A/N: Not a fan of these so I will keep it short. Thank you very much for the comments. Yes, Shizune will continue to be featured as a primary character throughout what I plan to be a trilogy. Chōjūrō as well, in addition to some other "B-list" characters.
Main reason for the A/N, I am looking for a Beta reader. Seems impersonal to contact random Betas who probably aren't interested in this fanfiction, so if anyone is interested please PM me. Once again thank you!
Chōjūrō shifted uncomfortably in front of the Mizukage. The woman was a whirlwind of concern and fury. As soon as the news had reached Kirigakure she made all haste to Konoha with a full battalion of Jonin and another of Genin and Chūnin. Someone had thrashed mom's children and her fury had Konoha scrambling to produce results.
That was all the fanfare anyways. Off the books she was now standing in a suite provided to her by Konoha attended by only Chōjūrō and Koga. The suite itself was rather impressive. It featured an open outdoor terrace, a lavish living area and master bedroom, its own private garden, fountain and a well-furnished lounge and dining area. Truly a Kage's suite.
Chōjūrō glanced to Koga who sat in his wheel chair. The man had been in constant pain up until the meeting, but he was the picture of stoicism now that the eyes of Mei were upon him.
"Mizukage-sama," Koga began drawing the attention of the room, "I apologize for my lack of attentiveness. I believe that this situation was fully avoidable had I been exercising proper sensor protocols. I should have sensed the ambush before triggering it."
"That is hardly the issue Koga," The Mizukage hissed. "Your actions out there bordered on suicidal. Trying to take the full brunt of that blast even for a comrade is insane. What could possibly push you to being so reckless with your own life."
Koga did not seem to offer an immediate reply. Chōjūrō even noted the small movements of his eyes. It was the wolf-nin's only tell. Something deeply emotional for the man tugged on the small wrinkles surrounding his eyes ever so slightly. Koga's lips remained tightly shut.
"Fine," The Mizukage hissed waving her hand flippantly. "I suppose it was the only course of action to you at the time. And you both came out alive so that is what is truly important to me." She seemed so relaxed and in a rare burst of emotion Chōjūrō let his feelings out.
"Mizukage-sama," Chōjūrō called out suddenly taking a step forward, "It might not be safe for you here. What could have provoked you to attend so speedily? This is-" Chōjūrō cut himself off going red in the face at his own bravery. Without missing a beat Koga stepped in to save him.
"It was an absolutely reckless maneuver. If the enemy intended to provoke an armed inquiry into Konoha and trigger a larger situation, you would have played straight into their hands and without delay." Koga's eyes seemed to scrutinize everything about the Mizukage. In her part, she only offered a smirk.
"Am I not allowed to care for my shinobi's wellbeing?" Mei asked brushing some hair from her face. "Considering the reports, I heard I wasn't even sure you would both be alive when I arrived and I assuredly wasn't going to allow two of my shinobi to die in such a brazen attack without so much as lifting a finger."
"A finger?" Koga scoffed scratching at his chin, "You brought nearly a full quarter of Kiri's military might with you to Konoha. I would hardly call that a finger."
Mei shrugged, moving over to the window of her suite and looking out. Chōjūrō chewed his lower lip in thought. These meetings always felt impossibly tense. He couldn't believe how at ease the other two always seemed. Were they secretly chafing away on the insides too? He shifted uncomfortably again.
"I don't think we should draw any more ire," Chōjūrō mentioned meekly. Inwardly, he cursed at himself. Sometimes it was like he was afraid of his own voice. Mei merely giggled and offered a shrug of her shoulders, seemingly amused by whatever she spied from her window.
It wasn't long before her expression seemed to sober up though. "I want a report on your injuries." She turned to face them scrutinizing them with her keen eyes. They might have seemed stern to those unfamiliar with her, but Chōjūrō noted the concern in the corners of her strained lips. In all honesty, Chōjūrō considered how to answer such a question. Physically he was almost healed. His mental wellbeing was another matter.
