Update!

Hello again, my favorite readers! This chapter is very fluffy so for those who were expecting drama: don't worry it'll come soon enough.

Thanks again, also, for the numerous reviews. I'm particularly happy if you ask me questions, but sometimes, ffnet doesn't allow me to answer them for you. In that case, remember that I haver a tumblr, too, where you can even send in asks anonymously or without an account. I'll be happy to see you there!

Beta'ed (of course!) by the lovely NightsBlackRose13 who continues to be the best advisor ever.

Chapter 19: Love, Peace and Harmony

The whole way to the playground I can barely keep myself from constantly staring at Hatake Sayu.

I keep expecting that she'll disappear at the next convenient moment, that the breeze blowing through her ponytail will make her disintegrate, that the sun shining on her olive skin is going to bleach her colors until she fades away like a forgotten memory.

Amazingly, none of it happens. Quite the opposite, actually.

With every word she speaks, she becomes more real. I don't know if it's because of her voice or because of the very special way she connects consonants and vowels when she talks, but I know that I've never heard anything like it before. The sounds she makes reveal her as a stranger, an unknown individual – a living, breathing person. And that unfamiliarity that follows her is what ultimately convinces me that she's not some product of my imagination. After all, researching dream mechanics in my old life has taught me that the human mind is incapable of thinking up something completely new.

The dawning realization makes it hard to concentrate on the ongoing conversation and when Sakumo asks me a question, I am caught completely off-guard.

"I'm sorry, I uh, didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it please?"

Sakumo just smiles patiently. "I asked who your jounin sensei is?"

"Oh, right," I hurry to say. "I'm on Mitarashi Hanako's team."

This gets an incredulous snort out of Sayu. "Hanako? The Sandaime got her a second team?" Sakumo, too, looks surprised.

"Actually, he didn't," I answer. "I'm the replacement for a teammate that's currently out of commission. A girl … I, uh, don't know her name, unfortunately." I frown. I know she was mentioned that day when they all came into my hospital room, but I had been busy reorienting myself at that time. Guilt creeps up, though, when I realize that I haven't even inquired after her since then. Regashi and Nawaki probably think I'm really cold and uncaring, especially after this last week where I practically ignored them outside of missions and training. And wow, now I'm upset with myself.

"Ah," Sakumo says with a neutral expression. "So how has it been, being on a team?"

Of course he was going to ask this.

My voice is cautious as I start explaining. "It's … nice. Regashi and Nawaki do a lot to help me feel welcome."

His face remains neutral. "And do you feel welcome?"

Shitshitshit I gotta get him off my track. I can hardly tell the guy who literally failed a mission to save his teammates' lives that I've been evading my own teammates' attempts at team bonding.

"I wouldn't know, since I spend most of my energy on surviving Hanako's training sessions, I guess?" I laugh nervously. "On the very first day, she made us chase a mad dog and then sent us through her 'grand Konoha parkour' for which we had to climb the Hokage Mountain without chakra and with our hands bound together."

Please take the bait.

For a few heartbeats, Sakumo just looks at me carefully and I'm pretty sure he's going to call me out on my bullshit. My shoulders tense in anticipation and I swallow, trying to moisten my mouth since it has gone completely dry. It's kind of ridiculous, really, how afraid I am of being judged by him.

And then he gives a small reassuring smile. "That sounds like quite an … eventful first day. Hanako does love a good challenge. How did it go?"

I breathe out a quiet sigh of relief. "Very good, actually! I think I was only three-quarters dead by the end of that exercise."

Sakumo and Sayu both laugh at that, dissipating the last strands of tension. The conversation stays light-hearted after that and before I know it, we've arrived at the playground.

It's not too busy today and spotting Ume-san and Kakashi is an easy feat. They're at the climbing frames he has taken a shining to lately, probably busy nurturing his prodigy tendencies. He's so engrossed in his quest to conquer the metal construct in fact, that he doesn't notice our little group approaching until Ume greets us.

"Sakumo, Sayu! I didn't know you're back!" she exclaims, smile bright and radiant in surprised joy. "Kakashi-chan, look who's here!"

The little boy turns his head and I can see the exact moment in which cautious recognition flashes across his face. He quickly abandons the climbing frames and carefully approaches Sakumo and Sayu.

"Kaa-chan? Tou-chan?" His little voice sounds strangely hesitant.

