Chapter 63
Kitsune kept her gaze sharp as she wandered the market of Tetsu. The second day of the Kage summit had ended only an hour before. Minato and Kagami on watch for the practically snarling Hokage. Sakumo had not been happy after the migraine inducing day. The other Kage had been a pain in the ass to come to an agreement on a cycle of Chuunin exam hosting. Poor Mifune eventually had enough with the bickering and made them draw lots.
Then it was discussions of how many teams each village would be allowed to send to other countries. Rules about Jinchuriki participation and how the Kages needed to be notified before one was to enter their village. Agreements that those teams would have extra guards for safety.
That had only sparked arguments for another hour until things finally settled down with when the first exam would be hosted in Kumo. Followed by Iwa, Kiri, Suna, and lastly Konoha. Kitsune had almost laughed at the relief in Sakumo's gaze that he had two and a half years to prepare for Konoha to host the biannual exams.
So, while two of her comrades were on guard, Shikaku sleeping, Kitsune wanted to explore. She felt the eyes of the Samurai on patrol watching her, but it was the suppressed Jounin Chakra signature she felt, that intrigued her.
The Ravenette hummed as she looked an apple over before purchasing it and then tossing it up towards the roof across the street from her.
Takeshi caught it and dropped down rolling it in his hand. "Thank you?" he spoke, the lit of his voice ending in a question mark.
"I heard your stomach from here." Kitsune shrugged and jerked her head forward. "Want to join me on a walk?"
The gray eyed man nodded and together they walked and window shopped from the stalls of the evening market.
"I never thanked you." The Jounin commander of Iwa hummed cordially.
"Your actions in the third war were enough." She answered back gently.
"The war was bad, but it could have been worse." Patient eyes glanced at her. "The Namikaze siblings could have done more damage than they did at Kannabi Valley. While some died from their wounds, many are instead just injured and will need physical therapy to heal their torn chakra coils."
"We just want peace." Kitsune sighed. "Even Minato just wants peace. He will set aside his dreams if it means protecting his village though. Yet, he did enough damage to take out as many threats as possible while also protecting his sister."
"Hm." Takeshi hummed softly, still rolling the apple around. "Just as I only killed when i had no other choice. I agree with your Hokage. I am tired of war. I am a shinobi and will always enjoy a good mission to save the innocent, or kill the wicked, but I'm tired of wondering if i've killed someone's brother or sister. Mother or father. If i've orphaned another child."
Kitsune chuckled sadly. "One day. One day there will be peace." She whispered.
"Until that day, will you let me buy you dinner?"
The ravenette paused in her steps. The Iwa Jounin only took another step to look back to see the conflicted look on the Konoha kunoichi's face.
"Takeshi-"
He held up a hand, "Not a date. I wish to thank you as a friend."
He watched her shoulders drop and lips lift into a smile. "Okay." The Jounin gave a short one of his own before escorting Kitsune a few streets down until they were sitting at an Udon shop.
The Iwa shinobi fell into easy conversation with the Konoha kunoichi when she complained adamantly that Ramen was much better than Udon. He argued back with her that Udon was better, but while they were bickering over food, it was never hostile. Just two friends getting to know one another better.
The Jounin even got to hear about the kunoichi's time as a genin.
"A Cat!" She snarled. "A bloody fucking Cat! I swear Tora is a Demon. It didn't help that it could smell my summons on me and made my life worse!" She snapped, breaking her chopsticks.
Takeshi laughed openly at her frustration and handed her a new pair. "We had a weasel to catch."
Kitsune looked horrified. "Those slippery little fuckers?"
"Hai." The brunette huffed, a vein pulsing on his temple. "Those tiny things are so flexible and get into the smallest of places. Oonoki i swear gave it to everyone that got on his nerves too much, just to be able to laugh at our misery."
Kitsune huffed. "Sadists, The lot of the kages." Takeshi silently agreed with the Ravenette's grumbles.
"So, how is that little apprentice of yours?"
