DISCLAIMER: WHY DO I EVEN TRY TO EXPLAIN, I DON'T OWN NARUTO AND I NEVER WILL - AT LEAST NOT IN THIS EXISTENCE!

SONG: Believer by CYN

CHAPTER TWELVE: GUILTY
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URSA's POV
THE SENSE OF frigid ice temperatures ran through my veins and for the first time, I actually believed that I was dead. My body felt like it was being weighed down my anchors, or that my skin was becoming encased in cement; I was stiff. Opening my eyes was almost impossible, not because I had eyes lashes stabbing at my corneas, but because they felt permanently glued.

However, once I did open my eyes, I saw myself in a darkened room. There was barely any light, almost like if it was the lasting minutes of dusk bleeding in to the night. No moon, no lights, just the fleeting hues of the sun, that's how it seemed. Underneath me was a pool of freezing water, murky, like it belonged to a swamp.

Was this death? Is the warm light really just a hoax? Or was I just one of the few people who would never expirence the welcoming warmth?

After all, there is the possibility that Hell actually freezes over rather than being a burning inferno.

Breathing, I could feel my teeth chatter as my exhales turn to visible wisps of cool air. Glancing with purple eyes, I find nothing, but an empty void. Just freezing waters and darkness. The darkness doesn't deter me, I used to sit in the absolute dark and just listen to music. The lack of light was my sense of comfort. Though, right now, this has certain eerie tone to it - making the hair on my skin prickle.

It's haunting.

That's not all. As I continue treading through the frozen waters, hushed whispers reach my ears. Different voices lapping over one another. They sound garbled, painful - there's cries of anguish. The sounds alone make my stomach twist, but I stay silent. They almost sound like what I imagine the rivers of the underworld to be like.

I could call out, but from watching horror films, I know that's purely idiotic. So, here I am shakingly inhaling a breath and trying to calm down.

"It's just death, nothing to worry about."

"Each step is closer to you dying."

"When hell freezes over? Well it just did."

"Dying is like sleeping...so, go to sleep."

"I said close your eyes."

"Go. To. Sleep!"

"Join us!"

"Stay with us!"

"There's no way out!"

The water seemed to grow even more violent. Its temeperature dropped so much more with every voice. By the last one, my skin was practically burning with the frozen waters. The water dripping on my skin was turning to instant frost.

My exhales were pufts of clouds, so white and visible that it seemed that I was breathing smoke. My skin was too cold, my insides felt like they were literally freezing to the core.

It felt like death was clutching at my heart, a grip so tight and icy.

"No one escapes death!"

- _ - _ - _ - _ - _ -

I WAKE UP with a startled gasp, eyes wide, heart pounding in my chest. Fear runs through my veins as I could still feel an icy chill on my skin. When I realize my surroundings, I notice snow falling from the skies.

My senses finally return which makes me groan at the overall pain in my body. It feels as if I've been thrown through several walls then proceeded to get run over by a truck.

"Owww." I moan before trying to sit up, but when pain rushes through me, I instantly stop. "Nope, not even gonna try!"

Lying still, I stare at the clouded skies and watch as snow slowly flutters down. I instantly cringe at the sight - always having a disdain for the frozen weather. Windy days, rain, and thick fog were much my forte. Though, I realize if its snowing then Haku must have died already, along with Zabuza.

Damn, I was in a state of death longer than Sasuke was in canon, I frown. Do they believe that I'm actually dead. I mean, no one's checking on me.

I guess I have to ignore my pain and actually try getting up....what a drag.

Closing my eyes, I grit my teeth in pain as I push myself up. It's like there's an anvil on my stomach preventing me from moving. Ugh, with much gusto and muttered profanities, I manage to actually sit up. Huffing and puffing, I glare at nothing - I just glare in general.

After a few prolonged and painful seconds, I accomplish the task of standing up. Narrowing my eyes, I focus my semi-blurred vision and notice the crowd of villagers.

"Huh, I guess they just ran off Gatou's men," I assess, muttering to myself.

Looking down at myself, I see that the majority of the senbons are out of my body. I smile, maybe someone actually cared enough to take them out. Without hesitating, I pull out the rest. I do wince, but with gentle precision I manage to remove them all.

