The Deserts Test

Chapter 1: Stopover at Karaksan

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Author notes: Hi everyone! I don't know if i was the only one, but I was so disappointed we didn't see more of the Yuki clan that Haku is a member of.

I think its a fantastic plot potential that is wasted in Naruto.

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How they were destroyed? Or why? Were there any other survivors apart from Haku? Lukra Mizakaro is an exploration into these questions.

A Hyoten clan prodigy who escaped the Mist's purge, deciding to seek Asylum in Konoha. With Lukra I get the opportunity to put to flesh out the Yuki clan, and really bring it to life.

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Minato is also largely a mystery to me, he became a Shinobi legend simply by being smart and rescuing Kushina? There is astonishingly little material on how Minato was shaped as a person. Or about his teammates.

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So i decided to have Lukra Mizakaro join Minato's Genin team, exploring how Minato might develop if he had someone of similar ability on the same team. And what dynamic would they develop?

Please check out my prequel story, 'Stomach of the toad' that takes place several years earlier for more background.

Untill then, enjoy the journey!

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Minato POV

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Lukra looked at him with a mixture of grimness and nervousness.

Her deep sapphire blue eyes glinting in the dim light of the tent.

Lukra was never exactly scared of things, but she certainly knew some outcomes were worse than others.

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Lukra was a tall tough looking girl of around eighteen years age, featuring long dark jet hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall.

Her skin was the palest alabaster, gleaming like moonlight in the dim lighting of the tent.

Most distinctive were her dark blue eyes, intelligence and an almost preternatural perception glinting in them.

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She had a very striking and unique look.

If you walked past Lukra by the thoroughfare you would turn around again for a better look.

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"So how did it go?" she asked, failing miserably to sound casual about it.

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Minato did his best to reassure her from the outset.

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'You're on my team," he said brightly,

"The Hokage agreed that best work we could do would come from working together"

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Lukra nodded, something softened in her face, and the set of her shoulders seemed to infinitesimally relax.

As if some huge weight had been removed from it.

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"That's great Minato! Thank Kami!" she breathed, giving him a glowing smile that seemed to light up the tent.

She seemed to be resisting the urge to jump up and down.

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Minato tried to smile too but there was a strained edge to it that Lukra instantly sensed.

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Minato, her eighteen year old teammate, was a slim built man of around average height. His distinctive sun kissed yellow hair tucked in behind his hiate. His eyes were the shade of cerulean blue tropical waters.

His features rather refined and angular, Minato was not conventionally handsome by most standards, he was borderline beautiful.

Something his friends ragged him constantly over.

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He looked especially lean, almost rake thin this moment, as if he had run a series of Marathons.

Minato emanated a calm confidence and intelligence. Looking in his eyes you could see the heart in them.

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Minato glanced at Lukra with trepidation, his eyes clouded, almost frozen, unsure how to break the news to his dark haired teammate.

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Lukra read his face at a glance, understanding instantly.

Her face grew more sombre, but she reassured him to carry on with a gentle smile.

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'I know the rest is going to be crap Minato, but at least that came through" she said with palpable relief.

Her face hardened as if bracing herself for the news.

"Go on Minato, tell me" she said firmly, ready.

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Minato nodded, resolving to get the worst out of the way first.

Lukra hated bad news being sprung up on her unexpectedly. She preferred to have it out in the open.

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"Here Lukra, I'm sorry…. I'm sorry," he said bitterly "But the Hokage wants you to wear this blood seal,"

Divulging the unwanted contents of his jacket pocket In answer to her unspoken question

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"It's a one way contract. If the person at the other end terminates it you die' he said, his voice feeling raspy, hating like venom every word.

Feeling them echo hollowly in his chest.

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Minato gently handed her the glistening red seal that seemed to glow malevolently at him.

Even if he hadn't known all the details of its capabilities, the mere look of it would have told him it was bad news.

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"I'm sorry Lukra" he repeated his voice hoarse,

"I tried Lukra, I swear I tried, but this was the only way I had to keep us together on the same team" he said feeling stricken.

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"The Hokage was this close to putting you on an Anbu squad"

He held up two fingers and put a milometer between them.

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Minato wanted to throw the seal into a river but he knew there was absolutely no choice involved here.

Lukra gave it one long steady look, all the implications flashing through her eyes in one steely calculation.

Then she made the choice Minato knew she would make.

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As if wanting to get the unpleasantness over quickly she impatiently bit her finger drawing some blood and activated it.

Then she placed it onto her lower back without hesitation, she didn't want it on her arms drawing attention to a strange looking Tattoo.

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With a sliding 'snk' sound it sealed itself seamlessly on her pale skin, glowing brightly red for a moment, signalling its activation.

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'So those miserable creeps on the council want insurance, what else did they demand?" she asked tersely.

'They want you to undergo an Yamanaka mind scan once a year.' Minato said softly, bracing himself for the reaction.

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Lukra gritted her teeth, 'You'd think they'd know every crevice of my mind by now, anything else"

He'd known she wouldn't like that one. Of all the things she'd gone through in Konoha she said that had felt the worst.

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Minato carried on trying to get through as much unpleasantness in as brief a time as possible.

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"They want you to write reports on any developments you acquire as well as undergo yearly testing" Minato elaborated.

"They were kind enough to say they would send someone to you rather than making you travel around"

"How thoughtful of them" Lukra snorted darkly.

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"Something about you probably being busy the next few years" Minato muttered.

Lukra's eyes narrowed, before grunting, "The good kind of busy I hope" before asking dryly, 'Fine, anything else?'

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Minato sighed, here was the worst one.

"And they want an Uchiha on our team who is essentially going to spy on us, give us orders and question everything we do while holding the other end of that seal threateningly". He said nonchalantly.

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He watched Lukra's already pale features drain even further.

"The Hokage asked us both to make an effort to be diplomatic with our new overseer" He informed.

"But he said he'll understand if things don't always go smoothly" Minato trailed off miserably.

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Lukra looked as though she was wondering what on earth that meant.

Minato could sympathize since he had no idea either.

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If things didn't go smoothly what were they supposed to do exactly….file a complaint?

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"Joy," Lukra said sarcastically

"I always felt like something was missing from my life, it was obviously a remote control kill switch, with a trigger happy Uchiha on the other end" she said scathingly.

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"I'm sorry Lukra" Minato repeated softly, sky blue eyes glistening with emotion.

"This was the best I could do, I swear to you, I couldn't get anything more out of the Third" he said fervidly.

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Lukra held up a hand forestalling him quickly, "Don't get all sappy on me Minato, I know you did your very best," she said quietly, "I know"

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Then she pursed her lip, A nagging question occurring to her,

"So I'm on your team, but apart from this Uchiha, who does this consist of exactly?" she asked.

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"Me, You, and Inoichi, with me as the Team leader"

"When we get to The Suna base, well join up with one of the larger squads there" Minato explained.

"But essentially the Hokage said you're under my command, he felt that's what would work best" Minato said more optimistically.

Hoping she would see it the same way.

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"Well Your Hokage finally get one thing right" Lukra said astringently.

"That's good, it'll let us do the important things with less hassle" she said thoughtfully.

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"But Inoichi, that pincushion?" she said in confusion.

Giving him a look clearly asking if he were serious about the news.

Minato just gave a firm nod, "No jokes Lukra, the Third specifically wanted Inoichi"

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"He's going to pair two of his most powerful shinobi, with someone who's barely chuunin level?"

"Is your Hokage off his rocker? Is he trying to make this more awkward? Slow us down?" Lukra asked incredulously, a consternated look on her face.

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"He had just agreed to let you go with me as opposed to an indefinite tenure under Danzo, I didn't feel like quibbling over Inoichi's placement" Minato said starkly.

"What would you have done?" Minato demanded severely.

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"Probably the exact the same thing" Lukra admitted after a moments careful reflection.

"Right, I rest my case" Minato said conclusively.

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Lukra nodded once in acceptance and then moved on.

"When do we leave for Suna?" she asked briskly.

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"Today Lukra, the great adventure starts today" he announced grandly.

"Were going to stop of at a border town in the fire country, then head to Suna" Minato explained.

"That sounds like a plan" Lukra said approvingly.

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Then a light clicked in Minato's head as if he'd forgotten something important.

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"Oh!...and here….this is for you….." Minato mumbled.

Rummaging around in his satchel.

"Congratulations, we both made Jounin!"

"This the legit rank, signed personally by the Hokage!" Minato said spiritedly, handing her a dark green bulky Jounin vest.

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Lukra took it slowly, an unreadable expression on her face.

"One of these days I might actually do the exam for one of these" she muttered darkly.

Tracing the green vest lightly with a single finger as if lost in trance.

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Then Lukra turned back to Minato and shrugged ruefully at the absurdities of life, taking it calmly in her stride.

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"All the mountains of crap aside, At least I'm with someone I care about." Lukra said frankly.

"I know this was a mercy. Thank you Minato," she said sincerely.

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"Hey don't Mention it lukra san, I still owe you for back at Akuze's outpost, just repaying the favour" Minato grinned putting on his own jacket.

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"Let's hope our luck holds out at the next place we go to" Lukra said lightly, strapping on her own joinin vest vigorously.

Her lithe body slinking easily into the form fitting material, the vest looking as though it was made for her.

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"I'm sure it will Lukra" Minato said with a cheerful smile that he didn't quite feel.

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Sometimes he could still feel the blade of Akuze's great cutting sword whistling through the air, mere millimetres from cutting through his midriff.

Minato had meant it jokingly.

He had no idea how much that stray thought would come back to haunt him over the next few weeks.

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"Lets go Minato kun" Lukra said in business-like tone, "You pack, I'll start to get the tents down, that way we half the time"

"Gotcha Lukra san" Minato said reaching for some bags to deposit the items, before he stored them inside the seals in his satchel.

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Minato packed his and Lukras bags quickly, his hands darting quickly in a blur of movement. Throwing things in haphazardly without any regard for order.

"You need this shirt Lukra? The one with all those holes from the shruiken?" Minato queried.

"If its not of any immediate use, and I mean Immediate, then dispense with it" Lukra said dispassionately, wrenching out a tent peg with a grunt.

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Minato trashed it thinking probably just as well honestly speaking.

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"What about our kunai, tags and gear in the Armory?" Minato queried throwing in the sleeping rolls.

"Forget about it, we'll get new ones, lets just get out of here" Lukra said practically.

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Minato nodded, in total agreement.

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"I'll leave and get Inoichi as soon as I've got this stuff in the storage seals, meet you back here" Minato said.

"Could not agree with you more" Lukra said with fervour.

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It seemed they both wanted to be out of here as soon as humanly possible before Danzo could machinate some excuse to detain them.

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He had a written copy of the Hokages orders, with his seal attached.

But back in this camp where Danzo held all the cards, a thin piece of paper for a shield, felt about as substantial as that.

A piece of paper.

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The sooner they were out of there the better Minato thought staunchly.

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He could feel a sense of unease at the back of his neck, as if a timer were counting down.

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Then he ran off to find Inoichi

Who he had spoken to earlier informing him of his new destination.

Locating the other blonde man trying to say goodbye to Shikaku.

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They were cracking jokes and seemed so reluctant to depart that Minato felt rather ridiculously as if he were separating a couple.

Members of the Ino-shika~cho combo really did get into the spirit of teamwork apparently Minato thought drily.

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Coughing rather loudly to get their attention he gave a look that strongly suggested as if he were in a hurry.

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With one last sad hug inoichi slumped off sulkily after Minato, Shikaku trailing behind them.

"Are you sure the Third said I had to come?" Inoichi whined, the most thoroughly peeved expression on his face.

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"Yes he did Mate" Minato said flatly, not wanting a discussion right then.

"Did he say why?"

"No he didn't, you want to go and ask him?" Minato asked pointedly.

"This sucks balls!" Inoichi whined miserably, "Just when things were looking up here!"

Minato ignored him and walked faster making Inoichi half run to keep up with him.

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The less time he spent listening to this the better, joining lukra at the edge of the camp, who was looking awkward and just as impatient as him to leave.

She was surrounded by a whole bunch of shinobi wishing to see them off.

'Crowded' might have been the better term come to think of it.

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Minato's eyes widened, there had to be over eighty people hanging around the area.

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Word of Minato and her leaving had spread like wildfire it seemed. It couldn't have been more than ten minutes ago that Lukra had started taking down their tents.

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Minato mentally cursed, a quiet low key exit would have been so much better, but so much for that!

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Minato nodded to Lukra and they started to make their way out.

Minato made a point of shaking hands and wishing well the shinobi hed gotten to know during his time here, some of the older men nodding respectfully at him.

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"So you're off then? God speed!"

"Good luck Minato!"

"Get a couple for us Minato!"

"Been good to have you here with us"

"When you reach the top don't forget about us!"

"Proud to have been with you here mate"

"Thanks for everything Minato"

"Its been an honour"

"Take care!"

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Minato also got dragged into more than a few backslapping bro hugs.

All of whom seemed determined to see how red they could make Minato's back by slapping it.

More than a few of the female Konoichi in the camp seemed to grab the opportunity to embrace Minato tightly without any social censure.

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Shikaku grabbed Minato in a bear hug feeling very sentimental all of a sudden.

Glossing over all the times when he'd blatantly bitched about Minato behind his back.

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"I'm gonna miss you so much bro" Shikaku said sounding genuinely a bit teary, go figure.

"Me too" Minato said, half honest, mildly exasperated at the run he'd been put through.

Wondering where this sentiment was when he actually needed it.

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"Please look after Inoichi for me mate, he needs it" Shikaku said heavily.

"Don't worry I will" Minato promised, a bit more honest this time.

Shikaku released him with at last with a wrench.

Minato was suddenly surrounded by about ten other well wishers congratulating him and commiserating on his leaving.

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All of them were suddenly shouted out by Shikaku.

"And Minato! Next time you go to a brothel, make sure you fucking get laid!" he boomed.

It seemed to echo out around the whole camp, sounding almost unnaturally loudly to Minato.

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Minato shot a filthy look at Shikaku.

More than a few chuunin cheered and unleashed a series of whistles, cat calls and their own lewd suggestions.

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The grumpy head medic even made a point of stopping over,

"Make sure you look after yourself the next place you go, I wont be there to patch you up," she snarled testily at him as a greeting.

"I'll try my best" Minato promised, not offended by the brash exterior.

"Although…" she said, looking sideways at Lukra.

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The stern woman sighed and shook her head, Giving him a look that strongly hinted he was getting more than he deserved.

"You're lucky, you couldn't ask for a more dedicated medic, she's a responsible girl, and she likes you. She'll keep you safe" said softly.

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"I know I'm lucky, I'll always remember my time around you" Minato said truthfully.

She really stood out with her attitude, and he was surprised to find he actually really would miss her.

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"Bet you will," she said with a knowing glance.

"And don't be so fucking Modest," she added with a glare,

"Its so goddamn boring, you gotta have a bit of an edge, but of character or people will think you're made of plastic" She said flicking him on the chest heatedly.

"I'll try" Minato said.

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Continuing his push to get put of the camp he was subjected to even more backslapping.

It was really starting to hurt he thought with a wince.

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Many of the younger Chuunin he'd helped in a tough spot said "Thankyou" for the times he'd helped them out during the war.

More than a few of them literally owing their lives to him.

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lastly a very tearful blonde Yoshino came lurching at him, locking into a clinging embrace and looking as if she never wanted to let go.

Minato inhaled a mouthful of long hair and choked a bit trying to breath, off guard at the unexpected embrace.

That went on for considerably longer than all the other girls previously.

It felt as if she was trying to meld herself into Minato's body.

Lukra rolled her eyes and gave a despairing look over Yoshinos shoulder.

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"Please don't get hurt again the next place you go to" Yoshino said in a whisper, sobbing a little,

"I'll try not to" Minato said feeling very embarrassed and wondering exactly when he and Yoshinos had found the time to become friends.

Certainly not in conversation.

"We'll always remember you Minato" she said poignantly, a few actual tears in her eyes, her voice trembling.

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Managing with some effort to extract himself he looked to see Lukra surrounded by more than a few well wishers herself.

Most of them people she had saved with her cryostasis technique when they had been injured.

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They hadn't really interacted with Lukra during their time here but they all seemed to be making a point of thanking her now.

Perhaps realizing and feeling the debt they had.

Many of them bowed and wished her well.

One chuunin even went so far as to get on his knees to make the bow, thanking her candidly for saving his friends life.

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A lot of other shinobi who had come to respect her shook her hand and thank her for her work.

Though some what more formally than with Minato.

