Drowning in Freedom
Chapter 13: Thank You
A/N: I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and if you don't celebrate Christmas I hope y'all have a good holiday season. Also, I wish everyone a happy new year as well (in case I don't update before then :P)
moonlight46: Thank you! Yeah Kakashi is starting to recovery and go through the motions of grief and acceptance all at the same time. You will find out what Asuma wanted to tell Kakashi... but it will be emotional and not for a little bit. Hehe yeah Amaya in her outfit... ALl i can say is she is ready to fight. That is for sure.
PrimRootStarlight: Hehe I am glad that you like AMaya's character so much and that of Mizuchi as well! Yeah I figured that Mizuchi is sorta like how Sakura has her inner thing... AMaya has sassy Mizuchi telling her to get her ass in gear. Hehe I won't spoil anything but it will be a big meeting when Kakashi and Amaya finally get to talk to each other one on one again.
phoenixx313: Dude, just wait. The next few chapts. are going to be intense AF. Thank you and I hope you like the next chapter!
eunioapaint: Hehehehehheheheheheheheheh. You're welcome for that ending. You know... Its my thing to leave off on cliff hangers. I feel that once you start to get use to them I drop a bigger one... have to keep you guys entertained somehow!
Amaya sat on a ledge that looked over the top of the Hokage's building. She swung her legs back and forth, occasionally bumping her heels against the brick. She tuned out a while ago as she listened to Tsunade talk about the Akatsuki and how they caused tremendous disaster anywhere they went, including murder. Most of the conversation that the hokage was having with the other Anbu members and the jonin consisted of information that Amaya herself had given her. The kunoichi watched overhead, and spotted Yamato among those sitting with the jonin instead of the Anbu. It was a smart move on his part if she did say so herself.
There were plenty of shinobi in attendance and Amaya knew that even though they didn't look at her, each one of them could feel her presence, watching them. She knew a few dared to look at her, especially when Tsunade started to spit venom about the Akatsuki. Amaya couldn't blame them for looking at her the way that they did. She knew that if she was in their position, she would probably have been the one who kept facing forward, not having the bravery to actually look at the threat that was watching them.
The kunoichi was surprised that more people weren't surrounding her. When Yamato's clone disappeared, that's where Amaya figured she should park herself. She could hear and see everything going on, but it was better to keep some distance between her and the others. She said it was for their safety, to keep herself calm, but she knew it was more for her sake. She knew that the few who gave her dirty looks couldn't match up to each and every single one of them looking at her like she was a bug who was about to be crushed by a sole of a boot.
Amaya tried to listen to Tsunade, she really did. She knew that it was important, but it was hard to listen to again, especially since she heard it before. The same monologue, the same, distaste. Nothing ever changed, ans she still felt hollow inside. Sure, she didn't join the organization completely, but she was close enough to doing so. The only thing that was different, listening to Tsunade speak, was that it made Amaya rethink every moment she was in the presence of someone who actually was in the Akatsuki. She witnessed all the brutality they inflicted first hand. Hell, some of that brutality was beaten out of her own sword. It gave Amaya a bad taste in her mouth, almost as if she tasted something too salty.
Rubbing her forehead with her fingernail from her thumb, the blue-haired woman wanted to do anything else but sit here any longer. Amaya was half-tempted just to lean backwards and take a nap, but she knew that she could never lessen her guard enough to do that when she knew that the people below her wouldn't hesitate in slitting her throat as she slept. She was half tempted to space out, however, Tsunade shifted the topic of the conversation. It was why Amaya and everyone was here. It was her true reason she was called. Tsunade, like any good leader, set the mood correctly before she launched into the true reason why each and every one of them were there.
The formidable guardian shinobi twelve were at the temple when it was attacked by a pair of Akatsuki members. The unit apparently captured one of the twelve, as he had been taken hostage and than later killed by the same Akatsuki members. The hokage went on to say that the two tails had been taking refuge there. That information made Amaya clench her fists. She knew that the two tails was in trouble and she felt a greater disturbance than normal around the beast, but now she had all the details. Sometimes chakras mesh together and it is just one giant blob of energy that is hard to read, especially if it is in distress.
Tsunade went on to explain the small description of the two members that they were looking for. One wore a mask over the lower half of his face and didn't talk much, except for when it came to money matters and the bounty other's hand on their heads. The other one was a religious freak ho carried a scythe with three red blades on it. The kunoichi knew exactly who Tsunade was referencing and in doing so, it made her mouth go dry. Those two, the ones that came so close to the hidden leaf village, to test its leader and her people, were Amaya's worst nightmare. They were the immortality pair, or at least that is what she liked to call them. She had only fought against them, more like met them with Kisame and Itachi, and Kisame had his hand on his blade the whole time, waiting for the immortal pair to make a move.
