It was morning and Kushina was at the table sipping team with her breakfast. With a loud, 'poof' she heard someone teleport into her home. "I'm in the kitchen." She called out. She heard some hopping sounds and soon an orange and black frog was in her kitchen. He had a leather pouch strapped onto his back.
"Hey Kushina." The frog called out.
"Hello Gamikichi, are the letters in the pouch?"
He nodded. "They sure are." He pulled it off. "Naruto said you'd give me two bags of chips for doing this."
She got up and went over to the cabinet. She took out two bags of potato chips. "Here you are. Listen, thank you again for doing this, I really appreciate it." She handed the bags and took the pouch from him.
"No problem, happy to help." He tore open one of the bags and began to much.
Before leaving Naruto had summoned Gamikichi and asked him if he would mind doing some courier duty. The regular post was slow, unreliable, and vulnerable to interception. Also since they would be constantly on the move and under cover there would be no way for Kushina and Hinata to write back. By using his summons Naruto solved all those problems and allowed both of them the chance to write to him. They would also get the correspondence immediately rather than in weeks. Opening the pouch Kushina found two reports for the Hokage, one from Jiraiya and one from Yamato. They were low priority so would deliver them after breakfast. She was happy to see that her uncle had taken the time to write her. Then she pulled out three more letters. They were all from Naruto, one was addressed to her, and the other two were for Hinata.
She chuckled. "I wonder if I should be jealous."
"Huh?" Gamikichi asked around a mouthful of chips.
"Nothing." She placed a pair of letters, one hers and one Hinata's in the pouch. She also put a package in as well. "These are some cookies I made for all of them. You can have one since you've had so many chips. How is he doing?"
Gamikichi put the pouch back around him. "Oh he's fine. It's turning into quite the road trip for him." He made sure the pouch was secure and grabbed both bags. "I'll see you next week."
She nodded. "I'll see you next week, and again thank you."
"No problem." He disappeared with a puff of smoke.
Kushina sat back down and opened the letter from her son. As soon as she finished it she'd go next door and give Hinata her letters. Nothing could ever make up for not having him home. But Kushina took great comfort in reading his words and knowing he had been thinking of her as he'd written them.
XXXXXXXXXX
Temari stood before the simple wooden cross holding her flowers. Standing beside her was a quiet and respectful Shikamaru.
"We can stay for as long as you like." He told her.
She nodded. "Thank you. It was very kind of Jiraiya to come back here after the battle and do this for someone who was an enemy."
"Well according to Naruto Jiraiya has some questionable morals, but no one has ever doubted his honor."
She turned to look at him with a grateful smile. "I also really appreciate you getting permission from the Hokage for me to come here."
He shrugged. "It was no big deal."
"No," she said seriously. "It was a very big deal." She leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek. She thought it cute the way he blushed. Taking a step forward she knelt down just before the plain cross. She laid down the flowers. "Hello Gaara."
XXXXXXXXXX
Kurenai stood in the middle of training ground 7. She didn't think she belonged here. Following the tragedy she'd gone to the Hokage and asked to be removed as unfit for her current position. It was obvious she didn't know how to be a Jonin sensei. She had seen the signs, Sasuke's personnel file was filled with negative comments and demerits, but there was also praise and commendations. She had seen the problems and acted on them, but not decisively enough. Sasuke had been over emotional and a bit insubordinate at times but he had never crossed the line. He had never done quite enough to deserve suspension or restriction. As for Sakura, she had completely failed the girl. From the very start she'd understood that her relationship with Sasuke was poisonous. She'd tried to warn Sakura a couple of times. When the girl refused to listen Kurenai decided to allow her to learn from her own mistakes. She hadn't wanted to end up with Sakura hating her.
I completely misjudged the situation. If I had been stronger. If I had been stricter, maybe they'd both still be alive. She had gone to the Hokage and asked to be relieved. Lady Tsunade however had refused to release her from her obligations. The Hokage had told her that no one had seen what was coming and that she was not to blame for it. The Hokage still believed in her. So she would try and learn from her mistakes and do her best for her new squad.