What the hell. Why is he so shy?

Sayu squats down and gently takes his miniature hands in hers. "Yes, Kakashi-chan. Kaa-chan and Tou-chan are back. Do you remember us?" I can't properly see her face, but her voice sounds strangely breathy. Breathy and maybe even a little afraid.

What's – what's going on here?

Kakashi looks thoughtful. "I think so. There's a picture of you and me in the house. From when I was really small."

I almost snort at that. Oh Kashi-chan, you're still reeaally small.

And then it clicks.

Kakashi is not even two years old, yet.

Sakumo and Sayu have been at war for well over a year.

Which means that Kakashi has been essentially parentless for most of his short, short life. Practically an orphan.

Which in turn means that the fear of him not remembering is entirely plausible.

"That's right," Sayu says. "Do you remember anything else?"

Kakashi's tiny nose scrunches up in concentration. "Tou-chan took me to the playground once. But – I think you were already gone?"

Oh god. I think my heart just broke.

"Yes, Kakashi-chan, and I'm so sorry." A barely suppressed tremor. "But now Kaa-chan is back. And I won't leave you like that again. Neither Tou-chan nor Kaa-chan will."

Kakashi nods. "Ok."

And then they're hugging, Kakashi's little form almost completely disappearing into Sayu's embrace while Ume and Sakumo stand close by, wearing twin smiles of intense affection. The latter looks like he can barely hold back from throwing himself into the fray and I wonder why he actually doesn't. Maybe he wants to give Kakashi the time to properly reacquaint himself with his mother, since she's been away longer.

And maybe that's something I should actually do. Seriously, what am I doing here, intruding on this intimate moment? This is a Hatake family reunion. I have no business being here.

That's the moment Ume chooses to glance my way – and however impossible, her smile widens even further. She comes over, leaving the three alone for the moment.

"Etsuko-chan! It seems like forever the last time I saw you. How are you doing?"

I return her smile easily enough. Although this woman has officially been Kakashi's caretaker, she's looked after Obito so often by now, sometimes even without me staying, that she may be counted as his just as well. I owe the old lady a lot.

"I'm fine, Ume-san. Training with my new team has been rather busy, so I apologize for not having shown up for a while."

"Don't worry, child, I understand completely. It's important for you to get along with your teammates, they're going to stay with you for a long time after all."

My smile becomes a little strained at that, but thankfully, she moves right on.

"How's little Obito?"

"He's fine. A bit lonely, though. He misses you and Kakashi."

"Oh, we'll need to do something about that!"

I open my mouth to respond, but before I can get out another sound, Kakashi's voice rings out to us.

"Etsuko-nee!"

I turn my head to see him securely seated on Sakumo's shoulders, his hands buried in silver-grey hair. He's looking at me with a thoroughly pleased expression as he steers his father to where Ume and I are standing, Sakumo wearing a dorky grin on his face. The pleased look turns into a small frown however.

"Why is Obito not with you?"

I bite down on a chuckle, lest he thinks I'm laughing at him.

"He's at home right now."

The frown stays firmly in place. "He should come here. The playground is boring without him and you."

"Maybe," Ume chimes in mildly, "you should try playing with the other children?"

The boy doesn't even have the decency to blink. "They're boring."

This time, I don't quite manage to suppress a short laugh. "There might be some merits to having more than one or two friends, Kakashi."

For a short moment, nobody says anything as his grey eyes are fixed on me in intense scrutiny. His expression turns thoughtful and I can literally see him dissecting the idea that I just uttered in his mind.

"How many friends do you have?" he suddenly asks.

Ugh, great.

Leave it to a Hatake to ask the uncomfortable questions.

"Um." I want to at least say 'more than one' but honestly, I don't even know if it's true.

Obito is my baby brother, not a friend. Yashiro is my guardian. I don't want to talk about Naoko and Toshiro. I have barely managed to accept my teammates as such in the last half hour and I don't know where that train-wreck of a marriage contract leaves Shikaku and me. Inoichi and Chouza are nice enough, I suppose, but I doubt they would have spoken to me had it not been for Shikaku. Kakashi is Obito's buddy and something like my second baby brother, and Sakumo – I still have that embarrassing crush on him, but that really doesn't make him my friend.

To sum it up: the state of my social circle is pretty abysmal.

I should … uh … do something about it. Even if it's just to be a good role model for my little brothers.