Cursing, Amaya ran a hand through her hair and snorted. This was great. This was just great. She loved how everything that worked out in Danzo's favor. It didn't take a genius to know that this was the problem that she was going to be faced with. Yes, Amaya knew that she was going to die at the hands of the next mission she went on for the village, but she wasn't expecting to fight the only two people where she knew she didn't have a chance with. Especially without backup. Water brought both life and death, and she just hoped that when the time came, that thought and knowledge would be enough to take out the immortals. If not, Konoha was going to have more trouble than what they knew how to handle.
Cracking her neck from side to side, Amaya decided to stand. She couldn't take much more of this. Especially this plan that Tsunade was trying to hatch. Amaya knew that the hokage was doing the best that she could, but Amaya felt something she hadn't in a long time. Anger. She didn't know if Mizuchi's words were finally catching up with her. That she wanted to run out of here and take initiative. She didn't know if it was that, or something else entirely. All she could feel was the blood in her veins burn with every pulse of her heart. The kunoichi started to pace but stopped when she heard the hokage finally dismiss her shinobi that were there. Amaya knew that she should have waited patiently for her security detail. Make sure that she wouldn't get in trouble. But right now, there was only one thing, two people, on her mind that she would like to see right now.
The blue-haired woman locked eyes with the blonde, and Amaya could have sworn that Tsunade knew what she was up to. Granted, the hokage's attention was turned back to her assistant Shizune, and after confirming something to her friend, Tsunade turned back to where Amaya had been standing. The only trace of the kunoichi being a slight puff of smoke that was already dissolving in the air around them
Amaya waited a while outside of the apartment, regretting if this idea of hers was a good one. She watched Asuma leave a while ago, and she was sure that the man had either sensed or saw her watching the apartment. He paused, almost as if he was hesitating on a thought, his foot ready for him to pivot, but nevertheless, he ventured off to wherever he was going to go, evidently meeting up with three other shinobi to start on a new mission that had been discussed on the roof-top of the Hokage's building. Amaya had caught the tail end of it where Tsunade started explaining that she wanted four-man cells. Still, the kunoichi hid, not trying to find the confidence she seemed to have on the way over here. Looking in through the window, Amaya could see the top of Kurenai's head and Anko's, both sitting on the couch talking to each other. It also didn't notice that the Sarutobi clan symbol was displayed proudly on the front wall. The blue-haired woman knew that the two of them would have moved in at some point, but seeing the sight, Amaya was filled with a melancholy-like feeling.
Maybe if things worked out, she would have this with Kakashi. Biting her lip, Amaya knew not to think of such things. She could play the what-if with her game all day if she let herself. Evidently, it was probably her that gave Kurenai and Asuma the push they needed to make their relationship known. With Amaya leaving the village and Kakashi in such a shape, close to death, they figured that there was no time like the present. Or at least, that is what Amaya liked to think. Amaya wanted to turn back, she knew this was a bad idea. But as she stood up from the large flower box she had been crouching in to hide, she felt something inside her coil, almost as if it was pushing her forward instead of backward.
Amaya knew that it was Mizuchi, or something to do with him. He was a pain in her ass, but he was her pain in the ass. She slowly walked to the front door and raised her hand as if she was about to knock on it. She knew that she didn't bring anything with her and had no gifts to help ease the transition. It was just her. Her in a traitorous robe. Plus, Amaya knew that it would only take Anko and Kurenai a mere moment of distress before they would call for help, or someone else, like a neighbor noticing that there was panic coming from the house. Amaya shook her head and let her hand retreat to her side. It was a silly idea. She wasn't welcomed here. Amaya tilted her head to the side, and she was happy she did, because a shuriken went through the wood door, tenderly brushing against her cheek as if it was a ghost kissing her cheek.
The door was frantically thrown open, and Anko stood there, her chest heaving as if Amaya really was a ghost. Amaya didn't move but she shifted her eyes to the ground, trying to look as un-threatening as possible. That was when she noticed that even though the shuriken didn't break the skin, it did manage to cut off some of her already wild hair. Anko didn't move and neither did Amaya. Both kunoichi's were waiting for the other to make the first move. Amaya didn't want to spook Anko, but she knew that if Anko wasn't charging at her with a kunai to her neck already, it was safe to say that in the next few moments, Amaya could change that feeling depending on what she did.
