Chapter 61

Late Night Visit: Tears of Shinobi

Night had long since fallen over Konoha. Most civilians of the recovering village sat tucked away in the safety of their homes, searching for the precious hours of sleep spared to them between now and the morning when reconstruction and business resumed.

Work was ongoing. It was always ongoing. Every day the people of Konoha woke up to the never-ending reality of surviving Orochimaru's nightmare. Backbreaking work, reconstruction, accidents—Konoha's road of recovery was a long one, bathed in the sweat of hard labor as they walked a treacherous road where valleys and potholes attempted to throw them off course.

Would it ever end? Or would another tragedy strike before they could recover from the last? Time would tell. Tragedy never stopped the sands of time before—it wouldn't stop now. Only their hard work could fix the damage. Only their vigilance could prevent a future attack.

And only time could heal the pain of loss.

Few of the Leaf's population lingered outside of their homes. Some chose to seek peace or revelry at one of the taverns, others sought pleasure at the few adult-only businesses to survive the Invasion. Regardless of where they chose, those particular businesses were in higher demand than the movie adaptation of Make-Out Paradise.

However, despite these few stragglers, the majority of Leaf inhabitants awake at this hour were on-duty shinobi. Chūnin and Jōnin patrolled all throughout the Village at full alert. They hid among the shadows or materialized from them to send people home before the curfew began.

A curfew, he mused. It had been a long time since one was put into effect. The last one in recent memory happened in the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre.

Some may find it unfair or inconvenient, but life was full of unfairness and inconvenience. Best get used to it.

In this fragile time, all civilians and young shinobi without guardians or missions were required to stay indoors when the curfew began. This ensured only Leaf patrols inhabited the Village, making it so any invader intent on attacking under the cover of darkness stuck out like a refreshing bathhouse in the middle of a lifeless desert.

It was for everyone's safety. Hopefully those affected would see that.

On this late star covered night, a member of the Leaf Anbu sat on the windowsill of a moonlit hospital room. Listening. Watching. Relaxing, if only a little bit.

During the day he merged with the darkest shadows, melding into the very walls of this room where none—save a Hyūga or keen Sensory Type—could see him. The fall of night granted only a slight reprieve, allowing him to take in some fresh air and relax. Never, though, did he lower his guard. Even when he relaxed the Anbu kept his senses sharpened.

Comrades of his lost their lives on the last hospital protection detail because they lowered their guard. He would not repeat their mistake.

The Anbu agent's left foot rested on the sill, the leg bent towards him to prop his left arm up as his right leg dangled on the inside of the room. From this relaxed position, his peripherals could catch any movement from either side of him. Should such an unwise course of action happen now, he was fully prepared to intercept them.

As a cool breeze brushed up against the thinly veiled curtains and his body, the Anbu agent exhaled a comfortable sigh; winter was only a few months away, the caress seemed to say. He wondered if they would see much snow this year.

Overall, this job wasn't so bad. The two shinobi under his guard offered no struggle or complaints to his constant shadowing, although they weren't really in a position to say much of anything to him.

Unconscious shinobi didn't talk much.

His mission was to keep them well-protected from any enemy, whether foreign or homegrown, who sought to kill or kidnap his charges—a mission he took seriously.

To complete his mission as effectively as possible, the cat-masked Anbu agent learned the names and faces of assigned doctors and nurses with authorization to their rooms. He learned their schedules. He timed their interactions with their unconscious patients. Examined their mannerisms down to the smallest of idiosyncrasies.

Any decent shinobi could transform into another person. It took an elite to mimic every mannerism and idiosyncrasy an individual possessed authentically, and even then there would be mistakes. Pretending to be an enemy wasn't easy when their allies knew them well.

With his wealth of time, patience and knowledge in these walls, the smallest mistake would stick out to his eyes, and then the invader would die. Simple. Clean. Not a single soul in these walls would even know it happened.

He even went as far as to research their visitors, a list luckily limited to family, teammates and a handful of close friends. Some might see his actions as overly cautious; however, with the gravity of the situation at hand, anything less than the highest of security and scrutiny guaranteed tragedy.

This mission, the safety of his comrades, it was entrusted to him and him alone by none other than Shikaku Nara—the Jōnin Commander of the Leaf's forces.

In ordinary times, at least two squads of Anbu would be deployed for this mission—one team for each shinobi. Of course these were not ordinary times. Konoha's regular shinobi forces took the brunt of the Invasion, and Anbu hadn't fared much better.

Squads of Anbu patrolling the Exam arena and the borders were eliminated by Kabuto Yakushi before the Invasion began. Orochimaru's henchman had his hands soaked in the blood of his comrades. He masqueraded as a nobody. An annoying gnat. But that kid, he was more than just some average Genin. More than a gnat.

Regardless, recent events left their forces spread too thin on both sides. He, however, would be more than enough to guard the two wielders of the Sharingan from any sort of threat.

You see, he had a very special set of skills. Skills that allowed him to watch after both of his charges simultaneously. Skills that could and would end any entity to bring ill-intentions into these rooms.