Among other good reasons. I used to have a moderate number of friends in my first life, after all. I've almost forgotten how good it felt.

Right now, this new resolution of mine is only of limited use, however. Time for another diversionary tactic.

"I don't have many friends right now, but I'm trying to make more. Do you want to know why?"

He nods, his big grey eyes shiny in anticipation. His are not the only ones.

"Friends are the people we trust to guard our backs. We train to become strong, the strongest we can be. But sometimes, there will be things that we cannot do alone. Friends, true friends you can ask for help – and you will help them in return. You will form bonds through that and they will make you stronger in return."

OK, was that all? Oh, no wait. I forgot something.

Exhale.

"Stronger than you could ever be alone."

That wasn't too bad, was it? I think I checked the important points. Even stayed true to the Konoha spirit.

So why is nobody saying anything?!

"That," Sayu says carefully after another few agonizingly long seconds of silence, "was very inspiring."

Kakashi looks at her from his vantage point on Sakumo's shoulders. "Is what Etsuko-nee says really true?"

Uh, thanks for the vote of confidence here, bro.

"It is," Sakumo answers him. His voice sounds as light as always but when I look at him, I'm startled to find him watching me with eyes that seem to see right through to the deepest recesses of my mind.

And those are decidedly off limits for anybody but myself.

I hurriedly break off the eye contact with a pointed jerk of my head and plaster on a cheerful smile.

"I promised Obito to show him some new hiragana characters today so I better get going now. Are you going to be here again sometime this week? So Obito can meet all of you?"

I manage to stay casual during the process of wrangling out a promise. Kakashi never relinquishes his superior seat, but Sakumo ruffles my hair before I leave, his demeanor back to normal as if nothing has happened at all.

I definitely feel more comfortable with that.

)()()(

"Do you remember what happened when you used the Goukakyuu? How it felt when you released your chakra?"

Yashiro looks at me with an expressively bland face as he waits for my answer. We're not on our standard Uchiha training field but on a pier that stretches far into where the Naka is so broad that it can pass as a lake. I recognize it as the one Sasuke practiced his Goukakyuu on. It's probably the go place for every Uchiha that's starting to play with fire.

It's starting to get dark and I'm anxiously eager to get back to the house because it's almost time for Obito to go to bed. Thing is, he won't sleep if I don't sing for him. Instead of sitting at the edge of his bed though, I'm here with Yashiro, trying to figure out what went wrong with my first Goukakyuu. It's frustrating, to say the least.

"I don't know," I say after a lengthy pause in which I contemplate if I want to tell him that basically, I'd been scared out of my freaking mind when I decided to use it. The sensation of overwhelming fear had drowned out pretty much everything that might've been connected to my chakra use. Except, of course, the feeling of getting the energy sucked out of my system, and fast. Maybe I can tell him that part.

"The chakra drain was intense. It felt like all of it left my body at once."

"Did you try stopping your chakra flow?" Yashiro asks.

"Uh, no?"

I didn't even know you could do that?

"Usually, a jutsu requires a minimal amount of chakra to function," Yashiro explains. "There's always the possibility to go beyond that minimal requirement, though, to enhance the jutsu and make it more powerful – though, if doing so makes sense is an entirely different question. The Goukakyuu is no different."

His gaze turns a tiny bit more pensive.

"I assume the fire ball had an above average size?"

Eh. What's the average size for a fire ball? "I suppose. There was a lot of fire. I mean … a lot lot."

Yay for precise explanations.

Yashiro lets out a barely audible sigh.

"Activate your Sharingan."

OK.

"Watch. Follow the flow of my chakra. Note exactly how much I put into the jutsu."

OK.

His hands move through the seals, but since I already know them, they're not my focus. He inhales, his chakra pooling in his gut.

And then he breathes fire.

It's beautiful. The fireball lights up the whole lake, the flames being reflected a thousand fold on the surface of the water and the heat radiating off with a gentle fierceness that belies the dangerous strength of the jutsu. I can see Yashiro pouring an exactly measured amount of his chakra into it and marvel at his control. After a few seconds, he cuts off the feed of chakra and the flames fizzle out, leaving the lake a bit darker than before.

"Did you see where I channeled it?"

Wordlessly, I point at my stomach. He nods. "Try."