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"Looks like you were more popular than you realised" Minato muttered to her under his breath.

"I…..guess…." Lukra said eloquently, looking rather weirded out, honestly a bit puzzled at all the attention from people she hadn't really known.

But she seemed to take it in her stride.

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During all these proceedings Danzo was conspicuously absent, which both puzzled and relieved Minato.

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Finally getting through to the exterior of the camps, Minato gave a wave and nodded to Inoichi and Lukra and the three of them left, dashing onto the road.

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A loud cheer echoed behind them like thunder, a hundred throats roaring as one "Yellow flash! Ice Queen! Yellow flash! Ice Queen! Yellow flash! Ice Queen!

And then as if a veil, had been pierced. That part of their lives was closed forever.

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Lukra, Minato and Inoichi ran with great distance eating steps, heading towards the mostly agricultural community of karaksan.

Minato had them travel at a steady pace, neither particularly fast or slow.

He didn't want the journey all across the land of fire and partly into the wind country to be burdensome.

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Inoichi complained a little about how much they were travelling, but after a while settled into the rhythm and was mostly quiet.

Lukra was as silent as a grave, Minato hadn't heard her speak for the last eighty kilometres.

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All three of them had fought a relentless follow through action after the death of Akuze.

Lukra and Minato at the very forefront of the action.

All three of them were tired from weeks of relentless fighting.

The demoralized Mist fighting back with savage desperation.

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Minato had barely gotten any sleep at all during this period.

He noticed Lukra looked just as he haggard as he was, almost frail. There were gaunt lines on her face and her hair hung in long lank locks.

It was hard to correlate the image to the tough looking Konoichi he usually knew.

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There was absolutely no point heading off into the Suna desert in this state.

It would be much more prudent to rest a few days and get their strength back and plan the route properly.

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They camped that night in a Forest, setting up a small fire, and pulling their sleeping roles next to it to enjoy the warmth.

Minato made a low powered shadow clone to stand watch, being arguably the healthiest out of them.

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Lukra hadn't spoken in the last eight hours. Even Inoichi didn't he much to say right now.

Even basic running was surprisingly taxing for them all in this state.

All three of them sat in silence around the fire in the evening.

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Lukra pulled out her sleeping roll and vanished into it without another word, dark circles under her eyes.

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Finally Inoichi piped up.

"Hey Minato, were getting close to Konoha, Why don't we stop and visit for a day?" Inoichi enquired, a hopeful look on his face.

"I'd love to say high to my folks, catch up with everyone, hell just see the village again" he raved passionately.

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"Sorry Inoichi, but it isn't a good idea" Minato replied firmly.

"And why the fuck not?"

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"Because we are about to head off to another warzone. You spend a few days at home and you wont want to leave again" Minato prompted.

"It'll be harder to get back into the mind-set you have now, and I don't fancy lugging a homesick whiner for the next ninety kilometres,"

"Not to mention someone half drunk" he added with annoyance.

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"Were not going and that's final" Minato said firmly. The matter closed in his mind.

Packing his things away for the night, a dead serious look in his face.

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Inoichi looked appalled.

"Minato man! I can handle it, I wont go all Homesick on you? Please mate! Please! Please! Just for a day even!"

"I Disagree, I know what you're like, you can't be trusted" Minato said flatly.

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"What about gear? New weapons? We need to get some right?" Inoichi said desperately.

"We'll get them in Karaksan" Minato said mechanically.

"Please Minato! Please!"

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"No Mate, I'm sorry" Minato said gently, "I know it's hard, but it honestly wont help you, that's the truth"

"You blow Minato" Inoichi said venomously, "I am not gonna let this go, you hear!"

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"You can complain all you like but its still not happening" Inoichi had no idea of it, but he was barking up the wrong forest here.

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"I'm sorry" Minato said more mellowly, struggling to be considerate when he was feeling strained himself.

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He tried to head off Inoichi, "Anyway I'm not made of stone" Minato said disparagingly, "I plan on taking a long break in Karaksan"

"How long?"

"At least two weeks Inoichi, I promise you can do whatever you like, no strings attached Sound good?" he asked casually.

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"They have bars there?"

"Of course, they do, Karaksan is used to shinobi passing through, they have lots of things to keep them entertained" Minato said appealingly.

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"Make it three and I'll keep quiet" Inoichi said, a calculating look on his face.

"Done" Minato agreed in relief, glad it was settled for such a low price.

"Alrighty!"

Inoichi mollified, went to his own sleeping bag, and went to sleep without another word or care on his face

Minato envied him.

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Minato fed the fire and stared into the flickering red and orange dance.

Mind lost in the flames and in thought.

Later Lukra stirred and shrugged herself out of her sleeping roll, she looked at Minato intently.

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Apparently not as asleep as she had appeared, she motioned for Minato to join her out amongst the trees.

Out of earshot of Inoichi.

Minato nodded gently and motioned to follow her into the dark of surrounding trees.

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Once there the dark haired girl turned towards him.

"Minato, You sure you don't want to stop off quickly by Konoha?"

"I thought you of all people would be keen to avoid it" Minato said, looking surprised at her wish.

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"We wouldn't all have to go in, you could just quickly teleport in, pick up my notes on Time space jutsu's and get out" Lukra suggested in a murmur.

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"We don't have to, I already picked up your notes from my last visit with the Third,"

"And we knew enough anyway to get by even without it" Minato explained briefly.

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"Oh!, Good thinking Minato," Lukra said, pleased and mollified.

"Danzo made his move on the Mist front but he almost certainly had support on the council for his views" Lukra said perceptively.

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Minato nodded in agreement, "Dead on Lukra, fucking bulls eye. The Third had a lot of opposition to make the decision he did"

Lukras deep blue eyes glinted in the moonlight, "And If we go back were conveniently handy for them to start having ideas like assigning me elsewhere, or more 'precautionary checks'"

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"Indeed, lets not give them an opportunity to change their minds" Minato said, eyes hard.

"Right its settled then, we can buy whatever else we need at Karaksan" Lukra concluded satisfied.

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"C'mon lets get back" Lukra said, beckoning her head towards the campfire.

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After waking up they resumed their long trek, passing through miles and miles of country.

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Minato noticed while breathing in some dusty air, The temperature was much warmer than Konohas summer, though not excessively so.

Certainly much more so than the boggy water lands he and Lukra had been sloshing through for the past three years.

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Karaksan was right at the edge of the fire country and the border of the wind country.

The climate was already significantly hotter and closer to what they would encounter shortly.

Lukra born to the damp climate of the Mist perspired a bit at the temperature, droplets of sweat trailing down her face.

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They arrived into the picturesque countryside where Karaksan resided later that night, a glitter of diamond like stars glinting in the sky.

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The trio found a great open ranging country surrounded by miles and miles of farms

Neat rows of green shrub like plants denoting rice paddies could be seen stretching out in the distance, under the starlight.

A large lake was situated a while away from the main cluster of buildings, the moon glinting across its silvery surface.

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Several high mountains silhouetting to the far west, Minato could see two rivers feeding from the rocky crags to the lake.

There was a clever array of waterways threading from the lake into the farmland, making use of the water to irrigate their plentiful crops.

Minato could see fields of tall corn, as well as other grains.

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"There better be a fucking bar" Inoichi said in response to seeing all the beauty around them.

"There will be" Minato said serenely, ignoring the attitude.

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Along the main path heading into Karaksan there was a bamboo forest lining the road on either side.

The Thick green ringed stalks towering twenty over feet above them.

Walking through past the Bamboo you could hear the wind whistling past the leaves of the swaying behemoths.

The rustling sounding a little like Whispering in the wind.

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Minato enjoyed their effect, as they walked into the main thoroughfare.

Neither Lukra or Inoichi seemed to have either the energy or inclination to appreciate it.

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Lights from the houses illuminated them as they emerged from the path to the paved stone of the town.

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Minato quickly walked the down the street to the main residential area.

Looking for a decent place to stay. Finding a section where there were several Inns.

Minato chose a medium sized, but fairly unobtrusive three story building. Making sure it was spacious.

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Entering inside Minato was greeted by a middle aged lady, her hair tied back in practical locks.

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"Could I book Three large rooms please" Minato enquired politely.

"How long are you planning on staying?"

"At least three weeks Maam"

"Of course" The lady replied checking down their names and fishing for three keys.

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Minato read her name on her tag.

She asked for a fairly extortionate price but Minato paid without complaint, seeing it was the only stop before here and Suna.

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"Thankyou Kaiso san, please keep the extra" Minato said generously adding a bit more.

"Thankyou shinobi san" Kaiso replied, blushing a little on her cheeks.

Lukra sighed behind Minato.

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"We serve breakfast here for free every morning at nine, and the main common room and bar is open untill three am"

"That sounds wonderful Kaiso san"

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"Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything" Kaiso san said accommodatingly, almost leaning out of her seat to be helpful.

"I will, Thankyou" Minato replied.

It was astonishing the difference using someone's name made.

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The trio headed upstairs with a clumping noise.

Minato barely looking where he was going opened up his room, finding a spacious luxurious room.

Lukra and Inoichi found their rooms and disappeared inside, Minato closed his own door.

'

Stumbling his way to the bed Minato chucked down his bag, kicked off his shoes drowsily.

He slunk down on the linen sheets, not even bothering to take off his vest or outer clothes.

'

The exhaustion hed postponed for weeks seemed to release all at once like tsunami wave cresting.

He surrendered to the welcoming and blissful dark waves of sleep

The bed felt as though it was sucking him inside like a sponge, it felt otherworldly delicious.

And Minato knew no more.

'

'

He didn't surface until nearly sixteen hours when Lukra gently woke him up mid afternoon time the next day.

Gently knocking on the door, the sound felt like a clanging ringing to Minato.

'

"What uh…" Minato mumbled blearily.

"Minato It's me, I think you've slept enough, that is if you actually want to do anything today" Lukra said dryly.

'

Minato dragged himself up laboriously, unlocking the door to see his tall dark haired teammate peering at him.

A small smirk of amusement adorning her face.

'

Eyeing his tired form Lukra nodded understandingly, saying "Me too, I slept nearly as long as you,"

"It's not surprising really considering everything we've done, didn't realize how goddamn tired I was" she said sagely restraining a yawn.

'

Lukra was a great proponent of waking up early, but it seemed even she didn't have the heart to complain right now.

"We missed breakfast in the Inn" Minato sighed tediously glancing at the clock, annoyed at himself.

"Yeah by like seven hours sleeping beauty" Lukra snorted, "C'mon lets go get something before I resort to cannibalism"

'

'

They idled the afternoon away around the local shops in the area, none of them feeling like doing anything strenuous.

'

The townspeople were polite, friendly and seemed used to seeing shinobi pass by here often.

'

Minato glanced with interest at the windows of a few weapons dealers.

Peering over to see if there were a few well balanced tri pronged Kunai for his shadow shruiken jutsu.

A few mannequin fronted clothes shops also advertised both civilian and shinobi wear, including some items clearly better suited for traversing the wind country.

'

'

They headed into a small tea shop that had a café attached to it.

Lukra ordering a huge meal on the menu while Inoichi and Minato requested something more normal sized.

The Hyoten prodigies meal bigger than both Minatos and Inoichis combined.

'

'

Minato could barely summon the energy to move his jaw, he felt like a robot trying to chew a marshmallow.

He also unfortunately forgot to check his hair that morning.

'

The unruly flaxen blonde mess adorning Minatos face on either side, getting way too long for comfort.

Lukra with a grin ruffled it working her fingers spiritedly into the mess.

'

"You look cute with your hair like that, a bit like a yellow porcupine, Yoshino would have a heart attack if she saw this" Lukra said with a teasing lilt to her voice.

"Lay off Lukra" Minato said blearily wincing at the image.

It was much too early in the day for teasing.

"You have some stubble in your chin, were you going for the roguish scruffy pirate look" Lukra quipped.

"I wasn't" He replied shortly.

'

"Maybe you should try it more often" Lukra suggested with a grin.

"I'm not the most fashionable person, but I believe in not looking like an uprooted tree" he said mellowly.

"I shall savour this moment then and move on"

"You do that" Minato grunted.

'

'

Hunching down over his section of the table, face in both hands still feeling a creeping grogginess through his veins.

'

Minato picked up the smoking beverage beside him.

Drowning himself in the cup of hot tea, feeling the delicious hot liquid spreading down his body like a hot water bottle.

After he'd downed another two cups he started to feel more human again.

'

'

"You know man, it makes you appreciate the conveniences of home, after sleeping on a bed roll for the last two years" Inoichi said

"That it does" Minato agreed simply.

'

"So how come you get the big room Minato?" Inoichi asked teasingly.

"I picked the first three grand sized rooms available, and walked in randomly,"

"I was half asleep so there was no opportunity for prize picking if that's what your insinuating" Minato said blearily, not in the mood for this.

His mind still half foggy with tiredness.

'

"Still I wouldn't mind some extra space, you wanna switch?" Inoichi wheedled.

'

Lukra rolled her eyes.

"Your room is bigger than mine Inoichi" Lukra added snippily.

Perhaps a little annoyed Inoichi was harping on about such a trivial matter.

'

"Whatever you want Inoichi" Minato said indifferently.

"If it was an issue you should have bou….bough…it up!" Minato said, his voice breaking midway into a yawn.

'

Lukra wouldn't have tolerated such a pointless request under any circumstance but Minato was somewhat more laid back.

He honestly didn't care.

'

"Here Minato, take this" Lukra said in sympathy passing him one of her three platters of Bacon, egg and toast.

"You still look dead on your feet" she chided, worry in her dark blue eyes.

'

"It was several dozen Hiriashin jumps between Konoha and where we were," Minato said defensively.

He bit into the offered still pancake like dish, it tasted heavenly. Sending shivers of warmth all throughout his body.

"Th….thanks Lukra" Minato said gratefully, his mouth half full.

'

'

"There and back" Inoichi pointed out.

"I know, I was the one doing it" Minato stated irritably, guzzling some more tea.

You think I forget doing all those jumps? Minato thought in incredulous irritation biting into some more buttered toast.

'

"Just bloody eat Minato, It's no fun teasing you at all in this state" Lukra said, despondent her favorite hobby was cut off.

"I know your game Lukra, you just want me healthy enough again so you can throw me back into the grinder" Minato muttered mutinously.

"But at least I want you healthy Minato" Lukra replied, shamelessly not even bothering to deny it.

'

'

"Eating for two you are Lukra," Inoichi said in wonderment watching as vast proportions disappeared.

"You would be too" she said unapologetically, ravenously tearing into her bacon and egg toasties.

And signalling to the waiter to order another to replace the one she'd lent Minato

'

"My Kekkai Genkai draws nutrients from my body to supplement it, and I pushed it to the brink of what its capable of"

"I was burning over nine thousand calories a day for nearly two weeks" Lukra said bitterly.

'

"All of that fucking energy comes from somewhere Inoichi," she said assininely.

"I could literally eat a couple cows before I get back to my normal state" she said with a carnivorous look.

'

'

"Well as long as you don't eat mine," Inoichi said swiftly, covering his tray protectively over his own smaller muffins.

"please, as if I'd want anything from you" she sniffed.

"Must be nice, to have such a ready means of staying in shape, no wonder you're so stringy" Minato commentated.

'

"Its not worth the price" Lukra said morbidly, swallowing another egg sandwich and looking like she was barely tasting it.

"Its like signing up to be a part time vampire" she said gloomily.

'

'

'

All of them subconsciously enjoyed the idyllic peaceful lifestyle of the villagers here.

'

There was a certain vibe here, a very tranquil and relaxing one.

'

The 2nd shinobi war raged on every continent but you wouldn't have known it here, the grip of war seemed banished from this idyllic place.

Minato would openly confess to being rather soothed by it.

Minato took long strolls in the morning to relax, enjoying gleaming sunrises breaking over the rice paddy fields.

'

'

Minato and lukra recovering their strength decided not to do any strenuous training for the time being.

'

One day Lukra joined Minato to walk amongst some tall grasses on one of his long ambling wanders

"So you sure about staying here so long" Lukra asked conversationally after a week, arching one dark eyebrow curiously at him.

"Yep" Minato replied blandly, twirling a piece of grass between his fingers.

'

"What? You're not enjoying it? Minato queried.

"I'm as glad for this break as anyone, and I'll even admit to enjoying the place, but isn't three weeks a little excessive?"

"I ask because I bet you're Hokage wants us at Suna sooner rather than later" Lukra said

'

"He does" Minato clarified.

"So did you tell him about stopping off here?"