The necessity of this mission was not lost on him. Unbeknownst to the everyday civilian and average ninja, three S-rank criminals infiltrated their home.

This secret, kept between only the highest rank shinobi and those involved, could not become common knowledge. If word spread their walls were infiltrated yet again so soon after the Invasion, panic would spread. Especially if it became common knowledge no one—not even the Anbu—knew of the intrusion until after the initial incident ended.

What was worse, two of the infiltrators used to be Leaf shinobi.

They used to be his comrades.

Itachi Uchiha and Aimi Uchiha. The cat-masked Anbu knew those names well. Comrades turned rogue shinobi. Friends who became enemies.

They managed to sneak in with ease. If they had all attacked at full power, who knows what kind of damage they may have caused.

It showed the Anbu agent there were, unfortunately, more holes in their defenses than they had the manpower to cover. Shinobi of their level were an even greater danger to the Leaf in their current state.

For that very reason, Konoha's Anbu agents were needed out there, in the shadows of the frontlines watching for threats.

Although he desired to contribute to those efforts, he was needed here to protect Kakashi Hatake and his student. For power seekers, traitors or dangerous enemies, these two shinobi were sitting ducks. Their lives, their Sharingans and the girl's Byakugan made an enticing prize for the weak willed.

Kakashi Hatake was known throughout the ninja world for his skills and his Sharingan eye. If someone were to find out he was incapacitated, if they knew they possessed the skill to infiltrate the Leaf… The thought demanded caution.

Then there is his student. The Anbu agent turned his head to look at the bed she currently occupied. This small child is of Uchiha and Nara blood. I admit, when Shikaku first told me I had to guard her I couldn't comprehend why at first. I understood that she was Kakashi's student and that whoever forced him into the hospital did the same to her, but…

He turned his head to look back out at the star covered sky, their conversation returning to his thoughts.

"What I'm about to tell you is classified on the highest levels," Shikaku said as he handed him the dossier for the mission.

He took it from the Jōnin Commander and opened it to find six sheets of paper, each with a small picture held by a paperclip in the top right corner. The first page held information on the current status and statistical information of the ninja in the picture, Kakashi Hatake.

The cat-masked Anbu didn't need to read it to know the man. They were well-acquainted already.

He turned to the second page, finding the shinobi identification of a young girl with wild blue hair and a purple bandana covering her left eye.

Amaririsu Yūhi? A student of Kakashi's team, and quite skilled for a Genin according to these charts. He turned his eyes back to the bandana over her eye. Odd she wears that the same way as Kakashi.

He shrugged internally and let it go. Both were marked as incapacitated. I'll be their guard detail then, but how were they incapacitated and who am I guarding them from?

He knew the answer was likely in this folder somewhere so he turned to the next page. The face that stared back at him paralyzed him. It…it can't be.

"Yesterday," Shikaku spoke up, "our village was infiltrated by three S-rank ninjas. Itachi Uchiha was one of them."

The cat-masked Anbu couldn't believe it, or didn't want to.

Itachi Uchiha…

Yes, this made a lot more sense now. There weren't many ninjas who could go toe to toe with Kakashi Hatake and leave him incapacitated. Itachi Uchiha was one of those shinobi. Seeing his face again, it left a knot of complicated emotions in his gut.

How could his comrade sink so low?

He turned the page to the next enemy, away from his former comrade. Away from the past. A blue face greeted him. This one did not catch him as off guard as the last had.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, the Scourge of the Hidden Mist," he read the name aloud.

"Yes. He was once part of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and still wields the sword Samehada."

The Anbu agent hummed and turned the page. The next picture made the air in his lungs disperse in a gasp. "Aimi Uchiha? That…She's…"

"Still very alive," Shikaku said stoically. "And even more dangerous than before."

All this time he believed Itachi and his little brother were the only survivors, but Aimi too? She was alive? It shouldn't have surprised him; Aimi and Itachi rose to prominence together, and those who knew them could see their connection to one another.

Another comrade to betray the Leaf. Another friend to submerge herself into darkness.

"They infiltrated our village in search for Naruto Uzumaki, but came upon resistance in the form of Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yūhi, and Asuma Sarutobi. From the reports I received from Kurenai and Asuma, they were lucky to have survived the encounter."

"Lucky?"

The question came out with more disbelief than what was appropriate when speaking to a superior. But those three ninja were some of their best Jōnin. Surely luck alone wasn't all that saved them.

"Itachi Uchiha's prowess with the Sharingan has grown substantially since his days as a Konoha shinobi, and Aimi's talents are as sublime as ever. However, the condition Kakashi and 'Risu have been put in was a result of a Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu Itachi used against them. It was a technique even a master of genjutsu like Kurenai couldn't have countered."

The girl's sudden nickname caught him off guard, but he let it be. "What happened?"

"From what we've pieced together, the Sharingan genjutsu was used to torture Kakashi in some form for two full days in a mere second. Kakashi called it hell. The result is his current condition: a coma-like state our medic-nins don't have the talent to fix."

