Here's the next chapter. Happy reading!
...( Nazo-19)
A thin sheet of snow blanketed the training field. It was cold enough out that the slight wind bit at exposed skin. It didn't really help that Nazoko was once again drained of chakra. In fact, it just made her feel even more sickly. She pulled the scarf tighter around her neck.
"Nazoko-sensei!" Rin waved as she ran up to her. "I'm so sorry I'm late!"
"Don't worry about it." She waved off the apology. "I'm sorry I haven't had the time to work with you until now."
"Oh, it's okay! I'm excited that you're even taking the time to do it! I've seen what you started Obito with and he's really gotten a lot faster!"
"Good. I'm glad he's improving." She rolled her shoulders. "So, why don't you tell me a bit about what you think your strengths are?"
"Um... Well, I guess I'm pretty light on my feet? I'm also really good with first aid. I actually want to become a medic! I've been taking some classes at the hospital." Rin lit up as she spoke. Nazoko could feel the passion.
"Really? That's great. The biggest thing for a medic is chakra control. Has Minato taught you tree walking or water walking?"
Rin nodded. "Uh-huh!"
"Good. What about chakra threads? Those are really good practice."
"They did mention something about that in the hospital."
"Okay. Well, I can get you started on that. It can take a pretty long time to get anywhere so, don't get too discouraged if you don't get it right away. First, I was thinking that flexibility and agility are good places to start for you."
Rin agreed without protest.
So, Nazoko talked her through the series of stretches and how to recognize when her body was well adjusted to them.
"These kind of hurt..."
"Heh. That's kind of the point. The pain never really goes away, but your body does become accustomed to it which allows you to bend further. The biggest thing is that you don't stop stretching. Just like you can gain flexibility through stretching, you can also lose it by stopping."
Nazoko gained an evil grin and she rubbed her hands together. "Now, we get to move onto the fun part... for me." She scooped up a snowball. "Don't get hit!" Tired though she was, she wasn't going to pass up the chance to throw snowballs at someone. It did make her feel a little guilty because Rin was so nice, but she got over it.
Rin was practically sopping by the time Nazoko decided they were done. "Not bad. You'll need to work on your reaction time though. As for the chakra threads... You are basically just focusing your chakra to your fingertips and pushing it out. I'd start with one finger. Once you can get it to about a foot, try moving it into different shapes Then try with two fingers and so on."
The weird shine in the young girl's eye never left and Nazoko still didn't understand it. Why did the girl look up to her?
"Anyway... So, do the stretching once a day. Practice with the chakra threads. I also want you to meditate. Instead of working with your chakra, I want you to listen to the world around you. The goal is to be able to recognize the sounds and the directions they are moving. So, you're going to want to do it outside and close to busy places for the best results."
"Okay. May I ask the purpose of the meditation?"
"Situational awareness. I wasn't just throwing snow at you for fun. If you meditate every day, eventually, you'll be able to dodge anything thrown at you because you can hear it coming. Or, at least get a sense that something's coming. It might not be a bad idea to ask Minato about some speed training. It's easier to dodge when you're able to move faster than the object is thrown." Nazoko grew a little worried about whether or not Rin's head would fly off with how hard the girl was nodding.
"I'll do that! Thank you so much, Nazoko-sensei!"
"Sure thing. Have a good rest of your day." She watched Rin run off, looking way too happy for being drenched in the middle of winter. She heaved a sigh and started walking. Dinner time was about an hour away. Which meant the sun would set in just over two. Winter was not one of her favorite seasons. She needed more sun in her life.
The front door made a light clack as it shut and her sandals made a thump as toed them off carelessly.
"How'd it go?"
She yawned. "Not too bad. Just started her on flexibility training and told her to meditate but focus on the outside world to increase her situational awareness." She waved to Inoichi and Choza. "I need to shower."
By the time she was done, Inoichi and Choza were gone. "Did you pick up anything for dinner?"
"Actually, I was hoping you'd be up for something different..."
She stopped on her way to the fridge. "Like what?"
"The Akimichi restaurant by the monument?"