"Anko who the hell is there? I mean I know you don't like Gai but no need to throw a—"
Kurenai cut off her own words when she saw Amaya standing there. Amaya looked up and locked eyes with the brunette and again, she had the same stance-like situation as she had with Anko. However, unlike with Anko, who had an air of hostility around her, Kurenai seemed different. Amaya and Kurenai had always understood each other the best out of the three of them, and Amaya didn't know what passed between them. Maybe sympathy? Whatever it was, it wasn't aggression. At least, not the same level of aggression that Anko seemed to hold.
"How the hell did you get out?"
Amaya didn't answer Anko, not wanting to disclose any information that may get the other in trouble.
"I asked you a goddamn question… I knew that someone would have messed up and let you out of their sights!" screamed Anko.
"What do you mean, Anko?" Kurenai questioned, but Anko ignored her.
"I asked you a goddamn question, Amaya."
"…"
Anko was about to launch herself at Amaya, but Kurenai placed a hand on her arm to make sure that she wouldn't attack the other kunoichi.
"You knew that Amaya was here… that they had her lcoked up…and you didn't tell me?" Kurenai's voice broke, squeaking in an uneven tone.
Both Anko and Amaya looked at the sadness that had filled Kurenai's features. Anko had a flash of hurt on her face, before letting it fade. She tried to brush off the brunette.
"A lot of people know that Amaya was back and she was being held captive. I didn't tell you because I was afraid that it would place too much stress on you and now I can see that I made the right choice."
"Don't push this matter under the rug, and don't you dare patronize me. You don't get to decide how I will react to something, Anko, only I get to decide that. Hell, you are my best friend, and Asuma has told me more about Amaya than you have. I would have thought since the three of us used to be so close that you would have the decency to tell me this!"
"I don't know why you are getting mad at me when clearly, she, this traitor, is the one who caused a rift in this friendship. The one who decided to try and kill one of the best shinobi of this village before running off and joining one of the most cruel and unusual organizations on this planet!"
Kurenai took in a sharp breath, and with that Amaya noticed an unfiltered wave of chakra come from her, as if there were two competing ones fighting for dominance, but at the same time, was also unionized. It was like the second was trying to warn of danger of some sort. Before it happened, Amaya reacted as Kurenai started to feel faint and lose her balance. But, Amaya was there and held Kurenai up by her arm, making sure that the brunette didn't injure herself. When both Kurenai and Anko realized what happened, Anko muttered that this was exactly the thing she was worried about and why she didn't want Kurenai to get worked up over such an insignificant thing. Anko then rushed over and took Amaya's spot, shoving the other kunoichi out of the way.
Anko lead Kurenai inside and let her sit down at the kitchen table. She instantly went ahead and got the brunette a glass of water. Kurenai sat there and took small sips of it until she calmed down. All in this time, Amaya let herself into the house and closed the door softly behind her, trying not to anger the new atmosphere of the house. Amaya looked around and saw plants lining the walls knowing that Kurenai probably had to fight with Asuma to get all of them in here. Amaya could tell that Kurenai was the one who picked out most of the things in the shared apartment, but there were some masculine touches as well. Together both styles merged and became one to fill the open living room and kitchen space with a warmth that couldn't be recreated by another two people no matter how hard they tried. This place was strictly all Asuma and Kurenai.
"Who said you could come in here?" Anko muttered, but Kurenai gave the purple-haired woman a look as if to tell her to play nice.
Amaya didn't respond and instead just stood there, trying to cause as little strife as possible.
"Well, I guess it is better than causing everyone outside into a panic because of how you are dressed. I'm surprised you made it all the way here without someone trying to kill you."
The blue-haired woman didn't have an answer to for her friend. Or, what was used to be her friend.
"Anko, if you didn't want to cause a scene, then you need to stop screaming," Kurenai said, taking Amaya's side, without asking.
"Why the hell are you defending her?"
Kurenai didn't answer Anko, and the three women knew that she didn't have one. Instead, silence fell between the three of them, and Anko eventually too the chair opposite of Kurenai at the table, but sat in an uncomfortable defensive position, almost as if she was ready to stand up and fight at any moment. Kurenai absentmindedly rubbed her stomach, and it was an action that did not go unnoticed by Amaya. That's when, without really thinking about it, focused on the chakra's in the room. The one that seemed to be distressed before, the one that didn't make sense, came from Kurenai. And that's when Amaya realized that the two chakra's weren't fighting each other, they were trying to keep the other safe.
