Scarlet Justice - ep. 69
"Morning Glory"

There's a small resort town in the northern part of Fire Country, known for its impeccable service and wonderful hot springs. I came upon it while travelling and made a note to visit again one day; since then, it's become a regular stop after my training in the wilderness. The men and women have separate baths, thankfully. It means that I get an unobstructed view of the beauty around me.

Becoming a regular means that the ladies sometimes fawn over me, and I was honest enough to mention that I'm into girls. For the most part, they don't mind. I wonder if some of them think that I couldn't charm them away from their husbands and boyfriends. Ah, I won't do something so pointlessly cruel. This is more than enough for me. Today, I lean back against the edge of the pool and do my usual observations while enjoying the hot water. Soothing and great for the skin.

"It's God's wonderful creation," I say to myself. "Praise be for his divine works."

"Ma'am, your beverages."

"Oh, thank you." I gently take the bottles of milk from the hostess. "Did you get the present I left for you?"

"Yes, ma'am. Your generosity is much appreciated, as always."

"You're very welcome. I should be fine for now, thank you again."

"Of course." She nods politely and heads off.

Paradise, huh. Could this be it for me? Would I be happy if I could retire and lounge around here every day for the rest of my existence?

"..."

Maybe not. As nice as it sounds to just rest forever, I know that I'm meant for more. It's a feeling that makes me want to keep moving, and something that makes this long, fantastic journey all the better. The beautiful women shrouded in steam, laughing and enjoying themselves...it's something nice for the short times that I'm here. But a life, this does not make. I take a few sips of milk and sigh with satisfaction.

"Should I get into farming...? Being assured of my milk's quality sounds nice. It would be easy enough to fund a cooperative."

My gaze wanders before landing on a certain person. Ah, right. It's that girl. She's always soaking away from everyone else to the point where I lose track of her in the steam. People politely approach her, but she always gently refuses any invitations and remains where she is. The same place each time...if it's occupied, she doesn't come by.

"Strange child." I look at her closely for the first time. Long white hair and pale skin, unnatural if I had to say anything about it. Like the colour has been drained away from her, somehow. Her eyes are a strange sort of grey, something that looks like the billowing smoke that rises up from a fire. She's about my height, thin, fragile-looking. But her form looks wiry at the same time, as if she had her old body taken away from her, piece by piece.

Maybe...it's none of my business. But I want to know what exactly has happened to her. What kind of torment has she gone through?

"..." I inhale sharply and make my decision. Stepping out of the pool I'm in, I wrap myself in a clean towel and secure it before grabbing my milk. Under the gazes of the other women, I walk along the small pathways and towards the distant part of the spring, where the girl rests quietly. She has a wistful look as she observes everyone else, and doesn't seem to notice me coming until I've stopped nearby.

"Good morning."

"G-good morning. Why did you...decide to come here?" she asks. Her voice is quiet, like she's forcing it downwards. It really feels like something traumatic has happened in her life. There are dark lines beneath her eyes from exhaustion, and her face makes her look like she's yearning for sleep perpetually.

"You seemed lonely. And I was wondering what you were doing alone in such a vibrant place."

"I...if I'm bothering you, then I can-"

"You're not a bother. Okay? It's not what you think. Is it okay if we talk? If you want to be alone, I can respect your wishes as well."

"..." There's a long moment of silence. "If...you're okay with talking to someone like me."

"I am."

She nods and I set my towel on the edge of the pool before stepping in beside her. The water is notably warmer here. Is that why she always chooses this spot? Or maybe it's this along with the seclusion provided.

"This place is vibrant," she says. "That's why I...wanted to stay a while. I know that I don't deserve to be here, but this is one of the only places I know right now. Being at this distance, I can relax while not being such a bother to the others."

"Is that really how you see it?"

"Yes." She turns her head to look at me. "I've...always liked to observe. Just as you do."

"So you've noticed me."

"It's not possible to miss someone so beautiful." She blushes brightly as she says that. "It's forward of me. I know that. But...I wanted to say it while I had the chance, now that you've chosen to grace me with your presence."

"Well, well. It seems you're full of surprises. Very bold of you...but I like it," I say with a smile. "I have admirers, as you might have noticed, but you've made yourself stand out already. I take it you're a fellow connoisseur as well?"

"I...wonder." She looks out at the other women bathing. "What would you call a scene like this?"

"A feast for the eyes," I say confidently. "Imagine if you could use these vivid sights to fill yourself instead of food."

"One would never go hungry in this world."