I put my hands through the motions of the seals, my movements not nearly as fluid or graceful as his, but well. I'll need to practice that. Chakra gathers in my center, building up pressure. I try channeling it, narrowing down the flow that comes rushing at my throat – and exhale.

The resulting Goukakyuu is a chaotic outburst of flames that barely resembles a ball. Also, damn, these flames are freaking hot and I might have burnt the corners of my mouth?! As soon as the flames have died down, I start coughing my lungs out.

Oh man. That went well.

When I finally finish with my fit and look up at Yashiro, I see that he has his Sharingan activated, too. He begins summarizing my performance.

"Your seals are acceptable. The amount of chakra you gathered seemed adequate, too. However, you lost a lot of it during the transformation."

I lost a lot of chakra? During the transformation?

?

Apparently, my face translates my confusion well, because Yashiro starts explaining again. "Do you know about the chakra natures?"

I nod.

"The raw chakra that runs through our bodies does not have a nature assigned to it. So when we try to execute a jutsu that requires us to turn our chakra into a specific nature type, we have to transform it."

Yeah, makes sense.

"Every shinobi has at least one affinity towards a certain nature type, which makes the conversion more efficient as well as effective."

Oh wait, I know where this is going.

"Do you mean," I interrupt him, "that my conversion was faulty? Because I don't have an affinity for fire natured chakra?"

"I didn't say your conversion was faulty. It was just not as efficient and effective as it could have been. But yes, there might be the possibility that your primary chakra nature is not fire. Unusual for an Uchiha, but not unheard of."

Oooh oh oh oh oh.

Suddenly, I'm really excited. "I want to know my chakra nature! Can you tell?"

Yashiro shakes his head. "Not like this. I'll need to get some chakra paper to determine your affinity. But that you managed to do the Goukakyuu despite fire not being your primary one bodes well."

Oooooohhhhhhh.

I think I'm glowing. I've not been this excited for a long time now.

I'm going to train so fucking hard.

)()()(

New day, new training session, new agenda. Granted, the training is over now, but the rest still stands.

Hanako claps her hands. "That's a wraaaaaap! Now get home and wash all that filth off, my little panda babies. You stink."

She pinches her nose theatrically and makes a shooing gesture with her hands.

"Remember, no training tomorrow. Don't you dare take off those figurines, though. You have to carry them with you at all times, got it?"

She's referring to her chocolate wrapper figurines of which she gave one to each of us. She has had a lot of them with her today, as if she's eaten nothing but chocolate for the entire week, but well. It's not as if I'm unfamiliar with sudden cravings for that stuff. Besides, carrying that thing is much easier than training anyhow and also, it fits perfectly with my plans for the Hatake play date.

Obito is going to be really happy, I think.

So I have no problem agreeing with Hanako. I hear Regashi and Nawaki doing the same and our sensei, like always, makes a fast exit.

I let out a slow exhale.

OK. It's now or never.

"Um, guys?"

Both boys literally freeze in the middle of their movements, their faces showing varying degrees of surprise. One week of giving them the silent treatment obviously left an impression. I decide to take advantage of that surprise and continue with my plan.

"Do you have any plans? I mean, it's still pretty early and … uh, I sort of don't have any and was wondering if we, um, could do something together? Like, hanging out … maybe?"

OK, that definitely sounded more elegant in my head.

The reactions I get are not particularly encouraging either.

Nawaki's mouth is hanging wide open and he's staring at me like I've suddenly grown a second head. Even Regashi is shocked speechless, apparently.

Um, backpedaling it is, then.

"O-only if you want, of course. I mean, I know, I've not been the greatest company over the last couple days and I apologize, I am really sorry about that and –"

"Who are you," Nawaki interrupts my rambling. "And what did you do to Etsuko?"

My mouth snaps shut abruptly. I look at him, long and hard.

…

I seriously can't tell if he's joking.

Judging by the wide eyes and still half-open mouth, he doesn't know it, either.

"I totally understand if you don't want to, of course, I mean, I don't want you to – you know, no pressure at all. And, and–"

There's a voice at the back of my mind that has started screaming ABORT! ABORT! but I can't seem to turn my rambling off, oh god, this is so embarrassing, can somebody please just go ahead and knock me out.

"Etsuko?"

"Yeah?"

I blink.

Regashi looks at me like he's approaching a frightened deer and I wouldn't be too surprised if he started doing cooing noises or something like that.

