Naruto Fan Fiction!

Adventure! SI-OC!

(Title)

"A Song for Them"

A/N: This took far too long. I'm sorry. Will explain in the end of chapter A/N. I won't keep you from the chapter any longer, enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'Naruto' or any of the canon characters!

WARNING! RATED M!

Montage Arc,

Chapter Forty-Eight: "The Girl with Red Hair"

"Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one." -Anon E. Muss

Perspective:

空 (Sky)

Sora, June 12th—Home

(Days Until Invasion: 19)

There was a question that needed to be asked.

The skies were overcast, clouded ominously, and the long beach nowhere within sight. In fact, there was not a speck of powdery tan sand to be seen anywhere. The Girl figured it was Terra's creative decision, having been very unsettled by the Ichibi's reoccurring visits. She didn't have much protest to it though. A change of scenery was welcome every now and then. She moved, searching for the other fragments of herself beyond the tall grass. Not long after crossing into the field did the Girl see the 'changes' that her one-third had vaguely mentioned before in passing.

Beside the pond, there was a old-fashioned stone well in her mind-space.

A sealed well.

She hummed contemplatively under her breath.

...she supposed that it was a very apt analogy. A visual pun doubtlessly, but an apt analogy nonetheless. The Girl turned and found Terra, dressed in fairly loose-fitting clothing and looking to all the world like someone told her that her butt looked too big for her jeans. Blue eyes narrowed into a heated glare.

"Have yah really got NOTHING to say 'bout The Well?" she demanded, failing one of her arms towards it's general direction.

The Girl tilted her head much like a certain silver-haired man tended to do.

"I think a sealed well is a very suitable analogy for the Brand." she stated quietly, smoothing out the wrinkles in her light blue dress. Then a Very Important thought occurred to her. "Question? Is that man also at the bottom of said well?"

"The Snake is down there." rasped a voice from the side.

The Girl blinked her large violet eyes once before turning to see a twisted imitation of Tenźo, brown hair ratty and matted with dirt and sweat with eyes that held none of the warmth she knows they should. His ANBU uniform was tattered and littered with fading bloodstains. A pale imitation of the real thing.

"You." the Girl greeted blandly.

It sneered back.

"Another question:" the Girl then said, ignoring her darker aspect and taking a few steps towards the well in idle curiosity. It looked new, the stone and boards that covered the opening. New and thrumming with an distinctly disgusting energy that their body possessed now. She turned back on her heel when a chill wrapped around her like an old, familiar jacket. "How does one stop a jinchuuriki?" she asked. "Preferably without as much bloodshed as possible."

Terra sighed in despair as she realized where this was going, vividly reminded of the sandy nightmare that still ongoing with last night's visit. Half-heartedly and not at all being serious she offered a joking answer with a wry smile as she actively tried not to grimace. "Could give the 'ole Talk-no-jutsu a try." she waved her hand lamely. "But with, yanno, kitten posters or something. 'Hang in there, baby!'"

It turned Tenźo's hollow eyes towards her in a scathing look and the Woman fidgeted uncomfortably. "How about 'Shut-the-fuck-up-no-justu?'"

Indignant, Terra puffed up her chest false bravado. "What? You don't think we can do it?" she challenged.

"Fuck no."

Terra was offended on principle alone.

"Who the fudge are you to say what we can and can't do, Yandere?! I'd say that considering how much crap we've been through that we oughta apply for some side-kick powers!"

"I also hold doubts to that plan of action, Terra." the Girl confessed, though discontent with having to agree with her darker self. It was not something that should happen often, in her opinion. "We have a penchant for catching the attention of people we shouldn't, that is... true. But at the end of the day we are no replacement for the Hero. He has a quality to him and cannot be replicated."

Terra marched over and took the Girl's face in her hands, smushing her cheeks.

"You," she started, sapphire blue eyes as serious as they had ever been before. "are a goddamned Unicorn, Sky-girl. You can do anything you want to, and that includes adopting all the budding mentally-unstable psychopaths your little heart desires!"

The Girl stared at the Woman, giving deep consideration to the question whether Terra was being serious right now or just fucking with her out of spite for hanging out with Gaara.

...she honestly couldn't figure out which it was.

"Okay. That's nice..." she said, patting Terra's hand indulgently. It made a disgusted face and the Woman rolled her blue eyes. "Now can we please resume the conversation at hand? I did have a Very Important question."

"Ya know very well who has the knowledge to stop up to a four-tailed cloak. You're just being a baby 'bout it." Terra scowled and dropped her pudgy face, crossing her arms under her chest as she pinned the Girl with a dry look. "If you're bein' serious about this then you'll have'ta go ask him at some point. Soon, too."

The Girl grimaced at Terra's answer, and... it was more like a little frown. Grimacing was just lost on her rounded face. But it was true, she had already considered that option as well... but... she wanted to explore another option if it had been entirely possible. Asking that man for assistance did not seem like it was a very good idea and it was less than desirable if she was being completely honest with herself.

She just didn't like him. Not even for a very fair reason, if she was being entirely honest. And if she was being a bit petty about it? Well, she would still like to explore other alternatives before resorting to that.

"We will have to... consider it." the Girl eventually relented. And before the topic could be discussed any further she was woken from her meditation by a godforsaken pounding at the door!

I opened my eyes and glared at the dark walls of my room. I stood on numbed legs—Ow. Ow. Pins and needles—and stumbled into the front room, glancing up at the clock in the kitchen to find that it was nearly dawn! Damn! I was actually tired today so who the hell is pounding on my door in the middle of the damn morning?! I don't know people who knock! They just barge in like the uncivil heathens they are! I'm not even awake enough to consciously recognize who's chakra was there, I just recognize it enough to know that it's somebody I know. After mentally cussing out the fool that was on the other side of the door I finally reached the door and I opened to—I couldn't close it again fast enough before a boot wedged itself in the frame, defying me.

Yup, should've stayed in bed.

The Devil Woman on the other side gave one push and overpowered me, slamming my door open where it actually hit the wall. Dammit, if she made a hole I'm gonna—"Morning, Maggot!" she chirped with ungodly cheer, wide grin in place and I could sense she was enjoying the sour look on my face immensely.

The disappointment I felt seeing her this early in the morning was staggering. Truly.

I want Neko, damn it!

Perspective:

蝦蟇 (Toad)

Jiraiya, June 12th—Eastern District, Hokage's Residence

"She hates me." I said dryly, "That's my first impression of her."

Sensei laughed and I frowned at him, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning against the wall to make myself comfortable. I had a gut feeling that this was probably going to be one of those longer conversations. Man, I just hope it doesn't turn into a lecture. I know how much Sensei loves to lecture me whenever he gets the chance. That just might be half the reason I've stayed away from the Village so long if I'm being honest.