"Yes. How wonderful to meet someone who shares the same wavelength. It's a shame that you're so shy, I know the girls would love you."

"It is, in a way...isn't it."

"Well. I don't mean to force anything upon you. If this is where you feel most comfortable, be assured that I will not disturb your domain."

"Thank you for that."

"May I ask a question?"

"Yes. What is it?"

"Why did you let me in?"

"For...those reasons I mentioned earlier. I've admired you for a while, but never had the courage to approach you. So I...simply hoped that you would approach me instead. And as soon as you did, I knew within myself that I didn't have any excuse to keep you away. It sounds strange, I think."

"We do certain things for people that we like. It's natural, and nothing to be ashamed of."

"Thank you."

"May I have your name?" I ask. "You know, since you're interested and all..."

"My name...?" She blushes and goes quiet for a while. "You...want to know me?"

"Why not? It wouldn't be fair to turn away someone so pure, not so quickly. And I take it you know of my preferences?"

"I do."

I laugh lightly. "That's good. You know, that sort of boldness makes girls weak in the knees at times."

"I...I just really thought that I wasn't good enough. Someone like you could get anyone they wanted. So entertaining the thoughts of someone so-"

"Please don't speak about yourself like that."

She shakes her head. "It's true."

"It's not."

"You can't think that."

I sigh. "I...I admit to liking women with, I suppose..."

"More than skin and bone on them."

"You're saying too much."

"You have to be thinking it." She sniffles and turns away. Things sink into an awkward sort of silence, and I feel myself adjusting to the pool temperature. It would be a shame to leave now, but...maybe I've been too forceful.

"I'm sorry," she says quietly. "I'm just..."

"You're insecure. I understand. Even if you...can't really believe it."

"What kind of trouble did others give you?"

"Well...what do you think of my hair?" I ask.

"It's lovely. It makes you look radiant and...stunning, I think," she says with her back still turned. The skin is as pale as it is on the rest of her, and I can see her shoulder blades sticking out. "I really like it."

"Many people felt the opposite. They made fun of me for this hair. Shamed me for standing out. It didn't feel like jealousy a lot of the time. Just...exclusion. I don't mean to compare myself to you, but I...I feel like I know what it's like to be pushed aside as an eyesore. Just a little bit."

"I'm sorry. I don't want you to go. I was just...my courage disappeared, and I got frightened. I wasn't sure if this situation was real, or if I was just hoping for something to happen. I was rude, and I apologize."

"It's fine. I can't fault you for that. I can tell that you've been through a lot."

She turns to face me again. "My name is Fionne. Fionne Mutou. I...used to be a kunoichi from the Hidden Rock Village."

"I see. My name is Lilith Kobayashi, and I'm a kunoichi from the Hidden Leaf Village. I was training in the forest nearby earlier, and as you know, I usually stop here to relax afterwards. You can call me Lili, like everyone else."

"Then...you can call me Fio. That's fine for me," she says with a smile. She's finally relaxing a bit, with her face lightning up...she's very cute. "I...know I've heard your name before. I didn't realize it was you this entire time. Ah...you're the Scarlet Viper I've heard so much about, aren't you?"

"The one and only," I say proudly.

"Amazing. You're a legendary kunoichi already. People speak of you in the same breaths as Tsunade of the Three, or Pakura of the Sand. It's really an honour...and I'm even more embarrassed now to have spoken to you like that. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, really. There's nothing to worry about," I say as I gently touch her shoulder. "I wasn't offended, first of all. And it's hard to get angry after being showered with praises like that. I can't call myself worthy of being mentioned with Lady Tsunade just yet, but thank you so much for those kind words. I really mean it."

"It's only right. You're beautiful and an amazing warrior."

"You're seriously trying to capture me, aren't you? I didn't think I would find someone more aggressive than me," I say with a laugh. "And you were acting so timid when I approached you earlier!"

"I told you I couldn't help it..." She blushes again and laughs quietly. Absolutely adorable.

"Fio...if it's not too much to ask..."

"Nothing is. Please, I can answer any question you wish."

"You...said that you 'used' to be a kunoichi. Is that why you're here in Fire Country instead of Earth? Is there something you want to keep secret?" I ask carefully.

"It's nothing like that," she says while shaking her head. "The reason why I'm no longer with the Rock is because I was kidnapped and taken away. I was experimented on after my capture, for a long while."

Experimented on...oh.

I watch as she lifts her hands from the water. There are black rings around her wrists, maybe about two inches thick. They're...embedded in her flesh.

"What are those?"

"These are the rings that allow me to...exist."

