Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything or anybody except Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Any concepts/ideas mentioned in this fanfiction that seem to be borrowed from another media/piece of continuity — note that I don't mean to plagiarize anything or anybody in any way! This fanfic was made for entertainment purposes, not for pissing off others! So yeah!
The theme for this chapter is actually the main inspiration for this specific chapter title. Specifically, I'm talking Ash Like Snow, the second opening of Mobile Suit Gundam 00's first season, by The Brilliant Green. For those of you looking for a piano version, genaha96 on YouTube has made a full cover of the full song. Now, I will say this right now — I haven't watched all of the original show. In fact, I only watched bits and pieces through my older brother, who rented the series through Netflix back when I was in middle school. But the meaning of the lyrics inter-spliced with the visuals of the original opening really stuck with me, and since Plot is moving again, it just fit.
Missions seem to always have an undertone of dread.
On the other hand, there are a few more songs for this chapter that came around in the middle of my writing this. The first is Fate/Apocrypha's opening by EGOIST, being Eiyuu Unmei no Uta, or Heroes: Fate's Song, since I've been getting in Fate and the song helped give the serious tone I wanted to deliver. The second has two variations like the aforementioned Ash Like Snow, the song being titled Nakama, one piece from the massive soundtrack that originated with Naruto Shippuden. The original or the piano version done on Synthesia by the YouTuber known as Mariovereher works. I do recommend to watch the piano version first before going to the original, since the original does a lot more of the emotion well.
Of course, it has to be said that all these songs are on the CP OST YouTube playlist for you all to check out. Link is on my profile page. Still. I've gone on enough.
Please enjoy.
Chapter 54: Ash Like Snow
Sarutobi Hiruzen was not looking forward to this meeting. Emotional teenagers were one thing. Facing the Jounin and his own fellow politicians was an entirely new situation. Even if it was something he was familiar with already, more so when it came to war.
'You should at least be able to find a better way.'
Hikari's words continued to echo in his head, even as he steeled his heart for the inevitable. A part of him felt apologetic. Horrible, even, if he thought on it more than necessary.
The greater good always out-weighed the needs of a single family. The greater good was what made the village survive for so long.
The First and Second Hokages always believed in that, didn't they…?
'The fellow countrymen of Konoha make up each part of my body. Those of the village believe in me and I believe in them. That's what it means to be Hokage.'
Hiruzen sighed softly.
Hashirama-sama, what should I do when some in the village don't believe in me?
Opening the door led him face to face with a filled meeting room. The resolute stares of Minato and Jiraiya were comforting, but at the same time, he could not shake off the feeling of eyes boring into the back of his head.
Orochimaru and Danzo. The strongest men he knew, and the most slippery. Hiruzen couldn't trust his own judgement when they were around anymore, but he knew that they needed to be here. He needed their power when it came to infiltrating the enemy lines.
Kirigakure couldn't be ignored, especially when it came to new intel.
Hiruzen was hoping, at least, that Kushina could help out when the time came.
"Greetings to you all. Thank you for coming at such short notice. I believe it is time we start discussing the Tailed Beasts. We recently received some new info about the Three Tails and how Kiri seems to be plotting something."
Danzo was already looking up at him with that same stern black eye.
Hiruzen couldn't help but wonder where his old confident friend went. When had he disappeared for this silent enigma, this war hawk, who plotted for something? The Hokage's seat? Power? When did the world change into that? Where did the cheery days of innocence go?
The world never felt so heavy on his shoulders until now.
'There was always another choice!'
Hikari, Hiruzen mused silently. You fool. You ignorant and naive fool. You don't know anything.
He ignored the feeling of his heart collapsing in on itself with those thoughts.
For the war's end, for the sake of the village's survival, he had to be the pillar to keep the leaves on Konoha's trees upright. Hiruzen made sure to lock up his heart. Crnk, crnk.
He couldn't hesitate now.
"However," he took in a breath while straightening his back. He couldn't be Hiruzen any longer. The village needed a Hokage. "I believe we can use this to our advantage. That is, as long as the person I am thinking of would be willing to agree."
"So, let me get this straight."
"Uh-huh."
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. "You have memories of another me."
"Yes."
"And," he held back a large sigh in exchange for hanging his head towards the side. "He had a life where Dad died—"
I was tempted to sink into my seat cushion and melt into a very nervous puddle. I couldn't do that, though, and sat through it with a soft, "Yes."
Kakashi was looking more and more done with the situation, especially when he started pinching the bridge of his nose tighter. "And Minato-sensei, Obito, and Rin all died in some way or form—"
"Yes."
"And," Kakashi finally sighed loudly while opting to actually flop over onto the tile floor, completely disregarding his seat cushion while doing so. "He ended up alone. In the end."
Hearing him say it so flatly, so dryly had my heart shake in my ribs. It was hard to not feel shameful. I should've said this all sooner. But then what? This was the bed I made. My voice came out dry. "Not entirely. Guy-kun lived. Your—" I caught myself and shook my head, "His students lived. He was able to retire. Happy. At least, from what I saw of the end."
Hisako was caught between opening her mouth and staring at me forlorn for a long time. It took an extra moment for her to then move and give me a mental hug.
At this point, I was starting to question whether or not I deserved it.
"Alright," he said finally before going quiet. He was still lying down on the floor, and after about 15 minutes had passed, I didn't know whether to poke him or really just check if he was even conscious.
Out of uncertainty or some kind of burning shame, my voice came out small and hesitant instead. "Kakashi?"
Immediately, Kakashi sat up. His silver eye was wide for a moment before it landed on me and softened in my direction. "Yeah?"
"Is…" the words felt like sawdust in my throat. "Is that it?"
Now he was looking confused. The furrow of his eyebrows seemed to deliver that, anyways. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Oh great, now the words were leaving my head to the point of leaving my mouth dry. "You're taking this…extremely well. Remarkably, if I can say that." I was expecting you to yell, or be angry, or something. Not this calm. "How are you not fazed?"
Kakashi's eye widened again before he closed it with a small sigh. "Ah," he said simply, before leaning back on his hands as he stared up towards the ceiling. "That. I'm…" he trailed off before sighing again, louder this time. "I'm not even doing that."
Huh? Hisako answered for me.
I blinked; my mouth left dry. A tiny "Eh?" was all I could find leaving my throat.
