Kaoru sighed, like a mother patiently dealing with a child. "I'm sorry, Atsuko. It wasn't supposed to go like this."
"You told me this wouldn't happen." The leader was angry now, pointing his finger at Kaoru. "If you cooperated, this would be easy for your people."
"I did cooperate. I did everything you asked for." She spread her arms. "All of this was yours. But you made mistakes."
"I didn't make mistakes," he snarled.
Atsuko made her move. Launching herself up with the help of her chakra, she wrapped herself around the leader, pulling on his chakra with everything she had. He thrashed wildly. Shinobi were more in-tune with their chakra, able to feel it pulled out. Atsuko knew it felt like threads being tugged that shouldn't be tugged. He wasn't a shinobi and didn't know what she was doing to him. He started to scream.
Keeping her hands on his head, Atsuko clung to him as he sank to the ground, unable to stand. As every muscle relaxed, unable to maintain its tension, then Atsuko felt safe enough to let go. She fixed her eye on Kaoru who remained frozen in place.
"What did you do to him?" she asked in a whisper.
"What is going on here?" Atsuko demanded. "Who are you?"
Glancing from Atsuko to the whimpering leader, her eyes widened in fear and she turned to flee.
A wall of flames erupted from the doorway. Kaoru skidded to a stop with a yelp, then turned.
"But…"
"I know," Yukina said. "I was supposed to be under your spell. Good thing my friend here knows her way around chakra."
"I don't…what…how?" stammered Kaoru.
"First you explain what's going on here, then we'll move on to questions," Atsuko said, the sternness of her voice startling even to herself.
"Please, I did it for my village. We had to survive." Her lip trembled and she began to shake. "It was the only way I knew to save them."
Yukina grabbed the only chair and threw it onto the ground in front of Kaoru. "Sit."
After a moment, Kaoru rushed to right the chair and sat in it, head bowed slightly, her eyes on the shinobi.
From her position on the dais, Yukina considered the young woman, slowly descending the stairs, then circling the chair. "Start from the beginning."
Kaoru immediately launched into a recounting of her village's troubles.
"He said his name name was Kei. He came to our village, asking for food, water, and shelter for his people as they traveled. We are a small but loving village, and we took them in unreservedly. That night the men he'd left hidden in the forest attacked, capturing each member of the village. He knew we were well known for our wheat fields," Kaoru explained. "He wanted that power for himself."
"How did he find out about the silk?" Atsuko asked. She sensed Yukina's raised eyebrow.
"He demanded we give up our valuables, anything of value. If we refused, or couldn't find enough to please him, he began to hurt my people. I couldn't let him do that. I told him that if I promised to give him something even more valuable than the wheat, he wouldn't have any reason to hurt us."
"How could you possibly think that was going to work on him?" Yukina asked harshly.
"I don't know." Kaoru trembled again. She began to cry, genuine tears of frustration, fear, and shame. "I had to do something. We don't know how to fight and we had no way of calling for help."
"So he took over and forced the villagers to do the work for him. What about all the young people in your village?" Atsuko asked. "Surely you're not the only one of your age."
"No. Those my age were forced or convinced to join his army. Those too young, too old, or too stubborn were killed or sent to harvest the silk. I haven't seen them. I assume they're alive only because he's been stockpiling the silk they gathered." Kaoru's tears grew larger. "Please. I knew things were getting bad which is why I snuck out Ren, the little girl. Someone had to help us."
"Good thing, too," Yukina said. "What about your power? Do you know what it is?"
Kaoru sniffed and rubbed her nose on her sleeve. "I've always had it. It's gotten stronger as I get older. I don't use it often, though. It seems to help people sleep, but they never wake refreshed."
Yukina snorted.
"What is it?" Kaoru asked, then turned to Atsuko. "You knew how to end it. You've seen it before?"
"I could tell Yukina was in what we call a genjutsu," Atsuko explained. "Shinobi are trained to resist and break it. How did Kei find out about it?"
"I panicked and used it on one of the guards. He seemed to know what it was, and would make me do it once in a while. Usually on one of my people who was misbehaving."
Atsuko looked at Yukina and saw that she had the same thought.
"What are you going to do with me?" Kaoru asked hesitantly. "Are you going to kill me?"
"While your actions were admirable in defense of your village, you caused people to be hurt, and even killed," Yukina said. Her voice was calm and sympathetic. She knelt so Kaoru looked down at her slightly. "You will need to be tried, but you won't be killed."
"Are you sure?" Kaoru wiped her eyes. "It's my fault you were hurt. And that poor boy! They beat him up so badly."
Yukina's jaw worked silently. "You won't be killed," she said again. "You will only be punished. After that, I hope we can convince you to get some training for your genjutsu talent. If you learn to use it properly, you can put it to better use than knocking out your allies."
Hope glistened in the young woman's eyes. "Really? It's something I can use to help my village?"
"If you train hard enough, you might be able to put someone like this guy out of commission," Atsuko said, nudging Kei with her toe. "And who knows? You might have other talents we're not aware of."
Kaoru's eyes flickered to stare at something behind Atsuko. Atsuko shared a glance with Yukina, then slowly turned and walked back towards the dais, her steps echoing off the wooden walls.