She tilted her head. Not cooking sounded pretty good. "I'm game." He seemed more relieved than she would have thought.
"Okay. Why don't we head out?"
She pulled on a sweater and her sandals and followed him out.
The restaurant was pretty full but they were seated near the back in a fairly secluded area.
"Tou-san is pushing for me to take over as clan head."
"Mm. Well, you knew it was only a matter of time. You're almost twenty-two. Inoichi has already taken over his and Tomoko says Choza will be soon."
He let out a sigh that was so long-suffering that she couldn't help but giggle. "But all the work... I'll be taking over everything."
"It's called delegation," she teased. "It isn't like you haven't learned what to do." She ate a few bites of her salad. She wasn't very hungry at the moment. "Is it really Shikano-san that's pushing?" It didn't really sound like him. He would know that Shikaku wasn't interested in taking over until he absolutely had to.
"The council has been riding him about it." He scoffed. "It isn't like Tou-san is no longer capable of being the Head."
She took his hand. "It's your reputation. Iwa is terrified of you. They probably think it'll give them more sway with the village if you take over now."
"So, any idea how much longer Jiraiya was going to have you draining your reserves?"
She shook her head. "I really don't know. It's still working and all my check-ups are coming back good. To be honest, I haven't seen Sensei in a while. I have no idea what he's doing right now." She wasn't too worried. He was the spymaster for the village. "So, what's Choza doing now? Gai was the only one promoted right?"
"Yeah. He's going to keep training them when he can. The Hokage is planning on sending him out with us more though."
"Oh?" She furrowed her brows. "I wonder why..."
"Iwa is starting to push again. Kumo has been sighted reentering Hotsprings and Rice. Kiri's civil issues seemed to have calmed down more so, now he's worried that they will be taking this more seriously. Their Seven Swordsmen of the Mist are gaining fame."
That brought a niggling to the forefront of her mind but she had no idea why. "I wonder if he'll finally start pushing back?"
"If he does, you probably won't be doing the expansion for much longer."
"I'm hardly a lynchpin. Minato is much better than me. I can hold my own against maybe a dozen or so ninja. He can do it against hundreds." She finished eating.
Shikaku led her outside once he paid and pulled her in the opposite direction of his house.
"What are we doing?"
He glanced at her, Nara smirk in full effect. "When was the last time you watched the sunset?"
"But all the walking..."
He scooped her up. Much to his delight, she let out a squeal as he did. "Well, then. No walking for you." He used his ninja speed to get them to the top.
It was still a gorgeous sight in the winter. In fact, it might be a little more magical with the snow. Although it was much colder since there was no protection from the wind. She found she didn't mind it so much when Shikaku sat them down, she was between his legs and leaning against his chest, and pulled a blanket around them. She assumed he'd used ninja magic to conjure said blanket since it was too big for him to hide anywhere on his person.
The sky turned red, pink, and orange as they sat there. The clouds looked like cotton candy in the suns dying light and Nazoko sighed in contentment. She laid her head back on Shikaku's shoulder.
"This is nice."
He shifted and placed a kiss on her neck. "Nazoko..."
"Hm?"
"I love you."
A smile tugged her lips up. "I love you too."
"I... Nazoko, I decided a long time ago who I wanted to spend my life with."
She stopped breathing. Was he doing what she thought he was doing?
"I decided that I was going to spend it with you. Each and every single day since then... Every moment I've spent with you even before we started dating... It's only made me realize how incredibly lucky I've been to have met you. It started out as knowing I could tolerate you. It was the best I'd hoped for when I was that young.
"Every interaction since then has shown me that my initial assessment was both right and wrong. Sure, I can tolerate you but it's so much more than that. I WANT you in my life. I WANT to wake up beside you every day for the next fifty years. Longer if we make it. I can't imagine a world where you aren't beside me... Nazoko, I love you."
She turned around to face him. "Shikaku... Are you..."
He sent her a smile that could only be described as nervous. "Nazoko... Will you marry me?"
She let out a shaky breath. This was happening. This was really happening. She had absolutely no idea how she was supposed to feel. Like... She was feeling too much at once and just couldn't process. She'd been thinking about it for months now. Minato made sure of that.
