Key :

[Present | Past ]

Talking: [ "Dialogue" | "Internal Dialogue" |"Internal Biju Dialogue"]

{ December }

[ A + 29 ]

"This isn't normal." Akihiro panted as they walked on their hands together, side-by-side for the tenth time around the inside of the village's perimeter.

"This is an easy day." She huffed, actively having to force her hands in front of another to continue their trek. "It's a bit unconventional, sure." She continued, wincing with each 'step'. "But he has some valid points. Getting used to controlling chakra with a depleted oxygen flow is a good thing to practice when not fighting for your life." She paused, catching her own breath before continuing. "How he came up with this." She swirled her head in a circle to motion at what they were doing. "I honestly don't think I want to know." She could not see her plum haired teammate as they came around the front gate, but she could practically feel his glare.

"Tenth time the charm, eh Uzumaki?" Tsume barked from her post, clearly enjoying harassing the two of them with each pass. "What, they've got five on you now? Or was it fifteen?" The father-son duo was the least of her worries. Albeit it hadn't started off that way. Kushina had just about run Akihiro into the ground trying to keep up, and failing miserably, during the first lap.

"You guys are doing great!" Minato cheered over the Inuzuka heirs' laughter.

"Do you want to punch them? I want to punch them." Akihiro attempted to laugh at her retort, but groaned almost immediately.

"Don't make me laugh. I almost tipped over and would have had to start all over." She risked chuckling before mumbling an apology as they continued their upside down stroll in a comfortable silence.

While they had taken up training with Dai and his son, she more so than Akihiro, they were cut from a different cloth. Her current running theory was that because of their genetic disposition, at least based on what she knew about Dai since she didn't know Gai's mother, their family had historically heavily focused on Taijutsu and maybe Kenjutsu. Dai hadn't ever gotten into the details of it, but some things he had said made her think that Gai's difficulty using ninjutsu was genetic.

Either way, Dai, whether he knew it or not, was a source of inspiration for many.

"You've made it! And without tipping over once! Wonderful job!" She rolled forward onto her back when they finally made it back to their starting point. Gai was doing squats while crying. She really didn't want to ask while Dai was stretching.

"I look forward to seeing the both of you tomorrow!" There was no time for either of them to respond to the elder, as the duo had charged off, leaving nothing but a cloud of dirt in their wake.

"I blame you."

"Huh?"

"Eccentricities draws eccentricities." He motioned to himself. "I am plain. Boring, even. My hair is the only unique thing about me. I am rational. Factual. I pride myself in taking after the Nara's approach on life. You… everyone knew from the moment you showed up in class that you were special. Different. That you were going to shake up the world with your existence alone." He shook his head, smirking. "It's thanks to you that I am forced to experience the eccentric bits of life. Don't take this as a critique or attack. I appreciate it. While… trying at times. It keeps me on my feet and has allowed me to meet unique personalities and skill sets that I may have never bothered with to begin with."

"Ugh… You're welcome? And thanks, I think?" Akihiro had never been a man of many words and even she had spotted similarities between his persona and a Nara. "I honestly have no idea how to respond to that." She laughed, rubbing the back of her head.

"You didn't have to. It was just an observation and factual statement." He smirked, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You're an anomaly, Kushina and I am thankful and proud to call you my friend and teammate."

"Stop." She shoved him, flustered and unsure of how to respond with the compliments. "Go back to making questionable, backhand compliments. I know how to respond to that. This… while sweet. Is not something I am trained for." One of the Hokage's messenger birds cut their conversation short as it landed on her head.

"Looks like the Hokage would like to speak with you. If you need a partner, you know where to find me." With that the plum haired shinobi turned around and made his way towards the village center. Leaving Kushina to look up at the bird that nestled down on her head.

"Don'tcha think you're gettin' a little too comfy there, birdbrain?" Her only response was it nestling further on top of her head. "Shoo… Shoo. Let him know I am on my way." She flailed, throwing her arms around her head and scaring the bird off. It would be real nice to know how to Shunshin right now. She thought as she turned toward the Hokage mountain and headed off.

She arrived at the building in about fifteen minutes. The messenger hadn't a scroll or ribbon on him, so she knew there was no rush. During the walk her mind wandered to a multitude of things, but then focused on avoiding her best friends when she picked up their signatures on the edges of her range. She knew she had been avoiding them, but it wasn't intentional. She was just focused on her training and hadn't wiggled in some time for social activities.

