Uchiha Mana

CHAPTER 14

Mana loved walking on water. She loved how her steps would make ripples on the surface, and the sound it made always made her calm. To say that it brought out her child-like personality was something she was not ashamed of. Mana walked a couple of steps ahead of Sasuke and Suigetsu, a smile plastered on her face when a fish swam just under her feet.

“Chibi seems to enjoy the water.” Suigetsu said as he watched Mana catch the fish that was under her feet, and it was no surprise that it got away.

Sasuke said nothing and just watched as Mana enjoyed the water. It has been a long time since he saw her smile the way she did at the moment, and he wanted to savor it for as long as he can.

“I have a question; about this people you’re gathering.” Suigetsu said. “I understand why you chose me, but why Karin? Unlike me, she’s Orochimaru’s b***h… she’s been devotedly rounding up research subjects for him, and is “Miss Jailer” for the Southern Hideout. Plus, she messed with my body a bunch of times, under Orochimaru’s orders or whatever… and I couldn’t stand her personality.”

“If she refuses, there are plenty of other strong shinobi out there. But she has a very strong and unique ability.” Sasuke said.

“Well, I’ll at least acknowledge that.”

Mana stopped on her tracks and stared at the rock formation before her. Her smile fell at the realization of what it was. Not long, she felt Sasuke and Suigetsu’s presence beside her.

“Ikuzu, Imouto.” Sasuke said.

“Hai…”

~*~

It was the first time that Mana met Karin. She was a young woman around her brother’s age, had long red hair, had a pair of glasses over her red eyes, she wore what Mana noticed was what Orochimaru’s subordinates wore.

“I was expecting you.” Karin said. “Sasuke, since you came here by yourself, it seems the rumor is true.”

“How mean, giving me the cold shoulder.” Suigetsu spoke.

“So, what have you come here for?” Karin asked, ignoring Suigetsu’s and Mana’s presence.

“Sasuke wants to talk to you, you see. And standing around here talking is kind of a drag, so could you take us to another room?”

“What’s this talk about?” Karin asked Sasuke.

Already, Mana knew the type of person Karin was, and was not amused with her and doubt that she would ever get along with the woman.

“That’s why I said standing here talking won’t do anything, Karin. I know you don’t give a s**t about me, but for f**k’s sake! We’ve been walking for hours! And Chibi wants to sit down!” Suigetsu said.

“You mean yourself, right?” Mana spoke.

“That’s enough, Karin, take us to the room.” Sasuke said.

“Fine.” Karin sighed and led them to where the room was.

As Sasuke followed after the red-head, Mana and Suigetsu stuck together, glaring at the woman.

“That damn woman.” Suigetsu muttered.

~*~

Sitting beside Sasuke, Mana had Yatagarasu stand on the concrete floor as she leaned on the blade. Her eyes were at Karin, observing the woman.

“Karin, come with me. I need you in this mission.” Sasuke said.

“Ha? Why would I go with you? I’m responsible for this place!” Karin said.

“Orochimaru is no more.”

“What about the prisoners?!”

“Oh yeah.” Suigetsu spoke. “They were pretty quiet in there… I guess the rumor of Orochimaru’s death reached here, huh?”

“The number of prisoners has decreased in comparison to when I last came here. Also, there seems to be some recently dug holes in the courtyard before the entrance. Karin, assuming that you’re using your head, you have a forte in information control and such.”

“I get it, even with Orochimaru’s death, there seems to be no uprising, meaning you’ve dealt with it nicely.” Suigetsu said.

“Karin, by being so cautious, you maintained order in this hideout.” Sasuke said. “Or rather, you did it to save yourself.”

“Don’t talk s**t about me!” Karin snapped.

“Yo’re definitely a woman trained by Orochimaru.” Suigetsu said.

“Suigetsu, release all of the people who were taken captive in this hideout.” Sasuke commanded.

“Ordering me around as usual, eh Sasuke.” Suigetsu said.

“You can’t do that, do you have any idea how difficult it was to confine them?!” Karin exclaimed.

“What’s the point?” Mana spoke for the first time, catching all of their attention. She took Yatagarasu from the ground and placed it on its holder. “With Orochimaru gone there’s nothing left for this people to be here… unless you have something planned for them that’s why you don’t want us to release them.”

“Mana.” Sasuke warned her. “If all the prisoners are gone, there’s no use for a warden. I’ll tell you once more, come with me, Karin.”

