"Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated." ~Confucious

The Cloudless Sky

Unfortunately Complex Resolutions

.2

It felt weird. To be back in this uniform, to feel her own breath constantly against her cheeks. But if this was the price to pay to get to the bottom of all that had happened then she supposed it was worth it. At least she'd brushed her teeth.

She willingly slipped the porcelain mask over her face, sighing because she never understood why porcelain. Shimari could feel Shisui's eyes burning a hole in her back. "If you have something to say Shi go ahead and say it."

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?" He questions carefully. Not because he didn't trust her, if he hadn't then he wouldn't have told her what has been going on in the village and in his clan. Mainly because he worried about her.

She was like family to him. The older sister he always wanted and got when she fell in love with his brother and didn't lose when his brother died. Shimari stuck around even when she didn't have too. He didn't want to lose her now. Not after finally getting her back home, back with him.

Unbreakable bonds between them. They shared a grief.

"It is currently the best option we have, I need to figure out how deep the corruption goes. And just why your clan is being distrusted and shamed, if I'm going to fix anything I need to understand the problem." And going back to ANBU headquarters was the only way to find out, Shimari wasn't sure who she could even trust at this time.

A cout de ta in the planning and an elder with his own spies and weapons did not make for a combination she liked. Not a village she could realistically stand behind. The Konoha she grew up to believe in is not the one she currently saw. Shimari would be damned if she didn't try at least to do something.

Shisui deserved a village and clan to be proud of and that precious little boy Uzumaki Naruto deserved a village worthy of his admiration. It seemed Shimari was about to force the better tomorrow Minato had dreamed about. That he had promised them.

His death untimely, and heartbreaking, did not make for an excuse to quit his dream.

"Shisui, do not leave my apartment until I come back." Is what she tells him right before vanishing in a whirl of smoke. He stares at empty space, but he was supposed to go on patrol in an hour.

He crossed his arms over his chest sinking down into the couch. Well then, guess he was going to listen to her. Especially since she'd just listened to him and believed him without any protest of doubt.

She had faith in him. So he should at least return the favor.

...

As a member of ANBU she had been highly ranked and well respected. She still technically was. But it had been a long time since she'd walked these halls, there wasn't a good way to express how she felt about being back in the building that took so much of her life from her. Instead she focused on her task, the stolen scroll and files that proved what Shisui had told her were held tightly to her chest.

If this did not pan out the way she wanted, the way she expected then she was going to be in a lot of trouble. Shimari supposed she could cross that bridge when she came upon it. So much was at stake here, lives were literally on the line. There was only one person she could trust with this, and she still had to make sure he deserved her trust.

The current ANBU commander who had been picked by Minato just after he'd taken over office should still be loyal to the Hokage. Her own former captain was a trustworthy and loyal man but she still had to be sure that that had not changed in her absence. Since so many things had.

Shimari was really not pleased with how her return to the village had been going. She was quite frankly not happy at all. The longer she was here the more she wished she'd just stayed away. Those thoughts she pushed aside, her ill feelings and temperament would be put on the back burner until she could fix this. Her own feelings would only cloud her judgment and get in the way.

"Ah, Racoon. I heard you were back in the village. Although I didn't believe you'd be in such haste to return to headquarters." That voice, she'd recognize anywhere. Even behind a mask. Considering he'd always worn one.

Through her mask she met his gaze. Eyes narrowed even though he couldn't see. Shimari was once again reminded of her anger about what she'd witnessed the night before. And for the first time she actually wondered why the hell had the Yondaime's own apprentice allowed that to happen.

Because there was no doubt that Hatake Kakashi didn't know who that little boy was. "Yes well I came upon a troubling matter that I believe will warrant immediate attention." Instead she redirected her anger back to the matter at hand. Reminding herself that Kakashi was barely an adult himself and that unfortunately there was nothing she could do right now to him. She needed to speak with the ANBU commander.

"What matters?" Shimari watches as his brain switches gears from nonchalant to interested rather fast. In that moment she decides she can actually use him, he can make up for his lack of concern for the boy who was his master's son by doing something for her. An apology he didn't know he owed her.

Because if anyone should have been looking out for Naruto it should have been Kakashi.

"A concerning one. Now if you would like to provide help on the matter, I do in fact need something from you." She could also determine if she could trust him now. If he was still himself, somewhere deep down.

Grief, she knew from her own personal experience changed a person. And Kakashi was changed. The kid who had respected his master so much would have never allowed such mistreatment of his son before. But the child was gone and replaced by this hollowed out person before work.

Grief, sorrow, it was his master now. Shimari knew how that felt better than anyone else. She knew that if you let it, you would become a slave to those feelings and once that happened… you drowned.

"Whatever you need Racoon." She nodded, and even with arms full she managed to pull a seal out of her pouch.

"I need you to go hide this seal on the Uzumaki heir." He very hesitantly took it from her. Shimari smiled behind her mask, good. It showed her that he still had something of his old self.

"What is it? And why?" He does ask, which she is actually happy about.

Perhaps there was still hope for this poor man after all. Maybe she could help him, at least so he didn't become so much like her. He could have a better chance at a more rounded future. "Protection."

