Sticks & Stones, Even Words [ KIRA ]

Why had it come to this?

Saya Kirihara stood frozen at the side of a pathway, staring at the flowing red hair. It stood out against the dark hair that most of Kumo’s residents had and even amongst the rare light colored tresses. As always the Sunagakure ninja drew attention to herself either on purpose or on accident. She swallowed.

This was hard. Kyson had advised to give the woman some time alone and Saya had followed his words. Now, however, it was merely a coincidence that both women happened to be in the same area - same street. The younger girl wondered if it was alright to go ahead and try to speak to Kira now, or perhaps continue to avoid her? But if Saya were to continue doing the latter, their much needed chat would not likely happen.

Still, the genin hesitated. Guilt and anger held her back. They were both so intertwined that Saya wondered if she would be able to speak to Kira in her usual manner. Worrying about her image and her speech pattern was worrisome. Saya did not take to account on another person’s reaction towards her words or her actions; she was a girl that soldiered on through, saying what she thought and felt in a forthright manner.

Something about Kira, however, made the girl want her approval and praise. Perhaps it was a cumulation of her mother’s absence, Senshi’s words about Kumogakure, Kira’s bold personality, and her own insecurities that Saya wished for a connection between them. The woman, though a bit brash and volatile, was kind.

A deep inhale and exhale moment later, and Saya steeled her resolve. This was probably going to be an intense meeting (for her at the very least), and the young girl needed to reign in her emotions.

”L-Lady...” Curse her weak voice; it had come out as a hoarse whisper. Saya shook her head from side to side before trying to call out again. ”Lady K-Kira!” Success. It was louder and had certainly caused a couple of head to turn in her direction, wondering who this “Lady Kira” was. Saya had moved at a mild pace, closing the distance between them. ”I… You… ”

Words were difficult to come by it seems.

WORD COUNT: 380

Kira’s time in Kumogakure had been everything but dull. It had been an emotional rollercoaster since the moment she had arrived. Kyson had allowed her to stay at his parent’s home, which she gladly accepted the offer. She needed to be left alone for a while.

She spent her first few weeks in the Lightning country crying within the safe walls of the home. She still mourned for Salzem, unable to believe that he was truly gone. It wasn’t until a few weeks into her stay in Kumo that she realized something… She was pregnant.

She could recall that moment, feeling the motion sickness hit as she took a bite into her breakfast. The taste of bacon nauseated her before she stormed towards the nearest exit for the bile that was forcing its way out of her body. Unfortunately, it was the kitchen sink. The Uzumaki was well aware of her body, and it wasn’t long before she connected two and two together. She placed her hands on her stomach, tears of joy leaving her heterochromatic eyes and Sal had parted her with the best gift he could have left behind. Their children.

Unfortunately for Kira, that meant no alcohol until these suckers popped out of her belly. How would a raging alcoholic like the red head survive, well that was to be seen. But the pregnancy had been her saving grace. It almost instantly managed to pull her out of the depressive state she was in. Having lost herself in Sal’s death, she found her purpose to continue on in this world once again. Salzem’s legacy would live on in his children.

The Uzumaki continued to lay low, as emotionally she still wasn’t all there and she’d be damned if she let anyone see her before she was at 100%. However, being cramped up in the Hozuki household with little social interaction was cramping her style. The fact that she thought that meant she was almost completely to her old self. So, Kira threw on the only thing that would fit; a pink Kimono lined with yellow flowers, and headed out the door.

She walked along the streets of Kumo, holding her belly that was now partially bulging from her body. It made her feel extremely self conscious considering she was one of the most beautiful women in the room, but now she was a whale and she was only going to get bigger. Hell, she was pretty sure she was housing two little monsters. She put them through rigorous training for all the back aches they were causing her.

The Uzumaki continued on, making her way to what seemed like a shopping district. Already slightly out of breath from the walk, she found a nice little restaurant patio to sit at to catch her breath. “Hello Ma’am, what would you like to order today.” A waitress who sounded like minnie mouse asked her before she had even steadied her breathing. “Can a woman relax for two minutes!” The red haired contested. “But not that you asked, I’d like a virgin bloody mary, extra hot sauce.” The waitress’ eyes flickered from Kira’s face to her belly. “Emphasis on virgin you twat, get me my damn drink.” The startled waitress headed back inside without another word. Now the once Suna ninja was usually quite sly with her insults, but her hormones were raging, and she was just too easily agitated.