"It's okay, Etsuko-chan, really. We're just a bit surprised, but also very happy that you asked. Today, though, might not be the best day. We're going to the hospital, you see."

"Oh," I say weakly.

Wait, did he just say hospital?

"Is one of you sick? Or, both of you?!"

"No, dummy," Nawaki says. He's recovered from whatever he had before and is looking at me with an expression that's probably meant to convey annoyance. I find that it goes more in the direction of a pout. An offended pout. "None of us is sick. We're going to visit Akemi-chan."

That name … rings a bell. Somewhere wayyy back in my memory.

Klick.

Oh.

"Akemi-chan. That's your … original teammate, right? Before I joined?"

For a moment, I hear nothing but the wind blowing through leaves and the muted sound of a bird flapping its wings.

"Yes," Regashi finally answers. His voice is solemn and tinged with sadness. He doesn't sound repellent, though.

So I take a leap of faith.

"Would it be alright if I came with you?"

)()()(

My third time in Konoha Hospital, if I don't count Obito's day of birth.

Joy.

I'm so relieved that I'm not waking up in one of the sterile white rooms this time. I think I'm starting to understand why most shinobi are not too fond of hospitals – I can definitely sympathize with a general aversion against the feeling of having been run through a shredder.

The lady at the reception takes one look at the boys and smiles. At the questioning look she gives me, though, Regashi intervenes. "She's with us. This is Etsuko-chan, our new teammate."

"Pleasure to meet you," I say.

She nods. "Akemi-chan is in the same room as always. Speak to any nurse if you need anything."

Regashi thanks her and off we are to the maze of floors that make up the Hospital interior.

On the whole way there, Regashi and Nawaki are peculiarly silent. I shuffle awkwardly along while they walk with sure strides and serious faces, inwardly bursting with questions. Unfortunately, none of them are appropriate to ask. It's only when we arrive at a door with the number C214 and Nawaki walks right in that Regashi stops to talk to me just before I can follow.

"Etsuko-chan," he begins. I feel the weight of his hand as he puts it on my shoulder. "You should know one thing before you go in. Akemi-chan is not … conscious. Hasn't been for some time now. Just, don't be alarmed when she doesn't react to you or any of us."

I blink in confusion. It's not as if the concept of a coma is unchartered territory for me.

And then I remember that I'm technically five years old and that Regashi doesn't know my psychological history.

"OK, thanks for warning me. Is there something that I need to pay special attention to? Like, things that I shouldn't/should do?"

He smiles sadly. "No, you can act completely normal."

The she won't hear us anyway is unspoken but not unheard. I try putting on an encouraging smile even though I suspect that it won't be any help. He looks away.

And then we enter.

The room is flooded with light, shining in from the window that faces the afternoon sun. It makes the sterile standard décor appear almost friendly, the overall whiteness reflecting the light with a soft glow that blurs the lines. At the foot of the bed, there is a clipboard with the latest results of regular blood tests and so on, issued to Aburame Akemi. Next to the bed, on the side facing the window, there's a nightstand with flowers and what looks like get well cards. Also, something shiny like … one of Hanako's figurines?

Of course. Naturally, her sensei would visit her.

On the side facing the door, a life support system is quietly humming away. Nawaki has put a chair in front of it and is sat down, talking animatedly away at the still form in the sheets.

I feel a warm hand reaching for mine and look up at Regashi. He has recovered and is wearing a small but nonetheless friendly smile again.

"Come on, she's waiting."

I let myself be guided towards the bed and Nawaki. Regashi pulls two additional chairs to his side and beckons me to sit down.

"And here they are," Nawaki announces brightly. "Look, that's Etsuko-chan. She's, like, super smart or something, 'cause she blitzed through the academy in one year. Also, she's three, so basically a complete baby."

"I'm five, actually," I correct him without thinking.

He nods sagely. "As I said, a baby."

I roll my eyes and turn towards the bed to tell the occupant that he believes that I'm an alien, too, and that I –

Until I see her.

Pale, sickly looking skin. Unassuming but somewhat fragile facial features. Long black hair. Thin – oh, so very thin. Very much unconscious, too.

She looks like she's one step away from Death's door.

The words get stuck in my throat, the ensuing silence suddenly tensing up the air. The boys are holding their breath, waiting for me to say something.

"Hi Akemi … uh … I guess it's senpai? Hi Akemi-senpai. I'm happy to finally meet you."

