Chapter 51
The Path Forward: Kiri's Future and Kakashi's Vow!
In an empty and dimly lit hall, Zabuza Momochi leaned against an old, sturdy wall, the paint of which was stained by a liquid of some kind—possibly water damage, more than likely blood based on splatter pattern—or showed general abuse earned through time. Fights or assassinations, hard to tell even for a veteran like him without bodies to examine.
He even noticed a few cracked tiles along his walk. Some of the cracks were long in length but barely worthy of being called a surface scratch, appearing as if a shaky hand wielding a thin brush drew a line over the dulled and dirty surface. Others were shorter but deep enough to separate the tile into multiple jagged shapes to jiggle when a heavy and firm foot crossed it.
The maintenance done around here would've been better handled by a blind interior designer.
Zabuza's eyes shut, a sinisterly amused hum escaping him as he crossed his muscular arms over his chest. This place hadn't changed. Some of those tiles had been broken for years, and still no one made time to replace them. Other important matters, no doubt. Never mind the mockery it made of a once prestigious and powerful office.
Once. Long ago. In the past. These words surmised eroded glory, prestige and power best.
Once glorious.
Prestigious long ago.
In the past they held power.
When past tense was all that was left to describe a person or a Nation, they tended to be dead or destroyed. However it seemed this place still had a faint pulse. By stubborn will or false hope did they cling to their fading life, clutching onto it so tightly, it almost staunched the bleeding.
A few strides away from Zabuza's silent and shadowed position, in a room adjacent to him, arguments as loud and as ferocious as a volcanic eruption took place, bearing no sign of stopping as both parties argued in repetitive circles. The battling ideals were as different as Mist and Stone; they couldn't be more incompatible if they tried.
Overall, the raised voices did not disturb the Demon. No tension wound up his muscles, no frustration furrowed his brow; he didn't feel like a hungry and violent caged animal, ready to break loose and kill his first meal in weeks. Strangely, he felt at ease and reflective.
Many thoughts floated through Zabuza's mind, including the purpose of the argument, though he pushed those particular thoughts aside when the entire loud affair started repeating its circular pattern. Instead he reflected on the changes to take place in the last two weeks, the events of which tickled his dark sense of humor.
The frozen wasteland of the Land of Snow was behind him. Mei's offer held a lot of promise for his and Haku's future, too much to ignore, and it was a guarantee ticket back to normal, livable temperatures. The latter guarantee alone made it tempting, but Zabuza wasn't without caution. Nine times out of ten, if a proposal made by another shinobi sounded too good to be true, it usually was.
So he listened intently to everything Mei had to say, picking apart her words and probing for important details to get the most Intel to work with, then he consulted Haku on his opinion. Zabuza knew the boy would follow him anywhere, all he had to do was order him or ask and Haku wouldn't argue. This time he hoped to give him a chance to speak his mind.
Mei's proposal, simply put, was for them to join her in Kirigakure to help rebuild their Village and begin building its new future.
Ha! And they call me ambitious, he chuckled deep in his chest.
Rebuild the Mist? Build its new future? Coming from anyone else would make it a joke, a ridiculous one at that. The Mist had no future.
As he told Mei as they sat within the warmth of her camp, "No one can rebuild our home or build its future as long as the Fourth Mizukage still lives. Him and his supporters are a cancer. By simply breathing they continue to drain our people of life, and sooner rather than later Mist will die under their regime. And it won't be the Stone to deliver the final blow. The Mist will die by its own hand."
Her leveled response stripped him of his words. She cocked her visible auburn eyebrow up, a coy smile pulling her lips upwards. "And if the Fourth Mizukage is dead?"
It took Zabuza a beat or two to recover, but his eyes sharpened, analyzing every mannerism, the tone of her voice and gesture Mei made. She left those seven words to hover around them like mist, coy smile never once leaving her lips.
Finally, he spoke. "You killed him."
"I did," she answered without a hint of regret or remorse, nodding only once.
"How?"
"I'd rather not go into perverse detail. Suffice to say, I waited and planned for a long time, Zabuza," she explained, cadence smooth as silk, but voice and features serious. "After your failed attempt, I was more careful, but I never stopped gathering supporters to my cause. Every single one was vetted; we caught a few spies attempting to enter our ranks before they could do any significant damage. But as you can see from the shinobi I have with me," she motioned to the camp goers, "some are survivors of Blood Mist, others are from the new generation."
Mei had leaned forward, closer to the campfire, and rested her forearms on her knees, emerald eyes never leaving his. "In my opinion, we who lived through Blood Mist hold a great responsibility in teaching the next generation of Mist shinobi of that terrible time so it is never repeated. We cannot bury it. We must confront it as we move towards the future."
"Mm," he hummed in agreement. "It won't be easy."
"No, it won't be. But I believe it will be worth it."
Their discussion had been long and intimate in details about the current state of Mist. It was a sign of her trust. Shinobi did not give information of infrastructure or current state of military strength to anyone freely, not even old friends. But Zabuza knew betraying her trust would end morbidly for him.
Quite frankly, there weren't many worse ways to die than by Mei's kekkei genkais; either he'd be melted by lava or choked by her corrosive vapor as it dissolved his skin and internal organs.
He'd rather die a thousand times by Kakashi's Lightning Blade.
In the end Zabuza and Haku took her proposal to return to Kirigakure. After many years of running, Zabuza returned to his home, or to what was left of it.
As to be expected of a Land stricken by poverty and bloodshed, Kiri's structures weren't encrusted with sparkling diamonds and the streets weren't paved by gold bricks. Poverty was as abundant as ever; some buildings were visibly falling apart while others were fully abandoned and vacant of life. Streets needed cleaning, buildings needed more than a new coat of paint, people desperately needed hope.
"It's gotten worse since I left," he noted solemnly as they walked the streets.
"I'm afraid so," Mei replied. "Our reclusiveness and history of betrayal lowered our ability to trade beyond our own people. But money is hard to come by for many, shinobi and civilian alike, and without the money to buy items or keep shops open, many businesses had no choice but to close down and leave."
"What about shinobi missions?"
"The Feudal Lord outsourced many of our missions to mercenary gangs of rogue Mist shinobi, or to other Villages if he could. But I've built a working relationship with him over the years to ensure we could negotiate a better deal when the Fourth was out of the picture. Any effects it has won't be immediate, but the mission desk has seen more activity within the last few months than it has in the last several years."
"Hmph," he chuckled darkly. "Going behind the Fourth's back to build a working relationship with the Feudal Lord, you're a shrewd tactician, Mei."
"Hmhm," her velvet laugh hid the cunning in her eye.
According to Mei, their military force had taken a hit as well due to the amount of shinobi going rogue or getting killed in betrayal. Their natural defenses and secrecy kept them safe, so far anyways, but a shinobi village could only call itself as such if they had the military might to back it up. It was another thing to rebuild, another piece of Mist inflicted by the cancer of the Fourth Mizukage's rule.
Some of the old mindset remained, fed by hardliners who tried to assert any power they could. Remnants of the poison left behind by the Fourth lingered on in the veins of the Land of Water.