Drink now in hand, the young woman enjoyed the sun that beat down on the mountainous village. She put her worries behind her momentarily as everything for a brief moment felt normal. It wasn’t until she heard her name being called out that she was dragged back to reality. Her eyes scanned the busy streets, searching for it’s source. She thought maybe it was a coincidence before she spotted that dark head of hair she knew too well bothering some poor woman.

The matching red headed villager turned around to face Saya, perplexed. “I think you have the wrong woman little girl.” Confused, she walked off, disappearing into a store not too far away. A smile crept on Kira’s face, something that didn’t happen to often as of late. “twoodle-doo!” The Uzumaki shouted from the restaurant patio before the young’un got too discouraged. “Long time no see.” She’d say the moment she spotted the self proclaimed Princess of Sunagakure.

The next couple of moments had Saya waiting with a bated breath. In just another second she would be face to face with the woman she left her envoy for. A complete nutjob some would say. Leaving the safety of her fellow Kumo ninjas just to help out a recently assimilated Suna shinobi. The genin understood the way it looked, and honestly, she was confused by her actions as well. Still, admiration for the Suna girl was something she couldn’t let go.

With a half turn, dark red hair sweeping back, the woman she had called out to blinked in surprise. Her entire facial structure was all wrong. Everything, actually, was all wrong. Saya could have beaten herself over with a blunted wooden sword if she had the chance. The lady promptly told her that she must have mistaken her for someone else, and Saya could only stammer and bow in apology. Red stained her cheeks as she rubbed the side of her head with the heel of her palm.

How in the world could she have mistaken Lady Kira with that person? Ah, this was beyond embarrassing. It made her wonder if she had merely wished so much to see the Uzumaki that her brain automatically associated “red” to the chuunin. She sighed and was about to continue on her when a familiar voice called out to her. Whipping her head to the direction that the voice came from, her eyes widened to see the real Kira Uzumaki, smiling from a patio not too far away.

What were the chances? Saya could have almost laughed, but only a tiny smile crept to her lips at seeing the redhead. In a mere second or two, she stood just a couple of yards away from the seated female. ”Lady Kira!” There was disbelief, relief, and excitement all rolled into one in her tone. Her purple-blue orbs scanned Kira, looking for something out of place, something that told her about the woman’s state of health.

She blinked, eyes settling at the bulge coming from the Suna kunoichi. That… That wasn’t there last time they had parted ways. It was taking a while for her to process the information, probably making it a bit uncomfortable for the redhead. Realizing that she had been staring, Saya shook her head and focused her gaze on the woman’s visage. ”I-It has been a while,” she stuttered, trying to reel in what she had just discovered. ”I… You… I mean, how are you doing?” She shifted from foot to foot, not exactly sure how to act anymore.

Saya had been expecting herself to blow up on Kira, demand why she had been abandoned or something along those lines. Or, maybe, if she had tight control over her emotions, she would have tried to have some sort of civil conversation with her. Stuttering and blanking out during the conversation was not what she had been anticipating whatsoever.

WORD COUNT: 494
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 380 + 494 = 874

Kira couldn’t help but chuckle when the Genin noticed the Red head.  She also took amusement in the respectable way that Saya addressed her. Made her feel like a princess… which she was but for some reason everyone else kept denying it… well except the creepy old men who want to take her home at the end of a drunken night but that’s a story for another topic.

“Hey there.” She said as the girl got closer. The smile slowly faded off the girls lips though as there was this sudden awkward tension between the two. The Uzumaki watched as the girl’s lilac like hues flickered to the monster struck of a belly that had engulfed the girl’s body. Like she wasn’t feeling self concious enough. She used to being stared at for her beauty, not the damn fetuses that were about to pop out of her.

