I'm doing NaNoWriMo this year. I've promised myself that if I behave and reach my daily word goal, then I can write fanfiction. We'll see how that works out for me.
I'm going to come back and add the names of all the lovely reviewers soon. I'm also editing, so many apologizes for any mistakes.
Thanks!
oOo
THEN
Hinata paused, going predator stalking-still. Her eyes narrowed as if she needed to focus on something.
"He's in a gully and he's stopping."
Shisui could feel his own muscles go whipcord tight with anticipation. Hakuto let out a sharp breath and bounced a bit on her heels.
Briefly, Shisui felt at his comrade's chakra, to make sure that their signatures were hidden enough to sneak up on the enemy. Satisfied, he signaled for silence, then to move out in formation.
Earlier, they decided Hinata and Shisui could take point. Hinata would lead Shisui to the enemy. The intention was to remain hidden. But if they did need to engage, Shisui would do so first, then Hinata. Hakuto's Nara clan technique made her the perfect long-range fighter, and she would watch their backs.
They used the tree cover to hop from branch to branch. However, the tree line ended before the edge of the gully. Hinata and Shisui quietly jumped from the leaves and crawled through thick grass until they could see their enemy. They crowded together as they pressed their bellies to the ground, arm pressing against arm.
The spy stood with his back to them in ankle high water in front of another person. The stranger wore a black cloak with a high collar that obscured half his face. A gray hood covered his head and neck. A forehead protector glinted in the afternoon sun.
Allegiance? Shisui asked. He wished he could hear what they were saying, but any closer and the Konoha nin would be discovered.
Hinata's field sign practically cut through the air in agitation. Missing nin! Unknown where from. Still trying to identify.
His lips pressed together as he swallowed a curse. This mission might be a dud. If they could not figure out who this spy sold information to, then they failed.
Debating on whether to pull out or keep watching, he almost missed the quick movement from below. Metal flashed in the air.
The spy crumpled to the ground, his chakra signature blinking out in an instant.
Hinata, too practiced to jump, still gave a minuscule flinch. Shisui prepared himself mentally to exit quickly.
The strange missing nin, bent down and rifled through the dead man's clothes until he pulled out a wallet. The nin looked inside, took out some coins, then dropped the now useless object.
The man raised his voice and called out: "Come burn the body already, we're wasting time."
Shisui's heart stopped as a voice echoed from behind them. "But I found a birdie watching us, un."
Before he could even turn, or run, or jump, a blast of heat washed over him and then the concussive thunderclap of an explosion followed. Shisui threw himself over Hinata. Clutching her close with hands firmly on her waist, he body flickered them away from their spot, and closer to Hakuto's position.
"Bastard!" Hakuto yelled. "Show me your fucking face instead of throwing shit at me from above!"
Shisui wasted no time. He followed her voice. Another body flicker, and they stood on the branch next to her. Hinata landed right next to Hakuto. She reached out with both arms to tether Hakuto to her, so Shisui could take them away.
He saw a small, white object torpedo from the sky. Acting without thinking, he wrapped his arms tightly around Hinata's waist and body flickered again. This one dropped them on a nearby tree with a viewpoint of their previous position.
Hinata had not been fast enough. But she thought quickly. She held a severed chakra wire in her outstretched hand. He could not see the other half, but he realized that she wrapped it around Hakuto's arm. Hakuto fell from the tree, looking like she had been yanked by an invisible force, arm first. Hinata must have pulled before Shisui acted.
When the explosion occurred, it caught Hakuto on the side, instead of her front at close range. She did not even manage to scream before the force threw her into the trunk of another tree. She bounced off and plummeted to the ground. Shisui abandoned Hinata, flickering once again to his other teammate. He caught her midair before flickering back.
Even in the mere seconds of his absence, Hinata began to throw a barrage of kunai at the enemy. Shisui looked up to see a bulbous white bird floating above them.
Shoving the still and blood-hot body of Hakuto into Hinata's arms, he ordered: "Hold her!"
Hinata instantly obeyed. Shisui wrapped his own arms as best as he could around the both of them, and body flickered one last time to a place far, far from there.
He imagined he could feel the heat of another explosion follow them through time and space.
oOo
NOW
Shisui walks into the tiny safehouse. He lights the lantern outside the front door to let the watchers know a Konoha nin is in residence. He drops his pack at the door.
The cabin is not much more than one room with an outhouse nearby. But it has a little kitchen. He ambles outside and opens the gas valve. Hearing it humming through the pipes leading into the house, he goes back inside.
When he tries to turn on the stove, it takes a long moment of clicking for the pilot light to ignite. But it does and he watches in satisfaction as the burner's metal coil starts turning orange with heat.