Kitsune huffed. "I can still kick her ass, so she's not strong enough yet. Her brother and Sister grumble at me all the time for keeping her away with training or missions, but she needs to be ready."
"Ready? Ready for what?" The Iwa Jounin stiffened.
"Ready to take on my duties." Kitsune sighed staring down at her noodles. "I'm...I'm not strong enough. But she will be. There is ….something I've been hunting that causes discord between the nations. It originally was only after the Senju and Uchiha. It...I think it had a hand in taking out the Uzumaki. They were the leading experts in sealing. The only thing that can beat it." She sighed and rubbed her eyes with her fingers. "If...If she can't defeat it, Konoha, Suna, Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa will end up like my village."
"Destroyed." Takeshi whispered remembering the memory he was shown of dead bodies and rubble. "That is a lot of pressure to put on a child."
"Ah." Kitsune sighed. "But it's her destiny." Cerulean met ash gray. "Minashi Namikaze was born to be a protector. So I train her to be the strongest of them all to protect the nations as a whole. Konoha will be a priority to her as that is where her family is, but she knows that it won't matter if the nations can't come to peace and work together."
Takeshi was entranced by the truth in her gaze. "Is there anything I can do to assist?"
"Keep your Kage from declaring war? Help your people to learn to forgive?"
The Shinobi chuckled and lifted up his cup of sake to toast her. "I think I can handle that. To a peaceful future."
Kitsune hummed and toasted him in return. "To Peace." Their drinks clinked and Kitsune drank hers easily. Takeshi sighed as he set his empty cup down.
"So, when will I be able to actually take you out on a real date?"
Kitsune burst out laughing at the teasing tone of his voice. "You are relentless."
"Well, Pink hair or not, green eyes or not, you are still a very beautiful woman. Plus I will admit that it was pretty hot to watch you put five Kage in their place with just your Killing Intent Alone."
Kitsune snorted and eyed him. "Thanks, but seriously Takeshi-kun. I still love my mate. He may be gone, but he was the other half of my soul."
The brunette sighed and lowered his head. "No chance?"
"None. Sorry."
"Can I still treat you to nice things? I am a stubborn Iwa Shinobi." He smirked repeating her words.
Kitsune snorted even if her eyes turned sad. "Takeshi-"
"Please?"
The Ravenette sighed and poured another cup of Sake. "It won't change my mind or heart."
"But if it makes you smile, then it will be worth it." He pressed.
Kitsune sighed as she stared at her drink. The lonely part of her heart desired her kakashi, her lover, her soulmate. But she'd left him in a future that was no more. There wasn't even proof that this Kakashi now would be hers when they grew up. She'd heard the whispers of the other Clan heads wondering why she hadn't taken on a husband. Wondering if her and Sakumo were actually a thing and that is why she hadn't accepted proposals from any of the clans.
"You won't quit will you?" She whispered looking into the Jounin's gaze, full of familiar stubbornness.
"No."
"I have secrets." She continued, blue eyes softening with sadness and regrets.
"Don't we all?"
"I can't be anything but a friend, Takeshi."
"Then let me spoil you. You deserve it for all the hard work you are doing to bring and keep peace."
"Takeshi-" her words were silenced when he pressed a finger to her lips before that hand moved to cup her jaw.
"Friends." He whispered inches away. "Just friends." He promised before kissing her forehead. "I swear."
Tears threatened Kitsune's eyes. Making them burn and ache. She couldn't respond, but let a small nod be the answer. She felt his lips curl into a smile before he pulled away from the Udon stand, arm in arm as they walked the lantern lit streets.
Kitsune switched one ankle for the other where she sat since she chose to switch with Minato for the third day of the Kage Summit. She eyed how the other Guards had also been exchanged. A powerplay done by each nation. Showing their allies/ enemies who they trusted right behind their right hands.
Minato stood and exchanged glances with Baki often. Both bored out of their minds as the Kages discussed the next phases and components of the Cease Fire turning into a Peace Treaty.