Kei glanced up as she stepped up by him. His eyes widened and he curled into a ball. Frowning, Atsuko crouched. She'd never pulled the chakra out of a non-shinobi before, and not so much.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
The whimpering stopped and the fear on his face colored with confusion. "Huh?"
"Can you stand?"
His eyes darted around. Yukina's fire still burned by the door and he looked to Atsuko in a panic. "What are you going to do to me?"
"Stand, and I'll decide."
He stood, but had to pull himself up the wall, leaning on it and breathing heavily like he'd been in a long fight. Interesting.
"How do you feel?" she asked again.
"Exhausted and defeated," he replied. "Just…give me time to leave."
Behind her, Yukina snorted. "Not likely. You're in even more trouble than she is. At least she had a good reason."
Watching as his face screwed into a snarl before he thought better of yelling at the fire user, Atsuko saw that he was as he said. Exhausted and weak, he wasn't as bad off as she would have expected. She might not have pulled out as much as she thought.
Still, he wasn't exactly deserving of pity. She reached out and grabbed his ear between two fingers. He shrieked as she dragged him to the door. She paused, then threw him through the flames, stepping through behind him.
The remaining guards were gathered outside, some with their weapons up. All looked confused and worried. When their leader fell face-first in the dirt before them, the confusion tinted with fear.
"Your reign of terror is at an end," Atsuko said, projecting her voice. "Leave the village. Anyone wanting to remain, will have to deal with me. Anyone wanting to deal with me will also have to deal with her." She gestured behind her at the fire as Yukina stepped through, untouched by the heat. Whatever expression she had on her face must have been terrifying. Within seconds the guards were gone, fleeing the terrible fire demon, their weapons still spinning where they'd fallen to the ground. Kei glanced around and tried to get to his feet.
Atsuko grabbed a spear and threw it, the blade piercing him through the middle of his outstretched hand. "You," Atsuko said, glaring at Kei, "aren't going anywhere."
As he shrieked, she wondered if she'd let the rush of victory take over a little too much, but Yukina came forward to stand beside her, nodding in approval.
"What should we do with him? Leave him to the villagers?"
"No," Atsuko said. "He's too dangerous. He wormed his way in once. They shouldn't have to go through that again. Let's take him back to Konoha. In a box."
"I can help," Kaoru said, coming up from behind. Yukina's flames were just smoldering now, somehow not burning the entire building down. "With your permission, of course."
Yukina and Atsuko shared a look, then nodded. Kaoru knelt beside Kei.
"You can't do this to me. You work for me! You can still share the profits. Just let me go…" His voice trailed off as his eyes slowly closed, like he was falling asleep. Kaoru kept her hand on his shoulder until he collapsed to the ground.
Kaoru stood. "It won't make up for what I've done, but at least he should be less of a hassle."
"Good enough for me!" Yukina exclaimed. "Where's Gisuke?"
"He's out in the forest, waiting until things are safe," Atsuko said.
"Don't make me sound too pathetic," Gisuke said as he walked out from behind a hut, limping. "Once all the guards converged on the village, I followed to see what was up. Figured it was you guys. Thought I'd hold the rear."
"What were you going to do? Swat them from behind?" Yukina snorted. "You're not in good enough shape to walk, much less take all those guards from behind."
"Psh," he replied, waving off her jab. "At least I wasn't asleep the whole time."
"I wasn't asleep! For your information, Atsuko woke me up about five minutes before things got interesting."
"And then she waited for the most dramatic moment to rise and save the day," Atsuko said. "Really. You didn't have to be there to know how it went."
Yukina stretched her arms pointedly. "It's hard work being the hero. And now we've got two people to deal with."
"Just one." Atsuko looked at Kaoru. "You are the leader of your village, and all of you have been through a lot. Find your people, and work to rebuild your village. We will send what help and supplies we can, but once your village is back together, you are to come to Konoha."
"For punishment," Kaoru said, nodding.
"And training." Atsuko looked at Kei. "Just for that, I'd like to thank you."
A smile crept onto Kaoru's face, and Atsuko thought it hadn't seen one for a long time. "Thank you. Not for me, but for my village. We are free now."
"And your secret is safe. As far as my report will say, all the villagers were put to work in the fields."
Her smile widened. "Thank you. But after what you've done, I plan to send a few products to Konoha in repayment."
Atsuko laughed. "I'm sure someone can find a use for it."
"Wait, is he under a genjutsu?" Gisuke asked.
Atsuko heard Yukina roll her eyes. "You are always behind, med-nin."
"I was tortured!"
"Whatever."
"How does that feel?"
They were less than a day from Konoha and Gisuke had regained enough energy that Atsuko was comfortable letting him heal her face.
Running her fingertips across her cheek, it felt almost as smooth as before. She moved her face, twisting her mouth and cheek. The flesh moved and stretched as normal without pulling.
"It feels great. Thanks."
"I should thank you," he said, his voice lowering. Was that shame?
"Atsuko did an amazing job, and we both owe her our lives. Plus she's the one who completed the mission," Yukina declared loudly. "At this rate, she'll outshine both of us and go off to have all the S-rank missions all to herself."