Being saved by Koga only seemed to solidify his own weakness. There were a dozen jutsu he could have used to defeat the mere clone covered in explosive tags. He shouldn't need to be saved by a shinobi who appeared to lack the structured education of most shinobi. Yet if Koga hadn't stepped in he would be dead. Chōjūrō mentally berated himself for what very well could have been the thousandth time.
Chōjūrō felt his skin crawl and glanced at Koga. Those animal eyes regarded him fiercely. As if peering into his very soul. The swordsman shivered. Then the eyes were off him and back on Mei.
"My injuries were significant, but despite popular belief they will not be permanent. I have a means of repairing my legs and will be back in working condition. However, that will certainly not occur overnight. I expect it will take at least a couple of months for my legs to properly heal and only then will I be able to begin rehabilitation," The wolf-nin explained gesturing to his legs. Chōjūrō didn't understand how he could do that. The pain had to be incredible, but he just pushed it all off to the side.
"And you Chōjūrō?" Mei questioned drawing him back into the limelight. Chōjūrō swallowed the lump in his throat. Should he mention his second thoughts about being a shinobi? He knew he couldn't. For the same reason, he didn't want to be a shinobi anymore. He wasn't sure he was capable of following through.
"I sustained only minor injuries compared to Koga-san," Chōjūrō commented, "My shoulder and arm should finish healing in a matter of a week or so." Mei seemed to eye him for a few moments longer. As if sensing his sudden weakness. Chōjūrō began to sweat under those all-seeing eyes. Then her gaze shifted away.
"Very well," Mei shrugged, "I suppose we will postpone this mission and bring you back to Kirigakure while you recover." The Mizukage seemed about to call someone into the room when she was cut off.
"If I may, I believe the mission is still well within my capabilities, crippled or not. Simple reconnaissance does not necessarily require the use of my legs and additionally I could use the condition to my advantage. It would help alleviate concerns as to my threat. Besides, there isn't a better place in the nations to go for medical care. The legendary Tsunade, Sakura, and Shizune all so near at hand," Koga explained. Chōjūrō swore he thought there was a slight coloring to the wolf-nin's cheeks at the mention of the latter.
"You never fail me," Mei giggled. Chōjūrō realized she had anticipated this from Koga, though it honestly surprised Chōjūrō himself. "Very well, I suppose onto the next phase. That is an ulterior reason for me brining so much firepower with me."
"What could provoke such a move?" Chōjūrō wondered aloud, "Surely Konoha isn't too happy with having so much military might from a former enemy in their midst."
"The Jonin were a show of force," Koga clarified without missing a step. Mei's eyes seemed to sparkle with curiosity. "She wants to show Konoha and anyone else who is looking, which is everyone with the unveiling of the embassy, that Kirigakure's military might has not waned. Though the Chūnin and Genin must be for another reason. Unless it is a training exercise for them, I would assume that there has to be some sort of initiative to increase collaboration between the villages."
Koga sat back and thought for a few moments. Mei seemed content to let him, though Chōjūrō was eager for more.
"But what would that do?" The swordsman asked brimming with curiosity.
"Having a bunch of old stubborn Jonin who more than likely fought against each other in a life or death struggle before, sit down and chat is incredibly difficult. However, the new generation of shinobi have known only friendship from the other villages with a few exceptions. Sitting one of our Genin down with a Konoha Genin would be much easier than starting at the top," Koga continued to explain.
"Absolutely correct," Mei chimed in with a pleased grin, "That's my handsome man. In short, we seek to increase friendship by starting from the base up. I will be leaving the Chūnin and Genin here. After the unveiling of the embassy, they will begin a joint training exercise with Konoha, Kumo, Suna, Iwa and several other participating shinobi villages. You two will be tasked partly with overseeing them and ensuring they don't make a mockery of us."
