"People who are still tormented by their consciences are still worth saving."~Liar Game
.42
Shikamaru was about ninety percent certain that Mitomi was on the verge of losing her shit. More so than she usually was and to him that was rather troublesome. The diplomatic mission scroll request from Suna for her was placed in his hands when she refused to take it. Probably because she'd recently gotten a letter from Naruto saying he would be stopping by the village soon and that the timing of this mission would more than likely would mean she doesn't in fact get to see her brother whom she hadn't seen in over a year.
He was only present because his team had been requested to accompany her for reasons they weren't given. Something about clearance level. But he knew it was a load of crap. Anyone could see through it. Mitomi had pointed it out weeks ago to them.
No one was willing to get to know her, so know one trusted her. She wasn't warm and inviting. She didn't demand attention like Naruto had. Mitomi was callous, she was prickly, she was broken. Shikamaru didn't understand why everyone continued to walk on eggshells around her. If anyone would actually try to get to know her, the'y'd realize despite the prodigy air and scay monster vibes she exuded Mitomi was actually a pretty interesting person.
He watched as she crossed her arms over her chest legitimately huffing at Lady Tsunade. "When do we have to leave?" Will I at least get to see my brother? A silent question speaks volume into the room around them.
"As soon as possible. Diplomacy missions to Suna are high priority."Tsunade says but Shikamaru knows that Mitomi is no longer paying attention. She literally looked away from their Hokage to look at him. It is an obvious act of disrespect, a true powerplay.
"Do you think Temari will slap me again?" She asks in a tone that he recognizes as bored and looking for trouble.
"Dunno, are you going to intentionally goude her again?" She pouts at his answer because it's probably not what she wanted from him. He raises a brow. Following her lead anyway. Shikamaru knew her very well at this point, this was just her trying to do her best not to lose it.
"That wasn't my fault, I had to make sure the seal was doing its job and that Gaara knew what he was capable of." He halfheartedly hums. The truth was Mitomi hadn't deserved that slap. She's done nothing wrong, only what was asked of her.
Funny it was not that his friend seemed to keep getting punished just for doing what she had no control over. It wasn't like she asked to be reincarnated into a world that hates her. Mitomi told him the truth overtime, with hints, and lots of subtext. Knowing now what he did about her made him all the more wary of his surroundings. Made him pay closer attention.
Mitom had done what she thought was right. She told the truth. Ino's dad literally walked through her mindscape yet they still didn't trust her. So now she was being punished for it. First with the team assignments and now with admission that would take her way from the village when she could finally see her brother after a long time. It didn't sit well with him at all.
It was quite frankly a tragedy. Mitomi could have loved their village, she could have wanted to fight for it and instead the village made her their enemy.
They left shortly after that, Ino gave them both a rather disappointed look. "Could you two have been anymore disrespectful?" Her tone was incredulous. She looks almost mad. Shikamaru shrugs, slipping the scroll into the pack before putting his hands in his pockets.
"Yes." Mitomi states simply with a smirk before turning to look at him, a thoughtful look crosses her eyes. She tilts her head slightly.
"You didn't have to go along though." He shrugged at her and she accepted it for what it was.
They headed to the gate soon after,their orders had been to leave immediately.
…
Unlike last time I entered this waste-land I was greeted by a much nicer face. Okay the stern expression that stayed on Baki's face was probably not necessarily nice but it was much preferred over the idiodic face of Temari and her brother. I still quite frankly did not like Gaara's older siblings; they were rather annoying.
"Welcome to Suna Uzamaki-san and co." Baki grunted gesturing for our group to follow after him.
"When does the Kazekage wish to see me? How soon would he like for us to get started?" I take the reins, letting Team Asuma off the hook. Especially since they were essentially just here to babysit me.
"The matter isn't as urgent as it was before, Lord Garaa has instructed me to first let you and your team get settled. He would like to meet with you tomorrow afternoon to discuss." I nod taking that in. So… this could have waited a day or two then..