"Not likely," Atsuko snorted. "If I leave you two alone, you'll be captured, tortured, and who knows what else. You need me," she said proudly.
"I think we do." Yukina's voice held no sarcasm, no tease, just the complete honesty she reserved for serious moments.
Atsuko felt her cheeks flush.
"Now let's get home and turn in. I haven't slept in days."
Atsuko burst out laughing.
Walking behind her friends, the rope of the donkey carrying Kei's body, Atsuko couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so happy. As dirty, sore and tired as she was, for the first time she felt accomplished. That all her training, wishes, and hopes had culminated in the perfect expression of what she truly desired. Watching Yukina and Gisuke trade insults, a warm wave of contentment settled on her. She still needed them, and now she knew they needed her. They were a team, and she was an equal member. This confidence felt amazing and she wished she could save it and bring it out later when she knew she'd need it. But for now, she felt like she could do anything.
It was warm, the morning sun already promising a hot day. She removed the rag from around her neck, relishing the feeling of the breeze on the back of her neck. Eyeing the rag, she gripped it in her hand, focusing on the confidence, the memory of taking on the guards of the village all by herself, the feeling when she stared down at Kei, knowing she'd won. Behind it, the calm steady pat of rain from a dark cloud. She felt the untapped power of a storm, capable of flooding a valley, or ripping a tree from its roots. She felt it bubble from within, the potential she hadn't even tapped into yet.
When she opened her hand, the rag was soaked, dripping water as if she'd pulled it out of a lake.
Leaving Kei at the front gates to be transferred to a prison, Atsuko, Yukina, and Gisuke split off, each eager for food, rest, and a bath. Atsuko wearily made her way past the food stalls. She couldn't decide what she wanted first, but food was just a few steps away. She'd agreed to write the report since she was the one conscious for most of it, and figured if she got good food in her belly she could get that done and out of the way, then take care of the next two necessities.
Ichiraku Ramen was a few blocks away. Usually she avoided eating there, preferring to wait until Naruto returned. The association between the two was strong, but she felt justified after her mission. Naruto would approve.
Sliding into the stall, she picked a seat on the edge. She remembered Naruto always liked to sit in the middle. She was far less social and liked to stay out of people's way. She ordered a simple bowl, forcing herself to eat it slowly to savor the flavor. A pair of villagers took the other end, laughing and sharing stories. Half-listening, she smiled to herself, comforted by the sounds of a normal village carrying on with life. She still had aches and pains from Kei, her throat in particular was probably bruised. She hadn't been around a mirror lately. Even though the two weren't even remotely related, she felt a bit responsible for the carefree attitude of the two villagers. Like they could have such a carefree life because she'd risked her life to save a village. It seemed a bit too self-centered, but considering she hardly ever felt that accomplished, she allowed herself the thought.
Atsuko was draining her bowl when someone else came in and took a seat next to her. Putting down the bowl, she nearly choked on the broth.
Genma had a slightly satisfied expression as she coughed into a napkin. While he ordered a bowl, she made a show of examining him, staring, getting up and walking around him.
"What?" he asked finally.
"You look an awful lot like my teacher, but I don't see any bandages. You must be an impostor."
He snorted, his appreciation for her joke implied.
"What brings you to the ramen shop?"
"Apart from needing lunch?" he said, accepting the bowl from Ichiraku, then taking out his senbon and sticking it into the table. "You."
"Me? I just got back. What could possibly be so urgent?" she asked.
Genma tagged Ichiraku and ordered her another bowl. "How did it go?"
"The mission? Fine. Why?" She narrowed her eyes, her chopsticks forgotten between her fingers. "Did you hear something?"
"Any idea why there's a prisoner being processed?"
"Oh, him. Yeah, he conned a village into giving him the profits from their main business and almost killed us. Definitely the most intense mission I've ever been on."
Genma ate his ramen, so she worked on her second bowl. She'd only planned to have the one bowl, but she enjoyed the company and it seemed to be finding plenty of room in her belly.
"Have you written your report yet?" he asked.
"After lunch." Again they returned to silence. What was he up to? He'd always been hard to read, and half the time she couldn't tell if he was joking, messing with her, or serious.
"Anything else happen?"
"Lots. You might want to read the report when I'm done. It might answer your questions."
His lip twitched. "Any progress on your other mission?"
She frowned, then realized what he referred to. Unwrapping the rag from her neck, she concentrated, bringing up the same memories of rain, power, and confidence. The rag filled with water, overflowed her palm, and dripped on the floor.
Genma raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Good. You can call it on command." Taking his bowl in two hands, he drained the broth and dropped it empty on the counter. "Find me after you file your report." Taking his senbon, he placed it between his teeth with a familiar clack. As he stood, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good job with the thieves." Then he left.
Wow, she thought. Genma was spare with his praise. But he seemed to know more about her mission. She hadn't given anything away. Maybe he talked to the guards. Maybe he ran into Yukina or Gisuke. Unlikely, though. She doubted he knew who they were.
With a sigh, she stood. Ichiraku leaned over the counter and handed her a piece of paper.
"He left me the bill?!"