Note: Thank you for your reviews, friends. Be advised that numerous explicit themes lay ahead in this installment.
Chapter Soundtrack: "Blind" by Junggigo
Chapter 28: The Possibility
My point is, no matter how it turns out, I will never have a reason to be disappointed. As long as I'm with you, I have what I want.
So I was wondering if maybe you could tell me how you see the future… If you let me stay by your side nothing would make me happier. I will fight for your dreams. I promise I'll help you achieve them, Hinata. I have exactly what I need out of life right now, and I would never trade you for anything. I don't know how significant it is coming from a guy who has known you since we were little kids, but…no man will ever love you more than I do. I've never stopped, not since I met you.
Hinata let out a long sigh of unencumbered relish. She was stretched out on her bed in the late night hours, reading a letter from Naruto beneath the light of a lamp. She set the scroll down and pressed it flat on the mattress, smoothing the parchment with her fingers, taking a moment to rest her face on a pillow and make small sounds of triumph.
Years ago, she was a timid girl: a mere classmate or, at best, a confidant of Uzumaki Naruto. She made no attempts to imagine that the young man would one day turn his eyes on her and see something more than that. Based on the correspondence that had arrived earlier in the day (which she had saved for an evening read,) Hinata was enthralled by the words that indicated Naruto truly understood her feelings and valued them…and he reciprocated eagerly.
'He had so much to say…' She recalled his mentioning of Jiraiya's guardianship of him, and the confirmation that his parents were deceased. Naruto assumed he was not on track to attend the Chunin Exam, which she grudgingly accepted, and then he speculated about the future. While he had a more objective view about becoming a village leader someday, referencing Gaara's experience, Naruto was surprisingly insistent on fatherhood. 'Oh! He really gave it thought.' He had even asked for her expectations of the future, which provided a subtle clue. Hinata, who could detect the subtext in his ramblings, breathed steadily while realizing that he was asking if she was interested in his companionship as a parent.
She folded the pillow around her head and bumbled happily. It certainly would not be an easy path to follow, but with some persistence, Hinata expected that Naruto could overcome Hyuga clan politics and become an eligible spouse. Or, with some creativity, she could manufacture a loophole and escape her clan-obligations. She decided it paid off more to be optimistic than it did to give up before trying.
Footsteps creaked on the wood floor outside her bedroom door. Hinata promptly switched the lamp off and rolled over, aware that her father made a few passes by his children's rooms before retiring to sleep. She relocated the scroll to a bedside table and pulled her covers up, rejoicing in the dark.
'I could. He could.' Hinata thought, 'We can have what we want if we try.'
She had an idea of what to tell him in a reply. She wanted those same things that he was consulting her about, and she was supportive of his goals to improve as a shinobi. Waiting for him from afar was not easy, but Hinata was certain it was worthwhile. On paper, Naruto was aflame with desires and ideas, and she could only imagine what he would be like in person when he returned.
'Naruto-kun will be as outspoken and sociable as always, and he will work hard…' She visualized him to be as tall and fit as the rest of her generation's male friend-group, 'He is wiser and more organized. There are many things he is looking forward to, and I am sure that when he sees me…' Her eyes fluttered shut.
Thoughts of him bending down for a kiss rushed to the forefront of her mind. Hinata imagined herself backed against a wall or surface, flustered and excited; noting the way he bent an arm behind her head, and his opposite hand cupping the side of her face gently. Behind her eyelids she could see him leaning down, never setting her parted lips free, her heart on the verge of failure…
A quiet commotion of noise came from outside. Hinata stole a brief glimpse of the grounds with her Byakugan, and spotted the bedraggled Team Gai escorting Neji home. Lee and Tenten dropped Neji off tiredly, waving farewell, and reminding him that they needed to see the Hokage first thing in the morning. Neji agreed quietly and went indoors.
Hinata rested her eyes and, after a long while of musing over the possibilities in Naruto's letter, was lulled away from consciousness. Paradoxical sleep overtook her, a vision of Sakura seated beside her in what was roughly the Star Village surfaced. It was a friendly conversation that she would not be able to recall in the morning, but they laughed and reminisced in various locations: Upon Kutaiku's feathered back, the damp canyons of the Land of Rain, and a bench beside the cobbled main street of Hoshigakure.
Later, she would distinctly remember the devastated expression on Sakura's face. How the girl wondered if she was not an adequate match for the man she loved. Hinata's determination overwhelmed the dream, Don't think that way! They were in the Leaf Village again as her friend's morale improved. You'll be late, so hurry. Sakura informed her, directing her towards the northbound avenue of the village. The disjointed chronology and space of her dream brought her through several recognizable locations, and though she was lost, she continued briskly.
When she finally took a moment to reassess her destination, Naruto walked casually past her, taking her hand, and guided her along. It's alright. I know you were going this way. Elated, she stepped lively beside him, crossing through the gardens of her residence, and afterwards arrived at a not-so-familiar place.
It was inside a home; a well-lit room with a stone countertop in front of a wide mirror. Naruto stood to her left, naked and lean, peering into the looking glass as if he was inspecting stubble on his chin. Her momentary surprise abated upon acknowledging, yes, she too was entirely nude, also evaluating herself in front of the mirror. She looked into it curiously, asking sidelong of her boyfriend; Is this…are we allowed to be here? He laughed lightly, We live here. Hinata nodded in understanding.
She turned back to the glass and, in a moment of terrified wonder, observed a man's face staring back at her. White eyes were narrowed, a mouth pursed in slight annoyance, and from beneath the bangs of white hair atop his head, two curved horns protruded. With a cry of alarm, Hinata staggered sideways into Naruto's arms. He had no idea what startled her, but quickly comforted her. She spoke quietly, Who was that?
It's just you. Naruto reasoned while keeping his arms secured around her.
It didn't look like me.
No? Naruto thought on it before asking, Were you looking at every part of yourself? Like we meant to?
I don't know how to do that. Hinata admitted.
I do. He grinned at her ravenously, I'll show ya.
Her heart was thundering again, magnetized to his kisses, and she shed any bit of bashful hesitance that remained. Her fingertips traced over the strong planes of his body, roving up and down his neck, fiddling with the chain of the necklace that hung there. His hands responded in kind, the pad of his thumb touched lightly over her bottom lip whenever his mouth moved away; his free hand explored the smooth curves of her front and waist. Her hands stopped in his hair as Naruto's breath whispered past her ear, his arms hoisting beneath her bottom to relocate her to the countertop.
The reality of it, though fabricated in her young mind, was so intense that Hinata could perceive the pressure and taste of his mouth as they kissed. She knew hardly anything about making love, but she did know that she felt him inside of her. Trembling sounds and emotions of every color leapt out of her, free and adoring, and Hinata dreamt of her wide-eyed stare at the smiling young man as they finished. He asked thoughtfully, Did you see? She frowned as she tried to think. After that, Naruto led her along again through the invented abode. She could see the horned man in every reflective surface as they moved past.
Then it was morning.
Hinata sat up, having a near-complete recall of her dream, and felt the heat radiating from her cheeks, 'We did that…' Her hand covered her mouth in delighted shock. Ino had once said, 'A young woman's brain works in mysterious ways…oh, the amazing stuff that happens there!'
Fortuitously, today was one of the days off her team had scheduled. In the coming weeks, training would intensify for the impending Chunin Exam. Today, though, she got away with sleeping in a little.
She had booked important bonding time on this free-day. Hanabi had demanded it.
Slowly, Hinata sat up in bed and stretched her arms over her head. 'A satisfying rest!' Color crept onto her cheeks again when she thought about it. She began her routine by neatening her bed and then carefully storing Naruto's letter in a cabinet drawer. Hinata took a minute to brush her hair out and then dress, bustling out of her room and towards a sitting room for breakfast. If she kept her sister waiting, Hanabi would grouse about it for the rest of the day.
The morning meal was spread out on a low table when she arrived. Hinata took a seat across from her little sister, "Good morning, Hanabi."
A strand of hair on top of the girl's head stood up in a cow-lick, "Morning."
"Um…did you sleep well?"
"No." Hanabi announced, "I've been shorted. I won't sleep properly until I know the Academy sets things right."
"What happened?" Hinata's meter of concern crept up an increment.
"I have to wait six months." Hanabi stabbed her chopsticks into a piece of fish, "The Academy says I am not allowed to take the Graduation Exam prior to that…" Her expression reflected fury, "Because my good-for-nothing classmates can't keep up! What kind of an excuse is that? Huh!"
Her elder sister was confused, "I have heard that the Academy does make exceptions for gifted students, so why-?"
"Because, the only way to administer the exam to me would be if I had been moved up into the next-level class. I'm better than all of them anyway, but the dumb sensei of that group refused to accept me." Her fists rattled the table, "Dad spoke with them and everything! Those teachers hate me!"
"No, they don't…"
"Of course they do! I'm difficult, they say. I don't work well with others." Hanabi blew hair away from her face and then crammed more food in her mouth, "They will hold me back because they don't know what to do with me."
"Maybe Father could speak to them again?" Hinata began to pick at her food.
"Like that'll change anything. They're intimidated by Dad too, but the superintendent said that no changes are permitted unless Chunin Instructors consent." She gave her sister a genuinely desperate look, "Onee-san, I want to be a Genin! I know I deserve it."
"I agree." Hinata nodded calmly, "But it seems the only thing you can do now is wait."
"Ugh. I can't believe…I'm behind that guy…" Hanabi grumbled, continuing to eat.
"Who do you mean?"
"Forget it." The girl muttered.
Hinata polished off a small bowl of egg and rice, "You said that you wanted to spend the day with me on your break from school. Do you still want to?"
"Yeah." She replied with a full mouth.
"Good." Hinata smiled, "We haven't had an opportunity like this in a while."
Hanabi sighed in mild irritation, releasing the pent-up stress before asking, "So does that mean…you got it?"
Hinata knew of what her sister was referring, "I did! Tama-chan said we can borrow it."
"Ah, I wish we were allowed to have one here on the grounds. Our elders forbid the stupidest things…"
"I know." Hinata acknowledged solemnly.
After breakfast Hanabi tidied herself up and dressed, and the sisters then set out into the village. Their first stop was outside of the bakery that Tama worked in, and Hinata poked her head into the store to greet her friend, "Good morning, Tama-chan!"
"Oh! Hinata!" Tama smiled widely while fastening an apron and headscarf, "You're right on time."
"I wanted to let you know before we borrowed your bicycle for the day."
"Sure. Here, catch!" She reached into her pocket and then tossed a key on a beaded lanyard to her friend, "That's for the lock. Why did you need it again, if you don't mind my asking?"
"They are not allowed on Hyuga clan grounds and…my little sister enjoys them very much." Hinata explained in a lowered voice, "She only has the chance to ride them…when she steals them."
"Ooh. Well, today is a rental and I hope that she finds it to be just as much fun." The older girl chuckled.
"It will be. Thank you!" She stepped out again and moved to the bike-rack at the side of the building. Hanabi was waiting there with her arms crossed, tapping her foot.
Not a moment after Hinata had undone the bike-lock, Hanabi reached for the handle bars and hopped on. She informed her sister, "I'm driving. You're on the back, Onee-san."
Without complaint Hinata stepped onto the bicycle pegs, held tight to her sister's shoulders, and balanced as Hanabi took off. The only speed her sister seemed to ride at was fast, regardless of whether pedestrians were quick enough to get out of their way. In order to make the sharp left off of the main avenue, Hinata leaned to the side and assisted with the turn. From there, the course was straight down a dirt path and away from the urban area.
"Where do you normally go?" Hinata asked, "When you, um…have the chance to ride?"
"Huh, you mean when I steal some loser's bike." Her sister corrected, "The park on the east side of the village. No one bothers me there."
The trip was short, considering the distance, as Hanabi stood on the pedals and thundered past the green countryside and forest. Her strength and momentum even propelled them up an incline with Hinata aboard, although chakra may have helped facilitate the climb.
At the top of a grassy hill they dismounted and walked the bicycle across a field, stopping beneath an old gingko tree. Hanabi pulled the kickstand out with her foot and then plopped down to the grass with a loud breath of relaxation. Hinata took a seat beside her, 'It's a beautiful day.' The blue sky was abundant with cotton-tuft clouds that sailed by on a gentle breeze.
A peaceful quiet persisted between the pair, and Hinata at length asked, "Is there any time for Father to vouch for you again before the next Graduation Exam?"
"No. It's two days from now. The instructors won't budge." Hanabi replied shortly, "I'm not a part of their class."
"Two days." Hinata repeated in disappointment.
"I know I'd pass." The younger girl muttered, folding her arms behind her head, "But it looks like my rival is going to get a head start."
Hinata perked up at the statement and glanced over at her sibling, "Your…rival is graduating?"
"He'll probably pass the exam."
Hinata smiled, "I didn't know that you had a rival."
"He talks big, like he's some kind of star in his class…" Hanabi scoffed, "That never stopped me from kicking his butt."
"Who is he?" Hinata was curious, holding her folded knees as she listened.
"He's the Third Hokage's grandson: Sarutobi Konohamaru."
The elder sister tapped her lips in thought, "Hm. The Sarutobi clan…"
"You know what he said to me last week?" The girl seethed, "He said that the Hyuga clan doesn't have shinobi fit or responsible enough to become Hokage, and that's why it hasn't happened. He said it will never happen." She smirked at the memory, "Then I made his face bleed."
"What a proper way to prove him wrong…"
"Well, what he said wasn't true. I don't have to prove him wrong." She shrugged her shoulders on the ground, "I just wanted to show everyone that he's too damn slow to block."
"I see."
"Besides, Dad told me that he thinks that one day you can be Hokage." Hanabi recalled, "You should do it."
"It would put me in a…awkward position." Hinata sighed, "And I know that it is not a simple task."
"Yeah, but our clan has a lot of political connections and money. Getting the vote for candidacy isn't something you would even have to think about." Her sister sat up for the debate, "All you would have to do is become as strong as you can be, Onee-san."
Hinata smiled again, "You are very encouraging."
"I never used to think you would amount to anything as a shinobi. Even Dad was worried sick about it…" Hanabi admitted, "Pff! Back then, there were probably dogs with better judgment than us."
"I did not have the most graceful beginning, I know." Hinata acknowledged, "But I had to change. I had to help my team and my friends." She shut her eyes and surmised, "No one would have been able to believe in me if I didn't believe in myself to start."
"You do now, and all of our clan knows better than to doubt you these days." Her younger sister reminded, "So…do what Dad says and become the Hokage. Then I'll watch that stupid grin melt off of Konohamaru's face."
"You say it as if it's so straightforward; to just accomplish it."
"It is." Her sister pressed in annoyance.
"It isn't. I would have competition, naturally. There are always competitors for the position." Hinata reminded her sister, "And I don't know if I would ever have the constitution for challenging Naruto-kun."
"Is he still on about that?"
"He would be a more sensible choice, I think." She tilted her head to picture it.
"Your boyfriend." Hanabi said mockingly, "You would let him get in the way? I bet he's not even as strong as you."
"That has nothing to do with it." Hinata corrected, "Naruto has always planned to be Hokage someday. I never have."
"Do it anyway!" Hanabi grumbled.
Hinata patted her sister's back before the girl fell to the grass again in protest, refusing contact.
"Don't be upset with me. I want to achieve my own dreams. Maybe in the past…I would have wanted to do it for you and Father; to make everyone proud." Hinata laid back as well, "But my decisions are the ones I prioritize now. I never understood the value of choice until our clan tried to make it impossible for me."
"Well…I understand that." Hanabi agreed, "I would want to do what I want to do, too. I guess."
"I'm glad." Her sister added, "And I will always try to help you achieve the things that are important to you."
"Hmm." The younger girl made a sound of minuscule bother, then she shifted to lay her head on her sister's knees, "You sound like Mom."
"I don't know if I can help that."
"It's alright. When I start to forget about her…you remind me of what she was like." Hanabi replied soberly, her eyes skyward, "Dad appreciates it too."
Hinata confessed quietly, "Even I worry that I will forget, sometimes."
The sisters lounged on the secluded hill and spoke, free from scrutiny or interruptions from clansmen. Hanabi even expressed a mild curiosity about Naruto's exploits in the Toad Valley, and wondered if his residency in the legendary dale was a sign of greatness. "He's still way too loud." She tacked on.
"Oh, hey!" A voice sounded over the fields, followed by a sweeping shadow. Hinata tried to diminish her sister's surprise when her teammate swooped in for a landing nearby. Hanabi quickly sat up, on guard at the sight of a tremendous, black summoned owl.
Sato trotted over to them and grinned at Hinata, "Sunshine! How's your day off going?"
"Very good! Hanabi and I are catching up," She then wondered, "Are you going somewhere, Sato-kun?"
"Yeah, I have friends who live in Kaido. That town is a few miles south of here, and sometimes I like to fly out." He rested his hands on his hips, "It's been a while, so I thought I should use my time off to visit them. Didn't think I'd spot you on the way…"
The gigantic owl behind them, Gyorai, stood tall like a tower, and ruffled his feathers in annoyance, "I was the one who spotted them, Sato-kun."
"You're right. Thanks buddy."
Hinata gestured to the fixed-gear bike beside the tree, "Tama-chan let us borrow her bicycle. Did you see her today as well?"
"Not yet." He winked an eye, "But I will tonight."
"Ugh." Hanabi turned away, losing interest in the newcomer.
Hinata momentarily wondered what her friend was implicating before he turned back to Gyorai, "Well, I won't interrupt here any longer, ladies. Enjoy the day!"
"I will see you soon, Sato-kun." Hinata waved before he took off again, the gust of a huge wing-beat swirled leaves off of the gingko tree.
The girls settled down again after the short visit. Conversation dwindled away to silence for a stretch of time, and Hinata was coaxed into a nap. She woke when Hanabi nudged her, "Come on, Onee-san. There are things I want to do in town."
Hinata stretched sleep out of her limbs and followed her younger sister. Hanabi then pointed at the bike seat, "You drive."