Onoki had also had a change of guard. Replacing Takeshi was his son Kitsuchi. Yagura had even changed his guard for Mei, much to Kitsune's surprise. Yet, Killer B was still at his brother's side. From sensing their chakra alone, Kitsune could feel how the other guards couldn't compare.
Instead to pass the time between the bickering of their Leaders, Kitsune played shogi against Shikaku in their heads. Minato's mind adding in comments with Kagami every so often. Sakumo would then chime in to laugh at Shikaku for falling into one of Kitsune's traps before they then played a game together and the other three shinobi 'watched' the mental game. A game which kitsune lost. She snarled out loud and the Kages stopped.
Sakumo snorted. "Pardon her. You were saying Rasa?"
Throwing a string of curses at her Kage Kistune stood and moved to lean against the back wall of the spectator's section. She was joined moments later by Takeshi. They both felt the eyes of their respective comrades and the Kumo squad near them.
Takeshi just raised a brow at her. "Everything alright?" He whispered.
She huffed and rolled her eyes. "Yes, i'm….I can just be a sore loser sometimes. Sakumo is aware and gets amusement from my suffering at his brilliance."
Takeshi just raised a brow. "Ya….lost me."
"We were playing shogi." She shrugged.
He just stared at her, shot a glance to the Konoha section -clear of any game boards-, her Kage -still in the meeting-, before looking back at her. His brow raised skeptically back again. Kitsune chuckled and patted his arm.
"I'm a seal Mistress Takeshi-kun."
"Hm, yes. But wouldn't it be just as easy to play with the actual board?"
"Hokage-sama didn't allow it." Shikaku grunted joining them to lean against the wall, sharp eyes looking between them. "Said we should keep our senses sharp."
"Well, I haven't lost either of my Kages yet, i'd like to keep that going." Kitsune mused aloud. "So a healthy dose of paranoia keeps the wolf alive."
"Yet, you've once more made friends with the most unlikely people." Yashamaru hummed joining them, nodding to kitsune. "It's good to see you Kitsune."
"Like wise." The ravenette huffed a smile. "How is Mitsuko-chan doing?"
Yashamaru snorted and sent her a look. "Inspired by you. She wants to be worthy to wield the Tessan Jutsu you made for her. Not to mention she still had a certain Hyuuga prodigy to outwit."
Kitsune stared before snorting. "Ryouta-kun is looking forward to a rematch too. He was disappointed that the war didn't end sooner so that he could spar with her."
"Hm. and the Hokage's son? Nahoko is also looking forward to a rematch. Yet, i believe hers is still a grudge for the puppets he destroyed."
Shikaku snorted this time. "Kakashi is busy chasing Minashi around and attempting to keep her out of trouble."
"Minashi is an Uzumaki. Trouble is their middle name." Kitsune grinned proudly.
"And I bet you only enable that further." Takeshi huffed amused. That just earned him a complete innocent look from those blue eyes. The Iwa nin deadpanned her, not believing her look for a moment. "Yeah, that doesn't work on me."
Kitsune's lips lifted into a grin. "Aw, no fun."
"I betcha I can give you a fun time sweetheart." All four sets of eyes snapped to the new voice. Kitsune herself just glanced to the teen that was a young Zabuza. His mouth was uncovered, and sharp teeth were being shown off even as she saw the Kubikiribocho across his back, almost dwarfing his height.
Yashamaru and Shikaku went dead silent. Takeshi raised a brow at the brat and his audacity.
"And who are you brat?" The Iwa nin grunted frowning.
"Momochi Zabuza, youngest swordsman of Kiri." The Teen boasted with all his sharp teeth on display.
Kitsune raised a brow slightly impressed. She'd...known, that Zabuza had had a bloody past to get to where he'd been. But she'd never been close to him or his reanimation to hear his back story. Being a reanimation also meant, she missed out on his memories.
Those black eyes met hers once more and slowly his smile left as he saw no fear, no arrogance, or annoyance in the mysterious Kunoichi's gaze. He swallowed when instead something almost fond filled them.
