AN: Sorry for the late update, seriously. I missed this story so much to even abandon it. Laptop broke and had to rewrite the whole chapter again. Again, very sorry. :)
"First Contact" – Chapter 1
"When one door closes, another one opens."
Minato and some of his comrades have stopped by several towns near Konohagakure or anything within the vicinity of Fire Country as per the orders of the Fire Daimyo.
The Third Great Shinobi War has been raging on, and the Daimyo of Fire Country wanted to make sure that all the towns nearby are still heads up to the game and aren't suffering any economic crisis that the war may have caused.
Fire Country is consists of at least thirty-eight towns, with twenty of them suffering heavy decrease in economic strife, and six close to following them down that road. Very unfortunately, only twelve towns managed to stay upright and continued to support the ever-determined village of Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen did his best in sending some of his forces over towns to guard or watch over them to stop any possible raids other rival villages may have sent them.
But alas, the ninjas he could send were only limited. He needs all the possible help he could get and Hiruzen couldn't afford in spending them to the towns any longer.
That, however, did not stop some Suna-nins from poisoning the water supply system of one town near the border of Wind Country, supposedly killing all the people within it – and would later in the future be rebuilt as a famous transport exchange and merchant guild between Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Konohagakure.
Rumors have been flying around the nearby towns about the mysterious healer who had appeared and saved all the people from the poison and should have been killed by the hands of Sunagakure.
A war is a time of sheer desperation.
No shinobi have been foreign to it. Even kids younger than ten have been forced to grow up and live in the bloody path called war.
So not even the Hokage questioned the Daimyo's urgent order to summon whoever is behind the miraculous deed that saved lives in an hour according to the rumors, they were desperate indeed. Even Tsunade couldn't save what must be hundreds of people within that town. It was a well known fact that Sunagakure's poison is nothing to laugh at, they were masters at their own game, even giving Tsunade (despite the fact that she had provided a counter for several of them) a run for her money at times.
Jiraiya's spy network had been mainly focused on the enemies' moves and tactical or possible moves against their village; while also keeping their ears open in case of a setback or trap prepared against them.
Upon receiving a mission scroll via a messenger-nin to look into the mysterious healer, labelled as an A-ranked from the Daimyo himself, the white haired sannin had worked his remaining web of network to squeeze out as much information they can find.
It bore fruit.
The immediate result had instantly reached back to the Sandaime Hokage.
A single name written about the identity of the healer.
Uzumaki.
"Senna-sama?"
A bewildered citizen within the newly named town of Kodomo formerly known as the famous town of "Kousaten" in Fire country inquired, almost suspiciously, at the team before him.
A tall blonde man, with spiky chin-length blonde hair nodded seriously at the other man, his team quietly standing behind him.
"Yes, it has reached the daimyo's ears about the legendary Migi no Te that Kodomo has been praising about since the incident. In times of war, our country needs all the hands it could get. The daimyo knows this, if this person could help in saving more lives than just this town, then we need her more than we know." Minato informed, cerulean eyes narrowing with fierce determination.
The man didn't give in easily at Minato's words, he just stood there watching Minato with a neutral face. But with experience beyond the man's grasp at the moment, Minato could easily see the worry and doubt lingering within the man's dark orbs. After all, not all citizens of Fire Country get to have an audience with the Fire Lord so often.
He then sighed, "Please, shinobi-san. Follow me."
Minato nodded and raised a hand signal to his team, the three chuunins immediately formed a triangle formation behind him as they followed the man. As they walked through the town, it was easy to see how much improvement it had since the war. Last time his team had been here, the town look ready to fall with poverty and extreme famine – people look so downtrodden before that it almost looked like that Fire Country didn't stand a chance in the first place.
The miracle this 'Senna' character had done for this people is extremely visible. You could see some of them happily chatting with each other, children once again finding joy in being naïve, and the town bustling with newly found pillar to stand on. Not only did she save them from the clutches of death, but she gave back their hope. So much hope that these people not only thought of her as their saviour but a very important figure of their lives.
He was thankful to see that it was not fanaticism that glinted within the citizen's eyes when they spoke of her – it was only a bright spark of supreme gratitude, burning loyalty, and incredible will to someday pay back.
When Minato thought over these, he imagined that Senna would be staying in the most extravagant house in town. Yet as the man led them on, the closer they get, there was nothing special…the houses bare the same level of status – not too extreme, not too inferior.
The man immediately ushered them inside a normal one-storey house with cream colored wall, shoji doors, and a clean front yard.
"Kazuchi! What did I tell you about cleaning my kitchen? I told you I'll be the one doing that!" A loud angry yell was heard followed by a resounding crash. The man they've been following winced slightly while Minato raised an eyebrow and his team felt confused.
Rin fidgeted on the spot, rubbing her elbow absently. "Sensei, is it just me or…?" She let the question trail off as she looked unsure if she should voice it or not.