As she entered the mansion, her mind wandered as to the reason for her summons. It had been a while since she or Akihiro had been on a mission and she couldn't help but wonder if she was going to be filling in for another team since she had been the only one the bird had harassed. By the time she was outside of the Hokage's office she had hyped herself up at the idea of a mission. Sandbagging, as Melody had called it, was like picking a random card out of a deck. You never knew what you were getting yourself into.

Stepping aside as two kids left his office, Kushina stepped in.

"Have you heard from Emi?" The words were out of his mouth as she heard the door gently shut behind her, and immediate gooseflesh dotted her skin. Melody had been the last thing on her mind as to the purpose of her summoning. Their original deal had been that Emi, Mels, would send a report daily while out. That changed after the Chūnin Exams, when Kushina jolted awake as Melody snapped back into their mind. A rush of memories flashed before her as the soldier took charge of their body and rushed to the Hokage's Office with information about her last mission. It was only then that Kushina had realized that the rules of the game had changed and that door Melody had told her to not worry about was far more important than she had realized.

"-that's further than the last test." The Third nodded, exhaling smoke from his nose.

"And entirely unexpected. I promise you, Hokage-sama, could have avoided being dispersed. I would have." Melody brought their hand up to the back of their head with a chuckle as Kushina tried to wrap her head around everything that had just happened in the last couple of minutes.

"And how are you taking it?" While they were sharing the same body, Kushina knew that he was talking to her this time.

"A bit discombobulated, definitely shocked… and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about what was behind this new door."

"Don't." Both the Hokage and Melody's thoughts echoed.

"I know, Hokage-sama." Stepping back, she allowed Melody to take charge again, listening as the two elders spoke in covert and round-about terms to discuss whatever mission she had last been on. While she didn't know the details of the mission, Kushina caught on that they were talking about darker things than just patrolling a border.

"Given some time to box up this last encounter. I can be out there in a night."

"There is no need." The Third shook his head. "While I have you both here, I think it is time to reevaluate the system and get a specialist's opinion."

Now, Emi was to keep her memories locked away from Kushina. It was something that they had been doing the entire time, but had neglected to inform the Hokage about. Mostly because that could lead to questions about what things the elder was hiding from her host and the leader of the village. Luckily, the Third seemed to have been toying with the idea for a while as he summoned for Inori and then explained the reasoning they wanted Emi's memories split.

Emi was an invaluable tool that gave them an edge against other villages and gave the Hokage options he, nor his predecessors, had in the past. But because of her origins, being directly linked to Kushina who was both the villages Jinchūriki and last Uzumaki, they also had to consider the possible unknown ramifications of this new technique. Treading in unknown waters, both he and Inori were unwilling to risk her natural development.

Inori then explained how compartmentalization was normal and heavily leaned on in response by most shinobi. He usually cautioned against its overuse, but these were special circumstances. Her scheduled visits with him would drop to a mandatory once a week, but upon any breach or concern they could summon her at a moment's notice.

This was the first time either had summoned her regarding Emi.

And that worried her.

"I haven't heard anything since she left." The teen answered honestly, rubbing the side of her arm to quell her raised flesh. "I haven't mastered it, but should I try to get a hold of her?"

"That is unnecessary." Unable to help herself, Kushina looked at the Hokage as if he had grown a second head. Then why bother calling me? She thought as he continued. "What is your relationship with Sakumo Hatake?" Now her jaw dropped. W-what kind of question is that? "I ask because it would seem that a certain clone of yours…" There was a gleam in his eye that came up every time he spoke about this ability of theirs. "Has been seen constantly with our very own White Fang and son."

Kushina was talking the second he paused.

"After the incident with Obito and his Clan." She wrapped her arms around herself as she spoke, not daring to look the Hokage in the eye. "I, like me-me, may have befriended the Hatake's through that. But I promise you that there is nothing else going on." This is getting a little hairy, Mels. Kushina inwardly groaned, cheeks flushing at the knowing smirk the Third responded with. "Seriously! I look up to him as a ninja, y'know!" Flustered, exhausted, and in no way prepared for this kind of conversation, Kushina's hands needed something to do. Something to work off the growing anxiety within her, so she grabbed a good chunk of her hair. "He's a living legend, y'know. One of the few monikered shinobi from the last war who you see in the village regularly." She wanted to wring Melody's neck, but was still happy she was making a life for herself. "I-I-I mean, Emi seems to prefer his company, sure. But I don't think that means anything y'know. I don't think it's anything more than when academy students make friends with one another. People they wouldn't have encountered had they not been constantly in the same place for prolonged periods of time." Watching his smirk deepened, she panicked further. "P-Plus those are just the kinds of people she was used to dealing with. Y'know, older people. Not that I have anything against older people, Hokage-Sama. You guys are the best! I admire a lot of you, y'know." She knew she was only digging herself into a deeper grave as she tried to use what little information the soldier had given her about her separate life. "And when I say admire, I don't mean-"

