The seductive Kunoichi Fuuka is back from the dead! She wants to take revenge on the blond-haired brat who dared to expose her best-kept secret and defeat her in battle years ago. Much has happened since then but the story of the attractive woman, whose beguiling charm had brought many strong opponents to their knees, also continues...
Fuuka's Last Kiss
Chapter XXVIII - The Clan - Part V
"Well now you've gonna tick me off, kid!" - Fuuka
Mito Uzumaki walked ahead of the siblings after they had entered the village. As was to be expected, nothing had changed. The same white high buildings, the same clean, cobbled streets, the same people, the same suspicious glances. Nothing about this place, where the red-haired woman had grown up, could arouse her interest anymore. Everything was as usual. Usual unspectacular and boring. Even the striking glances of the passers-by who crossed her path no longer caught her attention; in the village itself, everyone knew who they were - everyone knew them and their story. All three were members of the renowned Uzumaki clan, whose members were highly respected and had left a lasting mark on the village in almost every aspect, but the friendly reactions of the people towards Mito contrasted sharply with the way they encountered Fuuka. Outside, in the small settlements on the hills or the fishing villages on the coast, people saw Fuuka's long red hair and paid her the respect she expected - sometimes even demanded from them. She disliked the fact that they paid homage to the clan she belonged to in the first place - rather than to her as a person - but Fuuka was willing to overlook that as long as they knew their place - which, at least in relation to herself, she thought was far below. But in Uzushiogakure, people knew who Fuuka was. Unlike elsewhere in the Land of Whirlpools, the fact that she was an Uzumaki played a comparatively unimportant role - they saw her and her brother as two orphans, the offspring of a stranger who supposedly turned out to be a spy, and the children of a mother who could not live with this disgrace and betrayal and subsequently took her own life. Depending on whom one asked in the village, one either felt pity or contempt for the two parentless siblings - but mostly the latter.
Fuuka glanced at Hasura - his reputation in the village had changed over the years. She knew he had to fight hard to be accepted by the villagers. At the Ninja academy, he had worked incredibly hard, while Fuuka was primarily busy teasing other children and causing trouble. At the age of 6 Hasura had already finished the academy, a few years later he had even passed the Chunin exams as one of the youngest Shinobi ever - if he hadn't been the youngest Uzushio-Nin ever to do so, while his older sister was primarily concerned about herself; especially with her looks and attractive young men, some of them considerably older than herself, whom she let do her work - she learned early on to use her attractive appearance and femininity to her own advantage. Hasura, on the other hand, had devoted his entire existence to the welfare of the village and the protection of its inhabitants, until he was able to wash off from his forehead the stamp that these same people had so conscientiously and unscrupulously put on him, while Fuuka had learned to hate these people. But she did love her brother very much; Hasura was the only person who really meant something to her in her life, the only person she trusted, even though they were fundamentally different in their personalities and values - that had not changed after all these years. There was a reason why Fuuka's younger brother had been a Jonin of the village for several years already and Fuuka still held the rank of Genin - and that at the age of 29.
Why should she lift a finger for these people who didn't care about her or her brother? Who never tired of making the two of them feel like they didn't belong? To the village that humiliated them, to the clan that ostracised them... She didn't owe them anything. What mattered was only herself - and Hasura.
"Do you think there might be something to it?", Hasura asked her, whispering.
Fuuka bit her lip.
"No, I didn't mean it like that," the red-haired man corrected, reading Fuuka's face correctly. "I know you have nothing to do with this. There's no question about that - but do you think Ashina-sama really suspects us?"
The woman with the striking long eyelashes shook her head.
"I don't think our beloved uncle believes we had anything to do with it."
The way Fuuka said 'uncle' just sifted with contempt.
"What do you mean by that?"
"As I said earlier to that scarecrow of a cousin, everyone here knows how much you care about the village and its safety. For you, it's not just a duty you have to fullfil, it's a matter of your desire. You couldn't even dream bringing harm to Uzushio and its inhabitants."
Fuuka shrugged casually.
"Things are different with me though," she added.
Hasura knew that the implication she was trying to express with her wording was not meant seriously and should rather be interpreted as deliberately provocative, but he disliked the ambiguity of her words - especially considering the accusation they were facing, should the one Shinobi's statement earlier be correct. Fuuka might have an entirely different relationship with her homeland than he did, but she would not betray the village - she would not betray him.
"I know you don't have a particularly high opinion of Uncle Ashina..."
Fuuka rolled her eyes demonstratively as she interrupted him.
"Here we go again..."
"But the good of the village always came first - in all his considerations and decisions."
"However..." insisted Fuuka almost mockingly. "He doesn't have a particularly high opinion of me either. Our dislike is mutual."
"What I am trying to say is that if this is true, it can only be some kind of misunderstanding. The two of you may have had your... differences in the past, but Ashina is an honest, trustworthy man - and leader. After some clarity has been brought to the whole matter and it's clear that there's no truth to this accusation - but he will be mad about the Konoha thing though. I'm taking you to my new home after." Hasura grinned. "Fourth floor, with a terrace. Even bought myself a bird – I always wanted to have one."