Two days of torture…in a second? And none of our medical-ninjas have been able to do anything to wake him up?

That was one powerful genjutsu.

"So that's how he ended up in the hospital."

"Yes. Had it not been for his student, Itachi would have put him through another day of torture."

The cat-masked Anbu's eyes bulged behind his mask as he quickly flipped back to the blue-haired child. She broke a genjutsu of that level? Sure she shared the Yūhi name, but apparently not even her mother could break the genjutsu.

"How did she release the genjutsu? If Kurenai Yūhi couldn't break it…"

"As I said earlier, what I'm about to tell you is classified on the highest levels. You will speak of this to no one. Understood?"

The Anbu agent nodded.

"That child," Shikaku lifted his chin at the papers, "she is not of Yūhi blood. Her true heritage is of two separate Clans, the Nara and the Uchiha—she is my niece's daughter. She also wields a Byakugan eye under that bandana you were scrutinizing."

"Uchiha?" the Anbu gasped. Then the rest of the statement hit him. "Wait a minute. She's Miyako Nara's daughter?"

This child was the daughter of a legend among the Anbu? The daughter of one of the Hokage's trusted guards? Talk about a well-kept secret.

Shikaku nodded. "On the night of the massacre, 'Yako apparently left 'Risu in the Nara forest. Alone. That's what 'Risu remembers, at least. As far as any of us knew, Itachi and Sasuke were the only Uchiha's to survive that night. Obviously the official report is wrong otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation."

He sensed the suspicion in his superior. "You think we were lied to," he stated rather than asked.

"I'm not sure yet. But it's all too smooth. Too perfect. Too clean. At least it was before 'Risu and Aimi returned. They've complicated the narrative. Or, perhaps, they've peeled back the illusion just enough for pieces of reality to slip through."

The Nara shrugged. "Regardless, after the deed was done Itachi kidnapped 'Risu and left her at an orphanage. We don't know why, but it's clear to those of us involved she was inevitably meant to return to the Leaf. He has some plan for her. Maybe he plans to try to turn her. Maybe he plans to steal her eyes now that he's forced her to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Shikaku shook his head, frustrated. "I can't say with certainty what his motives are, not yet, but I can say he did spare her for a reason."

"I…see."

"Itachi is not the only one whose motives we are unsure of. There is another," Shikaku said.

The Anbu nodded and flipped through the pages until he reached the last picture. His stomach dropped. You've got to be kidding. Orochimaru too?

"Prior to the invasion, Orochimaru attacked her team in the Forest of Death. He claimed she was a pawn he had no use for, but there is no such thing as a pawn Orochimaru cannot find a purpose for. Sasuke Uchiha and Amaririsu Yūhi are both wielders of Sharingan, and that dōjutsu is something he covets with an obsessive passion," Shikaku explained.

The Nara crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the desk, troubled by the situation. "We can't take any chances while the Leaf is weakened. If Itachi's group, an agent of Orochimaru's or anyone else seeking the Sharingan or Byakugan infiltrates our village, we need to be ready."

"I understand," the Anbu agent stated, closing the dossier and setting it back on the desk.

"Good," Shikaku said as he uncrossed his arms and picked up the dossier. "You are to guard Kakashi Hatake and Amaririsu Yūhi until they are cleared for duty or you are otherwise called off by me."

"Yes sir."

"And one last thing." The Nara's eyes became deadly. "Beware of the Foundation. Don't let them near 'Risu or Kakashi."

The Anbu felt steel strengthen his spine at the warning. "So, he's after her, too, huh?" The masked shinobi nodded. "Don't worry. None of his agents will get past me."

The memory faded when the cat-masked Anbu agent's ears picked up the sound of the door sliding open.

Only an elite shinobi could have made it this far.

He quickly faded into the surface of the wall with the Hiding in Surface Technique and resumed his mission.

Kurenai, dressed in her red mesh armor blouse and ninja gear, entered her daughter's hospital room with a sluggish gate to her otherwise silent steps. Normal visiting hours were over, of course. But the mother didn't care. Her latest mission kept her far from home—far from her daughter—for the last week.

She needed to see her little one, even if she was unconscious.

Her tired red eyes scanned the darkened, sterile room, trailing first to the open window that poured glowing moonlight onto the reflective, cold tile floor beneath her.

The elongated rectangle of light was surrounded by shadows; the curtain's shadow danced on the floor when caught by the breeze while the other shadows watched. Unmoved. Submerging the rest of the room and its occupants in strict darkness.

The window was left open by order of Atsuko and Shikaku for the Crow protection unit—a unit which Atsuko led, though few realized the true purpose of the order.

Then Kurenai's narrowed eyes flicked to the Anbu agent concealed within the wall. He hid his presence well. However, a protective Mother Bear with keen sensory abilities investigated every shadow when her cub was hurt.

So, Shikaku found a trustworthy shinobi to guard Amari and Kakashi.

He mentioned his plan when they last spoke.

