AN: I'd expected my schedule to clear a bit once I came back home, but it wasn't to be. So I might be changing the format to somewhat shorter, more compact chapters like those of Mare, my Nagato/fem!Gaara fic (ie: flash-fic style). On the upside... more frequent updates. :)
Chapter 11: Three
(A couple of months later)
Though the team had only just arrived at the inn, Mikoto's companions had already retired to their rooms to wash up, rest and eat a large, warm meal (well-deserved indulgences for finishing the mission a day ahead of Pein's already tight, punishing schedule). Instead of rushing indoors with the Ame nin, Mikoto had lingered outside.
Obito had called her Zetsu away for some other mission and Mikoto had been required to work with three shinobi she'd formerly only met in passing, Nomura Isamu, Ookawa Akira and Toriyama Yoshimaru. The trio of Ame chuunin were (or, at least, appeared to be) still loyal members of their village's military and their position had got her thinking about the organization Obito (and now her as well, she supposed) was part of.
From what Mikoto had gathered (and from having traipsed with Zetsu all across the lands of Hot Water, Grass, Earth and Wind), the mercenary company accepted missions from all nations (and against all nations so long as the end result couldn't be traced back to them) but these were the first members she'd met whose hitai-ate hadn't been scratched out.
Did that mean that the 'Pein-sama' her teammates had mentioned (or even the organisation itself) was based out of Rain? Hanzo the Salamander had had total control over his country, he wouldn't have allowed so many missing nin to even walk into Ame, let alone form their power base in his domain.
It was something to consider but she'd get nothing out of Obito (nor Zetsu) and it seemed best to wait for Toriyama and Nomura's tongues to had been loosened by a couple of cups of warm sake before asking any questions on the matter as well. Later this evening, perhaps.
For now, she'd simply enjoy the unseasonably warm weather - it was a balmy day for April, especially this far north into the Land of Iron. Rather than waste the free day in the common room Mikoto had taken a seat on the edge of the wooden porch and, leaning back on her elbows, she watched the clouds drift past.
Streaks of white trailed lazily across the sky, twining around each-other as the breeze slowly urged them towards the horizon. Her own hair had broken free of its braid, strands brushing against her cheeks and curling around her throat at the coaxing of the mild easterly wind.
The ryokan's terrace shone with the lustre of freshly waxed wood and the heavens reflected on the polished surface as in a mirror. Under the too bright sun and if she peered through her lashes it almost seemed as if she were sitting in the firmament, among the clouds themselves.
A whisper of a memory hovered at the edge of her thoughts. What had Obito called her all those months past, she struggled to recall. 'Ah, Momo-no-Mikoto, goddess Peach.' Did that make her the goddess of fruit... or summer perhaps. There was a rueful curl to her lips as Mikoto mused on the issue. Knowing her relative's strange (and rather cruel) sense of humor if he were to name her goddess of anything it would probably be Goddess of Peach Pits, Blessed Guardian against Constipation.
She shuddered then stared at the gleaming terrace with a considering eye, idly tapping a nail against the wood. It was no use. The image of such an embarrassing portfolio wouldn't leave her mind, spoiling any other thoughts of (even make-belief) divinity. Sighing, turned her gaze back to the sky. To the west, as the wind blew it further away, an oddly-shaped cloud looked uncannily like a pouncing rabbit.
Did rabbits pounce at all, Mikoto wondered, fearful little things that they were. Lifting her hand, she traced the imagined buddy's slowly fraying edges. It was an odd thing to wonder about (or it could be that that not knowing was odder, she supposed). Regardless, she could perhaps see it as a metaphor for a harmless creature going against its nature to change something, like… like peaceful goddess Peach murdering her cousin to assume a new, better title than Goddess of Peach Pits... or even seducing him into giving her something different.
"It wouldn't be a hardship, that" she huffed under her breath "he's handsome enough in spite of the scars." With his large, almond shaped eyes and patrician nose, taller than her by a head and a half, lean and pale-skinned like all Uchiha...
Her hand flew to her mouth to muffle an unladylike snort. How had her thoughts even wandered so far? It seemed that boredom could turn anyone to whimsy.
Closing her eyes, she almost missed the unravelling cloud rabbit catching up to a larger, puffier cloud.
'I wonder...' Mikoto thought with a smile. Still smiling, she let her mind drift, focusing only marginally on the sounds of the bustling inn: the nearly constant chatter from the common room, sprinkled with laughter and the occasional screech or bellow, the muffled stomp of the civilians' socked feet going from room to room, the quieter steps of the inn's servants as they hurried across the walkway, arms laden with heavy serving trays or laundry.