Sighing deeply, Zabuza rested his head back against the wall. I should have expected as much. The wounds inflicted to our home run deep. It will take more than time to heal them.
The road ahead for Mei's plan was a long and tough one, yet Kiri had made steps already. Out of all the decisions made so far, the most impactful one—to Zabuza's mind, anyways—was the election of a new Mizukage.
The Demon chuckled to himself. Mei Terumī, the Fifth Mizukage. Never thought I'd see the day.
From their discussions, she already surpassed the low bar of the Fourth. Given time, the proper support and adequate resources and Mei could successfully rebuild the Mist to give it a better future. Zabuza supported her, but their tactics and opinions didn't always align, specifically when it came to the old councilors who held onto the Fourth's beliefs.
He wanted them dead. Their continued existence peddled the idea they should lend any credence to their opinions, when their outdated and out of touch policies were fragments of the poison that drained the life from Kiri. If Yagura—the Fourth Mizukage—was the source, the councilors were the leftover trace amounts piggybacking onto whatever cells they could to survive.
Better to purge the disease completely than give it any chance to regain a foothold in the Land of Water, in Zabuza's opinion. Dethroning Yagura had taken years; they couldn't afford to give his people a chance to seize power again.
Unfortunately for him and fortunately for the councilors, Mei was in charge. Not him. If she got rid of them, it'd be through a peaceful course of action to avoid sowing further division within their Nation. Their people had all seen their fair share of bloodshed. They wanted an end to it.
Desperation was thick in their village, desperation for change. But that's why they elected Mei by a landslide. She spent time gathering their support and proving herself a woman of her word; the Feudal Lord even placed his trust in her while the Fourth still lived. Now it was in her hands every day to keep proving they could trust her to change the future.
Zabuza hoped to aid that cause. Mei already had a few plans in the works for increasing trade, but so far lacked a means to start the steps towards them. So much required her attention, especially home grown problems, it left her busier than a tavern during a celebration festival.
He had an idea, though. It wouldn't be an immediate fix or a guaranteed success, but like her proposition to come back to Kiri with Haku, it held a lot of promise for a very prosperous future down the line.
The councilors as a whole convinced Mei to leave a team of the Fourth's spies within the Leaf during the Exams, all in an effort to learn more about the next generation of Leaf and Sand shinobi. It wasn't a bad plan, though it wasn't exactly a great plan either. Who knows how long those spies were undercover, and how deep their loyalties were to the Fourth Mizukage.
Mei agreed, but ordered them to be recalled as soon as the Exams finished. She had to debrief them and vet them properly. How trustworthy were they really? Did they hold more loyalty to the councilors and Yagura? Or were they prepared to follow Mei's lead?
There's no telling if any of those spies work for the councilors now, Zabuza thought pensively. If any of them make a move on Mei, they'll be dead in seconds either by my hand or hers.
Neither of them spoke of their doubt in front of the councilors. They distrusted the councilors more than they distrusted the spies. Spies were trained to hide their true identities and loyalties, among other skills. The possibility of one of them, a small group or even all of them now being under the thumb of the councilors was high enough to warrant caution.
We'll have to be careful.
Still, the decision to keep them in the Leaf turned out to be the best idea the councilors ever had. What they learned from the messenger bird sent report was nothing short of good Intel. Shocking, certainly, but good nonetheless.
Every Exam candidate to participate showed promise, but of all the battles, it was the little brat's battle against the Inuzuka that intrigued Zabuza the most. They put on a hell of a show, and through their battle they proved why they deserved those headbands they wore. In time they'd become formidable shinobi, perhaps even worthy of a bingo book entry.
It was during Sasuke Uchiha's battle the peaceful event turned towards chaos. Shinobi of the Sand and Sound waged a war on Konoha, attempting to destroy it in one swift and powerful blow.
The Sound Village, Zabuza snorted and shook his head. Hardly can call it a Village. No, the Sound Village was just a puppet show run by Orochimaru of the Sannin. He gathered a large force, sure, but numbers didn't equal skill.
Their purpose for war was simple: Kill the Hokage and destroy the Leaf for their master.
Not exactly a righteous rallying cry.
As for the Sand, their reason Zabuza understood. When the Land of Wind's daimyo started outsourcing their missions to Konoha, it promised enmity to grow between the Nations. Slowly but surely the outsourcing ate at their economy until maintaining a large force became impractical, which inevitably led to the reliance on creating singular, destructive shinobi out of every soldier.
Blood Mist all over again, in other words, only without the graduation exam. When a Nation lacked suitable numbers, the few numbers you had then must wield exceptional power. Only the strong survived in such an environment, and the weak perished.
Suna was steadily falling into obscurity and poverty, just as Kiri has. They were acting before it could get any worse.
A desperate act to destroy those who stole their work and prove their dominant power. They set out to make a statement and an example out of Konoha. Their colossal failure only worsened their situation. Questions would arise over their strength, and the Feudal Lord wouldn't be pleased by their actions.
If they're smart, they'll ask for peace.
Even though he understood their choice of actions, it still left Zabuza stunned. To attack the Leaf when they had an Alliance with them, when negotiations were an option? Something about that didn't sit right in his mind. Was it stubborn pride or something more? Was their situation worse than they were led to believe? Or were they full of impatient hatred?
These questions were tossed around until they learned Orochimaru had impersonated the Fourth Kazekage. Many questions still lingered, but Zabuza had all he needed to understand what and why the Sand took such a rash course of action. They were played for fools by the Sannin, tricked into believing it was the wish of their Kazekage to go to war when it was really Orochimaru.
A sinister plot fit for someone consumed by darkness. Now the Leaf was without a Hokage, and the Sand likely had lost their Kazekage as well. There was no way to really know, not yet anyways. Only six days had passed since the attack, and their network of information didn't reach as far as it once had.
That left Zabuza here, waiting for the pointless arguments to end so he could explain his plan to Mei in private. At this point they're just wasting their breaths and giving me a headache. What's the point of arguing about something they should know she won't do? Idiots.
Their idea to attack Konoha while it was weak wasn't a step forward; it'd keep them buried up to their waists in this muck and blood the Mist waded through for years. Mei called for peace. They called for war. One of those actually could work in their favor. The other was a waste of time and resources.
Helping the Leaf and gaining an alliance between them would change the future of the shinobi world. Leaf and Mist, maybe even Sand too, all united. The trading of goods native to their own lands alone could be profitable to all three Nations. Now that was a step in a good direction. But it wouldn't be easy or come because they wished it.
Real reform needed to happen within the Mist; a better foundation needed to be set so their people could stand up once more without fear of a blade stabbing them in the back. Petty grudges had to be let go of so the whole Nation could prosper, and it'd take time for that to happen. More than a few months could do.
They couldn't just send shinobi to the Leaf either. After an attack like that, Konoha would be waiting for an attack. Any Mist shinobi crossing their border or nearing their Village could be seen as a threat. It'd derail all chances to start peaceful discussions.
What Mei and Mist as a whole needed most was a way to speak to a respected and influential member of the Leaf to start even the smallest of dialogues.
Someone like Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja.