Kakashi only brought his head up to stare at me for what felt like a long time before he stood up from his cushion. All I could do was stare after him as he walked over to me, slowly, my heart beating hard in my chest as he did so. Once the tile underneath us creaked with his weight coming close, he sat down on his knees so that we could be at eye level, his gaze flickering as he continued to stare at me. "It's taking everything I have to not burst out into more questions," was the soft murmur, and my blood was already starting to feel cold. "About how much was going on."
The handle to Oblivion was already showing up in Hisako's hands. Shit. Tomoko-chan.
"A-And?" was my instinctive response. I couldn't even explain my shoulders tensing. All I knew was that something was coming, and I needed to leave because I didn't want to hear it, but my heart already was saying I couldn't.
I couldn't leave him.
To my surprise, Kakashi shook his head before he pulled at a corner of his mask to bring it down and expose a clearly sheepish smile. "I think I've had enough of questions for a week. And I know you've been stressed. So I wasn't going to ask anything else. It's taking a lot, but I won't ask. Not now, anyway."
Hisako then lowered Oblivion in her hands, shoulders almost limp. Oh, she said softly, the keychain to the Keyblade clinking against her jeans. I didn't see that coming.
Neither did I.
My heart beat just as softly. Lubdub, lubdub. A big shaky smile was already climbing up my face, in spite of my very quiet reply. "You really mean that?"
A single breath was all that was between us before Kakashi lurched forward and planted a light kiss on my head, right on the space between my bangs. "Yes."
I tried not to flush red at the gesture and found myself beaming up at him instead. It wasn't my best smile, but I knew that I meant every single part of it. I didn't deserve him at all. "You're a dork. I was ready to say something, and then you say that."
"And you're dense, and it's fine," Kakashi teased back, but he was smiling too. "We can handle that another day. When we're both feeling rested, I mean. It's better to take it one thing at a time."
Oh so help me, I couldn't help it when my heart called for something after he said that.
So, without even thinking, I wound my arms around his neck and pulled him in.
The kiss wasn't much. If anything, it was somewhat clumsy and rather… well, not that great from kiss-standards. It wasn't helped by how fast I pulled him in the first place. I could've sworn we bumped chins or something, actually. Maybe even bumped teeth. Still, Kakashi didn't take long to unfreeze and wrap his arms around my waist, pulling me up from my cushion so that he could respond in full and correct it, and despite the awkward positioning, the motion said a few things. Warmth, acceptance, and one message.
It's okay.
I could even ignore Hisako's loud squealing as I slowly pulled away, ducking my head so that I wouldn't have to meet Kakashi's rather heated stare. It was still a kiss I initiated, but hey, things never stop being embarrassing sometimes.
Even without meeting his eye, I knew Kakashi was grinning. "That's new."
AAAAAAAAH, YES! THIS IS SO GOING INTO THAT PHOTO ALBUM I HAVE SAVED.
YOU HAVE A PHOTO ALBUM. A PHOTO ALBUM?!
YES.
GODDAMMIT.
"I-I felt like it," was my outward response, because gosh this was embarrassing. More so when you just find out that your other self actively loves this shit. Moving my legs didn't seem like an option though, because once I tried to wiggle, a strong grip at my waist kept me still, and I looked up only to catch my boyfriend smirk. "Um. What's that look for?"
"Oh," he said, the same light tone to his voice. "I was just thinking that I wanted to kiss you again. The last one didn't even come close to enough."
AAAAAAAAAH! YES!
I was absently starting to wonder when Hisako's voice box was going to break.
Even with the heat flooding my face now, I still found myself raising an eyebrow at him. "I just gave you a kiss earlier. You still want more?"
"Blame a guy for trying to ask," Kakashi went on casually, but the dorky smirk on his face said everything. He was clearly trying to hide it, at least from what I could see, but the pink on his face was hard to miss. Before I could think on it more, he leaned in so that our noses would touch. His voice went an octave lower. "Can I?"
A shaky breath left my mouth, brushing his mouth very clearly judging by the faint rustle of some stray silver hairs, and Kakashi simply smiled. I tried not to fidget, instead reaching up to cup his cheeks in my hands, squishing them. The dork. My dork. "Not for too, well, too long, okay? I was thinking we could head out later. Just the two of us. And nothing inappropriate. Please?"
I didn't even know where the last part came from.
Still, Kakashi was already a mere centimeter away as he exhaled softly, the same grin on his unmasked face. "That's an idea I can go along with."
And then he was pulling me close and kissing me all over again to the point where I couldn't breathe.
The absolute dork.
I already decided to not mention his shaking hands and held him back as much as he allowed me to. Respect was, and still is, a two-way street.
Papa was already staring at us with a raised eyebrow as soon as we entered the living room. "Where do you plan on going?"
I tried to not focus on his stare, because my mouth was still tingling and Kakashi was kinda close by. The dork. He was an absolute dork. We were in my room…being affectionate…for who knows how long, because Papa was still staring and my cheeks were on fire. "O-Outside?" I squeaked out.
"Uh-huh," he said dryly, glancing between Kakashi and I, and I didn't miss how his stare lingered on our…well, intertwined hands all the while. "Lemme guess. Date?"
I could've sworn the room felt hotter now if not for the sweat building up in my hand. Kakashi squeezed it softly, which was appreciated, but I didn't know if that helped. "Um," I said helpfully. "Yeah?"
Tomoko-chan, your voice cracked.
I know. Don't bring it up, please.
My Nobody simply raised her pom-poms with a shaky smile and a shrug of her shoulders. You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!
I could only hope so.
Hisako simply needed to jump in the air and try to be a gymnast to pull off the cheerleader act full time.
Papa let out a loud, exaggerated sigh into his right hand. "Of course," was the mutter, and I could've sworn he sounded older. "A date…"
Behind me, Kakashi was already thrown for a loop. That is, if his response was any indication. "Is there a problem with that, Uncle Judai?" I was really hoping it was only me, but Kakashi was already starting to sound miffed, and you know me. I don't like seeing things like that.
Do something.
I squeezed my boyfriend's hand as my own response, and Kakashi's stare in the general direction of Papa softened as soon as he noticed the gesture. He squeezed my hand back a bit tighter, and I had to hide a small smile. "Papa," I spoke up outwardly, "you don't have to get that down. Kakashi and I kinda just need some time to ourselves, after everything political that's happened," at which Papa immediately raised his head from his hand to stare at me incredulously. "So," I tried to smile as best as I could, which wasn't saying much considering how the heat was still on, "You don't have to worry? We'd just be around the shopping districts."
For some reason, I could not shake off the strange feeling that this was echoing a certain other conversation my past self had a long time ago.