The water is on, thankfully, and burbles happily from the sink. The water is cold, but it does not matter. Using a stove kettle provided for this purpose, he heats up enough water for tea and a couple of cups of instant ramen.
He also pours the water over a couple of washcloths and gives himself a quick field bath.
Now clean, he takes his now steeped tea and softened noodles and sits at the only table near the door. He spreads out a couple of Hinata's letters and reads.
oOo
Dear Shisui,
I have attached a little list of books. I thought for a long while about what to send you. Maybe a diversity of choices would be appreciated. One of them is a book of poetry, one is a non-fiction book, another a novel, and the third is a romance. Sorry, that last one is probably not something you're interested in. But Hanabi and I both like it. It's our favorite.
My Lady asked me today if I've ever seen the ocean. Apparently she is from the coast. I have, once. But my cover persona has never had the financial means or reason to go. She grew very upset when she learned I supposedly have never seen it.
She said she would take me immediately. When I told her that she needed to ask her Lord Husband, she grew very confused. As if she forgot she needed permission to leave the Capital. Imagine the scandal if her husband found out his concubine and her ladies were missing without an explanation.
I imagine she is very homesick. I can sympathize.
I'm sorry. I don't mean to complain.
Miss you,
Hinata
oOo
Dear Sister,
My mistress is very strange. She does not know any of the courtly manners. She barely addresses her Lord Husband correctly and does not bother to show any deference to other members to the court. She constantly tries to dress herself, even though she wrinkles the silk. I've had to negotiate with her. She can change her underlayers herself if she allows us to attend to her.
I don't know if she is shy. She does not let us bathe her or allow us to be in the same room. But she is very outspoken.
She eats like Kiba does. Like Akamaru. She's not young. She's around your age. So why do I feel like I'm trying to teach a stubborn toddler how to use chopsticks politely ?
Speaking of Akamaru, I'd rather have him be my Lady instead of my mistress. At least he listens to orders.
Thank you for being such a wonderful sister and such a wonderful child. I'm sorry that I ever took you for granted. You were far easier to teach.
Ever your loving sister,
Hinata
oOo
Shisui snorts into his soup, imagining Akamaru dressed in a courtly lady's kimono.
oOo
Dear Hinata,
I will read all the books you recommended. Even the romance novel. I don't quite care for gender stereotypes. I want to know you. I want to know why this is your favorite.
We did not get much time to learn about each other before you had to leave. Again, I don't blame you. I mention it so you understand why I will read everything.
I will make a list of books I like for when you get back.
I have been to the ocean as well. I don't like it at night. The surface is empty, and it goes on for forever. But there are countless creatures and worlds underneath the waves. I don't like it. I don't like not being able to see, to know what kind of dangers there are.
That must sound very silly. It feels silly writing it. But I want to be honest.
You can be honest with me, too. I don't think it's complaining to admit you're homesick. It's okay.
I miss you.
Thinking of you,
Shisui
oOo
Dear Brother,
My mistress confuses me. She does not care to spend any time with her Lord Husband. If she did not want to be with him at night, that is one thing. But she never wants to see him.
She also does not curry favor with the other members of the court. She treats them with disdain. She does not talk to them. She does not engage in politics. She ignores the other concubines. She ignores the Daimyo's First Wife.
It confuses me. Why does she ignore the game of politics? If she got married to further her family's position, then why does she not make connections with the most powerful people in the country? If not for her family's honor, then would she have gotten married for herself? She doesn't like the Daimyo. She wants to spend time outside and is constantly talking about going back to the coast.
Why is she here?
Any insights would be appreciated.
Best,
Hinata
oOo
Shisui can feel his blood run cold with sneaking realization. Separated, the picture is unclear. But reading these letters together, now that Hinata is missing, makes Shisui begin to suspect the worst.
oOo
Mission report to the Hokage Tower:
Addressed to the Jonin Commander:
Cover is still intact. No one suspects.
No injuries to report. No mistakes to report. Disguise still intact.
Requesting more information on my target. Explanation is as follows: Target (the woman I serve as a handmaiden) acts suspiciously. I have observed callouses on her hands, indicating either hard labor or weapons experience. Does not have an observable chakra signature but has quick reflexes. Is a light sleeper. Has a couple of unexplained scars on her forearms.
Either the Target is an imposter, or is not of noble birth, or is a nin.
-From operative 012612
oOo
Shisui feels his food sit heavily in his stomach. He feels sick.
"Her lady was a nin," he whispers to the empty room.
oOo
Coming up: Shisui and Hinata evaluate Hakuto.