Chapter 54 – Hida Village

Naoki could hear the flap of the green curtains playfully being tugged in and then out from the porch. Strange, considering in early August the winds were usually none existent. This summer was unique though in so many ways. For a kick off he hadn't expected his sister to arrive home, unconscious on a stretcher. Mother basically 'flipped' and tried to have an argument with the Hokage, which didn't go down so well... The boy nibbled on the skin sticking up near his cuticle.

He'd tried not to think about how poorly Yasu had been. As soon as the academy knew the situation they'd immediately set up compassionate leave for the student. There was no point giving Naoki missions if the hospital kept dragging him in saying this could be his sister's final hours. The medic nin would only say 'more complications' when he asked questions. You don't have to protect me! He'd thought at the time feeling strangled by the frustration. Visitors came and went, he heard snippets: non responsive, adaptive strain and even the term biological weapon. That had scared him a little knowing that a war was being fought in his sibling's body. However far worse was the fact he could do absolutely nothing about it.

Thankfully things had moved on and the garbled grumble from the futon was perfect evidence.

"Morning sis!" he said brightly coming to kneel beside the patient. "It's a beautiful day!"

The lump turned over dragging the patchwork duvet with it. "Leave me alone."

He laughed a little. "You know I can't do that!" He moved down to the edge of the bed searching for a chink in the armour. A sly grin emerged as fingers reached forward and...

"Damn it, Naoki! I don't want to get up yet!" Yasu kicked out at the little runt before retrieving her ticklish foot. His high pitched squeal of laughter was too much.

"Well I gathered that!" He jabbed a finger into the bumpy protective cocoon. "But Iruka sensei is coming around and I thought you might like, you know, want to get dressed?"

That provoked a response. His sister sat up with a haystack for hair which definitely could do with being tamed. He refrained from giggling however as he knew Yasu was not in the best of moods. She looked down at the pink t-shirt she wore, gave it a tentative sniff and grimaced.

"I need a shower!" she moaned.

"I'll get the chair."

With the choice between mother or Naoki as a temporary carer, he was honoured that Yasu had chosen him. People didn't understand how much she had changed since returning from Sunagakure. That place had transformed a mouse into a lion. She started training at the academy, (having felt the call for shinobi life) and never looked back. Since then the jonin would not allow anyone to help to the point of being quite fierce about it.

It didn't bother him to hoist Yasu into the wheelchair. She complained bitterly though, saying how embarrassing it was. Lady Tsunade had assured the Katashi family that as soon as Yasu gathered more muscle strength and could hold her own body weight, walking would not be a problem. It was to be expected since she'd literally been lying on her back for such a long time.

"Have you got everything you need?" he shouted through the door. "Don't forget to keep the shampoo and towels where you can reach them this time!"

"Do you have to keep bringing that up? I learn from my mistakes!"

Yasu was left to sit beneath the running water and let her head loll back and forth. Soon steam had filled the entire bathroom easing the aches and pains of her body. It was blissfully warm and she lathered up her hair with heavenly citrus scents. Next she used a wash cloth to scrub her arms and legs whilst trying to keep balance. She attacked the dead skin on her heels until they were a bright shade of pink. The effort made her heart pound as blood rushed to her head, but she was finally waking up.

It was only times like this when left alone that Katashi allowed herself to think about Gaara. Will I ever get a letter? She pondered. Lady Tsunade had banned her half sister from writing to him, and confiscated the messenger flute she carried. But that didn't stop the Kazekage from asking how she was doing, right? Except there had been no correspondence at all, it was chilling déjà vu and it hurt. For some reason after the Amelia affair Yasu thought they might...The cloth fell out her grasp and landed with a pathetic plop. Angrily she tried to scoop it up, but it was out of reach. Why would he want me anyway, I'm useless like this!

After twenty minutes Naoki heard a call from the bathroom. Soon enough they were back in the bedroom and he found himself holding up several articles of clothing. As Yasu roughly towelled dried her hair she made a choice and waved him out. With the fashion consultation over he had just enough time to put the water onto boil, hide the mess of magazines, origami paper and doodles in the lounge before answering the door.

"Hey, how's it going?" Iruka beamed.

The young ninja gave a light hearted shrug. "Alright, I guess."

"I've heard family can make the most difficult patients. I hope you haven't let your sister mope around all day, she'll get cranky!"

"Like I hadn't noticed already, but yeah...come on in sensei!"

Stepping away from the door Naoki allowed his instructor inside. Passing the family photographs hung on the wall they fell into easy conversation. Iruka had started to become a regular house guest at the Katashi residence. He knew that his sister already shared a close friendship with him.

