko. The answer is, I apologized for trying to kill her at the Valley.
Sachiko: And then I offered up my reasons behind my actions. For quite a lot of things over the years.
Sachiko: And amazingly enough, she's chosen to forgive me.
Sakurai: ...She...? ....You...? *looks to Naruko to see if she'll confirm this*
Naruko: That's what friends do, isn't it? *looks Sakurai dead in the eye*
Sakurai: Uh... I, uh.... *looks down, suddenly feeling very guilty about all the mean, nasty things he was going to do in revenge for Naruko's "gift"* ...I guess so...
Sachiko: *watches him for several moments* *shakes her head a little*
Sachiko: This... This all started back when we were seven. You know that my sister was the one who massacred the clan.
Sachiko: What I didn't mention, not to anyone until fairly recently, was on that night, I returned home before she had finished. I saw her kill my--our parents right in front of me.
Sakurai: *has looked up and started to listen intently*
Sachiko: *pulls her collar aside to expose an old, old scar* She gave me this, so I wouldn't forget. *lets go and the shirt falls back into place* I ran. She followed.
Sachiko: She stopped me, and then she... *swallows, throat dry* She used an advanced form of the Sharingan, called the Mangekyou Sharingan, on me.
Sakurai: ...mange...kyou.... *repeating, as though to help memorize it*
Sachiko: *nods* Inside that genjutsu, I saw how she slaughtered the clan. Only I saw it from the perspective of my hand holding the weapons that killed them all.
Sachiko: They were her memories, Sakurai. Memories she forced me to live, to feel. I didn't just witness it, I did it.
Sachiko: She also did something that kept me from passing out immediately afterwards. I don't know what. She told me how to get that advanced form of Sharingan.
Sakurai: *looks pained on Sachiko's behalf, but still doesn't say anything. Doesn't know what to say. Can only just...listen*
Sachiko: *glances at Naruko, then looks back at Sakurai* My sister told me that in order to get that advanced form, the requirement was to kill your closest friend.
Sakurai: What?! *blurts that out, suddenly enraged by the idea* What kind of technique requires such a thing?! She had to be lying to you!
Sachiko: *quietly* She killed her best friend the night before she killed the rest of them.
Sachiko: *continues* And the Sharingan is an odd doujutsu--it evolves generally under immense emotional and physical distress.
Sakurai: But.....but that kind of thing....
Sachiko: *keeps going, but at a normal volume now* I awakened my Sharingan when I nearly died fighting Haku. It evolved during the chuunin exam, and I attained full Sharingan fighting a semi-possessed Naruko at the Valley.
Sachiko: So it's entirely feasible for a higher form to be attained at the cost of a great sacrifice.
Sakurai: *takes a moment, looking down at the ground just in front of his feet, just letting that sink in* ....And... *glances up* ....your best friend is....
Sachiko: *nods in reply* Naruko.
Sakurai: .... *turns and looks at Naruko* Did you know...?
Naruko: *scratches her head*
Naruko: About being her best friend, or her having to kill me to get the Mangekyou?
Sakurai: ....Both.
Naruko: Of course I'm her best friend, that's a weird question.
Naruko: But I never found out about the other until she told me recently. At the time she was just telling me how weak I was and how she needed to go to the snake bitch and blablabla we're nothing but excess baggage.
Sachiko: *winces minutely at the "excess baggage" part*
Sakurai: *kinda looks saddened by the "excess baggage" part but...isn't surprised by it at all somehow* ....But.... you two.... have worked it out. ....Right?
Sachiko: I... *glances at Naruko*
Naruko: I thought so.
Sachiko: *nods in agreement, and gives Naruko a faint half-smile*
Sakurai: *looks between the two of them* So....you two are friends now. No more dumb rivalry fighting?
Sachiko: *looks amused* I don't think we'll ever stop being rivals, per ce, but I'm not out to kill her anymore.
Naruko: Thank goodness, it's kinda rough on my system. = ~ =
Sachiko: And you think I'm fine with it?
Sachiko: The seal might've boosted my physical strength and my pain tolerance, but your attacks hurt.
Naruko: *tsks and wags a finger at her* That's what you get for being ungrateful.