"Really?" Hinata knew how rare of an offer it was.
"Yeah," Hanabi confirmed, "I want to stand on the back when we pick up speed down the hill."
By noon, Sato had touched down in Kaido outside of the Toshisue household. He knocked on the door to determine whether Anyo and Sarincha were home, but received no answer. Based on previous experience, he deduced they were occupied by their day jobs. 'So Sarincha-san will be at the clinic, then…' He did not want to disturb her during a shift.
He knew for a fact that Anyo's place of work was a bit more accessible. Gyorai departed in a puff of smoke as Sato continued on his own, following the trimmed-garden side street to the main avenue.
He arrived at the municipal building and entered, glancing around at the quiet offices and darting clerks. 'This place is looking way more organized now.' Since the former Mayor Seung had been investigated, arrested, and later tried in the Leaf Village for his crimes; the city was under new, anti-corruption management.
And he found Anyo in the corner office, stewing over file folders on a desk. Sato rapped on the doorframe to announce his presence.
The white haired man quickly looked up and then pushed back his seat to stand. He was delighted to have a distraction.
"Whoa! Nice duds." Sato grinned at the former Grass ninja, "So you're officially running the show now, Anyo?"
He chuckled while adjusting a buttoned shirt sleeve, "I was voted and sworn in as the new city administrator. It helped that I had a man-of-the-people profile, though." A black, buttoned vest was snug over the dress shirt; casual but qualified, "How are you, Sato?"
"Great! Ready for the Chunin Exam…but I'm taking a day off for today." The young man dropped into an armchair in front of the desk, "I wanted to see you how you and the missus were doing."
Anyo took a seat again and folded his arms, "Well enough. We haven't seen as much of you as we'd like, but then we assumed you were preparing for the exam." He added sternly, "If you don't pass this year we will be pretty disappointed."
"I wouldn't want to do that to you guys."
"Good." Anyo shuffled around some of the stacks on the desk, "We already bought second-row tickets to watch the Final Rounds."
"Eh! Are you serious?" Sato was shocked, "I didn't know they were for sale!"
"Your Hokage's advertisers and merchants are everywhere. I took advantage while I could, because I have the feeling her strategy will pay off handsomely."
"It would…probably be the first time that's happened for her." Sato imagined.
"Before we get too comfortable here, allow me to finish up some work. I can leave the office and take the code book home with me for later research." Anyo offered, "And I have no wife around for dinner tonight. You can join my table."
Hours later, that same evening, Anyo concluded his office-related work and met Sato at his residence. He had a bag of take-out food with him. "Sarincha doesn't eat this stuff." He explained, supposing a teenager might not be put off by it.
They settled at a dining room table and feasted, catching up on what had occurred while they had been apart. Anyo was alarmed to hear about Sato's brush with death while facing an Akatsuki affiliate, while at the same time awestruck by his bravery. The young man followed up the harrowing tale with more wholesome stories about missions, friends and teammates.
"I even got a new neighbor who retired from the Root Foundation." Sato added.
Anyo raised his eyebrows, "Retired? At what age do those wolves retire?"
"Well, technically he was expelled and then recruited into the Hokage's ANBU Black Ops." Sato corrected thoughtfully, "We helped him get some furniture for his place. He's not very good at anything social or…normal. But I think he's making the effort. He's nice to Tama."
"Ah I see. So he's about your age?"
"Give or take."
"And who is Tama?" Anyo inquired, nipping at a bit of pork held at the end of his chopsticks.
"Uh. Eh-hem! She's my…" His words failed so Sato took a hasty slurp of tea.
"She's your girlfriend." Anyo assumed.
"Not exactly."
"Another neighbor?"
"Ah, well, not that either…"
"Then spit it out." The man ordered.
"She's my future bride." Sato had to say it quickly before the reality of it stuck him like daggers.
"My, my…don't you move fast?" Anyo chuckled in entertainment.
"Hey look, my uncle and her uncle set us up in an arrangement, back from when we were babies. Okay? We didn't get much of a say." Sato explained with a huff, "Two 'esteemed shinobi families of Leaf, uniting their friendship' or Gai said something like that…"
The white haired man was perceptive, "Hm, so the Hatake family has a close bond with another family in Konoha? It's no surprise they would be so picky about matchmaking."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Is your famous uncle married?" Anyo asked playfully.
"No. He's got his bachelor-pad made up..." Sato pinched his fingers to signify it, "Just so." He added more food to his plate and said, "A woman would mess everything up for Kakashi."
"I used to think the same way." Anyo nodded in whole-hearted agreement, "Part of me still does."
"What's that supposed to mean? Sarincha is awesome!"
He shut his eyes and smiled at a memory, "I didn't always…realize that. But yes, it's true."
"So what was it like back then? When you were an active Grass ninja?" Sato leaned back to stretch, wondering about his friend's youth, "Were you always the Kakashi-type?"
"I assure you, your uncle is far nobler than I ever was." Anyo warned him, "We might have a few things in common, but I'm about a decade older than he is." His expression darkened, "And the war back then…was raging fierce."
"The Third Great Ninja war?"
He nodded gravely, "Yes. Those battles shook my homeland as Rock and Leaf were at each other's throats. We Grass ninja…dearly hoped we could avoid confrontation as they marched on our borders."
Sato's curious expression wilted, and he was sorry that he had asked.
"I have no grudge against anyone, just so you know, Sato." Anyo informed him, "Yes, Rock and Leaf did unspeakable things in order to gain the advantage, but what I learned during those times was that…I was my own worst enemy." He finished eating and began to pack up boxes, "Are you sure you want to know what it was like for me?"
"If I said no now it'd be kinda rude." Sato quipped.
"Then I'll tell you." He rumbled with quiet laughter before continuing, "I was the fourth boy born to my parents, and my brothers and I were all gifted with our Bloodline Talent: the Banryoku." Anyo poured himself some more tea, "Kusagakure depended on clans and families like us for defense, as we were almost always under attack by the powerful ninja of the Five Great nations. Small skirmishes erupted in the Second War, which killed many of my clansmen, and then the Third War…that killed the rest of my family."
"I was five years old when my father died in battle. Eight when my eldest brother perished, my mother fell ill and passed away shortly after that…" Anyo tilted his head to recall it, "By the time I was a Genin, I only had one surviving brother left. This situation left me…terribly cynical. I acted out and caused mischief at every opportunity. I wanted to feel alive when I could, because I believed I would be dead before long…"
"Jeez, that's awful." Sato muttered.
The man sipped his tea and continued, "That's how it was. Many families were wiped out while trying to defend our territories from the invading Nations. I was fortunate to have such a supportive sensei and teammates at the time my last brother, Toma, died in battle. My team became my new family." He nodded when he said, "And I refused to trust anyone else."
"I feel that way about my team too, except…I have many more friends that I know I can count on." The young man assessed.
"It's good that you do. I pushed many people away. I hated how I felt; I wanted to kill my feelings. Knowing that, it would not come as a surprise to hear that I behaved shamefully when Sarincha spoke with me one day." Anyo sighed at the memory, "She was training to become a Medic-Nin, adding extra studies on top of the missions she took. I never once noticed her until the day she stopped me and said that she understood what I was going through." He laughed to himself, "My brain, at that age, could not reconcile with such a sentiment. I thought she was taunting me by saying something like that. Truly, who could understand the pain I was in? No shinobi had been through suffering like mine."
"Yeah…you needed to think outside the box just a little there."
"I didn't. What was worse was that she chose that time to confess to me, admitting that she had always loved me and admired my heroism." As an aside he clarified, "On those missions, it wasn't heroism, but stupidity. Somehow I came out looking like an intentional strategist for salvaging missions with risks…but I was a complete idiot. If only I had known."
"What did you tell her?" Sato was preemptively cringing.
"I told Sarincha…that it was embarrassing to look at her. Someone so generic would never interest me, and that surely she had hit her head or something. I knew that I was saying hurtful things with the intent to watch her kind and genuine aura crumble and die. Right there. That way, I could test to see if she really understood what I had gone through." He added somberly, "I…laughed at her when she wept."
Sato lifted an empty take-out box and hurled it at Anyo's head, "You son of a bitch! I know Uchiha who are less shitty to women than you!"
"Don't talk about my mother like that. And please, try to realize that I was a monster of a teenager. I was hateful and selfish in an effort to forget my sorrows."
"Yeah, but still! That poor woman was going to be your wife someday!" Sato reiterated.
"It was never supposed to happen." Anyo confessed quietly, "We became mortal enemies after that day. Sarincha hardly spoke or looked at me for many years. I cared only about Fumio-sensei, and my teammates, Mahoto and Isumi. They were my family, and to hell with everyone else." He scratched his chin, "It was strange when Mahoto and Isumi fell in love, but I adjusted. I personally never felt a desire for love or attachment, and watching those two sufficed when I was curious."
"Teammates." Sato grumbled.
"Isumi was the most beautiful kunoichi in our village. Mahoto never stood a chance." Anyo expounded, "And the two of them were such nerds. They were perfect for each other."
"Huh." Sato privately wondered what qualified as 'nerd' in Anyo's opinion.
"The trouble with that war was…many groups took advantage of it; none more so than drug cartels. They sold to the most miserable, desperate people they could find." He opened his arms for clarification, "Such as yours truly."
"Sarincha mentioned that, I think."
"Yes. This was a group that gained earlier experience from battles in Hidden Mist and sold near that region. They wizened up and began to hang around Kusagakure, covertly, selling to shinobi who were at the end of their ropes. I was a young man who had a taste for recreational anything: stunts, alcohol, sex, gambling, danger. It didn't matter what it was as long as I didn't have to think much." He snorted in disgust, "I knew many of those dealers by name and refused to turn them in to authorities. What they gave me were the bumps I would reward myself with after successful missions."
Sato leaned against the table, mouth open, fascinated by the debauchery, "I had no idea just how grubby you were…"
"I'll spare you the gross details, but it was a very ugly time. Mahoto quickly found out I was a recreational user, but by the time Fumio-sensei was chasing away dealers and confiscating drugs from my tool scrolls…I was a full-blown addict. There were days I laid uselessly and refused missions if I couldn't get a fix. I knew I was letting them down, but I was a slave to it. Mahoto and Isumi helped me resist for about a year…but I began again in secret and hid it from all of them. They never knew." Anyo shook his head, "I wanted them to have confidence in me, but I couldn't abandon my coping mechanism."
He and Sato stared at each other in silence, sipping tea for nearly a minute.
"Hmm. When I think about it, functional addiction is not the easiest thing to manage when the drug of choice is an injectable." Anyo reflected, pouring himself more tea, "I lied, denied and hid. The days I blacked out I made excuses for. By the time Mahoto and Isumi were expecting their baby, at a young age, I will say…they had begun to mistrust me. They couldn't prove what I was doing, but they didn't have to. I became a Jounin to avoid their accusations and take separate missions from my team."
"This is some crazy shit." Sato evaluated, "How are you alive?"
"Barely." Anyo said gravely, "My family is cursed. Everyone with the Banryoku dies in battle. I suppose I wasn't helping my plight much with how I acted…but truthfully I didn't care if I lived or died. I won battles for my village and handed my hard-earned money over to those scoundrels."
The young man folded his arms on the table and rested his chin on them, absorbing the tale.
"Simultaneously, Sarincha was becoming the hero that I pretended to be. She and her father were the most renowned Medical Ninja in all of the land, save for Tsunade. They could heal mortal injuries and were just as fearless in battle. Sarincha had lost both of her teammates long before she became a Jounin…but many people in our village looked up to her like a big sister. She was never alone." Anyo emptied his cup and slowly said, "All I ever wanted to be was alone, around that time. I liked that she had all of that attention. It made me invisible. I used to tell myself I was the better shinobi, that I could go unseen and assassinate targets. But she killed just as many opponents and saved comrades on almost every mission…and I didn't want to consider myself a slacker."
"Must be that denial problem."
"It consumed me. I was so blind. Mahoto and Isumi were raising their son, Shigeyuki, as best they could without support from their relatives. They never let me near him. Mahoto told me finally to quit or he would never speak to me again…and I remember just leaving him there on the street. I had stopped caring about my best friend." Anyo went on, "One day, I was added to a squadron with Isumi and some other surviving members of our generation. I was completely high at the time we were stationed at a construction site for a new bridge. Half of the group died when we were attacked."
"And Isumi-?"
"I brought her body home. I was certain Mahoto would kill me and I was prepared to let him do it…but he didn't do anything. He took her and buried her, and then got on with his life, cherishing every memory and photo he had of Isumi. He smothered Shigeyuki with love, as if the focal point of the universe migrated into that little boy." Anyo balanced his chin on his hand, "And I finally stopped. I was a patient in Migawari's clinic and was successfully rehabilitated. I knew that it was much too late…but at least Mahoto was willing to speak to me again."
Sato's lip quivered sadly as he held back his emotions.
"I was healthier and stronger, and I could visit Mahoto and his prince whenever I liked. I became a reliable shinobi at long last." Anyo recalled, "The leader of our village, Pitekuyo, took an interest in me. He trained me as his apprentice and perfected my sword techniques."
"Everything turned around when you took that step!"
"Not everything." He smirked, "I still had a mortal enemy."
"Oh yeah…"
"Sarincha had become very successful and she assisted in crafting an alliance with Konohagakure, for a time. Her father was a very wealthy man to boot…although…" Anyo lowered his voice, "He's an insatiable gambler. Anyway, they were the pillars of our village, and I had only just learned how to be a trustworthy person. I watched her and tried to be more like her."
Sato smiled at the idea.
"It wasn't easy. She still avoided me at all costs, but by then…I knew that I didn't hate her. I didn't even remotely dislike her. I understood that I had said untrue things and had been a fool to stand beside those words for years." Anyo overturned an empty tea cup and slowly spun it on the table top, "But the same could not be said of Sarincha. I don't know exactly how she felt, but she never had a reason to speak to me."
"Well who would blame her?"
"Exactly. I was able to afford a decent home, since," Anyo laughed darkly, "I was spending my money properly. I was assigned as a team captain for critical missions. I stayed close to my Master, my Sensei and Mahoto…and watched the tide of the war shift. Things calmed…and Sarincha was later engaged to a man who was…" He grinned, "Not as good-looking as me."
"Phew, you sure are full of yourself." Sato rolled his eyes.
"Not nearly as much as he was." Anyo informed him, clacking the cup in his hand, "He was a haughty, phony, controlling ass. He was a businessman, not a shinobi. He never understood the woman he was with beyond telling her how to dress and to socialize and to paint her face to satisfy his expectations. For her part, Sarincha knew very little about love. She chose that man when she could have had anyone else who would have worshiped her."
"Did you?" The boy retorted.
"By then, I did. I was twenty-three and even a bit optimistic."
Sato waggled his eyebrows, "So how'd you break them up?"
"I didn't. He had a mistress on the side and, as we learned later, he was a felon on the run. I had great fun threatening him, warning that I'd expose the truth, but in the end Sarincha walked away on her own." He sighed at the thought, "She knew better than to trust a criminal."
Anyo tapped a beat on the overturned cup, "She also knew better than to trust a former drug addict too, so she kept her distance from me when she moved out of her old house." His lips curved upward, "She moved into the flat across the street from me."
"Yeesh, you weren't, like, peeping…were you?" Sato confirmed.
"No. But she did leave the drapes open frequently. I guess she liked to look at the manicured gardens out front. I would return home from missions and see her knitting through the window…or doing something else to unwind." He added in amusement, "Sometimes yoga poses. She's good at hand-stands and all of that."
Sato snickered.
"Naturally, when I tried talking to her, things fell flat. She was hostile. Taking missions with her was a nightmare, some days. And others…when truces failed or fighting flared up again…we worked better together." He let out a soft breath, "What I learned after a time was that she had befriended Mahoto as well, and she was looking out for him and Shigeyuki whenever she could."
"She sure is nice…"
Anyo smiled to himself, "She tried to hide her acts of kindness from me. Sarincha worried that it was a sign of weakness if I witnessed her generous or caring deeds. She never let her guard down around me. It was Mahoto who first told me how much she had done for his family. She became Shigeyuki's god-parent, in the event anything ever happened to Mahoto. My friend explained to me that she was a 'safer' choice than I was. I didn't object." He refilled Sato's tea cup as he said, "I did everything I could to be considerate around her, but she was always suspicious of my motives. Her break-up with that criminal didn't boost her confidence much either."
"That would've messed me up too, honestly. It's a lot to go through."
"At best, I had achieved an arm's length tolerance from her. We cooperated rather well during an attempted sack of the village, beating back intruders. That was the event that motivated her father to look elsewhere, hoping to find a safer area to operate a hospital in. He founded the clinic here in Kaido, at that time. The stress of his late-in-life decision weighed on Sarincha, and it may have helped her speak to me more…" The man concluded, "But I am quite certain Pitekuyo-shishou's carelessness resulted in our relationship."
"Carelessness?"
"He smoked like a chimney. We villagers were always teasing him for leaving burning cigarettes on the ground, on lawns, in offices, in stores, in people's hair. He burned down a dojo once…and he had to pay for its renovation. As talented as he is, our leader has his vices." Anyo explained, "And one night while Pitekuyo smoked outside of our apartment complex, he flicked a cigarette butt aside before he went home. We deduced that it landed through the open window of Sarincha's home, and it lit her room up quickly." The man laughed, "I will never let Shishou live it down."
"That is a really dumb thing to keep doing, if one claims to be a responsible leader!"
"We made him quit afterwards." Anyo assured him, "Sarincha nearly didn't wake from her sleep, but neighbors raised the alarm. She wasn't happy to see me fetching her in the middle of the night…or watching her home burn like a bonfire…" His expression saddened, "I felt terrible for her. She had no possessions, clothes, or anything. She and her immediate neighbor lost it all in the fire. And because her father had relocated to the south…she had nowhere to stay. Mahoto put her up for a week, but her evening-work hours woke the toddler up from time to time."
"Please tell me she got a break! What about your leader? Did he do anything about it?"