"You're pregnant?"
Both Anko and Kurenai blinked a few times, surprise written on their face, especially since Kurenai was barely showing.
"How did you…"
"What business is it to you?"
"It isn't my business and I know from the chakra coming from you."
"The chakra?"
"What the hell does chakra have to do with anything?"
"I can sense two different signatures within you… and I have to say, your child is very fond of you, at least with how its chakra and yours seem to act together, as if they are different but in sync with each other."
"This is bullshit."
"Hush, Anko," Kurenai stated, shushing her purple-haired friend.
Amaya nodded her head and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"How could you sense that? Even I sometimes can't sense the difference in chakra's because I'm carrying the child…"
"Its… It's hard to explain."
"If you can't explain it, then you have no right in telling us any of this, Amaya."
"Anko—"
"No, Kurenai, she is right. I have no reason for being here and I am not asking for your forgiveness."
"Then why are you here?" Anko asked, crossing her arms in front of her.
"I'm… I'm not sure… really. My feet just carried me."
Anko snorted, "I should kill you right now. You are a lying piece of shit."
"Don't worry, you will get what you want soon enough."
"Amaya what do you mean by—"
Amaya cut off Kurenai but turning and placed her hand on the knob of the door. However, for whatever reason, she couldn't turn it and leave. Exiting felt like she was running away from her problems once more. Taking a deep breath, Amaya let the scent of wildflowers fill her nostrils before turning back around to face the other two women. However, as Amaya was thinking, she never noticed that Anko got up from the table and was standing arms length away from her. Kurenai had stood up, but clutched her hands to her chest as if she was praying that her two friends wouldn't start fighting with each other.
Instantly, Amaya's guard went up and she spread her legs, waiting for Anko to try and take a cheap shot at her since the two were so close together. Amaya knew that Anko was a long-range fighter, but then again, three years can change a person. It certainly did her.
"Stop it…" Anko started to mutter softly, but then her voice started to get louder with each word, "Stop it, stop it, STOP IT!" Anko screamed and backed Amaya up to the door so she was flushed against it.
The blue-haired kunoichi held up her hands signaling that she meant no harm, but Anko reared back her fist and was about to let it go, but instead, Anko just started to punch Amaya's chest softly, as she started to scream. Tears eventually came to Anko's eyes and Amaya caught the woman's fists with her hands, holding them down to her side as Amaya held Anko. Amaya wrapped Anko up in her arms and the two of them sank down to the floor.
"Why are you here… why now… why are you here after all this time? I hate you… I hate you so much… You are a traitor, and yet… I just… I hate you so much… but I love you… you are one of my best friends and you just left… you left us… you left me."
Amaya ran her hand through Anko's hair and pressed the woman's head to her chest, letting her feel the comfort in being held as she released her emotions that she had been pent up with over the past couple of years. Amaya caught a look at Kurenai and she saw tears streaming down her face as well. Amaya opened up her arm and Kurenai made a move, coming over to hug Amaya as well. However, as Anko was clutching onto Amaya like she was a life-line, Kurenai held Amaya, knowing that she needed it just as much as the other two did. The blue-haired kunoichi could feel her eyes well up with water. She tried to blink it away, but it just seemed as if her tears had other ideas, and instead softly trickled down her face in light, silent streams.
Amaya leaned her head back against the door as the three of them started to calm down. Anko rubbed her eyes with her sleeve and both woman sat back, but remained close to the other. Anko was still sniffling but all three had red, puffy eyes, evident that they had been crying. Amaya a long time ago probably would have laughed at the sight, but now, Amaya knew that this sight meant that she had a future to change the relationship she had with these individuals in front of her. There was still a chance, that maybe, if she could somehow make it out of this shit storm alive, they could be friends again. It was a high hope, and one that was unlikely to come true, but it was hope, and Amaya knew that she needed some form of it to get her through whatever was coming her way.
Maybe that was why she had the idea to come here. Maybe some higher being some higher thing wanted her to come here so she would once again have the feeling of what it meant to fight for something, for someone again. Amaya rubbed her eyes, trying to get rid of any trace of real emotion she had left, even though she knew that after crying it would be next to impossible without some warm water and simple time.
"So then…"
"So…" Anko said sniffling, confirming the same thought that Kurenai had.
"Why did you leave… why didn't you say goodbye to us?" Kurenai asked.
