Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.
As always a big thank you to my Beta cheekylips.
Chapter 19 Bruises
After Maiha returned to mission status she made it a point to stay as busy as possible. She worked with her old teammates again in a three man cell as well as solo missions. Her new abilities and skills allowed her to climb the shinobi ladder pulling in higher ranked missions. Trying to move on with her life she tried to keep Kakashi at arm's length, still close but far enough away to heal. He mostly saw her in passing in and out of the Hokage's office, on the street with her teammates or on her way out the village gate.
Maiha stopped going to the dock on the night of a full moon and made it a point to check for a mission around that date. If she was in town she would go to the memorial and sit leaning up against it. She didn't feel as close to Ai there but on those nights she avoided the lake. She felt it had been somewhat tainted from the night she had seen Madori and Kakashi there together.
Deep in thought about Kakashi, Maiha didn't notice that she'd almost passed the Hokage's door as she had arrived after being summoned by Tsunade for a mission. Glad that no one could see her, Maiha knocked on the hard wood before pushing open the door. "Good evening Lady Hokage you asked to see me."
"Yes, good evening Maiha. I have a mission for you," Without waiting for a reply, Tsunade pulled several pieces of paper from a stack on her desk. "This one is in our own back yard. You will be going to the city of Otafuku Gai to investigate the disappearances of 4 geisha over the past 12 months. You will be assuming the identity of a geisha and gather information from the inside. We will be sending a male shinobi to collect information and to check on your status periodically."
"Oh wow Lady Hokage, are you sure this isn't something more suited for Ino?"
"Ino doesn't fit the profile of the missing women. You are resourceful Maiha, geisha are entertainers, use your talents. You will be leaving at the end of the month, this may be a long mission for you. You will be meeting the owner of the tea house and his wife momentarily. His wife will be assisting you in your greatly condensed and rigorous training period. It is my understanding that you already have musical talent. This will greatly benefit the mission as you will blend in easier."
"Yes but Lady Hokage, I haven't played the flute since the night of Ai's funeral.
"That doesn't change the fact that you have this talent. During this mission you will remain in full geisha dress including face paint to conceal your identity. During your stay at the tea house you will treat any male shanobi that you see as clients. You must not blow your cover." Tsunade finished with Maiha momentarily and looked over, "Shizune, please show the tea house keeper and his wife in."
"This way please." Shizune said as she let them into the room.
"Sir, madam, this is Maiha, she will be the kunoichi that will be assisting you," Tsunade introduced her to the clients.
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Maiha greeted them with a bow.
The wife of the tea house owner approached Maiha aggressively with a measuring tape. She just stood still not to disrespect the clients. "Her features will appeal to our male clientele. Does she have any talents?"
"Maiha can play the flute and she has her kunoichi training which encompasses much," Tsunade informed her.
"Perfect, she will fit in with little training then. One month will give us enough time to prepare all the necessities she will need to play the part Lady Hokage."
"Very well, I will finish briefing Maiha on her mission."
The two thanked Tsunade and Shizune showed them out. Maiha just stood there confused at what just transpired. "I'm going to play… a geisha?" She drifted off confused before snapping back into reality. "Thank Kami for confidential mission status," she exhaled.
"Maiha, now that you know what your mission there is the matter about your preparations. During the day you will travel to Otafuku Gai to practice the geisha trade. Then, there is the issue of your tolerance for alcohol.
"Tolerance Lady Hokage?"
"Yes. Geisha are expected to be able to consume large amounts of alcohol and entertain their clientele throughout the evening. Therefore you will be required to build your tolerance throughout the month in preparation."
Maiha paused in disbelief before looking up at the older woman uncertainly, "Ma' Lady you want me to drink every night?"
Tsunade waved her hand impatiently, "There is little time to waste. To build up your tolerance, most nights will do."
"Umm… okay."
"You should start this evening, your geisha training starts tomorrow."
"Yes Ma' Lady."
"Oh and Maiha, be responsible and careful."
"Yes ma'am."