Sarutobi-sensei smiled in contained amusement as he filled up his pipe. "Don't take it personally, Jiraiya-kun. Sora-chan just needs some time to warm up to someone." he informed me, then casually added, "That's if you plan on staying in the Village long enough to get to know those two, of course."

I made a face.

He knew damn well the only reason I was in the Village was because Orochimaru decided to surface out of the blue and act like a dickhead and terrorize a couple of kids fresh out of the Academy. That, and with what the Uchiha kid reported to Kakashi-kun, we've finally been able to directly link that bastard to Otogakure. I didn't come back with any intention of staying long-term. From what Anko-chan reported, he'll be back for the Uchiha kid. And I'll be waiting for him. Any need on my end of getting to know that girl he bit into would entail finding out exactly what her connection is to my former teammate and deciding if she poses a threat to Naruto's safety. That would be it.

As for my decision to train Naruto...

I'll admit, I hadn't exactly thought it through before I offered to help the kid but he was struggling with basic chakra control! It kind of reminded me of myself when I was younger, only... he's got a ninety-foot chakra monster sealed in his belly and isn't half as clever as I was when I was his age, but, I could sort of see the resemblance. Though I really hadn't expected he would be having such a hard time with summoning! I mean, I got it right off the bat and I didn't even have a contract! He really is kind of an idiot.

I sighed, reminded that the kid will be back for more training tomorrow. He mentioned something about meeting up with somebody with that girl today. Even though he skipped on training the other day too, he had showed up the next time in better mood and seemed more concentrated on getting the justu right. Actually made some progress from a tadpole, to a tadpole with legs. I'm hoping that giving him today off from metaphorically ramming his head against the wall again and again will be will bear some progress. I can only hope.

"So," I spoke up, watching as Sensei laid out some paperwork across his desk. No mission reports, I see. Just some Village administration about trade it looks like. Boring. "What did you want to see me about, Sensei?"

"Sora-chan." he answered, setting aside a scroll of vellum that looked older than the rest. "You don't like how close she is with Naruto-kun."

I blinked at him.

...well, damn.

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly, not exactly admitting it aloud. My silence spoke volumes though. I wonder if that was just Sensei being Sensei or I was losing my touch, I didn't think that I was obvious about it.

"It's alright, Jiraiya-kun, I understand your caution." he told me as he lit his pipe and took a long drag of it, letting out a billowing cloud of smoke after a few moments. "There are many questions surrounding Sora-chan, but that's why I've asked you here."

I watched as he picked up the older scroll from the desk and toss it towards me. I caught it easily and gave it a cursory glance over. It looked like an ordinary scroll, a firm white vellum, no markings or seals to signify any importance to it. Old though. About a decade or so at the least, maybe a decade and a half?

Sensei lowered his head and turned his attention to the papers in front of him. "I hope that this will be able to answer some of them for you."

Ooo... Ominous.

I huffed and settled myself down on the floor, unrolling the scroll. My eyes were met with an elegant, flowing script that read—"...shit." I muttered, rereading it a couple more times to make sure that, yup. That says what I think it says.

Well, shit.

I glanced up at Sensei. He appeared to be paying more attention to the paperwork, but I know better than that. He's watching my every reaction closely. I've gotta wonder just how long he's had this? The entire time that girl has been in the Village? Does she know anything about this?

I looked back down at the hand-written letter addressed to a dead woman from another dead woman and then at the Storage Seal drawn in blood beneath it. Exhaling through my nose, I pressed my palm to the seal and released it's contents.

A small black book fell into my lap.

—(The first page opens with a short personal note scrawled into the corner of the page)—

Orochimaru-sama has suggested that I begin documenting my daily activities and any important thoughts I might have throughout the day in this journal. He says that it is a therapeutic treatment to some trauma patients that survived the Third War in the Psychiatric Ward of Konohagakure's Hospital.

He had said that some studies his medic teammate from the Leaf has performed showed that it has helped them cope somewhat with their experiences and even increased their work efficiency and sleep habits.

I do not hold unrealistic expectations towards it's effectiveness, but Orochimaru-sama had thought it held potential. So, I shall make an earnest effort and begin now.

—(There is a name written in a practiced hand at the top of the page, right before the first entry)—

My name is Uzumaki Ikari,
Daughter of Uzumaki Chōseki and Uzumaki Aoi,
Sister of Uzumaki Tōdai and Uzumaki Hitode,
Formerly of the Village Hidden by Whirling Tides

—Entry 1,

September 26th, Wednesday
(426 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

Today I ate an apple and practiced my calligraphy.

It was a sunny day.

—Entry 2,

September 27th, Thursday
(427 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

It was cloudy outside throughout the day.

I stayed inside.

I did not have an appetite today and polished my tools.

—Entry 3,

September 28th, Friday
(428 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

I ate two apples and practiced my calligraphy.

I wonder when Orochimaru-sama will return from his mission for the Leaf?

The laboratory always feels more empty when he is gone.

—Entry 4,

September 29th, Saturday
(429 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

I spent the day reading a large tome about the history of the Land of Fire that Orochimaru-sama has gifted to me. He has said that I should expand my knowledge of the other countries.

I am thankful for his gift.

—Entry 5,

September 30th, Sunday
(430 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

Last night I dreamt of Uzushio before it's Fall.

The memories are still fresh in my mind.

I do not think I will sleep tonight.

Perspective:

碇 (Anchor)

Ikari, Age 9—Uzushiogakure

"RUN FASTER, IKA-CHAN!"

"I—haah—AM—haah—RUNNING, 'SHINA-NEE!"

She held my hand tightly in hers as we ran through the streets, my sandals clapping against the stone sidewalks noisily as we crossed the bridge over the canal. A group of stuffy, robe-wearing scholars were talking to each other excitedly in the middle of the walkway and I felt the hand around mine tighten and I looked up to see a wide grin break across her face, she took a deep breath and ran even faster.

"COMIN' THROUGH 'TTEBANE!" she shouted, cackling when the scholars startled badly and dropped their scrolls as they hurried out of the way. One scribe in the back froze with his arms full of important looking papers and she kept running straight for the guy. Just as it looked like she was going to run over him, he threw up his arms and dove to the side, sending all of his papers flying through the air.

Kushina-nee and I laughed wildly as we ran through the raining papers, hearing the stuffy scholars call after us in anger as we ran onto the walks. Some grandma's selling shell jewelry only shook their heads at us and sighed, smiling. Kushina-nee tugged on my hand again, urging me to run faster.

"We're gonna be late and miss out on the good parts if yah don't move, yah lazy turtle!" she complained. I rolled my eyes and huffed, using my free hand to hold the stupid-long sleeves of my furisode and secretly thankful that we didn't have to wear the kind of style they had on the Mainland. Of we had the kind that went down to our ankles then we would've ripped these stupid furisode for sure!

Well, Kushina-nee definitely would've...