Fuuka wanted to tell him to shut up, but she couldn't bring herself to do it after looking at his friendly face - he was once again trying to be strong for her; to be there for Fuuka and tell her that everything was fine and she had nothing to worry about. But Fuuka knew that Hasura was very worried. He couldn't fool her; she knew him too well.
"You're such an idiot." stated Fuuka with a subtle smile on her red lips.
They reached a crossroad and then turned left. From here they could clearly see the seat of the village chief. A tall building, very much reminiscent of the Hokage residence in Konohagakure, except that the wooden facade of the building was dark blue and almost gave an elitist impression – aloof, unreachable. It stood out clearly from the rest of the village's architecture, which was more pragmatic in nature - built up high to provide space and shelter for as many people as possible within limited space, and stable too, because earth tremors were the rule rather than the exception here. Unlike Konoha, where every building was almost unique and beautiful to look at, Uzushio's aesthetic seemed largely barren, repititive and monotonous. But Ashina's residence, which was also the main residence of the Uzumaki clan, was an amazing sight - designed by architects from Konoha. A personal gift from the first Hokage; Hashirama Senju, to whose office Fuuka had been brought after her little undercover operation had been uncovered. But this wasn't the first time Fuuka had caught sight of Hashirama; the first Hokage came to Uzushiogakure several times a year to reaffirm the alliance of the two Hidden Shinobi Villages, to demonstrate the unity of the alliance between Uzushio and Konoha to the other nations – at least that was the official narrative, but it was rumoured that behind the diplomatic scenes, the Hokage was very attracted towards Mito Uzumaki; Ashina's youngest daughter.
"Hey Mito!"
She didn't turn around - she continued to walk ahead of them, eyes forward.
"What is it?"
The Uzumaki woman did not seem particularly interested in a conversation with the two.
"Can you tell us what this is all about?"
She remained silent.
"We have a right to know what we're being accused of," Hasura added - his voice sounding low and serious. Fuuka knew that tone - she drew her eyebrows together. Mito sighed.
"My father wants to talk to you about the incident with the Kiri Ninjas who tried to infiltrate the village - you know..."
"If I remember correctly, I had already submitted my detailed report to Master Ashina himself. I was there when it happened," Hasura noted, incomprehension in his voice. "Besides, that doesn't explain all these measures... Does Ashina-sama really think we had something to do with it?"
"I don't know what my father believes. I was only told that he wanted to talk to you."
"But-"
"You know how secretive he can be. He doesn't tell me everything either - now quite!"
"Okay!" retorted Hasura with the shrewd tone he usually displayed - almost as if on cue, he seemed changed. "You don't have to get so grumpy, Mito-chan. You're not usually like this... It must be that fox talking right now."
Fuuka frowned in confusion.
"What fox?" the oldest in the group asked - her cluelessness written all over her face.
"What, you didn't catch that?" asked Hasura.
"Didn't catch what?"
"We're here." held Mito, drawing attention back to herself as they arrived in front of a large, turquoise-coloured gate - a large red swirl could be seen in the top centre of the archway; this was the only passage into the Uzumaki quarter, which was separated from the rest of the village by a long, if low, wall. From here it was not far to Ashina's estate. The two Shinobi who had followed them to this point - keeping a few metres distance - bowed and then walked back down the street towards the centre of the village.
"Mito has a new friend," Hasura explained with an almost amused tone. "She didn't choose him, didn't really had a choice either, but their relationship seems quite... intimate. A very... close relationship."
Fuuka tilted her head a little - her confusion turning to perplexity.
"Huh?"
The young woman in question folded her arms in front of her chest - clearly annoyed that Hasura was talking about her as if she wasn't even there.
"Are you done?"
Hasura did the same to her - his strong arms crossed, he took a step towards Mito.
"Are you done waisting our time and pretending you don't know anything?"
Mito and Hasura stared at each other for a moment. The same pose, the same look on their faces as the evening sun made them shine - until it didn't, having cast its last orange rays on the village. The evening wind sent leaves flying through the air and set the red hair of the three Uzumakis swinging. Fuuka's eyes wandered back and forth between the two; Hasura could be quite intimidating when he wanted to be - he was tall and strong and had a very penetrating gaze that could definitely unnerve other people. At first glance, one might think that Mito would have to be vastly inferior to him in terms of strength - she had a slender female body. But even though she might lack Hasura's muscles - as well as Fuuka's striking curves - Mito Uzumaki was already considered the strongest Ninja of the clan, as well as the village, not without reason. Anyone who did not take her seriously and underestimated her because of her appearance usually regretted this mistake the hard way - Hasura was no exception. He had learned his lesson, which was why the drops of sweat formed not first on Mito's but on Hasura's forehead, and he finally gave in; Fuuka's brother broke eye contact just before another Ninja rushed to them. The masked woman nodded at Mito.
"There are other matters that require my attention," Mito then said, trying to sound as formal as possible. She then put on a sarcastic tone. "I assume you can find your way from here on your own?"
"Mito-sama." said the person who had just joined them, her face hidden. All that could be seen were her green eyes. "Do you really think this is a good idea?"