"I said we needed an active recovery period, I didn't say where or for how long"

"And you think he's…..okay with that?" lukra said incredulously frowning.

'

'

"We won him a damn war that dragged on for two decades, I'd say he owes us like a couple of weeks" Minato said adamantly.

"And you think he'd agree?"

'

"I'm being completely pragmatic here Lukra, I know what works and what doesn't'

"Iv'e seen all these sticklers for every protocol, They're the first ones out the door when the going gets tough, They're not the ones making things actually work" Minato said diffidently.

'

'

"What good is it if we turn up in Suna half burnt out and get offed by the first lucky squad out there? Is that going to help the Thirds war effort?" Minato said sarcastically.

'

The flaxen haired man continued "I learned from you Lukra the importance of consolidation and preparation" he said steadfastly.

"We accomplished relative miracles a few weeks back, that has a cost, Lets be smart, and acknowledge it" Minato said practically.

'

"I agree Minato, we do need rest, But two weeks should be enough." Lukra said argued.

"Its not as though were amateurs Minato" Lukra said lightly.

"Lets wait for three, prep up properly, be absolutely sure, leave nothing to chance" Minato insisted, not budging.

'

"You're worried about something, what is it?" Lukra asked perceptively, looking genuinely concerned.

Seeing Minato's hesitation she pressed him gently, "It's okay, Go on, tell me"

Assuring him with her eyes that she would take it seriously.

'

Minato sighed, looking reluctant to express his concerns, as if worried she'd just dismiss it.

"The problem is that whenever we do any kind of undertaking something goes wrong" heemphasized bitterly.

'

"Our first Bell Test, The Festival, Your clans jutsu, meeting your Family remnants, The Chuunin Exam, My Finals, Akuze, need I go on?"

Lukra paused, thinking it through, "It is a lot of unexpected trouble Minato." She said thoughtfully.

'

"Precisely, that's just it, 'unexpected extra trouble'" Minato said keenly

"Take our time in the Mist as an example case"

'

"After we perfected my teleporting and reflexes and got your Micro Weissneibel down, We had the damn solution,"

"Had it in our damned fingers" Minato said looking pained.

'

"And then Danzo pulled his little move, separated us,"

"We got delayed for over three months, and you nearly got killed on his suicide mission" Lukra replied impartially as if talking about something mundane.

'

"Precisely, We already had the bloody combination that stopped the Mist."

"But then a random unfortunate event blundered in the way, stopping us from just using it" Minato said intensely.

'

A thoughtful and pensive look settled on Lukras face, "So you think that we might run into some unexpected trouble then Minato" she queried.

'

"Yeah, that's just it lukra, just a routine cross over to the desert"

"…. I smell a rat Lukra, I feel it in my bones" Minato said with conviction, hoping Lukra wouldn't write him off as a superstitious lunatic.

'

Lukra held both hands up in front.

"Relax Minato kun, I was there. I lived through it too, I'm not just dismissing it." She reassured earnestly.

'

"Thanks Lukra san, It honestly couldn't hurt to do some research for this trip, be properly prepared for it" Minato said levelly.

'

Lukra just shrugged "You're the Boss, The way I see it if you're wrong we lose a few days, if you're right you save us a whole deal of trouble." She pointed out logically.

'

A teasing sparkle entered her eyes,

"I have no problem playing it your way so long as were not wasting time for the sake of it, Minato Taichou" she said teasingly giving him a mock salute.

'

Minato sighed irritably. What on earth was this?

"Being in command of the team is just a formality Lukra. Were the same rank, I don't consider anything changed from what we were doing in the Mist" Minato said bluntly.

"I'm definitely not deluded enough to think I'm leading anyone here" he said candidly, a sharp look in his eyes.

'

Not liking any untrue pretentions.

Well aware Lukra was just as experienced as him, and highly skilled in other unique areas.

'

Was she just testing him to see if his ego would get out of control?

He didn't like being secretly tested.

'

"Relax Minato Kun" Lukra said affectionately, both hands up to show she wasn't teasing him, before saying more seriously.

'

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to insinuate anything Minato" she said honestly.

"Were in the Konoha chain of command here,"

"It was never going to be me, so it might as well be you, we can still do things as weve always done," she said in a more down to earth tone.

'

And Lukras midnight blue eyes pierced at him with an unreadable expression that Minato honestly couldn't interpret.

'

"Besides, you've grown so much in the last year; I just want you to know how proud I am of you Minato," she said earnestly.

"Everything that changed for the better, that happened because you put in the hard work,"

"Because you put your heart on the line" She said with conviction.

'

'

"I don't think you realize how far you've come from the Minato I knew only a year back" she said with genuine pride in him, her voice a whisper.

She looked like she wanted to say more, but didn't quite know how to express it, so fell silent.

'

'

Minato gently pulled her into his arms and hugged her, feeling her return the embrace tightly.

"If I've grown so much, its only because you've pushed me," Minato said feeling a little hoarse.

"Thanks for pushing me so hard, Thankyou for bringing out that best in me" he whispered thickly.

'

"Always Minato, I will always try to draw out your best" lukra said with something that sounded suspiciously like a sniffle.

'

'

They held each other for a few long moments before a birds trill jerked them out the moment.

Lukra laughed a bit, gently releasing him, patting his arm affectionately.

'

"A right roller-coaster you are Minato" she quipped jokingly in a deep voice, making them both laugh.

The serious moment passed into something more relaxed to both of their relief.

'

"What I was trying to express before I got…diverted….was I don't mind following your lead as long as youre making smart choices," she emphasized.

"I'll do my best Lukra" Minato said.

Lukra nodded, "Don't worry, your best is good enough, We'll all be fine" she assured him warmly.

'

Thinking of smart choices Minato just remembered another item they would need.

'

"Lukra, by the way, there's a reservoir near here, it would be a good idea to reload your water storage seals,

"You won't be able to resupply easily without large bodies of water around" he advised.

'

Lukra nodded enthusiastically, "Good point Minato, you'll like what I've done with my mark 3 spatial storage seals, you could fit a small ocean in there" she said proudly.

"You could definitely throw Inoichi in there if he was causing trouble," she mused, a finger stroking her chin contemplatively.

'

"I have absolutely no doubt of it Lukra san, please don't," Minato said patiently.

Lukra just grunted, Minato guessed that would have to do for a yes.

'

He'd been manoeuvring for two years for Lukra and Inoichi to have some kind of semi civil relationship with little notable success.

It was like watching cave men learning to make fire, he thought jadedly.

'

"Oh," he added thoughtfully, "And please leave the town here enough water to get by'"

"I don't want farmers with pitchforks running after us for stealing their irrigation water supply" Minato said humorously,

'

Lukra quirked an eyebrow, "Please Minato, I'm all about Balance, Nobody's livelihood is going to be disrupted," she said without preamble.

'

"I'll open a small conduit and siphon the water in gradually, they probably wont even notice the difference" she said with an easy shrug.

"No pitchfork dodging will be necessary." Lukra assured him dismissively,

'

"Delighted to hear it" Minato shot back, just as a loud rumble could be heard from Lukra's stomach.

Lukra looked at him unashamedly, "I cant help that Minato,"

"I'll get my mini Ocean deposited, you might want to go food shopping for our trip." She suggested brightly.

'

"So am I the team captain or an errand boy here?" Minato asked in mock suspicion.

'

"Hokages must be versatile and flexible, right?"

"The two are not necessarily mutually exclusive", Lukra teased, flashing a smile at him, a sparkle in her sapphire eyes.

'

Minato sighed, sadly no stranger to menial chores, "Meet you at the Inn after were both done" he said evenly

He knew that by 'done' it included him cooking as well.

'

'

'

'

Minato POV

'

It was night-time two days later, a beautiful three quarter moon gleamed in the starry sky.

A soft stillness in the air.

'

Minato had been in deep sleep when he heard a soft knock at he door.

'

"Who is it?" he called out groggily.

"It's me" he heard Lukra say softly from the other side.

"Come in" he answered, sitting up and pulling the sheets off him, wondering what this was all about.

'

The door opened, and a pensive looking Lukra came in.

She was wearing silken black sleeping pants and a thin blue undershirt that left her arms bare, a trace of pale skin around her midriff.

'

Minato made to stand up, but she just indicated for him to stay where he was.

'

"Hi Minato, you got a minute" Lukra asked softly, her eyes particularly vivid shade.

The moonlight illuminated her with a soft glow, She looked achingly beautiful, almost ethereal.

'

"Of course Lukra, what do you need?" Minato asked, the moonlight glinting off his summer sky blue eyes.

"I'm…I'm…..I'm not sure where to start" she said a bit reflectively, looking strangely lost, biting her lip a bit.

"Is something wrong?" Minato asked concernedly.

'

"No, no! Heaven forbid! Everything is fine Minato, really" Lukra assured him hastily.

'

"More than fine" she added levelly.

'

'

"Its just…so much has happened in the past few weeks, since we went after Akuze,

"Maybe its all finally catching up with me a bit" she said in a drawn-out voice.

'

Looking tired in an entirely different way from physical exhaustion.

A bit…lost, for lack of a better word.

'

"Ah….I see….Yeah Lukra, me too" Minato breathed, a flash of understanding flitting over his eyes sitting up on the bed.

'

He indicated to the mattress next to him, "Please sit down Lukra" Minato invited warmly at her.

Wanting her to relax.

Not wanting her to feel any need to hold back if she was genuinely troubled.

'

The dark haired girl sat down gratefully next to him. The mattress sinking a little as she did.

Minato felt her press slightly on his right side, feeling the warmth of her body through the thin undershirt he wore.

'

'

Minatos eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Attempting to sort his own tumultuous feelings in the aftermath of the follow through campaign.

'

"Its strange Lukra, during all that fighting…..at some point I just started feeling numb, detached from it all"

"Like I wasn't feeling everything I should have been feeling normally" Minato said slowly.

"It helped at the time because I could just do it,"

'

"But now…..It feels as if I've been stretched somehow, Like I aged inside or something" Minato said contemplatively rubbing his head a little.

'

"Similar with me Minato, at the end it felt like I was sawing at my bones, Like I could barely keep moving" Lukra said soulfully.

'

"You ever felt like that before?" Minato asked, wondering in surprise why he'd not asked about all this untill now.

Lukra replied swiftly, eyes lost in thought.

"Never Minato kun, not even on that Chuunin exam where those Mist hunter nin cornered us" she said starkly.

'

'

"Its funny Lukra,…. I wanted so badly to win"

"Wanted so bad to change things there on the Mist front, to make a difference," Minato said heartfelt.

"But now that I have, It's like it took so much out of me, I can barely appreciate it, barely damn feel it" Minato said hollowly.

'

'

"Guess this is it Minato kun, the price of winning" Lukra said in a sombre low voice.

'

Her eyes were like two dark sapphire pools, a great depth within them.

"And I didn't know….untill now, I truly didn't know" Lukra said truthfully.

'

They were both silent for a few minutes, neither of them uncomfortable. Both of them reflecting on everything.

'

"It was just non stop, from the moment you broke me out of the Stockade" Lukra said jadedly.

Looking faintly marvelled at all the events they'd gone through.

'

"I know, one thing after the bloody next, all bloody on top of each other" Minato said jadedly

'

"Thanks for coming Lukra, I thought maybe I could do it myself at the time, but looking back, I don't think I could have" Minato said candidly.

'

"Of course I came with you! You're my friend, How could I not?" she said poignantly, blue eyes vivid in the moonlight.

Said so quickly, like she couldn't have imagined another course of action to take.

'

'

"I'm glad you did" Minato said softly.

"I will always come with you Minato, if you give me the chance" she promised in a whisper, her voice catching a bit with emotion.

'

"I know Lukra, you don't have to tell me, I would do the same for you" Minato, his eyes deep.

"I know" she replied softly.

'

Minato intuitively sensed what Lukra seemed to need right now.

And he also knew she was far too proud and recalcitrant to ask for it openly.

So he gently took it out of her hands.

'

He twisted slightly around the bed, gently pressing his back up against hers so they were sitting back to back, their weight resting on each other.

'

He could feel the warmth of her body through his light shirt, and he could feel her sigh as she relaxed into his back.

Her head and silken hair resting against the back of his head too.

'

Thanks" Lukra breathed gratefully, gripping his hand tightly like a vice.

"You're welcome" Minato said softly.

It felt surprisingly comforting, just sitting like that.

'

'

Minato had a bizarre flash of déjà vu, he tried to pinpoint the memory.

"I haven't seen you like this since we were in Konoha, just leaving, that was nearly three years ago" Minato remarked thoughtfully feeling young all of a sudden.

"feels like an eternity ago"

"Yeah it does,"

"You were right about staying here, We needed it" Lukra perceived.

"Ah"

'

'

It was a powerful feeling being so close to each other.

It felt almost wrong to speak into that silence.

'

They just remained like that for a few minutes, drawing strength from the others presence.

The only sound being the soft breaths from the other person.

Minato found to his surprise he needed it too.

He honestly hadn't realised how much either.

'

'

Lukra was the strongest person Minato knew, but from time to time some things really did bother her.

And she needed someone to just be there, to draw a little something from you.

'

"You know what the worst thing was?" lukra said after a while.

"What?"

"The thought that at any moment, any random misstep you could die," she replied.

'

"I wasn't scared by the odds, I wasn't afraid of pain or dying, I'd resolved myself to accept that if need be"

"What I couldn't bear was the thought of you dying, but that I would survive to live on" Lukra said, A horrible dread in her voice.

'

"That I would be cursed to live, but all the colour, all the vibrancy, all that mattered would be gone."

"And I would have to live with that crushing emptiness, and nothing could ever bring it back"

"I think I would have gone mad, don't I think I could have bourn it" Lukra said grievously.

A kind of mad desperation in her voice.

'

"It didn't happen Lukra, it didn't come close to happening," Minato insisted softly tightening his grip on her hand.

'

"I'm a survivor Minato, I knew I would live, in my bones I did, but around me everyone was falling like chattel before a scythe" she said emotively.

"Yaksu, tamki, Captain Mezuki,"

"The new arrivals, the old timers, the inexperienced, the experienced. nothing was permanent, nothing was safe, it was all in flux."

'

"You could have died at any time Minato…." Lukra whispered.

"I'd never been so scared Minato, Never" she said softly her voice barely audible.

'

"I'm not going anywhere Lukra, You're stuck with me" Minato insisted firmly. A core of iron stubbornness in his voice.

Hoping he was reassuring her.

"And You're not the only one who had to worry" he added.

"I know Minato, I know you worry…" Lukra said heavily.

'

'

'

"It honestly didn't seem as though you were going to make it with all the threats we were facing" Lukra remarked quietly.

"But we did, and were not going anywhere" Minato repeated insistently.

'

Lukra didn't seem entirely convinced, had seen too much Minato guessed.

Minato honestly wondered if he had convinced himself either for that matter.

'

'

"I hope Minato, My deepest hope Minato" Lukra said back simply.

'

"Thankyou Minato"

"What for?" he asked confused

"For what you did, for fighting to keep us together" Lukra said.

'

"So many times in life we part from loved ones Minato."

"Maybe a mission, or we get assigned elsewhere, or we get afflicted with sicknesses, or sometimes we just die"

"So often the streams of life send us on different paths, And that precious time you had together is over…"

She said in a world weary tone.

'

"I'm glad Minato kun…"

"That I get to travel alongside with you on life's journey for a while longer" Lukra said.

'

Minato was silent for a long moment.

Wishing there was a way to express everything he felt right now.

Knowing his words wouldn't convey it.

'

"I'm so lucky to have you in my life Lukra…." Minato said thickly, voice catching a little.

'

"You make me better, a better person than I would have been alone"

"You taught me to be fearless, to be develop the virtue hidden within, to Stand alone even if the whole world stood against me" Minato said powerfully, meaning every word.

'

"I cannot repay you for all you've given me, but as long as I have breath in my body you are my Teammate, and my friend" Minato said simply.

Feeling the limitations of language to express what you felt.

'

"Thankyou Minato" Lukra whispered gratefully, squeezing his hand again.

A long breath releasing from her.

'

They stayed there a long time.

The moon and starlight gleaming down and illuminating the two people pressed back to back on the bed.

'

Minato had no idea how long they stayed like that, could have been hours, he last track of the time.

'

But at some point, Minato couldn't recall when, he actually fell asleep.

He awoke in the late morning the next day, lying flat on his back in the bed, the linen covers with obvious care and tenderness neatly tucked around him.

'

Lukra was gone without a trace from the room, as if she had never been.