"Oi! Turtles are really fast swimmers and Hitode-neesama is going to kill us if we're late!" I point out, trying to run faster as we dashed through a ramada decorated with ferns and flowers. "Forget missing the good stuff! She'll drown us in the tides and then she'll use our skins to make a new dress and our hair to embroider it, calling it; 'Revenge, at last!'—" Kushina-nee snorted a laugh. I scowled at her. "—You laugh, but that's not even mentioning what she's already gonna do to us when she gets her present 'cha!"

Kushina-nee looked back at me with a wide grin, dark blue eyes shining as her long red hair fanned out wildly behind her in streams.

"I know, right?! It's gonna be hilarious 'ttebane!"

I groaned, already resigned to my fate of becoming apparel.

The further we ran into the city and away from the harbors, through the narrow streets and under stone arches, past the markets filled with so many people from all over the world, the sounds and the very smell of the air changed around us. We ran through the Main Plaza and right by the fountain as the scent of fish and brine was replaced with flowers. Everywhere, in the planters sitting in front of the shops to the road leading into the Main Plaza, were Hamanasu of every color! Pink, white, violet and red! The scent from the flowers were strong and they made the air smell sweet, something I've heard many visitors say they notice right when they enter the inner city.

They say that it made Uzushio smell magical.

"Yah hear that, Ika-chan? They've already started the party! WITHOUT US!" Kushina-nee shouted indignantly, round cheeks puffing out angrily and causing me to laugh.

Sure enough, I could hear the rhythmic strumming of Grandpa's Biwa echoing down the stone streets as he played alongside what had to be Shō's Ōtsuzumi! If he was playing that probably meant he was stalling time for us to show up. He was always covering for us with Father and Hitode-neesama! The beat of his song went faster and faster and gave me the energy to run the last stretch of street, finally reaching the shore.

On the edge of the sandbank, there was a large white canopy set up with symbols of blessings and good fortune drawn onto the sheer curtains by a refined hand. Had to be Father's work, his is always the most artistic. Oil lanterns hung by golden fabric decorated the outside as well as the inside, lighting everything in a soft orange glow. The inside of the canopy was already filled with a bunch of familiar heads of red hair dressed in their white formal wear for the day. With a quick glance, I realized that we really were the last to arrive! I could see the whole family was gathered together around the source of the lively music: Grandpa.

I grinned as Kushina-nee finally slowed down so that we could sneak in while everyone was busy listening to Grandpa's playing. A dozen paper lanterns were already set along the path to the ocean, bathing the white sands in a pale glow. We hid towards the back but from the flicker of his grey eyes, I know Grandpa's spotted us. And if he's spotted us, then—A heavy hand landed on my shoulder and Kushina-nee let out a tiny yelp. I tilted my head back and saw the long, scruffy, auburn beard on Father's face.

"And just where have you two been, hm?" he asked, river-blue eyes peering down at us from behind his spectacles and waiting for a good answer.

My mind blanked, coming up with nothing to say. "Uhmm—" I stammered. I really hope he hasn't already spotted the ink stained on our hands.

Kushina-nee grinned her cheekiest grin up at him as she probably tried not to give anything away. Hiding the paper she was holding in her other hand up her silly long sleeve, out of Father's sight. At least these formal kimono were good for something. Ironically, we were saved from our interrogation by the notice of the one person that was surely going to kill us once she finds what we've been up to.

Walking in measured and hurried steps, Hitode-neesama strode up to where we were standing at the back of the tent and pinned us both with a blue-eyed glare full of righteous anger. Besides the fact she was probably about to kill us, I couldn't help but think she looked really pretty in her wedding kimono. It was the brightest, cleanest shade of white that reminded me of fresh parchment, the thin layers of fabric flaring out as she walked to reveal the spiraling black ink of the orchid tattoos that ran down the length of her legs. Her soft face was framed on both sides by ringlets of her long, silken peach-red hair, the majority of it held up in the back of her head with a brass comb that belonged to our Mother. The only thing to take away from the pretty picture my elder sister was made out to be was the heavy, murderous scowl pulling down on her red-painted lips.

"Ikari! Kushina! Just where have you been for the last twenty minutes and why in the second hell do you smell like you've been at the harbor!" she seethed through gritted teeth, fingers already on both our cheeks and pulling painfully!

"Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! That thurt'sss 'ttheybanee!"

"Owwwww! Hithothey-neethamaaaa 'cha!" I whined, tears were pricking at my eyes even though I refused them. So cruel! We haven't even done anything wrong... yet! A billowing laugh that rumbled deeper and louder than any drum stopped Hitode-neesama from abusing us any further. Grandfather had stopped playing to hold his gut as he jovially laughed at our misery.

"Ohohohoh! The girls finally decided to join us! So what's my little Jellyfish been doing to keep her so busy?!" he asked cheerfully, not really expecting an answer from me because he could clearly see I was incapable of answering at the moment. By now, the rest of the crowd also had all turned to face us and they all happily joined in with Grandfather's laughter with their own chuckles and indulgent smiles at the expense of our aching cheeks.

The gleeful bastards.

Sweeping in behind Hitode-neesama with the grace befitting only a Warrior of the Coast could have, Shō gave a peck to my older sister's temple and smiled at her gently as he took her hands into his. Stopping any further assault on our faces. Yup, I knew I liked Shō for a reason. He began to murmur gentle words to calm her down and I saw a shadow peeking out from behind Father's legs. My reflection stared back at me with his wide eyes and wobbly lip.

"Ikari-onee, K-Kushina-oneesan..." Tōdai stuttered, stepping out from behind Father to stand closer to Kushina-nee and I. He was wringing his hands together and staring at his feet as he spoke. "W-Where did you guys go? I waited at the house for you, b-but you'd already left when Father came to get us..."

I rolled my eyes at him as Kushina-nee edged away from Hitode-neesama's reach and pressed into my side, one hand protectively holding her pink cheek. "I told 'ya already that 'Shina-nee and I had somethin' that we had to do before the wedding!"

He pouted, glancing up at me from under his messy auburn hair with blue eyes just like mine. "...s'no fair. You and Kushina-oneesan are always doing something without me."

"That's because you're always crying! We'd let you come along if you stop being sucha baby!"

"I-I'm not'ta baby, Ikari-onee!" he sniffled, eyes watering up already. "You're older than m-me by an hour!"

"Yah, you are!" I snapped, putting my hands on my hips. "And it doesn't matter if we're the same age—you cry like a baby, so that makes you one 'cha!"

"IKARI! STOP BULLYING TŌDAI!" Hitode-neesama roared, snapping her head around to glare at me with evil eyes that threatened to skin me alive.

Kushina-nee and I hid with Tōdai behind Father's legs without hesitation. Father heaved a long-suffering sigh. Shō merely smiled fondly as he took his bride-to-be's hands in his and Grandpa started laughing again, shouting for all of us to 'get to the water and start this thing already!'