"You remind me of someone...an advisory i once went up against in my youth. Maybe a couple years younger than you." She hummed. "He too boasted about his strength, had a past coated in blood, yet….his heart was guarded to protect the soft spots they held. He saw himself and those around him as tools, yet at the end, the child he'd saved and raised was more a son to him than the tool he'd claimed they were. I have many regrets. They were the first. They taught me what it meant to be a shinobi. Yes, our leaders see us as tools, but that depends on your leader. While we are still tools, it does not mean we are emotionless. If anything our emotions can be our greatest strength and our greatest weakness. It all depends on how you yourself wield them."
The silence of their small group was heavy. Kitsune huffed and shook her head.
"Regarding your original statement…"She grinned foxily and leaned forward. A barely there bubble of chakra appearing around just the two of them. The surrounding shinobi saw her lips moving, her grin growing, but they couldn't read her lips. Only watch as the teenager's jaw dropped, before his face flamed and then rapidly paled.
With a small pop, the bubble burst and they heard the whimpering from the teen.
"Run along Zabuza-chan." Kitsune grinned, letting her own teeth flash back at the Kiri Nin. Zabuza was gone in a shunshin to hide behind Ao on the other side of the hall.
Shikaku's gaze slowly moved to her with Yashamaru and Takeshi.
"So...Still won't accept that dinner?" Takeshi asked bluntly.
The two other shinobi snapped their gaze to the now known crazy Iwa-nin. Kitsune burst out laughing, silencing the rest of the room, even the Kages. Enough that Sakumo got up and lept to the railing to push the banners aside.
Kitsune was still cackling while Shikaku was pale and Yashamaru staring at the Iwa-nin in undisguised horror.
Rasa landed on the rail a moment later and raised a brow at Yashamaru.
"What has that woman cackling? I am well aware that that is never good." The Kazekage deadpanned.
"The Iwa nin was brave enough to ask Kitsune out." Yashamaru choked out horrified. He'd seen what happened to the last idiot brave enough to do that. She'd made Tsunade pale in comparison with damage done.
Rasa choked, Sakumo's eyes glared at the Iwa-nin just holding his ground.
The Kunoichi in question let out a final snort as she straightened up and patted Takeshi's shoulder.
"Persistent. I'll give you that. The answer is still the same Takeshi-kun. My mate will hold my heart until it's my time to join him."
"Shame." He smiled knowing that was the answer even if he was disappointed.
Oonoki cleared his throat as he hovered above the rail and glared at his commander. Takeshi copied Kitsune's innocent face.
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama?"
Oonoki sniffed at the Jounin as a finger tapped on his crossed arms. "Stop, fraternizing with the enemy."
"With all due respect Tsuchikage-sama," Kitsune smirked at the hovering older man "Fostering friendships between your high ranking shinobi and potential allies is a smart move. If i was available, even fostering possible courtships would be seen as a way to break the tension between our two nations. Takeshi-kun here is smart enough to realize that and continue to attempt to court me so that there is a chance to actually have a lasting peace between Konoha and Iwa."
"And i'd rather not be on the bad side of a seal mistress." Takeshi deadpanned his Kage.
Kitsune's gaze slanted to her own Kage to see his brow raised at her. Her shoulders eased. "He's just a friend Sakumo. My heart still belongs to my mate."
There was silence between Hokage and his advisor as the reluctant audience saw something pass between them.
"One day Kitsune, you will need to let him go." Sakumo said and Kitsune's face blanked. "You also had my suggestion for when we return. I'm turning that into an order. You will see Inojiro as soon as we step foot in Konoha."
The Ravenette's voice was calm, cool, and lacking emotion. "Hai, Hokage-sama." She monotoned.
Takeshi twitched as he eyed his friend concerned.
"Shall we return to our discussions?" Rasa offered in the tense silence.
"Yes." Oonoki grunted and eyed his Commander. "Our shinobi will also return to post."