"Calm down, Kushina." The Third's laughter froze the teen in place. She had never seen him laugh so genuinely before and the motion de-aged him a couple of years alone. She blinked not once, but twice, in awe of it. He almost looked more like the Third she had seen through Melody's memories. Realizing only now that she was used to seeing him so tense. Her hand fell from her locks of hair as he calmed down. "If you hear anything about Emi, you are to inform me right away."

"Understood, Hokage-sama!"

"You are dismissed."

Running into Mikoto or Minato was no longer a concern as she trekked toward Ichiraku's. She needed ramen to sooth her wandering and frantic mind. As she waited for her dish, her mind focused on her encounter with the young Hatake and Uchiha prior to her walking into her summoning. She had thought little about it. Kakashi hadn't bothered more than to glance at her, which didn't seem out of character given her own memories and those she saw from Melody. What had gained her attention was the onyx-haired Uchiha seemed to eye her up. Recognition had flickered there momentarily and, dare she say, awe.

It had all happened so quick though she hadn't paid it no mind. Both looked dissatisfied with whatever conversation they had just had with the Third. Only now, looking back on it, did she notice how odd it was for two probable academy students, given their lack of headbands. She knew little about either of them, as they were part of Melody's circle and their circles didn't collide.

"That was quite the sigh there, young lady." Teuchi chuckled from behind the counter, shaking the teen out of her thoughts. "You know, I'm always all ears."

"And I sincerely appreciate that Teuchi! You're a bartender for us non-drinkers and while I cannot speak for everyone, I can say that I appreciate it." She hadn't even noticed that he had already served her dish. "Thank you for the meal!"

"I need a favor." The unexpected interruption caused the teen to choke on the delicious ramen she had just begun digging into. "It's like a big favor and something I should have mentioned before this but didn't think that it would happen so soon-"

"Breath Mels, Breath." Kushina thought back as she waved and smiled at Teuchi, who was looking at her with something akin to paternal worry.

"Sakumo." Now Kushina knew something was up. Coincidences didn't just happen, not to this degree and Kushina wasn't about to just standby and let things be. "How are things?"

"Thanks for the meal!" She chirped, leaving with a wave after setting enough for her meal down by her bowl. This would not be just some offhand, quick conversation. The Uzumaki wanted answers and cut her meal short and find a place where the two of them could talk with little chance of interruption.

"Does this have anything to do with Kurama's insistent evasiveness and that room in our mind that I cannot get into?"

"I always assumed he got that from his father." The soldier grumbled with a huff as Kushina turned toward the training grounds. "Seriously, they did y'all a disservice by not building on this time period."

"Going to act like I didn't hear that." Sitting down under a tree the teen brought fell into her tried-and-true meditation pose… laying flat on her back. "What happened?"

"The summary: I did a thing." Whether it be hormones or their shared mind had finally tainted her initial innocent mind, Kushina did not know. What she knew was that she was grateful that this conversation and this particular image in her mind had occurred after her meeting with the Third.

"Mels!"

"What?!"

"What happened to: Don't kiss and tell?"

"What?" The silence that settled over them greeted her when she entered her mind. She couldn't hear the waves in the distance, and there was a disturbingly faint scent of copper in the air. "You know what, no… I don't want to know."

"Going back to your question. I only see him in passing, Mels." Sensing the soldier behind her, Kushina turned and couldn't stop herself. "Melody, what the fuck?" She was no Inori, or Yamanaka at that… but wounds were not something that neither of them typically had an issue with. At least not for prolonged periods of time. They typically built their images in here off of how they viewed themselves. It was why Melody always looked like true self and not a copy of her. Kushina had a nagging feeling that was why they were good at compartmentalization, as Inori had pointed out.

"Don't worry about me." The soldier laughed, rubbing the tip of her nose.