“Oh well, I’ll release the prisoners.” Suigetsu said.

“I refuse! I’m not obligated to follow you at all!” Karin said.

Sighting, Mana jumped off the bench and followed after the shark-like man, but just as she were to take a step, Sasuke stopped her.

“Where are you going, Mana?” Sasuke asked.

“I have nothing to do here, might as well make myself useful.” Mana said.

“You just like being around me, chibi.” Suigetsu teased.

“Not the slightest.” Mana said as she and Suigetsu left.

~*~

With a swift movement, the bars of the cell were cut off clean. The prisoners were startled by the actions of the young girl who wielded the katana, they stayed put in their places, afraid to do a thing, besides, they weren’t sure if this child was their executioner.

“I think you scared them, chibi.” Suigetsu said, chuckling.

“You’re all free to leave.” Mana told the prisoners.

“So the rumors were true, Sasuke did kill Orochimaru!” A prisoner said. “But what will happen to us?”

“Just as she said, you’re free to leave.” Suigetsu said.

“Really?!”

“Just like you, I was held captive before. But now I’m free, right? But before you leave, I have just one favor to ask of you… tell everyone ‘the one who defeated Orochimaru and gave us back our freedom was Sasuke’.”

Mana glanced at Suigetsu, her eyes glaring at him. She didn’t know what the man was planning and she wanted to know what it was.

“…’the man who will bring peace and stability to this world has come.’” Suigetsu continued.

After all the prisoners have left, Mana and Suigetsu were to return to the room. But along the way, Mana couldn’t help but ask him about what he did.

“If word reaches the other Hideouts, then there will be an uprising. And, it might just increase our chances with what you and Sasuke are after. Don’t you think?” Suigetsu said.

“Or chances of us getting caught.” Mana said.

“Not like you can’t get out of that situation.” Sugietsu said. “From what I can see, you can flip a man thrice your size… but, I can see you concern. You live for your Onii-san, and you see it your job to protect him, it’s quite lame, if you see it.”

They arrived before the door of the room, Suigetsu turned the knob and found it locked.

“That b***h!” Suigetsu said through gritted teeth.

“What is it?” Mana asked.

“She locked us out!”

“Stand back, chibi.” Suigetsu said as he got out his sword. “I’ll get us in.”

“Iie, you stand back.” Mana said. she placed her hand on the door and summoned her Dark Chakra. In a blink, Mana’s shadow-like tentacles sliced the door to pieces, there she and Suigetsu found Karin seducing Sasuke. She was beyond pissed when she saw the woman close to her brother. Mana walked pass Suigetsu and went to Sasuke’s side.

“Let’s go, Onii-san, Karin’s useless, right?” Mana said.

“No, it seems like she was coming.” Sasuke said.

Mana turned to the red-head, her eyes activated the Sharingan, which did not go unnoticed by Sasuke.

“Who said I was coming?” Karin asked. “As it turns out I’m heading the same direction! I’ll just come and… uh…”

“Then I suggest we leave now.” Mana said. “Just tell us where to drop you off… BaKarin-san.” She muttered the last part.

Suigetsu, who heard, laughed.

“Good one, chibi!”

“What did you say, brat?!” Karin snapped.

“Mana.” Sasuke warned her.

“Onii-san.” She sent a smirk at Sasuke’s way.

“Now, we go to Juugo.” Sasuke said.

“What?!? You’re going to where Juugo is?!” Karin exclaimed.

“It has nothing to do with you since you’re only going with us part of the way.” Suigetsu said.

Mana’s smirked widened.

“Ikuzu.” Sasuke stood up.

Walkingout of the Hideout, Mana walked beside Sasuke, and made sure to be the one to keep Karin away from her brother. In her mind though, she remembered Suigetsu’s words.

Don’t you think you’ve got something more than being you Onii-san’s dog?

My suggestion, leave Sasuke, find your own life!

The last thing we need in this world is another Sasuke running around. Don’t you think?

His last statement might have been an insult to her brother, but Mana knew exactly what he meant.

“Mana.” Sasuke called her.

“Onii-san?”

“Just a little more.” He said. “And it’ll be just us again.”

Mana didn’t know what to say, but since her conversation with Suigetsu, the thought of their plan didn’t bring a smile on Mana’s lips.

“Hai, Onii-san.”