Takeshi nodded and left in a shunshin.
Kitsune pulled her Fox mask over her face and returned to where she'd once been relaxing. Kicking back to look relaxed once more, even if she didn't move a muscle more to just breathe.
'I'm sorry Kitsune.' Sakumo's voice said over their com-cuffs. She ignored him, much to the twitching of their comrades.
The rest of the meeting went by with less arguments, but it was still a migraine inducing day. Returning to the Inn was with tense silence between the Konoha shinobi as they walked on egg shells around their captain and Hokage.
The following day wasn't much better on either front. Kitsune did her turns on duty, stayed silent in the spectator section, and kept villilant during the night.
It was the afternoon of the fifth and final day of the Summit that Sakumo had had enough. Just as the meeting finished, he snagged Kitsune and pulled her away to talk not too far from the entrance to the building. His other guards were present and even the other Kage were lingering to try to overhear their talk.
Kitsune ripped her wrist from her Hokage.
"I am not a child-" The Kunoichi hissed angrily, still aware enough to activate the privacy bubble to keep out the nosey gossips.
"Then stop acting like one." Sakumo barked back. Hard blocks of blue ice held dark coal eyes.
"You had no right to put my health out there to the other Kages and shinobi."
"You won't talk to me about it any other time." Sakumo said calmly back. "I can't ask Inojiro about it because it's not relevant to Konoha's safety. But above all else Kitsune, you are my friend, hell you are basically family at this point." His tone started deepening with his own emotions. "And i've lost too much family. I've lost too many sisters to lose another one. So yes, if i have to drag your mental health out into the public eye, i will. Your friends already know that you need guardians for if you have an episode again. I…" Sakumo swallowed thickly as he met hard blues filled with guilt and pain. "I cannot stand to see you in pain again Kitsune. I will not bare hearing your screams. I turned that suggestion into an order because i know what anniversaries are coming up."
Kitsune's head dropped.
"I know you damn well enough to know how you bottle shit up. You've made myself and Hiruzen let our shit lose, it's about time we made you do the same. So yes, Inojiro is an order. You will see him, you will have multiple sessions to prepare for the anniversaries coming up. You will address them, you will face the facts that i know you are avoiding facing."
"Sakumo-"
"Your brother's death anniversary nears." Sakumo said softly. "The Death of your mate nears." He reached up and held her bicep as she held them tightly in her own grip. Pure stubbornness holding back her tears. "Yet, you have another vying for your attention. I've kept all the other marriage proposals off your back."
"My mate-" She whispered, fighting the tears.
"Isn't coming back." He said and leaned forward to whisper just for her. "He will not be the same."
Kitsune started to tremble and Sakumo sighed as he pulled her into his chest to hold. His chin on her head.
"I want you to go ahead of us Kitsune. Return to Konoha and see Inojiro. You are long overdue. I shouldn't have brought you here knowing what was approaching. But i was selfish and wanted my family near."
She choked on a laugh/ sob.
"Go home." He whispered.
Kitsune shook her head and took a few calming breaths before meeting his dark gaze.
"I am sorry for calling you out in such a setting." The Hokage sighed regretfully.
"Ass." She chuckled fondly and Sakumo reached up to wipe away her stray tears.
"Go-"
"No, i'll-" She sighed. "I'll make sure you get home. The pup would be upset with me otherwise."
Sakumo snorted and shook his head. "Defiant as always. You seriously should have just taken this hat."
Kitsune rolled her eyes, planting her hands on her hips. "And have to actually be polite to the other Kages during the summit?" She snorted. "Fuck that shit. I'd rather beat sense into them than talk pretty words just to kiss their ass or make them kiss mine."
The Hokage let out a regretful groan. "Kitsuneee~" She just grinned satisfied and let the bubble drop.
"Come on you lump of canine." She teased, grabbing his arm. "You owe us a shopping trip in Tetsu. I have an apprentice to shop for, two godsons, a godsdaughter and another godson on the way, to all spoil. Not stand around talking about my shitty mental health."