All of us gathered at the water's edge as Hitode-neesama and Shō followed Grandfather into the shallows, hands intertwined, out until the waters gently lapped at their waists. Kushina-nee and I had our arms interlocked as we stood at the front, watching them with wide eyes. The sun was halfway down the horizon as the sky began to darken, causing the ocean's surface to look like it was on fire.

Hitode-neesama's wedding kimono floated in the water around her, making it look like she was more of a white lily in a pond more than a peach rose in the ocean. Her hair fell down her shoulders in perfectly parted twin tails, and proudly displayed between them in the center of her back was an intricate red embroidery that swirled and twisted into our Clan's Mon.

"She looks so pretty..." I whispered. Kushina-nee hummed in agreement.

In contrast to Hitode-neesama's delicate beauty, Shō practically looked regal in his white wedding attire. His haori and hakama were pristine and his dark hair was tied back with a simple band. Sitting on his hips were the same katanas he uses when he goes out to patrol the borders! Ah, he always moves like he's water dancing when he uses them. It's so beautiful! I want to learn to use a sword like that when I get older...

Grandfather began to murmur the rites of marriage to them both and paper lanterns were handed out to all of us on the shore. Small, hand-folded paper flowers with wicks in the center that took Kushina-nee and I days to make. But, the way Hitode-neesama had smiled at us in approval had made all the paper-cuts worth it. I pulled the fine brush from behind my ear and Kushina-nee took out the small vial of ink from her obi. I wrote in my best hand my wish for Hitode-neesama on my lantern and handed the brush to Kushina-nee who did the same to hers.

I held the lantern in my hands preciously and whispered to my best friend, an excited grin pulling on my lips. "I'm gonna have a twilight wedding 'cha! So we can see the stars forever!"

"I'm gonna have it at dawn 'ttebane!" she whispered back, her blue eyes sparkling because of the water. "That way we both can feel the sun rise on us as a couple!"

From beside Tōdai, Father gently hushed us as Grandfather finished reciting the rites. I found myself holding my breath as he took a long, red ceremonial tie from around his wrist and wrapped it around each of theirs, binding them together.

"—Invariant. Unfading. Boundless." he clasped his weathered hands around their joined ones, speaking solemnly even though his eyes were smiling. "From this night forward, until the day your bodies return to the sea... you are bound with the other. And together, your bonds will withstand and outlast any rocks you may come upon. You shall weather all storms during your journey."

Shō laced his fingers with Hitode-neesama's, smiling gently. I had to strain my ears to hear his vow. "To you, I promise to cherish, to be your hearth, to keep a flame alive for you in my heart."

Hitode-neesama blushed, smiling bashfully in a way I've only ever seen Shō manage to do. Her voice was soft and carried out to us as clear as the water. "To you, I promise to stand beside, a back to lean on, a hand to hold, arms to welcome you home."

The sun had finally set, the last shades red and orange giving way to the blanket of stars over our heads. I felt as if I was still holding my breath as I watched them. My heart was pounding enough for it. Because for a moment, as Hitode-neesama and Shō stared into each other's eyes with the softest, warmest expressions on their faces... I was envious of them.

I wanted to have that someday.

I wanted a love like that.

A candle was passed along to all of us on the shore, and the lanterns were lit and we walked into the water. It was cold at first, causing me to get goosebumps as it went up to my knees. I heard Tōdai gasp in shock from behind me before making a whining noise about the cold as I followed Kushina-nee out to the beginning of the undercurrent. Father had grasped Kushina-nee's shoulder before she went in too far and was swept out to the sea, I grinned teasingly as Kushina-nee pouted when Father didn't let go of his steadying grip. Tōdai finally made it to my side and Father looked down at us with a smile, nodding.

I couldn't contain myself any longer as I leaned forward and placed my lantern in the water, watching as it's small light was carried off. One after another, the lanterns were set on the water and were dragged away by the undercurrent, out into the dark ocean. Our wishes and prayers for my sister and newest brother going with them. Grandfather threw his head back and let out a loud cheer that I'm certain that the Kami and our Mother could hear, ending the ceremony.

"LET'S PARTY!"

Shō climbed to the water's surface and swept Hitode-neesama into his arms with a joyful cry, making my elder sister squeal in surprise as he walked back to dry land with his dripping new bride. The other's let out cheers of their own as we all waded our way back onto the sand, some wringing out their clothing as we all headed towards the canopy. But before I got too far out of the water, Kushina-nee had grabbed my wrist and pulled me back beside her.

"It's finally time 'ttebane!" she whispered to me, an infectious grin on her face that only made me match it.

We slowed down until we were at the very back of the group and Kushina-nee pulled out the paper hidden up her sleeve. My eyes glanced over the formula of her Storage seal before she laid it on the ground, pressing her hand to the center of it and releasing it's contents. Two buckets sat on the sand now, it's contents sloshing around gently against the wood. I looked up and met Kushina-nee's blue eyes, we both nodded. We grabbed a bucket each and ran around the crowd to the newly wedded couple, holding the buckets behind our backs. Shō stopped and Hitode-neesama's smile dropped, almost as if she sensed what we were about to do.

"Hitode-neesama! Shō-niisan! We have a wedding gift for you!" we said together, grinning as even people's eyes widened and tried to scramble back as we swung the buckets and—

"IKARI, DON'T YOU—"

Splash!

Hitode-neesama's cry died on her lips as blue-black ink steadily dripped from her and Shō's white outfits onto the sand. Their faces were drenched in squid ink and I noticed Shō blink a few times as he tried to figure out what just happened. The guests all held their breaths. Father placed his hand over his face and mumbled something that sounded like; 'Kami, give me strength.'

Then Hitode-neesama screeched like a sea witch come up from the depths to claim our souls.

Which, probably wasn't too far off now that I think about it.

Kushina-nee grabbed my hand in hers again, locking our fingers together tightly, and we screamed in delight as Hitode-neesama climbed out of her stunned husband's arms and chased us across the beach. She furiously wiped at the ink on her face, leaving behind streaks as she cursed at us like a sailor! Behind us we could hear the music strike up again as Grandpa began to belt out an old song that was played at his wedding. Father shook his head at us all and left us to it to talk with some of our aunts and uncles. Tōdai was calling our names as he tried to chase after the three of us, tripping over his own feet. Shō tried to call after his new bride but just ended up sighing and returning to the party to join in the music like before.

My heart soared like nothing else could make it.

I may want what Hitode-neesama has one day... but for now I think I was okay with things just like this.

Here, with my wild best friend and a bickering, crazy, loud, wonderful family in our home. My home, a city carved of stone and filled with light and songs.

Uzushiogakure.