'

'

'

'

Minato POV

The next day mid afternoon Minato could be found in the Inns lounge, hunched over the huge mahogany table.

A huge cluttering mass of papers and books spread over all available surfaces.

Minato was poring studiously over all the books he'd found in Konoha related to Suna.

'

He also pored over the written briefing, looking to glean any details he might have missed the first time.

As well as Maps, Minato also had books about the Suna climate and wildlife, and guides on how to adjust to a desert.

'

it was tiresome but Minato took in the time to absorb all the details, you never knew when having a fact handy could help out.

He'd been rather alarmed to learn about some of the larger animals lurking in the desert like the Grelkas and the sand dragon lizards.

'

'

He was just examining a picture of a Gecko dragon lizard when Lukra entered the common room and ambled her way to join him.

"Having fun?" she asked.

"Lots" Minato replied.

"You have a good morning Lukra san?" He asked noting the slight red flush on her cheeks indicating training.

'

"Just some light Kata drills, easing back into it Minato Kun"

"You look like youre enjoying it Lukra san' Minato said enthusiastically.

'

"How is making all the sealed weapons going?" Minato askes brightly, "We must have pretty much used up everything we had on First Island"

'

Lukra gave a satisfied look, as she lithely with a cats grace, seated herself opposite Minato.

"We have two hundred Kunai ready to go, the other six hundred well on schedule,"

"And the storage seals to house them all" she relayed proudly.

She gave a thoughtful look, "The weapon shop owner couldn't believe when I asked him for eight hundred, thought he must have misheard"

Lukra for the stay here was in charge of purchasing and making any shinobi gear they needed.

Including armour, containers, as well as a variety of Kunai, shruiken, explosive tags and most important of all, sealing paper.

'

Crucially she was crafting Minato's specially modified Kunai.

As well as some specially made ice disks that had the Flying Raijun jutsu engraved on it. Used specifically for their combination jutsu.

'

'

Lukra having studied sealing alongside Minato knew precisely how the teleport Jutsu worked, including the science behind it that baffled moat people.

And she could make the seals onto just about any surface.

But due to some strange quirk in her bodies physiology couldn't actually use the Flying Raijin herself.

'

Lukra had a poetic way of summing up her disappointment "God clearly never gives everything to one person"

Lukra's talent with seals lay in entirely different directions. She could create storage seals that generated huge spatial dimensions inside.

'

'

'

Minato for their stay assigned himself the job of researching the desert and purchasing all the clothes, gear and equipment needed to cross it.

'

That way the workload was halved, and they could relate everything they'd learned to each other a few days before leaving.

Minato had neglected to bother including Inoichi in this, sensing the other wanted to indulge in celebrating finally being free of the Mist warzone.

'

'

"What's that book you got there?"

"One about wind country wildlife"

'

"I read about many lands in the Hyoten clans Library, but they didn't have much about the wind country," Lukra reminisced without pain.

"Probably because its literally the place furthest from the Mist" she said thoughtfully, "What have you learnt?"

'

"That were going to need some warm clothes too, it gets to minus 18 at night" he said,

"A strange juxtaposition Minato kun, blistering heat during the day, and freezing cold at night"

"I know, go figure, and they have animals that have to be seen to be believed"

"Like what?"

"Sand dragons big as a Bull, And Jade scarabs which are cat sized and live in swarms of thousands," Minato said dauntingly.

Cherry-picking the more exotic finds.

'

"Sounds interesting" Lukra said looking intrigued, her eyes lighting up, the inner geography enthusiast inside coming out.

Lukra loved travelling to new and exotic places, she would probably want to go now for the sheer novelty even without a mission.

'

Minato glanced at Lukra.

Now that she'd actually had a break from the nonstop action and a few square meals she wasn't looking so stringy anymore.

She looked much closer to her normal self, practically glowing with health and vitality.

'

Now perhaps was the time to broach a project he was hoping to get her on board with.

And one he was sure she would have no enthusiasm for.

'

'

'

'

"How's Inoichi doing" Minato asked, hoping it sounded casual.

"Hes having a good lark" she grunted.

"He's done precisely zero training of any kind and is determined to use his entire two years pay drink himself into an early grave" She said without enthusiasm.

'

"Well as long as he's ready by the time we leave I don't care" Minato said indifferently, shrugging his shoulders.

'

After every conceivable thing that could possibly have gone wrong did so during the Mist war, such trivial issues were practically relaxing.

'

"You will if he's hungover on the day we leave this place" Lukra said drily.

"I'll chaperone him for the last few days, He'll be ready" Minato promised.

"I wish I had your faith on that point" Lukra said ironically.

'

'

"That aside I fancy a drink later on tonight, you mind coming?"

Minato said, putting on his best bright and hopeful face to entice her into an activity she had no interest in whatsoever.

'

"You don't like drinking" Lukra said flatly eyeing him with suspicion.

"I have the occasional one"

"Let me rephrase it then, 'I' don't like drinking" she emphasized assiduously.

'

"You wouldn't have to get drunk, just sip at your drink, Lukra please would you come?" Minato coaxed.

"If you don't like drinking and I don't like drinking, why the hell are you suggesting we should go drinking?" She said incredulously.

'

"Because Inoichi likes drinking," Minato said patiently.

"Ugh!…I….see now , this is one of your boy scout attempts to make me and inoichi best buddies" Lukra surmised in utter disgust, scowling at him.

'

Minato placidly ignored the 'Boy scout' comment and pressed on.

'

"You don't have to best buddies, you just have to not argue and be relatively civil, nobody is moving in with anyone here" Minato said in a reasonable tone.

'

"I don't like it"

"You don't have to like it, I've seen you do plenty of things you don't like" he retorted.

Hoping the stoic angle might make it more palatable.

'

Lukra rolled her eyes despairingly, "I've tried Minato, I've tried!" she said morosely.

'

"I've tried to be civil to him, I've gone with you a few times already"

"I've listened to some tasteless fart jokes, had some shots, talked about some meaningless things…"

"And then the next day everything is the same, it's a redundant exercise" lukra said exasperatedly.

'

"Maybe you didn't try hard enough, maybe you didn't leave every stone unturned," Minato dared to suggest to Lukras granite like face.

'

"Minato, with some people there's hope, but Inoichi is a particularly petty and unevolved lifeform,

"On the evolutionary ladder hes one rung above the cockroaches and crustaceans" Lukra said aversely.

'

Minato had to struggle not to laugh at her phrasing, but kept his face serious, he needed to make this conversation work.

"I think that's taking it a bit far"

'

"Fine, hes with the early proto mammals," she mock conceded.

"I'll consider talking to him if he evolves past the dolphin stage,"

"Lukra…..." Minato said giving her one of those looks, the ones he practiced specifically to make her feel guilty.

'

Lukra squirmed a bit under it, before trying to weasel out of it.

"What's the point, Minato? Evolutionary jokes aside look at the reality, Inoichi is so far behind us he might as well be a Genin,"

'

Lukra carried on brusquely, "Even if he joined our training sessions in the pocket spatial dimension, his base level is so far behind he wouldn't be able to keep up"

"Added to that he doesn't want to, its pointless"

'

"That's elitist thinking Lukra" Minato said flatly, "It's short sighted and careless, just because he's not on our level combat wise doesn't mean he can't contribute"

'

Lukra looked unconvinced so he continued,

"What if you took on a group and were immobilized by a blindside attack, Inoichi might save your life in that situation." he said,

"That's highly unlikely Minato, if I were facing so many opponents its unlikely Inoichi would be able to help" she replied sceptically.

'

"There are a myriad of other ways he could help out" Minato said.

"Give me 'one' example and I'll relent" Lukra challenged him bluntly.

"Like getting backup if me and you are occupied" Minato said evenly.

"We could just make a cheap wind clone to relay it"

"People are more reliable then clones Lukra," he said seriously,

'

"Give me 'one more'," she said shortly, still not weighing it as enough to bother over.

"His mind switch jutsu could let us infiltrate an enemy camp If we captured a Suna nin alive" Minato said levelly.

'

There was a deep sigh but no reply from the dark haired girl.

Evidently he'd scored a point.

She was looking really annoyed he'd managed to do it too…..

Good! Minato thought inwardly.

'

'

"And That's just off the top my head," Minato said stretching it a bit.

He had about three more ideas he could see Inoichi being a wildcard.

'

"You're looking at it from the wrong view Lukra, if you're going to be stuck with him for an extended period, you might as well have a pleasant relationship" Minato said reasonably.

'

"He's immature, petty and oblivious to how much a egotist he is" Lukra said flatly.

"Sabarou I wouldn't mind, but Inoichi is particularly shallow" she condemned.

'

"Lukra, I say this with great love and respect, loosen up a bit," Minato said frankly.

'

"Not everyone is going to live up to your standards and views, you have to be more tolerant and non judgemental" he said firmly.

Now that they were at least talking about this, Minato felt it was time to discuss some more even more 'radical' ideas about Inoichis role.

'

"While were on the topic, I think its best I make it clear what im aiming for here"

"Go on, enlighten me here, clearly we are not on the same page" lukra said irreverently.

Leaning her chin on her palm, having a seriously disgruntled expression.

'

'

"I want Inoichi to be a teammate here, as in on the team, not as a third wheel who is marginalized and excluded.

'

Minato went on seriously, "Your Crustacean joke was funny, but it really highlights a serious problem going on here"

"It's not being condescending so much as factual," she said bleakly, shaking her head.

'

'

Lukra finally sat up properly and gave Minato her full undivided attention, looking ready to seriously talk over the issue.

'

"How many Mist shinobi could Inoichi take on in reality, being really honest here Minato, give me a number" Lukra demanded arcing her eyebrow expectantly.

"Three at best" Minato intoned honestly.

"I agree, and that's being generous" Lukra added.

'

"Right, how many can you take on? Being really honest about your capabilities, no false modesty" Lukra added irritably, twitching an eye at him.

Not wanting to get bogged down in a modesty debate.

Glaring at Minato as if daring him to play it down.

'

"This is subjective of course, but about thirty to fifty maybe, if I had a good strategy and momentum" Minato answered honestly.

'

"Right…..good, I can take around forty myself, I think, the unpredictability factor notwithstanding, and that's not taking into account our combination jutsu" Lukra said matter of factly.

'

"I feel a lovely superiority, survival of the fittest moment coming up here" Minato said rolling his eyes.

Lukra sighed but indulged in it anyway, "Nations, Samurai, Bijou and shinobi alike bow to this principle Minato,"

'

"Anyway it's not as if you don't adopt that attitude when it suits you," she added matter of factly,

"You know what I mean" she said giving him a meaningful look.

'

"The simple truth is Inoichi is not equal to us, no amount of pretending or speeches will make it otherwise Minato."

"Without being cruel, there is a difference" she said evenly.

'

"If you can't acknowledge simple truths, if you can't see the actual allocation of power as it is, how can you be objective?" she demanded with a hard look in her eyes.

'

Minato held up his hands placatively.

"I'm not saying deny facts Lukra, it's not like Inoichi doesn't feel it himself, but heaven knows there's a way of going about it,"

'

"You ever notice the Sandaime is the most powerful shinobi in the village but he doesn't rub everyone up the wrong way"

"Yes I did," lukra said shortly.

"There's a manner of going about this Lukra" Minato said gently, "One that keeps everyone happy without compromising your principles"

'

"Go on, I'm listening" Lukra said emotionlessly.

"As much as possible we keep Inoichi in the loop and treat him with respect and as an equal" Minato said resolutely.

'

"Inoichi skill wise is not on the same level as us, its true, but that doesn't mean I should get above myself"

"Explain…" Lukra invited tonelessly.

'

"Think about it, if you were Inoichis, stuck with us two, People he doesn't know well and finds a bit intimidating,"

"And then all we did was cut him out of the loop, barely tolerate him or worse show open contempt,"

'

"As I'm well aware youre capable of doing Lukra" he said giving her a pointed look."

"Guilty," Lukra said honestly without hesitation, throwing up her hands to award him a point.

'

"Right then, well if I were him, why shouldn't I say, to hell with both of them, They're nothing but a pair of fucking jerks, why should I give anything."

"In fact, while I'm at it….. why not go and cause some trouble?" Minato ventured sarcastically.

'

"I'm not out to get Inoichi or anything, I just don't particularly like him" Lukra said with a frown.

Annoyed she was being portrayed as some form of tormentor.

'

"if we don't treat him as an equal, or with respect, he has no reason whatsoever to do anything for us,"

"And we would genuinely be jerks here I would add." Minato stated bluntly.

'

"I saw how everyone in the academy were dicks to you, when you first arrived."

"I didn't like it, I worked hard to make you feel welcome because I felt you deserved better than that." Minato said with conviction.

'

"Now I'm not going to sit back and let the reverse happen to Inoichi just because you feel apathetic Lukra"

"If you want to act superior and condescending it will be by yourself." Minato emphasized pointedly.

'

"Where was your friend when you were surrounded by sixty mist Nin and Akuze?" Lukra muttered darkly.

'

"An unfair expectation Lukra, most jounins wouldn't have been able to help in that situation" Minato said flatly.

Seriously, Lukra had some really picky unrealistic standards at times.

'

"It's the right thing to do" Minato said softly but with deadly seriousness, "If you really think about it, you will see it"

"Not to mention it prevents us two from being utter jerks" he added lightly.

'

"Were not utter jerks Minato," Lukra replied firmly.

"You would be surprised at how close you came just then Lukra" Minato countered with a stark look of his own.

'

'

Lukra sighed but nodded in aquesience, perhaps seeing something in herself she didn't like.

"All right Minato I see where you're coming from…." She said in a lower tone.

"I'm not into being cruel to others" she said seriously an unreadable expression in her dark blue eyes.

'

She eyed Minato seriously, sapphire eyes glinting perceptively.

"Just because you have this laudable attitude doesn't mean Inoichi will be worthy of it" Lukra warned.

"Lets find out Lukra, Humour me here, lets start with the high road, What can it hurt to try?" Minato said appealingly with his best winning expression.

'

"

Lukra sighed and closed her eyes, mulling it all over.

Then she nodded, "Okay Minato, Tell me, how should we go about this?"

'

"Okay so first thing, Inoichi is going to say a lot of things you don't find particularly impressive"

"Without doubt" she agreed.

"Its not up to you to judge him Lukra, Just ignore all the cussing, humour him, and don't condescend,"

'

"Right, right, don't condescend, don't insult, humour him, anything else?"

"Smile and joke as much as possible, nothing forced, its gotta feel natural, but be humorous," he advised.

'

"Might be a bit much but ….I'll try…" Lukra said looking faintly nauseous and as if she'd rather be back on a Mist trench.

"Don't just talk to me, make an effort to open up conversations yourself with Inoichi, Its gotta feel like its not us two and him, but us three"

"I'll try" lukra said monotonously.

'

"You might have to down a couple drinks,"

"Joy"

"Just sip a few for politeness sake, pretend to drink if you have to. You might have to play a few drinking games, just don't act stiff"

"It's going to be a fun evening, anything else?" Lukra asked tiresomely.

'

"If were going to make genuine friends with Inoichi, he has to know a certain amount or he won't feel included," Minato said.

'

"Whoa! Minato Hold your horses here! How much are you planning on telling him?"

"Are you going to tell him about the spatial dimensions?!" she said looking alarmed.

"No, not the really sensitive things, but we should tell him the obvious things We've been doing as well as about Saratobi and our mission to Akuze" he reassured.

'

"You sure this is necessary?"

"Necessary," Minato said without compromise, "It's a core ingredient, it cannot be neglected"

'

"Anything else he needs to know?" Lukra asked morbidly.

"Perhaps a few stories of our times in the past," Minato suggested.

'

Eyeing the strained look on Lukras face he added hastily, "Nothing explicitly personal or embarrassing… but think about it,"

"Everyone hears about us, but very few hear what actually goes on, naturally he's curious,"

"Some of the funnier times we've had would really help to get past this image Inoichi has of you," Minato emphasized.

'

"Are we including him in training sessions early in the morning?" Lukra said with dread.

The look on Lukras face suggesting that Inoichi was violating some sacred shrine or holy ground.

Minato had to struggle not to laugh a bit.

'

"No, Inoichi wont want to get up that early, plus he would just be nervous and feeling outclassed. But I do intend to do smaller sparring sessions with him," Minato said elaborated.

"You're really going out of your bloody way for that sod," Lukra said looking faintly amazed, disbelieving and revolted all at once.

'

"We'll since I've obviously got nothing better to do" Lukra said jadedly.