"Nazoko?"
She blinked and- Oh! His expression looked so... anxious. Pained almost. "Yes." She smiled.
He groaned dramatically and flopped onto his back. "Don't keep me waiting so long next time. Give me a panic attack here."
She giggled. "Sorry. I got a little caught up in my thoughts... Next time? You planning on proposing again?"
He sent her a dry look. "Only if you said no."
She opened her mouth and closed it again, then shrugged. "Fair enough." She crawled over him and kissed him.
deleted scene (link in the AN below)
...(apr. Nazo-19)
She couldn't get over just how much she loved cinnamon tea. It was the best flavor ever! Or... Maybe she was trying to avoid telling the people around her why she hadn't said anything about Shikaku proposing for two months...
"Come on, Nazoko! Why the hell didn't you say anything sooner?!" Kushina demanded to know.
"Seriously. I had to find out from Ensui who heard it from Shikaku."
"And we all heard from Yoshino," Tsume added.
Nazoko rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry, okay? I really didn't mean to not tell you. I just had a lot on my mind before I left and..."
"And what? You forgot?" Mebuki asked.
"Sort of..."
Mikoto giggled. "Ease up on her. We all know Nazoko has hardly been like most women. Dating and marriage were never high on her list of priorities." She wiped Itachi's face. He was an actual toddler now. Almost... He'd turn two in three short months.
"Ain't that the truth." Tsume gaffawed.
"Well, I'm happy for you," Himawari offered.
Nazoko dipped her head in thanks and sipped on her tea.
"Any idea when you're gonna tie the knot?"
She could only shake her head. "We haven't talked about it. I don't think he's in any real hurry-"
Yoshino's incredulous laugh cut her off. "Not in any hurry?! Nazoko, sweetie, I'm goign to tell you a little secret. Nara men are possesive. When something is "theirs" they want the world to know so there isn't any question. He WANTS to marry you as soon as you will allow so that way you have the Nara name and there is no chance of someone taking you."
She huffed. "I wouldn't-"
"You know that, and we know that. I'm sure even he knows that. However, you are the only person in this equation that would change their mind. He certainly won't. Even though he might not believe that you would either, it'll put him at ease when you get married. Ensui was the same way." Yoshino shrugged. "Plus, it's a male pride thing."
"Sounds like scent marking in our clan." Tsume didn't elaborate and no one asked her to. Clan things weren't asked about. It just wasn't done. The Inuzuka were more open than most, so it wasn't uncommon to hear a thing or two from them, but even they had their limits. "So, I gotta know... Is he good in bed?" She waggled her eyebrows.
Nazoko choked on her tea. "Tsume!"
"What? I just keep picturing him making you do all the work."
"Actually," Yosino cut in. "I can't speak for Shikaku, but I will say that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. Ensui is... quite the opposite from his public face." A slight blush dusted her cheeks.
Nazoko groaned. "I don't want to hear this. Please. Not if I'm going to be related to the man."
"Oh, fine. What about you Kushina? Minato is known of the field as the fasted shinobi. Does that translate?"
"That's even worse!" Nazoko protested. "Oh, Kami! That imagry!" She smacked her head a few times. "Get out!"
"Nazoko, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were still a virgin," Tsume ribbed.
'Don't blush. Don't blush. It'll just make it worse.' She failed.
"No way! You are!" Tsume threw her head back and laughed. "Poor Shikaku must be so sexually frustrated!"
Nazoko let her head fall to the table.
"That's enough, Tsume," Himawari's voice cut through her laughter. "There is nothing wrong with waiting to have sex."
A delicate hand rubbed up and down Nazoko's back. "Don't listen to her, Nazoko. Shikaku seems perfectly happy."
She lifted her head. "It isn't that I'm opposed to the idea. I'm still doing the chakra expansion training and nearly every time he's in the village we end up sleeping most of the time. And Shikaku IS happy. Well, he's content which is pretty much the same thing to a Nara."
Tsume winced. "I forgot about that. Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
Nazoko waved it off. "It's fine. We do some stuff. It just hasn't been sex. I've talk with him about it and he said he's more worried about me being comfortable with the level of intimacy we're at."