"She's in the guestroom." The boy pointed down the hallway. "Could you bring her through? I need to finish making the tea."

"Sure, see you in a bit."

He gave a knock at the door and upon entering spotted Yasu trying to clamber into the chair unaided. Unfortunately in her haste to be independent she had forgotten to clip down the brake. He could only watch as the chair crashed on its side, with the wheels spinning manically. Meanwhile Yasu's pretty face had connected with the tatami matted floor.

"Omph!" she gave a disgruntled cry.

Horrified, Iruka dashed over. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm just dizzy from the shower!" she snapped defensively. "Oww! That bloody hurt!"

"Let me help you, before you do anymore damage!"

"I'm fine!" Yasu tried to push him away, but he gave a 'teacher look' that soon changed her mind. Resigning herself to be a damsel in distress she folded her arms and pouted. The man lifted his stubborn friend easily back into the chair. He double checked that the frame wasn't bent and the wheels secure before transporting his charge.

They reached the lounge were Naoki had just finished setting out the plates and cups. He seemed to enjoy acting like the host with the most attending to all the needs of visitors. "Everything okay?" he asked having heard the commotion.

"Just peachy, my dearest – little - brother!" Yasu replied as sickeningly sweet as possible. She even went as far to ruffle his hair, something she hadn't done for years.

Iruka accepted the green tea and selected a pink sweet from the higashi presented. The Katashi siblings were very close, and he had to admit growing to like their company more and more. "So, how are you really feeling today?"

"You always ask me that!" She wriggled on the sofa until a comfortable spot was found. "I'm just a bit thrown by the change of pace that's all. I've travelled to the Land of Lightning, there was the Chunin Exams, Festival of Change, writing my dissertation, keeping Violet safe and all that business with Amelia. It feels like I've been running around forever and then just stopped dead! I think I'm beginning to understand what it was like for dad."

Naoki helped himself to another sweet. "What do you mean?"

"He might have infiltrated an enemy hideout the night before and then the next day he'd be doing something normal like laundry! How do you switch to that?"

"Sometimes it's those 'normal' things that keep you grounded." Iruka smiled but it was tinged with sadness. "If you return from a mission, you're reminded about what you're trying to protect."

"Hmm, since all three Katashi are involved in the ninja core, who's supposed to be the normal one here?"

Her brother smirked. "Not you that's for sure! You're about as far away from normal as it gets!"

"Hey! Since when did you decide what's normal anyway? Normality is relative!"

"Whatever you say, but not everyone can make trees shoot out the ground!"

There was no response to that and she knew it. Yasu popped a green sweet into her mouth as a distraction. The Senju blood in her veins meant that she could never be just another ninja. Tsunade had of course warned her half sibling against revealing her heritage, and now she was facing the consequences.

"Well I didn't ask for it," she said quietly.

Suddenly there was a warm hand on her shoulder. "I can only appreciate how hard it must be for you." His eyes were very dark. She could see clearly the scar across the bridge of his nose too. "Just remember that your brother and I are here if you need us, right Naoki?"

He nodded without hesitation though it was a strange to see his instructor and sister sitting so close like that. They were a striking contrast with each other: blond to brunette, blue to black, tan to pale. He hadn't really considered the possibility of them being a couple until now.

A sharp voice reached him. "Hey, you spacing out or what?"

"Sorry! I was just thinking about stuff. I better tidy the kitchen before mother gets back." Naoki stood up and disappeared before his sister could protest.

"She isn't back until this evening!" Yasu muttered. "What's the big rush?"

Iruka had observed this behaviour from his student before. Whenever Naoki was overwhelmed in a social situation, he just needed to escape. He'd witnessed it once when a group had played a seemingly harmless game of spin the bottle. He was invited to join in but when it came to truth or dare, the boy couldn't handle it and ran away.

"Do you want me to have a chat with him?"

"Nope, if he wants to be rude I'd just leave him! Besides, that leaves more sweets for us!"

He had to laugh at the way she held the box so possessively. Despite everything it was pleasing to see that Yasu's sweet tooth hadn't changed.

"So, how is Naruto doing these days? He was a real pest at the hospital!"

Pleasantly this led to a half hour update of all the crazy antics the jinchuriki had got up to. Iruka was grieving the loss of cash he'd spent at Ichiraku Ramen, and trying to keep the peace between the knuckleheaded ninja and the Hokage regarding missions. Naruto of course wanted S rank missions to push his abilities to the limit. Tsunade however was keen to push the B rank missions which were more in line with his actual experience. In the end they compromised on an A rank mission, in addition Haruno Sakura was to accompany Naruto to keep him in check.