The words were sudden in my head.
'Vy-chan, just be honest with yourself.'
I knew the voice, but still. I wasn't expecting Josh's voice.
It felt like it had been years since I last heard him in my head. Why now?
What the— Hisako was blinking, so wait. It wasn't her? Where did he come from?
I tried not to shake my head. Hisako, that was definitely Josh, right?
It was. I'm just surprised a memory of him popped up first. I would've expected Leo. Still, Hisako smiled, and I found myself curious. Why was she doing that? Then again, those two always did have quite the positive influence on you. Maybe the stress is starting to fade if he decided to show up again.
I tried not to outwardly flush red since Papa was still staring in our direction. "So, uh," I said to fill in the sudden silence, because when did that happen, "It's okay, Papa. We won't get lost or anything."
Kakashi was still staring holes into the back of my head, and that wasn't helping much.
Ju—Dad. Please say something.
I was glad Hisako said that before I could think it.
Then, Papa's eyes finally softened in my direction as he nodded his head, letting out a smaller, softer sigh. It sounded exasperated from how it echoed in the silence. "Alright," he said finally, "I'll try not to get myself wound up then." He then turned his head to look past me, and his smile turned into a more solemn frown. "Kakashi, you make sure my hime doesn't get into trouble, alright?"
"Of course, Uncle Judai," Kakashi said immediately, and I didn't miss how his grip on my hand tightened. "I promise."
Why did this feel like a dramatic declaration that wouldn't be out of place in another anime?
Don't think on it too much, dear.
Papa smiled again, and the air lightened as he did so. "Glad to hear it." He was showing his teeth now, and I already knew that things were simmering down. "And, Tomoko-chan, don't push yourself too much out there, okay? Relax."
…Is that supposed to mean something, or should I just take that?
Don't look at me. I'm not a mind-reader. Then Hisako threw her hands up in the air with a visible sweat drop. I mean, I can read your mind, dear, but don't ask me to do that for anyone else! I can't do that and it's already uncomfy when there's a Yamanaka in here. This mindscape should only be for you and me.
I didn't know if I wanted to tempt her but found myself asking anyway. And your photo albums?
AND THE PHOTO ALBUMS. WE CAN'T FORGET THOSE.
Aaaaaah.
BLAME A NOBODY WHO ACTIVELY SHIPS HER CHARGE WITH HER BEST FRIEND, GO AHEAD. SUE ME.
I'M NOT GOING TO SUE YOU.
I was already giving Papa a hug before pulling Kakashi by his left hand out of the house and down the stairs that led to the cafe. I was not going to handle the rest of that. Not to mention, today was another break day for me. So even with the occasional customer, ninja and civilian, being taken care of by various staff and Mama, I didn't miss Mama winking at me as we passed.
She could handle the tea. I still needed to wipe the heat off my face before even getting close to any teapot.
As always, the piano shined from the center of the stage. I was tempted to go to it, just for the sake of playing a song, but after everything that happened lately, fresh air felt like a better idea. And, well…
"Tomoko, you don't have to pull on me." Even with the statement, I knew Kakashi was humming. He wasn't even putting the heart into the "complaint" at this point. His grip was too strong to even act as a form of protest. "You could let go."
"But you're not really trying to get away now, are you?" I shot back, and a soft chuckle was his reply. "And I like holding your hand. So there."
Kakashi snorted fondly as a response.
No need to be a tsundere, dear~!
Hisako, I am not a tsundere. I'm just embarrassed as all heck, just let it go, please.
Alright, alright. And yet Hisako was still grinning. Of course she was on the ship train-turned real life thing. Focus on him though, please~!
Don't echo me.
Hm. Naaaaaah!
"Still, Tomoko," Kakashi tugged on my hand, pulling me back with the force somewhat as I found myself coming to a halt. "Where are we going to go?"
Whoops.
I glanced back at him with a sheepish smile. "I was thinking we could just explore…?"
Kakashi simply quirked an eyebrow at me before sighing softly. "Would you prefer we walk like this or for me to piggyback you?"
Already my stomach was churning and I shook my head vigorously. "If you're going to run while piggybacking me, no on that idea." I paused. "No offense."
Kakashi was already frowning. "Why?"
"Motion sickness," I elaborated with a small shrug of my shoulders. "I know sudden ninja-teleportation isn't good for me, and last I remember, you carried me piggyback to the Hokage Monument, running while I was screaming." I tried not to roll my eyes at the memory. It was still a nice one, don't get me wrong, but it was a bit frustrating from the circumstances that came around the whole thing. Sometimes, I wanted to curse my civilian physique. "No offense again, Kakashi, but it's kinda not the best idea if you want to run. I don't want to accidentally throw up on your shoulder."
Kakashi's frown deepened. "Okay," he said dryly, "That point is established. Do you have any other ideas?"
For some reason, I could feel heat starting to bloom on my face. "M-Maybe like you said earlier — just walk around, holding hands like this?" And my voice cracked again. Why?
Maybe it was the embarrassment at suggesting such a cheesy gesture from romance movies. Or the simple fact that my best friend was now my boyfriend. I wasn't sure on the exact reasoning, but the surprise on Kakashi's face was palpable in the sunlight. Then it turned into a warm smile. "Sure," he agreed softly, squeezing my hand as confirmation. "I'm fine with that. Should we hit a store first?"
Even with the heat still flooding my face, I found myself smiling back. "Clothes or supplies?"
Kakashi shrugged but took a step forward so that he could be in the lead this time, pulling me along all the while. "Supplies first. Jim-san's store sounds like a nice idea."
My smile was now starting to stretch my cheeks because it was so big. "Okay."
I could at least conclude, accurately too, that my smile was so huge from Kakashi never letting go of my hand the entire time we were walking together to Cook's Ninja Tools and Crafts.
Having him around was still a blessing, even now.
All Kakashi had to do was simply open the door for Jim-san's gaze to flit to us from behind the counter, a large grin on his face. He mouthed a quiet, "Give me a minute," before addressing the obvious ninja customer in front of him. From the person's appearance, it was obvious that they were either Chunin or Jounin level from the green flak jacket, but a shiver was already going up my spine at the head of curly brown hair sitting on top of their shoulders.
After everything with the last person who had that hairstyle, it was hard to really feel at ease anymore with anything brown and curly.