Tsume smiled. "Sounds like you got yourself a good guy. So, how did he do it? Propose?"
"That's what I want to know!" Kushina slapped a hand on the table. "Was it romantic?"
Nazoko cringed inwardly. This entire conversation was one she normally avoided and yet... she also WANTED to tell them. "Well... I just got done with a shower and he asked me if I wanted to go to the Akimochi restaurant by the Hokage's monument. I agreed and we went there and ate. Then he started pulling me towards the mountain. When I complain about all the walking he picked me up in his arms and carried me the rest of the way there.
"We sat and watched the sunset. It was cold and he ninja magicked a blanket to pull around us. Then he told me he loved me and said that he wanted to wake up next to me for the next fifty years if our careers allowed it. He said he couldn't picture his life without me beside him. I turned around to ask if he was actually proposing and he asked me to marry him. I said yes."
There was a chorus of "aww's".
"That is soo cute!" Tomoko grinned.
"How did Kenta-san take it?" Sachi asked.
Nazoko snorted. "He already knew when I went to tell him. Apparently, Shikaku had talked to him about it beforehand."
"It's kind of nice that he asked permission first," Mebuki chuckled.
"Oh, no. He wasn't asking for Tou-san's permission." Nazoko grinned. "He simply told Tou-san that he was going to ask and was letting him know as a curtesy."
Yoshino giggled. "Oh, he knows you well. How much trouble would he have been in if he did ask?"
Nazoko shrugged. "Not too much. But we'd have had to have a Serious Talk. I love Tou-san. He doesn't make those sort of decisions for me though and he knows it. He's encouraged me all my life to be a strong, independant woman." She leaned forward. "It was why he told me he approved of my choice." She sent them a wink.
"Well, I'm glad Shikaku didn't do anything stupid for the proposal. I'm also very glad to see you so happy, Nazoko," Kushina said gently. There was murmered agreement.
"Thanks." She really loved her friends.
...(june Nazo-19)
"I'm sorry, what?" Did she really hear that right? It was hard to focus since Tsunade was also present in the room... The room, she might add, that was Kenta's living room... in the village. Tsunade was actually in the village.
Jiraiya made an exasperated noise. "This is the last month I want you doing the chakra expansion. Sensei is going to start pushing back and we need everyone at full capacity."
Nazoko blinked. "Okay."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "I've had a lot of time to think about what you said and you're right." She ran a hand through her hair. "I won't let this war take away someone else's happiness. If I end up being miserable I'm holding you responsible."
Nazoko shrugged, though she felt the relief deeply. "Fair enough." She leaned back. "So, any other reason for ending the training?"
"It's getting close to crunch time. I'll need you to start sending Himitsu back to spying in the village. We also haven't come up with a solid plan regarding Yahiko." Jiraiya shifted nervously. "I may have been in contact with them..."
"Why?" Nazoko demanded.
"I figured it wouldn't hurt... If they were clued in, then they could help us-"
Tsunade shook her head. "Why can't you ever think before acting?!"
Nazoko shared a look with Minato. He didn't quite know what was happening, but that was fine. "Actually," she cut in. "It might not be such a bad thing. It could show them that Konoha is an ally. I've had a lot of time to think about this... You remember the secret room in Danzo's home?"
"Yeah. You haven't gone back there..."
"No... But if he had anything incriminating in his house, my guess is it would be hidden there."
"How are you supposed to get in?"
"Normally, it would be pretty difficult, but I was thinking... What if we let Danzo spring his trap on your orphans? Let him make the journey to Ame. He'll bring a considerable amount of his forces with him."
Minato caught on to her thoughts. "You want to try and infiltrate when he does that."
She nodded. "It would be the best time for it. I have no doubt that there will still be people left behind, but there will be less."
"And what about Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan?"
"Obviously, you'll be there to help." Nazoko turned to Tsunade. "Are you willing to be?"
She nodded.
"I see. You're thinking that we could have the sannin-"
"No!" Tsunade and Nazoko said together.
"Uh... What?"