'

'

"You remember the Mist, don't you? The entire camp turned against us,"

"Doing literally everything without support, with sabotaged gear, and working through ridiculous handicaps" Minato dredged up remorselessly.

Not in the mood for more objections.

'

"Yes I do Minato" Lukra replied heavily.

"You want a repeat of that?"

"No I don't," Lukra said mechanically, knowing she was beaten.

"Then lets go and make a different option" Minato said enterprisingly.

It worked, she slumped down in frustration and muttered a few curses in a subdued tone.

"Oh fine Minato, I'll probably regret this but I'll come tonight and work on your little brainchild, don't expect any miracles she warned grimly"

"I don't expect a miracle Lukra, I just want you to try your best," Minato said gently.

'

"Fine, but youre paying for the drinks, im not wasting my money with that"

"Done"

"And if Inoichi makes one inappropriate or lecherous comment like last time….."

She clenched her hand as if about to crush an insect.

'

"He wont, I'll talk to him" Minato assured her hastily patting her on the arm.

'

"And no truth or dare games this time" she said with a glare.

"There wont be, I promise"

"And I get to walk away if I think the evening is just an unproductive waste of time" she added.

"If you have to," Minato said patiently.

'

"Alright, we'll do this your way, Minato" Lukra said clearly having doubts.

"Great, and please Lukra, best behaviour please tonight"

Lukra sat there hunting keenly for more objections before coming up dry.

'

"Bloody boy scout you are Minato kun" she said finally with a sigh, "You're lucky I like you and happen to owe you one!"

'

'

Later that Evening

'

'

"Hey Bro, Good to see you" Inoichi called over from his table,

"What would you like?

"Cider sounds good!" Minato said.

Inoichi was feeling magnanimous and was buying the first round. The other already had three empty glasses surrounding him.

'

"And you Lukra" he asked a little more formally.

"Sake will suffice" Lukra said a bit stiffly.

Minato almost glared at her for the jarring and unfriendly attitude.

"Sake it is," Inoichi replied jovially.

Not appearing to notice.

'

Calling out to the bartender, a rather jaded looking woman in her early thirties.

Lukra sat down at the table, looking a bit pensive but with a 'lets see where this goes expression on her face'

'

"You all packed for the trip?" Minato asked.

"It's all good bra, will be done when your ready to move out"

'

"How are you enjoying the break? For me it was almost like going into a coma the first three days" Minato said candidly.

"For me it was two days, after that I was ready to hit the bars, gotta get to the action Minato"

"Sounds like fun" Minato said with a straight face.

Lukra looked like she disagreed but taking Minatos cue didn't voice it.

'

The bartender with brown hair returned with their drinks on a grey tray.

Minato smiled brightly at her unthinkingly as he took his drink, not noticing her breaking out into a blush and twirling almost shyly a lock of her hair.

Lukra sighed and muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like "fucking pretty boy".

'

'

"Hey Lukra I barely saw you since we arrived, what you been up to"

"Training and packing for the trip," Lukra replied simply in a monotone.

'

Minato gently kicked her under the table, giving her subtle pointed look of, 'Buck your ideas up!'

"You would be surprised how much Kunai and sealing paper cost here" she added with a hint of more friendliness.

'

Better, Minato thought in relief.

'

"Fuckers know this is the only town you can stop by before entering the wind country, they can charge what they like" Inoichi commentated.

"It's certainly reflected in the price tags" Lukra agreed sagely.

'

'

"You think youre ready for a desert Lukra" Inoichi asked

"I'll manage I expect"

"Glad to hear it,"

"You ready for it Inoichi" lukra asked in return, quirking an eyebrow.

"I was born ready Lukra, I'm too hot for any desert to handle" Inoichi joked cockily, the cheesy pun making all of them laugh.

'

"You must be missing Shikaku" Minato said, "I wondered if I would be able to drag you away"

"Not gonna lie mate, its one of the biggest drags of this deal" Inoichi said mournfully, "But its okay, I got you so it could be worse"

"Nobody can replace Shikaku, but you're in good company Inoichi" Minato said warmly.

'

"Thanks Minato, congratulation on your promotion by the way, you too Lukra," he added taking a sip.

"Everyone in the camp was talking about you two, "What you did out there, seems unreal"

Inoichi raised his own glass with a little genial humour, "To the Yellow Flash and Ice Queen"

Quaffing down his own beer.

'

'

Minato drank his own cider, while Lukra drank a few mouthfuls of hers.

'

"C'mon everyone, don't be pussies, one shot! One shot! One shot!" Inoichi boomed enthusiastically.

Minato downed his drink mechanically to Inoichis applause.

Lukra seemed to decide to go against her grain and drank her own, not showing a trace of distaste for the drink.

'

"Thanks Inoichi!" Minato said, "Feels strange being a Jounin and a captain when like a week ago I was just a chuunin"

"It's overdue Minato, you were like the camp hero, everyone was talking about how driven you were, the intensity you had, you were a machine, a man on a mission," Inoichi relatedly enthusiastically.

'

"It sounds like 'all that', but I actually had a lot of help" Minato said matter if factly "Its totally doable if you have a structured program"

'

"You too Lukra, everyone was talking about those Ice Jutsu you had" Inoichi added.

"You'd just walk out, just you two and by the time you were finished half the Mist shinobi were gone, fucking brilliant" Inoichi said with genuine appreciation.

'

"It probably wouldn't have worked if they weren't all shaken up by Akuze" Lukra explained thoughtfully,

"They were all so jittery they were half beaten before they started" she said truthfully.

"And fucking good they were!" Inoichi said savagely.

'

Inoichi seemed to reflect on the past few weeks for a few moments before remarking with a trace of amazement.

"You know, It was such a turn around Minato, before that everyone was all doom and gloom and thought we were gonna be driven off in a few weeks"

"What with Akuze showing up, along with a hundred shinobi as reinforcements"

'

"But then you showed up with Akuze's great sword, Lobbed it to stand in front of Danzo's feet, and you just say, cool as you please "Akuze is down."

'

"You had that fucking 'look' on your face"

"You were like, no uh! We ain't going anywhere, Were taking it to them!"

'

"And then we just fought non stop, and just like that….they were off First Island,"

"It all happened so fast!"

"A total one eighty, still have trouble believing it happened" Inoichi remarked with an almost disbelieving look.

'

'

Inoichi turned more sober and serious, and then he whispered in a lower undertone, as if trepid about voicing it aloud.

'

"You know, Minato, and please don't take this the wrong way….." inoichi said placatively.

"I thought when you went off on that mission you were like a goner…." Inoichi whispered.

"For what it's worth Inoichi I did too, so I'm not at all offended" Minato said detachedly sipping at his cider.

'

Inoichi seeing he could carry on without upsetting people started bubbling out more "It was nuts, Yoshino was crying like crazy, Everybody thought that was the last we would see of you"

"It nearly was" Minato said factually.

'

"That Bad?"

"Yeah, it was, you know those cunts have an abbetoir full of dead Konoha shinobi in there" Minato said in revulsion.

"I remember trying my hardest not to look at it, didn't want to see anyone I recognized, I nearly threw up just walking past it" Minato said with a repellent look."

'

"Fucking Cunts," Inoichi swore, aghast at the grisly image.

Downing another big draught of his drink.

'

"You Know Minato, a lot of us are still angry that Danzo tried sending you on that mission, a lot of people thought it was too convenient, that he had it in for you" Inoichi whispered seriously.

"You don't know the half of it Inoichi" Lukra said grimly, her fists clenched tightly in fury at the memory.

"What do you mean Lukra?"

'

"Danzo really did have it in for Minato, he wanted Minato out the way because he might one day be a rival for the position of Kage."

"You sure?"

"Pretty sure mate" Minato answered.

'

"Danzo wouldn't outright murder Minato but it would have been really convenient if Minato had tragically died somehow in the war." Lukra said darkly.

"He had us on the frontlines nearly twice as much as anyone else, almost always in the heaviest fighting,"

'

"And somehow we would always find ourselves alone with the Mist nin, the Konoha nin just a little too far away to help out" Lukra elaborated coolly.

"We think he gave them orders to pull back, nothing obvious, but let us get surrounded if possible" Minato said in a low voice.

'

"Not just that, there were times Kunai would fly at Minato, but the angle was wrong, it was from our lines" the dark haired girl expiated grimly.

"We couldn't catch the thrower, but one hit close to his spine nearly killing him" Lukra said, her face looking paler than usual.

It had been a very long night for her.

'

"And we often had faulty gear, kunai that shattered in combat, faulty explosive tags, torn shoe wear, unbalanced shruiken, It was plain sabotage," Minato said ominously.

'

'

"You remember that prostitute that tried to Kill Minato on his birthday?"

"Yeah, I chipped in for her remember" Inoichi said regretfully.

"Money well spent" Lukra said assininely giving Inoichi a dirty look, as if blaming him for the incident.

'

"I Would bet my right arm that Danzo sent her" she said resolutely.

"You think he would go that far?" Inoichi said amazed at what he was hearing.

"And worst, one time on patrol Minato and me were ambushed by a band of disguised Nin with no traceable nationality." Lukra in a tense voice.

"When they died, they had an explosive wired to them to destroy the body"

'

We fought them off barely, but it was so close" Lukra said blackly, her eyes dark pits.

Lukra was going way beyond what Minato had initially planned.

But having Lukra tell Inoichi about the hidden events going on behind the scenes was perhaps better than anything Minato could have conveyed. anyway.

'

"And you think Danzo sent them" Inoichi deduced in a low voice.

"We don't know for sure Inoichi on this one I'll grant, plenty of shinobi nations have a plausible reason to want Minato dead"

"But….coupled with everything else going on, my moneys in Danzo" the dark haired girl said starkly.

'

"Strewth Minato! I had no idea! Why didn't you say anything to me or Shikaku? Or anyone else for that matter" Inoichi said horrified, and looking blown away by all the revelations.

'

"You were in a separate unit, Inoichi, You had your own problems" he said quickly

"And honestly speaking back then, Would you have believed me? Would you really have been able to help?" Minato said heavily, eyeing Inoichi with a trace of accusation.

'

There had been a time not so long ago when he'd essentially been hung out to dry by everyone in the camp.

There had been no retreat, and no meaningful help from anyone in the camp, and Inoichi had just been adding to the drama.

'

"I don't know Minato, I would like to think I would have" Inoichi said sombrely, but not looking convinced by his own words.

He turned to Minato and said staunchly.

'

"Minato, I swear! I didn't know!, that's never going to happen again mate!"

"If there's anything I can do, tell me, and I'll do it, I swear to god I'll help you out!" Inoichi promised, looking rather upset at all hed learnt.

'

"Thanks Inoichi, That means something, and yes I….."

"We" he added indicating Lukra.

"Could really do with a hand" Minato replied earnestly.

'

"Strewth Minato, I had no idea," Inoichi said still shocked, 'I think I need another drink, You guys?"

'

"Rum please"

"More sake"

"Coming up, fucking hell you two get yourselves into trouble" Inoichi remarked in amazement.

'

"I don't go looking for trouble Inoichi, trouble finds me" Minato said glibly.

"Truer words never spoken" Lukra said morosely, "I get grey hairs over you"

"Thanks for helping out"

"Do I get a salary? I should get one right? Considering all the trouble I go through, what do you think Inoichi?

"Salary Minato, she's a keeper"

'

Inoichi grabbed the drinks off from the bartender and passed them around before diving into his own.

After several long droughts Inoichi calmed down a bit.

'

'

Then Inoichi put his mug down looking at it intensely, "One thing that bothers me a bit… why did he let Lukra come along with you to take out Akuze?" he asked in confusion.

"Last I heard at the time Lukra was imprisoned in the stockade for something or other"

"Why would he give you such a powerful ally to help, if Danzo was trying do you in?"

'

Minato and Lukra glanced at each other, a furtive look passing between them.

"He didn't" Minato said slowly.

Leaving a long silence at the table.

'

"Then how did you…you know?." Inoichi finally asked in confusion.

"Minato broke me out of the stockade" Lukra said matter of factly.

'

"Had to knock out those lumbering thugs Aiki and beksan while I was at it" Minato added casually.

'

'

"Fuck! It never ends with you Minato!" Inoichi said in amazement, "Danzo could have had you executed for that!"

"I know, but I was on a suicide mission anyway, so breaking a few rules didn't bother me so much" Minato replied blandly.

'

"I honestly had a higher life expectancy coming with Minato on a suicide mission than I did in that stockade" Lukra added lightly.

'

"He must have been fucking pissed when he found out" Inoichi commentated.

"He was that" Minato agreed drily with a snort.

"But with everyone ecstatic and celebrating Minatos return, he had no choice but to pretend it was his idea and go along with it" Lukra said grimly satisfied.

'

'

"Why didn't he just throw you back in when you got back,"

"Because he needed me to win the war Inoichi" Lukra said contemptuously.

"Danzo hated us both, but with Akuze gone there was a remarkable opportunity in the air, so we gave him an ultimatum"

"Either let me fight under my terms, or try winning it by yourself" Lukra layed out snidely.

'

"In the end Danzo decided he hated the Mist more than me and Lukra, he Let us do his dirty work, and then quietly arrested Lukra in the aftermath," Minato said heatedly with a look of outrage.

'

'

"He would have had me placed under his watch permanently if he'd gotten his way" Lukra said morbidly.

"Then how come you're here Lukra san" Inoichi asked looking very subdued.

'

"Because I ran back to Konoha mate, I went to the Third directly to speak about the matter" Minato said

"So that's why you disappeared after all the fighting was over! What did he say?" Inoichi said leaning forwards.

'

Inoichi was on tenterhooks, the suspense of the story had clearly gripped him Minato thought, amazed his account got such a reaction.

Maybe because he was the one living it, the events didn't seem quite as incredible to Minato as they did to other people.

'

'

"He was really, and I do mean really dubious and alarmed about Lukra"

"Everyone in Konoha was accusing her of being some kind of Mist deep cover agent" Minato said rolling his eyes.

'

"I'm not, just for reference" Lukra said drily sipping her sake.

"I pointed out no deep agent would trash their own villages military, and lose one of their best outposts" Minato said.

'

"Was he convinced?"

"Maybe, He actually wanted to put Lukra on an Anbu squad under close watch, but I talked him into letting her remain on my team"

'

"How the heck did you do that?" Inoichi asked, bewildered.

"I basically promised to be Konohas living superweapon, to fight in all the worst spots, and use my skills to save as many lives as possible," Minato said casually.

'

'

"And he bought that?" Inoichi said dubiously.

"Of course not Inoichi, this is the Third himself were talking about" Minato said patently rolling his eyes.

"But had just won the Mist war for him, a stalemate that lasted over a decade, He honestly saw some advantages we offer"

'

'

"So he overturned Danzo's court martial, and he even promoted me to Jounin" Lukra remarked lightly.

"That's well…nice" Inoichi said vaguely.

'

"There was a catch though Inoichi" Minato said grimly.

'

Lukras eyes widened in consternation, the alarmed expression on her face asking Minato, Are we telling him about that?

Minato just slowly nodded, his face asking her to trust him.

"What..?" Inoichi asked curious enough to burst.

'

"Like I said, the Third wasn't going to do anything without a guarantee he could really trust" Minato said forbiddingly.

'

"Go on, Show him" Minato said softly, with a nod at Lukra.

Lukra sighed and looked extremely dubious and reluctant about this, but coming this far wasn't about to back down.

'

'

Lukra stood before turning around, her back to Inoichi.

Quickly looking around to make sure nobody else in the Inn was looking at them.

'

Then she slowly lifted up her shirt along her lower back untill the malevolent looking curved red seal was revealed etched into her pale skin.

Minato noticed feeling sick that it seemed to glow faintly red.

'

"What in Kami's name is that!" Inoichi said in horrified fascination.

"It's a blood contract" Lukra said in a tight voice, "Like Minato alluded to, The Third wanted a way to restrain me in case the worst was true"

'

'

"What does it do?" Inoichi said in a sick voice.

"It's a kill switch, one tap on the other end, and I die…..instantly" Lukra said ominously.

'

'

"That was the price of keeping Lukra on the team" Minato said softly.

"Fuck…." Inoichi breathed in horror.

"Okay, please hide it Lukra" Minato said wanting this over with.

The dark girl willingly hid the malignant sign with obvious relief.

'

"Inoichi, please don't tell anyone about this, we need to be able to trust you, can we do that Inoichi?" Minato asked seriously, a hard edge to his voice.