Through Haku and the hawk—Kaito, apparently it had a name now—they had such a means of communication. Zabuza never intended to use it. His whole intention was for it to be a means of contact between Haku and Amaririsu, yet neither Mist shinobi could deny this opportunity in front of them.
"They've been at it for quite some time." Zabuza opened and flicked his eyes over in the direction of his approaching partner. Kaito perched on Haku's shoulder with the messenger pack on his body already, no doubt already containing the letter the boy wrote. Whether or not it would contain a second letter, however, would depend on Mei's decision.
Right on time.
To his statement regarding the raised voices on a crescendo, the Demon shut his eyes once more and chuckled darkly. "Yeah. I'm impressed she hasn't threatened to kill them yet."
Even a monk had limitations in patience. Mei was a peacemaker in her heart, but beneath her calm presence was a molten temper and smoldering killing intent capable of melting any who tested it.
"How long do you think it will go on?" Haku asked curiously. His brown eyes scanned the nearby closed door where voices barked and bit at one another. A small frown creased his lips. "Shouting solves nothing. We're all working towards the same goal, aren't we?"
"If you mean Mei's plan for the future, then no." Haku's eyes returned to his master, who watched him from the corner of his eyes. "Those old fools may parrot their desire to see a prosperous future, but mark my words, Haku, they're idea of a prosperous future for the Mist doesn't align with ours."
"Hm. You believe they'll try to overthrow Lady Mei," he stated rather than questioned.
"Sooner or later they're true intentions will slip out. And when that day comes, I'll kill them." Haku nodded. "Anyway, as for how much longer this argument will last, I'd say not much with Mei's depleting patience."
Suddenly Mei's voice rose above all others. "We are not attacking the Leaf Village! Do you wish to see our village cease to exist?!"
Zabuza's eyes stared intensely at the dirty and cracked tile floor, listening intently to what their new Mizukage had to say. Anger may have shrouded her voice, but behind it he could hear the care for their home.
"Even if I wanted to attack the Leaf, it would only end in failure! The element of surprise has been taken from us, and our reports show that the legendary Crows of the Leaf were among the defense forces," she explained heatedly.
"If a single Mist shinobi enters the Land of Fire, the entirety of the Leaf will know it within an hour. Not only would it be impossible to sneak a large enough force in to attack, but even if we did, the Leaf repelled an attack from both the Sound and the Sand, whose combined forces out-match our own. A war would only end in catastrophic failure!"
"The Leaf is no longer as strong as they were thanks to those attacks! Are you too ignorant to see that?!" one of the councilors insulted.
"You are the one filled with ignorance!" Mei seethed.
Nice way to piss her off, the Demon chuckled.
"Weakened or not, Yagura's leadership—your leadership—has left our forces at their weakest. The Leaf's military might fended off the attack of not one, but two separate Villages! Together, according to the reports your spies sent us, the combined might of the invasion forces were greater than our own numbers. Bolstering those forces were massive summoning snakes, a jinchūriki who unleashed his tailed-beast and Orochimaru of the Sannin, and they still failed!"
These pointless arguments have gone on long enough. Zabuza pushed off the wall, stepped towards the door and motioned his head for Haku to follow him. He was sick of the arguments and the rockslide of a headache it was giving him.
Inside the Mizukage's office, pacing in front of her wooden desk, was Mei. She dressed in a royal blue, long sleeved dress that draped below her knees; a zipper could close the entirety of the dress, but from her waist down on front right side it was kept open, revealing a mid-thigh length similar colored skirt and mesh leggings.
Overall, the upper half of her dress left little for the imagination, hardly even covering the underside of her breasts and leaving her shoulders and upper biceps bare to the elements. The mesh armor she wore underneath did try to cover more of her bust; however, to say it tried was a gracious use of the word.
Sensuality and sexuality was a weapon for attractive kunoichi, he supposed. She certainly wielded it well.
Beyond that, she wore a white belt and high-heeled sandals paired with shin-guards. Really only an ensemble Mei could pull off and still possess the ability to destroy nearly any enemy she faced. She did wear royal blue polish on her fingernails and toenails, as well as very light fuchsia lipstick.
Under normal circumstances her features would be one of peace or thoughtfulness. Mei rarely let any situation get the best of her. However the councilors pushed her into rage and indignation.
Calling her ignorant wasn't wise, Zabuza thought. Not unless you have a death wish. Who knows, maybe we'll get to kill them now.
Mei may have noticed their entrance, she may not have. Her attention never left the councilors. For the safety of Haku and himself, Zabuza decided to let her get what she wanted to say out of her system.
He wasn't foolish enough to try to step between her and making her point.
"For too long our people have suffered through the wakes of blood and poverty pooled over by our previous leadership," she declared passionately then jabbed her finger at the councilors. "You would see our nation destroyed and our people burdened by fear of what tomorrow may bring to prove this so-called 'dominance' you seek!"
Mei stopped pacing and shook her head, voice falling in pitch to a smooth yet deadly tone. "I will tell you for the last time: I will not attack Konoha when it is weak. I will find a way to establish diplomatic relations with them and our people will move forward out of the dark times."
The emerald eye of the Mizukage flitted over to Zabuza's, acknowledging his presence with a nod before returning to the councilors. "If you have nothing more to say outside of your ridiculous plans for attack, then you are dismissed. Please see yourselves out."
"You will regret not attacking while the time is right," one of the councilors told her as they began shuffling out.
"I have few regrets when it comes to my decisions today, but this choice will not be one of them."
Zabuza watched the three stomp off to go sulk or plot elsewhere, meeting every single one of their pissed off expressions with a smirk behind his bandages. They were part of a dying age; a rotten, decrepit, termite filled age that was steadily crumbling into permanent nothingness.
Just another sign that times are changing.
Once they were out the door and he could no longer feel their presence, he turned back to the Mizukage. "My offer still stands. Give the order and I'll kill them before they can even gasp in fear."
Mei shook her head, simpering as she did, before motioning the pair to approach her desk. "Tempting as that is, no. Not yet anyway, although it remains one of my regrets." Turning around, she trailed her finger along the old wooden desk, stacked from side to side with papers. "I have a team investigating them and their movements. I want to know if they had any hand in the genjutsu casted on Yagura."
"Hm. I get it."
According to one of Mei's followers, the Fourth Mizukage had been under a genjutsu of some kind, although current Intel was unclear on how long he was under it and who cast it on him. They needed answers, for Mei's safety and for the Mist.
The auburn-haired woman moved around her desk, only coming to a stop at her chair to sit in it. "So, what is on your mind, Zabuza? I assume you did not come by to give me a reason to dismiss the councilors or an excuse to not do any of this paperwork."
"Not exactly," Zabuza replied. "I actually came to talk to you about a plan Haku thought of to get a dialogue started with the Leaf without endangering the lives of our shinobi or provoking a war."
As expected, Mei's full attention was captured instantly. Her visible eyebrow arced up as she leaned forward to rest her elbows on her desk. "Oh?" Her eye left Zabuza and moved to Haku. "Please explain, Haku."
Haku bowed. "Thank you for hearing our proposition, Lady Mizukage." Mei smiled at the boy and gave a small nod for him to continue. "As you know, while we were in the Land of Waves we battled against a team of Leaf shinobi."