Perspective:

空 (Sky)

Sora, June 12th—Market District's Main Road, Yamanaka Flower Shop

(Days Until Invasion: 19)

I limped down the road towards the flower shop sometime around noon. Anko having gotten a 'paperwork emergency' -I have no idea if that was a real thing, only what she told me the scroll from the messenger hawk said- at whatever dark hole she worked in and ditched me only after a couple hours of beating the crap of out me. Which, wasn't all too bad considering I could still walk afterwards, albeit barely. And that was only because I was fairly certain the Devil Woman didn't want to go through the hassle of dealing with Scary-Awesome Doctor Nori, who as I found out, is my primary care provider and was responsible for treating me whenever I do something stupid enough to get myself admitted into the hospital.

Sakura had helpfully informed me of that when the two adult women were passive-aggressively taking pot shots at each other and I was wondering why Nori had kept talking to me like this hadn't been the first time we'd met. That was because it hadn't been. Doctor Nori had been the one to take care of me after I passed out on the way out of the Forest, she had monitored my health and fixed me while I was unconscious from the exhaustion.

Though I didn't know her all that well, I'll admit that I wasn't entirely against the idea of her being the one to treat me in the future. That was only if Anko broke an important bone again. If not, then hell if I was going to willingly subject myself to go through the process of being poked and prodded. Sakura herself would have to drag my ass back in for a check-up on my ankle! Good thing I made plans to meet up with her in a couple days for lunch to go over her Fuinjutsu studies. She could nag me about it then as I slowly break her world-view with the magnificence of Fuinjutsu possibilities.

Stepping around a grandpa carrying a fresh bouquet I entered the flower shop. As every time when I entered the sunny-yellow building, my senses were hit with the scents of dozens of flowers and herbs, refreshing me and making my nose itch ever so slightly. Noting it to be empty of other customers, I began to walk towards the register counter and my eyes were met with a startled pair of crystal clear blue ones.

Conditioned pale-blonde hair styled up in a meticulously braided bun, large crystal-blue eyes lined with kohl, dressed in a sleeveless yellow tank-top with some pink shorts embroidered with little orange carnations. Chakra like—

Sharp yet Gentle at a moment's notice, malleable. Ready to roll in like a light fog, a harmless mist, or to obscure everything if needed.

Ino blinked, glossed lips pursed in a perfect 'o' as she froze in the middle of watering a little bunch of pretty pink and white begonia. She dropped the can on the counter in shock.

"Z-Zakuro! It's you!"

Crap. I turned back around, hopefully I could make it back out the door before she can—Ino had hopped over the counter and hurtled herself in front of the door, cutting off the escape route with surprising swiftness. Holy shit! When did she get fast?! I thought she only moved that fast when cornering Sasuke! The little blonde stood up straight and flipped her hair over her shoulder imperiously, smirking at my shocked expression.

"Shikamaru said that you'd probably try and run. I hadn't thought he was being serious at first." she told me with a shrug.

That traitor.

I made a face, glancing towards the door and seriously considering my chances of escape. Argh... why did I tell Shikamaru that I'd talk to her. He wouldn't blame me if I fled would he? Nah, he'd totally flee too. If he found an opening and he would, knowing him. I shuffled my feet uncomfortably as I waited, tugging on the ends of my sleeve. Ino's expression sobered up and she clasped her hands together, her body language becoming stiff. Hesitance rose in her chakra and I watched her carefully. That was odd.

"Listen, Zakuro, about what happened during the written exams... I..." she trailed off in a uncharacteristic fit of nervousness, blue eyes drifting to the side. My gaze followed her hand as she lifted up and rubbed the back of her neck, sliding down until... she... Oh.

I felt a bit numb and a little sick as Ino placed her hand over the area my scar was, rubbing at the smooth, unmarked skin as if she could feel something that wasn't there. Her brow creased together and I felt her hesitation swallowed under another mix of emotions. The most prominent emotion among them being fear.

I felt my mouth run dry.

...just how much had she seen?

Her eyes snapped back to mine and she quickly pulled her hand down, her confidence seemingly pouring back in as she looked me square in the eye and strode forward. She looked frighteningly determined. I took an instinctive step back but... I didn't quite know how to react after she threw her arms around my shoulders and pulled me into a firm hug.

Uhhhm—

"M'sorry!" she mumble-shouted into my shoulder.

—whaaaaaaaa?

"I shouldn't have intruded on your personal history." she began quickly, pulling away after a solid three seconds of hugging and keeping her hands securely placed on my shoulders. Did she think I was gonna bolt? 'Cos, well, she honestly wouldn't be too far off the mark. "Once I realized that you didn't have the answers to the test I should've ended the justu then and there and moved onto the next target, but... you... It's just—"

As Ino tried to find the words, I was trying to work my jaw from where it had fallen on the floor.

"I've never been able to figure you out!" she blurted out suddenly. Further making me question if she came out of my head with her sanity intact. She continued, regardless of the fact I was straight-out staring at her now. "Who you are! What you want! When we attended the Academy together, you were just this frustrating puzzle that had no clues! You came from the orphanage with no connections and had always skipped class with Shikamaru, Chōji and them, blowing off our studies yet you were learning subjects that weren't even a part of the curriculum! You never even tried to act like you wanted to be a part of the class! You would purposely alienate yourself from group activities and refused to socialize, even when you were approached by others! Though, I assumed most of that reluctance revolved around the animosity towards Naruto—"

Holy shit. Ino is analyzing me.

I... had no idea that Ino had been paying any amount of attention to me. Let alone that much attention. That's... that's frightening actually. She continued to go on and list all the different ways I didn't make sense and that urge to flee was getting stronger. Ahhh, this is why I'm comfortable only around Inoichi. Most Yamanaka will shrink your head and then silently judge you, he doesn't do that. He had more tact than that. Ino, however, will openly judge me and be unapologetic about it. I always had a suspicion that Ino was just like the rest of her Clan and had the chops to make it as an expert on reading a person's behavior but I didn't think she was this far along!

"—and you kept giving those lunches to Sasuke-kun—"

I froze in place.

Ino knows I was doing who'da what now?

Oh God, the Sasuke Fangirl Network is going to kill me in my sleep...

She must've noticed how I was rapidly paling and finally released her hold on me to arch her brow in a very unimpressed manner, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder in a very good impression of the mean girl she pretends to be most of the time. "Don't look so surprised! I specialize in information gathering, in case you've forgotten. Besides the point, I figured out that he doesn't realize it's you doing it and believe you when you say you don't have any interest in him." she shrugged one shoulder. "Kinda."

I made a face.

What the hell does she mean by; 'Kinda'?

She rolled those insightful eyes at me, putting a hand on her hip in a sassy pose. "It's Sasuke-kun." she said emphatically, like that is supposed to mean anything to me.

In a very Sasuke-esque way, I pinched the bridge of my nose in exasperation.

Why me? I don't recall doing anything that would garner me the attention of this clan heiress. Now, Gaara. Yeah, that's all my fault somehow, but Ino? I really don't get it.