"He reimbursed them as best he could, and while we all suspected he was responsible for the accident…it was still an accident. Sarincha received insurance money and a hefty property deposit, not to mention Shishou's apology-bribes…but real estate is not booming in Hidden Grass. There are not many places to live." The man smirked proudly, "So I rented a room out to her. She had no other choice."
Sato tapped his fist in his hand, concluding, "Ah-ha! That's how you did it."
"Sarincha didn't like me, but she got to know me."
"She didn't want to leave the village?" The boy inquired, "You ought to have been enough to scare her off."
"Please, we were rational adults at that point. Her duties and job were all located in Kusagakure. She was never the type to pick up and run." Anyo noted, "And whenever I could, I tried to be the complete opposite of what I once was. I may have overcompensated a little, but I worried that I would be judged again. Defaulting to kindness made me far more easygoing, and while it lost me several arguments…I was better for it."
"I'll say. I never would have wanted to get to know the old you."
"The war dragged on. While we suffered fewer casualties, parts of our village fell into disrepair. Many businesses closed, the Academy was outdated and underfunded…the beautiful promenade in the center of Hidden Grass was unkempt, and its gardens withered. It used to be Sarincha's favorite place. Over time, the village had grown coarse and scarred…just as we had." He added brightly, "Even if everything was drab and battered, it was still fun to live with Sarincha. I had been on my own for so long that sharing space was a novelty."
"I can relate."
"With Tama?" Anyo guessed.
"Not quite yet, but she hangs around a lot. Her house can be scary."
Anyo continued, "About a year passed before I could say that we were close friends. She wasn't actively seeking out other accommodations, and she was relatively content. I tried to bring up how I had behaved in the past, but Sarincha dismissed it. It seemed to me that she wasn't rejecting me, per se, but she detested her former self. She hardly ever reminisced about her youth around me." The man was quiet for a moment, "We don't always know right away…how profoundly we affect others."
From his comfortable spot leaned against the table, Sato nodded gravely.
"I was a better cook than she was, but her meals always looked nicer. Her presentation was impeccable. Eventually, I gave up and stopped challenging her. We did more than just eat together, though. We spent time doing trivial things. Some days it was training and others it was knitting. She made me appreciate the fact that I wasn't dead and buried." He laughed lightly to himself, "I never knew that there were so many things I was good at."
Sato smiled reflexively, keeping his eyes shut as he listened.
"We were terrified of each other." Anyo concluded.
"Huh?" Sato opened an eye.
"Life together became too enjoyable. It wouldn't take much to ruin it, and we both comprehended fully how unfortunate our past had been. Neither one of us said a thing for nearly another full year; frightened to admit how deeply we cared about each other." The man fixed an intense stare on the boy, "It's what you might call a great waste of time. I think there were instances in which we tried to be honest, but we never took anything too far. All that hesitation…and ultimately, Sarincha's father wanted to retire. The only fitting replacement for him, of course, was his daughter."
Sato shut his eyes again, "You had to do something."
Anyo sighed, "I returned home from a mission and politely asked her to reject the offer. Though…she had already accepted it days before."
"Jeez!"
"She was prepared to leave, but I could tell that she was upset. She didn't have the emotional fortitude, at that juncture, to disclose her feelings for a second time. Sarincha moped all around the village as if to say goodbye…and our friends noticed. They asked me what I thought about her decision, and I couldn't properly answer. I didn't know if it was right to be happy for her or to be a raging maniac." He rubbed his chin in thought, "I spotted her sitting on a bench by herself on the promenade, and I remember…all those dead things around her. The once-pristine garden of Kusagakure; sad and departed like her childhood."
"Hm." Anyo chuckled softly, "I thought it'd be nice to rejuvenate it. For me, it doesn't take much chakra to grow a lawn."
"It's a wonder you're not a landscaper."
"I know." Anyo agreed, "But I just…did it on a whim while I kept out of sight. I didn't stop at that block, of course, I filled up the whole esplanade with zinnia and plum trees andwhatever that garbage is that makes me sneeze…" He smiled happily, "All Sarincha saw…was the world come to life for no reason. She didn't say it, but I think it made her hopeful again."
"What a guy…"
"I disposed with the mystery after that. I had a seat on that bench with her…and we talked." A toothy grin spread on his face, "And that's how I ended up here, married to a very smart, compassionate, but battle-hardened woman who, in fact…knows exactly what I've been through."
For a moment, Sato covered his face with his hands, combatting the desire to cry and laugh at the same time. It had felt as though he had lived another life for a short while.
Anyo stood from the table to begin cleaning up. "Come on now, Sato. My story wasn't that special." He bapped the boy on the head with a dish rag, "I'm sure yours will be much better."
The following day, it was particularly muggy and hot in the Toad Valley. Naruto kept quiet composure beside the Toad Oil pool, while Jiraiya supervised nearby from his seat on a stump.
A sweltering, misty downpour began to fall mid-way through the morning. Aggravated, Jiraiya stashed away the manuscript he had been editing, trying to keep it dry under his jacket. At the same time, he kept a wary eye on Naruto, knowing that even a few moments of distraction could turn his pupil into amphibious statue. 'Nah. He's still lookin' good.'The man thought to himself, his face sullen, 'But now I've got to sit here in this hellish weather!'
Naruto did not react at all to the precipitation or temperature. Jiraiya scuttled under a huge banana leaf in the hope it would shield him from the rain, 'Naruto must be getting close. I haven't seen him transform in a while…' It was steady progress that shamed the efforts he had made in his youth, 'And I thought I was working hard!'
After a time, Naruto's hands had begun to look a little too webbed. Jiraiya crossed over and gave his pupil a light shake, "Sorry, kid. You need to snap out of it."
"Hmph." The young man immediately broke his concentration and assumed his normal appearance, "I was doing pretty well."
"Yep, you were." Jiraiya put his hands on his hips, marveling at the torrential shower, "This weather blows!"
"Yeah, and I think it's washing the toad oil off of me…" Naruto surmised, "Maybe I should pick this back up when it calms down?"
"Not a bad idea. Of course, I was totally fine with sitting out here in the rain for you."
"Of course you were." Naruto agreed with a hint of mischievousness.
They retreated from the stone steps and followed the muddy trail back to the toad settlement. Once at Ma and Pa's house, Shima asked them to wait in the genkan before she returned with two fluffy towels, and she tossed them onto her guests' heads, "Dry off! Wet feet will ruin my floors."
In unison: "Yes, Ma."
When sufficiently dried, the two parted for their rooms to change into dry clothes. Jiraiya stepped out and settled at the table, dabbing at his slightly soggy manuscript, "Please…if any gods can hear me…save my precious work!" He muttered.
"Jiraiya-boy, there are more important things to worry about than your dirty books." Shima admonished him from the doorway, "Are you and Naruto-boy staying in for today?"
"We are, Ma. At least until the storm calms down." Jiraiya countered, "And you know it took me over a year to compile this…"
Naruto ventured out and joined his master at the table, reaching for a plate of bugs that was set out, "Did something happen to your pervvy-story?"
"It's a bit drenched, is all. Still readable." Jiraiya assessed his student's outfit, which for some reason included a black fishnet shirt, "Normally you dress more modestly, kid. Where'd you get that thing?"
"It's an undershirt I've always had. It's hot today." Naruto protested, "What's the big deal?"
The old man shrugged, "I don't care. Some girls might, though."
"Good grief. You're a horndog."
"Heh! I know. But hey, your princess will like that one!"
"Shut it, you Perv!"
"She will." Jiraiya defended, setting aside his in-progress book.
Naruto grumbled in annoyance while enjoying a snack. His mentor added thoughtfully, "You should know…you're right on track for mastering Senjutsu. It won't take you very long to finish at this rate, Naruto."
"You think so?" A glimmer of excitement crossed his face, "I wondered if…I was imagining that I was picking it up."
"No, don't sell yourself short. You're moving fast." Jiraiya folded his arms and nodded.
"Maybe I can finish by the end of this year…"
"Sure, if you felt like not eating or sleeping and just meditated non-stop. Though, that could turn you into a toad statue in no time. That's why Pa and I supervise you." Jiraiya replied smugly, "Don't go too fast, kid."
Naruto agreed, "I won't. Trust me; I've gotten a lot better!"
Shima returned with a pot of broth and bowls and set them down on the table, "You two young men must excuse me. I'm running late for a Toad Assembly, and I'm sure Pa is already there."
"Thanks, Ma. Watch out, it's pouring out there." Jiraiya warned her.
The old toad pulled on her poncho before hustling out of the house.
Naruto mused while spooning soup into his bowl, "It's kind of funny that she considers you to be young too."
"It makes sense, at least from my perspective. They can't differentiate between youthful people anymore. Ma and Pa aren't exactly spring chickens."
"Neither are you."
"True, but they're pushing one-hundred-years-old easily, and I haven't had the bad manners to ask." Jiraiya clarified, "And the Great Toad Sage…he takes elderly to a whole new level."
"Speaking of which, when do I get to meet him?"
The man said simply, "When the time is right."
Naruto may have once contested the point, being the active, curious type that he was; but he let the subject drop and ate in silence. Jiraiya would most certainly know when it would be time to refer Naruto to a super-ancient, prophesizing toad.
"There's a lot I still need to tell you, Naruto, but I get the feeling we have more than enough time here in the valley for me to address it." Jiraiya supposed and added, "I figured I should tell you what the plan is for when you do finish Sage Training."
"You thought of that already?"
"Yeah. I care a little bit about the future." The man conceded with a small smile, "When your time here is done, I'll bring you back to Konoha, and I'd appreciate it if you stayed there and laid low. The Akatsuki will be on the lookout for you, and Gaara too…" Jiraiya went on, "Which brings me to my next goal. Before I consult with Obito about how we plan to counter the organization, I want to spend some time with Gaara and Haku. Separately, if need be."
Naruto raised his eyebrows, pleased, "Huh! It seems only right."
"Well, sure! We've been apart for a while, and the fact is I'm still their sensei. I have techniques and such to pass on to them. You got the lion's share of my knowledge, and for good reason…but they deserve my time too even if I can't give it to them right this very moment." Jiraiya concluded, "A few of my jutsu…can probably be mastered only by Haku. And Gaara, heh, I have no doubt he'll pick up most of what I show him."
Slurping soup, Naruto paused to agree, "Good! It's like you've been taking responsibility-pills or something. When we first started out I was worried that you genuinely didn't want to teach!"
"Nah, I do. I have my share of baggage and it got in the way. It won't anymore."
"Hey, even if it does, you've gotten your act together." Naruto assured him, "And I'm glad that you told me as much as you did."
"As am I. Actually, I should probably tell you more about Minato's life today, considering that we're waiting out a typhoon." Jiraiya observed, "After lunch."
The front door of the house slid aside and Kosuke entered. He politely blotted himself with a towel hung on the coat rack, and then hopped over tatami mats towards Naruto.
"Hey boss! I brought something for you!" The red toad reported. He presented Naruto with a scroll he had been keeping in a messenger bag, "Didn't want it to get wet…it's raining in the Leaf Village too…"
An ecstatic smile dawned on Naruto's face, but he restrained it after catching Jiraiya's knowing smirk. After thanking Kosuke, Naruto opened the scroll and set to reading it while he occasionally sipped at his meal.
There is so much I want to tell you, Naruto,
Your last letter made me very happy. Many things are happening, and I must confess that I am most surprised that Gama-sennin has been dishonest with you for so long. Since we were small children, I could tell that Jiraiya-sama loved you…I wish he'd had the courage to tell you the truth sooner. As your god-father, there is so much more he could have done. You deserved to be looked after. Also, I know that we have spoken before about you never knowing your parents. Will Gama-sennin be able to tell you more about them or what happened to them? Or at least give you their names? If he seems to withhold information, I would not mind doing research for you here if that's what you want.
He sighed quietly to himself and thought, 'Hinata, you're the best…'
You also mentioned how you felt about becoming a parent. It sounds to me that your children will be very lucky to have someone who will love them so much. I know that you will be a wonderful father, Naruto. And yes, to answer your question, I have thought about the same thing. It is not something I contemplate very often, but…when I do feel hopeful about the future, on the days my clan isn't badgering me…I imagine little ones of my own. It'd be so exciting to teach them, play with them, watch them grow into shinobi, and be there with them on a happy journey. I could not ask for much more than that; except for maybe one thing.
'She said it! So she did think about it too. Then I guess I feel less crazy now.' Naruto noted.
I really am afraid to admit this. It seems a bit less difficult to put it on paper, but the truth is…I do not see myself having children with anyone other than you. I simply could not do it. I know that you didn't say so specifically, but I hope that's how you feel about me as well.
In the same moment Naruto read the revelation, his body jolted as if to stand up, shoving the low-table roughly. It tipped over a partially emptied bowl of soup, and Jiraiya barely had time to move his beleaguered manuscript away from the liquid trail, clamoring, "Hey! What's your problem? This is some of my best work here, kid!" He mopped it up hurriedly with a decorative napkin.
"Sorry," Naruto exhaled, upright and frantic, "I was only…" He sat down again and distracted himself with reading.
Jiraiya puffed in irritation, "What? Was that some good news?"
"It's good news." He confirmed, short of breath.
"Heh." His master snickered.
I'm embarrassed. I've never told anyone before, but I dream about doing it. I want to be touched. I only ever think of you. I want all of those things with you.
Naruto's eyes narrowed into a foxlike expression of cogitation. A silence like no other gripped him, and maybe his pattering heartbeat could be heard by the entire world. He wasn't sure. Naruto fell back to the floor with the scroll clenched in his hands; eyes squinted, mouth pursed, and withdrawn from reality. Kosuke and Jiraiya regarded him worriedly.
Jiraiya snapped his fingers above his student's face, "Whoa. Naruto, is this some kind of medical condition? Give me a sign here! Are you dying?"
"No." He managed, "I'm…fine."
"Really?" The man quirked an eyebrow at him, "People who are 'fine' don't usually look like that."
Naruto opened his eyes fully and got a hold of himself, "I know. It's okay, Ero-sensei. I…" He deliberated for a moment before saying, "I never thought I'd feel much happier than I did, but now I know that it's possible."
"Something your princess said?" Jiraiya inferred keenly.
"Yeah."
I hope you don't mind. Oh, and please don't worry about the Chunin Exam, Naruto. It was officially scheduled for the end of June. I promise that I will do my best, and I am feeling far more confident about passing this year. What you said is true, Tsunade-sama will definitely know if you are worthy. There is no harm in being patient when it comes to promotion, considering the difficult training you have undertaken. That's far more important than becoming a Chunin. I don't know if the world really is my oyster, as you said, Naruto. It feels like it is when you imagine it, though. I am so grateful that we can still communicate easily while you are away, and I never doubt that I am loved. Everything you have told me gives me strength, and sometimes it even keeps me awake at night. In a good way.
I love you too, and I hope that you know it, Naruto. We have so much to do when you finally come home! I don't think I'll ever be bored again after that! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Love,
Hinata
Naruto let out a long breath he had not realized he held. He set the scroll down and slapped at his cheeks, affirming that he was conscious. Her words had been bold and honest. It was so unlike how Hinata had been in the past, only a few years earlier, hardly ever able to express her opinions and feelings; not to mention the provocative ones.
Kosuke had located the plate of insects and helped himself from across the table. Jiraiya rested his chin on his hand as he observed Naruto, "I can kind of tell…what she said to you."
"You'd like to think that, huh?"
"Seriously. She's a young woman, and they aren't all that much different from young men, when it gets down to it." Jiraiya grinned, "I'm the authority on the subject, after all."
"I'm not gonna deny you are the authority on it, but that's not what she told me."
"Well sheesh, it's not like she was talking dirty to you. If she was, you'd probably be wearing this boiling pot of soup on your head." The old man estimated, "It was just a tickle. Ha! She wants to keep you interested."
"Knock it off, Ero-sensei, I swear-!" Naruto was bristling.
"Easy does it. It's not like I'm going to read it, I just want some validation that I'm right." Jiraiya teased, "Would it kill you to do that?"
"Okay. You're right." Naruto conceded, "Now shut your perverted mouth, will ya?"
The man rumbled with laughter after that, and Naruto made an effort to ignore him while reaching for more broth. He wanted to change the subject.
"Hinata also kind of confirmed that I'll miss the Chunin Exam. It's going to start in a couple of months." Naruto announced, "I know that I'm not supposed to be upset, but it's…getting to me." He added quietly, "I'm being left behind."
Jiraiya regarded him incredulously for a moment, "So…that optimistic talk of yours was a front?" He then ventured, "No one on your team will have the privilege to participate; you do realize that? Gaara is not eligible because he's Kazekage…" Naruto rolled his eyes at the excuse, "And Haku's in east-jabib training with an assassin. It's not like this should surprise you."
"Right. I'm not surprised. I'm just bummed, okay?"
"If it's really eating you up inside," Jiraiya began, "I'd like to remind you that you have options. If you bitch about it a little, there's a chance you can get your way."
"Sorry, but Baa-chan isn't like that. You've seen what she does when people nag her."
"I'm not talking about Tsunade." The sage corrected him, "If a promotion is something that you can't live without for another year-ish, which I assure you isn't that long…remember that one of your best friends is a Kage. Naruto, if you really want to compete in a selection exam, what's stopping you from asking Gaara to arrange one on a date that's convenient for you?"
His eyes widened after hearing the idea, "I guess…nothing. I didn't think of-!"
"Bear in mind, Gaara has got his limitations as well. I'm just saying that before you rule out the possibility, at least ask him," Jiraiya wisely advised, "He likes you a lot. He'll probably want to help you in that respect, if he can."
"Heh! I can't believe I didn't think of that!" Naruto laughed.
"It was too obvious. Sometimes someone just needs to spell it out for you."
Kosuke had finished his meal before hopping over to a window. Peering outside, he could see that the weather was still severe, "Do you mind if I stay here for a while with you guys?"
Jiraiya assured him that he was welcome to stay. The small toad curled up on a cushion to relax.