"Yes, a team of new Genin under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja. They fought to break Gatō's control while you both fought to maintain it. However Gatō betrayed you and your groups joined together to kill him and scare off his followers. Correct?"
Both nodded. That was their encounter in short. For Mei to have any faith in this plan, though, they had to go further into detail about the girl who spared their lives.
"Yes," Haku continued, "but it isn't as simple as that. During our battle, one of the Leaf Genin, a kunoichi of great strength and will, and I…" Haku trailed off, lips pursed. "I'm not sure how to explain it. We…connected. When we met on the bridge, we both realized the similarities in our dreams, our goals and our wills. She said we were two sides of the same coin, and I agree.
"But we were still enemies, dedicated to our missions and our purposes. We battled, and though we had opportunities to land killing blows on one another, we continued to hesitate. It…hurt to hurt her," Haku struggled to explain. "I've never felt something like that before. I was always dedicated to Zabuza. Even when I did not want to kill someone, I never hesitated because to me, Zabuza's life and his dreams were more important. I lived for him. I was his tool."
"It sounds as if you found a kindred spirit," Mei observed. "But you are much more than a tool, Haku. Far more. I hope you can see that." Then her eye moved dangerously to Zabuza. "I am happy your eyes have opened, Zabuza. Treat him well."
The man nodded silently. He heard her threat of "or else" loud and clear.
Mei returned her attention to Haku and smiled kindly. "I apologize for interrupting. Please continue."
"After I had been defeated by a boy named Naruto and we spoke, I noticed the silhouette of Kakashi about to kill Zabuza through the mist. I moved to deflect the attack or take it in his place…yet I was not struck by his Lightning Blade."
Somberness took over Haku's expression. The change made Mei watch him with the concern befitting a mother who found her child sitting silently in isolation with a black eye. "The girl I mentioned, she jumped in front of the jutsu to save our lives. Her name is Amaririsu Yūhi."
The Lightning Blade may as well have struck Mei. The shock on her face almost matched the little girl's, but it wasn't nearly as haunting or painful to see. Shock turned to recognition. "Wait a minute. That name, Amaririsu Yūhi, I've seen it recently."
The Mizukage grabbed a nearby scroll, unrolled it and sped read through the details within, her well-manicured finger trailing along the paper. Finally it stopped. "Yes. She was in the Chūnin Exams the same as the Naruto boy. Her abilities, as well as this Mimi Inuzuka's, impressed all those in attendance. The spies even labeled them to be monitored as 'future dangers.'"
Her puzzled expression returned, lips pursing as she looked back up at them. "But how did she survive the famed Lightning Blade?"
"She used a Shadow Clone to stop his arm, but it only took the lethal blow. The lightning carved up her left arm and shoulder regardless," Zabuza explained.
Those scars on her arm weren't the only she received that day. Those scars were scrawled all across her soul like shattered glass.
"Mm, I see. She's lucky to be alive." Mei rolled the message back up and put it back. She looked at Kaito then back to them. "I believe I'm beginning to understand your plan. This girl, Amaririsu Yūhi, do you trust her enough to give a message directly to Kakashi?"
"With my life, Lady Mizukage," Haku answered immediately.
The earnest declaration brought an affectionate smile to Mei's lips. "And what about you, Zabuza?" she asked.
"I trust her and Kakashi."
Mei nodded and leaned back in her chair, bringing her hand to her chin in thought. "I admit, I did not expect such an opportunity to arise so soon." She crossed her left leg over her right as she mulled quietly over the situation they presented her with. "I only foresee one problem with this. Without a Hokage their village will be in disarray until they can find a replacement; an alliance with us, a recovering Nation, may not be seen as anything more than a joke. Or, the other possibility, our personal history as well as our history with the Leaf will make them fear we have ill-intentions."
Valid points, and points he already planned for. "Kakashi and the girl will believe our intentions." The girl even told Haku she believed they deserved a second chance to return to Kiri. Heh. Wonder what the girl will have to say when she reads Haku's message. "It's everyone else I'm worried about," he continued. "Which is why what you send should just be for them right now. Our councilors don't need to know about it either."
The Mizukage raised her auburn eyebrow yet again at him, smiling widely as curiosity gleamed in her eye. "What kind of delicious game are you playing, Zabuza?"
"Send a message, but not asking the Leaf Village Elders what aid they need. We're not in any position right now to offer much. We need to get our own Village in order before we go that far."
"And anything we'd offer would be suspect. Yes, I thought as much as well," Mei nodded in agreement, grasping where he was going but still listening intently.
"Instead inform Kakashi about the death of Yagura, your plans to reform the Mist and our overall goal to open up diplomatic relations and trade with the other Villages. Up front honesty will make him see how serious we are; it'll make him believe the truth of your intentions."
It certainly made him believe.
"Eventually it'll be talks between you and the next Hokage, but for now we have to do this the smart way, even if it takes months to get there."
Again Mei nodded, but this time she returned to her thoughts. After a lengthy and thoughtful silence, she spoke again. "Hm. This plan of yours will give us time to better organize the Mist and them time to elect a new Hokage. Both of our Villages are recovering, although from two very different experiences, so we can't make any bold or rash decisions just yet. As you said, we must do this the smart way no matter how long it takes."
Her lips lifted in a smirk. "Plus it circumvents the councilors for now. They would try to stonewall it or use this line of contact for nefarious purposes, and I won't have that." She interlaced her fingers and rested them in her lap. "If Amaririsu and Kakashi trust you two as well as you trust them, this may well be the start of better relations between us and the Leaf. Groundwork, of course, but we have to start somewhere."
"Our thoughts exactly, Lady Mei."
The Mizukage sat up with renewed energy and began searching her desk for items. "I will begin writing immediately." She found a piece of paper, a stamp of the kanji for Mizukage, and a pen. "Thank you both for bringing this to my attention. Is there anything else you wish to speak about?"
"Yeah. I have my opinion on two of your advisers, if you want to hear it."
Mei, who had already turned her attention to writing the letter, paused in her actions and met his eyes again. "Ah, yes. I almost forgot about that. What do you think?"
"The boy lacks confidence despite his position as a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist." And that was the kind way of putting it. While there was definitely talent in the boy, his lack of confidence did little to help it show. The Demon shrugged. "Other than that I have no complaints. He'll do well under your command."
"He will grow to be more confident in time. He just needs someone like you to guide him to it," Haku agreed.
"You flatter me, darling." Mei smiled at the boy then turned her attention back to Zabuza. "You are a fellow Swordsmen even without Kubikiribōchō. He holds his predecessors in high-esteem, so do not frighten him when you extend my official request to be a full-time adviser and bodyguard of mine."
Zabuza couldn't stop the dark chuckle that escaped him. Mei squinted a suspicious glare his way. Don't frighten him? His moniker was The Demon of the Hidden Mist. His very name instilled fear into his enemies, let alone Kiri natives. Sending the Demon to meet the confidence lacking boy face to face though? Now that could provide some serious entertainment to his inner sadist.
"Frighten him? Come now Mei, you know me."