"No, Orochimaru will not be included in this. You'll need one more person though... Someone capable of holding his own." She leaned forward. "Sakumo would be a good idea."
"He's retired," Minato said.
"I can explain things to him. I'm sure he'll agree. That should be enough to deter Hanzo, at least. If Danzo doesn't want to be caught doing something the Hokage doesn't agree with, he'll leave before any of you could catch sight of him."
"And if he doesn't?" Tsunade asked.
Nazoko sighed and scooted further back into the couch. "I don't know. Hopefully, I'll have the information by then and if it comes to a fight and you manage to kill him, then you won't be held accountable for it. It would also help if you could convince the Hokage that it would be beneficial to ally with the Akatsuki. He could sanction you being there and then it would only further prove Danzo's guilt."
"I'm missing something." Jiraiya looked between the two females. "Why is Orochimaru a bad idea?" He focused on Nazoko. "Is this why you've never seemed comfortable around him?"
She winced. "I was always trying to find a good way to tell you... Orochimaru is... sort of under Danzo's thumb?"
He shook his head in denial. "He wouldn't-"
"Jiraiya. Orochimaru has always been interested in things he shouldn't be. If Danzo thought it could benefit him, he wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of it." It was the gentlest Tsunade's voice had ever been.
"So, we take care of Danzo and-"
"Sensei... I'm sorry, but that isn't going to be enough. If I had been born sooner, I might have been able to make a difference but... He'd already started doing human experimentation by the time I was assigned to your team."
Jiraiya placed his head in his hands. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
"In the grand scheme of things... Orochimaru was the least of my concerns. What I've seen... He does some really horrible things, but at least his plans don't lead to the end of the world or the death of an entire clan. Although, once Danzo is taken care of, he would have been the next person to worry about. I'm also not perfect. I have to pick and choose what things I want to change, not because I think I have the right, but because there are only four of us in this room right now. I don't even know if that will be enough for what's coming. Actually, I know it won't be. Hence why it's important to get Sakumo in on this."
"What about Shikaku?"
Nazoko snapped her gaze to Minato. "What about him?"
"Nazoko... Shikaku has the greatest strategical mind I've ever seen. I'm surprised the Hokage hasn't made him jonin commander by now."
Her lips tugged up for a moment. "Oh, don't worry. The Hokage will."
Minato blinked. "Okay. Well, then why not tell him? He could seriously help us. I think it would be a good idea to tell him anyway. Especially if this foresight is a kekkei genkai. It's kind of important that he has some idea of what to expect for any children of his in the future..."
Jiraiya lifted his head so fast his neck cracked. "What?"
"Ah..." Nazoko rubbed the back of her head. "Shikaku... asked me to marry him... four months ago. Being married to a clan heir kind of comes with the responsibility of having at least one kid eventually..." She frowned. "Sensei?" She waved a hand in front of his unblinking face. "I think I broke him."
Tsunade whacked him over the head. "Stop being so dramatic. She's old enough to make those choices."
Nazoko wilted under Tsunade's stern stare.
"As for you, I agree with the blond. You should tell him even if we don't end up using his "brilliant" mind."
Nazoko crossed her arms and pouted. "I had planned on it."
"Oh? And when was that? After everything was done?" Tsunade snorted at Nazoko sheepish look. "Of course... Tell him about seeing the future. Anything else," read reincarnation. "That's up to you. Like your teammate said, if it's a kekkei genkai, he needs to know."
She wished she could tell them it wasn't a kekkei genkai, but it honestly wouldn't change anything. Not really. A dream or a show... The origin didn't matter if things happened the same way. But she did promise... and he really could be helpful in this situation.
"In fact... You should do it now. Blondie. Go get him."
Nazoko eyes opened wide. "What? Hold on a minute!"
Tsunade crossed her arms under her impressive chest and sent her an unamused glare. "No. We are all here now. This is the best time to discuss this. It would probably even be a good idea to include Sakumo too so he has enough time to prepare."
Nazoko's heart was racing in her chest as she tried to come up with some reason to put it off. She couldn't think of anything.
Jiraiya stood. "I think it's for the best. I'll go get Sakumo and Minato can get Shikaku."