The once Suna ninja had the sudden urge to rub her temples as Saya began to make small talk, avoiding the rather large elephant in the room. She had come to like the girl like a little sister, so it was inevitable that she would annoy her like one; that or it was just the mood swings she’s been having lately. Nonetheless, she thought she’d screw with her a bit. “Yeah it has, I’ve just been eating myself away as you can see.” Kira patted her belly before rubbing it. It wasn’t a complete lie. She had been eating for three lately. “I guess I put on a few pounds.” She chuckled. The waitress returned with her virgin drink, laying it on the table in front of her before disappearing back into the restaurant. “So, how have you been?” Kira asked the young’un, patting the seat next to her to invite the girl to sit down.

The Uzumaki took a sip from her bloody mary, the absence of alcohol noticeable from her drink. It made her queasy just thinking about how long she’d been sober for, or maybe that was just the morning sickness kicking back in. She couldn’t wait to bust these suckers out once and for all. It had to be any day now she hoped.

Small talk and avoiding the obvious were definitely not Saya’s specialty in a conversation. However, seeing Kira with a protruding midsection completely floored her. She was way out of her depth in terms of comfortable topics. How was she supposed to behave? It was her experience that pregnant women did not like talking about how big they grew and the girl had acted accordingly. This was the first time that she knew a woman who became pregnant. All of her patients had come in with their back pains and swollen appendages and grumbling about how they’re going to strangle their significant other. There was no before and after moments for her; it was always - Boom! Woman with child coming in for a landing!

For Kira and her it was definitely different. Saya shook her head at how she was handling the news. So many things had happened within the past couple of weeks that adding in Kira’s current situation was a good distraction for her and the girl threw herself into it. Once more she glanced at the round belly and had to let out a small laugh at Kira’s sense of humor. Was that her way of telling her off? To Saya she took it as a gentle chiding. Don’t make me feel more self conscious by avoiding the issue.

”Have you? I couldn’t tell,” Saya replied as she took a seat across from the redhead. ”You’re still pretty.” There was no hint of a joke in her tone or any type of mockery. She genuinely thought that Kira remained her lovely self even with the changes clinging to her. ”And I guess it’s true that women glow when they’re with child. The first for me.” Despite having dealt with those patients at the hospital they didn’t shine like they were suppose to. Saya had to wonder if it was because she didn’t have any prior relationships with them like she did with Kira.

Flagging down that same waitress that had just delivered Kira’s drink, Saya put in an order for a cold tea - green tea mango. Once the lady had left she paused in thought at the question. How was she doing? Saya honestly wasn’t sure what to say to that. Just a couple of days ago a tentative friend returned to the village and then the day afterwards she was told that her sensei died. She was simply full of conflict and was doing a horrible job of confronting her problems.

”I’m doing alright, Lady Kira.” A vaguely neutral answer. It seemed too short of a reply, however, and Saya started to play with her hands beneath the table in anxiousness. A change of topic. That’s what she needed. ”That’s not alcoholic is it?” Saya instantly jabbed a forefinger at the Bloody Mary. She already knew it didn’t contain any; Kira was too smart to do something detrimental to her newborn’s health.

WORD COUNT: 490
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 874 + 490 = 1364

The Uzumaki blushed as she heard the compliment leave the Kumo Genin’s lips. It’s true that having been blown up like a balloon these last few months was doing nothing for her self confidence. She was so used to being the person to cause heads to turn in a room, but now she was doing it for all the wrong reasons. It had been quite some time since she had heard a compliment, but she also hadn’t been out much either way.

“Who said anything about a child.” The Uzumaki said flabbergasted before giving the Genin a wink. “Besides I’m always glowing.” The Uzumaki said before doing a hair flip. She let a few beats of silence build between them before she continued. “There’s two of them.” Her voice was melancholy in nature. She was happy for both of her children, but the thought of them also brought Sal’s memory… his death. She couldn't help but feel sadness when she thought of him “It’s a boy and a girl.”