"You've heard how dangerous things can be around us,"

"And I mean as in more dangerous than the average shinobi, if you want to back out, now is the time" Minato said in a deadly serious voice looking at Inoichi expectantly.

'

Minato was also genuinely curious here, Inoichi in the past had always been in the dark.

But now he knew, would Inoichi do anything differently? Would he help? Would he do nothing? Would he just plain run?

'

'

Inoichi nodded, his expression fierce.

"I meant what I said Minato back then, I let you go through all that crap unknowingly, You could have died and I wouldn't have known." Inoichi said horrified.

"I'm not gonna let it happen again, that's not on, you can count on me, both of you" he said with conviction,

Including Lukra in his glance.

'

"Thanks Inoichi, I'm glad we can trust you, it helps" Minato said gratefully.

"Me and Lukra can do a lot, but we can do a hell of a lot more with you on the same page" Minato said earnestly"

'

'

Lukra go figure actually looked slightly impressed at Inoichi.

The other blonde just nodded.

All three of them sat in silence for a few moments as if exhausted by everything spoken.

'

'

"Rough life you live" Inoichi said at last to them, after a long long silence.

"It is" Minato replied simply.

"I mean, we were in the same place but we went through completely different things" Inoichi said tapping the table.

"Me and Shikaku were in a dreamland compared to you and Lukra" Inoichi perceived thoughtfully.

'

'

"To those whom strength has been given, Inoichi, more is expected of you," Lukra said softly.

Closing her eyes, as if lost in trance Lukra recited a haunting little poem that sent chills down the spine to listen to.

'

"The Iron ore considers Itself senselessly tortured in the blast furnace,

The tempered steel blade looks back and knows why, acknowledging the skill of the forgemaster"

'

Lukra whispered in a Sing song voice

"Who was that by?" Inoichi asked curiously, looking fascinated.

Like a snake before a charmers flute.

'

"My Master, The Sower, one of his favourites"

"He was one of the seven swordsman dudes right?"

"Yes, he was" she replied simply.

'

Lukra paused, as if reflecting on what to say.

Then she spoke in a soft clear voice, sapphire eyes glittering as she spoke.

'

"I didn't understand what he meant back then, but now I do"

'

"Anyone who has strength within them is tested by life, Pricked as if by a needle blade to expose where we are weakest, untill we develop the strength to overcome them" Lukra related impartially.

'

"The True nature of the Sower is not a person, but a Principle."

"The pricks and spurs of life to make us struggle, to make us grow, to make us evolve."

"And we either learn from the Sowers pricks or we fall to them" Lukra said grimly.

'

'

"All the events of the Mist war, they were harsh, ruthless, brutal even"

"But without those experiences would I or Minato have become who we were capable of being? Who we were meant to be?" she questioned rhetorically.

'

"Perhaps they were a necessary component that could not have been done without."

"The tempered steel blade looks back and knows why" Lukra repeated softly.

'

"No offense Lukra, I'm glad I don't have to go through your and Minatos forging process" Inoichi remarked truthfully.

"Who says you don't?" lukra countered sarkily.

"You're in life too Inoichi san, I wouldn't be making any wagers on getting out of it" Lukra said arching her eyebrow.

'

"You sound so certain Lukra…I'm a bit more skeptical myself" Inoichi said doubtfully.

'

"Doesn't matter Inoichi"

"Gravity doesn't care whether you believe in it or not, and neither does the Sower principle," lukra replied indifferently.

'

"And you're into this philosophy Minato?" Inoichi questioned.

"Its the other way round Inoichi, this philosophy is into me" Minato said deftly.

Patting Inoichi gently on the back.

'

"You two are both amazing, and you're both weird, I need another drink, what are guys having?" Inoichi asked.

"A lager please"

"I'll try a cider"

"You're paying by the way Minato"

"Haemorrhaging generosity today you are Inoichi" Minato teased.

"I live to please Minato, drinks coming up" Inoichi said scampering off to get them.

'

'

Lukra gave a vile look at her steadily growing collection of glasses, and shot Minato a look that strongly suggested he owed her one.

"See Lukra, he's not so bad"

"I'm suspending judgement, doesn't necessarily mean that potato head will do anything productive" she said grimly.

Still not entirely sold it seemed.

'

Inoichi returned with the new round, Lukra stoically downed a hefty portion.

"So Minato, Are you saying every curse is actually like a blessing in disguise?" Inoichi asked looking intrigued at the perspective.

"Most things potentially.

"The thing is Inoichi, if you don't work, they're just curses" Minato joked candidly with a smile.

'

'

'

'

Just as then the door of the inn swung open, Minato swivelled around to see the new arrivals.

Seeing the flash of Konoha headbands.

A dozen shinobi most of them chuunin walked in, an older man with joinin vest looked as though he was the captain of the squad.

'

They all looked dusty and weary enough to have been travelling a while.

Given the remote location Minato guessed they were heading to the same place.

Giving a wave over to them, Minato said welcomingly "Hey, why don't you join us for a few drinks?"

They all moved over and the older jonin moved to shake his hand, "Matsu Tazaki" he introduced himself as.

"Namikaze Minato" he answered back.

'

Matsu Tazaki was a tall swarthy man in his mid to early thirties. He had dark black hair, had a few light scars on his face, and sported a large goatee.

He wore a bulky dark green Jounin vest.

'

'

"Heard of you" the other replied In a deep voice, a tinge of recognition in them.

"Words been going round that you killed the Mists General Akuze, got a name, what was it? The Yellow flash"

'

"That's the one, it's a bit exaggerated though" Minato said modestly, blatantly ignoring the advice the head medic had given.

Maybe I'll try it some other time he thought wistfully.

'

'

"Rumours often are, but there's usually a bit of truth to them, You don't get a name for nothing" Matsu replied shrewdly, seemingly unconvinced of Minatos downplaying.

'

"And who might your companions be?" Matsu asked.

"Inoichi yamanaka, and Lukra Mizukaro" Minato said introducing them one by one.

"Ah…of course…the other one, Ice Queen," he said eyeing Lukra with a mixture of caution and interest.

'

'

All the shinobi in the group suddenly stared at Lukra with an almost blatantly rude intensity.

Lukra not losing her poise for a second serenely ignored the attention as if it weren't there.

Minato was absurdly proud at how well she handled herself.

'

"I prefer Lukra if you don't mind" she said extending her hand, Matsu took it and shook it firmly but without warmth.

"Please forgive me Lukra, I know its grating to be called names other people call you, I was merely curious" he said evenly.

'

"Most are" she said droitly, "I'm guessing captain Tazuki that you and your group are headed off to the Suna outpost" she inquired

"We are, we were on the waterfall border but the Third sent a message saying the Suna outposts are desperately undermanned and need reinforcements" Matsu explained.

'

"Same here" Minato said.

'

"You ever been to the wind Country Matsu san" Minato asked politely.

"A few missions in peace time, but never actually in Sunagakure".

"So you've never entered the Desert proper" Minato clarified,

"No first time crossing, we can handle it though, my teams been through thick and thin" Matsu boasted with obvious pride.

'

'

"Oh?" Lukra asked with interest.

"We handled all sorts on the waterfall front, bandits, mercenaries paid to cause unrest, not to mention Kumo nin sent to aid the waterfall country" Matsu elaborated.

'

'

"One time on the waterfall border we used a collaborative jutsu that reworked the entire landscape for a couple of kilometres, so we could trap some enemy Nin,"

"Kairi over there was the architect behind the landscape jutsu, A genius in her own right" Matsu said proudly.

'

Kairi was a rather pretty and intelligent looking Konoichi dressed in a white and red costume, and sported glasses.

She had a lilting voice and sported long black hair tied into braids.

Minato couldn't recall ever meeting her before but she seemed around his age. Maybe she had started in the Genin year before or after him.

'

"Impressive, we could have done with someone like you on the Mist front" Lukra remarked looking intrigued.

'

Kairi blushed a bit at all the attention suddenly being directed towards her.

"The captain is being modest, I may have designed the jutsu but it took fifteen shinobi to make it a reality, the credit is theirs" Kairi said a little self consciously.

"Still, is it a variant of a sealing jutsu? I'm something of a specialist in that area myself" Lukra asked with interest.

'

"It does use a sealing element as the blueprint, but its more a ranged earth technique"

"How so?"

"Well sculpting is a good analogy,"

'

I take the block of stone and mark the areas that need to be chiselled, but someone else actually does the carving" Kairi explained with obvious enthusiasm

Clearly someone who enjoyed their work.

"I'm sure its amazing, I'd love to see it in action." Lukra said with interest, probably eager to learn a new trick Minato surmised.

'

'

It was at this point Inoichi decided to introduce himself and play the fool.

He sidled none too subtly to Kairi and extended his hand.

'

"Inoichi Yamanaka, pleasure to meet someone as talented as yourself" he drawled, posing a bit trying to make himself seem taller.

"Good to meet you too" Kairi said politely, markedly less enthusiastic.

"I'm from the Yamanaka clan, I got a few moves I could show you myself"

'

Lukra rolled her eyes despairingly.

"Oh?"

"For instance, I can read your mind and tell you what you're thinking right now" Inoichi said, eyes intent, "Want me to demonstrate?"

Minato sensing Kairi was getting a bit uncomfortable from Inoichi's excessive attention decided to save her some trouble.

'

"Blatant lies mate!" Minato said clapping his hands cheerfully on Inoichi's back and pulling him back a little.

'

"Ignore him Kairi, only advanced practitioners know how to do that, Inoichi is just pleased to meet you, please forgive his enthusiasm" Minato said blandly.

Firmly dragging Inoichi four feet away.

"Hey Minato!" Inoichi protested.

'

"No problem at al, I'm used to rather rowdy men, I've lived with these gorillas for such a long time" Kairi said humorously, gesturing to the rest of her team.

Eliciting a few good natured cheers and whistles from them.

"We know you like us, Kairi, you can't hide it" one called back fondly.

'

"Minato Namikaze" he introduced shaking her hand which Kairi readily accepted looking more comfortable.

Lukra also extended her hand, "Lukra Mizakaro" Shaking Kairi's hand firmly.

'

"There were all kinds of Rumours about you two, that you killed General Akuze" Kairi said looking faintly awed, almost shy.

"I'll tell you the story if you like Kairi san, but you must understand things get distorted in the when people retell it," Minato said drily, but his tone friendly.

'

Inoichi seemingly peeved he'd lost his chance to flirt, decided to change the activity, interrupting Lukras and Minato's conversation with Kairi.

Bellowing in a foghorn voice, "Hey guys! Anyone fancy a game of 'Who am I?'"

'

There were shouts of approval from the whole group.

"Sounds great! come on Taeki, grab another table and a few chairs" Matsu ordered boisterously.

Three tables were joined together to make one large one big enough for over a dozen people.

'

The whole group sat down, and Lukra simply shrugged at Minato taking the change in her stride.

Minato and Lukra sitting next to Kairi.

Inoichi passed out some paper and soon everyone was playing the guessing game.

'

'

Matsu's sqaud were a friendly bunch and in general were very upbeat. Most of them seemed a little older age wise than the trio.

Kairi being probably the youngest in the group and the only Konoichi, but she seemed very comfortable with them.

'

They introduced themselves briefly, and very quickly were laughing and joking as if they'd known each other for years.

'

Matsu wasn't the type to stand on the outskirts. He seated himself down ordered a round of drinks for everyone and joined in the game himself.

Taping his own name to his forehead.

'

Minato relaxed and got into the spirit of it, finally guessing his own name, 'Genji', the famous fictional character, after some clever guesswork.

Lukra to her credit was one of the first to guess her own name, The reclusive leader of Amegakure 'Hanzo'.

'

A few rounds of drinks later, the group steadily got bawdier and bawdier, as everyone was caught a few times in the drinking games.

As usual Minato his voice being of the quiet type could barely be heard over the din.

He practically had to shout things to communicate.

'

As the evening carried on Minato demonstrated his reflexes by flipping and catching one-handed an ever growing stack of flat cup holders without dropping them.

He finally got to 12 before it became physically impossible to the loud applause of the shinobi around him.

'

'

"You know! I bet I could beat the lot of you at throwing" One chuunin bellowed drawing a Kunai, his name Joben.

"I bet you couldn't" Lukra said derisively, standing up eyeing him mock challengingly getting into the spirit of things.

Lukra actually had quite an extroverted side to her when she had a mind to.

'

The band roared their approval.

"Match! Match! Match! Match!" They cried banging down their cups in anticipation.

'

"Best out of ten in that dartboard, if you win, Me, Minato and Inoichi do shots, if I win you lot have to drink"

'

"Bring it, You've run into the best marksman in Konoha" Joben bragged.

"Get over yourself Joben, you're not that good" his teammates jeered good naturedly, needling him.

"You're all just jealous!" he laughed back, not the least bit put out.

Joben with a flourish drew his Kunai and spun it roguishly a few times before balancing it in his hand, ready to take aim.

"Watch out Lukra!" One of Matsu's sqaud called out, "Joben is about half as formidable as he boasts, and his boasting is phenomenal!"

'

Joben threw his first Kunai, it landed a mere centimetre off the bulls eye.

He was good, no doubt of that.

But...

'

"I hope you don't mind if I use Senbon, I'm more comfortable with them" Lukra asked with fake demureness.

"You want to make it harder for yourself be my Guest" Joben invited heartily.

"You're too kind, now allow me to demonstrate how its done" Lukra said cavalierly.

'

Poor Joben had absolutely no idea what he was getting into here, Minato thought with a grin.

Lukra from the tender age of eight was taken by her father into the woods and expected to put in fourteen hours a day at throwing Senbon at targets.

The Yuki clan specialized in precision throwing, and the relative difficulty it took to master the Senbon opposed to the Kunai reflected this.

'

This was their specialty.

And lukra revelled in it.

Like greased lightning she hurled her Senbon.

With a thunk it landed dead on in the centre.

'

There was a gasp and then an applause at her feat, Inoichi even whooped and cheered boisterously for her.

'

Joben with a look of stricken surprise seemed to psych himself up to catch up.

With a much more carefully thrown blade he flung it, letting it land with a solid Thunk!

But it only came within an inch of the centre.

'

Lukras second throw was so close to the first that it blended into shadow, And it didn't stop there.

'

Throw after throw from Lukra hit the yellow bulls eye with unnerving accuracy, as if drawn there by magnetism.

'

After the tenth throw they were clustered so tightly around they resembled a bundle of shiny matchsticks.

Some of Matsu's sqaud openly had their mouths open.

'

"Drink up Boys, you lose!" Lukra announced with a bow and a smirk.

'

The group hooted with appreciation at a craftsmen's skill and downed their shots.

Kairi applauding Lukra as she humorously drunk her own drink.

Joben ruefully shook Lukras hand and congratulated her, earning him a brief hug.

'

'

Two rounds and half an hour later Matsu seemed ready to call a halt to the festivities.

"All right boys, and girl" Matsu nodded teasingly to kairi and his squad.

"Get some rest, we leave at seven next morning, I wouldn't want you to stay past your bedtimes" he jested.

"Yes mom!" a few of them hollered back, starting to drag themselves from their chairs.

'

Minato was just congratulating himself on a good evening when it all went completely South.

Captain Matsu turned to Minato, his cheeks red from a few drinks and a friendly twinkle in his eye.

"You'll be joining us in the morning of course right Minato san?" he asked more as a statement.

'

Minato had clearly missed the discussion where this had been decided.

'

"Pardon, Matsu san? I don't quite take your meaning" Minato said politely.

Matsu seemed briefly put out, a slight flash of confusion crossing his face for a half second.

'

"I'd say my meaning is quite clear Minato san, we're headed to exactly the same place, we might as well travel together" Matsu said evenly.

"Travelling in a group offers much better protection than travelling as three shinobi wouldn't you say? I'd think that was obvious" he said emphasizing the last word in a slight patronizing tone.

Implying that Minato was slow on the uptake.

'

'

Minato ignored the slight irritation from the other mans disrespectful tone.

"Ah, please forgive me Matsu san, I understand your meaning quite plainly now," Minato said politely, gathering his wits about him, his head still ringing from all the drinks for earlier.

'

"Thankyou for the offer, but Me, Lukra and Inoichi planned to leave a little later, that's all," Minato explained.

"I see…." Matsu said, still looking faintly taken aback, and faintly suspicious at this point "May I ask why?"

'

"Certainly Matsu san," Minato said accommodatingly, seeing no harm in answering.

'

"There are still some items we need to purchase, and I wanted to do some more research about the desert before we left"

"Furthermore, all three have us have fought extremely hard in the last few weeks at the Mist front, Frankly, were exhausted, I deemed it prudent to have a few active recovery days" Minato outlined calmly.