Walking closer, I hear Naruto cry about how Haku was from a snowy village. Whenever I read or watched this part, my wannabe hardcore self always cried. Zabuza and Haku's relationship always made me soft, no matter how much I tried to ignore it.

I wait for several moments of silence.

"Look who's back from the dead," I announce making everyone jump back, startled at my sudden presence.

The villagers part like the Red Sea and I'm met my teammates. Naruto and Sakura are openly gaping. Kakashi is nonchalant as ever, I can't really read his emotions under that damned mask. Sasuke, however, he narrows his eyes at me. I don't know if it's confusion or offence.

He's acting like I wanted to 'die' and come back...well, maybe I did. Though, I didn't do it to spite him.

"H-how are you alive," Naruto practically yells.

I sigh, shrugging halfheartedly. "I guess what Kakashi-sensei said about senbons not actually killing was true. The senbons didn't hit any vital spots, so I was just in a state of death," I inform, tiredly. That's before I look down at my 'cause of death'. "Though, I do seem to have deep lacerations on my torso."

Everyone, who expressed emotions, just gaped at her.

"Right. Sakura, can you help Ursa with her wounds," Kakashi tells the Haruno.

The red clad Kunoichi races towards me, but instead of pushing her away like I usually do, I acknowledge her. Giving an awkward and strained smile, I point towards my back.

"I think I'm fine, though I can't really see my back. Can you tell me how it looks," I ask her.

As I feel her hands on my jacket, I take a glance at Sasuke. I instantly notice that he's already looking at us. Well, at me. His eyes are narrowed, and his usual impassive face is turned in a frown. It's like he's contemplating, as if he's trying to decode a puzzle. Other than that, he's blank.

Hmm, I wonder what that's about.

"Nope! You're all good, just the minor cuts from the senbons, but I'm sure those will heal quickly," Sakura tells me.

"Thanks, Sakura," I give her a small smile.

From then on, the villagers all cleared out, returning to their homes. With Zabuza and Haku, we took the time and respectfully buried them on a hill. We perched the Kirikurobocho as their headstone. With multiple sighs, the rest of day went by in a blur.

Once it got dark enough, and after clearing the bridge from all the bodies and damage - and building a bit, we returned to Tazuna's home. Grimacing at the pain in my torso, I immediately dismiss myself to my shared room. Walking up the short few stairs, I leave everyone else at the main room before doing the intended. Entering the room, I rush towards my packed bag and search through my essentials.

From clothes to books to scrolls, I take everything out and search for my roll of bandages. Eventually, I find the necessity - along with others - and take them in my hands before rushing to the bathroom. Locking the door behind me, I immediately take off my ripped jacket and my semi-tattered mesh shirt.

Leaving myself in my bra, I finally inspect my deepened wound. Taking some antisceptic wipes, I clean myself from all the dried blood, dirt, and germs. I hiss every time, I wipe over an open cut, but when I clean my wound I almost cry out with profanities. Once my wound is clean from any possible bacterial infections, I take a small jar of herbal salve and rub some of it on my laceration. When that's done, I take the bandages and wrap them securely, but not too tight, around my upper torso - just under my breasts.

Cleaning my mess, I then turn on the sink and wash my face with cold water. Turning the faucet off, I look in the mirror at my reflection and immediately cringe. I do look dead.

My fair skin is unusually pale.

My eyes have bags darker than my normal shade.

The rosey shade of my lips are almost a chalky white if it wasn't for the slightest tint of pink. 

My face just looks so slack with exhaustion.

Shaking my head, I softly slap my cheeks to add some color. After several slaps, my cheeks gain a rose hue and with that, I exit the bathroom. Releasing a sigh, I sluggishly slump back into the room, like a hermit crab with its shell.

"You died."

Looking up, I notice Sasuke in the middle of the room staring at my arrival. Straightening my posture, I awkwardly shuffle the items in my arms. I give a nervous chuckle.

"Well, technically I was in a state of death," I point out.

He narrowed his dark eyes at me. "You died. You died in my arms," he specifies.