Ino clapped her hands together, getting back on point and also getting my attention back. "So when I was inside your head and finally got the chance to see for myself what made you you and get some answers... well..." she averted her eyes from mine, her chakra feeling just as weird and awkward about this as I do. Unlike me, Ino charged though the awkwardness and looked back at me and regained her confidence for the second time faster than I ever could. "Listen Zakuro, I know that apologizing isn't going to make up for causing you to relive those events. Not even close. But, I just wanted to make sure you know that I really am sorry about it."

I swallowed thickly, my mouth feeling dry.

Yeah, I could sense her honesty. She was genuinely feeling shitty about it, like Shikamaru had said. but... that wasn't what had me anxious. I began to reach for my notepad before I remembered that Ino actually knows my Signs now, thanks to Shikamaru and Chōji. Weird. So many people seem to know them nowadays.

'Thank you for apologizing.' I signed, not quite grimacing but it was close. I couldn't muster up even a polite smile. 'Please don't do it again?'

She nodded, looking a bit relieved and feeling it so much more than she was letting on. "That's fair."

'How much did you see? When you—' I made a gesture to my head. She frowned then, crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes were in my direction, but they were unfocused, like she was deep in thought.

"Not a lot, honestly. I mean, there were flashes of memories—enough for me to put a lot of what happened to..." she gestured to her neck. We both made a face. "But a lot of it was pretty broken up. A lot of images but no context for them, a few faces with strong emotions attached to them but it was fractured, mostly. Like... looking through a broken mirror? I guess. Not actually, because the human psyche can't be appropriately explained using physical concepts, but that's... close enough. Ahem." she cleared her throat awkwardly after realizing I might've only understood half the things she'd just said. Which, I understood a good two thirds of that.

Well, that's good? I think. She didn't mention seeing an abyssal void of nothingness and falling, so... yay? Oh, speaking of the fractured human psyche.

'Did you tell anyone about... other me.'

"Hm?" Ino blinked cluelessly at me, then a look of understanding mixed with sheepishness dawned on her. "Ohhh! Yeah... after Tou-chan heard about what happened during the test, he sat me down and gave me the most drawn-out lecture about 'respecting a comrade's mental privacy' and being more 'sensitive' when dealing with psychological disorders. He went on for, like, an hour! It was seriously overboard—"

I stared, expression blank, palms beginning to sweat, pulse speeding. She continued to ramble on and complain and I stared at Ino like she didn't just low-key drop the equivalent of an atom bomb on my world.

...what... did she just say? Terra, one part of my psychological disorder managed to croak.

They know?

They know.

They know.

I tried desperately to rationalize it. They know that I'm crazy, that I have a personality disorder—how long have they known? Have they always known? Inoichi knows, that's become clear, but I've been coming to the flower shop for years and I never would've even guessed that he knew! Wait, if they knew that I'm crazy then why the hell aren't I locked up or choking on medications or something? Why was I allowed to become a genin and even put on a team?! I wouldn't let someone like me anywhere even near the populace!

My mind was frayed and set on edge, but I was hyperalert to the larger, clearer, thicker chakra signature that moved from the back room and headed this way. His voice carried down the hallway. "Ino! It's time for your meditation!"

Ino's eyes widened and a shock of dread shot through her chakra, she turned toward the hall quickly, stuttering slightly. "C-Coming, Tou-chan!" her eyes glanced back to me and she rolled them in an exaggerated fashion, speaking to me in a low voice. I was still just... staring at her. A normal person would've been more unnerved by my blank staring by now. "Ugh! Ever since Dad found out about how I freaked out from Ibiki-san, he's been supervising my training every single day. It's exhausting! I have to do more training than when Asuma-sensei is in charge! And it's not even like I'm one of the ones participating in the fights! I should get to enjoy the break in boring-ass missions!"

Huh. Weird.

Was this the kind of openly social person Ino was when she wasn't pseudo-hating your guts? We've never really... talked before. Never thought it'd be a good idea and I thought she actually disliked me from day one, but maybe I was wrong? Or... maybe she was just missing her best friend. That seems more likely. I actually have no idea if she and Sakura had made up yet and—my brain gave me a very bad answer in which Ino was going to start confiding in me. OH, HELL NO! I see where this is going and I will NOT be filling in for Sakura here in any lifetime! No, no, they can have each other. I'm perfectly happy with my tiny female friend base and I am not actively seeking more, thankyouverymuch.

Just then Inoichi had come out from the back, ashy-blonde hair and gardening gloves covered in fresh soil. He had on the same friendly, pleasantly surprised smile he always did when I came in. His chakra giving nothing away to the fact that he knows.

"Sora-san, welcome!" he said cheerfully, taking off the gloves and sliding them into the front pocket of the apron. "Ah, you must be here to pick up your order! I've got it in the back, give me just a moment and I'll ring you up. Ino, would you hang up the closed sign please? We'll begin your spiritual training right after this."

Inoichi disappeared back into the back room again and Ino groaned as she did exactly as she was told, closing up the shop. I stood rigidly in the middle of the room, surrounded by flowers and tried not to sneeze even though my face might've been screwed up like I was about to.

So, they know. I've gotten past that, Ino kinda inadvertently helping to calm me down before I had a panic attack.

What does that mean for me now?

"Here you are, Sora-san." Inoichi's voice called. I turned to see him placing a small red pot on the counter about six-inches wide with hand-painted daisy's decorating it's rim, filled with moist dirt and a little green sprout climbing out from the center. He set down a pouch of seeds beside it before he began to write on a spare paper. "I'm also giving you some instructions on taking care of it and starting another one. Now, even though they don't need much care, they do need a little helping hand every now and then." he finished, looking up at me with a smile.

Why the hell do I feel like there's a double meaning somewhere there? One specifically directed at me? I think I'm being paranoid but considering this man's background... I'm probably not. He's probably making a direct commentary on me.

Haaah... Yamanaka stress me out, man.

Both my other selves made rough sounds of agreement. Or at least, what I assumed was agreement. I didn't really care to hear anything else.

Ino stepped over to the counter, planting her elbow down and leaning over to inspect the pot closer. She scrunched up her nose at it as her brow furrowed together. "Say, Za—uhm," Ino cut herself off, glancing up nervously at her Dad who was giving her a pointed look. "Sora... what do you want with a shrub, anyway? I thought you lived in an upstairs apartment."

That was a bit weird that she knew where I lived. Not shocking because: Ninja. But still a bit weird. I signed, smiling at the little pot.

'It's a gift.'

Sora, June 12th—Red Light District

"SOOOORRAAAA-CHAAAAAAANN! OVER HERE 'TTEBAYO!"

My lips twitched into a smile as I slid my Storage book into my back pocket, walking down the street towards the spastic, orange-wearing Hero who was waving his arms wildly for me to see him. As if I could miss him. Standing beside his flailing form was a little red-headed rabbit who was looking like she wanted to scurry away from the boisterous blonde so badly, but as soon as I approached, rosy-red eyes had zoned in on me and her chakra fluttered adorably.