Mei returned from the window and sat down in front of the two. She eyed them and then crossed her legs in quite a provocative manner. Chōjūrō swallowed that lump again and Koga's face colored. The woman was so bold.
"Chōjūrō you will be the official leader of the Kiri Joint Task Force," Mei decided and smiled her closed eye smile.
"What?!" Chōjūrō gasped, "It should be Koga. He is more capa-" The swordsman didn't get to finish as the wolf-nin burst out laughing.
"If you think a bunch of kids are going to take orders from a man in a wheelchair they have never heard of before, you've got another thing coming," Koga winced in pain holding his stomach. Laughing appeared to be quite painful.
"I, of course, have to agree with Koga on the matter. You will lead the joint force, end of discussion," Mei announced her eyes locking onto his own. Chōjūrō shifted nervously. It was like she was challenging him to say something. To speak out against her. His voice failed to find an escape route and remained locked in the lump of his throat.
"What is the embassy staff going to look like?" Koga asked with curiosity, looking over the woman.
Mei shifted uncomfortably for a few moments as if seriously considering the question. "They are suited towards the task for sure," She finally said, but it was a bit out of character for her.
"But," Koga continued for her leaning forward a bit, though Chōjūrō doubted that was to hear better.
"The embassy staff was picked before I was able to secure your vote. Many of the shinobi composing the staff… Well, they would not have been my first pick. No major red flags or anything, but it is just little things. Most of them have fallen under my suspicions as possible treasonous elements. Like I said, nothing overt. I would seriously urge you to be careful who you trust," Mei replied.
Koga offers a little sigh and a nod, "I will need to rely on you then Chōjūrō. We don't have anyone else to trust." The swordsman nodded in agreement.
Mei refolded her legs as she considered the two in front of her for some time. Then she put on a more serious expression and locked eyes with them both for a few seconds.
"Before we conclude I need more information about the incident," Mei explained. "It appears you have certainly been tight lipped towards Konoha on the matter. May I ask why you are withholding information from our ally?"
Chōjūrō felt himself shrink under the withering accusation. It was true, they had been withholding information from the Leaf regarding the incident. Not much, but enough to make the swordsman feel guilty. Especially when a friend like Genma was asking. That was only the tip of the iceberg. The true depths of it had Chōjūrō fighting a fierce internal conflict. He truly wanted to resign from his post. His incompetence had almost cost Koga his life.
"Well," Koga began seeming to shore up some argument, "I honestly have no idea how well sealed Konoha's ship is. Knowing how leaky our own ship is and how few I can trust from my own village, I certainly wasn't going to spill a ton of information to another village."
"That is what I like about you so much handsome, you are the epitome of competency," Mei cooed flicking an eye over Chōjūrō. The man deflated a little more under that questioning eye.
"I am not worthy of that sort of praise," Koga interjected with a roll of his shoulders, "I conclude that I failed to adequately react in that situation. Chōjūrō acted far more competently than I."
"Oh? Is that the truth behind your self-sacrifice?" Mei wondered aloud. Chōjūrō was flabbergasted by Koga's words. There was something bubbling between those two that he wasn't picking up on. Some subtle interplay beneath the words. He felt it seeping into the air. Another game.
"I was merely trying to ensure the greatest survival chance for my team. In that case, Chōjūrō was obviously the," Koga began but Chōjūrō swelling emotions got the better again.
"That is absolutely not the case. You had the best chance of survival Koga-san," Chōjūrō argued shooting to his feet, "You are faster, more cunning, and stronger than I." The wolf-nin's ears twitched in irritation. The skin near Koga's eyes seemed taut. Chōjūrō realized he had irritated the man.
"You have completely failed to grasp the specifics. I misjudged our foe, I got us caught in that ambush's kill zone, I was unable to disengage us, and after the use of two jutsu I was spent. I had become a liability by the time that bomb was about to go off. I could have made it maybe another hundred yards. You had far more strength, speed, and cunning than I had exiting that situation. If anyone was going to be able to stay conscious and fight a tactical retreat, it was you," The wolf-nin replied harshly stamping out a means of rebuttal from Chōjūrō.