Sakumo huffed and waved to his guards. "Well, come on you three."
Minato twitched at the unfortunate upcoming shopping trip. Shikaku tried to sneak away before Kagami grabbed his collar with a grin.
Three hours later the Konoha group was at the gates checking their gear. Kitsune stretched out her muscles and joints absently as she sent her senses wide, Sage chakra already running through her coils. Because of that she was aware when Takeshi was moving towards them.
Moving away from her group, the Iwa commander landed and was only given sharp looks by the other Konoha shinobi.
Kitsune moved to him and was about to tease him before he thrust out his arm. Blue eyes blinked stunned when there in his hand was a small black box with blue ribbon.
"Takeshi-"
"I don't know when your birthday is. I know i've missed at least a few since we've met. I hope this will be a good gift to continue our friendship."
Kitsune sighed and took the box.
"I...I'm not looking to replace him." Takeshi muttered and tilted his head until blue eyes met his again. "But i'd like to earn a place in your heart when you are ready."
"I can't make promises Takeshi. Plus, i've already told you, i have secrets. Secrets that will make a relationship, any romantic relationship impossible."
Those grey eyes dimmed a bit, even as he smirked. "Is that a challenge?"
"No." Kitsune shook her head. "Friends Takeshi. I can't be more than a friend. Especially right now."
The Iwa nin sighed and rubbed his neck. "It was worth a shot. But don't think i'm going to give up."
The Ravenette couldn't help her snort as she saw a familiar stubborn glint in his gaze. Her smile was soft.
"Stubborn." She muttered and reached up to push some of his hair away. "Stay safe Takeshi-kun. You still have my seal?"
"It doesn't leave my vest." He patted above his heart and the meaning didn't pass the Kunoichi. She just shook her head at him.
"Safe travels Takeshi-kun." She said and headed back for her comrades.
She felt his chakra bubble with amusement and some sadness, before he was further away after a shunshin.
Kitsune ignored the looks she was getting from her four male comrades. Then the Uchiha had to go and open his mouth.
"Wow, he's really desperate to get into your pants." Kagami leered. "If it's the fact that he's an Iwa nin, you know there are a few of my cousins that are hoping to-" Kagami's comment was cut off with a yelp when violet feline slit eyes were on him and claws were swinging for his jugular. With a grinning snarl, Kitsune chased the Uchiha back towards Konoha. Their three companions following at a more sedate pace and in formation.
Four and a half days of travel that the Konoha group was supposed to take, ended up being only four days. Especially after their Hokage pushed the pace, wanting to return so that Hiruzen and Dragon didn't make his paperwork worse.
"Your reports will be on my desk within two days." Sakumo told his guard as they passed Konoha's gates. "Dismissed-" He cut off his own words as his gaze met Kitsune's zoned out face. "Kitsune?"
She twitched at the call of her name. Sakumo moved towards her and a whine left the woman. The Hatake was then close enough to see her eyes glazed over.
"Kagami, Get Jiraiya! Minato, Hiruzen!" The Yondaime barked sharply.
The two left in bursts of speed.
Shikaku stepped forward. "Hokage-sama?"
"Have you perfected the shadow stepping like your father?" The Hokage asked quickly.
"Yes."
"My residence." He ordered as he stepped closer to kitsune more, shikaku following, his shadow taking all three to the Hokage's Clan Home.
They appeared just outside the barriers and Sakumo took that time to sweep Kitsune into his arms and head right for his office, knowing that there was the best place with all the seals Kitsune had placed there.
He activated them even as he tried to call Kitsune back.
"What happened?" he asked her calmly, hands rubbing her arms. "Is everyone okay?"
"Sas-" Kitsune choked out as her eyes started tearing up. "Sasuke."
"Shikaku-"
"Inojiro or inoichi, on it." He stepped back into the shadows a moment later.
Sakumo just sighed and brushed some of her bangs away. "Talk to me Minashi." He said softly, knowing it was safe now to use her name.