"I trust Atsuko and the Crows with 'Risu's life, but we can't be too careful with the Foundation. At this point, it's all too possible he suspects her identity, if not knows it."

Shikaku scratched at his goatee, thoughtful eyes sharpened to mimic a katana. Kurenai couldn't recall him ever wearing such a severe and deadly expression. "It never made sense that 'Yako and Kiyoshi were eliminated by Itachi. Not even Itachi and Aimi could have killed them together—that's how powerful they were."

He shook his head. "For a long time I thought it was just my grief making me irrational. However, the information Shisui provided has changed everything. It's given me the pieces to this puzzle I was always missing. I can finally see the bigger picture. And I don't like it."

"Neither do I," she agreed. "What do you think we should do about the Foundation?"

"We must be cautious and heed Shisui's warnings. Patience will be our ally. He said the key would become available in time, right?"

"Yes."

Shikaku nodded. "Then we prepare for that day. We may not be able to act now without consequences, but there are preparations we can make that will help. Vigilance is just as necessary as patience, after all."

He clutched his chin in thought. "There are a few individuals within the Anbu I trust implicitly. Unfortunately we can't spare too many of them to guard 'Risu and Kakashi, not without risking our borders or drawing attention to ourselves, so I'll pick one who can guard them both—unofficially."

"Thank you, Shikaku."

"You don't need to thank me, Kurenai. We lost 'Risu once already. We won't lose her again."

No, they would not.

A cool breeze drifted into the room, rustling the thin curtain. The shadows danced again.

Kurenai shifted her eyes over to her unconscious daughter. Her bed was neatly made around her motionless body. Fresh amaryllis flowers splashed a little color into the room, while a shogi board with its pieces neatly settled in preparation for a new game sat alone on the other side.

Seems Sakura and Shikamaru have kept their visits frequent, she thought, a small smile forming on her lips. Amari will probably call them troublesome for visiting when she isn't even conscious, but deep down she will appreciate it. I know I do.

Kurenai strode across the room, stopping briefly to take in the beautiful night sky. Stars twinkled and shimmered against the black canvas. Each little light was like a miniature revolution against darkness. Infinite darkness may surround them, and they may appear small or insignificant to the void they dotted, but the twinkling stars refused to be snuffed out.

Because sooner or later the sun would rise again, and the darkness would be defeated.

Exhaling a calm breath, Kurenai turned away and strode over to the empty stool placed next to the bed.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around, little one," she spoke in a hushed voice, as if speaking louder might wake her. She settled down onto the stool then reached forward, clasping her daughter's hand in-between both of hers. She shut her eyes, darkening her primary sense not to listen, but to feel the slight heartbeat in her daughter's hand.

Lub-dup. Lub-dup. Lub-dup.

Faint. Hard to feel without adding a little pressure, but it soothed the mother.

Her daughter was still here. Still alive.

"But you're still holding strong, I see," she murmured.

Thank you.

It felt like months since the fight with Itachi, Aimi and Kisame. A millennium since she last heard her daughter's voice. Witnessed her smile. Called something or someone troublesome. But it hadn't been a millennium. It hadn't even been a month.

Two and a half weeks. What felt like months and years wasn't even three full weeks, and in that time nothing had changed with Amari's or Kakashi's condition.

"To heal an injury like this, I don't think any average doctor or medic-nin can do anything about it. You'd need a master of Medical Ninjutsu who knows how to heal psychological trauma."

A harsh reality they couldn't escape.

Kurenai worried for Team Seven. Prior to that battle, Kakashi seemed almost unbeatable from their experiences. To them he was a man who would always come out on top to fulfill his promise to protect his comrades, partnered with his signature eye smile.

…Yet their protector fell in combat. And none of them were able to do anything to help. They could only learn secondhand of the trauma he suffered, finally seeing with their own eyes that Kakashi—like every shinobi—was fallible. Mortal. Human.

The next blow to their hearts was Amari. Their teammate. Their balancing point. Their friend and clan-sister. But Amari did more than succumb to the powerful foe to defeat her mentor; Amari, running on minimal chakra and sheer willpower, sacrificed herself to save Sasuke and Naruto.

All three bore witness to her lifeless state. They'd known Amari to always stand up, no matter how hurt she was. In the Forest of Death against Orochimaru, against the Sound Genin, through her fight against Hisashi and Mimi into the Invasion, Amari fought through fatigue and pain unimaginable to succeed.

This time, though, she did not stand again. This time Amari was defeated. Broken in body and spirit.

Helplessness. Despair. Weakness. These emotions could attach themselves to the young Genins like parasites if they were not careful. Loss was hard on its own. Sacrifice was a different animal altogether.

"Thank you for being my mom. Thank you for giving me a life worth living. Thank you for giving your love to a broken and hurting girl in her greatest time of need. I love you. Please, no matter how this ends, please don't blame yourselves. This is my choice. My path."

Blades punctured Kurenai's heart. She clenched her daughter's hand tightly, jaw tightening as she battled with emotions she had suffocated since that day. They scratched and clawed at her. Screaming in muffled voices she tried to suppress.