"Sakura will need all the luck she can get!"

"I wouldn't be so cocky! It won't be long before you'll be back in the field and you might find Naruto tagging along on one of your missions."

"Oh please, no!" Yasu feigned distress. "I couldn't possibly cope! I'd have to restrain him every five minutes!"

Iruka huffed. "You can try!"

"Oh, you think I couldn't?"

"That would be a match I'd definitely like to see!"

"And who would you bet on?"

He smiled with hooded eyes. "I'm not a betting man."

"But if you were, who would you bet on?"

"I couldn't possibly choose!"

"That is such a cop out!" She playfully punched his arm. "I would kick his butt and you know it!"

"Yasu," he replied with a soft sigh. "You can be a handful too, you know. Actually, the more I think about it, I'd have to join you on that mission to keep you both out of trouble!"

"I'd like that." Yasu grinned.

So would I. Iruka thought wistfully but he only smiled back.


Gradually the summer humidity faded and the forgiving autumnal temperatures took over. There were more berries and nuts than you could shake a stick at, however the animals in the forest surrounding Konoha were busy scavenging for their winter stores. The flowers were gone but a famous poet once remarked that autumn was the year's last, loveliest smile. And so it was with the rainbow jewelled leaves, bright button mushrooms and dancing sycamore seeds.

The nights were beginning to draw in though and that made timings all the more important for missions. To get a head start was their goal, and so not long before dawn two members of the team gathered outside the village gates.

"Nothing like a hundred squats to get your blood pumping, eh Yamato?"

The Anbu was wiping some stray sleep away from his eyes. It should be illegal for someone to have this much energy in the morning! "Whatever makes you happy, just don't expect me to join you!" He gave a yawn and lamented the loss of yet another lie - in.

Grunting to himself, the other man continued to squat and count until sweat was clinging to the chest of his green jumpsuit. He managed the hundred and then proceeded to start push ups on his knuckles. "So, I hear the newest jonin is joining us today?" Up and down the strong arms flexed. "She seems familiar to me, but I don't recall how."

"She broke your nose," Yamato said flatly.

"She did?"

"How could you forget something like that?!"

"Life is too short to hold grudges. You should spend more energy fulfilling your dreams!" And with that the Green Beast of Konoha went back to his push ups.

Yamato fixed his happuri style helm in place and then stepped back in surprise. Was that who he thought it was walking towards them? He squinted at the figure. No way!

"Hey Tenzo! Surprised to see me?"

He raised an eyebrow at his former captain. "I'm Yamato, remember? And yes, I am surprised - it's not like you to be on time. Is there a problem?"

Lazily Kakashi shrugged his shoulders. "No problem, ah here she comes now."

All three of the men now turned to watch Yasu as she ran swiftly towards them. Having finally graduated the blonde wore the standard Konoha flak jacket, navy blue t-shirt and trousers. A scarlet red armband with the Leaf motif was wrapped around her left bicep. She was carrying a brown backpack ready for the journey ahead.

For a brief second panic crossed her young face. "Did the meeting time change?"

"No, you're fine." Kakashi reassured her. "Well, since we're all here, let's be on our way."

The group headed out at a steady pace. Typically the ninja travelled from tree to tree above ground. She followed Hatake at the front with Guy and Yamato towards the rear. It was unusual for four jonin to be travelling together as their skills were considered high enough to work independently. But Lady Hokage had insisted that a team of four was needed much to her half sister's displeasure. She tried to see things from Tsunade's point of view; given the threat of Kabuto, and the nature of the mission itself it was understandable. Not that Yasu was adverse to company and there was so much she could learn from them. Still, to the kunoichi it just felt like she had three (highly respected and very talented) babysitters.

Despite this grudging thought after three months of recuperation Yasu was keen to get out into the wide world. Patches of green, red and gold flashed by in the corners of her vision. Bounding from one branch to the next was no effort at all. They didn't see a single soul on the road below for hours, and when they did it was mere fishermen lugging their catch home for the day. It was hard to miss the river which coiled itself like a snake around the bends shimmering in the sunlight. The Land of Fire was truly blessed with the beauty of such forests and fertile green land to cultivate. It was hard not to compare with The Land of Wind which was home to desert wastes, or even the sheer cliffs and mountain ranges in the Land of Lightning.

No one spoke and even though the silence was killing her, Yasu made no attempt to initiate conversation. What would I say to them anyway? She thought grimly. They've known each other for years and probably heard everything before!

"You doing okay, Yasu?" Yamato suddenly enquired.

Finding her voice at last she blurted out, "Oh! Yes sir, thank you for asking!"