Baby blues looked at him and those tears hurt his heart.
"Sasuke….I...I feel him. His chakra is...it's so...Clean." She choked out as she tried to breath between her panic attack attempting to get the better of her.
Sakumo's smile was soft and understanding. "Ah, I bet it is. He's just a baby. Can you tell me what he's doing?"
"Laughing." She mumbled as she unconsciously mimicked the deep breathing exercises Sakumo was doing.
"Well, he is a newborn. My guess would be Mikoto is getting help from Kushina who definitely could make any baby laugh."
Gradually, the glazed look in Minashi's gaze pulled away as they talked in hushed whispers. Chakra flashed on both their senses and Sakumo left her long enough to drop his barriers. Inojiro was first to rush in and when Kitsune's gaze met his, she gave a weak smile.
Inojiro sighed and returned it. "Hello Kitsune. You are overdue."
"I thought i'd be strong enough." She whispered.
"Hm." He practically grunted, taking a seat at her side. Kitsune was distracted when a hand landed on her head. Blue eyes shot up to Jiraiya as he kneeled before her.
Black eyes held Cerulean blues. "You are not alone. The Boys and Wakana have missed you. Tsunade is worried about you and told me to remind you that you are not allowed to break your promise to her."
Kitsune's eyes teared up again as she nodded and accepted the hug he gave her. His familiar chakra mixed with the nature energies calming her down further. It was then that her other side was taken up by the familiar smell of tobacco and monkey. Watery blue eyes looked into steady chocolate brown eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"It hurts." She whispered to him, leaning into his shoulder. Hiruzen hummed and combed his fingers through her hair.
"Ah, the only pain we shinobi will ever truly struggle with. Pains of the heart, and you my dear have been burdened with the worst of them. You know I won't patronize you with words of understanding, because no one here can ever truly understand your pain. But you must remember what you told me."
He kissed her temple and helped her sit up, gazes meeting once more. "You are not alone." He gestured to a fidgeting Inojiro with worry lining his face. "You have friends Kitsune, that worry for you and want to help. Let us."
Kitsune nodded and took Inojiro's offered hand. The Yamanaka sighed and pressed his other hand to her forehead. Moments later they were deep into her mindscape.
Jiraiya let out a breath of air before it turned into a groan. "Kami, that could have been so much worse." He looked to Sakumo. "You caught it early."
Sakumo nodded as he leaned against his desk. "I don't believe it would have turned out the same as the one we last experienced." His frowned deepened though at a thought. "I think she has hidden other episodes over the years. Moving to Mt. Amazuki has allowed her to escape seeking the help she knows she needs."
"She probably feels the amount of years that have passed, and being able to keep any smaller attacks from you, means she's managing on her own." Shikaku grunted displeased with that thought.
"Or she's been distracted enough with the war these last years that she just hasn't had an attack." Jiraiya hummed thoughtfully. "She's pretty Honest with Tsunade and we all know that she won't let shit like that slide."
"Jiraiya has a point." Hiruzen hummed as he packed his pipe and eyed his stressed looking successor and the Godaime to be hovering near the door. His gaze returned to the Current Hokage. "But Shikaku's is also a valid and more plausible point. She did grow up with only her brother to rely on."
Sakumo twitched.
"A handful of years out of the shadows and finally making other connections doesn't make childhood learned things just disappear." Sakumo opened his mouth to retort, but Hiruzen just held up a hand. "I know what you want to say Sakumo, and she has done exceedingly well for someone in her position. But she is still young, no matter the wisdom she holds. Times and situations like these are where her youth shines through. For all that she is, a part of her is still a lonely hurt child afraid of the world around her and how it will hurt her this time."
Sakumo sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I just want her happy and at peace."
"We all know that won't come for years more." Jiraiya huffed even as he watched the tension slowly bleed from the Ravenette and Yamanaka the longer the time passed. "Do you need her for anything after this?" He shot to the Hokage.
"No. My guard will have the next few days off to rest, recoup, and write down their reports."