The woman's glare became colder than Haku's Bone Cold Blizzard. "That's exactly why I am telling you not to frighten him. We need to ensure the future generations do not grow up as we did. Chōjūrō is a part of that future, Zabuza. Please don't ruin it." She gave him a closed eyed smile. "Or I'll kill you."
An unnatural chill shot down his spine. For a foolish brief moment, Zabuza forgot behind that smile, the beauty and peaceful belief was a woman who graduated Blood Mist Exam at age nine. The same woman who possessed the kekkei genkais of Lava Style and Vapor Style and ended the reign of the Fourth Mizukage.
This was the Fifth Mizukage before him, the most powerful ninja in their village. Her words were not a petty threat; they were a promise.
"All right, I'll go easy on the kid," he backed down.
"Good." The woman nodded and smiled as if she hadn't just threatened to kill him. "Now what of Ao? I trust him, but what do you think of him as an adviser and bodyguard?"
"Ao's been around longer than the two of us. He lived through Blood Mist the same as us and a war on top of that."
Zabuza crossed his arms and stared up at the ceiling in thought. The man also held the Byakugan, a souvenir from defeating a Hyūga in battle many years ago. Surviving as long as he had and managing to not lose such a coveted eye was impressive, especially in Kiri. Missing-nin's and backstabbers were as common and plentiful in Kiri as trees were in Konoha.
From what he learned, he was also the man who had noticed the Fourth had been under control of a genjutsu. That made him extremely valuable. Keeping him close to Mei could ensure it didn't happen again.
"He'd be reliable as an adviser and bodyguard since he's already loyal to you. Plus we need him close to you so you aren't influenced by a similar genjutsu."
"Agreed."
"Ao's status as a veteran also helps to counterbalance the kid's lack of confidence when it comes to decision making."
Mei nodded. "Yes, I thought Chōjūrō might learn more about confidence from him and you."
More like what living through war and Blood Mist does to a man.
"Once our forces are more organized," Mei continued, "I'd like you to be the head of the Anbu with Haku as your second-in-command. I don't trust the councilors to pick those who join those ranks, and I want the commanders who encourage the killing of comrades to be found and removed, without killing them. Just acquire their names and bring them to me when your role becomes official."
"All right," he answered. The position made the most sense, given his history with the Anbu. People still feared his name, his presence. But he'd find any and all who wanted to keep killing allied shinobi.
They could consider themselves lucky their Mizukage ordered them to be brought in alive.
"Haku." Zabuza turned to his partner, who gazed up at him curiously. "Are you okay with these arrangements?"
If the boy wasn't for the assignment, he would let him choose a different path.
Haku nodded. "Of course. It would be an honor to serve you and the Mizukage."
Zabuza smirked and gave a nod. "The honor is mine, Haku." Haku smiled in return. "I'm going to go find Ao and Chōjūrō. Stay here so you can send off the bird as soon as Mei is done." He turned to the Mizukage. "As long as you don't mind, Mei."
She waved him off. "He may stay as long as he wishes. While you're out Zabuza, could you please retrieve Natsumi?" The Mizukage glanced up at the daunting mountains of paperwork on her desk. "I may need an extra set of hands to get through this."
"May I assist you in any way, Lady Mizukage?"
"Maybe. Let me finish this first and then we will start looking into all of this paperwork."
The former Swordsmen's body shook from the deep chuckle he released while he began to excuse himself from the room. "Have fun you two."
After he was done fetching the newest members to the Mizukage's inner circle, it would be time to start researching the Anbu agents soon to be under his command.
There was much work to be done.
Meanwhile in the Land of Fire
Kakashi never staked claim to being the perfect teacher. He had plenty of personal flaws. One of his greatest, by his own recent self-reflection, would be how little time he allocated to aiding the growth of Naruto and Sakura.
He hadn't fully ignored them, not intentionally or out of maliciousness. Recent events, however, opened his eyes. War had a funny way of doing that in his experience. It seemed to always peel back the curtain of darkness enough for him to finally see what was right in front of him, and usually by then he ran out of time to act.
Looking back at Team Sevens time together, Kakashi saw clearly now the significant quantity of attention he dedicated to Amari and Sasuke over his other two students. Both of whom, quite frankly, needed more guidance than his two resident Uchihas.
Sasuke and Amari had wrinkles to iron out, certainly, and no small amount of maturing when they first were assigned to his team, but both were extremely talented. They learned quickly, adapted even quicker. Given even the smallest bit of direction and those two could figure out almost anything.
But, well, Kakashi still devoted more time to them. It wasn't without reason, or as if he callously believed Sakura and Naruto didn't deserve to be taught; he knew those two needed his guidance, Sakura especially since her head hadn't been in the right place.
Back then Sakura was too obsessed with Sasuke and the idea of falling love. Love wasn't forbidden by any shinobi rule. Almost all shinobi created a connection with someone, some even settled to have children, even the Hokage's of their past. And to find true love with another shinobi or civilian as you journeyed through life wasn't a bad goal.
Sakura's problem was she didn't pay any attention to building any of her skills as a shinobi beyond the textbook; her in the field skills were slightly better than average, but without taking her training seriously she'd become a liability. A danger to herself and the lives of her teammates.
Had she not shown any potential to be a shinobi, he would have removed her immediately. But Sakura did possess the potential to be a good shinobi. A brain like hers could be a sharpened blade to cut down future enemies, if only she could focus on her training instead of Sasuke.
Instead of helping push her in that direction, Kakashi's focus zeroed in on the two Uchiha's, the two most susceptible to everlasting darkness. All the while he promised himself one day he'd get around to teaching Sakura. Time had never been his ally, though, and without him she had to learn a hard lesson in helplessness.
Sasuke reminded Kakashi too much of his younger self; talented, arrogant, submerged in darkness as they followed their chosen paths. All the self-centered qualities that set him on a path of self-destruction were in Sasuke. All the ingredients of a toxic and chaotic life brewed within him, preparing him to one day give up his soul in exchange for revenge.
Kakashi doubted he could ever convince Sasuke to give up on eventually killing Itachi, or Amari on killing Kasai. Those two were too driven to let it go, especially after what they lost. But his greatest hope was to steer Sasuke from the darkness by showing him there was a life beyond his revenge and the darkness around him. To teach from his own failures so his student didn't have to make those same mistakes.
And Amari, ever since they found her in that forest, heart shattered and face covered in blood, he tried hard to give her guidance. Foundation. As he did, Kakashi imparted onto her the tools and knowledge necessary to defend herself from those who would seek to steal her eyes, and to finish what Kasai started.
In that time, he grew fond of the kid. Ah, there was no sense denying it, he showed Amari favoritism. Why? Well, if Sasuke was the reflection of his past arrogance and darkness, Amari was a living reflection of the pain he endured and the struggle to overcome it.
Somehow, though, she reflected more than his pain. Somehow she found a way to carry on the best parts of his old friends. Rin's gentleness, her affectionate gestures even when scolding him and Obito; she had been their balancing point as peacekeeper and friend.
Amari definitely didn't inherit Obito's sense of time—Kakashi had that handled—but his loyalty to his friends and Will of Fire for sure lived on in her.
Even so, Kakashi did care for all four of his students. They had grown on him, became something to him. These kids helped to fill in the holes left behind by the losses he experienced.