In the evening they stopped at an inn. Whilst Guy went to ask the inn keep some questions the companions rested up, and finished what was left of their meal. All four members of the squad were sharing the same room.

"Are you sure Iruka didn't mention anything else before he left?" Kakashi was browsing a map of the local area.

Yasu closed her eyes and tried to think back. "No sir, he just said he was going to visit the Hida Folk Village. Something about crops and cattle going missing, that was why the farmers asked for help. It was supposed to be a run of the mill B rank and he was taking a group of three genin to assess their skills. He told me it would only take about three days!"

Since then it had been a week. Iruka was an instructor at the academy and very capable. Despite the fact that he rarely left the village on missions anymore, assessments in the field were very common. There were lots of reasons why his group may not have returned. He might have decided to continue training for a while or treat his students to a hot spring. However this man was straight as an arrow concerning procedure. The senior jonin would have sent a message and if he couldn't he would have returned.

The copy cat nin was studying her closely. "Okay, maybe not about the mission then but there was something else?"

Yasu couldn't help but feel nervous. When it came to Umino a simple conversation with Kakashi always seemed more like an interrogation. It was something she noticed about all the jonin whenever they spoke of Iruka they were very protective of him. She couldn't blame the older man for trying to gain additional information about his friend.

"Is it really necessary, sir?"

Yamato couldn't take it anymore and interjected. "Yasu, we're comrades and equals here. There's no need to be so formal!"

She blushed. "I'm sorry it takes a little getting used to. You're all legends in your own right and me in comparison-"

"Well, you're gathering quite the reputation yourself, don't worry about that!"

Kakashi coughed. "You were saying?"

"Only that he wanted to ask me something when he got back," she said bemused. "And he wouldn't tell me what it was!" She took another bite of the smoked fish missing the look exchanged between the two men.

Guy returned moments later to share his own news. The inn keep remembered the travelling party confirming they were in high spirits. They stayed the night and moved on the following morning.

Regarding distance the village was only an hour away by foot. The local farmers kept to themselves working hard, but peaceful lives. They only left the farms before winter when they would take a wagon to trade for wool, medicines and spices. They didn't have any enemies to speak of or anyone who might seek to do them harm. Their leader was apparently a man named Bokeh.

"That sounds about right." Kakashi nodded. "I recall the name on the papers requesting assistance from the Leaf. Yasu and I should meet with him first thing. Guy, Yamato, you can check the surrounding area for anything suspicious."

With everyone in agreement and nothing left to do, it was time to turn in.

In the darkness Lady Leaf lay on her back. She willed the others to fall asleep so they wouldn't hear her snoring, which according to Gaara sounded like a bear. Maybe he'd only been pulling her leg back then even so she wasn't prepared to risk it! There was someone else in the room that was unable to settle. From the dramatic huffs and turning she guessed it to be Might Guy.

"Can't get comfortable?" she whispered.

There was the sound of nails scratching skin. "Just a minor irritation, curse this youthful blood in my veins - it always attracts the bugs!"

"I've got some peppermint oil which might help."

But Guy was quite happy to suffer. He declared that by learning to ignore the itch it would be a form of training. Every nursing instinct in her body said otherwise, however Yasu had to remind herself that he was a grown man. Chasing him around in the dark would likely not end well! Determined to have a look in the morning, she snuggled beneath the blanket and listened instead to the chirping crickets.

At daybreak however Guy was already up.

"He has a 'morning exercise' regime," Kakashi explained after breakfast. "Guy's fought with members of the Akatsuki and lived. I'm sure he can survive a few insect bites!"

They said a brief farewell to Yamato and headed out. There was a distinct chill in the air and Yasu shivered as they walked. The faint path led across a meadow of lavender and eventually to larger fields with a herd of black cows. The gentle animals ignored the humans passing by, far more interested in their grazing. Further on tall stalks of sugarcane towered over the petite kunoichi. Then came the turnips, taro, carrots and cabbages all lined in rows ready to be harvested.

Upon reaching Hida the path had widened to resemble more of a road. There was a narrow stream that wound down the western side of the village, and a water wheel squeaked as it turned. In total they counted thirty farmhouses all surrounding a large pond. The dark wooden houses were sloped with thatched roofs. Some were two floors high whilst other dwellings were smaller with the wheels of carts propped against the walls. Towards the centre hung a gigantic bronze bell ornamented with inscriptions and raised bosses. It was a beautiful place but there was just one issue...

"Where is everyone?" Yasu turned slowly in a confused circle.