Maiha exited the building in a daze thinking about her mission. Assassinations, high level escorts, recovery and reconnaissance missions no problem, but dancing, playing my flute, proper pouring techniques and drinking myself into oblivion? Not exactly what I consider a normal mission. Upon her return home she thought more about how she would go about this. Maybe a different bar every night? There were a lot in Konoha hopefully no one would notice her purposefully becoming an alcoholic.
That evening she started her 'training' and the next morning was introduced to the trade of the geisha. Maiha found the tutelage quite rigorous. The dancing, posture, kneeling, proper pouring form, and then there was the drinking, it all proved to be more challenging than expected.
Considering her tolerance building, in her group of friends the usual bar night always started off fun and it was easy on those nights to drown out the sight at the end of the table. If her teammates were in the bar she would eventually make her way over to them and spend the rest of the night at their table. The three would stumble out of the bar together and on more than one night the two men helped her get her home.
Not many noticed her new behavior, but he did. Kakashi watched her intently, taking in the changes she was making. She was becoming someone, something else and he didn't like it. There was no way of him knowing that this was all part of her mission preparation but he was becoming more and more concerned. He could only take so much before deciding that he needed to save her from herself.
Another night of heavy drinking brought another night of stumbling out of the bar with her teammates. After they parted ways she headed home. Living on the second floor of her apartment building she used the railing to pull herself up the stairs and relied on the wall to not only guide her to her door but to hold her up as well. She exhaled, "I think I over did it a little tonight." It took her a few minutes to get the key in the lock of her door and once she did stumbled in and left it wide open. Maiha made it to her bedroom before collapsing on her bed.
Kakashi had followed her that evening. He watched her and then entered her apartment through the open door. He walked into her bedroom and found her face down on her bed.
"Maiha," Kakashi spoke apprehensively.
She picked her head up, her eyes were half open and she slurred, "How'd you get'n here?"
"You left the door open."
"Please shut it on yur way out 'm drunk 'n tired," she turned her head away. "Juss leme pass out I'll be fine in the 'morning. "
He walked over to the other side of the bed so he could see her face. "Is this what you do when you come home from the bar?"
"Yess. You 'cn go home now."
"Maiha, this is a problem." He hated seeing her like this. "Maiha?" She didn't respond, she was out cold. He exhaled and shook his head.
The morning sun peaked in through her curtains waking her. "Ugh, that is the last time I do shot for shot with the boys." She sat up on the edge of the bed facing the wall. "Time to get up and get moving." She stood and walked around her bed on the way to the shower while unzipping her dress.
"Do you usually sleep in the clothes you went out in the night before?"
"Only when I can't take them off before I get to bed," she replied to Kakashi as she passed by him. He was leaning on the wall of her room waiting for her to wake up. She entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her. After he heard the water turn on he waited a few minutes and then walked in after her.
"I don't need help taking a shower Kakashi I'm not going to drown."
"No but you were doing a fine job of that last night."
"I highly doubt that you haven't had nights like those Kakashi. Whether you know it or not, growing up I heard plenty of stories."
"Don't try to turn this around on me."
"I wasn't, don't get so defensive. I was just making a statement." Maiha finished her shower, rung the excess water out of her hair and opened the shower door. Grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her before exiting the stall.
"Why are you doing this to yourself?"
"Doing what Kakashi, I don't know what you are talking about." Walking by him once again she made her way to her dresser to gather her clothing for the day.
"Maiha, you barely got home last night, do you even remember that I followed you."
"Sure I do, you said something about problems and then I assume I passed out." She opened her towel and just before it was about to drop to the floor he turned away. She dressed quickly and returned her towel to the bathroom, walked back through the bedroom and made her way to the door.
Kakashi moved in front of her blocking her advance out of her apartment. She stopped and slightly looked away from him. His eye was stern his eyebrow slanted. He exhaled and then his eye and voice softened "Maiha why are you doing this?"
She sighed inwardly; she couldn't tell him about the mission. "Don't be so concerned Kakashi, I really don't have time for a lecture right now I have places to be." She stepped around him and headed for the door. "Lock up on your way out please," and she left him standing in her living room.