The blonde man sighed and shook his head. "Saito, if you would please." He told the man who led them here politely, feeling a foreboding familiarity settle on his shoulders.
Saito, shaking his head almost exasperatedly, didn't need to be told twice and slid the shoji doors open. They didn't expect anything extravagant, but the sheer sophisticated yet modest touch in the house design surprised them a little. The wooden floor was polished, shining a little bit under the light. There were ornate paintings decorating the wall – what looks to be different sceneries from different places – while the living room consists of a low antique-looking table with beige cushions, the jasmine scent filling the air giving the house a light homey atmosphere, and maybe also the aroma of food that lingered has very much to do with that to. And the various potted plants that graced the walls and borders of the room too.
A woman entered the room, massaging her forehead with a hand tiredly.
"That pervert, doesn't he know the saying 'no touching a woman's kitchen'?" She muttered under her breath and sighed almost forlornly. Her eyes then caught the sight of the shinobis, her expression becoming one of silent suffering. "Didn't know Konoha would be quite quick on the uptake." She murmured quietly to herself.
"Senna-sama!" Saito immediately bowed to her, before straightening, casting nervous glances at the Konoha shinobi. "They insisted to have an audience with you, from the Fire Daimyo they say." He informed anxiously, fiddling with his hands.
Since they both knew that this was not the first time a ninja "graced" her with their presence, the first ones being hostile and tried to take her out of the game before she got too involved in the war. But she had also proved that not only is she a prodigious healer, she's quite the warrior herself. Sending their body bags where they came from.
Minato and Senna stared at each other, measuring the person in front of them but neither giving away anything.
Senna looked like the typical Uzumaki. But still someone Minato hadn't expected. He had been anticipating a woman – a little on the old side – not as young as the suddenly intimidating redhead they were facing. She has red, more like crimson, hair that looks identical to the hair color the Uzumaki Clan were famous for. Tied in a high ponytail while two chin-length spiky bangs framed her creamy-skinned face. Cerulean blue eyes hardened at him – mirroring his own that it stunned him – and flickered with an odd expression to which he wasn't fast enough to decipher.
He noted that she has Kushina's nose, and maybe eye shape. But they were quite dulled by her sharp features – her high cheekbones, thinned red-painted lips, and perfectly shaped brows. She was dressed in a loosed blue silk yukata, making her eyes eerily glow with their intensity. Her posture is loose, and slightly delicate if he say so himself.
She tilted her head as she gazed at them with flourish, blue eyes lingering just the tiniest bit at Kakashi who stiffened. "What do you want, Konoha shinobi?" Her voice had gone low the tiniest bit, not friendly yet not unwelcoming. It wasn't a demand as it is more of a secure measure. Melodious yet not sweet. Soft yet quite firm. Smooth yet a little bit coolly.
His team had been oddly silent. But Minato knew that they're following orders as he had solemnly told them to let him deal with it, never let their guard down, and stay silent.
The instruction mostly applies to Obito anyway.
Kakashi was struck by a prickly feeling that lingered on his skin, yet faint. As he observed the redhead, he was reminded of a courtesan yet the way she let respect fleet over those cerulean orbs just showed sophistication as he bit back a grimace.
The blonde jounin gave a small bow as he cleared his throat. "Senna-san, we are sent by Daimyo-sama and Sandaime Hokage-sama to request your presence back in Konoha. We are humbly grateful if you would kindly accept as you gravely know, the Third Great Shinobi War is still ongoing. We have heard of the accomplishment you have done in this town and would like to sincerely ask of you to at least consider a compromise."
His voice was smooth, neutral but had a big deal of determination and a subtle hint of demand in it.
Even Minato himself was surprised at his audacity.
As he gazed back at Senna, her eyes shone with amusement. The blonde was surprised and a little perturbed. She tapped her right cheek demurely with a finger, the silk sleeve sliding slowly down to her elbow.
She blinked, "Tell me, shinobi-san." She started, not even bothering with the courtesy of knowing their names. From her tone though, she sounded slightly insulted for a reason that eluded Minato and his team. "If say, I joined Konoha's forces and help, what could you exactly offer me?" She asked bluntly, yet her eyes had a very dark glint in them.
Minato strangled the indignant statement forcing its way out of his mouth as he bit the inside of his cheek.
His student though, Obito, had no such reservations.
"What do you mean by that? Konoha is the strongest village out there!" Obito gritted out angrily, not taking the hinted insult at his village very well. He ignored the reprimanding glare from his teacher and team mates.
Senna shook her head slowly, "Not only is Konoha the only one involved in the war, Iwa and Suna too. I don't find wars very appealing even in the lifestyle of a ninja. All sides suffer, shinobi-san. Not only people from Konoha lose families or friends to this skirmish, but people from Iwa and Suna too. By helping a side in this useless conflict, how am I even a help to ending this war then?" She questioned calmly, her words even as she explained and made them see reason.