Amaya opened her mouth but closed it, knowing that she didn't have a good enough answer to give them that didn't sound fake or wasn't made up on the spot. She could explain the hold that Danzo had over her, but instead, she knew that simple may be best in this situation. So, simple is what she went for.
"Everything I did… I did to save the ones that I loved."
"And Kakashi?" Anko questioned, a certain bite on the tip of her tongue that Amaya couldn't place.
Amaya shook her head. If she didn't have a good answer for the first question, she certainly didn't for the second one. Silence fell between them again, and Kurenai and Anko knew that thye wouldn't be getting an answer out of Amaya about what transpired between her and Kakashi.
"You know this whole thing doesn't fix what happened between us…" Anko muttered.
"And there is still a long way to go before we forgive you, but we are happy you are back," Kurenai chimed in, finishing Anko's sentence.
Kurenai reached out and brushed a piece of both Anko's and Amaya's hair out of their face, making them look at her.
"But we will get through this together, as we always have. The three of us."
"You mean the four," Anko sniffed, causing them to smile.
Amaya let the corner of her mouth turn up, feeling a sense of happiness fill into her system after she didn't know how long. However, that was short lived as she peered outside the window and saw the Hokage watching her interaction with her former friends. The blonde titled her head as if to summon Amaya, saying that they had something to talk about. Amaya bit her cheek, not wanting to leave, but knew that it was time to do so. However, before Amaya could get up and push the conversation into letting her leave, she took another look at Kurenai, and how even now, she held a hand over her stomach. She was happy for the brunette, she really was, but disappointment seemed to creep into her mind, the blue-haired woman realizing, like a slap to the face, that she would never be able to have a life like Kurenai, filled with children.
"Sorry to cut your reunion short," Tsunade spoke as the two kunoichi looked out the window of Tsunade's office.
Amaya never responded to the comment, Tsunade's words being the first ones muttered since they both arrived here. The sake in Tsunade's desk was taken out and a few glasses exchanged between the two of them, but they had the lights off and all they did was look out at Konoha through the window. Both never saying a word until now. Both knowing that the conversation to come was one that was not going to end on a happy note. Amaya tried to take her mind away from that fact each time she thought about it by watching the young children play below. She again, wanted to be anywhere but here. It was starting to feel more and more like she regretted her decision to come back to Konoha. She knew that was false, but she didn't want to think about the other factors—that she was afraid.
"There was no need to stay any longer."
"Did you apologize?"
"Yes, now all that is left is Asuma and Gai."
Amaya would lump Kakashi into the apologizing category of his own, after Gai and Asuma, however, she knew that in both of their eyes, there was nothing she could do that would ever warrant that type of forgiveness between the two of them. Amaya knew that their relationship would always remain broken.
"It must be hard for you."
"What is?" Amaya asked, taking a sip of sake, not understanding what the hokage was trying to get at, never taking her eyes away from the kids below.
Tsunade took a gulp of alcohol straight from the bottle, forgoing her own glass. She then extended it to Amaya, and the kunoichi looked at the bottle for a moment before taking a drink of it as well, forgoing her glass. Amaya placed her semi-empty glass on the desk and let the alcohol from the bottle burn the back of her throat as she drank it. Amaya wiped the back of her mouth with the same arm that was holding the bottle before passing it back to Tsunade.
"After Dan died… I started to think about all the things that could have happened with our life together… It does get better with time though."
"You didn't kill him though."
"You didn't kill Kakashi, Amaya. There is always hope that your relationship—"
Scoffing, Amaya grabbed the bottle out of Tsunade's hands and took another big swig of the alcohol. This time the burning sensation made her eyes water. She made a note that she needed to stop crying at every little thing. First it was her reunion with her friends and now strong alcohol was having an effect on her. Amaya thrusted the bottle back towards Tsunade, making her take the alcohol back one more. Out of the corner of her eye, Amaya could see Tsunade shake her head in a disapproving way, almost as if she was disappointed in the kunoichi's actions.
"You should take off that cloak you know."
"I can't."
"You aren't a part of the organization."
"Not officially. And what is this… are you trying to tell me what to do? If it hasn't occurred to you I'm a traitor. I shouldn't even be here in this room right now."
"Officially you haven't joined, so I don't see the problem that is—"
"The problem is that I don't know what happened to Deidara after he blew up."
"If he blew up then there wouldn't be anything left of him anyway."
"That is true, but I am saying that there isn't even scorch marks where his body should have been, where it would have been vaporized. However, that isn't the case."
"So, you think he is still out there?"
"I know he is."