The two men left the two women alone. She found herself looking for every possible exit without realizing it.
"Man... I thought it was an exaggeration when Jiraiya told me about your inability to accept things without time to process. You're really terrified."
"Just like you and blood," Nazoko spat before she could stop herself.
Tsunade let the comment roll off and planted herself in front of the young woman. "Why are you so scared?"
'FOCUS!' Hisoka yelled.
Nazoko took a deep breath in. "Why am I scared?" She repeated the question to herself. "I don't want Shikaku to change his mind. I don't want him to... leave." It all came back to her mother from this life, didn't it? She knew her mother was sick but she couldn't stop feeling like it was her fault. If Shikaku left after hearing this, it would be her fault too.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "He's a Nara. He'd probably think it was too much work to find someone else now that you've already said yes. Besides, most clans would welcome someone with a kekkei genkai like yours."
"It isn't a kekkei genkai! There is no history on either side of my family that indicates one."
The busty woman shrugged. "It doesn't matter. The point is, do you honestly believe he would leave?"
No. She didn't... and yet she did. "I don't know."
"Guess we'll find out soon enough..." They both felt Jiraiya's chakra returning with another person. "For the record, if he does, I'll kick his ass. That would be a stupid reason to walk away from someone."
"We back first?" Jiraiya asked rhetorically.
"Nazoko." Sakumo swooped down and gave her a hug. He paused as he pulled away and took in her posture. "What's wrong?" He sniffed. "Why are you so scared?"
"That is a conversation best left for when everyone gets here." Tsunade directed him to a chair.
Nazoko didn't lift her eyes from the floor. She had to focus on her breathing to keep it even. She could feel Minato and Shikaku. She gulped.
"Why won't you tell me anything?" They all heard Shikaku ask. "Is Nazoko okay?"
They appeared in the living room and Shikaku was crouched in front of her. He lifted her face until she met his gaze. "What happened?" He knew something was wrong.
"Jeeze. What did you tell him, Minato? Nothing happened," Jiraiya said, trying to calm everyone. "Just take a seat." He started adding a few seals to the ground while Shikaku took the spot next to her. He didn't let go of her hands even as her eyes moved back to the floor.
"Alright." Jiraiya stood. "We're all here because we need to have a little talk. Nazoko is going to be telling you something that is not to be talked about with anyone outside of this room."
She could feel two pairs of eyes staring at her.
"Nazoko? You have the floor."
She winced. "Right. First... This is me keeping my promise." She finally raised her head and met their eyes so they knew which one. She found she didn't quite know what to say after that. She opened and closed her mouth a few times.
'The beginning is always a good place,' Hisoka prompted.
"I always had these really weird dreams as a kid. Dreams with people I didn't know and places I'd never seen. They were fairly infrequent until I was in the academy. Then they kind of just... hit me." She found that focusing on the ceiling was helping.
"I'd suspected what was going on when I realized that some of the people I shared a class with were in them. Only... they were much younger. Still, I didn't think much of it until I was put on a team and met Jiraiya." She swallowed. "It took a few years... But I slipped and said something I shouldn't have to him which was how I ended up talking about with him. It only confirmed what I had believed all along. I was seeing things that hadn't happened yet."
"The future," Sakumo breathed.
Nazoko shook her head. "Not THE future. A future. And even that isn't entirely accurate. I also saw things that have already happened. Not everything. Just... Scenes."
"That was how you knew about Okami."
No. That was not how she knew, but it was the best explanation that wouldn't get into telling them about the reincarnation. So, she didn't correct him.
"Okami was supposed to die not long after Kakashi's birth," was the response she gave instead. "Minori was never a part of my... dreams. And you..." She had to swallow thickly. "When that mission happened... You were going to take your own life..."
Sakumo inhaled. "What?"
"The thing about these dreams... They are what would have happened if I didn't exist. Or what would have happened if I hadn't become a ninja? Some things have already happened differently." She shook her head. "That isn't the point. The reason you are both here right now is because we could use your help. There are some things I saw that we need to make sure don't happen."