No one dared answer. They even looked uncomfortable. "But…Iwa started this war, Senna-san." Rin offered hesitantly, eyes not daring to meet her cerulean eyed gaze.
"And it's not like Konoha wanted this in the first place." Obito said softly, no real conviction behind his words as he remembered some chuunin's satisfaction to use this war as payback due to some misunderstanding during a random mission fuck-up.
Kakashi remained silent as he narrowed his eyes at the redhead. There was some kind of sad, nostalgic quality in her previous statement yet there was a great deal of calm acceptance that he couldn't quite figure out. She didn't exactly deny the request yet she had let some of her disapproval slip through.
Senna raised an eyebrow, neither mocking nor appearing to be interested in their excuses as she elegantly sat herself in one of the cushions. Minato noted with a slight uneasy feeling that she had far more grace than she allowed herself to acknowledge. The blonde couldn't pinpoint it, it's somewhere between the stealthy and skilful grace of a kunoichi and the elegant, aristocratic yet sultry grace of a woman of nobility.
She smiled disarmingly at them, "At this point, does it really matter? A war is a war, Konoha shinobi." She remarked a little mockingly yet sympathetic as she leaned sideways on the low table casually.
"Saito, tea would sound nice." Senna requested from the man standing in the sidelines bewilderedly with a kind smile. The man bowed before doing as he was told. "Please have a sit, a host shouldn't treat her guest impolitely, especially shinobis courteous as yourselves. Most usually let action take first, at least, you're considerate." She welcomed pleasantly, gesturing to the cushions with a smile.
The team reluctantly did so as they were told, more on Obito and Kakashi's part.
Minato sighed, he didn't actually think it'll be this complicated. Her point had raised some unwanted recollections he rather not trudge on. Saito came in with a tray of hot cups of tea, serving them each before bowing and going out. The discussion was about to get serious, he knew dismissal when he saw one.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Senna inquired as she raised her cup carefully yet with practice ease, her blue eyes sparked with something curious yet knowing look into them.
The blonde twitched slightly, but really gave away nothing. "Konoha needs your help." He finally stated bluntly, straightforward and to the point. His eyes fired with good will and a stubborn drive as it met her gaze head on.
His students looked surprise, usually with diplomacy or negotiations, their sensei was cool, warm and easily accommodating. Not too fast, not too slow – just a regular pace to explain the bargain between both sides.
The redhead scoffed lightly under her breath as her face blanked.
"Of course, I knew that from the beginning shinobi-san. That invitation was more of a cover than anything, that's why I asked you a while ago and will keep on asking, what could Konoha exactly offer me?" She tilted her head, exposing her slender neck a little. Her voice was persistent, calm and levelled. Not letting her any of her thought slip through her tone.
Kakashi growled angrily, "The village could offer you a place among our ranks, and by your deeds and standards you'll gain much higher standing. We could also offer you a much better place, new techniques, talented shinobi at your disposal, and even protection. We're not stupid, I'm sure Suna had already made it known how much they welcomed you." He growled out, narrowing his eyes at her incredulous ones.
"Kakashi!" Minato warned, a little mortified at his student's insensitivity.
Then Senna did the unexpected. It first started out as a passing snicker, and then a mirthless chuckle, until it had became a full-blown laughter. As if what Kakashi just said was so damn ironic and funny. Her shoulders were shaking slightly while cerulean eyes squinted. She laughed until her cheeks hurt from the action itself, the sound throaty yet still alluring despite the hysterical lustre in it.
"So naïve, shinobi-san." She got in between giggles, as Kakashi tensed with bristling indignation, anger and confusion all in one. "Those things mean nothing outside the village. I could go wherever I damn please and would get the same offer." She enlightened with a gleeful glow in her eyes, laughter still remaining in her face.
As she reigned in her laughter, Senna turned to Minato inquisitively. Silently asking him with her raised eyebrow. The blonde looked unsure for a few moments, before steeling his resolve. From what he knew of the Uzumaki, they were scattered around the globe, their homes demolished and destroyed to end the reign of Uzushiogakure. And maybe, just maybe…
"Konoha can give you a home." He finally stated with voice full of undeterred confidence for his village, his face hard as stone.
Minato received odd looks from Rin and Kakashi but for some reason, Obito smiled as understanding ignited in those onyx orbs.
Oddly enough, Senna looked satisfied at his answer, her cerulean eyes gleaming with approval – of him or the offer, it still stands – and acknowledged him with light praise. And then she smiled dazzlingly with acceptance and perhaps, defeat.
"Good answer, Namikaze Minato." She confirmed graciously and heartily with a nod.
The statement made the blonde smile, despite the spinning confusion within him.
He never told her his name.
Friendship.