But had he done enough for them? The bell test helped to teach them the importance of teamwork, one of his greatest flaws as a young shinobi, but what else had he taught the entire squad? Sasuke he trained for the last month, Amari he taught even more to over the years.
Yet what did he teach Sakura and Naruto? Sure he gave Sakura pointers on genjutsu and tried to keep Naruto focused on chakra control.
Could he truthfully say that was enough, though?
No. Such a simple answer he hadn't been able to see. If that wasn't enough, he even sent his entire team, two members of Guy's plus Shikamaru into an A-ranked mission—alone. He could rationalize it anyway he wanted; shinobi who lived and died by the rules could rationalize anything. Kakashi left that part behind him, though, and no rationalization could wipe away the thought viciously attacking his mind.
I sent them to fight a tailed-beast.
The simple act of thinking those words made his heart tighten and his eye squeeze shut. Seven young Genin he sent to fight an entity of such massive power, and every single one was fortunate to be alive right now.
When the invasion reached its end and the enemy forces retreated, he set out with Kurenai and Guy, guided by an agent of Atsuko, to find them. Every jump, every minute to pass by, had been anxiety filled on his behalf, even with the knowledge of their safety.
He had to see it for himself. See with his own eyes that they were all alive.
They found the team in a small clearing. Joining them were Shino's father, Pakkun and Shino while a platoon of crows stood guard. His eye was immediately drawn to Amari's unmoving body in Shikamaru's arms and Naruto's supine form under his jacket; he feared the worst against the reassurances of their safety.
Every Genin sat or laid in a different state of rest, bearing their own fair share of injuries varying from physical wounds to chakra exhaustion. Their battle took everything they had, and then they had no choice but to push further. Such was the way of war.
Sasuke and Sakura rested their backs against a tree near Naruto. Exhausted from the overuse of the Chidori, his chin tucked into his chest as his body slanted into Sakura's shoulder, Sasuke slept.
Across from them were Mimi and Tenten, mirroring their position, though Sasuke stirred at their arrival. Mimi didn't. The Inuzuka's head rested on Tenten's shoulder with Aoko in her lap. Shino was slowly recovering from his fight while his father hovered close by, hidden in plain sight while watching and listening intently for intruders.
To all of their relief, everyone was okay. Exhausted and battered by the day's events, but alive. They survived their A-ranked mission, which was wonderful, yet a single question lingered in Kakashi's mind.
What the hell was I thinking?
He understood war. He had seen the kind of death and destruction it wrought as a child. So why the hell did he send them? Was it as simple as trusting them or a lack of other options?
How close was he to losing his students? How close was he to losing the kids who helped give him something to live for?
He barely made it through the darkest part of his life with some sanity left. By the skin of his teeth was an appropriate description. The scars given to him sent him into a downward spiral with him sitting in the cockpit, but doing nothing to regain control. Instead he accepted his path through hell and waited for the imminent death at the end of the spiral.
Friends like Guy, Kurenai and Asuma pulled him out of it. They helped set him back on the right path towards the eventuality of meeting the kids currently under his tutelage. These kids had changed him, or were in the process of doing it. Maybe that was the reason it ate at his soul how his decision might have cost them their lives.
Team Seven affected every member positively in one way or another. It brought a sense of stability and purpose, it helped them to find real strength and confidence or gave them the family they never had or had lost.
Family… Kakashi nodded inwardly. Yes, that's what Team Seven is, for all of us.
The word felt foreign on his tongue. Or perhaps it wasn't as foreign as he thought. The previous people in his life had been family, too. Unfortunately he hadn't seen it until it was too late. The running theme of his life, really.
They weren't perfect. Was any family perfect? Probably not. Imperfections were what made them each unique.
With Amari in her mother's arms, Mimi carried by Guy and Naruto on his back, the group returned to the Leaf. During the trip back Kakashi did no small amount of soul searching and decided then and there to do better for them. He owed it to his students to follow their example of growth.
This time he'd move forward instead of dwelling in the darkness and failures of a past mistake or missed opportunity. He wouldn't let Team Seven be severed as all his previous bonds were.
I won't fail, not this time.
Unlike before, he refused to let those be hollow words. He started acting on them already, fitting little bits of team training between their duties to help fix or protect the Leaf. But regardless of where they were, Kakashi followed the example his students set and did his best to help all four of them.
So far the only one to make note of it out loud, in his team at least, was Amari. Her perceptiveness of the actions or emotions of those around her continued to surpass the rest of her team.
"I'm happy you're around more, Sensei."
He was happy to be there too.
Each of them had grown significantly since their bell test. Sakura, as he noted during her preliminary round fight, had changed the most. She was fiercer, smarter, stronger in spirit.
The Land of Waves taught Sakura the hard lesson of weakness and helplessness. She learned firsthand how it felt to watch from the sidelines as friends and comrades fought, struggled and nearly died right in front of her.
That kind of experienced changed a shinobi at their core. It could shatter their spirit into fragmented pieces of bloodstained glass. It could turn them towards darkness. Or it could become a new foundation to stand on so there was never a next time.
Sakura could have easily quit. She might have even considered it secretly. But she didn't. Not when Amari took her by the hand and lifted her onto that new foundation to build strength from.
With her teammate's guidance, Sakura began her journey towards real strength. In the Forest of Death, that foundation was put to the test. Watching again as her comrades fought, struggled and gained critical injuries on her behalf matured her, and in the end Sakura found the conviction to walk her path with real strength in her backbone.
Kakashi had seen Amari take Sakura under her wing at the time. He entrusted Sakura's growth to her, as both a way for the pair to strengthen their bond and to give Amari a chance to grow leadership skills. Now it was his turn to step in.
Amari carried the heavy burden of taking care of the team alone long enough.
Maybe we'll see what chakra affinity she has soon. Her precise chakra control will more than make up for her average reserves. However, I wonder, he pursed his lips in thought, watching as Sakura sparred against a clone of Amari. She used speed enhanced by chakra to get in close to aim chakra enhanced strikes for the Nara. Amari's eyes and better reflexes kept her safe, yet every exchange helped attune Sakura to a faster, more agile opponent.
Sooner rather than later her reaction speed would match her quick mind.
Sooner rather than later those blows could crack bones.
What a frightening similarity to Tsunade of the Sannin. A similarity he saw exceptional promise with. With how well she can control her chakra, could she be a medic-nin in the making? She definitely has the intelligence for it. Hm. Having a team medic would be good, but it will depend if she's interested in it or not. Without full dedication, there's no way anyone can become a medic-nin.
He'd have to think about it. For now, continued physical and stamina training was best while he figured out what the next step for her was.
Sasuke he kept working on Chidori, his Sharingan and his physical abilities. The advancement of his Sharingan would help him see a fast moving target, such as the Amari clone he sparred intensely with, but as he continued to learn, seeing it wasn't enough. His body had to get faster to react in time to block or dodge.
"Amari, I don't want you to hold back your speed as you fight Sasuke. Go as fast as you can," he had ordered the clone.
"Are you punishing Sasuke by making him my punching bag? Did he almost destroy your book again?" she quipped.