There were no more smiles or laughter in the Yūhi household. No warm words or warmer embraces. No affectionate pokes to the forehead or closed eyed smiles.

The Yūhi household sat empty, because it didn't feel like home anymore. It was only a house. A building. A shelter. But walls, roofs and appliances did not make a home. Home was a feeling, and until her daughter returned, the Yūhi household would lack what turned her house into a home.

Anko, Asuma, Team Eight and even Shikaku did their best to support her. To provide normalcy or comfort. Anko, particularly, tried her best to make Kurenai smile in their sparse meetings since that day.

She's a wonderful friend, but…

But nothing anyone could say, nothing anyone could do, would take away this guilt and agony gnawing chunks out of her heart and soul. Grief and guilt did not relinquish their holds so easily.

How close was I to losing you, Amari? How close did I come to losing you to the Curse of Hatred or Itachi because of my inability to protect you?

The black chakra, the turmoil she felt within it, she could still feel it. The hatred and heartbreak in Amari's red eye and on her face attacked her memories relentlessly. As streams of tears poured down her face, the deep ravines of hatred tugged her daughter further and further away until only a stranger remained.

Then she was crying. Sobbing so painfully into the chest of her cousin.

Kurenai grit her teeth. The memories were so vivid and tangible. She was there again. No, she never left.

I'm sorry, little one.

The headband around her neck felt heavier than it should. It shouldn't be around her neck. It should be around Amari's. But…

"I love you, Mom. Never forget that."

In that moment, the feelings she spent two and a half weeks suppressing won the war. The dam she built to hold back her tears shattered. Burning streams cascaded over the rubble, gliding down her cheeks to drip off her chin.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you when you needed me most," she cried in a whisper.

The emotions crashed and exploded within her body. Silent, ragged sobs left her body quaking and trembling.

Even now I can hear your sobs in my dreams as the fight is reenacted from start to finish. Kurenai choked out a harsh sob. And even in my dreams I can't do anything to protect you!

Again and again she watched, helpless as her daughter fell in battle. She couldn't protect her. She couldn't save her. Not in her dreams or in reality. Amari was always beyond her reach. So close, yet never close enough for her to scoop her up and save her from herself or their enemies.

"I love you, Mom."

Her acidic tears burned her eyes and her skin. Tremors of turmoil refused to cease. She hunched forward, holding on tightly to the warm, little hand of her daughter.

"I am- I am so sorry, little one!" she sobbed.

Her heart ached terribly in her chest. Every pulsation tightened the razor wire wrapped around her heart. The tight feeling in her chest never ceased. She was drowning. Suffocating. Air may fill her lungs, but she couldn't breathe.

Please…let me see you alive again. Even if you never forgive me for what happened…please…you have to live. You have to. She shook her head as a broken sob escaped her. I'm begging you, little one. Don't leave me behind like this!

She…she couldn't even bear to think about burying her daughter. Of standing at her grave, mourning her. Thinking of what kind of life her daughter may have lived. Of the missed moments she would never get to see; moments like her finally hitting that growth spurt her daughter was dying for, or the first romantic partner she introduced her to.

Amari was barely thirteen years old. She'd barely lived. Barely had a chance to chase her dream to find peace and love. She was still only a child. Her little shadow. Her little one.

Parents weren't meant to outlive their children. But…

"I- I almost lost you," her voice broke, tangled up in heartache.

And it frightened her. It was breaking her down and tearing her apart.

She just wanted this nightmare to end already. To wake up and see her little one's bright smile again. To come home and find her training or excitedly greeting her with a hug, even if she'd only been gone a few hours.

But the nightmare refused to release her. It haunted her footsteps. It left her hollow inside. Hardly a spark or a fire left of her Will remained. Only darkness. Only emptiness. How could it be anything else when Amari was her world?

"You thanked me for being your mother, but I never thanked you for being my daughter." Tears dripped off her chin into her lap. Her voice barely reached a whisper. "Thank you, little one. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for being my daughter. You have been and always will be the greatest gift in my life."

She shut her eyes against the fog of tears, renewing the warm rivers of sorrow. "I love you so much. Please…come back to me. I don't want to lose you."

Many painful and tearful minutes passed in silence, all save the choked sobs and sobbed apologies of a mother who could not save her daughter. Many long minutes she spent letting go of the restraints and strength used to mask her pain.

Tonight she couldn't be the shinobi. Tonight she could only be a heartbroken parent.

"You should be at home resting after such a taxing mission, Lady Kurenai," a soft, soothing feminine voice called to her as she began to pull together after being torn apart.

Kurenai whirled around to see Atsuko perched on the windowsill.

"Atsuko?"

She could not say how long the Head of the Crows had been present for, but she supposed it didn't matter now. Her sniffles and the fresh tears streaking her face painted the scene well enough without words.

"It was an A-rank mission, was it not?" the Crow asked, warm and sympathetic.

"Uh…yes. It was." The Genjutsu Master wiped the tears on her sleeve. "I'm sorry, I was just—"

"You have nothing to apologize for, Lady Kurenai, nor should you feel any shame for shedding tears for someone you love or the pain that lies within your heart."

