"Kooks?" The word slid out of my mouth like spittle. My face scrunched – my hackles rising – at his choice of question. It didn't sound like a threat, but the words-

I glanced back at Kakashi, eyes narrowed, pupils primed for any twitch or jolt that could tell me why of all things he had asked me that. My surprise deepened to incredulity to see that he had moved. Barely. Still, there was no denying that he had lifted his head to peer at me over one of the leather straps that crossed his chest. Despite that being his only action, I knew he had let some of his interest seep through his callous exterior as his brows creased at my lack of response. If the mask hadn't been there – or if it hadn't covered most of his face – it would've been easier to interpret his emotion. But all I had to go on were those creased brows and those steel eyes.

"Well?" he pressed, a brow lifting.

Naturally, I assumed the worst and scoured my mind for the other possibility: that this was a trick. Some way to gouge information out of me. As for the how, I came up with nothing. Intuition whispered that he could have some other motivation – maybe something personal – but I couldn't get a good read on him. I braced myself for a fight, imperceptibly widening my stance as I met his gaze. Lowering my chin to protect my throat, I tossed out, "Why do you want to know?"

His eyes went cold, and for a moment I braced, but again, I was wrong. He rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. "I suppose just to know what to expect," he answered, his tone somehow making the words sound like an insult, "or to understand what happened."

Happened? If anything, that put me more on edge. That along with the strange look that flashed across his face. I tensed, but it was so quick I couldn't judge it. But where mind failed, instinct kicked in. My mouth went dry, and my lips unfurled a snarl. I caught myself just before the growl bubbled in my chest and bit into my cheeks, forcing my lips straight again. Something else had lain in those words aside from his threat, but I still didn't know what. I took a deep breath and kept my gaze locked with his.

Whatever this weird challenge was, I wasn't backing down.

I ransacked my mind but still drew a blank on how any answer of mine would benefit him. Isn't this common knowledge? It's in the scrolls and books here. Wasn't he taught this by his sensei or Mother? Were the shinobi taught at all?

Then something clicked into place. I hadn't read anything in my stories about how shinobi's viewed death. The books only really focused on the righteous vengeance of a foe's death or the crippling loss of a comrade as parts of the plot. Still, they all treated it as expected – natural. Which I guess it was. Especially for them.

Expendable. That's what Akio had said before smashing a block of wood into splinters. His frame had shuddered as he straightened again. 'All of the shinobi. Bloody expendable.'

Expendable, I repeated the thought, framing the word with my lips. Is that what he thinks? I pursed my lips. Or is that what he's questioning?

I didn't blink as we considered each other. He didn't either, but his brow quirked in a taunting sort of way. His expression was as readable as a rock's. His interest seemingly about the same.

Is he really just curious? I mulled over. I know I asked Mother and Master Yūta about death. It would make sense for anyone, let alone shinobi. I mean their entire lives revolve around it. Books even call them 'shinigami' sometimes.

I let those thoughts settle, cementing themselves into a decision. Maybe if I answer him, he'll let something slip. Taking the chance, I relinquished my cheeks, letting my teeth snap at each other as I clacked out, "It's balance."

He blinked at me, but I still tensed. His left brow lifted to match the other as he egged me on with an impatient and nonverbal, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Keeping an eye on him, I fidgeted in my stance, shaking out muscles that were whining with frustration at being primed to act with only nothing to occur. "There's not much written about it," I said. "You're supposed to fully live, and focusing on death stops that. Plus, those who die don't really come back and tell everyone."

Grey Hair didn't smile and take that last little jab for a joke: he took it how I head meant it – a defensive shove. He cocked his head and pushed back, "So what has been written?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "The most detail comes from the story of Izanami and Izanagi." I paused, there, scanning for any recognition to cross his face. It should, I considered. These are the kamigami summoned into existence by the highest of all – the Kotoamatsukami – and gave birth to the land we walk on. Seeing only that stony blankness, I considered again that perhaps shinobi simply weren't taught this. Perhaps then I'll skirt the details, I muttered, thinking the story of Izanami's death and Izanagi's subsequent failed attempt to resurrect her would be too complicated for now.

"Well, either way, the texts refer to the underworld as Yomi," I continued. "It's supposed to be a gloomy place, but it's not a punishment. It isn't a reward either though. One of your mitama goes there to exist for perpetuity." I could see the flash of a frown cross his face at 'mitama', but he brokered no questions. I couldn't help as a little pride filled me at that; for once, I knew something someone else didn't. I crossed my arms in front of my chest, continuing in my best impression of a sensei.

"There isn't really any 'paradise' to expect after you die, I guess. There's only the Takamagahara which is the land of the amatsukami, the kamigami of the heavens." For a moment, I toyed with the idea of not explaining the latter word as I saw his brows crease again but decided to be a merciful sensei. "The Kotoamatsukami are the first five kamigami who created the universe. Arguably the foremost is Ameno-" I stopped seeing his expression sharpen with impatience.

I frowned, miffed by his disrespect. So they really have forgotten their kamigami, I muttered, realizing some of its extent for the first time. "Anyway, when someone dies their fated time, their spirit will find its way to the Yomi. When it's ready, it will cut its ties to the living realm, and the mitama – the four souls that make up you – will separate. A piece will exist in the Yomi as the others join something… well, else I guess." I tapped my fingers against my thigh, trying but failing at any further description. I gave him a small shrug, signaling the end of my speech.

