If You're Supposed To Be A Monster, Then I'm Just As Much A One As You. (A Kisame Story) Chapter 6

The next morning was bright, sunny and cloudless, deeply contrasting with Hikari's mood. The moment she woke up, she blinked a few times and yawned, not even registering what had happened yesterday yet. It wasn't until she tried to move her arms to stretch and was restricted in doing so by her bonds, did she recall the events from the day before and sigh in frustration.

Instantly she glared at the side of the boat, hating everything at that moment, but as the boat suddenly shook and bumped against something, she deduced they had arrived at the mainland, and then rolled over onto her other side--with some difficulty--to see both Itachi and Kisame getting up and ready for the journey ahead.

Her mood managed to get even worse as she saw them walking around free to do whatever the hell they wanted, knowing that she would have to endure Kisame and his insults the entire time on the journey without a single break. Not to mention the fact she’d have to see Kisame a whole lot more regularly.

Things really weren't going well for her.

Kisame himself stretched and yawned, not noticing Hikari yet, and continued picking up Sameheda to sling on his back before turning to finally turning to face her. Not feeling entertained by the sight of her tied up and glaring up at him, he still forced a mocking smile onto his face and began to go over to her to lift her up.

He wasn't, however, expecting the head butt that came from Hikari as she leapt up, smashing her head into his own, causing him to step back in pain and glare straight back at her as she stood there scowling at what she’d done.

"I can get up myself, jackass. I'm not helpless." Hikari snapped at him, justifying the injury she had inflicted on him. Kisame wasn't particularly satisfied with it though, and shot back,

"Yeah. You're not helpless. Just a useless bitch."

Scowling heinously at him for his comment, Hikari took a deep breath, trying to cancel out her anger, but couldn't manage to do so still looking at him, and thinking about what he said, she instead retaliated with,

"Well, at least I can use my looks to get me somewhere. I can't say the same for you, though, sweetie."

Kisame said nothing at that, jerking his head in the direction of the exit and following on behind her, Itachi already in front. At least that way he could hide the uncomfortable feeling that attacked him the moment the words came out of her mouth. Hikari in turn liked the positions they had taken up, as it allowed her to wince without anyone seeing. She knew that he was insecure about his appearance, and for that reason alone she had said it.

But strangely she felt a slight twinge of guilt and remorse for what she had said. Knowing he probably didn’t even care about what she said didn’t get rid of the guilt, though, and her pensive look immediately changed to another glare.

She had to get away from both of them and soon. Being with Kisame was driving her crazy—not to mention the fact she was joining the Akatsuki against her will. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t for him, but she obviously didn’t have a choice over who would take her to the Akatsuki, who she was working with or whether or not she actually wanted to join.

If there was a way for her to break free, she’d definitely find it.

Now off the ship, they (mostly Kisame) continued pushing Hikari forward and through the forest in the direction of Amegakure, opting to avoid anywhere near Konoha so they didn’t get seen. It was hard enough already travelling with Hikari, let alone with Konoha ninja on their tails. Hikari made a fuss—as usual—with where they were going and how Kisame treated and talked to her, but then settled down after a while and began walking normally.

She needed to think about what she was going to do, after all. She didn’t want to distract them and run off, because they’d be able to catch up with her so easily without the use of her hands. But if she waited until they were asleep, then she’d be able to run off and they wouldn’t know until morning.

And hopefully by that time she’d be miles away.

It would be difficult, but if she timed it right, then she could pull it off. Where she would head, she’d figure out later. There was always a chance she’d get re-captured again, but with the insanity Kisame was bringing on inside her head, she had to get away. Anywhere but with them.

With memories of good times back in Kirigakure with him clashing with the bad and present ones filling up her mind and messing up her emotions, she couldn’t take it anymore. She had to get away, in whatever way she could.

The forest flew past, and so did the time, though they stopped every now again for various reasons. Each moment that went by Hikari’s mood began to get better and better, knowing she’d be free soon. Knowing that she wouldn’t have to deal with Kisame anymore, and the fact he have to deal with loads of shit from his Leader because all he’d done is take her to the mainland—something which she wanted to do anyway—and let her get away.

So as Itachi opted to stop for the night, going to a hotel and getting a room, Hikari followed with an insult at Kisame but no more protestation than that. As they went into the room, she thought about what was going to happen with an inward grin, almost unable to wait for it. But she managed to have one more fight with Kisame before everyone started going to sleep.

Hikari followed their lead, and after impatiently waiting for them to go to sleep for about half an hour, she finally got up, and going as quietly as was possible, she headed for the door, deciding to go out the back door to avoid anyone seeing her leave.

As she reached the door, she glanced back to see if they were still asleep, only for her eyes to pass over Kisame, and bizarrely, stop. Looking over at him peacefully sleeping, Hikari couldn’t help but smile at the change in him after the insults and pushing around all throughout the day.

But it wasn’t difficult for her to understand the change. He’d always been like that. She’d see him in a fight, maiming and killing his opponent, and then he’d come and talk to her, changing from sadistic killing machine into her best friend.

And now somehow the thought of leaving him now made her pause and wonder whether to go.

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to go. For the sake of the memories she had of when they were still friends—good friends—maybe she should have stayed. But then the recollection of what he did came back to her, and she shook her head to clear the thoughts of guilt she had.

With one last look at Kisame still sleeping without an idea of what she was doing, accompanied by a small sigh, she turned and left the room without a sound. And from there she ran. But she couldn’t look back.

She was afraid that if she did, something inside her would make her stay.