Atsuko flew effortlessly from the windowsill to the edge of Amari's bed. Another tear escaped Kurenai, breath shaking as she inhaled. She didn't bother to wipe it away.

"I have witnessed shinobi from Genin's to Hokage's shed tears as they cried in joy, in pain, in love, and in grief."

Atsuko turned her downcast eyes onto her fallen companion. "…There truly is no greater pain than being unable to protect who and what you love. It is a pain I am all too familiar with."

She sighed and turned her gaze back to Kurenai. "Young Haya would not want you blaming yourself for what happened. I know these words alone will not erase the guilt you bear in your heart. If words alone could do such a thing, my heart would not be burdened by my failure to protect her family…but…"

Atsuko paused and slowly swiveled her head to look at Amari again.

"But?"

"So long as Young Haya lives, we have not failed. Our promise to protect her has not been rendered meaningless. It remains intact. She is not lost, Lady Kurenai. She is here. Safe. Home."

Atsuko's reassurance applied a warm salve to her wounded heart.

The Crow returned her gaze to the woman. "It is true we both wish we could have prevented this situation altogether; we do not wish Young Haya to suffer any more than she already has, nor do we wish for her to acquire more scars to bear. However, we cannot allow this moment to destroy us, for it will not destroy her.

"This incident will only strengthen her resolve. That is simply who Young Haya is. So let us follow your daughter's example and stand again so that we may walk beside her on the path she walks."

Like a spark to oil, a small flame reignited within the mother's heart. A small revolution against the darkness she'd fallen prey to.

They hadn't lost Amari, not yet. She was still holding on, and that meant Kurenai couldn't and wouldn't give up hope.

She rested her hand back onto her daughter's and began rubbing her thumb across the back of it. Stay strong for me, little one.

The Jōnin wiped her last tear away with her sleeve covered wrist then released a sigh. "You're right, but…I can't shake this feeling of failure."

The pain lingered. She wasn't sure if it would ever retreat, at least not until her daughter could hug her again.

"Shisui did not see it in such a light and neither will Young Haya."

Kurenai hummed.

"Don't blame yourself for anything that happens here," Shisui spoke again. "We Uchiha are a stubborn bunch when it comes to protecting our loved ones. Haya knew what she was getting into when she came looking for you."

She had held onto his confident proclamation since that day. Doubt, however, never ceased prodding at her conscious.

"…Do you think he was right? Did Amari know what she was getting into?" she asked.

Atsuko nodded sharply. "Yes. Young Haya knew from the moment she disobeyed my order what potential consequences she faced. And, as you said, I believe she realized when Aimi found her that this," she motioned to Amari with her wing, "was the inevitable conclusion. If Shisui believed it, then I will defer to his judgement. He knew the depths of her heart as if they were his own."

The Crow met her eyes. "But, then, so do you. Search beyond the pain in your heart and tell me what you feel."

"I…" Kurenai paused and looked away.

Did she really believe Amari knew what she was getting into? That she knew this was the inevitable conclusion?

"Even though she can be stubborn and reckless, I've never known Amari to act without reason." Her hand paused it's gentle, soothing circles. Softened red eyes fell onto her daughter. "Amari followed the path she believed was best. Even at the very end, even when she was at her limit, she did everything she could to fulfill her promise of protection to us and her teammates. And that's why…"

Her jaw tightened in struggle. However the struggle died quickly, and as it did a tear trailed down her cheek. "And that's why I'm proud of her. She was so brave, Atsuko. She faced certain death without flinching. Without fear. All to protect us. And she fought with such tenacity."

The small, malnourished, fragile girl they found in that forest wouldn't have recognized the kunoichi who battled that day. She would have been in awe. Inspired by the stranger's ferocity and conviction to protect those she loved, never realizing it was the girl she would become.

Her daughter had grown so much. How could she not be proud of her?

"I am proud of her, too. But she must grow stronger."

Kurenai nodded slowly and wiped her eyes again. It was clear now more than ever that the road ahead of Amari was far more dangerous than any of them ever anticipated.

Before recent events, the threats to her daughter were only those who would try to steal her eyes and Kasai. But now those threats seemed so small in comparison to the Akatsuki and Orochimaru.

Even so, I don't want her to underestimate Kasai whenever she does fight him again. I want her to be ready so she can fulfill her promise to Ryu and be relieved of its burden in their next meeting.

The red eyed woman sighed. "I do not know what the future holds for her, but I can see it will not be easy." Her features softened as she looked at her daughter. "She carries a great weight on her shoulders for one so young, yet I know she'll continue to push forward. It's who she is."

I miss you. Her thumb began to rub the circles again. I can't walk your path for you, but I will do everything in my power to become strong enough to support and protect you while you walk it.

"In any event," Atsuko spoke up, "I have information for you regarding Naruto's progress."

Surprise filled the Genjutsu Master. "You know where Naruto is?" she asked, hopeful it would be good news.