"So…if you're done eating and you've got time to talk, you said you'd tell me more about Minato." Naruto segued, "How about it?"
"Ahh, well…" Jiraiya rubbed his neck, glancing around, "I guess there's really nothing else to occupy me. Hmm…" He scrunched up his face to think, "I'm not sure where I left off with you, with regards to Minato."
"I remember you talking about how it annoyed you when he asked questions and read about things." Naruto provided the baseline for him, "Which was pretty much all the time. He was too smart for you. And he saved Kushina!"
For some reason, Jiraiya began chuckling wildly to himself.
His student was peeved, "Was something about that even remotely funny?"
"You made it sound like it was your favorite serialization or something." Jiraiya rubbed at his watering eyes, "Heh! I'll explain some other time why that cracked me up."
"Good, then get to it old man."
"Ha…let's see. If I look way back to when I was initially inspecting the profiles of Academy students…an all-male team was arranged. Minato: a quiet bookworm with marks way above average, Gensu: the lucky underachiever; and Namba: the middle-ground, somewhat popular boy. There was a shortage of kunoichi that year. At the time, the Sandaime wasn't forcing me to choose from the prearranged teams right away. He said I could observe them first." Jiraiya recounted, "So that's what I did. I scoped out the Academy and watched from afar. They were well-behaved, intelligent, friendly…In the end, the reason why I chose them was because they didn't outwardly seem like assholes." He nodded thoughtfully, "Not like some of the other kids…"
"Not a bad way to go about it, probably."
"I thought so. Of course, once you get to know people…their true colors shine through." Jiraiya sighed, "Gensu wasn't very motivated to learn anything unless it was a new technique. His aptitude for whining and leisure blew me away. And heaven help me…Minato wanted to know everything. If I started talking about one subject, sometimes he'd run away with it. It took everything I had to satisfy that kid and shut him up. And, er…I suppose…Namba behaved himself. Kinda like Haku did, but not as good looking."
"Heh!" Naruto was amused.
"They were all pretty strong, but…I had a feeling about Minato. It was the way he asked questions about the village, about our history, and the war…he always initiated those talks. He wanted to understand and fix things." Jiraiya smiled and folded his arms, "And he liked being around me even though he couldn't relate to my perverted ways. Gensu and Namba came and went, but Minato hung around. Not much different from how you and I get along, Naruto."
"I could kind of tell he liked you."
"It was mutual. He ended up spending some time here on Mount Myoboku and brushed up on summoning, after I taught him. And I need you to know something, kid." Jiraiya gave him a serious look, "I introduced Minato to Senjutsu, and while he certainly was bright, it didn't come easily to him. He worked for over fifteen years to figure it out…"
Naruto was shocked, "Did he really-!"
"Shush," Jiraiya stopped him, "There are some aspects where, comparatively, you have him totally pegged. You pick certain things up quick, Naruto." He amended, "But Minato was more learned, observant, and worldly; an absolute innovator when he noodled on things. Your strengths are different."
Speechless, Naruto sat quietly and pondered his mentor's admission.
"So, my knuckleheads became Chunin. It felt like I had only blinked and they grew up. Of course, those teenage years were challenging, what with them assuming responsibilities, finding their identities, the harsh battles, the women they loved, disappointments, and managing their finances…Minato was the only one who was not consistently broke, pretty much." Jiraiya went on, "One fine weekend while I was out of the village, on a bout of phenomenal peeping, might I add…that was when Kushina had been kidnapped by Cloud shinobi. I only got the story after I returned home."
Naruto was beaming at the subject.
"The Third Hokage was pleased with Minato, and simultaneously furious with our faulty border patrols. It was a misstep on their part. Regardless, I was proud too. Minato was a bit shy about explaining his process and the rescue to me, at first, but I got the truth out him. I just steered that kid in front of a ramen bar and fed him. Got a lo-ooong story. Later, when I felt he didn't share certain details, I bought him a beer down the street."
"What's the matter with you? He was underage!"
"Isn't everyone when they have their first beer?" Jiraiya snarked, "Anyway, he spilled his guts after that, going on about how he always wanted to be around Kushina, and that he was terrified when he realized she was gone. He had to follow a trail of her red hair through the wilderness to track that squadron. If she hadn't been pulling it out in the hope that someone would spot it, Minato imagined she'd be long gone." Jiraiya continued, "He said it felt great to beat the hell out of her abductors, but Kushina was exhausted and in bad shape when he reached her. She hardly recognized him. I swear; I watched that boy nearly weep just thinking about it."
"What's wrong with worrying about someone you care for, huh?"
"He admitted that he got a kiss afterwards." Jiraiya recalled, ignoring Naruto's delighted gasp, "And then I said: Well that's all well and good, but she didn't flash you for your trouble? Ha!" The man paused after Naruto lashed out with a kick, knocking him down to the mats, "Relax, kid! You're gonna shatter me."
"Why do you have to ruin those moments, Ero-sensei?"
"It's what I do. Come on."
"Erg."
"So where was I? Oh yeah. Things snowballed after that. Kushina's opinion about Minato did a one-eighty, and the two became inseparable. I caught them sucking face a few times and I used to give them hell about it." Jiraiya laughed to himself, "They were good for each other. It was the emotional support system they needed, and the both of them grew into outstanding shinobi while working together. Once they were adults, I think they finally got my sense of humor."
Naruto yielded, "That's hard to believe."
"Don't I know it."
"So…you told me back at the Maple Village that…he and…well they…like, all the time?"
"Pretty much whenever they didn't take a mission. They were doing it."
Naruto shut his eyes and muttered; wondering if that could be his bright future, eventually.
"Now, now. They still had responsibilities. Minato became a Jounin Sensei, eventually, and Kushina was an administrator of the Sealing Corps. Not to mention the two of them played critical roles in beating back advances from Iwagakure…" Jiraiya elaborated, "They were heroes. Ah, I sure was proud, by then. Gensu and Namba were part of the common forces and did their own thing. Gensu perished on a mission, though he saved several comrades doing so. Huh, and I think Namba got hitched recently…"
"Was Minato a decent sensei?"
"Better than I was." Jiraiya crinkled his eyes in amusement, "His students adored him, and he loved them too. Now, if you haven't already worked it out, the three youngsters he taught were Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. You've met two of the three."
Naruto held his breath for a moment, frowning, "That team…is kind of a mess right now."
"It could always be worse." Jiraiya warned him before adding, "Kushina liked them too. She enjoyed doting on those kids. They were thrilled when Minato was sworn in as Hokage."
The boy grinned, "Then?"
"Then what?" Jiraiya prompted.
"Minato and Kushina, what happened?"
"Well, they got married, obviously.
"Knew it!"
"Kid, it wasn't like you had to divine the answer." Jiraiya snorted, "Theirs was not a fleeting romance."
"Then they…well…what happened was…" Naruto scratched his chin and thought aloud, "The Fourth Hokage…died…" His words faltered as he understood the vague parameters, "Fighting the Nine-Tailed Fox."
"Yes." Jiraiya nodded somberly, "He did. They both died."
Naruto's eyes dropped to the floor, unseeing with devastation. He clutched at his stomach, aware of the seal there that was restraining the Kyuubi. Surely he hated the Fox for trying to harm Jiraiya, but the beast had claimed other precious lives as well. The pain was intense. To overcome so much adversity only to be cut down…
"Why?" Naruto demanded, his eyes glossy, "Why did that happen to them? Kushina was a Sealing Master, you said."
"I did say that." Jiraiya replied almost inaudibly.
Naruto grew louder, "Was it an attack? Was it an accident? Why didn't you stop it?"
"I wasn't there." He confessed faintly.
"What happened to her?" Naruto repeated, "Ero-sensei, how did the Fox get loose? From Kushina? Will it happen to me?"
Jiraiya fell silent, overwhelmed.
Impatient, Naruto slammed his fist on the table, clattering its settings. Kosuke awoke in bewilderment.
"You're not telling me." Naruto's temper flared, "You can't sweep this one under the rug! I need to know this. I need to know that I'm not going home just so I can fuck up everyone's life by setting the Nine-Tails loose! That I'm not gonna end up dead!"
When his mentor's lassitude persisted Naruto reached out and seized the man by his collar, "Hey. Why aren't you saying anything? Huh? Was it your fault?"
"No." Jiraiya assured him softly.
He gave his master a rough shake, "But it happened anyway! Goddammit!" Naruto violently hurled him aside, outraged, "That's it then? You know the reason, but you won't tell me? You're afraid that I can't handle the reality of it?" His chest puffed, "Or that you know that one day you'll be burying me too?"
Jiraiya heaved himself up and raised a hand, "Stop."
Naruto sat back again, boiling with anger. It took him a long moment to acknowledge the tears streaming down Jiraiya's face. It extinguished most of the rage that made him act out.
Alarmed by his previous reaction, Naruto carefully touched the man's shoulder, "I'm sorry…Sensei."
Jiraiya shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut.
"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"
"Nah, kid." Jiraiya choked out, "Don't…worry."
Naruto's eyebrows sloped upward, devastated, "How can I not? How can I not worry about any of this? Or about you?"
Jiraiya cleared his throat, trying to settle down. After a moment he replied, "Naruto…I'll explain. It won't be what you want to hear. And I couldn't even try to tell you now when I…keep blubbering like the joke I am."
"Don't say that! You're not."
His exhaling breath trembled with grief, "It's awful. Just to think about it…" Jiraiya rubbed at his nose, "Give me a day. Let me get over hating myself for a little bit before I tell you. It's going to make sense, for the most part, but…" His disconsolate eyes unsettled the boy, "It'll hurt."
"It already does." Naruto conceded.
Jiraiya nodded in understanding, "I know."
Without another word, Naruto snatched up Hinata's correspondence and retreated to his room. Jiraiya turned his attention to the messy table, intending to clean it up before proofreading his book some more.
In the darkened bedroom, Naruto laid flat on the floor, his limbs spread wide as if they were antennae for the signals of the universe. He stared listlessly at the ceiling. The sound of heavy rain helped him breathe more easily. He could not tell how much time passed before the dreadful thought came to him. The horrible thought.
Please no.
'It was…probably them.' Naruto admitted to himself, 'I'm not a jackass.'
Certainly, his parents hadn't disappeared. They hadn't died arbitrarily in battle. The Fox had killed them. It explained why his infant-baby presence and subsequent sealing was necessary at the time.
Tingling in Naruto's fingertips made him clench and flex his hands, 'She was an Uzumaki just like me…and…I kind of look like that guy.' He figured, recalling the formal portraits of the Fourth Hokage in the Academy and the Administrative Building.
While he lacked the details and an explanation of why the Nine Tailed Fox had been released, Naruto could safely assume that Minato and Kushina had been his parents. If Jiraiya was appointed as his god-father, no one else would be motivated to choose the Toad Sage other than his beloved, young friends. The infinitesimal satisfaction Naruto experienced as he reflected on this truth was overshadowed by anguish.
'Why couldn't I have just…met you? I wanted so badly for someone to care that I existed…and you were both the kind of people who would've…' A warm tear slid down his cheek,'Totally got me. Loved me. Been there, every day.'
He sat up when his chest began to feel tight. 'This stupid shirt and this stupid, stifling heat!' Naruto stood and exited through the door of his room, aimlessly entering the rain. He walked across the deserted lawn, unfazed by the weather, and he continued for a long while before stopping at a far-off toad statue. Sheltering palm leaves had overgrown the effigy, providing some cover.
Naruto took a seat beneath the shelter and gazed at the gray rainclouds that had funneled into the valley. Water slipped from his bangs and onto his face, and he sat with his arms draped over his bent knees. 'Ero-sensei will tell me when he can form those words without crying, but…' It was mildly cathartic when he took a deep breath, 'I've never felt…less like myself before.' Oddly enough, his parents had been some very important people, if indeed that's who they were.
'Maybe this is research I shouldn't put Hinata up to. I bet…she'd be pretty surprised. And I ought to get some confirmation first…' Naruto wondered to himself, 'Here I was looking forward to my future, being optimistic and all of that…but what if…? No matter how good I have it…what if it's over in a second? Just like them.'
At the same time, many, many miles away, Gaara was having a productive day.
He had concluded most of the documentation and paperwork in his office before 10:00 in the morning, and so he left a Shadow Clone behind to oversee things while he trained with Matsuri.
Gaara ventured to the outskirts of the village, west of the sunken Buddha statue, and located his student practicing soft-weapon forms by herself. It was about the third time in 24 hours he thought to himself that the girl was very different now. Her metamorphosis had only taken two months, approximately, but the results were dramatic.
Since she had returned with Kankuro from the Tide Village, Matsuri had made no mention of her experiences or friends there. She requested more intense training and guidance. Gaara could not fault her ambition.
They agreed to begin with her worst techniques, chiefly Taijutsu. For a week, Matsuri devoted herself to the drills that Gaara had once practiced in his early days of being a shinobi. Building muscle memory was critical, and Matsuri kept up for several consecutive hours without complaint before she began to wobble on her feet. Because she was not so inclined to take the breaks Gaara suggested, he mandated days off for her to recover. Stubbornly, Matsuri would make time for strength-training and increasing her speed on those days.
Her commitment to improve was tested after a few weeks when Gaara started free-spars with her. While he went easy on his student, Gaara was never the type to go too easy on anyone. Matsuri was absolutely clobbered for a few days. She returned every morning in bandages, concealing scrapes and bumps, making no mention if she was ever in pain. Her teacher was slightly worried that her determination was not entirely beneficial, but when Gaara wavered Matsuri would obstinately demand they continue.
After a time, she would no longer tumble and eat sand during the trials. She could stay on her feet, evade with speed, and counterattack after blocking. On the hotter days, Gaara would sometimes need a break, retreating to the shade to watch Matsuri dance around a summoned scorpion, dizzying it with her assaults.
She had also made a point of mastering the Jouhyou, and also gained proficiency with a chain-scythe, as well as the three-section staff. While challenging other weapons specialists of the Sand Village, it was undeniable that her skill outclassed some of her Chunin counterparts. Hard work alone was responsible for that.
And so, as many shinobi that specialized in Bukijutsu often did, Matsuri relied on a tool-scroll to summon her prized weapons. When another scroll joined her inventory, she explained to her sensei that she was expanding her Ninjutsu on her own, "I don't want you to see the jutsu quite yet, Sensei."
He didn't argue with her. Gaara would happily admit that Matsuri had found her own way as a shinobi, irrespective of the things he taught her. Her personal style shined through.
This morning, Gaara recalled a small warning Kankuro had given him before he sought Matsuri near the Buddha statue. "Listen, you've probably heard, but our village weapons-dispenser, Yirigama, took a liking to Matsuri. She talks to him a lot and she's enthusiastic." His brother spoke quietly, "So he gave her something special."
"Special?" Gaara did not follow.
"As in, a Genin probably shouldn't be using it, special." Kankuro clarified, "Just make sure she doesn't hurt herself during practice."
"You worry too much." The Kazekage replied calmly.
"Hey, I like that kid. I'm not saying I don't have confidence in her; it's just that she's learned a lot in so little time. Don't you think she could get ahead of herself?"
"No. I don't, actually." Gaara admitted.
"Either you know exactly what you're talking about, or you're a crap-teacher for saying that."
"Agreed."
After arriving at the statue, Matsuri concluded whirling around in an impressive display before acknowledging Gaara, "Ah! Good morning, Sensei."
"Good morning." His smile was small, "There's some news I want to share with you, Matsuri."
Matsuri looped her Jouhyou to her belt and walked over to him, "What kind of news?"
"It's related to the Chunin Exam. I inquired with other officials, but it seems we are a special case when it comes to your participation. The committee in Leaf was not comfortable with me registering as your Jounin-chaperone, considering it would remove me from Hidden Sand for a time. In addition to that, it is mandatory that you participate as part of a three-man cell. I checked around Suna and found a team that can take you. Their third teammate is unable to participate this year, due to temporary disability." Gaara explained, "I'll introduce you to Hyoshigi and his students tomorrow. I recommend that you take a mission or two with them to build up rapport. Knowing and trusting your teammates is critical during the exam."
"But I won't be a permanent addition to that team, will I?" She asked.
"No. You're my student. Once you are a Chunin, I'll be appointing you to various teams anyway." He reminded her, "We'll adjust from there."
She nodded happily.
"As for training today, I had something different in mind." Gaara went on, looking south, "You and I will be visiting the coast today. We'll pass the time training near the water until a tutor arrives."
"A tutor? Is it someone who can help me?"
He chuckled softly, "It's a tutor of mine, actually. You can stay and watch if you're comfortable."
"I'd love to!"
"We'll see. You may change your mind."
Shortly after that, they set out on an express route through the desert. The temperature was relatively mild. By the early afternoon they set foot on the white beaches of the south, where tall, rocky dunes overlooked turquoise waters.
The pair took a rest and after that, Matsuri chased her mentor around with twists and dives, nearly putting Gaara's eyes out with the tooth of her rope-dart. He tested her defenses as well with blasts of sand, and she scattered the bolts with a whirl of her Jouhyou. After winding down, master and student concurred that it would be a waste not to enjoy the unspoiled beach. They stripped down to undershirts and shorts and waded into the rolling waves.
Gaara did not go in past his waist. He stood with folded arms, eyes closed, blissful in the warm water.
"Sensei, it's not so deep over here. Won't you swim out?" Matsuri wondered.
"No. My last experience with the ocean…" Gaara sighed at the memory, "I nearly drowned."
"Oh!" She covered her mouth in surprise, "I didn't know that…"
"It's alright. My friend was able to retrieve me."
Matsuri paddled around while her teacher lingered in the shallows. Overhead, a messenger hawk was circling. Gaara supposed it had a communication that needed prompt attention. He splashed back to the beach and took a seat on a flat stone. The bird landed beside him and Gaara untied a small scroll from its leg. 'Temari sent this…'
Hi Gaara, I have an update for you,
I appreciate that you gave me some warning. Apparently, Tazuna didn't need much help finding the jinchuriki that's been hanging around the Tide Village. They've already met.