'

Minato almost turned his head around right then to head off to bed, thinking that to be the end of the discussion.

But it wasn't to be.

'

"Minato san, you can purchase any items you need in the morning, we can wait untill afternoon if need be, but I think you'd better come with us" Matsu said most insistently.

'

Minato was honestly rather puzzled at the other mans desire to be so involved in people who were essentially outside his jurisdiction.

'

"With respect Matsu san, I have just outlined my very valid reasons for wanting to wait a few extra days" Minato said firmly.

Wondering what was up? This was highly unusual by Konoha standards.

Captains didn't normally interfere with other squads running unless directed to do so by a superior.

"How long have you been at Karaksan?" Matsu asked swiftly.

"Nine days"

"And how long do you plan to stay?"

"Respectfully, its not your business" Minato said pointedly.

"Answer the damned question!" Matsu snapped impatiently.

'

Seeing Matsu wouldn't leave without an answer, Minato said briskly

"Two weeks, maybe three depending on how we feel, to be precise."

Perhaps the wrong terminology in retrospect.

'

"Three weeks! listen to yourself!" Matsu shouted condemningly, utter contempt in his face at Minatos attitude.

"You'll come when you 'Feel' like it." Matsu mocked holding up his fingers to air quote it.

"Being a Shinobi is not a goddamn lark Minato! You can't just take vacations when you 'feel' like it!" he barked, dark eyes flashing.

'

'

Minato noted that Matsu was unfortunately one of those types who felt the compelling need to 'impart' their experience and 'wisdom' to others.

Especially those younger than him.

Minato would have been the first to politely tell him, if able, that this was precisely the wrong way to go about it.

'

'

"My team fought in a war just like yours did,"

"We ran three days to get here, we're planning to run three days to get to the Outpost,"

"By Shinobi standards, this is Normal,!" Matsu emphasized heatedly.

'

'

"I'm not asking for anything particularly special from my people either" he said firmly.

"Any chuunin should be capable of this, let alone a Jounin!" he said cuttingly gesturing curtly to Minato and Lukras vests.

'

"But your people are so weary they can't do the same, after a nine day lay off?" he said in disbelief.

'

'

Minato remained dead calm and didn't react to the rising tone Matsu had adopted.

'

"Matsu san, as I explained I want to be thoroughly prepared for the terrain we are going to be working in," Minato said evenly.

"Given that you yourself said that you had never been to Suna before, and never travelled in a deserts terrain, I might suggest that you might want to wait a few days also" Minato dared to suggest.

'

Matsu gave him a contemptuous and dismissive jerk with his head.

Clearly not seeing Minato as someone fit to take advice from.

"I have been in all kinds of terrain in my career, this is a three-day routine crossover, nothing more," he dismissed instantly.

'

"More importantly, while you sit around casually on your little… lark,' he said in disgust.

"The war Is going badly right now! you are neglecting your duty!" Matsu said in an accusing tone, a much more vicious look entering his eyes.

'

"I don't think its your place to lecture me about duty" Minato said coolly, a sharp look his sky blue eyes.

Having had enough of this bullshit.

'

"I have answered your questions out of respect, something that was not returned," Minato added Icily.

"This conversation is over, I wish you and your team safe travels" Minato stated bluntly, turning to leave the bar.

But was stopped by Matsu leering voice.

'

'

"Ah!...I see what it is now, I understand perfectly Namikaze, its so simple, it's a wonder I didn't see right through you when first met you" Matsu said with a grim knowing smile.

As if he'd just had some deep inner insight.

'

'

Minato turned around, everyone including him seemed honestly curious as to what Matsu had to say.

"Perhaps you would be kind enough to share your thoughts with us Matsu san" Minato invited evenly, arching his eyebrow expectantly.

'

"You're not lazy, you're afraid," Matsu said, his voice quieter.

An almost pitying undercurrent in his voice. Matsu honestly looking as though he pitied Minato in that moment.

'

'

He carried on vehemently.

"I've seen it before, Shinobi who barely survived battles losing their nerve, becoming timid, unable to face a Shinobi life and rationalizing it behind caution." He emphasized making air quotes with his fingers again.

'

"You're scared Minato, You're scared to go back into a warzone, and you are not fit to wear that uniform" he accused,

Some real alarming hatred in his eyes, spitting on the floor by Minato's feet.

'

'

Minato actually smiled at that, "Your statement is laughably flawed Matsu san,"

He honestly wasn't sure why he was using the respectful honorific 'san' at this point.

'

"You are speaking to two shinobi who have probably defeated more shinobi in the course of the Mist War than you have in your entire career" Minato said matter of factly.

"We weren't given these vests to be village pinups, we were personally handed them from the Third, do you think he made a mistake?" Minato queried sarcastically.

'

"And I didn't emphasize this because earlier, because I thought there was no need to have a pissing contest"

"But Me, Lukra and Inoichi have fought in the heaviest conflicts, the fiercest fighting, bluntly speaking, you don't know what you are talking about Matsu san" Minato said adamantly.

'

"Your lying, I don't know by what fluke you gained that title or fooled the Third but I know a fake when I see one" Matsu barked.

"I am relieving you of your command" Matsu said with dark conviction, his eyes flashing, bits of spit flying from his mouth.

'

'

"We're the same rank, You don't have the authority to do that" Minato said flatly, a steely undercurrent in his voice.

"Lukra, Inoichi, I expect you to join my squad next morning" Matsu talked right over Minato ignoring him.

His louder voice drowning out Minato's.

Turning his attention to look over Minatos shoulder to Lukra, and Inoichi and giving them a commanding look.

'

'

"Guys, you fancy going anywhere with Matsu san?" Minato asked loudly.

"No I don't" Lukra answered bluntly, a hard look in her sapphire eyes.

"I ain't going nowhere" Inoichi piped up, surprisingly firm Minato noticed.

'

'

"None of us are going anywhere with you" Minato said in a icily calm voice.

Matsu drew himself up threateningly, coming closer.

Most of his shinobi just watched, but around five of them, several of the men started putting hands closer to the Kunai weapons on their belts.

'

Kairi and Joben seemed undecided, apparently never seeing their captain like this.

Or perhaps never being in a situation like this.

'

Matsu walked to within a few feet of Minato, the tension palpable in the room.

'

Lukra seeing the situation was getting way out of hand lithely positioned herself behind Minato.

She grimly activated her bloodline with a few quiet understated finger movements, a chill seeping subtly into the air.

'

Minato looked Matsu dead straight in the eye and said,

"I don't want to escalate this Matsu san" he said beseechingly, he held up both hands non threateningly.

"lets put a stop to this before it gets out of hand," Minato implored earnestly to the older Jounin.

But giving him a calm look that warned him he would get a lot of trouble if he pushed further.

'

'

After a few awful second's….

'

Matsu finally slowly stepped back, perhaps seeing something to be wary of In Minato or Lukras eyes.

'

Or perhaps deciding they weren't worth bothering over. His men releasing their grip on their weapons.

There was an audible sigh of relief from the bartender.

'

"I will report you, and those two for cowardice and dereliction of duty when I arrive" Matsu said coldly, a severe look on his face.

"As soon as you get your pathetic hide to base I will have you stripped of that rank Minato Namikaze" Matsu promised quietly.

'

"That's your captainly perogative, but untill then they follow me" Minato said curtly, not yielding a jot.

'

He slowly stepped back, untill he was some distance from Matsu's sqaud.

He turned to Inoichi and Lukra, "Come on, let's leave before something else happens" he said gently.

The trio quietly departed from the barkeep, heading to the first floor.

'

Not a single person from the other sqaud who they had been drinking with and joking with just a few minutes ago met their eye, or said a word.

'

"Yeesh….what a mood change….my hands are shaking" Inoichi muttered in dismay.

"Shut up Inoichi" Lukra hissed, "This is not the time!"

'

"Guys, keep your Guard up in case Matsu tries anything, don't relax untill were sure they've left tomorrow' Minato warned.

'

"Gotcha…." Inoichi said still a little shakily.

'

"And Lukra, if the worst comes to the worst don't harm them,"

"They're fellow comrades, use the micro Weissneibel set to stun" Minato said firmly.

"Of course Minato" Lukra answered with a deft nod, sapphire eyes glinting.

'

'

'

'

Minato POV

'

Minato, Lukra and Inoichi spent a sleepless tense night poised in Minato's room. Cautious in case Matsu had any other ideas.

But in the end they needn't have worried.

'

The next day Matsu and his troupe stormed off by late morning without so much as another word to them.

Captain Matsu's expression clearly visible from the window as one of tightly controlled anger and impatience.

He was barking orders like a sergeant to his chastened looking platoon, some of them clearly buying supplies and equipment for the cross over.

'

The trio watched, peering surreptitiously from the window of Inoichis room

Minato could see a few of them glancing back every now and then at the Inn.

'

Particularly their carver specialist Kairi and Joben.

And then in a dash, they were gone. Running like green shadows into the distance.

'

"Boy am I glad those guys are gone" Inoichi said with an audible sigh of relief.

"You said it" Minato agreed.

Finally relaxing after a tense night of waiting.

"Aa," said Lukra, even she echoing the sentiment.

'

'

'

Lukra finally voiced her thoughts aloud.

"Matsu was totally out of line, he had absolutely no business interfering with another sqaud" Lukra said annoyed.

"He really didn't feel that way" Minato noted lightly.

"What was the big deal? " the dark haired girl said with a puzzled frown.

'

"I don't know Lukra, its ridiculous anyway you look at it…. maybe I'm just a new at this job"

"But perhaps Matsu genuinely thought our delay was a bit suspicious, and wanted to make sure we weren't up to anything untoward." Minato suggested.

'

"So all that fiery bull about picking and choosing…."

"Utter nonsense, If he's a Joinin of any kind of credibility he knows when to push and when to slow down," Minato shrugged indifferently.

"That was some stirring rhetoric for us and his men, but it wasn't the real reason" Minato said calmly.

'

"What could we possibly have been up to in this backwater?" Lukra snorted incredulously.

"He had no idea, that was the point"

"You leaf boys….." Lukra sniffed disdainfully, "What a hullaballoo about nothing"

'

She strode over to the door.

"Well if this little debacle is over, I'm going to go and do something actually productive" she said leaving, her footsteps making a soft padding noise.

'

'

Inoichi piped up after she exited.

"You know Minato its scary how fast it went from everyone being happy and having a great time, to one move from a brawl, my fingers are still shaking" Inoichi said with a small shudder.

'

"We would have been ok Inoichi" Minato reassured him "The bar might not have though" Minato mused.

"What was that thing you told Lukra to use?... Micro Weissneibel?" Inoichi asked furtively, glancing at Minato who still looked partially lost in thought.

'

"It makes thousands of tiny icicle darts infected with a paralyzing agent, its almost impossible to dodge," Minato explained.

"It likely would have incapacitated them without hurting them too badly, I don't know what we would have done when they woke up afterwards" Minato remarked ruefully.

'

"Well luckily Matsu took the smart choice"

"Yeah, I'm grateful for that" Minato agreed.

"That was one unhappy mother fucker, do you think he can back up that threat?" Inoichi asked nervously.

Looking suddenly worried about the consequences to his own career.

"I don't know Inoichi," Minato said honestly.

"It is my team, I get to decide these things, but I don't know how much Sakumo will want to see my point of view"

'

The day Sakumo saw his point of view…that would be quite the occasion in itself considering how prejudiced the man seemed towards Minato.

Maybe it wasn't the best time to mention this fact to Inoichi.

"Anyway lets worry about that later…" Minato added hastily.

'

'

"Oh, and Inoichi…"

"Yeah bud"

"Thanks for back there. That was a real under pressure situation but you didn't panic or back down, and you really stuck with us, thankyou" Minato said sincerely.

"No worries mate, anytime" Inoichi brushed off embarrassedly.

'

'

"Were you tempted to go with him? You know when he ordered you and Lukra to pack up?" Minato asked curious, eyeing Inoichi.

"He spoke with such conviction, it can't have been easy to ignore" Minato said matter of factly.

'

"I thought about it for a bit, but not for long Minato. I've known you since the academy, you're not a fake"

"And more than that…"

'

Inoichi looked very serious, something markedly unusual for him,

"I was there Minato, I was there….. in that same place as you"

'

"I didn't go through everything you and Lukra did, but I was still there, I know what it was like to fight against the Mist... that matters to me Minato" Inoichi said gravely.

Looking absolutely dead serious about it.

'

"I'm not about to forget everything I went through just because some cunt wants to act all high and mighty" Inoichi said with surprising conviction.

"Honestly didn't want to go anywhere with that fuck" Inoichi said candidly, cussing a bit.

'

"Oh thanks Inoichi, that's really good to hear" Minato said gratefully, feeling rather touched if he were honest with himself.

'

"And plus if I went with Matsu I would have had to leave today...that would have been such a bother" he added more self enteredly.

"But with you I get two more weeks off, so you offer way more perks" Inoichi said enthusiastically, flashing a roguish grin at Minato.

'

"Oh" Minato said, his bubble imploding a bit.

"Yeah there is that too" Minato said, markedly less enthusiastic.

'

'

'

Minato walking gamely along the path from the Main town, searching for Lukra.

The bright afternoon suns rays heating the back of his neck.

He hoped it wouldn't burn. Minato developed a golden brown tan in summer time, but he wasn't particularly burn proof.

'

After a brief walk Minato spied her long distinctive long black hair.

she was perched cross legged on a wide, flat shaped boulder beside the huge lake.

She was poised, her body perfectly postured in a lotus position, with her eyes closed, her pale hands cupped in front of her.

She looked relatively peaceful, almost tranquil her eyes closed in a state of intense concentration. .

'

Orbiting all around her were several long silvery tendril like streams of liquid water, revolving slowly, in slow gentle arcs.

They weren't small either, each was around three foot wide, and stretched on for several meters in length like a giant snake.

'

The watery Kaleidoscope enclosed around her in spirals of about ten feet distance from Lukra, the dark haired girl clearly acting as its epicentre.

Mimicking in a fashion the pattern of an electron orbiting its Nuclei.

The water glittered like liquid diamond in the sun, moving in slow eerie orbits around Lukra.

'

Minato coming to the edge of the closest tendril could see some entrapped bubbles still swirling around inside.

'

'

This was an elemental manipulation exercise distinctive of the Hyoten clan. All it's members practiced it from a young age since it developed so many core skills they needed.

As they got older they could lift and control more and more water around them.

It also doubled up as a great Chakra control exercise.

Lukra often did it to relax.

'

'

Minato stepped just outside the rotating streams of water, knowing Lukra would have long ago sensed his approach from his purposefully loud footsteps.

'

"Having fun there?" Minato called.

"Much" she replied shortly.

"I'm surprised you're not making it bigger" he remarked, trailing a hand languidly through a stream of hovering liquid floating in front of him.

Watching the water curl eerily around his hand but not fall

'

'

"I don't want to scare the locals, something small-time will do for now" She explained, not opening her eyes.

Lukra could lift colossal quantities of water weighing entire tons if she put her mind to it.

'

"They come here often enough then?"

"A few, mostly a few people working on irrigation, they don't really bother me so its not a problem"

'

"Are you okay Lukra from last night?" Minato asked.

"You forget who you're talking to Minato" she said loftily opening her eyes to glance at him.

The water still maintained perfectly suspended in mid-air.

Lukra was skilled enough that she could do this activity and converse with Minato without dropping it all.

'

"Im fine, I'm mostly annoyed that all that alcohol I consumed was for nothing" she said grumpily.

Minato could sympathize with that himself.

'

"You actually looked like you were having fun"

"I was amazingly enough, Joben was actually pretty nice, and Kairi seemed okay"

"I was having a good time untill captain obnoxious started going above and beyond the call of duty" she mocked with sarcasm.

'

"I thought it was unnecessary too Lukra,"

"The nerve of him! Demanding I just randomly pick up my bags and follow him! What an overbearing git!" she said vehemently.

"I can't believe he actually thought any of us would go" Lukra said in disbelief.

"Matsu san is obviously used to getting his own way most the time" Minato said.

'

"We had totally valid reasons! And we're a separate unit, It was none of his business anyway Ugh! Its so unreasonable it drives me up the wall" Lukra said aggravated.

'

"I know Lukra, I was surprised myself he went to such lengths, perhaps because I'm young"

"Believe me, you are older than the likes of people like that" Lukra said firmly, "You were the one deescalating the situation and keeping calm under all that"

'

Minato felt Matsu had taken up more than enough of their time and attention, he just wanted the issue over with.