I cringe, my perplexion paling. "I-I... I-I -sorry," I breathe out. "I didn't want you to die. However, I already had the majority of the wounds, I was just decreasing the number of possible deaths. Naruto was unconscious, he couldn't defend himself, and unfortunately it came down to you and I. So, yes, I died and if I had the chance to do it again, I would still do the same."

I knew my words were harsh, and I was blunt, but they were true. So, when I saw him flinch, I kept a straight face. Though, that second of vulnerability disappeared and was quickly replaced with his usual hardened look.

"Hn, then next time I won't get so attached," he glared at me.

Oof, now that hit me real close, I grimaced. I guess dying puts a strain on friendships.

- _ - _ - _ - _ - _ -

THE NEXT TWO weeks went by very slow, too slow for my taste. It seemed that Sasuke made it his mission to avoid me and give me the cold shoulder. Some people will find it romantic, or honored that someone would die for them, but I guess not everyone shares that perspective. Though, if someone were to die for me, I would be horrified, shocked, but I would also be angry. I mean, why would they willingly end their life for me.

All in all, I understand Sasuke's reaction to my somewhat death. Until then, I'll use my most distinguishable trait and be patient. I would wait until he comes along, and trust me. I can literally wait forever if I had to.

Especially, if I had books to help me waste time.

So, with my glasses resting on my nose, I read the book The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi as we bid our farewells to the villagers. The mission having come to an end with the completion of the bridge. The Great Naruto Bridge, the name itself making me silently chuckle.

With a final goodbye, we - Team Seven - take our leave. I keep my eyes trained on my current read, skillfully ignoring my surroundings yet keeping my senses aware. Right now, I'm on chapter two of the book, where the village chief is informing the protagonists - Naruto and Shu - about the destruction of Ton due to the shifting of Mount Hyakki.

Oh, man, if I'm right, then the Chunin Exams are coming soon. If that's correct, then I need some training. More wind jutsus, maybe I could learn to wield more weapons.

With wind, I can use a sword or katana and I can use the technique to lengthen and sharpen my blades. Plus, I can create some jutsus.

There's also the fact that I could use Water chakra, and Poison Release. The possibilities for poison is making me giddy, I can't wait.

I chuckle, thinking of all the ideas coming to my mind. I could literally feel my inner sociopath becoming ecstatic with glee. Also, my sadistic nature is very happy with idea of making my techniques painful. By now, I'm giggling like madman with an evil plan - which is somewhat true.

"What's so funny, Ursa? Is that book really that entertaining," Sakura turns, questioning my actions.

"O-oh, no. Not really. I'm laughing because I have some really great training ideas. Though, as great as I say they are, they might be disturbing for you," I state, unable to stop the malicious grin from forming on my face.

"Oh, nevermind, I guess," she mumbles.

Though, it's Kakashi who takes interest. "Ideas like what, Ursa?"

"Remember when you said that I have Poison Release? Well, that got me thinking. I could create techniques, seals, or maybe weaponize my own kind of poison, and they could attack the person's body in different ways. I could make it that the poison infiltrates and attack their nervous system making them suffer very painfully. Or I could make it so it attacks their cells making it impossible to heal, whilst destroying their body from the inside out. Or I-"

"Okay! We get it," Sakura cries out, a look of horror on her face. "You're very creative, especially with your forms of torture."

I deadpan. "Just because I can create them, it doesn't mean that I would use them. Sure, maybe I'll use them as a last resort, but I'm not going to plan full scale attacks with my techniques, that's just stupid. I don't want my possible creations to fall in the wrong hands," I explain, closing my book after book marking the page.

"I'm sure Sakura means well, Ursa. Your ideas do sound a bit sadistic, and I know you won't use them unless necessary," Kakashi steps in, stopping any possible hostility. "What other ideas do you have?"

I smile at the question. "Well, I'm thinking of expanding my use of weapons. Fans are great to wield, but they're more for long range attacks, not close combat. I'm thinking of maybe getting a katana or a blade of some sort. With that I can incorporate our chakra training with my wind nature. You know, make the blade sharper with wind chakra, almost like how the samurai do! Maybe I can create some techniques as well," I inform, my smile widening as I explain.