"Good afternoon, Sora-san!" she greeted quite forcefully, cringing back by how loud she was. She blushed and ducked her head in embarrassment. Cute, so cute. Naruto stepped up then, looking me over quickly. Glaring briefly at the new bruise blossoming on my collarbone.

"What took 'ya so long?" he asked, as blunt as ever. Then he narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously. "...don't tell me you're gonna start acting like Kakashi-sensei and never show up on time anymore! Sora-chan, please, don't 'ttebayo!"

I scoffed, putting my hands on my hips and looked very affronted by that totally absurd comparison! I was only ten minutes late or so—nothing compared to the hours spent waiting on Scarecrow! And I was only late because Ino had wanted -demanded and then pried- a heart-to-heart with me and cut off my escape routes!

'Was intercepted on the way.' was all I signed before I turned to little Karin with a grin, already writing on my notepad. One eyebrow raised as she read it, glancing up at me uncertainly. Naruto was all grins now beside me.

"Ready to eat the most delicious food in all of Fire Country?"

Four sets of eyes were staring intently at the little red-head seated at the bar, each of us holding our breath. Naruto, for once, had not immediately dug into his ramen and instead was opting to wait and see the moment Karin's mind was blown. Teuchi and Ayame both were watching the shy girl as she tried her best to spontaneously develop the power of invisibility. I was just smiling in unashamed amusement at the whole affair.

It was just a bowl of ramen.

With one last look towards me and with a supportive thumbs-up from my end, Karin said her thanks and broke her chopsticks apart, picking up a generous bite of tender noodles and stuffing her cheeks. As soon as it entered her mouth, she paused. Naruto, Teuchi, Ayame and myself all leaned forward, watching the Moment happen.

Karin's rosy eyes fluttered shut and her cheeks flushed in the picture of bliss.

"Mmmmm!" she exclaimed through her mouthful, then she began to eat like... well, wow. I blinked in surprise. She was downing that thing like Naruto! From behind the bar Teuchi grinned, pleased with her enthusiastic reaction. Ayame clapped excitedly, readying some dishes for whoever got done first and wanted seconds and Naruto wasted no more time and dug into his bowl like there was no tomorrow.

I took my time and savored every last bite.

Our luncheon wasn't exactly a very chatty affair as each of us were too busy shoveling ramen, but after we had finally emptied our bowls I was gifted with the sight of two very satisfied round-cheeked tweens. Really, it had been a awhile since the Hero and I had found time out of our schedules and visited Icharaku together and just seeing the contented look on Karin's face as she held a hand against her stomach made me all sorts of happy. Naruto and I split the bill for the three of us, making sure to reassure Karin that it was completely all right and she didn't have to pay us back. After I looked up at the late afternoon sky and made a guess that we still had a good few hours of sunlight left. You know what that means~

Terra groaned, a little annoyed, a little amused. Don't tell me...

Yup! Time to wander around the Village with the foreign ninja!

We didn't go anywhere exciting or do anything other than walk off the food and chat, much to Karin's ANBU babysitters relief, but neither Naruto or Karin seemed to have any complaints. We started out by walking around the district until we came across the riverside path where the Hero began telling the redhead about Team 7's adventures in earnest, making her gasp every now and then when he was retelling -and exaggerating. He was exaggerating his ass off at one point- a particularly tense moment in the story. He was even going so far back to our Academy days, detailing some of our more dramatic and out-of-the-box pranks.

Throughout the stories Karin kept glancing up at me with wide eyes, like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. I swear, at one point I thought she was going to ask the Hero if I came out of the Wave Mission in one piece only to be reminded that I was walking right beside her. Then she'd blush and duck her head when she noticed I was looking at her and trying very hard not to snicker/coo at her.

Cute.

Before we realized it, the sun had turned the sky a dark orange and we were standing outside of her Inn. Off to the side of the street, Karin stood in front of us with her back to the Inn's entrance and was staring at her feet as she drew the top of her sandal in a meaningless pattern in the dirt. Her mood has done a 180 the minute she realized the day was over and it was time to say goodbye. Beside me, Naruto had his arms behind his head as he chatted with the suddenly gloomy Karin while I paged through my Storage book, searching for the right Seal.

"Before you leave you definitely have to visit the faces at the mountain top! The view up there is the best 'ttebayo! You'll be able to see all the way to Kusagakure there!" he claimed. I arched a skeptical brow as I continued to flip.

Yeah, that wasn't—well actually. Now that I thought about it, on a clear day you could actually see a good couple hundred miles from the top of the Sandaime's head. I have no idea if you could see the Grass Village, but... whatever. Karin mutely nodded her lowered head, still looking depressed as heck. Cerulean blue eyes glanced towards me, silently asking me to help fill him in on what was up with her and I couldn't answer because I finally found my page!

I placed my hand over it and forced my chakra into the ink, releasing it's content into my arms with a smoky 'poof!'—I quickly checked to see if the little sprout had been damaged in transport in any way and was relieved to find it was completely unharmed. Of course by now I'd drawn Naruto's full attention as he shoved his face closer to see what it was, but I was happy to note that I'd also pulled little Karin's rosy eyes up from the ground. I smiled then, holding out the little red pot out towards her.

She stared at the gift, looking between it and me with a growing look of utter bemusement. I took a step forward and urged her to take it, and she did after a moment of floundering, wrapping one arm around it as I placed the small pouch of seeds and care instructions in her other hand. She resumed staring at her new items as I pulled out my pad and pen.

"It's a Hamanasu seedling." I wrote, gaining her attention again. "You seemed to really like the one I have so I thought that you might like your own. It doesn't need much care. Just a good spot of soil and to follow those instructions. It's a really hardy plant so it won't die as easy as some flowers."

Naruto made an 'ohhhhhh' sound as he caught on, knowing what flower I was talking about because it was the same one that I brought to Kaa-chan's grave marker every year. Karin's brow cleared after she read the page, her eyes widening as she looked at the seedling with new understanding. She was quiet for a long while as she looked down at the pot, clutching the pouch in her hand tightly. She was quiet so long that I began second guessing my choice in gifts. I mean, it was a bush.

Oh god.

I just realized that I gave a tweenaged girl a bush.

It was ridiculous. I was being ridiculous! I gave her a bush! What kind of person would want a bush as a gift!? Let alone a teenaged girl who would probably want something a helluva lot more practical! I mean, I wouldn't know what to do if some weirdo just walked up and gave me a fudging—

Something splat against the stone, wetting it.

Karin's lip trembled and she bit down on it so hard that I was worried it might start bleeding. She hugged the pot to her chest and bowed to the waist, sending her red hair flying forwards and obscuring her face.

"...t-thank you!" she whispered, tears falling to the ground in fat drops. She raised head and the raw emotion in her watery eyes took me off-guard, forget about the twister of emotions her chakra was right now. "Thank you for to—hic!—today, both of you! I will never for—hic!—forget the kindness you showed me!"

