Chapter 20: Thank you

"Do you ever wonder what life would be like outside your village?"

"No."

"Oh come on, not even a little bit?"

"Nope," Kakashi said with a pop.

"What? Is your plan to live here the rest of your life and then just die here?"

"Yup."

"That's absurd."

"A lot of things are. Yourself included."

There were a lot of things that they had left unsaid since last night, but as Kintsugi feigned insult to his words, she relished in the momentary banter.

A clean Yami joined them today, the morning air blowing temporary hair parts in his thick fur as they slowly walked towards the mine and though the fresh air helped to settle her nerves, the feeling of anxiousness remained in the back of her head.

It had been a long time since she had been able to speak to someone without eventually finding herself at the end of a rope, and despite her internal voice telling her to hold back and stop whatever she was doing with him, she walked on.

"I'm heading over to the hospital today."

"Sasuke?" She hummed.

"The kid hasn't woken up yet. He's already an emotional mess. Can't wait until he finally wakes up though," he replied sarcastically.

"Aren't we all?" she grinned cheekily.

Kakashi tilted his head in her direction.

"An emotional mess," she clarified, scratching Yami's ears in the process.

"Speak for yourself. You don't know me."

"I've seen the way others act around you. You don't exactly have friends either, so who are you kidding? You're an emotional mess too."

Kintsugi paused as they neared the clearing to the mine turning to silently face Kakashi.

"What?"

There were a lot of things she wanted to say to him, a lot of things she wanted to do to clear her mind of the guilt that was starting to resurface. Guilt that she'd thought had drowned with Rashaan at the bottom of the sea.

"I-, she hesitated as she took a shaky breath of air, the forced grin of a moment ago now replaced with a wistful look, "Thank you."

It was awkward and rushed, but for the first time since he had met her, he could see the sincerity in her expression and words.

He wasn't sure how to respond, but before he could even think of something to say she swiftly turned and stepped into the mine as he watched Kintsugi and Yami's outline quickly disappear the further they went in.


"Kakashi Hatake, just the man I was looking for."

"Danzo-sama," the aforementioned bowed in return as the older man approached him.

To say the previous night had been unusual would have been to call a fatal wound to the heart a mere flesh wound. It had been more than just a long night as the events of yesterday replayed in his mind like a broken track, his thoughts straying throughout the night and morning to the younger woman that lived next door.

"Walk with me," the older man said, his quiet voice coming out more like a demand than a request.

"Of course," he nodded walking as they passed room after room full of scrolls and documents, many of which most likely awaited the urgent attention of the next Hokage.

Despite the number of different chairs that were spread out within the small conference room they entered, Danzo opted to immediately prop his shoulder against the wall as he stood and leaned towards him.

"I wanted to run a few things by you but...say, how's the capitalist doing? Any news?"

"Capitalist? Are you referring to Kintsugi-shi? She's...I-I've included everything in my reports to the council, sir. I actually just finished submitting one a few moments ago if you want to take a look."

"Well, yes, yes, but I'm sure there must be something else you've noticed," Danzo said with an air of annoyance.

"I'm not sure I follow, sir," Kakashi lied.

He had known Danzo long enough to know that whatever he wanted to know about Kintsugi wasn't due to mere curiosity. He hadn't been called a child prodigy for no reason.

"Ah, I thought so," Danzo's face seemed to darken, "anyways I'd like to know if you think I should still have my men supervise her. I wouldn't call them off right away, no, but perhaps I'll call them off sooner than the council expected?"

"...whatever you think is best, sir."

"-of course, but I'm asking you. I've heard you've spent a considerable amount of time with her these last few days. We even have her living with you in the same apartment building. Surely, you're bound to have a good sense of judgment on the matter."

A good sense of judgment. It was a joke really. Where had that ever gotten him?

The last time he had relied on his own judgment, the people he cared about had died. He had been forced to lead, forced to watch their deaths. And now, he was forced to lead a group of immature kids. Even in this moment, he was being forced to answer the question to a man he didn't particularly like.

"Danzo-sama, I merely supervise. I am not with her 24/7, I wouldn't even be able to tell you what her favorite color is."

"Do you trust her?"

Again. The same word seemed to budge its way into whatever conversation involved the two of them.

"...I wouldn't say that either."

"Good, I shouldn't need to remind you whose side you're on."

"Excuse me?" Kakashi's eyes narrowed.

"Sarutobi is gone Hatake. He's not coming back. I know he made a habit of making friends and family of whoever crossed his path but need I remind you the man is dead."

"Sir-"

"He was a great man in his time, but this village doesn't need another Sarutobi. It needs its people to focus on the larger picture, yourself included."

"I won't allow any of my comrades to die if that's what you mean, for no one."