Ugh. That sounded wooden at best, even in my own ears. Damnit, I hadn't been so verbally awkward in my first life. Why can't I stop myself from acting so clumsy this time around? I start fiddling with my hands, which doesn't help with the nervousness at all.

What does, though, is the gentle hand on my shoulder. Regashi is looking at me, open and honest.

"I think she'd be really happy to get to know you, too. She'd like you, wouldn't she, Nawaki?"

To my surprise, Nawaki nods without hesitation. "She would. She is a bit like you, actually."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really quiet and sometimes really intense. But she can be funny, too, even if it isn't always intended. Much less annoying than you, though."

I snort. "Thanks. I appreciate having a unique selling point, even if I'm just a replacement."

Regashi frowns suddenly. "Do you believe that?"

I blink in confusion. "What?"

"The replacement-part?"

Boy, he sounds downright agitated.

"Because you're not. It's true that you wouldn't have been with us if Akemi-chan wasn't out of commission, but that doesn't mean that we don't see you as a person of your own. We're glad to have you here. You know that, don't you?"

I have to blink again.

That was really, really nice of him to say.

It's probably the conclusion he arrived at as an explanation for my behavior over the last week, and even though it's not the correct one, it feels good to hear him say that. He must've spent some time thinking about it, too.

So when I smile at him, it's completely genuine. "I do, now. Thank you."

Regashi's answering smile is just as genuine. "Never doubt it."

Nawaki clears his throat. "I feel like I've accidentally ended up in a really cheesy movie right now," he mutters. "Anybody else feel that?"

I turn to face him, same smile still in place – ok, maybe a bit more smirk-y. "Don't feel excluded, Nawaki-chan. Let's all just have one big, fluffy, cuddly hug, shall we?"

I open my arms invitingly and smirk even wider because there's no way that he's going to get off his chair, come over and hug me.

There's a short pause in which he thinks about his answer.

"Good idea," he finally says.

And then he proceeds to get off his chair, come over and hug me.

Oooooh.

Two seconds into that hug and Regashi joins us. We probably look like a pile of puppies or something. It's not an unpleasant feeling.

Maybe this team is not going to be so bad.

)()()(

Half an hour later, we bid Akemi goodbye.

"Wake up soon, Akemi-chan. We're waiting for you" Regashi says and Nawaki adds a "Yeah, we miss you!" My own "I'd really like to get to know you" follows directly after.

After listening to the boys telling stories of their days as a team, I really mean it.

We move the chairs back to the wall and have a last look at the still girl.

"You know," I suddenly say. "Maybe she can hear you. I've heard that comatose people dream and sometimes, that the dream comes close to reality."

"That would be nice," Regashi murmurs softly. Nawaki agrees with a nod.

We step out of the room and take a breath in the hallway. There's a short silence in which we all gather our thoughts until Nawaki breaks it.

"I want to stop by my sis for a moment," he announces. "She has developed some kind of new soldier pills and I want to ask her if I can get some for us. You coming, too?"

Regashi and I both nod. It's not as if I have anything better to do.

We trudge down the hallways, climb two sets of staircases and finally come to a halt in front of another door that carries a small plate with Senju Tsunade engraved on it. There're voices coming from inside.

"This … this is brilliant!"

That sounds like Tsunade.

"I'd hoped that you would approve. Your opinion is carrying a lot of weight in the council."

That voice, though, is unfamiliar. It's soft-spoken and male, the owner of it apparently somewhat politically involved.

Tsunade snorts. "Wish that it was true. The old farts in there like to pretend to be open to innovations like this, but secretly, they're still stuck in the warring era with their way of thinking. I'll see what I can do, though. This could save a lot of lives. That has to count for something."

"Thank you Senju-san. I couldn't do this without your help."

"Please, call me Tsunade."

"Very well. Please call me Dan, then."

What.

Footsteps are approaching the door and suddenly, the three of us realize that we're going to be caught eavesdropping.

"Uh-oh," Nawaki manages to mumble before the door swings open to reveal none other than super-awesome-Senju-Tsunade. Upon sighting us, she develops an interesting tick in a vein on her forehead.

"Hiyaaa Nee-san!" Nawaki says brightly. A bit loudly, too, maybe. Yeah, definitely.

The vein becomes thicker. "Brother dearest. Say, you didn't just stand before my door to eavesdrop, did you?"