And that was good enough for Kakashi it seemed. He left without another word. Wonderful. Shimari at least knew she could count on him to do what she needed. Which she hadn't been to sure about before. She continued on her self given task.

Shimari prayed to whatever god dared to listen that her next encounter would go just as smoothly. She hoped the ANBU commander was still the man she remembered him to be. But one could never be too sure. Yet, she was still going to put everything on the line. It was just a risk she'd have to take.

ANBU commander Owl took a moment to just stare at his former student as she entered the office. His eyes narrowed behind his mask to read the labeled scrolls, that were more than likely commondered quietly. "I see you have resumed your normal habits." His tone is dry, there is a sense of humor in it, but still she remains tense.

Uncomfortable. Uncertain. Wary.

Owl did not like the ora she was putting off. He did not appreciate the distrust radiating from her presence. Racoon had uncovered something bad it seemed, something that was making her question even him. Yet she waited, quietly watching him, she too was trying to determine his motives as he tried to hers.

She was looking for confirmation before handing over what she had discovered. Which meant she needed to know he could be trusted with it. That handing it over to him wouldn't cause more issues. Owl suddening realized something even worse.

Racoon had found a traitor in their midst and now she couldn't be certain of anyone's intentions. Even his. Which meant the traitor was someone high ranking, with the power to persuade. Owl knew exactly what was going on now.

ROOT. Raccoon had discovered the existence of ROOT. But what Owl needed to know now was how and why. And to determine those two things he was going to have to reassure his student of his loyalties. Because they always would be to the village, to the Hokage, and to her.

He would never betray her trust. Not again, not after what became to her when he didn't believe her last time. "Is it hell or is it high waters Racoon?"

"Unfortunately it's both tachio." She tells him as she finally hands over everything she'd been holding on to.

"The Uchiha are planning a Coup d'etat, because someone is making them believe that they are not trusted members of our village. Someone is abusing their power. The Uchiha will revolt if we do not solve these issues immediately." Racoon informs him, there is no hint of doubt in her voice. She believes her statement to be a hundred percent factual.

Damn.

…

Simple explanations make for unfortunately complex resolutions. Shimari decided, her mask removed as she shared everything that she had determined since arriving back in the village a little over twenty-four hours ago to the Sandaime himself. Shisui was here with her, she'd gone to retrieve him after her meeting with Owl.

He gave his own confession to their Hokage after an encouraging nod from Shimari. She stood with him. Now the truth was out there like a shining beacon of light in the darkness. One that could never be turned off or go away. Like the new sense of doubt Shimari felt for her village. For it's leaders. For the people.

It would take time to do anything about the organization known as ROOT, lots of time and careful calculations. The citizens of the Leaf village could never know that something so horrible, so dishonorable had been allowed to operate within these walls. Shimari wanted to throw up at the mere thought of all she had uncovered of ROOT. She watched the Sandaime carefully now.

As he processed what they were telling him. Owl gave a confirmation when the Hokage asked, there was no denying the truth before them. The horrible thoughts of what could have and still might come for them because of all of this darkness.

Brokenness.

"Uchiha-san, Nara-san thank you for bringing this situation to light." The Sandaime finally spoke, he sounded tired. Shimari could see the age on his face, in his eyes, his very soul for that one moment.

"Of course Sandaime-sama." Shisui bows his head, the relief on his face. But Shimari stays quiet. Pensive.

She knew that a lot of this could have been avoided, if six years ago when Naruto was born and orphaned if he'd just been given to his godmother to raise. It would have shown a great deal of faith, and trust for the Uchiha clan. And instead they were slighted yet again.

Shimari quite frankly didn't understand the reasoning.

Tailed-beast or not.

"Nara-san, is there something troubling you?" He asks as if he already knows the answer. It was why Shimari had always had mixed feelings about the Sandaime. She wasn't ever sure she could just trust him blindly.

So she hadn' still didn't.

"I'm sorry sir. But yes, there is something that is still troubling me. I hope that you'll be able to shed some light on the situation." She stopped waiting for permission to go ahead. Because once she started, it was no holds bar.

"Certainly,if I can." Then he waited.

"Wonderful. Can you explain to me why the son of the Yondaime was being chased through the streets of this village. Abused even. Because i've racked my brian for every plausible explanation and yet to come up with any that are justifiable." The look on her face was set in stone. She was not happy, she hadn't been since she met that poor child.

Shimari was standing on the edge of losing all faith in her village. And if her Hokage, her leader didn't supply her with an explanation she liked. She knew that any chance of regaining her faith in the village would not be while the Sandaime wore the hat.

"Those are some serious accusations you are making Nara Shimari." It's a warning, but it was far too late for that now.

Shimari would not just stand by and watch. She owed at least that to Kushina and Minato. It may be the only thing that she can do for them now, but she would ensure the safety and care of their son.

It was all she could do.

It was what their memory deserved.

XOXOX

WOW… I was actually able to get another chapter written in what I'm calling a timely manner. Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter!

Thank you for all the positive feedback from the last chapter! Thank you for reading!

I hope you all have wonderfully beautiful days!

Sincerely,

LaRae