Mei for her part watched the interplay between the two. Chōjūrō noted that smirk evident at the corners of her lips. She had been pressuring this sort of outburst. Perhaps she was aware of how the situation chafed at Chōjūrō's confidence? Anything was possible with intellect like hers. Admittedly, the knowledge that he was saved for more than just pity helped to alleviate his ebbing confidence.
"Well, do finish what you were saying Koga-kun," The Mizukage purred.
"Well, the last of it is the actual intelligence we were able to gather during the encounter," Koga began with a slight shrug of his shoulders. Chōjūrō remembered talking with Koga about it dozens of times already and fell confident enough to participate.
"Honestly, even that information was scarce," Chōjūrō chimed in, receiving a confidence boosting nod from Koga, "Most of what we were able to conclude was based on tactics. Even just that amount of information had the wheels in Koga's head turning."
"You have piqued my curiosity," Mei giggled leaning forward a bit, not so casually revealing more of her cleavage. Chōjūrō went a little red in the face unable to take his eyes away.
"U-u-uhm, Koga-san c-can f-f-finish," Chōjūrō muttered turning his attention to the wolf-nin. The man's cheeks were tinted red as he also leered at the Mizukage's bounty. Apparently fairing no better than Chōjūrō.
"I uh-," Koga began shaking his head, "I, oh well. The way they had set up their ambush screen was extremely tactical. Unlike any I had ever seen. It was clearly meant as a trap to a sensor-nin. The forward reconnaissance element had very little signature and were incredibly fast. The rear elements were composed of slower, more powerful shinobi. The kind I would have detected easier. I didn't even hardly notice the other shinobi until it was too late."
"We also found their positioning to be rather strange," Chōjūrō interjected, "Not just their formation, but where they had staged the ambush. Only a few people knew we were taking a slightly more obscure route away from the road. Yet, their ambush was set up right in our path."
"They didn't just happen across us," Koga concluded, "We were specifically targeted along our classified route, by a professional group of handpicked shinobi with the greatest chance of catching and eliminating us."
Mei seethed at the information, "What then? Another shinobi village? Kumo? Maybe rogue elements of our own?"
Koga seemed to consider it for a moment and shook his head. "That would be the most logical conclusion, but it stinks. Not a single one of those shinobi exhibited any of the subtle traits of any of the hidden villages, even our own. It would have been apparent in the small things, from the way the moved, to how they threw a kunai. Every village has their own particular styles in these matters even if they are unaware of it. This group had none of those."
"Mercenaries perhaps?" Mei questioned.
"Even they are typically former shinobi. And I am unaware of any mercenaries of this caliber. I don't have any evidence to support my idea, but let me give you a baseline of my thinking into this matter. This group was clearly acting on intelligence from our own village. I think it is safe to say that both Chōjūrō and myself were targets. The enemy did not prioritize one of us over the other. They targeted him because of his bodyguard relationship with yourself and me because of my clan vote if I had to guess," Koga explained, delving deeper into his own thoughts.
"That is the reason for the attack on myself and Chōjūrō, but there is a little more. Chōjūrō and I positioned ourselves to overhear the Hokage during one of his visits to the hospital. It would appear that the ambush squad had eliminated a patrolling group of leaf-nin supporting him as well. The nature of their deaths lends to a successful ambush. I can't think of anyone who would risk their own ambush position to engage a group that wouldn't have discovered them anyways."
"You think the patrol was also a target?" Mei offered to clarify thinking rather deeply.