Sachiko: Yes, well, let's have you being on the receiving end of a Rasengan and then we'll talk.
Naruko: Been there, done that.
Sachiko: *blank look, then thinks* Jimaiya?
Naruko: Yup.
Naruko: And my special. It kinda takes out everything, including me.
Sachiko: ...Special?
Naruko: Top secret, not saying anything. = ~ =
Sachiko: *looks about to press, then stops and nods*
Sakurai: *is just sitting, watching the two of them talk and....well, NOT kill each other, or even yell at each other. It's...nice. Wonderful, even!*
Sakurai: *Isn't this actually something he'd hoped to happen for a long time now? The fact that it's happening now is....* ..... *chuckles happily* ^^
Sachiko: Anyway. Back then, I wanted to kill her for trying to stop me from going to Orochimayu. I wanted to kill her for progressing faster than me.
Sachiko: I wanted to kill her because she's my best friend, and by her death I would gain those Eyes. And with those Eyes I could finally kill my sister.
Naruko: *makes little blablabla motions with her hand where Sachiko can't see*
Sakurai: *almost snickers, but stops and looks absolutely straight-faced when Sachiko looks*
Sachiko: *nods to Sakurai* You...can understand how the seal can affect you. Both witnessing it, and because... *trails off* I think the effect was already pretty obvious after the Forest of Death.
Sakurai: ...yeah
Sachiko: I...actually was already beginning to change before Orochimayu bit me. Because you two mattered. Even the seal didn't fully retard that.
Sachiko: But then my sister came looking for Naruko.
Sachiko: I confronted her, both for my own sake, and to try and protect Naruko. I not only ended up with a broken wrist, but...
Sachiko: She decided to remind me of what my goals should be. So she made me relive the massacre. Again.
Sachiko: Sharingan is such that anything observed with it literally cannot be forgotten. Every detail is retained with perfect clarity.
Sachiko: So now I had a double dose of not-me slaughtering everyone I had loved. That was how I ended up comatose until Tsurude-sama came back to Konoha.
Sakurai: *remembers just how worried and sleepless he'd been during those days* ...
Sachiko: Between the curse seal screwing with my mind to remind me of just how weak I was in comparison to everyone, and my sister compounding the fact, and the damage with the Mangekyou, it should be at least somewhat understandable that I was more than a little desperate to get stronger.
Sachiko: ....I also went more than a little insane, I think. I did...I'm not exactly sure of what, but I allowed myself to eat a pill that Sako--one of the Sound-nin sent to get me--gave me.
Sachiko: It essentially killed me, and then I was "reborn". With the ability to use the second level of the curse seal.
Sakurai: *looks a bit horrified, but just swallows the nervous lump in his throat as he continues to listen* ...Second level...?
Sachiko: It's... something I hope that you'll never need to worry about it. You don't even use the seal, so I doubt it should become a problem for you.
Sakurai: *just nods, hoping that'll always be true*
Sachiko: But it turns me into a literal monster. Incredible power and stamina, at the cost of straining my body. ...and eating away at my will.
Sachiko: I was warned, by Sako, that the more I used the second level, the more it would eat away at my will to replace it with Orochimayu's.
Sakurai: ...How often have you used it?
Sachiko: Not enough, I don't believe. ...Of course, I don't know what "enough" constitutes.
Sakurai: *doesn't look entirely appeased by that answer, but doesn't press any farther* .... *looks at Naruko* Have you seen this... "second form"?
Naruko: *Looks at Sakurai, then looks away*
Naruko: Yeah, I have, actually.
Sakurai: .......oh. *isn't sure what else to say*
Naruko: 's really creepy looking.
Sakurai: *can't help but glance up at Sachiko then, wondering how she feels. ...and wondering what it must look like*
Sachiko: *is looking plenty grim* *meets Sakurai's eyes* My skin goes gray. And these hand-like wings sprout from my back. *rubs her shoulder* It hurts, but not as badly as you might think.
Naruko: They look like frog-hands with claws and smaller fingers sprouting out all over the place.
Naruko: Really weird.
Sakurai: *tries to imagine it for a minute before shuddering it away* You don't use it anymore do you?
