Chapter Twenty-One:
A/n: Whooo! We're past the 100 review mark :o Seriously, thanks to everyone! You guys are beyond amazing! Thanks to everyone whose supproted this so far! And thanks to my wonderful beta! You all are amazing! ^^
Anon Review Corner:
Loopy:
I can't understand if Kiayo likes or dislikes kids XD. But she certaintly is grumpy like Madara. I wonder what were the adults talking about. It sounded serious enough to piss Madara off. :)
Answer: Ciao! Loopy! So good to see you again! Anyways, I'd say it's about in the middle xD She likes them, but they also really annoy her at points xD So it's in between liking and disliking them ahaha ^^; And it seems like everyone is wanting to know what they said ^^; I had planned on writting a scene where it showed what they were talking about, but I couldn't figure out a way to write it, so I had to write around it haha. But I do know what it was~! But yes, the idea did piss Madara off because of what it could entail. Anyways, thanks for taking the time out of your day to review! Hope to see you again! Happy readings~!
Yayoi:
I'll guess it's the existence of Konoha Police Force. Tobirama is proposing that and Madara said no.
Answer: Ciao, Yayoi! Thanks for taking the time out of your day to leave the review! Anyways, yes! I was wanting to show the scene originally, but I decided to cut it out! ^^; But yeah! That's actually exactly what I was thinking about! So, you get a virtual cookie for guessing it right! Anyways, thanks again for taking the time out of your day to review! Hope to see you again! Happy readings~!
Over the course of the next few weeks, Madara seemed agitated. What it was about, Kiayo had no idea. She didn't ask though. Madara was attentive to her, as always, but he still seemed like he was somewhere else. Kiayo tried not to think about it too much.
Kiayo spent her free time mostly at the library, looking at books of trees, or of flowers, and their meanings. She had taken to an interest of it lately. She was determined to keep her promise of having her own memorial place for Izuna. And besides, it was awkward being home when Madara was acting so agitated about whatever it was he was angry about.
Changes weren't just happening in Kiayo's home life, but her ninja life as well. Her team were trusted with harder missions, but never ones that let them outside the village. Kiayo was waiting for a chance to get outside the village. For something that would challenge her abilities. Something that was worth doing...
"Wait! Seriously?!" Kiayo exclaimed one day, almost bouncing off her seat. Hashirama had just announced that they were given a B-ranked mission. Hashirama nodded slightly. Taro grinned widely, and even Hotaku seemed mildly pleased.
"What's the mission?" Taro asked, giggling to himself.
"The mission is that we have to go after some shinobi that started to appear in the outskirts of the village. From what was gathered, they hide in the forests outskiritng the village. Also,from our reports were seen in the heart of the forest with a small river located next to it. From what we have gathered whoever these shinobi are, they use skills based on Water and Earth ninjutsu. Also our medical ninja examined some of the previous victims to have wounds and cut marks around them signaling that they have weapons with them."
"So, we go after them?" Hotaku questioned with an eyebrow raised. Hashirama nodded.
"Exactly. We are to go after these of shinobi, and stop them from hurting more villagers, and others that pass by." The trio of kids seemed excited, even the usually stoic Hotaku managed a small smile of satisfaction. He crossed his arms over his chest, and nodded in approvement. Hashirama waited patiently until they had calmed down before getting serious.
"Listen, I want you all to remember there is a high chance that you will be hurt. These people are skilled. Normally, we wouldn't let kids out on these missions, but...I think we can do fine." Hashirama gave weak smile, though the others didn't seem to notice.
"When does this begin?" Kiayo asked, looking back at their sensei.
"We leave right away. Go home, and gather your things, and then meet at the western gate in an hour. We'll leave then." The team nodded, and then immediately left to their respective homes. Kiayo was particularly excited.
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"Papa Madara? Are...Are you home?" Kiayo questioned a bit shakily, and then cleared her throat, and adapted a smile onto her face.
"Kiayo, you're home early." Kiayo felt a sense of relief to see a smiling Madara waiting for her. She hadn't seen his smile in such a long time."Is everything ok?"
"What? No. I mean, yeah. Everything's fine." Kiayo smiled, laughing, and rubbing the back of her head." I..I have a mission, and I was just coming home to gather some things." Madara nodded, eyebrows furrowing together slightly.
"You're not leaving the village are you?" Kiayo shrugged.
"I dunno. We might have to stay over night, so Hashirama sensei wants us to gather some things." Madara nodded slightly.
"Well, be careful." Really, he didn't want her to go. He didn't trust that idiot Senju enough to take care of her, and watch her. He didn't want anything to happen to her, and he was starting to have a really bad feeling that twisted his gut. He really didn't want to let Kiayo go, but he knew he couldn't object. It wasn't his place.
"I will. Don't worry." Kiayo smiled at Madara brightly, and then ran off into her room, quickly gathering her things.
"Kiayo?" Kiayo paused, looking back at Madara with a smile.
"Yes, Papa Madara?" She couldn't help but to notice the worry that was in his eyes.
It made her a bit concerned for him. Why was he so worried when he was constantly telling her how strong she was? Did he not have as much faith in her as he says he does? It made her scared to even think about that possibility.
"Good luck. Kick some ass." Kiayo giggled slightly, and nodded.
"Yeah. Bye!" Kiayo threw the bag over her shoulders, and then ran out of the house, closing the door behind her.
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"Alright. Looks like we're all here!" Hashirama joked, laughing slightly, though Kiayo could see the worry in his eyes. It was the same look Madara had in his eyes just before she left the house. Why the hell were they so worried?
"Yaay! Can't wait to get this over with!" Taro shouted, laughing again. Hotaku looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
"Idiot." He muttered under his breath. Kiayo looked at Hotaku with a slight glare. Hashirama cleared his throat once he saw Kiayo's dirty look.
"Listen, we don't have the time or luxury for fighting. We have to go as quickly as we can to these shinobi before they hurt anyone else. Come one." Hashirama turned on his heel, walking towards the forest. The three Genin looked at their sensei for a moment, and then followed after with Kiayo in the lead, and Taro lagging behind, but still grinning.