"No," Kakashi answered, chuckling lightly at the perturbed twitch of Sasuke's eyebrows. "You have already advanced your Sharingan to the third tomoe, and through battle you will learn to wield it to an even greater extent. However, Sasuke's eyes haven't fully matured yet.
"Your speed will help him accomplish two goals. First," he raised his index finger, "it will help him adjust his reaction time to a faster opponent. As you both experienced in fighting Lee, eyes alone don't change the battle. Your reaction speed has to match what you can see, otherwise you end up a punching bag. By fighting you at your top speed, Sasuke will be left with no choice but to make himself fast enough to match you move for move."
Kakashi raised a second finger. "Secondly, Sasuke unlocked his Sharingan in the heat of desperate combat with Haku, and you advanced yours to three tomoes through similar circumstances. Normally I'd suggest allowing time and experience to mature it, but…"
"We don't have that kind of time," Amari and Sasuke stated in unison.
He nodded. "Exactly. Which is why I want you to push Sasuke as hard as you can. Push him to walk in step with you. You are both of Uchiha blood. Members of Konoha's strongest lineage and one of its founding Clans. Training together will only help you ascend to new heights."
And when they did, Chidori would be Sasuke's sword to protect his comrades.
As for Naruto, his situation was a bit more difficult. Naruto wanted to learn Chidori due to its great power. For a kid who summoned Gamabunta of all toads, created one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine clones, and at the precipice of chakra exhaustion still defeated Gaara, Naruto felt he was falling behind.
"I've gotta get better so I can fight Mimi and Amari on their level!" he had exclaimed passionately.
Sasuke and Sakura, even if they didn't say anything, felt the same. Amari and Mimi stood at the peak of the mountain, jostling in friendly competition for dominance while their peers were still climbing after them. Their performance in the Exams motivated every single Genin, regardless of team, to train harder.
"I understand that, Naruto, but Chidori isn't the answer. There are better and smarter ways for you to train to catch up to them. Besides, only a wielder of a dōjutsu can use it properly. I have a different jutsu in mind for you."
"Really?! Is it an ultra-super cool secret technique only you know, Sensei?"
"Uh…sure. It's an ultra-super cool secret technique." And calling it that really lessened its value. It's Naruto. Just roll with it. A glance to Amari proved she hadn't heard those words leave his mouth. Good. He could sleep soundly tonight.
"Awesome! What is it? What is it? What is it?"
"Well, it's what inspired the Lightning Blade."
"No way! This ultra-super cool secret technique inspired the Lightning Blade?" Naruto sounded as if he told him Ichiraku Ramen opened a free all you can eat buffet.
"Before I can teach you it, though, there are some serious steps you need to take to learn it. First off is gaining a better grasp of your chakra control. Without chakra control you won't be able to perform it."
Naruto was determined to learn it. In the meantime Kakashi was also training him to fight smarter instead of harder. Because he had such large chakra reserves, Naruto used them carelessly until eventually running himself into exhaustion. If, instead, he started to fight more intelligently, then he could use more jutsus than the Shadow Clone Jutsu to be a real force to be reckoned with.
Just like Sakura, I'd like to him to learn his affinity soon. Shadow Clone Jutsu and stubborn will has gotten him far, but Naruto possesses the ability to become incredibly powerful. As long as he can stay focused.
That left Amari, though she already had her training handled. Fūinjutsu, Sharingan genjutsu, along with Shadow techniques and the physical training she put herself through. As always, Amari was a workaholic.
Was he doing better as a sensei, though? It wasn't an answer that came from a few days of helping out. To become a better sensei was a constant daily challenge, and a challenge he took gladly.
Today, however, he was unsure of what to do. Team Seven were in the midst of finishing up their training, yet something was wrong. Not with him or even Naruto, Sasuke or Sakura. He made his rounds with those three, providing tips or encouragement depending on the situation. While Sakura and Sasuke sparred against Amari's clones, Naruto and a large group of clones climbed trees and meditated on the surface of the nearby stream.
Because they were busy, they didn't notice their balancing point's abnormal level of quiet. Sometimes Amari simply stared off into the great abyss of nothingness. When spoken to she fell into her usual personality, but when in quiet solitude there were those moments where she seemed to check out mentally.
Kakashi understood, for what it was worth. What she and Mimi witnessed together, the death of Lord Third, it all left their marks as painful as the scars of the Lightning Blade. In usual Amari style, she tried to hide it by putting her own internal issues away for the sake of others.
It's been her way since we found her in the forest holding Ryu in her arms. Kakashi lifted his head to stare up at the cloudless sky. Mimi and Amari saw the deaths of many shinobi, both allies and enemies. They heard the sounds of enemy shinobi attacking civilians and witnessed firsthand the chaos of war. All the training in the world can't prepare you for that first experience.
He kept his eye on her since, and the presence of her friends and family had helped keep her moving forward. Still, only a handful of days passed since the invasion. Hardly enough time to fully grieve for Lord Third or fully move past the memories of the war.
But was it Lord Third and the invasion bothering her, or was it something else?
Only one way to find out, he thought before moving to approach her.
"So, how goes contemplating the meaning of life and your place in it?" he asked, voice light in hopes to coax her into opening up.
Amari visibly snapped out of her daze at his voice. She chuckled lightly and shook her head. "Still working on getting my crystal ball to work." Softly, she exhaled through her nose and lowered her gaze to the notes in her lap. "Just wish the day would end," she whispered.
"Oh? What's wrong with today? Not enjoying our August temperatures? Not enough clouds to watch?"
She didn't chuckle or even giggle a little at his joke. She merely raised her eye to the sky, sadness prevalent in the onyx orb. It was enough to tell Kakashi he was getting warmer to the source of her pain.
What about the seventh of August is bothering her? She's never been this way.
Kakashi sat down with his student, pondering over what he may have been missing here. Nothing came to mind. As far as he knew, today was just another ordinary day, with exception to recent events. Could it be she remembered something from her past?
"What's bothering you, Amari?" He rid his voice of his earlier lightness for a lower, caring tone.
For a long silent moment she continued to stare up at the wide open blue sky lacking a single cloud. Would she tell him? Would she brush it off and pretend nothing was wrong? Kakashi didn't know but he would wait as long as it took for her to open up.
Finally, she spoke. "When you guys found me in the forest three years ago…three days before it was my birthday, or the day we celebrated it since we had no way of knowing when I was born." Kakashi waited patiently when she paused. "And the day you guys found me…well, you know what happened."
"Not the happiest memory of me you have, I'm sure," Kakashi tried to tease.
To his surprise, the half Uchiha giggled softly. "Big bad Kakashi-sensei frightened at the sight of a girl with the Sharingan is actually one of my funniest memories of you."
"I was not frightened," he responded, mocking an affronted voice. "What you saw was my surprised face."
She giggled again, in turn making him smile slightly at her. She hadn't finished explaining what was bothering her, but he was happy to help her laugh even a little.
It was a good step.
Amari took a breath, her smile holding firm on her face but shifting towards sorrow. "Atsuko told me today is my birthday…and its only days after the death of Lord Third."
My birthdays are surrounded by the deaths of people I cared for, went unspoken.