He was hurt. He didn't understand why she would suddenly develop this behavior and when confronted would blow him off.
Maiha went directly to the Hokage's office. "Ma' Lady my preparations are going well but Kakashi is becoming concerned about my welfare and confronted me this morning."
"I'll take care of it thank you Maiha."
"Yes lady Hokage." She felt like she was telling on him. Maiha already knew her behavior worried him but she couldn't divulge any information of why she was participating in it.
Kakashi made his own visit to the Hokage's office that morning. "Good morning Kakashi, just the shinobi I wanted to see, I have a mission for you." The blonde threw him a mission scroll. "You will depart tonight. I will expect you back in a week." It would give Maiha time to complete her training and preparations while keeping him out of the village. "You may leave," she waved her hand at him.
He stood for a minute longer, "Lady Hokage."
"Yes?" she knew exactly what was coming.
"I am concerned about Maiha's recent change in behavior. She won't let me approach her about it but something needs to be done. I think she may be suffering from a bout of depression. I have noticed that she has been drinking large amounts of alcohol on a frequent basis and is distancing herself from her friends."
"I'll look into it Kakashi."
"Ma Lady please…"
"I will look into it Kakashi," she said in a more insistent tone.
He exhaled heavily, "Thank you Lady Hokage," and he left the office.
Early in the evening Maiha returned from her geisha training and went directly home finding Kakashi leaning up against the wall next to the door of her apartment reading his book. Kakashi felt after his conversation with Tsunade that things were better left up to him. She exhaled before she ascended the stairs. Maiha proceeded to her door and unlocked it, "Evening Kakashi."
He closed his book and looked at her, "Good evening Maiha. I just wanted to stop in and let you know that I have a mission so please, take care of yourself, I'll see you when I get back."
She could tell by the tone of his voice that he was concerned and she avoided eye contact. "Thanks for letting me know, be safe." Maiha entered her apartment and as usual, allowed the door to close behind her but Kakashi put his hand out stopping it before it shut. Maiha threw her keys on the table and when she didn't her the door latch behind her she knew she was in for a heated emotional discussion.
He began, "Maiha, we need to talk."
She blinked innocently "Oh, what about?"
"What has happened to you, I never see you anymore?"
"I take missions Kakashi, I'm a shinobi too that's what we do. I'm just doing my job, I can't help that I'm busy."
He waited before responding. "I feel as if I don't know you anymore. You've changed since you've been back."
"I can't help that I grew up Kakashi. I'm just more serious about my job now. After facing that mist ninja I was reminded how important it was to stay focused. I got over confident and almost died."
"Not that," he said quickly, "we've changed."
"It was bound to happen Kakashi, to some degree anyway. Being a shinobi isn't easy, village first remember."
He exhaled frustrated and continued in a dejected tone, "Why do you keep pushing me away?"
That hurt. She knew it was true even before she started the preparations for her geisha mission. But she plastered on a fake smile, "That's silly, why you would think that?"
He paused again, his tone becoming more instant. "What happened Maiha?"
Emotions began to surface, she needed to get him out of her apartment before she said something she would regret about the mission or their relationship. Maiha looked away. "Nothing happened Kakashi."
He raised his voice slightly "Then why won't you look at me?"
She swallowed hard and turned toward him crossing her arms. "Nothing has happened."
It only escalated from there, and by that time the commotion drew in some villagers passing by.
"Don't lie to me," Kakashi continued pressing the issue raising his voice yet again.
"I'm not!" she pushed back, "why would I!" she turned her face away from him again.
Genma rounded the corner and noticed the action at Maiha's apartment and as he approached could hear Kakashi's voice. He rarely ever heard that tone from Kakashi and Maiha sounded so emotional he couldn't help but look further into the situation.
"Look at me when I am talking to you." Kakashi grabbed her arm and spun her around, he wanted to see her face, her emotions.
"You're hurting me Kakashi," he pulled back his hand as if she'd burnt him.
When Kakashi spoke again his voice was softer, "You have a problem, you've been drinking too much, you need help."