"Exist?" I repeat.

"Yes. It was Orochimaru of the Three Shinobi...he took me away from my home and family. He was the one that experimented on me. It was because of my bloodline limit, Boil Release. He was trying to satisfy his curiosity, and wanted to see if I could achieve a state like that of the Hozuki Clan. An existence that would have me transform into a certain element and back on command. The...the result was that I became unstable. I would randomly change to and from steam, and sometimes while outside I would have panic attacks, knowing that I could just transform and end up blown into oblivion by a strong wind. Stabilizing me meant fusing these rings into my wrists. It meant that I could move about without worrying when the next transformation would occur. But that need for control marked me as a failure to Orochimaru. I wasn't the potent tool he wanted me to be. So he locked me away. I was in constant pain because of the side effects, the drugs, the fighting...it was a terrible nightmare."

"That's...horrifying," I say quietly.

"Orochimaru has died. Killed by the God of Shinobi himself, with your help according to the legends. But I have nowhere to go. I can't return home as I am, not without proof that I am who I say that I am. My hair...if you can believe it, used to be black. And my body was...um..."

"It's alright."

"Well, um...I was a plump girl," she says with a sheepish smile.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of, my darling. I'm sure you were just as cute then."

"It's little wonder the other ladies find you so charming. You really know what to say at the best times..."

"I do try my best."

"Um...yes. I used to look very different. But now...I can barely taste anything that I eat or drink, and my body burns up so much energy. My metabolism, I think...it spins out of control sometimes. So I have to eat a lot, but...it's hard. Just keeping things down. I can't sleep well, or often. The few times that I do are consumed by those nightmares." Fio shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I've just been going on and on about how horrible my life is, I don't mean to be depressing."

"I know that you've wanted to say those things for a long time."

She looks at me, almost disbelieving of what's in front of her. Slowly, she relaxes and comes to an understanding.

"You've been in those...kinds of dark places, too. That's why you're so...so calm and accepting. So compassionate."

"It must be so."

"It is. It is so, it has to be. I just...I'm so glad that we met today. I'm so happy that I got to speak to someone, and that they understood and cared about me in such a short time."

"Is there something you wish for?"

"There is...but I..." Fio pauses. "It's not the right time, I think. I just want to see you again, Lili. One day soon."

"I'm going to be coming by for the next while. Training in the open is refreshing, and I like to soak in the springs to relax afterwards."

"Then I'll be right here, so that you can find me again."

"Of course." I take one of her hands and kiss it gently. "It was truly a pleasure meeting you, Fio."

"T-the pleasure is all mine, Lili. Thank you...for everything."

I nod and make my way out of the small pool, wrapping myself up in the towel again. Fio gives me a smile and a small wave, and I wave back before leaving. Since I think I've soaked enough for now, I should head up to my room. A few treats brought up would be nice...

"Mission's come in. The Sand will be expecting you about three days from now," Shikaku says. We're in his office again, looking over the scroll with the fleshed out details. I've done all of the background preparations, so this was the last piece we were waiting for to come in.

It's been about two days since I met with Fio. I didn't expect to be thinking about her so often, but I am. I wonder what it is about her. There are plenty of cute faces around, but hers stands out the most. And to be honest, she's not usually my type. Maybe I could work up a liking for very thin girls, but I don't think I'll need to. Tsunade would be willing to help her out if I simply asked, getting back into shape and all of that.

I'm...really putting a lot of thought into this. I do want to help her, but maybe it's more...more...hm.

"Something on your mind?"

"Ah. Apologies, Shikaku. Yes, I was thinking of something personal. You know how I am."

"Heh. More ladies on the brain, then."

"A particular one I met the other day," I say to him. "It's so unlike me. She's been on my mind the past while."

"Well, who knows. Could be a signal that you're ready to settle down."

"Ha. As if someone like me could do such a thing. Like I said, you know how I am."

"You shouldn't have such a low estimation of yourself," he says as he hands me the mission scroll. "I know how you are, yes. You've got a heart of gold in there."

"Underneath a few thick coats of blood." I sigh. "Don't worry about me, I won't get too introspective in public. I have a reputation to maintain, and people to bully. It's an art form, that."

"There's the Lili we know. I was worried for a second."

"Romance can make fools of us all. You're intimate with that much."

He silently puts up his hands and I laugh in response.

"Tell Yoshino I said hello. And give your boy the usual line from me."

"Aye. Good luck, Lili. Come back safe."

"Always," I say with a wink.