I spoke with some former Mist ninja (they've integrated here) who recognized a man who's been working as a supplemental teacher for the Academy. His name is Utakata, and he used to be a shinobi in Kirigakure as well. From what they described, he had a bad experience with his Master some years ago that caused him to flee the village. Hunter-nin have been tracking him for quite some time, and he's been avoiding detection while in the Land of Waves. No one has tipped off Hidden Mist yet, but I honestly don't know how long that will last. The ninja who confirmed this for me said that Utakata is the container of the Six-Tails, and has remarkable control over it.
It seems to me that everyone is getting along so far. I explained what I found to Tazuna, but he either didn't understand me or he doesn't care. He told me that Utakata has earned his keep, and they're on better terms than they were previously. I personally think that you'll get along with this jinchuriki. He hangs around cafes and relaxes when he isn't working. It may be worthwhile to make another trip down here when you have time to meet him. The Training Program is progressing steadily. Evaluations and wrap-up are predicted to go as scheduled, but if something starts to take a nosedive I will take care of it.
I hope Matsuri's doing well. I was wondering if she was interested in coming down to the Tide Village again? Please let me know. I'll be in touch.
Temari
Gaara looked up from the parchment, bemused, "Hm."
If Temari's report proved anything, it was that they indeed lived in a small world. Provided that Utakata kept a low profile in Tide and did not attract unwelcome attention from Mist, he could become a boon to the fledgling village. Gaara did not personally know the man, 'But I might someday soon.' He already had a rendezvous planned for the day.
After a while Matsuri scuttled out of the water and retrieved a towel from her supply bag. She sat down across from her sensei as he scribbled a reply to Temari.
"Did that come from Suna?" She asked.
"Temari sent me this from the Tide Village. Just an update."
Matsuri's inquisitive expression dissipated, "Oh."
Gaara's eyes glanced toward the girl, "Aren't you looking forward to going back to the Tide Village? You did the last time."
"I…I prefer training for now. I've gotten a lot stronger."
"You have. However, I want to rely on you as an ambassador. You made many friends there." Gaara told her.
Her shoulders drooped, "It might get uncomfortable."
"Did something happen on your previous trip?"
"Nothing terrible…but I…" The girl tucked the balled towel beneath her chin, "I was disappointed."
"You don't want to share it with me?" He asked.
"It's alright, Sensei. I'm getting over it."
"Good." Gaara sealed his reply and tied it to the messenger hawk's leg, "Then I don't want to hear your complaints when I send you there again."
Matsuri winced, but did not object. The courier bird took off.
The two dried in the sun, and though slightly damp, redressed when it was bearable. From their seat in the shade, Gaara created amorphous shapes with the white beach sand. He was struck by a thought before telling Matsuri, "I ought to prepare you."
"For what?" She wondered.
"For what you will see." Gaara elaborated, "You're already aware that I am a jinchuriki. The reason that I am here today is for a private lesson from another jinchuriki."
"Oh! Outside of the village?"
"I don't want to be close by Suna if we start to cause damage. I am being advised on how to harness Shukaku's power."
"Right, that's what it's called."
"Him." Gaara corrected, "Shukaku is his name."
"Oh." She blinked, "You know a lot about…him, then?"
"We talk just about every day."
"You talk?" She squealed.
"Yes. We've reached an understanding. Though, I won't pretend to know anything about Shukaku's power or how to control it. When I used it in the past, I did so in less than ideal circumstances." Gaara explained, "He even recommended that I learn from more experienced jinchuriki. That's why I'm expecting a visitor. You may…see things today."
Gaara formed a likeness of Shukaku in the beach sand, scaled down, "This is what the Ichibi looks like."
"Wow." Matsuri tapped her lip, "He's a bit tubby."
Gaara sighed to himself.
"Ah, should I have not said that?" The girl amended.
"He's saying that he doesn't like others commenting on his figure." The Kazekage relayed an internal message, "And a larger gut helps him facilitate Wind techniques."
"Oh, I see." Matsuri added, "I didn't mean it like that, um…Shukaku. If you can hear me…"
"It's fine, Matsuri. He doesn't care that much."
When a shadow appeared on the beach, the silhouette of a newcomer stalked along until Gaara and Matsuri turned around, squinting into the sunlight. A smiling woman stood at the top of a rock formation, with her hands on her hips, "It took me a while to find this place! I didn't think there'd be two of you here."
She hopped down lightly to the beach. Gaara rose to greet the kunoichi with a small bow and Matsuri mirrored the gesture, "Thank you for coming, Yugito."
"Not at all, Kazekage-sama. I offered you my help, after all, and I am glad that I can make good on it." Yugito's eyes fell on Matsuri, "And who is this little one?"
"This is my student, Matsuri." Gaara introduced, "Matsuri, this is Yugito of Kumogakure. She is the host of the Two-Tails."
"It's so nice to meet you." She bowed her head again timidly, "I've never met a Cloud ninja before."
"I assure you, we're not as bad as everyone says." The woman purred, "So, you have one student? I do not see such arrangements often, but I am sure that you picked the most worthy learner you could find, Kazekage-sama."
"Gaara is fine." The young man requested.
"Gaara, then." Yugito agreed, "Today, your student will be a spectator of your efforts. I suggest you do you very best to avoid disappointing her."
Gaara pursed his mouth for a moment, irritated, "Do you think that I will make a fool of myself?"
"Most likely. What I aim to teach you won't be easy." She grinned sidelong to Matsuri, "If you don't mind, shall we find ourselves some space? We are due to get…much larger."
Matsuri chuckled nervously as she followed after her superiors. Hardly a year ago, she knew virtually nothing about Biju, jinchuriki, and the relationships therein. While it was a relief to hear from Gaara that Tailed Beasts were more than just mindlessly destructive forces, Matsuri was still having difficulty reconciling the old tales about them. The fear lingered, but it heartened her to see Yugito and Gaara so relaxed. They would not likely choose to let her witness a confrontation that could jeopardize her life.
At the top of the adjacent sand dune, the tall, blonde woman halted them, "This is fine. Oh my…I should have remembered some sunscreen before I dropped in…"
Matsuri quickly snapped open her bag, "You can borrow mine! We take it everywhere since we…live in the desert."
Yugito was amused by the mousy girl and accepted the bottle that was handed to her. "And you, Gaara? How do you maintain your pale complexion?"
"I bathe in sunblock most mornings." Gaara injected a touch of sarcasm, "My sand armor protects me as well."
"Hm, the Kazekage divulges his beauty secrets…"
Matsuri tittered at the comment, but swallowed her laughter when a frown tugged at her mentor's face. Yugito concluded a hasty application of sunscreen before returning it to Matsuri.
"I'm going to tell you something just so we can all be sure that we are on the same page." The woman announced, "What you are about to learn may end up saving your life. However, please remember that in the end, none of this training is for the sake of you staying alive. The Great Nations can all agree that it is of the utmost importance that we do what we can to prevent the Akatsuki from securing the Tailed Beasts. This isn't about us. It's about them." Yugito placed her hand over her heart, "It's about Matatabi. It's about Shukaku. They were alive long before we were, and they have been hoping for a peaceful world for much longer than any of us have."
Matsuri and Gaara fixed their attention on the Cloud kunoichi.
"The Akatsuki does not care that the Tailed Beasts feel. That they think. That they were born. Or that they dream…" Yugito elaborated, "That organization is singularly concerned with harvesting them for unimaginable amounts of chakra. With all of that power, they intend to bring about calamity that only ancient sages could contend with. The great skill of our predecessors has been absent for generations. Our only recourse is to prepare ourselves and deny the Akatsuki the opportunity that they wish to prey on."
"I have been given intelligence that other jinchuriki have been captured already." Gaara then asked, "Is there no way to retrieve the Tailed Beasts that were taken?"
"For now, that isn't possible. In communications between the Raikage and Tsuchikage, they confirmed that there is no record of a current Akatsuki stronghold or base. Abandoned bases leave no trace evidence to track, and the method that is used to extract Tailed Beasts and store their chakra…no one has determined that either." Yugito explained, "How could we rescue them when we have no idea where to look?"
"We ask a member of the Akatsuki." Gaara resolved.
Yugito and Matsuri gave him curious looks.
Gaara elaborated on his statement, "My mentor is the Toad Sage. Jiraiya told me that he has a spy who has infiltrated Orochimaru's hideout as well as the Akatsuki. This is the information we should be requesting."
"That poor spy will not easily obtain it from either source." Yugito warned.
"But what if the spy did?" Matsuri wondered.
"Then our villages should plan the retrieval of those Tailed Beasts accordingly. With that being said, there is nothing that can be done at the present time…other than safeguarding the Biju we are responsible for." The Cloud kunoichi tossed her long braid over her shoulder, "I would like to address the best way to go about that now, Gaara, if you'd be so kind."
The Kazekage nodded in the affirmative.
"I am one of the two jinchuriki of Kumogakure. The container of the Eight Tails has just as good of a bond with the Hachibi as I do with Matatabi, if not better." Yugito went on, "He would have happily come here to assist with this training, but I felt that his personality…may not be a good fit for yours, Gaara."
"I still would have done my best."
She chuckled, "I'm sure. Perhaps some other time you can learn from him on the Island Turtle…but I will start you off." Yugito folded her arms, "If Shukaku is willing; we will first work on controlling the chakra he provides for you. If you're not prepared for it the surge will overwhelm you. After that, we can explore techniques that Biju help us achieve…and maybe even the Tailed Beast ball in the future…"
Matsuri whispered sidelong to her sensei, "Would that turn you into…a ball?"
"Quite frankly, I am not sure what any of this will do to me." He replied quietly.
Yugito tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Or, it may be beneficial for you to practice switching consciousness with Shukaku. In certain situations, his form and consciousness being at the forefront can change the tide of battle." She added slyly, "He's a bit older and more experienced than you, after all."
Gaara nodded, "It's happened before."
"Oh?"
"With both good and bad results."
"I see…" Yugito thought for a moment, "That is a project as well. The level of expression a Biju makes through its host depends on several factors. How easily can Shukaku get through?"
Gaara frowned, "Easily…is not the word for it."
"Maybe it isn't. A multi-lock seal often makes it difficult for Biju to express themselves when they please. I don't know if you have one. Do you encounter such a buffer?"
"Not really." He admitted.
She lifted her hand, "A demonstration, please."
Matsuri smiled as she backed away, preferring to be safe than sorry if things did not go as planned. Gaara only sighed before turning his mind inward. 'Did you hear that request?'
I did.
'Can you do it?'
If you let me. The hefty beast shrugged, I'm here to learn too. It's not typical for you and I to flip like we're on a revolving door.
Gaara swallowed and shut his eyes, making a true attempt to relax, 'Take it slow.'
Ha! Slow. Heh heh!
Gaara began to rumble with laughter.
From a distance, Matsuri notified Yugito, "He…doesn't usually do that."
"It's alright." The woman assured her.
The young man opened his eyes, revealing black sclera and tiny, golden irises. A pointy-toothed grin unsettled Matsuri from her position on the dune.
As Shukaku settled into his minimal influence over his host he laughed again, startled by the sound, and then covered his mouth with his hands, "I sound so weird." Shukaku looked over Gaara's body interestedly, "I'm like a toothpick. I feel so light!" He glanced all around, "And this place seems bigger."
"You get used to it." The woman fiddled with her braid, entertained, "I find having this hair to be fun, when Yugito lets me visit. Mine is so unruly, but hers is perfection." That cat-voice rolled the 'r' sound.
"That's because yours is on fire, Whiskers." Shukaku simpered at his Two-Tailed counterpart.
"Please do not call me that if you don't wish to be aptly named yourself, Shukaku." Matatabi warned.
"I want to feel my tail." Shukaku decided, "It's freaking me out to not…feel anything back there." He patted his human bottom, "Weird!"
Gaara commented from his subconscious place, 'Do not touch that.'
"You can express it if Gaara is comfortable with it." Matatabi explained, handily displaying a blue, forked cat tail that sprouted from behind Yugito, "Whatever the jinchuriki does not limit, we can do it. If he lets go completely, you'll take your true form. It might scare Gaara, though, so be patient. Wait until he says that it's okay."
Shukaku titled his head back, inquiring loudly, "Well is it okay, Kazekage?"
'A tail.' Gaara confirmed, 'Fine.'
Shukaku was thrilled to produce a sandy, tiered tail that wound behind his body. He gave it a welcome shake.
"Before we get too carried away," Matatabi instructed, "We should let them practice drawing on our chakra. That won't be as simple for them to do as it for us to express ourselves."
"I just got out here. Do I really have to go back?" Shukaku grumbled.
Yugito shrugged, her features returning to normal, "I don't know. What is he saying?"
Shukaku gave inner-Gaara a listen: 'I'm switching back. I promise I will bring you out again when I can.'
"Ah, fine…" The tanuki muttered, surrendering his brief control.
While watching, Matsuri muffled laughter with the back of her hand. It was humorous watching her teacher (granted, an alternate consciousness) act surprised about buttocks.
Yugito rested her hands on her hips, "Well done. Both you and Shukaku will have no trouble with that exchange. Just remember to be courteous to one another. In battle, you may end up shouting demands to confirm who is in control. Remember it is only the heat of the moment, and to not take comments personally."
"Right." Gaara acknowledged. Somewhere inside, Shukaku echoed the sentiment.
The cloud kunoichi devoted over an hour to patiently guiding Gaara through what she described as the 'proper way to adapt a Biju's chakra.' Her understanding was that, willpower and a healthy seal permitting, a shinobi could tap into the reserves of the Tailed Beast within. "Of course, the more you try to take it by force, the more you open the door toexpression." Yugito added, "And when they express themselves in this instance, Tailed Beasts are usually quite upset…or viciously angry. Seizing their chakra without consent is not cooperation. It will hinder both parties."
A blue halo of chakra began to emerge from the kunoichi as she spoke, "When you communicate with the Tailed Beast inside you, on equal terms, chakra is more readily given. As it stands, Biju are aware that the death of their host is a potential hazard. They are often recaptured and sealed again into an object or jinchuriki, following the demise of their host. It is uncommon for them to be free for long. Or, death can be a result if the Tailed Beast is bound in an active multi-lock seal. Such sealing jutsu are designed to deconstruct the balance of chakra within the Biju, as a…repercussion of letting their jinchuriki perish."
"Would that happen to Shukaku?" Gaara wondered.
"I don't know." Yugito admitted, "Most seals are comprised of one lock, and they can vary in strength. Anything more is considered rare. It is essential that the Nine-Tails be kept in a multi-lock seal, for he can command the most influence over a jinchuriki in anything less."
"I believe that to be true." Gaara agreed.
Yugito asked him to reveal how much of Shukaku's chakra he could accept before experiencing difficulties, "If your focus slips even for a moment, you can lose consciousness, your senses, or become confused. In a compromised state, jinchuriki who are overwhelmed by chakra will express the most negative emotions within themselves and their Tailed Beast. Only a poised mind can avoid such an event."
The Kazekage made his attempt. He estimated that Shukaku had volunteered all but a quarter of his chakra, and Gaara held firm while his teeth rattled in his head as it flooded him. A rushing, red chakra cloak wrapped around him with a trashing tail. Yugito nodded and then turned to Matsuri, waving at her to retreat farther away.
"Let's see how you handle that chakra under pressure." The woman spread her arms, entirely calm, and was enveloped in a gust of energy. Her chakra cloak rapidly condensed until Matatabi stood on the dune in her true form. The cat titled its head, sizing up Gaara with mismatched eyes. Then Matatabi lunged with snapping jaws.
Gaara noticed almost immediately that he was disoriented. He could only manage two barrages of sand to slow the Two-Tails before his vision swirled. A giant paw nearly flattened him like a pancake.
Come on! Don't be a wuss, Gaara. You can handle it.
The Kazekage shook his head, clear for a few seconds, and then reared an unprecedented tidal wave of sand to hurl Matatabi several hundred yards. The cat tunneled her way up to the surface again and shook vigorously. She paced, side-stepping sweeps and spikes of desert sand. From a distance, Matatabi generated three bolts of energy and fired them at her target. Gaara's sand shield was prompt, but his reactions were hindered by his wavering concentration. He slipped back into a space that was somewhere between his mind and Shukaku's domain.
His surroundings spun. Gaara was able to produce the bulky arm of Shukaku from the coastal dunes, pinning Matatabi when she closed the distance between them. A sand coffin would logically follow, but Gaara was not present to witness the follow-up. The burden of chakra sent his stream of consciousness tumbling, and he found himself in a shelter made from a tree hollow. He could see Haku and Naruto beside him, savaged from their struggle against Orochimaru in the Forest of Death.
Inexplicably, as if beside his ear, Yashamaru's voice was distinct, "Can you feel my pain?"
Startled, Gaara turned to look for the source. He saw people; the people closest to him. His father's furious face was the first of many expressions of disappointment: Jiraiya, Sakura, Kankuro, and Temari were taunting him as well. Flinching away in shock, Gaara's vision returned, and as his mind surfaced once more he could hear Shukaku's voice calling him back, Don't look at that shit! You're not seeing what's right in front of you!
With a sharp intake of oxygen, Gaara was fully aware again, lying flat on his back. A partial dome of sand was protecting him from the Two-Tail's extended claws. A limb and tail of Shukaku were grappling with the other beast, 'Shukaku took over while I was incapacitated…' It was a relief that his companion was reliable, but Gaara's instant regret was that hewasn't.
Before Shukaku could encourage him to hang tough and counter, Matatabi ceased her attack. The cat took a seat, licked her paw, and then briefly washed her face. In a swirl of energy she disappeared and was replaced by Yugito.
The woman gave a small wave to her tutee, "Enough. You were absent for over 60 seconds."
Shukaku retreated, mumbling, and Gaara staggered to his feet. It was mildly embarrassing to fumble like he had when he was considered a competent village leader. Both Matsuri and Yugito returned to his side.
