It had been a while since Kese had last woken up with a headache and sore throat. The last time he was ill had been two years ago, when he had spent his first spring on the island. He had to stay in bed for a week because Rozi hadn't let him get up. The blonde expected the same treatment this time, so he intended to hide it from her. 'Me? Lying still for days again? No way!' he thought.

It was still dark when he woke up, more exhausted than he could have imagined, and he realised he hadn't slept more than two hours, though he had the opportunity to rest. His last two clones had cleaned up the shore; Karcsa had taken care of the blonde's small injuries while the pirates' ship had slowly sailed away. The blonde had cleaned the sword and put it back into his pile of finished weapons in the workshop; then changed his clothes and burnt the bloody ones in the forge along with the used arrows which had been pulled out of the pirates' bodies. After these they had agreed on never telling it to anyone and then they had gone home.

Although he had exhausted himself and fallen asleep almost immediately, he hadn't been able to sleep much. Somehow he turned and his right arm got in under him and started to ache, waking him up. And his dream was weird, too. All he remembered was that he was lying on the ground, tired and injured. The world around him was a loud, noisy chaos of blurs; the only safe point in it a girl's emerald eyes. The blonde heard a howl, and raised his hand to see his own blood on his fingers; then the dream ended. He was pondering over it until he fell asleep again.

He hadn't had much more sleep, and when he tried to hide his sick state from his mother in the morning, Rozi immediately noticed it. But before she could have dragged Lehel there to see him, the blonde mysteriously disappeared from his room. He fled to Karcsa's house where he found the boys and Dombi in the stables. They were surprised to see him there, but laughed hard when Kese told them why. Karcsa led him out of the stables.

- How's your arm? – he asked quietly.

- Why Elemental?

- How many times do I have to tell you I need to practise it? Never mind... So?

- It's not much better. – the blonde replied, peeking under his sleeve.

- Stop it.

- What?

- That ridiculous suffix.

- What suffix?

- Nowadays you tend to close almost every sentence in Elemental with this "ttebayo"*. It's so annoying. Stop it.

- I don't say such thing! – Kese opposed, but saw Karcsa's tired and pitying expression. – Did I just say it again? – his friend nodded, making him sigh. – Alright, I'll try to pay attention to it. – he promised, then sneezed. Three times; and once more.

- Bless you. I support your mother's side at this; you should see the doc.

- He would notice my wounds and get curious. Maybe I'll visit Ince...

- That's a good idea. And once there you should visit Emiko, too.

The blonde sighed. – You won't leave me alone with this, will you?

- Of course. – they stepped into their warm kitchen. It was Sunday, but Emese started cooking lunch early in the morning. After they greeted each other, Karcsa went back to the stables, leaving the two alone; creating a very dangerous situation. Kese was sipping some tea when Emese snuggled to him.

- I was waiting for you all night long. – she whispered into his ears. The blonde put down his cup, took a deep breath, trying to hold back himself in vain.

- I'm sorry, I didn't feel well. – he whispered back and pulled her closer. - It'd be wise if you weren't trying to seduce me right now. – he started kissing her neck; her moans were sweet honey for his ears. – Your brother, son and nephew are near, so we better not start anything serious.

- It's not me who got totally turned on in under five seconds!

Kese smiled and caressed her lips. – Let me give you some bacteria... – he whispered playfully and leaned to her face for a kiss. Emese smiled until she processed his words, then snorted and pushed away his smirking face before his lips could have touched hers.

- Idiot... – she chuckled and went to the stove. She lifted a lid and the soup's smelly steam rose from under it. Kese sniffed.

- Chicken?

- No, one of our old hens. It needs some time to get ready. – this time the blonde hugged her from behind, his hands quickly finding their way down on her body. – And as far as I feel you don't need much time to get ready... As always... Kese... Ah, stop... – he was already under her clothes; one of his hands was massaging her breast, the other was between her legs. – Wasn't it you who's just said... it'd be better if we, ah... not start anything?

- I can't resist... – the blonde moaned along with her.

- Alright... But let's be quick and... in my room... And keep your bacteriah... for yourself!

The blonde were quietly sitting at the table, finishing off his remaining tea. He liked the taste of rosehip and honey - still not as much as he loved to watch the dancing hip of the pretty Magor woman working in her kitchen. Especially when she bent down to put some sticks into the stove's fire. He was about to convince her to have more fun, when the door opened and Karcsa stepped in.

- When are we going? – he turned to Kese, who just blinked at his question. - To the abbey.

- You want to come with me?!

- I want to make sure you speak with her too.

- But why?!

- 'Cause I'm fucking curious! – Karcsa yelled, and Emese scolded him for speaking like that. Kese couldn't repress a chuckle. 'Call the kettle black! Your mouth is even dirtier when I...' he coughed, emptied his cup and stood up.

- Alright. – he sighed. – But we see Ince first!

And within a minute they were on their way to the abbey. But Kese couldn't stop thinking how to get lost of his friend when Karcsa asked him.

- Why are you behaving like this?

- Like what?