"Oh," was his intelligent response.
"Yeah."
No wonder she wanted the day to end, and why she seemed hesitant to even mention it. Knowing Amari, she was overthinking the coincidence of people dying around her birthdays.
And that's all it is, a terrible coincidence.
What could he do to help here?
"Finally a teenager, huh? Any plans for a night on the town doing all the things your sensei and mother will disapprove of?" he quipped. Not his best attempt, but it stalled for time to figure out a better plan.
The jest coaxed a bashful giggle out of her. "I'm only thirteen, Sensei, and that'd be way too troublesome anyways." Kakashi hummed a laugh. "If you guys aren't busy, Mom wanted me to invite you guys over for a team dinner. I have no idea what she is cooking. Troublesome woman said it was a surprise."
There was his opening.
In response, Kakashi ruffled her hair and gave her a closed eyed smile. "Same time as last time?"
Surprise and happiness flashed in her eye. Clearly she wanted to ask but doubted the possibility. There was so much work to be done, it didn't seem like there was any time anymore for personal moments. But it was exactly because of what happened they needed to take these personal moments when they came.
"I- uh…" She nodded. "Yes….thank you."
Again he ruffled her wild blue hair and stood up. "I'll go tell the others so you can pack up." Before he left to do as he said, he turned his gaze back down to the young ninja staring up at him. "If you ever need to talk about something that is bothering you, just remember your team and family will listen."
"I will." Kakashi nodded and turned to go inform the rest of his team they now had dinner plans. He walked a few steps before he heard the faint voice of Amari again. "But they're one and the same to me, Sensei."
He kept walking, a smile beneath his mask. I know how you feel, Amari.
Convincing the others to meet at the Yūhi household for dinner didn't take long, especially with the subtle hint it was a certain Nara's birthday. Naruto about crushed Amari as he hugged and twirled her through the air, cheering happy birthday to her. An entertaining sight, to say the least.
After dismissing his team so they could go wash up, Kakashi headed to his apartment room to do the same. As he cleaned up and got ready his thoughts trailed to his team.
He was proud of them. Proud of their constant growth as individuals, proud of their growth as a team, proud they survived against Gaara. The team that had once only had one of their teammates trying to force them to work together, and failing to do so, had an entire group effort at teamwork, and it was working.
"Kakashi-sensei…it's no big deal. You set me on the right path and taught us the most important lesson of all: teamwork," Sakura's words played through his mind.
The Jōnin wasn't sure he believed her. Maybe he had informed them of the importance of teamwork, but he didn't believe he deserved credit for how they worked now. Maybe he just liked to self-critique himself because of his previous failures and losses.
He sat down on the side of his bed and looked at the two pictures on his nightstand of his Genin team from years ago to the one currently under his command. He wondered how they would have gotten along with them, and if they'd think he was doing a good job.
His eye moved to Obito. You would probably tell me to get the stick out of my ass and be happy for how far they've come, he thought, lips upturning in a small smile. I think you would have liked Naruto the most, Obito, though your personalities would mix together like oil and water. He chuckled. You two do share the same dream after all. To become Hokage. Yeah, Naruto would've been your secret favorite.
His eye moved to the sole kunoichi of their team, her smile and the purple markings on her cheeks. Rin, I think if you were still here you would scold Amari the most. Not because she misbehaves or acts arrogantly, but because she always works so hard and doesn't take too much time for herself. I should probably help her with that, shouldn't I?
Another way to do better by his students.
And I think you would know what to say at times like these when she needs emotional support. Between the two, though, I think you would have taken Sakura under your wing. She could have learned a lot from you.
Finally he looked at his sensei. And Minato-sensei…
Yeah, his sensei would be proud of the team.
For a while he sat there, staring at the two pictures, thinking about his old team. When the time finally came to be fashionably late, he took his leave of the pictures and headed back out into the village. Hands in pockets, he strolled leisurely through the quiet streets towards his destination.
Once he reached the Yūhi household, he knocked lightly on the door. He had just enough time to blink before the door opened; Amari or Kurenai no doubt sensed his presence. Amari stood on the opposite side, the pain and sadness absent in her heterochromia eyes. She wore a loose fuchsia top with her mesh long sleeve underneath, hiding the scars on her arm.
"Late as always," she jested as she ushered him.
"Fashionably late," he retorted.
"There is no such thing."
Dinner came and went with his team eating first and then moving into the living room to play a game of cards while he ate his meal alone. Old habits die hard. Throughout the night he could see the spark of life returning into Amari's eyes as she and the others laughed, debated and had fun together.
Their happiness left Kakashi with a warm feeling in his heart. These kids, they were precious to him. They were a family, a dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless.
"Thank you." Kakashi paused in cleaning his dish at the sound of Kurenai's voice. Turning off the water and turning to face her, he found the mother giving him a warm smile paired with grateful eyes.
"For washing my dish? It's the least I could," he jested lightly.
Kurenai rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You know what I mean, Kakashi."
He hummed softly and finished washing his dish off. Once done, he turned back to face her, though Kurenai's feature turned more earnest. "I mean it Kakashi, thank you," she spoke quietly to ensure the others wouldn't hear her. "When she learned it from Atsuko, she had been happy, but it steadily became what it did. I've been worried about her all day."
"All I did was tell the others you were cooking food. It was you who invited us over," he deflected.
Kurenai smiled. "I suppose I have spoiled all of you with how Amari talks about my cooking. I'm sure if I started cooking ramen, Naruto would come over every night. He'd probably even drag Sasuke with him."
"Sounds like Naruto," Kakashi agreed, chuckling softly at the truthful statement.
The two boys were still rooming with one another at the moment; there really hadn't been time yet to help them move out. That or the two were doing better as roommates than he had anticipated.
Stranger things have happened.
"Come." Kurenai nodded her head for him to follow her. "The kids are about to start their last game of cards and they wanted one game with you."
"Or are you just trying to prove your dominance in a game of cards over my own?"
She smirked cockily at him. "Scared, Kakashi? I didn't think you'd be worried about losing a game of cards to me in front of your students."
Did she really have to stoop to going after my ego to get me to play? It was damned effective. "Fine," he sighed dramatically and followed the woman into the living room to join his students in a game of cards.
Unfortunately for all of Team Seven, Kurenai was still better at twenty-one than they were. Their resolute defeat didn't hamper the good mood of the night. The two Jōnin soaked up the laughter and smiles of the four kids, smiling at the return of life into their eyes after their harrowing experiences.
Although Kakashi had harbored doubts about how much good he had done as a sensei, there was one fact he knew for certain.
There really was no other team he would have ever asked for.
The chime of a bell, hung from a hat, jingled in the wind as the shinobi walked on the empty road towards their destination.
Soon they would reach Konoha.
Soon he would see his home again.
Important Note: Next week I'll be away on a family vacation, so there won't be an update next Friday. However I will be back to regular posting schedule the week after, on Friday the 12th of July. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Review response to ChillinInKonoha: Interesting theories on how their encounter will go. There will be a few twists, some of which I wonder if anyone will see coming. I'm looking forward to posting it when I come back and look forward to everyone's responses to it. Thank you for the review!