"Then she'll stay with us." Jiraiya crossed his arms. "Tsunade's demanding her there."
Sakumo's lips twitched. "Done."
"What's done?" Kitsune groaned and she rubbed her temples and Inojiro sat back with relief and peace on his face.
"You're bunking with my horde." Jiraiya smirked. "Hokage's orders."
Kitsune just turned blinked and him and nodded. "Okay." Standing, she was then gone in a swirl to the silence of the rest of the room.
Jiraiya's and everyone else who knew kitsune snapped to Inojiro.
"Report." Sakumo barked first.
Inojiro hummed as he stood up and cracked his own neck to pull his thoughts together.
"She's admitted to having only one other episode that she went and pushed through under the comfort of Sennin Asako-sama." Inojiro held up his hand at the three bristling older men, the two younger just frowning worried. "Only earlier this year." He calmed them. "Otherwise, she's just been too busy during the war years with fighting, training her apprentice, training Kushina, and being your advisor hokage-sama, that she's just...not had any. Sure the nightmares and night terrors are present, but nothing has set her off."
"Why now though?" Jiriaya frowned.
"Ten year anniversary." Inojiro whispered. "It will have been ten years this year that she lost her husband. Not to mention the anniversary of her brother's death is just around the corner too. We all know that's always been a hard day for her."
"So I was right. She's bottling shit up again." Sakumo sighed.
"Yes. She's going to the Senju compound and will be 'cuddling Wakana and cooing at Tsunade's belly until she's annoyed with her.' Her words, not mine. Plus she said something about gifts for her godkids."
Sakumo nodded. "Good. I want you to schedule another session with her for three days from now and then keep with that pattern until this year is up. I will sick the ANBU on her if she thinks she can avoid-"
Inojiro's amused smile made the Hokage trail off. "She already promised to start seeing me or my son once a week. And we know she doesn't make promises lightly."
Something lifted in those present at those words. "Good." Hiruzen stood. "Then we leave her in your care. I'm off to go bug my son and daughter about grandkids again. Especially since Kitsune will be hogging my first three."
Jiraiya snorted at his sensei before the man was gone in a shunshin. "I'm going to go make sure she doesn't pester Oro just for the hell of it."
"Thank you Jiraiya." Sakumo called. The Senju just smirked and left with a cheeky wave.
"Minato, Shikaku. Thank you."
The two younger men nodded and soon were gone in their own shunshin or Hiraishin for the former.
Inojiro moved closer to his Hokage and saw the man's shoulders drop once the rest of their audience was gone.
"How is she?"
"She held off breaking down at Aburame Shino's birth earlier this year because she hadn't seen him die. Haruno Sakura's birth is what set her off. She said it took her a while to notice because of how tiny her signature as a civilian baby was. But between hers, shino-kun's, and young Gaara-kun's in Suna, she needed to cry. Her Foxes were there for her because she didn't want to burden anyone here with her pain. Akimichi Choji was born a few months ago, and it wasn't only Sasuke she felt. Inuzuka Kiba was also born while you all were away. Feeling two familiar signatures back just hit her hard. Sasuke's apparently hit the worst because of how clean it is to her. The darkness of hatred isn't clouding his chakra. She's already promised to stick close to you or me come September when my granddaughter is due and when Shikaku's boy is due."
Sakumo saw the Yamanaka's face deepen with concern. "She...she requests that you send her away for October. A mission for kitsune or Minashi, she doesn't care, but she's admitted that she doesn't want to be here for her birthday. For the birthday that her brother's counterpart will not be sharing with her."
The Hokage sighed deeply. "I'll think about it. We can't keep letting her run away. I've let her ignore facts she's refusing to face for years now." Rubbing his neck he nodded to Inojiro. "Thank you friend."
The blonde smiled kindly. "Anything. Now, i'm going to go make sure Umeki-chan isn't ready to castrate Inoichi with the garden clippers again."
Sakumo snorted and waved the blonde away.