The cave that they're led to is too small and too quiet to possibly house an organisation like the Akatsuki, no matter how much their numbers have been diminished by Hanzou's betrayal during the Third Shinobi World War. But it is also an expected precaution — no secret organisation would last this long if they let strangers into the heart of their headquarters or let them meet their leader, even if those strangers are allies.
The Akatsuki have already learnt painful lessons that allies one day can be enemies the next.
In the absence of electricity, the cave is dark and quiet, illuminated only by the occasional pine pitch torch lining the walls. The stifling humidity does not diminish but for once Snake and Kakashi are dry and bundled up in warm Akatsuki cloaks, enjoying a proper meal of wild vegetables and boiled quail eggs.
"We have a dead drop in the city," Konan says, absently rolling a quail egg around the dish in her hand. "If you place your reports there, one of our members will be able to pick it up within a week or so and pass it to Konoha. Of course, if you have any needs, write them in as well and we will try to give you as much aid as possible."
"Thank you for your invaluable support," Snake replies with a polite smile. "Is there a specific encryption that you use...?"
As the living discuss the details of their collaboration inside the cave, the Konoha ghosts make their way outside to sit with the guards. The rain had eased slightly, leaving the mountains thickly shrouded with grey, impenetrable mist. Far away from civilisation, the only sound that reaches their ears is whistle of wind cutting against stone and the light patter of rain.
Yahiko joins them a moment later, taking a seat besides Sakumo with a smile. "All ready for tomorrow?"
The silver-haired jounin tilts his head questioningly. "For entering the city? I believe so."
"There's ninety-nine percent chance that will be a fight," Hyaku says, looking up from where she had unfurled her scroll. The complex seals painted there are hardly legible in the low light of dusk. "It will be fun." She grins sharply at Rin's alarmed look. "Don't worry girlie, I'll protect you."
"I'll kick their butts myself, thank you very much," Rin huffs, blowing a strand of hair out of her face.
"Where's your tanto? You know, the White Chakra one?" Honest curiousity lights Yahiko's dark brown eyes.
"It's with my son. It's broken though," Sakumo replies with an air of melancholy. The tanto had been a Hatake heirloom since the clan's days in Kiri. It's hardly Kakashi's fault that it had shattered during the Kannabi mission; Sakumo's dejection stems from the way he sees the blade as symbolic of the clan's brokenness, not the least because Sakumo had used it himself to commit seppuku. With Sakumo's blood and so many other bad memories staining the blade, perhaps it is for the better than it had broken and Kakashi no longer uses it anymore.
"Maa— it doesn't have to be the real thing, you know. It just needs to be something dear enough for you to have a connection to. Look at this." Before Sakumo's wide eyes, Yahiko holds out his hand and a longsword appears in his palm with a musical 'pop'. Leaping to his feet, Yahiko swings it at Hyaku with a laugh and she blocks it with the rod of her scroll. Metal sings against metal and Hyaku scowls.
"Watch it brat, or I'll seal you into a kettle."
"Genies stay in lamps," Yahiko cackles.
"Well you'll just be a sad ghost in a kettle then."
Yahiko shrugs and flashes a grin at Sakumo. "Anyway... the real thing is with Konan together with my body—"
"—your body?!" Rin exclaims, morbidly fascinated.
"—preserved, yes." Veering off his original line of thought again, Yahiko begins to excitedly ramble on about the bed of white paper roses Konan had folded for him.
Sakumo looks down at his hands and clenches his right into a fist. He can still feel the callouses on his fingers and palms from using kenjutsu his whole life. Despite all his ambivalent feelings towards the tanto, having his companion back would offer a measure of comfort. And since Sakumo has no intention of utilising ninjutsu unless pressed to do so - in case it affects Kakashi's health and mission - the short sword will prove useful.
What Yahiko had done doesn't seem very difficult. If he can just close his eyes and focus...
The sudden weight on his palm has Sakumo snapping his eyes open even as his fingers close tightly around the familiar shape of the hilt. The glistening silver blade is just as whole and perfect as he remembered, the finely-honed edge and it's tapered tip lovely in it's deadliness.
Yahiko breaks off mid-sentence and cheers. "You got it, Sakumo-san!" Pushing away memories of the last time he had held the blade like this, Sakumo looks up and smiles back.
Rin gasps and turns to Hyaku angrily. "Why didn't you show me this earlier?" She jabs a finger at her scroll accusingly. "Obviously you know how." She ducks out of Hyaku's attempt to ruffle her hair and purses her lips in concentration, squeezing her eyes shut. "Extra medical supplies, extra medical supplies, extra medical supplies," she chants.
Suppressing the snort of laughter threatening to escape him, Sakumo watches expectantly. There are multiple pops this time, sending all kinds of medical supplies tumbling out of thin air and into her lap. She opens her eyes and squeals in delight. "Yes, yes, yes! Needles, thread, bandages, ointment..." She catalogues them with the elation of a child receiving a present before stowing them carefully into the pouch at her hip, humming happily. "I've been out of supplies for ages and it's been driving me crazy! No med-nin should go on missions without restocking fully."
She gives them all a thumbs up, her face glowing with contentment. "Now we're ready to fight."
A/N: In case you're wondering if there's any limit to this summoning ability, it's limited to only personal effects/stuff that they use a lot. So it's impossible for Sakumo to summon, say, the Sword of Kusanagi.
On a different note, I will be holidaying from 23rd Dec to 2nd Jan, so I won't be able to update or reply messages/reviews during that time. Next chapter will be the last until I come back! :)