"That'll be two thousand ryō, sir," Jim-san said cordially, apparently not noticing my tension as the cash register pinged with the total. The ninja across from him only nodded, rummaging through his pants pockets before pulling out the necessary money. It didn't take long for said ninja to slide the money towards Jim-san, and the payment was finished as quickly as it started.
"Thank you very much for your service," the ninja went while taking what was obviously a new bunch of kunai, and I tried not to tense, in surprise this time, at the deep voice coming from his throat. "Keep up the good work, Jim."
"Of course," Jim-san nodded, smiling softly. "See you later, Daisuke-kun."
"Got it." The ninja went on to stash the kunai into one of his many pockets of his jacket before turning around, and I blinked as soon as Kakashi's grip on my hand tightened.
This ninja had black eyes. Completely different from Satoru—Hitoshi-kun's brown eyes.
It's okay, Tomoko-chan. Breathe.
I found myself exhaling slowly as Kakashi spoke for me. "Daisuke-san."
Wait. Why was Kakashi tense this time?
"Oh, it's you. Hello, Kakashi," the aptly dubbed Daisuke-san said slowly, thick brown eyebrows furrowing across his forehead. "You've been well."
For some reason, this guy sounds like GLaDOS on a bad day. What happened?
"Same as you," Kakashi said curtly, and it was obvious even without the tight grip on my hand that there was definitely some bad blood between them. What? "I am guessing work is dwindling down?"
"With the war slowly coming to an end, yes," Daisuke-san nodded to himself while glancing to the side, as if trying to come up with another answer in the face of my boyfriend's obvious unimpressed stare. Um. Did I miss something? "There is still a lot of work to do before peacetime."
"Of course," Kakashi replied in the same curt tone, sounding even more miffed in spite of the cordial words. "To honor the lives lost, correct?"
Hisako nearly fell out of her chair. Oh hell. When did that start sounding like a burn?
Daisuke-san immediately whipped his head back to stare at Kakashi incredulously, just as Jim-san turned from his place at the cash register to gape. I was glancing at Kakashi too, and in spite of the combined shock, he didn't even do as much as flinch, only returning the brunette Jounin's gaze rather coolly.
"…We had orders, Kakashi," Daisuke-san said finally after a pause, as if the previous statement threw him off to the point of nearly choking. "What else were you expecting?"
"For us to be the weapons for the weak when they have none? For us to protect the weak when we clearly have the power to do so?" Kakashi returned, almost harshly, and he yet again tightened the grip on my hand. I glanced at him once more, and he wasn't staring back at me, but I could tell the gesture this time was more a statement than the usual romantic thing. I honestly didn't know what to make of it. "Is that not enough, Daisuke-san?"
For once, the Jounin angrily turned his head away, huffing before walking past us and through the door, intentionally shoving my boyfriend's shoulder while doing so. The conversation was clearly over, but that was possibly the rudest response to anything aside from…well, aside from Hitoshi-san and his father.
Wait a minute.
With the dots connecting in my head, I could already feel my blood start freezing.
Did he… Hisako was hesitant on voicing it too but did it anyways. Did Kakashi witness civilian casualties when we weren't there for him? And Daisuke-san forced him to not interfere?
It made sense, but it wasn't the most pleasant thought to consider. That thought was starting to go into business I probably shouldn't have been poking my head into considering everything with my previous and still ongoing stint, so instead, I squeezed my boyfriend's hand back. My voice came out quiet. "Kakashi?"
Thankfully, or perhaps miraculously, Kakashi heard me and turned to meet my eyes, his own stare softening from the glare he was apparently donning before. "Sorry about that, Tomoko. You didn't need to see that." He smiled through his mask, but I already knew he didn't fully mean it. He was definitely forcing it. "It was just some bad blood."
I wanted to ask but caught my tongue and nodded my head instead. It wasn't the right time. And prodding would just spill that blood in a way I knew neither of us would like. Instead, I said, "Will you be okay?"
He only loosened the grip on my hand but didn't let go as his smile turned a bit more wistful and genuine. The spark in his eye hinted at something warmer. A reminder that even with our new relationship, it was still the Kakashi I befriended so long ago. "With you here, yeah."
Before I could say anything else, Jim-san interrupted with a cough into his hand. "I know you two love each other, but there is another person in the room, y'know." Even then, I could've sworn I heard amusement in his voice, and the heat was already flooding my face as I turned back to him. "It's still good to see you both again."
"I-It's good to see you too, Jim-san," I filled in, because my heart was still on overdrive and it needed to stop, like, now. "You've been alright?"
"Scraping by." I wasn't expecting him to shrug with a more sheepish smile, gesturing to his shop all the while. "Work has been slowing down, so it's been quiet."
Huh? Hisako said for me.
"Because of the war?" Kakashi filled in quietly.
Jim-san took on a more solemn smile as he nodded in Kakashi's direction. "There's been less work with rumors of peace talks floating around the shinobi corps. So, as a blacksmith shop, I've been getting less weapon and craft-related requests. Though—" he did stretch his arms up high with a brighter smile, "the number of surprise gifts I've been receiving from civilians has been a nice break from the norm."
A small smile was already budding on my face, but I hid it out of politeness. It wasn't much but hearing that already gave me some kind of hope that this war was going to end. Tailed Beast trouble withstanding or not. Reincarnation trouble or not. "At least you're making do, Jim-san?"
He only turned to me with a brighter smile and a nod. "It's the least I can do, ojou-chan. And you've been doing the same, right?" It was hard to miss his knowing glance towards my and Kakashi's linked hands.
Even with my heart skipping at the obvious recognition, I found myself playing it off with a nervous giggle. "Y-Yeah, we have, Jim-san." From instinct, or perhaps love, I ended up squeezing Kakashi's hand all the while. "We have."
The warm stare in my direction was hard to ignore. The gesture almost made it out like the tension from before was a dream. Almost.
Jim-san only beamed brightly. "Now then," he stretched out his arms before standing taller behind the counter. "Is there anything I can get you two today?"
"Actually," Kakashi said softly, and I found myself blinking and turning to him, "There is one thing. Jim-san, did you get around to the request I put in for you?"
"Ahhhh, that one?" Jim-san was smirking now, and I couldn't help the confusion rolling through me as he turned around to face the inside of the counter. "That surprise of yours?"
"Yes, the 'surprise,' Jim-san," Kakashi finished in that no-nonsense manner of his. "You did finish it, right?"
"What kind of question is that?" Jim-san simply laughed while walking towards the curtain covering the entrance leading to the back, pushing it away to walk into the workshop. "Of course I finished it, Kakashi! What do you take me for?"