"Good," Danzo straightened as he brushed himself off. "Then keep your feelings in check, do your job, and I'll do mine. I don't trust the girl, but I'm sure she can be of more use to the village than what she's letting us know now. When the time comes, I hope you of all people will understand that what I do is for the good of this village."

Kakashi wasn't sure what to say, but the look in Danzo's eyes kept him silent.

"I'll see you around I suppose. Until then," Danzo placed a wiry hand on Kakashi's shoulder, "...keep our village safe Hatake."


Re: Peace of Konoha

H,

I cut to the chase as before, and bring you further news of the "peaceful" group I had brought to your attention a while back. I caution you into believing they seek true peace for all.

They continue to be on the move and have recently dared to encroach on the village. It is my fear that they continue to present a greater threat to your power than ever before.

The particular interest I had discussed with you continues to show intriguing abilities and may be of some use to us, though perhaps in the long run.

The enemy of our enemy seems to have a similar stake to one of our own. I've dispatched men to further investigate.

Believe me, we will not hesitate to stop the threats.

As always, my regards

- D


Her joints were stiff and the muscles in her back felt like they had been spent of their last strength.

It had been a long day at the toy shop.

If Akari had heard anyone else mention the word kore one more time she was going to go insane for sure. Kids were monsters.

She was lying on her back as her body lay on the wooden floor entrance to her apartment, her head sticking out of the doorframe as it was blanketed by the warm, evening sun and refreshed by the gentle breeze that seemed to tunnel through the sides of the building every now and then.

A rather plump cat from within the home began to shift its way onto her face, essentially covering her eyes, nose, and mouth.

"Mr. T!" she said in a muffled tone. "Finally, someone I actually like."

"How was your day Mr. T?"

The cat purred loudly in response as it began to swish its tail.

"You like me too don't you?"

The cat meowed before immediately climbing off her face and rushing out into the open street.

"Mr. T...Mr. T!" She sat up before lying back down with a sigh as the cat disappeared from sight.

"I don't really know...do I feel lonely or sad?" She said to no one in particular.

"What are you doing?"

Akari's face flushed as she watched Kintsugi's shadow hover over her menacingly.

"Uh..."

"Are you hurt?"

"What?"

"Why's your neck twisted like that? It looks unnatural."

Akari sat up as she twisted her body to face her upstairs neighbor in one move.

"You don't stink anymore, you still look dirty, but you don't stink," Akari stated in a mutter as she took a glance at the dog that panted next to Kintsugi.

"You seem...different."

"Is it because of the dog? I didn't change. You just don't know me."

"No, no, not the dog, though MAN is that a big dog."

"I work up in the mines."

"Konoha has mines?"

"Not a lot, just a few."

"No wonder...," Akari couldn't take the awkward silence that seemed to follow as Kintsugi remained standing in front of her.

"Uh, sorry about the door."

"I don't mind, Hatake-shi's the one that cares mostly."

"Hatake?"

"The nanny," she reminded her.

"Are you two...," she questioned lifting a brow.

"No."

"Huh. Well, um, I guess I'll see you around?"

Kintsugi didn't move.

"Do you need something?"

Yami barked in response as he stood on his hind feet to reach Kintsugi's face.

"What do dogs eat?" She asked suddenly as she hugged the dog with one arm.

"Dogfood?"

"Obviously, but I tried giving Yami a carrot and he wouldn't eat it."

"That's not dog food, dog's don't normally eat carrots. They're mostly carnivores...how do you even have a dog if you don't know what they eat? Actually, how do you not know what dogs eat?"

"Well, I tried giving him a bite of my sandwich and he didn't eat that either."

Akari sighed as she stood and went inside before appearing with a package of sausages.

"I wouldn't feed him too many of these, but for now you can probably give him some until you get some real dog food."

"Hmm," Kintsugi sniffed the package before ripping it open as she walked away.

"You're welcome," Akari volunteered as she watched Kintsugi and Yami climb up the steps and walk away happily.


The faint knock on the glass window next to her bed woke her up. She probably would have ignored it and fallen back to sleep had she not heard the knock again, this time more insistent.

She groaned as she got up and slid the window open sensing the exterior for any forms.

A slip of paper.

She ran her finger across it taking a few moments to make out what was written.

3 AM, Your previous lost location. Prompt.

She grinned as she crumpled the piece of paper and flushed the paper down the toilet before going back to sleep.


A/N: Another chapter! Some things won't follow the show completely, FYI. I may change up some plotlines to fit this story, so that may be why in some cases it doesn't make sense or things happen too early or late than in the actual show.

In regards to the world of ATLA, that will take place in future chapters, but not necessarily anytime soon, yet.