XXXXXXXXXX
When Shino arrived he and Kurenai shared their usual polite greetings. They'd had their, 'heart to heart' previously. Despite the dimensions of the tragedy Shino had dealt with it with a minimal of internal turmoil. He regretted the pointless deaths of his teammates. Yet he knew he had made an honest effort to help them, he had done what logic had dictated. He was willing to admit that he had underestimated the trouble, but then so had everyone else. Even now he could not understand what had driven Sasuke to such an act. In the end it only confirmed for him the wisdom of his clan's devotion to logic and rationality.
XXXXXXXXXX
They were soon joined by their two new members. One was Akimichi Chouji who was familiar to both Shino and Kurenai. The other was a slightly older boy with dirty blonde hair and an easy smile. To help break the ice Kurenai had decided to have a question and answer session.
"I'm a medic nin." Noval had informed them, "I'm an expert in the use of all sorts of poisons. I prefer to fight with senbons and medical jutsus. I was in a class being taught by the Hokage when she assigned me to this team. I've been to one previous Chunin examination, that was the one a year ago in Grass. I'm hoping to do better this time."
"How did you decide to become a medic nin?" Chouji asked.
Noval frowned a bit. "A close friend of mine interested me in it."
Kurenai had read his personnel file and knew who that friend was, Kabuto. She also knew Noval had been questioned by the ANBU and released. He had been one of the many people who had been fooled.
"I'm not concerned about the past." Kurenai said. "All we can do is learn from it." She saw Noval nod gratefully. "As of now you are all members of Team Kurenai. We have two months to get ready for the Chunin exams being held in Mist. I intend to work you all very hard to build up not only your individual skills but your teamwork. Let's make this a strong team where we all look out for each other."
Seeing them all nod she felt some hope for the future.
XXXXXXXXXX
As was his normal habit Haku was the first to the meeting point. He liked coming early so he could feed the ducks. He had just started feeding them when he heard it, music. It was a sad tune drifting in on the breeze from somewhere else in the park. There was something about the melody, something filled with despair and longing. It somehow brought to mind a snowy little village; and a happy time that was lost. He quickly tore up the bread and tossed all of it out onto the pond. Then he went in search of the melancholy tune.
XXXXXXXXXX
She had come to the park early. The bitch had warned her she'd be doing push ups if she was late. She'd found a quiet spot in the wooded part of the park and begun to play. In her whole miserable life there were only two times when she felt happy. One was when she was in the middle of a life and death fight. The other was when she was playing music. When she'd been younger she'd wanted to play for others. She wanted them to feel the same happiness and joy the music always gave to her. But the as#&oles never did. All people ever did was ignore her or else make fun of her. She'd learned to only play for herself. She came to the end of her song and took the flute from her lips.
"That was beautiful."
She jumped. She turned about to see him standing just ten feet behind her. S#&t! What the f#&k is wrong with me? How could I let him f#&king sneak up on me like that?
"What the f#&k do you want?" Tayuya demanded.
Haku looked at her in surprise. "I thought you had stopped cursing."
"Only when I am around that f#&king bitch!"
He frowned at her. "Please do not speak of Kushina-sama that way."
"Why? Are you going to f#&kin' tell her what I said and try to get me in trouble?"
"No," his answer surprised her. "However I do not wish her to be spoken of with disrespect. I do not allow the people who are precious to me to be insulted."
She glared at him. "So you still haven't told me what you f#&king want."
"I just wanted to listen to you play."
She sneered. "Is that supposed to be a f#&kin' joke? Nobody likes to hear me play."
"I do." Haku answered simply. "I am sorry if I have disturbed you, I just wanted to tell you I liked your music." He began to walk away. "It will be noon soon you don't want to be late.
She stood there for a bit and watched him go. Not sure what to think of him.
XXXXXXXXXX
Training ground 25. They arrived as a group there not long after meeting. Kushina turned to Tayuya and asked her to wait while she spoke with the others. Tayuya watched as Kushina spoke to the others quietly. She could not help but notice how close Gabrella was standing to Haku. At least they weren't actually touching. Though she'd be willing to bet the Uchiha whore had been all over him last night. F#&k! What is wrong with me? Why am I even thinking about this s#&t? Her eyes drifted over to Haku. I'm sure he's just f#&king playing with me like all the others. She could remember the first time she'd met Sakon. He'd pretended to like her music too. She'd actually believed him for a whole month until she over heard him making fun of her to the other s#&theads. She could still remember the humiliation she'd felt at being so gullible.