"Are you alright, Gaara-sensei?" The young kunoichi asked, pulling nervously at her bag's strap.
"I'm fine." He rubbed his head, "I hope I didn't worry you."
"Well…" Matsuri looked between him and Yugito, "There aren't many ways to feel relaxed while watching what you two just did."
"Certainly not." Yugito agreed, "I may have jumped the gun a bit with this task."
"No." Gaara said firmly, "I will be prepared now that I know what to expect."
"I know that you will. For now, let's take a break. Meditation will help stave off negative emotions and slipping, like what you experienced." Yugito told him calmly, "This practice isn't meant to be completed in a day, Gaara. You'll need a few weeks at least."
"I don't have much time to budget on myself." He informed her, "I have obligations to my village and my student. The Chunin Exam is nearing as well."
"You'll have to make the time." The woman insisted, "This training is an obligation to your village and friends."
'On a grand scale, it is.' Matsuri thought to herself.
Gaara closed his eyes and breathed deeply to calm down. It would be so much better if he could grasp the skill right away. "Then I will. How do you intend to keep training me?" He inquired.
"I have two days to myself. We'll practice during that time before I return to Kumogakure. If I am not punctual, the Raikage will be very cross with me." Yugito laughed airily, "But I will be given permission to return again. Your training is in the best interest of the Five Nations, after all. We can play it by ear."
As Matsuri walked beside the senior shinobi, she winced after hearing Yugito's last statement. It reminded her of Menma. She shook off the stab of heartache and kept up with her acquaintances.
"I have a close friend who will benefit from these lessons. He is the jinchuriki for the Nine Tails." Gaara mentioned cautiously, "Would this opportunity be extended to him as well?"
"Of course, however, your friend's pursuit of mastery will be quite tricky." Yugito smiled to herself, "Matatabi and Shukaku will be able to testify."
Yeah, Kurama will act like a glorified asshat in a situation like this! It won't go well.
Gaara replied, 'Naruto can make a connection. He's always does.'
"Here we are." Yugito made them halt on a ledge overlooking the south sea, "Ocean waves are a fine background for meditation. Let's have a seat." She motioned to the small kunoichi, "You too, Matsuri, you'll benefit." They all settled down and Yugito added, "This will set us right."
That same afternoon, in an east coast port of the Water Country, Haku followed Zabuza towards the mob-controlled underbelly of the city. Zabuza was drawn to the area for work with high risk, high monetary incentives. Haku tagged along as he was told, but had his own agenda in mind. Days before, his faithful messenger rabbit had returned with two highly unusual pieces of correspondence.
'I can't believe it!' Haku had been stunned to find a short message from Temari. She had earnestly told him weeks ago that she 'didn't know what to say,' and Haku had then replied with curt thanks, informing her that he was still alive. Please let me know if there is anything I can do, he had also written to her. Temari jumped on the offer in her second reply:
Here's what you can do. Because you're in close proximity to the most depraved nukenin and criminals on a regular basis, try to collect information on the Akatsuki if you can. You said you wanted to protect Gaara and Naruto, so you might as well be knowledgeable about their enemies.
While you're at it, find out what's really going on in the Water Country. Gaara says that he's had an intelligence black-out in that region, save for meager reports from the Black Ops. We don't know what the Mist Village has been doing, or if it has ties to the Akatsuki or other criminals. Whatever you learn, send it to me or Gaara. I'm located in the Land of Waves for the next few weeks. Pua knows how to find the Tide Village.
Haku had nearly thrown the scroll and dashed out of Hiroshi's tea shop at the time, but he finished reading the letter.
No. I don't want to see you, so don't come here. Oh, and props to you for showing your rabbit how to travel by boat to leave the islands of the Water Country. I was wondering how she got over here. And please, remember that we are pressed for time. If finding your clan is really your goal, then ask for adequate help and conduct a serious search. You'll be disappointed, more than likely. Should Zabuza prove to be an obstacle when you try to return to us, just drop a hint of where you want your back-up. You said yourself that you need to be with your team. Don't let a beast like him get in the way of that.
Temari
She had concisely brought to his attention what should be his most imperative goals. Temari had also shut down Haku's hope of reuniting with her, 'I should expect as much…'
Discouraged, Haku moved on to the next piece of correspondence.
Haku, saw your rabbit in one of my stopovers. Thought she'd bring you this. I didn't learn much about your clan while I did business on the mainland, but I saw someone like you. With your Blood Limit. Quite the asshole. If you want to learn more I'll be at the Moji seaport this week. I still owe you one. –Roga
As luck would have it, some thirty minutes later, when Haku inquired about the aforementioned port called Moji, Zabuza informed him that it was a great place to rustle up cash.
"Who's asking?" The brute grunted suspiciously.
"No one! I just read about it." Haku explained, and it was partially true.
"I'll take you there. It's time for you to get off your ass." Zabuza decided, adding, "But don't draw attention."
Haku agreed and did not reveal his exchange with the ninja from the Land of Snow. He intended to keep Zabuza in the dark about his pact with the shinobi he had befriended. Haku was thankful that the swordsman was not a conversationalist, and neither did he wish to know much about Haku's life. As a result, it was easy to keep secrets from a rogue ninja with a one-track mind.
Before departing, Haku warned Ranmaru and Hiroshi that he would be out for a few days. "Please tell Migawari-san I apologize. I'll be back when I can." Haku added, thinking of their mentor in Medical jutsu, "For all of our sakes, I shouldn't object to Zabuza's jaunts too often."
Ranmaru nodded animatedly.
Pua tagged along as Haku followed Zabuza's lead, taking the two-day journey to the eastern isles of the Water Country. Long silences stretched between the two and Haku pittered around in his private thoughts, growing more curious as to why Zabuza was anxious to complete tasks for rich gangsters. While the nukenin was undoubtedly a cold, selfish man, Haku did not see how he really benefitted from material wealth.
"Why do you take these missions?" Haku finally asked, "I can't understand why you choose to earn beyond your…spare means of living."
"Why do you care?"
"You live in an abandoned flat in a retirement town on the rural outskirts, where no Mist hunter-nin can find you, naturally. You take highly compensated missions with a frequency that, I estimate, has made you wealthier than most local lords…" Haku concluded, "What's the point? Why aren't you using your time or resources effectively,and rallying Mist shinobi to your cause? You want to retake the Mist Village, but you waste your time on meaningless tasks."
Zabuza paused on a tree branch and turned to the young man, darkly amused, "You think someone like me is going to rally anyone to a cause?"
"You did, once."
"They were swordsmen like me. We had something in common." Zabuza told him, "What's left of rebel-forces near Kirigakure won't look to the Demon of the Hidden Mist for leadership. I'm the villain of the stories they tell their children at night."
"Then why try at all? You can't do it with just the two of us." Haku pointed out the obvious, "And you'd be lucky to get Raiga and Ranmaru to help."
"I don't need those two shitheads." The man growled, continuing on their route, "I can't expect someone like you to see the big picture."
"Then enlighten me."
Zabuza chuckled wickedly, "The fact is, the shinobi who have rebelled against the current Mizukage have already banned together. Their base is hidden. They chose a leader who they believe in, and they're formulating their own tactics and strikes to take Kirigakure." He elaborated, "The only thing that makes desperate people like them more secure than hope and a brave figurehead…is money."
Haku frowned at the thought, "You want to buy…rebels?"
"I can. A few times over. Their leader doesn't seem to have a price, though. If I can't buy her, then I'll cut her out of the picture." Zabuza huffed, "She's not getting in my way."
"Really?" Haku was agitated by the selfish notion, "And who is she?"
"Terumi Mei." Zabuza told him, "A nuisance."
"I like her already." The boy snarked.
"A lot of guys do." Zabuza warned him, "But don't get attached. She's a liability; too afraid to risk the lives of her precious supporters. She'll never get the job done."
"She sounds entirely competent to me."
"In many ways she is, and she's mastered two Kekkei Genkai she was born with." Zabuza took stock of his competitor's talent, "But if she won't take directions from me, I've got no use for her."
"Have you tried contacting her?"
"Once."
"And?"
"Most people need a very long pole before they decide to touch me. She's no different."
"Perhaps someone ought to advocate for you." Haku proposed.
"They'll think you're on drugs if you try."
"If you both have the same goal, why not cooperate?"
"She rejected the offer. We're working two different angles." Zabuza concluded, "We'll see who makes it there first."
Haku pondered the situation in silence for a while, descending from the forest tree tops to take a rocky path towards the coast that Zabuza had found. 'So Zabuza had asked for help and was denied. It seems only right. Someone like him hardly deserves support…and he finds it fair to pay off rebels to have them fight for him.' He shook his head in distaste, 'It'd be a great shame if he overtook the Mist Village.' Objectively, however, Haku could not assume that Mei was a safer bet either. He knew nothing about the talented kunoichi other than her surplus of Bloodline Gifts.
"Why are rebels necessary?" Haku asked at length, "Why did they break away from Mist?"
"That's too long of a story."
"Then summarize it." Haku requested, "I'd be lying if I said I understood anything going on in this country."
"Summarize, eh?" Zabuza snorted, "Then you ought to know that civil war has been in these lands for nearly one hundred years. No one can get along; cease fires failed. Nobles, the working class, the impoverished, blood gifted shinobi, and murderers…No one lives a wholesome life here. The majority of the war was fought by hired clans, and the devastation whittled their numbers down, as well as gave them a reputation here for being unapproachable, untrustworthy shinobi. They were treated with suspicion and hatred ever since." The rogue ninja gestured vaguely at him, "Which is why oddballs like you are around. Shinobi from clans fled to where they thought they'd find peace and start new lives…but you're all just leftovers scratching for some space."
"Thank you." Haku's nostrils flared furiously, "That about describes my mother and I perfectly."
"To a fucking-T." Zabuza agreed callously, "The fighting continued, and a call for strong leadership in Kirigakure eventually landed us with a four-foot-six-inch, bloodthirsty, lunatic-Mizukage who was the jinchuriki for the Three Tails. He ran the show spectacularly." Zabuza scratched his chin, "Made me kill everyone in my graduating class; that fuck. He looks like a kid…but that man's atrocities outweigh mine and all the hunters of Mist combined."
"Why would the Mizukage be that way, in spite of such turmoil?" Haku was alarmed, "He knew that wasn't going to help the village, surely!"
"He probably did." The man agreed, "But rumor has it…at least from what Terumi and the gang leaders told me…Yagura isn't really doing it." Zabuza's sidelong glance pierced Haku, "His puppet-master instigated the animosity and fear. The killing. The waste."
The young man took a breath of sea-salt air, trying to remain calm, "Someone was controlling the Mizukage."
"Still is, I bet." Zabuza declared, "Someone wants Mist weak and scattered. That's some epic interference, I have to admit. But what it comes down to…is that the Mizukage needs to die. Whoever has him by his Napoleonic balls needs to die too."
"I gather that Mist ninja who stay loyal to the Mizukage and the village…are only doing so in the hope that he doesn't kill them." Haku wagered.
"You catch on quick."
"Who is controlling him?"
"Don't know." Zabuza admitted, "But Terumi probably does."
"Then ask her! Clearly you need her." Haku insisted.
"Sure. When she agrees to do it my way, I'll ask."
"Is it really impossible for you to cooperate with someone? If you had combined forces you may have succeeded already!"
Zabuza passed a roadside shrine, cresting the hill that overlooked the Moji seaport. He merely grunted at the idea.
"Zabuza." Haku stopped where he stood, "You need to work with others. Nothing will change if you continue this way."
"I don't."
"You overestimate yourself, and you underestimate the force you're up against." Haku spat boldly, "What if Yagura is being controlled by the Akatsuki? He's a jinchuriki. That organization concerns itself with dominating all shinobi nations by way of possessing Biju; what if it already has sway over the Mist Village?"
"You are going out on a thin limb there, Haku." Zabuza notified him, speaking over his shoulder, "Keep up."
Haku leapt down the slope, returning to the nukenin's side, "At least confirm it with Terumi-san. You can still contact her, can't you? It's critical."
"What, pray tell, is so fucking critical about it?" Zabuza snarled, his hands thrashing, "I don't give a single shit if the Akatsuki is involved in Mist or not. If it happens to be their influence that has that village bent like a pretzel, I'm going to set it straight no matter what. No matter who it is."
"You're no match." Haku spoke gravely.
"Go fuck yourself." Zabuza replied self-assuredly, "I don't tell you that enough."
"Hoshigaki Kisame. Uchiha Itachi." The young man taunted, "Are you prepared for that? S-Ranked criminals against the likes of us? They won't be unprepared. They won't be surprised."
Incensed, Zabuza drew the Seversword on his back and swung it in a mighty arc, nearly bisecting his mouthy apprentice before the boy ducked away. Haku maintained a healthy distance from his companion, aware that he had pushed a few key buttons.
"Even them." Zabuza's voice rumbled, "Kisame was never a concern. The Uchiha isn't either. I'll bring down anyone who gets in my way."
"You won't win. With me at your side, or a few others, at best…we can't deal with a threat like that." Haku warned him, "A mere brush with the Akatsuki has left my friends and me in dire straits in the past. I have reason to suspect they are involved in all of this, and I am telling you that you are misguided in thinking you'll be victorious."
Zabuza hitched his sword to his back again, "What makes you so sure it's them? You're the one who doesn't know jack-all about this place."
"The evidence is compelling." Haku replied, "This issue is formulaic, and all my life I've had a knack for problem solving. Just ask Gaara or Naruto."
The nukenin snorted in frustration, but kept the idea in mind. Haku, for his part, was rather bright. If he pieced together a potential identity of an enemy, it was favorable to learn more and prepare. Zabuza still did not wish to give him too much credit, 'He can be so goddamn annoying…'
After entering the seedy city called Moji; Pua kept by Haku's side as they traversed the streets. At the corner of a harbor warehouse and a line of brick buildings, Zabuza stopped.
"Stay close by. I'll find us some local work to do and we'll have cash by tonight." The man added, "Don't make a scene and attract any Hunter-nin that could be around. For diversion: women are fine. Alcohol is fine. Do not buy drugs here."
"Are you serious?" Haku muttered, mortified.
"Tch. You'll want something to do until I get back, and that's all there is to do around here." Zabuza retorted. "Try one." With that settled, he entered a guarded doorway and the attendant waved him along in boredom.
Haku stood on the sidewalk and exchanged a perplexed look with his white rabbit.
With a quiet sigh he turned to begin walking. "We should find Roga-san, if he's still here." Haku supposed, "Pua, can you track his scent? I need to speak with him."
"Maybe." The rabbit posed, twitching her ears. Her whiskered nose went wild for a moment, puffing air, analyzing, and then she hopped her way down the street in a southerly direction. Haku followed his pet through parts unknown and suspect, careful not to stand out among the coastal inhabitants.
Down a soggy alleyway and into another business district, Pua arrived at a closed door of a tavern and scratched at it, sniffing frantically. Haku opened it for her and continued to follow. The rabbit skirted the half-occupied bar and turned right, arriving at a booth table. Haku came to a halt beside her. Sure enough, the lavender haired Snow ninja was seated and having a conversation with a suited man. He paused when he noticed a visitor.
"Ah, Haku." Roga was surprised, "I didn't think I'd see you so soon."
"I appreciate that you reached out." Haku told him, "I can come back later, since you're occupied."
The man in the suit rose hurriedly, "No, no! We wrapped up our business. I don't want to impose on a shinobi heart-to-heart." He added as he left notes of money on the table, "Thank you, Roga-sama. It was a pleasure, as always." The man bustled out.
Roga lifted a hand, motioning towards the free seat, "Join me."
Haku sat down and gathered Pua into his lap, quietly thanking her for her assistance. Roga appeared pleased with the rabbit as well.
"She's very quick, that little one of yours." The Snow ninja told him, "So you recall what I told you; about what I found here?"
"Someone with the Hyoton." Haku nodded, "How did you do it?"
"It's quite simple, actually. You see, Moji seaport is a hub for nukenin and criminals who take advantage of business operations. I'm more involved with the business-side of things here, to be honest. Others act as hit-men for substantial pay, typically." Roga explained, "Not too long ago, when I was here last to attract some funding…I didn't mince words with a shinobi who was looking for work at the office. It sparked an argument. Later, we had a brawl near a loading dock since he was the…confrontational sort."
"Fubuki mentioned that as well." Haku recalled.
"Only because I lived to tell about it. I didn't realize just how strong he was." Roga confessed, "I took my leave after that fight when he tired of me, but I could never forget how his Blood Limit trumped my Ice Release jutsu. This past week I wondered if he still haunted these parts for work. I asked around the office before I set up appointments, and sure enough…" Roga unfolded a sheet of paper and pushed it across the table, "He's one of the preeminent nukenin of Moji. Many mobsters have his details in portfolios they keep, which is where I got a copy of this."
It was a black and white photograph of a man. He appeared pale and lean, with a face framed by dark, chin-length tresses. His mouth formed a thin line, and his eyes revealed a tempest of aggression. He wore heavy dark clothing and the helix of his left ear was pierced with numerous studs.
Haku's heart sunk. He could only detect minimal resemblance to the man, if that. It would be a long shot to determine what their blood relation truly was. Haku was unsure if he wanted to associate with another battle-hardened nukenin.
"He's called Ikazai." Roga told him in a low voice, "And he isn't what you'd call nice. Not like you are…"
Haku sighed deeply, trying to tread a sea of disappointment, "Thank you for telling me this, Roga-san."
"I wish I had better news to give you." The Snow ninja admitted, "I don't know much about this person other than how he fought. You can probably ask around employment offices and find if anyone recognizes him."
"I doubt I will hear anything encouraging." Haku supposed, folding the photograph up.
"Here." Roga twisted a cap off of a bottle of beer and poured it into a glass, "Gomo-san didn't bother opening this. You have it."
"I'm not of age."
The Snow ninja smiled wryly, "No one here cares. You just got bad news. Have it."
Pua perched on the edge of the table and sniffed curiously. She allowed Roga to affectionately pat her head. Haku lifted the glass and tasted it, "Dry."