The room was silent. The silence stretched on and finally, Nazoko looked at Shikaku. His expression was hard to read. She bit her lip and couldn't tear her gaze away.
"You told me once, that you could see the future."
She nodded. She remembered the night.
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "No wonder you are so set on pushing yourself. This must get pretty bad. Enough that you've been willing to put up with the chakra expansion for more than a year."
"Aa. We're trying to stop things from ever getting to that point. And... Jiraiya said that I could stop the training after this month."
He nodded and sent her his Nara smirk. "Good. You'll have more energy to deal with Kaa-san's wedding preparation rants."
She visibly relaxed. He wasn't going to back out or leave. She sent him a shaky smile. "Aa. I will."
He cupped the side of her face and swiped his thumb under her eye. "I'm assuming I'm here to help come up with strategies?"
"That's right," Jiraiya cleared his throat. "Sakumo is here because we might need him to execute the plan Nazoko already has."
"Tentative," she said. "Honestly, I don't have the faintest idea what to do for your side of things. I just know it would be the best time for me to do the infiltration. I don't know the actual numbers that will be on his side. For all I know, there will still be dozens of people I need to get by.
"I also know that Sakumo is known as Konoha's White Fang. He was even said to be on par with the sannin before retiring." She turned to him. "If you're up for it, it doesn't mean you need to come out of retirement. It's more... going along on the mission as a deterrent? If it comes to a fight, you'll have to be ready."
"Who is the enemy?" Sakumo sat forward.
"Hanzo."
He released a breath. "How long do I have?"
Nazoko tilted her head. "The exact time... I'm not sure. But... at least a year." She frowned. "I think it'll be around the time I'm twenty-one... Also... You may or may not be facing another person... The same person whose place I'd be infiltrating."
"Who?" Shikaku asked. There was something in his eyes. Concern? Determination?
"Shimura Danzo."
No one said a single word as they processed.
"He's a village elder," Sakumo said carefully.
"He's also a fucking bastard who has been doing everything in his power to take the hat from Sarutobi Hiruzen. He's the fucking bastard who will be the cause of the Uchiha clan massacre in eleven years unless we stop him. He's the bastard who had been taking innocent children from the streets and from clans to add to his own personal guard. His methods are NOT humane." Nazoko was breathing a little harsher by the end. Her blood was rushing through her.
Tsunade snickered. "I say we just corner him and set Nazoko on him. No way the old bastard would survive."
"I'd do it, too. If there wouldn't be repercussions... To everyone else, he's still a war hero and well respected. Killing him right now would make me the criminal."
"What do you expect to find in his house? He wouldn't be stupid enough to keep anything incriminating in the open."
The fact that Shikaku didn't even question if she was telling the truth made her heart swell. Kami did she love this man more and more each day. "I was there once before. He's got a hidden doorway in his study. Suterusu is my stealth butterfly. He can cloak the chakra and sight of the person he's attached to completely. The only thing I have to do is not make a sound and make sure anything I touch or move is not seen by anyone."
"Speaking of your butterflies... I'd like to talk to Shizen. If she's capable of using nature chakra, then I have more training for you."
"You mean sage mode." She cringed. "I don't know if I want to touch that, Sensei. I don't exactly fancy being turned to stone."
"Doing it with a medium makes the risk minimal. You already have the meditation technique down, so even without the help, I think you'd be fine. Your sensory ability is pretty detailed too. That can only help."
Nazoko sighed. "I'll think about it. I'm not promising anything."
"Right. So, what exactly is the plan when facing off with Hanzo and possibly Danzo?"
She had to explain everything. She really hoped she wouldn't have to do it again. It was a long and tedious process. She found herself wishing she was good at genjutsu yet again. It would help to just show them everything.
She was leaning against Shikaku by the time they decided to take some time to think about other options. It had taken a few hours and she was more than a little tired.
"I'll think about it some more. I might need to ask Nazoko a few clarifying questions."
Jiraiya nodded. "She knows the seals. We've also got some time. By the way, Nazoko. I think Sensei is going to change the schedule for you again. I'll talk to him about your... upcoming wedding... Did you have a date?"