When Kushina finished with her instructions Gabrella and Haku leapt away. "Where are those two going?"
"You'll see them again soon enough." Kushina said. "Now before I test you I wanted to ask you a few things. You were on a team before this, how did you manage to function with your behavior?"
Tayuya laughed. "Easy! We all did our jobs even if we didn't get along. If we didn't we'd be killed. That's a damn good motivator."
"And no one ever complained about your behavior or about your language?"
"I had a fat pig of a teammate named Jirobo who complained all the damn time. Lord Orochimaru didn't care so long as the job got done. As for my behavior I did what I was supposed to do and so did they. We all did out jobs. We just worked together when we had to."
Kushina frowned. "That is a very poor attitude to have within a team."
Tayuya shrugged. "It worked for us."
"Until you ran into my son apparently." Kushina noted the shiver that passed through the girl. "He never mentioned anything to me about fight Orochimaru's bodyguard. What happened exactly?"
"He found us threatening a civilian." She decided to leave out the distasteful details. "Naruto slaughtered my team but he let me go on condition I get out of the battle." She shook her head. "Teamwork wouldn't have helped any."
"Maybe not, but when a team learns to work together as one unit you become far more powerful." She eyed her carefully. "Why do you curse?"
Tayuya glared hatefully at her. "It's just my way!"
"But it bothered at least one of your teammates."
"So? Who cares? I'm not changing for anybody!"
"We all change," Kushina said. "We grow and we learn and we improve. Change is not a bad thing if it leads to improvement. If you are going to be a part of this squad you will have to change your behavior. If you are all alone or if you are with people who care nothing about you then you can do as you please. But if you're going to be working with teammates who care certain behavior just won't be acceptable."
"Is that supposed to mean you and the others care?" Tayuya said sarcastically.
Kushina nodded. "That's right."
"BULLS#&T!!" Tayuya screamed. "Who are you f#&king kidding? You never wanted me on your team! You were arguing with the Hokage right in front of me remember? I'm here because the Hokage made you take me. Don't try and f#&king pretend you care about me!"
Kushina sighed. "Two things Tayuya. One, even if I didn't want you on this team so long as you are on it I will care for and watch out for you, that is a promise. And two, when we get done with training today I am washing your mouth out with soap again, that also is a promise and I never go back on my word." Tayuya blanched as she remembered the taste of soap. "Now then it's time for your test and for me to teach you an important lesson. During this test I want you to act on the assumption you are a scout in enemy territory. Be ready for anything. I want you to use your full power, no holding back."
Tayuya smiled nastily. "What if I accidentally kill you?"
"Then you get a new sensei. Now get into the woods and take position, the only rule is that you are not permitted to leave the training area. You are free to use any technique or weapon at your disposal. This exercise will last for an hour or until you're unconscious."
"I guess we're gonna be here an hour then."
"We'll see." Kushina eyed her. "Get moving and find a spot, we begin in two minutes." Kushina flipped her radio to the send position. Tayuya had not yet been issued a radio.
Tayuya got moving, more than eager to get a little payback for yesterday.
XXXXXXXXXX
She bit down on her thumb and worked some hand signs. "Summoning Technique." Three huge malformed demons came into existence. Standing on a tree limb she put the flute to her lips. "You may as well show yourself." She called out.
Kushina leapt out of the foliage and onto another tree limb about thirty yards away. "So this is your summons? I have to say I don't believe I've ever heard of a summons that used demons."
"Lord Orochimaru gave me this ability along with the curse seal." She frowned. "I'm not as powerful as I was now that it's suppressed."
"If it weren't suppressed you wouldn't be on my team."
"Well now that would be a f#&king shame. You sure you want me to go all out?"
"Yes, otherwise the lesson won't strike home."
"It's your funeral bitch." She began playing her flute and the Doki all leapt at Kushina.