- I don't know...

The blonde stopped and rolled his eyes. – And you're outraged when I don't understand what you're trying to say.

- Kese, it's clear you don't want to know what's up with you and your chakra. – his friend didn't answer, just resumed walking in a faster and impatient pace. - But why?!

The blonde sighed heavily and looked away. – I don't know what to expect.

- Are you... afraid perhaps?

Kese felt awkward, hesitated, but got himself to answer. – No.

- Oh, of course not. – he spoke, gesturing mockingly. – Of course not, because "The World's Most Awesome Blacksmith, Self-Appointed Baranta Master, Second Best Archer of The Silent Island, The Dreaded and Fearless Busó, and The Doom of Bloodthirsty Pirates" can never be afraid.

- That was my line! And I'm the best archer here.

- Only after me.

- You just want to.

- Please, I can shoot three times the arrows with much more accuracy than you!

- Prove it!

- I always do.

Kese muttered something under his nose but continued walking, and Karcsa nobly let himself have the winner's smirk. Meanwhile they reached the last uphill, and on top of it someone was already waiting for them. Both of them were surprised when they noticed the small old lady, in her white and red clothes, with her lively emerald eyes and beautiful shells on her necklace.

- Good morning, boys. – she greeted them in Elemental and waved to follow. They were walking towards her small house now. – You are really quick, Kese. I've just sent Ince to you. Where did you leave him?

Said person raised an eyebrow at this, glanced at Karcsa, then back to the old lady in front of them. – We haven't met. Actually, I came here to see him; I don't feel very well...

- Exhausted from yesterday's fight? – she chuckled. – I understand.

If Kese could kill with his gaze, Karcsa would have got stabbed at least a hundred times until nothing remained of him but tiny pieces. The scared Magor boy shook his head, telling that it wasn't him who told her what had happened.

- Excuse me, Emiko-san... – the blonde looked at her back suspiciously. – But how do you know about that?

- I've told you: I can still sense chakra, especially in you. – she glanced back at him. - Your chakra level has grown tremendously in the past few months. It wasn't hard to feel it when you suddenly let some out. I even woke up when you used your chakra for the second time, at night.

Kese frowned and they stepped into Emiko's neat house. It was rather a hut than a house, but it was big enough for the three of them to sit down on the floor comfortably. Karcsa and the Magors always found the old lady's habits odd because their cultures were different; but for the blonde it was familiar and he didn't mind it. – So, why did you sent Ince after me? – he asked after she poured some tea for them.

- For the exact same thing we were just talking about. – she chuckled again and sat down. – Karcsa, did you see what happened? – said boy nodded. – Could you tell me?

- Why do you ask him if I am already here?

- Observing someone else's actions is different from observing your own. You're less detached when you have to judge what you've done, resulting in mistakes. And besides these, he's a really good observer. – she answered. - Calm down, Kese. You don't have to be so tense. Back to the point... – she turned to Karcsa. – I don't need everything. Restrain your description to his chakra manipulation.

This kind of phrasing was a little too much for the blonde, but not for his friend. Karcsa scratched his chin and began speaking. - At first, on the docks, yesterday morning. Kese was angry and on the edge. When he snapped, a heavy gust of wind was unleashed; pushing over and cutting everyone in its way.

- Cutting? – Emiko asked. She was truly surprised.

- Yes... And at night while fighting his movements became too fast. Then although some of his chakra was drained out of him, he was able to make several clones of himself, twice.

- Illusions?

- No. Real ones.

The old lady sipped from her tea. – And?

- That's all.

- Do you have anything else to say, Kese?

The blonde raised his hand. – Yes, I think, erm... – he thought it over. – Uhm, no, sorry. – he then blinked at Karcsa's gaze, which made him remember his friend's previous note on a certain suffix. Kese just rolled his eyes and looked away, reading one of the opened scrolls on the wall.

Emiko hummed then turned to him. – Could you make some clones for me?

- Now? – Kese blinked, and after her nod he motioned his hands, stopped, then looked up to the ceiling.

- Forgot it again? – Karcsa teased him, smirking.

- Shut up. Of course I know it. – he closed his eyes and exhaled. He performed the hand-seal and the jutsu effortlessly, and three more of him appeared in the small hut.

- Emotions and danger. – she spoke as she got up. – These two things helped you call forth your chakra. – she started to examine one of the clones, which got a little embarrassed. - But now, you're already able to use your chakra without these. Not flawlessly though. – she turned back to Karcsa. – You mentioned that Kese's chakra was "drained out".

- Yes. The pirates wanted him for his chakra. And with the help of a specific procedure they drained some from him, and saved it into this scroll. – he took it out of his bag at his side and handed it to her.

- How the heck?! – the four Kese yelled seeing the scroll. Karcsa smirked.

- While you were getting drunk of tea at us, I visited your room and took it. I thought we should show it to Emiko-san.

- I have a feeling you've taken something else, too.

- Oh, just a few booklets, don't worry.