A smile tickled her lips even through the slight sadness she felt. One of her hands was on her stomach, feeling the subtle movements of her unborn babies. The girl proceeded to order a tea before Kira had asked her how she’d been. The moment of silence that the girl took to answer was enough for the Uzumaki to know that there was more than she was willing to share. The heterochromatic eyed girl partially wanted to pry her and get her to open up, but didn’t feel like it was her place. When and if she trusted Kira, she would tell her. They had become close, but their relationship still hadn’t truly reached it’s peak quite yet. Still, it slightly pained the Chunin that she chose not to open up.

“Do you really think I’d put my children in harm’s way!?” Kira asked in disbelief, taking another sip of her virgin Bloody Mary. Her eyes flickered up to the sky as she considered the question herself. “Wait, don’t answer that.” She threw in before Saya could answer, the straw still between her lips. She’d begin to laugh momentarily thinking of the world of hurt she was going to put on her children in training sessions. Those poor, poor kids. “Here, give it a try.” She said, sliding over the spicy drink to the Young’un.

“I’m going to head to the washroom quickly. These damn kids got me peeing every five minutes.” She said rather annoyed as she attempted to get up. Her belly almost knocked over the table, causing a few heads to turn in their direction. That would have been quite embarrassing if it wasn’t for the fact that water began to pour from in-between her legs.

The sound of water splashing filled the awkward silence that had already built from her almost knocking over the table. The first thought that ran into Kira’s head was that she was unable to hold her bladder and just completely pissed herself. That quick possibility made her want to grab the Kunai that she kept hidden in her braw and just commit seppuku, ending her embarrassment.

However, she quickly realized the reality of the situation. “I think my water just broke.” The Uzumaki’s eyes were frozen, staring off into the distance as she tried to comprehend what was happening. She always pictured this happening in the comforts of Kyson’s family home, not surrounded by well, everyone. “MY WATER JUST BROKE!!” She said again, basically yelling at the world. Her gaze fell on Saya, as if looking to her for guidance. Kira was in full on panic mode and had no idea how to handle the situation. Hell, she didn’t even know where the hospital was. Heat flashes began to overcome her as her legs gave up and she found herself back in the chair. “I haven’t even come up with names yet!” She screamed frantically. It was clearly going to be a long day.

Kira’s response had Saya blinking and tilting her head in confusion. The evidence was clearly throwing itself in her face. Surely, Kira was not insinuating that she was fat. The redhead’s visage and body held no extra mass; it was just her midsection that gave her the illusion of being a big woman. However, the Uzumaki had a bit of a humor as she let the seconds drag out before clarifying her statement. ”T-Two?” Saya almost choked in surprise.

That was… That was really something. The young genin had yet to encounter a patient that gave birth to twins in her tenure at the hospital. But such thoughts bled away at the redhead’s tone. Her back straightened and all of her muscles locked. She knew that voice, and all Saya could do was inhale and exhale slowly. The dull ache that she had been ignoring gave off a sharp tug at heartstrings. Just like the night before Saya could tell that all did not go well when Kira had separated from her.

Her purple-blue eyes dimmed, feeling sorrow for Kira’s assumed loss but also bitter that someone as great as her had to lose someone close to her. Saya didn’t know who it was, but the girl could take a guess. It was the way Lady Kira caressed her belly and the way she announced the genders of her children. Loving and wistful. The kind where you accept the loss if only to look forward to a future without them. It was painful to witness. But just as she was about to tear her gaze away, Kira sputtered when she had asked if the drink was alcoholic.

Saya snorted and tried to hold back a giggle but failing to do so. Nonetheless, she reached over to take the glass of Bloody Mary, and luckily too because Kira’s oversized bump almost pushed their table over. Saya’s free hand gripped the edge of the furniture to help stabilize it before looking up with a grin in Kira’s direction. ”Your babies aren’t even born and  they’re already…” Her joke drifted out when Kira’s words reached her ears. ”What?”

Then Kira screamed it, making everyone around them jump in their seats. Every single person froze, trying to process what was happening. ”Her water broke.” Saya reiterated, both for her and their audience. She repeated it again, louder and with a slight panic in her voice. ”Her water broke! She’s going to have babies!” Haphazardly placing the non-alcoholic drink back onto the table, she raced over to Kira and made a move to throw one of the redhead’s arms over her shoulders.