"It does seem a little quiet." The son of White Fang agreed before he took the beam suspended on ropes and let it fly. A deep, resonating 'bong' could be heard as it struck the bell. His eyes flickered from left to right searching for any signs of life. The clatter of a shutter caught his attention. Fast as lightning he was gone.

Yasu followed more cautiously edging towards the tool shed near to the water wheel. There was one entrance which Kakashi was guarding. He pointed to the window before venturing inside. She crouched and waited with bated breath listening to bird calls from the surrounding trees. Gentle water from the stream trickled and flowed.

Suddenly there came a half familiar yelp and the sound of a dozen logs being thrown about in the small space. Some made it out the door. Then the shutter was smashed apart as a black shadow bolted from the debris.

Lady Leaf chased after the runaway who collided with some crates stacked along the pathway, which toppled and smashed. It must have hurt but they continued to flee as if their life depended on it. A rope was cut sending a rumble of barrels towards Yasu. She leapt over them with ease before splashing through the stream. She was more than used to cross country running however her assailant's stamina wasn't as hardy. Their rampant breaths were increasing.

"We're from the Hidden Leaf!" she called hoping that might make them stop. It only served to encourage a last minute sprint. They scrambled up a flight of stone steps taking two at a time. At the top she could see a shrine and another figure holding out their arms. Upon reaching the summit she stopped dead realising it was nothing more than a scarecrow. True it had a happy painted face with eyes and rosy cheeks, but a scarecrow none the less.

"Scram!" A young voice cried, "Or Kuebiko will put a curse on yer!"

It's a child! Yasu realised. "Kuebiko is very wise isn't he?" she said softly craning her head to get a better look. "Even though he can't walk he still knows everything about the world."

"He protects us! 'e'll make your feet stick to the ground forever!" The threats continued as they backed away only to go straight into Kakashi who was nursing a sore head.

He wrenched the captive upside down, watching with mild amusement as they tried to bite him. The large brown hat they'd been wearing fell off and flew away. This left a tangle of flailing arms and legs, which were useless against the adult's superior strength. Then Kakashi yanked the child upwards until they were eye to eye. "Are you going to be a good boy?" he asked. But the green haired rebel was not ready to surrender. His teeth snapped very close to the ninja's nose. "I'll take that as no then," he sighed.

"Put him down," Yasu moaned with disbelief. She was ascending the steps again holding the hat she'd retrieved. "Can't you see he's scared out his wits?"

Hatake raised an eyebrow and refused to release his grip on the boy's ankle. After further brow beating however he relented setting the child down gently. In return the captive stuck a tongue out at him.

"Are you hurt? I wouldn't be surprised. I saw you ram into the crates..." She saw the telltale sign of blood coming from his knee, and on further inspection there was a piece of splintered wood sticking out. "Hmm, that's pretty nasty, isn't it?"

The boy glared at the wound and then at Yasu. "That's your fault for chasing me!"

"It was your choice to run." Kakashi reminded him.

"Well, what do yer expect? I see some weirdo 'olding a knife, wants to talk 'e says! We've 'ad folk say that before, I'm not gonna fall for the same trick twice!"

Yasu's ears were straining to interpret the strong drawl. Instead she focused on the task at hand. "I need to remove the wood." Turning away to the pouch at her waist for the medic kit, he proceeded to yank out the offending foreign body. The ex-nurse stared dumb founded it was a sizable piece, nearly five centimetres long!

"What's yer problem?" He held the bloody stake out towards her. "You said it 'ad to come out!"

"Give me strength!" She ripped a larger hole at the knee of his trousers. "Do you want to bleed to death?" Yasu pressed on a substantial dressing ignoring the hiss of pain from the boy. "You could do permanent damage to the ligaments in your knee!"

That seemed to shock some sense into him. "Is it that bad? I can't afford to 'ave a gammy leg. I'm meant to be 'elping with the reaping this season!"

The Leaf ninja didn't answer as she wound further bandages around the dressing. "Here's your hat," she said fixing it back atop of his head.

"Thanks," he muttered brushing down his thin blue waistcoat. "And what's yer name?"

"I'm Yasu, and the weirdo behind me is called Kakashi." She smiled at the youth who tried very hard not to grin back in return.

"You seem like nice people. Shame you've just walked straight into 'ell."


Author's note -

That famous poet was an American called William Cullen Bryant.

I've decided to fit in one more side story before completing Underneath It All. It seemed a shame for Yasu to go to all that trouble to become a jonin and then never complete a mission! I hope you enjoy it!

Hida Village is actually a real place in Japan. They moved all the farmhouses from their original position to preserve them and it is beautiful!

All the best

Allybee x