She blinked. "I... haven't really thought about it." She glanced at Shikaku.
He shrugged.
She narrowed her eyes. "You have an opinion."
He raised a brow. "The sooner the better."
"Alright. I'll talk to Kairi and let Hokage-sama know."
"What about after?" Minato asked. "After Hanzo? There is more, right? Everything you've talked about made it sound like there was more after it."
She eyed him. "Nearly everything after it has to do with you."
"Is it something I need to know?"
She bit her lip. "Yes." She shook her head. "But not now."
"Telling him now could save us all a big headache," Tsunade suggested.
Nazoko pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "No. I won't try to change that." She sent the older woman a look imploring her to understand. "This is all about giving people their best chance at happiness. That is the only reason I'm choosing to act on these dreams."
She held up her hands in defeat. "Alright, alright. My lips are sealed."
Minato squinted. "So, my happiness could be jeopardized if you told me now?"
She sent him a deadpanned stare. "I'm not going to tell you anything. Jiraiya and I are working on things for after Hanzo. Tsunade is planning to help as well. That is all you need to know at the moment. Oh! And make sure to keep up with Obito's weights and Rin's situational awareness! Keep doing what your doing for Kakashi."
She turned to Sakumo. "You need to step up the training for him a little. His stamina will never be anything beyond average, but his chakra reserve will be impressive." She tilted her head and turned back to Minato. "Actually, I am going to tell you something. If the Hokage sends your team to Kusa for a sabotage mission, LET ME KNOW. I don't care where I am. Tell me."
"...Okay."
"Good. Tou-san is home."
Kenta walked in and froze at the rather odd gathering of people. "Hello..."
Nazoko got up and hugged him. "Welcome home!"
He kissed her forehead. "Thanks, Nazo-chan. Busy day?"
She shrugged. "Productive."
"I don't think you go a day without doing something productive. So... is everyone staying for our movie night?"
"No. We aren't. We were all just about to leave." Jiraiya heaved himself up. "We'll talk soon, Nazoko. Remember, this is the last month."
"Got it."
Sakumo gave her a hug and thanked her for trusting him before he left. She waved to everyone else except Shikaku.
She pulled him to her bedroom and told Kenta she'd be right out.
"I'm really sorry, Shikaku," She said as soon as the door closed.
He shook his head. "Don't be. It really does explain some of your behavior. Is it a kekkei genkai?"
"I honestly don't think so. I haven't had any new." She made a gesture since there weren't seals up. "Not since the academy. I don't know why it happened to me but it did. I've just been muddling my way through since."
He walked forward and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm just glad you told me. You can talk to me about anything, you know that, right?"
"I know..."
He stiffened. "Minato... You said he was going to become Hokage."
She laughed against his vest. "Yes. That would be one of the things I am not going to tell him." She glanced up at him through her lashes. "Did you want to know something about your future?"
"You saw me?"
She lightly hit his chest. "I did. The dreams didn't account for me, so your future was different but... I can tell you the one thing that won't change." She shrugged. "If you want."
"Hm... Why not?"
She grinned. "Minato is going to make you the Jonin Commander."
He gave her a slow blink.
She giggled at his reaction. Leaning up on the tips of her toes, she placed her lips against his. "I should get out there."
He held her close for another moment before stepping back and following her out of the room and to the front door. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Mm-hmm. Love you."
"Love you too."
Here's the link; topsyturvy-dream dot tumblr dot com / post / 627067009452097536 / Make sure to take the spaces out and replace the dots.
Thanks again to topsyturvy-dream for posting this in your blog for me!
If the link isn't working or not showing, I also have both posted to my profile.
Arg! Only one chapter left until this story will be marked as "on hiatus". The official call is that I will give you the choice. If I don't get back into writing this story after a few months, I will post an AN to give you the chance to request the wrap up sent via PM. I really do intend to finish this story at some point, but I know how I feel about waiting longer than a few months for an update. So, the choice will be yours. I will not send the wrap up any earlier than 3 months though. Just in case I get inspired. This part of the AN will be posted again in the next chapter as a reminder.
Thank you for all the amazing reviews. You guys rock!