”D-Don’t worry, Lady Kira. We can think of the names on our way to the hospital.” Saya said, trying to distract the pregnant woman as she tried to tug her into getting back up. At least enough so she could hook her other arm under woman’s knees. Her plan was to carry her princess style and speed over to the hospital, which (thank the gods) was only a quick two or four minutes away if she ran at her full speed. ”H-How about, uh, Sa… Satoshi? For a boy’s name?”

WORD COUNT: 538
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 1364 + 538 = 1902

Everything was happening so fast. The Uzumaki’s world was spinning. There were murmurs and panic across the patio. The girl could briefly see passerby’s tuning in on what was going on. It wasn’t everyday that a woman with a bulging belly was about to burst fetus’ out of her hooha in the middle of Kumo’s streets. Then again, she still wasn’t familiar with the culture of the village so maybe it was common.

“AHHHHH” The girl screamed in sudden pain as Saya got her into carrying position. “Damn these babies!” She screamed in frustration as she held onto Saya all the while trying to steady her breathing. These damn brats better take care of her when she gets old for all the shit they’re putting her through. It wasn’t long before Saya took off, Kira in arms as if she were her knight and shining armor. The Uzumaki had pictured this scene in her head much differently. For starters, she was often carried by a man in these day dreams (occasionally a women when she was feeling adventurous). She typically also had her slim body and wearing something regal.

The red head tried to picture it before another sharp pain kicked her back into reality just in time to hear Saya’s terrible name suggestion. “Satoshi.. Satoshi!? What kind of shit name is that!?” She asked, her voice filled with agitation. She continued to try to steady her breathing, but she couldn’t help but feel like she was about to take the biggest dump in her life; and it was coming quick.

Her brain scrambled to think of names. She felt like she was on the clock… well she was. “How about Peter?”

…

“Don’t answer that.” The heterochromatic eyed girl had no idea where that name came from, she just made it up on the spot. Hell, it sounded foreign. Who names a child Peter?

Boom. Another sharp pain. The Uzumaki winced, strengthening her grip on the Genin’s body as she tried to endure the trip. “Please hurry!” She pleaded, craving the comforts of the hospital bed, and hopefully a nice dosage of drugs to subside the pain.

Time was definitely of the essence as they sped through the streets of Kumogakure, bypassing and ignoring curious gazes and shouts. Saya had no qualms in “gently” nudging people out of her way or other shinobi when she began to traverse through the rooftops as traffic was congested in a particular area. Namely the marketplace and the usual civilian teen hangouts. The genin gritted her teeth when Kira’s grip became powerful, enough to leave a dark bruise for weeks or even fracture a bone. Pregnant women, as Saya had come to realize in the past, were the epitome of strength once the labors set in.

Just before they sped past the double doors of the hospital Saya was glad that her friend had been slightly distracted by trying to come up with names for the children. Though she really couldn’t laugh at her reaction, Saya snorted at the proposed name. Peter? That wasn’t a bad name, actually. A truly bad name would be something like “Dudely.” Who in their right minds would call a child that? Truly despicable. It would definitely be one where Saya would strongly go against if Kira ever suggested it.

”We’re here!” Saya panted as she rushed towards the front desk, whose nurses were already standing and scrambling at the sight of them. ”Hurry up and get me a bed!” They were provided with one almost instantly. Conjured out of nowhere, really. ”Alert Doctor Harada! She should have a shift today. And get the surgery room ready!” Command after command flew through her lips as she gently yet swiftly transferred Kira over to the hospital bed. It should be comfortable enough and it should also help support the redhead’s aching back. The woman was carrying twins after all.

”Lady Kira, are you with me? You’ll be fine soon. I promise.”

Saya did not dare leave the Uzumaki’s side. The young girl didn’t even hesitate to hold the woman’s hand, which was sure to mangle her own petite appendage as the raced down the halls to get into the surgery room. Without taking her attention off of the woman, she snapped a question to one of the medical staff that joined them on their journey to the delivery room. ”How are her vitals? Anything abnormal?”

WORD COUNT: 383
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 1902 + 383 = 2285