'

'

"Thanks Lukra, and thanks for being ready with these darts,"

"Anyway I just wanted to say thanks for coming last night Lukra" Minato said softly.

"I know last night sucked at the end, but it actually went really well for the most part, please don't let this one incident smear your perspective"

Minato wondered how long it was going to take him to convince her to go to another drinking event next time.

'

'

"It won't Minato, Like I said I had a good time up untill the last part, shitheads like that stick out" lukra huffed acrimoniously.

"I'm glad to hear it"

"Hmmmmmm"

Lukra with a slipping, squelching noise eerily drew out yet another bubbling silvery stream from the lake to add to her practice.

'

"You gonna drag me out for more buddy time with Inoichi?" she asked drily.

"Don't worry, I'll work on him for a while, just be natural and friendly when you are around him" Minato specified lightly.

"Gotcha," Lukra said with a nod.

'

'Minato glanced at her still mildly surly features.

Still brooding he thought.

'

"You know you have a face like a wet blanket Lukra" Minato remarked casually.

"Can't be helped" she grunted.

"I bet it could Lukra"

"Go and do something about it then" she jibed.

Before closing her eyes to resuming her state of concentration.

"Right…."

'

She was again absorbed by the exercise she was doing, but still seemed mildly peeved off.

More so than she had when Minato arrived.

'

'

Minato decided to quite literally take Lukra up on her last statement.

She really could use some lightening up he thought irritably.

Following a bit of spontaneity,

He hurled one of his Kunai in the air, throwing it towards the centre of the lake.

'

In a puff of displaced air, he teleported to her, grabbed her, and dialled them to the Kunai still in motion mid-air.

'

"Ahhhkk!" Lukra screeched with dismay and surprise as she was flung unceremoniously into the lake alongside Minato.

Gasping more from the shock of being flung in the water than its actual coldness.

'

The silvery tendrils she had been manipulating came crashing to the lake and ground as if the strings had been cut.

'

'

She wrenched herself out of Minatos grip, thrashing in the water like a Pike. Swiftly Lukra used chakra at her fingertips to haul herself out, and stay above the lakes surface.

Lukra with lithe grace back flipped a few times away from Minato to stand facing him in the centre of the lake.

'

Minato in this time swiftly extricated himself out the lake, water walking easily on the surface.

'

He glanced at his teammate.

Water dripped in streaming rivulets from her body, her dark hair was plastered to her head and neck.

Her trousers, vest and undershirt utterly soaked.

"Oh!...oh!... You dare Minato!" she said almost apoplectic with shock, coughing and spluttering water out of her mouth.

Water dripped off her nose and chin.

She looked half furious and half amused it his antics, and seemed unable to pick which one to express.

'

Minato just winked cheekily at her.

He made a sleek Taijutsu pose and made a beckoning "Come here" motion with his hand. Practically daring her.

"Oooooohhhh! You little mongrel!, you are going to pay for throwing me in here like that! You are on Namikaze" she said, a cocky smile on her face.

"You messed with the wrong water girl!" she shouted.

'

Arcing her hands up and sideways her bloodline picked up a solid mass of water the size of a few buses.

"Yraaawwhhh!" she exhaled, throwing a miniature tsunami that streaked Minatos way.

Her feet Bobbing on the displaced water she had disturbed.

'

'

"Whoa! Lukra! Steady on! That has to be ten feet high!" Minato said, voice rather high, eyes widening at the scale.

Had to be several cubic tones there.

"You don't get to pick Namikaze!" she retorted.

'

Minato quickly thinking, hurled his kunai over the wave and teleported to catch it, leapfrogging over it nimbly to land back on the lake.

'

Only to have to dodge a soccer sized water ball flung at him like a bullet as soon as he landed. Minato gracefully cart wheeled out the way, hand walking on the water.

Feeling the spray of the water past him.

'

'

"Lets play ball Minato kun" Lukra suggested virulently, opening her hands upwards.

Around ten to fifteen globules of water the size of soccer balls emerged to rise eerily into the air from the water behind and to the sides of Lukra. Hovering on either side of Lukra.

'

Swiping her hands down she sent one after another at him. Not really doing it seriously, more just enjoying the feel of chucking water at him.

Minato eyes wide, dodged, ducked and summersaulted past them all, using his nimble frame and reflexes to smoothly avoid them.

'

As soon as Lukra ran out of watery globules Minato fluidly weaved a few signs without missing a beat "Suiton, water dragon jutsu!"

It sucked water upwards and sent his own liquid juggernaut headed her way.

'

"You fool Minato! Water is my weapon! What's do you think that's going to do?" Lukra snorted sarcastically.

She gripped her hands in front of her. Her bloodline easily penetrating to infiltrate the water. The water dragon started veering to her left side.

'

Lukra using her bloodline to control water particles calmly steered the dragon to thunder harmlessly past her left shoulder.

Weaving her hands as if conducting an orchestra, Lukra swung the water missile to loop around her body and streak past her right side straight at Minato.

Tossing his own weapon on him.

'

The huge behemoth thundered towards Minato at fifty miles an hour.

Minato stopped to appreciate for a moment the sight of the huge juggernaut about to engulf him.

'

Then at the very last second, Minato calmly threw his Kunai sideways and teleported to catch it twenty feet away. Seeing a thundering maelstrom crashing where he had been an instant ago.

The waves from it shaking the water under his feet.

That would have really hurt if it hit, he thought with a wince and smug smile.

'

He knew Lukra had only thrown it back at him because she trusted him to dodge it.

'

"Hey Minato over here!" Lukra called, with a teasing grin on her face.

'

Rotating round her in an eerie but beautiful display was a ring of watery ball like globules, each double the size a soccer ball.

'

They were about twenty feet from her, and were perfectly level with her shoulders height.

There had to be at least forty of them and they orbited around her at high speeds, making a whooshing sound as they did.

Resembling slightly a giant rotating pearl necklace.

'

"Dodge this!" Lukra challenged.

'

Lukra with a burst shot them towards him like bullets, one after another, Minato with a playful grin dodged past them as best he could.

But it was inevitable that he would get hit at some point, with the sheer volume of them.

'

Minato had one catch him squarely on the stomach, soaking him like a giant water balloon.

He gasped at the cool water dousing him, the impact of the huge water globule feeling like belly flopping into a pool.

'

It threw off his balance for a split second, allowing Lukra the opportunity to get in another three.

Barely managing to teleport out before a dozen more hit him.

'

"And you have the audacity to call me a cheat!" he spluttered at her, gasping a little at the coolness of the water. His blonde hair thoroughly plastered to his head.

'

"You chose to throw me without warning into a lake, the consequences are yours!" Lukra pronounced, unfazed by his accusation.

"All right bring it! water girl!" Minato shot back fired up, weaving more signs, preparing to go all out.

'

'

What ensued was a water fight of titanic proportions, and that was mostly one-sided.

Minato let rip relentlessly his entire arsenal, most of it pillaged from the Mist curriculum via Lukra.

'

But his Mist born teammate had a few lucrative advantages here.

Lukra smoothly swatted the water he fired at her away with little more than a thought.

'

Winning wasn't really the object though.

Minato just let himself be in the moment without thinking about winning or losing that much.

Minato used his teleport jutsu to stay ahead of Lukras watery barrages, but she was very good at anticipating where he would go, so that didn't work all the time.

'

Minato fought back valiantly, even dousing her a few times, but it was like fighting a shark in the ocean. Pretty much a foregone conclusion.

'

After half an hour the pair of them were totally drowned rats, and completely exhausted.

Minato looked as though he had spent the time diving.

'

Lukra sported a huge grin and seemed to have forgotten most of last nights events.

'

"Truce Minato?" Lukra suggested at last breathing hard from everything she'd thrown at him.

"Truce," Minato agreed, shaking himself off like a dog.

Shivering a bit from all the times hed been dunked underwater or otherwise.

Did not see myself doing this today, he thought ruefully.

'

He carefully water walked his way over the lake.

"Have fun?" he asked

"Much, you look like you're going to get hypothermia though" she commentated.

'

Minato was utterly soaked, his undershirt clinging to him and his teeth were starting to chatter.

But he'd had a great time, and clearly his idea had worked so he didn't have any regrets.

'

"You should have known better Minato" she sighed mockingly, shaking her head pityingly at him.

Peering at him, perhaps worried she'd overdone it a little.

'

"You always look so serious when you do that little water exercise. believe me you needed a smile" Minato said firmly.

Gently reassuring Lukra with his face that he was fine.

"Well obviously you needed a bath too Minato kun!" Lukra teased a sparkle in her eyes.

'

'

Then she leaned in and gave him a small kiss on his cheek, an affectionate look in her eyes.

'

"Thankyou Minato, I know what you were trying to do" she said softly giving him a hug.

Her thoroughly soaked clothes adding some extra wetness to Minatos state, he thought with chagrin.

'

"C'mon, lets head back, we have half the town watching over there," Lukra said disengaging from him.

'

Minato peering back to where she indicated saw several dozen villagers at the far shore of the lake openly gawping at them.

A lot of them children, who rather looked like they wanted to join in.

Some of the older inhabitants looked openly amazed at the watery devastation their lake had been subjected to.

'

"So much for not scaring the locals" Minato said wryly.

Lukra shrugged, "That was your fault" she dismissed, casually assigning all the blame as his.

'

Bet you guys never saw water do that, Minato thought wanly.

'

"Oh no! Looks like we pushed a lot of the water past where the lake normally is" Minato said looking at the lakes new dimensions, a little put out.

'

"I'm going to say one thing to that Minato, and that is, 'Your fault' Lukra repeated.

"C'mon lets go home Minato kun" Lukra said, back to her usual straightforward manner.

Minato rather sheepishly wondered if he'd affected their livelihood after all.

'

'

'

'

There were no more incidents for the rest of their stay in Karaksan. All of them enjoying their time off in their own respective ways.

'

'

Minato got into a routine, the mornings he spent training with Lukra in the spatial dimension and exploring the country.

The afternoon was spent researching about the desert, purchasing items they would need or training with Inoichi.

And the evenings he spent either, training talking with Lukra or having a guys night with Inoichi.

'

Most of his time with Inoichi was spent in bars watching his friend try to flirt with the local girls.

'

After about eight good sessions Lukra seemed satisfied they were in adequate shape, if not in peak condition.

After all the practice they'd had in the Mist war neither of them were particularly worried. More than satisfied they'd be able to handle most situations.

'

'

Minato true to his word, took some time to train alone with Inoichi in the afternoon when he could cajole him.

'

Inoichi, all appearances to the contrary was actually a decent chuunin. And it felt almost painfully slow and basic to Minato's mind at this point.

But he bit back any rebukes and condensation because he knew it would only be a hindrance and worked on getting Inoichi one little bit better each time.

Always encouraging him and carefully tailoring his ability to the others level.

'

"Yeesh! Minato, how many more times do you want to repeat that combo?"

"At least another twenty" Minato said patiently, biting down the 'fifty' he had been about to say.

Start small, build on it, he chastised himself, don't push him too hard right now.

'

"You are an evil man" Inoichi said miserably, his breath haggard looking bleak at the prospect of even a single set.

"You don't want to know what Lukra would be having you do if she was in charge of this session" Minato replied honestly.

'

'

"Oh that's where you get this unholy attitude from" Inoichi said looking disgusted.

"If you want to know how we beat the Mist, you're looking at it. Hundreds and hundreds and thousands of unglamorous repetitions of moves like this, That's it"

"There's no magic ingredient, nothing you couldn't do with a bit of effort and application" Minato said pointedly.

'

"Alright, lets go again" Inoichi said, fired up for another go.

Minato calculated he would get another five sets out of him, before he would have to be enticed again.

'

'

In the Evenings the trio took to lounging around in the Inn common room when they ate their dinner.

Minato naturally had a good time with both of them but he noticed ever since that night Lukra and Inoichi were making a real effort.

'

They talked to each other more and really were generally warmer and friendlier than they had been.

He wasn't sure if Lukra was just humouring him or genuinely felt it but there was a huge shift in her treatment of Inoichi.

Even having the occasional joke.

'

The latest being a kind of guessing game, they would spy a new arrival and then try their best to guess their occupation and life story from the appearance.

Trying to make either the most accurate or the most outlandish guesses.

'

Lukra had even started teasing Inoichi with sarcasm gently.

Inoichi for his part was a bit reserved around Lukra, but his cocky nature came out often enough to banter with her.

They seemed more comfortable around each now than in all their previous years.

Minato wasn't exactly sure what it meant long term, but it was a promising start.

'

'

Minato completed his research on the desert and set aside one evening to share his ideas on how to best traverse the desert without difficulty.

And to brief Inoichi and Lukra on all the wildlife and common hazards they would find.

'

Inoichi despite Minato's best efforts to be informative he could barely seem to pay attention to Minato's annoyance.

The two empty bottles of sake beside him possibly being the culprit.

The others eyes almost falling shut midway through Minato's description in the Inn common room.

'

"I cant believe him!" Minato muttered in disgust. After all the trouble he had gone to as well!

Lukra just shrugged, "Guess it will just have to be a surprise for him" she said jadedly.

'

She turned to Minato, A curious quirk in her eyes, "Seriously Minato, Sand dragons are really that big? No jokes?"

"No jokes Lukra san, I thought so too, but they are a documented fact"

'

"Amazing Minato, There's nothing like that in the water countries islands, hard to believe they live in such a barren place." Lukra said, shaking her head in wonderment.

"They do though…." Minato assured.

"I hope I get to see one" Lukra said hopefully, as if making a desert wish list.

"Alright lets get the drunken sailor to his bed" Minato said dejectedly.

He wasn't that boring was he? He thought feeling vaguely miffed.

'

'

Later that night Lukra took Minato aside in his room and looked at him seriously.

'

"You know, just because you went out on a limb for Inoichi and doesn't necessarily mean anything Minato"

"Doesn't mean he'll do jack shit for us when it comes down to it" she warned, a hard look in her eyes.

'

"Maybe Lukra, but I had to give him that option, you see? Now he has the choice"

"All right Minato, I'm just saying, there's no guarantee, that's all, I'm not trying to bring you down or anything" Lukra said soothed.

"I know Lukra" he replied softly.

'

'

'

'

By three and a half weeks even Inoichi expressed that he wanted to get going. Having spent every one of the last five days with a severe hangover in the morning.

'

Minato bowing to everyone's wishes packed the last of the items they would need.

Making sure all their new clothes, much thinner and lighter for the desert fit comfortably.

'

Then he readied his specially bought desert wear footwear for the trio. Appreciatively feeling the yielding and comfortable feel of the leather gear.

They covered the whole foot and were sealed with special supple oil to be ergonomically stretchy and sand proof.

Then finally, one early morning it was time.

'

They stood outside the Inn, poised to run to the desert.

'

"So how long will it take to get to the desert Minato?" Inoichi asked.

"About a day before we enter it properly" Minato answered concisely.

"Right, well, fun as its been, time to move on"

'

"Sure you're ready leaf boy?" Lukra asked Inoichi teasingly.

'

'

"Leaf boy?" Inoichi repeated questioningly, swivelling his head towards Minato.

"An affectionate term of endearment Lukra uses for us native Konoha dwellers, it means she likes you" Minato said blandly, adjusting his headband.

Glossing over things a bit.

'

The first time Lukra had called him that, Minato had been strung up like a rabbit, hanging in mid-air by ice manacles.

His body paralyzed and rather painfully riddled with razor sharp Senbon.

He winced a bit at the memory.

'

"Oh right," Inoichi said eloquently, "That's cool I guess, not sure about the boy part though"

"Believe me Inoichi, to me, you are a boy make no mistake about it" Lukra quipped, but gently.

"I didn't like the bracket either for what it's worth" Minato consoled.

"Whatever Ice girl" Inoichi shrugged, perhaps picking up a trace of Lukras dismissive attitude.

'

"And yeah, I am ready to cane this Desert! Let's do this guys! Lets teach these Suna bastards they don't fuck with Konoha! Oooo! Ra!" he whooped.

Thumping his chest and making a comical war cry.

'

Minato laughed and Lukra even Lukra smirked.

"Yeah, lets go teach!" Minato chuckled.

As one they started running down the road in a V formation.

'

'

It was finally time...

Time to enter the Desert….

'

'

'

Thankyou for Reading!

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Feedback and Constructive criticism is welcome, I don't tolerate flames, if you have something intelligent to say you can say it civilly.

Untill next time.