"Or maybe I can start training in my water chakra! I have loads of ideas for that, too! Ooh! Or I can start practicing fuinjutsu - sealing always fascinated me! Or medical ninjutsu, healing and anatomy always interested me as well - Oh, I can't wait!"

Kakashi listened to his student as she raved about training in different skills. Zabuza was right, he thinks, she's smart. Insanely intelligent. To have ideas that are possibly deadly is astonishing. Heck, he was shocked at her mentions of creating weaponized poison serums. Even more so when he heard of the ways that her poisons could affect the opponents that are attacked with it. 'Destroying them from the inside' now that was the selling point to convince him that his student - Ursa, is very dangerous. Her potential is phenomenal.

Sasuke, he threw a glance to his teammate, his friend. He acknowledged the frames of white glasses on her face, noting that she only wears them for reading which is a lot lately. He knows that she apologized for her reckless actions, but he thinks, why would she risk her life for me? So, maybe all that reading is a substitute until he starts talking to her, he needs to make the move, by means - she's not forcing him to talk, she's just waiting. Although, he does narrow his eyes at her after her ideas of training.

How can she have so many ideas? Is really that smart? In fact, did she always have the potential to be that strong?

- _ - _ - _ - _ - _ -

THE ARRIVAL TO Konoha didn't last as long as the travel to the Wave Country, maybe the bridge helped with time difference. No, it definitely helped. Bookmarking further into the book, I close it and place it back into my weapon's pouch. Sighing, I take off my glasses and rub my eyes before yawning.

Ugh, reading always makes me tired. It's probably because I'm gaining new information...maybe, I state to myself as I look up to the village gates. Plus, I need to add the variable of walking in warm weather, that's always a downside.

I turn towards Kakashi. "Uh, can we go home or do we need to report to the Hokage about the mission?"

"Ursa, you and everyone else could go home, it's the team leader's job to report to the Homage," he chuckles, giving us his signature smile.

"Oh, that's good. I'm too tired to deal with anything else," I said, slumping my posture.

"Me too! This mission was too exhausting," Sakura 'hmphed' crossing her arms.

"I'm starved! I'm gonna celebrate our mission with some Ichiraku's ramen, believe it," Naruto exclaims, grinning and gripping the straps of his backpack.

"Alright, alright. I get it. You did good on this mission, everyone did. Now, go rest. Tomorrow's a day off for us, we meet back on Tuesday, alright," Kakashi informs, ushering us away.

"Yosh!" I smirk at Naruto's cheer.

"That works for me, I could start my training," I say, smiling with determination.

We all start walking and I wave a farewell to my teammates, and my ever so silent friend as I start to break off. Though, before we go in our seperate directions, an anbu with crow mask jumps, landing in front of us. I, along with the others, stop, slightly startled.

Frowning, I tilt my head to the side, narrowing my lilac gaze on him.

Why is there an Anbu here? Is it here for Kakashi? Though, if the Hokage wanted the Jounin wouldn't he just send a hawk to signal him?

"What's the meaning of this," Kakashi asks the man, stepping closer.

"You're Kakashi Hatake, and this is your genin team, correct," the Anbu asks.

"Yes, that's right," our sensei answers.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! What is this?! Why is he here," Naruto questions, pointing a finger towards the newcomer.

"I see." The anbu answers, before slightly turning, his gaze on me now. "Ursa Ko, you are under arrest for the false information of your identity, and all intentions of espionage."

My eyes widen, what?

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Welp, that was chapter 12, sorry again if it sucked. I know I just ghosted over the land of the waves ending, but I wanted to tie it up.

Anyways....

Ursa got arrested? Oof!

Did you like the ideas she has for training?

What will the (team 7's) reactions of her arrest be...?

What will happen in her interrogation?

And oooh, the chunin exams are coming up! Yay, my favorite arc!

Well, that's all! Also, don't forget to...

COMMENT

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FAN!!!

ADIOS, Mis amigos!

(I made myself a banner, not as cool as other author's, but meh)