"Of course," the Head of the Crows hummed in amusement. "We Crows are plentiful, and the Land of Fire is our natural environment. Blending in is but a game for us. I even have my agents watching you, Lady Kurenai."

Her eyebrows rose in shock. "You have Crows watching me?"

"How else would I know of your mission, hmm?" Atsuko teased.

"But…why?"

"Young Haya treasures you, Lady Kurenai," Atsuko answered in a soft and gentle voice. "I am not watching you because I do not trust you, or because I believe you are not skilled enough to defend yourself. On the contrary, I trust you implicitly with Young Haya's safety as her mother and as an elite of the Leaf.

"But Itachi's Crows took us by surprise. That will not happen again. If anyone dares to attack you or anyone else Young Haya considers family again, they will know the full wrath of the crows."

"Sounds frightening," she jested lightly, the smallest of smiles forming.

Atsuko hummed humorously. "It should. None have survived it."

"Thank you," Kurenai bowed her head.

"You do not need to thank me. You are family, Lady Kurenai."

Those simple words warmed her heart. Did I adopt you into my family, little one, she mused, or did you adopt me into yours?

She was grateful regardless.

"As for Naruto, he has been training hard while Master Jiraiya searches high and low for Lady Tsunade without luck." Her heart began to sink at the news. "Until three days ago that is."

Just like that, her hopes were rekindled. Kurenai felt a genuine smile begin to form on her lips.

Naruto…

"Where are they?"

"They have recently arrived in Tanzaku Town."

She hummed and cast a glance out the window to the world of night beyond this moonlit room. That's a long way from Konoha. No wonder it's taken them so long. Even if you took out all the time Master Jiraiya has taken to search for her, walking that distance with breaks in between would take at least a week.

"Are they on their way back yet?" she asked curiously, turning her head back to Atsuko.

"Unfortunately not. According to my agent, Lady Tsunade has challenged Naruto to a bet that expires this coming Sunday, four days from today. If he cannot succeed in learning an incredibly difficult jutsu, she will not return."

Before the red eyed woman could feel disheartened, Atsuko's eyes gleamed with mirth. "But Lady Tsunade is the Legendary Sucker and does not recognize a fools bet when she sees one. My agent reports he is getting closer each day to completion. I have no doubt he will succeed by the weeks end."

"I swear I'll bring back Lady Tsunade to help, Kurenai-sensei."

Kurenai smiled. Thank you, Naruto. I can see why Hinata and Amari adore you in their own special ways. What was your nindo again? You never give up or go back on your word? Stick to it. It could very well lead you to becoming Hokage someday.

"There is something that troubles me, however," Atsuko said slowly. "My agent informed me that Tanzaku Castle has been destroyed recently, as in within the day Naruto and Jiraiya arrived. They have not picked up any sign of the source, but—"

Flapping wings and a piercing cry cut off Atsuko. The pair turned to the source—a hawk perched on the windowsill with a carrier pack on. It took only a moment for Kurenai to recognize him.

"Kaito?"

He let out another cry.

"Kaito?" Atsuko questioned. "Is that not the bird Young Haya uses to remain in contact with the boy named Haku?"

"It is." Kurenai stood up from the stool and strode slowly over to the bird. "Kaito, do you have a letter for Amari?" He dipped his head in a nod. "I see. She was rendered unconscious two and a half weeks ago."

He shrieked twice. Kurenai winced.

Ah, so this was why Amari said he needed to learn volume control.

"He says he knows. He felt a disturbance in their connection," Atsuko translated.

Surprised, Kurenai peered curiously back at the Head of the Crows. "You can understand him?"

"You cannot?" Atsuko retorted in jest.

Kurenai breathed out a chuckle and shook her head. I guess I had that one coming. She held up her mesh sleeve covered right arm as she stopped near the messenger bird. "Would you like to see her?"

Kaito answered by hopping up to her arm, allowing her to transport him to the bed. While she sat back down on the stool, the hawk moved onto the bed to observe the young girl. He twisted and turned his head inquisitively, remaining utterly silent the entire time.

Finally, he met Kurenai's eyes then let out a cry before pecking at the pack on his back.

"I carry a letter of great importance. It must reach Kakashi Hatake's hands," Atsuko provided.

"Isn't it from Haku? Shouldn't it be private?" Kurenai asked.

Kaito 'spoke' directly to Atsuko this time. The Crow listened intently, though the sudden bulge of her eyes made Kurenai a little restless.

"Is this some sort of prank? How did you come by this information?" Kaito cried again. "I see. Kakashi was rendered unconscious by the same person who incapacitated Young Haya."

Kaito looked at Kurenai, cried then pecked at his back again.

"What is it, Atsuko?"

"There is one letter from Haku. However there is also a second letter, and it's intended recipient was meant to be Kakashi. Considering his condition, you are the only other person he can trust with its contents. And the letter…it comes directly from the Mizukage—the Fifth Mizukage."

Kurenai's eyes widened. Well, this was certainly a turn of events she didn't expect today.