"Haha, what? No!" Another dazzling smile. "Regashi, Etsuko and me just wanted to ask you for your new soldier pills! Are they ready, yet? Oh, and you do remember Etsuko-chan, right?"

Her scrutinizing glare immediately shifts over to me and darkens further into a frown. Holy shit, that woman has eyes that can freeze burning coal into ice cubes.

"You, kiddo!" she barks.

I immediately stand up straighter.

She examines me for a few silent seconds until she nods with a little noise of satisfaction. "You do look better than the last time I saw you. Good, I was not looking forward to chasing Hanako across Konoha."

Ah, nice to be reminded of the competent first impression I left on her.

And then she turns her back on us to speak to the man with the long light-blue hair and pretty face.

Yeah, I just called Katou Dan pretty. Because he is. Get over it. Also, it gives me a reason to stare.

Seriously, I don't know what these last few weeks are trying to tell me, sending all these characters that should be dead/are dying my way. It's almost like someone's trying to prove a point. Because here's the thing: I'm pretty sure that Dan and Nawaki never met in the original time line. You see, the latter's death was what actually brought Dan and Tsunade together. Shared grief over lost siblings, since Dan's sister had died, too. Narutoverse bonding at its best and purest.

Oh, and not to forget the reform that's going to revolutionize the whole squad system in the shinobi world and save a shit-ton of people's lives. You know, the one where they introduce the concept of field medics.

Oh gosh, I just realized that we don't have that, yet. What a shit period to be alive.

Regashi nudges me and I turn my head with a jerky motion to look at him.

"What," I say.

"You're staring," he says with that friendly smile of his.

Oops. I'd forgotten.

Dan finally leaves and Tsunade lets us into her office. It's cleaner and more orderly than I imagined, having her Hokage office and Shizune's exasperation clear before my inner eye. There's a big desk in the middle, some chairs for guests to sit on and shelves upon shelves of files, scrolls and leather-bound volumes of medical texts. The furniture is all in the same clean white like the rest of the hospital, but still the room manages to radiate some kind of professional warmth.

Nawaki flops down on one of the chairs and starts rocking it back and forth, watching as his sister rummages through a cabinet with an assortment of vials and other receptacles.

"Don't abuse the chair," she says absentmindedly and Nawaki stops with a pout.

"So, how's team training going?"

"Fine. Hanako has been torturing us with speed and stamina exercises up until now, but I think we'll move on to harder stuff after tomorrow."

"Oh? Why after tomorrow?"

"She gave us a day off."

Tsunade snorts and turns back around, a few tubes with pills in her hand. "You still believe Hanako when she gives you a day off?"

"We do have to safeguard her chocolate wrapper figurines," Regashi says pensively. "I actually expect it to be some kind of exercise."

What? Exercise? But – day off!

"I'm almost sorry that I'm working in the hospital," Tsunade grins. "It's probably going to be interesting to watch the action."

"I don't think it's gonna be something big," Nawaki pipes back in. "It's only the start of Etsuko-chan's second week after all."

Tsunade makes a disbelieving "hah!"-sound and doesn't comment any further on it. That's not very confidence-inducing, if I may say so. She gives each of us one of those pill tubes.

"You're lucky, they just passed the testing phase and will soon be distributed along with the standard equipment. Still, be careful when using them. Never more than one at once, and only one per day!"

"Sure thing, Tsunade-nee!"

Regashi and I voice our consent, too, and then we're unceremoniously shoved out of her office. Tsunade ruffles Nawaki's hair affectionately and Nawaki grins cheekily.

"Tell Jiraiya-nii that I said hello! And Orochi-nii!"

What the hell. Did he just call Orochimaru, creepy-snake-Orochimaru Orochi-nii?

"Yeah, yeah. Now, off with you! I have work to do!"

And then she shuts the door.

Orochi-nii?!

I spend the time needed to get out of Konoha Hospital trying to wrap my head around that concept – but, seriously? Orochi-nii?!

"Okay, Etsuko-chan. See you tomorrow, probably. Stay alert!"

Both boys wave at me and before I can answer with anything but a half-hearted wave of my own, they're off.

Great. Now I forgot to ask what Hanako might have planned for tomorrow. Looks like I'll just have to take my chances with that.

Well, like Nawaki said. It can't be too bad, right?

Mwahahaha