Sachiko: *shakes her head*
Sachiko: *adds dryly* Of course, if I ever did I'm pretty much guaranteed to be thrown back into T&I and never permitted to see the light of day again.
Sakurai: *doesn't look entirely reassured by that sarcasm*
Sachiko: *stifles the urge to sigh* I'm not going to use that form again. Even without the threat of incarceration... I can't describe how it feels to have that much of that chakra coursing through me.
Sachiko: ...Though, granted, at the time I didn't care. I was just too focused on killing Naruko. Any price was reasonable.
Sakurai: .... *scratches his neck. Or rather..just above his own cursed seal, thinking of what too much of "that chakra" might do to him if he had no control over it*
Sachiko: *watches his hand before looking back at his face* Like I said, you should be safe. You don't use it, and the barrier does help.
Sakurai: *stops and drops his hand, almost looking embarrassed to be caught with those thoughts* Y-yeah...right.
Sachiko: Sakurai, the seal works its best when the bearer wants its power. You don't want it. Nor does Mitarashi-san, and even though he lacks a barrier seal, he's still fine.
Sachiko: *thinks, A bit crazy, but still mostly sane.*
Sakurai: *seems to be thinking almost exactly the same thing* ...Un. >__>
Sachiko: *looks to Naruko* Your turn, I think.
Naruko: *kicks back, looking up at the ceiling* My seal's weakening.
Sachiko: *says nothing, just folds her arms over her chest*
Sakurai: Seal... You mean, the one for....
Naruko: Kyuubi.
Sakurai: *purses his lip, kind embarrassed that he couldn't quite say it, but he wasn't sure how okay Naruko would have been. Apparently she was just fine.* Have you told Hokage-sama?
Naruko: Yes.
Sakurai: ....And?
Naruko: 'S why Sachiko's able to take lessons from Kureno still.
Sakurai: *blinks, confused* I don't understand...
Naruko: She's got a technique that can handle Kyuubi. It's not comfortable for either of us yet, but we need to get it under control.
Naruko: At least, before it becomes a problem.
Sachiko: *snorts quietly about "not comfortable"*
Sakurai: Eh, really? *looks to Sachiko* Is it a Sharingan technique?
Sachiko: *nods* It's called "mindwalking". With it, I can literally enter someone else's mind. When... That time when we fought, and she went semi-Kyuubi, that's what I did that caused me to pass out.
Sachiko: But when I was inside Naruko's mind, I saw the Kyuubi. *shudders*
Sachiko: I also got a memory flash of Naruko's showing how my sister pushed the Kyuubi back behind its barrier before. I decided it couldn't hurt to try what she had, and thankfully it worked.
Sachiko: The reason I'm working with Kureno-sensei with the mindwalking is because the memory came back completely unbidden when I was training in the compound. It nearly killed me.
Sachiko: It was actually the reason why I ended up so burned. I memory-flashed when training with a katon, and when I came back to myself I had no idea of where I was and therefore couldn't cancel the katon before falling through it.
Sachiko: I was sort-of fortunate that directly beneath the fire was the lake. *looks grim as she remembers nearly drowning*
Sakurai: Ah, then those burns from before...
Sachiko: Were from that. *nods*
Sachiko: I can't afford another memory-flash like that. So Kureno-sensei is training me so that should I need to mindwalk Naruko again, I can do so without that particular worry.
Sakurai: I see. *guesses that makes the most sense on why shishou allowed Kureno to teach Sachiko* ... *looks up at his other teammate* Naruko...are you alright?
Naruko: Yeah, up until Kyuubi kills me, but we're not sure when that's gonna happen. Probably after the seal breaks down.
Sachiko: *doesn't snarl, but wants to*
Sakurai: *stands up, suddenly fired up* Don't say that!! That won't happen at all! We'll find a way!
Naruko: *looks at Sakurai*
Sakurai: WE WILL!
Naruko: Sakurai, it's a consequence of the sealing technique and my regeneration abilities.
Naruko: There's no way around it.
Naruko: You know Tsurude-ojii's seal? It's like that. The more I use Kyuubi's chakra, the closer I get to dying.