Before she could reply, Hasura interjected - rather incensed at the Kunoichi's statement.
"What are you implying!?" he asked rhetorically, loudly and irritably. "I am Hasura Uzumaki."
He pointed demonstratively at his headband.
"I am a Jonin of the village. Whatever devious and false rumours may be circulating, neither I, nor my sister have anything to do with these Shinobi from Kirigakure!"
The masked Kunoichi backed away - her eyes slightly wide, as if she feared the Shinobi was about to attack her. Hasura's little lunge drew a few stares that did not escape Fuuka's notice.
"I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
The anger was written all over his face. The way these people he called his comrades and friends treated him disappointed him more and more. He did not understand it - not after all the effort and sacrifice he had made in the service of Uzushiogakure. There was no reason to doubt his loyalty - but Fuuka did not seem particularly surprised by this fact. Unlike him, she did not have a high opinion of these people, and therefore no high expectations either. When he looked into the eyes of the woman he had startled, he backed away too. Hasura took a deep breath, his muscles relaxing.
"It's okay." he said in a near whisper, addressing himself first and foremost.
"I-I in no way meant to imply that-" the masked woman tried to clarify, but was then interrupted by Mito's sharp gaze.
"We're leaving." said Mito, shortly before she, followed by the masked Kunoichi, also disappeared towards the centre of the village, leaving the two of them alone - which was apparently not intended, but Mito, much like Fuuka, had always had a mind of her own-and also like her, not a particularly good relationship with her authoritarian father. Hasura shook his head irritably. Fuuka looked him in the face, but her brother did not return her gaze; this whole situation seemed to be weighing more and more heavily on him and Fuuka could see from her brother's face that it was taking an incredible amount of strength from him to keep calm. She thought about whether she should say something - but she couldn't think of anything. She did want to know what this reference to this "fox" meant, but Fuuka believed that this was not the right time; Hasura's mood was now more than bad.
"Let's get it over with," said her brother, as the air around them grew colder and colder. Fuuka nodded - and they entered the Uzumaki quarter, in the middle of which the tall mansion of the clan head stood out above the blue roofs of the other, lower-lying buildings. As they walked along the streets, which had been comparatively narrower here in the quarter than those in the rest of the village, clan members were spread out around them, seeing the fresh evening air as a welcome change from the muggy air they were exposed to during the day. Some were out for a walk, others were standing by the wayside talking - all of them whispering unclear words and giving the two of them nasty looks when they saw the siblings walk past them. Since Hasura was unusually taciturn that evening, Fuuka had the opportunity to focus on the whispered words exchanged by the clan members around them...
"Did you hear? They say they're involved in the Kiri thing..."
"Traitors..."
"Regarding that self-centered bitch, I wouldn't be surprised, but Hasura..."
"They always struck me as suspicious..."
"That would also explain why Fuuka was so rarely here - she was far too busy conspiring with our enemies..."
"Hasura? Seriously? I can't imagine that he could ever do such a thing..."
"It's true though..."
"Scum..."
Fuuka wasn't sure if Hasura took note of the statements either - judging by his neutral, vacuous expression, that hadn't been the case.
"Hopefully Master Ashina will give them what they deserve..."
Fuuka heard Hasura clench his fists. He was getting it all... Fuuka's fists clenched in response as well - her features darkened. Then she marched with firm steps to the red-haired young man who had thought it was nescessary to mumble that last sentence to his comrade just now.
"Say that again!"
The person who had just been addressed and approached by Fuuka looked at the woman in surprise - almost as if he wanted to deny it, as if he didn't know what she meant.
"Huh? What?"
The red-haired Kunoichi scowled at him even more - incensed and provoked by his cowardice. When she reached the person, she immediately grabbed him by the collar and pressed his body against the stone wall of the house behind him.
"If you have something to say, spit it out. Speak, clearly and directly - like a man..."
The last word stretched Fuuka a little, as if she wanted to verbally roll her eyes at it, as if she wanted to ridicule the meaning behind the word "man", and the qualities that were usually associated with it. Her teeth gritted - then she felt a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back slightly.
"Fuuka!"
She glanced back in annoyance, giving Hasura the same look as the Uzumaki lad she still held by the collar.
"What!?"
"What are you doing?"
"I don't like the way they talk about you."
"You don't usually care what these people think."
"I... But..."
"It's cute how you want to stand up for me - but I don't need a protector who fight my battles for me."
His hand moved from her bare shoulder slowly to her cheek.
"I need a sister who stand by my side," he added, giving her a warm smile. Fuuka calmed down a little; glad to see her brother again as she knew him - which the young man must have misjudged, however, because he then tried to tear himself away from Fuuka's firm grip. The woman then pushed him against the wall again - much harder than before, so that his legs became weak and he fell to the floor. Hasura gave his sister a critical look.
"What? He deserved it!" said Fuuka – trying to justify herself. They left the young man behind and continued walking, before the two reached their destination after a few more minutes - the blue tower of the village; the Uzumaki mansion.
Ashina Uzumaki was standing on the roof of the building. His long white hair fluttered in the wind. He looked down at the two.