It was Tsunade's turn to take a sip of alcohol. Both women knew that not knowing where Deidara was, if he really was alive or not, meant that the Akatuski had the slight upper hand on things. They had an extra player, a different wild card to play. It just depended on how they decided to use it and when. A moment of silence passed between them as the knowledge of their mutual formidable opponent. However, it didn't last long as Tsunade changed the subject.
"I don't like it."
"It has to be done."
"But not like this, there has to be another way."
"It's the conditions… and you argued better than what I could have hoped for."
"How do you know—"
"Yamato."
Tsunade gave Amaya a flat smile, and a look that stated that she would have to talk to one of her officers later.
"I have already implied what the elders want."
"Amaya…"
"The elders, and our mutual friend, want to deal with me in a two birds, one stone sort of way, don't they?"
"You know that I don't want this for you, and as much as I know you have implied what we talked about it is something different—"
"I'm fine with it Tsunade-sama. Honestly, I am."
"It still sounds like you are ready to throw your life away… just like when you told me goodbye…"
"That isn't the case this time."
"What do you mean?"
"This time I am going on my own terms. I have always fought for this village, and I will always continue to do so until my last breath."
Tsunade licked her lips and cleared her throat, and Amaya finally turned to face the Hokage, it being a very real possibility that this would be the last true, friendly, conversation she would have with the hokage.
"This isn't going to be easy."
"I know it isn't. I wouldn't want it any other way. I figured that you would be sending me into the warzone you were talking about earlier."
Tsunade's grip on the bottle tightened, and Amaya was sure that the blonde was about to break the bottle into tiny glass shards.
"I could have done something more…"
"Don't start playing that game with yourself. You did the best you could have done for me, and for that I am thankful. Hell, you did better than I was expecting, and you did better than anyone else would have. Especially under the pressure and stress you were placed in. Thank you Tsunade-sama, thank you for saving my life for as long as you could."
"Amaya, I am sending you out with knowledge that you will not be coming back, it is a suicide mission."
Amaya placed a hand on Tsunade's shoulder and looked her dead straight in the eyes.
"This is my decision and you have to let me go. I know what I am getting myself into, and I won't go down without a fight. If I can't kill them, I can at least injure them enough that they should be easier targets to deal with."
The kunoichi could see the mist of tears forming in the blonde's eyes. They both knew that Amaya wasn't going to come back from this fight, and it was an empty promise that Tsunade said that Amaya could get her freedom if she did.
"Konoha owes its freedom and life to you… but no one will ever be able to know… you know that right?"
"I don't do it for the notoriety."
"I know. But, thank you. I know no one else will be able to say it. But as a messenger for this village, on behalf of it, I thank you."
Tsunade stepped back and bowed at Amaya, the hokage almost cutting herself in half by bowing at her waist. Her hair dangled forward, and Amaya had to look away. She didn't need this type of thanks.
"Who did you send that way before me?"
"Asuma and his cell."
Amaya clenched her teeth together and hoped that she would make it to them in time before something major happened. The kunoichi turned and started to walk away but as she had her hand on he door handle, like before, something stopped her from exiting just then. Turning her head so she could look over her shoulder, she had the last conversation she would have with Tsunade for a long time.
"Where did you place my blade and mask?"
"They are both locked up in a secure vault…"
"The normal one?"
"The normal one."
Amaya nodded her head in thanks, and she turned and opened the door in front of her. She knew that her next stop was to the stone faces that adorned the cliffside of Konoha. She assumed that her things were inside the headspace of one of the late Hokages.
"I'll do a good job, Tsunade, don't worry."
"Itsmy job to worry about you."
"You worry about me because it is your job. I was a part of the community of this village before, you can't help it."
"No."
"No?"
"No. I worry about you because you are my friend, Amaya. You are one of my only true friends, those I can count on one hand and you are one of them for me."
The question that never was asked hung in the air. Was the hokage someone that Amaya also viewed as a true friend?
"Take care, Tsuan-chan."
With that, Amaya left the room, closing the door behind her and Tsunade had her answer. Only her grandfather called her by that nickname, and it was one of endearment, one she had told Amaya back when she first met her, the two of them bonding over the same taste in alcohol. Tsunade was sure that the younger kunoichi forgot about it, but now she knew that she hadn't. Amaya appreciated their friendship just as much as Tsunade did. Tsunade watched Amaya's form jump from roof top to roof top, discretely, making her way over to the weapon's vault. All the while, silent tears streamed down then blonde's face knowing that this very well could be the last time she could see her friend.