Emiko carefully opened the scroll and laid it down. – I've never seen this pattern. – she whispered, her fingers following the writing. They reached the centre, a large "Seal" kanji, when her movements froze for a few second and her eyebrows rose in surprise. Kese noticed it.

- What's wrong?

- I think I've just absorbed it. – she spoke.

There was a second of silence, then the boys spoke at once. – What?!

The old lady frowned, performed three hand-seal and she too created a clone of herself. Kese and Karcsa of course couldn't shut their mouth and eyes in astonishment. Emiko looked at her hands and smiled; hope and gratitude sparked in her emerald eyes. – It's been a while.

- Wha-wha-how-you know it too? – the blonde stuttered, pointing at her clone.

- It's a basic technique, to make a clone. However, mine isn't the same as yours. Take a closer look. - Emiko's clone raised her arm. – High five!

Kese's closest clone went to slap her palm, but his hand flew right through it. All of his eyes widened in surprise; unlike Karcsa, who just sat there calmly. – So it really doesn't have any substance. – he said, and closed Kese's mouth.

- It's just an illusion, not able to do anything, just confuses the enemy. It doesn't disrupt its environment and it doesn't have a shadow.

- But my clones do.

- Yes. Mine is just an ordinary clone, without a body. Concerning these features and the hand-seal you used, yours must be Kage Bunshin.

'Shadow clones', Karcsa translated the phrase to Magor in his mind.

- And what el-

Kese's question was cut in half by a knock on the door before it slowly opened. Ince stepped in with a box full of vegetables from last year, his back pushing the door in. – I'm sorry, Emiko-san, I haven't found... – he turned and got to see a Karcsa, two Emiko, and four Kese. His mouth remained open and he stepped back.

- I can explain! – the original blonde reached out his hand towards the obviously shocked monk.

- You better not do it alone. I'll help you at it. – Karcsa stood up then turned to the old lady and bowed a little. – Thank you for the tea, Emiko-san. We leave his clones here, so you can continue talking. – he then grabbed his friend's arm and marched out. – Once they dissolve, Kese will get the information they'd have received; just don't forget feeding them. Good bye!

Kese poured some water into a glass and placed it on the table, right in front of the monk. Ince was still progressing what he had seen and what the two had told him about it. He glanced at them, his eyes filled with misgiving. He suddenly drank all of the water in his glass, regretting selling that "fence-ripper" plum pálinka* to Zoli for good cash.

The monk glanced at the boys in front of him, wanting to ask what they had been doing there before he could have got them, when he noticed something about Kese. – Why are your eyes so strange?

- I think I'm ill.

- And in addition you're sick at the moment, too. – Karcsa added.

- Shut yourself, for god's sake. – the blonde massaged his temples then told Ince what was up with him since morning.

- You're lucky as always. – the monk stood up and started to look for something on the shelves. – I've just made a tisane for cold yesterday. There are still many in the village who don't trust Lehel's medicines, and they used to come here for healing... Ah, I can't find it. Have I really given it to Csík? Then... – he picked a larger pot and removed its lid. Then he took some dried herbs out of it and placed them on a piece of paper which he folded after it. – Here, take it. Add two litre of water and brew tea from it.

- Thanks. Do you have some of that cream which... you know, remove scars?

Ince and Karcsa too looked at him with a questioning look. Latter Magor had more than a questioning expression. – I don't know. – the monk answered . - Why do you need it?

- Just a thought of mine. – Kese tried to save the situation; he realized almost too late he was giving himself away. – Maybe I should give another try at the scar on my belly. And I'm really clumsy at whetting and I keep receiving smaller cuts on my fingers. – he turned his palms upward. Fortunately, he was telling the truth and he did have cuts on him.

- What about these? – Ince asked, pointing at his right forearm. Many barely visible cuts which were almost completely healed, around a larger one which seemed a little burnt, too. – I don't think you got them while whetting. – he was getting suspicious.

- That's... – Kese took a deep breath and quickly came up with something. He sighed then pointed at his friend, hoping he would play along. – I lost a bet to this asshole.

- What?! – Karcsa yelled in surprise. – I've told you not to tell it to anyone!

- I haven't told anything yet!

- What's going on?! – Ince interrupted them. The boys looked at each other and shook their heads.

- You better not know. – the blonde spoke, and Karcsa aided his statement with a nod.

- Trust us. It's really embarrassing.

Ince examined their faces, glancing from one to the other, then shook his head and turned away. He went back to the shelves, took off another pot, smelt and touched its content. – I think this is it. But it's a bit old, so apply in very thin layers.

- Thank you, I owe you one.

- Then you can help us in the vineyard next week.

- ...Wut?

* Because of lingual and formal circumstances, I won't write down every "(da)ttebayo", only indicate it in others' speech or in description. If you don't know what this catch phrase is, please look it up on Naruto Wikia. OvO

*Pálinka: it is "a traditional fruit brandy in the countries of the Carpathian Basin, known under several names, and invented in the Middle Ages". For more information, look up the source, Wikipedia. The phrase "fence-ripper" means the pálinka was very strong.

Thanks for reading^^ If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask them^^