"Yes, which detracts from the popular theory that it is a rogue group from Kirigakure trying to weaken your position. While that was clearly a primary objective, the group was also clearly attempting to weaken the Hokage's position as well and did so more successfully. To make things more interesting, the group that ambushed us had a particular type of resolve. Most mercenaries break contact as soon as they suffer significant casualties, which Chōjūrō and I quickly inflicted. Better to lose the contract than lose your life. Not these men though. They were determined, vicious, and single minded. I think we have another Akatsuki on our hands, but I don't have anything to back that up besides suspicion."
"Well, that certainly is a lot to chew on. You two did extremely well gathering this information. In fact, if it is another Akatsuki, your survivability just put them at risk. We three are the only ones with information as to their identities. That will scare them and you all are vulnerable. I trust Kakashi implicitly. He is a good man. I will have him appoint some troops he can trust to watch over you and in exchange I will share our intelligence," Mei concluded. "Well, I think that is all we need, I hope you both are settling in well."
Chōjūrō nodded, but Koga had a bit more to say.
"Well, on a good note it isn't too cold like Kirigakure," Koga began, earning an eye twitch from the Mizukage, "That and I won't have to be as committed to my recovery with so many wonderful medical shinobi around. Say, I should treat Chōjūrō to lunch before this Embassy thing. He's been badgering me about trying this barbeque place."
Little did they know the wheels turning in Mei's head… Too old… Commit… He's been – Husband… Mei is too old to commit to a husband?! Killer intent flooded the room as she grabbed Koga by the collar suddenly. Darkness seemed to envelop her as she gave him a deadly closed eye smile.
"Koga… Shut up and leave or I will kill you," Mei growled, before turning away. Chōjūrō sweat dropped remembering Ao briefly. Koga for his own part was continually opening and shutting his mouth as if he had something to say. Sweat beaded the wolf-nin's brow. Then suddenly in a flurry of motion the man started desperately wheeling himself out of the room and struggling with the door.
"U-uhm, see you at the Embassy ceremony Mizukage-sama," Chōjūrō called out opening the door for Koga and following the wheel-chair speedster out. Shizune was there waiting for them and she scrambled after Koga as he shot past her. Once they had made it outside Koga signaled for Chōjūrō to come closer. The swordsman wasn't sure what he wanted but walked up to Koga. As soon as he was within reach Koga grabbed the man by the collar and yanked him down so his ear was in front of Koga's lips.
In harsh whispers Koga began to reveal his displeasure in the swordsman, "What the fuck was that? I know you have confidence issues, but don't you ever doubt your self-worth like that. It reflects poorly on me, a comrade willing to give his life to ensure your survival. You should have been perfectly aware of how weakened I was. There was no way I could've escaped after the blast. You need to lock it up and find your fucking balls." Koga then released Chōjūrō with a bit of a shove.
Shizune glanced between them, having surely caught bits and pieces of Koga's somewhat loud and stressed whispers. Chōjūrō noted that she seemed to look away and give them privacy, but Chōjūrō's cheeks were burning with embarrassment. Koga was right. He did see how tired the man was in the battle. He should've put more trust in the man's appraisal of the situation. He felt a hand on his arm and saw Koga looking at him with concern and perhaps a bit of embarrassment.
"I apologize," Koga explained with a sheepish grin, "I let my temper flare. It is just… I haven't had a friend before really. I know I might seem competent socially, but you are my first true friend and I consider you a close one at that. So, what I am trying to say is, if you ever need to confide in someone, I know you have confidence issues, I hope you will confide in me. And in return I will do everything in my power to prove your value to you."
Chōjūrō found himself at a loss. Koga rarely revealed his true feelings or emotions. In fact, this was the first time he had seen the wolf-nin open up at all. The man was like a steel trap for whatever emotions were wiggling around under that skin, but now it seemed some were escaping. Giving a bright sharp-toothed smile Chōjūrō nodded.
"Hai Koga-san," Chōjūrō gleamed, "You are a close friend to me as well." Shizune took that moment to return and put her hands on Koga's wheel chair and began pushing him.
"So where to mist-gentlemen?" She asked with a small happy smile.