Kakashi lifted himself upright, his nails digging into the bark. "Sound stupid."

I glared at him. "No, it's not. That's just what happens."

He snorted. "Well, what happens to people who don't die their 'fated time'?" He shook his head. "What is that even supposed to mean?"

I crossed my arms, glowering. Like when they're murdered, I thought, but I didn't want to voice that answer aloud to a shinobi. Instead, I went with the other possible answer. "When their lives are cut short," I said. "Like with a suicide."

He froze. I cocked my head at him, noting the rising tension in his shoulders, how he stuffed his fists in his pockets. He said nothing, did nothing, but still, my hair rose along my skin as if I'd drawn blood.

I gritted my teeth, punching fear down and hoping he hadn't seen it. I kept my expression neutral as my mind raced, skidding through the thoughts, What did I say? Did I reveal something? Is he a threat now? Does he think I'm a threat now? Idiot, think! I floundered as I felt myself drowning in a mental whirlpool.

Knowing I needed to act or drown, I kicked out in explanation. "They become yukei," I said, my tone floundering. "They're human spirits who're stuck between Yomi and life. They're tied to the living for some reason like love or hate or something even stronger than that." His eyes turned on me, filled with an icy rage. "B-but," I started to backtrack, "once they've accomplished their goal, they can move on. If not, they're just stuck and wander until they do"

He lifted a brow, that flash of cold fury receding behind a mask of indifference. "Well, isn't that great?"

Desperately, I clutched at whatever lifeline might've been in those words. I forced a lighthearted shrug that probably looked more like a spasm of pain. Instinct tried to place a watery smile on my lips as I stammered, "Like Mother said. It's about balance."

I froze, blood rushing from my face as the words drifted out of my reach. Panic sputtered in my mind as I thought I'd ruined it all. Akio's warning to say nothing of myself roared in my ears. Now, I was stepping dangerously close to betraying my deepest secret: the existence of the kamigami.

Then I saw his eyes brighten – interest kindling in their steely depths. Something switched within him and the predator sprung to its feet. His eyes flashed like the edge of steel just behind his shoulder.

SHIT! What could have just been any, old mother had now become 'something of importance' mother. My visible panicking had destroyed it all. I was drowning again.

"Your mother told you?" he murmured, his tone soft, delicate. "Where's she now?"

Trying to clamp down on the mass of wriggling worms in my chest, I pathetically eked out, "I don't know." The waver in my pitch couldn't have been any more obvious.

The only sound that signaled the shinobi's descent was the soft crinkling of grass as his soles met earth. He rolled his shoulders, stretching out the muscles who sighed with a light pop. When his hand dropped to his side – the hilt of a kunai brushing his fingertips – I took a step back. The pond's water snapped at my ankles, hungry like his eyes were now.

His eyes rolled, dismissing any threat I posed. "Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you." He raised his palms before crossing his arms and leaned against the tree's trunk. "Allies, remember?" He cocked his head at me and pressed, "So, what's her name?"

"Wh-who?" I protested – feigning idiocy.

His mask quirked but by the dulling of his gaze, I knew he was annoyed. "Your mother."

"Oh. Uh, Fuu," I whispered, drawing from my novels.

His black eyes glinted like obsidian. "What happened to her?"

"Oh. Um. She-" I floundered only to pounce on the first thought that flitted through my mind. "Suicide."

As soon as it left my mouth, my chest tightened. I spat out that black, wriggling lie, but its putrid taste still lapped at my tongue. It wasn't even a good lie. The words were tinny – the only emotion behind them panic. I wasn't the only one who grimaced in distaste.

He looked away from me, his expression hidden by unshackled ashen hair. All I could see were the muscles along his neck. I watched as each tightened as if an invisible pick were gouging each outline.

He made no move for his blade, but I didn't give him a chance. Instinct took over, and I leapt backward. Water slapped my legs as my ankle caved. I fell to my knees, but I kept my eyes trained on him and waited. For the first time since the Ancient Wood, I felt time truly stop.

The voice couldn't have possibly come from him. It was too pained, too tired to come from someone so young. Its edge raked my eardrums, the force of a kami concentrated into those soft, few words. "If you lie about suicide again, I'll make you regret it. Ally or no." He straightened, raising a brow at me – his expression hollow. "You know nothing about death."

In a flash, he was gone. I blinked, swiveling my gaze at the empty yard as adrenaline and self-frustration flared. Damn it! I ground my inner cheek and felt my nails nipping into my palms. Whatever had just happened, I knew I'd made a mistake. Not only had I clued him into Mother, but I'd pissed him off for some reason or another.

I let out an exasperated groan just as something hit my leg. I jumped into the air, whirling to face Grey Hair. My ankle gave way and I crumbled into the water, a gasp of pain letting the water flood into my lungs. Sputtering, I yanked myself up and whipped my head around. I was alone.

I coughed out the last of the water as I let my chin drop. I closed my eyes, taking in deep clean breaths as my arms trembled. When I opened it, I saw what'd attacked me. There, bouncing in the water, inviting me like a decomposed claw. That board from the haiden. I stared at it as I lowered my face into the water, and screamed.