My boyfriend smiled when I shot him a questioning glance. "A good blacksmith and family friend?"
It was easy to hear Jim-san's joy in the approving whistle that wafted through the curtains covering the entrance to his workshop, the clatter of some metal tools echoing in the distance.
"Kakashi?" I whispered softly.
He simply smiled again through his mask at the sound of his name, turning his head to give me an affectionate look. "Just wait," he whispered back, and he squeezed my hand again too.
True to his instructions, plus the fact that there was nothing else to do, I did.
"Here we are!" was the booming voice from the back after a few moments, and I tried not to jump. It didn't take long for Jim-san to stride out of the workshop, something clearly clenched in his right hand now as he wiped a bit of what looked like oil off the top of his brow with his left. "Just needed a bit of polish, but it's ready, Kakashi." He extended his right hand, unfolding his fingers, and my jaw was already clenching from the shock. "Here you are."
Inside Jim-san's hand was another Wayfinder. The same Kingdom Hearts-inspired design as the ones I commissioned from him so long ago, just a bit bigger than the others based on the radius of the shape alone, and the color scheme was essentially an inversion of Kakashi's colors. A pitch black inside accentuated with silver outlines.
If I'm right, and I think I am… Shit, this is for Sakumo. Holy shit.
My gaze snapped up to meet Kakashi's eye. "Kakashi, this is—"
"You weren't able to make one for Dad, right?" Without even flinching, Kakashi reached into his back pocket to pull out a small wad of ryō, already pushing it to Jim-san across the counter as soon as Jim-san himself put the star down on the table. "So after everything, I decided to ask Jim-san for one. I thought it would be good after all these years."
The smile on my face was big enough to the point of stretching my cheeks painfully. "You've been thinking ahead."
"Nothing else to do but that, Tomoko," but he was smiling too, just as Jim-san let out a happy, "Thanks for the business!" with the ring of the cash register signifying the end of that deal. Kakashi immediately took the new Wayfinder from the countertop, turning it around in his fingers before stashing it into one of his many pockets. It was hard to miss the glint of his own Wayfinder still tied to his free right hand. Another reminder of the things that had changed from Canon. "It's a good use of savings."
"No complaints there," I couldn't help but giggle. "You did good."
Kakashi gave me a small eye smile.
Walking out of Jim-san's shop had us almost immediately collide with Guy.
Well, not exactly collide, but considering Guy's training routine, we were going to run into him sooner or later.
I wasn't expecting him to have company, but when Guy-kun pointed us out anyways, his current run around the village came to an abrupt halt. "KAKASHI! MY ETERNAL RIVAL!"
And yes, he did yell that too.
"Hey, Guy," Kakashi said coolly, still holding onto my hand even when Guy was running towards us and essentially invading our personal spaces a few seconds later. "Training again?"
"With my teammates, but yes! We have time, so we can finally use our Youth to the fullest!"
He's still fist pumping.
Would we have him any other way?
Hisako snorted. Nope. I think we'd both like a Guy who isn't nearly killed by Madara in the future, thank you very much.
It quickly became obvious that there was another ninja behind him, and I glanced past Guy's shoulder to meet the tired eyes of one Shiranui Genma. A younger Shiranui Genma.
Um. Whoa.
"H-Hello," he puffed tiredly, his hands resting on the knees of his pants. His senbon was limp in his mouth. A part of me was seriously starting to wonder how he was still chewing on it, even when breathless. "Sorry about this."
"Hi," I said slowly, because really, there was no other response to give but that since this was the first time I was really exchanging greetings with Genma. A Genma who was apparently tired out by the Green Beast's exercise routine, but still Genma. One of the Hokage's Guard in the near future, or perhaps even now. "You don't need to apologize, but, um. Are you okay?"
"Trying," Genma said to me, but the soft tone of cheeriness showed he was at least trying not to fake anything. At least, I was hoping so. "Thanks for the concern…"
"Guy, what have you been doing while Team Minato has been gone?" Kakashi interrupted incredulously, expressing more shock than Hisako and I combined while keeping it as cool as he usually spoke. The simple fact that he was shocked still made some sense, considering his Canon self, but geez. We had only been away for a week in terms of village things, no thanks to political shit, so what happened?
"Cleaning!" Guy cheered happily, with yet another fist-pump.
"…Cleaning," Kakashi repeated airily.
Guy was still energetic. "Cleaning!"
"Cleaning?" I couldn't help but repeat, cluelessly too.
Finally, Genma-san stood up tall from his previously crouched position, having caught his breath enough to add a final, "Cleaning. The village is cleaning up as we speak."
Uh. Whoa. This is new.
Probably because of the politics that Team Minato was currently caught up in, the words initially flew right over my head. It even took a few extra moments for the lightbulb to go off. Let it be said that I'm still dense sometimes. "Is it because of what happened at Kannabi Bridge?"
Guy-kun finally put on a more solemn smile, nodding. Before he could say anything, Genma-san stepped up to fill in. "Yeah. Sorry for interrupting your time. Your team did a good job in cutting off Iwa's supply lines, Kakashi, but there's work to be done. Last I heard, the Third Hokage was thinking of negotiating for a peace treaty with Iwa." He sighed around his senbon, and I knew it wasn't because of the apparent exhaustion he had worked himself around earlier. "They are backing down, but there's still tension. The village still needs to fix things." He paused and smirked. "Though, side note. You did good on getting a girlfriend. Congrats."
Even if half of that entire spiel went over my head, the words of "peace treaty" and the like still registered in my head. And of course, the girlfriend part. Like, really, was that necessary? It felt like a sudden insertion that wasn't necessary in the slightest. Heat was already flooding my face as Kakashi's grip on my hand tightened. "Thanks," he bit out calmly.
"No problem," Genma-san was still smirking. "You two suit each other."
"Well, uh," the blush was hard to even keep back now. "Th-Thank you?" I squeaked.
"OH, A CONGRATULATIONS FROM ME AS WELL, ETERNAL RIVAL, TOMOKO-CHAN!" Guy's loud exclamation nearly made my eardrums split apart from the volume, but Kakashi's grip on my hand alone was enough to bring me back to reality. Guy was still talking after all. "I DID NOT REALIZE YOU TWO HAD SOLIDIFIED YOUR RELATIONSHIP! YOU TWO FIT EACH OTHER!"
…Wait a minute.