The mild breeze and pleasant warmth had almost lulled her to sleep when she felt someone take a seat beside her. She debated opening her eyes but she doubted anyone could fake her companion's unique scent of pine ink, that harsh undertone of bitter root he and Zetsu seemed to share and the ungodly measure at which his and her grafts seemed to resonate. Further still, her nose told her that the only weapons his hands were currently holding were two plates of daifuku.
"Tobi. Do I want to know how you keep finding me, regardless of how obscure or remote the places may be?" she teased, hand darting out to snatch one of the few light green mochi on the plates.
"Oh, I doubt it. Now, enjoy. Your teammates are full, fit to burst" Obito answered lightly, waving the question away with practiced ease.
"And halfway to drunk, I assume."
"They certainly seemed a merry crew when I passed them by." he quipped back, moving the plate from one hand to another.
"A gift for finishing our mission early... from you? Very suspicious… Is this to mean we're not being paid, our downtime is cancelled or some other calamity?" she said between bites, unwittingly leaning half-way across his lap when she reached for another cake. As she debated between a pale pink confection and a white one, a hand resting on his thigh for balance, Mikoto couldn't miss the way he stiffened under her palm.
"Miko–"
"Oh, don't be so easily offended, Tobi." she interrupted him, mistaking the source of his discomfort. "It was an innocent joke."
"Hmph. Still, how ungrateful." Obito chided lightly as he placed both plates between them and leant back, watching her eat while he silently regained his composure. The sun had brightened her pale cheeks to a healthy, rosy hue and as he looked at her smiling and sighing quietly as she savored his little gift, he felt a strange tightening in his chest. Must be the usual, heady feeling of anticipation at being the bearer of bad news, he told himself.
"Eat up, eat up, you'll need your strength." he said in a playful singsong, just as she made to swallow the last bite "You won't be resting here tonight. I need you to meet up with Zetsu at Miho, forty miles east."
"Ah." she sighed "It was a bribe."
"You should be happy." he said with a hidden smile "This task is something only you can accomplish."
Her eyes gleamed with excitement and he nodded to himself "Yes. It's absolutely essential." He paused before adding with a mocking lilt. "Your Zetsu's been moping without you. It's affecting the others. A mission together should make everyone else so much easier to live with. That you couldn't enjoy this free day… well, it was just sadly unavoidable."
Instead of looking upset or embarrassed, Mikoto's lips stretched in a wide, happy smile.
"Missed me, has he?" she asked with an enthusiasm which somehow dimmed Obito's own enjoyment at sharing the unfortunate news. "I wonder if I should bring him something." she mused aloud. "He doesn't eat but perhaps…"
"Yes, well, try not to leave before saying goodbye to your teammates" he bit out, suddenly feeling irritable. "We'd hate to make them worry, wouldn't we."
"What are you‒" she started saying, but trailed off as the vanished in the Kamui. She shook her head in puzzlement. 'That man…'
OMAKE - Gifts (in all likelihood... not story cannon)
"What?"
His eyes had darkened and Mikoto shivered lightly under his stare. How could she have just blurted that out? Obito hadn't been above using her preferences to tease or fluster her even before... he'd be insufferable now! Hidden inside her sleeves, Mikoto's fingers twitched around of a pair of steel shuriken. A nail traced over the sharpened edges the way a civilian might fiddle with a lucky coin for reassurance.
Her eyes darted around, uncomfortable with holding his gaze but she swore she could still feel Obito's heated stare focusing on her face, looking for a hidden lie. Mikoto barely refrained from nervously worrying her lips as she waited for his verdict.
"If this is a joke..." he said quietly, letting the sentence trail off and the threat unspoken. Mikoto mutely shook her head, caught between the horror of what she'd blurted out and the hope that he might actually take her up on her offer.
Obito's eyes searched her face for any hint of hesitation. Finding none, his whole frame seemed to quiver with anticipation...
"In that case..." he said, stepping closer "I suppose I'll join you... but it better be as exceptional as advertised."
He snatched one ticket out of her hand and walked into the dimly lit theatre.
Things you probably know:
(1) A ryokan is a type of inn with traditional architecture, communal baths and Japanese-style rooms with the floors commonly covered in tatami mats, futon beds, etc.
(2) In natural and herbal medicine (especially old Chinese medicine) peach seeds were used in remedies for curing appendicitis (together with apricot seeds), asthma (together with rhubarb)… or constipation. Because Obito is a troll (and Mikoto knows it), she has an idea of what he'd choose to focus on.
(3) Daifuku are a type of Japanese rice cakes with (usually) sweet fillings.
Also, reviews are lovely (and much loved).