"Your chakra! It's sealed!" She squinted. "Partially?" Now that they were in the same room, for lack of a better word, it was easier for Kushina to connect the dots. "That's why I haven't been able to feel you as of late." The last time something like that had occurred was during the incident that cost Manabu his life and they were sharing the same body. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that the slight pull she had with the soldier had faded into nonexistence shortly after she had left for her last mission. She was right! Coincidences don't exist.

"That sounds soooo weird when you put it that way." Laughing, the brunette shook her head. "Look, we'll worry about that later, darlin'. How long ago did Sakumo return?"

"I don't know a couple days. How long have you been like this?" The teen shot back.

"Shite, and how many days have I been..." The brunette's thoughts faded into the breeze as Kushina glared at her seemingly unanswered question. While she had not been her original teacher, Melody had been the one who compounded the importance of timelines. Especially maintaining them, which was exponentially more important because of their shared life experiences. It was the foundation of their compartmentalization ability.

"Fine. Where are you?" The glare Melody sent her was an answer in itself, but the soldier replied verbally, anyway.

"You're crazy if you think I am going to tell you where I am after they did this to me." The two shared a moment of silence before her glare narrowed further. "Crazy."

"Ok, then. What are you going to do?"

"Wip."

"You're excused."

"Work in progress. Smart ass."

"I get it from you." Kushina sung, knowing she was being childish. "Did you try using the Kyūbi?"

"And therein is the problem," Melody grumbled, crossing her arms as the surrounding breeze picked up with her annoyance. "Because of my connections with the two of you." She pointed agitatedly at the redhead and likely in the Fox's general direction. "They deduced I had high reserves. In one instance I am sure that would have been enough a deterrent to scare away anyone, but of course that only piqued his curiosity and interest." Rubbing the tip of her nose again, the soldier continued. "Anyway, who are the few who have ridiculously high, like off the chart high, reserves?"

"Shit."

"Precisely. I am trying to toe the line with them thinking I am some offshoot survivor or something. Of either the known options. But, let's say they were to find out I had access to a certain Fox's chakra in addition to that?"

"Well, they would think you were his host. But is that so bad?" Kushina offered as she began processing the information to come up with some sort of plan that may help them in the long run.

"I thought the same thing. Unfortunately, there are too many important people who know otherwise. It would cause the Third unnecessary difficulty behind the scenes. He's already given us far more leeway than I thought he ever would." She frowned as the winds died down. "That would only be some of the short-term repercussions, just think about what would happen once word officially gets out that you are the proper host."

"I still don't see this as a pure loss. So what, there are eight others y'know."

"That's my absolute last resort." Melody admitted. "I don't know who is which host. Which has a host. Which does not. Either way, once this mask's ties are linked back to Konoha that would cause another onslaught of consequences. Probably a larger war than the one we are tip-toeing as is. The distribution of the tailed beast supposedly led to the first, albeit short, peace… is it not?"

"Do you think they know that you have part of one?"

"No, luckily, this particular thorn is shallow. He doesn't particularly seem to give a damn why my reserves are high, or is banking on simple rationale as to it." The brunette paused, scrunching her brows together. "By gosh, that was a kami-awful sentence."

"It was!" The teen laughed, "But I understand."

"I have another reason for reaching out to you." Melody admitted rubbing her left arm. "No pressure, but if you could try to pull me back when you find some downtime periodically, that would be divine."

"That's really hit or miss, Mels."

"I know. That's why I am not banking on it. I am going to continue to do what I can on my end. I just want you to know that I would not mind being forced back given the opportunity."

"Dispersing is not an option?"

"Look. Hiding away the Fox kinda left me with my pants down and with some unforeseen hurdles." The teen nodded, not quite understanding, but knowing that if she could, the soldier would. "While I am a bit more willing, now to let the intricacies of this mission bleed into your side of the house. I'd like to come to the Third saying this was a last resort sort of deal."

"It already sounds like you're there."

"Oh, I am. It's just a slippery last resort."

"Fine."

"Fine?" The two of them stood across from one another and the soft sound of the waves shifting up the beach started up again. "Thanks. I'll keep working things on my end and don't get all hyper focussed on getting me out of here. Just a couple times throughout the day if you can. I'd rather you prepare yourself for these kinds of enemies. Get stronger. Learn what you can from those around you. Build those up around you. Our situation isn't something to rely on. We don't know how long it will last. What will happen to me or you in the long term and that will directly affect those around us." The soldier walked forward and wrapped her arms around the teen. "I have faith in you. I know he gets that from you."

Once again Kushina found herself alone in her mindscape.