My face was already feeling like a furnace. "Y-You knew?" Guy had swiveled his head to look at me, and I continued with a hasty and rather squeaky, "Not the relationship part. A-About us liking each other, and not acting on it until just a few weeks ago? That part?"
"It was obvious," Genma interrupted flatly with a raised hand. "With all the hugs." He paused, chewing his senbon before adding a thoughtful, "And your closeness."
Guy jumped up in place, without even a fist bump to emphasize it. Either he was just excited or still on a lot of adrenaline. "I SECOND THAT."
I glanced up at Kakashi only to see him turn his head away from me, not meeting my eyes. His ears from what I could see under his silver hair had turned a dark pink.
HAHAHAHAHAHA! CALLED IT! FIRST ONE ON THE SHIP, AND I SAW IT SAIL! I FREAKIN' CALLED IT!
HISAKO! ENOUGH!
NOPE. I'M GOING TO MILK THIS BECAUSE IT TOOK WAY TOO LONG FOR YOU TO FIGURE IT OUT.
If I wasn't going to die by Canon standards, then my Nobody would be the most likely culprit for that instead. Damn it. "O-Oh," I went outwardly instead, because I could handle my Nobody later. "Thanks for that…?"
"IT WAS MY PLEASURE, TOMOKO-CHAN!"
"Guy. Voice."
"OH!" A beat, and then Gai took a step back, bowing his head. "S-Sorry."
I AM SO GLAD I BET ON YOU, DEAR!
YOU BET ON ME?!
DAMN STRAIGHT!
Baaaaah. This was just embarrassing. The outside world had quieted down just when my Nobody decided to fangirl. This was perfect.
Not.
Kakashi put a hand to his face, shaking his head. "Guy. I know we're outside and you can yell, but work on the volume. Please.." Even through his fingers covering what was shown of his face, I could still see the pink on his cheeks. In any other situation, I would find it cute, but here? I could only feel empathy. "This is enough of a scene for all of us."
All agreement goes to you, Kakashi.
Genma turned to Guy just as he proceeded to pale. "M-My apologies, Rival!" The statement itself was loud, but thankfully at a volume where the recipients were limited to us in the group and a few passersby. "Your shared Youth was just so breathtaking!"
"He got that right," Genma muttered around his senbon.
Hisako paused her most recent cheer to blink. Now I'm starting to sense jealousy. Were teenagers back in our day all about love?
Out of curiosity, I closed my eyes and scanned over my memories, just to smile sheepishly. Kinda yes, kinda no. Demiromantic here, remember?
Oh yes, honey, I remember. You don't have to remind me. Hisako stopped her gloating from earlier to smirk. It helped in preventing really bad break-ups, didn't it?
And limited me to only one relationship back then and some really close friends.
Damn straight. And that's the better aspect considering other kinds of drama.
You win there.
Still, there was a social situation around that needed to be addressed. "Th-thanks?" My voice was coming out as a squeak, just as Kakashi's grip on my hand tightened. "I-Is there anything else you wanted to say, Guy-kun? We were kinda…um, out together."
Genma's eyebrow shot up on his forehead as he smirked, senbon flicking with the gesture. "Date?"
A squeak left me first before the word, "D-Date," left my mouth in agreement, because this was my bed and I had to lie in it. "So, uh. Anything else that needs to be said? Before we go off?"
Kakashi was already gripping my hand tight enough to where it hurt slightly. I did my best to reciprocate the hold.
"None whatsoever," Genma said instead, reaching over to cover Guy's mouth before he could open it again. "I'll just take this doofus out running, you two enjoy yourselves as a happy couple for once."
The grip on my hand loosened as quickly as it tightened from before. "Thanks for that," Kakashi said softly. "I owe you one, Genma." He glanced over at Guy before adding, "And I'll treat you to dango later, Guy."
"MMMPH, MPH!" Guy protested, waving his hands wildly in the air. His eyes were still sparkling towards us, though, probably from the dango offer my boyfriend extended. The wild hand waving quickly turned into gestures of, "Good luck with everything," and "I wish you the best in your Youthful Endeavors!" And the one, "Thanks." Or, it seemed to be that way. It looked like it, sue me for not understanding signs. Please.
Woooooow. He's sure energetic.
I think that's an understatement.
"See you around another day, Guy-kun, Genma-san!" I waved back at them politely.
Once Genma turned his back on us and started lugging Guy away, he gave us a two-fingered salute in return. Once their sandals disappeared past the corner, the hand on mine lightly tugged, and I glanced in that direction.
Kakashi smiled and pulled me in so that he could lean against me. "Let's go, Tomoko."
The blush was coming back to my face, but I leaned back, smiling too. The sun could wait. I wanted to just close my eyes, and take this in. We had a whole day ahead of us, after all. "How about you lead?"
A breath lightly brushed my forehead as Kakashi leaned in for a small Eskimo kiss. "Sure. I'll lead."
Let's hope for peace this time?
Let's. "Neh, Kakashi?"
"Hm?"
I closed my eyes for real and said it quietly. "Thank you."
There wasn't anything else to say. For once, I made a bet. I made a bet that he knew.
We had been together for so long, not just factoring in our being in a relationship because that was still growing. We were still growing. But, for once, the future felt a bit less bleak. With him.
A hand gently brushed my bangs away, and something soft and feathery brushed my forehead. "No problem."
"Alright, Obito, try to channel chakra there."
A breath. Obito waited to exhale before doing just that. Even if he wasn't sure, there was no way he wouldn't trust Minato-sensei. Kushina-san worked with him on this too, and their advice was all he could get aside from Uncle Judai and Sakumo-san. He didn't open his eyes, simply channeled what he could into what was lost, trying to find some kind of sensation again. Even if the physical arm wasn't there, if this worked—
Swish.
The energy pulsed through his veins.
Obito kept his eyes closed. He didn't want to look just yet. But the sensation, the feeling, it felt real. It felt like it worked.
Just in case, he moved his left side.
The sensation of fingers flexing graced his nerves. He opened his eyes, barely registering Minato-sensei's smile over the new creation. He did his best to hold back the sensation of tears.
Fingers. Real fingers. Sure they were transparent, his phantom pains still stung from the stump where his real hand ended, but the ethereal feeling filled in some of the void. Hell, the blue chakra arm moved around just as he commanded his real right hand, and Kushina-san nearby smirked. "Looks like the seal worked."
"We'll have to train with you on motor functions for that, Obito, but," Minato-sensei couldn't have looked any prouder than the time the entirety of Team Minato made Chunin with that large grin on his face. "You look great. Combat seems likely now."