Wow.

Uhmm... I... Naruto rubbed the back of his neck and averted his gaze from Karin sincere thanks and tearful face, not quite knowing how to react. Like me. I feel like I should hug her or something now but that just might make her cry even more.

"Jeez!" he groaned with a forced grin, trying to play it off. "Whaddya getting so worked up for! All we did was hang out with you! We can do it again anytime 'ttebayo! It's not like this is the last time we'll ever meet again!"

Karin started crying harder. Naruto looked at me in a panic, wondering what the hell he did wrong to set off the bunny so bad.

Welp, the kid gloves are off now. Time for that hug.

I stepped forward and Naruto was left to hold the Hamanasu plant as I took little Karin into my arms and let her cry and get snot all over the front of my shirt. I barely minded it. I rubbed soothing circles on Karin's back as she hiccupped and sobbed freely, hands fisted into my shirt as she clung to me like was about to fall down at any moment. Which, she just might've if I hadn't been holding her up. Any nosy onlooker that stared at us a little too long was met with a scathing look from me that promised they would be sent to a glittery hell if they dared to interrupt right now. That's not to say what is in store for whatever bastard(s) are responsible for Karin's breakdown. I'd suspected that her life in Kusa wasn't all puppies and rainbows but even the 'pro-friendly' Konoha had it's demons in it, it wasn't perfect. No place where murderer-for-hire was a valid career options was! But, still...

...she's just a kid.

They All Start That Way. It rasped, it's voice a whisper echoing in the back of my mind. I felt my blood quicken. I grit my jaw to shut it out. They All Are Dirtied By This World As Well. Broken And Thrown Away...

She deserves better.

All Of Them Ruined—

They all deserve better.

—All Except For My Indra And Asura.

"Hey, Karin-chan..." Asur—I blinked, counting my breaths—In... Out—Naruto said, frowning as he rubbed his arm and looking way too apologetic for some reason. "Sorry if I said somethin' to make you cry... I just say whatever I'm thinking sometimes y'know? And sometimes it just comes out wrong, so... sorry."

Oh, Hero.

"No! It's not anything you said!" Karin cried, quickly turning her face from my shirt to look at Naruto. The her face contorted, screwing up as her eyes watered up again. "I-I mean, it was, but you—It's—" she cut herself off with forceful sigh, becoming visibly frustrated as she tried to explain.

I lifted a hand and brushed my thumb across her reddened cheek to wipe away the wetness still there, jostling her glasses slightly. The movement made her jump slightly and she tilted her head back to look up at me, with those big doe eyes that were red and so puffy. Her lip began trembling again, fingers wound tightly in my shirt.

"I... I leave for Kusa the day after tomorrow."

Ah.

Now it made sense.

"WHAT?! You CAN'T leave yet!" Naruto immediately denied, startling Karin with the sudden volume. "The finals aren't for another two weeks! You just gotta stay to watch 'ttebayo!"

"My team failed," she reminded him patiently. "I was ordered to report back to the Village as soon as the preparations were made to transport the..." she didn't finish. I frowned. The bodies of her teammates, right. Naruto's expression sobered up a bit when he remembered what I told him happened to them, lowering his head and pressing his lips into a firm line.

He wasn't happy with this. Neither was I, but we were still soldiers. We were taught to follow orders. Karin, too.

I really didn't like this.

Karin released her hold on my shirt and stepped away, taking back her plant from a scowling Naruto. She held the pot to her chest again, looking between me and the Hero and trying not to cry anymore.

"S-So, Naruto-kun, and... Sora-san." she stared at me a moment, her mouth twisting up in an attempt to smile that hurt. That smile hurt me. "This is goodb—"

Naruto's finger was in her face then.

"Don't. Say it!" he demanded. "Don't say goodbye because we're going to hang out again!"

Karin's jaw fell open.

I grinned widely.

Before Karin could properly comprehend the meaning of the Hero's order or stutter out a question, he was already talking again. He lowered his finger from her face and looked at her with an expression of complete seriousness, his Bright and Breezy chakra radiating with all the sincerity he possessed.

"It might not be tomorrow or even next week, but we're going to hang out again Karin-chan! Even if takes awhile, we're friends now so that means that we'll meet again someday!" he declared as if it was now fact. My smiled softened in fondness as Karin stared at my Hero with disbelief and heaping amounts of incredulity. He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at her. "So stop crying and don't say goodbye because this isn't goodbye 'ttebayo!"

Karin was just staring, a torrent of emotions saturating her chakra as she looked at the Hero and the most prominent, overwhelmingly powerful emotion of them all was—

"...wuuu—"

"WHAT DID I JUST SAY ABOUT CRYING?!"

"So—hic!—Swowwy, Naruwo-kwun."

—Hope.

Montage Arc,

Chapter Forty-Eight: "The Girl with Red Hair"

END

A/N: Ohhhh wow. Well, hello there! Long time no see, huh? Yeaaah… sorry 'bout that. Thank you all for being so patient with me during this time though! It was a very busy summer for me which at one point I ended up in the ER because I'm an idiot that should rest more often. But! I can tell you all that I've been writing so much stuff! Not just for ASfT (written for like, the next ten chapters) but also for some One Piece stories, of which I am now officially caught up on the anime! There's plans for... five more fics there? It's ridiculous. I... I think that might've also been a bit responsible for how long it took for me to finish this chapter because I've been so stuck in the Grand Line until a few days ago...

Now for the explanation as to why this isn't the Interlude I promised: It became too damn long. I'm completely serious. I'd been writing the Interlude filled with Ikari's life until the middle of August when I realized that it just kept getting bigger! So, in answer to that I had to rewrite this entire chapter and cut up Ikari's life into 'Entries'. For the rest of this Arc and the Arc after the Invasion there will be little glimpses of Ikari's life like the one you saw here, of her childhood in Uzushiogakure. It's not what I originally planned but I think that it'll turn out better this way. I hope you guys liked it, at least.

One last thing, want to very sincerely thank you all for the support you've given me since I've began this story. It's meant the world to me and I hope to continue to write chapters that you can look forward to and enjoy. Thank you all for reading, and a special thanks to my friend ClosetCase for helping me write this and being my sounding board for these last few months! More than once I'd gotten stuck on this chapter and she was there to talk it over with me and helped me to get this done!

Author Question!

"Summer is over now. Pooh. What anime/show/movie/game/whatever-your-heart-desires are you most excited for this fall?"

Firstly, I'm a bit late with this but I was suuuper excited for Borderlands 3~ I have been wreaking mayhem when I wasn't writing between loading screens. And secondly, because it deserves mentioning... BOKU NO HERO ACADEMIA SEASON 3! I can't wait!

Okay, I'll stop talking now. I love you guys. Until I see you next time~!

-Nanami