"Sounds reasonable. Lead the way then, I trust you will take care of us." He offers a stiff nod, and going forward there is no more communicating.
My absolute favorite type of walk.
…
Ino knew innately that there were many sides to Mitomi that she never allowed people to see. But sometimes if you were lucky a glimmer of a new piece would shine through and under all of the airs the red head put on was a rather kind person. Of course Ino would never say that outloud, Mitomi would blatantly refuse the idea out of sheer stubbornness. So she wouldn't ruin the moment by pointing out just how different the other girl acted around their pregnant host.
The inns were full of merchants this time of year in Suna and their team had been shunted off on the rather intense sand Jonin who'd greeted them at the gate. Baki if she remembered correctly. His apparent wife, a chunin in the late months of pregnancy had greeted them with a kind smile when they arrived at their home. Her name was Akari and honestly she could have been Mitomi's twin despite the age and height difference.
Ino watched as Mitomi practically dropped all her airs in the face of this woman. Who she also apparently knew, well from the sudden hug she gave the grinning kunoichi was any indication. "It's good to see that you haven't blown yourself up." Akari grinned mischievously ruffling the top of Mitomi's head. Which they all knew she hated.
"Yeah well it's good to see you haven't died from all those fumes you breathe." Mitomi shot back as she fixed her hair glaring from the side of her eye.
"Baki you didn't tell me it was Mi-chan who would be staying with us, and look at the adorable team with her. Leaf ninja are so cute." The chunin's tone was whimsical and Ino really wanted to know how these two knew each other. It had to be an interesting story for there to be nicknames. Although she would say she was slightly offended by being called cute by a sand kunoichi.
"I wanted it to be a surprise." He told her dryly. Clearly he had not in fact cared at all. Akari pouted at him before turning to actually smile at the rest of them. Ushering them into her home warmly.
"Thank you for inviting us into your home, your kindness is appreciated." Ino responded with a polite bow. The boys just nodded. Their host just chuckled.
"How far along are you Akari? Do I need to expect to deliver your baby too?" Mitomi questions, eyeing Akari carefully. At that Ino couldn't help but to ask, her mind doesn't filter fast enough to stop it.
"Have you had to deliver a baby before?" Mitomi looked at her with a small smirk and actually winked.
"I have, actually I have delivered seven babies since the start of my shinobi career. One set of twins, two singletons and one set of triplets. Four births in total, only one was actually expected to happen and I was sent knowing that I'd be delivering a baby in the middle of an escort mission." And Ino is so shocked by this information, not because it seemed out of character for Mitomi, no it was just how damn happy the girl looked when she answered the question.
Who would have known?
"The triplets are doing really well by the way, they start in academy soon, their mother went on to have another set of twins, and one more baby after that. You saved her life that day, if you're up to it while you are here for your mission I could take you to see Saki I am sure she would love too." Akari offered up and you could see the heat rising on Mitomi's.
"I am glad to hear that, and if time allows certainly but that doesn't change the fact that you ignored my question Akari. Will I need to be prepared to deliver your baby while I am here?" The suna woman just laughed in response.
"Hopefully not, I'm still a month or so away from my due date. Good Saki will be pleased." At that Baki regained the group's attention by clearing his throat.
"Akari they have traveled a long way and would probably like to rest, you and Uzumaki-san can catch up later. She will be here for a few days at least." Ino watched as Akari playfully frowned at her partner.
"Sah, I suppose. Very well Mi-chan Yamanaka-san if you will follow me I can show you to your room, Baki show the boys theirs please." And that was that.
Ino suspected they would have an early start in the morning despite the meeting time between Mitomi and the Kazekage.
XOXOX
Okay I'm not dead I've just been hella busy sadly. So yeah Mitomi has a hidden talent. I've had this idea about her for a little while just something to ground her character. It may be important later… so do with that what you must. Also as you can see some interesting seeds are being sowed here with Team 10.
Anyway… thank you for reading! I love all of you guys and hope that you have a great day/evening!
Sincerely, LaRae