Drip, drip, drip.
Obito couldn't help the small sniffle escaping him at this point. Once Minato-sensei and Kushina-san came together and opened their arms towards him, he didn't hesitate in dispelling the seal to jump towards them.
It was a start, for once. He still had one arm in the end, but he could work with this. He could still help. After all, there was no way he would ask for a replacement. What's done was done. He had to remember his past mistakes. In exchange, Minato-sensei gave him this option. In the end, there was nothing truly stopping his chakra flow from compensating in some way.
"We can go talk with Sakumo and Judai about training options for your arm too," Minato-sensei whispered over his head, and Obito held on as tight as he could. "You can get through this, Obito. You're doing great."
"We're with you, Obito," Kushina added fiercely, and the hug tightened to the point of Obito debating the option of crying, "Uncle." She was a hugger, but when was the last time she hugged him that tightly? "We'll always be with you."
It was a comforting thought.
A small hand knocked on the door, and she took a breath to calm herself. It wasn't everyday she was called to the office by herself. "Hokage-sama?"
"Hm, come in."
The medic gently pushed the door open, folding her hands in front of herself for the sake of standing to attention. "Did you call for me?"
The Third nodded his head quietly, his iconic red-white hat for once not on his head as he returned her stare. "Nohara Rin." His brown eyes narrowed, and Rin held back the urge to gulp because it became obvious there were others looking onto her. For once, the Hokage wasn't alone, and the stares… And the man with the bandages across his face. It didn't feel right, meeting his stare. "I have a mission for you. Outside of Team Minato. You are not to tell anyone until after this war is over. Understand?"
She nodded. It wasn't a time to hesitate. It was time to be the Chunin she was in title.
It didn't stop her from feeling uneasy. That bandaged man was still staring at her when the Hokage opened his first scroll.
That was supposed to be Shimura Danzo, but why was he staring so intently at her? Hell, why did it feel like he wasn't even looking at her?
"Um, Jiraiya-san?"
The man who would've been called "Pervy Sage" looked up from his most recent acquisition of a porn magazine, closing it once he made eye contact with blue eyes. "What is it, ojou-chan?"
Tomoko fidgeted, playing with her fingers for a moment before raising her head and frowning. "There's something else I need to tell you. Something that I think you should know."
He kept his hand on his magazine in suspicion but kept up the smile in her direction. She went through enough already — the least he do was comfort her. "How important?"
"In terms of serious level? Your Child of Prophecy and other students in Ame might be running for their lives if you keep sitting here."
His magazine immediately dropped to the floor. It wasn't picked up past an hour.
A few days more was all it took for Kakashi to start suiting up.
Our time off wasn't going to last forever. With the war coming to a slow but tense end, Nagareboshi Cafe was needed more than ever. And the shinobi forces of Konoha needed another capable Jounin out there to fight.
Even though the political implications had slowly tided over, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Kakashi was heading out again. He was putting on his headband all over again, keeping his left eye from view before grabbing his sandals at the door leading to the stairs.
Tomoko-chan.
Hisako…
My Nobody gently reached over to give me a hug. You did what you could. You told everyone what you knew, and even told Jiraiya about that one thing. What you should do is relax and be at the piano, doing what you've been doing.
I know…
'Do you trust us, Vy? Then, don't worry. We'll be okay.'
Josh's voice again. It was echoing a lot more in my head lately.
It still rings true, y'know. The advice. And I said it back when this whole shitstorm started with Kannabi, dear. A soft kiss pressed against the crown of my hair, and I knew it was my Nobody. It was easy to forget that she could hear those same words. Trust in Kakashi. Trust in your friends being able to change things. They know what to do.
I know. I know, but—
I raised my head to glance over my boyfriend. In the time it took to finish hearing my other self out, he had already thrown on his shuriken holders and Uncle Sakumo's tanto blade. The way he was conducting himself, from the stature to the way his mask concealed his face — it all screamed of things I didn't fully understand.
I love Kakashi, don't get me wrong. But there was something about his appearance today that reminded me of the divide that separated us in society.
I would never get to see the full ninja side of him unless things were really going to shit. And from how he wasn't facing me, it seemed close enough to that.
I opened my mouth, even when my voice came out tiny and questioning. "Kakashi?"
He stood to attention, his fists clenching and unclenching for a few moments. Then he turned to me, his silver eye soft. If not for that gesture alone, I would've taken him for the Jounin he was already growing up to be. "Hey," he said softly. "I'll have to get going now."
The quiet tone of his voice conveyed everything. There wasn't even a question to consider. He was going out, whether I liked it or not. Whether he liked it or not. "I know," I replied, just as quiet. I clutched my Wayfinder necklace with both my hands. "Are you going to be safe?"
Kakashi gave me an eye-smile, but for once in our shared lives, the gesture seemed forced. As if he was trying to put on a brave front so I wouldn't worry. "Guy and Rin will be with me," he said instead after a small pause, nodding. "And even if Minato-sensei isn't the leader of the squad anymore, I'm still a Jounin, Tomoko. I'll come back."
…Will you?
I didn't say that aloud. Hell, I knew I couldn't. Extra doubt here wouldn't work. I had done what I could. Team Minato was all alive, so what was left was Isobu. I couldn't do much else but share what I did. All that mattered now was holding the fort so my best friend and his team would have a home to come back to.
In any other situation, this probably would've reflected a housewife sending off her soldier husband. And, y'know? I could actually understand now why the wife always cried in those old dramas and movies from the past world.
There was something scary about sending someone you loved off to a battlefield that could mean their death. Even after all these years, that fear hadn't changed.
After all this time, all the confessions, I was still scared as I was when I first came to be as Tomoko. All that had really changed was our heights, bodies, and emotions. Sure, we were still kids, but the village seemed to like reminding us that we were losing that too. The world seemed to like bringing on plot twists like the canon it spawned from to spite us. To remind us that nothing peaceful would last forever.
It's not going to take anymore. I swear it, dear.
I know. I don't want it to take anymore.
I took a step forward to gently take Kakashi's Wayfinder hand in mine. "Aye," I said, squeezing. "You know me, though. I can't help but worry."
Kakashi's gaze softened as he reached over with his free hand to lightly grasp my hair ribbon. "I know," he said, tugging on the fabric before letting go. His knuckles brushed my cheek, and I tried to hold back the urge to blush. "I'll come back, Tomoko. Just like with Kannabi. I promise."