"Yes. I always get this one."
Haku set it down again, "I don't think this will make me feel better."
"Of course the first few sips won't fix anything. You'll understand when you get to the bottom."
A short while later, Haku reminded Roga that he did not want to clue Zabuza in to their brief visit. The Snow ninja gladly made himself scarce. Haku returned rosy-cheeked and mildly dispirited to the roadside where he had seen Zabuza last. It was another ten minutes before his companion appeared outside and regarded him curiously.
"I half expected you not to try anything." Zabuza commented, getting a whiff of him, "Ale. Huh. I bet you'd do better with wine."
Haku shook his head in disagreement, "I don't think I'll need either in the future."
"How many did you have?"
"One."
"Good. You can still work." Zabuza determined, "Follow me."
They passed the afternoon acting as sentinels for a crew bringing in contraband from a docked ship. Occasionally, regulators from the Mist Village came by to inspect shipments and report any illegal activity. Such watchdogs were lenient on most days, but to avoid citations of obvious infractions, mobsters would have shinobi clandestinely cast Genjutsu or knock harbor supervisors unconscious. It was the better way to do business.
Their employer picked them just in the nick of time. Two straight-laced regulators stopped in the yard, pulling open a wooden carton of stolen goods. Before they could point out the violation and begin an investigation, Haku flanked them from the side and cast a medium-strength Genjutsu. The two men were moved by a crew member from the shipyard to a bench, left alone in their stupor. Haku felt rather bad about impeding the law, but was glad the men did not have to pay with their lives.
Late in the afternoon when Zabuza returned to pick up their reward, Haku stopped into an office several blocks away. He took Roga's advice and asked the workers present if they recognized the man in the photo.
"He looks angry." A secretary at a desk assessed, "I don't think I've seen this fellow."
"Eh…I don't know. I think he's been around. I'm not sure who he is." Another chimed in.
A portly thug in a leather jacket pulled the photo from their hands, looking it over. "Ikazai." He said before handing it back to Haku, "That's Yuki Ikazai. Not to be messed with around here. We've spoken before and he does good work."
"Yuki." Haku repeated the name in shock, "Is that a clan name?"
"Sure is. That's where Snow Devils come from." The man in the jacket told him, "You don't see them much anymore, but they can be trouble. Watch your step, kid."
Haku thanked them for their input and briskly returned outdoors. Something inside him felt lighter at the prospect of finally securing his surname. It was unfortunate that the relative in question was a dangerous criminal, but he had at least gotten a prominent lead on how to go about his search. 'I need to find other members of the Yuki clan.' He frowned to himself, 'And I don't think Zabuza would want me to do that.'
When the swordsman returned he handed Haku an envelope of money. Haku steeped in his thoughts as he trailed behind Zabuza along the avenue with a view of the sunset. Pua kept pace with them as they approached a traditionally styled building. Haku believed it was an inn.
"We won't go back tonight." Zabuza informed him, "I need a break first."
Not objecting to the simple demand, Haku followed the nukenin into the bukeyashiki, removing their shoes before they entered. An old woman peered at them from a low table, "You staying the night?"
"Yeah."
"My rates are different for two." The spinster warned them, "Pay up front and then I can show you to a room." She regarded Zabuza's sword and added as an afterthought, "Since you're shinobi, don't forget: no fighting or any other nonsense. Your type have messed my establishment up before. I'll have the top crime boss make you pay up for damages."
Zabuza laughed quietly at the warning. The old woman was about to forbid the rabbit that was nestled in Haku's arms before the nukenin handed her substantial payment, which she quickly accepted, and tucked it into the sash of her yukata. She scooted along, "This way."
Down a long hallway with polished floors and screen doors, the old woman escorted them to a stately room and ushered them in. Upon entering, Haku had a quizzical feeling as he beheld the odd choice of decoration. It was a room with tall ceilings and an enormous window facing the ocean, blocked off with wooden bars. Futons were set up at the far end of the room, bathed in the light of the sunset. Throw pillows and floor cushions were scattered hither and thither, and the selection of traditional wall scroll artwork was scandalous. 'Maybe nude paintings aren't so unusual here in this moral hole-of-a-town.'
Haku settled on a floor cushion and rested his head on the wooden display case behind him. The day's events had worn him out. Pua sat beside him and preened her fur.
The old woman hovered at the doorway and asked Zabuza pointedly, "Comforts?"
He set his sword down and replied over his shoulder, "Yeah."
"Very well. I'll bring those by shortly. Help yourself to the kiseru there, but be sure to use the tray." The woman pointed a gnarled hand at a low table, covered with various items, "If you want to order something special that'll cost you extra."
"This is enough." Zabuza replied.
The innkeeper observed Haku skeptically, "And for you?"
"I don't need anything. Thank you." He assured her. Peeved, the old woman slid the door shut immediately.
Haku closed his eyes and leaned back again, setting some tension free. Minutes later, he noticed Zabuza had undone the wrappings around his neck and face. He observed as the man handily took a pipe from a brass stand, inspected it, and then proceeded to prepare it.
"You smoke?" Haku wondered aloud.
Zabuza gave him a bored look, "There isn't much I don't do to pass the time." He lit the pipe without further thought, "If you come to a place like this and they give you kiseru, you take it. Doing it once in a blue moon never got me sick."
"Fair enough."
"There's a another one here." Zabuza gestured to the stand, "You enjoyed one of Moji's diversions today. Might as well try all three."
"I didn't enjoy drinking and certainly not those other things…" Haku admitted, "But thanks anyway."
Zabuza stared at him for a long moment from across the room, exhaling a line of smoke as he thought. He asked abruptly, "How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Pff."
"Does that matter?"
"I guess it doesn't. You look your age." Zabuza added as he made himself comfortable on throw pillows, "But your brain is decades ahead."
"Was that an attempted compliment?" Haku verified.
"You think too much." The man told him, "Sometimes good can come of it, though."
Haku smiled to himself, amused, "I hope so."
Pua settled down for a nap on a cushion while the two men sat in silence.
Zabuza spoke up again as Haku began to drift off, "I'll contact her."
Haku blinked tiredly, "Who?"
"Mei." His eyes were fixed on the ceiling rafters as he continued to think, "She'll probably know something."
"Would she tell you?" Haku wondered, "It seems to me that you are competitors."
"She probably will." Zabuza exhaled, "And I don't have competitors. I just have hurdles to clear."
"My mistake." Haku conceded and then added, "Zabuza…if we can confirm that the Mizukage is being influenced by the Akatsuki…how do you want to proceed?"
He answered with certainty, "I'll finish your training. We need to find the Master Scroll so I can get you Nuibari. That'll get us ahead. I'll buy out Terumi and her ninja. And before we commit to a coup…" Zabuza's sigh was a rolling, aggravated growl, "We'll need to contact villages that have dealt with the Akatsuki before."
Haku brightened at the prospect, "Would you request aid from Leaf?"
"I just need info. I don't need their fucking aid."
"You might, in the end."
"Will you quit trying to cram me into your inter-village-friendship-box?" Zabuza snipped, smoke escaping from his nose in tendrils, "I'm doing this my way."
"But…you took what I said into consideration."
"It'd be much stupider not to." The man replied evenly.
The arrival of dusk prompted Haku to light several of the lanterns throughout the room. Zabuza's smoking reminded Haku of the days Jiraiya would laze about and light up his pipe. He longed to visit his sensei and teammates again. When there was a knock at the door, Zabuza extinguished the pipe in a tray and he grunted for the visitor to enter.
The old woman had returned. When she stepped inside she was followed by a line of relatively young women, and Haku was quickly perturbed. Earlier, he had thought that they were staying the night in a run-of-the-mill hotel. It rapidly occurred to him that Zabuza had picked a more sordid location.
Somewhat alarmed and intimidated, Haku shrunk in his spot on the side of the room while Zabuza approached the lineup. He folded his arms while the madam gave her suggestions.
"You three. Out." She shepherded the novice girls away, deducing that Zabuza was interested in creatures of substance, "You'll want someone your age. That's what you ask for every time you stop by here."
"Give or take a few years." He agreed. His gaze stopped on a dark haired woman with a far off expression on her face.
Haku averted his eyes, flinching when Zabuza tugged the shoulder of the woman's tunic aside. He wanted to flee, terrified of the environment; overpowered by his ethical opposition to prostitution overall. Haku was stunned by his helplessness in objecting or interfering with Zabuza at that point. Beginning such a confrontation would be foolish, and not likely worth defending the honor of strangers.
Zabuza pulled aside the dark haired woman and a fearsome, grinning brunette. As they retreated to the back of the room the old woman droned, "Thought so. Consistent like always." She motioned for her lineup to exit, but stopped a young woman, "You stay. For him." The madam pointed at Haku, "You've been paid for."
The young lady turned around and regarded a very out-of-place teenager near the smoking table. The old woman nudged her forward before shutting the door. The young lady scurried towards Haku, her smile reflecting some concern, "Good evening."
"Please, don't mistake me for a customer." Haku spoke quietly, shamefaced.
"I'm Aosako." She sat beside him with her legs primly folded beneath her, "What's your name?"
He hesitated to give it. There was no need to converse or witness such debauchery. Haku expected he could make a clean escape by rendering her unconscious, but he didn't know how Zabuza would react to a harebrained exit.
"You're a deer in the headlights." Aosako said softly, "Don't worry. I'm not like those two over there."
"Even so, I want to make it clear I have no interest in this. I was tricked into coming here." He repeated.
"I see." The young woman peeked towards the trio as they began to disrobe, and then turned back to Haku, "If you're uncomfortable in here, and I know I would be too, I'll take you to a spare room."
"For some sleep." He established.
"That's what I thought." She nodded keenly, "Your name?"
"Haku."
"Come with me please." Aosako lead the way and paused inquisitively when Haku scooped up a rabbit before escaping to the hallway. "It won't be as spacious as the other room." She warned as she escorted him to a small offshoot at the end of the corridor.
Haku followed her inside to the dimly lit quarters. He set Pua down. There was space for a large futon, and a small table against the wall with a lamp and ashtray. The window had a clear view of the rising moon. He heard the door slide shut behind them, and he gave the girl a confused look, "You don't need to be here."
"I must, Haku-san. If I am caught not doing what Auntie told me to, I'll be punished and have my pay docked." Aosako explained, "You can do whatever you want. I have to wait here until morning."
Haku held his face with one hand, mortified, "You really have nowhere else to go?"
"Don't you?" She replied sharply, "I live here."
"I could go home, but it's a two day journey." Haku took a seat and sighed heavily. Aosako sat beside him, smiling at the rabbit that explored the perimeter of the room.
"You might as well stay and rest, then." The girl recommended. She truly was very pretty, Haku noticed. Pale and slender with a long neck, her hair was mint green, trimmed extremely short like a boy's. It flattered her face and huge blue eyes. Her yukata was simple with green and violet designs.
Aosako sat near the edge of the futon, taking the second pillow for herself. The young woman settled sideways on the floor with a yawn and rested her head. She seemed genuinely pleased to not have to pander to a customer. Haku looked at her strangely from a few feet away, unsure if it made sense to let his guard down. Pua nestled beside him as he reflected, 'It was kind of her to take me away from there.'
In the dark of the room Haku slowly lowered himself down; timid around someone he did not know. He lay on his back and watched the girl warily. Pua adjusted again to fit in the warm space between his side and arm.
With her eyes still shut Aosako spoke, "I won't do anything to you. Relax."
"That's easier said than done." Haku replied, "I've never been in a place like this before."
"I can tell." She smiled and batted an eye open, "You have some decency. And you're a shinobi. I rarely see that."
"Many shinobi have compassion the way I do. I imagine you haven't had the good fortune of meeting any of them."
"No. Never. People only care about themselves here in Moji. Everything has changed since I was a child." Aosako kept her voice low, "Gangs took over. The university closed. Even after we begged for help and for the authorities to step in…no one took action. Not even the Mizukage." She rolled onto her back and added, "No one is concerned for the lives of people like us."
A lulling quiet filled the room before Haku said, "I am."
Aosako responded with a curt, inaudible laugh. She turned her head towards him, "So one person cares. What can you do about all of this?"
"I'm not sure." He admitted.
"Tell someone to change it. My city has been suffering." Aosako demanded with narrowed eyes, "I have no choice but to leave it soon."
"You're leaving?"
"Yes. I have a man who says he can't live without me, and we're going to the Land of Waves together soon." She smiled triumphantly, "I'm only here to save up extra money for the time being. I have family who will let us stay in the Tide Village until we get on our feet."
"I have friends there too." Haku noted, letting his eyelids droop.
"Do you?"
"Yes. And someone I love is there."
Her eyebrows raised an increment, "Oh, a boy or a girl?"
"Girl." He sighed with an afterthought, "Did you think…that was why I wasn't interested?"
"Hm. I can tell you're a little bit interested. Sometimes customers come here who like both." Aosako explained, "I never try to assume I know their preference."
Haku shut his eyes and calmed down significantly. Simple conversation could do no harm.
"I think…I look less feminine than you do." She observed with mild amusement, "Your face and hair…"
"I get that a lot." Haku replied sleepily.
"I see. We have appeal, in our own ways." Aosako decided, "Shinobi aren't usually as attractive as you, Haku-san, at least from my experience."
He laughed softly before drifting off. After a short while, the young woman settled down for sleep as well, stretching out on the opposite side of the futon. The moon's journey across the sky filtered light into the room, stretching shadows across the compact space. Sometime in the night Pua stirred, circled around Haku, and then snuggled against her master's warm back while he slept on his side.
A lark's piercing whistle heralded the sunrise hours later.
Haku managed to disregard the arrival of dawn, bound by sleep, with a hand strewn carelessly behind a pillow. Pua, who by then was curled up on his chest, was gently lifted and set aside. Aosako patted the rabbit's soft fur and then leaned over the dozing guest.
"You should wake up. Your friend is already out in the lobby." The young woman warned, "If you stay much longer he'll buy someone else's company, I bet."
Haku's eyes opened a sliver, "Zabuza may have done that already. I'm in no rush."
Aosako's smile was sprightly, "I like you, Haku-san. I should teach you some things before you go." She bent gracefully and pressed her mouth to his, startling him.
Haku quickly pushed back on her shoulders, "No, I said that-!"
"Calm down. You're not paying attention." She admonished, "You have someone you care about, you said, but I can tell you're not good at kissing. Just let me teach you something good. You don't have to thank me…"
A soft sound of unease escaped him before Aosako moved in again, fixing her mouth on his tenderly. His hands found her shoulders again, poised to roughly shove her.
The woman spoke, "Feel that? It isn't forceful. That's the kind of kissing you'll like." She sucked his bottom lip gently. Decisively, Haku pushed her back again.
Aosako shook her head, regaled, "You're a boy. Acquire this skill and become a man, won't you? I promise there are more unpleasant ways to learn."
He frowned, "I never said I wanted to learn."
"When you see her you'll be glad you did." She assured him, tracing her fingertips lightly across his hairline, kissing him again. This time he did not resist as much.
Weakness coupled with inquisitiveness made him permit Aosako's advances. To Haku's relief, the young woman would pause and explain after she did something, "Are you getting this? It's my specialty, after all. You're quite the sheltered one." She only asked him to kiss back once, which he did adequately, "Good." She moved away and sat, stretching her arms over her head.
A crimson blush spread over Haku's face, "Aosako-san, I wish you hadn't done that."
"You'll forgive me." Aosako raised a pointed finger, "Before you go, I'll tell you some other useful things. I won't let you peek at me because you are far too shy…but you really should know what to do."
Curiosity willed him to stay. He sat across from the mint-haired woman and listened to a bold, salacious account of what love-making should be, in her humble opinion. Like with most subjects, Haku absorbed the information and committed it to memory.
"You can always ask your friend if you want to know about something." Aosako reminded him, "He's very experienced."
"I'd rather not." Haku smiled dubiously, "But thank you."
"See? I didn't hurt you." Aosako stood and patted her yukata smooth, "Come along now. If you stay longer Auntie will charge you extra for spending time with me."
Haku promptly stood, ignoring the popping sounds of his limbs, and followed the young woman out and down the hall. Pua bounced happily beside him, as if detecting his good mood.
The lobby in the front of the building was empty save for the madam of the establishment in the corner, reading a newspaper; and Zabuza seated on a sofa, staring catatonically in wait. Aosako accompanied Haku as far as the doorway before giving a polite bow, "Thank you for staying with us, Haku-san. Please have a safe trip." She smiled impishly, "Maybe I'll see you again sometime."
"It was…nice to meet you." Haku replied with a touch of embarrassment.
The old woman did not so much as spare a parting glance as the two men left. Pua kept pace with her companions, frequently chirping "Ramen," indicating she needed to be fed.
It was not until they were a kilometer outside of the city, traveling in silence, that Zabuza made a comment to Haku, "You picked a good one."
"Nothing happened." His tone was sharp, "Don't ever bring me to a place like that again."
"No need. You know how to bring yourself there." Zabuza answered casually, "I waited too long. Training you got in the way of my routine."
Haku turned his nose up, asserting, "Someone like you needs to substitute a real relationship with a convention as despicable as that."
"It's simpler."
"It definitely isn't. That place should be burned to the ground."
"Hey, it's not my fault that's a staple of the economy here. Don't forget, a lot of them have no other means to survive or shelter themselves. This country isn't fair to anyone, least of all women." Zabuza countered, "Guys work there too, come to think of it."
"So be it. But I'm never going back there again."
"Yeah. Sure."
"I'm serious." Haku hissed.
"Look, you're the one who woke up late, horsing around with minty-head-girl."
"I didn't! She kept trying to…" He huffed in aggravation, "I don't need to explain myself."
"You don't. Me paying for that was a small gift to you, which you're obviously ungrateful for. I'd expect nothing less from a square like you, Haku." Zabuza grumbled, "From here on out, you aren't getting any more handouts from me. We have work to do."