A direct message from the Fifth Mizukage? Why are they messaging Kakashi? And what happened to the Fourth?

There was only one way to find out and she wasn't going to waste time with it.

Kurenai procured the letters from the pack, seeking to find which belonged to Haku and which belonged to the Mizukage. When she found the Mizukage's official stamp on one, she gasped. "This is…legitimate."

Kaito shrieked. Again she winced.

"I will ignore your tone, but I will not stand for you speaking that way to Lady Kurenai."

Another cry, softer and possibly confused.

Atsuko leveled the hawk with a heated glare. "I do not care if she does not understand you. I understand you, and you will show her respect when you are in my presence. Am I understood?"

Another cry, even softer than before.

"Good." Atsuko turned back to kunoichi. "Yes, it is legitimate. He witnessed the Mizukage write it himself."

Kurenai unrolled it and began to read. The penmanship was quite neat, and the words to the point. Not sharp or barbed, but open and honest. Candid in the Mizukage's desires and the difficulties her Village faced.

In the hands of an enemy, this Intel could be dangerous. Yet the Mizukage, Mei Terumī, placed her trust in the bond between Amari and Haku, as well as Kakashi, with every word.

"But…with Kakashi and Amari unconscious…" she paused, too stunned.

This is real…

She couldn't believe it, yet the words were there in front of her.

"What does this letter contain?" Atsuko questioned. "Is it a threat? Did they capture the boy?"

Kurenai shook her head and rolled the paper up. "No…it's an olive branch."

"What? Are you sure?" Even Atsuko sounded skeptical.

"Yes…Kaito, this isn't a trick, is it?"

He shook his head then gave a series of quiet cries. Once he was finished Atsuko began to translate. "No. This new Mizukage desires peace. This letter is but a small step in what she and her comrades' hope can become peace talks with the next Hokage. There is no foul play."

Kurenai hummed. But what are we going to do about it? Kakashi is out cold, and we don't know when they'll be able to respond. If I sent Kaito back, they could take it as a complete denial. If we wait too long they may take that as a denial as well.

This was all a delicate balancing act of preventing worsened relations but not completely lowering her guard.

Kaito believes the new Mizukage desires peace, and I believe him. I'm just not sure I should be the one handling this. She wasn't in the right frame of mind to handle a diplomatic response. Her heart and mind were too clouded by Amari's condition.

Normally I'd give it to one of my higher-ups, but that isn't an option either. They'd only brush it off, use it as a weapon or believe it to be lies. She purses her lips. And Shikaku has enough to think about without this.

The Head of the Nara Clan had a full plate of responsibilities due to the Invasion. Pushing this off onto him wouldn't be fair to the man.

So how do I let them know of the current situation without leaving it impossible for them to know when to send their messages again?

She bit her lip in thought until her eyes fell upon Atsuko. The epiphany hit her a moment later, and it seemed the Head of the Crows understood her thoughts before she could speak them.

She nodded sharply. "I am at your command, Lady Kurenai."

"Here's my plan…"

Review Response to ChillinInKonoha: I actually didn't know she had any canon chakra natures, though that's not to say I wasn't planning to give her any. Although I don't think being able to use water and earth would be enough to use Wood Style, even if you tried to combine them like Yamato did. I think Orochimaru's experiments were the reason he could use Wood Style. I do have plans for Sakura regardless so that she isn't just a medic and powerhouse.

I haven't seen that OVA, so I'll have to look it up later. The Menma arc is one of the fillers to make it into this story. Lost Tower is another I'll do, but I haven't seen most of the Shippuden ones so I'll have to get around to watching them.

We'll have to wait and see with Tayuya. I can't say much else without risking spoilers.

Amari's sword of choice will be her tanto for the foreseeable future due to it's connection to Shisui.

Beside's Haku's and Zabuza's survival, as well as Mei's rise to power happening here, the changes I've begun to make are very subtle. They're incremental changes for characters and their paths; for instance, Sakura and Ino beginning to take training seriously, Shikamaru realizing he has to train harder to protect the future, Amari balancing out Sasuke's darkness at this point, to name a few.

Shisui's presence, his warnings, as well as Itachi entrusting the truth to Amari, will have ripple effects as well. It may not be obvious how it changes things at this point, but it hasn't had a chance to grow yet. Other stones will inevitably be thrown into the water, creating additional ripples from this one.

Some of the things I didn't change, like Naruto defeating Gaara, had reasons. Naruto, to me, was the only one who could, not because of strength or anything, but because only he could understand the life of a jinchuriki. To me, it could only be Naruto to finally get through to Gaara at that point. The reason Amari didn't fight one of the other canon participants in the Exams was because the story at that point was meant to be built around Amari and Mimi's connection. Again, to me, it had to be them to fight each other. No one else could reach through to Mimi, not like Amari could.

But as we begin to progress from the latest arc of Amari reuniting with Shisui and learning the truth, the ripples will begin to spread. The state of the Naruto world when he left to train with Jiraiya in the canon story will not be the same as it is in mine. That I can guarantee.