I raised my pinky in the air while letting go of his Wayfinder hand. "Pinky promise."
He scoffed softly, shaking his head. "Not that kind of promise."
That was a first. I couldn't help but blink. "Eh?"
Kakashi took a few steps towards me, his free hand grabbing a hold of his mask to pull it down, revealing a sheepish smile and light pink cheeks. "Close your eyes."
The heat was back. "E-Eh?"
Kakashi leaned in, his Wayfinder hand gripping one of mine. "It'd be hard to kiss you when your eyes are open."
If I was a cherry before, I probably was resembling a tomato now with how much the oven was turned on to high heat. "P-Promises can be like that, too?"
"I can't?" Kakashi murmured, his breath already close enough to brush my nose. His silver eye was clear enough to the point of my being able to see myself in the iris.
"I-It's not that you can't, you just surprised me, Kashi…" I giggled nervously to myself, because god it felt like I was becoming a housewife now, and I didn't know what to make of that. And to think back in Vy's day, I was a STEM major unable to stop working. I can't even tell you where the nickname came from. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing, but the way Kakashi's eyes widened before softening in my direction seemed like a good enough sign. "Are you sure?"
"I can't be standing here forever," Kakashi pointed out, his cheeks warmer now from our shared distance. "And I can hold my cool."
"Muuu."
He has a point~! Hisako went in a singsong voice.
Goddammit. One thing left to do then.
I shut my eyes before pulling him in as hard as I could via wrapping my arms around his neck. The kiss was rough and definitely unplanned, since I know we bumped teeth this time. Still, Kakashi yelped for a single second before responding with just as much passion, and I pulled away before it could get too overwhelming. We were still inside the house, and Mama and Papa could show up at any minute. "Dork. Just stop talking. And, question. Is that what you meant by promise?"
Kakashi blushed before smiling big enough to the point of showing his fangs. "Yep. You read my mind," he said breathlessly, before putting a hand to the back of my head and pulling me back in. The touch was soft, but insistent. Passionate. "Don't worry," he murmured against my lips. "Just do me a favor and stick out your tongue."
My cheeks were going to light up like a lightbulb at this rate, but I did so anyways. Of course he was going for that angle. "M-Mm."
After all, there was no knowing what tomorrow would bring.
AAAAAAAAH!
For now, I'd take in what's going on and try to ignore my other self losing herself. Quite literally.
Hikari held back the urge to shake her head. Sakumo had went out long before, and his son with him. Tomoko-chan was already at work. And now this. "You're heading out too?"
Judai tied the knot of his headband tightly around his head, keeping it in place. "Let's just call it a feeling. And it'll be just one mission, honey." He turned around to give her a wide grin, showing off pearly whites. "I'll be back to be with you and Hime again soon."
Hikari rolled her eyes. "You being the Hero never did wear off all these years, huh?"
"Huh?" Judai shook his head, looking affronted as he could in his old shinobi gear before stomping up to her and flicking her head. "Hikari, that's not exactly right."
"You tell me," she said back, crossing her arms with a huff. "You're retired, dear. And you're going out because—"
Judai's smile turned sad as he pulled her in for a kiss on the head. "A feeling. I've seen our daughter cry enough. It's about time for the Hero to don the cape one last time."
"And that means…?"
"I'll see Sakumo out there. And I'll save our kids."
"…You better come back without too much blood, Judai."
For the first time that day, her husband let out a surprised laugh. "What do you take me for, Hikari?"
"A complete fool who needs to drop the idea of coming in through the window with bloodied bandages."
The kiss on the forehead quickly turned into a quick kiss to the lips. "I don't do that anymore, honey."
"Don't say that when you're heading out that door for the first time in decades, honey."
Judai rolled his eyes. So many years had passed, and yet that reaction was far too nostalgic. "Alright, my queen. May I kiss you again? Or is that not allowed?"
"You ass. There's no need to ask for permission when I'm your wife. Get over here."
"Don't mind if I do~!"
Viper adjusted his mask so that he could look in. His hood was enough to block out the midday sun, and he had a job to do. Observation was easy, and this target was far too obvious. The music was powerful even from this distance, and he withheld a sigh.
How can such a simple song sway so many people?
The chakra pull was obvious. The strings were small, far too little to really be something along the lines of brainwashing, but if it was ever honed…
"Viper."
His mic crackled from static on the other end as Viper quietly reached up to adjust the volume with the knob on his choker. "What is it, Danzo-sama?"
"Target is in sight?"
"Yes, no suspicious movements whatsoever." The girl even had her eyes closed. Her sensing of her surroundings was horrendous. Perhaps in his favor, but still.
"Good. When night falls, another day, with no one around, be ready to take her."
"…Acknowledged."
Viper's heart clenched in on itself, but it wasn't the first time. With careful training, he restrained it.
Root ninja could not feel, after all.
"Obito, you're coming with me."
The Uchiha adjusted his new jacket, doing his best to not jostle the embroidered seal work on his left sleeve. "Where to, Sensei?"
Minato twirled a Hiraishin kunai before stashing it into a pocket on his green flak jacket. "We have a few Kumo ninja to meet. Then we're saving Rin."
Adrenaline was already rolling through him as Obito held back the happy grin. "Roger that, Sensei!"
Preparations were set on all sides. The future was going to see a lot more change.
Author's Notes: I'm not dead. I was simply focusing on my school life. Being a third year in a STEM major = lots of work. There was a lot of self-reflection that went into the months after CP 53, not helped by some bad apples getting on my nerves with additional "Mary Sue" comments, and along with Junior Year kicking my ass with Organic Chemistry and the like, I don't want to give any more details.
Also, some of CP's older chapters are getting revised because the old underline-italic thing I did has been getting on my nerves. Also so that it can go over to AO3. So there's that. And Obito's not getting a replacement arm. Ever. It's ableist to completely cure it like nothing happened. And besides. The chakra thing is supposed to be an accessibility device, in honor of those who suffer from disabilities. Thank a certain CYB Beta for that.
For now, I'm glad to be back with this update. I'm still writing, it's just been life and trying to organize my thoughts on plot alongside all the science I've been studying. Thank Faelan Asterios Hael — Josh himself — for this chapter finally coming out. He recently published a CP crossover story, Fate: Aduniad, and it gave me the inspiration to finish. Also, a warm shout out to all those who did review with kind words and support up to this point, since they got to me. It was good to read.
For now, this is Vy signing out to write Chapter 55 and try to finish my degree with less stress. See you all then.