Later that morning in the Leaf Village, Tsunade had spent some time pitching objects at Sakura in a private training yard, keeping the girl on her toes. Try as she might to accost her apprentice, the pink haired kunoichi was too quick to be caught. They threw equally powerful kicks and punches at each other. The Hokage took a breather when her empty stomach rumbled.
"We shouldn't neglect breakfast." She abruptly suspended the practice, "Come on, Sakura. Shizune will have something waiting for us at the office."
"Right!" She hurried after her mentor, "And we have a joint check-up as well. It's better if we're early."
"Oh, I nearly forgot about that."
They returned to the administrative building and graciously thanked Shizune as the woman left rolled omelets on the Hokage's desk, "Protein! I know you two are working hard." Warm tea and pear wedges accompanied the egg. The two crammed them into their mouths.
Tsunade chewed as she looked over a new report. With a sound of annoyance, she chucked the documents into the trash bin. Shizune retrieved them and dusted the parchment off, "Wait, Tsunade-sama…these were relevant."
"Nope."
"But Gaara…."
"No." Tsunade stood firm, "He's not getting support for the Tide Village until this Chunin Exam concludes. I have enough to deal with right now." She eyed her apprentice, "Make sure you remind him of that, Sakura."
"Understood." The girl smiled knowingly. She was not going to sway matters one way or the other, and she felt confident that Gaara could handle things on his own.
"Speaking of which, I want you to know that I believe you are completely prepared for the Exam." Tsunade announced to her student, "Even now, Sakura, you are a shinobi I can always depend on."
"Shishou…" Sakura set her tea down, appreciative of the proclamation.
"Don't get mushy on me." The woman chided, chomping on her last piece of pear, "Those are just the facts. You and all of your peers are ready."
They finished eating and Shizune removed the tray, followed out of the office by Ton-Ton. While Tsunade discussed a recently-acquired technique with Sakura, two Chunin came and went with reports. Sakura reprimanded her teacher when she attempted to toss them straight into the trash again. Sakura salvaged the reports and read them over, "Tsunade-sama, these only need short replies."
She pouted, "Once I respond then they feel entitled to send all of their other requests. It's always the same." Grudgingly, Tsunade accepted the scrolls with a sigh, preparing ink and a brush.
"Good morning!" Lee's greeting from the open doorway drew their attention. He was followed by Neji as they stepped inside.
"Good morning!" Sakura was equally pleasant, "Are you both feeling better?"
"I most certainly am." Lee declared, "I have never treasured music and the human voice half so much."
Neji gave a small nod, not nearly as sociable as his friend.
Tsunade beckoned them over, "Both of you, let's make this quick. You've made great progress in healing since that mission." Lee lined up first, letting the Hokage pass her hands over the sides of his head and ears with a hum of chakra, "Hmm. You're in better shape than most. I'll clear you, Lee. If you have any problems going forward please tell me."
"I will, Hokage-sama." He stepped away so Neji could bend down.
From her seat, Tsunade inspected the Hyuga more critically, prodding, eventually pressing her palm flat to his forehead. She shut her eyes and sensed for any abnormalities or trauma, "Likewise…" She smiled, "You've also improved. It's a good thing that you got to me when you did. The damage could have been worse."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." He stepped away respectfully.
"Alright," Tsunade rotated in her chair and stretched her arms over her desk, "All of you please be on your way. I'll give out mission assignments later. Train hard in the meantime."
The youngsters promptly evacuated the office and went in separate directions. Sakura was swift to locate the rest of her team, and Lee turned to Neji expectantly, "Tenten said that she had some work to do in the forge, but she should be done soon. Should we forgo training with Grandpa?"
"Just for the morning. There isn't enough time."
"I will return home and tell him, then." Lee determined, "I will meet you both at our training field shortly!" And he was off like a shot.
Neji followed the peaceful streets toward the Hyuga estate in the daybreak sunshine. It boggled him that Tenten had already been up for several hours, crafting weapons for other shinobi of the village. He had a hard enough time waking up for his early-bird schedule. Of course, Neji imagined it was not an easy task for the Hokage either, who was up and about for some reason. She had been surprisingly alert for 7:30AM. He supposed that Tsunade was using her time wisely before the Chunin Exam arrived.
Neji was also grateful that Tsunade had mended what remained of the traumatic brain injury he sustained in the Marsh Country. She did not care much if he had any recall of events, since Tenten had given quite the lengthy report. Tsunade only asked for him to return if he experienced complications.
The only complication he was experiencing was prolonged embarrassment. He had not told either of his teammates or the Hokage, but Neji was able to remember a laundry-list of things that had happened in the wilds of the Marsh Country. While somewhat jumbled and rooted deeply in emotion, the flashes of memory flustered him at random points throughout each day.
Once back in Leaf after their mission, Neji was able to recall clearly how Lee beat the daylights out of him, trying to reacquaint him with Taijutsu. Lee had also been a capable hunter, a diligent guardian, and had even achieved the rare task of making Neji laugh. It almost made his skin crawl that such a thing had happened, but he was able to recover from it.
What made a most lasting impression was his time with Tenten. She had been very patient and considerate. He remembered her tying his hair up in a ponytail, her clever answers to his many questions, learning how to harness his chakra from her lessons, how Tenten had killed several enemies to preserve him and Lee without an ounce of regret. He also remembered staying close beside her each night, huddled for warmth and a brush of her skin.
And, in his naiveté, he asked if she cared about him on the seaside hilltop. Even today, Neji was surprised by how angrily Tenten had reacted. Though they had resolved their quarrel shortly after that, it still stung him to think about how they had screamed at each other. He believed their days of vicious disagreements were behind them, but maybe that was not the case.
At the Hyuga estate he sat in the tea room and ate a meal from the spread that had been untouched by Hanabi. These days, his younger cousin seemed to be moping about her lack of a headband. Hinata had informed him of the girl's plight. After eating, Neji returned to his room to dress in Wushu attire. He knew that Lee would be able to postpone their training with Wong Leung, but the old man always had them make up for it later in the day. Neji preferred being equipped for when the old man demanded their participation, swinging a switch threateningly.
He tied his hair slightly higher than normal. It was a habit that had stuck. Neji stepped out the sliding door of his room to the porch, stooping over to tap his shoes on. His eyes strayed over the vibrant green lawn of the compound, and then his mind jolted.
A new, vivid memory.
Grass on the knoll by the bay, a cool breeze. Tenten had laid still there, grimacing in discomfort from her injury. There she was, picturesque in an assembly of indigo butterflies, trying to catch her breath. Her back had been sliced open because he wasn't fast enough. She had willingly stood between him and certain death. The feeling filled Neji as he stood upright, shoes on, stepping out onto the lawn in dumbfoundment. She was perfect. He was yearning. He could remember negotiating a relationship with her, anxious, his heartbeat drumming.
Neji stood stupidly in the morning light.
He remembered how Tenten had laughed at his brashness. She had accepted. He kissed her several times. The journey wore on as she tried to introduce him to Jyukken, and while he had barely grasped it, he remembered Gentle Fist anyway when it was time to vanquish the last of their pursuers. It felt like an invisible barb in the center of his torso. He had been so happy. That feeling had not lingered by the time his team boarded the ship home. Strange, for the emotion inside him seemed big enough to fill three oceans full and was not likely to disappear.
What was most astounding, Neji thought, as he took a slow step forward; Tenten had said nothing. She made no demands and no searching remarks on the way back to Leaf. She had let all of it dissipate as if she anticipated him to not want any of it.
She still smiled, though. She didn't look sad.
His breathing quickened. It was fortunate that it was early; few of his clansmen were around to see him rush out of the yard.
In town, Tenten had cleaned up from her work at the forge and set out on the road. She had put on a new white cheongsam with maroon embroidery. For the day, she only carried Hok on her back and holsters with summoning scrolls at her sides. 'Less is more. I hope we can take it easy today…'
She rounded the corner to the main avenue, seeing that it was beginning to bustle with morning traffic. Ino and Chouji stopped across the street, spotting her, and then bounded over together. Tenten greeted her friends warmly.
"Hey there! Hinata told me your team had one heck of a mission!" Ino had a spark of gossip in her eye, "You handled it all, Tenten. Did the Hokage give you a bonus?"
"No. I just did what I had to do." She smiled sheepishly, "I think Tsunade-sama expects me to be a good leader, by now."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." The blonde girl conceded.
"Are Neji and Lee doing better?" Chouji asked thoughtfully.
"They are." Tenten was beaming, "You boys should spend some time this afternoon, if we don't have missions. I noticed that it's working wonders for the both of them."
"No problem. Shikamaru should be free by then."
"And how about you?" Ino inquired, "The girls will want to know about your heroics overseas."
"Uh…" Tenten folded her arms and held her chin, "It's not going to…delight everyone."
"What does that mean?"
"You won't like how it ended."
"I won't?" Ino was perplexed, "You're all alive. Can't complain about that, right?"
"My thoughts exactly." Tenten agreed whole-heartedly.
Chouji interrupted by pointing to the top of a tiled building to their left. The girls swiveled, looking up at Neji who wore a concerning, stern expression. On the stone ledge he locked eyes with his teammate and called to her, "Tenten. You're late."
"I'm late?" Tenten muttered, glancing sidelong to her fellow kunoichi, "I swear I was ten minutes ahead."
"You're running on Neji-time. You'll never be early now that you're on his team again." Ino grinned, "Good luck! We'll see you later, Tenten." She and Chouji proceeded on to meet with Asuma.
Tenten had virtually no chance to get a word in with Neji, trailing behind him as he hurtled over the rooftops towards their destination. 'This is typical. Doesn't he know that I just slaved over a furnace for a sword order? For three hours! Or that I left a Shadow Clone to work on it so that I would be on time? I thought Lee told him...' She exhaled roughly. It was better having him be his normal, bossy self than it was to see him struggle without memory of who he was. It was what she had hoped for. 'But I am setting the record straight: I am early.'
At the field, dew clung to plants and blades of grass. Neither Lee nor Gai had arrived yet, 'Of course, because unlike some people, Neji doesn't care what time they show up! Fuh.'
She rested her hands on her hips, irked, "Listen, Neji. Don't give me crap about being late! I was working my-!" Tenten fumbled with her words when he charged at her from the side, reached, and in the same motion drew Hok from its sheath.
Tenten had the sense to duck before he severed her head with a sword-swipe. She skidded over wet grass and bramble, shocked, "Hey! What are you-?" He dashed again, nearly driving Hok's point into her ribcage. She rolled, securing a kunai from the holster on her hip, "Are you nuts?"
Neji attacked again, his face ice-cold, and terror briefly flooded her, 'Is this an imposter? Did I follow a fake across town just to get murdered?' As she recalled, Neji did not know a damn thing about swords. At least now, he shouldn't. Perhaps she was about to meet her maker.
She parried a strong blow that knocked her back. She took out a second kunai, wielding with both hands as she spun and rushed though the clearing. One of the frog-clasp ties of her collar had been cut, 'This is new!' Tenten parried again and kicked him viciously in the stomach. Neji folded backwards, rolled impressively, and was on his feet again.
"Just stop it!" She shrieked, "What did I do to you?" Tenten tossed one kunai vertically into the air and launched the second one at his wielding-hand, hoping to disarm him. He blocked with Hok. She suspected it really was her teammate, and that Neji had just reverted to his past asshole-tendencies.
"Can I not even get a 'good morning' before you pull this?" Tenten roared indignantly. With her hands free, she summoned from a tool scroll and let loose a storm of weaponry in a blink. She did not feel guilty about it.
The onslaught nicked his arm and upper right leg harmlessly as Neji parried skillfully, running to evade, and closed the distance as Tenten landed on the ground after her jump. The kunai she had first thrown fell neatly into her hand as she executed an aerial cartwheel, aiming the knife for his hand again. When he deflected it, her rolling kick crashed into his chin and knocked him to the ground. He fell with Hok still secure in his grip.
Tenten stood up, panting, and with wild eyes demanded, "Give that back." She thought about sneaking a Shadow Clone behind him from the tree line to retrieve her prized weapon, but she supposed that he would spot it.
Neji rose slowly, but had disengaged from the fight. With the jian lowered, he winced in pain and he rubbed his chin, spitting out blood.
Furious, Tenten repeated, "Do you hear me, Neji? Give it back!"
His eyes darted over to her and he turned his head, still massaging the site of his injury, "Take it, then. That's enough practice."
Tenten marched towards her teammate, livid, "Practice? You put me through that just to try it out?" Her hands balled into fists, her arms held straight at her sides as she came within inches of his face, glowering, "If you don't give me warning, then I can't promise I'll let you keep your extremities."
He seemed much too casual with his response to her anger, "Next time I'll warn you."
"Is it so much to ask? I've been working since four; then you complain about my perceived lack of promptness…and try to kill me." Her expression was twisted with resentment, "I don't put you through anything like that, Neji."
"You try not to." He agreed, reaching around to steady the scabbard on her back. With his left hand Neji returned the jian to its proper place. Tenten was a bit mystified when he made no motion to unloop her from the encirclement of his arms.
She regarded him as her anger began to ebb, "Sorry about your face."
"I deserved it." Neji said genuinely, "I wanted you to see that I remembered what you taught me."
"You-?" She blinked hard, teetering on the edge of confusion and further annoyance. Tenten peeked left and right, intrigued by the odd embrace as Neji held both ends of Hok. It contradicted his usual personal-space-bubble rule that, she had noticed, he stopped enforcing lately. Indeed Neji did remember some swordsmanship, from what she could see. 'That's…probably not the only thing he can recall.'
A spike of excitement kicked neurons on faster than a direct injection of caffeine, which she probably needed. Suddenly, Tenten was aware that Neji was subtly communicating with her. As Lee had once said, she was very good at picking up signals. 'There's half a chance I'm wrong about this, but…' She fought the urge to grin, 'I think he remembers it all.
An ugly, purple-gray bruise had appeared under his jaw. She gently slipped her hand beneath the battered skin as if to apologize. Neji shut his eyes for a moment, sedated. The young woman had an internal conference for a few seconds, 'Ah. I definitely should. More importantly, I want to.'
With half-lidded eyes, Tenten indulged the impulse and leaned forward, adroitly kissing the ornery man who still had not let go. In fact, the grip he had on the sword at her shoulder tightened. She could hear Neji take a cleansing breath before pulling her in. Her well-intentioned gesture was veiled by his reaction, kissing fiercely, his hand quickly finding the side of her face.
A blip of rational thought may have stuck with her briefly, but Tenten lost track of it as they tousled. Open-mouthed and burning, honesty had prevailed, and she moved her hand from his chin to the back of his head without thinking. The two stayed there for quite some time, taking advantage of the privacy of the early-morning hours.
While studying her lips and the small of her back simultaneously, Neji detected a radiant heat coming from Tenten's skin; a thin layer of sweat. He halted halfway through another kiss, inspecting her with concern, "Should I have waited?"
Tenten struggled to regain satisfactory brain function, "Waited? To be honest, you never should have, Neji. I mean, even before we set sail you had the-"
He interrupted, "I meant this morning. You were in the forge."
"Am I sticky?" Tenten peeled back in distress, evaluating her state, "Oh, a little bit. It was hot in in the workshop, but I was feeling fine when I closed up. That's not what did it."
"Then I did it." Neji assumed, kissing her earlobe where a red tassel earring swayed.
"You did." She confirmed, unable to stifle a new sound that came from her throat. He tilted her head and kissed his way down, trying to coax the sound out again.
All of it was very nice, Tenten yielded, but she was trying to decipher if Neji had some knowledge of loving touches or if it was all just instinct. She felt flimsy and unskilled when she kissed back, pushing on his chest to make an announcement, "I think we should…not surprise Lee. He'll be here soon."
Neji acknowledged her with a nod, stealing another lip-lock before taking a step back. He let his heavy, gypsum gaze settle on the young woman. Tenten's smile had a touch of caution in it, "Neji, you probably would have done better by just talking to me."
The desire to touch her again was difficult to resist, "There was no way to accurately express it."
"But with fighting? We wasted ten minutes with that."
"It could have been longer."
She shrugged lightly, "Yeah, I suppose." Tenten flinched at his intense stare, "What?"
"What we established is still in effect, Tenten." Neji informed her.
"If you're referring to me being your girlfriend-"
"And no one else's." His said with an apical tone.
"Exactly." She confirmed, "I wasn't going to look elsewhere whether you remembered or not." Tenten restrained a chuckle when he nodded seriously, "You should take me out somewhere to spend some time. By that I mean it can't involve work or training."
Neji filtered the idea through his customs and substrata of willingness before he replied, "Is that what you want?"
"Yes. It's a rather typical request." Tenten explained, "I just want to be around you."
He wrestled a smile, but it inched into his features anyway. Tenten captured the extraordinary expression in her mind's eye and then turned on her heel, crossing the field that was still littered with her weapons. From the far side of the clearing she shouted over her shoulder, "We should probably break this gently. Don't look too happy in front of Lee, or he'll figure it out."
Lee's impeccable timing allowed him to stroll onto the scene and overhear the comment, "I am supposed to figure something out?"
He glanced Neji's way, seeing a scowl was firmly in place. 'Normal.' Lee deduced. He then observed Tenten as she retrieved scattered weapons. It appeared to be a classic day of training about to commence. He crossed over to Tenten first.
"Hey, Lee, what I meant was…" Tenten scrounged for a substitute answer, "Look at Neji's chin. You'll be able to tell."
"Ah." Lee exchanged a stare with his good friend, who seemed to be in an emotional flux. What was plain to see was the purple patch on Neji's jaw, "He misbehaved."
"He did, actually."
"Did he apologize?" He asked quietly of the kunoichi.
Tenten fought a smirk, "He did. Sincerely."
Note: That was a lengthy one! Reader, please review and tell me what you think.
WHAT? It's here! Saturday, July 11th will be my ten-year anniversary on this site! Gosh how time does fly.
Chapter 29: Into Adulthood! Primed Exam Participants
Bonus Soundtrack: "Jitensha" by Oreskaband