There was a specific reason why Kushina often used training ground 25. It had a lake and a great water beneath the ground. As she leapt back she worked some hand signs. "Water Geyser Technique." From out of the ground three geysers of water shot up. Two struck demons while the third geyser missed. The remaining one lashed out at her with an arm extended by a pair of metal blades. Kushina blocked it with her katana but had to leap back due to its inhuman strength. Tayuya changed the tune and got the other two moving towards Kushina again. They lashed out with arms and feet smashing the tree she had momentarily landed on. Kushina tossed off some shuriken but they seemed to have no effect even though striking their target. Kushina was forced to leap back again and again as the Doki came after her.
Hah! I knew this f#&king bitch wasn't that tough! She took the flute away for a moment."Do you want to quit while you're still alive?" She could see her Doki closing in all around her cutting off all avenues for escape.
"Tayuya, you've already lost." Kushina called out.
Tayuya was about to answer when she felt a chakra signature and the limb shaking from someone landing on it.
"Hey bitch."
Tayuya turned just in time to see Gabrella punch her in the mouth. She was knocked off the tree limb and felt someone catch her before she became unconscious.
XXXXXXXXXX
"This is rather disturbing." Haku said.
"Really?" Gabrella said in a friendly voice. "I find it entertaining."
They were standing by a small stream and watching as Kushina shoved Tayuya's mouth into the running water to wash out the soap bubbles that were accumulating.
After awhile she finally let go of the girl's hair and she crawled away from the older red head. "Now then, are you going to curse any more?" Kushina asked patiently.
"Not around you I'm not." Kushina sent her a dangerous look. "Uh, sensei."
Kushina sighed. "That'll do for now. As your teacher I'll be giving you a great many lessons over the next months so please pay attention. Now hopefully what you learned today includes the fact that a single individual is always vulnerable to a well organized unit."
Tayuya glared. "I thought you were fighting me alone."
"I never said that. I told you to act like a scout in enemy territory. As such you were always liable to be attacked by more than one person."
"If it were just you I'd have killed you." Tayuya said sullenly.
"No you wouldn't have." Kushina said flatly. "I could have escaped with a substitution at any time. I could have dealt with you myself easily but I wanted to drive home the main lesson; that you are better off being part of a team. I also wanted you to see that your powers are no guarantee against having to fight someone close in. Another lesson you should take from this is that if you keep swearing in front of me I will keep washing out your mouth. I promise you I won't run out of patience or soap."
"I really hate you." Tayuya said tiredly.
Kushina sighed. "That's fine for now, maybe that will change eventually."
"Don't fu… ugh, don't count on it." She paused and spat out some soap. "Tell me is this really a clan tradition or did you make that up?"
"Oh it really is. In fact I can still remember my mother using it one time on a very stupid and headstrong little girl who thought swearing in front of her family made her more mature."
"Huh, and did she stop swearing?"
Kushina smiled. "You tell me."
Tayuya stared at her not believing it. "You?"
"That's right."
Tayuya laughed a bit at the image of a chibi Kushina being held under a faucet with soap bubbles coming out of her mouth. "So I guess you were a screw up as a kid."
"You might say that," Kushina admitted. "Though I only needed to be punished once for the lesson to be learned. You're at three and counting. Now get up we have a lot more training to do today. Then after training you'll be having dinner at my home."
"I will?"
XXXXXXXXXX
She was sitting at the dinner table with Kushina, Haku, a little girl named Alysa, the Hokage, and her assistant Shizune. She was feeling more than a little self conscious and the main reason wasn't even that the Hokage was sitting five feet from her.
"Doesn't Tayuya-chan look pretty?" Alysa said happily.
"She certainly does Alysa-chan." The Hokage said. She, Shizune and Kushina were all giggling. Haku at least had the decency to look embarrassed for her. (He had been a victim of Alysa's hair styling.) Alysa felt like squirming under their gazes.
Kushina had supposedly invited her to dinner in order to better know her. Yeah right, more likely it was just further punishment. She had no sooner entered the gigantic mansion than she was mercilessly set upon by Alysa. In short order the girl had dragged her to her room and begun doing her hair. Now she was sitting at a dinner table with her long red hair in braids and pink ribbons. Tayuya knew she should have fled but couldn't bring herself to be that mean to such a cute little girl.
Tayuya sighed, well the food had been really good and at least the Uchiha bitch wasn't around, she'd had to attend a family dinner. Well at least the worst is f#&king overTayuya thought.