Luna is out with Midori again, so I'm left to pack on my own. Some dry snacks for the trip up, milk tucked into one of those thermal bags to keep it cold a while, and reading material for settling into bed at nights. If I time it right, I might be able to make the trip in two and a half days instead of three. We'll see how it goes.

I take my shower, eat, and then fall asleep on the couch.

Morning comes a touch early and I have to take a few more minutes to wake up. I work on my makeup as soon as my head is clear, take care of my hair, and find my regular outfit. My beautifully sturdy black sweater that held up against Sasuke's attacks, as well as the blow back from my own. I'll order another one soon, maybe in red this time.

One more turn in the mirror and making sure my socks are on right, sandals on, hair ready, everything packed. I shoulder my bag and nod to my reflection before starting off. After locking the door, I jump down the staircase and start my jog through the Leaf. Those two should be coming along the usual route by now.

"Hey, there she is." Kurenai spots me and I slow down a bit to let her and Hina run alongside me.

"Good morning, ladies. How are we feeling today?"

"Great. No problems to report. You take care on this mission, alright?"

"I have a feeling that there might be more to this than meets the eye," Hina says. "Please be careful, Lili."

"I'll keep my eyes open for any abnormalities. But I've been preparing for these things the past few days. If anything does happen, you'll know."

"Got it. See you soon."

"Good luck, Lili."

"Thank you both." I kiss them both on the cheeks. "Until the next, loves."

With that, I accelerate and turn towards the village's main gate.

"Another adventure, then. By myself, this time...hm. It will be nice to see Temari again, but let's see what the Hidden Sand has in store for me. I'm sure it will be amusing, at the least."

I turn my wrist over to look at my watch. Still early.

"Hmm..."

Well, this is a good time to tweak some things. We can see just how much speed I've gained lately.

"I'm sorry...I can't let you in without verifying your identity with the-"

"Oh for fuck's sake. I gave you everything needed."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Those are the rules."

I huff and cross my arms.

It's night in the Hidden Sand. Some idiot is telling me that I can't enter the village and have to wait for someone else to verify my identity. This is the second night since leaving the Leaf, so I've made it across in less than two days. The speed I travelled at was much faster than normal, but still comfortable. It's possible to make the trip at an even faster rate than this without ending up exhausted. Maybe I should try it on the way back.

"You have got to be kidding me. Seriously..."

I hear a familiar voice as I wait.

"Oh, hell. It really is you."

"It's lovely to see you again, Temari."

"You're a sight for sore eyes yourself, but I'm sure you knew that. Welcome to the Hidden Sand," Temari says with a smile. Her hair is let down for the night, and she's wearing a fancy robe over her nightgown. Two shinobi have escorted her here.

"I'm sorry to bother you so late."

"You don't need to apologize for that. Well, maybe for coming in so fast. Hey, what the hell's going on?" she asks the shinobi who stopped me first. "You have the papers and everything, right?"

"The Council said not to let anyone through without verifying it again, ma'am."

"God, those useless old fucks. Let me guess, the accommodations aren't set up either."

"No, ma'am. That was supposed to start tomorrow."

"Yeah, useless. Listen, I'm taking over now, give me the stuff and tell the Council what's happening. She's staying at the mansion with me."

"Lady Temari-"

"Shut up and do what I tell you. It's ten at night, I don't need this on my head. Go already."

"Yes, ma'am." He takes off towards the village.

"C'mon, Red. Like I said, you can make yourself at home with us. Just don't make too much of a mess. Or get fresh with me after five in the evening."

"Why five in the evening?" I ask.

"If I tell you, you'll take advantage of it," she says with a grin. "You can live with ogling me in the mornings."

"I very well can, yes."

She pats me on the shoulder. "That's what I like to hear. I wasn't asleep yet, but I was about to get there after some reading. The boys are resting up, they've got stuff to do early tomorrow. Need some tea or anything?"

"Nothing like that. I think I should follow your lead and get ready for bed."

"Got it. Alright, let's get going. And sorry again, those meddlers just wanted to get inside your head. Sucks that we won't get to see their faces when that kid tells them you made the trip over in two days. You're definitely something else."

"Naturally. It's why you adore me so much."

"I adore you for saving my life ten times over."

"What about my good looks?"

"Sleep sounds good, doesn't it?"

"No need to be shy, Temari. I won't bite you for your answer. Well, unless you ask."

"Already regretting not shoving you in a hotel. Dirty old man in a girl's body."

"Yes, I know that you love me dearly."

She shakes her head as we leave for the village proper. The Hidden Sand, at last.

Time to start our little adventure.