"Kakashi I haven't had a father since I was three and I sure as hell don't need one now!" She inhaled deeply with wide eyes realizing what she had just said.
There was a moment of silence.
He crossed his arms hurt by her comment and his eyebrow slanted downward. "I thought you grew up Maiha, now you're just being a brat."
"I don't need help Kakashi, now please leave," the emotion started to let go and her voice started to break up.
"You need help, wake up before you mess up the rest of your life!"
"Get out!" she forced out loudly as tears began to well up in her eyes she shoved him back out the door shutting it in his face.
He thumped on her door "Maiha, open this door!"
Genma yelled from the street "Kakashi let it go!" as he ran toward the stairway.
"Maiha!" he drew out in a slightly lower voice. He set his forehead on her door and spoke in his normal tone, "Maiha let me help you." Kakashi heard the door lock and her sobbing on the other side. It hurt him. He felt that he had to confront her so that she could get the help she needed but had lost his temper derailing the intervention.
Genma made his way to Maiha's door and put his hand on Kakashi's shoulder, "Let it go Kakashi, she can't hear you right now."
"I can't leave her like this, I have a mission. I leave tonight."
"You have to Kakashi, leave her alone for now. I'll keep my eye on her while you're gone. Now go get your head straight for your mission." Genma tried to be as supportive as possible. Never had he witnessed or heard of this kind of clash between the two.
Kakashi took a second glance at her door and repeated the phrase, "Take care of yourself Maiha, I'll see you when I get back." He placed his hands in his pockets glanced at Genma and walked back slowly to his apartment.
That evening he left for his mission focused on his task but she wasn't far from his thoughts.
It was easier for her to drink that night. Maiha found a little hole-in-the-wall bar and started to consume. There was no pacing herself tonight, she was searching for that familiar feeling of numbness that alcohol brought. She drank alone fending off any men that would prey upon any single drunk women. She continued her defense until a familiar face slid in next to her.
"Go 'way Genma I'm not 'n fur any fun tonight," she slurred.
"With the way you sound I don't think we would get to the fun part," he chuckled.
"I'm 'n no mood to joke either."
"Well, it looks like you could use a friend or at least someone to make sure you get home okay. C'mon lets go," Genma paid her tab and helped her walk out of the bar.
"I 'cn get home fine Genma you don't have to walk with me."
"Well, let's just say we should err on the side of caution."
"Whatever."
Genma walked her to her door. Once again she had a hard time finding the lock with her key. "Do you need some help?"
"I don't need any... help," her voice broke as she thought about her argument with Kakashi earlier that day. "I'm home… please juss go." She was still having trouble with the lock.
Genma stepped in and gently grasped her hand taking the keys from her. She refused to look at him as he opened the door for her and she walked into her apartment. "Do you need anything?"
"No, I'll be fine in the 'morning."
"Okay, I'll see you later Maiha," and he walked back out through the door.
"Genma," she called out softly as she faced the opposite direction. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he walked out of her apartment locking and closing the door behind him.
The next morning she got up and went about her normal routine before heading off to her geisha training. She noticed the purple welts on her arm where Kakashi had grabbed her. He was serious, why else would he be that forceful with her. Maiha knew he would never hurt her purposefully. She regretted the altercation that had transpired the evening prior and all for the sake of the mission. She had never lied to him and felt horrible about it. Maiha knew that in the end, as a shinobi, he would understand why it was necessary but with the amount of concern he had expressed about her welfare she felt it wasn't worth the hurt she caused him. It was a benefit that he was out of the village at the moment. Maiha would have found him, broke all mission code and explained the reasoning for her deception. At that point she was sure that this mission was the hardest she had been assigned, not only for the level of difficulty but from the repercussions caused from it. She rubbed her hand over the area where he had grabbed her and started to tear up. The bruises on her arm reflected the ones on her heart.
As always, thank you all for reading or/and following along.
I have to say that this is one of my favorite chapters so far as with chapter 6 and 12. Weird I know, call me little miss emotional. Let me know what you think reviews are always welcome.
On to chapter 20…