Naruko: My body can't handle that sort of regeneration and chakra use, and it's shortening my lifespan, just not making me age like ojii-san's does.
Sachiko: In a few ways, the Kyuubi's a bit like the seal Orochimayu gave us. *remembers the whap Naruko gave her back in the Forest, when she'd made that observation*
Sachiko: *eyes Sakurai* Except I don't think Orochimayu wants your body. No offense.
Sakurai: ..... *frowns at Sachiko, but not meanly, he just doesn't want to get far off track* We haven't even tried yet to find a way, how can you already give up?!
Sakurai: Don't talk about the Kyuubi killing you like it's something that's just around the corner either! You're going to live a long, full life! Sachiko-chan will be there to help you suppress the demon.
Sakurai: And I'll be there to take care of your body and help it to handle the stress!
Naruko: *glances over at Sachiko*
Sachiko: *looks back at Naruko, one eyebrow arched*
Naruko: *sighs*
Naruko: *rubs her face* Sakurai, I think you'd better talk to Tsurude-sama about this. If he hasn't figured out a way, then maybe your input can help him out.
Sakurai: Aa! That's just what I'll do then! >(
Sachiko: *softly* With luck maybe the pair of you can figure something out.
Sachiko: *meaning Sakurai & Tsurude*
Naruko: *hnf*
Sachiko: Also, Sakurai... The mindwalking technique.
Sachiko: You can't mention the fact it can help control the Kyuubi to Kakami-sensei.
Sakurai: *clenches fists, getting a little lost in his own determination, then blinks at that condition* ...Eh? Why not?
Sachiko: Because even the normal Sharingan takes way too much out of her. I would think that attempting to mindwalk, even just to train to use it, would kill her.
Sachiko: And we all know that if she felt it necessary, she would do it without hesitation. We can't let that happen.
Sakurai: ....................o-okay. *doesn't like keeping a secret like this from Kakami-sensei, but...Sachiko's right*
Sachiko: There's something else about Kakami-sensei to know, too. She also has the Mangekyou Sharingain.
Sachiko: *continues quickly* I don't know how she got it. Neither does she. But I know she didn't do what my sister had done to get hers.
Sakurai: ..... *isn't sure what to say, the news rather shocking to him. Just ends up staring*
Naruko: *shifts her weight so she's leaning on one hand, the other reaching up to scratch the part at the back of her head*
Neko: *sniffs Sakurai's feet*
Sachiko: ....do you have any questions, or anything?
Sachiko: *figures what with everything said, mentioning the potential side effects of the Mangekyou on a Sharingan eye can wait until another time...*
Sakurai: *wonders if he does* ...... *of course he does! But...* *shakes head* Not right now. I mean....this is....just a lot to take in right now. *weak grin* I think my brain needs a little rest. ^^
Naruko: *stares* It's the end of the world! Sakurai's brain's been overloaded!
Naruko: I didn't think it was possible!
Sachiko: *snickers*
Naruko: *is totally joking around*
Sakurai: *flushes a little* Mou. >_> Don't got making fun of me.
Sachiko: It is a lot to take in all at once. But this is why I didn't want to talk about it at the gala.
Sakurai: ... *nods* Yeah. It'd kinda be too much to concentrate on at once.
Naruko: *grins and shows off her sharp teeth* But why, Sakurai-kun~! It's so easy~!
Sakurai: *grinds teeth at while glaring, but keeps it to a minimum because he's trying to be more considerate of her like Sachiko told him to be*
Sachiko: *will try and stay out of this, but will referee if necessary*
Sachiko: *after the silence stretches for too long* ...Does anyone feel like going out to get some food?
Naruko: That sounds like a great idea.
Sachiko: Not ramen? Please?
Naruko: I didn't say anything about ramen! *poutpoutpout*
Sakurai: You were probably going to. >.>
Naruko: I was not! *annoyed growling sound*
Sakurai: *slightly malicious chuckle, as if that was a satisfying revenge for her teasing him earlier*
Naruko: *growls and snaps her teeth*
Sachiko: *rubs her forehead* (Yare-yare, minna.) C'mon, let's go eat, yeah?
[/end]