Alysa looked over to the head of the table where Kushina was seated. "Kaasan can I ask you something?"
Kushina smiled. "What is it honey?"
"What does f#&k mean?"
Conversation at the table came to an abrupt halt as all eyes focused first on Alysa and then on Tayuya.
Kushina stood up from the table and Tayuya knew she was doomed. In short order Kushina had her hand wrapped around a number of braids and was dragging Tayuya towards the bathroom. Tsunade and Shizune both had their hands over Alysa's ears as Tayuya howled like a foul mouthed banshee.
"F#&K! F#&K! F#&K!"
"Tayuya stop cursing!!" Kushina screamed at her as she kept dragging her along.
"Why?! I'm getting punished anyway I may as well get my f#&king money's worth!"
In short order Tayuya was once again involved in the dreaded family tradition. The Uzumakis were truly a frightening bunch.
XXXXXXXXXX
Not long after Tayuya stormed out of the mansion sincerely hoping to never lay eyes ion it again. I risked my life and came here for this s#&t?! I should just f#&king leave. It's not like there will be anymore hunter nins coming after me now that Orochimaru is dead.
"Tayuya please wait!"
She turned around to see Haku coming out the door following her. She made sure Kushina was nowhere in sight. "What the f#&k do you want?"
He halted in front of her and seemed unhappy. "I'm sorry for what happened, but why did you curse in front of Alysa?"
She was furious that he would even ask her that. "I said f#&k one time! It was when she showed me what my hair looked like! It just came out! I wasn't f#&king planning on it!"
Haku frowned. "Even so, you should not have said it."
"F#&k you! You f#&king virgin!" She screamed and stormed off.
Well she tried to storm off. Haku however remained by her side. She leapt past the gates and began racing across the roof tops. But she couldn't shake Haku. She was sorely tempted to take out her flute and stick him in a genjutsu, but with her luck that would get her arrested by the ANBU. Sick of having him act as her shadow she came to a halt on a roof top near her apartment.
"Stop f#&king following me! What the f#&k is wrong with you?"
He came to halt near her. "I just wanted to let you know that it's because she cares."
She stared at him and at his cryptic message. "What the f#&k do you mean?"
He looked at her seriously. "Kushina–sama everything she is doing she is doing to try and help you. She cares and wants you to change for the better."
"Oh f#&king right! She cares about me? What a load of s#&t!! She probably just gets off on humiliating me! She's just a f#&king bitch!"
"Do not call her that."
She glared angrily at him. "I'll call her whatever I f#&king want to!"
"No you will not." Haku said in a low and earnest tone. "You will not disrespect her, especially when she is trying to aid you."
"Oh yeah? What will you do about it huh?"
"Inflict pain on you." Senbons appeared in both hands. "I do not wish to do that, but I will not stand here and allow you to insult her."
Tayuya let out a mocking laugh. "Ooh, the big bad bunny boy is going to f#&king hurt me. Don't f#&king make me laugh. It takes balls to do something like that."
"I have done far worse."
"Like f#&king what? Kill someone?"
"Yes," he answered quietly. "I have killed."
The laughter slowly faded away. She could see his eyes and the manner in which he spoke. "You really mean it don't you?"
They stood there in silence for a moment. "I wanted to come and tell you that Kushina-sama cared about you because you have the same eyes as I had before Zabuza-sama saved me. Your eyes are filled with loneliness and despair. It was in your music too, that's why I was drawn to it."
"F#&k you," she'd meant it for a shout, but for some reason it had come out as a whisper. She shook her head. "F#&k you," she repeated a bit more loudly this time. "You don't f#&king know me. There's no way a little virgin like you could understand."
"I have not always lived here with Kushina-sama. You do not know me either Tayuya. But I do know the pain of being alone and unwanted by anyone." She let out a little gasp. He decided he'd said enough and turned to go. "I will see you tomorrow for training. Goodnight."
"Haku."
He turned back again. "Yes?"
She looked down feeling stupid and weak for what she was about to say. "My apartment is near here. I don't have tea but I can offer you a sandwich."
He could see this was hard for her. He decided to make it a bit easier. "I would like that Tayuya."
She nodded. "Come on then."
